RTHK: Anxiety among Tehran women after headscarf death The death of Mahsa Amini last week after her arrest by Iran's morality police has sparked anger and anxiety among many women in the Islamic republic. "I'm frightened," said Nazanin, a 23-year-old nurse from Tehran, who said she is now far more careful about how she wears her headscarf to avoid run-ins with the police unit responsible for enforcing a strict Islamic dress code for women. Amini, a Kurd, had been detained for allegedly wearing a hijab headscarf in an "improper" way, and died at a Tehran hospital after having spent three days in a coma. Public anger has flared over her death, and at least six protesters have been killed in nationwide demonstrations, according to Iranian officials. The behaviour of the morality police known formally as the Gasht-e Ershad or "Guidance Patrol" "isn't right", Nazanin said. "They shouldn't confront people at all" or interfere with how women dress, she added. "I don't understand why they do it," she said, insisting that "everyone respects the law". "Hijab is a choice," said Mahtab, a 22-year-old make-up artist, wearing an orange headscarf outside her shop in an affluent neighbourhood in Tehran's north. "It shouldn't be forced. I like to wear it... others prefer a chador," she added, referring to the conservative black full-body dress. Mahtab is "afraid of seeing" the morality police, but said she has not changed "at all" how she dresses. However, she said she would not "dare" take part in the many demonstrations in the capital and more than a dozen other cities since Amini's death was announced last Friday, and she called the protesters "brave". In Iran, women regardless of their faith are required to cover their hair, and the morality police bans them from wearing coats above the knee, tight trousers, bright colours or torn jeans. Activists said Amini had suffered a fatal blow to the head, a claim denied by officials, who have announced an investigation. In Turkey, a woman cut her hair as dozens of others cheered at a protest held outside Tehran's Istanbul consulate in solidarity with Mahsa Amini. Turkish and Iranian women outside the consulate brandished portraits of Amini. "Iranian women's fight for freedom is our own fight. Long live our international solidarity!" one protester said. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2022-09-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 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 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. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilization of reservists Wednesday to bolster his forces in Ukraine, a deeply unpopular move that sparked rare protests across the country and led to almost 1,200 arrests. The risky order follows humiliating setbacks for Putins troops nearly seven months after they invaded Ukraine. The first such call-up in Russia since World War II heightened tensions with Ukraines Western backers, who derided it as an act of weakness and desperation. The move also sent some Russians scrambling to buy plane tickets to flee the country. In his 14-minute nationally televised address, Putin also warned the West that he isnt bluffing about using everything at his disposal to protect Russia an apparent reference to his nuclear arsenal. He has previously rebuked NATO countries for supplying weapons to Ukraine. Confronted with steep battlefield losses, expanding front lines and a conflict that has raged longer than expected, the Kremlin has struggled to replenish its troops in Ukraine, reportedly even resorting to widespread recruitment in prisons. The total number of reservists to be called up could be as high as 300,000, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. However, Putin's decree authorizing the partial mobilization, which took effect immediately, offered few details, raising suspicions that the draft could be broadened at any moment. Notably, one clause was kept secret. Despite Russias harsh laws against criticizing the military and the war, protesters outraged by the mobilization overcame their fear of arrest to stage protests in cities across the country. Nearly 1,200 Russians were arrested in anti-war demonstrations in cities including Moscow and St. Petersburg, according to the independent Russian human rights group OVD-Info. Associated Press journalists in Moscow witnessed at least a dozen arrests in the first 15 minutes of a nighttime protest in the capital, with police in heavy body armor tackling demonstrators in front of shops, hauling some away as they chanted, No to war! Im not afraid of anything. The most valuable thing that they can take from us is the life of our children. I wont give them life of my child," said one Muscovite, who declined to give her name. Asked whether protesting would help, she said: It wont help, but its my civic duty to express my stance. No to war! In Yekaterinburg, Russias fourth-largest city, police hauled onto buses some of the 40 protesters who were detained at an anti-war rally. One woman in a wheelchair shouted, referring to the Russian president: Goddamn bald-headed nut job. Hes going to drop a bomb on us, and were all still protecting him. Ive said enough. The Vesna opposition movement called for protests, saying: Thousands of Russian men our fathers, brothers and husbands will be thrown into the meat grinder of the war. What will they be dying for? What will mothers and children be crying for? The Moscow prosecutors office warned that organizing or participating in protests could lead to up to 15 years in prison. Authorities have issued similar warnings ahead of other protests. Wednesday's were the first nationwide anti-war protests since the fighting began in late February. Other Russians responded by trying to leave the country, and flights out quickly became booked. In Armenia, Sergey arrived with his 17-year-old son, saying they had prepared for such a scenario. Another Russian, Valery, said his wifes family lives in Kyiv, and mobilization is out of the question for him just for the moral aspect alone. Both men declined to give their last names. The state communication watchdog Roskomnadzor warned media that access to their websites would be blocked for transmitting false information about the mobilization. Residents in Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, appeared despondent about the mobilization as they watched emergency workers clear debris from Russian rocket attacks on two apartment buildings. You just dont know what to expect from him, said Kharkiv resident Olena Milevska, 66. But you do understand that its something personal for him. In calling for the mobilization, Putin cited the length of the front line, which he said exceeds 1,000 kilometers (more than 620 miles). He also said Russia is effectively fighting the combined military might of Western countries. Western leaders said the mobilization was in response to Russia's recent battlefield losses. President Joe Biden told the U.N. General Assembly that Putins new nuclear threats showed reckless disregard for Russias responsibilities as a signer of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Hours later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged world leaders at the gathering to strip Russia of its vote in international institutions and its U.N. Security Council veto, saying that aggressors need to be punished and isolated. Speaking by video, Zelenskyy said his forces can return the Ukrainian flag to our entire territory. We can do it with the force of arms. But we need time. Putin did not attend the meeting. Following an emergency meeting of European Union foreign ministers Wednesday night, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell promised more sanctions on Russia over its escalation of the Ukraine conflict. He said he was certain there would be unanimous agreement for sanctioning both Russias economy and individual Russians. Its clear that Putin is trying to destroy Ukraine. Hes trying to destroy the country by different means since hes failing militarily, Borrell said. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said the mobilization means the war is getting worse, deepening, and Putin is trying to involve as many people as possible. Its being done just to let one person keep his grip on personal power. The partial mobilization order came two days before Russian-controlled regions in eastern and southern Ukraine plan to hold referendums on becoming part of Russia a move that could allow Moscow to escalate the war. The votes start Friday in the Luhansk, Kherson and partly Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions. Foreign leaders are already calling the votes illegitimate and nonbinding. Zelenskyy said they were a sham and noise to distract the public. Michael Kofman, head of Russian studies at the CNA think tank in Washington, said Putin has staked his regime on the war, and that annexation is a point of no return, as is mobilization to an extent. "Partial mobilization affects everybody. And everybody in Russia understands ... that they could be the next wave, and this is only the first wave, Kofman said. Shoigu, Russia's defense minister, said only some of those with relevant combat and service experience will be mobilized. He said about 25 million people fit that criteria, but only about 1% of them will be mobilized. It wasnt clear how many years of combat experience or what level of training soldiers must have to be mobilized. Another clause in the decree prevents most professional soldiers from terminating their contracts until after the partial mobilization. Putin's mobilization gambit could backfire by making the war unpopular at home and hurting his own standing. It also concedes Russia's underlying military shortcomings. A Ukrainian counteroffensive this month seized the military initiative from Russia and captured large areas in Ukraine from Russian forces. The Russian mobilization is unlikely to produce any consequences on the battlefield for months because of a lack of training facilities and equipment. Russian political analyst Dmitry Oreshkin said it seemed an act of desperation. People will evade this mobilization in every possible way, bribe their way out of this mobilization, leave the country, he said. He described the announcement as a huge personal blow to Russian citizens, who until recently (took part in the hostilities) with pleasure, sitting on their couches, (watching) TV. And now the war has come into their home. In his address, Putin accused the West of engaging in nuclear blackmail and cited alleged statements of some high-ranking representatives of the leading NATO states about the possibility of using nuclear weapons of mass destruction against Russia. He did not elaborate. When the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, to protect Russia and our people, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal, Putin said. In other developments, relatives of two U.S. military veterans who disappeared while fighting Russia with Ukrainian forces said they had been released after about three months in captivity. They were part of a swap arranged by Saudi Arabia of 10 prisoners from the U.S., Morocco, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Croatia. And in another release, Ukraine announced early Thursday that it had won freedom from Russian custody of 215 Ukrainian and foreign citizens, including fighters who had defended a besieged steel plant in the city of Mariupol for months. Zelenskyy posted a video showing an official briefing him on the freeing of the citizens, in exchange for pro-Russian opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk and 55 others held by Ukraine. - Yesica Fisch in Kharkiv contributed to this story. WAPELLO The addition of 60 cameras and 14 multipurpose sensors for vaping detection to the Wapello School Districts original minimal system is leading to a new video surveillance policy. The school board approved the first of two required readings of the new policy Tuesday at its regular monthly meeting. The second reading will be considered next month. Superintendent Mike Peterson explained some of the key provisions of the policy for the board. Basically, it says we are not going to put cameras in any private areas. We are not going to put them in locker rooms or bathrooms or individual classrooms. They are going to be in common areas, he advised the board. According to the policy, no cameras will be located in places where there is a reasonable expectation for privacy. Access to the recordings will also be limited. Not everybody has the right to view the (recording). Only people who have a need to know can do that, Peterson explained. Parents would have the right to view video but only the portions that would pertain to their child. Its not open to everybody, he emphasized. He also covered other features of the system, including the length the videos would be retained, storage and monitoring and review of the system to ensure the policy and procedures are followed. Board member Matt Smith wanted to make sure he understood the review provision. Tell me about that, he asked Peterson, who assured him the review would be throughout the year and not a single event. (It is) making sure the people who are looking at the video are only the ones who have a need to do that, he told the board. Federal grant discussed Meanwhile, the board also discussed the status of a federal grant application the school submitted earlier this year and that officials hope will eventually pay for the nearly $200,000 system. Although the cost has already been paid through the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) Program, if the grant is awarded, district Business Manager Eric Small said the grant could repay the schools ESSER account. Officials said the school should know later in October about the grant. The board also reviewed other previous ESSER spending and learned the district still had around $140,000 left to spend before September 30, 2024. Peterson said at the request of board members he was researching the possibility of using some of the funding to install Univents in some classrooms. He said a neighboring school district was also looking into the units and had learned it could install units in 10 classrooms for about $46,000. The board agreed to continue investigating, but several members indicated there was no rush to decide since the district still had nearly two years to spend the money. Other action The board also: Reviewed and approved several routine board policies. Agreed to purchase new wall mats for the main gym. Approved the purchase of a new 10-passenger van from Mincer Ford for $51,714. Approved several new hires. Peterson also reported the student enrollment had grown by 15 students over last years enrollment, putting the current student population at 544. He cautioned the figure was not the official count, which is not taken until Oct. 1, but he welcomed the news, explaining it was only the second time since he had been in the district that he had not notified the board of an enrollment drop. Peterson was hired in 2011. The governments of South Korea and Japan say their leaders have agreed to accelerate efforts to mend ties frayed over Japans colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. The announcement Thursday followed their countries first summit in nearly three years on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. Tokyo earlier had denied an agreement on their summit, in a sign of the delicate nature of their relations. Seoul said South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shared the need to improve ties and agreed to instruct their respective diplomats to step up talks for that. The Japanese Foreign Ministry said the two leaders agreed to promote cooperation between the two countries as well as with the United States. British Prime Minister Liz Truss has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of making saber-rattling threats to cover his failed invasion of Ukraine. It comes as Truss tells the United Nations that its founding principles are fracturing because of aggression by authoritarian states. In her debut speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Truss has called the war in Ukraine a battle for our values and the security of the whole world. She has extolled the late Queen Elizabeth II as a symbol of everything the U.N. stands for. Truss addressed the U.N. on the same day Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the global gathering by video. Saudi Arabia plans to launch a training program with the goal of sending its own astronauts, including a woman, into space next year. The kingdom is actively promoting science and technology as part of its wide-ranging Vision 2030 plan to overhaul its economy and reduce its dependency on oil. The plan, championed by Saudi Arabias crown prince and de facto leader, Mohammed bin Salman, also calls for greater integration of women into the workforce of the conservative Muslim country. Saudi Arabia lifted a long-standing ban on women driving in 2018. The neighboring United Arab Emirates launched a probe into Mars orbit in February 2021 and plans to launch a lunar rover in November. SUMNER A rural Sumner sex offender has been arrested after allegedly summoning emergency responders to his home without an emergency. According to court records, Jason William Gruenberg admitted he had an infatuation with emergency vehicles after Fayette County sheriffs deputies answered a LifeLine call to his Y Avenue home around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. It was the second of two calls to the address in less than an hour. Gruenberg, 35, had reported the he was suicidal, had consumed alcohol and took four different types of medication, records state. Upon arrival, he told deputies he wasnt suicidal, but he was intoxicated, records state. Authorities have been called to the address 19 times with similar results since May. Deputies arrested him for one count of making a false report to a public safety entity. Gruenberg pleaded guilty to the charge during an initial court appearance and was fined $300 plus costs and surcharge and ordered to complete 25 hours of community service. Gruenberg is on the Iowa sex offender registry for convictions for indecent contact with a child and enticing a minor in 2010 in Marshall County. In 2011, he was arrested after he allegedly photographed children at West Fest in West Union. Binance has created a Global Advisory Board to which it appointed eleven financial sector experts, including South African investment banker Leslie Maasdorp. Members of the board include veterans and experts in public policy, government, finance, economics, and corporate governance. Former US Senator and Ambassador to China, Max Bacus, will chair the board, which recently convened in Paris, France. The boards purpose is to advise Binance on some of the most complex regulatory, political, and social issues the entire crypto industry faces as it grows and evolves at a fast pace, Binance stated. Maasdorp is the vice president and chief financial officer of the New Development Bank. Previously he served as MD and president for Southern Africa at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, vice chairman of Barclays Capital, and international adviser to Goldman Sachs. He also served on the Telkom board as a non-executive director between 2012 and 2014. For the past five years, Binance has been at the forefront of pioneering the exciting new world of crypto, blockchain, and Web3, said Binance co-founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao. In that time, weve tackled complex issues no one even knew existed. Zhao said the Global Advisory Board represents Binances next step on its journey. The blockchain and crypto industry can act as a true catalyst for growth and economic opportunities, Maasdorp said. For the cities that are willing to partner with companies like Binance in order to create progressive regulations and an effective Web3 environment, I expect it to enable a number of investments into the space. Maasdorp said he looks forward to working with the experts on Binances Global Advisory Board. The boards roster includes: Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt said South Africans have been getting poorer for a decade and warned that things are set to get much worse. The latest figures from Statistics South Africa showed that the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) contracted 0.7% in the three months through June. The data also revealed that South Africas economy is smaller than before the coronavirus pandemic struck. Speaking to David Ansara from the Centre For Risk Analysis (CRA), Roodt said South Africa is in deep trouble. He explained that he prefers to focus on GDP movements over longer periods instead of quarterly reports as it gives a better view of the economys growth trajectory. The South African economy is stuck in a growth trajectory of between 1.5% and 2%, and it is unlikely to grow much faster, he said. It is horrible. It is in line with population growth, and South Africans are getting poorer on a per-capita basis. He said that although global economic challenges affect the South African economy, many problems are self-inflicted. Macroeconomic policies like restrictions on power production and import protections harm local growth. Mismanagement of vital state-owned enterprises, including Eskom and Transnet, prevents important industries from performing to their potential. The governments fiscal policies are another problem. We cannot continue to run a fiscal deficit at the magnitude that it is currently happening, said Roodt. He added that South Africa could not continue to increase its debt levels as it becomes unsustainable. The tax burden is also getting heavier on a smaller number of individuals. The economy is not growing, and many taxpayers are leaving the country. The biggest problem in South Africa The biggest problem, Roodt said, is that there is no political leadership to guide the country in the right direction. It is not only a policy issue. It is also a case of the politicians being absent from taking real action because they are fighting each other to stay in power, he said. He said the problem in South Africa is not economics. It is easy to fix the countrys economy the answers are out there, he said. The problem is political, but before we resolve the political problems, we have to wait for the next general election. Roodt said he is very concerned about South Africas economic situation because so many people rely on the state for income. 32 million people get an income from the state. Ten million will lose this income when the Covid grant falls away, he said. The state cannot afford this anymore. The tax base is simply not strong enough to carry it, Roodt said. The country has high levels of unemployment, poverty is rising, and food and energy prices are going up. This is a recipe for disaster, Roodt said. This article first appeared on Daily Investor and is republished with permission. South Africas newest budget airline, Lift, has added a second route to its operations for the first time, offering trips between Johannesburg and Durban. Since its launch, Lift has only offered flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town. On Thursday, the airline announced it would start offering three daily return flights between Johannesburg and Durban, saying it was the most requested route to be added to its schedule. Bookings are now open, with Lifts first flights between OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and King Shaka International near Durban taking off on 26 October 2022. Lift also plans to add flights between Durban and Cape Town from November 2022. It will confirm booking dates for these flights in the coming weeks. The company joins a raft of airlines adding routes or additional flights to their operations over the past few weeks, as travel across the world has continued to pick up as the Covid-19 pandemic wanes. For domestic flights, FlySafair added a new route between Bloemfontein and Johannesburg at the start of September 2022. According to BusinessTech, South Africa is also getting five new international flights to Australia, Belgium, the US, and Mauritius. How Lifts prices compare Weve compared Lifts ticket prices between Johannesburg and Durban with other major airlines that operate on the route. We used the cheapest fares from each airline for one adult with one piece of checked-in baggage. For our first comparison, we looked at prices for flying on the first weekend after Lift starts operations on the route. Lift was the cheapest of all the airlines, with FlySafair a close second. Flight prices between Johannesburg and Durban Depart 28 October 2022 and return 30 October 2022 Johannesburg -> Durban One-way Return trip Airlink R1,111 R2,384 CemAir R1,110 R2,221 FlySafair R1,031 R2,062 Lift R985 R1,970 South African Airways R1,403 R3,060 Durban -> Johannesburg Airlink R1,111 R2,384 CemAir R1,110 R2,221 FlySafair R934 R2,015 Lift R885 R1,770 South African Airways R1,404 R2,807 The picture is very different for those looking to book flights between Johannesburg and Durban over the December holidays. Lifts one-way and return flights between Johannesburg and Durban were substantially more expensive than during the first weekend of October 2022 almost double the price of FlySafair. Another notable finding was that South African Airways was often the most expensive option. The table below shows the cheapest fares for one-way and return trips between Johannesburg and Durban over the December holidays. Virtual reality (VR) headsets worn by patients during surgery could help to relieve pain, a study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre researchers has shown. Their study revealed that patients wearing VR headsets required less anaesthetic during hand surgery. According to the team, the average conventional patient requires 750.6 milligrams of propofol an hour, while those wearing VR headsets need less than a fifth of the dosage 125.3 milligrams per hour. VR headset-wearing patients also recovered faster, leaving the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) 12 minutes earlier than most patients. VR immersion during hand surgery led to significant reductions in intraoperative propofol dose and PACU LOS [lenth of stay] without negatively impacting key patient reported outcomes, the team said. The research team acknowledges that patients who went into the operating room wearing a VR headset may have expected the device to help, potentially adding a level of bias to the results. However, the team is planning trials that could eliminate bias in their results. It also intends to run a trial to determine the effect of VR on hip and knee surgery patients. The Paramount Group has produced and sold the first military aircraft made in South Africa since the 1980s when state-owned arms maker Denel SOC Ltd. unveiled the Rooivalk, or red falcon, attack helicopter. Africas biggest privately-owned defence and aerospace company said its won orders for the Mwari, a reconnaissance and precision-strike aircraft, and the first delivery will take place this week after an 11-year development period. Nine aircraft will be supplied to two air forces, the company said, saying it cant yet disclose their identity. South Africa built up an arms and aerospace industry during the apartheid era of Whites-only rule when it was subject to international sanctions and sought to bolster its defences against both perceived foreign threats and an internal insurrection. That led to the development of everything from the Rooivalk to tanks and assault rifles. We had this kind of unusual skill set, which had come about because of the mistake of history that was the apartheid-era aerospace industry. Ivor Ichikowitz, Paramounts founder, said in an interview. And the skills set was inherent in people that were in their late fifties. And we wanted to develop a project that would give us the ability to train the next generation of aerospace engineers. Paramount is aiming to sell the Mwari, a word in Zimbabwes Shona language that means the all knowing, all-seeing deity, across the world where it can be used for counter-insurgency purposes as well as for other applications including maritime surveillance and anti-poaching missions. Were targeting any country in the world that has to deal with an asymmetrical threat, Ichikowitz said in a reference to countries combating terrorists or rebels. Were targeting any country in the world that is fighting against an enemy with a $30,000 land Rover. And theyre using a $150,000 stinger missile to eliminate that. Sales of the aircraft are primarily aimed at emerging market nations that would prioritise affordability. Its cost, excluding add-ons such as advanced avionics systems is about $10 million and it can be operated for $1,500 an hour of flying time. The two-pilot aircraft can carry as much as a ton of precision-guided arms and with a lighter load has a range of about 960 kilometers (596 miles) and a speed of around 435 kilometres-per-hour (270 miles-per-hour). It has an interchangeable pod that allows reconnaissance and other equipment to be swapped out within two hours so that the aircraft can be used for different purposes. Its competitors largely consist of re-purposed crop-sprayers, small passenger planes and training aircraft such as Embraer SAs Super Tucano as well as unmanned drones. The first sales have had been in Africa to a large extent because thats where we see the biggest operational need, Ichikowitz said. If you look at whats going on in Africa right now, we have multiple environments where there are asymmetrical threats that that need a low-cost, highly efficient platform. Governments in Mozambique in the south, Somalia in the east and across the Sahel region of West Africa are fighting Islamist militants, a number of African countries such as South Africa have lengthy coastlines that need patrolling and southern African nations are trying to halt the poaching of rhinos by sophisticated syndicates that operate in remote areas of the countries. Blue Label Telecoms has announced that the restructuring of Cell Cs balance sheet is complete after three years of work. The company said it had concluded binding long-form agreements with Cell C and various Cell C financial stakeholders, including certain shareholders and creditors of Cell C. All conditions precedent to the agreements have been met. In mid2019, Cell C embarked on a turnaround strategy, focusing on operational efficiencies, reducing operational expenditure, and optimising traffic, Blue Label stated This included a move away from a capital-intensive build-and-own network model to an infrastructure sharing model which provides variable operational expenditure and is scalable. Blue Label said that together with the recapitalisation of its debt, the changes would result in a significant improvement of liquidity and ensure the long-term sustainability of Cell C. The recapitalisation was the final and critical pillar of Cell Cs turnaround strategy; deleveraging the balance sheet, providing liquidity to operate, and putting the company on a trajectory of growth and long-term sustainability, stated Cell C CEO Douglas Craigie Stevenson. We are immensely pleased and humbled to have received the support of our many stakeholders, in particular our shareholders, our infrastructure partners who showed belief in our new model, bought into the new business strategy and supported the vision of the turnaround and our customers for their patience. Craigie Stevenson said that after the recapitalisation, Cell Cs debt will have significantly reduced, allowing it to move forward and make the company more streamlined. We are well-placed to play in a market that is now made up of infrastructure buyers and sellers, he said. Cell C is ready to invest in offering our customers great value which has been a hallmark of our legacy for more than 21 years. Craigie Stevenson said Cell C could claim to have a quality network with access to more than 8,775 sites, 96% of which are LTE enabled as of end-August 2022. In the short-to-medium term, our operational focus will be to finish the implementation of the network migration by end-2023 to get us to 14,000 sites, he stated. Cell C will also launch new products, specifically on prepaid. He said it would also launch a new way of doing business and the ability to make significant moves in the wholesale business. We have a clear path for our next journey. We will not settle, because change is part of our DNA at Cell C, and we believe we have the power to change your world. Blue Label said the transaction involves injecting new money to restructure Cell Cs financial and operational liabilities and stabilise the company. To facilitate the restructuring of Cell Cs debt owed to certain secured lenders totalling R7.3-billion, (fixed as at November 2019), Blue Label will provide liquidity via a secured loan of R1.46-billion, it stated. A portion of R1.03-billion of this debt funding will be used to pay out the secured lenders as per the accepted compromise offer of 20c for every R1 of debt. Secured lenders electing to remain invested in Cell C will loan an amount equal to the 20c received from the compromise offer under a new loan arrangement. This new loan arrangement will be interest-bearing, secured, and give an aggregate capital face value equal to 2.75 times (or 55c) of the amount advanced. All participating lenders in the new loan will be entitled to share pro rata in a fresh issue of ordinary shares in Cell C at a nominal value, Blue Label explained. All current shareholders will dilute proportionately to allow for this new issue of ordinary shares. Blue Labels subsidiary, The Prepaid Company, will hold 49.53% of shares in Cell C after completing the restructuring. An additional R1.1-billion Cell C already owes to Comm Equipment Company a wholly owned subsidiary of The Prepaid Company will be deferred and repaid in equal monthly instalments over 60 months. The Prepaid Company will also buy Cell C prepaid airtime worth R1.2-billion. In addition, it will make four quarterly payments to buy airtime for R300 million (including VAT). The first payment will be at the beginning of the 13th month following the recapitalisation of Cell C. In conjunction with other third parties, The Prepaid Company will buy certain levels of stock from Cell C based on an agreed monthly schedule, or in line with market requirements. The Prepaid Company will raise R1.6-billion of the required funds from financial institutions, the settlement of which is to be repaid over 24 months in equal monthly instalments. Now read: Why you must dial 0 before most phone numbers in South Africa An undeveloped 144-acre area near Foster Road will remain zoned for future housing in the city of Napas draft general plan despite calls to transition it into a greenbelt, the Napa City Council unanimously decided Tuesday. 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. The citys Planning Commission previously recommended that the council proceed with changing the zoning designation of the area located near Foster Road and Golden Gate Drive, West of Highway 29 to a greenbelt at a Sept. 1 meeting, which would have limited housing to one unit per 20 acres. But the councilmembers Tuesday said that with Napas great need for housing, it would be a mistake to remove the possibility of developing the area primarily for that purpose. When it comes to housing, we know we need housing now; we know were going to need housing in the future, and we need to be looking at every possible option, councilmember Mary Luros said. The area has been identified as a spot for future housing, in some form, for over 45 years, but no actual development plans are attached to it. California education board overturns vetoes, approves Mayacamas school charter for Napa County The California State Board of Education decided Thursday to overturn previous NVUSD and NCOE vetoes of the Mayacamas Charter Middle School, on a 6-5 vote. The councilmembers noted that any future development in the area does need to go through a thorough process and pointed to nine general plan policies that would be applied to any potential Foster Road development. The policies include a requirement to develop a specific city plan for the area and to ensure the development is reflective of the areas environmental constraints, among much else. Luros said shed noted the many concerns expressed by members of the public including the potential environmental constraints of developing in the area but said it was important to keep the area open for possible development, even if it cant ultimately happen. If we go down that path, and we cannot mitigate those issues, then we dont put housing there, Luros said. But to say were not even going to consider it down the road is unacceptable; I think its unfair to the community. Councilmember Liz Alessio and mayor Scott Sedgley said they sympathized with community members who didnt want to see the area change. But, they argued, the need for housing is dire. City of Napa opens grant application period for $1.15 million Community Recovery Bank Local organizations can now apply for grants from city of Napa's Community Recovery Bank, intended mainly support local populations most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, through Oct. 15. Alessio noted that Napas economy is dependent on workers who commute to the city for hours each day because they cant afford to live in the city. We dont have enough housing, Alessio said. Were in this bind because, for a long time, as we know as local Napans, we were a no growth community. We did not want things to change. That held up for a long time and we now need to let go of that. Decision on Linda Vista extension delayed The City Council, with councilmember Beth Painter absent, was split 2-2 on whether to remove the long-controversial Linda Vista Avenue extension project which would extend Linda Vista Avenue on a bridge over the Napa Creek from the general plan, as recommended by the Planning Commission on Sept. 1. Painter, in a letter to the council, noted that she was in favor of removing the bridge from the plan entirely. But in her absence, the council decided to have city staff come back with a menu of possible choices at the Oct. 18 meeting, when final adoption of the General Plan is scheduled. Napa mechanic who plotted bombing Democratic HQ in Sacramento blames beer for huge mistake When two Bay Area supporters of former President Donald Trump were indicted last year on charges of plotting to blow up the Democratic headqua Those choices will include dropping the bridge from the plan, among alternative options to keep the extension in the general plan, community development director Vin Smith said at the meeting. Luros and Alessio said they didnt support keeping the extension in the General Plan, given that its been denied multiple times by past City Councils after community outcry. Luros said she wasnt necessarily opposed to a pedestrian and bicycle bridge, but she was concerned about approving something that would end up being a dead item in the general plan. Nothing has been done or approved by past councils, Alessio said. This has instead created a lot of anxiety and stress and sleepless nights for the residents concerned about protecting the creek. Mayor Sedgley said hes come to the realization that a full-blown bridge project isnt a good idea. But, he said, a bridge project is intended to support the citys emergency response and the citys Browns Valley-located Fire Station Five was built with the understanding that the bridge would eventually be coming. Currently without the bridge Station Five responds to roughly 9.3% of fire department calls, Sedgley noted. In comparison, Stations Two and Three respond to over 50% of the calls combined. Councilmember Bernie Narvaez said he also felt it was important to think of ways to improve emergency response, but thought the city shouldnt restrict itself to the bridge. City of Napa Fire Department Chief Zach Curren said the department currently has consultants studying the extension project, but preliminary results won't be ready until mid-October. He noted that, without the bridge, the department is going to have difficulty meeting emergency travel time requirements to homes north of the Napa Creek. When two Bay Area supporters of former President Donald Trump were indicted last year on charges of plotting to blow up the Democratic headquarters building in Sacramento, federal officials described the plans as despicable conduct with no place in American society. Firebombing your perceived political opponents is illegal and does not nurture the sort of open and vigorous debate that created and supports our constitutional democracy, U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds said in a statement in July 2021, after the indictment of Ian Rogers and Jarrod Copeland was unsealed in San Francisco federal court. Wednesday morning, in advance of Rogers sentencing next week following a plea deal in May, the former Napa mechanics lawyer sought to explain Rogers behavior. Good people make mistakes, attorney Colin Cooper wrote in a sentencing memorandum filed in court. Mr. Rogers will be the first one to tell you he made a huge mistake. What matters more is what good people do after making a mistake. Mr. Rogers has made amends and has done all he could to rectify his colossal mistake. 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. Rogers, 46, whose plea deal recommends a sentence of between seven and nine years, now blames his actions on beer drinking lots of it that began with a divorce several years ago, court papers say. His drinking increased following the 2020 election when he then began bloviating, via text, with his co-defendant, about blowing up or shooting up government buildings, his lawyer wrote. Notably, no actual, physical steps were taken by Mr. Rogers to do any such thing. Mr. Rogers, prior to this case, had not ever been convicted of any offense. To the contrary, he had led a law abiding, productive life running an auto repair business, being a family man and raising his son and step-son. But, Cooper wrote, Rogers was tripped up by a drinking problem that contributed to his involvement in the case. He was drinking in excess of 12 beers a day and bloviating on text messages with his co-defendant, Cooper wrote in asking for a seven-year sentence from the judge. He did not seek out any other individuals in an attempt to participate in any wrongdoing. FBI: Ian Rogers threatened 'going to war' if Trump is removed from office The FBI cites Napa business owner Ian Rogers' text messages prior to President Joe Biden's inauguration that threatened violence if Trump were removed from office. Since his arrest, Mr. Rogers acknowledged wrongdoing and expressed contrition. He cooperated with law enforcement at the time of his arrest by voluntarily answering their questions and allowing them to search his phones and computer devices. He admitted his wrongdoing at an early stage of the process and pled guilty. Prosecutors had not filed their own sentencing memorandum as of Wednesday morning but, in a court filing, the FBI described finding a huge cache of weapons and explosives in January 2021 when his home and business in Napa were searched, including five functional pipe bombs, 49 firearms and two dozen boxes of ammunition holding thousands of rounds. The FBI says it also found a Three Percenter sticker on his vehicle, indicating support for people who ascribe to extreme anti-government, pro-gun beliefs, as well as text messages indicating he believed Trump had won the 2020 election and listing potential targets to attack. I want to blow up a democrat building bad, he wrote in one text message to Copeland, according to court documents. The plan eventually settled on the John L. Burton Democratic Headquarters in Sacramento after Rogers considered other potential targets, including the Governors Mansion, offices for Twitter and Facebook and Gov. Gavin Newsoms office, court papers and the Justice Department say. No attack ever took place. Rogers was arrested initially on state weapons violations, while Copeland was arrested in Sacramento after learning of Rogers arrest and allegedly deleting messages from Copeland on the advice of a militia group leader from whom he sought advice, court documents say. The Justice Department says Copeland also has accepted a plea deal but no sentencing date has yet been set. Rogers sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 28, and his attorney filed letters of support for Rogers from his parents, his wife, his ex-wife and others who wrote to U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer asking for leniency in sentencing. Some blamed media coverage of the case for exaggerating Rogers passion for collecting firearms into evidence that he was a terrorist. During our marriage, Ian acquired many guns, which became one of his favorite hobbies, his ex-wife wrote. He collected guns in the same way that I collect earrings or shoes. They were like art to him, and it gave him confidence knowing he could protect many people from harm if there were some disaster to befall us. He was extremely cautious and I never felt unsafe in my home knowing he stored them properly in his extravagant gun safe. His current wife, who came from Ukraine with her son and married him in February 2020, described him like a fairy tale, but wrote that the COVID-19 pandemic increased his tension because of fears about the future of his business. He began to drink more, and as the 2020 presidential election approached the drinking continued. Ian has always been a Republican and Trump supporter, she wrote. With all (those) recent events, stress, his alcohol addiction, he let his emotions run and had silly drunken conversations with friends. She added, I can definitely tell that my husband is not capable of terror, he will not harm anyone. Prosecutors say it was more than just the beer talking. After a lawyer on Wednesday blamed excessive drinking for a Bay Area mans plot to blow up the Sacramento Democratic headquarters building in protest of President Donald Trumps election loss, federal prosecutors responded with their view of how detailed Ian Benjamin Rogers plot had been. They say he had stockpiled 48 firearms four of them machine guns and five pipe bombs, as well as 15,000 rounds of ammunition. And they say he communicated at length with his co-defendant, Jarrod Copeland, about potential targets, the possibility of being killed and the fact that his actions likely would lead to a separation from his wife. She was crying yesterday and said to me please dont leave me I dont know what to do without you, Rogers texted to Copeland on Jan. 8, 2021, two days after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, court papers say. She was rubbing my back while I was watching events from the capitol. She knows how I am and she knows I will put myself in harms way for what I believe in. What the two men believed was that the outcome of the November 2020 presidential election required violence that might draw others to their cause against the Democratic Party, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Riebli and Eric Cheng wrote in a sentencing memo asking a federal judge to sentence Rogers next week to nine years in prison. Although they understood that they would be viewed as domestic terrorists for their conduct, they hoped that their violent acts might start a movement to overthrow the government, or at least strike back at the government for what they viewed as the unfair treatment of political opponents like themselves, the prosecutors wrote. So Rogers and Copeland developed a plan to attack the Democratic Party headquarters in Sacramento and burn it to the ground, and then move on to other targets (including two social media companies they despised). By the end of November, they had worked out many of the details of the plan. The January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol energized them, and they waited to see whether the inauguration on January 20, 2021 would go forward before initiating their attacks. Before the men could act, however, an anonymous tip led authorities to search Rogers home and auto repair shop in Napa, where the cache of weapons, ammo and bombs were found, leading to Rogers arrest on weapons charges. During a videotaped interview after Rogers arrest, a Napa Sheriffs detective asked him if he had any plans to attack anyone, prosecutors wrote. Rogers said, Ive thought about it. Ive thought about fighting against, fighting back against the government. But its always when Im inebriated. You wake up and you go, Its not a good idea. Rogers added that he did not want to hurt any innocent people, unless maybe if you could attack the right people ... people who are really causing problems in this world, like George Soros. I mean, you know, its kind of satisfying to think about hurting some scumbag like that, he said, referring to the Democratic candidate megadonor, according to court papers. The men also were motivated by anger over what they saw as disparate treatment of racial justice protesters during the summer of 2020 and the Jan. 6 rioters, court papers say. Rogers lawyer, Colin Cooper, filed a sentencing memorandum Wednesday asking U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer to sentence Rogers to seven years in prison as part of his plea agreement, arguing that Rogers excessive beer drinking led to his bloviating about launching attacks and that his talk was a huge mistake. But prosecutors say the men were serious about their plan, that they communicated through text messaging and an encrypted phone app, and that Copeland purchased a 10-pack of zip-tie handcuffs at one point just in case. Are we the only patriots in the nation? Rogers texted Copeland on Jan. 4, 2021, according to court papers. I dont get this? Its baffling. We might have to be the ones to wake people up, everyone else are p----- and sleep. At one point, Copeland told Rogers he had tried contacting the Proud Boys to enlist more people to join them in forming a force for guerilla warfare, court papers say. Evidence on Copelands computer revealed that he contacted or tried to contact the Proud Boys through their website on December 28, 2020, prosecutors wrote, adding that Copeland texted Rogers with the observation that we are severely outnumbered. We are but we are willing to fight they are not, Rogers replied, court papers say. The constitution has weight, elected AFACEs dont, Rogers added, court papers say. Outlaws and freedom fighters are the same thing depending on your viewpoint. Thats a fact. And also terrorists. But in reality we are patriots. Prosecutors also wrote that Rogers did not keep his plans a secret, noting that in August 2020 he messaged his former brother-in-law a photo of the five pipe bombs and wrote, I made these today for when the s--- hits the fan. I want to learn how to make plastique, he added, according to prosecutors. Civil war is coming. Prosecutors note that Rogers abused alcohol and that both defendants also were steroid users. But they say there is evidence from jailhouse recordings that Rogers continued to espouse beliefs that he was a political prisoner. In a January 27, 2021, video visit with his ex-wife, Rogers said the Democrats are going to war against me, court papers say. In another call with her that same day, Rogers pointed out that there were no federal charges against him until the new administration took over (within 12 days of his arrest, which had nothing to do with who held office before or after the inauguration), and that its all political. In a call with his ex-wifes sister on February 2, 2021, Rogers repeated that its all politics. Prosecutors say a representative from the Democratic Party plans to attend Rogers sentencing Wednesday in San Francisco federal court to speak, and that the party submitted a victim impact statement noting that officials expended significant sums of money to increase security after the plot and that employees and volunteers are still scared for their safety when they visit the Partys headquarters. Prosecutors and Rogers defense attorney agreed to a plea deal for a sentence of between seven and nine years in prison, but the judge is not bound by that agreement. They noted that when Rogers pleaded guilty last May, he appeared somewhat reluctant to accept that what he had done was criminal, and that if that conduct continues at his sentencing hearing they may argue for more time than the nine years. Whether Rogers was a right-wing or left-wing extremist does not matter here: simply put, he was an extremist who got within a few days of committing acts of violence to try to enforce his political views on others, and that is conduct that must be condemned with severe consequences, the prosecutors wrote. Indeed, there is a great need for the sentence in this case to send a message to anyone who would conspire to commit any political violence. AMALIA, N.M. Biologist Bryan Bakevich unscrewed the top of a plastic bucket and removed a Rio Grande cutthroat trout that squirmed from his grasp and plopped onto the grassy bank of Middle Ponil Creek. He wants to go home, Bakevich said, easing the fish into the chilly, narrow stream the final stop on a three-month, 750-mile (1,207-kilometer) odyssey for this cutthroat and 107 others plucked in June from another stream in mountainous northern New Mexico. The state's largest wildfire on record had roared perilously close to their previous home, torching trees and undergrowth on nearby slopes. Summer monsoon season was approaching, and heavy rains could sweep ashy muck into the creek, clogging fish gills and smothering gravel bottoms where they feed and spawn. State and federal crews rushed to the rescue, using electrofishing gear to stun and net as many cutthroat as possible. They were trucked south to Las Cruces and kept in tanks at New Mexico State University until Middle Ponil Creek was readied to host them. Today, wildlife agencies in the southwestern U.S. consider missions like this essential as climate change brings more frequent and hotter wildfires, fueled by prolonged drought and tree-killing bug infestations. Particularly vulnerable are Rio Grande cutthroat trout and gila trout rare species found mostly in small, high-elevation streams. With every fire, more of their populations are being affected," said Jill Wick, native fish program manager for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Their habitat is often gone, washed out of the creek. There's no place they can hide and cool off. Their food is decimated as well." The danger is rising elsewhere. Tens of thousands of salmon, trout and other fish perished in August when a flash flood swept through a burn area in Northern California, sending a sludge plume into the Klamath River. Trout numbers fell up to 80% in sections of Colorados Cache la Poudre River after floods and mudslides in summer 2021, a survey found. The biggest wildfire in state history had burned 326 square miles (844 square kilometers) in that area the previous year. LOCATION MATTERS Fire isn't always bad for fish. Many species evolved to benefit from the patchiness and diversity wildfire brings to landscapes and waterways, said Dan Isaak, a U.S. Forest Service fisheries scientist in Idaho. The one-two punch of fire and torrential rains is less common in northern regions. Ash tends to stay put through winter snows and seep into the ground or trickle into streams during spring thaws. It delivers nutrients for algae eaten by insects that become fish food. Burned trees topple into streams, creating pools and riffles for feeding and spawning. But farther south, ever-larger fires incinerate so much foliage holding soil in place that heavy debris flows cause oversized algae blooms that can suffocate fish. Their health also depends on surrounding features such as slope steepness, plant life and soil types, said Christopher Clare, a habitat protection biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. And, Clare said, climate change is heating streams, a problem worsened when fire robs banks of shade trees. Rebecca Flitcroft, a U.S. Forest Service fish biologist in Corvallis, Oregon, has modeled danger that fire poses to spring Chinook salmon and bull trout in Washingtons Wenatchee River system feeding the Columbia River. While both species are imperiled, results suggest the trout are worse off because they occupy isolated, cold headwaters. Fire intensity there is higher than in lower portions of river systems preferred by Chinook for easier access to the Pacific, Flitcroft said. Man-made changes to waterways and landscapes make it harder for fish to survive during and after fires, she said. Water diversions have shrunk habitat. Low levels caused by drought, plus culverts, roads and dams, prevent fish from fleeing to cooler spots. Were at a critical place right now with very intense fires, compounded with highly disturbed systems that dont allow for connectivity and movement, Flitcroft said. CUTTHROATS IN TROUBLE The Rio Grande cutthroat, New Mexicos state fish, has long been going downhill. Drought and dams have disrupted its habitat. Nonnative brown and brook trout, stocked for sport angling, compete for food. Introduced rainbow trout interbreed with the cutthroat, diluting its genetics. Named after the reddish slashes beneath its lower jaw, the colorful cutthroat occupies about 12% of its historical range in New Mexico and Colorado, according to a 2019 study that predicted continued decline. New Mexico had 92 Rio Grande cutthroat populations at the beginning of this year. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2014 rejected a petition to place the cutthroat on the federal endangered list but was overruled by a federal judge and is reconsidering. The nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity had sued for the designation, saying the trout was barely hanging on." But a listing could bring land-use restrictions that many would find unpopular, said Toner Mitchell, New Mexico water and habitat coordinator for Trout Unlimited. There's a risk of demonizing or villainizing the Rio Grande cutthroat, Mitchell said. "That could result in anything from vandalism to outright efforts to exterminate the fish, when by and large, longtime residents prize them. Teams have rescued cutthroat and gila trout from New Mexico streams more than two dozen times since the late 1980s. Before these mega-fires, it might be one or two populations in trouble at one time, Wick said. Now, it's two or three times as many." Nine cutthroat streams were within this summer's Calf Canyon-Hermits Creek blaze, which began as two fires set to clear undergrowth but blew out of control, consuming more than 530 square miles (1,373 square kilometers). Ash wiped out at least one stream's cutthroats. Trout were salvaged from three others. Among them was Rito Morphy, a twisting, tree-lined creek in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Not all of 190 fish from there survived the stress of two road trips and a months-long stay in university tanks. But the effort kept most alive until a new habitat could be prepared in Middle Ponil Creek, about 58 miles from Rito Morphy. That required poisoning rainbow trout in the stream section where the fish would be placed. We want to make sure the cutthroat stay genetically pure," said U.S. Forest Service biologist Alyssa Radcliff. It's ecologically important to preserve a rare strain of fish, Radcliff said. Another goal is making more available for anglers. A lot of people were taken by their grandpas and their grandmoms to these streams to catch these fish, she said. FREE AT LAST On a recent sunny, windswept afternoon, a pickup truck stopped alongside a dirt road in Carson National Forest. Workers scooped cutthroats four to eight inches (10 to 20 centimeters) long from a large cooler into several five-gallon (19-liter) buckets, strapped them onto backpacks and lugged them through a meadow to the brush-lined, boulder-strewn creek. When the buckets were tilted into the stream, the liberated fish darted about in the clear water and swished tails in the sandy bottom. Their new digs extended from the creek's headwaters to a wire-and-rock barrier 8 miles (12.8 kilometers) downstream to keep out rainbow trout. It was a quick ending for a mission that lasted all summer, said Bakevich, the state's native fish supervisor. After doing all the hard work and coming here," he said, "this is the best part." Flesher reported from Traverse City, Michigan. Follow John Flesher on Twitter: @JohnFlesher. 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. A last-minute bill that sailed through the Legislature may leave Cal State University on the hook for nearly $900 million in new costs over the next decade possibly forcing it to raise tuition for only the second time in more than a decade. That may assumes lawmakers allot no new increases in university funding. Gov. Gavin Newsom has actually proposed giving the system more than a billion dollars in extra state support through spring of 2027, but theres no guarantee that will happen. What would be guaranteed by this bill is the extra expense. Now Newsom is faced with a choice: sign Senate Bill 410 that would raise the wages of Cal States relatively underpaid non-academic staff and ensure the system receives its promised infusion of state cash, or veto it, angering 30,000 unionized employees in a state where labor groups have considerable political sway. Adding to the intrigue is that Democratic lawmakers approved the legislation knowing Cal State would likely have to cut services or raise tuition barring extra state funding. Yes, we dont want to see students suffer, but what message are we sending to students that you get to come and get this education on the backs of these workers, said bill author Connie Leyva, an outgoing Senate Democrat from Chino who wrote the bill. Thats not a good life lesson. Cal State opposes the bill, arguing the system needs more money first. The system would need to shutter 6,300 classes affecting 19,000 students to afford the first year of the salary increases, said Jolene Koester, Cal States interim chancellor, at last weeks Board of Trustees meeting. We do not oppose giving staff the salary that they deserve to have, she said then. We do oppose being directed to take it from current funds. Newsom has until Sept. 30 to decide the bills fate. The bill in detail Cal States staff the maintenance, office and groundskeeping workers who keep the systems buildings and operations humming earn 12% less on average than similar workers at both universities and the broader workforce, according to a 2022 study lawmakers funded. Leyvas bill, which higher-education staff unions support, would implement the recommendations of that study and introduce a series of raises over 15 years based on good performance. Employees would earn raises of 5% annually for the first five years, then every two years, and another 5% raise in their fifteenth year of employment. Cal State is the only state agency in California without salary steps, Leyva told lawmakers. These steps would kick in at the start of 2023; Leyva rejected a suggestion by another lawmaker to delay the start date by a year. Unlike most bills that move through the Legislature over a period of months, Leyvas salary increase proposal debuted only two weeks before the deadline for bills to pass. Cal State officials told its Board of Trustees at last weeks meeting that the bill as law would cost $287 million initially and build toward $878 million after 10 years. After two years of no raises, the largest staff employees got a 7% raise this June, paid for in part by pulling money away from student graduation initiatives, but thats still short of the recommendations called for in the staff study. How short is tough to calculate because its not like every person is exactly 12% below the market rate, said Andrew Heller, research analyst at the 15,000-member California State University Employees Union, during an interview in July. The April study found that the Cal State system paid some employee groups 20% below the market median pay; other groups were on par with what other workers earned. Can Cal State afford this? Newsoms funding compact with Cal State promises annual 5% increases in state support through 2026-27, totaling more than $1 billion in new state support. Thats more money coming in than what Leyvas bill will cost Cal State after five years. By one measure, the system should be able to absorb the bills costs and still have funds left over for other commitments, such as more dollars for faculty salaries. The bill would cost the system roughly $50 million annually on top of the $287 in initial costs, according to Ryan Storm, assistant vice chancellor for budget at Cal State. The system is preparing a similar study on faculty, who are also underpaid, said Jack McGrory, a Cal State trustee. But a promise isnt a guarantee, said Storm in an interview. While theres a commitment by the governor to propose additional funding thats in excess of a billion dollars, theres no guarantee of it either, but there would be a guarantee of costs if this bill would pass. If Newsom signs the staff salary bill, the Cal State system must pay workers the higher wages with existing funds. Its a fixed cost no matter the systems fiscal situation or the condition of the states economy. Past higher-education compacts in California have fallen short of their goals, the Legislative Analysts Office wrote this year. Former governors rarely (have) been able to sustain their compacts over time, the analysts office report said. In some cases, changing economic and fiscal conditions in the state have led governors to suspend their compacts. Indeed, fears of a recession are an increasing worry in Sacramento and nationally. A slowdown in the economy would mean less revenue for the states coffers and likely less support for Cal State. Early in the pandemic, Cal State endured a cut of $299 million just a few months after Newsom signaled it would receive a boost of $199 million dollars a promise of 5% growth that never was. The system funds its education mission with $4.6 billion from state support and $3.1 billion from tuition. Both lawmakers and the governor need to approve how much the state sends the university. An August bill analysis by legislative staff warned that it is likely that (Cal State) could increase tuition to cover the costs of this bill. If that were to happen, most low-income students wouldnt pay more because the states Cal Grant that waives tuition fees would automatically cover the increase. Middle-class students would see a tuition spike, but a new state grant would likely soften the blow and in some cases cover the difference. Historic underfunding Before voting to pass the staff salary bill at a committee hearing last month, Democratic Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel of Van Nuys said blame should go to lawmakers, who have chronically underfunded public higher education in the state of California. While state support for Cal State has been growing, the share of state general fund dollars flowing to higher education has been shrinking. In the late 1970s about 18% of the state general fund paid for higher education; more recently, just about a tenth of the general fund covers higher education. Weve forced the university into difficult decisions where its seeking to balance its budget on the backs of workers, which is totally inappropriate, Gabriel added. Cal States Board of Trustees hopes Gabriel can rally his peers to marshal more dollars for the system. Last week the trustees voted to approve a budget request of $530 million in new ongoing funding well above the $227 million Newsom will ask lawmakers to green light next year. However the budgeting math shakes out, Cal States 500,000 students are urging the people in charge to not forget about them. Raising tuition or cutting essential student support services is an unacceptable way to fund Leyvas bill, the Cal State Student Association wrote to lawmakers. The students asked Cal State, unions and lawmakers to identify a funding stream that will do no harm. A few days ago I received a message, the kind of note that you prioritize and gets you excited. Turns out Richard Geoffroy was coming to Napa to showcase the project hes been working on for years. Im not going to lie one of the reasons Ive been anxiously awaiting a return to Japan is to try this highly anticipated new sake brand which is finally arriving in the United States. 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. I first met Geoffroy a few years ago in Napa when I was running the Morimoto Restaurant beverage program. I remember chatting in depth about sake. His passion for this beverage was imminent and contagious even back then. A native of Vertus, Champagne, Geoffroy went from being a physician to enologist. He catapulted to stardom being thec de cave at Moet Chandons Marquee Champagne Dom Perignon for a 34-year tenure, and after retirement, he launched his own sake brand in 2019. Since inception, IWA 5 has aimed to be different and very special. When Geoffroy met architect Kengo Kuma, he found an introduction to the realities of Japan. Kengo Kuma introduced Geoffroy to another invaluable facilitator of the project: Ryuichiro Masuda, CEO of Masuda Shuzo, a family-owned sake company established in 1893. His native region of Toyama would become IWAs hometown and the place where Kengo Kuma would build his first sake brewery, a rare opportunity, even for a Japanese architect of Kumas stature. It is no secret that the sake industry in Japan has been struggling to thrive beginning with its domestic consumption. The phenomenon is not exclusive to Japan. European countries have experienced similar challenges with wine where the upcoming generations lacked the interest in wine. Luckily, countries like Spain, Italy and France have successfully engaged a new generation of winemakers and wine drinkers. In Japan like other countries, the younger generation has many options, from craft beer to cocktails and even natural wine. In essence, sake can use all the help it can get. IWA 5, having the passion, expertise and fame of Geoffroy behind it, no doubt it will open many doors for the category. As the saying goes: "The proof is in the pudding." Geoffroy has successfully introduced his prized sake to countless Michelin-rated restaurants across Europe and Asia. It's worth noting that most of these places didnt have sake as part of their program before. In my life Ive never felt more free, Geoffroy said with a joyful look and excitement of a father meeting his child for the first time. IWA 5 is an unorthodox proposition in the world of sake, indeed. It defies tradition and proves that rules are there to be broken. A harmonious orchestration is the result of blending a number of rice strains that include Yamadanishiki and Omachi, in addition to utilizing five yeast strains (hence the five in the name), as well as a combination of methods of production and fermentation and the pristine water source in Toyama. Ultimately the magic is made by blending, one of Geoffroy's strongholds. Clocking in at $180 retail, this might be one of most exciting and sought-after bottles in the current sake landscape. I found it to be enchanting and complex with layers of quince and spice combined with a hint of fresh white peach and even a kiss of citrus with remarkable tension and elegance that leads to a memorable long finish. As Geoffroy said, it is intense but not in your face. I'm very excited to see this sake across the United States following its cemented success in Japan and Europe to shine a light for the sake industry. Cheers to you, Richard! According to a tweet published by Ryan Chan on September 22, 2022, the US Navy Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS-6) arrived in Papeete, Tahiti. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship USS Jackson (Picture source: DVIDS) USS Jackson is deployed to the Oceania region with an embarked US Coast Guard Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Detachment conducting maritime law enforcement operations. French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France and its sole overseas country. It comprises 121 geographically dispersed islands and atolls[5] stretching over more than 2,000 kilometers (1,200 mi) in the South Pacific Ocean. About the Littoral Combat Ship USS Jackson (LCS-6) is an Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy, and the first ship to be named for Jackson, the capital of Mississippi. The littoral combat ship (LCS) is either of two classes of relatively small surface vessels designed for operations near shore by the United States Navy. It was "envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals." Littoral combat ships are comparable to corvettes found in other navies. The Freedom class and the Independence-class are the first two LCS variants. Each is slightly smaller than the U.S. Navy's Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate but larger than Cyclone-class patrol ships. Each has the capabilities of a small assault transport, including a flight deck and hangar for housing two SH-60 or MH-60 Seahawk helicopters, a stern ramp for operating small boats, and the cargo volume and payload to deliver a small assault force with fighting vehicles to a roll-on/roll-off port facility. Standard armaments include Mk 110 57 mm guns and RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles. They are also equipped with autonomous air, surface, and underwater vehicles. Possessing lower air defense and surface warfare capabilities than destroyers, the LCS concept emphasizes speed, flexible mission modules, and a shallow draft. RBC: Number of cases for evading army in Russia from spring to announcement of mobilization reaches maximum in 10 years Minister: Italy will be able to survive winter with current level of gas flow, if 'catastrophic events' do not occur Russia extradites Norwegian accused of major fraud to Norway German power producer RWE to buy clean energy company for $6.8 billion Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs start meeting in Geneva Eslami: Iran's nuclear power generation capacity is scheduled to reach 10,000 megawatts Spanish MP to Ursula von der Leyen about murder of Armenian POWs: And this is your reliable partner? Armenian FM discusses video of execution of Armenian POWs with Philip Reeker Bloomberg: OPEC+ group to consider cutting oil production by more than 1 million barrels per day Delegation from Bundestag arrives in Taiwan: China protests Secretary of Armenian Security Council to go on working visit to Brussels Afghan authorities disperse women's rally in Herat Pope appeals to Vladimir Putin to 'stop this spiral of violence and death' Crown Prince of Kuwait accepts resignation of government after parliamentary elections in country Armenian FM meets with EU Special Representative Toivo Klaar in Geneva Former Ombudsman: Armenia must immediately apply to International Criminal Court Address by Alen Simonyan to National Minorities: You have been and continue to be members of our extended family Denmark declares gas leakage in damaged Nord Stream 1 pipeline stopped Ombudsman's Office about video of Armenian soldiers' shooting: We have identified the authenticity of the video Liz Truss says she should have done more to set stage for her economic plan Foreign Ministry: Armenia demands clear evaluation of blatant war crimes by Azerbaijani Armed Forces Pashinyan: Armenia will use all available international mechanisms to bring Azerbaijan to justice Latvian Prime Minister's Party wins parliamentary elections Marukyan: Azerbaijani political and military authorities must be hold accountable for this and other atrocities Armenian PM sends congratulatory message on National Minorities Day Applications to international courts will be filed tomorrow in connection with shooting of Armenian POWs Bosnia holds presidential and parliamentary elections Armenian Defense Ministry on video of execution of Armenian POWs: No doubts about authenticity Le Figaro: International media and authorities verify gruesome video of execution of Armenian POWs by Azerbaijanis Brazil's presidential and parliamentary elections begin Toivo Klaar: Another horrible video has emerged of Armenian prisoners of war apparently being executed Blinken says U.S. will help Ukraine on issue of territories Defense Ministry: As of 10 am, situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border remains unchanged At least 129 killed in stampede at football match in Indonesia EU leaders to discuss security of their critical infrastructure Lebanon says it received proposal from US for maritime border agreement with Israel Italy's Eni works with Gazprom to solve the problem of Russian gas supplies stoppage Prime Minister: There are problems in relations between OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs France can supply Ukraine with up to twelve new Caesar howitzers Over half of Britons think Liz Truss should step down as PM Kyiv's bid for accelerated NATO membership comes as surprise to Biden administration Baykar plant in Ukraine to start assembling high-altitude UAV model Bayraktar Akinci Erdogan sues German MP for calling him cesspool rat OSCE may send mission to Armenian-Azerbaijani border Erdogan doesn't rule out meeting with Pashinyan Armenian Defense Ministry urges to stop collecting food, clothing, money for servicemen Kuwait government tenders resignation following parliamentary elections Joint command and staff exercise held during CSTO military exercises in Kazakhstan Over 30 killed in Iran terrorist attack Aliyev announces plans to double Azerbaijan natural gas supply to Europe by 2027 Pashinyan: I am confident that Armenia-Cyprus cooperation will continue to be strengthened, expanded Finland, Sweden, Turkey may discuss NATO membership process this month Artsakh security council meeting to be held at parliamentary forces proposal US court orders Iran to pay $34.8M in compensation to late journalists family Armenian parliament speaker to leave for Moscow Hurricane Ian death toll exceeds 40 in Florida Armenian community stages protest ahead of Azerbaijan presidents Bulgaria visit (PHOTOS) California Governor signs bill declaring April 24 state holiday in remembrance of Armenian Genocide 2 Azerbaijanis severely injured after stepping on landmine in Karabakh FM: Artsakh will never be part of Azerbaijan Turkey does not recognize joining of 4 regions to Russia South Korea leader threatens with crushing response to North if it uses nuclear weapons Group of soldiers stage coup in Burkina Faso Biden signs law providing $12.4bn in additional aid to Ukraine Japan envoy to Armenia expresses concern about current situation after recent Azerbaijan military aggression Nicaragua severs diplomatic ties with Netherlands Armenia PM congratulates on 73rd anniversary of People's Republic of China World Bank approves additional $530M in aid to Ukraine Newspaper: Russians getting familiarized with options Armenia is discussing with the West Armenia soldier, 19, found dead in combat position Newspaper: Artsakh, Azerbaijan representatives to negotiate with each other? Italy strengthens naval surveillance and control of pipelines Russia vetoes UN Security Council draft resolution that does not recognize unification of new territories In phone conversation with Erdogan, Putin gives principled assessment of sabotage of Nord Streams First African-American woman to officially join U.S. Supreme Court Biden warns Putin that he will not get away with annexation of new territories to Russia U.S. Congress approves $12.3 billion in aid for Ukraine 'Armenian Crossroads': Pashinyan talks about difficulties in unblocking communications with Azerbaijan Pashinyan: Russian authorities must not take actions which cast doubt on sincerity of official positions Pashinyan: Next session of delimitation and demarcation working group to be held in November Nikol Pashinyan does not rule out meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Prague Blinken: U.S. will take action in UN Security Council to hold Russia accountable for referendums Defense Ministry: As of 10 pm situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border remains unchanged Pashinyan: Statement of Ministry of Defense says Russian Federation, but my statement does not say anything about Russia Israel says it will not recognize results of referendums on annexation of new territories to Russia Germany allowed arms exports to Saudi Arabia Putin speaks at rally-concert on Red Square: We know to whom we owe today Pashinyan: Nancy Pelosi's visit to Armenia is not anti-Russian Stoltenberg: Ukraine's admission to NATO requires consent of all members of alliance Pashinyan about Ter-Petrosyan's proposal: Quite wide range of people are aware of negotiation process Pashinyan: We don't close door to anyone Pashinyan: It is impossible to speak of memorial service for era of peace that has not yet begun Pashinyan: Names of deceased should be published through institutionally planned mechanism Japan spends record 2.8 trillion yen on interventions in foreign exchange market Nikol Pashinyan interviews with Public Television Poghosyan: During global rift, Armenia may have to choose one side U.S. imposes sanctions against Armenian company Taco LLC for supporting Russia MFA: Armenia repeatedly proposes mirror withdrawal of troops US keeps stealing Syrian oil Zelenskyy: Ukraine will not negotiate with Russia as long as Putin is president Russia has released 215 Ukrainians it took prisoner after a protracted battle for the port city of Mariupol earlier this year, including top military leaders, a senior official in Kyiv said on Wednesday, Reuters reported. The freed prisoners include the commander and deputy commander of the Azov battalion that did much of the fighting, said Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office. The move is unexpected, since Russian-backed separatists last month said there would be a trial of Azov personnel, who Moscow describes as Nazis. Ukraine denies the charge. In a statement, Yermak said the freed prisoners included Azov commander Lieutenant Colonel Denys Prokopenko and his deputy, Svyatoslav Palamar. Also at liberty is Serhiy Volynsky, the commander of the 36th Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The three men had helped lead a dogged weeks-long resistance from the bunkers and tunnels below Mariupol's giant steel works before they and hundreds of Azov fighters surrendered in May to Russian-backed forces. Yermak said that in return, Kyiv had freed 55 Russian prisoners as well as Viktor Medvedchuk, the leader of a banned pro-Russian party who was facing treason charges. Public broadcaster Suspline said the exchange had happened near the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv. Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia said Russia had released 10 foreign prisoners of war captured in Ukraine following mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A court in China on Thursday sentenced former Chinese Justice Minister and former deputy head of China's Ministry of Public Security Fu Zhenghua to death with a two-year stay of execution, China Central Television reported. The Intermediate People's Court of Changchun City in Jilin Province on Thursday pronounced the sentence on former PRC Justice Minister and former deputy head of China's Ministry of Public Security Fu Zhenghua in a corruption case. "Fu Zhenghua is sentenced to death for bribery with a two-year suspended sentence," the report said. The court found that Fu Zhenghua used his official position to take bribes for personal gain, patronized individuals in the conduct of business, and he also "concealed evidence of his younger brother's alleged serious crimes." In particular, according to investigators, Fu Zhenghua received bribes totaling more than 117 million yuan (about $16.5 million). The defendant pleaded guilty and repented and returned the ill-gotten gains. The court ruled that after a two-year reprieve, the death sentence could be commuted to life imprisonment without parole. Fu Zhenghua served as deputy head of China's Ministry of Public Security from 2013 to 2018 and as minister of justice from 2018 to 2020. Greek politician Markos Bolaris has expressed his support to Armenia and the Armenian people, and condemned Azerbaijan's recent military aggression against Armenia. "Armenians are a brotherly nation [to Greeks], a nation with which we have coexisted for centuriesboth in favorable conditions and during storms. I consider it my duty to support this nation in every difficult momentnot because it needs my humble support, but because this support is louder and stronger when Armenia and Armenians are subjected to unjust, aggressive and belligerent provocations by neighboring Azerbaijan, with the help and support of Turkeyjust like before. The message of Greece, the European Union, and the United States to Azerbaijanis should be clear: Do not try to take advantage of the international energy situation! It's temporary! Respect international treaties and recognized borders. Respect the neighboring peoples, respect Armenia," reads, in particular, Bolaris' post, which has been published on the Facebook page of the Embassy of Armenian in Greece. YEREVAN. Speaker of the Republic of Armenia National Assembly (RA NA), Alen Simonyan, on Thursday received a delegation led by Mark Demesmaeker, head of the Belgium-Armenia friendship group of the Belgian parliament, the NA informs Armenian News-NEWS.am The RA NA President asked the Head of the Delegation to convey warm greetings to the President of the House of Representatives Eliane Tillieux and to the President of the Senate Stephanie D'Hose. He underlined that Armenia highlights the contacts with Belgium at high level. In this context the cooperation in the formats of Friendship Groups was considered a key one. The RA NA President considered as a best example of cooperation Mark Demesmaekers joining the addenda proposed to the draft resolution presented by the Armenian side during the annual session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly held in Birmingham from July 2 to 6. Matters relating to the security of Armenia and the guarantee of the rights of Armenian population of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) were also discussed at the meeting. We expect that our Belgian colleagues will continue making efforts for the immediate return of Armenian prisoners of war [in Azerbaijan] and preventing the systemized destruction of Armenian historical, cultural, and religious heritage in the territories of Artsakh that have come under the Azerbaijani control, Simonyan noted. Also, he expressed confidence that like during the 2020 war, now as well the Belgian colleagues will raise their voice to condemn the recent military aggression unleashed by the military and political leadership of Azerbaijan against Armenia. YEREVAN. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan on Wednesday met with Peter Maurer, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), on the margins of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. Presenting the consequences of Azerbaijan's recent military aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, Minister Mirzoyan noted that Azerbaijan's criminal actions were accompanied by cases of deliberate targeting of civilian population and infrastructure, as well as gross violations of international and humanitarian law. The Armenian FM particularly emphasized the urgency to strictly condemn the cases of inhumane treatment of Armenian servicemen and prisoners of war (POWs), including torture of servicewomen and other war crimes, by Azerbaijan. In this context, it was noted that the international community's failure of targeted condemnation of Azerbaijan's war crimes and belligerent behavior, as well as its impunity makes the aggressor more reckless, paving the way for new crimes. Foreign Minister of Armenia highly appreciated the activity of the ICRC aimed at responding and addressing issues related to return of the Armenian POWs and other detainees in Azerbaijan, search operations for missing persons and other humanitarian issues. Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on his son Nikolay's position on attendance at the military registration and enlistment office amid the announcement of partial mobilization in the country, Gazeta.ru reported. "I know about it and I know that the full text of the conversation has not been posted," Peskov said in response to a question about how he would comment on the publicized dialogue. According to the press secretary, he knows about his son's position from himself, but he will not comment on it. On September 21, journalists published a fragment of a conversation with Peskov's son Nikolay in which they introduced themselves as employees of the military registration and enlistment office and said that they had to come to the registration and enlistment office at 10am the next day. In the published fragment of the conversation, the press secretary's son declines a visit to the military registration and envisages "another way" of resolving the issue: "Naturally, I will not be there at 10 a.m. tomorrow. If you know that I am Mr. Peskov, you must understand how wrong it is for me to be there. I will deal with this on a different level. I need to understand in general what is going on and what my rights are... For me to be taken away tomorrow, believe me, neither you nor I need that. I have no problem defending my homeland, but I need to understand the expediency of my appearance there, I'm telling you about certain political nuances. The delegation led by Mark Demesmaeker, Head of the Friendship Group Belgium-Armenia of Parliament of the Kingdom of Belgium, accompanied by A. Rustamyan, head of the Armenian-Belgian NA Friendship Group, visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex. "We are trying to criminalize or turn the denial of the genocide into a crime. I should mention that Belgium is one of the first countries which fully recognized the Armenian Genocide, and we are trying to protect it on all possible platforms as much as possible. I should also mention that we are extremely concerned about the situation that happened both in previous years and last week, because, as we see, Azerbaijan is once again carrying out aggressive actions against the sovereign territory of Armenia, Mark Demesmaeker , the Head of the Friendship Group Belgium-Armenia of Parliament of the Kingdom of Belgium, noted. The members of the delegation laid flowers at the Eternal Flame of the victims of the Armenian Genocide and paid tribute to the memory of the holy martyrs with silence. At the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute the guests got acquainted with the true facts of the crime. Human Rights Defender (HRD) Kristinne Grigoryan received Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Armenia, and several other representatives of the Delegation, the Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. The Ambassador specifically thanked Defender Grigoryan and the Human Rights Defenders Office for the work done during these days. Grigoryan presented the ad hoc report published by the Human Rights Defender on September 16 and the facts from its closed part about the damages caused to the civilian population and infrastructure, the environment, and other crimes prohibited by international humanitarian law as a result of the recent Azerbaijani attack on Armenia. Grigoryan briefed about the crimes committed by Azerbaijani servicemen against Armenian prisoners of war and dead military personnel. The Defender also pointed out that the fact-finding activities continue after the publication of the ad hoc report. On September 17, the HRD working group visited the Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik Provinces communities affected by the attacks of Azerbaijani army. "The most important thing for us to do is to meet and talk to people affected by the Azerbaijani attack," the Defender said during the meeting. The EU Ambassador expressed her gratitude to the HRD for the fact-finding work and the reports which were sent earlier. "It is very important to have well-founded data, so we can clearly state: yes, this is a fact, its verified," said Ambassador Wiktorin. The Defender emphasized the work carried out with international partners and expressed her gratitude to Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin and the other representatives of the EU Delegation. At the end of the meeting, parties discussed how they can cooperate to help people affected by Azerbaijani attacks. Western countries are becoming a party to the conflict in Ukraine by cynically pumping weapons into the country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the UN Security Council. "Especially cynical is the position of those states that pump Ukraine with weapons and military equipment, training the personnel of the armed forces of this country. The goal is obvious, they do not hide it and declare it: to prolong hostilities as much as possible, despite the casualties and destruction in order to maim and weaken Russia," Lavrov said. "Such a line means the direct involvement of Western countries in the Ukrainian conflict, makes them a party to it," the Russian foreign minister said. According to him, the decision to conduct a special military operation was inevitable. "We have talked about this more than once, presented a huge number of facts that show how Ukraine was prepared to play the role of "anti-Russia," the role of a springboard for the creation and implementation of threats against Russian security. I can assure you that we will not allow this to happen," the head of the diplomatic mission pointed out. Azerbaijan is misleading the international community with lies, thus hiding its real intentions. This is stated in a statement of the Center for Law and Justice of the Tatoyan Foundation. "The President of Azerbaijan yesterday, September 21, 2022 again declared an attack (use of force) on Armenia, in particular on the whole Syunik, with open threats of war and blackmail. Having illegally invaded Armenia's sovereign territory for 2 years, he falsifies even that the military action of September 13-15, 2022 was an invasion. We explain to the international community that this policy of the Azerbaijani authorities has its own clear mechanism: 1. To appear "innocent" and "white" to the world, they declare that they want peace, 2. Then they proceed to deliberately make false statements about their positions being shelled from Armenia or Artsakh, thus "legitimizing" future attacks 3. Then Azerbaijani officials and "independent" experts, media and telegraph channels start spreading these lies in an organized manner, "legitimizing" future provocations and attacks by Azerbaijan 4. Creating artificial "grounds", they destroy Armenian settlements, houses, steal cattle and small cattle or kill them, depriving people of their livelihood through purposeful military attacks. 5. They kill and torture soldiers and civilians, videotape and distribute these images in order to become "heroes" and cause mental suffering to Armenian users. 6. The Azerbaijani authorities also encourage these crimes, ensuring absolute impunity, 7. Most importantly, the Azerbaijani authorities continue their policy of Armenophobia, hatred towards Armenians in all spheres, from education to culture. In essence, Azerbaijan is misleading the international community by concealing its real intentions and, in parallel, by promoting them in every possible way. Therefore, urgent international interventions are needed, including monitoring and control mechanisms. Without such concrete guarantees and without bringing to justice Azerbaijan will continue this policy and military attacks, thus constantly undermining security, democracy and human rights in Armenia. During the United Nations session, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reviewed the United States for compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Over the last academic year, 14 of the clinic's students, under the supervision of Ezer and Human Rights Clinic Acting Associate Director Denisse Cordova Montes, worked with partners on four submissions leading up to this review. The submissions highlight racial injustice in homelessness and housing, maternal health care, the realization of the right to food, and police accountability. Partners in the endeavor include the National Homelessness Law Center, South Florida Community Development Coalition, Partners for Dignity & Rights, the National Indigenous Womens Resource Center, the Miami Coalition to Advance Racial Equality, the Florida Health Justice Project, WhyHunger, Food for Maines Future, West Virginia Universitys Center for Resilient Communities, and a developing Right to Food National Community of Practice made up of legislators and activists. It is a privilege for the Human Rights Clinic to collaborate with advocates at the forefront of advancing social and economic rights in the U.S. and to highlight these critical concerns at the international level, said Ezer. Moore and Leira, serving as Human Rights Clinic Fellows, engaged in on-the-ground advocacy to secure strong recommendations by the CERD to the U.S. government. The advocacy entailed making oral statements during a public meeting between civil society and the CERD, developing advocacy factsheets on racial injustice in housing and homelessness, the right to food, and individual discussions with members of the CERD and U.S. delegation. The link between racial discrimination and homelessness in the United States is clearBlack Americans make up nearly half of the U.S. homeless population at 40% despite making up only 13% of the overall population, said Moore. "Moreover, the criminalization of life-sustaining activities, such as sleeping in public, has increased by 50% in cities across the U.S. Leira underscored the role racial discrimination plays in food insecurity in the U.S. Hunger is not only a result of lack of access to food, but a result of social and economic policies that dispossess and discriminate on the basis of race, she said. In addition to advocacy with the CERD, Leira and Moore participated in a civil society meeting with the U.S. delegation, which included officials from the Department of Justice, Department of State, and the U.N. Human Rights Council. We are incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this session and advance the work of the HRC and our partners," Leira and Moore explained. The experience to connect in-person with other advocates in the U.S. and with members of both the CERD and U.S. delegation was invaluable. Human rights are interconnected and interdependent; the CERD session was a unique opportunity for collaboration and coalition-building, added Leira. The advocacy paid off when the CERD released its Concluding Observations. CERD called upon the U.S. government to abolish laws and policies that criminalize homelessness, affirmatively further fair housing and protection against discriminatory effects, and address the impact of exclusionary zoning and law use laws and practices that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minorities. Regarding the right to food, CERD recommended that the U.S. adopt a rights-based national plan to end hunger in consultation with members of the communities most affected by hunger. The CERD further prominently highlighted the issue of maternal mortality and called for Medicaid expansion and greater availability of midwifery care. In addition, the CERD urged the U.S. to address excessive use of force by law enforcement officials, which has a disparate impact on undocumented immigrants. The CERDs review of the U.S. will serve to strengthen ongoing national and state-level advocacy on housing, homelessness, maternal health, immigrants rights, and the right to food, said Cordova Montes. The Human Rights Clinic is excited to continue supporting partners advocacy and work toward the domestic implementation of the recommendations presented by the CERD. Read more about Miami Laws Human Rights Clinic When Angela Clark-Hughes was thinking of a book that would explore lived experiences and relate to all in the University of Miami community, she thought of Jeff Goodells The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World. Goodells book makes sense for anyone who wants to understand the broader context of rising sea levels and those most adversely affected, said Clark-Hughes, librarian associate professor and the director of the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Sciences library. Chantel Acevedo, professor of English and co-founder of the One Book, One U program, describes Goodells book as not only pertinent but urgent. As a community that is and will be directly impacted, I think its important for our UM community to continue to be in conversation about the threat of climate change, said Acevedo. Entering its sixth year, the One Book, One U program serves as a platform for all University community members to explore issues through a selected reading and to discuss the issue that the text covers. It is so gratifying to see One Book, One U grow in such impactful ways, said Acevedo. Im particularly grateful to Dean [Charles] Eckman and our libraries for giving One Book, One U an official homebase. As highlighted by the Universitys newly formed Climate Resilience Academy, the topics of climate change and environmental sustainability are vital and of particular urgency for the South Florida community. According to a review by Jennifer Senior at The New York Times, The Water Will Come is an immersive, mildly gonzo and depressingly well-timed book about the drenching effects of global warming, and a powerful reminder that we can bury our heads in the sand about climate change for only so long before the sand itself disappears. Earlier this month, various community members met virtually for the annual One Book, One U Kick-off meeting, where programming ideas for the 2022-23 academic year were discussed. Some events being considered include panel discussions, meet and greets, and a keynote address in the spring semester. In 2018, Goodell was a speaker at the Rosenstiel Schools Sea Secret Series, where he discussed how climate change and sea level rise are affecting major cities like Miami and the power of science to inform good decisions. Copies of Goodells book were previously distributed during orientation week and are now being made available to students and University employees who visit the Access Services Department of the Richter Library. Students, faculty, and staff alike can attend any or all of the associated events or propose one of their own on the One Book, One U website, said Acevedo. I encourage everyone to be part of the conversation. Visit the One Book, One U site for more information about accessing the book and to view a schedule of upcoming events. From satellites to grasslands: Geography professor Gholizadeh awarded NASA grant Media Contact: Elizabeth Gosney | CAS Marketing and Communications Manager | 405-744-7497 | egosney@okstate.edu Oklahoma State University Department of Geography assistant professor Dr. Hamed Gholizadeh was awarded the NASA New (Early Career) Investigator Program in Earth Science award in 2021, a recognition that includes nearly $400 thousand to fund his research into how remote sensing technologies can be used to monitor grassland biodiversity. NASA solicits proposals to this program every three years, which makes this program highly competitive, said Gholizadeh, who completed his Ph.D. in geography in 2016 and postdoctoral work in 2019. I am thrilled to receive this award. Gholizadehs research involves collecting hyperspectral images of the earths surface specifically tall grass prairies using aircraft- and satellite-mounted cameras. A good portion of the NASA funding has gone to hiring pilots, specialists and airplanes to collect these images, which capture information beyond what the human eye can see. Dr. Hamed Gholizadeh While cameras on our cellphones capture RGB images, or images in three layers red, green, blue the cameras we use in our research collect electromagnetic radiation in approximately 300 layers, Gholizadeh said. These cameras are capable of capturing near-infrared and shortwave infra-red. Collecting this kind of data requires high-tech, cutting-edge sensors. One of these cameras is mounted on the International Space Station and is operated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Through a collaboration with NASA, DLR collects images of specific grassland areas from space and then sends them to Gholizadeh for analysis. Gholizadehs hope is that remote sensing will provide a way to track biodiversity changes over time, as the alternative is sending botanists to grasslands to document the species they see, he said. But that would take a lot of time, and even if they finished, it would be just one point in time, Gholizadeh said. A recent study showed that since the 1970s, the population size of many species has declined by about 70 percent. Just imagine if we can develop models to monitor biodiversity using remote sensing we can look at biodiversity changes over time and track trends relatively fast and relatively cheaply compared to other, traditional ways. Its estimated that 25 to 40% of the earths land surface is covered in grassland, so Gholizadeh has by necessity focused his research on a relatively small area in Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserves 39,650 acres near Pawhuska, Oklahoma. In addition to collecting remote sensing images of the area, Gholizadeh and his team of botanists and OSU undergraduate and graduate students completed two field camps one in 2021 and another in 2022 to gather physical samples and species composition data. We use field campaign data to see how reliable our remote sensing models are, Gholizadeh said. He added that they placed a 1x1-meter frame at 2,500 different points across the preserve as part of their ground truth or ground reference data collection. Gholizadeh also enlisted the help of Dr. Benedicte Bachelot, an assistant professor in the OSU Department of Plant Biology, Ecology, and Evolution, who is the projects plant community ecologist investigating plant-fungi relationships. Nature is complex. If you want to understand it, you will need tools and skills from many disciplines, Bachelot said. You might try to become a jack of all trades, but ultimately you cant know or do it all. You need to develop cross-disciplinary collaboration if you want your research to expand beyond your small expertise. In this specific case, collaborating with Dr. Gholizadeh allows me to explore what airborne data can or cannot tell us. Having collected the necessary data from remote sensing images and on-the-ground field camps, Gholizadeh and his team are entering the data analysis stage of the research. Now well focus on developing models and algorithms to see with what level of certainty we can capture plant diversity using remote sensing technology, Gholizadeh said. In doing so, we can broaden our understanding of the response of grassland ecosystems to various environmental changes and identify strategies to maintain and enhance their biodiversity. Hong Kong again ranked as world's freest economy Hong Kong has gained the top rank since the report's inception. Photo: RTHK The government on Thursday welcomed Hong Kong again being ranked as the world's freest economy by the Canadian think-tank, the Frasier Institute, in its Economic Freedom of the World Annual Report. Hong Kong has gained the top rank since the report's inception. "We have been striving to improve the business environment and enhance market efficiency and support, thereby allowing the economy to display flexibility and resilience and leverage the advantages of the free market. Our commitment to maintaining an efficient, free, open and fair business environment is once again affirmed," a government spokesman said. The institute ranks economies in five main areas: Size of government, legal system and property rights, sound money, freedom to trade internationally, and regulation. The SAR again topped the freedom to trade, and regulation categories. Singapore was ranked second and the US seventh. Of the 165 jurisdictions measured, Venezuela came last. The 2022 rankings are based on data from 2020, which the institute says is the latest most comprehensive available. Russia says 10,000 volunteer to fight in 24 hours An activist holds a picket in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin in central Moscow. One poster reads "Everything for the Front! Everything for the Victory!". Photo: AFP The Russian military said on Thursday that at least 10,000 people had volunteered to fight in Ukraine, some 24 hours after President Vladimir Putin ordered a mobilisation of reservists. "During the first day of partial mobilisation, about 10,000 citizens arrived at recruitment offices of their own accord without waiting for a summons," Vladimir Tsimlyansky, a military spokesman, told Russia's Interfax news agency. He added the military had established a call centre to answer questions from individuals and organisations about the mobilisation. Amateur footage posted on social media since Putin made the announcement has purported to show hundreds of Russian citizens across the country responding to military summons. In the Siberian city of Yakutia, footage showed men with their faces obscured embracing family members some in tears before boarding a bus. Popular Telegram channel Mash distributed footage showing long lines of people waiting to board a plane in the eastern Khabarovsk region as part of the mobilisation drive. A video purportedly filmed in the southern republic of Chechnya showed dozens of young men at a local recruitment office flanked by police. Putin on Wednesday announced a "partial mobilisation" of reservists and defence minister Sergei Shoigu said the drive would ultimately see 300,000 people called up for service. More than 1,300 people were arrested across Russia on Wednesday during improvised demonstrations against the mobilisation. There have also been reports of an accelerated exodus of military-aged men from the country. Armenia says at least 40,000 Russians have fled there since the beginning of the war, while statistics in June showed nearly 50,000 had fled to Georgia. The Kremlin on Thursday dismissed as "fake" reports that Russians eligible for mobilisation were rushing for the exit. "A great deal of false information has emerged about this," said spokesman Dmitry Peskov. But flights out of Russia were nearly fully booked for the week ahead to cities in the nearby former Soviet countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. (AFP) Defence spokesman Lt. Col Mahendra Rawat said that the recovered items include air gun, air gun pellets, combat uniforms, radio sets, tactical vests, tactical gloves and boots worth around Rs 16 lakh. Five Myanmarese and two Indian nationals were also apprehended in connection with the seizures. Lt. Col Rawat said that the stores recovered were of military grade and hence their use for anti-national activities by insurgents based in Myanmar cannot be ruled out. He said that acting on a tip off, the Assam Rifles personnel from the Siaha post, along with Mizoram Police, launched the operation near Niawthlang village and intercepted the two vehicles carrying the seized items. "The Assam Rifles had specific information about movement of tactical and war-like stores for insurgents based in Myanmar in two Sumo vehicles," the spokesman said. The detainees and seized items have been handed over to Siaha Police station for further investigation and legal proceedings. "This operation is a huge setback for all anti-national activists. The operation's success would go a long way in establishing peace and harmony along the Indo-Myanmar border," an official statement said. Mizoram shares an unfenced border of 510 km with Myanmar and the passage of varied drugs, arms and ammunition, gold, exotic animals, various tobacco products, and many other contraband is frequently reported. --IANS sc/vd ( 265 Words) 2022-09-21-22:38:03 (IANS) An order to this effect was issued by the Department of Public Enterprises, under the Ministry of Finance, on Wednesday. Incorporated in 1969, REC is a non-banking finance company (NBFC), focussing on power sector financing and development across India. It comes under the aegis of Power Ministry. The granting of 'Maharatna' status to REC will impart enhanced powers to the company's board while taking financial decisions, a company statement said. The board of a 'Maharatna' CPSE can make equity investments to undertake financial joint ventures and wholly-owned subsidiaries and undertake mergers and acquisitions in India and abroad, subject to a ceiling of 15 per cent of the net worth of the CPSE concerned, limited to Rs 5,000 crore in one project. The board can also structure and implement schemes relating to personnel and human resource management and training. With this, REC can also enter into technology joint ventures or other strategic alliances among others. Chairman and Managing Director of REC, Vivek Kumar Dewangan said that REC achieved this feat owing to its adaptability, resilience and consistent performance even during the global Covid-19 pandemic. "In FY22, REC made its highest ever net profit of Rs 10,046 crore and reached a net worth of Rs 50,986 crore, owing to its cost-effective resource management and strong financial policies," he said. REC (earlier known as Rural Electrification Corporation) has contributed towards achieving village and household electrification in the country. Some key Maharatna CPSEs in India are ONGC, NTPC, Indian Oil Corporation and BHEL, among others. --IANS ans/vd A ( 286 Words) 2022-09-21-22:14:02 (IANS) Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock once planned to develop a comedy in which they were going to play warring ex-spouses on QVC, however, the 'Pitt-Bullock' comedy never made it past early development. It turns out they planned to years ago by developing a comedy in which they were going to play warring ex-spouses on QVC. The Pitt-Bullock comedy never made it past early development. According to Variety, Bullock's $105 million romantic comedy 'The Lost City' included a cameo from Brad Pitt, while Pitt's late-summer action tentpole 'Bullet Train' featured a cameo from Bullock. This year, Pitt and Bullock traded cameo appearances. "Actually, Sandy [Sandra Bullock] and I did once try to develop a whole idea of a husband and wife team, who were QVC's most successful salespeople, but we're getting a divorce, we hate each other, and we're taking it out on air as we sell things," Pitt recently told Vogue UK. "That's as far as we got." In a promotional interview for Le Domaine, his new line of essentials for genderless skin care, Pitt mentioned the abandoned Bullock project. The Oscar winner claimed to Vogue that Le Domaine's results are visible in his skin. "I know there are new products nearly every day that people are trying to launch," Pitt said, "but if I hadn't seen a real difference visually in my skin, we wouldn't have bothered [making it]." Recently, Pitt starred in Sony's 'Bullet Train,' which has brought in $96 million in the United States since its release in early August. The action blockbuster has brought in $222 million globally. Pitt's next project is 'Babylon,' the new Paramount-backed thriller from 'La La Land' Oscar winner Damien Chazelle, in which he will star alongside Margot Robbie and Diego Calva. December 25 marks the movie's debut in a few theatres. (ANI) Businessman Robert Vadra on Wednesday tendered his unconditional apology for the alleged violation of the terms and conditions of travelling to the UK, Italy and Spain. Special CBI Judge Neelofar Abida Parveen of Rouse Avenue court on Wednesday reserved the order on a plea by ED to forfeit a fixed deposit and initiate legal age proceedings against Vadra for violating the terms and conditions imposed by the court to travel abroad. During the hearing, Vadra offered an unconditional apology before the court even as the ED said that action should be initiated against Vadra. In an affidavit, Vadra said that he made an inadvertent error and instead of "to Dubai", wrote "via Dubai" in his application seeking permission to travel. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhavi appearing for Robert Vadra submitted, "I have no doubt made an error." The judge said, "You should have sought permission." Abhishekh Manu Singhvi stated, "There has been an error. I clearly had no intention to mislead. There was no intention to say X to the judge and do Y." He added, "I unconditionally apologise for the error of putting 'via UAE'. Pardon me for the error. This contention was opposed by the counsel of ED. Advocate N K Matta, special public prosecutor (SPP) for ED submitted that Robert Vadra was directed to submit address to the court before leaving India and added that even after coming back to India, he did not submit details of places he visited in UK. "ED on August 22, 23 and 24 did not object to the modified itinerary (which included a stopover in Dubai for 4 days) that we had submitted, Singhavi argued. On Monday, the Court had expressed its displeasure with businessman Robert Vadra's explanation that he stayed in Dubai for a medical emergency in August this year while traveling to the United Kingdom (UK) via UAE and said this is a violation of terms and conditions of the permission granted to him. The court had also issued a show cause notice asking Vadra, husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi why his fixed deposit receipt (FDR) deposited in terms of order dated August 12 be not forfeited for violating the terms and conditions of the permission granted to the applicant. The Special Judge Neelofar Abida Parveen on Monday said that she was unable to accept the assertion on sole affirmation of applicant Vadra mentioned in the affidavit that the applicant was forced or compelled under the circumstances on account of medical exigencies to stay at UAE. The court had further overserved that copy of the travel tickets indicated that Vadra was supposed to stay from August 25 to 29 in Dubai then he was about to travel to London on August 29. The court had granted permission to Robert Vadra on August 12 to Travel abroad to UK via UAE, Spain and Italy for four weeks. The court had noted that the flight and hotel details mentioned in the said undertaking given by Robert Vadra clearly indicated that he would travel to the UK via UAE as permitted by this Court. Vadra in his affidavit said that he stayed in UAE before embarking on his further journey because he had deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his left leg and he had been advised to take proper rest between long-haul flights". During the said trip, since there was inflammation and pain in his left leg, he had to stop and seek medical advice in Dubai on August 27 at the LGA medical Facilitation Centre meant for medical emergencies of travelers in Dubai where he was advised further medical treatment in this respect, Vadra's lawyer argued. Vadra in his affidavit stated that his stoppage at UAE during the said trip to the UK was not with the intention to violate any condition imposed nor was there any attempt to mislead, rather, was on account of medical exigencies. Court further noted that he had been allowed to travel abroad earlier for treatment and consultation of DVT by this Court in 2019 and relevant material documents have been previously filed. The Senior Advocate KTS appeared for Robert Vadra had also filed one medical certificate of the applicant. For filing of explanation and consideration the court further put up the matter for September 21, 2022. The Robert Vadra is presently on bail in a money laundering case filed by Enforcement Directorate (ED). (ANI) Delhi BJP held a demonstration against 'illegal encroachment' of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) land and selling of graveyard land by AAP MLA Somnath Bharti, demanding his resignation. Demanding the dismissal of Bharti, Gupta said, "Land worth crores of rupees, which is a part of the Deer Park in Hauz Khas, has been encroached upon for extending a graveyard at the behest of Kejriwal's close aide and local MLA Somnath Bharti and the Waqf board. The land actually belongs to DDA." Terming the 'scam' as 'Land Jihad', Gupta accused Bharti of selling government plots worth crores of rupees. "After coming to power, the Kejriwal government is setting new records of corruption, but the BJP will continue to protest against the government-protected land mafia," he said. Gupta added that the protest will continue till concrete action is taken against AAP leaders on the issue of land grabbing. He also demanded Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena to punish the accused persons involved in this whole matter. BJP leaders Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Rajan Tiwari and others took part in the demonstration. --IANS avr/arm ( 227 Words) 2022-09-21-20:48:05 (IANS) Amid the ongoing speculation about his candidature in the Congress presidential polls, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said that he would like to stay where the party benefits. He was answering a media query on whether he would continue to be the chief minister of Rajasthan if he was elected as the Congress president. On Wednesday, Gehlot reached 10 Janpath to meet Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi at 4 p.m. He was scheduled to visit Kochi to meet former party president Rahul Gandhi soon after this meeting. Soon after reaching Delhi, Gehlot spoke to the media. He said "If the people of the party want me, if they feel that I am fit for the post of president or the post of CM, then I cannot refuse. Position doesn't matter to me." Will you continue to be the chief minister, he was asked. He replied, "I am not talking about staying or not, time will tell where I live, where I do not live, but I would like to live where the party benefits from my stay. I will not remain behind in that case," he added. Gehlot, speaking about his visit to Kochi said, "4-5 days ago, I had proposed in the Pradesh Congress Committee that Rahul Gandhi ji should accept the post of president, we wish that he agrees to travel as Congress president, then there will be more aura for the party. I am going to talk to him one more time, I will request one more time to Rahul Gandhi ji, after that I will decide, then I will meet you," he told the media. Speaking on the one post, one person formula, he said, "My wish is not to stay in any position, because I have held many positions. Party should benefit from my presence, Congress should be strong, I want this. The party has given me a lot." Asked if he can handle both the posts -- chief minister and president -- Gehlot said, "I told you that whether I am in first position, 2nd position, 3rd post or anywhere, I will not mind. My wish will be that I will not stay on any post now, I have held a lot of posts, now I should enter the field, tour with Rahul Gandhi ji, travel, bring people on the streets and open a front against fascist people, the party has given me everything, today the party is in trouble. I will not back down wherever I am needed to strengthen the Congress," he added. Recently, during a meeting of Congress delegates in Jaipur, Gehlot had passed a resolution demanding that Rahul Gandhi be elected as the party president by asking members to raise their hands. Gehlot's visit to Kochi is also being seen as a similar exercise. After Gehlot's visit to Delhi and Kochi, there is a program of further political tours. For three to four days, Gehlot will stay in Delhi and prepare a strategy for the election of the president. Gehlot's visit to Kochi is considered important for the election of the party president as well as for the politics of Rajasthan. If he contests the election of the president, then there will be a discussion on the role of his former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot. Pilot has also gone to Kochi to join Rahul Gandhi's Yatra. --IANS arc/bg ( 573 Words) 2022-09-21-20:50:04 (IANS) The Karnataka government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that there is no restriction on wearing hijab on the school campus, and it is only restricted in the classroom while defending its decision to disallow hijab in classrooms of pre-university colleges. It also emphasized that it has not touched any "religious aspect" in the hijab ban row. Advocate General Prabhuling K. Navadgi, representing the Karnataka government, contended before a bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia that it has never happened in Karnataka that a group of students came to school in hijab and began banging the gates. As the bench queried if it started in one school and then spread, Navadagi said yes. "There was a possibility of a public order issue," he said, and emphasised that restriction on hijab was only in the classroom and when it was asserted militantly that they want to wear hijab and retaliated by others, it became a concern. He said that it has to be demonstrated that wearing of hijab is a right to expression and right to privacy is still evolving jurisprudence and can't be exercised in all zones. The AG said France has prohibited hijab and the women there have not become any less Islamic. He added that the state has not touched any religious aspect or religious issue. "Much hue and cry is made by saying that hijab is banned. Let me clarify, hijab is not banned and the state never intended," he said. Navadgi submitted assuming wearing of hijab is a religious practice ordained in Quran and every mundane activity connected with the religion can't be an essential religious practice. He added that if it were to be accepted that whatever is said in the Quran to be essential, it will defeat the tests of essentiality. Citing Article 51A(j) of the Constitution, the AG contended that one should rise above religious identity to become part of one group, and the right to wear a dress cannot be absolute. He said the right to wear dress as part of expression can't be readily given at the mere asking and it has to be established what is the expression they want to convey and to whom they want to convey. He said that "they say they wear hijab as Islam mandates. That is no expression." Navadagi said the state only wants to inculcate discipline in students by regulating uniforms and any restrictive effect on rights under Article 19 of the Constitution is "incidental" and it cannot be a ground to invalidate the law. He added that there is no restriction on wearing hijab either on school campus or school transport. "It is only in classroom," he said. The bench quizzed Navadagi, citing the government circular, whether wearing a headscarf goes against unity and equality, and cited one of the contentions of the petitioners that there should be no uniform - since it is pre-university and some do not have uniform. The AG contended that the words used in circular were if there is no uniform prescribed, wear something which goes along with unity and equality and also has no impact on law and order. He said the state has only said educational institutions can prescribe uniforms for students, something which is "religion neutral". The top court will continue to hear arguments on Thursday on petitions challenging the Karnataka High Court verdict refusing to lift the ban on hijab in educational institutions of the state. --IANS ss/vd ( 592 Words) 2022-09-21-20:50:05 (IANS) Unhappy with the politics of defection, sections of society in Goa have started to vent their anger against the eight MLAs who recently switched sides in the state, by lodging complaints, protesting before their houses and mocking them on social media. On September 14, former Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Rajesh Faldesai, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes merged the Congress with the BJP. They also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J.P. Nadda in Delhi after joining the saffron party. Kamat had justified his decision, saying it was under God's guidance that he decided to quit the Congress and join the BJP. This statement by Kamat invited much flak from the people of Goa. On Wednesday afternoon, Congress supporters along with locals of Nuvem constituency, represented by Aleixo Sequeira, protested before the latter's house shouting slogans against him. They burnt his effigy calling him a 'backstabber'. "Our demand was simple, give back the votes cast by voters and resign as MLA. Then all these defectors are free to contest on a BJP ticket," Congress leader Viriato Fernandes told IANS. He said that police stopped them from meeting MLA Aleixo Sequeira. "We will continue our protest in other constituencies represented by defectors," he added. Earlier, before the defections, some residents in Goa were seen protesting that they will not keep quiet if the Congress MLAs switch sides. RTI activist Sudip Tamankar along with Egypsio D'Souza and Sayyed Kadri have lodged a common complaint in Panaji police station asking to register a FIR against these eight MLAs for outraging religious feelings. Angry with these eight defectors, who according to them defied and betrayed God by merging with the BJP, some devotees of Lord Bodgeshwar at Mapusa in north Goa on Sunday had offered nine bananas along with areca nut and betel leaves praying that 'God should teach them a lesson'. These devotees, who gathered at Lord Bodgeshwar temple, said that eight bananas are in the name of the defectors and the ninth banana is in the name of those who have welcomed them in the party. "What has hurt these devotees of Lord Bodgeshwar, that these defectors had taken an oath before God in the church, dargah and temple that they will not defect. They have not only betrayed voters but also God." "God told me you take the decision, I am with you. Hence I decided to join the BJP," Kamat had said. Various cartoons and reels are also going viral on social media mocking the eight MLAs who have joined the BJP. --IANS sbk/khz/bg ( 449 Words) 2022-09-21-20:56:03 (IANS) Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his urgent intervention to rescue around several hundred Indians from Myanmar where they are believed to be in illegal captivity. In his letter to the Prime Minister, Stalin stated that around 300 Indians, including 50 persons hailing from Tamil Nadu are facing severe hardships in Myanmar after being forcibly taken there from Thailand. The Tamil Nadu government is in contact with some of the trapped Indians who are desperately trying to escape their forced captivity by criminal elements in Myanmar, Stalin explained. "It is informed that they had initially gone to Thailand for IT related jobs through private recruitment agencies. It is now understood that they were forcibly taken from Thailand, to Myanmar for carrying out illegal jobs online. Further, reports are being received that they are physically assaulted by their employers on their refusal to do so," Stalin noted in his letter to the Prime Minister. Tamil Nadu chief minister requested the Prime Minister to instruct the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the issue with the Myanmar authorities and ensure immediate and safe repatriation of the Indians held in illegal captivity there. Earlier, several politicians from Tamil Nadu political parties such as the PMK, MDMK and VCK had raised the issue on Tuesday. --IANSA pvn/uk ( 238 Words) 2022-09-21-20:58:04 (IANS) An extended meeting of TPCC leaders passed a unanimous resolution in this regard. The meeting, which was attended by over 300 delegates of the party, urged Rahul Gandhi to take over as the national President of the Congress to lead it in the next Lok Sabha elections. TPCC President Revanth Reddy said they believe that under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, the party can stop politics of hate in the country. Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka moved the resolution which was seconded by AICC Secretary Sreedhar Babu and former MP V. Hanumantha Rao. Vikramarka later told reporters that all the participants in the meeting unanimously supported the resolution. The resolution was passed amid reports that Rahul Gandhi is not likely to contest the party President's election scheduled to be held on October 17. Senior Congress leader and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and MP Shashi Tharoor are the probable candidates for the election. In another resolution passed unanimously, the meeting authorised interim AICC chief Sonia Gandhi to nominate TPCC members, AICC members and other office-bearers. --IANS ms/arm ( 217 Words) 2022-09-21-21:06:03 (IANS) The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has busted a Mewat-based gang of cyber fraudsters and arrested five members of the gang, an official said on Wednesday. The accused have been identified as Moin (20), Nazir (20), Shahrukh (21), Rashid (21) and Liyakat (20), all residents of Haryana's Mewat district. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch), Rohit Meena, said a complaint was lodged by a man in September last year alleging that he was cheated of Rs 1.5 lakh through the PhonePe app on the pretext of transfer of money. Accordingly, a case was registered and a cyber fraud gang in Mewat run by Naseem alias Nassi and Liyakat was zeroed upon. In May this year, accused Naseem was arrested after a short scuffle. Meena said that they received information on September 16 that some active members of the Mewat gang will come to Punhana Road near Palwal to attend a party. Accordingly, a team was constituted which reached Palwal and learnt that five members of gang will come to a hotel on Punhana Road. "A trap was laid by the police and the five members of the gang were apprehended from the hotel, where they were all partying," the DCP said. On sustained interrogation, the accused persons disclosed that in connivance with their aides, they cheated several persons through online fraud. The accused persons revealed that they used to call the victims on the pretext of transferring money and asked them to accept the payment using UPI PIN. When the victims accepted, the money was deducted fraudulently from the their bank accounts and got credited to the accused persons' accounts. --IANS uj/arm ( 284 Words) 2022-09-21-21:54:03 (IANS) Delhi Police's Special Cell has made one of the biggest seizures of heroin from Mumbai, with the contraband valued at Rs 1,725 crore in the international market, and arrested two Afghan nationals in this connection, a senior police official said Wednesday. The accused were identified as Mustafa Stanikzai and Rahimullah Rahimi. Delhi Police's Special Commissioner, Special Cell, H.G.S. Dhaliwal said in a bid to bust the entire transnational drug syndicate, the two accused, who were arrested with record quantity of 312.5 kg methamphetamine and 10 kg heroin on September 3, were put to sustained interrogation. "Their intense questioning revealed that 17 bags containing licorice roots soaked with heroin, or 350 to 400 gm per kg (amounting to a total of approximate 345 kg of contraband) have been concealed among other bags. The total weight of the consignment was 20,000 kg which was stored at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Trust, Mumbai," he said in a media briefing. It was learnt that during preliminary examination that the entire consignment had already been checked but in the process, the bags of the consignment had got damaged and the licorice roots were lying inside the container. "As the Special Cell team, after obtaining permission from court, started to inspect each and every stick of the consignment on September 16, it was observed that the colour of some sticks of licorice roots were darker than the others," the Special CP said, adding the team was, after several hours, able to detect heroin in all the sticks that were darker in colour which ultimately led to the major drug haul. According to Dhaliwal, the consignment was first transported from Afghanistan to a neighbouring country, from where it was shipped to a country in the Middle East to avoid detection by the agencies. From there, the consignment containing the contraband blended with legitimate import goods was further shipped to JNPT, Mumbai. "This consignment was supposed to reach the makeshift factories based in MP, Punjab, Delhi, Haryana and other states at opportune time for its further extraction and processing to get the final product heroin," he added. --IANS uj/vd ( 371 Words) 2022-09-21-22:12:03 (IANS) With videos showing cow carcass spread over a vast stretch of land with vultures flying over them going viral on social media, a BJP MLA and a Union minister on Wednesday questioned the state government over the lumpy skin disease scare and its impact on cattle. While BJP MLA Chandrabhan Singh questioned a state minister on the criteria adopted to count the dead cows on the floor of the Assembly, Union Minister of State for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Sanjeev Balyan, said that of the 18.50 lakh cows infected in the country, Rajasthan alone accounts for 12.50 lakh such cows. "It won't be wrong to say that two-third of the sick cows in the entire country are in Rajasthan," Balyan said. In the Assembly, Chandrabhan Singh asked state Animal Husbandry Minister Lalchand Kataria if it is true that lumpy virus is spreading rapidly in the state. "How many cows have suffered in the last five months and how many have died," he asked, adding that as per official statistics, over 50,000 cows have died. "What is the basis of this number? Has any survey being conducted? Will the owners of the dead cows get financial aid like in Bihar and Odisha," Singh asked. Replying to this, Kataria said, "The data has been collected by the officials in the agriculture department, patwaris and others." Balyan, who was in Dausa on Wednesday, said, "Central teams have visited Rajasthan five times since the outbreak of lumpy skin disease in cattle. It is my responsibility to fulfil Rajasthan government's demand for medicines and vaccines, and I will do that. But it is the responsibility of the state government to work on the ground, which should be done. The central teams are also collecting facts by visiting the different affected areas. Now the only work left is to treat and serve the infected cows." On state government's demand to declare lumpi virus as a national calamity, Balyan said, "First the Chief Minister of Rajasthan should be asked whether he has declared the disease as an epidemic in the state. If the Rajasthan government looks at the Prime Minister for every work that is needed to be done, why did the people make him (Ashok Gehlot) the Chief Minister? One can expect help from the Centre, but here everything is thrown into the Centre's court," he said. "The Chief Minister is showing interest in Delhi's politics, but now there is a need to work on the ground," Balyan added. --IANS arc/arm ( 431 Words) 2022-09-21-22:50:02 (IANS) Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday made a scathing attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for not speaking to Prime Minister Modi after the multi-billion Vedanta-Foxconn semiconductor plant deal went to Gujarat. His remarks come after Vedanta-Foxconn has chosen Gujarat as the destination for their semiconductor plant. Uddhav Thackeray Thackeray takes a swipe at Shinde, saying, "CM Eknath Shinde has gone again to perform 'Mujra' in Delhi today... Why do Maharashtra projects go to other states? Why doesn't he speak to the PM about this? Doesn't he have the courage to speak on it?" A memorandum of understanding was signed with the state government for setting up the semiconductor plant costing around Rs 1.54 lakh crore. Thackeray, who was addressing party workers, said that the Maharashtra government should bring back the Foxconn-Vedanta semiconductor project rather than hurling allegations adding that both ruling and Opposition should come together for the larger interest of the state and bring back the project. Thackeray also launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for not speaking on the issue. The Shiv Sena chief also challenged Home Minister Amit Shah to conduct Mumbai civic polls and assembly elections within a month. "I challenge Union HM Amit Shah to hold BMC election along with state assembly elections, we will show Shiv Sena's strength. Earlier too many Nizams and Shahs tried to capture Mumbai but failed in their nefarious attempt," he added. However, Shinde hit back at Thackeray saying that the Vedanta will come to Maharashtra. "Our government is two months old and we have taken decisions that were not taken in two years. Vedanta will come to Maharashtra. I have spoken with PM Modi and HM Amit Shah and have been assured. A lot of industries went out of the state because of the previous government," said Maharashtra Chief Minister. "History gets made! Happy to announce that the new Vedanta-Foxconn semiconductor plant will be set up in #Gujarat. Vedanta's landmark investment of Rs 1.54 lakh crores will help make India's #Atmanirbhar Silicon Valley a reality," Vedanta group chairman Anil Agarwal said in a series of tweets. This project, which is expected to reduce India's electronic imports besides providing 1 lakh direct skilled jobs, will help the country's manufacturing sector, he said in another tweet. "My deep gratitude to the Gujarat Govt and the Union IT Minister, who have helped Vedanta tie things up so quickly. India's tech ecosystem will thrive, with every state benefiting via the new electronics manufacturing hubs." India's own Silicon Valley is a step closer now, the Vedanta Chairman tweeted. "India will fulfil the digital needs of not just her people, but also those from across the seas. The journey from being a Chip Taker to a Chip Maker has officially begun...Jai Hind!," he tweeted.(ANI) In a bid to reach out to gain support of the poor, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday asked his Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) workers and leaders to use the photographs of Kabir Das and Sant Ravidas in every party event. Addressing the party's workers during the Rajya Parishad meeting here, he asked the workers to respect poor and Extremely Backward Caste (EBC) people of the state. "EBC and poor people of the state will join us only when our approach towards them would be in the right manner to respect them. When we offer our chair to them, then our party will get strong. I appeal to every worker to not involve in any kind of hooliganism and not show a Dabang attitude," he said. "I propose every worker and the leaders of our party use the photographs of Sant Kabir Das and Sant Ravidas in every poster and banners during party events. It gives a good message towards EBC and poor people of the state," Tejashwi Yadav added. Claiming that the Narendra Modi-led BJP government has tried every possible way to make them scared, he said: "There were big hurdles before us, still we were not afraid of the BJP and formed the government in Bihar. I thank CM Nitish Kumar Ji, Sharad Yadav Ji, Lalu Prasad Ji and other senior leaders who stand firm against BJP. CM Nitish Kumar took the decision at the right time and threw the BJP out of power in Bihar. Following that central government conducted raids by the ED, CBI and Income Tax." "I want to say that 'Jo Darega Wo Marega and Jo Ladega Wo Jeetega'. Lalu Prasad Ji was never scared of the BJP and the RSS and he won against them. We have to do the same to win the 2024 Lok Sabha election in the same way. I have called for the meeting of our ministers under the RJD quota to review their work after the completion of one month. I asked them to focus on the work and not do 'Ganesh Parikrama' around top leaders. In every event in the district, the district President will be the head of the management and MLAs, MPs and ministers have to follow them. Empowering district Presidents of the party is key to straightening the party. We have to respect every party worker at the ground level," Tejashwi Yadav said. --IANS ajk/vd ( 420 Words) 2022-09-21-23:02:02 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who is most likely to contest the poll to elect the next Congress President scheduled to held on October 17, met interim party chief Sonia Gandhi here on Wednesday. In the meeting which lasted for nearly two hours, sources said Sonia Gandhi asserted that the polls will be fair and she will not endorse any candidate. The sources said that the issue of Rajasthan in the event of Gehlot joining national politics was also discussed, but their is no official word on it yet. Gehlot is tipped to file his nomination next week for the Congress President's post; however, he is reportedly reluctant to leave the Chief Minister's chair in Rajasthan. Gehlot, who arrived in the national capital on Wednesday morning, had told the media ahead of the meeting that he will not back out from any responsibility. "I will not back out from any responsibility and will serve the party wherever and in whichever capacity I am required in this hour of crisis," he said. However, Gehlot also said that the party wants Rahul Gandhi to take over as the next Congress President. Gehlot also dropped hint that he can manage the posts of both the party chief and Chief Minister of Rajasthan simultaneously. The Rajasthan Chief Minister said he is not aspiring for any post, but wants to work towards ousting the 'fascist' BJP government. Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday arrived at the AICC office here to check the delegates' list ahead of the issuance of notification for the Congress presidential polls, as he is also expected to file his nomination for the top post next week. --IANS miz/arm ( 292 Words) 2022-09-21-23:14:03 (IANS) As many as seven suspected cases of the lumpy disease have been found in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, said Dr MC Tamori, Deputy Director of Animal Department on Wednesday. He further said that out of which five have been sent for confirmation to Bhopal lab. "7 cases of suspected lumpy disease found in Shivpuri district, out of which 5 have been sent for confirmation to Bhopal lab," said Dr Tamori. He further advised people to segregate animals that have contracted the disease and get the rest vaccinated. Over a hundred animals in Madhya Pradesh have been infected with the virus, according to data released by the chief minister's office as of September 21. In the 26 districts of the state, 7,686 animals were affected of which 5,432 animals were cured while 101 died, according to an official statement. "It needs to be taken very seriously. Just like we fought against Covid, we will fight this lumpy virus to save the lives of animals," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said according to the statement. The Lumpy Skin Disease virus is causing the loss of many milch animals across states. Apart from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra is another state that is suffering a heavy impact of the disease's outbreak. A large number of cattle have died after being infected by the virus in Maharashtra. "Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has been rapidly spreading all throughout the Maharashtra state. It is a cutaneous viral disease of the bovines. This disease is not transmitted to human beings either from animals or through cow milk," the animal husbandry department release stated. The virus has been found only in cows and buffaloes. There is no danger to humans in eating meat or using milk of animals that do not have the symptoms of Lumpy. Animals can be cured from Lumpy, however, the milk of such animals may get affected due to the virus. As per reports, lumpy skin disease is a viral disease that affects cattle. It is transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such as certain species of flies and mosquitoes, or ticks. It causes fever and nodules on the skin and can lead to the death of the cattle. Meanwhile, providing relief to the livestock of the country, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar on August 10 launched the indigenous vaccine Lumpi-ProVac to protect livestock from Lumpy skin disease. The vaccine has been developed by the National Equine Research Center, Hisar (Haryana) in collaboration with the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izzatnagar (Bareilly). Ever since the disease came to India in 2019, research institutes have been engaged in developing the vaccine. (ANI) A rift appeared in the 'Mahagathbandhan' government in Bihar as Senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Shivanand Tiwari on Wednesday advised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to open an ashram to provide political training and to handover chief ministerial post to RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav in 2025. However, the Janata Dal (United) in a benefitting reply to Tiwari said that people want to see Nitish Kumar at the highest post. Tiwari, who shared a friendly political bond with Nitish Kumar earlier, reminded Bihar CM about his retirement plans. Addressing party workers at the RJD state council meeting in Patna, Tiwari said, "Long ago, Nitish Kumar had said that he will open the ashram and provide political training. I will remind him to open that ashram after making Tejashwi the chief minister in 2025. After that, I will also join you in the ashram and train the political workers there." The meeting was attended by RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and other senior leaders of the party. Meanwhile, Janata Dal (United) leader Upendra Kushwaha said in a tweet, "Nitish Kumar ji is not going to open the ashram yet. The prayers of crores of countrymen are with him, who want Nitish ji to continue to serve the people of India while staying at the highest peak of power. But if you need, you should look for some ashram." Notably, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had parted ways with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and rejoined hands with RJD to form the Mahagathbandhan government in August. It was in 2020 when the BJP-JDU won the election in alliance with each other in Bihar and Nitish Kumar was made the chief minister despite BJP being the single largest party. In less than two years' time, Nitish Kumar flipped his choices and in a surprise move went on to stitch an alliance with RJD and Congress to form a 'Grand Alliance' government in Bihar. The political scenario in the state has changed since Nitish Kumar broke the alliance with BJP and staked a claim to form a government with RJD earlier this month. Nitish Kumar had broken away from the BJP and formed a government with the RJD and other parties earlier this month. The Chief Minister and his deputy - RJD's Tejashwi Yadav - took oath on August 10. The Bihar Grand Alliance has a combined strength of 163. Its effective strength climbed to 164 after Independent MLA Sumit Kumar Singh extended support to Nitish Kumar. The Grand alliance Bihar government comprises JD(U), RJD, Congress, CPI(ML), CPI and CPI(M) and has a combined strength of more than 160 in the 243-strong House. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received a copy of the Braille version of the Assamese Dictionary 'Hemkosh' from Jayanta Baruah. According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Hemkosh was among the earliest Assamese dictionaries dating back to the 19th century. PM Modi complimented Jayanta Baruah and his team for his efforts leading to the publication of the Braille version. "Glad to have received a copy of the Braille version of 'Hemkosh', which was among the earliest Assamese dictionaries dating back to the 19th century. I compliment Mr Jayanta Baruah and his team for his efforts leading to the publication of the Braille version," PM Modi said in a tweet. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Wednesday and apprised him about the slew of development initiatives in the state. According to the Assam government, in course of his meeting with the Prime Minister at his official residence, Sarma had apprised the Prime Minister about the various developmental projects and schemes taken up in the state. He also informed the Prime Minister about the status of the underwater tunnel between Kaliabor and Jamuguri. The Chief Minister also once again extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to the concluding function of the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Borphukan to be held in New Delhi on November 24 next. Earlier, the first Braille edition of 'Hemkosh', an Assamese dictionary, was gifted to the Prime Minister by the Chairman of 'Sadin-Pratidin' group of publications, Jayanta Baruah in which Chief Minister Sarma and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal were present. Earlier today, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga to hold another round of talks on the long-pending Assam-Mizoram border issue in the national capital on Wednesday afternoon. "Today my Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga and I met to discuss the Assam and Mizoram border issue. A team of ministers from both states met in Aizawl recently. Today we discussed the progress and reviewed what happened in the meeting and we are satisfied with the progress. We are in the process of forming regional committees to solve this issue", said Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma after the meeting. The meeting between the two CMs lasted for around twenty-five minutes. Mizoram CM Zoramthanga exclusively told ANI, "We have had a good round of meetings and are satisfied with the progress made at the meeting between the ministers of the two states. We're hoping that we will be able to solve the issue at the earliest." When asked about the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Zoramthanga said, "As of now we have had no talks of a meeting with the Union home Minister." In November last year, the two CMs met in the presence of the Union Home Minister in the national capital to discuss the decades-long pending issue. In July last year, the border dispute turned violent, resulting in the death of seven personnel from the Assam police and injuring several others. Following this, a couple of rounds of meetings have taken place between the delegations from Assam and Mizoram to solve this issue amicably. In 1972 Mizoram was made a union territory. However, the UT carved out of Assam was made a state in 1987. After initial acceptance of the border with Assam Mizoram gradually began disputing the border. (ANI) The Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday entered its 15th day and is scheduled to enter Thrissur district of Kerala this evening. Congress party leaders and workers from Parambayam Juma Masjid in Kochi joined Gandhi as he resumed his yatra today. On Wednesday, the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' got embroiled in a controversy after the picture of RSS ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar appeared among other freedom fighters on a poster which was meant to welcome the Congress party leaders in Kerala. As soon as photographs of the banner with Savarkar's picture went viral on the internet, the BJP said that Savarkar's "pictures adorning Congress's Bharat Jodo Yatra banner is a good realisation for Rahul Gandhi." However, Congress termed it as a printing mistake and said immediate action has been taken against the local leader while a detailed probe is being conducted." The banner has Savarkar's picture among photographs of other freedom fighters like Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Gobind Ballabh Pant and Chandrashekhar Azadwent viral on the internet. Reacting to the faux pas, Congress alleged that the BJP-RSS person deliberately tampered with the banner and said that they will probe the matter. After the embarrassment and criticism from the BJP, the party acted swiftly and the Savarkar picture was covered by a picture of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi on the campaign poster for 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. Notably, Congress has always criticised Savarkar, claiming that he apologised to the British instead of fighting them. Earlier on Wednesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP-led government of favouring big business and took a dig at billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, saying "he can monopolise any business he wants in the country". "He can monopolise any business he wants in the country. He can buy any airport and port. He can dominate agriculture, power and solar business. Who gives him money to build these businesses? It comes from public sector banks, it is your money," Rahul Gandhi said. Addressing a public meeting at Paravoor Junction in Aluva in Kochi here during a break in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi made a veiled reference to Gautam Adani and said the second-richest man on the planet is from India and asked "who gives him money to build businesses". On Wednesday, Gandhi began his Yatra by paying tributes to spiritual leader Sree Narayana Guru. "An inspiring start to the day. Offered my tributes to the great spiritual leader, philosopher and social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru whose teachings of equality are key to the idea of #BharatJodoYatra," Gandhi tweeted. 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. (ANI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has called for a cabinet meeting on Thursday. The cabinet meeting is slated to start at 10.30 am at, Punjab Secretariat. However the agenda of the meeting has not been disclosed yet, the meeting has been called a day after the state Governor Banwarilal Purohit (on Wednesday), withdrew the Punjab government's orders calling for the assembly session for a "confidence motion" due to the "absence of specific rules" to do so. The assembly was called through the third special session of the sixteenth Vidhan Sabha. "I, Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Punjab hereby withdraw my orders, regarding summoning of the sixteenth Vidhan Sabha of the state of Punjab to meet for its third (Special) session on Thursday in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha hall", the order on Wednesday read. Addressing a letter to Secretary Punjab Vidhan Sabha, governor Purohit had said that a legal opinion was sorted on the entire matter from the Additional Solicitor General of India Satya Pal Jain. "This matter was examined and a legal opinion was sort from Satya Pal Jain Additional Solicitor General of India. He has given his legal opinion that there is no specific provision regarding the summoning of the Assembly for considering 'confidence motion' only, in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Rules of procedure and conduct of business", read the letter. It was in light of the above provision that the Punjab Governor withdrew his offer dated September 20. Reacting to the governor's action, Aam Aadmi Party attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party alleging that the 'democracy has been killed in Punjab'. "This is another example of the killing of democracy in Punjab at the behest of the BJP. To date in the history of India, the Governor has not cancelled the approval of the special session. This is the first such shameful incident in the history of Indian democracy. The complicity between the BJP and the Congress, which was behind the scenes, has now come to the fore", stated AAP in its official statement. The party further stated that, in Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party was bringing this complicity of Operation Lotus to the public, but once again Congress has come to the fore as the security cover of the BJP. The Governor has no right to interfere in the work of an elected government, it said. "The Governor seems to be adopting the Viceroy model of the British Raj more than the Indian Constitution. Aam Aadmi Party has always fought against their oppressive policies and will continue to fight even further," it added. (ANI) Assam Police detained nine persons linked with the Popular Front of India (PFI) in the state, a police official said on Thursday. According to the official, a joint operation was launched by the state police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Speaking to ANI, the official said, "Last night Assam police and NIA jointly launched an operation and picked up nine persons across the state linked with PFI". Out of the nine persons, four were detained from the Nagarbera area in the Kamrup district. He added that the police and NIA jointly raided one PFI office in the Hatigaon area in Guwahati last night. Meanwhile, in a first-ever largest action, a joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and state police forces have arrested over 100 PFI leaders during raids across 10 states, sources said today. The searches were conducted at multiple locations in the largest ever investigation process till date. These searches are being conducted at the residential and official premises of persons involved in "funding terrorism, organising training camps and radicalising people to join proscribed organisations". The raids were conducted in Telangana, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and many more states, said sources. NIA earlier this month also raided 40 places in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh in a PFI case and detained four persons. The agency had then conducted searches at 38 locations in Telangana (23 in Nizamabad, four in Hyderabad, seven in Jagityal, two in Nirmal, one each in Adilabad and Karimnagar districts) and at two locations in Andhra Pradesh (one each in Kurnool and Nellore districts) in the case relating to Abdul Khader of Nizamabad district in Telangana and 26 other persons. The PFI was launched in Kerala in 2006 after merging three Muslim organizations floated after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992 - the National Development Front of Kerala, Karnataka Forum for Dignity and Manitha Neethi Pasari of Tamil Nadu. After the demolition of the Babri mosque, many fringe outfits had surfaced in south India and PFI was formed after merging some of them. (ANI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday called for strengthening the thriving space for discussion and dialogue in public realm, suggesting that intolerance of others' point of view is antithetical to the vision of free exchange of thought. Speaking at the third edition of a national colloquium 'Lokmanthan', Vice President said, "It is time to step out of our echo chambers - caused by both social structures and social media algorithms - and let our mind breathe. We must revive the art of listening; we must rediscover the art of dialogue." Recalling that India has a great heritage of debate, discussion and knowledge sharing, Dhankhar said that lessons can be drawn from the past to uplift the quality of discussions in public domain, especially legislatures. Dhankhar added that in the 'race for one-upmanship and under the constant glare of the public eye, debates - televised or on social media - are turning into cacophonous fighting arenas'. The Vice President underlined the role of intelligentsia in Indian society, referring to how sages advised kings historically on issues of policy and ensured harmony and stability in society. Calling upon intellectuals to speak upon prevailing issues, he said that "if our intelligentsia decides to opt for silence in the current times, then this very important section of society is bound to be silenced forever. They must freely practice dialogue and deliberation so that societal morality and propriety are preserved." Underscoring the primacy attached to Freedom of Expression in the Constitution and the rich quality of Constituent Assembly debates, Dhankhar said that they are a testimony to the importance of free-spirited and healthy discussion that India has long cherished. "Freedom of expression is the nectar of democracy", he said. The Vice President called upon the intellectuals from the civic society to play a proactive role in ensuring the harmonious balance of the three branches of the state - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary - through deliberative mechanisms. "Democratic values and human rights will certainly blossom with intelligentsia adopting proactive stance of dialogue and discussion," he added. Reflecting on the "common cultural thread" among all Indians, Dhankhar observed that the beauty and strength of indubitable cultural unity reflects in every facet of the national life. "Right from the mundane, secular matters to the lofty spiritual aspects - from the songs sung by farmers during the sowing season to our holistic approach towards environment - the underlying oneness of Bharatiyata can be felt," he stated. In order to achive truly independent in mind and spirit, the Vice President called for developing a sense of country's own history, which includes folk traditions, local art forms and innumerous dialects. He also called for empowering the youth to think for itself and be equipped with "not only with the right skill set, but also with the right mindset." (ANI) On a two-day visit to Bihar beginning Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to participate in a 'Jan Bhavna Mahasabha' and chair the BJP State Core Committee meeting. Shah will start his visit by addressing a gathering in 'Jan Bhavna Mahasabha' being organised around 12 noon on Friday at Rangbhoomi Ground in Purnia. Purnia is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar. Shah will later hold a meeting with MPs, MLAs and former ministers of Bihar BJP around 4 pm at Mata Gujri University in Kishanganj city. The Minister will be chairing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State Core Committee meeting around 5 pm at Mata Gujri University. On day two of his visit to the state, the Minister will offer prayer at Budhi Kali Mata Temple around 9.30 am at Subhashpally Chowk in Kishanganj. The Home Minister will visit Border outpost Fatehpur and inaugurate BOP buildings of Fatehpur, Pekatola, Beria, Amgachi and Raniganj around 10.30 am at Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Campus. The Minister will later review the meeting on border security with Director Generals and senior officers of Border Security Force (BSF), SSB and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at 12 noon at BSF Campus, Kishanganj. The Home Minister will attend the 'Sundar Subhumi' program organized on the occasion of the ongoing 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations at 3.30 pm at Mata Gujri University. After the JD (U) snapped ties with BJP recently to form the Mahagathbandhan government in the state, this will be Shah's first visit to Bihar, which is significant as it is learnt that it would sound the bugle of poll preparedness for the party gunning for big wins at the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The BJP is in high gear ahead of Shah's visit to Seemanchal (bordering) districts of Bihar Purnia and Kishanganj districts. Union Minister and party's firebrand MP from Begusarai, Giriraj Singh has been made in charge of the rally to be attended by Shah in the Seemanchal (bordering) districts of Bihar's Purnia and Kishanganj districts. To prepare for Shah's rally, several State BJP leaders have been camping in the bordering Purnia and Kishanganj districts for several days and meeting with local people and leaders to make the rallies successful. The Seemanchal area of north Bihar consists of four districts -- Purnia, Kishanganj, Katihar and Araria -- where the Muslim population is in sizeable number to influence the success of a political party's candidate in both Assembly and General elections. The four districts share their border with West Bengal and Bangladesh, from where a large number of immigrants have infiltrated and settled to change the demography there, BJP leaders claimed. The four districts represent 24 Assembly seats and four Parliamentary seats. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, BJP won just one seat of Araria, while JD(U) had victories in two seats of Purnia and Katihar and the Kishanganj seat went to the Congress party. In 2019, both BJP and JD(U) fought elections together as allies. However, political experts said that the political trend of the Seemanchal area "influences the electoral course of other adjoining districts like Supaul, Bhagalpur, Madhubani and Darbhanga as well". (ANI) Amid indication of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot contesting the Congress presidential polls, party leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday emphasised the "one person, one post" norm and said he believes the commitment of party's Udaipur declaration would be maintained in the election for the party's topmost post. Describing the post of Congress president as an "ideological post", Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the position "represents a set of ideas and belief system and vision of India". Answering a question during a press conference on the 15th day of the Bharat Jodo Yatra here, Gandhi said: "You are taking on a position. It is a historic position that defines and has defined a particular view of India. It is not just an organisational post. The Congress president is an ideological post, it is a belief system. My advice would be whoever becomes the president should remember that he represents a set of ideas and a belief system and a vision of India." "What we had decided in Udaipur. 'One person, one post' is a commitment of Congress and I expect that commitment will be maintained (on party's presidential post)," he added. The Congress had decided on a set of organisational reforms during the Udaipur Chintan Shivir held earlier this year. The declaration said that the principle of "one person, one post" should be followed. Rahul Gandhi is not likely to run for the presidential poll scheduled to be held on October 17. The results will be announced on October 19. Giving an indication of his willingness to contest the presidential election, Ashok Gehlot, who is considered to be close to Nehru-Gandhi family, had said on Wednesday that he is willing to accept any responsibility given to him by the party. Gehlot met party's interim chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday. Party MP Shashi Tharoor has also given indication of contesting polls and had met Sonia Gandhi on Monday. He met Congress Central Election Authority chief Madhusudan Mistry on Wednesday. Taking a veiled jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party, Gandhi today said that Congress is fighting a "machine" that has "captured the institutional framework" of the country. "We are fighting a machine that has captured the institutional framework of this country and has unlimited money, unlimited ability to pressurise, buy and threaten people. The yatra is designed to tell the people of India that they need to be united and need to go back to an India that was loving and affectionate," he said. Sources said Rahul Gandhi will now come back to Delhi tonight. "Rahul Gandhi will be coming back to Delhi tonight as there is a halt in Bharat Jodo Yatra tomorrow. On September 24, Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will rejoin the Bharat Jodo Yatra," a source said. The nomination process for the post of Congress president will begin on September 24 and conclude on September 30. (ANI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party during a state-wide rally in Bihar and said that all the left and secular forces in Bihar and throughout India will come together against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024 general election. The CPI-M's Bihar state committee organised a massive state-wide public meeting from 35 districts, at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna as part of the party's nationwide campaign from September 14 to 22 against the Modi-led BJP government. Recalling the Emergency of 1975, Yechury said that the whole of Bihar struggled against the Emergency which succeeded in restoring democracy and saving the country and the Constitutional order. "Today again the time has come to save democracy, secularism, the Constitution and the country from the BJP-RSS. All the left and secular forces in Bihar and throughout India will come together and mobilise the people to oust the Modi regime in 2024. Like in 1974, the road to Indraprastha will again begin from Pataliputra," Yechury said at his rally. Ashok Dhawale, Bihar in charge of the party attacked Centre government policies, saying that these policies led to astronomical price rise, unemployment, poverty and hunger, and attacked the working class, peasantry, agricultural workers, women, youth and students. "It is shamelessly selling off the country to its crony corporates, and is using the British imperialist policy of Divide and Rule on the basis of religion and caste," Dhawale said. Yechury on Wednesday met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD president Lalu Prasad in Patna separately and discussed opposition unity. He took to Twitter and said, "Was warmly received by Nitish Kumar ji (@NitishKumar) when I called on him in Patna today. We followed up on our discussions in Delhi to mobilise the broadest unity of secular democratic forces to safeguard the Indian Constitution and the unity and integrity of our country." Talking about his meeting with Lalu Prasad Yadav he said, "It was truly pleasant to chat with Lalu ji (@laluprasadrjd) at his home in Patna today. We discussed the imperative to save India, its Constitution and people's inalienable fundamental rights being severely assaulted today." (ANI) Accusing Uddhav Thackeray of "stabbing the BJP in the back" by joining Congress and NCP, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed on Thursday that the former chief minister had tried his best to finish him politically but failed. Fadnavis was reacting to Thackeray speech on Wednesday, in which he had attacked the Eknath Shinde government in Maharashtra and for not speaking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the multi-billion Vedanta-Foxconn semiconductor plant deal went to Gujarat. Speaking to ANI, Fadnavis, however, said that Uddhav Thackeray's speech was "filled with despair". "You tried your best to eliminate me with the help of Congress-NCP combine, yet you could not finish me," Fadnavis said launching a sharp attack at his erstwhile ally Thackeray. "In Wednesday's speech, Uddhav Thackeray Ji was speaking in despair. I have a question for him. When he asks us to resign and go for elections, why did he not resign and go for election in 2019, when he had contested with the BJP and won because of Modiji's picture on the poster, stabbing the BJP in the back," Fadnavis said. Earlier, former chief minister Thackeray had also made a scathing attack at the Shinde government. "Why do Maharashtra projects go to other states? Why doesn't he speak to the PM about this? Doesn't he have the courage to speak on it?" Thackeray had said. Thackeray, who was addressing party workers, said that the Maharashtra government should bring back the Foxconn-Vedanta semiconductor project rather than hurling allegations adding that both ruling and Opposition should come together for the larger interest of the state and bring back the project. Thackeray also launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for not speaking on the issue. Thackeray had also challenged Home Minister Amit Shah to conduct Mumbai civic polls and assembly elections within a month. "I challenge Union HM Amit Shah to hold BMC election along with state assembly elections, we will show Shiv Sena's strength. Earlier too many Nizams and Shahs tried to capture Mumbai but failed in their nefarious attempt," he had said. However, Shinde hit back at Thackeray saying that the Vedanta will come to Maharashtra. "Our government is two months old and we have taken decisions that were not taken in two years. Vedanta will come to Maharashtra. I have spoken with PM Modi and HM Amit Shah and have been assured. A lot of industries went out of the state because of the previous government," said Maharashtra Chief Minister. Earlier, Vedanta group chairman Anil Agarwal had announced that the Vedanta-Foxconn semiconductor plant will be set up in Gujarat. Vedanta's landmark investment of Rs 1.54 lakh crores will help make India's #Atmanirbhar Silicon Valley a reality, Agarwal said. This project, which is expected to reduce India's electronic imports besides providing 1 lakh direct skilled jobs, will help the country's manufacturing sector, he said in another tweet. (ANI) Induction of these dual-role capable missiles is going to significantly enhance the operational capability of the Indian Navy (IN) fleet assets, Defence Ministry said in a statement. It is notable that the BAPL is a joint venture (JV) between India and Russia, making a crucial contribution to augment the generation of the new surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) with enhanced range and dual role capability for land as well as anti-ship attacks. The ministry further said that this contract will further boost the indigenous production of critical weapons and ammunition with the active participation of the indigenous industries. BrahMos is the main weapon system of the Indian Navy warships and has been deployed on almost all of its surface platforms. An underwater version is also being developed which will not only be used by the submarines of India but will also be offered for export to friendly foreign nations. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking modification of its 2017 order where it had directed payment of final compensation of Rs 60 lakh to each of the families affected by the Sardar Sarovar project on the Narmada river. The bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud declined the plea saying that directions issued by the court are not susceptible to clarification. Once the final settlement package has been determined as Rs 60 lakh per family, the modification would not hold as it would be a substantive review of the order of this court, the bench said. Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh, appearing for a person seeking modification of the order, submitted that a proper reading of the apex court's order would show that the compensation would have to be at 30 lakh per hectare and the actual compensation would come to be Rs 1.28 crore. On February 8, 2017, the Supreme Court had cleared the way for monetary compensation for the oustees of the Sardar Sarovar Project on river Narmada in Madhya Pradesh by ordering Rs 60 lakh for each of the families which are likely to be displaced. The top court while passing directions to address the grievances of 681 such families had ordered compensation of Rs 60 lakh per family for two hectares of land with an undertaking to be taken from them that they would vacate the land within one month failing which the authorities would have the right to forcibly evict them. (ANI) Researchers at the University of Liege in Liege, Belgium, led a Human Brain Project (HBP) study that looked at novel methods that could enable patients with severe brain damage or who were in a coma discern between two different neurological disorders. The findings of this study have recently been made available online in the journal eLife. Making an accurate determination of a patient's degree of awareness while they are in a coma as a result of catastrophic brain damage is one of the most difficult tasks in the fields of neurology and critical care medicine. Researchers at the Human Brain Project (HBP), a global initiative with more than 500 participants that aims to better understand the intricate structure and function of the human brain through a cutting-edge interdisciplinary method at the nexus of neuroscience and technology, have been investigating novel ways that might assist in differentiating between two distinct neurological conditions. The findings of this recent study, which were just released in the journal eLife, provide crucial details regarding the mechanisms behind consciousness problems. In order to potentially distinguish between patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndromes (UWS) and the state of minima, a group of researchers from the University of Liege (GIGA Consciousness Research Unit, Coma Science Group, Faculty of Medicine), the University Hospital of Liege (Belgium), the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Spain), and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Netherlands) assessed the states of functional brain networks as a marker of consciousness (MCS). Rajanikant Panda, the paper's first author and a researcher at the GIGA Consciousness and Coma Science Group at ULiege, explains that unresponsive arousal syndrome--previously known as the "vegetative state"--is the condition of a patient who awakens from a coma, that is, opens his or her eyes, but exhibits only reflex movements and does not respond to the environment or verbal commands. The distinction between these states is crucial for proper diagnosis, prognosis, and rehabilitation treatment and is linked to the crucial quality of life and even end-of-life decisions. "In contrast, patients in a minimally conscious state show minimal signs of awareness such as following movements with their eyes or moving a finger when asked." The study included 14 awake unresponsive patients, 30 patients with little consciousness, and 34 healthy controls. These patients were referred to the University Hospital of Liege and the Coma Science Group, both of which are under the direction of the neurologist Steven Laureys, for a second opinion. The EBRAINS infrastructure of the HBP and the cooperation of the study teams coordinated by Jitka Annen (Coma Science Group/ULiege Faculty of Medicine) and Prejaas Tewarie enabled data sharing and analysis (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam). According to Jitka Annen, "We assessed various aspects of brain structure and its relationship to network dynamics using state-of-the-art techniques and showed that these techniques were sensitive in detecting clinically relevant differences in the diagnosis of patients with the minimally conscious state and unresponsive wakefulness syndrome. In particular, they examined dynamic functional connectivity--the way in which brain regions interact with one another--between neuronal populations and their relationship to structural white matter connections using data from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Aurore Thibaut, FNRS researcher at GIGA Consciousness and Coma Science Group, explains that patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome displayed less activity in functional networks, reduced metastability (a state of stable functional connectivity different from the natural steady state), and increased coupling of functional connectivity to the structural framework, compared to the minimally conscious state. The global neural workspace theory and the microcircuit hypothesis postulate that the inability to regain consciousness is related to a loss of connectivity between subcortical and frontoparietal brain areas and a loss of the variety of functional network states are both supported by these findings. (ANI) A special court on Thursday sent accused Shaim Ahmed in Amravati's Umesh Kolhe murder case to National Investigation Agency custody till October 1. Shaim Ahmed had been absconding for the past 92 days and had a bounty of Rs 2 lakhs on him. He was arrested by the NIA on Wednesday in Mumbai. However, Shaim's lawyer claimed that he was here to surrender before the court but was picked up arbitrarily by NIA from the court premises. The senior superintendent of police (SSP) argued that the accused was in possession of a weapon when he was arrested. The SSP further added that there are two other accused who have been absconding to date and one of them is believed to be out of India. Moreover, the murder weapon and mobile phones are yet to be recovered. The SSP added that it was learnt during the investigation that the people whom the accused met during this period of over 90 days were involved in the case. "We need to verify the people who were harbouring him and their involvement in the case", said the SSP. The NIA further asked for 14-day custody and said that they would conduct a 360-degree investigation now that the accused is in custody. However, Shaim Ahmed's defence lawyer did not object to the police custody demand but argued that he the accused wanted to surrender. "I was already before this court to surrender and was ready to cooperate. I was ready to tell NIA about my role and whatever I knew about the case. But my arbitrary arrest from the court premises before I could surrender has affected my rights," said the defence lawyer. The NIA responded that the accused was not arrested from the court premises, but was taken to the police station for identity verification where he was arrested. The NIA further added, "If he wished to co-operate why did he wait for 92 days and remain absconding, even after his family's multiple messages?" "No illegality or arbitrary activity was involved in the arrest. He was taken for verification and was arrested in our office", said the NIA. The remand proceedings are over and the court is yet to pass an order on remand. Though the defence lawyer has no objection to the accused being sent to NIA custody as the lawyer believes that the accused wanted to surrender. (ANI) The recovery was made on the basis of behaviour detection, the CISF surveillance and intelligence staff of Terminal-3, Indira Gandhi International Airport, noticed suspicious activities of a passenger at 'C' row Check-in area. The passenger was identified as Mohammad Israfil an Indian national who was set to travel from Delhi to Dubai by Spicejet Flight No. SG-11 (STD 0740 hrs). "On suspicion, he was diverted to a random checking point for thorough checking of his luggage. On checking of his trolley bag through X-BIS machine, a doubtful image of concealment of some foreign currency was noticed," said a statement by CISF. The passenger was later allowed to complete the check-in formalities and was kept under close watch through physical and electronic means. After clearing the Check-in process and immigration formalities, the passenger was intercepted by CISF surveillance and intelligence staff and was brought to the departures' Customs office. "On thorough checking of his trolley bag, in the presence of customs officials, 69,300 US Dollars worth approximately INR 55.4 lakh were detected which were ingeniously concealed "between the layers of the body and bottom part of a Hot Case and a Thermos" kept inside the trolley bag," the statement added. The accused did not produce valid documents to carry the said amount of foreign currency, the officials informed. The passenger along with the detected 69,300 US Dollars worth approximately INR 55.4 lakh was handed over to Customs officials. Further investigations are underway. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that the proceedings of the Women-Only session would be documented and sent to all the states. Urging female members of the two houses to share the problems faced by women in their districts CM said that the proceedings of the house would be documented and sent to all the state assemblies in the country as history was being created in UP by giving female members a chance to speak exclusively about the problems faced and the impact of women welfare schemes for the first time at an exclusive session. CM Yogi said, "Despite having given women the right to vote and being ahead of many developed countries including Britain in guaranteeing women's rights, India, the largest democracy of the world, has not progressed according to expectations on this front." Terming this move as a long overdue step, Yogi said that this would prove to be a milestone in the empowerment of women. CM Yogi said that his government has implemented many schemes of the central and state governments for the empowerment of the girl child and women, the impact of which is clearly visible in rural society. He reiterated the commitments of his government to the safety, honour and self-reliance of women and said that the state has made great achievements in this regard through effective implementation of schemes like Livelihood Mission, Mission Shakti, Kanya Sumangala, Ujjwala, Matrivandana and Swamitva. "The construction of 45 lakh houses under Prime Minister Awas Yojana, 2.61 crore toilets under Swachhata Mission as well as distribution of 1.67 lakh gas connections under Ujjwala Scheme and 40 lakh property ownership papers under Swamitva Yojana have brought about a positive change in the lives of women," he claimed. He said that around 14 lakh daughters were benefitting from Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana while pension for destitute women has been increased benefitting 31.50 lakh women. In addition, 66 lakh women have been added to the State Livelihood Mission. The Chief Minister said that the number of women in the police force has increased from 10,000 since independence to 2017, 35,000 now, while 10417 new women police posts have been formed while helpdesks for women have been set up at all the 1584 police stations in the state. Apart from these, 3195 Anti Romeo Squads were formed by the government to check crime against women. Quoting NCRB data, he further said that through effective prosecution in cases of crime against women and children, the death sentence has been awarded to criminals in 32 cases. He also claimed that 1323 criminals have been sentenced to life imprisonment while 1191 have got prison terms of more than 10 years. "Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a 32% drop in rape, 29% in abduction, 25% in delinquency and 12% reduction in dowry murder cases, which shows that if concerted efforts are made the situation would even be better," UP CM claimed. (ANI) A team of Special Cell, Southern Range Delhi police busted an international narcotic drugs syndicate by arresting two key members recently, police said. A team of Special Cell apprehended accused Abhishek Raja (age 26 yrs) and Nizamuddin (age 34 years) who were arrested from Darbhanga, Bihar. 20 kgs narcotic drugs i.e 10 kgs heroin and 10 kgs opium were recovered from the arrested duo. The international value of recovered contraband is Rs 60 crore. The arrests were made on 12 September, According to the police, a team of Special Cell led by Inspr. Shiv Kumar and Inspr. Karamvir Singh under the supervision of ACP Attar Singh was working on information that an International narcotic drug cartel is active in the states of Manipur, Assam, UP, Bihar and Delhi. Members of this cartel were involved in receiving a supply of heroin in Manipur smuggled from Myanmar and further supplied the drugs in various parts of the country including Delhi NCR. During this process, members of this cartel were identified and their activities were kept under discreet surveillance, said Police. In furtherance of an investigation of a case of drug supply being investigated by the Special Cell, a team led by SI Sumit was sent to Bihar to arrest the remaining members of this drug cartel. On receipt of an input, both the above drug suppliers namely Abhishek Raja and Nizamuddin were apprehended on 12th September while travelling in a Scorpio car near Jhanjharpur at NH 27 in Distt. Darbhanga. According to the police, the police team signalled both the occupants of the Scorpio car to stop but they started running after leaving the car. Both were overpowered by the team and 2 kgs of heroin i.e 1 kg from each were recovered from their possession. Subsequently, a search of the Scorpio car was conducted in which 08 kgs of heroin neatly packed in 16 packets and 10 kgs of opium packed in 10 packets were found concealed in secret cavities in the Scorpio car. The special cell had also arrested accused Akhilesh Kumar of District Chappra on 10th September and recovered 4 kgs of heroin from his possession. During the interrogation of both the accused drug suppliers, it has been revealed that they are members of a big international narcotic drug cartel. Both have disclosed to have been indulging in drug supplying in Delhi NCR, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand etc from Manipur for the last 3 years. Both have further stated that they had procured recovered heroin and opium from a person in Manipur as per directions of a person in Bihar who is the Kingpin of this cartel, said Police. Both have also revealed that their handler earlier used to work in Manipur where he had developed his contacts with drug suppliers. After coming back to his home state Bihar, he developed his own network of supplying drugs. Both the arrested drug suppliers have disclosed that the demand for heroin smuggled from Myanmar and Manipur is very high due to its superior quality in comparison to the heroin manufactured from opium in conventional areas of licit cultivation of opium in parts of the country ie. UP, MP and Rajasthan. It has been revealed that for the last 7-8 years, this route has become more prominent for smuggling of heroin and other drugs from Myanmar via Manipur in other parts of the country including Delhi NCR. According to the police, efforts are afoot to identify the remaining members of this narcotic drug cartel. (ANI) In a victory for animal rights activists, the Andhra Pradesh government has stepped in to stop the use of gestation and farrowing crates in pig farming. Following an appeal from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and use of gestation and farrowing crates in pig farming, the Directorate of Animal Husbandry of Andhra Pradesh has issued a circular instructing the district animal husbandry officers to ensure compliance with the group's request within their jurisdictions. The circular cites Section 11(1)(e) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which prohibits the confinement of any animal in a receptacle that fails to offer a reasonable opportunity for movement, such as gestation and farrowing crates. Confining animals in this way is illegal, a position confirmed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research's National Research Centre on pig. Gestation crates or "sow stalls" are metal cages, essentially the size of a pig, with concrete or slatted floors. In them, animals are unable to turn around or even stand up without difficulty. These devices are used to confine pregnant pigs, who are typically transferred to farrowing crates to give birth and are kept in them until their piglets are taken away. Farrowing crates are fundamentally the same as gestation crates, except that they contain small side compartments for piglets. Gestation and farrowing crates deny mother pigs everything that's natural and important to them, such as opportunities to forage, build a nest for their young, socialise with other pigs, and regulate their body temperature (such as by wallowing in mud). The crates also force pigs to live amid their own faeces and urine. The extreme stress and frustration caused by this severe confinement results in abnormal behaviour, such as continually biting at the enclosure bars or "chewing" the air. Andhra Pradesh is the second state this week after Chhattisgarh to join the ranks of Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh in addressing the use of both gestation and farrowing crates in pig rearing. "PETA India commends Andhra Pradesh for standing up for countless pigs and sparing them the severe cruelty of such crates," said PETA India Advocacy Associate Farhat Ul Ain. "In natural surroundings, pigs are social, playful, protective animals who bond with their babies, so being held captive in these restrictive crates causes them immense suffering. Pigs are also transported in extremely crowded vehicles to slaughterhouses, where they're killed by being stabbed in the chest, often after first being struck on the head with a hammer. PETA India reminds everyone that they can help prevent the suffering of pigs and other animals simply by not eating them, as the use of these crates is just one heinous practice of the meat industry." --IANS pvn/pgh ( 482 Words) 2022-09-22-20:34:03 (IANS) At a time when the nation is celebrating the release of eight cheetahs from Namibia in the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, wildlife lovers in Rajasthan are disappointed as they had hoped that the cheetahs would be coming to the desert state. It's Rajasthan's loss and MP's gain, said a senior official. Some forest officials feel that Rajasthan could have been the home for these cheetahs, but political leaders, bureaucrats and the forest department here did not show enough will. Had the leaders, who are just focused on tigers, paid attention to cheetahs, these big cats could have been brought in Rajasthan instead of Madhya Pradesh, they added. When efforts were being made to bring the cheetahs to India, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) had considered four places -- Rawatbhata-Gandhisagar and Shahgarh-Balj in Rajasthan and Kuno and Nauradehi in Madhya Pradesh -- as the most favorable spot for the big cats. WII teams also came to Rajasthan to inspect the spots -- Shahgarh (Jodhpur) in 2013-14, and Rawatbhata (Chittorgarh) in 2014-15. In fact, sources said the WII teams liked both the places, but Rajasthan lost the race to house the cheetahs due to politicisation of the issue, officials said. Meanwhile, Congress MLA Bharat Singh has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on the demand to release the cheetahs in the Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, asking: "Why did the cheetahs go to MP while coming to Rajasthan." In the letter, Singh directly accused Birla, saying that due to his 'disinterest', the cheetahs could not come to Mukundra, which falls under Birla's Lok Sabha constituency, and instead went to Madhya Pradesh. "People want to know why you remained silent on bringing the cheetahs to Rajasthan. Did you ever honesty try to bring the cheetahs to Rajasthan," Singh questioned Birla, as he accused the Speaker of leaving the people disappointed. He said the Rajasthan government tried to bring the cheetahs to the state, but the Centre along with Birla made these efforts futile after playing politics. --IANS arc/arm ( 355 Words) 2022-09-22-21:44:02 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reviewed the ongoing reconstruction works in Badrinath and Kedarnath through virtual medium and inquired about the progress of the reconstruction works of the temples. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the virtual meeting from the Secretariat. "In the coming time, the number of devotees in Kedarnath and Badrinath would increase rapidly. The places near Kedarnath will also have to be developed from the point of view of spiritual tourism," said PM Modi. He said that efforts will have to be made in the direction of development of the surrounding area. "Attention should also be paid to the accommodation and basic facilities available to the devotees between Rambara and Kedarnath. A complete plan should be prepared of what can be done spiritually for the devotees in and around Vasukital, Garuda Chatti, Lincholi and their surroundings," said the PM. The Prime Minister stressed that along with Badrinath, a plan should also be made to develop the surrounding areas as a model. "Attention should also be paid to developing Mana village and its surrounding areas for rural tourism. In these, a good model of economy can be made by promoting local culture and local products," said PM Modi. The Prime Minister said that in view of the convenience of the devotees in Kedarnath and Badrinath, maximum cooperation should be taken from the servants and doctors also. "Public cooperation is also necessary with government systems," he added. Chief Minister Dhami said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the reconstruction work is going on at a fast pace in Badrinath and Kedarnath. "In view of the convenience of the devotees, night and day work is in progress. The target has been set to complete all the work by December 2023. So far this year, more than 35 lakh registered devotees have come for the Chardham Yatra," said Dhami. Chief Secretary Dr SS Sandhu gave a presentation on the reconstruction works of Kedarnath and Badrinath. He said that the reconstruction work of the first phase in Kedarnath has been completed. "In the second phase, 21 works worth Rs 188 crore are being done. Out of which 03 works have been completed, 06 works will be completed by December 2022. The remaining 12 works are targeted to be completed by July 2023. The gate has been constructed in Gaurikund. The work of Sangam Ghat will be completed by June 2023. The work of Ishaneshwar Temple will also be completed in a month. According to the master plan, all the works will be completed by December 2023," Sandhu said. The Chief Secretary said that in Badrinath also work is being done at a fast pace as per the master plan. The work of Sheesh Netra Lake and Badrish Lake will be completed in three months and the work of the river development project will be completed by June 2023, he added. Secretary Culture, Government of India, Govind Mohan informed through a presentation that there are four types of work to be done under the Ministry of Culture for Kedarnath which will be started soon. "Establishment of Orientation Center at Sonprayag, Chintan Sthal (Meditation Sthal) at Rambara, Choti Lincholi, Badi Lincholi and Channi Camp, Shiv Udyan at Kedarnath and Kedar Gatha Museum in Kedarnath. All these works have been fully planned and prepared," he added. On this occasion, Chief Secretary Dr SS Sandhu, Officer on Special Duty, Tourism Department Bhaskar Khulbe, Secretary Tourism, Sachin Kurve Secretary Culture Government of India, Govind Mohan, Joint Secretary to Government of India Rohit Yadav, Deputy Secretary to Government of India, Mangesh Ghildiyal were present. (ANI) The Bombay High Court has asked Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to prepare a roadmap to repair 20 worst pothole-ridden roads in Mumbai by next week. Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Dipankar Dutta-led division bench came down heavily on BMC for the issue of potholes on Mumbai roads and said that the cash-rich BMC should spend money for the public good and do something about pothole-riddled roads across the city. Justice Dutta and Justice Madhav Jamdar's division bench was hearing a petition on the issue concerning the bad condition of roads in Mumbai and other parts of the state, especially the roads riddled with potholes which are causing loss of lives on a frequent basis. "BMC is a cash-rich municipality and it should spend its money for the public good and do something about potholes on Mumbai roads, the bench observed. The division bench also directed BMC Commissioner Iqbal Chahal to meet them any day next week, as per his own convenience. "Till then the BMC Commissioner through his officers has to do a survey of 20 worst roads in Mumbai and then Commissioner BMC Chahal would have to give a specific road map that by when the tenders will be floated and by when the repairs of the roads will be complete," the HC observed. The High Court was also unhappy over the issue that there was no action taken against the contractor who was given a contract for the repair and maintenance of these roads. (ANI) Calling the comments by the United States and France about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message to Russian President Vladimir Putin significant, Indian experts stressed the fact how important India's voice has become in the world today, giving the West a clear understanding of India's role in the ever-changing geopolitical world. "This has been a long-standing policy of India and what PM Modi reiterated. He has been telling Putin that Russia should find another way of resolving this problem. Of course, it also applies to Ukraine and Russia. India has been consistently advocating political resolution of this conflict rather than war becoming any means of achieving any resolution because it won't. That, I think has been well understood as you have heard that Putin himself has said that he understands India's concerns", said Harsh V Pant, distinguished fellow, ORF. "Now what seems to be happening is perhaps in some ways the West is also which was for a long time thinking that India is not doing enough or India is not telling Russia what Russia should be doing. Perhaps now they clearly understand that India has been publicly and privately telling Russia that war is not a solution to these problems", he added. Another expert calls India an important voice in the world today adding that India has always advocated peaceful dialogue as the way ahead. "These comments go to show how important India's voice has become in the world today. There is respect for the views of PM Modi. India has always advocated peaceful dialogue, diplomacy and reconciliation as the way ahead. It also shows the value of India's friendship with Russia. India is well placed to help build bridges between the West and Russia," said Pankaj Saran, Former Deputy National Security Advisor of India. French President Emmanuel Macron and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday (local time) welcomed PM Modi's statement to Putin on Ukraine. On the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand on September 16, PM Modi said "today's era isn't of war" while emphasising the need to find ways to address the problems of food, fuel security and fertilizers. Referring to the comments made by the West, Rajeev Bhatia, former ambassador and distinguished fellow, Gateway House said that it takes "two to clap", "two to create a war" and "two to create peace" and how India can play a role in that. "The remarks made by PM Modi at his meeting with President Putin were undoubtedly very significant. These remarks had at least three constituencies to be addressed. One was of course the Russian President and he seems to have taken it very well which means that it is true that India has been conveying to Moscow for quite some time that there is a need for a peaceful settlement of this war. The second constituency undoubtedly was the people in India and I think across the country everyone has appreciated PM Modi's sagacity and courage to convey that very important message to the Russian President but the third constituency was the West. The whole host of Western governments has been essentially on Ukraine's side helping Ukraine to sustain the war. Now here my basic position would be that PM Modi's message is for both parties and it is for the whole world. The message is saying that India reads this situation accurately and India perhaps is willing to play some kind of a helpful role in the resolution because it and your comment of the conflict" he said. "We are happy to note that President Macron of France and Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser of the US, both have supported the essential message of PM Modi. I can say that it takes two to clap. Therefore, it takes two to create a war and it takes also two to create peace. I think really the entire world feels that time has now come you know, six months after the Ukraine war, the time has come to bring it to an end, and that is only possible through solid sustained meaningful diplomacy and I think India can play a role in that" he added. French President Emmanuel Macron, during his address at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, said "Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India was right when he said the time is not for war. It is not for revenge against the West, or for opposing the West against the east. It is the time for a collective time for our equal sovereign states. To cope together with challenges, we face". Jake Sullivan in a White House statement said, "I think what Prime Minister Modi said -- a statement of principle on behalf of what he believes is right and just -- was very much welcomed by the United States and for the Indian leadership, which has longstanding relationships in Moscow, from the very top all the way through the Russian government, to continue to reinforce that message that now is the time for the war to end". The Samarkand bilateral was the first in-person meeting between PM Modi and the Russian President since the invasion of Ukraine. (ANI) Addressing the high-level meeting of the General Assembly, he said: "The United States supports increasing the number of both permanent and non-permanent representatives on the Council. This includes permanent seats for those nations we have long supported." "The United States is committed to this vital work," he declared. Washington has long expressed backing for India's quest for a permanent seat through different administrations. It also backs permanent seats for Japan and Germany. "I also believe the time has come for this institution to become more inclusive, so they can better respond to the needs of today's world," Biden said. He said that the US backs "permanent seats for countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. In order "to ensure the council remains credible and effective", he said, the US also supports increasing the number of both permanent and non-permanent representatives of the Council". No clear front-runners have emerged from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean for permanent seats, although Brazil, the largest country in South America, has staked its claim. Of regional priorities, Biden spoke of the role of the Quad, made up of India, the US, Japan and Australia. "In every region, we pursued new constructive ways to work with partners to advance shared interests", he said and mentioned "elevating the Quad and Indo-Pacific." (Arul Louis can be contacted at aru.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) --IANS al/vd ( 268 Words) 2022-09-21-22:02:02 (IANS) US President Joe Biden held discussions with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday on issues including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Black Sea grain deal. "President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the UN General Assembly in New York. The leaders reaffirmed the strong partnership between the United States and the United Nations," the White House said in a statement about the meeting at UN headquarters during the General Assembly in New York. The statement further added that both the leaders discussed the issues facing the UN, including Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, which is a clear threat to the core tenets of the UN Charter and its impact on the broader international community. "The President thanked Secretary-General Guterres for his leadership in working to establish the Black Sea Grain Initiative. They also reaffirmed the continued need for global action to address the global climate and food security crises," the statement reads. After meeting UN Secretary-General, Biden updated his Twitter account and wrote, "I joined UN Secretary-General @AntonioGuterres to reaffirm the partnership between the U.S. and the United Nations. We discussed the threat of Russia's war in Ukraine to the UN Charter and global community and the need for swift action to address climate and food insecurity." Before the bilateral meeting with Guterres, Biden said, "(In progress) ...really positive, particularly you stepping in to access grain out of Ukraine and Russia. And -- but there's so much more we can do, I think. We're -- we're prepared. And it wasn't hyperbole what I was suggesting when I spoke. There are -- I think that, you know, the great polluting nations of the world like ours owe an obligation to the nations that are suffering the consequences of global warming." While recalling the G7 meeting, Biden suggested to set up a Build Back Better initiative worldwide where one doesn't have to go to countries to help, "but we're looking for USD 600 billion among us to be able to have them build the infrastructure they need to protect their physical capacity to survive. And I think we can do it. That's going to take some real focus." "And Senator Kerry is still continuing to try to generate some cooperation with China, which was started. I hope we can get that back on track in a major way. There's just a whole lot of things that I -- I think we have the capacity to do. And -- but -- then again, there's one friend of mine who is a neurosurgeon who said my problem is I'm a congenital optimist. But I am optimistic. I think we can make things better," Biden said as quoted in the statement. (ANI) The Ministers participating in the India-Brazil-South Africa Trilateral Cooperative Forum (IBSA) held discussions on several global and regional issues, including cooperation in multilateral organizations, UNSC reform, climate change and the Ukraine situation. On the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, India hosted the 10th Ministerial Commission of Foreign Ministers of the IBSA. External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar met with his Brazilian counterpart Carlos Franca and South African Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla. The trio reaffirmed the cooperation between India, Brazil and South Africa. According to the Ministry of External Affairs statement, global issues such as cooperation in multilateral organizations, South-South cooperation, UNSC Reform, 2030 Agenda & Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Change, countering terrorism, financing for development, WTO, and G20 were discussed. While Regional including African Union, the Middle East Peace Process, and the situation in Ukraine were discussed in the meeting. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired the meeting on September 21. As per the ministry, the Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of IBSA cooperation. They welcomed new initiatives within IBSA, such as the inaugural meeting of the IBSA National Security Advisors, the launch of cooperation amongst the Development Cooperation Agencies in the form of IBSA Working Group on International/Trilateral Development Partnerships and the inaugural IBSA Senior Officials Meeting on Traditional Medicines. IBSA exemplifies the spirit of South-South cooperation. The IBSA Fund is a special feature of the IBSA collaboration. It has since its inception, allocated over USD44 million, supporting 39 South-South cooperation development projects in 35 partner countries, the majority being Least Developed Countries. The Ministers also noted the upcoming G20 Presidencies of India and Brazil in 2023 and 2024, as useful opportunities to cooperate and steer the G20 Agenda and work with a developmental perspective, the MEA said. Meanwhile, Jaishankar, on day 3 interacted with his counterparts of four countries. He met with his Estonia counterpart Urmas Reinsalu, Norway Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, Bolivia's Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. Jaishankar will address world leaders at the General Assembly on Saturday, after which he will leave for Washington and a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (ANI) Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Thursday said that he would prefer to breathe his last surrounded by the genuine and loving people of India, a free and open democracy, rather than among "artificial" Chinese officials. He made these remarks during a two-day dialogue with youth leaders at his residence in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh at an interaction organised by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). "I told former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, I will live another 15-20 years, there is no question. At the time when I die, I prefer dying in India. India is surrounded by people who show love, not artificial something. If I die surrounded by Chinese officials...too much artificial. I prefer dying in this country with free democracy," Dalai Lama said. "At the time of death...one must be surrounded by trusted friends who really show you genuine feelings," he added in a video posted on Facebook. Dalai Lama, who is recered across the world for his enlightened spiritual teachings and also sagacious political views is generally viewed with suspicion by Chinese authorities. The Chinese authorities often regard him as a controversial figure and a separatist figure. In the 1950s, when China illegally occupied Tibet, the Tibetan Spiritual leader had to take shelter in India. The Dalai Lama tried to advocate for a mid-way negotiation with China to peacefully resolve the issue of Tibet. The Indian government's position on Dalai Lama has been clear and consistent. He is a revered religious leader and is deeply respected by the people of India. He is accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities in India. Dalai Lama last month visited New Delhi after a gap of over three years. He visited the national capital after a month-long sojourn in Ladakh. The Dalai Lama is an icon who advocates democracy and freedom not only for his country but also for the world. The Dalai Lama relinquished his role as the spiritual leader of more than 7 million Tibetan Buddhists because of the Chinese aggression and has lived in exile for decades. (ANI) UN experts on Thursday strongly condemned the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after her arrest for allegedly failing to comply with Iran's strict rules on women's dress by wearing an "improper hijab". In a press statement, the UN Human Rights Office said the experts also denounced the violence directed against peaceful protesters and human rights defenders demanding accountability for Amini's death in cities across the country by Iranian security forces, They urged the Iranian authorities to avoid further unnecessary violence and to immediately stop the use of lethal force in policing peaceful assemblies. "We are shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Amini. She is another victim of Iran's sustained repression and systematic discrimination against women and the imposition of discriminatory dress codes that deprive women of bodily autonomy and the freedoms of opinion, expression and belief," the experts said. Iranian morality police arrested Amini on September 13 for what was described as wearing an "improper hijab". Reports indicate she was severely beaten by members of the morality police during her arrest and transfer to the Vozara Detention Centre. Amini fell into a coma at the detention centre and died in hospital on September 16. Iranian authorities said she died of a heart attack, and claimed her death was from natural causes. However, some reports suggested that Amini's death resulted from alleged torture and ill-treatment, the experts said. "We strongly condemn the use of physical violence against women and the denial of fundamental human dignity when enforcing compulsory hijab policies ordained by State authorities," the experts said. "We call on the Iranian authorities to hold an independent, impartial, and prompt investigation into Amini's death, make the findings of the investigation public and hold all perpetrators accountable." Since September 16, thousands have taken to the streets in many cities, including Tehran, Ilam, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Mahabad, Saqez, Sanandaj, Sari and Tabriz to demand accountability for the death of Amini and to put an end to violence and discrimination against women in Iran, particularly compulsory veiling for women. The peaceful protests have been met with excessive use of force, including birdshot by Iranian security forces, the experts said. According to reports, at least eight individuals, including a woman and a 16-year-old child, have been killed, dozens more injured and arrested. Following the protests, prolonged internet disruptions have been reported in Tehran, Kurdistan provinces, and other parts of the country since September 19. This is the third widespread internet shutdown recorded in Iran over the past 12 months, according to UN Human Rights Office. "Disruptions to the internet are usually part of a larger effort to stifle the free expression and association of the Iranian population, and to curtail ongoing protests. State mandated internet disruptions cannot be justified under any circumstances," the experts said, warning against a further escalation of crackdown against civil society, human rights defenders and peaceful protesters. "Over the past four decades, Iranian women have continued to peacefully protest against the compulsory hijab rules and the violations of their fundamental human rights," the experts said, urging authorities in the country to heed the legitimate demands of women who want their fundamental human rights respected. (ANI) Union Minister for Commerce Piyush Goyal Thursday met with the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and held discussions to bolster the trade and investment ties between the two countries. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) nations' trade, investment, and industry ministerial meeting. In a tweet, Goyal wrote, "Delighted to meet UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi at G20, Indonesia. Took stock of the progress under the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and discussed further strengthening of our trade and investment ties." Piyush Goyal also held a meeting with the Saudi Arabia Minister of Commerce Majid Alkassabi and held talks to strengthen economic ties between India and Saudi Arabia. "Met H.E.Majid Alkassabi, Minister of Commerce, Saudi Arabia at G20IndonesiaI. Deliberated on ways to attract greater investment & strengthen bilateral trade to further bolster economic ties between India and Saudi Arabia," wrote Piyush Goyal. Earlier, Piyush Goyal met with the US trade representative Katherine Tai and held discussions on World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement Reforms and exchanged ideas on ways to strengthen the mechanism making it more efficient. The meeting came ahead of the G20 Summit which will be hosted by Indonesia in Bali in the month of November. India's G-20 Presidency next year will be a golden chance for the country to correct the long-standing anomalies that go against the developing countries, especially in the domain of agriculture and food subsidies, SBI. Research said in its latest report. India is going to hold the G20 presidency from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023. Piyush Goyal also held a meeting with the Executive Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis and discussed on expediting Free Trade Agreement negotiations which will benefit both sides. "Met Executive Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis on the sidelines of G20 Indonesia. Both sides are keen to expedite FTA negotiations with mutually beneficial results," he added. Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said the UK is keen to stick to the Diwali deadline for India-UK free trade agreement and both countries are working towards it. He referred to the passing away of Queen Elizabeth II and said "as we are expanding our engagements, the UK is at a cusp". "Two days ago, I received a letter from the UK again reiterating that they want to stick to the Diwali deadline (for the India-UK Free Trade Agreement)," Goyal said at an event here.Speaking of India's engagements and the quest to become self-reliant, Goyal said, "If we don't engage with the international market, we are the losers...Today the whole world is talking of Atmanirbhar...There is no power that can stop us from becoming a developed nation in the next 25 years...The world wants to engage with us, the world has more confidence in us than we have." Earlier, in the day, British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis said that India and the United Kingdom have the high ambition of completing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by Diwali this year. (ANI) Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan on Thursday held a discussion with the Prime Minister of Djibouti Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. "Glad to call-on Hon'ble PM of Djibouti H.E. Mr. Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed. Conveyed greetings of PM @narendramodi ji. Discussed ways for broadening & deepening of our bilateral relations." Muraleedharan tweeted. Muraleedharan also visited the Mahatma Gandhi Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Djibouti, built with India's assistance. He offered floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi installed there. "Visited Mahatma Gandhi Center for Leadership & Entrepreneurship in Djibouti, built under India's assistance. Offered floral tributes to the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi installed there. Happy to be received by H.E. Mrs. Mariam Hamadou Ali, Minister of Digital Economy & Innovation," the minister tweeted. "Glad to see MGCLE nurturing budding entrepreneurial talents among the Djiboutian youth," he added. Muraleedharan also met with Djibouti Foreign minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and discussed with him the bilateral relations and identified further areas of cooperation including education, defence and health. Had a fruitful meeting with FM of Djibouti H.E @ymahmoudali in Djibouti. Glad Health Minister H.E.Dr Ahmed Abdilleh also joined. Held candid discussions on several aspects of bilateral relations & identified further areas of cooperation including education, defence & health. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation was also signed between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) in New Delhi and the Institute of Diplomatic Studies (IDS) of Djibouti to expand the relationship between the two countries. The MoU was signed in the presence of Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan and the Foreign Minister of Djibouti, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. The two ministers also signed an agreement on the exemption from visa requirements for holders of Diplomatic and Official/Service Passports. Earlier in the day, Muraleedharan visited the chancery and interacted with the officials of the embassy. "Hon'ble @MOS_MEA visited the Chancery and interacted with the Embassy officials. @MEAIndia @SecretaryCPVOIA @IndianDiplomacy," the official handle of the Indian embassy in Djibouti wrote on Twitter. MoS Muraleedharan is on a two-day visit to the Horn of Africa nation. He arrived in Djibouti on Wednesday. It is the first ministerial visit from India after a resident embassy opened in Djibouti. India and Djibouti share warm and friendly relations underpinned by historical and cultural linkages. Djibouti extended extraordinary support in the evacuation of Indian nationals from war-torn Yemen in 2015 (Operation Rahat). Under Operation Rahat, India evacuated nearly 5,600 people from Yemen. In 2015, a conflict raged between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels. A sizeable Indian community is living in Djibouti. The visit of MoS Muraleedharan is expected to provide further momentum to the bilateral ties between India and Djibouti. (ANI) Nepal's state-owned power utility body is planning to buy upto 365MW from Indian power traders to meet its domestic demand for power in winter when the production of Nepal's run-of-river hydropower projects dwindles, media reports said. This move is the first of its kind as Nepal prepares to buy electricity on a long-term basis through competitive bidding from India, reported Kathmandu Post. It will help light up Nepali homes with Indian energy in winters. Nepal Electricity Authority is seeking to get the power supply from India from December 1 this year to May 31 next year under a six-month contract. The Nepal Electricity Authority plan delivery of 300MW from the Muzaffarpur substation through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line and an additional 65MW through the Tanakpur substation. The electricity will be bought round-the-clock, the notice states, reported Kathmandu Post. The situation as it stands currently is such that Nepal is apparently exporting electricity because of surplus production by the hydropower projects fed by monsoon-swollen rivers. However, the condition reverses in the winter months when the country has to as the water levels in the rivers fall and the plants produce in the range of 30-40 percent of their installed capacity. According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, the power projects currently have a total installed capacity of around 2,200MW. The peak electricity demand on Wednesday stood at 1866MW. Speaking on the purchase of energy with the help of a competitive bidding process, Jayaraj Bhandari, chief of the economic analysis division of the Nepal Electricity Authority, said, "It is the first time that we are trying to buy electricity from India through a competitive bidding process for long-term power supply." Bhandari further explained that the key reason for opting for a longer-term contract is to diversify the risk, Bhandari said and added, "When Nepal relied on the day-ahead market to import power from India in the last dry season, we could not import as much as we wanted." Nepal has a power exchange mechanism with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Under this mechanism, the two countries can buy power from each other as needed. The price has been fixed at INR 6.18 per unit for taking power through the 132kV transmission line and INR 6.65 for buying electricity through the 33kV transmission line. NEA officials say the country will have to buy electricity from India in the dry season a few more years although the country has been cutting down on the import of electricity along with rising production at home. In the last four months, the Nepal Electricity Authority exported electricity worth over Rs7 billion from June to mid-September and its targets to sell electricity worth Rs16 billion in the current fiscal year, the media portal reported citing the country's electricity authority. (ANI) Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan on Thursday interacted with the Indian community in Djibouti and briefed them on the government's policies and programmes for all sections of the Indian society. In his address, he highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Panch Pran" (five pledges) for a developed nation and aim to fulfil the dreams of the freedom fighters by the year 2047 -- the 100th year of India's Independence. "Pleasure interacting with the active Indian community in Djibouti. Apprised them of India's progress in diverse fields. Briefed them on government's policies & programmes for all sections of the Indian society," Muraleedharan tweeted. "Highlighted PM @narendramodi ji's Panch Pran for New India during the Amrit Kaal. An India: that is developed; free of colonial mindset; proud of its heritage; united & integrated; & whose citizens put duty above all," Muraleedharan wrote. Besides, Muraleedharan also visited the Mahatma Gandhi Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Djibouti, built with India's assistance. He offered floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi installed there. "Visited Mahatma Gandhi Center for Leadership & Entrepreneurship in Djibouti, built under India's assistance. Offered floral tributes to the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi installed there. Happy to be received by H.E. Mrs. Mariam Hamadou Ali, Minister of Digital Economy & Innovation," the minister tweeted. "Glad to see MGCLE nurturing budding entrepreneurial talents among the Djiboutian youth," he added. MoS Muraleedharan is on a two-day visit to the Horn of Africa nation. He arrived in Djibouti on Wednesday. It is the first ministerial visit from India after a resident embassy opened in Djibouti. India and Djibouti share warm and friendly relations underpinned by historical and cultural linkages. Djibouti extended extraordinary support in the evacuation of Indian nationals from war-torn Yemen in 2015 (Operation Rahat). Under Operation Rahat, India evacuated nearly 5,600 people from Yemen. In 2015, a conflict raged between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels. A sizeable Indian community is living in Djibouti. The visit of MoS Muraleedharan is expected to provide further momentum to the bilateral ties between India and Djibouti. (ANI) Noting that the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict is a matter of profound concern for the entire international community, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said the world has experienced its consequences in terms of higher costs and shortages of foodgrains and fertilizers and fuel. Speaking at the UNSC briefing on Ukraine 'Fight against impunity', the minister said that the need of the hour is to end the conflict in Ukraine and return to the negotiating table. "This Council is the most powerful symbol of diplomacy. It must continue to live up to its purpose," he said. Jaishankar recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks concerning the Ukraine conflict during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit. India, a non-permanent member of the UNSC along with other members attended the Thursday meeting. The council was being represented by foreign ministers at the meeting. This was the first direct encounter between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ukraine's Dmytro Kuleba, who attended the meeting as his country is the subject of discussion. "The trajectory of the Ukraine conflict is a matter of profound concern for the entire international community. The outlook appears truly disturbing. In a globalized world, its impact is being felt even in distant regions. We have all experienced its consequences in terms of higher costs and actual shortages of food grains, fertilizers and fuel. The global south, especially, is feeling the pain acutely. We must not initiate measures that further complicate the global economy," Jaishankar said. "That is why India is strongly reiterating the need for an immediate cessation of all hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy. Clearly, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized, this cannot be an era of war," he added. Referring to the specific topic before the Council, Jaishankar emphasized that even in conflict situations, there can be no justification for violation of human rights or of international law. "Where any such acts occur, it is imperative that they are investigated in an objective and independent manner. This was the position that we took with regard to the killings in Bucha. This is the position even today. The Council will also recall that we had then supported calls for an independent investigation into that incident," he said. Jaishankar said the fight against impunity is critical to the larger pursuit of securing peace and justice. "The Security Council must send an unambiguous and unequivocal message on this count. Politics should never ever provide cover to evade accountability. Nor indeed to facilitate impunity. Regrettably, we have seen this of late in this very Chamber, when it comes to sanctioning some of the world's most dreaded terrorists. "If egregious attacks committed in broad daylight are left unpunished, this Council must reflect on the signals we are sending on impunity. There must be consistency if we are to ensure credibility," he said. On Wednesday on the margins of UNGA, Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal thanked India and asked India to "join forces" to stop Russia's invasion when he met Jaishankar. India has remained neutral on Russia's invasion abstaining from votes at the Council and the Assembly condemning Moscow. It has provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and recently voted with the West on a procedural vote to invite Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to speak remotely to the Council despite Russia's opposition. (ANI) Sherpas of four countries of the I2U2 grouping consisting of India, Israel, UAE and the USA held a meeting on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly in New York and expressed their commitment to deepening the economic partnership. In the Tuesday meeting, India was represented by Dammu Ravi, Secretary (ER), Ministry of External Affairs; US side by Jose W. Fernandez, US Under Secretary of State; Israeli side by Alon Ushpiz, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel; and UAE side by Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, United Arab Emirates, an MEA press release read. The group took stock of the projects identified under I2U2 -- setting up of food parks in India and a hybrid Renewable Energy/battery storage project in Dwarka, Gujarat. It agreed to continue to work closely in line with the outcome of the Leaders' Summit in July 2022. I2U2 was initially formed in October 2021 following the Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE, to deal with issues concerning maritime security, infrastructure and transport in the region. At that time, it was called the 'International Forum for Economic Cooperation.' That was referred to as the 'West Asian Quad'. I2U2 aims to encourage joint investments in six mutually identified areas such as water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security. In the grouping's name, 'I2' stands for India and Israel, whereas 'U2' stands for the US and the UAE. This is a great achievement which tells the geopolitical changes that happen in the region. This will not only revitalize and re-energize the system of alliances and partnerships around the world but also stitch together partnerships that did not exist previously or were not utilized to their full extent.This will help the countries in exploring security cooperation among the four nations within the framework of these new groupings. Each of these countries is a technological hub. Biotechnology, of course, is prominent in each of these countries as well. This initiative offers an opportunity to discuss food security. These countries could cooperate on a number of levels, whether it's technologies, trade, climate, fighting against Covid-19, or even security. (ANI) A writ petition has been filed in Nepal Supreme Court against Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari for not completing her constitutional obligation of ratifying the Citizenship Bill. The writ petition was filed by an advocate Sagar Baral, a student from Tribhuwan University, Raj Baral and Kathmandu School of Law, Abinesh Adhikari and a resident of Morang's Rangeli Municipality, Dev Sharma. In the writ petition, the Office of the President has been made an opponent in the case as President directly can't be indicted in any of the cases. "A writ petition has been filed and registered today (Thursday)," SC Spokesperson Bimal Paudel confirmed to ANI. The petitioners have claimed President Bhandari did not fulfil the constitutional obligation as per Act 113 (4) of the Constitution of Nepal seeking a mandamus from the apex court. The petitioners also have claimed that the President doesn't have the right of discretion as per the constitution and also have asked the verdict from the court over the case to be set as precedent. It is also claimed that the latest decision of the President has jolted the fundamental human rights ensured by the constitution in Articles 10 to 15. Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on Tuesday midnight let the deadline for authenticating Citizenship Bill sent by the Federal Parliament pass. President's political advisor Lalbabu Yadav confirmed that Bhandari has refused to authenticate the bill "in order to safeguard the constitution." As per the provision, the president is constitutionally bounded to authenticate any bill that is resubmitted by the House after sending it back to the House for reconsideration once. Tuesday past midnight was the deadline for the president to authenticate the bill, which has been missed, leading the nation into a situation of a constitutional crisis. The Constitution of Nepal -2072 only gives the timeframe of 15 days to the President to authenticate the bill. The controversial citizenship bill was sent to the president by the then Speaker of the house Agni Prasad Sapkota for the second time on September 5. Therefore, as mentioned in Article 113, Sub-section 4 of the Constitution, the President had to certify it if the same Bill was submitted for authentication for the second time. "If the President returns a bill with a message, both Houses will reconsider such a bill and if such a bill is passed as presented or resubmitted with amendments, the President will certify it within fifteen days of its submission," according to the Constitution. Earlier on August 14, President Bhandari returned the Citizenship Bill that was passed by the House of Representatives and the National Assembly and sent for authentication. She had sent a seven-point message to inform the federal parliament and for deliberation, and another eight-point message to draw attention. Even though the President returned the Bill to the House for reconsideration, the House of Representatives and the National Assembly made no changes to the Bill. (ANI) Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) delegation in Geneva raised the issue of human rights violations in Pakistan mainly focused on enforced disappearances and genocide including women's rights violations. The aim was to report on the 51st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, as well as protests surrounding the session. A delegation of ten representatives of different GHRD teams arrived in Geneva on Monday. On Tuesday, GHRD hosted the panel discussion"Silent Genocide" at the Novotel Centre Geneva. The panel consisted of three panellists, all specialists in the matter. Dr. Rubina Greenwood is the President and Founder of the International Sindhi Women's Organization (ISWO) and Chairperson of the World Sindhi Congress (WSC). Her 20+ years of human rights advocacy focus on human rights issues in Pakistan and Sindh. Dhreen Abdullah is a young Balochistan activist and member of the Baloch National Movement. As a special panelist, Dr. Naseer Dashti joined to share his view on genocide and Enforced Disappearances in Pakistan. The event started with the opening words of the Chairman of GHRD, Sital. He expressed his gratitude to all those coming, both online and in person and for the power to unite and align with each other to make a change in the world. He expressed the power of younger generations and the importance of education, as with education there will be a change in society. Sital also paid special tribute to a GHRD colleague Marc Wortman who died suddenly in August 2022. Marc Wortmann was remembered as a motivated and passionate man, eager to fight for human rights and constantly empower others. GHRD will continue their work with the values of Marc Wortmann as motivation, Sital said. Lina Borchardt, the director of GHRD, took the opportunity to highlight the work of GHRD and the four pillar structure the organization is based on: Education, Empowerment, Advocacy and Human Rights Monitoring. Especially highlighted was the project Global Human Rights TV, the online media platform founded by GHRD to report on human rights violations worldwide. The audience was guided through the debate by the moderator of the day, Alessandro Cosmo, the Vice Director of GHRD. The followers of GHRD were able to follow the event on various social media platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin. On both Instagram and YouTube the followers were able to join the event via livestream. After providing the definition of Genocide, the first question was raised and the panel discussion was started to determine the situation in Pakistan. Dr. Rubina Greenwood elaborated on the case of Sindhi and noted that it is not proven or officially declared a Genocide by the United Nations, but it fulfils all criteria stated in the Rome Statute to the International Criminal Court. She described how seventy per cent of the population lives under the poverty line even though it is one of the wealthiest areas worldwide considering the resources. The most vulnerable group in her perspective are women and children in Sindh. Dhreen Abdullah also underlined these statements by raising the issue of women's rights in Balochistan and in Sindh. She shared her own story of oppression by the military and a time in her life when she was not allowed to speak her mother tongue and was forced to speak Urdu. All panellists agreed on one issue, being that genocide is never truly silent. "There are too many personal stories and outcries of injustice to call it "silent". Eliminating a country, a nation, a religion, a language goes beyond the written definition of genocide including physical violence and murder," a GHRD press release read. The panel agreed that without religion, cultures and languages, a nation is without soul. One important take away, especially for the Women's Rights delegation of GHRD, is the concerning position of women and girls in Pakistan. "Women are most affected by enforced disappearance and genocide, they often need to be accompanied by a man in order to survive. Basic Hygiene Products are not a given and there is a clear lack of education. Women are not only being oppressed by their significant others, but by fathers, sons, religious leaders and society as a whole," it added. The event was rounded up by a networking session, giving the audience the opportunity to connect with the GHRD delegation and the panel. (ANI) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday expressed concerns over the situation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in conflict-ravaged Ukraine and said that any damage to nuclear infrastructure could have terrible consequences for people in the area and beyond. Briefing a meeting of the 15-member Security Council, the UN Secretary-General said, "The situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant - located in the middle of a war zone - remains a cause of grave concern. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is consulting with all parties involved on measures to ensure the safety of the plant and surrounding areas." "Any damage to nuclear infrastructure, whether deliberate or not, could have terrible consequences for people around the plant and far beyond. The world cannot afford a nuclear catastrophe," he added. In the wake of increasing fears of nuclear disaster, the last operational reactor at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine has been entirely shut to avoid the risk of further damage to the power lines as it remained high. The six-reactor Zaporizhzhia plant was cut off from the grid earlier this month after all its power lines were disconnected as a result of clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the area. The UN Secretary-General highlighted the need to end the war, saying that it was the only way to end the suffering in Ukraine. "There is only one way to end the suffering in Ukraine - and that is by ending the war. I will continue to spare no effort for peace - peace in line with international law and the Charter of the United Nations," UN Secretary-General said. Further speaking of the Black Sea Grain deal, UN Secretary-General said that since the signing of the deal, global food prices have dropped sharply. He asked the states to provide clear passage to the export of Russian fertilizers, warning that if the fertilizer market is not stabilized, the world may face a food crisis, next year. "Since the signing of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, global food prices have dropped sharply, although they are still almost 8 per cent higher than a year ago. It is vital that these food shipments continue and increase, so commodity markets further stabilize." "If the fertilizer market is not stabilized, next year could bring a food supply crisis. Simply put, the world may run out of food. It is essential that all States remove every remaining obstacle to the export of Russian fertilizers immediately," he added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday demanded punishment for Russia for the war in Ukraine, which has left thousands of people killed, displaced millions and reduced towns to rubble. Zelenskyy in a pre-recorded message to the United Nations General Assembly called for a special tribunal to punish Russia for its aggression. Zelenskiyy's address to world leaders came after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered partial military mobilization in Moscow. Russia plans to conscript around 300,000 troops in an apparent escalation of its Ukraine invasion that began in February this year. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced that he had signed a decree on partial mobilization in Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. He said that it was necessary to support the proposal of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff to conduct partial mobilization in the Russian Federation in order to protect our homeland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, to ensure the security of our people and people in the liberated territories. Referendums on joining Russia will be held in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in eastern Ukraine on September 23-27. (ANI) Minorities in Pakistan protested against an alleged assault on a Hindu woman over a false accusation of theft, local media reported. A large number of people gathered outside the District police office and Deputy Commissioner's office in Bahawalpur on Monday to protest against the atrocities against the minorities in Pakistan. The protestors said that a Hindu woman was falsely accused of theft and was assaulted on the pretext of it. The victim is a resident of the Yazman Mandi area and was working as a housemaid. It was alleged that a group of people attacked her house and assaulted her, local media reported. She was taken to a local rural health centre where the doctor refused to treat her and did not give her a medical certificate, the protestors said. The rally was addressed by some minority leaders, who demanded a fair investigation into the matter. They demanded action against the accused and the doctor. Notably, the deplorable condition of minorities in Pakistan, including abductions, murder, rapes and forced conversions have been an alarming concern. The cases of violence against women and minorities in Pakistan have been on a rise. The misuse of the draconian blasphemy laws against minorities and even members of the Muslim community to settle personal grudges is rampant in the country. The minorities are constantly being murdered and subjected to inhuman brutalities in the name of blasphemy, conversion to Islam and other sectarian differences. The situation faced by the Hindu and Christian groups in Pakistan is bad in general, but women from these communities are the worst victims of discriminatory attitudes of the authorities, political groups, religious parties, the feudal structure and the Muslim majority. The dilemma of forced conversions and marriages put minority women at risk and the issue of securing rights for minority women has become particularly complex in Pakistan. (ANI) Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday held a meeting over dinner with Energy Ministers from over 30 countries including US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "Dinner meeting with U.S. Energy Secretary Ms Jennifer Granholm and Ministers at the Global Forum enabled opportunity to convey India's resolve under PM Sh@narendramodito develop indigenous clean energy sources through futuristic means likes Green Hydrogen etc," Jitendra Singh tweeted. Before the formal start of Global Clean Energy Action Forum, Ministers and representatives held a informal Introductory session today. Union Minister Jitendra Singh is leading the Joint Ministerial Indian delegation of the Ministry of Power, New and Renewable Energy and Ministry of Science and Technology to participate in the Global Clean Energy Action Forum scheduled from September 21 to 23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as per the statement released by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The event is expected to bring together thousands of clean energy leaders from across the world, including CEOs, innovators, young professionals, civil society and ministers from over 30 countries to accelerate clean energy innovation and deployment. "I am looking forward to very close engagements at the Plenary and Roundtables of Global Clean Energy Action Forum, especially in the light of recent breakthroughs in the areas of Clean Energy Technologies both at home and abroad. In the post-COVID era and the recent vagaries of Climate Change challenges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been strongly advocating close coordination and collaboration in clean energy solutions for the betterment of mankind," Dr Singh had said. Union Minister and the Joint Indian Ministerial official delegation arrived in New York on Tuesday, enroute to Washington DC, on the first day of the 5-day US trip. At the John F. Kennedy International Airport of New York, Singh was received by senior Indian Embassy officials. After that, he left for Washington DC to hold an important Roundtable with senior executives of about 35 companies and federal representatives associated with Geospatial, Space, Earth & Ocean Science, Pharma and Biotech Sectors to be organized by the US-India Business Council at the US Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Washington, DC. Singh departed for Pittsburgh on Wednesday to take part in the coveted joint convening of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM13) and Mission Innovation (MI-7). (ANI) Durga Puja is considered to be one of the biggest festivals around the world. This year makes it more special as UNESCO has inscribed Durga Puja in UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and it is the first Indian festival to do so. As part of promoting India's intangible cultural heritage, Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs, Meenakashi Lekhi in a press conference highlighted the importance of inscription of Durga Puja in the UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and urged everybody to come together and celebrate the recognition of the festival at the international level. Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs, Meenakashi Lekhi, emphasised the concerted efforts of the government in promoting the incredible culture and heritage of India. She also said, "India has been selected to the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO's 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) for the 2022-26 cycle. Along with achieving this feat, India has sent 'Garba' as the next consideration in the UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Giving more details, Meenakashi Lekhi explained the lengthy procedure involved and how the the Government Approach made it possible to get Durga Puja successfully inscribed on UNESCO's list. Lekhi said that the Ministry of Education is the nodal agency for UNESCO in India while the Ministry of Culture is involved in preparing dossiers for inscriptions on the UNESCO list and the Ministry of External Affairs mobilises international support to get the proposal voted successfully at the UNESCO. She said that with the help of Sangeet Natak Akademi of Ministry of Culture, the dossier for Durga Puja was prepared and sent to UNESCO. She added that everyone should rise above petty politics and come together to celebrate the inscription of Durga Puja in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. She further added, "Nominating the Durga Puja in Intangible Cultural Heritage list is country's pride. We have taken all the advice into consideration and as per the direction we nominated Durga Puja as the Intangible culture of the country because cutting across states, it is celebrated by everyone. In this process, it brings everyone together, it's Unity in Diversity". The Union Minister also acknowledged the invaluable contribution of the artisans involved in making the idols for the Durga Puja and the Pandals which give the entire festival its fanfare and fervour. Accordingly, to celebrate their great contribution, a special function has been organized by the Ministry of Culture on September 24 at the Indian Museum in Kolkata where a select group of 30 artisans and artists, intimately involved in Durga Puja celebrations, will be honoured. These include Shilpi's of Durga's Protima, members from RajBaris, Pandal makers, artists, the Dhakis (drummers), the Pujaris, and jewellery makers of Protimas among others. Meenakashi Lekhi and MoS Education, Dr. Subhas Sarkar will remain present on the occasion. (ANI) Balochistan residents have accused the Pakistan authorities of corruption in the distribution of flood relief materials, local media reported. A number of protestors gathered outside the Tehsildar's office and raised slogans against the Pakistan government. They alleged that the Tehsildar Jalal Murri in connivance with Naib Tehsildar Risaldar Aslam Murri has distributed items to his close associates and influential people instead of the flood-affected families, local media reported. The protestors said that they were deprived of the government relief and assistance due to the Tehsildar's actions. They further said that during the ration distribution, when they went to the authorities for ration, the authorities refused and told them to ask assistance from people whomever they have voted. Moreover, the Tehsildar threatened the residents and told them no one can harm him, the protestors alleged. People have asked Deputy Commissioner of Kohlu to take action against the said officers, saying that the scope of the protest would be widened otherwise, local media reported. Earlier, Sabir Hussain, Coordinator to Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan accused the Hunza Deputy Commissioner (DC) of stealing two trucks worth of relief items sent by the foreign affairs office of Xinjiang, China, local media reported. Sabir alleged that Hunza DC had misappropriated trucks loaded with relief items sent from the Chinese foreign affair office of Xinjiang after they crossed the Sost Pakistan-China border. He claimed that Hunza DC took away the relief trucks in connivance with the DC Customs at the border. The relief items were sent by the Xinjiang office of Chinese foreign affairs at the request of the acting governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, Syed Amjad Ali Zaidi, amid the ongoing devastating floods situation, local media reports said. Sabir attached the documents from the Foreign Affairs Office of China and invoices of the consignment as proof of the accusation of corruption. Due to rampant corruption by the Pakistan province administrations, locals continue to suffer in times when they need the most help amid the devastating floods. This has created an outrage as thousands of people in far-flung areas are still waiting for help from the govt and welfare groups but the administration is busy pleasing their associates and influential people. The Monsoon rains have claimed more than a thousand lives across Pakistan since June and unleashed powerful floods that have washed away swathes of vital crops and damaged or destroyed more than a million homes. Record monsoons and heavy floods in Pakistan have given rise to hunger and various illnesses which have affected 33 million people and are estimated to have caused USD 30 billion in damage. (ANI) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday accused Ukraine's armed forces of using "civilians as human shields" and termed the Ukrainian government a "totalitarian Nazi-like state". "Ukraine has become a totalitarian Nazi-like state where the norms of humanitarian law are trampled on. There is no surprise that their armed forces in the national battalions are using peaceful civilians as human shields," Lavrov said in the UNSC briefing on Ukraine. This comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded punishment for Russia for the war in Ukraine, which has left thousands of people killed, displaced millions and reduced towns to rubble. In a pre-recorded speech at UN General Assembly that focussed on war, Zelenskyy said, "A crime has been committed against Ukraine and we demand just punishment. The crime was committed against our state borders. The crime was committed against the lives of our people." "Ukraine demands punishment for trying to steal our territory," Zelenskyy added. "Punishment for the murders of thousands of people. Punishment for tortures and humiliations of women and men," he added. "Ukraine wants peace, Europe wants peace, the world wants peace, and we have seen who is the only one who wants war," he said. "There is only one entity among all UN member states, who would say now, if he could interrupt my speech that he's happy with this war, with his war." Zelenskyy said. Zelensky called for Russia, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, to lose its veto power. "So long as the aggressor is party to decision making in the international organization you must be insulated from them, at least until aggression stops." The Ukrainian leader also called for the creation of a special tribunal to punish Russia. "This will become a signal to all would-be aggressors, that they must value peace or be brought to responsibility by the world." Zelenskyy's address to world leaders came after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered partial military mobilization in Moscow. Russia plans to conscript around 300,000 troops in an apparent escalation of its Ukraine invasion that began in February this year. (ANI) Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was criticized by the US and its allies for having left the United Nations Security Council meeting immediately as he finished his speech in which he accused Ukrainian forces of making "illegal" attacks on the "peaceful citizens of Donbas." A US official came down heavily on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for only being at the United Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine for a short time and skipping the Russian criticism from Western diplomats, CNN reported. Blinken criticized Russia for its war in Ukraine on Thursday and noted that countries including those maintaining "close ties" with Moscow have publicly condemned the conflict. While Blinken was speaking, Lavrov skipped the session. Looking at such a scene, a US official criticised Lavrov and said, "Lavrov apparently couldn't bear to hear the clear and repeated messages of condemnation of Russia's war against Ukraine. He walked into the chamber just before his speaking slot and left shortly after." The official said it was a sign of Russian weakness and a testament to the fact that Russians recognize that they are being isolated on the world stage. It is pertinent to mention that the Russian Foreign Minister walked into the UN Security Council meeting at approximately 11:30 am ET and took his seat at the table, nearly 1.5 hours late. The council was discussing the maintenance of peace and security in Ukraine. Earlier, at UNSC, Lavrov called Ukraine a "totalitarian Nazi-like state", alleged that country's armed forces are using civilians as human shields. He also accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the "Kyiv regime" of "racist" and "anti-Russian" motivated aggression. "Ukraine has become a totalitarian Nazi-like state where the norms of humanitarian law are trampled on. There is no surprise that their armed forces in the national battalions are using peaceful civilians as human shields: Russian FM Sergey Lavrov at UNSC on Ukraine," Lavrov said in the UNSC briefing on Ukraine. This comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded punishment for Russia for the war in Ukraine, which has left thousands of people killed, displaced millions and reduced towns to rubble. In a pre-recorded speech at UN General Assembly that focussed on war, Zelenskyy said, "A crime has been committed against Ukraine and we demand just punishment. The crime was committed against our state borders. The crime was committed against the lives of our people." "Ukraine demands punishment for trying to steal our territory," Zelenskyy added. "Punishment for the murders of thousands of people. Punishment for tortures and humiliations of women and men," he added. Zelensky called for Russia, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, to lose its veto power. "So long as the aggressor is party to decision making in the international organization you must be insulated from them, at least until aggression stops." The Ukrainian leader also called for the creation of a special tribunal to punish Russia. "This will become a signal to all would-be aggressors, that they must value peace or be brought to responsibility by the world." Zelenskyy's address to world leaders came after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered partial military mobilization in Moscow. Russia plans to conscript around 300,000 troops in an apparent escalation of its Ukraine invasion that began in February this year. (ANI) Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said that to bolster the mediation efforts of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, a panel for dialogue and peace in Ukraine should be created with Modi, Pope Francis and other leaders. "The objective would be very clear, generating new mechanisms for dialogue and creating additional spaces for mediation, which foster trust, reduce tension and open the path towards lasting peace", Ebrard said at the Security Council's briefing on impunity in Ukraine. He presented to the Council the proposal made by Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday at his Independence Day speech. In that speech, Obrador said that the panel with Modi and Francis "should immediately seek a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and the start of direct talks" with Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. The Security Council - and the international community - have been unable to find a way to end the invasion given that Russia has a veto in the Security Council. India has maintained a sort of neutrality on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, abstaining on substantive votes in the Council and in the General Assembly condemning Moscow. But New Delhi, which has close historic ties with Moscow, has consistently called for an end to the war. Last week, Modi delivered a stern message in person to Putin against the invasion. "Today's era is not an era of war. We have discussed this with you on phone several times, that democracy, diplomacy and dialogue touch the entire world," Modi told him when they met in Samarkand. Speaking at the Council after Ebrard, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, reiterated New Delhi's call to end the conflict and return to dialogue. Pope Francis, on the other hand, has unequivocally condemned Russia. (Arul Louis can be contacted at aru.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) --IANS al/vd ( 345 Words) 2022-09-22-21:16:01 (IANS) The US Treasury Department said in a statement that it is sanctioning the morality police "for abuse and violence against Iranian women and the violation of the rights of peaceful Iranian protestors", CNN reported. The administration's new sanctions come roughly a week after Amini was arrested for allegedly improperly wearing a hijab, or headscarf. "She was transferred to a hospital that same day in a state of coma and died two days later from internal injuries," the Treasury Department said. Iranian officials claimed she had a heart attack, but her family has said she had no pre-existing heart condition. Her death has sparked massive protests across Iran, CNN reported. The Treasury Department also sanctioned the head of the morality police, Mohammad Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi, and Haj Ahmad Mirzaei, who served as the head of its Tehran division during Amini's detention and death. In addition, the Treasury Department announced sanctions on senior leaders of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, Basij Resistance Forces, the Army's Ground Forces, and Law Enforcement Forces, CNN reported. "Mahsa Amini was a courageous woman whose death in Morality Police custody was yet another act of brutality by the Iranian regime's security forces against its own people," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. "We condemn this unconscionable act in the strongest terms and call on the Iranian government to end its violence against women and its ongoing violent crackdown on free expression and assembly," she said. "Today's action to sanction Iran's Morality Police and senior Iranian security officials responsible for this oppression demonstrates the Biden - Harris Administration's clear commitment to stand up for human rights, and the rights of women, in Iran and globally," Yellen said, CNN reported. --IANS san/arm ( 325 Words) 2022-09-22-21:28:03 (IANS) After attacking China for blocking the designation of Pakistan-based terrorists in the relevant United Nations (UN) sanctions committee, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) ministerial meeting in New York. The two leaders came face-to-face for a BRICS foreign ministers' meeting which was hosted by South Africa. The meeting also witnessed the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. In the BRICS meeting, the ministers exchanged views on major global and regional issues on the United Nations (UN) agenda in the political, security, economic, financial and sustainable development spheres, as well as on intra-BRICS activities. The ministers also discussed the possibilities for mutual support for their initiatives at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). They expressed support for the continued cooperation of BRICS members in areas of mutual interest, including through regular exchanges among their Permanent Missions to the UN. Since its inception, BRICS, which added South Africa in 2011, has been united in calling for more representation of major emerging economies on the world's stage -- and against what it views as a disproportionate dominance of the Western powers. However there is the longstanding source of internal friction within BRICS remains unresolved while tensions between India and China, which in 2020 spiralled into a violent border clash. Critics say BRICS significance may be eroded when China violated two decades of agreements with India. BRICS went on life support in the Galwan Valley, not in New York. Tanvi Madan, senior fellow in the foreign policy programme at Brookings Institution, said, "There's a chill between India and China not just due to the 2020 crisis, but also because of Indian concerns about Chinese actions in South Asia, in the Indo-Pacific, and in international institutions like the UNSC. It is only natural that that will affect groupings like BRICS in which both participate." But the suspense remains on the bilateral meeting between India and China on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Jaishankar has planned for more than 50 meetings on the sidelines of UNGA but no bilateral meetings have been planned with China. Chinese Foreign Minister is also in New York to attend the UN General Assembly. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar took a veiled dig at China over its putting on hold the blacklisting of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist, Sajid Mir as a "global terrorist."He is India's most wanted terrorist and was involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Jaishankar said some countries have facilitated impunity "when it comes to sanctioning some of the world's most dreaded terrorists." Speaking at the UNSC briefing on Ukraine 'Fight against impunity', the minister said politics should never ever provide cover to evade accountability. "Nor indeed to facilitate impunity. Regrettably, we have seen this of late in this very chamber, when it comes to sanctioning some of the world's most dreaded terrorists." "If egregious attacks committed in broad daylight are left unpunished, this Council must reflect on the signals we are sending on impunity. There must be consistency if we are to ensure credibility," he added. India and China's relations deteriorated after the Galwan valley clash. Recently, on September 13 completed the disengagement process in the Gogra Heights-Hot Springs area near Patrolling Point-15 in the eastern Ladakh sector, according to government sources. The two sides have also completed verification of each other's positions adapter pulling back troops from friction point. India and China have been engaged in a standoff since April-May 2020 over the transgressions by the Chinese Army in multiple areas including the Finger area, Galwan Valley, Hot springs, and Kongrung Nala. The situation worsened after violent clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June 2020. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday participated in the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting and exchanged perspectives on the global situation, international economy and regional issues. Jaishankar, who is on a 10-day visit to the United States, interacted with his counterparts from Mexico, Paraguay and Moldova on the fourth day of his stay in New York. "A traditional BRICS gathering on the sidelines of #UNGA 77. Exchange of perspectives on the global situation, international economy and regional issues. Made the case for Reformed Multilateralism. Wished Naledi Pandor and South Africa all success for their Chairship," Jaishankar tweeted. Jaishankar is in the US for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting. He met the Foreign Minister of Paraguay. "Wonderful to see my dear friend Foreign Minister Julio Cesar Arriola of Paraguay again. The #UNGA is such a great meeting place," Jaishankar tweeted. Apart from that, the External Affairs Minister also met the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Nicu Popescu and his Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, "So glad to meet DPM and FM @nicupopescuof Moldova. Thanked him for support during #OperationGanga. Appreciate his enthusiasm for expanding our ties. Look forward to seeing him in India soon." While meeting with the Mexican Foreign Minister, Jaishankar and Ebrard discussed the Ukraine conflict and the need for a cessation of hostilities. "India and Mexico are strong partners in the UN Security Council," he said in a tweet. Meanwhile, on Day 3 in New York, Jaishankar interacted with counterparts from four countries. He met Estonia counterpart Urmas Reinsalu, Norway Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, Bolivia's Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. "Good to meet FM of Estonia @UrmasReinsalu during #UNGA day 3. Discussed the deepening of bilateral cooperation following opening of our Embassy. Also exchanged views on developments pertaining to Ukraine," EAM tweeted. While meeting Norway Minister, Jaishankar discussed nordic partnership, Afghanistan, Ukraine and climate action."A good conversation with FM Rogelio Mayta of Bolivia. Spoke about our development partnership and expanding our economic engagement. Exchanged views on global developments," Jaishankar tweeted. He also had a conversation at Colombia University. Jaishankar has more than 50 official engagements in total. The highlights of Jaishankar's meetings particularly with developing countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Small Islands are sharply focused on the reform of the UN Security Council. Jaishankar will address world leaders at the General Assembly on Saturday, after which he will leave for Washington and a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (ANI) (Updates with White House statement, changes dateline to NEW YORK) By Steve Holland and David Brunnstrom NEW YORK, Sept 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and his Philippine counterpart, Ferdinand Marcos, underscored their support for freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea on Thursday, in response to China's efforts to exert its influence there. Biden and Marcos held their first face-to-face talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Marcos, son of the late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, took power in June. "The leaders discussed the situation in the South China Sea and underscored their support for freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of disputes," the White House said in a statement after the talks. Biden said as the two men began their talks that he wanted to talk about the South China Sea, COVID-19 and renewable energy. He thanked Marcos for opposing Russia's war in Ukraine. The United States has accused China of increased "provocations" against rival claimants to territory in the South China Sea and other countries operating there. The role of the United States in maintaining the peace in our region is something that is much appreciated by all the countries in the region and the Philippines especially," Marcos said. The Philippines is a key ally in of the United States and vital strategically in case of any U.S. need to defend Taiwan militarily from Chinese attack, given its geographical position. The United States is keen to arrange greater access to bases in the Philippines given the need to prepare for that contingency. "The leaders reflected on the importance of the U.S.-Philippines alliance. President Biden reaffirmed the United States ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines," the White House said. Manila's ambassador to the United States, a relative of Marcos, told Japan's Nikkei newspaper this month the Philippines would let U.S. forces use the Southeast Asian nation's military bases in the event of a Taiwan conflict only "if it is important for us, for our own security." Story continues The meeting with Biden underlines the stunning turnaround in fortunes for the disgraced former first family of the Philippines, 36 years after Marcos's father was driven into exile by a "people power" uprising. The new president is on his first trip to the United States in 15 years. He is the subject of a U.S. contempt-of-court order for refusing to cooperate with a Hawaii court that ruled the Marcos family must pay $2 billion of plundered wealth to victims of abuses during his father's martial law era. He has rejected allegations his family stole from the treasury and has diplomatic immunity as head of state. (Reporting by Steve Holland in New York and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) Method may help brain and body relax (Getty Images) Lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep can result in myriad mental and physical issues. The effects of a poor nights sleep can leave you feeling fatigued, irritable, and less patient throughout the day. You could also feel more sluggish and slow-thinking. But not getting good sleep regularly can have more serious and long-lasting impacts on your health. According to the NHS, poor sleep is a contributing factor of risk of diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimers and mental health illnesses such as anxiety and depression. That being said, many experts have put forward innovative ideas to help the public sleep better. One such method is known as the 10-3-2-1-0 routine, which has been widely shared on social media. Heres everything you need to know about the method. How does the 10-3-2-1-0 method work? The sleep training method has been shared by Boston, US-based doctor Jess Andrade. In a video shared with her 140,000 Instagram followers, Andrade cautioned that this method may not suit everyone, depending on their medical history, and anyone with concerns about their sleeping patterns should consult their doctor first. The first step of the method, 10, refers to not drinking any caffeine at least 10 hours before you plan to go to sleep. As per the second step, you should stop eating or drinking alcohol at least three hours before bed to reduce acid reflux. All work and homework should be abandoned two hours before bed. Finally, switch off all screens including phones, tablets and television one hour before bed. Zero is the number of times you will hit snooze in the morning, Andrade concluded. The method explained Writing in the caption of the video, Andrade explained how the various steps can improve sleep. Caffeinated drinks will clear from the blood stream in around 10 hours and eliminate the stimulatory effects, Andrade said. Finishing eating big meals or alcohol three hours before can help reduce symptoms of reflux and alcohol impairs your natural sleep cycle reducing good quality sleep. Putting away any work or homework two hours before sleep gives your brain a mental rest, she claimed, adding: One hour before bed reduce electronics as the blue light disrupts bodys natural sleep cycle. MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Unidentified gunmen opened fire in a bar in central Mexico, killing 10 people, officials said, in the latest outbreak of violence to buffet the country. "It appears it was a direct attack," said a police official from the town of Tarimoro in the state of Guanajuato, which has been convulsed in recent years by vicious turf wars between rival drug gangs. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said all ten victims in Wednesday's attack were male, and that no arrests had been made yet. A state government official said nine of the men were killed at the scene, while another died of his wounds after being taken to hospital. Calling the shooting a "cowardly attack", Guanajuato's governor Diego Sinhue Rodriguez on Twitter expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. He did not provide details of the attack. The federal security ministry said this week that Guanajuato has seen the most murders this year among Mexican states, recording 2,115 victims between January and August. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told a news conference on Thursday morning that 20 homicides had been registered across Guanajuato on Wednesday. (Reporting by Valentine Hilaire and Lizbeth Diaz, Writing by Isabel Woodford; Editing by Alistair Bell) A suspect in the shooting deaths of two teenagers who were previously reported missing has been detained by the Orange County Sheriffs Office in North Carolina. FAMILIES GRIEVE NORTH CAROLINA TEENS 17-year-old charged with murders of Lyric Woods 14, and Devin Clark 18, who were shot more than 10 times Devin described by his mom as "an athletic person, a good person with a good heart"#LyricWoods #DevinClark https://t.co/Jq2eU2QJ5d pic.twitter.com/Yd1BpgnKiC The Last Show- Karen Lee (@thelastshow) September 21, 2022 According to Orange Countys Sheriffs Facebook page, an unnamed 17-year-old has been charged with a juvenile petition two counts of first-degree murder. Through the hard work of my investigators, along with the assistance of personnel from many other law enforcement agencies, we have identified a suspect in this case, Sheriff Charles Blackwood said. We will now work with local, state, and federal authorities to apprehend and present the suspect to the court system. I want to thank the families of Devin Clark and Lyric Woods for trusting us and the investigative process during this excruciatingly painful time. I hope the apprehension of this subject will bring them some comfort as they mourn their loved ones, Blackwood said. The two high-school students, 4-year-old Lyric Woods and 18-year-old Devin Clark were fatally shot on Sunday in Orange county after their families reported them missing over the weekend. The two young victims were found on a rural trail by ATV drivers. According to the Independent, Shane Cannada, Woodss stepfather, reported her missing on Saturday after he noticed her bed was empty. Cannada recalls his daughter taking a shower around 11 p.m. on Friday and assumes she left the house through an unlocked door. Story continues According to a missing persons report, Cannada doesnt think his daughter ran away since the only belonging of hers missing was an iPad. A neighbor last saw Woods in a car with a strange man around 3 a.m. on Saturday. The second victim, Devin Clark, was reported missing on Saturday after his parents last saw him on Friday night. Clarks family has been unsure of his whereabouts since Friday but says law enforcement didnt act promptly with an Amber Alert after they reported him missing due to his age. Clark was also last seen in a car with a man. Clarks mother, Tiffany Concepcion, described her son as an exceptional young man. At the end of the day, I just want justice. Im sorry for her loss; Im sorry for mine; it hurts. I wouldnt want this for no parent, but at the end of the day, I need, I have to have answers, Concepcion told WXII12. Both families have confirmed that the two teens knew one another. According to Perez Hilton, a resident of Orange County, David White, spoke to ABC 11 about the confusing amount of gunshots he heard that evening. I heard close to 10 shots going off like an automatic gun and paused for a little bit, and five more shots went off. I thought, whos shooting this late at night?, White said. North Carolina laws state that 16- and 17-year-old juveniles charged with first-degree murder are not tried as adults unless there is probable cause or an indictment. Orange county officials are waiting for an official confirmation of the teens remains and cause of death from the Medical Examiners. A couple of prominent Kentucky officials came to the defense of two highly controversial Florida Republicans this week. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for a controversial stunt he pulled this month, while Attorney General Daniel Cameron backed up former President Donald Trump in litigation over federal agents' recent seizure of classified documents from Trump's home at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Here's what's up with that and what else is going on with Kentucky politics lately. McConnell liked DeSantis' migrant move Kentucky's longtime senator who's married to an immigrant, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao indicated he liked DeSantis' transport of 48 migrants to Martha's Vineyard last week under what several of the migrants and immigration attorneys have said were false pretenses. The governor of Florida helped a tiny number of illegal immigrants, about four dozen, secure transportation to the wealthy liberal destination of Marthas Vineyard, filled with millionaires mansions, which appointed itself a so-called sanctuary destination back in 2017," he said Tuesday. "Democrats, liberal activists, and the media are predictably melting down. There are absurd accusations flying around that it is somehow evil or illegal for Republican officials to help illegal immigrants move within our country." Several migrants on those flights out of San Antonio have said they were promised jobs and housing, which didn't materialize once they landed in Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. A Texas sheriff and Democrat announced a criminal investigation into whether the Venezuelan migrants were "lured" onto the flights DeSantis orchestrated. Cameron and other Republican attorneys general back Trump Cameron joined 10 other GOP state attorneys general Tuesday in a joint amicus brief supporting Trump's attempt to have a court-appointed special master go through the classified documents seized at his residence in August. Story continues A Trump-appointed federal judge two weeks ago granted Trump's request for a special master to review the documents and temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Justice from using the records as part of any criminal investigation. The Justice Department asked an appeals court to let the FBI maintain access to the most sensitive documents taken, but Cameron and his conservative colleagues argued the government's request should be rejected and questioned the tactics and motives behind the records' seizure. The appeals court on Wednesday permitted the Justice Department to return to investigating those documents. Don't forget: Cameron got Trump's endorsement for his 2023 bid to become Kentucky's next governor. Abortion is the X factor in Kentucky's election When the U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority got rid of the nationwide right to abortion, they shook up voters' political considerations in Kentucky and across the country. Experts suggest there could be a lot of Kentuckians who are upset by how the Supreme Court's ruling allowed a near-total abortion ban passed by the commonwealth's Republican-controlled legislature, and that they could make their disapproval known at the ballot box this November. The battle over Constitutional Amendment 2, which would cut off a possible route to legally overturn that ban in court, makes that turnout more likely because this election can directly impact abortion access. Check out our in-depth look at what the stakes are for abortion issues on Kentucky's ballots this fall. In case you missed it: A lawsuit alleges bid-rigging on Kentucky pension system's $1.2M investigative contract. A documentary about U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker, produced by actress Alyssa Milano, just came out. Reporter Joe Sonka contributed to this newsletter. Morgan Watkins is The Courier Journal's chief political reporter. Contact her at mwatkins@courierjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter: @morganwatkins26. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Ky. officials defend two Florida Republicans you've heard of Associated Press Thousands of people in hundreds of cars took over northern Nevada parking lots and intersections Friday night and into Saturday, performing stunts in souped-up vehicles and leading to crashes and arrests, police said. Police beefed up nighttime staffing after social media posts urged people from San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, to come to the sideshow in Reno, Police Lt. Michael Browett said. The disturbances started late Friday as several hundred cars and their occupants met in the parking lot of a still-open Walmart store. A day after 230 whales were found stranded on a beach in Australia's island state of Tasmania, most of them have died, officials said. They appear to be pilot whales, and while the agency working to rescue the whales originally said half were still alive, only 35 had survived by Thursday. Most of the whales are stranded on Ocean Beach and others were reported in Macquarie Harbour, said Tasmania's Marine Conservation Program (MCP), which is responsible for monitoring and conservation of marine mammals and seabirds in the state. The program, which is part of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, advised the public to stay away from the area as rescue teams work to save the whales, noting that interfering with whales even if they are deceased is an offense, as they are a protect species. Many roads are closed, as is the boat ramp at the harbor. Marine and Safety Tasmania also warned mariners about drifting whale carcasses in the water. Earlier this week, 14 sperm whales, which are common in the area, were reported dead on King Island in Tasmania. The cause of death was being investigated by MCP. "While further inquiries are yet to be carried out, it is possible the whales were part of the same bachelor pod a group of younger male sperm whales associating together after leaving the maternal group," the Environment Department said. CBS News has reached out to the Environment Department and MCP for more information on the investigations. Mass whale strandings are relatively common in Tasmania, but the causes remain unknown. Some researchers believe the whales may follow one or two whales who stray, or they may feed too close to the coast and get off track. In 2020, 470 long-finned pilot whales were spotted on a remote sandbank in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour. Experts were able to save 108 of them during a dangerous rescue mission. Preview: Wynonna Judd's first interview since her mother's death Shooting hoaxes disrupt schools across United States Exclusive discounts on outdoor items from "CBS Mornings Deals" I was born a Black girl to a light-skinned Black American man and an Afro Puerto Rican woman. My entire being sits at the intersection of Black and Latina. My life oftentimes feels like a competition between multi-marginalization and some sort of privilege I dont ever feel the benefit of experiencing. I am not a unicorn, but all too often I dont know who understands me or if I even want to acknowledge the social constructs of my genetic makeup. However, this is not a venting session but rather just a few snapshots into my life as a Blatina in America. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and the ongoing fight for Afro-Latine inclusion, here are four times I found myself at the intersection of Black and Latina. "Well, then what are you?" And other dehumanizing questions Its super important to note that when I look in the mirror I see a Black woman. I cant fathom how anyone looks at me and sees anything different. Yet, there have been many times that my light skin has been mistaken for whiteness by other Black people. I think that its also important to note that its never white folks mistaking me for white. Well, then what are you? the Black woman receptionist asked me at the doctors office. I had just been sent off with my file to get bloodwork done to determine an ailment when I noticed she had checked the white box under race for me. I stormed back into the office and waited to speak with her. You checked white for me. You didnt even ask me, I said. Whats the big deal? she responded snatching the file from me to correct her error. The big deal is that Black women suffer illnesses at a disproportionate rate. Latinas also have more varying medical issues than white women. Her checking white on my file made me worry that I wouldnt be tested for things predominately affecting my actual ethnic group. Its an enormous deal, thank you! I said retrieving my file. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, an illness that affects Black women at higher rates than white women. Story continues Perceived whiteness is not something I deal with often, but all I could think about that day is how many Black non-Latinos look just like me. How could she think I was white as if also being Latina erases my Blackness? The many, many times I've explained my ancestry I could probably add 11 more manys and still not clearly depict the number of times I have found myself explaining my ancestry. My dad was a Black American born in Louisiana with ancestry tracing back to the mid-1700s in the state. My mother was an Afro-Puerto Rican born in Harlem whose parents moved to New York from Puerto Rico. Because my father was a descendant of American slavery in the South, his pale skin told tales of racial intermingling. The farthest back we can trace his ancestry lands us at the story of a British Frenchman named Pierre and a Nigerian woman named Rose, who had come to Louisiana by way of slave trading between the state and Jamaica. Rose, who was enslaved by Pierre had at least five of his children. One of their daughters, Rosalie, begat my branch of the family tree eventually bringing to the world my paternal grandmother, five generations later, in 1906. Not much is known about my mothers family. She often spoke of her brown-skinned father who was mistaken for African American until he was unable to speak English. Thats when they knew he was Latino, she always said. But ancestral tracing was unnecessary. My mother always knew she was Black. A few years ago my dad and I both took DNA tests through one of those sites. When our results were returned, my Black American father was stunned to learn that I had more African ancestry than he did. So, what makes a Puerto Rican? While not every Puerto Rican is made up of the same ethnic background, common ancestral ties include Taino or Arawak indigenous people, Africans and some form of colonizer. Because of this, I am not OK with people referring to me as half Black, because its incredibly inaccurate. I am Black on both sides, I always remind people. My Blackness doesnt negate my Latinoness and my being Latino doesnt mean that I am not Black. Jennifer Lopez can't say it and you can't either First, lets start by asking, why do people want to say n***a so badly? Now that Ive gotten that out of the way, let me take you on a journey to my freshman year at my beloved HBCU. It was fall 2001 and Jennifer Lopez was making headlines for her song, Im Real, during which she told some n***as to mind they biz, but they aint hear her, though. Enter dorm conflict. The first thing you need to know is that I was a J-Lo stan back then. I was excited to see a Boricua in such a spotlight. So, naturally, the women in my dorm, whom I had only just become friends with, rushed me with the controversy. She cant say it and you cant either! one of them told me. I was 18 and full of fire, so I wont transcribe this entire memory, but lets just say we all had a wonderful conversation about Blackness that day. It concluded in an agreement that while J-Lo was not permitted to use the word, Leslie was entitled to do so if she so pleased. Though, I will tell you Im not vying for an opportunity to reclaim the word. The larger conversation here is that while my newfound sisters recognized me as Black, when a racial conflict came into effect, they decided that I was no longer Black enough to stand on their side of the fence. Many times Ive been told that I am not Black because I am Latino, followed by some form of Latinos dont want to be Black anyway. That twisted thought erases so many of us who stand proudly in our Blackness. I do recognize, however, that every Latino isnt Black. Some of you already know that Ill be the first to call out a Latino for stepping out of line. But, the idea that because some folks dont represent the wholeness of their identities doesnt mean those of us who appreciate ourselves fully also fit that definition. "Why do you say you're Black?" My Puerto Rican mother always wanted to make sure that I understood that my non-African American side didnt make me more important than anyone who didnt have an other attached to their ancestry. My father didnt want anyone to call me pretty and my mom prohibited me from grooming myself in public. Neither of my parents wanted me to feel special by way of perceived non-Blackness. Why do you say youre Black? the general manager at my former rural white American job asked me. Deeply perplexed, she had just learned that my mother was Puerto Rican and couldnt understand why I identify as Black. Why wouldnt I say Im Black? I asked, making extra certain to poke out my lips and flare my nostrils just in case she missed an African feature or something. I was being cheeky, but she was serious. Rural Louisiana is just like it looks on TV. I havent watched an episode of Queen Sugar yet where I felt like a scene was exaggerated. While we know that Black folks are marginalized across the United States, the South is still king. My GMs real question was why would you choose to be so marginalized? I dont choose to be marginalized. What I do choose is to be my whole self made up of everything that was given to me by my ancestors. I will neither allow any part of me to delete another part of myself nor have someone explain away my personhood. I am Latina, but I am first and foremost, Black. I will never understand why people struggle so much with the concept, but Im always here to serve as a real-life explainer. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month to all of the Afro-Latinos and Black Latinos across the world! Ill be back in February to wish you all a happy Black History Month. Wepa! Talent Insider logo Insider Gena Cox says it's for company leaders to invest in mentorship opportunities and management training in things like inclusion. Dave Lamb via Gena Cox Since the recent racial reckoning, many industries have been working to diversify their workforces. Retaining talent from historically marginalized backgrounds remains a problem for some employers. Leadership consultants and executives share tips for businesses looking to retain diverse talent. This article is part of Talent Insider, a series containing expert advice to help small business owners tackle a range of hiring challenges. When Gena Cox entered the corporate world in 1995, she was accustomed to almost always being the only Black woman, immigrant, and person of color in the room. "I was definitely a first and an only at the company, yet I felt like my talent was valued," Cox, who was born in Barbados, said. But later in her career, Cox faced bias and exclusion from colleagues, which prompted her to leave those employers. Cox isn't alone: Many workers from underrepresented backgrounds report leaving companies because they didn't feel respected or included. Since the racial reckoning prompted by George Floyd's murder in 2020, many industries, from finance to retail, have been working to diversify their employee bases and leadership. But retaining talent from historically marginalized backgrounds remains a key problem for some employers, especially during the labor shortage. Cox, leadership consultants, and executives from underrepresented groups reflected on their experiences and shared multiple takeaways for companies looking to retain diverse talent. They identified four important steps, including investing in employee-mentorship opportunities. "If you hire people from underrepresented backgrounds, and they are ignored, not respected, or don't get access to opportunity, they're going to leave," Cox said. 1. Chief diversity officers aren't always necessary While having a C-suite leader dedicated to advancing diversity can help companies achieve important work, it's not the only way to advance equity, the executives and consultants Insider interviewed said. In fact, some say that having a chief diversity officer encourages CEOs and other leaders to funnel diversity and inclusion issues to that person, instead of taking them on themselves. Story continues "Instead of focusing on having a chief diversity officer, focus on effective leadership for all your leaders," Cox said. For example, managers should be educated in psychological safety a term used by mental-health experts to describe a space where people feel they can be authentic, supported, and validated Cox said. In day-to-day work, psychological safety means having workplaces where employees feel safe to share their ideas. To develop this skill, leaders should practice giving open, honest, and constructive feedback, make time to listen to employees, treat workers with respect, and express gratitude. If you're unsure of where to start, consider tapping the expertise of a human-resources professional or the advice of a consultant. "Practice listening with empathy. Listen to understand and don't listen to respond," Soumaya Khalifa, the CEO of the leadership consultancy Khalifa Consulting, said. "Create a safe space where employees are comfortable and feel secure to share their true concerns at work." 2. Get your employees involved in important conversations If you're not aware of diversity, equity, and inclusion problems at your company, there's no way to begin addressing them. To better understand the issues at your company, ask your workers what they see as problems, said Yolanda Collins, a DEI and marketing strategist who runs her own consulting firm, Straight Outta Corporate. "Allow employees to define what inclusion means to them and create what that looks like," Collins said via email. Otherwise, leaders may be tempted to implement their own solutions, which can create a top-down approach that feels forced or won't be as effective, she added. Conducting anonymous employee surveys about the company culture is a good way to take a pulse on how your employees feel, Khalifa said. It can help you identify areas that need work, and once issues are identified, leaders can follow up using focus groups. For example, you might discover through a survey that your Muslim employees feel they don't have the time or physical space to pray during the day, which makes them feel disrespected, Khalifa said. Getting that feedback could help you establish a company rule where employees are allowed to take prayer breaks in a dedicated room after submitting a written request. "This is about leading with equity by providing each employee what they need to perform their job well," she added. Jyl Feliciano, an executive at Highspot, stresses how important mentorship is to retaining talent from historically marginalized backgrounds. Darryl Hammond 3. Invest in mentorship and sponsorship Mariana Cogan, the chief marketing officer of the software company People.AI, said the companies she stayed with the longest were ones that gave her career-growth opportunities. "The different challenges and added responsibilities there allowed me to grow," Cogan, who is Hispanic, said. "Even though there were no senior Latin executives at the time, they all could see beyond my cultural differences and appreciate my talent." To effectively retain talent from marginalized backgrounds, managers have to spend time mentoring them, Cogan added. They also have to be willing to advocate for them when it comes time for raises and promotions. "Mentorship is really critical in investment and creating inclusion," Jyl Feliciano, the global head and vice president of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at the software company Highspot, said. "Mentorship allows professionals to connect with others and then bring back new insights to the company." 4. Pay attention to how you divvy up opportunities and raises Cox has a simple line for managers to remember when it comes to inclusive leadership: "Put me in and show me the money." In other words, tap into the talent and passion of all of your employees, then compensate them accordingly as they add value to your company. "One of the really frustrating things that I hear from people who are marginalized is that they're overeducated, overprepared, but underutilized as leaders," Cox said. Managers should pay attention to employees who go above and beyond and encourage that behavior when allocating opportunities, resources, and raises. For example, in making diversity and inclusion an imperative at your company, you may notice some employees volunteer to take on additional responsibilities or show leadership qualities in mentoring others. Reward that involvement with additional compensation and opportunities. "It's not about compensation for compensation's sake but compensation for value and recognition," Cox said. Read the original article on Business Insider Nine Republicans joined Democrats on Wednesday in voting for election reform legislation sponsored by two members of the Jan. 6, 2021, House select committee. The bill, titled the Presidential Election Reform Act, passed in a 229-203 vote. Republican Reps. Liz Cheney (Wyo.), Adam Kinzinger (Ill.), Fred Upton (Mich.), Jaime Herrera Beutler (Wash.), Peter Meijer (Mich.), Tom Rice (S.C.), John Katko (N.Y.), Anthony Gonzalez (Ohio) and Chris Jacobs (N.Y.) supported the measure. Cheney sponsored the bill with Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), and Kinzinger is also a member of the select committee investigating the events of Jan. 6. The legislation reforms the 1887 Electoral Count Act, reaffirming that the vice presidents role in the certification of Electoral College votes is ministerial and increasing the threshold to object to a states electors from one House member and one senator to one-third of both chambers. Additionally, the measure outlines constitutional grounds on which lawmakers can object to electoral votes, and gives governors the responsibility of transmitting electoral appointments to Congress. It targets fake election certificates former President Trumps team created in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, in addition to the pressure his allies put on states to replace their electors with ones that would support Trump. All nine Republicans who supported the election reform bill are not returning to Congress next year, either because they opted against running for reelection or were defeated in primary battles by Trump-backed candidates. Kinzinger, Upton, Katko, Gonzalez and Jacobs have all announced their retirement from the lower chamber, while Cheney, Herrera Beutler, Meijer and Rice lost their reelection primaries. Additionally, eight of the nine Republicans who supported the Cheney-Lofgren bill all but Jacobs voted to impeach former President Trump days after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Story continues The other two Republicans who voted to impeach Trump Rep. David Valadao (Calif.) and Dan Newhouse (Wash.) are on the ballot in November. Valadao did not face a Trump-backed primary challenger this cycle, while Newhouse edged out an opponent who had the support of the former president. Cheney made the case for the election reform bill in remarks on the House floor on Wednesday, calling it excellent and arguing that it will protect future elections and prevent an event like the Jan. 6 Capitol riot from happening again. This bill is a bill that will help to protect the rule of law. This bill is a bill that will help to ensure that future elections cannot be stolen. This bill will ensure that in the future, the United States Congress is very clear that we have a very limited number of objections that can be made, if any can be made at all. And those are strictly limited to those outlined in the Constitution, Cheney said. This bill is a very important and crucial bill to ensure that what happened on January 6th never happens again, she added. A bipartisan group of senators in July introduced their own bill that reforms the Electoral Count Act, which is scheduled to be reviewed next week. A companion bill has been introduced in the House. The Senate bill and the Cheney-Lofgren legislation are largely similar, but do have some key differences. The Senate bill, for example, only requires one-fifth support from each chamber to object to a states electors, while the Cheney-Lofgren bill requires one-third of each chamber. Meijer said on Twitter Wednesday, I look forward to the ultimate bipartisan/bicameral ECA reform bill. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. This is the first in an ongoing series. Some readers may find the content disturbing. The harder Kristi Michelle Norris struggled to break free of the thick, striped belts that secured her to the high-backed wheelchair, the tighter they squeezed her neck and chest. She couldnt scream for help; the 36-year-old with cerebral palsy couldnt speak. Alone for nearly two hours in her pastel-colored room, the petite brunette thrashed desperately until finally the belts cut off her breath, government records show. When Norris caregivers at the Fort Worth group home finally found her unconscious with a belt lashed around her throat, they immediately set about concealing her cause of death. They untied Norris lifeless body, dragged her onto the beige shag carpet and stuffed the bloodstained belts at the back of her closet. When one caregiver dialed 911, 12 minutes later, she wailed hysterically, saying that Norris had been crushed by a wooden dresser. I wonder how long Kristi suffered, Joann Pierson, Norris mother, said tearfully. Was she in pain during those moments? What was she thinking in (those) moments? And my mind wanders to why. Why would she ever have to die this way? Norris death is one of thousands of abuse and neglect cases that state investigators verified in the last two decades in Texas beleaguered Medicaid waiver system for individuals with disabilities, according to state data. The horrific incident and her familys arduous journey to find justice expose deep and perilous failures in how the state and private companies manage the care of some of Texas most vulnerable residents. Norris was one of over 100,000 disabled Texans who receive Medicaid-funded care at home or in residential settings through a system established three decades ago as an alternative to hospitals, nursing homes and state-run institutions. The waiver system was supposed to allow them to flourish through personalized services in small settings that better suit their complex needs. Story continues During a yearlong investigation, the American-Statesman found that the system is disastrously underfunded, resulting in an underpaid, overworked and often unqualified workforce that is charged with caring for some of the most defenseless and voiceless disabled Texans. Government records and court documents obtained during the investigation also show the deeply complicated, sometimes secretive, system is severely lacking in oversight from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Even as companies struggle to find workers, abuse and neglect complaints climb, and some companies reportedly threaten staff who try to report violations, the state is encouraging care providers to expand to meet the skyrocketing need for care for disabled people. Drawn by promises of safety and life-affirming care for their loved ones, tens of thousands of families wait years sometimes a decade or more to receive these services. Once they do, relief too often turns to tragedy. Since 2010, state agencies have investigated nearly 80,000 allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation in the waiver system. About 41,000 of those cases were reported in Norris waiver program alone one of six in the state resulting in an average of nearly two reports for every individual receiving services in that program, a Statesman analysis of government data reveals. About 10% of allegations were confirmed, but that likely only represents a fraction of legitimate complaints. The Statesmans investigation found waiver providers regularly fail to report abuse and neglect cases and notify families of investigations. In some cases, like the Norris investigation, HHSC has failed to punish abusers and the companies who employ them, allowing them to continue serving profoundly disabled clients, records show. The states complex regulatory system enables repeat offenses by allowing abusers to retain access to disabled clients for months and sometimes years, and often forces families seeking accountability for their loved ones suffering to sue wealthy, well-lawyered corporate providers. Combing through thousands of lawsuits filed against waiver providers since 2007, the Statesman found dozens of detailed accounts of sexual and physical abuse, some of which involved cover-ups and resulted in critical or fatal injuries. HHSC declined to provide information about these incidents, but state records indicate that in most cases the providers were not sanctioned. Among the cases: In March 2019, a deaf and nonverbal woman with acute Down syndrome was sexually assaulted by another client at a day habilitation facility in Collin County. The staff left the victim unsupervised for 45 minutes despite explicit instructions to keep her in sight at all times. Caregivers initially told the victims mother that her daughter had tripped. Only after video and medical evidence emerged days later did the staff admit what had happened. Another waiver client with severe disabilities was beaten and strangled by his caregiver at a day habilitation center in Fort Bend County in November 2019. The caregiver waited 30 minutes to an hour before calling 911, then fled. Records show he was arrested in February for murder. In February 2018, a 14-year-old girl with Down syndrome was repeatedly sexually assaulted by her caregivers husband in Corpus Christi. The girl was left unsupervised with the man after the caregiver insisted on providing care at her own residence instead of the clients home, as state regulations require. The caregiver is currently facing three felony counts of sexual performance by a child, court records show. As hundreds of voiceless victims suffered, lawmakers repeatedly ignored advocates appeals to invest in the safety of disabled individuals whose lives depend on quality care, the Statesman found after reviewing thousands of pages of government records and collecting accounts from advocates, families and attorneys. The leaders of Texas Senate and House committees tasked with overseeing HHSC, Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, who has served on the committee for nearly a decade, and Rep. Frank James, R-Wichita Falls, did not respond to repeated requests for comment. In a statement, Rep. Terry Meza, D-Irving, said, The (Texas House) Human Services Committee is very concerned and interested in identifying solutions and providing better funding. I urge the Chairman to convene a hearing to fully vet these disturbing allegations of neglect and abuse in yet another agency, Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, said in response to the Statesmans findings. Hinojosa was the only one of 18 lawmakers on the committees to comment on the Legislatures decades of inaction. It is very difficult to keep up with the level of dysfunction in our state agencies right now everything is broken, she said. Absent a change of leadership at the very top, our Legislature remains in a crisis-responsive mode, plugging holes in a dike to avert disaster." Lawmakers inaction is, in part, due to a profound lack of awareness of the magnitude of the suffering, even among officials and advocates tasked with monitoring the unfolding crisis, more than a dozen interviews conducted by the Statesman revealed. Many were shocked when presented with evidence the Statesman compiled. I dont think that anyone is saying anything about the issue, said Ashley Ford, public policy and advocacy director at the Arc of Texas, one of the states largest disability rights nonprofits. I dont think that advocacy groups are; I dont think that (the Texas Health and Human Services Commission) is. Its just a topic that has gone dark. There are just so many other issues with the system that this just gets glossed over. The byzantine and often ineffective regulatory system under which HHSC and care providers operate keeps much of the wrongdoing out of the public eye. For more than four months, the Statesman reached out to the agency in attempts to better understand the system and obtain data and records. HHSC representatives declined multiple interview requests, insisting on providing written statements. In emails, the agency cited legal standards and agency policies, but did not comment on concerns expressed by victims and their families. The agency took months to provide basic information and withheld many requested records, citing confidentiality laws. The health and safety of Texans is of the utmost importance to HHSC, Ty Bishop, an agency spokesperson, said in an emailed statement, adding that, according to the agencys interpretation, state law prevents it from commenting on abuse and neglect cases. HHSC Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young turned down an interview request. Gov. Greg Abbott did not respond to requests for comment. Providers also appealed to privacy laws or company policies in declining to discuss or release information about allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation of their clients. D&S Residential Services, the provider responsible for Norris care when she died, declined to comment on the case and dozens of others at its facilities citing ongoing litigation. In legal filings, the company denied any wrongdoing in the Norris case. Seeking safety About this project A yearlong Austin American-Statesman investigation into a system aimed at providing community-based services for hundreds of thousands of disabled Texans found it beset by crisis. Hundreds of thousands of Texans wait years on some of the nations longest waitlists to receive Medicaid-funded services, providing an alternative to institutional care. But often when they do, they face a system plagued by disastrous underfunding, dire staffing shortages and a profound lack of oversight, placing both consumers and workers at risk of injury and death. Kristi Michelle Norris had her first seizures at 9 months old, but as a toddler she was vocal and carefree, her parents said. Her light eyes and long chestnut curls would often turn heads, and she reveled in strangers attention, demanding kisses and hugs, her mother said. By age 3, Norris had as many as 15 massive seizures in a day and, then, Pierson said, it was like turning a light switch off. She lost the ability to speak that year and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, ADHD and other disabilities. Norris remained a keen observer, drawn by colorful items. She sought out puzzle pieces and studied them, and ripped through magazines, passionately clutching shreds that sparked her imagination. She developed her own language of sounds to communicate her needs and wants, and she laughed often, her parents said. By age 12, Pierson struggled to contain Norris energy and began to fear for her daughters safety at home. She initially admitted Norris to a 50-person center for children with disabilities in Denton, and then moved her to a smaller facility closer to their home when the center closed a couple of years later. There, in 2002, the 18-year-old was sexually assaulted by one of her caregivers, state investigators found. The assault left her with bruises, dark green and purple abrasions across her body, and herpes. Traumatized, her parents applied for waiver services soon afterward. Around 2004, Norris moved to a community home, Pierson said. By then, most people with disabilities in Texas received care in smaller, home-based settings through waiver programs the result of a four-decade national advocacy campaign to deinstitutionalize disabled individuals, according to a 2011 report by the Texas Legislative Budget Board. Experts hoped smaller community settings would shield disabled individuals like Norris from spiraling rates of abuse, neglect and exploitation documented over the years in institutional settings, according to the report. But the waiver system did not keep Norris safe. Between 2007 and 2018, she was named as a victim in 38 investigations into abuse, neglect and exploitation, HHSC records show. HHSC declined to provide details about the outcomes of those investigations. However, documents collected by Pierson show that, in at least three of them, investigators confirmed that Norris was neglected by her caregivers. Abuse and neglect are prevalent in the waiver system, according to data from HHSC and the Department of Family and Protective Services, which oversaw provider investigations until 2017. In Norris waiver program alone one of six offered in Texas investigators received an average of 3,000 allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation every year from 2010 to 2021. At least 650 caregivers have been banned from the waiver system for putting their clients in harms way or causing their death since 2010, according to a misconduct registry maintained by HHSC that lists some caregivers found guilty of serious offenses. Pierson tried to protect and advocate for her daughter. In 2009, she called My Health My Resources of Tarrant County, a state-run community center managing her waiver services, and demanded to know why the center has not held staff accountable for their actions and provided a safe environment for Kristi that is free from abuse and injury, a letter obtained by the Statesman shows. Yet, a year later, Norris was mistreated again, state investigators found. MHMR Tarrant Chief of Staff Catherine Carlton declined to comment, citing privacy and confidentiality concerns. Hope dashed After years of abuse, trauma and constant worry for their daughters well-being, Norris parents found a ray of hope in 2017 when they met D&S Residential Services representatives who promised safety and security for their daughter. Norris would be supervised round-the-clock in comfortable housing and cared for by an all-female staff, they assured. They "made us feel great, said David Norris. Turns out, they didnt have their act together. With no heating in 20-degree winter weather, Norris D&S home was anything but comfortable for days after she moved in, her father said. Even more concerning was information he didnt have: State investigations had found that at least 68 D&S caregivers abused, neglected or exploited their clients in the previous 10 years, state data shows. Since 2017, D&S also has been cited repeatedly in inspections for failing to properly train staff and prevent the illegal use of restraints and seclusion. On Oct. 5, 2020, Norris became a victim yet again. That morning, Stephanie Denise Jones, the caregiver who was supposed to keep Norris in her line of sight at all times, left her restrained in her wheelchair behind a closed door, investigative records show. Leola Thomas, the only other caregiver in the four-person home and Jones subordinate, saw the closed door which violated company policy and state regulation but didnt take action. The caregivers entered the room nearly two hours later when they noticed Norris was quieter than usual. They found her unconscious with dark abrasions across her neck, chest and left arm, where the restraints still pressed on her skin. She's gone, her lips are blue, she's gone! What am I gonna do, what am I gonna say," Jones screamed as she devised the caregivers cover-up story about an overturned dresser, Thomas told investigators. At one point, Jones took a pencil to paper and went through a diagram and showed me how the dresser could have (fallen) on her like that, Thomas told the Statesman. Through her attorney, Jones, who is facing criminal charges in the case, declined to comment. Pierson said she learned about her daughters death from Norris service coordinator nearly an hour later. By the time she arrived at the home, Norris body was battered by medical intervention and law enforcement personnel kept Pierson away as she begged to see her daughter, she said. I just wanted to touch her, she said, sobbing. It was a sham Have you experienced something similar? Did you witness or experience serious problems in the Medicaid waiver system? Do you have information about state oversight and investigations? You can leave us a voicemail or contact us anonymously through Signal at (512) 537-9604. HHSC investigators were the first to learn that the caregivers story about an overturned dresser killing Norris was false, records show. On an Oct. 22, 2020, phone call 17 days after Norris death Leola Thomas, fearing jail time for lying to law enforcement, told investigators that she wanted to come clean. In the following week, a D&S case manager and a detective from the Fort Worth Police Department corroborated Thomas confession. Four staff members who worked with Norris said that she was regularly restrained in her wheelchair, according to investigative records. But the agency did not include any mention of restraints or the wheelchair in an official investigative report filed that November that largely exonerated the caregivers. It did not release any information to Norris parents until their attorney, Michael Sawicki, got involved around December 2020. It was a sham, David Norris said. HHSC officials declined to comment on Norris case, citing privacy concerns. In Norris case, the truth was eventually revealed, and, in July 2022, the agency released a corrected investigative report to her family. But data released by the Department of Family and Protective Services shows that hundreds of abuse and neglect allegations are not investigated every year. Between 2010 and 2017, more than 15,000 or nearly 40% of cases involving waiver clients were closed without inquiry or referred back to providers to take any action they believed necessary because the allegations didnt meet the investigators definitions of abuse, neglect and exploitation, according to a department spokesperson. Countless other incidents are never reported. Violations related to underreporting ranked among the top two most common legal violations among providers offering Norris types of waiver services for the past three consecutive years, according to annual HHSC reports. Some providers, such as D&S, have allegedly instructed employees not to report incidents and threatened to retaliate against those who abide by state laws, according to state records and families of former D&S clients. The higher ups (said) staff were not to report any incidents to anyone, one D&S caregiver told an HHSC surveyor who discovered six months of unreported injuries among D&S clients in a 2019 inspection, state records show. She believes the provider will retaliate against her since she has been informed to not say anything they are not supposed to, the surveyor added in her notes. A follow-up inspection found that the caregiver was retrained, records show. Pierson said that while Norris received D&S services, caregivers, including Thomas and Jones, described similar company policies and would sometimes call her in secret to report injuries and abuses. Kelli Nitsch, the mother of one of Norris housemates, said she had a similar experience. D&S did not want direct staff to be communicating any details to the parents," she said. "They (the caregivers) would be in big trouble if they did. Attorneys representing other families also said they are often left in the dark about their loved ones sufferings, and that some investigations are superficial or one-sided. Pierson and David Norris said D&S never notified them of the agencys investigation into their daughters death. State law requires care providers to notify families of such investigations within 24 hours of an incident, and D&S was cited six times for failing to do so between 2019 and 2020, according to HHSC. The agency issued 70 similar citations to other providers in those years, records show. Most of the 15 attorneys contacted by the Statesman who are suing providers on behalf of victims said their clients were never notified of state investigations. Other attorneys who were aware of pending investigations questioned their efficacy. Enrique Chavez, a lawyer who represents a client in El Paso County, said the states investigative process was one-sided, only relying on statements from care providers and their employees. Aaryce Hayes, a policy specialist at Disability Rights Texas who provides training to HHSC investigators, said advocates have been increasingly concerned about some of the agencys practices. I see them skipping individuals (with disabilities) without an explanation, Hayes said. Investigators should make efforts to communicate with all witnesses, even if they are being told by staff members that the person is nonverbal, she added. Norris lawyer, Sawicki, echoed those concerns. A lot of the victims are defenseless, he said. They're either unable to communicate because of (the) condition they have or they don't have a strong advocate to promote their rights. And (HHSC) doesn't do that either. They are more, in my opinion, aligned with the (providers) that they serve. In an email, the agency declined to comment and asked the Statesman to refer attorneys with concerns about agency practices to their investigative and legal teams. Lacking accountability In its final investigative report for the Norris case, HHSC found Jones guilty of abuse, and both Thomas and Jones guilty of neglect. They were fired for gross negligence. Their employer, D&S, was cited for 12 violations of state law, including failure to protect Norris from abuse, failure to provide her family with essential information about her health, and failure to properly train staff to prevent illegal uses of restraints and seclusion, state records show. Subscribe: Stay up to date with this series by subscribing to the newsletter. Yet, the agency has allowed the caregivers to continue working in the system and, due to legal restrictions, could not impose fines on D&S, records show. Across the waiver system, yearslong delays and regulatory gaps allow caregivers with serious infractions such as sexual or physical assault to continue working with vulnerable clients. And providers like D&S face few, if any, consequences when people are hurt or killed. HHSC is federally mandated to regularly update its misconduct registry, an online tool providers use to screen new hires. But two years after Norris death, the agency has not yet added Jones' and Thomas' names to the database. Because she was not on the registry, Thomas was hired as a caregiver by MHMR Tarrant less than two months after Norris died, she said. She was suspended in early August 2022 after the Statesman contacted MHMR Tarrant to inquire about her employment. Although MHMR is required to complete a search on EMR (the misconduct registry), HHSC determines who is placed on the registry, MHMR Tarrant spokesperson Catherine Carlton said. Incidents are entered in the registry with an average delay of 15 months, and lags have been as long as eight years in some cases, a Statesman analysis found. In an email, HHSC said the registry is not backlogged and attributed delays to a lengthy review and adjudication process. Officials said that only cases involving reportable conduct behavior that causes or may cause death or harm, according to state regulation are listed on the registry. They would not explain why a dozen caregiver misconduct incidents identified by the Statesman, which resulted in a brain bleed, broken hips, sexual and physical assaults, and deaths, remain unlisted. The Statesman identified at least four repeat offenders who only made it onto HHSCs do-not-hire list after years of delays, including Bonnie Lou McGee. The agency found her guilty of sexually assaulting a client in May 2015, but she was not added to the registry until late 2017. In 2016, McGee allegedly forced herself on another client receiving services in Central Texas from Girling Health Care, a multistate provider also known as Kindred at Home, according to a lawsuit filed by the victims lawyer, Todd Kelly. McGee is currently facing third-degree felony charges, court records show. In an email, a Girling spokesperson said all new hires are screened and vetted, but would not comment on routine background checks the provider is required by law to conduct after employees are hired. Girling was never cited or fined in relation to the incident, according to the spokesperson. Until recently, HHSC had no authority to impose penalties on companies offering the types of waiver services Norris received at D&S. The agencys only recourse was to terminate or suspend provider contracts, according to state regulations. But faced with a deluge of individuals in need of services and a shortage of providers, in the last three years HHSC only terminated five minor contracts, or less than 1%, and suspended none. When something went awry, most providers like D&S were required only to file a report promising to take corrective action. HHSC maintained its contract with D&S even after the provider failed to uphold promises made in corrective action reports. In nearly every state inspection from 2017 to late 2020, the agency found that D&S employees were severely undertrained, and that the company failed to report abuses and notify families of them. Surveyor notes show HHSC believed D&S was placing its clients health and safety at risk but continued allowing the company to provide services to thousands, records show. Just months after Norris death and after D&S said it would conduct extensive employee training, the company violated the right to live free from abuse and neglect of yet another client Norris housemate, according to an inspection report. An HHSC surveyor found that the caregiver responsible for the man, whose care plan included the use of belts similar to the ones that killed Norris, didnt know how to use the restraints, or under which circumstances she should call 911 or medical staff, state records show. But D&S was given another opportunity to take corrective action. In March 2021, Texas expanded HHSCs authority, allowing the agency to impose disciplinary fines of up to $5,000 per day in all waiver settings. The fines accrue each day that providers fail to address violations. One would assume that (these fines) would deter repeat violations. I think from an advocacy perspective, that's the hope, said Susan Murphree, a policy specialist at Disability Rights Texas, a nonprofit which advocates on behalf of waiver clients. But I do not know if the severity of the fines (is) going to prove" sufficient. Since the new penalties were enacted last year, D&S has been fined $2,100, records obtained by the Statesman show. Another large provider, Fort Worth-based Caregiver Inc., was fined nearly $40,000, but it is currently appealing the penalties, a company spokesperson said in a statement. Overworked, underpaid, undertrained Norris caregivers knew she required constant supervision and that strapping her into the wheelchair was dangerous, Thomas said. She had almost strangled herself in front of them at least three times before. But like thousands of low-paid, overworked caregivers across Texas, they were short-handed and exhausted that October day. The two women were caring for three other clients who also needed continuous care. They both regularly worked 17-hour shifts. We were both working. Its not like nobody was working, Thomas said. In Norris case and dozens of other lawsuits reviewed by the Statesman, abuse and neglect were linked to inadequate staffing or training, largely a result of lawmakers failure to sufficiently fund the expanding waiver system, attorneys litigating those cases said. Since 2010, as the waiver population has doubled, surpassing 100,000 clients, lawmakers have approved only a 17% increase in appropriations for waiver services, from $3.1 to $3.6 billion, government records show. The base hourly wage for caregivers is $8.11, and the average is about $10.80 per hour, well below Texas poverty baseline, according to an HHSC workforce report. Workers are fleeing the system in droves, and vacancy rates in 2022 are at a record high of 30%, according to the Providers Alliance for Community Services of Texas, a networking and lobbying organization for companies that offer community care. Caregivers regularly work extreme overtime, sometimes going days without sleep while caring for clients whose lives depend on them. Some are inexperienced, untrained or have histories of misconduct, lawsuits show. Attorneys working with victims said that larger providers that invest tens of millions yearly in growth initiatives could choose to invest more to address low caregiver pay and understaffing, but instead prioritize profitable expansion plans. Despite the underfunding and dire staff levels, state officials have encouraged providers to expand their operations, said Sandy Frizzell Batton, executive director of the Providers Alliance. Lawmakers and HHSC face federal pressures to provide services to the growing population of individuals in need. The waiting lists for waiver services in Texas are some of the lengthiest in the country, with wait times averaging seven years in 2022. Any expansion of the waiver program is a decision for the Legislature, HHSC said in an email. Lawmakers on the Senate and House committees charged with decisions about waiver program expansions declined to comment. It's a double-edged sword, Batton said. The state needs to make sure services are at capacity, but, on the other hand, there's not the direct care workforce out there or the funding to adequately pay quality staff. It's just basic economics that we can't advocate for (an expansion) without ensuring that the folks that are currently in the program are being adequately supported, she added. Yet, some companies have grown significantly. Between 2005 and 2021, D&S grew from a single-state provider with revenues around $29 million into a multistate corporation with over $200 million in revenues, according to a resume published online by a former company executive. Last year, the company was acquired by national community health care giant Sevita in a deal valued around $250 million, according to private equity publication PE Hub. D&S has also received over $2.5 million in federal COVID-19 grants in the past two years, according to state records. Today, the state contract for D&S is worth nearly $900 million and is the second-largest in the state among similar waiver providers, government records show. During the pandemic D&S, which was paying some caregivers less than the state minimum of $8.11, lost more than 1,600 caregivers in Texas. The company has since increased average hourly wages to $11.60, according to state records. D&S declined to comment about growth initiatives or about issues of understaffing or low pay. Caregiver which already operated about 800 facilities in Texas, Tennessee, Indiana and Ohio with revenues nearing $200 million in 2019 is also pursuing an aggressive growth strategy, investing in acquisition deals worth $40 million to $100 million each, Caregivers CEO Mark Lashley told the Dallas Business Journal. Its existing Texas facilities face severe understaffing, and, in back-to-back 2021 and 2022 inspections, HHSC found that the company repeatedly fell short on staff training, records show. A company spokesperson said Caregiver promptly addressed those infractions. Girling, the subsidiary of one of the largest home health providers in the country with ambitious growth plans, already paid caregivers some of the lowest wages in the industry in 2020. But last year, as the company faced dozens of care quality violations, Girling lowered hourly rates from $9.41 to $8.90, state records show. The provider declined to comment. Whats it going to take? For years, lawmakers have ignored warnings that pointed to increasingly dangerous conditions in the waiver system. A 2016 Senate report said HHSC disciplinary actions were insufficient to incentivize facilities to improve quality of care. A 2020 national inspection found that state agencies routinely failed to track death and allegations of abuse and neglect in the waiver system. Between 2017 and 2021, state inspector general surveys consistently reported hazards and undertraining in waiver facilities. Last year, provider and advocate groups reported that 92% of providers are struggling to achieve quality (care) standards. The Statesman contacted each of the 18 members of the Texas legislative committees charged with overseeing HHSC. Four members of the Senate and House committees responded. Of those, two declined to comment. Others pointed to HHSC, saying the agency did not sound the alarm about abuse and neglect Meza, the Democrat from Irving, said HHSC tended to be defensive when the committee inquired about abuse and neglect. I know of no reports or briefings that we have received indicating a pattern of abuse and neglect in this specific program, said Austin's Hinojosa, who joined the House committee in 2019. HHSC has done little to ensure the public or lawmakers are aware of the systems abuse and neglect problems. In its latest budget request, the agency reported an increase in the number of complaints for all entities providing long-term services state-run facilities, nursing homes, and waiver and nonwaiver providers. But HHSC has not raised concerns about rates of abuse and neglect in the waiver system, specifically, in biennial budget requests or reports to the Legislature for at least a decade. In a 2018 report to the Legislature, HHSC found that about one in four judges, attorneys, police officers and victim services workers believed the agency did not ensure the safety and dignity of vulnerable adults. Still, the report concluded agency services and community efforts were effective. A 2020 follow-up report presented the results of a 3-year-old survey of waiver and nonwaiver clients that indicated very low rates of abuse and neglect. HHSC took several months to release data and documents to the Statesman, citing confidentiality laws and in some cases providing incomplete records. HHSC also discontinued the release of provider investigation data that its predecessor, the Department of Aging and Disability Services, published online for years. Agency representatives repeatedly declined the Statesmans interview requests, insisting on email communication only. Executive Commissioner Young also declined to be interviewed. In a written statement, an agency spokesperson said HHSC works closely and continually with providers, advocates, and other stakeholders to encourage providers to improve their quality of care (and) protect client health and safety. Also largely unaware of abuse and neglect patterns, policy specialists and spokespeople at nonprofits working on waiver issues such as the Arc of Texas and Disability Rights Texas said they never pursued public outreach initiatives on the issue. Meanwhile, pleas for justice and change remain unheard, and abuses and deaths continue. And Kristi Michelle Norris family continues to grieve. After her death, Pierson collected all of her daughters babies, stuffed animals she liked to carry by the dozen everywhere she went. Each member of her family chose one to remember her by. Pierson kept a small plush flamingo worn out by hours of play. It fit perfectly in her left hand. Ill just hold that because I know her hand was around" it, she said, tears filling her eyes. I loved Kristi more than anything in the world, and every day I tell her I am so sorry for my decisions, to please forgive me, she said. Whats it going to take? David Norris asked as he held a furry pink rabbit, a floppy little thing his daughter had kept on her bed. You're putting a very precious part of our life in their hands, and there is not enough concern. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Medicaid waiver system for disabled Texans plagued with issues Lacking top-notch Italian food options in your neighborhood? You may be in luck, as a brand synonymous with high-quality Italian food may be opening a location near you in the not-so-distant future. Eataly, a high-end Italian grocer and restaurant chain hybrid was just acquired by U.K.-based Investindustrial VII LP for nearly $200 million. The investment firm is assuming a 52% majority stake in the chain and plans on expanding the brand globally. New locations are expected to open across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Additionally, Investindustrial will gain all minority shares in the chain's U.S. locations. RELATED: This Fast-Casual Burger Chain Is Opening Dozens of New Locations The first Eataly location opened its doors in Italy (where else?) back in 2007, and since then, it has enjoyed major success and growth. Today, there are eight Eataly locations in North America and 44 in total across 15 countries. A hybrid grocery store-restaurant, Eataly truly has something for everyone when it comes to Italian flavors and culture. Walk into a typical Eataly location and you'll find a huge selection of imported wines, cheeses, meats, and seafood spread out across various counters, an espresso bar, full-service restaurants, a bakery, and a cooking school. Eataly entrance The Eataly brand describes itself as "the largest Italian retail and dining experience in the world, transforming the way consumers enjoy Italian food, beverage and culture through markets, counters, cafes, restaurants and educational offerings." The New York Times, meanwhile, once described Eataly as a superstore that "combines elements of a bustling European open market, a Whole-Foods-style supermarket, a high-end food court and a New Age learning center." Eataly was originally founded in 2003 by Oscar Farinetti. Oscar's son, Nicola, had been serving as the brand's CEO, but will move into a chairman role once the acquisition is complete. A new CEO will be announced in the near future. Besides the 52% majority stake being taken over by Investindustrial, existing shareholders (including the Farinetti family) will own the remaining shares. Story continues "The agreement we signed launches a strategic partnership that propels Eataly into a new phase of its history, by accelerating its international growth. This partnership will allow us to strengthen our unique format worldwide, promote innovative projects related to innovation and enhance our capabilities. We are happy to take this new path together with such a reputable partner as Investindustrial, who shares Eataly's values and vision, and has chosen to support us in achieving our goal to be the Italian ambassador for 'Made in Italy' around the world," Nicola Farinetti said in a press release. This major influx of funds will help Eataly in two ways: The brand will retire net financial debt while also achieving greater financial flexibility for expansion efforts moving forward. Per the press release, Investindustrial and all remaining shareholders plan on supporting Eataly's expansion growth via both the opening of new locations and formats as well as a continued focus on sustainability. Eat this, not that Sign up for our newsletter! Investindustrial has an extensive track record of success in the food industry, having invested over $2 billion in brands like La Doria, Treehouse Foods, and the restaurant chain Dispensa Emilia. "We are delighted to be able to support Eataly, an example of Italian excellence in the world, as a long-term partner. Thanks to the vision and entrepreneurial ability of the Farinetti family, Eataly represents a unique and innovative player that has led the revolution of the concept of high-quality Italian food all over the world. We look forward to supporting Eataly by leveraging our deep experience in helping companies grow globally with the highest ESG and sustainability principles," added Andrea C. Bonomi, chairman of Investindustrial's advisory board. Not every neighborhood develops around an internationally known wellness facility with a long and fascinating history. In the case of Warm Mineral Springs in North Port, the health baths that gave the surrounding community its name are more than 10,000 years old. Remnants of prehistoric humans, saber-toothed tigers, and giant sloths were discovered there. Native American tribes in the forested environs knew it as a special place for centuries before the Spanish conquistador Ponce de Leon arrived, searching for the Fountain of Youth. He never discovered the springs, being struck by a fatal arrow in his encounter with the indigenous people. A double rainbow forms over top of the Three Graces sculpture and fountain at the entrance to Warm Mineral Springs. More Market Snapshot In recent times, the development of the 21.6-acre Warm Mineral Springs property dates to 1959. That year, the initial owner put up three buildings designed by Sarasota School of Architecture practitioner Jack West to celebrate the Florida Quadricentennial. They included a sales center, a restaurant and spa building, and a cyclorama. In 1977, they were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. With a year-round temperature of 85 degrees and one of the highest mineral contents of any natural spring in the United States, the healing waters have attracted visitors from all over Europe. (Europeans have a strong tradition of going for treatments at health spas.) Starting in the late 1950s, some built residences mostly Florida ranch-style homes in the surrounding area. Development of the community has proceeded gradually, with houses going up during the ensuing decades, to the point that there are now homes scattered throughout the neighborhood. Warm Mineral Springs Park is located at 12200 San Servando Ave. in North Port, and fossils have revealed information about prehistoric life there. As a result, there is a sense of spaciousness with lots of mature foliage. Homes in the western section close to the Deer Prairie Creek Preserve nestle among tall pine trees. It feels like a forest with animal visitors bobcats, raccoons, opossums, and deer. The residences in the eastern part up to Grobe Street have a more suburban look, where open lawns, palms, Norfolk Pines, and lush shrubbery make up the landscape. Story continues Today, the Warm Mineral Springs neighborhood continues to develop, but there are still a lot of empty properties. The area is growing. There has been more new construction, said Regina Melman, an agent with Re/Max Palm Realty of Venice. Prices are more affordable than in Sarasota. A house valued at $350,000 here might easily cost $600,000 there. (The median sales price in Warm Mineral Springs is $331,950). A recipient of Re/Maxs 2021 Top Individual Transaction Award, Melman has made Warm Mineral Springs her bailiwick. Her listings include several single-family residences and many available empty lots. Every other block, youll see my name, she says with a smile. This home at 404 Monza Ave. in the Warm Mineral Springs area is pending sale. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and is 1,263 square feet. The asking price was $309,900. One of the homes, at 404 Monza Ave., is a three-bed, two-bath home built in 1962 with 1,263 square feet of living space. Now pending sale, it has a new roof, a recently serviced septic tank, and a large enclosed lanai in the back. It was listed furnished, with an asking price of $309,900. Another of Melmans properties, at 12209 Cotorro Ave., is of more recent vintage. Built in 1990 on an oversize lot (15,250 square feet), the three-bed, four-bath residence has 2,420 square feet under air and a large, enclosed, air-conditioned Florida room. It also features a one-bed, one-bath mother-in-law suite with a separate entrance. Just a quarter mile from the entrance to the Springs, the asking price is $724,900. This 1990 home is at 12209 Cotorro Ave. in the Warm Mineral Springs area. It has three bedrooms and four bathrooms, and is 2,420 square feet. There is also a mother-in-law suite with a separate entrance. The asking price is $724,900. According to Melman, there are few rentals in Warm Mineral Springs. Most homeowners live there year-round. Residents are an international mix of Ukrainians, Russians, French, and other Europeans, who enjoy living within walking distance of the springs. Many families that live there have more than three children. The district schools, Glenallen Elementary, Heron Creek Middle, and North Porth High, are all less than two miles away. There are no HOA or CDD fees. Sarasota County neighborhood ordinances apply. A home for sale at 12329 Veronese St. in the Warm Mineral Springs area. It has two bedrooms, and two bathrooms, and is 1,664 square feet, with an asking price of $349,900. North Port has owned the Warm Mineral Springs facility and surrounding 61.4-acre park since 2014 and has tried to develop the area. Currently, it is examining a proposal by a potential business partner, Warm Mineral Springs Development Group, to restore the historic buildings and construct a restaurant, hotel, and destination residences. For Melman, it cant happen quickly enough. I love North Port. Its a great place, she said. I wish the city and county had a working connection for the springs and the surrounding area. It would be a great development for everyone, bring in more people, and help the city grow. As of Monday, Zillow listed seven homes for sale in Warm Mineral Springs, ranging in price from $309,900 to $758,000. There are also numerous empty lots on the market, starting at $26,900 and capping at $78,500. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County homes for sale around historic Warm Mineral Springs NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. Air Force Special Operations Command is moving forward with plans to turn its cargo planes into weapons-toting, amphibious aircraft. Two separate projects look to push the limits of what the C-130 Hercules-based airlifters can do in war, particularly in the vast Pacific. One wants to turn the ocean into a landing strip. Another aims to repurpose the planes as makeshift bombers. If we constrain ourselves to thinking about [the C-130] as simply a cargo airplane because thats what it was originally built to do, I think were missing something, AFSOC boss Lt. Gen. Jim Slife told reporters at a roundtable here Tuesday. AFSOC plans to demo amphibious MC-130J by end of next year Flight tests of an amphibious MC-130J may start in fiscal 2023, he said. If that succeeds, it could open new opportunities for where and how special operations units can ferry supplies around the world. Thats going to give us the ability to turn any large body of water into a landing zone where we can insert [or] extract special operations forces and the equipment and other things that might cause dilemmas for our adversaries, Slife noted earlier this month. Congress hasnt yet approved a defense budget for the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. AFSOCs money for flight testing is wrapped up in that process, meaning its previous timeline of testing the concept by the end of 2022 will likely be delayed. In the meantime, Slife said his command is vetting the design in a wave tank to make sure its stable. Those tests have gone well so far, he said. We started out with a number of digital designs. We ran through a series of testing to figure out, do we want to do a catamaran, a pontoon, a whole applique on the bottom of the aircraft? Slife said at a Sept. 7 event hosted by the Air and Space Forces Association. Special ops boss hopes replacing CV-22 clutches will keep airmen safe Officials settled on a design that best balances factors like aircraft drag, weight and performance. It relies on a hardware kit that can be installed in the field as needed, though not without some effort. Story continues Still, Slife said, its easier than buying an entire fleet of amphibious planes outright. Now the command is figuring out the logistics of how the Air Force would support an amphibious plane during real-world operations. Its been 30 years since I studied aerospace engineering, but what I can recall from my time as an engineering student is, if you were going to build an amphibious airplane, you probably wouldnt start with a C-130. But the C-130 is the ingredient that we have, Slife said earlier this month. Battlefield logistics are also a concern for those trying to turn the MC-130J into a bomb truck. In December, the Air Force experimented with launching an extended-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile cruise missile, which can hit a target hundreds of miles away, out of the back of a Commando II plane. Now it wants to try toting 12 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles the same load as the B-52 Stratofortress bomber can carry. US Air Force blows up a target with a cruise missile from a cargo plane Similar efforts are underway for the C-17 Globemaster III airlifter. It doesnt require any aircraft modifications, it doesnt require any special aircrew training. It really just takes advantage of the characteristics of that platform, Slife said of the MC-130J. Unlike the B-52, though, an MC-130J needs only a short stretch of dirt or asphalt to take off and land. That complicates the calculus for anyone that might want to take out American infrastructure, Slife said. Its not hard to figure out where all the 10,000-foot concrete runways in the Pacific are. But when youre trying to figure out where the 3,000-foot straight stretches of road and grass strips are thats a different targeting problem for your adversaries, he said earlier in the month. The concept still requires some thoughtful planning. Shorter runways may be harder to find, but they become more conspicuous when a pile of missiles is stacked nearby. Palletized munitions can become a target themselves. Part of what were working through is weapons storage, Slife said. Do we really want them out in the middle of a field somewhere, next to a straight stretch of road? First JSTARS jet flies into retirement after nearly 30 years of service AFSOC is also exploring the prospect of adding new sensors and electronic warfare capabilities to its airlifters. The command plans to test out an active electronically scanned array radar on the plane, which would let it conduct surveillance and provide precision targeting data to other military assets. Depending on which sort of AESA radar is used, the project could offer the Air Force a way to supplement the ground target-tracking capabilities of the E-8C Joint STARS jets. The fleet is in the process of retiring after more than 30 years in service. As we look at what we might need it to do for the next 20 years, we need to look at different capabilities, Slife said Tuesday. Things like an AESA radar on a C-130 open up a host of possibilities for everything from airborne electronic attack and airborne cyber effects and things of that nature that, up to now, have not been part of our portfolio. These kinds of updates are especially important because it paves the way for Americas partners around the world to do the same, he added. Just three countries own strategic bombers the U.S., Russia and China but plenty of militaries fly cargo airplanes. Proving that an airlifter can double as a bomber opens up new possibilities for what foreign militaries can accomplish in combat. That should be a deterrent, not a provocation, Slife argued. It does have strategic implications, but I think thats all to the positive, he said. This idea of, Well, its a cargo airplane. Why would you be using it as a fires delivery platform? Slife added earlier in September. I would turn the question around and say, Why wouldnt you? Akron Children's Hospital is the latest target of right-wing social media accounts targeting children's hospitals nationwide that offer gender affirming care. Last month, Boston Childrens Hospital, which is home to the first pediatric and adolescent transgender health program in the United States, became the first target of far-right social media accounts, news outlets and bloggers. Last week, federal authorities arrested and charged a Massachusetts woman accused of calling in a fake bomb threat at Boston Children's Hospital, where doctors and staffers have been facing harassment and threats of violence over its pediatric and adolescent transgender health program. Gender-affirming medicine is an evolving field that involves consultation with medical and social work professionals to provide care for transgender patients seeking characteristics more aligned with their gender identity. It can include such services as puberty suppression, hormone treatment, mental health care coordination, well checks and preventative visits, education and supportive care for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. More:Youth receive help for identity struggle at Akron Children's clinic Other childrens hospitals around the country, including in Phoenix and Philadelphia, have also become the targets of the campaign. This week, Akron Childrens Hospital, which has a Center for Gender Affirming Medicine, became a target. Ohio state Rep. Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, took to Twitter to defend the Akron-based hospital. For the past week, @libsoftiktok and a band of anonymous trolls led a social TERROR campaign against @AkronChildrens, a world-class institution that thousands of my constituents (including my kids) are patients/employees of, Weinstein wrote in a tweet on Wednesday. Hear me now stay the HELL away from our kids, he tweeted. For the past week, @libsoftiktok and a band of anonymous trolls led a social TERROR campaign against @AkronChildrens, a world-class institution that thousands of my constituents (including my kids) are patients/employees of. Hear me now - stay the HELL away from our kids. Rep. Casey Weinstein (@RepWeinstein) September 21, 2022 They may not be able to push back, but I sure as hell will! I'm NOT afraid of you and will stand up to your bullying EVERY DAMN DAY OF THE WEEK. PEACE. Rep. Casey Weinstein (@RepWeinstein) September 21, 2022 Imagine going on Twitter to malign, attack and harass a CHILDRENs HOSPITAL while hiding behind an anonymous account - and being proud of it. Thats what were up against, folks. Rep. Casey Weinstein (@RepWeinstein) September 22, 2022 What is the Center for Gender Affirming Medicine? Akron Childrens Hospital opened its Center for Gender Affirming Medicine in the summer of 2019. Clinic officials said they were devoted to helping adolescents struggling with gender identity issues. Story continues Patients at the clinic see a multidisciplinary team that includes gender-affirming medical providers as well as a social worker, nurse coordinator, mental health therapist and endocrinologist. The center sees patients age 7 or older. Sex-reassignment surgeries are not available at Akron Children's Hospital and the team waits to provide medication such as hormonal treatments or puberty-suppressing medicines until after the youth is fully evaluated, doctors said. Transgender youths are at higher risk of suicide and homelessness, Akron Children's doctors have said. Forty-one percent of transgender individuals have suicide attempts in their lifetime. "I just want to live my life": Trans youth, others condemn gender-affirming care bans Rep. Casey Weinstein explains his support of hospital In a phone interview on Thursday, Weinstein said he has anonymous trolls on his Twitter page and he started noticing them going after Akron Childrens Hospital. They were claiming that Akron Childrens is performing castrations and body mutilations on really young children, which I know is not the case, said Weinstein. He said the hospital's clinic helps care for patients and reduce the risk of suicide. Weinstein said he was following what had happened at Boston Childrens Hospital last week and he cares about Akron Childrens Hospital. Its just outside my district, but my children are patients there and many of my friends work there and a lot of my constituents get care there. This place matters to me, Weinstein said. Weinstein said he felt he needed to stand up for the local hospital. I am concerned and I want (Akron Childrens) to know Ive got their backs and I want people to know we need to be standing up and defending our beloved world-class Akron Childrens Hospital, he said. Ill take some of the heat, thats fine. Bring it on me, not our Akron Childrens Hospital. Not our doctors and nurses and caregivers and kids. Casey Weinstein Weinstein said he heard from a Boston Childrens Hospital employee thanking me, scared for her life because of whats going on here. Local, national healthcare reaction Akron Children's Hospital on Thursday released a statement in response to questions posed by the Beacon Journal about the social media attacks. "Akron Childrens Hospital turns away no child who seeks care. This is a core promise since our founding in 1890 and includes the patients in our Center for Gender Affirming Medicine. We firmly believe that young people should have access to gender-affirming health care programs that are based on research and standards of care. We proudly stand behind the work of our program and providers. "It made such a difference in my life":Clinics, employers embracing gender-affirming care "In recent days, Akron Childrens program has become the focus of some online chatter that is full of misinformation about the care we provide. We condemn all forms of harassment, intimidation and the intentional spread of misinformation. We remain committed to offering a safe, inclusive and welcoming place for all patients, families and staff." The American Academy of Pediatrics also released a statement to the Beacon Journal about the social media attacks at Akron Children's and other children's hospitals across the country: These attacks on doctors and childrens hospitals who provide health care are disruptive, dangerous and threatening to the health and safety of all who seek care and work at these institutions. The American Academy of Pediatrics stands with the physicians, nurses, mental health specialists and other health care professionals who provide evidence-based, gender-affirming health care to children and teens, said Mark Del Monte, CEO of the American Academy of Pediatrics. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Right-wing social media attack targets Akron Children's Hospital Approximately 40 students at Texas Southern University (TSU) and Morgan State University (MSU) will attend the Monterey Jazz Festival this weekend, and its all thanks to Alaska Airlines. The airline has freshly announced that it invited select choir and jazz students to perform at the festival, which is noted as being the longest-running jazz festival in the world within the Alaska Airlines statement. On top of this being an exciting opportunity for the lucky students who are attending, it will also come at no cost to them, as Alaska Airlines is footing the bill. Braylon Walker, a jazz performance major at TSU, is one of these students, and he notes that the chance to attend the Monterey Jazz Festival is definitely game-changing for him and his peers. For a lot of us, this is the first time going to a big jazz festival, Walker said, according to the Alaska Airlines announcement. Some people have never been on a plane or could never have afforded it. Im one of those people. Im super grateful. Ive wanted to be not just a musician but an entertainer, he continued, reflecting on his experiences with performing on stage. I love getting up there, letting people have a good time and understand the story Im trying to tell. Speaking of performance, we should add that the MSU and TSU students gave their fellow airline passengers an exclusive concert performance during their flight to California. Today, guests were treated to an exclusive concert in the clouds by students from HBCUs Morgan State & Texas Southern headed for @MontereyJazz! They even invited Alaska employee, Lauren, to join them in song. Were all jazzed up about it! Learn more: https://t.co/dOWdxz8V2M pic.twitter.com/a5a8hEjq4H Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) September 22, 2022 David Tucker, Managing Director of Public Affairs in California, also spoke on the initiative to get the students to the Monterey, California, festival. Story continues When we learned how much it would cost to fly students to the Monterey Jazz Festival, there was no doubt in our minds that we wanted to ensure there were no barriers to attending one of the best music festivals on the West Coast, Tucker said in the announcement. We want this experience to be the beginning of many firsts, with stories that will be shared for years to come. Im excited that we can use the gift of flight to bring students to Monterey for this legendary event, Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci added in the statement. Our ongoing support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities is one of the ways that we are living our commitment to advancing education and inclusion. The Monterey Jazz Festival kicks off on Friday, and it will last until Sunday (Sept. 23 to 25). You can learn more about the event here. Alex Jones is testifying in his second defamation trial against the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that he branded a hoax. The Infowars conspiracy theorists testimony follows his repeated outbursts outside the courthouse this week, where he called presiding Judge Barbara Bellis a tyrant, ranted about the medias portrayal of developments in his companys bankruptcy trial and insisted he didnt lie about the 2012 massacre on purpose. Relatives of two Sandy Hook victims took the stand on Wednesday, telling how theyve been targeted with vile threats for years as a result of Jones egregious claims about the shooting. The jury was shown multiple videos of Jones making those claims in broadcasts to millions, including when he mocked the parents of victims as crisis actors and displayed completely false information about the events of the day. Jurors also heard how Joness audience and revenues grew exponentially following the tragedy. The jury will decide how much he should pay relatives of eight victims and the FBI agent who responded to the shooting. Key Points Judge jokes shell call in sick when Alex Jones testifies Father tells of horrifying harassment sparked by Alex Jones lies Alex Jones suffers blow in Infowars bankruptcy case Alex Jones calls judge a tyrant Johnny Depp lawyer weighs in on Alex Jones case 15:54 , Oliver O'Connell The jury is brought in and Alex Jones is called to the witness stand to testify by the plaintiffs attorney Chris Mattei. He is sworn in. 15:53 , Oliver O'Connell Jones is told about more subjects remain off limits: he cannot say that PQPR Holdings is a separate company from Infowars; that he did not profit from Sandy Hook coverage; that he cant be held liable because of the bankruptcy; anything about his deplatforming from social media; nor the Texas defamation case. 15:45 , Oliver O'Connell The technical issues (with the courtrooms wifi) have been solved, but the jury is yet to be brought back in while plaintiffs lawyers bring up another issue before Judge Bellis. Story continues 15:22 , Oliver O'Connell Michel Bryant of Law & Crime notes that there are so many plaintiffs present in the courtroom they have all had to be squashed in behind their counsel to avoid sitting behind Jones. Courtroom is packed as we wait for AJ testimony. So many plaintiffs that Mattei had to ask them to scrunch over so all are behind plaintiff counsel...not behind AJ table. If you see empty rows behind AJ...that's why.#AlexJonesTrial @LawCrimeNetwork Michel Bryant (@TheLegalEdge) September 22, 2022 15:14 , Oliver O'Connell Before things can even get started, a short recess is called to address technical problems that are prohibiting them from showing any exhibits. "As fate would have it," - plaintiff attorney tells judge at sidebar that they are having technical difficulties and cannot pull up any exhibits. Judge calls for a break before #AlexJones takes the stand so plaintiffs' side can work on the tech issues. #SandyHook pic.twitter.com/o0iwvS6GoR Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) September 22, 2022 15:12 , Oliver O'Connell Judge Bellis explains that the attorneys cant ask Jones about settlements against Wolfgang Halbig, a second Sandy Hook truther, and the Soto v Bushmaster settlement, as well as the maximum amount of Sandy Hook coverage that was on Infowars, which they cant prove. Jones is also asked not to grandstand about the First Amendment. Jones says he understands the parameters and that those subjects will not come up as long as they dont ask those questions. Day seven: Alex Jones will testify this morning 15:07 , Oliver O'Connell Alex Jones is seated with his legal team in the courtroom and Judge Barbara Bellis has entered the room and taken her seat. Judge is on the bench. #AlexJones sits at defense table. pic.twitter.com/fm55WL2qID Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) September 22, 2022 This is day seven of the trial and he is set to take the stand at some point today. His lawyer, Norm Pattis had some thoughts this morning about how the day might go, tweeting: Should be an interesting day. Watch social media explode today with hateful coverage of Alex Jones testimony. There is no mob quite so terrifying as a self-righteous mob. We love to hate the man we accuse of hating. Should be an interesting day. Watch social media explode today with hateful coverage of Alex Jones testimony. There is no mob quite so terrifying as a self-righteous mob. We love to hate the man we accuse of hating. norm_pattis (@PattisNorm) September 22, 2022 Outside of the courthouse, Jones said he might be forced to plead the fifth. Jones answers affirmatively that the judge should go over what topics are not allowed to be covered. Waiting to see if the judge wasnt kidding... 14:45 , Oliver O'Connell The judge in Alex Joness Sandy Hook defamation trial has joked that shes going to call in sick when the far-right conspiracy theorist takes the stand. The hilarious exchange unfolded in a court in Connecticut on Wednesday during a sidebar between Judge Barbara Bellis and Mr Joness attorney Norm Pattis. Alex Jones judge jokes shell call in sick when he testifies in Sandy Hook case Alex Jones suffers blow in Infowars bankruptcy case 14:15 , Oliver O'Connell The parent company of Alex Jones Infowars suffered a substantial blow in bankruptcy court as a judge blocked an attorney and a restructuring executive from overseeing the case due to lack of transparency on financial information, including about the conspiracy theorists extravagant spending habits. US Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston ordered new personnel to replace Marc Schwartz, chief restructuring officer of Infowars parent company Free Speech Systems LLC, and attorney Kyung Lee in the case on Tuesday, citing conflict of interest. The judge found that Mr Schwartz and Mr Lee failed to disclose that they sought work from Free Speech Systems (FFS) before the conclusion of earlier Infowars bankruptcies. Read more: Alex Jones suffers blow in Infowars bankruptcy case amid Sandy Hook trial Sandy Hook father tells of horrifying harassment sparked by Alex Jones lies 13:36 , Megan Sheets The father of a six-year-old Sandy Hook victim took the witness stand on Wednesday and told how a stranger showed up at his home demanding proof that his son was dead as a result of Alex Jones lies about the shooting. David Wheeler said he found out about Joness bogus theories through a family friend, according to Insider. He realised the power of those theories soon after. Someone came to the house and knocked on the door. The person demanded to see Ben, saying I know hes here, I know hes alive, Mr Wheeler said. I felt like I was underwater. I didnt know which way was up. To have someone publicly telling the world that it didnt happen, that youre a fraud and a phoney is incredibly disorienting. The Independents Andrea Blanco has more: Alex Jones lies led strangers to demand parents prove six-year-old child was dead Alex Jones mocks Sandy Hook parents and calls them crisis actors 13:30 , Oliver O'Connell The jury in the second defamation trial of Alex Jones has been shown a video of the Infowars host mocking the parents of Sandy Hook victims. Footage shows the conspiracy theorist referring to parents as crisis actors and accusing them of method acting. Its just the fakest thing since the $3 bill, Jones says. During the trial, the jury was also shown how Infowars audience - and company revenues - grew exponentially following the Sandy Hook tragedy. Alex Jones mocks Sandy Hook parents and calls them actors in video shown to jury Infowars lawyer: Bitcoin donations to Infowars go to Alex Jones 12:30 , Oliver O'Connell On day two day of the second Sandy Hook defamation trial against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, a corporate representative for his company testified that cryptocurrency donations solicited during his show go directly to Mr Jones personally. Bitcoin donations to Infowars go to Alex Jones, company rep testifies There were false statements on Sandy Hook, says Infowars lawyer 11:30 , Oliver O'Connell A lawyer 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 a hoax concocted as a pretext to tighten gun regulations. Read more: Infowars lawyer: 'There were false statements' on Sandy Hook Joness audience grew exponentially after Sandy Hook massacre, rep says 10:30 , Oliver O'Connell A representative for Free Speech Systems, the parent company of InfoWars, told a courtroom that Alex Joness audience grew exponentially after the Sandy Hook massacre. The right-wing conspiracy theorist is facing trial in his second defamation case brought by the family of a victim for his claims that the elementary school shooting was a hoax. Brittany Paz testified that the growth seen since 2012 has led to billions of social media impressions, coinciding with the date of the shooting. InfoWars rep says Alex Joness audience grew exponentially after Sandy Hook massacre 09:30 , Oliver O'Connell InfoWars founder Alex Jones speaks to the media outside Waterbury Superior Court during his defamation trial in Connecticut (Getty Images) Sandy Hook trial judge jokes shell call in sick when Infowars host testifies 08:30 , Oliver O'Connell The judge in Alex Joness Sandy Hook defamation trial has joked that shes going to call in sick when the far-right conspiracy theorist takes the stand. The hilarious exchange unfolded in a court in Connecticut on Wednesday during a sidebar between Judge Barbara Bellis and Mr Joness attorney Norm Pattis. Rachel Sharp has the story. Alex Jones judge jokes shell call in sick when he testifies in Sandy Hook case Watch: Victims mother says she wasnt supposed to be in school that day 07:30 , Oliver O'Connell Avielle wasn't supposed to be in school that day. They were going to see the Rockettes, but she had an activity in the morning at school she wanted to do. Her mother chokes up on the stand when she recalls blowing a kiss to her. #SandyHook pic.twitter.com/4RWcRpL6C6 Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) September 21, 2022 Johnny Depps lawyer weighs in on Alex Joness latest Sandy Hook defamation trial 06:30 , Oliver O'Connell Johnny Depps attorney has weighed in on Alex Joness latest defamation trial over the Sandy Hook massacre, saying that lies are not protected by the First Amendment. Benjamin Chew appeared on Law & Crime on Tuesday to speak about the case currently playing out in a courtroom in Connecticut, where jurors will decide how much in damages the far-right conspiracy theorist must pay to families of victims of the 2012 mass shooting. Mr Chew, who was one of the lead members of Mr Depps legal team during his successful defamation case against Amber Heard, pointed out that the courtroom is a very different environment to the extremists conspiracy show Infowars when it comes to being able to spread heinous lies. Rachel Sharp reports. Johnny Depps lawyer weighs in on Alex Joness Sandy Hook defamation trial Watch: Victims daughter received death and rape threats 04:30 , Oliver O'Connell "I'm not going to have it": Judge Barbara Bellis threatened to hold both the plaintiffs' attorneys and #AlexJones' attorneys in contempt of court if they don't stop the comments to each other in front of the jury. pic.twitter.com/m7PY1j8nui Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) September 21, 2022 ICYMI: Witness questioned about Jones criticism of Sandy Hook trial 03:30 , Oliver O'Connell Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who is on trial in Connecticut for calling the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre a hoax, continued Friday to describe the proceedings as a kangaroo court from his Infowars studio in Texas. Jones commentary became a focus of testimony on the fourth day of the trial, with a lawyer for the Sandy Hook families questioning a corporate representative for Jones Infowars brand about how seriously the company was taking the trial. Read more: Witness questioned about Jones criticism of Sandy Hook trial Watch: Judge threatens both attorneys with contempt of court over sniping at each other 02:30 , Oliver O'Connell "I'm not going to have it": Judge Barbara Bellis threatened to hold both the plaintiffs' attorneys and #AlexJones' attorneys in contempt of court if they don't stop the comments to each other in front of the jury. pic.twitter.com/m7PY1j8nui Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) September 21, 2022 Judge prepares for Alex Jones to take stand 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell The judge overseeing the Connecticut trial of Alex Jones said Wednesday she is prepared to handle any incendiary testimony from the Infowars host when he is called to the stand this week in a defamation lawsuit filed by people who lost relatives in the Sandy Hook school massacre. Judge Barbara Bellis last year found Jones and Infowars parent company, Free Speech Systems, liable for spreading the lie that the 2012 elementary school shooting was a hoax. Her decision came as a result of the conspiracy theorist failing to turn over documents in the case. Jones on Tuesday called Bellis a tyrant and said she would be forcing him to perjure himself and say that Im guilty and to say that Im a liar. Read more: Judge prepares for Alex Jones to take stand in Connecticut Watch: Jones talks about developments in bankruptcy case Thursday 22 September 2022 00:30 , Oliver O'Connell #AlexJones addressed his Infowars bankruptcy case after a U.S. bankruptcy judge barred an attorney and manager from the case over conflicts. "The media spun some changes in our bankruptcy procedures as some big, huge, evil, bad thing. It wasn't," Jones said to the media. pic.twitter.com/UjGFKM18LN Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) September 21, 2022 Alex Jones suffers blow in Infowars bankruptcy Wednesday 21 September 2022 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell The parent company of Alex Jones Infowars suffered a substantial blow in bankruptcy court as a judge blocked an attorney and a restructuring executive from overseeing the case due to lack of transparency on financial information, including about the conspiracy theorists extravagant spending habits. Megan Sheets reports. Alex Jones suffers blow in Infowars bankruptcy case amid Sandy Hook trial Alex Jones calls Sandy Hook trial judge a tyrant Wednesday 21 September 2022 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell Alex Jones launched into a furious rant as his Sandy Hook damages case resumed, calling the judge a tyrant and insisting he didnt broadcast lies about the mass shooting on purpose. Outside the court on Tuesday, Mr Jones told reporters: This is a travesty of justice and this judge is a tyrant. This judge is ordering me to say that Im guilty and to say that Im a liar. None of thats true. I was not wrong about Sandy Hook on purpose. Alex Jones calls judge a tyrant as Sandy Hook trial resumes Wednesday 21 September 2022 21:27 , Oliver O'Connell Court adjourns for the day. Alex Jones is expected to testify tomorrow. Alex Jones will be in court tomorrow...to which the judge jokes, "I'm calling in sick."#AlexJones #SandyHook pic.twitter.com/D0RygKfPmZ Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) September 21, 2022 Video deposition: Robert Jacobson Wednesday 21 September 2022 21:26 , Oliver O'Connell The court is now seeing a video deposition from Robert Jacobson who previously worked at Infowars for Alex Jones. Mr Jacobson was subpoenaed and tells plaintiffs lawyers that he would have testified without one. He wanted people to know that Jones and his writers were not doing legitimate journalism and there were repercussions in the form of what happened to the Sandy Hook families. Wednesday 21 September 2022 21:21 , Oliver O'Connell Ms Henshell tells the jury that she and her late husband had two more children both under the age of ten and she will one day have to explain everything about this to them. She has to scan for danger alone and it is all on her. There is no cross-examination at the end of her testimony. Wednesday 21 September 2022 21:17 , Oliver O'Connell In the sidebar, it is agreed to clarify any questions regarding the suicide, that Ms Henshell is not claiming Jones caused her husbands suicide. Hensel testifies that they were looking at Avielle's grave marker, looking for evidence that Jeremy died; she does not have a grave marker for him yet. Conspiracy theorists claimed this was proof and "tied into the general overall narrative of the hoax" Hensel says. Anna Merlan (@annamerlan) September 21, 2022 Sandy Hook trial judge jokes shell call in sick when Infowars host testifies Wednesday 21 September 2022 21:10 , Oliver O'Connell The judge in Alex Joness Sandy Hook defamation trial has joked that shes going to call in sick when the far-right conspiracy theorist takes the stand to testify. The hilarious exchange unfolded in a court in Connecticut on Wednesday during a sidebar between Judge Barbara Bellis and Mr Joness attorney Norm Pattis. Rachel Sharp reports. Alex Jones judge jokes shell call in sick when he testifies in Sandy Hook case Wednesday 21 September 2022 21:10 , Oliver O'Connell When her husband died by suicide in 2019, his death became part of the wider conspiracy theory. As she begins to explain she was told that people were in the cemetery looking for his grave, there is an objection from the defence team and a side bar. Wednesday 21 September 2022 21:08 , Oliver O'Connell Ms Hensel recalled another girl in Sandy Hook who looked like Avielle and was her reading partner, but was a few years older. After her daughter died, the other girl was included in the hoax claims that Avielle was still alive and was one of the children who sang at the Super Bowl as part of the Sandy Hook choir. Wednesday 21 September 2022 20:58 , Oliver O'Connell The Hensels launched a foundation dedicated to neuroscience, studying what causes somebody to be violent, and what protects somebody from becoming violent. Studying the biology of violence was a novel idea at the time and the couple worked on it together. Initially, they received a great deal of support, but they were also accused of being fraudsters trying to fleece the American public in some emails. They then received messages saying their daughter was alive. Then that she never existed and that they were actors. The couple tried to ignore it. Wednesday 21 September 2022 20:52 , Oliver O'Connell After that day she remember the many funerals as she lived near the main highway in the town and could see the cars and processions going by. Ms Hensel says shed heard from other families who had their childrens funeral first that the media was relentless and that people showed up who thought it was a hoax. We did our best not to publicly state where or when the funeral was, she says. In January of 2013, they found out more about the hoax but didnt realise they were part of it. Wednesday 21 September 2022 20:50 , Oliver O'Connell Ms Hensel talks about meeting her husband, their marriage, and having Avielle come into their lives. On the day of the tragedy at Sandy Hook, they were going to keep her home from school and take her to see the Rockettes. She went in for the morning as there was an activity at school that morning. Witness: Jennifer Hensel Wednesday 21 September 2022 20:35 , Oliver O'Connell Jennifer Hensel is now testifying. She is the mother of Avielle Richman, who died at Sandy Hook. Her husband, Jeremy Richman, died by suicide in 2019. Wednesday 21 September 2022 20:33 , Oliver O'Connell Judge Bellis reiterates her strong desire to have this case not be about politics and specifically calls out Joness defence team for trying to turn it into that. There is another sidebar: My neck hurts from turning to the left so much, Judge Bellis says. It transpires that we will have one more witness today and it sounds like Jones will take the stand tomorrow. Wednesday 21 September 2022 20:02 , Oliver O'Connell There is a lot of sniping between the lawyers after they both play a clip from the same Alex Jones broadcast. Judge Bellis threatens both of them with a contempt charge if they continue to bicker in her courtroom. After a quick-fire round of questioning in which Ms Lafferty reiterates that she does not know Joness views on a number of topics because she has not watched or read any of the content he has produced, she is asked why the case was brought. She says: This case has been brought because there were lies about me and my family and they would not stop. Her testimony concludes and the court goes on its afternoon break. Wednesday 21 September 2022 19:49 , Oliver O'Connell Cross-examination by Attorney Pattis is underway. Ms Lafferty testifies that her mothers death shaped her views on gun control and she now works for Everytown for Gun Safety, an anti-gun violence group. Following a slew of questions relating to whether Jones had ever mentioned her name and how many people are suing Jones, there is a sidebar after successful objections from plaintiffs lawyers. Wednesday 21 September 2022 19:43 , Oliver O'Connell There are confrontations in person too. At a gas station, someone once pointed at her and said youre part of that Sandy Hook hoax. A similar encounter happened at a grocery store. She has moved six times so that people would not know who she was. She also travels under an assumed name and when she uses a rideshare service. Wednesday 21 September 2022 19:40 , Oliver O'Connell Ms Lafferty had a Facebook page for a scholarship fund in memory of her mother, but she had to shut it down because people kept commenting that Sandy Hook never happened, her mom was not real, and accused her of scamming people. She tried to confront people online, but there were so many of them and she couldnt stop the harassment. Wednesday 21 September 2022 19:38 , Oliver O'Connell Ms Lafferty is questioned as to how she came to know about the conspiracy theories regarding the tragedy at Sandy Hook. She says that within weeks of the shooting she would be tagged on social media to posts claiming it was all a conspiracy. Later things got worse and things would be mailed to her house and there were threats of rape. When she attempted to get help from the police, she was told the threats were not specific enough to be tracked, or the posts would be deleted. At one point someone sent her an Infowars video which she later learned was of Alex Jones. There was also mail from a bogus address in California referencing AR-15 with fifteen misspelled. She recalls that the letters said: I should die and be buried next to my fake dead mother, Ms Lafferty says, adding dryly: However thats possible. By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A New Jersey man, who was accused of being a Nazi sympathizer and in May was found guilty of charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, was sentenced to four years in prison on Thursday, the Justice Department said. Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, 32, of Colts Neck, New Jersey, was sentenced in the District of Columbia on felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from his actions during the Capitol attack, the Justice Department said in a statement. In May, he was found guilty by a federal jury of all five counts he faced, including obstruction of an official proceeding. Hale-Cusanelli is a former member of the U.S. Army Reserves who worked as a Navy contractor with a "secret" security clearance and access to weapons, prosecutors said. An informant told investigators that Hale-Cusanelli was "an avowed white supremacist and Nazi sympathizer" who had posted online videos espousing extreme political opinions, the Justice Department had alleged earlier in court filings. Video footage from the riot showed Hale-Cusanelli yelling at police officers outside the Capitol complex and entering the building after it was breached. Thousands of supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in a failed bid to block Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. The attack followed months of false claims by Trump that he had won the 2020 election. Hale-Cusanelli's defense lawyer argued that his client did not realize Congress was counting electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021, and therefore lacked a criminal intent. The Justice Department says it has arrested more than 870 people for crimes related to the breach of the Capitol, including over 265 who were charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington, editing by Deepa Babington) Season 34 of The Amazing Race is ushering in a couple of shocking firsts. Not only has the show never kicked off outside of the United States before, but teams were surprised to learn at the starting line that there will be zero non-elimination legs this time around. If you come in last, you go home. (As if the Race needed even more stress and pressure!) As the teams meet up in Munich, were introduced to a few of the newbies which include Luis and Michelle, a married couple (raised on croquetas) from Miami, and Molly and Emily, identical twin sisters who just met a year ago. Then of course theres Derek and Claire from Big Brother 23, who have been dating for the past eight months. (For a full rundown of this seasons cast, click here.) The teams fly down a large log-floom-looking thing (OK, that looks like a lot of fun), and head off to meet host Phil Keoghan at Nymphenburg Palace. More from TVLine When Phil drops the news that there are no non-elimination legs this season, the cast is shook. If they arrive last, they will be eliminated. Without that safety net, the stakes are at an all-time high. This season really isnt messing around: On this very first leg, theyve also got to self-drive themselves to three destinations before ultimately finding Phil at the Pit Stop. (Though we dont see anyone struggling with a manual transmission, so Im guessing the cars were automatic?) Luckily for most teams, theyre able to find heaps of English speakers in this large German city. They get some fast directions, and are off! Here are the highlights from Leg 1s three challenges: ROLL | Teams must roll a beer keg back and forth through a series of obstacles in under one minute. Michael and Marcus, a pair of military brothers who have lived in Germany before, are first up, and it turns out teams have to roll the barrels around and not over the obstacles! (Who wouldve thunk it?) They laugh it off and nail the task on the second try with just one second to spare. Story continues Rich and Dom, however, struggle hard with this one, but finally complete the task on their fourth attempt. They stick with it, but waste a lot of precious time in the process. The Amazing Race Season 34 Episode 1 Recap SAW | Here, the duos must saw completely through a log in order to get a piece of the pit stop clue. After noticing how much energy Rich and Dom were consuming, father/daughter duo Linton and Sharik work smarter, not harder, letting the saw do most of the work for them. Their smaller movements and teamwork do indeed make the dream work. SMASH | Lastly, the teams must smash through a huge block of ice with a chisel. Molly and Emily, and Luis and Michelle are the first to step up for this act of frozen violence. By the time Derek and Claire get there, it seems the ice is a bit melty. He seems to smash it up in just a few quick chisels (unless that was some editing magic to make Derek look rather beastly). Regardless, Team BB becomes the first pair to get all three of their clues. PIT STOP | The teams are directed to meet Phil at Friedensengal, the citys Angel of Peace monument. Derek and Claire arrive to find out theyve placed in first, winning $2,500 each! Arriving in second are Glenda and Lumumba, and placing third are Quinton and Mattie. But one team had to come in last and be eliminated, and sadly, that team was the engaged couple Aastha and Nina. Were you happy to see Derek and Claire take the win? Which teams are your early favorites? Grade the episode below, then sound off! Best of TVLine Get more from TVLine.com : Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Newsletter Click here to read the full article. The Daily Beast Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Netflix/HuluJeffrey Dahmer is the latest leading man on Netflix. His name is a familiar one to many viewers, especially fans of true crime. But the details of what he did have been obscured by time; I was a very young child when Dahmer was nearing the end of his reign of terror, inflicted primarily on Black people.Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is both a standard entry in the true crime genre and a unique one. Instead of unfolding from A U.S. fugitive named Leonard Francis, also known as "Fat Leonard," was captured in Venezuela on Tuesday after more than two weeks on the run. He was nabbed while trying to board a plane to another country, authorities said Wednesday. Francis was being held on house arrest in San Diego, awaiting his sentencing later this month, but he allegedly cut his ankle bracelet on Sept. 4 and fled. He failed to respond to messages and knocks at his door from federal officers who noticed his monitor had gone offline. His home was found empty after police conducted a welfare check that afternoon. "He was planning this out, that's for sure," U.S. Marshal Omar Castillo told the San Diego Union-Tribune at the time, adding that neighbors said they saw a U-Haul being loaded up in the weeks prior to his escape. FAT LEONARD CUTS ANKLE MONITOR WEEKS BEFORE SENTENCING IN $35 MILLION US NAVY CORRUPTION SCANDAL The former U.S. Navy contractor pleaded guilty in 2015 to orchestrating $500,000 in bribes along with prostitution services, luxury hotels, cigars and gourmet meals to Navy officials in exchange for classified information that would help his Malaysian shipping company. He overcharged the military at least $35 million. The U.S. Marshals had offered a $40,000 reward for information leading to his capture. RJ MCLEOD CAUGHT: MOST WANTED FUGATIVE CAPTURED IN EL SALVADOR PICTURED TEACHING CLASS AT LOCAL SCHOOL Francis was captured by Venezuelan authorities advised by Interpol that he was a wanted man. He will remain in Venezuela awaiting extradition to the U.S. He cooperated with the prosecution during his home confinement, leading to the convictions of 33 of 34 defendants, including more than two dozen Navy officers. The U.S. Marshals Service and the Department of Justice Southern District of California did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals requests for comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Thousands of children were forcibly deported from Ukraine to Russia in July as part of Moscows "filtration" operation, a U.S. security official said Thursday. "The United States has information that over the course of July, thousands of children were transferred from Russia-controlled areas of Ukraine to Russia," U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Michael Carpenter, told sitting officials on the permanent council, including Russia. "Some of these children have no identity documents or information on the location of their parents." UKRAINE BRACES FOR RUSSIA'S FURY OVER MILITARY LOSSES IN KHARKIV Carpenter took direct aim at Russia in his fiery address and said that these children "have been torn from their families" by the same government whose "representatives sit here at this table and prattle incessant lies and propaganda." The ambassadors comments come as occupying forces in Ukraine look to hold "referendums" this week in four regions including, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson in an attempt to annex portions of Ukraine. Western officials and Kyiv have slammed this push as a falsified attempt to justify Russias illegal invasion that has left tens of thousands dead and millions displaced, including an estimated 6 million who have fled across neighboring borders, while 7 million are believed to be internally displaced. Carpenter said Russias push to hold "sham" referendums is nothing new and pointed to steps Moscow took in 2014 following its invasion of Crimea and subsequent election which allegedly showed that some 97% of voters supported Russia annexing Crimea. PUTIN TO PAY FAMILIES 10,000 RUBLES IN OCCUPIED UKRAINE TO SEND KIDS TO SCHOOL AMID RUSSIAN WAR Reporting later showed that only 30% of Crimeans are believed to have voted, and just 15% actually supported Crimea joining Russia. "We knowthat Russia has almost no support in southern and eastern Ukraine and is now being driven out of this territory," Carpenter said. Story continues The ambassador said Russias filtration operation was a "social engineering" scheme to allow proxy authorities to clamp down on opposition and dissent in occupied areas of Ukraine. Reports of arbitrary detentions, torture and deportations have surfaced since the onslaught of the war and de-occupied cities and towns in northern Ukraine have shown additional signs of gross human rights abuses. Carpenter said the U.S. will never recognize "cheap parodies of the electoral process." "We must all continue to make clear that such propaganda stunts will never be recognized as legitimate," he added. WASHINGTON A federal appeals court overturned a prohibition against the Justice Department investigating classified documents seized at Donald Trump's Florida estate, allowing Department of Justice officials to resume reviewing the records for possible criminal charges. The three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said it could find no personal interest for Trump in documents marked classified and no evidence in the record that he had declassified them as president, as he has suggested on social media. "In any event, at least for these purposes, the declassification argument is a red herring because declassifying an official document would not change its content or render it personal," the panel wrote. This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and redacted by in part by the FBI, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8 search by the FBI of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The Justice Department says it has uncovered efforts to obstruct its investigation into the discovery of classified records at former President Donald Trump's Florida estate. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon temporarily prohibited federal authorities from scrutinizing 11,000 documents while a special master reviews the records for potential personal papers or those falling under attorney-client privilege. The Justice Department appealed part of her decision by arguing investigators needed to continue reviewing about 100 classified documents seized at Mar-a-Lago. Appeals Judges Robin Rosenbaum, Britt Grant and Andrew Brasher ruled Wednesday the government was entitled to a halt in Cannon's restrictions while the case is argued. The judges stressed that they were not ruling on the merits of the case, just Cannon's temporary prohibition while a special master reviews the documents. "The United States argues that the district court likely erred in exercising its jurisdiction to enjoin the United Statess use of the classified records in its criminal investigation and to require the United States to submit the marked classified documents to a special master for review," the judges wrote. "We agree." Grant and Brasher were appointed by Trump, as was Cannon. Andrew Weissmann, a former federal prosecutor who worked on special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, lauded the ruling by tweeting that the "rule of law is back." Story continues "11th Circuit makes Cannon fodder," Weissmann posted, playing off the judge's name. Mar-a-Lago search warrant shows Trump under espionage investigation The three-judge panel said it could not fathom why Trump might have a claim to the documents in dispute. We cannot discern why Plaintiff would have an individual interest in or need for any of the one-hundred documents with classification markings, the court concluded. Classified documents are marked to show they are classified For this reason, a person may have access to classified information only if, among other requirements, he has a need-to-know the information. Plaintiff has not even attempted to show that he has a need to know the information contained in the classified documents," the judges added. "Nor has he established that the current administration has waived that requirement for these documents. More: Biden says he doesn't know what national secrets are contained in Mar-a-Lago documents The judges noted that Trump suggests he declassified the documents as president, but the record contains no evidence they were declassified. Trump: president can declassify docs just by 'thinking about it' Speaking on Fox News' Hannity show Wednesday, host Sean Hannity asked Trump what his process to declassify documents was. "There doesn't have to be a process as I understand it," the former president told Hannity. "You're the president of the United States. You can declassify just by saying 'it's declassified,' even by thinking about it because you're sending it to Mar-a-Lago or to wherever you're sending it. And there doesn't have to be a process. That can be a process but there doesn't have to be. You're the president. You make that decision." How documents are declassified: These graphics show who can classify and declassify documents, sensitive information In a hearing Tuesday before the special master, U.S. District Judge Raymond Dearie, Trump's lawyers provided no evidence he declassified any of the documents. The appeals panel said it could not conclude that Trump would be irreparably injured by the stay. More: 'Astounding': Trump documents reveal casual disregard for long-standing security protocols Trumps attorneys, the court concluded, had not asserted attorney-client privilege over any of the classified documents. The court found that it was not enough that Trump faced potential injury through future prosecution related to the mishandling of the documents. No doubt the threat of prosecution can weigh heavily on the mind of someone under investigation," the panel wrote. "But without diminishing the seriousness of that burden, the court found that any potential defendant could make such an argument. Pages from a Department of Justice court filing on Aug. 30, 2022, in response to a request from the legal team of former President Donald Trump for a special master to review the documents seized during the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago, are photographed early Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. Included in the filing was a FBI photo of documents that were seized during the search. Contributing: Ledyard King This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Appeals court gives DOJ access to classified documents from Mar-a-Lago ASHEVILLE - Days after a defendant was given a prison sentence for his role in the Jan. 7 Carolina Guns and Gear robbery, another is facing nearly two decades behind bars. Jesse Lynn Williams, 34, of Asheville was sentenced to 19 1/2 years in prison on Sept. 22 for his role in the burglary of Carolina Guns and Gear, a South Asheville gun store, according to a United States Attorney's Office news release. Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger also ordered Williams to serve three years under court supervision after he is released from prison. "According to filed court documents and todays sentencing hearing, Williams organized the burglary of Carolina Guns and Gear West, LLC (Carolina Guns and Gear), a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) located at 3106 Sweeten Creek Road, in Asheville," the release says. "Williams recruited his two co-defendants, Lyron Deshawn Greenlee and Alexa Rae Basillo, to assist him with the burglary. Court records show that on January 7, 2022, Williams broke into the gun store and stole 33 firearms, while Greenlee and Bassillo served as lookouts or drivers during the burglary." More:Carolina Guns and Gear burglary: Asheville man sentenced to prison for gun theft Past reportingAsheville police, ATF search for suspect after more than 30 guns stolen from gun shop Carolina Guns and Gear on Sweeten Creek was broken into in the early morning of Jan. 7, 2022. So far, two people have been sentenced in U.S. District Court for the crime. Planning the burglary was no small feat, the release says, as "Williams and Bassillo customized satellite map imagery of the area surrounding the gun store, which diagrammed the location of the store and avenues of approach and escape near the store. The maps also identified where coconspirators would be stationed as lookouts. Court records also show that Williams, assisted by Bassillo, acquired tools and equipment for the break-in, including two-way radios that coconspirators used to communicate over the course of the burglary." They later divvied up the guns, the release says. Eight of the stolen 33 have been recovered. Read this5 years after police brutality case that changed Asheville, where are cop, Black pedestrian? Story continues Williams pleaded guilty to theft of firearms from an FFL and aiding and abetting, as well as possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in April, the release says. On Sept. 16, the Citizen Times reported that a codefendant in the case, Lyron Deshawn Greenlee, was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison. The court process has moved quickly. Asheville police first charged suspects in the case in January. U.S. Attorney Dena King thanked Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents and Asheville police for their work on the case. Ryan Oehrli is the breaking news and social justice reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Send tips to coehrli@citizentimes.com. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Gun shop burglary: Asheville man sentenced to 19 years in prison SYDNEY/WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Australia and New Zealand condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's escalation of the war in Ukraine, saying his threats to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia were "unthinkable" and exposed his justification for the war as untrue. Putin ordered Russia's first wartime mobilisation since World War Two on Wednesday, shocking citizens with what Western countries described as an act of desperation in the face of a losing war effort, and announced moves to annex swaths of Ukrainian territory while threatening to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia. "These threats are unthinkable and they are irresponsible. His claims of defending Russia's territorial integrity are untrue. No sham referendum will make them true," Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said in New York, where she is attending the United Nations General Assembly. "Russia alone is responsible for this illegal and immoral war, and peace must first lie with Russia withdrawing from Ukrainian territory," she added. New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern strongly condemned Russia's escalation, saying Putin's claim he could use additional weapons "flies in the face of the lie that they have told that they are there to liberate others". "This highlights the falsehood around this war," she told media in New York, where she is attending the United Nations General Assembly. "What is happening in Ukraine is illegal, it's immoral, it's causing the loss of civilian life and that loss could extend if, as Putin has claimed, he broadens the types of weapons he uses in this war," she added. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney and Lucy Craymer in Wellington. Editing by Gerry Doyle) ABC News Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a member of Republican leadership in the upper chamber, said Sunday that he does not "condone violence" after Donald Trump lashed out at Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell and suggested McConnell had a "death wish"-- but Scott stopped short of condemning the former president. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social website last week, wrote that McConnell must have a "death wish" after supporting a continuing resolution to fund the federal government. Trump went on to criticize McConnell's wife in racist terms, writing that he should "seek help and advise [sic] from his China loving wife, Coco Chow!" Trump was referring to Elaine Chao, who is Taiwanese. ALONA MAZURENKO THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2022, 20:09 Ukrainian military commanders who were released from Russian captivity will live in Turkey in a private house "for some time." Source: Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, at a briefing on the results of the exchange on 21 September Details: When asked about the conditions under which the Ukrainian defenders will be staying in Turkey until the end of the war, Budanov replied that the Ukrainian commanders will be staying in Turkey "for a certain period of time" and will later appear in public and report on their living conditions. At the same time, the head of Ukrainian Intelligence added that the defenders would live in a private house in good conditions. The military commanders did not know that they were to be exchanged. The occupiers kept them in solitary cells. The defenders believed that the invaders were taking them to their so-called "courts", with which they constantly tried to intimidate them. Budanov added that Azov defenders were tortured. He stated that many of those who were in Olenivka had suffered brutal tortures by the occupiers. Andrii Yermak, the head of Office of the President, emphasised that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan personally guaranteed Volodymyr Zelenskyy protection and safety of Ukrainian commanders. Background: On 21 September, Ukraine succeeded in setting 215 Ukrainian defenders free, as part of a prisoner of war swap with Russia. There are border guards, police officers, marines, National Guardsmen, soldiers of Territorial Defence Forces, customs officers, and civilians among the released prisoners. In addition, Denys "Redis" Prokopenko, Serhii "Volyna" Volynskyi, Sviatoslav Palamar, Denys Shleha, Oleh Khomenko [the commanders from Azovstal steel plant] were also released. Mykola "Frost" Kushch and Kostiantyn "Fox" Nikitenko, whom the occupiers had wanted to execute, were set free as well. Five commanders of Ukrainian units that defended Mariupol from Russians are currently in Turkey, under personal protection guarantees provided by President Recep Tayip Erdogan. Russia got back Viktor Medvedchuk, who has family ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and 55 Russian occupiers. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledged that its response to the infant formula shortage was hindered by outdated technology and delays. In a 10-page report, the agency said the tech that supports systems that allow the public and other stakeholders to submit product safety and quality complaints, adverse event reports and product manufacturing concerns is outdated. In addition, "inadequate processes and lack of clarity" related to whistleblower complaints may have delayed the FDA's response to those complaints. A company whistleblower had tried to warn the FDA of problems at the Abbott Nutrition facility in Sturgis, Michigan, in the fall of 2021, but government inspectors didnt investigate the complaints until months later. The agency previously told Congress that agency officials did not learn about the complaint until February because of mail delays and a failure to escalate the Abbott employees allegations. REPUBLICANS DEMAND EXPLANATION FOR FDAS DELAYED REACTION TO BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE The administration also found that some samples taken from the Michigan plant had been delayed in transit by third-party delivery companies. The FDA said it had to reschedule its initial inspection of the Abbott plant due to cases of COVID-19 among company staff. In a total of 15 findings, the FDA said the emergency response lacked clarity of roles between programmatic and incident command standard operating procedures; the agency needed effective mechanisms to rapidly engage with regulatory and public health partners to avoid confusion; its investigators received limited infant formula-specific training; funding limitations had stalled growth of the foods program; record-keeping practices were dated, and the FDA does not have the ability to manage supply chain issues. Empty shelves of baby formula are seen in a Walmart Supercenter on July 8, 2022, in Houston, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Some findings were related to the nature of the issue, with the report highlighting that consumer education regarding the safe handling and preparation of infant formula is limited, and the incident required "an unusual level of agency leadership involvement to assess and weigh risks associated with potential product contamination against risks of essential products being unavailable due to a shortage." Story continues Cronobacter is not a nationally reportable disease and gaps in understanding the contamination reportedly stymied the FDA's response. The FDA said conditions observed at the Abbott Nutrition facility "were not consistent with a strong food safety culture." The FDA's report was the result of dozens of interviews with the staff and leadership directly involved with the events. The national formula shortage was sparked primarily by the shutdown of the Michigan production plant. LOUISIANA MOM SAYS BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE NOT IMPROVING DESPITE BIDEN ADMIN CLAIMS: STILL A NIGHTMARE The plant was shut down after the cronobacter pathogen was detected in the supply and led to at least four infant illnesses including two deaths. An investigation into the links between the illnesses and the formula is ongoing. Abbott previously told FOX Business in a statement that "there is no causal relationship between Abbotts products and the reported deaths." "Abbott conducts microbiological testing on products prior to distribution and no Abbott formula distributed to consumers tested positive for Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella," the company said. "All retained product tested by Abbott and the FDA during the inspection of the facility came back negative for Cronobacter sakazakii and/or Salmonella. No Salmonella was found at the Sturgis facility." The shortage has forced the U.S. to airlift millions of pounds of powdered formula from overseas. Since then, U.S. inventories of baby formula have been improving and the plant has started producing formula. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Mayoral candidates Rick Caruso and Rep. Karen Bass share a hug and a smile following their debate at the Skirball Cultural Center on Wednesday. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) U.S. Rep Karen Bass and real estate developer Rick Caruso battered each other with charges of misbehavior and inauthenticity during an hourlong debate Wednesday, the latest rhetorical escalation in the once relatively genteel campaign for mayor of Los Angeles. The veteran Washington lawmaker pilloried the businessman as being out of touch with overwhelmingly Democratic L.A., because of his previous Republican registration and financial contributions to anti-abortion politicians. Caruso, in turn, depicted Bass as a hidebound member of a failed political class that has been ineffectual at curbing the city's homelessness and crime the two issues voters say are their top worries. The rancorous exchanges during the debate, televised live from the Skirball Cultural Center in the Sepulveda Pass, built on the coarser tone the campaign has taken in recent weeks. That represented a stark departure from previous proclamations of mutual respect between the two would-be mayors, including a moment three years ago when the duo sat side by side as dignitaries at a USC graduation. Bass has been trying to consolidate a lead she took in the June primary, beating Caruso by 7 percentage points, and extended to 12 points in polls conducted over the summer. Caruso still hopes to persuade the nearly one-quarter of voters who remain undecided, a group that could shift the race before voting concludes on Nov. 8. Many of the disagreements Wednesday centered on USC, the university that both candidates attended and that has been the center of repeated scandals in recent years. Bass attacked Caruso for his time as the chair of the university's Board of Trustees. She reiterated previous reports in The Times about how Caruso backtracked on a pledge to release a report about an investigation of a gynecologist accused of sexual misconduct. "The victims of the gynecologist, literally hundreds of students at USC, asked you to release the report," Bass said. "As chair of the Board of Trustees, he committed to do an investigation, to do a report, and then he decided that he wasn't going to release it, when the victims asked for it to be released." Story continues Caruso helped USC reach $1.1 billion in legal settlements with former patients of the gynecologist, George Tyndall, and overhauled the universitys leadership and governing structure. But in recent years, he backtracked on the release of the report, saying USCs lawyers gave only oral briefings to trustees and that there was no report to release. Caruso said that his opponent's attack was intended to distract from her own misbehavior when she received a scholarship for nearly $100,000, "without applying," to receive a master's degree from USC's School of Social Work. "She got a $95,000 scholarship. She failed to report it in .... paperwork where it had to be reported," Caruso said. "She got her degree, taking less classes than her fellow students and then worked with the dean [of the School of Social Work] to fashion legislation and push it through Congress, to have taxpayer dollars go back to that same school." Bass retorted that she had worked hard for her degree. "I don't think it was bad judgment at all," she told Caruso. "I have spent the last three decades working for the most vulnerable in our country, children in the child welfare system." The exchange ended tartly when Caruso asked if Bass was "saying prosecutors are lying" when mentioning her in a parallel corruption investigation, involving now-suspended Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas. "No," Bass replied "I am saying you are." Ridley-Thomas has been accused of providing contracts to USC in exchange for a scholarship and job for his son. He has pleaded not guilty. His trial is set for Nov. 15. Former USC dean Marilyn Flynn, who provided the scholarship to Bass, pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of bribery in the Ridley-Thomas case. The U.S. attorneys office told The Times earlier this month that, "at this time," Bass was not a target or a subject of our offices investigation. Though the Los Angeles mayor's race is technically nonpartisan, the issue of party affiliation has been pushed to the forefront by Bass and her campaign. In response to a question, the congresswoman said Caruso had been a Republican for decades, then an independent, and then a Republican again. He registered near the outset of the current campaign as a Democrat. "That's the problem," Bass said. "You just keep going back and forth like that." Bass sought to draw that distinction from the very outset of the debate. Asked about the biggest difference between her and Caruso, she described herself as "a lifelong pro-choice Democrat." Caruso acknowledged that he had shifted back to the Republican party in 2016 to support former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, whom he viewed as the only viable Republican who could stop Donald Trump from winning the party's presidential nomination. "I never supported Trump. I never gave him a dime," Caruso said. He also noted that he had contributed to many Democrats, including Bass herself. He said the congresswoman had unfairly compared him to Trump in the past. "When you asked me for donations, I supported you," Caruso said. "And did you think I was Donald Trump when I was writing you a check?" Caruso also hit Bass for an incident earlier this month when burglars broke into her Baldwin Vista home and stole two .38-caliber revolvers. He asked a series of questions, wondering whether the guns were safely stored, as Bass said they were "There are two guns on the street now. And we have terrible gun violence in the city of Los Angeles," Caruso said, demanding more answers from Bass about the incident. Bass retorted that she was stunned that Caruso would lay blame on her when she had been the victim of a crime and when she had previously called him to offer her concern about a burglary committed at the Grove, the upscale shopping center he owns. "I think this is an act of desperation, Rick," Bass said. The candidates also addressed policy issues that voters say they care most about. On public safety, Bass reiterated her intention to bring the LAPD back to its previously authorized staffing of 9,700 officers and said she would move more police into the streets by getting them out of desk jobs. Caruso has called for a bigger buildup, to 11,000 officers, which would be an all-time high for the force. That would be an expensive and difficult task, as the force has slipped to just 9,200 officers, a dip of 800 officers in the past few years. On homelessness, Caruso and Bass reiterated their previous plans hers to create 15,000 units of housing and his to supply 30,000 units for the unhoused within 300 days of taking office. She would build new shelter beds to accommodate about 1,000 people, expand use of housing vouchers, lease and buy motels and hotels and try other approaches. The price tag in the first year would be $292 million, including construction costs and operating expenses for shelter beds. Carusos plan would cost an estimated $843 million in the first year, to build or acquire the housing and prepare it for occupancy. He declined to estimate the operating expenses for housing 30,000 people, but a previous Times analysis of city documents found that it would cost about $660 million a year, or about $22,000 per person. Caruso said Bass's plan seemed to be more of the same. "The population has grown 80% during Karen Bass' term in office," Caruso said. Caruso said he would use his knowledge as a developer to help streamline the city's bureaucracy and make it easier to build new housing. He said he would focus on both temporary and permanent structures, after declaring a state of emergency on homelessness. Caruso also repeatedly suggested that his business experience would be crucial in solving homelessness and other problems. When Bass said she would hire a deputy mayor for business, he responded: I don't need a deputy mayor for business, I know business. Given the Supreme Court's ruling striking down Roe vs. Wade, leaving abortion rights to be decided by the states, the candidates were asked if that should be an issue in the campaign. Bass said it should. Even if the city is not directly involved in administering healthcare, she said that the issue is "a question of values." Caruso whose past donations to anti-abortion politicians have been a subject of frequent attacks during the race insisted: I am pro-choice, I always have been. Updates: 3:44 p.m. Sept. 22, 2022: An earlier version of this article said the U.S. Supreme Court had outlawed abortion. The court struck down Roe vs. Wade, saying the Constitution does not protect the right to an abortion and returning the question of abortion rights to the states. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Ben & Jerrys is using its popular ice cream to encourage voter turnout in Black communities. The ice cream company announced Tuesday that it was rebranding its Change Is Brewing ice cream flavor, debuting a new look and focus. Instead of its racial justice reform initiative, the mission of Change Is Brewing will be to help protect voting rights and encourage young Black voter turnout ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm elections. The rebranded ice cream is being distributed at historically Black colleges and universities and in large cities and rural communities across Southern states as part of the Black Voters Matter Funds We Wont Black Down tour, which kicked off Sept. 14. The ultimate goal is for us to really be able to build a nation of democracy that we both desire and that we deserve, said LaTosha Brown, a co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund. As with the initial launch for Change Is Brewing, Ben & Jerrys collaborated with Black entrepreneurs for the rebranding. It hired multidisciplinary artist Laci Jordan, who designed the ice cream container, and tapped BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages for the ice creams coffee ingredients. The limited-time dessert, which is expected to hit shelves in the next few weeks, is a mix of cold brew coffee, marshmallows and fudge brownie pieces. Some companies have faced backlash for incorporating Black culture and initiatives into their products. In May, Walmart was criticized after the release of its Juneteenth-themed ice cream, which many on social media called out as a form of cultural appropriation. With the Change Is Brewing initiative, however, Ben & Jerrys co-founder Jerry Greenfield said, the focus isnt to make sales but to support the Black community. Were trying to partner with people that are doing the work and not taking advantage of anything, Greenfield said. The companys involvement in voting rights and racial justice initiatives for the Black community isnt new. In 2016, Ben & Jerrys tapped the Rev. William Barber II, a prominent social activist, to help launch its Empower Mint flavor, which aimed to create awareness about North Carolinas voter ID law. Greenfield said that theres still more work to be done and that he hopes the We Wont Black Down tour will counter those setting up roadblocks for Black voters. Story continues In the current political climate, there are a lot of burdens that are being thrown to make it more difficult for people to vote, Greenfield said, and were trying to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to have their vote counted. Brown said giving the Change Is Brewing ice cream out to marginalized communities helps engage voters and allows for conversations about important topics that are concerns of many Black voters, like the cost of living and health care. She said her organization is fighting voting restrictions the closing of polling sites in places like Georgia. You would be amazed at how powerful ice cream is in terms of a discussion for people to talk about what they care about, Brown said. What their fears are. What their desires are. The We Wont Black Down tour is headed to North Carolina and Texas next. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Ben & Jerrys is using its popular ice cream to encourage voter turnout in Black communities. The ice cream company announced Tuesday the rebranding of its signature Change Is Brewing ice cream flavor, debuting a new look and focus. Instead of its racial justice reform initiative, the mission of Change Is Brewing will be to help protect voting rights and encourage young, Black voter turnout ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm elections. The rebranded ice cream is being distributed at historically Black colleges and universities and in large cities and rural communities across Southern states as part of the Black Voters Matter Funds We Wont Black Down tour, which kicked off Sept. 14. The ultimate goal is for us to really be able to build a nation of democracy that we both desire, and that we deserve, said LaTosha Brown, co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund. Like the initial launch for Change Is Brewing, Ben & Jerrys collaborated with Black entrepreneurs for the rebranding. It hired multidisciplinary artist Laci Jordan, who designed the ice cream container, and tapped BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages for the ice creams coffee ingredients. The limited-time dessert, which is expected to hit shelves in the next few weeks, is a mix of cold brew, marshmallows and fudge brownie pieces. This rebrand comes after some companies have faced backlash for incorporating Black culture and initiatives into their products. In May, Walmart received criticism following the release of its Juneteenth-themed ice cream, which many on social media called out as a form of cultural appropriation. With the Change Is Brewing initiative, however, Ben & Jerrys co-founder Jerry Greenfield said the focus is not to make sales, but to support the Black community. Were trying to partner with people that are doing the work and not taking advantage of anything, Greenfield said. The ice cream companys involvement in voting rights and racial justice initiatives for the Black community is not new. In 2016, Ben & Jerrys tapped social activist and minister the Rev. William Barber II to help launch its Empower Mint flavor, which aimed to create awareness about North Carolinas voter ID law. Greenfield said theres still more work to be done and that he hopes the We Wont Black Down tour will counter those setting up roadblocks for Black voters. Story continues In the current political climate, there are a lot of burdens that are being thrown to make it more difficult for people to vote, Greenfield said, and were trying to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to have their vote counted. Meanwhile, Brown said giving the Change Is Brewing ice cream out to marginalized communities helps engage voters and allows for conversations on important topics, like the cost of living and health care that are concerns of many Black voters. She also said her organization is fighting against voting restrictions, seen in places like Georgia through the closing of polling sites. You would be amazed at how powerful ice cream is in terms of a discussion for people to talk about what they care about, Brown said. What their fears are. What their desires are. The We Wont Black Down tour is headed to North Carolina and Texas next. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Hurricane Fiona is forecast to come about 100 miles west of Bermuda after leaving behind a trail of devastation in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Hurricane Fiona first crashed into the extreme southwestern coast of Puerto Rico on Sunday afternoon as a Category 1 storm, blasting parts of the island with 70-80 mph winds and rainfall measured in feet. After making landfall in Puerto Rico, Hurricane Fiona also barreled toward the Dominican Republic and made a second landfall there early Monday morning. As its path continued, on Tuesday, Hurricane Fiona blasted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a Category 3 storm. Many people in Bermuda are now crossing their fingers that they will not experience the full wrath of the strengthening Category 4 storm. HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER ON TV FOX Weather multimedia journalist Robert Ray spoke to locals and tourists about how they are preparing for Fiona, which is expected to bring 40- to 50-foot swells and impact Bermuda starting on Thursday and into Friday. The cone of uncertainty for Hurricane Fiona, a powerful Category 4 hurricane as of September 21, 2022. Many residents and tourists have already left the island, and airlines have shut down their operations to and from the island starting this afternoon. Ray reported that some hotels have shut down their operations for the next few days, waiting for Fiona to pass. In fact, the Bermuda government is urging people to reconsider their travel options in Bermuda. However, others shared a different level of concern. Ray reported that his flight from the United States to Bermuda was full. He also spoke with a tourist who arrived on the island on Friday and who had no plans to leave. Some locals shared a similar sentiment and noted their focus on storm preparations. "We're just going to get the outskirt [of Fiona] -- some, like more or less," said one resident. "We're going to get some little lightning and thunder and a little more rain and stuff." "Get yourself some batteries and water and couple cans of stuff," he added. "If the generators running, now you should be okay." Story continues Another Bermuda resident noted the importance of preparation. Sandbags lay at the doorstep of a building in St. George's, Bermuda. "We're lucky in that we have water for our home use is under our house in a tank," said Susie Hall. "So as long as you have a bucket and a rope and you can dip your tank to use it for your household needs, you're all set to go." "Everybody's pretty well-prepared they've got either gas stoves or they got a gas barbecue so, we're always ready," she added. "But the infrastructure here is admirable, I have to say." Bermuda, being out in the middle of the Atlantic, may seem vulnerable to hurricanes. However, only six have ever made landfall on the island nation since record-keeping began in the 19th century, and the last direct hit from a hurricane occurred in 2003, according to Ray. Fiona is forecast to continue north or north-northeastward beyond its close brush with Bermuda and threaten the Canadian Maritimes from late Friday into the weekend. Democrat Beto ORourke has denounced the bussing or flying of migrants from states like Texas and Florida, to locations such as Marthas Vineyard, as cruel and unkind. Appearing on the The Daily Show with host Trevor Noah, it was pointed out to Mr ORourke that polls showed that a majority of Texans support the actions of Texas governor Greg Abbott, and Floridas Ron DeSantis. I actually think this extremism that we see in our current governor and government in Texas, is reflective of the fact that we have a badly broken democracy, said Mr ORourke, who is challenging Mr Abbott for the governors job. Seven million Texans did not vote in the last election. Mr ORourke said the opinion polls may reflect an immigration system that is broken, and that people feel the need to do something. What I propose is instead of these stunts, which are so cruel and unkind, not just to those migrants, but to those of us who live in Texas, to the border patrol agents, who we put on their backs this entire immigration system that is so badly broken he said. What if instead, we had a Texas based guest worker programme or the ability to join family and not wait 20 years in line? He added: What if Texas led the way in rewriting our immigration laws to reflect our values, our interests and our needs, and we said, Look, if you want to come to this country, you must follow our laws, but our laws will follow our values. I want Texas to lead on that. A sheriff in Texas is currently investigating last weeks migrant flights, which Mr DeSantis chartered to move immigrants from the southern border to Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts. Florida taxpayers footed the bill for two planes to fly about 50 Venezuelans to the island, a move denounced by Democrats but supported by many Republicans, including Mr Abbott who has been bussing migrants to places such as Washington DC. Story continues Polls show Mr ORourke, 49, trailing Mr Abbott, 64, by as much as nine points, and many commentators feel the former congressman will not be able to repeat the kind of turn-out he managed in 2018, when he narrowly managed to beat incumbent Republican senator Ted Cruz. Mr ORourke has claimed that his numbers will be boosted by Mr Abbotts embrace of some of the harshest anti-abortion rules in in the nation. He thinks that women of all political stripes will come out, along with men who oppose Mr Abbotts hardline views. Instead of succumbing to the temptation to despair or submitting to this, Texans are rising up and theyre volunteering on this campaign, Mr ORourke said on Wednesday nights show. Theyre knocking on doors. Theyre turning out in record numbers and theyre going to win this election in November, which is really a referendum on all these issues - are we going to be defined by this extremism and our hatred and the way that we make each other afraid of one another? Are we going to come together and do big things together. Texas governor candidate Beto ORourke called Republican incumbent Greg Abbotts migrant busing program cruel and unkind during an appearance on The Daily Show. ORourke, the Democratic nominee challenging Abbott in Novembers election, weighed in on the governors controversial busing of migrantsfrom Texas to other states to protest White House immigration policies. Other Democrats also have castigated Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for exploiting migrants as political props. The Daily Show host Trevor Noah pointed out that ORourke appears out of step with the majority of Texans on topics like busing migrants. Youre against that, youve spoken out against it multiple times, but more than 50% of Texans go, Yeah, this is the right move because it sends a message to Washington, Noah said. ORourke explained that Abbotts extremism reflects the fact that we have a badly broken democracy. He denounced Abbotts migrant busing stunts as so cruel and unkind, and proposed policy solutions to address immigration, such as a Texas-based guest worker program. What if Texas led the way in rewriting our immigration laws to reflect our values, our interests and our needs, and we said, Look, [if] you want to come to this country, you must follow our laws, but our laws will follow our values, ORourke said. I want Texas to lead on that. Watch ORourke on The Daily Show below. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... President Biden announced a "100% federal funding" commitment to help Puerto Rico with disaster relief following Hurricane Fiona. Hurricane Fiona made contact with Puerto Rico on Sunday, September 18th causing immense damage with intense rainfall and winds. The hurricane comes 5 years after Hurricane Maria decimated the island and killed around 3,000 people. Luckily, Hurricane Fiona is looking to be less deadly, but the hurricane destroyed an already unsteady infrastructure, primarily affecting the power grid, leaving millions of people without electricity. BIDEN: Im announcing today that I've authorized 100%, 100% of federal funding for debris removal, search-and-rescue, power and water restoration, shelter and food for the whole month, 100%. There's no cost at all, Governor, to you. I mean there's a significant cost, I know emotional cost and others but whether it's a 100% funding for dirt and debris removal, search-and-rescue, power and water restoration, and shelter and food for the month. President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Puerto Rico as it reels from Hurricane Fiona, Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said Wednesday. The declaration will grant access to emergency individual and public assistance for residents affected by the storm. The administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Deanne Criswell, began touring affected communities in Puerto Rico on Tuesday, conducting initial damage assessments to support the governor's request. Image: Puerto Rico Hurricane Fiona (Stephanie Rojas / AP) Official estimates on the damage caused by Fiona will come later as government personnel visit more communities and experts quantify the loss, Criswell said at a news conference Wednesday. "Now that we find ourselves responding to Fiona, we're going to have an opportunity" to rebuild damaged roads and bridges in a more resilient way "so that they can withstand future impacts," Criswell said. About 41% of all water service customers, or over 520,000, still did not have water access as of Wednesday morning, according to Puerto Ricos Water and Sewage Authority. A larger number of Puerto Ricans also remain without electricity. Heavy rains from the hurricane have resulted in landslides, destroying roads and leaving dozens of families stranded across many towns. Puerto Rico's Emergency Management Commissioner Nino Correa said at the news conference that his agency is working on helping stranded families in the towns of Salinas, Moca, Villalba, Orocovis, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Yauco and Utuado. Fiona's torrential rains have overflown rivers and small streams, causing "turbulence" in the bodies of water where consumers get their water supply from, Pierluisi said. "It would be irresponsible to provide water service to customers when the water is not safe to drink," he said. Waiting for electricity Most of the nearly 1.5 million power customers were still without electricity after an islandwide blackout was reported Sunday about an hour before Hurricane Fionas eye neared the southwestern coast. Story continues As of early Wednesday afternoon, about 395,000 customers had their electricity restored, which represents roughly 27% of all customers, according to Luma Energy, the company in charge of power transmission and distribution in Puerto Rico. "In the south, there is significantly more damage that will take more time to restore," Pierluisi said in Spanish during the news conference. Image: Hurricane Fiona Puerto Rico (Stephanie Rojas / AP) Even the mayor of one of those southern towns hit the hardest by Fiona estimates it could take two to three months to bring power back to his community, judging by the damage he saw Monday. I do hope Im wrong, Jayson Martinez, the mayor of Lajas and a former power line worker, said in an interview with Telemundo Puerto Rico. At least five deaths have been reported in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. One man was dragged by the current of an overflowed river, and two others had accidents with generators. Two other people are believed to have died of natural causes in shelters; however, officials are waiting for the Institute of Forensic Sciences to confirm that. Lessons to be learned from Maria? Hurricane Fiona is the first major hurricane to directly hit Puerto Rico since it was ravaged by Hurricane Maria five years ago. On Wednesday, leaders of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights said they don't want FEMA to repeat the same mistakes made during the response to Hurricane Maria five years ago, now that Puerto Rico is transitioning from the emergency response phase to the recovery phase after Fiona. The commission on Wednesday released a 900-page report examining FEMAs compliance with federal civil rights laws and policies when it responded to Hurricane Maria. The report was the first time the commission had looked into the civil rights implications of disaster response in its 65-year history. Commissioner Michael Yaki said the report shows how FEMA "fell short in a number of situations," such as responding in a culturally competent way, providing resources in Spanish and appropriately attending the needs of residents with disabilities or serious health conditions, among other issues. "With regard to Hurricane Maria, the people of Puerto Rico, we believe, were treated in a manner inconsistent with the mandate toward equality, fairness and impartiality," Yaki said. Another commissioner, Debo Adegbile, said that while it's too early to assess the full extent of Fiona's damage and the subsequent federal response, "what we are witnessing is reminiscent of what we witnessed when Maria devastated the island five years ago." Some of the recommendations made by the commission include: increasing collaboration across federal agencies, local governments, and aid organizations as well as focusing on survivors with the greatest needs and streamline the process for residents applying for aid. Follow NBC Latino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration on Wednesday for Puerto Rico, unlocking additional federal assistance as island residents navigate the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona. Gov. Pedro Pierluisi had asked the Biden administration on Tuesday for an expedited declaration, two days after Fiona pelted the island with heavy rainfall and knocked out its fragile power grid. This ensures that [Puerto Rico] will have access to additional help from FEMA to recover from the damage caused by Fiona, the governor said in a tweet Wednesday, thanking the president and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Biden approved an emergency declaration on Sunday. But the major disaster declaration allows FEMA to directly help individuals pay for temporary housing and home repairs, provide low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and pay for other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the storm. Federal funds are also now available to Puerto Rico on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures as well as hazard mitigation measures. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday asked the FEMA administrator to prepare for the federal government to cover all costs for emergency protective services conducted in Puerto Rico rather than asking the territory to bear any of the costs. Puerto Ricos government doesnt have the money to lay it out, and the people are suffering and they are our fellow citizens, Schumer said on Tuesday. Power outages continue to affect the island, with LUMA Energy, the private company managing Puerto Ricos grid, saying it has restored power to 376,000 of its 1.5 million customers as of Wednesday morning. All across Puerto Rico, damage assessment, reenergization, and restoration efforts continue as LUMA, in coordination with [the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority], works around the clock to overcome the damages of Hurricane Fiona, Abner Gomez, LUMAs public safety manager, said in a statement Wednesday. We are continuing critical initial aerial inspections of the islands transmission system, clearing debris, processing repairs and restoring power to customers as quickly and safely as possible. Story continues FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is on the ground in Puerto Rico assessing damage alongside Pierluisi and coordinating emergency response with the governor's administration. This storm is personal to FEMA, she said at a press conference Wednesday. We have hundreds of Puerto Rican employees and when Fiona impacted the island, she impacted FEMA too." But officials with a group of community organizations across Puerto Rico on Wednesday criticized the pace of the recovery and launched the Fiona Community Response Fund to raise money. They noted that many Puerto Rico residents still do not have basic services, including nearly two-thirds of residents who lack drinking water. Floodwaters are still inundating new parts of the island, said Jose Diaz Perez, who works with Casa Tallaboena, a community organization that helps individuals living in neighborhoods in the community of Penuelas. That community is in the southern part of Puerto Rico where the heaviest rainfall occurred. Places that never got flooded before are now being flooded," he said. Its unbelievable that after Hurricane Maria, after these earthquakes, that we still have these same problems, he said. But Jose Reyes, the Puerto Rico adjutant general who commands the islands Army and Air National Guard units, said Tuesday that he saw a really big difference in government preparations for Hurricane Maria in 2017 compared with those efforts ahead of Fiona. I see a very robust state-federal coordination prior and during the emergency, he said. And I see the results because its more expedited support for the people of Puerto Rico where its needed, more synchronized instead of stepping on somebodys toes. A feud over whether and how to shift Puerto Rico toward wind, solar and other renewable power is one factor in the years of wrangling over the direction of the territorys energy policies. The American Red Cross said Wednesday during a news conference with FEMA officials that some residents were benefiting from an initiative that installed solar panels and battery systems at about 150 schools at a cost of $40 million after 2017's Hurricane Maria. Now, after Fiona, more than 50 of these schools are being used as shelters. Hurricane Fiona was a Category 1 storm when it dropped about 30 inches of rain on the southern part of Puerto Rico, although it has since intensified to a major Category 4 storm after battering the Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos on its way toward Bermuda. FEMA Assistant Administrator for Recovery Keith Turi said Wednesday that the agency does not have an official estimate of the damage in Puerto Rico yet. He also warned of continuing hazards on the island, including mud and rockslides, additional rainfall and extreme heat. Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist for AccuWeather, said that the risk of additional slides will continue for the next several days because the ground has been loosened. Mudslides can cause major property and additional infrastructure damage and delay aid to people in need in remote areas, he added. AccuWeather has projected the economic impact from Fiona on Puerto Rico to be about $10 billion, equivalent to 10 percent of the island's GDP, an estimate that includes the effects of the power outage, job losses and loss of tourism. But I still dont think we have a good sense of the impacts in some of the most rural areas, Porter said. Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical wave near the southern Windward Islands that it says has a 90 percent chance of becoming a tropical depression or stronger as it moves toward the west-northwestward in the next five days. It said the Air Force Reserve was beginning reconnaissance flights of the system, which will aid forecasters trying to assess whether it poses a potential threat to the U.S. or other countries. The good news for Puerto Rico is it looks like the threat from the next system is going to be well south of Puerto Rico," Porter added. Marcia Brown contributed to this report. The president and vice president will address the expected 3,000 participants during CBCFs Annual Leadership Conference on matters of race and other national issues impacting Black communities. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver a tag team address at the Phoenix Awards dinner hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation at its 51st Annual Leadership Conference on Oct. 1, theGrio reports exclusively. Before an audience of nine families that are benefiting from the new Child Tax Credit, U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris deliver remarks on the day tens of millions of parents will get their first monthly payments in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on July 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) The president and vice presidents dual speeches are expected to highlight the achievements of the Biden-Harris administration on matters of race and other national issues impacting Black communities, according to a White House official. Harris will be the first of the duo to address the expected crowd of 3,000, including her former colleagues on Capitol Hill and fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus, who she closely worked with as a former United States Senator from the state of California. The vice president is expected to touch on hot-button topics like abortion and the importance of maintaining American democracy. With 47 days left until the midterm elections on Nov. 8, the White House is keenly aware of how crucial the Black vote is, as African Americans are a strong, loyal voting bloc for the Democratic Party. Black voters have also held the Biden-Harris administration accountable for keeping its campaign promises on matters of voting rights and police reform, among other issues. The annual CBC week, as it is popularly called, is said to be the nations leading public policy conference. This years Annual Leadership Conference (ALC) will offer 100 in-person forums that will bring together lawmakers, business leaders, celebrities, concerned citizens, and others to discuss issues that impact Black communities, including education, economic development, voting rights, civic engagement, as well as social and environmental justice. Reverend Al Sharpton (c) speaks onstage during the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conferences Phoenix Awards Dinner at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) The CBC addresses from President Biden and Vice President Harris at the Phoenix Awards dinner will build on some of the administrations most recent and publicized White House meetings with Black leaders. As theGrio previously reported, Biden recently met with civil rights leaders to discuss a range of topics like voting rights, policing, and water infrastructure following the crisis in Jackson, Mississippi. A separate meeting took place between Harris and Black leaders on abortion and reproductive health. Story continues On Thursday, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Biden senior advisor Keisha Lance Bottoms are meeting with Historically Black College and University (HBCU) scholars, as part of a pattern of the administrations outreach to the Black community. Last week, the White House held a first-ever, day-long summit on ending hate-fueled violence and extremism, which was planned in response to a host of violent attacks, including the murder of nine African Americans inside a grocery store in Buffalo, New York earlier this year. At the United We Stand summit, President Biden emphasized the need to crack down on domestic violence and called out social media companies for their part in fostering hate online. U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the United We Stand Summit in the East Room of the White House on September 15, 2022 in Washington, DC.(Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Meanwhile, the annual CBCF dinner one of the hot tickets in the Washington, D.C. social scene will take place as President Biden is enjoying a bump in his job approval rating (44%) based on a recent Gallup poll. Despite his poll number dropping to an all-time low of 38% in months prior, the presidents approval rating saw an improvement after announcing his student debt forgiveness program and an updated booster vaccine for COVID-19. Bidens new approval rating is similar to prior presidents like Ronald Reagan at this same time in their presidencies. As for Harris, the vice presidents speech comes as her visibility has increased. The nations first Black female number two is personally wanting to connect more with communities and stakeholders and has seen an increased volume in her travels and meetings hosted at the White House. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Biden and Harris to deliver remarks at Congressional Black Caucus Foundations Phoenix Awards appeared first on TheGrio. NEW YORK (AP) President Joe Biden pledged on Thursday in his first face-to-face meeting with new Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to work to strengthen relations with the Pacific nation after what he said had been some rocky times in the past. Meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, the leaders discussed tensions in the South China Sea, the long-standing security relationship between the United States and the Philippines, stresses to the global economy and food security caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and other issues. Biden also noted that the Philippines was among U.S. allies to quickly condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Weve had some rocky times, but the fact is its a critical, critical relationship, from our perspective. I hope you feel the same way, Biden said at the start of the meeting. The relationship hit bumps during the presidency of Marcos predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. Human rights groups say Dutertes war on drugs resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings. According to human rights groups, virtually all the killings, carried out by police and armed vigilantes, occurred without due process, and the vast majority of victims were unarmed, poor low-level offenders. The U.S. government has suspended counter-narcotics assistance to the Philippine National Police since 2016. The White House in a statement said that the leaders discussed the importance of respect for human rights. Thursday's talks come amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and China over America's Taiwan policy. The One China policy recognizes Beijing as the government of China but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taiwan. China claims the self-ruled island as its own. Marcos, the son and namesake of the countrys former dictator, took office in June. He has said he wants to pursue closer ties with China, which has also sought to court him. Biden has put a premium on improving relations with Pacific nations in the early going of his presidency. He sees a rising China as the most threatening economic and national security adversary to the United States. Story continues Marcos underscored to Biden that the Philippines is your partners, we are your allies, we are your friends. He also thanked the U.S. for its massive assistance during the pandemic, including sharing COVID-19 vaccines, and for its role in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The role of the United States in maintaining the peace in our region is something that is much appreciated by all the countries in the region, and the Philippines, especially," Marcos said. He added, The 100-plus-year-old relationship between the Philippines and the U.S. continues to evolve as we face the challenges of this new century." Before Marcos took office earlier this year, Kurt Campbell, coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the White House National Security Council, acknowledged that historical considerations could present challenges to the relationship with Marcos Jr. That appeared to be a reference to long-standing litigation in the United States against the estate of his father, Ferdinand Marcos. A U.S. appeals court in 1996 upheld damages of about $2 billion against the elder Marcos estate for the torture and killings of thousands of Filipinos. The court upheld a 1994 verdict of a jury in Hawaii, where he fled after being forced from power in 1986. He died there in 1989. The elder Marcos placed the Philippines under martial law in 1972, a year before his term was to expire. He padlocked the country's congressional and newspaper offices, ordered the arrest of many political opponents and activists and ruled by decree. Marcos Jr. has bristled at critics who have branded his father a dictator. He's also repeated his fathers justification that martial law was necessary to fight growing Muslim and communist insurgencies. It was necessary to in my fathers view at the time to declare martial law because a war was really raging already at the time, he said in a recent interview with ALLTV. The Biden administration has sought to build strong relations with the younger Marcos administration. The two leaders have had good engagement at the cabinet level, according to the White House. ___ For more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos on Thursday discussed the importance of free navigation in the South China Sea, where Beijing is exerting its influence. "The leaders discussed the situation in the South China Sea and underscored their support for freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of disputes," the White House said in a readout. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; writing by Costas Pitas; Editing by Caitlin Webber) President Biden on Thursday said he has an expedited major disaster declaration to provide relief to communities in Puerto Rico and authorized funding for recovery efforts days after Hurricane Fiona ravaged the island, causing nearly everyone to lose power. Speaking to Puerto Rican officials, Biden said the federal government will assist the island territory, which had not fully recovered from Hurricane Maria in 2017 when Fiona made landfall Sunday. Part of the declaration calls for full funding for one month for power and water restoration, debris removal, search-and-rescue efforts, and shelter and food, he said. He noted to Puerto Rican Gov. Pedro Pierluisi that "we don't view this as some distant problem." "We are with you," Biden said during a virtual briefing with Puerto Rican and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) officials and Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York Mayor Eric Adams. "We are not just going to walk away." HURRICANE FIONA BARRELS TOWARD BERMUDA, WARNINGS ISSUED New York and other northeastern states with large Puerto Rican populations have also pledged to send aid to the island. "We call Puerto Rico our sixth borough, and as Hurricane Fiona leaves behind a path of destruction, our administration stands ready to provide all of the support and aid our brothers and sisters need," Adams tweeted Tuesday. As of Thursday, at least eight people were reported dead in the Caribbean as the island experienced torrential rain, mudslides and flooding. Fiona made landfall early this week leaving many without power. Power was returned to some but much of the island still lacks electricity. Puerto Rico had still not yet recovered from the devastating impact of 2017's Hurricane Maria when the most recent storm arrived. Nearly 3,000 people died on the island from the 2017 storm, officials said. The federal government's response in 2017 was heavily criticized despite President Trump touting the success of his administration's recovery efforts. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol reaffirmed their commitment in a meeting on Wednesday to strengthen their countries' alliance and cooperate closely "to address the threat posed by North Korea", the White House said. Biden and Yoon also discussed their countries' ongoing cooperation on a broad range of issues including supply chain resilience, economic and energy security and climate change, the White House said in a statement. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. (Reporting by Chris Gallagher; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) TasfotoNL / Shutterstock.com Everyone has a different preference when it comes to where they want to retire. While some prefer the cozy atmosphere and quiet evenings that accompany life in a small town, others prefer the tall buildings, bright lights and vibrant atmosphere that accompany retirement in a big city. Discover: 8 Purchases Retirees Almost Always Regret Learn: 7 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Reach Your Retirement Goals A recent GOBankingRates survey offered some insight on where people prefer to retire. Keep reading to find out where the majority of Americans are looking to retire, as well as Realtors recommendations for the best small towns and big cities to consider. 26% of Americans Are Looking To Retire in Small Towns The survey revealed that 26% of Americans are seeking out small towns to retire in. Small towns beat out beach towns (19%) and big cities (10%) and received more replies than where I am currently living (23%) and near family (16%), though many of those places very well could be small towns. Surprisingly, the majority of respondents looking to retire in small towns are on the younger side: 33% of Americans ages 18 to 24 responded in this way. The numbers dwindle a bit with age, as 24% of Americans ages 25 to 34 are looking to retire in small towns, 30% of those ages 35 to 44, 26% of people ages 45 to 54 and 24% of those 55 to 64. A mere 15% of people over 65 are interested in retiring in small towns (but 44% stated where they currently live and 19% said near family, which could be small towns in some cases). When looking at retirement in small towns by gender, there is also a slight divide. Our survey revealed that 28% of men stated interest in retiring in small towns, compared to 24% of women. Take Our Poll: Do You Think You Will Be Able To Retire at Age 65? 10% of Americans Want To Retire in Big Cities Small-town life isnt for everyone. Our survey also revealed that 10% of Americans are looking to retire in big cities, apparently craving plenty of social opportunities during this life phase. Story continues Millennials were the age group most likely to cite big cities, with 17% of the 25-34 age group and 13% of the 35-44 set. Gen X and baby boomers had little interest in big cities, preferring small towns, beach towns, their current locations and places close to family. More men expressed interest in retiring in big cities than women, 12% to 7%. The Pros and Cons of Retiring in a Big City While being surrounded by social opportunities, lots of activities and the buzz of a big city may sound appealing, is retiring in a big city worth the higher cost of living? One of the pros of retiring to a big city is that more activities and social opportunities are available, said Rinal Patel, co-founder and licensed Realtor at We Buy Philly Home. There are also more job opportunities and healthcare options available in a big city. You can also find a greater variety of housing options. However, living in a big city can also be expensive, and it can be difficult to get around if you dont have a car. It may also be a bit hard to find a sense of community in a big city. Affordable Big Cities for Retirees To Consider You can still enjoy your retirement in a big city without feeling the financial strain. Niches list of the Best Cities to Retire features affordable cities with populations over 250,000, and one might be a good fit for you. According to Niche, one of the most ideal big cities for retirees is St. Petersburg, Florida. The city has a bustling retirement population, with 18% over age 65, and the median home value falls at $182,900. Those seeking out a low cost of living in a city featuring a wide array of activities should be sure to consider Plano, Texas. About 13% of the citys residents are over 65, and the median home value is $291,300. This city has many experiences to offer its residents, including the Arbor Hills Natural Preserve and the Interurban Railway Museum. If you dont mind warm summers, be sure to also consider Scottsdale, Arizona. This city features a median home value of $493,200, and 28% of the citys population are seniors. Scottsdale has a lot to offer its residents, as the city features bars, parks, coffee shops and amazing local eateries. The Pros and Cons of Retiring in a Small Town Retiring in a small town allows homeowners the luxury of a low cost of living and the opportunity to enjoy more space and privacy. It also offers lower pollution levels and starry night skies. If wide-open spaces and a more quaint feel are up your alley, you may want to consider a small town. However, there are downsides to life away from a big city. If you are a social butterfly and enjoy an on-the-go lifestyle, a small town might not be the best fit for you. There are often fewer job opportunities, limited recreational activities and more spread-out neighborhoods. Consider These Small Towns If you are considering retirement in a small town, you may want to consider one of these areas recommended by real estate professionals. New Braunfels, Texas, is a small town between Austin and San Antonio, and it has convenient access to both mentioned cities, said Sal Dimiceli Sr., owner and broker at Lake Geneva Area Realty. In 2021, the population of this small town was 98,857. The city celebrates a rich heritage with several annual festivals, including Wassailfest and Wurstfest. In this small town, you can take your grandchildren to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark, or to a safari through the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch and Caverns. You can also go to the Comal and Guadalupe rivers to experience their scenic beauty and to stay cool during the summer. If living in a small town just off Floridas Gulf Coast sounds up your alley, be sure to check out Fort Myers, Florida. Fort Myers is surrounded by palm trees and located along the Caloosahatchee River. The population in Fort Myers was 92,245 during 2021, which is a 6.8% increase from the previous years population, Dimiceli said. Thirty-five percent of this small towns total population is in the age range of 60 and older, which shows that this town is widely popular among elderly people. In 2022, Fort Myers was ranked as one of the top 10 cities on the U.S News list of best places to retire. The affordable housing cost in this city is one of the major reasons why this city is so popular for retirees to live on a budget. Methodology: GOBankingRates surveyed 997 Americans aged 18 and older from across the country between Aug. 9 and Aug. 11, 2022, asking 16 questions: (1) How much money do you currently have saved for retirement?; (2) How much money do you think youll need to retire?; (3) Realistically, at what age do you want to be retired?; (4) At what age did you start saving for retirement?; (5) What worries you financially about retirement? (Select all that apply); (6) Do you plan to work in retirement?; (7) What assets do you have in your retirement portfolio? (select all that apply); (8) How has the current inflation impacted your retirement plans?; (9) How much of your retirement do you plan to fund with Social Security?; (10) How do you feel about the future of Social Security when you retire?; (11) What percentage of your salary are you currently investing for retirement?; (12) Are you planning to move after your retirement?; (13) Where is your ideal place to retire?; (14) What government programs do you plan to use for your retirement? (select all that apply); (15) Do you have a pension plan?; and (16) How much do you think the average American has saved at the time they retire? GOBankingRates used PureSpectrums survey platform to conduct the poll. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Big City or Small Town? The Surprising Stats on Where Americans Want To Retire (Bloomberg) -- Red America complains BlackRock Inc. is too green. Now blue America is complaining its not green enough. Most Read from Bloomberg In another sign of how the nations fractious politics are intruding even on Wall Street, the comptroller of New York City warned in a Sept. 21 letter to BlackRock Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink that he was re-assessing the Big Apples business with BlackRock, the worlds largest asset management company. The reason: BlackRock abdicates responsibility in not pushing corporations to do more to combat global warming. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said hes become increasingly concerned that the firm, which manages $43 billion for three of the citys pension plans, is backtracking on its commitment to reduce carbon emissions. BlackRock declined to comment. BlackRocks advocacy of investing with environmental, social and governance, or ESG, goals has drawn fierce criticism this year from environmental advocates, who say the firm isnt doing enough. That view stands in sharp relief to that of Republican politicians across the country, who say the company is harming state economies and fossil fuel interests. In Texas, some conservative lawmakers are seeking to steer money away from BlackRock and other firms they deem harmful to oil and gas companies. BlackRock is the largest asset manager for three big NYC public pensions, managing about a quarter of their investments, according to Lander. In the letter, Lander also took issue with BlackRocks recent efforts to tout its investments in oil and gas in response to Republicans, who have criticized the firm for its advocacy of sustainable investing. Story continues The fundamental contradiction between BlackRocks statements and actions is alarming, Lander wrote in the letter. BlackRock must demonstrate a plan to use its position as the worlds largest asset manager, with all the corporate governance responsibilities that go along with that position, to move its portfolio companies to get their businesses in line with a net-zero economy. Lander asked BlackRock to publish a plan showing how it will achieve net-zero across its entire portfolio, show how it will work toward phasing out high-emitting assets and provide more transparency about how it engages with companies in which it invests. BlackRock, as the worlds largest asset manager, must begin to lead in deeds, not simply words, Lander said. We will be prudently reassessing our business relationships with all of our asset managers, including BlackRock, through the lens of our climate responsibilities. BlackRock has defended its backing of sustainable investing, saying that climate change is a top concern for its clients and a key risk to consider in financial decisions. Investors and companies that take a forward-looking position with respect to climate risk and its implications for the energy transition will generate better long-term financial outcomes, Dalia Blass, BlackRocks head of external affairs, said in a letter earlier this month in response to 19 Republican state attorneys general. These opportunities cut across the political spectrum. An ABC on ESG and the Kinds of Backlash Its Facing: QuickTake (Updates with BlackRock declining to comment in third paragraph and adds context throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Abortion has been a tough topic for Blake Masters, as it has been for a number of GOP candidates this cycle. Republicans want to make clear to their base that theyre with them, but they dont want to seem so extreme that they lose moderates and independents they need for November. A telling example of the line theyre trying to walk came this week from Masters, who is running for Senate in Arizona. On Tuesday, Masters went on a Phoenix-area radio show and said he supported a new Arizona law that bars abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Arizona has decided 15 weeks, with all the common exceptions, and Im not going to mess with that at the federal level, he said on The Gaydos and Chad Show. Masters made similar comments Wednesday on The Guy Benson Show. I always called for the repeal of Roe vs. Wade. Send that issue back to the states. Arizonas decided 15 weeks, with all the common exceptions. And I support that law, he said. Im not going to mess with that at the federal level. Republicans know that abortion exceptions in cases of rape, incest and to protect the health of the mother are incredibly popular with the public. But the Arizona abortion law that Masters says he supports does not have all those exceptions. That law which Masters claimed had all the common exceptions actually allows exceptions after 15 weeks only in cases of medical emergencies. There are no exceptions for rape and incest. Masters campaign did not return a request for comment clarifying his remarks. Masters has, quite frankly, been all over the place on abortion. In May, Masters was far more willing to talk about abortion than other GOP candidates. He said that at a minimum, abortion should be left up to the states but he wanted to go further and embraced a federal personhood law. I think the 14th Amendment says you have the right to life, liberty and property, he said at an event in Carefree, Arizona. You cant deprive someone with that without due process. Hard to imagine a bigger deprivation of due process than killing a small child before they have a chance to take their first breath. So I think you do need a federal personhood law. Story continues A federal personhood law would classify fertilized eggs, zygotes, embryos and fetuses as persons and give them full constitutional protections. It would criminalize all abortion, with no exceptions, and may also ban some forms of contraception. And in January, he chided his fellow Republicans for being unwilling to embrace a national abortion ban: What good is actually winning elections if you dont do what you promised to do when you get in? ... I dont think its enough to return it to the states. But since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Masters has been backtracking. He scrubbed his campaign website of language like Im 100% pro-life and now tries to portray himself as well within the mainstream of public views on abortion. Look, I support a ban on very late-term and partial-birth abortion, he said in August. And most Americans agree with that. That would just put us on par with other civilized nations. Doctors and medical experts have pushed back against using late-term to describe abortions, arguing that it has no basis in medical science. More recently, Masters said he would back Sen. Lindsey Grahams (R-S.C.) legislation imposing a nationwide ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. While a number of Republicans dont support exceptions for rape, incest and/or the health of the mother, many do in part because its more politically palatable. But these exceptions are very rare and often hard to secure. Guidelines for receiving an exception can be vague and difficult to justify. The Guttmacher Institute has also warned against focusing too much on abortion ban exceptions because it pits good abortions against bad ones. The reproductive rights organization says the best way to make sure pregnant people get the help they need is by removing abortion bans and restrictions entirely. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday demanded President Vladimir Putin be held to account as he faced Russia in a Security Council session in which the United Nations catalogued abuses in Ukraine. "The very international order we've gathered here to uphold is being shredded before our eyes," Blinken told the Security Council in a special session as leaders met at the United Nations. "We cannot -- we will not -- let President Putin get away with it," he said. Blinken accused Putin of adding "fuel to the fire" with recent steps including calling up reservists and planning referendums in Russian-held Ukrainian territory just as Kyiv made strong gains on the ground. The top US diplomat said it was critical to show that "no nation can redraw the borders of another by force." "If we fail to defend this principle when the Kremlin is so flagrantly violating it, we send the message to aggressors everywhere that they can ignore it, too." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov -- whom Blinken has refused to meet individually since the February invasion -- lashed out at Western accusations. "There's an attempt today to impose on us a completely different narrative about Russian aggression as the origin of this tragedy," Lavrov told the Security Council. He accused Ukraine of "Russophobia," including through its imposition of Ukrainian language rules. "The United States and their allies with the connivance of international human rights organizations have been covering the crimes of the Kyiv regime," Lavrov said. France, the current head of the Security Council, called the session to highlight the quest for accountability in Ukraine. "There is no peace without justice," French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told reporters. Opening the session, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the UN rights body has seen "a catalog of cruelty -- summary executions, sexual violence, torture and other inhumane and degrading treatment against civilians and prisoners of war. Story continues - 'Echoes of Nuremburg' - "All these allegations must be thoroughly investigated, to ensure accountability," he said, without directly pointing the finger at Russia. "Perpetrators must be held to account in fair and independent judicial proceedings. Victims and their families have a right to justice, remedy and reparation," Guterres said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing the General Assembly on Wednesday, demanded a special tribunal and "punishment" for Russia over its invasion and abuses. Highlighting evidence from Ukraine was Karim Khan, prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, which announced an investigation into possible war crimes just days after Russia invaded its neighbor in February. "In my view the echoes of Nuremburg should be heard today," he told the Security Council Thursday, referring to the German city where Nazi war crimes trials were held. Khan has traveled to Ukraine and visited the town of Bucha, where the discovery of dozens of bodies in the streets and in mass graves horrified the world. Moscow at the time dismissed the atrocities as fake, and on Thursday Lavrov said Ukraine's efforts to blame Russia for war crimes was a "propaganda operation." But Khan pushed back, telling the Security Council: "When I went to Bucha, and went behind St. Andrew's church, the bodies I saw were not fake." Ukraine's representative at the meeting, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, urged "solidarity and unity" of UN member states to help Kyiv fight Russian aggression. "The best way to prevent more Russian atrocities from happening is to provide Ukraine with more necessary weapons," he told reporters. Russia before the war forged closer ties with China. But the United States has welcomed what it sees as a cautious tone by China, which has not supplied significant military supplies to Moscow. "The priority is for the parties to resume dialogue without preconditions," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the session. sct-mlm/wd Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet this week with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the State Department said on Thursday. As part of our ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and manage competition responsibly, the Secretary will discuss a range of bilateral and global issues with the Peoples Republic of China State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the statement read. The meeting is set for Friday and comes after President Biden gave an emphatic yes when asked if U.S. forces would defend Taiwan if China invaded, in an interview with CBSs 60 minutes that aired on Sunday. The Chinese foreign ministry made a formal complaint, issuing stern representations following Bidens remarks, which the White House argued did not constitute a change in U.S. policy. China views any efforts by foreign governments to elevate relations with Taiwan as a red line and considers the self-governed island an inalienable part of the mainland. The U.S. position toward Taiwan, and Bidens repeated statements that American forces would defend the democratic island, have infuriated the Chinese. Relations between Washington and Beijing have continued to devolve over a host of security, military, geopolitical, economic and environmental issues. Blinken last met with Wang on July 9 in Bali, Indonesia, following a meeting of Group of 20 foreign ministers, where the two top diplomats emphasized the need to maintain communication on the most thorny issues. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A judge has set bond at $500,000 for a Palm Bay police officer who investigators say had sex with a 13-year-old girl while on duty. Sheridon Archer has since been fired from the department after working there for less than a year. Archer didnt say much before the judge Sunday, only asking to spell his name correctly on future documents. READ: FDLE: Central Florida police officer met 13-year-old girl for sex while on duty Police said as soon as they suspected something was going on, they reached out to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate. According to the arrest, warrant the 23-year-old used the apps Snapchat and MeetMe to contact the 13-year-old girl for most of August. Archer met the girl at her home for sex on two separate occasions while on duty, the report states. READ: Daytona Beach officer accused of choking man and mocking him during arrest The judge told Archer to have no contact with the victim or the victims family and no contact with anyone under the age of 18. He is also not allowed to return to the location. The judge also said Archer cannot have weapons, including firearms and ammunition. READ: Orlando police release sketch of person of interest in suspicious incident at Lake Nona park 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. (Bloomberg) -- Brazil, the second-largest shareholder of the Inter-American Development Bank, supports the removal of the lenders president amid an ethics probe into his role, according to a top government official from the South American nation. The administration of President Jair Bolsonaro sees the IDBs Mauricio Claver-Carone as being unable to continue leading the Washington-based bank after the investigation highlighted an alleged romantic relationship with a subordinate and apparent breaches of the banks rules, the official said, asking not to be identified because the governments position isnt public. The Brazilian government, which holds an 11.4% stake in the bank and together with the US and Argentina make up almost 53% of its voting power, expects a resolution of the case soon as Claver-Carone is losing internal support, according to the person. In order for Claver-Carone to be removed, the countries seeking his ouster would need a simple majority of voting shares. The ultimate decision would be made by the board of governors, mostly finance ministers from the governments to which the boards executive directors report, though they are expected to back the recommendation of the executive board. Brazils Economy Ministry, which oversees the relationship with the IDB, declined to comment, as did the press office of the IDB itself. The appointment of Claver-Carone, a former Trump administration official, to lead the development bank focused on Latin America opened a rift between the US and the region in 2020. He was the first US citizen to lead an institution traditionally presided over by a Latin American since its creation in 1959. While Brazil at the time supported his candidacy as part of a Bolsonaro-Trump agreement, the relationship between Claver-Carone and Economy Minister Paulo Guedes has been rocky, with clashes over the Brazilian representatives to the bank, the person said. Claver-Carone was expected to address the banks board on Thursday to respond to the allegations in a session with the institutions executive directors, Bloomberg News reported earlier. Story continues Read More: Trump-Picked Latin American Bank Chief to Address Board on Probe The former top Treasury adviser, International Monetary Fund representative and foreign-policy satellite radio host from Miami has mounted an aggressive defense to keep his job. In a statement posted Tuesday on the IDBs website, Claver-Carone said he fully cooperated with the investigation and asserted that it does not substantiate the false and anonymous allegations that were made against me or IDB staff in the press. He said the probe itself violated IDB rules because he and other IDB staff members didnt have a chance to review the final investigative report, respond to its conclusions, or correct inaccuracies. The investigation found evidence -- backed by handwriting analysis, divorce records and interviewee statements -- supporting the conclusion that the pair were in a romantic relationship prior to joining the Washington-based IDB in late 2020 and that the relationship may have continued during their employment at the bank, according to the Sept. 19 report prepared by law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP at the direction of the IDBs board. The probe also found that Claver-Carone took employment action to benefit the aide, raising her salary twice in less than a year for a cumulative 46% increase to more than $400,000. The report hasnt been made public but has been seen by Bloomberg. Neither Claver-Carone nor the aide fully cooperated with the probe, according to the report. Claver-Carone in interviews with Davis Polk in recent weeks denied ever having a romantic relationship with the aide, who declined to be interviewed for the investigation, according to the report. The person didnt respond to requests for comment. Read More: Latin America Development Bank Head Decries Personal Accusations In comments to Bloomberg, Claver-Carone said he was interviewed by investigators for more than seven hours and responded to many of their requests for information. He said the investigation failed to provide him with due process. The absence of basic fairness shows this process has been purely political, he said. Davis Polk didnt respond to requests for comment. The IDB, which is strategic to US influence in Latin America, loaned $23.5 billion last year, focusing on boosting economies and offering credit lines to buy Covid-19 vaccines for a region that was one of hardest hit globally by the pandemic. Nations experienced one of the worst economic contractions in their history in 2020, with millions losing jobs or fallen into poverty. (Updates with details of votes and investigation and Claver-Carones comments starting in fourth paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Liz Truss - MIKE SEGAR A Brexit deal looks more likely than not after Britain set a six-month deadline for negotiations over the Northern Ireland Protocol. The one thing Brexit deadlines have in common is that they are almost all missed. A deal to cut Irish Sea border checks, however, can be struck by the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in April. By setting the deadline, Liz Truss has taken the threat of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill off the table for now. The prospect of tearing up the treaty with the legislation enraged the EU, which said the move would break international law. The rhetoric from both sides has softened. London and Dublin have talked of a landing zone for the agreement. That lies somewhere between reducing checks enough to satisfy Britain while keeping enough safeguards to reassure Brussels that nothing not meeting EU standards crosses from Northern Ireland into Ireland. Both the UK and the EU have called for an express lane, where goods deemed not at risk of crossing into the Single Market in Ireland can avoid checks. The EU has offered a reduction in checks in exchange for the UK sharing market surveillance data on British goods entering Northern Ireland. A British IT system monitoring the cross-border trade is already built, but will need some tweaks to satisfy Brussels. An anti-Northern Ireland Protocol sign is seen close to Larne Port - Liam McBurney/PA Existing grace periods exempting chilled meat products, such as sausages, supermarket supplies and parcels from border checks can be made permanent. The EU has already changed its laws to ensure that Northern Ireland can continue to obtain cheaper generic drugs from the NHS. Ms Truss ruling out a UK-US trade deal in the near future also helps. Brussels had concerns over US produce that did not meet EU standards flooding into the UK and leaking across the Irish border from Northern Ireland into member state Ireland. The UK might now be willing to consider a deal to align UK and EU animal and plant health standards to each other, which would allow border checks to be cut by roughly 80 per cent. Story continues Such a Swiss-style SPS agreement was off the cards while the US trade deal was a prospect because the UK would have to diverge from EU rules to allow some US agricultural imports. The protocol was a footnote in the EUs official readout of talks between Ms Truss and Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York. Liz Truss met Ursula Von Der Leyen, the European Commission president, in New York this week - Stefan Rousseau/Reuters This fits with an established Brussels strategy of de-dramatisation to win space for negotiators ahead of talks. When the Commission and Downing Street go totally silent, then talks are in deadly earnest. Negotiations will still be difficult, and there will be bumps in the road. Political will and compromises will be needed from both sides to make the April deadline. As is traditional, a deal will probably only be done at the last minute. The clock is ticking again in Brexit, but it looks like it is already too late for Northern Ireland. The DUP refused to enter into power-sharing with Sinn Fein after its first ever victory in Northern Ireland Assembly elections in May until the Protocol is ripped up or replaced. The caretaker executive must be replaced by Oct 28, or fresh elections will be triggered. The deadline of next April for the protocol deal suggests Northern Ireland will face its second elections in eight months this Christmas. Assuming the deal is good enough for the DUP, Stormont could be up and running in April after 14 months in cold storage. There has been no fully functioning devolved government since February, when the DUP pulled out of Stormont in protest over the protocol. During that time its politicians, on full pay, have been unable to use devolved powers to tackle the longest NHS waiting lists in the UK or the cost of living crisis. As Ms Truss herself might say, that is a disgrace. Meghan Markle at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Meghan Markle has been a fixture of the British tabloids since she began dating Prince Harry. Royal expert Kristen Meinzer says the press will forget Meghan once Prince William's kids are older. The British press left Prince Harry and Prince William alone until they entered their teens and 20s. From the moment the news broke that she was dating Prince Harry, Meghan Markle has been a fixture on the headlines and covers of British tabloids. The scrutiny hasn't stopped since the couple moved to Montecito, California, two years ago. But royal expert Kristen Meinzer told Insider she doesn't believe it will last forever. "The tabloids really love raking Meghan over the coals," Meinzer said. "But their appetite for her may start to go away as William's children get older, as the next generation of kids come up." "So much of the interest in the royals gets hyper-focused when they're teenagers, in their 20s, and in their 30s," she added. "It's much like Hollywood." Meghan Markle, Camilla, Queen Consort, Prince George, Kate Middleton, and Princess Charlotte at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. Samir Hussein/WireImage Meinzer noted that Prince William was portrayed as a "teen dream sex symbol" in the '90s and not just in the UK. When he was 14 in July 1996, William landed on the cover of People alongside a headline calling him "Britain's newest heartthrob" with "plenty of ladies in waiting." An early 2000s issue of NW Magazine an Australian publication shows a teen Prince William on the cover as rumors swirled that he could be dating Britney Spears. Prince Harry and his many scandals also became tabloid fodder as he fought with paparazzi and played a game of strip poker in Las Vegas. "William and Harry, we paid a little bit of attention to them as Diana's children, but we mostly cared about Diana," Meinzer said. "It wasn't until they got older and we started thinking, 'Oh, Prince Charming,' that the public interest really started to peak. People could imagine dating them, marrying them, or starting a life with them." Story continues Meinzer does believe the British tabloids will continue to keep a distance from reporting on the personal lives of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis who are 9, 7, and 4, respectively and making them the focus of headlines, at least for now. Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte at the 2022 Trooping the Colour. Samir Hussein / Contributor / Getty Images "After Diana died there was a certain level of respect for William and Harry for a few years," Meinzer said. "There was an understanding that the press was not going to be hiding in bushes at St. Andrews while William was there they will keep their distance and give him some respect." "I think that they're going to do the same thing for William's children too, but I don't think that's going to stop them from publishing stories," she added. "We knew about Kate 20 years ago. When they were university students, there was still stuff coming out about them, but it wasn't at the feverish level that it was with Diana." Meghan is no stranger to the "feverish level" of the British tabloids. A Daily Mail headline once claimed her favorite snack, avocado toast, was "fueling human rights abuses, drought, and murder." On the day before she married Prince Harry, The Sun ran a headline claiming she was related to a serial killer. Many pointed out that the press used Kate Middleton's most recent birthday as an opportunity to criticize Meghan. And recent headlines amid Queen Elizabeth II's funeral highlight how Meghan is treated completely different from Camilla, Queen Consort. British tabloids after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's interview with Oprah Winfrey. Hasan Esen/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Before she stepped down from the royal family, Meghan filed a lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited which owns the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday and accused the company of running a three-year campaign of fabricated stories against her. She won the case in 2021. That same year, Meghan said tabloids should come with a "warning label like cigarettes do." She also told Oprah Winfrey that the constant negative press coverage caused her to have suicidal thoughts. "The press always likes to choose their favorites, they like to choose their villains," Meinzer told Insider. "They choose their sides and they've definitely made Meghan the villain of the moment. Sometimes that moment lasts for years. Hopefully it won't last for decades." Meinzer is "really curious" to see how things will change in the next five to seven years as Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis grow up. "Maybe the tabloids won't be so interested in Meghan anymore," Meinzer said. "We do have, unfortunately, a very specific and ageist appetite for public figures in our world." "We've seen this across all entertainment industries," she added. "And yes, the royals to a certain extent are entertainment." Read the original article on Insider Sep. 21Niwot farmer Jules Van Thuyne chatted with students Wednesday while they ate lunch at Boulder's Columbine Elementary School, telling them about how he farms the pinto beans some of them ate in their veggie chili cheese fries. "We're happy to serve you a local product that's pretty healthy," he said. On Wednesday, other local options on the Boulder Valley School District's lunch menu included a bison burger, corn on the cob, apples, cherry tomatoes and bell peppers. About 90 volunteers helped shuck the corn, which comes from Olathe, beforehand. The local menu was created to celebrate Colorado Proud School Meal Day. Along with Van Thuyne's visit to Columbine, Rock River Ranches owner Rex Moore visited Boulder's Douglass Elementary to talk about raising bison. "We want students to understand someone worked very hard to grow what's on their lunch tray," said Mary Rochelle, Boulder Valley Food Services programs manager. Boulder Valley, along with the St. Vrain Valley School District and Slow Food Boulder, also took part in a Colorado Proud event over the weekend at Longmont's Ollin Farms, which is a local supplier for both school districts. The event highlighted Colorado produce, nutrition education and parent resources. Boulder Valley gives preference in its food purchasing to growers, producers and processors in Boulder and Broomfield counties, followed by preference to surrounding counties and then to other areas of Colorado. Food Services, which has relationships with almost a dozen local farmers, works with growers and producers months in advance to time menu offerings with local harvests. Along with featuring in the district's veggie chili, Van Thuyne's pinto beans are used in the district's nachos and served on the side with hot dogs. "We go through a lot of your beans," Rochelle said. Van Thuyne, whose family has farmed in Boulder County for more than 100 years, is part of a Boulder County Parks and Open Space and Boulder County Public Health project. The project facilitates institutional purchasing for locally grown beans from farmers on county lands, helping farmers move away from genetically engineered crops. Story continues He farms about 800 acres of his own, along with about 1,000 acres leased from the county, and produces about 250,000 pounds of beans a year. "It's been a nice relationship with the school district," he said. Rochelle said the relationships with Colorado farmers and producers helped the district weather the supply chain disruptions during the pandemic, giving the district more flexibility than if most of the food was processed. "We could diversify," she said. California firefighters rescued a 13-year-old blind dog that fell into a 15-foot hole at a construction site. The dog, named Cesar, lives next to the site in Pasadena, California, with his owner, Mary. Next door, construction workers were working at the 700 block of North Lake Avenue, the former site of fast food chain, Carl's Jr. According to KABC-TV, the dog wandered on to the site and fell into the hole at about 7 p.m on Tuesday. The hole was about 15 feet (4.5 meters) deep and 3 feet (0.91 meters) wide. TINDER DATING APP CONNECTS RESCUE DOGS TO FOREVER HOMES IN HONOR OF NATIONAL DOG WEEK Mary was alerted that Caesar was missing from her property when her other dog started barking, and she noticed that Caesar's response was muffled, signaling he was no longer on her property. A Pasadena search and rescue team quickly responded to the scene where they hooked up a series of ropes and pulleys to lower one team member into the hole. It took the team member about 12 minutes to reach the dog, secure him in a harness and bring him back to the surface. ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL SEEKS TO FINE RESIDENTS IF DOGS BARK TOO MUCH Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin said confined-space rescues present unique challenges for firefighters. "There are a lot of steps we need to do to make it as safe as possible. For not just the dog but also our rescuers," Augustin said. Cesar appeared to be healthy and uninjured after he was retrieved from the hole. He shook off a heavy coat of construction dirt and dust and was reunited with his owner at the scene. Companies collect users' data and use it to show them targeted advertising and content. (Photo: David Espejo via Getty Images) Companies collect users' data and use it to show them targeted advertising and content. (Photo: David Espejo via Getty Images) On Sept. 15, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed into law the Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, which unanimously passed in the state senate at the end of August despite protest from the tech industry. Modeled after the U.K. Childrens Code that went into effect last year, the California law protects childrens privacy and well-being online by requiring companies to assess the impact of any product or service either designed for children or likely to be accessed by children. The law will go into effect on July 1, 2024, after which time companies found in violation of the law may have to pay penalties of up to $7,500 per affected child. While that might sound like a small sum, similar legislation in the European Union has allowed Irelands Data Protection Commission to fine Meta $400 million for the way Instagram treated childrens data. (In the case of the new law, the California attorney general would impose fines.) Californias Age-Appropriate Design Code Act defines a child as any person under the age of 18, in comparison to 1998s Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), for which 13 is the cutoff age. COPPA codified protections for childrens data, prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices in connection with the collection, use, and/or disclosure of personal information from and about children on the Internet. The new California law goes further. It requires that the highest privacy settings be the default for young users, and that companies provide an obvious signal to let children know when their location is being tracked. Jim Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, one of the bills lead sponsors, told HuffPost, this is a very significant victory for kids and families. The law comes down firmly on the side of childrens safety over profit, stating: If a conflict arises between commercial interests and the best interests of children, companies should prioritize the privacy, safety, and well-being of children over commercial interests. Story continues In a 2019 interview with The New York Times, Baroness Beeban Kidron, chief architect of the U.K. Childrens Code, elaborated on her meetings with tech executives. The main thing they are asking me is: Are you really expecting companies to give up profits by restricting the data they collect on children? Her response? Of course I am! Of course, everyone should. If a conflict arises between commercial interests and the best interests of children, companies should prioritize the privacy, safety, and well-being of children over commercial interests.California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act How will the Age-Appropriate Design Code Act protect kids online? The dangers of the internet for kids go beyond children being contacted by strangers online (though by making high privacy settings the default, the California act does try to prevent such interactions). Increasingly, parents worry about the excessive time that children spend online, the lure of platforms with autoplay and other addictive features, and kids exposure to content that promotes dangerous behaviors like self-harm and eating disorders. The Age-Appropriate Design Code Act requires companies to write a Data Protection Impact Assessment for every new product or service, detailing how childrens data may be used and whether any harm could result from this use. Basically, [companies] have to look at whether their product design exposed children and teens to harmful content, or allows harmful contact by others, or uses harmful algorithms, said Steyer. Under the law, Steyer explained, YouTube, for example, would still be able to make video recommendations. The difference is that they would have less data to pull from when making these recommendations. Companies would also be responsible for assessing whether their algorithms are amplifying harmful content, and taking action if this is the case. Haley Hinkle, Policy Counsel at Fairplay, an organization dedicated to ending marketing to children, told HuffPost that by mandating an impact assessment, big tech companies will be responsible for assessing the impact their algorithms will have on kids before they offer a product or new design feature to the public. Hinkle continued, This is critical in shifting responsibility for the safety of digital platforms onto the platforms themselves, and away from families who do not have the time or resources to decode endless pages of privacy policies and settings options. Under the law, a company may not collect, sell, share or retain a young persons information unless it is necessary to do so in order for the app or platform to provide its service. The law instructs businesses to estimate the age of child users with a reasonable level of certainty, or simply to grant data protections to all users. You cannot profile a child or a teenager by default, unless the business has appropriate safeguards in place, Steyer said. And you cannot collect precise geolocation information by default. Hinkle explained the motivation for companies to collect such data. Online platforms are designed to capture as much of kids time and attention as possible. The more data a platform collects on a child or teen, the more effectively it can target them with content and design features to keep them online. While the laws scope is limited to California, there is hope that it could instigate further-reaching reform, as some companies changed their practices worldwide before the enactment of the Childrens Code in the U.K. Instagram, for example, made teens accounts private by default, disabling direct messages between children and adults they do not follow. However, how they define adult varies by country its 18 in the U.K. and certain countries, but 16 elsewhere in the world, according to their statement announcing the changes. While its uncertain if Instagram will raise this age cutoff to 18 in California now, the Age-Appropriate Design Code Act does require companies to take into account the unique needs of different age ranges and developmental stages, defined by the law as follows: 0 to 5 years of age or preliterate and early literacy, 6 to 9 years of age or core primary school years, 10 to 12 years of age or transition years, 13 to 15 years of age or early teens, and 16 to 17 years of age or approaching adulthood. Kid development and social media are not optimally aligned.Devorah Heitner What are the biggest threats to kids online? Some threats to kids come from big, impersonal corporations who collect data in order to subject them to targeted advertising, or to profile them with targeted content that may promote dangerous behaviors, like disordered eating. Other threats come from people that your child knows in real life, or even your child themselves. Devorah Heitner, author of Screenwise: Helping Kids Survive (And Thrive) In Their Digital World, told HuffPost that in addition to interpersonal harm from people they know, like cyberbullying, there are ways that they can compromise their own reputations. What you share when youre 12 could live with you for a really long time, Heitner explained. While no law can prevent a child from posting something that they probably shouldnt, the Age-Appropriate Design Code Act does require that businesses take into account the unique needs of different age ranges, establishing the precedent that children and teens are developmentally different from adults and require different protections. Kid development and social media are not optimally aligned, noted Heitner. What can parents do now to protect their childrens privacy and safety? Parents dont have to wait for big tech companies to change their practices before Californias new law goes into effect. There are things that you can do now to increase your childs online privacy and safety. Hinkle suggests keeping kids away from social media until at least age 13. To do so, she says, it can be helpful to communicate with the parents of your childs friends, as the presence of their peers is the biggest draw to social media for most kids. Once they do have social media accounts, Hinkle suggests to review the settings with your child, and explain why you want the most protective settings on. These include turning off location data, opting for private accounts and disabling contact with strangers. Heitner advocates for an approach that she calls mentoring over monitoring. Because safety settings can only do so much, and because kids are so good at finding workarounds, she maintains that your best defense is an ongoing conversation with your child about their online habits, and the impact their actions may have, both on themselves and others. Your kids will come across harmful content during their online hours. You want them to feel comfortable telling you about it, or, when appropriate, reporting it. When it comes to examining their own behavior, kids need to know that you are open to discussion and wont be quick to judge. Heitner suggests using phrases such as, I know youre a good friend, but if you post that it might not sound that way. Kids should understand how what they post may be misconstrued, and why they should always think before posting, especially when theyre feeling angry. Its a delicate balance of respecting how important your childs online life is to them, while at the same time teaching them that social media can make you feel terrible, and that [companies] are profiting from your time spent there, said Heitner. Parents goal should be making kids aware of these issues, and getting kids to buy into a healthy skepticism of big tech, said Heitner. In addition to the resources available at Common Sense Media, Steyer recommends that parents take advantage of Apples privacy settings, which Common Sense Media helped to develop. He also suggested that parents be role models in their own media consumption. If youre spending all your time [there] yourself, what message is that sending to your kid? This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Welcome to The Hills Campaign Report, tracking all things related to the 2022 midterm elections. Starting this week, you can expect this newsletter in your inbox every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday leading up to Novembers election. Email us tips and feedback: Max Greenwood (mgreenwood@thehill.com), Julia Manchester (jmanchester@thehill.com), and Caroline Vakil (cvakil@thehill.com). Subscribe here. The midterm outcomes that could help Biden most Theres been plenty of chatter and some friction within the Democratic Party this midterm cycle about whether President Biden will run for another term in 2024. The White House has made it clear that Biden intends to seek a second term, which the president himself reiterated during a recent interview on 60 Minutes while also acknowledging But its just an intention. But is it a firm decision that I run again? That remains to be seen. At the same time some Democrats have notably declined to say whether they would support him and a few have gone even further, calling for someone younger or more progressive to mount their own 2024 bid. The midterms could play a critical role in helping Biden make a case for another term, our Hanna Trudo and Amie Parnes write, less than two months before Election Day. Among the five scenarios they explore that could help Biden, three hinge on midterm results: If Democrats hold the Senate, if they only narrowly lose the House or and the third is the most unlikely if Democrats manage to hold both chambers of Congress for another two years. What theyre saying: The best scenario is to win the Senate and lose the House because it gives Biden something to run on in 24, one Democratic strategist weighed in. We know what Republicans are going to do. Theyre going to light themselves on fire and go after everything from Hunter Biden to Anthony Fauci. And it gives Biden the best kind of foil. Story continues Former President Trump and his multiple investigations could also give a possible boost to a Biden reelection bid, especially if Trump is indicted. It would give Biden a huge boost, and Dems as well, one strategist told Hanna and Amie. Nothing would bring more joy. Thats not to say that Biden himself might not face headwinds if he follows through with his intention to seek a second term. Hes 79 years old right now, and would be 86 years old at the end of a second term. Yet its also unclear if Democrats would consider primarying a sitting president, which could be considered a risky proposition and would also open the Democratic Party up to showcasing intraparty divisions. All of this comes amid widespread anticipation that Trump will announce another run though so far he has only teased the possibility. Hardline governor candidates complicate landscape Not all of former President Trumps endorsed candidates won their primaries. But many of the highest-profile Republican names on ballots this November have aligned themselves closely with the former president. The challenges these candidates face in House and Senate races have been widely covered. But the question of how to grapple with catering to the hard-right base that got them nominated while not turning off moderate or swing voters is also playing out on the gubernatorial level. As our Caroline Vakil writes, GOP gubernatorial candidates in states like Arizona, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Michigan have staked out positions on issues like abortion, the 2020 election and use of law enforcement that some worry could cost them in November. Key quote: When you have candidates who essentially arent helping themselves by staking out either extreme positions or extreme positions on weird issues that only speak to a real core Trump part of the base, its not a surprise that there are going to be struggles, GOP strategist Doug Heye tells Caroline. Kari Lake and Doug Mastriano, the Republican gubernatorial nominees in Arizona and Pennsylvania, have been widely covered for pushing dubious claims about the 2020 election. Republican Tudor Dixon, who is vying for governor in Michigan, has been noted for her stance on abortion that only gives exceptions for life of the mother but not rape or incest. Maryland GOP candidate Dan Cox suggested in a fundraising email that state law enforcement could be used against the Biden administration if he were elected top executive. What theyre saying: Lakes campaign and Cox told The Hill they were not concerned that issues like the 2020 election or their views on using law enforcement against the Biden administration, respectively, could turn off voters. Sara Broadwater, a spokesperson for Dixons campaign, referred The Hill to the candidates previous comments on abortion and 2020, adding If you ever want to talk about critical issues facing Michiganders wed be happy to have a conversation. POLL WATCH Weve got some new polling from a number of key Senate races today, and most of it should make Democrats pretty happy. Out west in Arizona, Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly is leading his Republican challenger Blake Masters 50 percent to 42 percent among all likely voters, according to a new AARP survey. In Colorado, Democratic Sen. Michael Bennett leads his GOP challenger Joe ODea 46 percent to 36 percent, according to a new Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey released Thursday. In New Hampshire, a new poll from the American Research Group shows Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan holding a 13-point lead over her Republican challenger Ret. Gen. Don Bolduc. Fifty-three percent of registered voters said they supported Hassan, while 40 percent said the same about Bolduc. Moving south to North Carolina, a new Civiqs survey shows Democratic Senate candidate Cheri Beasley leading her Republican opponent Rep. Ted Budd 49 percent to 48 percent. Her lead falls well within the polls 5.5 percentage point margin of error. Meanwhile in Georgia, a new Monmouth University poll shows 48 percent respondents expressing a favorable view of Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, while 42 percent of respondents said they view Republican nominee Herschel Walker as favorable. Forty-four percent of respondents said they viewed Warnock has unfavorable, while 48 percent said the same about Walker. And in Florida, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio is leading his Democratic challenger Rep. Val Demings by only two points, according to a new Civiqs poll. Forty-nine percent of respondents said they supported Rubio, while 47 percent said the same about Demings. The polls margin of error is plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. AD WATCH The GOP group Congressional Leadership Fund rolled out five news ads in key House districts on Thursday, highlighting crime and the economy. The districts include: Ohios 13th District, Arizonas 6th District, New Hampshires 1st District, New Yorks 22nd District, and Virginias 2nd District. OP-EDS FROM THE TRAIL Thats it for today. Thanks for reading and check out The Hills Campaign page for the latest news and coverage. See you next week. VIEW FULL VERSION HERE. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. People hold candles during a vigil for the stabbing attack victims in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada, on 7 September Two public probes will be held into a stabbing spree in Canada that left 10 people dead and 19 injured. Coroners in the province of Saskatchewan said the inquests will separately investigate the deaths of the victims and one of the suspects. Suspect Myles Sanderson, 32, died shortly after police arrested him on 7 September. Police have not yet released his cause of death, though the chief coroner ruled out blunt force trauma. Two Canadian news outlets, quoting multiple sources, have said Myles consumed pills shortly before his arrest and died from a drug overdose. His official cause of death won't be released publicly until the inquests in early 2023, said chief coroner Clive Weighill. The mass killings took place over Canada's Labour Day weekend on 4 September, sparking a major police search for two suspects: brothers Damien and Myles Sanderson. Damien was found dead the following day. Myles remained at large for four days before he was arrested by the RCMP - Canada's federal police - following a high-speed chase. He was taken to a hospital shortly after, where he was pronounced dead. At a press conference following his arrest, RCMP commanding officer Rhonda Blackmore said police attempted "all life-saving measures" available on Myles after he appeared to be in medical distress. Questions have since swirled on how he died in police custody. At the time, Officer Blackmore would not say if officers attempted CPR or used Narcan, an overdose reversal medication, on Myles. In a statement on 15 September, Officer Blackmore addressed those who accused the police of failing to uphold their duty of care, saying the accusations are "extremely premature" as Myles' cause of death has not yet been determined. "Complex investigations of this nature take time and we look forward to providing further details once they have been confirmed," she said. Most of those killed in the rampage - and the suspects themselves - are from James Smith Cree Nation, an indigenous community in Saskatchewan. Story continues Chief coroner Weighill said the goal of the public inquests is to unpack the circumstances surrounding the victims' deaths and develop recommendations to prevent a similar tragedy from taking place.. One will focus on the victims, while the other will focus on the circumstances surrounding Myles' arrest and subsequent death. "With the suspect deceased, there will not be a public criminal trial," Mr Weighill said. "Without a public hearing of the facts, it will leave many questions unanswered from the families involved and the public", he added. A judge on Thursday sentenced Stephen Ayres, who entered the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot and testified before the House panel investigating the attack, to two years of probation. Ayress attorney cited his clients testimony before the committee as reason for the judge to grant leniency in his sentencing, requesting no jail time. The government had requested he serve 60 days in jail. The judge also ordered Ayres to pay a $500 fine. Ayres testified before the House panel in July, saying he came to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 after former President Trump called for his supporters to gather on social media. He added that he didnt plan to go to the Capitol but did so because of Trumps remarks in which he encouraged rallygoers to do so. The president, you know, got everybody riled up, told everybody head on down. So we basically were just following what he said, Ayres testified. Following the hearing, he apologized to police officers in the room who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Ayress defense referenced his testimony in their sentencing memorandum asking the judge to not grant the governments request for him to serve 60 days incarceration. Such a sentence protects the community, promotes respect for the law, and deters future crime by imposing restrictions on his liberty as a consequence of his behavior, while recognizing his acceptance of responsibility for his crime, the government wrote in its sentencing request. Ayress defense argued Ayres courageously provided a public face for Capitol rioters at the hearing, stressing that he regrets his participation in the riot. Most importantly, from the Committees perspective, he provided a voice for those like him those who trusted a President who betrayed them and suffered very real consequences, Ayress attorney wrote. He didnt make excuses he apologized. And in the Select Committees eyes, helped the nation to understand what happened that day. About 870 defendants have been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 riot, according to George Washington Universitys Program on Extremism, which has been tracking the legal proceedings. Nearly 400, including Ayres, have pleaded guilty as of earlier this month. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A cat-centric art show is feline like celebrating Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage through an upcoming exhibit. CatCon, an event that describes itself as the biggest event in the world dedicated to cat and pop culture, will honor Cage with its exhibit Uncaged: The Unbearable Weight of Genius Cat Art in Pasadena, California, next month. The exhibit, which Cat Art Show will present at the event, features paw-some artworks paying tribute to celebrity cat dad and internet meme muse Cage, according to a press release. The exhibits name is a spin on the movie The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, a film starring Cage in which he has to use his acting roles to save his family. Artist Danial Ryan's work is part of CatCon's Artist Danial Ryan's work is part of CatCon's "Uncaged: The Unbearable Weight of Genius Cat Art" exhibit. (Photo: Danial Ryan via CatCon) Susan Michals, curator and founder of Cat Art Show, praised Cage as an artists dream subject. Hes cult, hes camp, and he DGAF, she said. Cats have many of the same characteristics so why not combine the two and celebrate it on canvas? The exhibit appears to be a purr-fect tribute to Cage, as the actor, a known cat lover, told The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year his cat Merlin was like family to him. Merlin is an unusual cat. Its not the same as the other relationships Ive had with cats throughout the years, Cage said. Theres a real, almost human level of affection emanating from him which is almost like a son. Its pretty intense. CatCon's Nicolas Cage-inspired art exhibit will include seven original pieces. (Photo: Vanessa Stockard) CatCon's Nicolas Cage-inspired art exhibit will include seven original pieces. (Photo: Vanessa Stockard) Cat Art Show will sell the original artwork, which CatCon will display on Oct. 1 and 2, via its website. Ten percent of the proceeds will go toward cat-related charitable organizations, according to CatCon. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Sep. 22This article has been corrected to state that Catholic Charities does not just serve Catholics. We regret the error. Catholic Charities Northwest Campus recently hosted the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce Rise & Shine event. Chamber members learned about the organization, including that their services are not reserved for Catholics only. The organization is primarily dedicated to ending the cycles of poverty found across Texas and the U.S. To learn more, call 817-534-0814 or visit catholiccharitiesfortworth.org/northwest-campus/. Sep. 22NEW ALBANY Central Christian Church is preparing for its "A World Full of Color" service in October for LGBTQ+ History Month. The service will be held at 4 p.m. on Oct. 22 and will be the second service dedicated to LGBTQ+ issues the church has hosted over the past two years. In June 2021, Central Christian held a service led by LGBTQ+ persons titled "Gods Calls You Good." The church started this tradition to show their members are open and affirming of LGBTQ+ people, and that they want to put those beliefs into practice. Rev. Paul Snyder, the pastor for Central Christian Church, made it a mission to make LGBTQ+ members included in the church. "One of those ways was creating a service that was specifically to affirm LGBTQ+ members," Snyder said. "The service itself is going to be led entirely by people within the LGBTQ+." The service is to not only teach people that the love between a couple in the LGBTQ+ is just as sacred as the love between a straight couple, but it will also celebrate the diversity in each and every person. Another local church is helping with this service. Rev. Allan Wallace of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in New Albany will be a part of the service. "There's been so many people that have been hurt by the church and church bodies," Wallace said. "It's an opportunity to say, 'We don't have to be separate, we don't have to be so polarized from one to the other.'" Another focus of the service is to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Church members want to help people feel liberated about their self-identity. The person giving the sermon for the day is Rev. Allen Harris, who is the regional minister of the Christian Church of Disciples of Christ in Ohio. Harris is also the first openly gay ordained man in the denomination. A Palm Bay police officer who had been with the department for less than a year was arrested Wednesday for an inappropriate relationship with a minor, officials said. Sheridon Archer, 23, was arrested after being identified through an investigation when officers became aware of allegations that a police officer was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a minor, Palm Bay police said. READ: Danger to the public: Judge denies bond for man, 19, accused of attacking jogger The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was requested to investigate further and enough probable cause was developed to arrest Archer. According to FDLE, their investigation began Sunday when the Palm Bay Police Department contacted them about the allegations against Archer. Investigators say between Aug. 1 and Aug. 20, Archer used the MeetMe social media application to contact a 13-year-old girl. READ: Man stabbed more than 40 times with scissors in attack at Florida store Agents say he then met with the girl at her home to have sex on two separate occasions. According to FDLE, Archer was on duty each time he met the teen. Archer was booked into the Brevard County jail Wednesday, charged with two counts of felony lewd or lascivious battery. Hes being held on $500,000 bond. Archer had been employed by the Palm Bay Police Department for nine months. He was terminated on Wednesday effective immediately. The investigation is ongoing, police said. READ: Reward offered for information in fatal Orange County shooting 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. (Bloomberg) -- Attorney General Merrick Garland is rapidly approaching a choice likely to shape American politics and the boundaries of law enforcement for decades: whether Donald Trump will be the first former US president charged with a crime. Garland has nothing but hard choices. The nation is split, a bare 47% to 43% plurality backing criminal charges for mishandling classified documents, according to a Aug. 29-Sept. 1 Marist poll. Trump, who is mulling another run for the presidency in 2024, is already openly raising the possibility of dark consequences in the event of an indictment. Asked last week by conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt whether he would be indicted, Trump said, If it happened, I think youd have problems in this country the likes of which perhaps weve never seen before. The Justice Department likely already has the evidence that would support indicting Trump for obstructing a federal grand jury investigation into his handling of classified documents, current and former officials said. The probe into whether he compromised sensitive national secrets is also moving swiftly, potentially setting up a prosecution decision after the Nov. 8 midterm elections. But a sprawling investigation into Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election likely will take a lot longer. Any decision by Garland, 69, a former federal appeals court judge known for his by-the-book approach, is sure to stoke political passions in the coming presidential race and set a precedent for whether criminal law extends to presidents. Public confidence in the US justice system is at stake. The prospect of violence looms. The Justice Department declined to comment. We dont want to look like a banana republic, where, when people are out of office, theyre prosecuted by their successors, said former Trump Attorney General William Barr. Conversely, since the Justice Department already has decided a president cant be charged in office, it raises the question of whether presidents effectively would be placed above the law if they committed criminal acts out of office and werent prosecuted. Story continues You cant have a situation where someone who has been a president is immune, said Jamie Gorelick, former deputy attorney general under Bill Clinton. Here are Garlands options: Indict Trump High-profile top government officials have already been prosecuted for mishandling classified documents, including former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger and former CIA Director David Petraeus, both of whom pleaded guilty. Each paid a hefty fine -- Petraeus $100,000 and Berger $50,000 -- and were on probation for two years. As of now, its unclear what damage the documents in Trumps possession may have allegedly caused. The Justice Departments review before bringing charges against a former president will be extraordinary. Such a prosecution decision is weightier than most, said Gorelick, now in private practice at WilmerHale law firm in Washington. You just have to be more thoughtful and careful. The University of Chicagos Project on Security and Threats estimates 18 million Americans believe a violent response would be justified if Trump were charged with mishandling classified documents, based on a poll taken Sept. 9-12. The researchers extrapolated the estimate from their survey, which found 7% of respondents agreed with that statement in a poll of 2,142 adults contacted by web and telephone. The margin of error is 2.9 percentage points. Barr said Garland should try to put out of his mind the potential for violence when deciding how to proceed. I dont think threats of violence are appropriate to consider, Barr said. If anything, they should weigh in favor of an indictment because we cant get into a state of affairs where our justice system is determined by threats of violence and mobs. An indictment is sure to divide the country. Merely seizing documents from Trumps estate unleashed furious criticism from Republican politicians and threats of violence against the FBI. The backlash against criminal charges could be far more heated, especially as the campaign for the GOP presidential nomination begins in earnest next year. Some 78% of Republicans opposed prosecution and 63% of Republicans said in the Marist poll that Trump has done nothing wrong. The Marist poll of 1,236 adults contacted by telephone Aug. 29 through Sept. 1 has a margin of error of 4.1 percentage points. The more the case becomes a partisan cause, the harder it may be for a jury to reach a unanimous verdict. A failed prosecution carries extra risk for the Justice Departments long-term reputation, not to mention the standing of Garland and his boss, President Joe Biden. An indictment -- even a conviction -- also wont necessarily stop Trump from another run for the White House. And the criminal case could well drag on to become a sideshow in the presidential campaign. Dont Indict Even if Garland determines he has enough evidence to prove Trump guilty beyond a reasonable doubt -- the standard the Justice Department usually uses for criminal charging decisions -- he does have prosecutorial discretion to not pursue the case if that would be in the public interest. There is no question that prosecutorial discretion can consider the political or social upheaval that a case may cause, said Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University. It is part of the balancing with the need to show that no one is above the law. More immediately, a decision not to prosecute would provide fodder for Republican claims that the Aug. 8 Mar-a-Lago search amounted to nothing more than Justice Department and FBI harassment of Bidens most prominent political opponent.Read More: Trump Search One of Several Potential Criminal Probes He FacesEven if Garland doesnt indict Trump in relation to the secret documents, Trump still faces a number of other, potentially more serious, investigations that could lead to criminal charges, including a lawsuit by New York Attorney General Leticia James on Wednesday, accusing Trump of fraud in overvaluing his real-estate assets in the state. Conversely, if he doesnt prosecute Trump in the records case, it sends a message that presidents can break the law with impunity. Wait Garland could wait on making a charging decision while the Justice Department proceeds with its investigation into whether Trump and his allies illegally attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 election. There is also a separate investigation into election-related actions by a special grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia, featuring a recorded call from the former president to the states secretary of state asking him to find more Trump votes. Waiting for a more serious charge like trying to overturn an election could weaken the argument that the charge wasnt worth the historic prosecution of a former US president. Some have argued that such a prosecution should be for a charge more egregious than mishandling even top secret records. These violations are rarely prosecuted and those relatively few cases have not generated significant sentences, Turley said. But there are risks to waiting. Federal investigators are still gathering evidence about actions Trump and his allies took regarding the Jan. 6 violence, fake elector schemes and other efforts to overturn the 2020 election, meaning any charging decisions arent expected anytime soon. It could press up against voting in the next Republican presidential primaries, in which Trump may be a candidate. The Justice Department normally makes prosecution decisions on a criminal case even when a defendant may be under investigation for another offense. Charges related to mishandling secret documents also are far easier to explain, potentially creating a simpler test case for a history-making prosecution. Garland has been reluctant to speak publicly about the challenges he and his department face. But he urged allegiance to the rule of law during a speech on Saturday to welcome new US citizens. "There is not one rule for friends, another for foes; one rule for the powerful, another for the powerless; a rule for the rich, another for the poor," Garland said. "The rule of Law is not assured. It is fragile. It demands constant effort and vigilance," Garland said. "And it demands that we reject violence and threats of violence that endanger each other and endanger our democracy." More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. A month layoff didnt appear to faze Keegan Thompson or the quality of his stuff. Hours after the Chicago Cubs activated the right-hander from the 15-day injured list, Thompson tossed three scoreless innings and struck out six to secure a 4-3 win against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park. The Cubs rallied on Patrick Wisdoms solo homer in the seventh and three runs without a hit in the eighth. Thompson felt he was moving too quickly when facing the first batter of each inning but was able to settle down and get in a rhythm. It was nice to come out there and show that they had the confidence to go out there and that I can finish it, Thompson said. Its just nice to finish the year and finish strong and not finish on the IL, go out there and keep throwing and give us a chance to win. Thompson was out with low back tightness and will be used out of the bullpen, where he looks to finish strong the next two weeks. In 104 innings entering Wednesday, Thompson owned a 3.97 ERA, 1.313 WHIP, 2.46 strikeout-to-walk rate and a 104 ERA+ through 25 games (17 starts). You never know with having some time off how its going to react, manager David Ross said. Not a lot of pressure early on in the outing, and he settled in. ... I thought he settled in nicely once he got his groove and then to close it out right there. Never saw him flinch. He looked like the guy weve seen have a lot of success all year. Rookie reliever Jeremiah Estrada, whom the Cubs optioned to Triple-A Iowa before Wednesdays series finale as the corresponding move for Thompson, left a strong impression in his last outing. The 23-year-old right-hander walked the first batter he faced Monday in Miami before recovering to strike out the side. Estrada finished with two scoreless innings, his best outing since he debuted Aug. 30 in Toronto. Estradas five appearances with two runs allowed in 5 innings represent a small big-league sample size, but manager David Ross noted how the rookie has shown flashes of stuff. Story continues Ross message to Estrada centered on continuing to work on his strengths and weaknesses because he could be recalled at some point. Its some real swing and miss that stands out to me, Ross said Wednesday. He had a couple of bumps in the road there, which is expected. Just talking to him, helping him continue to develop and the things he wants to work on. Finding a strong routine that he believes in consistently and staying on that, working toward that. Weve seen it before, some guy goes down and something happens up here and theyre right back. Esteban Quirozs memorable night Esteban Quirozs professional baseball career traces back to his native Mexico, where he spent his first seven pro years in the Mexican League. He didnt join a minor-league affiliate until 2018 with the Boston Red Sox. Stints with three major-league organizations over the next four years eventually led him to the Cubs as part of a March trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Quiroz, 30, made his first major-league start Tuesday and collected his first hit and made a pair of nice defensive plays at second base, prompting Ross to declare after the game that Quiroz would be back in the lineup Wednesday. Quiroz led off in the series finale and made another smooth play at second to help starter Marcus Stroman. His sacrifice bunt opened the scoring in the eighth after back-to-back walks by Zach McKinstry and Christopher Morel. A throwing error by Marlins pitcher Steven Okert on the play allowed McKinstry to score and Quiroz and Morel to reach second and third. Once I saw the video, I think the pitcher didnt think I have that speed in me, Quiroz said through an interpreter. But Im just here to give my effort, give my 100%. I ran as fast as I could and Im just here to help the team win, give it my all and try to help them out. While these final two weeks carry no postseason meaning for the Cubs, they remain important to players such as Quiroz who are appreciating their major-league opportunity. It was a very humbling experience, really, Quiroz said. I dreamt of this moment. I was thinking about it a lot. Its something that Ive worked for. And (Monday) night they let me know that I was going to start the game. I started focusing on what I needed to do to be prepared to have the best start that I could. The three at-bats back in Chicago, I didnt really perform the way that I wanted to. So I want to make sure I went out there and performed well. Marcus Stromans important pitch The called strikes keep coming. Stromans sinker has been particularly effective lately. After recording 14 called strikes with the pitch in his last start, his most since the beginning of the 2018 season, Stroman again had hitters guessing Wednesday with 10 called strikes with his sinker. Stroman, as he typically does, relied predominantly on a sinker-slider combination versus the Marlins. He allowed three runs and five hits in six innings while walking one batter and striking out seven, one shy of his season high. All three runs came off two home runs in the fifth. Nick Fortes took a 2-0 sinker deep to give the Marlins a 2-0 lead, and Lewin Diaz followed two batters later with a solo shot. I felt good to be honest, Stroman said. Even those pitches, I could have thrown the cutter a little deeper. He took a really good swing on that cutter in and then the sinker away. I probably should have thrown that sinker middle-middle. You live and you learn. They could have popped it up and it could have been a different story. So, yeah, in hindsight, I probably should have made a little better execution with location. Ross credits Stromans sinker usage as the root of the right-handers success since returning from the IL in July. Its been his best pitch well before he got here, but the main thing is he got back to using that a little bit more and having confidence in that, Ross said. Thats what Ive seen and I think everything plays off that. Hes a really confident guy, especially when he has that two-seamer going and hes been able to land the off-speed for strikes off that. Associated Press Residents in central Florida donned fishing waders, boots and bug spray and canoed or kayaked to their homes on streets where floodwaters continued rising Sunday despite it being four days since Hurricane Ian tore through the state. Ben Bertat found 4 inches (10 centimeters) of water in his house by Lake Harney off North Jungle Street in a rural part of Seminole County, north of Orlando, after kayaking to it Sunday morning. Only a day earlier, there had been no water. GENEVA (AP) An envoy from China's Xinjiang province said Thursday that Chinese authorities are ready for a fight with anti-China critics in the West and elsewhere over allegations of rights abuses in the anti-extremism campaign against Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic groups in the region. Xinjiang government spokesman Xu Guixiang said Chinese authorities won't be afraid if anti-China forces attempt to use the ongoing Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva to seek greater scrutiny of the situation in Xinjiang. Xu has spoken repeatedly in defense of China's policies designed to fight violent extremism in Xinjiang. This week he is heading a delegation in Geneva to take the message to the rights office and diplomats at the 47-member state council, of which both China and the United States are currently members. Some Western nations are trying to maintain international scrutiny of the rights situation through the council after the U.N. rights office issued a scathing new report last month that alleged crimes against humanity had taken place in Xinjiang in recent years. Such Western efforts could come through a draft resolution or other steps at the council. If some forces in the international community or even anti-China forces make so-called Xinjiang-related motions' or so-called resolutions, we wont be afraid, Xu said. "We will take countermeasures resolutely and fight." Xu acknowledged, in a somewhat unusual admission: Of course, the human rights situation in Xinjiang is in a process of further improving and making more efforts, before adding, but there is no such thing as the massive violation of human rights as claimed by the Xinjiang report. He said China is looking for exchange, dialogue and cooperation and hopes to learn from the beneficial measures taken by other countries in the world on human rights. But Xu also insisted unspecified human rights disasters perpetrated by Western countries should be investigated, too. In the waning minutes of her last day in office on Aug. 31, the office of Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued a report accusing China of serious human rights violations against Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups. It called on the world community to give urgent attention to the situation in Xinjiang. Human rights groups have accused China of sweeping a million or more people from the minority groups into detention camps where many have said they were tortured, sexually assaulted, and forced to abandon their language and religion. CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour is receiving heaps of praise online after cancelling an interview with Irans president, who demanded she wear a headscarf. In a thread on Twitter, Amanpour explained that in the midst of protests sweeping Iran, following the death of a woman arrested by the countrys morality police, she had plans to interview President Ebrahim Raisi, who is in New York for a UN general assembly. When an aide informed Amanpour that the president wanted her to wear a headscarf for the interview, she declined. We are in New York, where there is no law or tradition regarding headscarves, she wrote. I pointed out that no previous Iranian president has required this when I have interviewed them outside Iran. The aide informed her that wearing a headscarf was a matter of respect, and alluded to the situation in Iran where people are protesting the death of a woman who was detained for breaking hijab laws. Amanpour says she walked away from the interview. Protests are sweeping Iran & women are burning their hijabs after the death last week of Mahsa Amini, following her arrest by the morality police. Human rights groups say at least 8 have been killed. Last night, I planned to ask President Raisi about all this and much more. 1/7 Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) September 22, 2022 Online, the veteran journalist received a flood of support from followers. Every pro-democracy and pro-freedom Muslim, including the one writing this tweet, is celebrating Christiane Amanpour's refusal to wear a head covering to interview Iran's Raisi. pic.twitter.com/0ghVXy3uIc Kareem Rifai (@KareemRifai) September 22, 2022 Read this thread if you want to understand just how fucked up the Iranian regime is. Raisi wanted to impose a religious dress code upon Amanpour as a precondition for an interview... in New York. https://t.co/FdZrMGkNf2 Iyad el-Baghdadi | (@iyad_elbaghdadi) September 22, 2022 His demand was unnecessary and a leeway to denying the interview which would have given the world the truth about the Iranian crises. Every where, leaders continued to treat their people with disrespect and disregards. Humanity is nothing to death. Sholaye4Christ3 (@OmatEdema) September 22, 2022 Apart from anything else, like don't try to dictate what women wear in your presence, agreeing to wear the hijab for the interview would have been used by the Iranian dictatorship as a sign that Ms Amanpour agreed with their repressive policies. Marika Cobbold (@Marikacobbold) September 22, 2022 Thank you Ms. Amanpour. Standing our ground will move women forward. (Mixed metaphor I know but it is true. ) https://t.co/EOQsLJVQGq Kathryn Orr (@kcorr54) September 22, 2022 Bravo, Christiane @Amanpour, for refusing the Iranian regimes insane demand that you put on a Hijab in New York City as a condition to interview their president, and for your principled solidarity with the women of Iran now being crushed by the regime and their morality police. https://t.co/H3lGwllvvo Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) September 22, 2022 Good for you, @amanpour. Womens rights are human rights. Human rights are womens rights. https://t.co/LVpS3Iynq9 The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) September 22, 2022 That's why @amanpour is one of the best out there. https://t.co/AzHx5pkxeb Aayush Sharma LFF (@JournoAayu) September 22, 2022 Who wouldnt expect to see @amanpour stand up for herself? She is respectful to their culture and wears a hijab when interviewing officials in their own countries. https://t.co/Q7XGQLt9OH Welshman (@Welshmen) September 22, 2022 BRAVO @amanpour for your conviction and courage The misogyny and bullying of women has to be rejected you are free to be a woman journalist and not be told by dictators how to dress the president of #iran #Raisi has no respect for women. https://t.co/gxsaXi9bfh Anne Kmetyko (@AnneKmetyko) September 22, 2022 Good for you. No doubt if, in his mind, he was going to be subjected to indignity of being questioned by a woman in the midst of protests by Iranian women, he wanted you to visually validate the expected submission of the women in their country. Tricia (@TriciaTweets70) September 22, 2022 While speaking about the incident on air, Amanpour described the situation as very unsettling. I have never been asked by any Iranian President, and I have interviewed every single one of them since 1995, either inside or outside Iran never been asked to wear a headscarf. CIA Director William Burns called Russia a "declining" power in the first episode of the intelligence agency's new podcast, while warning that China is a "central geopolitical challenge" for the United States. The CIA's podcast, "The Langley Files," launched on Thursday, and featured Burns as its first guest. The podcast comes during the CIAs 75th anniversary a time, Burns said, for the agency to "reflect on how we need to organize ourselves to navigate successfully what is an incredibly complicated international terrain." Burns warned that terrain features a "major power competition with rising powers like China," which he referred to as a "central geopolitical challenge." US TAKES OUT AL QAEDA LEADER AYMAN AL-ZAWAHRI IN 'SUCCESSFUL' AFGHANISTAN COUNTERTERRORISM OPERATION CIA Director, William Burns, testifies during a House Intelligence Committee hearing about worldwide threats, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, April 15, 2021. (Photo by Al Drago / POOL / AFP) (Photo by AL DRAGO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) AL DRAGO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Burns pointed to the CIA's formation of the China Mission Center, which was created to counter Beijing and "best position" the agency to address current and future national security challenges posed by China. Earlier this year, Burns warned that China's Xi Jinping has even served as a "silent partner" in Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression in Ukraine. "We have to deal with declining powers, not just rising ones, like Russia," Burns said. "And Putin demonstrates every day that declining powers can be at least as disruptive as rising ones." Burns pointed to Russias war in Ukraine and stressed the importance of CIA intelligence. "We were able to paint a pretty clear picture of Putins plans to mount a major new invasion of Ukraine last fall, months before he actually launched that invasion on the 24th of February," Burns explained. "That enabled us to help Ukrainians defend themselves. It helped us to build allied unity." "It helped to expose the fact that what Putin was about was a naked, unprovoked aggression, and we reinforced that by the Presidents decision to declassify some of our secrets as well," he said. Burns was referring to intelligence declassified by President Biden earlier this year that revealed Putins plans to stage false flag attacks to serve as a pretext for an invasion of Ukraine. Story continues FLASHBACK: RUSSIA PLANNING UKRAINE FALSE FLAG AS PRETEXT FOR INVASION: PENTAGON Meanwhile, Burns pointed to the "successful" U.S. counterterrorism operation in Afghanistan that killed the leader of al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahri, last month, a strike that degrades the terror network's ability to operate. But Burns said the United States still faces "the continuing challenge of terrorism." "It may take different forms today than it did over most of the last 20 years, but its still a significant challenge," Burns said. "We still have significant capabilities at this agency working with partners across the U.S. government, and thats going to be another of our most important priorities." He added: "Its a balancing act, is what its going to be." Burns went on to say that "ingenuity and dedication" are critical to the work of the CIA, but also stressed that the agency is "apolitical." "[O]ur job is not to bend intelligence to suit political party or policy preferences or agendas. It is to deliver the best intelligence that we can gather, the best analysis that we can put together, with honesty and integrity," Burns said. "Our job is to tell policymakers what they need to hear, not what they want to hear." CHINA'S XI JINPING IS 'A SILENT PARTNER' IN PUTIN'S 'AGGRESSION' IN UKRAINE, CIA DIRECTOR BURNS WARNS Burns, who has worked under six presidents and both Republican and Democratic administrations, said that without working in an apolitical manner, "we only get ourselves in trouble as a nation, and we make bad policy choices, when we forget those very basic truths." As for the CIA's decision to launch the podcast, Burns acknowledged that intelligence agencies are "supposed to collect secrets and keep them and not talk too much about them." "We do usually operate in the shadows, out of sight and out of mind," Burns said. "Our successes are often obscured, our failures are often painfully visible, and our sacrifices are often unknown." "We have a profound obligation to protect agents and officers who risk their lives in support of our mission, which is to help protect Americans," he continued. "But Im convinced, as I know you are, that in our democracy, where trust in institutions is in such short supply, that its important to try to explain ourselves as best we can and demystify a little bit of what we do." Clarence Thomas, the most conservative justice on the US Supreme Court, and his wife Ginni, an activist tied to Donald Trump's bid to challenge his 2020 defeat, are adamant there is a firewall between their careers. But with Ginni Thomas facing mounting questions over her role in the former president's crusade, cracks are appearing in that wall. Married for 35 years, the conservative Washington power couple are under new scrutiny after text messages and emails appear to show Ginni Thomas involved in possibly illegal efforts to keep Trump in the White House. With Trump-related cases possibly headed to the high court, this has raised doubts that her husband Clarence Thomas can rule fairly and independently. After stalling for months, Ginni Thomas is now expected to testify in the coming weeks to the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 assault on Congress by Trump supporters seeking to overturn the election. "Mrs. Thomas is eager to answer the committee's questions to clear up any misconceptions about her work relating to the 2020 election. She looks forward to that opportunity," her attorney, Mark Paoletta, told US media. - Conservative influencers - At 65, Ginni Thomas has wielded significant influence in ultra-conservative circles in Washington for years. After Trump's defeat in November 2020, communications show she encouraged officials in some states and the White House to reject Democrat Joe Biden's victory. Thomas exchanged at least 29 text messages with Trump's chief of staff Mark Meadows in the weeks before January 6, urging him to not concede the election. "Help This Great President stand firm, Mark!!!" she wrote in one. "The majority knows Biden and the Left is attempting the greatest Heist of our History." On the morning of January 6 she attended a White House rally at which Trump urged Congress to reject Biden's victory. But she has said that she left before the assault on the Capitol. - Conflict of interest? - In the same period, Thomas was the sole member of the nine-justice court to support a Trump-backed petition that sought to overturn the election results in a state. Story continues And in January 2022, he again was the only justice to support a Trump petition to prohibit the release of White House records related to the January 6 Capitol assault. Democrats say that, because of his wife's involvement, Clarence Thomas has a deep conflict of interest and should recuse himself from cases related to Trump's effort to reverse the election. Ginni Thomas though insists that her activities don't influence his. "Like so many married couples, we share many of the same ideals, principles, and aspirations for America," she told the Washington Free Beacon. "But we have our own separate careers, and our own ideas and opinions too. Clarence doesn't discuss his work with me, and I don't involve him in my work," she said. - 'Trial by fire' - As prominent Washington figures and as an interracial, African American (him) and white (her) couple, the Thomases have weathered more than a few storms. The two were married in 1987, when she was an attorney at the US Chamber of Commerce. It was her first marriage, and his second. In 1991 president George H.W. Bush chose Clarence Thomas, with his impeccable conservative credentials, to join the Supreme Court. In his confirmation hearing he was accused of sexually harassing a former assistant, Anita Hill. As Ginni sat by his side during the explosive hearings, Clarence Thomas denied everything, claiming he was the victim of a "high-tech lynching." She called it a "trial by fire." The two have a close life together. Both are pious Catholics, and in summers hit the road for long trips in a massive recreational vehicle, which they take to campgrounds where few recognize him. - Quiet on the court - Wounded by the confirmation ordeal and his experiences as a relatively rare Black figure in the conservative space, Thomas spent most of his Supreme Court career in silence, speaking almost only through his votes and written opinions in thousands of cases. But since Trump named three more conservatives to the court, giving them a solid 6-3 majority, Thomas has become more lively, and forceful. He led a landmark judgement in June that enshrined the right of Americans to carry guns outside the home. And when the court overturned a woman's constitutional right to have an abortion in the same month, he went even farther than his colleagues, opining that there were no constitutional guarantees to contraception or same-sex marriage. His opinions align closely with his wife's activism. For example, Ginni Thomas has worked closely with anti-abortion groups. A strong believer in self-reliance, Clarence Thomas is opposed to programs, in college admissions for instance, which give Black and other disadvantaged minorities preferences over whites. Ginni Thomas has taken similar stances: in the early 1990s as a Labor Department attorney she argued against making it law that women should be paid as much as men in comparable jobs. chp/pmh/ec TipRanks The stock market is often a game in reverse psychology. That is, when the mood gets too euphoric, its often a sign it is time to sell. Likewise, when sentiment hits the skids, that could be the ultimate signal the time is right to load up the truck. And on that subject, J.P. Morgans Marko Kolanovic thinks we are at or at least near the bottom. The firms global market strategist believes the Feds hawkish stance has left stocks very oversold, and while inflation remains persistently high Brazil Carbon emissions in the Amazon region in 2019 and 2020 more than doubled compared to the average of the previous eight years, according to a new study. Deforestation for agriculture and fires were the main drivers of the increase, according to the authors. The scientists say that a "collapse" in law enforcement in recent years has encouraged forest clearing. The research findings have been submitted for publication but have yet to be independently reviewed. As home to the largest tropical forest on Earth, the Amazon plays a critical role in maintaining the Earth's climate by storing massive amounts of carbon in trees and soils. Fires in August in Brazil ere extremely active but researchers say that clearing for farming is having a bigger impact Over the last few decades the forest has been under growing pressure as land has been cleared in Brazil and neighbouring countries, primarily for farming. Last year researchers published data indicating that the eastern part of the forest was being cut down at such a rate that more carbon was being released than absorbed by the trees and vegetation. Now the same scientists believe that an explosion of forest clearing in the western part of the Amazon has also turned that region into a source. of carbon emissions Using small planes, the researchers have collected hundreds of air samples from different parts of the forest over the last ten years. Their new study shows that in 2019, carbon emissions increased by 89% compared to the annual average of emissions between 2010 and 2018. In 2020, the picture was even worse, with an increase of 122%. While fires played a role, the main factor was the removal of trees by land clearing, which increased by 75% in 2020. Deforestation is set to play a big role in Brazil's upcoming election with President Bolsonaro seeking another term The researchers link this rise in deforestation to a rapid decline in prosecutions by law enforcement agencies, which saw fines for illegal forest clearances fall by 89% in 2020. The scientists say that this is down to the policies of President Jair Bolsonaro, who took office in 2019. He has cancelled fines and penalties related to deforestation, and pushed hard for the expansion of agriculture in Brazil. Story continues "We hypothesize that the consequences of the collapse in enforcement led to increases in deforestation, biomass burning and degradation producing net carbon losses and enhancing drying and warming of forest regions," the new study says. The researchers say that this rapid increase in emissions from the forest has also had an impact on the climate around the trees. "In consequence of this big deforestation, in the wet season of 2020 we saw a decline of 26% in rainfall during January, February and March, while the temperature has gone up by 0.6C," said lead author Dr Luciana Gatti, from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE). "The emissions come from deforestation and degradation and also from this climate change promoted by the human destruction of the forest. And this is a very alarming scenario," she told BBC News. Clearing land for soybeans has been a major factor in the loss of forests Environmental campaigners say that this hands-off approach to prosecuting illegal deforestation has continued this year, with over 8,500 sq km lost between August 2021 and July 2022, an area larger than the US state of Delaware. "The collapse in law enforcement in the Brazilian Amazon has allowed land grabbers and illegal loggers to continue unchecked with devastating consequences for people, wildlife and the planet," said Mike Barrett from WWF. "The Amazon is getting dangerously close to a crucial tipping point which could see large areas transform from a resilient, moist rainforest into a dry, fire-ravaged, and irreversibly degraded state." The question of the future of the forest is an important issue in Brazil's presidential election taking place in early October with the incumbent, Jair Bolsonaro, being challenged by former president Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva. The outcome could have significant implications for the Amazon, as scientists like Dr Gatti fear it may be reaching a point where it would continually emit more carbon than it absorbs. She said that action by consumers and governments around the world was also critical to prevent this from happening. "We need to have an international commitment with countries in international commerce, that they don't buy the products that result in the destruction of nature," she said. Follow Matt on Twitter @mattmcgrathbbc. Christiane Amanpour in Beverly Hills, California, on July 30, 2018. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP CNN's Christiane Amanpour walked away from a long-anticipated interview with Iran's president. The anchor "politely declined" to wear a head scarf since the interview took place on US soil. Her decision follows a history of women journalists declining to wear the clothing for interviews. CNN's chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour walked away from a rare and highly-anticipated interview with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday after she declined to wear a head scarf. Amanpour's decision came amid ongoing protests in Iran over the death of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after she was arrested on suspicion of breaking hijab rules. On Twitter, Amanpour said that Raisi was late to the interview in New York and received a last-minute request to wear a head scarf from one of the president's aides. "40 minutes after the interview had been due to start, an aide came over. The president, he said, was suggesting I wear a headscarf, because it's the holy months of Muharram and Safa," Amanpour tweeted on Thursday. "I politely declined. We are in New York, where there is no law or tradition regarding headscarves. I pointed out that no previous Iranian president has required this when I have interviewed them outside Iran." The president's aide said that the interview "would not happen if I did not wear a head scarf" and that the piece of clothing was a "matter of respect," Amanpour wrote. Raisi, who spoke at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, did not directly address the issue of headscarves but previously stated that he had contacted Amini's family, amid ongoing demonstrations over the death of the young woman. "Your daughter is like my own daughter, and I feel that this incident happened to one of my loved ones," he said. Amanpour's case is not the first time a reporter declined to wear clothing that is compulsory for women in Iran. Story continues In 1979, the late Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci, who was known for her unflinching interviews with world leaders, met with Iran's Ayatollah Imam Khomeini, during the height of the revolution. The interview was published in the New York Times that year. When the reporter arrived at Khomeini's home in a chador, a long piece of cloth that leaves only the face exposed, Fallaci immediately began questioning some of the Ayatollah's actions, from the crackdown of scrutinizing newspapers to summary executions, according to a New Yorker profile of the journalist, titled "Agitator." Fallaci soon asked the Ayatollah about the clothing for women: "Tell me, why do you force them to hide themselves, all bundled up under these uncomfortable and absurd garments, making it hard to work and move about?" Khomeini replied: "The women who contributed to the revolution were, and are, women with the Islamic dress, not elegant women all made up like you, who go around all uncovered, dragging behind them a tail of men. The coquettes who put on makeup and go into the street showing off their necks, their hair, their shapes, did not fight against the Shah. They never did anything good, not those." In a follow-up question, Fallaci, almost insubordinately asked, "By the way, how do you swim in a chador?" Khomeini snapped and said, "This is none of your business. Our customs are none of your business. If you do not like Islamic dress you are not obliged to wear it." "That's very kind of you, Imam. And since you said so, I'm going to take off this stupid, medieval rag right now," Fallaci said. In an email to The New Yorker, Fallaci said that Khomeini "acted offended" and left the interview at that point. "I had to wait for 24 hours (or 48?) to see him again and conclude the interview," she wrote to the magazine. When she was able to return, Khomeini's son Ahmed said that his father was still upset and advised not to mention the word, chador. But the journalist remained defiant. She immediately returned to the subject with Khomeini as the tape recorder went back on, according to The New Yorker. "First he looked at me in astonishment," Fallaci told the magazine. "Total astonishment. Then his lips moved in a shadow of a smile. Then the shadow of a smile became a real smile. And finally it became a laugh. He laughed, yes. And, when the interview was over, Ahmed whispered to me, 'Believe me, I never saw my father laugh. I think you are the only person in this world who made him laugh.'" Read the original article on Business Insider CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour said Thursday that she backed out of an interview with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi after one of his aides said it would not happen unless she wore a headscarf. In a Twitter thread, Amanpour chronicled how her scheduled interview with Raisi on Wednesday night in New York fell apart, characterizing the aides request as an unprecedented and unexpected condition. Amanpour, CNNs chief international anchor, said she planned to ask Raisi about the protests that have swept across Iran after Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman held by the countrys morality police for allegedly violating its strictly enforced dress code, died in custody last week. Raisi was in New York for the U.N. General Assembly. Iranian authorities have said Amini died last Friday after having fallen ill and slipping into a coma as she waited with other women held by the morality police. Authorities have acknowledged making arrests at subsequent protests, but they denied mistreating Amini and said they were investigating her death. Aminis family has denied that she had health issues. People protest over the death of a woman who was detained by the morality police in downtown Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 21, 2022. (AP) In recent days, Iranian security forces have clashed with anti-government protesters furious over Aminis death, with some women burning their headscarves in defiance of the morality police and the countrys wider atmosphere of social repression. The deadly unrest has been documented on social media. Amanpour said she and her CNN team planned the interview over the course of weeks and spent eight hours Wednesday setting up translation equipment, lights and cameras. [W]e were ready, she wrote in part. But no sign of President Raisi. Related video: Iranian President Raisi throws doubt on restoring nuclear deal Forty minutes after the interview was scheduled to begin, an aide to the Iranian president came over and said the president was "suggesting" that Amanpour wear a headscarf in recognition of the holy months of Muharram and Safar, she wrote. (Amanpour did not identify the aide.) Story continues I politely declined, Amanpour wrote. We are in New York, where there is no law or tradition regarding headscarves. I pointed out that no previous Iranian president has required this when I have interviewed them outside Iran." The aide made it clear that the interview would not happen if I did not wear a headscarf, she wrote. He said it was a matter of respect, and referred to the situation in Iran alluding to the protests sweeping the country. Amanpour wrote that she told the aide that she could not agree to what she described as an unprecedented and unexpected condition to the interview. And so we walked away. The interview didnt happen, Amanpour wrote in the Twitter threads concluding post. As protests continue in Iran and people are being killed, it would have been an important moment to speak with President Raisi. Amanpours final tweet in the thread was accompanied by a photo of her facing an empty chair. NBC News could not immediately reach Raisi for comment because the presidents office is closed until Saturday. And so we walked away. The interview didnt happen. As protests continue in Iran and people are being killed, it would have been an important moment to speak with President Raisi. 7/7 pic.twitter.com/kMFyQY99Zh Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) September 22, 2022 In a statement, a spokesperson for CNN said: We fully support the decision of Christiane and her team to politely decline the interview with President Raisi. In an address to world leaders at the U.N. on Wednesday, Raisi did not address the escalating unrest in his country, instead using his time to assail the West and what he characterized as the double standards of some governments regarding human rights. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com COMERIO, Puerto Rico Maria de Jesus Medina stands in her nightgown and looks across at her soaked belongings a couch and loveseat, a television stand, two bedroom sets, a stove, a refrigerator, clothes and boxes of personal items all destroyed by a hurricane. For the second time in five years. When torrential rains poured down on this center-eastern region of Puerto Rico this week, a nearby river and creek flooded rapidly, sending muddy water into Medina's first-floor apartment and those of her neighbors. "I lost a lot of belongings, some very precious things," Medina, 83, told USA TODAY in Spanish on Wednesday. "Almost all of our food has spoiled." HURRICANE FIONA LEAVES A 'NIGHTMARE' IN PUERTO RICO: The power is out. Homes and roads are flooded. 'IT'S UNACCEPTABLE THAT ... NOTHING HAS FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED': 5 years later, Puerto Ricans are still struggling with Hurricane Maria's devastation. Days after Fiona hit the territory as a Category 1 hurricane, more than a million people remained without power on Wednesday, said Keith Turi, FEMA assistant administrator for recovery. And the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority said about 45% of its subscribers were still without water service. More than 1,000 people were in shelters early Wednesday, said Brad Kieserman, vice president of operations and logistics for the Red Cross. "That just gives you a sense of the number of people that continue to be displaced by the storm," Kieserman said. Maria de Jesus Medina, 83, stands in her home on Wednesday in the Ariel neighborhood of Comerio, Puerto Rico. Her apartment was flooded when rains from Hurricane Fiona caused the river and creek in her neighborhood to flood beyond its banks. As reports of emergency health needs continue to grow, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a public health emergency Wednesday aimed at helping Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, providers and suppliers. Public health officials in Puerto Rico are working to ensure residents who use electricity-dependent care, such as dialysis or oxygen, are receiving it. Some health care centers were running on generators, and one cancer hospital had to transfer patients because of power issues, said Alexandra Lugaro, 41, executive director of the non-profit Foundation for Puerto Rico's Center for Strategic Innovation and a former candidate for governor. Story continues "(People) are very scared that they're not going to be able to use their medical equipment or refrigerate medications," Lugaro told USA TODAY. That includes Medina's daughter, Jesusa Vilches, 60. Flooding in Comerio damaged a small refrigerator where Vilches, who is diabetic, stored her insulin. Now she has nowhere to keep it and hasn't had a dose in days. "We are not OK," Medina said. "It's difficult to keep it together, to try and get back up again." Maria de Jesus Medina, 83, and her daughter, Jesusa Vilches, 60, sit in their home in the Ariel neighborhood of Comerio, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday. Medina and her daughter said they are running low on food and potable water. They don't have a car, so it's difficult to make a trip to get ice, if any is even available. The main grocery store in town, the Econo next to Rio de la Plata, flooded Sunday and was closed for days. It reopened Wednesday. Medina said she moved to the apartment in the Ariel neighborhood in what was supposed to be a temporary relocation after Hurricane Maria destroyed her house further up the hill. She said officials told her she would be in the apartment for 4 to 5 months. It's been five years. "They moved me down here into a flood zone," Medina said. "And, well, it was destined to flood again." HOW TO HELP: Mutual aid, nonprofits help Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Fiona Floodwaters also entered the home of Nereida Rivera, 60, one of Medina's neighbors in Comerio, some 30 miles south of the island's capital of San Juan. She said much of her furniture is ruined. She passed the storm in her daughter's home up the hill and came back after as her family helped her clear out mud, water and debris. "What affects you emotionally is knowing how you had your home versus how you find it," Rivera said in Spanish. "You get sad because you lost things of value." Her most urgent need, she said, is water so she and her husband can cook for their 8-year-old grandson, Jayden Ramos. Nereida Rivera, 60, stands with her grandson, Jayden Ramos, 8, on Wednesday in the Ariel neighborhood of Comerio, Puerto Rico. Their apartment building is near the Rio de la Plata, which flooded this week during Hurricane Fiona. Rivera has a gasoline generator she runs for a few hours a day, mainly to cool the refrigerator. But buying gas every day is a significant expense one of many that people face after a disaster. "You have to buy gas. You have to buy canned food because other food goes bad. You have to buy water," she said. Municipal officials still haven't been able to assess the damages to the main water treatment plant in Comerio, Mayor Jose "Josian" Santiago told USA TODAY. They are still waiting for the floodwaters to recede enough to inspect pipes that draw water from Rio de la Plata. The sun begins to set over Comerio, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday. For now, tanker trucks have to make a three-hour roundtrip to a neighboring municipality, Bayamon, to fill up with water and bring it back to neighborhoods in Comerio. Each tanker truck has enough water for a few dozen homes, he said, but there are about 7,000 residences. "We're in the third day (after the storm), and the principal problems are lack of potable water and electricity," Santiago said in Spanish. "After three days, people have used up the water they had stored." ADDRESSING PUERTO RICO'S GENTRIFICATION: Bad Bunny debuts 'El Apagon' music video amid Hurricane Fiona Jose Ivan Romero, 44, stands in front of his pharmacy in downtown Comerio, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday. In downtown Comerio, Jose Ivan Romero, 44, owns and operates Farmacia Romero, about half of a block from the banks of Rio de la Plata. Sunday, the river rose within feet of the front door of his business. "Thank God it didn't come into the pharmacy," he said in Spanish. Without power or running water, Romero each day takes medications that need to be kept cold to his home in San Juan. He keeps the pharmacy's lights on with a generator. But he needs to shut it down to cool off every 90 minutes. "If we run out of gas, we have to close," Romero said. Romero also has a farm in the Paloma neighborhood of Comerio. He estimated he lost around 20,000 plantain plants to wind damage during the hurricane. Hurricane Fiona caused damage to Jose Ivan Romero's farm in Comerio, Puerto Rico. Romero estimates 20,000 plantain plants were damaged in the hurricane. It's the third time his farm has suffered catastrophic losses. The first was during Hurricane Maria five years ago. Then came the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown restrictions that closed off most of the outlets for selling his produce. Hurricane Fiona may prove the last straw for the farm. After he inspected the damage this week, Romero said he texted his wife, "I think it's time." Contributing: Grace Hauck and Chris Kenning, USA TODAY Email data journalist Kevin Crowe here or follow him on Twitter at @kcrowebasspro. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Puerto Rico is digging out after Hurricane Fiona: 'We are not OK' Hours before the announcement came that TRU Colors Brewing would cease operations, employees were out promoting its upcoming brew, seemingly unaware theyd be out of a job in a matter of days. TRU Colors founder and chief executive officer George Taylor announced in a lengthy statement on Wednesday, Sept. 7, that the rival-gang-member-run brewery on Greenfield Street would close its doors the following Friday. The news shocked staff at local restaurants, whod just heard that same day that TRU Colors would be launching a new brew. As of the summer, TRU Colors reportedly employed some 70 active rival gang members. Upon hearing the news, some Wilmington organizations jumped to help prepare TRU Colors employees for their upcoming job search. According to Jim Morton, president of Cape Fear Community College, college officials reached out to TRU Colors the day after Taylors announcement, offering help to those who were about to become unemployed. Community is in our name, Morton said. We want to do what we can when hard times arise in our community. This month:Rival-gang-member-run TRU Colors Brewing will cease operations this week In depth:TRU Colors Brewing founder says social mission was effective. Why is it closing? TRU Colors was very receptive to the colleges offer, Morton said, so representatives visited TRU Colors on Friday, Sept. 9 the brewerys final day of operation to help staff there with resume building, interview skills and job searching. Morton said the college also informed staff at TRU Colors about educational and training opportunities available at CFCC. The college hoped to learn more about the staff members goals and how the college can help them reach them. Morton said the staff at TRU Colors has the desire to be employed, so the college wanted to help connect them with potential employers. Apprenticeship programs seemed particularly desirable to some former TRU Colors employees, Morton said, as those programs allow individuals to gain employment, and a paycheck, while they receive technical training. Story continues A handful of individuals were already on their way to receiving job offers last week, Morton said. We try to support everyone in the community, Morton said. We try to meet students and potential students wherever they are. Erin Easton, workforce training coordinator at CFCC, said the community college coordinated with the Mount Calvary Center and the Cape Fear Workforce Development Board to have local hiring managers meet with job seekers to discuss the current employment market and available opportunities. Easton added that several local businesses have reached out hoping to help and looking to be connected to job seekers. TRU Colors has been thankful for the support, according to a news release from the college. Khalilah Olokunola, who served as TRU Colors chief people officer, said she is working to assist the brewerys employees in this time of transition, but she appreciates the communitys partnership. TRU Colors was founded in 2017 on the idea that economic opportunity could help neutralize gang violence. The brewery not only gave active rival gang members job opportunities, but also worked to provide support and training for new employees through a mandatory, eight-week onboarding program: DISRUPT-U, which taught core life skills including financial skills and relationship building. The goal was to give new staff confidence and knowledge to succeed in the workplace. Education and opportunity are great equalizers, and support and wrap-around services are key, Olokunola said in the release. I appreciate the outpouring of support from the community, and I am hopeful the scaffolding we've put in place here and the work we've done at TRU Colors will help these individuals as they move forward. In his statement, Taylor cited media attention and a lack of funds for TRU Colors downfall. The announcement came less than two weeks after the national magazine The New Yorker published an article examining the brewery and its mission. Employers or community members interested in helping these job seekers can contact Easton at 910-362-7883 or eeaston@cfcc.edu. 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: Amid closure of gang-member-run brewery, community looks to help WASHINGTON A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing the Pentagon to expedite a monthslong review aimed at determining whether the United States should send its MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones to Ukraine. Seventeen House Democrats and Republicans on Thursday sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, pressing him to expedite an ongoing risk assessment to determine whether transferring the technology poses a risk should it fall into Russian hands. There continue to be delays in delivering Gray Eagle systems to Ukraine despite urgent requests from Ukraines Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov and ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova, the lawmakers wrote. While important, thorough risk assessments and mitigation should not come at the expense of Ukrainian lives. Pentagon officials have been mulling a request for Gray Eagle drones from Ukraine since at least April, but its hung up over concerns about securing the technology as well as its survivability in the contested airspace above Ukraine. Officials said they are also considering the potential impact on the U.S. militarys readiness if the drone is provided from its own stockpiles. On Thursday, Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters that the U.S. has sent Ukraine other intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems including Puma and ScanEagle drones, as well as Switchblade loitering munitions. We continue to maintain a robust dialogue with Ukraine and the international community about what we and the international community can do to support Ukraine, Ryder said. The letter presses the Pentagon on the Gray Eagle and the MQ-9A Reaper, which are both made by General Atomics of San Diego, California. The U.S. has sold Reapers to the U.K., France and others, but has not exported the Gray Eagle, which can be armed with up to four Hellfire missiles. The lawmakers, led by Reps. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., Mike Quigley, D-Ill., and Andy Harris, R-Md., called for completing the review in a timely manner. Story continues Should the decision be made to transfer Gray Eagles, then it should be done expeditiously, they wrote. Or, if the determination is to withhold this technology, that needs to be communicated quickly and clearly to afford our Ukrainian partners the opportunity to make alternative plans. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., also signed onto the letter. Contacted about the letter Thursday, General Atomics spokesman C. Mark Brinkley criticized the U.S. governments endless wait-and-see response amid months of discussions with Washington and Kyiv over the merits of the move. The company has offered to train Ukrainian operators at no expense to American taxpayers and, Brinkley said, responded to repeated concerns about technology transfer and provided options for increased battlefield survivability. If you think HIMARS [the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System] changed things, put some Gray Eagles in the air and see what happens next, Brinkley said. No one wants to see the significant gains made by the Ukrainians erode due to inaction. LONDON (AP) On a blustery November day last year Britain's future king stood before world leaders to deliver a rallying cry that they should "act with all despatch, and decisively to confront a common enemy. The clarion call in the vast, windowless hall of a Glasgow convention center at the opening of the U.N. climate conference concerned an issue long dear to the heart of the then-Prince Charles. Climate change and loss of biodiversity were no different from the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe, he said. In fact, they pose an even greater existential threat, to the extent that we have to put ourselves on what might be called a war-like footing. He warned leaders that time was running out to reduce emissions, urging them to push through reforms that are radically transforming our current fossil fuel-based economy to one that is genuinely renewable and sustainable. We need a vast military-style campaign to marshal the strength of the global private sector," he said, adding that the trillions at businesses' disposal would go far beyond what governments could muster and offered "the only real prospect of achieving fundamental economic transition. It was a fierce call to arms quite unlike the gentle appeal delivered by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in a video message that evening. For decades, Charles has been one of Britain's most prominent environmental voices, blasting the ills of pollution. Now that hes monarch, he is bound to be more careful with his words and must stay out of politics and government policy in accordance with the traditions of Britains constitutional monarchy. Charles will have very little freedom of maneuver now that he is King," said Robert Hazell, an expert on British constitutional affairs at University College London. All of his speeches are written or vetted by the government, Hazell added. "If he makes an impromptu remark which seems at odds with government policy, the press will pounce on him to point out the inconsistency, and the government will rein him in; he will have to be far less outspoken than he has been in the past. Story continues Still, many say its unlikely he will abruptly stop discussing climate change and the environment not least because they are issues that are above political ideology. Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said last week that it would be perfectly acceptable for the monarch to advocate for climate action, even though his role is meant to be apolitical. Its important that the monarchy distance from party political issues, Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corp. 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. It should be something thats above politics, the need to act on climate change, he added. Keeping mum on climate may be particularly tricky for Charles in light of the current Conservative governments ambivalent stance. While the government says it remains committed to the goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by mid-century, the administration led by new Prime Minister Liz Truss is encouraging more North Sea oil drilling and reversing a ban on fracking in a bid to boost the domestic energy supply. Britain's government formally confirmed Thursday it was lifting a 2019 ban on fracking or hydraulic fracking, the controversial method of extracting shale gas in England. Officials brushed away criticism from environmental groups and argued that the move would reduce U.K. dependence on international gas prices, which have soared amid Russia's war on Ukraine. Truss' government also announced a new round of licensing for companies to search for oil and gas in the North Sea. Energy Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg has said Britain should keep burning the fossil fuels at its disposal. We need to be thinking about extracting every last cubic inch of gas from the North Sea, he said in a recent radio interview, citing the need for energy security. In the past Rees-Mogg has spoken out against building more on-shore wind farms in Britain and questioned the effect that rising carbon dioxide emissions are having on the climate, even though experts say the warming effects of increasing CO2 levels are clear. As environment secretary in 2014, Truss called large-scale solar farms a blight on the landscape and scrapped subsidies for farmers and landowners to build them. Speaking in a 2018 BBC documentary marking Charles 70th birthday, his sons William and Harry revealed the frustration their father feels at the worlds failure to tackle environmental challenges. They recalled how, as teenagers, Charles would make them go litter picking during the holidays and obsess over the need to turn off lights. Such small actions pale in comparison to the air miles the monarch has racked up over a lifetime of jetting around the world though he claims to have converted his Aston Martin to run on surplus white wine and cheese. Charles lament that many people simply pay no attention to science on climate change has also been called out by those who point out that he has long been an advocate of unproven naturopathic therapies. Some of Charles subjects want him to continue the fight against climate change, even as king. Yet the new king himself has acknowledged that his role as eco-warrior cannot last, at least in its current form. "Im not that stupid," he told the BBC four years ago on being asked whether he would continue his activism as before. The battles of a prince are not those of a king, he explained, but made clear that they can still be fought by the next in line, Prince William. In his first address as sovereign to the nation on Sept. 9, Charles emphasized that, saying it will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others, he added. Like Charles, William, 40, has made climate change one of his main advocacy topics. Last year he made his mark by awarding the first Earthshot Prize, an ambitious legacy project the prince founded to award millions of pounds in grants for environmental initiatives around the world over the next 10 years. His efforts, however, have been undermined by criticism that his conservation charity invested in a bank that is one of the worlds biggest backers of fossil fuels. ___ Follow APs climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment ___ 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. The Cook Political Report on Thursday shifted the Arizona Senate race, one of the key contests that could decide control of the upper chamber, from a toss up to lean Democrat. Jessica Taylor, the Senate and governors editor for Cook, a nonpartisan election analysis website, said in her explanation of the move that the Arizona Senate race may be the best example of Democrats being in a strong position to hold the Senate. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) has led Republican challenger Blake Masters in recent polling, including an AARP poll released Wednesday that showed him up by 8 points. FiveThirtyEights polling average shows Kelly leading Masters by about 8.5 points. Taylor noted Kelly had raised $54 million for his campaign and still had almost $25 million left as of the middle of July, while Masters had raised just less than $5 million during the cycle. Taylor also said it is clear that major outside groups are focusing their manpower elsewhere. A super PAC tied to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the Senate Leadership Fund confirmed Tuesday that it is cutting $9.6 million in advertising buys after already canceling $8 million in ads last month. The Senate Leadership Fund said this week that it expected other groups to step in and make up the fundraising gap, but Taylor said these groups do not have the same extensive donor base. Masterss campaign has also been fully dark on television this week, as the last time his campaign fully purchased ad flights ended on Aug. 30. Taylor said Cook recently observed a focus group with likely Arizona voters who voted for former President Trump in 2016 and President Biden in 2020. All of them were unhappy with Biden, and most voted in the Republican primary for Senate this year, but 7 out of 9 said they would vote for Kelly over Masters if the election was held today. One participant described Masters as dangerous to Arizona like Trump was toward the end of his term, while another said, Weve reached double digits of questionable things the guys said. Story continues The Arizona race is the second major Senate contest that the Cook Political Report has shifted out of its toss up category and toward Democrats in just over a month. The publication in August moved the Pennsylvania Senate race in which Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) is taking on Republican Mehmet Oz from toss up to lean Democrat. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A police officer raped a 13-year-old girl two times after contacting her on online applications, including Snapchat, according to Florida officials. Sheridon Archer, 23, is accused of meeting the 13-year-old at her home and raping her on two separate occasions between Aug. 1 and Aug. 20 while he was on duty with the Palm Bay Police Department, according to an arrest affidavit from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Officers with the Palm Bay Police Department responded to the girls home on Sept. 18 after receiving reports that a police officer was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a minor, according to a statement from the police department. The department identified Archer and called on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate, the statement says. Officials with the agency arrested him on Sept. 21. Officials say Archer used the cellphone apps MeetMe and Snapchat to communicate with the girl. He has been charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious battery on a victim 12-16 years of age, according to sheriffs office records. The Palm Bay Police Department terminated Archer on Sept. 21, according to the department. He had been working with the department for nine months. Archer is being held in the Brevard County Jail, and his bond has been set at $500,000, jail records show. He has been ordered to have no contact with the girl, her family or any child under 18, according to the arrest affidavit. Palm Bay is about 70 miles southeast of Orlando. Firefighter raped 16-year-old girl in West Virginia firehouse bunk room, feds say Female inmates described night of terror, but Indiana sheriff refutes those claims Hotel manager groped housekeepers, Washington suit says. Now hotel owners must pay SAN JOSE (Reuters) - Costa Rica's Congress opened an investigation on Wednesday into complaints of illegal financing during the electoral campaign of President Rodrigo Chaves, who took office in May. A special commission, backed by the opposition, will spend two months investigating complaints regarding bank accounts with ties to several political parties, including Chaves' Social Democratic Progress Party. The investigation by lawmakers follows the opening of another probe by prosecutors, which could lead to the suspension of immunity protections for Chaves and Vice President Stephan Brunner, who served as Chaves' campaign treasurer. Chaves, who ran for office on a message of anti-corruption, has denied any ties to the alleged illegal financing scheme, while dismissing the allegations as politically motivated. Costa Rica's elections court forwarded the findings of an investigation into Chaves to prosecutors in June. That probe found that Chaves' campaign was backed by what the investigation described as a "dark financing scheme," with money funneled from companies and foreigners through a private trust managed by current Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre. "We are going to work rigorously, and without defending partisan interests, to make the campaign finances transparent due to the complaints that have been raised," said opposition lawmaker Dinorah Barquero, who added that Chaves may be called forward to testify. Chaves and Brunner enjoy legal immunity while in office, but could lose it if such a move was requested by the Supreme Court and approved by 38 of 47 opposition legislators. "My conscience is so clear that I sleep well every night," Chaves said in August when audio was leaked that was alleged to contain a conversation in which Brunner discussed campaign finances with Chaves. (Reporting by Alvaro Murillo; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell) Keeping up with tax compliance for cryptocurrency can be tricky, especially since many laws are new (or havent been written yet). Thats why Binocs was founded. Users integrate their exchanges and wallets, and Binocs provides a tax report and other accounting details. The startup announced today that it has raised $4 million to expand in markets like the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. The round was led by BEENEXT and Arkam with participation from Accel, Saison Capital, Premji Invest, Blume and Better Capital. Founded in May 2022 by Tonmoy Shingal and Pankaj Garg and based in Bangalore, Binocs currently has over 1,000 users, including retail and institutional investors who need to perform forensic accounting and risk management. Binocs is currently tax compliant in the U.S., U.K., Australia, South Africa and India, with plans to add more markets next month. Part of the funding will be used for product development and Binocs go-to-market teams for retail and institutional investors. Binocs can provide a tax report in less than 30 minutes. It also tracks return on investment, profits and losses and capital exchanges, as well as taxes for derivatives, lending and borrowing across CeFi and DeFi. The app can give users details on fees and tax deducted at source already paid on transactions so they understand how much taxes they need to pay. Binocs founders Tonmoy Shingal and Pankaj Garg Binocs founders Tonmoy Shingal and Pankaj Garg. Image Credits: Binocs Shingal told TechCrunch that Binocs is meant to be a bridge connecting transactions on the blockchain to the [Web 2.0] equivalent compliance world, especially as the number of coins, exchanges, types of trade and DeFi protocols increase. There are currently about 300 million crypto users, and that is expected to hit about 1 billion by the end of this year. Binocs founders point to figures from the Coin Market Cap that say the total market cap of the crypto industry rose from about $325 billion in September 2020 to $1 trillion in September 2022. With a blended tax of about 20%, the overall tax liability is about $70 billion, a number that can increase to $300 billion by 2026. Story continues Shingal, the startups CEO, said crypto hedges and investment funds often run with a small number of staff, and the process of calculating tax and performing compliance is time consuming because they have to pull data from multiple sources, merge it and then adhere to different compliance and reporting regulations for each type of transaction. The traditional approach is to collate and interpret the blockchain exchange ledgers manually. Doing which requires significant time, sophisticated knowledge about crypto transactions [and] local regulations, Shingal said. This task is time consuming and prone to errors, which could be costly. He added that regulations are one of the biggest obstacles to more adoption of crypto, with about 15 to 20 countries that currently tax crypto investments, and 60 to 70 that will in the future. Binocs also plans to build more apps on top of its algorithm as it gets more data. We think of ourselves as a data company that understands what is going on in crypto transactions and build applications for multiple use cases on top in the future, Shingal said. Binocs is currently pre-revenue and will monetize by operating on a freemium model, as well as an enterprise plan for business investors. NICOSIA (Reuters) - Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades cancelled a meeting scheduled with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in New York after EU foreign ministers agreed to prepare new sanctions against Russia, a government official said on Thursday. The two had been expected to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly late on Wednesday. "In anticipation of the decisions of the EU the guidelines from Brussels to avoid bilateral meetings with Russia were followed," Cyprus government spokesman Marios Pelekanos told state radio. Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides had earlier participated in a meeting of the EU's foreign ministers in New York. EU member Cyprus has close political and economic ties with Russia, but has followed Brussels lead in imposing sanctions on the country in response to its invasion of Ukraine. (Writing By Michele Kambas; Editing by Alex Richardson) One person was killed and two others wounded in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday during a demonstration against the M23 rebel group, local officials said. Civil-society groups staged the rally in the town of Rutshuru in North Kivu province to protest the army's perceived inaction against the M23 -- which has captured swathes of territory since the summer. A mostly Congolese Tutsi group, the M23 first leapt to prominence in 2012 when it briefly captured North Kivu's capital Goma before being driven out. M23 rebels resumed fighting in late 2021 after lying dormant for years. They have since seized territory across North Kivu, including the strategic town of Bunagana on the Ugandan border. The DRC has repeatedly accused its smaller central African neighbour Rwanda of backing the M23, although Kigali denies the charge. On Thursday, protesters gathered outside the office of the military administrator in Rutshuru on the 100th day of the M23's occupation of Bunagana. Police officers shot at demonstrators, killing one and wounding two, according to Justin Bin Serushago, a spokesman for a local civil-society group. "We will not move until military operations have resumed against the M23," he told AFP. An official at Rutshuru general hospital who requested anonymity confirmed that one person -- a young man -- had died after he was shot in the chest. A senior police officer in Rutshuru told AFP that several people had been wounded in the protest, without offering further details. The front between the army and the M23 has remained relatively calm in recent weeks, with soldiers and rebels observing each other from their positions without engaging. The protest in Rutshuru comes after the DRC's President Felix Tshisekedi met his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame on Wednesday in New York, in a meeting brokered by French President Emmanuel Macron in a bid to calm regional tensions. hbm/at/mbb/blb/eml/gw The U.S. and its allies vowed to punish Russia over its invasion of Ukraine at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Well break down the highlights from the meeting. Plus, well preview Secretary of State Antony Blinkens meeting with his Chinese counterpart following President Bidens recent comments on Taiwan. This is Defense & National Security, your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. For The Hill, Im Jordan Williams. A friend forward this newsletter to you? Subscribe here. Ukraines allies vow to punish Russia Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top diplomats allied with Ukraine squared off with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in a meeting of the United Nations Security Council Thursday, confronting Russia on alleged war crimes and pledging to prosecute those responsible. The Security Council meeting was taking place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly the day after Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a televised address mobilizing 300,000 troops to ramp up the war in Ukraine. What Blinken said: That President Putin picked this week, as most of the world gathers at the United Nations, to add fuel to the fire that he started shows his utter contempt for the U.N. Charter for the General Assembly and for this council, Blinken said. The very international order that we have gathered here to uphold is being shredded before our eyes. We cannot, we will not allow President Putin to get away with it. Blinken also noted the chorus of condemnation toward Russias war during the General Assembly coming from countries developing and developed, big and small, north and south. Even a number of nations that maintain close ties with Moscow have said publicly that they have serious questions and concerns about President Putins ongoing invasion, he added. Ukraine weighs in: The Security Council meeting was attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who told a press conference before the meeting that he would keep safe social distance with Lavrov, in one of the few instances where the two diplomats would be in the same room. Story continues Kuleba used his remarks at the council to call for establishing a special tribunal to put President Putin and his entourage on trial for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. And Russia should know one thing: It will never be able to kill all of us, he added. What the ICC said:United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres bluntly blamed Russia for the deaths and injuries of civilians. Those remarks were followed by the prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, who while not blaming Russia specifically rejected claims from Moscow of staged atrocities in Ukrainian villages where mass graves and bodies lying in the streets suggested Russian war crimes. When I went to Bucha and went behind St. Andrews Church, the bodies I saw were not fake, Khan said, adding the ICC is determined to investigate crimes that fall within the courts jurisdiction. We must demonstrate the resolve and the determination and the principle in order not to disappoint and fail those that are in most need of the law as we speak. Support for Russia: Russia received only tepid support from countries that have maintained ties with Moscow. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Beijing supports dialogue and negotiations without preconditions and that sovereignty, territorial integrity of all countries should be respected. Read the full story here. Blinken to meet with Chinese counterpart Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet this week with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the State Department said on Thursday. The meeting is set for Friday and comes after President Biden gave an emphatic yes when asked if U.S. forces would defend Taiwan if China invaded, in an interview with CBSs 60 minutes that aired on Sunday. The Chinese foreign ministry made a formal complaint, issuing stern representations following Bidens remarks, which the White House argued did not constitute a change in U.S. policy. What China said: As part of our ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and manage competition responsibly, the Secretary will discuss a range of bilateral and global issues with the Peoples Republic of China State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the statement read. Rising tensions: China views any efforts by foreign governments to elevate relations with Taiwan as a red line and considers the self-governed island an inalienable part of the mainland. The U.S. position toward Taiwan, and Bidens repeated statements that American forces would defend the democratic island, have infuriated the Chinese. Relations between Washington and Beijing have continued to devolve over a host of security, military, geopolitical, economic and environmental issues. Read the full story here. FAT LEONARD ARRESTED IN VENEZUELA Leonard Francis, better known as Fat Leonard, has been arrested in Venezuela after he escaped from home confinement earlier this month while awaiting sentencing in connection to the biggest U.S. military corruption case in the last decade. Francis, a Malaysian former military contractor, pleaded guilty in 2015 to charges of bribing U.S. Navy officials as part of a $35 million bribery scandal. He was assigned to house arrest in San Diego weeks before he was scheduled to be sentenced but allegedly cut off his GPS monitor and left on Sept. 4. Francis arrived in Venezuela from Mexico and planned to make a stop in Cuba before going to Russia, Venezuelas Interpol Chief Carlos Garate Rondon said in an Instagram post Wednesday. Rondon said Francis was arrested at Simon Bolivar International Airport in the city of Maiquetia as he was about to leave the country and will be turned over to Venezuelas judicial authorities to start extradition proceedings. Read more here. ON TAP FOR TOMORROW The Belfer Center will host a discussion on Beyond the Nuclear Canon: Teaching the Bomb in the 21st Century at 10 a.m. The Hudson Institute will host an event on The Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict and the American Interest at 12 p.m. The Middle East Institute will host His Excellency Rashad al-Alimi of the Republic of Yemen at 3 p.m. WHAT WERE READING North Korea rejects US intelligence allegations it supplied weapons to Russia Treasury Department sanctions Iranian police force after death of 22-year-old in custody 1,300 detained in anti-war demonstrations throughout Russia: rights group Thats it for today! Check out The Hills Defense and National Security pages for the latest coverage. See you tomorrow! VIEW FULL VERSION HERE For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. NEW YORK CITY Blue cities for months have pleaded for help from the White House as they struggle with the massive influx of migrants. They claim theyre still waiting. Since the summer, mayors in Chicago, New York City and Washington, D.C., have faced massive strains on their shelters and health services after Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott bused thousands of migrants to their cities from the southern border. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, this week said the situation is so dire that he suggested housing migrants on cruise ships to help alleviate the crisis. We do need help. We need the federal government, the state government, to play a role, Adams told reporters on Tuesday. This is a humanitarian crisis created by human hands. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, also a Democrat, last week said that she met with officials at the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies and made it very clear that they need a plan to help. We need federal support, resources, communication and collaboration, she said. And that has to come in short order. But that cant happen, however, until the city first applies for funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The issue of Republican governors shipping migrants to Democratic strongholds was thrust into the open after Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis flew dozens of mostly Venezuelan asylum seekers to Marthas Vineyard, an elite summer vacation spot for the nations elite. But Abbott has spent millions of dollars to bus migrants from his state to Democratic cities since April. He sent about 2,500 to NYC, more than 800 to Chicago and almost 10,000 to Washington, D.C., including several busloads deposited directly in front of Vice President Kamala Harris residence at the Naval Observatory. Abbotts move has burdened resources and drawn outrage from city leaders, who say the Texas GOP governor and DeSantis are using migrants as pawns in their political stunts. The Republican governors, who are both running for reelection this year, have said theyre trying to draw attention to the Biden administrations border policies but the Democratic city leaders say the transports are creating a humanitarian crisis. Story continues It is difficult to predict the erratic behavior of an erratic governor, Adams said of Abbott. We have no idea whats next for him and what hes going to do. The White House, however, said it is continuing to do everything we can to support cities as Governor Abbott and Governor DeSantis intentionally create chaos and confusion with their cruel political stunts. While we continue to work with our regional partners to manage the new migration challenge caused by failing authoritarian regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba, we are also leading a comprehensive effort to support cities that are welcoming the people fleeing communism who Governor DeSantis and Governor Abbott are using as political pawns, said White House Assistant Press Secretary Abdullah Hasan in a statement. For instance, FEMA has personnel dedicated to supporting each city, expediting requests for reimbursement as they come in, mobilizing local service provider and non-profit support, and working with other federal agencies to identify additional resources. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in early September declared a public emergency over migrants bused to her city, which allows the city to access $10 million to help in the effort. But, as the Washington Post reported at the time, the emergency declaration was also an acknowledgement that the Biden administration wasnt going to help her. The Department of Defense had twice rejected Bowsers request for National Guard troops to help in unloading migrants Abbott and Arizona GOP Gov. Doug Ducey sent to the nations capital. The Pentagon, according to the Post, rejected the mayors request because National Guard troops arent trained in sanitation and food service and deploying them to assist the city could take away from the Guards readiness. The D.C. Council this week, at Bowsers urging, voted to create a government office that will help provide asylum seekers with food, legal services and temporary shelter, among other things. What our country needs is for Congress to fix the immigration system, Bowser said in a statement after the vote. We also encourage the Administration to fulfill the requests of cities and states that are receiving buses and planes with no coordination or notification from those sending them. MIAMI President Joe Biden is coming to Florida next week to campaign with Charlie Crist as he tries to unseat Gov. Ron DeSantis in a battleground state that has increasingly become a Republican stronghold. But Democratic Senate candidate Val Demings wont be there Tuesday to meet the president in her hometown, Orlando. The divergent whereabouts of the two candidates says as much about their respective campaigns as it does about Democrats' approach-or-avoid conflict with the president, whose approval ratings remain underwater as he nevertheless regains his popularity and starts hitting the campaign trail in the final weeks leading up to the Nov. 8 midterm election. Democratic candidates across the country have either tiptoed around or embraced Biden, depending on their races. For months, there were obvious signs of strain between the White House and battleground Democrats: Biden sought to trumpet his legislative victories, but Democrats in close contests were still outperforming him in polls and either minimized their appearances with the president or avoided him outright. In Florida, Crist has a tougher race on his hands than Demings. He trails DeSantis by a wider margin than Demings does in her matchup against Sen. Marco Rubio, recent polls show. Demings also has about as much campaign cash as Rubio, while Crist is going up against an incumbent with $120 million on hand, a record for any statewide race in the country. Given the size of the state and its 10 expensive media markets, Crist needs Biden to at least get free media exposure, said Steve Vancore, a Democratic pollster from Florida. "Val Demings doesnt need the money and attention that Charlie Crist does. So therefore, she could look at polling and say, 'I need to get crossover voters, and Joe Bidens underwater,' Vancore said. A Suffolk University poll, conducted for USA Today and released Wednesday, drove home the differences between the two Florida Democrats. Demings trailed Rubio by 4 percentage points, Crist was behind DeSantis by 7 points (with the margin of error for both at just over 4 percentage points), and Bidens approval ratings were upside down: 40% of Florida voters overall had favorable opinions of the president, compared to 54% who had unfavorable opinions. Story continues But there was a stark divide among undecided voters: Only 16% perceived Biden favorably, compared to 58% who held unfavorable views, said David Paleologos, Suffolks pollster. The calculation for Crist is Im down 7 points; I have to win an inside straight here in this poker game, and maybe if Bidens numbers continue to come up and they are rising it will be a wise move at this snapshot at time," Paleologos said. But its a risk he needs to take to get whatever media attention he gets. The Suffolk poll also showed DeSantis with higher approval ratings than Biden, and he outperformed former President Donald Trump in a hypothetical matchup in Florida. Trump won Florida by about 3 percentage points in the 2020 presidential election. In a statement to NBC News, Crist said: Florida is on the front lines in the fight to protect womens freedoms and preserve our democracy. President Biden knows that, which is why he is coming and why Im proud to welcome him. NBC News has asked the White House for comment. Crist recently resigned his congressional seat to campaign full time. Demings, who has kept her House seat, has made her work on Capitol Hill a hallmark of her campaign, and she said she will be in the nation's capital Tuesday, even though the House isnt conducting any official business that day. While Bidens poll numbers are inching back up, hes still in negative territory, which makes Crists enthusiasm for a Biden visit all the more a rarity. Before Josh Shapiro, the Democratic nominee for governor of Pennsylvania, appeared with Biden at an event late last month, his campaign made it clear it would be in his official capacity as state attorney general. And Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman, the lieutenant governor, initially distanced himself from Biden at a Pittsburgh Labor Day event before he posed for photos with the president. Meanwhile, Democrats like Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Ohio Senate candidate Tim Ryan have sought to distinguish themselves from Biden. They both blasted his move to forgive federally backed student loans, saying it did nothing to help working-class residents who didnt go to college and that it failed to address the root problem of affordability for higher education. The Florida dynamic also played out recently in Wisconsin, where Biden teed off on Republican Sen. Ron Johnson. But Johnsons Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, wasnt there to hear it. Instead, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is in a tight race with Republican Tim Michels, appeared in the Labor Day speaking lineup with the president, but only after an earlier hubbub in which the governors office reportedly shut down a White House request for a joint appearance in July. Crist has had experience avoiding presidents, as well. In 2006, when he was the Republican attorney general running for the states top seat, Crist avoided the unpopular leader of his party at the time, President George W. Bush. Crist won handily. In 2014, Crist ran for governor as a Democrat in a comeback bid, but he decided not to have a rally with President Barack Obama. Crist narrowly lost that election. He learned his lesson, said a former adviser, who didnt want to speak on the record to disclose private conversations. The fact is, Charlie knows he cant outrun the president, he shouldnt outrun the president, and hes running a campaign like Biden did to bring decency back to government against radical Republicans like DeSantis. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Belk department stores operate across the US (Getty Images) An investigation is underway in South Carolina after the body of a 63-year-old department store employee was discovered four days after she went missing in a bathroom, officials have said. Bessie Durham, who worked as a janitor at the Belk department store in Columbia, died after entering a bathroom at the store inside the citys Columbiana Center on Thursday, the Associated Press reported. While a cause of death has yet been determined, officials say she was last seen on surveillance footage entering the bathroom and did not leave in the four days before her body was uncovered. Her cleaning cart was outside the restroom. Columbia Deputy Police Chief Melron Kelly told WIS-TV that a family member reported Ms Durham missing, which lead to a search for the woman. We were with the family taking a missing persons report, and once we were on scene and did a little investigating, we did discover the person deceased at the Belk, said Mr Kelly. The department store was open during the four days that Ms Durham was missing, although it remains unclear if the public bathroom were her body was located was also in use during the time period. The Lexington County Coroners Office said there are no signs of drug use or foul play in Ms Durhams death, and that an autopsy was due to be carried out to determine her cause of death. Police are also probing the incident to see if any acts of negligence were committed, according to WIS-TV. Were still working with the store to find out what their process is to closing down the store, inspecting the store and things of that nature, Mr Kelly said of the response. Shoppers interviewed by WIS-TV expressed their surprise at at the death, with Columbia resident Beverley Shroman telling reporters: There are a lot of questions that need to be answered. You wonder why the customers didnt see it and report it, but you would think, the employees, if shes still on the clock, would know that and go and check to see where she was, she added. Belk said in a statement to the local news outlet that it was working with the police investigation and that it expressed our deepest condolences to the family of the housekeeping associate who was employed by KBS, which provides cleaning services at our Columbiana Centre location. The company added: At this time, we are working with KBS to determine the details around what happened. We have also made counsellors available to Belk and KBS associates seeking support. The Fulton County Sheriffs Office is searching for a man accused of assaulting a female worker inside a bathroom at the Fulton County Courthouse. Authorities confirmed to Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne that the victim is a worker at the courthouse. Unfortunately, we had a young lady that was attacked in a courthouse restroom, deputies said. Fortunately, a witness walked in and interrupted the assault. Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat said that the victim had minor injuries and was pretty shaken up. RELATED NEWS: The man is described as a Black male with medium complexion. He is approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall with a muscular build and a short haircut. He was last wearing light blue jean shorts and a black tank top. The man was identified as he exited the courthouse. Apparently, the gentleman had been hiding out in the bathroom and escaped through one of the side entrances, Labat said. The Fulton County Sheriffs Office says there is an active search for the man around the Justice Center Complex. Anyone who sees him is asked to call 911. IN OTHER NEWS: A plan linked to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to fly migrants from San Antonio, Texas, to Delaware near President Biden's home fell apart Tuesday, according to a new report. Delaware officials and the White House said they were monitoring for the potential arrival of a plane of migrants from Texas on Tuesday. The plane, owned by a charter company hired by the state of Florida, never arrived, however. The Miami Herald reports that an unnamed woman offered around 20 migrants a flight out of Texas to jurisdictions with more resources to help them, eventually telling them that Delaware was the destination. But the flight was canceled Tuesday with no explanation, according to Herald interviews with the migrants, who had been staying in a hotel for five days awaiting the trip. NYC MAYOR ADAMS CONFIRMS MIGRANT DEATH BY SUICIDE AT CITY SHELTER, BLAMES TEXAS GOV. ABBOTT "We were out in the street, and they offered us the opportunity to sleep in a bed," Venezuelan migrant Deiker Jose, 19, told the Herald. "We thought they were offering to help us." DeSantis last week flew 48 illegal immigrants from Venezuela to the ritzy Massachusetts island of Marthas Vineyard. At a press conference on Tuesday, DeSantis would not confirm he was sending a plane to Delaware. DESANTIS VOWS TO SEND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS 'DUMPED' IN FLORIDA TO BIDEN'S HOME STATE OF DELAWARE DeSantis has defended using state funds to fly migrants out of another state, saying that intelligence shows between a third to 40% of migrants crossing the southern border illegally are seeking to end up in Florida. "If you can do it at the source and divert to sanctuary jurisdictions, the chance they end up in Florida is much less," he said. DeSantis claimed as early as April of this year that he would send illegal immigrants who are "dumped" into the Sunshine State to sanctuary states like President Biden's home state of Delaware. Migrants who recently arrived from Venezuela after crossing from Mexico wait to be assigned a hotel room provided by the El Paso Office of Emergency Management on Sept. 21, 2022, in El Paso, Texas. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Last November, DeSantis said dozens of migrant flights had landed in Florida at the behest of the Biden administration, and he threatened at that time to send them to Delaware on buses. Story continues Abbott has been busing migrants from the southern border to "sanctuary" destinations for the past several months. Texas has sent at least 8,000 migrants to Washington, D.C., since April and more than 2,500 migrants to New York City since August 5, according to the Texas governors offices latest figures. More than 600 migrants from Texas have arrived in Chicago since late August. Fox News' Danielle Wallace contributed to this report. A group of 48 mostly Venezeulan migrants who the state of Florida transported in a surprise flight to Marthas Vineyard last week have sued governor Ron DeSantis for the fraudulent and discriminatory scheme. The class- action lawsuit comes as at least two law enforcement agencies are also investigating the actions of Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott for potential illegality. A new report has revelaed the funding for Mr DeSantiss migrant flights. The contractor hired by the governor is a longtime GOP donor. Meanwhile, a plane reportedly full of asylum-seekers heading from Texas to Delaware so far hasnt materialised, even as officials there worried theyd be the latest to be surprised with Floridas highly controversial scheme of flying migrants unannounced to liberal jurisdictions. Governor DeSantis and his aides have defended sending migrants to Democratic-leading states and cities in protest of what they characterise as the presidents open border policy. Key points DeSantis hit with class action suit Six unanswered questions about Ron DeSantiss migrant flights Migrants on the Marthas Vineyard flight werent in US illegally, despite DeSantis claims Texas sheriff announces investigation into DeSantis flights Jared Kushner condemns migrant flights organised by DeSantis More than $1m in Florida funding steered to GOP donor amid migrants controversy 07:00 , John Bowden A contractor owned by a Republican donor is seeing a massive windfall thanks to Ron DeSantiss efforts to fly migrants from Texas to Massachusetts, and to other Democratic strongholds. New analyses of state records indicate that more than $1m in funding for the flights was given to the company as it carries out Mr DeSantiss efforts to embarrass the Biden White House. Read more from Alex Woodward in The Independent: Ron DeSantis chartered migrant flights from GOP donor, report finds Abbott and DeSantis promise more migrant flights 05:00 , John Bowden The GOP governors of Florida and Texas have shown no signs of letting up in their campaign to embarass the Biden administration by organising flights of migrants to liberal-controlled cities. The plan has been roundly criticised for supposedly deceptive practices and the overall legality of the process. Story continues Theres also going to be buses, and there will likely be more flights, Mr DeSantis said on Friday. The Legislature gave me $12 million. Were going to spend every penny of that to make sure that were protecting the people of the state of Florida. Mr Abbott, whose Operation Lone Star has bused more than 10,000 migrants into liberal cities across the country, has also promised more of the same. Texas will continue sending migrants to sanctuary cities like Washington, DC until President Biden and Border Czar Harris step up and do their jobs to secure the border, he said last week in a statement. Read more from Josh Marcus: Latest migrant flight reportedly heading to Bidens summer home GOP's hard-line tactics on migrants refocus midterm debate 04:00 , John Bowden Ron DeSantis and other Republicans are working overtime to refocus the midterms on the issue of immigration as their party faces the unfavourable prospect of voters casting their ballots amid unprecedented criminal investigations into Donald Trump as well as the GOPs new campaign to restrict abortion rights nationwide. It will be a big issue in the elections, I can tell you that, Mr DeSantis vowed on Tuesday. Its already made more of an impact than anyone thought it could possibly make. But were going to continue to make more of an impact. Read more in The Independent: GOP's hard-line tactics on migrants refocus midterm debate White House preparing for DeSantis migrant flights to Delaware as state agencies ready response 03:00 , John Bowden The White House says it is taking over the task of coordinating with state agencies to prepare for the arrivals of groups of migrants organised by the governors of Florida and Texas after those Republicans refused to communicated with local governments or aid groups at all. We are coordinating closely with state officials and local service providers who are prepared to welcome these families in an orderly manner as they pursue their asylum claims, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. Read more about the administrations efforts from Alex Woodward: White House preparing for DeSantis migrant flights to Delaware Jared Kushner: DeSantis using migrants as political pawns' 02:00 , John Bowden Ron DeSantiss use of state funding to transport migrants thousands of miles away from Texas all the way to Massachusetts appears to be too much for even Jared Kushner, a top adviser (and son-in-law) of former President Donald Trump. He joined the ranks of those describing the governors efforts as dehumanising in an interview with Fox News. I personally watch what's happening, and it's very hard to see at the southern border, I alsowe have to remember that these are human beings, they're people, so seeing them being used as political pawns one way or the other is very troubling to me, he said. Read more: Jared Kushner condemns DeSantiss migrant flights Texas congressman rips DeSantis and Abbott 01:00 , John Bowden Rep Joaquin Castro furiously condemned the governors of Texas and Florida this week for what he called a hypocritical stance towards left-leaning governments in Central/South America and the migrants who have fled them in recent years. "DeSantis, Abbott etc are constantly beating up on places like Cuba and Venezuela because the leaders are so repressive and make the countries dangerous for people, and yet when people try to flee, they treat them like shit, argued the congressman. Jon Stewart blasts DeSantis over d***ish migrant flights Thursday 22 September 2022 00:00 , John Bowden Former Comedy Central star Jon Stewart sounded off against Ron DeSantis over the latters scheme to fly migrants from Texas to Massachusetts, using funding meant to help the people of Florida. This stunt did exactly what he wanted it to do, which is jumped his profile, made him a hero amongst those, for whom d***ishness is one of those sole characteristics that theyre looking for in their leaders, said the liberal comedian. Read more about his remarks from Graig Graziosi: Jon Stewart blasts DeSantis over d***ish migrant flights Marco Rubio spreads misinformation about migrants Wednesday 21 September 2022 23:31 , John Bowden Florida Senator Marco Rubio is joining the list of Republicans spreading lies about migrants flown to Marthas Vineyard as the backlash against the GOP-led effort grows. Mr Rubio went on Fox News to claim, falsely, that the migrants suing the governor of Florida over the scheme were not even here legally. But, of course, that isnt true. The migrants in question are asylum-seekers, which is a longstanding legal method of applying for residence in the United States. Read more at Fox News: Rubio sounds off on migrants suing DeSantis: 'They're not even here legally' https://t.co/a0zt9ZzMsn Fox News (@FoxNews) September 21, 2022 Greg Abbott designates drug cartels as terrorist groups Wednesday 21 September 2022 23:02 , John Bowden Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed an executive order aimed at fighting international narcotics cartels headquartered in Mexico and elsewhere in Central/South America. The order, signed by Mr Abbott on Wednesday, officially designates such groups as terrorist organisations and redirects local law enforcement agencies to redouble their efforts aimed at thwarting the activities of those groups in Texas. In actuality, the order will have little effect on how law enforcement treats such investigations. Read more of his order here: Besides designating drug cartels as "terrorists," here's what the Executive Order signed by Gov. Abbott today does. pic.twitter.com/OvDKFjDfb8 Gary Grumbach (@GaryGrumbach) September 21, 2022 Marjorie Taylor Greene launches 10-minute rant about borders when being asked to help Ukraine Wednesday 21 September 2022 22:35 , John Bowden Marjorie Taylor Greene has filmed a 10-minute rant complaining that she was being asked to support Ukraine in its war with Russia. And as usual, shes claiming that Joe Biden does not care about the US borders amid historic levels of migration. There is a countrys border that he (Biden) cares about and it is not this countrys border, it is Ukraines border, the congresswoman charged. Read more from The Independents Graeme Massie: Marjorie Taylor Greene complains about being asked to help Ukraine in 10-minute rant Congresswoman responds to report that DeSantis used GOP donor for migrant flights: OF COURSE' Wednesday 21 September 2022 20:15 , John Bowden Rep Ilhan Omar of Minnesota had a withering response to a report on Wednesday from The Intercept detailing that the contractor hired by Ron DeSantis for his scheme to fly migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard is a longtime GOP donor. Of COURSE this was gonna turn out to be the case. These are Republicans. Its not enough to be cruel, violent, and stupid. Gotta be corrupt while theyre at it, too! Of COURSE this was gonna turn out to be the case. These are Republicans. It's not enough to be cruel, violent, and stupid. Gotta be corrupt while they're at it, too! https://t.co/gMUZYTnlDp Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) September 21, 2022 Marco Rubio fumes that asylum seekers can sue DeSantis Wednesday 21 September 2022 19:52 , John Bowden Floridas senior US senator, Marco Rubio, is furious over an announcement that dozens of asylum-seekers who say they were lured onto flights for Massachusetts by officials working for Ron DeSantis will be suing the governor. The migrants say that the governors workers used deceptive practices and promised them aid that never materialised. They have lawyers representing them in court, suing the American government It angers me, and it should anger everybody, he argued. Mr DeSantiss scheme is now being investigated by law enforcement and faces a civil court battle announced on Tuesday as well. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) says migrants filing a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) claiming they were misled in his political stunt is outrageous: They have lawyers representing them in court, suing the American government It angers me, and it should anger everybody. pic.twitter.com/e5Ad9r1TdR The Recount (@therecount) September 21, 2022 Contractor who got hundreds of thousands in Florida state funding is GOP donor Wednesday 21 September 2022 19:28 , John Bowden The contractor who was paid more than a half million dollars to transport migrants from Texas to Massachusetts at the behest of Floridas governor is a supporter of the governor who has donated to GOP candidates. The donations were uncovered by The Intercept and add a new layer to Ron DeSantiss use of state funds for a program that is increasingly being denounced as a political and potentially illegal stunt. Read more at The Intercept: Billboard truck displaying feed of migrants press conference follows DeSantis Wednesday 21 September 2022 18:25 , John Bowden A Democratic activist has chartered a billboard truck to follow Ron DeSantis and display video footage of attorneys for migrant asylum-seekers detailing allegations against him that are part of a class-action lawsuit filed yesterday. We sent this billboard truck to Ron DeSantis event in Boca Raton with a video showing the lawyers representing the migrants who were sent to Marthas Vineyard detailing the lies that were told to these people. We will shame DeSantis wherever he goes. pic.twitter.com/WhHHT3yKGK Thomas Kennedy (@tomaskenn) September 21, 2022 DeSantis admits Florida not seeing mass movements of migrants Wednesday 21 September 2022 18:00 , John Bowden With pressure growing to explain why he used state funds to bus migrants across the United States from Texas to Massachusetts, Floridas governor is now admitting that mass caravans or groups of migrants are simply not a problem in his state. Mr DeSantis and other conservatives have long fearmongered over the arrival of large groups of migrants at the southern border and have claimed that the busing efforts are necessary to reduce the strain on their respective states systems. The governor made the admission at a press conference this week. Watch below: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), when asked why the state paid to transport migrants from Texas instead of from Florida: The problem is were not seeing mass movements of them into Florida Its just coming in onesie-twosies. pic.twitter.com/zY1Ma3cst8 The Recount (@therecount) September 20, 2022 Texas sheriff faces influx of threats for investigating DeSantis sending migrant flights to northeast Wednesday 21 September 2022 17:36 , John Bowden Add a Texas sheriffs department to the list of law enforcement agencies threatened with violence by conservatives after announcing action to criminally investigate their political leaders. The Bexar County sheriffs office says that their agency has received a surge of calls as well as numerous threats towards department personnel in the wake of its announcement of an investigation into Florida Governor Ron DeSantiss efforts to bus migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard using state funds and supposedly via the use of deceptive practices. The situation follows a rise in similar threats to FBI officials after the agencys raid of Mar-a-Lago. Read more from Gino Spocchia in The Independent: Texas sheriff threatened for investigating DeSantiss migrant flights Migrants and civil rights attorneys file federal lawsuit against DeSantis administration Wednesday 21 September 2022 17:00 , John Bowden Ron DeSantis is now facing a class-action lawsuit over what a group of 50 migrants, mostly from Venezuela, described as a fraudulent scheme to lure them onto buses bound for Marthas Vineyard. The lawsuit alleges the governor and members of his administration targeted immigrants who were recently released from shelters with false promises of job opportunities, education and financial assistance before they landed on the island with only volunteered support from local groups and emergency assistance from state agencies. Read more from Alex Woodward in The Independent: Migrants and civil rights groups file federal lawsuit against DeSantis administration DeSantiss team lured hungry migrants with $10 McDonalds gift cards, lawsuit says Wednesday 21 September 2022 16:21 , John Bowden Florida Governor Ron DeSantiss team lured migrants with $10 McDonalds gift certificates to gain their trust as part of a scheme to fly them to Marthas Vineyard from Texas, according to a new federal lawsuit. The resistance to the scheme launched by Mr DeSantis and his GOP colleague in Texas, Greg Abbott, is growing as the two have been accused of deceptive practices. The move has been attacked by the White House as an illegal and political stunt. Read more from Sravasti Dasgupta in The Independent: Ron DeSantiss team lured migrants with $10 McDonalds gift cards, lawsuit says False promises, a legal investigation and a mystery woman: Unanswered questions about Ron DeSantis's migrant flights Wednesday 21 September 2022 15:49 , John Bowden Two planes with 48 migrants, most of whom fled Venezuela in the wake of that countrys political and economic collapse, landed unannounced on the island of Marthas Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts on 14 September. Days later, officials in Delaware were anticipating another Texas flight bound for the coast, roughly 20 miles from President Joe Bidens beach home. Both were organised by Floridas governor, the firebrand conservative Ron DeSantis, who is vying to raise his national profile ahead of an expected 2024 presidential run. But much remains unclear about the governors plan, including how Florida funds are paying for it, who is working with the state to put migrants on planes, and what will happen next to migrants and their families seeking asylum in the US. Alex Woodward reports for The Independent: Six unanswered questions about Ron DeSantiss migrant flights Sheriffs investigating migrant flights say theyre receiving violent threats Wednesday 21 September 2022 15:23 , John Bowden Law enforcement agencies investigating Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott over their twin schemes to bus migrants around the country say they are now receiving violent threats from conservatives. On Tuesday, a spokesperson from the Bexar County Sheriffs office told VICE News that there have been numerous threats, an influx of calls to our dispatch and administrative offices, along with hateful emails received since the announcement of that countys investigation. Additionally, as in any instance when our office receives threats precautionary measures will be made for safety of all personnel, they said. Read more at Vice: Jared Kushner condemns DeSantiss migrant flights Wednesday 21 September 2022 15:02 , John Bowden Ex-President Donald Trumps son-in-law and White House adviser Jared Kushner said in an interview that he was very troubled by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis flying migrants from the US-Mexico border to Marthas Vineyard. He made the comments on Fox News, where many conservatives are likely to hear his opposition to the plan that has won Mr DeSantis praise from his fans and condemnation from rights groups and humanitarian organisations. I personally watch what's happening, and it's very hard to see at the southern border, I alsowe have to remember that these are human beings, they're people, so seeing them being used as political pawns one way or the other is very troubling to me, Mr Kushner said. Read more from The Independents Eric Garcia: Jared Kushner condemns DeSantiss migrant flights New poll shows DeSantis leading Trump in hypothetical Florida primary Wednesday 21 September 2022 14:39 , John Bowden A new survey of voters in his home state suggests that Floridas Ron DeSantis would win at least one state in a hypothetical GOP primary matchup against Donald Trump, were it to occur today. Mr DeSantiss lead over the ex-president comes as the former has enacted a plan to use state funds to bus migrants from Texas to Democrat-led jurisdictions in what appears to be an obviously political effort to embarass the Biden administration. The latter remains at Mar-a-Lago, in the same state, facing multiple criminal investigations. Read the latest poll results at Axios: Fact check: Ron DeSantis distorting immigration facts as he defends flights Wednesday 21 September 2022 14:27 , John Bowden The govenors of Florida and Texas have roundly attacked the Biden administration as they continue their efforts to bus groups of migrants to Democrat-led areas, a scheme that has been denounced as a costly political stunt. But in reality, the border under Joe Biden looks very similar to the border under the Trump administration; and thats not the only mistruth that has been floating around in recent days. Governors of the two states are now also conflating asylum-seekers with illegal migration a dangerous development that stems from the right-wing belief that America should not offer asylum to refugees and should favour natural-born citizens. Read more from The Independent about the real situation behind the bluster: Fact check: Ron DeSantis distorting immigration facts as he defends flights DeSantiss team lured hungry migrants with $10 McDonalds gift cards, lawsuit says Wednesday 21 September 2022 10:00 , Shweta Sharma Florida governor Ron DeSantiss team lured migrants with $10 McDonalds gift certificates to gain their trust as part of a scheme to fly them to Marthas Vineyard from Texas, a new federal lawsuit has alleged. The lawsuit has been filed by Lawyers for Civil Rights, Boston, on behalf of a class of affected immigrants, including those stranded in Marthas Vineyard, and Alianza Americas, a network of migrant-led organisations supporting immigrants. The Independents Sravasti Dasgupta reports. Ron DeSantiss team lured migrants with $10 McDonalds gift cards, lawsuit says Fact check: Ron DeSantis distorting immigration facts as he defends flights Wednesday 21 September 2022 09:00 , Josh Marcus How historic is the current border situation? Is Joe Biden creating an open border thats responsible for these trends? And were the migrants on the controversial, Florida-funded Marthas Vineyard flight in the US illegally? Find out in our fact check. Fact check: Ron DeSantis distorting immigration facts as he defends flights Biden responds to rumoured migrant flight to Delaware with a joke Wednesday 21 September 2022 07:59 , Josh Marcus President Joe Biden responded to reports that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has organised another flight to send migrants to the northeast, this time sending a plane to Delaware near the US presidents beach home. In unscripted remarks to reporters after speaking on campaign finance, Mr Biden goaded the Republican governor over the latest political stunt. He should come visit, we have a beautiful shoreline, Mr Biden told reporters on Tuesday when asked to respond to Mr DeSantiss latest gambit. More from our story: Biden taunts DeSantis over reported migrant flight to Delaware Reported Delaware flight of migrants sends officials scrambling Wednesday 21 September 2022 07:15 , Josh Marcus The White House is coordinating with state officials and aid groups preparing for the potential arrival of a plane with migrants sent from Texas to coastal Delaware near the beach home of President Joe Biden. The flight, due to arrive on Tuesday afternoon, could mark the second flight within a week organised by Florida Governor Ron DeSantiss administration to move people seeking asylum in San Antonio to northeastern towns. We are coordinating closely with state officials and local service providers who are prepared to welcome these families in an orderly manner as they pursue their asylum claims, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. Get the full story. White House preparing for DeSantis migrant flights to Delaware GOP's hard-line tactics on migrants refocus midterm debate Wednesday 21 September 2022 06:30 , Josh Marcus Theyve delivered migrants on planes and buses to Washington, D.C., New York City even Marthas Vineyard. And the Republican governors of Florida and Texas may be just getting started. Govs. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas insist such dramatic steps are need to highlight a genuine crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, where thousands of migrants stream into the country illegally each day. But weeks away from their own competitive reelections, friends and foes alike acknowledged that such hard-line tactics have effectively refocused Novembers midterm elections at least, temporarily away from abortion rights and toward an issue more favorable to Republicans. A defiant DeSantis on Tuesday blasted the Biden administrations inaction on the Southern border and celebrated his own policies for making illegal immigration a front-burner issue ahead of the midterms. Read more. GOP's hard-line tactics on migrants refocus midterm debate Legal pressure on DeSantis for migrant flights continues with lawsuit Wednesday 21 September 2022 05:45 , Josh Marcus Attorneys for a group of migrants who boarded unannounced flights to Marthas Vineyard from San Antonio, Texas have filed a federal class action lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who allegedly directed a fraudulent and discriminatory scheme to transport a group of 50 people, including families with small children, as part of a political stunt. The lawsuit alleges the governor and members of his administration targeted immigrants who were recently released from shelters with false promises of job opportunities, education and financial assistance before they landed on the island with only volunteered support from local groups and emergency assistance from state agencies. Attorneys allege that the migrants were exploited for political purposes after arriving on the island last week. Get all the details about the bombshell lawsuit. Migrants and civil rights groups file federal lawsuit against DeSantis administration Why both parties have failed to create a stable immigration system Wednesday 21 September 2022 05:00 , Josh Marcus Every few months, the right declares theres a new crisis at the US-Mexico border. In reality, both parties have created an unstable US immigration system through decades of inaction. Sadly, this piece from last summer is still relevant, as many of the false claims and feckless solutions regarding immigration are once again making the rounds in the political discourse. What Trump and Biden both get wrong about the migration crisis at the border How a false brochure helped lure migrants to Marthas Vineyard flights Wednesday 21 September 2022 04:15 , Josh Marcus Before they boarded planes bound for Marthas Vineyard, a group of about 50 migrants in San Antonio, Texas, were handed a trifold brochure titled Massachusetts Refugee Benefits. A front cover included a photograph of a Massachusetts Department of Transportation highway sign reading Massachusetts Welcomes You above an illustration of the state. On the back, printed in English and Spanish was the name and phone number and website for the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants, a state agency that aids resettlement agencies and works with community groups to provide assistance to newly arrived refugees. But the agency had nothing to do with the flier. The flier was mocked up to look like a government document, falsely suggesting that the group of mostly Venzeulan people seeking asylum in the US would be eligible for cash assistance, housing, food, job training, job interviews and other benefits. Alex Woodward has the details. Migrants were given brochures with false promises of aid. Who made them? Were Ron DeSantiss migrant flights illegal? Wednesday 21 September 2022 03:25 , Josh Marcus The Department of Justice has been tapped by California Governor Gavin Newsom to investigate whether Florida Governor Ron DeSantiss controversial decision to send two flights of migrants north would amount to kidnapping. I strongly urge the U.S. Department of Justice (US DOJ) to open an investigation into possible criminal or civil violations of federal law based on this alleged fraudulent scheme, Gov Newsom wrote in a 15 September letter addressed to US Attorney General Merrick Garland. Johanna Chisholm has the story. DeSantis could be charged with kidnap after moving migrants to Marthas Vineyard ICMYI: Texas sheriff to investigate Florida for flying migrants to Marthas Vineyard Wednesday 21 September 2022 02:40 , Josh Marcus A sheriff in Texas has opened an investigation into whether a group of migrants were lured on board last weeks flights from San Antonio to Massachusetts. The flights, widely derided as a political stunt engineered by Floridas Republican Governor Ron DeSantis against Democratic sanctuary policies, have faced international scrutiny following reports that migrants and their families were deceptively collected into planes out of state after seeking asylum in the US. Get all the details. Texas sheriff to investigate Florida for flying migrants to Marthas Vineyard False promises, a legal investigation and a mystery woman: Unanswered questions about Ron DeSantis's migrant flights Wednesday 21 September 2022 01:55 , Josh Marcus Two planes with 48 migrants, most of whom fled Venezuela in the wake of that countrys political and economic collapse, landed unannounced on the island of Marthas Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts on 14 September. But so much remains unclear about the migrants journey, how Florida officials are identifying and collecting migrants in other states as part of the Republican governors state-sanctioned plans to send them to Democratic-leading states and cities, and how funding earmarked for his scheme is paying for it from several states away. Alex Woodward has this in-depth look at what we do and dont know about the controversial flight scheme. Six unanswered questions about Ron DeSantiss migrant flights Ron DeSantis admits immigration isnt a big problem in Florida Wednesday 21 September 2022 01:10 , Josh Marcus Ron DeSantis has made himself the face of the anti-immigration movement with his migrant flights to Florida, but theres something a bit strange about them. Mass migration isnt much of a factor in Florida, and the flights themselves began by picking up migrants in Texas, a state far more in contact with cross-border migration from Mexico. Were not seeing mass movements of them into Florida, Mr DeSantis said on Tuesday at an event, describing a slow trickle of migrants coming in onesie-twosies into the Sunshine State. The data backs this up. According to the most recent Border Patrol numbers, the border sector that includes Florida was about 400 times less busy than the ones in the Southwest. Migrants on the Marthas Vineyard flight werent in US illegally, despite DeSantis claims Wednesday 21 September 2022 00:50 , Josh Marcus Ron DeSantis has falsely claimed the migrants his government sent on planes to liberal areas were criminals. In fact, they were excercising rights protected under US and international law by seeking asylum in America. As the news broke last week about Mr DeSantiss migrant flights to Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts, his communications directors defended the policy, saying it that it was a rightful use of state resources to "transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations. However, the 48 migrants on the plane, many of them Venezuelans, were in the country legally. As Alex Woodward notes in his great piece on the flights, they had already presented themselves to immigration authorities and were waiting on asylum proceedings. After reaching the border, and turning themselves to authorities, migrants requesting asylum must undergo a credible fear screening to determine whether their return to their home countries could expose them to further persecution or threats. Following a screening, they are released while awaiting a hearing for their asylum case. It was at this point, near San Antonios Migrant Resources Center, that the group of migrants targeted by people ostensibly working through Governor DeSantiss operation were sent to Massachusetts. Critics argue that it is the Florida governor himself who broke the law. The migrants on the Marthas Vineyard flight filed a class action lawsuit against the Republican on Tuesday, arguing that they were enticed onto the cross-country flights with false promises of work, housing support, and other services. Plaintiffs have led lives inflicted by violence, instability, insecurity, and abuse of trust by corrupt government officials that most Americans could hardly conceive of, the suit reads. They fled to the United States in a desperate attempt to protect themselves and their families from gang, police, and state-sponsored violence and the oppression of political dissent. To put it simply, Plaintiffs, and the class of similarly situated individuals they seek to represent, are vulnerable in a way and to an extent that almost defies verbal description. Local officials in Texas are investigating whether Mr DeSantiss scheme broke any laws. Texas sheriff to investigate Florida for flying migrants to Marthas Vineyard California governor Gavin Newsom, meanwhile, has argued it was tantamount to kidnapping and has urged the federal Department of Justice to investigate. DeSantis could be charged with kidnap after moving migrants to Marthas Vineyard And heres Alexs piece for more information on the process. Migrants were given brochures with false promises of aid. Who made them? Does Joe Biden have an open border policy? Not really. Wednesday 21 September 2022 00:21 , Josh Marcus Florida governor Ron DeSantis has blamed the Biden adminstrations alleged open border policies for a migration crisis that requires flying migrants to other parts of the country just to give overwhelmed border towns a break. Biden cant defend his policies of open borders, Mr DeSantis said at an event on Tuesday. Its doing huge damage to our country. Its a harrowing picture the Republican has painted, but its far from complete. For one thing, the Biden administrations border looks a lot like the one under the Trump administration. President Biden, for example, is still buildingthe border wall along the US-Mexico border, a project that remained incomplete open perhaps, to borrow Mr DeSantiss phraseat the end of the Trump adminsitration. The Trump administrations controversial Remain in Mexico programme, which forced asylum seekers to wait on the Mexico side of the border as their claims processed, was in place until this June. And Mr Biden has continued using Mr Trumps Title 42 order to massive effect. The policy, a supposed pandemic measure cooked up by arch immigration opponent Stephen Miller, reportedly over the protests of the CDC, allows immigration officials to refuse entry to asylum-seekers before they even enter immigration proceedings. According to a Pew analysis, the Biden administration has already carried out the great majority of the roughly 2.2m Title 42 expulsions that have taken place since the policy went into effect. Expulsions this year under the health rule, which the Biden administration renewed in August despite previous plans to abandon it, appear well on track to overcome the 1.07m conducted in 2021, according to Border Patrol stats. Border officials also note that in addition to all the usual, nuanced drivers of immigration to the US political instability beyond American shores is a huge factor. Failing communist regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba are driving a new wave of migration across the Western Hemisphere, including the recent increase in encounters at the southwest U.S. border, CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus said in a recently released enforcement update. And even during the Trump administration, harsh policies like Remain in Mexico and Title 42 werent deterring border crossers from trying their luck over and over again until they got into the US, analyses and the Border Patrol have concluded. Theres never going to be a point of militarization that the US can get the border to that would completely stop all these flows, Jessica Bolter of the Migration Policy Institute told The Independent at the end of the Trump administration. The environmental and security push factors that are driving people to leave, as well as economic push factors, especially during and in the wake of the pandemictheres always going to be reasons to migrate. How historic is the situation at the border? Heres what the data says. Tuesday 20 September 2022 23:58 , Josh Marcus Florida governor Ron DeSantis and Texas governor Greg Abbott have both framed their highly controversial efforts to send migrants in planes and buses to liberal states as a way to raise awareness about the historic crisis at the US border. Its a crisis, they say, thats been caused by the Biden adminstration. Indeed, a historic number of people have crossed the US-Mexico this year. So far, in fiscal year 2022, more than 2.1m migrants have been encountered at the frontier line, according to US Customs and Border Protection. Thats already more that 2021s total, which just barely topped previous records from the 1980s and early 2000s, as the Pew Research Center noted in an analysis. For what its worth, the record year of 2021 also included the final few months of the Trump administration, but youre unlikely to hear much mention of that from partisans like Mr DeSantis and Mr Abbott. As well explore in a coming blog post, however, pinning these record numbers solely on Joe Biden hugely distorts the picture of whats actually happening. White House says Florida using migrants as pawns to score points for DeSantis Tuesday 20 September 2022 23:30 , Josh Marcus The White House on Tuesday continued to criticise Florida governor Ron DeSantis for backing migrant flights sending asylum-seekers from Texas and Florida to liberal locales across the country. When you think about whats going on in Venezuela, when you think about whats going on in Nicaragua, when you think about whats going on in Cuba they are fleeing political persecution only to be used as a political pawn by the Florida governor, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday during a press briefing. Watch her full remarks here via C-SPAN. Both parties are to blame for the border crisis' Tuesday 20 September 2022 23:10 , Josh Marcus Cries, especially from the GOP, of a crisis at the border are nothing new. Whether its Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, or Greg Abbott, Republicans regularly use the border as an issue to whip up their base. But is there really a crisis at the border? Last year, as Donald Trump railed against a similar crisis, I wrote this look at how both parties have failed to pass any meaningful immigration reform in decades, resulting in a constant state of crisis that varies little from one administration to the next. What Trump and Biden both get wrong about the migration crisis at the border A woman was shot while eating a midnight meal after a group of customers dined and dashed, according to Missouri authorities. A group of four people ate at the Courtesy Diner in St. Louis on Thursday, Sept. 22, and left without paying, the St. Louis Police Department said in a news release. An employee followed the group out to the parking lot, unsuccessfully confronting the group, police said. The employee returned to the diner. Soon after, multiple shots were fired into the business, authorities said. One bullet ricocheted and hit a 63-year-old woman who was walking to the bathroom, officials said. The bullet struck the womans thigh, according to the release. Police said she was taken to a hospital in stable condition. The bullets left at least six holes in the diners window, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. An investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made, police said. Argument at Arbys escalates when teen fatally shoots 28-year-old, Oklahoma cops say Jack in the Box worker shoots at customers car in fight over curly fries, lawsuit says Sleeping man is shot while waiting for Waffle House order, Mississippi police say (Clockwise from bottom left) Stir fry shrimp, salty pork and vegetable with rice, greens of the day: ta cai, braised minced eel in brown sauce, crab with Shanghai rice cakes, and steamed pork buns at WangJia restaurant in San Gabriel. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) The menu at WangJia in San Gabriel spans nearly 150 items. It can be an overwhelming document of stir-fries in dry, fiery or gently sauced styles; soup and noodle options by the dozens; and micro-surveys of several regional Chinese cuisines. Yet there is a shortcut to a focused, gratifying meal. Lulu Luo, the owner of the 3-year-old restaurant, and her family are from Shanghai, and if you ask for guidance theyll shine light on the dishes that taste most like home to them. The cuisines of metropolitan Shanghai and the surrounding Jiangnan region delineated by the Yangtze River Delta, a fertile area that also encompasses the culinary traditions of many neighboring smaller cities never quite bask in the same spotlight afforded to the nuanced Sichuan firebrands that have dominated the San Gabriel Valleys restaurant culture in the last decade, nor the Cantonese and Taiwanese standard-bearers that preceded them. Recent meals at WangJia remind me that the varied, often subtle cooking of Shanghainese traditions have their place in the mix. My conversations with the staff around what to order always end with their one emphatic recommendation: xian rou cai fan, fried rice with salt pork and greens. Lulu Luo, left, and Jack Ma, right, with their son Kevin Ma, center, at WangJia. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) As with many sustaining comforts in the global canon, its ingredients number a handful and the technique is everything. Diced cubes of pork sizzle in a woks carbonized inferno, aided by a splash of oil or (more traditionally) lard. The variety of greens can vary. At WangJia the choice is tatsoi; its leaves soften in the heat more quickly than bok choy, a close brassica relative. These two main ingredients enrich short-grained rice, precooked and tossed in the wok long enough to absorb its smoky exhalations. A few grains char here and there, but the texture as a whole remains fluffy rather than crisped. Whats most remarkable is the elegance of its seasoning: The rice tastes amplified, as if its pure, sweet flavor has been piped through the taste equivalent of surround sound, and the occasional bites of pork blare delicious bursts of salt. Story continues No matter what else youve requested a selection of the cold meats that are so much a part of the Shanghainese repertoire, variations on shrimp or eel specialties, the regional braised beef and pork signatures the xian rou cai fan tends to arrive last on the table. Use clumps of it gripped in your chopsticks to capture stray bits of meat and to sop up rivulets of sauce on your plate. Eventually, though, like me you might find that the clear flavors of the rice dish satisfy entirely on their own. Steamed pork buns at WangJia. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) A table setting at WangJia Restaurant, left, their stir fry shrimp, right. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) WangJia sits in the center of a strip mall, flanked by Bubble Republic tea shop on one side and Dange bakery on the other. Luo took over the space, previously occupied by Q38 Noodle House, in 2019. Like many business owners, Luo relied on carryout and delivery to muddle through the impossible months of 2020 that she couldnt have foreseen. Two years later its hard to predict when the long, slim dining room with burgundy-colored walls will be filled and when it will be quiet, though the quality of the food has been consistent at recent meals regardless of the crowd. If youve shown up with a group, consider settling in with a couple of cold appetizers: drunken chicken doused with nutty Huadiao wine, perhaps, or smoked fish whose network of tiny bones warrants the navigation for the meaty, campfire-sweet flavors. They come generously sized, so if youre solo or in a pair, you may have plenty of leftovers. You could just as easily go straight to the restaurants version of dongpo pork, one of the famous versions of the red-braised repertoire that turns everything in its path a shade of scarlet brown. Pork belly surrenders into tenderness while simmering in wine, soy sauce, spices and sugar. Often meat is served over a steamed vegetable; WangJia instead merges the pork into a trio with chewy-soft squid and willowy, threadlike tea tree mushrooms. Every mouthful brings a fresh study in textures. Lions head meatballs, another defining pork dish, comes in its most classical form: several coarse, enormous orbs, the meat coarsely chopped yet utterly lush, draped in cabbage leaves and bathed in a brothy, lightly thickened sauce. Dialed-back, gingery spicing reinforces the dishs remarkable lightness. Among soups, Im partial to the cloudy, poultry-intense stock of the duck noodle soup bobbing with just-crisp bamboo shoots. Another one features a tureen full of pickled cabbage and delicate threads of lamb; the star ingredients tangle nicely in bright, gamy bites, though the broth has less overall depth. Yan du xian a Shanghai staple of salt pork and uncured pork belly, greens and sheets of tofu skin tied into twisty knots appears on WangJias menu in English as Shanghai salty pork soup. It, too, has a wan broth, and it made me think of the richer, superior rendition at Jiang Nan Spring, another Shanghainese specialist, five blocks away. That said, I favor the dongpo pork at WangJia; both places should be on the map for their best dishes. Tiny, crystalline shrimp stir-fried with longjing the prized, nutty-vegetal green tea, also known as Dragonwell, whose leaves are plucked in spring when theyre still razor-thin buds is another regional essential, and its hard to find in the United States. WangJia makes the dish minus the longjing. It might arguably veer into too subtle for some palates. I like the glassy snap of the nearly unadorned shrimp, and I follow the lead of my Chinese friends who eat portions of xian rou cai fan in small bowls after theyve finished their soup and dot the shrimp on top. For an immersive, full-throttle finale, look to the whole crab in a sauce that tastes wonderfully of crab roe. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) For an immersive, full-throttle finale, look to the whole crab dissected and nearly submerged in a sauce that tastes wonderfully of crab roe. Chao nian gao (thin, slippery, oval rice cakes) also slide around the bowl. Youll eat it all half with chopsticks and half with your hands, sauce joyfully everywhere; its worth asking for a tool to help crack the crab. I should probably let you know that the sprawling menu includes a robust section of Sichuan dishes. Luos son Kevin Ma mentioned one meal that they carried over from previous restaurant incarnations in the space and said the Asian clientele orders it regularly. One of these days Ill wind around to the restaurants fish in hot chile oil, or pepper beef, or fried chicken riddled with Sichuan peppercorns. Theres a line in Land of Fish and Rice, author Fuschia Dunlops book on the cooking of Shanghai and its surrounding provinces, that has always resonated: A good Jiangnan meal should leave a person feeling shu fu comfortable and well. That holds true for me at WangJia, and until Ive finished quizzing Luo and Ma on the dishes of their region Ive yet to try, Ill be following their suggestions. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Some fans of The Most Magical Place on Earth apparently arent feeling the magic about one thing. Disney World fans are criticizing the powers that be at the theme park for significantly raising the prices at its most expensive food establishment, Victoria and Albert's restaurant. The interior of Victoria and Albert's restaurant. (@DisneyParks via Twitter) The restaurant is located in Disneys grand Floridian resort and spa, a part of Disney where "Victorian elegance meets modern sophistication," according to the theme park. While options at the resort are plentiful, with 10 restaurants to choose from based on movies such as Mary Poppins Returns and Beauty and the Beast, Victoria and Alberts is the belle of the ball, so to speak. Victoria and Alberts closed for a time due to COVID-19 and underwent a renovation which changed the decor from wood tones to a much brighter environment and new murals and fixtures. The restaurant officially reopened on July 28 with the updated look, a new and ever-changing menu and, with that, a higher price point. The Danish Hiramasa with carrot and Okinawan potatoes from Victoria & Alberts at Disneys Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. (Kent Phillips / Disney) At the restaurant, which boasts a house harpist, a nonalcoholic cocktail to imbibe as soon as youre seated and luxurious interior design, the restaurant offers three distinct prix-fixe menu options. The standard menu begins at $295 per person with optional wine pairings starting at $150 or nonalcoholic pairings which start at $110. This is up from $185 per person at the time of closure and $250 with wine pairings, a difference of $195 for the cheapest option, according to the Disney Food blog. The point of contention for some seems to be the more luxe options. These include first: the Queen Victoria Room dinner, which now costs $375, with $200 and $110 dollar drink pairings depending on alcohol content. The Guajillo Spice cocktail from Victoria & Alberts at Disneys Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. (Kent Phillips / Disney) The Chefs Table tasting menu, which used to cost $350 per person before the COVID-19 closure. This is now the most expensive option, now costing $425 per person with wine costing $200 for a highest cost total of $625. Disney declined to comment on the online discussion and reason for the price increase. Story continues Still, debate has been brewing online in subreddit r/WaltDisneyWorld, with some decrying the price hike and others defending the House of Mouse, as first reported by the New York Post. The interior of Victoria and Albert's restaurant. (@DisneyParks via Twitter) Crazy over priced wrote one user on Reddit. Michelin star restaurants in NYC dont even cost that much (except the very best, like Eleven Madison Park, which is 'only' $335.) Im sure its a great experience and super fancy, but no thanks. Im out. No chance Im spending $300 a person to eat some food, commented another Redditor, to which another replied, Lets be honest, you werent in at $185 either. This is more expensive than a 4 course meal at Disneyland club 33 which is pretty crazy, added another person on Reddit, speaking of the most exclusive Disney experience that has a 10-year waiting list according to reports. It also boasts an alleged $25,000 to $50,000 initiation and yearly membership fee, so while the actual food at Club 33 is less money, its also not in the long run. On the other hand, some users chimed in on the discussion to defend Disney's price point. Completely worth it, one Redditor asserted. If you really value an exclusive experience with elevated service and elevated food, $300 bucks is probably not unheard of, wrote another. When did people start thinking that every experience at Disney had to be affordable and open to everyone? I say that as someone who has never been to V&A and dont know that I even want to, but I dont think that the price point should change to make it more appealing to me... The Spectrum of Chocolate, an ombre delight featuring specialty sourced chocolates with accents of vanilla, Champagne, and Grand Marnier from Victoria & Alberts at Disneys Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. (Kent Phillips / Disney) I agree with this 100%. Not everything Disney has to be attractive or affordable for every person, responded someone else. We did this for our honeymoon in 1997. It was quite amazing, one person added. Luckily we didnt pay for it but a family member did. I would still have paid myself though. It is definitely a once in a lifetime thing for us. CORRECTION (Sept. 23, 2022 at 9:30 p.m. ET): An earlier version of this story incorrectly quoted Disney World's motto as "The Happiest Place on Earth." That is actually the motto for California's Disneyland. This story has been updated to reflect Disney World's self-proclaimed title: "The Most Magical Place on Earth." This article was originally published on TODAY.com Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World. Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images Disney World's Victoria & Albert's restaurant has significantly hiked prices since reopening in July. The tasting menu at the restaurant's Chef's Table experience costs $425, plus $200 for wine. Disney is facing criticism over how much it charges people to eat at the restaurant. Disney World's Victoria & Albert's restaurant has significantly hiked prices recently and it's left a bad taste in some fans' mouths. The New York Post first reported the news. Victoria & Albert's is located in the Disney Grand Floridian Resort and is one of the most upmarket Disney restaurants. The restaurant offers three dining experiences, The Dining Room, the Chef's Table, and the Queen Victoria Room. The Chef's Table tasting menu, which cost $350 per person before the pandemic, now costs $425 per person, per the Disney Food blog. Wine costs an extra $200, taking the bill to $625. The Chef's Table only has one seating of six per night. The cheapest option at the restaurant, a tasting menu in The Dining Room, now begins at $295 per person. It previously cost $185 per person, according to the Disney Food blog. The Dining Room's menu includes caviar, scallops, Texas wild boar, and Kobe-style beef, according to another Disney blog, All Ears. The high prices have drawn criticism on social media. "I'm sure it's a great experience and super fancy, but no thanks. I'm out. No chance I'm spending $300 a person to eat some food," one user wrote on a Reddit thread. Another wrote: "You could have a 3 Michelin star experience at Alinea in Chicago for the same price. Unreal." Disney did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment made outside normal working hours. The prices that Disney charges for food and drink have often raised eyebrows. Earlier this year, the Disney Wish cruise ship announced a $5,000 "Star Wars"-themed cocktail, which was being served in its upmarket Hyperspace Lounge. The price included a trip to Skywalker Vineyards at Skywalker Ranch and a shot glass, however. Read the original article on Business Insider Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a meeting of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group and Caribbean partners on the situation in Haiti at the United Nations in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada condemns Russian President Vladimir Putin's escalation of the war in Ukraine, including his partial military mobilization and nuclear threats. Trudeau is in New York to take part in the United Nations General Assembly, where Ukraine's seven-month fight against the aggressions of Russia has been a dominant theme of talks. Earlier today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the global gathering by video, when he insisted his country would prevail in repelling Russia's attack and forcing its troops out. That was just hours after Putin announced he would mobilize some reservists in what is the largest military conflict in Europe since the Second World War. Zelenskyy says that decision suggests Putin is not serious about negotiating an end to the conflict. In Ottawa, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says Russia's invasion could be at a "turning point" and that now was the time to "double down on our support" for Ukraine. Fox News During an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity at Mar-a-Lago, which was raided last month by the FBI in search of classified documents, former President Donald Trump claimed the president can declassify material even by thinking about it. When Hannity asked about the declassification process, Trump replied: There doesnt have to be a process, as I understand it. Different people see different things. But as I understand it, there doesnt have to be. If youre the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying its declassified. Even by thinking about it, he asserted. It doesnt have to be a process. It can be a process but it doesnt have to be. Youre the president. You make that decision. So when you send it [to Mar-a-Lago or wherever], its declassified. WeIdeclassified everything, Trump insisted, even though his lawyers have not made that claim in court. On another legal front, Trump was accused earlier Wednesday, along with his three oldest children, of business and tax fraud in a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Trump summed up his defense to Hannity: a very powerful disclaimer. James said investigators in her office compiled evidence showing that for years, Trump fraudulently inflated real estate values by billions of dollars to unjustly enrich himself and to cheat the system. Trumps use of objectively false numbers constituted intentional deliberate fraud rather than an honest mistake, she added. Hannity asked Trump about the process of determining the value of his properties. Do you put in a caveat that actually says [that] these are our valuations? he asked. Because I dont know a lending institution or bank or financial institution that would lend money to anybody and just go by the borrowers estimation or evaluation of a particular property. Trump: "By the way it goes on for like a page and a half. Its a very big disclaimer, it's a very powerful disclaimer." pic.twitter.com/V2zba7bYMj Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) September 22, 2022 We have a disclaimer, Trump replied. My people put it together. I would look at it, and it looked fine. But its not overly important. Whats important is the property. I have the best property. What happened, Sean, is we would have a disclaimer right on the front. It basically says, you know, get your own people, youre at your own risk, this was done by management, it wasnt done by us. Story continues So, dont rely on the statement that youre getting, Trump continued, paraphrasing passages of financial statements of the sort that were given to Congress and the press years ago by Michael Cohen, Trumps former fixer. Such a disclaimer may in fact protect Trump, some experts have said. By the way, it goes on for like a page and a half. Its a very big disclaimer. Its a very powerful disclaimer, Trump said. It basically says to an institution, You are going to loan money. You have to go out and make sure that you get your own appraisers, your own lawyers, everything. 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. STANISLAV POHORILOV THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2022, 08:43 Pavlo Kyrylenko, Head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, reported that five civilians were killed in Donetsk Oblast on 21 September as a result of Russian attacks. Source: Kyrylenko on Telegram Details: Kyrylenko said that two people were killed in Kurakhove, one in Bakhmut, one in Avdiivka and one in Karlivka. Another 12 civilians sustained injuries. It remains impossible to determine the exact number of casualties and fatalities in Mariupol and Volnovakha. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast Pay Dirt is a weekly foray into the pigpen of political funding. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Thursday. If Pennsylvania senatorial hopeful and former TV doctor Mehmet Oz wants his supporters to know one thing, its that hes a bad fundraiser who has always been losing to his opponent. At least, thats the overwhelming message in the more than 100 fundraising texts and emails the Oz campaign has delivered just in the last month. The Oz campaign has sent 23 fundraising emails since last Monday alone. Every one of them has bad news, saying directly or on a linked donations page that Oz is either missing fundraising goals, trailing Democratic opponent John Fetterman in dollars raised, or losing in the polls. Has Dr. Oz Finally Found His Oppo Gold? An email sent Mondaytitled, It would be humiliatingsays that with just hours until my Daily Deadline, Democrats are STILL MASSIVELY outraising Republicans, and Right now, Democrats are FLATTENING Republicans in Senate races across the country. Im running out of time, it concluded. The day before, Oz gave supporters what he framed as insider information from an emergency finance meeting. [T]hey told me more bad news, he said, adding that without a major fundraising push TODAY, we will have to make some serious changes to the campaign, including cutting ads. Yeah this is bad. This could literally cost us the win so close to the election, the email said. All but three of the emails include a graphic at the bottom, headlined DR. OZ IS BEHIND, with poll results showing him trailing Fetterman 43.5 to 48.4. But an email Wednesday suggested optimism. Titled, Pennsylvania is on fire, Oz declared the race officially NECK AND NECK, citing a poll showing him down to Fetterman 45.9 to 47.7. (The donations landing page simultaneously declares the contest neck and neck, while including a bonus donation option with the copy, ALERT! DR. OZ IS RUNNING BEHIND.) A few hours later, Oz sent another email reverting back to the earlier 43.5 to 48.4 poll. Story continues That data appears to reference a Trafalgar Group survey from late August. But the numbers are a bit outdatedthe firm released a poll last week showing a 2-point gap. (A Monmouth University poll the same week showed Fetterman up 49 to 39.) Dr. Oz Says Abortion Is Still Murder at Any Stage of Pregnancy Text messages from Oz have told the same story for monthseven during the primary race. Fundraising texts from the primary have said that Oz missed fundraising goals for February, March, and April. After the primary, texts have claimed the Oz campaign has come up short for deadlines in May, mid-July, Julysomehow with only $4,328 to go on July 26and August. In a message last Tuesday, Oz complained hes been missing his goals over and over again. We missed our August goal, and now we keep missing our weekly fundraising goals, the text said. Even Ozs friends want you to know hes losing. GOP surrogates including fellow senatorial candidate Herschel Walker, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, Donald Trump Jr., and Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and John Kennedy (R-LA) have all been forthright bearers of bad news. Dr. Oz is down in the polls, said a recent email from Haley. On Friday, Walker wrote, Let me be blunt: Dr. Oz is down in the polls in his Senate race, and hes even further behind in fundraising. While this may be a gimmick, its also grounded in a harsh reality. And its not just about Oz. GOP candidates vying for the Senate have been outraised by their Democratic counterparts in a number of races critical to who will control the Senate heading into 2024Ohio, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. The campaign arm for Senate Republicans has borne the brunt of the criticism, though the group points the finger back at the candidates, arguing their poor performance had upended the master plan, as Pay Dirt reported last month. That groupthe National Senatorial Republican Committeehad begun sounding alarm bells about Ozs polls and fundraising in late July, Politico reported. Trump Randomly Accuses Dr. Oz Rival John Fetterman of Drug Use And even Oz has recently appeared to nod to the wider trend. A Sept. 6 fundraising email reads, Its embarrassing to admit, but I need to be honest with youwe are being MASSIVELY OUTRAISED, with a graphic of the celebrity heart surgeon flanked by two other GOP candidates also trailing in fundraisingGeorgias Herschel Walker and Ohio hopeful J.D. Vance. As for Ozs current claims about missing his goals, its tough to know where he stands for sure. The most recently available Federal Election Commission data only accounts for finances through the end of June. But those numbers were bleak. By June 30, Oz had raised about $18.9 million, but most of that came from his personal funds. Only $4 million came from people not named Dr. Oz. He had also spent nearly all of it, and held just $1.1 million in the bank. Fetterman, by contrast, had raised around $26 million, and sat on a $5.5 million stash. While Oz may be reckoning with his own personal fundraising woes, the concern echoes among GOP Senate candidates more broadly. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), the NRSC chair, has taken to the airwaves in recent weeks to defend his spending strategy. Earlier this month, The New York Times dug into what went wrong, as the group found itself shelling out 95 percent of its record-breaking fundraising $181.5 million haul by the end of July, ending the month with less than $23.2 million in the tank. On Tuesday, the group filed a new report. Its down to $16 millionabout a third its Democratic counterparts $45.8 million. 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. Former Dancing With The Stars host Tom Bergeron is sounding off on the shows no co-host, Alfonso Ribiero. Im very excited about that, Bergeron said to HollywoodLife. Between Alfonso being there and my original showrunner Conrad Green, I think the two of them together will bring that show back to the kind of feel it should. In July, it was announced that the former 'The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' star would co-host Dancing With The Stars alongside Tyra Banks. Prior to hosting duties on Dancing With The Stars, Ribiero appeared as a contestant on season 19 of the show and took home first place. Dancing with the Stars has been such an important part of my life for so many years, and I am ecstatic to officially re-join this tight-knit family as co-host, Ribeiro said in in a statement received by S&A back in July. Tyra and I have a longstanding friendship that I hope will resonate with all of the fans at home as we kick off this new season on Disney+. 'Dancing With Stars' is not the only show Ribiero has replaced Bergeron on. The actor took over as host of Americas Funniest Home Videos in 2015 after Bergerons retirement. In the interview, Bergeron said that he and Ribiero had a nice discussion regarding the latters new hosting duties. We had a great talk about it. We really did, and he knows he has my blessing, Bergeron added. (elana marie / For The Times) Pedicures can be unpredictable. Not really knowing how well your feet will be exfoliated is up for question. Will my feet soak long enough to soften my dry skin? Will I have to ask for more time spent on that callus? You see, Im trying to bring myself closer to a foolproof pedicure I feel completely confident walking in. There are many different kinds of pedicures that one can indulge in, and in my own personal journey to finding the most thorough of them, Ive tried quite a few versions. There is, of course, the basic pedicure and any given nail salons version of the deluxe pedicure. Theres the citrus pedicure, paraffin pedicure, hot stone pedicure, spa pedicure, honey and milk pedicure, and fish pedicure complements of the Garra rufa species. My only constant is a coat of gel nail polish, which lasts longer on the feet, over regular nail polish. But at Ms. Glens Therapeutic Manicures & Pedicures , a fresh coat of polish is optional. Its not about aesthetics. Its about the care. And for that, I will ditch my gel pedicure. People who see Ms. Glen often come from demanding jobs that keep them on their feet construction workers, servers, actors. But there are also folks like me, who are simply looking for the best pedicure (and pedicurist) in town. Where medical pedicures are for people with foot conditions and are carried out by podiatrists or registered nurses, therapeutic pedicures take a gentler approach. Ms. Glen places an emphasis on massaging. A type of stimulation that can reorient you from the everyday cadences of life. Here, time is the luxury. Located on the second floor of a plaza in Westchester, Ms. Glens suite has the feel of an office with its gray carpeted floors, but the decorative touches also make it feel like a nail salon: a flat-screen TV, a few Readers Digests, a leather couch. Her nail technicians license hangs near the flat-screen. On the other side, a framed news clip from the Los Angeles Sentinel describes Ms. Glen in her past life as a real estate broker and full of vim, vigor and vitality. Story continues Ms. Glen is the type of pedicurist who makes you trust her process from the jump. She greets you warmly; you can tell shes in her element, which makes you feel comfortable. At 75 years old, she wears a short, soft afro and a thick, red flannel button-up across her broad shoulders. Her dark jean shorts hit right below her knees. Her delicate gold-rimmed glasses just above her nose. Ms. Glen is meticulous throughout her entire process. Actually, even before the process begins. After introducing myself and setting my appointment, I received a text message with my appointment date, time and location with directions on how to get to the suite. All signed with a rose emoji and Thank you. She diligently keeps track of her appointments with a notepad. I dont like doing it online. It wouldnt work for me, because I need to talk to you. I need to ask questions about whats going on with your feet. With each step of the pedicure, Ms. Glen removed a pair of plastic gloves shed layered on for hygiene purposes, so as to not transfer product throughout each step. Once my feet were soaked and clipped, she exfoliated the tops of my feet. Rinse. Then, the bottom of my feet and the tips of my toes. Rinse again. Her tool of choice on my calluses was a pumice stone. But seeing the defined lines of the muscles in her arms and hands showed that technique is key. I dont use no drills. After all, this not building a house or carpentry, she laughed. She got up to prepare the paraffin to mold around my feet and seal in the treatment. Ms. Glen talks quickly, telling me her story in between clips of my soaked cuticles. One-time married and divorced, Glendora Strickland moved to California in 1966 from Hattiesburg, Miss., with her then-husband and never left. She was a real estate broker rarely satisfied with the pedicures she received. She began to research how to take care of feet when she started to develop cracked heels. See these lines? Ms. Glen pulled off her own sock to show me her smooth feet, no dryness in sight. My own feet were soaking in a tub of warm water with a dash of apple cider vinegar, known for its antibacterial properties. When you dont hydrate these, they crack open. I taught myself how to care for it to keep it from coming back and it never came back. I use my own [oil] every morning after my shower, I exfoliate once a week and I wear socks. (This is Ms. Glens No. 1 rule: Keep the feet wrapped in socks to create a barrier between your skin and the floor.) Encouraged by a friend, Ms. Glen began to give friends and family pedicures for a year. She earned her nail technician license in 1999. In 2000, she made a household name for herself on KJLH-FM (102.3). She heard, by way of a request that came through the spa she was working at, that radio host Janine Haydels husband wanted to surprise his wife with a pedicure, but it had to be done on-air. I had told the sales rep [at the radio station] that I was going to do some advertising. So Im at the radio station that morning Im like, Im dreaming. This cant be real. While on air, Haydel would toss it to Ms. Glen for a quick word. Shed say hello and plug her services. After that, Ms. Glen continued to do her own advertising, coming in to do more pedicures on air and promoting her gift certificates for Mothers Day. Theyre getting ready to log off the air and Cliff [Winston] would say, Come on, Janine, we gotta go. Ive got an appointment with Ms. Glen. Ms. Glen only takes one client at a time. Back in her suite, she attended to my feet for an hour. Her approach to feet is straightforward: hygiene and attention to detail. Are you getting polish? Ms. Glen asked with slight hesitation as she wrapped up my pedicure treatment with one last foot massage. I looked over at the organized display of nail polish colors and declined, sensing it wasnt her thing anyway. Or would you rather put some socks on? I came into Ms. Glens with a chipped coat of magenta polish on my toenails, and no socks. I thought Id walk out in my slide sandals to keep my nail polish from smudging, but Ms. Glen returned with a pair of pink Puma ankle socks. My feet layered in oil, I slipped on the socks and stood up. Immediately, I felt the power of a therapeutic pedicure. My feet and toes were moisturized and hydrated. The calluses were gone. My heel felt smooth. The tops of my feet were baby soft. But what made me truly excited was how confident I felt overall. Rejuvenation can feel like a miracle, especially when the search for a great pedicure is one less thing you have to worry about. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. By Alexandra Valencia QUITO (Reuters) - Demonstrators took to the streets in Ecuador on Wednesday to protest the death of a woman the government says was killed by her police officer husband, while union workers demanded the government pay what it owes the state social security system, threatening to escalate protests if there was no agreement. Ecuadorians gathered outside police headquarters in Quito to protest the death of lawyer Maria Belen Bernal. She entered a police training school on Sept. 11, where her husband worked as an instructor, officials say, and police later found her body nearby. Her husband, German Caceres, who the attorney general's office says is the main suspect in the killing, is on the run. "Her murder will not go unpunished and all those responsible will be brought to justice," Ecuador's President, Guillermo Lasso, wrote in a message on Twitter. Demonstrations against the killing followed earlier protests led by union leaders, who argued that the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute's (IESS) financial situation has muddled health services for users and put the retirement pension system at risk. Lasso has recognized that Ecuador's government owes IESS about $8.4 billion dating back to 2011, although some workers argue that represents a significant undercount. "Social security isn't bankrupt, it's poorly managed," Mesias Tatamuez, one of the union leaders, told reporters. The workers' march is the first since protests in June led by indigenous groups against the government's environmental and economic policies, which played out over more than two weeks and affected the country's oil industry. Neither the government nor IESS officials responded to a request for comment. Ecuador's government reached an agreement last week to disburse $300 million through December to apply to what is owed. "We are not going to allow the government, under the argument that there are no resources, to try to hand over the administration of the IESS to private companies," said Nelson Erazo, president of the Popular Front, an alliance of social and union organizations. (Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Writing by Caroline Pulice and Oliver Griffin; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Gerry Doyle) Emmerdale spoilers follow. David Metcalfe has clashed with Liam Cavanagh in his return to screens in Emmerdale. Matthew Wolfenden has recently been off-screen, with it being explained that his character David was helping Leyla's sister Alicia Gallagher in Portugal after she'd had an accident. David had been the first to find out Leyla was abusing drugs and returned to find out Leyla's husband Liam had kissed Bernice Blackstock behind her back. Photo credit: ITV Related: 13 early spoilers for Emmerdale's 50th anniversary episodes Leyla had moved in with David and Victoria during Thursday's (September 22) double bill, with Jacob explaining to David all about Liam's betrayal. Liam had a heart-to-heart with Priya where she actually suggested his kiss with Bernice "kinda evened things out" after all of Leyla's recent lies because of her drug addiction. David was much less forgiving when Liam confronted him, demanding to know where Leyla had gone after seeing her leaving the village in a cab. When David explained Leyla had gone to stay with a sober mentor, Liam accused him of being "creepily indispensable" to half of the women in the village. Photo credit: ITV Related: Emmerdale cast 2022 who plays who? "Liam, you messed up with your ex. You kissed Bernice and your wife's left," David shot back. "Don't blame me for that." David walked off, leaving Liam stewing. A dejected Liam told Priya that Leyla must have felt like living across the road was "too close" so she clearly didn't want to hear from him. "Liam, don't give up," Priya encouraged him. Is Liam and Priya's marriage really over? Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV and streams on the ITV Hub. Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage For more on drug addiction and dependency, including information and support, please visit FRANK or Action on Addiction. You Might Also Like Scenes from outside the Kroger on New Byhalia Road in Collierville where a shooting took place Thursday afternoon, Sept. 23, 2021. A Kroger employee who was shot a year ago when a recently-fired contractor opened fire in the store's Collierville location has filed a lawsuit against the company, accusing it of negligence for not providing more security before the shooting. Mariko Jenkins cites in his lawsuit that the company "knew or should have known that [Uk] Thang presented a danger" after he was fired. In the court filing, Jenkins said Thang, 29, had a history of being confrontational towards employees and shoppers. "...Thang had a history of anti-social, antagonistic, volatile, unstable, threatening and predictably dangerous behavior at all times pertinent hereto," the lawsuit read. "Thang had a history of confrontations and disagreements with other individuals including employees and agents of Kroger and its invitees. On the morning of the subject incident Thang was called into the manager's office as a result of one or more such incidents." Jenkins' filing states Thang was angry and displayed a "great propensity to act violently and dangerously" when he left the shopping center before returning some time later armed with "two pistols and a full-length military style rifle as well as high-capacity magazines and substantial amounts of ammunition." Police later identified Thang as the shooter who opened fire inside the Kroger location, shooting 15 people and killing Olivia King. Thang died from a self-inflicted gunshot the day of the shooting. Maureen Fraser, left in the picture, says she took this selfie picture of herself with her friend Olivia King (center) and another friend, Maureen Bush. Maureen Fraser and her husband David Fraser said King was killed Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 in a shooting at a Kroger grocery in Collierville. "At no time did any Defendant warn of or otherwise take reasonable action to prevent Thang from causing or mitigating his ability to cause such harm when they had the means, ability and reasonable constructive and/or actual notice to do so," Jenkins asserted in the lawsuit. Jenkins initially sued in late August 2022 in the Shelby County Circuit Court, but the case has been moved to federal court in Memphis. JFE Franchising, a company that supplies sushi to big-box grocers, is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. The 29-year-old Thang was an independent franchise owner for the company. Story continues Along with alleging negligence the day of the shooting, the lawsuit also claims that there were oversights in the hiring process. "Defendants by and through its agents, servants and employees, through investigation and background examination, knew or should have known of Thang's dangerous propensities as an unfit employee/franchisee," the lawsuit read. "Defendants failed to use reasonable care in investigating, recruiting, and hiring Thang and failed to provide adequate warning to Plaintiff." Jenkins is seeking a maximum of $10 million in damages to be paid out by Kroger and JFE Franchising. A Kroger spokeswoman declined comment Wednesday afternoon. Lucas Finton is a news reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Victim in Collierville Kroger shooting alleges negligence in lawsuit A former employee of a painting company in Myrtle Beach alleges in a lawsuit she was sexually assaulted by a coworker on the job, and he was never reprimanded. The woman claims the accused admitted to the assault during her stint at Zepol Painting. The suit names the company, the plaintiffs supervisor and the accused as defendants. The accused is referred to as John Doe. An email seeking comment Wednesday has not been returned by Zepol Painting. The incident happened at The Patricia Grand on Ocean Boulevard on Dec. 3, 2021, according to the suit. After the alleged assault, the plaintiff left the job site horrified. The next day, she told her supervisor about what had happened. The supervisor interviewed John Doe, and he confessed to the act in front of her supervisor and the plaintiff, the suit states. The suit, filed earlier this month, alleges the accused was not punished and still works for the company. The defendants failed to take actions to prevent future women from being placed in similar circumstances of danger, according to the suit. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is releasing more details on his permitting reform proposal. Meanwhile, the Senate approved a climate treaty that calls for the phasedown of potent greenhouse gases that the country is already on its way toward phasing down. This is Overnight Energy & Environment, your source for the latest news focused on energy, the environment and beyond. For The Hill, Im Rachel Frazin. Someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Manchin details permitting changes amid skepticism Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) released the text of his proposed changes to the countrys process for approving energy projects, seeking to make his case to skeptical lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Manchins text includes several provisions previously outlined in a fact sheet, including those that would benefit a controversial natural gas pipeline that runs through his home state known as the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The legislation would also limit the timelines for environmental reviews that are part of the approval process to two years for major projects and one year for those that are less significant. It further requires the president to keep a list of 25 energy projects of strategic national importance for 10 years. Some new info: The new legislation specifies that for the first seven of those years, five of the 25 projects must be related to either fossil fuels or biofuels, six must be for clean energy and four must be related to critical minerals. Manchins push is facing some resistance from Democrats and Republicans. Democrats have expressed concerns that speeding up the approval process could undercut environmental inspections of potentially polluting projects. They are also worried the proposal could make it easier to advance fossil fuel infrastructure. Several Republicans have said that Manchins proposal may not be strong enough to win their vote and have also expressed anger over how Manchins deal came together. Story continues Most Republicans are backing an alternative bill from Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) that also aims to speed up the timeline for environmental reviews. A little compare and contrast: Capitos bill goes further, with provisions that prevent the federal government from restricting fracking and allowing states to take over authority from the federal government for energy production on public lands. Both the Capito and Manchin proposals also both seek to limit state authority to block energy projects that run through their waters, giving them just a year to do so and limiting the reasons states can use to justify their decisions. Yet Capitos legislation would also codify a Trump-era rule that limited which waters are subject to federal protections, something Manchins bill does not do. For the Mountain Valley Pipeline, Manchins bill specifies that within 30 days, federal agencies need to issue authorizations for its construction and operation. It also says that these actions arent subject to judicial review. Capitos proposal is similar, but would give agencies 21 days. Read more about Manchins proposal here. RELATED: MORE DEMOCRATS SAY NO TO MANCHIN Additional Senate Democrats have come out in opposition of Sen. Joe Manchins push to change the approval process for energy projects. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) lead a letter calling for the separation of the permitting reform message from a stopgap government funding measure known as a continuing resolution. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) signed the letter as well. But the lawmakers stopped short of explicitly saying they would vote against funding the government in order to stop the deal from going through. The letter was first reported by Politico. Merkleys office confirmed the accuracy of that report to The Hill. Read more about the letter here. Senate OKs climate treaty in largely symbolic vote The Senate on Wednesday voted in favor of ratifying a climate treaty limiting the use of highly potent greenhouse gases called hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), although the U.S. has already taken steps to comply with the terms of the accord. In a vote of 69-27, the Senate voted to ratify the Kigali Amendment, which calls for phasing down HFCs. HFCs are frequently used in appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators and can be thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide in terms of warming the planet. While the approval of the treaty is a big symbolic step, the country already has laws in place along similar lines. In 2020, the U.S. passed a bipartisan bill that requires phasing down HFCs by 85 percent over 15 years when compared to a baseline level. That measure was seen as a rare bipartisan climate win, pushed through by Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.). One reason such a measure may have been able to gain bipartisan traction is support from industry, which has already been transitioning toward alternatives. Wednesdays action was also bipartisan, with 21 Republicans joining Democrats in supporting it. And while the U.S. is already moving toward the treatys goals, University of Michigan environmental policy professor Barry Rabe said that Wednesdays move may give the U.S. more climate credibility on a global stage. Just in the initial years of this decade, the U.S. has really begun to move from the position of a global laggard, certainly on HFCs and certainly on methane, into more of a leadership role and I think that would be further cemented or underscored by ratification of Kigali, Rabe said. He also said its important to maintain credibility for trading partners going forward. Read more about the vote here. ON TAP TOMORROW The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on energy storage technology WHAT WERE READING Revealed: the shocking levels of toxic lead in Chicago tap water (The Guardian) The president of the World Bank isnt sure climate change is real (Quartz) Duke Energy Is Leaking a Potent Climate-Warming Gas at More Than Five Times the Rate of Other Utilities (Inside Climate News and NBC) Thats it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Energy & Environment page for the latest news and coverage. Well see you tomorrow. VIEW FULL VERSION HERE For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Photo: Kyle Balzer, Tri-City News. Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West. Port Coquitlam city hall is reviewing its security protocols after a man threatened to kill Mayor Brad West and his family last year. On Sept. 9, at Port Coquitlam Provincial Court, William Arthur Jones received a conditional discharge and was placed on probation for a year after he pleaded guilty to uttering threats. The judge also ordered Jones, 66, to stay away from where West lives, works, plays and worships; not possess firearms; and pay a $100 victim fine surcharge. Jones was charged on Dec. 31, 2021, after a confrontation the day before with two individuals in Port Coquitlam, when he was arrested with a replica gun. Spokesperson Cpl. Alexa Hodgins said Coquitlam RCMP began its investigation and referred the matter to Crown prosecutors for possible criminal charges. Today (Sept. 21), West told the Tri-City News that he doesnt know Jones and has never met him; however, hes been told that Jones threats escalated to police action. I understand this has been taking place over a period of time, West said of the threats. I dont know who he is, but hes had frequent contact with bylaw, police and fire officers. I dont know why he became fixated on me other than Im the mayor. Coquitlam RCMP and the BC Prosecution Service were unable to provide more details about the offence, but West said Jones had a plan to kill me and my family. The mayor has since installed security cameras outside of his home for added protection. West said Jones also threatened staff in the city hall lobby. Im grateful to the police and Crown for taking this seriously as these things are all too often brushed off, he said, adding, Im a dad and a husband before anything else. Any threats to them are serious. I understand as a mayor youre in the public eye, but thats not what this was. This was not someone being upset at the city. This was a threat to my life and the lives of my wife and children. Despite the disturbing incident, which has prompted Dominic Long, PoCos community safety and corporate services director, to review of the safety of city hall employees and elected officials, West said nearly all communication with PoCo residents has been respectful and positive, and he takes pride in being a responsive civic leader. Sometimes, there are issues that cant be resolved to the satisfaction of our residents, he said, but its still a really enjoyable interaction. I try to go the extra mile. While this incident was unacceptable and criminal, its not who we are as a city, he said. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for our Middle East newsletter and follow us @middleeast for news on the region. Most Read from Bloomberg Turkey is seeking to increase gas purchases from the US and distribute some to its neighborhood, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, as Europe faces an energy crisis triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We want to increase the gas we buy from the US on more favorable terms in the coming period, Erdogan told a group of American business executives late Wednesday in New York, where he attended the United Nations General Assembly. We are ready to cooperate in the delivery of US LNG to the countries in the region. Turkey and the US have sought ways to mend relations strained by a series of disputes over recent years, including Ankaras purchase of an advanced Russian-missile defense system. Erdogan is now pointing to the potential in expanding energy ties but Turkey has limited capacity to re-export gas to Europe. Its a transit country for Azeri gas shipments via the Trans-Anatolia Pipeline that crosses into Greece and connects with another pipeline to extend into Italy. Turkey separately pumps gas that it purchases from various sources, including Russia, Azerbaijan, Algeria and the US, through separate pipelines to Greece and Bulgaria. In the first quarter of 2022, the US became the largest supplier of LNG to Turkey. Turkey annually imports about 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Erdogan also urged Washington to lift additional tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum imposed by the Trump administration during a diplomatic spat and remove obstacles to arms sales. The restrictions on weapons are negatively affecting the security of the entire NATO geography as well as our commercial relations, the president said. Story continues (Updates with LNG chart.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. The Wisconsin Badgers (2-1) enter Saturdays road contest against the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) as 18.5-point underdogs in a David vs. Goliath matchup under the lights in Columbus, Ohio. The Badgers, coming off a 66-7 victory over New Mexico State, looked sharp on offense after a lousy performance the week before; however, it was against one of the nations worst programs. UW will need an efficient game from starting quarterback Graham Mertz and the offensive line to hold up in pass protection if they are going to have a chance against the Buckeyes, who are 37-4 under head coach Ryan Day and rarely lose at home. Ahead of Saturdays matchup, ESPNs FPI model gives Wisconsin an 11% chance of winning on the road against the Buckeyes. This projection is more than fair, considering Wisconsin hasnt beaten Ohio State since 2010. Not to mention the talent disparity between the two programs, at least on paper. For Wisconsin, Id love to see the Badgers execute in the passing game and use it to open up the run continuing the shift to a more balanced offensive approach under first-year OC Bobby Engram. I have no expectations of Wisconsin winning this game. But playing the Buckeyes tough into the fourth quarter would undoubtedly inspire confidence in UW moving forward as they pursue a Big Ten West title. Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff. Story originally appeared on Badgers Wire By Gabriela Baczynska and John Chalmers BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union is looking at an oil price cap, tighter curbs on high-tech exports to Russia and more sanctions against individuals, diplomats said on Thursday, in response to what the West condemned as a new escalation in Moscow's war in Ukraine. The 27-nation EU was spurred into action by President Vladimir Putin's nuclear rhetoric on Wednesday, announcement of a partial mobilisation for the war and support for plans to effectively annex parts of east Ukraine. EU foreign ministers agreed at an ad hoc meeting to prepare new sanctions against Russia, and the bloc's top diplomat said they would consist of "economic and individual" measures. The head of the EU executive, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said they would include "additional export controls on civilian technology", according to CNN. Three EU diplomats in Brussels said new sanctions would centre around an oil price cap to match that agreed by the G7. "We also fully expect more individual listings," said one of the diplomats, who all spoke under condition of anonymity. Some of the sources pointed to a list drawn up by Putin's most prominent domestic critic - the jailed anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny - of 6,676 people he called "bribetakers and warmongers" as fodder for the EU's own blacklist, which to date includes 108 entities and 1,206 individuals. Some countries want to target relatives and close aides of those already sanctioned over circumventing current measures. EU countries have also yet to agree to recognise such bypassing of sanctions as a criminal offence inside the bloc. They will equally have to decide what to do with Russians fleeing conscription after the three Baltic nations in the EU's east said they would not offer refuge. Finland and Poland have also been restricting Russian arrivals but the EU as a whole has so far rejected a blanket travel ban. Story continues FRAGILE UNITY It was not immediately clear, however, what impact any oil price cap would have given that the EU has already agreed an oil embargo due to take effect by the end of the year, albeit with exemptions, including for Hungary. Further curbs on luxury goods exports to Russia are also on the table, while the bloc's Russia hawks sought a ban on Russian diamonds and confiscation of Russian assets in Europe. Others, however, warned the latter was unlikely to get the necessary unanimous backing of all EU countries. Germany, the EU's economic powerhouse, has so far barred tougher economic restrictions, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban - who cultivates close ties with Putin - said on Thursday all the sanctions should be scrapped. "I don't know how rapidly we can agree on new sanctions," said an EU official, noting resistance to more punishment of Moscow by some member states could slow things down. The European Commission is expected to present next week a written proposal, and the 27 EU national leaders might approve it when they meet in Prague on Oct.6-7, said the sources. (Additional reporting by Sabine Siebold, Writing by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU data protection watchdog EDPS has asked Europe's top court to scrap amended rules allowing Europol to retroactively legalise its processing of personal data of people with no links to criminal activity, saying the rules undermine its authority. EDPS (European Data Protection Supervisor), which ensures that EU institutions and bodies comply with the bloc's privacy rules, took its grievance to the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on Sept. 16. At issue are two amendments to rules governing Europol agreed by EU countries and EU lawmakers which came into force on June 28. Prior to the changes, Europol was required to check within six months whether personal data it collected was linked to criminal activity and to erase it by Jan. 4, 2023 if there was no such connection. The amendments mean it can continue to hold data that has not yet been erased. EDPS' request to the CJEU is "to make sure that the EU legislator cannot unduly 'move the goalposts' in the area of privacy and data protection," EDPS head Wojciech Wiewiorowski said in a statement. EU lawmaker Patrick Breyer applauded the EDPS move. "It's true that police cooperation in Europe is of vital importance, but it needs to respect the rule of law," he said. "Due to these vast data pools, millions of innocent citizens risk being wrongfully suspected of a crime just because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time." (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Richard Chang) More than six years have passed since the killings of an entire family in Pike County in 2016. Arrested and charged with murder and a slew of other charges were Angela Wagner, 48, her husband George Wagner, 47, and their two sons, George Wagner IV, 27, and Edward "Jake" Wagner, 26. Wagner IV is facing eight counts of aggravated murder and other charges in the deaths of Pike Countys Rhoden family. Here's what we know about the case. Who was killed in the Pike County killings in April 2016? Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40; his older brother, Kenneth Rhoden, 44; Christopher's former wife, Dana Manley Rhoden, 38; their three children, Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden, 20; Hanna Rhoden, 19, and Chris Rhoden, Jr., 16; and a cousin Gary Rhoden, 38, and Hannah Hazel Gilley, 20, were all killed in their homes April 21 and 22, 2016. Most were asleep while the Wagners allegedly executed a meticulously planned attack to wipe out the family, prosecutors allege. Why was the Pike County trial previously delayed? Due to an illness of one of the involved parties in the case, the trial had been delayed six days, but is currently underway. The trial of George Wagner IV resumes Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in Pike County Common Pleas Court in Waverly, Ohio. Eight members of the Rhoden family were found shot to death at four different locations on April 21-22, 2016. Special Prosecutor D. Andrew Wilson points to a diagram of the inside of the home of Frankie Rhoden and Hannah Gilley during testimony from Todd Fortner, special agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. What did the coroner say about the Pike County killings? Any of the seven of nine bullet wounds that Christopher Rhoden Sr. suffered in the 2016 Pike County mass killings could have killed him. Chris Rhoden Sr. was shot six times in the face, once in the chest, once in the abdomen and once in his right forearm, according to Dr. Karen Looman, chief deputy coroner of Hamilton County. As the prosecution projects photos on three large digital screens in the Pike County Common Pleas Court on Sept. 15, 2022, defendant George Wagner IV, 30, sits between attorneys John P. Parker, left, and Richard M. Nash Jr. The photo on the screen pictures trucks parked at the home of victim Kenneth Rhoden at the time of his death. Any of the three gunshots that his cousin Gary Rhoden absorbed that April night could have been fatal. The pathologist who completed their autopsies also concluded that the Rhoden cousins were likely killed at close range and before the other six victims. Looman also told jurors that Frankie Rhoden and Hannah Gilley were both killed by multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Frankie Rhoden was shot three times once in the left cheek and twice on the left side of his head. Gilley was shot five times on the right side of her head. Story continues You can read more on the autopsies here:Pike County killings: Coroner walks through first 2 autopsies Who survived the Pike County killings? Frankie Rhoden's 3-year-old son, Brentley, and the son he shared with his fiancee, Hannah Gilley, 6-month-old Ruger, were spared by the killers. The infant was found alive between his two deceased parents. It was Brentley who unlocked the door for the discovery of one of the gruesome scenes in the largest homicide investigation in Ohio history. Also spared was Hanna Rhodens 5-day-old daughter, Kylie, who was found alive lying next to her dead mother. Key informationThings to read leading up to the Pike County trial What other charges are the Wagners facing? The Wagners are also facing a series of additional charges including: conspiracy, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, tampering with evidence, unlawful possession of a dangerous ordinance, forgery, unauthorized use of property, interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications, obstructing justice, and aggravated burglary. What is some of the evidence that points to the Wagners facing trial? Prosecutors allege Angela Wagner purchased several items in the months leading up to the deaths of the Rhoden family and Hannah Gilley. "...specific shoes from Walmart, 'brass catcher(s),' items with which to build 'brass catchers,' ammunition, a magazine clip, a 'bug' detector, and or items with which to build a 'silencer(s),' and/or various other items in preparation for these crimes," the indictment states. Brass catchers are used to collect discharged bullet casings. An attorney for the Wagners, John Kearson Clark, in a statement said his clients were innocent and looked forward to their trials. Clark said the family hopes the true culprits were brought to justice. Why did George Wagner IV's lawyer attempt to call a mistrial? The lawyer for George Wagner IV called for a mistrial Wednesday, after several days of the prosecution displaying graphic photos to the jury in the Pike County killings case. The photos that have been shown are not relevant, John P. Parker told Judge Randy Deering just before the jury returned from its lunch break. They are intended to gain the sympathy of the jury. Deering overruled Parkers call for a mistrial but that did not end clashes between lawyers working for and against Wagner IV. Pike County trialWagner IV lawyer calls for mistrial over graphic images What are some key pieces of information from the Pike County trials so far? The latest updates as of Wednesday, Sept. 21: As was previously reported, Rhoden and Gilley's infant child was found covered in blood between them, unharmed. The caliber used in the shooting was .22. Five cartridges were found in the bedroom and one live round. Frankie Rhoden was discovered shot to death, laying on his back. Hannah Gilley was on her right side. The Rhoden child left "swipes and wipes" on the victims, especially Hannah Gilley, as he moved between them. Defense attorney John Parker objected when Special Prosecutor D. Andrew Wilson called the markings "pawing and clawing." Judge Randy Deering sustained the objection. Soft sobs and sniffles were heard in the courtroom as witness Todd Fortner, special agent with the Ohio Bureau of Investigation, walked jurors through photos from the bedroom. Several family members left in tears. Parker offered repeated objections, all denied by the judge. The prosecution directed jurors' attention to a back door of the trailer and an open window, without specifying why. As he ended his questioning of Fortner, Wilson said the prosecution and defense agreed no DNA of George Wagner IV or other Wagners was found at the scene. Wednesday's updates:Takeaways from the Pike County killings This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Pike County trial of George Wagner IV: Everything we know Ex-Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane was sentenced to three years in prison for the death of George Floyd, as part of a plea deal. The sentencing occurred on Wednesday during a virtual hearing. Lane was charged with second-degree manslaughter and pleaded guilty back in May for his role in Floyds death in 2020. In addition to his new sentence, the former Minneapolis police officer will concurrently serve his 30-month sentence for violating Floyds civil rights by holding the civilians legs down during an arrest. In a video published on CDN, Lane can be heard ranting on a microphone because he was upset that hed have to register as a predatory offender. Thats what Chauvin has to do. If I have a minimal role, why the f**k do I gotta do that? Jesus Christ, Lane said to his lawyer, Earl Gray, according to ABC News. Kim Hyatt, a reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune, later confirmed with Gray that Lane is not required by Minnesota law to register as a predatory offender. This exchange at the end of the virtual hearing today caught me by surprise. But I clarified with Thomas Lanes attorney Early Gray who said that per Judge Cahills order, Lane is not required by Minnesota law to register as a predatory offender. https://t.co/xlTRM5MQHa Kim Hyatt (@kimvhyatt) September 21, 2022 The 39-year-old was one of four Minneapolis police officers arrested in Floyds murder. Lane held the victims legs while his colleague, Derek Chauvin, kneeled on Floyds neck for nine and a half minutes. I cant breathe, yelled Floyd. Despite cries for help, Chauvin kept his knee pressed on Floyds neck. Witnesses pleaded for Chauvin to stop and began recording the incident while Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng prevented the crowd from getting involved. Story continues Former police officers Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng will go to trial next after rejecting plea deals offered in August regarding their roles in the killing of Floyd. Both men have been sentenced for violating Floyds civil rights in federal court. According to Blavity, Kueng was sentenced to three years in prison, while Thao received three and a half years. The recordings of the unjust incident caused outrage nationwide and sparked protests worldwide as people took a stand against racial discrimination. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) A former director of Mississippi's welfare agency pleaded guilty Thursday to federal and state charges in a conspiracy to misspend tens of millions of dollars that were intended to help needy families in one of the poorest states in the U.S. part of the largest public corruption case in the state's history. In federal court, John Davis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of theft from programs receiving federal funds. In state court a short time later, he pleaded guilty to five counts of conspiracy and 13 counts of fraud against the government. Davis, 54, was an influential figure in a scandal that has snared several people, including pro wrestler Ted DiBiase, known as the million dollar man," whose Christian ministry was ordered to repay more than $720,000 in misspent welfare money. The scandal also has raised questions about retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre and former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant. As leader of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Davis had direct control of federal funds that were channeled to pet projects such as a new volleyball arena at the university where Favres daughter played the sport. In state court Thursday, Judge Adrienne Wooten asked Davis to explain why he had allowed the department to squander money for the needy. You were entrusted to do good by those that we consider the least of those, Wooten said. This court is very disappointed. The state court charges were mostly tied to welfare money spent on one of Ted DiBiase's sons, Brett DiBiase, who was also a pro wrestler. The spending included $160,000 for drug rehabilitation in Malibu, California; a $250,000 salary for a job he was not qualified to do; $48,000 for him to teach Department of Human Services employees how to identify possible drug use by people seeking help from the agency; $8,000 for him to stay at an upscale hotel in New Orleans; and more than $1,000 for first-class airfare for Davis to fly to Malibu to see Brett DiBiase. Story continues In response to one of many questions from Wooten, Davis said Brett DiBiase was his friend. Davis also said he used very, very bad judgment" in spending public money. I shouldn't have done it, Davis said. Wooten gave Davis a 90-year sentence with 58 of those suspended and 32 to serve. She put Davis on house arrest until his federal sentencing, set for Feb. 2. He faces up to 15 years on the federal charges. U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves he hopes Davis makes better decisions from now on. I look forward to hoping that this portion of your life is behind you," Reeves said. Davis was indicted on state charges in February 2020. He was re-indicted this spring on state charges that he participated in misusing welfare money; that set of charges was dropped in exchange for Davis agreeing to plead guilty to the new, shorter list. Prosecutors said Davis also agreed to testify against others in the case. The federal charges were handed down Sept. 15, but remained sealed until Wednesday. Davis waived indictment and agreed to plead guilty. Davis was executive director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services from February 2016 through July 2019. He was appointed by Bryant, a Republican. The federal charges say Davis conspired with four other people, who are not named. Court documents describe two of the alleged conspirators as executive directors of organizations, one as the owner of two companies and one only as a resident of Hinds County, Mississippi. The capital city of Jackson is in Hinds County. The conspiracy charges say one organization paid nearly $498,000 to one of the companies in June 2018. A few days later, that company entered a $1.1 million contract with the other company purportedly in exchange for creating a program to serve inner-city youth. The charges also say the same organization paid $700,000 that summer to the company with the youth program contract. The theft charges say Davis misused federal grants of more than $10,000. In April, a mother and son who ran a nonprofit organization and an education company pleaded guilty to state charges of misusing welfare money, including on lavish gifts such as the first-class airfare for Davis. Nancy New and Zachary New ran the nonprofit organization that paid the $250,000 to Brett DiBiase and that funneled welfare money for his drug rehab. They agreed to testify against others. In a state court filing Sept. 12, an attorney for one of the organizations run by Nancy and Zachary New listed text messages between retired Favre and Nancy New, between Favre and Gov. Bryant and between Bryant and New. The messages showed discussions about millions of dollars in welfare money being directed to a pet project of Favre a volleyball facility being built at the University of Southern Mississippi. Favre, Bryant and New all attended the university, and Favre's daughter started playing volleyball there in 2017. Favre and Bryant have not been charged in the welfare misspending case. Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens responded to questions Thursday about whether charges could be brought against Bryant or Favre. We are looking at all individuals that have been identified" in text messages or in other ways, Owens said. ____ The story has been corrected to show that Ted DiBiases ministry was ordered to repay more than $720,000 in misspent welfare money and to remove a reference to a criminal charge; that demand was not a criminal charge. Horseshoe Bends former fire chief has been charged with felony grand theft for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars. Court filings allege that Curtis Corvinus, who is also an elected City Council member, did wrongfully take $3,668.53 from the Horseshoe Bend Fire Department. Jeff Johnson, who was the assistant fire chief at the time, told the Idaho Statesman that he discovered signs of theft while purchasing items for a local Easter egg hunt that the department was planning. The original May court filing alleges that Corvinus took money from the fire departments burnout fund and/or fail(ed) to deposit charitable cash contributions between Nov. 1 and March 31. Burnout funds assists victims of fires that have destroyed homes, and in other emergencies. The kind of things that the money was being used for, it was very obvious that was not what its intended for, Johnson said in a phone interview. Johnson, who was voted in by his team as the new fire chief, wrote in a Facebook post that the money was taken by a member for personal use. Johnson notified law enforcement of the missing money on April 13, and Detective Russell Max Sprague of the Boise County Sheriffs Office interviewed four people at the department, according to court records. Among them was Corvinus, who fully admitted to all wrong doings and gave full cooperation, according to Johnsons post. Court records from Sept. 7 show that the type of grand theft charge against Corvinus was changed to remove allegations that the money came from public funds. That doesnt mean we are saying it wasnt public funds, it just removes one thing that we have to prove at trial, Boise County Prosecuting Attorney Adam Strong told the Idaho Statesman in a phone interview. Corvinus became chief of the Horseshoe Bend Fire Department, which consists of 13 volunteer members, in September 2021. In November, he was elected to the Horseshoe Bend City Council, and he continues to hold that position. Elected leaders cannot be removed just with a felony charge; they must be found guilty, according to Idaho law. Story continues A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 19, but Corvinus waived that hearing, moving the case to district court. Corvinus has not entered a plea. In light of these events, it has shown us gaps in our system, and we are learning from this error and implementing checks and balances to ensure all funds are fully protected in the future, Johnson said in his social media post. These new procedures include separating the donation fund from the regular department account and requiring multiple people to sign off on large purchases, according to Johnson. Corvinus, his attorney and Horseshoe Bend Mayor Patrick Goff did not return the Statesmans requests for comment. A former prosecutor said the findings of the New York attorney generals probe into Donald Trumps business dealings are insane, and he predicts there really isnt a lot of room for him to wiggle his way out of this. It really looks like the Trump family was running a fraud business with a sideline in real estate, as opposed to the other way around, commentator Tristan Snell, a former New York assistant attorney general who worked on the Trump University case, said on MSNBC. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Wednesday that she filed a civil lawsuit against Trump and his three eldest children, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump, over an assortment of alleged financial crimes, following a years-long investigation. Shes seeking to bar them from conducting business in the state, make them pay about $250 million in restitution and limit their access to lending. .@TristanSnell: "It really looks like the Trump family was running a fraud business with a sideline in real estate, as opposed to the other way around." #TheReidOutpic.twitter.com/xsu2GyX62U The ReidOut (@thereidout) September 21, 2022 Trump allegedly inflated the value of his assets to convince banks to lend to the Trump Organization on more favorable terms while also deflating the value of assets in other instances so he could pay less in taxes. This is insane. The disparities that were talking about here are not just 10%. Its not rounding up, Snell noted. Its not saying, Oh, you know, this is worth 147 million, were gonna say its worth 150 million. No, no, no, no, no, no. This was 1,000% bigger. 3300% bigger. Story continues If any of us did this, we wouldnt just be liable for fraud, wed be headed for jail, he continued. This would be the equivalent of an American saying that the appraisal says your house is worth $300,000. And then you turn around and say, Oh, its actually worth 30 million. Its actually worth 100 million. And thinking youre gonna get away with that. During her news conference Wednesday, James offered several examples of false or misleading asset valuations used in Trumps statements out of what she said was a total of more than 200. In one instance, James said, an asset in New York City was listed as being worth over 60 times what an appraiser had valued it at. And Mar-a-Lago, Trumps Florida resort, was estimated to be worth $75 million, but its value was inflated to as high as $739 million, James said. According to Snell, Trump doesnt have much to go on as a defense, especially after he invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination in response to almost every question he was asked when he was interviewed by James office. The fact that he pled the Fifth to 440 different questions means that he doesnt really have any legs to stand on here because anything that he might say in defense, the AGs office is going to be able to say, Well, you already basically admitted to it. When someone invokes their Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination in a criminal trial, a jury cannot infer guilt based on the defendants silence. However, in a civil case, the judge or jury can draw a negative conclusion about the intent behind the plea. It really cuts off the escape hatch there, Snell said. There really isnt a whole lot of room for him to wiggle his way out of this. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Ryan Grantham pled guilty to second-degree murder in March (CBC) A former Riverdale actor who pleaded guilty to murdering his mother and allegedly plotted to kill Canadian PM Justin Trudeau will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Ryan Grantham, 24, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the first 14 years at British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver on Wednesday, the CBC reported. Grantham, who pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder in March, admitted to shooting his mother in the back of the head as she played piano in their townhouse in Squamish, north of Vancouver, on 31 March 2020. A day after the murder, the former child star packed a car with three guns, ammunition, 12 Molotov cocktails, camping supplies and a Google map with directions to Mr Trudeaus Rideau Cottage residence, prosecutors said. He had also allegedly written in a diary about his intentions to kill Mr Trudeau and in a police statement. He drove about 200 kilometres east to the town of Hope before turning around, and contemplated committing an act of mass violence at Vancouvers Lions Gate Bridge or at Simon Fraser University, where he had been a student. Instead, he drove to a Vancouver police station where he told an officer: I killed my mother. A British Columbia sentencing hearing for former Riverdale actor Ryan Grantham heard his mother Barbara Waite was an excellent parent' (Canadian Femicide Observatory) Grantham started acting professionally at the age of nine and played the supporting role of Jeffrey Augustine in one episode of the CW show Riverdale in 2019. He has also appeared in the TV show Supernatural and the 2010 film Dairy of a Wimpy Kid. During the trial, his defence argued that had been struggling with anxiety, self-loathing and clinical depression, and had expressed a desire to commit suicide or violence against others in the months leading up to his mothers murder. He carried out a walk-through of the murder by secretly approaching his mother from behind with a gun, the court was told, and footage captured on a Go-Pro camera of one of his walk-throughs was shown as evidence. In one of the videos taken after the killing, he filmed his mothers body while saying: I shot her in the back of the head. In the moments after, she would have known it was me. Grantham then spent the hours after the murder smoking marijuana, drinking beer, and trying to make molotov cocktails. Story continues Prosecuotrs said that Grantham was also plotting to kill Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau The next day he arranged candles around his mothers body before setting off in his car. His sister discovered their mothers body that evening after repeated calls and messages went unanswered. Two psychiatric reports commissioned after the murder found that Grantham had a cannabis use disorder after years of heavy use, but was able to maintain an outward appearance that he was functioning normally. According to the reports, Grantham told experts he wanted to kill his mother to spare her from witnessing the violence he was planning to commit. Grantham was an experienced gun user who had been a member of a gun club. He had purchased the .22 calibre rifle in the months leading up to the homicide while aware of the homicidal feelings he was having, prosecutors said. Photo: u/gnawatir / Reddit Vancouver Vancouver International Airport continues to see some significant baggage and flight delays following several months of issues. B.C.'s largest airport says it has seen a drastic improvement to the long wait times air passengers faced several weeks ago but some travellers continue to experience issues. While many passengers report passing through security well under the recommended time at least two hours ahead of domestic flights and at least three hours for international and transborder ones some passengers have missed flights or came close to missing them due to sprawling security lines. In May, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, which is the federal crown corporation responsible for all passenger security screening, said it was experiencing ongoing staffing shortages. While it made efforts to rectify the issues, YVR noted that it was unclear when the situation would improve. On Monday (Sept. 19), Whistler resident John Entwhistle missed his flight at YVR following what he describes as the "most insane security line I have ever encountered." Missed my flight at @yvrairport this morning thanks to the most insane security line I have ever encountered. 2:15 to get through security and customs what is going on?? #vancouver #yvr #airportdelays #yvrnews pic.twitter.com/BQ6T5osiUQ John Entwistle (@EntwistlePhoto) September 19, 2022 But travellers also reported long lineups on the weekend, too. On Sunday, Cam Boychuk shared his experience waiting to pass through security for transborder departures. According to Boychuk, the CATSA's website that shows current YVR wait times was reporting a 25 to 30-minute wait when he lined up. However, he disputed their estimate, calling on the agency to improve its operations. In a follow-up tweet, the frustrated traveller appeared to have finally made it through security a couple of hours after what he described as an "ordeal." He added that the plane was held for him and "a few other victims" of the "mismanagement." Long line up at @yvrairport to get thru Gate E (USA departures). Entered line at 0705hrs. CATSA website says 25-30 min wait. I highly doubt it. YVR, CATSA and Allied Universal need to get their crap together. @AlliedUniversal @catsa_gc Cam Boychuk (@CamBoychuk) September 18, 2022 On Monday at YVR, there were 190 flight delays and 12 cancellations, while Tuesday saw 134 delays and seven cancellations, according to global flight tracking service FlightAware. Many travellers who are making a connection at YVR also need to pick up their baggage before they move through customs. Depending on the length of their stopover, they may not have enough time to get their bags if their flight gets in late or if their luggage is delayed. Over the weekend, Bruno Philipe, who flew with Air Canada, took to Twitter to ask YVR how it was possible that it was taking an hour for his luggage to appear on the carousel. The airport's social media team responded in a tweet, noting that baggage is actually the "responsibility of your airline" but that they could contact his airline and "give them a heads up." Hey @yvrairport how is it possible for it to take 1h for luggage to show up in your carousels? Bruno Philipe (@BrunoPhilipe) September 18, 2022 Travellers seeking Air Canada flight delay compensation or baggage loss compensation can visit the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) resource. Also, new rules came into effect on Sept. 8 that require airlines to provide additional refund requirements to customers who have flights delayed by over three hours or more. But an air passenger rights advocate says the CTA isn't acting in the passengers' interests. YVR said the airline has seen its wait times improve dramatically, although there may be some busy particularly busy times. When Entwistle missed his flight Monday morning, the airport was experiencing unusually long wait times. The federal Liberal cabinet is considering whether to renew COVID-19 vaccine mandates and mandatory random testing for travellers, a senior government official told The Canadian Press on the condition of anonymity. The current measures are set to expire on Sept. 30. By Xie Yu, Julie Zhu and Selena Li HONG KONG (Reuters) - Beijing has sent a team of regulatory officials to Hong Kong to assist the U.S. audit watchdog with onsite audit inspections involving Chinese companies, four people familiar with the matter said, as part of a landmark deal between the two countries. A China-U.S. agreement last month allows U.S. regulators, for the first time, to inspect China-based accounting firms that audit New York-listed companies, a major step towards resolving an audit dispute that threatened to boot more than 200 Chinese companies from U.S. exchanges. About 10 officials from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) have arrived in Hong Kong and joined the audit inspection, which started on Monday, three of the people said. The officials will assist a team of inspectors from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), the U.S. audit watchdog, who are in Hong Kong for the onsite inspection, the four people said. All of the sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Representatives at CSRC and MOF did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. A spokesperson for the PCAOB declined to comment on Thursday. However, in a speech on Thursday, PCAOB chair Erica Williams said agency officials had arrived in Hong Kong to begin the inspections. The PCAOB has sole discretion to select the firms, audit engagements and potential violations it inspects and investigates without consultation with, nor input from, Chinese authorities, she said. As with all inspections, they will look at factors, including the audits of the selected companies and the overall quality control systems of the audit companies. The gathering of U.S. and Chinese officials together in Hong Kong marks a major step forward in what was expected to be a fraught process implementing the audit deal, the most detailed agreement the PCAOB has ever reached with China. Story continues State-owned China Southern Airlines and data centre company GDS Holdings are among the U.S.-listed Chinese companies for audit inspection in the Asian financial hub, two separate sources said. China Southern Airlines and GDS did not respond to requests for comment. Reuters reported last month that U.S. regulators had picked a number of U.S.-listed Chinese companies including e-commerce majors Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and JD.com Inc for audit inspection. FULL ACCESS Officials from the CSRC, which has been leading negotiations with U.S. authorities to resolve the audit dispute, are expected to be present when the PCAOB conducts interviews with and takes testimony from the audit firms' staff, one of the four people familiar with the audit process said. The whole inspection process will last about eight to 10 weeks, said two of the four sources, in line with comments by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler in a meeting with lawmakers last week. Williams said on Thursday, however, that the timeline ultimately depended on Chinas level of cooperation. It was not clear whether the Chinese officials would be present for every step of the inspection process with PCAOB representatives. A separate source familiar with the matter said that involvement by the Chinese regulators was consistent with the way the PCAOB conducts inspections elsewhere around the world and that the U.S. watchdog was not giving China any special consideration. U.S. regulators have for more than a decade demanded access to audit papers of U.S.-listed Chinese companies, but Beijing has been reluctant to let U.S. regulators inspect its accounting firms, citing national security concerns. Despite the audit deal, legal experts and China watchers last month warned they could still clash over how it is interpreted and implemented, with the U.S. side seeking full access to Chinese audit papers without any consultation or input from Chinese regulators. Beijing's statement on the deal last month, however, emphasized that the U.S. watchdog will have to obtain documents through the Chinese regulators, and must involve the China side during interviews and testimony taking. The onsite inspections by the PCAOB are being conducted in the Hong Kong offices of the selected Chinese companies' audit firms, said two of the sources. The PCAOB will spend the first week inspecting the auditors' compliance and internal control systems and move to review the audit working papers of selected companies from the second week, they added. In line with the U.S. regulators' statements, the PCAOB inspectors can see complete audit work papers without any redactions, and they will adopt view-only procedures for personally identifiable information, the two sources said. (Reporting by Xie Yu, Julie Zhu, Selena Li in Hong Kong and Michelle Price in Washington; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee and Edmund Klamann) "We Are Proud Boys," a new book by HuffPost senior editor Andy Campbell. (Photo: Hachette/Andy Campbell) The following is an excerpt from the new book We Are Proud Boys: How a Right-Wing Street Gang Ushered in a New Era of American Extremism, by HuffPost senior editor Andy Campbell. Roger Stone has been the troll sitting on the shoulder of powerful Republicans since Richard Nixons presidency. His dirty trickster moniker derives from a career of cutthroat weaseling for the right people. Throughout the Trump years, Stone remained one of the presidents closest friends and loyal allies. He also has close ties to multiple Proud Boys and chapters, especially those most involved in Florida politics near his home in Fort Lauderdale, and he remains without a doubt the gangs closest connection to Trumps inner circle. In an exclusive interview, Stone gave a rare, candid look at his relationship to the notorious far-right street gang. Hes a friend and confidant to Enrique Tarrio, the gangs chairman, whos now sitting in jail awaiting trial on seditious conspiracy charges, over what the Justice Department calls his outsize role in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The pair has appeared together on numerous occasions dating back to 2018, and they make no secret of their mutual respect. Tarrio makes press appearances in defense of Stone whenever he ends up in court, and Stone boosts the Proud Boys and attends their events. In December 2018, the pair stood together in a video address to the gang, and Stone called on the Proud Boys to fight back against globalists and Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who was at the time leading the investigation into election meddling and ties between Trumps camp and Russian officials. Keep the faith. Dont let them wear you down the globalists, the two-party duopoly, Robert Mueller, the deep state, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Stone said. They want to wear us down. Never give up the fight. We will prevail. Story continues Stone agreed to an interview with me in May 2021, during a time when he was under immense public scrutiny over his proximity to the insurrection. He maintains that he was in his D.C. hotel during the riots at the Capitol. But he made various appearances with the Proud Boys in the days surrounding the event and, on the morning of, was captured on video flanked by a group of Oath Keepers, some of the gangs closest allies. He was later subpoenaed by the House panel investigating the Capitol attacks, though he refused to cooperate with the probe. Interviewing people like Stone is a complex and confounding kind of dance. Hes a celebrity, a convicted liar, and a Trump sycophant, and like a child born of all three, hes prone to self-serving word salads sandwiched between half-truths and deflections. He couldnt decide from question to question whether he was close to the Proud Boys or not; in one breath he said he didnt associate with the gang but befriended specific individuals who happened to be members of that organization. In another, he lamented that the Proud Boys, and Tarrio in particular, had been stigmatized by the media. He suggested that the Proud Boys were never violent or racist, despite a mountain of evidence proving otherwise. When a lie is repeated enough times over and over again by these powerful assets, you get unfairly labeled. And I think thats what has happened to the Proud Boys, Stone told me. Theyre racist, theyre white supremacists, theyre violent, theyre criminal. No, none of these things are true. Not in my experience. From the start, and throughout the 25-minute conversation, Stone repeated the claim that if the Proud Boys were a criminal enterprise capable of carrying out violence or an insurrection, he had no idea about any of it, and he had no part in it. And in any case, he argued, anything criminal attributed to the Proud Boys was the act of an individual, not the group. You cant condemn everybody whos an Italian American because some Italian Americans broke the law. It just doesnt work that way. He worked hard to deflect for the Proud Boys, even when there wasnt any apparent need to do so. Some of that seemed to be for the sake of self-preservation; whenever hes asked about his relation to the gang or his whereabouts during a Proud Boys event, he launches into a spiel about the medias mismanagement of his and the Proud Boys image. But it was also clear that he had invested a considerable amount of emotional and professional capital in Tarrio. In fact, Stone admitted that hes been advising Tarrio and the Proud Boys directly for years, perhaps much in the same way he might have advised Trump. He said he provided his professional and personal input on their political goals and on several occasions gave them advice when they got into legal trouble or did something that was bad for their optics. I encouraged [Tarrio] when he wanted to run for Congress, even though I thought it was probably a hopeless exercise, Stone said. Enrique is somebody whos had a tough life. But he is charismatic. And I do think hes got a great future if he wants one. Although I fear [he] will constantly be stigmatized by the creeps at CNN, the real haters, the folks who really are intolerant, the folks at MSNBC ... Its a false imagery. And its really tremendously unfair. Asked whether he thought the Proud Boys could make a solid collective run for office going forward, Stone suggested they might be too radical to earn his support. I dont see them as an elective political force. Thats just not how I see them. I see them as individual patriots who support Western values, he said. If youre on the left, you can transcend your radical past. Its not clear whether you can transcend a radical past on the right for a political future. Just not clear. Too early to say. Stone also gave the gang advice after several of their members were jailed following an attack on protesters outside a GOP event in Manhattan in 2018. He said he believes the convicted Proud Boys might have been exonerated completely if theyd listened to him and hired a better lawyer, one who could cast the blame on antifa and stand up to the New York establishment. He pushed Gavin McInnes, the groups founder, to get new representation for the assailants. They should have hired a former state attorney general who could have taken [New York Gov.] Andrew Cuomo on frontally, he said. If the Proud Boys are violent, then antifa and [Black Lives Matter] are violent. You cant have it one way. Gavin [McInnes] knows I feel this way: I think they should have been better represented. After Tarrio took the reins, Stone told him that the gangs image was growing too toxic for public consumption and suggested that he should just change their name and start over. Candidly I told him a good two years ago that I think he should change the name of the organization and completely rebrand them. I think theyve been so thoroughly stigmatized. When I asked whether he had any ideas for their new name, he shot back immediately. Yes, I would have called them the Ancient Order of the Orange Men. It was obviously a reference to Trump and his iconic orange hue that comes from a thick layer of TV makeup. Was Tarrio receptive to the new name? Not in the slightest, he said. I would say completely disinterested. While Stone didnt seem super optimistic about their chances at real political success, he didnt count the Proud Boys out completely, though he said he wasnt aware of any other members running for public office. Asked whether hed endorse another Tarrio run, Stone said he would wait to gauge how the charges stemming from Jan. 6 affected him and the rest of the Proud Boys. Id like to see the results of the current situation. I mean, you know, every American is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. Even his openness to endorsement means a lot. The Proud Boys climbed to higher heights in their first few years of existence than any other extremist group around them, specifically because of their high-level political connections. And those relationships have helped launder the Proud Boys image for the general public. Theyre now celebrated on the right as freedom fighters and sought out for their security. Excerpted from We Are Proud Boys: How a Right-Wing Street Gang Ushered in a New Era of American Extremism by Andy Campbell. Copyright 2022. Available from Hachette Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) The COVID pandemic forced most U.S. casinos to close for months, causing payrolls, revenue and earnings to tumble. But the forced shutdowns and highly regulated recoveries also taught the industry useful lessons that will endure even after the pandemic is a distant memory, panelists at a major casino conference said Thursday. Speaking at the East Coast Gaming Congress, executives from major gambling companies said the changes they were forced to make because of the pandemic had some benefits. We learned lessons that can't be unlearned, said Thomas Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment. It forced us and gave us the ability to say to our guests that things that used to be viewed as an entitlement, maybe they don't need them as much as they thought they did, added Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International. Do you need a buffet? Should you have a buffet? The conference was held in the Hard Rock casino in Atlantic City, whose buffet is still operating. Some of Hard Rock's casinos in other states, including Florida, offer buffets while others do not. David Cordish, chairman of the Cordish Companies, which operates casinos in Pennsylvania, Florida and Maryland, said the pandemic offered his business an opportunity to tighten the ship. We have not gone back to buffets, he said. "It certainly wasn't fun. Being closed for months was horrendous for employees. But there were a lot of lessons learned. What we did and we may need to do it again is when we were shut, we put in every possible type of health and safety screening you could do, including hand sanitizers and barriers between player positions at table games, measures that were commonly adopted at casinos across the country. Cordish said those expenses paid off handsomely once the casinos were allowed to reopen in mid 2020. People were fed up with being cooped up and came pouring back to the casinos, particularly when we did these things, he said. Since we reopened, business has been terrific. Story continues Eric Hausler, CEO of Greenwood Racing, which owns Pennsylvania's Parx casino, said the pandemic opened his eyes to one particular liability. We had a restaurant that was open every day for lunch and never made any money, he said. When the casino reopened after its pandemic-related closure, We didn't bring it back, and no one ever said a thing about it. Jeff Gural, who owns two racetrack casinos in upstate New York, had a similar experience. We had a Subway sandwich place that didn't work, he said. Then we converted it to a pizza place and that didn't work. Someone suggested converting it to a sushi place and I don't like sushi. And it succeeded. Gural also said closure helped him realize that spending big money on broadcast ads, billboards and car giveaways wasn't bringing in the return he expected, making it easier to scale back spending on such things. Daily housekeeping of casino hotel rooms has become another casualty of the pandemic in some places. In June, Atlantic City's main casino workers' union filed a complaint with the state that four casinos were failing to clean guest hotel rooms daily as required by law, and one admitted it did not have enough housekeepers to clean every room every day. Hospitality industry leaders say the combination of a shortage of housekeeping workers and the reluctance of some guests to allow hotel workers into their rooms during their stay has led to the abandonment of a daily room cleaning standard in resorts across the country. One lingering effect of the pandemic is smaller payrolls. This is due both to workers who were let go during or shortly after the closures and have not been rehired, and a continuing difficulty in attracting new workers across the gambling industry, as with many others. Jayson Guyot, president and CEO of Connecticut's Foxwoods Resort Casino, said he ordered a complete restructuring of the business from top to bottom during the closure something that would have been difficult to do had it still been operating. It enabled us to rebuild our margins from 10 to 13% to 18 to 20% now, he said. But he also voiced a common concern: Foxwoods has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic business levels. That is a major preoccupation for Atlantic City's casinos, which collectively have yet to return to 2019 revenue and profit levels for in-person gambling. Second-quarter earnings, released in August, show that five of Atlantic City's nine casinos failed to exceed their pre-pandemic profit levels, and the resort as a whole saw a decrease in profits of nearly 1%. Atlantic City has thousands less casino workers than it did before the pandemic struck. It, like virtually every other casino market, has struggled to attract new workers and retain existing ones. Hard Rock recently made headlines by spending $100 million to give big raises to 10,000 non-tipped workers, most of them in the U.S. Other companies have given smaller raises recently. Foxwoods has raised its hourly minimum wage from $10.50 two years ago to $14.50 now, Guyot said. ___ Follow Wayne Parry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC Four occupied regions in Ukraine are set to start voting Friday in Kremlin-engineered referendums on whether to become part of Russia, setting the stage for Moscow to annex the areas in a sharp escalation of the nearly seven-month war. Ukraine and its Western allies have rejected the votes as illegitimate and neither free nor fair, saying they will have no binding force. A look at the referendums and their potential implications: WHY ARE THE REFERENDUMS HAPPENING? The Kremlin has used this tactic before. In 2014, it held a hastily called referendum in Ukraines Crimea region that also was denounced by the West as illegal and illegitimate. Moscow used the vote as a justification to annex the Black Sea peninsula in a move that was not recognized by most of the world. On Tuesday, authorities in the separatist Luhansk and Donetsk regions that make up Ukraines eastern industrial heartland known as the Donbas abruptly announced that referendums on joining Russia would be held starting Friday. Moscow-backed officials in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south also called votes. The moves followed months of conflicting signals from Moscow and separatist officials about the referendums that reflected the shifts on the battlefield. During the summer, when the Kremlin hoped for a quick capture of all of the Donbas region, local officials talked about organizing the votes in September. Russian troops and local separatist forces have taken control of virtually all of the Luhansk region, but only about 60% of the Donetsk region. The slow pace of Russia's offensive in the east and the Ukrainian push to reclaim areas in the Kherson region made officials in Moscow talk about delaying the votes until November. The Kremlin's plans changed again after a lightning Ukrainian counteroffensive this month forced Russian troops to retreat from broad swaths of the northeastern Kharkiv region and raised the prospect of more gains by Kyiv's forces. Story continues Observers say that by moving quickly to absorb the captured territories into Russia, the Kremlin hopes to force Ukraine to halt its counteroffensive and accept the current areas of occupation or face devastating retaliation. WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE REGIONS WHERE THE VOTE WILL OCCUR? The 2014 vote in Crimea was held under the close watch of Russian troops shortly after they had overtaken the peninsula, where most residents were pro-Moscow. Separatists who have controlled large chunks of the Donbas since 2014 have long pushed for joining Russia and have shown little tolerance for dissent. When the rebellion erupted there, the separatists quickly organized referendums in which a majority voted to join Russia, but the Kremlin ignored the outcome. The two regions declared their independence from Ukraine weeks after Crimeas annexation, triggering eight years of fighting that President Vladimir Putin used as a pretext to launch an invasion in February to protect their residents. In the southern regions, which were occupied by Russian troops in the opening days of the invasion, anti-Russian sentiments run strong. Hundreds of pro-Kyiv activists have been arrested, with many alleging they were tortured. Others were forcibly deported, and tens of thousands fled. Since Russian forces swept into the Kherson region and part of the Zaporizhzhia region, Moscow-appointed authorities there have cut off Ukrainian TV broadcasts, replacing them with Russian programming. They have handed out Russian passports to residents, introduced the ruble and even issued Russian license plates to pave the way for their incorporation into Russia. Moscow-appointed administrations have come under frequent attacks by members of Ukrainian resistance movement, which has killed local officials, bombed polling stations and other government buildings, and helped the Ukrainian military target key infrastructure. WHAT IS BEING SAID ABOUT THE LEGITIMACY OF THE VOTE? The five-day voting process will take place in the absence of independent monitors and offer ample room for rigging the outcome. When the referendums were announced earlier this week, the West immediately questioned their legitimacy. U.S. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz referred to them as shams, and French President Emmanuel Macron said they would have no legal consequences. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also called them noise to distract the public. HOW IS RUSSIA'S MILITARY MOBILIZATION RELATED? A day after the referendums were announced, Putin ordered a partial mobilization of reservists to bolster his forces in Ukraine, and he also declared he was ready to use nuclear weapons to fend off any attacks on Russian territory. The Defense Ministry said the mobilization Russia's first since World War II is intended to call up about 300,000 reservists with previous military experience. Observers noted, however, that Putin's decree is broad enough to allow the military to swell the numbers if needed. Some reports suggest the Kremlin's goal is amassing 1 million men, in a secret part of the decree. The Kremlin long has shunned taking such a deeply unpopular move, wary of fomentin discontent and eroding Putin's support base. The latest Ukrainian counteroffensive exposed Russia's inability to control the 1,000-kilometer (over 600-mile) front line with its current limited force of volunteers. Military experts say it will take months to make the newly called-up reservists ready for combat. HOW IS PUTIN'S NUCLEAR THREAT RELATED? As Putin struggles for ways to avoid new humiliating defeats, he signaled his readiness Wednesday to use nuclear weapons to protect the country's territory a blunt warning to Ukraine to stop pressing its offensive into the regions now set to become part of Russia. Observers saw Putins threat as an effective ultimatum to Ukraine and its Western backers to freeze the conflict or face a potential escalation all the way to a nuclear conflict. While Russian military doctrine envisages using atomic weapons in response to a nuclear attack or aggression involving conventional weapons that threatens the very existence of the state, Putins statement further lowered the threshold for their use. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russias Security Council chaired by Putin, amplified the president's threat Thursday, saying that after absorbing the four Ukrainian regions, Moscow could use "any Russian weapons, including strategic nuclear weapons to defend them. The mention of strategic nuclear forces, which include intercontinental ballistic missiles and long-range bombers, sent a warning that Russia could target not only Ukraine but also the U.S. and its allies with nuclear weapons in case of an escalation. Zelenskyy dismissed the nuclear threats as bluster and vowed to free all occupied territories. - Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Giorgia Meloni led her right-wing allies in staging a joint rally Thursday ahead of their expected victory in weekend elections, in which the one-time Mussolini supporter hopes to become Italy's first female prime minister. Meloni's post-fascist Brothers of Italy is campaigning for Sunday's vote in a coalition with Matteo Salvini's far-right League and Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia. But opinion polls put her well ahead, suggesting she will guide what would be Italy's first far-right led government since the fall of dictator Benito Mussolini after World War II. "We are ready! You will see on Sunday," she declared to the packed crowd in Piazza del Popolo in Rome, most of them brandishing Brothers of Italy flags. Despite the tensions within her alliance, she vowed to govern for five years with a programme that includes low taxes, higher social spending -- and strong defence of Italy's interests on the world stage. The elections are being closely watched in Brussels, where the prospect of a eurosceptic, populist government heading the eurozone's third largest economy has sparked concerns. Meloni, 45, has sought to reassure investors worried about her links with Italy's post-fascist movement, while at the same time wooing voters disaffected with the status quo. "I'm voting for Meloni, she's never betrayed me," Giuli Ruggeri, a 53-year-old unemployed supporter, told AFP at the rally in Rome. - Concrete measures - The event signalled the start of a final sprint for Italy's politicians before a weekend campaign blackout. Meloni will head to Naples on Friday, amid indications that the populist Five Star Movement -- which won the biggest share of the vote in 2018 -- is gaining ground in the poverty-stricken south. Runaway inflation, a looming winter energy crisis and tensions with Russia over the war in Ukraine have dominated the election campaign in Italy, which has only just recovered from the trauma of the coronavirus pandemic. Europe has also loomed large, with Italy set to receive almost 200 billion euros ($200 billion) of EU post-pandemic funds by 2026 in return for structural reforms long demanded by Brussels. Story continues Meloni no longer urges an exit from the euro but vowed Thursday to lead an Italy "strong, serious and respected on the international stage", while the right-wing coalition's programme calls for a review of EU rules on public spending. The coalition members do not always see eye to eye, however, raising concerns about the stability of their potential future government. Meloni and Salvini both pursue a nationalist agenda and demand an end to mass migration, while emphasising traditional family values and Italy's "Judeo-Christian" past. But while Salvini has long admired Russian President Vladimir Putin and has criticised Western sanctions over Ukraine, Meloni is strongly supportive of Kyiv and their coalition is committed to NATO. The Russian embassy in Italy tweeted four photos Thursday showing Putin with almost all the party leaders running on Sunday -- with the notable exception of Meloni. "From the recent history of relations between Russia and Italy. We have some memories," the embassy wrote, in what was widely viewed as some pre-election trolling. - Undecided - The rally was the first such appearance for Berlusconi, who turns 86 next week, and he appeared to need help stepping onto the podium. "Italy does not want to be governed by the left," the billionaire former premier and media mogul declared, pledging to fight "fiscal oppression". Next up was Salvini, who vowed to "protect Italy and the Italians" in a wide-ranging address railing against Europe, migrants, taxes and multinationals. The League leader has been somewhat eclipsed by Meloni, whose straight-talking style and outsider status have propelled her party to the brink of power. In the 2018 elections, Brothers of Italy -- born a decade ago out of the post-fascist movement founded by supporters of Mussolini -- won just over four percent of the vote. Its popularity soared after Meloni became the only main party leader not to join outgoing Prime Minister Mario Draghi's national unity coalition in February 2021 -- leaving her the only effective opposition. Draghi called snap elections in July after his coalition collapsed. Brothers of Italy was last polling at around 24-25 percent, ahead of the centre-left Democratic Party on 21 or 22 percent, followed by Five Star on 13-15 percent. With the League around 12 percent and Berlusconi's party at eight percent, Meloni's coalition looks on course to secure between 45 and 55 percent of seats in parliament. But with 40 percent of Italians saying they have yet to decide or will not vote, experts warn there is still room for some upset in a country famous for its unstable politics, with almost 70 governments since 1946. gab-ar/kjm Meta executive Nick Clegg says he will make the final call on whether to reinstate Donald Trumps Facebook account when his suspension from the social media platform runs out next year. Mr Clegg, the companys head of Global Affairs, told an event in Washington DC that allowing the one-term president to potentially return to Facebook is a decision I oversee and I drive. Mr Trumps account was suspended by the social media platform following posts the company said violated its incitement of violence policy during the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. The former UK Deputy Prime Minister told the event held by Semafor that he would consult Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and the Meta board before making any final decision by 7 January 2023. Its not a capricious decision, he said. We will look at the signals related to real-world harm to make a decision whether at the two-year point which is early January next year whether Trump gets reinstated to the platform, he stated according to Politico. Mr Clegg would not tip his hand at which way he was leaning on Trumps account. Well talk to the experts, well talk to third parties, we will try to assess what we think the implications will be of bringing Trump back onto the platform, he said. Im very mindful that if you have this significant ability to take decisions which affect the public realm as a private sector company you need to act with great caution and reticence, you shouldnt throw your weight about. And he added: American democracy is not our democracy its your democracy. Facebooks suspension of Mr Trump was later upheld by the companys oversight board, which decided it would last for a two-year period. Mr Trumps social media posts on January 6 also saw him permanently banned from Twitter and Googles YouTube, to heavy criticism from Republican politicians and Mr Trumps supporters. In response, the one-term president launched his own social media platform, Truth Social, where he now posts. The Facebook app shown on a smartphone. Two Facebook users are suing the social media platforms parent company, Meta Platforms Inc., for allegedly skirting around Apple's privacy protections and collecting user data through in-app browsers. The proposed class-action complaint filed Wednesday in San Francisco federal court comes after an Apple iOS update in April 2021 forced Meta to obtain users consent before tracking their internet activity on apps and third-party websites. The lawsuits accuse Meta of working around the update by tracking users online activity through Facebook's in-app browser. By directing users who click a link in the Facebook app to an in-app browser instead of their smartphones default browser, Facebook can track their internet activity and collect personally identifiable information, private health details, text entries and other sensitive confidential facts, the lawsuits say. Users are unaware of the tracking; most do not even realize they are browsing the third-party website from within Facebooks in-app browser, one lawsuit says. Therefore users freely engage with these sites, sharing all manner of personal facts and preferences, without having reason to know they are being tracked. Meta spokesperson Tom Channick said the allegations are without merit and the company plans to defend itself "vigorously." "We have carefully designed our in-app browser to respect users' privacy choices, including how data may be used for ads, Channick said in an emailed statement. Facebook parent company Meta Platforms had rare profit decline in fourth quarter due to soaring expenses. With about 94% of Apple users in the U.S. not consenting to tracking apps on their iPhones as of May 2021, Apple's update curbed a major source of revenue for Facebook. Meta CFO Dave Wehner said earlier this year the iOS update would cost the company roughly $10 billion in 2022. The lawsuits claim Meta is violating federal and state privacy laws and seek to put a stop to this tracking. Amazon sues Facebook admins: Amazon sues admins of 10K Facebook groups over coordinating fake reviews for money, products Story continues Parents sue Meta: Parents alleging teen daughter's eating disorder stemmed from Instagram addiction The findings are based on a recent report by data privacy researcher Felix Krause, who found Mata has been injecting JavaScript code into third-party websites to track users and intercept data. "This causes various risks for the user, with the host app being able to track every single interaction with external websites, from all form inputs like passwords and addresses, to every single tap," Krause's report reads. You can follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter @bailey_schulz and subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter here for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Facebook lawsuit: Users claim Meta collected data without consent The claim: Video showing people dancing at a bar in Kyiv proves the war in Ukraine is fake On Sept. 8, hours before Ukraine's military mounted a surprise counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region that forced Russian soldiers to hastily retreat, the Pentagon announced the Biden administration would be sending an additional $675 million in weapons, ammunition and vehicles to Ukraine. The administration has given Ukraine $15.2 billion in total aid since President Joe Biden took office. But false claims that the war is fake continue to circulate on social media, and a recent Instagram post peddled that notion with a video showing crowds of people dancing to music outside at a bar. "So far the US has given $40B to the fake war," the Sept. 5 post's caption reads. "This is Kyiv, Ukraine yesterday. Theyre now asking for another $13B." Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks The video garnered more than 200 likes in its first day. Similar viral iterations have been shared on Twitter and Facebook. The claim is false. Extensive footage and photographs captured by international outlets demonstrate the war is real. Numerous international organizations have fundraised and placed sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the claim for comment. An Ukrainian serviceman walks out of a basement which, according to Ukrainian authorities, was used as a torture cell during the Russian occupation, in the retaken village of Kozacha Lopan, Ukraine, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) ORG XMIT: XLC104 Russia-Ukraine war is real USA TODAY has addressed numerous false claims that the war in Ukraine is staged. There is no evidence to substantiate those claims. Russia's invasion of Ukraine was announced on Feb. 24 by both the Kremlin and the president of Ukraine. The war has been verified by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration and the International Rescue Committee. Fact check: False claim that the Russia-Ukraine conflict is 'scripted and staged' It has been extensively reported on and photographed by numerous news outlets, including the Associated Press, Reuters and BBC News, as well as international news correspondents on the front lines. Combat and wreckage has been filmed by outlets such as The Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal. Story continues In response to the invasion, many countries have placed sanctions against Russia. Organizations like UNICEF, the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders continue to raise funds and send aid to those in Ukraine affected by the war. Video was filmed at bar in unoccupied area of Kyiv The video in question was filmed at the Hangover bar in Kyiv, which is now relatively distant from ongoing combat operations. The outdoor setup is the same as the one shown in a video on the bar's Facebook page. Victor Arnautovic, a spokesperson for the bar, told USA TODAY that there is nothing about the current status of the war that prevents people from "dancing in the non-occupied areas of the country." Even so, Hangover did respond to criticism directed at the bar for allowing dancing while the country suffered losses from the invasion in a Sept. 1 statement on Instagram. "We all live in this unjust war and its realities," the post's caption reads. "Hangover opened its doors in June with a restaurant concept only, where we didnt play loud music to respect the people that fight for the values and freedom we all believe in." Fact check: False claim that NATO sent 10,000 troops to Ukraine According to the post, the bar's management consulted with staff and members of the military before recently reopening as a bar with dancing and music in compliance with the law. The bar held a charity concert on Aug. 28 to raise funds for the military. Our rating: False Based on our research, we rate FALSE the claim that a video showing people dancing at a bar in Kyiv proves the war in Ukraine is fake. Extensive footage and photographs captured by international outlets demonstrate the war is real. Numerous countries and international organizations have fundraised and placed sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Ukraine war is real despite video of dancing at Kyiv bar Sep. 22When a 32-year-veteran and captain of the Falls Police Department stepped down earlier this month, it offered the opportunity for the son of another long-time captain to step up in the ranks. Within an hour of each other, Captain Jon Paul "J.P." Schuster was piped out of Falls Police headquarters, while newly minted Captain Vincent "Vinny" Granto was sworn-in. Schuster, who followed Falls Police Captain and Bagpiper Dave Cudahy out of the NFPD's Main Street headquarters, recalled that he and Cudahy joined the department together. "I was hired with Dave," Schuster said. "And now I'm leaving and he's staying. I turned around and look at all those people who were watching and I was hoping it was because they liked me." In more than three decades on the job, Schuster worked in patrol on every shift, spent 15 years on the Emergency Response Team, eight years as a Traffic Division officer and finished up as a patrol lieutenant and captain. "I'd like to think I impacted people's lives," he said. "I want to thank the men and women of the NFPD and the citizens of Niagara Falls who gave me the opportunity to protect and serve them." Schuster said he plans to "relax and travel" as he begins his retirement. But that won't be an option for Granto, who admits he began his career reluctantly, despite having brothers in law enforcement and a dad who spent close to four decades as a Falls cop. "It never occurred to me to be a police officer,' Granto said with a chuckle. "I was going to college, working seasonal jobs and living at home." Then he had a conversation with his dad, Frank, a retired Falls police captain with a storied career. "I was 23. He told me, 'It's about time you get a job'," Granto said. "So I took the tests for the Falls Police and Niagara County Sheriff's Office." With almost 19 years on the force, Granto's career has followed a trajectory similar to his dad's. He started as a patrol officer, worked as a narcotics detective and then became a patrol lieutenant. His dad worked in patrol, spent considerable time as a lieutenant in the Criminal Investigation Division and before spending his last nine years on the job as a patrol captain. Story continues "My father has been my biggest supporter, my best friend and my hero," Grant said. "He always gave me advice, but he taught me to think for myself. He never told me what to do." When Granto first came on the job, he found himself assigned to his dad's patrol platoon. He admits that was a mixed blessing. "The knowledge he had of policing was irreplaceable. It was a huge help for me to pick his brain. I was lucky to have him," Granto said. But if the young officer "messed up"? "Yeah, that was tough," Granto said. "I'd get yelled at while I was at work and then I'd get yelled at again at home." "That's the truth," Frank Granto said. "I told him, 'You're my son, but you're a police officer and I'm gonna hold you to a high standard." The elder Granto said he stressed to his son that there were "no shortcuts to success in law enforcement. and when Vinny became a lieutenant, he offered some thoughts on what it means to be a supervisor. "I remember the conversation," Frank said. "I told him, 'Be stern, but always be fair. Treat (your officers) like the men and women they are. Be a mentor and empower them.'" It's advice the younger Granto has never forgotten. "It was fun to watch him on the job," Vinny said. "He was old school, but never afraid to change." Frank said he was't shocked when his son told him he was being prompted to his dad's former rank. "I knew he was on the (civil service) list," Granto said. "I was very happy." So happy, that the elder Granto got out his own captain's uniform and gave it to his son. Then at Vinny's swearing-in, Frank Granto pinned his captain's badge on his son. "It brought tears to my eyes," Vinny said. "And I could see it drew tears to his eyes too." The reaction of a proud dad. "Mayor (Robert) Restaino and Chief (John) Faso, they let me pin my badge on my son, It was a wonderful thing for me," Frank said. "I was so proud of Vinny. and when I looked at him, it was like looking at myself. It was amazing. God has blessed me." Relatives of the 43 Mexican students who disappeared in 2014 protested outside Israel's embassy, demanding the extradition of a former top investigator wanted in connection with the case. Hundreds gathered outside Israel's embassy in Mexico City on Wednesday, with no visible police presence. Some carried pictures of the missing students while others sprayed graffiti on the embassy walls. Tomas Zeron, who previously led Mexico's Criminal Investigation Agency, is accused of manipulating the probe into one of the country's worst human rights tragedies. Zeron is one of the architects of the so-called "historical truth," the official version of the case presented in 2015 that was rejected by the victims' relatives and independent experts. Relatives take cover from the rain with umbrellas and banners with images of the missing students from Ayotzinapa Teacher Training College, as they take part in a march to demand justice for their loved ones, in Mexico City, Mexico, on Aug. 26, 2022. / Credit: HENRY ROMERO / REUTERS "Israel is protecting Tomas Zeron, a human rights violator who tortured those he detained at the time to build the 'historical truth,'" Meliton Ortega, a representative of the students' families, told AFP. But Israeli Ambassador to Mexico Zvi Tal criticized the demonstrators' actions. "It is clear to us that the violence displayed during the demonstration, where they left the walls of our headquarters painted with offensive graffiti, here is written 'Death to Israel,' has no relation to the Ayotzinapa case," he said in a video address in front of the embassy. "Israel as a state of law must implement its international legal obligations while examining the request from Mexico, even when it is a request related to an open wound in Mexican public opinion," he said. Mexico has repeatedly asked Israel to hand over Zeron, who is accused of kidnapping, torturing suspects and manipulating evidence allegations he has denied. The 43 teaching students had commandeered buses in the southern state of Guerrero to travel to a demonstration in Mexico City before they went missing. Investigators say they were detained by corrupt police and handed over to a drug cartel that mistook them for members of a rival gang, but exactly what happened to them is disputed. Story continues So far, the remains of only three victims have been identified. Last month, a truth commission tasked by the current government to investigate the atrocity branded the case a "state crime" involving agents of various institutions. It said that military personnel bore "clear responsibility," either directly or through negligence. Alejandro Encinas, Mexico's Interior Undersecretary and the government official leading the truth commission, suggested at the time that six of the students were allegedly kept alive in a warehouse for days before they were turned over to a local army commander, who then ordered for them to be killed. His comments marked the first time an official had directly connected the military to the students' disappearance. "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, according to the Associated Press. "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." Prosecutors announced last month that arrest warrants had been issued for more than 80 suspects, including 20 military personnel, 44 police officers and 14 cartel members. They are accused of involvement in organized crime, forced disappearance, torture, homicide and obstruction of justice, they said. The same day, former attorney general Jesus Murillo Karam, who led the controversial "historical truth" investigation, was detained on charges of forced disappearance, torture and obstruction of justice. Last week, the government said that an army general and two other military personnel had also been arrested. Shooting hoaxes disrupt schools across United States Exclusive discounts on outdoor items from "CBS Mornings Deals" Astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson discusses new book Starry Messenger Photo: The Canadian Press Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says she does not support following European countries in barring Russians from getting visas, since many are likely to flee their country. Joly says Russian President Vladimir Putins move to recruit more troops for his war in Ukraine shows the regimes desperation, which she says is putting Russians at risk. She also said Canada is working with allies to see whether international tribunals can prosecute Russia for illegally invading Ukraine. She says right now her top concern is Russias plan to hold votes in parts of Ukraine it has occupied, likely in an effort to have them join Russia. Joly said these are sham referendums, which Russia could use as a premise to claim that Ukraine was the aggressor. She also says Canada will soon ramp up its sanctions against Russia, and that she will make a national address on Monday about Canada's support for Ukraine. Arguing that the state has failed to meet funding obligations and other commitments to Florida A&M University, six students on Thursday filed a potential class-action lawsuit accusing state officials of intentional discrimination against the historically Black school. The federal lawsuit alleged that the state has maintained a segregated system of higher education and that Floridas disparate funding and support for FAMU violated constitutional equal-protection rights. The state of Florida, the Board of Governors for the states university system and Chancellor Marshall Criser are named as defendants in the federal lawsuit, which was filed in the Northern District of Florida. The legal complaint also maintained that the state has failed to meet obligations under a partnership agreement with the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights. The five-year Partnership Agreement, which concluded in 2003, was aimed at increasing access for minority students at all levels of education. The plaintiffs, who are Black FAMU students, alleged that the state has failed to fund and support FAMU in the same way as it has for majority white institutions. Throughout its history and up to the present day, Florida has purposefully engaged in a pattern and practice of racial discrimination, principally through disparate funding, that has prevented HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), including FAMU, from achieving parity with their traditionally White institution (TWI) counterparts, the lawsuit said. The plaintiffs are asking a federal judge to decide that the state has violated the students constitutional equal-protection rights and the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The lawsuit, which requests the appointment of a mediator to recommend a remedy to the court, seeks to make FAMU whole and for FAMU to achieve parity with the states traditionally white institutions within the next five years. A spokeswoman for the state university systems Board of Governors declined to comment about the lawsuit on Thursday. Story continues The 26-page complaint laid out numerous actions that plaintiffs lawyers maintained demonstrate how the state and its higher-education officials have undermined FAMUs ability to succeed as an institution and, in turn, hindered its students success. The lawsuit highlighted the unnecessary duplication of FAMUs academic programs at TWIs (traditionally white institutions) that are geographically proximate to FAMU. As an example, the complaint pointed to the FAMU-Florida State University College of Engineering, a joint engineering institution for the two schools. Since the joint program was established in 1982, the number of FAMU students participating in it has decreased while the number of FSU students has grown, according to the complaint. The lawsuit noted that the budget authority for the program was moved from FAMU to FSU in 2015. At the heart of this complaint is a level playing field for students that go to historically Black colleges and universities. And in the state of Florida, the numbers dont lie, and the history doesnt lie. They say the truth and facts are stubborn things, and they are, Josh Dubin, a Miami attorney who represents the plaintiffs, told The News Service of Florida on Thursday. The plaintiffs also are asking U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle to certify the case as a class action to represent all of the students enrolled at FAMU during the 2021-22 academic year through the date of the certification. Roughly 10,000 students currently attend the school, according to the lawsuit. Arguing that the number of major building projects at the school has been constrained, the plaintiffs lawyers argued that the state has failed to meet an obligation to enhance FAMUs facilities to achieve parity with traditionally white institutions. For instance, in 2020, FAMU, which had approximately 9,400 students and $111 million in facilities debt, had to plead for $33,000 in funding from the student government to reopen its 60,000-square-foot recreation center in February 2021, the lawsuit said. The legal challenge also pointed to a recent controversy involving student housing at FAMU. Hundreds of students were moved from a student dormitory to temporary housing weeks after school began in August because of problems such as pest issues and flood damage. Dubin said the plaintiffs Britney Denton, Nyabi Stevens, Deidrick Dansby, Fayerachel Peterson, Alexander Harris, and a student identified as John Doe are seeking an equal right to the same sort of education and the same sort of resources and facilities that should be provided to their university. Under Floridas performance-based funding model for universities, FAMU has been allocated millions of dollars less than predominantly white institutions such as the University of Florida, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit argued that the system of metrics that drives that allocation of funds unfairly compares schools that serve student populations of different socioeconomic backgrounds. The disparities have resulted in FAMUs student graduation and retention rates, support for campus programs, and diversity of faculty and staff lagging in comparison to other Florida universities, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks to change here and now and for the future, attorney Barbara Hart, who also represents the plaintiffs, said in a press release announcing the lawsuit. While Florida works to provide quality education at traditionally white institutions, its treatment of HBCUs has hardly evolved from the middle of the 20th century. FAMU is more dependent on state funding than other schools, yet Florida education policy treats it as little more than an after-thought, said Hart, an attorney with the Grant & Eisenhofer, P.A. firm. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Maldita sea, otro apagon. ("Damn it, another blackout.") For Puerto Rican residents like Noelia Torres, 22, Bad Bunnys words in his newly released music video for "El Apagon" (The Blackout) could not have come at a better time. Torres, a resident of the town of Caguas, is currently without electricity and water following Hurricane Fiona, which has caused devastating destruction, including an islandwide blackout and catastrophic flooding. Bad Bunny's new video features more than his song it is followed by an 18-minute documentary highlighting injustices and inequalities that Puerto Ricans have been grappling with for years. The documentary, Aqui Vive Gente (People Live Here) by Bianca Graulau, an independent journalist from Puerto Rico, looks at the islands ongoing struggle with the power grid, issues of gentrification and the ensuing displacement impacting the islands residents. Torres loves that the Puerto Rican trap-reggaeton superstar used his platform to put a spotlight on the islands very deteriorated electrical system as Puerto Ricans continue to struggle without power, potable water and heavy damage following Hurricane Fiona. He uses his platform to educate issues that really matter, Torres told NBC News. Hes been a huge supporter of Puerto Rico. He is always telling us to do what we want with conscience and to always fight for our dreams and fight for a better future for our island of Puerto Rico. Yaisha Marie Thodes felt her eyes start to water when she saw her own great-grandmother featured in Bad Bunnys video. Thank you Bad Bunny, thank you for being who you are, thank you for representing us and having us in your heart and soul, she wrote in a Facebook post. 'Opened the eyes of many people' Milly Clemente, a 27-year-old from Virginia, first learned about Puerto Ricos current issues through Bad Bunny's music video, spurring her to ask a friend about the situation and learn more. Story continues This song has opened the eyes of many people who were unaware of the situation in Puerto Rico and its a good strategy to raise awareness, she told NBC News. We need people with influence and we need to let them raise their voices. Its excellent that Bad Bunny is raising his voice for Puerto Rico. It was a great time to release this video and spread the word. Javier Tomas, 27 and a resident of both Puerto Rico and New York, told NBC News that he has personally experienced tons of blackouts living in the island. He said Bad Bunny's video is a clear description of the reality that Puerto Ricans live day by day. I think any effort to improve the quality of life in Puerto Rico is welcome, Tomas said. It is important that the world knows the reality of P.R., especially the United States. Bad Bunny also tries to capture the sound of Puerto Rico in his music, aside from focusing on the issues his homeland faces. Im very proud about my music, about my culture, Bad Bunny said in an interview earlier this year with Apple Music. I still to this day make music for the people of Puerto Rico first. I make music from here, for the rest of the world to hear. "El Apagon" resonates with residents who have been grappling with an aging and deteriorating power grid even before the destruction from Hurricanes Maria and now Fiona, and who have been very critical of price increases and rolling blackouts after a private company took over Puerto Ricos energy transmission and distribution system. The documentary also criticizes the displacement of Puerto Ricans on the island as tax incentives have spurred more wealthy investors to buy up real estate and push prices up significantly in many areas. Theyre evicting Puerto Ricans to get rich with whats from here, with whats native from here, one woman, who said she was given 30 days to leave her apartment, told Graulau in the documentary. And now, where do I go? The documentary also brings up the privatization of beaches, in which private tourist developments are restricting access to the islands public beaches. Its part of this whole selling of Puerto Rico that our Bad Bunny talks about in the video, where we see that our natural resources are being sold, that our beaches are being sold, that the environment is not being taken care of, Roberto Cruz, managing attorney for Latino Justice, a civil rights organization formerly known as the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, said. All those resources that could be developed within the community in Puerto Rico are being outsourced," Cruz said. The theme of displacement also connects to the last sentences in Bad Bunny's song, which are sung by Bad Bunnys girlfriend, Gabriela Berlingeri. She sings in Spanish: I dont want to leave here, let them go. This is my beach, this is my sun. This is my land, this is me." In the documentary, a man tells Graulau, the filmmaker, that "it isnt fair to be displaced by economic interests. ... We were born here. The music video has more than 6 million views and an outpouring of comments from fans thanking Bad Bunny for raising awareness and advocating for his community. Cruz, holding back tears, said that through Bad Bunny's colorful language, the music star articulated the feeling many Puerto Ricans have about economic and environment injustices. We are proud and grateful to Bad Bunny, Cruz said, for giving a voice to the people of Puerto Rico during Hurricane Fiona. Follow NBC Latino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, China, on April 17, 2020. HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images Dr. Anthony Fauci said he's "keeping a completely open mind" about the origins of the pandemic. Fauci told an audience the Chinese government is "probably" hiding something about the origins of the virus. But evidence so far "strongly favors a natural occurrence" over a lab leak. Dr. Anthony Fauci says he's dedicated to "keeping a completely open mind" about how the coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan, China in 2019, but he still wishes he had more information to go on from the Chinese government. Scientists and conspiracy theorists alike have been eager to find clear answers to the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus for years now. Still, no satisfactory nail-in-the-coffin evidence is pointing to one single, bulletproof explanation for where this pandemic began. Did the virus emerge naturally in a bat or some other animal host, then hop from animals into people in a spillover event, possibly at a wet market? Many scientists say that's a strong possibility. Might it have leaked out of a lab somewhere? Also possible, but less likely. "You wanna keep an open mind that it could have been anything that happened," Fauci said Wednesday during a conversation with Atlantic editor Ross Andersen. "But the evidence that they have been working on for years strongly favors a natural occurrence." Fauci says the Chinese government could 'clear this up' if they really wanted to Andersen also asked Fauci whether he thought the Chinese government could help "clear this up" once and for all. "Yeah," Fauci said. But the doctor was careful to note that he was only referring to "Chinese authorities" stonewalling, and not average Chinese citizens, nor his scientific colleagues in China, who he said "have made major contributions to our knowledge." "The fact is, as a society, when something occurs that looks like even if it's naturally coming out of China they will be secretive about it," Fauci said of the Chinese government. "Because of this feeling that they're gonna get blamed for something." Story continues The same style of secretive cover-up happened in the early 2000s, during the first SARS outbreak. Even though "everybody agrees" that virus "unequivocally, beyond the shadow of a doubt" emerged from a bat, which passed the disease on to another animal (likely, at a wet market), before it got into to a human. Fauci recalls the painstaking efforts it took to get information on that outbreak from Chinese officials. "They were as reticent to be open and truthful about things, because that's the way the leadership of the society is," he said. As it happens, advisers to the National Institutes of Health, where Fauci works, met this week to discuss stricter oversight of lab experiments involving deadly viruses. Hiding information creates a perfect breeding ground for conspiracy theories, Fauci said "It's natural, totally natural for conspiracy people who are thinking it's a conspiracy to say, 'see? they're hiding something.'" And, "they probably are," Fauci said, but it may not have anything to do with a lab leak at all. A woman walks in front of the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market in Wuhan, China on January 12, 2020. NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images Perhaps the virus hopped from animals into humans at the wet market in Wuhan where clusters of illnesses first made news in late 2019. Giving investigators access to those markets early on would have been invaluable to the quest for clear answers on where and how the pandemic began. "Animals which were outlawed and not allowed to be in a market where people can be in contact with them were actually brought there because they bring in a lot of money," Fauci said. "That's the thing that you really want them to come clean on." "If we were able to go and do surveillance easily in China, we would get a lot more information than we have now," he added. Read the original article on Business Insider Bourbon & Beale restaurant is located at 2639 South Glenstone Ave. The owner of multiple Springfield restaurants has been accused by the government of fraudulently using Paycheck Protection Program money for home improvement projects. John Michael Felts whose restaurants include Bourbon & Beale, Hot Cluckers and Taco Habitat is accused in a lawsuit filed last week by the federal government of using the loan money, obtained under more than a dozen different identities and companies, to purchase and improve other properties. Federal officials have not filed criminal charges but are asking for forfeiture of four properties in Greene County. Records show that Felts applied for around a dozen PPP loans using several different companies, most of which "did not have employees and were not in operation at the time of application," according to court documents. He also applied for around 13 loans using "synthesized or fabricated identities." The alleged improvements done with the loan money were not eligible or authorized under the terms of the program, which was meant to aid business-owners in continuing employee paychecks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Felts has allegedly used upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars in total to finance improvements on several properties both directly and indirectly, according to federal officials. In one case, the April 2020 PPP application for Diagnostic Equipment Inc., filed by a "Peter Gollan," said that it had 55 employees and an average monthly payroll of $330,000. Officials claim that was "falsely represented." Loan proceeds of more than $869,000 were allegedly later deposited under the company's name. Another application, for White River Brewco, "falsely represented that the business had 19 employees and an average monthly payroll of $360,500." A later deposit at the Central Bank of the Ozarks totaled just over $900,000. Felts' attorney, Abe McGull, provided a statement to the News-Leader. "On September 13, 2022, members of the Internal Revenue Service executed search warrants for information and items concerning Mr. Michael Felts business dealings with an individual out of San Antonio, Texas," McGull said. "Mr. Felts has retained legal counsel to handle this matter and cannot comment further concerning this investigation." Story continues A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment on if criminal charges would be pursued in the case. More than 10,500 PPP loans were approved in Greene County during the pandemic, totaling $769 million. Of those loans, almost 10,000 worth $742 million were forgiven. Federal officials over the last two years have aimed to track prominent cases of fraud involving the loan money. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Feds accuse Springfield restaurateur of using PPP loan for renovations NACO, Ariz. (NewsNation) Amid the rise of fentanyl being trafficked across the U.S.-Mexico border and into communities across America, two congressmen have introduced a bill to make the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death a felony murder offense. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales introduced the Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act, Rubio was joined by 13 Republican co-sponsors on the Senate side. Sign for America to come together and keep our kids safe, and part of that is making sure fentanyl isnt on our streets, Gonzales told NewsNation. The other part of that is to make sure that anyone that does put fentanyl on our streets has the book thrown at them, that theyre held to the highest levels of legal cause for that. DOJ can access classified docs from Mar-a-Lago, court rules The Nogales, Arizona port of entry has seized a large majority of the fentanyl coming across the southern border 5.1 million pills and more than 42.2 pounds of fentanyl powder have been seized since Aug. 1. The Drug Enforcement Administration has issued a warning for rainbow fentanyl, pills that look like candy but have a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. The agency also claims the drug is present in 18 states meaning hundreds of thousands of pills are getting past CBP officers, Border Patrol agents and other law enforcement agencies. Fentanyl is killing Americans at a record high, Rubio said in a statement. This deadly drug is widespread throughout our country and has left no community untouched. This bill would make drug dealers pay the price for selling deadly fentanyl. Fentanyl overdoses resulted in about 71,000 deaths in the United States in 2021, up from about 58,000 the year before, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The synthetic opioid is a major driver of the rising rate of drug overdose deaths in the U.S., which reached record highs in 2021. Story continues Rubio said in his announcement that fentanyl use is the leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. The Associated Press has debunked similar claims that fentanyl is the leading cause of death among U.S. adults. Both heart disease and cancer kill more people, according to the CDC. Fed announces highest rate hike in 14 years Several Republican lawmakers have reiterated the claim in recent months, as they have proposed legislation to address the drugs impact, such as Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) while pitching legislation in June to classify fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. On Wednesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order that designated cartels as terrorist organizations. He directed Texas DPS to dismantle any gang activity and any cartel-related activity. This comes as Abbott says that Texas DPS has seized enough fentanyl to kill everybody in the entire United States. He says that has been happening since Operation Lonestar began last year. The Hill contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. STORY: The spacecraft's crew comprised Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin and NASA astronaut Francisco Rubio. Their space mission is set to last 188 days until March 28, 2023. A Soyuz-2.1a rocket with a Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft also carries about 120 kilograms of payload. Roscosmos and NASA signed an agreement over the flights of integrated crews on Russian and American crewed transport ships on July 14, 2022. The next launch is scheduled for October 3, 2022 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, using a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. President Biden is on a roll, hitting his highest point of approval in nearly a year. Yet doubts remain about whether hell run for reelection in 2024, as even with the boost, more people disapprove of Bidens job performance than approve of it. Over the summer, polls suggested many Democrats wanted someone else to represent their party in the next presidential race, and Biden this week hedged on his plans. Look, my intention as I said to begin with is that I would run again, Biden said in an interview with 60 Minutes that aired Sunday. But its just an intention. But is it a firm decision that I run again? That remains to be seen. There are reasons to think Biden will run again. Historically, most presidents seek a second term, and hes repeatedly signaled thats his intention. There are also reasons to think he will change his mind. Biden will turn 80 in November and would be 86 at the completion of a second term. Hes also repeatedly shown political vulnerability over the last year, raising questions about whether its time for Democrats to turn the page. Much may depend on what happens in the midterms. Here are five scenarios that would increase the likelihood of Biden running for a second term. Democrats hold the Senate Democratic Senate candidates John Fetterman and Mandela Barnes campaign in their respective races in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. (Associated Press/Getty) Most Republicans and Democrats expect Bidens party to lose the House. Democrats have a tiny majority in the first place, and historically the party of a sitting president generally loses seats in the first midterm after that presidents election. But the battle for the Senate is a different story, and theres a decent chance Democrats could hold their majority there, given a favorable map and retirements that have left Republicans in a tougher spot. Former President Trumps efforts in GOP primaries have also caused GOP consternation, leading to arguably weaker Republican candidates in states such as Arizona, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Story continues If Democrats hold the Senate or even increase their majority a distinct possibility if John Fetterman and Mandela Barnes are successful in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin it will leave the party feeling better about its performance in the fall. Some of that credit will go to Biden, strengthening him for a White House run. On the other hand, if things turn worse for Democrats in the Senate and they lose the majority, it will be a bitter disappointment that could lead Biden to decide it is time to bow out. That scenario is also possible if the GOP can hold on to seats in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and takes back Georgia, Arizona or Nevada perhaps the three states where Democrats are the most vulnerable. Republicans just narrowly win the House Capitol building The Senate side of the U.S. Capitol is seen on the morning of Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The GOP is the heavy favorite to take back the House, but if it doesnt win in a wave, it would be good news for Biden and Democrats. A gain of less than 10 seats would give the lower chamber to the GOP, but if Democrats can keep the losses to a minimum they will at least have something positive to talk about especially if they hold the Senate. A GOP House could also give Biden something to run against, a scenario that certainly helped former President Bill Clinton in 1996 and former President Barack Obama in 2012. The best scenario is to win the Senate and lose the House because it gives Biden something to run on in 24, one Democratic strategist told The Hill. We know what Republicans are going to do. Theyre going to light themselves on fire and go after everything from Hunter Biden to Anthony Fauci. And it gives Biden the best kind of foil, the strategist said. A Republican House could also give Biden a chance to go on offense instead of playing defense. The fault disappears from Biden if [House Minority Leader] Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) says no to everything that comes over from the Senate, the strategist added. Is any Democrat going to be pissed if they hold both houses? No, of course not. But this gives them a story to tell. McKenzie Wilson, communications director at Data for Progress, a progressive think tank and polling outfit, agreed. Part of the problem is that an extremist Republican majority is not going to be able to help themselves, she said. A lot of policy priorities are very out of step with where voters are. Trump investigations deepen FILE An aerial view of former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., on Aug. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File) Trump is being investigated with new rigor for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection on the U.S. Capitol and for alleged improper conduct in his businesses, areas that have the potential to shake up the midterms and post-election landscape. Just this week, the former president and his three children were sued by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) for fraud, the latest in a string of probes that seek to show wrongdoing. And in August, the FBI raided Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida in search of classified materials. If Trump is indicted in any of the ongoing investigations, Democrats are expected to pounce on the news, with many looking to Biden to come out strongly against his former opponent. It would give Biden a huge boost, and Dems as well, one strategist predicted. Nothing would bring more joy. Biden is shown as leading Trump in hypothetical matchups. Without him, theres a layer of uncertainty to Bidens chances against an unknown Republican opponent. But Bidens name recognition and incumbent status could also give him a leg up against lesser-known GOP contenders if Trump is out of the mix. The president has so far steered clear of commenting directly on his Justice Department and other investigations into Trump, but did give a glimpse into his stance around some of the more hard-line parts of his ideology in a recent speech in Philadelphia intended to show voters whats at stake for democracy in the upcoming elections. GOP culture wars backfire Immigrants gather with their belongings outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022, in Edgartown, Mass., on Marthas Vineyard. (Ray Ewing/Vineyard Gazette via AP) Fights over the culture wars always heat up at election time. For much of Bidens term, this has been difficult terrain for Democrats. Education and the teaching of critical race theory, for example, was an issue in gubernatorial contests in Virginia and New Jersey last year that helped GOP candidates. More recently, Republican governors like Floridas Gov. Ron DeSantis have shipped migrants to blue states in a bid to show what he calls the hypocrisy of liberal cities and states regarding immigration policy. Yet there are real signs in this election season that the focus on culture issues is backfiring on Republicans. Democrats think the migrant dumps have made DeSantis and other GOP governors look cold and uncaring. And the Supreme Courts decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion has shown signs of emerging Democratic voters particularly women. This doesnt mean DeSantis isnt helping himself. But it could also benefit Biden and Democrats in the longer term. What might help Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Iowa Caucus is hurting the Republican Party in the 2022 midterms, Democratic campaign veteran Josh Schwerin mused. Democrats keep everything If Democrats retain both the House and the Senate, it could increase the chances of Biden running for a second term. (The Hill) This scenario is the most unlikely: Democrats retain the House and the Senate. If that happens, it would be hard not to see it as a major victory for Biden. And it would greatly increase his chances of running for another term. The problem with this scenario at least from the perspective of Democrats is that it is far-fetched. The Cook Political Report rates seven Democratic-held seats in the House as leaning toward Republicans, and another three as likely Republican. It rates just three GOP-held seats as likely Democratic. If the GOP wins those 10 races where it is favored, it will be enough to win back the majority even if it loses the three seats where it is an underdog. Another 22 Democratic-held seats are seen as toss-ups, while more than two-dozen others held by the party are seen as competitive. With such a landscape, its hard to see this scenario coming through. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. LONDON (Reuters) -Five British prisoners of war released by Russia as part of an exchange with Ukraine have arrived back in Britain and are looking forward to spending time with their families, non-profit organisation Presidium Network said on Thursday. The five are Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner, John Harding, Dylan Healy and Andrew Hill. Presidium Network, which does relief work in Ukraine including help with evacuations, said in a statement it was thankful to all parties who helped bring them back. Aslin and Pinner were captured by Russian-backed forces in Ukraine's coastal city of Mariupol in April and were sentenced to death by a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, one of Russia's proxies in eastern Ukraine. The Pinner family in a statement thanked everybody involved in his release including the British and Ukrainian governments. "Shaun would also like to thank the hospitality of the Saudi Government and Prince Mohammed bin Salman al Saud who also assisted in the negotiations for his freedom," the family said in the statement, provided by Britain's Foreign Office. "Shaun is in good spirits and still has his sense of humour intact." Aslin and Pinner, along with Moroccan Brahim Saadoun, were found guilty of "mercenary activities and committing actions aimed at seizing power and overthrowing the constitutional order of the DPR" -- a sentence condemned by Ukraine and Britain. Healy, a Briton providing humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, was detained in April alongside Paul Urey, who later died in detention. Harding and Hill had been fighting alongside Ukrainian forces and all three had denied being mercenaries in the Russian proxy court. (Reporting by William James, Elizabeth Piper and Sachin Ravikumar, Editing by Gareth Jones and Alistair Bell) Offshore wind turbines stand near Block Island, R.I. on Aug. 15, 2016. Floating wind farms off the Oregon coast could create as many as 100,000 jobs and help the state meet its clean energy targets, the Oregon Department of Energy told a legislative committee Thursday. But deployment faces challenges, including a lack of infrastructure and potential impacts on fishing, recreation and tourism, and marine habitats, officials said. President Joe Biden shows a wind turbine size comparison chart during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, June 23, 2022, with governors, labor leaders, and private companies launching the Federal-State Offshore Wind Implementation Partnership. Some of the best offshore wind speeds in the nation are in southern Oregon and northern California. Last year, the Oregon Legislature directed the Department of Energy to prepare a report on the potential of integrating up to three gigawatts of floating offshore wind energy into Oregons electric grid by 2030. That would likely translate into several hundred wind turbines tethered to the ocean floor, and is enough to power around 2 million homes. The state Department of Energy released its report Sept. 15, the same day President Joe Biden announced an initiative to invest nearly $50 million to boost floating offshore wind turbine technology. The report cites benefits that include improving the reliability of the state and regional power grid, reducing the amount of land needed for solar and onshore wind projects, and supporting job development, especially in coastal communities. Challenges to developing offshore wind power include potential conflict with existing industries, and a lack of existing infrastructure. The state would need to make substantial upgrades to a coastal deep-water port, and to the onshore coastal electric transmission grid, the report says. In Oregon, the Port of Coos Bay has been identified as candidate for offshore wind deployment, Jason Sierman, senior policy analyst for the Department of Energy, told the committee. Already, groups on the coast are gearing up to try to wield more power in planning for offshore wind power. More than two dozen commercial and recreational fishing and processing groups recently formed a coalition, called Protect US Fishermen, to ensure responsible offshore floating wind development on the Pacific Coast. Story continues Members include the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, West Coast Seafood Processors Association, Newport Fishermens Wives, Oregon Trawl Commission and more. "I understand that wind energy is coming to Oregon, and we are not explicitly against that development. But we are against trading good fishing jobs for new wind energy jobs," Heather Mann, executive director of the Midwater Trawlers Cooperative, told the legislature last year. The cooperative, based out of Newport, is a member of the coalition. Rogue Climate, a nonprofit group focusing on climate justice, has scheduled community conversations on floating offshore wind energy in North Bend and Coos Bay later this month and in October. Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips to tloew@statesmanjournal.com, 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Floating wind turbines could soon dot Oregon's south coast TALLAHASSEE Florida-based Trulieve, one of the nations largest medical marijuana companies, has kickstarted a campaign to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in the Sunshine State. The company has contributed $10 million to date to the Smart & Safe Florida campaign to get a constitutional amendment on the 2024 ballot, and so far is its sole contributor. The organization already has spent $6.5 million to start collecting the nearly 900,000 signatures needed to bring the citizen initiative to a vote. Florida has 22 million residents and 130 million tourists a year, so its a huge market opportunity. And were very, very bullish on the prospect of this initiative, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers said during her keynote address on Sept. 14 at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago. Trulieve has consistently supported initiatives to give Floridians expanded access to safe cannabis products, Trulieve spokesman Steve Vancore said. Our goal has been, since day one, to provide high-quality safe cannabis products, and this fits in squarely with that goal. Trulieve was the first homegrown medical marijuana company to open a dispensary in Florida and now holds the lions share of the state market, at an estimated 50%. It stepped up with the seed money, expecting other medical marijuana licensees to contribute to the campaign, Vancore said. If it sees its way to the ballot, I think it passes overwhelmingly, said Ben Pollara, a political consultant and medical marijuana activist who helped get a constitutional amendment on the 2016 ballot that successfully legalized full-potency marijuana for patients who met certain qualifications. Yet, its unclear whether the conservative Florida Supreme Court will green light it as state law requires, Pollara said. Two most recent efforts to get recreational marijuana use on the ballot failed their Supreme Court reviews in 2021. In one case, the court determined the ballot summary misled voters into believing that it would limit the use of marijuana, while the language of the other amendment would make them think there would be no criminal repercussions for using or possessing pot. Story continues The Safe & Smart amendments ballot summary clearly states that it applies only to Florida law and does not change, or immunize violations of, federal law. Rivers said the language of the Safe & Smart referendum has been thoroughly vetted and that she believes it will pass judicial review. We are certainly excited and optimistic and believe 2024 is the right time, Rivers said. State law requires 222,898 signatures to trigger a judicial review, and 891,589 to get on the ballot. The campaign was officially launched in August, with the Bellamy Brothers country music act lending its support. David Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers is the campaigns chairman. The amendment, if approved, would allow people 21 and older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise. But it would not legalize homegrown pot for recreational use. More significantly, the ballot amendment would amend the current law for the 22 licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers in Florida and other state-licensed entities to grow, manufacture and sell recreational marijuana products and let the state set possession limits for personal use. That would greatly expand the industry, Pollara said. Floridas $1.3 billion medical marijuana industry already is expected to grow to $2.5 billion by 2025, industry analysts said. Adding recreational marijuana would grow the industry by an extra $3.8 billion a year, Florida economists predicted in a 2019 study, raising $190 million a year in tax revenue. Nationally, recreational marijuana is a $32 billion industry that has brought in close to $4 billion in tax revenue for the 19 states that have legalized it. Four state legislatures passed adult use laws in 2021, and Rhode Island joined the club this year. At least two states have recreational marijuana on their ballots this year. Florida first legalized the use of medical marijuana in 2014 with passage of the Compassionate Use Act, but it only permitted the low-dose strain known as Charlottes Web. Two years later, voters overwhelmingly passed the constitutional amendment backed mostly by Orlando attorney John Morgan that allowed people to buy medical marijuana with THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient in pot. All along, opponents warned that medical marijuana was just the first step in outright legalization. And while medical marijuana is popular with Floridians, state lawmakers have tried to limit the potency of THC in medical marijuana and restrict the amount that can be sold to patients. Even though he quashed a potential ban on smokable medical marijuana in 2019, Gov. Ron DeSantis has also said he would not allow the legalization of cannabis while he is governor. What I dont like about it is if you go to some of these places that have done it, the stench when youre out there, I mean, it smells so putrid, he recently told reporters. I want people to be able to breathe freely. The reluctance of lawmakers and the governor, if he wins reelection, could mean trouble for the amendment, Pollara said. No question the public opinion on marijuana is strong, Pollara said, but the political headwinds in Florida are not great. A recent Department of Health rule recently came out placing such a limit on how much medical marijuana users can buy, and it has delayed granting the additional 22 additional licenses they are required to grant under state law based on the number of users in the patient registry. As of this week, that number reached over 751,000. A lot has changed since the medical initiative was first proposed nearly a decade ago, Vancore said. Today nearly 150 million Americans enjoy the freedom and access to safe legal cannabis products. A University of North Florida poll in February showed 76 % of Florida voters either strongly or somewhat favor legalization. Recent legislation restricting the ability to raise money and pay petition gatherers will have an impact, Vancore said. One law prohibits petition gatherers from being paid by the signature, and the other puts a $3,000 cap on individual contributions to citizen initiative campaigns. The array of laws impacting signature gathering has had two effects. The first is to raise the cost, and the second is to slow down the process, Vancore said. We know that the Safe and Smart campaign is well equipped to meet these requirements and reach the goals of securing almost 900,000 signatures. Photo: The Canadian Press U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on every U.N. Security Council member to send a clear message" to Russia that it must stop its nuclear threats in the war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier this week that his nuclear-armed country will certainly use all means available to us if its territory is threatened and to defend the country and its people. Blinken used a council session Thursday to criticize Russia's invasion and press other countries to join in Washington's forceful condemnations of the conflict. He listed atrocities he said were committed by Russia and suggested that more could come. "Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately," he said. The Security Council has held dozens of contentious meetings on Ukraine since the war began in February, but Thursdays meeting had special stature: It was held during the annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders and brought multiple foreign ministers to the table. Called by France, the current council president, the meeting was focused on addressing accountability for alleged abuses and atrocities, and the U.S. and other Western members repeatedly accused Russia of committing them. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, meanwhile, repeated his country's frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraines east one of various explanations Moscow has offered for the invasion. Ukraines Western allies, he said, have been covering up the crimes of the Kyiv regime. Lavrov was not in the room when Blinken and some other U.S. allies spoke, only appearing just before his own speech. Despite Blinkens forceful words, no one expects the council to act against Russia since Moscow has veto power as a permanent member. Instead, a U.S. official said Blinkens aim was to convince other members to impress upon Moscow the global damage that the war is causing and demand that it end. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to preview Blinkens speech before he spoke. The meeting came a day after President Joe Biden assailed Putin for what he called egregious violations of the U.N. Charter and international law. At the U.N. Security Council, Blinken made the case that Russia should face further censure and isolation for its invasion. In listing several allegations of war crimes and other atrocities, he called on countries that have yet to speak out forcefully against them as an affront to international order. He noted that the war had not only caused massive destruction to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people but also distracted the council from other global crises, including potential famines, climate change and widespread poverty. As the meeting began, there were already signs of a charged atmosphere around the council's famous horseshoe-shaped table. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wryly told reporters beforehand that he planned to keep a safe social distance from Lavrov. And as council staffers prepared to put a placard marking Ukraine's seat next to Russia's, Kuleba apparently raised objections the placard was moved to another spot. Lavrov was not in the room at that point. The International Criminal Court opened an investigation in March into possible crimes amid the war and sent teams to gather evidence. Prosecutor Karim Khan told the council Thursday that hes dispatching more ICC staffers next week to look into allegations emerging from eastern Ukraine. Khan hasnt yet announced any charges linked to the conflict, but he reiterated to the council that he believes there are reasonable grounds to think that crimes have been committed. The picture that Ive seen so far is troubling indeed, he said. Ukraine, meanwhile, has pushed for the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute alleged war crimes. On Wednesday, Ukraines president laid out a detailed case against Russias invasion at the United Nations and demanded punishment from world leaders in a speech delivered just hours after Moscow made an extraordinary announcement that it would mobilize some reservists for the war effort. Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed in a video address to world leaders that his forces would not stop until they had reclaimed all of Ukraine. We can return the Ukrainian flag to our entire territory. We can do it with the force of arms, Zelenskyy said. But we need time. After spending four days on the run, a Florida man who stole a pickup truck with a 3-year-old still sitting inside has been caught and put in cuffs, police say. Freddy Ramirez, 48, is facing charges of carjacking, kidnapping, child neglect, criminal mischief and resisting officers. On Friday, a woman was pumping gas at a Citgo in Fort Myers when mask-wearing Ramirez grabbed her from behind and forced her to the ground, Fort Myers Police Captain Victor Medico said in a Tuesday press conference. Ramirez then hopped into her pickup truck and drove off with a 3-year-old still sitting in the back seat. Medico said Ramirez knew the child was back there when he drove off. After an intensive search, a detective found the truck behind a business less than five minutes up the street from the gas station, Medico said. The child was still in the backseat and unharmed; Ramirez fled. While driving to an unrelated call on Tuesday, officers saw Ramirez walking on the street. After they chased him down, he was arrested and brought to the local police department. Police said Ramirez confessed and said not having a job and becoming desperate were part of the reasons he committed the crime. One of our main goals here is to keep the community safe and we didnt know if this guy was going to do it again, Detective Laynor Rodriguez said. We try to get these guys as quick as possible, especially when it involves a kid. Most of us are parents too and we make it very personal. The Food52 Pantry is stocked with sustainable goods. Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. The online food community that brought us beautiful cookware, baking tools and thousands of popular recipes is now coming full circlewith its own line of food products. The new Food52 Pantry collection features an assortment of popular ingredients that are all high quality and sustainably made. Think everything from pastas and grains to olive oil and harissa to baking chocolate and coffee. Theres a lot more where this came from. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all our reviews, expert advice, deals and more. All of the products were sourced by Sebastian Sardo, former head of grocery at iconic Italian market Eataly, so you can expect a similar attention to detail with these curated goods. The pantry features a line of elevated, sustainable basics that you can use in everyday cooking. The slow-dried pasta is sourced from a fifth-generation pasta maker in Tuscany. The canned tomatoes come from a co-op in Salerno, where they're picked at peak ripeness. And the tinned seafood is responsibly sourced from Italy and seasoned with salt and high quality olive oil. The Food52 pantry offers a range of high quality products, from baking staples to imported oil and vinegar. There are premium baking ingredients, toolike baking chocolate made in Switzerland and small-batch, stone-milled flour that comes from an organic family farm in Illinois. The pantry also includes curated kits that are great for gift-giving (or treating yourself). The Sizzling & Dressing variety pack, for example, includes polyphenol-rich organic olive oil, wood-aged white vinegar and IGP-certified balsamic from Modena. Or you can satisfy a sweet tooth with the PB&C Kit, complete with organic peanut butter, bittersweet chocolate and all-purpose flour for a sweet-and-salty batch of homemade cookies. Intrigued, but don't know where to start in the kitchen? Check out Food52's guide of 44 recipes that feature some of these pantry staples to get the inspiration flowing. Story continues Shop the Food52 Pantry Get deals and shopping advice delivered straight to your phone. Sign up for text message alerts from the experts at Reviewed The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Here's what you can buy from the new Food52 Pantry The former headmaster of a West Palm Beach-area private school received a sentence of a year in the Palm Beach County Jail this month after he pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Randall Konsker, 57, pleaded to two counts of the charge during a plea hearing Sept. 2 before Circuit Judge Howard Coates. He originally was charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious battery and 10 counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Coates sentenced Konsker to 364 days in the county jail to be followed by two years of probation. He will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release. For subscribers: 'She loved to fight for people's rights': Assistant public defender Nicole Jones-Pierce dies at 44 Hate groups: Antisemitic, extremist-group activity rose across Florida during 2021, ADL report finds Eagle's death: Palm Beach Zoo euthanizes bald eagle 'Shenandoah' after bird's health rapidly declined Konsker was arrested in January 2019 after the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office alleged that he was involved in a sexual relationship with a student, then age 15. At the time he was the headmaster and principal at Matlock Academy in suburban West Palm Beach, according to PBSO records. The age of consent in Florida is 18 years old. No one under age 16 can give consent under any circumstances. People between 16 and 17 can give consent only to a partner up to the age of 23. People 24 years old or older commits a felony if they engage in sexual activity with someone younger than 18. Konksker's accuser told investigators the principal began sending texts that were "getting flirty." In the ensuing months, the teen said, the text exchanges "escalated" and grew more explicit. Eventually, the teen said, the teen agreed to perform sex acts on Konsker, who also touched the teen sexually. The teen also told authorities of receiving rides home from Konsker on several occasions. Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on Twitter at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Judge sentences ex-headmaster to year in jail for touching student, 15 Geron Tate, the former president and CEO of Mansfield UMADAOP, pleaded guilty to aggravated theft and Medicaid fraud in Richland County Common Pleas Court. He pleaded to a bill of information, meaning his case will not be presented to a grand jury. The former president and CEO of Mansfield UMADAOP pleaded guilty Wednesday in a Medicaid-related theft case involving more than $900,000. Geron Tate, 66, pleaded guilty to aggravated theft and Medicaid fraud in Richland County Common Pleas Court. He pleaded to a bill of information, meaning his case will not be presented to a grand jury. Aggravated theft is a second-degree felony, and Medicaid fraud is a third-degree felony. UMADAOP, which stands for Urban Minority Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Outreach Program, offers a path to drug and alcohol abuse recovery through individualized treatment plans, as well as prevention services. Daisy Barker house:NAACP wants to preserve site after it is demolished According to the bill of information, Tate, "from on or about June 30, 2015, to on or about July 22, 2021, with purpose to deprive the owner of property, to wit: funds from the Ohio Department of Medicaid Benefits Program, did knowingly obtain or exert control over the property by deception. The value of the property was over $750,000 in violation of aggravated theft." The count of Medicaid fraud involve the same time frame. Tate "did knowingly make or cause to be made a false or misleading statement(s) for use in obtaining reimbursement from the Medicaid program, to wit: submitting false claims to the Ohio Department of Medicaid Benefits Program. The value of the property, services or funds obtained was over $150,000, in violation of Medicaid fraud." The case is being handled by the Ohio attorney general's office. Tate also served as president of the local branch of the NAACP for two years, from 2016 to 2018. He also is a life member of the NAACP, becoming a member in 2013. Your support helps keep the lights on at the News Journal. Stay connected with our daily stories, in-depth reporting and more by clicking Subscribe Subscribe According to his LinkedIn profile, Tate is president and CEO of G. Tate and Associates, an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment organization. Story continues He grew up in Mansfield and attended Mansfield City Schools. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a bachelor's degree in political science and from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio with a master's degree in counseling. Tate most recently was in the news when the city announced the Ocie Hill Neighborhood Center would close. He called the decision a "terrible idea" because of the services Ocie Hill provides for the community. He said partnerships could be formed to keep the services. He added the programs help children have a safe place to go after school and to have dinner that might otherwise not be possible. Tate's attorney, John Waddy of Columbus, declined to comment on the case. mcaudill@gannett.com 419-521-7219 Twitter: @MNJCaudill This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Former head of Mansfield UMADAOP pleads guilty to Medicaid theft A former Philadelphia police officer who shot and killed an unarmed Black man in 2017 after a high-speed chase was convicted Wednesday of voluntary manslaughter, but found not guilty on the more serious charge of third-degree murder. Eric Ruch Jr., a 34-year-old white man, testified that he feared for his life when he thought he saw Dennis Plowden Jr., 25, raise a gun on Dec, 27, 2017, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. But no weapon was found. Instead, Ruch shot a surrendering unarmed man in the head, prosecutor Vincent Corrigan said in closing statements, and his fellow officers told lies to try to help a friend beat a murder charge. Ruch began chasing Plowden after possibly identifying his white Hyundai as a car tied to a murder investigation, according to officials. The car chase spanned three blocks at more than 75 miles per hour before Plowden crashed into three parked cars, got out of his vehicle, walked a few steps and sat down, seemingly dazed, according to the Inquirer. Responding officers, including Ruchs partner, Anthony Comitalo, testified that Plowden reached toward his pocket just before Ruch fired the fatal shot into his head. None of the officers were wearing body cameras at the time. Prosecutors said that Plowdens left hand was covering his face when Ruch fired, seemingly an act of submission and surrender. No gun was found at the scene. Last year, Plowdens widow, Tania Bond, won a $1.2 million wrongful death settlement from the city of Philadelphia. Ruch is the first Philadelphia police officer to go to trial on a murder case in almost 40 years. Two others, against former officers Ryan Pownall and Edsaul Mendoza, are still pending. He faces up to 25 years in prison at his Nov. 17 sentencing. The former general manager of a Southwest Licking utility is seeking over $500,000 in back pay, damages and other costs after a Licking County judge invalidated his termination. In a summary judgment filed on April 22, Licking County Common Pleas Judge Thomas Marcelain found the executive session the Southwest Licking Community Water and Sewer District entered into during their March 26, 2020 meeting to be improperly constituted. Following that executive session, the board voted to terminate former board member and general manager John Carlisle's employment contract. Because the board did not act in compliance with Ohio Revised Code by specifically saying their purpose for entering into the executive session, Marcelain explained, the action subsequently taken at the meeting following the executive session must be invalidated. Carlisle filed his initial civil lawsuit against the SWLCWSD Board of Trustees in June 2020 in Licking County. Board members Larry Kretzmann and Robert Platte were also named as defendants in the case. Carlisle's complaint alleged the board violated Ohio's Open Meetings Act three times and as such, he sought injunctive relief preventing the hiring of another general manager while the case was pending, along with reinstatement as general manager for the entity. He also sought economic damages to his professional reputation and lost opportunities, compensatory damages against all defendants, the cost of Carlisle's attorneys' fees, expenses and costs, and any other relief the court deemed just. Carlisle has since filed two additional civil complaints against the board in Licking County, alleging additional violations of the Ohio Open Meetings Act. In the most recent filing, Carlisle alleged the board violated the Ohio Open Meetings Act during their May 19, 2022, meeting by "entering into executive session for every possible reason identified in (Ohio Revised Code), which is plainly improper." His attorneys argued their termination of Carlisle's employment at their May 19 meeting was again the result of an improperly constituted executive session and should be declared invalid. Story continues As such, the attorneys argued Carlisle's relief in the form of back pay should be extended from April 6, 2020, until at least May 19, when the board attempted to terminate his employment again. The board declared an employment contract with Carlisle to be "null and void" in April 2020 following an investigation of concerns including the handling of the GM's job posting and subsequent changing of the posting to remove certain requirements spelled out in the job description; hiring process and issues tied to personal relationships of key figures who were subjects of the investigation, and the structure and approval of Carlisle's eventual contract as general manager for SWLCWSD. Carlisle argued the district board had entered into a lawful employment contract, which was reviewed by two attorneys and prompted him to shut down his business, wrongfully placed Carlisle on administrative leave and opened an investigation into Carlisle during an improperly posted meeting, improperly conducted an executive session which included a "bathroom caucus," and rescinded Carlisle's employment agreement by a 2-1 vote when a unanimous vote was required. The defendants, in their response to the lawsuit, argued Carlisle's contract is void and "unenforceable by operation of law," and that Carlisle's claims of violations of Ohio's Open Meetings Acts fail as a matter of law because the notice for the Nov. 26, 2019, special meeting was properly posted, because the alleged "bathroom caucus" didn't occur, and because the agenda for the March 26, 2020, special meeting did identify the purpose for entering executive session. In August, Marcelain dismissed the remaining claims against the utility. In an application for damages recently filed in Licking County Common Pleas Court, Carlisle seeks a statutory fee of $500, back pay in the amount of $293,063, costs of $200 and attorneys' fees currently amounting to $207,370. In an email to The Advocate through their attorney, the utility board said Carlisle demanded the board pay him over half a million dollars from public funds. "He makes this demand even though an independent investigation determined that he engaged in misconduct while he was a member of the Board and that the process by which he initially procured the General Manager position was not a fair hiring process. He makes this demand even though the Board's employment lawyer found Mr. Carlisle's proposed contract, that Carlisle drafted himself, was not in the Board's best interest and 'ridiculous,'" the board said. They argued while the court found a technical violation of the Open Meetings Act occurred at one of their meetings, it didn't find Carlisle was ever properly hired or that the conclusions of their independent investigation were incorrect or invalid. "At its May 19, 2022, meeting, the Board reconfirmed that John Carlisle was never properly hired," the board said. "That resolution precludes any claim that John Carlisle was never properly hired. That resolution precludes any claim that John Carlisle has for back pay for a job he obtained through his own misconduct as a public official and for which he was never qualified in the first place." Licking County court records indicate a damages hearing has been set in Licking County Common Pleas Court at 9 a.m. Oct. 10. No court hearings have been set for either of the other cases filed against the utility, according to court records. This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Former SWL utility GM seeks over $500K in damages, backpay A former top Mississippi health official pleaded guilty on Thursday to conspiracy to defraud the state of millions of dollars in federal funds as part of a scandal that also involved former NFL quarterback Brett Favre. A Justice Department release states that John Davis, who served as the executive director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, and co-conspirators illegally took funds from two welfare programs Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and the Emergency Food Assistance Program for their own personal use. Davis directed the state human services department to provide federal funds to two nonprofit organizations, which he then told to award contracts to multiple entities and people for social services that were never provided, the release states. Davis also had the nonprofits make complete or almost-complete payments to those contracts near the start of the contract periods, knowing that no major service would be provided, according to the Justice Department. Favre received a letter from the state auditors office in October to request the repayment of money he received as part of the scheme. Nine other individuals also received the letter. Favre reportedly was improperly paid $1.1 million in welfare funds from December 2017 to June 2018. He repaid $600,000 in October, but the state auditor said he still owed $228,000 in interest. Texts between Favre and former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) revealed last week that they communicated ways to use at least $5 million in welfare funds for a new volleyball center at the University of Southern Mississippi, his alma mater. Davis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2023, and he could face up to five years for the count of conspiracy and 10 years for the count of theft. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. This undated handout picture released on September 21, 2022 by the Instagram account of Interpol Venezuela shows Malaysian fugitive Francis Leonard Glenn, known as Fat Leonard, after his capture in Maiquetia, Venezuela. Photo by Interpol Venezuela Instagram/AFP via Getty Images Fugitive 'Fat Leonard,' who pleaded guilty to involvement in a US Navy bribery scandal, was caught in Venezuela. Interpol Venezuela said it captured Leonard Glenn Francis trying to flee the country for Russia. Leonard recently cut his GPS ankle bracelet and fled house arrest in San Diego, where he was awaiting sentencing. Leonard Glenn Francis, who pleaded guilty to involvement in one of the US Navy's worst corruption scandals, was captured in Venezuela after he recently escaped house arrest in San Diego and went on the run. Francis, a former military contractor who is also known as "Fat Leonard," was captured at an airport while trying to flee the country, Interpol Venezuela said in a Wednesday statement shared to Instagram. The agency said Francis entered the country via Mexico, with a stop in Cuba, and planned to travel to Russia as his final destination. Authorities said he was captured at Simon Bolivar International Airport, just north of Venezuela's capital city Caracas. Francis will be handed over to Venezuela's judicial authorities, who will then initiate an extradition process, Interpol said. Earlier this month, Francis, a Malaysian national, was waiting to be sentenced for his role in a a Navy bribery scandal when he cut off his GPS monitoring ankle bracelet and fled his San Diego home. After a federal agency monitoring Francis realized he fled, law enforcement officials went to his house only to find nothing there except for the tracking device, Deputy US Marshal Antonio Kirby previously told Insider. Immediately, a slew of law enforcement agencies including the Marshals began desperately hunting for Francis. "We are under the impression that this was pre-planned neighbors did inform the Marshals Service that they did see U-Hauls coming and going over time," Kirby told Insider at the time. USMS San Diego (@USMSSanDiego) September 6, 2022 The US Marshals Service confirmed Francis' capture in Venezuela to the Associated Press. The agency could not be immediately reached by Insider for comment on Thursday. Story continues Interpol Venezuela said in its statement that Francis was wanted on "red alert" by the "central national office in Washington for bribery and corruption." According to the agency, this designation is "issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence" and is "a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action." There was no immediate notice of when, exactly, Francis could be extradited to the US. Additional issues could also surface given that the State Department does not recognize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government, which has been accused by the United Nations of human rights violations and repressive tactics. When he fled, Francis was waiting to be sentenced for his role in a corruption scandal that involved dozens of of people, including US Navy officers, and his Singapore-based contracting firm which serviced Navy ships in ports around Southeast Asia. Prosecutors say Francis bribed the officials with hundreds of thousands of dollars for work opportunities and classified information and that he overcharged the Navy by more than $35 million. Court documents reviewed by Insider show that he was arrested in 2013 and pleaded guilty in 2015 to conspiracy to commit bribery. At Francis' hearing on Thursday, US District Court Judge Janis Sammartino said a "no bail arrest warrant" was issued for Francis, according to the AP, and set a new hearing for him on December 14. Read the original article on Business Insider Photo: The Canadian Press Canadas cannabis industry is hoping a newly launched review of the legislation that paved the way for the recreational use and sale of pot will help the sector stave off more financial difficulties. The statutory review launched Thursday by Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Carolyn Bennett will analyze the Cannabis Act, which set purchase and possession limits at 30 grams of dried pot or the equivalent, restricted youth access to marijuana and established safety requirements for growing, selling and transporting the substance. The federal government is required by law to conduct a review three years after the legislation came into force on Oct. 17, 2018 that studies the impact of cannabis on public health, young people and Indigenous communities. The review's scope will be broadened beyond what the law requires to include a look at the economic, social and environmental impacts of cannabis conducted by Morris Rosenberg, a former deputy minister of justice and deputy attorney general of Canada, and a panel of four experts that have yet to be named. It could also trigger changes to potency and packaging restrictions and excise tax regulations the sector has long griped about, Duclos said. The industry is frustrated the review's launch arrived a year later than mandated, but is still hoping it can result in enough tweaked restrictions to make cannabis distribution easier, draw in new customers and prevent more staffing and facility cuts. "The industry is really suffering ... Some of the restrictions and lack of clarity in the regulations is really making it difficult for a lot of players in the industry," said Sherry Boodram, chief executive and co-founder of consultancy business CannDelta Inc. "If there aren't major changes, there's going to be detriment to the industry, for sure." The review comes as the industry is grappling with uneven distribution of cannabis stores, making it harder for pot shop owners to earn a profit. Some regions have one store on every block while others have none because their municipalities opted out of allowing pot shops. At the same time, marijuana producers have been laying off staff, cutting facilities and trying to align their production with demand that is still being curtailed by a mighty illicit industry that has no potency limits and few marketing restrictions. Boodram hopes the review will quell some of the headwinds, if it results in changes that allow companies to be more creative with their pot packaging and take part in events, thus reducing stigma around cannabis, building distinct brand identities and attracting new customers. Currently there are bans on packaging that could appeal to youths, depicts people, characters and animals or evokes "glamour, recreation, excitement (and) vitality." Restrictions on displaying, selling and promoting cannabis at events exist, too. Elisa Keay, owner of Ks Pot Shop in Toronto, witnesses the problems packaging regulations cause all the time, when customers come in trying to remember a product they bought and loved but can only recall it came in a black jar. Because companies are limited in how they can package items, many firms sell pot in black jars, "so then you sit and play 20 questions" with the customer to determine what they are looking for, she said. Though she can often eventually figure out what the person was looking for, brand loyalty shouldn't be so challenging and companies shouldn't be "handcuffed by some regulations that are a little too rigid." Rick Savone, Aurora Cannabis Inc.s senior vice-president of global government relations, agrees. "Not only are companies forced to deal with competition rules that make all of our packages look alike, we're dealing with ... illegal producers of cannabis that can use any kind of packaging, they want any kind of ingredients that they want," he said. Illegal sellers can also make any health claims they want while licensed producers and stores are "gagged." "So the competition is far worse," he said. "It just makes it impossible for us to be able to speak to clients to say, 'This is how you may want to use it, and these are the potential benefits that you may want to know about.'" High Tide Inc., the cannabis company behind Canna Cabana stores, hopes the review will tackle the current 10 milligram limit on edible pot products. The cap "only serves to drive consumers to purchase illicit market products that are unregulated and don't come in tamper-proof packaging," said spokesperson Omar Khan. There is also room for improvement in how fast products move from farms and manufacturing facilities to store shelves, Boodram said. She wants Health Canada to drop the time it takes to review new cannabis products or changes in potency and ingredients from 60 days to a much lower time frame like 15 or 30 days, especially when minor alterations are being analyzed. The current timeline, she said, holds up cannabis production and prevents companies from catering to consumer demand. "Companies will lose deals because of that, because things are not moving fast enough for the partners," she said. Even if the government heeds advice from Boodram and the others, it could be years before they see changes. The Cannabis Act dictates the ministry reviewing the law must issue a report, including findings and recommendations, no later than 18 months after the review begins. Khan said, "We would urge the government to expedite the timeline for this review as many smaller players within the industry simply cannot wait 18 months for relief." TOKYO (Reuters) - Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies confirmed in a meeting in New York on Wednesday their cooperation in extending support for Ukraine, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said. The statement of support follows President Vladimir Putin's announcement that Russia will enact its first wartime mobilisation since World War Two and annex swaths of Ukrainian territory, while threatening to use nuclear weapons to defend the country. "We reconfirmed that G7 countries work together in supporting Ukraine and responding to food and energy security," Hayashi told reporters at a news conference in New York. As part of additional sanctions against Moscow, Japan plans to ban exports to Russia of chemical weapons-related products, and to expand the list of Russian military-related organisations to which exports are prohibited, Hayashi said. He also said the G7 members reconfirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. U.S. President Joe Biden said this month U.S forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, his most explicit statement on the issue, drawing an angry response from China. (The story corrects headline to show foreign, not finance, minister spoke) (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Christian Schmollinger) Gavin Newsom called out Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other GOP governors at an event on Tuesday. "They're just doubling down on stupid, and we will not follow their path," Newsom said. Newsom has been feuding with conservative governors like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, too. California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday had some harsh words for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his fellow GOP governors. "Those conservative governors out there, Greg Abbott and others, they're as dumb as they want to be," Newsom quipped at an event for the Clinton Global Initiative in New York. "And they're just doubling down on stupid, and we will not follow their path." Abbott and his conservative ally, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, made headlines last week for transporting migrants out of Texas in protest of President Joe Biden's border policies. Abbott has played an outsized role in moving migrants from the border to places like Washington, DC, and New York City. NPR in August recorded more than 6,100 migrants being sent from the border to other states. In a high-profile stunt, two planeloads of migrants were flown from Texas to Martha's Vineyard, a known Democratic enclave. DeSantis' office has taken responsibility for the act, and the affected migrants have filed a federal lawsuit against the Florida governor, alleging that they had been part of a "premeditated, fraudulent, and illegal scheme." Speculation has swirled that Newsom might look to run in the 2024 presidential election. The California governor's salvo on Tuesday appeared to be the latest in a long-standing feud between him and DeSantis, a possible Republican rival in the next White House race. Newsom last week challenged DeSantis to a debate on CNN, saying: "I'll bring my hair gel. You bring your hairspray." The California governor also wrote to the Department of Justice, asking it to investigate if the 50 migrants flown to Martha's Vineyard were lured there based on false promises of employment. Story continues Meanwhile, DeSantis attacked Newsom in July for putting up advertisements in Florida enticing residents to relocate to California. In April, Newsom vowed to donate $100,000 to DeSantis' Democratic opponent, Charlie Crist. Newsom, however, has maintained that he is not currently planning to run for president. "I've tried to say 'no, no way' in every way I possibly can," Newsom previously told Fox LA anchor Elex Michaelson while commenting on the possibility that he may run for president. Read the original article on Business Insider Robert Zimmerman and George Santos Two gay candidates, one a Democrat, the other a Republican, are vying to represent a New York district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrat Robert Zimmerman and Republican George Santos are running for the seat in the states Third Congressional District, which includes most of Long Islands north shore. The incumbent, Democrat Tom Suozzi, is not seeking reelection. Its the first time two out members of the LGBTQ+ community are running against each other in a general election, NBC News notes. The district leans Democratic, but the race is competitive. It was going to happen sooner or later, Donald Haider-Markel, a political science professor at the University of Kansas, told NBC. The question was always finding an LGBTQ Republican who can get support in a primary. Santos had no opposition in the Republican primary. The two candidates have very different ideologies. Santoss website shows conservative positions on taxes, energy, and other issues, while Zimmermans stances are liberal. Santoss site doesnt mention LGBTQ+ issues or reproductive rights, but he has made statements against abortion rights, and he has posted an Instagram video expressing support for Floridas dont say gay law. Zimmermans site states that he is pro-choice and its committed to passing the Equality Act, a national LGBTQ+ rights law. Zimmerman runs a communications firm and is a former congressional staffer; Santos has long worked in finance and investing, and he ran unsuccessfully against Suozzi in 2020. Santos was present at the Donald Trump rally that preceded the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, as Trump supporters tried to stop the certification of the electoral vote for Joe Biden. Im not running against any Republican. Im running against a Republican that is part of the radical fringe. He is a MAGA candidate, Zimmerman told NBC. He said Santos defended the insurrectionists. Santos has said Trump was at his full awesomeness at the rally but said he did not participate in or support the storming of the Capitol. I came out very early to say it was a dark, dark day in our country and we needed a lot of healing after that, he told the network. There are 11 out members of the LGBTQ+ community in Congress right now two in the Senate and nine in the House. All are Democrats. Santos is the only Republican congressional candidate from the community. Zimmerman has the endorsement of the LGBTQ Victory Fund. Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams said that there is no such thing as a heartbeat at 6 weeks." Abortion access has been under attack nationwide since the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court this past summer. Georgia was one of the states that had an abortion trigger law that went into effect immediately after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Georgia has one of the strictest abortion laws in the nation with abortions being banned after fetal cardiac activity can be detected, which is typically around 6 weeks, which is what Abrams is referring to in the video. However, abortions are allowed after the fetal cardiac activity can be detected in situations of rape, incest, and when the pregnant persons life is in danger. ABRAMS: There is no such thing as a heartbeat at 6 weeks. It is a manufactured sale designed to convince people that men have a right to take control a woman's body and what's right for her. By Riham Alkousaa and Klaus Lauer BERLIN (Reuters) - The German economy minister on Thursday called for more government funds to support companies as a debate intensifies on whether Berlin should suspend its debt brake next year. Germany suspended its deficit limit of 0.35% of gross domestic product during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government introduced several packages this year to help residents and businesses cope with rising inflation, but Economy Minister Robert Habeck said more funds were needed. "If we take the right measures now, I don't think it should fail because of the money. It would be the wrong political decision," Habeck said at a Berlin industry conference. He said the ability of German businesses and industry to invest was a little worrying given high energy prices, adding that replacing Russian energy imports will cost Europe's biggest economy some 60 billion euros ($59 billion) in 2022 and 100 billion next year. "It has to be done quickly, otherwise it will be too late," he said. His comments reflect differences within the ruling coalition government where the liberal FDP party oversees the government's coffers. Earlier on Thursday, Finance Minister Christian Lindner defended his position in sticking to his plan to return to the nation's constitutionally enshrined debt brake next year - even if it is a lonely position. "According to the current state of things, this is not only possible but also imperative," Lindner said at an insurance industry conference. However, he said a further suspension of the borrowing limits could be a "last resort" in the event of some unforeseen, catastrophic development. Germany must not make a norm out of this, Lindner said, adding "even if it makes me feel a little lonelier". Lindner has previously said planned relief measures were possible within existing budget plans for 2022 and 2023 as inflation boosted tax revenues. Story continues However, government costs are mounting given exploding energy prices. ($1 = 1.0120 euros) (Reporting by Riham Alkousaa Klaus Lauer and Christian Kraemer; Writing by Rachel More and Riham Alkousaa; Editing by Alex Richardson and Lisa Shumaker) Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, a conservative activist and wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, has agreed to a "voluntary interview" before the Jan. 6 House special committee. "I can confirm that Ginni Thomas has agreed to participate in a voluntary interview with the Committee," Ginni Thomas attorney, Mark Paoletta, said in a Wednesday evening statement to Fox News. "As she has said from the outset, Mrs. Thomas is eager to answer the Committees questions to clear up any misconceptions about her work relating to the 2020 election. She looks forward to that opportunity." The committee has for months sought an interview with Ginni Thomas since it was reported that she sent text messages to the then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and contacted lawmakers in Arizona and Wisconsin in the weeks after November 2020 election. In June, Ginni Thomas similarly said in an interview with the Daily Caller that she was looking "forward to talking" to the Jan. 6 committee, because she could not wait to "clear up misconceptions," without specifying what misconceptions the committee members may hold. GINNI THOMAS SAYS SHE CANNOT WAIT TO MEET WITH JAN. 6 COMMITTEE TO CLEAR UP MISCONCEPTIONS Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sits with his wife and conservative activist Virginia Thomas while he waits to speak at the Heritage Foundation on Oct. 21, 2021, in Washington. Drew Angerer/Getty Images A close family friend of the Thomas remarked to Fox News in May that The Washington Posts reporting about the committee seeking Ginnis testimony was meant as a way of attacking Clarence Thomas after the leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion, before the official overturning of Roe v. Wade. Virginia Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, moderates a panel discussion at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 23, 2017, in National Harbor, Maryland. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images "With all thats going on in the world, its pathetic that the Post and others are focused on this non-story," the source said. "Ginni signed a pre-written form letter, like thousands of others. But the corporate press hates Justice Thomas, especially after the leak of the draft Dobbs opinion, and is trashing his wife to attack the Justice." Committee Chair Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told Axios in June that they discovered "some information that refers to Ginni Thomas" in emails between her and Donald Trump lawyer, John Eastman. Story continues Thomas's willingness to testify comes as the committee is preparing to wrap up its work before the end of the year and is writing a final report laying out its findings, according to The Associated Press. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Chair of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, speaks to reporters after a closed door meeting with committee members on Sept. 13, 2022. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Ginni Thomas has been openly critical of the committee's work, including signing onto a letter to House Republicans calling for the expulsion of Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois from the GOP conference for joining the Jan. 6 congressional committee. The panel announced Wednesday that it will reconvene for a hearing on Sept. 28, likely the last in a series of hearings that began this summer. CNN first reported that Thomas agreed to the interview. Fox News Firdausa Stover, Landon Mion and The Associated Press contributed to this report. UNITED NATIONS (AP) As if there wasn't enough tension. After days of speeches by world leaders taking subtle and not-so-subtle shots at Russia for its invasion of Ukraine during the annual U.N. General Assembly, in walked Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to address the Security Council on Thursday. He arrived just minutes before he had to speak, missing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's earlier remarks blasting Moscow for what the American described as war crimes and other atrocities. And then it was Lavrov's turn to sound off, and he did for several minutes, repeating his countrys frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers and that Western support for Ukraine is a menace to Moscow. All the while, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba looked on. In that short moment, the world watched something rare: The top diplomats of two nations at war in the same room. They did not speak with each other, instead lobbing barbs at or past each other. Kuleba even quipped before the meeting that he would maintain social distance. Lavrov said U.S. policy toward Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyys government was based on the rationale that hes a son of a bitch, but hes our son of a bitch. Kuleba chided Russia afterward for the inappropriate slang. And then, the moment was over just as quickly as it began. As soon as Lavrov finished speaking, he was gone in a flash. ___ For more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly Nearly three dozen top energy officials from around the world and hundreds of CEOs were welcomed Wednesday evening to PIttsburgh as the site of the first-ever Global Clean Energy Action Forum designed to jumpstart decarbonization and the energy transition. The forum, which is being sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and Carnegie Mellon University, is also the site of the joint meeting of clean-energy governmental powerhouses the Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation. Theyre all focused on ways to decarbonize heavy industry, energy and all other walks of life to reduce the effects of climate change. U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told the opening night session, held along with a VIP reception, at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District that she and the Department of Energy wanted to make sure the forum brought up solutions and didnt just rehash the problems. She said Pittsburgh was a prime place to be. We chose Pittsburgh for a reason, Granholm said. Pittsburgh of course is a symbol of a place-based strategy, a community that was transformed intentionally and with leadership second to none. Click here to read more from the Pittsburgh Business Times. TRENDING NOW: Woman shot multiple times, car riddled with bullets along main road in Wilkinsburg Parents of New Kensington boy found murdered in May facing charges following his death 9-year-old Pittsburgh girl beaten by older boy on school bus, per mother VIDEO: Eric Fairman: Fugitive in custody following massive search, lockdowns in Beaver County DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Spain's homegrown on-demand delivery app, Glovo -- which since the end of last year has been majority owned by Germany's Delivery Hero -- has been fined 79 million (~$79 million) for breaches of labor laws related to the employment classification of couriers, local press reported yesterday. El Pais reported that the record sanction for the company was issued for a finding that the startup had 10,614 workers falsely classed as "autonomos" (aka self employed) in Barcelona and Valencia, after the Department of Labour found the couriers were in an employment relationship with the company. Labor minister, Yolanda Diaz, accused Glovo of harming the rights of workers and obstructing the Department's inspection, El Pais reported. A minute part of the fine was issued for this obstruction -- with the bulk (63.2 million) pertaining to misclassified couriers working in Barcelona (where more than 8,300 riders were found to have been falsely classed as self employed), and a smaller chunk (15.7 million) issued over the close to 2,300 misclassified riders in Valencia. The total size of the penalty was equivalent to over 13% of Glovo's 2021 revenue, per the newspaper. Glovo has previously been sanctioned smaller amounts for similar labor infractions following inspections in other regions in Spain, including Tarragona, Girona, Lleida and Seville. A self employment classification means riders would not receive the full sweep of benefits provided to employees. Autonomos are also typically required to make payments to the state to contribute towards social security coverage -- payments Glovo would otherwise have to make had these tens of thousands of riders been classed as employees. Spain has seen regular protests over 'precarious' work on platforms like Glovo since they started operating in the country. And last year, the government passed a reform of labor laws that applies specifically to delivery couriers on platforms -- aka, the Riders Law -- which recognizes couriers as employees in a bid to combat bogus classifications of self-employment. Story continues However the breaches Glovo has been sanctioned for now pre-date that law coming into force, according to Glovo. A spokeswomen for the company sent the following statement in which it confirmed it intends to challenge the penalty: Glovo was notified of Spanish Labour inspection proposals for retrospective social security payments and a fine of up to EUR 79 million for the years 2018 to 2021, based on the grounds that Glovos rider employment model during this timeframe was not legally compliant. These inspections occurred prior to the introduction of Spains Riders Law, which is why Glovo intends to challenge the proposal and expects a judgment only in the coming years. Glovo remains fully committed to complying with Spanish labour regulations and the new Riders Law. Glovo's spokeswoman also specified that the penalty relates to inspections carried out between May 2018 and August, 11 2021. (While Spain's Riders Law came into force on August 12, 2021.) It also claimed that the cited amount of the fine is not final -- saying it accounts for "potential Social Security contributions", as well as penalties -- implying that if it's able to successfully challenge the Department's assessment by convincing a court that all (or some) of these riders were not incorrectly classified it could, presumably, reduce the size of the penalty. However Glovo has had mixed fortunes in the courts defending its model against labor classification challenges prior to the labor law reform. In September 2020, Spain's Supreme Court rejected its classification of delivery couriers as self employed -- finding them to be in a laboral relationship with the platform. So it remains to be seen how much success it will have in trying to unpick the government's sanction via the courts. We reached out to the Department of Labour to ask for more details about the penalty but at the time of writing it had not responded. The Spanish government is bullish about its labor reforms -- with Diaz recently rebutting criticism in parliament from the far right Vox party by saying the country now has more workers with stable, permanent contracts than ever before. However since the Rider Law came into force Glovo has continued to operate with self employed couriers, rather than switching all riders to employees -- claiming it has adapted the model to ensure it complies. Glovo's spokeswoman told us she was unable to confirm how many autonomo couriers it works with currently as she claimed the number "is very flexible and fluctuates a lot". "We can have riders that are registered but it doesn't mean they make any orders, or they make one order per month. They have a free login and flexibility," she added. Glovo's stance has led to complaints from rival, Uber Eats, which initially switched to a subcontractor model -- but, last month, it was reported to be exploring a revised self employment model. (Deliveroo left the Spanish market entirely last year.) Inspections of compliance with the Rider Law law clearly take time -- so it could be years before any such 'revised' self-employment models are found to be in breach (or otherwise), leaving the platforms free to operate in the meanwhile (if under the threat of future fines). Hence there have been calls by riders rights groups for the wording of the law to be tightened up to prevent platforms arriving at self-serving interpretations and simply kicking off fresh cycles of multi-year litigation over employment classification decisions. At the same time, the European Union is in the process of hammering out agreement on draft legislation to establish a pan-EU framework aimed at tackling bogus self employment on digital platforms -- by introducing a rebuttable presumption of employment. So free-riding gig platforms whose models depend upon swerving workers rights do look to be operating on borrowed time in the EU. Glovo and its parent company, Delivery Hero, meanwhile, have a separate matter on their plate too -- after being targeted for antitrust inspections by the European Union this summer. It's not clear whether the preliminary antitrust inspections will lead to a full blown investigation or not. This report was updated with an additional response from Glovo Photo: The Canadian Press The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police "E" Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on April 13, 2018. Coquitlam RCMP says a British Columbia man who was on the run, allegedly trying to evade sentencing for a separate crime, is now back in custody. Police say members of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team arrested 25-year-old Arjun Purewal on Tuesday at a Surrey home as they followed leads related to a separate murder in Richmond. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Coquitlam RCMP say a British Columbia man who was on the run, allegedly trying to evade sentencing for a separate crime, is now back in custody. Police say members of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team arrested 25-year-old Arjun Purewal on Tuesday at a Surrey home as they followed leads related to a separate murder in Richmond. A Canada-wide warrant was issued for Purewal late last month after he removed the ankle monitor he was wearing while on bail. He was awaiting sentencing for his part in a 2021 kidnapping in Richmond when he was last seen in Coquitlam on Aug. 26. Coquitlam RCMP described him as dangerous as they announced the warrant for his arrest. Police say homicide detectives recognized Purewal and arrested him, and he remains in custody awaiting a court appearance. Jeff Garlin arrives at the premiere of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" in October 2021, at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. (Richard Shotwell / Invision / AP) Actor Jeff Garlin, known for his roles in "The Goldbergs" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm," revealed this week that he has bipolar disorder. "Bipolar is a mother," Garlin wrote in an Instagram post with a photo of comedy legend Jack Benny reacting to an issue of Mad Magazine. "Sometimes its just too much to deal with. Im doing the best I can. This the first time that Ive opened up about this." Garlin, who played family patriarch Murray Goldberg in "The Goldbergs," abruptly left the sitcom in December in the middle of its ninth season amid a three-year human-resources investigation into his on-set behavior after several employees on the show filed complaints. The sitcom is one of ABC's highest-performing shows. Garlin and Sony Pictures Television, which produces the show, had reached a mutual agreement for his departure. Vanity Fair reported that same month that Garlin had allegedly engaged in a pattern of verbal and physical conduct that made some of his co-workers uncomfortable. He was accused of behaving in a demeaning or unprofessional manner and using language that some considered inappropriate and degrading to women. Garlin also reportedly touched or hugged people on set regardless of whether they were comfortable with it, according to complaints by three former "Goldbergs" employees. He got away with it because he would call himself out for it saying he was a big teddy bear, saying things like, Oh you know me, just a big bowl of mush, Im a hugger. I just love you,'" one source who worked with Garlin told Vanity Fair. In the same Vanity Fair article, Garlin dismissed the accusations as "silliness" and people missing his jokes, and also denied any accusations of physical misconduct. I make mistakes, sure. But my comedy is about easing peoples pain, Garlin said at the time. Why would I ever want to cause pain in anybody for a laugh? Thats bullying. Thats just uncalled for. He also admitted to hugging people but said he was not aware of how others felt about his behavior. Story continues "If Im making somebody feel bad because of that and feel uncomfortable, that is wrong," Garlin said, but added that those around him have the responsibility to say so. To deal with Garlin's exit, "The Goldberg" showrunners decided to kill off his character. The long-running comedy premiered its 10th season Wednesday night. "[Murray] will have passed, and we are sort of starting from a place of multiple months removed from his death," showrunners Chris Bishop and Alex Barnow told Entertainment Weekly in August. "The family has already grieved. ... This is going to be a family that has not reconciled the fact that their fathers gone but has sort of moved on and has dealt with a lot of that. ... Its an opportunity for this interesting emotional basis for the way people are behaving. But Jeff wont be in the series this year, and so far the stories have been largely about looking forward rather than looking back. Despite the scandal, Garlin has continued to find work in Hollywood, reprising his role as Larry David's manger in the HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm," which was renewed for a 12th season this year and is expected to begin filming this fall. He also landed a supporting role in Damien Chazelle's upcoming period comedy-drama "Babylon," which follows a young actor pursuing a career in 1920s Hollywood and is set for a Christmas release. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A 15-year-old girl who was abducted at knifepoint in Hawaii last week was rescued over the weekend by a restaurant host and a customer who jumped into action after recognizing her from local news reports. Mikella DeBina and her boyfriend were on a secluded beach in the area of Anaehoomalu Bay near Waikoloa Beach Drive when a man held them at knifepoint and forced the girl to tie her boyfriend up and put a blindfold on him, the victims aunt told police. She was then abducted by Duncan Mahi, 52, police said. Mahi brought DeBina to the beach parking area where she was forced into a white Honda SUV. The man also forced the girl to smoke methamphetamine and sexually assaulted her, investigators said. After she was forced to smoke meth for a second time, DeBina pretended to sleep for the rest of the drive to Mahi's home, KITV reported. Mahi then led DeBina to a yellow school bus where the suspect tightened a brown fabric cuff on her leg, allowing only three and a half feet of movement. More from NextShark: Megan Thee Stallion Partners With May Lee and Fashion Nova to Donate $50,000 to Fighting Anti-Asian Hate An AMBER Alert was issued after local news outlets shared an image of DeBina. The teen and her alleged abductor stopped by Cafe Pesto in Downtown Hilo the next day when restaurant host Bridge Hartman felt something was off, Hawaii News Now reported. DeBina was dressed in mens clothing and started fighting with Mahi in an alleyway near the restaurant. Another witness tried to intervene when he heard the girl yelling for the man to let her go. Mahi claimed that DeBina was his daughter and told the witness, "What the f*** are you doing? Get out of my way! More from NextShark: Indian American Hero Shelters Over 70 Protesters During Curfew Hours Thats when Hartman shouted, Thats the girl. Thats the AMBER Alert girl. Kori Takaki, who was eating lunch at Cafe Pesto with her mother, also rushed to the girls aid. The two good Samaritans waited with DeBina at the back of the restaurant. Story continues Hartman encouraged other customers to hold Mahi until the authorities arrived as DeBina was moved away from the suspect, who drove off after he was asked to prove that DeBina was his daughter. A witness was able to capture photos of his license plate and the white Honda CRV. The teen and the witness were able to identify Mahi from a photo lineup. More from NextShark: 55-year-old Chinese man takes entrance exam for 26th time in 40 years in hopes of dream school admittance The girl has since been reunited with her family, and her mother, Cher Angelel, is thankful to everyone who stepped in to help her daughter. She hailed Takaki and Hartman as heroes. Im just glad to be home and knowing everybodys safe, Takaki told KHON2. It was quite the emotional day. Yeah, lots of emotions. More from NextShark: Suspect Charged With Attempted Murder of 94-Year-Old Asian American Woman in SF Pleads Not Guilty Mahi was arrested on Sept. 17 around 3 p.m. on Hale Manu Drive in Hilo and charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, terroristic threatening, robbery and methamphetamine trafficking in connection with this case, according to the Hawaii Police Department. At the time of the alleged abduction, Mahi was on supervised release in connection with a September 2018 incident in which he was convicted of strangling and abusing a woman and threatening responding police officers, the Sun reported. He failed to appear in court on Aug. 16 for a traffic violation. Mahi also did not show up for his Aug. 31 court hearing about the September 2018 incident, according to court documents. An arrest warrant was issued on Sept. 13, three days before he reportedly abducted DeBina. Mahi's rap sheet dates back to 1989. He faced charges in criminal court eight times, as well as 12 traffic-related charges and violations, four domestic abuse accusations, two family court issues and divorce, according to court documents. Some of the cases, such as the domestic abuse charges, were eventually dropped with no explanation in court documents. The September 2018 criminal case was reopened after he violated his release. Mahi is being held on $2 million bail. Featured Image via Hawaii Police Department (left), Facebook (right) John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune via Getty A new anti-censorship search engine helmed by conservative tycoon Todd Ricketts has big ambitions of taking on Google, but already the platform is turning up some questionable results. Ricketts, who co-owns the Chicago Cubs with members of his massively influential family and who helped spearhead fundraising for Donald Trumps re-election campaign, launched the Freespoke app in May after complaining that platforms like Google were advancing a left-wing bias. One example in which he thinks other search engines display too much orthodoxy is climate change, he told conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly last month. I dont think Im a denier or anything, but Im also an intellectual who wants to see the facts and lay it out and be thoughtful about it. And to say that theres some sort of consensus, or that people who disagree with the consensus cant be heard, its just dangerous, he said. Freespokes aversion to filtering out content, however, appears to amplify some fringe positions. In response to a search query about vaccines, one of the top headlines declared that, per one study, the coronavirus jab [is] more dangerous than COVID. (Google displays national vaccination rates and eligibility information from vaccines.gov.) A curated selection of public commentary on the pandemic, meanwhile, featured conspiratorial takes, including one suggesting the U.S. government and Moderna nefariously knew COVID was coming before the pandemic had started (How did they know!!??) and another that seemed to imply Bill Gates may have been behind the outbreak. In a box on its website, Freespoke also invites users to search for topics it claims Google wont show, such as Who is Dr. Fauci? and the January 6th Commission. After a Daily Beast reporter clicked on the latter, the top result was an article questioning whether Democrats Let the Capitol Riot Happen. Freespoke, which calls its users freefolk, is just the latest conservative effort to take on mainstream technology platforms. Other examples include a right-wing dating app, a Trumpian Twitter clone, and a YouTube rival. Like other right-wing start-ups, Freespoke has a skeleton crew of fewer than 50 employees, according to Chicago Business. Story continues Yet even with its wealthy backing, the company has not made an immediate dent in the search engine sphere, according to data shared with The Daily Beast from the digital intelligence platform Similarweb. In July, Freespoke received an infinitesimal 190,000 visits, compared to 893 million for DuckDuckGo, a competitor conservatives previously championed for its free speech policies. (Perceptions of DuckDuckGo have since grown more complicated.) That said, Google dwarfed both sites, with nearly 87 billion monthly visits. To Freespokes credit, the platform experienced its largest month in August, crossing the threshold of half a million monthly visits. Freespokes strategy includes labeling the media outlets in its search results left, right, or middlethereby signaling its own professed impartialityand pledging not to censor content. (It categorizes The Daily Beast, which describes itself as non-partisan but not neutral, as left.) Heidi Julien, professor of information science at the University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education, called the companys positioning ludicrous. Whatever search algorithm they're using is going to find some things and not others just as other search engines do, she wrote in an email to The Daily Beast. There is undoubtedly going to be all kinds of bias in what this search engine produces and labels. Jeffrey Blevins, co-author of the forthcoming book Social Media, Social Justice, and the Political Economy of Online Networks, added that tagging outlets based on their purported ideologies might worsen political bubbles, since readers will be disinclined to click labels they arent aligned with. Ricketts has insisted that Freespoke is for everybody, but based on his media appearances and the companys social media posts, the startup appears to be targeting right-wing users. On Tuesday, the homepage included trending topics such as Hunter Biden, the border crisis, and rising crime, and an entire section devoted to so-called censored stories that the media doesnt want you to see. (Many of the stories are in fact published by, or aggregated from, media outlets, albeit often those with a right-wing bent.) On Tuesday afternoon, the three censored stories highlighted on the homepage were from the far-right publication Breitbart. Reached via email, Freespoke co-founder Kristin Jackson said the company believes showing all viewpoints is of great value. She added that she has friends and [has] met users whose political views are left, right, and center, arguing that the site simply tries to contextualize information from disparate sources and is experiencing notable growth and adoption. As for amplifying fringe voices, Jackson said she conducted her own search for vaccinations on the site and turned up results for the CDC, Vaccines.gov, Mayo Clinic and FDA. Indeed, many search queries on Freespokewhich says it doesnt track users or sell their dataturn up similar results to those on Google, Bing, and other mainstream platforms. Yet given the sites premise of showing information its competitors wont, by design that isnt always the case. Conservative personalities like Nick Adams, GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, and Ryann McEnanywhose sister Kayleigh served as Trumps press secretaryhave publicly lauded the app. (Ryann McEnany has since deleted her promotional tweet.) But Freespoke has yet to catch fire. One Trumpworld on-air star and one current Trump adviser inside the former presidents inner circle told The Daily Beast theyve never heard of the venture before. The influential on-air conservative host who speaks to Trump told The Daily Beast: I have never heard of Freespoke. What is it? Others within Trumpworld, including former administration officials, were more critical, stating that while Ricketts venture might have capital behind it, compared to some other conservative startups, it doesn't have the trusted Trump stamp of approval. Its not just about how much money you can invest in a project, it also depends on who is aligned with it and who are your biggest megaphones, a former Trump administration official close to Trumps inner circle told The Daily Beast. Platforms like [Donald Trump Jr.s news aggregator] MxM have both in spades, and thats what is lacking for other platforms. Freespoke also faces stiff competition for conservative eyeballs, including from The Drudge Report and similarly positioned right-wing Citizen Free Press aggregator. Freespokes big differentiator is its status as a search engine. Ricketts political activism runs in the family. His brother Pete is the governor of Nebraska, where he has pushed to restrict abortions without exceptions for rape and incest. His billionaire father, Joewho founded the predecessor to brokerage firm TD Ameritrade came under fire in 2017 after the now-defunct website Splinter published Islamophobic emails he had written. (He later apologized.) According to Julien, the University at Buffalo professor, part of Todd Ricketts criticism of the tech giants is legitimate. I do think that the algorithms that they use, which are secret, dont necessarily do a good job of identifying information from marginalized voices. And theres no question that they deliver to the searcher information that is similar to what that particular searcher has clicked on in the past, she said. But she rejected the notion that the platforms are uniquely biased against conservative perspectives. Some of Freespokes marketing has also cast doubt on whether it really intends to be a middle-of-the-road alternative to Google and the mainstream press. In March, after CNN inserted a graphic content warning into a video about the war in Ukraine, which showed a dead child and a corpse being flung into a mass grave, Freespoke derisively thanked the outlet on Twitter for letting us know that war is disturbing. It appended the message with a clown emoji. Anthony Nadler, associate professor of media and communication studies at Ursinus College, said Freespoke is part of a larger trend by conservatives to discredit institutions, like Google, that claim to apply some kind of fair mediation or objectivity to conflicting viewsusing the argument that such groups are secretly liberal. One of the risks for Freespoke, he added, is that by failing to filter out content, the platform will quickly be gamed from the conspiratorial types, who already have too much power in conservative circles. But before that risk becomes a major problem, Freespoke will first have to deliver any kind of impact at all. 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. There is new fallout in the case of 50 migrants who were flown from Texas to Massachusetts. Three of the Venezuelan migrants, including an 11-year-old child, have filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis after he used more than $600,000 of taxpayer money to pay for the flight. On Wednesday, the governors office released documents after days of silence. Last week, Channel 9 requested documents about the flights, as well as any video captured by DeSantis team while on the plane. READ: Migrants flown to Marthas Vineyard sue Gov. DeSantis in federal court That full request has gone unanswered, but just hours after the governor was sued in federal court, his office produced a signed waiver from one of the migrants, indicating they had a measure of approval for the transport from San Antonio to Marthas Vineyard. Read the document below: Governors office releases documents after migrants flown to Marthas Vineyard by Adam Poulisse on Scribd Attorney Mirian Albert has joined other immigration lawyers on Wednesday, laying out their federal case against DeSantis who, according to their court filing, was responsible not just for the flight, but how the 50 Venezuelan migrants were recruited in San Antonio, including promising them gift cards and then telling them they were going to Boston or Washington, D.C. before abandoning them at an airport in Marthas Vineyard. For nearly a week now, lawyers for civil rights has been working with approximately 50 immigrants who were deceived, Albert said. READ: Texas sheriff opens investigation into DeSantis role in flying migrants to Marthas Vineyard Ultimately, a court will decide if what was done violates the law, and if Gov. DeSantis misrepresented what was happening in order to transport people across the lines. The lawsuit seeks damages with attorneys also asking the court to stop these flights. DeSantis staff put out a statement that reads in full: Story continues It is opportunistic that activists would use illegal immigrants for political theater. If these activists spent even a fraction of this time and effort at the border, perhaps some accountability would be brought to the Biden Administrations reckless border policies that entice illegal immigrants to make dangerous and often lethal journeys through Central America and put their lives in the hands of cartels and Coyotes. The transportation of the immigrants to Marthas Vineyard was done on a voluntary basis. The immigrants were homeless, hungry, and abandoned and these activists didnt care about them then. Floridas program gave them a fresh start in a sanctuary state and these individuals opted to take advantage of chartered flights to Massachusetts. It was disappointing that Marthas Vineyard called in the Massachusetts National Guard to bus them away from the island within 48 hours. READ: Surprise is key part of migrant travel from Florida, Texas 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. Grant High School in the Valley Glen neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley in a photo from the school's website. (Los Angeles Unified School District) School police arrested a male 17-year-old Grant High School student Wednesday on suspicion of stabbing another student across the street from campus two days earlier, the head of the Los Angeles school police officers union said. L.A. school district officials confirmed that the stabbing was under investigation and that an arrest had been made of "a male juvenile suspect ... in connection to a violent attack that occurred near Grant High School" on Monday. Gil Gamez, president of the Los Angeles School Police Assn., said the stabbing occurred around dismissal time and was initially handled by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department. The victim, a 15-year-old boy, was stabbed in the chest and cut near the elbow. He remains hospitalized. The case was turned over to school police on Tuesday night, Gamez said, and officers arrested the 17-year-old suspect on the campus, which is located in the Valley Glen neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. In recent times, Gamez, on behalf of his union, has tracked fights and possible crimes at campuses to provide, he said, an accurate picture of law-enforcement-related interventions on or near Los Angeles public schools. On June 1, a Grant High student was injured by gunfire around dismissal time at the perimeter of the school and was hospitalized. The LAPD indicated that the shooting was "believed to be gang related." "Its a sad day when our children are exposed to community violence," a district statement said at the time. Regional Supt. Andres Chait said Wednesday that the school provides a safe environment for students, including by working with law enforcement, while offering strong academic and extracurricular programs. Chait added that the school also has programs to assist with social-emotional support for students and counselors to support mental-health needs. Nina Buranasombati, a school police spokeswoman, said the department "is providing increased patrols in the neighborhood, especially during morning and afternoon safe-passage times." Story continues The nation's second-largest school system also is dealing with the aftermath of the on-campus death of a student at Bernstein High School in Hollywood from a drug overdose. L.A. police investigators on Tuesday linked seven recent student overdoses including the fatal incident to pills that contain deadly fentanyl. A district spokesperson highlighted a social media post emphasizing the district's strengthened focus on "whole-child wellbeing," especially in the wake of mental health "distress" that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. School police request anyone with information about the stabbing to call (213) 202-8621. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the products and deals we love. If you love them too and decide to purchase through the links below, we may receive a commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. There are just a handful of brands that deliver on both quality and aesthetics when it comes to cast-iron cookware. While most love Le Creuset, the woman-owned brand Great Jones has quickly become a favorite among home cooks (myself included). Many even say its products offer better quality than other premium brands like Le Creuset and Lodge. Great Jones three best-selling products the Dutch Baby, Dutchess and King Sear are constantly selling out and are both well-insulated and absolutely stunning. Today through Monday, Sept. 26, shoppers can get all three products (together) for just $250 thats $140 off! Credit: Great Jones $250 $390 at Great Jones Its no secret that cast iron is the best cookware vessel for any and every meal since it retains and evenly distributes heat so well. The Great Jones Cast-Iron Family set includes three of the brands top three draft picks that all share the cast-iron material but have different uses. The set comes with the Dutch Baby Great Jones mini Dutch oven which nests perfectly inside The Dutchess, the brands No. 1 best seller, and the King Sear 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Credit: Great Jones The Dutchess and Dutch Baby are both dishwasher-friendly and perfect for making stews, pastas and roasts and even for baking bread. From personal experience, the King Sear is the best cast-iron skillet Ive ever owned and used. It comes pre-seasoned and is genuinely nonstick, making it perfect for roasting potatoes, frying eggs and even making a whole chicken. The Great Jones Cast-Iron Family trio comes in three colors: blueberry, broccoli and mustard. Shop now while its still in stock. If you enjoyed this story, check out the eight best cases to buy for the new iPhone 14 lineup. More from In The Know: One of Dells most popular laptops is on super sale for just $315 thats over $660 off Ruggables new machine-washable faux hide rugs honestly look and feel better than the real thing If you get hot throughout the night, you need this cooling blanket that feels like ice-cold silk The 8 best iPhone 14 accessories that you actually need and will use every day The post Great Jones gorgeous cast-iron essentials bundle is $140 off for just a few more days appeared first on In The Know. As Floridas Hispanic population surges, its a key group that can sway elections. But its a complex group for politicians to reach because theres no one set political leaning for the entire population. Mellie Santiago is one of about 300,000 people to seek refuge in central Florida following Hurricane Maria five years ago. Displaced but not discouraged, she quickly became one of the 200,000 Hispanics registered to vote in Orange County that year battling to help others seek housing and better living conditions. Read: Church, school honors victims of Hurricane Maria, Fiona with ceremony Its something shes still trying to do to this day. Shes getting help from people like Ericka Gomez-Tejeda, who was on the island for advocacy work and helped Santiago through the years, even recently by supporting and speaking out in favor of putting rent control on the November ballot. Gomez-Tejeda is the co-chair of Hablamos Espanol, a nonprofit whose most recent goal is getting more Latinos to vote by emphasizing the importance of representation, and why it matters to have it with such a fast-growing Hispanic population. Read: Its like a loop happening again: Hurricane Fiona brings back memories of Maria in Puerto Rico Between 2018 and 2020, the number of registered Hispanic voters jumped by 18,000 in Orange County alone. Gomez-Tejedas goal is to convince people to show up to the polls on Election Day, so issues like the housing crisis can be tackled by people who look and think like them, whatever ideals they may have. Read: Relief efforts for Puerto Rico underway after island hit by Hurricane Fiona Its very difficult to come to a new place and have your dignity taken away from you simply because of the language, she said. Only people who have gone through that process can really understand and fight for you from firsthand experience. Santiago said the past few years havent been easy, but with support of one another in central Florida shes confident, just like the rent stabilization ordinance, with the right teamwork and motivation si se puede. 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. During my first year teaching, my classroom was near the cafeteria. By the third week, Logan began pressing his face against my door, lunch tray in hand, pleading to come in. In class, his peers would sometimes erupt with laughter regarding his outfit choice and sneer about how gay he looked. I addressed it when I could, but there were times when I missed opportune moments to interrupt the harmful commentary and facilitate dialogue among my students to foster curiosity and understanding. The Pennsylvania Department of Education says the primary professional obligation of educators is to the students they serve including using reasonable effort to protect students from harm. The Code of Professional Practice for Educators defines harm as anything impeding learning or resulting in any kind of damage to students or school community members. As a K-12 Central Bucks alum, educator, and LGBTQ ally, I am shaken by the decisions of the Central Bucks School District and board which impact the educational experience for students, particularly those identifying as LGBTQ. The decisions are in direct conflict with the code, and should be reevaluated to ensure alignment. According to the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights, LGBTQ youth suffer from disproportionately high suicide rates, poorer mental health, increased school absenteeism, and a decreased sense of safety. The Trevor Projects 2022 National Survey found that slightly more than half of LGBTQ youth find their school to be LGBTQ-affirming and jarringly, only about one-third find their home to be so. The statistics are the same or lower for transgender and nonbinary youth. This is critical because the Trevor Projects survey found that LGBTQ youth who have access to identity-affirming spaces report fewer suicide attempts than LGBTQ peers who do not. The Central Bucks School District has a responsibility to do more to protect LGBTQ students from harm. It is the professional duty of educators everywhere to provide identity-affirming school environments for the mental and physical health of LGBTQ students display pride flags in classrooms, acknowledge students with preferred pronoun(s) and names, and connect them with validating and supportive resources. Central Bucks must support teachers who signal their allyship in their classroom by displaying pride flags, selecting texts that reflect LGBTQ lived experiences, and providing development on how to facilitate developmentally appropriate conversations among students about gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. The district should implement a policy allowing transgender and gender non-conforming students to be addressed at school and school-sponsored events by their preferred name and pronoun(s) without requiring parent or guardian permission. The 2020 Trevor Project National Survey found that youth whose preferences regarding pronouns were respected by most/all people in their life attempted suicide at half the rate of youth whose pronouns were not respected. Denying students identity-affirming experiences is a form of structural violence and ultimately leads to suffering. As educators they we are obliged to care for the students we serve. We can literally save lives. The mission of the Central Bucks School District is to provide all students with the academic and problem solving skills essential for personal development, responsible citizenship, and lifelong learning. An important part of personal development for children includes creating spaces where students have the safety and freedom to explore and celebrate their identity. Responsible citizenship requires us to understand that we exist in local, national, and global contexts created by a culture of power grounded in white, cis-gendered, heteronormativity. Lifelong learning is a commitment to seeking to understand the experiences of others that are different from our own not to agree with them but because our lived experiences shape how we navigate every moment of our day. When Logan knocked on that door my rookie year, I was unsure of what to do. Now, as a seasoned educator, Im clearer about my bottom line in these complex moments. It is arguably quite similar to what the Central Bucks School District has committed to on paper: what is best for kids, the most important stakeholder we serve? I implore you to have the courage, compassion, and sense of responsibility to uphold your mission. A childs life may depend on it. Meredith Mehra is a Central Bucks School District alum and a former Doylestown Township resident who now lives in Philadelphia. This article originally appeared on The Intelligencer: Guest Opinion: Central Bucks must respect students' preferred pronouns West African leaders agreed at an emergency summit Thursday to impose gradual sanctions on Guinea's junta over its inflexibility on setting a date to return to civilian rule. "We have decided to take sanctions against Guinea," Omar Alieu Touray, president of the commission of the ECOWAS bloc, told AFP. The leaders from the Economic Community of West African States -- minus those of Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso, suspended due to coups -- met in New York where they were attending the UN General Assembly. A summary of the meeting said that the leaders agreed on "gradual sanctions" on a list of people linked to the Guinean junta who will be identified "very soon" by the bloc's leadership. Poor but mineral-rich Guinea has been ruled by the military since a coup in September 2021 that ousted president Alpha Conde, in power since 2010. Guinea's junta-appointed prime minister, Bernard Gomou, earlier slammed ECOWAS chief Umaro Sissoco Embalo, describing him as a "puppet wearing the mantle of a statesman." In a statement, Gomou said Embalo, who is also president of Guinea-Bissau, was an "overexcited" man who "forced his way in" to the ECOWAS presidency. The prime minister also pointed to the two countries' geographical closeness and blood ties, but warned "no political upstart, let alone a badly briefed opportunist, will lead us to destroy this precious heritage." - 'Unacceptable' timetable - During a visit to Guinea, Embalo had said he had secured an agreement with the junta to give way to elected civilians after two years. Three years in power before a return to civilian rule is "unacceptable for ECOWAS," Embalo said on Wednesday in an interview with France's RFI and France 24 broadcasters. Embalo warned in the interview that if the junta maintained that timetable, there would be sanctions -- "heavy sanctions, even." Colonel Amara Camara, a senior junta figure, earlier on Thursday accused Embalo of "lies." "Crude lies and intimidation are backward steps that dishonor (Embalo) and at the same time tarnish ECOWAS' image," Camara said in a video received by AFP. Story continues The West Africa bloc has been struggling with a string of military coups in the region in the past two years. Camara accused Embalo, who took over the rotating presidency of the conference of West African heads of state a few weeks ago, of being "distinguished by his personal positions in defiance of his fellow presidents." He accused Embalo of "putting on a show" and of disregarding the ECOWAS presidency, of forcing his West African counterparts to hold a summit outside West Africa and of wanting to force through sanctions against Guinea. "We are not in... a reality TV relationship," Camara said, accusing Embalo of "bawdy" diplomacy. "By forcing his peers to hold this summit outside his geographical space, his leadership will have allowed an opportunity for others not to take us seriously." Mali underwent coups in August 2020 and May 2021, followed by Guinea in September 2021 and Burkina Faso in January. ECOWAS has lifted tough sanctions that had been imposed on Mali's military regime, accepting a March 2024 return to civilian rule. But Mali and Guinea remain suspended from ECOWAS bodies. bm-lal/raz-nr-sct/bfm I have had the chance to see Kelowna change from the small town it was when we moved here in 1981, to the booming metropolis it is today. With many great mayors and councils, as well as City of Kelowna staff and other stakeholders, the evolution of our city to its current status has been remarkable and something we are very proud of. We are lucky to call it home. Having been part of the community by owning my own business for 28 years, and by volunteering, supporting and helping many not-for-profit organizations, it has proven important to be able to support the kind of city council I believe has been needed, and is needed today. I believe it takes the entire community to make a great community, which is evident by me being honoured in 2009 with the Women of the Year award. We chose to move to Kelowna from Vancouver 41 years ago because we wanted to be able to give our family the opportunity to be close to the ski hill at Big White and close to Okanagan Lake. We are all glad we did. We wanted to have a safer, small-town experience for our family, and feel we have hadand do have exactly that experience even with the rapid population growth as many people flock here. Being a parent of six children, one of whom has special needs, has allowed me to experience the many opportunities and challenges we have here in Kelowna. My career takes me downtown daily as I walk the alleyways regularly from meeting to meeting. Not only am I not worried about being assaulted by the folks I come across, I regularly have conversations with them and know many by name. Kelowna, and every other city we have ever travelled to around the world, have safety issues and (residents) voice concern regarding those who are financially compromised. Some (cities) have additional issues and other challenges our city and region do not have. Working with other levels of government, I feel the steps our city councils of the past took have made a positive difference and need to continue. Will we keep (adding) these types of programs? Absolutely, and likely for a long time as we work with other cities to share programming that works. We need to help our city council and other levels of government make positive change through a variety of proven support methods. As with many (residents) who have shared their support for current Mayor Colin Basran, the feeling is we need to support his good work as a proven leader through tough times by voting for him on Oct. 15. In closing, I thought I would share my husband, former city councillor and area MLA, John Weisbecks perspective. He believes in giving a hand up, not a handout and that is exactly what Basrans guidance and programmingwith the collaboration of the current councilhas done and should continue to provide for those who need our help in our community and region. Alli McNeill, Kelowna A Kroger employee is suing the grocery store chain a year after a deadly mass shooting at a Tennessee store last year. Mariko Jenkins was shot while working at a Kroger in Collierville, Tennessee, when a gunman opened fire in the store on Sept. 23, 2021, court documents show. Jenkins, of Memphis, is suing Kroger and its sushi contractor JFE Franchising/Snowfox, for $10 million in damages on claims that the chains recklessness and gross negligence allowed the shooting to happen. The shooter, Uk Thang, had been terminated from his job at Krogers sushi vendor earlier that day, the lawsuit says, and only left after other employees threatened to call authorities. Thang later returned to the store with three guns, killing one person and injuring 14 more. He shot himself as authorities arrived at the store, police told WJHL. The suit alleges that Thang had known behavioral problems, was not adequately screened before he was hired and argued with co-workers frequently. Thang had a history of anti-social, antagonistic, volatile, unstable, threatening and predictably dangerous behavior at all times pertinent hereto, the documents say. Both Kroger and JFE Franchising/Snowfox declined to comment on the pending lawsuit. The lawsuit also claims Kroger should have had better training preparation and security measures in place to prevent Thang from returning to the store. Jenkins has suffered severe injuries, great emotional distress, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of income and enjoyment of life, since the shooting, the court documents say. There have been nearly 500 mass shootings so far in 2022, according to the Gun Violence Archive. A mass shooting is defined by the organization as a single event where four or more people are shot and/or killed, excluding the shooter, at the same general time and location. Gunman assaults several Kroger employees, and then kidnaps one of them, GA cops say Parents fears about sending children to school are highest in two decades, poll finds Mom, 1-year-old snatched at gunpoint while loading groceries at Target, TN police say Earlier this month, as Kenyans waited for the Supreme Court ruling on the petition filed by Raila Odinga challenging William Rutos election as president, an image of a newspaper headline alleging that Ruto threatened Chief Justice Martha Koome back in 1999 started circulating on social media. The claim, however, is false: AFP Fact Check found that the purported front page was fabricated. The original was an edition from 1993, with an unrelated headline. THIS was Wednesday, February 10, 1999. The assistant minister was William Ruto. The rogue lawyer was Martha Koome (sic), reads part of a post published on Facebook on September 3, 2022. Screenshot showing the false post, taken on September 21, 2022 The post contains an image of what looks like an old front page from Kenyan newspaper The Standard. The purported headline reads: Assistant minister warns rogue lawyer. The main picture shows a younger Ruto, who was sworn in as Kenyas fifth president on September 13, 2022. In 1999, the post claims, he was an assistant minister while the so-called rogue lawyer at the time was Martha Koome now the countrys chief justice who led a bench of the Supreme Court in ruling against a petition by rival candidate Raila Odinga to set aside Rutos election victory. Kenya held general elections on August 9, 2022, and Ruto was declared the winner with 50.49 percent of the vote to Odingas 48.85 percent. The post implies that the court ruled in Rutos favour because of the unspecified incident with Koome more than two decades ago. Other posts sharing the same image were published on Facebook (here and here) and on TikTok (here and here). But the claim is false. Fabricated front page AFP Fact Check conducted a reverse image search and found the original front page from February 10, 1993 and not 1999. Screenshot showing original photo of the Standard newspaper front page for February 10, 1993 The headline in that edition read: Kibaki hits back at MPs over clashes. The main image shows progress on the reconstruction of a railway bridge. Story continues There is no mention or photo of Ruto anywhere on the page. The newspaper confirmed its version of the front page from 1993 was the authentic one. Our archives show that the Standard Group did not publish a newspaper with such a headline in 1999, said the Standard Group. Furthermore, among the elements on the front page is an advert from Laiser Hill Academy congratulating pupils and teachers for excellent results in 1992, not 1999. Another inconsistency on the front page include a picture of Boutros Boutros-Ghali as the head of the UN, a post he held from 1992 to 1996. AFP Fact Check traced the photo used in the doctored front page to a file photo from Kenyas Daily Nation newspaper. The original shows Ruto giving money to a Jua Kali group chairman in August 1993. Screenshot showing the original photo from the Nation newspaper Ruto was elected as the Eldoret North constituency member of parliament in 1997 and served as an assistant minister in the office of the president under Kenyas second president Daniel Arap Moi from 1998 to 2002. Koome meanwhile joined the Kenyan judiciary in 2003 after practising as a lawyer for more than a decade. She was appointed chief justice in May 2021 by former president Uhuru Kenyatta, making her the first woman to hold the position in Kenya. Infowars founder Alex Jones, left, is questioned by plaintiff's attorney Chris Mattei beside Judge Barbara Bellis, right, during testimony at the Sandy Hook defamation damages trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Waterbury, Conn. Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. Associated Press Alex Jones sparred with the lead attorney for the families of Sandy Hook victims Thursday. Jones is testifying to determine how much he will have to pay them after being found liable for defamation. Lead attorney Chris Mattei told Jones to "show a little respect in this courtroom." In day of defiant testimony, Alex Jones got into a heated exchange with the lead attorney representing families of victims who died in the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting after he devolved into a rant about liberals in a Connecticut courtroom Thursday. Jones is currently standing trial to determine how much he will have to pay the families of victims he's been found liable of defaming by claiming the shooting was a government-orchestrated hoax. This is the second week of what's expected to be a four to six-week long trial involving 15 plaintiffs most of whom were parents of the victims. Twenty first-graders and six adults were killed in the December 14, 2012, shooting. Jones and the plaintiff's lead attorney, Chris Mattei, got into a shouting match Thursday Jones' first day on the stand after Mattei asked Jones if he had put a target on the back of Robbie Parker, whose 6-year-old daughter was killed in the shooting. Jones has accused Parker of being a crisis actor. The court was shown a video of Parker speaking to the media shortly after the shooting. As the clip played, which multiple family members in the galley started crying. "You put a target on his back just like you did every single parent and loved one sitting here didn't you?" Mattei said, to which Jones responded that he did not. Mattei pointed to the crowd of Sandy Hook victims' families sitting in the courtroom and said "these are real people." Jones responded: "Just like all the Iraqis that you liberals kill and love." "You're unbelievable. You switch on emotions on and off when you want. It's just ambulance chasing," Jones told Mattei. "Why don't you show a little respect in this courtroom," Mattei shot back. Story continues Jones' attorney, Norm Pattis, objected several times during the exchange, calling Mattei's questioning argumentative. But because the trio kept talking over each other, Judge Barbara Bellis was unable to rule on the objections, saying "it's hard for me to get a word in edgewise." Throughout the day, Bellis repeatedly admonished Jones to stop talking whenever his lawyer made an objection. By the end of the day, Bellis was reaching a breaking point. After the jury left the courtroom, she warned Pattis to get his client under control or they would both risk being held in contempt of court. "There's only so many times I can tell someone, 'Don't answer a question when your attorney objects,'" Bellis said. "I'm trying to be as polite as possible." To Jones she said: "Sir, you've gotta do a better job of following the court rules. I don't want to have a contempt hearing. I'm going to say it again: I do not want to have a contempt hearing." This is the second of three similar trials to determine damages. The first of those trials wrapped up in August, with an Austin jury ordering Jones to pay the parents of 6-year-old Sandy Hook victim Jesse Lewis nearly $50 million. A third trial back in Texas is pending from Leonard Pozner and Veronique de la Rosa, the parents of victim Noah Pozner. During the Texas trial, Jones admitted the shooting was "100% real" and apologized for "unintentionally" hurting the feelings of the victims' families. But he seemed to backtrack a bit on Thursday. "I've already said I'm sorry, hundreds of times and I'm done saying I'm sorry. I didn't progenerate this. I wasn't the first person to say it," Jones said. "I legitimately thought it might have been staged and I stand by that and I don't apologize for it," he added. Read the original article on Insider NEW YORK (AP) A man charged with assault after he was seen on a video slapping the back of former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani accepted a deal Wednesday to have the charges dismissed. According to the Richmond County district attorney's office, the case has been adjourned in contemplation of dismissal, which means the charges will be dropped in six months if the man stays out of trouble. The incident occurred in June while Giuliani, 78, was at a Staten Island supermarket in support of his son Andrews ultimately unsuccessful bid to win the Republican partys nomination for governor. Giuliani was standing with a group of people when a man walking past reached out, touched Giuliani's back with an open palm and then said something as he walked away. Giuliani appeared to barely react in the video, but later said it felt like somebody shot me" or that he had been hit by a boulder. After slapping Giuliani's back, police alleged the man said, What's up, scumbag? He was arrested and spent more than 24 hours in jail. In a statement read in court Wednesday, Assistant Richmond County District Attorney Darren Albanese said the man violated a basic social contract which is a lesson taught when we are young keep your hands to yourself. But the district attorney said proving in court that the man caused physical injury or intended to do so would be extremely difficult. Susan Platis, an attorney with the Legal Aid Societys Staten Island trial office who represented the man, said he has no prior criminal record and did not commit any criminal act, and this outcome, which will ultimately dismiss the case in its entirety, reflects that reality. A message was left Wednesday at an email address listed for Giuliani and with a lawyer who frequently represents him. Giuliani, a Republican, served as mayor from 1994 to 2001, gaining widespread praise for his leadership after 9/11. Now suspended from practicing law, he served as the personal lawyer for former President Donald Trump and took on a leading role in disputing the results of Trumps 2020 election loss. Bad news for Schitts Creek fans: Its your last chance to enjoy the chaos, hilarity and tenderness of the Rose family on Netflix. More than 140 titles are joining the streaming service in October, but 30 are set to depart, including all six seasons of the beloved Canadian sitcom. Still, all is not lost. Schitts Creek will be available on Hulu after it leaves Netflix at the beginning of the month. Another show on its way out is the three-season docuseries Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which will no longer be on the platform by Halloween. The award-winning series consists of 37 episodes focused on the controversial Church of Scientology and the experiences of those whove left the organization. "Schitt's Creek" is set to leave Netflix on Oct. 2. (Photo: Schitt's Creek) As for movies, Netflix will say goodbye to a number of rom-coms, including the hit 2001 film Bridget Joness Diary, Jane Fondas 2005 career revival Monster-in-Law and the much-mocked 2018 movie Little Italy. Also due to depart are Miss Congeniality and Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous. As for dramas, the platform is losing 8 Mile and The Notebook, as well as Apocalypse Now Redux. Check out the full list of movies and shows leaving Netflix below. And if you want to stay informed about everything joining Netflix on a weekly basis, subscribe to the Streamline newsletter. Stay informed about everything joining Netflix weekly by subscribing to the Streamline newsletter. (Photo: HuffPost) Stay informed about everything joining Netflix weekly by subscribing to the Streamline newsletter. (Photo: HuffPost) Oct. 2 Schitts Creek (Seasons 1-6) Oct. 7 Sofia the First (Seasons 1-4) Oct. 8 After Oct. 13 Apocalypse Now Redux Everything Must Go The Girl Next Door Little Italy Scary Movie 4 Oct. 14 Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black Bleach the Movie: Hell Verse Oct. 15 Sinister 2 Oct. 21 Yes, God, Yes Oct. 22 Hemlock Grove (Seasons 1-3) Oct. 26 Begin Again Oct. 27 Metallica Through the Never Oct. 30 8 Mile Bridget Joness Diary Ferris Buellers Day Off Story continues Footloose Friday Friday After Next Johnny Mnemonic Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath (Seasons 1-3) Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events Miss Congeniality Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous Monster-in-Law Naruto (Seasons 1-9) The Notebook Rock of Ages This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... SALEM, Ore. (AP) Hideko Tamura Snider was a 10-year-old girl in Hiroshima, Japan, when the United States detonated an atomic bomb over the city on Aug. 6, 1945, during World War II. On Wednesday, she described the horrors of that day as the guest of honor in a ceremony marking the culmination of a four-year-long campaign in Oregon to plant saplings grown from the seeds of trees that also survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. An Oregon official involved in the campaign told the audience that recognition of the continued threat of nuclear weapons is especially relevant today, with Russian President Vladimir Putin making veiled threats to use them in his war against Ukraine. So, four years ago we were thinking that this was us looking back at a past when atomic weapons were something that happened long ago. And today, I think its much more relevant to us as we sit in this room today, said Jim Gersbach, an Oregon Community Trees board member and spokesman for the state forestry department. In Hiroshima, arborist Chikara Horiguchi started growing saplings from the seeds in 1995. A total of 170 trees in Hiroshima that survived the bomb are reportedly still living. I believe the best way for me to speak about peace is through the A-bombed trees. A-bombed trees are the symbol of destruction and recovery, Horiguchi says in a video for Green Legacy Hiroshima, which has been sending seeds and saplings of survivor trees to dozens of countries around the world, including Chile, Ireland and Ethiopia. Green Legacy Hiroshima volunteers began collecting the seeds in 2011. Arborist Mike Oxendine, of Ashland, Oregon, obtained the seeds from Green Legacy Hiroshima and germinated them. Oregon Community Trees and the forestry department collaborated in finding homes for the trees. Communities all over responded coastal towns like Seaside, the mountain town of Bend in central Oregon, Hood River along the Columbia River and La Grande in the east. Story continues A total of 51 trees were planted around this Pacific Northwest state, the densest concentration of Hiroshima peace trees anywhere outside Japan, Gersbach said. Most are ginkgo trees along with a few persimmons both known for their hardiness. Speaking at the ceremony in the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, Tamura Snider said the effort and those behind it symbolize ways to come together in peace, looking with great hope for the future of this world, rather than perishing in the God-awful nuclear explosion. She described the morning of Aug. 6, 1945, hearing an air raid alert and then an all-clear. But then the atomic bomb exploded in a blinding flash that shook the ground and obliterated buildings. Her mother was in another part of the city and perished. Alone, Tamura Snider crawled out of the ruins of the house into pitch-black darkness and began fleeing from the fire and terrible things in Hiroshima. I walked and walked, and couldn't move anymore, she said. And I collapsed in the middle of a little path in an open rice field. And I said to myself I have no more strength to take another step, and if I just die here it's going to have to be.'" But she looked up at the sky, and saw a slice of blue sky and it changed everything. I felt revived. At the ceremony in Oregon, Tamura Snider, who emigrated to the United States decades ago and lives in Medford, went outside to one of the peace trees, a ginkgo, on the forestry department grounds, with dozens of other people. She bowed before the tree and watered it with a ladle. Others queued up to also water it. An estimated 140,000 people, including those with radiation-related injuries and illnesses, died through Dec. 31, 1945, from the Hiroshima bombing, representing 40% of Hiroshimas population of 350,000 before the attack. These peace trees not only convey a message of peace from the residents of Hiroshima, they are also symbols of survival and resilience in the face of unimaginable destruction, said Oregon State Forester Cal Mukumoto. He said they give him hope that people in Oregon can persevere through harsh times. (Bloomberg) -- Anticipation is mounting that Hong Kong will scrap hotel quarantine for inbound travelers, with an announcement possible in the coming days, as the city tries to maintain its status as a global financial hub amid a Covid-induced economic slowdown and brain drain. Most Read from Bloomberg The government could start disclosing details about the easing by the end of September, said Michael Tien, a National Peoples Congress deputy and city lawmaker, citing his understanding from discussions with officials. The new policy could take effect by mid-October, he said in a phone interview. Tiens timeline echoes accounts that have been widely circulated in the local news and on social media. A Hong Kong Economic Times report on Thursday also said word on the latest reopening moves could come as soon as next week, citing unidentified people. Authorities plan to remove the three-day hotel quarantine period and end a requirement that travelers get a negative PCR test result 48 hours or less before arriving in the city, local media including HKET, Oriental Daily and Sing Tao Daily reported. Instead, travelers may need to spend as many as seven days after arrival undergoing so-called health surveillance, where they can move throughout the city but will be barred from entering high-risk venues such as restaurants and bars, according to the media. A laboratory-confirmed PCR test will still be required upon arrival, they reported. Relaxing Pressure Hong Kong is facing increasing pressure to relax its travel rules, which remain among the worlds toughest even after a series of easing measures. The curbs, designed to align with Chinas Covid Zero policy, left the city isolated from the rest of the world and battered its economy. Further reductions are widely expected ahead of major events designed to boost the financial centers global image, including a high-profile banking summit and the iconic Rugby Sevens tournament in November. Story continues Chief Executive John Lee said Tuesday that he wants to relax policies including mandatory hotel quarantine that have kept travelers away. Those plans were seemingly blessed by Beijing, with Huang Liuquan, deputy director of Chinas Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, saying mainland officials see no problem with the financial hub adjusting its rules. The easing would come at a time when infections in are decline, falling to about 6,000 a day from more than 10,000 earlier this month. Most are found in the local community, with only 146 traveler cases reported on Wednesday. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. The median sales price for a single-family home sold in Chemung County during June was $124,500. That's a decrease of 0.4% compared with June 2021, according to a USA TODAY Network localized analysis generated with data from Realtor.com. On a year-over-year basis, single-family home prices just began falling. June prices are down from $130,000 the previous month. The number of houses sold fell by 5.8% from a year earlier. A total of 81 houses were sold countywide during June. During the same period a year earlier, 86 single-family homes were sold. Real estate sales can take weeks or months to be recorded and collected. This is the latest data made available through Realtor.com to the USA TODAY Network. Home prices:How hot is the real estate market near Elmira? Home sale prices rise to $130K How hot is Chemung County's real estate market in New York? Information on your local housing markets is available through the USA TODAY Network, with more data from Realtor.com. In Chemung County the top 10% of the properties sold for at least $275,480, down 7.9% from a year before. In June, no properties sold for $1 million or more. New York's median single-family home sales price was $376,500 in June, up 7.6% from a year earlier. The state reported 10,115 single-family homes sold, down 9% from a year earlier. Pennsylvania's median single-family home sales price was $275,000 in June, up 12.2% from a year earlier. The state reported 10,805 single-family homes sold, down 6.2% from a year earlier. The median home sale price the midway point of all the houses or units sold over a period of time is used in this report instead of the average home sale price because experts say the median offers a more accurate view of what's happening in a market. In finding the average price, all prices of homes sold are added and then divided by the number of homes sold. This measure can be skewed by one low or high price. The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from Realtor.com. Localized versions are generated for communities where the data quality and transaction volume meets Realtor.com and USA TODAY Network standards. The story was written by Sean Lahman. This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Chemung County's average home sold for a lower price year over year Lafourche court house Editor's note: The following contains graphic and disturbing language. The victim of an attempted murder said he dove out of a moving vehicle to escape being shot to death during testimony Wednesday as the trial began for Joshua Chaisson, a 38-year-old Houma man facing charges of attempted second-degree murder, armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. "I pleaded with him that I had to be there for my kids," said Leory Allen, the victim. "He said, 'f*** your kids, you going to die today.'" The charges stem from a shooting that occurred in Raceland near Buford and St. Louis streets about 8:21 p.m. Aug. 3, 2020. Allen testified Wednesday that he was visiting a friend on Greenville Street the night of the shooting. When Allen stopped his car at the friend's home, he said Chaisson approached him, pointed a gun at his head, and demanded his items. He then ordered Allen to get back in the car and drive them both away from the home. As they drove, Allen said he pleaded with Chaisson. That was when Chaisson told him he would die, put the gun to Allen's head and pulled the trigger. "That was when the gun went click," Allen said. More:Houma man charged in Raceland shooting Chaisson then tried to fix the gun, and Allen said he jumped out of the moving vehicle and ran for his life. Shortly thereafter, he said he heard gunfire and bullets ricocheting off the ground around him. Detective Elizabeth Leon investigated for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office. She testified that her investigation determined Chaisson fired 10 rounds. Leon now works in evidence for the Sheriff's Office. Defense attorney Wilbert Billiot objected frequently to the use of recordings of Chaisson's phone calls while in jail. Each time, he and Lafourche Parish District Attorney Shaun George were brought to Judge Steven Miller's bench to discuss the objections. In the Lafourche Parish Correctional Facility, inmates have to enter their inmate number and PIN and recite "United States of America" three times for voice recognition to make a phone call. The calls are then recorded and stored in a database, Lt. Brett Exnicious said. Story continues More:New details regarding UTV crash that led to the death of a Lafourche teen Two phone calls were made between Chaisson and Allen while Allen also was detained. In one of the phone calls, the voice identified as Chaisson told Allen it was a case of mistaken identity. "That was for a n**** named Big Bradley," said the voice Allen identified as Chaisson. "You just pulled up at the wrong time." Five other calls made to Chaisson's sister using his identification number also were entered into evidence by George. Once entered, the jury was allowed to listen to them. They were played from a television screen in the court room. "If the victim don't show up to court, they can't do nothing to me," said the male voice in the recording, whom detective Leon identified as Chaisson. The voice identified as Chaisson and the woman discussed what their stories would be, and those of their friends. The sister was concerned about Chaisson being seen at the shooting. "You had a mask on that night?," she asked on the recording. The male voice said no, but if everyone stuck to their story he said he'd be fine. Closing arguments are set to begin at 8 a.m. Thursday in Thibodaux. This article originally appeared on The Courier: Victim testifies that he dove from moving car to avoid being shot Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, will participate in a "voluntary meeting" with the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, her lawyer confirmed Wednesday. The news came on the heels of the committee announcing it will hold a public hearing on Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. "As she has said from the outset, Mrs. Thomas is eager to answer the Committee's questions to clear up any misconceptions about her work relating to the 2020 election," Thomas' lawyer Mark Paoletta said in a statement Wednesday. "She looks forward to that opportunity." Committee chair Rep. Bennie Thompson told reporters Thursday that Thomas "was involved in helping organize and promote Jan. 6, and individuals coming into the Capitol." The news of Thomas' participation was first reported by CNN. The committee asked Thomas, a conservative activist, to appear voluntarily before the panel after it learned that she corresponded with John Eastman, a conservative lawyer who helped come up with the legal strategy to pressure former Vice President Mike Pence to unilaterally toss out state electoral votes. Thomas also sent emails to at least two Wisconsin Republican legislators days after the presidential election, pushing them to name an alternate slate of presidential electors to back former President Donald Trump. Additionally, Thomas corresponded via text message with former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows in the days following the 2020 election, urging him to overturn the election results. Virginia Thomas, conservative activist and wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Feb. 23, 2017. / Credit: Susan Walsh / AP Thompson told CBS News on Monday that the committee is still discussing whether to have witnesses at the Sept. 28 hearing. "We have a lot of information that we have collected over the last year that we've not shown the public. And we believe that that information on its own is significant enough for a hearing," Thompson said. The committee held a series of public hearings earlier this summer that combined never-before-seen footage from Jan. 6, video testimony from some of the people who were in Trump's inner circle and in-person witness testimony. Story continues The hearings sought to tie Trump to the coordination of the attack and shed light on plans devised by him and members of his inner circle designed to overturn the 2020 elections results. Thompson said earlier this month that the committee plans to put together an interim report two weeks after the proposed late September hearing, in mid-October, and will finalize the report before the end of the year. That would take them past the November midterm elections, and the committee's two Republicans, Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, are both leaving Congress in January. Cheney lost the Republican primary in Wyoming to a Trump-backed challenger. Kinzinger decided not to run for reelection. If Republicans take control of the House in January, it's expected that the select committee will be disbanded. While Republicans were entitled to have five members on what was meant to be a 12-person committee, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected two of Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's suggested members, as they were among the 139 House Republicans who voted to overturn the election results on Jan. 6. As a result, McCarthy refused to put any more Republicans on the committee, with Pelosi asking Cheney and Kinzinger who were among the 10 House GOP members who voted to impeach Trump to be on what ended up being a 9-person committee comprised of seven Democrats and the two Republicans. Since its creation last year, the committee has spoken to more than 1,000 people and issued more than 100 subpoenas for interviews or documents. Since the last hearing was held on July 16, the committee said it has had conversations with the Justice Department about a scheme allegedly cooked up by Trump's allies to put forward alternate electors supporting him in seven battleground states that President Joe Biden won. On July 22, a federal jury found former Trump strategist Steve Bannon guilty of two counts of criminal contempt for refusing to comply with a subpoena to appear before the Jan. 6 committee. He faces up to two years in prison. Bannon has said he was honoring executive privilege concerns raised by Trump, although Kristin Amerling, one of the two witnesses called by prosecutors, said the committee never received notice from Trump about this obstacle to deposing Bannon, and the committee would not have recognized such a claim anyway. Rep. Jamie Raskin, a member of the committee, told "Face the Nation" earlier this month that the committee is still hoping Pence will appear voluntarily before the panel. The committee's public hearings focused in part on Trump and his allies' attempts to pressure Pence to reject the Electoral College votes on Jan. 6 during the joint session of Congress. "Vice President Pence was the target of Donald Trump's wrath and fury and effort to overthrow the election on Jan. 6. The whole idea was to get Pence to step outside his constitutional role, and then to declare unilateral lawless powers to reject Electoral College votes from the states," Raskin said. Pence ultimately rejected those efforts and gaveled in Mr. Biden as the winner of the 2020 election after 3:40 a.m. on Jan. 7. Pence said at a New Hampshire political event in August that he'd "consider" testifying before the committee. The committee has also formally requested that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who was also an adviser to Trump, speak with them. The committee cited emails he allegedly exchanged with Trump's senior advisers, including Jared Kushner and Jason Miller. "Evidence shows that Mr. Gingrich pushed messages designed to incite anger among voters even after Georgia election officials had faced intimidation and threats of violence," the committee said in its request for Gingrich to appear. The committee's public hearing on June 21 examined threats made to state and local elections officials, including in Georgia. The Fulton County District Attorney's Office has launched a criminal investigation into whether Trump and his allies interfered with Georgia's election in 2020. Trump's personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, testified for six hours before a Fulton County grand jury in August related to that investigation. Ellis Kim contributed to this report. Alex Jones testifies in defamation trial over false Sandy Hook shooting claims Ukrainian forces recapture Russian base in Kharkiv Protests break out across Iran following Mahsa Amini's death Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at her weekly news conference on Capitol Hill on September 22, 2022. Drew Angerer/Getty Images House Democrats just teed up a potential vote next week on a congressional stock trading ban. Top Democrats told colleagues that the legislation will most likely include Supreme Court justices. That inclusion along with the short time members will have to consider the bill may signal peril. House Democratic leaders announced that the chamber may consider legislation to ban members of Congress from trading stocks as soon as next week. Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York the chair of the Democratic caucus announced on the House floor on Thursday afternoon that the body "may consider legislation to reform the STOCK Act." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi previously indicated that a bill could come in September. In a "Dear Colleague" letter sent on Thursday and obtained by Insider, Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, the chair of the Committee on House Administration, released a framework entitled "Combatting Financial Conflicts of Interest and Restoring Public Faith and Trust in Government." "Across the entire federal government, there have been significant stories regarding financial conflicts of interest in relation to stock trading and ownership," Lofgren wrote. "Collectively, these stories undermine the American people's faith and trust in the integrity of public officials and our federal government." The framework includes much of what prominent advocates of stock-ban legislation have asked for, such as including spouses and dependent children in any potential ban. Other framework provisions call for: Mandatory electronic filing of financial disclosures, as some officials submit all-but-illegible disclosures. Requiring "more granularity" when disclosing financial trades. Currently, lawmakers are only required to disclosure the values of their trades in broad ranges, such as $100,000 to $250,000 or $1 million to $5 million. A ban on senior government officials, including members of Congress and their immediate families, from trading cryptocurrencies. Story continues Lofgren's framework also includes one class of government official alongside members of Congress Supreme Court justices. It's a move that advocates view as a potential "poison pill" meant to ensure the legislation is unable to pass the Senate. The framework also calls for increasing the penalty for violating the STOCK Act from a meager $200 to $1,000 for every 30-day period in which a member of Congress is not in compliance, and calls for greater transparency around enforcement of the law. "A number of bills that have been introduced to date address some of these issues and include thoughtful proposals, but no one bill addresses each of these four elements with this level of detail," Lofgren wrote. "I will soon introduce legislative text for a bill built on this framework for reform." As of Thursday evening, full text of the bill had not been made public, and even members who have been working on related legislation told Insider they have yet to see text. The House is voting for just 3 days next week, leaving little time for members to consider the new legislation. The last-minute push to pass a congressional stock trading ban comes after months of members pressuring leadership to act, as well as Insider's "Conflicted Congress" investigation, which has found dozens of members of Congress in violation of the STOCK Act and spurred broad calls for reform. Several prominent proponents of a stock trading ban recently told Insider that they'd been largely left out of Democratic leadership's legislative plans. "I'm concerned about the lack of detail as to what is being planned," said Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois. "The clock is winding down here pretty fast." "I'm not unreasonable on this, I just don't want to play games," said Spanberger. "And let's not pretend." "We have not heard exactly what's happening," said Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington. "I can't say I'm confident." Meanwhile, Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley told Insider last week that the Senate version of a stock trading ban is unlikely to come until after the midterm elections in November, although the senator continues to engage with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on the topic. Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON The House voted 229-203 on Wednesday to pass a bill aimed at preventing future election subversion, inspired by the investigation into Jan. 6 and a determination to prevent such an attack from occurring again. The Presidential Election Reform Act was written and introduced earlier this week by Reps. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., and Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., two members of the Jan. 6 select committee. The bill would amend the 1887 Electoral Count Act to remove any doubt that the vice president's role in counting Electoral College votes is simply ministerial. It would lift the threshold for members of Congress to force a vote on discounting presidential electors from just one member of the House and the Senate each to one-third of both chambers. And it would require governors to send electors to Congress for the candidate who won, based on state law set before Election Day, which cannot be retroactively changed. Democrats unanimously supported the bill and were joined by just nine Republicans; 203 Republicans voted no. The nine GOP yes votes came from Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington, Chris Jacobs of New York, John Katko of New York, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Peter Meijer of Michigan, Tom Rice of South Carolina and Fred Upton of Michigan. All nine are retiring from Congress or lost their primaries. Cheney, who has lost favor in her party for her sharp criticism of former President Donald Trump and participation in the Jan. 6 committee, had urged fellow Republicans to support the measure. "If your aim is to prevent future efforts to steal elections, I would respectfully suggest that conservatives should support this bill," Cheney said on the floor. "If instead, your aim is to leave open the door for elections to be stolen in the future, you might decide not to support this or any other bill to address the Electoral Count Act." House Republican leaders pressured their members to vote against the bill. In an email to Republican offices, they called it "the Democrats latest attempt at a federal takeover of elections." Story continues Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., who chairs the Jan. 6 committee, called GOP opposition to the bill sad. Im not surprised at anything they do. Its unfortunate. Because we are a better country than what we saw on Jan. 6, he said. The legislation now goes to the Senate, where a bipartisan group led by Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, has spent months working on a similar bill that will be reviewed by the Senate Rules Committee next Tuesday. It currently has 20 co-sponsors 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats, enough to reach the 60-vote threshold to pass if Democrats unify behind it. The Senate bill includes some differences. For instance, the threshold to vote on an objection is one-fifth, rather than one-third in the House-passed bill. The House bill also allows candidates to sue in federal court to enforce the lawful certification, which numerous Senate Republicans say is a nonstarter. I think once people get an opportunity to see what our bill encompasses versus the Senate bill, I think youd see people moving to our side, Thompson told reporters. Collins said she has issues with the House legislation, including on the objection threshold. Theres some misunderstandings by the House of what certain provisions, such as the definition of a failed election, would actually do, she said. But she remained optimistic that they can resolve the issues. I dont think were as far apart as the House is portraying it, she added. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., chair of the Senate Rules Committee, told NBC News she's "very proud" of the Senate legislation. She said she has been texting and speaking with Lofgren about the way forward and we all have a common goal of passing a bill by the end of the year. "As you know, it's harder to pass things in the Senate. We basically have a 60-vote threshold in place. I would change that, but that's what we have," Klobuchar said in an interview. "And the fact that we came together like this is very important." Klobuchar said she and Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., the ranking member of the committee, are working on getting "consensus on some additional changes to the bill ... some of which are in the House bill." Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., said Wednesday he would support the election bill if it stays narrow and "addresses the issues that I know they were specifically looking at fixing." He said it must not include additional items like federal voting rights measures. "My understanding is they really tried to narrow it to just those things that apply specifically to the Electoral Count Act and those particular areas of it that have been problematic," Thune said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com WASHINGTON The House passed a package of police funding and public safety bills Thursday, legislation that will help vulnerable Democrats blunt GOP campaign attacks that they want to defund the police and are ignoring rising crime. The legislative package "made very clear that we get the backs of law enforcement ... [that] we need to invest not defund to protect our communities and protect our officers," said moderate Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., who is being targeted by Republicans this fall and negotiated the package with top progressives and Congressional Black Caucus leaders. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (John Minchillo / AP file) Four policing and safety bills were passed after some last-minute intraparty drama earlier in the day. Even though the package had been negotiated by Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., others on the left had threatened to vote down the rule governing floor debate on the legislation. Had they followed through, it would have derailed the entire package and dealt Democrats an embarrassing blow on a major campaign issue before the midterms. After a two-hour delay, the rule passed 216-215, but not before a handful of progressives took aim at Gottheimers bill to provide funding for small police departments. Progressives said they wanted more police accountability measures before they sent departments more money, and they objected that Gottheimers bill did not go through a committee before leadership brought it to the floor for a vote. I fundamentally reject the timing of the bill, and I will be voting no on the Gottheimer bill, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., a member of the band of progressive Democrats known as the squad, said before the final votes. All four bills were written by moderate Democrats in competitive races this November. The Gottheimer bill, which easily passed 360-64, would provide grants to police departments with fewer than 125 sworn officers. Another measure, sponsored by Rep. Katie Porter of California, passed 223-206; it would provide grants for mental health professionals and other resources. Story continues The two other bills were written by Congressional Black Caucus members. The first, by Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, which passed 220-207, would fund nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations that work to reduce crime. The other, by Rep. Val Demings of Florida, who is trying to unseat GOP Sen. Marco Rubio in November, would give police grants to help solve gun crimes. It passed 250-178. Were not the defund party, and hardly anybody in our party believes defund, said Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. The Republicans, of course, dont care about the facts they know its a lie. We fund the police, and they dont. But he also added: We want performance and accountability. The agreement on the policing package came after months of difficult negotiations between Gottheimer, a co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, and Congressional Black Caucus leaders, including Chair Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, and Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries of New York, as well as Omar, a Black Caucus member who is also part of the squad. Omar, who represents the Minneapolis district where police killed George Floyd in 2020, said the policing bills create a path for our communities to be safe and feel safe. "We are proud of the work that we have been able to do here collectively as Democrats with different ideologies," she told reporters. "And I think this is a beginning of hopefully a process that we can continue to engage in." But it is unclear what happens to the package now. While there is Senate support for some of the bills, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has no plans to bring a policing package to the floor before the Nov. 8 midterm election. Jayapal said: "If we could control the Senate, things would look very different." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Fans of HoYoverse games Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, and Tears of Themis will get the chance to celebrate in themed collab cafes in Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian countries for HoYo Fest 2022. (Photo: HoYoverse) HoYoverse, the developer behind smash-hit Genshin Impact, has announced its lineup of events for Hoyo Fest 2022 in Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian countries from 28 September to 6 November. HoYo Fest is an annual live event hosted by HoYoverse across the world to celebrating its games and their communities. Fans of HoYoverse games like Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, and Tears of Themis in Southeast Asia will get the chance to enjoy collab cafes, special themed set meals, exclusive merchandise, and more. Here's the full list of HoYo Fest locations for Southeast Asia: Singapore: Flipper's@ Bugis Junction Philippines: Moon Rabbit Cafe +Restaurant (Manila) Malaysia: La JuiceriaSuperfoods Signature (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) Thailand: The KROSS (Bangkok) Indonesia:.TEMU (M Bloc, Jakarta) Vietnam: EE EARTH Coffee (Hanoi) Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, and Tears of Themis will each get their own time in the HoYo Fest spotlight. HoYo Fest will start with a Genshin Impact theme for Travelers to enjoy from 28 September to 9 October, followed by Tears of Themis in certain countries from 12 to 23 October. Captains can then take in the Honkai Impact 3rd theme from October 26 to November 6. Much like the previous HoYo Fest, fans can expect to see themed decor and music to create an immersive atmosphere of their favorite HoYoverse games as well as dedicated photo zones. The menu will also include special set meals, and exclusive merchandise will be made available. The exclusive merchandise will include solo and group chibi acrylic stands as well as chibi PVC magnets of Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, and Tears of Themis characters. Any purchase of the two will include a HoYo Fest key visual postcard and paper bag. An additional themed HoYo Fest A5 folder will also be given for purchases amounting to SGD20, PHP800, and RM65 or more. Merchandise price list for HoYo Fest 2022 in Singapore. (Photo: HoYoverse) Here's the price list for the HoYo Fest exclusive merchandise: Story continues Solo Chibi Acrylic Stand (Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis): SGD7, PHP285, RM22 Group Chibi Acrylic Stand (Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis): SGD10, PHP400, RM32 Chibi PVC Magnet (Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd,Tears of Themis): SGD5, PHP210, RM17 For more information about the locations, themed set meals and merchandise, check out the official HoYofest website. Fans of HoYoverse games can celebrate together, meet new friends, or bring their own to enjoy the ambience and festivities in HoYo Fest 2022. Yan Ku is a full-time dog parent, part-time (gacha) gamer, and part-time writer. If you like Genshin Impact and would like to know more about the game, the characters, the mechanics, and even the lore, check our our Genshin Impact page. From character builds and weapon recommendations, to how the pity system works, to diving deep into the story of the Genshin Impact universe, we've got you covered. For more gaming news updates, visit https://yhoo.it/YahooGamingSEA. Also follow us on Twitter, as well as our Gaming channel on YouTube, and check out Yahoo Esports Southeast Asias Facebook page! Khayri McLean was fatally stabbed outside his school in Huddersfield. (SWNS) A 15-year-old boy stabbed to death in Huddersfield has been named locally as Khayri McLean. The teenager was involved in a fight in Woodhouse Hill at 2.45pm on Wednesday, close to the entrance of North Huddersfield Trust School. McLean was treated at the scene before being taken to Leeds General Infirmary for emergency surgery, but he was pronounced dead a short time later. Khayri McLean, 15, with girlfriend Shyana James, 16. (SWNS) His girlfriend, Shyana James, 16, revealed that Khayri had been on his way home to change clothes and then meet her when he was attacked. She said she was at a loss to comprehend why the 'senseless' killing took place. Police cordon and floral tributes near the scene in Woodhouse Hill, Huddersfield, where Khayri McLean was stabbed and later died. (PA) Being comforted by her mother close to the murder scene, she said: "He was the best person ever. He would drop anything for you and he'd do absolutely anything for anyone. "I spoke to him at 2.52 yesterday and he was saying he'd had a good day and couldn't wait to see me later. "He was going home to get changed then he was going to come to mine. People grieve and lay flowers at the scene where Kharyi McLean was stabbed. (SWNS) "He was the love of my life. We were talking about our future the other day. "He was just the best person I knew." West Yorkshire Police confirmed an arrest this morning, saying in a statement: "The youth was arrested at an address in Huddersfield shortly before 5am this morning in connection with the incident in Woodhouse Hill, Fartown, yesterday afternoon. A mourner is comforted as she attends the scene of the stabbing in Huddersfield. (SWNS) Tributes have been left at the scene of the stabbing outside the school in Huddersfield. (SWNS) "He remains in custody and enquiries are ongoing led by detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team." One parent whose son goes to the school spoke of his horror at hearing about the incident. He told YorkshireLive: "It was a scary moment when I heard there had been trouble and a teacher answered my 14-years-old sons phone. "I understand he may have witnessed some of what happened at about 3.15pm. I was asked by staff to come and collect him. Ive heard that it all came out of nowhere." Police stand guard near the scene of the attack outside North Huddersfield Trust School. (PA) Flowers have been laid at the scene of the stabbing. (PA) Shyana, who has set up a fundraising page to help Khayri's family cover the cost of a funeral, was comforted by her mum, Sherrin, 33, as she visited the scene on Thursday wearing her Khayri's coat. Story continues Sherrin said: "They were inseparable. He was always round mine and I'd drop him off at home after. "He was a good boy, really quiet. He'd do anything for anybody ever. "We have no idea what's provoked this, we're at a loss to understand why it's happened. We just do not know. "There was quite a lot of kids that saw it." A GoFundMe page set up by Shyana has reached 300 in just three hours. Friends and classmates paid tribute to Khayri, while his school has also released a statement after the tragedy. Charley Burrows wrote on Facebook: "Ive no words. Just horrific. My thoughts and prayers go out to his Mum and his family. Rest in Peace Khayri." Mourners have been going to Woodhouse Hill today where Khayri was attacked to lay flowers and tributes. Lucy Smith wrote on a tribute: "A child taken, a family crushed. We breathe, despair, and mourn." Sophie Vanessa said: "I cant imagine saying goodbye to my child in the morning and then after school they have been murdered. Im lost for words. This hurts. RIP Khayri." The victim was treated at the scene and taken to Leeds General Infirmary for emergency surgery. (Reach) Andrew Fell, head of North Huddersfield Trust School, said the incident was "truly shocking", and they opened the school at 10.30 this morning "only to students who need support". He added in a statement: I would urge everyone not to engage in speculation about possible causes or perpetrators and allow the police to make their enquiries... Our deepest sympathies go out to the pupils family and friends who must feel, as we do, completely devastated. They have lost a loved one and we have lost a wonderful student from our school community. Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Marc Bowes said that police have identified a number of witnesses to the incident. The attack took place outside North Huddersfield Trust School. (PA) Our investigation is still at a very early stage, and we will be carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident that has resulted in the absolutely senseless loss of a young life, he said. We recognise that an incident of this nature will cause understandable shock and concern in the community, and we are working closely alongside our colleagues at Kirklees District who are increasing their presence in the area to reassure people and keep them updated as our investigation progresses. We have already identified a number of witnesses to the incident itself but would still like to hear from anyone who has any information that could assist the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 or online quoting crime reference 13220521713. NEW YORK (AP) Joan Didion's precision with words extended even to ones she would never live to hear, such as those used during a small, private service this spring at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. She left very clear directions about what she wanted to happen at that service, the Very Rev. Patrick Malloy said Wednesday night, at the start of a memorial tribute at the Cathedral. She wanted it to be very brief and she specified the texts she wanted us to use, all from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, which is what you'd expect from an Episcopalian who wrote a book called A Book of Common Prayer." The texts she chose were remarkably dour, Malloy went on to explain, and they were not from the contemporary edition of the Book of Common Prayer, but from an older, more ornate printing. It was Didion's way of reminding everyone that the sounds of the words, and their rhythm, meant as much as the words themselves. Didion, a master of rhythm and of the meaning of the unsaid, was remembered Wednesday as an inspiring and fearless writer and valued, exacting and sometimes eccentric friend, the kind who didnt like to speak on the phone unless asked to or who might serve chocolate souffles at a childs birthday party because she didnt know how to bake a cake. Hundreds were presented with programs and laminated hand fans as they entered the Cathedral on a summer-ish late afternoon the first day of autumn where the scale of the building was too vast for the expense of air conditioning. Carl Bernstein, Donna Tartt and Fran Lebowitz were among those attending, along with relatives, friends and editors and other colleagues from The New Yorker and her last publishing house, Penguin Random House. Didion, who died last December at age 87, left behind no immediate family members: Her husband, fellow author and screenwriting partner John Gregory Dunne died in 2003, followed less than two years later by their only child, Quintana Roo. But the speakers did span much of her life, from Sacramento and Malibu in California to the Upper Side East of Manhattan, from her years as a child already preoccupied with language to her prime as an uncommonly astute observer of contemporary society to her time as an elder sage and prototype for younger authors. Story continues Retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, here in his capacity as a generational peer and a fellow Sacramento native, remembered Didion as a close friend of his older sister Nancy's and a frequent dinner guest. She was a gifted and pensive girl, cerebral beyond her years, who would think and write and think and write, all over again. Former California Governor Jerry Brown, speaking via a taped video feed, also shared Sacramento memories and of Didion as a college friend of his sister's. She and Joan would share a smoke together and talk about the novels they were reading, he said. Years later, my sister's most vivid memory was of Joan coming down for breakfast in a pink chenille robe, drinking a cup of coffee and smoking cigarettes. Calvin Trillin read from Didions biting coverage of the 1988 political conventions, when she famously observed that in high school she preferred being around people who hung out at gas stations a setting not otherwise invoked during a ceremony more populated by stories of parties, literary craft and the Rolling Stones. Vanessa Redgrave, her white hair tied in back and otherwise covered by a dark fedora, read from Didions celebrated memoir about grief, The Year of Magical Thinking, which Redgrave years ago had performed on stage as Didion sat in the wings for every show. Didions longtime friend and fellow author Susanna Moore distilled decades of conversation into a few of Didion's aphorisms: Evil is the absence of seriousness. Crazy is never interesting." I would drop this whole idea of knowing the truth. Actor Susan Traylor, a childhood friend of Roo's, spoke of feeling homesick while spending Christmas in Hawaii with the Didions. Without raising the issue she (Joan Didion) reached out and stroked my head, Traylor recalled. 'What you should know is that your mother told me that the reason she let you miss Christmas at home is she thought it would be good for you to know you could do it without her.' And I was fine. The show began with reflections on the Book of Common Prayer, and ended in secular scripture, Patti Smith performing Bob Dylan's Chimes of Freedom. Backed by Tony Shanahan on acoustic guitar, Smith sang at a piercing, steady clip, as if mimicking the cadence of Didions prose. _____ Tolling for the aching ones whose wounds cannot be nursed For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones and worse And for every hung-up person in the whole wide universe And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashin ____ Smith repeated the last line, but changed we to she. She ended with a single, spoken word: Joan. BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) Hungary's governing party said Thursday it wants to poll the country's citizens on whether they support European Union sanctions imposed against Russia over its war in Ukraine. Fidesz plans to call for a national consultation on energy sanctions which he said had been decided on by the EUs Brussels elite," the party's caucus leader, Mate Kocsis, said at a news conference Thursday following a closed-door meeting. The sanctions are causing harm. They are destroying Europes economy," Kocsis said. We have to convince European decision-makers, the members of the elite, that they shouldn't maintain the energy sanctions because big problems will come out if it. The poll, which the government calls a national consultation, is an informal survey available to every adult in Hungary which can be returned by mail or filled out online. Such surveys, issued several times by the governments of nationalist-populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban since he came to power in 2010, have been criticized by pollsters and opposition parties for containing biased and leading questions, and for having no binding legal relevance. In the news conference, Kocsis acknowledged that the consultation is a political tool which the government can use in its debates with the EU over whether to extend or impose further sanctions against Russia. He said the government would decide on the timing of the survey. Hungary's government has vocally opposed EU sanctions against Moscow, arguing they were doing more damage to European economies than to Russia. Budapest has also refused to supply neighboring Ukraine with weapons, or to allow their transfer across its border with the embattled country. Pro-government newspaper Magyar Nemzet on Wednesday reported that Orban who has for years nurtured a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin had told the Fidesz conference that sanctions against Russia should be scrapped, and that doing so would curb inflation and cut gas prices in half. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Crypto exchange Huobi Globals Hong Kong-listed parent, Huobi Technology Holdings, is proposing renaming the group to New Huo Technology Holdings Limited, while its sister company, the crypto exchange Huobi Global, is reportedly seeking a buyer for the majority of its company. See related article: Huobi-incubated Chinese NFT platform iBox ends international operations Fast facts The name change will provide the company with a fresh corporate image and identity while helping with developing business, a spokesperson for Huobi Technology said. Shareholders will be asked to vote on the proposed name change in a meeting on Oct. 13. In August, the sister company of Huobi Technology, the crypto exchange Huobi Global, was reportedly looking to sell a 60% stake in the company that would value the business at US$3 billion. However, the founders of FTX and Tron, speculated as potential buyers, denied making a bid. Besides sharing the name and the founder, there is no relation between between Huobi Technology and Huobi Global, the latters spokesperson said. Huobi Technology is the smaller of the two, focusing on over-the-counter trading, asset management fund and custody services for institutional clients, the spokesperson said. Huobi Global did not offer a comment on reports of a stake sale. After the crypto ban, Huobi Global left China to pursue international opportunities. But the firm is facing a regulatory backlash in Southeast Asia, with Thailands SEC confiscating the exchanges license and Malaysian regulators discussing with Huobi the possibility of being placed on an investor warning list. See related article: Huobi is third global exchange to sign with S.Koreas Busan Updates with comments from Huobi Technology Hurricane Fionas destructive path has curved eastward, heading toward Bermuda and posing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions for the U.S. East Coast and Atlantic Canada. But it has already left behind devastation in Puerto Rico, where much of the island is still without power or access to clean water. Torrential rain from the hurricane which made landfall on Sunday caused historic flooding and many residents had to evacuate or be rescued after being trapped inside their homes. Now shelters are taking in hundreds of people. In Salinas, a town in the southern part of Puerto Rico that was one of the hardest hit areas of the island, volunteers with Project HOPEs emergency response teams are stationed at the Escuela Superior Carlos Colon shelter. About 200 people were displaced at this location as of Wednesday. A volunteer with Project HOPE at a facility in Salinas, P.R. (Sasha Flores for Project HOPE) We still dont have water or power. So right now, some of the buildings, some of the places are running with generators, Sasha Flores, a member of the response team, told Yahoo News. Basically, its a lot of the elderly population and there also, the shelter was accepting animals. At the beginning, they had, like, 400 [people]. Right now they have 200, and animals are also accepted there. Project HOPE volunteers like Flores are evaluating and responding to health needs as well as securing medical supplies and PPE for those residing at the shelters. They are also working with partners to gather water and sanitation and hygiene supplies, which they are able to mobilize with the help of donations. They are among several organizations accepting donations to help those in need. Flores said she and her husband, who is a doctor, moved from Mexico to Puerto Rico and were present when Hurricane Maria a Category 5 storm that left about 3,000 people dead struck the island almost exactly five years ago. A view of Salinas in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona. (Sasha Flores for Project HOPE) Floress colleague, Gustavo Pagan, grew up in Puerto Rico and also deployed his volunteer services after Maria hit. He quipped that they earned a diploma from responding to that storm, the last major one to hit the island. It has helped them prepare for Fiona. Story continues We went blackout for us and personally, I went out of power for eight months in a row, Pagan told Yahoo News. With the remembrance of Hurricane Maria, we got Fiona. So everybody's like talking about mental health and those type of changes in life. Thats a major part of the volunteers jobs: providing services for mental health and psychosocial support for those who need it. Hurricane Fiona breached Puerto Rico as a Category 1 storm, with wind speeds between 74 mph and 95 mph, on Sept. 18 and left rainfall of up to 31 inches in some parts of the island, according to the National Weather Service and Accuweather. It left 1.2 million people without energy on Tuesday. As of Thursday, approximately a million people were still without power. Gustavo Pagan of Project HOPE delivers supplies in the community of La Calzada after Hurricane Fiona struck. (Sasha Flores for Project HOPE) Blame has shifted toward Luma Energy, the company contracted to fix Puerto Ricos outdated power grid. New York Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday called for a federal probe to investigate the energy provider as residents continue to endure frequent outages and high electrical rates. In August, Puerto Ricos governor, Pedro Pierluisi, distanced himself from the private company that his administration hired in 2021 to handle the U.S. territorys power transmission because of power outages happening well before the storm. I am not satisfied with the performance of Luma, said Pierluisi, who previously had praised the company. It is obvious to me that you have to make changes to your execution plan to significantly improve the service you are offering our people. The company tweeted on Wednesday, as interpreted by Google Translate, LUMA and all our collaborators will not rest until all clients have electricity service and the electrical network is reenergized. It also stated that crews are working around the clock to restore power despite unstable conditions. Queremos compartir las condiciones inestables que nuestros equipos enfrentan mientras trabajan dia y noche para restablecer el servicio electrico a traves de Puerto Rico tras los danos devastadores provocados por el huracan #Fiona. pic.twitter.com/s6m317lDFy LUMA Puerto Rico (@lumaenergypr) September 21, 2022 At a Federal Emergency Management Agency briefing in New York on Thursday, President Biden announced he's authorized 100% federal funding for debris removal, search and rescue, power and water restoration, shelter and food, for the whole month for Puerto Rico, and told Pierluisi that he can call him directly at any time. And, to the people of Puerto Rico, he added: We are with you, we are not going to walk away, we mean it. Biden with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Project HOPE has also deployed an emergency response team to the Dominican Republic after Fiona struck on Monday, causing flooding, mudslides and damaged power lines. There, around 1 million people lost access to running water and about 700,000 homes and businesses had no power. Through Project HOPE, Pagan has responded to disasters all over the world, including Mozambique. Closer to America, the nonprofit has provided aid for multiple disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean, including the 2021 earthquake in Haiti, Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas in 2021, Hurricanes Eta and Iota in Central America in 2020, and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017, according to the organization. For Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, Flores and Pagan said the best way people can help is by donating directly to Project HOPEs Fiona crisis response. We are identifying the needs that we have, Flores said, so we can also provide, with your support, to the rest of the population in Puerto Rico. BTS label HYBE issued a statement on Wednesday agreeing to front the bill for the upcoming Yet To Come concert in Busan, South Korea. The concert was already being partly paid for by corporate sponsors and streaming advertisements, but now the Seoul-based label has said they will pay for the concert. A significant portion of the cost [of the Yet To Come concert] will be covered by corporate sponsorships, online streaming advertisements and THE CITY subsidiary enterprise, among others. In addition, it was also decided that HYBE will personally cover for the remaining expenses that cannot be covered by these measures, Hybe said in a statement given to NME. HYBE emphasized that they have participated in national events before without consideration of cost. They added that the BTS members will perform without pay to fulfill their own wishes of performing a free concert for their fans. The label has acknowledged that the government may not have the fiscal means to pay for such a large event, and that the budget would have primarily drawn from taxpayers. More from NextShark: Customer Gives $1,000 Tip to Chinese Restaurant in Kentucky Before Closing to Diners HYBE, however, considers the concert an important opportunity for BTS to represent Busan and South Korea. They said they recognize Busan is an underdog in the competition to host the 2030 World Expo. HYBE and BTS are proud to contribute to the country, the label said. They added, Through this concert, HYBE and BTS want to make Busan a place that the world puts a spotlight on. Initial reports of HYBE paying for the concert was upsetting to BTS fans who thought the city of Busan had pressured the label into doing so. The event also received backlash after its original intended venue was deemed a significant safety hazard and ill-equipped to host such a large-scale event. BTS Busan concert was relocated to Asiad Main Stadium, which can accommodate 60,000 attendees. More from NextShark: China warns US of 'consequences' if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan Additionally, Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon issued a formal proposal last month for BTS to be allowed to fulfill an alternative service instead of their mandatory military duties, imploring that the K-pop act should instead become public relations ambassadors for Busan to promote the expo. Story continues Featured Image via HyundaiWorldwide More from NextShark: Minnesota's First Asian American GOP Chairwoman Defends Trump's Use of 'China Virus' Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Mother of Three Feels Vulnerable After Being Repeatedly Targeted by BB Gun Shooter in San Leandro Raphael Grossi On Twitter, Kuleba revealed the discussions revolved around ways to restore security at the ZNPP and stressed that Russia must withdraw its troops and specialists from the plant, and return it to Ukrainian control. Prior to his meeting with Kuleba, Grossi also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Grossi tweeted that the foreign ministers of several countries were discussing the "immediate establishment of a nuclear safety zone" around the ZNPP on Sept. 21. The meeting was also attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, EU diplomat Josep Borrell, and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. During a press briefing following the meeting, the IAEA Director General said he hoped to travel to Ukraine and Russia soon to speed up security talks, and stressed that a decision must be made as soon as possible. According to Grossi, issues such as the radius of the nuclear safety zone and the role of IAEA staff are also being discussed. Read also: IAEA calls for security protection zone around Zaporizhzhia NPP PM Shmyhal added that the IAEA was planning to increase its permanent mission staff at the occupied plant. A delegation of 14 IAEA experts arrived at Russia-occupied ZNPP on Sept. 1. After spending several hours at the facility, part of the delegation departed. Two agency experts remain at the power plant, monitoring the situation. Grossi later said the agency will have a permanent presence at ZNPP. IAEA presented its report on the situation at the ZNPP on Sept. 6, and indicated that there is an acute need for temporary measures to ensure the nuclear safety of the facility, including establishing a secure zone around the power plant. The ZNPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, and has been occupied by Russian forces since March 4. Several ZNPP facilities have been damaged by Russian shelling, and the station's employees are captives of the occupying troops. Read also: 500 Russian soldiers stationed at occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP, says Zelenskyy The Kremlin uses the facility as cover for its forces, as Ukraine cant return fire for the risk of causing a nuclear calamity. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine An Idaho man on Wednesday pleaded guilty in court to a hate crime and making false statements to FBI agents after being charged for participating in an assault on a Black man at a Lynnwood bar in December 2018, according to a release from Nick Brown, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington. Jason Stanley, 46, admitted in court that he was a member of a white supremacist group when the assault occurred. The defendant, a known white supremacist, singled out and attacked a Black man because of his race violent, hate-driven conduct that has no place in our society today, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division. Mr. Stanley and the other subjects in this case attacked and injured the victim based on his race, said Special Agent in Charge Richard A. Collodi of the FBI Seattle Field Office. Until all citizens in Washington state feel safe from threats and violence based on their race, ethnicity, gender or beliefs, the FBI will continue our commitment to investigating federal hate crimes and protecting civil rights. Officials said on the day of the assault, Stanley entered the bar with others and fellow group members. Stanley is said to have worn clothing and patches indicating that he belonged to the white supremacist group, and repeatedly gave Nazi salutes while inside the bar. While inside the bar, Stanley assaulted the Black man who was the disc jockey, and believed the man was acting disrespectful to members of the group. Officials said Stanley and others punched, kicked and stomped on the man and called him racial slurs. The man suffered bodily injuries due to the attack. Two bystanders who tried to help the man and stop the assault were also assaulted by the members and injured, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Washington. During an FBI investigation, Stanley claimed he was not in Washington during the assault. Stanley is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 6, 2023. He could face up to 10 years in prison for the hate crime and up to five years for making a false statement. US nonprofit GRID Alternatives launches new projects to provide renewable energy Northampton, MA --News Direct-- Illumina As part of Illuminas long-term commitment to sustainability, the Illumina Corporate Foundation made a one-year, $500,000 grant to support GRID Alternatives (Generating Renewable Ideas and Development Alternatives), a nonprofit committed to increasing access to renewable energy and training people for clean energy jobs. The grant, made this past summer, is supporting new projects near Illuminas US locations, which include Washington, D.C., Wisconsin, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego. Through these projects, GRID Alternatives provides energy independence for tribal members in these regions; clean, low-cost energy for low-income homeowners; and job training. As part of the program, about 75 families total will receive solar systems. In addition, GRID will provide 4,500 hours of job training. Recently, GRID Alternatives released an interim stewardship report, highlighting how the grant is boosting solar energy production and job training and the many people who are benefiting. GRID Makes the Grade Despite continuing COVID-19 outbreaks and supply chain disruptions, GRID Alternatives has made enormous progress. Since November 2021, the organization has helped reduce carbon emissions by 6,568 tonsthe equivalent of 24 million pounds of coal. In San Diego and the Bay Area, the organizations solar projects will save families around $2.7 million over their systems lifetimes. In San Diego, GRID has installed 39 batteries, which provide energy storage outside the power grid. Recipients with battery-supplemented systems can also access solar-generated electricity during power outages caused during heat waves, high winds, and wildfires. To reach President Bidens goal of producing 100% clean electricity by 2035, the solar industry will need around 900,000 workers. GRID is now expanding its Bay Area training facility, which provides hands-on experience for more than 325 people each year. Story continues The grant is also expanding job training in San Diego and the Solar Works DC program in the nations capital. These two offices have trained 93 people so far. With Illuminas support, we have been able to continue bridging access gaps in the renewable energy industry, decreasing energy bills for homeowners across the country, increasing energy sovereignty on Tribal lands, and providing hands-on job training experience to our communities of concern, said the report. Illuminas Climate Action At Illumina, we have integrated our sustainability goals into our giving strategy, acknowledging that often the most vulnerable populations in the world are being impacted the most by climate change despite having contributed the least to the climate crisis, says Sharon Vidal, senior director of Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability. There is tremendous opportunity for innovation, collaboration, and community engagement to collectively make an impact and protect our communities and the planet. The grant to GRID Alternatives is part of Illuminas climate action strategy, which includes a target to contribute $20 million to sustainability initiatives and other programs to decarbonize the world by 2030. In reducing emissions related to its own operations and value chain, Illumina was one of the first companies in the world to receive approval for its net-zero targets from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). To learn more about how Illumina is integrating environmental sustainability, click here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Illumina on 3blmedia.com View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/illumina-grant-boosts-climate-action-and-job-training-364661921 Entrepreneur Marcus Gram risked it all to find success. And, fortunately, it paid off. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AfroTech (@afro.tech) As AfroTech just told you, Gram is making a major splash in the vending business industry through Joyner Vending. Before stepping into the industry, he was earning $30,000 per year as a music producer. Now, his vending machine business is projected to bring in $500,000 this year alone, thanks to 23 vending machines across seven states including Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Michigan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marcus Gram | TMC (@iambrother_gram) And, it all started with a spirit of determination to beat the odds to give himself and his family a better life. I just told myself, the worst thing that could happen is I could go right back to where I spent my whole life, which is in poverty, but if I win, I will be able to change my life and my familys life forever. So, it was a no-brainer for me. I was willing to lose everything to try to be successful, Gram told AfroTech in an exclusive interview. Gram continues to secure more and more victories bringing him closer to his desires to ensure his family will be set for life. Most recently, Gram revealed on Twitter a company had reached out to Joyner Vending as they were looking to place 10 to 16 vending machines in college dorms. I got the call Ive been wanting, Gram said via Twitter. A college wants my company to place vending machines on their campus. 10-16 machines in their dorms. Im really about to retire in like a year. I got the call Ive been wanting. A college wants my company to place vending machines on their campus. 10-16 machines in their dorms. Im really about to retire in like a year Marcus Gram | Vending Machine Expert (@brothergram) September 9, 2022 Nearly two weeks after the initial call, Gram officially locked in the deal. Story continues We did it!! I locked down the college location. This is the biggest contract Ive ever gotten. I am so hype right now. Marcus Gram | Vending Machine Expert (@brothergram) September 21, 2022 Within the next 30 days, eight to 16 vending machines will be placed at a Pennsylvania university. Before this deal, Gram revealed the most vending machines he had placed under a contract had been four. This win will help to support his sister, who manages and maintains the business across Delaware, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marcus Gram | TMC (@iambrother_gram) As for himself, Gram still hopes to retire, but that wont happen until he retires his mother first. This is less important for me and more important for the people I love. My big sister, Im just excited about being able to pay her even more. My goal this next year is to pay her six figures. Then, just creating even more opportunities for people in my family. Primarily my goal is to retire my mother before I even retire myself, Gram said to AfroTech. Tables with various voting information at the Monroe County Courthouse seen on Sept. 14, 2022, during the We Are Hoosiers: A Vigil for Reproductive Freedom demonstration before the near total abortion ban went into effect on Sept. 15, 2022. One day before Indiana's controversial legislation restricting people's eligibility and access to abortions was to take effect, a hundred people gathered at the Monroe County Courthouse for an abortion rights vigil. Some keynote speakers spoke of their sadness and exhaustion over the news. Others spoke with fervor and fire in their voice, demanding a change. But in all the speeches, they shared one clear message: Everyone needs to register to vote. Semhar Araya, vice president of Indiana University's chapter of the NAACP and a keynote speaker at the vigil, spoke about how an effective way to use your voice in the United States is to participate in local elections. FOR SUBSCRIBERS:Monroe County judge will decide if Indiana's new anti-abortion law will stand "Don't let this be the end of our fight," Araya said. "We know that we need representation. I feel like we do not have representatives that represented what we think." Do college students vote? Historically, college students have been notably absent at polling locations across the nation. This is especially ironic for those enrolled at Indiana University's Bloomington campus, given the size of the student population, according to IU student David Wolfe Bender. "Right now, we're not in the room. There is no student on the city council. There are very few students serving on boards and commissions. Right now, in our city, decisions are not being made by us, despite the fact that half of our city's population is made up of IU students," Wolfe Bender said. Some people have argued students' significant lack of voting effort leads to less candidates whose platforms align with those students' values getting elected. Indiana abortion law:Mourning the dawn of new restrictions, protesters gather at Monroe County Courthouse "Democracies are not self-sustaining. The people who live in them have to sustain them," IU emeritus professor of political science Marjorie Hershey explained. "There's been too much effort and too many lives over time to risk having this democracy fade away because of inattention and lack of vigilance." Story continues "I Voted Today!" stickers at the vote center for Bloomington precincts 3, 7, and 22 as well as Perry precincts 6, 8, 15 and 31 on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Bloomington college students don't turn out in the polls, are less represented While young people bear the stereotype of not participating in elections nationwide, college students still can be motivated to show up at the polls. In the 2020 general election, IU student turnout increased by nearly 22% from 2016, going beyond the 13% increase seen on universities nationwide. However, given that 2020 was a presidential election, it is more likely an exception than the new norm. That notion seems to be backed up by local turnout in the May primary elections. The Bloomington 7 precinct, which covers a campus dormitory and many greek houses, has around 1,200 registered voters. Despite this, only three people voted there during the 2022 primary election. At the Bloomington 5 precinct, which covers many dorms including Wright Quad, only 15 voters showed up to the polls. "We have got to do better," Natalia Galvan, president of Monroe County's chapter of the National Organization for Women, said. Column:Despite pandemic, IU student voting shattered records in 2020 Monroe County NOW has partnered with several local organizations, including both IU and Monroe County chapters of the NAACP, IU Student Government and others, in a new campaign titled, "Vote where you sleep," which will try to reach and resonate with Bloomington's younger residents. "A lot of students here are either not from Indiana or not from Bloomington, and a lot of people don't understand the value of voting locally," Galvan said. "So not only are we trying to get them to register to vote, but we're trying to get them to understand that they're not temporary residents. They're full-time residents." Wolfe Bender, IU Student Governments director of city relations, noted students should have more of a presence in town as one of the largest population sects in Bloomington. "I encourage students to really think about the fact that they spend most of their time here in Bloomington. Bloomington is their home for the next four years. Their daily life is really affected by the policies that we see enacted at the local city, county and state level," Wolfe Bender said. "I think if students put a little bit more thought into how their daily lives look, then they might see how those tangible city policies could really matter to them." Wolfe Bender gives the examples of public transportation, street design and upkeep, and housing affordability as key issues that students should have a vested interest in having their perspective heard. Campaign organizers say they will try to reach students on and off campus by partnering with other student organizations and nearby businesses, such as those on Kirkwood Avenue, to host signage urging people to vote. According to Galvan, the posters will have QR codes that link to voter education materials. Galvan said they also have an early partnership with Bloomington Transit that will secure micro-transit methods for people to be driven to their polling location. Galvan and Wolfe Bender both noted their organizations will participate in many upcoming events to meet students where they already are. They hope this campaign will inspire students to vote locally. Megan Huey fits the demographic of this campaign's intended audience. She's a freshman at IU who hails from Missouri. She voted for the first time with her mom in the spring primary election at St. Louis. Though she lives in Indiana as a college student now, she planned to vote in Missouri via absentee ballot. While noting abortion rights as one of her main issues of concern, she describes how Missouri is facing similar restrictions as Indiana. Current Missouri law outlaws abortion except in medical emergencies or when it's necessary to save the mother's life. Because she is more familiar with Missouri policymakers than Indiana's, Huey feels more connected to the legislation in her home state than her current residence. Since Indiana's Senate Bill 1, which banned abortions except in certain exceptions, Galvan noted she's seen a lot of college students becoming more engaged in local politics. But even if students do turn out and show up in droves to the polls, their impact might be undercut by recent partisan-led redistricting efforts. Statehouse is 'rigging' the election. Here's why your vote still matters Every 10 years, shortly following the census, U.S. states redraw boundaries of political districts in an effort to account for population shifts. While some states have their boundaries are drawn by independent commissions, most states, such as Indiana, have the maps drawn by the political party controlling the Statehouse. More:'The fix is in': Sharp criticism for GOP redistricting in Indiana, Bloomington Both political parties typically redraw their maps in order to weaken the power of their opposing party's voter pool. This common political tactic is known as gerrymandering, "which lets candidates choose their voters, rather than letting voters choose their candidates," Hershey said. "The partisan representatives want to help their party win. The best way you can do that is by rigging elections in advance, so that the districts are drawn in ways that favors electing your own party's candidates," Hershey said. There are two common methods of gerrymandering: packing and cracking. For the past 10 years, Indiana's Republican majority leaders "cracked" Monroe County, slicing it into several districts in the hope that the voters of the Democratic Party would be outnumbered by Republican voters. With this recent census, the state's Republican majority packed Bloomington into a small, tight district. In a "packed" district, the leaders try to squeeze as many voters of the other party as possible into one district. While the minority party will win one district by a much bigger percentage (such as 85%) than it needs, it limits the minority party's votes in surrounding districts. "That's satisfying, but it's a bad idea because it ended up with about 30% more voters voting for it than it needed," Hershey said. "If it could take those 30% other voters and scatter them into the other districts around, those other districts might be more competitive." According to an analysis by Princeton University, Indiana has no competitive districts for U.S. Congress. Election forecaster FiveThirtyEight calculates that for the two U.S. House seats Indiana Democrats hold, they have a 91% and 97% chance of holding on to them; Republicans likelihood of holding on to their seven seats ranges between 94% and more than 99%. "If you can control the rules, you can control the outcome," Hershey said. "The rules come first. Everything else comes after that. As a result, a lot of people who are dissatisfied with politics now need to be aware of what the rules are that cause those policies." According to Hershey, eligible voters should not be disillusioned by the current system set in place. Instead, they should be more active in making their voices heard. "The best possible way to silence (someone) is to keep telling them 'Your vote doesn't count,'" Hershey said. "Granted, they have a lot of the cards in their hand, but they don't have all of them." A change in how policies are adopted can have surprising results. In Kansas, a state with a Republican-controlled legislature and deep ties to the anti-abortion movement, voters were allowed to weigh in on whether to accept a ballot measure that would extremely tighten or outright ban the abortion procedure. In an unexpected move, voters rejected the ballot measure, protecting abortion rights in the state. "It failed because of students turning out to vote. The students at their major state universities said that this is not appropriate. And they stood up and they showed up and they made their voices heard and abortion is going to be protected in Kansas for the time being," Wolfe Bender said. More:Bloomington family fights for transgender daughter amid bill banning her from girls' sports Being informed about how to vote and how your vote can be best utilized is important, Hershey emphasized. "It's important for people to realize that they have to figure out why is it that all these states that seem to have our pro-choice majority are passing anti-abortion laws. Well, it has to do with gerrymandering. It has to do with the turnout in primaries. It has to do with whether or not the state legislative election in your district has candidates from both parties, or just candidates from the dominant party," Hershey said. "Once you've figured that out, then you've got to act." How to vote in Indiana: Registration deadlines, methods To register in Indiana, a person must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old and have lived in the voting precinct at least 30 days before the election. You can register to vote by mail or in person, or online at indianavoters.in.gov. Residents can visit or mail the completed form to Monroe Countys voter registration office or the Indiana Election Division. The deadline to register is Tuesday, Oct. 11. If you are unsure whether you are registered to vote, you can check your status at indianavoters.in.gov. IU students have access to a separate portal at IU.TurboVote.org, which allows them to easily register to vote, update their voter registration and sign up for automatic notifications to alert them via text messaging when the polls open. Rachel Smith covers Indiana University and student life for The Herald-Times. Reach her at rksmith@heraldt.com or on Twitter @RachelSmithNews. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: After Indiana passes abortion ban, college students urged to vote The recent price decline of 16% in Induction Healthcare Group PLC's (LON:INHC) stock may have disappointed insiders who bought UK256k worth of shares at an average price of UK0.52 in the past 12 months. Insiders purchase with the hope of seeing their investments increase in value over time. However, due to recent losses, their initial investment is now only worth UK156k, which is not great. While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. See our latest analysis for Induction Healthcare Group Induction Healthcare Group Insider Transactions Over The Last Year In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Non-Executive Director Andrew Williams bought UK100k worth of shares at a price of UK0.52 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of UK0.32. Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. We always take careful note of the price insiders pay when purchasing shares. Generally speaking, it catches our eye when insiders have purchased shares at above current prices, as it suggests they believed the shares were worth buying, even at a higher price. In the last twelve months Induction Healthcare Group insiders were buying shares, but not selling. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Insider Ownership Of Induction Healthcare Group For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. It appears that Induction Healthcare Group insiders own 24% of the company, worth about UK7.0m. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders. Story continues So What Do The Induction Healthcare Group Insider Transactions Indicate? The fact that there have been no Induction Healthcare Group insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. Insiders do have a stake in Induction Healthcare Group and their transactions don't cause us concern. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. You'd be interested to know, that we found 2 warning signs for Induction Healthcare Group and we suggest you have a look. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. 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 Interpol has arrested Leonard Glenn Francis, the Malaysian defense contractor nicknamed "Fat Leonard" who escaped from U.S. home detention right before being sentenced for his central role in the largest bribery scandal in U.S. military history, U.S. Marshal Omar Castillo said Wednesday. Francis was arrested Tuesday morning in Venezuela, at the Caracas airport awaiting a flight to Russia, Interpol Venezuela Director General Carlos Garate Rodon said. He arrived in Venezuela from Mexico. Francis, who cut off his GPS ankle monitor and fled from his San Diego home on Sept. 4, was scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday. He was arrested in 2013 and pleaded guilty to bribing Navy officers to ports serviced by his company. Francis' plea deal required him to cooperate with prosecutors and return $35 million in ill-gotten profits. His cooperation helped convict nearly three dozen Navy personnel, including four Naval officers, but he still owes the U.S. government $30 million, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports, citing a lawyer for one of the convicted officers. In return, Francis would get a significant reduction in his prison sentence. "That agreement is likely void now," the Union-Tribune notes. Francis was arrested on an Interpol "red notice" after an international manhunt, and he now awaits extradition to the U.S., a process that could take some time. You may also like Trump claims on Fox News that presidents can declassify documents 'by thinking about it' Bachelorette star DeMario Jackson accused of sexually assaulting 2 women The Space Force unveils its official anthem, 'Semper Supra,' and people don't love it Invest 98-L is not looking like much right now. It's close to land over the Southern Windward Islands, dealing with dry air and some wind shear. It is over warm water. NHC forecast it to become a depression within a couple of days. It is forecast to move across the warm waters of the Caribbean with low wind shear. This will be one to monitor. May move into the Gulf of Mexico around Wednesday of next week. Fiona is big and strong. Max winds 130 mph. It is forecast to intensify, and heads towards Bermuda. It will be post-tropical when it reaches Canada, but will have strong winds. Fall arrives Thursday at 8:04 pm. Hot day. Highs mid to upper 90s. Expect some record highs. Weak cold front early Friday, and not as hot Friday into weekend. 30% rain Sunday and Monday. Stronger cold front Monday and little cooler Tuesday and Wednesday. Christiane Amanpour sits next to an empty chair after Irans president Ebrahim Raisi backed out of an interview over her refusal to wear a headscarf (Christiane Amanpour Twitter) Irans president Ebrahim Raisi backed out of a scheduled interview with veteran journalist Christiane Amanpour this week after she refused to wear a headscarf for the meeting, she revealed in a series of tweets. The CNN International anchor said the interview was scheduled for Wednesday night, on the sidelines of the United Nations general assembly, and was due to be Mr Raisis first on US soil. Mr Raisis visit to the US comes as protests have broken out across Iran over the killing of a 22-year-old woman who was in the custody of the morality police, which enforces the Islamic Republics strict religious laws. After weeks of planning and eight hours of setting up translation equipment, lights and cameras, we were ready. But no sign of President Raisi, Ms Amanpour wrote on Twitter. Some 40 minutes after the interview was due to start, Ms Amanpour said she was approached by an aide to the president, who suggested she wear a headscarf. I politely declined. We are in New York, where there is no law or tradition regarding headscarves. I pointed out that no previous Iranian president has required this when I have interviewed them outside Iran, she wrote. The aide made it clear that the interview would not happen if I did not wear a headscarf. He said it was a matter of respect, and referred to the situation in Iran - alluding to the protests sweeping the country, she continued. Ms Amanpour again said she couldnt agree to the unprecedented and unexpected condition. She added: And so we walked away. The interview didnt happen. As protests continue in Iran and people are being killed, it would have been an important moment to speak with President Raisi. I politely declined. We are in New York, where there is no law or tradition regarding headscarves. I pointed out that no previous Iranian president has required this when I have interviewed them outside Iran. 4/7 Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) September 22, 2022 Protests have spread across Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, who was detained over the weekend by the morality police for allegedly violating the countrys strict dress code for women. Iranian police reportedly said she died of a heart attack, but her family has cast doubt on the claim. Eyewitnesses reportedly saw Amini being beaten by the police during her arrest and images shared from her hospital bed showed her bleeding from the ears and with bruising under her eyes. As protests have broken out in at least 12 cities, according to a tally by the Associated Press, authorities have moved to disrupt internet access and outages have been reported on Instagram and Whatsapp. By Parisa Hafezi NEW YORK/DUBAI (Reuters) -Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Thursday that "acts of chaos" are not acceptable, in a warning to protesters who have taken to the streets across the country in fury over the death of a woman in the morality police's custody. Speaking at a news conference on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Raisi added he had ordered an investigation into the case of Mahsa Amini, 22, who died last week after being arrested for wearing "unsuitable attire." "There is freedom of expression in Iran ... but acts of chaos are unacceptable," said Raisi, who is facing the biggest protests in the Islamic Republic since 2019. Women have played a prominent role in the demonstrations, waving and burning their veils, with some publicly cutting their hair in a direct challenge to clerical leaders. Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards called on the judiciary to prosecute "those who spread false news and rumours," in an apparent bid to take the steam out of nationwide demonstrations. In a statement, the Guards expressed sympathy for Amini's family. The Kurdish rights group Hengaw posted a video where heavy shooting can be heard during a protest and accused security forces of "using heavy and semi-heavy weapons against civilians" in the northwestern town of Oshnavieh. Reuters could not verify the report. Protesters in Tehran and other cities torched police stations and vehicles as outrage over Amini's death showed no signs of abating, with reports of security forces coming under attack. A video on Twitter account 1500tasvir showed protests in the northwestern city of Bukan with sound of shots in background, as social media posts said demonstrations have spread to most of Iran's 31 provinces. Iran's Intelligence Ministry also tried to break the momentum of demonstrations, saying attendance at protests is illegal and anyone taking part would face prosecution, Iranian news websites reported. Story continues Raisi said the extensive coverage of Amini's case was the result of "double standards." "Every day in different countries, including the United States, we see men and women dying in police encounters, but there is no sensitivity about the cause and dealing with this violence," he said. WIDESPREAD REACTIONS TO IRANIAN PROTESTS Pro-government protests are planned for Friday and some marchers have already taken to the streets, Iranian media said. The United States on Thursday sanctioned Iran's morality police, accusing them of abuse and violence against Iranian women and of violating the rights of peaceful Iranian protesters, the U.S. Treasury said. Most of the unrest has been concentrated in Iran's Kurdish-populated northwest but has spread to the capital and at least 50 cities and towns, with police using force to disperse protesters. Amini was from the province of Kurdistan. A new mobile internet disruption was registered in the country, internet monitoring group Netblocks wrote on Twitter, in a possible sign that authorities fear the protests will intensify. A member of an Iranian pro-government paramilitary organisation, the Basij, was stabbed to death in the northeastern city of Mashhad on Wednesday, two semi-official Iranian news agencies reported on Thursday. There was no official confirmation of the death. Tasnim News Agency also said another member of the Basij was killed on Wednesday in the city of Qazvin from a gunshot wound inflicted by "rioters and gangs." Nour News, a media outlet affiliated with a top security body, shared a video of an army officer confirming the death of a soldier, bringing the total reported number of security force members killed in the unrest to five. In the northeast, protesters shouted "We will die, we will die but we'll get Iran back" near a police station which was set on fire, a video posted on Twitter account 1500tasvir showed. The account focuses on protests in Iran and has around 100,000 followers. Reuters could not verify the footage. PERSONAL FREEDOMS IN IRAN Amini's death has reignited anger over issues including restrictions on personal freedoms in Iran - including strict dress codes for women - and an economy reeling from sanctions. Iran's clerical rulers fear a revival of the 2019 protests that erupted over gasoline price rises, the bloodiest in the Islamic Republic's history. Reuters reported 1,500 were killed. Protesters this week also expressed anger at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "Mojtaba, may you die and not become Supreme Leader," a crowd was seen chanting in Tehran, referring to Khamenei's son, who some believe could succeed his father at the top of Iran's political establishment. Reuters could not verify the video. Reports by Hengaw, which Reuters could not verify, said the death toll in Kurdish areas had climbed to 15 and the number of injured rose to 733. Iranian officials have denied that security forces have killed protesters, suggesting they may have been shot by armed dissidents. (Reporting by Dubai bureau; Additional reporting by Arshad Mohammed in Washington: Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Jonathan Oatis, Josie Kao and Deepa Babington) He has tracked down Roger Maris with homer No. 61, and New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is still chasing a Triple Crown. The hallowed baseball achievement is reached when a hitter leads his league, AL or NL, in batting average, home runs and RBIs in the same season. Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera won MLB's last Triple Crown in 2012, breaking a decades-long drought that had stretched since Carl Yastrzemski did it for the Boston Red Sox in 1967. For much of the summer, the preeminent 2022 Triple Crown threat appeared to be St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. But just as Goldschmidt has fallen off the homer pace in the NL, Judge has ramped up his assault on the batting average leaderboard in the AL. Since mentioning a goal of hitting .300 in July, citing Cabrera's greatness, Judge has gone supernova. He's batting .371 since the All-Star break, by far the best among qualified MLB hitters. That has lifted his overall average from .284 to a peak of .317 this week. With his home run and RBI leads looking insurmountable, Judge is basically racing a handful of AL stars for the batting title to determine whether he will add the Triple Crown to what will surely be a ridiculous list of honors in 2022. So, with just over a dozen games remaining, we'll monitor his pursuit here at the end of each night. Aaron Judge is closing this regular season in spectacular fashion for the AL East-leading Yankees. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Is Aaron Judge in line for the Triple Crown? Saturday, Oct. 1: NO. Judge went 0-for-2 with two walks and a hit by pitch as the Orioles pitched around him. That aided a Yankees victory, but didn't help him make up ground on Twins' contact-hitting extraordinaire Luis Arraez for the batting title. Here's how the full leaderboards look now. Friday, Sept. 30: NO. A 1-for-4 night off Baltimore Orioles starter Jordan Lyles didn't help Judge. He's still a tick behind Arraez. Thursday, Sept. 29: NO. Arraez went 2-for-4 on Thursday night, while the Yankees were off, to reclaim the lead in the race for the batting title. He's now at .315. Judge will begin the series against the Orioles at .313. Story continues Wednesday, Sept. 28: YES ... by the slimmest of margins. We're going extra decimal places to determine the AL batting average leader at this point. Judge is clinging to a tiny advantage over Arraez. Live look at the AL batting race: Judge - .313406 (1-for-4 today) Arraez - .313321 (2-for-5 today) Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 29, 2022 Tuesday, Sept. 27: YES. Judge is beginning to get a version of the Barry Bonds treatment. He walked four times in the Yankees' division-clinching win over Toronto. He remains a smidgeon ahead of the AL competition in the race for the batting title (and miles ahead in homers and RBIs). 1. Aaron Judge, .314 2. Luis Arraez, .313 3. Xander Bogaerts, .310 Monday, Sept. 26: YES. Every game where Judge doesn't hit homer No. 61 feels like a letdown now, but he maintained his lead in the batting title race with a 1-for-3 evening against the Blue Jays that included two walks. He's sitting at .314, with Luis Arraez now a hair ahead of Xander Bogaerts in second at .313. Sunday, Sept. 25: YES. As the Yankees took a rain-shortened series finale from the Red Sox, Judge inched back ahead of Xander Bogaerts for the batting lead with a 1-for-2 night that included a double and a walk. The margin? Well, it's found in decimal points not usually displayed in a batting average. Judge .31433 Bogaerts .31379 See you in Toronto. Pete Caldera (@pcaldera) September 26, 2022 By normal rounding, Judge and Bogaerts both sit at .314, but the man with 60 homers is slightly ahead. Twins infielder Luis Arraez is in third at .313. Saturday, Sept. 24: NO. For the first time since summiting the batting average leaderboard, Judge fell behind with a frustrating 0-for-4 against the Boston Red Sox Saturday. Overtaking him? Xander Bogaerts, the Red Sox shortstop who went 2-for-5 to raise his average to .315. Judge is sitting at .314. Twins infielder Arraez could also have something to say about that leaderboard when Minnesota takes the field later. Friday, Sept. 23: YES. But it's even closer. Judge again went homerless in a 1-for-4 night against the Red Sox. That knocked down his batting average down just a smidge, bringing him even closer to Xander Bogaerts, who was off for the game. Where the batting average stands: Aaron Judge: .31540 Xander Bogaerts: .31358 Luis Arraez: .31274 Thursday, Sept. 22: YES. But it's still close. Judge posted his first hitless game since Sept. 7, but it's not like the Red Sox gave him many chances. Judge went 0-for-2 with three walks and a strikeout. It looked like he had reached 61 homers on his final at-bat until the ball fell just short of the center field wall, to the surprise of Yankee Stadium. Fortunately for the Judge partisans, Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts's batting average fell even further on an 0-for-5 night. Here's how the batting average leaderboard now sits: Aaron Judge: .31589 Xander Bogaerts: .31358 Luis Arraez: .31262 This one's going down to the wire. Here's how the leaderboards look now. Wednesday, Sept. 21: YES. Judge's closest competition now is Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts. After strong nights for both, Judge is ahead by the slimmest of margins. The leaderboards will show them both at .317, but Judge's average is a touch higher if you go further down the decimals. Aaron Judge: 169x533 (.3170). Xander Bogaerts 164x518 (.3166). Not that the Triple Crown will necessarily be decided, but it's going to be an interesting four days in the Bronx. Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) September 22, 2022 Making this all more interesting? The Yankees and Red Sox begin a four-game series on Thursday in the Bronx. Tuesday, Sept. 20: YES. On the same night he crushed home run No. 60 and sparked a game-winning rally Judge moved into the lead for the AL batting title for the first time. He started the evening behind Luis Arrarez and Xander Bogaerts before pulling ahead thanks to his ninth-inning blast. ROME The head of the Italian Air Force will travel to Japan next month to hold talks with his Japanese counterpart about collaboration on sixth-generation fighter technology. General Luca Goretti said the visit would be a chance to explore what ambitions Rome and Tokyo share for next-generation fighters and what technologies can and cannot be shared by the nations. In October I have been invited to Japan by the head of the Japanese air force to discuss common programs it will be the opportunity to share our vision and common point of view, said Goretti in an interview with Defense News. Italy partners with the U.K. on the Tempest fighter program while Japan is pursuing its F-X program to build a replacement for the Mitsubishi F-2. At this summers Farnborough Airshow, the U.K. said it would undertake joint concept analysis with Japan and Italy on sixth-generation technology following the announcement of a flurry of deals between U.K. and Japanese firms on engines and sensors to get the ball rolling. The Japanese could take technology from Tempest to insert in their F-X program. We will understand better when we realize what industry can do, said Goretti. He also suggested Japan might get on board with Tempest, stating, If a partner like Japan enters a program it could be an opportunity to better understand each others reality. Any cooperation would need to take into account Japans area of operations and how best to exchange technology, he said. Our operational sphere is centered on the Mediterranean and on our alliances, which are NATO and Europe. That is our main focus, he said. Using the acronym FCAS to describe the Tempest program, he added, The FCAS development phases will be conducted in order to avoid infringement on security of the NATO alliance because exchange of technologies will be performed strictly respecting every security aspect. He added, NATO and Japan have different strategic areas of interest and experts are working on the operational concept and how to safely exchange information. Story continues Italy committed to spending 220 million ($218 million) this year on Tempest work and forecasts spending 3.8 billion ($3.77 billion) by 2036. Meanwhile work by France, Spain and Germany on a separate sixth-generation program has been caught up in workshare rows between lead contractors Dassault and Airbus Defence and Space. Goretti predicted Tempest and the Franco-German project could yet merge. These programs need a huge investment single nations cannot afford, so nations are trying to reduce costs. It happened with Tornado, and with Eurofighter and will happen again, he said. The French and Germans have gone one way, but we cannot have two platforms doing the same thing in Europe. It may not be economically sustainable. It is logical to say it is very probable that when the nations have defined their requirements, we will see a convergence into a single platform, he said. By Crispian Balmer ROME (Reuters) - Italy's parliamentary election on Sunday could make history, giving the country its first female prime minister at the head of its most right-wing government since World War Two. Giorgia Meloni's nationalist Brothers of Italy (FdI) barely scraped 4% of the vote in 2018, but the party is expected to take around 25% this time around and propel an alliance of conservative partners to a clear parliamentary majority. "There is this idea in Italy that we have tried everyone else, so let's try her now," said Wolfango Piccoli, the co-president of political risk consultancy Teneo. If the tough-talking Meloni succeeds, she will face an array of daunting challenges, including soaring energy costs, a suffocating debt mountain, a possible recession and an increasingly dangerous conflict in Ukraine. The 45-year-old from Rome, who is promising a crackdown on immigration and a cut in taxes, will also have big shoes to fill. Outgoing Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the widely respected former head of the European Central Bank, was seen as a reassuring figure by international investors, but he resigned in July after a mutiny within his national unity government. Unlike every other major party chief, Meloni refused to join Draghi's coalition and instead saw her popularity skyrocket from opposition benches, where she ably denounced the painful measures the government took to tackle the COVID-19 crisis. "Meloni is a great communicator but faces significant economic constraints and doesn't have much experience, so she will probably not enjoy a long honeymoon," Piccoli said. CLOSER CONTEST? Meloni might also end up with a much smaller majority than analysts had forecast when a poll blackout came into force on Sept. 9, or even fall slightly short, opening the way for the sort of political instability that regularly blights Italy. Ten days ago, the right-wing bloc, that includes Matteo Salvini's League and Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia party, were seen getting around 45% of the vote -- a score that should net them more than 60% of all parliamentary seats. Story continues But since then there has been widespread speculation that Salvini's League, under constant attack over its historically close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has fallen back while the left-leaning 5-Star Movement has risen. Adding to the uncertainty, voters will be electing a slimmed-down parliament with the number of seats in the lower house cut to 400 from 630, while the Senate goes to 200 seats from 315. This complicates efforts to forecast the result. "One effect of the reduction in the number of Senate seats is it takes relatively little in terms of percentages to go from a huge majority to a much reduced majority," said Lorenzo Pregliasco, head of YouTrend pollsters. NEO-FASCIST ROOTS The election campaign has been fought in the shadows of a sweltering summer, with little sign of much voter interest and no televised debate between the various party leaders. The right-wing bloc has rolled out old promises to cut taxes, lower the pensionable age and prevent migrants from reaching Italy by boat from North Africa, with Meloni suggesting a naval blockade to prevent refugee-seekers putting to sea. Opponents say such a move would be illegal and unworkable. The 5-Star has vowed to safeguard welfare benefits for the poor -- a message that has resonated in the less wealthy south, which leaders across the political spectrum have criss-crossed in recent days anxious to win over an army of undecided voters. The main centre-left Democratic Party has warned repeatedly that electing Meloni is dangerous on account of the FdI's neo-fascist origins and its ties with Hungary's nationalist leader Viktor Orban, who has been accused by the European Union of abusing the rule of law. Meloni has played down her own far-right past, saying her group is a mainstream force akin to Britain's Conservative Party, and firmly supports Ukraine in its war with Russia. But on the campaign trail she has been careful not to alienate those core supporters who associate with the far-right. "I dream of a nation where people who have had to lower their heads for many years, pretending that they have different ideas so as not to be ostracised, can now say what they think," she told a rally earlier this week. Voting runs on Sunday from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. (0500-2100 GMT), with full results due by Monday morning. Even if there is a clearcut result, the next government is unlikely to take office before late October, with the new parliament not meeting until Oct. 13. (Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) Im a Star Foundation Teen Influencers, Duval County Public Schools and JaxParks are hosting an event to collect safe drinking water to send to Jackson, Mississippi. In response to a request from Jackson Public Schools, the organizations are collaborating to collect and send clean water specifically to help children under age 6 and pregnant women. The Mississippi Water Drive event takes place Sunday, September 25, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the James Weldon Johnson Park located at 135 W Monroe St. in Jacksonville. First Coast Residents are invited to this free, public event to drop off bottled water. Last Thursday, Mississippi health officials lifted a boil-advisory in the water crisis and Jackson city officials followed Saturday by stopping the distribution of free bottled water. But state officials say lead in some pipes remains so worrisome that pregnant women and young children should still use bottled water. Experts say children in Jackson, MS who drink the tap water are at high risk of lead poisoning. Medical officials say this is important because of the following facts : Lead is a poison Lead can cause learning disabilities, mental retardation, and other serious health problems There is no safe level of lead. Low levels of lead can harm children Lead is especially dangerous to children under 6 3,158 Pre-K and Kindergarten students in Jackson, Mississippi. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. The search for the next James Bond is officially on. So say famous Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson. Its still early days, the pair told Variety in a recent interview about the goliath casting. Daniel Craig played the worlds most famous spy for 15 years and the producers understand that its a weighty commitment for any actor. Idris Elba, a longtime candidate to become the first Black 007, recently stated that the job isnt a goal for my career. Hes great, Wilson said. We love Idris, Broccoli added. Idris Elba (Getty Images for BET) The thing is, its going to be a couple of years off, she noted. And when we cast Bond, its a 10-12-year commitment. So hes probably thinking, Do I really want that thing? Not everybody wants to do that. It was hard enough getting [Daniel Craig to do it]. Wilson added: And he was in his early 30s at the time! Speaking about the commitment required to shoulder the weight of the franchise across many years, Broccoli said: A lot of people think, Oh yeah, itd be fun to do one. Well. That aint gonna work. She quoted former 007 actor Pierce Brosnan, who once said: More people have walked on the moon than have played James Bond. Tom Hardy (Getty Images) According to Ladbrokes, British Superman star Henry Cavill is the bookies favourite to don the tuxedo at 2/1. Ex-Bridgerton actor Rege-Jean Page is next at 7/2 followed by Idris Elba at 4/1 (despite his denials) and Tom Hardy at 5/1. Page has the backing of famed Marvel directors Joe and Anthony Russo, who recently directed the actor in Netflixs The Gray Man. The brothers recently told Radio Times: Hes fantastic. I mean, he has more charisma in his pinky than most people do in their entire body. For a breakdown of the most likely candidates to be the next Bond, click here. After longtime James Bond actor Daniel Craig gave his final bow to the character in 2021, fans have long speculated Idris Elba would make a suitable replacement. However, new comments from Elba and 007 producers indicate it may not happen. During an episode of "The Shop" on HBO, Elba discussed the prospect of playing Bond, adding he did not think it would "satisfy" his personal or career goals. "I don't think that playing Bond will satisfy some of my personal goals," the 50-year-old said. "It will definitely satisfy the will of a nation, I'm not going to lie. Every corner of the world I go...they always go, 'Bond.' And I feel it is beyond me at this juncture." Last month, Elba also told the Wall Street Journal that, "When I look in the mirror, I don't see James Bond." Producers for the franchise also agreed with the actor's doubts, noting a commitment may be for over a decade. IDRIS ELBA SAYS CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SHOULD BE REMEMBERED EACH YEAR WITH 'A WEEK OF QUARANTINE' "We love Idris," said producer Barbara Broccoli to Variety. "The thing is, it's going to be a couple of years off. And when we cast Bond, it's a 10-, 12-year commitment. So he's probably thinking, 'Do I really want that thing?' Not everybody wants to do that. It was hard enough getting [Daniel Craig to do it]." Craig started playing Bond at the age of 37 and his character recently died in the latest film "No Time To Die." Elba is only four years younger than Craig and a decade older than when he originally joined the 007 series. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Daniel Craig began playing Bond when he was 37. He most recently starred in the James Bond film, "No Time To Die." Getty Images "A lot of people think, 'Oh yeah, it'd be fun to do one,'" she added. "Well. That ain't gonna work." She noted they want to prioritize the plot for the next Bond film before looking for serious contenders to play the iconic spy. "That's why when people go, 'Oh, who are you going to get?' it's not just about casting an actor for a film," Broccoli said. "It's about a reinvention, and 'Where are we taking it? What do we want to do with the character?' And then, once we figure that out, who's the right person for that particular reinvention?" For over 30 years, Elba has played in various high-profile action movies in both the Marvel and DC Comics franchises. Dancers perform during a preview of the Asakusa Yokocho alley on June 29, 2022 in Tokyo. The newly-built restaurant gathering facility opened in one of Tokyo's most famous tourist spots after Japan reopened its borders to tourist groups. Japan is swinging open its doors to tourists. The country first cracked the door open to authorized tour groups in June. However, tourist numbers were capped, and travelers had to meet special visa requirements to enter. Starting Oct. 11, independent tourists will be welcome back in Japan, and caps and pandemic-related visa requirements will be lifted. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the country's wider reopening Thursday during a press conference around the United Nations General Assembly gathering in New York. He received thunderous applause when he shared the same news in a speech at the New York Stock Exchange. "Japan will relax border control measures to be on par with the U.S. as well as resume visa-free travel and individual travel," Kishida said. Japan's tourism industry has been devastated by tight border controls over the past two years. When to book holiday travel: Here's the best time to buy your plane ticket if you're flying for the holidays 'They should've helped me': Booking through platforms like Expedia leaves some travelers stranded Can I travel to Japan right now? Travelers may currently visit Japan with authorized tour groups, but they'll be able to explore the country on their own starting in mid-October. Do I need to quarantine or a COVID test to visit Japan? Travelers who've received at least three doses of COVID vaccines can skip pre-departure testing, as of early September. No COVID testing or quarantine is required upon arriving in Japan from the United States. Travelers from other countries may need to test or quarantine, depending on the country of origin. Details are available through Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Is Japan costly to visit? Traveling in Japan can get expensive, but its currently weak yen can work in travelers' favor. Where can I find help once I'm in Japan? The Japan National Tourism Organization offers a 24-hotline with tourist information and emergency assistance available in English. The phone number is 050-3816-2787 from inside Japan or +81-50-3816-2787 from abroad. Story continues There is also a U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and several U.S. Consulates across the country. Contributing: Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Japan easing travel restrictions, welcoming independent tourists back TOKYO (AP) Japans central bank took the unusual step Thursday of intervening in the market to stem the yens decline against the U.S. dollar. Earlier in the day, the dollar rose to nearly 146 yen a 24-year low after the Bank of Japan left its key lending rate unchanged following the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision to raise its benchmark rate by three-quarters of a percentage point. The dollar later fell sharply to about 142 yen. It was trading at 143.05 yen early Thursday morning U.S. time, and it was unclear if the BOJ's action would suffice to keep the yen at a stable level. Masato Kanda, the vice minister of finance for international affairs, confirmed the dollar selling and yen buying intervention to local reporters, saying the central bank had made a bold move." The BOJ does not usually announce such measures itself. Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said in televised remarks that the government and central bank had agreed that recent volatility in the currency market was undesirable. He would not give the scale of the intervention. According to the financial newspaper Nikkei, the last time the central bank intervened to stabilize the value of the yen was in 2011, when it moved to curb a sharp rise in the yen's value. Earlier Thursday, the BOJ left its benchmark lending rate at minus 0.1% and its ultra-loose monetary policy unchanged, underscoring the divergence between its stance and the U.S. strategy of raising interest rates to fight inflation. The higher returns on the dollar have led investors to sell yen and buy the greenback. The Japanese central bank has maintained ultra-low interest rates for years in hopes of stimulating business activity and fighting deflation. It is in a quandary since regulators want to maintain that easy money policy but also to keep the yens value relatively stable. Generally, a weaker yen is an advantage for automakers and other export manufacturers, since it makes their products more price competitive overseas. But sudden fluctuations complicate corporate planning. And the yen's weakness also adds to costs for imports of raw materials and components. The cheap yen has made higher priced oil, gas and coal imports still more expensive for businesses, farmers and consumers. It also has inflated costs for food and other essentials in an extra burden for households that have not seen wages rise much in the past two decades. Johnny Depp is dating Joelle Rich, a married lawyer who represented him in his U.K. defamation trial against a British tabloid for branding him a "wife-beater," Fox News Digital confirmed. Rich is separated from her husband and is divorcing him, a source said. She was not part of the legal team that represented Depp in his Virginia defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard , but she was present for part of the six-week trial, which wrapped up in June. The London-based mother of two was spotted more than once chatting with the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star on smoke breaks outside the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse. She also stayed with Depp at the Ritz-Carlton in McLean, Virginia, where he was holed up for the trial and dined with him and his team on several occasions at The Palm, an upscale steakhouse next door to the five-star hotel, another source said. JOHNNY DEPP IS STAYING AT RITZ, DINING ON CHICKEN PARM DURING BOMBSHELL DEFAMATION TRIAL Johnny Depp smokes a cigarette as he shows his girlfriend, Joelle Rich, something on his phone during a recess in his Virginia defamation trial against Amber Heard on May 3, 2022. Ron Sachs/Consolidated News Pictures/Getty Images During Depp's Virginia defamation trial, rumors swirled that he was dating attorney Camille Vasquez, but they both were quick to deny the gossip. Vasquez was particularly offended by the unfounded speculation. ELON MUSK WEIGHS IN ON DEPP-HEARD TRIAL: I HOPE THEY BOTH MOVE ON "Its also an unethical charge being made. Its sexist," she told People magazine after Depp's courtroom triumph. "Its unfortunate, and its disappointing, but, at the same time, it kind of comes with the territory. I cant say I was all that surprised." Rich works for Schillings, a U.K.-based firm that helps high-profile people protect their privacy and reputations, according to the company's website. Although the attorney and her team lost the 2020 U.K. court battle, the "Black Mass" star didn't appear to hold the defeat against her. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER It's unclear how serious the pair's relationship is or when their romance began. Attorney Joelle Rich hugs attorney Camille Vasquez, back to camera, as attorney Ben Chew looks on at the end of the daily proceedings at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 16, 2022. Steve Helber/Pool/AFP via Getty Images The nationally televised courtroom spectacle in Virginia ended with a jury awarding Depp a $15 million judgment against Heard for defaming him. Judge Penney Azcarate reduced the sum to $10.35 million. The jury handed Heard $2 million in her countersuit, but the verdict was largely seen as a sweeping victory for Depp, who has experienced a professional renaissance in the months since. Both Depp and Heard have said they plan to appeal. Johnny Depp's legal saga continues with an unexpected development. The actor is reportedly dating one of his attorneys, Joelle Rich, from his 2020 U.K. libel lawsuit against The Sun. "They are dating but it's not serious," a source told PEOPLE. EW has reached out to Depp's representatives and Rich for comment. The London-based lawyer represented Depp when he sued The Sun for calling him a "wife-beater" in a news article centered on ex-wife Amber Heard's allegations of domestic violence. He lost the case in November 2020, with the court upholding the accusations as "substantially true." His attempt to overturn the verdict was overruled. Rich did not represent Depp in his defamation lawsuit against Heard in the U.S. earlier this summer, but she did make several appearances at the courthouse in Fairfax County, Va., during the trial. Johnny Depp look at his smartphone with his UK legal Counsel Joelle Rich during an afternoon recess outside court during the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard civil trial at Fairfax County Ron Sachs/Consolidated News Pictures/Getty Images Joelle Rich and Johnny Depp outside the Virginia courthouse in May. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor was represented by Camille Vasquez and Benjamin Chew in the U.S. case, which he won in June. A jury concluded that Heard intentionally and maliciously defamed Depp when she wrote a 2018 Washington Post op-ed identifying herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse. Heard's team filed to appeal the verdict in July after a motion for a mistrial was denied. "We believe the court made errors that prevented a just and fair verdict consistent with the First Amendment," a spokesperson for Heard said. "We are therefore appealing the verdict. While we realize today's filing will ignite the Twitter bonfires, there are steps we need to take to ensure both fairness and justice." When reached for comment on the appeal, a spokesperson for Depp told EW, "The jury listened to the extensive evidence presented during the six-week trial and came to a clear and unanimous verdict that the defendant herself defamed Mr. Depp in multiple instances. We remain confident in our case and that this verdict will stand." Related content: A Louisiana judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit that a librarian filed against two men and a conservative organization last month over statements they made criticizing her for supporting the inclusion in a library of books involving the LGBTQ community. Amanda Jones, who is a middle school librarian and the president of the Louisiana Association of School Librarians, filed the lawsuit after she said she was publicly attacked for opposing censorship and book policing. The conservative advocacy group Citizens for a New Louisiana, led by Michael Lunsford, and Ryan Thames made a series of posts online criticizing Jones, but the judge ruled that their statements were ones of opinion and not fact. Jones spoke at a meeting of the Livingston Parish Library Board of Control on July 19 after a member of the board requested the board review the content of books that she believed to be inappropriate. Jones spoke against the restricting of books, saying that the censoring or relocating of books would be harmful to the community. The lawsuit states that Citizens for a New Louisiana posted on its Facebook page the next day, saying that anti-censorship folks opposed moving sexually explicit and erotic materials targeting eight to ten-year olds to the adult section of the library. A second post from July 22 accused Jones of fighting so hard to keep sexually erotic and pornographic materials in the childrens section. A photo of Jones included in the post is surrounded by a red circle that Jones said appears similar to a target. The account made additional posts throughout July and August referencing Jones. The lawsuit alleges that Thames, who operates a Facebook page called Bayou State of Mind, posted a meme of Jones showing her smiling behind a desk and accusing her of advocating the teaching of anal sex to 11-year-olds. Thames allegedly continued to publicly mock her afterward, according to the lawsuit. Joseph Long, who is an attorney for Thames, said in a press release that Jones meant well but could not stand the heat of criticism and used the lawsuit to try to win the debate over the books instead of winning with better ideas. Story continues The First Amendment wins when people of conviction fight for it, he said. We hope that this case will stand as a beacon of hope for those who are put in a similar situation by the radical Left. Thames said that he does not support banning books, but rather protecting children from harmful content. Judge Erika Sledge said in her ruling that Jones was a limited public figure for identifying herself as the president of the Louisiana Association of School Librarians at the meeting, but it did not matter because the statements were not defamatory, according to the Louisiana newspaper The Advocate. The threshold for proving defamation is higher for public figures than for private figures in order to facilitate free discussion. Public figures need to prove that defamatory statements were made with actual malice. Lunsford told The Hill that the lawsuit was frivolous and without merit, and Sledge determined that the organization was within its First Amendment rights of free speech. He said being unable to articulate a strong argument in the court of public opinion should not be followed by a civil lawsuit. He added that Sledge determined that even if Jones was not a public figure, the statements would not be considered defamatory. Lunsford said the organizations responsibility is just to tell the public whats going on and what the truth is. An attorney for Jones did not immediately return a request from The Hill for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland appears at a news conference on June 13, 2022. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images As the 2022 midterm campaigns approach Election Day on Nov. 8, 2022, a federal probe into former President Donald Trumps handling of classified documents is testing an unwritten policy of the U.S. Justice Department. Some legal analysts have suggested that the so-called 60-day rule requires federal prosecutors to delay public actions during the final stages of an election to avoid influencing the perceptions of a candidate or tipping the scale for or against a political party. This goal of political neutrality appears to be adhered to by Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray. Both have largely refrained from making public comments on ongoing federal and state probes into possible crimes that Trump may have committed during his time in the White House, including on his alleged role in the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. But political neutrality is open to interpretation. In the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, the 60-day rule was apparently broken when then-FBI Director James Comey made a series of controversial public statements on Hillary Clintons use of a private email server during her time as secretary of state. Comeys comments began over the course of the summer and fall of 2016 and didnt end until the weekend before Election Day when he announced the end of the investigation. Clinton and her supporters claim that Comeys controversial actions played a role in her loss and Trumps election. A rule, not a law The 60-day rule is an interpretation of the Justice Departments internal guidance to protect the federal agencys reputation for political neutrality. Every election season, the attorney general reissues the departments Election Year Sensitivities memo to staff. Garland issued his memo on May 25, 2022. Law enforcement officers and prosecutors may never select the timing of public statements (attributed or not), investigative steps, criminal charges, or any other action in any matter or case for the purpose of affecting any election, or for the purpose of giving an advantage or disadvantage to any candidate or political party, Garlands 2022 memo explains. Story continues Garlands memo essentially reiterates the language from the departments substantial internal policy manual on election season investigations. But Garlands memo does not suggest that a clear 60-day rule exists. It merely suggests that actions taken closer to an election ought to be especially scrutinized to ensure that the Justice Department does not appear to purposely advantage a candidate or party. Open to interpretation Though very few legal scholars question the existence of the 60-day rule, the scope of the rule is a matter of dispute. Former Attorney General Bill Barr has interpreted the rule narrowly. He has suggested the rule may apply only to activity that will harm a specific candidate. Other legal observers have suggested the rule applies more broadly to investigations that might affect an overall election. That might include investigations of people connected to a candidate or situations where the candidate is only tangentially related. Comeys public comments Though Comey may not have had any desire to affect the 2016 elections outcome, he would later make an apology of sorts to Clinton in his book A Higher Loyalty. I have read she has felt anger toward me personally, and Im sorry for that, Comey writes. Im sorry that I couldnt do a better job explaining to her and her supporters why I made the decisions I made. Former FBI Director James Comey testifies before the House Oversight Committee over Hillary Clintons email system on July 7, 2016. Xinhua/Bao Dandan via Getty Images Apologetic or not, Comey and his actions during the 2016 presidential election caused both the FBI and the Justice Department to suffer a blow to their credibility. Following a broad 60-day rule might have saved the Justice Department and FBI from the appearance of political bias. But in some situations, jettisoning the 60-day rule may be advisable. If a federal investigation is particularly timely and is proceeding with no purpose of affecting an election, then it may be consistent with the underlying policy of the Justice Manual even if doing so may be inconsistent with a broad interpretation of the 60-day rule. At issue is the importance of an investigation and the danger of pausing it. If the public trusts the DOJ to make the decisions about the investigation without political bias, then following the 60-day rule may not be necessary. If the public does not trust the DOJ, then following the rule may be imperative. The investigation regarding the national security implications of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago is an important test. A judge unsealed a search warrant that shows the FBI is investigating former president Donald Trump for a possible violation of the Espionage Act. AP Photo/Jon Elswick Though Trump often claims federal probes into his behavior are no more than political witch hunts, there is no indication the Justice Department is continuing the investigation with the purpose of hurting or helping specific candidates or a specific party. Quite naturally, any lengthy investigation may bump up against a midterm or presidential election cycle. But if halting the investigation could damage national security, then continuing it through the election season may be necessary even if the investigation affects a number of elections. The unintentional irony of the 60-day rule The rule is designed to protect the Justice Departments reputation of neutrality by keeping partisan politics away from its investigations. Arguably, the way to do that is to ignore the election calendar and run an investigation as if the election calendar did not exist. Once an investigations course has been altered by the election calendar, it has arguably been infused with politics, and in some of those cases, justice delayed may be justice denied. With strict adherence to the rule, a candidate may be elected because voters did not have all the information about the candidates behavior and character an omission that challenges the democratic ideal of an informed citizenry. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Henry L. Chambers Jr., University of Richmond. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters. Read more: Henry L. Chambers Jr. 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. Kanye West has refuted a recent report regarding his publishing catalog. As previously shared by AfroTech, Billboard reported that Kanye West was looking to sell shares in his publishing catalog, which is currently administered by Sony Music Publishing. The report claimed that the rapper was seeking 35 times the net publishers share or gross profit which would bring in $175 million. According to the outlets estimate, his publishing catalog garners him $5 million per year, as well as $13.25 million in publishing royalties. Now, the rapper has come out to respond as Pitchfork reports that West posted an Instagram story to clear the air. What was said to be gone about quietly and intermittently for over over 10 months may not have started on his own behalf to begin with. Just like Taylor Swift My publishing is being put up for sale without my knowledge Not for sale, he wrote via his Instagram Story, according to the outlet. Wests statement refers to the controversy of the master rights of Swifts first six albums being sold by her former label Big Machine Label Group to Scooter Brauns Ithaca Holdings LLC in 2019. In 2020, Ithaca Holdings LLC sold master rights to Swifts first six albums in a deal believed to be north of $300 million, Variety reported at the time. Pitchfork notes that in 2020, West has previously put in an effort to buy back his masters from Universal Music Group. Over the past few weeks, rappers have been in the news frequently for selling their publishing catalogs. As previously reported by AfroTech, Public Enemys Chuck D sold a stake in his music catalog to his publisher, Reach Music Publishing. On Sept. 20, it was announced that Future sold his publishing catalog for around eight figures with Influence Media Partners. I put everything into my music, and I wanted to make sure these were in good hands as I thought about the next chapter of these songs, Future said in a statement, according to a press release. Im proud to partner up with Rene and the team at Influence Media and send a signal that this music has timeless value. My music is my art, and these songs represent some of the most precious artwork of my career. Kanye West has used a car analogy to dodge a question about whether he believes social media is harmful or beneficial to him. The rapper, 45, who has become known for his occasional social media outbursts, was asked to share his thoughts on the platforms during an interview with ABC News Live Prime anchor Linsey Davis, which aired on Good Morning America on Thursday. During the conversation, Davis asked West: So, social media you feel, is that more hurtful or beneficial to you? In response, the Yeezy designer began by revealing that Davis question was one of his favourites of the interview. Oh, thats one of my favourite questions this interview, West said, before offering a car analogy, in which he noted that the vehicles could be used to rush somebody to the hospital or to accidentally hit someone, as his response. I mean, we can use a car to rush somebody to the hospital or we could use a car and accidentally hit somebody while were rushing somebody to the hospital, West said. So its all in how we use it. West, who was suspended for 24 hours from Instagram in March, has faced backlash for his social media usage, as he has used the platforms to verbally attack everyone from his ex-wife Kim Kardashian and her former partner Pete Davidson to his business partners Adidas and Gap. In addition to publicly criticising Kardashians ex-boyfriend on a number of occasions, West has also shared screenshots of conversations between himself and his ex-wife, in which theyve disagreed over the parenting of their four children, North, nine, Saint, seven, Chicago, four, and Psalm, three. COMING UP: @LinseyDavis sits down with @kanyewest. "Social media, is that more hurtful or beneficial to you?" "It's all in how we use it." See the exclusive interview on @GMA and later on @ABCNewsLive and @Nightline. https://t.co/rogoaN7itH pic.twitter.com/3YfTsnRk4Y Good Morning America (@GMA) September 22, 2022 During his conversation with Davis, West, who goes by Ye, apologised to Kardashian before touching on their co-parenting, with the rapper revealing that he feels like he has a voice now, but that he had to fight for it. Story continues This is the mother of my children and I apologise for any stress that I have caused, he said. Even in my frustration, because God calls me to be stronger I need this person to be least-stressed and [to have] the best, sound mind and as calm as possible to be able to raise those children. However, according to West, to get to a place where the former couple could successfully co-parent required him to fight for his voice. I do have a voice but I had to fight for it, he told Davis. That hurts when you have to, like, scream about what your kids are wearing. West also previously used social media to voice his anger over Kardashians refusal to allow their children to attend his new school Donda Academy, with the rapper questioning why the reality star was allowed a say and he wasnt. The following day, West shared a second screenshot of his text exchange with Kardashian, which showed him suggesting their children spend three days at their Los Angeles school and two days at Donda Academy. He captioned the since-deleted post: This is co-parenting. West, who has since removed all the posts from his Instagram account, where he has more than 17.2m followers, also suggested a parallel between the fight for his voice when it came to co-parenting, and the way he has navigated his relationships with Gap and Adidas during the interview. There was a parallel to what was happening at Gap, to what was happening at Adidas, and what was happening in my home, he said. It was all a kind of a disregard for the voice of something that I co-created. An extended version of the interview, A Conversation with Ye: Linsey Davis Reporting, will air on ABC News Live Prime at 7pm and again on Nightline. Russians are leaving the Russian Federation en masse "If Russians want to come to us on some business, stay here for a period and then leave there should be no questions, we can not restrict it," he said. According to him, Russia and Kazakhstan are members of the Eurasian Economic Union, so "there are certain obligations". "There is an agreement that we signed, Ashimbaev said. If Russians are coming now, we cannot limit it. But we really hope that the situation in Ukraine will be stabilized. Read also: Latvia to refuse entry to Russians fleeing mobilization, says FM After Putin's announcement of mobilization, Russians are fleeing Russia enmasse, causing huge traffic jams on the borders with neighboring countries. On Sept. 21, Putin declared a partial mobilization in Russia and espoused his readiness to use nuclear weapons in the event of a threat to the territorial integrity of Russia. He also said he would support the holding of sham "referendums" to annex the occupied territories of Ukraine. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu who stated that Russia is not at war with Ukraine, but with the "collective West" announced that 300,000 reservists would be called up during the partial mobilization. He estimated the mobilization resource of Russia at almost 25 million people. The statements were made shortly after a rapid counteroffensive by the defenders of Ukraine: On Sept. 14, the Ministry of Defense reported that since Sept. 6 (in the space of one week), the Armed Forces of Ukraine had liberated 388 settlements and about 8,500 square kilometers in Kharkiv Oblast alone. Earlier, on Sept. 20, the Russian State Duma, the Kremlins rubber-stamp parliament, rushed through votes introducing the concepts of mobilization, martial law, and armed conflict into Russias Criminal Code. Now, desertion, absence from service and voluntary surrender will be punished more severely. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A northeastern Kentucky man accused of shooting a police officer has pleaded guilty in a violent, bizarre kidnapping. Jonathan Lee Smithers allegedly shot the officer in the throat as he arrived to investigate the kidnapping. The officer sustained life-threatening injuries but recovered, according to the plea agreement in the federal case. Smithers, 41, of Catlettsburg, is charged in state court with attempted murder and other charges, while federal authorities brought a separate kidnapping charge against him for events in Boyd and Greenup counties. Smithers kidnapped a woman identified as S.K. last May, according to a court document. The two were in a relationship at the time, according to a court document. Smithers, who was angry at S.K., punched her in the mouth. She hid in the bathroom, but Smithers threatened to shoot her if she didnt come out. Later, Smithers made S.K. go with him to Walmart, where he hit her in the head with a gun as they sat in a car in the parking lot. Smithers also made S.K. go with him to Flatwoods, where he forced her to climb fences, trespass on private property and traverse random routes around the area for several hours, according to his plea agreement. The exhausted woman eventually collapsed in a creek bed. Smithers dragged her to a spot near some apartments, and when he turned his back, she was able to crawl into a dark area and hide. Smithers looked for her, but left after he couldnt find her. S.K. then went to a nearby gas station and collapsed by the pumps, where someone found her. A resident saw Smithers coming out of the woods and notified police. When they arrived, Smithers allegedly shot a Flatwoods officer. The plea deal for Smithers in federal court calls for a life sentence. The sentencing hearing is scheduled in December. When LaDonna Koebel, head of the Kentucky Attorney Generals Office of Senior Protection and Mediation, started her job at the end of 2019, her office had received 622 scam reports, equating to $1.6 million in lost income. But in the pandemic years that followed, Koebels office has seen an explosion of scams hitting people. What we saw was a significant uptick, Koebel told the Herald-Leader Wednesday. In 2020, the number of scam reports to the state more than doubled, growing to 1,700, with more than $5 million in losses. Fraud boomed again in 2021, when there were 7,000 scam reports made to Koebels office, reporting that duped Kentuckians lost almost $13 million that year. And so far as of this August the amount of dollars Kentucky residents have lost to scams this year is on track to double, with more than $26 million in losses, Koebel said. And thats just whats reported to our office, she added, estimating the number could in reality be much higher. The increase is partly mirrored by a national trend, with the Federal Bureau of Investigations 2021 Elder Fraud Report noting a 62% increase from 2020, costing Americans older than 50 nearly $3 billion last year, according to USA Today. An easy target for scammers Older adults are generally at a greater risk for loneliness and social isolation because theyre more likely to live alone, experience the loss of family or friends, chronic illnesses and hearing loss, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes. Research has shown the social isolation many seniors experience can make them vulnerable to related health issues cognitive decline, depression and heart disease, for example. But theyre also more vulnerable to financial fallout wrought by scams, too, Koebel said. Very often seniors are the ones who lose the most, she said, adding they tend to lose larger sums at a time than younger targets because they have accumulated wealth, like home equity or retirement savings. Story continues Seniors are also less likely to report fraud than their younger counterparts, Koebel said, in part because of confusion about how to report it and the shame they feel around being a victim. Theyre embarrassed or theyre afraid of losing their independence, Koebel said, adding that only 1 in 44 seniors will ever report being a victim of a scam. Figures from the Federal Trade Commission bear this out. According to the FTC, while 44% of younger people aged 20 to 29 reported losing money to fraud, only 20% of older people ages 70 to 79 did the same. Moreover, Koebel speculates the coronavirus pandemic created a perfect storm for scammers to exploit. People were isolated during the pandemic, Koebel said. They were meeting people and having friendships more online than they ever were before So we saw this huge explosion, she added. After tornadoes, KY saw uptick in relief scams. Flood victims will likely see a repeat Romance cons are among top earners for scammers Romance scams in which the scammer gradually befriends and tricks the victim into believing the online, romantic relationship they share is genuine are consistently among the most lucrative scams, Koebel said. Except last year, romance scams were the No. 1 for dollar loss, she added. Koebel estimated its not uncommon for victims of romance scams to report losses of anywhere from $20,000 to upwards of $100,000. This is because perpetrators in these cases go for the long con. The scammers will usually keep it going as long as they can until the person is completely out of money, Koebel said, adding that could mean the victim pulling money out of their retirement savings or borrowing against their homes. When it all comes crashing down, victims are left to contend with more than just financial ruin. Theyre dealing with the emotional toll, Koebel said. They are devastated in different ways than just financially. Scam: Eastern KY flood victims targeted by fake texts from state transportation cabinet Fighting fraud: An uphill battle for watch dogs Koebel believes the boom in scams in Kentucky will continue to rise in the coming years, in large part because of the growing variety and sophistication of scam techniques. Scams dont just occur through emails anymore, Koebel said. Her office coordinates a range of outreach efforts, including educational workshops and webinars with seniors, but she admits its hard to get ahead of the curve. Anyone can fall for them, Koebel said. People dont need to feel foolish in reporting scams. She reminds people to be skeptical of payment requests by phone or those asking them to purchase gift cards or send money. If you have been a victim of a scam, time is of the essence. The quicker you report it, the greater the chance of minimizing your losses, which Koebels office can assist with. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam, you can report it to the attorney generals office at ag.ky.gov/scams. FEMA advises KY flood victims to be aware of relief fraud. How to spot, report scams Tips to avoid getting scammed The FTC recommends the following tips for avoiding falling prey to a scam: Block unwanted calls and texts. Dont give your personal or financial information in response to an unexpected request. Legitimate organizations wont call, email or text you to ask for your personal information. If you get an email or text message from a company you do business with and you think its real, its still best not to click on any links. Contact them using a website you know is trustworthy. Dont call a number they gave you or the number from your caller ID. Dont do anything in a hurry. Legitimate businesses will give you time to make a decision. Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your personal information is a scammer. Notice how scammers tell you to pay. Never pay someone who insists you pay with a gift card or by using a money transfer service, and never deposit a check and send money back to someone. Stop and talk to someone you trust. Tell someone a friend, a family member, a neighbor what happened. Talking it through can help you realize its a scam. Do you have a question about scams in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Wed like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com. PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) The international court convened in Cambodia to judge the Khmer Rouge for its brutal 1970s rule ended its work Thursday after spending $337 million and 16 years to convict just three men of crimes after the regime caused the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people. In its final session, the U.N.-assisted tribunal rejected an appeal by Khieu Samphan, the last surviving leader of the Khmer Rouge government that ruled Cambodia from 1975-79. It reaffirmed the life sentence he received after being convicted in 2018 of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Busloads of ordinary Cambodians turned up to watch the final proceedings of a tribunal that had sought to bring justice, accountability and explanations for the crimes. Many of those attending Thursday's session lived through the Khmer Rouge terror, including survivors Bou Meng and Chum Mey, who had given evidence at the tribunal over the years. Khieu Samphan, sitting in a wheelchair and wearing a white windbreaker and a face mask, listened to the proceedings on headphones. He was the groups nominal head of state but, in his trial defense, denied having real decision-making powers when the Khmer Rouge carried out a reign of terror to establish a utopian agrarian society, causing Cambodians deaths from execution, starvation and inadequate medical care. It was ousted from power in 1979 by an invasion from neighboring communist state Vietnam. No matter what you decide, I will die in prison, Khieu Samphan said in his final statement of appeal to the court last year. I will die always remembering the suffering of my Cambodian people. I will die seeing that I am alone in front of you. I am judged symbolically rather than by my actual deeds as an individual. His appeal alleged the court made errors in legal procedures and interpretation and acted unfairly, making objections to more than 1,800 points. But the court noted Thursday that his appeal did not directly question the facts of the case as presented in court. It rejected almost all arguments raised by Khieu Samphan, acknowledging an error and reversing its ruling on one minor count. The court said it found the vast majority of Khieu Samphan's arguments unfounded, and that many were alternative interpretations of the evidence. Story continues Thursdays ruling makes little practical difference. Khieu Samphan is 91 and already serving another life sentence for his 2014 conviction for crimes against humanity connected with forced transfers and disappearances of masses of people. The court ordered that Khieu Samphan, who was arrested in 2007, be returned to the specially constructed jail where he has been kept. His co-defendant Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouges No. 2 leader and chief ideologist, was convicted twice and received the same life sentence. Nuon Chea died in 2019 at age 93. The tribunals only other conviction was that of Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, who was commandant of Tuol Sleng prison, where roughly 16,000 people were tortured before being taken away to be killed. Duch was convicted in 2010 of crimes against humanity, murder, and torture and died in 2020 at age 77 while serving a life sentence. The Khmer Rouges real chief, Pol Pot, escaped justice. He died in the jungle in 1998 at age 72 while the remnants of his movement were fighting their last battles in the guerrilla war they launched after losing power. The trials of the only other two defendants were not completed. The former foreign minister of the Khmer Rouge, Ieng Sary, died in 2013, and his wife, former Social Affairs Minister Ieng Thirith, was deemed unfit to stand trial due to dementia in 2011 and died in 2015. Four other suspects, middle-ranking Khmer Rouge leaders, escaped prosecution because of a split among the tribunals jurists. In a hybrid arrangement, Cambodian and international jurists were paired at every stage, and a majority had to assent for a case to go forward. Under the French-style procedures the court used, the international investigators recommended the four go to trial, but the Cambodian partners would not agree after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen declared there would be no more prosecutions, claiming they could cause unrest. Hun Sen himself was a middle-ranking commander with the Khmer Rouge before defecting, and several senior members of his ruling Cambodian Peoples Party share similar backgrounds. He helped cement his political control by making alliances with other former Khmer Rouge commanders. With its active work done, the tribunal, formally called the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, now enters a three-year residual period, focusing on getting its archives in order and disseminating information about its work for educational purposes. Experts who took part in the courts work or monitored its proceedings are now pondering its legacy. Heather Ryan, who spent 15 years following the tribunal for the Open Society Justice Initiative, said the court was successful in providing some level of accountability. The amount of time and money and effort thats expended to get to this rather limited goal may be disproportionate to the goal, she said in a video interview from her home in Boulder, Colorado. But she praised having the trials in the country where the atrocities occurred and where people were able to pay a level of attention and gather information about what was happening in the court to a much greater extent than if the court had been in The Hague or some other place. The Hague in the Netherlands hosts the World Court and the International Criminal Court. Michael Karnavas, an American lawyer who served on Ieng Sarys defense team, said his personal expectations had been limited to the quality of justice his clients would receive. In other words, irrespective of the results, substantively and procedurally, were their fair trial rights guaranteed by the Cambodian Constitution and established law afforded to them at the highest international level? he said in an email interview. The answer is somewhat mixed. The trial stage was less than what I consider fair. There was far too much improvisation by the judges, and despite the length of the proceedings, the defense was not always treated fairly, said Karnavas, who has also appeared before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. On the substantive and procedural law, there are numerous examples where the ECCC not only got it right, but further contributed to the development of international criminal law. There is a consensus that the tribunals legacy goes beyond the law books. The court successfully attacked the long-standing impunity of the Khmer Rouge, and showed that though it might take a long time, the law can catch up with those who commit crimes against humanity, said Craig Etcheson, who has studied and written about the Khmer Rouge and was chief of investigations for the office of the prosecution at the ECCC from 2006 to 2012. The tribunal also created an extraordinary record of those crimes, comprising documentation that will be studied by scholars for decades to come, that will educate Cambodias youth about the history of their country, and that will deeply frustrate any attempt to deny the crimes of the Khmer Rouge. The bedrock issue of whether justice was served by the courts convictions of only three men was addressed by Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, which holds a huge trove of evidence of atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. Justice sometimes is made of satisfaction, recognition, rather than the number of people you prosecute, he told The Associated Press. It is a broad definition of the word justice itself, but when people are satisfied, when people are happy with the process or benefit from the process, I think we can conceptualize it as justice. ___ Peck reported from Bangkok. AP journalist Jerry Harmer contributed to this report. A beloved 80-year-old grandmother was killed in a home invasion, a tragedy that rocked her North Carolina church and neighborhood, news outlets reported. Nancy Horton was a staple in her community and a dedicated grandmother, her pastor told ABC11, The News & Observers media partner. But when Horton stopped returning calls, her family grew concerned and went to check on her. The 80-year-old was found dead in her Roxboro home on Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Person County Sheriffs Office told WNCN and other news outlets. Now, a 39-year-old is charged with murder in her death. Deputies in a news release didnt share an attorney for the man, identified as Roger Letroy Wilkerson. A child is also facing a juvenile murder case, officials said. Its so tragic, Pastor Mike Whitt told WRAL. We cant wrap our minds around it. Were still in shock trying to put the pieces together. Horton who went by the nickname Nan is remembered in news reports as a talented cook and longtime member of Whitts New Life Independent Baptist Church in Hurdle Mills, roughly 25 miles northwest of Durham. Phillip Reams told ABC11 he was Hortons neighbor and often saw her doing yard work. He said she was sweet, and kind and gentle as anybody you have ever seen. Deputies in their news release didnt say how Horton died but told WRAL her car was stolen and later found. Other car break-ins were reported in the area, though officials havent determined whether they were linked to the homicide, the TV station reported. After the 80-year-old was found dead, deputies said they carried out search warrants at the home of the 39-year-old suspect, Wilkerson. While there, they reportedly discovered evidence that tied him to the homicide case. Wilkerson, who was already out on bond for breaking and entering early last year, was arrested on additional charges, police said. He was being held without bond on the murder charge and a combined total of $500,000.00 bond on the other offenses, according to officials. Story continues The Person County Sheriffs Office didnt immediately share additional information with McClatchy News on Sept. 22. 14-year-old charged with murder after 10-year-old cousin shot and killed, NC cops say Man drives 300 miles to fight man who dated his daughter, then shoots him, NC cops say The incendiary issue of the transportation of migrants has flared once again and its not going anywhere. The latest spark came when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) organized two flights of migrants to Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts on Sep. 14. Beyond the fact that around 50 people, many of them originally from Venezuela, were transported to the island, little else is agreed upon. DeSantis has stood over the move and is getting significant support from Republicans and conservatives. But the flights have elicited uproar on the left and among immigration advocates. Some of the migrants have filed a class-action suit against DeSantis, other Democratic politicians have implied he has committed crimes, and even a Texas sheriff has gotten involved. DeSantis appears adamant that there will be more flights. Here are the main legal issues. The migrants class-action suit Immigrants gather with their belongings outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022, in Edgartown, Mass., on Marthas Vineyard. (Ray Ewing/Vineyard Gazette via AP) The class-action suit filed on Tuesday is the most dramatic and concrete legal development to date. The suit was filed in federal court in Massachusetts. It takes aim at DeSantis, Florida Secretary of Transportation Jared Perdue and the state of Florida. The core of the case is the allegation that the migrants were coaxed onto the flights by false promises fraudulent inducement in legal terms and that this means DeSantis and his allies infringed those migrants rights and committed fraud. It asserts that migrants were approached outside a shelter in San Antonio by mysterious people who won their trust by supplying them with minimal benefits such as McDonalds vouchers. In one instance, it is alleged, several dozen people were asked to sign a document in order to receive a $10 McDonalds gift card. The document, according to the legal filing, was not completely translated to Spanish: an entire paragraph about liability and transport was not translated at all, and language specifying that the journey would take place from Texas to Massachusetts was not translated at all either. Story continues The plaintiffs also allege they were given brochures bearing the title Massachusetts Refugee Benefits and promising wide-ranging help with housing, clothes and transportation for job interviews. In fact, the brochure had been put together by Florida officials, the suit alleges. Massachusettss real refugee resettlement plan, the filing notes, has highly specific requirements for which no members of the putative class are eligible. The class-action lawsuit, brought in conjunction with Alianza Americas, a network of migrant-led organizations, outlines 12 different causes for action, including violations of the Fourth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment, and the intentional infliction of emotional distress. One of the lawyers representing the migrants, Oren Sellstrom, told The Hill, Our complaint alleges a number of violations of both the U.S. Constitution and federal laws. A state governor just cannot fraudulently induce vulnerable individuals to board a plane and cross state lines. Sellstrom, the litigation director at Lawyers for Civil Rights, described the alleged conduct as shocking. You describe it and then almost have to step back and realize that it actually happened, it was actually orchestrated by an American governor, he said. DeSantiss team counters that the migrants took the flights voluntarily an assertion that, if proved true, would negate most, if not all, of the lawsuits claims. Taryn Feske, DeSantiss communications director, said in a statement that the relocations were done on a voluntary basis. DeSantiss office also provided a copy of consent forms to reporters, which list Massachusetts as the final destination and which they say the migrants signed. The immigrants were homeless, hungry, and abandoned and these activists didnt care about them then, said Feske. Floridas program gave them a fresh start in a sanctuary state and these individuals opted to take advantage of chartered flights to Massachusetts. DeSantis himself told Sean Hannity of Fox News on Monday, It was clearly voluntary and all the other nonsense youre hearing is just not true. The Democrats accusations of possible criminality California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a podium in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group via AP) Alongside the civil suit, Democratic politicians have called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate whether crimes might have been committed by the Florida governor or people working on his behalf. The most prominent figure to make such as call is California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who has tangled repeatedly with DeSantis in recent months. Each man is considered a possible 2024 presidential contender. Last week, Newsom penned a public letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland. He encouraged Garland to investigate whether the alleged fraudulent inducements offered to the migrants would support charges of kidnapping under relevant state laws something that could, in turn, serve as a predicate offense for charges under so-called RICO statues, which were originally drawn up to fight organized crime. A Democratic state representative in Massachusetts, Dylan Fernandes, has called for an investigation along similar lines. He tweeted on Sept. 18 that the DOJ should investigate legal implications around fraud, kidnapping, deprivation of liberty, and human trafficking. Of course, if the DeSantis defense that the migrants took the flights voluntarily carries the day, allegations of kidnapping would go nowhere. Even those sympathetic to the migrants plight see steep challenges for a criminal prosecution. It seems questionable whether the DOJ would bring criminal charges against a sitting governor and potential presidential candidate on a matter as loaded and polarizing as immigration unless the evidence of illegality was absolutely clear-cut. The FBI and DOJ probably have to look into this. They almost have no choice, said Jesse Bless, an attorney specializing in immigration matters. Referring to the alleged conduct by state officials, Bless said, Certainly you couldnt do this to a U.S. citizen and people in the U.S., regardless of [immigration] status, do have civil rights protections. Yet, at the same time, Bless acknowledged, I dont know what the remedy would be. Does DeSantis go to jail? he added, making clear he sees such an end result as improbable. The sheriffs investigation Immigration 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, Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022, in Edgartown, Mass., on Marthas Vineyard. (Ray Ewing/Vineyard Gazette via AP) Among the curious elements of the Marthas Vineyard episode, one stands out: The sequence of events originated in Texas, not Florida. Many of the migrants claim that their first point of contact occurred outside or near the shelter in San Antonio. There, they say they were contacted by unidentified people one woman gave her name as Perla who set in motion the process by which they eventually ended up in Massachusetts. Their flights, in fact, first left Texas before touching down in Florida en route to Massachusetts. That, in turn, has led the sheriff of Bexar County, Texas where San Antonio is located to launch his own investigation. Sheriff Javier Salazar, a Democrat, has been vaguer than others in outlining exactly what he is investigating, however. Salazar has told reporters that he believes the migrants were lured under false pretenses, including the promise of work. He has said they were exploited and hoodwinked. But Salazars broad statements make it hard to evaluate where his probe goes next. Speaking with CNN this week, he noted, with respect to DeSantis, I have not said and nor will I say that Ive got the governor under investigation. The budgetary questions Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) Alongside the more dramatic accusations being flung back and forth about the legality of the migrant flights, the more prosaic issue of budgeting has also received attention. The flights were funded from a $12 million item in the Florida budget that was passed overwhelmingly by state legislators earlier this year. But that measure, and how its been interpreted, is the subject of new debate. Firstly, as Politico and other outlets have noted, the budget legislation required that the money be used with respect to transporting unauthorized aliens from this state. Democrats and migrant advocates return to the point that the migrants journey originated in Texas, not Florida. They further add that people from outside the U.S. have a legal right to claim asylum and to have those claims adjudicated. In other words, they are not unauthorized aliens. Republicans and others with a more hard-line view of immigration argue that there is no problem with the language since the migrants presented themselves at the U.S. border without the required documents to enter the country. Separately, there is controversy around the origins of the money. Democrats say it clearly came from the interest earned by the state on COVID-19 stimulus payments from the federal government. A Washington Post report last week said that DeSantiss office did not respond to multiple questions about the source of the funds or whether the $12 million in covid aid had been used for the flights to Marthas Vineyard. At a recent news conference, DeSantis proclaimed, Ive got 12 million to use and so we are going to use it. His intention appears to be to continue with the migrant flights until the money is exhausted. The migrants who have filed the class action suit assert that this amounts to the use of COVID-19 relief funds for unauthorized purposes. Others, who do not go that far, have said the episode shows a loophole in the provision of those funds that other states might exploit. Meanwhile, some Democrats in Florida are pressing the issue. State Sen. Annette Taddeo (D), currently running for Congress in the states 27th District, said she asked questions about the money from the outset. In particular, she unsuccessfully sought a carve-out that would have prohibited the money from being used to move people out of Florida who were seeking asylum from left-wing groups or regimes in other nations. Taddeo fled her native Colombia at the age of 17 after her father was kidnapped by left-wing FARC guerrillas. Cuban Americans, many of whom fled Fidel Castros regime or have forebears who did so, are a famously potent constituency in South Florida. Referring to DeSantiss move and the widespread speculation that he is eying a 2024 presidential bid Taddeo told The Hill, This may be popular for a national presidential primary, but not in Miami. Figures such as DeSantis, she contended, are wanting the votes, but when it comes time to welcome the people who are fleeing communist and murderous regimes, they are just treating them like political pawns. That is completely unacceptable. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Moscow-held regions of Ukraine were voting Friday on whether to become part of Russia, in referendums that Kyiv and its allies have condemned as an unlawful land grab. The referendums in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, as well as in the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions have been dismissed as a sham by Kyiv's Western allies. The voting, which spans five days, comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced this week a mandatory troop call-up for about 300,000 reservists, also sparking Western condemnation. Authorities are to go door-to-door for four days to collect votes. Polling stations will then open on Tuesday for residents to cast ballots on the final day of voting. It was also possible to vote at the building in Moscow that represents the Donetsk breakaway region. Leonid, a 59-year-old military official, told AFP he came to vote "feeling happy". "Ultimately, things are moving towards the restoration of the Soviet Union. The referendum is one step towards this," he said. Earlier this month, Ukrainian forces seized back most of the north-eastern Kharkiv region in a huge counter-offensive that has seen Kyiv retake hundreds of towns and villages that had been under Russian control for months. On Friday, Russian news agency TASS showed officials in courtyards of buildings in Donetsk notifying residents by loudspeaker that voting had started and surrounding a resident while he cast his ballot. - 'Sham' - Denis Pushilin, a pro-Russian separatist leader in the Donetsk region -- which makes up part of the industrial Donbass region -- said in a Telegram post that "Donbas is Russia". "The voice of each of you will confirm the truth," he said. The four regions' integration into Russia -- which for most observers is a foregone conclusion -- would represent a major new escalation of the conflict. "We cannot - we will not - allow president Putin to get away with it," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the UN Security Council on Thursday, condemning the referendums as a "sham". Story continues The referendums are reminiscent of Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea in 2014. Western capitals maintain that a similar vote at the time was fraudulent and hit Moscow with sanctions in response. At the UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov lashed out at Western accusations against the ballots and accused Ukraine of driving "Russophobia". - Paper ballots - In Donetsk and Lugansk -- which Putin already recognised as independent before invading Ukraine in February -- residents are answering if they support their "republic's entry into Russia", TASS reported. Ballots in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia ask the question: "Are you in favour of secession from Ukraine, formation of an independent state by the region and its joining the Russian Federation as a subject of the Russian Federation?" Russian news agencies reported that the voting process began on Friday at 0500 GMT. "Given the short deadlines and the lack of technical equipment, it was decided not to hold electronic voting and use the traditional paper ballots," TASS reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the referendums as a "farce" and hailed Western allies for their condemnation of Russia's moves. "I am grateful to everyone in the world who supported us, who clearly condemned another Russian lie," he said during his daily address on Thursday. Putin said Moscow would use "all means" to protect its territory -- a statement that former Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev said on social media would mean including "strategic nuclear weapons". Moscow on Thursday began its mandatory troop call-up, after Putin called for about 300,000 reservists to bolster the war effort. - 'Don't want to die' - Amateur footage posted on social media purported to show hundreds of Russians responding to the military summons. The Russian military said that at least 10,000 people had volunteered to fight in 24 hours since the order. But men were also leaving Russia in droves before they were made to join. Flights to neighbouring countries, mainly former Soviet republics that grant visa-free entry to Russians, are nearly entirely booked and prices have skyrocketed. A man who gave his name only as Dmitri flew to Armenia with just one small bag, leaving behind his wife and children. "I don't want to die in this senseless war," he told AFP. Military-aged men made up the majority of those arriving off a recent flight from Moscow at Yerevan airport and many were reluctant to speak. The Armenian capital has become a major destination for fleeing Russians as Russia becomes increasingly isolated internationally since launching the war on February 24. "The situation in Russia would make anyone want to leave," said 44-year-old Sergei, looking lost and exhausted in the airport's arrivals hall. burs-pmu/jm MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Thursday said reports of an exodus of draft-age men from Russia after President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a partial mobilisation were "exaggerated". Since President Putin declared a partial mobilisation of reservists on Wednesday, flights for the coming days from Russia to nearby countries including Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Serbia have sold out entirely. Lengthy tailbacks were reported at Russia's borders with Georgia, Finland, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. In a call with reporters, Peskov said: "The information about the hype at airports and so on is very much exaggerated ... There is a lot of fake information about this. We need to be very careful about this so as not to become a victim of false information on this matter." Peskov declined to deny Russian media reports that some anti-mobilisation protesters detained on Wednesday night had been given draft papers, saying: "This is not against the law." The OVD-Info rights group reported that over 1,300 people in 38 cities had been detained on Wednesday for protesting against the mobilisation decree. The Russian news site Mediazona reported that at least three men detained in Moscow had been given mobilisation summons while at police stations. Asked whether the campaign in Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special military operation", was still going to plan despite the mobilisation, Peskov said: "The special operation began to fulfil goals in Ukraine. Now we are de facto confronted by the NATO bloc with all their logistical capabilities. This has led to this necessary step." However, he denied that the conflict in Ukraine could be termed a war, insisting on the description that the Kremlin has used since ordering troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey) A Kroger employee who was shot the day a gunman opened fire inside of a Collierville grocery store is suing the company for a total of $10 million. According to a lawsuit, Mariko Jenkins worked at the Collierville Kroger when a recently fired employee of a contracted sushi company inside of the store began shooting, injuring 15 people and killing Olivia King. Authorities said the shooter then shot and killed himself. Collierville Mass Shooting: A year later with the first responders on the scene The lawsuit claims that Kroger and Snowfox, the contracted sushi company inside of Kroger, knew or should have known that (the shooter) presented a danger after he was fired. The court documents claim that the shooter had a history of being confrontational towards employees and shoppers, one such incident resulting in his firing that fateful day on September 23, 2021. RELATED: Collierville Police release video footage from Kroger mass shooting Authorities said that the fired employee left Kroger and then returned with a gun, leading up to the deadly mass shooting. According to Jenkins lawsuit, At no time did any Defendant warn of or otherwise take reasonable action to prevent (the shooter) from causing or mitigating his ability to cause such harm when they had the means, ability and reasonable constructive and/or actual notice to do so.. RELATED: Family identifies woman killed in Collierville Kroger mass shooting Olivia King and her youngest son Greg King The lawsuit also alleges oversights in the hiring process. The shooter was the independent franchise owner for the Snowfox sushi distributor that was set up inside of Kroger at 240 New Byhalia Road in Collierville. Defendants by and through its agents, servants and employees, through investigation and background examination, knew or should have known of Thangs dangerous propensities as an unfit employee/franchisee, the lawsuit read. Defendants failed to use reasonable care in investigating, recruiting, and hiring Thang and failed to provide adequate warning to Plaintiff. Story continues Jenkins is seeking $5 million in compensatory damages and another $5 million in punitive damages. PHOTOS: 12 injured, 2 dead following mass shooting at Collierville Kroger First responders rush towards an active shooter situation at the Kroger in Collierville on New Byhalia Rd. FOX13 reached out to Kroger for comment on the lawsuit. Kroger responded, No comment. Thank you. We cannot comment on any legal action. Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Trending stories: Los Angeles County on Friday ended its local health order requiring masking while aboard public transit or inside transportation hubs, such as airports. For months, L.A. has been the only California county to still mandate widespread masking in such settings though some individual operators, most notably the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit commuter rail system, also have such rules in place. L.A. County health officials had previously cited the heightened risks of coronavirus spread and exposure for transit workers, but with a notable decline in reported cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks, health officials said the time has come to relax the order. Masking is still strongly recommended in interior transit settings and "from our perspective, [that] means its a great idea to keep your mask on," L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Thursday. BART's board of directors voted 8 to 1 on Thursday evening to effectively end the Bay Area rail system's mask mandate next month. The resolution authorizes BART's general manager to impose a new mandate if Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo or Santa Clara counties reinstate indoor masking, among other conditions. "Because no such requirement now exists BARTs current mask requirement is set to end when it expires after Oct. 1," BART officials said. "The first day masks will not be required will be Oct. 2." AC Transit, which operates bus service in the East Bay, also has a mask mandate in place. L.A. County officials said they would reinstate a mask mandate on public transit and in transportation hubs should case rates rise again. L.A. County's change coincides with the timing of the California Department of Public Health's plan to lift state-ordered mandatory masking in jails and prisons, homeless shelters, and emergency and cooling centers in counties with a low COVID-19 community level, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Story continues Placement in that category which includes most California counties indicates the pandemic is not having a major impact on hospitals. The CDC updates its community level assessments, which indicates rates of new coronavirus-positive hospitalizations, every week, sorting counties into low, medium or high. State masking orders would still apply in jails and prisons, shelters and cooling centers if there's an outbreak, or if the facility is in a county with a medium or high COVID-19 community level. As of Thursday, there were no California counties in the high level, and only eight in medium: Kern, Stanislaus, Merced, Butte, Tehama, Tuolumne, Glenn and Mariposa. About 95% of Californians live in counties with a low COVID-19 community level. Masks are still required in healthcare facilities and long-term and senior care settings under a state health order. And the state is requiring that businesses and venues, including K-12 schools, must allow any individual to wear a mask if they desire. L.A. County also is easing its recommendation for universal masking in indoor settings, and instead says the practice should be a matter of personal preference in light of declining coronavirus case rates. The state is doing the same in counties where hospitalization levels are low. "I'm hopeful that as we've reached this level where, in fact, we have less spread than weve seen for quite a while, people can feel comfortable making those decisions because theres a lot less transmission," Ferrer said. County health officials would still strongly recommend certain individuals including older or unvaccinated residents, as well as those with underlying health conditions or who live in high-poverty areas to mask up in higher-risk settings. Such spaces include those that are crowded, involve close contact with others or have poor air flow. Ferrer also urged people to wear masks on public transit and in hubs such as airports. The L.A. County Department of Public Health had previously said it would ease its guidance whenever the county dipped below the threshold of 100 coronavirus cases a week for every 100,000 residents. For the seven-day period that ended Thursday, L.A. County reported 98 coronavirus cases a week for every 100,000 residents. Ferrer said a transit masking order would be reinstated if the case rate were to again surpass 100 and remain above that threshold for 14 straight days. "You cannot just ignore the higher risk associated with public transit, especially for transit workers," she said. "If case rates rise to indicate high transmission, layering in more protection to prevent spread is appropriate." Ferrer also spelled out the criteria that would trigger the return of a universal public indoor mask mandate the likes of which hasn't been in place since early March. To get to that point, L.A. County would need to record significant coronavirus spread as well as see a dramatic worsening of new coronavirus-positive hospital admissions and a significant percentage of hospital beds being taken up by coronavirus-positive patients. Conditions would have to deteriorate to a point seen only twice before in the pandemic during the first fall-and-winter surge that began in late 2020, where morgues were so overwhelmed the National Guard was called in; and the first Omicron surge that struck after Thanksgiving 2021, which left emergency rooms inundated, ambulances facing delays at hospitals and patients' scheduled surgeries canceled. Specifically, L.A. County would need to hit two thresholds to return to a universal mask order, benchmarks that would be tougher to hit than the plan that had been in place this summer. Assuming there's an elevated coronavirus case rate, a universal mask mandate would return only if L.A. County saw at least 10 new coronavirus-positive hospital admissions a week for every 100,000 residents and had at least 10% of all staffed inpatient hospital beds occupied by coronavirus-positive patients. Currently, the county is reporting 6.5 new coronavirus-positive hospital admissions per week for every 100,000 residents, and only 3.6% of hospital beds are occupied by such patients. During the peak of this summer's wave, when it appeared a renewed mask order was imminent, L.A. County topped out at 7.2% of hospital beds being taken up by coronavirus-positive patients, though it did temporarily exceed the other hospitalization metric. "Everything we're doing here is really about trying to move us to a place where we acknowledge how important it is to have new tools that help us keep each other safe. Those are vaccinations, boosters, testing and therapeutics," Ferrer said. "But when we see things are getting out of hand, we need to go back to the strategies that worked before we had our vaccinations and boosters." Some L.A. County mask orders will remain in place beyond Friday, including the requirement that anyone exposed to the coronavirus wear a mask for 10 days following an exposure. Being exposed to the coronavirus is defined as sharing the same indoor air space for at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period. Infected individuals in L.A. County also are required to stay home for at least five days after their first symptoms or the date of their first positive test if they don't have symptoms. They can exit isolation as early as the sixth day if they test negative on a rapid test, and generally can end isolation at the start of the 11th day without needing a negative test result. L.A. County's masking orders for exposed and infected people are the same as those imposed by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA, for employees at a worksite. The California Department of Public Health has similar guidelines for exposed and infected people, but unlike L.A. County and Cal/OSHA, it makes them recommendations, not requirements. California on Friday also is largely rescinding its strong recommendation that everyone regardless of vaccination status mask up when in indoor public settings and businesses. Instead, universal indoor masking is recommended only when a county's COVID-19 community level is high. The changes will give "Californians the information they should consider when deciding when to wear a mask, including the rate of spread in the community and personal risk," Dr. Tomas Aragon, California's public health director and state health officer, said in a statement. California health officials say that mask use remains important for protection against infection. In 2021, consistently wearing a face mask in indoor public settings reduced the risk of getting a coronavirus infection, the state Department of Public Health said, citing a study it published. And a 10% increase in self-reported mask wearing tripled the likelihood of slowing community transmission of the coronavirus, officials said, citing a series of surveys nationwide. Times staff writer Gregory Yee contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The former Lake City administrator and two former Lake City police officers were arrested and charged Wednesday in relation to the falsification of documents sent to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Eric Wood, 57, the city administrator for Lake City, was charged alongside former Lake City police officers Anthony Snyder, 45, and Aaron Alspach, 46. An investigation conducted by the Sac County Sheriff's Office found that Wood signed forms for Alspach and Snyder in the fall of 2020 that contained false information regarding both of the newly hired officers' qualifications, according to a news release. The investigation started in November of last year, according to the release. Wood was charged with one count of felonious misconduct in the office, one count of obstructing prosecution, two counts of suborning perjury and two counts of perjury, according to court records. Snyder and Alspach were each charged with one count of felonious misconduct in the office and one count of perjury. Court records show Wood is being accused of "suborning," or in other words convincing, Alspach and Snyder to commit perjury. Alspach was removed from the Lake City police force last October following a special council meeting at the recommendation of Wood, according to local radio station KCIM. Alspach had failed to complete his training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy more than a year after being hired, the radio station reported at the time. The Lake City council lists considering the termination of an unnamed police officer at Wood's recommendation as the only item on the Oct. 18, 2021 agenda. Snyder was employed by the Atlantic Police Department at the time of his arrest. The department stated Snyder was placed on administrative leave for the duration of the investigation, according to a news release. Sac County Sheriff Ken McClure confirmed his office is conducting an investigation into the case, but declined to comment on further details. Story continues The Lake City Police Department Chief Dan Schaffer declined to comment on the arrests. He said his department is not involved in the investigation. The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office also declined to comment, referring comment to the Iowa Attorney General's Office. The Iowa Attorney General's Office declined to comment further on the case, other than to confirm the case involved falsified documents sent to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Sherry Poole, interim director of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, did not respond to an immediate request for comment. Wood was being held in jail with a bond set for $20,000, while Snyder and Alspach were being held on bond for $10,000, according to court records. All three posted bond, according to a Sac County Sheriff's Office release. They are scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 3. Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at @francescablock3. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Lake City administrator, officers arrested for falsifying documents The CIA launched its own podcast Thursday, saying it wanted to step out from the shadows to demystify its spy work and to help Americans understand the intelligence agencys role. Dubbed the Langley Files, the first 18-minute episode featured an interview with CIA Director William Burns, who said it was vital to explain to the public how the agency operates, even while protecting its secrets. At a moment when trust in institutions is in such short supply, he said, it is important to try to explain ourselves as best we can and to demystify a little bit of what we do. The CIAs first podcast comes as the agency is seeking to recruit a more diverse workforce, and as it commemorates its 75th anniversary under a director with a penchant for more openness. Burns said the CIAs work did not resemble spy movies, a world of heroic individuals who drive fast cars and defuse bombs and solve world crises all on their own every day. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns speaks in Atlanta on April 14, 2022. (Brynn Anderson / AP file) The former career diplomat said he never expected to be the director of Americas top spy agency, and he said his wife and daughters find it amusing that his daily routine is a long way from the glamorous life of spies depicted on film. They never cease to remind me that I dont exactly fit that image --since Im most comfortable driving our 2013 Subaru Outback at posted speed limits and that, for me at least, the height of technological daring is when I can finally get the Roku remote to work at home, Burns said. But even so, he said, there was no shortage of courage and skill and ingenuity among our officers. He cited two examples as recent successes for the agency, forecasting Russias plans to invade Ukraine and tracking down Al-Qaeda co-founder Ayman al-Zawahiri, who was killed in a U.S. strike last month. The CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies were able to paint a pretty clear picture of Putins plans to mount a major new invasion of Ukraine last fall, months before he actually launched that invasion on the 24th of February, Burns said. Story continues That enabled us to help Ukrainians defend themselves. It helped us to build Allied unity. It helped to expose the fact that what Putin was about was a naked, unprovoked aggression, he said. Burns added that the effort was reinforced by a presidential decision to declassify some intelligence. During Burns tenure, the CIA and other intelligence agencies have broken with past practice and declassified intelligence about Russias war effort in Ukraine as part of an information war with the Kremlin. Burns also said the agency had placed a priority on China and set up a new center focused on the country. The CIA was trying to devote more resources to that effort and was recruiting more Mandarin speakers, he said. CIA press secretary Susan Miller called the podcast a major milestone for the agency, representing the latest in CIAs ongoing efforts to be as open as possible with the public, sharing what we can about our mission, people, and history. Burns did not offer any major revelations in the podcast, and the two agency employees hosting the show posed polite questions to their boss. But Burns did mention a photo he has in his office that reminded him of the massive effort undertaken last year to evacuate Americans and their Afghan partners working with the CIA in Afghanistan. The photo, taken when Burns flew to Kabul to speak to the Taliban leadership as U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan, shows a bare wall with thousands of black check marks, he said. Its a tally of the lives of stranded American citizens and Afghan partners, partners who had fought and bled with us over two decades in Afghanistan. A tally of lives that our officers, working very closely with partners in the U.S. military and the State Department, helped to save, he said. I saw our officers in those tumultuous, dangerous days at the end of last August take incredible risks going out beyond the wire at Kabul airport to help rescue stranded US citizens and Afghan partners, Burns said. The photo serves as a reminder that amid the pain of the U.S. withdrawal, we did our duty in the most difficult circumstances, and that we honored our profound obligation to our fellow citizens and to our Afghan partners," he said. Describing the traits defining the agencys work, Burns said the CIAs intelligence gathering and analysis were shaped by ingenuity, dedication and remaining apolitical. Our job is to tell policymakers what they need to hear, not what they want to hear, he said. As the CIA marks its 75th anniversary, Burns said, it is an opportunity to reflect on what we got right and what we got wrong over those years through the Cold War and then the war on terror in the two decades since 9/11." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Hispanic advocates slammed Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz for blocking President Bidens nomination of Leopoldo Martinez Nucete as United States executive director of the Inter-American Development Bank because of alleged past associations with the Venezuelan regime. Senator Ted Cruzs mischaracterization of Leopoldo Martinez is nothing but an outright lie. As a Venezuelan-American, I am deeply appalled and offended by his remarks on the Senate floor yesterday, said Nathalie Rayes, president and CEO of the Latino Victory Fund. In a Senate floor speech blocking Martinezs nomination Wednesday, Cruz alluded to the Venezuela-born lawyers political past in his home country. Mr. Martinez Nucete is a man of the left, a man of the hard left, said Cruz. He has been a hard partisan his entire life and even farther than that and this is really quite remarkable Mr. Martinez Nucete was actually a socialist congressman in Venezuela, under Hugo Chavez, said Cruz. Cruz said Martinez was a man of the anti-American hard left, adding that Bidens nomination was astonishingly ill-advised. Biden nominated a socialist, radical Venezuelan congressman that served under Chavez to represent America abroad. It's completely unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/bf5MVfscvc Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) September 21, 2022 Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, responded on Twitter, saying this is a lie. This is a lie. To set the record straight, @lecumberry was an OPPOSITION party congressman and had to FLEE Venezuela because of his political views. Shameful to see Sen. Cruz join other Republicans in attacking Venezuelans for fleeing Chavez and Maduro. https://t.co/cfsHPuEfbd Senate Foreign Relations Committee (@SFRCdems) September 22, 2022 Menendez added that Martinez had to flee Venezuela because of his anti-regime positions. Story continues Cruzs office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Martinez was a member of the Venezuelan assembly from 2000 to 2005, initially as a member of the Democratic Action Party, a mainstream center-left party that opposed the Venezuelan dictatorship in the 1950s, rose to power during the democratic period from 1958 to 1999. The party opposed former President Hugo Chavez and currently opposes President Nicolas Maduro. Martinez served part of his time in office as an independent, in part because he was tapped to serve in the would-be government preparing to take over after a failed coup detat against Chavez in 2002. Leopoldo and his family fled Venezuela to escape the Chavez regime and political persecution by the Venezuelan government. He is a man of principle who is not afraid to defend the same democratic values we hold dear in the United States, said Rayes. Martinez, who as a U.S. citizen has served various positions in the Democratic National Committee, the Virginia state government and on the boards of the University of Mary Washington and the Sorensen Institute at the University of Virginia, is a well-known quantity in Latino political circles. He has written extensively in opposition to the Maduro regime, often publishing opinion columns on Fox News. Martinez is also a founding board member of the Latino Victory Project, a group dedicated to increasing Hispanic representation in U.S. government. The Inter-American Development Bank is a hemispheric development bank thats owned by 48 countries around the world, including the United States, although only its 26 Caribbean and Latin American members can borrow funds from the bank. Martinez is nominated to take the U.S. seat at the banks board of executive directors, a position that controls 30 percent of the institutions voting shares. Leopoldo is a decent, outstanding American who has done more to strengthen the United States democracy than pro-insurrection Cruz ever will. By blocking Leopoldos confirmation to lead the Inter-American Bank, Senator Cruz is weakening the United States ability to maintain a strong relationship with Latin America, which is completely unacceptable, said Rayes. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. For the second year in a row, In The Know by Yahoo hosted a live panel of Latinx and Hispanic business founders in celebration of Latinx Heritage Month. The sold-out show, which took place at Mexican hot spot Cosme, was moderated by In The Knows beauty producer Lisa Azcona. The nights speakers which included Lyana Blount, the CEO of Black Rican Vegan; Adriana Carrig, the founder of Little Words Project; and Brandon Pena, the CEO of 787 coffee all shared insights into how theyve persevered as small businesses in spite of the pandemic. A common theme among their answers had to do with support from their communities. Pena, whose coffee brand is sourced from Puerto Rico and named after the islands area code, was hit hard by not only the pandemic but Hurricane Maria in 2017. Left to right: Lisa Azcona, Brandon Pena, Adriana Carrig. Credit: In The Know We lost 97% of the farm, Pena recalled. We closed four shops in New York City, we closed one shop in Puerto Rico, we sold a contract with United, and we all had doubts. Pena felt hopeless but credited one of his colleagues, Muriel, with coming up with the idea of getting back to the companys startup roots, and the duo started selling coffee at street fairs. The brand 787 began growing again in early 2020, but then the pandemic hit. We came back to New York City and took advantage of the experience Maria gave us, Pena said, about expanding 787 during a pandemic. Every [other] coffee shop that was closing, we opened [ours]. We ended up with 11 coffee shops that year. It was amazing. It was a similar situation for Carrig, whose bracelet business was just starting to take off. She had a staff of 40 employees and overcame a lot of peoples not taking her or her ideas seriously enough. I felt like I was always fighting this uphill battle of trust me, its going to work,' she said. It was an ongoing sea of unexpected challenges. Left to right: Lisa Azcona, Brandon Pena, Adriana Carrig, Lyana Blount. Credit: In The Know Carrig did not want to furlough any of her employees or cut salaries. She said she turned to the tight-knit community that had established itself around the Little Words Project and asked for help. Carrig said she was able to do this because of her openness with customers particularly her relatability to other Latinx and Hispanic young women. Story continues I was very transparent from the very beginning [from] making these bracelets in my basement with my mother, she said. Transparency and honesty the whole way through. Blount, who came up with the idea of Black Rican Vegan in 2016, agreed with Carrig about being transparent with customers. She said everyone whos stayed true to her brand since the beginning has watched her move from cooking in her Bronx apartment to being in a commercial kitchen with employees to counting Lizzo as a fan, all within a matter of years. Left to right: Adriana Carrig, Lyana Blount. Credit: In The Know I didnt know how people were going to take to it, she said about launching Black Rican Vegan. I grew up having a set of friends that were Black and a set of friends that were Puerto Rican, and both of them kind of judged me for being more than the other, and I dont see myself that way. I just do what I was taught. Blounts mom, who is Puerto Rican and loves to cook, was her inspiration. But the transition from cooking in your kitchen with family recipes to building a full vegan empire doesnt come effortlessly. Its never-ending, really, Blount said about facing obstacles while starting a business. Its [about] having passion for what you do and finding ways to just keep going. How to support the Latinx and Hispanic community year-round Supporting Latinx- and Hispanic-founded brands shouldnt be limited to just one month a year. Lisa concluded the session by asking the panelists how consumers can support and offer more seats at the table for Latinx and Hispanic entrepreneurs. By working ethically, by working more than anyone else, by being the first one to show up, Pena said, as advice to other small business owners. We are a Puerto Rican company, we are a Spanish-speaking company. We are happy to have an accent, we are happy to be here, we are very happy to be brown and very happy to be Mexican. More things like this, Carrig answered, referencing the event. Being part of this community and continuing to show up for our Latina and Latino brothers and sisters in that way. The post Latinx and Hispanic entrepreneurs discuss how theyve found success at In The Know by Yahoos live event appeared first on In The Know. More from In The Know: Finance expert shares tips for women of color to negotiate for more money Everything you need to know about Latinx Heritage Month Apple spotlights 4 incredible Latinx and Hispanic developers who aim to improve access to mental health, education and social connection Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month with these 4 movies on streaming with Latinx leads FIRST ON FOX: Several lawmakers weighed in on Democrat-led cities blasting border states for busing migrants to them even though the cities themselves have bussed their homeless out of town. Fox News Digital asked several lawmakers on Tuesday about how blue cities like San Francisco and New York City that have bussed their homeless out of town are now criticizing border states like Texas and Florida for sending illegal migrants to their backyards. "Its total hypocrisy, what weve been seeing happen," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told Fox News Digital. LAWMAKERS BLAST ARMY SOLDIER FOOD STAMP SUGGESTION AMID BIDENS STUDENT LOAN HANDOUT: OUTRAGEOUS "Not just in those cities, but President Biden has been moving people around in the dead of night for the last year and a half, and now theyre upset?" McCarthy continued. "It just shows the hypocrisy on their own policies and what theyve been doing." Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., told Fox News Digital "there is no question this is a double-standard" for Democrats. "When you look at the fact that all these areas that dont want the homeless migrants say its a wonderful thing, we should keep our borders open, its just fine" Van Drew said. "Its because all of these homeless migrants have been going into areas around Texas and Arizona and many other areas, because, actually, this president has been flying them all around the country." "Its wrong, its hypocritical," he continued. "What I think the governors did, the governor of Texas and the governor of Arizona, was completely and totally appropriate because, essentially they were saying, if you think its a good idea, then why dont you take some of these people and help us out." Van Drew pointed to Texas abundant small towns and communities that "just cant afford, cant house, and cant take care of these people, but these other areas can." Story continues "And I think the best of all was Marthas Vineyard: they couldnt even manage 50 people before they called the National Guard in," Van Drew quipped. "If I were those governors, each one should send about 5,000." "They got a lot of room out there, a lot of vacant properties, a lot of beautiful, open areas,"the congressman continued. "It will be very, very healthy for the undocumented and illegals to be there. Theres still a lot of wonderful produce growing there." "They can do a lot. They can set up tent cities for them, because thats what theyre doing everywhere else," Van Drew added. "You know what? If its good for you, then its good for me." New York Democrat Jamaal Bowman, a progressive in the House, told Fox News Digital that both migrants and homeless people should be treated with a "human rights approach." "We have to provide housing and shelter and safety and opportunity for people who are in need, for people who are seeking asylum in our country, and the people who are unhoused in our country," Bowman told Fox News Digital. "We have to take a human rights approach to how we govern and how we live our lives, and were the wealthiest nation on earth, we should be able to take care of the people most vulnerable," he continued. New York City and San Francisco are among the cities who have been quietly busing their homeless population out of town for over three decades . The nations capital hasnt been free from the controversy, either, making headlines just five years ago for giving a homeless family bus tickets to North Carolina instead of helping them find shelter. Meanwhile, the leaders of these cities busing their homeless problem out of their towns are criticizing border states for sending buses of illegal migrants to their cities. DETROIT (AP) Some teachers and a counselor at a Michigan high school were aware of a teen's troubling interest in guns and violence months before he was accused of fatally shooting four students and wounding others, a lawyer representing victims' families said Thursday. From literally the beginning of school, Ethan Crumbley was evidencing signs of being a highly troubled individual, to say the least, said Detroit attorney Ven Johnson, citing depositions taken in a civil lawsuit against Oxford Community Schools and some staff at Oxford High School. Crumbley, now 16, faces trial next year as an adult on murder and other charges in the Nov. 30 shooting. One teacher said Crumbley drew what appeared to be an ammunition magazine on a note card in late August 2021. Crumbley also responded in a survey that his favorite books included Making Bombs for Hitler, while Dexter and Breaking Bad" were among his favorite television shows. A week or so later, he wrote in an autobiographical poem assignment for a Spanish teacher that he feels terrible and that his family is a mistake," Johnson quoted from an email the teacher sent to a school counselor. The teacher who received the note card said in her deposition that she didn't see the drawing until the day before the shooting. There apparently was no follow up to the Spanish teacher's email in September asking the counselor to touch base with Crumbley, Johnson said. Prosecutors have said Crumbley used a semi-automatic handgun to open fire on other teenagers in the hallway at the school roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Detroit. The four students who were killed were 16-year-old Tate Myre, 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin and 17-year-old Justin Shilling. Crumbley's parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, were charged with involuntary manslaughter and pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors accuse the couple of failing to keep the gun used in the shooting secure at home and failing to reasonably care for their son when he showed signs of mental distress. Story continues The day before the shooting, a teacher saw Ethan Crumbley looking at ammunition on his phone while in class. School officials left a voicemail informing his mother about it. On the morning of the shooting, Crumbley's parents were summoned to the school and confronted with his drawings, which included a handgun and the words: The thoughts wont stop. Help me. Authorities said the parents refused to take him home after the 13-minute meeting and were told to get him counseling. Several parents attending Johnson's news conference in Detroit Thursday said they had not known about some of the details revealed in the depositions. I dont see any excuse to not take these red flags very seriously, said Jill Soave, mother of Justin Shilling. Were learning all these months later that this could have been avoided. These children should be with us today. Theres no excuse. Anyone with any type of common sense could put the pieces together that something was very wrong. William Myre, Tate Myre's father, accused the school district of withholding information that could have been used to prevent the shooting. Meanwhile, here we are buying memorial shirts for our murdered kid, he said, holding up a blue T-shirt. Whats Oxford Community Schools doing? Nothing. Nothing." Schools Superintendent Ken Weaver said Thursday that the district has been cooperating with the criminal investigation into the shooting. We are also fully cooperating with the civil litigation process and will continue to do so, Weaver said in a statement. I remain confident that the multiple investigations, lawsuits and the school boards third-party review will bring all the facts to light and create the full transparency and accounting of events our community wants and deserves. Johnson filed the civil suit earlier this year against the school district. It also names Oxford High Schools dean of students, two counselors and three teachers as defendants. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) The leaders of South Korea and Japan agreed to accelerate efforts to mend ties frayed over Japans past colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula as they held their countries first summit talks in nearly three years on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, both governments announced Thursday. The meeting occurred after Tokyo denied Seouls earlier announcement they had agreed on the summit, in a sign of the delicate nature of their current relations. During their 30-minute meeting Wednesday in New York, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shared the need to improve bilateral ties and agreed to instruct their respective diplomats to step up talks for that, Yoons office said in a statement. Kishidas office confirmed the meeting. A separate Japanese Foreign Ministry statement said the two leaders agreed to promote cooperation between the two countries as well as with the United States. It said the leaders shared the need to restore sound relations. Yoons office said the two leaders also jointly expressed serious concerns about North Koreas recent legislation authorizing the preemptive use of nuclear weapons in certain conditions and the Norths reported moves to conduct its first nuclear test in five years. The Japanese Foreign Ministry said Kishida and Yoon agreed to further cooperate in their response to North Korea. Both South Korean and Japanese governments said Yoon and Kishida agreed to continue communications between them. But it wasnt immediately known how meaningful the two leaders' conversation in New York was to address major sticking points in bilateral ties that suffered their biggest setback in recent years when the two countries were governed by their predecessors. In 2018, South Koreas top court ruled that two Japanese companies Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries must compensate Koreans who had been forced to work during Japans 1910-45 colonial occupation. The companies and the Japanese government have dismissed the rulings, arguing that all compensation issues were already settled under a 1965 treaty that normalized bilateral ties and included Tokyos provision of hundreds of millions of dollars to Seoul in economic assistance and loans. Story continues The dispute prompted the two governments to downgrade each others trade status and Seoul to threaten to abandon an intelligence-sharing deal. The Korean former forced laborers and their supporters, for their part, pushed for the forced sales of the Japanese companies assets in South Korea. Its unclear if Wednesdays summit would yield progress in efforts to improve bilateral ties since some of the former forced laborers in the court cases maintain the Japanese companies must first consent to the South Korean court rulings if they want to resolve the legal disputes. The strained ties have complicated a U.S. push to bolster its trilateral security alliance with Seoul and Tokyo two of its key regional allies where it deploys a total of 80,000 troops to better deal with a rising Chinese influence and North Korean nuclear threats. On Wednesday, President Joe Biden met Yoon and Kishida separately on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. In their talks, Biden and Yoon reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their countries military alliance and ensure close cooperation to address the North Korean threat. Biden and Kishida discussed the importance of advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the importance of strengthening and modernizing their security alliance, according to the White House. South Korea and Japan have been seeking better ties since Yoon's inauguration in May. The Yoon-Kishida meeting was the first summit between the countries since December 2019, when then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met in China on the sidelines of a South Korea-Japan-China summit. ___ Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Clashes between Iranian security forces and protesters angry over the death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody have killed at least nine people since the violence erupted over the weekend, according to a tally Thursday by The Associated Press. The scope of Iran's ongoing unrest, the worst in several years, still remains unclear as protesters in more than a dozen cities venting anger over social repression and the countrys mounting crises continue to encounter security and paramilitary forces. To prevent protests from spreading, Iran's biggest telecom operator largely shut down mobile internet access again Thursday, said Netblocks, a group that monitors internet access, describing the restrictions as the most severe since 2019. An anchor on Iran's state television suggested the death toll from the mass protests could be as high as 17 on Thursday, but did not say how he reached that figure. In a country where radio and television stations already are state-controlled and journalists regularly face the threat of arrest, the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard urged the judiciary on Thursday to prosecute anyone who spreads fake news and rumors on social media about the unrest. Widespread outages of Instagram and WhatsApp, which are used by protesters, also continued Thursday. WhatsApp tweeted that it was working to keep our Iranian friends connected and will do anything within our technical capacity to keep our service up and running. The demonstrations in Iran began as an emotional outpouring over the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman held by the countrys morality police for allegedly violating its strictly enforced dress code. Her death has sparked sharp condemnation from the United States, the European Union and the United Nations. The U.S. government imposed sanctions on the morality police and leaders of other Iranian security agencies, saying they routinely employ violence to suppress peaceful protesters. Story continues Iranian police say Amini died of a heart attack and was not mistreated, but her family has cast doubt on that account. Independent experts affiliated with the U.N. said Thursday that reports suggested she was severely beaten by the morality police, without offering evidence. In New York, on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said the death must be steadfastly investigated. But he also turned the tables on the country he was visiting for the U.N. General Assembly. What about the death of Americans at the hands of U.S. law enforcement? Raisi asked about his countrys rival nation. He called for the same standard around the world in dealing with such deaths at the hands of authorities and lamented what he said were double standards in the West. Of Aminis death, he said authorities were doing what they needed to do. It must certainly be investigated, he said. I contacted her family at the very first opportunity and I assured them we would continue steadfastly to investigate that incident. ... Our utmost preoccupation is the safeguarding of the rights of every citizen. Niloufar Hamedi, a journalist who took photographs at the hospital after Amini's death, was arrested in Iran on Thursday, according to the reporter's lawyer, Mohammadali Kamfirouzi. He said her house was raided. There was no official comment. The protests have grown in the last five days into an open challenge to the government, with women removing and burning their state-mandated headscarves in the streets and Iranians calling for the downfall of the Islamic Republic itself. Death to the dictator! has been a common cry in the protests. They are the most serious demonstrations since 2019, when protests erupted over a government hike in the price of gasoline. Rights groups say hundreds were killed in the crackdown that followed, the deadliest violence since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The latest protests are similarly widespread, but seem to have much broader support among the population, with Iranians of all walks of life expressing fury at Amini's death and the government's treatment of women. Irans state-run media this week reported demonstrations in at least 13 cities, including the capital, Tehran. Videos online show security forces firing tear gas and water canons to disperse hundreds of protesters. London-based Amnesty International reported that officers also fired birdshot and beat protesters with batons. Footage on social media from the northern city of Tabriz shows a young man allegedly shot by security forces bleeding out in the street as protesters shout for help. Another video showed a policeman firing a shotgun at a demonstrator who was tearing down a pro-government billboard in the North Khorasan province. Its unclear if he was wounded. In another video, protesters can be seen torching a massive billboard showing Qassem Soleimani Irans top general who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in his hometown of Kerman. Soleimani has iconic status among government supporters. At least nine people have died in the confrontations, according to an AP count based on statements from Irans state-run and semiofficial media. In a statement on Thursday, the Guard blamed the unrest on Iran's enemies." In Aminis home province of Kurdistan, the provincial police chief said four protesters were shot dead. In Kermanshah, the prosecutor said two protesters were killed, insisting that the bullets were not fired by Irans security forces. Three men affiliated with the Basij, a volunteer force under the Guard, were killed in clashes in the cities of Shiraz, Tabriz and Mashhad, semiofficial media reported, bringing the death toll acknowledged by officials to at least nine on both sides. In the northern province of Mazandaran, angry crowds damaged or set fire to over 40 government properties and wounded 76 security officers, Rouhollah Solgi, the deputy governor, said. Iran has grappled with waves of protests in the recent past, mainly over a long-running economic crisis exacerbated by Western sanctions linked to its nuclear program. Citizens also blame government corruption and mismanagement. The Biden administration and European allies have been working to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear accord, in which Iran curbed its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, but the talks have been deadlocked for months. From New York, where Raisi took the stage Wednesday at the U.N. General Assembly, CNNs chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour said she had planned to confront Raisi about the protests in what would be his first U.S.-based interview. But Amanpour wrote on Twitter that Raisi was a no-show. An aide told her the president refused to take part unless she wore a headscarf, given the situation in Iran. The Iranian government has not commented on the incident. I couldnt agree to this unprecedented and unexpected condition, the British-Iranian anchor wrote beside a photo of Raisis empty chair. Protesters in Tehran. Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Mass protests are taking over the streets in at least a dozen cities across Iran, with demonstrators showing their outrage over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody. Amini was arrested in Tehran last Tuesday while visiting the city with her family. She was detained by the morality police, accused of violating the strict dress code for women. Amini died on Friday, and her father told reporters that authorities claimed she had a heart attack and went into a coma. He said doctors refused to let him see his daughter, who had no pre-existing conditions. The protests began over the weekend and have grown every day since, with The Associated Press estimating that at least nine people have died in the demonstrations. Protesters are chanting "Death to the dictator!" and women, who must wear headscarves under Iranian law, are taking them off and burning the fabric in the streets. Videos circulating online show Iranian security forces firing water canons and tear gas at the crowds. This is the most serious unrest to hit Iran since the 2019 demonstrations against high gas prices, AP notes, and internet access was largely blocked on Wednesday and Thursday, with both Instagram and WhatsApp reporting outages. The United States, United Nations, and European Union have all condemned Amini's death, with the U.S. also imposing sanctions against the morality police and Iranian security agency leaders who "routinely employ violence to suppress peaceful protesters." Iran's Revolutionary Guard, which asked judges on Thursday to prosecute "anyone who spreads fake news and rumors" about the unrest, said in a statement the protests are being fueled by "Iran's enemies." You may also like Is Vladimir Putin's 'partial' Ukraine War mobilization a step too far for Russians? Trump claims on Fox News that presidents can declassify documents 'by thinking about it' Abbott pulling further ahead in Texas governor's race: Poll KIRO Students aboard bus 678 in the Clover Park School District experienced a chaotic ride to school Wednesday morning. I was screaming at the bus driver to like pull over because she was having a seizure then he started yelling at me because I was in the aisle way, Sofie said. Within 23 seconds of students notifying the driver that a student was in distress, the driver pulled over to the side of the road, the Clover Park School District said. Park bosses said the surgery went well, and Nigel had already had "a little go at standing up" A wildlife park's resident puma is recovering after having a leg amputated. Nigel, who is one of the star attractions at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, near Boston, needed the operation after developing arthritis. Steve Nichols, park chief executive, said the surgery had gone well, and Nigel had already had "a little go at standing up". Fans of Nigel crowdfunded almost 5,000 for his treatment. Mr Nichols thanked everyone for their support and said about 13,000 fans followed Nigel's progress on the park's Facebook page. Mr Nichols said Nigel's condition had deteriorated in recent months and "he had developed serious acute arthritis in his left elbow". "It got to the point where we had to say we have two options here - he either gets euthanised, or we give him a chance of life." he said. "There were a lot of people rooting for him [and] if we had chosen the other method I think people would have hunted me down," he said. "A three-legged cat is far better - he's not going to have to hunt as he has his food delivered," he added. The operation also provided a chance for vets to check on Nigel's eyesight. Mr Nichols said Nigel, who is nearly 10 years old, had exotropia, an eye condition that could render him blind in the future. "His eyesight has deteriorated a little, but not as bad as what we thought," he said. Nigel the puma resting following his surgery Mr Nichols said Nigel, who lives in a purpose-built sensory enclosure due to his poor eyesight, woke up at about 04:30 BST on Thursday, more than 12 hours after his surgery. "His tongue disappeared back in his mouth - he opened his eyes, did a big yawn and went back to sleep again." Having spent at least 26 hours providing aftercare for the much-loved cat, with very little sleep, Mr Nichols likened the experience to being a parent with "poorly kids". "You just go into a different mode," he added. Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk. School picture season is over, to the relief of one little girl in Mississippi. "We're not doing this again," 4-year-old Malani Johnson of Yazoo City, Mississippi, told her mom Alexis Nelson in a Sept. 12 TikTok video that's gone viral with 2.8 million views. "What?" Nelson replied in the video. "Taking pictures ... a lot of pictures," said Malani. "But you look so pretty to me," insisted Nelson. "OK," Malani relented. "One more and that's it." Then, striking the most reluctant but A+ pose with hands on her hips and a poised pivot, Malani smiles for one last photo. "Come on, we can go," said Nelson, satisfied. Related: Tired mom creates hilarious first day of school sign for herself At that moment, Nelson and Malani were late for daycare drop-off but mom wanted one more snap of her little girl. "She wasn't feeling it," Nelson told TODAY Parents. Nelson shared the cute video with best friend Breana Young who, with permission, shared it with her 13K TikTok followers. Some reactions: "If Every kid in America was a person!! and Its the clear boundary for me! Related: Elementary school makes parents laugh in carpool line with celebrity-inspired signs Although Malani obliged her mom's enthusiasm, she was happy that her video made so many people chuckle. "She told me 'I'm famous,'" said Nelson. Related video: This article was originally published on TODAY.com BOSTON, MA --News Direct-- LiveChat LiveChat, a customer service platform with a 20-year presence on the market, witnessed plenty of changes in business communication first-hand. This time, the company took a closer look at younger customers needs and offers suggestions on how businesses can meet them. According to the forecast report released today by LiveChat, companies should continue to invest their resources in modern technology solutions for customer communication to gain more traction in their chat. Following the market observations, younger customers demand easy, effective service providing them with personalized experiences that are in line with their needs and values. The predictions presented in the report are based on the LiveChat usage data gathered over two years between July 2020 and June 2022. The team has analyzed 1.7 billion chats from 59,558 businesses worldwide and combined them with global trends. The Generation Z Trends Forecast Report focuses on people who were born between 1997 and 2012, so now their ages range from 10 to 25. Many of them already have a job or two on their resumes and disposable income to spend on products and services. They value immediate feedback while looking for recommendations and immediate answers while looking for support. When communicating with Gen Z, its all about their convenience, availability and simplicity. Omnipresence is a must as most of the communication happens on the go. That also means the solution is expected to be provided right away, so make sure you have the right tools for the job, says Szymon Klimczak, CMO at LiveChat. The current state of live chat shows that companies understand the high importance of this tool in their communication processes. A business chat application is a key engagement channel and an integral part of any businesss digital strategy. It helps to fulfill the expectations of convenient, fast, and meaningful service. Yet, simply having the tool implemented on a website is not enough to improve customer experience, especially among younger customers. Story continues Key takeaways: In December 2022, businesses can expect twice as many monthly chats compared to the same period in 2021, with more and more Gen Zers doing their holiday shopping online. To get ahead of the curve, companies should keep their first response time between 35-40 seconds because thats the range businesses will be working in by midway 2023. Support agents should not force a change in their writing style with more and more emojis. The predictions suggest that customers do not need them to communicate their message. LiveChats data presents that businesses can expect a 38% increase in the number of bot chats between June 2022 to June 2023. That means that this is the right time for companies to invest in chatbot technology as it is getting out of the adoption phase in customer communication. To download "The Generation Z Trends Forecast Report," visit the website: https://www.livechat.com/gen-z-communication/. About LiveChat LiveChat is a complete customer service solution that offers several ways for businesses to communicate with buyers. Our industry-leading portfolio of products includes LiveChat, ChatBot, HelpDesk, and KnowledgeBase all designed to enable contact with companies at any time and through a variety of communication channels. A wide range of business customers use the platform because of its customization capabilities and limitless integrations. LiveChat encourages tech firms and developers to build their own solutions on the platforms back-end, allowing organizations to configure the application to fit their specific needs. It also integrates with all popular messaging channels and hundreds of other tools such as Shopify, Hubspot, and Google Analytics. Founded in 2002 with offices in both Poland and the United States, LiveChat is actively used by more than 36,000 companies worldwide and supports over 75 million chats monthly. Learn more at www.livechat.com. Contact Details LiveChat, Inc. Patrycja Bilinska p.bilinska@livechat.com Company Website https://www.livechat.com/ View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/livechat-helps-brands-get-their-customer-service-ready-for-younger-customers-897723458 Randazzo says she previously paid $2,500/month to live in a luxury high-rise apartment. Alaina Randazzo A Youtube video of a tiny, $650/month apartment with its bathroom in the hallway went viral. The renter, Alaina Randazzo, says she left a luxury apartment and now saves $1,850 per month. Randazzo says New York is expensive, and micro-living allows her to invest and travel. New Yorkers love to complain about living in small apartments, but they've probably never lived in a place as small as Alaina Randazzo's place which doesn't even have a bathroom in the unit. A video from YouTuber Caleb Simpson featuring Randazzo's 80 sq. ft. apartment which is smaller than a standard parking space has been viewed by more than 2.3 million amazed (and horrified) viewers, many of whom were shocked that the 25-year-old chose to live in such cramped quarters. But what it lacks in square footage it makes up for in price Randazzo pays only $650 a month for the apartment, which is located in Manhattan's midtown. That's an impressively small number, given that the median New York rent is now $4,100 per month, according to a report from Douglas Elliman. Randazzo, who works in fashion media, told Insider she previously sublet a room in a luxury high-rise for $2,500 a month. But she didn't like the "micromanaging" management at her building or the fact that she never left the building because it had so many amenities. So earlier this year she began looking for a new place. She had initially wanted the apartment directly below the one she currently has. "It had a bathroom in the unit, and I think an oven," she said, but someone snapped it up before she could see it. Despite its small size, Randazzo told Simpson getting her current apartment was actually quite competitive. "There were so many people touring the apartment when I came, and the agent was just like, you're really fun, I think you should have it," she said, calling the unit a "hot commodity." The Missouri native moved into the space in February. She said she initially had some reservations about the unit, and her parents worried that it might be a hoax, but so far, so great. She's saving and investing her money, and with more pocket change, she's much more likely to bop around the city, exploring local cafes, traveling, and spending money on premium dog-watching services for her dog. "I mean, he's pampered," she says. Story continues "I feel like this apartment's definitely for someone who's on the go because I honestly will use it just to sleep here," she said, noting that she often spends time away for work or travel. "Last week was fashion week. I was literally not home." Take a look at what might be the smallest apartment in New York City. Randazzo's living room fits a plant, a small table, and a tiny pull-out couch that took her a long time to find The only light in the apartment comes from a skylight, but she's managed to keep a fiddleleaf fig plant healthy. Alaina Randazzo Size is a constraint when furniture shopping for a micro-apartment and Randazzo says it took her a while to find a couch that fit her living space. "There really wasn't a small couch available," she explains. "Hopefully, maybe they'll make more of them now that they know micro-living is a thing." She often pulls her table up to the couch for work from home days Randazzo's couch acts as an office, but also folds out into a bed for visitors. Alaina Randazzo While not the comfiest, she says the couch works well in the space and when friends visit, it pulls out into a bed. Above the living room, Randazzo sleeps in a lofted bed and stores clothing on a rack and in bins. When Simpson visited her apartment, he said her bed was actually quite "comfy." YouTube/Caleb Simpson Above the living room, Randazzo sleeps in a lofted bed that's not for the claustrophobic. The bed is about 18 inches from the ceiling. The bed area is also where she keeps bins of clothes and a rack of clothing, and it also features the only light source in the apartment: a skylight. Despite the close quarters, she says it remains a good Goldilocks temperature: not too hot, not too cold. However, it's tough to bring guests up to her bed. "It's actually impossible, I tell them 'you won't fit,' she told Simpson. Randazzo says organization is important for tiny living, and her space looks more cluttered in photos than in person The view from Randazzo's couch onto the kitchen and storage areas. Alaina Randazzo Randazzo notes that a small space can quickly look cluttered especially in photos, sharing that she was surprised by how her apartment appeared in the video: "I spent so much time cleaning!" She cooks 2-3 nights a week using the kitchen's two-burner stovetop The kitchen has a microwave and a stove top but no oven. Alaina Randazzo Randazzo says she favors meals like avocado toast and scrambled eggs for breakfast since they don't require an oven (an appliance the apartment doesn't have). She also only has two small racks for food storage, so she tends to buy the ingredients she's going to use on the day she's going to cook them. The only issue Randazzo said she struggled with in her micro-home was bugs and mice familiar foes for New York renters. In the summertime especially, she doesn't like to keep a ton of food in the apartment at one time, worrying it could attract bugs. The staircase leading up to Randazzo's lofted bed has a "Harry Potter"-like storage closet underneath it, which she doesn't love There's a storage closet under the stairs, but Randazzo must move her entire living space around to access it. YouTube/Caleb Simpson Randazzo says she would have preferred the apartment to come with a ladder, rather than the slanted closet beneath it that's difficult to open. Every morning, she visits the roof for natural light. In the winter, she uses sun lamps The apartment comes with roof access, which Randazzo often uses when she's feeling her space has gotten a little claustrophobic, she said. YouTube/Caleb Simpson Randazzo, who says she used to have floor-to-ceiling windows in her prior apartment, has a skylight, but no other window in her living space. On any given day, she says she doesn't mind the box-like studio helps her "zone in" and be productive. But, first thing every morning, she says she goes up to the roof for natural light. In the winter, when the city grows dark and gloomy, Randazzo says she keeps busy by doing yoga and reading a lot, relying on sunset lights for the effect of natural light. "I feel like there's just an answer for everything nowadays; you just figure it out." Though the internet went wild over her bathroom being located in the hallway outside of her living space, she doesn't mind it Her bathroom is located down the main hallway of her apartment floor. YouTube/Caleb Simpson The bathroom, located in the apartment building's main floor hallway, doesn't bother Randazzo. " I feel like everyone was going crazy over that," she says of the viral video. "Don't you share a bathroom when you are in a regular four-person style apartment anyways, and isn't the bathroom usually in a hallway in that sense, too? "It's in the hallway, but it's private. I have a lock to it," she notes, adding that she keeps her "nice makeup" in there without worry, and appreciates not having to share it. The apartment allows her to invest and spend money on travel The apartment pre-move in. Alaina Randazzo Despite how well the last year has gone, Randazzo is still mulling over whether she'll sign on for another year. "I have plans to travel a lot still," she said, expressing an interest in creating travel content as a creator for fun and noting that she's traveling to Iceland next month for work. "If you find yourself living paycheck to paycheck... I just feel like, personally, that's no way to live," she added. "I guess it pertains to certain people if you would live this lifestyle or not but New York is really expensive, especially with food and everything." "I mean, when you're young, why not try it?" she said. "And if you don't like it, then you don't have to stay." Read the original article on Insider The federal case against a Newton district court judge who was accused of helping a man escape the custody of federal immigration officers has been dismissed after the judge admitted to relevant facts in the case and referred herself to the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct, which investigates judicial misconduct. District Court Judge Shelley Joseph was indicted in April 2019 in the District of Massachusetts on obstruction of justice charges for allegedly preventing an ICE Officer from taking custody of an alien defendant. Joseph and retired court officer Wesley MacGregor were accused of allowing the man that ICE was after to escape from her courthouse. A separate agreement has also been reached to defer prosecution against MacGregor who had been charged with one count of perjury. This will resolve the entirety of the pending federal prosecution, according to a statement from the US Attorneys office. This case is about the conduct of a sitting state court judge, on the bench, in the course of her judicial duties. Its purpose has been to shed light on, and, as warranted, to secure accountability for that conduct, said U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha. After I was assigned to oversee this matter, I undertook a full and comprehensive review of the evidence, the applicable law, and relevant equitable and prudential factors, said Cunha. Having done so, I have concluded that the interests of justice are best served by review of this matter before the body that oversees the conduct of Massachusetts state court judges, rather than in a continued federal criminal prosecution. The requirement that Judge Joseph refer herself to the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct and make certain factual admissions will ensure that review takes place, said Cunha. According to that agreement, Judge Joseph agreed that she will not contest the accuracy of a statement of facts that showed Joseph knew that an ICE officer was present in the courthouse waiting to take custody of (the defendant) if he was released from state custody. Joseph directed a court clerk to request that the ICE officer remain outside the courtroom in accordance with the practice of the presiding justice in Newton District Court. This direction was contrary to the DHS policy, which reflects, consistent with Supreme Court precedent and constitutional guarantees, that courthouses and courtrooms are public spaces and open to the public absent extraordinary circumstances not present here. Story continues After the off-the record portion of the sidebar, the defense attorney asked, on the record, if he could go downstairs with (the defendant) and an interpreter so that they could speak. The defense attorney also stated that his client had property downstairs. Joseph stated on the record that she was granting the defense attorneys request. The clerk reminded the Judge on the record that ICE agents were present and seeking to take the defendant into custody. The defense attorney and the interpreter accompanied (the defendant) downstairs to the lockup area. Shortly thereafter, a court officer used his key card to open the door to the sallyport and released (the defendant) out the back door. The ICE officers learned about (the defendants) release after it happened. (The defendant) was not taken into ICE custody on April 2, 2018. Judge Joseph had previously argued that, as a state district court judge, she was immune from federal prosecution for the conduct alleged in the indictment. That immunity, she argued, protected her against not just conviction, but also against prosecution. Back in March, a federal appeals court denied a motion to review or dismiss the case as against Joseph as premature. The ACLU of Massachusetts, which previously filed an amicus brief related to the case, on behalf of 61 retired Massachusetts judges, weighed in on the dismissal of charges on Thursday. This prosecution was flawed from the start, said Matthew Segal, legal director at the ACLU of Massachusetts. The ACLU of Massachusetts was proud to represent retired state judges in amicus briefs warning that this prosecution could have devastating consequences for the Massachusetts judiciary and the separation of powers. Judicial independence is an indispensable principle in our legal system, and we are pleased that steps are being taken now to uphold that principle. 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 Watch: Magnus Carlsen quits Niemann rematch after one move Chess champion Magnus Carlsen has spoken for the first time since resigning after one move in a game against a US teenager, amid claims his opponent had cheated. The chess grandmaster has spoken out for the first time since being beaten by a 19-year-old and said cheating in chess is easy. Magnus Carlsen astonished the chess world when he resigned a game against US teenager Hans Niemann after just one move during a rematch between the pair on Monday with some suggesting Carlsens actions were because he suspected Niemann was cheating. But world number one Carlsen has told Chess24 that people can draw their own conclusions as to why he resigned the online game during the Julius Baer Generation Cup no sooner than it started. Magnus Carlsen has suggested that cheating in chess is 'easy'. (Reuters) And while he would not comment directly on the cheat accusations against Niemann, Carlsen insisted it was not difficult for a player to do. He said: "I think regardless of whether it's a massive problem or not, it's I think fairly easy to cheat and, on a general basis, I think that cheaters in the future should not be taken lightly either online or over the board. Carlsen said he understood that cheating was tempting for younger players, but wouldnt recommend it. Magnus Carlsen (top right) resigned his game against Hans Niemann (top left) after just one move. The Norwegian chess master, who is considered one of the greatest players of all time, had previously lost a game to Niemann at the Sinquefield Cup in St Louis, Missouri, before Mondays match. While careful not to accuse Niemann of cheating after that match, Carlsen nevertheless hinted of his suspicions on a Twitter post that linked to a YouTube video of Roma manager Jose Mourinho saying in a press conference: "If I speak, I am in big trouble. And I don't want to be in big trouble." Magnus Carlsen hinted of Hans Niemann cheating on a Twitter post. (Twitter) Niemann denied cheating at the Sinquefield Cup but did admit to cheating twice using online assistance during online games when he was 12 and 16. He said: I cheated on random games on chess.com. I was confronted. I confessed. And this is the single biggest mistake of my life. And I am completely ashamed. Story continues World chess champion Magnus Carlsen said cheating was 'tempting' for younger players. (Reuters) I am telling the world because I don't want misrepresentations, and I don't want rumours. I have never cheated in an over-the-board game. And other than when I was 12 years old I have never cheated in a tournament with prize money." However, Niemann took a swipe at Carlsen following his first defeat of the world champion, telling journalists: It must be embarrassing for the world champion to lose to an idiot like me. I feel bad for him. A Bolivar man was charged with multiple counts of attempted murder, among other charges after a standoff that lasted several hours. On Sep. 20, Hardeman County deputies responded to a residence, off Highway 57 in Grand Junction, to conduct a welfare check due to concerns for the safety of someone inside. When deputies knocked on the door, they reported they were fired at, according to a press release. A woman inside the home was struck by gunfire but was able to escape and taken to a local hospital. The gunman, later identified as Larry Taylor, remained in the home, along with two adults and a minor, whom Taylor did not allow to leave, according to a press release. TBI, SWAT from the Jackson Police Department, and Madison County Sheriffs Office responded to the scene. Authorities were able to get inside and end the standoff with no injuries, according to a press release. Larry Taylor was arrested and booked into Hardeman County Jail. Taylor faces three counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of aggravated kidnapping. His bond is set at $1 million. Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Trending stories: Two Indiana judges from Clark County were reportedly shot at the White Castle restaurant at 55 W. South St., on May 1, 2019. Brandon Kaiser, one of three men charged in a 2019 fight and shooting involving judges from Southern Indiana, was found guilty on eight charges Wednesday, including aggravated battery. Kaiser was arrested after a brawl outside a downtown Indianapolis White Castle occurred in the early morning hours of May 1, 2019. The fight involved Kaiser and his nephew, Alfredo Vazquez, as well as Clark County Circuit Court Judge Bradley Jacobs and then-Clark County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Adams. Jacobs and Adams were in Indianapolis for a judicial conference and were joined by then-Crawford County Circuit Court Judge Sabrina Bell outside the fast-food restaurant. The judges were out after a night of drinking and bar hopping in the city. Their last stop was the Red Garter Gentleman's Club adjacent to the White Castle, but the club was closed. The fight ended after Kaiser shot Adams in the abdomen and Jacobs twice in the chest. Kaisers defense team did not dispute that he shot the two men, but claimed the shooting was in self-defense during the three-day trial. Previous coverage:Indiana judges, a closed strip club and a White Castle: The story of a shooting "Brandon was legitimately defending himself against a viscous and brutal attack, the mans defense attorney David Margerum told jurors. That's all he was doing." Brandon Kaiser is walked toward a courtroom following arrests in connection with the May 1 shootings of Clark Circuit judges Drew Adams and Brad Jacobs, IMPD said, Wednesday, May 8, 2019. A surveillance camera captured the fight and shooting. The footage and other evidence related to the fight were not publicly released until Kaisers trial began, due to an order from the judge presiding over the case. The video of the fight and shooting first showed Kaiser getting out of the passenger seat of a vehicle, driven by Vazquez, after it pulled into a parking spot at the fast-food restaurant. Standing outside the restaurant were Jacobs, Adams and Bell. More:Man accused of shooting judges claims self defense, says judges choked, beat him Kaiser and Vazquez approached a side-door to the White Castle, which was locked according to witnesses, before the brawl. The video showed all four men fighting and wrestling each other before Kaiser shot Jacobs and Adams. Kaiser and Vazquez leave the scene in a vehicle afterwards, the video showed. Story continues Adams, Jacobs, Bell, Vazquez and Kaiser all testified during the trial. The video did not have any audio and none of the witnesses gave a definite answer as to why the brawl began. Prosecutors push back against self-defense claim Prosecutors relied heavily on the surveillance video during closing arguments, showing jurors screengrabs and zooming in on the footage. We have also disproven self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt, said Janna Skelton of the Marion County Prosecutors Office. He (Kaiser) is guilty of all these charges. The way we have disproven self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt is he was involved in mutual combat. Kaiser willingly participated in the fight with the two judges and his use of force in response to the fight was not reasonable, Skelton told jurors. What he did, firing, shooting that gun at Bradley Jacobs and Andrew Adams was not reasonable, uncalled for and not protected by the law, Skelton said. The prosecutor displayed photos of Adams and Jacobs, bruised and in the hospital, and stated both suffered life-threatening injuries. The judges were intoxicated at the time of the fight, but werent doing anything against the law or wrong, Skelton said. "They are dancing, Skelton said of the judges at the start of the surveillance video. They are dancing and acting silly. The defense wants you to believe they are the ones who get angry and aggressive and cursing. Adams actions in the video indicated he was stepping forward to fight but so did Kaisers and Vazquezs actions, Skelton told the jury. Kaiser, Vazquez, Bell and Adams all testified that during the fight, Jacobs stated something along the lines of, this is done, which indicated he wanted the fight to end, Skelton said. Previous coverage:Judge refuses to ease restriction on White Castle judges shooting evidence More:Indiana judge remains suspended while Supreme Court panel investigates White Castle shooting The video showed Kaiser sitting on the ground, no longer actively fighting the judges, when he pulled his firearm out of his waistband, Skelton said. "At that moment when he shoots Andrew Adams, it has to be justified that he was in imminent threat of serious bodily injury and that force was reasonable and it absolutely was not, Skelton said. Andrew Adams didn't touch him. He's standing there." The video also showed Kaiser pursuing Jacobs with the gun then shooting him while he is on the ground with Vazquez on top of him, the prosecutor stated. He is down on the ground and not a threat and this is not self-defense, Skelton said. This is retaliation." After shooting Jacobs, the video showed Kaiser stomping on the man then kicking him and Kaiser returning from his vehicle a few second later to pick up money on the pavement, Skelton said. What do those actions tell you about what his intent was?, Skelton asked jurors. Does that show you a man who is scared? No. That man is pissed off. That man is teaching him (Jacobs) a lesson. Kaiser never called police to report having been attacked and sold his gun after the shooting, which showed his consciousness of guilt, Skelton told jurors. Defense claims Kaiser was not the aggressor Arguing in support of self-defense, Margerum stated his client was not the aggressor in the fight and that the surveillance video proved it. Adams was clearly the aggressor in this case, Margerum said. You saw them take off first. Now it was only a split second, but you are not required to stand there and allow somebody to come up to you and start punching you. Jurors were being asked to evaluate the reasonableness of Kaisers decision to shoot the men from the safety of the court room and they needed to consider that fact, Margerum said. It's easy to sit here now and look at that video and say I would've done something differently, Margerum said. He (Kaiser) had to make a split-second decision and it's easy to sit here now and second guess somebody. Michelle Sharpe, of the Marion County Prosecutors Office, during the second part of the states closing argument emphasized jurors needed to determine whether Kaisers force was reasonable. Using a gun in a fist fight is not reasonable, Sharpe said. The defense side of the courtroom was filled with supporters, who appeared to be family members of Kaiser, during the trial. As Kaiser and others waited outside while jurors deliberated, Kaiser approached Jacobs. Jacobs and Kaiser hugged as they awaited the verdict and Kaiser appeared to apologize to the man he shot. Adams and Bell were not at the courthouse for the final day of the trial. When it was announced a verdict has been reached, Kaiser and his supporters formed a circle in the hallway outside the courtroom and said a group prayer. Kaiser found guilty on eight counts Kaiser was found guilty on two counts of aggravated battery when the assault poses a substantial risk of death, two counts of aggravated battery when resulting in loss or impairment of bodily function, two counts of battery by means of a deadly weapon, one count of battery resulting in moderate bodily injury and one count of carrying a handgun without a license. He was acquitted on one charge of battery resulting in moderate bodily injury by the jury. Two counts of battery resulting in bodily injury, two counts of battery and one count of disorderly conduct were dismissed by the judge before the trial began. A sentencing hearing for Kaiser is scheduled later in October. The judge ordered Kaiser, who previously bonded out of custody, to be remanded while he awaits sentencing. He was was taken back into custody at the conclusion of Wednesday's trial. What consequences did Vazquez and the judges face after the White Castle brawl? As part of an agreement with prosecutors, Vazquez pleaded guilty to battery resulting in bodily injury in November 2019. He was sentenced to 180 days on home detention and a year of probation. Adams pleaded guilty in September 2019 to one count of misdemeanor battery as part of a plea agreement. He was sentenced to 365 days, with two days credited for jail time served and 363 days suspended, meaning Adams served no additional jail time. A grand jury elected not to indict Jacobs on charges related to the fight. Previous coverage:Indiana judge pleads guilty to battery in White Castle shooting More:'I feel bad': Man gets home detention, probation in fight that led to shooting of judges Separate from criminal charges, Adams, Jacobs and Bell were investigated by The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications. As a result, Adams was charged with three disciplinary counts of misconduct. Jacobs and Bell were charged with two disciplinary counts of misconduct. The Indiana Supreme Court determined the judges were guilty of judicial misconduct. Adams was suspended without pay for 60 days. Jacobs and Bell were suspended without pay for 30 days. Jacobs is the only individual, out of the three, who remains a judge in Indiana. He ran opposed in the 2020 election and is serving a six-year term. Adams, a Democrat, was defeated by a Republican challenger in the 2020 election. Bell resigned from her role as Crawford Circuit Court Judge in July. She was under investigation by the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications once again after charges related to a domestic dispute were filed against her. Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis man convicted in 2019 shooting of judges at White Castle GoFundMe and Foster County Police A North Dakota man who admitted to running over and killing a teenager says he did it because he thought the teen was part of a Republican extremist group that was out to get him, according to court documents. Shannon Joseph Brandt, 41, was charged with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of an accident in the death of 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson on Sept. 18. He was also charged with driving under the influence after he tested above the legal limit for alcohol, authorities said. The incident took place in McHenry, North Dakota, which has a population of fewer than 40 people. According to a probable cause affidavit published by Law & Crime, Brandt told investigators he and the younger man had a verbal altercation about politics at a local street dance. Brandt indicated that the pedestrian called some people and Brandt feared they would come for him, the affidavit states. Brandt admitted to State Radio that he punched the pedestrian and that the pedestrian was part of a Republican extremist group. After Brandt allegedly ran down Ellingson, he left the scene and went home, but told police he later returned and called 911, telling the dispatcher that he struck the pedestrian because the pedestrian was threatening him. He then left again before first responders arrived, authorities said. Ellingson was found lying in the street and was rushed to a hospital, but he later died of his injuries. His mother gave investigators a drastically different version of events, court documents show. She said the teen had phoned at about 2:41 a.m. to ask if his parents knew Brandt, which they did. He then called again a short time later and stated that he or they were chasing him, and after that she was unable to reach him. A GoFundMe set up to help Ellingsons family pay for funeral expenses described the teen as a wonderful and loving son and said he was taken away way too soon. The fundraiser had raised nearly $28,000 as of Thursday morning. Story continues The teens publicly available Facebook profile shows he was studying to be an ultrasound tech after graduating from high school just a few months ago. Brandt, who was first booked at his home on driving under the influence and later charged with the felonies related to the hit and run, has since been released from Foster County jail on $50,000 bond. 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 22-year-old man was arguing with his mom as they put groceries away when he shot and killed her, according to police in Missouri. Authorities say Tony Martin Jr. had been carrying a gun around their home on Sept. 21 the same day of the fatal argument, according to a news release from the St. Louis County Police Department. Sometime during the argument, Christy Martin touched her sons arm, trying to get him to turn around, police said in a probable cause statement. But when he turned around, police say he shot his 50-year-old mom once in her chest. Police officers were called to the Northwoods home at about 10:45 a.m., and they found Christy Martin dead at the scene. Officers seized the weapon, a shell casing and one projectile, according to the news release. Tony Martin Jr. was arrested and faces charges of second-degree homicide and armed criminal action, police said. Hes being held on $250,000 cash only, no 10% bond. If you are experiencing domestic violence and need someone to talk to, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Woman killed partner and his daughters boyfriend dismembered body in Ohio, records show Man admits to running over 18-year-old after they had political argument, ND cops say Man accused of killing ex also tried to have investigator killed, Illinois cops say Woman shoots her husband of over 40 years in driveway of their home, NY police say An attempted murder investigation is underway after a man was shot in the chest with an arrow in Honolulus Chinatown in Hawaii. A man in his 50s was reportedly shot in the chest with some kind of arrow at around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday on North Hotel Street, according to the Honolulu Police Department. The victim was treated at the scene before he was transported to a trauma hospital in serious condition. No arrests have been made, as of press time. Details and the motive behind what led to the incident have not been released. More from NextShark: Dallas Korean hair salon shooting suspect had 'delusions' about Asian Americans, according to arrest warrant The incident reportedly occurred 10 days after a stabbing took place in broad daylight around the same area. The citys police department and prosecutor are working on improving initiatives such as the Weed and Seed Program, which aims to control violent crime and focus on neighborhood revitalization efforts. However, some residents and business owners have expressed concern and frustration over the recent crimes in Chinatown. Last week, a man was charged for threatening a 70-year-old man with a knife in the 100 block of North Nimitz Highway on Aug. 9. More from NextShark: Irvine police arrest California dermatologist accused of poisoning husband On Aug. 19, a 24-year-old woman was fatally shot in the head while sitting at a bus stop near the corner of Hotel Street and River Street in Chinatown. Featured Image via Hawaii News Now More from NextShark: Group of men in India assault woman accused of smoking inside temple Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! NYPD data: 32 percent drop in reported anti-Asian hate crimes in 2022 MANILA, Philippines (AP) A Philippine court has dismissed a government petition to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed guerrilla wing as a terrorist organization in a decision that officials vowed to appeal but was welcomed by activists who have long rejected the labeling of rebels as terrorists. Manila regional trial court Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagars ruling, signed Wednesday, is a legal victory for activists and government critics and a setback for security officials, who have long accused left-wing organizations of covertly serving as legal fronts for the Maoist guerrillas. The court asked the government to fight the communist insurgency, one of Asias longest, with respect for the right to dissent, to due process and to the rule of law. It raised concerns over red-tagging, or linking activists to insurgents, which it said was a pernicious practice that endangers government critics. While both rebellion and terrorism may involve the use of violence, the violence in rebellion is directed against government or any part thereof, the court said in the 135-page decision. Rebels in a rebellion always target agents of the state such as the military or the police. Terrorism, on the other hand, is directed against the civilian population with the intent to cause the latter extraordinary and widespread fear and panic, the court said. Renato Reyes of Bayan, an alliance of left-wing groups, said, "labeling revolutionaries and those engaged in peace negotiations as `terrorists is wrong, counter-productive and undermines any possibility of a political settlement in the armed conflict. Emmanuel Salamat, a retired marine general who heads a government task force helping oversee efforts to end the decades-long insurgency, told reporters that he was saddened by the court decision because the rebels have committed acts of terrorism, including killings, for many decades. This is like disregarding the sacrifices of our troops, the front-liners in the field, our heroes who gave up their lives, he said. He cited the United States and other countries which have listed the rebel New Peoples Army as a terrorist organization. Story continues Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the government would appeal. The court assessed nine separate deadly attacks and acts of violence, including the burning of a chapel and rural houses in a province, which government witnesses said were carried out by communist guerrillas in the countrys south from 2019 to 2020. But it questioned the witnesses identification of the attackers as rebels based on their black combat uniforms and firearms. The court also said that any fear the attacks may have sparked may have been confined to the communities where they occurred and did not reach the widespread and extraordinary panic of a terrorist strike described under Philippine law. The nine incidents of atrocities fall within the category of small-time `hit-and-run attacks and sporadic acts of violence with no specified victims or targets, the court said. It said authorities failed to establish that the attacks were committed to coerce the government to give in to a demand, a key element of terrorism as specified in the law. The Maoist rebel force was established in 1969 with only about 60 armed fighters in the countrys northern region but it gradually grew and spread across the country. Battle setbacks, surrenders and infighting, however, have weakened the guerrilla group, which remains a key national security threat. The rebellion has left about 40,000 combatants and civilians dead and stunted economic development in provincial regions, where the military says a few thousand insurgents are still active. KYIV (Reuters) - The head of Ukraine's military intelligence said on Thursday the percentage of released Ukrainian prisoners of war who had suffered torture while in Russian detention was "rather high". Kyrylo Budanov was speaking at a news conference a day after a prisoner swap was agreed between Russia and Ukraine involving almost 300 people, including foreigners. Some of the Ukrainian POWs released by Russia were currently receiving rehabilitation in hospital in Ukraine, the country's interior minister, Denys Monastyrskyi, told the same news conference. (Reporting by Max Hunder; Writing by Gareth Jones) KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2022, 20:19 Many of the Ukrainian prisoners who were released on 21 September had endured particularly cruel methods of torture in Russian captivity. Source: Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, during a press briefing concerning Thursdays prisoner swap Quote from Budanov: "Their condition varies drastically. Unfortunately thats true. Some of them are physically more or less fine, except for being chronically malnourished. Others have endured particularly cruel torture methods. Unfortunately, the number of those [who endured violent torture] among the [prisoners] that were freed [on 21 September] is highMany of the [prisoners] have endured particularly cruel torture methods." Details: Budanov also said that different prisoners were subjected to torture arbitrarily, not based on any particular characteristic inherent in them. "It [the extent to which the Ukrainian prisoners were subjected to torture] was mostly determined by their location. Unfortunately, not all of them were held at the same site, in Olenivka, though maybe that was fortunate. [They were held] at many different facilities on temporarily occupied territories [of Ukraine] and in Russia," Budanov said. He explained that some of the prisoners who have been released are currently hospitalised in Chernihiv and in hospitals across Chernihiv Oblast. Most of them are in need of treatment, and all of them need psychological rehabilitation. Background: On 21 September, Ukraine succeeded in setting 215 Ukrainian defenders free, as part of a prisoner of war swap with Russia. Among the released, there are border guards, police officers, marines, National Guardsmen, soldiers of Territorial Defence Forces, customs officers, and civilians. In addition, Denys "Redis" Prokopenko, Serhii "Volyna" Volynskyi, Sviatoslav Palamar, Denys Shleha, Oleh Khomenko [military leaders who took part in defending the Azovstal steel plant] were also released. Mykola "Frost" Kushch and Kostiantyn "Fox" Nikitenko, whom the occupiers had wanted to execute, were set free as well. Five commanders of Ukrainian units that defended Mariupol from Russian forces are currently in Turkey, under personal protection guarantees provided by President Recep Tayip Erdogan. Russia got back Viktor Medvedchuk, who has family ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and 55 Russian soldiers. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Trump's legal team walking in front of protestor. Alex Kent/Getty Images The special master in the Mar-a-Lago investigation has asked former President Donald Trump's lawyers to assert in a court filing whether they believe FBI agents lied about the materials seized from Trump's Florida mansion in August. On Thursday, special master U.S. District Judge Raymond Dearie said Trump's legal team must confirm by Sept. 30 whether they think "any of the seized items were incorrectly described in the Justice Department's 11-page inventory list, which said some of the documents were highly classified," The Washington Post writes. Trump's attorneys must also make clear whether they are claiming certain items on the list weren't actually taken. Trump has repeatedly alleged that the FBI planted items during its search of his residence, and "Dearie's order, in essence, demands that Trump's lawyers back up their client's claims," the Post continues. Meanwhile, the government has until Monday to comment on the merits of its own inventory list. It must also later respond to "any factual disputes that Trump's team raises in its filings," the Post summarizes, per the order. Dearie said Trump's lawyers and the government should review the non-classified documents on a rolling basis. The former president's team should first review and mark any materials it believes are privileged before the Justice Department then agrees or disagrees with that assertion. Dearie would settle any disputes between the two parties. All documents must be submitted to the special master by Oct. 21. Former U.S. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein will help Dearie with his review, Dearie said. The Thursday order arrives after an appellate court on Wednesday sided with the DOJ in its request to access approximately 100 classified documents while the special master review continues. You may also like Is Vladimir Putin's 'partial' Ukraine War mobilization a step too far for Russians? Trump claims on Fox News that presidents can declassify documents 'by thinking about it' Bachelorette star DeMario Jackson accused of sexually assaulting 2 women Hint: These cards are going to help you quickly earn free hotel stays. Marriott International The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card from Chase will earn 6X points on stays at Marriott Bonvoy properties. If you're considering signing up for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, now might be the time to do it. The hotel loyalty program just announced two new cobranded credit cards: the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card from Chase. "We have the highest demand in our company history for new Marriott Bonvoy credit cards," David Flueck, Marriott International's senior vice president of global loyalty, told Travel + Leisure. What makes these two stand out among the crop of Marriott Bonvoy cobranded cards is that they're designed to help cardholders accumulate Marriott Bonvoy Points at an incredibly high rate with a mid-range annual fee of $250 for primary cardholders. For example, both cards earn a whopping 6X points on stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, which total more than 8,100 properties worldwide, as well as 70,000 vacation rentals as part of Homes & Villas by Marriott International. They earn an additional 1,000 bonus points per stay, too. But they also earn 4X points on up to $15,000 spent at restaurants or grocery stores and 2X points on all other purchases. For comparison's sake, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card earns 6X points on Marriott Bonvoy stays, too, but it has an annual fee of $450. Now let's take a look at how those earnings will work for travelers. Say you book a three-night stay at $300 per night with one of those cards you'd earn 5,400 points after the stay as a standard member without elite status, plus a 1,000-point bonus, for a total of 6,400 points. (Elite status members earn at an even higher rate, from 10% to 75% more points per stay.) Do that a few times a year, and you could easily earn tens of thousands of points, which can be redeemed for free nights at Marriott Bonvoy hotels around the world. Marriott eliminated its fixed award chart in favor of dynamic pricing in March 2022, so there's no easy way to figure out exactly how many points you'll need for an upcoming hotel stay. But a quick search for a one-night stay on Nov. 1 shows that rates can range from 7,500 points at the Four Points by Sheraton Oklahoma City Quail Springs to 120,000 points at The St. Regis Bora Bora. So if you're a frequent traveler, you could wind up earning free stays very quickly. Story continues The expedited point accrual is only one of the perks of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card from Chase. Cardholders also have complimentary Gold Elite status (which actually means cardholders automatically earn 25% more points on eligible hotel purchases, potentially adding even more points to the total in the example mentioned above); a free night award that can be redeemed for up to 50,000 points (earned after spending $15,000 on the card); and 15 Elite Night credits, which go toward earning a higher tier of elite status. Marriott Bonvoy has also announced some changes to an existing card today; the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card will now come with complimentary Platinum Elite status, which comes with hotel lounge access, room upgrades, and late check-out, based on availability. "We all missed taking trips with family and friends and our members are again experiencing the joy of travel throughout our portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands," Flueck said. "Our refreshed credit cards make travel even more attainable with new point accelerators on everyday spend and richer travel perks. There is no better time to get a Marriott Bonvoy credit card and experience all that the world has to offer." Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card here and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card from Chase here. Migrants gather outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church on September 15. Two planes of migrants from Venezuela arrived suddenly Wednesday night on Martha's Vineyard. Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Martha's Vineyard lawmakers want DOJ to investigate Ron DeSantis' transport of migrants to the island. They say the Venezuelan refugees seeking asylum were deceived and their rights were violated. "Not a single one of them knew where they were going and every one of them was lied to," one lawmaker told Insider. Lawmakers who represent Martha's Vineyard are urging the Department of Justice to investigate Gov. Ron DeSantis' transport of migrants to the Massachusetts island, saying the Venezuelan refugees seeking asylum were deceived and their rights were violated. "Not a single one of them knew where they were going and every one of them was lied to about what would greet them there when they arrived," state Rep. Dylan Fernandes told Insider Thursday. "If you hop on an Uber that says you're going to New York and end up in Minnesota, I think that would raise some basic legal questions. I think at a minimum, there should be an investigation into that." The Florida Republican governor has taken credit for chartering two planes last week to transport about 50 migrants from San Antonio, Texas, to Martha's Vineyard, in a stunt to protest President Joe Biden's immigration policies. He says they went voluntarily, but the migrants filed a class action lawsuit against DeSantis on Tuesday, alleging they were duped only "to advance a political motive." They were promised employment and assistance in Boston, but they ended up stranded in the dark on the tarmac on Martha's Vineyard with nowhere to go. Fernandes and State Sen. Julian Cyr, in a letter on Wednesday, sent letters to US Attorney General Merrick Garland and US Attorney Rachael Rollins for the District of Massachusetts to investigate the "conduct of all those involved" in the migrants' transport. Neither responded to a request for comment. They join other Democrats, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who are seeking a federal investigation. In Texas, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, a Democrat, announced on Monday that he opened a criminal investigation. Story continues Cyr told Insider it's important to remember that these Venezuelans are fleeing a dictatorship and they had begun the asylum process and were not in violation of immigration laws. "This political stunt raises real questions as to whether the perpetrators interfered with federal immigration law and due process, violated the rights of asylum seekers," Cyr said. "One woman described to me that she felt that she had been kidnapped." Both Cyr and Fernandez said those who are responsible must be held accountable. They don't name DeSantis in their letter but they want him to be included in the investigation. Cyr said he'll leave it up to the proper authorities to determine what and who they need to investigate but they would "of course" include the governor. "DeSantis I'm sure needs to be part of that investigationbut may not be the only person culpable," he said. Fernandez said everyone who was involved should be investigated. As soon as he learned the news, he got on the first boat to Martha's Vineyard and found people who were "incredibly terrified" and "confused." The families were taken to Joint Base Cape Cod, where most of them remain voluntarily, he said. "I talked with families this week who told me that when they landed in Martha's Vineyard and opened their phone to see that they were surrounded by water in a place they'd never heard of, that was really traumatic for them," he said. "Being sent somewhere on a lie, through deception, not only is it morally criminal, but I think raises some legal questions." Asked to comment on the lawmakers' letter, a DeSantis spokesperson referred to the governor's response on Friday to Newsom's request for a DOJ investigation. "All I can say is, I think his hair gel is interfering with his brain function," DeSantis said then. Read the original article on Business Insider A math professor at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale was sentenced on Monday to a year of probation after he was found guilty of tax return errors and failing to disclose a foreign bank account under the China Initiative. District Judge Staci Yandle was asked by prosecutors to impose a one-year prison sentence against professor Xiao Mingqing, but the judge said that served no purpose. These tax charges were more worthy of civil remedies (if they were worthy of any enforcement action) and would never have been brought but for the charging of grant fraud for which Dr. Xiao was ultimately acquitted, Ryan Poscablo, Xiaos lawyer, said following the sentencing, according to Science.org. The professor was also fined $600 as opposed to the thousands of dollars suggested in the federal sentencing guidelines, according to court documents. More from NextShark: Do You Speak English?: Asian American CNN Producer Arrested While Covering Daunte Wright Protest Xiao, who was born in Guangzhou, China, was acquitted by a jury of making a false statement about a grant application he submitted to the National Science Foundation, which offered him $151,099 for research in 2019. He was indicted in April 2021 and charged with three counts of fraud. The charges are punishable by a fine of $250,000, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office, Southern District of Illinois. Xiao is currently on paid administrative leave, according to the university, which conducted an investigation into his case. More from NextShark: North Korea records first COVID-19 deaths after explosive outbreak Any discipline will be in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement between SIU and the SIU Faculty Association, a university spokesperson said in May. That agreement includes opportunities for Dr. Xiao to respond to any allegations. A GoFundMe campaign with a $350,000 goal has been created to help Xiao with legal expenses. Featured Image via GoFundMe Story continues More from NextShark: Chinese Restaurant Attacked with Bricks and Fireworks in the UK, Suspects Still at Large Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Tea Shop Owner Gets Pepper Sprayed By Man Yelling Chinese and COVID-19 in Washington DC West Nile virus activity has increased across North Carolina and Mecklenburg County Public Health officials are urging residents to use caution outside to prevent getting the mosquito-borne illness. ALSO READ: Local pharmacist offers experimental monkeypox drug as cases balloon There are two confirmed human cases in Mecklenburg County and two more in the state, officials said. The increased activity has health officials concerned because the state usually averages two cases of West Nile virus by the end of August. I know this is a great time of year to be outdoors, but we want to make sure the public is taking caution and protecting themselves, said Dr. Raynard Washington, director of Mecklenburg County Public Health. When youre outdoors, use mosquito repellent. Take note of any standing water around your home and empty those containers as they can be a breeding ground for mosquitos. Enjoy the weather, but be cautious. Most people who get West Nile virus usually experience no symptoms or a mild, flu-like illness. >>Watch Channel 9s LIVE STREAM wherever you are, at this link However, about 20% of infected people will develop a fever with other symptoms, such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash, health officials said. Click here for more information about West Nile virus. VIDEO: Law & Order actor Clark Middleton dies of West Nile virus PureWow One of the most highly-anticipated films of 2022 was Blondea Netflix drama based on the Joyce Carol Oates novel of the same name, which tells a fictionalized version of Marilyn Monroe's life and stars Ana de Armas (Knives Out) in the lead role. And although the film met a mixed reception (including from PureWow) upon its release, it still managed to sit strong at the number-one spot on Netflix's most-watched movies list from the day it premiered. That was, until a new movie just overtook it. Th DUBAI (Reuters) - A member of an Iranian pro-government paramilitary organisation Basij was stabbed to death in the northeastern city of Mashhad on Wednesday, two semi-official Iranian news agencies reported on Thursday, bringing the total number of reported security forces killed in nationwide unrest to three. Tasnim and Fars news agencies reported the stabbing on Telegram as both their websites were out of reach. There was no official confirmation. (Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Michael Georgy and Alex Richardson) Two men were indicted by a Lafayette Parish grand jury each on a second-degree murder charge in a shooting at a gas station that killed one person. Christopher King, 23, of New Iberia, and Rico Gabriel, 42, of St. Martinville, were indicted Thursday in connection with the death of 19-year-old Terrell Fontenette Jr. If convicted, second-degree murder carries a life sentence. Dazjahlun Charles, 25, of Jeanerette, was indicted on a principal to second-degree murder charge. Fontenette was fatally shot on April 13 at a gas station in the 1500 block of Bonin Road, Broussard Police said at the time. Investigators have not said what led to the shooting. Investigation:Louisiana reported 6 inmate deaths in prisons, jails to DOJ in 2020. A review found 180. In a separate case, the grand jury also indicted 69-year-old Edward Lee, of Broussard, on a second-degree murder charge. Lee is accused of fatally shooting Phillip Martin on July 31 in the 400 block of East Fourth Street in Broussard. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Two facing charges in fatal shooting at Broussard gas station Supporters gather during an Art Institute of Chicago Workers United union rally outside the Art Institute of Chicago on Sept. 21, 2022. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) Non-tenure-track faculty members at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago have asked the schools management to voluntarily recognize their union. A strong majority of the facultys bargaining unit, which comprises some 600 adjunct professors and lecturers at the school, have signed union authorization cards, members of the faculty organizing committee said Wednesday in a letter addressed to school President Elissa Tenny. Advertisement Advertisement Adjunct professors and lecturers at the school rallied outside the museum late Wednesday afternoon, calling for job security, higher wages and health insurance for lecturers, who teach without it. We are adding our hard work and strong voices to a whole movement that is swelling across this country, said Elena Ailes, an assistant adjunct professor at the school who teaches sculpture and first-year foundational courses. Faculty member Elena Ailes, left, and state Rep. Delia Ramirez stand together during an Art Institute of Chicago Workers United union rally outside the Art Institute of Chicago on Sept. 21, 2022. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) We are raising up the notion that teaching is work, cultural work is work, arts educators and cultural workers are workers, and our work has value, Ailes said. There are so many of us, that if we took one day off, this school would not function, said Anjulie Rao, a lecturer who teaches in the schools department of architecture, interior architecture and designed objects and in arts journalism. And yet they treat us like the most disposable employees that they have. We are teacher gig workers. Art Institute staff members formed the citys first major museum union when they voted to unionize 142-44 in January. The staff at the museums school soon followed with a 115-48 vote for the union. If the nontenured faculty succeeds in unionizing, it would form a third separate bargaining unit under the unions umbrella. Advertisement If the school does not recognize the union voluntarily, the faculty will file for an election with the National Labor Relations Board. Workers would then need a simple majority vote to unionize. In a statement, SAIC director of communications Bree Witt said unionization was a decision the faculty will make individually and collectively. If a union is voted in, we look forward to working with the bargaining team, Witt said. Ald. Sue Sadlowski Garza joins an Art Institute of Chicago Workers United union rally outside the Art Institute of Chicago on Sept. 21, 2022. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza, 10th, spoke in support of the faculty union Wednesday, as did state Rep. Delia Ramirez, who is running for Congress. We know that this school has a world-class reputation, and that is because of all of you here, Ramirez said. But the administration doesnt recognize all that you do. Non-tenure-track faculty members at SAIC first announced their intention to unionize in May. Nearly 200 adjuncts and lecturers at the school signed an open letter announcing the union drive, calling their working conditions intolerable. The schools two-tier system of compensation and benefits creates a permanent underclass of contingent faculty, they wrote. Advertisement In May, school President Tenny and Provost Martin Berger said in an email to the part-time faculty that they did not believe that unionization is in the best interests of faculty or the school but would bargain with a union if one was voted in. Workers gather during an Art Institute of Chicago Workers United union rally outside the Art Institute of Chicago Sept. 21, 2022. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) Faculty member Kristi McGuire is dressed as a lion during an Art Institute of Chicago Workers United union rally outside the Art Institute of Chicago on Sept. 21, 2022. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) If the non-tenure-track faculty succeeds in forming a union, it will more than double the size of the Art Institute of Chicago Workers United, which currently represents about 500 workers. The unions membership includes curators, retail employees, librarians and custodians at the museum and academic advisers, administrative assistants and mailroom employees at the school. The workers would be represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents the unionized museum and school workers along with other public service workers nationwide, including at the Chicago Public Library. In recent years, employees at museums including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and the Philadelphia Museum of Art have also unionized with AFSCME. After rallying on the Art Institute steps Wednesday, faculty members and supporters marched to the Sharp Building, a campus building where they said President Tenny was hosting a school event. Whats outrageous? Poverty wages, they chanted outside the building. (Getty Images) Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is being sued for allegedly tracking users without their consent. Both apps are able to track users key taps, inputs, and more while using the in-app browser, which is separate to Google Chrome or Safari on iPhones or Android devices. This allows the company to monitor everything that happens on external websites without needing user consent or the consent of the website. This causes various risks for the user, with the host app being able to track every single interaction with external websites, from all form inputs like passwords and addresses, to every single tap, wrote Felix Krause, a former Google engineer who discovered the code. We intentionally developed this code to honour peoples [Ask to track] choices on our platforms, a spokesperson said. The code allows us to aggregate user data before using it for targeted advertising or measurement purposes. We do not add any pixels. Code is injected so that we can aggregate conversion events from pixels, a spokesperson told The Guardian at the time. In a class-action complaint, however, two Facebook users accused the company of bypassing Apples 2021 privacy rules which require advertisers to ask for explicit permission when they want to track a users behaviour across certain apps. "This allows Meta to intercept, monitor, and record its users interactions and communications with third parties, providing data to Meta that it aggregates, analyzes, and uses to boost its advertising revenue," the lawsuit states. The change had a huge effect on Metas revenue, costing it approximately $10 billion in its first year. Meta also suggested that Apple was misleading customers and that the new policy was really intended to increase Apples profits rather than help with privacy. Meta did not respond to The Independents request for comment but told MacRumours: These allegations are without merit and we will defend ourselves vigorously. We have designed our in-app browser to respect users privacy choices, including how data may be used for ads. Apple did not respond to The Independents request for comment before time of publication. On the surface, the story could be ripped from a telenovela: A wealthy, handsome son of privilege faces justice after killing a poor working man on the street. The real-life story, however, is messier than fiction. Miami jurors, not scriptwriters, will write the ending. This week marks the start of trial for Mexican actor Pablo Lyle, who is accused of manslaughter for the death of 63-year-old Juan Ricardo Hernandez in Miami. In circuit court, the jury will decide a relatively straightforward case, whether Lyle broke the law when he delivered one ultimately fatal punch at Hernandez during a road-rage confrontation three years ago. But as lawyers worked to select a jury, they weighed all the complications of Miami itself: the reach of Spanish-language media coverage, divisions between rich and poor, and tensions between Hispanic groups over a Mexican actor who killed a Cuban man in a county dominated by Cuban Americans. Ethnicity always comes up. Members of the defense have heard it throughout the community over the years that Mexican, and they say it in a nasty way punched that Cuban. This really concerns me, Miami defense attorney Philip Reizenstein told the judge on Tuesday as lawyers began questioning potential jurors. On Wednesday evening, after two days of questioning potential jurors, lawyers selected a six-person jury. Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez speaks to defense and prosecuting attorneys during pretrial motions on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, the first day of jury selection in Miami-Dade Criminal Court. Mexican actor Pablo Lyle is accused of killing a motorist in a road-rage incident. Opening arguments will take place on Friday, with testimony lasting about five days. The 35-year-old Lyle faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Different stories Lyle and Hernandez hailed from vastly different backgrounds. The jury will meet Lyle, a good-looking 35-year-old actor originally from Mazatlan, Mexico. Hed starred in several major Televisa shows, including La Sombra del Pasado, or The Shadow of the Past, and Mi Adorable Maldicion, or My Adorable Curse (which once included American comedian Conan OBrien in a guest role alongside Lyle). He also landed a leading role in a Netflix crime drama, Yankee. Lyle, a father of two who normally lives in Mexico City, was also named one of People en Espanols 50 most beautiful people in 2015. Story continues I am concerned about the perception of Pablo as wealthy and privileged. Hes not. In Mexico, maybe hes middle class, but hes not wealthy, Reizenstein told the Herald. He hadnt broken out yet. And for the past two years, hes been destitute, living on the largess of family and friends. Mexican actors Dulce Maria and Pablo Lyle, the stars of Mexican Televisa telenovela Verano de Amor, which aired in 2009. Lyle wasnt exactly a household name, even in his native country. If you ask in Mexico, more people know about Pablo Lyle because of his case, because he hit a Cuban man in Miami, said Omar Argueta, a celebrity reporter for Imagen Television, a Mexican broadcast network. The other character in the fateful and fatal encounter is Hernandez, who hailed from Boyeros, Cuba, a borough of Havana, where he worked warehouse jobs most of his life. His journey was like so many others in Miami: He emigrated in 2011, getting a job at Miami International Airport loading food trays in carts for airliners, and later brought his adult son from Cuba. Hernandez supported his elderly mother by sending money to Cuba weekly. He came out here to Miami really to have a better way of life, so he could support his mother, said his familys attorney, Zena Duncan, adding: He was very much of a man rich in personality and love. He was a big presence in the room. You couldnt be at a party and not know him. Hernadnez lived in Miamis blue-collar Flagami neighborhood, not far from Miamis airport, with his fiancee, Mercedes Arce. They met working at MIA. The two planned to wed the day after he was mortally injured, with the reception at a local park. That fatal day Their lives intersected on March 31, 2019, the final day of Lyles 10-day vacation in Miami. His brother-in-law, Lucas Delfino, was driving the actor and his family to the airport. Delfino, an architect who lives in Miami, cut off Hernandez in traffic after mistakenly getting off on the wrong exit. At a stoplight, Hernandez got out and angrily banged on the drivers window of the maroon SUV. Delfino got out of the stopped SUV and the two began yelling at each other. The car was not in park and started rolling into the intersection. Delfino ran back to the car to put it in park. In that moment, as Hernandez walked back toward his own car, Lyle got out of the passenger seat and ran toward the man. A witness who was in a car at the intersection, testified at a hearing in 2019 that she saw Lyle running with aggression and clenched fists. She said Lyle delivered the punch, but not before Hernandez raised his hands as though blocking and cried in Spanish: No! Please, dont hit me. Jesus Ricardo Hernandez, 63, of Miami, died after he was punched and hit his head on the ground during a road-rage confrontation in March 2019. Hernandez crumpled, fracturing his skull on the ground. Delfino and the family drove off. Lyle was later collared at the airport, and initially arrested for battery. After four days in the hospital, Hernandez died of head trauma. The Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office upgraded the charge to manslaughter. Lyle, in asking a judge to dismiss the charge under Floridas Stand Your Ground self-defense law in 2019, testified that he confronted the man because he was in fear for his family. I saw this man attacking our car with my kids in it. I was actually trying to stop my kids from being killed or injured, Lyle testified. He could have gotten a gun, or could have used his car as a weapon. The judge declined to dismiss the case. Hes been awaiting trial on house arrest in Miami, not allowed to return to Mexico. The Media Glare From the day of his arrest, Lyles case has drawn intense media attention, particularly from the media in Mexico, where TV networks, gossip websites and social-media sites revel in the love lives and misbehavior of Latin singers and actors. After one early hearing at Miami-Dades criminal courthouse, Mexican reporters swarmed lawyers as they left blocking one prosecutor from the escalator, asking her to redo her walk down the hallway for additional B-roll footage. She refused. Despite his modest fame before the road-rage incident, every tidbit about Lyles life has since been under the scrutiny of the Mexican media: His reported bouts of depression and insomnia in the months after the killing, his separation from his wife, actress Ana Araujo; his brother reportedly selling his gym to help support Lyle; his working in a Miami food truck to make ends meet. Its like a ball of snow. Its gotten bigger and bigger, said Argueta, the Imagen TV reporter. That trickled down on Tuesday, as a slew of potential jurors recalled consuming social media or TV coverage of the case. Most remembered seeing the surveillance video which was released to the media in 2019 that depicts the road-rage incident. One older, potential juror recalled seeing the video, saying Lyle was preying on an elderly man. I cannot be impartial. I have very strong feelings about road rage. I already made up my mind on the case, said the man, who was promptly excused. For Lyles defense, the media exposure was a challenge. The defense on Wednesday asked for the trial to be held in a different county, citing the amount of people who consumed media about the case. In addition, lawyers told the court, a mysterious SUV possibly reporters followed Lyle and a defense attorney as they drove home from the courthouse the previous night. Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez denied the request. Ethnicity is always a factor The issue of ethnicity has been an undercurrent to Lyles story, particularly in Spanish-language media, where its normal to identify people by their Latin-American country of origin. In story after story in Spanish, Lyle is routinely referred to as the Mexican actor, and Hernandez is called Cuban. People judging by ethnicity is always a factor in Miami, whether its an election, a jury trial or water-cooler politics in the office, said Dario Moreno, an associate professor of politics and international relations at Florida International University, who is not involved in the case. Almost 72 percent of Miami-Dade is of Hispanic descent, according to U.S. census data, with Cuban Americans roughly half the population. While there are growing numbers of Venezuelans and Colombians not to mention a myriad of other Latin Americans the Mexican population is relatively small, with many agricultural workers in South Miami-Dade, or wealthy business types in areas such as Brickell or Aventura. Geri Fischman, a South Florida attorney and trial consultant, said that Miamis unique Hispanic demographics mean this case is likely to place these inter-Hispanic cultural divides under a microscope. The danger for both the state and the defense is that racial and ethnic biases often manifest without awareness, she said. So, while a prospective juror may claim that she or he can be fair and impartial in this case, and set their biases and prejudices aside, this juror may have implicit biases that will influence his or her decision making subconsciously. Judge Tinkler Mendez, speaking to the lawyers outside of the presence of the jury, acknowledged the worries about inflammatory online and media commentaries over Cuban versus Mexican. But as with all cases, questioning of potential jurors was a delicate dance, and covered a variety of topics. For one, Miami-Dade Assistant State Attorney Shawn Abuhoff, who is trying the case with Gabriela Alfaro, asked potential jurors about their thoughts on road-rage encounters. And Reizenstein asked jurors about their experiences being startled by strangers, the presumption of innocence and whether they could hold it against Lyle if he chose not to testify. In the end, he decided against asking any questions about ethnicity. We asked the questions we felt were appropriate in the case, Reizenstein, who is defending the case with attorneys Bruce Lehr, Alejandro Sola and Bhakti Kadiwar, said after the hearing. At least two people have been killed in Mexico after a 6.8 magnitude tremor rattled the country overnight, terrifying residents of central and western areas and the capital, Mexico City. In a series of updates overnight, Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the tremor was an aftershock from Mondays 7.6 magnitude earthquake, which reportedly took the lives of two people. Mr Obrador said Unfortunately, two people lost their lives in Mexico City, according to the report by Claudia Sheinbaum, head of government, in the latest earthquake and that there were no fatalities in the states of Colima, Jalisco and Guerrero. where the quake was also felt. Residents of the western state of Michoacan were awoken at about 1am by the 6.8 magnitude tremor, which had a depth of about 15 miles (24.1km) below the surface and was centred in the town of Aguililla, the US Geological Survey said. At least one of the two deaths in Mexico City was the result of a woman falling down the stairs of her home in panic, Mr Obrador was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. Other residents of Mexico City were pictured huddled on the streets in the early hours of the morning, despite the epicentre of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake being more than 242 miles (390km) west of the capital in Anguililla, Michoacan. Lamentablemente dos personas perdieron la vida en la Ciudad de Mexico, de acuerdo al reporte de Claudia Sheinbaum, jefa de Gobierno. En la zona del epicentro en Michoacan, Colima y Jalisco ninguna desgracia. pic.twitter.com/bNSWnAD4HX Andres Manuel (@lopezobrador_) September 22, 2022 On Thursday morning, the Michoacan state government said the quake had been felt throughout the state, with damage reported to a building in the city of Uruapan and some landslides reported on the highway that connects Michoacan and Guerrero with the coast, according to the Associated Press. Story continues The earthquake came just three days after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake shook parts of western and central Mexico on Monday and a 5.8 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday. Mondays seismic even also came on the anniversary of two previous earthquakes that caused enormous damage and killed hundreds or thousands of people in 1985 and 2017. Additional reporting by the Associated Press Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen on Wednesday predicted New York Attorney General Letitia Jamess (D) newly announced fraud investigation into former President Trumps business will culminate in the Trump Organizations downfall. Its going to put an end to the entire company, Cohen said during an appearance on MSNBCs All in with Chris Hayes on Wednesday evening. You think that? Hayes followed up. I believe so, Cohen responded. James earlier on Wednesday announced the civil fraud suit, the culmination of a three-year investigation into the Trump family and their business practices. The state attorney general alleges the Trump Organization at times inflated and deflated property values to misleadingly attract investors and gain tax and loan benefits, also exaggerating the former presidents net worth. James during Wednesdays announcement said her investigation began after Cohen testified before Congress about the Trump Organization. When she mentioned my name, I was obviously quite elated, to be honest, because Im finally getting the recognition for what Ive been sitting on the mountain tops yelling for three and a half, four years, which is that the Trump Organization is a criminal enterprise and that I got thrown under the bus by dear old Donald, Cohen said on MSNBC. Among Jamess requests to the court are $250 million in penalties and a permanent barring of the former president and three of his adult children from serving as an officer or director in any New York-based corporation. Cohen told Hayes he expects that figure to rise to roughly $750 million once they realize the full extent of the issues. Trump and his two adult sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, have blasted the investigation as a witch hunt, noting Jamess past promises to pursue an investigation into the family and her upcoming reelection contest in November. James also on Wednesday indicated she referred alleged federal law violations, including conspiracy to falsify business records and commit insurance fraud, to the IRS and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former President Donald Trump and his children (from left) Eric, Ivanka, and Donald Jr. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images Michael Cohen said the New York probe into the Trump Organization would "end to the entire company." Cohen said investigators have what they need to "ultimately terminate" the company. Cohen predicted that one or two of Trump's children may have to "fall on the sword for him." Former President Donald Trump's one-time personal lawyer Michael Cohen believes the investigation into possible fraudulent practices in the Trump Organization would be what puts "an end" to the company. Cohen, who worked for Trump and was his fixer and confidante for a decade, spoke to MSNBC's Chris Hayes on Wednesday, weighing in on the ongoing probe in New York into the Trump Organization. In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to felonies, including tax evasion, campaign finance violations, and bank fraud. He was sentenced in December that year to three years in prison and was disbarred in February 2019 by the New York Supreme Court. Cohen told MSNBC that the investigation sparked by New York Attorney General's $250 million civil lawsuit against the Trump family would "ultimately terminate the Trump Organization Donald, Don Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Weisselberg, McConney, and the rest of them." "This is going to put an end to the entire company," he added. Video: Michael Cohen testifies about former client Donald Trump Cohen made reference to Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization's former chief financial officer, who in August admitted to orchestrating a payroll tax-dodge scheme at the organization, and Jeff McConney, Weisselberg's right-hand man. "I've been sitting on the mountaintops yelling for three-and-a-half, four years, which is that the Trump Organization is a criminal enterprise and that I got thrown under the bus by dear old Donald," he said. Cohen also posited that one or two of Trump's children might have to "fall on the sword" for their father. Trump's three eldest children Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump are listed in James' lawsuit. Story continues Recalling the shoutout he received from James when she announced the suit on Wednesday, Cohen said he felt that he was "finally getting recognition" for his role in the probe. James is also seeking to bar the Trumps from conducting business in New York and has accused the former president of inflating his net worth by billions. Representatives at Trump's post-presidential press office and the Trump Organization did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Minnesota (3-0) at Michigan State (2-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten network) Line: Minnesota by 3 according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Series record: Michigan State leads 30-17. WHATS AT STAKE? Michigan State is hoping to bounce back following its first loss of the season at Washington. This starts a key stretch for the Spartans who have games with Maryland, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan in October. Minnesota is the current frontrunner to win the Big Ten West Division and will face its first challenge of the season after three straight blowout wins. Dating to last year, the Gophers have won six straight games and are looking to start 4-0 for the first time since 2019. KEY MATCHUP Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim vs. Michigan States rushing defense. Ibrahim averages 154.7 yards per game and has scored seven touchdowns. The Spartans have allowed only 89.7 rushing yards per game and two rushing touchdowns. PLAYERS TO WATCH Minnesota: TE Brevyn Spann-Ford has developed into a reliable blocker and receiver for the Gophers, now in his fifth year in the program. With Chris Autman-Bell out, the Minnesota native is the leading receiver left with eight catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. Michigan State: QB Payton Thorne hopes to build off his performance against Washington. The junior quarterback completed a career-high 30 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns despite missing injured Spartans star WR Jayden Reed. Thorne ranks third in the Big Ten and 23rd in the FBS with seven passing touchdowns. FACTS & FIGURES This is Minnesotas first trip to East Lansing in nine years. The Spartans have won five straight games in the series, last losing in Minneapolis in 2009. Minnesotas most recent road win at Michigan State was in 2006. ... Michigan State has already forced eight fumbles and has recovered six of them, both best in the FBS. The Gophers are second in the FBS in total defense with an average of 170.3 yards per game allowed and have given up a total of just 17 points in three games. They have played 14 straight games, a span of 56 quarters, without allowing more than 10 points in any quarter. ... Ibrahim, who is tied for second in the FBS with 464 rushing yards, has a streak of 12 straight games with 100-plus rushing yards. ... Michigan State has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in its last 16 games. ___ More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 A bus carrying Venezuelan migrants from Martha's Vineyard arrives off of a freight ferry in Woods Hole. Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Migrants who were flown to Martha's Vineyard have been left "traumatized," a lawyer told Insider. "They're scared, they're traumatized, and they don't know what's going to happen next," the attorney said. Dozens of migrants were flown to Martha's Vineyard in a move planned by Gov. DeSantis last week. The migrants who were flown to Martha's Vineyard by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have been left "traumatized" by the stunt that "thrust" them in the middle of a political firestorm "without their consent," said a lawyer for the group that has filed a class action lawsuit on their behalf. "They're still in a vulnerable place," Jacob Love, a staff attorney with the Boston-based Lawyers for Civil Rights nonprofit, told Insider of the 49 migrants who DeSantis sent on two chartered planes to the upscale liberal island off the coast of Massachusetts from Texas last week. "They're scared, they're traumatized, and they don't know what's going to happen next," Love said. "It's going to take them a long time to get over this." The immigrants, who are mostly Venezuelan, have since been relocated to a military base in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, that's designated as an emergency shelter as they try to figure out their next moves while "living in limbo." "Not only are they traumatized because they had to sort of figure this out on the ground when they got there [to Martha's Vineyard], but they have no clue what's going to happen in them going forward," Love said. Love added, "There's just a lot of uncertainty." Lawyers for Civil Rights has filed a federal class action lawsuit on behalf of a group of the migrants against DeSantis and other Florida officials, alleging that they carried out a "scheme to defraud vulnerable immigrants to advance a political motive." The suit says that the migrants were persuaded with $10 McDonald's gift certificates and false promises of employment, housing, and other assistance to get them to board the planes out of San Antonio, Texas. Story continues The migrants say they were told they were flying to Boston or Washington, DC, before they were dropped on a tarmac at Martha's Vineyard, says the suit. "When they landed and realized there was no one there waiting for them, they panicked," Love said, adding that the migrants were "shocked" and "scared" as they tried to no avail "to call the various recruiters who they had spoken to." "Luckily," Love said, Martha's Vineyard locals quickly mobilized to support the migrants. The migrants have now been "thrust" at the center of "a national conversation about immigration" in the United States and "are scared," said Love. "They know that this is politically fraught. They know that this is a hot-button issue. They know that there are a lot of angry people out there, you know, who have strong feelings about immigration in this country," Love said. The lawyer continued, "They've been used as pawns, without their consent, to make a point about immigration and the federal government." "That's part of the reason people are worried because they didn't sign up for this," he said. But at the moment, the migrants' biggest concern, said Love, is "where are we going to go from here?" "People are definitely uncomfortable and uneasy and scared about what's going to happen next," Love said. "They're not able to stay on the [military] base forever." Read the original article on Business Insider The 48 migrants flown to Marthas Vineyard last week by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have been given a safe haven at Joint Base Cape Cod, according to a press release from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. On Friday, September 16, the Commonwealth offered the migrants a voluntary transition from Marthas Vineyard facility to Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC), the press release revealed. State officials provided transportation to individuals and families from the island to a temporary shelter on JBCC, where a broad range of services have been established to support urgent needs. Included in those services are access to health care and crisis counseling, translators, food, clothing, and case managers to help with temporary housing and even education services for children, the press release said. More than 100 National Guard members were activated in response, the press release also confirmed. The Massachusetts National Guard declined to comment. A group of immigrants gather outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Thursday Sept. 15, 2022, in Edgartown, Mass., on Martha's Vineyard. (Ron Schloerb/The Cape Cod Times via AP) Taryn Fenske, DeSantis communications director, said the flights were scheduled in an effort to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations, but according to the victims and their representatives, they were lured to the area under false pretenses. The migrants were allegedly promised that after being flown to Marthas Vineyard, a wealthy vacation spot for many New York and Boston elite, they would be taken to Boston, Julio Henriquez, an attorney who met with several migrants, told the Associated Press. They had no idea of where they were going or where they were, he said. Henriquez said that after the migrants initial arrival at a city-run shelter in San Antonio, a woman approached them and moved them into a nearby La Quinta Inn, where she reportedly made daily food runs. She allegedly promised the migrants jobs and three months of housing in Washington, New York, Philadelphia and Boston. Many of the migrants are asylum-seekers, having fled the authoritarian regime in Venezuela, and while asylum seekers in the U.S. have limited rights compared to full citizens, the U.S. Constitution does protect them from improper treatment by the government and from discrimination based on race or national origin. In Texas, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar opened an investigation into the incident on Sept. 19. Requests for comment from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency were not returned. A Mississippi man is headed to prison for more than 2 years for preparing fake tax returns for clients on the Mississippi Coast. Orlando Reed was sentenced to 27 months in prison for his crimes, the Department of Justice announced in a press release. Between 2012 and 2014 Reed prepared false tax returns to get larger IRS refunds for his clients by falsifying education credits, dependent information, federal income tax withholdings and retirement contributions, according to court documents. Additionally, Reed misappropriated parts of his clients refunds in the form of prepaid debit cards. Reed also spent some of the money on those debit cards before delivering them to clients. U.S. District Judge Taylor B. McNeel also ordered Reed to serve one year of supervised release and to pay $69,185 in restitution. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Kevin Schneider of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris. Chicago Tribune newspapers are transported on a conveyor system at the Freedom Center on May 11, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) Proposed legislation to force Big Tech to pay publishers for aggregating news content online is headed for the Senate after the Judiciary Committee approved a revised amendment addressing censorship concerns Thursday. The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act would temporarily exempt newspapers, broadcasters and other publishers from antitrust laws to collectively negotiate an annual fee from Google and Meta/Facebook, which dominate the nearly $250 billion U.S. digital advertising market. Advertisement Proponents say it will boost struggling news organizations and level the playing field with Big Tech, while critics question whether local journalism or large media companies will be the true beneficiaries of the bill. The bill stalled in committee two weeks ago after an amendment introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz to prohibit censorship collusion narrowly passed, sharply dividing the bipartisan sponsors of the bill. Advertisement At the time, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., lead co-sponsor of the bill, said the bipartisan legislation had been blown up by the Cruz amendment, which would provide Big Tech a negotiating out by simply bringing up content moderation. But she worked with Cruz to come up with a revised amendment to keep censorship off the table when media and Big Tech negotiate content fees. The replacement amendment further clarifies the bills focus is solely on compensation for news organizations when platforms access their content, and that discussions or agreements between news organizations and platforms on content are outside of the scope of the bill, Klobuchar said. Introduced in the House and the Senate last year, the bill provides temporary safe harbor from antitrust laws, enabling news outlets to join together to negotiate content fees for aggregated content on Google and Meta/Facebook, the only two platforms targeted by the proposed legislation. The bill would cover thousands of local and regional newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune and other Tribune Publishing newspapers, which were acquired by hedge fund Alden Global Capital for $633 million in May 2021. It excludes large national publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. Local TV and radio broadcasters including network owned and operated stations that publish original digital news content and meet other eligibility requirements would also be covered by the bill. This legislation misunderstands the relationship between Facebook and news, and it ignores our users preferences for new types of content, a Meta spokesperson said in an emailed statement Thursday. Facebook does not proactively post news on our platform publishers and broadcasters are the ones who control whether and how their content appears on Facebook, and they can choose to use our free services as long as it provides value and makes business sense for them. A Google spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. With approval of his amendment, Cruz supported the legislation, which passed through committee by a 15 to 7 vote, and will move to the Senate floor for consideration. Advertisement I think this amendment protects against this antitrust liability being used as a shield for censorship, said Cruz, R-Texas. Big Tech hates this bill. That to me is a strong positive for supporting it. The local media ecosystem has been in steep decline during the new millennium. Newspaper ad revenue, which peaked at $49.4 billion in 2005, fell by more than 80% to $9.6 billion in 2020, according to the Pew Research Center. A recent study by Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism found the country has lost more than a fourth of its newspapers about 2,500 overall and 60% of its working journalists since 2005. Meanwhile, Big Tech has been gobbling up the bulk of the fast-growing digital advertising pie. Google is projected to generate nearly $70.1 billion and Meta/Facebook $55.5 billion, or more than 50% of the total U.S. digital ad spend this year, according to Insider Intelligence. Under the bill, the annual fee paid by Big Tech would be distributed to all local publishers that participate in the collective negotiations, with 65% of the allocation based on how much they spend on journalists as a proportion of their overall budget. Todays markup and vote was a major step toward getting small and local news publishers the fair compensation they deserve for their content, David Chavern, president and CEO of the News Media Alliance, a Washington, D.C.-based newspaper trade organization, said in a statement Thursday. But diverse opposition to the bill, from journalist unions to digital rights groups, has been mounting over everything from the temporary antitrust exemption to undermining copyright law and fair use on the internet. The biggest concern may be whether payments from Big Tech would bolster local journalism or benefit big media companies. Advertisement Those concerns were exacerbated last month when Gannett, the nations largest newspaper chain, laid off 400 employees, or about 3% of its U.S. workforce, following a larger than expected revenue decline and loss in the second quarter. McLean, Virginia-based Gannett publishes USA Today and more than 230 other newspapers. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., voted to move the bill out of committee, but said he could not support it in the Senate without built-in consequences to hold accountable companies such as Gannett and Alden, the second-largest newspaper chain, if they dont invest the Big Tech proceeds in journalists. I believe we need stronger language to ensure that the revenue from this bill goes to the workers that make journalism possible and is invested in the high-quality local journalism that those workers produce, Padilla said. rchannick@chicagotribune.com KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) A Missouri county has agreed to pay $405,000 to settle two lawsuits filed in a dispute that began when some underwire bras set off metal detectors at the county detention center. The Jackson County Legislature approved the settlement this week for two longtime jail employees who alleged in sexual discrimination lawsuits that they were reprimanded and given different duties when they repeatedly failed to pass the screening machines at the jail, The Kansas City Star reported. The dispute started in May 2019 when the county installed metal detectors at the detention center to keep weapons, cellphones and other contraband out of the jail in downtown Kansas City. When underwire bras set off the detectors, attorneys were told they either had to remove them or meet with their clients via phone and separated by a window. About 75 female attorneys and their supporters staged a public protest carrying signs such as We need support! when Jackson County Sheriff Daryl Forte and detention center director Diana Turner refused to find a solution. Eventually, a secondary screening system was set up for attorneys and other visitors who might have contact with inmates but not for female jail employees. Employees Charlotte Hardin and Linda Hengel sued after unsuccessful attempts to comply with the screening process, including taking off their bras and putting them back on after they cleared the machine. But jail management said undergarments were not allowed in the bins that went through an X-ray machine, although men were allowed to take off belts and put them back on after going through the machines. In their lawsuits, Hardin and Hengel said they were assigned to other duties outside the secure area for repeatedly failing to get through the machine. Hengel, who was inmate services coordinator, retired early because the new jobs aggravated her medical conditions. At one point, Hardin was put on leave for removing her bra and putting it through the X-ray machine. She said she was treated unfairly and denied a pay raise for complaining about what she saw as a discriminatory policy. Under the settlement, Hardin will be paid $255,000 and Hengel will be paid $150,000. Attorney Katherine Myers, who represented both women, will share in those settlements. WFTS-Tampa The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said a notification was sent out around 3 a.m. that indicated a possible levee break in the Hidden River community. The sheriff's office said it was issued countywide, but the compromise of the levee will only impact homes on the east side of the Hidden River Community, a neighborhood east on Fruitville Road. Deputies are going door-to-door to let residents in that area know about possible flooding. Deputies advised residents to consider evacuation. The sheriff's office said for additional clarification this will not impact any other areas in Sarasota County, including Venice or North Port. https://www.abcactionnews.com/weather/hurricane/hurricane-ian-live-blog-latest-impacts-across-tampa-bay The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office is seeking help from the public to identify three suspects involved in credit card theft, according to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office. >>Kettering Police Department seeks help in identifying three suspects Washington Township Substation deputies were dispatched to Sams club on September 13th to assist an elderly victim after her wallet was stolen from her purse as she shopped, deputies said. Video surveillance from Sams Club showed two female suspects working together to steal the victims wallet. The suspects later used the victims credit cards at a nearby Walmart where video surveillance shows the man using the victims stolen cards to purchase items, officials said. >>Police investigating multiple reports of armed robberies involving postal workers The three suspects were seen driving a silver model SUV. If you have any information regarding this incident or the suspects contact Detective Egloff at 937-432-2757 or Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at 937-222-STOP. NASA Moon Rocket (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) An important fueling test of Nasas massive Moonrocket went perfectly on Wednesday, setting the stage for a launch attempt as early as 27 September, according to the space agency. Nasa began loading cryogenic fuel into the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket Wednesday morning to test repairs and new procedures designed to prevent leaks and engine problems that led Nasa to cancel two previous launch attempts in August and early September. Despite a few problems along the way, the space agency was able to complete the test and gave the rocket a passing grade. The test went really well. We wanted to learn, to evaluate, Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, the Nasas launch director for the impending Artemis I test flight of the SLS, said in a statement shared on social media. All of the objectives that we set out to do, we were able to accomplish. I am extremely encouraged by the test today. Nasa hasnt yet committed to the 27 September launch opportunity, but will now begin considering what was learned during Wednesdays test, weather conditions and other factors to decide whether to commit to that launch opportunity, aim for the already announced backup date of 2 October, or push the launch to another launch window entirely. The test was designed to assess whether new seals and procedures could prevent leaks in the interface between the liquid hydrogen fueling lines and the SLS rockets fuel tanks, as just such a leak forced Nasa to scrub the last launch attempt on 3 September. The test also included new procedures designed to begin bringing the rockets engines to the proper temperature to accept the extremely cold cryogenic fuel earlier in the launch preparation process, as a problem with the thermal condition of one of the rockets engines was largely responsible for Nasa canceling the first launch attempt for the SLS on 29 August. Together with the Orion Spacecraft it carries, SLS makes up the core of Nasas new Artemis Moon program. Artemis I will be an uncrewed test flight for both rocket and spacecraft that will send the Orion around the Moon and back, before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. If all goes well with Artemis I, Artemis II will fly a similar course in 2024, this time carrying four Nasa astronauts. Artemis III is the mission that will carry astronauts back to the surface of the Moon in 2025, the first time boots will have touched lunar regolith since 1972 during the Apollo 17 mission. CHURDAN, Iowa (AP) In the 1970s when George Naylor said he wanted to grow organic crops, the idea didn't go over well. Back then organic crops were an oddity, destined for health food stores or maybe a few farmers markets. I told my dad I wanted to be an organic farmer and he goes, Ha, ha, ha, Naylor said, noting it wasnt until 2014 that he could embrace his dream and begin transitioning from standard to organic crops. But over the decades, something unexpected happened demand for organics started increasing so fast that it began outstripping the supply produced in the U.S. Now a new challenge has emerged: It's not getting consumers to pay the higher prices, it's convincing enough farmers to get past their organic reluctance and start taking advantage of the revenue pouring in. Instead of growing to meet the demand, the number of farmers converting to organic is actually dropping. Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture committed up to $300 million to recruit and help more farmers make the switch. It feels good, said Chris Schreiner, executive director of the organic-certifying organization Oregon Tilth, referring to the government help. Its a milestone in the arc of this work. Schreiner, who has worked at the Oregon-based organization since 1998, said expanding technical training is important given the vast differences in farming land conventionally and organically. Schreiner noted that one farmer told him that converting a conventional farmer was like asking a foot doctor to become a heart surgeon. The key difference is the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides as well as genetically modified seeds. Most conventional farms rely on those practices but they are banned at organic farms. Instead, organic farmers must control weeds and pests with techniques such as rotating different crops and planting cover crops that squeeze out weeds and add nutrients to the soil. Crops can only be deemed organic if they are grown on land that hasnt been treated with synthetic substances for three years. During that period, farmers can grow crops, but they wont get the extra premium that accompanies organic crops. Story continues According to the USDA, the number of conventional farms newly transitioning to organic production dropped by about 70% from 2008 to 2019. Organic comprises about 6% of overall food sales, but only 1% of the countrys farmland is in organic production, with foreign producers making up the gap. In the U.S, There are so many barriers to farmers making that leap to organic, said Megan DeBates, vice president of government affairs for the Organic Trade Association. While farmers seem hesitant, U.S. consumers aren't. Annual sales of organic products have roughly doubled in the past decade and now top $63 billion, according to the Organic Trade Association. Sales are projected to climb up to 5.5% this year. That growth is clear to anyone pushing a cart in an average supermarket, past bins of organic apples and bananas, through dairy and egg sections and along shelves brimming with organic beef and chicken. The new USDA effort would include $100 million toward helping farmers learn new techniques for growing organic crops; $75 million for farmers who meet new conservation practice standards; $25 million to expand crop insurance options and reduce costs; and $100 million to aid organic supply chains and develop markets for organics. Nick Andrews, an Oregon State University extension agent who works with organic farmers, called the USDA effort a game changer. It should be especially attractive to farmers with small parcels of land because the added value of organic crops makes it possible to make significant money off even 25 to 100 acre (10 to 40 hectare) farms much smaller than the commercial operations that provide most of the countrys produce. Ive seen organic farmers keep families in business who otherwise would go out of business, Andrews said. Noah Wendt, who in the past few years has transitioned 1,500 acres (607 hectares) of land in central Iowa to organic, noted the shift has been rocky at times for him and his farming partner, Caleb Akin. But he and Akin recently bought a grain elevator east of Des Moines to use solely for organic crops, the kind of project the USDA program can assist. They hope the elevator will not only be a nearby spot to store grain but provide a one-stop shop to learn about growing and marketing organic crops. Seeing all the organic activity is gratifying for George and Patti Naylor, who farm near the tiny central Iowa community of Churdan. But they say they still value most the simple benefits of their choice, such as evenings spent watching hundreds of rare monarch butterflies that flock to their herbicide-free farm. As Patti Naylor put it, It really helps to believe in what youre doing. ___ Follow Scott McFetridge on Twitter: https://twitter.com/smcfetridge A U.S. air strike killed 27 al-Shabab militants in central Somalia earlier this week, U.S. Africa Command said Wednesday. The strike against the insurgent group was carried out on Sunday near Buulobarde, Somalia, in support of the countrys army and an African Union force, according to a release. The defensive strikes allowed the Somali National Army and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia forces to regain the initiative and continue the operation to disrupt al-Shabaab in the Hiraan region of central Somalia, AFRICOM officials said, adding that no civilians were injured. This operation is the largest combined Somali and ATMIS offensive operation in five years. The strike comes on the heels of a Somali military operation that killed more than 100 al-Shabab terrorists, the countrys Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism said Monday on Twitter. The East African countrys armed forces were still conducting [a] series [of] operations to ensure that the merciless terrorists do not find a place to hide, another post said yesterday. At least a half-dozen U.S. strikes have been launched in 2022 against the terrorist group, which has ties to al-Qaeda. Most recently, a series of airstrikes were conducted in August, including one that resulted in an estimated 13 militants being killed. On the same day as the strike, AFRICOM commander Gen. Michael Langley began a four-day visit to Niger and Chad during his second trip to the African continent since taking charge last month. We are grateful to our security partners for their demonstrated commitment to the counter-violent extremist fight, Langley said in a statement. I look forward to continuing to build on our partnerships. . Jeff Greenberg More than 1,600 different books were banned from schools and public libraries during the last academic year, as parents and community members across the country continued to raise hell over works that address cultural identities, racism, homophobia, and abuse. Many of the pro-book banners insist the material is simply too inappropriate for younger readers. But authors say those concerns are just excusesand its really about exclusion. They act like theyre concerned for the kids, but theyre not, said Ellen Hopkins, the author of Crank, Tricks, People Kill People, and many other challenged books. By saying, Books on LGBTQ content cant be there, theyre not only saying these kids dont count. Theyre saying they shouldnt exist. LGBTQ Books Are Being Banned. Their Authors Are Fighting Back. Hopkins is the most frequently banned writer in the U.S., according to a new report by PEN America. The report was released in conjunction with Banned Books Week, which began Sunday and is organized by groups dedicated to promoting free expression in the U.S. It provides insight into book bans across the country, revealing that there were over 2,500 bans across 140 school districts during the previous academic year, affecting 1,648 titles by 1,261 different authors. An index in the report also shows the locations of each book ban, along with who challenged the book. Texas banned the most books, followed by Florida and then Pennsylvania. The report, which was released Monday, illustrates just how prevalent bans have become, driving wedges in local communities. In an interview with The Daily Beast, Hopkins said she would love to have a constructive dialogue with parents and community members who are hesitant about her books, but they typically avoid the conversation. Hopkins writing career was inspired by her own life. She began writing her first book, Crank, after watching her daughter, who was once the perfect kid, struggle. The story, which is written like a poem, details the downfall of a teen and the choices shes forced to make between drug use, teenage parenting, prostitution, and homelessness. Story continues [My daughter] went to church, she was a straight-A kid. She had everything going for her, Hopkins said. She met a guy and her life, her dreams, were gone at 18 years old So, if I could turn one kid off from that path, I would [be] happy. In Tricks, a novel about human trafficking, Hopkins took a similar approach. I worked with Las Vegas vice, she told The Daily Beast. I was talking to kids on the street in Las Vegas. Theyre trafficking kids in front of all those big, beautiful casinos. Hopkins said its better to address issues rather than ignore them and pretend they dont exist, as her opponents are trying to do. To say this stuff wont happen if they dont read about it, I mean, I just dont even know where the logic is, she said. School District Enacts One of Strictest Book Bans Yet After Raucous Meeting Hopkins has helped raise her grandchildren and has been inspired to write a number of novels based upon her familys experiences. She has expanded her work into school presentations where she shares the stories with students in a learning environment. Im not there to hurt kids. Im there to help them, she said. Im there to help them make better choices, better decisions. And thats my whole point to writing. Ashley Hope Perez, whose book Out of Darkness has been banned in 24 U.S. school districts, is a former high school English teacher and current literature professor at The Ohio State University. She said more book banners should be willing to read literature in full in order to understand the context. Lets have a conversation about why would an author make these choices, she told The Daily Beast. Im just, like, blown away by the refusal to read. These folks are not reading the books and, even if theyre reading passages from the book, they would fail my 10th grade English class. They certainly would fail my world literature class because context matters. Any given passage is part of a literary whole. Out of Darkness, a novel about the New London School explosion in 1930s Texas, incorporates some of Perezs own experiences. With Out of DarknessI wrote this novel, in part, because I saw what silencing painful history does to communities, she said. Its maddening to me because we know that access to literature that represents an experiencethat maybe young people dont have words foris helpful with being able to name that harm. Far-Right Group Wants to Ban Kids From Reading Books on Male Seahorses, Galileo, and MLK Both Hopkins and Perez said they have been accused of ulterior motives to hurt children. Im not there to hurt anybody, Hopkins said. Im there to help these kids find their way into a better future. That is my whole point. Thats all. According to the PEN list, Hopkins is the author most frequently banned, with 43 bans. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, the second most banned author, is the most banned book. The memoir has been pulled from 41 districts, according to the report. Next comes All Boys Arent Blue by George M. Johnson and Perezs Out of Darkness. The data underscore the increasingly rapid pace at which whole categories of booksespecially those featuring protagonists of color, dealing with issues of race, or highlighting LGBTQ+ characters and themesare being pulled from shelves in classrooms and school libraries, the report states. This censorious movement is turning our public schools into political battlegrounds, driving wedges within communities, forcing teachers and librarians from their jobs, and casting a chill over the spirit of open inquiry and intellectual freedom that underpin a flourishing democracy, PEN America chief executive officer Suzanne Nossel said after the report was conducted. This goes far beyond organic expressions of concern. The Daily Beast previously reported that a new compliance rule had a Texas school district pull dozens of books ahead of the 2022-23 school year, including the Bible and an adaptation of the Diary of Anne Frank. In August, a teacher in Oklahoma resigned after a law passed that said teachers should not make cisgender white children feel uncomfortable. In May, a school district in Ohio banned a historical novel for its sex and wickedness. The restrictions come after far-right pundits began to campaign against critical race theory classrooms. The bans havent been limited to literature, as even math textbooks have come under fire. School District Pulls Acclaimed Book on Racial Injustice Over One Parents Gripes As parents and community members continue to wage a political war against school districts and libraries, Hopkins said the harm ultimately falls on the kids, who need to feel heard and understood. Perez agreed that its detrimental when young people have resources available but they may not have access. Whats perhaps the most painful for me and for other writers, she said, we write these books because we believe the stories that were getting onto the shelf for young people matter to them, that they give them perspectives that they wouldnt have, they give them access to elements of our history they wouldn't have, they allow them to imagine experiences of their classmates or people. 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. Brad Pitt, who is often listed as one of the most handsome men in the world, has named two other stars he believes are worthy of the title. The Bullet Train star, who recently launched his own genderless skincare line, shared his thoughts on who he thinks are the best-looking men, both past and present. In a video posted by US Vogue on Instagram, Pitt, 58, said his picks were the late Paul Newman and his good friend George Clooney. Explaining why his first choice was Newman, who died in 2008 at the age of 83, Pitt said: You know in the acting world because its my day job the immediate go-to is Paul Newman, because he aged so gracefully. By all reports, [he was] a really special, giving, warm and truthful human being. In choosing his second choice of someone from the present, Pitt said: If I was gonna name someone present, well, I gotta name that George Clooney f***er, because why not? Because usually, Im always taking him out and hes always taking me out. And this time, Im gonna go the other way, just this once. Pitt and Clooney, who are long-time friends, are known for pulling pranks on each other. In 2020, Clooney revealed that Brad Pitt secretly sent a memo to his neighbours in Lake Como telling them to address him only by the name of his character from the Oceans movie franchise, and ordering them not to look him in the eyes. Brad Pitt and George Clooney attend the 17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards held at The Hollywood Palladium on January 12, 2012 (Getty) The Ticket To Paradise star said the prank resulted in Italian newspapers branding Clooney il divo (a diva), but added: It was a horrible story which I later got him back for. Last year, Clooney appeared in a sketch promoting a contest that would see the winner flown to his home in Lake Como to spend time with him and his wife, Amal Clooney. The humorous advert included a scene in which Clooney has a room dedicated to Pitt, with posters of the Fight Club star all over the walls and pillows with Pitts face printed on them. A silent film any silent film, of any historical, emotional or artistic value can transcend a well-meaning but not-great musical score. Silents have done that for more than century in performance. Ive seen great movies, from Sherlock, Jr. and Potemkin on down, leap into a new realm of the fantastic when paired, live, by fresh, vital musical accompaniment, sometimes on solo piano, sometimes a small-group band, one time a theremin all over a screening of Metroplis, occasionally a full orchestra. But a brand new score is rare, and conjures a new horizon of possibilities. Advertisement This Monday at the Music Box Theatre, one night only, the Alvin Cobb Jr. jazz trio will team up with a Chicago landmark: the earliest surviving silent feature by Black filmmaking pioneer Oscar Micheaux, Within Our Gates (1920). The film was made here, on Chicago streets, in Chicago brownstones and studio spaces, in the wake of the notorious bloodshed of Chicagos Red Summer of 1919. Chicago censors held up release of Micheauxs film for two months, deeming its storyline and content pre-eminently dangerous in the wake of the fatal violence the year before, sparked by white swimmers offended by a Black youth encroaching on a stretch of shoreline considered, at least by whites, as white-only. The boy drowned after being stoned by a white mob. The city responded with two weeks of bloodshed. Advertisement Within Our Gates doesnt address that incident directly, but by way of a wildly careening melodrama it takes on the realities of racism in Northern states and Southern states, while addressing the cultural damage done by the monstrous hit that was D.W. Griffiths pro-Klan Civil War epic, The Birth of a Nation. Within Our Gates is a 1920 silent film by Black film pioneer Oscar Micheaux. (Micheaux Book & Film Company) In Micheauxs story, a Southern Black woman (Evelyn Preer) ventures north to Boston, first to visit her conniving cousin (Floy Clements, later the first Black woman in the Illinois state legislature). Later in the film she returns to Boston, played by Chicago, to raise funds for a Black school back home threatened with bankruptcy. Thats just the beginning. Within Our Gates packs an arresting amount of plot in 79 minutes, leading to a crosscutting climax between the films present day, with Preers secret-laden character threatened with sexual assault, and a flashback to a lynching sequence that retains its brute force more than 100 years later. Cobb Jr.s original score, completed earlier this month, has no interest in sticking narrowly to one period or style, the composer told me Thursday. A Chicago resident since 2013, when he came from Atlanta for graduate studies in jazz and performance at Northwestern, Cobb Jr. tried to figure out themes that were always supportive of the characters. While staying in the jazz realm of things, tailored to keyboard, bass and percussion, the music ventures somewhere between traditionalism and something more modern a little further down the timeline. Composer Alvin Cobb Jr.'s musical score, performed by his trio, accompanies the Sept. 26 Music Box Theatre screening. (Photo by Sarah Escarraz, courtesy of the composer) (Provided by Alvin Cobb Jr.) The movie has its share of extreme coincidence. Micheauxs budget was bare-bones. The results transcend it all. I was surprised how applicable it is to today, says Cobb, Jr., who works part-time at the Music Box when hes not performing around town. Or at home. It explains race, identity, class, Black/white struggles but also class struggles within the Black community. He conveyed all that so well in 1920. Hes a name Ive heard for a while, but Im not sure he gets the recognition he should. But things are changing. This is thanks in large part to the efforts of scholar and historian Jacqueline Stewart. Shes a longtime UChicago film professor, also Turner Classic Movies host of Silent Sundays and, more recently, director and president of Los Angeles Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Advertisement Within Our Gates is the silent film directed by early Black filmmaker Oscar Micheaux and released in 1920, during the Jim Crow era. (Micheaux Book & Film Company) Earlier this year on UChicagos Big Brains podcast, Stewart addressed Within Our Gates and its paradoxical mixture of rudimentary filmmaking circumstances and righteously provocative, even revolutionary content. Of the films climax marked by cruelly contrasted examples of brutality, she said: Its just remarkable that (Micheaux) had the boldness to represent (two sides) of racial violence, racially motivated violence, rape and lynching together. He really didnt shy away from issues that were still talking about. On Monday, well hear what composer Cobb, Jr. and his trio have to say, musically, about what Micheaux expressed more than a century ago. Within Our Gates screens 7 p.m. Sept. 26, Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. Tickets $12 at musicboxtheatre.com. Co-presented by the Chicago Film Society. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic. Advertisement mjphillips@chicagotribune.com Twitter @phillipstribune Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here. If women can legitimately have multiple-partnership relationships as well, the patriarchy wants nothing to do with that under any circumstances (iStock) I get asked a lot of questions about being polyamorous. How I allocate time. How I navigate conflicting relationship styles. How I get any work done around the presumed bacchanalian nights of group sex and opium dens. But to answer the most popular enquiry: yes, I do sometimes get a little jealous. Not of my partners, I should clarify. Or indeed any of their partners, all of whom are out here living their best lives, no doubt more concerned about how many jumpers they need to put on this winter to stay warm than finding someone elses in their laundry basket. What I envy instead are the legal protections and social recognition that is yet to be afforded to set-ups like mine. Or many other domestic scenarios that dont resemble a 1950s family photograph. Those felt barely realistic back then, and feel even more cruelly anachronistic today. Nonetheless, to see polyamory or ethical non-monogamy (ENM) as new, shiny relationship models is, for the most part, to view global history back to front. Monogamy is both a relatively new and perhaps surprisingly unpopular way of life: not only do less than five per cent of mammal species on the planet practise it (and those animals that do pair for life, like swans, are rarely sexually exclusive to their chosen partners), but the monogamy practised by humans generally involves multiple partners, too. Theyre simply spread out over time or sequestered away in the form of secret affairs. Giulia Smith, founder of the newly formed UK Polyamorous Association (UKPA), believes that polyamorous and ENM communities are sorely lacking in representation, and wants to provide support and advocacy for those people who face discrimination or stigma for their way of life. Basically, polyamory isnt recognised by the law in the UK, Smith tells me from their living room in Bristol. A common issue is harassment: polyamorous people can often experience verbal abuse, be accused of immoral or unethical behaviour, or be excluded by their family or workplace. That can have a ripple effect across all areas of life, including social isolation. It means people can be discouraged from being open about their relationships, which in turn limits polyamorous visibility in society. The fear of coming out is huge, Smith adds. Story continues How do we change that stigma? As well as advocating for people currently facing discrimination, Smith also hopes to provide as part of the UKPA training and education within key institutions to create a better, more inclusive future. That could include health clinics, domestic abuse shelters and most crucially schools, where sex education doesnt currently acknowledge polyamory. Its a project that necessitates fighting battles on multiple fronts, though there are urgent priorities. We think there are two key policies that need amending, they say. The first is family law. Marriage, I think, is a very long way away, in terms of being able to have more than one spouse. The first step is more likely to be civil partnership. But before that, [we need] inclusion in the Equality Act. That would then automatically raise the perception of employment law, property law, healthcare legislation, harassment. It wouldnt necessarily mean the legislation in those areas would change straight away, but it would be the first step. Dr Elisabeth Sheff, an author and expert in polyamory in the US, agrees. Those two [policies] are the most important, she tells me over the phone from upstate New York. Family law would not only cover custody of children, but also sharing of benefits and things like that. In the UK, thats not as big of a deal, but in the US, where we have enormous gaps in our healthcare insurance, being able to cover multiple spouses under insurance makes an enormous difference to some people. As in the UK, employment law technically exists within the US to protect minorities, but Sheff admits its very shaky at the best of times. That even applies to more commonly acknowledged forms of discrimination. In theory we have protection around things like race and gender, she says. But in practice many places of business are what they call at-will employers, which means they dont need any reason to fire you. They can fire you if they feel like it. Polyamorous folks are among those with insecure employment in the United States. It seems all the stranger when you consider that strict monogamy accounts for only about 17 per cent of human cultures. Of course, thats not to say that the remaining 83 per cent come under the banner of ethical non-monogamy; far from it. Laws do exist in the world regarding multiple partners polygamy was decriminalised in Utah in 2020, primarily with regard to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as Mormons but the common denominator is patriarchal households where men take multiple wives. These kinds of communities have historically been rife with various forms of abuse. To have a bigger network than just the people were having sex with is a deeply human desire, and that is largely unmet in many societies, even by religion What makes conservative lawmakers uncomfortable, it seems, is when agency particularly, but not exclusively, sexual agency is no longer the exclusive preserve of men. Or as Sheff puts it: If women can legitimately have multiple-partnership relationships as well, the patriarchy wants nothing to do with that under any circumstances. Its much easier to slut-shame someone when they dont have any alternative. Part of the problem, Sheff says, is that many of our legal frameworks are still built around the somewhat nebulous concept of morality, rather than ethics. This is particularly pertinent when it comes to child custody law: if a religious judge deems a gay couple to be immoral, for example, would we accept that this constitutes an accurate or fair assessment of their ability to raise children? If we could refocus from morality, which is incredibly subjective and religious, to a more neutral, ethical framework, I think thats a much better base of laws and decision making. While lifestyles involving multiple partners may be nothing new, however, there is a growing sense that some of these changes may reflect an adaptation to pressures faced by younger generations today. Or, to quote a viral tweet from last year, Why is everyone poly these days? Motherf***er it takes seven people to be able to buy a house. Millennials and Generation Z are generally not that enchanted with monogamy, Sheff argues. A lot of them have two or three jobs, and the idea of also trying to have kids is difficult. So that kind of white picket fence marital dream is really not feasible. Youre not likely to be living in the same place or have the same job in the next five years. So I think it goes generationally with this more rapidly shifting, nomadic society. In a way, its a coping mechanism its well suited, its adaptive to postmodern society. The real challenge is to build a world where polyamory is accepted by everyone (iStock) But people arent just choosing to be polyamorous out of dire necessity. Its also worth remembering that, despite misconceptions to the contrary, the term partner in ENM circles doesnt merely equate to sexual partners. For people who identify as asexual, for example, its not a priority at all. But for most, I would suggest, its more about building something bigger forging a chosen family (or logical family) based on the people you want to share your life with, however much or little of it that may be, and not just the people who arrive in your life by circumstance or birth. In short, its about community. Its the kind of community that people used to more commonly find in church, or with their neighbours, or the one person they chose to provide all the sex, intimacy and companionship they would need for the rest of their lives. Some of those institutions still hold strong, though many are being questioned or left behind. But were left with that hunger, Sheff tells me. For connection, [or] a larger sense of wanting to know whos close to us. To have a bigger network than just the people were having sex with is a deeply human desire, and that is largely unmet in many societies, even by religion. People still want to feel part of a congregation. I feel that pull too. I want a life where the people I love can live their lives freely and authentically and with as much joy and sense of connection to the world around them as their hearts can take. After all, the hard work isnt balancing multiple relationships. The real challenge is to build a world where theyre accepted by everyone else, a world where loving more than one person isnt seen as a deviant character flaw. That starts with re-examining the antiquated legal framework that still defines our lives. Crucially, I want a world where the first question I get asked in the pub is the one my dad asked me when I first came out as poly: Isnt it expensive going on all those dates? It is. But were also very good at sharing jumpers and Netflix passwords, too. The seventh defendant in the 2010 murder of U.S. Border Patrol agent Brian Terry was sentenced Wednesday to 50 years in prison, officials announced on Thursday. Jesus Rosario Favela-Astorga pleaded guilty to Terrys murder in April and was the final defendant to be convicted and sentenced in the case, according to the Department of Justice. Favela-Astorga was charged with second-degree murder, the DOJ said. Today is for Brian Terry, and his loved ones and colleagues who waited 11 years to see justice come to all who were involved in his tragic murder, said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman of the Southern District of California. We hope it fulfills the promise to everyone who protects us. Well relentlessly pursue justice against those who do them harm for as long as it takes. Near midnight on December 14, 2010, Terry and his team attempted to arrest Favela-Astorgas robbery crew in a rural area north of Nogales when a member of the crew fired at agents, hitting Terry in the back and severing his spinal cord and aorta, according to a written DOJ news release. Terry then called out to a fellow agent exclaiming, Willie, Im hit! I cant feel my legs, the release stated. While under fire, the other agents attempted to save Terry but were unsuccessful. As part of his guilty plea, Favela-Astorga, 41, admitted that he was one of several armed bandits who traveled from Mexico to the U.S. to hunt for marijuana smugglers to rob. Terry and other agents were on extended deployment in the desert to apprehend robbery crews such as Favela-Astorgas, the Justice Department said. The bandits at the scene were armed with four AK-47-style assault rifles and an AR-15 assault rifle and had food to last for days. After the shooting, Favela-Astorga, among others, fled to Mexico and left behind Manuel Osorio-Arellanes, who had been shot in the stomach by agents. In 2017, Mexican authorities arrested Favela-Astorga and he was extradited to the U.S. in January 2020, according to the DOJ. Story continues Laura E. Duffy (left), United States Attorney Southern District of California, and FBI Special Agent in Charge, James L. Turgal, Jr. announce the indictments on five suspects involved in the death of U.S. Border Patrol agent Brian Terry in Tucson on July 9, 2012. The U.S. Marshals Service, the Mexican Navy, Mexicos Office of the Attorney General and the DOJs Office of International Affairs helped with Favela-Astorgas apprehension and extradition. For over the last decade, the FBI and our partners have worked to bring justice to all involved in the killing of agent Brian Terry, said Chris Ormerod, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Phoenix Field Office. We hope todays final sentence will help bring a degree of comfort to Agent Terrys family in knowing that all the individuals responsible for his murder have been brought to justice. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California after the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Arizona was recused. Osorio-Arellanes subsequently was convicted and sentenced in 2014 to 30 years in prison after helping identify other members of the robbery crew, according to the DOJ. The other members of the robbery crew at the scene were Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes, Ivan Soto-Barraza, and Jesus Lionel Sanchez-Meza. All three were arrested in Mexico years after the shooting, the DOJ said. Soto-Barraza and Sanchez-Meza were extradited to the U.S. in 2014, convicted a year later, and sentenced to life in prison, according to the DOJ. Osorio-Arellanes was extradited to the U.S. in 2018, convicted at trial in February 2019, and sentenced to life in prison, the DOJ stated. Contact the reporter at jcastaneda1@arizonarepublic.com or connect with him on Twitter @joseicastaneda. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Final defendant sentenced in Border Patrol agent Brian Terry's murder The Army National Guard will likely be short tens of thousands of soldiers over the next couple of years as the service component is struggling to retain its troops and recruit new ones to replace them at a time when governors are constantly calling for their help. The Guard is bleeding out soldiers on multiple fronts. This year, the service component suffered its lowest retention rate since the pandemic began. This comes as the Army as a whole is in the midst of a recruiting slump, with the Guard short roughly 14,500 new soldiers this year, according to internal data reviewed by Military.com. That's in addition to some 40,000 Guardsmen, most from the Army portion of the service, who remain unvaccinated, many of whom will likely be discharged. This fiscal year, the Army Guard will miss its retention goals by about 14%, or roughly 4,800 soldiers. Read Next: Nimitz Drinking Water Contaminated With Jet Fuel, Navy Acknowledges Meanwhile, the active-duty side is having no issue retaining soldiers currently in the ranks, hitting roughly 103% of its goals each year since 2019, meaning more troops are sticking around than the service intended. Retention skyrocketed during the pandemic for most components of the military, including the Guard. Last year, the Guard sought to retain nearly 33,624 soldiers who were scheduled to leave and kept an additional 5,000 while hitting its recruiting goals. But this year, as the pandemic has abated and vaccines have been broadly available, those numbers fell dramatically. "COVID scrambled so many industries and people faced financial insecurity," said Nathalie Grogan, a research associate for the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at Center for a New American Security, a Washington, D.C., think tank. "A lot of guardsmen probably stayed longer than they would have. The deployments were for mostly a good reason, but that put a lot of stress on the [Guard] and families, and family is the top reason people leave." Story continues On top of that retention struggle, some 14,000 Guardsmen are expected to be discharged within the next two years over refusing COVID-19 vaccination, Anson Smith, deputy chief of the Army National Guard Strength Maintenance Division, told reporters Tuesday. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth has yet to issue clear guidance on what the National Guard is supposed to do with unvaccinated soldiers. The lack of direction has drawn the ire of some commanders, who currently are not supposed to allow unvaccinated troops who don't have exemptions to participate in any training. That move keeps soldiers on the books, making it difficult for soldiers under them to be promoted. "We're waiting for a decision from [Wormuth] in terms of COVID losses," Smith said. "But at some point, those individuals who have not applied for an extension for either medical or religious reasons, then those individuals will refuse to take the COVID [vaccine], will have to be discharged." As Guard soldiers head for the exits, the service component is also facing an unprecedented recruiting crisis. Each year since 2019, the Army Guard has fallen into a deeper hole failing to attract new talent into the force. The recruiting slump is Army-wide and is an amalgamation of what critics describe as outdated recruiting tactics, a shrinking pool of young Americans qualified for service mostly due to obesity and a general lack of a call to arms for the public to join a relatively peacetime force. On at least two occasions, Wormuth has blamed negative media attention tied to scandals and issues facing the force, such as sexual assault and suicide, as having impacted recruiting. "[Recruiters] have told me pretty much unanimously, in every location I go, just how difficult the current recruiting challenges are that they're facing," Gen. Dan Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told reporters Tuesday. "For many of them, it's unprecedented in their time as a recruiter." Hokanson blames some of the issue on underwhelming benefits for Guardsmen. For years, he has been lobbying for reform, particularly free health care. Currently, Guardsmen are not entitled to free health care but can opt into Tricare Reserve Select for $46.70 per month, a significant part of a junior troop's military pay. Hokanson estimates 60,000 Guardsmen have no health care and that providing free care for all troops will cost about $719 million a year, but that effort has been a slow start on Capitol Hill. "When you look at overall the fact that there is no health insurance provided by the National Guard, and we ask them to be ready really at a moment's notice, Hokanson said. We really need to make sure that they're medically healthy and ready, and if they're injured, they've gotten that treated, so they can respond when we ask them to." -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: Army Secretary Blames Bad Press for Making Recruiting Woes Worse NEW CASTLE, Ind. Two men will stand trial in January on charges stemming from the slaying, five years earlier, of a New Castle man. Maybe. To say the Henry Circuit Court 1 trials of Jessie James Fulton, now 29, of New Castle, and William M. Anderson, 25, of Winchester have frequently been postponed might be an understatement. Fulton and Anderson have been held in the Henry County jail since they were charged with murder and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury in January 2018. Those counts stem from the fatal shooting, in his mother's garage, of 49-year-old Stephen W. Dunn. More:Winchester man sentenced to 64 years in murder case Authorities said Dunn became the target of a robbery conspiracy after his assailants learned he had a large amount of cash. The man who fired the fatal gunshot, 26-year-old Jordan D. Boling of New Castle, pleaded guilty to murder in 2019 and was sentenced tp 50 years in prison by Circuit Court 1 Judge Bob Witham. Justice either in the form of conviction or acquittal has been not as swift for Boling's co-defendants. In the past 45 months, Fulton's trial has been rescheduled no fewer than 20 times. It is now set to begin on Jan. 23. Anderson's trial has been rescheduled 18 times. It was most recently scheduled for Jan. 9 the fifth anniversary of Dunn's death. In every instance, as a trial date approached, defense attorneys David Sadler for Anderson, Mark Cox for Fulton have been granted postponements. Records indicate only one present inmate James Brandon Swift, 45 has been in the Henry County jail longer than Anderson and Fulton. Swift was arrested in June 2017 after he allegedly shot two people outside a Kennard home. He is charged with two counts of attempted murder. His Henry Circuit Court 1 trial which has been postponed more than a dozen times is now scheduled for Jan. 23, also the most recent date set in the Fulton murder case. Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Nearly five years later, men await trials in 2018 New Castle slaying Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in Washington, DC, on July 25, 2022. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Newt Gingrich referred reporters to his lawyers when asked about the ongoing Jan. 6 investigation. "I don't talk about it. At all," he told congressional reporters at the US Capitol. House investigators have asked Gingrich to testify about advice he gave Trump's 2020 election team. Famously chatty former House Speaker Newt Gingrich clammed up Thursday when asked whether he would cooperate with January 6 committee investigators probing Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election, repeatedly telling reporters to talk to his attorneys. "I don't talk about it. At all. Period," the former Georgia lawmaker told congressional reporters. He reportedly shot down other inquiries about potentially sharing insights into the deadly siege at the US Capitol with "I don't know"s and "no comment"s. Gingrich, who was in DC to help House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy sell a retooled reelection strategy to rank-and-file Republicans ahead of the fast-approaching midterms, is just one of the dozens of Donald Trump-aligned witnesses House investigators want to hear from before shutting down their sweeping project. Gingrich returned to the hallways of a bitterly divided Congress, a continuing discord he's often blamed for creating during his time as House speaker from 1995 to 1999. Others who have yet to appear for questioning or have fought against testifying publicly include former Vice President Mike Pence, former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, former Trump White House counsel Pat Cipollone, as well as McCarthy and other House GOP subpoena dodgers. Investigators wrote to Gingrich earlier this month seeking clarification about emails that allegedly showed him urging the Trump campaign to air TV ads repeating false claims about the election. "The goal is to arouse the country's anger through new verifiable information the American people have never seen before[.] . . . If we inform the American people in a way they find convincing and it arouses their anger[,] they will then bring pressure on legislators and governors," purportedly wrote to Trump White House aides seeking to undo Joe Biden's lawful victory. Story continues Investigators announced Wednesday that they'd finally heard back from another high-profile person of interest, conservative activist Ginni Thomas. The wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who landed on the select committee's radar after messages she sent to various state lawmakers urging them to support Trump's baseless claims of election fraud became public, reportedly agreed to talk to the committee in the coming weeks. The committee's next public hearing is scheduled for September 28. Read the original article on Business Insider TravelX, a marketplace for tokenized travel products, went live on Wednesday with the offering of inventory of the low-cost Argentine airline Flybondi. The platform currently offers 2.5 million tickets, which are tokenized when purchased and converted into NFTs called NFTickets, TravelX Chief Blockchain Officer Facundo Martin Diaz told CoinDesk. After acquiring an NFTicket, a customer can auction, sell, transfer, gift or exchange them through a peer-to-peer system on TravelX, Diaz said. To purchase tickets on the platform, users can fund the TravelX wallet which also serves to manage the NFTickets or pay via BinancePay. Diaz added that the company is in talks to integrate other exchanges. TravelX is built on the Algorand blockchain and made its infrastructure open so that other companies such as exchanges or marketplaces can use TravelX's APIs to create their own marketplaces. Within six to 12 months, the platform hopes to incorporate the inventory of more than 60 airlines, with a special focus on Latin American and European operators. In 2023, Diaz said the company will focus more on the U.S. and Middle East. In November, the company closed a $11 million seed round led by Borderless Capital, said Diaz, who added that it plans to raise a Series A funding round early 2023. The company has 85 employees. TravelX was founded by Diaz and Juan Pablo Lafosse, who previously founded Almundo.com, a tourism marketplace sold to CVC Corporation for $75 million in 2019. As of now, the platform allows transactions using the USDC stablecoin and has no plans to incorporate other stablecoins, although it could eventually integrate coins developed by airlines, Diaz added. TravelX charges no fee when a user purchases a ticket on the platform, but it does receive 2% when a transaction is made on the platform's peer-to-peer secondary market, while airlines keep another 2%, Diaz said. Perhaps talking about polar bears is not the best way to convey the danger of climate change. (David Goldman / Associated Press) Why is the greatest threat to the planet of so little concern to most Americans? Its shocking, frankly, that global warming ranks 24th on a list of 29 issues that voters say theyll think about when deciding whom to vote for in November, according to the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Only 30% of voters say they are very worried about it and more than two-thirds say they rarely or never discuss the issue with family or friends. How can people be so blithely unconcerned when the clear consensus of scientists is that climate disruption is reaching crisis levels and will result not only in more raging storms, droughts, wildfires and heat waves, but very possibly in famine, mass migration, collapsing economies and war? Sure, there are some obvious reasons for the apathy: High among them is that fossil fuel companies have spent decades pulling the wool over the eyes of Americans. And Republican politicians have been complicit. But thats not the whole story. To try to understand a little more, I had a conversation recently with David Fenton, a political activist who more than 40 years ago turned his hand to public relations and has now spent most of his life in the communications trenches, creating campaigns on behalf of social change and progressive causes. Fenton, whom the National Journal once called the Robin Hood of public relations, argues that while yes, of course the fossil fuel companies are villains in a scam of historic proportions, the other side the anti-climate change side needs to acknowledge some serious strategic mistakes as well. In his forthcoming book, The Activists Media Handbook, due out in November, Fenton says that the forces trying to rouse the world to fight climate change including philanthropic foundations, environmental organizations and activist groups, among others have by and large ignored the most rudimentary tenets of marketing and advertising, to their detriment and the planet's. Story continues Thats because they believe that the business of selling ideas is fundamentally dirty, manipulative and beneath them. Theyre convinced that data, truth and evidence are what matter, Fenton says. To them (and were talking here about lots of well-intentioned lawyers, scientists and people who studied the humanities), good ideas sell themselves. So instead of spending money and resources on shaping public opinion, they keep commissioning more policy reports from think tanks and convening more global meetings of scientists on the presumption that the steady accretion of irrefutable facts will ultimately prevail. The other side knows better. People at the fossil fuel companies and their allies go to business school where they learn cognitive and marketing science and believe me, it is a science, Fenton told me. They learn how to sell products and services. They invest in defining messages and reaching people. Our side does not. What are some of these scientific techniques of persuasion and public communication that work so well? Deliver simple messages, for one thing. In general, climate activists lean toward complexity and nuance because they dont want to patronize or condescend or mislead by oversimplifying to their audiences. Once you have a simple message, repeat it over and over. Did you know that consumers generally have to see an ad more than half a dozen times before they will be persuaded to buy a product? Embed facts and data in what Fenton calls moral stories that tug at the emotions. Anyone who has ever watched TV ads knows that strategy can make arguments far more powerful. Talk about what people care about. Theres been too much talk about the effect of climate change on polar bears, and not enough on what it means for humans. Use language people understand. Research shows, Fenton says, that many people dont understand the phrases existential threat or net zero or climate justice. They understand what pollution is, but not what an emission is which suggests that it might make more sense to use the former term. Now to be clear, Im no fan of marketing either. Im part of the problem Fenton is bemoaning . Im reluctant to oversimplify or condescend to my audience, and I worry that heart-tugging, emotion-driven arguments are manipulative. I like to believe that adults can be persuaded with facts, science and rational arguments. But I also know deep down that marketing works. And if the fate of the Earth depends on delivering a simple but understandable, rousing and persuasive message, then I think its worth it. As Fenton notes, its not about manipulating people its about un-manipulating them. And the way to do it, he says, is with a big, well-funded campaign to build the public support, public understanding and then the political will required for social change. Heres my only concern about Fentons argument: He believes messages shouldnt be too downbeat because sacrifice doesnt sell. Im not saying there wont be suffering, he explains. But multiple studies prove we can heat our homes, drive our cars, take vacations and have decent modern lives if we just power them differently. But we have to hurry up. Is he right when he says the climate problem can be solved in a way that enhances economic prosperity? I hope so; thatd be great. But I worry and this is just my opinion, not an experts analysis that weve waited too long, and that to avoid the worst effects of climate change we are going to have to sacrifice, whether it sells or not. I take the gloomy approach. Either way, we can all agree theres an awful lot to be done. And Fenton is certainly right that you cant mobilize people for war if they dont know theyre under attack. Public education is obviously a missing piece of the puzzle. Somehow we need to awaken a nation of sleeping, underinformed and insufficiently motivated citizens and persuade them to rise to the great challenge of modern times. To do that, the unmanipulation process needs to begin in earnest. @Nick_Goldberg This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A young president at the U.N. General Assembly touted millennial status symbols like coffee, outdoor adventure and Bitcoin. Another admitted in front of the famous green marble that it was harder to govern a country than to protest in its streets. A foreign minister, once shunned for having only a bachelors degree, warned against indifference. Shaped by the borderless internet, growing economic inequality and an increasingly dire climate crisis, the Generation Y cohort of presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers and other excellencies is making their mark at the largest gathering of world leaders. This week at the United Nations offers a glimpse of the latest generation of leaders in power, as a critical mass of them born generally between 1981 and 1996 are coming to represent countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. Some millennial leaders were making their debuts at the 77-year-old diplomatic institution built in the aftermath of WWII, while there were other notables who didnt show up but had already arrived on the world stage. Those include Kim Jong Un, who took over the reclusive North Korea in his 20s, and the 36-year-old Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who faced controversy recently for a video of her dancing at a private party that went viral. Jennifer Sciubba, an author and political demographer affiliated with the Wilson Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, said many came into power buoyed by their generations disaffection for the status quo, and in that sense millennials and baby boomers are echoes of each other. One stark difference: Life by most measures was getting better after WWII, yet many young people today dont harbor the same hope. A mistake would be to say, Younger generations, theyre more liberal, and therefore well see a turn to the left as these people come to the age of influence, Sciubba said Theyre not monolithic. Dissatisfaction with the status quo it can show up on either end of the political spectrum. Story continues Sciubba also noted that it was merely a matter of time before the millennials took their place in the world order. She said the definition of generations are arbitrary, shorthand for us to understand people." That's a truth evident on the U.N. stage, where differing ideologies from the same Gen Y were on full display. On Tuesday during the first day of the General Assembly, two young presidents shattered that myth of the millennial monolith when they spoke of their contrasting plights. There was the 36-year-old president of Chile, Gabriel Boric, who used his air time to lick his wounds after citizens overwhelmingly rejected a new progressive constitution he had championed. As a young person who was on the street protesting not very long ago, I can tell you that representing unrest is a lot easier than producing solutions, Boric said. The failed proposal was set to replace a dictatorship-era constitution with a new charter that would have fundamentally changed the country to include gender equality, environmental protections and Indigenous rights. The stinging loss was not unexpected, with supporters blaming misinformation online for eroding support for it. Chiles youngest-ever president said the lesson he learned was that democracy is humbling. With great humility, I wish to tell you today that a government can never feel defeated when the people speak, Boric said. Because unlike in the past, when differences in Chile were settled through blood and fire, today, Chileans have agreed to face our challenges in a democratic fashion. And Im telling you about this because Im certain that one of the major challenges for humanity today is that of building democracies that really talk to and listen to citizens. Meanwhile, the selfie-loving El Salvador President Nayib Bukele his glamorous wife and young daughter in the audience said wealthy countries should not interfere with developing nations trying to chart their own paths. His speech came just days after the 41-year-old was accused of pushing toward authoritarianism when he announced he would seek re-election despite a constitutional ban. In thinly veiled language and metaphor, Bukele pushed back against criticism his administration has received from the United States and European Union for concentrating power and more recently suspending some constitutional rights under an ongoing six-month state of exception. Because while on paper we are free and sovereign and independent, we will not really be so until the powerful understand that we want to be their friends, that we admire them, that we respect them, that our doors are wide open to trade, for them to visit us, to build the best possible relations, said Bukele, whose current term ends in 2024. But what they cant do is come to our house to give orders not only because its our house, but because it makes no sense to undo what were doing. Bukele, who is highly popular at home and on social media, later tweeted a video of his appearance on the conservative U.S. cable channel Fox News. The young president talked about his crackdown on powerful street gangs in which more than 50,000 people have been arrested. Recent polls have shown his actions have broad support even as human rights organizations within El Salvador and abroad say people are being arrested and jailed without evidence. Rosario Diaz Garavito, the founder of The Millennials Movement, an NGO that works to engage young people in Latin America on the U.N.'s goals, said the diverging leaders both deftly disrupted the usual party politics at home and have proven to be among the most polarizing leaders in the region at a time when multilateralism should be embraced. We tend to go from the right wing to the left wing all the time. And this is actually separating us, Diaz Garavito said. They have shown they can think differently, in different ways, but we need to now be able to find common ground as a region. Another thing united them: Neither wore a tie, opting for more causal attire to speak from the General Assembly podium, a place where virtually all male leaders stick to suits with ties or national dress. As the first generation of digital natives, one constant theme in the political fortunes and misfortunes of millennial leaders emerged in the praise and peril of the internet and social media. On Wednesday, Czech Republic Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky spoke at length about Russias war on Ukraine, and he also lamented how online disinformation was plaguing society while urging for digital humanism" and solutions to preserve human rights on the internet. A lie is not an opinion. For far too long, we have overlooked the spread of disinformation directed against our common values, Lipavsky said. Let us not forget the COVID-related disinformation. We had to learn the hard way when disinformation began to cost human lives. Just last year, the 37-year-old faced opposition from the countrys longtime president, who declared he didnt want to appoint Lipavsky because of Lipavskys reserved attitude toward Israel. What's more, he noted, the millennial leader had only a bachelor's degree. ___ Follow Sally Ho on Twitter at http://twitter.com/_sallyho and for more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong-un last met in 2019 North Korea says it has never sold weapons to Russia and has no plans to do so, following US reports that Moscow was turning to Pyongyang to replenish stockpiles. US officials had said Russia was in the process of purchasing rockets and artillery shells from North Korea. They said such moves, along with alleged purchases of Iranian weapons, showed Western sanctions were impeding Russia's efforts in the Ukraine war. Moscow denied the reports at the time. Any arms movement between the two countries would be in violation of United Nations sanctions. On Thursday, in a statement carried by North Korean state media KCNA, an unnamed official at North Korea's defence ministry said: "We have never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia before and we will not plan to export them." It accused the US, and other "hostile forces", of spreading rumours to "pursue its base political and military aims". In early September, a US state department spokesman said Russia's North Korean purchases "could include literally millions of rounds, rockets and artillery shells." But National Security Council spokesman John Kirby later appeared to caveat that statement, by saying the purchases had not yet been completed and there was no evidence to suggest the weapons would be used in the Ukraine war. Many of North Korea's Russian-designed weapons hail from the Soviet era, but it has missiles similar to Russian ones. The statements followed reports citing US officials that the first shipments of Iranian-made drones had been delivered to Russia, and that Russian drone operators had travelled to Iran to receive training. Iran has denied delivering weapons. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February has proven costly for its military, despite using advanced weapons such as cruise missiles. Ukrainian forces, using Western weapons that have been funnelled into the country in recent months, have inflicted heavy losses. Russian-North Korean relations declined after the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, but have gradually picked up in recent years as Russia's relations with the West have soured. Story continues With the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Kim Jong-un's regime has blamed the US for the conflict and accused the West of pursuing a "hegemonic policy" that justified Russia's use of force. In July, North Korea was one of the few countries that officially recognised two Russian-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. In retaliation, Ukraine cut off all diplomatic ties with Pyongyang. Earlier this month, Russian president Vladimir Putin vowed to expand their "comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations" in a letter to his counterpart Kim Jong-un. North Korea has also said it will deepen its "comradely friendship" with Moscow. By Amanda Ferguson and Padraic Halpin BELFAST (Reuters) -Northern Ireland has more Catholics than Protestants for the first time, census results showed on Thursday, a historic shift that some see as likely to help drive support for the region to split from Britain and join a united Ireland. The shift comes a century after the Northern Ireland state was established with the aim of maintaining a pro-British, Protestant "unionist" majority as a counterweight to the newly independent, predominantly Catholic, Irish state to the south. At that time, the population split was roughly two-thirds Protestant to one-third Catholic. Data from the 2021 census showed 45.7% of respondents identified as Catholic or were brought up Catholic, compared with 43.5% identifying as Protestants. The previous census in 2011 showed Protestants outnumbered Catholics 48% to 45%. "Today's results are another clear indication that historic change is happening across this island," said Michelle O'Neill, regional leader of Irish nationalists Sinn Fein, which became the largest party in Northern Ireland's devolved parliament for the first time this year, shocking many unionists. Sinn Fein said the shift was a further reason why planning should begin for a referendum on a united Ireland. The party has increased calls for a poll since Britain's decision to leave the EU in 2016, which 56% of Northern Irish voters opposed. "There could be a referendum quicker than we think," said Mark Kelly, 50, a taxi driver from a nationalist part of Belfast whose WhatsApp group chats were buzzing with friends talking about the results. A vote on Irish unification is at the discretion of the British government, and opinion polls have consistently shown a clear majority favour remaining part of the United Kingdom. UNIONISM IS 'UP AGAINST IT' Northern Ireland's sectarian divisions can be traced back to the 17th century, when Protestant settlers from Scotland and England were "planted" in the northeastern part of the island to bolster the authority of the English Crown. Story continues Before a 1998 peace deal, more than 3,000 died during three decades of fighting between mainly Catholic Irish nationalist militants seeking a united Ireland they believed would guarantee their rights, mainly Protestant pro-British loyalists and the British Army. Demographers have long predicted that Catholics, who tend to be younger and have higher birth rates, could become a majority of voters within a generation. But while Catholics tend to vote for Irish nationalist parties and support a united Ireland, an increase in Catholic population does not automatically increase support for either. A significant minority of Catholic and Protestant voters support the cross-community Alliance Party, which doubled its number of seats in the May election. Stripping out religious upbringing, the proportion of people with no religion jumped to 17% from 10%. "I don't really take heed in it," said Jason Yeo, walking on Belfast's Protestant Shankill Road. The 45-year-old, who plays in a pro-British marching band, said he does not think a United Ireland will happen in his lifetime. Another census question found that 32% of respondents identified solely as British, down from 40% in 2011, with 29% seeing themselves as Irish, up from 25%. A further 20% said they were Northern Irish. "On all the demographic indicators and indeed political indicators, unionism is up against it and longer term things do not look good for Northern Ireland's place within the UK," said Jon Tonge, Professor of Politics at the University of Liverpool. (Reporting by Amanda Ferguson, writing by Padraic Halpin and Conor Humphries, editing by Alex Richardson and Raissa Kasolowsky) James Lewis, 76, walks in August in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Some investigators have renewed their efforts to pin the Tylenol murders on Lewis, who was convicted of sending an extortion letter to manufacturer Johnson & Johnson but has repeatedly denied being the Tylenol killer. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) As the 40th anniversary of the 1982 Tylenol murders approaches, investigators are working with prosecutors on a now-or-maybe-never effort to hold a longtime suspect responsible for the poisonings that killed seven people in the Chicago area, the Tribune has learned. This summers meetings mark the latest effort to pin the unsolved killings on James W. Lewis, a former Chicago resident who was convicted years ago of trying to extort $1 million from Johnson & Johnson amid a worldwide panic that arose after the victims took cyanide-laced capsules. Investigators traveled to the Boston area this week and interviewed Lewis, multiple sources said. Members of the Illinois State Police, Cook and DuPage states attorneys offices and suburban law enforcement are involved in the effort. Investigators lack physical evidence directly linking Lewis to the crime but describe their findings as a chargeable, circumstantial case, according to documents reviewed by the Tribune. Charges are not thought to be imminent and may not come at all, according to sources. Lewis has long denied being the killer. [ [Para leer en espanol] Movimiento en los asesinatos de Tylenol: la policia busca persuadir a los fiscales para que actuen en un caso acusable ] Tribune reporters learned of the ongoing law enforcement discussions while conducting a nine-month investigation into the murders. Their findings will be detailed in an investigative series and companion podcast beginning Thursday. The first installments recount the chaotic 24-hour period on Sept. 29, 1982, in which seven people ingested Tylenol capsules laced with potassium cyanide. The eight-part podcast, Unsealed: The Tylenol Murders, is part of a partnership between the Tribune and At Will Media, in association with audiochuck. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 16 Helena and Jan Tarasewicz, center left, the parents of Theresa "Terri" Janus, grieve at the funeral Mass for Terri, her husband Stanley and her brother-in-law Adam Janus at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church. (Carl Hugare / Chicago Tribune) Episodes in the newspaper series and podcast will be released online each Thursday through October, with print versions of the series on Sundays. Lewis, 76, has admitted to sending a letter to Tylenols parent company, Johnson & Johnson, in the early days of the investigation and demanding payment to stop the killing. But he has maintained his innocence regarding the poisonings and various other criminal allegations made against him through the decades. In a brief conversation with the Tribune last month, Lewis again denied being the Tylenol killer and suggested he has been treated unfairly since he inserted himself into the investigation in 1982. Have you been harassed over something for 40 years that you didnt have anything to do with? he asked. A Tribune reporter spoke to Lewis while he was walking near his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He gave no direct response to a question about the ongoing investigation. Lewis, instead, pointed the finger at Johnson & Johnson and questioned why its corporate scientists were allowed to test bottles that were recalled after the murders. Lewis has long maintained that the company was given too powerful a role in an investigation that centered around its own product. [ [Part 1] The story of a 40-year-old unsolved case begins with a terrifying medical mystery ] [ [Part 2] Cyanide-laced Tylenol was the murder weapon. But who was the killer? ] Records and interviews indicate the company burned the capsules following the testing. What have you done on that story about J&Js destruction of all the evidence? Lewis asked. They burned several million capsules. A Johnson & Johnson spokesperson did not respond to Tribune questions. In an emailed statement, she noted the tragic case led to important industry safety improvements, such as tamper-resistant packaging. A former company executive told the Tribune that J&J burned recalled capsules only after testing showed they did not contain cyanide. The companys scientists found one bottle containing poisoned Tylenol and handed it over to investigators, according to records. The Tribunes investigation leading up to the crimes 40th anniversary included more than 150 interviews in multiple states. Reporters also obtained tens of thousands of pages of documents through records requests, including sealed affidavits and court orders that outline some of law enforcements best evidence in the unsolved case. Among other findings, the Tribune has learned authorities exhumed the body of a second Tylenol suspect, Roger Arnold, in June 2010 and extracted DNA from his remains. Arnold, a former Jewel dockhand and home chemist, became a person of interest after police learned he had been acting erratically and talked in a pub about possessing cyanide. He died in 2008. Jewel dockhand Roger Arnold leaves a court appearance related to misdemeanor weapons charges on Oct. 26, 1982. Arnolds lawyer, Thomas Royce, was with him. (Jerry Tomaselli / Chicago Tribune) According to the sealed exhumation petition, investigators discovered nuclear and mitochondrial DNA upon testing three Extra-Strength Tylenol bottles and the capsules years after the murders. Arnolds DNA did not match any of the genetic material, sources said. In fact, so far, none of the forensic testing on the tainted bottles and capsules has shown a link between the poisonings and any suspect, records and sources confirmed. Sources told the Tribune several DNA profiles already had been eliminated from suspicion after testing showed they belonged to people who handled the evidence as part of the investigation. Also, reporters viewed an FBI video from an elaborate 2007-08 undercover sting operation in which Lewis stated it took him three days to write the extortion letter. Thanks to advances in technology, authorities by 2007 had determined the letter had an Oct. 1, 1982, postmark hidden under layers of ink. So if Lewis statement was accurate, it would mean he began writing the letter before the public knew that tainted Tylenol was killing people. After an FBI agent confronted Lewis with a 1982 calendar and counted back three days, Lewis backed off what he said and stated he must have faulty memory, the video shows. The newspaper also has reviewed a nearly 50-page confidential document outlining law enforcements current case, including statements and writings attributed to Lewis over the years that they consider to be incriminating, theories about possible motives, and opinions offered by expert witnesses from the University of Virginia and the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime. Among the evidence cited in the document is an old poisoning handbook that authorities say Lewis had in his Kansas City home before he moved to Chicago in 1981. According to the document, experts found fingerprints belonging to Lewis on several pages, including one that explains how much cyanide is needed to kill the average person. Sources told the Tribune the evidence against Lewis has not changed much since 2010, when investigators as part of a rebooted Tylenol task force obtained fresh samples of his DNA and fingerprints. The FBI also raided his suburban Boston condo and storage locker in early 2009 in the hope of connecting him to the murders. FBI agents searched the Massachusetts home of James Lewis in February 2009 as part of a new push to investigate the 1982 Tylenol murders. Lewis wrote an extortion letter to the maker of Tylenol but has repeatedly stated he is not behind the poisonings. (Josh Reynolds/AP) In summer 2012, at the conclusion of the undercover FBI operation and raid, investigators presented their case against Lewis to Cook and DuPage County prosecutors during a meeting in the FBIs downtown offices. No charges resulted. Anita Alvarez, the Cook County states attorney at the time, left office in late 2016. Robert Berlin is still the states attorney in DuPage County. The police department in Arlington Heights, where three of the victims died, assumed primary responsibility for the Tylenol case in 2013 after the task force dissolved. The department recently told the Tribune the investigation is active and ongoing, with current efforts including DNA testing of decades-old evidence at out-of-state laboratories. There are multiple agencies working on this case, said Arlington Heights police Sgt. Joseph Murphy. This is not something that weve given up on. James Lewis at a Massachusetts restaurant in 2007, around the same time the FBI launched an undercover sting operation in hopes of linking Lewis to the Tylenol murders. (Neil W. McCabe/AP) A January 2022 meeting with two of Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxxs top criminal investigators did not result in movement in the case, multiple sources said. One of those investigators has since left the office. Berlin and state police Director Brendan Kelly participated in the most recent discussions this summer, with meetings in July and August. Besides the ongoing forensic testing and traveling to the Boston area, authorities have been preparing for anticipated legal challenges to evidence that stretches back four decades. Berlin and Foxxs representatives both acknowledged the case is active and ongoing but declined further comment. Kelly also declined to comment. Besides the lack of physical evidence connecting Lewis to the murders, authorities have never been able to place him in the Chicago area during the time frame they believe someone put the tainted bottles on store shelves. Lewis had moved from Chicago to New York about three weeks earlier and was living under an assumed name. [ [Dont miss] The Tylenol murders: Where were poisoned bottles purchased or discovered? ] Critics of the investigation have accused authorities of having tunnel vision when it comes to Lewis, but law enforcement sources close to the Tylenol investigation contend they have a good case, albeit one built on circumstantial evidence. You go where the evidence takes you, said Roy Lane Jr., a retired FBI agent who was on the 1982 Tylenol task force and has been involved in later efforts, including the 2007-08 undercover sting. And the evidence took me to James Lewis. It wasnt like other avenues were shut off. Other avenues were fully investigated. Other people were fully investigated. You go where the evidence takes you, said retired FBI agent Roy Lane Jr., who was on the 1982 Tylenol task force and stayed involved in the case. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) Lewis spent about 13 years in federal prison for attempted extortion related to the Johnson & Johnson letter and for committing mail fraud in a Kansas City credit card scam in 1981. He was released from prison in October 1995 and then joined his wife in Cambridge, where he remains today. His other brushes with the law include facing murder charges in Kansas City, Missouri, related to the 1978 death and dismemberment of an elderly man. The case never went to trial; prosecutors dropped charges against Lewis after a judge found that police had violated Lewis civil rights and that key evidence was inadmissible. Also, prosecutors in Massachusetts charged Lewis in 2004 with kidnapping, drugging and raping a neighbor with whom he had an ongoing business dispute. Lewis spent three years in jail, but prosecutors dropped the charges before trial when the victim declined to testify. [ [Dont miss] The Tylenol murders: Read our weekly series and listen to the podcast ] Thats around the time, in 2007, when the FBI launched its undercover investigation. Robert Grant, who was the special agent-in-charge of the Chicago FBI field office during the rebooted task force, said investigators presented a solid case and, in his opinion, it should be charged while witnesses are still alive to testify. Our position was this may be the last, best chance to bring this to public light, but its a prosecutors decision, not an investigators decision, Grant said in a recent interview. I felt very bad for the families. I felt very bad for the people who might be at risk. Theres a public interest to (put all the evidence out there), but thats a prosecutors decision. Jan and Helena Tarasewicz grieve at the funeral Mass held in 1982 for three members of the Janus family, including their daughter Terri, at St. Hyacinth Roman Catholic Church in Chicago. (Carl Hugare / Chicago Tribune) Bob Tarasewicz, whose 20-year-old sister, Terri Janus, was among the victims, said his parents mourned the loss of their only daughter for the rest of their lives. Though he doesnt have much faith the case will be solved, Tarasewicz said he hopes the attention surrounding the anniversary will poke the hornets nest and perhaps spark useful leads. My feelings are that theres still someone out there who knows something, he said. [ [Dont miss] The Tylenol murders: 40 years ago, an infamous Chicago-area crime took these 7 lives ] In addition to Terri Janus, the victims were her 25-year-old husband, Stanley Janus, of Lisle; his brother, Adam Janus, 27, of Arlington Heights; 12-year-old Mary Kellerman of Elk Grove Village; Mary Reiner, 27, of Winfield; Mary McFarland, 31, of Elmhurst, and 35-year-old Paula Prince of Chicago. Seven victims died in 1982 from cyanide poisoning after ingesting tainted Tylenol, murders that were never solved. From clockwise top left are Adam Janus, Mary McFarland, Mary "Lynn" Reiner, Terri and Stanley Janus, Paula Prince and Mary Kellerman. (Chicago Tribune archive) Reiners daughter Michelle Rosen collaborated with former J&J employee Scott Bartz on a self-published 2012 book called The Tylenol Mafia: Marketing, Murder and Johnson & Johnson, which criticized authorities for quickly ruling out the possibility that the tampering occurred in the distribution and repackaging channels. She also has expressed her firm belief that Lewis isnt the killer. Lewis was convicted of his opportunistic act and spent 12 years in prison for it, she said in a statement to the Tribune. I am appalled that they still circle back to him as the possible murderer. This inhibits the investigation and influences the public into believing a false narrative. Rosen has sought investigative records for more than a decade, but her efforts have been thwarted by various agencies because the case has never officially been closed. For this anniversary, she renewed calls to release the investigative records so the victims families and, by extension, the public can examine the available information. She isnt alone in wanting answers. Joseph Janus' younger brothers Adam and Stanley Janus, as well as Stanley's new bride, Terri, took Tylenol from the same bottle and died in 1982. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) Joseph Janus, 71, told the Tribune he watched as his youngest brother and sister-in-law collapsed just hours after his other brother, Adam, had died. All three had swallowed tainted capsules from the same bottle. I hope before I die, I see somebody their face who did this, Janus said. That was the thing my parents wanted to know too, before they went away. I hope the day comes. His daughter, Monica Janus, said her grandparents visited the cemetery nearly every day, setting up lawn chairs at the graves and at times having a picnic just to be near their slain sons. And theyd just spend sometimes half the day sitting at the cemetery crying, she said. cmgutowski@chicagotribune.com sstclair@chicagotribune.com RUSSIA-POLITICS-PUTIN Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a speech during an event to mark the 1160th anniversary of Russia's statehood in Veliky Novgorod on September 21, 2022. Credit - ILYA PITALEVSPUTNIK/AFP/Getty Images After a series of losses on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an ambiguous yet ominous threat to use a nuclear weapon. If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will without a doubt use all available means to protect Russia and our people, he said Wednesday in a nationally televised speech. This is not a bluff. Since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Putin has routinely reminded the world that Moscows nuclear arsenal is the worlds largest. He has publicly placed Russias nuclear forces on special combat readiness alert, held high-profile nuclear drills and issued veiled threats to use a nuclear weapon if any nation gets in the way of his goal to overthrow the government in Kyiv. All of these moves have thus far appeared to be primarily for showU.S. intelligence has yet to observe changes in the posture of Russias strategic arsenalbut the prospect of the worlds most powerful weapon cannot be disregarded, and Putins latest statement appeared to expand the realm of scenarios in which he says he might launch one. The Biden Administration has formed a team of experts to strategize responses if Russia does the unthinkable. Experts inside and outside the government still believe its highly unlikely Putin would ever go nuclear over Ukraine. But the fear is he might, particularly if the Russian invasion continues to run into stiff resistance and debilitating strategic setbacks. Putin could launch a limited nuclear strike, or the demonstration of one, out of desperation, say intelligence officials. Moscow has invested billions of dollars into overhauling its nuclear forces and reshaping its arsenal. At Putins order, the military began amassing a wide range of smaller arms with lower explosive yields, called tactical nuclear weapons, designed for use on the battlefield in a limited nuclear war. Story continues Read More: Inside the $100 Billion Mission to Modernize Americas Aging Nuclear Missiles Yet Putins Wednesday declaration went a step further than the conditions under which Russia previously said it would use nuclear weapons, outlined in a six-page June 2020 document entitled: The Basic Principles of the Russian Federations State Policy in the Domain of Nuclear Deterrence. The decree says Russia would go nuclear in response to the use of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction, and in the case of aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons, when the very existence of the state is put under threat. In his national address on Wednesday, Putin said Russia was planning to annex its occupied regions of southern and eastern Ukraine following Kremlin-run referendums to create republics, and added he was ready to defend the territorial integrity of the occupied territory by all means. A senior Administration official told reporters Wednesday that Putins latest round of playing the nuclear card is based on a new legalistic construct he is presenting: if these sham referendums pass, then any attempts by Ukraine to retake those territories will be seen as an attack on Russia itselfthus allowing Moscow to go nuclear under the terms of the 2020 decree. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday morning, President Joe Biden said Putin was making reckless and irresponsible nuclear threats and accused Russia of violating the defining tenets of UN membership in its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Biden has taken various steps to avoid escalating tensions with Russia. Hes postponed an intercontinental ballistic missile test, nixed a plan to provide Ukraine with fighter jets, and has refused to match Putins heated rhetoric with threats of his own. Rather than enter the war, hes opted for a muted, dual-track strategy of providing arms to Ukraines military, while pounding Russias economy with crippling sanctions. When asked about the potential of Putin using chemical or tactical nuclear weapons during a 60 Minutes interview on Sept. 18, Biden replied: Dont. Dont. Dont. You will change the face of war unlike anything since World War II. The threat of tactical nukes Although remote, Pentagon and intelligence officials believe the most likely nuclear scenario would be if, faced with overwhelming conventional military force that pushed the Ukraine advance into Russian territory, Putin could reach for a smaller tactical nuke. His goal would be to intimidate the Ukrainian government and force the U.S. and its allies to back away from the conflict if nuclear holocaust loomed above it. No one wins an all-out nuclear war, Russias theory holds, but a single smaller detonation might be devastating enough to bring an adversary like Ukraine to its kneesand scary enough to deter the U.S. from launching a tit-for-tat response that could kill thousands, if not millions. The nuclear bombs that the U.S. dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 produced the equivalent of 15,000 tons to 25,000 tons of TNT. A tactical nuclear weapons detonation power can equal these amounts or just a fraction, 1,000 tons of TNT or less. Putin has invested heavily in these weapons and boasts an estimated 2,000 tactical nukes featuring varying yields and delivery platforms, according to U.S. intelligence estimates. Russias tactical nuclear arsenal, including anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and cruise missiles, have been updated with greater accuracy, longer ranges, and lower yields to suit their potential war fighting role, according to U.S. assessments. Not since the Cold War has the specter of nuclear weapons loomed so large. From the 1960s through the 1980s, the U.S. and the Soviet Union each arrayed tens of thousands of nuclear warheads targeting every major city and industrial asset inside one anothers countries. What kept them in checkand what continues tois the expectation that if one side launched a nuclear strike, it will have to deal with the devastating repercussions. The theory, known as mutually assured destruction (MAD), is what military planners have banked upon since the dawn of the atomic age. The two sides gradually drew down the numbers of weapons through various treaties designed to limit the spread of nuclear arms. The current linchpin agreement, called the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), limits the U.S. and Russia each to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheadsstrategic weapons deployed in missile silos, submarines, and intercontinental bombers. However, the treaty does not apply to smaller nonstrategic warheads. Both nations are free to amass as many tactical weapons as they desire. The U.S., for its part, has largely abandoned developing and deploying these tactical weapons after President George H. W. Bush issued an order to do so in September 1991. The military disassembled around 5,000 weapons, including nuclear landmines, nuclear depth charges, and nuclear artillery shells, primarily positioned around Europe. After the purge, the only tactical weapons left behind were the roughly 200 B61 nuclear bombs that the U.S. has deployed in five NATO nations stretching from the Netherlands to Turkey. Even though the weapons are mostly symbolic to alliance unity, Russia has long requested the B61s removal from the European continenta demand reiterated as the Ukraine crisis has worsened. Having a NATO nuclear capability, however small, keeps all NATO members enmeshed in and committed to the nuclear deterrence mission, says Rose Gottemoeller, former deputy secretary general of NATO and retired U.S. diplomat. The crisis raises questions about the future of U.S.-Russia relations and prospects for continued nuclear arms reductions. The U.S. suspended bilateral engagements arms control talks with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. Even at the darkest moments of the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union would hold diplomatic negotiations about nuclear arms. The superpowers identified certain weapons deemed mutually menacing, and then worked to eliminate the threat. Thomas Graham, a retired U.S. ambassador who helped negotiate every international arms control and non-proliferation agreement between 1970 and 1997, says the world is headed toward a complete unraveling of the many safe-guards that kept nuclear war at bay. While Putins saber-rattling could be simply dismissed as an intimidation tactic, the threat is serious enough that it cant be ignored. If he gets back up against the wall, which he will, then I think we have a problem if we press him, Graham says. He could do anything. The House has advanced a bipartisan measure that aims to prevent future disruptions of Congress counting of electoral votes, making it the first legislation to come out of the committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. The Presidential Election Reform Act passed Wednesday afternoon in a 229-203 vote, with nine Republicans joining Democrats in support. Here are five things to know about the legislation and the day-long House floor debate over the proposal: 1. Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), two integral members of the Jan. 6 panel, introduced the legislation Our bill will preserve the rule of law by ensuring that self-interested politicians cannot steal from the people the guarantee that our government derives the power from the consent of the governed, said Cheney, who lost a coveted position in GOP leadership last year after she condemned former President Trump for the attack. 2. The bill cites the Capitol attack to justify amending the Electoral Count Act The Electoral Count Act of 1887 should be amended to prevent other future unlawful efforts to overturn Presidential elections and to ensure future peaceful transfers of Presidential power, the bill states. 3. Republicans largely opposed the bill, claiming rushed timing and a lack of representation Im not calling into question whether this bill is good or whether this bill is bad, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) said during the debate. What Im saying is we have not been involved in this process and were being told to just take the word of someone because they call themselves a conservative commentator, but its those of us here that have been elected by the people of this nation that are given the responsibility to analyze these things, to work together in a bipartisan manner to come up with what is the best solution for this nation. Story continues Whats so important that a bill needs to be rushed to the house floor without a committee hearing to review and analyze the bill? added Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.). We need to actually dive into what this bill does to actually allow the American people to have confidence in our election system. 4. Democrats argued the legislation reaffirms constitutional principles To all those who oppose this legislation, I ask you how could anyone vote against free and fair elections, the cornerstone of our Constitution? Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on the House floor ahead of the vote. How could anyone vote against our Founders vision: Placing power in the hands of the people? How could anyone vote against their own constituents, allowing radical politicians to rip away their say in our democracy? 5. Senate plans to review similar legislation The Hills Mychael Schnell and Rebecca Beitsch report that passage of the House bill comes as the Senate plans to review similar, though separate, legislation that would also reform the Electoral College Act. That bill would require a one-fifth vote in each chamber in order for lawmakers to object to a states election results. Welcome to NotedDC, your guide to politics, policy and people of consequence in D.C. and across the U.S. Todays newsletter comes from The Hills Liz Crisp. Subscribe here: TheHill.com/newsletters. Biden: No one other than Russia sought conflict President Biden didnt shy away from directly calling out Russian President Vladimir Putin by name during a high-profile speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. The speech largely focused on support for Ukraine as it fights back against Moscows ongoing military campaign to seize territory from the Eastern European country, even as the Kremlin falls short of its objectives. The United States already has already given nearly $16 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, which is viewed as a vital strategic partner in the region. Alex Gangitano and Brett Samuels, White House correspondents for The Hill, have the full rundown of Bidens address. Heres a particularly meaty section from Bidens speech that we found noteworthy: Just today, President Putin has made overt nuclear threats against Europe and a reckless disregard for the responsibilities of the non-proliferation regime. Now Russia is calling calling up more soldiers to join the fight. And the Kremlin is organizing a sham referenda to try to annex parts of Ukraine, an extremely significant violation of the U.N. Charter. This world should see these outrageous acts for what they are. Putin claims he had to act because Russia was threatened. But no one threatened Russia, and no one other than Russia sought conflict. In fact, we warned it was coming. And with many of you, we worked to try to avert it. Putins own words make his true purpose unmistakable. Just before he invaded, Putin asserted and I quote Ukraine was created by Russia and never had, quote, real statehood. And now we see attacks on schools, railway stations, hospitals, on centers of Ukrainian history and culture. The Hills Colin Meyn has five takeaways from Putins rare address to the Russian people on Wednesday about his war against Ukraine. The next Ukraine challenge President Biden faces a looming challenge back home to maintain support for Ukraines ongoing efforts against Russia as control of Congress remains up in the air. Republicans, who are favored to win the House and are battling for a chance to take control of the Senate, could push for cuts in aid money going to Ukraine should they flip at least one chamber in Novembers midterm elections. GOP members in the House especially have questioned U.S. funding going to Kiev. Dozens of House Republicans voted against a $40 billion aid package for Ukraine earlier this year, criticizing the bill as adding to the national debt. Nearly a dozen Republicans in the Senate also voted against advancing the package. Already, some far-right lawmakers many of them aligned with former President Trump, including Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) have suggested they want to cut off the spigot of military aid thats given Ukraine leverage over the invading Russian forces. Alexis Lerner, an assistant professor of political science at the U.S. Naval Academy, told NotedDC that a shift in support would mean more than just a potential financial and equipment hit to Ukraine. If it were to happen, it would signal to the Putin administration that America was maybe becoming more willing to let go, to some degree, of its support for Ukraine, she said. It would also signal to the Ukrainians that this support is very contingent upon whoever is leading America at any given time. (Lerner noted that her opinions and statements do not represent the military or the Naval Academy.) Lerner, whose research focuses on Russia and the post-Soviet region, said Putin has an obsession with the Ukraine war that appears to have distracted the autocrat from his normal focus of silencing dissenters in Moscow. I think this indicates to us that Putin is more afraid of losing the war in Ukraine than he is of his nation rising up in protest, she said of the latest news of Putins instituting a partial draft to bolster the invasion effort. More: Check out Lerners explainer on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as she taught her students. Washington Monument vandalized with profanity U.S. Park Police announced they have arrested a man suspected of defacing the Washington Monument, scrawling a crude anti-government message on its base. The man, identified as Shaun Ray Deaton, 44, of Bloomington, Ind., was apprehended at the scene on Tuesday night. Deaton has been charged with trespassing, tampering and vandalism. Park officials are requesting anyone with additional info to contact their tip line. National Park Service conservators are working to remove the red paint from the obelisk at the center of the National Mall. It could take several days. Good news for those who have tickets to the monument this week: The vandalism was done on the side opposite the main entrance, so its still open to visitors. MAKING MOVES Kelley Robinson, a Black, queer woman who previously led the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, has been picked to be the new president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). This is a pivotal moment in our movement for equality for LGBTQ+ people, Robinson said in a news release. We, particularly our trans and BIPOC communities, are quite literally in the fight for our lives and facing unprecedented threats that seek to destroy us. HRC has been leading efforts to codify marriage equality over concerns that the conservative majority on the Supreme Court could upend the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision that paved the way for same-sex marriages across the country. The Hills Brooke Migdon has more on the news. LOBBY LINE The Hills Karl Evers-Hillstrom has a weekly roundup of where people are moving in the lobbying world. Here are some highlights from this week: Charles Symington has been named the next president and CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America . John Neal is the new executive director for space policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce . Katherine Duveneck has joined theNational Association of Mutual Insurance Companies as director of federal affairs. Send us your professional and personal updates to be featured in NotedDC! NUMBER TO KNOW 75 Basis point hike the Fed announced Wednesday. Its the fifth Fed rate hike since March and the third 75 basis point hike in a row. Read more on what it means here. One more thing Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) will join author Ibram X. Kendi at the Anacostia location of Busboys & Poets on Thursday in a discussion on the growing movement across the country to ban books from schools and libraries on topics ranging from racism to LGBT rights. Kendi, a MacArthur Genius fellow, is perhaps best known for his antiracism activism. Bush, who was first elected to Congress in 2020, is one of the members of The Squad of progressive House members. Their discussion is expected to touch on the politically charged growing embrace of censorship of all kinds in the country. The in-person event is free and will also be live streamed. Have some news, juicy gossip, insight or other insider info? Send tips: Elizabeth Crisp. And encourage friends to sign up here: thehill.com/noted. See you tomorrow! VIEW THE FULL EDITION HERE For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Ludwig Burger and John Revill ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss pharma giant Novartis said it would make growth in the United States its top geographic priority, even after laws were passed to rein in drug prices in the world's largest pharmaceutical market. As part of an investor event, the company said on Thursday it would adopt a "U.S.-first mindset", increase the share of U.S. patients in clinical trials, build capability there and give U.S. staff and executives more say and better career opportunities within the organisation. Novartis' aspiration is to "organically build its U.S. business to become a top-five player in the U.S. by 2027," it said in a statement. It ranked 10th in the U.S. market last year, the company added. Still, Novartis said it aimed to be a top-three player in China, up from fifth place last year among multinational pharma companies, while maintaining leading positions in Germany and Japan. U.S. President Joe Biden last month signed the Inflation Reduction Act, authorising the government to negotiate prices on some prescription drugs and cap costs for state health programme Medicare. In 2024, the government will start negotiating what it will pay for 10 drugs that are among those accounting for the highest Medicare spending, taking effect in 2026. Among changes coming into play sooner, price increases will have to be below the rate of inflation and out-of-pocket payments by patients on pharmacy drugs, known as Part D drugs, will be reduced . "On the inflation caps, while challenging, we believe it's manageable and (there are) no changes for our guidance with respect to managing through the inflation caps," Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan said at the event. "When you look at the Part D reform and how that is capping out patient costs ... hopefully over time, you're providing some uplift in demand," he added. "If you think about certain categories, like cardiovascular disease, you could see a 3 to 10% uplift in demand." Story continues Novartis also announced a strategy based on eight big drug brands as the company reshapes itself following the decision to spin off Sandoz, its underperforming generics business. Its shares were down 0.9% at 0741 GMT, slightly better than the 1% decline in the STOXX Europe 600 Health Care index. Novartis said its Cosentyx, Entresto, Zolgensma, Kisqali, Kesimpta, Leqvio, Pluvicto and Scemblix therapies all held multibillion-dollar peak sales potential. The company last month said it planned to spin off Sandoz to sharpen its focus on patented prescription medicines. The spin-off is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023, with Sandoz listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Novartis has also been pruning other businesses, spinning off its Alcon eye care business in 2019 and last November agreeing to sell a nearly one-third voting stake in Roche. Narasimhan also confirmed Novartis' previously stated financial targets of 4% annual sales growth through 2027 and a core operating income margin of at least 40%. (Editing by Jason Neely and Mark Potter) New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday evoked Ellis Islands reputation of welcoming immigrants at the turn of the 20th century in announcing the so-called "sanctuary" city would be opening "humanitarian emergency" centers to receive migrants arriving from Texas and other border states. "More than 100 years ago, Ellis Island opened its doors to welcome in those yearning to breathe free. Now, more than ever, its clear that we are again dealing with a humanitarian crisis created by human hands. While other leaders have abdicated their moral duty to support arriving asylum seekers, New York City refuses to do so," Adams, a Democrat, said in a statement. "This is not an everyday homelessness crisis, but a humanitarian crisis that requires a different approach." "Thats why the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers will be the first touchpoint for asylum seekers that will provide them with a range of services and support as families determine their next steps," Adams continued. "This emergency response represents what we know must be done during this humanitarian crisis, as we continue to seek assistance from our federal and state partners to continue this work. Like the generations that came to our city before, New York will provide the thousands now coming to our city with the foundation to build a better life." NYC MAYOR ERIC ADAMS CONFIRMS MIGRANT DEATH BY SUICIDE AT CITY SHELTER, BLAMES TEXAS GOV. ABBOTT The shift comes after Adams confirmed the death by suicide of an "asylum seeker" earlier this week who was housed in the New York Citys shelter system, shifting the blame from city workers to Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Approximately 11,600 migrants have arrived in the citys shelter system in recent months, according to Adams estimates. The mayor said he would go "beyond" the 1981 "right to shelter" agreement, in guaranteeing everyone a bed while also reassessing how the law originally intended for the homeless population could be reapplied under the "unprecedented" influx of migrants. Story continues DESANTIS-LINKED PLAN TO FLY MIGRANTS TO DELAWARE FALLS THROUGH: REPORT Thursdays announcement says, "To the extent possible, buses will arrive directly at Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers or be directed there from the Port Authority. Once arriving, all asylum seekers who want them will be provided with settlement options, as well as immediate health, safety, and legal information. Asylum seekers who do not or cannot find immediate housing will stay at humanitarian relief centers for approximately 24 to 96 hours (these times are subject to change depending on the situation). The additional assessment time will ensure asylum seekers understand their options and can get to their desired destination quickly and smoothly." According to the most recent Sept. 16 estimate from Abbotts office, Texas has bussed over 2,500 migrants to New York City since Aug. 5. New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images With more buses arriving at Manhattans Port Authority since then, Abbotts office earlier this week accused Adams of "flat-out lying and selectively attacking Texas busing operation, while conveniently ignoring migrants bused into New York City by Democrat-led El Paso and flown by President Biden." "The death of every migrant, including the 53 migrants who died in a tractor trailer in San Antonio, is on President Biden and his reckless open border policies," Abbotts press secretary, Renae Eze, told Fox News Digital on Monday. "Migrants on Texas buses willingly chose to go to New York, having signed a voluntary consent waiver available in multiple languages upon boarding that they agreed on the destination. Each bus is stocked with food and water and makes stops along the trip to refuel and switch drivers. Migrants are allowed to purchase any needed provisions or disembark at any of these stops, as they have been processed and released by the federal government. Instead of complaining about a couple thousand migrants being bused into his self-declared sanctuary city and using these migrants for political attacks, Mayor Adams should call on President Biden to take immediate action to secure the bordersomething the President continues failing to do." DESTIN A man was shot and killed by Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office deputies Wednesday while they were responding to an apparent domestic violence situation. The Sheriff's Office said in a news release that deputies received a call regarding an armed disturbance in the Regatta Bay Community in Destin. When they arrived about 4:30 p.m., deputies said they encountered a man with a gun chasing a woman. Officer-involved shooting in June: Man shot, killed by OCSO deputies after allegedly attacking two visitors with machete In case you missed it: Nonprofit urges people to reach out as Cassie Carli case sheds light on domestic violence A man was shot and killed by Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office deputies Wednesday while they were responding to an apparent domestic violence situation in Destin. The man was pursuing the woman around and inside a home under construction on Sailmaker Lane, according to the Sheriff's Office. Deputies said he ignored repeated demands to drop the gun and fired shots toward one deputy. OCSO deputies returned fire. The man was struck and died at the scene. No deputies were injured, the Sheriff's Office said. As part of the standard protocol for use of force investigations, the deputies involved will be placed on administrative leave, with pay, pending the results of an investigation. The Sheriff's Office said additional details will be released at a later time. This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Destin officer-involved shooting: Man killed by Okaloosa deputies According to reports, the officer involved in the Tri-State Fair shooting that occurred on Monday, Sept. 19 was identified as Deputy William "Jake" Snyder. Deputy Snyder is a six-year veteran of the Potter County Sheriff's Office. He has been released from the hospital after being shot several times. He is currently working on day shift patrol as an estray officer. More:Tri-State Fair reopens with extra security after shooting The Potter County Commissioners' Court will honor the two first responders in the incident with a Certificate of Appreciation during their Monday meeting, with the award going "to two outstanding individuals who went above and beyond the call of duty in the apprehension of an active shooter in Potter County," identified as Snyder with the Potter County Sheriff's Office, and Brady Carroll, volunteer firefighter, Station 4. Security runs metal detectors over everyone as they enter the Tri-State Fair Tuesday evening at the fairgrounds. The off-duty firefighter and bystander are still being treated for their injuries in the hospital. As for the suspect, he is still being treated for his injuries, and his name will not be released at this time. This incident is still under investigation and will be updated as more information becomes available. The Amarillo Fire Department posted on Facebook: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the recent shooting victims from the fair as well as the officer in Borger who was shot. Hopefully, everyone will recover quickly! We just wanted to shine a little light on our friends at The 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle. They have been pretty busy the last couple of days taking care of us First Responders! Thanks for always having our back!" This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Deputy injured in Tri-State Fair shooting released from hospital North Sea oil platform A slimmed-down climate compatibility checkpoint for new oil and gas development has been branded a sham by environmentalists. The UK government has published details of the test which allows the go-ahead for a new round of exploration licensing in the North Sea. It will compare greenhouse gas emissions in the UK sector with others. The industry is understood to be pleased with the test but Greenpeace said it was considering legal action. The test has no predetermined threshold for whether an application passes or fails. The checkpoint was announced in March last year following a review into whether continuing to licence for oil and gas exploration was compatible with the UK's climate objectives. Ministers had been coming under pressure for continuing to support new oil field development while acting as hosts of the UN's COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow. The proposals had included a test on the "global production gap" where the sum of all countries forecast oil and gas development exceeds the agreement to limit temperature rises to between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius. That test has been scrapped with the government citing the "improbability of global co-operation on pro-active production cuts". A section of the BP Eastern Trough Area Project oil platform in the North Sea, around 100 miles east of Aberdeen In August last year, Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said the original proposals did not go far enough and should also be applied to new developments in already-licensed oil fields. This announcement is part of a package of measures from the UK government which include lifting a moratorium on fracking. The SNP's energy spokesman Stephen Flynn described the move as "bonkers" and said there would be "no fracking whatsoever" in Scotland. The Scottish government has used planning laws to ban fracking in Scotland since 2015. Business and Energy Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said: "In light of Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine and weaponization of energy, strengthening our energy security is an absolute priority, and - as the prime minister said - we are going to ensure the UK is a net energy exporter by 2040. Story continues "To get there we will need to explore all avenues available to us through solar, wind, oil and gas production - so it's right that we've lifted the pause to realise any potential sources of domestic gas." 'Worthless charade' The North Sea Transition Authority, which regulates the sector, said it would launch the next round of licensing from October. It is more than two years since the last round, which is usually carried out annually. More than 100 licences are expected to be issued with a focus on expanding existing infrastructure rather than exploring for new oilfields. Greenpeace said it was a sham climate checkpoint voted on by oil and gas companies. And Freya Aitchison, from Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "In ploughing forward with this new licensing round, the UK government is effectively denying the reality of the climate emergency with scientists and energy experts clear that there can be no new oil and gas. "The UK government's supposed checkpoint is a worthless charade as there can be no climate compatible new oil and gas. It is a deeply cynical attempt to provide cover for reckless plans to expand the very industry that is fuelling both the climate and the cost-of-living crises." The three tests which form the climate compatibility checkpoint will cover: Reductions in operational greenhouse gas emissions from the sector vs. commitments Reductions in operational greenhouse gas emissions from the sector benchmarked internationally Status of the UK as a net importer or exporter of oil and gas The proposed tests which have been abolished focused on: Sector progress in supporting Energy Transition technologies Consideration of international Scope 3 emissions (from consumers burning the oil and gas which is produced) Consideration of the "global production gap". Speaking ahead of the announcement, Mike Theolen from Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) said: "We need new licences now because the UK continental shelf is what we call a mature basin where many existing fields are in gentle decline. "That means we rely on finding new oil and gas resources simply to maintain production at current levels. We need new exploration and production licences so that we can find those reserves. "Delays in issuing licences could lead to reduced gas and oil production - and that would damage our energy security." DESTIN Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden said deputies acted with "poise and composure" while responding to an apparent domestic violence situation Wednesday that ended with a man being shot and killed. The Sheriff's Office received a call at about 4:30 p.m. regarding an armed disturbance in the Regatta Bay Community in Destin. Aden said deputies were told a man had entered a home that was under construction on Sailmaker Lane. "It looked like he was actually chasing after a female with a gun in his hand," said Aden, who added that the homeowners were at the property, but had left by the time deputies arrived. Related coverage: OCSO deputies fatally shoot man they say was chasing woman with gun in Destin neighborhood Officer-involved shooting in June: Man shot, killed by OCSO deputies after allegedly attacking two visitors with machete A man was shot and killed by Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office deputies Wednesday while they were responding to an apparent domestic violence situation in Destin. The two responding deputies, whom the sheriff's office declined to identify, citing an active investigation, were there within two minutes of the 911 call. As they approached the home, the deputies said they saw the man holding a woman against her will with a gun in his hand. Aden said they commanded him to drop the gun and he ran off. "At that point there was separation between him and the female. At which time, we heard a gunshot, which clearly we believed was intended for either our deputies or the victim," Aden said. "The victim, we called her to safety, got her out of the way." The woman and a few bystanders took cover behind a brick wall. Aden said deputies continued to give commands to the man, who ran back inside the home. The man then came around the back and began heading toward the woman and bystanders. "They saw him trying to engage what we believed to be his estranged wife and she was over there with those other bystanders," Aden said. "He was shooting at them. Our deputies engaged him after giving him commands, and he fired on our deputies." Identity of man killed, deputies involve in shooting not released Deputies returned fire and the man was shot "several times," Aden said. He died at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The Sheriff's Office was continuing to work with federal agencies Thursday to confirm the man's identity. Story continues However, Aden said deputies believe he was a 45-year-old undocumented immigrant from Honduras. Records show that he had been living in the Okaloosa County area for almost 20 years. Aden said he was deported once in 2012 and had been arrested in Okaloosa County last year for driving without a license. It is unclear how the man got a hold of a gun. Aden said that is a "big question" that needs to be answered. The Sheriff's Office said the deputies' names would be released after the investigation. As a part of standard protocol for use-of-force investigations, the deputies involved will be placed on administrative leave, with pay, pending the results of an investigation. Aden praised their actions, saying they held their composure like "20-year veterans." Both deputies have been employed with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office for less than two years. Aden said one of the deputies who responded had only been out of field training for one day. "These deputies, despite the unimaginable trauma of the situation going on and the stress of a violent encounter like that, they held their composure," Aden said. "Their training certainly kicked in and was beneficial to them, with a successful outcome for us and for the citizens of Okaloosa County." This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Destin officer-involved shooting: Okaloosa sheriff praises deputies Oklahoma Attorney General John OConnor has issued a statement, hours after attorneys for Richard Glossip accused the Oklahoma County District Attorneys Office is mishandling evidence in the case. You can read his full statement below. If there were evidence that revealed Glossips innocence, we would be the first ones to ask the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to grant him an evidentiary hearing. When justified in past cases, this office has joined with defendants in their requests for evidentiary hearings. We have also informed the Court in the past when an argument made on appeal requires relief. Despite several court filings by Glossips attorneys, we have seen no such evidence in this case. The courts are the forum for claims of innocence. I trust the Court of Criminal Appeals to sort through the record and to make its determination. It is that Court which has the authority to order a new hearing. Neither the Governor nor the Attorney General can order a new hearing. In todays press conference, it was repeatedly said that Justin Sneed has wanted to recant his testimony against Glossip. A careful reading of the latest report by Reed Smith reveals that, when Mr. Sneed used the word recant, Sneed was referring to his hope to negotiate a shorter prison term in exchange for his testimony at Glossips second trial but that never happened. In fact, just this year Sneed stood by his earlier testimony against Glossip in both trials, reporting that, far from telling his family Glossip was not guilty, he told them: its the truth and theres nothing else to be there, but to stand on the truth. It is disappointing that Glossips supporters are criticizing law enforcement, prosecutors, juries, and judges in an attempt to distract the public from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt of Glossips guilt. As prosecutors, we must be very cautious to respect the duty of the courts to reach the right result without public pressure. This ethical obligation includes a prohibition against discussing the evidence in a case unless it has been made public. The only items that Mr. Glossips counsel have not been able to review are work product materials, which are protected by law from disclosure, 12 O.S.2021, 3226(3). And again, my office has ensured that nothing within those privileged documents falls within a prosecutors special duty to disclose. My office will continue to abide by the rules of law and ethics. Any insinuation to the contrary is false. Glossip is scheduled to be executed in December. People at a train station in Seoul, South Korea, watch news reports on a North Korea missile launch in May. (Lee Jin-man / Associated Press) North Korea passed a law this month putting into effect Kim Jong Uns decision that in case he is incapacitated by foreign hands, the country will automatically and immediately launch a nuclear retaliation. This arrangement makes it sound as though the North Korean nuclear arsenal is not only designed to be used by one man but exists to keep that one man in power. Is this arrangement an aberration of North Korea, or is it descriptive of the other eight nuclear states? As tensions persist Russias war in Ukraine, but also between India and Pakistan, the U.S. and China, the U.S. and North Korea how strong are the nuclear nations guardrails? While some nuclear leaders (including a recent U.S. president) go to great lengths to keep themselves in office, it seems improbable that any of them would regard their own individual lives as something that should be paid for by 2 billion or 5 billion human lives the numbers of deaths that recent research on nuclear winter shows will result from a small or large nuclear war. But what the North Korean law accurately foregrounds is the monarchic power that these weapons have brought about within the nine nuclear states. Each has an arrangement for letting a single individual, or a tiny number of individuals, initiate an earth-scorching launch. In the United States, the presidential order to launch entails no second voice not from the Cabinet, Congress, the military nor the citizenry. The force that before 1945 could only be brought about by hundreds of thousands of soldiers all consenting to fight remains compressed into a single weapon designed to be delivered by a single individual. It may appear that the U.S. has a safeguard that North Korea lacks. Whereas the Constitution of North Korea authorizes the countrys leader to declare war, the American Constitution states that only Congress can issue a declaration of war. France and India have similar provisions. Russias Constitution stipulates that while the president can act alone to defend the country within its own border, carrying out military action beyond the border requires authorization from the Council of the Federation, the counterpart of the U.S. Senate. Story continues Yet at least for the United States, the declaration of war limitation does not provide much of a check. Historical record shows presidents contemplating a nuclear launch at times when Congress had made no such declaration. Eisenhower considered using atomic weapons during the Taiwan Strait Crisis that began in 1954 and again in Berlin just a few years later. President Kennedy, according to Robert McNamara, three times came within a hairs breadth of nuclear war. Lyndon Johnson considered using a nuclear weapon to prevent China from acquiring nuclear weapons. Nixon reported that he considered using a nuclear weapon four times. Not to mention, during the nuclear age U.S. presidents in part encouraged by their nuclear power have repeatedly led the country into even conventional wars without a congressional declaration: Korea, Vietnam and every war up through the present with one exception. The first Gulf war had a conditional declaration from Congress. In theory, citizenry provide an additional brake on going to war in the U.S. and elsewhere. That was the original intent of the right to bear arms, a provision now so covered in mud by the nuclear age that its meaning is hard to recover. The 2nd Amendment references a militia a form of force divided into tiny pieces and evenly distributed throughout the population as opposed to a standing army, loyal only to the executive and serving as an extension of his personal will. The amendment was meant to protect against the very problem that now faces us with the nuclear architecture. Its meaning was this: Whatever military power the country has must be one that can be equally divided across the population and hence overseen by that population, rather than one centralized in one pair of hands. Russia has a provision similar to the right to bear arms: Its constitution stipulates that the defense of the country is the responsibility of the full citizenry. But again, executive ability to unilaterally use nuclear weapons circumvents the principle. Thus we face a gulf between the constitutional theory of shared power in government and nuclear practice that continues to loom over global conflict. We in the United States, alongside other nuclear states that may consider themselves less autocratic than North Korea, need to decide whether we wish to live in accordance with our own constitutions. Thomas Paine argued that the American and French constitutions would change the world, saying of the U.S. documents in particular: The American constitutions were to liberty what a grammar is to language: they define its parts of speech, and practically construct them into syntax. We have lost that syntax. A weapon that silences a citizenry and its legislature on the way to annihilating millions of people cannot be justified by democratic principles and should not be tolerated. If the American people demand that defense arrangements be brought into line with our Constitution, it will ensure meaningful brakes on warmaking, help recover our democratic syntax and provide a clear path toward joining the international Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It is the most essential and elementary manifestations of civilization that will be lost if we dont soon require that constitutional theory and practice be brought into accord. Elaine Scarry is the author of Thermonuclear Monarchy: Choosing between Democracy and Doom, The Body in Pain and On Beauty and Being Just. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Jan and Helena Tarasewicz, center left, grieve at the funeral Mass for three members of the Janus family killed by tainted Tylenol, including their daughter Theresa, at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Chicago in 1982. (Carl Hugare/Chicago Tribune) A suburban police detective climbs the steps of the main Cook County criminal courthouse in hopes of ending a 40-year-old mystery. The Tylenol murders, as they are commonly known, have been his investigation since he assumed responsibility for the cold case more than 15 years ago. Now, he and several other law enforcement officials believe they have solved the killings. They just need prosecutors to agree with them, to take the risky step of indicting a 76-year-old man in a case built almost entirely on circumstantial evidence. The detective knows the odds are steep as he heads into the January 2022 meeting with top criminal investigators from the Cook County states attorneys office. He makes his best pitch anyway. His presentation references undercover FBI recordings, a secretly exhumed body and writings discovered during a raid on the suspects home, multiple law enforcement sources say. It explains the complicated tests being done to sort out the DNA profiles discovered on several poisoned bottles. And it offers a possible motive never previously disclosed to the public. The detective implores the prosecutors office to look at the totality of his teams work. He asks them to set aside the reasons and ways the case has faltered for nearly four decades. In months that follow, officials from the Cook and DuPage County states attorneys offices will meet twice with the detective. The head of the Illinois State Police a former prosecutor from the St. Louis area will attend the meetings, as well. They all know that time is running out to solve the Tylenol murders. Key sources have died. Memories have deteriorated. And records have been lost. The 1982 poisonings left seven people dead and panicked the nation. Widely regarded as an act of domestic terrorism a term not in the countrys vernacular at the time the murders led to tamper-evident packaging, copycat killings and myths about tainted Halloween candy. The Tylenol case is a decadeslong story of heartbreak, anger and frustration. Its a story without an ending, without closure for those involved. And this is how it begins on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1982: 6:15 a.m., Elk Grove Village Twelve-year-old Mary Kellerman woke before sunrise with a nagging head cold that would keep her home from school. After persuading her father to let her miss her classes, she went into the bathroom and swallowed an Extra-Strength Tylenol capsule that her mother had purchased at the grocery store the previous night. Mary Kellerman, 12, was the first of seven victims to die after ingesting cyanide-laced Tylenol in 1982. (Chicago Tribune archive) Seconds later, her father heard coughing and then the sound of something hitting the floor. He called out to Mary. When she didnt respond, he opened the bathroom door and found his daughter his only child lying on the floor. Her eyes fixed and dilated. Her breathing shallow, as if being suffocated by an invisible force. Nothing the paramedics tried seemed to help. Mary was in full cardiac arrest by the time they reached Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village, records show. The doctors, in need of a miracle, installed a pacemaker and called a priest to give the child last rites. Mary who liked making pottery and cooking with her mother, riding her pony, and playing Atari with her dad was pronounced dead at 9:56 a.m. I remember just a very happy-go-lucky person. I remember her crooked teeth because she was always smiling, her childhood friend Sharon Hogg told the Tribune. She was just a very warm and loving person. I was certainly drawn to her because, I think, as kids we kind of have a radar for good people. Sharon Hogg of Fort Lauderdale, a childhood friend of Mary Kellerman's, remembers her as just a very warm and loving person." (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Mourners support Jeanna Kellerman, in the black dress, outside Queen of the Rosary Catholic Church in Elk Grove Village, where the funeral was held for her 12-year-old daughter, Mary. (Karen Engstrom / Chicago Tribune) Marys death was the start of a chaotic and terrifying 24 hours in the Chicago area that saw six more healthy people perish in horrific fashion, sometimes before their families eyes. Authorities would create the largest police task force in Illinois history to investigate the killings, but first officials needed to figure out that these werent isolated deaths. In the end, a small group of people solved the shocking medical mystery through experience, intuition and, at times, sheer luck. One of those fortuitous moments came when Richard Keyworth, a firefighter in Elk Grove Village, received a call from a friend in neighboring Arlington Heights. [ [Para leer en espanol] Los asesinatos de Tylenol: La historia de un caso sin resolver de 40 anos comienza con un misterio medico aterrador ] Phil Cappitelli, a fire lieutenant, was off duty at the time. But he had heard about Marys death his mother-in-law worked with the girls mother at United Airlines and he wondered what had happened. The health care privacy law known as HIPAA was still 14 years away and Keyworth, who was off work that day, telephoned his fire station for details about Mary. He then shared what he learned with his friend: Mary had a cold and took some Tylenol. Otherwise, she was a perfectly healthy seventh grader. For Cappitelli, that information would pay off with a piece of crucial insight later in the day, when several members of the same family suddenly collapsed in his town. Arlington Heights Fire Lt. Philip Cappitelli, left, and Elk Grove Village firefighter Richard Keyworth discuss how they put two and two together in several of the Tylenol deaths. The men were at Keyworth's home on Sept. 30, 1982. (Quentin C. Dodt / Chicago Tribune) Marys mother, Jeanna Kellerman, had been at work at United when Mary fell ill. She rushed home in time to see paramedics placing her daughter in an ambulance. She tried to get close, but authorities held her back. She and her husband, Dennis, have rarely spoken publicly about their daughters death. They declined a request to be interviewed for the 40th anniversary. But in a 1991 deposition, part of a lawsuit they filed against Tylenols maker, Jeanna Kellerman described Mary as an inquisitive, well-loved child who took guitar lessons and gymnastics. At 12, she had just begun babysitting and used the money she earned to buy books for herself and little gifts for her parents. She kept her room clean and happily took care of the familys three dogs. You didnt have to ask her to do anything, Jeanna Kellerman said in the deposition. She would just go ahead and do it. According to the 1991 transcript, she and her husband still hadnt talked about her daughters final moments in the familys home, nearly a decade later. I asked him once about it, she said, and he just said: You dont ever want to know what happened in that room. 11 a.m., Arlington Heights Adam Janus, a burly post office supervisor, had the day off work. Hed experienced some chest pains the previous day but felt well enough to spend the morning running errands with his wife and young son. After picking up his daughter at a Catholic preschool, he stopped by a local grocery store and purchased several items, including steaks, fresh-cut lilies for his wife and a bottle of Extra-Strength Tylenol. Janus had moved to the leafy bedroom community of Arlington Heights in the late 1970s, around the time the first of his two children was born. For Janus and his wife, Teresa, the small brick bungalow represented a promising future. Born on a small farm in southern Poland, Janus came to the United States as a child after his father refused to join the Communist Party. They left their homeland in 1963 and settled on Chicagos Northwest Side. Adam Janus met Teresa on a visit to his old hometown, brought her to the United States and married her in a big, joyful wedding at the same church and reception hall where the Janus brothers celebrated their marriages in America. Adam Janus, with his wife Teresa on their wedding day, died at 27 after taking poisoned Tylenol. (Janus family) Everything my brothers and I did, we did because we were looking to the future, his oldest brother, Joseph Janus, told the Tribune. After his grocery store stop, Janus cheerfully put away his purchases and went into the bathroom, where he apparently swallowed two Tylenol. Teresa Janus told police she did not see her husband take the capsules but he walked out of the bathroom clutching his chest and complaining of pain. When she followed him into the bedroom, she saw that his eyes were fixed and dilated, his breathing shallow. Teresa Janus looked outside and saw two neighbors talking. She knew one was a nurse who spoke Polish, so she ran and asked for help. The women rushed inside the house, where the nurse tried to resuscitate Adam Janus and the other called for an ambulance. At Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, the paramedics trying to revive Janus were met by Dr. Thomas Kim, medical director of the ICU, who had the trust of local first responders. Kim tried to save Janus as well, but his heart never regained a normal, sustained rhythm. Adam a 27-year-old father who tinkered with clocks in his spare time was pronounced dead at 3:15 p.m. There was no immediate way to know what killed him, Kim said in an interview. There was nothing obvious like a gunshot wound or anything, Kim said. In (Janus) case, we thought of the heart first. So the diagnosis for him was either a massive heart attack or a massive injury to the brain. We had to wait until the tests came back. Teresa Janus, Adam's widow, is helped out of St. Hyacinth Roman Catholic Church with her daughter Kathy in hand on Oct. 5, 1982. (Michael Budrys / Chicago Tribune) In the meantime, Kim had to tell the Janus family the shocking news. Teresa Janus didnt speak much English at the time, so the doctor spoke directly with Adams parents and youngest brother, Stanley, a 25-year-old Lisle resident who ran an auto parts store in Chicago. Shortly afterward, the extended Janus family went to Adam and Teresas house to console Teresa and start making funeral plans. Stanley tried to beg off. His back pain had flared up and he wanted to return home to the west suburbs with his wife, also named Theresa. His mother, Alojza Janus, wouldnt hear of it. My mother said, No, you come with us to Adams house, Joseph Janus recalled. He didnt want to come, but when he got to Adams house, he came inside with us. There, Stanley grabbed two Tylenol from the bottle Adam had purchased earlier that day. 3:45 p.m., Winfield About 30 minutes after Adam Janus died, 27-year-old Mary Lynn Reiner was preparing to feed her 6-day-old son in the living room. She had a headache, and earlier in the day shed purchased Tylenol at a grocery store. Following her doctors advice, Reiner swallowed two capsules and felt dizzy almost immediately. She tried to make her way to the bathroom, but she collapsed onto a kitchen chair and began having seizures. Mary "Lynn" Reiner collapsed after taking two Extra-Strength Tylenol for a headache. (Chicago Tribune archive) When a police officer arrived at the familys duplex, summoned by Reiners husband, her eyes were fixed and dilated. She experienced one seizure after another while her sobbing mother-in-law held the newborn in her arms. One of Reiners school-age children was upstairs and could hear all the commotion, former Winfield police Officer Scott Watkins told the Tribune. And theyre yelling, Dad! Dad! Whats going on? And hes telling them, Stay upstairs! Stay upstairs! It was just horrible, Watkins said. The Tribune could not locate many of the police records related to Reiners death despite Freedom of Information Act requests to multiple agencies. The Winfield Police Department said it provided copies of the case file to the Illinois State Police before losing the originals in a flood. A state police spokesperson said all reports related to the Tylenol murders are stored on microfiche and cannot be searched electronically. The agency is gradually turning over more than 30,000 pages in its Tylenol archives, but police reports stemming from the call to the Reiner home havent turned up yet. An April 2022 view of the Winfield town home where Mary "Lynn" Reiner fell ill four decades earlier. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Reiners daughter Michelle Rosen has spent more than a decade investigating her mothers murder. She called on law enforcement agencies to release their investigative records so the victims families and, by extension, the public can have answers. Releasing case records would not alter or disrupt the current investigation in any way, she said in a statement. It will have the opposite effect. By giving access to all the files, we can examine the available information. Even if nothing comes of unsealing the records, we deserve to see them. DuPage County coroners records indicate Reiner was taken to Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield and placed on life support. The young mother, who grew up in Villa Park and played softball, died the next day. 5:15 p.m., Arlington Heights Back at the Janus house, a stunned family gathered to make funeral plans. Stanley was there, per his mothers orders. So was his new wife, 20-year-old Theresa, known as Terri to her friends. Like the Januses, her family emigrated from Poland, and she grew up in a home where Polish was the primary language. Stanley and Theresa "Terri" Janus were married in June 1982, just three months before they fell victim to the Tylenol poisonings. (Janus family) The two married just three months earlier in a large ceremony held at St. Hyacinth in Chicago, an ornate Catholic church that has served as the heart of the citys Polish community for generations. Hundreds attended their reception at the White Eagle banquet hall in Niles, the same place where Stanleys older brothers Joseph and Adam had celebrated their weddings. Stanley and Terri were so newly married when they stepped into Adam Janus house that day, they hadnt even received the proofs from their wedding photographer yet. They would never see the images of Terri, wearing a lace gown with a full, tiered skirt, smiling as she looked adoringly at Stanley. Or of her father walking her down the aisle. Or of Terri with her bridesmaids, dressed in soft lavender. Oh, she was beautiful, said her high school friend Sandy Botwinski, one of the six bridesmaids. It was just a happy day. I thought they would have a long, good life together. Sandy Botwinski visits Lisle High School, where she became friends with Terri Janus. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Sandy Botwinski saved photographs from her friend's wedding to Stanley Janus in June 1982. Botwinski, shown with bride Terri Janus, was one of six bridesmaids. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) And for the first three months after the wedding, life indeed was good. They honeymooned in Hawaii, set up house across the street from her parents in Lisle and embarked on an ambitious remodeling project. But now, the newlyweds were sitting in Adams kitchen, planning a funeral at the same church in which they had just married. Stanley, suffering from chronic back pain and a headache born of the days sorrow, said he needed to take a couple of Tylenol. He asked if anyone else wanted some, and his mother shook her head. She had pain reliever in her purse and had already taken two pills at the hospital. Terri, however, had a headache that showed no signs of abating. She grabbed a glass of water and followed her husband into the bathroom. Moments later, Stanley emerged clutching his chest. My God, I feel bad, he said. He started to collapse, but his brother Joseph caught him and eased him to the floor. Terri Janus complained her chest hurt too. While a family member called for an ambulance, Teresa Janus rushed her two young children out of the house and brought them to a neighbor. She had seen these symptoms just hours earlier and wanted to shield them from the horror. The firefighters and paramedics at Arlington Heights Station 3 were making dinner when the call came in about a man down. When the dispatcher gave the address 1262 S. Mitchell Ave. they looked at one another in disbelief. The stations paramedics had just been there a few hours ago for a man down. And that man had died. Fire Lt. Chuck Kramer ordered an engine to follow the ambulance to the house. It was unusual for the bigger vehicles to respond to a medical emergency, but two calls to the same address in less than six hours was alarming. As we were coming down the street there were crowds of people, said Kramer, who was in the trailing firetruck. And as we pulled up in front, I started to go up to the house and I can hear screaming come out of the house. Chuck Kramer, a former Arlington Heights firefighter, responded to the house of Adam Janus in 1982, after paramedics were called to that address for the second time in six hours. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Inside, paramedics were trying to revive Stanley as he lay on the floor. One of the medics looked at Kramer with fear in his eyes. This is the exact same thing that happened to the man this morning, he told his lieutenant. And we lost him. Terri grabbed Kramers shoulder for support. Stanley! Stanley! she yelled to her unconscious husband. Then she groaned and fell to the floor. Kramer assumed she had fainted, but when he turned her over, he knew it was something far more serious. Her breaths were shallow. Her eyes were fixed and dilated. So now Ive got six paramedics working on two people, Kramer said. And Im looking at whats going on. I said, Guys, this isnt heart attacks. Theres something wrong. The paramedics loaded the couple into separate ambulances and headed to Northwest Community Hospital. Concerned that some kind of airborne contagion or other deadly environmental poison was in the house, Kramer put the entire Janus family in police cars and sent them to the hospital too. He radioed ahead to the hospital staff. You better find a place for us, he recalled telling them. Ive got 14 people who need to be isolated. As the ambulances raced toward the hospital, Dr. Kim was about to leave after a long shift. But a nurse stopped him to say that two people had collapsed at the Janus house and were on their way. He assumed it was Adams parents, overcome with grief. The nurse said no, its his brother. So then I said, Well, maybe he fainted, Kim recalled. Then she said his wife also collapsed. So I threw my jacket off and told the ICU nurses I was staying. Kim mobilized the emergency department and began treating Stanley and Terri as soon as they arrived. The rest of the Janus family was quarantined in a hospital meeting room with the police, firefighters and paramedics who had responded to the call. I was in shock so bad that I didnt know what was going on, Joseph Janus said. Kim still didnt know why Adam Janus was dead or why two relatives were critically ill. He didnt know two other people had been stricken in the same way. Or that more deaths were yet to come. 6:45 p.m., Lombard An hour later in a town 20 miles away, Mary McFarland, a single mother with two young boys, took her dinner break at the Yorktown Shopping Center. After going through a divorce two years earlier, her life seemed to be steadying a bit. The 31-year-old Elmhurst woman had a good job at the Illinois Bell Telephone store in the mall, where the union wages and flexible hours were ideal for someone with small children. She also had started dating someone. Mary McFarland, shown in her April 1974 wedding photo, died from taking Tylenol capsules tainted with cyanide in 1982. (Family photo) Her kids were everything to her, said Jan Hoffman, a friend and co-worker. Her divorce was difficult and she had just started dating a guy and she seemed happy. I dont know if it was anything serious, but she was having a good time and she needed it. After eating dinner with Hoffman, McFarland returned to the store floor. It wasnt long before she slipped into the break room to deal with a headache. Migraines were common at the store, thanks to the flickering fluorescent lights and constantly complaining customers. Illinois Bell even provided a jar of generic pain pills for the workers to take as needed. The staff called them greenies because of their mossy hue. McFarland, however, preferred her own medication. Shaking two Tylenol capsules from their container for herself, she offered some to co-worker Diana Hilderbrand, also in the break room. Jan Hoffman, in South Elgin in July, worked with Mary McFarland in 1982. Her kids were everything to her, Hoffman said. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) I said, No, I just took some greenies. Id had a rough day, Hilderbrand said. Then she walked back on the floor. But McFarland quickly returned to the break room. I dont know if it was even 10 minutes later, Hilderbrand said. She said, I dont feel good, and she just collapsed. Were all trying to do CPR and call 911 and all that kind of thing. The paramedics got there and they said, Do you know if she took anything? I said, Well, yeah, she took Tylenol. McFarland was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, where doctors told her family she suffered a catastrophic stroke. She never regained consciousness. 7 p.m., Arlington Heights With Stanley and Terri Janus conditions dire, it was obvious to Chuck Kramer that someone needed to call a public health expert. He knew only one person who would qualify: his friend Helen Jensen, the Arlington Heights village nurse. As the towns only public health official, Jensen did everything from flu shots for firefighters to home health care for cancer patients. She also never backed down from a challenge. The fire lieutenant, who was still at the hospital, called her at home and said he needed help figuring out how three young, healthy people from the same family were so suddenly stricken. Jensen, who had been making dinner for her family, grabbed her car keys and rushed out of the house, still wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Helen Jensen, shown at home in February in Arlington Heights, was the village nurse in 1982. She was the first person to intuit that Tylenol was to blame for deaths in the Janus family. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Jensen arrived at the hospital 15 minutes later and walked into the quarantine room. The people inside marveled at her courage. I thought she would go and talk to the doctors, but no. She came directly into the room and I couldnt believe that, Kramer said. But thats just Helen. She is brave. She sees it as just doing her job, but I really admired her. Jensen asked to speak with Adams widow, Teresa, who was standing by herself across the room and looking undeniably lost. With a relative interpreting, Teresa walked Jensen through Adams morning and the family gathering later that afternoon. In her retelling, Jensen noticed, all three people who got sick had taken Tylenol. A warning seal from the Cook County medical examiners office is taped to the front door of the Janus house in Arlington Heights on Oct. 2, 1982. (Karen Engstrom / Chicago Tribune) Jensen asked Teresa for a key to the house and told a village police officer to take her there immediately. I want to go out, she recalled telling the patrolman. I want to take a look for myself to see what I think. Jensen entered the tidy bungalow around 8 p.m. and gathered a few things she thought all three people could have come in contact with: a pot of black coffee, used coffee grounds, home-jarred fruits, cherry juice, a pound cake, prescription medicines, the fresh flowers from the store. She found the Tylenol bottle on the bathroom counter and the receipt in the trash can. How a single bottle of Extra-Strength Tylenol killed three members of a close-knit Polish clan. >>> View the timeline here Jensen poured out the capsules and counted them repeatedly. There were only 44 capsules in the 50-count bottle. She could easily do the math: three people, each taking the recommended two capsules. Three people, dead or dying. She returned to the hospital, where she found a representative from the Cook County medical examiners office in a conference room. She placed the white plastic bottle on the table. It has to be the Tylenol, she said. Her declaration was met with skepticism, she said. So, she repeated it, this time stamping her foot and raising her voice. Theres something in the Tylenol. Same response. Helen Jensen outside the home in Arlington Heights where she found the Tylenol bottle that was to blame for deaths in the Janus family. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Feeling frustrated and unheard, she went home and poured herself a Scotch on the rocks. She told her husband that lives were potentially still at risk and she couldnt get the right people to believe her. She cried herself to sleep. Im a woman and a nurse, she said. No one was going to listen to me. 8:34 p.m., Chicago As Jensen searched the Janus home, United flight attendant Paula Prince landed at OHare following a long day in which she worked a return trip from Las Vegas and then an out-and-back to Hartford, Connecticut. She checked the flight board after landing and saw that her friend Jean Regula Leavengood a fellow flight attendant who lived in the same Old Town condo building and shared Princes passion for travel and fun would not be arriving for another hour or so. Jean Regula Leavengood was close friends with Paula Prince before Prince's death in 1982. Both were flight attendants who lived in the same Old Town condo building. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) Prince scribbled a note to her friend, explaining that she had left for home and she would talk to her soon. Prince left it in her friends airport mailbox. Lets meet for a drink later, Prince wrote. I have exciting news to tell you. On the way home, Prince stopped at a Walgreens near her building. A security camera snapped an image of Prince at the cash register, still dressed in a United Airlines uniform consisting of a navy pantsuit, neck scarf and high-heeled shoes. The photo captured the exact moment the 35-year-old Nebraska native unwittingly purchased her own death. At 9:16 p.m., she paid $2.39 for a 24-count bottle of Extra-Strength Tylenol. A photograph from a drugstore camera shows Paula Prince, dressed in her United Airlines uniform, buying a bottle of tainted Tylenol in 1982. (Chicago Tribune archive) Once home, Prince put on a flowery nightgown and began taking off her makeup with a cotton ball. She paused to swallow a single capsule from her new purchase, seemingly forgetting that she already had an open bottle of Tylenol in her travel bag. Regula Leavengood and Princes sister would find her lifeless body two days later, looking nothing like the striking blond woman they knew. She was a bombshell, you know, said Regula Leavengood. She was pretty, she was vivacious. Always laughing. Always laughing. Jean Regula Leavengood has kept photos showing her friend Paula Prince as she remembers her: always laughing. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) At Princes funeral, a man approached Regula Leavengood and introduced himself. He said he had met Prince during a recent layover in Las Vegas and they had fallen immediately, madly in love. He said they planned to marry. He was Paula Princes exciting news. 10 p.m., Arlington Heights After hours in quarantine, firefighter Kramer heard from Dr. Kim that Stanley Janus had been pronounced dead and Terri was on life support with no chance of recovery. Kim said he didnt think the deaths had been caused by anything environmental, but rather something they all ingested. He was trying to find a poison expert to help him make a diagnosis. The first responders were released from quarantine with instructions to decontaminate at their home stations, just to be on the safe side. Doctors admitted all the Januses to the hospital for overnight observation for that same cautious reason. Joseph Janus shared a room with his sister, Sophia. The siblings passed a sleepless night, afraid they wouldnt wake up if they fell asleep. I was just looking at my sister and she was looking at me to see if we were still alive, he said. I thought we were going to die too. Joseph Janus, shown in June in the Wisconsin Dells, was quarantined at a suburban hospital after two of his brothers and a sister-in-law were stricken with a mysterious illness in 1982. It turned out to be cyanide poisoning. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) At home, Joseph Janus wife, Elizabeth, pulled their two young children into a bedroom and told them to pray harder than they had ever prayed. She also called her family in Poland and asked them to go to nearby Czestochowa, a religious site where Catholics have long asked for miracles. I remember my (4-year-old) brother holding a statue of Jesus and just holding it really tight, recalled Joseph Janus daughter, Monica, who was 8. Were all sitting there and praying together, hoping that my dad would come home because everyones dying in our family. As the Janus family prayed, Kramer and his crew headed back to the firehouse. On the way there, Kramer got on the radio and notified emergency dispatchers that his trucks would be out of commission until further notice. Minutes after he returned to the station, his phone rang. It was his close friend and fellow Arlington Heights fire lieutenant, Phil Cappitelli. Always one to keep a scanner nearby on his days off, Cappitelli wanted to know what possibly could have happened to shut down the entire station. Kramer, who had listened to Jensens conversation with Adam Janus widow, told him about the family and their mysterious illness. They didnt have anything in common, Kramer told his colleague, except that they each took Tylenol. The information clicked with Cappitelli. He told Kramer about his inquiry into Mary Kellermans sudden death and that she also had taken Tylenol moments before collapsing. Oh my God, it just hits you, Kramer recalled. Someone is out there indiscriminately poisoning people. Arlington Heights Fire Department Lts. Chuck Kramer, left, and Phil Cappitelli, right, and Elk Grove firefighter Richard Keyworth in 1982. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Kramer immediately called the Elk Grove Village Fire Department and spoke with the paramedic who had treated Mary Kellerman. Were her eyes fixed and dilated? Was her breathing rapid and shallow? Were her symptoms resistant to medical intervention? Yes, the paramedic said. Yes. Yes. Kramer called the hospital to relay what he found out what Jensen already knew. Theres something wrong with the Tylenol, he said. Dr. Kim was told about the Tylenol connection, but it didnt completely solve the medical mystery. The doctor had treated cases of acetaminophen poisoning previously, and this wasnt that. Yes, the Januses all took Tylenol before falling into respiratory distress. But Kim needed to know what substance caused them to suffer sudden cardiac arrest. He consulted with several poisoning experts and scoured his old medical school textbooks. He paced back and forth in his office, thinking and ruling out various causes. I cant just say, Oh, I tried my best, Kim said. I had to find an answer. Dr. Thomas Kim, medical director of the ICU at Northwest Community Hospital, recounts at a Sept. 30, 1982, news conference how three members of the same family had ingested cyanide as a result of taking Tylenol. (Karen Engstrom / Chicago Tribune) In the end, there was only one substance that he could think of that killed people so rapidly after being ingested: cyanide. It was a wild thought, but it was the best explanation he could offer. His hospital couldnt test for cyanide at the time, so he found a 24-hour lab in Highland Park. He put two vials of blood one belonging to Stanley, the other to Terri in a cab and gave the driver instructions on where to take them. As he watched the taxi pull away, he hoped that none of his colleagues would see the Januses charts and think he was being foolish. My back was against the wall, Kim said. I mean, I had nothing else to offer, so I ordered the test. Meanwhile, an Elk Grove Village police officer brought the Tylenol bottle from the Kellerman home to the hospital and gave it to Nicholas Pishos, an investigator with the Cook County medical examiners office. Pishos already had the bottle left by Jensen. Both bottles had the same lot number. Pishos called his boss, Dr. Edmund Donoghue, deputy chief medical examiner for Cook County. Donoghue, who was at home, told him to open one of the bottles and smell inside. Dr. Edmund Donoghue, shown earlier this year, was deputy chief medical examiner in 1982. He knew Tylenol had been tainted with cyanide when one of his investigators opened a bottle and smelled the chemical's almond-like odor. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) When Pishos poured out the capsules, he caught a strong almond scent. The second bottle produced the same bitter smell. Donoghues suspicion was confirmed. He knew instantly the odor was cyanide, a notorious and rapid-acting poison that cuts off oxygen to red blood cells. The almond odor isnt always present, and even when it exists, its discernible by only about 60% of the population. Pishos apparently was among them. As soon as I popped the top, I could smell the cyanide, Pishos said in an interview. I remember it smells like burnt almond from my chemistry classes in college. Donoghue called Michael Schaffer, the countys chief toxicologist, and asked him to come to the morgue and run tests on the confiscated Tylenol capsules. It was the first time Donoghue could ever recall asking the toxicology department to work through the night. This was a crazy idea, that there might be something in Tylenol, Donoghue said in an interview. I mean, this was the worlds most common analgesic. Dr. Edmund Donoghue, right, then the deputy chief medical examiner in Cook County, discusses the cyanide-laced Tylenol on Sept. 30, 1982. At left are Michael Schaffer, the toxicologist who tested the capsules, and Dr. Barry Lifschultz. (Charles Osgood / Chicago Tribune) Tests would show that four of the 44 remaining capsules in the Januses bottle contained cyanide. Records indicate each capsule had between 550 and 610 milligrams of poison nearly three times the amount needed to kill someone. 1:30 a.m., Arlington Heights In the early morning hours of Sept. 30, a technician from the Highland Park lab called to notify Dr. Kim that her tests had found massive amounts of cyanide in the newlyweds blood. She also told him she had never run a cyanide test before, but she assured him she had followed the screening protocols. Theres just so much cyanide, Kim recalled her saying. I mean, its just too much. Testing of blood samples taken from Stanley and Terri Janus, shown here on their honeymoon, showed high levels of cyanide. (Janus family) Kim asked for the lab directors home phone number so he could call and discuss the results. When the technician hesitated, Kim told her she could either give it to him or give it to Arlington Heights police when he sent them to the laboratory. She gave Kim the number. Kim called and woke up the director, who assured the doctor he was confident the test had been run correctly. The tech, he said, was one of his best. The results were indisputable: Stanley and Terri Janus died from acute cyanide poisoning. 3:07 a.m., Chicago The first news related to the Tylenol poisonings broke when a reporter for the City News Bureau a famed Chicago news organization that operated 24 hours a day published a bulletin. City News reporter John Flynn Rooney wrote that authorities were looking into the sudden deaths of Adam Janus and his brother Stanley. The information was attributed to a hospital spokesperson. The item, based on a tip received by overnight editor Rick Baert, didnt mention Tylenol. Rooney couldnt get someone to confirm that part of the story right away. But Baert told the Tribune that he recognized the potential danger to the public and urged Rooney to keep digging. Baert also called his best friend in the middle of the night because he knew the man took Tylenol for his knee each morning. He warned his buddy to skip the pills when he woke up. All I could think of was how many more people could be at risk if this news didnt get out by morning, Baert said. Shortly before sunrise, Rooney who died in 2016 of complications from ALS nailed down the story. Around 5:30 a.m., City News reported that the medical examiners office was attributing three deaths to an unnamed headache remedy and a news conference would be held later that morning. The story was immediately picked up by local radio stations, including the one Helen Jensens husband listened to before work. When he heard the news, he woke up his wife. You were right, he told her. Its on the radio. Its the Tylenol. In less than 24 hours, a group of first responders and medical experts had solved a critical piece of a heartbreaking puzzle. Although autopsies would have detected the cyanide eventually, according to Donoghue, that process would have taken another 18 hours and, in this case, every minute counted. The same morning the news broke, stores began pulling the pain reliever from their shelves and public health departments went door-to-door with flyers warning people about potentially poisonous capsules in the medicine cabinets. Police officers drove through streets, using bullhorns to order people to throw out their Tylenol. Pharmacist Dennis Jordan, right, checks lot codes on bottles of Extra-Strength Tylenol at the Westmont Pharmacy as he removes them from the shelves on Sept. 30, 1982. (John Dziekan / Chicago Tribune) And these efforts almost certainly saved lives, as testing turned up three other tainted Tylenol bottles and no other deaths occurred after those first 24 hours. Kramer said he often wonders what would have happened if just one small thing about that day had been different. What if Cappitellis mother-in-law hadnt worked with a woman whose little girl had mysteriously died? What if Keyworth, the Elk Grove Village firefighter, hadnt been around when Cappitelli called him for information about Mary Kellerman? What if Kramer hadnt called in nurse Helen Jensen, who interviewed Teresa Janus and retrieved the poisoned bottle? What if Dr. Kim hadnt acted on his cyanide hunch, sending blood samples to the lab? What if Cappitelli hadnt heard something puzzling on his scanner and learned about the Januses from his friend Kramer? What if Kramer hadnt overheard Jensen discussing Tylenol with Teresa Janus and relayed that detail to Cappitelli? What if Nick Pishos couldnt smell cyanides distinctive almond odor? Remove any of these people and their efforts that night, and the public wouldnt have known about the poisoned capsules as quickly as they did. Remove any of these people and their efforts that night, and more people likely would have died. It all came together, Kramer said. We were lucky. The massive police task force assigned to find the culprit, however, would not be as fast in its mission. Or as fortunate. The Tylenol murders, part 2: Cyanide-laced Tylenol was the murder weapon. But who was the killer? >>> Read the full story here Michael Poblete, a optometry student at Western University, performs an ocular health exam on Daniel Duenas in 2019. A bill by Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell) would expand the optometrists' role in vision care. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Theres a nonsensical disconnect in Californias efforts to provide universal healthcare. There arent enough doctors willing to accept the states small fees for treating low-income patients. So its universal healthcare in name only despite Gov. Gavin Newsoms repeated boasting about it because millions of people are denied access to preventative medicine or treatment of their ailments. Medi-Cal Californias version of Medicaid for the poor is an unfulfilled promise in too many cases. A third of Californians, including 40% of the states children, are enrolled in Medi-Cal. But the reimbursement fees paid by the state to doctors are so low that most of them lose money on each patient, they say. Those who do accept Medi-Cal patients make up for the loss by pulling in much higher fees from folks with private insurance. The Newsom administration has started to negotiate provider contracts that require more patient access. But neither the governor nor the Legislature has been willing to spend the money needed to raise provider fees to an acceptable level, despite a nearly $100-billion budget surplus this year. OK, thats the overall big picture. Theres a little-picture partial solution to the access dilemma on the governors desk one of 680 legislative bills as of Wednesday that Newsom must sign or veto by Sept. 30. This measure, AB 2236, concerns only vision care but would affect millions of patients. It pits two quarreling families against each other: primary care eye doctors and eye surgeons. The former are optometrists, the doctors you go to for an annual exam. The latter are ophthalmologists, the surgeons who remove cataracts, for example. This is a battle over turf. The docs want part of the surgeons market share. The optometrists argue the fight is about providing convenient care in the office and expanding patient access. The surgeons, represented by the powerful California Medical Assn., argue its about safety doctors performing procedures for which theyre not adequately trained. Of course, the CMA has made the same argument for years every time optometrists, nurses or anyone else pushes legislation to cut into its territory. Story continues The CMA says its about protection of patients. I think its more about protection of a profession, says Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa), chairman of the Assembly Health Committee and a dentist. Wood pushed through a bill two years ago over the CMAs objection that will upgrade the role of nurse practitioners in California. Kristine Shultz, executive director of the California Optometric Assn., says of the primary care eye docs and surgeons: They work together in the real world. Its just in the state Capitol where they start fighting. These are called scope of practice battles. The bill, by Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell), would expand the optometrists role in vision care. The measure passed the Assembly with no votes to spare, 41 to 11 with 28 legislators abstaining after a passionate debate just 10 minutes before the deadline on the final night of the legislative session. There was bipartisan support, but also skittishness. Under the bill, optometrists could not perform initial cataract surgery. But if the need for follow-up laser surgery developed later perhaps years they would be able to perform it. They could also do laser surgery for glaucoma. Now they can only treat with eye drops. They could surgically remove skin tags off eyelids. And they could make an incision to squeeze out a stye. Supervised training on people would be required for state certification. But not enough training, opponents contend. This is eye surgery. Its easy to say its easy. But complications are real. You can, if things go wrong, blind someone, says Dr. Craig H. Kliger, executive vice president of the California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and a UCLA assistant professor. The amount of training in this bill is not adequate to make someone competent to practice by themselves. Its not safe for the public. Thats disputed by John G. Flanagan, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Optometry and Vision Science. He says 10 other states allow similar procedures for optometrists and there have been virtually no complaints or problems. But patients have better access to care. In California, optometrists are required to earn a four-year college degree, then attend a four-year optometrist school. The surgeons need a four-year degree, four years of medical school and four years of residency. The access problem stems primarily from most surgeons refusing to treat Medi-Cal patients, bill supporters say. But most optometrists do. Also, theres an acute shortage of surgeons in many rural regions, including the Central Valley. Thirteen counties have no surgeon at all, Flanagan says. Six counties have only one. This creates major bottlenecks in care for a population that is 70% people of color, he asserts. Kliger counters: You dont want to give people access to inferior care. Medi-Cal patients dont deserve substandard care. Woods view: There are two levels of care people who can get an ophthalmologist and people who cant. Look, Im just a newspaper hack. This kind of medical stuff is way out of my bailiwick. But Newsom must have experts on his staff who can advise him wisely. Im hoping they tell him its safe and sensible to allow optometrists to expand their practice and provide more patient access so the state can start to do what it claims to be doing about universal healthcare. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Miami Herald If youre traveling on Interstate 75 in Southwest Florida, be prepared for road closures: On Friday night, the Florida Department of Transportation closed a 14-mile chunk of I-75 between mile marker 179 near North Port and mile marker 193 near Englewood in the Sarasota-Charlotte counties area because of rising water from the Myakka River. TOKYO (AP) Defending champion Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Pan Pacific Open ahead of her second-round match due to illness on Thursday. I am really sorry that I am not able to compete today, Osaka said in a statement. Its an honor to be able to play at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in front of the amazing fans here in Japan. This has and always will be a special tournament for me and I wish I could have stepped on court, but my body wont let me. I will see you next year. Osaka didn't specify the illness and said before the tournament she was fit and healthy. She was champion of the previous Pan Pacific in 2019 and advanced to the second round this week after Daria Saville retired with a knee injury in their first-round match. Fifth-seeded Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil benefited by a walkover from Osaka's withdrawal and has a quarterfinal against fourth-seeded Veronika Kudermetova, who dominated Mexican qualifier Fernanda Contreras Gomez 6-0, 6-1. In other second-round matches, Petra Martic upset sixth-seeded Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-4, and in a match of unseeded players, Liudmila Samsonova squeezed past Chinas Xinyu Wang 7-6 (5), 6-3. In Fridays quarterfinals, Martic will play Chinas Zhang Shuai, Samsonova faces third-seeded Garbine Muguruza, and Americas Claire Liu meets Chinas Qinwen Zheng. Martic kept her nerve as 2018 champion Pliskova lost hers. The former world No. 1 was not at her best, while Martic played steadily throughout, breaking twice in each set, including the final games of each set. Pliskova handed the win to her fellow tall baseliner with her fifth double fault. Karolina is a great player and shes beaten me many times in the past, so I expected a tough match, Martic said. So I was just happy to win it. She won it in the nick of time as it started to rain right at the end of the second set. A third set would have been under the roof of Ariake Coliseum. I was hoping we would play outdoors because its an outdoor tournament, but at match point it started to rain really hard, so I was really happy to win that point, Martic said. Story continues Samsonova out-slugged Wang Xinyu as both players stayed aggressive throughout. Samsonova hit three aces to wrap up the first-set tiebreak. In the second set, her high-pressure play broke Wang in the eighth game and she rounded off the match with a 13th ace. She was playing amazing, Samsonova said. Shes a great player already but my serves were enough to maintain my game. Contreras Gomez had no answer for Kudermetovas clinical efficiency as the good parts of her game that saw her defeat 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the first round deserted her. Fourth-seeded Kudermetova didnt put a foot wrong but should face far sterner opposition from Haddad Maia in the quarterfinals. ___ More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico The battery in Mario Romeros phone was dying. But he had enough charge to see the social media posts about trouble breaking out around the city that August day. He and his colleagues from a local radio station were doing a live promotion at a Little Caesars pizza shop, but they decided to wrap things up early. While his co-workers waited for a few pizzas to go, Romero took the opportunity to solve his phone issue. My cell phone, it's old. No one had a charger like mine, and my battery was dying, so I headed to Office Depot to buy a wire, and on the way, I started to hear the screams and the (bullet) impacts, Romero told The Courier Journal during an interview in Ciudad Juarez, which sits across the border from El Paso, Texas. Mexico cartels:Popular Mexico getaway plagued by drug cartel intimidation and violence When the shooting stopped, he ran back to the pizza shop, where he last saw his co-workers. The police were already there. I asked the officer, and he told me, There are some injured. I prayed those were my friends, but then I saw their bodies lying on the floor. Romero is the radio stations director. Four of his colleagues, including popular radio broadcaster Allan Gonzalez, were among the dead. "I'm a person of faith, so I believe what happened to me was a divine thing," Romero said of the fact he was spared. Overall, attacks across the city that day left at least 11 dead and 12 injured, according to state officials. The attacks on random customers inside the pizza place and a convenience store marked a disturbing moment in the wave of drug cartel-fueled gang violence that has plagued parts of Mexico. It derailed the frequently repeated and comforting belief that organized crime targets only those in the same business, and it raised the question of what is to come. It also put the often-criticized crime-fighting policies dubbed hugs not bullets of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador front and center. Story continues "Hopefully, it's not something that will be repeated, because they attacked the civilian population innocent people," Lopez Obrador said during a news conference following the attacks. A February report from the U.S. Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking said the Mexican government needs to do more to stop the flow of drugs into the U.S. All the good people we have cannot be effective without the full cooperation of the Mexican government, which we do not have, U.S. Rep. David Trone, D-Md., told Politico following the reports release. Cartels control 30-plus percent of the GDP in Mexico, which means they are immensely powerful, and the [Mexican] government has adopted a policy of hugs and not bullets and have decided to compromise and try to save lives in the country by not having an open civil war with the cartels Since then, Mexican drug seizures have been increasing, and in July, working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Mexican marines captured fugitive drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero. Security analyst David Saucedo said the latest wave of violence may be related to this new push but added that damage had already been done by the administration to set the stage for the acts. I agree with the Americans. I believe you don't negotiate with terrorists, and the president did, he said. In October 2019, the president made the decision to free Ovidio Guzman, the son of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, after his arrest turned the streets of Culiacan into a war zone. And now the whole world knows what to do when (Sinaloa Cartel leader) Mayo Zambada is captured or when (Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader) Mencho is captured they will bring out their cells to attack the population for them to go free. I think the federal government gave a terrible message in this regard." Experts call narco-terrorism, Mexico officials claim concerns overblown The carnage in Ciudad Juarez began with a riot among rival cartel affiliates inside a local prison Cereso No. 3 that left two inmates dead, according to government officials. Gang members on the outside then spread the violence around the city, setting fire to vehicles and businesses, in addition to the shooting attacks. In all, similar violence was reported in four Mexican states around the time of the Juarez attacks. {assets.65399306007}buttonColorGradient1: #DC1C13buttonColorGradient2: #EA4C46storytellingComponent: ctatext: Keep up with cartel coveragebuttonText: SubscribebuttonLink: https://cm.courier-journal.com/specialoffer/{} Security analyst Fred Alvarez called it a matter of narco-terrorism. The term dates to 1980s South America and describes acts of terror fueled by or financed by the illegal drug trade. Its a very unfortunate event, and I deeply regret the failure of the government intelligence because they have spent a lot of money on that. Where were the resources? Alvarez questioned. More:Tennessee prisoner charged with running drug ring behind bars linked to Mexican cartels He repeated the conventional wisdom about old-school drug lords keeping their word about not messing with innocents, but added, recent events in Juarez have demonstrated that these people have broken that pact because they are second-class or third-class criminals. They are not the big bosses of the past with whom the government could negotiate. Hitmen and drug dealers in Juarez are more violent because, according to analysts, they dont have a word to keep and instead are using terror. These criminals have no word, and they know that the more fear you generate, the stronger they get, Alvarez said. Government officials were quick to downplay the question of narco-terrorism. They are not terrorist attacks; you dont have to exaggerate the facts," Interior Secretary Adan Augusto Lopez admonished shortly after the incidents. Fellow security analyst Saucedo agreed with Alvarez, also labeling the violent events narco-terrorism and adding: I think it is a new stage of drug trafficking in Mexico." And he thinks its a stage for which the country is unprepared. The federal government does not accept that it's facing a new reality, a new challenge, Saucedo said. There is a denial for an image issue. President (Lopez Obrador), fearful that there will be a decrease in foreign investment in Mexico and a decrease in the flow of tourists to the country and also because of an impression issue in the face of the 2024 elections is reluctant to call these events narco-terrorism. The president said his opponents were exaggerating the acts of violence across different states of Mexico. It's propaganda. There is no major problem, Lopez Obrador said at a briefing in Mexico City. Prisons in Mexico, Juarez function as 'universities of crime' The brother of a victim of the Little Caesars attack, who requested anonymity, said his sibling had just parked and was walking to the door when he saw a suspicious vehicle parked outside. Suddenly, six men left the car and started shooting at all the people. He didnt know what to do, so he decided to run back to his car, the man said. My brother was shocked because the men saw him and said, kill that one, too, (but) he managed to enter the car, which was destroyed by the bullets. A snack vendor passes in front of the Ajenjo Street house, seen pockmarked by bullets, where police clashed with armed gang members and detained six after attacks on the people of Ciudad Juarez on Aug. 11, 2022. We havent seen such a mess since 2008. We saw, indeed, confrontations between them, but like this, against ordinary citizens, not since a long time ago, he said, adding, my brother is still in shock. From 2008-12, Juarez residents endured the trauma of rival cartels vying for control of the area. More than 10,000 people were killed during that time. Related:How 'drug czar' Rahul Gupta plans to counter Mexican drug cartels, reduce overdose deaths Government authorities said the problem in the prison also started with a clash between the locally based Los Mexicles, an armed street gang, and Los Chapos, associated with the Sinaloa Cartel. In addition to the two prisoners shot to death, about 20 were wounded. The events in Ciudad Juarez have to do with the current situation in the prisons of Mexico. They are universities of crime. The order was given by someone in prison, and he did it through social media or any other communication allowed in that place, just as weapons are also allowed, analyst Alvarez said. Los Mexicles members on the outside then took the violence to the streets of the city, authorities said. In addition to the Little Caesars shootings, two women were killed in a convenience store one an employee and another who was seeking a job. Local media has reported Los Mexicles was born as a gang of members deported from the United States, and that the cell sometimes communicates in the Nahuatl Aztec language to go unnoticed. On Aug. 12, six members of Los Mexicles were arrested in the Ampliacion Aeropuerto neighborhood, Deputy Security Minister Ricardo Mejia said. Joint operation of the armed forces with the local police of Ciudad Juarez after a report of shots fired in the Portal del Valle neighborhood. Aug. 14, 2022 The National Guard was brought in to quell the violence. At least two buildings were damaged, and 28 shops and 19 vehicles were burned, officials said. I couldnt find a place to hide, said a man who lives next to the house where the six members were arrested after a clash with the police. A truck was parked outside that house for an hour or so, then they left, and 10 minutes later, the cops arrived shooting at the house, he told The Courier Journal. Ive never noticed anything weird with those guys. They arrived at that house 10 days ago. We never talked, the man said, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. Two funerals: Allan Gonzalez, Los Chapos member killed in prison riot The funeral for radio broadcaster Allan Gonzalez was solemn, as the shock of the unexpected death weighed heavily on those in attendance. The room was full of flowers and funeral wreaths from other media organizations. The media was initially not allowed to enter the funeral parlor, but with this outpouring of support, his son decided to grant access and get to know some of his fathers colleagues who were expressing solidarity. Allan loved rock music and the radio, a friend of his said. He mentioned his penchant for reporting and that he loved letting his listeners know about things like traffic tie-ups in the city. Relatives and friends mourn radio broadcaster Allan Gonzalez during his funeral in Ciudad Juarez. Gonzalez was among four radio state employees killed at a pizza shop in the city on Aug. 11, 2022. Meanwhile, in the next room, another funeral was taking place a member of Los Chapos, one of the inmates killed in the prison where the many tragedies began. Candles outside a Ciudad Juarez burn to honor the people who died on Aug. 11, 2022, during an outbreak of gang violence. Cristopher Rogel Blanquet contributed reporting for this story. Karol Suarez is a Venezuela-born journalist based out of Mexico City. She is a contributing writer to The Courier Journal. Follow her on Twitter at @KarolSuarez_. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Cartel violence in Mexico hitting innocents raises worry for future An anti-mobilization protester is arrested in Moscow on Wednesday. Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images More than 1,250 protesters were arrested across Russia on Wednesday after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of reservists, the human rights watchdog OVD-Info said. Putin is looking to bulk up his forces in Ukraine, where Russia has had high battlefield losses and recently lost ground during a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said only those with previous military experience are eligible to be drafted, and up to 300,000 reservists are expected to be called up to serve. The arrests were made in 38 cities, including Moscow, where The New York Times reports hundreds of protesters gathered to chant "Send Putin to the trenches" and "Let our children live!" After Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, it became illegal to "disseminate false information" and "discredit the Russian Army," and the general prosecutor's office issued a warning on Wednesday saying anyone involved in an unauthorized protest could face up to 15 years in prison. You may also like Trump claims on Fox News that presidents can declassify documents 'by thinking about it' Bachelorette star DeMario Jackson accused of sexually assaulting 2 women The Space Force unveils its official anthem, 'Semper Supra,' and people don't love it An attorney representing various families whose children were killed or injured in the Nov. 30, 2021, shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan argued Thursday that school staff ignored warning signs from the shooter for months. Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 when he allegedly fatally shot four students and injured various others within the school that day, drew disturbing pictures, wrote assignment answers that concerned teachers and viewed images of bullets and a video of a shooting on his phone in the months and days leading up to the shooting. "Today, he's watching videos on his phone of a guy gunning down people. It looks like a movie scene and not security footage/a real event, but definitely concerning when taking into account some of his other behaviors," one teacher wrote in an email to school counselor Shawn Hopkins, who is named in attorney Ven Johnson's lawsuit against Oxford school staff. Hopkins and Dean of Students Nicholas Ejak met with Crumbley and his parents, who are each facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting, to discuss violent drawings he created just hours before the deadly rampage. The suspect was able to convince them during the meeting that the concerning drawings were for a "video game." OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTER'S PARENTS, JAMES AND JENNIFER CRUMBLEY, DENIED APPEAL His parents allegedly "flatly refused" to take their son home, Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said in December 2021. Crumbley "knew that he would be questioned, so he doctored the drawing and wrote, Video game this is, I love my life so much!!!!,' OHS rocks!, We are all friends here, and Harmless act," Johnson's lawsuit alleges. OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING VICTIMS' ATTORNEY ALLEGES ARMED GUARD THOUGHT SHOOTING WAS A DRILL: GOOD MAKEUP But even months leading up to the shooting, teachers flagged warning signs that went largely ignored by other school staff. "What we now know is this. From, literally, the beginning of school, Ethan Crumbley was evidencing signs of being a highly troubled individual, to say the least," Johnson said during a press conference Thursday, citing various depositions from Oxford High School teachers and counselors. Story continues In late August 2021, Crumbley drew an image of what appeared to be himself next to what Johnson argues may have been an image of a gun on an assignment his teacher handed out in class. The teacher testified that she hadn't seen the drawing until months later, according to Johnson. That same teacher caught him watching violent videos on the day of the shooting and alerted school staff. That same month, Crumbley said on another assignment that his favorite book was, "Resistance and Making Bombs for Hitler." ETHAN CRUMBLEY DETAILED PLAN TO 'STALK, RAPE, TORTURE' AND 'KILL' FEMALE CLASSMATE, PROSECUTORS SAY In September 2021, Crumbley was the subject of an email from his Spanish teacher to Hopkins. "Could you please touch base with Ethan Crumbley?" she wrote. "In his autobiography poem, he said that he feels terrible and that his family is a mistake. Unusual responses, for sure." Hopkins allegedly never spoke to Crumbley afterward, though the counselor apparently told the Spanish teacher he spoke with the 15-year-old, Johnson said Thursday. Two months later, on Nov. 10, 2021 20 days before the shooting the Spanish teacher again sent Hopkins an email saying Crumbley is "having a rough time right now." Johnson alleges that Hopkins eventually pulled Crumbley out of his classroom and invited him to go to a counselor's office to talk whenever he wanted, to which the 15-year-old responded, "OK." FAMILIES OF OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING VICTIMS REACT AFTER BOARD AGAIN REJECTS INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION One of Crumbley's teachers also took photos of his drawings from the morning of the shooting and took them to the high school's front office to show staff. Additionally, a classmate told the Oakland County Sheriff's Department that, on or about Nov. 25, Crumbley told him, "If I ever tell you not to go to school sometime, don't," according to Johnson. The next day, Crumbley allegedly showed his classmate his gun and a target on his Instagram account. Four students were killed and seven others injured Nov. 30, 2021, when student Ethan Crumbley allegedly opened fire at Oxford High School. Scott Olson Johnson argues that defendants in the civil case assumed other defendants were taking care of teachers' concerns. "Everybody assuming that everybody else is doing something, and no one's doing anything," the attorney said. Buck Myre, the father of 16-year-old Tate Myre, who was killed in the shooting, condemned the school district for not taking "accountability" for its actions and decisions before and after Nov. 30, 2021. He also said it seems like there was no clear "process" for teachers to voice concerns to school staff. "If you look at these emails that are sent by the teachers, there's no consistency on who the emails are going to. So that tells me there's not a process in place to attack something like this," Myre said Thursday. "It's blatantly obvious that Oxford Community Schools is withholding information. They know that they dropped the ball. Meanwhile, here we are buying memorial shirts for our murdered kid. What's Oxford Community Schools doing? Nothing. They're hiding behind governmental immunity." Johnson has filed civil suits on behalf of various students and families victimized by the shooting, accusing Crumbley, parents James and Jennifer Crumbley and school staff of negligence. A judge recently ordered the release of materials, including surveillance footage from the shooting, in Johnson's case. The four deceased victims of the November 2021 shooting were Myre, 16-year-old Justin Shilling, 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana and 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin. Instagram A 42-year-old Philadelphia man will spend the rest of his life in prison after admitting to his role in murdering six people between 2016 and 2018, and attempting to kill one more, Pennsylvania prosecutors said Wednesday. Ernest Pressley, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and four counts of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, according to Jacqueline C. Romero, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. By his own admission, Ernest Pressley is an incredibly dangerous individual with no qualms about accepting money to calculatedly and cold-bloodedly murder anyone, Romero said in a press release. Pressley acknowledged to a court that he had killed four of his victims for money, at the direction of an unidentified drug trafficker. He was arrested after fatally shooting the fourth victim, identified only as S.S. in court records, in Sept. 2018. The subsequent inquiry led investigators to link the 42-year-old to the murders of two tow truck drivers and the wounding of a third a year prior. The first three victims were shot within the span of 24 hours between Jan. 12 and 13, 2017. Pressley targeted the firstidentified in a local news report from the time as Khayyan Frusterto prevent him from testifying as a witness at an assault trial, according to Romeros office. Before assassinating the 28-year-old Fruster, however, Pressley picked one of his A. Bobs Towing co-workers at random and shot the unlucky man, identified as 35-year-old Eric Robinson, to death as he left work, prosecutors said. This was done in an apparent bid to confuse law enforcement, making it seem as though the execution-style slayings were connected to a feud between rival tow truck companies, police said. A day later, Pressley followed Fruster into his tow truck and opened fire, killing him and wounding another A. Bobs Towing employee sitting behind the wheel. Story continues Investigators also found that Pressley had killed another man, identified as M.R., at the behest of the trafficker the day before Robinsons murder. Pressley was also indirectly responsible for a mistaken-identity murder in July 2018, he admitted, which came about after he gave up the location of a man he knew was wanted dead by a figure in the Philadelphia drug trade. (It was not immediately clear if this was the same trafficker as the one involved in the contract killings.) That same month, Pressley shot an unidentified woman in the arm. Though she survived the attack, she later found out someone had broken into her home and stolen money and jewelry. Several hours later, Pressley was identified as having sold a Rolex watch belonging to the woman at a Philadelphia pawn shop, the press release explained. The earliest murder that Pressley admitted to carrying out occurred on July 19, 2016, when he fatally shot a victim identified as C.Y. as that person sat on a porch. A motivation for the killing was not provided by the prosecutors office. Pressleys guilty plea, and subsequent conviction, carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Jacqueline Maguire, a special agent with the FBIs Philadelphia division, called him an obvious menace with zero respect for human life, adding that the city is unequivocally safe with him behind bars. 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. ISLAMABAD (AP) Pakistans former Prime Minister Imran Khan apologized in court on Thursday over his outburst against a female judge during a rally last month that was seen as a threat to the judiciary and judges in general. The apology, an option envisaged under the Pakistani legal system, may allow Khan to stay out of jail and avoid contempt charges. Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April, has been campaigning for early elections and claims he was toppled under a U.S. conspiracy. The development came just days after Pakistani police were ordered by a judge to drop terrorism charges against Khan in a separate case over threats to the same judge and also to police. The legal cases followed a speech Khan gave in the capital, Islamabad, during which he vowed to bring a lawsuit against the Islamabad police chief and a judge for allowing police to question Shahbaz Gill, chief of staff at Khans Tehreek-e-Insaf political party. Khan made the controversial remarks after being told that Gill had allegedly been tortured by police following his arrest on charges of inciting troops to mutiny. During the August rally, Khan at one point directed his comments against Judge Zeba Chaudhry, saying: You also get ready for it, we will also take action against you. Khan, a former cricket star turned politician who became premier in 2018, is currently on bail, which shields him from arrest in several cases. I am ready to apologize ... if the court thinks that I have crossed a line, Khan said as he appeared before the Islamabad High Court on Thursday. I assure the court that this wont happen again in the future, he added. Chief Justice Athar Minallah said Khan's gesture was appreciated but that the former prime minister needs to submit his apology in writing before Oct. 3, at which point Minallah would review the text and decide whether to drop the contempt case. Khan's lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, who is not related to Judge Chaudhry, later told reporters that Khan's apology would be submitted in writing to the court shortly. Story continues Dozens of Khans supporters had gathered outside the court building to cheer him on and hundreds of police were deployed to prevent violence and to keep the crowd from pushing its way into the court Thursday. Since his ouster, Khan has alleged without providing evidence that Pakistans powerful military took part in an alleged U.S. plot to oust him. Washington, and the government of Khans successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, have denied the allegation. Sharif has also rejected Khans demand, saying elections will be held on time next year. In recent weeks, authorities have levelled several cases against Khan including one for defying a ban on rallies. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pacific island state of Palau, which finds itself at the heart of a geostrategic struggle between the United States and China, called on Wednesday for greater U.S. support to build its infrastructure and economy. Palau and two other Pacific island states, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia, are currently renegotiating agreements reached with the United States in the 1980s that give Washington defense responsibility and the right to military bases in return for economic support. These accords, known as 'Compacts of Free Association', are set to expire in 2024 in the case of Palau and next year for the two other states. Experts and former U.S. officials warn the island nations could look to China for support should the talks fail. In an address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Palau's Foreign Minister Gustav Aitaro said that in an initial review of his country's compact, the U.S. administration "proposed unacceptably inadequate assistance." However, he said, U.S. President Joe Biden had since then appointed a special envoy "who we trust will get his government to at least meet Palau's minimum needs so that our people can attain a decent standard of living without having to leave." "This is essential to enabling the relationship to endure, as my government wants," Aitaro said. "It hopes that when we next address the General Assembly, we will be able to report an agreement in this regard." Aitaro said Palau, with a population of just over 18,000, needed greater financial and program assistance, as well as public and private investment to expand its economy. Palau was grateful for the help United States and other governments such as Taiwan and Japan, have provided, Aitaro said. "But we need more now, just as we need measures to combat and adapt to climate change's rising seas," he said, adding that there was a particular need to move Palau's hospital from land that now regularly floods to higher ground. Story continues Palau had seen some development since signing the compact with the United States, "but too little." Aitaro also praised Chinese-claimed Taiwan and said the United Nations should accept it into the U.N. system. Aitaro's remarks came a day before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is to host a meeting on the sidelines of UNGA aimed at better coordinating assistance to the Pacific island region. Next week Biden will host a summit with Pacific island leaders, which his Asia policy chief Kurt Campbell said this week reflected "a desire to demonstrate clearly our larger commitment to the Pacific going forward." (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell) NABLUS, West Bank (AP) Nablus was a battered city. Shops gaped open to the street, their windows smashed. Street signs were overturned. Ash stained the roads. Armored vehicles roamed the city center, still pockmarked and splattered with paint from a day of protests. The destruction resembled the aftermath of firefights between Palestinian youths and the Israeli military in the occupied West Banks second-largest city, where posters of killed Palestinians paper the old city's limestone walls. But this time, Israel was not involved. The violent chaos on Tuesday that left a 53-year-old man dead erupted between Palestinians and their own security forces, who coordinate with Israel in an uneasy alliance against Islamic militants. The rare outburst, coming amid the deadliest violence in the West Bank since 2016, underscored the internal divisions tearing at Palestinian society and cast a spotlight on the growing ranks of disillusioned, impoverished young men taking up arms. Many have spent their entire lives in a territory occupied by Israel, scarred by infighting and segmented by checkpoints. They have not known a national election since 2006. They have no hope in the long-stalemated peace process. Their aging president, Mahmoud Abbas, is in his 18th year of what was supposed to be a four-year term. They see his Palestinian Authority as a vehicle for corruption and collaboration with Israel. The clashes erupted after Palestinian forces arrested two men, including Musab Ishtayyeh, a popular local militant wanted by Israel. A 26-year-old man who lives in the area said that although the sides reached a truce, further violence was likely unless Ishtayyeh is released. I do not recognize the presidency of Abu Mazen," he said, voicing a popular sentiment in the neighborhood. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared arrest. There is no difference between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, he added, saying the Palestinian security forces want to burn the resistance and kill those who fight." Story continues The latest violence stems from a series of deadly Palestinian attacks inside Israel last spring, which triggered a surge in nightly Israeli arrest raids across the territory. Some 90 Palestinians have been killed in the crackdown. Israel says many were militants or local youths who hurled stones and firebombs at troops, though several civilians have also died. Experts say the escalation has deeper roots in a power struggle, as Palestinian leaders vie over the succession of the 87-year-old Abbas. The leadership vacuum is trickling down from the top all the way down. High-level members are trying to rally their supporters for doomsday, said Tahani Mustafa, an analyst at the International Crisis Group. In these sorts of contexts, radicalism really thrives. A lack of opportunity and political horizon has also fueled the unrest. Israel captured the West Bank in 1967, and its military occupation shows no signs of ending. The last round of substantive peace talks broke down in 2009, and Israel has steadily consolidated its control of the territory with ever expanding construction of settlements that are now home to some 500,000 Jews. The Palestinians seek all of the West Bank, along with Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, for a future state. Widely disenchanted with the PA, young Palestinians are flocking to an array of militant groups to get weapons. Palestinian security has struggled to assert control in flashpoint cities in the northern West Bank, like Nablus and Jenin. The instability has consequences for Israel, which depends on cooperation with Palestinian security, and for the United States and other countries that have relied on the PA to establish order in the West Bank and serve as a partner in stalled peace negotiations. We need the PA to operate as a buffer between us and all the (Palestinian) organizations," said Michael Milstein, a former head of the Palestinian department in Israeli military intelligence. The test has only just begun. Palestinian security officials declined to comment on this week's violence or the reasons for their unpopularity. In recent months, the Israeli military has grown frustrated with what it describes as the PA's reluctance to maintain order in flashpoint cities under its control. The PA has the manpower, the ammunition and the arms, said one Israeli military official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity in line with military guidelines. "In certain places, we feel they dont have the will. The official said the army has seized 300 guns since Israel began its West Bank raids. He said the arms come mainly from small factories that make improvised pistols, or are smuggled from Jordan, Egypt or Lebanon. Some guns stolen from the military also make their way to the West Bank. Wednesday's truce temporarily halted the fighting, but the streets still bristled with tension and an armed group vowed to continue the battle on behalf of their arrested comrades. We will not abandon our brother who is wanted by the occupation forces and is currently kidnapped, the militant group, named the Den of Lions, wrote to the AP. The group, based in the stone warren of the old city, is tied to Ibrahim al-Nabulsi, a prominent militant who was killed in an Israeli raid last month. His photo is on coffee stands, graffiti, posters and necklaces worn by children in Nablus. The Palestinian security services identified him as the son of one of their own colonels a schism that illustrates how younger Palestinians, who grew up during the searing violence of the second Palestinian intifada, have lost faith in their leaders. Many Palestinians see their security forces as protecting Israel against Palestinian protests, not Palestinians from Israeli assaults. The forces also have faced widespread criticism over brutal tactics, like last year when riots erupted over an anti-corruption activists death in custody. Gangs of young Palestinian men are increasingly firing at Israeli forces during raids or shooting at soldiers manning checkpoints. The gangs operate without the backing of traditional political factions and militant groups. Last week, two Palestinian gunmen killed an Israeli soldier at a military checkpoint in the northern West Bank before they were shot dead. One of the attackers was a Palestinian security officer. Ghassan Khatib, a former Palestinian peace negotiator and Cabinet minister, acknowledged there is little public faith in the Palestinian leadership. He blamed a lack of hope and repeated Israeli measures that have weakened the Palestinian Authority. If everybody would maintain the same attitude and practices," he warned, "we are going gradually toward the collapse of the Palestinian Authority, and chaos in Palestinian society. AP writers Tia Goldenberg and Eleanor Reich in Jerusalem contributed to this story. Abortion-rights protesters fill Indiana Statehouse corridors and cheer outside legislative chambers, Aug. 5, 2022, as lawmakers vote to concur on a near-total abortion ban, in Indianapolis (Arleigh Rodgers/AP) INDIANAPOLIS After an Indiana judge on Thursday blocked the states abortion ban from being enforced, phones starting ringing across Indiana abortion clinics, which are preparing to resume the procedure a week after the ban had gone into effect. People are getting the word that abortion is now legal again, and people are ready to get their health care that they deserve and that they desire, Dr. Katie McHugh, an abortion provider at Womens Med in Indianapolis, told The Associated Press. Advertisement Owen County Judge Kelsey Hanlon issued a preliminary injunction against the ban, putting the new law on hold as abortion clinic operators argue in a lawsuit that it violates the state constitution. Indianas seven abortion clinics were to lose their state licenses under the ban which only permits abortions within its narrow exceptions to take place in hospitals or outpatient surgical centers. Advertisement The ban was approved by the states Republican-dominated Legislature on Aug. 5 and signed by GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb. That made Indiana the first state to enact tighter abortion restrictions since the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated federal abortion protections by overturning Roe v. Wade in June. The judge wrote there is reasonable likelihood that this significant restriction of personal autonomy offends the liberty guarantees of the Indiana Constitution and that the clinics will prevail in the lawsuit. The order prevents the state from enforcing the ban pending a trial on the merits of the lawsuit. Republican state Attorney General Todd Rokita said in a statement: We plan to appeal and continue to make the case for life in Indiana, calling the abortion ban law a reasonable way to protect the unborn. Womens Med is expecting to see patients again starting Friday, McHugh said. I had really hoped for this, but honestly, I didnt really expect it, she said. So the fact that this is what happened is such a pleasant surprise and such a validation of what we have been saying this whole time. Whole Womans Health, which operates an abortion clinic in South Bend, said its staff members are making plans to resume abortion care in the near future. Of course, this landscape of legal back-and-forth leads to disruption in patient care and uncertainty for our staff, said Amy Hagstrom Miller, president and CEO of Whole Womans Health. Indianas ban followed the political firestorm over a 10-year-old rape victim who traveled to the state from neighboring Ohio to end her pregnancy. The case gained wide attention when an Indianapolis doctor said the child came to Indiana because of Ohios fetal heartbeat ban. Advertisement An Ohio judge has temporarily blocked that state law, indicating he will allow abortions to continue up to 20 weeks gestation until after a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 7. With Indiana now on hold, bans on abortion at any point in pregnancy are in place in 12 Republican-led states. In Wisconsin, clinics have stopped providing abortions amid litigation over whether an 1849 ban is in effect. Georgia bans abortions once fetal cardiac activity can be detected and Florida and Utah have bans that kick in after 15 and 18 weeks gestation, respectively. The Indiana ban replaced state laws that generally prohibited abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy and tightly restricted them after the 13th week. The ban includes exceptions allowing abortions in cases of rape and incest, before 10 weeks post-fertilization; to protect the life and physical health of the mother; and if a fetus is diagnosed with a lethal anomaly. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, which is representing the abortion clinics, filed the lawsuit Aug. 31 and argued the ban would prohibit the overwhelming majority of abortions in Indiana and, as such, will have a devastating and irreparable impact on the plaintiffs and, more importantly, their patients and clients. Ken Falk, the ACLU of Indianas legal director, pointed to the state constitutions declaration of rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in arguing before the judge on Monday that it included a right to privacy and to make decisions on whether to have children. The state attorney generals office said the court should uphold the ban, saying arguments against it are based on a novel, unwritten, historically unsupported right to abortion in the state constitution. Advertisement The constitutional text nowhere mentions abortion, and Indiana has prohibited or heavily regulated abortion by statute since 1835 before, during, and after the time when the 1851 Indiana Constitution was drafted, debated, and ratified, the office said in a court filing. The question of whether the Indiana Constitution protects abortion rights is undecided. A state appeals court decision in 2004 said privacy was a core value under the state constitution that extended to all residents, including women seeking an abortion. But the Indiana Supreme Court later set aside that ruling without addressing whether the state constitution included such a right. Hanlon, a Republican who was first elected in 2014 as a judge in the rural southern Indiana county, wrote that Indianas constitution is more explicit in its affirmation of individual rights and its limitation of legislative power to intrude into personal affairs than the U.S. Constitution. There is a reasonable likelihood that decisions about family planning, including decisions about whether to carry pregnancy to term, are protected by the state constitution, Hanlon wrote. Planned Parenthood and other abortion clinic operators involved in the lawsuit said in a statement that they were grateful that the court granted much needed relief for patients, clients, and providers but this fight is far from over. The parents of Azuree Charles, a 9-year-old boy who authorities say was killed in May, have been charged in his death, according to a Pennsylvania district attorney. Azuree, found dead behind his New Kensington home on May 4, was ruled to have died from mechanical strangulation, Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said in a news briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 21. His father, Jean Charles, faces charges of murder, criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, unlawful restraint of a minor by a parent, strangulation, concealing the death of a child and tampering with physical evidence, the district attorney said. He had previously been in jail on assault and child endangerment charges that dated back to a November incident, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. Luella Elien, Azurees mother, was charged Wednesday with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children and hindering apprehension or prosecution of another person, Ziccarelli said. Its unclear what role she may have played in the boys death. This horrific tragedy has rocked the New Kensington community, it has rocked our office, the New Kensington Police Department and our county as a whole, Ziccarelli said while announcing the charges. The trauma that has affected us all, however, pales in comparison to what Azuree no doubt experienced. Azuree was found behind the shed of his home, lying underneath lawn furniture, mud and dirt, WTAE reported. Jean Charles was allegedly seen that morning carrying a shovel and pushing the boys bike, according to the Pittsburgh TV station. A boy who lives near the home told police he woke up early in the morning on May 4 and heard Azuree yell, NO NO NO, IM SORRY, according to the Tribune-Review. Neighbors of the family said Azuree was a recent cancer survivor, according to KDKA. Ziccarelli previously said he had three younger siblings. All he does is ride his bike and play with his sister and for something like this to happen to him, its unbelievable. Its got to stop, whatever is going on, said Osie Taylor, who KDKA reported found the boys body. Story continues The parents are in custody, the district attorney said Wednesday. New Kensington is about 20 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Babys body found buried in NC yard, cops say. Childs parents charged with murder Mom charged after 8-year-old is strangled, Wisconsin cops say. A sweet, smart kid Mom arrested after sons body found in trunk of car during traffic stop, MN cops say Austyn Evans was worried when she received the kind of news no mom-to-be wants to hear: her babys heart rate was dropping, and he needed to be delivered early. As soon as he was born, baby Conrad got rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit, where he met a NICU nurse named Carly Miller. Little did anyone know that this meeting between a tiny patient and a dedicated caregiver would lead to a lifelong relationship. Carly was instantly charismatic and funny. She kept talking about how cute Conrad was, Evans, 28, told TODAY Parents. The way she talked to him when she was doing his vitals or she was taking blood, she was constantly talking to him in this really cute little mom voice and trying to be as comforting as she could even though he was extremely sedated. NICU nurse Carly Miller showed compassion and care while tending to the needs of baby Conrad. (Courtesy Austyn Evans) For his first five days in the NICU, Miller worked closely with Conrad for continuity of care. It was pretty critical for Conrad. We werent really sure the direction he was going to go, Miller, 27, a nurse at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, told TODAY Parents. I got to spend a lot of time with (Conrads parents) at the bedside. Conrad had kidney problems, and he also had such serious breathing difficulties that he needed to be on a ventilator. When a 20-week anatomy scan detected that Conrad had a type of kidney blockage and Evans had no amniotic fluid, doctors relocated her from her local Florida hospital to the Pavilion for Women at Texas Childrens Hospital to help her baby grow as much as possible. They also suspected the infant would need extra support after birth. Then Conrad's heart rate dropped on Dec. 15, and Evans delivered him when she was 35 weeks pregnant. For the next 37 days, Evans and her husband, Branden Williams, could not hold Conrad as he relied on machines to help him become stable and grow. Miller often provided Evans with updates. Carlys voice was the voice I heard when I called for a check-up, Evans said. I would hang out to chat with Carly because that was the only communication I had and she was the only one who really knew Conrad. Story continues For the first 37 days of Conrad's life, his mom Austyn Evans and dad Branden Williams couldn't hold him because he was hooked up to so many machines and wires. When they finally could, Carly Miller, his nurse, was there to celebrate with them. (Courtesy Austyn Evans) Evans and Williams didnt have a lot of support locally, and many of their loved ones hadnt even met Conrad. We were so isolated because of COVID and being away from our family, Evans said. A relationship (with Miller) that was so professional over time became so personal to me. When doctors planned to move Conrad to another pod so he could start continuous renal replacement therapy, a type of dialysis, Evans learned that Miller wouldnt be his primary nurse anymore. She asked whether Miller might be able to move to be with Conrad. At first Miller hesitated because of her lack of experience; this type of dialysis machine was being used for the very first time with the hospital's NICU patients. Its like a big (external) kidney, Miller said. This goes on for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its a very very critical point to be at and theres a lot of things that can go wrong with this. Carly Miller, baby Conrad's NICU nurse, knows exactly how he likes to be swaddled and soothed when he's fussy. (Courtesy Austyn Evans) Doctors worried that Conrad wouldnt be able to handle the treatment. While a little wary, Miller agreed to stick with Conrad. A lot of the doctors did not think he was going to make it, Miller said. He was one of the smallest babies weve ever put on the machine, so its pretty groundbreaking for them to have Conrad get through it. If the family had questions that Miller didnt know how to answer, shed find a way to track down the information they needed. Miller's steady presence at so many crucial moments, such as when Evans first held Conrad, created a bond between the family and the nurse. Whats more, the infant consistently responded to Miller. I would come in and say, Hi really loud and immediately he started looking around to try to figure out where (Im) at, Miller said. It really makes your heart swell. For months, baby Conrad struggled in the hospital. Still, when he heard nurse Carly Miller's voice, he'd look around searching for her. (Courtesy Austyn Evans) Evans said Miller understands the best way to swaddle Conrad and knows how to soothe him in ways no one else can. On bad days, Evans jokingly texts Miller to come get her (baby). One of the nights that I was leaving Conrad I was waiting for Carly, Evans recalled. He was just super fussy I mean ridiculously so. And the moment he saw Carly his eyes lit up. He was super smiley. And when I tried to grab him go give him a hug before I left, he shooed me away. When Conrad was leaving the hospital after six months, Evans felt the urge to ask Miller to be his godmother but she panicked and didnt ask. So she invited Miller to come visit and presented her with flowers and a note from Conrad asking her whether she would be his godmother. Before Miller finished reading, she said, "Yes," much to Evans delight. We kept everything as professional as we could in the NICU but just the conversations we had sitting in his hospital room or the victories that we celebrated and we cried over together were really important to me, Evans said. Thinking about leaving that place and having to never see Carly again was heart-wrenching. Conrad Miller said she feels honored that she will get to be a part of Conrads life for years to come. I started bawling. I was like, Are you serious? Then I asked her if she ran out of people to ask, Miller said. It is hands down the coolest thing that Ive had happen. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Trains keep parking on a stretch of tracks in a Chester County community, blocking lanes and causing big delays for people who need to get from one side of town to the other. The delays because of the trains are causing headaches for residents, but even the local sheriffs office says it could be a life or death issue. This has been an issue in Chester going back at least several years. PAST COVERAGE: Residents in Chester frustrated because trains block roads Channel 9 was in Chester Thursday when we saw a train take about 30 minutes to pass the track over Gadsden Street. At times, the train came to a complete stop on the tracks; other times, it rolled backwards, testing the patience of more than a dozen drivers. I dont have any idea whats going on, said Gwen Hicks. Sometimes Ill turn around and take another route, but today I dont feel like going through all them problems, so Im just gonna sit here and wait til the train moves. But even if Hicks had moved from that spot on Gadsden Street, theres no guarantee shed find a faster way around. A lot of these tracks are very connected, so you may be blocked at one point, think you can go around, and youre blocked by the same train at a different point, said Grant Suskin with the Chester County Sheriffs Office. RELATED: Action 9: Train blocks traffic, emergency vehicles to west Charlotte residents Suskin says the delays are creating a public safety issue. Some calls are life and death situations, those minutes it takes to go around the tracks to another location can mean the difference between life and death, he said. A report from the sheriffs office shows 10 different rail crossings that can be impacted by the delays. According to data collected by the office, some trains can block railroad crossings for up to four hours. The data also shows that the problem has been on the rise in recent months. Chester County sent a statement to Channel 9 saying these delays are putting lives in danger. Story continues We reached out to BNSF Railroad, which owns the train Channel 9 saw blocking the railroad crossing Thursday. A spokesperson with BNSF said it doesnt operate the tracks in South Carolina, and the spokesperson recommended we reach out to CSX and Norfolk Southern. CSX told Channel 9, in part, We are aware of concerns about blocked crossings in Chester County. We are looking into the matter and continue to maintain an open line of communication with local officials. Norfolk Southern also issued a statement to Channel 9, saying: We are not the only railroad company operating in Chester and many of the crossings have multiple tracks/railroads on them. From time to time, trains have to stop for many valid reasons maintenance issues, crew hour limits (similar to airline pilots, this is regulated by the federal government), or congestion ahead, among others. Regardless, Norfolk Southern never wants to inconvenience any member of a community with a blocked crossing. We work hard to keep trains moving and to minimize these impacts whenever they happen. Relationships with local communities and the officials representing them are important to us, and we look forward to continuing to build the ones we have here in Chester. MORE: Train collision leaves two rail employees hospitalized in SC Meanwhile, drivers in Chester are hoping for a quick resolution. If there is a solution, I would be happy to see one, and Im sure most of my family would, too, said Hope Thompson. The sheriffs office tells Channel 9 its still collecting data, and officials want to have a public meeting with the train companies, rail operators, and lawmakers to hash out a solution. Chester County officials said Rep. Ralph Norman has also been asked to help resolve the problem. (WATCH BELOW: 4 killed after car, train collide in South Carolina) A fight between neighbors over a parking space ended with one man fatally shooting the other, Ohio police told news outlets. The incident happened around 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept 21, on the north side of Columbus, according to a Columbus Police Department report. Two men, 32-year-old Johnnie Wappner and 32-year-old Marcus Deloney, got into a heated argument over a shared parking space, the Columbus Dispatch reported. The parking issue was apparently an ongoing feud, not only between Wappner and Deloney, but also their families, investigators told WCMH. The Wednesday night dispute began after one of the families allegedly parked too many vehicles in the shared space, according to the station, and members of both families came outside with guns. The situation turned physical and, at some point, as Deloney was trying to pull someone away from his wife, Wappner is accused of shooting him in the head, WCMH reported. When police arrived at the scene, they performed life-saving efforts on Deloney and he was taken by ambulance to a hospital, a police report said. He was pronounced dead at 11:11 p.m. Wappner was taken into custody and has been charged with murder, according to the report. He remains in jail with a court hearing scheduled for Sept. 23. No bond has been set. Deloneys killing marks the 100th homicide of the year in Columbus, police said. Man killed after asking late-night lake visitors to be more quiet, Illinois cops say Man shoots and kills his mom as they argued putting away groceries, Missouri cops say Intruder killed in struggle with homeowner after breaking into Wisconsin home, cops say Woman killed partner and his daughters boyfriend dismembered body in Ohio, records show House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday denounced a Republican House candidate from Michigan who once argued that women dont possess the characteristics necessary to govern and supported an attempt to repeal the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. That candidate was actually backed in the GOP primary by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), presumably because he was seen as too far right to win the general election. John Gibbs, who was also supported in the primary by former President Donald Trump, made the comments as a student at Stanford University in the early 2000s, CNN reported this week. John Gibbs speaks to reporters after voting in Byron Township, Mich., on Aug. 2. (Sarah Rice/Washington Post via Getty Images) At Stanford, Gibbs founded the Society for the Critique of Feminism, a self-described think tank that contended that the womens suffrage movement had made the United States into a totalitarian state. Its now-defunct webpage also argued that the United States has suffered as a result of womens suffrage. What he's saying is outrageous, Pelosi said when asked by reporters about the comments during her weekly press briefing on Capitol Hill. I don't think many members of here would subscribe to that, but the insult to women's intelligence is one that exists in many forms around here. The California Democrat compared such ideas to the current push from some Republican lawmakers to ban abortion. I think I hear something like that every day around here, when people say that women shouldn't be able to make their choices about contraception or their own reproductive health, Pelosi said. That's a sign of disrespect for women. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill on Thursday. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) In the GOP primary last month, Gibbs defeated incumbent Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Mich., a first-term congressman who was one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump in 2021. During the primary, the DCCC spent $435,000 on an advertisement to boost Gibbs because it felt he would be easier to beat than Meijer in the November general election. Gibbs is facing Democrat Hillary Scholten in the race to represent Michigans Third Congressional District. A Penn State professor was accused Wednesday of stalking a female faculty member who told a university police detective it caused substantial emotional distress and led her to consider seeking treatment. Brandon A. Schwartz, a 36-year-old assistant research professor in the Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, was accused of following the woman inside the Willard Building and also using a cell phone to look up her dress. Schwartz, of Lemont, will plead not guilty, defense lawyer Brian Manchester wrote in an email Thursday. He declined further comment. A university spokesperson did not directly answer if Schwartz was disciplined. The University is aware of these disturbing criminal charges and is investigating in accordance with Penn State policy and applicable law, spokesman Wyatt DuBois wrote in an email Thursday. The University is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all members of the Penn State Community. The woman first noticed Schwartz in June. He would often linger in a stairway during the same 15-minute period, a detective wrote in an affidavit of probable cause. Video, the detective wrote, showed Schwartz would leave his office in the Hosler Building at 2 p.m. and head to the nearby Willard Building. He walked the hallway adjacent to the womans classroom and would often wait in the stairway for upward of 30 minutes, police wrote. Schwartz, police wrote, appeared to have no legitimate business in the Willard Building. He was accused of following the woman twice in July and August. Investigators were granted a search warrant earlier this month. They reviewed Schwartzs internet search history, which included looking up the womans name. He also search for information about Peeping Toms and voyeurism, police wrote. The woman identified Schwartz in a photo array of eight people, police wrote. Schwartz told investigators he entered the Willard Building for exercise and denied following any female faculty members. No images of the woman were found on his phone, though a detective intimated they may have been deleted. Schwartz was charged with four misdemeanor counts of stalking and two misdemeanor counts of attempted invasion of privacy. He was arraigned Thursday by District Judge Steven Lachman, who released him pending his appearance at future court hearings. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 19. A jury convicted a former Philadelphia police officer on Wednesday of the 2017 fatal shooting of a 25-year-old unarmed Black man in what was described as the citys first murder trial in almost half a century for a civilians death at the hands of law enforcement. Eric Ruch Jr., 34, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and possession of an instrument of crime in the killing of Dennis Plowden. The jury found Ruch not guilty of third-degree murder. The ex-officer was denied bail, and his sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 17. Ruch was in an unmarked police vehicle on Dec. 27, 2017, when he spotted Plowden driving a car the officer claimed he believed was connected to a homicide case, and he called in for more backup. But prosecutors argued that Ruchs message to other police officers contained no information indicating that anyone confidently knew the vehicle may have been involved in a homicide. The increase in police cars led to a high-speed chase that prosecutors said lasted about 2 minutes, until Plowden crashed into several parked cars and a pole. Plowden was reportedly dazed and sitting on the ground while raising his left hand to try to obey police commands when Ruch shot him in the head. Plowden was shot about six seconds after Ruch arrived on the scene. Ruch and other officers who were at the scene, none of whom was equipped with a body camera, claimed that they believed Plowden was using his right hand to reach for a weapon in his jacket. But prosecutors accused the officers of lying, arguing that Plowden could not pose a threat when he was dazed, on the ground and defenseless. There was no gun found on the man after he was shot. Former Philadelphia police Officer Eric Ruch Jr. was convicted Wednesday of voluntary manslaughter in the 2017 shooting death of a Black driver after a high-speed car chase. (Photo: Philadelphia Police Department via Associated Press) Former Philadelphia police Officer Eric Ruch Jr. was convicted Wednesday of voluntary manslaughter in the 2017 shooting death of a Black driver after a high-speed car chase. (Photo: Philadelphia Police Department via Associated Press) The Philadelphia Police Department fired Ruch about 10 months after the shooting. Former Police Commissioner Richard Ross, who was responsible for the firing, said that Ruch used poor tactics and went too far in killing Plowden, according to WCAU-TV. Story continues A grand jury in 2020 recommended four criminal charges against Ruch, including one for first-degree murder. The first-degree charge was later thrown out. Ruchs prosecution was one of three homicide cases brought against police since progressive Larry Krasner became Philadelphias district attorney in 2018. The other two are pending and accuse Ryan Pownall in the death of 30-year-old David Jones, as well as Edsaul Mendoza in the death of 12-year-old Thomas TJ Siderio. Pownall and Mendoza were also dismissed by the police department after the killings. Before Krasner, the last time Philadelphia held a murder trial for law enforcement in the death of a civilian was almost 40 years ago, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. A jury acquitted former police officer John Ziegler in 1984 in the fatal shooting of a teenager. In a statement on Wednesday, Krasner thanked the jury and he thanked his team for their work on the case. He said he will say more about this trial upon Ruchs sentencing in November. Plowdens family had already won a $1.2 million wrongful death settlement from the city. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Supporters hold posters with the image of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman who died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly violating the country's hijab rules, during a protest outside the United Nations in New York on Wednesday while Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was inside. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman, died in police custody last week after she was accused of not wearing her hijab properly and was detained by Tehrans morality police. Aminis death has prompted days of street protests in numerous Iranian cities some of which have turned deadly, posing a challenge to the Iranian government and beyond. Hundreds of people gather in front of Dom Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, on Wednesday in memory of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after allegedly being arrested for violating Iran's hijab rules. (NurPhoto via Getty Images) Protesters berate Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images) An exhibit of portraits of alleged victims of Iranian state violence set up near the United Nations on Tuesday. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) Protesters in Istanbul are pushed away from Taksim Square by riot police during a demonstration in support of 22-year-old Iranian Mahsa Amini. (Ozan Kose/ AFP via Getty Images) Turkish riot police officers detain a protester during a demonstration in Istanbul in support of Mahsa Amini. (Ozan Koseo/AFP via Getty Images) Iranian protesters burn trash in the streets of Tehran as demonstrations spread to 15 cities across Iran overnight over the death of Mahsa Amini after her arrest by the country's morality police. (AFP via Getty Images) Trash bins, one on fire, are used to partially block a street during protest for Mahsa Amini in Tehran. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Flowers and candles are arranged in the shape of a heart in front of Dom Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, during a protest against the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in Iran. (NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Posters of Mahsa Amini are held during a protest in Cologne, Germany, on Wednesday. (NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) People step on a poster of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during a protest outside the United Nations on Wednesday in New York. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WASHINGTON Stark repudiation by federal judges he appointed. Far-reaching fraud allegations by New Yorks attorney general. Its been a week of widening legal troubles for Donald Trump, laying bare the challenges piling up as the former president operates without the protections afforded by the White House. The bravado that served him well in the political arena is less handy in a legal realm dominated by verifiable evidence, where judges this week have looked askance at his claims and where a fraud investigation that took root when Trump was still president burst into public view in an allegation-filled 222-page state lawsuit. Advertisement In politics, you can say what you want and if people like it, it works. In a legal realm, its different, said Chris Edelson, a presidential powers scholar and American University government professor. Its an arena where there are tangible consequences for missteps, misdeeds, false statements in a way that doesnt apply in politics. That distinction between politics and law was evident in a single 30-hour period this week. Advertisement Trump insisted on Fox News in an interview that aired Wednesday that the highly classified government records he had at Mar-a-Lago actually had been declassified, that a president has the power to declassify information even by thinking about it. A day earlier, however, an independent arbiter his own lawyers had recommended appeared skeptical when the Trump team declined to present any information to support his claims that the documents had been declassified. The special master, Raymond Dearie, a veteran federal judge, said Trumps team was trying to have its cake and eat it, too, and that, absent information to back up the claims, he was inclined to regard the records the way the government does: Classified. On Wednesday morning, Letitia James, the New York State attorney general, accused Trump in a lawsuit of padding his net worth by billions of dollars and habitually misleading banks about the value of prized assets. The lawsuit, the culmination of a three-year investigation that began when he was president, also names as defendants three of his adult children and seeks to bar them from ever again running a company in the state. Trump has denied any wrongdoing. Hours later, three judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit two of them Trump appointees handed him a startling loss in the Mar-a-Lago investigation. The court overwhelmingly rejected arguments that he was entitled to have the special master do an independent review of the roughly 100 classified documents taken during last months FBI search. That ruling opened the way for the Justice Department to resume its use of the classified records in its probe. It lifted a hold placed by a lower court judge, Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee whose rulings in the Mar-a-Lago matter had to date been the sole bright spot for the former president. On Thursday, she responded by striking the parts of her order that had required the Justice Department to give Dearie, and Trumps lawyers, access to the classified records. Dearie followed up with his own order, giving the Trump team until Sept. 30 to identify errors or mistakes in the FBIs detailed inventory of items taken in the search. Between Dearies position, and the appeals court ruling, I think that basically there may be a developing consensus, if not an already developed consensus, that the government has the stronger position in a lot of these issues and a lot of these controversies, said Richard Serafini, a Florida criminal defense lawyer and former Justice Department prosecutor. Advertisement To be sure, Trump is hardly a stranger to courtroom dramas, having been deposed in numerous lawsuits throughout his decades-long business career, and he has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to survive situations that seemed dire. His lawyers did not immediately respond Thursday to a request seeking comment. In the White House, Trump had faced a perilous investigation into whether he had obstructed a Justice Department probe of possible collusion between Russia and his 2016 campaign. Ultimately, he was protected at least in part by the power of the presidency, with special counsel Robert Mueller citing longstanding department policy prohibiting the indictment of a sitting president. He was twice impeached by a Democratic-led House of Representatives once over a phone call with Ukraines leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the second time over the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol but was acquitted by the Senate on both occasions thanks to political support from fellow Republicans. It remains unclear if any of the current investigations the Mar-a-Lago one or probes related to Jan. 6 or Georgia election interference will produce criminal charges. And the New York lawsuit is a civil matter. But theres no question Trump no longer enjoys the legal shield of the presidency, even though he has repeatedly leaned on an expansive view of executive power to defend his retention of records the government says are not his, no matter their classification. Advertisement Notably, the Justice Department and the federal appeals court have paid little heed to his assertions that the records had been declassified. For all his claims on TV and social media, both have noted that Trump has presented no formal information to support the idea that he took any steps at all to declassify the records. The appeals court called the declassification question a red herring because even declassifying a record would not change its content or transform it from a government document into a personal one. And the statutes the Justice Department cites as the basis of its investigation do not explicitly mention classified information. Trumps lawyers also have stopped short of saying in court, or in legal briefs, that the records were declassified. They told Dearie they shouldnt be forced to disclose their stance on that issue now because it could be part of their defense in the event of an indictment. Even some legal experts who have otherwise sided with Trump in his legal fights are dubious of his assertions. Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor who testified as a Republican witness in the first impeachment proceedings in 2019, said he was struck by the lack of a coherent and consistent position from the former president on the classified documents. Its not clear, he added, what Jedi-like lawyers said that you could declassify things with a thought, but the courts are unlikely to embrace that claim. Pierce Brosnan has admitted that painting with his hands helped him to handle his late wifes ovarian cancer. The James Bond star was married to Australian actor Cassandra Harris from 1980 to her death in 1991, aged 43. The pair had one son, Sean, together. In a new interview, Brosnan said that he had long been interested in art, with the pages of his script often covered in repetitions of symbols, self-portraits. Emblems of some Celtic past. His first show will open at Seasons LA, a gallery in Los Angeles, next spring. Brosnan told GQ that one of the works on display will show Harris in her second year of ovarian cancer dealing with that disease. Carrying the weight and pain and the fear of that illness, I took out the paints, he explained. And started painting. With my fingers. With my hands, actually. Thats how we start [the exhibition] heavy. But beautiful, beautiful. Painting, Brosnan said, assuages the kind of solitary life that you lead as an actor making films sitting in trailers, sitting in parking lots, sitting in fields. Up a mountain, down a mountain. Waiting in the wings. So I create studios wherever I go. Of painting alongside his son Paris, who he shares with his wife Keely Shaye Smith, the Mamma Mia! star explained: He just devours these canvases. It just fills me with the greatest pride, fatherly pride, to be painting alongside him, just to be quiet in the garage or wherever weve painted. Its a really beautiful experience. Paris said of his own father: Hes, like, evolving into a legit artist and taking it to the top. Phoenix police have made an arrest in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a Phoenix resident. Phoenix police have made an arrest in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a Phoenix resident. Sgt. Phil Krynsky, a Phoenix police spokesperson, said in a written statement that officers arrested 45-year-old John Cole, the suspect in the kidnapping, murder and dismemberment of 28-year-old Antoine Smith. Phoenix police responded to a missing persons call on Sept. 19 where officers learned that Smith had been kidnapped from his apartment between the evening of Sept. 16 and the morning of Sept. 17, Krynsky said. The motive for Smith's kidnapping is believed to have been related to a debt he owed. An investigation into the incident led police to find Cole's vehicle on the way to California where officers, assisted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, stopped and took Cole into custody. Police got a search warrant for Cole's vehicle and found human remains inside, Sgt. Krynsky said. Detectives interviewed Cole where he led them to a rural area just south of Tucson where more of Smith's remains were found. Cole claimed that the murder of Smith was an act of self-defense, police said. Cole was booked into Maricopa County Jail on multiple felonies, including first-degree murder. Reach breaking news reporter Kye Graves at klgraves@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Police: Man arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, dismemberment Take a look back at history through the front pages of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Every day we look at 10 pages that show the local, national and international headlines. Todays pages cover news reported in The Enquirer on September 22 in years ranging from 1946 to 1998. Headlines include President Bill Clinton testifying in the Monica Lewinsky scandal in 1998, the University of Cincinnati football team upset Indiana in 1946 and and the Reds celebrate Tony Perez Day in 1986. Check out more editions of Today in History at Cincinnati.com. Get full access to more than 180 years of The Enquirers print archives at Newspapers.com. Sept. 22, 1946 22 Sep 1946, Sun The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com Sept. 22, 1950 22 Sep 1950, Fri The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com Sept. 22, 1952 22 Sep 1952, Mon The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com Sept. 22, 1960 22 Sep 1960, Thu The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com Sept. 22, 1970 22 Sep 1970, Tue The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com Sept. 22, 1975 22 Sep 1975, Mon The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com Sept. 22, 1981 22 Sep 1981, Tue The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com Sept. 22, 1986 22 Sep 1986, Mon The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com Sept. 22, 1987 22 Sep 1987, Tue The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com Sept. 22, 1998 22 Sep 1998, Tue The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: President Clinton testimony | Enquirer historic front pages from Sept. 22 FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) Prosecutors dropped manslaughter charges Thursday against three nurses who were present when 12 nursing home patients suffered fatal overheating five years ago after Hurricane Irma knocked out power to their facility's air conditioning. The Broward County State Attorney's Office dismissed charges against Althia Meggie, Sergo Colin and Tamika Miller, but not Jorge Carballo, the home's administrator. He is still scheduled to go on trial next month, and prosecutors said Meggie, Colin and Miller would testify against him. The victims, ranging in age from 57 to 99, had body temperatures of up to 108 degrees (42 degrees celsius), paramedics have reported. The staff has been criticized for not taking the patients to a hospital across the street that had air conditioning. Carballo's attorney, James Cobb, did not immediately return a call Thursday seeking comment. He sent a letter to Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor last week saying, Ive never seen a more malicious, misguided prosecution in my life." He told Pryor that lead prosecutor Chris Killoran has admitted to him that Carballo will be acquitted. He said Pryor and Killoran have no good faith reasonable belief that you can obtain a conviction of Mr. Carballo. Pryor, in a Thursday letter, responded, I am aware of the challenges ahead; however, we do believe we have a good faith basis to proceed against your client. The deaths began at the Rehabilitation Center of Hollywood Hills three days after Irma knocked out a transformer that powered the cooling system at the 150-bed, two-story facility in suburban Fort Lauderdale. Otherwise, the facility never lost power. A state report said that before the storm hit on Sept. 10, 2017, Carballo and his staff made appropriate preparations. They purchased extra food and water and seven days fuel for the generator. Administrators also participated in statewide conference calls with regulators, including one where then-Gov. Rick Scott said nursing homes should call his cellphone for help. Story continues After the air conditioner was knocked out, Carballo and his facility manager contacted Florida Power & Light. When that didn't work, they tried calling Scott's cellphone and county and city officials. No help came. Temperatures that week were in the upper 80s (about 31 degrees Celsius). On Sept. 12, two days after the storm, serious problems began to arise. Employees tried to use portable air conditioners to keep the patients cool, but they were not properly installed. The units on the first floor were vented into the ceiling, meaning they were displacing heat into the second floor. That's where 11 of the 12 victims lived. In an internet chatroom managers used to communicate, the director of housekeeping wrote, the patients dont look good. The report says Carballo never responded but did order the installation of large fans. In the early afternoon, Hollywood paramedics made the first of several visits over the next 16 hours: a 93-year-old man had breathing problems. A paramedic asked about the high temperatures staff said they were getting the air conditioner repaired. Paramedics took the man to the hospital across the street, where doctors measured his temperature at 106 degrees (41.1 Celsius). He died five days later. Carballo told investigators that when he left at 11 p.m. the temperature inside the home was safe. The report found that not credible. At 3 a.m. on Sept. 13, paramedics returned to treat an elderly woman in cardiac arrest, with one telling investigators the homes temperature was ungodly hot. The womans temperature was 107 (41.7 Celsius) and so was another persons. The paramedics were called into a room where Colin, the lead nurse, was performing CPR on a dead man. Paramedics told investigators the man had rigor mortis, meaning he had been dead for hours, undercutting the staffs contention they monitored patients closely. The report says security video shows no one visited the man for seven hours. Paramedics said Colin tried to stop them from checking other patients, saying everything was OK. Lt. Amy Parrinello said she replied, you told me that before and now we have multiple deceased patients so with all due respect, I dont trust your judgment. At 6 a.m., fire Capt. Andrew Holtfreter arrived and was summoned to another dead body. A paramedic began treating a patient whose temperature was so high it couldnt be measured -- the departments thermometers max out at 108 degrees (42.2 Celsius). Alarmed by the patients arriving at its emergency room, Memorial Hospital staff went across the street. One nurse said the home felt like the blast of heat inside a car thats been sitting in the sun all day. The fire department ordered the home evacuated. Soon, Hollywood homicide detectives arrived -- about the time FPL came to fix the air conditioner. The home never reopened. Dayton and Montgomery County Public Health will conduct an Ultra Low Volume truck mounted mosquito spraying on Friday night near the Driscoll Elementary School, according to a press release from a Centerville spokesperson. >>The time is now, A local mom and daughter advocate for sports equality on Capitol Hill The following streets will be treated with the pesticide: Marshall Road between Limberlost Trail and Stone Lake Townhomes. Terrance Park Drive. Nicolet Lane. Hithergreen Drive. Overhill Lane. Limberlost Trail. Stone Lake Townhomes. >>UPDATE: Power mostly restored to AES Ohio customers after outage The spray is used to reduce mosquito activity and minimize the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses such as the West Nile Virus, the spokesperson said. The Environmental Protection Agency approved this pesticide and found it poses minimal risks to residents health and the environment, the release said. Anyone who would prefer to avoid being exposed to the pesticide are encouraged to close windows, turn off window air conditioning units during spraying and for 30 minutes after, the spokesperson said. >>Is it safe to get both Covid booster and flu shots at once? For more information on Public Healths mosquito surveillance and control activities, call 937-224-8793 or click here. Dayton and Montgomery Countys Mosquito and Vector Disease Control program protects our community from mosquito-borne diseases, the city spokesperson said. The local mosquito population is monitored, tested and controlled through regular trapping, species identification and spraying in contracted areas. Russias new call to put the West on nuclear notice and double down on its war in Ukraine has upped U.S. fears of a potential nuclear conflict. In a rare national address, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered the mobilization of roughly 300,000 additional troops for the nearly seven-month conflict, making explicit threats about deploying Moscows nuclear stockpile in the process. The warnings, which come as Moscow appears to be struggling in its military campaign against Kyiv, signals that the Putin feels his vulnerability and has no option but to intensify his threats, experts say. Putin is a master of deceptive tactics and deception, and to some extent we ignore it at our peril, the threats he makes, particularly in the nuclear area, said career ambassador Thomas Pickering, who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (U.N.) as well as Russia. Even though large numbers of Americans want to discount them or believe they are so far-fetched or irrational that they will not in one way or another come to pass his warnings need to be taken very seriously, Pickering told The Hill. Putin has repeatedly made veiled nuclear threats toward the West since his invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24, though U.S. officials have generally played down fears that the Russian leader might follow through on such saber rattling. But his Wednesday warnings which accused the U.S. and its allies of nuclear blackmail and moving to destroy his country had a more menacing tone. I want to remind you that our country also has various means of destruction, and some components are more modern than those of the NATO countries, Putin bragged in the prerecorded and nationally televised address. When the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we, of course, will use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people. Its not a bluff, he added. The Biden administration is taking Putins latest address quite seriously this time around, according to officials. Story continues Its irresponsible rhetoric for a nuclear power to talk that way, but its not atypical for how hes been talking the last seven months, and we take it seriously, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told ABCs Good Morning America. We are monitoring as best we can their strategic posture so that, if we have to, we can alter ours. And President Biden, in his speech to world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly later on Wednesday, called Putins most recent nuclear threats a reckless disregard for the responsibilities of the nonproliferation regime. National security analysts believe the step up in Putins rhetoric is a telling sign of his fears over losing the war and his hold on power in Russia. The Kremlin has been dealt a series of embarrassing blows since the start of the month when Ukraine, aided with Western support and weapons, launched a counteroffensive and took back large swaths of its territory. Reports emerged of Russian troops fleeing their positions, in some cases back over the Russian border, and leaving behind valuable weapons and equipment. The losses prompted rare and intense criticism of Putin from his own politicians and leaders, some of whom called for him to resign. Others demanded an end to the conflict or a change in tactics. The speech of President Putin demonstrates that the war is not going according to President Putins plans. He has made a big miscalculation, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told Reuters. Pickering, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Russia in the mid-1990s, believes Putin is feeling the pressure the wars failures have brought him and now has his eye on remaining in power through any means. Hes in the kind of box now where these two threats that hes put forward are designed in one way or another to assure that he both stays in power and dominates the leadership scene in Russia, Pickering said. He warned that Putin may further exploit his nuclear arsenal, particularly as his own situation gets more perilous, and that the West would do well to avoid trading threats with him. I think that he knows very well that if he starts something leading to a nuclear exchange, it could very quickly get so far out of hand and no one would know how to stop it. And Ive been afraid of that for years, Pickering said. I think that at the moment, as I watch this, Im deeply concerned, he added. But others, including Caitlin Talmadge, a nuclear policy expert at Georgetown University, view Putins recent attempt to mobilize further forces as an indication hes not yet ready to resort to nuclear means in the war. Actions speak louder than words, Talmadge said in a statement to The Hill. Despite Putins nuclear rhetoric, this effort to resuscitate his conventional forces through a partial mobilization indicates he is not eager to turn to nuclear weapons. He is trying to find more non-nuclear rungs on the escalation ladder. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Despite Prince Harrys decision to step back as a senior royal and move to California, Queen Elizabeths love for her grandson remained strong until the end. After more than seven decades on the throne, the British monarch passed away on Sept. 8 in Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was 96. Robert Hardman, royal historian and author of "Queen of Our Times: The Life of Elizabeth II," told People magazine in this weeks issue that she "adored Harry right to the end, and Harry adored her." "I think she was one of the conduits between Windsor and California, and it would have been one of her dearest wishes that [the family] patch things up," he told the outlet. QUEEN ELIZABETH 'EXHAUSTED,' 'HURT' FROM PRINCE HARRY, MEGHAN MARKLE'S DECISION TO STEP DOWN AS SENIOR ROYALS Queen Elizabeth II adored her grandson Prince Harry, said royal historian Robert Hardman. Julian Simmonds - WPA Pool / Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Sussexs departures from royal duties began in 2020 over what they described as the British medias intrusions and racist attitudes toward former "Suits" star Meghan Markle, 41. The family now resides in the coastal city of Montecito with their two children. Following the couples decision, Elizabeth issued a statement in support of her grandson, 38. "My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghans desire to create a new life as a young family," she said at the time. "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." While relations have been strained between the Sussexes and members of the royal family, they all came together to mourn the queen. At one point, the Sussexes joined Prince William and Kate Middleton for a walkabout at Windsor Castle to greet well-wishers. Elizabeths state funeral took place on Monday. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Queen Elizabeth II as a proud grandmother smiles at Prince Harry as she inspects soldiers at Sandhurst Military Academy in Surrey, England, on April 12, 2006. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images "It was awkward," an insider claimed to the outlet. "Both couples found it hard. They were in a stoic spirit of just getting through it for the queen." Story continues "Its such an extraordinary historical moment and also a deeply personal one for the family that youd hope and think that all members of the family would unite and support [King Charles III] especially," said one palace insider. "And perhaps some of those wounds can be healed in the process." A close source also insisted it would likely have been Elizabeths dying wish to have her family amend their differences. "She knew that conflicts were a part of life, and she didnt hold grudges," said the insider. "Most of all, she wanted to see her family happy." ROYAL SNUB? THE REAL REASON PRINCE HARRY'S UNIFORM WAS MISSING THE SYMBOL HONORING THE QUEEN Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as the royal family marks the centenary of the Royal Air Force on July 10, 2018, in London. Chris Jackson/Getty Images Royal expert Shannon Felton Spence told Fox News Digital that she wondered what the future of Harry and Markle's relationship with the royal family would look like now that the queen is gone. "When they were on their pseudo-royal tour only days before the queen passed away, they did not see the family, even though they were in the U.K.," she said. "The queens death is the only thing that brought them together. And when I say the family, I mean the king and the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Sussexes have remained very friendly with Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack." Felton Spence noted that, ideally, the Sussexes would meet with William and Middleton whenever they make their next visit to the U.S. "The USA is such an important market for them [The Wales'] and the Sussexes make that challenging," she said. "Its in everyones best interest to mend bridges, but only time will tell if they will take those steps." WHAT QUEEN ELIZABETH'S FUNERAL TOLD THE WORLD AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR BRITAIN, KING CHARLES The royals paid their respects during Queen Elizabeth's state funeral on Monday. Getty Images True Royalty TV co-founder Nick Bullen told Fox News Digital the biggest lesson the young royals can take from the late queen's legacy is "duty and service." "It was always very clear duty and service came before everything else," he explained. "The reason so many people turned out for the queen's funeral was because she put duty and service above everything. She made so many sacrifices for her role... The crown came first. Even her late husband, Prince Philip, would always say, 'I'm not important. I'm merely doing what I have to do. I'm doing my duty and service.' It was a message that stayed with them until the end. And I think that's what the young royals need to learn from Her Majesty." Cook County Circuit Judge Carl Boyd, who is facing a misdemeanor count of domestic battery, was assigned to restricted duties Wednesday, according to a statement from the countys chief judge. Boyd, 57, was given a personal recognizance bond and ordered to stay away from his home for a week during a court hearing Wednesday, according to court officials. The Circuit Court of Cook County Executive Committee met Wednesday and Chief Judge Timothy Evans issued an order assigning Boyd to restricted duties or duties other than judicial duties, according to the statement. Advertisement Wednesdays order was issued to promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary and is effective immediately, the statement said. Evans also asked the Illinois Supreme Court to assign a judge from outside of Cook County to hear Boyds criminal case, the statement said. Advertisement Up until his arrest, Boyd was assigned in the 6th Municipal District in Markham. HIs restricted duties will be in the office of the 1st Municipal District Presiding Judge E. Kenneth Wright, Jr., according to the statement. The Markham courthouse in 2016. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) At about 10:15 p.m. Tuesday, a 57-year-old woman told police that Boyd, 57, threw a bottle at a glass door window, causing the window to break in the 10700 block of South Seeley Avenue, Chicago police said. Police reported that a woman there suffered a large cut to the left side of her face from the glass. Boyds next court date is Wednesday. An attorney for Boyd did not return messages seeking comment. pfry@chicagotribune.com Twitter @paigexfry Proudly displayed in Narelda Jacobs' childhood home in Australia was a photo of her father, Cedric, meeting Queen Elizabeth II. "As a kid, I grew up looking at her in an aspirational way and thinking: 'Gosh, that's the Queen! And that's my dad receiving an [MBE] order from the Queen!'" the Aboriginal Australian television presenter says. "She's someone that I always looked up to." But as Ms Jacobs grew older, the meaning of the photo shifted. When she looks at it now, she sees a sovereign standing in front of a man who dedicated his life to having the sovereignty of his own people recognised. "And he died waiting for that recognition," the Whadjuk Noongar woman tells the BBC. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have spoken of complicated emotions after the Queen's death. The oldest continuing cultures on Earth, they suffered greatly from colonialism. The arrival of Captain James Cook in 1770 set off events that dispossessed Indigenous Australians of their land. Massacres, profound cultural disruption, and intergenerational trauma followed. When Queen Elizabeth II first visited Australia in 1954, First Nations people were not counted as part of the population, and children were still being forcibly removed from their families to be assimilated into white households. In some parts of her tour, Aboriginal Australians were actively hidden from view. An estimated 70% of Australia's population saw the Queen on her first visit Much has changed since, but Indigenous Australians remain disproportionately worse off in terms of health, education and other measures compared to non-Indigenous Australians. "We're still not doing as well and that's because of colonial rule," Wiradjuri academic Sandy O'Sullivan says. Mixed feelings As a result Australia has struggled with the question of how to celebrate her life while acknowledging some of the country's darkest chapters. A decision to lower the Aboriginal flag to half-mast in her honour - in line with other official flags - drew some criticism, as did the decision to suspend parliament for a fortnight. A promise to rename a Melbourne hospital from an Aboriginal word, Maroondah, to Queen Elizabeth II Hospital has been attacked as "tone deaf". Story continues Controversially, the Australian Football League Women's decided against mandating a minute's silence for the Queen last week because it was Indigenous Round. But the National Rugby League fined and suspended an Indigenous player after she wrote an offensive post about the Queen that some defended as freedom of speech. For University of Canberra Chancellor and Aboriginal elder Tom Calma, the Queen led a life of service "with a whole lot of dignity and humanity". "She inherited, at a very young age, a whole lot of global challenges. We've seen a lot of change and she's been at the helm of that," says Prof Calma, a Kungarakan and Iwaidja man. She seemed sympathetic, he says, to the desires of First Nations people - such as in 2000 when she called for the government to "ensure prosperity touches all Australians", pointing out many Indigenous people felt "left behind". But some say the Queen's legacy in Australia is impossible to separate from the invasion and colonisation of the country. Among them is Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe, who referred to the Queen as a coloniser while taking her oath in parliament earlier this year. Indigenous people never ceded their sovereignty, the Djabwurrung Gunnai Gunditjmara woman wrote in the Guardian Australia last week. "The institutions that British colonisation brought here, from the education that erases us to the prisons that kill us, are designed to destroy the oldest living culture in the world," wrote Ms Thorpe. "That's the legacy of the Crown in this country." For others, there is criticism of what the Queen herself didn't do. Many Indigenous Australians made appeals to her for greater support during her reign. Among them was Ms Jacobs' father, an Anglican reverend and one-time National Aboriginal Conference chair. Though he was always "very fond" of the Queen, Cedric Jacobs had spoken to her about his people's desire for a treaty. "Could there have been something that she could have done?" Ms Jacobs asks. Narelda Jacobs with her father, Cedric Prof O'Sullivan says: "I don't have a lot of time for people who want to celebrate the idea of somebody passing away." But it's not fair to paint the Queen as simply a "kindly grandmother" given she was so influential and had "enormous wealth", the academic adds. She used that power to be an "incredibly eloquent" advocate for some causes, Prof O'Sullivan says. "[But] she certainly didn't do anything to make our lives better." Prof Calma argues the Queen inherited colonial tensions she had no part in creating. "There's always an argument that more could have happened, but that's not always in the hands of the monarch," he says. "We can't continually blame the Crown, when we've had our own constitution since 1901. It is the Australian government who has to step up." 'An opportunity' Some argue an Australia that recognises the harm colonisation has done to First Nations people, cannot remain subject to a British monarch. But a referendum on a republic looks at least three years away. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has committed to first holding a referendum on recognising Indigenous people in Australia's constitution and giving them a Voice to Parliament - a new advisory body. And even if Australia becomes a republic it may not leave the Commonwealth, Prof Calma says. Some urge the monarchy to embrace a new era. "This is an opportunity for a clean slate," Prof O'Sullivan says. "I have a lot of a lot of hope." Tom Calma, left, pictured with King Charles on one of his visits to Australia Some Indigenous Australians want King Charles III to make an apology for the damage done by colonialism - like that offered to New Zealand's Maori in 1995. There are also calls for reparations - financial compensation, the return of land and artefacts, and the repatriation of ancestral remains located in British museums. The King could also consider lending his support to the campaign for the Voice to Parliament, some say. All the BBC spoke to said they wanted the King to meet with First Nations people, and to listen. "It is really frustrating. These are the same conversations that our leaders would have had with his mum," Ms Jacobs said. "But I don't want anybody else to die waiting to have their sovereignty as a First Nations person recognised." Queen Elizabeth II was left very hurt and exhausted by the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs decision to step down as senior royals, a royal book has claimed. In the forthcoming book The New Royals: Queen Elizabeths Legacy and the Future of the Crown, a source close to the Queen has revealed that the late monarch was exhausted by the turmoil of Prince Harry and Meghan Markles decision to leave the royal family. She was very hurt and told me, I dont know, I dont care, and I dont want to think about it anymore, the source said, according to an extract of the book which was published in Vanity Fair. The book, which is written byVanity Fairs royal correspondent Katie Nicholl, also claims that the Queen was disappointed when Harry and Meghan didnt return to the UK in August with their two children Archie Harrison, three, and Lilibet Lili Diana, one for a sleepover at Balmoral Castle. It was a source of sadness to the Queen that she got to see so little of Archie and Lilibet and that Harry and Meghan were not able to join her for a weekend at Balmoral in August, when the Queen used to host a sleepover for all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the book said. Queen Elizabeth II passed away at age 96 in her home at Balmoral on 8 September. Now that Harrys father King Charles III has succeeded the throne, the book claims the king is eager to mend the relationship between the Sussexes and the royal family. He is hurt and disappointed but he has always said his love for Harry is unconditional, said a source close to the family, adding that Charles also wants to have a role as a grandparent to Archie and Lilibet. In his first public address to the nation after the death of the Queen, King Charles briefly mentioned his youngest son and daughter-in-law, who relocated to California after stepping down from the royal family in 2020. I also want to express my love for Harry and Meghan, as they continue to build their lives overseas, he told viewers. Story continues Despite rumours of an ongoing rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the family, there were a number of moments leading up to the Queens funeral that many people considered to be positive signs of a mending relationship. On 10 September, the Prince and Princess of Wales reunited with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they viewed floral tributes left for the Queen outside Windsor Castle. According to a royal source, Prince William extended the invitation to Prince Harry to appear publicly together as he believed it was an important show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family. Four days later, the brothers appeared side-by-side once again when they walked behind the Queens coffin procession to the lying in state. Prince William, dressed in his RAF No 1 uniform, and Prince Harry, in a morning coat and pinned medals, marched slowly behind their father as the Queens coffin was taken from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. WASHINGTON The U.S. Air Force on Thursday awarded a $985 million contract to Raytheon Technologies to develop and demonstrate scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missiles. The contract starts to move the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, or HACM, program out of the prototyping phase and into becoming an operational weapon that could be used in combat. It also cuts the number of companies vying to make the weapon from three to one. Under the deal, the HACM program will take Raytheons prototype design and prepare it to be integrated into a fighter aircraft that could then be used in combat, the Air Force said in a release Thursday. Raytheon will also deliver two HACMs, the release said. The Air Force said HACM will be an air-launched standoff weapon that can hit high-value targets in contested environments and could be fired from beyond the reach of enemy air defenses. The service hopes to have a HACM weapon that could be used in combat by fiscal 2027. Hypersonic weapons such as the HACM can fly multiple times the speed of sound and can maneuver mid-flight, making them hard for enemies to track and shoot down. In a future war against an adversary with advanced air defenses, such as China, the weapon could be used to strike valuable targets well within those defenses and otherwise out of reach. A fighter armed with such a weapon could fly to the edge of where the adversarys defenses could reach and then fire the weapon. Once the HACMs scramjet pushes the aircraft to about Mach 5, it could then outrun and evade air defenses on its way to the target, without putting the fighter pilot at risk. HACM is a powerful example of developing and integrating combat capabilities alongside our partners from the beginning, Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown said in the release. HACM will provide our commanders with tactical flexibility to employ fighters to hold high-value, time-sensitive targets at risk, while maintaining bombers for other strategic targets. Story continues The contract marks the end of more than a year of competition between major defense contractors to prove their concept will work. The Air Force and Australia teamed up in 2020 to develop air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile prototypes under a bilateral project arrangement called the Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment, or SCIFiRE. In June 2021, the Air Force awarded 15-month SCIFiRE contracts to Raytheon, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin to finish their preliminary designs for a hypersonic cruise missile. The Air Force said in Thursdays release the U.S. and Australia will keep collaborating on HACMs design and development under the SCIFiRE agreement. Part of this continued collaboration will include using Australias test infrastructure for HACMs first all-up-round flight tests. A lack of sufficient infrastructure to test hypersonics has been a major hindrance for developing these weapons in the United States, industry officials told Pentagon leaders earlier this year. Lawmakers and DoD officials have sought to expand American testing capabilities to fix this. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell outside the Senate chamber on September 14, 2022. Stefani Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images Democrats teed up a procedural vote Thursday on a bill to disclose dark-money groups' donors. Republicans blocked the bill, hindering Democratic efforts to increase transparency in elections. GOP senators told Insider that revealing those donors would make them vulnerable to harassment. Republican senators on Thursday voted to block a bill that would have required so-called dark money groups to disclose their donors, hindering Democrats' efforts to increase transparency in elections. The Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act targets political nonprofit groups and super PACs, requiring them to reveal donors who have contributed more than $10,000 during an election cycle. The measure also applies to groups that spend money on ads supporting or opposing judicial nominees. The bill failed to advance as 49 Republicans voted against it. Republican Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho did not vote. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer first introduced the bill in 2010 and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island has re-introduced it in every Congress since, after the landmark 2010 Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision allowed outside groups to spend unlimited sums of money on elections. Nonprofits are not legally obligated to disclose their donors. Super PACs, on the other hand, are subject to federal campaign finance disclosure laws, but their funding often comes from dark money groups. Whitehouse told Insider on Wednesday that he believes the GOP's widespread opposition is a demonstration of the party's dependency on dark money. "Unfortunately, the Republican party has become as dependent on dark money as a deep-sea diver is on his air hose," said Whitehouse. "And so even though my colleagues know that the public hates this stuff, they try to respond to that hatred with their own efforts to paint us as a dark-money party. They have no choice but to vote against the DISCLOSE Act and protect their dark-money donors." Story continues Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island at a hearing on Capitol Hill on April 4, 2022. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images A long-running battle This is not the first time Republicans have successfully blocked the bill from reaching the necessary 60 votes to open debate on legislation: it's happened at least 10 times in the past 12 years, including with two standalone votes in 2010, two in 2012, and as an amendment to the budget in 2015. More recently, a version of the legislation was included in the Democratic-led For the People Act, a sweeping elections and campaign finance bill that Republicans blocked last year. A particularly strong opponent of the bill is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who once compared efforts to disclose dark money groups' donors to the "creation of a modern day Nixonian enemies list." He reiterated his opposition on Wednesday morning, saying the bill would "erode the First Amendment." Insider spoke with a handful of Republican senators at the Capitol about their opposition to the bill ahead of the vote. Both Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas invoked the 1958 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People v. Alabama Supreme Court decision, which blocked the state of Alabama then largely led by segregationist Democrats from forcing the NAACP's local affiliate to disclose its membership lists, arguing that members had the right to "pursue their lawful private interests privately." "Racist Democrats wanted to go after the NAACP and persecute their supporters," Cruz said. "Democrats have wanted to do this for a long time." "That's the lens through which I think about this and analyze this," Hawley said, arguing that broad donor disclosure would somehow be "weaponized" by Democrats. "I don't want to see them doxxed, and hassled, and harried, and harmed, and that's what this bill is about." Whitehouse scoffed at the argument, which Republicans and conservatives have made repeatedly over the years. "If you can't tell the difference between a regular member of the NAACP in the Jim Crow South, with organized violence constant," Whitehouse said, "and a secretive billionaire donor manipulating American democracy through a phony front group, it's gonna be very hard to explain any reality to you." "There clearly is just a massive, massive difference," he added. Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas at a hearing on Capitol Hill on April 4, 2022. Win McNamee/Getty Images A bipartisan problem Since the Citizens United ruling 12 years ago, dark money spending has exploded in elections. Nonprofits have poured around $2 billion into elections, most of which can be linked to dark money groups, OpenSecrets found. The 2020 election cycle alone saw $1 billion in dark money spending, with most of those contributions benefitting Democrats, though dark money has long aided Republicans. Cruz and Hawley also mentioned that Democrats benefit from dark money spending just like Republicans, which President Joe Biden noted when he promoted the bill in a speech on Tuesday. "I believe sunlight is the best disinfectant. And I acknowledge it's an issue for both parties," Biden said. "But here's the key difference: Democrats in the Congress support more openness and accountability." Whitehouse has called out dark money spending both on the left and right, though he's has long held that conservatives have managed to use dark money to effectively push forward their interests, particularly at the judicial level with the nomination of conservative justices to the Supreme Court. His bill would have required groups that spend money supporting or opposing judicial nominees to disclose their donors. Additionally, Whitehouse's bill applies regardless of political affiliations, and sets the threshold for disclosure at $10,000, ensuring that only the more wealthy and powerful political donors would have faced public scrutiny. And donors are already required to disclose their identities when they give to candidates' campaigns or other political action committees regulated by the Federal Election Commission. When pressed on whether there's any threshold at which it's in the public interest to know who's contributing to political causes, Cruz deflected. "So at what threshold should George Soros' contributions be public?" the senator said, referring to the Democratic megadonor and billionaire. Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama outside the Senate chamber on August 1, 2022. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Among the senators voting to block the bill was Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who was not aware of its content when Insider asked him about it on Tuesday but spoke favorably of the idea when it was explained to him. "I'm not against people being identified, I'll tell you that," he said. "There's so much money put into this, in this business." Though he noted that he had yet to read the bill. "I'm saying that, but I gotta look at the text to see all the details," Tuberville added. Read the original article on Business Insider UKRAINSKA PRAVDA THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2022, 11:30 Two workers of Kharkivoblenergo, a state company providing energy in Kharkiv Oblast, and one worker of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) were caught in an explosion when a mine blew up in Kharkiv Oblast. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "Two Kharkivoblenergo workers and one SES worker were in a mine explosion while undertaking repairs near the village of Hrakove in the Chuhuiv district." Details: Syniehubov said that one of the workers was killed, while the two others were hospitalised. He stressed that mines continue to pose a grave threat in Kharkiv Oblast. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Its a weather phenomenon few have seen, and weather scientists know very little about: lightning bolts that shoot upward into space. Now, researchers at Georgia Tech are helping to lead the way when it comes to understanding them. Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns spoke with one of those researchers about the incredible weather event called gigantic jets. A gigantic jet is a lightning bolt that shoots out of a cloud and into space. Getting new data about the incredibly strong bolts of lightning could change the way meteorologists track storms and warn you about threats. The first one discovered was as recent as 2002 near Puerto Rico, using a special nighttime camera. People thought they were crazy, and we just had pencil drawings for the longest time, Georgia Tech research scientist Levi Boggs told Burns. Since then, most observations are just kind of randomly with people with smartphones or people kind of doing astrophotography, looking up at the sky with digital cameras. A gigantic jet begins like any other lightning bolt in a cloud, but escapes from the top. TRENDING STORIES: Gigantic jets have been spotted by airline passengers and pilots from a distance. A lot of airliners go around the storm and they fly at about 30,000 feet. For these types of events. the cloud top itself is about 50,000 feet, Boggs said. NASA shared an image of a gigantic jet from a passenger flying between Munich and Singapore in 2019. Scientists at Georgia Techs Severe Storms Research Center have a three-year grant to study the gigantic jets using a lightning mapping array, which is a network of antennas, receivers and other equipment used to detect lightning. We actually got a gigantic jet to initiate over one of these networks, just a total coincidence, Boggs said. Story continues Georgia Tech took the data collected by the lightning mapping array to create an image that breaks down the makeup of the weather event. Researchers at Tech told Burns they hope understanding gigantic jets will help them understand how they impact the upper atmosphere, space, and storms here on earth. We could potentially predict certain types of severe weather by detecting these events, Boggs said. The lightning bolts have been found in various stages of tropical storms and hurricanes. The ability to record and understand gigantic jets could tell us when a storm is ramping up or de-intensifying. We should really be able to nail down the relationship between these events and tropical cyclone intensity, Boggs said. Tropical storm intensity is sometimes one of the more difficult factors to forecast. Often, its only observed during hours-long flights through storms or on the ground by storm chasers. IN OTHER NEWS: An investigation is underway after a little girl was almost hit by a moving vehicle last week in San Mateo, California, police said. Jison Hong was at a traffic stop on Sept. 14 when the camera on her dashboard caught a girl on a scooter nearly being struck by a dark SUV that did not stop for the girl and her family as they crossed the street. The barreling vehicle hit the front part of the girls scooter, causing her to fall forward, but no serious injuries have been reported. The incident occurred near Franklin Parkway in the Bay Meadows neighborhood, KTVU reported. More from NextShark: NYC Initiative Raises $14K to Buy Self-Protective Equipment for Asian Women, Seniors and LGBTQ+ Police have identified the speeding driver as an inexperienced teenage boy. "If it had been, you know, a few seconds later she could've gotten seriously injured," Hong told ABC7. "Still, my heart kinda pounds every time I kinda think back to that moment." More from NextShark: Dashcam captures couple 'literally dodging a bullet' during shootout on Oakland freeway The girl's father told the station that she is doing just fine, but the family is still in shock. Story continues More from NextShark: Man Dies of COVID-19 Waiting for Plasma Donation as His 'Last Chance to Survive' Im very grateful to the community for their support and to city government for their quick action on this particular crosswalk but also hoping for lasting improvements to other crosswalks like this, he said. Hong and her neighbors have notified the city of issues at the intersection several times over the years. "We are monitoring the traffic in that area so that we can continue to be proactive and make sure that the area continues to be safe for the residents and pedestrians and other motorists, Officer Alison Gilmore of the San Mateo Police Department said in response. City Manager Drew Corbett issued a statement, saying the incident could have been prevented. "When something like this happens we have to ask why, and as a result we're taking immediate action to further improve safety at this intersection. Our Council prioritizes neighborhood traffic safety and in response to this incident we're increasing pedestrian visibility and reducing speeds in this area while we continue to look at longer term options that legally require more analysis," his statement continued. "We also need a community-wide approach to improve roadway safety and everyone, whether you're driving, biking or walking, plays a role in making sure we protect each other." Long-term solutions include implementing safety improvements, such as stop signs, lane closures or speed reductions, under the state vehicle code. The city also says it will continue to collect and analyze data to improve traffic safety efforts. Featured Image via KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco A retired NYPD officer jumped into Lake Norman and rescued the driver of a car that went into the water Wednesday afternoon, according to officials with the Mooresville Fire Department. At around 3 p.m., the driver of a two-door BMW drove off the road and into the lake. Water then started pouring into the car. Retired officer and local resident Mark Mistretta said he was across the street eating lunch at Eddies on Lake Norman when he heard the crash and jumped into action. He went in the water and swam to the sinking car. I didnt realize how much time we had, Mistretta said. ALSO READ: Developer plans big residential project on Lake Norman A nearby boater and two servers at the local restaurant also jumped in and helped get the driver to a dock. Everyone just went in, no hesitation, server Mackenzie Heckle said. We swim all the way to the car, and were just doing everything we can possible. It was just mind-blowing. Heckle said she managed to open the passengers side door as water poured in. Mistretta said within seconds, he was swimming through the opened door and unbuckling the driver. He was thankful for another boater who also jumped in to help. He was instrumental in keeping her head up because the water was coming up high, so he kept her head up so she could breath, Mistretta said. They pulled the driver out and swam her to the dock. Paramedics arrived within minutes to take her to a hospital. Police said the driver is expected to recover. Crews also pulled the car out of Lake Norman. It was a collective, Id say neighborly, rescue, Mistretta said. I would hope anyone, any American, would spring to action and try to save somebodys life. Heckle said two of her fingers were cut up pretty badly. Mistretta also had a gash on the bottom of his foot. However, they both said it was worth it. The Mooresville Police Department is investigating, but authorities said it appears the driver may have had a medical emergency before the crash. No further information has been released. Return to this story for updates. VIDEO: 125-plus acres near Lake Norman targeted for large residential project Artists, being people, are drawn to power. Like moths to a flame. What they do in their work with the relationship they seek with it can vary widely. But rarely is power just ignored. A sizable new exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art looks at what 88 painters, sculptors and photographers in Korea did with their curiosity about artistic power over seven rather tumultuous decades. The show begins in 1897, when the steadfastly isolationist Joseon Dynasty drew to a close after a sweeping rule that lasted 500 years. It ends around 1965, or roughly the start of the contemporary era. The power these Korean artists were drawn to was Modern art in the West, especially Europe and, secondarily, the United States. Often that art was filtered through the example of Japanese artists and teachers, who had been involved in a variety of Western interactions and who colonized Korea from 1910 to 1945. That makes the power transfer even more complex. Lee Qoede, "Self-Portrait in Long Blue Coat," circa 1948-49, oil on canvas (Christopher Knight/Los Angeles Times) According to LACMA, The Space Between: The Modern in Korean Art is the first major exhibition anywhere to examine art produced during a huge cultural transformation that provided one foundation for the relatively recent emergence of a decisive technological and, more modestly, artistic powerhouse at least on the southern portion of the peninsula. The democratic South, wealthy and liberal, couldnt be more different from the isolated, poor, authoritarian North. A poignant moment comes in a technically accomplished 1948-49 self-portrait by Lee Qoede and learning that he virtually disappeared after moving across the 38th parallel in 1953 when the Korean War rumbled to a close. Frontal, waist-high, intently staring straight ahead, the artist holds a palette and paintbrushes at his chest as an emblem to signify his identity. Lees portrait is layered in subtle but complicated ways. The different paintbrushes he brandishes are for oil paint, watercolors and ink the first an illustrious European material since the Renaissance, introduced to Lees homeland less than 50 years before, the others renowned artistic materials used in Korea for centuries. (The first oil painter was Ko Hui-dong, whose 1915 self-portrait is a casual, subtly erotic composition in which he reclines fanning himself with his shirt open, as if intuiting Willem de Koonings later declaration that flesh is the reason oil paint was invented.) Lees long blue smock is a common type evolved from an ancient Chinese style of overcoat, but his fedora with a smartly pinched crown is super-modern, initially embraced by feminist Frenchwomen late in the 19th century and made fashionable for men in the 1920s by no less than the Prince of Wales. Story continues Lee is navigating dissimilar times and places. His general pose is like that traditionally reserved for a dignitary, so hes elevating his rank as a working artist. In the placid, rolling landscape that unfurls behind him, women in traditional dress toil in the fields. The self-portrait celebrates work a key value in Confucianism, firmly entrenched in Korea from China by the 15th century. Here, work includes the work of art. LACMA curator Virginia Moon, chief organizer of the show with colleagues at Koreas National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, notes in the helpful catalog that once things Western became equated with things modern, Korea changed irrevocably. The origin and spread of that equation is the shows subject, which is a relatively new field of art historical scholarship. Its ably presented, if without much excitement. The galleries are laid out in five sections. Few of the 131 paintings, photographs and sculptures are compelling, except in a documentary way. The show starts with the impact of photography, its most consistently engaging medium. Modern Encounter considers the cameras arrival more than 40 years after its European invention into long-closed Joseon society. Formal ink portraits of dignitaries are juxtaposed with similarly formal photographic portraits. A painted 1923 study for a royal portrait of Emperor Sunjong by Kim Eunho looks almost like a linear tracing made from a photographic poster. Cameras, as always, upend everything, and the medium took off during the Japanese colonial period. Photographs take a variety of forms and subjects, whether the idealized figure study by Jung Hae-chang, the strange tabletop construction of a mountain range by Min Chung-sik or the painterly social realism of rural laborers and an unemployed city kid by Limb Eung-sik. In fact, according to the show, a photograph is the most widely reproduced Korean image ever: Shin Nakkyuns playful, black-and-white 1930 picture of celebrated dancer Choi Seunghui. Dressed rather like a soon-to-be-popular Shirley Temple (Choi was 31 at the time) she curtsies, holding her girlish skirt wide with delicate fingers, her broadly impish grin throwing into doubt any assumption of female obsequiousness. Modern Response charts the struggle for a distinctly Korean identity during the Japanese occupation between 1910 and 1945, while The Pageantry of the New Woman Movement spotlights the emergence of an unprecedented feminist attitude in a starkly male-dominated Confucian culture. (Thats where the Choi photograph comes in.) Modern Momentum incorporates Cubism and abstraction, and Evolving Into the Contemporary pushes further toward the globalized present. The most surprising object is Quac Insiks aptly titled Artwork (1962), a pane of glass that he broke and then painstakingly reassembled, shard by shard. The spidery lines of the reassembled pane are a careful workers diary of its destruction and reconstruction and not a bad metaphor for the arc of Korean history in the 20th century. The difficulty with the show is the relative lack of adventurous works such as this one. Much is merely derivative, noteworthy as historical chronicle but less so as artistic invention and achievement. Lee Ungno has great facility with ink, for example, but executing the densely interwoven vines of a wisteria, frequently a symbol of longevity, to resemble a thoroughly nonfigurative Jackson Pollock drip-painting seems dismissive in a perhaps unintentionally jokey way. The 1959 wood carving by Kim Chung Sook, one of the shows few women, looks like adept student work crossing Constantin Brancusi and Henry Moore. Neither turns the influences to good effect. The organizers seem to know it, grouping many paintings on gallery walls in an old-fashioned Victorian hanging, where nothing takes primacy over anything else. Being drawn to Modern Western art opened up Korean culture in many ways hitherto unknown in the West, and the exhibition is worth seeing to understand the dynamic. Just dont expect many satisfactions beyond organized historical narrative. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Rhode Island man has been sentenced to serve two years in prison after he was convicted of killing his girlfriend's dog last year, according to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Devon Hernandez, 30, formerly of Providence and Pawtucket, pleaded no contest to a charge of felony malicious injury to or killing of animals Tuesday in Superior Court, Providence, according to court records. Hernandez was arrested last November after a woman told Providence police that she believed her boyfriend had killed her dog, a 1-year-old male Pomeranian named Davinci, according to a police report. Previous reporting: Boyfriend accused of killing dog The woman told the police that Hernandez had called her at work and told her he had hit the dog because it had urinated on the bed, the report said. Hernandez told the police he didn't kill the dog and that it ran off after he took it outside, according to the report. Several police officers searched for the dog, which was found dead inside a Price Rite shopping bag at Whitmarsh and Updike streets in South Providence, the report said. Hernandez received a five-year sentence with two years to serve, according to the RISPCA. Since his arrest, Hernandez has been held the Adult Correctional Institutions as a probation violator, and the sentence is retroactive to Nov. 5, 2021, the RISPCA said. He was also ordered to receive mental-health counseling, the RISPCA said. According to the RISPCA, the case was initiated by Providence police and investigated jointly by Providence police and the RISPCA's law-enforcement division. SPCA special agent Earl K. Newman III presented the case to the attorney general's office for prosecution, the SPCA said. jperry@providencejournal.com (401) 277-7614 On Twitter: @jgregoryperry Be the first to know. Sign up for our breaking news alerts This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Man from Providence, Pawtucket sentenced for killing dog Mayor Lori Lightfoot fired back Wednesday at McDonalds CEO Chris Kempczinski after he raised concerns about crime in Chicago, and she defended the citys economic outlook. Lightfoot was asked about last weeks comments by Kempczinski to the Economic Club of Chicago where he referenced the recent departures of high-profile companies such as Caterpillar, Boeing and Citadel from the area and said the city needed to face facts. He said that while it may wound our civic pride to hear it, there is a general sense out there that our city is in crisis and noted that there are fewer large companies headquartered in Chicago this year than last year. Advertisement At her customary post-City Council news conference Wednesday, Lightfoot used one of her favorite lines to rebut criticism. What would have been helpful is for the McDonalds CEO to educate himself before he spoke, Lightfoot said. Advertisement The mayor also referenced an open letter by Michael Fassnacht, her hand-picked head of World Business Chicago, that she said lays out in exactly detail all the good news, economic news, about whats happening in our city, so Im going to focus on those things and not the comments of CEO of McDonalds. Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. > While the departures of Citadel and Boeing are disappointing and not to be ignored, encourage us to consider the 112 companies who have moved or opened their doors in Chicago over the last 18 months. These 112 company relocations or new market entrants created over 19,000 direct and indirect jobs. Additionally, the BLS business establishment data shows there are 7,400 more businesses today in the Chicago metro area than pre-COVID, Fassnacht wrote. A McDonalds spokesperson declined to comment on Lightfoots Wednesday remarks. McDonalds was based in Oak Brook from the early 1970s to 2018, when it moved about 2,000 employees to a new $250 million headquarters in the West Loop. Despite Kempczinskis concerns, the fast-food giant announced it plans to shift up to 120 more jobs to its downtown headquarters from a location in Romeoville. Since Kempczinski made his comments, the company has attempted to reiterate its commitment to Chicago, including by running an ad in the Tribune. Chicago Tribunes Robert Channick contributed. gpratt@chicagotribune.com A carport at an Oxnard apartment building in the 3600 block of Saviers Road collapsed on Wednesday morning, damaging several vehicles. Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies: Carport collapses in Oxnard OXNARD The carport at an Oxnard apartment building collapsed suddenly on Wednesday morning, according to the Oxnard Fire Department. The incident occurred at 10:40 a.m. in the 3600 block of Saviers Road. Battalion Chief Mike McCaslin said seven cars were trapped under the collapsed carport, though none of the vehicles were occupied. Oxnard building and safety personnel responded to stabilize the structure. No injuries were reported and the cause of the collapse is under investigation. The owner of the building was contacted and said he planned to demolish the carport, according to McCaslin. The carport is the second to collapse in Ventura County this month. On Sept. 11, a carport fell at a residential site next to CSU Channel Islands after a driver hit a support beam. The collapse damaged several vehicles and injured the driver who hit the beam. Woman arrested in park stabbing OXNARD Officers arrested a 30-year-old Oxnard woman suspected of stabbing a 75-year-old man at a local park in June, according to the Oxnard Police Department. The stabbing occurred shortly before 7 a.m. on June 6 at Lemonwood Park, 2055 San Mateo Place. The victim had been walking through the park when he was assaulted in an unprovoked attack. He suffered a nonfatal stab wound to his neck and was treated at a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, authorities said. Over the next three months, investigators with the police agency's violent crimes unit worked to identify the suspect. On Wednesday, police detained the woman at her residence in the 2100 block of Joyce Place. She was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and booked into county jail. Anyone with information can contact Detective Michael Velasquez at 805-385-8287 or via email at michael.velasquez@oxnardpd.org. Story continues Panga boat found at Ormond Beach VENTURA COUNTY Authorities responded to a panga boat reported at an Oxnard beach on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. The boat was found by the U.S. Coast Guard around 2:15 p.m. at Ormond Beach. Sheriff's Capt. Steve Michalec said the boat was found unoccupied with nothing inside but plastic drums that were used to carry either fuel or water. The scene was turned over to the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. -- Items may be updated. Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at 805-437-0208, jeremy.childs@vcstar.com, and on Twitter @Jeremy_Childs. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Oxnard carport collapse, Lemonwood stabbing arrest, more KYIV (Reuters) - Russia has agents in Ukraine's defence sector who pass information to Moscow and allow Russia to anticipate Ukrainian moves on the battlefield, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's representative to the Ukrainian parliament said on Thursday. "We cannot underestimate the enemy," Fedir Venislavskyi told a briefing. "Their main intelligence directorate unfortunately has many agents, including in our defence sector. I think that they partly understand the next steps of our armed forces that we will see in the near future." (Reporting by Max Hunder; writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Gareth Jones) STORY: The freed prisoners include the commander and deputy commander of the Azov battalion that did much of the fighting, said Andriy Yermak, the head of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office. The move is unexpected, since Russian-backed separatists last month said there would be a trial of Azov personnel, who Moscow describes as Nazis. Ukraine denies the charge. In a statement, Yermak said the freed prisoners included Azov commander Lieutenant Colonel Denys Prokopenko and his deputy, Svyatoslav Palamar. Also at liberty is Serhiy Volynsky, the commander of the 36th Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The three men had helped lead a dogged weeks-long resistance from the bunkers and tunnels below Mariupol's giant steel works before they and hundreds of Azov fighters surrendered in May to Russian-backed forces. Yermak said that in return, Kyiv had freed 55 Russian prisoners as well as Viktor Medvedchuk, the leader of a banned pro-Russian party who was facing treason charges. Last month, the head of the Russian-backed separatist administration in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk said a trial of captured Azov personnel would take place by the end of the summer. The Azov unit, formed in 2014 as a militia to fight Russian-backed separatists, denies being fascist, and Ukraine says it has been reformed from its radical nationalist origins. UKRAINSKA PRAVDA THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2022, 11:58 Ivan Fedorov, Mayor of Melitopol, said that on 22 September, Russians staged a terrorist attack on the market in the centre of the city, planing to blame it on the Ukrainian authorities on the eve of the sham referendum. Source: Fedorov on Telegram Quote from Fedorov: "At the Central Market of Melitopol, where there is always a large crowd of people, Russians carried out an explosion and eliminated three soldiers. We are confirming information about civilians." Details: According to him, the occupiers are trying to "mop up their own people" before holding the so-called "referendum". Fedorov added that Ukraine will liberate its territories. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! United Nations Speaking in English to the 193-nation United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a pre-recorded message to a standing ovation, with the exception of the Russian delegation and a handful of other countries, in the Hall filled with world leaders and his own wife, first lady Olena Zelenska. Zelenskyy was unable to travel to U.N. Headquarters in New York City because of the escalation in attacks by Russia. Just hours earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a large mobilization of Russian forces for the attacks against Ukraine, and began preparations for a referendum to formalize its occupation of parts of Ukraine. The referendum is considered a sham by the U.S. and European Union. Earlier this year, the U.N. decided that a leader must be in the headquarters in order to speak this year. But, the General Assembly voted 101-7 for an exception for Zelenskyy. The members that voted against him speaking were Belarus, Cuba, North Korea, Eritrea, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is seen on screen as he remotely addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City on Sept. 21, 2022. / Credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images "It was a vote not only about the format. It was the vote about principles," Zelenskyy said in his Wednesday speech. "Seven who are afraid of the video address. Seven who respond to principles with a red button. Only seven. One hundred and one and seven." The Ukrainian president went on to detail the atrocities committed against the country's civilians and asked the U.N. to hold Russia accountable for the alleged crimes. He said a family a father, mother, a 6-year-old girl, a 8-year-old girl, and their grandparents was killed in a Russian airstrike, and he pointed to the recently-discovered mass grave in Izyum. Zelenskyy said the U.N. should recognize Russia as "a state sponsor of terrorism." "After the Russian missile terror. After the massacres. After Mariupol," he said. "After the burning of Ukrainian prisoners in Olenivka by the Russian military. After blocking the ports. After the strikes of Russian tanks and missiles on nuclear power plants. And after threats to use nuclear weapons, which have become the rule, not the exception, for Russian propagandists..." Story continues Zelenskyy outlined a plan with five "preconditions" for peace with Russia: punishment for aggression; protection of life; restoration of security and territorial integrity; security guarantees; and determination to defend oneself. He also called for the U.N. to create a special tribunal "to punish Russia for the crime of aggression against our state." "This will become signal to all 'would-be' aggressors that they must value peace or be brought to responsibility by the world," he said. Citing the U.N. charter, as President Biden did hours earlier, Zelenskyy asked for more military and financial support. "We did not provoke this war," he said. "We held 88 rounds of talks in various formats to prevent this war, just from the beginning of my presidency until February 24 this year." But instead of finding a way forward, Russia, he said, began a "full-scale" aggression. "Russia wants war. It's true. But Russia will not be able to stop the course of history. Mankind and the international law are stronger than one terrorist state," he said. "Russia will be forced to end this war. The war it has started." Trump, his children sued over alleged fraud scheme Ukraine's nuclear power plants under threat from Russian shelling Iranians see widespread internet blackout amid mass protests over woman's death A Russian influencer has claimed she is facing a six-year prison sentence for using Instagram. Model Veronika Loginova, 18, said she was in Paris when when phone call from her mother in Russia, who had been visited at home by police officers looking for the teenager. They handed her a statement written by Russian prosecutors, who accuse her of having performed actions to attract users on the social networks Facebook and Instagram. An 18-year-old Russian influencer has claimed she is facing a six year prison sentence for simply using Instagram (logiinovva/ Instagram) The prosecutors statement added that posting there can be considered a form of participation in the activities of an extremist organisation. In March, a Russia banned Facebook and Instagram and branded its parent company Meta extremist in response to the social media platforms permitting Ukrainian posts calling for violence against Vladimir Putin. Ms Loginova - who has 555, 000 followers on Instagram - has insisted that her social media platforms are only used to share personal content about fashion, beauty and wellness. Her case is thought to be the first In an Instagram post with photos of the prosecutors statement alongside a selfie of the 18-year-old looking distressed, Ms Loginova wrote: Now I face a prison sentence of up to 6 years for maintaining Instagram. Good morning, you woke up in Russia. And its not customary to talk about it, but I will. Ms Loginova has 555, 000 followers on Instagram (logiinovva) On August 17, I am in Paris, a call from my mother with a trembling voice: The police came to our house and they are looking for you. Meanwhile my 14 year old brother is trying to figure out whats even going on and why there are two grown men in the hallway making a statement. A statement in which, as it turned out later, I face a 6-year term for using Instagram. And in the words that I stand out too much. Are you serious? Me? 18 year old girl a fashion blogger? Entrepreneur, creator of a clothing brand who pays taxes to his own country? A person who posts about mental health support and never touched a political agenda on his blog? Story continues Yup. Just like that. You live, take beautiful photos, build a business, help people, do not touch anyone. But you live in Russia, and among a million bloggers they come to you. Without exaggeration, there has not been a single similar case in the history of my lawyers work. Apparently, being the first is in everything. What will I do? Should I quit Instagram? To run away from Russia? Taking a lawsuit? To figure out and shed light on this story here. Thankfully I have support in the form of people who understand. The teenager said she only posts about beauty and fashion on her social pages (logiinovva/ Instagram) According to the website of NGO and legal practice Roskomsvoboda, this is the first known case of persecution of a Russian citizen for simply using Instagram. Sarkis Darbin, head of Roskomsvoboda, said: With this approach, everything is under attack, even those who post cats and sell hand-made. The influencers legal team has appealed to the prosecutors office with a request to clarify their position in more detail. ABC News The National Archives has still not recovered all the presidential records that should have been turned over at the end of the Trump administration, according to a new letter to Congress from the acting archivist. "We do know that we do not have custody of everything we should," Debra Steidel Wall, acting archivist of the United States, said in her letter to Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., suggesting that former officials had still not turned over electronic messages of official business done on personal accounts. Wall's letter was a response to a Sept. 13 request from Maloney seeking an "urgent review" of "whether presidential records remain unaccounted for and potentially in the possession of the former president." A Russian proxy court this week in Ukraines occupied Luhansk region sentenced two staff members of the 57-member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to 13 years in prison over charges relating to alleged treason. At least two mission members, Dmitry Shabanov and Maxim Petrov, both of whom are Ukrainian, were detained for five months under unknown conditions before they were sentenced in a move U.S. OSCE Ambassador Michael Carpenter on Thursday called a "travesty of justice." A destroyed OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine vehicle in Mariupol. The battle between Russian/pro-Russian forces and the defending Ukrainian forces led by the Azov battalion continues in the port city of Mariupol. Maximilian Clarke/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images 'THOUSANDS' OF UKRAINIAN CHILDREN FORCIBLY DEPORTED TO RUSSIA IN JULY, US SECURITY OFFICIAL SAYS "No one, anywhere, should be targeted based on their unbiased and loyal service to this Organization, especially while carrying out duties mandated by all 57 participating States. And that includes Russia," he said in an address to the councils permanent members. Both Russia and Ukraine sit as permanent members in the OSCE, which is a regional security organization that addresses security concerns like arms control, human rights, counter-terrorism, as well as socio-economic, military and political-based issues within its partner organizations. OSCE Chairman-in-Office Zbigniew Rau, who is also Polands foreign minister, called the Monday charges "nothing but pure political theater." Helga Maria Schmid, the OSCE secretary general called for the immediate release of Shabanov, Petrov and a third unidentified Ukrainian OSCE official who has also been detained. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia of Russia speaks during Security Council briefing by Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe at U.N. Headquarters. Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images It is unclear where the OSCE members will be sent to fulfill their prison sentences but comes as Russia looks to annex portions of Ukraine, including Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhizhia and Kherson through "referendums" this week. "Think about this: while one group of Russian mouthpieces sits in this Council, another group is imprisoning the staff who work for this Organization," Carpenter said in a fiery address Thursday. "It is simply appalling. We call on Russia and its proxies to release these individuals now. Immediately." Russian President Vladimir Putin in Veliky Novgorod, Russia, on September 21, 2022. Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP Russia's lower house of parliament approved a bill that toughens punishments for soldiers. The bill increases jail time for soldiers deserting their posts and adds a reference to "mobilization." The law was approved just a day before President Putin announced a "partial mobilization." Russia's lower house of parliament passed legislation increasing jail time for soldiers who desert their posts or surrender without authorization. The State Duma passed the bill on Tuesday that increases jail time for soldiers who desert their unit from five years to up to 10 years. The law needs approval from Russia's upper house known as the Federation Council and a signature from President Vladimir Putin both of which are often seen as formalities. The bill passed just a day before Putin announced plans for a "partial mobilization" of the country's military reserve forces, drafting about 300,000 reservists, according to The Washington Post. Part of the bill includes an amended phrase that states soldiers will be punished if they desert their unit "in the period of mobilization or the state of martial law, as well as during wartime or while armed conflict and combat activities are underway," according to a translation by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. A previous version of the bill only referenced times "during armed conflicts or military actions," Radio Free Europe reported. Other amendments specify a prison sentence of up to 10 years if soldiers refuse to go to combat, disobey a commander's order, or surrender to the enemy without authorization. The bill and the partial mobilization present another sign that Moscow is escalating its war in Ukraine, even as some soldiers are expressing exhaustion from the seven-month-long invasion. Just days before Ukrainian forces recaptured the city of Izium, a group of Russian soldiers began drafting letters that expressed "moral exhaustion" and requests to their commanders to leave their posts. "I refuse to complete my duty in the special operation on the territory of Ukraine due to lack of vacation days and moral exhaustion," one soldier wrote. Read the original article on Business Insider THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2022, 19:28 Russian occupiers are currently enhancing terror actions and passportisation on temporarily occupied territories because of the planned sham referendums. Source: the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Quote: "The enemy is focusing its efforts on attempting to occupy the entire territory of Donetsk Oblast and keeping the already occupied territories, as well as disrupting active movement of defence forces on certain fronts. The enemy strikes our positions along the front line and keeps conducting reconnaissance [missions] in the skies." Details: Russians keep attacking civilian infrastructure facilities and residential buildings, terrorising civilians. A threat of air and rocket strikes remains on the whole territory of Ukraine. Over the day, occupiers struck military and civilian facilities on the territory of Ukraine, using missiles on four occasions; 17 airstrikes, and 24 attacks that involved multiple-launch rocket systems took place as well. Infrastructure has been damaged in more than 30 settlements. This refers to, in particular, Pryshyb, Spirne, Vesele, Marinka, Bakhmut, Kostiantynivka, Neskuchne, Poltavka, Yehorivka, Bezimenne, Bilohirka, Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, Pervomaisk, Mykolaiv, Ochakiv, Vysokopillia, Sukhyi Stavok, and Myroliubivka. On other fronts, Russian troops keep landing strikes, using tanks, mortars, and artillery systems. In particular, this applies to the Siversk, Slobozhanshchyna, Kramatorsk, Bakhmut, and Avdiivka fronts. On the Novopavlivka and Zaporizhzhia fronts, Russians attacked settlements with artillery systems. On the Pivdennyi Buh front, more than 37 settlements were hit. Russians are trying to keep the situation on temporarily occupied territories under their control. Administrative and police control is strengthened in Kherson. Inspection of households and psychological pressure on local residents are performed there, as well. Works to prepare and conduct the sham referendum on temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine have intensified. Story continues Representatives of Russian occupiers authorities are trying to collect the local peoples personal data in Kherson Oblast by covering it up with proper distribution of humanitarian aid. So-called election committees are being formed there, too. In the city of Starobilsk (Luhansk Oblast), occupiers authorities banned residents from leaving the city in the period from 23 and 27 September. According to the available information, occupiers are creating armed groups to inspect houses and coerce people to take part in the so-called referendums. Propagandist media prepare to film "active participation of local residents in the voting". On the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the locals are promised to get a cash reward and household devices in exchange for their passport data and accepting citizenship of Russia. Over the current day, units of the Defence Forces repelled the enemys attacks in the areas of Kupiansk, Zaitseve, and Novomykhailivka settlements. Over the day, Ukrainian aviation struck ten clusters of Russian soldiers and equipment, as well as two positions of air defence systems. Besides, Ukrainian air defence units destroyed two Russian UAVs. Air defence forces attacked four command posts of occupiers, as well as two areas of concentration of soldiers and equipment, three positions of air defence systems, one artillery position, and three weapons storage sites. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Research scientist Adam Theisen, left, and atmospheric scientist Paytsar Muradyn talk at the ATMOS field site, a testing site for atmospheric tools, on Sept. 20, 2022, at the Argonne National Laboratory, in Lemont, as they finalize the technology that will be put out in the city. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Next to an almost-200-foot red-and-white-striped tower at Argonne National Laboratory sits a building filled with newly opened boxes of instruments. These tools measure climate conditions like air quality and precipitation, and compared with the labs historic tools, like the tower outside, theyre small really small. Thats because instead of measuring the regions atmospheric conditions from Argonnes sprawling site in DuPage County, researchers will use these tools in a different kind of lab the city of Chicago. Data collected will be used in modeling to show the effects of climate at scales as small as individual neighborhoods, said Cristina Negri, the director for the project. Advertisement Argonne recently won a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to establish an urban laboratory in Chicago called Community Research on Climate and Urban Science, or CROCUS. Researchers with the lab will develop data sets about Chicagos climate by placing instruments throughout the city and gathering community observations. Gregory Anderson, left, looks on as atmospheric Instrumentation Specialist Matt Tuftedal, right, points to a 60 meter tower at the ATMOS field site. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Some of the effects of climate change, such as increased flooding and urban heat, are known to disproportionately affect certain communities, especially those on the South and West sides of Chicago. The lab aims to quantify that, Negri said. Advertisement [ In extreme heat, trees can help cool neighborhoods. But a Tribune investigation found the city has planted more trees in wealthier, whiter areas ] Its really to provide the data to show what are the drivers for this difference, and then how it materializes itself, Negri said. Until you know that, and you can prove it with data, its very hard to take action. What makes this operation unique, said Naomi Davis, founder and CEO of Blacks in Green, an environmental justice and economic development organization, is that community members were included in Argonnes plans from the start. She said that oftentimes organizations in the Black community are contacted at the end of a process, after decisions have been made and the project has been designed. Those are kinds of approaches that have always been inappropriate and that we reject, Davis said. So what was beautiful about the Argonne approach is that they were inviting us to a process of designing a process. Preparing for launch Surrounded by about 5 acres of prairie filled with yellow and violet wildflowers, researchers gathered at Argonnes test site on a recent blue-skied weekday to troubleshoot some of the tools that will eventually be installed in Chicago. There was a palpable excitement as Paytsar Muradyan, an assistant atmospheric scientist, opened a crate. Its like Christmas, one team member said. Research Scientist Adam Theisen, left, speaks with atmospheric scientist Paytsar Muradyn at the ATMOS field site. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Scott Collis, atmospheric scientist and department head of the strategy team at the Argonne National Laboratory at the ATMOS field site. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Inside was an atmospheric lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging. The machine emits a rapidly pulsing laser into the sky to collect information on the composition of the air, including pollutants like particulate matter emitted by industries and vehicles. [ Truck and rail backups are clogging roads, creating more pollution and raising health risks for Chicagoans near freight corridors ] Several of these machines as well as sensors for measuring temperature, soil composition, precipitation and more will be linked to central computers to make the sensors autonomous, said Scott Collis, who is leading the measurement strategy team. These computers will also use artificial intelligence and algorithms to detect patterns and ensure the technology collects the best data relative to the unique traits of a city, like the impact of buildings on wind. Advertisement Where each device goes depends on a variety of factors. One goal is to place these instruments at points where environmental conditions visibly change, like the tree canopy in Hyde Park compared with West Woodlawn, Collis said. Measuring at these points allow for the labs simulations to determine the scale of difference. The most important factor in determining instrument location, however, is the input of community members, he said. Community voices The effort includes more than 10 academic partners and four community partners: the Puerto Rican Agenda of Humboldt Park, Blacks in Green in West Woodlawn, the Greater Chatham Initiative and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. The science questions that we are going to ask are going to be very informed by very deep conversations that we will have with the community, Negri said. Jessie Fuentes, co-chair of the Puerto Rican Agenda of Chicago, said Argonne provided the organization with information about the specific climate concerns of Humboldt Park, such as rising heat, lack of green space and increased flooding, as well as Puerto Rico. That struck a very personal chord with many of us who were involved with Hurricane Maria, Fuentes said. The Puerto Rican Agenda led relief efforts for Hurricane Maria in 2017 and is again calling for action after Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico this week, leaving the island without power. Advertisement Fuentes hopes this project can provide a model for how climate solutions should be culturally relevant to the people the issue directly impacts. This really does away with the one-size-fits-all model, Fuentes said. Davis said she is looking to where this information can take her community in West Woodlawn. One of the things that African American communities are sick and tired of is being studied weve had institutions across the centuries study us, but our lot never improves, she said. So what the rest of the story is about is how we take the data that we get and deploy it for the health, wealth and benefit of the Black communities. Collis described the operation of the lab as cyclical. Communities will provide input on areas of interest, such as spots of flooding or significant weather susceptibility, which will fuel where researchers collect observations in the city. These observations will be used for the labs climate simulations and provide more granular, scalable pictures of what climate change looks like. Atmospheric Instrumentation Specialist Matt Tuftedal looks at the tools at the base of a 60 meter tower at the ATMOS field site. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. > The lab will provide open data sets for other agencies, organizations and researchers to use in their work, as well as websites for the public. Advertisement One of the most important metrics of success will be ensuring that this data can empower individuals and organizations in their work, Collis said. For example, if an organization is advocating for green space in a certain area, Collis hopes that data from the lab can give that group actionable metrics. Having the data alone contributes to a consciousness building that will drive people to act, Fuentes said. The lab will also employ citizen science so community members can collect data points themselves. For example, hand-held air quality monitors, which resemble green walkie-talkies, allow people to learn information about the air around them by connecting to a mobile app via Bluetooth. While the hand-held tools arent are as precise as some of the more expensive technology, they can reveal notable differences in air quality from one area compared with another, Collis said. And even this more simplistic tech will calibrate with the Argonne system. Per community member suggestions, the lab hopes to get these palm-size sensors in the hands of those interested, including schoolchildren, allowing them to measure environmental factors on their blocks and in their backyards. This is a new paradigm for doing science, Collis said. And it feels right. Associated Press After being encircled by Ukrainian forces, Russia pulled troops out Saturday from an eastern Ukrainian city that it had been using as a front-line hub. It was the latest victory for the Ukrainian counteroffensive that has humiliated and angered the Kremlin. Russias withdrawal from Lyman complicates its internationally vilified declaration just a day earlier that it had annexed four regions of Ukraine an area that includes Lyman. Actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds in 2021. (Photo: Arturo Holmes via Getty Images) Actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds in 2021. (Photo: Arturo Holmes via Getty Images) Ryan Reynolds confessed to something that will likely make a lot of parents feel seen. During an appearance on ABCs Live With Kelly and Ryan on Friday, the Adam Project star revealed that hed love to embrace a controversial tactic while raising his kids. I know its generally frowned upon, but if I could just duct-tape an iPad to their faces, I would, Reynolds said. I get the allure of that. We try to limit the screen time to just very small chunks, but he added, trailing off. Its hard to blame him for being tempted. The Deadpool star shares three daughters James, age 7; Inez, 5; and Betty, 3 with wife Blake Lively, and they have a fourth child on the way. In June, the actor openly joked about how exhausting it is to be a dad to three little girls in a commercial for spirits brand Aviation American Gin, which he co-owns. The ad stars entertainer Nick Cannon father or frickin nine who makes a cocktail called The Vasectomy for Reynolds. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. METAIRIE, La. (AP) Saints coach Dennis Allen entered this week sounding more optimistic about the defense he oversees even if he wasn't particularly happy about outcome of his team's latest game. New Orleans (1-1) boasted the seventh-ranked defense in the NFL last season and has many core players back on that side of the ball. The unit hardly lived up to its reputation in New Orleans' 27-26 comeback victory at Atlanta to open the season. But the way it stifled Tampa Bay's Tom Brady-led offense for most last Sunday's loss in New Orleans had Allen offering largely positive reviews heading into this Sunday's road game at Carolina (0-2). We played really well in the run game," Allen said. "We challenged in coverage, which was good to see. We affected the quarterback. The ball got out pretty quick in that game, but yet he wasnt throwing to a lot of open receivers, Allen continued. "So, I thought overall it was effective. Opponents total net yards plummeted from the 416 gained by the Falcons to 260 by the Buccaneers. The Saints held Tampa Bay's ground game, led by Leonard Fournette, to just 2.4 yards per carry after allowing 5.3 yards per rush in Atlanta. Brady finished with 188 yards passing and one touchdown the only offensive TD scored by Tampa Bay in a 20-10 game that also included an interception of Saints QB Jameis Winston for a score. Kind of what we expected," Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport said of his unit's performance. Hard-fought game, back and forth. We tried to get as many stops as we can. ... I felt like we were pretty decent on third down. Indeed, the Saints stopped the Bucs on 12 of 17 third-down plays and and also stopped a Fournette run short on fourth-and-1. They are one of the top defenses in the NFL right now," Carolina coach Matt Rhule said. That is because of their prowess on third downs and their prowess in the red zone. Rhule said Davenport and fellow defensive end Cameron Jordan make quarterbacks uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Rhule said, the Saints cover well in the secondary, led by Marshon Lattimore, who he sees as one of the best (cornerbacks) in the league. Story continues Rhule also noted how the Saints will mix it up on you in the secondary, using both zone and man-to-man schemes. The Saints' secondary could get an additional boost if cornerback Paulson Adebo plays for the first time this week. He's missed the first two games with an ankle injury, but practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday. First-year Carolina QB Baker Mayfield called New Orleans' defense an extremely aggressive group." Really savvy, a lot of experience on that defense, Mayfield added. So, theyve seen every look possible. But Mayfield, with his mobility, presents the Saints' defense with a challenge it has not always handled well. He really creates some things with his feet, Allen said, adding that Mayfield can "extend the play and create some opportunity down the field with kind of some off-schedule throws. In Atlanta, the Saints faced an adept scrambler in Marcus Mariota and did not sack him once. Last week, the Saints sacked Brady only once, but Allen said he wasn't too concerned because Brady avoided sacks by making a lot of rushed throws that either were not caught or were too short to sustain drives. Last season, the Saints were among the NFL leaders in total sacks with 46. They'll need 45 in their next 15 games to match that. But Davenport said disrupting the QB is most important, regardless of whether that's accomplished with sacks. Everyone grades off of sacks, but its not always one of those stats that you can apply to everything," he said. NOTES: Winston remained limited in practice, as he was last week, because of his back injury. Alvin Kamara returned to practice for the first time in a week, also on a limited basis, because of his rib injury. Also limited were receiver and returner Deonte Harty (foot), safety Marcus Maye (rib), tight end Taysom Hill (rib), right tackle Ryan Ramczyk (elbow), receiver Tre'Quan Smith (shoulder) and fullback Adam Prentice (shoulder). ___ AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this report. ___ More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL The Salvation Army in Jacksonville has applications open until Oct. 7 for families who are in financial hardship and need food assistance for Thanksgiving. Each family will be eligible to receive a frozen turkey and ingredients for traditional side dishes. Angel Tree is also having an event starting Sept. 26 to Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., where families will able to apply to receive presents for their children for this Christmas season. Children in the Angel Tree program are ages 0-12 from families who applied for holiday assistance with The Salvation Army and demonstrated financial difficulty. Read: How you can cheer on 3 Jax racers at the American E-Karting Championship Finals, starting tonight Individuals, businesses, and church groups adopt the children by picking up Angel Tree tags from trees at the Avenues Mall, and Ashley Home stores. They then purchase gifts to specifically match the age, needs, and wishes of each child and distribute them closer to the Christmas season To register, you will need to show proof of the following: Proof of address Proof of income Birth certificate Social Security cards of all participating children Read: ANJs Chandler Morgan stars as local celebrity guest in Masked Singer tour People can fill out this application at the Towers Center of Hope in Jacksonville, Florida. If you are a business wanting to participate in the Angel Tree program, please call 904-356-8641. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Read: Jacksonvilles Ocean Rescue lifeguards issue a Beach Safety Alert [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. San Diego officially apologized and announced the revocation of a 1942 resolution that supported the incarceration of many Japanese Americans during World War II. Council members on Tuesday acknowledged the citys racist past when it imprisoned more than 1,900 San Diego County residents of Japanese descent in the concentration camps in the western United States and Arkansas during WWII. It is incredibly important that we identify the racist acts of the past and injustices of the past and address them head-on, Council President Sean Elo-Rivera said. We can acknowledge the wrong that the city committed. The San Diego Council had passed a resolution that would rescind Resolution 76068, which ordered the FBI to forcibly remove residents of Japanese descent from the county and transfer them to the 10 concentration camps in the western part of the U.S. The forced removal went into effect after then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order No. 9066 (E.O. 9066) on Feb. 19, 1942. More from NextShark: Nicole Lee on her way to becoming the 1st Asian American woman to serve on Chicago City Council In addition to rescinding the 1942 resolution, which they described as racist, unjust and a form of hate, the San Diego council also approved an apology to the Japanese American community. The Council of the City of San Diego apologizes to all people of Japanese ancestry for its past actions in support of the unjust exclusion, removal, and incarceration of Japanese Americas [sic] and residents of Japanese ancestry during World War II, and for its failure to support and defend the civil rights and civil liberties of these individuals during this period, the apology read. Over 120,000 people of Japanese descent were incarcerated during WWII weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. More from NextShark: Los Angeles DA Gascon seeks to overturn death sentence of man who murdered two Japanese students This isnt simply a matter of looking backwards, but also hopefully recognizing how quickly political ploys can turn into real harm and how important it is that we take a stand against that, Elo-Rivera said, emphasizing that the Tuesdays actions were to help the Japanese American community heal and to prevent past events from happening again. Story continues Japanese American community members and leaders welcomed the city councils actions. They also noted how the 1942 resolution had taken away the properties and dignities of thousands of Japanese Americans. The trauma of that racist act, the shame that it brought upon the Japanese American community to be targeted as spies, was deep and painful. You are reaffirming your commitment the citys commitment to the promises of the Constitution, Kay Ochi, president of the San Diego chapter of the Japanese American Historical Society, whose U.S. citizen parents were incarcerated in Arizona from 1942 to 1945, said. More from NextShark: Tony Hsieh's family accuses his former assistant of manipulating, swindling the late billionaire The recent apology came after several cities in the United States and in Canada apologized for past atrocities committed against Asians. Some of those cities include Denver, San Francisco, San Jose, Antioch and Vancouver. Featured Image via Don Graham (CC BY-SA 2.0) More from NextShark: Search Continues Chula Vista Woman Who Vanished Without a Trace 1 Month Ago North Korea could be preparing to conduct a submarine-launched ballistic missile test and it is appears ready to do it on short notice on Kim Jong-uns orders, US-based think tanks have said. New satellite imagery has revealed new construction and barges at the Sinpo South Shipyard on the east coast of the country, which is critical to North Koreas new ballistic missile submarine (SSB). Six news barges and vessels were detected gathered around the submarine construction hall which was not previously present, according to the 38 North, a programme of nonpartisan think tank Stimson Centre which monitors North Korea. The images were taken on Sunday, 18 September. It said the new development suggests that North Koreans are preparing to launch a new submarine from the shipyard - where Kim Jong-un visited in 2019. While barges and a dry dock have been occasionally observed around the submarine launch quay at the main construction hall, the presence of six vessels and barges in this area has not been observed before, the report said. However, these new barges were not present in the 12 September imagery taken by another think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies. The CSIS Beyond Parallel report found new construction in maintainance hall and in the secure boat basin area, but said no significant activity is observed indicating imminent preparations for anticipated launch. However, North Korea maintains the capability to undertake any of these actions on short notice should Kim Jong-un decide to do so, it added. Satellite image shows six barges and vessels gathered around the construction hall quay at the Sinpho South Shipyard in North Korea (Pleiades Neo Airbus DS 2022) The construction of a new ballistic missile submarine (SSB) began in 2016 and in 2019 state media showed Mr Kim inspecting a previously unreported submarine that was built under his special attention. Analysts said his visit could be an indication that the construction was nearing completion. The reports came as US president Joe Biden accused North Korea of blatantly violating UN sanctions in a speech to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday as he cited the countrys missile development programme among the reasons to strengthen international nuclear nonproliferation efforts. Story continues The US and North Korean officials also traded accusations after a US intelligence report suggested that Russia Russia was in the process of purchasing arms from North Korea, including millions of artillery shells and rockets North Korean defence officials denied exporting any weapons to Russia during the war in Ukraine and asked US officials to stop making reckless remarks and to keep its mouth shut. The report follows North Koreas missile testing spree this year, which includes a suspected launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile in May. The country has fired more than 30 ballistic missiles this year, marking the largest number of missile launches in a year, adhering to Mr Kims vow to make its military invincible to counter what he called persistent hostility from the US. Scott Disick attends the Los Angeles premiere of Hulu's new show "The Kardashians" at Goya Studios on April 07, 2022 in Los Angeles, California Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic Scott Disick has had his fair share of high-profile relationships. The reality TV star, who rose to fame in 2007 after appearing on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, is most well-known for his relationship with Kourtney Kardashian, whom he shares three children with. Kardashian and Disick were on and off for 10 years before ultimately ending their relationship in 2015. During a 2017 episode of KUWTK, Kardashian and her sisters Kim and Khloe confronted him for secretly inviting a woman on their family trip to Costa Rica. "It's been nonsense for 10 years, like up and down, so this is like the final door closed. We're done," Kourtney said. In the years since, Disick has dated a few other well-known names, including Sofia Richie and model Amelia Hamlin. Most recently, he was linked to Scottish model Rebecca Donaldson. Here's a look back at Scott Disick's dating history. Kourtney Kardashian Scott Disick (L) and Kourtney Kardashian arrive at his birthday celebration at 1 OAK Nightclub at The Mirage Hotel & Casino on May 23, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada David Becker/WireImage Disick first met Kourtney at a party in Mexico in 2006, which was thrown by the creator of Girls Gone Wild Joe Francis. "The night I met @letthelordbewith you," Kourtney captioned an Instagram photo shared in March 2015. While she reminisced over the night they met, Kourtney admitted on a 2014 episode of Kourtney & Khloe Take the Hamptons that it wasn't exactly love at first sight. "I liked her," Disick remembered. "But she wanted nothing to do with me." "I just thought he was so annoying," she explained. "He was four years younger, he lived in New York, he didn't have a job." Disick added with a laugh, "Three kids later, still no job, still no idea where it's going." The pair dated for 10 years and share three kids sons Mason and Reign and daughter Penelope but they split for good in 2015. While they remained close for many years since the split, Scott has opened up about growing apart from Kourtney as her relationship with now-husband Travis Barker grew stronger. "It was a huge adjustment losing Kourtney romantically, but now it's becoming a huge adjustment losing her as a best friend. Now we're really just more co-parenters. I'd say it's probably one of the more difficult things in my life," Disick told Khloe Kardashian during a season one episode of The Kardashians. Story continues Chloe Bartoli Image Splash News Online Stylist Chloe Bartoli and Disick reportedly dated in 2006 before he got serious with Kardashian. However, in 2015, the pair were linked once again after photos surfaced of them snuggled up in the South of France. Christine Burke Christine Burke Christine Burke Instagram Disick was briefly linked to model Christine Burke in 2016. Their rumored romance turned heads when people began to notice the similarities between Burke and Kardashian's younger sister, Kendall Jenner. Disick and Burke were previously spotted in Calabasas, California, together in March 2016 and were later seen kissing on a yacht in Cannes, France just weeks after he told PEOPLE he was single. The fling didn't last long, however. Megan Blake Irwin Megan Blake Irwin poses during the 2016 MBFWA Official Schedule Launch at Quay Sydney on March 23, 2016 in Sydney, Australia Don Arnold/WireImage In 2016, Disick was seen with Australian model Megan Blake Irwin who's eight years his junior on multiple occasions. They were first pictured at Cipriani's in New York City in April 2016 and were seen leaving Nobu restaurant in Malibu, California, together. Jessica Harris Scott Disick attends the grand opening of Sugar Factory American Brasserie at the Fashion Show mall on March 18, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada Gabe Ginsberg/Getty In early 2017, Disick was spotted kissing and cuddling model Jessica Harris in a swimming pool during a trip to Miami. Bella Thorne Bella Thorne attends the screening of "You Get Me" during the 2017 Los Angeles Film Festival at ArcLight Santa Monica on June 19, 2017 in Santa Monica, California Tibrina Hobson/Getty In May 2017, Disick was linked to Bella Thorne, who is 14 years younger than him. The pair appeared to be getting closer in Cannes, however, Thorne left just a few days into their trip. "Scott is really nice, sweet, charming. I don't drink, and he really drinks a lot. And it just ended up ... I just wasn't down. I was like, 'I gotta leave.' We were [at Cannes] a day and a half before I was like I'm booking my flight and leaving," Thorne told Complex in June 2017. "I love to go out and have fun, I love to f------ dance, but I just don't party hardcore like that and it was way too much for me. I was like, 'Woah, this is not the way I live my life, bruh.' " Disick and Thorne reunited the following month in California as they were seen leaving Lana Del Ray's birthday party. In July 2017, the actress revealed that she was still friends with Disick, but clarified she "was never with him sexually." Sofia Richie Scott Disick and Sofia Richie attend ASOS celebrates partnership with Life Is Beautiful at No Name on April 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California Presley Ann/Getty Disick and Sofia Richie had an on-off relationship for more than three years. The couple were first spotted cuddling aboard a yacht in Cannes in May 2017. At the time, the model denied any romance, tweeting, "Just so everyone can get their panties out of their aes, Scott and I are just homies #relax." By September 2017, however, Disick and Richie had gone Instagram official. During a trip to Miami, Disick posted a picture of himself and Richie on his Instagram Story. In the photo, the two are posing together in front of a blue sky, with his face hiding behind hers. Richie posted a similar photo on her Instagram Story of the couple posing with their arms around each other. One of their friends also shared a video of Scott and Sofia kissing on the lips, seemingly confirming their relationship status. After a brief breakup in late 2017, Disick and Richie took another step in their romance and went on a trip to Cabo with Disick's kids. By May 2018, Kardashian had started warming up to the relationship, trusting Richie with Mason, Penelope and Reign. "The kids are allowed to spend time with her. Sofia likes having them and helps Scott. So far, the kids are giving Kourtney good reports about Sofia," a source told PEOPLE at the time. However, the couple officially parted ways in mid 2020. Bella Banos Bella Banos Bella Banos Instagram Disick was spotted briefly with model Bella Banos in October 2020, but they "weren't dating." A source told PEOPLE at the time, "He has been on dates but isn't dating anyone." Amelia Hamlin Amelia Gray Hamlin attends the Alo Wellness Department Dinner at Alo Yoga Flatron on September 09, 2021 in New York City Paul Morigi/Getty Amelia Gray Hamlin, the daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin, dated Disick from 2020 to 2021. The pair were first linked in October 2020, and in March 2021, a source told PEOPLE that the relationship was "getting serious." "He's been telling friends how much she means to him and how into her he is," said the source. The couple were pretty open about their relationship, often sharing loved-up Instagram posts. To mark her 20th birthday in June 2021, Hamlin posted a series of Instagram Stories from an evening out in Miami, which included lavish gifts and PDA with Disick. In one video, Disick could be seen gifting his girlfriend a cross necklace by placing it around her neck, which prompted Hamlin to tear up and then thank Disick with a kiss on the lips. However, not everyone was on board with the relationship. In an August 2021 episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Rinna took a swipe at her daughter's boyfriend. While she said she could see her older daughter Delilah getting married in the future, she had different feelings about Amelia. "I can't say the same for Amelia at this point," she mused. "No. Like, why can't it be Harry Styles? Why the f--- is it Scott Disick?" In September 2021, a source told PEOPLE that the couple were going through a rocky patch. The same month, they officially called it quits, with an insider confirming to PEOPLE that Hamlin had broken up with Disick. Rebecca Donaldson Scott Disick and Rebecca Donaldson attend the Los Angeles premiere of Hulu's new show "The Kardashians" at Goya Studios on April 07, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Frazer Harrison/Getty The reality star had a brief romance with Scottish model Rebecca Donaldson in early 2022. They made their red carpet debut at Hulu's The Kardashians premiere on April 7, 2022, and held hands as they posed for photos. Phil Roeder/Getty Images; Insider People don't think the Supreme Court represents them well, a Morning Consult/Insider poll found. More than 55% said the SCOTUS was "out of touch" with the generation's needs on abortion access. 70% or more of each age group also said Supreme Court justices should have term limits. There's more evidence that the US's highest court has a legitimacy problem: A new poll has found the American public doesn't think the Supreme court represents their best interests. In the Morning Consult/Insider poll from September, Americans of all ages said they thought the Supreme Court was "out of touch" on several key issues, especially abortion access, and gun regulations. The survey is part of Insider's "Red, White, and Gray" project, which explores the ongoing gerontocracy in the US and its ramifications for a younger generation. In June 2022, the Supreme Court decided in a 6-3 ideological vote to gut the protections and precedents for safe abortion access it granted to all Americans nearly 50 years ago in the ever-famous Roe v. Wade case. The Supreme Court's decision-making around abortion issues appears to have irked those surveyed by Morning Consult and Insider more than 55% of every age group polled said the Supreme Court was either "somewhat" or "very out of touch" regarding issues relating to abortion access. Americans' frustrations with the Supreme Court extend to the issue of access to guns. The United States, which boasts tremendous Second Amendment gun protections, is also home to rampant firearm-related violence, injuries, and deaths. For decades, especially since the rise in the occurrence of school shootings, many Americans and activists have petitioned their local and federal governments to unveil new regulations on who can possess guns and limit the accessibility of certain types. Despite a high number of firearm-related injuries and deaths in the country, the Supreme Court dramatically expanded Second Amendment rights in the nation by declaring that New York's ruling requiring a license to concealed-carry weapons in public areas was unconstitutional. Story continues The court's decision on firearm-related issues doesn't appear to have spurred much confidence in the institution. More than 55% of every age group polled said they thought the Supreme Court was either "very" or "somewhat out of touch" on gun regulations. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan warned about the court's standing with the American populace at an event in September. "When courts become extensions of the political process, when people see them as extensions of the political process, when people see them as trying just to impose personal preferences on a society irrespective of the law, that's when there's a problem," Kagan said. According to Courthouse News, Justice Sonia Sotomayor also said in September that any time the court upends precedent "in situations in which the public may view it as active in political arenas, there's going to be some question about the court's legitimacy." As the nation's frustrations with the Supreme Court continue to boil, the survey found that people across the board in the US want term limits for justices. At the moment, a seat on the Supreme Court lasts as long as the justice wishes to serve, with some justices, like Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, serving until they die. More than 70% of people of every age group polled said that justices should have a cap on how long they can serve. Term limits for Supreme Court justices is an idea that also appeals to members of both parties, the survey found. More than two-thirds of Republicans and three-fourths of Democrats polled said they thought there should be a cap on how long a justice can serve. Despite the nation's wish for term limits on Supreme Court justices, it's unlikely to happen anytime soon. Adding a term limit would require Congress to amend the US Constitution, which would require a two-thirds vote from both the House and Senate to initiate the process. The proposed amendment would then be required to be ratified by three-fourths of the states to officially be added to the Constitution. The most recent time the Constitution was amended was in 1992, with the 27th Amendment, which stops any law that would change the salary of members of Congress from taking hold until after the next House of Representatives election. The amendment was one of the first to ever be proposed but took nearly 200 years to ratify. The Insider/Morning Consult survey was conducted from September 8 through September 10, and had 2,210 respondents and a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points. Read the original article on Business Insider In her last phone call with her son Matthew Loflin, Belinda L. Maley told him she was working as hard as possible to get him out of the Chatham County Detention Center in Georgia. Im doing everything I can to get you out and so I can see you, she promised her son. But Loflin, who was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, told Maley she needed to hurry. Im coughing up blood, my feet are swollen. It hurts, he told his mother through sobs. Im gonna die in here. Loflin, incarcerated on a nonviolent drug offense, died soon after their call. When Maley saw her son again, he was handcuffed to a hospital bed, unconscious, while she authorized ending his life support. Maleys experience is one of several that surfaced during a Senate hearing this week held in conjunction with the release of a bipartisan report that found problems with the Department of Justices (DOJ) method of reporting deaths of those in custody. Now, scrutiny is growing over federal oversight of prisons as a rash of deaths among the incarcerated grabs headlines. On Tuesday, a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee released a report finding that the DOJ did not count almost 1,000 deaths in prisons and jails across the country in the last fiscal year. The lapses are an apparent violation of the Deaths in Custody Reporting Act (DCRA), which was passed in 2000 and reauthorized in 2013 and requires the DOJ to collect such information. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which led the probe, criticized the DOJ during the Tuesday hearing. Despite a clear charge from Congress to determine who is dying in prisons and jails across the country, where they are dying and why they are dying, the Department of Justice is failing to do so, Ossoff said. This failure undermines efforts to address the urgent humanitarian crisis ongoing behind bars across the country. The report is the latest to shine a spotlight on the alarming number of deaths plaguing prisons and jails across the country. Story continues Just last year, the Bureau of Justice Statistics released its 2018 mortality data for local jails. The bureau found 1,120 incarcerated people had died in local jails, the highest number of deaths since the agency began collecting data in 2000. Though prison populations have remained fairly stagnant over the last 20 years, there were 44 percent more deaths in 2018 in state prisons than there were in 2001, said Wanda Bertram, communications strategist for the Prison Policy Initiative. This means the number of deaths relative to the overall state prison population has been increasing. But accessing that information hasnt been easy. Prisons and jails have huge amounts of obscurity, Bertram said. They can use HIPAA and they can use their protected status as government entities to keep that information from journalists. The government data is so crucial for reporters, for independent organizations, for any members of the public who are doing investigations to hold prisons and jails accountable. While all categories of death have been on the rise from suicides to homicides to intoxication the most common cause of death for those in jail is suicide. This month, a recent spate of suicides at Rikers Island, New York Citys prison complex, has made headlines. The prison reported its fifth suspected suicide last week, leading City Comptroller Brad Lander to tell PIX11 the situation is not under control in any way. Bertram said reasons for the increased numbers of deaths across the country could be due to changes in the demographics of whos incarcerated, such as a higher number of older people, the increased privatization of prison health care and even overcrowding. She argued that prisons and jails have a vested interest in not sharing those numbers or causes of death. These are very often lethal places where we put the most vulnerable people in society, Bertram said. The Deaths in Custody Reporting Act was designed to counterbalance that somewhat by requiring the DOJ to get information on deaths from facilities. Among the revelations from this weeks Senate report, which included an analysis from the Government Accountability Office, was that the DOJ hasnt been fully compliant with the DCRA in the last few years, leaving many to wonder just how many people are dying in custody and how. Regarding the information the DOJ did report, 70 percent of records were missing at least one DCRA-required data field and about 40 percent of the records did not include a description of the circumstances surrounding the death. This isnt about statistics, Ossoff said. This isnt about data. This is about human lives, people who are preventively dying from civil rights being violated. I swore an oath to the Constitution to defend the rights of every American no matter whether theyre in my state or another state, no matter whether theyre incarcerated or free. There is an urgent humanitarian crisis unfolding inside prisons and jails across the country. People are dying and suffering, and we have an urgent obligation to address this crisis. For Andrea Armstrong, a law professor at Loyola University New Orleans, the data pulled from the DCRA is vital to identifying patterns of conditions within facilities. For instance, she said, data on suicide can show there are deep differences between where these deaths occur as opposed to others. This could lead to scrutiny of staffing numbers in areas of segregation, why people are in solitary confinement and for what types of offenses and for how long. We also want to think about, what are the mental health protocols? added Armstrong. Are they doing the required visual checks? Are they doing the suicide watch observations that are required? In that way, [data would] be the tip of the iceberg for understanding what is happening in that facility and their adherence to best practices. She said that as deaths in custody continue rising, the trauma compounds. We have large numbers of members of our community who work in these facilities who witness these traumatic incidents, because that is their employment, said Armstrong. Other incarcerated people often witness these deaths, they are the ones to sound the alarm, who bang on the steel door to alert somebody that the person next to them or in their cell is also dead. The DOJ testified this week that it was the 2013 reauthorization that left room for these reporting gaps. After the 2013 reauthorization, the DCRA provided the authority for the DOJ to impose a 10 percent penalty on grant funding on states that do not comply with reporting requirements, said Maureen A. Henneberg, deputy assistant attorney general for operations and management at the Office of Justice Programs with the DOJ. Now, she said, states no longer have incentive to compel local agencies to coordinate the necessary data. If a state is reporting everything that they are receiving from local agencies, and it is incomplete, they would potentially be found in noncompliance and their state funding would be cut, said Henneberg. The DOJ is now asking Congress to eliminate the requirement for centralized state reporting, which would allow the department to collect information directly from state and local agencies. The agency also proposed eliminating the grant penalty that would affect an entire state with a narrower requirement and asked Congress to authorize the DOJ to issue additional grants for training or technical assistance to states. Bertram, of the Prison Policy Initiative, said she hopes the government will take an active interest in people behind bars and changes how it holds state and local jails accountable for these deaths. But she added she doesnt have high expectations. The way that states neglected people in prison during the pandemic, the way extremely vulnerable people like pregnant women have been treated in prisons and in jail, and people whove been sexually assaulted have been ignored I just dont see a lot of progress coming from this, she said. But I would challenge the legislators who are behind this initiative to follow it through. Make sure that there is some meaningful change. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. One theme throughout New York Attorney General Letitia James multimillion-dollar fraud lawsuit against former President Donald Trump is that he undervalued property if it would save him money and overvalued property if it helped him get bigger loans. The showcase Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is cited as an example of how Trump allegedly sought to have it both ways. When he needed collateral, he and his team placed a high value on the property and when he wanted a tax break, he called the property worthless, according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday by James office. Advertisement Once touted as a jewel of the Trump portfolio, the Chicago Trump Tower was, in reality, mired in questionable financing for years. The 220-page lawsuit said the downtown Chicago property, owned officially by 401 North Wabash Venture LLC, was appraised at $133 million in recent years by Deutsche Bank, which lent Trump money for the project, but he gave a different story saying it was worthless when reporting his taxes. Advertisement Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago, center, is seen on March 29, 2021. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) In an attempt to try to avoid detection, Trump and the Trump Organization intentionally didnt include the skyscraper in his various statements of financial condition so that it wouldnt expose the differing values he gave the property, the lawsuit stated. Since 2009, its value has been excluded from the Statements of Financial Condition, which are essentially balance sheets reviewed by lenders and others that show assets and liabilities, the lawsuit said. Based on sworn testimony, the reason for the omission was that Trump did not want to take a position on the Statements that would conflict with a position about the propertys value he has represented to tax authorities, the lawsuit stated. (The) investigation revealed that the tax position taken was that the property had become worthless according to Mr. Trump, and thus formed the basis of a substantial loss under the federal tax code. The Chicago hotel and residence is relevant in the case filed by James office because Mr. Trump and the Trump Organization obtained bank loans on the building or its components as collateral and the statements were part of the loan transaction, the lawsuit said. Any use of differing property values could put Trump in a difficult position given he allegedly certified his statements of financial condition as true and accurate in multiple loan agreements, including in loans he personally guaranteed for the skyscraper on the bank of the Chicago River. Among the loan transactions cited in the lawsuit was one in which the Trump Organization paid down a loan from $98 million to $19 million with proceeds from condo sales at the Chicago property, but then successfully increased the loan from Deutsche Bank by $54 million to a $73 million loan with Trumps personal guarantee. Included in collateral, the lawsuit said, were unsold condominium units and the Trump International Hotel Chicago. By 2015, the lawsuit said, the Trump Organization had paid down what it owed to a remaining loan balance of $45 million. Advertisement But since the property had been appraised at $133 million, that was to Trumps advantage because the appraisal triggered specific provisions in his loan deal that meant Mr. Trumps personal guarantee was eliminated, according to the lawsuit. rlong@chicagotribune.com jmeisner@chicagotribune.com Twitter @RayLong Twitter @jmetr22b Does he look like a Ridgway, Theodore, Pierre or Teddy? SeaWorld Orlando wants your help to name a baby dolphin deemed unreleasable after being rehabilitated following life-threatening injuries in the waters off Clearwater Beach. Rescuers saved the less than 2-month-old baby on July 20 when he was found struggling and tangled in the remnants of crab trap lines. Officials said they tried to release him into the open water, but the baby was unable to swim on his own and his mother was nowhere in sight. The baby dolphin arrived at SeaWorld Orlando unresponsive and unable to swim on his own. After nine weeks of intensive care, he is now in stable condition bottle feeding, swimming on his own and healing from his injuries. Read: New study shows risk dolphins face in Central Florida waters But despite his progress, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) determined he is non-releasable because of his lack of critical skills needed to survive on his own due to his young age and size at rescue. While he still has a long road to full recovery, were proud of the great progress he has made so far, said Jon Peterson, vice president of zoological operations at SeaWorld Orlando. He has captured everyones heart and we are thrilled to invite animal lovers everywhere to vote on their favorite name for him and join us on his journey of hope and resiliency. You can click here to vote on his name. The poll closes at 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26. Photos: SeaWorld wants your help to name this baby dolphin The public is invited to vote to name a baby dolphin that will remain in SeaWorld Care after being deemed non-releasable. The public is invited to vote to name a baby dolphin that will remain in SeaWorld Care after being deemed non-releasable. The public is invited to vote to name a baby dolphin that will remain in SeaWorld Care after being deemed non-releasable. The public is invited to vote to name a baby dolphin that will remain in SeaWorld Care after being deemed non-releasable. The public is invited to vote to name a baby dolphin that will remain in SeaWorld Care after being deemed non-releasable. 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. UKRAINSKA PRAVDA WEDNESDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2022, 15:05 Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Minister of Defence, has said that stepping up security at military enlistment offices and "citizens assembly points" in order to "prevent provocations" were among the priority tasks of the mobilisation. Source: a statement by Russias Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu Quote: "It is necessary to strengthen measures against provocations and illegal actions, and increase protection for [mobilisation] notification sites and points for the reception and assembly of citizens." Details: Shoigu added that those mobilised will have the status of contract soldiers, and employees of enterprises in the defence industry will be able to defer military service. Background: In an address to Russians on the morning of 21 September, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the partial mobilization of the country's citizens. In anticipation of a speech by dictator Vladimir Putin, which did not take place as expected on 20 September, Russian people started to actively search up how to leave the country and how to defer army service. Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that 300,000 people would be mobilised into the Russian army. Oleksii Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, described the announcement of partial mobilisation as Putin's plan to "get rid of Russians". Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Stephanie Bosh uses letter flash cards to help students recognize letters in kindergarten at Pleasant Elementary School in Marion in this file photo. School Report Cards for Ohio schools were released Sept. 15 for the 2021 - 2022 academic year, including those for Marion County's five public districts, Marion Preparatory Academy and Tri-Rivers Career Center. For the first time this year, the report cards have transitioned from the traditional letter grade system to evaluating the districts with star ratings in an effort to make the system fairer for schools and easier for parents to understand. The report card evaluates the following categories: achievement, progress, early literacy, gap closing, graduation and readiness (college, career, workforce, military). Ohio school report cards:Find your district in this searchable database Districts can earn up to five stars in each category, and half-star ratings are possible. For the first year of this new system, each district's overall score as well as the score for readiness were not rated. To understand the new system, it is important to note the greater the number of stars a district earned signifies higher achievement, but three stars mean the school met statewide expectations. Marion County scores District Achievement Progress Gap Closing Graduation Early Literacy Readiness Elgin 3 5 3 4 2 N/R Marion City 2 2 3 3 1 N/R Marion Prep 2 5 3 N/R 1 N/R Pleasant 3 2 4 5 2 N/R Ridgedale 3 3 2 5 2 N/R River Valley 3 3 4 5 2 N/R Tri-Rivers Career Center also received a state report card with the following categories and the traditional letter grade system: Overall (B), Achievement (C), Technical Skill Attainment (C), Performance Index (N/R), Readiness (C), Graduation (A), 4-Year Graduation Rate (A), 5-Year Graduation Rate (A) and Post Program Placement (C). Local superintendents respond to scores Across Marion County's public districts, superintendents are reviewing the data to celebrate where their students are succeeding and to understand where they can improve. According to the data, the only area where every district in Marion County is not meeting state standards is the early literacy category: a phenomenon that affected schools statewide and in Marion County from the COVID-19 pandemic. Story continues They are among 34.4% of Ohio districts that also scored one or two stars in this category. Marion City Schools Interim Superintendent Steve Mazzi said that as he continues his new role with the district, his team is going to be taking time to analyze the report card data. "Considering what all schools have been through the past two years, it will take some time to dive into the data, thoroughly analyze what it's telling us, and determine how best to move forward. This will remain a top priority for our building and district-level leadership teams over the coming weeks," Mazzi said. While River Valley Superintendent Adam Wickham said there is not a huge change between the old and new systems, he wished there was a category to represent the ways districts worked to address the social-emotional needs of students as this is something River Valley has worked to improve. Wickham said he is pleased to see strong results in the graduation and gap closing categories with five and four stars respectively. Still, he noted this is only a small snapshot of district achievement. "When we look at the report card we always try to keep in mind that the report card is based on a single test given in the spring of the prior school year," Wickham said. "There is so much more to what our staff and students do, compared to what one test can show. We always try to use the data to learn and improve, but we also try to be level-headed in what the data shows us." Pleasant Superintendent Tom McDonnell explained that while the scores don't encompass all the districts are doing, he likes to view the scores as a general dashboard to check in with how things are going. He said he thinks the new system is a less competitive and more holistic view of district achievement, noting that in the past districts would be more competitive with the grade for performance index. "I think this just says, 'Here's the dashboard, here are the different areas for us to go and look at.' You know, when you start putting a number at the very top, and everybody is up against each other in every district - and I know it's important to benchmark - but I think most importantly it's about the work that we're doing in our schools. Every student body and every district is different. They have different needs," McDonnell said. In regard to the district's five star rating for the graduation category, McDonnell said he was proud, but even exceeding standards wasn't enough as he wants to see 100% of Pleasant students graduate and succeed. Story by: Sophia Veneziano (740) 564 - 5243 sveneziano@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Marion Star: See how Marion County schools fared on the Ohio report cards Congress is poised to approve a short-term government funding patch next week that includes billions of dollars for Ukraine, likely thwarting a shutdown even as ongoing hiccups over permitting drag out negotiations. It's still unclear if the temporary funding fix will include language to speed up the approval of new energy projects. While the notion has bipartisan support, Republicans and Democrats are split on the details, and time is rapidly running out to reach a compromise. The Senate is expected to move first on the stopgap spending bill. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer moved Thursday to advance the funding measure, setting up a test vote for early next week even though lawmakers are still racing to finalize the legislation itself. That vote to advance the stopgap, likely to occur on Tuesday or Wednesday, would require 60 senators. The New York Democrat is determined to attach the energy permitting provisions to the funding patch, stemming from a deal with Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin that cemented the West Virginia centrists support for the partys health care, tax and climate bill. But if political sparring over permitting delays a Senate vote on the motion to proceed, the House could move first on a funding patch without the energy provisions, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday. Government funding is set to expire at midnight on Sept. 30. Lawmakers have said the stopgap would likely keep the government funded through Dec. 16. Manchin unveiled his package to ease energy permitting on Wednesday. And in a boost, his GOP counterpart, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, said Thursday that she supports Manchins plan. But Manchin needs more assistance from his Republican colleagues to get it across the finish line. Most Republicans think Manchin's bill doesn't go far enough to ease permitting rules, and they've rallied around a separate GOP proposal introduced by Capito. Plus, Republicans arent willing to reward Manchin for cutting a deal with Schumer over the summer that allowed Democrats to pass their signature climate and health law without GOP votes. Story continues Meanwhile, a growing chorus of Senate liberals and House progressives are calling to separate the temporary funding patch from the energy permitting provisions. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said Thursday that she wants a separate vote on the short-term funding bill, while Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has said hell vote against the stopgap if it includes permitting measures. I would use any tool that we can to make sure that this provision is not passed, Sanders said of the permitting provisions earlier this week. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) is also objecting to Manchins package because it would approve the Mountain Valley Pipeline in West Virginia, which stretches into his home state. Kaine lamented that he had no input on the proposal, even though more than 100 miles would run through Virginia. Ive tried to be really candid meeting with Sens. Manchin and Schumer to express, 'OK, here are pieces Im fine with, but this piece about Virginia, you didnt talk to me and I have real concerns,' Kaine said Thursday. So exactly how they resolve all that, not clear. Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota predicted that the stopgap will have to move forward without the energy permitting provisions, citing pushback on the left and the right. Instead, they'd likely need to move forward on a "clean" bill, he said. I just dont see any enthusiasm for Joes package," Cramer said. "And if people like Tim Kaine are upset about it, I just dont see how it pieces together within their coalition. The bill is expected to include billions of dollars in emergency funding for Ukraine. Schumer is pushing for $12 billion, although appropriators said the final amount is still being negotiated. Lawmakers also reached a deal on Thursday to include a five-year reauthorization of the user fees that fund much of the FDAs work. Additionally, the bill could include billions of dollars to bolster the federal response to natural disasters, in addition to emergency cash to help Jackson, Miss., addressing a crisis that has left hundreds of thousands of people without clean drinking water for months. House appropriators are eyeing as much as $200 million in emergency additional cash for the citys dilapidated water system. Katherine Tully-McManus, Nancy Vu, Burgess Everett and Annie Snider contributed to this report. A map of the eastern San Fernando Valley shows the location of a brush fire in Shadow Hills Firefighters from five Los Angeles-area agencies are continuing to battle a 107-acre brush fire that broke out in Shadow Hills on Wednesday afternoon. The fire, first reported shortly after 1 p.m. at about 5 acres, was burning in light-to-medium brush near 10018 N. Sunland Way, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The blaze was moving uphill, driven by winds of roughly 8 mph. By 3:45 p.m., the fire had grown to its current size of 107 acres. Capt. Erik Scott, a Fire Department spokesperson, told The Times around 5:30 p.m. that all forward progress on the fire had been stopped but that crews were "not out of the woods." Firefighters continued to extinguish flames within the burn perimeter and improve containment lines, Scott said. The blaze was 40% contained. The fire is burning in very rugged, remote and steep terrain, Scott said. Fire crews must hike about three-quarters of a mile to get to the fire, and personnel reported continued hot spots along the fire's edge. Despite the challenges, the fact that the fire is burning inside the footprint of the 2017 La Tuna fire, which was the city's largest blaze in half a century at 7,194 acres, has helped to keep it under control. "That means the vegetation and fuel we're dealing with is not tall, thick, green brush," Scott said. "If this burned outside of that footprint, this would have been a whole other story." The 2017 fire destroyed five homes and led to more than 300 residences being evacuated. In contrast, Wednesday's fire has not threatened homes, caused no injuries to firefighters or civilians, and has not endangered pets or other domestic animals. "We hit this fire very hard and very fast with five agencies," Scott said. "We're not messing around with wildfire in this heat. We work to stomp them out while they're small. The fact that today's fire was in a previous burn footprint greatly assisted our efforts." About 120 LAFD personnel were working the blaze as of Wednesday evening, he said. Firefighters from the L.A. County, Glendale and Burbank fire departments, as well as the Angeles National Forest, also joined in the effort. Story continues Ground crews were supplemented by firefighting aircraft, Scott said. The blaze serves as a reminder for anyone living in a brush area to take the following precautions: be very familiar with the Ready, Set, Go program; perform brush clearance to give firefighters defensible space to save homes; and harden their homes from embers, he said. "This will be an extended operation to achieve full containment and mop up," according to an LAFD alert sent Wednesday evening. The fire's cause remains under investigation. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Shakira poses for photographs before seeing the movie "Elvis" in Cannes, France, in May. (Joel C Ryan / Invision / Associated Press) Shakira says Spanish tax collectors "started to salivate" when they saw she was dating soccer star Gerard Pique, a native of Barcelona. And she says those authorities are completely in the wrong regarding $16 million she allegedly failed to pay in taxes from 2012 to 2014. The Colombian singer was charged with tax evasion in Spain in 2018. Authorities said in July that they would ask a court to sentence Shakira to eight years and two months in prison if she's convicted. But she's not budging. She told Elle in an interview published Wednesday that she had to fight the charges because the accusations are false. She says she didn't qualify as a resident of Spain during the years she is accused of tax evasion. "First of all, I didnt spend 183 days per year at that time at all. I was busy fulfilling my professional commitments around the world," Shakira said. "Second, Ive paid everything they claimed I owed, even before they filed a lawsuit. So as of today, I owe zero to them. And finally, I was advised by one of the four biggest tax specialist firms in the world, PricewaterhouseCoopers, so I was confident that I was doing things correctly and transparently from day one." Shakira said tax authorities were mounting a "salacious press campaign" to apply pressure as in, the threat of reputational damage in hopes of eliciting a settlement deal. She accused them of tracking her whereabouts via social media once she started dating footballer Pique in 2011. "While Gerard and I were dating, I was on a world tour. I spent more than 240 days outside of Spain, so there was no way I qualified as a resident," she said. "The Spanish tax authorities saw that I was dating a Spanish citizen and started to salivate. Its clear they wanted to go after that money no matter what. ... They knew I wasnt in Spain the required time, that Spain wasnt my place of work or my source of income, but they still came after me, with their eyes on the prize." Story continues Shakira said she was confident that justice would prevail in her favor when the case goes to trial. "I have enough proof." And if that's not enough to manage, the singer has also been dealing with the breakup of her high-profile marriage with the attendant tabloid attention on her and her kids as well as her health issues. "I have paparazzi camping outside, in front of my house, 24/7," she said. "And theres not a place where I can hide from them with my kids, except for my own house. You know, we cant take a walk in the park like a regular family or go have an ice cream or do any activity without paparazzi following us. So its hard." The relationship she had with Pique has been cheapened by the media, she said, which is so disappointing. This, Shakira said, "is probably the darkest hour of my life." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. President Joe Biden boards Marine One at the White House on July 20. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Azerbaijan reignited a longstanding conflict with Armenia last week. The two countries are part of a web of partnerships with Russia and its Western rivals. Those overlapping relationships show the folly of basing US policy on "good" democracies vs. "bad" autocracies. Azerbaijan began shelling positions across its border with Armenia last week, reigniting a longstanding conflict between the two countries. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought multiple wars over the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, a primarily Armenian ethnic enclave within Azerbaijan that Armenia recognizes as a separate republic called Artsakh, and with which Armenia has long desired unification. An Armenian victory in the early 1990s gave it control over Nagorno-Karabakh and a large corridor of Azerbaijani territory linking it to Armenia proper, but a war in 2020 resulted in a decisive Azeri victory that reestablished Azerbaijan's control over the disputed territories. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is only one part of a broader geopolitical contest, however. Azerbaijani troops in the city of Lachin on September 1. Resul Rehimov/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images While Armenia and Azerbaijan both have warm relations with Russia, Armenia has a security agreement with Russia as part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), an alliance of six post-Soviet states in Central Asia. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, whose population is primarily ethnically and linguistically Turkic and religiously Muslim, enjoys firm support from Turkey. Turkey and Armenia have long been at odds, and the shadow of the Ottoman genocide of Armenians in 1915 continues to fall over relations between the neighboring countries. In recent years, Ankara has sought an independent course with Moscow, despite being a NATO member. On the one hand, Erdogan has sought to maintain cordial relations with Putin, particularly in the wake of a failed 2016 coup which raised suspicions in Ankara about the West's complicity. More recently, Erdogan has acted as a diplomatic broker in the Ukraine war and has bucked Western sanctions by purchasing Russian military hardware. Story continues On the other hand, Turkey and Russia compete for influence over the states surrounding the Caspian Sea, a region which both Moscow and Ankara view as a rightful inheritance of their imperial legacy. Russia and Turkey also backed opposite sides during the brutal Syrian civil war, culminating in a momentary international crisis following the Turkish downing of a Russian fighter jet in 2015. Relatives of Armenia troops wounded in clashes with Azerbaijan at a military hospital in Yerevan, on September 13. KAREN MINASYAN/AFP via Getty Images It is probable that the timing of the most recent flare-up between Armenia and Azerbaijan was not coincidental. Azerbaijan was likely emboldened to launch the recent attack on Armenia by the successful Ukrainian counteroffensive around Kharkiv and Russia's generally poor performance during the Ukraine war. Armenia's devastating defeat in 2020 led analysts to conclude that Russian-supplied equipment was ineffective in combating advanced drone technology supplied to Azerbaijan by Turkey and Israel, while the Atlantic Council interpreted Russia's unwillingness to intervene directly on Armenia's behalf as a sign of underlying weakness. The US has characterized its competition with Russia and China as a battle between democracy and autocracy for the future of the "rules-based international order." But the not-so-frozen Azeri-Armenian conflict provides an ironic counterpoint, belying the narrative that Putin is primarily motivated by a fear of democracies or popular revolutions among Russia's neighbors. Armenia, a small democracy that underwent a revolution in 2018, has mainly been backed by Russia and Iran, while Azerbaijan, a dynastic dictatorship with much greater wealth and population, has been consistently supported by both NATO-member Turkey and Israel, which claims to be the only democracy in the Middle East. Azerbaijani troops in Lachin on September 1. Resul Rehimov/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images The ironies don't end there. Armenian-Americans have a potent lobby in the US based in congressional districts like California's 28th, home to Rep. Adam Schiff, who, among other roles, is the vice-chair of the Congressional Armenian Caucus and has been awarded the State Order by the Armenian government. Schiff made a national name for himself as the ranking member of the House Select Intelligence Committee, and one of the most public faces of the "Russiagate" investigation that contributed towards souring US-Russian relations. During the first impeachment of Trump in January 2020, Schiff stated that "the United States aids Ukraine and her people so that we can fight Russia over there and we don't have to fight Russia here." Yet in the wake of Russia's setback in Ukraine, Azerbaijan's attack on Armenia drew swift condemnation from Schiff, who has introduced legislation to halt US aid to Azerbaijan. The complex politics of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict demonstrate the folly of conducting US foreign policy according to a Manichean division between "good" democracies and "bad" autocracies. They also highlight the fact that a military alliance like NATO does not necessarily equal a permanent harmony of interests between all its members. Finally, as Russia totters from its failures on the battlefield in Ukraine, and as renewed tensions flare between other post-Soviet states like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, it is worth considering what the unintended consequences of a destabilized Russia might be for its Eurasian neighbors. Christopher McCallion is a fellow at Defense Priorities. Read the original article on Business Insider Shes back - and always welcome. We already know how much Sofia Vergara loves visiting Miami. The Modern Family started out her career as a model here years ago and often posts throwback photos from her time in the Magic City. Vergara also has relatives here, so another good reason to return beside the 24/7 bikini weather. On her Wednesday Instagram stories, the Colombian bombshell is seen out on a boat dancing on the deck and then partying at a club. Reason for the celebration? On a static post, Vergara tags her niece, Claudia Vergara, who apparently just turned 30. On yet another super festive post, you see the whole crew partied, complete with sky high cake and sparklers, at Baoli Miami in South Beach. Seems the local influencer is the TV stars very own Mini Me. On another post the Americas Got Talent judge, 50, shared a snap of her and Claudia (shot from behind, both in thongs), joking the younger woman was the new version of her. Both women look absolutely amazing and you cant tell which one is which. Vergaras, um, cheeky caption with a laughing emoji: Modelo viejo del 72 y modelo nuevo del 92. Translation: Old model from 1972 and new model from 1992. By Sam Nussey and Joyce Lee TOKYO/SEOUL (Reuters) -SoftBank Group Corp founder and CEO Masayoshi Son said on Thursday he plans to meet with Samsung Electronics to discuss a potential "strategic alliance" between the South Korean tech giant and chip designer Arm. The billionaire will make his first visit to Seoul in three years. "I'd like to talk with Samsung about a strategic alliance with Arm," Son said in a statement. The statement follows remarks by Samsung's Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee, who was quoted as saying by newswire News1 that Son "may make a proposal" on a visit expected next month. Samsung declined to comment on the report. SoftBank acquired Arm, whose technology powers Apple's iPhone and nearly all other smartphones, in 2016 for $32 billion. A subsequent proposed deal to sell Arm to Nvidia aroused industry opposition and foundered on regulatory hurdles, prompting SoftBank to outline plans for a U.S. listing of the Cambridge-based firm. The visit comes amid speculation over the potential formation of an industry consortium to invest in Arm and ensure its neutrality. "There needs to be someone in the middle mediating to bring various companies together into a consortium, and Son may be trying to play such a role," said Lee Min-hee, an analyst at BNK Investment & Securities. "A potential proposal could be that companies interested in owning a part of Arm can enter in a pre-IPO placement at a lower price ahead of an IPO next year," he added. Monetising Arm has become a primary preoccupation for executives at tech conglomerate SoftBank, which has booked a massive loss at its Vision Fund investment arm and sold down its stake in Alibaba Group Holding to raise cash. Efforts to list the chip designer, however, come amid a dramatic decline in dealmaking with markets volatile due to soaring interest rates and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index is down by around a third for the year to date. Story continues An alliance with Arm could be a strategic fit for Samsung as the market leader in memory chips invests heavily to try to catch up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co in logic chips. The South Korean conglomerate is still seen as hampered by technical limitations in original technology for non-memory chips such as application processor architecture, which Arm specialises in. Other possible Arm suitors include Intel Corp, whose Chief Executive Pat Gelsinger in February expressed interest in joining a consortium to buy the chip designer. Samsung rival SK Hynix has also expressed interest in Arm, according to Yonhap news agency. It quoted Vice Chairman Park Jung-ho as saying in March that the chipmaker was considering forming a consortium to buy Arm. The company said at the time that the comment did not refer to a specific plan. Qualcomm Inc, which has also been cited as a potential investor, is being sued by Arm, which accuses it of breaching license agreements and trademark infringement. The discord could cast a shadow over an Arm listing, Redex Research analyst Kirk Boodry wrote in a note to clients. "Arm probably needs all its customers onside to command a premium valuation," he said. (Reporting by Sam Nussey in Tokyo and Joyce Lee in Seoul; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Edwina Gibbs) A Pittsburgh police officer accused by another officer of raping her has now been fired. Target 11 has confirmed through multiple sources that the officer was terminated today. The officer had been under fire since last year when the officer who claimed she was sexually assaulted sent a lengthy email to every officer in the department claiming that she was raped at her home by a fellow officer after a night of drinking and partying. She said it began at the Zone 5 station in East Liberty where they both worked and continued at a bar in Lawrenceville. She said the officer agreed to give her a ride home because she had been drinking. Allegheny County police and the citys Office of Municipal Investigations both conducted investigations. A spokesman for the district attorneys office said at the time there was not enough evidence to file criminal charges. The officer was initially suspended and transferred from Zone 5 to Zone 1, and that was supposed to be the end of any disciplinary action. But Target 11 learned today that the officer has now been fired. Sources tell Target 11 that critical and damning testimony and evidence from a court hearing earlier this year likely led to the decision to impose harsher disciplinary action. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Pittsburgh police officer accused of raping female officer barred from any contact with her Upset by what she considered to be a lack of disciplinary action, the officer late last year sent a lengthy email to every officer on the force describing what she claimed happened to her. She chastised city leaders at the time for not imposing harsher disciplinary action. The officer then filed for a protection order. After a hearing in March, an Allegheny County Judge granted that protection order, barring the officer from any contact with her. The judge also issued some scathing remarks in that court order. The court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the Plaintiff is the victim of sexual violence. At a minimum, the defendant committed the act of sexual assault. The court further finds that the Plaintiff is at continued risk of harm from the defendant. " Story continues Target 11 has also learned that police could reopen the investigation if any new evidence or information comes to light. The city declined to comment. Target 11 also reached out to the Police Officers Union, and as of this writing, they have not gotten back to us. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Woman shot multiple times, car riddled with bullets along main road in Wilkinsburg Parents of New Kensington boy found murdered in May facing charges following his death 9-year-old Pittsburgh girl beaten by older boy on school bus, per mother VIDEO: Eric Fairman: Fugitive in custody following massive search, lockdowns in Beaver County DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Starting next June, about 50,000 drivers living in unincorporated Cook County will have one fewer tax to pay. The Cook County Board on Thursday voted to do away with its so-called wheel tax. For most residents, it cost $80 or $100 a year, based on the size of the vehicle. Semis, tractors and buses paid anywhere from $100 to $230, depending on weight. Advertisement The county has collected an average of $3.6 million a year from the tax in recent years. Doing away with the charge will save about $500,000 in annual administrative costs, including 80,000 staff hours, according to county finance officials. Those staff hours will be directed elsewhere, they said in a news release. Thursdays unanimous vote at the Cook County Board means the county has permanently ended its vehicle registration fines and fees. Sponsored by Commissioner Kevin Morrison and supported by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, the aim of the change was to eliminate a regressive tax that has been a burden on county residents, Morrison said in a county news release. Advertisement Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. Several suburban municipalities have done away with city stickers in recent years, but some kept the registration cost in place. Chicago has been in the midst for several years of fine and fee changes related to vehicle stickers, which cost $90 a year, as well as parking tickets and vehicle booting and towing. Such charges and late fees or violations related to them can lead to spiraling debt. They also disproportionately impact residents with low income and residents of color in northeastern Illinois, CMAP said in the release. Cook County Board President President Toni Preckwinkle presides over a virtual meeting of the Cook County Board on Nov. 24, 2020. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune) According to a 2021 CMAP report, 159 municipalities in northeastern Illinois impose annual vehicle fees on residents, ranging from $5 to $90. Among those who have either repealed required vehicle sticker charges: Hoffman Estates, Rosemont, Oak Lawn, Des Plaines, Lombard and Palatine. It is our duty to be responsible fiscal stewards for our working families, Morrison said. As many municipalities have eliminated their vehicle stickers, unincorporated Cook County residents should not be taxed more than their neighbors. I will continue to look for opportunities to find savings as well as provide effective services for our residents. At Thursdays board meeting, Morrison said the move was only possible because of the countys strong fiscal position. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in the news release that any lost revenue is negligible compared with what it will save families. The Cook County Wheel Tax is regressive and unnecessary, she said, adding that it disproportionately affects Black and Brown residents of Cook County who can least afford to pay it. The resources we spend enforcing it outweigh its gains, and were proud that we can give the taxpayers some of their hard-earned money back. Preckwinkle and all 17 County Board seats are up for election Nov. 8. The ordinance takes effect on June 30 next year. Advertisement aquig@chicagotribune.com Sparks flew and debris reportedly fell to the ground from a United Airlines flight that had to make an emergency landing at the Newark, New Jersey, airport early on Thursday morning. "After our aircraft experienced a mechanical issue shortly after takeoff, it remained in the air to burn fuel and then landed safely," United said in a statement given to CNN. "Passengers deplaned at the gate and a new aircraft is scheduled to depart this morning." A video taken by a bystander, allegedly featuring the plane taking off, showed a terrifying shower of sparks trailing the plane over its left wing as it took off. In the background, an observer can be heard yelling, Oh my God! as glowing debris appears to fall to the tarmac. The Independent has reached out to United Airlines for updates and comment on the accuracy of the video. Another unconfirmed image on social media purported to show debris that had fallen from the plane. The airline told CNN an initial maintenance inspection suggested a problem with the Boeing 777-200 aircrafts hydraulic pump. None of the 256 passengers on the flight, which was bound for Sao Paulo, were injured . Before the plane touched back down, pilots guided it in circles above the Atlantic ocean for more than an hour to burn off excess fuel. Former President Donald Trump. AP Photo/Mary Altaffer The special master reviewing Mar-a-Lago records asked Trump's team for proof that the FBI planted evidence at his home, as Trump has claimed. Trump has repeatedly and publicly claimed the FBI illegally planted evidence when searching Mar-a-Lago. This isn't the first time Dearie has essentially asked Trump's team to put their money where their mouth is. The outside arbiter reviewing records seized from Mar-a-Lago has asked former President Donald Trump's legal team to definitively say whether they believe the FBI planted evidence when it searched Trump's Florida home. Judge Raymond Dearie was appointed special master earlier this month and is tasked with sifting through the thousands of documents seized from Mar-a-Lago and filtering out those that may be covered by executive or attorney-client privilege. On Thursday, he said in a new court filing that Trump's legal team must submit, by September 30, a declaration or affidavit that includes "a list of any specific items set forth" in the FBI's inventory of items removed from Mar-a-Lago that Trump "asserts were not seized from the Premises on August 8, 2022." The line appears to reference the former president's public claim that the FBI planted evidence when executing a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago last month. "Everyone was asked to leave the premises, they wanted to be alone," he wrote on Truth Social on August 10, "without any witnesses to see what they were doing, taking or, hopefully not, 'planting.'" Thursday wasn't the first time Dearie had essentially asked Trump's lawyers to put their money where their mouth is and back up his public claims. His statements were all the more noteworthy given that Dearie was appointed after Trump's lawyers pushed for a special master, and his name was on the list of candidates they submitted. At a Tuesday hearing, the special master chided Trump's team for wanting to "have your cake and eat it" after they refused to provide evidence that Trump had declassified all the documents seized from Mar-a-Lago. Story continues Ahead of the hearing, Dearie had pressed the former president's lawyers to confirm his claim that the records were declassified. Trump's team resisted the request, however, saying that turning over that information would force Trump to "fully and specifically disclose a defense" that he might try to mount in the event of a "subsequent indictment." But Dearie didn't appear to buy that argument, saying that if the former president's attorneys didn't give him evidence of declassification, he would side with the feds. "As far as I'm concerned, that's the end of it," he said, later adding: "You can't have your cake and eat it." In Thursday's court filing, Dearie also referenced the Justice Department's revelation that an FBI filter team had conducted an initial review of the Mar-a-Lago records and determined that roughly 500 pages could be covered by attorney-client privilege. Noting that the government had provided Trump's team with that initial set of documents, Dearie ordered Trump's lawyers to decide by September 26 which of those items they want to assert privilege over. And he gave the former president's team until October 14 to submit all their privilege claims. Read the original article on Business Insider Sep. 22JOHNSTOWN, Pa. Be prepared to have a quacking good time for a great cause. St. Vincent de Paul Family Kitchen's "Sip, Rock and Duck Drop" will be held from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Peoples Natural Gas Park, 90 Johns St., downtown Johnstown. Megan Foster, event co-chairwoman, said the event is an opportunity to raise funds for the Family Kitchen. "It will be a fun and enjoyable day for the whole family that will feature music, food and a variety of other activities while knowing that 100% of your donations will stay local," she said. "Every dollar raised goes directly to facility needs, food purchases, equipment and facility upgrades to feed our local community members that are in a difficult life situation." The annual fundraising event will feature musical entertainment from Jeff Webb and the Delectable Sound performing from 4 to 5:30 p.m., followed by Soulful Femme from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and the Billy Price Band entertaining from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Also featured will be the duck target drop raffle, which will give attendees a chance to win several cash prizes of $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, $300 for third place and $200 for fourth place. "Typically, we would take the ducks and let them go down the river, but now we're working on dropping the ducks on to a target and the four that come closest will be the winners," said Eileen Graham, St. Vincent de Paul advisory committee member. A total of 1,200 tickets will be sold for the raffle. Tickets are $5 per duck. Throughout the day people will have the opportunity to take tethered RE/MAX hot air balloon rides, weather permitting, for donations to benefit the family kitchen. There also will be baskets of chance, 50/50 drawings, food trucks, two cash bars, a celebrity "FUNdraisers" zone, local business and nonprofit vendors and the duckling zone children's area. This year's goal is to raise $50,000 for a new roof for the Family Kitchen. Story continues "This is a vital part of our community that we have to keep supporting and taking care of people," Graham said. "We want to not only continue to feed people, but get that roof completed, and we can't do that without fundraising and other supports through the community." The Family Kitchen serves on average 150 meals a day at no charge to individuals. The cost is over $150,000 annually, or around $4 per meal. "We are about halfway toward our goal," Graham said. "They need to have a new roof to keep things going, and it would improve many things." She said she's hoping that people will come out and have an enjoyable time while coming together as a community to raise funds for an essential part of Johnstown. "We want to make this happen and do what we need to do for the people who need it the most," Graham said. Admission is $15 and free for children 12 and under when accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.svdpcares.org/siprock-duck-drop or at the Heritage Discovery Center, 201 Sixth Ave., Johnstown. Tickets also will be available at the gate the day of the event. For more information or sponsorship opportunities, call 814-539-7811 or visit www.svdpcares.org. Children wearing stain-resistant school uniforms may be exposed to potentially dangerous levels of forever chemicals, according to a new study. The research, published on Wednesday in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, found that millions of school children just in the US and Canada could be exposed to potentially harmful levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or forever chemicals, through their uniforms. Children are a vulnerable population when it comes to chemicals of concern, and nobody knows these textiles are being treated with PFAS and other toxic chemicals, study co-author Graham Peaslee from the University of Notre Dame in the US. PFAS are chemicals used since the 1940s, that are commonly found in nonstick cookware, waterproof cosmetics, firefighting foams, as well as commercial products that resist grease and oil. Previous studies have shown that PFAS are linked to developmental effects in children, increased risks of cancer, and reduced immunity to fight infections. These forever chemicals have also been found to be extremely persistent in the environment, and even when the PFAS are buried, they leach into the surrounding soil. Researchers warn that the PFAS in chemically treated uniforms may end up harming children through skin absorption. They say children may also be exposed to these potentially dangerous chemicals from eating with unwashed hands, other hand-to-mouth behaviors, or mouthing of clothing by younger children. PFAS dont belong in any clothing, but their use in school uniforms is particularly concerning. School uniforms are worn directly on the skin for up to eight hours per day by children, who are particularly vulnerable to harm, Marta Venier, senior author of the study from Indiana University in the US said. I dont know any parent who values stain repellency over their childs health, Miriam Diamond, co-author of the study from the University of Toronto in Canada said. Story continues Scientists call for these chemicals to be eliminated from school uniforms and all other products where they are not essential. Researchers also call on parents to check labels on uniforms to see if the ones worn by their children are marketed as stain-resistant, adding that multiple washes might reduce the PFAS concentration of these clothes. This study has supported the hypothesis that many childrens products that are marketed as stain-resistant or waterproof do indeed contain PFAS, scientists wrote in the study. PFAS in school uniforms with high levels of PFAS could be a source of exposure to these harmful chemicals for millions of children each day via inhalation, ingestion and possibly also via dermal absorption, as well an important source of PFAS release to the environment during laundering and at the end-of-life stages, they added. However, researchers say further studies with a more systematic approach targeting different fabric and clothing types are required to confirm the findings. City of South Fulton police say they recovered more than 150 pounds of marijuana and more drugs and guns while looking for a stolen laptop. Atlanta police alerted police in South Fulton earlier this month that a laptop stolen in Atlanta had been tracked to address in South Fultons jurisdiction. When officers went to investigate, they said they smelled a lot of marijuana around the house. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] After executing several search warrants on the home, officers found 154.8 pounds of marijuana. They also found four guns, one of which had been stolen in New York, THC oil, prescription pills, over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, debit cards, passports and $8,532 in cash. Investigators were also able to locate three computers they believed to have been stolen that were related to Atlanta polices case. TRENDING STORIES: Drug use, including unlawful marijuana distribution, often leads to other crimes in our communities, said South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows. This investigation lead to the recovery of multiple victims stolen property and removed drugs off our streets. Police did comment on how many people were arrested or release their identities. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A student was arrested Wednesday after being found with a gun in their possession at North Kansas City High School, according to the school district. In a letter sent home to parents, Principal Drew White said a student told a campus security officer they saw another student with a gun. The student in question was already in the office speaking with an administrator, White said. Our school resource officers were also already present. A firearm was found in the students possession, removed immediately, and confiscated by law enforcement. Police took the student into custody. Students likely did not notice any interruption to their day, White said. Law enforcement advised us that there was no need to lock down, since the students location was already known and they addressed it within seconds. The entire incident was handled within seconds and limited to one office. The schools safety and security procedures worked as intended, White said. He encouraged students to say something if they see or know something These efforts are critical, and I appreciate the student that shared their concern, White said. Please know that student safety is my first priority, and that we are always reviewing our security measures to ensure a safe learning environment at Northtown. The incident on Wednesday was not connected to a fake phone call received last week, White said. Last week, the FBI in Kansas City said it was aware of the numerous swatting incidents where a report of an active shooter at a school is made. The FBI takes swatting very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk, the FBI said a statement. While we have no information to indicate a specific and credible threat, we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention. The FBI urged the public to report any suspicious activity and individuals to law enforcement immediately. A student was stabbed in the Dodge City High School parking lot Thursday morning, according to police Capt. Jerad Goertzen. The stabbing happened around 7:45 a.m., before school started, officials said. The victim parked his car in the school parking lot and was approached by the suspect, police said in a Facebook post. An altercation ensued leaving the student with a stab wound to the hand. The suspect then left in his vehicle, the post says. The suspect had dropped off someone at the school before the incident, according to Kerri Baker, the Dodge City Public Schools director of public information. She said video from the school helped police track down the suspect to his home. When police arrived, the 33-year-old Dodge City resident at first refused to answer the door, but later did after his father arrived, police said. He was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery. Baker said he is not a district employee. The student who was stabbed was initially treated by the school nurse before going to the hospital. Goertzen said evidence points to a road rage incident happening before the stabbing. Some students at the University of North Texas in Denton are calling for transparency after video of a mans arrest on campus circulated widely on social media Thursday. The video posted on Twitter amassed more than 200,000 views and thousands of retweets, likes and comments after a student posted it Wednesday afternoon. University police replied to the tweet with a statement saying police were called because the man was causing a disturbance at an event inside the UNT union building. Officers talked to the individual and asked him to leave the event, the university police departments statement said. The individual continued to create a disturbance and was arrested related to this. No force was used related to this arrest. Police havent released his name. In the video, which starts outside the building, the student filming asks the officers repeatedly why the man is under arrest. Police do not respond. The man, who is handcuffed, tells the student that he gave officers his student ID and that he is registered, but they were not listening to him. I am a student, they keep trying to tell me Im not a student, the man says in the video as police search his pockets. In the video, the man says he was trying to attend a job fair inside the UNT union building, and the event organizers confirmed to police that he was a student. I asked you to talk to the president of my school, he says to an officer. I said I was going to talk to my president, and you told me I cant. You didnt even talk to the people who registered the event. The man says in the video he took classes last semester and is still registered as a student but has not taken classes this semester. After several minutes, police escort the man to the back of a police car. just watched @UNTPolice unlawfully arrest a Black student trying to attend a job fair on campus, claiming he was trespassing despite having a student ID number. 1/3 @stevanzetti pic.twitter.com/YfqMn3gNlk cricket (@cricketsrogue) September 21, 2022 The university confirmed to the Star-Telegram the man was enrolled in classes in fall 2021 but isnt in 2022. Story continues A university spokesman said the man was arrested and booked into the Denton County Jail on suspicion of criminal trespass and disrupting a meeting. The case will be filed soon with the Denton County DAs Office, the spokesman said. The demand for transparency from police comes amid a year of political controversy and clashes at the university. On Thursday, fliers were posted around campus about the arrest. UNTPD arrested an innocent Black student in front of the student union, the flier says in bold, black letters. The flier says that while fascists, armed white supremacists and homophobic preachers are allowed to come to our open campus, a Black man has been arrested for being Black in public. In March, the campus Young Conservatives of Texas chapter invited anti-trans political candidate Jeff Younger to speak at an event, resulting in protests. In May, students and attendees at the Young Conservatives of Texas final meeting of the year clashed again, the Denton Record-Chronicle reported. The flier also mentions the 2020 shooting of Darius Tarver. Denton police shot and killed the UNT student, who was Black, on Jan. 21, 2020, outside a student apartment complex. Authorities said Tarver held a frying pan and meat cleaver in his hands, did not obey commands and charged at officers after being tased. Tarvers father, Kevin Tarver, told the Star-Telegram after the shooting that his son was having a mental health crisis and police should have de-escalated the situation and helped him instead of using deadly force. Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during a campaign stop at the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts Local 476 in Chicago on Sept. 21, 2022. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) Democratic state Sen. Emil Jones III resigned from his leadership post and committee chairmanship Wednesday, a day after he was hit with federal bribery charges that again pushed public corruption to center stage as Gov. J.B. Pritzker and fellow Democrats seek to keep control of state government in the November election. At a campaign event Wednesday morning on the Far Northwest Side, Pritzker sought to portray pervasive political corruption in Illinois as a bipartisan problem rather than one endemic to Democrats. Advertisement Weve seen Democrats and Republicans all across the state get in trouble for not living up to the standards of public service that demand integrity, Pritzker told reporters. And so its disappointing, terribly disappointing, and it reminds us all that all the ethics work that we do on new ethics legislation needs to keep going, that this isnt something you do one and done. Pritzker pointed to ethics overhauls hes signed into law after previous scandals as evidence that Democrats are taking the issue seriously, though good-government groups have criticized those efforts as half-measures. A measure he signed last year prompted the resignation of the legislatures top watchdog, who said it rendered her office a paper tiger. Advertisement Pritzker has not called for Jones to resign from his $72,906-per-year Senate seat, a point his Republican opponent in the Nov. 8 election, state Sen. Darren Bailey of Xenia, noted in a Twitter post Wednesday. When will we get serious about anti-corruption legislation? Bailey wrote. JB should demand Sen. Jones step down, but he wont. Pritzker hides from accountability when it comes to his party & administration. I dont care what party you belong to, its time to clean house in Springfield. The federal charges against Jones allege he accepted a $5,000 bribe from a red-light camera company executive to block unfavorable legislation and then lied to the FBI. They are the latest in a string of corruption charges and convictions for current and former Democratic state lawmakers and political operatives that include the landmark indictment in March of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, longtime chairman of the state Democratic Party, on bribery and racketeering charges. Jones, of Chicago, has been in the Senate since 2009, when he took the seat previously held by his father, former Senate President Emil Jones Jr., Madigans longtime Senate counterpart and sometimes political adversary. State Sen. Emil Jones III looks at a vote tally in an Illinois General Assembly session at the State Capitol in Springfield on May 30, 2017. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune) The younger Jones, who is to be arraigned Friday, was charged in a criminal information rather than an indictment, an indication he may intend to plead guilty. In addition to stepping down from his unpaid position as a deputy leader for the Senate Democrats, Jones resigned his $11,098-per-year position as chairman of the Senate Licensed Activities Committee and an unpaid vice chairmanship of the Public Safety Committee, all at the request of Senate President Don Harmon, according to letters from the Oak Park Democrat to the secretary of the Senate. Jones is the ninth sitting or recent member of the General Assembly to be charged with federal crimes since Pritzker took office in January 2019, all but one of them Democrats. That list includes five of Jones former Senate colleagues Democrats Martin Sandoval, Thomas Cullerton, Terry Link and Annazette Collins and Sam McCann, a onetime Republican who ran for governor in 2018 under the Conservative party banner along with Madigan and former Democratic state Reps. Luis Arroyo and Eddie Acevedo. The Tribune has reported that two other Democrats state Sen. Elgie Sims of Chicago and state Rep. Thaddeus Jones of Calumet City are under federal investigation. Advertisement And that doesnt include the list of local officials and political operatives who have been charged since a wide-ranging corruption investigation became public with the Sept. 24, 2019, federal raid on Sandovals Springfield office. Asked for examples of recent political corruption among GOP officials in Illinois, Pritzkers reelection campaign responded with list that included the conviction of former Bloomingdale Township Highway Commissioner Robert Czernek, who pleaded guilty in March to accepting $282,000 in kickbacks, and the resignation last year of a former Winnebago County coroner who pleaded guilty to felony charges including theft from the government and official misconduct. The list also included a member of the City Council in downstate Paris who was arrested in 2020 on sexual assault and abuse charges and two Senate GOP staffers who were charged with misdemeanors the same year for allegedly resisting arrest after they were found drinking beer at the Illinois Capitol. dpetrella@chicagotribune.com The suspect arrested and charged for stabbing an Afghan refugee in Vancouvers Chinatown has been charged in a second unprovoked attack. Dennis Amanand Prasad, 43, has been charged with one count of aggravated assault for each of the stabbing incidents that took place on Sept. 10 and Sept. 11. On Sept. 10, a 55-year-old man was left with serious and life-altering injuries after he was allegedly attacked by Prasad while he was walking alone near East Cordova Street and Jackson Avenue, according to the Vancouver Police Department. The victim managed to contact the police after the suspect fled the scene. He is expected to survive. More from NextShark: Sri Lankan grandma makes history as oldest masters degree earner at Canadas York University On Sept. 11, Prasad allegedly approached a 22-year-old Afghan refugee from behind and stabbed him in the throat and chest on Gore Avenue near East Pender Street. The victim, who was working as a meal delivery worker, suffered life-threatening injuries but is expected to survive, according to reports. Prasad was arrested in Crab Park shortly after the attack on the delivery worker. He remains in police custody. Investigators from Vancouver Police Departments Major Crime Section have taken over the investigation. The BC Prosecution Service approved the criminal charge related to the 55-year-olds assault on Wednesday. More from NextShark: China's Chang'E 5 lunar lander is first in history to find water on the moon up close The neighborhood has since expressed concern and frustration over the violence in Chinatown that has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, the wife of a beloved security guard who was repeatedly punched in Chinatown in August challenged the citys mayor to walk its streets to see what it is like amid rising crime in the area. She also called on merchants to stand in solidarity. Featured Image via Global News More from NextShark: Reporter Josie Huang Tackled, Arrested by LA Police For Documenting Arrest of Protester Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Missing San Francisco college student found dead inside rental car after going on 'erratic' road trip By Doyinsola Oladipo NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sustainable fuel startup Air Company has multi-year agreements to sell jet fuel made from captured carbon emissions to carriers JetBlue Airways Corp and Britain's Virgin Atlantic, the companies said on Thursday. Financial terms were not disclosed. Under the memoranda of understanding, JetBlue will buy 25 million gallons of Air Company's sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) between 2027 and 2032, Air Company said in a statement confirmed by the carriers. Virgin Atlantic will purchase up to 100 million gallons of SAF over 10 years. New York-based Air Company said it uses carbon dioxide from a variety of sources, such as ethanol plants, to make SAF. The global aviation industry is under pressure to reduce carbon emissions and find ways to meet the 2050 net-zero emissions target set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2021. "We're excited to be working with Air Company to reach our 10% SAF target by 2030," said Holly Boyd-Boland, Virgin Atlantic's vice president of corporate development. The industry, which contributes about 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions, faces formidable challenges in reaching that goal as technologies such as electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft are still unproven. Global airlines and aerospace manufacturers are betting on SAF, which is made in tiny quantities from feedstocks like cooking oils and animal waste, and can cost two to five times more than conventional jet fuels. Global investments are expected to increase SAF annual production from over 33 million gallons to over 1.3 billion by 2025, according to the IATA. The Biden administration is aiming to increase SAF production to at least 3 billion gallons per year by 2030. (Reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Additional Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago; editing by Peter Henderson and Richard Chang) Sviatoslav Palamar (Kalyna) - in the center - calls his relatives after being released from captivity The 215 people released from Russian captivity include 188 defenders of the Azovstal Steelworks and Mariupol, including Azov Regiment commanders, as well as 10 foreign fighters. NV collected the most important facts about the landmark exchange of prisoners. 215 for 55 and Medvedchuk: the main figures of the prisoner swap To return 205 Ukrainians and 10 foreigners, Ukraine handed over 56 people to Russia: Viktor Medvedchuk the former leader of the Opposition Platform For Life Party (banned in June 2022), who has been charged with treason; two senior officers (lieutenant colonel and major); six junior officers; four ensigns; 40 privates and sergeants; two fighters of the so-called peoples militia of the Donetsk Peoples Republic; one fighter of the so-called peoples militia of the Luhansk Peoples Republic. Read also: Ukrainian defenders return from Russian captivity photo report Instead, 215 people were released from Russian captivity, including 188 defenders of Azovstal and Mariupol, in particular: 124 Ukrainian officers; 89 private and sergeant-ranked defenders; two civilians. In total, Ukraine managed to return 108 fighters from the Azov Regiment, as well as military personnel representing: Armed Forces of Ukraine; National Guard of Ukraine; Ground and Naval Forces; State Border Guard Service; territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; National Police; SBU security service of Ukraine; State Customs Service; State Special Transport Service. NV Those released also included eight people wounded during the Russian false flag attack on a prisoner-of-war camp in the occupied town of Olenivka. At least 40 Ukrainian defenders were killed in the attack, most of whom were defenders of Mariupol. Here is the full list of all 215 people released from Russian captivity. Where are the released defenders now Turkey and Saudi Arabia acted as mediators during the prisoner swap. Under personal guarantees of protection provided by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, five Azov commanders were sent to Turkey. According to the agreements, all of them will stay in Turkey until the end of the war in Ukraine. These are five superheroes, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called them: Story continues commander of the Azov Regiment, Hero of Ukraine Denys Prokopenko (Redis); deputy commander of the Azov Regiment Sviatoslav Palamar (Kalyna); acting commander of the 36th separate brigade of marines Serhiy Volynskyi (Volyna); commander of the 12th operational brigade of the National Guard DenysShleha; commandant company commander, who directly headed the defense of Azovstal, Oleh Khomenko. Ten released foreigners were taken to Saudi Arabia, including: five citizens of the United Kingdom; two citizens of the United States; one citizen of Morocco; one citizen of Sweden; one citizen of Croatia. It is known that British citizens Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, as well as Moroccan citizen Brahim Saadoune, who had joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and had been sentenced to death by a sham court in Russian-occupied Donbas in June 2022, were among those released. Read also: Surviving Azovstal defender shares his story about the last days of Mariupol U.S. citizens Alexander Drueke and Andy Huynh were also released they were considered the first U.S. citizens to be captured by Russia in Ukraine. The United States and Great Britain have already thanked Ukraine for including their citizens in the exchange list. The rest of the defenders are already on the territory of Ukraine. They were met by the Acting Head of the SBU security service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Dmytro Usov, and Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. According to Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne, the prisoner swap took place in Ukraines Chernihiv Oblast. Every story involving these Ukrainian defenders are tales of extraordinary feats, courage, and endurance. Some of the heroes released from Russian captivity include: Dmytro Kozatskyi (Orest) a senior soldier and fighter from the Azov Regiment, whose photos and videos from Azovstal proved the courage of the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol. Military medic Kateryna Polishchuk (Ptashka) a volunteer paramedic from the National Guard of Ukraine, whose singing in the dungeons of Azovstal was filmed and spread by Ukrainian defenders during the most difficult days of the defense of Mariupol. Three pregnant defenders: Yana Shumovetska, Anastasia Chernenka and Maryana Mamonova Mamonova is a 30-year-old military medic and captain of the medical service, who is currently in her final months of pregnancy. Yevheniy Bova a hero of Ukraine, commander of the 1st marine infantry battalion. Lev Pashko a hero of Ukraine, commander of the Azov company. Mykhailo Dianov (Pianist) a marine who was wounded in the arm and whom Ukrainians remembered for his many photos from Azovstal. Mykhailo Vershynin (Kot), head of the Mariupol patrol police. His release was separately commented on by photographer Evgeniy Maloletka, who, together with his colleague Mstyslav Chernov, managed to record numerous war crimes by the Russians in the first days of the defense of Mariupol. I was waiting for this good news, Maloletka wrote on Facebook. We owe a lot to Mykhailo. Step by step, Ukraine is returning its heroes, but many guys are still waiting for this opportunity. Mykola Kushch and Kostiantyn Nikitenko servicemen whom Russian proxy forces sentenced to death. The best land in the world! The first words of Mariupols defenders In an 18-minute live broadcast late on Sept. 21, the Presidents Office broadcast images of the released defenders. The commanders who led the defense of Azovstal and Mariupol, and who are currently in Turkey, made the first statements. Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov and Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi were standing next to them. Immediately after their release, the deputy commander of the Azov Regiment, Sviatoslav Palamar (Kalyna), thanked everyone who is now de-fending Ukraine. I also want to thank all the defenders of Ukraine, who right now, right on this day, right at this hour are performing their combat tasks at combat posts, who are fighting for our Ukraine. Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine)! Mr. President, we are doing well, our health condition is satisfactory. Thank you and the whole team, said commander of the Azov Regiment, Hero of Ukraine Denys Prokopenko (Redis). The video also included footage from convoys carrying the 200 released defenders to Ukrainian territory. One defender was seen bending down to kiss the ground under his feet. Really, the best land in the world! the defender said emotionally. Military medic Mamonova was the first to set foot on the free territory of Ukraine. How exactly the prisoner swap took place, why Medvedchuk was handed over, and why the process was not hindered by mobilization in Russia The news of the large-scale prisoner swap, including the Azov commanders, stunned Ukrainians especially following announcements by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signaling the start of partial mobilization in Russia. However, agreement on the prisoner exchange was reached much earlier than Russias decision on mobilization. Therefore, Putin could not disrupt the agreement, which was guaranteed and already announced by Turkey, Vadym Denysenko, an advisor to Ukraines Interior Minister, said on Ukrainian television on Sept. 22. He reiterated that Turkish President Erdogan had become the guarantor of the agreements and announced the exchange of 200 Ukrainian prisoners on Sept. 20. Disrupting the exchange meant worsening relations with Turkey, a country that is a key partner in providing Russia with sanctioned goods, Denysenko said. Putin was forced to abide by what he had previously agreed to, and this exchange took place. According to Acting Head of the SBU security service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk, Ukraine exchanged 200 of its citizens for Medvedchuk, while another five Ukrainians (probably the Mariupol defense commanders) were released in exchange for 55 Russian prisoners.We exchanged one fan of Russia for 200 soldiers, said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, explaining that Russia had initially offered to hand over only 50 prisoners for him. Later, Ukraines Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin announced the pretrial investigation against Medvedchuk has been completed. We arent release anyone, but transferring them from a Ukrainian prison to another big prison, called Russia, Kostin added. At the same time, Maliuk noted that Medvedchuk is not just Putins close ally, but a state traitor documented by us. His guilt is fully recorded in the relevant materials, Maliuk said. He explained that the former leader of the Opposition Platform For Life Party, which is now banned in Ukraine for its connections to the Russian dictator, provided Ukraine with all the necessary testimony. In addition, during the investigation into Medvedchuks criminal cases, a number of intelligence networks were neutralized, state traitors were detained and a large amount of information was obtained, which is used in counter-intelligence activities. Maliuk added the exchange of Medvedchuk for Ukrainian prisoners of war does not prevent either the consideration of his cases in court, or the imposition of punishment, or the confiscation of his seized property. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War made the decision to exchange Medvedchuk. The latter gave his consent to such a step. Therefore, the court granted the prosecutors motion to extradite Medvedchuk to Russia. Also, appropriate amendments were made to legislation to allow his exchange. In general, the prisoner swap had been in preparation for several months with the participation of the Presidents Office of Ukraine and presidential chief-of-staff Andriy Yermak, the Defense Ministry, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Defense Ministrys Main Intelligence Directorate, the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporary Occupied Territories, the Interior Ministry, the State Emergency Service, and other Ukrainian authorities. Not abandoning our own people is a rule for us, not just words, Zelenskyy said, commenting on the successful swap. We remember all our people and are trying to save every Ukrainian. This is the meaning of Ukraine, our essence, this is what distinguishes us from the enemy. Ukrainian authorities confirm that work is ongoing to secure the release of all Ukrainian POWs in Russian custody. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine There's more to the story of Princess Charlotte's heirloom brooch from Queen Elizabeth. The 7-year-old princess wore her first brooch to her great-grandmother's funeral on Monday, where PEOPLE exclusively confirmed that the small diamond horseshoe was a gift from the late monarch. Days later, the sweet piece was identified as having belonged to Queen Elizabeth's mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother was first pictured in the equestrian pin in 1929 and likely passed it down to her horse-loving eldest daughter. Queen Elizabeth then passed the diamond brooch on to her great-granddaughter Charlotte. The young royal wore the glittering clip on the left side of her black coat at the Queen's funeral on Monday, honoring her late great-grandmother's love of everything equestrian. princess charlotte, queen mother Chris Jackson/Getty; Topical Press Agency/Getty RELATED: Princess Charlotte Tells Older Brother Prince George to Bow During Queen Elizabeth's Funeral Queen Elizabeth was known for her impressive collection of brooches and often reached for royal jewelry with sentimental value, or as a diplomatic gesture on foreign trips. It's a fashion lesson the women of her family have followed, and tributes teemed in Her Majesty's honor at her funeral. King George VI with his wife Elizabeth and his daughters Princess Margaret (1930 - 2002) and Princess Elizabeth Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Charlotte's mother Kate Middleton wore two striking pieces that belonged to the late monarch the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings and four-strand pearl choker with center diamond clasp, from the Queen's personal collection. Her sister-in-law Meghan Markle thoughtfully chose the pearl and diamond drop earrings the Queen gave to her for their first solo outing together in 2018. The State Funeral Of Queen Elizabeth II Phil Noble/Getty Prince George, Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte and Meghan Markle RELATED: When Will King Charles' Coronation Take Place? In similar style, Queen Camilla poignantly wore Queen Victoria's Hesse Diamond Jubilee brooch, an heirloom of the crown, while Sophie, Countess of Wessex topped her look with a black straw riding hat, an homage to the Queen's lifelong equestrian obsession. Story continues "The Countess of Wessex is wearing a stylized riding hat in straw with a trimming of handmade silk flowers (Myrtle and Orchids)," Sophie's go-to milliner Jane Taylor says. "This hat was created as a nod to The Queen's love of riding and horses. The flower trimming was inspired by the flowers The Queen had in her wedding bouquet, which again acknowledges one of the most important moments in the Queen's life." 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! "We wanted to make something very special for the funeral, and we were very honored to create this bespoke hat for the Countess of Wessex," Taylor added of producing the piece. T.J. Patterson is being remembered for his dedication to the community he often proudly referred to as Lubbock, Texas, U.S.A. Patterson, who served in many key roles including as Lubbocks first African-American city councilman, a weekly newspaper publisher and a life-long advocate for equal rights, died Wednesday. He was 85. Friends and loved ones recalled that Patterson spent his life doing something, largely focused on service to the city and Black community. Alan Henry, who served as Lubbock's mayor at the start of Patterson's tenure on the council in 1984, praised Patterson as "a gift to the city." "Everyone knows T.J. was a very optimistic person, very encouraging and articulate, but he was also someone who was very thoughtful and aware of the seriousness of issues facing the community," Henry said. Although Patterson was born in Waxahachie and grew up in Wichita Falls, most of his life was dedicated to Lubbock and West Texas. He moved to Lubbock not long after graduating with a degree in physical education from Bishop College in Marshall and spent his early years working in education, including at Texas Tech, according to Avalanche-Journal archives. Lubbock is where he met his wife, Bobbie Patterson, where they raised three children and build a life largely dedicated to serving their community. In 1977, he and Eddie Richardson co-founded the Southwest Digest, a weekly publication focused on Lubbocks Black community, according to A-J archives. More:'A gift' to Lubbock: T.J. Patterson biography released through Texas Tech press He became the first African-American person elected to the Lubbock City Council in 1984 and served in that position for 20 years. He was a leader and a voice in Lubbocks African-American community. His natural leadership got recognized by many state and national organizations. One of his daughters, Shelia Patterson Harris, now represents Lubbocks District 2 on the city council. Former Lubbock City Councilman T.J. Patterson visits with inmates at the Lubbock County Detention Center in 2010 as part of his annual tradition of sharing a positive message on Christmas Day. Patterson and Maggie Trejo together became Lubbock's first minority city councilmembers in 1984 after a court ruling the year prior carved Lubbock into six single-member City Council districts. For nine years until Trejo's departure from the council in 1993, the two worked together on a number of issues important to Lubbock's minority communities, many of which we still hear about and address often today road infrastructure, community policing and the Canyon Lakes system to name just a few. Story continues "He just gave completely to working for the community," Trejo told the A-J on Wednesday. "He knew you don't have to be the representative of yourself, as long as you do what the people need." Trejo first met Patterson when she attended Texas Tech in the 1970s after battling illness for much of her early life. Patterson was serving as the assistant to the dean of the College of Business Administration at the time. "He was one of the administrators that said, 'Oh yes, you can do it,'" Trejo said. "I didn't really know him at that time, but he always encouraged me. He said, 'If you went to school, you could try hard and do well.' And so I did." Patterson was a vocal advocate for youth and education issues, leading marches in protest of drugs and violence. He was a Vietnam veteran and a namesake, along with his wife Bobbie, of the Patterson Library in East Lubbock. "Lubbock lost a hero today," Mayor Tray Payne said in a statement Wednesday. "T.J. was a pioneer and a true public servant in the West Texas community. We are forever grateful for everything he did for Lubbock. Our thoughts and prayers go to the Patterson family during this difficult time." "T.J. Patterson embodied public service and dedication to the community," City Manager Jarrett Atkinson said in the statement. "He is someone everyone at the city to this day admires and respects. "T.J. was on the City Council when I was an intern at the city years ago. Watching him represent his constituents and work for the community was a tremendous lesson. He loved the people of Lubbock and he cared for this community. My thoughts and prayers are with the Patterson family. A book authored by Phil Price titled Equal Opportunity Hero: T.J. Pattersons Service to West Texas and published by Texas Tech University Press was released in 2017. Former Mayor Alan Henry recalled Patterson was working at Tech when he first met him, and later got to know him much better thanks, in part, to the court decision that helped integrate the City Council by creating single-member districts. That created a district in predominantly Black East Lubbock, and Patterson was an increasingly well-known and respected figure in the entire community by that point, Henry recalled. "It was an honor to be part of the first expanded city council," Henry said. "T.J. Patterson as well as Maggie Trejo were the keys to the successful transformation from the old system to the expanded system, because of his ability to get along with people, to work with people. Our city government was improved considerably. It was a pleasure to work with him." Henry described Patterson as one of the most optimistic people he ever knew. "But he was also realistic in that he knew the seriousness of issues that faced the city," he said. Some of the issues Henry remembered working with Patterson on included improving housing and economic development on the east side as well as helping secure additional water sources for the entire city through what would later be known as Lake Alan Henry. "He was a very rare individual in that he represented his district very well while keeping in mind that he represented he city as a whole," Henry said. Even as Patterson's health declined in recent years and his wife Bobbie passed away in 2012 he remained active in the community, speaking at events and making his annual Christmastime visit to inmates at Lubbock's jail. "T.J. and Bobbie were fixtures in the city," he said. Henry said the men maintained their friendship over the years, and recalled visiting with a still-jovial Patterson a few weeks ago. "I remember he told me that he was always proud of Lubbock, Texas, U.S.A.," he said. Patterson's funeral arrangements are pending, according to family and friends. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: T.J. Patterson, Lubbock leader and first Black councilman, dies Fifteen new jobs will soon open at Tarrant Countys juvenile detention center to match the capacity of youths being held. The center has a capacity to hold 128 youths but it currently staffed only to house 104, said Bennie Medlin, the countys chief probation officer. The 15 new positions were improved under the detention budget to the cost of $970,925. They will include detention offices and supervisors. The county will also hire six people under juvenile services, which will cost $453,972. That will include five probation officers and a position to help with youth intake, Medlin said during Wednesdays Juvenile Board meeting. The funding starts for those positions on Nov. 1. Medlin said the county will begin filling those positions as soon as possible. The Star-Telegram in recent weeks has reported on overcrowding and other issues in Tarrant Countys juvenile justice system, including teens illegally held in the countys adult jail. The county contracted the former probation director to investigate why the center was overcrowded. Other Texas counties of similar size are not having the types of overcrowding problems that Tarrant has, even as the number of juvenile criminal cases has decreased over the last decade. The 21-page report uncovered wide-ranging problems at nearly every level and suggested that Judge Alex Kim, who oversees the 323rd District Court, is holding youth that should be let back into the community while their case progresses through the system. The Juvenile Boards vice chairman, Judge Susan Heygood McCoy of the 153rd District Court, said during Wednesdays meeting that capacity was down to 98. Of those, 20 youths were awaiting transfer to state youth prison. Tarrant County sends the most children to state facilities than any other county in the state, according to state kept data. A pair of Asian high school students traveling to their schools fell victims to separate attacks by the same suspect in Philadelphias subway system earlier this month. The first incident occurred at the Walnut-Locust Station at around 7 a.m. on Sept. 9. The victim, a 17-year-old female Central High School student, was grabbed by the throat and slammed to the ground. The second incident occurred at the City Hall Station at 7:35 a.m. on Sept. 13. This time, a 13-year-old female Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School student was repeatedly punched on the face and body. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Transit Police said both incidents were unprovoked. Neither victim suffered serious physical injuries. More from NextShark: Such racism: Vandals attack billboards of 3 Asian candidates in New Zealand Detectives used surveillance videos to track the suspects travels. He has not been identified but was reported to be a 27-year-old man. We had two assaults in the span of four days. It became readily apparent after the second incident that we were dealing with the same suspect, Acting SEPTA Police Chief Charles Lawson told KYW Newsradio. More from NextShark: 88Rising Collabs With McDonalds for Golden Start Celebration For Lunar New Year Both teenage girls were unable to report the attacks until they reached their schools. Due to their similar race, police are looking at the cases as possible hate crimes. The pattern between both victims were [sic] they were Asian students, Lawson told WPVI. There was no verbalization between the victims and the suspect at all, so it makes it a little harder to pinpoint a specific reason. The attacks have since prompted a boost in police presence in the subway system. Additional officers and outreach personnel are now accessible from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the evening rush hour, Lawson said. More from NextShark: 'Go Back to China': New Jersey Man Faces Hate Crime Charge After Punching Asian Woman The suspect remains at large. Anyone with information is urged to contact Transit Police. Featured Image via SEPTA Transit Police More from NextShark: High School Plans Walkout After Asian Student Targeted With Racist Messages Kanye West has been making headlines over his public battle with corporations for weeks now. As AfroTech previously reported, Kanye West recently declared it was time to cut ties with Gap and adidas and go at it alone. Its time for me to go it alone, West told Bloomberg. Its fine. I made the companies money. The companies made me money. We created ideas that will change apparel forever. Like the round jacket, the foam runner, the slides that have changed the shoe industry. Now its time for Ye to make the new industry. No more companies standing in between me and the audience. Although West may just be coming to this realization, Sway Calloway suggested that he part ways with major corporations and go solo back in 2013 during his famous interview with the journalist. Why dont you empower yourself, and dont need them, and do it yourself, Sway told West during his Sway in the Morning show on SiriusXM. You aint got the answers Sway, West famously responded. You aint spent 13 million dollars of your own money trying to empower yourself! Now, nearly 10 years later, West has admitted that Sway was right all along. So, Sway, almost ten years ago said man why dont you do it on your own? Was he right? ABC News Live Prime Anchor Linsey Davis said during Good Morning America. You know what, I would go ahead and say Sway had the answer, West responded. West still has big dreams for the Yeezy brand despite the changes ahead. Gap recently confirmed they would be winding down their partnership with Yeezy after West declared he had no choice but to terminate their collaboration. We wanted to address the headlines of today and the past several weeks related to Yeezy Gap. Simply putwhile 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. And we are deciding to wind down the partnership, Mark Breitbard, president and CEO of Gap Brand, said in an email, seen by CNN Business. It is not yet clear when or if West will take the same route with adidas. The contract with the apparel brand is set to expire in 2026. The former Terrace Plaza Hotel at 15. W. Sixth St. was sold in late September to Indianapolis-based developer Anthony Birkla for $9 million. Cincinnati's iconic Terrace Plaza Hotel officially has a new owner after a four-year legal battle between the city and its former caretaker.Anthony Birkla of Birkla Investment Group purchased the 74-year-old property at 15 W. Sixth St. last week through his affiliate company, Cincinnati Development III LLC, for $10 million. The Indianapolis-based developer has been trying to acquire the 600,000-square-foot modernist structure since 2018. "The acquisition of this property has been a long and bumpy road for Birkla Investment Group," said Doug Moormann, vice president of Development Strategies Group, which represents Birkla on the hotel. "They are thrilled to have gained control of the building and are eager to work to stabilize the property and provide for a safety environment for the public, but also to get to work on the renovation." The sale comes less than five months after Cincinnati City Council voted to deny the former Terrace Plaza Hotel local landmark designation. Preservationists had been pushing for landmark status for years, noting the building's fame as one of the first high-rise commercial projects in the United States after World War II. Denying the building the local landmark status meant that its next owner who is now Birkla wouldn't have to go through the city's Historic Conservation Board to alter its controversial, windowless facade known as the "brick box."AIready on the National Register of Historic Places, the Terrace Plaza Hotel was also listed in 2020 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the 11 most endangered properties in the country. Despite these acknowledgments, its original design from 1948 is not protected. The former Terrace Plaza Hotel at 15 W. Sixth St., between Vine and Race, in downtown Cincinnati. Over the last five years, Birkla has made his plans for the 18-story building clear: He wants to renovate the ground-floor retail portion, turn floors one through seven into parking and the hotel tower into apartments. Moorman said Birkla is considering conducting a market analysis to determine if the two top floors of the "brick box" may be used for a different purpose such as office space. The Terrace Plaza Hotel's original Gourmet Room is going to be brought back to life, too, helmed by the restaurant group that operates downtown's Prime Cincinnati.Cincinnati architecture firm Reztark Design Studio has been brought in on a conceptual design. Story continues But before all these changes happen, Birkla has to stabilize the building.Vacant for 14 years, both the exterior and interior of the building have fallen into serious disrepair after the hotel's last major tenant, Hilton, moved out. A chunk of the facade fell onto a parked car in 2018, and a pipe burst the following year, causing significant water damage. Moormann said the drywall has molded and there have been high amounts of asbestos found through the block-long property. Its previous owner, Cincinnati Terrace Associates LLC, a subsidiary of Brooklyn, New York-based JNY Capital, bought the building in 2018 for $9.5 million, but plans to redevelop quickly fell through. The company then started racking up several code violations against the deteriorating condition of the building, leading the city to file a public nuisance lawsuit against the owner in 2019. This eventually led to the property nearly being sold at a Hamilton County Sheriffs foreclosure auction in 2021, but the owner defaulted on the mortgage, filed for bankruptcy and later lost control of the building. The Hamilton County Landbank temporarily held the property and recently transferred the deed to Birkla's company.One of the many issues surrounding the aged structure includes the instability of its Sixth Street awning, which is one of the city's top priorities in ensuring pedestrian street safety. The city also wants Birkla to remove the metal cooling tower on top of the building. Moormann said the developer plans to address these issues before moving forward with the development plan. Details on when interior demolition and remediation will begin are expected to be determined soon. The building's current street-level tenants Batsakes Hat Shop, Wendel's and H&D Beauty Supply will be relocated ahead of construction. Sydney Franklin reports on the business of real estate in Cincinnati. Follow her on Twitter @sydreyfrank_ and send story tips to sfranklin@enquirer.com. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati's historic Terrace Plaza Hotel sold after long legal battle Photo credit: Netflix "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below." Dahmer has become a kind of shorthand in popular culture for pure evil. As such, even if you know the name Jeffrey Dahmer, it can be hard to grasp who the actual man was, his crimes, the saga of catching him, and what ultimately happened to him. Dahmer may have been a monster, but he was a complicated monster. The new, aptly named Netflix limited series DahmerMonster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story explores the gruesome history of not only Dahmer, but also his victims and the community that suffered for years because of his murders and was underserved by justice. The show comes with big names attached: From co-creator Ryan Murphy of American Horror Story and American Crime Story fame, Monster stars Evan Peters as an adult Dahmer and Niecy Nash in a rare dramatic turn as Dahmers suspicious neighbor Glenda Cleveland. Heres an explainer on the grisly true story that inspired Netflixs Monster. What were Jeffrey Dahmers crimes? Jeffrey Dahmer was one of the most notorious serial killers ever in the United States, having murdered 17 male victims between the years of 1978 and 1991. But the horrifying nature of what he did to his victims, including rape, dismemberment, necrophilia, and cannibalism has long overshadowed the individuals who suffered from his acts, as well as the biography of Dahmer himself. (Fair warning, however, for graphic descriptions of his extreme crimes below.) Born on May 21, 1960, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dahmer seemed to have a relatively normal childhood, but emotional trauma lurked under the surface: according to his own account, his mother had a nervous breakdown, his parents bitter divorce afflicted him, and he believed his brother was the family favorite. We know that Dahmer became more withdrawn as he grew up. By high school, he had developed a heavy drinking habit and a fascination with animal carcasses. (The graphic novel by Derf titled My Friend Dahmer and its 2017 film adaptation, starring Ross Lynch as Dahmer, both explore this period of his life) Story continues Dahmer committed his first murder when he was 18. He picked up a hitchhiker named Steven Hicks, bringing Hicks back to his parents home in Ohio. Dahmer hit Hicks with a 10-lb dumbbell, then dissected, dissolved, pulverized, and scattered the remains in the backyard. He would later confess to killing Hicks because he wanted the stranger to stay. Though Dahmer managed to graduate high school, he dropped out of college due to his alcoholism and enlisted in the army, serving as a medic in Germany from 1979 to 1981. As his drinking continued causing problems, he was discharged, and sent to live with his grandmother in West Allis, Wisconsin. In 1987, he killed his second victim, Steven Tuomi, after picking him up from a bar and taking him to a hotel room. Dahmer reportedly woke up next to the dead body with no memory of killing Tuomi. Dahmers murders continued sporadically through the late 1980s. He frequently lured men back from bars and committed increasingly disturbing acts using their remains, including sexual intercourse and eating body parts. He got in trouble with the law for sexual crimes, but his murders went on undetected. After moving into a Milwaukee apartment in May 1990, his murdering spree escalated: he began killing about one person a week by the summer of 1991. Neighbors, like Glenda Cleveland (played by Niecy Nash in Netflixs Monster), complained to police of strange smells and noises coming from Dahmers apartment. In one case, a victim lobotomized by Dahmer made it out of the apartment and asked for help. When law enforcement questioned Dahmer, he avoided capture, saying the man was his intoxicated boyfriend. Dahmer had become obsessed with the idea that through mutilation he could put his victims into a zombie-like state, using them as submissive sexual partners. How did he eventually get caught? Dahmer was caught only after struggling with one of his victims, Tracy Edwards, on July 22, 1991. Edwards was able to get free and bring police to Dahmers home, where he was arrested after the discovery of pictures of dead bodies and dismembered limbs. Dahmers victims were largely men and even boys of color. The absence of justice for so long spoke to how authorities neglected the very community Dahmer exploited. When he was finally caught, investigation of his home found a total of seven skulls and a human heart in his freezer. A jury indicted Dahmer on 15 murder charges, and the trial began on January 30, 1991. Facing a mountain of incriminating evidence, Dahmer pleaded not guilty by way of insanity . The defense argued that his impulses were uncontrollable. After a two-week trial, he was found sane and guilty on all 15 murder counts. The court sentenced him to 15 life terms, one for each victim. Photo credit: Netflix How did Jeffrey Dahmer die? Dahmer expressed remorse and wished for his own death while serving time at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin. But the pure viciousness and grotesquery of his acts had already cast him as an unmitigated monster in the public eye. He was also, unsurprisingly, a target within the prison system. He was attacked twice by fellow inmates, surviving the first time. But on November 28, 1994, he died from head trauma while being transported to a hospital, after a fellow inmate beat him in a shower. And so the haunting life and crimes of this serial killer came to an unceremonious close: Dahmer was killed in a prison fight. How does Netflixs Monster fit into all this? Monster comes from creators and executive producers Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. Per the press notes, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is a series that exposes these unconscionable crimes, centered around the underserved victims and their communities impacted by the systemic racism and institutional failures of the police that allowed one of Americas most notorious serial killers to continue his murderous spree in plain sight for over a decade. Emmy winner Evan Peters dead-eyed performance as Dahmer is just as chilly and frightening as his notable work on American Horror Story. Fellow Emmy winner Niecy Nash (so lovable in Reno 911! and Claws) is once again a standout as the neighbor Glenda Cleveland, who warned police of the misery she suspected within Dahmers apartment. A scene between Peters Dahmer and Nashs Cleveland, in which he insists that she eat a sandwich hes gifted her, is uncomfortable to watch. Nash grounds the heinousness all around her with a relatable presence, dialing back her more outrageous comedic mannerisms. Her narrative underlines the tragedy of authorities inability and/or unwillingness to diligently investigate Dahmers crimes and bring him to justice sooner Of course, the fascination with Dahmers deranged personality and the lurid nature of his acts still permeates Monster. In classic Ryan Murphy fashion, the dated period styling (with some remarkably chunky glasses frames) is laid on thick. But with Nash and others offering the perspective of real people whose voices were often lost in reporting at the time, Monster is a worthy reframing of the Dahmer saga. You Might Also Like By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) - Tesla Inc on Thursday countersued the California agency that has accused the electric carmaker of tolerating widespread race discrimination at its flagship assembly plant. Tesla in a complaint filed in state court in Alameda County said the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), which sued the company in February, adopted "underground regulations" allowing it to file the lawsuit without first notifying Tesla of the claims or giving the company a chance to settle. Tesla's counter-lawsuit alleges that the CRD violated state law by not seeking public comment before adopting procedures for investigating and suing employers. And those procedures flout requirements that the CRD disclose details of its investigations to employers and make attempts to settle claims outside of court before suing, Tesla claims. Tesla is seeking an order barring the CRD from following its allegedly unlawful procedures in the investigation of any employer and requiring the agency to adopt new regulations through a formal rulemaking process. A spokesperson for the CRD did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Tesla had made similar claims in a bid to dismiss the California agency's lawsuit, which was denied by a state judge last month. But the complaint filed on Thursday may allow the company's lawyers to uncover new details about the CRD's practices and its investigation of Tesla through the discovery process, which could bolster its efforts to have the case dismissed. The CRD claims Tesla's flagship Fremont, California, plant is a racially segregated workplace where Black employees faced racist slurs and graffiti and were discriminated against in terms of job assignments, discipline and pay. Tesla has denied wrongdoing and said the lawsuit was politically motivated. The company in June had asked a separate California agency, the Office of Administrative Law, to investigate the CRD's alleged adoption of unlawful policies. The OAL last month declined to review Tesla's petition without explaining its decision. Story continues Austin, Texas-based Tesla is also facing a series of race and sex discrimination cases by workers, most involving the Fremont plant. A state judge in April cut a jury verdict for a Black worker who alleged racial harassment from $137 million to $15 million. The plaintiff rejected the reduced award and opted for a new trial, which is scheduled for March 2023. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Lisa Shumaker) COLEMAN Texas Rangers are investigating a police officer's shooting of a man armed with a sword who allegedly charged the officer, according to a news release from the Texas Department of Public Safety. At about 10 a.m. Wednesday, the Coleman Police Department officer responded to the intersection of West Mesquite and South Nueces streets to follow up on a report of a man with a sword threatening people, the release said. When contacted by the officer, the suspect threatened and then charged the officer, the release said. The officer discharged his service weapon, the release said. The suspect, later identified as Santos Mendoza III, 50, was injured. Mendoza was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a minor injury and then admitted to Coleman County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer. Coleman PD contacted the Rangers to investigate the use-of-force incident, and the officer has been placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure. This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Texas Rangers investigate Coleman officer's shooting of man with sword BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Myanmar model who took refuge in Thailand after speaking out against a military coup in her homeland has been blocked from returning to Bangkok, Thai authorities said on Thursday, over what her manager said was an Interpol notice. Han Lay, who captured international attention last year with a moving beauty pageant speech calling for urgent help for Myanmar's people during a military crackdown, did not have a valid visa to enter Thailand, the immigration department said. The 23-year-old was not being detained and arrangements were being made for her to board a flight out of Thailand, the department said in a statement. Nawit Itsaragrisil, founder of Thailand's Miss Grand International pageant, who also represents Han Lay, said she had been in the transit area of a Bangkok airport since Wednesday afternoon. He said Han Lay was stopped on arrival because she was subject of an Interpol notice. "She doesn't want to go anywhere else. She wants to live in Thailand," he told Reuters. "She's waiting for a solution on how she can stay in Thailand." Myanmar has been crisis since a coup in February last year triggered protests that the military suppressed with lethal force and thousands of arrests. The junta's crackdown had multiple targets, from pro-democracy and youth groups, to activists, politicians and even celebrities and social media influencers. A spokesperson for Myanmar's ruling military council could not be reached for comment. Interpol did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Han Lay was the subject of an Interpol notice. Han Lay was a contestant in the Miss Grand International when videos went viral on social media of her fighting back tears on stage when talking about the bloodshed in Myanmar, on a day when more than 140 demonstrators were killed. In an interview with Reuters last year, she said her people "will never give up". Han Lay's Instagram postings indicate she has spent most of the past year in Thailand. She was returning to the country on a flight from Vietnam when she was denied entry. (Reporting by Jiraporn Kuhakan, Poppy McPherson and Reuters staff; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Ed Davies) "That's a sad number when you get into triple digits," Malissa Thomas-St. Clair, leader and co-founder of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children, said of Columbus reaching at least 100 homicides again in 2022. She is shown here speaking Aug. 1, 2021 during an anti-gun violence rally and march at Columbus City Hall. With two deadly shootings late Wednesday night, Columbus has reached and surpassed the grim milestone of 100 homicides in 2022 two months later than last year's record year of slayings. Around 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, Columbus police said 32-year-old Marcus Deloney was shot in a dispute with a neighbor on Highfield Drive, located in the Sharon Heights area on the city's North Side. Deloney was rushed to OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, where he died at 11:11 p.m. Police said they arrested the neighbor, 32-year-old Johnnie Wappner on Thursday and charged him with murder. The shooting is believed to have occurred during an ongoing dispute over shared parking areas, police said. Just over a half-hour later, at 11:14 p.m. Wednesday, Mayfield Evans III, 33, was found shot inside his home on the 1600 block of Harvester Lane on the Northeast Side. Evans was rushed to a hospital, but he died at 12:02 a.m. Thursday, becoming the 101st homicide victim in the city in 2022. In 2021, Columbus reached 100 homicides on July 1. By the end of last year, deaths from gun violence and other means in the city resulted in a new record for homicides for the second year in a row with a total 205. Columbus homicide database: see where homicides have occurred in 2022 Columbus police Cmdr. Mark Denner said the police division doesn't take relief when homicide numbers are lower, but rather regards each death as a life unnecessarily lost to violence. We're not celebrating it, Denner said of the lower frequency of homicides so far this year. The reality is number one was just as important as number 100. And I think that's the way that we approach it. We care because it's a human life and that's what we value. Another reason homicide detectives may not care about milestones with homicides is likely because they can be all over the place from year to year. In 2020, for example, the previous record year for homicides with 175 until last year, Columbus reached 100 homicides on Sept. 7 just over two weeks earlier than this year. But two weeks later on Sept. 19, 2021, a triple shooting in the Hilltop led to the 108th and 109th homicides that year. Story continues When Columbus reached 100 homicides and total homicides 2016-2022 Year Total homicides Date of 100th homicide 2022 101* Sept. 21 2021 205 July 1 2020 175 Sept. 7 2019 105 Dec. 17 2018 103 Dec. 18 2017 143 Oct. 10 2016 106 Dec. 17 A 10-year review of homicide figures by The Dispatch found that from 2016-2019, the city regularly did not reach its 100th homicide until later in the year. In 2019, the 100th homicide was on Dec. 17 and there were 105 total for the year. In 2018, Columbus reached 100 homicides on Dec. 18 and there were 103 for the year. In 2017, the 100th homicide was on Oct. 10 and the year-end total was 143. In 2016, Columbus reached its 100th homicide on Dec. 17 and there were five more by year's end. From 2013-2015, there were fewer than 100 homicides a year. That's a sad number when you get into triple digits, said Malissa Thomas-St. Clair, leader and co-founder of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children, who lost her son to violence in 2013. That's disheartening," she said of Columbus reaching 100 homicides again in 2022. "We know that's alarming. And it's also an eye-opener that our work is never done." Thomas-St. Clair reflected on the human tragedy of homicides in the city and the impact on families and friends left to mourn. On April 29, 2013, her 22-year-old son, Anthony Thomas-St. Clair, was stabbed to death by another man when he went to collect a debt from the sale of promethazine, a prescription antihistamine with codeine. Richard R. Cochran, 51, was sentenced in 2014 to six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter. Read more: Motivated by own son's death, Malissa Thomas-St. Clair fights for end to Columbus violence Thomas-St. Clair and other mothers of homicide victims seek to build a coalition of community organizations to advocate for an end to violent crime in Columbus. "We just have to really remain really diligent and determined to continue, she said. Working together to reduce violent crime While she hates seeing the city reach 100 homicides this year, Thomas-St. Clair said she wants to stay encouraged by the lower frequency of killings to date compared to previous record-breaking years. She said it is evidence that the work that Columbus police and city officials and many organizations, including hers, are doing to reduce violent crime is beginning to bear fruit. So we want the community to remain resilient, but also remain patient. Now, telling a mother like myself, who's lost a child to violence, to remain patient is not ideal, Thomas-St. Clair said. But we want them to remain encouraged that our foundation is putting our pain into purpose so another mother doesnt join our sisterhood. Denner said the Division of Police has taken many steps toward the goal of reducing violent crime in the city through proactive measures like getting officers into the community and working with community partners. He also cited the division's ongoing Operation Unity, an effort to focus enforcement on preventing violent crime in neighborhoods, and additional summertime initiatives that include overtime pay to put police in the parks and the installation of temporary cameras and lights. Getting officers into the community, working with the community and trying to address crime and arrest individuals that maybe were committing acts of violence, I think definitely contribute to that (goal of reducing violent crime), Denner said. In February, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther declared gun violence a health crisis, and that the city was forming a broad multidisciplinary coalition to pressure Ohio and U.S. lawmakers to pass legislation to help get illegal guns off the streets. In May, the Department of Public Safety announced it would be beginning its Group Violence Intervention (GVI) initiative, designed to reduce "street group-involved violence" by collaborating with community organizations and members to focus on individuals in organized groups that are associated with a majority of the violent crime in the city. In June, the city announced it had seized more than 1,500 guns at that time in cooperation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and that the ATF would be establishing Columbus as a center for processing firearm database queries. Thomas St.-Clair said that she likes the increased funding and initiatives put forward by the city and police to directly address violent crime. She also said she trusts the Columbus police leadership, and believes they are working on developing relationships with community organizations like hers. I am cautiously optimistic, and I'd say cautiously, because we need more time to see where they're gonna go, Thomas St.-Clair said. North Linden official: 'One homicide is one too many' Carol Perkins, chair of the North Linden Area Commission, said her commission remains concerned about the continued loss of life to violence in the city, including the five homicides in North Linden to date this year. While she believes the city and police division are taking active steps to address gun violence, she said more can be done. There's no silver bullet, there's no one-shot-fits-all, and I think we need to do whatever we can to reduce and eliminate what is going on, Perkins said. One homicide is one too many." Thomas-St. Clair said members of the community need to step up and get more involved in helping police reduce violent crime in the city. We can't get too over ourselves and think that what we're doing is enough. We can't settle. Because these parents are continuing to lose their children," Thomas-St. Clair said. "They don't care about what efforts you did, because it didn't save their child. Denner said community partnerships are essential to the work the police division is doing to try to prevent homicides and violent crime returning to the numbers in 2020 and 2021. "We have to keep pushing forward and building relationships with the community, and I think that the key part is the trust on both sides," Denner said. "And I think working together ... hopefully we'll never see another year like (2021)." Dispatch reporter Bethany Bruner contributed to this report. @Colebehr_report Cbehrens@Dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus reaches 100 homicides in 2020 at slower rate than record 2021 Story at a glance Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico on Sunday, causing flash flooding and an island-wide blackout. As of Thursday, nearly a million homes and businesses still lacked power. It remains unclear when the power will return to the most affected areas of the island. It has been five days since Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico, and many on the island are still waking up without power or clean water. As of Thursday morning, about 968,000 homes and businesses still do not have electricity after the storm knocked out power across the entire island on Sunday, according to poweroutage.us, a site that tracks blackouts and outages across the United States. The islands private power company, LUMA Energy, said that service has been restored to 420,000 clients or 28 percent of their total clientele. America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news. Many of those who have gotten power back live in the San Juan Metropolitan area. Thousands of islanders are still without water as well. As of early Thursday, more than 437,650 homes and businesses were without clean water, or almost 33 percent of the customers of the islands only water company, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Agency, according to the islands emergency portal system. Islanders have been forced to wait in long lines to fill up jugs from water trucks and in some cases have been collecting water from what trickles down the sides of mountains, The Associated Press reported. Fiona has now turned into a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour and is heading towards Bermuda. A hurricane warning is in effect for the British isle. Forecasters predict that the storm will move north, parallel to the eastern coast of the U.S., with the storms eye expected to pass just west of Bermuda Thursday night. Fiona could then make it to Nova Scotia by Friday before moving into the Gulf of St. Lawrence this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Assemblymember Mia Bonta, middle, walks to a podium to speak between Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf at Asian Health Services in Oakland on Oct. 27, 2021. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press) California has new deadlines to dismiss and seal many cannabis convictions under a law signed this week by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The move comes after a Times investigation found that tens of thousands of Californians still have felonies, misdemeanors and other cannabis convictions on their records. Despite a 2018 law that required the state to clear cannabis convictions, many counties have moved at glacial speeds. Some superior courts havent fully processed a single case, The Times found. It is unimaginable and unacceptable that years after we legalized cannabis, Californians are still waiting to get their records cleared," the bills author, Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), said in a statement. "We have a moral obligation to get this right." The new law gives the courts a deadline of March 1 to update case records and transmit them to the state Department of Justice, which maintains California's criminal history database and responds to background checks. The state DOJ must modify its records by July 1. The change will fix "implementation gaps" of the 2018 law, Bonta said. The Times investigation found that at least 34,000 marijuana records have not been fully processed by the courts. State lawmakers voted unanimously for the legislation, citing The Times investigation in analyses earlier this year. The bills sponsor is the Last Prisoner Project, which advocates for cannabis criminal justice reform nationwide. In a statement, the groups state policy director, Gracie Burger, said the law represents "accountability for the racist origins of cannabis prohibition." Californians who would not be guilty of any crime today still suffer the weight of old marijuana convictions," Los Angeles County Deputy Public Defender Nick Stewart-Oaten said in a statement. "We applaud the Legislature and governor for taking immediate action to give these men and women back their lives, said Stewart-Oaten, a board member of the California Public Defenders Assn. Story continues Kate Weaver Patterson, the deputy director of national programs at Root & Rebound in Oakland, also commended the passage of the legislation. "Thousands of Californians have borne the brunt of a criminal record for longer than they should, which impacts their livelihood in deep and long-lasting ways, in areas like housing, employment and family stability," Weaver Patterson said in a statement. Court officials blamed a combination of factors for delays, including COVID-19, staffing shortages, outdated case management systems, old records that require manual review and technical issues. The delays are not, however, for a lack of funding, The Times reported. The courts received $16.83 million in state funds for processing records. When California voters legalized cannabis for recreational use in 2016, one promise was the creation of a legal pathway through the courts for clearing many old marijuana-related convictions or reducing them to a lesser charge. It was a step championed by reform advocates, meant to right many of the injustices inflicted by the nations war on drugs that was disproportionately waged on poor people and communities of color. The 2018 law, AB1793, was supposed to clear past cannabis convictions en masse, doing away with the need to file individual court petitions an onerous process that few Californians undertook, whether for lack of resources or awareness it was an option. The burden was placed on the state to automate the process of identifying eligible cases, updating records and dismissing and sealing many of them so they do not appear on background checks. The law was the first in the nation to offer automatic record clearance for marijuana convictions. The delays in clearing drug charges can have dire consequences for those seeking employment, professional licensing, housing, loans and other instances in which background checks are required. Under the new law, the state DOJ and the Judicial Council, which oversees the superior courts, will be tasked with collecting data on cannabis record clearance statewide and issuing regular public reports. The state DOJ also will lead a public awareness campaign so people will know their records have been updated and they no longer have to disclose convictions. California has "fallen short of [the] promise" of Proposition 64, Bonta said. The new law will "guarantee individuals are not denied opportunities to succeed in life because of minor cannabis records." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WASHINGTON A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a former security guard at a U.S. Navy base in New Jersey, who once sported a Hitler-style mustache, to four years in prison for his conviction on five federal charges stemming from his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. At a sentencing hearing in Washington D.C., Judge Trevor McFadden said the case that prosecutors brought against Timothy Hale-Cusanelli of Colts Neck, N.J., had "several aggravating factors" that set it apart from other Jan. 6 riot cases. Hale-Cusanelli worked as a private security guard at Naval Weapons Station Earle and also served in the National Guard for around 11 years. The judge said that Hale-Cusanelli had a history of making sexist, racist and antisemitic comments, and, at least initially, was unwilling to accept responsibility for his actions during the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. "Your actions that day were extremely troubling," McFadden told him. The Justice Department motion to oppose the conditional release of Timothy Hale-Cusanelli ahead of his trial on charges stemming from the Jan. 6 riot. (Jon Elswick/AP) The judge said one factor that disturbed him was that Hale-Cusanelli lied when he claimed, when testifying in his own defense, that he did not know the U.S. Capitol building was where the houses of Congress met. McFadden was also skeptical of Hale-Cusanellis claim that he did not realize the person he tried to pull another rioter away from was a police officer. The judge noted that the officer was wearing a police uniform at the time. In a statement to the judge, Hale-Cusanelli apologized for his actions during the attack, declaring that he had "disgraced my uniform and disgraced the country" and owed a deep apology to members of Congress and police. "I ask for mercy," he told the judge. "I do say ugly things," he added, but insisted, "I don't make any excuses." He contended, however, that he had no history of violence and promised the judge, "You'll never see my face in court again. I can guarantee that." Story continues Hale-Cusanelli, who wore an orange prison uniform to Thursday's hearing, was initially arrested and imprisoned not long after the riot. At one point, a federal appeals court rejected a request that he be released on bail, citing reports from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service that 34 of his co-workers described him as "having extremist or radical views pertaining to the Jewish people, minorities and women." Rioters supporting then-President Donald Trump storm the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (John Minchillo/AP, file) The appeals court said Hale-Cusanelli had said that babies born with disabilities should be shot and that "Hitler should have finished the job." At Thursday's sentencing hearing, prosecutor Kathryn Fifield said that Hale-Cusanelli had sought to pursue his own "civil war" and that he was heard urging fellow rioters: "Advance, advance, advance." She said his actions, including his effort to pull a person away from the policeman who was trying to grab him, constituted a direct threat to law enforcement. Hale-Cusanelli was part of a crowd that was actively resisting law enforcement. Defense lawyer Nick Smith argued that his client's presence at the Capitol during the assault did not constitute aiding and abetting other criminals. But he said Hale-Cusanelli regrets his behavior and had "no excuse for his ugly comments." He said other prison inmates had threatened to kill his client. The judge told Hale-Cusanelli, "I do appreciate your statements of remorse now." Hale-Cusanelli was convicted of five riot-related offenses, including one felony charge, following a May trial, during which jurors found him guilty of all charges after about five hours of deliberation (NPR has a detailed account of the trial here). Federal prosecutors say that more than 870 individuals so far have been arrested on charges related to the Jan. 6 attack, including more than 265 who are charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. Federal officials have said in court that they believe the total number of people who committed possible crimes during the riot could be as high as 2,000 to 2,500. A newborn Asian elephant. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Elephant Appreciation Day is September 22. To celebrate, we picked 18 fun facts about the largest land mammal. For example, they "hug" their trunks to say hello to each other. An elephant's trunk weighs 400 pounds, but it can pick up things as small as a single grain of rice. Tourist Nicki Kelk gets her hat taken off her head by a baby elephant at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang, Thailand. Paula Bronstein/Getty Images Elephants use their trunk for everything! Drinking, eating, smelling, and communicating are all done by the trunk. Elephants can recognize themselves in the mirror. They join humans, apes, and dolphins as the only animals with self awareness. They can see themselves in a mirror. Chris Weller/Business Insider "This would seem to be a trait common to and independently evolved by animals with large, complex brains, complex social lives and known capacities for empathy and altruism, even though the animals all have very different kinds of brains," researcher Dana Reiss told LiveScience. They are afraid of bees. Farmers even use beehives to deter elephants from coming onto their land. An elephant with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. Volodymyr Burdiak/Shutterstock Some farms in Asia and Africa are using bees instead of life-threatening electric fences, the New York Times reported. Elephants can have babies until they're 50 years old. A 3-day-old elephant plays with his mother in their enclosure at the Zoological Garden in Berlin, Germany. Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Similarly to humans, giving birth at that age is rare, but some elephants have even given birth in their 60s. Elephants are pregnant for 22 months it's the longest gestation period of any mammal. A new baby Asian elephant is seen beside an adult on July 28, 2009. Matt Dunham/AP Images And their menstrual cycle lasts from three to four months, as opposed to the 28-day cycle in humans. That means they only have the possibility of getting pregnant three or four times per year. Elephants are born blind. A baby Asian elephant, born only two days before, gets used to his wobbly legs while exploring his enclosure in Berlin. Sean Gallup/Getty Images They also suck their trunks for comfort, like humans suck their thumbs. They also weigh up to 260 pounds at birth. A 5-month-old orphaned elephant called Tembo plays with his keeper in Mkomazi, Tanzania. Chris Jackson/Getty Images Imagine giving birth to that. The oldest elephant lived to be 86. An elephant in Assam, India. Anuwar Ali Hazarika/Barcroft Media via Getty Images His name was Lin Wang, and he was drafted into the Japanese army during World War II. They "hug" their trunks to say hello to each other. A caretaker looks on as 7-year-old elephant Laxmi rubs trunks with her daughter, 13-month-old Rani. Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images Elephants, they're just like us. Elephants have no need for mascara their eyelashes can be up to 5 inches long. An elephant eye. Anupam Nath/AP Images In fact, they have the longest eyelashes of any animal in the world. Story continues They are extremely emotional creatures elephants even grieve lost family members. A herd of Asiatic wild elephants gather at a national park in Minneriya, Sri Lanka. Chamila Karunarathne/AP Images When a mother loses their baby, they've been known to go through a depressive state, and even drag the body of their baby along behind them for days. The elephant's closest living relative is the hyrax, which resemble "a large guinea pig with a grouchy-looking overbite." A rock hyrax. Nicole Kwiatkowski/Shutterstock Elephant, rock hyraxes, and manatees all "descend from a common hoofed ancestor," according to The Dodo. African bush elephants are the largest land animals in the world they can weigh up to 14,000 pounds. An elephant walks at the Pafuri game reserve in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images That's 7 tons. They're the only mammals that can't jump even when they're running, elephants always have at least one foot on the ground. They can balance on two legs, though. General Photographic Agency/Getty Images They're just too heavy plus, they stand on their tippy toes. Elephants can be trained to fight fires by carrying crews and equipment into remote areas, like they did in Indonesia in 2015. Forestry officials ride on the back of elephants as they patrol an area affected by forest fire in Siak, Riau province, Indonesia. Rony Muharrman/AP Images In Indonesia, they helped carry crews and equipment through difficult terrain, Business Insider reported. They use their trunks as snorkels when they swim. An elephant swimming. Matt King/Getty Images They know how to swim naturally. According to Wild Animal Park, "The only mammals that have to learn to swim are humans and the primates." They can spend 16 hours a day eating. An elephant eating grass. Bene_A/Shutterstock Sounds like the life. Elephants yawn. A 3-week-old elephant calf in a herd. Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images You can watch a video that shows an elephant yawning here. Read the original article on Insider NEW YORK (AP) When an undersea volcano erupted in Tonga in January, its watery blast was huge and unusual and scientists are still trying to understand its impacts. The volcano, known as Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai, shot millions of tons of water vapor high up into the atmosphere, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Science. The researchers estimate the eruption raised the amount of water in the stratosphere the second layer of the atmosphere, above the range where humans live and breathe by around 5%. Now, scientists are trying to figure out how all that water could affect the atmosphere, and whether it might warm Earths surface over the next few years. This was a once-in-a-lifetime event, said lead author Holger Voemel, a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado. Big eruptions usually cool the planet. Most volcanoes send up large amounts of sulfur, which blocks the suns rays, explained Matthew Toohey, a climate researcher at the University of Saskatchewan who was not involved in the study. The Tongan blast was much soggier: The eruption started under the ocean, so it shot up a plume with much more water than usual. And since water vapor acts as a heat-trapping greenhouse gas, the eruption will probably raise temperatures instead of lowering them, Toohey said. Its unclear just how much warming could be in store. Karen Rosenlof, a climate scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who was not involved with the study, said she expects the effects to be minimal and temporary. This amount of increase might warm the surface a small amount for a short amount of time, Rosenlof said in an email. The water vapor will stick around the upper atmosphere for a few years before making its way into the lower atmosphere, Toohey said. In the meantime, the extra water might also speed up ozone loss in the atmosphere, Rosenlof added. But its hard for scientists to say for sure, because theyve never seen an eruption like this one. Story continues The stratosphere stretches from around 7.5 miles to 31 miles (12 km to 50 km) above Earth and is usually very dry, Voemel explained. Voemel's team estimated the volcanos plume using a network of instruments suspended from weather balloons. Usually, these tools cant even measure water levels in the stratosphere because the amounts are so low, Voemel said. Another research group monitored the blast using an instrument on a NASA satellite. In their study, published earlier this summer, they estimated the eruption to be even bigger, adding around 150 million metric tons of water vapor to the stratosphere three times as much as Voemel's study found. Voemel acknowledged that the satellite imaging might have observed parts of the plume that the balloon instruments couldnt catch, making its estimate higher. Either way, he said, the Tongan blast was unlike anything seen in recent history, and studying its aftermath may hold new insights into our atmosphere. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. (Bloomberg) -- Indias Supreme Court ordered a forensic audit of the share sale in Fortis Healthcare Ltd. in 2018 and refused to allow the open offer from Malaysias IHH Healthcare Bhd to proceed, triggering a rout in Fortiss stock. Most Read from Bloomberg A ruling by three judge-panel, headed by Chief Justice U.U. Lalit on Thursday sought a probe into sale of shares in Fortis by lenders and transfer of money to RHT Health Trust on a petition filed by Daiichi Sankyo Co. The Japanese drug maker had acquired a pharmaceutical firm in 2008 from Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh, who are also ex-owners of Fortis Healthcare. A lower court can decide on whether the open offer for Fortis can be allowed based on the evidence it gets, the judges said. Everything goes back to the executing court, Justice Lalit said. A detailed copy of the ruling is awaited. The court on Thursday also sentenced the Singh brothers to six months in jail on charges of contempt of court. Daiichi is seeking execution of $500 million award in Delhi High Court against the Singh brothers, who are already in jail on separate fraud and money laundering charges. Fortis shares plunged as much as 20% immediately after the ruling on Thursday, the most since February 2018, in Mumbai. The companys shares partially recovered to end 14.7% lower for the day. The verdict further delays the takeover of the embattled Indian hospital chain company by Malaysias IHH that has already been pending for over three years. IHH acquired about a third of Fortis in 2018 to became its largest shareholder. The open offer for 26% more shares could have helped IHH fortify position in the company. After the first leg of the deal in August 2018, Fortis has embarked on a revamp with a cost cutting campaign implemented by Chief Executive Officer Ashutosh Raghuvanshi. Story continues Cross Fire The IHH-Fortis deal is stuck in the cross fire between Daiichi and Singh brothers who used to own Fortis. Daiichi had in 2016 won an arbitration award worth over $500 million against the Singhs in the dispute around the sale of brothers generic drug making firm, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., to Daiichi. In 2018, when Indian lenders sold Singh brothers pledged shares in Fortis, the Japanese drug maker objected and said the brothers had on oath assured their stake in Fortis will cover the award amount. Fortis and the Indias capital market regulator had petitioned the court to lift the halt, arguing Daiichis recovery efforts are not affected by the open offer. All the funds from IHH went to help Fortis recover from financial difficulties and no funds went to the Singh brothers, IHHs spokesman said in an emailed statement. Whatever shares that were owned by Singh brothers that were pledged to the banks are for the banks to explain to the court and not for IHH, the company added. The court on Thursday said all cases, including insolvency petitions against companies owned by Singh brothers, will be allowed to proceed. (adds comment from IHH, updates with share price movement. An earlier version had a factual error on pledged shares in eighth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Sep. 22LOUISVILLE The town of Louisville is looking for community support for an expansion of Whalen Park. Officials are asking people to show their support online at wdt.me/Dc3h2z and write letters of support that are due by Sept. 30. Letters can be dropped off or mailed to Town of Louisville, 14810 Route 37, Massena, N.Y., 13662, or emailed to recclerk.louisville@gmail.com. They said Whalen Park, a 53-acre community asset along the St. Lawrence River, "offers scenic views, trails, a playground, tennis court and basketball court, but what we want to do is bring in some new features to make these spaces more useful and enjoyable." With community support, they would like to create a dog park, splash pad, new seating and shade structures, new bicycle and vehicle parking, as well as add new trees. "The dog park would be a safe space for your dog(s) to run and play, socialize and get their 'Zoomies' on. We would offer water stations to help keep them cool and hydrated. We can offer fun little obstacle courses for them to get out all that extra energy," town officials said. They said a splash pad would be ideal for Whalen Park. "It would be placed along side the playground so that parents/caregivers could easily observe both areas," they said. "The seating and shade structures would allow park-goers to be able to relax and enjoy the space." In addition, they would like to provide space for the growing game of pickleball. Town officials have been working with the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program to develop proposed recreational improvements for Whalen Park. Four proposals were drafted based on a survey that was conducted last year, in advance of the 10-year relicencing review between the Local Government Task Force and New York Power Authority in 2023. The Local Government Task Force includes officials from the towns of Massena, Louisville and Waddington. Story continues Every 10 years, NYPA reallocates money provided to communities affected by flooding nearly 70 y," ears ago. In 2013, at the most recent 10-year review, the state set aside about $7.5 million to go toward recreation projects. The boundaries include the towns of Massena, Louisville and Waddington, the villages of Massena and Waddington, St. Lawrence County, Massena Central School District and Madrid-Waddington Central School District. Louisville Town Board members Daniel O'Keefe and Nancy J. Charleston have been working with Louisville residents to come up with recreation ideas that would fit in with the Whalen Park area. The group received a non-monetary River, Trails and Conservation Assistance grant from the National Park Service, which assists organizations in developing a recreation plan. That was the impetus for the survey, which was open to residents of Louisville and surrounding municipalities. "We would just like to have the support of what people really would like to see for recreation improvements in the town of Louisville," Town Supervisor Larry R. Legault said. He said the idea was to let the Power Authority know "people that live here use these facilities and this is what they would like to see." Mr. Legault said Local Government Task Force attorney Eric J. Gustafson has compiled the "wish lists" for each community, which will be presented in November or December and negotiations would begin next year. "Everybody pretty much has their wish list done. These are all improvements to NYPA facilities. He put it in a format to present to the Power Authority," he said. Early on Wednesday morning, Border Patrol agents encountered two Guatemalan brothers, aged two and six, who had crossed into the US without their families, with the names and phone numbers of their US contacts written on their shirts. The boys were part of a larger group of 18 migrants from Honduras, Guatemala, and Cuba encountered by agents near La Grulla, Texas, in the far south of the state in the Rio Grande Valley area. Many of the unaccompanied children encountered by Border Patrol are very young and unable to provide names or phone numbers of family members, the agency said in a news release. A pair of boys from Guatemala who arrived at the US-Mexico border alone on 21 September, 2022 (Border Patrol) Finding adequate contacts for such unaccompanied migrants means agents must rely on information written on articles of clothing or handwritten notes found among their property, adults within the group, and/or the consulate of their home country, the Border Patrol continued. This year, the Border Patrol has encountered roughly 140,000 unaccompanied minor children crossing into the US, according to government statistics. When federal officials encounter unaccompanied children, theyre kept in government custody until a family contact in the US can be located, or, barring that, transport can be arranged back to the migrants home nation. The treatment of migrant children has come back into focus after the governors of Texas and Florida spent this year shipping buses and planes full of migrants to liberal jurisdiction as a political stunt. At least a dozen children, some newborns, were sent on such transports in recent weeks, according to an Independent analysis . Meanwhile, single adults entering the US are often kicked out of the country before they can access their legally protected asylum rights under the controversial Trump-era Title 42 programme. The policy, a supposed pandemic measure cooked up by Trump administration arch immigration opponent Stephen Miller, reportedly over the protests of the CDC , allows immigration officials to refuse entry to asylum-seekers on Covid grounds. According to a Pew analysis, the Biden administration has already carried out the great majority of the roughly 2.2m Title 42 expulsions that have taken place since the policy went into effect. UKRAINSKA PRAVDA THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2022, 11:34 Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin noted that the testimony of Viktor Medvedchuk member of Ukrainian Parliament, suspected of treason was documented, and he was transferred from a Ukrainian prison to "a big prison called the Russian Federation." Source: Kostin on Facebook Quote from Kostin: "In exchange for the life and freedom of our defenders, Ukraine handed over Medvedchuk. The pre-trial investigation against him has been completed. Medvedchuk's testimony is documented. We do not release anyone, but transfer them from the Ukrainian prison to a big prison called Russia. Unlike for a terrorist state, the life of every citizen is the highest value for Ukraine. Ukrainian prisoners of war are subjected to abuse and torture. Or they are just killed. The terrorist attack in Olenivka proved it to the whole world. Therefore, each exchange not only restores freedom, but saves lives." Details: Kostin noted that 10 foreigners who defended Ukraine were among the 215 people released from Russian captivity. The Prosecutor General emphasised that Ukraine, together with its allies, is working on the exchange of "all for all", and the successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the counteroffensive increase the "exchange fund" every day. "We will not leave any Russian war crime unpunished. All #RussianWarCrimes will be investigated, and criminals will be punished," Kostin assured. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! SheKnows It seems that along with pushing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle down to the lowest level on the official royal family website, they dont want either of them to be considered part of the Fab Four anymore. While Prince William and Kate Princess of Wales continue to hold that title, it seems the other half [] The lawyer representing an ally and former campaign adviser for former President Donald Trump rejected accusations that his client had acted as a foreign agent as "nothing short of ridiculous" as the federal trial against California billionaire Thomas J. Barrack Jr. opened in New York City this week. Barrack, a 75-year-old former chairman of the investment firm DigitalBridge Group Inc., and his former assistant, Matthew Grimes, are facing federal charges of acting and conspiring to act as an agent of the United Arab Emirates, obstruction of justice and making false statements. The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that the defendants and their handlers in the UAE, including UAE national security officials, "took numerous steps to engage with, and influence the conduct of, the Trump presidential campaign." When the trial began on Wednesday at U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn, Barracks lawyer, Michael Schachter, delivered an opening statement dismissing allegations that his client, who worked in real estate finance for decades, acted secretly at the direction of the United Arab Emirates as "nothing short of ridiculous," arguing that prosecutors had inflated "inconsequential acts," the New York Times reported. FORMER TRUMP ADVISER TOM BARRACK PLEADING NOT GUILTY TO ACTING AN UAE AGENT: ATTORNEY "He did things because he wanted to," Schachter said. "The idea that Tom Barrack was controlled by anybody is nonsense." Tom Barrack exits the federal court building in Brooklyn, New York, on Sept. 20, 2022. AP Photo/Brittainy Newman Meanwhile, Assistant U.S. Attorney Hiral Mehta accused Barrack of carrying out a "corrupt pursuit of money and power," noting that his "unique access" to Trump allowed him to serve as the "eyes and ears and voice" of the wealthy Persian Gulf nation during the 2016 presidential election and at the start of the Trump administration, Politico reported. At the same time, the energy-rich U.S. ally poured millions of dollars into business ventures operated by Barrack and his co-defendants, the prosecutor said. Story continues Tom Barrack, a close adviser to former President Donald Trump and chair of his inaugural committee, leaves U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, in downtown Brooklyn, after an appearance on July 26, 2021. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Barrack, an Arabic speaker of Lebanese descent, was arrested last year and released on $250 million bail. Both he and Grimes have pleaded not guilty. Before being indicted, Barrack drew attention by raising $107 million for Trumps inaugural celebration following the 2016 election. Tom Barrack, a former advisor to former president Donald Trump, leaves U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in a short recess during jury selection for his trial on September 19, 2022, in Brooklyn. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images The Los Angeles-based private equity manager was a key figure in UAE investments in a tech fund and real estate totaling $374 million. Prosecutors say that while he was nurturing those business deals, he convinced Trump to take meetings and phone calls with UAE leaders. Other alleged efforts included drafting a campaign speech for Trump that praised a member of the countrys royal family, passing information back to the Emiratis about how senior U.S. officials felt about a boycott of Qatar, and promising to advance the interests of the UAE if he were appointed as an ambassador or envoy to the Middle East. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Presidents can declassify documents on a whim, even just by "thinking about it," former President Donald Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity on Wednesday. Trump appeared on Hannity's show to discuss the ongoing federal investigation into classified documents found in Trump's Mar-a-Lago home during an FBI raid. "Is there a process? What was your process to declassify?" Hannity asked. "There doesn't have to be a process, as I understand it," Trump responded. "You know, different people say different things, but as I understand it there doesn't have to be." DOJ ASKS 11TH CIRCUIT FOR PARTIAL STAY, ALLOWING ATTORNEYS TO USE CLASSIFIED DOCS DURING SPECIAL MASTER REVIEW Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Texas, on Aug. 6, 2022. Brandon Bell/Getty Images "If you're the president of the United States you can declassify just by saying: Its declassified.' Even by thinking about it," he added. "There doesn't have to be a process. There can be a process, but there doesn't have to be. You're the president, you make that decisionI declassified everything." NEW YORK AG SUES TRUMP OVER FRAUD ALLEGATIONS Classification is a system within the executive branch for privileging information, typically relying on three tiers: confidential, secret and top secret. Only those with proper clearance levels can handle or be told about the information in a classified document. Declassifying documents typically follows a process in which the agency to which the information pertains is consulted. Then, an officially designated "original classification authority" would move to declassify the document, according to the New York Times. While presidents do have the authority to declassify documents on their own, the relevant agencies would still have to be informed of the move for a formal declassification to take place. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 11, 2022. Drew Angerer/Getty Images The FBI found roughly 100 documents marked to varying levels of classification inside Mar-a-Lago. The DOJ has opened a criminal investigation into Trump's handling of the files. A federal appeals court allowed investigators to continue inspecting the files in a Wednesday ruling, dealing a blow to Trump's argument that the documents were no longer classified. Former president Donald Trump said Wednesday that any documents taken from the White House to Mar-a-Lago were declassified and claimed that a president can declassify documents even by thinking about it. There doesnt have to be a process, as I understand it, Trump said during an appearance on Fox Newss Hannity. If youre the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying its declassified, he added. Youre the president you make that decision. In other words, when I left the White House, they were declassified, Trump said, though he has not provided evidence. Roughly 100 documents taken from Mar-a-Lago were marked classified, prosecutors have said. Some documents were labeled top secret. Trump denied mishandling classified documents, saying he declassified everything. He said he did not pack any boxes when leaving the White House, adding that General Services Administration employees were in charge of packing up. Presidents have the authority to declassify information. However, there is a process involved that can include coordinating with the agencies or Cabinet members involved to prevent any potential risks to national security. Trumps office said in a statement last month that the former president issued a standing order while in office that documents taken to his residence would instantly be declassified. Trumps former national security adviser John Bolton called the claims complete fiction. Trumps pre-recorded interview on Hannity came before an appeals court sided with the Department of Justice Wednesday, allowing them to continue looking through the classified materials after Judge Aileen Cannon put the review on pause while a special master reviewed the documents. The special master, Judge Raymond Dearie, has questioned why Trumps lawyers have not provided evidence that the former president had declassified the documents recovered from Mar-a-Lago as he claims. Dearie said that without evidence, he can only judge the documents by their markings, which brand them as highly sensitive national security secrets. Story continues My view of it is: You cant have your cake and eat it, Dearie said. Earlier on Wednesday, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced she was filing a lawsuit against Trump, three of his adult children, and executives at his business empire, accusing them of carrying out fraudulent financial practices that she claims occurred over the course of more than a decade. Trump and his associates are accused of manipulating property valuations to mislead lenders, insurance brokers, and tax authorities in order to receive better rates on bank loans and insurance policies and to reduce their tax liability. James accuses Trump and his three adult children Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump of creating more than 200 misleading evaluations of the companys finances. Trump said on Hannity that the lawsuit is the result of a politically motivated witch hunt. He suggested banks should have done more diligence if there were discrepancies about property values. More from National Review Fox News host Sean Hannity (R) interviewed Donald Trump (L) about the FBI's Mar-a-Lago raid on September 21. Fox News Donald Trump has claimed he declassified documents retrieved by the FBI from Mar-a-Lago. Yet neither he nor his lawyers have backed the claim with convincing evidence. Trump in a new line of defense claimed he could declassify info merely by thinking. Former President Donald Trump has claimed for weeks that he declassified stashes of highly confidential government documents the FBI retrieved in its August 8 search of his Mar-a-Lago resort. The claim has been his chief argument in defense of accusations he mishandled the information and imperiled US national security. But the claim is coming under increasing pressure. Trump has so far provided no evidence to back his claim, with documents clearly marked "classified" photographed strewn among his personal effects in a DOJ legal filing. And in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Wednesday, Trump stretched the plausibility of the defense even further, asserting that he had the power to declassify information simply by thinking about it. Mar-a-Lago on September 14, 2022, in Palm Beach, Florida. Joe Raedle/Getty Images) "There doesn't have to be a process, as I understand it," Trump said. "You're the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying it's declassified, even by thinking about it." National security attorney Bradley P. Moss said that while technically the president does have unfettered power to declassify information, specific procedures must be followed and that relevant government agencies must be notified. He told Insider that the government and courts had concluded that "presidential assertions of declassification do not become effective unless there is subsequent follow up to actually implement the order." Trump's lawyers, who are engaged in a legal battle over the documents, are also refusing to provide evidence to back Trump's claim. In a court appearance Tuesday, special master Raymond Dearie, the official assigned to review the documents, pushed Trump's lawyers to provide evidence for the declassification claim. But Trump's lawyers didn't, arguing that making the evidence public could damage their defense if the case came to trial. Story continues "As far as I'm concerned, that's the end of it," Dearie said, indicating that he was losing patience with the declassification claim. "You can't have your cake and eat it." The refusal to back the claim with evidence is striking, and hints at the legal peril facing Trump. Trump's lawyers are seeking to retrieve some of the documents taken from Mar-a-Lago under rules shielding private presidential communications from public scrutiny, or "executive privilege" rules. But executive-privilege rules cannot be used to shield classified information and other government records of the kind retrieved by the FBI, Michael Stern, a former counsel for the US House of Representatives, recently told Insider. Moss added that even if Trump had followed the correct declassification procedures, the laws he is suspected by the DOJ of having violated do not hinge on the documents being classified. "The declassification argument is ultimately irrelevant to any Espionage Act charge, at least as a matter of law," he said. In a ruling Wednesday, an Atlanta appeals court reinstated the DOJ's access to the classified information, and dismissed the declassification argument as a "red herring" that did not exculpate Trump even if true. "The declassification argument is a red herring because declassifying an official document would not change its content or render it personal," the ruling said, adding that Trump had not even "attempted to show" he has an individual or personal interest in the classified documents. Read the original article on Business Insider By Luc Cohen and Sarah N. Lynch (Reuters) -Donald Trump's bid to impede a criminal investigation into his possession of documents taken from the White House has begun to unravel, legal experts said, after courtroom setbacks including doubts expressed by judges about the former U.S. president's claim that he declassified records seized at his Florida home. Trump has experienced disappointments on multiple fronts this week as his lawyers try to slow down the Justice Department investigation that kicked into high gear with an Aug. 8 court-approved search of his Mar-a-Lago residence in which FBI agents found 11,000 documents including about 100 marked as classified. A three-judge panel of the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday ruled that federal investigators could immediately resume examining the classified records, reversing Florida-based U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon's decision to wall off these documents while an independent arbiter assesses whether any should be withheld as privileged. "Cannon's ruling is so far out of the norm, and the 11th Circuit did such a good job of thoroughly dismantling her opinion," said Jonathan Shaub, a former attorney in the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel who now teaches law at the University of Kentucky. Trump may appeal the 11th Circuit's ruling to the Supreme Court, but experts doubted the justices would agree to hear it. The 11th Circuit's panel included two judges appointed by Trump. At issue in the investigation - one of several legal woes entangling Trump as he considers another run for the presidency in 2024 - is whether he broke federal laws preventing the destruction or concealment of government records and the unauthorized possession of national defense information. The Justice Department is also looking into whether Trump unlawfully tried to obstruct the investigation. Trump has not been charged with any crime and the mere existence of an investigation does not mean he will be. Story continues As part of Trump's counterattack against the investigation, he has made public claims that he personally declassified the seized records. "If you're the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying it's declassified, even by thinking it," Trump told Fox News on Wednesday. "You're sending it to Mar-a-Lago or wherever you're sending it, and there doesn't have to be a process." Trump's lawyers, however, have stopped short of stating in court that he declassified the documents, though they have not conceded that they are classified. The 11th Circuit called Trump's declassification argument a "red herring." The three statutes underpinning the FBI's search warrant at Mar-a-Lago make it a crime to mishandle government records, regardless of their classification status. The 11th Circuit also said it could not discern why Trump would have "an individual interest in or need" for any of the documents marked as classified. Trump's lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'REAL EVIDENCE' To make matters worse for Trump, Judge Raymond Dearie - the arbiter, or special master, named by Cannon to vet the seized documents - asked Trump's lawyers on Tuesday why he should not consider records marked classified as genuinely classified. Dearie pressed Trump's lawyers to make clear whether they plan to assert that the records had been declassified as Trump claims. Trump's lawyers proposed Dearie to serve as special master. "Unless Trump can come up with real evidence saying he went through some kind of declassification procedure and declassified this stuff, there's no way he can prevail on this, and if he had that evidence his lawyers would have presented it," said Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University. Even as he has stated that he declassified the records, Trump also has publicly suggested that the FBI planted them at Mar-a-Lago. Dearie on Thursday asked Trump's lawyers to provide any evidence backing this up. David Laufman, the Justice Department's former head of counterintelligence, said Trump's comments on Fox News were highly incriminating. "Prosecutors must lick their chops every time Trump makes a public statement that is equivalent to making evidentiary admissions, like talking about sending documents marked classified down to Mar-a-Lago because, according to his account, he thought about declassifying them," Laufman said. "It was a great day for the rule of law," Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor and current law professor at the University of Michigan, said of the 11th Circuit's ruling. "It says that the law matters more than anyone's loyalty to a particular person." (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York and Sarah N. Lynch in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham) By Orhan Coskun ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will convene a top tier economy-focused meeting on Friday at which Russian payment system Mir and possible Western sanctions will be discussed, two sources with information on the matter told Reuters. The meeting with government officials and others will also address agreements with Russia, recent heavy volatility on the Istanbul stock exchange and the general economic situation, the sources said, requesting anonymity. Two private Turkish banks, Denizbank and Isbank, suspended use of Mir this week after Washington expanded its sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including targeting the head of the entity that runs the payments system. NATO member Ankara opposes Western sanctions on Russia on principal and has close ties with both Moscow and Kyiv, its Black Sea neighbours. It also condemned Russia's invasion and sent armed drones to Ukraine as part of its diplomatic balance. Yet Western nations are growing concerned over increased economic ties between Turkey and Russia, diplomats say, particularly after several meetings between Erdogan and President Vladimir Putin, including last week in Uzbekistan. The United States and European Union "will be following compliance developments with Turkish banks, large groups that do business in Russia, and of course banks using Mir," said Hakan Akbas, managing director of Strategic Advisory Services, an Istanbul-based political and sanctions compliance advisory. "We could see secondary sanctions from the EU this time toward Turkish individuals and companies... and the U.S. will continue to distance itself from Ankara before the upcoming existential elections," as was evident at the United Nations meetings this week in New York. Earlier on Thursday, the head of Russia's National Card Payments System said Mir bank cards continued to work in Turkey, despite the two banks suspending them. Story continues Russia's central bank vowed last week to push ahead with expanding the number of countries that accept its Mir cards. The U.S. sanctions target people and entities accused of helping Moscow skirt financial sanctions. Last month the U.S. Treasury sent a letter to big Turkish businesses warning they risked penalties if they maintained commercial ties with sanctioned Russians. Earlier this week, a senior U.S. administration official said Washington expects more banks will cut off Mir over sanctions risk and added that the suspension decisions by Isbank and Denizbank made a lot of sense. Separately, on the Istanbul bourse, bank shares have tumbled sharply since last week after a strong rally since July, prompting the country's clearinghouse to amend risk parameters to help ease pressure. (Reporting by Orhan Coskun and Jonathan Spicer; Writing by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Jonathan Spicer) Associated Press The defense team in the Capitol riot trial of the Oath Keepers leader is relying on an unusual strategy with Donald Trump at the center. Lawyers for Stewart Rhodes, founder of the extremist group, are poised to argue that jurors cannot find him guilty of seditious conspiracy because all the actions he took before the siege on Jan. 6, 2021, were in preparation for orders he anticipated from the then-president orders that never came. Rhodes and four associates are accused of plotting for weeks to stop the transfer of presidential power from the Republican incumbent to Democrat Joe Biden, culminating with Oath Keepers in battle gear storming the Capitol alongside hundreds of other Trump supporters. A Jazzmans Blues has been 17 years in the making for Tyler Perry and now that its here, the writer, director and producer is ready for the world to witness what he has dubbed his passion project. I was a little sad last week because I realized its done, said Perry said in a recent chat that he and the cast of the Netflix did with Shadow and Act. You know, Id held on to it for so long. Its like, I know what a parent feels like when that kid goes off to college now and the nest is empty. Ive held it and protected it for the right time until this moment so Im excited for people to see it, but also a little sad because I held on to it for so long. The film, according to its description, is a tale of forbidden love and family drama [that] unravels 40 years of secrets and lies against a soundtrack of juke-joint blues in the Deep South. Perry said the current climate of the nation is what led him to release the project at this moment. Just watching whats happening in America where there are certain political figures who want to reimagine the history of Black people in America that want to ban certain books, that dont want people to know how bad slavery was, or the atrocities, or how much we built America on our backs, the Madea creator explained. "I wanted this movie to come out and maybe raise the curiosity for people to go back and see how bad Jim Crow was," he added. How bad it was for a lot of us so that you and I could sit here and have the lives that we do, the multihyphenate continued. A Jazzmans Blues introduces Solea Pfeiffer who portrays Leanne, a character she says afforded her the opportunity to essentially play herself. In the very literal sense, just being, like, a racially ambiguous person, usually when I am cast in roles, what my experience thus far is pretty general, my race is never specific, and usually Im playing a role that was previously played by a white woman or something like that, said Pfeiffer. Story continues "The breakdown of the character was specifically who I am and what I look like, and to be able to take up space in a story as myself," she continued. Where someone wrote this with the intention of having someone just like me play the role, its very freeing because youre not wondering if you are enough of this or enough of that you just are. I got to learn a lot about the history of mixed-race people in America and the history of passing, and them throughout the past 100, 200 years, and what that really means, Pfeiffer said. Having your own personal history for the first time in your life, it gives you a lot of agency and Im really grateful for what all that has given me because I carry it in me like every day of my life. Pfeiffer's co-star Joshua Boone breathes life into Bayou, who is initially soft-spoken, but throughout his journey of life and love, learns not to take knocks from anybody. He goes from being a soft-spoken, quiet musician, who doesnt get the opportunity to have that on display. [Someone] who gives love and deserves to receive love and finds that through his relationship with Leanne and grows into a human when that love is stripped away, said Boone. "He's someone who finds his own way, finds his own steps, and is able to make it both in an industry of music and also continue to find a means to give that love and create an outlet for that love," Boone continued. Speaking of music, Amirah Vanns character Hattie Mae, aka Bayous mother, shares the same love of music with her son. While A Jazzmans Blues is quite the love story, and it has the music to match. I just thought she was so beautifully complex, said Vann. I think she just loves her children so much, she loves singing, she loves her community, she continued. Vann says her favorite musical number from the film was "Rocks in My Bed." I just loved that because you know, not only does the song itself, musically, do something thats very cathartic, but also the scene. Now that Im remembering the day [we filmed it], it actually started pouring and outside and we were all like, Uh oh, but then Tyler was like this is gorgeous and so the rain is pouring down and Hattie Mae is sitting there and its so simple and its so beautiful. Every scene in that juke joint was a special place for that community to be themselves. A Jazzmans Blues is now available for streaming on Netflix. By Josh Smith BUSAN, South Korea (Reuters) -A U.S. aircraft carrier arrived in South Korea on Friday for the first time in about four years, set to join other military vessels in a show of force intended to send a message to North Korea. USS Ronald Reagan and ships from its accompanying strike group docked at a naval base in the southern port city of Busan ahead of joint drills with South Korean forces. Its arrival marks the most significant deployment yet under a new push to have more U.S. "strategic assets" operate in the area to deter North Korea. Strike group commander Rear Admiral Michael Donnelly told reporters aboard the ship that the visit was designed to build allied relations and boost interoperability between the navies. "We are leaving messaging to diplomats," he said, when asked about any signal to North Korea, but added that joint drills would ensure the allies were able to respond to all threats. "It's an opportunity for us to practice tactics and operations," Donnelly said. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has pushed for more joint exercises and other displays of military power as a warning to North Korea, which this year conducted a record number of missile tests and appears to be preparing to resume nuclear testing for the first time since 2017. North Korea has denounced previous U.S. military deployments and joint drills as rehearsals for war and proof of hostile policies by Washington and Seoul. The drills have also sparked protests by peace activists who say they raise regional tensions. Last week the United States said the carrier's visit was a "clear demonstration" of its commitment to deploy and exercise strategic assets to deter Pyongyang and enhance regional security. In announcing the visit, however, the U.S. Navy made no mention of North Korea, referring only to a "regularly scheduled port visit" and emphasising crew members visiting Busan to volunteer at orphanages and explore the K-pop music scene. Story continues Officials declined to provide details of the upcoming joint drills, but said the carrier would be in port for "several days." Just hours after the ship docked, long lines of crewmembers formed as they took COVID-19 tests before being bussed into the city. One crew member, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said that they were looking forward to a break but that the geopolitical tensions were a constant presence. "You can't ever really forget what we're all here for," the crew member told Reuters. The visit is the first to South Korea by an American aircraft carrier since 2018. Many drills were since scaled back or cancelled due to diplomatic efforts with North Korea or because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The carrier visit is useful for political signalling, reassuring Seoul, and training with South Korean forces, but likely does little to further deter North Korea, said Mason Richey, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul. "A carrier group visit certainly doesn't do much - in fact, it likely does the opposite - to discourage Pyongyang from developing more nuclear weapons and delivery systems, as well as conventional capabilities," he said. It nevertheless underscores that under Yoon the allies see tighter military coordination and interoperability as the best way to deal with North Korea, Richey added. Questions have risen over the role the roughly 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea might play if conflict erupts over Taiwan. Donnelly said such questions are for policymakers above him, but said that operating with like-minded allies such as South Korea is a key part of the U.S. Navy's efforts to maintain the regional security and stability that has existed for more than seven decades. (Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Gerry Doyle) (Reuters) -The U.S. congressional panel probing the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol reached an agreement to interview Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, in the coming weeks, her lawyer told Reuters on Wednesday. The Washington Post has previously reported the committee obtained emails between Ginni Thomas and attorney John Eastman, who advised Donald Trump that then-Vice President Mike Pence could thwart formal congressional certification of Trump's 2020 election loss. "I can confirm that Ginni Thomas has agreed to participate in a voluntary interview with the Committee," Mark Paoletta, an attorney for Thomas, said in an email, confirming an earlier CNN report. "As she has said from the outset, Mrs. Thomas is eager to answer the Committees questions to clear up any misconceptions about her work relating to the 2020 election," he wrote. A lawyer for Thomas has said previously Thomas had no role in the Jan. 6 attack and never discussed election litigation strategy with Eastman. (Reporting by Eric Beech and Heather Timmons; writing by Costas Pitas; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Lincoln Feast) By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) -U.S. prosecutors on Thursday said they reached an agreement to drop criminal charges filed during the Trump administration against a Massachusetts judge accused of impeding a federal immigration arrest of a defendant in her courtroom. Federal prosecutors said they had agreed to dismiss the obstruction charges filed against Newton District Court Judge Shelley Joseph in exchange for the judge referring herself to a state commission tasked with investigating judicial misconduct. Prosecutors are also dropping obstruction charges against her former courtroom deputy, Wesley MacGregor, who entered into a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve a remaining perjury count. The high-profile case was filed in 2019 during clashes between former Republican President Donald Trump's administration and local governments that resisted his immigration crackdown and courthouse arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. "This was a patently political indictment, blindly grounded in prosecutorial ambition," Thomas Hoopes, Joseph's lawyer, said. Prosecutors claimed Joseph and MacGregor in 2018 helped a previously deported state court defendant evade being detained by an ICE agent by allowing him leave their Newton courthouse through a rear door. Then-U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling, a Trump appointee, first brought the case. His successor, Rachael Rollins, an appointee of Democratic President Joe Biden, as Boston's district attorney sued to block immigration arrests at courthouses after Joseph's indictment. Due to Rollins' conflict, the case was reassigned to Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha, leaving him to decide whether to move forward after a federal appeals court in February declined to toss the indictment. "I have concluded that the interests of justice are best served by review of this matter before the body that oversees the conduct of Massachusetts state court judges, rather than in a continued federal criminal prosecution," Cunha said. Story continues Under Thursday's agreement, Joseph made certain factual admissions that the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct can consider when deciding to recommend whether the state's top court discipline her. Lelling, now in private practice, said he respected Cunha's decision, as "prosecutors are going to differ on what they think is appropriate in a given case especially in unusual cases." He urged the commission to "get to the bottom" of what happened. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in BostonEditing by Bill Berkrot and David Gregorio) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. passenger airline flight cancellations in July fell to 1.8% from 3.1% in June, although air travel service complaints rose 16.5%, the U.S. Transportation Department said on Thursday. The Transportation Department has been pressing airlines to improve service and boost staffing as summer travel woes snarled tens of thousands of flights. Airlines say Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control staffing has been a significant factor in cancellations and delays. The Transportation Department said complaints in July were more than 260% above pre-pandemic levels. "The difference between a normal level of cancellation -- it is never going to be zero with weather and stuff -- a normal level is between 1 and 2%," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said last week. "If it's 3% we feel it, it's quite bad. If it is 4% that's when you start seeing words like meltdown or chaos or hell in headlines," The union representing federal air traffic controllers says the FAA needs to do a better job of ensuring adequate staffing. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said the FAA had over 15,000 total controllers in 2011, including over 11,750 fully certified controllers, but said in July that in 2022 "there were more than 1,000 fewer (certified controllers) and 1,500 fewer total controllers on-board." The FAA says it is on track to hire 1,000 controllers this year. This month, Democratic U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen asked the FAA to report additional air traffic control staffing data to Congress, acknowledging that airline staffing issues were impacting flights but saying that "understaffing at critical ATC facilities has also played a role." Last week, United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby said air traffic control shortages were "by far ... the number one issue" impacting traffic. "When you have air traffic control close a center down or close a region it leads to hundreds of delays and cancellations," Kirby said. "When we just point the finger at airlines, when that's not the biggest issue or the second biggest or the third biggest or the fourth biggest, we can't fix it." Story continues Kirby said the aviation industry must push for funding to ensure FAA has more staff. The FAA in response pointed to data that showed air carrier delays outpaced any other factor in July. "Airlines should focus on restoring customers faith by being transparent about the cause of interruptions and by delivering what they promise," the FAA said. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler) By Lananh Nguyen, Saeed Azhar and Scott Murdoch WASHINGTON/HONG KONG (Reuters) -Top U.S. bankers came under pressure from lawmakers on Wednesday to take a tougher stance on doing business with China amid growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan's sovereignty and China's human rights record. During a hearing before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, Republican congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer pressed bank chief executives on how they would respond in the hypothetical event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Lawmakers also asked the CEOs to condemn China's "human rights abuses," in a departure from previous hearings that tended to focus on domestic issues like housing and consumer protection. "We will follow the government's guidance, which has been for decades to work with China," said Bank of America Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan. "If they change that position, we will immediately change it, as we did in Russia." JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser both concurred, saying their banks would follow government guidance if China were to invade Taiwan. The increased scrutiny underscores the challenges the country's largest lenders increasingly face as they try to balance commercial interests with pressure from policymakers, activists and investors to take stances on environmental, social and governance issues. Wall Street giants including JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have sought in recent years to expand their businesses in China, the world's second-largest economy. Authorities there have granted U.S. banks more ownership of their securities businesses despite rising geopolitical tension. Despite a bigger footprint, China is not yet a big profit centre for those banks. "There would be few significant gains to the U.S. or losses to China if banks pared back operations there," said Hong Kong-based Global Source Partners analyst Andrew Collier. Story continues "The symbolism, however, is more important, because China is very concerned about decoupling in trade and imports of key products like semiconductors, so any pressure on the financial sector would send worrisome signals to Beijing." Responding to a question about the remarks by U.S. bank CEOs and lawmakers, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Thursday that "the Taiwan question has always been the most important and sensitive issue" for U.S.-China relations. "The U.S. side should strictly adhere to the One-China principle and the provisions in the three U.S.-China joint communiques, earnestly and effectively implement the U.S. leaders' stance of not supporting Taiwan independence, stop manipulating issues pertaining to Taiwan." 'HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION' JPMorgan, which has been in China since 1921, serves Chinese and international corporations, financial institutions and government agencies. Last year it became the first foreign firm to fully own a securities venture in China. Citigroup, which was the first U.S. bank to set up shop in China in 1902, last year applied for a mainland Chinese securities licence as part of its push to ramp up business in the market. China has been carrying out military drills near Taiwan in recent weeks. After U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei, China fired missiles into waters near the island, though its activities have since scaled back. China claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory. Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims. Congressman Luetkemeyer asked Fraser what Citigroup would do if a war over Taiwan broke out. "It's a hypothetical question," Fraser said. "It's highly likely that we will have a reduced presence." Citigroup has a global reach that spans more than 160 countries. When asked later by Republican Lance Gooden if she would condemn "ongoing human rights abuses in China," Fraser hesitated. "Condemn is a strong word," she said. "We certainly are very distressed to see it." JPMorgan's Dimon also warned the U.S. had to compete with Chinese banks, which have grown in size over the last few years to become the biggest in the world. "I am going to do everything in my power to make sure we compete with the best Chinese banks in the world. It is very important for the future of America that America maintains its financial supremacy just like anything else." (Reporting by Lananh Nguyen and Pete Schroeder; additional reporting by Saeed Azhar, Scott Murdoch in Hong Kong and Eduardo Baptista in Beijing; Editing by Richard Pullin and Toby Chopra) UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The president of the Pacific island state of Micronesia denounced at the United Nations on Thursday Japan's decision to discharge what he called nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the Pacific Ocean. In an address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York, David Panuelo said Micronesia had the "gravest concern" about Japans decision to release the so-called Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) water into the ocean. "We cannot close our eyes to the unimaginable threats of nuclear contamination, marine pollution, and eventual destruction of the Blue Pacific Continent," he said. "The impacts of this decision are both transboundary and intergenerational in nature. As Micronesias head of state, I cannot allow for the destruction of our Ocean resources that support the livelihood of our people." Japan said in July that its nuclear regulators had approved a plan to release into the Pacific ocean water used to cool reactors in the aftermath of the March 2011 Fukushima disaster. The water has been stored in huge tanks in the plant, and amounted to more than 1.3 million tonnes by July. Japan's Foreign Ministry said at that time that regulators deemed it safe to release the water, which will still contain traces of the radioactive isotope tritium after treatment. Asked about Panuelo's statement, Yukiko Okano, the ministry's deputy press secretary, said in reference to Fukushima that Japan would try its best "to gain understanding from the international community about the safety of our activities there." The plant operator, Tokyo Power Electric Company (Tepco), plans to filter the contaminated water to remove harmful isotopes apart from tritium, which is hard to remove. Then it will be diluted and released to free up plant space to allow the decommissioning of Fukushima to continue. The plan has encountered stiff resistance from regional fishing unions which fear its impact on their livelihoods. Japan's neighbors China, South Korea, and Taiwan have also voiced concern. Story continues Panuelo also highlighted the threat posed by climate change, to which Pacific island states are particularly vulnerable. He called on geopolitical rivals the United States and China to consider it "a non-political and non-competitive issue for cooperation." "For the briefest period of time, it seemed as if the Americans, with whom Micronesia shares an Enduring Partnership, and the Chinese, with whom Micronesia shares a Great Friendship, were starting to work together on this issue, despite increases in tension in other areas," he said. "Now, they are no longer speaking to each other on this important issue." China announced in August it was halting bilateral cooperation with the United States in areas including defense, narcotics, transnational crime and climate change in protest against a visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Panuelo's remarks coincided with a meeting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted of the Partners in the Blue Pacific countries, which include Japan with the aim of better coordinating assistance to the region in the face of competition from China. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; editing by Grant McCool and Stephen Coates) By Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations human rights expert on Myanmar said on Thursday that an election planned by the country's junta will be a "fraud" and warned other countries against offering assistance that would help legitimise it. The junta declared a state of emergency after seizing power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup in February last year, and has tentatively planned for elections by August 2023. "What is very important is that countries in the world don't fall into the trap of trying to provide technical assistance or support for what is going to clearly be a fraud. If you do that, you are actually making things worse," said Andrews, saying this would give the polls a "mirage of legitimacy". Asked to elaborate on his views on the election, he said that repression of the opposition had made a free and fair election impossible. State media in Myanmar have said India was cooperating with the electoral process. The junta has said it has held consultations with political parties but has yet to announce the rules under which the election would be held and if all parties would be allowed to take part. A military spokesperson did not immediately answer a call seeking comment. Andrews also said that he was concerned about the current conflict between the junta and armed opposition expanding, citing an attack by army helicopters at a school in Myanmar earlier this week that killed 13 people, including 7 children, according to media and residents. "There is a horrible, horrible cycle of violence that is fully underway and my fear is that this is going to snowball out of control," he said. Andrews also called for a more coordinated international response to the Myanmar crisis. The U.N. Security Council is considering a British-drafted resolution but Andrews said he had "no hope" that a meaningful resolution would pass, saying what was required was an arms embargo and targeted economic sanctions. Story continues "It will almost certainly be vetoed," he said. "Horror is happening everywhere and it is happening without the world seeming to know or care about what's going on." The junta has repeatedly accused the United Nations of interference in its affairs and says it is fighting "terrorists" determined to destabilise the country. (Reporting by Emma Farge and Reuters staff) Miguel Cardona, our nations Secretary of Education, is stressing the importance of providing sufficient support for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Cardona spoke on these illustrious institutions earlier this week, and he initially commented on all the great work that HBCUs do for the Black community. HBCUs punch above their weight; they are producing higher percentages of Black excellence than any other University System. We need to lift them up for what they are doing, and we need to support them. Not just by words but by actions, Cardona noted, according to NewsOne. He went on to share what the Biden Administration has done to help support these universities. Weve provided $6 billion in funds in one year. Thats more than any other administration total. But we are also giving them opportunities to be engaged in programming with different departments and make sure they are eligible for contracts also, he said. We want to support their infrastructure. We want to lift up the sense of community and family that they are, Cardona continued. .@POTUS 2023 budget requests nearly $500B in direct funding to HBCUs including specific funding to build teacher prep programs because we know HBCUs prepare more educators of color than anyone else. pic.twitter.com/PETo6rwGP2 Secretary Miguel Cardona (@SecCardona) September 21, 2022 Cardona also addressed the U.S.s long-running tradition of underfunding HBCUs, noting that officials are working to remedy this issue. Its about making sure that, number one, states are paying their fair share. [HBCUs have] been underfunded for decades. Its not going to be fixed overnight, but we have to get the ball moving in the right direction, he proclaimed. Story continues Number two: Recognizing that in order for their research status to go up so that they can get some of these contracts their infrastructure needs to improve, Cardona continued. So, the president has put forward in his budget almost half a billion dollars to make sure there are supports there. We need Congress to support that as well. He wrapped up his commentary by noting, We know that HBCUs have seen an increase in enrollment the last two years. We are proud of that. We want to support them more and we are going to continue to work with them. Its not just about the money its about making sure we are listening and providing them the technical assistance and support that they need to thrive, he added. Cardonas comments notably come on the heels of the U.S. Navy actively attempting to strengthen its ties with HBCUs through the brand-new Divine Nine Ambassador Program, as Blavity previously reported. As a result, it looks like various U.S. officials are recognizing that they need to begin establishing solid relationships with students at these noteworthy institutions. Another category of men was banned from leaving the border in Ukraine Demchenko says this decision was taken after the discovery that a large number of documents attesting to a Ukrainians status as attending a university outside the country had been forged. Previously, according to the decision of the top military leadership, male students who studied abroad until Feb. 24 were allowed to leave Ukraine to continue their studies, Demchenko said. The border guards complied with this norm by ensuring passage. How-ever, mass forgery of documents allegedly confirming mens studies abroad has begun in recent months. Read also: Zelenskyy responds to petition to allow men without combat experience to leave Ukraine In July-August, border guards identified about 600 people who used forged documents about studying in non-Ukrainian educational institutions to illegally leave Ukraine, he said. However, this situation could be resolved by the legislature, he added. This issue can be resolved if government resolution No. 57 is amended, Demchenko said. According to this resolution, male students attending foreign educational institutions are not by default included in the list of exceptions of conscription aged men who are allowed to cross the border which is why this ex-emption was initially granted by the military, instead. Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valery Zaluzhny, recently asked the Defense Ministry to allow students to travel abroad. Later the Interior Ministry clarified which documents were needed for male students to travel abroad. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russia released more than 200 prisoners of war in exchange for a political ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and roughly 50 troops in a prisoner swap Thursday. The major swap came as a surprise amid Putin's recent announcement of a partial military mobilization. Ukraine says Turkey and Saudi Arabia helped facilitate the deal, which was hashed out over the course of weeks. The swap sees 215 troops returned to Ukraine, while Russia received 55 troops and pro-Russian Ukrainians, including Viktor Medvedchuk, the leader of a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine. Russia also released 10 Ukraine-allied foreign nationals, including five U.K. citizens, two Americans, a Moroccan, a Croatian and a Swede. RUSSIAN TROOPS BOXED IN BY UKRAINIAN FORCES AND DNIEPER RIVER, BARGE CARRYING SUPPLIES TO RUSSIAN TROOPS SINKS Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy touted the deal in his nightly video address late Wednesday. "This is clearly a victory for our country, for our entire society. And the main thing is that 215 families can see their loved ones safe and at home," Zelenskiy said. "We remember all our people and try to save every Ukrainian. This is the meaning of Ukraine, our essence, this is what distinguishes us from the enemy." TOP MILITARY BRASS IN UKRAINE'S SOUTH CALLS FOR VOLUNTEERS AS FORCES LOOK TO TAKE BACK KHERSON Russia captured most of the 215 Ukrainian soldiers in the fall of Mariupol, a city that held out against Russian aggression for months under heavy shelling. Ukrainian soldiers sit on infantry fighting vehicles as they drive near Izyum, eastern Ukraine on Sept. 16, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images The swap comes at a hopeful time in the conflict for Ukraine, having just conducted a majorly successful counteroffensive against the Russian invaders. Ukrainian forces have retaken roughly 8,000 square miles of previously occupied territory since September 1. Putin has mobilized 300,000 Russian reservist troops in response. It will be weeks before they reach the front lines, however. Defenders of Ukraine released from captivity Read also: Relatives of Azovstal defenders call on world community to declare Russia terrorism sponsor after Olenivka attack During an online call with the released defenders, Yermak also told President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that those released included 108 defenders from the Azovstal Steelworks and other formations of the National Guard of Ukraine, as well as servicemen of the Ground and Naval Forces, the territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service, the National Police, employees of the SBU security service, the State Special Transport Service, and the State Customs Service. The list of those released from Russian captivity includes: commander of the Azov Regiment, Hero of Ukraine Denys Prokopenko (Redis); acting commander of the 36th separate brigade of marines Serhiy Volynskyi (Volyna); deputy commander of the Azov Regiment Sviatoslav Palamar (Kalyna); Read also: Surviving Azovstal defender shares his story about the last days of Mariupol Oleg Khomenko (Azov); commander of the 12th operational brigade of the National Guard Denys Shleha; commander of the 1st marine infantry battalion Yevheniy Bova; military medic Kateryna Polishchuk (Ptashka); pregnant military medic Maryana Mamonova; 10 foreign defenders of Ukraine from the United States, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Sweden, and other countries. According to Yermak, almost all of the released are already on the territory of Ukraine, except for five Azov commanders, who, according to the agreements reached earlier with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will stay in Turkey under his personal guarantees of protection. During the prisoner swap, Ukraine handed over former Ukrainian MP Viktor Medvedchuk, who has been charged with treason. Five Azovstal commanders were exchanged for 55 Russian prisoners of war. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has published a full list of released defenders. Yermak stated the swap took place in several stages and in different locations. Story continues Read also: Ukraines SBU captures Russian agent in Kyiv who tried to join Azov Regiment Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi told Zelenskyy that it was the most difficult prisoner swap he had ever seen. Zelenskyy in turn said that, according to the information available to him, many of the prisoners had been sentenced to death, so the release saved their lives. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest associates, Ukrainian tycoon Viktor Medvedchuk, left, speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 18, 2019. Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP Ukraine and Russia have completed a monumental prisoner swap, Zelensky's office said. The swap means that 215 Ukrainians who were captured by Russia will go back to their country. As part of the deal, Viktor Medvedchuk, a key Putin ally in Ukraine, has been sent to Russia. Ukraine and Russia have completed a prisoner swap in which hundreds of fighters and civilians were returned to Ukraine in exchange for the freeing of 55 Russians and Viktor Medvedchuk, Putin's key ally in Ukraine and his daughter's godfather. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's staff Andriy Yermak said in an update posted in the administration's telegram channel that 215 Ukrainians were returned as a result of the prisoner swap, which Yermak added was also negotiated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Viktor Medvedchuk, an MP and one of Putin's staunchest Ukrainian allies, was sent to Russia, Reuters reported. He was arrested by Ukrainian authorities in April. Among the 215 Ukrainians released were 100 fighters from the controversial, hard right-wing Azov Battalion, which Russia has previously called "neo-nazis." Some founding members of the paramilitary group which sprouted as a result of Russia's 2014 invasion have also worn nazi paraphernalia and ascribed to the moniker. Five of the Azov commanders will remain in Turkey until the war is over as part of the terms of the deal, according to The Washington Post. Over the past 30 years, Medvedchuk has nurtured a close personal and political relationship with Putin, amassing an estimated worth of $620 million before the war, according to Forbes. When he was arrested in Ukraine, authorities seized a yacht, 23 houses, 32 apartments, 30 pieces of land, and 26 cars. Earlier on Wednesday, 10 foreign fighters fighting on behalf of Ukraine who were captured by Russia including two Americans were also released in a settlement negotiated in part by Saudi Arabia. The bilateral prisoner swap is a massive coup for Ukrainians, who have made considerable gains against Russian invaders in recent weeks. Read the original article on Business Insider Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- North Korea fired two suspected ballistic missiles Saturday, adding to one of its biggest weekly barrages at a time global attention has been diverted to Russias war in Ukraine.Most Read from BloombergCredit Suisse CEO Seeks to Calm Markets as Default Swaps ClimbTesla Deliveries Miss Estimates, Slowed by Logistic SnarlsGet Ready for Another Bear-Market Rally, Strategist Emanuel SaysGazprom Halts Gas Supplies to Italy in Latest Energy BattleOPEC+ to Consider Output Cut of More Tha By Valentyn Ogirenko and Aziz El Yaakoubi KYIV/RIYADH (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed as "superheroes" the senior Ukrainian commanders, including those who led the dogged defence of Mariupol, who were freed by Russia as part of a prisoner swap involving almost 300 people, including foreigners. Under the terms of the deal, which Turkey helped broker, 215 Ukrainians - most captured after the fall of the port city - were released on Wednesday. In exchange, Ukraine sent back 55 Russians and pro-Moscow Ukrainians. Ten foreigners were also freed following mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Among them was Briton Aiden Aslin, who had been sentenced to death by a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, who said they were "out of the danger zone". Asked how she felt on hearing about her boyfriend's release in the swap, Ukrainian Yaryna Herashchenko said: "Happiness, shock, tears, joy a whole spectrum of emotions ..." Herashchenko had not heard from her boyfriend Ihor, 32, since he surrendered in May when the steelworks he was defending in Mariupol in southeast Ukraine fell to Russian forces. "Good morning once again, my darling! At the moment everything is good here," Ihor said in an audio message to Herashchenko, 29, after his release along with more than 200 other Ukrainians in the prisoner swap. The timing and size of the swap came as a surprise. Earlier in the day Putin had announced a partial troop mobilisation in Russia in an apparent escalation of the conflict that began in February. Pro-Russian separatists had said last month that the Mariupol commanders would go on trial. "Five superheroes have been exchanged for 55 of those who deserve neither compassion nor pity," Zelenskiy said in a night-time address that welcomed the broader release as "a victory for the country". Story continues Russia's defence ministry said on Thursday 55 of its servicemen had been returned in the largest prisoner exchange with Ukraine since the start of the war. Russia said the fighters - from Russia's armed forces and its proxies in the Russian-backed separatist regions of eastern Ukraine - had been transported to Russia by a military plane and were undergoing health checks. The Russian-installed separatist head of the Donetsk People's Republic said pro-Kremlin Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk had been freed. Medvedchuk, a personal friend of Putin, headed a banned pro-Russian party in Ukraine and was facing treason charges. Ukrainians cheered the swap. "We live for the soldiers. They are our pride, our glory, our joy our boys. I only hope everyone can be freed. And that our mother-Ukraine is freed too," 55-year-old Kyiv resident Tamara Herasymenko said. The five senior commanders freed include Lieutenant Colonel Denys Prokopenko, and his deputy, Svyatoslav Palamar, both of the Azov battalion, which did much of the fighting in Mariupol and is lionised in Ukraine. Also freed was Serhiy Volynsky, commander of the 36th Marine Brigade, who in April issued a video message from where fighters were holed up in bunkers below the steel works in Mariupol. The three helped lead the defence before they and hundreds of Azov fighters surrendered in May to Russian-backed forces. Zelenskiy held a video call with the men after their release from captivity. FOREIGNERS FREED The five commanders will stay in Turkey until the end of the war, and Zelenskiy thanked Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for his help after what he said had been a long and difficult fight to secure their release. Erdogan said later the swap was an important step towards ending the war, Turkish broadcaster NTV reported. The Azov Regiment is reviled by Putin's Kremlin as a band of Russia-hating neo-Nazis. The battalion denies allegations of fascism, Nazism and racism and says Ukrainians from various backgrounds serve in Azov, which is now fully integrated into Ukraine's armed forces. The eventual capture of Mariupol, on the Sea of Azov, was a strategic prize for Russia, though its forces had reduced the port city to a wasteland after nearly two months of siege. It meant Russia had a secure overland route linking the Crimean peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014, with mainland Russia and parts of eastern Ukraine already held by separatists. The foreigners released included Aslin, fellow Briton Shaun Pinner and Moroccan Brahim Saadoun who had been sentenced to death in June after being captured fighting for Ukraine - a sentence condemned by Kyiv and Britain. "We just want to let everyone know we're now out of the danger zone and we're on our way home to our families," Aslin said on Instagram. Pinner added: "By the skin of our teeth." Also freed were three other Britons, two Americans, a Croatian, and a Swedish national. The five UK prisoners had arrived in Britain, non-profit organisation Presidium Network was reported as saying by the BBC on Thursday. The freed U.S. citizens were Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27, both from Alabama, who were captured in June while fighting in eastern Ukraine. (Reporting by Valentyn Ogirenko in Kyiv, Aziz El Yaakoubi in Riyadh and David Ljunggren in Ottawa; Editing by Alison Williams, Gareth Jones, William Maclean) Defender of Mariupol, Marine Mykhailo Dianov after release from captivity, September 22, 2022 During the swap, Ukraine handed over former Ukrainian MP Viktor Medvedchuk, who has been charged with treason, while five commanders who were present were at the Azovstal Steelworks in Mariupol were exchanged for 55 Russian prisoners of war. The list of those released from Russian captivity includes: commander of the Azov Regiment, Hero of Ukraine Denys Prokopenko (Redis); acting commander of the 36th separate brigade of marines Serhiy Volynskyi (Volyna); deputy commander of the Azov Regiment Sviatoslav Palamar (Kalyna); Read also: Photos of wounded Ukrainian fighters at Azovstal emerge Oleg Khomenko (Azov); commander of the 12th operational brigade of the National Guard Denys Shleha; commander of the 1st marine infantry battalion Yevheniy Bova; military medic Kateryna Polishchuk (Ptashka); pregnant military medics Maryana Mamonova, Yana Shumovetska, Anastasia Chernenka; photographer Dmytro Kozatskyi (Orest); Mykola Kushch and Kostiantyn Nikitenko, whom the Russians sentenced to death. In his nightly video address on Sept. 22, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 108 defenders of the Azovstal Steelworks, 188 heroes of Azovstal and Mariupol, eight people wounded during the Russian terrorist attack in a prison colony in occupied Olenivka had been released. Today we have 215 pieces of good news. 215! Zelenskyy said. Read also: Russian invaders pressgang into army all men aged under 40 in village outside Mariupol According to the president, five citizens of Great Britain, two citizens of the United States, one citizen of Morocco, one citizen of Sweden, and one citizen of Croatia will also return home after being released from the captivity. All of them will return home through the mediation of Saudi Arabia, Zelenskyy added. NV published photos of the released defenders of Ukraine. SBU SBU SBU SBU SBU SBU SBU SBU Azovstal commanders Denys Prokopenko, Serhiy Volynskyi, Svyatoslav Palamar, Denys Shleha and Oleh Khomenko in Turkey Press service of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS Press service of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS Press service of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS Press service of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS Press service of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sept. 19 that Ukraine and Russia had agreed on the exchange of 200 prisoners. Zelenskyy said on June 6 that more than 2,500 defenders of Mariupol, captured following the fall of the city, were in Russian captivity. According to Ukrainian news website Ukrainska Pravda, 2,449 defenders surrendered and left Azovstal, and the majority of them were being held in a penal colony in the Russian-occupied town of Olenivka. Story continues Read also: Captured Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol held in Russian-occupied part of Donetsk Oblast' Ukraine and Russia held an earlier large-scale prisoners swap on June 29, during which 144 Ukrainian defenders were returned home. Among them were 95 defenders of the Azovstal Steelworks in Mariupol, including 43 servicemen of the Azov Regiment. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine During the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for Russia to be punished for "trying to steal" Ukrainian territory and for them to be punished for their crimes. Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022 in an illegal and unprompted invasion. The Russian-Ukrainian war has been at the center of global affairs for months, and is a main talking point of the United Nations General Assembly. As Ukraine begins to regain the territory lost initially in the Russian advance, the world is seeing the horrendous crimes committed by Russia against innocent Ukrainian citizens. When President Zelenskyy finished his speech, almost the entire United Nations assembly stood up in a standing ovation, with the noticeable exception of the Russian Federation representatives. ZELENSKYY: And Ukraine demands punishment for trying to steal our territory, punishment for the murders of thousands of people, punishment for torchers and humiliations of women and men, punishment for the catastrophic turbulence that Russia provoked with its illegal war and not only for us, Ukrainians, but for the whole world. The See Monster installation in Weston-super-Mare is intended to promote the conversation about climate change The chair of an influential parliamentary committee has called for an investigation into an arts festival that has cost taxpayers 120m. Unboxed was announced in 2018 by then Prime Minister Theresa May and was soon dubbed the Festival of Brexit. In a letter to the National Audit Office (NAO), Conservative MP Julian Knight called it an "excessive waste of money during a cost of living crisis". But Unboxed chief Martin Green said it was "absolutely value for money". Unboxed is an ongoing project that describes itself as a "once-in-a-lifetime celebration of creativity across the UK". Ahead of the opening of See Monster, the latest Unboxed venture that has seen an old North Sea gas platform installed in a former lido in Weston-super-Mare, Mr Green told the BBC it was a "big and bold and ambitious" programme. He claimed Unboxed had done "exactly what the government asked us to do", with a legacy of investment in jobs during the pandemic and pioneering creativity that will endure. Birmingham's PoliNations is among the other Unboxed projects But in his letter, Mr Knight called the festival a "fiasco in the making". Speaking to the BBC, he said "questions need to be answered about how this was allowed to happen". He added: "These decisions are signed off by politicians so therefore politicians need to take the blame." At 120m, Unboxed cost four times what the taxpayer spent on the Platinum Jubilee. Even before it opened, a report from Mr Knight's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee deemed it "an irresponsible use of public money" and a "recipe for failure". His letter to the NAO, the UK's independent public spending watchdog, has increased the pressure on the festival. Learn the lessons "I'm calling for an NAO investigation to ensure we see what has happened, why it is that this money has been spent in this way and then we also learn the lessons for the future," he said. "We saw the warning signs and the fact is this has been potentially a monumental waste of money and has had little impact in the country as a whole." Story continues Unboxed organisers have not yet released official visitor numbers, but Mr Green told me they will do so once they are verified later next month. A report in parliament's The House magazine in August claimed 238,000 people had visited, a fraction of the ambitious "stretch target" of 66 million the festival had suggested might get involved. The article said the the government had released figures for four Unboxed events. It said 120,000 people had watched the opening project About Us, while had 60,000 walked the trails in Northern Ireland and Cambridge of Our Place in Space, a journey through the solar system. Another 14,000 reportedly attended the kaleidoscopic experience Dreammachine, and 44,000 went to Dandelion, a grow-your-own food initiative across Scotland. Unboxed chief creative officer Martin Green is "very confident" they will hit visitor targets At the time, Mr Knight said his committee had sounded the alarm about a project "with such a vague vision and nebulous name" which "seemed doomed to failure". The lack of interest from the public was a "damning indictment", he said. However, Mr Green told me the 238,000 figure was incorrect and applied to eight individual events of the "hundreds we have done in hundreds of places". He claimed that "millions" of people had engaged with Unboxed in person, and that he was "very confident" the festival would hit its visitor targets. He said the Our Place in Space project had achieved 300,000 in-person engagements and 200,000 digitally. He added that the 66 million stretch target included everyone visiting in person; seeing it, for example on a forthcoming episode of BBC One's Countryfile; and "anyone who engages with it digitally and sees it around the world". Mr Green isn't used to sustained criticism. The enthusiastic chief creative officer of Unboxed has many successes to trumpet, not least the celebrated 2012 Olympic ceremonies and Hull's year as City of Culture in 2017. But critics say it would have been better if Unboxed had been left in its box. Paisley Abbey was illuminated as part of the opening event, About Us, in February The festival's latest venture, See Monster, is an art installation and a conversation about the environment. The 35m (115ft) structure looms over the beach at Weston and consists of a series of yellow steel-framed platforms that were once used to extract gas from deep in the North Sea. A waterfall gushes from one of its levels, mist creates a cloud formation on another, and the platform is covered in plants that are watered by wind and solar power generated on the structure itself. It's the ninth of 10 Unboxed projects that have taken place around the UK in what is termed a coming together of science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths. As he showed me around the rig ahead of its opening on Saturday, Mr Green said the point of See Monster was "to take something that took from the earth and ask it to give back". For the first time, he said, a rig has been repurposed instead of scrapped, and British expertise will be shared across the world. Newsubstance creative director Patrick O'Mahony said See Monster's logistics were "always going to be difficult" On the seafront in Weston, with the rig now an obvious landmark until November, most of the passers-by I spoke to had never heard of Unboxed. They were more positive about See Monster, which had been due to open to visitors earlier in the summer, but was delayed. Local pensioner Mike Petrie said he was "really impressed" by the structure, though "a bit disappointed for all the holiday makers and all the school children who missed it". Another resident of the North Somerset town, Jan Brady, thought See Monster was "wonderful". She said she had tried to visit a few times but understood "with projects of this size, with what we've all been through, delays happen". Lucy West, on holiday with her husband from Oxfordshire, said she would "like to see them repurpose it and continue using it after all the money that's been poured into it". See Monster creative director Patrick O'Mahony's company Newsubstance was also behind the celebrated drones that formed the lit-up corgi above Buckingham Palace for the Platinum Jubilee. Mr O'Mahony told me the team had to navigate legislative and technical hurdles to get the platform to Weston and it was "always going to be difficult". "We are slightly later than we hoped for, but we are here," he said. "We are the first people in the world ever to take a structure like this and use it for arts and culture." Unboxed will continue for another two months, and while the festival may be coming under political pressure, many will be reluctant to judge the project's success or failure until after it has concluded in November. Alex Conley founded Kono Nutrition in Boise, this supplement company aims to keep people healthy through nutrition, something Alex is passionate about after being diagnosed with Leukemia as a kid. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - United Airlines said on Wednesday it is working to resume flights to Cuba later this year that it suspended in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chicago-based U.S. airline said it has been working for months to relaunch service but faces hurdles. It asked the U.S. Transportation Department (USDOT) for a waiver for 30 additional days as it works to resume service. United previously flew seven flights weekly to Havana from its Houston and Newark hubs. United said it needs to "undertake significant work including re-negotiating multiple contracts with service providers that have lapsed, building out necessary infrastructure in Terminal 3 at Havanas airport where United is being relocated." United said given the challenges it is concerned it cannot resume flights by an Oct. 31 USDOT deadline. On Monday, the Biden administration agreed to expand U.S. flights to Havana, adding 13 weekly American Airlines departures from Miami and a weekly JetBlue Airways departure from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. That is on top of the typical six daily American Airlines flights and three JetBlue flights weekdays to Havana from the Florida airports. In June, USDOT lifted a series of restrictions on flights to Cuba imposed under former President Donald Trump, including ending a prohibition on U.S. airline flights to smaller Cuban airports outside Havana. At the time, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the action was "in support of the Cuban people, and in the foreign policy interests of the United States." The Trump administration had barred passenger airline flights to smaller Cuban airports. In July, American Airlines received permission to resume service to some smaller Cuban airports. American sought approval for flights from Miami to Santa Clara, Holguin, Matanzas/Varadero and Santiago de Cuba. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler and David Gregorio) By Alistair Smout LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's University of Cambridge said on Thursday it had benefited from the proceeds of slavery over its history, and promised to expand scholarships for Black students and fund more research into the murderous trade. The acknowledgement comes as a string of leading institutions - from the Bank of England to the Church of England - have been re-evaluating the central role that slavery had in enriching Britain and how they benefited from its injustices. Cambridge said an investigation it commissioned had found no evidence that the university itself ever owned slaves or plantations directly. But the findings showed it had received "significant benefits" from slavery. Those came from university benefactors who had made their money from the slave trade, the university's investments in companies that participated in it, and fees from plantation-owning families, according to the investigation's report. Researchers found that fellows from Cambridge colleges were involved with the East India Company, while investors in the Royal African Company also had links to Cambridge - two companies both active in the slave trade. The university also received donations from investors in both companies, and also directly invested in another company active in the slave trade, the South Sea Company, according to the paper, which was produced by a group of Cambridge academics. "Such financial involvement both helped to facilitate the slave trade and brought very significant financial benefits to Cambridge," the Legacies of Enslavement report said. It also said that while notable abolitionists such as William Wilberforce were educated at Cambridge and developed their campaigns there, their full legacy needed to be examined further, while prominent members of the university also defended the intellectual underpinnings of the slave trade. HISTORIC WRONGS Several people are also memorialised at the university without reference to their involvement, the report said. Story continues A statue to William Pitt the Younger, a member of parliament for the university who was prime minister at the end of the 18th century, makes no reference to his efforts to stall abolitionism or to restore slavery in Haiti after the revolution there. Meanwhile the Fitzwilliam Museum was founded with money and artwork inherited from a governor of the South Sea Company. In response to the report, the university said the museum would hold an exhibition on slavery and power in 2023, while Cambridge's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology had recommended that its Benin Bronzes, taken in a violent military campaign in the 19th century from a territory that later became part of modern-day Nigeria, are returned. One Cambridge college handed back another Benin Bronze last year, as did Aberdeen University in Scotland. Other British institutions are also looking at their collections. The Bank of England said in August it was taking down art depicting former governors with links to slavery. Cambridge will also set up a dedicated centre to research the legacies of enslavement, deepen ties with universities in the Caribbean and Africa and increase postgraduate scholarships for Black British students as well as those from Africa and the Caribbean, the university said. It builds on a scholarship set up by rapper Stormzy, who in 2018 said he would fund places for Black British students after criticism that the university did not do enough to ensure diversity. The university said it had also received a donation to commission a Black British artist to memorialise Black Cambridge scholars, and will install explanatory plaques to contextualise older statues of those associated with the slave trade. "It is not in our gift to right historic wrongs, but we can begin by acknowledging them," Vice-Chancellor Stephen Toope said in response to the report. "Having unearthed our university's links to an appalling history of abuse, the report encourages us to work even harder to address current inequalities particularly those related to the experiences of Black communities." (Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Andrew Heavens) (Bloomberg) -- US intelligence agents gained control of parts of Chinas telecommunications network after hacking into a government-funded university, a prominent state-backed newspaper reported, issuing Beijings latest accusation of US cyber-intrusion. Most Read from Bloomberg The National Security Agencys cyber-warfare unit penetrated and controlled unnamed telecom operators, the Global Times reported on Thursday, citing information provided by officials. It gained remote access to their core networks through an email phishing attack on a leading university, which then opened a route into the carriers. The attackers made off with network equipment and administrative passwords, file-transfer protocols and other sensitive data, the newspaper said. Beijing and Washington have increasingly sparred over claims of cyber-snooping, with China becoming more direct in naming American agencies as perpetrators. The US has in the past blamed China for widespread industrial espionage to ransack American companies, in addition to national security-related operations. Chinas network is largely run by three carriers -- China Mobile Ltd., China Unicom and China Telecom Corp. But the extent of the alleged hack remains unclear, and the Global Times didnt provide many details on how the attackers made the leap from within Northwestern Polytechnical University, an institution known for its aeronautics and space research programs. Shares in the three carriers as well as telecom gear makers ZTE Corp., FiberHome Telecommunication Technologies Co. and Datang Telecom Technology Co. fell in the morning, tracking regional market weakness. Representatives for the NSA werent available for comment outside normal US hours. Story continues Read more: Chinese Firm That Accused NSA of Hacking Has Global Ambitions Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray warned in July that China operated a lavishly resourced hacking program thats bigger than that of every other major country combined. But Beijing has taken a more aggressive approach in recent months, pushing back against US accusations. The Global Times has published multiple articles on reports from Chinese cyber companies, including a discovery by Qi An Xin Technology Group Inc.s Pangu Lab of US-sponsored malware in domestic IT systems it claimed was linked to the NSA. Thursdays report from the Global Times, which is affiliated to the Communist Partys mouthpiece Peoples Daily, sprang from an alleged overseas attack that Northwestern Polytechnical reported in June after discovering trojan malware. The countrys National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center and 360 Security Technology Inc. said this month their analysis of the universitys information systems found the NSA had collected more than 140 gigabytes of data of great value, spanning more than 10,000 cyberattacks against Chinese targets in recent years. The NSA and US State Department had declined to comment on the earlier allegations. Read more: China Says US Hacked Aeronautics, Space Research University Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top diplomats allied with Ukraine squared off with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in a meeting of the United Nations Security Council Thursday, confronting Russia on alleged war crimes and pledging to prosecute those responsible. The Security Council meeting was taking place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly the day after Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a televised address mobilizing 300,000 troops to ramp up the war in Ukraine. That President Putin picked this week, as most of the world gathers at the United Nations, to add fuel to the fire that he started shows his utter contempt for the U.N. Charter for the General Assembly and for this council, Blinken said. The very international order that we have gathered here to uphold is being shredded before our eyes. We cannot, we will not allow President Putin to get away with it. Blinken also noted the chorus of condemnation toward Russias war during the General Assembly coming from countries developing and developed, big and small, north and south. Even a number of nations that maintain close ties with Moscow have said publicly that they have serious questions and concerns about President Putins ongoing invasion, he added. The Security Council meeting was attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who told a press conference before the meeting that he would keep safe social distance with Lavrov, in one of the few instances where the two diplomats would be in the same room. Kuleba used his remarks at the council to call for establishing a special tribunal to put President Putin and his entourage on trial for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. And Russia should know one thing: It will never be able to kill all of us, he added. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres bluntly blamed Russia for the deaths and injuries of civilians. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians, including hundreds of children, have been killed or injured, mostly by Russian bombardment of urban areas, he said. Story continues Those remarks were followed by the prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, who while not blaming Russia specifically rejected claims from Moscow of staged atrocities in Ukrainian villages where mass graves and bodies lying in the streets suggested Russian war crimes. When I went to Bucha and went behind St. Andrews Church, the bodies I saw were not fake, Khan said, adding the ICC is determined to investigate crimes that fall within the courts jurisdiction. We must demonstrate the resolve and the determination and the principle in order not to disappoint and fail those that are in most need of the law as we speak. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who left the chamber shortly after delivering his remarks, rejected the remarks by the ICC prosecutor, saying that Russia has no confidence in the work of this body. We dont expect anything more from this institution or a whole range of other international institutions, he said, accusing the court and international community of ignoring Russias complaints of its own allegations of what it says are atrocities committed by Ukraine against the Russian people. Russias accusations of Ukrainian atrocities as justification for its invasion of Ukraine, in particular accusations of genocide in Donetsk and Luhansk in the east of the country, were rejected by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in February, stemming from a complaint brought forth by Kyiv. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told the Security Council that Ireland had issued a declaration of intervention on the ICJ case, part of a broader effort by other states to bolster Ukraines stance. If we fail to hold Russia accountable, we send a signal to large powerful countries that they can prey on their neighbors with impunity, which is something that every nation on Earth should take note of, Coveney said. A number of Security Council members called for U.N. member states to reject the expected Russian-imposed referenda in territories it occupies in Ukraine, with Guterres saying he was deeply concerned by reports of plans for the referenda. Any annexation of a states territory by another state resulting from a threat or use of force is a violation of the U.N. Charter and of international law, he said. British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly chastised Lavrov for his exit from the chamber, saying, Im not surprised, I dont think Mr. Lavrov wants to hear the collective condemnation of this council. We call on all countries to reject this charade and to refuse to recognize any results, he added about the plans of the referenda. We are used to seeing Russian lies and distortions. Russia received only tepid support from countries that have maintained ties with Moscow. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Beijing supports dialogue and negotiations without preconditions and that sovereignty, territorial integrity of all countries should be respected. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. US securities officials fined Boeing $200 million over the aviation giant's misleading assurances about the safety of the 737 MAX airplane following two deadly crashes, regulators announced Thursday. Boeing agreed to the penalty to settle charges it "negligently violated the antifraud provisions" of US securities laws, the Securities and Exchange Commission said in a statement, saying the company and its leader "put profits over people." Boeing's former chief executive, Dennis Muilenburg, also agreed to pay $1 million to settle the same charges in a civil case. The settlement is the latest hit to Boeing over the MAX following the Lion Air Crash in Indonesia in October 2018 and the Ethiopian Airlines crash in Ethiopia in March 2019, which together claimed nearly 350 lives. One month after the first crash, a Boeing press release approved by Muilenburg "selectively highlighted certain facts," implying that pilot error and poor aircraft maintenance contributed to the crash. The press release also attested to the aircraft's safety, not disclosing that Boeing knew a key flight handling system, the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), posed safety issues and was being redesigned. After the second crash, Boeing and Muilenburg assured the public that there was "no surprise or gap" in the federal certification of the MAX despite being aware of contrary information, the SEC said. - Boeing 'failed' - "In times of crisis and tragedy, it is especially important that public companies and executives provide full, fair, and truthful disclosures to the markets," said SEC chair Gary Gensler in a press release. "The Boeing Company and its former CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, failed in this most basic obligation. They misled investors by providing assurances about the safety of the 737 MAX, despite knowing about serious safety concerns." The SEC said both Boeing and Muilenburg, in agreeing to pay the penalties, did not admit or deny the agency's findings. Story continues Boeing said the agreement "fully resolves" the SEC's inquiry and is part of the company's "broader effort to responsibly resolve outstanding legal matters related to the 737 MAX accidents in a manner that serves the best interests of our shareholders, employees, and other stakeholders," a company spokesman said. "We will never forget those lost on Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, and we have made broad and deep changes across our company in response to those accidents." Robert Clifford, a lawyer representing families of victims aboard the Ethiopian Airlines flight, called for "Muilenburg or anyone else who persuaded the government to keep the MAX 737 Boeing flying" to be "fully investigated for conduct that could be criminal in nature." US air safety authorities cleared Boeing's 737 MAX to resume service in November 2020 following a 20-month grounding after the crashes. A principal cause of the two crashes was identified as the MCAS, which was supposed to keep the plane from stalling as it ascended but instead forced the nose of the plane downward. The Federal Aviation Administration required Boeing to upgrade this system to address the flaw. In January 2021, Boeing agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle a US criminal charge over claims the company defrauded regulators overseeing the 737 MAX. jmb/bfm/leg Photograph: Richard Cashin/USA Today Sports Greg Norman faced accusations of promoting Saudi propaganda following meetings with Washington lawmakers, in which the Australian golfer sought to garner support for the Saudi-backed LIV Series in its bitter dispute with the PGA Tour. Norman, who serves as LIVs CEO and has been the public face of the breakaway tour, ostensibly came to the US capital this week to criticise what he has called the PGAs anti-competitive efforts to stifle LIV. But apart from some lawmakers who allegedly sought to take their picture with Norman the Saudi tour has instead faced a considerable backlash from both Democrats and Republicans, who have defended the PGA and accused LIV of being little more than a sportswashing vehicle for the kingdom. Tim Burchett, a Republican congressman from Tennessee, left a meeting of the Republican Study Committee on Wednesday at which dozens of his party colleagues had met with Norman, expressing dismay that members of Congress were discussing a golf league backed by Saudi funds. He also called Normans LIV pitch propaganda. Related: I hate it. I really do: McIlroy opens up on golfs civil war after FedEx Cup win We need to get out of bed with these people. They are bad actors. We need to keep them at arms length, Burchett told the Guardian. He cited the September 11 attacks on the US, the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and the kingdoms treatment of gay people and women, which he called just unacceptable. While Burchett is a conservative Republican, LIV has also come under fire from the left. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said earlier this month on Twitter that the LIV tour was using a golf glove [to] try and cover a blood-stained hand of the Saudi government. He added that the series was part of a continued, desperate attempt to clean up [Saudi Arabias] image. Durbin added in a second tweet: Money shouldnt be allowed to cover up the murder and dismemberment of a journalist or the imprisonment and harassment of activists like Raif Badawi, Waleed Abu Ak-Khair, and Salma al-Shehab. Story continues The LIV spokesperson Jonathan Grella said: Greg Norman had a very productive day on Capitol Hill today in front of some 60 members of Congress. His message about the benefits of competition was very well received, even if a couple members of Congress say otherwise. Even as LIV and the PGA are engaged in litigation in the US involving allegations that the PGA has engaged in anti-competitive practices, some lawmakers have asked whether proponents of the Saudi-backed tour, which is owned by Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund, ought to be filing as foreign agents of the kingdom. Department of Justice rules require agents of foreign principals who are engaged in political activities to disclose their relationship with the foreign principal in this case, Saudi Arabia as well as receipts, contracts, and payments in support of those activities. The justice department has notably stepped up its enforcement of such rules known as the Foreign Agent Registration Act (Fara) over the last 12 months, and has charged individuals who the department has deemed have acted as foreign agents without disclosing their activities. Chip Roy, a conservative Republican congressman from Texas, in a letter in July called on the DOJ to investigate potential violations of the Fara rules. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is funneling money through its Public Investment Fund (PIF) to stand up LIV Golf as an exercise in public relations. In other words, a foreign governments dollars are being used to enhance that governments brand and positioning here in the United States, Roy wrote. One legal expert interviewed by the Guardian said that business ventures that are owned by foreign governments do sometimes escape scrutiny, but not when they are owned by a nations sovereign wealth fund, and not when there are legitimate questions about whether the business also has public relations goals involving the countrys image abroad. I think there are a lot of signs that LIV is not a typical business interest. I think there are a lot of reasons for the DoJ to potentially kick tires on this. I wouldnt be surprised if they did, said Matt Sanderson, a lawyer at Caplin & Drysdale who specialises in Fara cases. Sanderson said it was also unclear whether LIV intended to make a profit in the long run, raising further questions about its intentions. He added that while he did not think the golfers who have signed up with LIV would personally have to file under Fara, he said any individuals who talk to government officials or engage in PR activities would most likely come under scrutiny if they had not disclosed their activity. Asked whether LIV officials would file under Fara, Grella said: Our lawyers have informed us that it is not applicable. IZYUM, Ukraine Standing on Liberation Square in the city of Kharkiv, Ukrainian military officer Antolii Sidorenko looks the part of a special operations commander, with a long beard, shaved head, and a pistol on his hip. In person, hes hardly the stereotype of the gruff special operator. Speaking with Military Times on a night made darker by the frontline citys blackout, Sidorenko was relaxed and easy-going, recounting how as a child hed visited the Arizona town of Apache Junction. Sidorenko, the commander of the Azov special forces unit in Kharkiv, is now savoring Ukraines recent victory over Russia in the nearby region, which Russia had occupied since nearly the start of the war seven months ago. Armed with Belgian-made SCAR-L rifles, night vision, and thermal vision equipment, Sidorenkos men laid the groundwork for this victory by slipping deep into Russian-held territory in the months leading up to the assault, he said. On some of these trips past enemy lines, they were able to mine Russias likely routes of retreat. When Ukraines lightning fast assault sent Russians fleeing backward, lots of their equipment blew up, Sidorenko said. The Azov battalion is a unit of Ukraines military but began life as a ultranationalist volunteer militia in Ukraines 2014 war with Russian-backed separatists. While the units insignia remains a Wolfsangel, a symbol used by Nazi Germany, Western analysts have said the unit has purged its more extremist elements under pressure from Ukraines government. The unit is now widely celebrated in Ukraine for its tenacious defense of the Azovstal steel plant in the city of Mariupol. The Ukrainian militarys liberation of Kharkiv is a significant victory, and arguably a historic victory in the annals of modern warfare. Ukraines offensive rolled Russian positions back across 2,317 square miles of territory in just seven days, according to statements by Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky on Sept. 13. Story continues In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Military Unit Kholodnyi Yar, destroyed military vehicles are seen on a road close to Izium, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. (Ukrainian Military Unit Kholodnyi Yar, Iryna Rybakova via AP) It also liberated thousands of Ukrainians trapped under Russian rule while capturing large quantities of Russian equipment. Military Times saw multiple armored vehicles strapped to flatbed trucks streaming back from the front line along shell-pocked highways throughout the last week. Among the equipment taken was the first-ever captured Russian Orlan-10 drone and sensitive artillery fire-control systems, according to Ukrainian media reporting. Ukraines success against Russia, which was ranked by conflict research institute SIPRI as among the top five military spenders globally as recently as last year, was hardly a fluke. Russias poor preparation, Ukraines use of precise Western weapons, and an accurate intelligence picture were all factors in Ukrainian success, according to military analysts, liberated civilians, and an interview with Sidorenko. No defenses, poorly prepared militia Russia appears to have been ill-prepared for Ukraines assault. Once Ukrainian forces punched through Russias first defense line, there was nothing to stop them from going as far as they could. They probably didnt think a counter-offensive would happen because they didnt have a second or third line of defense, Sidorenko said, his surprise evident in his tone. Russia also appears to have poorly prepared forces in the area, according to military analysts and testimony from locals. Russian military movements prior to the offensive indicate they may have believed that Ukraines main attack would be against Russian-occupied Kherson in Ukraines south. Russia had moved troops away from Kharkiv, thereby weakening their positions. The remaining Russian troops seem to have consisted primarily of poorly prepared militia units. Civilians interviewed near multiple locations in Balakliya as well as documents seen by Military Times in Izyum, another town, indicated that the area was staffed by units from the Luhansk Peoples Republic, known as the LNR, a Russian-backed break-away region carved out of Ukraine in 2014. LNR units were poorly staffed and supplied, according to statements from townspeople and villagers. A Ukrainian soldier helps a wounded fellow soldier on the road in the freed territory in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. Ukrainian troops retook a wide swath of territory from Russia on Monday, pushing all the way back to the northeastern border in some places, and claimed to have captured many Russian soldiers as part of a lightning advance that forced Moscow to make a hasty retreat. (AP Photo/Kostiantyn Liberov) One resident spoke of LNR personnel wearing a mix of civilian clothes and uniforms, while another said she had seen an under-age teenager in their ranks. Fighting positions in multiple places were reinforced by cement bags looted from a nearby factory. Residents comments are in keeping with many military analysts views, like those of the Philadelphia-based Foreign Policy Research Institute, that these forces are poorly trained, supplied, and plagued by low morale. The chaotic and disorganized nature of the LNR units flight is evident throughout the region. At one artillery camp in the woods near Balakliya, a town in Ukraines Kharkiv region, one truck stood burned out while another was abandoned intact. At two Russian bases visited in the city of Izyum and the village of Savintsi, Russian soldiers even left behind helmets and body armor. Good gear Western weapons also played a role, according to Western analysts and the Azov officer, Sidorenko. Western aid was essential to Ukrainian battlefield successes, according to commentary by Mary Glantz of the United States Institute of Peace, a government-funded research institute. U.S.-provided long range artillery such as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System was particularly key in destroying Russian logistics and command points, Glatz wrote. On a picturesque riverside street in Balakliya, a crater dead center of a charred house bore witness to the accuracy of Ukrainian strikes. Neighbors reported that Ukrainian forces pulled the bodies of four Russian officers out of the wreckage after the Ukrainian strike, which shattered only the glass in houses standing just meters away. Sidorenko likewise called out Ukraines use of U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket launchers as key to destroying Russian command and control points. Even after Ukrainian lines had solidified, many small groups of trapped Russians were surrendering. They were deployed on a mission somewhere, without communications returned, and were shocked when they realized they were surrounded by Ukraines army, Sidorenko said. Missions behind enemy lines Western weapons and weak Russian positions, though, are only part of the story. Ukraines ability to keep Russia on the backfoot, hurling strikes on them as they stumbled back to their pre-invasion lines was in part the product of precise intelligence supplied by Western governments, daring Ukrainian missions past enemy lines, and information relayed by Ukrainian partisans and civilians. Sidorenko recalled how surprised he was when Ukraine dramatically exceeded its goals on the first day of conflict. Ukraines military machine was able to keep going because their high quality intelligence meant they were immediately able to select new targets. A Ukrainian national guard serviceman stands atop a destroyed Russian tank in an area near the border with Russia, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. This region of rolling fields and woodland near the Russian border was the site of fierce battles for months during the summer. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) The U.S. provided extensive intelligence and assistance, according to news reports, which even included tabletop exercises with Ukraines military in order to game out various options. Ukraine didnt just depend on Western intelligence. Thanks to commando raids past enemy lines and the bravery of Ukrainian civilians it also had on-the-ground information. Anatolii and Ruslan, two Ukrainian citizens from a village near Balikleia, told Military Times that they would relay Russian military coordinates to Ukraines military. Ruslan said he used secure messaging app Signal to do this. Messaging innovations like Signal could not always be relied on, according to Sidorenko. The Ukrainian commander said that near Volchansk, an occupied town near the Russian border, the Russians shut off the internet and forced communications through a cell provider so that they were able to monitor the calls. Ukraines success did not come without a cost. Sidorenko said hes seen a slight worsening of morale in the days following the assault as Ukrainian forces battle to de-mine the enormous territory theyve taken back from Russia. In the village of Savintsi, a woman named Nataliya said that one sapper had died in the line of duty. Drones are also a threat, including what Sidorenko said was a new kamikaze drone from Iran whose deadly effectiveness was only alleviated by the moped-like sound that its engine made. Although Sidorenko did not name the drone, it is likely the Shahed-136, according to recent news reports. Still, when asked how high the Ukrainian militarys morale is, the commander pointed to the sky, saying, Its somewhere up there. In 2006, when Brazilian musician and bar-owner Delei Duarte received an invitation to work as a guitarist in China, he did not hesitate to accept. Duarte, then in his 40s, closed his bar in Brazil and traveled to Datong, a city in north China's Shanxi Province. The following year, he moved to Nanchang, capital city of Jiangxi Province, east China, where he met his wife and started a life that far exceeded his expectations. Now every night, the Brazilian man, with his curly hair and often sporting an aloha shirt, presents Bossa Nova, a popular Brazilian genre of music, and Chinese pop music to customers at his newly opened restaurant bar in Honggutan District. Since settling in China, Duarte, now 60, has opened three bars, all named after Bossa Nova. Over the years, he has witnessed the great changes that have taken place across China. From paying in cash to digital payments, from eat-in meals to the fast development of food delivery services, all of which have provided him with further enthusiasm for life. "Things change and can't stay the same forever, and more changes are on the way," said Duarte. "I remember the first time I came to this city, there were only a few buildings in Honggutan District and not many people lived here. Now we have more subways, bridges and parks. The city has become beautiful." Like the city, the businessman is constantly embracing change. Several months ago, Duarte and his wife decided to close their popular bar and open a restaurant instead. "I hope that our business can keep up with the changes in consumer spending habits. In the past, they mostly cared about the taste and portion size of the food, but now they pay more attention to the dining environment. That's why we retained the live performances at the new restaurant," he added. Duarte has gradually integrated into the local life. To him, music, family, friends, local cuisine and traveling have become indispensable aspects of life, and he hopes that his life in China will continue to be rich and fascinating. Duarte jokes that, despite his advanced age, he is essentially just a "big boy" enjoying life with youthful enthusiasm. "I just want to be a big boy happily living this beautiful oriental dream," he said. Type the name Behati Prinsloo into Twitter and, complete with a beaming photograph of the Namibian supermodel and the endorsement of 16,600 favourites, the first words you read are of disbelief, following the alleged unfaithfulness of her husband, Adam Levine. Proves that no matter how pretty, hot, or skinny you are, men will still cheat. Girls, love yourselves. For the benefit of anyone who hasnt switched their phone on in the past 24 hours, this tweet is of course referring to the flurry of allegations spearheaded by Los Angeles Instagram model, Sumner Stroh, 23, that the Maroon 5 frontman, 43, has had multiple affairs and flirtations while married to his 34-year-old Victorias Secret angel wife of eight years (who also happens to be the mother of his two young daughters, with a third child on the way). Social medias response to the intensifying scandal has been predictable. Echoing the dismay elicited by the recent split of Emily Ratajkowski and Sebastian Bear-McClard (one tweet read: Still cant believe Em Rata got cheated on. Theres no hope for the rest of us), the overarching take appears to be utter disbelief that aesthetically attractive women could fall victim to the scourge of infidelity. Because surely, that is an agony reserved for mere mortals who have not been blessed with the ab cracks and symmetrical cheekbones that come with a win of the genetic lottery. Except its not. What the popular trope doing the rounds fails to recognise is that unfaithfulness has less to do with the beauty or success of the jilted party, and a lot more to do with the cheaters insecurities, desire for validation, and lack of self-worth. You need only glance at the most prolific relationship scandals of recent months to see a pattern emerging. Take Prinsloo and Levine, Ratajkowski and Bear-McClard, and the perpetual woes of Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson. The women all three mothers are wildly successful in their respective fields. Story continues Prinsloo has enjoyed a glittering catwalk career walking for an A-Z of the worlds most sought-after designers, as well as lobbying for critically endangered rhinos in her native Southern Africa. Ratajkowski is an actor, model and New York Times best-selling author, as well as being an outspoken advocate for womens rights. Kardashian has held the worlds interest through 20 seasons of Keeping up with the Kardashians and multiple reality spin-offs, much of which while running her Good American clothing brand now worth an estimated $7.65m. They are accomplished, glamorous, and wealthier than most of us can even dream of being. To keep up to speed with all the latest opinions and comment, sign up to our free weekly Voices Dispatches newsletter by clicking here And yet all three have been plagued by whispers of infidelity. Whether rumour or real life (Tristan Thompson has admitted to his inclination for serial cheating, but the jury remains out on both Levine and Bear-McClard), the point is who you are and what you look like means nothing if the person you are in a relationship with is unhappy or unfulfilled inside themself. Behavioural psychologists have spoken extensively about the mental impact of romantic betrayal, an act that is said to trigger trauma and issues including anxiety, depression, and grief. Even that topline summation should be enough to deter anyone from hurting someone they profess to love, but sadly human nature doesnt always work that way. Adam Levine has already pushed back on Strohs claims, conceding he crossed a line with his flirtatious messages while categorically denying any kind of physical affair. Allegations from other women have since emerged, though at least one of those has been proven to have falsified the texts she claimed he sent her. The outcome of this story remains to be seen, but even a stalwart showbiz couple like Prinsloo and Levine couldnt help but be rocked by such sensational accusations. So whats the evidence? The honest response to that it is mixed (AFP/Getty/The Independent) Will Trussonomics work? Or more precisely, is the core economic idea of Liz Truss that tax cuts will lead to faster economic growth a credible one? It is a contentious view, for it goes to the heart of the great debate about the role of government in a developed economy. Most people accept that in the short-term there will be some boost to growth from lower taxation, but that may not be sustainable if the tax cuts simply boost the fiscal deficit. The longer-term issue is whether countries which have a relatively small public sector are likely to grow faster than those that have a large one. If that were so, then there would be case for cutting taxes, including taxes on the better-off, in order to grow the overall size of the cake more swiftly. Put crudely, people work harder if they are allowed to keep more of their own money. That has been the argument of the new prime minister in her bid for the post, and it is behind the tax-cutting rhetoric in politics everywhere, especially the United States. But if small government leads to poorer public services then not only do lower earners suffer, the overall competitiveness of the whole economy is undermined. Countries need decent infrastructure and a well-educated workforce, two areas where government inevitably has a central role. So whats the evidence? The honest response to that it is mixed. The OECD does a useful tally of general government spending as a percentage of GDP. The best year to take is 2019, just before the pandemic upended everything. At the top end come France, Finland, Belgium and Norway, all with spending accounting for more than 50 per cent of GDP. At the bottom are Mexico and Ireland, both with government less than 30 per cent of GDP. Most continental European countries were around 45 per cent, while the English-speaking countries were around 40 per cent, with Canada a bit above that level, Australia, the UK and New Zealand in the middle, and the US a bit below at around 38 per cent of GDP. Story continues So the US does have a somewhat smaller government sector than most other developed countries, but not radically so and actually is bigger than that of Switzerland and Korea. Indeed if you allow for healthcare costs, which are largely funded by government in Europe and largely by employers in the US, the difference narrows a bit further. So what about competitiveness? It is true that Europe as a whole has been growing more slowly than the US, but this is partly the result of different demographics. The US (and the rest of the Anglosphere) has a rising population, whereas in much of Europe the population is stable or falling. The population of the EU started to decline in 2020 and fell further last year. If the US economy is more vibrant than the European one, which it is, it is surely more sensible to attribute that to the age and structure of its population rather than to slightly different tax levels. Besides, there are quite a lot of European countries, notably in Scandinavia, that have sustained decent economic growth despite a relatively high tax burden. So if you look at the overall size of the government, there is no clear support for the argument that a smaller state will boost growth. It is however pretty obvious that an inefficient government sector will damage the economy. For example, there are legitimate concerns about the quality of government in Italy. The OECD argued last year that excessive regulations and their onerous enforcement add to businesses operating costs, and that trust in public institutions and public service delivery is one of the lowest across OECD countries. There is a case to be made that the new PM should focus on making government more effective rather than simply wanting to cut its size. What about cutting tax rates, another element of the Truss project? Here there is some evidence that cuts work. Ireland is the prime example of using a corporate tax rate of 12.5 per cent to lure foreign companies to set up a base there, so successful that there is now joint action to have a global minimum tax rate of 15 per cent. The US is expected to pass its bit of the legislation this week. Read more from our series on Trussonomics: Can it work? by clicking here Within the US there is strong tax competition between states, both for companies and individuals. Indeed the notion in Europe that the US is a universal low-tax haven does not really wash. Add Californias top income tax rate of 12.3 per cent to the Federal top rate of 37 per cent and you come mighty close to the 50 per cent rate. The top UK rate is 45 per cent. Where the US system differs is that it has even more exemptions than the UK, so very few high-earners actually pay that top rate or they move to one of the nine states that have no tax on earned income, especially the two largest, Texas and Florida. That leads to the crucial questions that Trussonomics raise: will reversing the tax increases announced by her rival, Rishi Sunak, encourage people to change their behaviour? Will companies invest more because there will not be an increase in corporation tax? Or take on more people because national insurance contributions are not going to rise? Will people who had thought of retiring stay on in work? My conclusion would be: this may change things a bit, but not much. There simply is not the evidence to support that. Vastly more important will be to improve the effectiveness of the public sector. That is the really tough task ahead. Hamish McRaes new book, The world in 2050, is published by Bloomsbury (Getty Images) Wales penultimate game before the World Cup ended in a 2-1 Nations League defeat by Belgium in Brussels. Kevin De Bruyne and Michy Batshuayi rewarded Belgiums first-half dominance with well-worked goals and Wales looked as if they may suffer a hiding. But Kieffer Moore halved the deficit five minutes after the interval, and Robert Pages side produced a much-improved second-half performance to offer encouragement two months before the World Cup in Qatar. Wales will head into their final Nations League game at home to Poland on Sunday with their survival hopes intact. Polands 2-0 home defeat to Holland means that bottom-placed Wales can leapfrog them with a Cardiff victory and remain in the top tier of European football. Wales had been disrupted by injuries with Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies, Harry Wilson and Joe Allen all missing out. Skipper Gareth Bale was among the substitutes following his late arrival into camp from the United States on Tuesday. Bale, who has been slowly building up his fitness stateside ahead of the World Cup, had played for Los Angeles FC in the early hours of Monday morning UK time. This was the ninth meeting between the two countries over the last decade, with Wales having held their own with two wins, two defeats and four draws in that time. De Bruyne had said before the game he was bored of playing Wales so much, but the Manchester City midfielder did not show it as he produced a masterful performance. Brennan Johnson had scored a late equaliser when the sides met in Cardiff three months ago, and the Nottingham Forest winger formed a three-pronged attack alongside Moore and Daniel James. (PA Wire) Belgium had seven starters in the side that lost to Wales in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, including De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and skipper Eden Hazard. Wales started in confident fashion but fell behind after 10 minutes when Batshuayis cross found De Bruyne and he casually guided it past Wayne Hennessey, who got a hand to the shot. Story continues Youri Tielemans and Hazard were within inches of doubling the lead and De Bruyne, revelling in the generous space afforded to him, thudded a shot against a post. De Bruyne soon set up Belgiums second after 37 minutes, rolling a defender superbly and crossing for Batshuayi to convert the simplest of tap-ins. There was brief respite for Wales as Joe Rodon went close and Courtois parried Ethan Ampadus follow-up header. But Wales were only spared falling further behind when Hennesseys outstretched leg pushed another De Bruyne effort around a post. Wales got back in the contest with a goal out of nothing. (PA Wire) Johnson twisted and turned his way towards the Belgium box with a mazy 40-yard run, and Moore rose at the far post to head home his cross in style. Wales sent on Bale just after the hour mark and he was soon in the action, meeting a James cross that was deflected over. Belgium were awarded a penalty for a foul on De Bruyne. But replays showed that Joe Morrell had made contact with the ball and the decision was overturned on VAR review. By Henriette Chacar MASAFER YATTA, West Bank (Reuters) -Haitham Abu Sabha, the principal at Masafer Yatta Secondary School in the occupied West Bank, expects his students to show up late to class. On some days, when the children are there on time, it is the teachers who have yet to arrive. "Better late than never," said Abu Sabha, who has been running the school in the village of al-Fakhiet for six years. Masafer Yatta, a group of hamlets in the hills close to the southern town of Hebron, has become a major flashpoint since an Israeli court ruling in May cleared the way for the largest displacement in decades to make way for a military firing zone. As movement restrictions and live fire exercises have stepped up, the situation facing pupils in one of the most vulnerable communities in the West Bank has become increasingly difficult, with all four schools in the area under threat of demolition. Since schools reopened in late August, the military has intensified its curbs on movement by holding students and teachers at checkpoints, sometimes for hours, only to then prevent them from passing through, six sources told Reuters. In incidents reported by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) during the first week of school, Israeli forces detained staff on their way to school in the village of Jinba for about four hours, confiscated their car and took the driver for questioning. In al-Fakhiet, Israeli forces prevented teachers from entering the village one day, and on another they stopped a school bus, forcing about 30 pupils to walk a long distance to school in the desert heat. "Every day we go to school, the army finds us," said 17-year-old Bisan Makhamreh, who walks every morning down a rocky, slippery hill with a group of pupils from her village of Sfay to the school pickup point along the road. "Despite that, we take the risk, and we take alternative routes that are longer and more dangerous. We want to learn." Story continues International bodies including the United Nations and the European Union have expressed concern about the situation at Masafer Yatta, which has seen a series of visits from diplomatic delegations over the past few months. Israel declared about 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) in the South Hebron Hills as a closed military zone in the 1980s, known as "Firing Zone 918." In court, it argued that the Palestinians living there at the time were only seasonal dwellers. A spokesperson for the Israeli military said Palestinians violated this closure order over the years by building without authorization. "Any entry to the area without a permit from the IDF is prohibited, constitutes a criminal offence and endangers lives," the spokesperson said. "IDF troops are stationed at all entrances of the firing zone in order to prevent unauthorized entry into the area." The Palestinian residents, who have led a distinct rural way of life for generations, and rights groups say many of the Palestinian families were living permanently in the area even before Israel captured the West Bank in a 1967 Middle East war. The school principal, Abu Sabha, said making it more difficult for pupils and teachers to get to the classroom was part of a systematic attempt to break up the community. In response to that allegation, a spokesperson for the Israeli military said its forces "operate in order to allow for routine daily life to all civilians in the area." The spokesperson added that following a "singular, specific instance in which students were delayed," guidelines on the issue were clarified to prevent any future delays to students. Abu Sabha said: "The Israeli government's plan is to displace people and they know very well that these educational institutions are what helps keep people rooted here." If one day the school is demolished, he added, "we will put up tents and start over." (Reporting by Henriette Chacar; Editing by James Mackenzie, William Maclean) Choking risk is highest among older adults and children under 5. (Getty Images) Theres a good possibility you will witness someone choking at some point in your life: Choking is the fourth-leading cause of unintentional injury death, according to the National Safety Council. Youve been warned about the risk of choking since you were young, but would you actually know what to do if someone around you were choking? If not, its crucial to learn, experts say. "With choking, theres an obstruction in a persons airway and failure to act will unfortunately lead to eventual suffocation and asphyxiation," Dr. Eric Adkins, an emergency medicine physician at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells Yahoo Life. Its also essential to act fast, Dr. Danelle Fisher, chair of pediatrics at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., tells Yahoo Life. Sometimes you have minutes or even seconds to reestablish that airway before permanent damage is done, she says. Its a scary situation that needs an immediate response. Many organizations, including the Red Cross, offer courses on what to do if someone is choking. But if you dont have time to take a course or just know youll never get around to it, its important to at least have some basic knowledge of what to do in an emergency. Here's what experts recommend. First, who is most likely to choke? Choking can happen to anyone, says Dr. Zeeshan Khan, associate professor at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, but added that kids under 5 and older adults are at the highest risk. Children under 4 in particular are more prone to choking because they have smaller airways to begin with, and theyre not used to handling different textures of food, Fisher says. Theyre also impulsive about what they put in their mouth, she adds. With older adults, the swallowing function can change, making people more prone to choking, Adkins says. Common causes of choking Choking can happen in a range of situations, but experts say that the main causes in children are food, coins, toys and balloons. Story continues In adults, the most common causes of choking almost always involves food, Khan says. However, he adds, the elderly may have problems with chewing and swallowing that can lead to choking. What to do if a baby is choking If anyone else is there, Fisher recommends asking them to call 911 while you take action. And, if youre alone, try to dislodge the food first. Your first attempt will be more lifesaving than calling 911 first, she says. If a child is under the age of 1, youll want to hold the baby face down and do back blows, Fisher says. That means taking the heel of your hand and aiming between the shoulder blades, she says. This creates a strong vibration and pressure in the airway, which can usually dislodge the object, she says. The British Red Cross specifically recommends that you give up to five back blows while holding the baby face-down along your thigh with their head lower than their butt and supporting their head. If the back blows dont help, turn the baby over so that they are facing up, place two fingers in the middle of their chest just below the nipples, and push downward sharply up to five times. This squeezes air out of the babys lungs and may help dislodge the blockage, according to the British Red Cross. If a baby is choking, the British Red Cross recommends giving up to five back blows while holding the baby facedown. (Getty Images) What to do if a child is choking The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using the Heimlich maneuver on children who are choking. Again, ask someone to call 911 if they are available, while you take action. You can do this when the child is lying down, sitting or standing. If they are sitting or standing, position yourself behind them and wrap your arms around their waist, the AAP says. Place the thumb side of your fist in the middle of their abdomen, grab that fist with your free hand and press inward with rapid, upward thrusts. Repeat these thrusts until the object is coughed up or the child starts to breathe or cough. If the child is unconscious, you'll want to do what's called a tongue-jaw lift. To do this, the AAP says to open their mouth with your thumb held over their tongue and your fingers wrapped around the lower jaw (this draws the tongue away from the back of the throat). You may be able to clear the airway this way. If you can see whats causing the blockage, try to remove it with a sideways sweep of your finger just be careful, since this could push the object down even farther. If the child hasnt started breathing again, tilt their head back gently and lift their chin, the AAP says. Then, place your own mouth over their mouth, pinch their nose shut and give two breaths lasting one-and-a-half to two seconds. Then, return to the Heimlich maneuver. Keep repeating the steps until the child starts breathing again or help arrives. What to do if an adult is choking For adults, its important to first ask if theyre choking, Adkins says. If they indicate that they are, youll take similar steps to those youd do for a child, according to the American Red Cross. Give them five back blows, followed by five abdominal thrusts, if the blows didnt dislodge the object. Keep repeating this cycle or call 911 if you cant dislodge the object. After the choking episode is resolved, its a good idea to see a doctor, Khan says. There may be complications from the episode, he says. Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here. (Reuters) - Meta Platforms Inc's WhatsApp said on Thursday that it was working to keep users in Iran connected after the country restricted access to the app and social media platform Instagram. WhatsApp "will do anything" within its technical capacity to keep the service accessible and that it was not blocking Iranian phone numbers, the messaging service said in a tweet. (https://bit.ly/3LP2mhX) Iran on Wednesday restricted access to Instagram and WhatsApp, two of the last remaining social networks in the country, amid protests over the death of a woman in police custody, according to residents and internet watchdog NetBlocks. Last week's death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by morality police in Tehran for "unsuitable attire", has unleashed anger over issues including freedom in the Islamic Republic and an economy reeling from sanctions. Protesters in Tehran and other Iranian cities torched police stations and vehicles earlier on Thursday as public outrage over the death showed no signs of abating, with reports of security forces coming under attack. (Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) WASHINGTON (AP) The White House and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said Thursday that a Republican-led proposal to ban abortion nationwide after 15 weeks would endanger the health of women and have severe consequences for physicians. If passed and enacted, this bill would create a nationwide health crisis, imperiling the health and lives of women in all 50 states, according to a preliminary analysis of the bill by Jennifer Klein, the White House Gender Policy Council chairwoman, that was obtained by The Associated Press. It would transform the practice of medicine, opening the door to doctors being thrown in jail if they fulfill their duty of care to patients according to their best medical judgment. President Joe Biden himself said at a fundraiser that some GOP efforts to ban abortion were more extreme than his own Catholic faith. I happen to be a practicing Roman Catholic. My church doesnt even make that argument, he said, referring to abortion bans that leave no exceptions. Rape, incest. No exceptions. Catholic teaching is that abortion is prohibited, though life-saving surgery for the mother is permitted, even if it means the baby will die as a result. The measure introduced last week by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., proposes a nationwide ban that would allow for rare exceptions. The federal legislation has almost no chance of becoming law in the Democratic-controlled Congress. GOP leaders did not immediately embrace it and Democrats are pointing to the proposal as an alarming signal of where Republicans would try to go if they were to win control of the Congress in November. Many in the United States had believed the constitutional right to abortion, established by the Supreme Court almost 50 years ago, could never be overturned. But that protection was stripped away this year by the court's conservative majority, and advocates are leaving nothing to chance. A majority of those questioned in a July poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research said Congress should pass a law guaranteeing access to legal abortion nationwide. Story continues Vice President Kamala Harris urged Democratic attorneys general at a meeting Thursday in Milwaukee to keep fighting for abortion rights in the states. She singled out Wisconsin's Josh Kaul, who is up for reelection in November, for filing a lawsuit to challenge the state's 1849 law banning abortion, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Josh, our administration has your back, she said to applause. Clinics in Wisconsin stopped performing abortions after the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade as the legal fight plays out over whether the state law is in effect. Republican lawmakers have rejected two attempts by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, also on the ballot, to repeal the law. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a nonprofit organization representing more than 60,000 physicians nationwide, sent a letter to the White House on Thursday outlining its concerns about the proposed law. The group took issue with the arbitrary gestational age limit because it was not grounded in science and medical evidence and would dramatically interfere with the ability of patients to receive timely medical care, including prenatal care, miscarriage management, and abortion care. The organization argued that doctors would become less skilled because if the bans were in effect, their training would be altered to comply with law. The letter said doctors feared the bans already in place in several states following the overturning of abortion rights will have deadly consequences, further exacerbating the worsening maternal mortality crisis, within which 80% of deaths are preventable. The White House said the Republican proposal could have a chilling effect, with the prospect of doctors unwilling to care for patients any more. Doctors could also face criminal charges for performing an abortion to safeguard the health of the mother, offering miscarriage care, providing an abortion to a pregnant woman whose baby has no chance of survival, or treating a rape victim who has not fully completed reporting requirements. ___ Associated Press Writer Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin and Aamer Madhani in New York contributed to this report. Follow AP's coverage of abortion at https://apnews.com/hub/abortion Arizona DPS Col. Frank L. Milstead speaks at a press conference announcing the multi-state investigation, arrest and criminal indictment involving Maricopa County Assessor Paul D. Petersen at the Office of the Attorney General on Oct. 9, 2019. A woman has filed an order of protection against former Arizona Department of Public Safety Director Frank Milstead alleging he has assaulted, threatened, harassed and stalked her, according to court documents. Milstead is not allowed to contact the woman or her children, or visit her workplace, home and the school, according to the order of protection filed in June. The documents don't specify whose school. The woman, who lived with Milstead as a partner, said that in July 2021 he grabbed her by the arms and shook her violently. The petition for the order of protection states this caused her significant bruising, which is allegedly documented in a photo. "This incident, and several others, caused (the woman) to fear Mr. Milstead to the point that she sought professional psychological counseling and support," court documents state. Milstead acknowledged the woman's fear in a text message, according to court documents. In March, Milstead allegedly told her that if she messed with him, she would regret it for the rest of her life. When the woman asked how, he allegedly told her "You just figure it out. You'll know when it happens," according to court documents. Milstead allegedly told her it wasn't a threat, but a promise, in a recorded conversation, according to court documents. The petition for the order of protection said the threat should be taken seriously given Milstead's alleged assaults and his training in the use of force. It also said Milstead is always armed. Milstead's lawyer didn't respond to The Arizona Republic's request for comment by the time of publication. According to court documents, on several occasions, including one in April, the woman asked Milstead to not contact her or her children, or to visit her home. Milstead allegedly apologized in a text for contacting them and said he knows it is "not wanted." He still contacts the woman and her children regularly via email, phone, text and in person, according to court documents. Story continues The woman allegedly received about 200 calls, texts, emails and in-person visits from Milstead from April through June. She has at least two videos of uninvited and unannounced visits to her home from Milstead, court documents say. The petition for the order of protection says Milstead has followed the woman or waited for her to return home. In one instance he allegedly blocked her car in the driveway and forced his way into her house while he was "yelling, gesturing erratically" in reference to an item he believed was in her home. According to court documents, the woman said Milstead had been drinking, and her sister witnessed the incident. As of June 24, Milstead allegedly continued reaching out to the woman's children to know where she is or intends to be, according to court documents. He allegedly texted her "There is nothing you have done that I can't forgive you for, but it has to be you and I until death do us part." Milstead files a lawsuit against the woman On Sept. 16, Milstead filed a lawsuit against the woman claiming she breached contractual obligations to him regarding property that they shared. The couple bought a home together in 2019 when they were dating, and they were joint borrowers on the original loan, according to the lawsuit. Then they refinanced the loan and agreed to remove Milstead from it "only on the explicit assurance that this would not impact (his) interests in the property as reflected on the original loan documents and title," the lawsuit states. Early in 2022, the relationship ended. Milstead contributed to mortgage payments and renovations in the home, according to the lawsuit, and he wants an equal interest in the property. "By enjoying the benefits of the mortgage payments made by (Milstead) and the renovations paid for by (Milstead), while at the same time denying Milstead the benefits of his interest in the property, (the woman) has been unjustly enriched and (Milstead) has been correspondingly impoverished," the lawsuit says. Reach breaking news reporter Angela Cordoba Perez at Angela.CordobaPerez@Gannett.com or on Twitter @AngelaCordobaP. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former DPS Director Frank Milstead accused of domestic violence MADDOCK, N.D. (AP) A woman who brought a wild raccoon into a North Dakota bar, which prompted state health officials to issue a warning about potential rabies exposure, is facing criminal charges. Erin Christensen, 38, of Maddock, is charged with misdemeanor counts of providing false information to law enforcement, tampering with physical evidence and unlawful possession of furbearers. Christensen was arrested last week after authorities found her and the raccoon by serving several search warrants in and around Maddock. Christensen said her family found the raccoon on the side of a road about three months ago and named it Rocky. She said they were nursing the animal back to health with plans to release it back into the wild. Its illegal under North Dakota Board of Animal Health laws to keep a wild raccoon. Authorities euthanized the animal, and it tested negative for rabies. Related video: Adorable raccoon spends the night on this woman's hammock Christensen took Rocky to Maddock Bar on Sept. 6 during happy hour and showed the raccoon to customers. Bartender Cindy Smith said the animal never bit anyone at the bar. Nevertheless, North Dakotas Health and Human Services Department issued a warning asking anyone who may have been bitten or had contact with the raccoons saliva to seek medical care. Its unfair and too much was done to detain an innocent raccoon," Christensen said in a Wednesday statement to the Bismarck Tribune. "They were not worried about the health of us if we had rabies or not. They were worried about finding and killing Rocky and putting me behind bars. The charges against Christensen carry a maximum punishment of about two years in jail and $7,500 in fines. Her initial court appearance is set for Monday. Maddock is town of about 500 people located about 85 miles (137 kilometers) from the Canadian border. A Memphis woman said an accused killer raped her one year ago. A day after filing a lawsuit against the City of Memphis over how her case was handled, the first on-camera interview with Alicia Franklin aired Wednesday morning. FOX13 would normally not name the victim of a sexual assault, but Franklin has been very vocal about wanting her name out there to bring attention to the incident and the negligence, she claims, on part of the City of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department (MPD). RELATED: Rape victim sues city for negligence over case with Eliza Fletchers alleged killer Franklin said on Good Morning America that she was raped by Cleotha Henderson, the same man charged with kidnapping and murdering Eliza Fletcher. According to her interview, she messaged Henderson on a dating site and he assaulted and robbed her at gunpoint the first time they met. She believes the mishandled investigation, including delays in testing her rape kit, opened the door for Fletcher to be kidnapped and killed. They had more than enough evidence that night when they interviewed me to get him off the streets, but they didnt, Franklin said. She said on September 21, 2021, Cleotha Henderson forced her into a vacant apartment, blindfolded her, then raped her. She said he stole her money, then told her not to move until she heard his car drive away. I thought he was going to shoot me in the back of the head because I just didnt see him letting me go, Franklin said. Her interview echoed the lawsuit she filed Tuesday against the City of Memphis, questioning why her rape kit wasnt tested until this summer, with results coming in days after police said Henderson abducted and murdered Eliza Fletcher. RELATED: New details surrounding the death of Eliza Fletcher released She said she thinks of the assault every day. I have always been paranoid since then, Franklin said. Im always on edge, I dont trust people. Im always looking over my shoulder. Story continues Franklins attorneys claim after the rape, she gave investigators information including Hendersons nickname, a description of his car, his phone number and dating app profile. A lawsuit filed Tuesday claims law enforcement could have prevented Hendersons future crimes, including Fletchers murder, had the Memphis Police Department investigated Franklins case adequately and with due diligence. RELATED: New charges filed against man accused of abducting Memphis mother near UofM Gary Smith, one of Franklins attorneys, told FOX113 that authorities knew who they were looking for shortly after she was attacked. They gave her a photo lineup with 10 photos which included an old picture of him that was roughly 20 years old which made it difficult to identify him, he said. They said Well give you a more recent photo to show you, which they never did, The lawsuit states MPD failed to honor Franklins courage by not taking reasonable steps to catch her attacker. The City of Memphis said it does not comment on pending litigation. Henderson is due back in court next week. Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Trending stories: A woman who said she was raped last year by the man charged with killing Eliza Fletcher says police in Memphis, Tennessee, did not properly investigate her case and that if they had done so, Fletcher would be alive. In a lawsuit against the city of Memphis, Alicia Franklin said that she met Cleotha Abston on a dating app last year and that they talked for about a month before they met in person on Sept. 21, 2021, at The Lakes at Ridgeway apartments. Franklin said in the suit that she and Abston, whom she knew as "Cleo," had planned to go to dinner but that when she arrived, he pulled a gun and forced her into a vacant apartment. Abston, who told Franklin that he was a maintenance worker at the complex, blindfolded her with his T-shirt and threatened to kill her, according to the lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Shelby County Circuit Court. The suit says Abston walked Franklin through the apartment and out a back door to his vehicle, where, she says, he raped her in the back seat. Abston was charged with aggravated rape this month in the 2021 incident and pleaded not guilty. Franklin said in the suit that she tried to stop Abston by telling him she was pregnant but that he seemed "unmoved." She said Abston then stole money from her and made her wait in the apartment until he drove away, according to the court document. Franklin said she immediately sought medical attention and reported the attack to Memphis police. The lawsuit says she submitted to a forensic medical examination, in which a sexual assault kit was gathered, including DNA evidence. Cleotha Abston (Mark Weber / Daily Memphian via AP file) She took officers to the scene, the lawsuit says, but police "took no physical evidence directly from the crime scene itself." Franklin gave investigators the name "Cleo," his telephone number, a description of his vehicle and his social media accounts, including the dating app they met on, according to the lawsuit. Days after the assault, Franklin was asked to look at a photo lineup of possible suspects. The lawsuit says that police included an older photograph of Abston in the lineup but that Franklin could not identify her attacker. Story continues For months, Franklin was given no update about her case. According to the lawsuit, police sent the sexual assault kit to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, or TBI, but did not ask for processing to be expedited. Police and the city declined to comment Wednesday, citing pending litigation. Eliza Fletcher (Memphis Police Department) The sexual assault kit remained untouched until June, according to the lawsuit. It was not determined that the DNA matched Abstons until Sept. 5, three days after he is accused of forcing Fletcher into his SUV while she was on an early morning jog. Abston, 38, was arrested the next day after police found the SUV in a parking lot by his residence, an affidavit says. He was arraigned on several charges, including first-degree murder and kidnapping. Fletchers body was found Sept. 5 in a vacant duplex apartment. A cause and manner of death have not been released. Franklin's lawsuit says Abston "should and could have been arrested and indicted for the aggravated rape of Alicia Franklin many months earlier, most likely in the year 2021 ... and the abduction and murder of Eliza Fletcher would not have occurred." The TBI said it rarely knows the details of cases and relies on local law enforcement agencies to submit pertinent information. It expedites cases only at the request of local law enforcement agencies, it said in an emailed statement. Franklin's case "was put into the queue of unknown assailant kits, as no request was made for TBI analysis to be expedited, and no suspect information or DNA standard was included in the submission," the agency said in its statement. Franklin's kit was pulled in June to be examined along with 19 other kits. The agency said that during the investigation into Fletcher's kidnapping, Memphis police informed it of a possible link to Franklin's assault. Franklin told NBC affiliate WMC of Memphis that she did not want to get into the "spotlight" but felt sharing her story could "help a lot of women come forward." The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. A spokesperson for Fletcher's family could not immediately be reached for comment. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A woman was shot in Midtown Memphis Thursday evening, according to Memphis Police. Police said a woman was shot on North Belvedere. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition around 4:30 p.m., according to police. The person who shot her was reportedly wearing a black hoodie, police said. Memphis Police are still looking for the person responsible. If you have any information about who shot this woman or where the shooter may be, Memphis Police urge you to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Trending stories: Several women were hit by pellets fired from a BB gun Wednesday evening at Fashion Fair mall, according to Fresno Police. The incident took place about 5 p.m. near the Five Guys patio, which is located close to the main entrance to the mall. Lt. Leslie Williams said the shots were fired from a white four-door car with three male suspects inside. At least three women were struck. Williams said the victims suffered minor pain, but declined treatment from emergency medical workers. It was unclear if the women were specifically targeted or if it was a random act of violence. Williams said the suspects could be booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon. Officers located surveillance video that is helping them identify the suspects and vehicle. Sep. 22Nothing comes easy for the Odessa College Volleyball team. The Lady Wranglers' Jekyll-and-Hyde personality reared its head again against New Mexico Junior College in Western Junior College Athletic Conference action Wednesday. After winning the first two sets, Odessa College was forced to battle its way to a 25-21, 25-23, 19-25, 27-25 victory at the OC Sports Center. "This team, I don't know what it is about playing three straight sets," Odessa College head coach Dayana Acevedo-Rios said. "I don't know if they relax or what but we need to have the same energy the whole match. Daniela Rodrigues had 17 kills to lead the 10th-ranked Lady Wranglers (16-4 overall, 2-1 in conference), with Myllena Torquetti adding 10 in the victory. Setting Kadyne Emmot finished with 40 assists. After watching the hosts take the first two sets, the visitors made a match out of it by taking control of the third set from the service line. Leading 11-8, Milena Cerjanski increased the Lady T-Birds lead to 15-8 before a kill by Odessa College's Bella Green. A hitting error by the Lady Wranglers returned the serve to New Mexico JC (13-6, 1-2) and Maggie Machado reeled off three more to push the lead to 19-10. The Lady Wranglers tried to claw their way back into the match but had dug too deep a hole, with Karielys Maldonado finished the third set for New Mexico JC with a crosscourt kill. It was a back-and-forth set with neither team moving more than three points ahead through the early going. That changed when New Mexico JC reeled off five straight points for a 23-19 lead late in the set. A serving error brought the Lady Wranglers' within three before Iva (13-6, 1-2) Popovic gave the Lady T-Birds set point and the serve. Rodrigues and Torquetti took it from there for the Lady Wranglers, who won seven of the next eight points for the victory. The World Bank president appears to have heeded mounting calls for his resignation and made a U-turn after he refused to say that the climate crisis was real. During a New York Times event on Tuesday, David Malpass, a nominee of former president Donald Trump, obfuscated when asked if he accepted scientific evidence that the worsening climate crisis was caused by humanity burning fossil fuels. He was asked point-blank about his views hours after Al Gore, the climate activist and former vice president, described Mr Malpass as a climate denier during a panel. Mr Gore called for President Joe Biden to remove Mr Malpass from his post and criticized the bank for continuing to provide capital to fossil fuel companies for work in developing countries. Mr Malpass was repeatedly asked about Mr Gores claim, and whether he recognised the scientific consensus that fossil fuel use is rapidly and dangerously warming the planet. He refused to provide a direct answer to the question, instead telling the audience: Im not a scientist. On Thursday, Mr Malpass sent a note to World Bank staff acknowledging the reality of the climate crisis, according to Politico. On climate, its clear that greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are causing climate change, and that the sharp increase in the use of coal, diesel, and heavy fuel oil in both advanced economies and developing countries is creating another wave of the climate crisis. Anything seen in a different light is incorrect and regrettable, Mr Malpasss note read, acccording to Politico. The Independent has contacted the World Bank for comment. Mr Malpass was appointed to the role of president of the World Bank after being nominated by Mr Trump in 2019. Climate activists and other political figures joined in Mr Gores call for the bank bosss removal after his appearance. Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters, chairwoman of the house financial services committee, issued a statement calling Mr Malpasss refusal to accept the overwhelming scientific consensus on the climate crisis appalling. Story continues Its extremely concerning that the leader of the worlds premier development institution and largest source of climate finance would call into question the vast scientific evidence upon which the Banks climate work is presumably based or should be, it read. Bill McKibben, longtime environmentalist and founder of grassroots climate movement 350.org, used his weekly newsletter to call for the bankers resignation. Some essential climate tasks are hard and expensive and take years, he wrote. And a few could not be easier. President Biden needsnowto get rid of David Malpass as the head of the World Bank. John Kerry, the US special envoy for climate change, who also appeared at the event earlier this week was asked whether the World Bank president had the confidence of the White House. Mr Kerry declined to comment, saying: Thats the presidents decision. However, he indicated support for the banks stance could be thin on the ground in the Biden administration. Speaking about multilateral development banks and their role in the climate crisis, Mr Kerry said: We need to have major reform, major restructuring. Its up to us to pull people together and get that reform, and theres a lot of discussion about us doing that right now. As the island of Puerto Rico struggles to recover from Hurricane Fiona, local efforts in Western Washington are underway to help those impacted. World Vision is planning to send supplies to the island but right now, it cant because the port is closed and the majority of the island is still without power. Some of the supplies that will eventually go to Puerto Rico include cleaning supplies, clothes, blankets, tents and fans. Socks, Bombas socks, Roberta Taylor, the warehouse manager for World Vision in Fife, said. Those are things we definitely will send there. She said World Vision is doing everything it can to help the people there. I couldnt imagine being in such a place and not getting the assistance and the help that I need and you know people cant reach me. Im sorry I dont know why Im getting so emotional, she said. You see the water or whatevers going on still in place and then you see all these people displaced by this disaster, you know nowhere to go. Taylor has been with World Vision for several years. She has been on the ground many times, whenever disaster has struck. When I went to Louisiana there was a lady there who had lost everything and I gave her a pillow and she says I got something that I can call my own and its so heartbreaking, she said. You can help now by donating online and the funds go directly to helping those impacted by the hurricane. We want to help, were there for them but we need your help you know any financial donation will help us to bring more and more hope and thats what we want to do, Taylor said. An editor for a local newspaper in Manhattan, New York, who had never heard of Panda Express, was ridiculed on Twitter for an article he wrote about the popular Asian American restaurant chain. Covering the opening of a Panda Express outlet in the city, The Village Suns Lincoln Anderson wrote: "Admittedly, its no Hane. Rather than a swanky sushi spot, its a self-described fast-casual Chinese restaurant. The article further noted that the restaurant describes its fare as Chinese Flavors With American Tastes, if that makes sense. The chains 'all-time favorite' dish is 'Original Orange Chicken." The article caught the attention of The Cool Down editor Alex Lasker, who posted excerpts of the piece on Twitter on Sept. 19. More from NextShark: Relatable video of boy struggling to eat with chopsticks has gone viral on TikTok Absolutely losing my mind at this article about the new east village Panda Express written by someone who has never heard of Panda Express in their life, Lasker wrote in the now-viral tweet. absolutely losing my mind at this article about the new east village Panda Express written by someone who has never heard of Panda Express in their life pic.twitter.com/vUFpgaYBk5 Alex Lasker (@StateOf_ALaska) September 19, 2022 More from NextShark: Bay Area Costco stores will soon sell durian-flavored ice cream Poking fun at the article, actor Jenny Yang wrote: If that makes sense well f-k u very much too hahahahahahaha. Journalist Esther Tseng replied to Yang, **stares in socal asian american food writer** More from NextShark: Girl in China seen weeping, begging for forgiveness in front of Confucius statue after bad test score "if that makes sense" well fck u very much too hahahahahhaha Jenny Yang (@jennyyangtv) September 19, 2022 More from NextShark: 72-year-old man who's eaten at nearly 8,000 Chinese restaurants over 4 decades still can't use chopsticks Lasker added a poll in the thread asking the Twitterverse, have you heard of Panda Express. Story continues have you ever heard of Panda Express Alex Lasker (@StateOf_ALaska) September 20, 2022 Based on the polls results, it appears that there are indeed people who have not heard of the restaurant despite its perceived popularity. Considered the largest Asian-segment restaurant chain in the U.S., Panda Express has over 2,200 locations across the country, 15 of which are in New York. Lasker, a downtown New York City resident, told Today that she came across the article after looking up whether the new Panda Express location had already opened. I clicked on *that* link expecting some information on the grand opening date, and instead found what I would assume must be an AI-generated article, she was quoted as saying. Lasker noted that she posted the screenshots on Twitter after her co-workers found the article too funny not to tweet. Many Twitter users similarly found the post amusing, with one commenter suggesting the article belongs in a museum. Others defended Andersons article, noting that its statistically unlikely to run into a Panda Express, particularly in Manhattan due to its lack of malls and its numerous Chinese food options. In a statement, Anderson addressed the outraged and over-the-top Twitter posters, admitting that he was not too familiar with the restaurant. He then explained that his paper is a small start-up paper that aims to "make a difference and help the community. I think there are something like 24,000 restaurants in NYC, this isnt a suburban town with one main street, Anderson pointed out. Again, many New Yorkers probably dont have a clue what Panda Express is or dont care, no disrespect to Panda Express. Also, I didnt recognize the names of a lot of the folks on the Twitter thread, which is another thing that makes me think a fair amount of them might not be local. But thats OK, of course. Anderson further explained that his article was meant to express what a restaurant such as Panda Express would bring to his neighborhood. An active storefront there would improve that corner, he shared. "That was really the interest and impetus for the article rather than the wonders of Panda Expresss Famous Original Orange Chicken. Featured Image via Walk around New York Yeshiva University and the YU Pride Alliance organization have reached an agreement to have a New York state court order requiring the school to recognize the LGBTQ group stayed pending the university's appeal. The U.S. Supreme Court had previously rejected YU's request to block the state court order, saying that they had remedies at the state level to pursue first. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represents the school in this case, said in a press release that after the New York Appellate Division agreed this week to reconsider their previous ruling, Pride Alliance agreed to the stay while the school exhausts their appeal options. "Now that Pride Alliance has offered a stay, we have sent their lawyers a signed agreement to stay the trial court order. We look forward to working together to quickly resolve this issue," YU director of communications Hanan Eisenman said in a statement. SUPREME COURT DENIES BID BY YESHIVA UNIVERSITY TO BLOCK LGBTQ+ STUDENT ORGANZIATION, SENDS BACK TO NY COURTS People walk by the campus of Yeshiva University in New York City on Aug. 30, 2022, in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images The university claims that being forced to recognize an LGBTQ group violates its religious values, while a New York court ruling said that the school is primarily an educational institution and cannot rely on a religious liberty claim in order to block the club. Following that decision, Yeshiva University announced to students that they were suspending all student groups Pride Alliance says ultimately that is what led them to the "painful and difficult decision" to agree to the stay. REPUBLICAN BILL PROHIBITS POLITICAL TESTS BY COLLEGES, WARNS FAR LEFT WOKE IDEOLOGY TAKING OVER The group said they "do not want YU to punish" other groups "by ending all student activities while it circumvents its responsibilities," the statement said. "YU is attempting to hold all of its students hostage while it deploys manipulative legal tactics, all in an effort to avoid treating our club equally." Eisenman confirmed in her statement that the school will be "starting clubs after the Jewish Holidays when students are back on campus." Starting with Rosh Hashana, which begins Sunday evening, students are on break for almost the entire stretch of the holiday season, which ends with Simchat Torah on October 18, plus an additional day off on October 19 for students to travel back to campus. You are here: World Flash A firefighter helicopter crashed Wednesday in southwestern Turkiye on a mission, killing two Russians on board and injuring five other crew members, the Turkish Interior Ministry said. Two Turks and 5 Russians were on the helicopter at the time of the incident in Turkish southwestern Denizli Province, it said in a statement. Engineer Aleksandr Iakovlev and technician Alexey Volkov lost their lives, local broadcaster NTV reported, citing the ministry. The Russian-made firefighting helicopter left the Turkish northern province of Kastamonu in aid of extinguishing a forest fire in the Marmaris district of southwestern Mugla, and crashed near the Cardak district in Denizli, according to the report. Jonie Cole Thomas, co-owner and instructor, leads a class at the Tree Yoga Cooperative in South Los Angeles. The owners want to make sure the space is accessible to all residents, regardless of funds, in a city where Black and brown yoga teachers are few and far between. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) When community members walk into the Tree Yoga Cooperative, they are often surprised as they take in the spacious, airy studio filled with light. There is this stigma that things in South L.A. are not beautiful, said Jenni Alvarez, one of the worker-owned cooperatives founders. Senoras are taking a bus down Central, and walking over to make sure this is real." Los Angeles is known for its wellness culture, and the practice of yoga plays a starring role. But yoga studios are few and far between in South L.A., a swath of historically Black neighborhoods where now the vast majority of residents are Latino. Jonie Cole Thomas, co-owner and instructor, leads a class at the Tree Yoga Cooperative in South Los Angeles. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Alvarez and co-owner Rita Ortiz-Contreras never saw yoga in their neighborhood growing up. But they did see it in mainstream media, practiced by women who didnt look like they do. After years of teaching yoga and meditation in the area, Ortiz-Contreras, Alvarez, Jonie Cole Thomas and Jana Johnson decided to start the cooperative in August 2020, at a time when their community needed resources for healing more than ever. Since then, theyve virtually trained more than 70 yoga teachers from around the world who were seeking a trauma-informed program grounded in social justice, marketed to bodies of all sizes. We want Black and brown people available and equipped to teach the communities that we serve, Johnson said. The co-op has also cultivated relationships with community organizations across the city, like Wallis Annenberg GenSpace, which provides activities and opportunities for older adults. Tree Yoga facilitates four classes of chair yoga each week for seniors at GenSpace and leads free yoga in parks across western South L.A. for kids and teens as part of a partnership with Council District 8. The co-ops studio opened in June in the Florence neighborhood. To help ensure the space is accessible to all residents, regardless of funds, there are eight donation-based classes on the schedule. Locals, students and seniors get discounts. Story continues The studio also hosts monthly sound baths, and the owners eventually plan to offer massage, acupuncture and reiki. Its been a long road to get in this space, Johnson said, so we are very appreciative to be in it. The Tree Yoga Cooperative: English and Spanish classes available. 918 E. 60th St., Los Angeles, (310) 710-0744, thetreeyogacoop.org/thetreeyogacooperativestory This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. By Jonathan Allen and Ted Hesson NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City will open two emergency centers to house migrants arriving on buses sent by the Republican governor of Texas in a political dispute over border security, Mayor Eric Adams said on Thursday. The centers will provide shelter, food and medical care while working to connect migrants with family and friends inside and outside New York City, according to the mayor's office. The emergency relief centers are part of efforts by Democratic mayors to deal with thousands of migrants being bused from the Republican-led border states of Texas and Arizona. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican seeking reelection in November, has bused more than 11,000 migrants to Washington, D.C., New York City and Chicago since April. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last week flew about 50 migrants from Texas to Massachusetts. The governors, who oppose the more lenient border policies of U.S. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, say they want to shift the burden to Democratic areas and have focused on the issue in the run-up to November midterm elections. "While other leaders have abdicated their moral duty to support arriving asylum seekers, New York City refuses to do so, Adams said in a statement. New York is bound by a decades-old consent decree in a class-action lawsuit to provide shelter for the homeless. A center for single adults will open in the Bronx in the coming weeks, the mayor's office said, with the second site being finalized. More could follow if needed. The centers for single adults will be climate-controlled tents with rows of cots akin to those used after natural disasters, the mayor's office said. The Legal Aid Society and Coalition for the Homeless said in a joint statement that they were "deeply concerned" that families with children could be placed in congregate settings, but were willing to work with the city. (Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York and Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) By Pavel Polityuk and Michelle Nichols KYIV/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Some draft-age Russians rushed to leave the country on Thursday to escape their country's biggest conscription drive since World War Two, as world powers at the United Nations demanded Moscow be held accountable for alleged atrocities in Ukraine. Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, responded with defiance, defending Moscow's record and accusing Kyiv and its Western allies of threatening his country, before walking out at the end of his speech to the Security Council. The diplomatic confrontations came a day after President Vladimir Putin launched a new mobilisation campaign for the seven-month-old war that has already killed thousands, displaced millions, pulverised cities and damaged the global economy. Surveys in Russia have suggested widespread domestic backing for Moscow's intervention in Ukraine. But mass conscription, intended to enlist 300,000 troops, may be a risky move for Putin after past Kremlin promises it would not happen and a string of battlefield failures in Ukraine. Prices for air tickets from Moscow soared above $5,000 for one-way flights to the nearest foreign locations, with most sold out for coming days. Traffic also surged at border crossings with Finland and Georgia. "This is panic demand from people who are afraid they won't be able to leave the country later - people are buying tickets not caring where they fly to," a tourism industry source said. Anti-war protests in 38 Russian cities saw more than 1,300 people arrested on Wednesday, a monitoring group said. Some of the detainees had been ordered to report to enlistment offices on Thursday, the first full day of conscription, independent news outlets said. More rallies are planned for the weekend. "Now, due to mobilisation, for most Russian citizens, Russia's war against Ukraine is not something on TV or the internet but something that has entered every Russian home," Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a video address on Thursday night. Story continues Russia said reports of a mass exodus were exaggerated. Russian news agencies reported on Thursday that 10,000 people had volunteered to fight even before their call-up papers had arrived, citing the Russian General Staff. NUCLEAR THREAT Putin on Wednesday also effectively announced plans to annex four Ukrainian provinces - saying Moscow would assist with referendums that are due to start on Friday on joining them to Russia - and threatened to use nuclear weapons. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council that talk of a nuclear conflict was "totally unacceptable" and said any move to annex territory would break international law. NATO said the "sham referenda" were "illegal and illegitimate." "The very international order we've gathered here to uphold is being shredded before our eyes," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the U.N. Security Council. "We can't let President Putin get away with it." In his speech, Lavrov accused Kyiv of "brazenly trampling" the rights of Russians and Russian-speakers in Ukraine. "I can assure you that we will never accept this," he said. "Everything I've said today simply confirms that the decision to conduct the special military operation was inevitable." It was at least the Security Council's 20th meeting on Ukraine this year. The body has been unable to take any meaningful action because Russia is a permanent veto-wielding member along with the United States, France, Britain and China. Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who is an adviser to Ukraine, urged UN members to support Kyiv's push for a compensation commission to hold Russia accountable and help fund Ukraine rebuilding - estimated to cost up to $1 trillion. MISSILE STRIKES On the ground, explosions shook southeastern Ukraine on the eve of the referendums planned there by pro-Moscow separatists. Russia's military fired nine missiles on the city of Zaporizhzhia, hitting a hotel and a power station, regional governor Oleksandr Starukh said. At least one person died and others were trapped under rubble, he added. Zaporizhzhia is about 50 km (30 miles) from the nuclear plant of the same name. In the Russian-held southern city of Melitopol, also in the Zaporizhzhia region, a blast hit a crowded market. The city's exiled mayor said it had killed three soldiers and was staged by occupying forces to accuse Ukraine of terrorism. A member of the Russian-installed local administration accused Ukrainian special services of trying to cause chaos on the eve of voting. In further violence, Russian-installed separatists said at least six civilians had been killed and six more injured in a missile strike on a market in central Donetsk. Bodies lay on the street next to a wrecked bus surrounded by debris and twisted metal. A firefighter hugged a sobbing woman whose daughter had been killed inside the vehicle. A Reuters reporter saw five dead people in the separatist-controlled city, including a teenager, and several wounded. Putin says Russia is carrying out a "special military operation" to demilitarise Ukraine, rid it of dangerous nationalists and defend Moscow from transatlantic alliance NATO. Kyiv and the West call Russia's actions an unprovoked, imperialist move to reconquer a country that shook off Russian domination with the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union. Russia and Ukraine carried out an unexpected prisoner swap on Wednesday, the largest since the war began and involving almost 300 people, including 10 foreigners and commanders of Ukraine's defence of Mariupol earlier this year. "We're proud of what you've done for our nation, proud of each and every one of you," Zelenskiy said in a video call on Thursday with the leaders of the Mariupol resistance. (Additional reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic in Belgrade and Reuters bureaus; writing by Michael Perry, Andrew Cawthorne, Andrew Heavens and Cynthia Osterman; Editing by Catherine Evans and Rosalba O'Brien) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for the creation of a special tribunal to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in a speech to the United Nations on Wednesday. Ukraine demands punishment for trying to steal our territory, Zelensky said. Punishment for the murders of thousands of people. Punishment for tortures and humiliations of women and men. Zelensky said Ukraine has prepared precise steps to create a tribunal but did not give any specific details. The Ukrainian president also suggested revoking Russias voting, veto and delegation rights within the U.N. This will become [a] signal to all would-be aggressors that they must value peace or be brought to responsibility by the world, he added. Zelensky previously called for a tribunal in July at a conference hosted by the International Criminal Court. The renewed calls for a special tribunal come shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin called up 300,000 more troops on Wednesday. Russian forces left the Kharkiv region and regrouped in the Donetsk region after Ukrainian forces made major gains in a recent counteroffensive. Following the retreat of Russian forces, Zelensky said Ukrainian officials have found torture chambers and mass burial sites. Ukraine similarly found mass burial sites after Russian forces left Bucha, near the capital of Kyiv. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BERLIN (AP) In addition to the human cost of the war, Ukraines efforts to defend itself from Russia are placing a severe financial burden on the country that it can only bear with the help of outside support cost, a top Ukrainian government economist said Thursday. The speed of victory, however, will depend in large part on the pressure that Ukraine's allies place on Russia, said Oleg Ustenko, chief economic advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine is currently running a monthly fiscal deficit of 5 billion euros (dollars), compared with a shortfall of 7 billion euros the country had projected for the whole of 2022 before the war started. Prewar forecasts of 3-4% economic growth in 2022 have also been dashed, and gross domestic product is expected to shrink by 30-40% this year as factories lie in ruins and vast tracts of Ukraine's fertile land are inaccessible or too dangerous to farm, Ustenko said. The damage to our economy because of this war is on the level of 1 trillion euros, he told The Associated Press during an interview in Berlin. That's five times the country's entire GDP in 2021, he added. But while Ukraine is hoping for further monetary help from its allies, the country also desperately wants tougher sanctions imposed on Moscow to squeeze the Russian war machine, Ustekno said. Providing financing for us and actually providing us with ammunition and with weapons is extremely important, he said. But equally important is continuing to make sure that the country which is doing this aggression against us is really cut off from all possible financing. With current energy prices at a high, Russia was receiving more each day from exporting oil, gas and coal than it's spending on the war, said Ustenko. Much of that money is coming from Europe, he said. This is ridiculous. "On one hand, we are talking about necessity to help Ukraine financially as well. On the other side, you know, people in Europe still sending money to Russia." Story continues In Berlin to press German politicians to back tougher sanctions on Moscow, the economist said this included bringing forward the EU's embargo on Russian oil currently scheduled to take effect on Dec. 5. On natural gas, Ustenko said a proposed price cap should ensure that payments are limited to the cost of production. Several European countries that have relied strongly on Russian gas over the years, such as Germany, have already been cut off from supplies by Moscow. Ustenko said many of the businesspeople and politicians he had spoke to in Germany were wary of talking about further sanctions, perhaps concerned about the economic impact at home. High energy prices have become an election issue in Europe and governments have lined up considerable support packages for citizens to fend off fuel poverty this winter. Ustenko said he understood those concerns, but believes most ordinary Europeans are prepared to put up with higher energy costs to help Ukraine. They really want us to win this war as soon as possible, he said. They know why theyre paying this price. He urged European politicians to consider how they would justify their actions to voters once the war, which he confidently predicted Ukraine would win, is over. And if you did nothing? he asked. Do you really think that you have a political future as a politician? No way. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks as he and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson give a press conference on August 24, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Alexey Furman/Getty Images Zelenskyy called on Russians to "fight back" against Putin's draft. "Protest. Fight back," Zelenskyy said. "These are your options if you want to survive." Putin announced a partial mobilization on Wednesday, calling up 300,000 reservists. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday urged Russians to "fight back" against Russian President Vladimir Putin's mobilization of tens of thousands of reservists. "55 thousand Russian soldiers died in this war in six months. Tens of thousands are wounded and maimed. Want more? No? Then protest. Fight back. Run away. Or surrender to Ukrainian captivity. These are options for you to survive," Zelenskyy said during his nightly address. "Russian mothers! Have no doubt that the children of the top officials of your state will not be sent to the war against Ukraine. Those who make decisions in your country take care of their children. And they do not even bury your children," Zelenskyy added. Putin announced a partial military mobilization on Wednesday, calling up 300,000 reservists. The move was politically risky, and has already seen segments of the Russian public express fierce opposition. Anti-war demonstrations across Russia resulted in over 1,400 arrests on Wednesday alone, per OVD-Info, an independent protest monitoring group. "Protests against mobilization took place in the cities of Russia albeit not massive, but they took place. And they take place. And this is an indicator. Not only in Moscow and St. Petersburg. We know the real mood in the regions of Russia," Zelenskyy said in his address. There have also been numerous reports of Russians fleeing the country because of Putin's draft, causing airline tickets to sellout or skyrocket in price as well as traffic jams at the borders of neighboring countries like Georgia. Though Zelenskyy said 55,000 Russians have been killed in Ukraine since the war began, it's difficult to provide a precise death toll. In August, the Pentagon said the US estimates that Russia has suffered up to 80,000 casualties in Ukraine. Story continues Losses of that scale show Putin is facing a serious manpower problem, which is largely what prompted the partial mobilization. Meanwhile, Ukraine has recaptured a significant chunk of territory after launching a counteroffensive in the north and south in recent weeks. Western leaders and officials have said that Putin's mobilization is proof that Russian forces are failing in Ukraine. Similarly, Zelenskyy on Thursday said, "Russia's decision on mobilization is a frank admission that their regular army, which has been prepared for decades to take over a foreign country, did not withstand and crumbled. And now, due to mobilization, Russia's war against Ukraine for the majority of Russian citizens is not something on TV or on the Internet, but something that has entered every Russian home." The Russian government has said that 300,000 reservists are to be called up, but a report from Novaya Gazeta Europe suggested that a secret clause in the mobilization decree allows for one million to be drafted. The Kremlin denied this report. Touching on this in his remarks, Zelenskyy said, "The Russian leadership is preparing to take up to a million men into the army - this is the key thing they are now silent about." Zelenskyy said it's time for Russians to choose. "For men in Russia, this is a choice to die or live, to become a cripple or to preserve health. For women in Russia, the choice is to lose their husbands, sons, grandchildren forever, or still try to protect them from death, from war, from one person," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider BEDFORD An MS-13 gang member convicted of first-degree murder for his role in the March 2017 slaying of a Lynchburg teen in Bedford County was sentenced Wednesday to 60 years in prison. Cristian Jose Sanchez-Gomez, 28, was among a group of four gang members who traveled from Montgomery County, Maryland, to take part in the abduction and planned killing of Raymond Wood, a 17-year-old abducted from his Lynchburg home, dragged into a car, choked unconscious and stabbed repeatedly with a large knife. Woods mutilated body was found on Roaring Run Road off U.S. 221 in Bedford County. Sanchez-Gomez in March pleaded no contest in Bedford Circuit Court to the murder charge and one count of abduction, and pleaded guilty to one count of gang participation. Marjorie Stagno, Wood's mother, testified during Wednesday's sentencing hearing it has been 2,006 days since she last saw and spoke to her son. "That's 2,006 days that I have been robbed of his smiles, his laughter, his hugs and his kisses," Stagno said. She said since late March 2017 her life has been devastated because of the gang members, including Sanchez-Gomez, who took Wood's life. Stagno said it's hard to believe his version of events that had him a participant forced against his will but it's all the prosecution has to go by. The defendant knew he was associating with a "notorious, horrific gang" and he chose to get in a vehicle and come to Lynchburg to take part in the unfolding of events that claimed her son's life, Stagno said. "You had every opportunity to do the right thing and you did not," Stagno said to the defendant as an interpreter translated for him. Bedford Commonwealths Attorney Wes Nance said Sanchez-Gomez provided substantial assistance to prosecutors and, if the case had gone to trial, evidence would have been presented from other gang members that he admitted to inflicting injuries on Wood. Nance has said the motive for the abduction and slaying was that Wood was a small-time drug dealer seen by the gang as a rival who had disrespected MS-13 in his exchanges over transactions. Sanchez-Gomez was present during the abduction, Nance said, and got out of the car on the Bedford County road where Wood was attacked with a knife provided by Josue Moises Coreas-Ventura, a co-defendant whom a jury recently found guilty of aggravated murder and other charges in Woods death. Amy Tharp, a state medical examiner who conducted Woods autopsy, testified at Coreas-Ventura's trial Woods cause of death was sharp force injuries to the neck, torso and right arm, and the victim had rapid blood loss. Nance said Wood was stabbed at least 21 times. "My son was outnumbered," Stagno testified. "He fought and I know he fought hard." Stagno added to the defendant: "You watched them brutally murder my son. You saw, you were there ... only the Lord knows what you did and did not do." Stagno testified Sanchez-Gomez took "street credit" for his part in the murder and cooperated only because he was caught. He had chances to spare her son's life and didn't, she said. "You are just as guilty as they are," Stagno said through tears to Sanchez-Gomez. "You have devastated my family ...You have taken part of me away from me. My legacy, my beautiful baby boy." Stagno said she still has nightmares of her son screaming her name during his brutal murder. Sanchez-Gomez watched as Wood was choked unconscious and was kept from calling out for her, she testified. Katherine Robinson, a clinical forensic psychologist, testified she spoke with Sanchez-Gomez on 10 occasions described him a very quiet, meek individual who fled El Salvador to the United States to get away from violent gangs. He rejected the MS-13 gang twice but it kept pursuing him. Nance said Sanchez-Gomez was given a promotion within MS-13 for his part in the killing. Without hard forensic evidence pointing to a single killer and no eyewitnesses apart from the gang, Nance said Sanchez-Gomez's cooperation was needed in testifying against co-defendants. He said the case was unusual for the commonwealth because of trying to find the correct balance in Sanchez-Gomez's punishment, justice for Wood and acknowledging his cooperation. Nance also addressed the horror of Wood's murder that shocked Bedford County and consumed many resources among various law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions, including federal prosecutions in Maryland. "Our world has been dominated by this case," Nance said. Three other co-defendants Kevin Josue Soto Bonilla, Lisandro Antonio Posada-Vasquez and Victor Arnoldo Rodas also took part in the abduction and murder. Bonilla received a life sentence, Rodas is serving 55 years and Posada-Vasquez was sentenced to 75 years. Coreas-Ventura awaits sentencing in October. Nance said Sanchez-Gomez assisted in the murder and is culpable. "He knew how dangerous they were and he helped bring them to Bedford County," Nance said. Carter B. Garrett, defense attorney for Sanchez-Gomez, said his client got out of the car to vomit and had he tried to intervene, it would have been a double homicide. Sanchez-Gomez essentially was "in custody" of MS-13 during the murder and it wasn't until he was in the custody of law enforcement that he could come forward. Garrett said his client has accepted responsibility and testified about his role in the horrific crime. "He's been a model prisoner but it's very clear his life was at stake if he had not done what was instructed by this MS-13 gang," Garrett said. Through his interpreter, Sanchez-Gomez said: "I'm sorry for everything that happened to Raymond Wood." Judge James Updike Jr. said he took into consideration Sanchez-Gomez's cooperation with the investigation and noted testimony from his family members about horrific conditions of gang activity in El Salvador. However, Updike said, when the defendant came to the U.S. and got the call to come to Lynchburg to partake in a crime, he did not refuse when he could have. "He got in a car to come to Lynchburg and he got a promotion for it," Updike said. Attorney General Jason Miyares said this week that he will work with legislators to revive a bill that could allow his office to prosecute alleged sexual crimes against minors. Under state law, most violent offenses arent the purview of the attorney generals office and are handled by commonwealth attorneys local prosecutors. Its the role of the attorney generals office to advise the state government as well as handle appeals and prosecutions of other criminal offenses. The idea of the attorney general office stepping in was a talking point in Miyares campaign last fall. Earlier this year the Democrat-controlled Virginia Senate stopped legislation that would have allowed the Office of the Attorney General to prosecute cases of alleged sexual assault against children in localities. Now, Miyares is hoping the bill will be reintroduced in the 2023 legislative session. Local law enforcement would have to ask the attorney general's office to step in. The purpose of the bill was to provide victims with additional resources to ensure that victims of these crimes are able to get justice, Miyares said of the bill. The renewed call to action from Miyares comes amid a sexual assault case in Fairfax County. According to Fox 5, a local station serving the Washington DC area, a man named Ronnie Reel was granted a plea deal to a misdemeanor after confessing to sexually assaulting an 11-year-old. The childs mother also claimed to have a recorded confession from Reel. According to the article, when the case went to trial this month, prosecution had missed the deadline to submit Reels confession as evidence. Reel pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of assault and battery. The Fairfax Commonwealths Attorney has routinely failed victims of violent crime and mishandled juvenile sexual assault cases, which is why I will work with the legislature to see this legislation reintroduced, Miyares said. Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano along with Parissa Dehgehanti-Tafti of Arlington and Buta Biberaj of Loudoun has been the subject of two recall attempts by conservative groups. The Democratic prosecutors were elected in 2019 on a platform of criminal justice reform in line with changes the General Assembly made law when Democrats led both chambers - such as decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana possession and eliminating the death penalty. Descano said in a statement: Theres a reason Miyares wrong-headed proposal to take over the prosecution of local crimes failed so miserably in the General Assembly after being opposed by the Virginia Association of Commonwealths Attorneys and proponents of reform alike." The Republican Party of Virginia issued a statement condemning liberal commonwealth attorneys and urged that they be voted out of office. The most recent story is simply the latest in a long line of horrifying and incompetent actions taken by Descano that are threatening the citizens of Fairfax County and out commonwealth, the statement said. But Descano notes how the past attempt to let Miyares office step into local prosecutions failed. Miyares is simply seeking to obstruct efforts to build a more effective, equitable, and just system and instead return to the failed tough-on-crime approach that did little to improve community safety and fueled mass incarceration," Descano said. "Not in my community and not on my watch. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host three meetings throughout the state in October to provide an update to the public on chronic wasting disease surveillance and management efforts. The closest meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 11 at the Glenwood American Legion Hall, 104 N. Vine St. (For disability accommodations, contact 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY 800-735-7942 or webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov.) Tissue samples collected during the 2021-22 surveillance season resulted in deer testing positive in both Fremont and Greene Counties the first time deer tested positive for the always fatal disease in these counties. In addition to Fremont and Greene Counties, deer have tested positive in 10 other Iowa counties since 2013. Hunters and landowners play vital roles in the successful management of this disease in Iowa, said Tyler Harms, deer program leader for the Iowa DNR. These meetings are an opportunity for local hunters, landowners, and citizens to learn more about chronic wasting disease, what the DNR is doing to monitor and manage the disease in Iowa, and, most importantly, to ask questions. Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disease belonging to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies or prion diseases. It attacks the brain of infected deer causing the animal to lose weight, display abnormal behavior, lose body functions and die. It is always fatal to the infected animal. To learn more about chronic wasting disease, including the DNR surveillance and management efforts, visit iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Deer-Hunting/Deer-Health/Chronic-Wasting-Disease. 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. In what may be the most divisive period in modern American History, even more divisive than the turbulent sixties due to today's lack of patriotism, consider what are the major catalysts causing so much of this calamity of conflict, and vote: What most instigates the division of America, on this day September 20, 2022? Racism within our society Sex realignment to the detriment of our society. Biden /Harris Wide Open Southern Border Policy for the Demographic Upheaval of OUR Constitutional Republic Rampant Crime in Democratic controlled cities, and the possible contagion elsewhere Covid Pandemic, and its mishandling at the political, and bureaucratic levels. The unresolved questions /allegation regarding the flawed 2020 General Election January 6th Riot or "Armed Insurrection", depending upon patriotic perspective Joe Biden as Divisive Leader; Ineffective and Corrupt Executive Failed Education Industry, from an overall perspective, regarding all levels of education. Propagandistic Media in complete conflict with the First Amendment's guarantee of Freedom of Speech, and the awesome responsibility of a Free Press.. "Orangeman Bad!" Bureaucracy rushing to a behemoth size, its unjustified expense, and far too often overreach. The Weaponized Deep State for political purposes A secular ambivalence to all that is real. Record number of overdose deaths from opioids and now Fentanyl Biden Administration's disastrous Foreign Policy Bidenflation /supply chain failure inevitably evolving into stagflation and recession. Flash Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ambassadorial diplomatic relations between China and Britain, Wang said in the face of complex and grave challenges in today's world, the two countries, both as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should focus on mutually beneficial cooperation, and should avoid conflict and confrontation. A sound China-Britain relationship is based upon mutual respect, with objective understanding as the prerequisite, and proper handling of differences as the key, Wang said. He said he hopes that Britain's new government will view China and China-Britain relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and work together with China in the same direction, adding that he hopes the two sides can treat each other as equals, steer clear of interference, and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to advance the bilateral relationship along the right track. For his part, Cleverly noted that China, a major country with global influence, shoulders important responsibilities and plays an important role in the UN. Britain is committed to establishing mutually beneficial and effective relations with China, helping both sides achieve growth, and promoting peace and security, so as to benefit the people of both countries, he said. Noting that Britain appreciates China's great achievements in poverty alleviation, Cleverly said at a time full of challenges, the two countries should look to the future of mankind, focus on addressing common challenges, and strengthen cooperation in such areas as climate change and poverty alleviation. Britain stands ready to maintain open dialogue and exchanges with China, so as to create conditions for further cooperation between the two sides, he added. Noting that for a long time Britain was developing relations with China ahead of other Western countries, Wang said the two countries should take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to review and summarize the experience and lessons of the past 50 years, and to push forward the sound and stable development of bilateral relations. China unswervingly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, and is dedicated to establishing and developing sound relations with all countries, he said. Wang said China advocates for practicing true multilateralism, upholds an open strategy of mutual benefit and win-win results, and is willing to share market opportunities with other countries and achieve common prosperity. China stands ready to practice mutual respect, engage in candid dialogue, and advance mutual understanding with Britain, Wang said, adding that the two countries should safeguard the political foundation for bilateral relations and push forward the development of bilateral relations. Britain should honour its pledge that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic of China, and unequivocally oppose "Taiwan independence," he stressed. Cleverly said that Britain's position on the Taiwan question remains unchanged. The British foreign secretary also briefed Wang on Britain's view on the Ukraine crisis. Noting that China's position on the crisis has been consistent, Wang said from the very beginning, China has been committed to promoting peace talks, and has supported all efforts conducive to achieving peace. It is imperative to achieve a ceasefire and end the conflict, prevent new rounds of escalation of the situation, and jointly cope with the negative spillover effects of the crisis, he added. Morocco alerted once again to the enduring plight of thousands of Sahraouis held against their will in the Tinfoud camps by the Polisario militias and urged Algeria to allow a head-count of this population. Speaking to the UN General Assembly, Moroccos Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch recalled that Algeria has defied UN Security Council resolutions urging a census of the Population in Tinfoud since 2011. He held Algeria responsible for the human rights violations affecting thousands of people in the camps. The General Assembly was also a chance to reaffirm Moroccos position in favor of a lasting political solution on the basis of the autonomy plan for the Sahara conflict. Carrying out a head-count of the population held in Tindouf will enable these people to be officially registered as refugees and enjoy the right of returning to their country Morocco unhindered. But Algeria and its Polisario pawns reject this and insist on inflating the numbers of the people in the camps and trade in their suffering by using them as political pawns. Algerias obstinacy to allow a head-count of the population of the Polisario-run camps prompted the EU to reduce aid sent to these camps in a bid to curb humanitarian aid diversion. The decision was taken following a report by the EU anti-fraud office (OLAF) denouncing the embezzlement of humanitarian aid by the Polisario leadership and Algerian officials. Therefore, the European Commission decided to cut aid commensurately with the estimated number of 90,000 people instead of the inflated 165,000 people put forward by the Polisario and Algeria in an attempt to sell the idea of the existence of a Sahraoui People with a republic in exile. Morocco and China share the ambition to establish a triple win South-South cooperation in support of Africas all-out development, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said in New York. Speaking Tuesday at a High-Level Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Bourita stressed that under the leadership and vision of King Mohammed VI, Morocco established solid and multidimensional cooperation with African countries through initiatives and partnerships. The FM cited, in this sense, the Triple S initiative to promote sustainability, stability and security in Africa, the AAA Initiative to adapt African agriculture to climate change, the provision of drugs and medical equipment to African countries during the pandemic of Covid-19, in addition to cooperation in the areas of food security, fertilizers and climate change. Bourita congratulated China on the launch of the GDI, praising Beijings efforts to promote sustainable development. The launch of this initiative comes at an appropriate time and in an unprecedented context marked by the triple crisis of health, food and energy, besides the quest for appropriate solutions to international challenges, he said. The initiative also comes seven years before the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While significant progress has been achieved in several regions of the world, several countries, severely affected by the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic, are lagging behind in reaching these goals, the minister explained. Bourita called the initiative an example of dynamic partnership to strengthen and promote international cooperation, including South-South cooperation to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The initiative will certainly contribute to strengthening global solidarity and support the efforts of developing countries to meet their development commitments, especially in the current global context, the minister said at the meeting held on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly. Bourita also noted that Moroccos support for the GDI initiative stems from the friendly ties that Morocco and China have maintained for decades. These relations have gained new momentum since the visit of King Mohammed VI to China in 2016, a visit that culminated in the launch of a strategic partnership between the two countries, he recalled, adding that bilateral trade jumped by 50% between 2016 and 2021. Chinas investments in Morocco have increased significantly with more than 80 projects in various fields, he said. Bourita also noted that in the Covid-19 context, cooperation between Morocco and China has resulted in a partnership in the field of health and vaccination. This partnership resulted in the establishment of an industrial unit to manufacture anti-Covid vaccines. This infrastructure will contribute to the self-sufficiency of Morocco and its health sovereignty. Cooperation ties between the two countries have been strengthened with the signing, earlier this year, of an agreement on the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative. Morocco is among the first African countries that joined this initiative, he recalled. The FM reiterated Moroccos support for the Global Development Initiative, which will undoubtedly contribute to accelerating progress towards achieving SDGs, particularly in Africa. The Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) reviewed the positive progress made since the GDI was proposed, particularly after the High-level Dialogue on Global Development held on 24 June 2022. The participants had an in-depth exchange of views on deepening practical cooperation in various priority areas of the GDI, accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promoting institutional arrangements of the Group, and strengthening cooperation with the UN development system aligned with national priorities and needs. They discussed the way forward for GDI cooperation and reached broad consensus. Morocco has called for strengthening further international cooperation ties in the fight against terrorism as the ISIS core and other terror groups are rebuilding their capabilities, posing serious threats to global peace and stability. In his opening remarks at the 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF), convened Sept. 21 in New York under Morocco-Canada chairmanship, Moroccan Foreign minister Nasser Bourita stressed the importance of multilateralism in the fight against terror groups. The GCTF meeting is an opportunity to assess the achievements made by the Forum during its first decade under the Moroccan-Canadian co-chairmanship, said Mr. Bourita, noting that the priority was placed on reducing the vulnerability of people to terrorism through prevention and actions to counter extremist ideology and propaganda. Now, this forum is geared towards strengthening international efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism, added the minister, affirming that the GCTF actions are based on UN Charter, UN Security Council resolutions and UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Thanks to its proactive approach, the Forum has made remarkable job in tackling foreign terrorist fighters, border security, ICT and terror funding, said the Moroccan FM, describing the GCTF as a central player in the global fight against terrorism. Set up in 2011, the GCTF is co-chaired by Morocco since 2016. It is composed of 30 members (29 countries + the European Union) and cooperates closely with many international, regional and sub-regional organizations, including the UN. It is an informal, apolitical, multilateral counterterrorism platform. It seeks to reduce the vulnerability of people worldwide to terrorism by mobilizing expertise and resources to prevent, combat, and prosecute terrorist acts and counter incitement and recruitment to terrorism. The Forum brings together policymakers and practitioners from around the world to share experiences and expertise, and to develop practical, publicly available tools and strategies on how to prevent and counter the evolving terrorist threat. The United States military said on Wednesday (21 September) it had killed 27 fighters from the al-Shabab militant group in an air strike in Somalias central Hiran region, where the army and allied forces have launched an offensive against the insurgents in the last month. According to the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) statement, US forces carried out an air strike against al-Shabab fighters who were attacking Somali military forces near the town of Buulobarde on 18 September. AFRICOM said no civilians were injured in what was the largest combined Somali and [African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, ATMIS] offensive operation in five years. The US has been carrying out airstrikes in Somalia against al-Shabab, an armed group linked to al-Qaeda, for years. The AFRICOM also stressed that Sundays strike in Buulobarde, about 200km north of the capital, Mogadishu, was the sixth recorded so far this year. There are also reports that al-Shababs torching of houses, destruction of wells and killing of civilians, combined with demands for taxes amidst the worst drought in 40 years, has prompted locals to form paramilitary groups to fight alongside the government. Earlier this month, al-Shabab fighters killed at least 19 civilians and destroyed trucks delivering food aid in an attack in the area. Al-Shabab has battled Somalias central government for more than a decade in its push to establish its own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has not publicly acknowledged any role in the operation. Rights activists have previously accused Washington of shrouding its Somalia operations in secrecy, potentially undermining accountability for incidents involving civilian deaths. With an estimated 346 million people across Africa being negatively impacted by a severe food crisis, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a fertilizer boom is breaking out on the continent, even as environmental and green farming activists call for caution. Africa has barely used fertilizers, as only 6% of the continents cultivated land is irrigated, and the average fertilizer consumption in sub-Saharan Africa is estimated at 17kg of nutrients per hectare of cropland, according to the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Agra). That is only a drop in the ocean when compared with a world average fertilizer consumption of 135kg/ha. To that end, at the just-ended African Green Revolution Conference (AGRF) Summit in Kigali, Zimbabwes President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has recently urged Africa to increase fertilizer use, irrigation and thermal power in order to ensure food security. Zimbabwe, which suffered a failing economy and sanctions imposed by Western powers for two decades, now offers a rare example on food security policies and programs. For example, with multiplied irrigation and fertilizer use, the country has increased its wheat production from a three-month supply to a 15-month supply, according to the countrys Ministry of Agriculture. But while Africa wont become self-sufficient in food overnight, fertilizer use and irrigation are touted as key tools to achieve this strategic objective. If there is anything close to being a silver bullet that guarantees food security in Africa, it is good leadership. We can outsource technology but we cannot outsource good leadership, says Enock Chikava, the Director of Agricultural Development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Tanzania is among those that have acted fast. The government introduced a three-year program that will see the construction of dams for irrigation in each of its regions and is also constructing a second fertilizer plant to benefit the 65% of its population that are engaged directly in farming. In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame sees the possibility for greater diversity in Africa to agriculture. He argues that Africa has enough biomass and resources to shift to organic farming, and stop being too exposed to external shocks. The food crisis is a serious one and in order to deal with it we need to develop a sense of urgencyto treat food like a business, he said during the recent AGRF summit. If you look at the crisis in Ukraine, the whole of Africa suffers because we cannot get wheat or fertilizer. All these are lessons we should learn from; but these lessons have been here for a long time. We need to act quicker. At the United Nations General Assembly, leaders from Qatar, Senegal and Turkey called for immediate peace talks between Moscow and Kiev to end Russias invasion of Ukraine, as Germany and France denounced Putins imperialism in its smaller neighbor. Russias invasion of Ukraine has taken centre stage at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday (20 September), with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denouncing Putins decision to invade Ukraine in February, for which there was no justification whatsoever, because this is imperialism, plain and simple. The ongoing General Assembly is the UNs first full, in-person leaders summit since the COVID-19 pandemic and comes as the war in Ukraine approaches its seventh month. And while Lithuania urged the establishment of a war crimes tribunal to punish Moscows atrocities, French President Emmanuel Macron appealed particularly to countries, including many in Africa, that have chosen to stay neutral to consider that the day when something similar, with a more powerful neighbor, happens to you, therell be silence from the region, from the world? But some countries from Africa and the Middle East expressed unease at having to choose sides. I have come to say that Africa has suffered enough of the burden of history; that it does not want to be the breeding ground of a new Cold War, but rather a pole of stability and opportunity open to all its partners, on a mutually beneficial basis, said Macky Sall, the president of Senegal and the current chairman of the African Union. Also Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani echoed the call for peace when he said that we are fully aware of the complexities of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and its international dimension, nevertheless, we call for a ceasefire and the immediate pursuit of a peaceful solution to the conflict. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey will continue its efforts to end the war with an agreement that is based on Ukraines territorial integrity and independence. Meanwhile, on the sidelines of a UN meeting, a donor conference has raised a record $14.25bn for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in crucial new funding, after decades of progress against the diseases was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. United States President Joe Biden, who hosted the conference in New York City, said the funding the highest amount ever pledged for a multilateral health organization is crucial to combating the diseases. This is an investment that will save another 20 million lives, reduce mortality from these diseases by another 64 percent in the next four years, said Biden. The United Kingdom and Italy have said they will announce their commitments at a later date. Philemon Yav, a General in the Democratic Republic of Congos armed forces, was arrested and detained on charges of connivance with a foreign country that authorities have refused to name amid tensions with neighboring Rwanda. Also dubbed Le tigre katangais [the tiger of Katanga], Yav was summoned and immediately put in detention at the countrys prison of Makala, French media RFI reports. Authorities have not revealed the country but Communication Plus, a news website indicated that the senior army official was in steady communication with General James Kabarebe, the top security advisor of Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The media further revealed that Yav broke his SIM card to destroy all evidences. Authorities also allegedly accuse the General for the death of another General, Ghislain Tshinkobo Mulamba, who passed away in August from poisoning as revealed by the autopsy carried out on his corps. Tension has risen between the central African country and Rwanda. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting militias who have been causing mayhem. Kagame has brushed aside the blame. Yav heads the countrys third defense zone that spans across Ituri, North-Kivu and Maniema. A court in Gabon has found former Speaker of the parliament and opposition figure Guy Nzouba-Ndama guilty of money laundering and espionage for a foreign country after he was arrested with around $2 million upon return from a trip to neighboring Congo Brazzaville, accused of alleged support for the opposition, Gabon Review reports. Arrested Saturday at border between the two countries with the sum found in two suitcases, the leader of Les Democrates party has been transferred to capital Libreville for hearing. The public prosecutor ordered to put him under house arrest and charged him with money laundering and espionage for a foreign country. The party said the custom officers who arrested the former Speaker of the national assembly indicated that they had received instruction to detain the former ally of incumbent President Ali Bongo. The party is now holding those who gave the orders responsible. The Democrats, who reserve the right to react vigorously, through various actions, against any possible conviction, demand the immediate and unconditional release of President Guy Nzouba Ndama, honorary president of the party, Dr. Seraphin Akure-Davin said in a statement. Bongo and Ndama fell out in 2016. Former education minister was a candidate for then elections but bowed out in favor of the former opposition leader Jean Ping. Ndamas trip to Congo Brazzaville came as the central African country gears up for presidential elections. His party put him on its ticket for elections. Some voices in Gabon have accused Congo Brazzaville authorities of sponsoring the opposition. Head of Moroccan Government Aziz Akhannouch met on Wednesday in New York with U.S. billionaire businessman Michael Bloomberg, who is also UN special envoy for climate change. The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th UN General Assembly, was attended by Mohcine Jazouli, Minister Delegate for Investment and Ali Seddiki, Director of the Moroccan Agency for the Development of Investment & Exports. Talks focused on Moroccos energy transition and actions made to mitigate climate change & global warming as well as the huge investment opportunities offered in the country in its green energy projects. Morocco is among the 15 developing countries to benefit from Bloomberg Philanthropies backing to speed up their clean energy. The move comes ahead of the COP27 due in Egypt Nov.6-18. At COP27, developing countries are expected to call on developed and industrialized nations to provide more financial assistance to enable them address the damage caused by climate change. In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on countries to tax fossil fuel companies windfall profits and use the revenue for loss and damage which are happening now, hurting people and their economies and must be addressed now. This is a fundamental question of climate justice, international solidarity and trust, underlined the UN Chief. The launch of the Center for Research and Archives on the Judaism of Northern Morocco (CJNM) took place during an international meeting on the history of the Jews of Northern Morocco, held in Tangier this Sept.19 to 21. The Center is tasked, among other miswsions, to conduct scientific studies, in partnership with Abdelmalek Essaadi University and in collaboration with eminent Moroccan and international researchers, in order to better understand and present this community to the widest possible audience in Morocco and abroad, residents or visitors, of all faiths. Managed by a committee of personalities from Belgium, France, Spain, Brazil, Israel, the United States and Morocco, the CJNM is part of a series of initiatives of the Moroccan Jewish community, led by the Israeli Community of Tangier, Donna and Haim Benchimol Fondation. This center is specially dedicated to the study and research on the Judaism of northern Morocco, including its customs, history and language, said president of the Jewish community of Tangier, Serge Berdugo. This institution will have the mission of collecting, preserving and promoting a common culture not only to the Jews of Morocco, but also to Andalusians, he said. In a statement to the press on the sidelines of this meeting, Berdugo stressed that this center is in line with the enlightened vision of King Mohammed VI for the preservation of the plural identity of Morocco and the high solicitude of the Sovereign for the religious thing in general, and places of worship in particular. For his part, president of the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME), Driss El Yazami, said that this meeting brought together prominent figures, including historians, academics and people interested in the memory of the Jews of northern Morocco. The objective was to create a center that focuses on the particularities and culture of the Jews of the northern region, including Tetouan, Assilah, Larache and Tangier, Yazami said. Former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco, Edward Gabriel, on Thursday, called on the UN Security Council to move towards a lasting political solution to the Sahara issue based on the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco. Morocco submitted in 2007 a proposal that was accredited as serious, credible and realistic by the UN Security Council, which is called to move towards this solution with the support of the United States, said Edward Gabriel, in a message addressed to participants in the 1st International Conference for Peace and Security in the Sahara, held in Las Palmas. Morocco remains committed to a close and strategic relationship with the United States, based on mutual interests and values, and it is, therefore, important that the United States supports Morocco on the Sahara issue and works within the UN to achieve a solution based on autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, the former U.S. diplomat said. As the world is increasingly threatened by growing authoritarianism, the United States must join with its allies to preserve democracy and stability around the world, said Edward Gabriel, a member of the board of directors of the U.S. Institute of Peace, a public agency founded by the Congress with the aim of preventing and trying to resolve wars abroad. The two-day conference sees the participation of several Spanish political figures, international researchers, journalists as well as Chioukhs and notables of Sahrawi tribes. A 32-year-old Massena, New York, man has been indicted in federal court for possession of 5 kilograms or more of cocaine with intent to distribute. The charge stems from an arrest in Lincoln County in mid-August. If convicted, Steven R. Windoloski faces 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and post-release supervision for five years to life, according to a media release from U.S. Attorney Steven A. Russells office. Windoloski remains in the Lincoln County Detention Center. According to a Nebraska State Patrol press release: A state trooper stopped an eastbound Mitsubishi Outlander with California plates Aug. 11 near mile marker 166 on Interstate 80 for not displaying a front license plate. The trooper asked Windoloski to get out of his vehicle and sit in the front seat of the patrol car while he wrote out a warning for the plate. Another trooper and his K-9 partner then walked around the perimeter of the Outlander, and the dog detected the odor of drugs in the vehicle. The troopers searched the car and found three cardboard boxes in the rear cargo area. The boxes contained 33, 34 and 33 kilos of cocaine, respectively. You are clearly a super-user of NUVO.net. Thats a good thing. It means you depend on independent and local news sources to keep you informed. You are a smart person. Coincidentally, independent and local news sources depend on you too. Youve read 25 articles this month and now, wed like you to be join our mission and become a NUVO Supporter. For as little as $4 a month, you can keep us alive and fighting -- and can have unlimited access to the independent news that cant be found anywhere else. Inside Varietys cover story with Ana de Armas: Ana de Armas Blonde Ambition: How She Channeled Marilyn Monroes Body and Soul for Netflixs NC-17 Gamble https://t.co/AwYUgRWqu7 pic.twitter.com/8owb823RID Variety (@Variety) September 21, 2022 Since Ana de Armas has been especially insufferable during the BLONDE promo tour, I decided to take one for the team. Variety says de Armas is pushed to the limit as Marilyn Monroe in BLONDE, where she "explodes with anguish and suffers genuinely brutal sexual violence and degradation." BLONDE is nearly three hours long at 166 minutes, full of degradation such as President John F. Kennedy forcing Marilyn to perform oral sex on him while he speaks on the phone."I learned that I cannot compromise on a director. Because at the end of the day, that is what the movie is going to be, and thats what the experience is going to be, and thats the person that you have to trust the most." Director Andrew Dominik refused to allow Ana to show rage as Marilyn. [OP Note: not even a scene of her by herself or imagining an outburst? Really?]"I felt from the beginning how much respect he had for Marilyn. You dont pursue and fight so hard for something for over 10 years if you dont really believe in that. He was so passionate and sure.""Were telling her story from her point of view. Im making people feel what she felt. When we had to shoot these kinds of scenes, like the one with Kennedy, it was difficult for everybody. But at the same time, I knew I had to go there to find the truth...I did things in this movie I would have never done for anyone else, ever. I did it for her, and I did it for Andrew." She was going through Marilyn training while filming Knives Out and after her day wrapped, she did two hours a day of the Monroe accent and voice classes. While filming BLONDE, she spent her off hours learning the choreography for re-created musical numbers and movie scenes."I couldnt say goodbye. I couldnt shake it off. I couldnt let her go. I went to visit her at her cemetery a few times I would have liked to go one more time. If you think about Paloma now, I am sure that there is some Marilyn in there. There is! Her energy and her charm and this thing where she was lit from the inside Paloma stole a little bit of her.""When I was living in Madrid, I was a very well-known actress and had press and paparazzi after me. Its something that you learn, unfortunately...I have never been someone that wants any attention thats not about my work. So when the attention is not about my work, it is upsetting, and it feels disrespectful, and it feels inappropriate, and it feels dangerous and unsafe." The public scrutiny from her relationship with Affleck brought her closer to Marilyn since Monroe was serious about performing even as she was only seen as an object. "Im just interested in my work. I want to be remembered for that. The other side, Im not interested. Some people have a better time making peace with that. Some people even like it. Im in the group of people who would prefer not to have that." Unprompted, Ana brings up the idea that clips of her nude body in the film will circulate outside the context of the film. I know whats going to go viral and its disgusting. Its upsetting just to think about it. I cant control it; you cant really control what they do and how they take things out of context. I dont think it gave me second thoughts; it just gave me a bad taste to think about the future of those clips. She recalls a day on set where her hairstylist, watching de Armas and footage of Monroe on separate monitors, ended up baffled that the fixes she was making to de Armas hair werent sticking. TURNS OUT, Ana and Marilyn looked SO similar that shed confused star and subject."Someones voice has many qualities. Its not just an accent or the pitch or the breathiness. You can imitate someone very well and have no soul. As much as I wanted to get it as close as possible to her voice, if that voice didnt have a feeling, that meant nothing to me."Dominik added, "She sounds like a fully fledged human being, as opposed to a cardboard cutout. What a lot of people think Marilyn Monroe sounds like is probably an imitation theyve heard as much as it is the actual person. Shes got no doubt about herself as an actress, but the muscles in her face, her mouth and her tongue have formed differently than a person who is a native English speaker. Its a big ask." Ana has watched BLONDE multiple times already since every time, she finds something new to appreciate. She especially appreciates the film since it depicts Norma Jeanes anguish over not having a father figure and her own father never got a chance to watch it (he passed away last year). Watching BLONDE in Venice was a surreal experience since she was up in the balcony, and from there her characters degradation felt raw and powerful: "It was like a double image. We were looking at the people looking at her. It was such a surreal point of view.""Its very nerve-racking! Because its literally not just a movie theater it is everybody. The world will see it. So I am very excited and it is time to let go." It's really funny that after years of him complaining about the deep state they actually are after him lmao. He is course guilty, but if he was a Bush they'd excuse it. Reply Thread Link In this single clip Trump tells Hannity about his process of telekinetic declassification (not a thing) then speculates the FBI mightve been looking for Hillarys emails in Mar-a-Lago (he didnt really seem to be joking). Wild stuff. pic.twitter.com/ehX8QqTnmB Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 22, 2022 Ok but um he declassified them in his head so Reply Thread Link I thought about adding this to the post and then I was like no, I'm not wasting my time on this lol Reply Parent Thread Link (not a thing) is sending me Reply Parent Thread Link I feel like even Hannity was a little wtf on some of the things that he said. Reply Parent Thread Link sometimes i can't believe they actually let a person this crazy and delusional be president, jfc Reply Parent Thread Link Be scared that so many people would still vote for him. I cannot even with them Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i can't believe how many people still worship him. there are people running in our local elections, and for our school boards that follow trump. it's really scary. Reply Parent Thread Link does he think he's professor x or something lmao Reply Parent Thread Link He literally is Michael Scott screaming "I declare bankruptcy". Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Is his voice always this high? It seems higher than normal, which makes me happy if its because hes scared shitless. Reply Parent Thread Link Im forever baffled at his hair looking like someone went nuts with an irl blur tool Reply Parent Thread Link Did he just call the National Records Archive a "radical organization"??????????????????? When is this motherfucker gonna die already? (dear secret service I'm not gonna do it) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link brb telekinetically cancelling student loan debt Reply Parent Thread Expand Link what a fucking moron Reply Parent Thread Link This is the joker people elected to lead our country. Lol Reply Parent Thread Link LMAO at him trying to claim declassified like Michael Scott declaring bankruptcy. Just because you say the words out loud doesn't make it true. LMAO at him trying to claim declassified like Michael Scott declaring bankruptcy. Just because you say the words out loud doesn't make it true. Reply Parent Thread Link If he declassified EEEEEEEEEEEVERYTHING I wanna read the UFO files just for giggles Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I personally feel that if these cases are successful and they take him for millions that those of us who did not vote for him should get a lil checky check as Id argue weve all suffered damages at this point. Reply Thread Link ps your icon is so cute Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Depressingly, his base of support has a very high floor (I think his approval rating is still in the 30s). But I am at least achieving some personal satisfaction from watching Trump's lies getting exposed. Reply Thread Link racist whites and delusional POC are gonna blindly follow him Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, it's like he said himself, he could shoot someone in Times Square and it wouldn't matter. It's a cult. Edited at 2022-09-22 07:04 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link let's fucking goooo i doubt this will wake many people up, but i (somehow) haven't lost (all) hope yet. Reply Thread Link I don't think it will wake many people up either, but I will at least get to hopefully enjoy Trump having to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in fines and back taxes. And hopefully every single penny of that goes to programs to help immigrants and all other groups that Trump hates. Reply Parent Thread Link Right, I will take anything and I loooove the idea of him having to pay for things he hates. Seeing him be made to pay for anything at this point would be something. Reply Parent Thread Link We know it'll probably just go to the fucking military, lbr Reply Parent Thread Link i just like that it's on the news so heavily, so it's just eating him up like crazy Reply Parent Thread Link I don't know if Trump will go to prison, he seems like too big of a fish to fry, but it would make my whole fucking year to see Jr. hauled away and that's looking like a distinct possibility lol Reply Thread Link i hope they both go tbh they can share a cell lol Reply Parent Thread Link finally can spend some quality time with daddy! Reply Parent Thread Link I, for one, won't be satisfied until Jared and Ivanka's children are in foster care (no one say that's too far, it'll be a more loving environment for them). Reply Parent Thread Expand Link it will just be an evolvement after sharing one brain cell among all the family. Reply Parent Thread Link Jr and Eric should share a cell. Reply Parent Thread Link If I has to pick a Trump kid to go to jail it would Ivanka because he would fucking lose his mind since she's the only one he cares about. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Will be fun to watch him lose his businesses/be barred from running companies in NY, though Reply Parent Thread Link I can't even get hype or excited because I don't want to set myself up for a letdown, tbh. I will believe that he'll be punished for his crimes when it actually happens, honestly. I hope it does Reply Thread Link I bet if it happens its gonna be after so many delays. I think SCOTUS won't completely shutter the investigations because it'll look like they're even more in his pocket, but I won't be surprised if they help him try and delay things till post 2024 election, hope he wins and then let him self-pardon (which, like, what would be the point of even having a constitution at that point?) Reply Parent Thread Link yeah Im def not hopeful and your scenarios seem more realistic given what weve been thru with trump these last several years Reply Parent Thread Link This is civil right? Can he pardon himself from a civil suit? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Love this for him! Whoopi was manifesting him going to jail on The View today, I had a laugh. Reply Thread Link Thanks for posting this, I am manifesting with her! Reply Parent Thread Link I love how this stupid asshole thinks everything works the way it does in his sleazy business world. Everything, EVERYTHING, is quid pro quo for him. I bet you he's the type of father who when a kid asks for a hug he goes "why should I give it to you, what have you done for me lately?" Reply Thread Link Probably because he's never been held accountable for anything in his life and he's completely amoral. Not immoral, amoral. He just NEVER thinks along the lines of right or wrong, it just doesn't even occur to him that that matters. And never along the lines of legal or illegal. And why would he? He's been able to get away with everything for 76 years without accountability so he's not used to the concept of risk. Even in his business failings there was no risk. He could just abuse US bankruptcy laws and borrow more money next time. Even now he's probably in denial about the very real possibility that he could die in an orange jumpsuit (please God make it happen) :D Reply Parent Thread Link The old white (Im white so they feel comfortable as fuck being racist around me even though I almost got one fired for telling me to vote Trump or go back to your country during the first election) assholes at my work are standing by this botfly as if hes their breadwinner. The hatred is so strong with some people. So, Im loving the chaos this is causing them. And the trump klan. Muahahah. Reply Thread Link Sadly, the old white are not always old, the right-wing Christian wingnuts are often not old people. I almost got one of them fired because she stood in the aisle between cubes at work talking shit about Tr*mp going after gays and Muslims. She got in beeeeeeeeg trouble. Reply Parent Thread Link Sadly, Im well aware of that. Just saw some 17yo lil bitch using his parents money to fund his business of selling Trump 2024 shirts. But, the assholes at work really are 60+ yo and Im enjoying watching them squirm. They know better than to talk politics, but it works for me, lol. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The special master ploy really blew up in their face. Reply Thread Link It was just another delay tactic while they scramble... there is literally no defense nor have they claimed declassification in a court of law/legal document b/c they know its a lie. Reply Parent Thread Link Crooked Donald Reply Thread Link i don't trust the criminal justice system anymore the entire adult family just needs to uhhhhh y'know Reply Thread Link I don't wish death on the whole family because taking away their money would be much more painful. Moooahahaha Reply Parent Thread Link They can always d*e and/or be crushed into cubes AFTER all of their money, property and other assets are repossessed and liquidated Reply Parent Thread Link Things I can't get over are the fact that he valued Mar-a-Lago at $739 million when it's actually worth $75 million, NY apartments units collectively worth $750,000 he valued at nearly $50 million, and he valued his apartment for $327 million. I don't understand how he got away with this for so long. And he actually said "You can declassify documents just by saying, 'It's declassified.' Or Even by thinking about it.. I'm speechless. How is any of this real? Reply Thread Link I love how he lied about the square footage of his penthouse. Like buildings don't grow and blueprints and math exist. This man will lie, cheat and delude himself about absolutely anything and it's astounding. Reply Parent Thread Link Truly hope the rest of his life is a series of Bad Days but as always, I will believe this shit hurts him when I see it. Reply Thread Link This seems like an appropriate place for me to admit that Ive never understood the music video for Fuels bad day. What does the note say?? Is he in court?? Therapy?? Is she dead?? Reply Parent Thread Link More importantly, howd she break a shoelace when shes wearing heels? Reply Parent Thread Link This shift in India buying comes just a few months after Russia overtook Saudi Arabia to become India's second-largest supplier of crude oil. African and Middle East crude becomes more attractive as shipping rates on long voyages have jumped. In September, Indian refiners are not expected to buy any ESPO crude from Russia because of the higher shipping rates. India, which has been buying large volumes of Russian crude since the Russian invasion of Ukraine to take advantage of cheap oil, is set to slow purchases of Russian oil this month and look to more African and Middle Eastern supply as shipping rates on longer voyages have jumped. Before the war in Ukraine, India was a small marginal buyer of Russian oil. After Western buyers started shunning crude from Russia, India became a top destination for Russian oil exports alongside China. Indian refiners haven't expressed hesitation to deal with Russiatheir primary incentive to buy has been the much cheaper Russian oil than international benchmarks and similar grades from the Middle East and Africa. However, with a recent surge in freight rates, Russian oil doesn't look so cheap. Moreover, the travel time from Russia's Far East, where the ESPO grade is loading for exports, is a month to India, compared to a week necessary for a Middle Eastern cargo to reach India. In September, Indian refiners are not expected to buy any ESPO crude from Russia because of the higher shipping rates, industry sources told Reuters on Thursday. "On net back basis after factoring in the freight, the landed cost of ESPO is turning out to be $5-$7 a barrel costlier in comparison to similar grades from other countries such as UAE's Murban," an Indian industry source with knowledge of the deals and prices told Reuters. Refiners in India prefer to purchase crude from Africa and the Middle East instead of Russia's ESPO, the source added. This shift in India buying comes just a few months after Russia overtook Saudi Arabia to become India's second-largest supplier of crude oil earlier this year. As a result of no ESPO loading for India this month, more volumes of that grade would likely go to China, which is much closer to Russia's Far Eastern oil export ports. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The energy crisis has not reached anywhere near the scorching levels that it has in the UK and the EU, but energy consumers are being plagued with scams nonetheless The global energy sector is in crisis. Supply chain woes and maintenance leftover from the pandemic, a fickle and bloodthirsty despot kinking the hose that supplies Europe with most of its natural gas, severe droughts causing issues with energy supply and transport ranging from China to Switzerland, bad and dangerous policy-making, and infrastructure-smashing hurricanes are just part of the long list of snags in the global energy sphere this month. And now theres a fresh problem to add to the list: energy scams are multiplying at a frightening rate around the world. In Europe, constituents are struggling to keep the lights on as energy bills soar to dizzying heights under the pressure of Vladmir Putins war in Ukraine. Across the continent, warning signs of a huge outbreak of social unrest are percolating just under the surface as the cost of living climbs untenably high heading into a long, cold winter. In Poland, residents are already queuing for days and sleeping in their cars to stock up on coal. The European Union is frantically working to raise 140 billion Euros worth of funds to help shield consumers and businesses from punishing energy prices. A Reuters report released Wednesday painted the picture of the situation with the headline Europe burns cash to help businesses in energy crisis. In the UK, the situation is similarly dire, but with some Brexit flair. After the country voted to separate themselves from the EU, British leaders seem to be furious that the plan worked a little too well. The UK remains locked out of a European energy trading framework that was supposed to be developed this year, adding an extra strain to its energy supply. British leaders have lashed out at Brussels, blaming the EU for driving up the UKs energy bills. Britain, too, has unveiled a massive financial support plan which aims to cut business electric bills by about half throughout the winter. Such attempts to relieve the strain on constituents, however, have also opened up opportunities for scammers looking to extort them. In the UK, police have been swarmed with reports of multiple concurrent scams in which criminals are attempting to cash in on the energy crisis by posing as the energy regulator Ofgem, which recently announced that it will be sending a 400 energy bill discount for all households. One phishing scheme asks recipients to hand over their personal information via email in order to "Claim your bill rebate now." This scam was quickly sniffed out by many due to a glaring mistake in the dates, which encouraged users to apply before 2020. Others go as far as creating a fake Oxfam website in which users are encouraged to register for their discount. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has received thousands of reports about scam emails pretending to be from the energy regulator, with more than 1,500 reports made between 5 August to 22 August, Yahoo! News reported on Wednesday. Similar scams have unfolded over a similar relief package in Germany, where all workers are set to receive 300 taxable payment this month, known as the Energiepreispauschale or EEP. In this case, too, emails are circulating falsely addressed from a savings bank, encouraging people to apply or register for their payment though in Germany, as in the UK, the payment will be delivered automatically to eligible residents accounts. Scammers have also employed similar schemes via SMS text messaging. Unlike many phishing schemes, the messages are written in excellent German with few or no grammatical errors, making them harder to detect as fraudulent. Across the pond in the United States, the energy crisis has not reached anywhere near the scorching levels that it has in the UK and the EU. But energy consumers are being plagued with scams nonetheless. CenterPoint Energy, an American Fortune 500 electric and natural gas utility serving markets spread across the south and the midwest, has gone so far as to make an entire dedicated section of their website to identify common energy and electric bill scams. Email and text phishing scams such as those popping up like mushrooms in the UK and Europe are just two of CenterPoints ten listed common approaches. And just this month, NorthWestern Energy is warning customers of aggressive and widespread scam activity. This time it involves phone calls from spoofed local phone numbers. In order to protect yourself from scams, its important to familiarize yourself with ways to sniff out phishing schemes. Electric utilities and authorities will never ask you to provide sensitive information or payment details over email, text message, or a phone call. If ever in doubt, pause communications with those claiming to be representatives and contact the company directly yourself through their official channels. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com As Hurricane Fiona continues its path of destruction through the pacific, moving toward Bermuda as a Category 4 storm after lashing Turks and Caicos as a Category 3 storm, the flood waters in Puerto Rico are just starting to recede. As the storm quiets on the island, the full measure of the storms significant damage is being revealed in the United States island territory. Almost five years to the day after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, killing 2,975 people on the island and leaving huge swaths of the population without energy for months in the United States largest and longest blackout in history, this fallout from Hurricane Fiona is feeling eerily familiar. Hurricane Fiona has wiped out the majority of Puerto Ricos power again sparking outrage at local utilities and grid managers who were supposed to have made the energy grid resilient to such storms in the five years since Hurricane Maria showcased the vulnerabilities of Puerto Ricos energy infrastructure. Despite the certainty that another hurricane would inevitably come barreling through sooner rather than later, Puerto Rico was just barely starting to rebuild their fragile grid when it was taken out by Fiona. Puerto Rico is situated in the heart of Hurricane Alley, a stretch of warm water spanning from Africa to Central America and the Gulf Coast, creating perfect conditions for the formation of hurricanes conditions which will continue producing increasingly strong and frequent storms as the water grows warmer from climate change. Because of the enormity, inevitability, and increasing intensity of the issue, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has thrown lots and I mean LOTS of money toward building back better Puerto Ricos grid. In fact, the approximately $12 billion that the federal government has given to Puerto Rico over various rounds of projects for this initiative represents the largest allocation of FEMA funds in the agencys history. So why was the island so unprepared for this weeks Hurricane Fiona? At one point on September 19, the entire island was completely without power, and as of Wednesday morning over a million still had not had their electricity restored. And constituents as well as politicians are pissed. Many Puerto Rican residents are demanding and have been demanding for over a year that the government cut tires with the private contractor LUMA Energy that has been tasked with Puerto Ricos energy transmission and distribution since last June. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is blaming both LUMA and the Puerto Rican officials. Instead of making it a resilient grid, a locally based grid, theyre busy fighting with each other, Schumer said at a Hispanic Federation event on Tuesday in D.C. Since LUMA has been put in charge of the grid in Puerto Rico, high energy prices and blackouts have become commonplace, creating major unrest among Puerto Rican residents and the local government. Friction pitting the government-owned Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and private LUMA Energy versus the territorys Energy Bureau have hamstrung efforts to use billions of federal dollars to recover from Hurricane Maria in 2017, Politico explained in a report on Tuesday. Now, in the wake of Hurricane Fiona, the Biden Administration has pledged to give even more money to help the storm-lash islands recovery. But clearly, some very basic restructuring and reallocation of both funds and responsibility needs to take place to avoid a repeat of the post-Maria debacle. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) released its Puerto Rico 100% Renewable Energy and Resilience Study just earlier this year, which maps out a more hurricane-resilient and climate-friendly energy sector by 2050. But the next major hurricane will happen much, much sooner than that. As Vox reported Wednesday, in spite of the DOEs best efforts and FEMAs funds, the same hurdles that left the grid in a fragile state still remain: sluggish bureaucracy, poor management, underinvestment, and the inherent difficulty of delivering power on an island. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Last week, British intelligence analysts said that Russia was "almost certainly increasingly sourcing weaponry" from Iran and North Korea. North Korea has denied the claims, calling the allegations "rumors" spread by "hostile forces." Washington confirmed a declassified U.S. intelligence assessment claiming that Russia was purchasing weapons from North Korea to ease supply shortages amid its war in Ukraine. North Korea's Defense Ministry has denied that it has provided weapons and ammunition to Russia amid the war in Ukraine, calling the allegations "rumors" spread by "hostile forces" aimed at tarnishing Pyongyang's image. "We have never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia before and we will not plan to export them," an unidentified senior defense official said in a September 21 statement carried by state media. The statement came after Washington earlier this month confirmed a declassified U.S. intelligence assessment claiming that Russia was purchasing weapons from North Korea to ease supply shortages amid its war in Ukraine. Such exports, said to include artillery shells and rockets, would violate UN resolutions stemming from North Korea's nuclear program that bar it from importing or exporting weapons. Moscow has called the U.S. intelligence findings "fake." In the state media report, the unidentified North Korean official told Washington to stop making "reckless remarks" and "keep its mouth shut." Russia recently purchased military drones from Iran, another state under U.S. and international sanctions, to boost its military campaign against Ukraine, which has reportedly depleted Moscow's ammunition and military equipment stocks. Sanctions limiting Russia's purchase of microchips and other equipment is also seen as contributing to Moscow's difficulties in maintaining military supplies. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby earlier this month said that Moscow could potentially purchase millions of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea, although he said that Washington had no evidence any sales had taken place. Last week, British intelligence analysts said that Russia was "almost certainly increasingly sourcing weaponry" from Iran and North Korea. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com China has dispatched a first load of freight to Afghanistan on a new road and rail route transiting Central Asia which will cut travel time by several weeks. The multimodal route starts in Chinas northwestern Xinjiang province then passes through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan before entering Afghanistan. Cargo will travel along the first stage around 500 kilometers from the city of Kashgar in Xinjiang to Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan by road since there is no rail link, although one is planned eventually. The first containers left Kashgar on September 13, the RailFreight.com website reported. At Osh, the cargo will be loaded onto trains to link up with Uzbekistans rail network across the border in Andijan. They will cross eastern Uzbekistan then head south into Afghanistan to arrive at Hairatan, which links with the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif along an Uzbek-built railway line. The first train is crossing Uzbekistan loaded with foodstuffs, household goods and other products and is expected to arrive in Afghanistan on September 21, Uzbekistan Railways said. That would mean it had covered the distance in just nine days. The journey is expected to take no more than two weeks, compared to one to three months for the current route mainly used to send cargo from China to Afghanistan through Pakistan via the seaport of Karachi and overland. China and Afghanistan have been trying to get a rail connection off the ground for years. In 2016, the first cargo train traveled from China to Hairatan through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, loaded with textiles and household goods. But it took another three years before any cargo moved back along the route to China, when a train loaded with talcum powder made the journey in 2019. The route across Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan is now undergoing a three-month pilot, and should eventually carry some 4,000 containers annually. Ultimately, there are plans to build a rail link between Kashgar and the Kyrgyz border and onward through Kyrgyzstan, as part of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) rail project. The three countries agreed last week to conduct a feasibility study to move that long-discussed route forward. Tashkent is also eager to build a line from Hairatan through Afghanistan to Peshawar, to create a rail link between Uzbekistan and Pakistan. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads from Oilprice.com: The Norwegian police are investigating a number of sightings of unidentified drones in the vicinity of oil and gas platforms on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad reported that the South Norwegian Police directorate had started an investigation into what looks like at least six different sightings of drones. Amund Preede Revheim, section head of North Sea/Environment of the South Norwegian police district, stated that We have launched an investigation to gain clarity as to whether drones have been observed, where the drones may be flying in relation to the installations, what the intention is, and who is behind it. Equinor representative Per Steinar Stamnes confirmed that a drone was seen just 50 meters from the Heidrun platform this Tuesday and that last Saturday, a drone was spotted near the Kristin field. According To Kjetil Stormark of Aldrimer.no, a drone was also spotted violating the 500-meter safety zone at the Gina Krog gas field last weekend. The strategically important Gina Krog gas field is located around 30 kilometers northwest of the Sleipner A field, which exports natural gas to Europe. An Equinor spokesperson confirmed the drone sighting on Saturday, stating that "We are in dialogue with the Norwegian authorities regarding the drone observations offshore. Image courtesy: Norsk Petroleum Even though all incidents have been reported to the authorities, there has not yet been a formal response from the federal Norwegian government. Other recent, mysterious drone observations reported by Aldrimer.no include sightings near the strategically important Johan Sverdrup field, Gullfaks C, and Snorre A field last week. Stormark adds that the distances at which the drones have been spotted are very large and that at least one of the drones was spotted near a Russian fishing vessel that departed from the Faroe Islands, making its way to the Russian semi-exclave of Kaliningrad. While theres no clear evidence about the flight path, origin, or purpose of the spotted drones, the recent activity comes at a time when Russia is using energy as a tool to pressure Europe, and the Kremlin is aware that any (minor) disruption of gas flows to Europe could send prices soaring. By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Russian Energy Ministry has asked nearly 100% of Russias male energy sector employees to present themselves at recruitment offices, according to a Ministry letter shared by Gaz Bayushka. Those receiving the letter, all companies in the countrys energy sector, as well as those in the mining sector, must adhere to the command. The companies must, according to the letter, give all men employed in the oil, gas, and mining sectors a day off to register at drafting offices. In the period from 22nd of September 2022 to 5th of October 2022, with the aim to specify numbers, all 100% of male employees of your companies are to appear at the military commissariats at their places of living, the letter explains. The companies were also instructed to appoint people to be responsible for attendance. Exceptions will be made for company heads, their deputies, and heads of production units. The oil, gas, and mining sector, according to Deputy Minister Pavel Sorokinwho signed the letteris the perfect source for military-suitable men. For Russias oil and gas industry, the move that would see a large number of workers repurposed to serve in the military has the potential to decimate its capabilities through a sudden depletion of its workforce. The letter comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin issued what he referred to as a partial mobilization of reservists to beef up Russias forces in Ukraine by 300,000 men. It is Russias largest conscription drive since WWII, according to Reuters. As of 2020, Russia had 2.5 million people employed in the fuel and energy sector, according to Statista data. Russias crude oil and condensate production was 10.76 million bpd as of July, according to the Rosstat statistics office. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russias security forces arrested on Wednesday more than 1,300 people who gathered in various cities to protest against the partial mobilization ordered by Vladimir Putin, who upped the ante in the war in Ukraine with the most serious escalation since the invasion in February. Independent Russian protest monitoring group OVD-Info says on its front page that 1,314 people were detained on Wednesday during protests against the mobilization of 300,000 reservists which Putin ordered yesterday. Hundreds were arrested at protests illegal under Russian law in the capital Moscow and the second-largest city St Petersburg, according to the group. On Wednesday, Putin announced in a televised speech an immediate partial mobilization of Russias military and claims to be ready to defend "our people" in the Donbas. Four eastern Ukrainian regions under Russian occupation are set to hold rushed referendums to join the Russian Federation amid continued fighting. Following the announcement of the immediate partial mobilization, one-way flights out of Russia to visa-free destinations for Russians, such as Istanbul in Turkey and Yerevan in Armenia, were sold out in hours. The first Russian troop mobilization since World War II sent oil prices surging early on Wednesday on fears that escalation of the war could lead to further isolation and more Western sanctions against Russia, including on its energy exports. Security of energy supply, including of gas, is also a concern with the most recent moves from the Kremlin. Later on Wednesday, oil prirces pared gains and dropped after the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a crude oil inventory build of 1.1 million barrels for the week to September 16, as well as inventory increases in gasoline and middle distillates. Hours later, oil extended losses after the Fed announced another rate hike by 75 basis points - the third such large increase in rates in a row. The 75-bp hike was largely expected, but it dragged prices down anyway, due to concerns about the economy and oil demand. Oil opened higher on Thursday amid concerns that an escalation of the war in Ukraine would endanger supply. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: An existing natural gas pipeline from Spain to France via the Pyrenees has boosted its capacity by 18% and could be used immediately if France requests it, Spanish Energy Transition Minister Teresa Ribera said on Thursday while on a visit to one of the pipelines compressor stations. Spain and France are currently connected via two gas pipelines which could carry gas from Spain to its neighbor to the north if necessary. The interconnector which passes through Irun has successfully completed the technical start-up tests to increase capacity by 18% over current levels, which means that if fully utilized in the direction of France, the interconnector could provide 6% of Frances natural gas consumption. According to Spanish media, Spanish operator Enagas expects the capacity increase to be ready as of November 1, the official start of the winter heating season in Europe. If necessary, the increased capacity can be used immediately because it is already technically available. The Spanish minister said that the increased capacity of the interconnector at Irun will strengthen Europes gas supply security. Spain does not depend on Russia for gas supply, but it has six LNG import terminals and lies on the route of pipelines from North Africa to Europe. Spain, however, is not well connected via pipelines to other European countries, limiting European access to LNG imports. Spain proposes a third pipeline to France and onto central Europe, but France seems reluctant to have it built. New LNG terminals in northern and eastern Europe would be a better option to alleviate the European gas crisis than a new natural gas pipeline from Spain to France, the French energy transition ministry said in the middle of August. A new gas pipeline between Spain and France would take years to operational and cost at least $2.96 billion (3 billion euros), the French ministry said in a statement by Reuters. Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, said a new natural gas pipeline connecting Spain and France may not make economic sense. By Josh Owens for Oilprice.com More Top Reads from Oilprice.com: Germany's Volkswagen AG warned on Thursday that global auto production will be at risk in 2023 if Russia fails to resume deliveries of natural gas through Nord Stream 1. As long as Germany continues to fill its natural gas storage over the coming 5-6 months, Reuters cited a Volkswagen executive as saying on Thursday, the auto giant will be able to maintain production levels. However, the executive warned that by next year, with natural gas prices continuing upwards and supply still at risk over Nord Stream, production will be in question. The unnamed Volkswagen executive supported Goldman Sachs forecast of natural gas shortages beginning in June 2023 if Gazprom fails to resume flows through Nord Stream 1. Reuters also cited Volkswagen executive Michael Heinemann as saying that the auto giant would comply with the German government in reducing its natural gas intake by over 20%. On Thursday, front-month Dutch gas futures were trading below $200/MWh, hitting a nearly two-month low. The reduction in prices reflects Europes efforts at filling natural gas storage, which are now nearly full. This has served to offset the impact of uncertainty over Russian supplies for the time being. Further out, however, uncertainty is leading European companies to move operations to the United States for lower energy prices. According to the Wall Street Journal, European steelmakers are cutting production at home to shift to U.S. expansion, while Tesla is also pressing pause on its battery cell manufacturing plans in Germany. Volkswagen executives told Reuters that energy-intensive businesses in Europe would not be able to withstand the high energy prices for an extended period of time, and this could wreak havoc with an already-strained supply chain. In the United States, natural gas futures dropped some 4% on Thursday amid record output and a bigger-than-expected storage build reported by the Energy Information Agency (EIA). By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) A Florida man who fled the U.S. and was eventually arrested in Croatia has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $7.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Don V. Cisternino, 46, of Chuluota, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Orlando federal court to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and illegal monetary transaction, according to court documents. His hearing is scheduled for Jan. 5 where could face up to 32 years in federal prison. As part of a deal with prosecutors, Cisternino has already agreed to forfeit the money from the fraud, as well as any assets connected to the crimes. According to the plea agreement, Cisternino fraudulently secured more than $7.2 million in emergency funds through a Paycheck Protection Program loan in May 2020. Cisterninos PPP loan application falsely claimed that his business, MagnifiCo, had 441 employees and monthly payroll expenses in 2019 of more than $2.8 million. The company actually had no employees other than Cisternino. Along with his loan application, Cisternino submitted false W-2s, many of which listed the names and Social Security numbers of real people who had not authorized him to use their identities. After receiving the money, Cisternino spent it on a Lincoln Navigator, a Maserati, a Mercedes-Benz and a 12,579 square-foot (1,168 square-meter) home in Seminole County, Florida. Cisternino fled to Switzerland after learning he was being investigated for fraud in January 2021, officials said. He was arrested in April that year pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice while trying to enter Croatia from Slovenia by way of Italy. He was later extradited to the United States. The Paycheck Protection Program involves billions of dollars in forgivable small-business loans for Americans struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The money must be used to pay employees, mortgage interest, rent and utilities. It's part of the coronavirus relief package that became federal law in 2020. Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak. ISLAMABAD (AP) Devastating floods in Pakistans worst-hit province have killed 17 more people in the past 48 hours, including nine children, officials said Wednesday as the U.N. childrens agency renewed its appeal for $39 million to help the most vulnerable flood victims. Only a third of the sum in the funding appeal has been met so far, UNICEF said in a statement. Pakistani doctors and medical workers are struggling to contain the outbreak of waterborne diseases, malaria, and dengue fever among hundreds of thousands of survivors now living in tents in southern Sindh province. The unprecedented monsoon rains and flooding, which many experts attribute to climate change, have affected 33 million people and caused at least 1,576 deaths and 12,862 injuries across the country since mid-June. Of that number, 707 people including 297 children and 132 women have died in Sindh, where many areas remain submerged. Hollywood actress and U.N. humanitarian Angelina Jolie made a surprise visit to Sindh on Tuesday, meeting with some of the flood victims. On Wednesday, she was briefed by Pakistani officials. According to a statement released by the military-backed emergency response center, Jolie said she will inform the world about the scale of devastation caused by the floods and climate change in the South Asian nation. Ive never seen anything like this before," Jolie said. My heart is very very much with people at this time". UNICEF said more than 3.4 million children have been uprooted from their homes and the floodwaters have claimed the lives of more than 550 children across Pakistan. Without a significant surge in support, we fear many more children will lose their lives," UNICEF said in a statement. In Sindh, many of the roads and bridges have been washed away or are badly damaged, and thousands of families remain cut off and desperately need support. Families have no food, safe water or medicines," the agency said. UNICEF has set up 71 mobile health camps and temporary schools for children in the flood-affected areas. But its $39 million appeal is still less than a third funded, UNICEF added. That sum is part of U.N.'s flash appeal for $160 million to support Pakistan's flood response. Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif met with world leaders on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, seeking more help from the international community to tackle the record-breaking floods. In a televised message from New York, Sharif on Wednesday urged philanthropists to urgently and generously donate baby food for children affected by the floods. God will reward you for this noble work," he said. The United Nations on Wednesday expressed its concern over increasing cases of waterborne diseases among floods survivors. We are deeply worried about the very real possibility of a wave of death and disease which is already stretching its tentacles. A second disaster is looming in sight," the U.N. said in a statement. It said over 134,000 cases of diarrhea and 44,000 cases of malaria were reported in the flood-hit area of Sindh just this past week. Millions of children are still grappling to survive, and we fear thousands will not make it," the U.N. said, adding that 6 children had died the previous day in Sindh. Pakistan's infrastructure and agriculture have also been decimated, raising concerns for a looming food crisis. Authorities say the damage caused by the floods amounts to at least $30 billion. Darlene Knapp testified that her husband punched her at least twice in the face when she brought some fresh water to him. Inside his bedroom, Tom knocked her down, then pulled her up onto the bed by her hair. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert wont nix a resolution recently passed by the Omaha City Council expressing support for a protected bike lane in the downtown corridor. But Stothert did announce Thursday that the city wont extend the pilot program for the existing protected bike lane, which is set to end Sept. 30. The decision means the bollards separating cyclists and vehicles will come out and downtown Omaha will be left without a protected bike lane, at least for the time being. Stothert also announced that she wont veto a recently passed resolution addressing development of a climate action plan. However, the mayor didnt sign the two resolutions, indicating she disagrees with their intent. The city first opened its protected bike lane, known as the Market to Midtown Bikeway, in July 2021. The 2-mile, two-way lane is protected by bollards and set between the curb and parallel parking spaces. It runs along Harney Street from 10th Street to Turner Boulevard. It was created as part of an 18-month pilot program. That program, Stothert said in a letter to council members Thursday, has provided city officials with enough data for an evaluation and future decisions about protected bikeways in our urban core. An evaluation, her letter continued, will consider Harney Street as well as other east-west streets to consider the safest and most accessible location for a permanent protected bikeway. While talking to members of the news media Wednesday, Stothert said the city is seriously committed to all modes of transportation. That includes a protected bike lane. The lane was placed on Harney Street in part because of the mix of residences and businesses, she said. But data from the pilot program still needs to be analyzed. This week, the Omaha Streetcar Authority approved a route concept for the streetcar. A portion of the route would see streetcars running east along Harney Street. Stothert cited issues in Seattle where cyclists have been injured or killed after bike tires got stuck in streetcar tracks. Those incidents have led to a number of lawsuits brought against the city, she said. We do know that it is a huge challenge if you try to run a bikeway along with a streetcar, she said. City Council President Pete Festersen, who co-sponsored the bike lane resolution with council member Don Rowe, said Thursday that the council was in unanimous support of the protected bike lane. The most important message, however, is that we need to embrace multimodal transportation throughout the urban core and have all these projects work together, he said. Tuesdays resolution urged the Public Works Department and the mayor along with Metro Smart Cities and Bike Walk Nebraska to evaluate the pilot program and consider options to extend the project, pending determination of a proposed streetcar route. The bike lane resolution went on to say a permanent protected bike lane should be placed in or near the urban core. It also urged Public Works and the Mayors Office to fund any extension of the pilot project and prioritize funding for a permanent protected bike lane. Julie Harris, executive director of Bike Walk Nebraska, told The World-Herald Thursday that her group was not involved in the decision to end the pilot program. The pilot program started after Bike Walk Nebraska approached Metro Smart Cities about the bikeway project and provided full funding for the pilot. Currently, the bikeway serves about 100 riders per day and has seen more than 50,000 trips since the pilot program launched, Harris said. Effective immediately, Harris said the organization is ending its partnership with Metro Smart Cities. The process of us taking the project to them and not being included in these decisions, thats where were frustrated, she said. The process broke down. Metro Smart Cities held a meeting Wednesday, but the meeting was not open to the public. Harris said she was unaware that the meeting would result in a final decision on the bikeway. Bike Walk Nebraska officials were not invited to attend the meeting, she said. The World-Herald could not immediately reach a representative with Metro Smart Cities, which was formed in 2016 to solve mobility and accessibility challenges in the greater Omaha metro area. An agenda from the advisory committees meeting showed a 15-minute block of time allotted to an update on the Harney Street bikeway. Stotherts letter to council members indicated that the decision came after consulting the Metro Smart Cities advisory committee. Harris said shes grateful to have support from council members and hopes to see a network of permanent protected bike lanes in the city. We appreciate very much the staff of Omaha By Design and all of the partners around the table with Metro Smart Cities, Harris said. This is not about them. This is about the process that left us out of the conversation of the project we brought to them fully funded. Stotherts letter also said officials are creating a bicycle and pedestrian master plan. It would develop a framework for a comprehensive and integrated network of bike facilities, trail corridors, low-stress routes, and sidewalk and crossing improvements. Theres a lot of good information that we got, but we are absolutely seriously committed to having bike lanes in the urban core, Stothert said Wednesday. We need to make sure we get them on the right streets downtown, and we need to analyze the data we got from our pilot. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Rhode Islands truck tolling system must end within 48 hours, saying the program to fund repairs to the states bridges discriminates against out-of-state truckers and is unconstitutional. The RhodeWorks tolling system was begun in 2018 to create a funding stream for repairs to about 650 bridges in the state that were either structurally deficient or close to becoming structurally deficient. But U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith wrote the system aimed at commercial tractor-trailers was enacted with a discriminatory purpose." Smith's 91-page ruling said the system violated a clause of the U.S. Constitution that bars states from passing legislation that discriminates against or excessively burdens interstate commerce. He wrote that an injunction to end the program shall take effect 48 hours following entry of final judgment. The trucking industry filed a court challenge against the system in 2018, saying in part it discriminated against out-of-state economic interests in order to favor in-state interests. The state held the legal position that the federal court cannot restrain the collection of state taxes, such as tolls, and state matters should be adjudicated in state court. We told Rhode Islands leaders from the start that their crazy scheme was not only discriminatory, but illegal, said Chris Spear, president and chief executive of the American Trucking Associations, in a statement Wednesday. Were pleased the court agreed. The other plaintiffs were Cumberland Farms Inc., M&M Transport Services Inc. and New England Motor Freight. The state has collected about $101 million in tolls since 2018, including nearly $40 million during the fiscal year that ended June 30, according to a state Transportation Department. Tolls are collected electronically via gantries spanning the states major highways. The decision sets a standard that prevents other states from setting up similar tolling systems, said Rhode Island Trucking Association President Chris Maxwell. Had we not prevailed, these tolls would have spread across the country and this ruling sends a strong signal to other states that trucking is not to be targeted as a piggy bank, he said. Former Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the bill authorizing the tolls in 2016, and the state began collecting them in 2018. Raimondo justified tolling trucks, saying big rigs caused the most damage to roads. The state is considering its options, according to a statement from the office of current Democratic Gov. Dan McKee. But the administration reiterated that it is not considering tolling passenger vehicles. As this ruling has just come out, our team is reviewing the decision and evaluating next steps, the statement said. The suit was at first dismissed by a federal district court which said it lacked jurisdiction and the case should be heard in state court. But t he 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2020 reversed the lower court ruling, sending it back to district court. An inmate who failed to return to the Lincoln Community Corrections Center late last year has been arrested in Dallas. LaJuan Jones, 42, was found Tuesday at a family member's residence, a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Department of Corrections said. A Douglas County judge had sentenced Jones to eight to 10 years on burglary and theft charges on Nov. 1, 2017. He had a tentative release date of Feb. 11, 2022. Jones disappeared the morning of Dec. 13, 2021, after failing to report to his job in Lincoln. His last known location was at 26th and O Streets, according to an arrest affidavit filed in Lancaster County. The Lincoln Community Corrections Center is one of two community custody facilities operated by the state. Inmates are allowed to go to work and attend school and religious services with prior approval and without direct supervision. Army veteran Erin Colson has long wanted to gather female veterans from across the state in one place to talk about the unique issues facing women who have served in uniform. Ive been thinking about it for a very long time before I even got this job, said Colson, 43, who is the state womens coordinator for the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs. This weekend its finally happening. More than 150 women veterans will gather Saturday and Sunday in Kearney for the department's first Nebraska Women Veterans Symposium. The event, at the Holiday Inn, will feature panel discussions, listening sessions and a keynote address by Denise Rohan, past national commander of the American Legion. The New Century Art Guild will put on an exhibition of art by women veterans, and Warrior Writers will conduct a journaling exercise. Interviews will be conducted for the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress, an oral history collection created in 2000. The symposium will also include a screening of Lioness, a documentary about some of the first women to serve with previously all-male Marine combat units in Iraq in 2004. Its thought to be the largest gathering of female veterans in Nebraska since the Flight of Honor for female veterans to Washington, D.C., which took place exactly four years ago. Were super-duper excited for the symposium, said Jen Jelinek, founder of a new nonprofit called Nebraska/Western Iowa Women Veterans that is focused on suicide prevention and other support for women who served in the armed forces. Women currently make up about 16% of the U.S. armed forces, according to a 2020 report by the Brookings Institution on diversity in the armed forces. They have served in uniform at least since World War II. But only in the post-9/11 era have women become fully integrated at all ranks and in all kinds of jobs, including combat arms. Jelinek, 36, served in the Army from 2007-13 as a behavioral health specialist. Shell take part in a panel called Celebrating Who I Was and What Ive Become. Now we have a chance to reflect on the long term of service since 9/11, she said. We all come from different walks of life. But we have the same story. Every woman veteran has had the experience of serving in a male-dominated institution. Colson said that includes those set up to serve veterans. The VA has come a long way, but it hasnt gone far enough, she said. Colson said she sometimes visits the VA with her husband, who is a twice-wounded combat veteran. They automatically assume that hes the veteran, when its me coming in for the appointment, she said. She has also had the experience of being left out when male veterans around her are thanked for their service. There was a little twinge like, Hey, me too, she said. Colson said she also hopes to use the conference to draw in women vets from rural areas, who often feel isolated from the veteran community. Kearney was chosen for this first symposium because it is closer to more of those areas than the urban centers of Omaha and Lincoln. Rural veterans in Nebraska are underserved, she said. Rural women veterans in Nebraska are very underserved. Colson said women veterans may still sign up to attend the symposium through the website: veterans.nebraska.gov/womenveterans. There is no registration fee. I am hoping for a tighter veteran community. Im hoping that women will be better-served, she said. I want them to know that, somewhere in the state, theres someone they can talk to. Theyre not forgotten. BLOOMINGTON A group of Bloomington elementary school students raised over $3,200 last week to help fund cancer research. More than 100 people came out to support 10-year-old Addyson Rudicil and her friends on Sept. 17 for the second "Cancer Dancer" fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Addyson started the fundraiser last year, raising over $1,600 to support her best friend, Calista "C.J." Cook, age 10, who is batting leukemia. Addyson and her friends planned the entire event themselves, bringing together neighbors and family for night of raising money and fun. "Of course as a parent, there's a decent amount of work on the back end that goes into the events, but quite honestly, when you have a group of kids come together for a good cause, you can't tell them no," said Addyson's mother, Carla Rudicil. "Just seeing the minds of kids working together for a good cause, you rally around it, support it and let it go." The event at the Rudicils' home included a donated pulled pork dinner, a bake sale, a raffle of gift baskets, a DJ, and games like musical chairs. They even had a table for Calista to showcase and sell her art, which she had worked on for the past three months. By the end of the night, every piece had been sold. "It was like the happiest I have been in a long time," said Calista, who was able to attend in person this year. "The rest of my life I will be doing things like this to help kids like me, and I know me and Addy will have the Cancer Dancer." Calista was diagnosed with leukemia a cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including bone marrow and the lymphatic system in July 2021, and then spent the following three months at the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. "Honestly, going through this experience with C.J.'s diagnosis and treatment and just watching her endure all she's had to ... it's been really impressive," said Calista's mother, Natalie Willard. "She's got a lot of good friends, and Addy has just gone above and beyond." During her time at St. Jude, Calista said she received constant calls of support, along with care packages with snacks and trinkets from Addyson, which reassured her that her friends will always be there for her. As for the Cancer Dancer fundraiser, Addyson said she got the idea after reading a book on charities. She first decided to host an event to help the homeless, but quickly switched gears when she heard about Calista's diagnosis. "St. Jude has really saved her life and it means so much to me that she's still here today," said Addyson, who cut 8 inches off her hair during the event and donated it to the Children with Hair Loss organization. "They haven't had to pay anything for cancer treatment and can focus on getting her healthy instead of paying all that money," Addyson added. Calista said she wants to help other kids like herself and eventually become a child life specialist, offering advice and support to other children battling cancer. "I wouldn't have made it through Memphis without my child life specialist," Calista said. "Like her, that's what I want to do. Help kids who have cancer like me and who are worried if they'll make it through the night." Addyson and Calista hope to continue the fundraiser next year and host it at a public venue with more space. They also are working on a website to collect donations. BLOOMINGTON Weeks into the new school year, not all classrooms in Bloomington-Normal have full-time teachers leading them. The lack of teachers and other staff is a nationwide problem affecting instruction. Regional Office of Education 17 Superintendent Mark Jontry said recent turnover is the worst he has ever seen. His district covers McLean, Livingston, DeWitt and Logan counties. The exodus rate is greater than it has ever been for the region that I serve, he said. Illinois Education Association UniServ Director for Region 14 Ben Matthews said the current school labor market is unlike anything he has seen in more than 20 years in education and educational union work. IEA Region 14 covers the unions at McLean County Unit 5 and Bloomington District 87. The shortage leaves Unit 5 down eight teaching positions and 36 other positions, out of around 2,050 total employees, as of Sept. 15. District 87 is down 24 total positions, including six teaching positions and five paraprofessional positions, out of around 750 total employees, as of Sept. 14. Staffing is definitely a challenge right now, at best, said Sherri Thomas, assistant superintendent for human resources in District 87. In Unit 5, there were still dozens of paraprofessional positions open earlier this month, despite two open interview days, Superintendent Kristen Weikle said. At the start of the school year, there were around 60 openings. The interview days brought that down to around 35, which Weikle expects to drop even more as some of the people who applied to the district get their state licenses. Like other districts, the openings in Unit 5 and District 87 are predominantly in special education, for both teachers and paraprofessionals. Both districts hope to fill some of the open teaching positions with mid-year graduates. In the meantime, they are relying on long- and short-term substitutes and some retired teachers who have agreed to come back. An expected challenge Educators have seen the challenge coming, Jontry said. The shortage has existed, weve seen this struggle coming for quite a while, he said. Shortages in some areas, like support personnel, including bus drivers and kitchen staff, tie in to larger labor market trends, he said. Those areas are probably just a mirror of the job market in general, he said. Heyworth schools have been lucky, Superintendent Lisa Taylor said. The district only had one teacher and two administration positions to fill ahead of the school year and ended up hiring for all three positions before the end of last school year. I would say this is a really unique year for us, she said. She predicts that one of the big challenges districts will face in coming years is finding people for their hourly positions, where districts compete against a wide array of other employers. Chris McGraw joined Central Catholic High School as principal this summer, coming from a Unit 5 junior high school. Central Catholic is fully staffed except for one kitchen position. As they looked to get ready for the school year, he was unsure how it would compare to what he was used to at a public school, noting that candidate pools had been shrinking in recent years. I actually felt like it wasnt bad () I wasnt sure what it would be like, because its a private, Catholic school, he said. The shortage is not a surprise for Matthews, either. Demographics, retirement trends and the politicization of the field in recent years have all led him to expect the situation would continue growing worse. Compensation is a key part. I think were especially seeing that in our support staff, he said. Starting wages are low for example, at about a dollar above minimum wage for some Unit 5 support staff, compared to other jobs in the area, Matthews said. Heyworth just negotiated a new contract with support staff, but Taylor is not sure how long the rates will keep the district competitive. I would be surprised if we made it through this three-year contract without adjustments, she said. It comes down to trying to find ways to attract people who have a passion for the job, she said. Rural squeeze Olympia School District, based in Stanford, went into the school year with 13 total unfilled positions including one teacher, a special education position at the middle school Superintendent Laura ODonnell said in an email. The district adjusted other teachers' schedules to address the gap. The district has been trying to hold job fairs, increase pay, encourage recent graduates to apply, and use social media to get more applicants, but it has not had a significant impact, ODonnell said. Taylor was previously superintendent at Decatur Public Schools. While she was there, she noticed she would often lose teachers to rural districts in the surrounding area. Now that she is at Heyworth, she benefits from that trend, as it brings experienced teachers to her district. I have stronger candidate pools here than I ever did in a big district, she said. Rural districts have normally felt the squeeze of teacher shortages more quickly than District 87 and Unit 5, Jontry said. That is still true, but the large districts are now feeling it as well. Some have had to turn to alternative delivery methods to teach some courses. LeRoy schools are fully staffed but continue to face challenges finding enough substitutes for teachers and paraprofessionals, Superintendent Gary Tipsord said in an email to The Pantagraph. Due to the lack of teachers, the district has shifted some instruction to nontraditional programs like online foreign language instruction and working with community colleges. We are going to have to continue to embrace educational opportunities that look different and are provided differently if we expect to excel in meeting the needs of our school community, Tipsord said. A key to sustainable staffing is to ensure that the environment for teaching and learning celebrates the significance of the role that we all play in the service of our children and families. That sense of community is something McGraw sees as vital in retaining teachers and other staff. It also helps with recruitment as teachers share their experiences with people who might want to apply in the future. Some rural districts have told Jontry they are looking at transportation studies to see if there are alternatives to some bus service. By law, districts need to provide buses for students who live more than 1.5 miles away from the school they attend, but some districts may consider alternatives for those students who live closer but take buses, Jontry said. When there are not enough bus drivers, other drivers have to find ways to split up those routes, said Charita Jeffery, a bus monitor with First Student and president of Local 2608 of the Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees. The company has increased wages and added sign-on and referral bonuses to attract employees. Uneven impacts Special education is where districts are hurting the most. Special education students often receive help not just from teachers within that specialty, but also by paraprofessionals who can provide individualized attention. Brandon Thornton is a special education teacher at Bloomington High School. He said he does not know of any current openings in his department at the high school, but he knows that's not the case for all buildings in the district. "I think Bloomington High School got off lucky," he said. He has worked with paraprofessionals the entire time he has been in special education, and said they have a big impact on the classroom by providing additional attention to students who need it. "I feel like we've always had a shortage of paras," he said. Heyworth has seen a slight increase in the number of students needing that individualized attention and has posted a tentative paraprofessional job opening in response, Taylor said. There is also a need to get students re-acclimated to school after disruptions caused by the pandemic. You just need more hands in the classroom, she said. Substitutes have been a challenge, too. A lack of subs led District 87 to close for several snow days last year, rather than going to remote learning. I just think during the last couple years, we lost a lot of individuals who were willing and able to come into the schools, Thomas said. The lack of substitutes means administrators in the district have to fill in in classrooms, Thomas said, taking them away from administrative duties. Having teachers fill in for each other makes work conditions worse, Matthews said. It increases workloads and contributes to burnout. Controversial solutions Another consideration for districts is that hiring a teacher means that teacher will not be going elsewhere. A state law limits when teachers can resign during the school year if they are leaving to teach at another school. In August, Unit 5 used the statute to reject the resignations of four special education teachers. Two teachers agreed to rescind their resignations, but two others stuck with their decision. The Unit 5 board voted to reject the resignations of the two who decided to leave the district, in a 5:1 vote with Jeremy DeHaai voting no and Kentrica Coleman abstaining. With that decision, the district also recommended those two teachers to the Illinois State Board of Education for review of their teaching licenses, which could be revoked for up to a year. Taylor said that in her time at Heyworth she has not had to consider using that statute, but she did consider it in past districts. It can be a difficult decision, she said, because it leaves districts without teachers for those positions, which ends up affecting students. At the same time, workers who want to leave may not be the most enthusiastic employees. I struggle with requiring or holding people in positions where they no longer want to be, Taylor said. The Unit 5 teachers submitted their resignations before the start of school, but with less than 30 days to go before classes began. Matthews said the union has historically advised teachers that if they do that, they might have to work into the start of the school year as part of their 30-day notice. That advice was based on past practice by the districts. This year, districts seem to be interpreting the statute as teachers needing board permission to resign within 30 days of the start of school, Matthews said. The union has adjusted its advice to teachers accordingly. From our perspective, that is not a solution to the challenge we have, he said. Weikle said Unit 5 rejected the resignations because administrators knew they could not fill the positions before the start of the year and there were already special education positions open. Thats going to hurt the students in that classroom, she said. The Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students in special education often include mandated levels of interaction with the students. Substitutes can fill in, but they are not required to have the same level of training as special education teachers in filling those specific needs. Districts have a process they must follow for termination during contracts, Weikle said, and Unit 5 expects its employees to follow the process on the flipside. She noted that the district had not objected to some similarly timed resignations from other teachers in less hard-hit areas. If there wasnt a special education teacher shortage, I doubt we would enact this, she said. The district also had some job candidates withdraw their names from consideration due to the potential need to resign within 30 days of the start of school, Weikle said. This is not a practice any district looks forward to having to do, but we really felt it was in the best interest of our students to use the statute thats in place, she said. District 87 has not had to reject resignations, Thomas said. Some teachers did submit resignations in the period where the district might have objected, but administrators chose not to do so, she said. 'Grow your own' For many districts, one of the long-term solutions to the problem is to grow your own, as Weikle and others put it. We want to bring back our grads and alumni to work here, she said. Multiple area districts, including Heyworth, District 87 and Unit 5, have classes or clubs for students considering becoming teachers. In Unit 5, students can even gain hands-on experience working in lower grade-level classrooms. Thornton has been involved with those District 87 programs in the past, at both Irving Elementary and the high school, but is taking a break this year as he finishes his doctoral dissertation. The goal is to eventually have hands-on placements for high school students like Unit 5 does, he said Other initiatives are underway to create a pathway for paraprofessionals to get their special education teaching license while working as a paraprofessional. The future teachers could use their work as part of their practicum experience. Matthews sees that as an encouraging project, because it helps make that career shift possible for people when going back to school for teaching is often a major sacrifice. Most people could not take time off to just be a student or take a semester off to student teach, he said. The goal is for that program for paraprofessionals to start next fall, Weikle said. With Illinois State University situated in Normal, McLean County is home to one of the largest teacher prep programs in the Midwest, but it can be a challenge to keep those students here after they graduate, officials said. There are also fewer students going into educator prep programs nationwide, Thomas said. Theres fewer and fewer students who are going into education, she said. () Teaching is a noble, noble profession, but its not always presented that way. Raising wages would be one of the easiest things to do at the local level to improve recruitment, Matthews said. The quickest fix is on the compensation side; thats something we can do relatively quickly and have some local control over, he said. Thornton, too, sees compensation as one of the main reasons people are leaving the profession or not going into it. He and many other teachers have second jobs to help make ends meet. "Money sometimes does talk," he said. More attention also needs to go to the pension system to make teaching an attractive career to commit to, Matthews said. Jontry believes another important part of getting people to choose the profession is to look at compensating student teachers, as they would be in paid internships. One way Unit 5 is looking to address its unfilled positions is through a new Walk In Wednesdays event, following the success of the job fairs held earlier this school year. The events will provide assistance for people to determine what positions they might qualify for and be interested in. The next event is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 28 at the district office, 1809 W. Hovey. Those who are still unsure if they want to work full time in the district should consider applying to be substitutes, including for custodians or kitchen staff, Weikle said. The pandemic has had a notable effect on staffing levels, with teachers retiring early or leaving the profession, Weikle said. Education is such a rewarding profession, but theres a lot put upon and asked of educators, she said. That includes instructional mandates from states, Jontry said, which leads to a need for more teachers, but often does not come with additional funding for them. The dialogue around the profession has changed in a way that discourages people from going into it, he added. The profession has come under attack, he said. () Its been vilified. Thornton said that he has worked with four student teachers over the past two years and sees a lot of promise in them. They are glad to be in classrooms after being in college during the pandemic and are less concerned with salary than older teachers, Thornton included, might be. "A lot of the reasons teachers are leaving, I don't see that in the new teachers," he said. BLOOMINGTON People often view cemeteries as gloomy places with little impact on their local area. But in reality, they hold a deep historical connection to the community, and to the people who have lived there over the years. "It's important to know where your history comes from, the people who made it, how they shaped it and how it impacts our lives today," said Candace Summers, director of community education at the McLean County Museum of History. "This is a final resting place for all the people that have made history here, and we need to understand why they're here and where they came from." The 28th annual Evergreen Cemetery Walk is this Saturday and Sunday, with tours starting at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Bloomington. The walk continues next Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1 and 2, at the same times. The walk started over 25 years ago as a way to discourage vandalism at the cemetery by informing the community of notable figures buried there who have connections to McLean County, Summers said. The museum, in partnership with Illinois Voices Theater - Echoes and the cemetery, features local actors each year who give theatrical portrayals for a glimpse into the past and personalities of long-ago residents. "It's also to educate the public about burial practices, funerary practices, monuments and things like that," said Summers, who also is the lead coordinator of the cemetery walk. "It's the biggest event the museum does every year. We've had tens of thousands of people, particularly school kids ranging from middle to high school and even college, who experienced it over all those years." Sara Kellum, an assistant at the museum visitors center, said when she moved back to Bloomington with her husband in 2015 after 35 years on the West Coast, they didn't know about the walk until a couple years ago. "We've gone every year since," Kellum said. "You never really know what you're gonna get with the weather, but the characters are so interesting." Kellum said she remembers the theme of the walk in 2017 commemorated the centennial of the U.S. entering World War I, featuring Edward and Lincoln Bynum, two soldiers serving in a local African American regiment that was sent overseas to fight. "This was particularly poignant because it told the story of Black American men serving in World War I and the treatment they received both in the service and when they came home," Summers said. "It was an important story to tell because everybody's heard of trench warfare, everybody knows the typical soldier story, but not that story." Other portrayals in the past have included Julia and Alverta Duff, sisters who were among the first Black families to reside in Normal after the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, and Sigmund and Hilda Livingston, who founded the Anti-Defamation League. Among this year's portrayals are David and Sarah Davis; Paul F. Beich, a German immigrant who worked in the candy-making business; and Helen Clark McCurdy, the first woman to run for elected office in the Bloomington municipal government. Summers said area students participating in the school tours on weekdays will attend for free thanks to the generosity of sponsors. For the weekend walks, tickets are $20 for the public, $18 for museum members and $8 for students and children. They can be purchased online at www.mchistory.org/learn/evergreen-cemetery-walk. Virtual viewings will be available Nov. 4-6 on YouTube. There is no charge for the virtual walks, but donations are encouraged. IF YOU GO WHAT: 28th annual Evergreen Cemetery Walk WHERE: Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, 302 E. Miller St., Bloomington WHEN: Tours start at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sept. 24, Sept. 25, Oct. 1 and Oct 2. ADMISSION: In-person tickets are $20 for the public, $18 for museum members and $8 for students and children. ONLINE: www.mchistory.org/learn/evergreen-cemetery-walk CHICAGO - For the last four years on the third Sunday of every month, drag queen Ginger Forest heads to Jerrys Sandwiches in Lincoln Square just in time for brunch. Shes there to put on a show. To a never-ending chorus of childrens wows and oohs muffled by bites of food, Ginger and his drag daughter Candi Forest parade between tables, wearing high heels and sashaying in their blond wigs while they read books to families. Its almost like a Disney meet-and-greet because were in these big costumes and these kids are just at the table and theyre staring and watching us, said Ginger, who has been doing drag for seven years. But across Chicagoland, recent drag events advertised as family friendly have been targeted with threats of violence and vandalism, with one suburban library even canceling its Oct. 11 childrens drag queen bingo because of numerous threats and aggressive emails. The controversies have been sparked, in part, by social media campaigns from Awake Illinois, an organization rooted in the suburbs that was born from the anti-mask, anti-vaccine fervor of the COVID-19 pandemic and has been criticized for anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. Over the past weekend, both protesters and counterprotesters showed up in Lake in the Hills outside UpRising Bakery and Cafe to express opposition and support for drag programming, according to footage on social media and Lake in the Hills police. The bakery was vandalized in late July for a family-friendly Starry Night Brunch Drag show that had to be postponed because of the harassment. An Alsip man was later arrested for the vandalism. On Sept. 12, the Downers Grove Public Library canceled its drag queen bingo that had been planned next month for seventh to 12th graders after a call to action by Awake Illinois, and a statement from Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, the Republican nominee for Congress in the 6th District, who said drag has sexual content. And Lincoln Park Zoo has also come under recent scrutiny for planning a drag story time slated for Oct. 2 as part of the Fall Fest programming, according to their social media posts. In the latest controversy, groups are opposing drag story time and a drag show that will be held at Plainfields first Pride Fest in October, which Candi is helping organize. Were experiencing it in Plainfield right now, said Candi, who lives in Plainfield and has been doing drag for five years. And so were familiar with Downers Grove and what happened in Lake in the Hills. Pride Fest vendors have been harassed, she said. Approximately 100 people attended a meeting last Wednesday held by the Plainfield Park District, which is sponsoring the festival, to talk about the inclusion of the story time and show in the programming. Another meeting will be held Sept. 28, a Park District official told the Tribune. The negative attention has caused Candi and Ginger to reconsider how they promote their events, with the pair scheduled to have a drag story time at UpRising Bakery soon. I dont think were advertising for it. Because it seems to be, if they cant find it, then ..., Candi trailed off with a shrug. Not that theyre not searching. In the meantime, the drag queens said they feel fortunate to have evaded hostility for their Chicago drag story time at Jerrys Sandwiches, known as Jerry Tales. Were lucky enough that we havent really received that amount of pushback for our show. But I am hearing more and more about things like that happening, Ginger said. And honestly, I think its actually kind of really sad. Because I think that whats happening is, instead of coming in and experiencing what the show is about, theres a lot of judgment happening from the outside. On Sunday, Ginger and Candi were dressed in attire that echoed the story times theme of Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Candi sported an all-pink flight attendant outfit while Ginger wore a NASCAR racing outfit. Both strutted around in heels, their faces covered in glittery makeup. They call drag an art form." A small boy curiously peered into Jerrys Sandwiches through a window while the children and adults inside cheered and waved small flags, answering questions and eagerly participating as Ginger and Candi read them stories and walked in between tables. At the end of Jerry Tales, the drag queens thanked families for letting them teach kindness to the children and expand young minds at a young age. Then they made balloon animals for the kids to take home. Robb and Katherine Beasley brought their 5-year-old son to Jerry Tales, in which they regularly participate. This time, they also brought two friends to the show. We have a great time. Its so much fun, the mother said. The kids all love it; its so participatory and inspiring and fun, and we love the way they change the themes and their makeup and their costumes every month. Its a lot of fun. We highly recommend it. I dont see whats inappropriate, she added. Its inclusivity, its costuming, its makeup, its expressing yourself. Its so interactive, and if you see every kid here, they are having the time of their lives. Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at the Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said family friendly drag shows help build community, especially to those who feel they dont fit in. When these kinds of events are public and welcomed, and supported by our community, I think what it does is it sends a signal maybe not even to just people who want to live a drag lifestyle, but who are different or outcast in some other fashion it sends a signal that theres a community that supports them, he said. Drag queen Aurora Divine who has been performing for 12 years was scheduled to host the drag bingo at the Downers Grove Library, which was supposed to coincide with National Coming Out Day, before the event got canceled. I had a feeling that was coming. I really wanted it to happen. I was very sad that it was canceled, she said. But I absolutely respected the choice that the library made. No one should feel unsafe or threatened to go to a public space, even play bingo. She said she personally did not receive any threatening messages. Rather, people reached out to her with words of encouragement and messages of support. I had one person message me that said, I wish that they would have had something like that when they were growing up, she said. And that is the thing that hurts because it was canceled, the younger generations dont have that outlet to feel (like) themselves. Aurora has had some experience performing drag in her hometown of Peru, Illinois, and in the city as well since she moved to Chicago five years ago. Anywhere you go, theres always pushback, she said. Everywhere you go, if its rural, city, it doesnt matter. There is a difference between doing drag bingo in a bar and doing drag bingo for family-friendly events, she added. We cater to our audience. Its a performance that we do, so we cater to where we are. A lot of the pushback, Ginger said, comes from a confusion between drag shows for adults and drag events for kids. There seems to be a lot of confusion as to, like, drag has to be sexual. And that is not true at all. Our show specifically, we dont wear revealing clothing. We dont use profanity. We dont do songs that are not children-appropriate. So, basically, what I would say is go experience a show and see for yourself, how magical it can be. Despite the cancellation of the event at the library and the criticism such shows have received, Aurora remains hopeful. I really wish it could have happened, she said. Hopefully it will happen in the future. Hopefully the town can accept that it will happen in the future. The drag queens said they would challenge people who have protested family-friendly drag shows to learn more about them and even attend one on their own. I would say, to someone who is questioning drag bingo if its family-friendly or not look it up first. Look up drag bingo at a bar and look up other options of family-friendly drag, not just drag bingo, Divine said. There is drag story time. The most, the biggest (family-friendly) event is drag story time. It is catered to children of all ages. I did a drag story time once. It is great. I love it. Ginger and Candi Forest said they believe fear of the unknown plays into the criticism. It just seems that people dont understand and they dont want to learn and come to experience what a joy these shows are and the joy on these kids faces, Ginger said. Its very fun. Its very wholesome. And the performers are trying to focus on that joy. We just want positivity and were just trying to put good out there, Candi said. Thats, I think, the best fight against all of this negativity. Were just trying to bring some silly to the world. McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski recently told the Economic Club of Chicago that our city is in crisis. And he is right. This year has seen an 18% increase in robberies, a 28% spike in the number of burglaries, a 65% hike in thefts, and a 66% jump in motor vehicle thefts. What we are witnessing is a direct result of the Democrats poor policy decisions. For instance, a recent mugging in broad daylight in Chicago has received national media attention primarily because of what happened after the incident. Not long after surveillance cameras caught the mugging, police officers spotted the suspects in their getaway car but then tragically were ordered to stand down to comply with Chicagos vehicle pursuit rules. What we are seeing is the consequences of the J.B. Pritzker/Lori Lightfoot soft on crime policies. Armed robbers are terrorizing innocent people not because the police cant catch them but because the police arent allowed to catch them. Our citizens are in real danger because of the inept policies of the three stooges of criminal justice Pritzker, Lightfoot and Kim Foxx. Thanks to their terrible policies such as the foot and vehicle pursuit policies in Chicago, the lack of criminal prosecutions in Cook County and the governors signature soft on crime SAFE-T Act, our communities are less safe. How many 50-year-old women have to be held at gunpoint before we take this problem seriously? How many more teams of armed robbers working our neighborhoods are we going to allow before taking action to protect our residents? How many more innocent people have to be victims of crime before we cancel the horrific policies emboldening criminals? We need new leaders, and we need new laws. Specifically, we need to repeal the SAFE-T Act. When I voted against this terrible legislation, I knew it was bad policy, but I did not realize just how bad it actually is. Here is what banning cash bail means according to the SAFE-T Act. It means anyone taken into custody for such offenses as aggravated battery, aggravated DUI, arson, burglary, drug-induced homicide. kidnapping. robbery, second-degree murder or threatening a public official will be let go with only a promise to appear at a court date. Starting in January, cash bail will come to an end in Illinois, and we have to ask ourselves are we more or less safe with kidnappers, arsonists, and robbers roaming the streets or behind bars awaiting their trial? Obviously not everyone charged with a crime is guilty nor are they automatically a threat to our communities but many of them are. There is no question ending cash bail will lead to more criminals on the streets and ultimately more crime and studies bear this out. A recent University of Utah examined Cook County bail reforms and found that the number of released defendants charged with committing new crimes increased by 45% and the number of released defendants who committed violent crimes increased by 33%. We have the data. We know what happens when politicians enact soft on crime legislation. We get more crime. Alaska had their own version of the SAFE-T Act before Pritzker signed his signature legislation into law. The Alaska law was so unpopular, Gov. Mike Dunleavy was elected because he made repealing the law the basis of his entire campaign. We should not be surprised by this. People want to live in safe communities, and they understand that keeping our communities safe is the most important function of government. Crime is on the rise in Illinois thanks to Gov. Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot and Kim Foxxs deliberate dismantling of our justice system. We must save our state and protect our citizens. We must repeal the Safe-T Act. The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, has stated that Ghanas current economic challenges are the result of external shocks, not domestic policy. Speaking at the Africa Adaptation Summit in the Netherlands earlier this month, Georgieva said the following: To the people of Ghana, like everybody on this planet, you have been hurt by exogenous (external) 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 this combination of shocks, and therefore we have to support Ghana. Georgieva said. Discussing Ghanas ongoing talks with the IMF, Georgieva highlighted that the Fund had started very constructive discussions, noting that she would support Ghana because your (Ghanas) strength contributes to the strength of your neighbours; it contributes to a stronger world. In the face of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, as stressed by Georgieva, Ghana proactively entered talks with the IMF for a $3 billion loan. The loan will be used to stabilise the economy in the face of global economic turbulence, supporting the cedi and helping to reduce the price of food and fuel. In the past month, the IMF has provided loans to both Pakistan and Sri Lanka, showing the global nature of current economic challenges. President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia have stressed that an IMF loan will serve to help Ghanas economy in the short-term, building a foundation for long-term resilience and prosperity. Meanwhile, the IMF resident representative in Ghana, Dr Albert Touna Mama, said Ghana has dealt well with those external shocks and expressed confidence that it can deal with these ones too. This country has known a lot of shocks and we have navigated those together. There is no reason it cannot navigate the current ones, Dr Mama said. 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 Police, through a targeted special-intelligence investigation, on September 19, 2022, arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a 25-year-old nursing student at Mankesim in the Central Region. The two, Michael Darko alias Nana 1, a self-styled Pastor and Christopher Ekow Clarke Tufuhene of Aquakrom, a suburb of Mankesim were arrested at their various hideouts following a Police investigation. The two have confessed to murdering the victim for money rituals. The deceased, Georgina Asor Botwe, was reported missing on 10th September 2022. During Police interrogation, suspect Michael Darko, who is the alleged boyfriend of the senior sister of the deceased victim and was last seen with her, led Police to the location where they had buried her after the murder. The body has since been exhumed and deposited at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy. The two accused persons were today, 22nd September 2022 arraigned before the District Court II in Cape Coast and have been remanded to reappear before the court on 4th October 2022. 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 Cape Coast Magistrate Court has remanded into custody two persons charged with the murder of a 22-year-old prospective nurse, Georgina Asor Botchwey. The two suspects are the Tufohene of Ekumfi Akwakrom, Nana Onyaa Clark and a self-styled pastor, Michael Darko Amponsah. They were arraigned before the court after her body was exhumed from the house of Nana Clark by the police. The pleas of the two accused persons, according to a report by Graphic.com.gh was not taken when they appeared before the court on Thursday, September 22, 2022. They are to reappear on October 2, 2022. Michael Darko Amponsah who is a fiance of the deceaseds sister is said to have confessed to the kidnap, sexual assault, murder and secret burial of the deceased with the help of Nana Clark. The deceased is said to have travelled from Yeji to attend an admission interview at the Ankarful Nursing Training School. 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 First Atlantic Bank has renovated an existing 6-unit classroom block and built an additional 6 unit classroom block for the Abua D/A Primary School in the Pru West District, Bono East Region. As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the two classroom blocks will help the over 500 pupils and staff of the school who where learning and teaching under very harsh conditions. The project which was fully funded by the First Atlantic Bank included washrooms, furniture, teaching boards, an ICT room and a staff common room to address the infrastructure needs of the school. Addressing the teachers and pupils of the school, the Board Chairman of First Atlantic Bank, Mr Amarquaye Amar reiterated the banks primary objective which is to help the Pru West District of the Bono East Region to create more conducive teaching and learning environment for education at the primary school level. First Atlantic Bank is proud to have been able to put in place a key building block towards accomplishment of this objective- the renovation, modernization, and Expansion of facilities at the Abua D/A Primary School," he added. Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III, the President of Prang Traditional Council who was the Chairman of the occasion in his remarks applauded the efforts of First Atlantic Bank for such a wonderful gift to the Abua community. He further called on the bank and its allies to shift attention to Pru West District to support their developmental agenda. Also, Mr Nurudeen Yussif Musah, the Bono Regional Deputy Manager of BoG in a speech read on behalf of the Governor of Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Ernest Addison, said, I highly commend the joint effort and commitment of the community leadership together with the staunch support of First Atlantic Bank towards improving the lives of the youth, through the provision of good infrastructure and facilities in the Abua Community. Dr Addison further congratulated the management of First Atlantic Bank, staff of Abua D/A Primary School and the community whose spirit of cooperation has contributed towards the project for the benefit of the children. The District Director of Education, Evans Kofi Mati expressed his profound gratitude to First Atlantic Bank and its leadership for the wonderful edifice and advised the teaching body of the Abua D/A Primary School to ensure they keep them in good shape. The Abua D/A Primary School project is the fourth major CSR project after the Atlantic Lounge, a modern and comfortable waiting area for family and friends of patients on admission at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra in 2021. First Atlantic Bank so far is refreshingly touching lives with their CSR interventions. 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 Former President John Dramani Mahama has said the call for African unity by Ghanas first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, still rings true today five decades after his passing. He said Africa is still facing the challenges of common currency, intra African trade and free movement of people and goods across the continent many decades after the pronouncement of African unity. Truly, Kwame Nkrumah never dies because his words will ring true for Africa over timeless millennia, Mr Mahama said. In a tribute to the memory of Dr Nkrumah to mark Nkrumah Memorial Day which falls on his birthday on September 21 each year, President Mahama said the visionary words by the Founder of our nation, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, span the timeless future of Africa. Nkrumahs words Dr Nkrumahs speech at the founding of the Organisation of African Unity has since become a classic, even iconic. In front of 31 other African heads of state who met in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on May 24 1963, Nkrumah appealed, cajoled, and did everything in, perhaps his greatest speech ever, to convince his colleagues to go the whole hog and create a strong continental union. Sadly, they decided otherwise. It is clear that we must find an African solution to our problems, and that this can only be found in African unity. Divided we are weak; united, Africa could become one of the greatest forces for good in the world, Dr Nkrumah said. Source: graphiconline.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 East African countries have issued alerts after the announcement of an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in Uganda. Neighbouring Tanzania said it had already placed surveillance teams at key entry points including airports and border points. Health Permanent Secretary Abel Makubi told the BBC that the teams were screening all people coming to the country. The Kenyan health ministry said it had urged county authorities, especially in border areas, to be vigilant and enhance surveillance. It said response teams had been activated to screen people who might be at risk, including travellers and healthcare workers. It also urged the public to be highly cautious while visiting Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Somalia, the health ministry said it was collaborating with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and other agencies to stop the disease from spreading into the country. It said it was coordinating with the World Health Organization (WHO) to start necessary preparations and response measures, such as screening of travellers. On Monday, Ugandan health authorities announced that a 24-year-old man had died of Ebola following a fresh outbreak in years. The authorities are investigating whether seven other deaths were caused by the disease. Six other cases have been confirmed on Thursday. 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 Dr. Hassan Ayariga, leader of the All People's Congress (APC) party has shared a terrifying experience at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to explain his recent remarks about the health facility. The politician cum business mogul had remarked that country's premier health centre was nothing but a death trap where people could die at any given time. Dr. Ayariga narrated in an interview with Roselyn Felli on Prime Morning that medical directors nurses of the hospital leave the facility and return the next day, abandoning attention-needing patients to their fate. The doctors left the place by 11:30 pm. Patients were crying because their oxygen had finished. Mine got finished around 2 am, and no doctor or nurse came there until 5:30 am in the morning. So, we were on our own from 11:30 pm to 5:30 am," he alleged. Dr. Ayariga also claimed that some patients, including himself, ran out of oxygen, but there was no doctor or nurse to attend to them, leading to the death of some patients who could have survived. In his case, without mincing words, Dr Ayariga recalled: After three and a half days, Korle Bu was now taking me to go and check my lungs when I was to be transferred to IMAH Hospital. My saturation was reduced from 85 to 65. I tell you Korle Bu is a death trap. In his view, refurbishing and restructuring the hospital is the way to go, and thats exactly what he will do if elected as President of Ghana. Ill refurbish and change the management of Korle Bu. Ill make sure that nurses and doctors there have to go for extra training because when you go there, people dont really care because they see death every day, he said. He blamed the lack of monitoring and supervision as well as misplaced priority on the part of the central government for the woeful state of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and others across the country. Theres no control and monitoring in all institutions in this country, and thats the reason why institutions in this country cannot pay workers. Government has to borrow. The reason why we have borrowed 341 billion and yet theres nothing to show. The management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has not yet responded to the claims by Dr Ayariga. 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 total of 305 police personnel on Saturday arrived in Wa to beef up security in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region. The personnel, who are said to be specially trained in swimming, riding and driving were deployed to the area by the police administration to help restore calm after four months of mysterious murders and disappearance of persons in the municipality. Between April and September this year, about eight persons have gone missing with seven of them being security guards (watch men) who were either killed or made to disappear under bizzare circumstances. The rising incidents has led to pandemonium and fear among residents in the municipality, forcing the youth to stage a demonstration on Friday to register their displeasure over what they described as inactivity of the security services and chiefs to the security situation in the area. Some of the youth, who embarked on the demonstration, locked down shops of some foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, in the municipality, but the police acted swiftly to restore calm. In an interview with the Ghanaian Times newspaper here on Saturday, the Regional Crime Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Reynolds Manteaw, expressed confidence that beefing up the security in the region would help put the situation under control. He hinted that the incidents called for such swift measures, saying, as we speak now, a 52-year-old woman, Fatima Eledi, is at the Upper West Regional Hospital receiving treatment after she was attacked at her home on Saturday dawn by unknown assailants. According to ACP Manteaw, the woman, was rescued by her brother, who was just next door after she screamed for help. The attackers hit her with a cement block on the head and the sound she made from the pain drew attention of her brother to the room immediately , he narrated. ACP Manteaw said that the brother reportedly met her sister lying unconscious in a pool of blood when he entered the room with no one in sight and rushed her to the hospital with the help of others. Security has since been beefed up with a 24-hour police patrols and visibility at vantage points in the municipality. Meanwhile, the police was still investigating the recent crimes, particularly to uncover the whereabouts of the disappeared security guards. Source: The Ghanaian Times 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 Minister of Education, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has returned home after successfully attending and participating in the board meeting of the Forum for African Women Educationists (FAWE) in Nairobi, Kenya. As the immediate past president of the Pan-African Non-Governmental Educational Organisation for six years and currently serving as a board member, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said, the goal of FAWE was to ensure quality education for the African girlchild and women. Goal She disclosed that our goal is to ensure that our immediate target receives quality education that equips the learner with the requisite knowledge, skills, competencies and values to ensure optimum productive participation in society. Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang maintained that FAWE was committed to remain vibrant and impactful, guided by the vision, mission and successes of its members. FAWE FAWE was founded 30 years ago by five women ministers of education in Africa namely, Paulette Mousavou from Gabon, Alice Tiendrebeogo from Burkina Faso, Fay Chung from Zimbabwe, Simone de Comarmond from the Seychelles, (current President and Chair of the African Board) and Vida Yeboah from Ghana. The non-governmental organisation, according to Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, currently operated in 33 countries across the continent, focusing on lifting the education and quality of the African child and woman for meaningful impact and living. Source: Graphiconline.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 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. The Chairman of the Finance Committee in Parliament, Kweku Kwarteng and the Deputy Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament, Isaac Adongo have clashed over the International Monetary Funds (IMF) assessment of the economy. While Mr Adongo contended that the assessment of the economy by the IMF failed to reflect the real situation of the economy, Mr Kwarteng asked critics of the governments quest to seek a bailout from the IMF to be measured and support the move. Ghana returned to the IMF for support and assistance after months of struggle with the economy, cost of living crisis, and is expecting $3 billion from the Fund. Mr Adongo, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolgatanga Central Constituency in the Upper East Region, maintained that the IMF got it wrong when it attributed the economic woes to COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine because the economy was already in tatters before the two situations. According to him, the IMF was managing the situation so as not to create fear and panic that would further exacerbate the issue since it was clear the economy was already suffering internal and external vulnerability before the two situations and also accused the government of conniving with the Fund to paint a gloomy picture of the economy. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) should not be forgiven for its comments made against the National Democratic Congress for seeking an IMF bailout in the past which is dishonesty for people who have profited from propaganda; people who have come to power on the back of deception of the electorate that going to IMF defines incompetence, to now be turning around to say we should not have that debate, Mr. Adongo postulated. However, Mr Kwarteng, MP for Obuasi West Constituency, noted that the debate on whether or not the countrys economy was robust for external financial assistance and support was needless and must not be encouraged and wondered why people should be preoccupied with the assessment by IMF. He indicated that the debate on whether or not the countrys economy was robust for external financial assistance was needless and must not be encouraged and wondered why people were preoccupied with that rather than discussing what was needed for the economy since the economy had been challenged. 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 Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has restated his commitment to follow through his bid to contest the New Patriotic Party, NPP, 2024 presidential flagbearership race. He has particularly addressed the challenge posed to his bid by two main aspirants in the persons of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen. The two aspirants have yet to expressly state their candidacy in the race expected to be settled in 2023 ahead of the next elections. There is nothing electorally fearful about Alan and Bawumia, everyone will have to sell what they have done for the party, if their idea is bought, you move forward. And I know that I have done a lot for the NPP on which basis the grassroots will vote for me, he said late last week. Stressing that he was not going to quit the race at the last minute, Agyapong cited a research that showed he was the overwhelming choice of the yuth. If I am the choice of the youth, and the youth are going to vote for me, then delegates should look at the youth, 88% of whom have committed to voting for me per a survey. Consider their preference and vote for me, he stated. Kennedy Agyapong declares intention Agyapong, in May this year, publicly announced his bid to lead the NPP in the 2024 polls. He said if the governing party wants to break the eight as their mantra for 2024 suggests, then they must break the eight with Kennedy Agyapong. "Yes, it is true. I have decided that when the NPP opens nominations, I will pick a form and file my nomination to contest the party primaries as the flagbearerI will stand on the ticket of the NPP and nothing will change," Kennedy Agyapong said in a Facebook live interview with The Announcer Newspaper, Wednesday, May 26. Other contenders rumoured and announced There are other contenders in the race to lead the NPP. Two on record to have declared their intentions are former NPP General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong and former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko. The Agric Minister is also rumoured to be lacing his boots to contest as is Joe Ghartey, one-time Attorney General and Railways Minister. 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 National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joshua Hamidu Akamba, has bemoaned the treatment of Victoria Hamah after she was heard on a leaked tape wanting to make a million dollars while in office under former President John Dramani Mahamas administration in 2013. It could be remembered that Victoria Hamah who then was a Deputy Communications Minister was caught on tape indicating that she is in government to enrich herself. She said she needed to earn One Million Dollars as a young appointee; a tape that earned her a sack from public office. Almost a decade after the said incident, Mr. Akamba believes, Madam Victoria Hamah was given a raw deal when she was kicked out of office over mere desire to make money and not actual corruption. Speaking on Ultimate FM in Kumasi monitored by MyNewsGh.com, the NDC organizer noted that hindsight, things ought to have been handled differently. I think she was not given a fair treatment; I know Vicky as an honest woman, everybody aspires to make some money, she didnt say I have made or there was no evidence that I have stolen, yet again we listened to the NPP and took that action It was the NPP that pushed this action, directed our action, today I can tell you that Vicky cannot be a corrupt person, I know her She is still an active member, I think she event contested Kintampo North or west or so Brief facts of the story In 2013, Victoria Hamah, Deputy Communication Minister was sacked over a secret recording. In the recording, she was heard saying that she will never leave politics until she makes one million United States dollars. READ ALSO: Sycophants have hijacked President Akufo-Addo- Kennedy Agyepong On the tape, she says: I will not quit politics until I make one million dollars. If you have money then you can control people, she seems to say on the tape which was widely circulated then. Ms. Hamah was seen as too young and inexperienced to serve in government then. She said there was a lot of pressure on her to steal public money because people thought that, as a minister, she was rich. Ms Hamah first came to the public attention after stumbling several times while making a speech and then saying she had been given the wrong text. Source: ghannaweb.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 Deputy National Communications Diretcor of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ernest Owusu Bempah, has responded to a comment made by the World Bank Country Director, Pierre Frank Laporte in an interview with TV 3. The World Bank Country Director (Ghana), Pierre Frank Laporte believes that the energy sector is costing government and unless critical reforms are happening in this sectors, it will continue to be a burden, and it is part of the problems that forced Ghana into a situation where the country is now seeking support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to Mr. Owusu Bempah the bad governance led by former President John Dramani Mahama has been confirmed by the World Bank Country Director. "The energy sector is saddled with huge avoidable debt occasioned by this bad power purchase agreement by the former Energy sector ministry under John Dramani," Ernest Owusu Bempah said in an interview with Peacefmonline.com. "The NDC created a self artificial power crises to allegedly pocket millions of cedis, and this made them sign these dubious power purchase agreements that has created so much mess for the current government to bare all these costs," he added. According to him the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is the only party that can salvage Ghanaians from this mess and the greedy nature of the NDC. "The NDC signed an agreement with Eni which produces and supply gas . . . and this has accrued so much . . . the country have started paying also for annual excess gas capacity charges of between $550million and $850 million every year due to this contracts that the previous government entered into..." He said if not for this avoidable bad debt, Ghana would have had in excess of about 7 billion dollars which wouldn't have made us run to the IMF for economic support. " . . Somebody has run the entire economy, the energy sector into take-or-pay and we are paying a huge debt while we need this billions of dollars to turn around the economy," he lamented. World Bank Country Director says unreasonable energy sector agreement forced Ghana into IMF The World Bank Country Director (Ghana), Pierre Frank Laporte believes that the energy sector is costing government and unless critical reforms are happening in this sectors, it will continue to be a burden, and it is part of the problems that forced Ghana into a situation where the country is now seeking support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to him, albeit the impact of the Covid-19 which he said has resulted in the difficult environment for businesses, he indicated that spillovers from the energy sector is another major cause. "There are leakages currently, the level of exemptions of taxes are high . . . the energy sector is costing government today and unless critical reforms are happening in this sectors, it will continue to be a burden and there solutions," he noted. Ghana is currently paying over GHS12 billion for power not used as a result of the cost of pay-or-take contracts. The Finance Ministry has so far paid over GH12 billion as the cost of excess energy capacity charges inherited since 2017 just to keep the lights on. This huge amount was paid for electricity that the country did not use (excess capacity) but had to be paid anyway due to the nature of power contracts signed during the era of the past government. Mr Laporte, speaking in an interview with TV 3, pointed out those losses in the energy sector are compounding the challenges. Ghana has an installed capacity of about 5,000 megawatts and dependable capacity of about 4,700MW with all time high peak demand of 2,700MW. This means since 2017, Ghana has had to look for money to pay about 600MW of excess capacity that was never used.To address this inimical issue, government boldly and innovatively crafted the Energy Sector Reform Programme (ESRP) to effectively deal with all key issues in the energy sector.Under ESRP, the government is renegotiating with IPPs to convert purchase agreements from Take-or-Pay to Take-and Pay to put an end to the payment of excess capacity that keeps adding to Ghanas debt stock.Specifically, government paid $520m(GH2.7 billion) energy sector debt in 2018; $604m(GH3.14 billion), 2019, $1billion (GH5.2 billion) payment in 2019 and now paying over $1billion.The costs to government would increase over time due to an accumulated total of over $12.5 billion by 2023 if business as usual in the energy sector continues.Due to the expensive power purchase agreements that included Pay-or-Take between 2010 and 2016, electricity tariff was increased over an 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 Artist's conception of Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) in China. Credit: Jingchuan Yu Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are millisecond-long cosmic explosions that each produce the energy equivalent to the sun's annual output. More than 15 years after the deep-space pulses of electromagnetic radio waves were first discovered, their perplexing nature continues to surprise scientistsand newly published research only deepens the mystery surrounding them. In the Sept. 21 issue of the journal Nature, unexpected new observations from a series of cosmic fast radio bursts by an international team of scientistsincluding UNLV astrophysicist Bing Zhangchallenge the prevailing understanding of the physical nature and central engine of FRBs. The cosmic FRB observations were made in late spring 2021 using the massive Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) in China. The team, led by Heng Xu, Kejia Lee, Subo Dong from Peking University, and Weiwei Zhu from the National Astronomical Observatories of China, along with Zhang, detected 1,863 bursts in 82 hours over 54 days from an active fast radio burst source called FRB 20201124A. "This is the largest sample of FRB data with polarization information from one single source", said Lee. Recent observations of a fast radio burst from our Milky Way galaxy suggest that it originated from a magnetar, which is a dense, city-sized neutron star with an incredibly powerful magnetic field. The origin of very distant cosmological fast radio bursts, on the other hand, remains unknown. And the latest observations leave scientists questioning what they thought they knew about them. "These observations brought us back to the drawing board," said Zhang, who also serves as founding director of UNLV's Nevada Center for Astrophysics. "It is clear that FRBs are more mysterious than what we have imagined. More multi-wavelength observational campaigns are needed to further unveil the nature of these objects." What makes the latest observations surprising to scientists is the irregular, short-time variations of the so-called "Faraday rotation measure", which is the strength of the magnetic field and density of particles in the vicinity of the FRB source. The variations went up and down during the first 36 days of observation and suddenly stopped during the last 18 days before the source quenched. "I equate it to filming a movie of the surroundings of an FRB source, and our film revealed a complex, dynamically evolving, magnetized environment that was never imagined before," said Zhang. "Such an environment is not straightforwardly expected for an isolated magnetar. Something else might be in the vicinity of the FRB engine, possibly a binary companion," added Zhang. To observe the host galaxy of the FRB, the team also made use of the 10-m Keck telescopes located at Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Zhang says that young magnetars are believed to reside in active star-forming regions of a star-forming galaxy, but the optical image of the host galaxy shows thatunexpectedlythe host galaxy is a metal-rich barred spiral galaxy like our Milky Way. The FRB location is in a region where there is no significant star-forming activity. "This location is inconsistent with a young magnetar central engine formed during an extreme explosion such as a long gamma-ray burst or a superluminous supernova, widely speculated progenitors of active FRB engines," said Dong. The study, "A fast radio burst source at a complex magnetized site in a barred galaxy", appeared September 21 in the journal Nature and includes 74 co-authors from 30 institutions. In addition to UNLV, Peking University, and the National Astronomical Observatories of China, collaborating institutions also include Purple Mountain Observatory, Yunnan University, UC Berkeley, Caltech, Princeton University, University of Hawaii, and other institutions from China, the U.S., Australia, Germany, and Israel. Explore further Astronomers discover clues that unveil the mystery of fast radio bursts More information: H. Xu et al, A fast radio burst source at a complex magnetized site in a barred galaxy, Nature (2022). Journal information: Nature H. Xu et al, A fast radio burst source at a complex magnetized site in a barred galaxy,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05071-8 Software and technology can process large amounts of data instantaneously, making them highly attractive for government use. Credit: Shutterstock In 2019, former UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston said he was worried we were "stumbling zombie-like into a digital welfare dystopia." He had been researching how government agencies around the world were turning to automated decision-making systems (ADS) to cut costs, increase efficiency and target resources. ADS are technical systems designed to help or replace human decision-making using algorithms. Alston was worried for good reason. Research shows that ADS can be used in ways that discriminate, exacerbate inequality, infringe upon rights, sort people into different social groups, wrongly limit access to services and intensify surveillance. For example, families have been bankrupted and forced into crises after being falsely accused of benefit fraud. Researchers have identified how facial recognition systems and risk assessment tools are more likely to wrongly identify people with darker skin tones and women. These systems have already led to wrongful arrests and misinformed sentencing decisions. Often, people only learn that they have been affected by an ADS application when one of two things happen: after things go wrong, as was the case with the A-levels scandal in the United Kingdom; or when controversies are made public, as was the case with uses of facial recognition technology in Canada and the United States. Automated problems Greater transparency, responsibility, accountability and public involvement in the design and use of ADS is important to protect people's rights and privacy. There are three main reasons for this: these systems can cause a lot of harm; they are being introduced faster than necessary protections can be implemented, and; there is a lack of opportunity for those affected to make democratic decisions about if they should be used and if so, how they should be used. Our latest research project, Automating Public Services: Learning from Canceled Systems, provides findings aimed at helping prevent harm and contribute to meaningful debate and action. The report provides the first comprehensive overview of systems being canceled across western democracies. Researching the factors and rationales leading to cancelation of ADS systems helps us better understand their limits. In our report, we identified 61 ADS that were canceled across Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the U.S. We present a detailed account of systems canceled in the areas of fraud detection, child welfare and policing. Our findings demonstrate the importance of careful consideration and concern for equity. There are a range of factors that influence decisions to cancel the uses of ADS systems. Credit: Data Justice Lab, Author provided Reasons for cancelation There are a range of factors that influence decisions to cancel the uses of ADS. One of our most important findings is how often systems are canceled because they are not as effective as expected. Another key finding is the significant role played by community mobilization and research, investigative reporting and legal action. Our findings demonstrate there are competing understandings, visions and politics surrounding the use of ADS. Hopefully, our recommendations will lead to increased civic participation and improved oversight, accountability and harm prevention. In the report, we point to widespread calls for governments to establish resourced ADS registers as a basic first step to greater transparency. Some countries such as the U.K., have stated plans to do so, while other countries like Canada have yet to move in this direction. Our findings demonstrate that the use of ADS can lead to greater inequality and systemic injustice. This reinforces the need to be alert to how the use of ADS can create differential systems of advantage and disadvantage. Accountability and transparency ADS need to be developed with care and responsibility by meaningfully engaging with affected communities. There can be harmful consequences when government agencies do not engage the public in discussions about the appropriate use of ADS before implementation. This engagement should include the option for community members to decide areas where they do not want ADS to be used. Examples of good government practice can include taking the time to ensure independent expert reviews and impact assessments that focus on equality and human rights are carried out. Governments can take several different approaches to implement ADS systems in a more accountable manner. Credit: Data Justice Lab, Author provided We recommend strengthening accountability for those wanting to implement ADS by requiring proof of accuracy, effectiveness and safety, as well as reviews of legality. At minimum, people should be able to find out if an ADS has used their data and, if necessary, have access to resources to challenge and redress wrong assessments. There are a number of cases listed in our report where government agencies' partnership with private companies to provide ADS services has presented problems. In one case, a government agency decided not to use a bail-setting system because the proprietary nature of the system meant that defendants and officials would not be able to understand why a decision was made, making an effective challenge impossible. Government agencies need to have the resources and skills to thoroughly examine how they procure ADS systems. A politics of care All of these recommendations point to the importance of a politics of care. This requires those wanting to implement ADS to appreciate the complexities of people, communities and their rights. Key questions need to be asked about how the uses of ADS lead to blind spots because of the way they increase the distancing between administrators and the people they are meant to serve through scoring and sorting systems that oversimplify, infer guilt, wrongly target and stereotype people through categorizations and quantifications. Good practice, in terms of a politics of care, involves taking the time to carefully consider the potential impacts of ADS before implementation and being responsive to criticism, ensuring ongoing oversight and review, and seeking independent and community review. Explore further Facial recognition, cameras and other tools police use raise questions about accountability This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. A study finds that stereotypes, systemic hurdles, and discriminatory policies and procedures persist more in European society than in Quebec. Credit: Shutterstock Do women need to adopt male traits and behaviours to be successful in business? Are stereotypes still present and do they continue to disrupt women's careers? How do leaders in Quebec compare to those in Europe? In early 2020, the Women Initiative Foundation, in partnership with Concordia University's John Molson School of Business, the Stanford University Women's Leadership Innovation Lab, and the CentraleSupelec of Universite Paris-Saclay, conducted a new study about stereotypes and discrimination in the business world. The study surveyed leaders from Europe and Quebec, from seven large organizations in France, Germany, Italy, and Quebec, with an international reach. Together, we, the Dean of the John Molson School of Business and an expert in the challenges faced by women in the highest echelons of leadership, are sharing the results of this study with emphasis on the results from the Quebec component, all while conducting an analysis of the synergies with the situation in Europe. Women have developed a unique style of leadership One of the objectives of this study was to determine if women are more difficult leaders than men in their way of managing people. Are they more severe towards their female colleagues? Are women more career-minded than men? Do they need to put their family life aside to achieve all of their professional aspirations? In other words, referring to generally well known stereotypes, do women become more "masculinized" by adopting male traits and behaviours to succeed? The study revealed that a low number of female respondents from Quebec (24%) and male respondents (17%) think that female leaders become more masculine in order to progress in their careers. Conversely, in Europe, 46% of women and 47% of men share this belief. This low feeling of masculinization of Quebec women leaders is particularly important to point out, because it prevents certain leaders from becoming obstacles rather than role models for other women. Far from denying their femininity, the results of this study seem to indicate that women develop a leadership style that is unique to them. The stereotypes persist The comparison of the results on both sides of the Atlantic shows that stereotypes are still just as persistent and disturbing for the advancement of female careers. It has been found that in both Quebec and Europe, women have been stereotyped as having competencies that are typically associated with support roles (rigorous and attentive) whereas men are presumed to have traits associated with positions of power (politicians, leaders, careerists). More specifically with regards to leadership stereotypes, women are perceived as organized, leaders and rigorous whereas men are described as politicians, careerists, strategists, and leaders. Once again, men are considered as those in the thick of the action and more focused on the advancement of their career (they are strategists and career-driven) while women are regarded as passive and less ambitious. These stereotypes largely explain the sticky floor and the glass ceiling that women have faced for many years and the near absence of female CEOs in large Canadian organizations. The sticky floor is the theory illustrating the difficulty women face when they are seeking promotions at the start of their careers, and the slow climb of the ladder. As for the glass ceiling, this is the theory of the invisible barriers that stop women from being promoted into the upper levels of our organizations. Very different perceptions of inequalities There is a stark difference in the perception that women and men have regarding their employer's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Men do not seem as aware of the inequalities and discrimination that women can face in their work environment. As much in Quebec as in Europe, men give their organizations a much higher ranking on the company's values of diversity, the fight against discrimination, and inclusion initiatives. Two interesting responses that illustrate this difference in perception are important to highlight: only 10% of the male participants from Quebec believe that they are better paid than women who have equal competency levels, while 44% of female participants in Quebec think the opposite. The male respondents are also half as likely to hear about sexist comments in the office. However, if women in Quebec have a more favorable perception of an equitable culture in the workplace than those in Europe, the study showed that nevertheless about half of respondents are likely to perceive a lack of equity in internal promotions and see the difficulty in accessing leadership roles. When asked specifically about the hardships of obtaining management roles, many women mentioned that institutional discrimination is what forces them to continuously prove their worth, and leads them to self-censure and devalue themselves. Men need to be more sensitive to inequalities This huge disconnect in perceiving sexist discrimination in the workplace raises some concerns, given that roles in the highest echelons of companies are more often occupied by men. Given they are less aware of the difficulties faced by their female counterparts, these male leaders may be less inclined to put forward policies and strategies that can favour more equal access to leadership roles. It is therefore imperative that these men are made aware of the obstacles faced by women. This study demonstrates that stereotypes, systemic hurdles, and discriminatory policies and procedures persist more in European society than in Quebec. Nonetheless, there is still a very long road ahead. Diversity, equity and inclusion programs implemented by our Canadian companies and integrated in their strategy and development can make a huge difference to the advancement of women's careers. Notably, in France, this approach is evolving. There is clear merit in continuing to encourage and reinforce these initiatives, given there is proof in the benefit of them, especially when we compare ourselves here in Quebec to the Europeans. Quebec women leaders, as Martine Liautaud, president of the Women Initiative Foundation, wrote in Le Monde recently, "are more combative than even their most determined European counterparts, they are prouder of their success, and all this without having to deny their unique traits." Explore further Gender gap in leadership aspirations changed little in sixty years This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Graphical abstract. Credit: ACS Nano (2022). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c02709 Controlling the spin of electrons opens up future scenarios for applications in spin-based electronics (spintronics), for example in data processing. It also presents new opportunities for controlling the selectivity and efficiency of chemical reactions. Researchers recently presented first successes with the example of water splitting for producing "green" hydrogen and oxygen. A joint project involving working groups from the Center for Soft Nanoscience at the University of Munster (Germany) and from the Institute of Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania; Prof. David Waldeck) now has the task of advancing the systematic development of spin-selective catalyst materials. To this end, the researchers relate the catalytic activity of various inorganic spin-polarizing materials to direct measurements of the spin selectivity. The focus is on oxide materials which were purposely grown with a chiral structure. In addition, the researchers also want to investigate the origin of spin polarization in these chiral materials. The results of an initial study of chiral copper oxide layers have now been published in the ACS Nano journal. The results in brief The team of German and American researchers first examined chiral oxide catalystsconsisting in this case of thin, chiral copper oxide layers on a thin film of gold. The data measured show that the spin polarization of the electrons depends on which of these layers the electrons come from. The team considers two effects to be responsible for this: the chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect and the magnetic arrangement in the chiral layers. The results are to help in the future production of spin-selective catalytic oxide materials, thus improving the efficiency of chemical reactions. The example of fuel cells: Unwanted electron spin reduces efficiency In fuel cells, hydrogen and oxygen react with each other and form water, with electrical energy being released in the process. The hydrogen may have been previously produced through the reverse process, breaking down water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The energy required for this can be provided through electrical power from regenerative sources of energy or directly through sunlight, so that, in future, hydrogen could serve as a source of energy in an energy cycle designed to be CO 2 -neutral. What is holding back any large-scale commercialization of the conceptfor example, in electric vehicles running on fuel cellsis, among other things, the low efficiency. A lot of energy has to be used to break down the water molecules, which means that at present it is less expensive to use this energy directly for recharging a car battery. This lower efficiency in breaking down water molecules is a consequence not only of the high overvoltage needed for developing oxygen at the anode of the electrolysis cell, but also of the production of unwanted by-products such as hydrogen peroxide and electronically excited oxygen. Due to their high reactivity, these by-products can also attack the electrode material. Both by-products occur in a so-called singlet state, in which the spins of the electrons involved in the molecular bonds are aligned in antiparallel mode to one another. In the product wanted from the reactionoxygen in the electronic ground statethis is not the case because it forms a triplet state with spins aligned in parallel, and thus generating only one spin direction helps to arrive at this wanted state of oxygen. New approach: Oxide catalyst produces the desired electron spin This is a new approach because it involves the spins of the radicals adsorbed on the surfaces of the catalysts, from which the by-products are formed, being aligned in parallel. Such a parallel alignment of the electron spins can be achieved by using a chiral material. In this case, the transfer of electrons through the electrodes as a consequence of the CISS effect, or through the structural change in the oxide, can be spin-selective. In consequence, the formation of molecules in the unwanted singlet state is suppressed and the hydrogen yield is increased. While researchers successfully demonstrated the spin-selective catalysis, there is still no complete understanding of the origin of the CISS effect. The spin-selective transmission of electrons through helicaland, therefore, also chiralmolecules has been demonstrated. However, more recent studies show that spin-selective transmission also occurs in inorganic, non-molecular chiral materials. Inorganic, spin-filtering surfaces are more stable, chemically, than chiral molecular layers and permit greater current densities in the context of spin-selective catalysis. The current study in detail In the study now published, lead author Paul Mollers, a Ph.D. student at Munster University, examined chiral copper oxide films with a thickness of just a few nanometers which had previously been electrochemically deposited in a chiral form onto thin gold substrates by researchers from Pittsburgh. UV laser pulses were used to stimulate photoelectrons from the samples and their mean spin polarization was measured (in a spin polarimeter based on "Mott scattering"). Depending on whether the samples were hit from the oxide-covered front side or from the reverse side, in the process electrons with different energies were emitted from the gold substrate or from the oxide films themselves, in different proportions. By correlating the energy distribution with the spin polarization values measured, the Munster researchers showed that the electrons from both layers are polarized to different extents. The electrons from the gold substrate are filtered, as regards their spin, by the CISS effect as they pass through the chiral layer. The electrons from the chiral copper oxide display an opposite spin polarization, and in the case of films with a thickness of more than 40 nanometers, there is a preponderance of these copper oxide electrons. Additional measurements carried out by the working group led by Prof. Heiko Wende at the Department of Physics at the University of Duisburg-Essen suggest that this reflects a magnetic arrangement in the chiral layers which is not observed in non-chiral oxide films with the same composition. In order to follow up this hypothesis, the experimental set-up in Munster will be extended by having the possibility of measuring the spin polarization in electrons depending directly on their energy. Further measurements on chiral copper and cobalt oxide films will enable not only a clear differentiation to be made between both polarization mechanisms, but also chiral inorganic spin-selective catalyst materials to be designed specifically. Explore further Chirality and chiral-induced spin selectivity More information: Paul V. Mollers et al, Spin-Polarized Photoemission from Chiral CuO Catalyst Thin Films, ACS Nano (2022). Journal information: ACS Nano Paul V. Mollers et al, Spin-Polarized Photoemission from Chiral CuO Catalyst Thin Films,(2022). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c02709 The chart shows what HFCs growth was expected to look like before the Kigali Amendment or other control measures were in place. Credit: Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment The U.S. Senate voted to ratify an international treaty on Sept. 21, 2022, and join 137 other countries in agreeing to phase out a class of climate-warming chemicals that are widely used as coolants in refrigerators, air conditioners and heat pumps. If you're getting a sense of deja vu, don't be surprised. These chemicals, called hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, were commercialized in the 1990s as a replacement for earlier refrigerants that were based on chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs. CFCs were destroying the ozone layer high in the Earth's atmosphere, which is essential for protecting life from the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. HFCs are less harmful than CFCs, but they create another problemthey have a strong heat-trapping effect that is contributing to global warming. If HFCs can be phased down globallyas many countries have agreed to do under the 2016 Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the treaty just ratified by the U.S. Senate on a bipartisan votethat would avoid about half a degree Celsius of temperature rise compared to preindustrial times. China, a major producer of these chemicals, ratified the amendment effective Sept. 15, 2021. And the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule in 2021 to cut HFCs production and imports. Let's take a closer look at what HFCs are and what might replace them next. How HFCs keep rooms and food cool Refrigerators and air conditioning use a technology known as a heat pump. It sounds almost miraculousheat pumps use energy to take heat out of a cold place and dump it in a warm place. Here's how a refrigerator works: A fluidCFCs back in the old days, and now HFCscirculates in the walls of the refrigerator, absorbing the ambient heat to keep the fridge cooled down. As that liquid absorbs the heat, it evaporates. The resulting vapor is pumped to the coils on the back of the refrigerator, where it is condensed back to a liquid under pressure. In the process, the heat that was absorbed from inside the fridge is released into the surrounding room. Air conditioners and home heat pumps do the same thing: they use electric-powered compressors and evaporators to move heat into or out of a house. Choosing the right fluid for a refrigerator means finding a substance that can be evaporated and condensed at the right temperatures by changing the pressure on the fluid. CFCs seemed to fit the bill perfectly. They didn't react with the tubing or compressors to corrode the equipment, and they weren't toxic or flammable. Unfortunately, the chemical stability of CFCs turned out to be a problem that threatened the whole world, as scientists discovered in the 1980s. Leaking CFCs, mostly from discarded equipment, remain in the atmosphere for a long time. Eventually they make their way to the stratosphere, where they are finally destroyed by UV radiation from the sun. But when they break down, they create chlorine that reacts with the protective ozone, letting dangerous radiation through to the Earth's surface. When production of CFCs was eliminated in the 1990s to protect the ozone layer, new refrigerants were developed and the industry shifted to HFCs. How a refrigerator works. Why HFCs are a climate problem HFCs are like CFCs but much more reactive in air, so they never reach the stratosphere where they could harm Earth's protective radiation shield. They largely saved the world from impending ozone disaster, and they are now found in refrigerators and heat pumps everywhere. But while HFCs' chemical reactivity prevents them from depleting the ozone layer, their molecular structure allows them to absorb a lot of thermal radiation, making them a greenhouse gas. Like carbon dioxide on steroids, HFCs are extremely good at capturing infrared photons emitted by the Earth. Some of this radiant energy warms the climate. Unlike carbon dixoide, reactive HFCs are consumed by chemistry in the air, so they only warm the climate for a decade or two. But a little bit goes a long wayeach HFC molecule absorbs thousands of times as much heat as a carbon dixoide molecule, making them powerful climate pollutants. HFCs leaking from discarded cooling equipment are estimated to contribute about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissionsabout twice as much as aviation. This is why it's time to retire HFCs and swap them out for alternative refrigerants. They've done their job saving the ozone layer, but now HFCs are a major contributor to short-term global warming, and their use has been increasing as demand for cooling increases around the world. What can replace HFCs? Because they are so powerful and short-lived, stopping the production and use of HFCs can have a significant cooling effect on the climate over the next couple of decades, buying time as the world converts its energy supply from fossil fuels to cleaner sources. The good news is that there are alternative refrigerants. Ammonia and hydrocarbons like butane evaporate at room temperature and have been used as refrigerants since the early 20th century. These gases are short-lived, but they have a downside. Their greater reactivity means their compressors and plumbing have to be more corrosion-resistant and leak-proof to be safe. The chemical industry has been developing newer alternatives intended to be safer for both people and climate, but as we saw with CFCs and HFCs, inert chemicals can have unintended consequence. Several industry leaders have supported efforts to phase out HFCs. So, it's time for another generation of cooling equipment. Just as TVs and audio equipment and light bulbs have evolved over past decades, refrigerators and air conditioners will be replaced by a new wave of improved products. New refrigerators will look and work just like the ones we're used to, but they will be much gentler on the climate system. Explore further How cleaning up coolants can cool the climatewhy HFCs are getting phased out from refrigerators and air conditioners This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. A man holds a QAnon sign outside the White House. Even if most people dont act on their conspiratorial beliefs, such theories can still pose very real dangers. Credit: Shutterstock Much has been made in recent years of politicians like Donald Trump and their use of conspiracy theories. In Canada, a number of conservative politicians have voiced support for conspiracy theories. However, some evidence suggests that those who are most vocal about conspiracy theories do not necessarily take them seriouslyor at the very least, are unlikely to alter their behavior to accommodate their conspiratorial beliefs. But despite this, conspiracy theories and those who endorse them can pose serious risks to public safety. Conspiratorial beliefs In his recent book, cognitive scientist Hugo Mercier suggests that we don't endorse all of our beliefs in the same way. Cognitive scientists have theorized that beliefs come in two forms: intuitive and reflective. Intuitive beliefs are closely linked to our behavior. Reflective beliefs are higher order beliefs, and are therefore further removed from action. This difference in belief type leads to an interesting consequence: it is possible for us to hold beliefs that do not rationally affect our behavior. Related research suggests that beliefs can operate as signals. We might think beliefs are primarily useful since they are action-guiding, but this is not their only function. Beliefs function as useful indicators for social interactions and status. Some philosophers and psychologists suggest social influence on beliefs is, in part, an evolutionary feature of group cohesion, since false beliefs are often acquired thanks to social incentives, rather than individual deliberation. When another person tells me which political party they voted for, or their stance on a social issue, I recognize that those beliefs also communicate a set of values. In this way, people can be vocal about their beliefs to vie for social belonging. At the same time, these interactions inform how we acquire our beliefs. This means I am likely to come to endorse the beliefs espoused in my social community. Pizzagate: The impact of conspiracy Mercier explains some of these implications through the "Pizzagate" conspiracy theory. Pizzagate gained popularity during the 2016 U.S. presidential election after one of Hillary Clinton's campaign chairmen was hacked in an email phishing attack. Rumors quickly gained traction on right-wing platforms claiming the leak revealed Clinton was a pedophile involved in a sex-trafficking ring run out of the basement of a Washington D.C. pizzeria. After learning about the conspiracy, and coming to believe it was true, a man named Edgar Maddison Welch made plans to free those being held in the pizzeria. He drove to Washington, armed with assault weapons, and threatened staff at the restaurant to let the victims go. There were, of course, no victims to be found and Welch was later arrested. A supporter of Pizzagate holds up a sign supporting the conspiracy theory. Conspiratorial beliefs are often acquired thanks to social incentives rather than individual deliberation. Credit: Shutterstock Welch believed the Pizzagate allegations were true, and his behavior was directly affected. He did everything in his power to free the victims he believed to be in the basement of the pizzeria. This is an example of intuitive beliefs that tangibly affected a person's behavior. What might a reflective endorsement of the Pizzagate conspiracy look like? Mercier draws attention to a negative online review of the Pizzeria. The reviewer claimed the pizza was bad and also endorsed the conspiracy theory. They also mentioned they had brought their children to the restaurant. Despite believing the conspiracy, that belief did not rationally impact their behavior. A rational response to hearing a pizzeria is hosting a sex-trafficking ring would not be to bring your own children there. This suggests the reviewer endorsed the conspiracy theory reflectively: their professed belief did not impact their behavior. This tells us that human beings are not as gullible as some psychological studies might suggest. Conspiracy theories still dangerous While this tells us something interesting about human reasoning, I think there is a dangerous implication that looms. Because conspiracy theories do not necessarily lead to massive behavioral changes among those who endorse them, we might want to conclude that they are not as dangerous as they are made out to be. We should resist this impulse. In the case of Pizzagate, there were supposedly millions of people who endorsed the conspiracy, but only one who stormed the pizzeria. Even if conspiracies are not tangibly affecting behavior, we still have reason to combat them. When conspiracy theories spread racist, sexist, and other problematic ideas, the perpetuation of the theory (even if there is no behavior attached) amounts to hate speech. Conspiracy theories can target marginalized groups, even when those who profess conspiratorial beliefs are not themselves committing hate crimes. The consistent articulation of conspiracy theories also has a negative impact on the public's level of trust in experts. This can lead to safety issues, including under-vaccination and climate science denial, leaving people unable to recognize what is in their best interest. Imagine if the vast majority of people passively endorse an anti-medicine conspiracy theory. They become vocal about their belief, since it acts as a signal of their social allegiances. But when they become sick or need medical attention, they ignore their conspiratorial beliefs and listen to medical professionals anyway. We might think this isn't a big problem. But now suppose there is a subset of this population who intuitively endorse the conspiracy and remain steadfast in their anti-medicine beliefs. We can see how these people can put the rest of the population at risk when real threats to public health arise. More than this, those signaling support are nonetheless still doing harm. If a conspiracy becomes widespread, people's beliefs are consistently psychologically reinforced, leading to an inflated sense of confidence about their mistaken beliefs and behavior. All this indicates that real dangers come along with endorsing conspiracy theorieseven when it doesn't involve a large number of people allowing conspiracies to guide their behavior. Conspiracy theories and those who endorse them can pose serious risks. Signaling conspiratorial beliefs can be reckless. We should be invested in acquiring true beliefs. Explore further Beliefs in conspiracy theories may not be increasing This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The deep sea scientific drilling vessel Chikyu, which in 2018 performed the deepest drilling of a subduction zone earthquake fault. Credit: Satoshi Kaya/FlickR Scientists who drilled deeper into an undersea earthquake fault than ever before have found that the tectonic stress in Japan's Nankai subduction zone is less than expected, according to a study from researchers at The University of Texas at Austin and University of Washington. The findings, published in the journal Geology, are a puzzle because the fault produces a great earthquake almost every century and was thought to be building for another big one. "This is the heart of the subduction zone, right above where the fault is locked, where the expectation was that the system should be storing energy between earthquakes," said Demian Saffer, director of the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) who co-led the research and scientific mission that drilled the fault. "It changes the way we're thinking about stress in these systems." Although the Nankai fault has been stuck for decades, the study shows that it is not yet showing major signs of pent-up tectonic stress. According to Saffer, that doesn't alter the long-term outlook for the fault, which last ruptured in 1946when it caused a tsunami that killed thousandsand is expected to do so again during the next 50 years. Instead, the findings will help scientists home in on the link between tectonic forces and the earthquake cycle and potentially lead to better earthquake forecasts, both at Nankai and other megathrust faults such as Cascadia in the Pacific Northwest. Harold Tobin of the University Washington inspects drilling risers. Researchers used similar equipment during a record-breaking attempt to drill Japan's Nankai fault in 2018 that was co-led by the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics. Credit: Harold Tobin/University of Washington "Right now, we have no way of knowing if the big one for Cascadiaa magnitude 9 scale earthquake and tsunamiwill happen this afternoon or 200 years from now," said Harold Tobin, a researcher at the University of Washington who is the first author of the paper. "But I have some optimism that with more and more direct observations like this, we can start to recognize when something anomalous is occurring and that the risk of an earthquake is heightened in a way that could help people prepare." Megathrust faults such as Nankai, and the tsunamis they generate, are among the most powerful and damaging on the globe, but scientists say they currently have no reliable way of knowing when and where the next big one will hit. The hope is that by directly measuring the force felt between tectonic plates pushing on each othertectonic stressscientists can learn when a great earthquake is ready to happen. However, the nature of tectonics means that the great earthquake faults are found in deep ocean, miles under the seafloor, making them incredibly challenging to measure directly. Saffer and Tobin's drilling expedition is the closest scientists have come. Demian Saffer, director of the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG), during scientific ocean drilling at Japan's Nankai earthquake fault. Credit: Demian Saffer/University of Texas Institute for Geophysics A drilling riser aboard the scientific drilling vessel Chikyu. Dozens of risers were linked together to reach deeper into an earthquake fault than ever before. Led by researchers at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics and University of Washington, the scientific mission revealed that tectonic stress in Japan's Nankai subduction zone was lower than expected. Credit: Demian Saffer/University of Texas Institute for Geophysics Their record-breaking attempt took place in 2018 aboard a Japanese scientific drilling ship, the Chikyu, which drilled two miles into the tectonic plate before the borehole got too unstable to continue, a mile short of the fault. Nevertheless, the researchers gathered invaluable data about subsurface conditions near the fault, including stress. To do that, they measured how much the borehole changed shape as the Earth squeezed it from the sides, then pumped water to see what it took to force its walls back out. That told them the direction and strength of horizontal stress felt by the plate pushing on the fault. Contrary to predictions, the horizontal stress expected to have built since the most recent great earthquake was close to zero, as if it had already released its pent-up energy. The researchers suggested several explanations: It could be that the fault simply needs less pent-up energy than thought to slip in a big earthquake, or that the stresses are lurking nearer to the fault than the drilling reached. Or it could be that the tectonic push will come suddenly in the coming years. Either way, the researchers said the drilling showed the need for further investigation and long-term monitoring of the fault. Explore further Can magnitude 4 earthquake rates be used to forecast large earthquake events? More information: Harold J. Tobin et al, Direct constraints on in situ stress state from deep drilling into the Nankai subduction zone, Japan, Geology (2022). Journal information: Geology Harold J. Tobin et al, Direct constraints on in situ stress state from deep drilling into the Nankai subduction zone, Japan,(2022). DOI: 10.1130/G49639.1 Credit: University of Cambridge Researchers have conducted a new analysis of the origins of "bird-hipped" dinosaursthe group which includes iconic species such as Triceratopsand found that they likely evolved from a group of animals known as silesaurs, which were first identified two decades ago. The researchers, from the University of Cambridge and the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria in Brazil, were attempting to solve a long-standing mystery in paleontology: where the "bird-hipped" dinosaurs, or ornithischians, came from. Currently, there is a gap of more than 25 million years in the fossil record, making it difficult to find the branch of the dinosaur family tree where ornithischians belong. The researchers conducted an extensive analysis of early dinosaurs as well as silesaurs, a group named after Silesaurus, first described in 2003. The researchers suggest that silesaurs progressively modified their anatomy during the Late Triassic Period, so that they came to resemble ornithischians by the Early Jurassic Period. However, these ornithischian ancestors have the hip structure of the "lizard-hipped" dinosaurs, or saurischians, suggesting that the earliest bird-hipped dinosaurs were in fact lizard-hipped. The results are reported in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. Dinosaurs originated in the Late Triassic period, about 225 million years ago, and dominated life on Earth until a mass extinction event 66 million years ago. Dinosaurs have fascinated us since they were first named as such by Richard Owen in 1842. Skull of an early Ornithischian. Credit: University of Cambridge The earliest discovered dinosaur remains were scrappy: odd-looking teeth and a few bones. By the latter half of the 19th century however, enough dinosaur remains had been found that a classification system was needed. Harry Seeley, who had been trained in Cambridge by Adam Sedgwick, developed such a classification of dinosaurs based primarily upon the shape of their hip bones: they were either saurischians (lizard-hipped) or ornithischians (bird-hipped). This classification, first published in 1888, proved reliable: all dinosaur discoveries seemed to slot neatly into one or other of these groupings. However, in 2017, Professor David Norman from Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences and his former Ph.D. students Matthew Baron and Paul Barrett argued that these dinosaur family groupings need to be rearranged, re-defined and re-named. In a study published in Nature, the researchers suggested that bird-hipped dinosaurs and lizard-hipped dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus evolved from a common ancestor, potentially overturning more than a century of theory about the evolutionary history of dinosaurs. Controversy aside, it has long been recognized that the bird-hipped dinosaurs are anatomically distinct from all other types of dinosaurs, even though they have nothing to do with birds. But how they came to be has remained a long-standing problem. "It seemed to be that they originated with all other dinosaurs in the Late Triassic but exhibited a unique set of features that could not be fitted into an evolutionary succession from their dinosaur cousins," said Norman, who is a Fellow of Christ's College. "It was as if they just suddenly appeared out of nowhere." Recent work has begun to indicate a more varied and puzzling picture of ornithischian origins. From a phylogenetic perspectivehow the dinosaur family tree branches over timeit is predicted that ornithischian remains should first appear in the fossil record about 225 million years ago. Credit: University of Cambridge "However, the more we've looked in rocks of that age, the less we've found," said Norman. "The first unarguable ornithischian remains date from less than 200 million years ago, meaning there is a 25+ million-year ornithischian gap. So far, all attempts to fill that gap have failed." One solution to this conundrum can be traced back to a discovery in the early years of this century, when the skeleton of an unusual Late Triassic dinosaur-like animal was discovered in Poland. It was described by Jerzy Dzik and named Silesaurus (the "Silesian lizard"). Silesaurus has long slender legs that gave it an upright dinosaur-like postureand its hip bones are arranged like a saurischianbut it seemed to have a toothless, beak-like region at the front of its lower jaw. This was not unlike the toothless beak-like structure known as a predentary that is found in all ornithischian dinosaur skulls, although the uniquely ornithischian predentary bone was not present. Its teeth were also constricted at the top of the roots, and the crowns of the teeth were leaf-shaped in profile: a type of tooth shape seen in many early ornithischians. Dzik speculated about the possible ornithischian similarities of Silesaurus, but the suggestion was dismissed or ignored by most researchers. In the years that followed, more Silesaurus-like creatures were discovered, mostly in South America. Many of these specimens were fragments, but the toothless tip of the lower jaw and the leaf-shaped teeth were common. Credit: University of Cambridge The accumulation of these specimens attracted the attention of several researchers. Their analyses suggested that silesaurs were close relatives of true dinosaurs. Either they were placed on a branch just before the origin of true dinosaurs or, in some instances, they appeared as a sister group to Ornithischia. In 2020, Mauricio Garcia and Rodrigo Muller from the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria in Brazil proposed that silesaur-like creatures could sit on the branch of Dinosauria that led to Ornithischia. "This work attracted our attention in Cambridge," said Norman. "A few years ago, I devised a research project aimed directly at the problem of how the Ornithischia came to be, and Matt was the research student on the project." Norman and Barron began to collaborate with Rodrigo and Mauricio, enlarging the original analysis to include a range of ornithischian dinosaurs, as well as dinosaur ancestors. The outcome of their collaboration is a family tree that depicts silesaurs as a succession of animals on the stem of the branch leading to Ornithischia. "Silesaurians progressively modified their anatomy during the Late Triassic, so that they come to resemble ornithischians," said Norman. "We have been able to trace this transition through the development of the toothless beak, the development of leaf-shaped coarse-edged teeth typical of those seen in the herbivorous ornithischians, modifications to the shoulder bones, changes in the proportions of the pelvic bones, and finally a restructuring of the muscle attachment areas on the hind legs." The research suggests that ornithischians did not arise from nowhere. Rather, they first appeared in the Late Triassic in the guise of silesaurs that gradually rearranged their anatomy with the passage of time until recognizable ornithischians had evolved by the beginning of the Jurassic Period. Credit: University of Cambridge However, there is another aspect to this explanation, which is that the earliest ornithischians of the Late Triassic had none of the anatomical characteristics of true ornithischians: they lacked a predentary and, most importantly, retained the early saurischian hip construction. "So, the very earliest ornithischians were, technically, saurischian," said Norman. "From a taxonomic perspective, classifying silesaurs as early ornithischians seems counterintuitive. But, taking a Darwinian perspective, the unique anatomical characteristics of ornithischians had to evolve from somewhere, and where better than from their nearest relatives: their saurischian cousins." Explore further First complete dinosaur skeleton ever found is ready for its closeup at last More information: David B Norman et al, Taxonomic, palaeobiological and evolutionary implications of a phylogenetic hypothesis for Ornithischia (Archosauria: Dinosauria), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society (2022). Journal information: Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , Nature David B Norman et al, Taxonomic, palaeobiological and evolutionary implications of a phylogenetic hypothesis for Ornithischia (Archosauria: Dinosauria),(2022). DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac062 Geological along-strike section of the southeastern part of the Bushveld Complex in the Tonteldoos area. (a) The section is of the transect line looking at 11 towards 270 azimuth. The section was constructed by rotating the 3D model to view the detailed geology of the complex and its immediate footwall in their true orientation. The section is not vertically or horizontally exaggerated and shows the true lithology morphology. (b) The schematic section prior to faulting highlights several important features of the complex: (1) the existence of the Roossenekal and Belfast sub-chambers with the intervening Stoffberg remnant of non-deformed host rocks, (2) the ~ 4-km and ~ 6-km thick vertical distance between the summit of the Stoffberg remnant with the Lower Mottled Anorthosite and the floor of the Roossenekal sub-chamber, respectively, (3) the concave geometry of the Pyroxenite Marker indicating that instantaneous top of the cumulate pile in the two sub-chambers was gently basinal with regards to the Stoffberg remnant. LMA, Lower Mottled Anorthosite; MMA, Middle Mottled Anorthosite; UMA, Upper Mottled Anorthosite; PM, Pyroxenite Marker; MML, Main Magnetite Layer. Credit: Nature (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19915 Professor Rais Latypov from the School of Geosciences at Wits University and his research team have found field evidence for the existence of a 5-km-thick totally molten chamber within the ancient crust of South Africa. This suggests that a super-large, entirely molten and long-lived magma chambers occur, at least, in deep geological time, and that the classical view of "big magma tanks" remains relevant. The classical petrological view that magma chambers occur as "big tanks" has faced some doubt in recent years, owing to a lack of conclusive evidence from geophysical surveys. In addition, thermal modeling indicates that the formation of a large magma body within the upper crust is physically problematic. These studies have concluded that molten magma chambers are either transient or non-existent in the geological history of the Earth. "Although, modern geophysical surveys are indeed unable to conclusively identify any present-day magma chambers with a large volume of eruptible melt, it is too early to discard the existence of such chambers in Earth's crust. In our study we present the ground-truth observations indicating that one of these large and molten chambers existed in the ancient Earth's crust of South Africa," says Professor Latypov. Latypov and his team's findings have been published as a paper in Scientific Reports. Latypov asserts that the size of the resident melt column in the Bushveld chamber at one stage was "really staggeringover 5 km in thickness and over 380,000 km3 in volume. This amount of magma is several orders of magnitude larger than any known super-eruptions in the Earth's history." It is only comparable to the extrusive volume of some of the Earth's large igneous provinces such as the Karoo flood basalts in South Africa. Key evidence comes from the Bushveld Complex in which the temporary chamber floor was found to gradually rise through a 4-km-high sloping step. "Such development of magmatic layering implies that the resident melt column was thicker than the stepped relief of the chamber floor. This discovery is arguably the most fundamental constraint on the thickness of the resident melt column that has been ever derived from field mapping in fossilized magma chambers," argues Dr. Sofya Chistyakova from Wits University. It is quite conceivable that such magma chambers have developed throughout the entire Earth's history. Even if some regions of the Earth's crust are lacking such chambers, this does not automatically mean that 'big tank' magma chambers are absent from other regions. "Since layered intrusionssuch as the Bushveld Complexare rare throughout geological time, it is not surprising that geophysicists cannot now detect active examples of large and molten magma chambers in Earth's crust," says Chistyakova. Explore further Research shows that the Bushveld Complex functioned as a big magma tank More information: Rais Latypov et al, A 5-km-thick reservoir with > 380,000 km3 of magma within the ancient Earth's crust, Scientific Reports (2022). Journal information: Scientific Reports , Nature Rais Latypov et al, A 5-km-thick reservoir with > 380,000 km3 of magma within the ancient Earth's crust,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19915-w Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain One of the great ironies of lockdowns, border closures, and self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic is that medical students, as with so many other people in education, were forced online for their ongoing studies. Medical education, as with many other vocational areas of learning, requires its students to be very hands-on, at least for a fairly large part of the time. Research in the International Journal of Innovation in Education, has looked at medical education in Italy as it was affected by the pandemic. Benedetta Agnelli, Silvia Oldani, Valeriano Vinci, Mattia Loppini, Ferdinando Cananzi, Damiano Chiari, and Licia Montagna of the Humanitas University in Milan, and Fabrizio Consorti of the Sapienza University of Rome, discuss how practical activities were relocated online so that students could continue to learn the requisite methodological and cognitive skills associated with medicine. Among those skills are understanding patient history (anamnesis), clinical reasoning, procedural skills, case discussion, and such. They discuss their experience of professionalizing activities in the form of e-learning and reveal the advantages and limitations so that others in medical education might learn from this experience. Professionalizing activities are a vital part of the practical training at Humanitas University and so the pandemic presented many major challenges to the educators there hoping to train their undergraduate medical students to be good doctors. Thankfully, innovative technology at this point in history made it possible, despite pandemic lockdowns, for medical students to continue their training online albeit with some limitations. The team suggests that, given the situation of the crisis in which humanity found itself, e-learning allowed training to be undertaken in such a way that students could improve reflection and self-learning aspects of their education in a way that traditional training did not necessarily facilitate. Explore further New report on impact of pandemic on learning experiences of young people with disabilities More information: Benedetta Agnelli et al, Medical education in covid-19 pandemic: e-learning based professionalizing activities, International Journal of Innovation in Education (2022). Benedetta Agnelli et al, Medical education in covid-19 pandemic: e-learning based professionalizing activities,(2022). DOI: 10.1504/IJIIE.2022.10049290 Critical to our knowledge, the study detailed new insights on how, why, and to what degree maize and rice yield responses are expected to vary in sub-Saharan Africa. Credit: K. Amouzou/APNI Efforts to improve the yields of staple cereal crops like maize and rice at scale in Africa remain seriously hampered by the effects of poor soil fertility. The lack of adequate information to base an effective fertilizer recommendation upon often results in inefficient nutrient use by crops and low crop yields. A root cause of poor crop response to applied nutrients is generalized fertilizer recommendations that fail to account for variability in factors such as the climate, soil properties, and water availability. As we improve our understanding of the range of underlying issues that interact to create variability, better solutions can be created for farmers, and confidence in fertilizer use will grow. Over the last 20 years, nutrient omission trials (NOTs) have become a widespread method of assessing crop responses to nutrient application within defined agro-climatic landscapes or even an individual farm field. NOTs are designed as a series of plots that omit single nutrients in order to isolate the effects of their absence on crop growth and yield. Plots omitting nutrients are also compared to plots providing a more balanced application of nutrients that attempt to achieve a predetermined yield target based on a current understanding of crop nutrient demand. The NOT technique is particularly adaptable to the fragmented landscape of smallholder agriculture. The use of NOTs provides a means to collect site-specific data on crop nutrient responses and soil nutrient supply and provide data essential for generating more targeted fertilizer recommendations. Additional motivation behind the development of the science supporting NOTs is that the method shows high promise as a scalable tool to replace long-standing generalized recommendations systems. Recently, an analytical review of NOT studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), published in Agronomy for Sustainable Development, has provided new insight into the causes of yield-robbing variability. The team of researchers began by collecting primary data from more than 3,000 NOTs conducted for maize (35 regions from seven countries) and rice (30 regions from 17 countries) in order to gather evidence on the most influential factors limiting these crop yields and gain a better understanding on why and to what degree yield responses vary across the landscape. "Ultimately, the team was searching for actionable information to improve nutrient management for sustainable crop production intensification in SSA and identify future nutrient management research and development priorities that can help breakthrough existing knowledge gaps that are preventing yield improvement at scale. The results of the analysis provide valuable insights into the role of balanced fertilizer in improving the performance of cropping systems as the continent prepares for the Africa Union-led 2023 Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit," said Dr. Shamie Zingore, Corresponding Author and Director of Research and Development at the African Plant Nutrition Institute. The review provides a comprehensive look at the overall effects of nutrient application on yields and nutrient use efficiency in maize and rice, how yields vary across the landscape, and what are the best predictors of yield and yield response. Highlights from the study Results determined that balanced fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) doubled both maize and rice yields (i.e., from 2 to 4 t/ha) compared to current practice. Yet the analysis indicated that farmers could expect more consistency across their fields, and season-to-season, if NPK applications were combined with other macro- and micronutrients, or farmyard manure inputs. The authors point to an existing African Green Revolution target of 3 t/ha that would be more likely to be exceeded by farmers adopting this latter, more balanced fertilization approach. Critical to our knowledge, the study also details new insights on how, why, and to what degree maize and rice yield responses are expected to vary in SSA. Factors such as soil type, agro-climatic zone, crop variety, and nutrient imbalances are identified and ranked in terms of importance within the cropping systems. Nutrient imbalances of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and K were identified as playing a large role in limiting yield responses to N and P application in SSA soils. Of specific note is the authors' recommendation to revitalize research efforts towards understanding why soil potassium responses vary widely across maize and rice cropping systems. In their concluding remarks the authors make a convincing case for revitalizing work on unraveling the site-specific interactions between potassium and other nutrients, as well as the role of potassium fixation, as two key areas of research needed to generate consistently high yields at scale. More information: Shamie Zingore et al, Novel insights into factors associated with yield response and nutrient use efficiency of maize and rice in sub-Saharan Africa. A review, Agronomy for Sustainable Development (2022). Shamie Zingore et al, Novel insights into factors associated with yield response and nutrient use efficiency of maize and rice in sub-Saharan Africa. A review,(2022). DOI: 10.1007/s13593-022-00821-4 Provided by African Plant Nutrition Institute Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain California's reservoirs will enter fall in a slightly better position than last year, but the Golden State should prepare for more dryness, extreme weather events and water quality hazards in 2023, officials say. The latest climate forecasting update from the Department of Water Resources came Wednesday, just days before the end of the water year, which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 in California. Officials said some of the state's biggest reservoirs, including Lake Oroville and Lake Shasta, are slightly more full than they were at the same time last year, but still remain well below average. Water managers are now preparing for a "fourth dry year," as well as more unpredictable weather and wildfires associated with climate change, DWR Assistant Deputy Director John Yarbrough said during a meeting of the California Water Commission. "We have more storage in the reservoirs, but we're still well below average, well below where we'd like to be," Yarbrough said. What's more, "we have to prepare and expect that we're going to see things that we haven't seen before." Part of the challenge facing the state's water managers is that climate change is making it more difficult to predict and prepare for water outcomes, Yarbrough said. During the 2022 water year, officials observed significant swings between extreme wet and extreme dry conditions, including a notably rainy October through December followed by the driest January through March on record. Yarbrough said such variability underscores the need for conservative planning and aggressive multiagency action. "When we look at patterns like this, it really challenges a lot of our practices for how we plan the system, for how we're going to operate for the next year," he said. The 2022 water year also saw warmer-than-normal temperatures and drier-than-normal conditions, he said, but both metrics were slightly improved from the year prior. Lake Shasta, the state's largest reservoir, is projected to end the water year with 1.48 million acre-feet in storageup from 1.07 million acre-feet last year. Still, Yarbrough emphasized that California remains in serious drought. Even with improved storage, Shasta sits at about 34% of its capacity, according to The Times' drought tracker. It's "better than last year but not good enough," he said. Though California has experienced periods of drought in the past, Wednesday's report came against a backdrop of significant water cuts and worsening aridity in what researchers have described as the driest 22-year period in at least 1,200 years. What's more, the state's other primary water supplythe Colorado Riveris also running perilously low, with federal officials warning that another 150-foot drop in Lake Mead could lead to "dead pool" conditions, or the point at which water falls below the lowest intake valve on the Hoover Dam. The looming crisis has put the pressure on California and other nearby states to figure out how to significantly reduce their reliance on the river, and officials have said painful cuts are likely in the coming months. But climate change isn't only affecting water availability in Californiait is also affecting the quality of water, especially in watersheds near wildfires, according to Andrew Schwarz, climate action coordinator with the State Water Project. More than half of the Feather River Watershedthe largest in the Sierra Nevadaburned in wildfires between 2019 and 2021, Schwarz said. About a quarter of it burned at high intensity levels associated with significant tree mortality. Such fire activity can have myriad effects on the watershed, including altered soil and vegetation. Schwarz said black carbon deposits from ash and burned trees can change the reflectivity of snow to make it melt faster, while high heat can make soil waxy, more water repellent and more prone to runoff. What's more, erosion and debris flow can send sediment into rivers and other sources of water. "It's an incredible change in the landscape of a watershed, as you can imagine," he told the California Water Commission. That confluence of hazards means the state's water managers are increasingly accounting for wildfires in their climate resilience efforts, Schwarz said, including improving water safety plans for local residents and implementing new sensor data to help experts monitor changing hydrology. "We'll probably have more fire in the watershed, and so we'll be able to continue to adapt to this and get better information as we go along," he said. Commissioner Alexandre Makler said the reports underscored the need for continued maintenance and asset management on the State Water Project. "It needs to be in tip-top shapethat's absolutely critical," he said, adding that "it's clear that there is a significant capital component in addressing the risk, and combining that with the planning process." California has been investing in such work, with the 2022-2023 state budget carving out $1.2 billion in new funds to lessen wildfire risk through better forest management and $2.8 billion to support drought resilience and response, among other items. But the mounting challenges mean there is much work yet to be done. Other water priorities for the coming year include maintaining the quality of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which is the source of municipal drinking water for many communities, while continuing to meet minimum health and safety needs and protecting species and the environment, Yarbrough told the commission. It's also critical to conserve as much reservoir water as possible, he said, "so we have water again in case we're faced with a fifth dry year." Explore further A major California reservoir has hit its peak for the year at just over half full 2022 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The researchers dragged a sphere over a glass surface decorated with special fluorescent molecules. Credit: HIMS / UvA Chemists and physicists at the University of Amsterdam shed light on a crucial aspect of friction: how things begin to slide. Using fluorescence microscopy and dedicated fluorescent molecules, they are able to pinpoint how and when the friction at the contact between two objects is overcome and sliding starts to occur. They report on the details of this important transition from static to dynamic friction in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. Friction is responsible for an estimated 25% of world energy consumption. One of the key questions for the stability of many systems is how and when objects start to slide with respect to each otherthink of earthquakes or your foot on the ground. When two objects touch, the contact area is formed by the many microscopic protrusions of the two interfaces that touch and interlock. Application of a shear force makes the objects slide along each other, breaking these initial contacts. Dragging a sphere over a glass surface At the University of Amsterdam, the groups of Prof. Daniel Bonn (Institute of Physics) and Prof. Fred Brouwer (Van 't Hoff Institute of Molecular Sciences) have an ongoing cooperation to investigate the process of friction down to the microscopic level of roughness. In the paper just published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters they report on experiments where a sphere is dragged over a glass surface. The glass surface has been decorated with a special type of molecules (fluorogenic mechanophores) that start to emit light (fluorescence) when under the stress of the shearing force. The moment this force disappears, the molecules return to their stable, non-fluorescent form. This allows scientists to directly visualize and quantify the microscopic shear force down to the microscopic roughness level, and establish how it evolves during the transition from the static to the moving state. The researchers find, among other things, that just before sliding occurs, a slip wave propagates from the edge toward the center of the macroscopic contact area. This allows for a quantitative and microscopic local understanding of how surfaces start to slide. Credit: University of Amsterdam More information: Chao-Chun Hsu et al, Local Shearing Force Measurement during Frictional Sliding Using Fluorogenic Mechanophores, The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters (2022). Journal information: Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters Chao-Chun Hsu et al, Local Shearing Force Measurement during Frictional Sliding Using Fluorogenic Mechanophores,(2022). DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c02010 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Researchers have identified how mussel larvae movegiving mussel and other shellfish farmers important insights into where and how to grow them. The University of Stirling's Institute of Aquaculture used genetic testing of mussels at sample sites along Scotland's west coast combined with mathematical modeling to understand where mussels grow welland it's all about the current. Ph.D. researcher Ana Corrochano-Fraile said, "Mussel growing has been a bit of a black box. The larvae float in the water, we put ropes at sea and larvae appear there. If the stock goes down, we don't know why. If the quality goes down, we don't know why. "Our model shows us how the larvae move in the currents, from south to north. We found that, in 30 days, a cloud of larvae can move from the Scottish border near Stranraer up to Islay, for example. They then attach to substrateanything solid in the water, which could be ropesand grow for one and a half years until they start reproducing. The next generation of larvae is carried on the current from Islay to the Outer Hebrides in 30 daysthat's a lot further, because the current is faster there. "For example, we found that 90% of the mussels in Loch Roag on Lewis have come from Barra. Knowing where mussels come from and where they go tells us a lot about the best and worst locations for farms." The researchers worked with the Scottish Association of Marine Science, as well as mussel farms at different west coast locations, through the Fishmongers' Company, Scottish Sea Farms Ltd and Association of Scottish Seafood Growers. They discovered, for example, that larvae from Loch Eil farm leave the loch, but no new larvae come in, so although Loch Eil has a self-sustaining population, it also contributes to populations at other locations, such as Loch Linnhe. Ms. Corrochano-Fraile's supervisor, computational biologist Dr. Michael Bekaert, said, "We were surprised by how fast the larvae moved in a short amount of time, and also how fragile and vulnerable they are. "The research shows that if we were to block the current in some way between Scotland and Northern Ireland, or slow it down, we would lose larvae. Similarly, if we were to pollute the sea there, or somewhere like Loch Linnhe, where many fresh larvae are washing in, that would have a huge impact. To breed quality mussels, like with anything else, you need maximum diversity in the genes, so you don't want to lose fresh genes by messing with the current or polluting. "We will need to understand the effects of climate change better, but if the current were to move much faster, for example, the larvae might be swept past the Outer Hebrides without stopping at all." Forty percent of the UK's mussels are produced in Scotland, with half of these growing along the west coast and the rest around Shetland. Mussel farming has a low impact on the environment, as they require no food, grow on ropes and, by nature of being bivalves, they even clean the water around them. "This does mean they are vulnerable to pollution though," explained Dr. Bekaert. "They will absorb heavy metals, for example. If we give them rubbish to eat, they keep it. But if these fast-flowing waters are clean, the mussels are clean. "It is possible to produce a lot of mussels at very low costenvironmental and economic. The most expensive part is harvesting and processing them." Increasing mussel production is part of industry organization Scotland Food and Drink's ambition to double Scotland's food production by 2030. Dr. Bekaert said, "This level of detailed oceanographic information is also relevant to other valuable bivalves such as scallops and oysters and, being at a scale of meters rather than kilometers, is even useful for the salmon industry." The paper, "Predictive biophysical models of bivalve larvae dispersal in Scotland," is published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science. Explore further Study shows cryopreserved mussel larvae can survive and develop into adult mussels More information: Ana Corrochano-Fraile et al, Predictive biophysical models of bivalve larvae dispersal in Scotland, Frontiers in Marine Science (2022). Journal information: Frontiers in Marine Science Ana Corrochano-Fraile et al, Predictive biophysical models of bivalve larvae dispersal in Scotland,(2022). DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2022.985748 A comparison of the internal and external generalization of FIN and RH-M on lung and salivary gland tissue sections and Pap smear samples. The reconstruction results of MH-PR using the same input holograms (M=3) are also shown for comparison. Credit: Hanlong Chen, UCLA Researchers have developed a new end-to-end neural network that can speed up the reconstruction of holographic images. Unlike other deep learning techniques, the approach can be used on samples not encountered during training, making it particularly useful for label-free holographic biomedical imaging. "With this framework, a well-trained neural network can be distributed anywhere, without finetuning, and perform rapid and high-quality holographic imaging of various samples," explained research lead Hanlong Chen, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Hanlong Chen and Aydogan Ozcan will present the research at the Frontiers in Optics + Laser Science Conference (FiO LS) meeting being held in Rochester, New York and online 1720 October 2022. The presentation is scheduled for Monday, 17 October at 16:30 EDT (UTC04:00). A generalizable approach Although various neural networks have been developed to achieve the data-heavy task of hologram reconstruction for biological research and biomedical applications, most of them are designed to be very specific. This means that they may not perform well if used with samples that differ from those initially used to train the network. To solve this problem, Chen and colleagues developed an end-to-end neural network called Fourier Imager Network (FIN). This type of neural network is trained using a single model, bypassing some of the steps usually used by other deep learning methods. End-to-end neural networks are also faster and potentially more generalizable to a wide variety of samples. Faster, more accurate results The FIN framework takes a sequence of intensity-only raw holograms captured at different sample-to-sensor distances with a lens-free in-line holographic microscope and creates reconstructed images of the samples. To test the new approach, the researchers trained the network using lung tissue sections. They then used FIN to reconstruct holographic images of human salivary gland tissue and Pap smear samples not seen by the network during training. FIN worked well on these new types of samples and delivered more accurately reconstructed images than an iterative algorithm and a state-of-the-art deep learning model. It also showed an approximately 50-fold improved speed compared to the deep learning model. The researchers say that these results demonstrate the strong external generalization of FIN while also showing the immense potential of building broadly generalizable deep neural networks for various microscopy and computational imaging tasks. Chen added, "Our next step is to investigate autofocusing while retaining the benefits of our approach, such as superb image quality, unprecedented generalization to new types of samples, and enhanced computational speed, making holographic imaging possible with low-resource devices." Explore further Superior phase recovery and hologram reconstruction using a deep neural network Plant ecologists Loralee Larios, UC Riverside and Lauren Hallett, University of Oregon, in a Northern California field tracking the health of purple needlegrass. Credit: Loralee Larios/UCR Though it is disappearing, California's official state grass has the ability to live for 100 years or more. New research demonstrates that sheep and cattle can help it achieve that longevity. Purple needlegrass once dominated the state's grasslands, serving as food for Native Americans and for more than 330 terrestrial creatures. Today, California has lost most of its grasslands, and the needlegrass occupies only one tenth of what remains. It is drought resistant, promotes the health of native wildflowers by attracting beneficial root fungi, burns more slowly than non-native grasses and speeds the postfire recovery of burned lands. For these and other reasons, many who work toward habitat restoration hope to preserve the needlegrass. "Where it grows, these tall, slender bunches become focal points, beautiful as well as environmentally beneficial," said Loralee Larios, UC Riverside plant ecologist. "However, identifying successful management strategies for a species that can live for a couple hundred years is challenging." To meet that challenge, Larios teamed up with University of Oregon plant ecologist Lauren Hallett and Northern California's East Bay Regional Park District. They tracked the health of nearly 5,000 individual needlegrass clumps over six years, including an El Nino rain year as well as historic drought. The researchers took measurements of plant health including growth and seed production. They placed small bags over many of the grass clumps to capture the seeds and quantify the number of seeds they produced. Their findings, now published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, were that purple needlegrass did better in places where sheep were allowed to graze. The positive effects of the grazing were amplified in times of wetter weather. California's disappearing state grass appears in the foreground. Credit: Loralee Larios/UCR Previously, the park district spent a decade trying to assess the success of its grassland maintenance techniques. However, the district's method of applying a strategy like grazing, and then measuring the percentage of needlegrass clumps in a given area resulted in data that didn't follow a discernable pattern from year to year. "By tracking each plant over time, rather than scanning broadly across an area, we gained much more clarity about how the grass responds to the grazing," Larios explained. "Perhaps counterintuitively, we saw that the needlegrass generally died back when sheep weren't allowed to graze on it." When sheep were removed from the study sites, the needlegrass in all but two of the sites became less healthy. The researchers would like to learn whether the two sites that remained healthy have needlegrasses that are genetically distinct. Grazing is a controversial strategy for grassland restoration. Some conservationists believe sheep eating the target grass, particularly during already stressful drought years, does not enhance their survival. As far back as the 1800s, some researchers hypothesized that the combination of grazing and drought resulted in the loss of perennial grasses. Though drought was not beneficial for any of the plants in this study, the researchers believe grazing helped needlegrass survive in at least two ways. One, by trampling on leaf litter and other organic debris, sheep created space for new needlegrass to grow. "Sometimes you get litter that's as deep as a pencilso much dead, non-native grass piles up. It's hard for a little seed to get enough light through all of that," Larios said. Measuring the size of an individual grass clump to assess its health. Credit: Loralee Larios/UCR Secondly, sheep eat non-native grasses that generate growth-suppressing debris and compete with purple needlegrass for resources. When the Spanish colonized California, they brought forage grasses like wild oats that they thought would benefit cattle. Those introduced grasses spread, and now dominate the state's grasslands. "Our grasslands are known as one of the world's biggest biological invasions," Larios said. California has as many as 25 million acres of grasslands, equivalent to the combined areas of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Though Larios does not believe it is possible to rid the state of all non-native grasses, she said it is possible to maintain or even increase the amount of purple needlegrass. "It's great for carbon storage, which mitigates climate change, it doesn't serve as wildfire fuel, and cultivates a space for wildflowers that pollinators are then able to use," Larios said. "We want to keep all those benefits." More information: Loralee Larios et al, Incorporating temporal dynamics to enhance grazing management outcomes for a longlived species, Journal of Applied Ecology (2022). Journal information: Journal of Applied Ecology Loralee Larios et al, Incorporating temporal dynamics to enhance grazing management outcomes for a longlived species,(2022). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14283 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A quarter of employees who currently work from home part of the week say they would quit their job rather than return to the office full-time, according to a major new global study. The research, from the School of Politics and Economics at King's and based on data from more than 30,000 full-time workers across 27 countries, also found that employees around the world see working from home for two to three days as being as valuable as earning five percent more pay. The study authors say the recent move to working from home is a more dramatic change to working arrangements than the industrial revolution in Great Britain or the shift many countries underwent from a manufacturing to a service economy. One of the researchers Dr. Cevat Giray Aksoy, from King's and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), said, "The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a huge, sudden uptake in working from home, as individuals and organizations responded to contagion fears and government restrictions on commercial and social activities." "No other episode in modern history involved such a pronounced and widespread shift in working arrangements in such a compressed time frame." "The broader economic and social consequences will unfold for many years to come but in this study, we look beyond the immediate impact of the shift to working from home and look at the longer-term trends emerging as well as looking even further ahead, at the possible longer-term consequences." The study, which collected two rounds of data, firstly in the summer of 2021 and secondly in early 2022, reveals how attitudes to working from home are similar in many countries around the world. It also found there have been lasting changes both to the way people engage with work and the attitudes of businesses to accommodating remote working. The study also cautions of the longer-term challenges facing cities including a stark drop to local tax bases, outmigration and a "downward spiral in urban amenities." Other findings include: People work from home an average of 1.5 days a week, although there are wide variances across the world. In post-pandemic planning, employers underestimated by more than half the amount of time people would want to work from home once restrictions were lifted. Women, people with children and those with longer commutes particularly value the option to work from home. Most employees were favorably surprised by their WFH productivity during the pandemic. Planned WFH levels rose with the cumulative stringency of government-mandated lockdowns during the pandemic. Explore further Canadians say just as productive working from home More information: Cevat Giray Aksoy et al, Working from Home Around the World (2022). www.brookings.edu/bpea-article me-around-the-world/ Cevat Giray Aksoy et al, Working from Home Around the World (2022). DOI: 10.3386/w30446 Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain People's experiences of racism and stigma prior to coronavirus must be considered during any evaluation of the impact of social distancing, experts have said. A new study argues a form of social distancing due to racism and marginalization was familiar to those from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds before the coronavirus pandemic, and this was already leading to discrimination and having a negative effect on lives, livelihoods, socio-economic status, health, and well-being. The study says this impact became worse during COVID-19, which has illustrated that "racism and health are deeply co-implicated." The research published in Puncta: Journal of Critical Phenomenology, was conducted by Luna Dolezal and Gemma Lucas from the University of Exeter. Professor Dolezal said, "The inequalities and health disparities for minority ethnic groups that COVID-19 has exposed are part of a systemic and structural racism that has a long history of taking lives. While the COVID-19 pandemic has created enormous challenges that have, in unprecedented ways, impacted populations across the globe, it is crucial that we recognize the ways in which the degree of this impact is unequal because of pre-existing systems of structural inequality. "People's social position, gender, ethnicity, race, or health status was not considered when social distancing measures were introduced. All bodies were given the same status as equally dangerous and equally vulnerable. In reality people are not homogenous, biological entities. Nor are we equally vulnerable. There is ample evidence demonstrating that social distancing public health measures put in place to curtail the spread of the virus, such as lockdowns and quarantines, exacerbated social and health inequalities." The research, written in autumn 2020 when social distancing measures were still in effect in the UK, included analysis of existing writing and research on racism, including those from Black and minority ethnic commentators who have described striking similarities between COVID-19 social distancing measures and the routine experiences of racism that are ongoing for minorities in white dominant societies. Many of the writings were personal experiences of seeing other people keep their distance from them before the pandemic. One writer, Lisa Braxton, said, "We've long practiced social distancing to keep ourselves safe and lessen our chances of a shortened life span: not because of a contagious disease, but because of racism I have experienced white women suddenly clutch tightly onto their purse straps as I've walked past them on the sidewalk. Some have begun to visibly shake, their eyes growing wide, as if terrified, if I happened to make eye contact with them in an elevator." Gemma Lucas said, "While social distancing can be alienating, isolating, and painful for individuals who occupy positions of social privilege, it will not be experienced in the same manner by those who routinely experience marginalization because of racism. Face-to-face social distancing was familiar already for many people whose bodies are perceived to be suspicious or dangerous because of, for example, their race, class, or disability. "Being seen as 'contaminated' and experiencing the wary avoidance of others may be familiar to people whose bodies are marginalized, stigmatized, or marked out as suspicious or dangerous and whose life experiences, as a result, were already marked by ongoing experiences of stigma, shame, and marginalization. This can include others moving away or locking car doors and being watched by security in shops." Explore further Experience of racism linked with poorer memory and thinking Credit: CC0 Public Domain A study analyzing millions of tweets has revealed that Republican members of the U.S. Congress are increasingly circulating news from dubious sources, compared to their European counterparts. The research, published in PNAS Nexus and led by the Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria and the University of Bristol in the UK, showed Republican Congress members are sharing more links to websites classified as "untrustworthy." It is widely acknowledged that what politicians share on social media helps shape public perceptions and views. The findings are especially pertinent, with the U.S. midterm elections coming up in November and much of the campaigning taking place on social media platforms. First author Dr. Jana Lasser, Complexity Researcher from TU Graz, said, "The amount of untrustworthy information shared by politicians on social media is perceived to be increasing. We wanted to substantiate this with figures, so we analyzed millions of original tweets by politicians from the U.S., Great Britain and Germany." The team of researchers collected more than 3.4 million tweets from politicians made between 2016 to 2022. Specifically, these were 1.7 million tweets from members of the U.S. Congress, 960,000 tweets from British MPs and 750,000 tweets from German MPs. The links contained in the tweets were compared with a database from the company NewsGuard, which assesses the credibility and transparency of news websites against nine journalistic criteria and identifies relevant details about the website's ownership, funding, credibility and transparency practices. The findings showed that members of the Republican Party in particular shared significantly more links to websites classified as "untrustworthy" over the years. Compared to the period 2016 to 2018, the number of links to untrustworthy websites has doubled over the past two years. Dr. Lasser said, "In general, members of parties in the right half of the political spectrum in all countries studied share more of these linksbut only Republicans show this significant increase. In the other countries, the share remains stable." Specifically, the percentage of links to untrustworthy websites posted by Republicans more than doubled between 2016 to 2018 and 2020 to 2022, from 2.4% to 5.5%. Overall, Republican members of Congress post about nine times as many such links as Democratic members of Congress, for whom only 0.4% of the links contained in tweets point to untrustworthy sites. In Europe, parliamentarians are even less likely to link to untrustworthy sites. Even among Conservatives, only 0.25% of the links shared by British Tory politicians and 0.18% of the links shared by MPs from the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) and the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU), a center-right Christian-democratic alliance, were untrustworthy. The only European party whose source selection for Twitter posts resembled that of the Republican MPs was the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a right-win populist political party. "Repeating the analysis with a second, comparable database also produced very similar results. In such analyses, it is important to use different assessments of the credibility of news sources in order to exclude bias or partiality," added Dr. Lasser. Corresponding author Professor Stephan Lewandowsky, Chair in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Bristol, said, "Politicians are part of the educated elite; their behavior is a kind of compass of what is socially acceptable and what is not. When people in politics increasingly post misinformation or news from sources that are not very trustworthy, I think that is very problematic. "Despite their high social standing, it is therefore important to take information shared by politicians critically and to question the sources." Explore further Twitter posts reveal polarization in Congress on COVID-19 More information: Social media sharing of low quality news sources by political elites, PNAS Nexus (2022). Journal information: PNAS Nexus Social media sharing of low quality news sources by political elites,(2022). DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.2207.06313 Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan bin Salman talks at the Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates about his 1985 experience as the first Arab and Muslim to travel to space aboard NASA's Discovery shuttle, March 8, 2016. Saudi Arabia announced Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, plans to launch a training program with the goal of sending its own astronauts, including a woman, into space next year. The kingdom is actively promoting science and technology as part of its wide-ranging Vision 2030 plan to overhaul its economy and reduce its dependency on oil. Credit: AP Photo/Aya Batrawy, File Saudi Arabia said Thursday it will launch a training program with the goal of sending its own astronauts, including a woman, into space next year. The kingdom is actively promoting science and technology as part of its wide-ranging Vision 2030 plan to overhaul its economy and reduce its dependency on oil. The plan, championed by Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also calls for greater integration of women into the workforce of the conservative Muslim country. Saudi Arabia lifted a long-standing ban on women driving in 2018. "The Saudi Astronaut Program, which is an integral part of the Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030, will send Saudi astronauts into space to help better serve humanity," the Saudi Space Commission said in a statement. "One of the astronauts will be a Saudi woman, whose mission to space will represent a historical first for the Kingdom." The first Arab or Muslim to travel to space was Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan bin Salman, a half-brother of the crown prince and an air force pilot who was part of the seven-member crew of NASA's Discovery mission in 1985. He later served as head of the Saudi Space Commission from 2018 until last year, when he was appointed an adviser to King Salman. The neighboring United Arab Emirates has the Arab world's leading space program, having launched a probe into Mars' orbit in February 2021. The UAE plans to launch its first lunar rover in November. If the moon mission succeeds, the UAE and Japan, which is providing the lander, would join the ranks of only the U.S., Russia and China as nations that have put a spacecraft on the lunar surface. Explore further Saudi to invest $20 billion in AI by 2030 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. In this image made from a video, a rescuer pours water on one of stranded whales on Ocean Beach, near Strahan, Australia Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. More than 200 whales have been stranded on Tasmanias west coast, just days after 14 sperm whales were found beached on an island off the southeastern coast. Credit: Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP A day after 230 whales were found stranded on the wild and remote west coast of Australia's island state of Tasmania, only 35 were still alive despite rescue efforts that were to continue Thursday. Half the pod of pilot whales stranded in Macquarie Harbour were presumed to still be alive on Wednesday, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania said. But pounding surf took a toll overnight, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service manager Brendon Clark said. "We've triaged the animals yesterday as part of the preliminary assessment and we've identified those animals that had best chance of survival of the approximately 230 that stranded. Today's focus will be on rescue and release operations," Clark told reporters at nearby Strahan. "We've got approximately 35 surviving animals out on the beach ... and the primary focus this morning will be on the rescue and release of those animals," Clark added. The whales beached two years to the day after the largest mass-stranding in Australia's history was discovered in the same harbor. About 470 long-finned pilot whales were found on Sept. 21, 2020, stuck on sandbars. After a weeklong effort, 111 of those whales were rescued but the rest died. The entrance to the harbor is a notoriously shallow and dangerous channel known as Hell's Gate. In this image made from a video, a rescuer pours water on one of stranded whales on Ocean Beach, near Strahan, Australia Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. More than 200 whales have been stranded on Tasmanias west coast, just days after 14 sperm whales were found beached on an island off the southeastern coast. Credit: Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP Local salmon farmer Linton Kringle helped in the 2020 rescue effort and said the latest challenge would be more difficult. "Last time they were actually in the harbor and it's quite calm and we could, sort of, deal with them in there and we could get the boats up to them," Kringle said. "But just on the beach, you just can't get a boat in thereit's too shallow, way too rough. My thoughts would be try to get them onto a vehicle if we can't swim them out," Kringle added. Vanessa Pirotta, a wildlife scientist specializing in marine mammals, said it was too early to explain why the stranding had occurred. "The fact that we've seen similar species, the same time, in the same location, reoccurring in terms of stranding at that same spot might provide some sort of indication that there might be something environmental here," Pirotta said. This photo released by Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, shows whales stranded on Ocean Beach at Macquarie Harbour on the west coast of Tasmania of Australia, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. Credit: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania via AP This image made from a video, shows the stranded whales on Ocean Beach, near Strahan, Australia Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. More than 200 whales have been stranded on Tasmanias west coast, just days after 14 sperm whales were found beached on an island off the southeastern coast. Credit: Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP This photo provided by Huon Aquaculture, shows whales stranded at Macquarie Harbour in Strahan, Tasmania, Australia Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. About 230 whales have been stranded on Tasmania's west coast, just days after 14 sperm whales were found beached on an island off the southeastern coast. Credit: Andrew Breen/Huon Aquaculture via AP This photo provided by Huon Aquaculture, shows whales stranded at Macquarie Harbour in Strahan, Tasmania, Australia Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. About 230 whales have been stranded on Tasmanias west coast, just days after 14 sperm whales were found beached on an island off the southeastern coast. Credit: Andrew Breen/Huon Aquaculture via AP This photo provided by Huon Aquaculture, shows whales stranded at Macquarie Harbour in Strahan, Tasmania, Australia Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. About 230 whales have been stranded on Tasmanias west coast, just days after 14 sperm whales were found beached on an island off the southeastern coast. Credit: Andrew Breen/Huon Aquaculture via AP This photo provided by Huon Aquaculture, shows whales stranded at Macquarie Harbour in Strahan, Tasmania, Australia Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. About 230 whales have been stranded on Tasmanias west coast, just days after 14 sperm whales were found beached on an island off the southeastern coast. Credit: Linton Kringle/Huon Aquaculture via AP This photo provided by Huon Aquaculture, shows whales stranded at Macquarie Harbour in Strahan, Tasmania, Australia Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. About 230 whales have been stranded on Tasmanias west coast, just days after 14 sperm whales were found beached on an island off the southeastern coast. Credit: Andrew Breen/Huon Aquaculture via AP David Midson, general manager of the West Coast Council municipality, urged people to stay clear. "Whales are a protected species, even once deceased, and it is an offense to interfere with a carcass," the environment department said. Fourteen sperm whales were discovered Monday afternoon on King Island, part of the state of Tasmania in the Bass Strait between Melbourne and Tasmania's northern coast. Griffith University marine scientist Olaf Meynecke said it's unusual for sperm whales to wash ashore. He said that warmer temperatures could also be changing the ocean currents and moving the whales' traditional food. "They will be going to different areas and searching for different food sources," Meynecke said. "When they do this, they are not in the best physical condition because they might be starving so this can lead them to take more risks and maybe go closer to shore." The pilot whale is notorious for stranding in mass numbers, for reasons that are not entirely understood. Explore further Some 230 whales beached in Tasmania; rescue efforts underway 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The teacher shortages plaguing primary and secondary schools in the U.S. could be game-changers for people entering the field by boosting salaries and improving benefits and working conditions, said Nancy Latham, the executive director of the Council on Teacher Education and an associate dean in the College of Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Credit: Jeremiah Cox Nancy Latham is the executive director of the Council on Teacher Education and an associate dean in the College of Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Latham spoke with News Bureau education editor Sharita Forrest about the factors driving the teacher shortage in U.S. schools. The 2021 Illinois Educator Shortage Survey found that 88% of the 663 school districts that responded to the survey were having problems finding teachers and substitute teachers. Why are so many school districts having such difficulty filling teaching positions this academic year? The massive shortages we are seeing are the result of many factors. Years of deprofessionalizing the field through inadequate pay; unstable long-term retirement benefits; stressed, overtaxed expectations on educators and schools; and unsafe, under-resourced work environments weakened the profession. This in combination with an employment pathway-altering event like the pandemic brought our shortages in the field to a critical high. What backup plans are school districts devising to cover unfilled teaching positions? Are there any causes for concern about educational quality when districts use uncertified teachers? Districts are utilizing building staff and administrators to cover classrooms. Districts are being as creative and resourceful as possible, but their options are limited. We are seeing other states make shifts that lessen the requirements for teachers such as not requiring a four-year degree. These temporary, desperate solutions will hurt our neediest learners by not providing them a high-quality teacher and by discouraging teacher persistence in the field. Could this shortage become a game-changer as far as entry-level salaries, benefits and working conditions for future teachers are concerned? Absolutely. If we don't deal with those long-term issuessuch as salaries, benefits, retirement security, working conditions and increasing expectationswe will only see more and more shortages. These have been long-standing issues causing lower persistence at a time when there are many other employment options for teachers where these issues are not pervasive. Unless we have the courage to face these difficult issues and the hard solutions to solve them, we will continue to deal with shortages, teacher turnover and fewer future teachers entering the field. The report on the educator shortage in Illinois said enrollments in teacher education programs have declined 60%. What are the College of Education and other teacher-preparation programs doing to pique high school and college students' interest in the profession? We are seeing a general decline in students entering teacher-education programs across the state, however our enrollment at UIUC has remained consistent and strong, which speaks to the high quality of our programs and the expertise of our faculty and staff. We are constantly innovating with our school partners across the state to encourage middle school and high school students to consider the field. We are also working with teacher-preparation program leadership across the state and legislative partners to advocate for financial assistance and support for those interested in the field that does not leave them mired in debt as they enter the field. According to the report, school leadership is a pivotal factor in teachers' decisions to remain at their schools, yet attrition is a problem among school administrators, as well, because of similar issues with workload and working conditions. The report suggests that reinventing principals' roles can improve these problems for both teachers and administrators. How so? The school administrator role is shifting, and it is important that school leadership preparation shift as well. With the shifts we are seeing across all employment areas, there are many competitive options for employees and factors that contribute to their employment choices including salary, benefits, work environment, flexibility and remote work. As we see teacher persistence in the field decrease, it will naturally follow that teachers interested in administration will be considering those roles and administrator preparation with less experience in the field than in previous times. In addition, administrators have to be prepared to innovate and create these competitive work environments as well as lead a much more transient, shifting workforce. For the past two years, the state suspended the capstone evaluation system requirement for teachers' performance due to the pandemic. Would eliminating this requirement permanently or altering its criteria boost the number of preservice teachers in the pipeline and better align the evaluation system with what's being used in the field? The current capstone evaluation primarily used in Illinois is the edTPA. This assessment has been eliminated during the COVID-19 time period. I don't believe a significant number of teacher candidates are not entering the field due to the edTPA as it has around a 90% passage rate. However, I also do not believe, in light of the passage rates, that it adds great value to the process of determining a candidate's readiness for licensure, specifically in relation to the financial cost to students. In this photo provided by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano erupts near Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean on Jan. 14, 2015. The volcano shot millions of tons of water vapor high up into the atmosphere according to a study published Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in the journal Science. Researchers estimate the event raised the amount of water in the stratosphere - the second layer of the atmosphere, above the range where humans live and breathe - by around 5%. Credit: AP Photo/New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade When an undersea volcano erupted in Tonga in January, its watery blast was huge and unusualand scientists are still trying to understand its impacts. The volcano, known as Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, shot millions of tons of water vapor high up into the atmosphere, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Science. The researchers estimate the eruption raised the amount of water in the stratospherethe second layer of the atmosphere, above the range where humans live and breatheby around 5%. Now, scientists are trying to figure out how all that water could affect the atmosphere, and whether it might warm Earth's surface over the next few years. "This was a once-in-a-lifetime event," said lead author Holger Voemel, a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado. Big eruptions usually cool the planet. Most volcanoes send up large amounts of sulfur, which blocks the sun's rays, explained Matthew Toohey, a climate researcher at the University of Saskatchewan who was not involved in the study. The Tongan blast was much soggier: The eruption started under the ocean, so it shot up a plume with much more water than usual. And since water vapor acts as a heat-trapping greenhouse gas, the eruption will probably raise temperatures instead of lowering them, Toohey said. It's unclear just how much warming could be in store. Karen Rosenlof, a climate scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who was not involved with the study, said she expects the effects to be minimal and temporary. This satellite image made by the Japanese weather satellite Himawari-8 shows the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai undersea volcano at the Pacific nation of Tonga on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. The volcano shot millions of tons of water vapor high up into the atmosphere according to a study published Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in the journal Science. Researchers estimate the event raised the amount of water in the stratosphere - the second layer of the atmosphere, above the range where humans live and breathe - by around 5%. Credit: Japan Meteorology Agency via AP "This amount of increase might warm the surface a small amount for a short amount of time," Rosenlof said in an email. The water vapor will stick around the upper atmosphere for a few years before making its way into the lower atmosphere, Toohey said. In the meantime, the extra water might also speed up ozone loss in the atmosphere, Rosenlof added. But it's hard for scientists to say for sure, because they've never seen an eruption like this one. The stratosphere stretches from around 7.5 miles to 31 miles (12 km to 50 km) above Earth and is usually very dry, Voemel explained. Voemel's team estimated the volcano's plume using a network of instruments suspended from weather balloons. Usually, these tools can't even measure water levels in the stratosphere because the amounts are so low, Voemel said. Another research group monitored the blast using an instrument on a NASA satellite. In their study, published earlier this summer, they estimated the eruption to be even bigger, adding around 150 million metric tons of water vapor to the stratospherethree times as much as Voemel's study found. Voemel acknowledged that the satellite imaging might have observed parts of the plume that the balloon instruments couldn't catch, making its estimate higher. Either way, he said, the Tongan blast was unlike anything seen in recent history, and studying its aftermath may hold new insights into our atmosphere. Explore further Water in atmosphere from Tonga eruption may weaken ozone layer More information: Holger Vomel et al, Water vapor injection into the stratosphere by Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, Science (2022). Holger Vomel et al, Water vapor injection into the stratosphere by Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.abq2299 L. Millan et al, The Hunga TongaHunga Ha'apai Hydration of the Stratosphere, Geophysical Research Letters (2022). DOI: 10.1029/2022GL099381 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters , Science 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain It's hard to avoid encountering the term "toxic masculinity" these days. It has been linked to Australian soldiers' war crimes in Afghanistan, the Morrison government's low credibility with women in the lead-up to this year's electionand further afield, the rise of Donald Trump and the Capitol riots. It is regularly applied to pop-culture characters as diverse as the hypersensitive dinosaur nerd Ross Gellar from Friends, the alcoholic adulterer Don Draper in Mad Men, and the violent, repressed Nate in Euphoria, who regularly tells his girlfriend, "If anyone ever tried to hurt you, I'd kill them." The term "toxic masculinity" was obscure in the 1990s and early 2000s. But since around 2015, it has become pervasive in discussions of men and gender. So what does it mean? "Masculinity" refers to the roles, behaviours and attributes seen as appropriate for boys and men in a given society. In short, masculinity refers to society's expectations of males. In many societies, boys and men are expected to be strong, active, aggressive, tough, daring, heterosexual, emotionally inexpressive and dominant. This is enforced by socialisation, media, peers, and a host of other influences. And it plays out in the behaviour of many boys and men. The term "toxic masculinity" points to a particular version of masculinity that is unhealthy for the men and boys who conform to it, and harmful for those around them. The phrase emphasises the worst aspects of stereotypically masculine attributes. Toxic masculinity is represented by qualities such as violence, dominance, emotional illiteracy, sexual entitlement, and hostility to femininity. This version of masculinity is seen as "toxic" for two reasons. First, it is bad for women. It shapes sexist and patriarchal behaviours, including abusive or violent treatment of women. Toxic masculinity thus contributes to gender inequalities that disadvantage women and privilege men. Second, toxic masculinity is bad for men and boys themselves. Narrow stereotypical norms constrain men's physical and emotional health and their relations with women, other men, and children. Origins of the term The term first emerged within the mythopoetic (New Age) men's movement of the 1980s. The movement focused on men's healing, using male-only workshops, wilderness retreats and rites of passage to rescue what it saw as essentially masculine qualities and archetypes (the king, the warrior, the wildman, and so on) from what it dubbed "toxic" masculinity. Coach David Brockway explains what toxic masculinity is and why phrases like man up are so destructive. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the term spread to other self-help circles and into academic work (for example, on men's mental health). Some US conservatives began applying the term to low-income, under-employed, marginalised men, prescribing solutions like restoring male-dominated families and family values. "Toxic masculinity" was virtually non-existent in academic writingincluding feminist scholarshipup until 2015 or so, other than in a handful of texts on men's health and wellbeing. But as it spread in popular culture, feminist scholars and commentators adopted the term, typically as a shorthand for misogynist talk and actions. Though the term is now associated with a feminist critique of the sexist norms of manhood, that's not where it started. It is virtually absent from the scholarship on men and masculinities that developed rapidly from the mid-1970s, though its use in that area has increased in the last decade. This scholarship has, however, long made the claim that culturally influential constructions of manhood exist, and that they are tied to men's domination of women. Merits and risks Understood properly, the term "toxic masculinity" has some merits. It recognises that the problem is a social one, emphasising how boys and men are socialised and how their lives are organised. It steers us away from biologically essentialist or determinist perspectives that suggest the bad behaviour of men is inevitable: "boys will be boys." "Toxic masculinity" highlights a specific form of masculinity and a specific set of social expectations that are unhealthy or dangerous. It points (rightly) to the fact that stereotypical masculine norms shape men's health, as well as their treatment of other people. The term has helped to popularise feminist critiques of rigid gender norms and inequalities. It is more accessible than scholarly terms (such as hegemonic masculinity). This has the potential to allow its use in educating boys and men, in similar ways to the concept of the "Man Box" (a term describing a rigid set of compulsory masculine qualities that confine men and boys) and other teaching tools on masculinity. By emphasising the harm done to both men and women, the term has the potential to prompt less defensiveness among men than more overtly political terms such as "patriarchal" or "sexist" masculinity. Toxic risks "Toxic masculinity" also carries some potential risks. It is too readily misheard as a suggestion that "all men are toxic." It can make men feel blamed and attackedthe last thing we need if we want to invite men and boys to critically reflect on masculinity and gender. Persuasive public messaging aimed at men may be more effective if it avoids the language of "masculinity" altogether. Whether it uses the term "toxic masculinity" or not, any criticism of the ugly things some men do, or of dominant norms of manhood, will provoke defensive and hostile reactions among some men. Criticisms of sexism and unequal gender relations often provoke a backlash, in the form of predictable expressions of anti-feminist sentiments. The term might also draw attention to male disadvantage and neglect male privilege. Dominant gender norms may be "toxic" for men, but they also provide a range of unearned privileges (workplace expectations of leadership, freedom from unpaid care work, prioritising of their sexual needs over women's) and inform some men's harmful behaviour towards women. "Toxic masculinity" can be used in generalising and simplistic ways. Decades of scholarship have established that constructions of masculinity are diverse, intersecting with other forms of social difference. The term may cement the assumption that the only way to involve men in progress towards gender equality is by fostering a "healthy" or "positive" masculinity. Yes, we need to redefine norms of manhood. But we also need to encourage men to invest less in gendered identities and boundaries, stop policing manhood, and embrace ethical identities less defined by gender. Whatever language we use, we need ways to name the influential social norms associated with manhood, critique the harmful attitudes and behaviours some men adopt, and foster healthier lives for men and boys. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. A quantum emitter capable of emitting single photons integrated with a geared-shaped resonator. By fine-tuning the arrangement of the emitter and the gear-shaped resonator, it's possible to leverage the interaction between the photon's spin and its orbital angular momentum to create individual twisty photons on demand. Credit: Stevens Institute of Technology Quantum computers and communication devices work by encoding information into individual or entangled photons, enabling data to be quantum securely transmitted and manipulated exponentially faster than is possible with conventional electronics. Now, quantum researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have demonstrated a method for encoding vastly more information into a single photon, opening the door to even faster and more powerful quantum communication tools. Typically, quantum communication systems "write" information onto a photon's spin angular momentum. In this case, photons carry out either a right or left circular rotation, or form a quantum superposition of the two known as a two-dimensional qubit. It's also possible to encode information onto a photon's orbital angular momentumthe corkscrew path that light follows as it twists and torques forward, with each photon circling around the center of the beam. When the spin and angular momentum interlock, it forms a high-dimensional quditenabling any of a theoretically infinite range of values to be encoded into and propagated by a single photon. Qubits and qudits, also known as flying qubits and flying qudits, are used to propagate information stored in photons from one point to another. The main difference is that qudits can carry much more information over the same distance than qubits, providing the foundation for turbocharging next generation quantum communication. In a cover story in the August 2022 issue of Optica, researchers led by Stefan Strauf, head of the NanoPhotonics Lab at Stevens, show that they can create and control individual flying qudits, or "twisty" photons, on demanda breakthrough that could dramatically expand the capabilities of quantum communication tools. "Normally the spin angular momentum and the orbital angular momentum are independent properties of a photon. Our device is the first to demonstrate simultaneous control of both properties via the controlled coupling between the two," explained Yichen Ma, a graduate student in Strauf's NanoPhotonics Lab, who led the research in collaboration with Liang Feng at the University of Pennsylvania, and Jim Hone at Columbia University. "What makes it a big deal is that we've shown we can do this with single photons rather than classical light beams, which is the basic requirement for any kind of quantum communication application," Ma said. Encoding information into orbital angular momentum radically increases the information that can be transmitted, Ma explained. Leveraging "twisty" photons could boost the bandwidth of quantum communication tools, enabling them to transmit data far more quickly. To create twisty photons, Strauf's team used an atom-thick film of tungsten diselenide, an upcoming novel semiconductor material, to create a quantum emitter capable of emitting single photons. Next, they coupled the quantum emitter in an internally reflective donut-shaped space called a ring resonator. By fine-tuning the arrangement of the emitter and the gear-shaped resonator, it's possible to leverage the interaction between the photon's spin and its orbital angular momentum to create individual "twisty" photons on demand. The key to enabling this spin-momentum-locking functionality relies in the gear-shaped patterning of the ring resonator, that when carefully engineered in the design, creates the twisty vortex beam of light that the device shoots out at the speed of light. By integrating those capabilities into a single microchip measuring just 20 microns acrossabout a quarter of the width of a human hairthe team has created a twisty-photon emitter capable of interacting with other standardized components as part of a quantum communications system. Some key challenges remain. While the team's technology can control the direction in which a photon spiralsclockwise or anticlockwisemore work is needed to control the exact orbital angular momentum mode number. That's the critical capability that will enable a theoretically infinite range of different values to be "written" into and later extracted from a single photon. Latest experiments in Strauf's Nanophotonics Lab show promising results that this problem can be soon overcome, according to Ma. Further work is also needed to create a device that can create twisted photons with rigorously consistent quantum properties, i.e., indistinguishable photonsa key requirement to enable the quantum internet. Such challenges affect everyone working in quantum photonics and could require new breakthroughs in material science to solve, Ma said. "Plenty of challenges lie ahead," he added. "But we've shown the potential for creating quantum light sources that are more versatile than anything that was previously possible." Explore further Tailored single photons: Optical control of photons as the key to new technologies More information: Yichen Ma et al, On-chip spin-orbit locking of quantum emitters in 2D materials for chiral emission, Optica (2022). Journal information: Optica Yichen Ma et al, On-chip spin-orbit locking of quantum emitters in 2D materials for chiral emission,(2022). DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.463481 Investigating a pile of industrial waste mixed with charcoal on Slaves Hill, Timna Valley. Credit: Erez Ben-Yosef and the Central Timna Valley Project. Researchers from Tel Aviv University collected samples of charcoal used as fuel for metallurgical furnaces in the Timna Valley, located in Israel's southern desert region, during the 11th to 9th centuries BCE and examined them under a microscope. They found that the charcoal fuels used changed over time. The earlier samples contained mainly local white broom and acacia thorn trees, excellent fuel available nearby, but the quality of the firewood had deteriorated over time, with later samples consisting of low-quality wood fuel and timber imported from afar. "Our findings indicate that the ancient copper industry at Timna was not managed in a sustainable manner, with overexploitation of local vegetation eventually leading to the disappearance of both the plants and the industry. Copper production was not renewed in this region until about a thousand years later, and the local environment has not recovered fully to this day," says the researchers. The study was conducted by Ph.D. student Mark Cavanagh, Prof. Erez Ben-Yosef, and Dr. Dafna Langgut, head of the Laboratory of Archaeobotany and Ancient Environments, all from TAU's Jacob M. Alkow Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures, and Dr. Langgut is also affiliated with the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History. The study was published in Scientific Reports. Prof. Erez Ben-Yosef, director of the archaeological excavations in the Timna Valley, says, "Many findings in the Timna Valley indicate that a vast copper industry flourished here for a period of about 250 years, between the 11th and 9th centuries BCE, with thousands of mining sites, and about 10 processing sites that used furnaces to extricate copper from the ore. "This impressive operation is known to the public as 'King Solomon's Mines,' and today we know that copper production actually peaked here at about the time of Kings David and Solomon. The Bible never mentions the mines as such, but it does tell us that David conquered the area of Timna, known at the time as Edom, placing garrisons throughout the land, so that the Edomites became his subjects; and that his son Solomon used huge quantities of copper for building the Temple in Jerusalem. "We can only assume that David took an interest in this remote desert region because of its copperan important and valuable metal at the time, used for making bronze among other purposes. The Timna copper industry was run by the local Edomites, who specialized in this profession, and copper from Timna was exported to distant lands, including Egypt, Lebanon, and even Greece. This study shows, however, that the industry was not sustainable, a fact that may fit in well with occupation by a foreign power, perhaps ruled from Jerusalem." The researchers explain that Timna's copper industry was highly advanced for its time, and that the metalsmiths who processed the copper were skilled and well-respected individuals. The copper was extracted from the ore via smelting in earthenware furnaces at a temperature of 1,200 degrees Celsius. The entire process took about eight hours, after which the furnace was smashed, and the copper retrieved from its base. The wood charcoal required to attain the high temperature was manufactured beforehand at special sites, by slow combustion of trees and bushes cut down for this purpose. Excavating Slaves Hill. Credit: Hai Ashkenazi, courtesy of the Central Timna Valley Project Mark Cavanagh says, "The copper industry at Timna was first discovered about 200 years ago, and ever since, every researcher who visited the area has asked the same question: What fuel was used to heat the smelting furnaces? Since vegetation is very sparse in this desert area, where did the firewood come from? To finally solve this mystery, we collected samples of charcoal from the smelting sites and examined them in the lab." The charcoal samples, well-preserved thanks to the dry desert climate, were taken from mounds of industrial waste at two large production sites in the Timna Valley and brought to the archaeobotany laboratory at TAU. Dr. Dafna Langgut says, "At the lab we examine plant remains discovered at archeological excavations. In the present study we examined more than 1,000 charcoal samples under an electronic microscope. The anatomic structure of the original wood is preserved in the charcoal, and under the microscope the species can be identified. The samples were dated according to the layer of the waste mound in which they had been found, and some were also sent out for carbon-14 dating." Mark Cavanagh says, "We found significant changes in the composition of the charcoal as time went on. Charcoal from the bottom layer of the mounds, dated to the 11th century BCE, mostly contained two plants known to be excellent burning materials: 40% acacia thorn trees, and 40% local white broom, including broom roots. The 'burning coals of the broom tree' are even mentioned in the Bible as excellent firewood (Psalm 120, 4). About 100 years later, around the middle of the 10th century BCE, we saw a change in the makeup of the charcoal. The industry had begun to use fuel of a lower quality, such as various desert bushes and palm trees. In this latter stage, other trees were imported from far away, such as junipers from the Edomite plateau in present-day Jordan, covering distances of up to 100 km from Timna, and terebinth, also transported from dozens of kilometers away." The researchers claim that the gradual change in the contents of the charcoal resulted from overexploitation that had destroyed the natural resourcesin this case high-quality firewood, the acacia and white broom. Prof. Ben-Yosef says, "Based on the amount of industrial waste found at the processing sites we can calculate the quantity of woody plants required for producing copper. For example, the production site called the 'Slaves' Hill,' which was only one of several sites operating simultaneously, burned as many as 400 acacias and 1,800 brooms every year. As these resources dwindled, the industry looked for other solutions, as evidenced by the changing composition of the charcoal. However, transporting woody plants from afar did not prove cost-effective for the long run, and eventually, during the 9th century BCE, all production sites were shut down. The copper industry in the Timna Valley was renewed only 1,000 later, by the Nabateans." Dr. Langgut concludes, "Our study indicates that 3,000 years ago humans caused severe environmental damage in the Timna Valley, which affects the area to this day. The damage was caused through overexploitation, especially of the acacia and white broom, which, as key species in the ecosystem of the Southern Arava, had supported many other species, stored water, and stabilized the soil. Their disappearance generated a domino effect of environmental damage, irreparably harming the entire area. Three thousand years later, the local environment still hasn't recovered from the crisis. Some species, like the white broom, once prevalent in the Timna Valley, are now very rare, and others have disappeared forever." More information: Mark Cavanagh et al, Fuel exploitation and environmental degradation at the Iron Age copper industry of the Timna Valley, southern Israel, Scientific Reports (2022). Journal information: Scientific Reports Mark Cavanagh et al, Fuel exploitation and environmental degradation at the Iron Age copper industry of the Timna Valley, southern Israel,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18940-z MALTA State police have arrested a father from South Glens Falls and his daughter from Greenfield in connection with a theft from a Malta store. Cassandra D. Felice, 31, of Greenfield, was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, a felony, and Robert J. Felice Jr., 53, of South Glens Falls, was charged with fifth-degree conspiracy, a misdemeanor. The arrests were made on Wednesday, according to a state police news release. Police said on Sept. 15, troopers received a complaint from a Malta business that an item valued at over $1,300 had been stolen from the store the previous day. Police did not identify the store. An investigation determined Cassandra Felice stole the item from the store with the assistance of her father, Robert Felice Jr., police said. Both were issued appearance tickets to return to Malta Town Court on Oct. 13, then released. GLENS FALLS The city of Glens Falls has a new code enforcement officer, Justin Reckner, who started the full-time position on Monday. Mayor Bill Collins said that Reckner will be the head of the citys Buildings and Codes Department. What most stood out to us was his 15 years of experience in the construction trades, said Collins in a news release from the city. As the city makes structural improvements with the citys Building and Codes Department, we know that Justins experience will go a long way when performing inspections in the field. Collins said Reckner will not only be doing inspections and enforcement, but will also be the public face of the department and the administrator, and will answer to peoples questions and concerns. Another one of his responsibilities is helping people fill out applications, Collins said. Its not an easy job. When the Police Department shows up after calling them, youre happy. Or if the Fire Department shows up because theres a fire, thats a relief. But when Code Enforcement shows up, its not necessarily a good thing. After the city lost their previous code enforcement officer, the office was forced to operate part-time, contracting with LaBella Associates. Were still working with LaBella. Reckner is being trained by them, Collins said. Reckners most recent work experience has been as a site supervisor for VMJR, a large construction company based in Glens Falls with projects around the state. New technology A new computer system will streamline the functions of the Building and Codes Department and others. Councilman Bill Lapham of Ward 4 said during the Sept. 13 Common Council meeting that Buildings and Codes has new technology, but up until recently with the new hire, there was too much dysfunction for the staff to use it properly. A new program called See, Click, Fix will allow constituents to report concerns and creates tracking systems. Its much more robust than what we currently have for reporting concerns, Councilwoman Diane Palmer of Ward 3 said during the meeting. Palmer said that constituents can currently report problems via a concern feature on the city website. It will go to the mayors office and be rerouted to the correct department. This new system will allow city officials to do a lot more on the back end, according to Palmer, as far as keeping track and monitoring situations, as well as alerting constituents when a submitted ticket has been viewed and processed. Collins added that many constituents dont always leave their contact information when reporting a concern, whether its a building issue, or a sidewalk issue, or anything else. Republican state Assembly candidate David Catalfamo wants to redefine the common Saratoga Springs nickname the August place to be so it becomes the year-round place to be for horse racing enthusiasts. Catalfamo has proposed developing a Saratoga Horse Park, a year-round facility for education, equine events, trail riding and showcasing of retired legendary race horses, paid for with public and private funding. The working horse farm would have facilities for family camping, and, as Catalfamo envisions it, have affiliations with Cornell University and SUNY Adirondack for specialized college courses and workforce development training. The idea would really be to extend the horse racing tourism industry season throughout the year, Catalfamo said in a telephone interview on Thursday, elaborating on a news release he issued earlier in the week. Catalfamo, an economic development official and writer from Wilton, is running in the 113th Assembly District against Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, who has strong support from the racing industry. The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen Association, Saratoga Horse Persons Association and the Harness Horse Association are among her campaign contributors this election cycle. Woerner, without specifically addressing the concept of a local horse park, said she has been supportive of the horse racing industry. Horse racing, whether it is thoroughbred or harness, and the equine industry broadly are cornerstones of our regions economy. This is a region that thrives when racing thrives, she said in a statement. Catalfamo said his proposal for a Saratoga Horse Park is modeled after similar facilities in Kentucky and Japan. Its not a new idea. Its not one that I came up with, he said. The Kentucky Horse Park at Lexington, established in 1978, has hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, he said. Catalfamo said he hopes to advance the concept, whether or not he is elected. I havent had anybody I suggested it to say, I dont like the idea, he said. The concept is the centerpiece of a five-point plan to expand the economic impact of the horse racing and agriculture industries. The other points are: Establish an I Love New York Horse Country marketing campaign Abolish the state Farm Laborers Wage Board Shift enforcement of equine health and safety to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets Crack down on doping of horses Woerner released a list of horse racing industry initiatives that she has advocated for during her eight years in office: Led the fight to return New York racing to private control, including securing a voting seat on the board for NY Thoroughbred Breeders and NY Thoroughbred Horsemen Successfully protected the video lottery terminal money that ensures the competitiveness of New York purses and provide necessary funding for public safety in Saratoga Springs Supported legislation that created the New York Jockey Injury Compensation Fund to make it less expensive for horsemen to operate in New York Supported legislation that will help increase the demand for New York-based standard-bred stallions Passed legislation to eliminate outdated regulations that limited opportunities for women jockeys in New York Supported legislation to outlaw the slaughter of racehorses and provide for their care after their racing careers have ended Saratoga Race Track hosts the best racing in the world every summer. Our breeding farms are world-class and produce quality horses that are in high demand as evidenced by the record setting NY Bred sales at Fasig-Tipton over the last two years, Woerner said in a statement. I have always made it a priority to protect and expand New York racing and I will continue to do that in the coming years. FORT EDWARD Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, spoke alongside battle reenactors at the Rogers Island Visitors Center in Fort Edward on Wednesday, after this weekends reenactment was canceled in reaction to a new gun control law in the state. Stec said the process is an example of Gov. Kathy Hochuls shoddy, sloppy work. You cannot amend the law via press release, Stec repeated to news cameras on Wednesday. Yes, this time the governors interpretation of the law would work in our favor, but next time it may not. We cannot set this precedent. Stec held a press conference alongside Ed Carpenter, Rogers Island Visitors Center board president and Fort Edward Village Board member, and three historical reenactors at the center to explain the cancellation of the sites biggest event. Stec explained the states new conceal and carry laws explicitly prohibit possession of a rifle or shotgun in sensitive areas, which include parks. When asked, he said the governor stated the law did not apply to the Adirondack Park or Catskill Park in a news release. However, Stec said the legislators in support of the bill stated that the above parks were not exempt from the law. A spokesperson for Hochul on Wednesday said the laws do not prevent historical reenactments. Gov. Hochul passed new public safety laws to protect New Yorkers and keep them safe from gun violence. These laws allow historical reenactments to occur and there should be no concern otherwise. We will work with legislators and local law enforcement to ensure these events can proceed as they have for centuries. In the meantime, individuals who have lawfully participated in reenactments should continue to do so, the governors spokesperson said. Jean Lapper, the Democrat running for state Senate against Stec in November, argued that the concern for penalization was negated by information provided by the Warren County sheriff. It is sad to see our current senator looking for problems when there are so many real problems to be addressed. Last week, it was reported Warren County Sheriff Jim LaFarr said reenactors and Adirondack Park residents will not be considered felons. It would be shameful to see the Washington County sheriff arrest law-abiding citizens as a political stunt, Lapper told The Post-Star on Wednesday. Stec agreed that realistically no one would arrest a historical reenactor, however, his problem still lies in the wording of the bill and the manner in which it was considered and passed. In July, Stec publicly said the bill needed an amendment because the way it was written, law-abiding Adirondackers (would) be made into felons. He cited the recently passed bill that bans smoking in state parks. That bill explicitly states the Adirondack and Catskill parks are excluded, so Im not being nit-picky, it has been done before. The difference is the smoking ban doesnt result in a felony charged if violated, Stec said. The Rogers Island event was canceled by the center and reenactors not because they were required to, but due to fear of violating the new law. The president of the visitors centers board said the cancellation negatively impacts the economy of the village and town. This cancellation has been an obvious setback for the village and town of Fort Edward as far as historic tourism. We were expecting over 1,000 people this year and this was going to be the largest event weve ever had, so we were excited about it, Carpenter said. Dan Gates, a reenactor of 30 years, said he got involved due to his love of history and the area. He said this event consisted of a year of planning and the group was just really disappointed. Its really a great way to spend the weekend with family and we get to teach people about the history we love so much and its just a great way to stay in touch. Its just a lot of fun, Gates said. He said the men try and keep things as accurate and close to history as possible, using real weapons. We try to show people what it really might have been like in the 1700s. Its not like one of the recent wars, you can just watch on TV, Gates added. He said though this event, and others like a Sept. 11th memorial ceremony in Plattsburgh, were canceled, the group is hopeful they will be able to return next year. GLENS FALLS As a group of government officials walked down Glen Street in Glens Falls on Wednesday, they stopped at every third restaurant or store to shake hands with the owners. New York Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez has been on a trip across state visiting cities roughly the same size as Glens Falls that have been awarded DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) grants. Prior to setting off on the tour, Mayor Bill Collins met the secretary with Jeff Flagg, the citys director of economic development. Rodriguez said the success of any investment in and development of a city requires a formula of not just one aspect, but many things. Can we provide utility? Can we lighten up the streets? Make sure the businesses are happening. Then, what are the one or two anchors we can help address that have been hard to address for a long time. So its a really good balance of how we spread around that 10 million dollars (from the DRI grant). We will never do just one project. We want to try and bring it all together, Rodriguez said. Walking down South Street away from Glen Street, Collins pointed out to his right and showed Rodriguez the buildings that were, at one point, the epicenter of the citys downtown nightlife; Sandys and Hot Shots. The buildings that housed these old establishments will be turned into mixed-use development. In addition, a new affordable housing unit will be constructed. The current DRI project would target the former incubator building at 36 Elm St., the Sandys Clam Bar building at 41 South St., the Hot Shots building at 45 South St., along with the creation of new buildings along South and Elm streets. Rodriguez said the multiplier effect seems to be taking place through the initial $10 million investment. The $10 million is getting multiplied almost four, five times just with the private development happening around our investment. This is what economic development should be, not just public money, Rodriguez said. He was referring to the Park Street block and Elizabeth Millers multiple ongoing projects. Each place has its own relationship with its surroundings, Rodriguez said when asked about what he thinks is unique about the identity of Glens Falls. This place is an opening point for the Adirondacks; you can be in the downtown, but it is also the entry point to the Adirondacks. I think it allows them to bring those two markets together. Its essential to keep people in this community. The housing is a part of that, the farmers market, the commercial activity, the restaurants all those are part of the formula that makes it interesting, Rodriguez said. Rodriguez and his team were headed to Old Forge next. We are highlighting our Hamlet-Hudson initiative, which is a waterfront revitalization program, Rodriguez said. ATLANTIC CITY The COVID-19 pandemic forced most U.S. casinos to close for months, causing payrolls, revenue and earnings to tumble. But the forced shutdowns and highly regulated recoveries also taught the industry useful lessons that will endure even after the pandemic is a distant memory, panelists at a major casino conference said Thursday. Speaking at the East Coast Gaming Congress, executives from several major regional gambling companies and one of the world's largest said the changes they were forced to make because of the pandemic had some benefits. It forced us and gave us the ability to say to our guests that things that used to be viewed as an entitlement, maybe they don't need them as much as they thought they did, said Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International. Do you need a buffet? Should you have a buffet? The conference was held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, whose buffet is still operating. Some of Hard Rock's casinos in other states, including Florida, offer buffets, while others do not. David Cordish, chairman of the Cordish Companies, which operates casinos in Pennsylvania, Florida and Maryland, said the pandemic offered his business an opportunity to tighten the ship. Atlantic City Council approves cannabis zone, more ATV restrictions ATLANTIC CITY City Council on Wednesday adopted ordinances to create a green zone where We have not gone back to buffets, he said. "It certainly wasn't fun. Being closed for months was horrendous for employees. But there were a lot of lessons learned. What we did and we may need to do it again is when we were shut, we put in every possible type of health and safety screening you could do, including hand sanitizers and barriers between player positions at table games, measures that were commonly adapted at casinos across the country. Cordish said those expenses paid off handsomely once the casinos were allowed to reopen in mid-2020. People were fed up with being cooped up and came pouring back to the casinos, particularly when we did these things, he said. Since we reopened, business has been terrific. Eric Hausler, CEO of Greenwood Racing, which owns Pennsylvania's Parx casino, said the pandemic opened his eyes to one particular liability. We had a restaurant that was open every day for lunch and never made any money, he said. When the casino reopened after its pandemic-related closure, We didn't bring it back, and no one ever said a thing about it. CRDA backs Atlantic City green zone plan ATLANTIC CITY The Board of Directors of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority on T Jeff Gural, who owns two racetrack casinos in upstate New York, had a similar experience. We had a Subway sandwich place that didn't work, he said. Then we converted it to a pizza place, and that didn't work. Someone suggested converting it to a sushi place and I don't like sushi. And it succeeded. Gural also said closure helped him realize that spending big money on broadcast ads, billboards and car giveaways wasn't bringing in the return he expected, making it easier to scale back spending on such things. Daily housekeeping of casino hotel rooms has become another casualty of the pandemic in some places. In June, Atlantic City's main casino workers union filed a complaint with the state that four casinos were failing to clean guest hotel rooms daily as required by law, and one admitted it did not have enough housekeepers to clean every room every day. Hospitality industry leaders say the combination of a shortage of housekeeping workers and the reluctance of some guests to allow hotel workers into their rooms during their stay has led to the abandonment of a daily room cleaning standard in resorts across the country. One lingering effect of the pandemic is smaller payrolls. This is due both to workers who were let go during or shortly after the closures and have not been rehired, and a continuing difficulty in attracting new workers across the gambling industry, as with many others. Atlantic County to ask NJ Supreme Court to take PILOT lawsuit Atlantic County will ask the state Supreme Court to take the appeal of a decision in its law Jayson Guyot, president and CEO of Connecticut's Foxwoods Resort Casino, said he ordered a complete restructuring of the business from top to bottom during the closure something that would have been difficult to do had it still been operating. It enabled us to rebuild our margins from 10% to 13% to 18% to 20% now, he said. But he also voiced a common concern: Foxwoods has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic business levels. That is a major preoccupation for Atlantic City's casinos, which collectively have yet to return to 2019 revenue and profit levels for in-person gambling. Second-quarter earnings, released in August, show five of Atlantic City's nine casinos failed to exceed their pre-pandemic profit levels, and the resort as a whole saw a decrease in profits of nearly 1%. Atlantic City has thousands fewer casino workers than it did before the pandemic struck. It, like virtually every other casino market, has struggled to attract new workers and retain existing ones. Hard Rock recently made headlines by spending $100 million to give big raises to 10,000 non-tipped workers, most of them in the U.S. Other companies have given smaller raises recently. Foxwoods has raised its hourly minimum wage from $10.50 two years ago to $14.50 now, Guyot said. ATLANTIC CITY Irate that a session to discuss a proposed smoking ban during a major casino industry conference was snuffed out, casino workers and patrons opposed to smoking in the gambling halls held a noisy protest outside the meeting Thursday. About 100 people rallied in the rain underneath a walkway outside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, demanding the state Legislature act on a bill to ban casino smoking that has the support of more than half of state lawmakers and Gov. Phil Murphy. The bill has been stalled without a hearing in a state Senate or Assembly committee, and a similar measure died without a vote last year as well. Thursday afternoon, the East Coast Gaming Congress was to have included a panel discussion on casino smoking, an issue that is roiling workers, customers and lawmakers not only in New Jersey but in states including Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and others. It was scrapped when the casino industry representative, Resorts Casino Hotel President Mark Giannantonio, withdrew. He recently became president of the Casino Association of New Jersey, the Atlantic City casinos' trade association, which vehemently opposes a smoking ban. The CANJ is running and hiding right now, said Peter Naccarelli, a dealer at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and a leader of a push by casino workers to ban smoking in their workplaces. They have no logical arguments. CRDA backs Atlantic City green zone plan ATLANTIC CITY The Board of Directors of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority on T Lamont White, another Borgata dealer opposed to smoking, said the casino industry's main argument has always been, We'd lose money, and money is more important than casino workers' lives. That's all they have to say, he said. Giannantonio declined to comment on Thursday's demonstration, referring a reporter to a statement the casino association issued earlier this month in which it said "an immediate smoking ban would have a significant adverse effect on Atlantic City. Murphy, the state's Democratic governor, has promised to sign the bill if it passes. But Legislative leaders have thus far refused to set a hearing date for a committee in either the Senate or Assembly, which has to happen before the bill can move forward. Murphy addressed Thursday's conference but did not mention the proposed ban in any detail. But during an afternoon session, Eric Hausler, CEO of Greenwood Racing, which owns Pennsylvania's smoke-free Parx casino, said that policy has been successful. Weather: Wildfire smoke departs Sunday as summery stretch begins Wildfire smoke will finally be blown offshore on Sunday as the start of a new pattern comes in. This one will keep us very warm and humid all the way through the end of astronomical summer Thursday. A few highs will touch 90 Monday. So far, so good, he said. When reopening in 2020 after the initial wave of the pandemic, Hausler said, Parx decided to remain smoke-free, for better or worse. If you look at our market share numbers, they're holding up just fine. We intend to stay that way. Our customers have gotten used to it." MAYS LANDING Three major agencies dealing with crime, mental illness and substance abuse in Atlantic County signed an agreement Thursday to pool resources to help more people. Atlantic County Prosecutor William E. Reynolds and Atlantic County Sheriff Eric Scheffler signed a memorandum of understanding with William Mazur, executive director of the Hope Exists Foundation, to work together on issues they all face. The plan is to coordinate efforts to offer support and service connections to those struggling with addiction, mental health, homelessness and more, according to a statement from Reynolds on Thursday. The main component of the project is a mobile outreach unit that will expand its reach in coming months, the statement said. The parties agree that, where appropriate, a combined and cooperative effort in support of the Hope Exists Foundation and its efforts is best suited to have the greatest impact on the most people, the agreement said. Therefore, this MOU establishes a partnership for the benefit of all parties to serve the community, compounding efforts to maximize our ability to help individuals in need. Atlantic City Clean and Safe group tackles lighting problems ATLANTIC CITY A group working to crack down on repeat shoplifting and other offenses is no The parties expect to elaborate upon the partnership in the future with joint public events, regular meetings and resource and data-sharing where appropriate, the statement said. Reynolds is leading an effort to establish mental health courts in New Jersey. He is working with state Sen. Vince Polistina and Assembly members Don Guardian and Claire Swift, all R-Atlantic, to craft legislation to bring it to fruition. Scheffler started the Hope One Project in 2018 as a mobile outreach effort to engage with people with substance abuse disorder on the streets and get them into treatment. Scheffler used the Morris County initiative of the same name as a model for Hope One. The program follows individuals throughout their treatment, helping participants overcome obstacles and issues that arise as they transition into recovery. Upon completion of initial treatment, participants are connected with support services, follow-up and recovery maintenance, according to Scheffler. ATLANTIC CITY City Council postponed acceptance of high bids from a Sept. 14 online real state auction after a bidder said at Wednesday nights council meeting that he improperly lost out on a property after the bidding process should have closed. I was the last person to bid at 11 a.m., when it was supposed to end. I bid $130,000, said Solomon Andemariane, who bid on a property at 822 Lexington Ave. Seven minutes later someone bid $140,000 (and it was accepted). I think I should be awarded it for $130,000. Council President George Tibbitt then questioned whether the list of high bidders should be voted on since there was some question about fairness. We have to keep the integrity of our auctions, Tibbitt said. Bob Dann, an executive vice president with Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Company, said he had been contacted early Thursday by city officials and assured them there was no hard cutoff of bids at 11 a.m., and Andemariane knew that. The auction didnt end until 11:20 a.m., Dann said. He (Andemariane) bid after 11. Dann said Andemariane had called him as the bidding continued after 11 a.m., and he had told Andemariane it had not closed. He called my office and said, When are you stopping the bidding? Dann said. I said the auction was still going on, and said there was still time to place a bid, and he did not place another bid. We are reviewing the matter now, but we are confident everything regarding the auction was done properly, a city spokesperson said Thursday. Advertising materials for the auction were a bit confusing on the issue of start and stop times. In information on its website, Max Spann says: Online Auction Bidding: Opens Monday, September 12, 2022 9 am and Concludes Wednesday, September 14, 2022 Group A:11 am, Group B:12 pm. Eighteen vacant Atlantic City beach block lots to be auctioned off ATLANTIC CITY Some of Atlantic Citys most vexingly vacant real estate will be auctioned o The property in question was in Group A, and the statement can be interpreted to mean the bidding closes at 11 a.m. for that group. But Dann said 11 a.m. was the official start of bids, with pre-bidding happening earlier. Council decided to postpone the vote until its next meeting, which could be either a special meeting or the next scheduled meeting in October. The auction raised almost $2.5 million for the city, said council Vice President Kaleem Shabazz, who warned against the city assuming the auction was not properly run. We have to be careful. I dont think we should suggest there were multiple instances of things not in line with process, Shabazz said. That hurts us as a city. Business Administrator Anthony Swan suggested pulling out Andemarianes bid from the list and approving the rest. We have no indication of anything else or complaints regarding the auction, Swan said. But Councilwoman LaToya Dunston suggested waiting on the entire list, which council ultimately supported. I think we should pull the entire thing to make sure the entire process was done properly, Dunston said. City Attorney Michael Perughini said council must accept the bids at the next council meeting to meet auction rules. The auction of 47 city-owned properties assembled in 36 parcels was run by Max Spann, which has offices in New York, New Jersey and Florida and a long history of running auctions of city properties. The Sept. 14 auction included an almost 4-acre site in an area zoned for use by a cannabis business, as well as waterfront and commercial lots and other development sites. Eleven homes in need of renovation were also included, as well as a waterfront residential lot with new bulkheads. The South Jersey Transportation Authority on Thursday awarded a $159.3 million, 15-year contract to a Tennessee firm to create an all-electronic toll system on the Atlantic City Expressway and operate and maintain it. Joel Falk, SJTA director of information and tolls technology, said at Thursdays meeting that about $41.8 million will cover the capital portion of the project and its implementation in the first two years, and about $117.25 million will cover operations and maintenance of the electronic system for the remainder of the 15-year period. The contract includes options that may or may not be implemented by the authority, spokesperson Kimberly Testa said in an emailed response to questions. The contract amount is a not to exceed amount, so costs could be lower if some options are not chosen, Testa said. In the agencys capital improvement plan approved in 2021 and funded through a 37% increase in tolls, the SJTA said the cost of an all-electronic tolling system would be $40 million. It was to be paid for with part of the $500 million expected to be raised by the toll increases, which also include annual toll hikes tied to cost-of-living increases. The authoritys capital plan says the project includes the construction of toll equipment gantries along the entire length of the expressway, and that customers without an E-ZPass will receive a bill by plate invoice instead of paying a cash toll. The project also includes the complete removal of both mainline barrier toll plazas and all existing ramp toll plazas, and installation of dynamic message boards, traffic cameras and other technology for an improved customer experience, according to the SJTA. In January the authority, as a member of the New Jersey E-ZPass Group, along with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, publicly advertised a request for proposals for providing a turnkey all electronic toll system for the New Jersey Public Toll Authorities. It specified the company chosen shall provide for the implementation, including design, development, installation and testing, and the operation and maintenance of a fully functional turnkey All Electronic Toll (AET) System, including a replacement in kind option for the NJTA. Proposals received were reviewed by an evaluation committee made up of four representatives of the SJTA and the Turnpike Authority. The committee chose to enter into negotiations with TransCore LP of Nashville. What the Atlantic City Expressway toll hikes would fund When explaining their reasons for proposing a 37% toll increase on the Atlantic City Express In his monthly report to the board, Executive Director Stephen Dougherty said the authoritys single audit was recently finalized, resulting in a clean report with no findings. Toll revenue for August came in at $13.3 million, an increase of 3.8% compared to August 2021. Year-to-date toll revenue of more than $79 million is also up over 2.7% compared to the same period in 2021. More than 104,000 passengers came through Atlantic City International Airport in August, a significant increase of 33.6% compared to last August. Total passengers year-to-date (675,000) reflect an increase of 18.3% over the same period in 2021, Dougherty said. Airport parking revenue for August was $458,000, an increase of 23.6% over August 2021. Year-to-date parking revenue totaled nearly $3.6 million, an increase of 15.7% compared to the same period last year. WILDWOOD A pop-up car rally is set to take place in the city starting Friday, although some participants appear to have arrived early. Other areas where the H2oi event has taken place have reported speeding vehicles and even clashes with police. Wildwood police and the citys Board of Commissioners say they are aware of the event. In a statement posted Wednesday, officials said all visitors are welcome here, but traffic safety rules and local ordinances will be strictly enforced. The city already has its annual Fall Classic Car Show planned for downtown and at the Convention Center, running from Thursday to Sunday afternoon. H2oi is something different. This is an unsanctioned event, said police Chief Robert Regalbuto. The city of Wildwood Police Department will have extra personnel on duty should participants interested in this event decide to visit our community and not comply with state laws and municipal ordinances. He said the police will have a zero-tolerance policy on careless or reckless driving. Violations could result in vehicles being impounded. Classic and muscle cars take over Wildwood WILDWOOD Large crowds turned out this weekend to check out classic vehicles from decades p The H2oi, also called H2022, is shown as an event on Facebook, with more than 10,000 people expressing interest and 3,000 saying they will be there. The event has previously taken place in Ocean City, Maryland. Participants on the public Facebook page indicate Ocean City was going big on the fines and towing. Wildwood is where its at, wrote one participant. There was no immediate response from the moderators of the Facebook page to a message Wednesday. One Facebook user, whose name is listed as Eddie Joe Poteet, said the event is just a lot of nice people who admire each others cars. We do not condone reckless driving and the ones who do so are not part of our groups, Poteet wrote in a message. They are the ones who ruin our events. Poteet, of York, Pennsylvania, had posted that he was already in Wildwood and was looking for other car fans. The Facebook event page does say this year is an attempt to bring back the old H2oi, with modified cars and a fun, quiet beach weekend. That has not been the recent reputation for the event. A story in the Baltimore Sun last year said previous events saw rowdy crowds, speeding cars and video of participants throwing rocks and bottles at police. In 2020, police in Ocean City, Maryland, towed more than 350 cars off the course of the rally and issued thousands of citations. All violations will be strictly upheld within the municipal court system and the most severe penalty permitted by law will be pursued. This is the only warning that will be issued. We strongly recommend that any interested participants comply with the statutes of the state of NJ and the ordinances of the city of Wildwood, the citys statement said. Mayor Pete Byron said the city will be happy to have the car fans and expects there will be plenty of overlap with the fall car show, a key part of the post-summer events that help keep the resort busy well after Labor Day. Everyones welcome. You just have to follow the rules of the road. We want everybody to come and have a good time, Byron said. The weekend also will bring the Irish Festival to North Wildwood and the Seafarers Celebration to Wildwood Crest. Bikers heading to Wildwood, even without Roar to the Shore rally WILDWOOD Roar to the Shore is no more, but that wont necessarily keep the bikers away thi The city has an event permitting process in place for all sanctioned events that requires the input and approval of the Wildwood Police Department, Wildwood Fire Department, Wildwood Beach Patrol and Public Works, as well as the cooperation of other agencies, reads a statement from Wildwood officials. Byron said police have been keeping an eye on the planning process for almost a year. The police have been on top of it, he said. From what we understand, they kind of wore out their welcome in Ocean City. Wildwood also is the site of another sectioned automobile event, the Race of Gentlemen, running Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the beachfront race of classic cars and motorcycles. It also was the site of the Roar to the Shore for many years, until organizers ended the event in 2020. Motorcyclists, including many club members, still ride down to Wildwood each year. This year, Byron said, there seemed to be no issue with the motorcycle enthusiasts, although there were problems in the past. DES MOINES Former Vice President Mike Pence will headline a fundraiser alongside Iowa Rep. Bobby Kaufmann next week in Wilton, marking another visit to Iowa and bolstering speculation around a 2024 presidential run. According to an invitation for the event, Pence will be the featured speaker at the 15th annual Kaufmann Family Harvest Dinner on Sept. 29 in Wilton. The invitation says other candidates and state leaders will be at the fundraiser, but no others besides Pence and Kaufmann are named. Bobby Kaufmann has been a champion for Iowa, his district, and the conservative movement, Pence said in a statement. I look forward to joining Bobby at the Kaufmann Family Harvest Dinner and meeting Republicans from his district to discuss our shared conservative values and vision for Iowas future. Pence was last in Iowa in August at the Iowa State Fair, joining Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley on a tour of the fair. Hes attended party fundraisers and speaking engagements intermittently in the state since the 2020 election, including a speech at the University of Iowa in November. He didnt give any indication of his potential presidential ambitions at the State Fair, telling reporters he and his family would reflect and pray on where we might next serve, where we might next contribute, after the 2022 election. Having national leaders like Vice President Pence visit small rural towns like Wilton really gets to the heart of what Iowa truly is, Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann, Bobby Kaufmanns father, said in a statement. Iowans in every town across the state get to ask tough questions and meet candidates face to face. The event last year drew U.S. Sen. from Arkansas Tom Cotton, another potential 2024 contender. The fundraiser begins at 5:30. Basic tickets are $50, with optional donations up to $2,500 for a private roundtable before the event with Pence. Bobby Kaufmann is running for reelection to Iowas 82nd House District, which covers Cedar County and parts of Muscatine and Scott Counties. He faces a challenge from Libertarian Clyde Gibson of Montpelier. WHAT WE KNOW: Orion test scores have historically been good, and the trend continued with the latest Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) results. WHAT'S NEW: Grade school Principal R.C. Lowe reported to the school board Wednesday on the latest IAR test scores, saying in reading the school's fifth- and sixth-graders went from 26% meeting and exceeding the Illinois learning standards to 44% meeting and exceeding. He said in math, the school went from 27% meeting and exceeding to 44% meeting and exceeding, and if those "approaching" meeting and exceeding were included being those who missed by only a couple of questions it was 78%. "In every area of math our students beat the state average, and in some cases it's almost double," he said. WHAT'S NEXT: The next town hall meeting when the district welcomes the general public will likely be an open house for the new grade school early learning center that should be open in December, or ready for second semester. Superintendent Joe Blessman told the school board Wednesday that the construction projects at the three buildings had $15,000 left in the contingency reserves. The board also approved a fiscal year 2023 budget reflecting $11,055,575 in total revenues and $10,889,071 in total expenditures for a surplus of $166,504. Revenues in the education fund are $9,066,050, and there is a projected surplus of $29,525. Estimated fund balances as of June 30, 2023, are $7.6 million. The Iowa State Patrol has identified the person killed Wednesday night when a truck crashed during a chase involving state troopers and a Davenport woman. A 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche struck an embankment at 8:16 p.m. while southbound on Eastern Avenue near Elm Street, began to roll and came to rest at Eastern and Pleasant Street, according to a state patrol crash report. Alecia M. Garcia, 24, died in the crash, according to the report. Damonte Stewart, 31, Oklahoma City, Okla., was injured. Neither was wearing a seat belt. The extent of Stewarts injuries was not provided in the report. He was sent to Genesis Medical Center East, Davenport. The driver was fleeing the state patrol at the time of the crash, according to the crash report. The reason for the chase was not provided in the report. The state patrol also has not released which of the two was driving. The crash remained under investigation Thursday with the assistance of the Davenport police and fire departments, the report states. Former Vice President Mike Pence will headline a fundraiser alongside Iowa Rep. Bobby Kaufmann next week in Wilton, marking another visit to Iowa and bolstering speculation around a 2024 presidential run. According to an invitation for the event, Pence will be the featured speaker at the 15th annual Kaufmann Family Harvest Dinner on Sept. 29 in Wilton. The invitation says other candidates and state leaders will be at the fundraiser, but no others besides Pence and Kaufmann are named. Bobby Kaufmann has been a champion for Iowa, his district and the conservative movement, Pence said in a statement. I look forward to joining Bobby at the Kaufmann Family Harvest Dinner and meeting Republicans from his district to discuss our shared conservative values and vision for Iowas future. Pence was last in Iowa in August at the Iowa State Fair, joining Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley on a tour of the fair. Hes attended party fundraisers and speaking engagements intermittently in the state since the 2020 election, including a November speech at the University of Iowa. He didnt give any indication of his potential presidential ambitions at the State Fair, telling reporters he and his family would reflect and pray on where we might next serve, where we might next contribute, after the 2022 election. Having national leaders like Vice President Pence visit small rural towns like Wilton really gets to the heart of what Iowa truly is, Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann, Bobby Kaufmanns father, said in a statement. Iowans in every town across the state get to ask tough questions and meet candidates face to face. The event last year drew U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), another potential 2024 contender. The fundraiser begins at 5:30 p.m. Basic tickets are $50, with optional donations up to $2,500 for a private roundtable before the event with Pence. Bobby Kaufmann is running for reelection to Iowas 82nd House District, which covers Cedar County and parts of Muscatine and Scott Counties. He faces a challenge from Libertarian Clyde Gibson of Montpelier. Grassley endorsement Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassleys campaign announced a coalition of veterans supporting his reelection on Wednesday. The coalition includes veterans from all 99 counties and its leadership team includes Republicans Sen. Joni Ernst, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and former Gov. Terry Branstad, all of whom are veterans. The group is chaired by Republican former Iowa attorney general and retired Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Evan Hultman of Waterloo. Grassley is seeking reelection to his eighth term in the U.S. Senate, facing Democratic challenger Mike Franken, a retired Navy admiral. "Our veterans dedicated their lives to serving our country, Grassley said in a news release. I work to make sure the federal government keeps its promises to them, which includes my support for the PACT Act this year, every step of the way. I'm proud to represent veterans and honored to have their support. In a statement, Frankens campaign spokesperson highlighted the Democratic candidates military experience and his opposition to the war in Iraq. Admiral Mike Franken spent nearly four decades in the military fighting for American democracy here at home and around the world, Frankens spokesperson C.J. Petersen said. As a veteran who knows the cost of war, Admiral Franken will always seek to avoid war whenever possible and isnt afraid to speak truth to power which is why he opposed the disastrous failed invasion of Iraq, something Senator Grassley supported. Lee-Gazette Des Moines Bureau New Reynolds ad Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds newest reelection campaign ad (https://youtu.be/jxPI1P8Eo7A) starts with some sleight of hand to tie her political opponent to a policy stance she has not taken. Reynolds, a Republican who has been Iowas governor since 2017, is running for another four-year term. The Democratic challenger is Deidre DeJear, a Des Moines small businesswoman. Reynolds latest ad begins with her watching a TV that shows an interview in which U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, a Democrat from Missouri, is shown saying, Defunding the police has to happen. Bush is a Black woman, like DeJear. But DeJear has not called for any manner of reducing law enforcement agencies budgets. In January, she told Axios (https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/01/18/deidre-dejear-sits-kim-reynolds-state-address) that Iowa law enforcement officers, deserve more than a pat on the back and a one-time $1,000 bonus (that Reynolds created). After the clip of Bush, Reynolds in the ad says, Watching the news you wonder, has the rest of the country lost its mind? Attacks on police, open borders, paying people not to work. Arent you glad you live in Iowa? Libertarian Party candidate Rick Stewart also is on the ballot in Iowas gubernatorial campaign. Lee-Gazette Des Moines Bureau Stewart ad Rick Stewart, the Libertarian Partys candidate for governor, released a new campaign ad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srP6EfTP5qs) that features his call to legalize marijuana in Iowa. In the ad, Stewart notes that marijuana is legal in other states, including Iowas eastern neighbor, Illinois. How come I can grow corn but I cant grow weed (in Iowa)? Theyre both plants, Stewart says in the ad. Stewart is running against Republican incumbent Gov. Kim Reynolds and Democratic challenger Deidre DeJear. Lee-Gazette Des Moines Bureau DES MOINES A day after political opponents argued Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Franken should release from legal constraints a former staffer who claimed Franken kissed her without her consent, Frankens campaign manager said no such legal agreement exists. Franken, a retired U.S. Navy admiral from Sioux City, is running against longtime Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley. In a Des Moines police report published Monday by the conservative website Iowa Field Report, Kimberley Strope-Boggus, who worked on Frankens campaign before being fired in February, told police that after meeting for drinks at a Des Moines bar in March, a person who is not named but presumed to be Franken based on the context grabbed the collar of her vest and kissed her on the mouth. Des Moines police closed its investigation and the Polk County Attorney declined to open a case after determining no criminal intent was established. Franken acknowledged the meeting occurred, but denied Strope-Boggus claims, telling The Gazette on Monday, It never happened. In the incident report, Strope-Boggus said the Franken campaign asked her to sign a separation agreement that included a stipulation that prevents her from making disparaging remarks about the candidate or his campaign. On Tuesday, Grassleys campaign spokeswoman and the Republican Party of Iowa said Franken should release Strope-Boggus from any nondisparagement agreement. On Wednesday, Frankens campaign said no such legal agreement exists. No agreement exists that prevents any employee of our campaign past or present from speaking out on this issue, Franken campaign manager Julie Stauch said in a statement sent to reporters. These accusations are false and deceitful insinuations from political opponents. Stauchs statement goes on to compliment Grassley for his expressed support for federal legislation that would nullify nondisclosure agreements when workers report sexual harassment and assault, and says Franken would vote for the bill in the Senate. Strope-Boggus told The Gazette she is seeking legal counsel before commenting on Frankens claim that there is no legal agreement that prevents her from speaking publicly. Grassley campaign spokeswoman Michaela Sundermann accused the Franken campaign of attempting to play word games with its claim that there is no legal agreement that precludes Strope-Boggus from discussing her claims. Sundermann noted that in the police report Strope-Boggus said Frankens attorneys told Strope-Boggus attorney that social media posts made by Strope-Boggus wife about the Franken campaign were in violation of the nondisclosure that she signed when she was terminated. Republican Party of Iowa chairman Jeff Kaufmann, in a statement, accused Franken of using intimidation tactics to silence victims. These allegations are very troubling, and Iowans deserve to hear the whole story, Kaufmann said. Mike Franken has been accused of gross misconduct and it speaks directly to his character. Cambodia repatriates 92 Vietnamese workers Cambodian and Vietnamese authorities completed procedures to repatriate 92 Vietnamese citizens on Wednesday at Moc Bai International Border Gate in the southern province of Tay Ninh. Cambodian and Vietnamese authorities completed procedures to repatriate 92 Vietnamese citizens at Moc Bai International Border Gate on September 21. The group included 71 workers who fled or were rescued from the Lucky 88 Casino in Cambodia's Bavet City, along with 21 other Vietnamese citizens who were working without permits in the country. Sixty workers fled the Lucky 88 Casino and attempted to return to Vietnam earlier on September 17. They went towards the Bavet Border Gate to find a way to Moc Bai Border Gate. However, four were caught by the casino guards and Cambodian police held 56 others for investigation. Cambodian police later demanded the casino hand over 15 more Vietnamese nationals, bringing the total number of people involved in the case to 71. It is the second mass escape of Vietnamese workers from a casino in Cambodia within a month, following the fleeing of over 41 Vietnamese citizens on August 18, who claimed they were treated badly and forced to work long overtime without pay. According to the Tay Ninh Provincial Border Guard Command, they had recently received repatriation requests from between 20-50 Vietnamese in Cambodia daily. "Most of them are workers at casinos, shops, and factories in Cambodia who were previously brought to the country illegally and have no papers," the border guard command said. "As Cambodian police have recently conducted various raids at local casinos which employ workers without permits, these people have decided to return home." Theresa Caputo, best known as televisions Long Island Medium, says her live show is called "The Experience" because its an unforgettable, emotional and sometimes humorous journey for her audience and herself. "Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience" is coming to Rapid City this weekend. Caputo is bringing her show to The Monument at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Go to themonument.live/events/detail/theresacaputo22 to purchase tickets. "Its really an experience of faith, hope, peace and comfort, Caputo said. Im so excited to come back to South Dakota. Even if you havent lost someone or youve never heard of me and you might even be a little skeptical, come. Its something that is truly life-changing. Caputo begins each show by explaining her process for communicating with spirits, and then Caputo literally goes where the spirit moves her and approaches audience members she feels guided to. Im a very outgoing and personable person but to be on stage in front of a crowd of people, Im nervous when I hit the stage, even after years of touring, Caputo said. You can feel the energy in the room. You can feel everyones hopes. I never want anyone to walk away feeling disappointed. One of the main differences between a live show versus what people might have seen on Caputos long-running TLC series Long Island Medium is the element of humor. I have (a) spirit channel with their personality and a little bit of levity. It helps someone to relax. Every time I channel spirit, it is unique and memorable. I have spirit talk about things unique to that individual (in the audience) something no one would know, Caputo said. Its mind-blowing what spirit might have me say and do. People will say, Thats what my mom used to say or My brother loved that song. To be so specific is mind-blowing. People are nervous when they come to a live show. Everyone comes and theyre in hopes of hearing from their loved ones and when that moment happens, its almost paralyzing. They freeze. (They say), I cant believe this is happening, Caputo said. Theres like a million emotions in that moment. It really is an incredible experience. What I do is so much more than communicating with people that have died. She said spirits encourage people to live their lives in this world with happiness and joy. At every live show, Caputo said the shift in the rooms atmosphere is palpable. What never changes for me is that feeling of when I hit that stage, you can feel all of the sadness, the sorrow, the grief. Over the two hours, the moments of laughter or the smile on the persons face receiving the message you can see and watch the transformation of healing begin, Caputo said. Thats why I call it The Experience. Its truly an experience. Overcoming grief Ultimately, Caputos goal is to offer people solace and help them cope with grief. Though shes known since age 4 she had an ability to communicate with the spiritual world, Caputo began working as a practicing medium after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. At the time of 9/11, I was struggling with my gift. Im a practicing Catholic. I had this spiritual experience after 9/11. I was shown how people are left with burdens and guilt and if only (regrets), Caputo said. If we only carry negative emotions connected to loved ones departure, theres no way we can heal. Thats how I started doing what I do. There were so many people who didnt know what happened to their loved ones. Are they OK? Are they afraid? she said. Its really being able to help someone move on after the loss of a loved one. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Caputo said people are more curious, are becoming a bit more spiritual or are looking for more spirituality in their lives. Im just so proud and I really do consider it a privilege to do the work that I do. People trust me with the souls of their departed loved ones. Its the craziest thing to do for a living, she said. 'Good Mourning In addition to 14 seasons of Long Island Medium on TLC and last years Long Island Medium: There in Spirit on the Discovery Plus channel, Caputo now has a weekly podcast, Hey Spirit! that allows her to engage with her followers around the world. Shes also the author of four books. Her most recent, Good Mourning: Moving Through Everyday Losses with Wisdom from the Other Side, aims to help people cope with losses and changes they may not have realized they needed to grieve. Good Mourning was released in October 2020. Though its release date was planned before the COVID-19 pandemic began that year, the book came out at a time when people are facing losses of their previous normal lives and more. We have everyday losses and we owe it to ourselves to grieve. It could be an argument, divorce, retirement, friendships, a home. Its all the things we never allowed ourselves to grieve, Caputo said. It was so crazy it came out (in 2020) and it was such an important book at that time and still is now. We have everyday losses that we deserve to grieve. Caputo urges people to forgive and to believe that good is still ahead. When we forgive, its always for us. Its not about the other person or situation. Its about how we deserve that forgiveness. We have to do that for ourselves, she said. Tragedies and losses happen, but still Caputo believes life is what we make it. Things happen for me, not to me. Something else is happening. Something better is going to come along, she said. Lori Ruthford went from grading her teddy bears assignments to going into her 38th year teaching students at West Middle School. The eighth-grade Language Arts educator now teaches at the same middle school she went through in the Rapid City Area Schools system. Ruthford grew up in Rapid City and attended South Canyon and Pinedale elementaries, West Middle School and graduated from Stevens High School. Ruthford said she always knew she wanted to be a teacher. I was that goofy kid who, when I was little, I used to take all my stuffed animals and just put them on my bed, on the floor, I made a classroom, she said. I made worksheets for them, I corrected their work, and I just always wanted to teach. As I was going through school, I helped a lot of my friends when they were having a hard time. Ruthford said her father, Bob Bsharah, went back to college to get his teaching degree when she was in elementary school and her mom Audrey worked nights at the hospital. On the weekends, her dad would take her and her siblings to the hills or a park. Lots of times he would be working on his homework for college, so we just had really good role models, she said. My mom read to us all the time. Saturday mornings, their family would go to the library and walk home with five books each. A week or two later they would get a new stack of books. Reading was always important and education was always very important, Ruthford said. School was our job and we were expected to do well and behave, and get as good of grades as we were capable of getting, so it was always a high priority. Ruthford said it was always a high priority from her parents to go to college. After she graduated from Stevens in 1980, she went to Northern State College (now University) in Aberdeen, graduating in 1984. She later got her masters degree from South Dakota State Universitys satellite office at Ellsworth Air Force Base. She said her time in Aberdeen was really her only years away from Rapid City. I came back and married my high school sweetheart, she said. Ruthford then taught as a substitute for one year and was hired the following year. She said the Madeline picture books got her into reading, and Nancy Drew became one of her favorites in elementary school. Ive always been somebody who likes historical fiction, Ruthford said. I wasnt a huge history fan unless I was reading about it through someone elses experience that way, so whether it was fiction or nonfiction reading, learning history through stories has always been something Ive enjoyed. Ruthford said historical fiction is her favorite genre to read, particularly World War II books. The bravery of the people, whether they were in a camp, whether they were hiding someone, part of the resistance, I always ask myself, Would you be brave enough? she said. Would you be brave enough to hide someone? Would you be brave enough to do this or that? Ruthford said a lot has changed during her time teaching, but deep down the students havent. Kids have always come to us needing structure, needing to feel loved, having somebody praise them for what theyre good at, not pointing out their flaws, she said. I think that at school, we have that opportunity all the time. She said some kids dont have structure, but when theyre at school in her classroom, they know whats expected of them. She also said there will always be kids who push the limits and those who are super conforming, but they see more kids who experienced trauma. Ruthford said sometimes shes not sure if there are more who have it or if theyre better at identifying it, but theyre finding ways to help the kids. I just think that in our society, our school kids are a reflection of society and as we are seeing more things go on in our community acts of violence we see that reflected, she said. Kids become a little calloused toward violence. Something that would have shocked the kids when I was first teaching doesnt shock them now. Kids are bolder now. She said students are now more likely to question or talk back to a teacher. Ruthford said she thinks its OK to question, but in a polite way. She said in her class, students learn how to speak to adults and how to treat people. She said shes also teaching her students how to find what they need to know, how to find reliable information, how to find truthful information and find reputable resources. Ruthford said she has learned from her students as well, including how important it is to be a good listener and not to form judgments before hearing the other side. She said building relationships by getting to know students by listening and communication is vital. She said shes also learned how to be more of a resilient person. She said her mother died of brain cancer back in March and her husband had a heart attack a month later and had to have surgery. Ruthford said she was honest with her students and they were respectful and kind. I think it helped them to see me as a teacher, she said. We didnt swell on it, but that whole piece of being resilient, you have to be able to overcome. You have to be able to say, OK, thats happening. Ruthford said through communication and honesty, her classes have mutual respect. She said she tells them from the beginning that she will always treat them with respect. I think we have to be the role model of what we have, what we want them to become, if they arent already that way, she said. Outside of the classroom, Ruthford said she loves to walk. In the mornings she will walk her dog, typically a golden retriever, and will walk at the mall with her husband. She said she also reads. Ruthford said shes currently reading The Maidens by Alex Michaelides. The Pennington County Board of Commissioners approved an independent wage scale for the Highway Department Tuesday afternoon, joining the Sheriffs Office as the only other department to do so. Highway Superintendent Joe Miller told the board the request stemmed from the departments difficulty in attracting and maintaining quality employees. Its just simply not enough money for somebody with a CDL (commercial drivers license) and truck driving experience, Miller said. Miller said their department is currently down three FTE (full-time equivalent) employees in its Rapid City division, which would result in delayed snow removal going into winter if not filled. The current starting wage is $16.67, Miller said, which is about $9.61 below the average posted starting wage in Rapid City. Miller said the figure was provided by Tom Johnson at Elevate Rapid City, who was able to provide them with data on job postings from the last three years. Miller provided comparisons with 31 other counties, saying Pennington was in the bottom third for wage, but the top third for mileage covered. Turnover is very costly, he told the board, with training costs estimated between $25,000 and $30,000. Miller said the Highway Department has experienced a 50% increase in employee turnover since 2018. Miller said their department has tried various routes in grappling with employee turnover, including hiring bonuses and marketing videos educating the public about their department. And were still not seeing the applicants that we used to see prior to 2018, he said. The new wage scale was developed around market data provided by Elevate Rapid City, other counties in South Dakota, the state of South Dakota, and the city of Rapid City, Miller stated in a memo to the board. The wage scale on average will bring a 5% increase to the current wage. The board was presented with two options for approval Tuesday. The first option would put the entire department, including administrative staff, on the same wage scale completely independent from the rest of the county. The second would bring only the departments highway workers, mechanics, foremen and traffic employees on the independent scale. Commissioner Deb Hadcock said the proposed scale wasnt that much different. Its not big changes what hes doing, she said. It sets everybody where they should be and its not a big market change. Miller said the overall increase in 2023 would be about $185,000 for the first option and $165,000 for the second. He said they would be able to absorb the wage scale change for 2022 in the current budget. LaCroix made a motion to approve option two, which would put highway workers, mechanics, foremen and traffic employees on an independent wage scale, effective Oct. 16. The motion passed unanimously. LaCroix made a separate motion to place current highway workers, mechanics, foremen and traffic employees onto the independent wage scale, where they do not lose money based on their placement on the previously approved 2023 wage budget, plus one additional step, effective Oct. 16. The motion passed unanimously. Also on Tuesdays agenda was the reestablishment of the Compensation Committee a group that would assist the board in discharging its responsibilities relating to compensation of the countys employees and to oversee the countys overall compensation structure, policies and programs. The committee was eliminated in either 2019 or 2020, Drewes estimated. The proposed members of the seven-member committee were the auditor, Emergency Services Communications Center director, highway superintendent, sheriff, state's attorney, treasurer and one county commissioner. The purpose of this is really to start to look internally more as to what we need to be doing relative to wages and salary, Drewes said. We know weve gone through a difficult time with COVID and now hiring and retaining employees. In almost every meeting, he said, they deal with a department trying to make wages work. The Compensation Committee would be a better option, he said, to take these matters under consideration and bring forth recommendations to the board. LaCroix moved to reestablish the Compensation Committee effective Tuesday and approve the bylaws, and further moved to direct the Compensation Committee to bring forth an employee compensation structure, corresponding wage scale and compensation policies no later than April 1, 2023, to address short-term needs and also to work to find long-term solutions. The motion carried unanimously, and a separate motion was made to appoint Hadcock as the county commissioner on the Compensation Committee, which also passed unanimously. Travis and Amanda Davis, South Dakota Mines graduates in 2012 and 2013 who worked for NASA, are bringing the NASA-sponsored Space Apps Challenge to Rapid City on Oct. 1 and 2. The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is touted as an international hackathon for coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, technologists and others in cities around the world, where teams engage NASAs free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space. The event is free and open to the public. The event includes a series of challenges teams can choose from. This is the first time Rapid City has hosted the NASA International Space Apps Challenge. The global event, which began in 2012, is held each October over the course of two days. I'm very excited to see what ideas our community comes up with. The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is an excellent way for people to learn about and use this data to solve Earth and space problems, Amanda said. This year, there are 22 challenges for your team of one to six participants to choose from, and the ideas and opportunities are endless. Prizes will be awarded to the top three local teams, and one team will go on to compete in the next round of the international competition. The grand prize will be awarded to 10 teams from around the world who will be invited to watch a live rocket launch from a NASA facility. The event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at the David Lust Accelerator Building in Rapid City. Participants must register before the event start that morning. Participants are encouraged to form a team and pre-register so they can check out the resources available ahead of time. Go to 2022.spaceappschallenge.org/locations/rapid-city/ to pre-register. Those who enter do not need to have a team at the time of registration; there will be a team-building activity at the start of the event for those who are not already part of a team. Each participant will receive a t-shirt, prizes and food at the free event. There will also be door prizes from NASA and others awarded throughout the event. Although the Space Apps Challenge is all about using NASA data to solve problems, those who choose to participate dont need to be experienced computer coders. Teams that include a wide range of expertise from many different backgrounds and identities most often do best at finding solutions and opportunities within the challenges posed by NASA, Amanda said. "When NASA accepted our application to bring the Space Apps Challenge to Rapid City, Amanda and I were ecstatic, Travis said. We are so excited to host the world's largest space and science hackathon in the Black Hills, Amanda said. After co-hosting the NASA Space Apps International Challenge in Dublin, Ireland, we knew this was something we wanted to bring back to the Hills. It offers an opportunity to bring the community together but also to help foster ideas, growth, and potentially new business opportunities in the area. During his time at NASA, Travis worked with NASAs technology transfer office on patent applications and business outreach projects. Amanda worked as a NASA operations flight controller for the International Space Station. Now, both see real business and innovation opportunities within publicly accessible NASA data. Most people don't know that a large portion of NASA data is available to use for free, Amanda said. Very few people or organizations utilize this treasure trove of information and intellectual property simply because they do not know where to find it and/or how to use it, Travis said. The NASA space apps challenge shines a bright light on the utilization of the data available through ideation of apps, but we like to concurrently make people aware of the vast intellectual property available to all through technology transfer offices at NASA. Russia bars entry to its national territory to 87 high-ranking citizens of Canada Context Russia boosts sanctions against high profile citizens of Canada MOSCOW, September 22 (RAPSI) The Russian authorities have imposed personal sanctions on another 87 high-ranking Canadian citizens, blocking their entry into the country, according to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The measure is a response to Canada's periodically imposed anti-Russian sanctions, "which have affected government officials at all levels, including regional ones, journalists, cultural figures and ordinary Russians," the statement reads. Among the Canadians who fell under Russian retaliatory sanctions are the heads of provinces and territories, military officers, heads of companies that supply weapons and dual-use technologies to Ukraine. Earlier, Russia has already imposed restrictions on more than 100 high-ranking Canadians. The sanctions list, in particular, included Vice Chief of the Canadian Defense Staff Frances Allen, several Canadian Deputy Ministers of Defense for various issues, publicist William Watson, representatives of public organizations Ukrainian Canadian Congress and Ukrainian World Congress, were added to the list. the chairman of the Liberal Party of Canada Suzanne Cowan, former chairman of the Bank of Canada Mark Carney, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources of Canada John Hannaford, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Canada Marjorie Michel. The full list of Canadian citizens included in the sanctions list can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday barred the state from enforcing laws eliminating Election Day voter registration and creating stricter requirements for voter identification at the polls. In a majority opinion written by Justice Laurie McKinnon, the court stressed that the justices did not address the ultimate merits of the claims that are to be resolved at trial, but narrowly found that Yellowstone District Court Judge Michael G. Moses didnt abuse his discretion in granting the injunction in April. Justices Mike McGrath, Jim Shea and Ingrid Gustafson also signed the majority opinion. The high courts opinion is the latest twist in a meandering legal journey for the two election laws, passed by Republican lawmakers in 2021. Three separate lawsuits challenging four new election laws were filed last year by the Montana Democratic Party, a coalition of Native American organizations and a trio of youth advocacy groups. Those three lawsuits were later consolidated into one case, in which nearly a dozen individual plaintiffs are suing Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, the sole defendant. After Moses initially granted a preliminary injunction in April, Jacobsen asked him to suspend that injunction while her office appealed it. Moses declined to do so, but the state Supreme Court, less than three weeks before Montanas primary election, granted the Secretarys request. That order effectively reinstated the new laws for the June primary. It applied only while the Supreme Court was weighing Jacobsens appeal of the preliminary injunction. The Montana Public Interest Research Group, one of the youth organizations who challenged the voter ID law, celebrated the court's ruling in a press release Wednesday. This is a victory for Montana voters and especially for students and young Montanans more broadly, executive director Hunter Losing stated. Young people use Election Day registration at twice the rate of older Montanans. We will be working hard for great turnout in November. Other plaintiffs also welcomed the order. Todays ruling by the Montana Supreme Court is a positive step in the fight for equal rights for Native Americans. While this law would have disproportionately affected Native Americans in Montana, today is a win for all Montana voters. Democracy functions best when more people get to participate, and allowing more time for voters to participate means a more representative democracy for all of Montana, said Western Native Voice political director Keaton Sunchild. Sen. Mike Cuffe, a Libby Republican who sponsored the voter ID bill and carried the bill to eliminate Election Day registration in the Senate, stressed that the decision was narrowly based on whether the district court had abused its discretion. "I'm disappointed," Cuffe said. "I think the law was well written, well intended and I'm glad it's merely a decision on procedure and not a decision on the merits." Wednesday's majority opinion leaned heavily on the state Supreme Courts 2020 decision to uphold a preliminary injunction on the Ballot Interference Prevention Act. That law prohibited third-party ballot collection activities, and was ultimately found to unconstitutionally burden Native Americans right to vote. Under that framework, the justices wrote that Jacobsen needed to establish either that the state would suffer some degree of harm or irreparable injury if the injunction remained in place. The courts majority referred to expert testimony that the voter ID law would disproportionately burden young people, who the law requires to provide additional forms of identification at the polls if their only form of photo ID is from their college or university. The majority balanced that against the states interest in preventing voter fraud and boosting voters confidence in the elections. The decision quoted one of the plaintiffs expert witnesses, who stated that voter fraud of any sort is vanishingly rare in Montana, with only a handful of cases of the last 20 years, and added that more than 8 million votes were cast in Montana elections during that time. Regarding the end of Election Day registration, the court wrote that Jacobsen failed to puncture Moses finding that it unconstitutionally burdens the fundamental right to vote by eliminating a widely used and relied on voting option particularly by Native Americans. Justice Jim Rice, in a dissent also signed by Justice Dirk Sandefur, disagreed with the process Moses used to evaluate the laws when he granted the injunction. Moses analyzed them under strict scrutiny, which essentially holds that the laws must achieve their stated purpose in a way that places as little burden on voters as possible. While Rice said that wasnt necessarily the wrong level of scrutiny to apply to the laws, he disagreed with the method Moses used to decide that strict scrutiny applied. If all election laws that simply bear upon a fundamental right are subject to strict scrutiny review, Rice wrote, the Legislature would be constrained from enacting even minor changes, despite the Constitutions charge to the Legislature to insure the purity of elections and guard against abuses of the electoral process.' Stressing that the legislative branch has discretion to regulate elections in Montana, Rice echoed arguments advanced by a number of Republican lawmakers. Even in the absence of significant voter fraud in Montana, Cuffe on Wednesday objected to what he called "having to prove fraud in order to pass legislation, while what you're trying to do is make a good process better, and try to avoid future problems." In a separate dissent, Justice Beth Baker sided with the majority opinion regarding the voter ID law, but wrote that she agreed with Rice regarding the law ending Election Day registration. With the justices decision Wednesday to reject that appeal, the laws are once more on hold, pending Moses decision in the case at the district level. Whatever his ruling, its likely to be appealed as well a scenario he hinted at while speaking at the close of the August trial. Moses didnt offer a timeline for his decision, beyond indicating that it will come before the general election, and potentially in time to allow for an appeal to the Supreme Court. The case has been an expensive one for the state, which hired a private law firm to defend the election laws in the consolidated case. That law firm was paid $1.2 million by Jacobsens office over a one-year period ending before the August trial, and a legislative fiscal analyst indicated last week the cost of defending the election laws was in the ballpark of $1.4 million by the end of June. The U.S. Department of Education estimates that 120,400 Montanans qualify for some degree of the student debt forgiveness under a plan announced by President Joe Biden last month. A substantial number of the those who qualify, 78,600, were Pell Grant recipients, meaning they qualify for the maximum $20,000 in debt forgiveness. Pell Grants are given only to students with exceptional need, most with household incomes of less than $30,000 a year, according to DOE. Non-Pell recipients earning less than $125,000 a year could receive debt cancellations for up to $10,000. Student loans are the norm at Montana universities and colleges for first-year, full-time students, of which roughly 80% have borrowed money in the past decade. About 61% of Montana university graduates have taken out loans, the average owed is about $27,290 for degree recipients who attended school as state residents. It means more breathing room for millions of families, said James Kvaal, Department of Education undersecretary, during a Tuesday press call. It means renters pursuing their dream of homeownership. It means parents who thought they'd be paying student debt for the rest of their lives can now save up for their own children's education. The loan forgiveness hasnt been viewed favorably by Montanas elected Republicans. Gov. Greg Gianforte joined other Republican governors in asking Biden to scrap the loan forgiveness plan, characterizing the move as a benefit to societys elites at the expense of taxpayers. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines called the loan forgiveness utterly unfair, wildly irresponsible and clearly unconstitutional, also characterizing the forgiveness as burdensome to Montana taxpayers, the day Bidens plan was announced. Kvaal said Tuesday that the Department of Education expects the loan forgiveness plan to pass legal muster as something Education Secretary Miguel Cardona can do to offset financial harm from the pandemic. We have looked at the issue of the Secretary's legal authority to carry out this action quite extensively. We've looked at it from every angle. The Secretary has clear authority to protect borrowers from financial harm resulting from the pandemic and we're quite confident that he has the authority to carry out this, Kvaal said. Tuition and fees at Montanas flagship universities was $7,500 a year in the 2021-2022 school year, according to the Montana University System. Smaller colleges cost less than $6,000. The state of Montana has frozen tuition in 14 of the last 15 years at two-year colleges to manage the student cost of education. Smaller colleges have experienced tuition freezes in 11 out of the past 15 years, while the flagship schools in Missoula and Bozeman have experiences tuition freezes in nine of the past 15 years. Now is the right time to replace Falling Creek Middle with a larger, 21st-century building, said Debbie Bailey, Chesterfield County School Board member representing the Dale District, in a statement. Despite renovations and improvements over the decades, it is showing its age. The new building will better reflect the importance this community places on public education. I love that our new school building is going up so close to our current building because students and staff members will be able to see how it progresses and anticipate moving into the new building in 2024. As a former teacher, I understand the energy and excitement that will create. Attorney General Jason Miyares said this week that he will work with legislators to revive a bill that could allow his office to prosecute alleged sexual crimes against minors. Under state law, most violent offenses arent the purview of the attorney generals office and are handled by commonwealth attorneys local prosecutors. Its the role of the attorney generals office to advise the state government as well as handle appeals and prosecutions of other criminal offenses. The idea of the attorney general office stepping in was a talking point in Miyares campaign last fall. Earlier this year, the Democratic-controlled Virginia Senate stopped legislation that would have allowed the Office of the Attorney General to prosecute cases of alleged sexual assault against children in localities. Now, Miyares is hoping the bill will be reintroduced in the 2023 legislative session. Local law enforcement would have to ask the attorney generals office to step in. The purpose of the bill was to provide victims with additional resources to ensure that victims of these crimes are able to get justice, Miyares said of the bill. The renewed call to action from Miyares comes amid a sexual assault case in Fairfax County. According to WTTG, a local Fox affiliate serving the Washington, D.C., area, a man named Ronnie Reel was granted a plea deal to a misdemeanor after confessing to sexually assaulting an 11-year-old. The childs mother also claimed to have a recorded confession from Reel. According to the article, when the case went to trial this month, the prosecution had missed the deadline to submit Reels confession as evidence. Reel pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of assault and battery. The Fairfax Commonwealths Attorney has routinely failed victims of violent crime and mishandled juvenile sexual assault cases, which is why I will work with the legislature to see this legislation reintroduced, Miyares said. Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano along with Parissa Dehgehanti-Tafti of Arlington and Buta Biberaj of Loudoun has been the subject of two recall attempts by conservative groups. The Democratic prosecutors were elected in 2019 on a platform of criminal justice reform in line with changes the General Assembly made law when Democrats led both chambers such as decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana possession and eliminating the death penalty. Descano said in a statement: Theres a reason Miyares wrong-headed proposal to take over the prosecution of local crimes failed so miserably in the General Assembly after being opposed by the Virginia Association of Commonwealths Attorneys and proponents of reform alike. The Republican Party of Virginia issued a statement condemning liberal commonwealth attorneys and urged that they be voted out of office. The most recent story is simply the latest in a long line of horrifying and incompetent actions taken by Descano that are threatening the citizens of Fairfax County and our commonwealth, the statement said. But Descano notes how the past attempt to let Miyares office step in to local prosecutions failed. Miyares is simply seeking to obstruct efforts to build a more effective, equitable, and just system and instead return to the failed tough-on-crime approach that did little to improve community safety and fueled mass incarceration, Descano said. Not in my community and not on my watch. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., didnt expect a fight over a stopgap spending bill to keep the federal government running after the fiscal year ends next weekend. But he also didnt expect the late addition of a proposal for Congress to approve construction of a massive natural gas pipeline through his state. Approval of federal permits for the Mountain Valley Pipeline could imperil the continuing resolution that Congress must approve by Friday night to fund the government until it adopts a final budget for the fiscal year before Christmas. I strongly oppose it, Kaine said Thursday as he prepared to speak against the measure on the Senate floor. He said he could vote for most of the permitting reforms Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., proposed for oil and gas projects, but not an unprecedented provision that would approve federal permits for the Mountain Valley Pipeline and strip the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals of jurisdiction over the project. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia would become the presiding court for any legal challenge. But Kaine also expressed confidence that President Joe Biden and Democratic congressional leaders wont allow the issue to threaten passage of the funding resolution weeks before midterm elections in which some Republican candidates have said they would vote to shut off government spending. Were not going to shut down the government over a pipeline project, he said. In the final budget bill not the stopgap the stakes are high for the Richmond and Tri-Cities areas, which stand to benefit from the $135 million in federal spending that Kaine and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., have lobbied to include in the final budget bill, as well as additional funding included as budget earmarks by Virginias representatives in the House. In Richmond, those priorities include $10.7 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge and maintain the James River shipping channel, $700,000 to upgrade Main Street Station for rail passengers traveling downtown, and $500,000 to stabilize and preserve the historic Byrd Park Pump House. Its all good stuff, said Bob Steidel, deputy chief administrative officer for operations in Richmond. Kaine and Warner also expect the Senate version of the budget bill to include $3.2 million for Petersburg to improve its 20-year-old emergency communications system and $1 million for Chesterfield County to support a nonprofit initiative to provide low-income housing and support services to needy people at the Colbrook Family Apartments. Their congressionally directed expenditures, formerly known as earmarks, also would send $1.5 million to the Virginia Biotechnology Research Partnership for a life sciences initiative in Richmond and almost $700,000 to help needy students from the Tri-Cities area to attend Richard Bland College through its Guided Pathways for Success program. I have a high level of confidence that they will be included in the final budget, Warner said this week. Warner said hes not happy with the Mountain Valley Pipeline provision, but supports permitting reforms for energy projects, especially in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the vulnerability of Europe to losing access to natural gas supplies from Russia. Protecting our national and economic security is going to require increased pipeline capacity and reforms to our existing permitting process, which is currently too slow and too expensive, he said in a statement on Thursday. That said, I think the process around the Mountain Valley Pipeline stinks. In the coming days, Im going to work with my colleagues to see if we cant make some reasonable fixes while we work to keep the government up and running, Warner added. In the House, Rep. Don McEachin, D-4th, is lobbying for $2 million to help Virginia Union University develop curriculum for cybersecurity programs. Richmond officials say he also is working to secure $3 million to help GRTC develop a north-south route for its bus-rapid transit system, known as Pulse, and $800,000 for Help1RVA as a one-stop shop for social services in the region. But McEachin said Thursday that he will not vote for Manchins permitting reforms, which he said would undermine the ability of the public, especially in disadvantaged minority communities, to advocate against energy projects they say would harm them. There are no circumstances I can see voting for the Manchin bill, whether its stand-alone or inserted in a must-pass bill, he said in a news conference on Thursday with environmental justice advocates who oppose the provisions. While Kaine said he had tried to dissuade Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., from including the Mountain Valley provision in the funding bill, McEachin and other House Democrats said they were not consulted. No one picked up the phone and called me, McEachin said. I personally dont feel obligated to vote for a side deal I had nothing to do with. The intraparty dispute could shift attention from Republican congressional candidates who have suggested they would be willing to shut down the government to cut off money for spending initiatives championed by Biden. Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega, who is challenging Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, recently told a conservative radio show that she would be willing to vote for a government shutdown if elected in midterm elections on Nov. 8 that will determine party control of the House of Representatives. Republican Jim Myles, who is challenging Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-11th, opposes shutting down the government, but Hung Cao, a Republican challenging Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-10th, is keeping his options open. Im not going to show my cards, Cao said Tuesday after denouncing Congress reliance on stopgap spending resolutions to fund the government. Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., said Manchins push for permitting reforms could hurt Democrats in the midterm elections. This is not the time for the Democrats to be handing to Republicans a victory, said Grijalva, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee and co-sponsor with McEachin on the proposed Environmental Justice for All Act. They both hope the Senate will take the permitting provisions out of the spending bill in a vote expected early next week. We want to avoid the drama; we want to avoid the trauma, Grijalva said. Separate them the way they should be. Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday offered general ideas for how Virginias community colleges can revitalize themselves after a decade of shrinking enrollment, calling for a bold, new way of thinking about community college. Speaking to the State Board for Community Colleges, Youngkin discussed the importance of finding a new chancellor to lead Virginias 23 community colleges, the need for more short-term credential programs and expanding dual-enrollment for high school students. He struck a friendlier, lets-work-together tone, less than three months after telling members of the board they needed to comply with his vision or resign. Its an exciting moment to work together, Youngkin said. Its an exciting moment to envision what Virginias community college system can and must become. Between 2011 and 2021, Virginias community colleges lost 50,000 students a decrease of 25%. The outlook for 2022 is optimistic. According to early enrollment estimates released by the State Council of Higher Education, the number of community college students grew this year by almost 2% to roughly 147,000. It would be the first growth year in more than a decade. The figure is considered an estimate because enrollment numbers can fluctuate the first few months of the year. The first step to rebuilding community colleges, Youngkin said, is finding a permanent chancellor to lead them. The last chancellor, Glenn DuBois, retired in June. Before he left, Youngkin asked the board to include his administration to help find a replacement. Instead, the board disregarded the governors request and hired Russell Kavalhuna, a Michigan community college president, as the new chancellor. Kavalhuna accepted the job but after meeting with Youngkin decided to stay in Michigan. The board then named Sharon Morrissey as interim chancellor. It hopes to hire a permanent replacement by early 2023, a spokesperson for the system said Thursday. In June, Youngkin doubled down on his request to be part of the search, telling members of the board they should agree or resign. The board capitulated and added Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera as a non-voting member to the search committee. Defending his involvement, Youngkin said Thursday, I feel like I was hired for a reason, and that is to help, to support. The governor made a pitch for expanding the number of short-term workforce credentials the colleges offer, which he says will help fill open jobs. Companies interested in expanding in Virginia ask the governor if they can build a sufficient workforce, he said. The colleges FastForward program allows students who are mostly adults to take classes for six to 12 weeks and become certified in one of many industries, including welding, health care, information technology and skilled trades. Since the program launched in 2016, 48,000 students have earned credentials. Graduates have increased their salaries by an average of 35%, or $7,000 annually. While the number of degree-seeking students slid in the past decade, students earning credentials has grown in popularity. Another initiative, the Virginia Infrastructure Academy, aims to produce 35,000 workers in the next five years to improve the states roads, bridges and airports. In another, Brightpoint Community College in Chesterfield County plans to train future employees of Civica Rx, a nonprofit that manufactures low-cost drugs that is building a laboratory testing facility in Chesterfield. Colleges need to quickly adapt to meet the needs of the business community, Youngkin said. We need to be more nimble. Expanding dual-enrollment is another path to growing community colleges. Dual-enrollment programs allow high school students to earn an associates degree by the time they graduate from high school. Youngkin asked the board to imagine a world in which every high school student earns an associates degree or credential by graduation, allowing the student to immediately enter the workforce or go to college more prepared. Doing so could exponentially expand community colleges, he said. We can add zeroes to our numbers, Youngkin added. Richard Bland College, a junior college in Prince George County, has grown recently by expanding its dual-enrollment offerings. One initiative Youngkin didnt mention is the G3 program Get a skill, get a job, get ahead a scholarship that allows low- and middle-income students enrolled in high-demand fields to pay no tuition. Youngkin spoke about letting go of certain things to make room for whats most important, but he didnt specify what. The governor also stressed the importance of affordability. One year of tuition and fees at a community college in Virginia costs $4,600 less than half the average cost of a four-year public college in the state. This summer, Youngkin asked every public college and university to keep tuition flat. Each school acquiesced except for George Mason University, which is still considering the matter. It hasnt been an argument, but a commitment, from this group of leaders, Youngkin said. A Roanoke racial justice group planted a blue historical marker Wednesday near the city intersection where newspaper accounts documented the hanging of a Black man by a white mob nearly 13 decades ago. About 150 onlookers witnessed the observance and contributed jubilant cries to finally see public acknowledgement of victim Thomas Smiths seizure from authorities and brutal slaying on Sept. 21, 1893. He had had no trial, much less been convicted, and authorities determined after his death that he played no role in an assault on a white woman for which he was accused, according to the presentation. A Vinton woman who attended the observance at Franklin Road and Mountain Avenue described Thomas as her great-grandmothers brother. My family never thought something like this would happen, Teresa Smith, 55, told the crowd in a soft voice. The group behind the project, the Roanoke EJI Community Remembrance Project Coalition, had put out feelers some time ago to find a Smith family member but no one came forward until Teresa Smith approached coalition Chairwoman Brenda Hale at the Henry Street Heritage Festival Saturday, Hale said. The marker project, three years in the making, arose from an ongoing conversation about the citys history and a shared desire to counteract racism, organizers said. The Equal Justice Initiative, a Montgomery, Alabama, legal defense and advocacy organization, provided the sign through its community remembrance project and has helped guide local organizers. As the moment of the unveiling drew near, a pastor called for a moment of silence and silence came, except for the tweets of a group of swallows high overhead. All of us must make peace with this, all of Roanoke city, said Amy Christine Hodge, pastor at Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Roanoke. Smiling committee members pulled off the signs temporary plastic covering and then stooped to collect soil from below into a jar. The act of collecting soil was to commemorate the blood and the tears that fell into the soil of those who were lynched, said committee member Jennie Waering. The soil will go to EJI headquarters, which operates the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, sometimes called the national lynching memorial, and a museum about slavery and its legacy. EJI said it has documented 4,400 racial terror lynchings. This is what Roanoke is about, Hale said. This is true diversity. This is what it looks like. Spectator John Johnson of Roanoke, a white man who attended with his wife, said he wanted to be part of something our community is doing in remembrance of something we hate to know happened. Dashiell Larson-Harris, a white Roanoke native who grew up in walking distance of the site, knew nothing of the Smith lynching until his Roanoke history teacher at Community High School taught about it, he said. Before, he knew white people had lynched Black people, but it was just kind of this thing in history, Larson-Harris, 16, said. Finding out a lynching happened down the street at a location he passes by often is pretty crazy and he felt empathy, he said. Powerful, long overdue, as we know, said Felicia Johnson, a Black retired preschool teacher from Vinton, who was in the crowd. A Botetourt Circuit judge found a Mississippi man guilty of homicide Thursday in connection with a crash on Interstate 81 earlier this year that killed one person and seriously injured another. Errington Fitzgerald Stenson, 28, of Gulfport, Mississippi was convicted of two felonies homicide and eluding police and one misdemeanor reckless driving. Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Gillian Deegan said Thursday a Botetourt County sheriffs deputy on I-81 clocked a 2018 Chevrolet Impala traveling south at 99 mph in a 70 mph zone at approximately 4 a.m. Feb. 8. The deputy turned on his lights and sirens and pursued the Impala until he lost sight of it, at which point the deputy was travelling 133 mph, Deegan said. The deputy told others on patrol to watch for the speeding vehicle. But then officers began to hear reports about a vehicle fire, Deegan continued. The Impala had left the interstate at southbound exit 168, crossed Arcadia Road and made its way down an on-ramp. There, at about 4:20 a.m., the cars passenger side crashed into the back of a parked tractor-trailer and caught fire. The driver of the truck was in his cab when he felt the collision, Deegan said. He and another witness, a woman on her way to work who arrived at the scene of the crash shortly after it took place, pulled the passengers out of the burning car and put them on the side of the road. Deegan said both witnesses had reported seeing Stenson standing near the front door on the drivers side of the car after the crash. Officers began to arrive on scene, where Deegan said the Impala was fully engulfed in flames and first responders said they saw three people on the ground beside the roadway. Gevante Dale Bolton, 28, who had been riding in the back seat on the passenger side of the car, was pronounced dead on scene. Stensons stepbrother, Ronnie E. Lankins Jr., then 33, was seriously injured. He had been riding in the front passenger seat of the Impala. He was flown to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Deegan said Thursday that Lankins lost an arm due to the injuries he received in the crash. Stenson was also lying on the side of the road when officers arrived on scene. Deegan said officers reported that he was awake and alert, speaking to someone on his phone via Facetime. Stenson was taken away from the scene by ambulance, Deegan said, adding that he had sustained a broken hip and other minor injuries in the collision. Deegan said that after the crash, Virginia State Police obtained a search warrant for the black box inside the Impala. The data that the police downloaded revealed that the car was going 110 mph five seconds before it collided with the tractor-trailer, Deegan said. Stensons attorney, Cathy Reynolds, noted Thursday that the tractor-trailer was illegally parked at the time of the crash. But Deegan said that had Stensons case gone to trial, Virginia State Police officers would have testified that given the speed of Stensons travel, he was going to crash the Impala, even if the tractor-trailer hadnt been there. Stenson entered no contest pleas to all three charges he faced, and Judge Joel Branscom found him guilty on all three counts. Stensons sentencing hearing was scheduled for Jan. 26. Deegan said Boltons parents, also from Mississippi, intend to be present in court for the hearing and present victim impact statements. Lankins has been uncooperative and not in touch with the court during Stensons proceedings, Deegan said. He did not appear at any of his stepbrothers hearings in general district court, and Deegan doesnt anticipate his attendance on Jan. 26. Stenson is being held at the Botetourt-Craig Regional Jail. Lynchburg police are investigating after antisemitic flyers were distributed throughout the city earlier this week. Police said in a news release they began to receive calls about the flyers Saturday evening. The flyers were found in plastic bags and weighed down with corn, police said in a news release Wednesday that noted the department was investigating the "suspicious activity." In photos sent to The News & Advance, the flyers name Jewish members of the Biden administration and the Disney corporation and include phrases such as "protect your children." The flyers direct recipients to a website. "Although no specific threats to people or places were included, the LPD acknowledges that incidents of this nature are concerning for our community. Similar acts of prejudice have been reported across the nation in recent months," the police department said in the release. Police ask anyone who may have captured video of this on a security or doorbell camera to share the footage on the Neighbors portal. Anyone with information about this is asked to contact Detective Dubie at (434) 455-6102 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. Enter a tip online at p3tips.com or use the P3 app on a mobile device. RICHMOND The General Assembly won't be able to move into its new home next to Capitol Square until after its legislative session next winter. The new assembly building, part of a $300 million package of capital projects at the heart of Virginia's seat of government in Richmond, cannot be completed as scheduled this fall because supply-chain delays have prevented the timely delivery of critical equipment, legislative officials said Wednesday. "Unfortunately, we simply are not immune to the delays, prolonged delivery schedules and other deferrals being experienced by so many across Virginia and around the country and world," said House of Delegates Clerk Paul Nardo, who called delaying the opening until spring "a sensible and realistic decision to make at this time given current circumstances." Senate Clerk Susan Clarke Schaar also expressed regret over the delay, but said the legislature "cannot at this time ensure a functional and complete building" because of supply-chain disruptions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic that reached the U.S. more than 30 months ago. "While this is a setback for those who have worked so hard, we know it will be correct when it opens," Schaar said. The14-story building is almost complete at the corner of East Broad and North 9th Streets, but state officials said they have not been able to get timely delivery of critical equipment to ensure that it will function effectively for legislators, employees and members of the public who will throng the halls and committee rooms during assembly sessions. The building will house offices for all 140 legislators 100 in the House and 40 in the Senate as well as rooms for committee and subcommittee meetings. It also will house legislative agencies that operate year round, and provide more amenities for the public to make it easier to observe the legislative process. House Appropriations Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, said delegates and their employees already had packed and bubble-wrapped their belongings for the anticipated move into their new offices next month. I think everyone has been very anxious to go, but I think we all understand, Knight said Wednesday. Its what were all going through, and were suffering along with the rest of the public. However, he said the delay wasnt totally unexpected for assembly leaders who had been monitoring the projects progress. Weve been hearing rumblings about it for awhile, Knight said. The delay means that legislators and assembly employees will remain in the Pocahontas Building, a makeshift home next to Capitol Square on East Main Street, through the 45-day assembly session that will begin on Jan. 11. Unfortunately, its not what any of us wished for, said Sen. George Barker, D-Fairfax, co-chair of the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee. We were ready and anxious to get out of the Pocahontas Building and into the new building. Construction of a new home for the General Assembly has been a legislative priority for more than eight years because of safety and health concerns in a building that combines four structures from different eras, with the oldest part built in 1912. It was part of a package of Capitol Square projects that included renovation of Old City Hall, a 19th-century Gothic landmark that stands next to the assembly building, and a parking garage with state offices on the opposite corner of 9th and Broad Streets. A tunnel will connect the garage to the basement of the assembly building, which also will connect by tunnel to the Capitol. The project was part of a $2.1 billion bond package approved in 2016 under a compromise between the Republican-controlled legislature and then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat who did not want to approve spending for a new building until the assembly expanded Virginias Medicaid program to qualify for billions of federal dollars under the Affordable Care Act. The deal ended a two-year political standoff that former House Appropriations Chairman Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, who was at the center of the budget negotiations, said cost the state money from higher construction costs and delayed its completion. It is a shame that politics played such a part in getting that project moving, Jones said in an interview on Wednesday. If not for that, it would have been completed and would not have fallen vulnerable to the supply-chain issues that exist today. Assembly Republicans agreed in 2018 to expand Medicaid, after McAuliffe left office and Gov. Ralph Northam, also a Democrat, succeeded him. Since the expansion took effect on Jan. 1, 2019, more than 685,000 Virginians have enrolled in the health care program for the poor, elderly and disabled. McAuliffe said he has no regrets about putting Medicaid expansion ahead of a new assembly building. The Republican majority had blocked expansion at a cost he estimated at $2.6 billion each year in federal financial support and the loss of what he termed life-saving health care for hundreds of thousands of people. Ill have that debate every day, he said in an interview. I was fighting for Virginians and they were fighting for themselves. The House and Senate clerks, who oversee projects in and around Capitol Square, agreed to the delayed opening after the state general services director informed them last month that legislative employees and assembly members would not be able to occupy the building in mid-October as planned. Specifically, they said the state could not get timely delivery of equipment necessary for complying with state building code or audio-visual equipment for the rooms where committees and subcommittees will meet. Joe Damico, director of the Department of General Services, said his agency "has been committed to delivering a building that is fully operational, thoroughly tested and ready to conduct business several months ahead of the legislative session" that begins in January. "However, with supply-chain issues I am not longer confident you can occupy the new General Assembly Building in October, nor that the building can be fully operational as designed for the 2023 session of the General Assembly," Damico wrote the clerks in late August. "The upcoming 2023 legislative session must proceed in a facility without operational disruptions, and I cannot guarantee that condition in the new building at this time." Macaulay Porter, a spokesperson for Gov. Glenn Youngkin, said the Department of General Services, as part of the executive branch of state government, will continue to work with the General Assembly to ensure that they can move into the building as soon as they are ready. LYNCHBURG A pedestrian was fatally struck Tuesday in Bedford County, police said. Aaron Blake Collins, 26, of Concord, was walking at 12:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes of U.S. 460, four-tenths of a mile west of Virginia 811, when a vehicle hit him, according to Virginia State Police. Collins died at the scene. "Virginia State Police is seeking information in this crash. Evidence left at the scene suggests the vehicle was possibly a 2004-2007 BMW 500 Series," state police said. Police ask anyone with information on the identity of the driver or the vehicle to contact Virginia State Police at questions@vsp.virginia.gov or by calling 1-800-542-5959. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Although the autumnal equinox is observed, maybe even celebrated, all day on Sept. 22, it's really just a moment in time to be exact it's when the sun crosses the celestial equator, an imaginary line in the sky above Earth's equator. Normally, Earth orbits tilted on its axis by 23.5 degrees. But at this precise instant, its rotational axis is neither tilting toward nor away from the sun. For 2022, that takes place at 9:04 p.m. EDT. After this time, the sun will start rising later and setting earlier for those in the Northern Hemisphere. Those living in the Southern Hemisphere will see the opposite. In fact, people in the Southern Hemisphere refer to Sept. 22 as the spring equinox, a signal that the days will start getting longer. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. "Racial Disparities in Lifer Parole Outcomes: The Hidden Role of Professional Evaluations" | Main | Alabama botches execution by failing to be able to complete it before expiration of death warrant September 22, 2022 Council on Criminal Justice releases "Justice System Disparities: Black-White National Imprisonment Trends, 2000 - 2020" Three years ago, as flagged in this post, the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) released a notable report detailing notable modern changes in the modern demographics of prison, jail, probation, and parole populations titled "Trends in Correctional Control by Race and Sex." Today, CCJ has released another important data report looking a racial disparity data under the title "Justice System Disparities: Black-White National Imprisonment Trends, 2000 - 2020." The full report is available at this link, and here is what's listed as "key findings" in the first few pages of the full report: Over the first two decades of the 21st century, the disparity in Black and White state imprisonment rates (the ratio of Black-to-White rates) fell 40%; in 2020, Black adults were imprisoned at 4.9 times the rate of White adults, down from 8.2 times in 2000. o The Black imprisonment rate fell faster than the White imprisonment rate (47% vs. 11%). o The number of Black people in prison decreased by 27%, while the number of White people in prison increased by 4%. Half of the disparity reduction occurred in the first five years of the 20-year period, as the rate of narrowing slowed in more recent years. In 2020, responses to the COVID19 pandemic led to an unprecedented 15% drop in state prison populations, but that historic decline did not result in a change in Black-White imprisonment disparities. Black-White disparities in state imprisonment rates fell across all four offense categoriesviolent, property, drug, and public orderwith the largest decrease occurring for drug crimes. Disparity in drug imprisonment rates fell by 75%; that drop accounted for about half of the overall decrease in the Black-White imprisonment rate disparity. Black-White disparity in new court commitments to prison per arrest fell to near parity for property and drug crimes in 2019. Disparities in arrest rates per resident for these offense categories fell to about 2-to-1. Disparity in prison admission for technical violations per person on parole also fell. In combination, these results suggest that Black adults are overrepresented in prison admissions relative to White adults because they are arrested at higher population-based rates, not because their arrests are more likely to result in imprisonment. Racial disparity in violent crime imprisonment rates arose from racial differences in offending rates (as indicated by accounts of victims of violent crimes, most of which are intra-racial); admissions per arrest; and length of stay. The Black-White disparity in prison admission rates declined, while disparity in length of stay in prison increased. Disparity in admissions rates fell from 7.2 in 2000 to 3.2 in 2020. Expected length of stay in prison for Black adults increased from 2.2 years to 2.5 years, while for White adults it fell from 2 to 1.8 years. Despite these changes, racial differences in prison admissions rates accounted for nearly three quarters of the Black-White imprisonment rate disparity in 2020. In 2000, Black people on parole were more likely to be returned to prison for breaking the rules of their supervision (technical violations) than White people; by 2020 White people were more likely to be returned to prison for this reason. The changes in technical violation rates contributed to decreasing the disparity in total admissions. Racial disparities in imprisonment will persist without significant reductions in: o The disparity in rates of violent offending; o The disparity in prison time served; and/or, o The role of criminal history in sentencing and release decisions September 22, 2022 at 12:22 PM | Permalink Comments Maybe the report does address this, but I'm not seeing in your list there them addressing the issue of why blacks are incarcerated at a disparate rate. Is that to preserve the delusion there is racism in the system? Is that too hide the fact of overwhelming black violence? I have no doubt that this becomes just another one of those flawed studies because they refuse to talk as realists. How much disparity would there have been if the crime committed rates were the same? That's really the only question that should be asked at the beginning of every one of these political (not scientific) screeds. Posted by: restless94110 | Sep 22, 2022 1:46:04 PM I read this report yesterday and pleased to see the narrowing of the black-white incarceration disparity. State and Federal legislators, judges and activists have made great strides in addressing inequality in the criminal justice system. There is still work to do, but we are in the right direction. Restless94110, if you read the report you would know that it does cover black arrest and imprisonment rates. Black people are imprisoned at a higher rate for violent crimes than black people. However, blacks are arrested for violent crimes at a lower rate now than 20 years ago. The issue is blacks being sentenced to longer prison terms than white folks for crimes. You also conveniently ignore that blacks are imprisoned at lower rates for drug and property crimes in 2020 than in 2000. You should read reports before you ignorantly criticize them. Posted by: anon | Sep 23, 2022 4:45:46 AM Post a comment People at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan. (PHOTO: Reuters) SINGAPORE Singaporeans are able to travel to Taiwan visa-free from 29 September for up to 30 days, Taiwanese authorities said on Thursday (22 September). The announcement by Taiwans Bureau of Consular Affairs comes as the island said on the same day that it will fully reopen its borders by ending mandatory COVID-19 quarantine for overseas travellers from 13 October. Travellers have to self-monitor for seven days upon arrival. Until then, visitors currently have to go through a mandatory three-day hotel quarantine when in Taiwan, followed by four days of self-monitoring, with the expectation that they should avoid crowded places. In addition to visitors from Singapore, those from Malaysia and the Dominican Republic can also travel to Taiwan visa-free for up to 30 days from 29 September. Nationals from Japan, South Korea, Nicaragua, Chile, Israel are also eligible under Taiwans visa-free scheme, and can stay on the island for up to 90 days. Those from Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines can stay on the island for up to 14 days until 31 July 2023, except for those with diplomatic or official or service passports. Taiwan will also increase weekly arrival limits for international travellers to 60,000 from 50,000, Cabinet spokesman Lo Ping-cheng said at a media briefing in Taipei. Visitors will also need not undergo PCR COVID-19 tests upon arrival, he added. If "everything is under control", Taiwan is aiming for arrivals to rise to 150,000 a week, Lo said. On 5 September, the bureau published a list showing that citizens from 49 countries and territories are eligible under the visa-free scheme and can stay in Taiwan for up to 90 days from 12 September, while those from five other countries can stay up to 30 days. The list then did not include nationals from Singapore and all other Asian countries, while those from all 14 countries that have full diplomatic ties with Taiwan are eligible under the scheme. Prior to the pandemic, Taiwan was one of the biggest tourist destinations for visitors from Singapore and other Asian countries. Story continues 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. 173030% 1200 KOKO HILLS ONE INNOVALE47 Wetland 3 1.47 ONE INNOVALE3031 ONE INNOVALE2800 600 MIAMI QUAY 5 8.5%1.5 80.1% 91.5 116.46% 4 12 2008 -B 2022 SEC1.56 650 3 13357% 110.8% WATERLOO An animal rights group is asking a Waterloo meatpacking plant to install live-streaming cameras at its facility following a recent incident that injured and killed hogs. PETA also asked the plants manager to report the workers involved in the incidents to local law enforcement and to reassign them to positions that dont involve contact with live animals. U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety Inspection Service inspectors issued a notice of suspension to Tyson Fresh Meats on North Elk Run Road in connection with a Sept. 12 egregious inhumane handling event. The suspension was lifted the following day after Tyson presented USDA with a compliance plan. Tyson officials didnt comment on the video camera request but said they are cooperating with the USDA. We are committed to the welfare of the animals entrusted to our care. Each of our live animal facilities has a dedicated welfare specialist who is specially trained in proper welfare practices and animal handling, the statement from the company reads. In the incident, an inspector near the carbon dioxide stunning area noticed a dead hog on a transport gondola with its snout trapped in the gondola mechanism, according to the report. Another hog had its hind leg trapped and broken in a gap between the gondola and the floor. A worker used a captive bolt gun to stun the injured hog and another on the gondola. The inspector observed another dead hog with a similar broken leg outside the loading area, according to USDA reports. PETA officials noted the incident came more than a year after an April 2021 incident where an inspector observed workers having to use bolt guns twice to stun an ailing hog after the first stun wasnt effective. SIOUX CITY When Alex Johnson tells you his dog Frank is one of a kind, he's almost quite literally telling the truth. There aren't many dogs like Frank, who's a Barbado da Terceira, a rare breed of which there are an estimated 200-300 in the world. He's one of just 34 living in the United States. "I had no understanding he was this rare," Johnson said, nodding toward the energetic bundle of hair lying nearby. "I just saw a dog that was handsome, and I was at a point where I wanted a dog." Barbado da Terceiras are a fluffy, medium-sized dog bred to herd and guard livestock on the Azores, a small Atlantic Ocean island group that's part of Portugal. Johnson had never heard of the breed before he decided he wanted a dog and googled hypoallergenic breeds that wouldn't trigger his allergies. Scrolling through the search results, a long-haired breed with loving eyes caught his attention. "I like a hairy dog, I guess," Johnson said. Researching the breed, he learned BDTs -- an easier way to refer to the breed's name -- don't shed and are well-mannered. He'd found his dog, but actually getting one wouldn't be as easy. Johnson contacted the president of the breed club in the United States in September and learned that because there are so few of the dogs in this country, there's a two-year waiting list for a puppy. However, one could be obtained sooner from breeders in Portugal. "I'm a really persistent person," Johnson said. "When I see and know what I want, I go with that." He was put in touch with a breeder in Portugal and in March was notified that a dog was available. One problem: Johnson's passport had expired, so he couldn't fly to Portugal. Instead, his co-worker Sean Bigbear made the trip. Frank's journey to America ended at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport after spending an hour and a half in customs. Already too big to fly in the passenger area of the plane, Frank spent the flight in a kennel in the cargo hold. "He smelled terrible. It was rotten. He had no idea what was going on," Johnson said of meeting Frank in the airport's international terminal. But Frank's happy, curious personality quickly outweighed his scraggly appearance and he snooped around to explore his surroundings. After the car ride home to Sioux City was over, Frank settled in and has become a friendly face in his neighborhood, excitedly greeting every person and animal he sees. "Frank thinks everybody's his friend," Johnson said. Most people assume he's a doodle, one of many breeds crossed with poodles. When Johnson tells them he's a Barbado de Terceira, "I get pretty befuddled looks." Owner of Proper Painting, Johnson takes Frank to work with him, the dog hanging a front leg out the passenger window of Johnson's pickup truck as they drive to and from jobs. A skateboarder, Johnson takes Frank with him to local skate parks, where Frank, due to his breed's livestock herding background, likes to chase people around, trying to round them up to be closer to Johnson. "Frank is always trying to assert himself," Johnson said of the breed's sometimes stubborn, assertive behavior. But there are no worries about intruders sneaking into his home. Frank sleeps in front of the door, his natural guardian instincts kicking in. The 8-month-old has grown to 63 pounds, and if his large paws are any indication, he'll surpass the 70-pound upper end of the breed's weight range. Frank may be rare, but he displays common dog behavior, playing with an empty caulking tube and a plastic sack at a work site and drawing laughter and loving looks from Johnson, who's found everything he was looking for when he began his search for a dog. "He's exceeded expectations in all realms," Johnson said. A common sentiment among dog owners, no matter how rare their dog's breed. SIOUX CITY A Woodbury County jury on Wednesday found a teenager guilty of attempted murder for a shooting in downtown Sioux City a year ago. At the conclusion of a five-day trial, jurors needed just under two hours to find Aaron Word, 18, of Sioux City, guilty of attempted murder, willful injury and going armed with intent. Charges of intimidation with a weapon and trafficking in stolen firearms were dismissed prior to trial. Word faces a prison sentence of at least 50 years and up to 65 years. District Judge Patrick Tott scheduled sentencing for Nov. 18 in Woodbury County District Court. Word shot Tray Ehlers, who was attempting to break up an attack on his sister, during a Sept. 24 altercation in the 200 block of Nebraska Street. Word's lawyer had argued he acted in self-defense or the defense of others. Word, Joy Scott and Miracle Walls were in vehicles following another female with whom they had an ongoing feud and eventually blocked her path on an access road behind the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. Once the car was stopped, Scott and Walls opened the woman's car door and assaulted her. Before the woman had been stopped, she had called Ehlers, who arrived on the scene to come to his sister's aid. Word shot him once in the back and once in the chest with a handgun that police later recovered and determined had been stolen. After the shooting, police described Ehlers' wounds as life-threatening, and he has since recovered from his wounds. Because Word was 17 at the time of the shooting, his initial defense attorney sought to have the case transferred to juvenile court. A judge denied the motion. Scott, 40, of Sioux City, has pleaded guilty of second-degree burglary, and Walls, 24, also of Sioux City, pleaded guilty of third-degree burglary for the assault of the female. Both were placed on probation. Photo taken on Sept. 20, 2022 shows the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port in Djibouti City, capital of Djibouti. With a designed annual handling capacity of 7.08 million tons, the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), was officially opened in May 2017. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) A cargo ship docks at the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port in Djibouti City, capital of Djibouti, Sept. 20, 2022. With a designed annual handling capacity of 7.08 million tons, the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), was officially opened in May 2017. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) Photo taken on Sept. 20, 2022 shows the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port in Djibouti City, capital of Djibouti. With a designed annual handling capacity of 7.08 million tons, the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), was officially opened in May 2017. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) A cargo ship docks at the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port in Djibouti City, capital of Djibouti, Sept. 20, 2022. With a designed annual handling capacity of 7.08 million tons, the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), was officially opened in May 2017. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) Photo taken on Sept. 20, 2022 shows the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port in Djibouti City, capital of Djibouti. With a designed annual handling capacity of 7.08 million tons, the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), was officially opened in May 2017. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) Photo taken on Sept. 20, 2022 shows the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port in Djibouti City, capital of Djibouti. With a designed annual handling capacity of 7.08 million tons, the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), was officially opened in May 2017. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) Photo taken on Sept. 20, 2022 shows the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port in Djibouti City, capital of Djibouti. With a designed annual handling capacity of 7.08 million tons, the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), was officially opened in May 2017. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) SIOUX FALLS An Elk Point, South Dakota, man has pleaded guilty to storing files containing images of child pornography on his cellphone. Hector Paulin-Torres, 33, entered his plea Thursday in U.S. District Court in Sioux Falls to one count of possession of child pornography, which was amended from production of child pornography as part of a plea agreement. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. According to court documents, 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 SIOUX CITY A previously convicted sex offender faces a 25-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to taking pictures of himself having sexual contact with an underage girl. Kenneth Miller, 29, of Sioux City, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to one count of sexual exploitation of a child. According to court documents, he has entered a plea agreement in which he will receive a 300-month prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system. A sentencing date has yet to be set. Miller pleaded guilty of persuading or enticing the girl to engage in sexually explicit conduct with the intention of taking pictures of it from approximately September 2020 to March 24, 2021, when, according to court documents, his girlfriend found photos of him engaged in sex acts with the girl on his Gmail account. He was arrested in May 2021 and charged in Woodbury County District Court with three counts each of second-degree sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor. Those charges were dismissed earlier this year after Miller was indicted in federal court. Miller, who was convicted in Nebraska in 2016 for possession of child pornography, initially faced three additional counts of possession of child pornography and commission of a felony involving a minor while being required to register as a sex offender. Those charges will be dismissed as part of his plea agreement. SIOUX CITY A woman who says her lawsuit against a plastic surgeon was dismissed because her lawyers missed a filing deadline has sued them and a Sioux City law firm for legal malpractice and negligent misrepresentation. Jessica McHugh says in her suit that Goosmann Law Firm's "exaggerated" claims about its attorneys' health care law experience on its website led her to choose them to represent her in her medical malpractice lawsuit against former Sioux City plastic surgeon Adam Smith. McHugh's lawsuit also says Goosmann attorneys Joel Carney and William Hale breached their duties of "skill, prudence and diligence that lawyers of ordinary skill and capacity commonly possess" by filing an affidavit more than four months past the date it was due. District Judge Patrick Tott cited the missed deadline in his 2020 ruling dismissing the lawsuit, a decision later upheld by the Iowa Court of Appeals. The dismissal, McHugh said, prevented her from recovering damages from Smith and his then-employer, Tri-State Specialists. In an answer to the lawsuit, the firm, Carney and Hale deny McHugh's allegations, saying they acted in good faith and believed they were complying with the law while representing her. "Defendants exercised reasonable professional judgment in discharge of their duty and, as such, should not be held liable to the extent (McHugh's) claims attack that independent professional judgment," Alexander Wonio, a Des Moines attorney representing the firm and lawyers, said in his answer to the lawsuit. McHugh, of Sergeant Bluff, sued Smith and Tri-State, saying the surgeon botched her 2017 plastic surgery, leading to infections in her surgical wounds that required hospitalization and additional operations to correct the damage. When looking for legal representation for a medical malpractice lawsuit, McHugh visited the Goosmann Law Firm website, which said its attorneys know and understand health care law. "With backgrounds in healthcare and litigation, Goosmann attorneys are ready to tackle any litigation challenge," the website says. McHugh retained Carney and Hale, who filed the lawsuit in Woodbury County District Court in August 2019. Smith and Tri-State filed an answer a month later, starting the countdown on a 60-day deadline for McHugh's attorneys to provide to the court a certificate of merit affidavit for their expert witness. Due by Nov. 24, 2019, the affidavit wasn't filed until Feb. 7, 2020 -- 136 days past the deadline, leading to the defense's motion to dismiss that was granted by Tott. That failure to comply with the deadline was a breach of duty, McHugh's current attorneys, Ryland Deinert and Timothy Clausen, both of Sioux City, said in her lawsuit. "Goosmann Law Firm appears to have exaggerated its trial experience and experience in the medical malpractice field in order to attract and induce clients," the lawsuit says. McHugh is seeking a judgment awarding her an unspecified amount of damages for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement and legal fees. Smith, who now lives in Minnesota, was sued for malpractice by a number of other Sioux City-area patients and later surrendered his Iowa medical license to resolve charges of professional incompetency and unethical conduct. A federal judge in Michigan also ordered Smith to pay more than $236,000 in damages and penalties for filing dozens of fraudulent Medicare claims when he practiced in Michigan before moving to Sioux City. SIOUX CITY The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors has approved the use of additional COVID-19 recovery funds for a project tied to the new county jail. The board agreed to earmark $550,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to install utilities as part of the 28th Street improvement project. The joint county-city street project will pave 28th street from Highway 75 to Outer Drive and extend water, sewer and gas lines and and fiber optics to the new Law Enforcement Center. County Building Services director Kenny Schmitz said HY Consulting, a Columbia, Maryland-based consulting firm hired by the county has approved of the use of American Rescue Plan funds for the street project items. The county will spend $132,492.50 for fiber optics and $796.141.50 for water and sewer. A bid of $2.69 million by Sioux City Engineering Company was approved in July 2021 for paving the street extension, with a total cost estimate of $3.16 million, which included additional costs for fiber optic, additional gas main, easements, architect and engineer fees and project contingencies. As of August, the costs totaled $2.98 million due to contract change orders. The city is paying for $2.8 million for the construction and $300,000 for an MidAmerican Energy facility addition, but the county was responsible for the rest of the 28th Street costs. County Finance Director Dennis Butler said because the cost of the project has risen, they are going to use the ARPA funding instead of cash reserves. He said the allocation is up to $550,000, meaning some could return to be used in other ways. He said there is around $1.4 million in county ARPA funding yet to be allocated. To bridge the gap between actual costs of the overall LEC project and the voter-approved bond, the Board of Supervisors has allocated $10 million of the ARPA relief funding to the construction project. WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) A former suburban Chicago police officer who was fired after he shot into a car two years ago, killing a Black man and seriously wounding the man's girlfriend, has been charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, authorities announced on Thursday. In a news release, the Lake County State's Attorney's office said it had unsealed grand jury indictments against former Waukegan police Officer Dante Salinas in the Oct. 20, 2020, shooting that killed a 19-year-old local man, Marcellis Stinnette, and wounded his girlfriend, Tafara Williams, according to the Lake County State's Attorney's office. Salinas also was indicted on felony counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and official misconduct. On the night of the shooting, another Waukegan officer stopped the couple's car and was questioning them when Williams suddenly drove off, according to investigators. The officer pursued them and Salinas responded to his call for help and joined the chase. Williams drove off a roadway and crashed, then put her car in reverse in an attempt to leave the area, the Lake County State's Attorney's office said in a news release Thursday. Salinas had climbed out of his squad car and was not in the path of Williams' car but he fired several shots into the driver's side of the vehicle as it continued to reverse past him, according to the news release. Williams was wounded and Stinnette, who prosecutors said had committed no crime, was killed. An expert analyzing the trajectory of the bullets was able to determine the location of Salinas and the trajectory of his bullets, Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said in the statement. Salinas surrendered to authorities on Thursday and a judge ordered that he be held on $350,000 bond, prosecutors said. Second-degree murder carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and manslaughter carries a maximum term of five years. If Salinas is convicted of both charges, the sentences would run concurrently. Douglas Zeit, an attorney who represented Salinas in court on Thursday, declined to comment when reached by phone. Williams has been charged with aggravated fleeing. She turned herself in to authorities as well and a judge ordered that she be released on a $50,000 recognizance bond. HONG KONG (AP) The head of Hong Kongs largest journalist group was granted bail Thursday and allowed to leave the city for an overseas fellowship two weeks after he was arrested for allegedly obstructing police officers while reporting. Ronson Chan, who chairs the Hong Kong Journalists Association, pleaded not guilty to two counts of obstructing the police. A conviction could mean up to two years in jail. Chan was allowed to post bail and leave Hong Kong for a fellowship program at the University of Oxford later this month on the condition that he keeps the Hong Kong police updated on his address and mobile number while in Britain. He was arrested while reporting on a homeowners meeting in the Mong Kok district earlier this month with a colleague. Police said that the two were behaving in a suspicious manner and were requested to produce proof of identity. Chan was arrested after he was uncooperative and refused to show his identity card. His arrest prompted concern from the citys Foreign Correspondents Club, which said it supports journalists right to cover stories without fear of harassment and arrest. The club also called on authorities to exercise transparency and care in handling the case. When asked Thursday outside the court about his thoughts on press freedom in Hong Kong, Chan said he was not able to discuss details of the case, but said that everyone in Hong Kong, if you try to observe what is happening, then you can get the answer. Hong Kong, once a bastion of press freedom in Asia, has since seen its press freedoms decline after a tough national security law aimed at stamping out dissent was imposed on the city. Media outlets critical of the government, such as the now-defunct Apple Daily and Stand News, shut down after police raided their offices and arrested executives and journalists. Officials say a fugitive Malaysian defense contractor nicknamed Fat Leonard at the center of a Navy bribery scandal was trying to head to Russia before Venezuelan authorities captured him. Interpol Venezuela Director General Carlos Garate Rondon said in an Instagram post Wednesday that Leonard Glenn Francis would be handed over to Venezuelan officials to start extradition proceedings. U.S. officials say Francis was under home arrest in San Diego when he cut off his GPS ankle bracelet and escaped on Sept. 4, prompting an international manhunt. Francis was awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in 2015 to bribing Navy officers to help his ship servicing company, then overcharging the military at least $35 million. MADISON, Wis. (AP) A Wisconsin Department of Justice agent was charged Thursday with reckless endangerment in the nonfatal shooting of an unarmed man as officers were carrying out an arrest warrant during a traffic stop in Madison. Mark Wagner was charged in the Feb. 3 shooting of Quadren Wilson, who was wounded in the back but survived. Wilson is Black and Wagner is white, and Wilsons family has said they believe race was a factor in the shooting. It wasn't immediately clear why another agent who fired at Wilson wasn't charged. Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne declined an interview request through his paralegal, who said Ozanne was ethically prohibited from commenting on the case. Wagner would face up to 10 1/2 years in prison if convicted. His attorney, listed in court records as Michael Steinle, didn't immediately reply to a phone message seeking comment. The Wilson family (is) happy, said the family's attorney, Stephen Eisenberg. It appears at least justice is attempting to be done. They want someone to be accountable for this shooting. Theyre a Black family. Theyve witnessed whats been going on this country, how Black men have been treated by law enforcement for years. Wilson, 38, was released on extended supervision in February 2020 after serving a little more than a year in prison for second-degree reckless endangerment. The state Department of Corrections had issued a warrant for him on the morning he was shot for violating the conditions of his release. He was wanted for allegedly dealing fentanyl to a man found dead of an overdose in a Blooming Grove restaurant bathroom in April 2021. According to the criminal complaint, Wagner and a number of other Justice Department agents were part of a task force working to arrest Wilson, who was wearing a GPS tracker required under his release. The team intercepted Wilson as he was driving on the outskirts of Madison and decided to pin his car between two Justice Department pickup trucks. One truck stopped in front of him and he rear-ended it. The other truck rear-ended Wilson, pinning his car between them, the complaint says. Wagner approached Wilson's car carrying a ballistic shield that said POLICE" and with his pistol drawn. Another state agent, Nathan Peskie, was beside him with a rifle. Wilson began revving his engine in an attempt to free himself from between the two trucks. Wilson's windows were tinted and a third agent smashed one out so police could see inside, the complaint says. Wagner told Dane County Sheriff's detectives that he saw Wilson reaching under the driver's seat with his left hand and fidgeting with something on the center console with his right. He said Wilson then turned toward him and raised his hands, leading him to believe that Wilson had a gun. Then he heard a gunshot and felt something hit him, Wagner said. Thinking Wilson was shooting at him, he fired two shots from his pistol before he fell backward. Peskie fired five shots from his rifle into the car, the complaint states. Wilson was hit in the back by five bullet fragments. The complaint doesn't say which agent fired that round. Peskie told detectives that he saw Wilson raise a square object that he took to be a gun, according to the complaint. At that moment, a hole appeared in the driver's side window, with glass shattering outward, Peskie said. He thought Wilson had fired at Wagner and killed him, so he returned fire, he told the detectives. Officers searched the car but did not find a gun, the complaint says. It's not clear why Ozanne chose to charge Wagner but not Peskie. In May about three months after he was shot Wilson pleaded guilty to manufacturing narcotics with intent to deliver and cocaine possession. He was sentenced to three years in prison. Eisenberg said Wilson panicked after the task force rammed his car and the agent broke his window. He questioned why the team used such tactics when they could have simply arrested him the next day when he was due to visit his parole officer. One can only speculate that whether this ram-and-slam procedure would have been done with a white guy, Eisenberg said. It was preposterous what they did. It was reckless from the beginning. Quadren was not John the terrorist. I dont think Id be sitting there stoically saying, Hello, friends. I guarantee you Quadren panicked. I would have panicked, too. Attorney General Josh Kaul, who oversees the Justice Department, declined to comment, saying he didnt want to affect the case as it works its way through the judicial system. He did say the agency was evaluating this matter internally, but he didnt elaborate. Wagner made his initial court appearance Thursday morning before the state Justice Department announced the charges. He remains free on a $500 signature bond and is due back in court on Oct. 28. This story was updated to correct the spelling of Ismael Ozanne's first name, which had been misspelled Ishmael. DES MOINES A day after political opponents argued Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Franken should release from legal constraints a former staffer who claimed Franken kissed her without her consent, Frankens campaign manager said no such legal agreement exists. Franken, a retired U.S. Navy admiral from Sioux City, is running against longtime Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley. In a Des Moines police report published Monday by the conservative website Iowa Field Report, Kimberley Strope-Boggus, who worked on Frankens campaign before being fired in February, told police that after meeting for drinks at a Des Moines bar in March, a person who is not named but presumed to be Franken based on the context grabbed the collar of her vest and kissed her on the mouth. Des Moines police closed its investigation and the Polk County Attorney declined to open a case after determining no criminal intent was established. Franken acknowledged the meeting occurred, but denied Strope-Boggus claims, telling The Gazette on Monday, It never happened. In the incident report, Strope-Boggus said the Franken campaign asked her to sign a separation agreement that included a stipulation that prevents her from making disparaging remarks about the candidate or his campaign. On Tuesday, Grassleys campaign spokeswoman and the Republican Party of Iowa said Franken should release Strope-Boggus from any nondisparagement agreement. On Wednesday, Frankens campaign said no such legal agreement exists. No agreement exists that prevents any employee of our campaign past or present from speaking out on this issue, Franken campaign manager Julie Stauch said in a statement sent to reporters. These accusations are false and deceitful insinuations from political opponents. Strope-Boggus told The Gazette she is seeking legal counsel before commenting on Frankens claim that there is no legal agreement that prevents her from speaking publicly. Grassley campaign spokeswoman Michaela Sundermann accused the Franken campaign of attempting to play word games with its claim that there is no legal agreement that precludes Strope-Boggus from discussing her claims. Sundermann noted that in the police report Strope-Boggus said Frankens attorneys told Strope-Boggus attorney that her reposting of social media posts about the Franken campaign originally posted by her wife were in violation of the nondisclosure that she signed when she was terminated. Republican Party of Iowa chairman Jeff Kaufmann, in a statement, accused Franken of using intimidation tactics to silence victims. These allegations are very troubling, and Iowans deserve to hear the whole story, Kaufmann said. Mike Franken has been accused of gross misconduct and it speaks directly to his character. Stauchs statement goes on to compliment Grassley for his expressed support for federal legislation that would nullify nondisclosure agreements when workers report sexual harassment and assault, and says Franken would vote for the bill in the Senate. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Foreign Minister of Norway Anniken Huitfeldt on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met here on Wednesday with Foreign Minister of Norway Anniken Huitfeldt on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Wang said in recent years, the practical cooperation between the two countries has made positive progress, noting that bilateral trade last year increased by nearly 40 percent year-on-year, the FTA has entered the final stage, and a new version of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement is about to be signed. Facing transformations and chaos in the world, stability and confidence are more important than gold, he said, adding that the two sides should respect each other and treat each other as equals, enhance understanding, eliminate misunderstandings, maintain the sound momentum of healthy and stable development of China-Norway ties, strengthen exchanges at all levels, and stimulate practical cooperation for more results. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Norway in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, and jointly practice true multilateralism, Wang added. Huitfeldt said Norway is pleased that both sides have overcome the pandemic and have kept boosting bilateral relations. Norway and China enjoy great potential for cooperation in climate change, economic transformation, renewable energy and green development, she said, adding that Norway is looking forward to accelerating a free trade agreement with the Chinese side and continuing constructive cooperation. Wang said China has played an important role in facilitating the signing of the Paris Agreement, and will continue to play its role as a major country and shoulder its due responsibilities for the future of humanity. China is steadfast in following the path of green, low-carbon and sustainable development, and has set an ambitious goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060, which will achieve the biggest reduction in carbon emission intensity in the world, he said. He also said the Chinese side vigorously develops renewable energy, with electricity respectively generated by wind and solar power ranking the first worldwide, as well as the world's largest production and sales of new energy vehicles. Developed countries are expected to fulfill their commitments and provide financial, technological and capacity-building support to developing countries, Wang added. Huitfeldt said Europe is deeply worried about the current situation in Ukraine and hopes that China will play an important role. Wang expounded the principled position of the Chinese government, stressing that what Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be fully observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries must be taken seriously, and all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be supported is China's fundamental principle in handling the Ukraine issue. The international community should support all efforts conducive to peace and meet challenges brought about by the spillover of the crisis to the world economic recovery, he said, adding that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks in its own way. 'DON'T WORRY DARLING' (Rated R for sexuality, violent content and strong language) A 1950s housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company could be hiding disturbing secrets. 'CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY' (Rated PG-13 for some suggestive material and thematic content) A 14 year old girl in medieval England navigates through life and avoiding potential suitors her father has in mind. 'BANDIT' (Rated R for language throughout and some sexual material/nudity After escaping a Michigan prison, a charming career criminal assumes a new identity in Canada and goes on to rob a record 59 banks and jewelry stores while being hunted by a police task force. Based on the story of The Flying Bandit. 'DARK HARVEST' (Rated R for strong horror violence as well as gore, language and drug usage throughout) A legendary monster called October Boy terrorizes residents in a small Midwestern town when he rises from the cornfields every Halloween with his butcher knife and makes his way toward those who are brave enough to confront him. NEW DVD RELEASES FOR THE WEEK 'Vengeance' 'Legacies - Season 4' 'Outlander - Season 6' 'Post Mortem' 'Equalizer Season Two' Vangarde Arts announced it's in the running to bring a free outdoor series to Cook Park, 505 Cook St., beginning in 2023. A Sioux City-based nonprofit, Vangarde Arts recently submitted the concert series proposal to the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, which regularly grants funds to projects utilizing music in public spaces. "Vangarde Arts is thrilled about the opportunity to bring an amazing new concert series to Sioux City," director Brent Stockton said. "We chose Cook Park to be part of the west side revitalization and breathe new life into a great midtown park and neighborhood." Stockton said Vangarde Arts will need to qualify as one of the top 20 finalists in the public voting phase of the Levitt AMP Sioux City Grant Awards. The public is encouraged to support Vangarde Arts' proposal by voting for it at vote.levitt.org or via text as 866-AMP-2023 (866-267-2023) with the keyword VOTESUX. The top 20 finalists will be selected through the online and text-to-vote public voting phase. The Levitt Foundation will then review the top proposals and will select up to 10 Levitt AMP grant recipients, which will be announced on Nov. 15. "It is our plan to offer a mix of local talent and national touring artists," Stockton said of the Cook Park music series. Over the years, Vangarde Arts has musicians like Ray Wylie Hubbard, John Primer and David Lindley at its 416 Pierce St. location. Dear Prudence is Slates advice column. Submit questions here. Dear Prudence, My sister is expecting triplets so I have been stockpiling as many diapers as I can when I find them discounted. My local grocery store marks them down several times a month but it is done randomly. Employees are not allowed to buy them or hold discounted items while they are on the clock. There is a serious threat of termination. An employee told me this. She was pregnant and wished she would buy a lot like I did. I offered to buy and hold them for her. I work right across the street and she could just pay me back wholesale. Advertisement I ended up buying a lot of the discounted diapers and put them in my SUV. We exchanged numbers and met up for the exchange. Since then, she and another employee will text me when the discounted diapers happen. I will take an early or late lunch to go to the grocery store and buy up the lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We met up later and they took their pick and paid me in cash. The situation has been so successful, you can barely get to the bed in my guest room because the diaper boxes are piled so high. One of my co-workers noticed my SUV always had the diaper boxes piled up and wished she knew my secret because she has a toddler and can never find diapers discounted. I told her I had a secret weapon where an employee texted me when they were discounted and then I would go buy them. I offered her the deal where she could take what diapers she needed and just pay me back the sale price. I probably have a dozen toddler-size diapers stowed away for my sister. Advertisement Advertisement Instead, my co-worker got very angry with me. She accused me of stealing and being greedy. It wasnt fair to everyone else that I always bought discounted items. She threatened to find out the employees names and make a formal complaint to the grocery store. I got frightened and ran to the bathroom. I immediately changed the names of the employees to fake ones on my phone and changed the location of where we met up. And I bought a tarp for the back of my SUV. Later, my co-worker apologized for coming on too harsh and wanted in on my special deal. I bribed her with a few free boxes of diapers. Then I lied off my ass about more discounts. She backed off but my paranoia is high. Advertisement Advertisement I dont want to cost anyone their job. I thought it was a win-win situation. I am paying for the products, not making money off them, and whatever my sister didnt use would be given away for free. I am also spending hundreds of dollars on her sake. Advertisement Advertisement Diaper Dilemma Dear Diaper Dilemma, A tarp for the back of your SUV? That should have been your sign that you were doing too much, way too much. You are acting as if you found a source for hypoallergenic formula during the shortage and were providing it to babies who would starve without it. These are just diapers. They are always going to be around. There are always going to be sales. It is not your job to make sure your sister never pays full price for them. It sounds like youre willing to put a lot of time and energy into getting ready for these babies, which is sweet of you. Lets just choose a different way in. If you are really worried about the costs, start a crowdfunding campaign or ask friends and family to donate to a diaper fund. People love to donate to parents of multiples. You can relieve your sisters burden that waynot by lying yourself into a state of paranoia. Stop it with this scheme. Get your peace of mind and guest bedroom back and remove that tarp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How to Get Advice From Prudie Submit your questions anonymously here. (Questions may be edited for publication.) Join the live chat every Monday at noon (and submit your comments) here. Dear Prudence, Is it bad to stop doing a favor for a friend simply because youre sick of it? A friend of mine keeps a large number of plants in her apartment; when her job started making her travel for business, she asked if I would apartment-sit for her and water them. Initially, this wasnt a bad deal: I would crash in a bigger apartment and she would give me a bottle of inexpensive wine for the trouble. Lately, however, this has started to wear on me. Initially, the plants only needed watering every few days, but now she wants them checked on every day after some pest issues. Her apartment is not convenient to mine, so this is a hassle, especially when she travels for major holidays (and I have already navigated Christmas Eve traffic for these plants before). Shes also started to send more texts for status updates, including during my work hours, and (I realize this is petty) Im not even getting the wine bottles anymore, so I am not getting paid in any sense. Can I bow out of this just because Im tired of it? She has other people she can ask to do this, but apparently, they take bad care of the plants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just Pay Someone to Do It Dear Just Pay Someone, You can absolutely bow out of this just because youre tired of it. 100 percent. Thats why its called a favor, not a job. Hell, you can bow out of a job because youre tired of it, too! That was too easy to answer, so Im going to give you advice you didnt ask for and provide a script for telling her that youre no longer keeping her personal jungle alive for free. Hi Friend, I know I committed to come over and plant-sit for your trip at the end of October. Sadly, this is going to have to be the last time because Ive realized the travel to your apartment is a bit of a hassle and Im feeling like I want to be in my own space more. Its been a fun arrangement and Im so happy to know that Meghan and Harry [she seems like someone whose plants would have names] are thriving despite the pest issues, and Im confident that Oprah and Stedman will make a full recovery with all the love and care youre giving them (and a little indirect light). Let me know if you want me to ask around and see if anyone I know and trust might be willing to take over the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get Dear Prudence in Your Inbox We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Dear Prudence, My mom is estranged from her mom and five younger siblings. We rarely saw them when I was growing up, even though they live just across town. My mom implied my grandmother hated her because she resembled my grandfather so much (my grandparents separated a long time ago). I assumed my aunts and uncles avoided my mother due to their loyalty to my grandmother. Advertisement Advertisement My mom never said much about her family, except that her mother was very mean-spirited, and I was always curious about them. I sometimes Google my aunts and uncles. Imagine my surprise this past summer when I found what I believed to be my grandmother on a funeral home website. I immediately called the funeral home and gave the operator the names of my aunts and uncles to verify next-of-kin, which they were. Advertisement My grandmother passed away almost two years ago, and none of my aunts and uncles called my mom to let her know. She was 92. They have been estranged for over 40 years, and I dont think theyve seen each other in over 10 years. Should I tell my mom that my grandmother is no longer here? Opened the Google Pandoras Box Dear Pandoras Box, Nope. Your mom also has Google. Dear Prudence Uncensored All that said: Homeboy needs to settle down. Jenee Desmond-Harris and friends discuss a letter in this weeks Dear Prudence Uncensoredonly for Slate Plus members. Dear Prudence, I have a question about handling something that is both great and annoying. My husband is a big believer in only touch it once (known to some as OTIO). His baseline philosophy is that he tries to solve problems or deal with papers immediately. So, if he is opening mail to deal with bills he has his checkbook next to him, he writes the check, stuffs and seals the envelope, stamps the envelope, and sets the envelope aside before he opens the next piece of mail. Then, when hes done with mail, half the time hell walk the bills down to the mailbox on the corner. If we are talking after dinner about how we really need to check in with, say, Aunt Tina about dinner next week he will whip out his phone and send the email to Aunt Tina right then. Or, if I am spitballing about, say, the cost of a trip to Florida during the kids spring break out comes the computer to replace speculation with data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, I understand why he does this because it started when we were already married. When he was a first-year medical resident (emergency medicine) he got into very hot water with an attending physician who came after him for dropping the ball on some task. We later learned that this attending is a known jerk but it obviously spooked my husband. His super-human ability to manage a billion tasks in his head got him through medical school but his previous system was not working in a busy ER. After talking to some other young doctors, he learned about OTIO and it really worked for him. Now, most of the time this is great! Stuff gets done! Bills are paid on time, we hear back from Aunt Tina, and things get pushed from vague ideas to actual activities. The problem is that it sometimes makes conversation and interactions less smooth. Its like he takes everything literally: If I say we should check in with Aunt Tina, I dont necessarily mean we need to talk to her, maybe Im just saying Im thinking about her. And, there are times when I wish he would finish paying bills sooner so we can go ahead and start the movie on TV. Its like a bunch of little micro-interruptions and delays in the course of a conversation. And if Im talking about prices, Im just assessing his (and my) interest in Florida as a destination. He cant quite read the room sometimes. Advertisement Advertisement In the mix here is that I feel a little self-conscious about complaining about his get it done now attitude. A few years ago we were going to fly to an adults-only reunion weekend and the main event was a costume party. I was going to wear these really fun large-dot pantyhose as the centerpiece of my costume because they were a play on my name and the theme of the event. My husband was going to the store a few days before and asked, Do you want me to buy you the stockings for your costume? I said No, Ill get them, he said, OK, and then we both forgot about it. (In his mind he had only touched it once!) When it was time to go, I had of course not purchased the stockings, there was not enough time to buy them in my home city before the flight, and none of the stockings at the local stores near our destination had the right size dots to make the joke work. Lets just say that I did not handle my disappointment well and his I wish you had just let me buy them for you was pretty painful to hear even if he was really nice about it. (He really is a nice man.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, I am grateful for a responsible husband but would appreciate help managing this low-level friction that comes from his OTIO obsession! Why, Oh Why OTIO? Dear Why, I actually got excited and a little jealous reading about your husbands behavior. It reminds me of a colleague who once described herself to me as a PREcrastinator. She absolutely had to get things off her list right away. Oh, how I would love to be like that. I can only imagine how great it would feel. Instead, I have stuff like make sure 401(k) contribution is actually maxed out, apply for neighborhood parking pass, and look into buying non-skinny jeans that are moderately in style in 2022 on my to-do list for months on end. I pay a late fee for my (inactive) bar registration every year. I often wait until I have time to call someone for so long that the call eventually needs to be a massive catch-up summit that requires two hours so I put it off for even longer. So, I definitely believe your husband is avoiding a lot of stress, expense, and other negative consequences with his technique. Advertisement I do understand how it could be annoying though. I do. Because while hes keeping your lives in order, hes never fully present to enjoy time with you and your permanently cleared household to-do list. The whole point of touch it once is that tasks dont build up and become overwhelming, but guess what else is overwhelming? When your wife feels ignored and wants to leave you. Im not saying you are there yet, and you shouldnt threaten him, but I do think the idea is to encourage him to bring the I have to make sure I dont ever drop the ball mentality he currently applies to incoming mail to your relationship. You should propose that you each make a tweak to your habits with the goal of enjoying your time together more. First, you tell him that youre going to embrace his technique to avoid things like the stocking incidentwhich did ultimately take away from your mutual enjoyment of the costume party experience. Then, ask him if he will set aside time (Half an hour each evening? An hour? A three-hour date each weekend?) where the only task is to spend time with you, and any to-dos that come up get quickly written down to address later on. Advertisement Advertisement Give Prudie a Hand in Were Prudence Sometimes even Prudence needs a little help. Every Thursday in this column, well post a question that has her stumped. This weeks tricky situation is below. Join the conversation about it on Twitter with Jenee @jdesmondharris on Thursday, and then look back for the final answer here on Friday. Dear Prudence, Youve answered several questions encouraging tolerance of friends terrible spouses, and I wonder if this takes it to a different level. We are a mom group with 5-year-olds, and one day Jenny called us together to tearfully report that her home had been raided by the FBI and her husband accused of child pornography. She said she wasnt surprised based on his taste in porn that she had seen, mentioned some other odd behavior, moved out, and started divorce proceedings. After seven months, the FBI told her there was not enough evidence to convict, and her husband told her the videos of child abuse got on his computer by a virus. None of us believe that story and none of us can forget how completely she believed the FBI and agreed with them that it was likely. Now she is bringing him to events and we all feel so uncomfortable. We want to support her and her daughter, but we never want to see him. What should we do? He was never convicted, after all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear Prudence, Ian is a perceptive man who always sees the best in people. Were married and have been together for six years. When Ian came out, his parents and family basically cut him out. He reached out for a while; they responded in distant ways. Our relationship started during the end of this slow fade and I encouraged him to move on and build boundaries. Advertisement We recently learned (via text) that Ians dad almost died of COVID. Now his parents want to reconnect with him. Theyve barely shifted their values but got vaccinated on the down low. Theyve talked on the phone and Ian plans to visit soon, but I said Im staying home. Advertisement Ian seemed hurt but hasnt brought it up again. He thinks theyll attend our wedding (were legally married, but planning a modest ceremony next year). These people sent him emails asking for his perspective on news stories featuring gay pedophiles! They dont remember his birthday and take days to respond to holiday texts! Maybe its selfish, but I decided a long time ago I dont spend what is probably my one life on this Earth subjecting myself to, or dashing myself on, the walls of folks dogma. Advertisement With my words, Im supportive of him going, but I think theyll guilt him into helping with their massive medical bills, which other families are helping with, theyve made sure to mention. We make enough at municipal jobs to live comfortably enough but not enough to help with these bills in a way that matters. Weve recently purchased a condo and money is still tight. Should I bring up what Im suspecting, or am I acting cynical? Advertisement Ian wants me to meet them because Im a part of the family. I dont want to be a part of that family. The money we would save from my staying is a lot. On the other hand, this is the open-hearted man I married and plan to spend my life with. Should I just suck it up and go? Im on the spectrum. Can you tell me is staying one of societys many unspoken grave social donts? Advertisement Happy Where Im At Dear Happy, Go. I say that because you dont seem to be worried about the parents mistreating or harassing you. You simply dont think the visit will be enjoyable, and you worry that it might lead to a request for financial help. If they ask for money, you can cross that bridge when you come to it but right now these are Ians parents and you love him, so part of supporting himand really, being family to himis being by his side, within reason. Theres a place for boundaries, but I dont like what Ive heard about them so I refuse to ever meet them is a step too far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, its true, you only have one life. But that life is with Ian and he loves these people. The massive medical bills suggest to me that they might not be around for an extremely long time. Supporting him in connecting with the people who raised him, even if they do turn out to be jerks in person and you both make a decision to pull back again (which is what I think might happen) is being a good partner. And by the way, I dont think your being on the spectrum has anything to do with your dilemmaplenty of neurotypical people would struggle the same way with this decision. Dear Prudence, My (now) husband and I grew up in a somewhat religious communitythink all day Sunday at church and another four nights a week of church functions. It was wonderful for us to have such a joyful and supportive community that included our large extended families. Weve had children (two children now, more on the way!) and they are eagerly part of this century-old family tradition. Advertisement Advertisement One minor thing: I need a script for how to deal with my father, a deacon in the church and the family patriarch. Were fine with him bringing Jesus into every conversationwhere else does our Lord have to be anyway? But I believe in evolution, and I want my children to also believe in evolution, as that is the science. My father does not believe in evolution, he is very vocal about this, and I do not have the background to debate his points. What do I say when he pulls out ironclad arguments like Adam and Eve werent apes or Ive been going to the zoo for 40 years and the monkeys are still monkeys? I become bamboozled and have to back down, and my husband (he reads Slate) is no use, he just wants to get along. I dont want to shame my father or make him back down. I want my father to see that science does not conflict with the scripture, science proves the scripture, know what I mean? Advertisement Evolution Not Eve-olution Dear Evolution, To really answer this, I need to know more about your relationship to your religion. I get that you enjoy the supportive community the church provides, but what do you actually make of the basic beliefs that are fueling all those church functions? Do you buy into everything in the Bible except creationism? Do you believe in both creationism and evolution? (I dont want to get too into it but you wouldnt be alone if you didthere are denominations that believe God actually may have used evolution in the process of creation.) Are there other parts that you reject? Do you kind of take it all with a grain of salt? Do you believe in the basic lessons but not the way members of your community apply them to modern issues? Do you want your children to make Jesus a part of every conversation? Every decision? Some? Whose version of Jesus? Advertisement Advertisement Whatever it is, the most important thing to do is to get really clear about what you think, and why. And then tell your kids, in as simple terms as possible. I believe this. You might hear grandpa and other people at church say this. Heres why I disagree, and heres why thats not what were teaching you. Engaging in a debate with a deacon who does not believe in science (at least not as much as he believes in his religion) at every family meal is not the way to go. Hes built his whole life around his beliefs and theres practically no chance youll change his mind. Youre much better off preparing your children to interpret (or disregard) what they hear from him in a way that makes sense for your family. Classic Prudie My friend Betty is single, and Im about to get married, but weve both noticed a recent trend with our friend Jane that we cant abide. Every time we see her, Jane expresses how excited she is for us to have children. We hear some version of You have to have kids! or I cant wait till you have babies! Usually she is drunk when this happens, but shes mentioned it sober too. Each week, Prudie discusses a tricky letter with a colleague or friend, just for Slate Plus members. This week Jenee Desmond-Harris and Joel Anderson discuss Prudies response to: Why, Oh Why OTIO? Dear Prudence, I have a question about handling something that is both great and annoying. My husband is a big believer in only touch it once (known to some as OTIO). His baseline philosophy is that he tries to solve problems or deal with papers immediately. So, if he is opening mail to deal with bills he has his checkbook next to him, he writes the check, stuffs and seals the envelope, stamps the envelope, and sets the envelope aside before he opens the next piece of mail. Then, when hes done with mail, half the time hell walk the bills down to the mailbox on the corner. If we are talking after dinner about how we really need to check in with, say, Aunt Tina about dinner next week he will whip out his phone and send the email to Aunt Tina right then. Or, if I am spitballing about, say, the cost of a trip to Florida during the kids spring break out comes the computer to replace speculation with data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, I understand why he does this because it started when we were already married. When he was a first-year medical resident (emergency medicine) he got into very hot water with an attending physician who came after him for dropping the ball on some task. We later learned that this attending is a known jerk but it obviously spooked my husband. His super-human ability to manage a billion tasks in his head got him through medical school but his previous system was not working in a busy ER. After talking to some other young doctors, he learned about OTIO and it really worked for him. Now, most of the time this is great! Stuff gets done! Bills are paid on time, we hear back from Aunt Tina, and things get pushed from vague ideas to actual activities. The problem is that it sometimes makes conversation and interactions less smooth. Its like he takes everything literally: If I say we should check in with Aunt Tina, I dont necessarily mean we need to talk to her, maybe Im just saying Im thinking about her. And, there are times when I wish he would finish paying bills sooner so we can go ahead and start the movie on TV. Its like a bunch of little micro-interruptions and delays in the course of a conversation. And if Im talking about prices, Im just assessing his (and my) interest in Florida as a destination. He cant quite read the room sometimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the mix here is that I feel a little self-conscious about complaining about his get it done now attitude. A few years ago we were going to fly to an adults-only reunion weekend and the main event was a costume party. I was going to wear these really fun large-dot pantyhose as the centerpiece of my costume because they were a play on my name and the theme of the event. My husband was going to the store a few days before and asked, Do you want me to buy you the stockings for your costume? I said No, Ill get them, he said, OK, and then we both forgot about it. (In his mind he had only touched it once!) When it was time to go, I had of course not purchased the stockings, there was not enough time to buy them in my home city before the flight, and none of the stockings at the local stores near our destination had the right size dots to make the joke work. Lets just say that I did not handle my disappointment well and his I wish you had just let me buy them for you was pretty painful to hear even if he was really nice about it. (He really is a nice man.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, I am grateful for a responsible husband but would appreciate help managing this low-level friction that comes from his OTIO obsession! Why, Oh Why OTIO? Read Prudies original response to this letter. Joel Anderson: Lets start here. I actually got excited and a little jealous reading about your husbands behavior. Do we have a problem that I need to know about? Jenee Desmond-Harris: Calm down! Im jealous that IM not like this. That said, if you ever wanted to touch your snobby private high school alumni magazine just once or twice before tossing it instead of letting it sit on the kitchen counter for months I wouldnt object. Joel: I resent the characterization of my all-boys Catholic school in Houston as snobby, especially in comparison to your lovely alma mater, which is nestled on a hill in the most expensive county in the country. But thats neither here nor there. Ill do better. All that said: Homeboy needs to settle down. Advertisement Advertisement Hes found an approach that works for him, and thats great. Hes unfortunately not being considerate enough about how that might affect his wife and hes going to need to back up a little (actually, a lot). Advertisement Jenee: *Annoying Twitter Former Debate Team Person Voice* But let me play Devils advocate. What if he said shes messing things uplike she did when she procrastinated and forgot to buy her stockings? That affects their relationship, too. He doesnt want their lives to be in disarray. Can he count on her to get stuff done if he doesnt do it right away? Joel: Thats fair. And Id like to know more about how she handled her disappointment about the stockings because I could absolutely see him not being able to resist I told you so if she was taking it out on him or implying that he had some obligation to clean up her mistake here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know how often this happens, or how meaningful the stakes are in those instances. So yeah, its possible he adopted OTIO to compensate for her failure to get shit done. Like, maybe this is a silly question but: Have they ever talked about their respective approaches here? Like, maybe he sometimes cant read the room because she left it so damn messy. But they dont appear to have had any conflict, let alone a conversation, about how their respective behaviors grate on each other. Advertisement Advertisement Jenee: Yeah thats why I think, whatever she suggests needs to avoid leaving him with a long list of things that may or may not get done. In my mind, Just focus on me for this block of time every day [or week] is a reasonable request that doesnt ask him to abandon his approach. I bet not having stuff accomplished gives him anxiety. And managing that matters. Advertisement Joel: You love this guy so much. Maybe you should marry him. Jenee: LOL Im not gonna lie. As I said, I love the idea of not having anything hanging over my head! Let me enjoy a healthy fantasy life! Joel: Oh, that can be accommodated as long as whats good for the goose is good for the gandersomeone who immediately cleans their own cups in the sink, for instance. Jenee: Wow. They are soaking. Joel: But anyway, and more seriously: I do think he should do his best to limit this to his own life. Its obviously working for him, professionally and personally. The problem is thoughtlessly coercing his wife into adopting OTIO, like immediately forcing her to make a decision about hanging out with Aunt Tina when she doesnt have all of the information needed to do so. Its hard for people to mind their own business (ahem) in a marriage, but to the extent that he can, he should consider it. And maybe limit his I told you so to once or twice a year because then theyll have more impact but will seem a little fairer in a crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jenee: Yeah, theres a big difference between LW not having tights and like, not doing what she needs to do so they can get their taxes done. He can let some stuff go. Joel: And she should aspire to not consign him into her harried, messy life. Like, dont make his life hard and then blame him for it. Sounds easy but who knows if it really is here? Jenee: Who knows just like who knows if your husband is secretly seething about coffee cups (wasnt there some big article about a divorce that happened because of this) in the sink? [Editors note: There is.] Joel: All Im saying is a dirty cup left in the sink essentially demands a simple question: Whos supposed to handle this? Let me enjoy a healthy fantasy life! Jenee: OK weve now entered into the couples therapy portion of the chat. Well take it offline. Thanks I think. Vladimir Putin is clearly desperate. The question is whether this is good news or bad news. Another way of putting the question is whether it warrants a U.S. policy of exuberance or caution. The answer, in each case, is probably a bit of both. But the proper mixhow much exuberance, how much cautionis hard to calibrate. The Russian President revealed his desperation all too clearly in his Sept. 21 speech (which hed originally scheduled for Sept. 20). He played it as a proud, nation-boosting, war-whooping address to the Russian people, but it came off as anything but. Advertisement He made three main points: First, he announced a partial mobilization of reservists to defend our Motherland against the neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine and its NATO overlords. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, he called for referendums in the Donbas, Kherson, and Zaprizhzhia regions of Ukrainewhere many Russian ethnics liveto see if they want to be annexed into Russia. Finally, he warned that, in response to any attack on Russian territory, he would certainly make use of all weapons systems available to us, presumably including nuclear weapons, adding, This is not a bluff. As for the partial mobilization, this in itself was an admission that the war with Ukraine is not going wellsomething that Putin has never admitted publicly (and didnt do explicitly even in this speech). Just six months ago, he promised Russias mothers that he wouldnt call up their boys to fight. Now he has to do so, just to stay in the fight. Advertisement Advertisement To keep riots from breaking out, he did everything he could to play down this necessity, noting that he would call only those whose military specialties would be useful in the current war. He also noted that before being sent to the front, these reservistsmost of whom have never fought in battlewill receive additional military training. In announcing the partial mobilization, Putin said he was supporting the proposal of the Defense Ministry and the General Staff. Yet Russias military leaders told the public, just after Putins announcement, that the mobilization was hardly partial. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the order would call up 300,000 reservists. The independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta quoted a Kremlin source as saying that a hidden article in Putins orderArticle 7, which is omitted from the publicly released versionallows as many as 1 million Russian men to be called up. Advertisement Advertisement Mobilization orders went out immediately, giving reservists just 24 hours to pack up and report for duty. The notices were distributed disproportionately to reservists in Russias ethnic-minority republics, who might feel less empathy for Ukrainians. Advertisement Advertisement As for the additional military training they were promised, it turns out to be a two-week rush course, barely enough time for the reservistssome of them in their 50sto serve as anything other than cannon fodder. Given Russias shortages in such basic material as ammunition, it is unclear whether many of them will receive enough supplies to put up a fight. Demonstrations are breaking out all over Russiafrom massive peace marches in Moscows Arbat, a mile from the Kremlin (with protesters shouting No to war! and Send Putin to the Trenches!), to protests even in Dagestan, in the northern Caucuses, where, in response to a recruiter saying that they have to fight for their future, one citizen replied, We dont even have a present, what future are you talking about? Advertisement Advertisement In a dramatic display of voting with your feet, tens of thousands of young Russian men fled the countryby foot, car, train, or planeabove and beyond the tens of thousands who had already gone into exile after Putins crackdown on all dissent since the war began in February. Advertisement Advertisement One other aspect of the mobilization is an indefinite extension of the many contracts signed by soldiers for six months or a year, some just for the money. Those soldiers have now been told they could be fighting in Ukraine forever. This is not going to help the morale of an already demoralized Russian army. The proposed referendums on annexation of territory in Ukraine is a slightly more complex matter. In a free, fair, and properly supervised referendum, a large percentage of people living in those three regions might vote to join Russia; probably a majority would have before the invasion. But these referendums, if theyre pulled off, are not going to be fair or free. Under the best of intentions, theres no way to run a free and fair election in a war zone from which hundreds of thousands of residents have fledand Putin hardly has the best of intentions. It will be phony by the standards of the phoniest elections. Advertisement Advertisement However, this is where Putins threatto use nuclear weapons, if Russian territory is attackedtakes on a new dimension. If the pro-Russia voters win the referendum in Donbass region, where the fighting is most intense, Putin will regard all Ukrainian fighting in that region as an attack on Russian territoryand, possibly, he will respond accordingly. Advertisement Is this worth taken seriously? In one sense, no. The Ukrainians have launched plenty of attacks on Crimea, which Putin annexed eight years ago and which he deeply regards as Russian territoryyet he has not responded with any particularly outlandish escalation. Is he bluffing when it comes to Donbas? He said, This is not a bluffand, though its true that leaders (or ordinary people) who say such things usually are bluffing, its worth italicizing usually and noting that Putin is not your usual world leader. By all accounts, hes egomaniacal, in the pocket (intellectually and spiritually) of ultra-nationalist kooks, and facing the possibility of defeat in the present warwhich hed thought would spawn his legacy as the rebuilder of the Great Russian Empire. Advertisement So this is why the West needs to be a little bit cautious in its words and deeds in Ukraine. Then again, I say a little bit cautious, because there is no upside to shirking support for Ukraine in what could be a pivotal moment. There is absolutely no evidence that any restraint would move Putin to the negotiating tables for serious diplomacy. In fact, neither Russia nor Ukraine has any incentive at the moment to do anything but keep fighting. And so President Biden continues to send weapons (another $1 billion worth, with heavier and heavier armaments, seems to be announced every week); the other NATO nations are pulling their weight; and the European countries most heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas are taking significant steps toward finding alternative sources before the winter sets in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is at least as important as the military assistance; Putin hopes that shivering Europeans will pressure their governments to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into making a deal to stop the war. If they can withstand the winter and avoid the pressure, Putins hold on Ukraine is likely to weaken further in the springas a result of which his own hold on power might weaken as well. Putin is portraying this war as a fight not only with Ukraine but also with NATO. Biden and the other Western leaders should avoid turning it into that explicitly; i.e., they should continue to resist the temptation to send in their own troops and pilots, lest Putin feel justified in mounting an extreme escalation. (This is what I mean when I say the West needs to be a little bit cautious.) But the scope of the war is nonetheless becoming the West vs. Russia. Some U.S. military leaders have pretty much been saying that for months: The survival of Western values in Europe is certainly at stake. So the West should make the most of itwithout taking the most too far. Judge Aileen Cannon suffered a rout on Wednesday night when the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals shredded every aspect of her decision that halted the criminal investigation into Donald Trump. The three-judge panel, which included two fellow Trump nominees, gave the Justice Department a complete victory, identifying multiple grievous errors in Cannons reasoning. Technically, the 11th Circuit ruled against Trump, but much of its reasoning reads like a ruling against Cannon herselfa vehement repudiation of her sloppy effort to run interference for the president who appointed her. Most notably, the panel emphasized the most dangerous consequence in Cannons decision: In twisting the law for Trump, the decision created a startling and unlawful threat to national security. Advertisement Cannons decision was so sweeping that this element of the case has been easy to miss. But national security experts like Slates Fred Kaplan have been ringing the alarm from the start, pointing out how Cannons injunction kneecapped federal law enforcement and potentially jeopardized peoples lives. The reason why is simple: In her first ruling, the judge prohibited the government from further review and use of any of the materials seized from Mar-a-Lago for criminal investigative purposes, including about 100 classified documents. She added, however, that the government could continue to review and use the materials seized for purposes of intelligence classification and national security assessments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This distinction is utterly impractical, even fantastical. It is impossible to abide by. Heres the problem: The FBI and Justice Department officials conducting the criminal investigation into Trump are working on the damage assessment, as well. These two tasks have been intertwined from the start. As Norm Eisen and Fred Wertheimer explained in Slate, those officials assessing the damage caused by improper handling of classified materials must communicate with officials considering possible criminal penalties. In some cases, the same individuals will participate in both the damage assessment and the criminal case. These overlapping roles make perfect sense: The criminal case against Trump will rest, in part, on the damage that his behavior inflicted on national security. So by halting the Justice Departments criminal investigation, Cannon effectively halted its damage assessment, too. Her roadblock has hamstrung the intelligence communitys efforts to determine whether Trumps illicit seizure of classified documents imperiled the nations security by compromising American spies still working undercover. Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department explained all this to Cannon, who apparently didnt care enough to change her ruling. Luckily, the 11th Circuit did. It relied heavily on a declaration submitted by Alan E. Kohler, Jr., the Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence Division of the FBI. The appeals court credited Kohlers explanation that as part of a classification review to assess the existence and extent of damage to national security, the FBI needed to access evidence and disseminate it to other intelligence agencies to assess potential harm. Consider a few of the governments most pressing concerns: Who accessed the classified material? What portion of it was compromised? Are there any other classified papers still unaccounted for? Advertisement These questions are equally relevant to the intelligence community and to the criminal investigators. But as the 11th Circuit pointed out, under Cannons ruling, government officials cannot answer them without risking contempt of court. The consequence will be a chilling of their national-security duties, since those responsibilities are inextricably intertwined with the criminal investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 11th Circuit did not spell out how, exactly, Trumps seizure of classified documents may have harmed the security of the United States. That reticence is understandable, since many key details of the case remain secret. And yet, an unredacted portion of the warrant that authorized the Mar-a-Lago search showed that these records included information provided by spies. Some documents were marked HCS, or Human Intelligence Control System, which indicates that they may contain the identity of undercover informants. This is a problem for more reasons than the obvious: Just last year, the CIA warned that a shocking number of its informants had been arrested and killed by foreign nations. The agency also noted its struggle to recruit new informants. It is hard to imagine that anyone would want to sign up if they knew that a former president could keep documents revealing their identity in an unlocked room at his resortthen persuade a federal judge to prevent the FBI from ascertaining how much danger theyre in because of the presidents negligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here, then, is the chief distinction between Cannon and the two Trump nominees who ruled against her, Andrew Brasher and Britt Grant. All three judges are extraordinarily conservative. All three might even bend the rules to favor Trump. But Brasher and Grant were not willing to fully break the rules, at least when doing so could subvert the U.S. governments ability to protect itself from foreign threats. Cannons conduct places her in a separate class of hard-right judgesyou might call them ultra-MAGAwho will do anything to further their political and ideological agenda. Theres an analogy here to the conservative judges who ordered the Navy to deploy unvaccinated SEALs and attempted to keep an insubordinate anti-vaxxer in command of a naval warship. There is no limit to the lunacy these judges will unleash in furtherance of their agenda. And so the somewhat less radical adults in the room must step in. Much like Justice Brett Kavanaugh shot down conservative judges who inserted themselves into the Navys chain of command, Brasher and Grant had to stop Cannon from wresting control over the FBI. If Trump dares appeal the 11th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court, he will lose, perhaps unanimously. The appeals court made it abundantly clear that judicial interference in the governments review of these classified documents crossed the line into lawlessness. Cannons wildly disruptive reign of madness is finally drawing to a close. Welcome to State of Mind, a new section from Slate and Arizona State University dedicated to exploring mental health. Follow us on Twitter. The Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges is often credited with saying that Paradise is a library. He must not have meant a downtown public library, circa 8 p.m. Such places, like most communal spheres, can be a challenge to oversee. Some people treat them like a sort of roomless hotel, sleeping in chairs and bathing in restrooms. I used to watch a man who looked like the famous woodcut of Blackbeard the Pirate ride the escalator of my three-story library up, down, up, down. For hours. Carrying a duffel bag. He never bothered anyone, so our security officers left him alone. (Cant say the same for the lady of the evening who was meeting clients in the stairwell.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then there are the questions from believers in Qanon. Election deniers. Sovereign citizens. The woman who ranted about the news that the World Health Organization was going to force a vote to allow them to take over the U.S. and force a lockdown like China. (If WHO had that kind of power, why bother with a vote?) The man who asked me how he and a few of his buddies could get into the governors office to remove him over pandemic closures. (Would that all insurrectionists did such thorough research!) Declinism is the feeling that everything is getting harder, scarier, and weirder, and a lot of people seem to have it. Work in a library, I want to tell them, and youll learn what weird is. Advertisement To be clear: I enjoy the weird. And I am proud that public libraries double as unofficial care centers. In 2015, the Washington Post quoted a librarian who estimated that about half of their regular patrons were either mentally ill or experiencing homelessness. The same article speculated that the transition from inpatient to outpatient psychiatric treatment that began in the 1960s, including the closure of state-run psychiatric hospitals, may contribute to the prevalence of mental illness among the homeless. In nearly every U.S. state, people with serious mental illness are more likely to be jailed than sent to a hospital. Advertisement A library is a more welcoming environment than either of those. Undoubtedly, this is what attracts many people who suffer from mental illness. Sociologist Eric Klinenberg calls libraries social infrastructure, emphasizing that, in addition to books and materials, they offer welcoming spaces and human interaction. The Ferguson Municipal Public Library became a safe haven amid the riots after the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown, staying open when other businesses had closed, to act as a community anchor. After the 2016 shooting of five police officers, the Dallas Public Library provided on-site counselors to assist city residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A number of libraries now employ social workers or mental health professionals to step in when needed. Others have partnered with mental health organizations to train librarians in crisis response. In 2017, staff at the San Diego Public Library completed the Mental Health First Aid course developed by the National Council on Behavioral Health. One of the staff, Joe Miesner, tapped into that training when he deescalated a situation with an distressed patron. I just spent time listening to her, Miesner told the American Psychological Association, and eventually she gathered her belongings and walked away quietly. Some librarians have even saved lives. Three weeks after being trained to administer the opioid antidote naloxone, Matt Pfisterer, a New York librarian, revived a patron who had overdosed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Academic libraries have also seen an increase in mental health needs, such as autism spectrum disorder, and have developed programs to meet them. Dawn Behrend, a librarian at Lenoir-Rhyne University who is also a licensed therapist, offers online workshops on providing service to ASD patrons. (She has another course called Assisting Patrons With Mental Disorders Across Library Settings that extends beyond the autism spectrum.) In 2018, Robarts Library at the University of Toronto opened a family study space. Similar spaces exist at U.S. colleges. The room holds 20 people and includes work stations, toys, and child-sized furnitureperfect for student-parents who are forced to schlep their kids to campus. (I could have used one when I was a graduate student. Maybe I wouldnt have been cashiered out of the computer lab because my 3-year-old was banging on a keyboard.) Advertisement Another trend is library meditation rooms, which students use for prayer, yoga, scripture study, or just to catch their breath between classes. At North Carolina State University, for instance, the rooms include resources such as prayer rugs, meditation cushions and mats, a sound machine, and colored pencils and paper. One of the most creative programs is Montana State Universitys Paws to De-Stress, in which the library, in partnership with Intermountain Therapy Animals, lets visitors mingle with registered therapy dogs during the weeks of final exams. Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to LGBTQ patrons, libraries have lots of opportunities. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, gay or bisexual adults are more than twice as likely as heterosexuals to struggle with their mental health. Transgender individuals are nearly four times as likely. In addition, 40 percent of transgender adults have attempted suicide in their lifetime, compared with less than 5percent of the general population. The numbers for transgender youths are even higher. Advertisement The trick is in offering services to these patrons while also balancing their privacy needs. LGBTQ people have to be circumspect about how, when, and to whom they come out. They have to be, considering the discriminationand hate crimesthey often face. Libraries should be safe spaces, which could include private rooms for reference transactions, wearing pronouns on a name badge, or circulation slips that dont include the patrons name (to forestall accidental dead-naming). The more LGBTQ books and other materials a library can collect, the better, though the best practice is to integrate them into the general collection rather than create a special collection that someone might be reluctant to ask for. Same with special displays for, say, Pride Month, which can be challenged by right-wing groups. There are subtler ways to advertise resourcesa printed bibliography, for example. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes, as Joe Miesner found out, the best thing we can do for a patrons mental health is listen. Listening is an underrated librarian skill. Too often, when a patron comes to us with a question, our minds jump to the solution. The patron needs this book! They should read this article! They should search this website! Or we refer them so promptly to another organization (maybe were busy, or tired, or, heck, maybe were not OK ourselves), they may hang up and wonder, Wait, did I just get dissed? By a librarian? Advertisement Advertisement I am the director of the North Carolina Legislative Library, which is part of the state legislature. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of state agencies were closed. My library was not. Word of this must have gotten around as our reference numbers shot up. Callers were asking about subjectsunemployment benefits, small business loans, birth certificates, job-hunting resources, filing for bankruptcythat were not in our purview. Why? We were one of the few places to answer the phone. And listen. And try to help. Im convinced we did help, even if we didnt solve their immediate problem. Advertisement We helped by being ministerial. By being focused. By being present. Listening isnt just a librarian skillits a human skill, and a slippery one. It seems facile: just let the other person talk. To do it well, however, we have to shut off our editorial side. Our stand-up-comic side. Our judge-and-jury side. In short, we have to shut off our brains and just be what? Nothing. Just be. It isnt just patrons who need support. Librarians do as well. Our jobs are more stressful than it would appear. We are constantly asked to do more with less, and there is never enough time or staffor funding. Patrons can be challenging in about a million ways. And there is the ever-present threat of closure. I once worked in the library of a law school that went out of business after losing its accreditation. Librarians have a unique ability to help people find answers. Its what weve dedicated our careers to doing. Sometimes those answers come from books, journals, the internet; sometimes they dont. We often see people at their lowest moments. We have a duty, perhaps a calling, to reach out in tangible ways. Mental health has become an any-port-in-a-storm situation. Librarians can provide one of those ports. State of Mind is a partnership of Slate and Arizona State University that offers a practical look at our mental health systemand how to make it better. EU Commissioner Dalli visited poverty-stricken marginalised communities, highlighting the situation of local children. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled About 1,700 Roma people live in the Habes settlement in Secovce, Kosice region. Locals have access to two taps of drinkable water for the whole community. The settlement is drowning in junk, mud, rat infestation and terrible living conditions. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement EU Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, witnessed the living conditions of the settlement during her visit on September 21, 2022. The EU commissioner met with locals, as well as with Member of the European Parliament Peter Pollak, the Slovak government's plenipotentiary for Roma communities Jan Hero, and Secovce Mayor Dominik Frajko, the Korzar daily reported. European Union sources are not manifesting themselves into the everyday lives of Roma people. There is nowhere near enough political will to challenge the living situation and change it for the better, commented Pollak. The children living in such conditions do not have a bright outlook for the future; hundreds of people don't have access to basic necessities, which needs to change said Pollak, who is an MEP for the ruling OLaNO party. EU funds haven't reached them "There are means to solve the situation of the Roma. The question is why they aren't being used," Dalli said as quoted by Korzar. She concluded that municipalities are negligent in using money from EU funds. The situation of the children living in the settlement is especially alarming, said Dalli. There is no equality if proper care and housing is lacking, she added. The overall situation of Roma communities was recently criticised by the European Parliament Committee, during the July visit of another settlement, in Petrovce nad Laborcom. The committee chairman described the situation as scandalous and said that locals are living in medieval conditions. The cooperation of municipalities is crucial in this step, said plenipotentiary Hero: The change needs to spring from local levels. Pollak complained that the municipal authorities do not cooperate enough. Though the EU has been investing funds in bettering the lives of Roma people for 14 years, municipalities are struggling to properly support the communities, he charged. The MEP believes the municipalities would be better motivated to help their Roma communities if they were allowed to use EU funds without the need to contribute their own resources. Water and schooling among main issues The head of the local Roma community, Jozef Kudrac, described living in the settlement as unsuitable. There are two water taps and people have few options to wash themselves. This worsens the chances of Roma people finding a job. Water in the settlement is an issue because many of the houses and shacks are illegally built, so water, waste and garbage management are impossible. Even though there is a school in the community, not many children from the Roma community attend. Commissioner Dalli also noted that Roma children are often expected to attend segregated schools, which widens differences and diminishes the opportunities to live a normal life. Children need to practice what theyve learnt during school at home hygiene included. If children do not have the opportunity to clean themselves, its a never-ending cycle, Secovce Mayor Frajkor said as quoted by Korzar. Slovakia has been struggling with the school segregation of Roma children for a long time. During the August visit of the European Parliament Committee, the chairman pointed out that Slovakia should take necessary measures to "address the root causes of the discrimination and segregation of Roma children in the education system", and make sure that Roma children enjoy equal opportunities to access quality education. If approved by parliament, it will enable the state to nationalise energy commodities. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The legislative framework to enable the government to handle the energy crisis when needed is passing through the legislative process. After weeks of discussions, on Wednesday, September 21 the cabinet approved the first measures to help fight the energy crisis in Slovakia: the government will be able to declare a state of emergency during a shortage of energy, due to their high prices. Prime Minister Eduard Heger and Economy Minister Karel Hirman assure that, though the situation is bad, Slovakia will have sufficient energy. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The situation [on the energy market] is serious but not fatal, said Hirman following the cabinets session. There is no need to panic, but those who brace for extreme situations can also withstand them. Preparing for extreme situations On Wednesday, the cabinet adopted draft amendments to the Energy Act, and the Act on the Regulation of Network Industries, extending the possibilities of the state to declare a general economic interest in the energy sector and a state of emergency. The parliament is expected to deal with the bills in a fast-tracked procedure. The amended laws create room for last-resort solutions, Hirman noted. The first freight train coming through railroad linking Afghanistan to China arrives in Hairatan, Balkh province, Afghanistan, Sept. 22, 2022. The land corridor through railroad has linked landlocked Afghanistan to China as the first freight train arrived in the border town of Hairatan in Afghanistan's northern Balkh province on Thursday. (Photo by Khibar Momand/Xinhua) HAIRATAN, Afghanistan, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The land corridor through railroad has linked landlocked Afghanistan to China as the first freight train arrived in the border town of Hairatan in Afghanistan's northern Balkh province on Thursday. "It is a milestone and a positive step towards boosting trade and economic relations between Afghanistan and the neighboring countries," Qudratullah Abu Hamza, governor of Balkh province said after receiving the freight in Hairatan. Welcoming the opening of the land corridor as a significant step towards enhancing economic relations in the region, Hamza said Afghanistan is determined to develop economic relations with all countries in the region. Carrying 12 containers, the freight train started its journey from the Kashgar city of China 12 days ago and crossed Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan before arriving in Afghanistan on Thursday morning. Mountain Rescuers warn of winter conditions in higher elevations. Learn more in today's digest. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Good evening. Here is the Thursday, September 22 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement PM: It's bad, but Slovakia will have enough energy (Source: AP/TASR) The legislative framework to enable the government to handle the energy crisis when needed is passing through the legislative process. After weeks of discussions, on Wednesday, September 21 the cabinet approved the first measures to help fight the energy crisis in Slovakia: the government will be able to declare a state of emergency during a shortage of energy, due to their high prices. Prime Minister Eduard Heger and Economy Minister Karel Hirman assure that, though the situation is bad, Slovakia will have sufficient energy. Learn more about the energy crisis in Slovakia: More stories on Spectator.sk If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription. Thank you. Feature story for today The age of clients requesting mortgages is increasing, also due to the rising prices of properties. Some borrowers will not be able to repay their loans before they turn 75. The National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) fears that this trend will get out of control. Not all borrowers count on the risk of an income drop after they retire and with health complications tied to old age. The result can lead to an uncomfortable financial situation, which could possibly make it impossible for them to pay back their debts. Rules for mortgages will be stricter for people over 40 in Slovakia Read more Picture of the day A medic showing a child the basics of first aid during Zilina Health Day. Medics from the city hospital were advising residents about health care. (Source: TASR) In other news Parliament MPs postponed the vote on the amendment of paragraph 363 of the Criminal Code to next Tuesday , with the exception of proposals regarding the energy crisis. The amendment is set to reform the general prosecutors arbitrary power to drop inconvenient charges and effectively grant certain people a get-out-of-jail-free card. , with the exception of proposals regarding the energy crisis. The amendment is set to reform the general prosecutors arbitrary power to drop inconvenient charges and effectively grant certain people a get-out-of-jail-free card. The city of Piestany has announced a reduction in the intensity of street lighting in order to save costs. With the exception of main streets - Bratislavska, Krajinska and Zilinska cesta - which will be fully illuminated, the intensity of street lights on remaining streets in the city will be down to a third. There are several places in the city, such as cemeteries, or a parking space near the local ice stadium that do not have lights on currently. With the exception of main streets - Bratislavska, Krajinska and Zilinska cesta - which will be fully illuminated, the intensity of street lights on remaining streets in the city will be down to a third. There are several places in the city, such as cemeteries, or a parking space near the local ice stadium that do not have lights on currently. On Thursday, the Strong Cohesion 2022 military drills in the Lest training area, central Slovakia came to an end. Around 1,000 soldiers from the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovenia, the United States, and Slovakia participated. The goal was to assess their capabilities. According to the official statement, the goals of the drills were fulfilled. A soldier during the Strong Cohesion 2022 drills. (Source: TASR) On this Saturday, volunteers can participate in the Ciste hory event (Clean Mountains) for the 44th time in history. The goal of the event is to clean the national parks in the Spis region after the summer season. Everyone with a positive attitude towards nature is welcome, says event coordinator Igor Stavny from Tatra National Park. All the volunteers need to do is come to one of many starting points where they will receive bags to pick up trash left by tourists. The list of all the starting points can be found here (in Slovak). The goal of the event is to clean the national parks in the Spis region after the summer season. Everyone with a positive attitude towards nature is welcome, says event coordinator Igor Stavny from Tatra National Park. All the volunteers need to do is come to one of many starting points where they will receive bags to pick up trash left by tourists. The list of all the starting points can be found here (in Slovak). The Slovak Mountain Rescue Service (HZS) warns tourists of winter conditions on higher elevation paths. In the last couple of days, there has been about a half-metre of snowfall. Moreover, the wind is strong and there is fog. Although the paths are still open, winter equipment such as crampons, ice axes, and even an avalanche beacon is necessary. The view of the High Tatras from Poprad, September 22. (Source: TASR) After five years of work, a meandering river bed in a two-kilometre section of the Rudava River, western Slovakia, has been restored . The restoration will allow better conditions for flora and fauna to flourish and prosper. In the 1970s, half of the Rudava riverbed was covered in concrete blocks to prevent its natural development, making the shape of the river like a line. . The restoration will allow better conditions for flora and fauna to flourish and prosper. In the 1970s, half of the Rudava riverbed was covered in concrete blocks to prevent its natural development, making the shape of the river like a line. Kosice public transport operator DPMK is unable to operate dozens of lines a day at the moment, according to the company's spokesperson Vladimira Bujnakova. This is due to malfunctions of their vehicle fleet and a lack of drivers. On Monday September 19, there were 56 missing lines, the following day it was 69, and the day after that 64. According to the DPMK, the solution is to buy new buses and hire more drivers. If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. https://sputniknews.com/20220921/dutch-foreign-minister-calls-for-more-arms-supplies-to-ukraine-amid-mobilization-in-russia-1101063703.html Dutch Foreign Minister Calls for More Arms Supplies to Ukraine Amid Mobilization in Russia Dutch Foreign Minister Calls for More Arms Supplies to Ukraine Amid Mobilization in Russia PARIS (Sputnik) - Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra called on Wednesday for increased weapons supplies to Ukraine amid partial mobilization declared in... 21.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-21T21:27+0000 2022-09-21T21:27+0000 2022-09-21T21:24+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine olaf scholz netherlands germany ukraine crisis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/106026/12/1060261261_0:73:3330:1946_1920x0_80_0_0_08166d1c160599b6d4e2a052e2ae9741.jpg "The Netherlands strongly condemns the fake referenda in eastern Ukraine and the partial military mobilisation in Russia," Hoekstra wrote on Twitter."It is crucial to continue and up our support for Ukraine: more sanctions, more weapons, more aid. We must do all we can to help Ukraine stop Putin's bloodshed."Hoekstra's remarks came as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Germany would do everything in its power to support Ukraine while working to prevent further escalation of the conflict beyond the two parties already involved."And now when people again are talking about nuclear weapons we also say; it is not acceptable. But at the same time, we stick to our well-balanced and decisive policy of support to Ukraine and prevent an escalation of the war beyond the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. And we will continue to do exactly that," Scholz said in an interview to German ARD broadcaster.Earlier on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the partial mobilization amid the military operation in Ukraine. The president also voiced support for referenda on joining Russian announced on Tuesday in the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk as well as in the Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine.On Tuesday, the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (DPR. LPR) as well as the Russian-controlled parts of the Ukrainian regions of Zaporozhye and Kherson said that they would hold referendums on accession to Russia from September 23-27.The DPR and LPR proclaimed their independence from Ukraine in 2014 after holding self-determination referenda. In February 2022, Russia recognized the DPR and LPR and launched a military operation in Ukraine in response to calls for help from the two breakaway republics. netherlands germany 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 olaf scholz, netherlands, germany, ukraine crisis https://sputniknews.com/20220921/eu-to-add-more-russian-officials-to-sanctions-list-over-partial-mobilization---source-1101065356.html EU to Add More Russian Officials to Sanctions List Over Partial Mobilization - Source EU to Add More Russian Officials to Sanctions List Over Partial Mobilization - Source BRUSSELS (Sputnik) - The European Union will add more Russian officials to the sanctions list as part of the upcoming eighth package and abolish the right of... 21.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-21T23:33+0000 2022-09-21T23:33+0000 2022-09-21T23:30+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia european union (eu) sanctions veto ukraine crisis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/102452/20/1024522069_0:164:3058:1884_1920x0_80_0_0_8f4845d318da54747dc8a5fc23a41d76.jpg "The EU will, for sure, accelerate the development of the eighth sanction package. There have already been intensive talks about it last month. It will include several new people in the catalog of names [under EU sanctions]. Also, the EU ministers are likely to discuss tonight and in the coming weeks the possibility of abolishing the option of veto for member countries when it comes to greenlighting packages of sanctions against Russia so that the packages can be implemented quicker," the source said.According to the source, the new package will also include a number of measures related to the implementation of the oil price cap G7 countries have agreed upon. The EU wants to introduce the measure as soon as possible, but certain member countries, including Hungary, that managed to get exemptions from banning Russian oil imports, have been expressing fears that Moscow may cut oil supplies in the event of implementing the G7 oil price cap, so this is the main reason of disputes in the bloc, the source said."The [EU] ommission, at this stage, is looking for an implementation format of those decisions to maximize their effectiveness, hence discussions on the unanimity and the possible veto limitations on sanction packages against Russia," the source explained. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is very positive at this step and is asking for the measures to be introduced, the source added.The EU Commission plans to present the new package at the end of next week, perhaps on Wednesday, September 28, according to the source.On February 24, Russia began a military operation in Ukraine, responding to calls for help from the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The West responded by imposing comprehensive sanctions against Russia, with the EU pledging to end its dependence on Russian energy supplies. The bloc has already approved seven packages of sanctions against Moscow, including a gradual phase-out of Russian oil.In September, G7 finance ministers also confirmed their intention to impose price caps for Russian oil and called on all nations to support the initiative. The price cap is scheduled to take effect on December 5, 2022, for crude oil and on February 5, 2023, for refined products coming from Russia.Moscow, in turn, has pledged to altogether stop exporting Russian oil to the countries that impose the price cap. https://sputniknews.com/20220921/putin-wests-goal-is-to-weaken-disunite-and-destroy-russia--1101028273.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 russia, european union (eu), sanctions, veto, ukraine crisis https://sputniknews.com/20220922/argentine-analysts-russias-mobilization-is-political-reply-to-wests-stance-over-ukraine-1101068279.html Argentine Analysts: Russia's Mobilization is Political Reply to West's Stance Over Ukraine Argentine Analysts: Russia's Mobilization is Political Reply to West's Stance Over Ukraine The partial mobilization called by Russia is a way to "reinforce" the referendums announced by the republics of Donetsk and Lugansk and the provinces of... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T03:52+0000 2022-09-22T03:52+0000 2022-09-22T03:49+0000 russia ukraine ukraine crisis mobilization limited mobilization nato us russia's special operation in ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/16/1101068699_0:0:3215:1808_1920x0_80_0_0_bf87e449d95b4200a75c439c0c295e87.jpg The expert, a doctor in International Relations, considered that the partial mobilization responds to the fact that, for Russia, "it is an affront that Ukraine continues to threaten or try to return these territories," so it is necessary for "the political authorities to respond to that."According to the analyst, the call for reservists can be explained by the need for Russia to protect Donetsk and Lugansk in the face of the possibility that "Ukraine may retaliate" before the referendums.Another Argentine analyst Martin Rodriguez Osses told Sputnik that the Kremlin's decision to initiate a partial mobilization also responds to the need, in the event that the referendums are favorable to incorporation with Russia, to provide the Donbass territories with "the resources that they could not give them before." Both analysts agreed that behind Putin's position is Russia's concern about NATO's involvement in the conflict.According to Montes, NATO bears "a great deal of responsibility" for the conflict in Ukraine, even before the start of the special military operation on February 24. "Between December 2021 and February 2022, the West spurred Ukraine on, and Russia responded to it," he said.According to Montes, now "the ball is again on the side of the West," given that "if the West reacts to Putin's speech with the same vehemence and negativity as in the period from December to February, what we are going to see is an escalation." Rodriguez Osses, for his part, noted that if the 300,000 Russian-conscripted reservists focus, as Putin has stated, solely on strengthening the positions already held by the Russian army, then NATO's position cannot be expected to change, because the alliance is not going to help with anything more than arms deliveries to Kiev forces.Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24 in response to a request for assistance from the separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk to protect them from Ukrainian forces' escalating onslaught. The operation, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, is only focused on Ukrainian military infrastructure. https://sputniknews.com/20220921/checkmate-putins-address-marks-game-over-for-kievs-us--nato-backers-analysts-say-1101056726.html https://sputniknews.com/20220921/putin-wests-goal-is-to-weaken-disunite-and-destroy-russia--1101028273.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Kirill Kurevlev Kirill Kurevlev 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 Kirill Kurevlev russia, ukraine, ukraine crisis, mobilization, limited mobilization, nato, us https://sputniknews.com/20220922/bangladesh-has-been-affected-by-anti-russia-sanctions-import-problems-foreign-minister-says-1101102884.html Bangladesh Has Been Affected by Anti-Russia Sanctions, Import Problems, Foreign Minister Says Bangladesh Has Been Affected by Anti-Russia Sanctions, Import Problems, Foreign Minister Says UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - Bangladesh has been very affected by the sanctions imposed against Russia and is calling on a peaceful dialogue to bring the Ukraine... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T18:31+0000 2022-09-22T18:31+0000 2022-09-22T18:32+0000 world bangladesh russia sanctions asia & pacific /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/08/1080707563_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_a74ca94546a382d91330e2fb5d6d483e.jpg In August, Bangladeshi Ambassador to Russia Kamrul Ahsan told Sputnik that Bangladesh is trying to negotiate supply of oil with Russia despite Western sanctions as Dhaka is rocked by protests over fuel price hikes.When asked how the talks on Russian oil imports are going, Momen said, "I dont want to say anything about it.""The Ukrainian war is causing difficulties to many countries, including the country like Bangladesh which is far away from the war territory," Momen stated. "Its only because sanctions, its because you know we used to import some products from both Russia and Ukraine and those stopped now."The good news is, he added, they have resumed imports of products like corn."But its disrupted the supply chain," he added. "The war has also disrupted the financial transaction chains which are very important."Momen stressed that Bangladesh does not want the Ukraine conflict to continue."We want no war. We want the war should end as quickly as possible for the well-being of the people because when there is a war, people are suffering," he said. "Sanctions are imposed to punish Russia but unfortunately Russia is not being punished that way, it is punishing even those who imposed the sanctions - common people, the poor people these are the ones who are being affected. And therefore we would urge that there should be some dialogue for resolution of this problem amicably through peaceful means."Though the United States and its allies have said that sanctions do not apply to food products and fertilizers, Russia points out that restrictions on bank settlements, insurance, and shipment of goods hinder its exports. https://sputniknews.com/20220914/russia-urges-eu-to-disclose-final-destination-of-ukrainian-grain-exports-1100758474.html bangladesh 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 bangladesh, russia, sanctions, asia & pacific https://sputniknews.com/20220922/beyond-disgraceful-zuckerberg-hit-with-legal-complaints-alleging-malfeasance-during-2020-election-1101092503.html Beyond Disgraceful: Zuckerberg Hit With Legal Complaints Alleging Malfeasance During 2020 Election Beyond Disgraceful: Zuckerberg Hit With Legal Complaints Alleging Malfeasance During 2020 Election The Center for Renewing America (CRA), a conservative policy group headed by former senior Donald Trump administration official Russ Vought, claims Mark... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T15:29+0000 2022-09-22T15:29+0000 2022-09-22T15:29+0000 americas us mark zuckerberg facebook joe biden donald trump /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105592/70/1055927084_0:333:4500:2864_1920x0_80_0_0_c15500f24dbe87a4bf0df69f6a195161.jpg Mark Zuckerberg, his wife, and three voting rights groups have had legal complaints filed against them, alleging misconduct related to activities surrounding the 2020 presidential election, Fox Business has reported.Two complaints were filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) against the chief executive of Meta* Platforms, formerly known as Facebook*, and his wife, Priscilla Chan, by the Center for Renewing America (CRA) nonprofit organization. The CRA, headed by senior ex-Trump administration official Russ Vought, also filed a complaint against the groups Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), Center for Election Innovation and Research (CEIR), and National Vote at Home Institute (NVAHI), according to the outlet.The complaints accuse Zuckerberg and the three groups of being involved in a scheme to inject nearly $500 million into the 2020 election in order to ensure that Democrat Joe Biden defeated his rival, Republican Donald Trump. Biden ultimately defeated the 45th POTUS, who was seeking reelection, winning the key swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.The worlds 20th-richest person, boasting a personal fortune of $54.6bn, is accused of hiring former President Barack Obamas campaign manager David Plouffe. The latter allegedly used the three tax-exempt voting rights groups to funnel a majority of the couples grants, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, to Democratic-leaning jurisdictions in swing states ahead of the November 2020 election. "It is beyond disgraceful to imagine federal taxpayers subsidizing the partisan preferences of billionaires who easily could have given to a Democrat super PAC in 2020," the CRA said in a statement.Pointing to the fact that federal law prohibits individuals from making donations illegitimately to aid one political party over another, the CRA complaints urged the IRS to deny any personal income tax exemptions collected by Zuckerberg and Chan for their donations to CTCL, CEIR, and NVAHI during the 2020 election cycle. The IRS was also requested to terminate the tax exemptions of the three groups.*Meta, Facebook are banned in Russia over extremist activities. https://sputniknews.com/20220829/trump-believes-rightful-winner-of-2020-election-must-be-named-after-zuckerbergs-revelations--1100138400.html 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, mark zuckerberg, facebook, joe biden, donald trump https://sputniknews.com/20220922/china-unveils-reconnaissance-drone-with-precision-strike-capability-to-boost-defense-at-india-1101073686.html China Unveils Reconnaissance Drone With Precision-Strike Capability to Boost Defense at India Border China Unveils Reconnaissance Drone With Precision-Strike Capability to Boost Defense at India Border The use of sophisticated drones in the PLAAFs border security operations is expected to rise in the near future, Chinese military experts have told state... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T10:26+0000 2022-09-22T10:26+0000 2022-09-22T10:48+0000 india china plaaf taiwan ladakh standoff /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/16/1101078090_0:43:1197:716_1920x0_80_0_0_f3388b27de062a09d4f958bd5da9aae1.jpg The Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has unveiled a multi-capability unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that has the capability to operate at a range of nearly 1,000 kilometers.In a video released by the Defense Ministry, the new drone can be seen carrying out drills from a PLAAF base in northwestern China. Further, state media reported that the new drone unit also practiced long-endurance flight over a thousand kilometers.The CCTV has underlined that this marks the first instance where a drone unit of the PLAAF has been unveiled to the press.As per experts cited by state media, the new drone will play an important role in patrolling the border and carrying out counter-terrorism operations. The drones can conduct border patrolling in a more cost-effective and efficient manner than manned fighter jets, as per military experts.Experts also reckoned that drones will be deployed in integration drills along with fighter jets, early warning aircraft, helicopters, and other drone types. The drones are reportedly being flown by fighter pilots who previously flew J-7, J-8, and J-16 jets.The PLAAF is known to deploy drones not only along the western and northwestern frontiers, but also along the maritime boundaries in the eastern region. Taiwan has reported sightings of of several types of PLAAF-operated drones in September.The unveiling of the new drones comes as Beijing is embroiled in a border dispute with India along its western frontier. While the Indian and Chinese troops completed disengagement and dismantled military infrastructure this month at the Gogra Heights-Hot Springs area, a friction point in the Ladakh border standoff which erupted in April-May 2020, thousands of troops from each side are still involved in tense standoff at two other friction points.Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday that the border situation with China was still not normal.Tensions have also been high in the Taiwan Strait after a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei last month. In response to Pelosis provocative trip, the PLA conducted its largest-ever live-fire and ballistic missile drills in six regions around Taiwan, which Beijing views as a breakaway province that is destined to reunite with the mainland. china ladakh standoff 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 china, plaaf, taiwan, ladakh standoff https://sputniknews.com/20220922/equality-for-native-americans-means-diplomatic-relations-not-full-representation---activist-1101105293.html Equality for Native Americans Means Diplomatic Relations, Not Full Representation - Activist Equality for Native Americans Means Diplomatic Relations, Not Full Representation - Activist Although Native Americans are just 1% of the US population and face high rates of poverty, police violence, and discrimination, they are often left out of the... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T20:29+0000 2022-09-22T20:29+0000 2022-09-22T20:29+0000 opinion & analysis us native americans racism representatives ryan zinke /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/16/1101105567_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_279798d99e8ca551ca1d2194bb8c56eb.jpg In a recent Twitter post celebrating the swearing-in of Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK), an Alaska Native from the Yupik people, US Rep. Kaialii Kahele (D-HI) said that it has taken 233 years for the US Congress to be fully represented by this countrys indigenous peoples.There are now six indigenous people in Congress, including Native Americans, a Native Hawaiian, and now a Native Alaskan. In addition, the head of the US Department of the Interior, which contains the Bureau of Indian Affairs and manages the conservation of federal lands, Deb Haaland, is also Native American.However, this situation bears more scrutiny than it does joy, John Kane, Mohawk activist, educator, and host of the Let's Talk Native podcast and co-host of Resistance Radio on WBAI Pacifica Radio NY, told Radio Sputniks Political Misfits on Thursday.Listen to the interview here [begins at 40:00].Kane said the six Native lawmakers are the most assimilated people of Native descent that could possibly exist. I mean, these guys were assimilated enough that white people would vote for them.Kane noted there is a certain level of animosity that comes among the most high-achieving political figures in the non-white communities. Youre going to basically get people carrying water for the Democratic Party or the Republican Party and they dont want to have a conversation about how their policies that either party, or both parties, are responsible for have contributed to the abject poverty that exists on Native territories. I mean, we werent born poor, the poverty on Native territories is, again, a function of racist policies from the federal government regardless of who is in office.What Was Taken Was Land and AutonomyKane said that Native Americans are often excluded from the conversation about racism, pointing out how the consciousness about racism in the US public often only includes an awareness of how discrimination and hatred play out against Black Americans.I think there is really an effort to erase us as a group that still opposes this kind of subjugation, he said, noting that statistics show, for example, that Native Americans are the most likely of any race to die from police shootings are easy to ignore when we are not just such a marginalized people, but a depopulated people. I mean, we were once 100% of the population on this continent, now were less than 1% of the population.That, he said, is ultimately why the six members of Congress cannot be said to represent Native people, but must primarily be elected by non-Native populations.When the United States was founded, the fledgling government engaged with Native nations on the basis that they were foreign powers, conducting diplomacy and agreeing to treaties. Only later, during the countrys rapid westward expansion, did the Supreme Court redefine Native Americans as wards of the state and end recognition of Native sovereignty. What followed was not only the wholesale seizure of Native land, but also attempts to eliminate Native identity by placing Native children in residential schools, where they were reeducated in Western ways, denied the right to practice their religion, speak their language, or dress as their people did, before being placed with adopting white families.Dont even talk to me about reconciliation, Kane said. Lets look at what was taken during that 150 years of residential schools: what was taken was land and autonomy. You want to talk about reconciliation? We need restoration of land and we need restoration of our political and our cultural autonomy. And thats a conversation that nobody in US politics wants to talk about from either party.Zinke Served at the Pleasure of Overt Racist TrumpRyan Zinke, who served as Interior Secretary from 2017 to 2019 under then-US President Donald Trump, has been found by separate investigations by the departments inspector general to have both engaged in corrupt dealings while in office and to have investigators looking into the malpractice. He is now the Republican nominee for US Representative from Montana.One IG report released in February found that Zinke misused his position to shelve considerations to approve a casino for two Native American tribes in order to privately advance another project in which he has invested. Another, released last month, found that Zinke obstructed the first IG probe by lying to investigators about his conversations with lobbyists and an unnamed US senator who were against the Native casino, as well as making false claims that he had shelved that casinos paperwork after talking with department lawyers.When asked to comment on the issue by hosts Michelle Witte and John Kiriakou on Wednesday, Kane said that we have to decide if its Ryan Zinkes or Trumps corruption.These guys, Zinke and Trump, have worked really cooperatively to rail against Native gaming, Kane said. Im not going to give Ryan Zinke a pass, but lets be clear: he served at the pleasure of Donald Trump, who is an overt racist and has expressed much of that racism towards Native people.He noted that we didnt get a whole lot of help out of Deb Haaland, even though she again, supposedly broke that glass ceiling by being the first Native cabinet secretary. So, its hard to separate the roles of these cabinet members and the president. https://sputniknews.com/20180614/Radioactive-Dust-Found-US-Homes-1065421254.html 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 us, native americans, racism, representatives, ryan zinke https://sputniknews.com/20220922/erdogan-says-may-hold-phone-call-with-biden-to-discuss-f-16-deal-1101100858.html Erdogan Says May Hold Phone Call With Biden to Discuss F-16 Deal Erdogan Says May Hold Phone Call With Biden to Discuss F-16 Deal ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that he will probably have a telephone conversation with his US counterpart, Joe... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T17:24+0000 2022-09-22T17:24+0000 2022-09-22T17:24+0000 world turkey us f-16 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/14/1100999118_0:90:1024:666_1920x0_80_0_0_93b3246a50653191db458dcdaf09ef6c.jpg "Currently, we are interested in purchasing F-16 aircraft. We previously held positive talks with Biden on this issue. I also held several meetings here with Republican senators. Our [Defense] Minister Hulusi Akar is also negotiating with his [US] counterpart. The atmosphere is developing in a positive direction. We hope that this positive atmosphere will continue. Of course, we did not have the opportunity to have a wide meeting with Biden. Later, perhaps, we will have the opportunity to discuss these issues within the framework of telephone diplomacy," Erdogan said, as quoted by Turkish broadcaster A Haber.In 2019, the United States suspended Turkey's participation in its F-35 program over Ankara's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system and later completely removed it from the project. Last year, Erdogan announced that the US suggested that Turkey procure the fourth generation of the F-16 fighter jets instead of the fifth generation F-35s.The US Congress has yet to approve the deal while the US State Department is lobbying for it, saying that it will "serve Washington's interests." On the other hand, US' ally Greece has been insisting that Washington drops the deal with Turkey. https://sputniknews.com/20220829/greece-accuses-turkey-of-distorting-facts-in-f-16-jet-tracking-case-1100137956.html turkey 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 turkey, us, f-16 https://sputniknews.com/20220922/ex-un-expert-if-us--nato-observed-un-charter-ukraine-crisis-would-have-been-solved-long-ago-1101104698.html Ex-UN Expert: If US & NATO Observed UN Charter, Ukraine Crisis Would Have Been Solved Long Ago Ex-UN Expert: If US & NATO Observed UN Charter, Ukraine Crisis Would Have Been Solved Long Ago US President Joe Biden used his speech at the UN General Assembly to castigate a single nation, Russia, and a single leader, President Vladimir Putin, by... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T20:06+0000 2022-09-22T20:06+0000 2022-09-22T20:09+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine us russia ukraine joe biden un general assembly vladimir putin referendum /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/03/1100339175_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_30ae6d35cb003adf3708d895c6e05816.jpg "The US has applied double standards in all fora of the United Nations," says Alfred de Zayas, professor of international law in Geneva, former UN Independent Expert on International Order (2012-18), and a retired senior lawyer with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. "It is too obvious that the aggressions by the US and other NATO countries in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria entailed grave violations of the UN Charter."The US president delivered his speech on the heels of Vladimir Putin's announcement of a partial mobilization in Russia and Moscow's decision to respond to the request of the Donbass, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions to hold referendums on joining the Russian Federation. In his announcement of the partial mobilization, the Russian president explained that Moscow must shield the roughly five million civilians of Donbass, Kherson and Zaporozhye from atrocities, terror attacks and indiscriminate shelling conducted by the Ukrainian military and neo-Nazi forces. "We cannot, we have no moral right to let our kin and kith be torn to pieces by butchers; we cannot but respond to their sincere striving to decide their destiny on their own," Putin underscored.However, Biden used the General Assembly podium to denounce the self-determination referendums as a "sham" and urged world leaders to hold Russia accountable for the Ukraine crisis. Still, the unfolding crisis must be put in the proper historical context, which saw the US playing a prominent role in it, de Zayas notes.Ukraine Crisis Was Provoked by US, Started in February 2014To make matters worse, neither President Petro Poroshenko nor Volodymyr Zelensky implemented their treaty obligations under the Minsk accords, brokered by the Normandy Four: Germany, Russia, France and Ukraine. The agreements created a roadmap for reconciliation between Kiev and the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, with Berlin, Moscow and Paris serving as the guarantors of the deal.As Kiev sabotaged the Minsk accords, resorted to militarization and flirted with the idea of NATO membership, Russia came up with another initiative in December 2021. Moscow proposed draft security agreements to diffuse tensions sparked by the transatlantic alliance's decades-long eastward expansion and Washington's efforts to arm Ukraine and create new military installations on Russia's doorstep.Having launched the special military operation in response to the requests by the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, which were subjected to heavy shelling by the Ukrainian military, Russia once again urged Kiev to come to the negotiating table in March. The Russo-Ukrainian Istanbul talks opened the door to preliminary peace agreements, with Moscow withdrawing its forces from the Kiev region as a gesture of goodwill. However, the Ukrainian leadership abruptly halted the talks. Simultaneously, Western leaders stepped up weapons supplies to Kiev while calling for solving the conflict on the battlefield and bleeding Russia white.US and NATO Violate Charter, Instrumentalized UN AgenciesDe Zayas describes the UN Charter, "which should be considered as a world constitution," as already "a strong and implementable rules-based international order."In addition to that, Washington has de facto instrumentalized UN agencies to advance US and NATO geopolitical interests which "have destroyed the trust that many had in the United Nations," the ex-UN expert says. According to de Zayas, "it has become quite evident that the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council are largely in the service of Washington and Brussels.""Indeed, when organizations such as the Human Rights Council, the International Criminal Court, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical betray the fundamental principle of objectivity and impartiality, they lose their authority and credibility," the scholar highlights. "When they apply double standards and betray their mandates, they justify cynicism and cause considerable harm to the universal right to truth, the need to promote peace and reconciliation. It is a fact that a human rights industry has emerged, largely financed by neo-liberal countries, which advance a fake narrative on human rights. The mainstream media is complicit in the systematic disinformation and brainwashing prevalent in many countries and even among members of the UN secretariat." https://sputniknews.com/20220921/checkmate-putins-address-marks-game-over-for-kievs-us--nato-backers-analysts-say-1101056726.html https://sputniknews.com/20220922/observers-nato-complicit-in-ukraine-crisis-referendums-to-shield-donbass-kherson--zaporozhye-1101094434.html https://sputniknews.com/20220919/mirotvorets-kill-list-west-left-its-own-people-to-mercy-of-ukraines-gestapo-website-journo-says-1100976609.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova 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 Ekaterina Blinova us, russia, ukraine, joe biden, un general assembly, vladimir putin, referendum Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2nd R) meets with Somali Foreign Minister Abshir Omar Huruse (2nd L) on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday met here with Somali Foreign Minister Abshir Omar Huruse on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Wang said the traditional friendship between China and Somalia is an important component of China-Africa friendship. Somalia is the first East African country that established diplomatic relations with New China, said Wang, adding that the two countries always respect each other and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests. China has always advocated that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal, said Wang. China will continue to be a reliable friend of Somalia, provide support and assistance to Somalia within its capacity so as to achieve common development and prosperity, he added. Huruse noted China and Somalia enjoy a time-honored friendship and words are not enough to describe the friendship between the two sides, saying that Somalia sincerely thanks China for standing with Somalia at critical moments, especially for firmly supporting Somalia in safeguarding its sovereignty. Huruse said his country firmly adheres to the one-China principle and opposes interference by any external forces in China's internal affairs. Somalia is proud to have China, a major country with significant international influence, as a friend, he added. Developing relations with China is neither make-shift nor interests-driven, said Huruse. Although Somalia is a small country, it has never wavered in upholding its position on the international stage, he added. Wang said China firmly supports the governance of the new Somali government and believes that Somalia's peaceful development will continue to move forward. China appreciates Somalia's firm adherence to the one-China principle and supports Somalia in safeguarding its sovereignty, dignity and territorial integrity, he said, adding that China will continue to stand with Somalia in the international arena to support its legitimate demands. He said China stands ready to strengthen solidarity with all developing countries, oppose unilateral bullying and jointly uphold non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, which is the basic norm of international relations. https://sputniknews.com/20220922/foreign-buyers-switch-from-china-to-india-says-president-of-indian-exporters-organization-1101071857.html Foreign Buyers Switch From China to India, Says President of Indian Exporters' Organization Foreign Buyers Switch From China to India, Says President of Indian Exporters' Organization As inflation has plagued economies, global trade is facing headwinds. The World Trade Organization (WTO) revised its forecast for international trade from 4.7%... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T11:08+0000 2022-09-22T11:08+0000 2022-09-22T11:08+0000 india rupee trade global trade export crude oil russia us us dollar dedollarisation /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/16/1101083758_0:0:3463:1949_1920x0_80_0_0_73f08c086cc5618ba8c5ca08c866fd38.jpg Sputnik spoke with A. Sakthivel, president of the Federation of Indian Exporters Organization, about the future of India's exports.Sputnik: As Western economies are slowing down, what would be the possible impact on India's exports?A. Sakthivel: I have [met with] buyers in Europe and the US -- they have a positive attitude towards India. Last year, we achieved a remarkable 33% growth. But this year, we may not get that 33%. We may get about 15%. So, we are expecting $470-475 billion in manufacturing exports this year.Buyers are also [switching] from China to India, as China is becoming costlier and less reliable with its zero COVID-19 tolerance policy, and anti-China sentiments are gaining ground daily. Many orders for low-value products, which has been a virtual monopoly of China, are now coming to India.And again, there is a production-linked scheme and other schemes the Indian government has introduced. With all these factors, our exports will definitely increase. For example, we were importing mobile phones to $25 billion. Now we export mobile phones worth around $5 billion and our imports have come down from $25 billion to $4 billion. Production-Linked Scheme (PLI) also comes to the textile sector. Exports of our man-made fiber garments and technical textiles will increase. For example, in textile, we cater only the summer garments. Now, with the PLI scheme coming in and starting manufacturing of man-made fiber and technical textiles, our export of winter garments will also increase. A similar case is with the electronic industry, where we are witnessing growth in exports. Another significant plus point is that we have already signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UAE. Our exports to the UAE are already increasing. The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement has also been signed. Thus, our exports to Australia will also increase. Our commerce minister is talking about signing an FTA with Canada, which will boost our exports. Also, the talks are ongoing to reach a trade deal with the Gulf countries. So, once these new trade deals are signed, our exports will definitely increase.Sputnik: What do tensions in the Taiwan Strait imply for the Indian exporters?A. Sakthivel: China-Taiwan tensions won't have much of an impact. With Taiwan, our trade is primarily in the semiconductor [sector]. So far, there is not much impact on importing semiconductors from Taiwan. The good news is that we are setting up a huge plant in Gujarat. Within a year, the Gujarat plant can supply 50 percent of our requirement.Sputnik: What is the status of exports to Russia?A. Sakthivel: If we see data from April, our exports to Russia are down by around 30 percent, primarily due to a lack of banking arrangements, and so was the challenge on the logistics front as well. On the other hand, India's imports from Russia have gone up due to the massive jump in crude oil and fertilizer supplies.You see, Russia [is willing to continue trade with India], since imports from Europe have stopped due to the sanctions. So we have a lot of opportunities to utilize that [vacuum] in the Russian market. Well, there are only two issues -- one in the logistics and the other payment issue. The payment issue is about to be sorted out. Both governments are also looking into the logistics issues.We are very happy that the government is considering using the International North-South Trade Corridor route to reach Russia. The route reduces the voyage time and the cost. Unfortunately, Indian banks are reluctant to negotiate any document when goods touch Iran, being a sanctioned country. So once these two issues get solved, we expect at least to start with about $5 billion in exports to Russia this year.Sputnik: Has there been progress in rupee-ruble trade?A. Sakthivel: Our government has identified the State Bank of India for trade with Russia, and Russia has to give its bank name. The Commerce Ministry said that within 15 days, it would be done.Sputnik: There have been reports saying that exporters are opting for currencies other than the US dollar for their trade to minimize their risks of currency depreciation. Can you elaborate on this?A. Sakthivel: It's not that we can choose. We can give the rate in rupees, but the buyers must be ready with their banks to accept rupee terms. People are already settling their trades in pounds, euros, or yuan; they can switch over to the rupee.Sputnik: In the wake of the Reserve Bank of India introducing a rupee-denominated trade mechanism, do you think there will be a fall in transactions in the US dollar?A. Sakthivel: People worldwide are forced to deal in the US dollar. But once our rupee mechanism starts taking place and with the buyers' support and also the buyers' bank support, we definitely will increase our rupee trade with other countries.This will help us to increase our exports to countries facing acute foreign exchange shortages or those affected by [Western] sanctions. It is at the initial stage now. So now, our banks and counter banks in Europe and other states may like to deal in the rupee. With the US, it may not be easy to trade in rupees. russia china 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 rupee, trade, global trade, export, crude oil, russia, us, us dollar, dedollarisation, europe, china, us-china trade war, taiwan https://sputniknews.com/20220922/imran-khan-heaps-praise-on-modis-foreign-policy-slams-ex-pakistani-pm-over-corruption-1101074094.html Imran Khan Heaps Praise on Modi's Foreign Policy, Slams Ex-Pakistani PM Over Corruption Imran Khan Heaps Praise on Modi's Foreign Policy, Slams Ex-Pakistani PM Over Corruption In a fiery speech on Wednesday, Imran Khan took a shot at Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's longest serving prime minister who has been in self-imposed exile in London... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T09:34+0000 2022-09-22T09:34+0000 2022-09-22T09:58+0000 india narendra modi narendra modi nawaz sharif shahbaz sharif pakistan pakistan imran khan /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/16/1101071384_0:0:2048:1153_1920x0_80_0_0_1f767f66ec53b3c6480d8c1491071faf.jpg Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan praised India's Narendra Modi when comparing him with Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Nawaz Sharif and not in favor of the latter.Sharif was removed from power in 2017 over corruption allegations, and Khan was elected prime minister the following year.In December 2018, Sharif was fined $25 million and jailed for seven years over his family's ownership of steel mills in Saudi Arabia, in what is widely known as the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case. Earlier the same year, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for owning property in London, but was later freed from custody pending an appeal.Sharif has denied the charges, insisting that the cases brought against him were "politically motivated."This is not the first time Khan has lauded Narendra Modi publicly: in April, Khan praised India's independent foreign policy and Narendra Modi in particular for continuing oil imports from Russia, despite pressure and threats from Western governments.The 60-year-old former head of government has slammed the US government on multiple occasions, maintaining that Washington didn't want Pakistan to have an independent foreign policy and arguing that is why he was ousted from power in April. pakistan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.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 Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg narendra modi, narendra modi, nawaz sharif, shahbaz sharif, pakistan, pakistan, imran khan https://sputniknews.com/20220922/in-outreach-to-muslims-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-meets-top-cleric-at-mosque-in-delhi-1101082083.html In Outreach to Muslims, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Meets Top Cleric at Mosque in Delhi In Outreach to Muslims, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Meets Top Cleric at Mosque in Delhi The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a nationalist Hindu organization, is the ideological mentor of India's federally governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T12:15+0000 2022-09-22T12:15+0000 2022-09-22T13:07+0000 india bharatiya janata party (bjp) muslims muslims prophet muhammad cleric hindus violent protest new delhi delhi /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/16/1101085683_126:222:3191:1946_1920x0_80_0_0_1f741d27255968640e21b8dad8acb5a9.jpg RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, the chief cleric of the All India Imam Organization, an umbrella organization of Muslim clerics in the country, at a mosque in Delhi on Thursday, NDTV reported."It sends out a very good message to the country. We had discussions like a family. It was wonderful that they came on our invitation," Suhaib Ilyasi, the cleric's son, told the the news channel after the meeting.Bhagwat's interactions with Muslim leaders have become more frequent in recent days. Apparently, the RSS chief is doing this to change public perception of his volunteer organization as anti-Muslim at large. Last month, he had a meeting with five intellectuals from the Muslim community: former chief of India's poll body S.Y. Quraishi, ex-Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung, former parliamentarian Shahid Siddiqui, former head of the Aligarh Muslim University in Uttar Pradesh Lieutenant General Zameer Uddin Shah and philanthropist Saeed Shervani.Speaking about Bhagwat's meeting with Ilyasi, RSS spokesperson Sunil Ambedkar told the news agency ANI that it was part of the organization's outreach program."RSS Sarsanghachalak (chief) meets people from all walks of life. It's part of a continuous general 'Samvad (discussion)' process," Ambekar said. The RSS head's outreach to Muslims comes amid a spate of Hindu-Muslim violence in some parts of the country earlier this year.In June, violent protests broke out across the country after a BJP spokesperson made controversial remarks during a heated televised debate. The party removed her from her post and she later apologized.The previous month, the members of two communities were involved in violent clashes during the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr in Jodhpur city in Rajasthan. In April, communal clashes broke out in the states of Gujarat, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh on the occasion of the Hindu festivals of Ram Navmi, and Hanuman Jayanti, marked to celebrate the birth of Lord Rama and Hanumana, respectively.Muslims are the largest minority community in India, comprising just over 14 percent of the country's population. https://sputniknews.com/20220922/women-not-wearing-hijab-are-no-less-muslim-indias-karnataka-government-tells-supreme-court-1101070777.html new delhi delhi Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Pawan Atri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926219_0:0:358:358_100x100_80_0_0_aca1d9bdccc7af990e49b4511ee80344.png Pawan Atri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926219_0:0:358:358_100x100_80_0_0_aca1d9bdccc7af990e49b4511ee80344.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 Pawan Atri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926219_0:0:358:358_100x100_80_0_0_aca1d9bdccc7af990e49b4511ee80344.png bharatiya janata party (bjp), muslims, muslims, prophet muhammad, cleric, hindus, violent protest, new delhi, delhi https://sputniknews.com/20220922/in-pictures-more-than-15-warships-take-part-in-russias-baltic-fleet-drills-1101084433.html In Pictures: More Than 15 Warships Take Part in Russia's Baltic Fleet Drills In Pictures: More Than 15 Warships Take Part in Russia's Baltic Fleet Drills During the Baltic Fleet drills, which began on 19 September, the military practice repelling an airstrike by a mock enemy, among other tasks. 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T14:02+0000 2022-09-22T14:02+0000 2022-09-22T14:02+0000 military multimedia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/16/1101081616_0:320:3072:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_2fea3c56d52c7362638d3c31316e9512.jpg More than 15 warships, boats and auxiliary vessels, 1,500 servicemen, and over 50 units of military and special equipment, as well as aircraft and helicopters belonging to Russia's Baltic Fleet are taking part in drills in the Baltic Sea.Check out Sputnik's photo gallery to learn more about the military exercises. 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 multimedia, https://sputniknews.com/20220922/india-slams-canada-for-allowing-khalistan-referendum-by-sikh-extremists-1101088913.html India Slams Canada for Allowing 'Khalistan Referendum' by Sikh 'Extremists' India Slams Canada for Allowing 'Khalistan Referendum' by Sikh 'Extremists' On September 19, thousands of people belonging to the Sikh community took part in a "Khalistan referendum" in Canada. Sikhs advocate for a sovereign state... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T14:52+0000 2022-09-22T14:52+0000 2022-09-22T14:52+0000 world sikh the sikh coalition canada referendum punjab narendra modi indian foreign ministry /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/16/1101093364_0:3:1438:812_1920x0_80_0_0_423aa0780495d6d2ea65890e342c9005.jpg The Indian government on Thursday lambasted Canadas decision to allow a referendum for a separate Sikh homeland in the western Indian state of Punjab. The foreign ministry has termed the Khalistan Referendum a farcical exercise carried out by Sikh "extremists."The spokesperson said that the world is aware of the history of violence in this regard, referring to a Sikh secessionist insurgency in India in the 1990s that resulted in hundreds of deaths, including the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.New Delhis response came after several diplomatic messages saw little action by Ontario, where the vote was held, to stop the so-called referendum in Brampton on September 19. The vote was organized by a pro-Khalistani group, Sikhs for Justice, which has been banned in India since 2019 as an unlawful association.The Canadian government has reiterated that it respects India's "sovereignty and territorial integrity." However, it conveyed to New Delhi that it would protect its citizens' right to assemble and to express their views peacefully and lawfully.New Delhi seems unsatisfied with the response, saying the Indian government will "continue to press the Government of Canada for action in this matter."Sikh For Justice actively campaigns for Punjab's independence referendum in the US, and the UK, hoping to establish a separate Khalistan. canada punjab 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, the sikh coalition, canada, referendum, punjab, narendra modi, indian foreign ministry https://sputniknews.com/20220922/insect-eating-projects-for-hunger-stricken-africa-reflect-wests-typical-cynicism-expert-says-1101083146.html 'Insect-Eating Projects' For Hunger-Stricken Africa Reflect West's Typical 'Cynicism,' Expert Says 'Insect-Eating Projects' For Hunger-Stricken Africa Reflect West's Typical 'Cynicism,' Expert Says Earlier, the UK government gave backing to two aid projects suggesting farming edible insects in certain African countries to tackle the enduring food crisis... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T11:23+0000 2022-09-22T11:23+0000 2022-09-22T12:36+0000 africa africa insects food crisis ukraine vladimir putin vassily nebenzia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105448/15/1054481569_0:180:1920:1260_1920x0_80_0_0_0a403995771dd14e1c6cbd60426d4191.jpg Africa is currently facing its worst food crisis since 1945. Factors such as devastating droughts reportedly wrought by climate change, population growth, and regional conflicts have already resulted in massive food shortages across swathes of the continent. The raging global energy crisis with its skyrocketing costs, supply disruptions, and geopolitical circumstances, such as Western sanctions against Russia over its military operation in Ukraine, have all compounded the food crisis facing some of the countries in Africa.But suggesting farming edible insects to tackle the enduring challenges is mind-boggling cynicism, political scientist Alexander Dudchak believes.Earlier, the UK government announced it was throwing its support behind aid projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe, encouraging rural inhabitants to grow edible insects rich in vitamins and minerals. Thus, some 50,000 pounds ($57,590) were reportedly allocated to a project led by the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (Cafod) and started in March 2022, according to The Guardian. It envisaged growing African caterpillars, migratory locusts, and black soldier flies. Listed among several initiatives supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the project aims "to promote the production of insects for human food and for use in the manufacture of animal feeds." Cafod later clarified for the outlet that the insects will be farmed for feeding fish for further consumption by locals.Both immediate and long-term solutions to address the root causes should be offered to hard-hit regions, the economist underscored, recalling how the economies of Ethiopia and Somalia were destroyed in the 1990s when grain was taken out of those countries in exchange for supposed assistance, and supplies of GMO products.This is the traditional approach of the West," Dudchak said, adding:He pointed to how Europe was building up its own grain stocks.Many African countries have sufficient resources to get out of poverty, but their natural wealth ends up in the hands of former colonizers, including France.Cynical ApproachLondons plan to promote insect farming in Africa was also slammed by Vasily Nebenzia, Russia's permanent representative to the UN, on September 17. At the Security Council, he called this World Bank-funded project a cynical approach unlikely to solve the problem. He also weighed in on claims by US and European authorities that anti-Russian sanctions do not affect the export of food and fertilizers from Russia, denouncing this as a lie. These measures do not allow Moscow to finance the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), he added.The Russian envoy also touched upon the UN-brokered initiative signed on July 22 by Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey to provide a humanitarian maritime corridor for ships with food and fertilizer exports from Black Sea ports. Three key Ukrainian ports Odessa, Chernomorsk, and Yuzhnoe were unblocked to resume exports. However, only one out of the 34 dry cargo ships from these ports went to Africa, Nebenzia pointed out.The Russian envoy also noted that Western countries' badly miscalculated sanctions against Russia are the cause of the global food security crisis, rather than the lack of exports from Ukraine.In May 2022, the African Union, a continental union consisting of 55 member states, warned of a "collateral impact" as the so-called collective West's unprecedented Russia sanctions hit food supplies following the start of Moscows special operation in Ukraine on February 24.The West has betrayed the poorest countries by breaking the agreements of the grain deal, but Russia will continue working on ensuring that food reaches global markets, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok earlier in September.Putin denounced the complicated situation when there are no direct sanctions against products, but there are restrictions related to logistics, ship charter, money transfer, insurance as affecting the global market, causing prices to further skyrocket. https://sputniknews.com/20220902/uk-funds-to-aid-projects-suggesting-african-countries-to-farm-insects-for-food-1100323818.html https://sputniknews.com/20220803/fighting-africas-food-crisis-russia-strengthening-ties-and-stretching-helping-hand-to-kenya-1098069207.html africa 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 africa, insects, food crisis, ukraine, vladimir putin, vassily nebenzia https://sputniknews.com/20220922/israel-mulling-increase-in-number-of-flights-to-russia-over-partial-mobilization---reports-1101067134.html Israel Mulling Increase in Number of Flights to Russia Over Partial Mobilization - Reports Israel Mulling Increase in Number of Flights to Russia Over Partial Mobilization - Reports TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid has asked the leadership of the El Al national air carrier to increase the number of flights to Russia... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T02:18+0000 2022-09-22T02:18+0000 2022-09-22T02:15+0000 world israel flights referendum mobilization russia ukraine crisis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/104713/91/1047139196_0:157:3084:1892_1920x0_80_0_0_b9f5885ad0fe2f9451917cb4587b1bb4.jpg According to the report, the prime minister has asked the air carrier to increase the number of flights "immediately."According to the broadcaster, the action is necessary to allow Russian nationals with Israeli roots to fly to Israel after Moscow had announced a partial mobilization in the country.Since the end of February, some 24,000 Russians have already been repatriated to Israel. Tel Aviv is expecting an increase in the number of those seeking to acquire Israeli citizenship in the near future.On Tuesday, the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (DPR, LPR), as well as the Russian-controlled parts of the Ukrainian regions of Zaporozhye and Kherson, said that they would hold referendums on accession to Russia from September 23-27.Earlier on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the partial mobilization in Russia. The president also voiced support for referendums on joining Russia announced on Tuesday in the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as in the Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine.Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu clarified on Wednesday that the partial mobilization was primarily needed to control the 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) wide line of contact with Ukrainian forces in Russian-controlled territories. The minister specified that Russia had a mobilization resource of 25 million people who served in the army and have combat experience, while the partial mobilization requires only 1% of that number or about 300,000 reservists.The DPR and LPR proclaimed their independence from Ukraine in 2014 after holding self-determination referendums. In February 2022, Russia recognized the DPR and LPR and launched a military operation in Ukraine in response to calls for help from the two breakaway republics. 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 israel, flights, referendum, mobilization, russia, ukraine crisis https://sputniknews.com/20220922/israel-will-do-whatever-it-takes-to-prevent-iran-from-getting-nuclear-arms-lapid-says-1101101799.html Israel Will Do 'Whatever It Takes' to Prevent Iran From Getting Nuclear Arms, Lapid Says Israel Will Do 'Whatever It Takes' to Prevent Iran From Getting Nuclear Arms, Lapid Says UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - Israel will do whatever it takes to ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said during his... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T17:45+0000 2022-09-22T17:45+0000 2022-09-22T17:46+0000 world joint comprehensive plan of action (jcpoa) israel iran /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/04/1100365791_0:28:3070:1755_1920x0_80_0_0_9eb46b8f11eb73b7006a350103db1f4a.jpg "We have capabilities and we are not afraid to use them," Lapid said. "We will do whatever it takes, Iran will not get a nuclear weapon."Israel wants the international partners to negotiate a "stronger and longer" nuclear agreement with Iran by putting a credible military threat on the table, Lapid went on to say."The only way to prevent Iran from getting a new nuclear weapon is to put a credible military threat on the table, and then, and only then, to negotiate a longer and stronger deal with them," Lapid said.The prime minister emphasized what needs to be made clear to Iran is that the world will respond with military force, not words, if Iran advances its nuclear program.On Wednesday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said during his speech at the UN General Assembly that Tehran is not seeking to obtain or build nuclear weapons.Raisi blasted the United States for trampling on the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He also noted that the International Atomic Energy Agency had repeatedly found that the United States had withdrawn from its commitments under the accord while Iran had paid a price for having lived up to its commitments.Raisi said Iran had been extremely flexible during the negotiations to revive JCPOA and talks would not have advanced beyond the first several days had it not been for Tehrans flexibility. Iran remains "very serious" about the negotiations and is willing to resolve all issues as long as the rights of the Iranian people are respected, he added.The JCPOA deal was agreed on in 2015 by Iran, China, France, Germany, Iran, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union. Former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from JCPOA in 2018 and re-imposed comprehensive sanctions on Iran. https://sputniknews.com/20220921/us-trampled-upon-iran-nuclear-deal-president-raisi-says-at-unga-1101052517.html iran 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 joint comprehensive plan of action (jcpoa), israel, iran https://sputniknews.com/20220922/keeping-in-touch-with-macron-will-prove-to-be-a-nightmare-banned-islamist-group-warns-pakistan-pm-1101088768.html Keeping in Touch With Macron Will Prove to Be a Nightmare, Banned Islamist Group Warns Pakistan PM Keeping in Touch With Macron Will Prove to Be a Nightmare, Banned Islamist Group Warns Pakistan PM Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP), an ultra-conservative Islamist group banned by Pakistans government last April, has been involved in staging violent protests against... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T14:17+0000 2022-09-22T14:17+0000 2022-09-22T14:17+0000 world pakistan france shehbaz sharif emmanuel macron tehreek-e-labbaik party (tlp) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/16/1101090084_0:58:3021:1757_1920x0_80_0_0_379ab1b9bee4fa9c4d61a92960a4ef9f.jpg Tehreek-e-Labbaik is threatening Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that keeping in touch with French President Emmanuel Macron will prove to be a nightmare for his government, as per a statement released by the groups amir, Saad Rizvi, on Thursday.The statement said the TLP was deeply concerned over a meeting between Sharif and Macron which took place this week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.The ultra-conservative Barelvi group's head reiterated his criticism of Macron for defending French teacher Samuel Paty, who was beheaded by a Muslim student for showing caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad to his class in November 2020.Paty taught a lesson on freedom of expression, during which he reportedly showed cartoons published in "Charlie Hebdo." The defense of Patys right to freedom of expression by Macron at the time triggered worldwide protests among Muslims, including in Pakistan, where demonstrations were led by TLP chief Rizvi.A joint statement after the Sharif-Macron meeting, the first between the two leaders, said that France would help Pakistan to revive its economy, battered by deadly floods which have affected over three million Pakistanis and left close to 1,500 people dead.France also agreed to host an international conference before the end of this year in order to contribute towards rehabilitation and reconstruction of flood-affected regions in Pakistan, as per a joint statement.The Pakistani government has estimated that floods have caused potential damage of $30 billion and has asked for generous funding from overseas donors for reconstruction efforts.Besides the TLP, the Sharif-Macron meeting, however, hasnt gone down well with many Pakistanis, including lawmakers from former Prime Minister Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).Punjab Health Minister Yasmin Rashid said in a social media post that Sharif was making merry with a person who had defended blasphemy.Last April, the TLP was declared as a prohibited organization under Pakistans anti-terror law after around 15 people, including policemen, were killed during violent demonstrations staged by the group.One of the main demands of the TLP at the time was for then Prime Minister Imran Khan to expel the French ambassador over Macrons defense of Paty. Khan eventually tabled a resolution proposing the expulsion of the French envoy in the National Assembly.Last December, TLP supporters mauled to death a Sri Lankan national working as a factory manager in Sialkot and later set his corpse on fire in the middle of the street. The Sri Lankan was accused of tearing a TLP poster, which was perceived as an insult to Islam. https://sputniknews.com/20211028/pakistan-wont-allow-armed-militia-as-tlp-stands-firm-on-demand-to-expel-french-envoy-1090279064.html pakistan 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, france, shehbaz sharif, emmanuel macron, tehreek-e-labbaik party (tlp) BRUSSELS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Belgium's three largest trade unions took joint action on Wednesday to demand solutions to the purchasing power crisis and to the rising energy costs affecting citizens. The three unions included the Socialist General Labor Federation (FGTB), the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (CSC) and the General Confederation of Liberal Trade Unions (CGSLB). Around 10,000 people took part in a "national day of action" here on Wednesday, according to the FGTB, calling on the government to freeze energy prices and redistribute the energy companies' excess profits. The federal government announced measures last Friday to deal with the energy crisis. These included the extension of the social tariff for low-income families, but these measures "are not enough and will barely cover the month of November," CSC head Marc Leemans said. Demonstrators denounced the precarious conditions in which many, in particular those less well-off, find themselves. They carried banners that read "Everything increases except wages," "Combat the rising cost of living". The unions are threatening to organize another general strike on Nov. 9 "if solutions are not found quickly." Zelensky Urges Berlin to Set Example for Other Countries by Supplying Battle Tanks BERLIN (Sputnik) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Berlin to provide Ukraine with battle tanks to set an example for other nations and "win a victory." "I would like to appeal to Germany: you are independent of other countries, if you are ready to save people... then give us this equipment... If you do not want it, that is your opinion, but then do not say that the US first, and then Poland [should provide equipment] - no, everyone has to take responsibility. Battle tanks for us mean we can save more lives," Zelensky said in a video interview to German newspaper Bild. He added that Ukraine is grateful for Germany's military and financial support, but it needs more "to win a victory." "The United Kingdom has given us a lot, the US has given us a lot, you do not need to compare yourself with other nations. Germany has given us very good equipment, we are grateful for Mars II, for financial support... and we do not compare this support with that of other countries. On the contrary, you need to set an example for others by supplying tanks. Germany is the strongest economy in Europe, so it can also set a good example," Zelensky said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said earlier in September that Berlin would act together with its allies rather than take unilateral action when it comes to arms supplies to Ukraine. In late August, German media reported that Kiev had repeatedly asked Berlin to supply it with additional weapons but so far without success. The German defense ministry reportedly justified its refusal to provide heavy military aid to Ukraine, in particular, by the fact that the German armed forces needed weapons to fulfill allied obligations in NATO. https://sputniknews.com/20220922/liz-truss-considering-moving-uk-embassy-in-israel-to-jerusalem-1101088444.html Liz Truss 'Considering Moving' UK Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem Liz Truss 'Considering Moving' UK Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem Six months after then-president Donald Trump announced the decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel the US embassy was officially transferred... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T13:32+0000 2022-09-22T13:32+0000 2022-09-22T13:32+0000 world uk liz truss jerusalem us embassy in jerusalem donald trump yair lapid united nations general assembly tel aviv /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/03/0f/1082341733_0:0:3488:1963_1920x0_80_0_0_f95c34465da9565dd4ceb679ae7cee72.jpg British Prime Minister Liz Truss is allegedly considering emulating Donald Trumps controversial decision and relocating the British embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, according to media reports.Liz Truss informed her Israeli counterpart, Yair Lapid, "about her review of the current location of the British Embassy in Israel" when the two leaders met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, a Downing Street spokesperson was cited by The Telegraph as saying.In response, Lapid tweeted to thank his good friend, British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who announced that she is positively considering moving the British Embassy to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel."Back in August, during her successful Tory leadership campaign, Truss told the UKs Conservative Friends of Israel that she would review the UKs decision to remain in Tel Aviv if she became the British leader.The August announcement unleashed a torrent of criticism from former UK diplomats.In a letter to The Times, Sir Vincent Fean, former consul-general in Jerusalem, ex-Kenyan high commissioner Sir Edward Clay, former Iran envoy Sir Richard Dalton, one-time UN envoy Sir Jeremy Greenstock and Lord Green, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia condemned the pledge made by Truss.The letter concluded that, " The Two states is British government policy: until that policy is realised, the embassy should stay put.Currently, the British embassy in Israel is located in Tel Aviv, similar to virtually all countries except the United States, Honduras and Guatemala.Ex-POTUS Donald Trump, in a flurry of moves to support Israel, had recognized the countrys claims to the Golan Heights, which it seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War, and moved the American embassy to Jerusalem, which both Israelis and Palestinians consider to be their capital, in 2018. Only Guatemala, Honduras and Kosovo have since followed suit.Israel had seized the eastern half of the city in the same conflict, declaring it to be its capital. The United Nations has long denounced Israels annexation of East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, as well as its construction activities in the West Bank.Protests over Trumps move resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians. Theresa May, the British Conservative prime minister at the time, criticized the step, saying:Many Arab leaders also condemned the move, with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri calling it "provocative," and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif describing it as "a day of great shame." https://sputniknews.com/20220731/you-are-the-problem-kushner-claims-netanyahu-nearly-thwarted-trumps-embassy-move-to-jerusalem-1097968594.html https://sputniknews.com/20180514/trump-jerusalem-embassy-opening-adress-1064438312.html jerusalem tel aviv 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 uk, liz truss, jerusalem, us embassy in jerusalem, donald trump, yair lapid, united nations general assembly, tel aviv https://sputniknews.com/20220922/liz-truss-hopes-to-settle-ni-protocol-gridlock-by-good-friday-deal-anniversary-1101070039.html Liz Truss 'Hopes to Settle' NI Protocol Gridlock by Anniversary of Good Friday Agreement Liz Truss 'Hopes to Settle' NI Protocol Gridlock by Anniversary of Good Friday Agreement Liz Truss and Joe Biden had a "short discussion about the contentious Northern Ireland Protocol - part of the Brexit deal - during their first talks at a UN... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T06:04+0000 2022-09-22T06:04+0000 2022-09-22T11:59+0000 world uk liz truss northern ireland protocol joe biden post-brexit northern ireland democratic unionist party (dup) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/08/1a/1100010130_0:123:3205:1925_1920x0_80_0_0_33ecfb357b9a139e63dd987a272dae85.jpg Liz Truss hopes to resolve the Northern Ireland Protocol gridlock before the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday peace deal next year, thus possibly paving the way for a state visit by Joe Biden to the UK, British media outlets reported.This leaves the UK Prime Minister with a deadline of 10 April 2023 to resolve the spat with the European Union over the contentious post-Brexit issue, according to British diplomats.The anniversary is cited as a crucial and pivotal moment by officials.Both of us are looking at the 25th anniversary next year as a key decision point. But the big obstacle to that is the lack of an executive at the moment, which is the primary focus for both parties, one UK official was quoted by the FT as saying.Truss and Biden had a "short discussion" about the Northern Ireland protocol as they met on the sidelines of the United Nations general assembly in New York on Wednesday.Of course, Im looking forward to discussing the Belfast Good Friday agreement and how we can make sure thats upheld into the future, Truss responded.According to Downing Street, both agreed that the priority must be protecting the Belfast Good Friday agreement and preserving the gains of peace in Northern Ireland.Earlier in the day, Truss met with Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol, with a senior commission official reportedly stating that Brussels was only willing to discuss implementation of the protocol, not its revision.Sir Tony Blair, UK prime minister when the Good Friday Accord - which had been largely orchestrated by his predecessor Sir John Major - was signed in 1998, has urged both sides to show maximum flexibility to reach an agreement, according to British diplomatic sources. Blair has reportedly been explaining to the Europeans and the Americans that the British government have a real point on the trading aspects of the protocol.As for the free trade deal that the UK covets with the US, the White House in September denied there is any linkage with the NI Protocol issue."There is a no formal linkage on trade talks between the US and the UK and the Northern Ireland Protocol, as we have said, but efforts to undo the Northern Ireland Protocol would not create a conducive environment," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.Joe Biden previously said that he felt "very strongly" about the protocol and urged the UK not to take any action that could potentially create a hard Irish border.NI Protocol GridlockA crucial element of the Brexit agreement, signed when Boris Johnson was Prime Minister, the Northern Ireland Protocol was designed to allow for special trading arrangements between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland that rule out a hard border between the two.Known as the NI protocol, the arrangement keeps Northern Ireland (in the UK) aligned with the EU single market for goods, thus avoiding a hard border with the Republic of Ireland (in the European Union). This was done to safeguard a vital part of the 1998 Good Friday peace deal that ended three decades of violence in Northern Ireland. However, the protocol, introduced in 2021, brought in some new checks on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and has been denounced by unionist politicians for driving a wedge between their community and the rest of the UK.The Good Friday agreement had established a devolved legislature in Northern Ireland - the Northern Ireland Assembly. However, it has lacked a functioning executive as the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) - the second-largest party in recent elections - oppose the protocol and refuse to take part in a power-sharing government until the issue has been resolved.Furthermore, earlier in the year, Truss, in her capacity as UK Foreign Secretary, proposed the NIP Bill, that would override parts of the protocol. Introduced in June, the legislation would allow for unilaterally revising provisions of deal, which the UK government has argued is not working, as it causes delays and interruptions to goods moving between the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.The Bill stipulates the establishment of a "green channel" for goods destined for Northern Ireland, whereas trucks taking goods through the region across the open border into the Republic of Ireland - and thus the EU single market - would face red channel checks. It also stipulated ending the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in enforcing the NIP, and would also remove EU control over state aid and the value added tax in the region.This move incensed the EU and spurred Brussels to take legal action against the UK. https://sputniknews.com/20220921/biden-jabs-at-trickle-down-economics-as-truss-announces-uk-tax-cut-plan-ahead-of-bilateral-meeting-1101027564.html https://sputniknews.com/20220918/london-reportedly-may-agree-with-eu-on-northern-ireland-protocol-1100936058.html https://sputniknews.com/20220614/uk-foreign-minister-says-bill-revising-northern-ireland-protocol-will-not-harm-eu-1096312833.html northern ireland 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 uk, liz truss, northern ireland protocol, joe biden, post-brexit, northern ireland, democratic unionist party (dup) https://sputniknews.com/20220922/macron-truss-show-no-consternation-over-biden-promising-to-defend-taiwan-militarily-1101072517.html Macron, Truss Show No Consternation Over Biden Promising to Defend Taiwan Militarily Macron, Truss Show No Consternation Over Biden Promising to Defend Taiwan Militarily US President Joe Biden provoked Chinas ire for sending a seriously wrong signal after he said in a CBS 60 Minutes interview on Sunday that US troops would... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T07:30+0000 2022-09-22T07:30+0000 2022-09-22T13:07+0000 joe biden emmanuel macron liz truss taiwan china world /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/08/0a/1083568873_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_f1ebaa6189f8a42f23c2a2d3ea7476ec.jpg Neither French President Emmanuel Macron nor UK Prime Minister Liz Truss expressed any consternation about Joe Bidens recent remarks about Taiwan, a senior administration official said at a press briefing on the US Presidents meetings at the United Nations.The issue of Taiwan came up in conversations President Biden had with his French and British counterparts on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.Responding to a question from the press regarding any discussion about joint or combined training exercises with Taiwan, the official said the issue had not been touched upon.Biden had earlier vowed that American forces would defend Taiwan in the event of an unprecedented attack.The island has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949, when it split from the mainland during a civil war that resulted in the Communist Party taking control. Beijing, whose official policy envisages a peaceful unification of Taiwan with mainland China, has engaged in rounds of talks with island authorities over several decades. Taipei, however, has persistently rejected Beijings proposal for "one country, two systems".Biden had been questioned about Taiwan in his first CBS 60 Minutes interview as commander-in-chief on Sunday. In the interview, the president also reiterated that he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agree with the One-China policy, adding that Taiwan makes its own judgment about its independence.After this comment, the White House was quick to affirm that the US' policy regarding Taiwan has not changed.The president has said this before, including in Tokyo earlier this year. He also made clear then that our Taiwan policy hasnt changed. That remains true, a spokesman said later.On 23 May Biden again appeared to stretch the limits of the strategic ambiguity US policy towards the self-ruling island during a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo.When asked whether the United States would defend Taiwan if it were attacked, he replied, "Yes, that's the commitment we made." He added:At the time, an aide said the president's statement represented no change in the long-standing American stance on Taiwan.Seriously Wrong SignalResponding to Biden's recent remarks, China said it was strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed to the comments, which sent a seriously wrong signal to Taiwan. According to China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, Beijing lodged a formal complaint over the statement.The US ended formal recognition of Taiwan after it established diplomatic relations with mainland China's Communist government in 1979. Biden reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the "One-China policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances" during a virtual meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November 2021. The "strategic ambiguity" theory, which the US has wielded to avoid stating whether it would militarily defend Taiwan, was also developed by the TRA. Although Washington acknowledges China's position that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic, it has never officially recognized Beijing's claim to the island and has continued informally to support Taiwans continued autonomy from Beijing.For years, the Chinese government has called on the US to refrain from interfering in domestic matters. Tensions escalated between Beijing and Washington over the controversial visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei in early August. At the time, Beijing warned that the Taiwan trip was "provocative" and actively "pushing the envelope on China's red lines".After the incident, Beijing launched large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. China also demanded that the United States stop military contacts with Taiwan to avoid further tension in the region, and warned that it will continue to take resolute and strong measures firmly to defend Chinese sovereignty and security interests. https://sputniknews.com/20220919/bidens-taiwan-defense-vows-how-us-using-salami-slicing-strategy-to-dilute-one-china-principle-1100977719.html https://sputniknews.com/20220919/covid-19-taiwan--2024-election-key-takeaways-on-bidens-first-60-minutes-interview-as-president-1100939815.html china 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 joe biden, emmanuel macron, liz truss, taiwan, china https://sputniknews.com/20220922/must-be-hindus-germans-chuckle-as-swastika-on-ukrainian-apc-slips-into-tv-report-1101103219.html 'Must Be Hindus': Germans Shocked as Swastika on Ukrainian APC Slips Into TV Report 'Must Be Hindus': Germans Shocked as Swastika on Ukrainian APC Slips Into TV Report Western officials and media have had an increasingly hard time concealing the abundance of Nazi symbols, gestures and paraphernalia in the Ukrainian military... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T19:01+0000 2022-09-22T19:01+0000 2022-09-22T19:09+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine swastika report germany news report /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/102591/77/1025917704_0:270:5184:3186_1920x0_80_0_0_051a320a5c5c1ee10e82db3b3fd1a499.jpg Eagle-eyed German television viewers spotted a symbol from their countrys distance past on television after an NTV crew stationed in Ukraine accidentally shot a Ukrainian tracked armored personnel carrier driving by with a swastika painted on its side.There are no Nazis in Ukraine. NTV took a snapshot note the tank driving in the background. It has a familiar mark on its side, one inquisitive user wrote, posting a clip from the report.Who wants tanks with a swastika in Ukraine? Except for Zelensky probably nobody. Thanks NTV for the video. There are no Nazis there, they must be Hindus, another sarcastically wrote. (Prior to its adoption by the Nazis in the 1930s, the swastika was used as a Hindu symbol meaning well being, prosperity or good fortune.)Others used the clip to try get the attention of politicians.Mrs. Strack-Zimmermann, would you like to take the risk that German tanks, decorated like in this video, could soon be chugging through Ukraine again? Can you really take responsibility for this? The video comes from NTVs homepage and was broadcast on television, one person wrote in an address to German Defense Committee chairwoman Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann amid the ongoing debate about whether Berlin should send main battle tanks to Kiev.When even NTV can no longer hides the truth. Why does Mr. Scholz support German Nazis and fascists in Ukraine? another user asked, addressing his question to the Twitter accounts of the chancellor and the United Nations.The swastika slip is just the latest blunder in the Western medias ongoing efforts to ignore or whitewash the presence of extreme right forces among the Ukrainian military and especially among the volunteer nationalist battalions serving in the countrys National Guard.Earlier this month, French media posted a heartwarming story of a boy in Kharkov who salutes each time a Ukrainian military vehicle passes by, but forgot to edit out a pair of little girls across the street in the background giving the Nazi salute.Last week, Volodymyr Zelenskys social media accounts posted and then quietly deleted a photo from his trip to Izyum after users spotted a SS-Totenkopf badge like the kind used by Nazi death camp administrators on the body armor of one of the presidents elite guards. https://sputniknews.com/20220914/are-we-the-baddies-nazi-ss-deaths-head-insignia-spotted-during-zelensky-selfie-session-with-troops-1100771059.html germany 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 swastika, report, germany, news report https://sputniknews.com/20220922/nuclear-winter-getaway-wwii-raf-bunker-to-be-converted-into-luxury-holiday-home-1101094304.html Nuclear Winter Getaway: WWII RAF Bunker to be Converted Into Luxury Holiday Home Nuclear Winter Getaway: WWII RAF Bunker to be Converted Into Luxury Holiday Home The Ringstead Bay bunker was built in 1941 as part of the Chain Home radar network, the world's first early-warning system for air raids. In 1952 the station... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T17:08+0000 2022-09-22T17:08+0000 2022-09-22T17:10+0000 uk property bunker wwii second world war raf (uk) uk royal air force cold war nuclear bunker viral /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105871/54/1058715447_0:0:1025:577_1920x0_80_0_0_be3721f457bbe1c422e2898afbb56487.jpg A bunker at a former Second World War RAF radar base in South-West England is to be converted into a luxury holiday retreat.The Mail Online reported that windowless bunker at Ringstead Bay in Dorset is currently almost hidden by overgrown vegetation.Dorset county council has grated London-based firm Lipton Plant Architects (LPA) planning permission to redevelop it as a holiday hideaway.They plan to blow jagged holes in the windowless structure to create a "gazed opening", before converting the interior from bare concrete to something more comfortable.The site was built in 1941 as part of the Chain Home radar network, the world's first early-warning system for air raids that had helped the Royal Air Force defeat the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain the previous summer."This oppressive, windowless World War Two bunker was built to 'see' the enemy at long range by bouncing radio rays off the wings of German aircraft," LPA said.In 1952 the station was upgraded as part of the Cold War ROTOR network designed to detect incoming Soviet bombers laden with nuclear weapons.Another former ROTOR station in neighbouring Devon was sold to developers last year for 433,000.The huge Hope Cove bunker near the pretty seaside village of Salcombe was later converted for use as a Regional Seat of Government in event of London's destruction in a nuclear war. It was built to withstand a five-kiloton atomic bomb and could accommodate 150 people.The site was on a declassified government list of potential Soviet nuclear targets from the 1970s, released by the National Archives in 2014. Salcombe residents became fearful following the launch of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February that they might be hit if hostile rhetoric between Moscow and London escalated to armed confrontation. However, Russia has repeatedly said that it would only resort to the use of nuclear weapons if its sovereignty and territorial integrity is threatened. https://sputniknews.com/20210705/this-creepy-bunker-was-designed-to-house-queen-in-edinburgh-in-case-of-nuclear-war--photos-1083312247.html 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 uk, property, bunker, wwii, second world war, raf (uk), uk royal air force, cold war, nuclear bunker https://sputniknews.com/20220922/observers-nato-complicit-in-ukraine-crisis-referendums-to-shield-donbass-kherson--zaporozhye-1101094434.html Observers: NATO Complicit in Ukraine Crisis, Referendums Will Shield Donbass, Kherson & Zaporozhye Observers: NATO Complicit in Ukraine Crisis, Referendums Will Shield Donbass, Kherson & Zaporozhye Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to start partial mobilization and support the initiative of the Donbass, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions to hold... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T16:17+0000 2022-09-22T16:17+0000 2022-09-22T16:29+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia ukraine donbass donetsk lugansk kherson donetsk people's republic lugansk peoples republic azov battalion /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105180/34/1051803493_0:3:1201:678_1920x0_80_0_0_bbb37edc476295b623df820377917083.jpg "[Putin] has clearly identified Washington, London and Brussels [EU headquarters] as the main actors in the conflict, instead of Ukraine, which he sees as a stage," says Argentine analyst Martin Rodriguez Osses.While delivering his address to the nation on September 21, the Russian president noted that Washington, London, and Brussels are openly encouraging Kiev to move the hostilities to Russia's territory. "They openly say that Russia must be defeated on the battlefield by any means, and subsequently deprived of political, economic, cultural and any other sovereignty and ransacked," the president noted, adding that "NATO is conducting reconnaissance through Russias southern regions in real time and with the use of modern systems, aircraft, vessels, satellites and strategic drones."Moreover, Russian forces have recently faced "a Ukrainian counteroffensive that was conducted by what in essence was a NATO military" in the Kharkov region, as Scott Ritter, a military analyst and former US Marine Corps intelligence officer assessed in his September 18 interview with Sputnik. To complicate matters further, the US provided Kiev with intelligence to assist in shelling the Zaporozhye NPP the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe according to Russia's Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev. Moscow has repeatedly warned that the strikes on the NPP could lead to nothing short of a nuclear disaster.NATO bore a huge responsibility for the conflict in Ukraine even before the start of the special operation on February 24, according to Argentine analyst Marcelo Montes.During his speech, Vladimir Putin recalled that Moscow and Kiev reached mutually-beneficial agreements during the Istanbul talks last spring. Following the talks, Russian forces voluntarily withdrew from the Kiev region. However, "a peaceful settlement obviously did not suit the West, which is why, after certain compromises were coordinated, Kiev was actually ordered to wreck all these agreements," the president pointed out.What's more, the Kiev government and Ukrainian nationalist battalions doubled down on persecuting Russia-sympathizers in Ukraine by detaining them, subjecting them to torture, or killing their own people. "The policy of intimidation, terror and violence is taking on increasingly mass-scale, horrific and barbaric forms," Putin stressed in his Wednesday's address. Meanwhile, the indiscriminate shelling of Donbass by the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been ongoing.Since 2014, successive governments in Kiev have repeatedly sabotaged the Minsk Agreements, a roadmap for peaceful reconciliation with the breakaway Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, which envisaged ceasefire, federalization, and autonomy for the mostly Russian-speaking regions.Nationalism and Neo-Nazism in Ukraine"Problems of the Lugansk and Donetsk regions have not been resolved for a long time," says Andrej Danko, chairman of the Slovak National Party and former head of the National Council of Slovakia. "The glorification of people like [Stepan] Bandera is unprecedented in history. We in Slovakia know who Bandera is, how our people were afraid of him in the post-war period. Returning to the past is always a great misfortune. Ukraine also failed to [develop an approach] to its national minorities and suppressed any rights of [other] nations."Stepan Bandera was a leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), infamous for collaborating with Nazi Germany and conducting the ethnic cleansing of Jews, Russians, Roma, and Poles in the Nazi-occupied territories of Ukraine during WWII. After the Western-backed Orange Revolution in Ukraine, President Viktor Yushchenko altered the Ukrainian school curriculum to glorify the OUN and granted the title of Hero of Ukraine to Bandera in 2010.Even though the Supreme Administrative Court of Ukraine reversed Yushchenko's order in May 2011, Bandera and the OUN received the status of fighters for independence after the February 2014 coup.In May 2014, the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion* was founded. The same year, it formally joined the Ukrainian National Guard and cracked down on pro-Russian Ukrainian civilians in the east of the country. In June 2014, the "Library" secret torture prison appeared at Mariupol Airport operated by the Azov Battalion and "supervised" by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), as Vasily Prozorov, a former SBU officer, revealed in 2019. According to the testimonies of former detainees, Ukrainian nationalists used different torture techniques, including waterboarding, asphyxiation, breaking fingers, etc.On December 16, 2021, the UN General Assembly discussed a resolution that called for combating the glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism, and other practices that fuel racism and xenophobia. The only two countries that voted against it were the US and Ukraine. During the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, a vast amount of neo-Nazi literature, images, and paraphernalia were found in Azov's strongholds by the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) military.Referendums to Solve Security Dilemma of Donbass, Kherson & ZaporozhyeThe news about the scheduled referendums was perceived as a guarantee of greater security in the future, according to Donetsk-based freelance journalist Eliseo Bertolasi.According to Danko, it is still unclear what the West will do in response to the referendums in the Donbass, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions, because the US and its NATO allies do not think rationally today. European leaders have adhered to policies which directly contradict their people's interests, including sweeping sanctions on Russia and the suspension of Nord Stream 2, which have ultimately backfired on the West, according to the Slovak politician. "The wave of dissatisfaction with the energy catastrophe threatening Europe is huge," he concludes.*The Azov Battalion is a terrorist organization banned in Russia. https://sputniknews.com/20220918/us-veterans-if-nato-didnt-want-ukraine-grid-hit-it-shouldnt-have-taken-part-in-kievs-offensive-1100916066.html https://sputniknews.com/20220401/nazism-is-disease-texan-came-to-donbass-to-protect-people--tell-the-truth-about-8-year-long-war-1094369347.html https://sputniknews.com/20220921/checkmate-putins-address-marks-game-over-for-kievs-us--nato-backers-analysts-say-1101056726.html russia donbass donetsk lugansk kherson Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova 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 Ekaterina Blinova russia, ukraine, donbass, donetsk, lugansk, kherson, donetsk people's republic, lugansk peoples republic, azov battalion, neo-nazism, europe https://sputniknews.com/20220922/prices-for-firewood-wood-pellets-in-germany-up-857-in-august-year-on-year-1101106683.html Prices for Firewood, Wood Pellets in Germany Up 85.7% in August Year-on-Year Prices for Firewood, Wood Pellets in Germany Up 85.7% in August Year-on-Year MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The prices for firewood and wood pellets in Germany increased by 85.7% in August year-on-year due to the ongoing energy crisis and severe... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T20:40+0000 2022-09-22T20:40+0000 2022-09-22T20:40+0000 world germany wood heating /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/07/1f/1097978499_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_605b9c1b942ed8f56cdb609198bea7d1.jpg "The prices of firewood and wood pellets rose 85.7% in August 2022 compared with the same month a year earlier and thus considerably more than overall consumer prices, which were up 7.9% in the same period," a statement read.The rise in firewood and wood pellets prices is primarily caused by the increased demand, as many Germans have turned to these goods as alternative ways to heat their houses amid even more growing gas, oil and electricity prices, the statistical office explained. Prices for firewood and wood pellets have also gone up due to rising procurement and transportation costs in the woodworking industry, according to the statement.On February 24, Russia began a military operation in Ukraine responding to calls for help from the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The West and its allies imposed comprehensive sanctions against Russia, with the European Union pledging to end its dependence on Russian energy supplies. The bloc has already approved seven packages of sanctions against Moscow, including a gradual phase-out of Russian oil. The Ukraine crisis and sanctions have resulted in disruptions of supply chains and a spike in energy prices worldwide. germany 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 germany, wood, heating https://sputniknews.com/20220922/russian-companies-exploring-direct-flights-to-northern-cyprus---turkish-cypriot-leader-1101103703.html Russian Companies Exploring Direct Flights to Northern Cyprus - Turkish Cypriot Leader Russian Companies Exploring Direct Flights to Northern Cyprus - Turkish Cypriot Leader UNITED NATIONS, (Sputnik) - Russian companies are examining opportunities for direct flights to Northern Cyprus, but no official decision has been made yet... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T18:39+0000 2022-09-22T18:39+0000 2022-09-22T18:43+0000 world north cyprus turkey russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/17/1095000826_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_148baf0f722dbabe3646dd5a9eb525e2.jpg On Thursday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he has discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin the possibility of launching direct flights from Russia to the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. CNN Turk reported, citing sources, that such flights may begin in November."From my Ministry of Transport, they tell me that one private company applied to Turkish Cypriot civil aviation, that they might fly from Russia," Tatar said.Tatar added he has not received any direct requests from the Turkish and Russian governments to authorize such flights."I think it might be those private companies who are trying to explore, explore the opportunities how to carry tourists, to Northern Cyprus, it might be, which I think is only fair," Tatar said. "If private companies want to fly their airplanes to North Cyprus to carry tourists to North Cyprus, this can only be welcome, because we in Cyprus, we are trying to obviously improve our economic situation and tourism is the main industry."Tatar said the lack of direct flights to that part of the island has impeded the tourism industry.He also underscored that Turkish Cypriots really care about the Russian people because they chose to live in his country and have integrated into their society. North Cyprus universities have many Russian academics and students while thousands of children attend its elementary schools, he added.Tatar said the conflict in Ukraine has led to complications with Russians coming to the country.Tatar said if need be he will consult with Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to see how they would interpret any developments as far as these issues are concerned.Tatar went on to say that North Cyprus is fighting for its equality, as through international agreements, it is a separate community.Tatar said although he would welcome Russian recognition of his country, he knows there are difficulties."I'm not trying to politicize the issue, because [it's] very easy to say, oh, Russia is going to recognize us tomorrow, [but] that can complicate things," Tatar stated.Tatar said they deserve more respect and a more humanitarian approach as they fight for independence."We... have been able to demonstrate our strength of character to exist, to survive, to have our own state, to have our own self-determination," Tatar said.The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was declared in 1983 with Turkey's backing, although the island had been de facto divided since 1974. In late June, Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades expressed his readiness to resume negotiations under UN auspices. north cyprus turkey 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 north cyprus, turkey, russia https://sputniknews.com/20220922/there-is-no-bluffing-coming-from-russia-1101065092.html There is No Bluffing Coming from Russia There is No Bluffing Coming from Russia On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Biden addressing the UN on the situation in Ukraine, and Finland... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T09:48+0000 2022-09-22T09:48+0000 2022-09-22T09:48+0000 nato russia lgbtq the backstory vladimir putin radio radio sputnik united nations general assembly (unga) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/15/1101064929_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_c0e0f3ee6d92c69d7c23a64d2fbbb1c7.png There is No Bluffing Coming from Russia On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Biden addressing the UN on the situation in Ukraine, and Finland banning Russian tourists. Robert Bridge - Author, Columnist | Living in Moscow for Twenty Years, NATO Pushing for World War III, and Western Media Forget America's Past with Nuclear WeaponsMark Sleboda - International Relations and Security Analyst | Long-Awaited Move by Putin, Referendums in Ukraine, and Reservists Called Upon for Military ActionIn the first hour, Lee spoke with Robert Bridge on the Western media demonizing President Putin, living in Russia for two decades, and the military operation in Ukraine. Robert discussed his analysis of young people in Russia and how they view Putin as the establishment. Robert talked about how Crimea voted to rejoin Russia and how the media in the West misrepresent democratic voting results.In the second hour, Lee spoke with Mark Sleboda about America's threats on Russia, Russians' reactions to more Russian soldiers ordered to fight Ukrainian forces, and Putin's demeanor in his press conference. Mark described the Russian media and how they viewed the mobilization of more Russian troops. Mark described his own viewpoint on the special military operation and the eight years of insufficient action by Putin.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 russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Lee Stranahan https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png Lee Stranahan https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.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 Lee Stranahan https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png nato, russia, lgbtq, , vladimir putin, radio, radio sputnik, united nations general assembly (unga) ISLAMABAD, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal urged the country's students to become community mobilizers and prepare food for children and mothers in flood-affected areas. Iqbal made the appeal here on Wednesday while addressing the conference on International Day of Peace, organized by Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC). The minister said that he had asked the HEC to set the target of 2 million nutrition packs supported by university students. The food packs will be distributed among the flood-affected people, especially among mothers and children in the next ten days through the National Disaster Management Authority, he added. Iqbal further added that one-third of the country has been submerged by floods and reiterated that the government is making all efforts for the rehabilitation of the flood-affected areas. https://sputniknews.com/20220922/uk-unable-to-pay-reparations-to-ex-colonies-as-it-faces-economic-decline-historian-says-1101070875.html UK Unable to Pay Reparations to Former Colonies as It Faces 'Economic Decline', Historian Says UK Unable to Pay Reparations to Former Colonies as It Faces 'Economic Decline', Historian Says The debate over whether the United Kingdom should pay trillions of dollars in colonial reparations to its former colonies in Asia, Africa and the Americas has... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T08:03+0000 2022-09-22T08:03+0000 2022-09-22T12:00+0000 queen elizabeth ii british empire colonialism imperialism uk king charles iii world /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/0a/1100640543_0:167:3049:1882_1920x0_80_0_0_0ad4bfb3165744bcbf7f9b2f10a5f1c2.jpg Birendra Nath Prasad, an assistant professor at the Center for Historical Studies at India's premier Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), spoke to Sputnik about the legacy of colonialism in the developing countries as well as the costs of British rule in India.Excerpts:Sputnik: It is widely perceived that today's economic disparities between the advanced economies and the Global South have their roots in colonialism, which makes people think that the advanced economies have a moral obligation to compensate for this imbalance. Should the developing countries seek colonial reparations?Birendra Nath Prasad: Though I support the view that the economic rise of European powers in the 19th and 20th centuries has been driven by economic exploitation of former colonies in Asia, Africa and the Americas, I also think that the narrative that the countries of the Global South are united by their shared colonial experiences is a bit misleading.But yes, many countries, including India and China, do have bitter experiences of colonialism. Though China was never formally colonized, it also has its memories of economic exploitation by the then European colonial powers. On the other hand, India was a former British colony.However, each of the former colonies have now come to develop their own ties with the former colonizers. For instance, Pakistan and India both have different priorities when dealing with the United Kingdom. The same is the case for countries in Africa and the Americas. The idea that all these former colonies will unite to demand reparations from Britain doesnt seem likely in the near future.More importantly, one must also see whether the UK is in an economic state to pay trillions of dollars in reparations to its former colonies, including India.If the Latin American nations start demanding colonial reparations from Spain, that would take us back to the same question, which is whether Spain is really in a position to compensate them monetarily.Sputnik: How would you describe the economic cost of British colonial rule to India?Prasad: Noted Indian economist Utsa Patnaik and several others have claimed that the British colonizers drained around $45 trillion in taxes and trade from India between 1765 and 1938 (India got independence in 1947).The British disarticulated the Indian economy and turned India into a source of raw materials and cheap labor to fuel its economic rise. Even in the Forties, just years before they left [in 1947], the British transported huge stocks of food from India to British armies fighting the Axis Powers in other parts of Asia during the Second World War. This contributed to a massive famine in India in 1943, leaving nearly 3Mln people in eastern India and modern-day Bangladesh dead.According to various historical estimates, Indias overall contribution to global GDP was around 25 percent before it became part of the British empire. Indias contribution to global GDP dropped to 1 to 2 percent in 1947.India had a strong agricultural industry and an available surplus of food. Indias artisans were renowned for their skill. Indian textiles were available in foreign markets such as in south-east Asia and Africa. The Indian shipping industry has also been very robust since at least the first century AD. Indian vessels have always had a presence in Indian Ocean maritime trade.Indian merchants maintained maritime links with markets of not only south-east Asia and Africa, but also those of China, centuries before the British came and colonized the subcontinent. There are records of south Indian merchants trading in the Chinese port of Canton (near modern-day Guangzhou).Indian maritime traditions in fact predate those of Europeans. Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama reported the presence of Indian merchants at the Cape of Good Hope on Africas southern tip before the European sailor reached India in 1498 [Da Gama is widely credited with discovering a sea route from Europe to India].Sputnik: What can India do to recover reparation costs from the UK?Prasad: India should never forget the horrors inflicted upon it by British colonizers over nearly two centuries of foreign rule. The wounds inflicted on Indian society from the colonial experience are yet to heal completely.But, as of today, India this month replaced the UK as the worlds fifth-biggest economy. We must note that the Indian economys size is $3 trillion, much less than the value of what the British extracted from here.In fact, going by present global economic trends, the nucleus of global economic growth is again shifting to India, China and other developing countries.On the other hand, Britain and most of the other erstwhile European colonizer countries are, to an extent, in a state of economic decline. Britain is well on its way to becoming just a remote island in the Atlantic - just as it was before the Industrial Revolution kicked in in the 18th century.So, the idea that India should ask for economic reparation from the UK might not be a feasible one.However, we are going to witness a change in Indian attitudes towards British colonialism as Indians become more prosperous in coming years.Every generation not only creates its own history, it also rewrites the history written by its predecessors. Such demands for colonial reparations from the UK are only bound to grow in India as the country grows economically.The collective urge to remove official insignia and emblems associated with British colonialism from public and government life will also increase in the years ahead. Just recently, we witnessed the renaming of Rajpath street in New Delhi to Kartavya Path.Sputnik: But shouldnt the UK return some of the stolen jewels from India, including the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond to compensate for the atrocities of the former colonial government? Do you back the idea that the British monarchy must issue a formal apology for the atrocities committed in India at the time?Prasad: In principle, I support the view that the British monarch owes a formal apology for the atrocities conducted under its watch in India. And not only the Koh-i-Noor diamond, the British government and the monarch must also return the other stolen Indian antiquities such as sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses, jewels and ornaments that it took away.Although the Koh-i-Noor rightfully belongs to India, the social costs of British colonialism had a much more damaging affect on India.The economic policies had social repercussions, particularly in the modern-day states of Bihar and West Bengal, which had a thriving textile industry. As the raw supplies meant for them were diverted, they were rendered out of work and forced to do jobs they werent meant to do. This depressed the social status of entire communities which were previously prosperous.The British imperialists also sought to exploit the caste fault lines in Indian society and worsened it to create a caste divide among upper castes [families situated in the top three categories of the ancient Hindu caste system. The last category comprises Sudras, comprising laborers, cleaners and other blue-collar professions].Contrary to western perception, these fault lines in Hinduism werent as pronounced in Indian society as they became after the British came here. In fact, several famous Indian dynasties such as the Mauryas were led by Sudras. We are still firefighting the effects of some of these colonial legacies, which is seen in voting patterns based on caste or the agenda of many political parties.British rule in India was also as ruthless as any other colonial rule. There have been numerous incidents when British used to kill Indians in public and used to hang their bodies from trees for public view. There have been instances of mass shootings, such as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Punjab in 1919.Sputnik: The UK has pledged to increase its engagement in the Asia Pacific region after the Brexit vote under its Indo-Pacific tilt policy in order to counter China. How should India view this development? In broader terms, does colonial history affect the present relations between India and the UK?Prasad: Well, I dont see any implications as far as the present India-UK ties are concerned. India, as a whole, has largely forgiven Britain for the colonial atrocities. However, we can never forget that colonial experience.I dont consider the UK as a global player anymore. The real power among the western nations is concentrated with the US. The US is in many ways the successor state of the so-called Anglo-Saxon civilization which was once controlled by British imperialists.Now, enmity with the US may cost you dearly, but the cost of friendship with Washington could be dearer on many counts.India must not allow itself to be used as a means to contain any other power, including China. I believe that there is enough space in the world for India and China to co-exist peacefully and grow together. It is not a zero-sum game. Of course, there are differences between India and China, including at the border. But one cant invite bigger trouble to get rid of the present problem.We have all seen the costs to Pakistan after it became a partner to US War on Terror in Afghanistan, which was entirely a dispute of Washington. We cant allow the same fate to befall India. https://sputniknews.com/20200812/uk-enters-record-breaking-recession-you-aint-seen-nothing-yet-1080146413.html https://sputniknews.com/20220921/doing-away-with-british-legacy-indian-army-to-review-colonial-era-practices--insignia-1101045233.html https://sputniknews.com/20220829/truss-reportedly-plans-to-label-china-acute-threat-to-britains-national-security-1100112114.html 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 queen elizabeth ii, british empire, colonialism, imperialism, uk, king charles iii https://sputniknews.com/20220922/ukraine-has-been-in-state-of-lawlessness-since-2014-lavrov-says-1101094810.html Ukraine Has Been in State of Lawlessness Since 2014, Lavrov Says Ukraine Has Been in State of Lawlessness Since 2014, Lavrov Says Ukraine descended into chaos in late 2013 after the Yanukovych government reversed course on penning an association agreement with the European Union in favor... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T15:44+0000 2022-09-22T15:44+0000 2022-09-22T17:29+0000 sergei lavrov russia's special operation in ukraine war crimes coup ukraine russia investigation united nations crisis crisis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/16/1101096989_0:213:2881:1834_1920x0_80_0_0_34c61f53d8348d59bc779405a76d8185.jpg The terms "impunity" or "lawlessness" aptly characterize the situation that Ukraine has been in for over eight years now, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said."For more than eight years the Ukrainian Army and nationalist militant formations have been killing the inhabitants of the Donbass with impunity, only because they refused to recognize the results of the criminal, bloody, anti-constitutional coup in Kiev, because they decided to defend rights guaranteed to them under the Ukrainian Constitution, including the right to freely use their native Russian tongue," the foreign minister said.Lavrov accused Kiev of spending years waging a "total frontal offensive" against the Russian language through a series of laws adopted in 2017, 2020, and 2021, all of which he said were directed at "squeezing out the Russian language, in fact, its total ban."The minister compared Ukrainian authorities' destruction of Russian-language books in schools and the demolition of monuments to Russian writers to the kind of thing the Nazis in Germany did in the 1930s.Referendums a Type of 'Response' to Zelensky's RequestLavrov characterized the planned referendums set to take place in Donbass, Zaporozhye, and Kherson as a response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's demand that any self-identifying Russians get out of the country."The pinnacle [of Kiev's anti-Russian policy] was an interview with Mr. Zelensky on August 5 of last year, when he advised everyone who feels Russian to leave for Russia for the sake of their children and grandchildren," Lavrov said.The minister slammed international organizations such as the Council of Europe, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, and other structures for their "timid recommendations" when it came to pushing Kiev to improve the language and human rights situation in the country before the escalation of the security crisis.Lavrov also accused the Ukrainian Army and nationalist battalions of using "terrorist tactics" in the course of the conflict with Russia, including the use of civilians as human shields. Moscow, he said, no longer has any doubts that contemporary Ukraine has become a "Nazi-style totalitarian state where the norms of international humanitarian law are violated with impunity.""The criminal shelling of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant by Kiev regime militants, which creates the risk of a nuclear catastrophe, remains unpunished," Lavrov added.Western Complicity, Hybrid WarThe Western powers' complicity in igniting and prolonging the Ukrainian crisis has also gone unpunished, the foreign minister said, pointing to these countries' openly stated goals of prolonging hostilities, "despite the casualties and destruction, in order to deplete and weaken Russia. This position indicates Western countries' direct involvement in the Ukrainian conflict, makes them a party to it," Lavrov stressed.Moscow will not allow Ukraine to continue to be used as an "anti-Russia" - as a springboard used by the West to create and implement threats against Russian national security, he added.Passing the Buck on War CrimesThe Russian foreign minister repeated his call for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to push Kiev to at least take the "elementary step" of publishing the names of the victims of the Bucha massacre - in which scores of Ukrainian civilians were murdered in the Kiev suburb of Bucha in early April.Kiev and its Western curators used the Bucha killings as an indictment against Russia, alleging that Russian troops killed the civilian residents of the town during their retreat. However, subsequent investigations have uncovered that the individuals who were killed died after Russian forces had left, and that many of the victims were photographed wearing white armbands (which Russian troops have been using to identify friendlies) and with Russian military-issued food packets. Later, Internet sleuths dug up evidence on social media showing Ukrainian nationalist formations openly announcing that they would be carrying out a "cleansing operation" in the town.Bucha is just one example of a much broader campaign by the West to "hush up" the Kiev regime's suspected war crimes, Lavrov said."Inconvenient truths that cloud the image of Ukraine as a victim of so-called aggression are carefully hushed up, and sometimes openly blacked out," the diplomat said. "Even the Western human rights organization Amnesty International, which can hardly be suspected of harboring any sympathy toward Russia, was subjected to severe criticism and marked down as an 'agent of the Kremlin' simply because its report confirmed well-known facts that Kiev places military positions and heavy weapons in civilian areas."No Faith in ICCAt the same time, Lavrov said that Russia does not expect any real justice to be doled out by the International Criminal Court or by other international legal bodies, and stressed that Moscow has lost confidence in the body. "We have been waiting in vain for eight years for the fight against impunity in Ukraine to begin...The time for waiting has come to an end," he said.Lavrov recalled that the court did not take action in the wake of the bloody coup in Kiev in February 2014, nor in May 2014, when dozens of residents of Odessa were burned alive in the city's trade unions building by nationalists, nor Kiev's bombing of the city of Lugansk on June 2, 2014, nor after other, similar crimes. More than three thousand appeals about suspected crimes against the residents of the Donbass were sent to the ICC, Lavrov said, but these were left without a response. At the same time, efforts have been made to investigate alleged crimes being attributed to the Russian military. "All of this carries a special-order character, we can see this very well," the foreign minister said. https://sputniknews.com/20220612/how-russian-and-other-minority-languages-are-being-erased-in-ukraine-1096244658.html https://sputniknews.com/20220921/putin-wests-goal-is-to-weaken-disunite-and-destroy-russia--1101028273.html https://sputniknews.com/20220917/kiev-has-resumed-shelling-of-area-around-zaporozhye-nuclear-power-plant-russian-mod-1100896210.html https://sputniknews.com/20220922/who-will-be-subject-to-partial-mobilization-announced-by-president-putin--1101096733.html https://sputniknews.com/20220806/amnestys-state-dept-cia-links-make-report-on-ukrainian-army-crimes-all-the-more-damning-observer-1098456816.html https://sputniknews.com/20220621/doj-hires-veteran-nazi-hunter-to-investigate-war-crimes-in-ukraine-1096537073.html russia united nations 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 sergei lavrov, war crimes, coup, ukraine, russia, investigation, united nations, crisis, crisis https://sputniknews.com/20220922/unga-why-non-western-states-reject-us-narrative-on-ukraine-1101084939.html UNGA: Why Non-Western States Reject US Narrative on Ukraine UNGA: Why Non-Western States Reject US Narrative on Ukraine Earlier this week, the leaders of a number of non-Western countries departed from the Ukraine crisis agenda promoted by the West at the 77th session of the UN... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T12:03+0000 2022-09-22T12:03+0000 2022-09-22T12:03+0000 opinion & analysis us un united nations general assembly (unga) senegal qatar jordan israel refugee crisis energy crisis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/16/1101084917_0:0:2810:1582_1920x0_80_0_0_903d16590fad3742837df9386a590948.jpg During their speeches at UNGA, King Abdullah II of Jordan and Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar shifted the major focus to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as the climate change, refugee, and energy crises. President Macky Sall of Senegal, who chairs the African Union (AU), warned against turning Africa into a theater of a "new Cold War" between great powers, alluding to the pressure exerted by the West on the continent's leaders to pick sides in the Ukraine conflict.While delivering his speech on Tuesday, Sheikh Al Thani called for a peaceful solution of the Ukraine crisis, placing a bigger emphasis on other urgent issues, such as the Israeli-Palestinian standoff; the conflicts in Syria, Libya and Yemen; Afghanistan's isolation; and the problem of energy shortages.For his part, Senegalese President and AU Chair Macky Sall raised the issue of the under-representation of Africa on the world stage: "I would like to remind you of our request for the African Union to be granted a seat within the G20, so that Africa can, at last, be represented where decisions are taken that affect 1,400,000,000 Africans." Sall also reminded the audience that the spread of terrorism in Africa is "not just an African matter," but "a global threat that falls under the primary purview of the (UN) Security Council."Likewise, President Faustin-Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic (CAR) singled out the serious security, food, and public health crises faced by the CAR and other African states, which have been exacerbated by a persistent lack of international financial support.When it comes to African countries, many of them are not eager to join the West's anti-Russia camp, given that Russia as well as China "has been very proactive in assisting" the continent, according to Rasmussen.However, the West is not satisfied with the Global South's neutrality and is unlikely to reduce its pressure, according to the scholar. He projects that the West will try to continue support for Kiev "rather than seeking peace or recognizing Russias valid security concerns." Rasmussen also expects increased tensions around the world, which could include the resurrection of Daesh*, increased violence in Syria and Libya, tensions in Taiwan, Kosovo, Nagorno-Karabakh, etc."Moreover, we will see the threat of the use of secondary sanctions on neutral countries, such as we have recently seen regarding the use of the Mir card in Turkey, Vietnam and Kazakhstan," the scholar notes. "Additionally, we may make desperate attempts at more color revolutions."At the same time, Rasmussen acknowledges that "the draconian and ill-thought sanctions on Russia have backfired," with the EU and the UK being economically hurt much more seriously than the US. https://sputniknews.com/20220624/how-the-uk-is-doing-its-best-to-stir-a-food-crisis-while-pinning-the-blame-on-russia-1096628806.html https://sputniknews.com/20220921/checkmate-putins-address-marks-game-over-for-kievs-us--nato-backers-analysts-say-1101056726.html senegal qatar jordan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova 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 Ekaterina Blinova us, un, united nations general assembly (unga), senegal, qatar, jordan, israel, refugee crisis, energy crisis, ukraine https://sputniknews.com/20220922/us-treasury-chief-says-taiwan-only-source-of-advanced-semiconductors-poses-national-risk-1101105788.html US Treasury Chief Says Taiwan Only Source of Advanced Semiconductors, Poses National Risk US Treasury Chief Says Taiwan Only Source of Advanced Semiconductors, Poses National Risk WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Taiwan is the sole source of advanced semiconductor microchips, which poses a risk to US national security, Treasury Secretary Janet... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T20:08+0000 2022-09-22T20:08+0000 2022-09-22T20:08+0000 americas us semiconductors taiwan semiconductor manufacturing company (tsmc) taiwan janet yellen /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/01/1082509354_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_f9f46b8c4fd7ef664042afe26c494e08.jpg "The only country in the world that is a source of the most advanced semiconductors is Taiwan," Yellen said during an event hosted by The Atlantic. "I would regard that as a resilience risk and also a national security risk."Moreover, the United States is highly dependent on China for certain supplies like lithium and processing of some of the minerals that go into electric batteries, Yellen added.Yellen said that it is possible to both mine these minerals and process the minerals in the United States and other countries that the United States is comfortable with.Last month, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order to implement the $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which includes more than $52 billion in subsidies for US semiconductor manufacturers in an effort to counter China's growing technological clout. https://sputniknews.com/20220906/us-commerce-department-unveils-plan-to-allocate-50bln-for-semiconductor-sector-reports-say-1100443061.html 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, semiconductors, taiwan semiconductor manufacturing company (tsmc), taiwan, janet yellen https://sputniknews.com/20220922/washingtons-obstacles-in-military-cooperation-with-ankara-affects-nato-security-erdogan-says-1101069922.html Washington's Obstacles in Military Cooperation With Ankara Affect NATO Security, Erdogan Says Washington's Obstacles in Military Cooperation With Ankara Affect NATO Security, Erdogan Says ANKARA (Sputnik) - Obstacles in defense cooperation between Turkey and the United States affect the security of NATO, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T05:46+0000 2022-09-22T05:46+0000 2022-09-22T09:46+0000 world us turkey nato /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/05/14/1095655251_0:0:2833:1594_1920x0_80_0_0_493eddc6a465db16da0b73ade4794ff4.jpg "Artificial obstacles to our defense cooperation with the US, which are contrary to the allied law, also negatively affect NATO security landscape," Erdogan told a meeting of the Turkish-US Business Council in New York.The president noted that the biased attitude that has developed as a result of pressure from certain lobbies on decision-makers also harms the American interests."In the meantime, Erdogan said that Turkey is seeking to increase the volume of gas purchased from the US.Turkey's main gas suppliers now are Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.The US has earlier sent an official notice to Turkey about its exclusion from the program for the supply of advanced F-35 fighter jets due to Ankara's purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems. Washington canceled the joint memorandum on the F-35 with Turkey, signing it with the seven remaining partners in the F-35 project - the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Denmark, Canada, and Norway. Erdogan subsequently said the US invited Ankara to buy other fighters, but of the fourth generation - F-16. The issue is to be agreed upon in the US Congress - the State Department is lobbying for it, convincing congressmen that the deal is in Washington's interest. turkey 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, turkey, nato https://sputniknews.com/20220922/who-will-be-subject-to-partial-mobilization-announced-by-president-putin--1101096733.html Who Will be Subject to Partial Mobilization Announced by President Putin? Who Will be Subject to Partial Mobilization Announced by President Putin? During his address to the nation on September 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he had signed a decree on partial mobilization in order "to... 22.09.2022, Sputnik International 2022-09-22T16:33+0000 2022-09-22T16:33+0000 2022-09-27T19:13+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia military mobilization partial mobilization in russia infographic /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/16/1101096019_0:0:1440:810_1920x0_80_0_0_a5948eca06bde50f56b01432900de2b7.png Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the partial mobilization was primarily needed to control the 1,000km contact line and the liberated territories in Ukraine. The minister specified that Russia has a mobilization pool of 25 million people who have served in the army and have combat experience, while the partial mobilization requires only 1% of that number, or about 300,000 reservists.Who will be subject to the partial mobilization and who can get an exemption? Check out our infographic to find out. 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, military, , mobilization, partial mobilization in russia, infographic Esteemed driver Doug McNair will be meeting fans and signing autographs ahead of Saturdays card of live racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park as part of the 2022 Breeders Crown Charity Challenge. McNair represents Brad Grants team in support of the Milton District Hospital Foundation (MDHF). Fans can meet McNair and MDHF representatives on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. in the Community Corner, located near the program booth on the main floor of the grandstand. Running from Sept. 7 to Oct. 27, the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge invites four teams, with each entry comprised of a prominent owner, their charity of choice and a Woodbine leading driver, to compete to net the largest donation amount. See the teams below: Team Brad Grant/Doug McNair Charity: Milton District Hospital Foundation Team Determination/Bob McClure Charity: Kids Help Phone Line Team Steve Heimbecker/James MacDonald Charity: Pine River Institute Team Libfeld-Katz/Louis-Philippe Roy Charity: Peter Munk Cardiac Centre - SickKids Hospital Toronto 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 use the Twitter hashtag of their favourite team and include #CrownCharity22. Team Brad Grant/Doug McNairs hashtag is #GrantUsVictory. (Woodbine) ATTORNEY GENERAL Jason Miyares the other week announced the formation of an Election Integrity Unit, and Virginians are right to be suspicious. The commonwealths elections have been safe and secure. Cases of election fraud are exceedingly rare. So why would Miyares assign 20 lawyers in his overworked, overstretched staff to a non-existent issue? Sadly, Virginia knows why. And its not to protect the integrity of Virginia elections. Miyares announced the launch of a new unit within his office to investigate and prosecute violations of Virginia election law, work with the election community throughout the year to ensure uniformity and legality in application of election laws, and work with law enforcement to ensure legality and purity in elections. That sounds rather innocuous, were it not for similar efforts led by other Republican attorneys general or extremist elections officers who have used such initiatives to undermine elections rather than to foster trust in them. Around the country, GOP office holders, candidates, and party propagandists continue to sow doubt about American elections, using baseless claims about the 2020 presidential vote to advance a false narrative about its trustworthiness. They have no evidence to support these assertions and judgeseven those appointed by former President Donald Trumphave thrown out every legal filing related to them. So outlandish are these lawsuits that some of the lawyers responsible for bringing them face disbarment. Still they persist, seeking to gain or assert control over elections so that they can put their thumbs on the scale in the future. Their intent isnt election integrity, but rather election manipulation. If they win an election, it is a fair and just outcome. If they lose, it can only be due to their opponents cheating. Virginia saw this firsthand last year. As the governors race between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin narrowed in October, state Sen. Amanda Chase, a Youngkin campaign surrogate, claimed during a rally that she had evidence Democrats were working to steal the election. When then-Attorney General Mark Herring asked for evidence of these crimes, Chase could not produce any. Chase later proposed spending $70 million for a bogus forensic audit of Virginias 2020 electiona bill that thankfully only received four votes (state Sen. Jen Kiggans was one of the four). That Chase is among those now cheering Miyares proposal speaks volumes about its purpose and legitimacy. Then there is a question of resource allocation. In February, Miyares pleaded with the General Assembly for additional staffing, saying that his office was unable to keep pace with the number of criminal appeals following the jurisdictional expansion of the Virginia Court of Appeals. At the time, Miyares said he needed another 75 staffers. That it came after the AG fired 30 staff, including 17 lawyers, after taking office only to request money to hire staff surely raised lawmakers eyebrows. But Miyares office is now apparently so flush with resources that he can task 20 lawyers to a vanity project to tackle a nonexistent problem. That is informative as lawmakers consider future staff and funding requests. In other states, these sort of election units have focused exclusively on Democratic strongholds and those with high concentrations of minority voters. In the commonwealth, that would mean Richmond, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. It is therefore worth remembering Virginias ugly and regrettable history of disenfranchising people of color, using literacy tests, grandfather clauses, and poll taxes, as well as intimidation, threats, and violence to keep minority voters from casting ballots. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the commonwealths poll tax only 56 years ago. That is the backdrop before which this Election Integrity Unit comes into view. It is a solution in search of a problem and, rather than inspire confidence in our democratic process, it is far more likely to undermine public conference. That is cynical. It is wasteful. And it is wrong. Gov. Pete Ricketts made stops in Alliance and Ogallala on Tuesday, Sept. 20, for town hall meetings to discuss property taxes, plans for expanding broadband internet access and current and future projects that he says will protect and strengthen Nebraskas water resources. High taxes are like weeds, they choke out growth, Ricketts said. The No. 1 issue that people talk about when I started running for governor nine years ago was property taxes. Ricketts discussed how the state can fund new projects and provide some tax relief to Nebraskans. He also urged property owners to apply for Nebraskas income tax credit based on their school property taxes if they didnt last year. Just like a family has to manage their budget or a company has to manage their books, youve got to be able to keep revenue and budgets in line, and weve done that, he said. At the state, weve kept the growth of that budget to 2.8% per year on average. Ricketts touted the state as having a more balanced approach during the COVID-19 pandemic that set Nebraska up for strong economic growth. He also pointed to the states unemployment rate, which is the third lowest in the country. According to Ricketts, the state ended its fiscal year with revenues coming in $1.47 billion ahead of forecast. Since he took office, he said, the states reserve fund has grown from $400 million to nearly $1.7 billion, the most weve ever had in our state system. If you think about it, high taxes makes it hard to buy a home, makes it hard for young farmers and ranchers to get into agriculture and, in general, it makes it harder for the folks in agriculture to even benefit. If our farmers and ranchers are paying two and three times higher taxes than their colleagues are in Kansas, South Dakota or even Iowa, then that puts them at a competitive disadvantage. The state has been working to bring property taxes down through three state-level tax credits one a direct discount on gross property tax bills, the others income tax credits based on K-12 and now community college property taxes. LB 1107 created a refundable income tax credit that allows Nebraskans to get a rebate for property taxes paid to school districts. The first year, Ricketts said, taxpayers received a 6% rebate. Last year, he said, taxpayers received a 25.3% rebate. This year, we announced that youll get 30% back in whatever you pay into your local property taxes. In addition to that, were running a new credit for community colleges. So, youll get 30% back in whatever you are paying toward your community college. What we have noticed is that not everybody is filling out those credits when youre filling out your state income taxes. Maybe because you didnt know about it or your tax preparer didnt know about it. My first message here today is that if you have not filled out your refundable income taxes on your state income tax form, please do so. If you have, please tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers. He said people can file retroactively to receive the property tax credit. Ricketts also spoke about broadband, which he called basic infrastructure today. No matter the distance Nebraskans live from a city, they should have access to the digital tools they need to live, learn and do business, Ricketts said, saying that a 2018 evaluation showed significant gaps in basic broadband access in areas of the state. We started working on what we could do to bridge that gap, he said. This is like rural electrification or rural telephone back in the 1930s we have to have it. Its a basic part of what we do as far as our society. So the state has to help make sure that we can get every Nebraska household connected. In 2020, the state used $30 million of federal CARES Act pandemic relief funds to connect 17,600 households across Nebraska. In 2021, the Legislature passed the Rural Broadband Bridge Act was passed and dedicated $40 million to connect 30,000 more households. Specifically, here in Box Butte County, Mobius (Communications) has gotten about $1 million from that grant funding to be able to connect some of those households and I think they have about $2.3 million pending in grant applications, Ricketts said. Ricketts also highlighted water issues, noting the states heavy dependence on agriculture. One in four jobs in the state is tied to agriculture, he said. We are also the largest irrigated state with 9 million acres. Three of every eight of our farmland acres is irrigated. So we are heavily dependent on making sure that we use our water effectively, and we have done a great job on that here in Nebraska. Nebraskas position on the largest underground aquifer in the world the Ogallala Aquifer is important. He said Nebraska has done a good job of managing the aquifer, saying that its levels are within 1 foot of those in the 1950s. However, Ricketts argued that Colorado basically mines its aquifer and that it is 15 feet down from 1950s levels. Ricketts pointed to the Perkins County Canal project, which he said is among projects designed to conserve our water and manage it in a way that well have it for future generations. The project dates back to a canal that was begun over 100 years ago to take water from the South Platte River in Colorado and connect it to Nebraskas reservoir system. One hundred years ago there was a lot of fighting over that water in the South Platte, so Nebraska and Colorado signed a compact in 1923 that was approved up by the Colorado Legislature, our Legislature and the U.S. Congress. The 1923 agreement states that Nebraska is entitled to 120 cubic feet per second from Colorados portion of the South Platte River from April 1 to Oct. 15 during the irrigation season. In addition, if Nebraska builds a canal, the state is entitled to 500 cfs during the non-irrigation season. The state of Nebraska has never taken that opportunity to build a canal, he said. We actually have eminent domain and authority to build that canal in Colorado, but weve never done it, until now. Citing Colorado action to study its water needs, its growth and purchasing of water rights, Ricketts said efforts by Colorado could limit the flow of water from the South Platte River by as much as 90%. Thats Colorados intention, he said. In HB16-1256, they clearly say that they are going to give us no more water than is legally required and their legal requirement right now is just the 120 cubic feet per second. Ricketts has asked the Nebraska Legislature for $500 million to build a new canal. The Legislature has given us $53.5 million to be able to start working on design work, getting options on land in Colorado, and also starting the permitting process. This is a long-term project that will take about 10 years to build, but its the only way that we can ensure that Colorado will give us the land that we are entitled. We have to build a reservoir so when they deliver that 500 cubic feet per second during the off season, we can manage it so on years like this year, where it is abnormally dry across the state, we would be able to let it out of this reservoir at our time. Ricketts pointed to a current picture of dry beds of the South Platte River near Roscoe as evidence that Colorado is not meeting its obligation for releasing water to Nebraska. If the South Platte River does not have any water, then the state is more reliant on the North Platte River, he said, which means that everybody in the Panhandle gets cut back. Ricketts said, We have the money to pay for this, we know Colorado is trying to take the water and we have a drought so all of these things are coming together at the right time to say, This is the right time and we have to deal with this. Several students from ESU 13s Meridian School got a firsthand look at what being a police officer is like Monday, Sept. 19. Officer Bobbi Kuhlman of the Scottsbluff Police Department stopped by to showcase her equipment and tell students more about how they can get in contact with police in an emergency. Half of the schools students visited with Kuhlman on Monday, while half will visit with an officer on Wednesday. The students range from 10 to 21 years old. This wasnt the first time first responders visited with the class. Four firefighters from the Scottsbluff Fire Department stopped by earlier in September, teaching the students about fire safety and the importance of water. Carol Sinner, the ESU 13 school nurse, said the presentations teach students who they could go to when they need help or if theyre in trouble for something; who are the community people they know theyre safe with. The students, who all have moderate to severe mental disabilities, are learning social skills. Sinner said these demonstrations would be a good opportunity to introduce them to people who could help them within the community. Future lessons will teach students what to do in medical emergencies and how to keep healthy, with a likely visit with emergency medical services. These are some of the interactions where people are happy to see us, so thats nice, Kuhlman said of the visit. People dont call the police on the best day of their life, they call the police on the worst day of their life, so it comes with the territory. These interactions are good where everybodys happy to see us (and we can) show the community what were really about. Kuhlman showed them her patrol vehicle and the equipment she uses on the job. Some students sat inside the vehicle, while others tried on handcuffs. She taught them how police handcuff disabled people, as well as speaking about what the court process is like for children. Kuhlman also elaborated on what types of emergencies for which they should or should not call 911. I think I most enjoyed how they monitor the cameras so they knew when the accidents happen, student Paige Schlenker said, adding that her favorite part of the experience was checking out the inside of Kuhlmans patrol car. Im excited to learn about how you can be safe in the community. PHNOM PENH, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- For Bou Sokcheat, a first-year Cambodian student in the major of Chinese literature at the Asia Euro University (AEU)'s Chinese Department here, the Confucius Institute has not only provided a high quality Chinese education, but also promoted cultural exchanges as well as Cambodia-China friendship. The AEU's Chinese Department is one of the teaching centers of the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia. "The Confucius Institute has not only provided a high quality Chinese education, but also served as a window to the unique Chinese culture as well as a bridge to promote the bond of Cambodia-China friendship," she told Xinhua while attending celebrations of the Confucius Institute Day at the AEU on Tuesday. The 19-year-old student said the Confucius Institute has played a crucial role in deepening people-to-people exchanges and developing human resources in Cambodia. "I think the Confucius Institute is a cache of knowledge for learners of Chinese and a platform for cultural cooperation and development between Cambodia and China," she said. Sokcheat has studied Chinese for six years and dreams of being a Chinese language teacher after graduation. She learns the language as she wants to know Chinese culture and to communicate with Chinese people. "If I have a chance to visit China, I want to go to Beijing because it is rich in culture and civilization." Chhang Meng Chhay, an 18-year-old freshman in the major of Chinese literature at the AEU's Chinese Department, said the Confucius Institute is vital to promote the Chinese language, cultural exchanges, and mutual understanding between the people of Cambodia and China. "The Confucius Institute has become a window for showcasing the Chinese culture, a bridge to promote cultural exchanges and a bond for Cambodia-China friendship," he told Xinhua. "As there are a lot of Chinese investors and tourists in Cambodia, learning Chinese will make it easier for us to get a decent job with Chinese companies or to do business with Chinese people," he added. If possible, Chhay said he would first visit northwest China's Qinghai province, instead of any other places in China, because the province is rich in ancient culture and civilization. Confucius Institute Day is always celebrated in September. The Confucius Institutes across the world traditionally mark this day by organizing public events where the Chinese language, culture, and tradition are shared with the local community. Sam Sophy, dean of the AEU's Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Foreign Languages, said the Chinese language has gained significant traction in Cambodia thanks to the close ties between the two countries and the huge influx of Chinese investors and tourists to the kingdom. "Since 2010, the AEU and the Confucius Institute have importantly contributed to the development of human resources and have trained a lot of students in the major of Chinese literature at the levels of bachelor's degree and associate's degree," he said. Gan Min, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said learning Chinese is very popular in Cambodia and that the Confucius Institute now has 22 teaching sites across the country. "Before the pandemic, we registered more than 10,000 students every year, but due to the pandemic, the number of students has declined," she told Xinhua. "So far this year, we have registered more than 5,000 students." Gan said since its establishment in Cambodia in 2009, the Confucius Institute has provided free Chinese courses to more than 100,000 Cambodian learners. The City of Scottsbluff considered action on the Waste Water Treatment Facility trunk sewer main lining project during its regular meeting Monday. Wastewater Supervisor Lynn Garton submitted an agenda statement to the council with a staff recommendation to award the project to Hydro-Klean LLC (HK) in the amount of $243,841.50. The company is located in Des Moines, Iowa. The city received two bids to line the influent sewer main at the treatment plant where the city experienced main breaks. C&L Water Solutions also submitted a bid, totaling nearly $700,000. The engineers estimate for the project was $425,500. Interim city manager Kevin Spencer told the council this sewer main had broke twice so far. This is the lowest bid for sure and we think this is the best bid as well, Spencer told the council. It came in well below the engineers estimates, which caused me to ask them a lot of questions of the engineers. Within the council packet, it was noted that HK would like to start in October with measuring, so they can order product. They anticipate lining and manhole work to start in November, although that is dependent on weather. There is also an itemized breakdown, showing how the bid total was reached. Nearly 67% ($163,002.50) of the budget will go toward the 30-foot UV-Cured CIPP (Cured in Place Pipe lining). This is a trenchless pipe lining that uses ultra-violet (UV) light technology to cure liners quicker than conventional curing methods. UV curing has minimal downtime to commercial, industrial and municipal facilities. Other costs include mobilization for $24,900, three manhole rehabilitations for $19,439, bypass pumping for $25,000, dewatering for $5,000, slide gate for $5,000 and grating on a diversion box fir $1,500. Spencer told the council that the engineers were comfortable with the HK bid and that both bidders visited the site to understand the project to understand what they were bidding. The council voted unanimously in favor of awarding the bid to Hydro-Klean LLC. Miss Mie was a gift to the United States as part of the friendship doll exchange between U.S. and Japanese students in the late 1920s, museum director Susan Weller said. Japan gave 58 friendship dolls to the United States in 1927, but only 47 remain. In honor of the Nebraska dolls Oct. 30 birthday, the museum invited the Japanese group Friends of Miss Mie to Lincoln to celebrate. According to Weller, Masaru Aoki, a conservator from the Yoshitoku Doll Co. in Tokyo, was willing to come and the museum paid his way so he could do conservation work on his daughter. In Japanese culture, inanimate objects, be they dolls or stones or trees, have spirits, Weller said. Thats why (Aoki) refers to her as special, as his daughter or granddaughter. Monday morning, Aoki examined Miss Mie for the third time in his career. The first time, in 1988, was the first doll restoration he ever did, followed by one in 2017. Its a great opportunity to teach that friendship dolls exist, especially for youth, Aoki said through a translator. I am impressed by how well the museum has taken care of the doll and grateful to the museum for their attention to her details. Laying out the dolls long-faded garments and maps of her different body parts across the table, Aoki carefully documented minute cracks and imperfections that emerged since his previous examination in 2017. He placed Miss Mies body on a makeshift operation table of Styrofoam, propping her head up and covering her with a blanket. The condition is good, but each step takes a tremendous amount of time, Aoki said. Applying special chemicals over and over, not just once. It wont be a quick process. According to collections assistant Katelyn Trammell, the delicate porcelain made of crushed oyster shells has cracks on the nose, ears, back of the neck and leg. Aoki applied a chemical sealant to fix the cracks, but the dolls coating absorbs liquid like human skin, making it difficult to set and requiring multiple applications. Being able to conserve her now gives us the best chance of sending her back to Japan for her 100th birthday, Trammell said. Thats Aokis goal here that she remains as stable as possible both for our own display and so she can go back to Japan. The last time the museum sent her home was in 2017. At that time, Aoki noted the crack on her nose, but the crack on her leg emerged sometime between her 2017 departure from Japan and a 2019 condition report. Please take care of Miss Mie, Aoki said to the museum staff Monday. Just like you did before. For five more years, 50 more years, 100 more years, please take care of her. Miss Mie will be on display at Morrill Hall until Oct. 16 and will reemerge in 2027 for her 100th birthday. Dear Editor: Twenty years ago Regional West Medical Center was considered one of the best hospitals in the state. It is now arguably the worst. In the most recent hospital quality ratings released by the federal governments Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) this past July, Regional West Medical Center is a 1 Star rated hospital the only hospital in the state of Nebraska receiving that low rating. It will be no surprise to residents of the region that Regional West Medical Center has received a 1 Star rating for five of the past seven years its problems with long emergency room waits, insufficient staffing resulting in inattentive inpatient care, uncleaned and otherwise unprepared patient rooms, incompetent billing, bullying and abusive management, etc., have long been a daily part of the community conversation in coffee shops and around the dinner tables of the region. Restoring that past excellence to Regional West Medical Center should begin by redirecting or changing the upper level management who, by all reports, have implemented what can only be called a reign of terror within the hospitals offices and hallways. That reign of terror over the past seven years has driven most of the local nursing staff to other hospitals around the region or to move elsewhere entirely in order to competently practice their profession. The same has been true for the variety of technicians and administrative staff required to properly staff a modern hospital. And because an affiliate entity of Regional West Medical Center now employs almost all of the physicians that serve the community, that same reign of terror has also wreaked havoc within the physician practices serving the community as well. I believe it is possible to restore that previous high level of excellence to our hospital and its associated medical community. But that will only happen if we the people raise our voices and demand that of what should be our representatives on the Boards of Directors of Regional West Medical Center and Regional West Health Services. I urge my fellow citizens to speak with any board members you know and make your concerns and aspirations regarding our hospital known. If we do not speak out, then we the people deserve to have the worst hospital in Nebraska. Dick Meyer, Scottsbluff Armenian-American TV personalities Khloe and Rob Kardashians shared with a post on Instagram regarding the Independence Day of Armenia, which is celebrated on September 21. "Happy Independence day, my beautiful and historic Armenia. My deepest condolences to all the fallen soldiers and their families. Praying for peace. Love and healing for all our people going through this nightmare currently back home", wrote the Keeping Up With The Kardashians' stars. This year Armenia is celebrating the 31th anniversary of its independence. Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram State health officials Thursday encouraged Washington residents to get COVID-19 and flu vaccines ahead of the fall and winter season. While the COVID-19 pandemic's emergency phase may be ending, the virus remains "very much with us in our state," said Secretary of Health Umair Shah during a press briefing Thursday. Since Sept. 1, more than 173,922 Washington residents 12 and older have received the new bivalent booster, which targets omicron variants, said Michele Roberts, state assistant secretary for prevention, safety and health. The state has 700,000 doses of the new boosters available, with more arriving each week, she said. Roberts also encouraged people 6 months and older to get the flu vaccine before the end of October. "It's really a critical time of year to ensure ongoing protection for ourselves and for our communities," she said. PeaceHealth is holding a clinic to give omicron bivalent boosters, as well as flu shots on Oct. 8 at the Longview Lakefront Clinic. The shots will be available by appointment only from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Patients can call 360-747-5800 to schedule an appointment. Several Cowlitz County pharmacies had the new booster shots available as of Thursday. People can check vaccine and booster availability online at www.vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov or call the COVID-19 Information Hotline at 1-800-525-0127. Mask requirements State health officials Thursday reiterated that although the state's COVID-19 emergency order is ending Oct. 31, the mask requirement for health care and correctional settings is not ending at the same time. The mask order was issued by the secretary of health under public health authority, is separate from the state of emergency and will remain in place for the time being, said Lacy Fehrenbach, chief of prevention, health and safety. "This is because COVID-19 is still with us," she said. "There's uncertainty that remains as we enter the respiratory virus season and we really want to do best to protect the healthcare system and our communities." Beyond the requirements, Shah recommended people consider masking in indoor, crowded settings that may have poor ventilation or when others around them may be sick. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are trending down nationally and in Washington, but people are still hospitalized and dying from COVID-19 every day, Shah said. In Cowlitz County, cases are down from earlier this summer but may be starting to tick up. Hospitalizations continue to spike up and down and remain above the state average. Inslee heads to Nordic countries OLYMPIA Washington leaders are looking abroad for ideas on how to transition to clean energy and continue to fight climate change. Gov. Jay Inslee and other representatives from Washington have spent the past week on a trade mission to Finland, Sweden and Norway focusing on energy, technology, sustainability and climate change. Representatives from the Department of Commerce, the Port of Seattle, the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and employers in the state, such as Microsoft, joined the governor. In a call with reporters, Inslee said anyone who is anxious about the threat of climate change would be pleased with the meetings they were having. Anytime we consolidate research, anytime we scale up the size of these industries, anytime we jointly explore innovative new technologies, theyre going to all happen faster, Inslee said. They recognize that, as do we. In Finland, Inslee learned about the countrys approach to nuclear waste disposal and developing 5G and 6G technologies. In Sweden, he talked with leaders about the countrys transition to a green economy. In Norway, he met with businesses, such as Corvus Energy, a supplier for zero-emission batteries and applications, to discuss partnerships in Washington. He also learned about electric ferries being deployed in Norways transportation system. Inslee said it was a productive trip that is creating results in Washington through strengthened partnerships with companies. Those companies, such as a number of battery companies, could soon begin operations and hiring in Washington, he said. Inslee said these businesses main concern with opening in the next year is the speed of permitting in Washington. Inslee said he is interested in accelerating the permitting process to allow that, such as by providing more resources to the Department of Ecology to make permitting decisions faster. These are relatively short-term investments that are very possible, he said. When talking with companies in these countries, Inslee said the transition to clean energy is happening extremely fast, and its not just one industry. He pointed to the use of offshore winds, new 5G technology and electric ferries. Members of the state Department of Commerce also visited Neste, a leading supplier of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel based in Finland. Neste partners with Alaska Airlines, and Washington will continue to work with them to learn more about how to bring a sustainable aviation market to the state, Chris Green, from the Department of Commerce, told reporters. That market is developing, but its improved and made great strides in the last 10 or 20 years, Green said. All of the new ideas could mean tremendous job creation in Washington as well as reducing the states carbon footprint, Inslee said. The trip was paid for by a combination of outside sponsorship, funds provided by the Legislature and delegate fees paid to the Department of Commerce, according to the governors office. Alert! This hazardous asteroid is heading for our planet today. Heres what NASA said about this asteroid. Amidst high solar activity these past few weeks, another asteroid is headed for us. NASA has issued a warning for the asteroid that is expected to pass by Earth closely today, September 22. We are in the third week of September and there have already been more than 15 asteroid flybys already. August witnessed more than 40 asteroids flying closely past Earth and the month of September seems to achieve those figures, if not exceed them. Asteroid 2022 ST1 to just miss Earth tomorrow NASA has warned that an asteroid named Asteroid 2022 ST1 is heading for Earth and is expected to pass by the planet closely today, September 22. Asteroid 2022 ST1 is already on its way towards us travelling at a staggering speed of 48,708 kilometers per hour. The asteroid will make its closest approach to Earth today at a distance of just 1.5 million kilometers or 0.010668 astronomical units. An astronomical unit (AU, or au) is basically a unit of length equal to the average, or mean, distance between Earth and the Sun, that is, 149,597,870.7 kilometers. Asteroid 2022 ST1 is part of the Apollo group of asteroids. According to the-sky.org, this asteroid takes almost 976 days to complete one orbit of the Sun, during which its farthest distance from the Sun is 454 million kilometers and nearest distance is 122 million kilometers. NASA's DART Mission set to collide with target asteroid The DART spacecraft recently got its first look at Didymos, the double-asteroid system that includes its target, Dimorphos. According to the information provided by NASA, on September 26, DART will intentionally crash into Dimorphos, the asteroid moonlet of Didymos. While the asteroid poses no threat to Earth, this is the world's first test of the kinetic impact technique, using a spacecraft to deflect an asteroid for planetary defense." Using observations taken every five hours, the DART team will execute three trajectory correction maneuvers over the next three weeks, each of which will further reduce the margin of error for the spacecraft's required trajectory to impact. Vietnam sees rise in Covid-19 infections and fatalities The Ministry of Health has warned about a new Covid-19 outbreak amid rising numbers of infections and deaths reported by local hospitals. Illustrative photo The Hanoi-based Hospital for Tropical Diseases is treating some 150 Covid-19 patients daily including several serious cases transferred from other hospitals. Vice head of the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, Pham Van Phuc, said that there were over 40 serious Covid-19 patients being treated daily at the unit including 20 having to use ventilators. Doctor Phuc said that some 20 percent of these critical patients are elderly people who have underlying diseases and never took their Covid-19 vaccines. "In recent days the number of patients in critical condition has risen to 10 cases, up from five to seven cases a day in June and July," the doctor said. Doctor Vu Phuong Nga at the E General Hospital said that they were receiving Covid-19 patients every day. Some patients are having both Covid-19 and dengue at the same time. Speaking at a recent meeting, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thi Lien Huong warned that the Covid-19 pandemic is returning with a rising number of fatalities and serious cases reported by local hospitals. "Many new sub-types of the Omicron variants including BA.4, BA.5, BA2.74, BA 2.12.1 have been detected in localities nationwide," Huong said. "Meanwhile, the vaccination rate for those taking additional doses is still low, particularly among children." The minister added that the country is reporting between 2,000-3,000 new Covid-19 infections and some five Covid-19-related deaths daily. TEHRAN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has said Tehran has a "strong will" to resolve the issue regarding an agreement on the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal fairly if the Iranian nation's interests are guaranteed. Raisi made the remarks on Wednesday in an address to the 77th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to the Iranian presidency's website. Iran, he said, accepted an agreement in 2015 in good faith and with a solid intention, but the United States is breaking its promise and imposing sanctions, the most unprecedented sanctions in history. It was Washington that left the agreement, not Tehran, the Iranian president noted. He said Iran's negotiation logic is "adherence to commitments." Iran in July 2015 signed the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), 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 so far failed to produce any favorable outcome. The European Space Agency announced a team of seven astronauts on Wednesday to train for NASA's Artemis mission to the moon. The European Space Agency announced a team of seven astronauts on Wednesday to train for NASA's Artemis mission to the moon -- but only one will have the chance to become the first European to walk on the lunar surface. The candidates -- France's Thomas Pesquet, Britain's Tim Peake, Germany's Alexander Gerst and Matthias Maurer, Italy's Luca Parmitano and Samantha Cristoforetti, and Denmark's Andreas Mogensen -- have all completed at least one mission on board the International Space Station. Between them, the team has the equivalent of 4.5 years in orbit and 98 hours of spacewalking, ESA communications head Philippe Willekens told journalists at the International Astronautical Congress in Paris. Three of the astronauts will be selected to go to the Lunar Gateway, a planned station that will orbit the moon. But only one will set foot on the moon by the end of the decade. At some point, the ESA will have to decide which of the seven candidates will get to go. "We're all candidates and what matters is to go there as a team," Pesquet told reporters at the event in Paris. "Look, we're all wearing the same shirt," he added. Pesquet, Gerst, Maurer and Parmitano all attended wearing a navy blue polo shirt with ESA and Artemis logos. Cristoforetti had to video call in from space, where she is currently onboard the ISS after becoming the first European woman to embark on a spacewalk outside the station in July. Mogensen also spoke over video as he prepares for his own tour onboard the ISS. - 'Something inspiring for Europe' - The launch of the first Artemis mission, which is uncrewed and aims to test out a new rocket system and Orion capsule, has been delayed several times due to technical glitches including a fuel leak. NASA is now targeting September 27 for launch. The next mission, Artemis 2, will take astronauts to the Moon without landing on its surface, while the third -- aiming to launch in 2025 -- will see the first people set foot on the moon since 1972. The ESA is providing the European Service Module on the Orion capsule. "During this decade, three ESA astronauts will fly to the Lunar Gateway -- our permanent station we're building around the moon," David Parker, ESA's director of human and robotic exploration, told AFP. "And if all that goes well, by the end of this decade we'll be ready to send the first European astronaut to the moon," he added. Putting a European on the moon would be "something inspiring for Europe, a strong signal to say that 'here we are, taking our place in the space world, in a cooperative way'," Pesquet said. "With a European on the moon, I hope that a united Europe will become more of a reality that it is today," Maurer said. Despite deep divisions between Russia and the West over Moscow's war in Ukraine, on Wednesday a US astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts blasted off to the ISS on a Russian-operated flight. Why are we reviewing a Beam eScooter (a.k.a. Beam Saturn+, but let's just call it the eScooter) and can you even buy this? Well, we are a tech media website, after all... And no, you can't buy one here. To be frank, I was also surprised when Beam Malaysia contacted us to review it. But I guess it was to test out how well and safe the eScooter is due to increased usage in Malaysia recently. Before I get started, let me share the story of my first time using the Beam eScooter. The year was 2020, just before the pandemic happened, and I got invited by AMD to check out the Ryzen 4000 Series Processors in Texas. I used to have a Xiaomi Electric eScooter, so I'm quite experienced with them. And I was delighted to know that I could get around some areas in Texas with the Beam eScooter just outside of a hotel. This is one BIG BOI (so big that it's almost impossible to fit into a car) I didn't use it that much, though, because I had to pay in USD. But I still remember how big and sturdy it was. Compared with the Xiaomi Electric eScooter, the Beam eScooter is a lot more robust. I remember drifting on the wet road a bit when making a turn; you have to take my word for it because it was a pretty cool moment. Fast forward to today, the Beam eScooter is how I remembered it but with some new things. Now that I get to fully explore the whole vehicle, there are a couple of interesting features that I got to try, starting with the app. The Beam app is fairly straightforward, and by tapping at the Settings on the top left, you will see a bunch of options for you to get started. But since I'm reviewing it, I don't have the customer rider feature to show you where and how you should pay for it. The Beam app home page The Tools in the Settings That goes the same for the Tools section because those are for the admin so it's also not available to normal riders. The Tools for admins are like diagnosing or inspecting the battery. For me, the most important one is the lock and unlock function which normal riders would have but not entirely (locking still works if you park at a parking location). So if you happen to park the scooter at a designated destination or random place where you're scared it might get stolen, you can very much rely on this because it will set a speed limit (so nobody can ride away with it). Trust me, nobody is ever gonna bother stealing it. Although the speed limit is set when locked, you can still push the scooter but I doubt the thief would get very far (it's like trying to push a dead cow, figuratively speaking). You can also rely on the Beam app to easily locate it since it's already paired, so don't fret. Additionally, you will find other functions like on/off for the headlight. But you don't really need to use it that much because the Beam eScooter automatically switches it on if you're riding at night. It has two brakes on each handle for some reason My thumb is too short to reach for the headlight switch lol Left: The headlight on the front; Right: An iPhone on the phone holder Left: The cupholder and speaker; Right: The stand holder and front wheel The red light behind shines quite brightly, and the wheels aren't the air-pump type Let there be light In terms of riding experience, the Beam eScooter definitely feels safe. I've had my fair share of falls, from the Xiaomi Electric eScooter and a non-electrical type with almost uncontrollable speed (not recommended, no matter how cheap it is). Due to the weight, it's able to stabilise speed and momentum quite well, even when taking a corner. I'm not sure how fast the Beam eScooter can go, but that doesn't really matter. For safety, the micro vehicle has a limitation of 25km/h, no matter how hard you try. Even when going downhill, the scooter can detect the velocity and try to slow down. Personally, I find this very helpful as it helps prevent potential accidents down the road. Also, it's powerful enough to go uphill, but not when it's too steep. Before and after putting a cup of coke in the cup holder, I was really worried that it would spill, but thank goodness it didn't The battery pack is huge! Fortunately, I don't think you really need to worry about the battery performance. The Beam eScooter has a 15300mAh battery, so it has plenty of juice to go around, even when half-full. Even if you have the eScooter with you for the whole month (and you can't turn the Beam eScooter off), you only need to charge it overnight once a week, and you're good to go. Of course, it varies on how often you ride it. All in all, Beam Malaysia is doing a good job of making the eScooter an enjoyable and safe riding experience. However, the same cannot be said for many Malaysian roads. Per Malaysian law, micro vehicles have been prohibited on the main roads. But even so, most Malaysian roads don't exactly have the most pedestrian-friendly paths. Broken sidewalks, chairs and tables on the pathways, motorcycles parking illegally, even non-existent walkways and many more. The best way to ride the scooters is in a park or around your neighbourhood. Wanna ride with me? But what do you think of Beam eScooter? Are you keen on taking it out for a spin with your friends and family? Let us know in the comments below, have a Happy World Car Free Day (Google it), and stay tuned for more tech gadget reviews at TechNave.com. Credit: Shutterstock You might feel despondent after reading news reports about countries doubling down on fossil fuels to cope with energy price spikes. Don't. It's a blip. While the Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to a temporary fossil fuel resurgence, it also accelerated Europe's renewable ambitions. And the United States and Australia have finally passed climate bills. This week, federal energy minister Chris Bowen announced "Australia is back" on climate action. There's better news too. In March this year, the world hit one terawatt of installed solar. By 2025, the world's polysilicon factories are predicted to bounce back from supply shortages and churn out enough high-purity silicon for almost one terawatt of solar panels every year. Coupled with major growth in wind, pumped hydro, energy storage, grid batteriesand electric vehicles, the solar boom puts zero global emissions within reach before 2050. Best of allAustralia could show the world how to add solar to their grid. You might not suspect it, but we're the global leaders in finding straightforward solutions to the variability of solar power and wind. We're showing that it's easier to get carbon emissions out of electricity generation than many predicted. Solar power will ramp up sharply, if supply chain investment is any guide. Credit: Shutterstock Rapid, deep and cheap emissions reductions This surge in the renewable supply chain allows sustained exponential growth that is already disrupting fossil fuel markets in some countries, notably Australia. This year, global fossil fuel prices have skyrocketed in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In turn, that's generated intense interest in solar and wind energy to boost domestic energy security, particularly in Europe, which needs to wean itself off Russian gas. To cut our dependence on Russian fossil fuels, we need renewables. We need clean, cheap and home-grown power. That's why we propose to further increase our 2030 target for renewable energy to 45%. President @vonderleyen at the Baltic Sea Energy Security Summit #REPowerEU pic.twitter.com/fFJASmC0mm European Commission (@EU_Commission) August 30, 2022 While fossil fuels are concentrated in countries such as Russia, Saudi Arabia and Australia, solar and wind resources are widely distributed. Most countries can generate all their own energy from the sun and wind. Europe could readily become energy independent, harnessing its enormous North Sea offshore wind resources and solar in the south. Even densely populated countries such as Japan and Indonesia have far more solar and wind resources than they need. Solar and wind now provide the cheapest new electricity generation in most markets. As a bonus, the widespread uptake of solar and wind will eliminate many of our worst air pollutants and improve our health. Global net generation capacity additions. Credit: Adapted from IRENA, CER, GWEC, WNA, GEM, ITRPV and IEA data. Supplied, CC BY Why are solar and wind winning? In a word, cost. Solar and wind have won the race for the energy of the future because they are cheap. Once built, the fuel is free, and does not need to be imported or dug up. Wind and solar are being built three times faster than everything else combined. It follows they will dominate future energy markets as existing fossil fuel generators retire and electricity use grows rapidly. Nuclear generation hasn't grown in the past decade. Coal and gas plants able to capture and store carbon have not got traction in the energy market. Hydroelectricity can't expand much further. There will, however, be a huge market for off-river pumped hydro energy storage. There are no serious technical, environmental or material constraints to solar power on any scale. However, solar has been hit by supply chain issues in recent months, with major price spikes in polysilicon. These are common to any rapidly growing industry, and should resolve as more suppliers see the opportunity and enter the market. Most of the global population lives between the 35th parallels (the red lines) where there are good solar resources. Redder areas mean better solar. Credit: World Bank, CC BY There is enough land Most of the world's population live at moderate latitudes with good sunshine on most days. Here, solar is effectively unlimited. Those further north have abundant wind energy (particularly offshore wind) to offset weaker solar in winter. Sceptics point out you need more land or sea to produce the same amount of electricity as fossil fuel plants. While true, solar farms can happily coexist with livestock and cropping to create a double income for farmers. The solar electricity needed to power the world and eliminate all fossil fuels can be generated from about 1% of the land area devoted to agriculture. Once we have cheap clean electricity, we can use it to eliminate the use of fossil fuels altogether by electrifying nearly everything: transport, heating, industry and chemical production. This could reduce emissions by three quarters. Global electricity production will need to rise sevenfold to about 200,000 terawatt-hours a year to give everyone the energy needed to reach developed nation living standards. But this is not all that hard over the next 30 years. And the alternativekeep pumping warming pollutants into the atmospherewill make the lives of our children harder and harder. Together, solar and wind have passed two terawatts of installed capacity. That means we're about 2% of the way to reaching the almost 100 terawatts of solar and wind required to decarbonise the world, while raising living standards. Annual solar deployment needs to double every four years to get the job done by 205060similar to the global growth rate achieved over the past decade. Australias solar uptake dwarfs all other countries. Credit: Andrew Blakers, Author provided Australia can show the way You might not think it, given the decade of political climate wars, but Australia is the world leader in terms of solar electricity produced per person. In Australia, solar and wind are booming while coal is rapidly falling. We're already on track to reach 80-90% renewables by 2030. Remarkably, our per capita solar generation is twice as large as the second placed countries (Germany, Japan and the Netherlands) and far ahead of China and the U.S.. Australia is quietly demonstrating how to accommodate huge new flows of cheap, clean electricity. The world will soon follow suit. Explore further Video: How having more than enough renewable energy capacity can make the grid more flexible This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Credit: European Space Agency Cyberattacks and geopolitics threaten today's increasingly digital world, leading to the disruption of essential supplies such as power and water. ESA, the European Commission and space companies in Europe are teaming up to work towards a highly secure, satellite-enabled connectivity system for the EUbased on the unbreakable laws of physics. The Eagle-1 satellite will be the first space-based quantum key distribution system in Europe to be developed in this partnership, under a contract just agreed between ESA and SES headquartered in Luxembourg, with support from the European Commission. SES is leading a consortium of more than 20 European companies. The satellite will pave the way towards an ultra-secure network that relies on the laws of quantum mechanics to keep information safe, significantly boosting European autonomy in cybersecurity and communications. Eagle-1 will demonstrate the feasibility of quantum key distribution technologywhich uses the principles of quantum mechanics to distribute encryption keys in such a way that any attempt to eavesdrop is immediately detectedwithin the EU using a satellite-based system. To do so, the system will build on key technologies developed under ESA's Scylight program, with the aim of validating vital components supplied within the EU. It will demonstrate and validate quantum key distribution technologies from low Earth orbit to the ground and provide valuable mission data for the development and deployment of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), which will be integrated into the European secure connectivity system. It will allow the EU to prepare for a sovereign, autonomous cross-border quantum secure communications network. The system will initially use an upgraded optical ground terminal from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) alongside a new optical ground terminal to be developed by a team from the Netherlands. The Eagle-1 platform satellite will be operated by Luxembourg-headquartered SES. Other ESA Member States involved in the project include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy and Switzerland. The Eagle-1 satellite is due to launch in 2024 and will then complete three years of in-orbit validation supported by the European Commission. Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, said, "European space innovation has gained strong momentum both from a technology perspective and in terms of commercialization. It allows us to develop and implement next-generation, future-proof projects in space across critical domains like secure communication, next-generation networks and cybersecurity. Led by ESA, partially financed by the European Commission and implemented by SES, Eagle-1 is a major step towards making the secure and scalable European Quantum Communications Infrastructure a reality." Elodie Viau, director of telecommunications and integrated applications at ESA, said, "In today's increasingly interconnected world, keeping information secure is paramount. Robust encryption keys as well as technologies enabling their secure distribution are vital to this endeavor. We are proud to forge this partnership between ESA and a consortium led by SES to create the Eagle-1 highly secure and autonomous quantum key distribution system. ESA enables the European space industry to succeed by federating industry around large-scale programs, achieving competitive leaps forward." Steve Collar, chief executive officer of SES, said, "European security and sovereignty in a future world of quantum computing is critical to the success of Europe and its Member States. We are proud to leverage our multi-orbit credentials and our innovative platforms and solutions in partnership with ESA, the European Commission and the Luxembourg government to advance quantum communications and develop the Eagle-1 system to support secure and sovereign European networks of the future." Explore further Software-defined satellite enters commercial service ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni foreign minister on Thursday called for accelerating the UN-coordinated plan to prevent a massive oil spill in the Red Sea from the Safer oil tanker off Yemen, state-run Saba news agency reported. Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak made the appeal during a meeting on the Safer tanker held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, which was jointly organized by the United States, the Netherlands, Germany and the United Nations. The Yemeni government has made intense efforts since 2016 to avoid a potential disaster, he said, adding the government had held several meetings at the regional level, within the framework of the Arab League and with the nations bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Bin Mubarak noted that the Yemeni government had approved the implementation of the first phase of the emergency operation. A day earlier, David Gressly, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, said donors have pledged all 75 million U.S. dollars required for the first phase of the UN plan -- an emergency operation to transfer oil from the decaying Safer tanker to a safe vessel. The United Nations needs a further 38 million dollars for phase two. The Safer, currently carrying more than 1 million barrels of oil, has been moored off the port of Hodeidah since 1988 as crude oil storage and offloading platform. It has not been inspected or maintained since 2015. In May 2020, seawater leaked into the engine room. A temporary fix by divers from the Safer corporation succeeded in containing the leak, but the fix was not supposed to hold for long. The American Library Association, which knows a lot about borrowing, has taken a page from other great causes and declared this Banned Books Week. Thats welcome news, because any hint of censorship always should be taken seriously. Civilization hangs by but a thread and free speech is crucial to its survival. In his not-yet-banned post-apocalyptic novel, The Road, author Cormac McCarthy depicts a father and boy fighting to keep a last candle burning as their sacred duty and humanitys last hope. I see censorship in those terms. New ideas simply just scare some people, who then go too far. In 213 B.C. China, Emperor Qin Shi Huang hosted the first recorded book burning. He also had 460 Confucian scholars buried alive. Later came Adolf Hitler. Under his deranged and genocidal rule in Nazi Germany, publicly attended bonfires were fueled with the works of Jewish, liberal and leftist writers, including Karl Marx, all for being un-German. Tuck that thought into your mental file for the next time former president Donald Trump declares the media the enemy of the United States. More recently, right here in America, book banning is enjoying something of a resurgence. We now have a week to mark its return and we also have a new PEN America report about the steady growth of the U.S. book-banning movement. Things appear to be escalating at a pace roughly tracking our decline in public discourse. From July 2021 to June 2022, PEN Americas school book bans index lists 2,532 instances of individual books being banned, affecting 1,648 unique book titles. Most of the titles, though not all, relate to race or some variation of sex or sexuality. Topping the banners lists today are minority and LGBTQ writers. Some of the writers might surprise you; some you wont have heard of, unless a child or grandchild has brought home a book that made you look twice. Only a few authors have been brash enough to put sex, gay or gender in the title, but Im guessing Maia Kobabes Gender Queer: A Memoir, might raise some eyebrows. Its all about context, though, isnt it? Of course, elementary schoolchildren arent going to be exposed to such a book. But, plainly, a 16-year old doesnt need the same level of protection. Some banned books defy reason, such as To Kill a Mockingbird, which includes racial language and is often criticized for presenting a white savior in the iconic character of Atticus Finch, the erudite lawyer who defends a Black man falsely accused of rape. Never mind that Harper Lees novel takes place in small-town Alabama between roughly 1933 and 1935. A fact we can abhor, but a fact nonetheless: There were only four Black attorneys in Alabama at that time, according to Marquette University Law School. I suspect Lee wanted to convey that not all white Southerners were racist and that some were noble, caring and committed to justice. In less-controversial categories of books lately banned, we find writers such as Aldous Huxley and George Orwell. Perhaps the censors worry that students might recognize their own times in Orwells 1984 and begin to question their parents thinking. Having read a lot of Huxley, I cant imagine what hes done wrong. Another banned book in some parts is F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby. (Why? Because every sentence is perfect?) And dont forget about Toni Morrisons Beloved, which is frowned upon by those still living in the 19th century because she treats racism realistically. And yet some wonder why critical race theory has come along so fast. Strangest of all on PENs list, perhaps, is Wes Moores Discovering Wes Moore, in which Marylands Democratic gubernatorial nominee writes of meeting another Wes Moore, whose life took a different turn than his own. The author realizes how easily their roles could have been reversed. Its an inspirational read, as is the author. Then again, The Holy Bible made the American Library Associations top 10 most challenged books in 2015 for, get this: religious viewpoints. Leading the book-banning movement are about 50 groups, with around 300 regional branches. Most banned books are connected to legislation, in some way, or to elected officials seeking to rouse the rabble. The most active states for this strange business include Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Utah and Georgia. In other words, banning books is more about political maneuvering than about children. Twas ever thus, I suppose. That said, many parents are understandably concerned about what passes for literature these days. I understand wanting to protect a childs innocence. I also want them to grow up in their own measured time. These issues are complicated, to be sure. But banning books is never a solution. If I might indulge a memory and offer some advice? My best recommendation to parents about books comes straight from my father, circa 1961, when his sixth-grade daughter was obsessed with the work of best-selling novelist Harold Robbins. (Please dont judge.) One night while studiously reading The Carpetbaggers, I overheard my mother say, Should we be letting her read that? And my father, bless his open mind, said: I dont care what she reads as long as shes reading. Id go with that if I were you, assuming you can separate the kiddos from their screens. 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 OMAHA One Omaha high school is using a different tactic to improve student attendance this fall. Omaha Burke High School announced a new policy earlier this month that prohibits students who have more than three unexcused absences from attending its homecoming dance on Oct. 8. The single most important factor contributing to student achievement is school attendance, Darren Rasmussen, Burke principal, said in an email to families. Burke High strongly believes that daily attendance is critical to the academic success as well as social and emotional well-being. Students can get their absences excused if they are missing class for a variety of reasons including sickness, court appearances, bereavement or transportation issues, according to school board policy. Unexcused absences include students who are truant, missing class for a reason that doesnt qualify for an excuse or are unverified, meaning no one can confirm why the student is gone. In recent years a majority of absences have been unexcused, according to Omaha Public Schools district data. Burke High is the only OPS school that has implemented the homecoming policy, said Bridget Blevins, spokeswoman for OPS. Each school has its own initiatives for improving things like absenteeism, she said. The district reported in the 2020-21 school year that nearly 60% of students were either chronically absent or at risk for chronic absenteeism, which is defined by missing 10% or more of school days. While 62% of Burke students were chronically absent or at risk in 2020-21, Burke High had the best attendance rate out of the districts seven high schools. Nicole Seymour, executive director of Greater Omaha Attendance and Learning Services Center, said she hasnt heard of schools in the area using extracurricular activities like homecoming as a strategy to increase attendance. Seymour said while this type of motivation to go to class might work for some, the GOALS Center focuses on research-based initiatives. The strategies that are recommended to be used are ones that are not punitive but are supportive and rehabilitative, Seymour said. I dont want to speak on the strategies any school is using within their own programs, I just look at the research. Seymour said chronic absenteeism is the worse its ever been. And the problem is not limited to Omaha. Statewide, nearly one in five students met the criteria for chronic absenteeism during the 2020-21 school year, according to recent reporting by the Flatwater Free Press, a nonprofit news outlet in Nebraska. It reported that chronic absenteeism surged across the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On the national level, between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years the percentage of students considered chronically absent grew from 19.7% to nearly 29%, according to the National School Boards Association. OPS introduced Strive for 95 in the 2018-19 school year to combat absenteeism rates, Blevins said. The initiative focuses on efforts to get students to attend at least 95% of the school year, or miss less than nine school days. The number of students who attended 95% of the school year grew by 2% between 2018-19 and 2019-20, according to district data. It then fell by roughly 8% in 2020-21. Seymour said in order to decrease absenteeism, communities need to focus on addressing the obstacles students face at home that keep them from going to class, such as parental concerns, poverty and basic needs issues. We know there are root causes that are keeping chronically absent students out of school and they are outside of the control of the school, Seymour said. We have to work with kids and families on addressing, supporting and overcoming those barriers that keep them from getting to the school building. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting two historically Black colleges in South Carolina to push for voter registration as she focuses on places and demographics that will be key to Democrats chances to hold on to Congress in midterm elections. Harris is traveling to Orangeburg on Tuesday to speak at a convocation at South Carolina State University, an HBCU where President Joe Biden addressed graduates last year. She'll also hold a roundtable discussion with students at nearby Claflin University. The South Carolina trip, her third to the state as vice president, is part of Harris' increased travel schedule ahead of the midterms. She talked reproductive rights in Chicago on Friday, and shes heading to Wisconsin on Thursday to speak at the Democratic Attorneys General Conference. Earlier this month, she traveled to Houston for the National Baptist Convention. Harris' trips are designed to prevent, or at least limit, any drop-off in turnout among voters of color and young people, important parts of the Democratic coalition. In South Carolina, which holds the first presidential balloting in the South, Black voters play an outsize role in the Democratic voting electorate. During a June visit to the state, Harris expressed appreciation for South Carolina Democrats, whose key support for Biden in the first-in-the-South primary in 2020 helped turn around his campaign and build momentum in later contests that led to the party's nomination. Harris' arrival in South Carolina follows shortly after Biden's noncommittal response to CBS 60 Minutes when asked if he would run again in 2024. My intention, as I said to begin with, is that I would run again, the president said during a wide-ranging interview that aired Sunday. But its just an intention. But is it a firm decision that I run again? That remains to be seen. Biden noted in the interview that declaring his intention to seek reelection would put him afoul of campaign finance laws, which could have complicated spending by the Democratic National Committee ahead of the midterms. White House officials said Biden is continuing to lay the groundwork for a 2024 run. Allies, though, acknowledge that he could always decide against seeking reelection before a formal announcement, which is expected in the first half of 2023. Earlier this year, Biden committed to tapping Harris as his running mate for the 2024 reelection campaign. Her visit comes as Republicans considering White House bids of their own including former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continue to crisscross the state. Some native South Carolina Republicans have also been testing the 2024 waters. Nikki Haley, who served the state for six years as governor before joining the Trump administration as U.N. ambassador, lives in the Charleston area and has been visiting other early voting states, as has U.S. Sen. Tim Scott. Associated Press writers Chris Megerian and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report. Meg Kinnard can be reached on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP. CHICAGO The Chicago City Council approved a settlement on Wednesday that will pay $15 million to the family of a woman who was killed when a police cruiser ran a red light and slammed into her SUV after officers allegedly ignored repeated orders to end their high-speed pursuit of a carjacking suspect. Without discussion, the council approved the settlement with the family of Guadalupe Francisco-Martinez, a mother of six who was 37 years old when she died. The move was widely expected after its finance committee agreed with the city's law department that the wrongful death lawsuit should be settled rather than allow it to go to trial and risk having to pay an even greater amount. "There will be enormous sympathy for the family of (Francisco-Martinez), who endured such a tragic, tragic event," the law department's counsel, Mimi Ruether, said before committee unanimously authorized the settlement on Monday, the Chicago Tribune reported. If the case had gone to trial, a jury would have been presented evidence outlined in the lawsuit, including a number of radio dispatches in which the pursuing officers were ordered to end their chase before the crash. Further, the lawsuit contended that the officer who struck Francisco-Martinez's vehicle was driving well over the speed limit and disregarded a red traffic light at the intersection where the collision occurred. The crash, which prompted revisions of the police department's vehicular pursuit policy, occurred on the city's northwest side on the night of June 3, 2020. Francisco-Martinez was coming home from her first day on a new job when, with the green light, she drove into an intersection where the officer slammed into her vehicle with a marked police cruiser. The driver of the vehicle that police were chasing remains in the Cook County Jail, where he is being held on $1 million bail on charges of first-degree murder, vehicular hijacking and other counts. The department came under criticism for that chase as well as others that ended with crashes. Last year, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that a "pursuit litigation analysis" prepared for Mayor Lori Lightfoot concluded that 180 out of 270 police chases in 2019 ended in crashes, including crashes in which a total of eight people died. The city is defending itself in another lawsuit filed by the family of an 84-year-old retired teacher, Verona Gunn, who in was killed in 2019 when a police cruiser crashed into a police van in an intersection and careened into a car in which she was a passenger. ABUJA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian police on Thursday said they have launched an investigation and a manhunt for unknown gunmen who attacked a security checkpoint, injuring two policemen in the southern state of Abia. Geoffrey Ogbonna, a spokesman for the police in Abia, told Xinhua on the phone that the gunmen also went away with the service rifles of the injured policemen following the late Wednesday attack in the Umuahia North local government area of the state. The gunmen, upon sighting the policemen on duty, opened fire to prevent from being "stopped and searched", said Ogbonna. Then, the attackers fled the scene. He added that the injured policemen are currently being treated in a police health facility. CHICAGO A suburban Chicago woman faces felony charges after she allegedly shoved her 3-year-old nephew into Lake Michigan and did nothing to save the boy, who was rescued by firefighters but is not expected to survive, officials said. Victoria Moreno, 34, of Des Plaines, was charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery to a child under the age of 13 causing permanent disability, police said Wednesday. Cook County Circuit Court Judge Susanna Ortiz denied bail for Moreno during a Wednesday bond hearing, despite defense arguments that she suffers from mental issues. Ortiz called Moreno's alleged actions "intentionally brutal and heinous," the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Prosecutors said Wednesday that 3-year-old Josiah Brown was pushed Monday afternoon into Lake Michigan by his "beloved aunt" who then stood by as he sank to the lake bottom off Chicago's Navy Pier, where divers found him a half-hour later. The boy went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to Lurie Children's Hospital in "very critical condition," officials said. Prosecutors said Wednesday that he is not expected to survive. The child's grandfather, Dan Brown, told WLS-TV on Tuesday that the family needs "a lot of prayer right now." "Everybody's prayer helps," Brown said. "God makes things happen. That's what we are banking on right now." CHICAGO A month after state regulators ordered Commonwealth Edison to pay $38 million in refunds due to the scandal tied to ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, the Illinois attorney general wants consumers to get a little more. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Tuesday said ComEd used accounting tricks that cost consumers millions of dollars when the company separately paid a $200 million fine tied to the federal court case in the scandal, and now the attorney general is seeking bigger refunds. Raoul took the positions as he asked the Illinois Commerce Commission to reconsider an August order that called for ComEd to pay $38 million in refunds to consumers an amount that would mean about $5 more for the typical electricity user. Raoul, working with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the consumer watchdog group Citizens Utility Board, said the ComEd accounting technique allowed the company to already collect an extra $7 million from customers and potentially millions more annually. ComEd should not be allowed to profit from its wrongdoing by using accounting tricks to collect more money, Raoul said in a statement. The ICC should not allow ComEd to shift the impact of its fine to customers by charging them millions of dollars every year. ComEd disagreed with the analysis, citing how the ICC had agreed with the $38 million refund. A ComEd spokesman said the company had met its obligations. In July 2020, ComEd acknowledged it hired Madigan cronies into little-work jobs, gave internships to a bevy of college kids from his 13th Ward empire and installed a person Madigan recommended on its board of directors all in hopes that the speaker of the House would look favorably on the utilitys legislative agenda. Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, was indicted in March on 22 counts of bribery-related and racketeering counts and has pleaded not guilty. ComEd entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors and promised to pay a record $200 million fine. The company agreed to cooperate in the ongoing investigation and, if satisfied, prosecutors would drop a bribery charge. To pay ComEds $200 million fine, Raoul said, the utility received a contribution from its parent company, Exelon Corp., causing an equity infusion that gives ComEd a permanent boost. Abe Scarr, who heads Illinois PIRG, a public interest research group, said the additional money for consumers would not amount to a major windfall for individuals, but the principle is important. ComEd used clever accounting to boost its profits off of paying its federal criminal penalty, Scarr said. The move also increased ComEds overall profit rate, Scarr said. Though similar arguments were used in previous ICC hearings, regulators rejected them. Lightfoot said in a statement the push for a rehearing is an important step to ensure that Chicago customers are protected after these events that damaged the public trust. Paul Elsberg, a top ComEd spokesman, said the contributions Exelon made to fund ComEds payment of the criminal fine were not paid for by customers and had no impact on their rates. NEW YORK There are few places in the U.S. with a more deeply ingrained reputation as a refuge for immigrants than New York City, where the Statue of Liberty rises from the harbor as a symbol of welcome for the worn and weary. But for Mayor Eric Adams, reconciling that image with an influx of migrants landing in the city, including thousands being bused there by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, is proving difficult. The city is struggling to accommodate what Adams says has totaled more than 13,000 asylum seekers, leading him to explore whether New York can ease its practices for sheltering the homeless or even temporarily house migrants on cruise ships. Both ideas have drawn blowback from liberal advocates who are influential in the city's politics. Adams is one of several leaders of Democratic-leaning jurisdictions facing a sudden test of their commitment to being "sanctuary" cities or states. The designation, in which local officials pledge to limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities, has long proved popular among progressives pressing to ensure the government treats migrants humanely. But officials say the policy is being exploited by leaders hoping to make a political point. "We are not telling anyone that New York can accommodate every migrant in the city. We're not encouraging people to send eight, nine buses a day. That is not what we're doing," Adams said this week about his request for Abbott to coordinate with the city about the buses of migrants he's sending. "We're saying that as a sanctuary and a city with right to shelter, we're going to fulfill our obligation." The GOP effort began in the spring when Abbott and Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona put migrants on buses to Washington and later New York. The move was intended to draw attention to what the GOP governors deemed failed border and immigration policies under Democrats and the Biden administration. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis intensified the tactic, chartering a flight last week to Martha's Vineyard, an elite Massachusetts vacation spot. The unpredictability that Adams referenced is precisely what the governors say they're trying to accomplish. "If you believe in open borders, then it's the sanctuary jurisdictions that should have to bear the brunt of the open borders," DeSantis said at a news conference Tuesday. Abbott's office has dismissed complaints and says Democratic officials should call for President Joe Biden to secure the border "instead of complaining about fulfilling their sanctuary city promises." Sanctuary cities or states are not legal terms but have come to symbolize a pledge to protect and support immigrant communities and decline to voluntarily supply information to immigration enforcement officials. Advocates say they are havens for immigrants to feel safe and be able to report crime without fear of deportation. Adams isn't the only leader struggling to navigate the challenge. In Washington, D.C., where Abbott has sent about 8,000 migrants this year, Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared a limited state of emergency. She sought help from the National Guard, which the Pentagon has denied. The D.C. Council on Tuesday voted to create an Office of Migrant Services to help asylum seekers. Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois brought in the Illinois National Guard to assist more than 750 migrants who have arrived in Chicago since late August, but officials in some Chicago-area suburbs have complained that they got no notice when dozens of asylum-seekers were put up in local hotels for emergency housing. Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, a Republican, said both Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot apologized for not giving him advance notice, echoing complaints by Democrats that the Republican governors had not provided a warning the migrants were coming. But Grasso's town has not been asked to provide any resources to help with the migrants, and all the hotel rooms are being paid for by the state, county and city of Chicago, according to Pritzker's office. Laura Mendoza, an immigration organizer for advocacy organization The Resurrection Project, said putting migrants in suburban hotels has helped relieve some pressure but finding everyone a place to stay has been a challenge. Mendoza said she has lost count of how many buses she has helped welcome at Chicago's Union Station as they arrive from Texas. After a 24-hour bus ride with minimal breaks, she said, some of the people disembark dehydrated and with swollen legs from sitting so long. Others have bruises and scars from their journey, Mendoza said. "Unfortunately," she said, "we don't have a lot of answers other than: 'You're going to have a safe place to sleep tonight." Tens of thousands of migrants who cross the border illegally are released in the United States each month to pursue their immigration cases, a practice that accelerated during Donald Trump's presidency and has reached new levels during the Biden administration. To avoid the time-consuming task of scheduling court appearances, the Border Patrol has sharply expanded use of humanitarian parole. Migrants are released with an order to appear at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. In New York City, Adams said he is considering legal action against the GOP governors. He said Monday that the city had opened an investigation after one woman seeking asylum died by an apparent suicide over the weekend at a New York City shelter. His administration has been strained by a long-standing court-ordered "right to shelter" law requiring the city's homeless services to provide shelter to anyone without a roof over their head. Adams has recently suggested reassessing how the city complies with the law, but he said Tuesday he would not consider trying to send the migrants back to border states. "It would be the wrong thing to do, and it would send the wrong message," he said. "When I look at the large number of other communities that have come from other places to experience the American dream, what would've happened if we would've sent them back? That is not who we are as a country." New York City opened a resource center last week to connect migrants with services like legal help, housing and medical care. Adams is exploring whether New York can get the migrants permits to work, perhaps in the city's short-staffed restaurants. Sandro Hidalgo, a Venezuelan construction worker who arrived last week on a bus sent from El Paso, is among those being sheltered in New York and said he's looking for work. "I feel like there is an intention to help, but there is no organization," he said. "There are no beds to sleep. I slept on the floor last night, inside, but on the floor. I am trying to get out of the shelter, but the city is very expensive." ___ Associated Press writers Bobby Caina Calvan and Claudia Torrens in New York, Elliot Spagat in San Diego, Claire Savage in Chicago and Anthony Izaguirre in Tallahassee, Fla., contributed to this report. Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office An Orangeburg property owner discovered an unfamiliar car in the backyard of his Goff Avenue home on Wednesday. The 2020 silver Honda Civic had been reported stolen by the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety. The owner of the Honda, a Moncks Corner woman, retrieved her car from the yard. The Honda is valued at $23,000. In other reports: An employee is accused of giving away two tractor-trailer tires on Wednesday at Loves Travel Stop, located at 3025 Five Chop Road, Orangeburg. Surveillance video allegedly shows the employee removing two tires from a tractor-trailer and replacing them with new tires from the shop, an incident report said. The employee allegedly didnt provide the customer with an invoice or request payment. The tires are valued at $1,317.66. Someone stole a 2010 white Ford F-350 service pickup truck from Performance Farms, located at 688 Neeses Highway, Orangeburg, on Wednesday. The business owner said the theft was recorded on surveillance video. The truck thief drove it through a gate, causing minor damage. The truck is valued at $15,000. A 22-year-old St. Matthews man is accused of breaking into a Cameron home on Monday, according to Calhoun County Sheriffs Office warrants. Shidarius Ahmad Tyre Ellis, of Mack Street, is charged with first-degree burglary, possession of a weapon by a person convicted of a violent felony, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, possession of a stolen pistol and first-offense possession of less than one gram of cocaine base. The break-in was discovered at 5:20 p.m. Monday when a Chimney Swift Circle resident walked into his home, according to a sheriffs office incident report. The resident discovered a man in the home who allegedly didnt have permission to be there, the report said. The resident claims he told the man to leave, but the man refused. Deputies arrived and called out for the man to leave the home, but he didnt respond to the deputies calls, the report claims. Deputies went in the home and found the man in a rear bedroom. They took him into custody without incident. The incident report claims deputies found a stolen 9 mm Glock 19 and the keys to a stolen 2015 GMC Acadia in the rear bedroom. Deputies found the stolen GMC Acadia in the backyard. The Orangeburg Department of Public Safety confirmed that the GMC Acadia was stolen at gunpoint earlier that day on Ellis Avenue. The handgun was stolen in St. Matthews. Deputies took Ellis to the Orangeburg County Detention Center. Once there, a corrections officer allegedly found a folded blunt wrapper containing a white powdery substance in one of Ellis pockets. On Tuesday, Calhoun County Magistrate Joseph Teague set Ellis bond at $1.3 million. The Orangeburg Department of Public Safety is continuing to investigate Mondays carjacking. Ellis has a 2017 conviction for attempted armed robbery. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. Ethiopian entrepreneur Nael Hailemariam makes a keynote report in Djibouti City, capital of Djibouti on Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) DJIBOUTI CITY, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- "When you are in China, you don't realize how much you are absorbing and learning and how much you are adapting to a very fast-paced and high technological society," Deliah Nalukwago, a young Ugandan entrepreneur, recalled her 11-year experience in China. "I would say China helped awaken my entrepreneurial spirit. When you come back to Africa, for every problem you see a solution because you have that reference point from life in China," said Nalukwago, who was among nearly 30 young African entrepreneurs from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda that learned business operations and shared their entrepreneurial experiences during an eight-day training program supported by Chinese enterprises. The first training camp of the Center of Innovation and Maritime Excellence, which Deliah participated in with the theme "Digital innovation and cross-border e-commerce," ended Wednesday in Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti. After graduating from high school, Deliah applied for a scholarship in China, where she earned a bachelor's degree in medicine and a master's degree in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). She returned to Uganda after completing her studies and founded a healthcare technology startup in the capital city Kampala in 2019 called "My Musawo," which means "my doctor" in Luganda, the main local language. The company's eponymous mobile app, launched in May of this year, works with the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council to provide users with professional online consultation services and healthcare advice. It was a Chinese doctor and TCM that set Deliah on her path to study medicine. "When I was 8 years old, my mother had a nerve disorder and all hopes with Western medicine failed. That's when she met our family doctor, and the first TCM doctor in Uganda." After acupuncture and massage therapy for a few months, her mother returned to normal, and the TCM doctor cured Deliah's chronic asthma. "He was like a mentor to me and inspired me to enter the medical field, particularly in China to study TCM that helped my mother." After having gained her undergraduate degree, she took a year off to intern at a hospital in Uganda. This year-long experience allowed the young African, excited to live out her dream career, to realize that the local healthcare system was flawed in terms of efficiency and management. "From then on, I wanted to be part of the solution to these problems," Deliah said, adding that she saw in China how quickly people could get the medical information and advice they needed through the Internet and mobile apps, and the rapid growth of smartphone penetration in Uganda and across Africa inspired her to work with her partners to develop an app to help more Ugandans. Another camp participant, Nael Hailemariam, is a young Ethiopian with entrepreneurial ties to China as well. After receiving a master's degree from Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School in China, he returned to his home country to start a digital finance company that provides online payment services. Nael said that China's culture of innovation and efficiency had a profound impact on his entrepreneurial endeavors and that he was inspired by China's great success in e-commerce. He also organized a trip to Ethiopia in 2019 for Tsinghua University students from China for exchanges in science, innovation and culture with young local entrepreneurs. "I want to let Chinese students understand Africa, but more importantly, I want to let African youth understand Chinese development and Chinese speed." According to the participants, the camp helps entrepreneurs who lack technical and business backgrounds to learn relevant knowledge, and also creates a network for young African entrepreneurs so that they can interact with fellows from different backgrounds for their future cooperation. "We young people are the future of Africa, we have to seize all resources and opportunities to build Africa," said Mahad Abdourazak, a participant from Djibouti, who expressed his happiness for the opportunities China has been providing for young entrepreneurs in Africa in recent years. As a world leader in the digital innovation industry, China provides experience and technical support for Africa's digital economy development from e-commerce, digital infrastructure, mobile application and payment. Inspired by their experiences in China, some African youth will be the main force behind their country's leapfrogging digital economy and innovate with local needs in mind. Talking about the cooperation between China and Africa in youth innovation, Deliah believes that "China is a very good partner for us compared to any other countries." She said China not only funds many large-scale projects in Africa, but also reaches out to young African entrepreneurs. "African youth will be the future of the continent, and I am glad to see that they are willing to understand and help us grow." Ugandan entrepreneur Deliah Nalukwago (L, front) talks with a Chinese staff member at an exhibition area of cross-border e-commerce platforms at the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone in Djibouti City, capital of Djibouti, Sept. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) Ethiopian entrepreneur Nael Hailemariam (1st R) shares his experiences and thoughts at a round-table discussion in Djibouti City, capital of Djibouti on Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) Young African entrepreneurs learn the operation of Djimart, a cross-border e-commerce platform, from a Chinese business manager at the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone in Djibouti City, capital of Djibouti, Sept. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) Ugandan entrepreneur Deliah Nalukwago (R) learns Chinese culture during a Chinese culture program in Djibouti City, capital of Djibouti on Sept. 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) A Kopstal woman who at a dinner party claimed that, like everyone, she possessed a selfie with Prime Minister Xavier Bettel has finally admitted she was lying. The web of deception was created when Rosalind Karnacky, 28, took part in a dinner with seven other people, only two of whom she knew prior to the evening. When during the aperitif the topic of selfies with Bettel came up, everyone duly pulled out their phones, scrolled through their photos, and showed theirs. When it was Karnackys turn, she kept scrolling intensely, her brow furrowing and her face turning bright red. Oh, I know its someone here, she said. I ran into him at the international bazaar, the winter market, you know, the summer fair thing with the rides. I swear it was right here, she continued. Next to the photo of me doing a yoga pose on the beach in front of a sunset and me making a peace sign while obscuring part of my face with a mug of beer. When fellow attendee Daniel Dragonov offered to take over the burden of the scrolling, insisting that coordinating rapid eye and finger movements is his talent, Karnacky clumsily turned off her phone, saying, Oops, battery dead. Now that suspicions were cast over the veracity of Karnackys claim, several people demanded that she WhatsApp the selfie to them when her phone was charged, a demand to which she agreed. However, when by the next afternoon she still had not made good on her promise, Karnacky began receiving reminders via both Messenger, email, and even carrier pigeon. The pressure became too much to bear, and a day later she confided in a friend, admitting that she does not have a selfie with Bettel even though she has lived in the country for three years. The friend patted Karnackys shoulder, said it wasnt a big deal, but secretly felt superior. Its really quite sad, this whole thing, the friend later explained. I dont mean its sad that people judge Rosalind, because they totally should. Having a selfie with Bettel is integral to the Luxembourg experience, expat or otherwise, and its one of the first things you must do here, she added. Its like Rosalind is missing a piece of her identity, of her soul. According to the latest weekly review, all the indicators are back on the rise and show that Covid-19 has regained ground over the past week in Luxembourg. "For the time being, all is well as far as Covid-19 is concerned," said Minister of Health Paulette Lenert in an interview with the newspaper Tageblatt on Saturday. The minister could not know it yet, but at the same time the coronavirus was once again gaining ground in Luxembourg. Last week (from 12 to 18 September) the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 "increased to 999 cases compared to 757 cases the week before", the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the National Health Laboratory (LNS), and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) reveal in the latest weekly Covid-19 review. As of 18 September, the number of active infections has increased to 2,066 from 1,795 on 11 September and the number of people who recovered from an infection has risen to 285,971 (from 285,245). The average age of those diagnosed with Covid-19 is 42.3 years. There were two new deaths (average age 78) and six new patients were admitted to the standard care units of the country's hospitals, compared to five the previous week. One Covid-19 patient was in intensive care last week. The average age of Covid-19 patients is 49 years. The number of PCR tests performed during the week increased from 5,144 to 5,653. In addition, there were 423 re-infections, representing 29.7% of all those tested positive, compared with 319 (29.6%) the previous week. Positivity rate and incidence rate The effective reproduction rate increased to 1.15 (1.08 the previous week), and the positivity rate on all tests performed (prescriptions, contact tracing) increased from 14.72% to 17.67%. The incidence rate rose to 155 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over seven days, compared to 117 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the previous week. Compared to the previous week, the incidence rate increases in the age groups 0-14 years (+45%), 45-59 years (+3%), 60-74 years (+85%), and 75+ (+171%). A decrease is recorded in the 15-29 (-1%) and 30-44 (-16%) age groups. The lowest incidence rate is in the 75+ age group (129 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), while the highest incidence rate is recorded in the 30-44 age group (303 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). Travelling abroad is the most frequent source of infection (27%), followed by the family circle (21%) and leisure activities (11%). The proportion of undetermined sources is decreasing (31%). 79% of the population vaccinated 1,428 doses were administered last week: 23 people received a first dose, 33 received a second dose, 103 people received a first booster, 1,251 received a second booster and 18 received a third booster, bringing the total number of vaccines administered as of 18 September to 1,290,474. 474,598 people are considered fully vaccinated, which corresponds to a vaccination rate of 79% of the eligible population (everyone over the age of 5). Petition 2301, which crossed the threshold of 4,500 signatures and was therefore eligible to be discussed in the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, advocates for a 24/7 maternity hospital, including a pediatric emergency unit, in the north of the Grand Duchy. Although the government agrees on the proposition, Minister of Health Paulette Lenert explained that there is not enough personnel to carry the project. Petitioner Steve Schmitz argued that in case of an emergency, the drive from the north of Luxembourg to the capital is too long. When it comes to the health of one's child, minutes can feel like hours, he said. Schmitz illustrated with a personal story: "I once drove myself since it can already take overly long for an ambulance to get to us in Oesling. My little one swallowed something she shouldn't have and had trouble breathing. I drove her to the Ettelbruck hospital and was referred to CHL, which made me angry." The two-month-long closure of the maternity wing in the Ettelbruck hospital back in spring this year frightened locals, argued Schmitz. Minister Lenert responded by saying that it is difficult to implement infrastructural and conventional changes at the moment. Nevertheless, Minister Lenert agrees that the northern maternity and paediatric units should have doctors employed full time, as is the case at CHL: "I personally think that we need people to respond to emergencies and ensure continuity. However, I oppose generalising such a measure." The shortage of paediatricians prevents progress from being made. The Chamber thus requested from Minister Lenert that she present plans on combatting these staff shortages in two months time. Video report in Luxembourgish Squeezing through the tight spaces of three cramped rooms, Eraldo dos Santos gives a tour of a mud shack just like the one where his cousin, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, began his improbable journey to become president of Brazil. Furnished with a straw bed, a wood stove and a picture of Jesus, the squat brown farmhouse off a dirt road in Brazil's impoverished northeast is a replica of the long-collapsed shack where the former -- and perhaps future -- president was born. With Brazil barreling toward a divisive presidential election on October 2, Dos Santos, Lula's first cousin once removed -- and self-described "brother in spirit" -- says he wanted to rebuild the shack as a reminder of the left-wing icon's origins. "Dona Lindu's house," named for Lula's mother / AFP Love or hate Lula -- and there are plenty of Brazilians in both camps -- there is no denying the man has an incredible story. He rose from destitute poverty to become the most popular president in Brazilian history (2003-2010), fell spectacularly from grace when he was jailed on controversial, since-quashed corruption charges (2018-2019), and may now be on the cusp of a remarkable presidential comeback, leading far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in the polls. It all started 76 years ago in a house made of mud and sticks outside the town of Caetes, in Pernambuco state, where Lula, the seventh of eight children, was born to a family of illiterate farmers. Dos Santos, a proud, cowboy hat-wearing northeasterner, says he felt it was important to show where the former -- and perhaps future -- president came from / AFP "We didn't even have hospitals in those days," says Dos Santos, 68, who, like Lula, left this harsh, semi-arid region as a boy to work in Sao Paulo, where they both became metal-workers and union organizers. "This was the only kind of house poor farmers could build -- just a roof over their heads." - Political symbolism - This is actually the second replica of Lula's birthplace. Lula, who left the northeast at age seven, returned to visit the replica house in July / AFP The first was built near the beginning of his presidency by Lula's late brother and the local mayor, but collapsed like the original. In what might be called fitting political symbolism by those who celebrated when Lula was jailed, it is now a grass-covered pile of earth and sticks out back. Dos Santos, a proud, cowboy hat-wearing northeasterner who moved back to the region 25 years ago, built the new version with an iron-and-concrete core, layering the traditional mud on top. "I had to adapt the past," he says, flashing a gray-bearded smile that bears a family resemblance to Lula's. Lula remains popular in the northeast for the economic boom and ambitious social programs that were his signature legacies / AFP He finished "Dona Lindu's House" -- named for Lula's mother -- about three months ago, with help from another cousin and Lula allies. Lula, who left the northeast at age seven, visited in July, grinning and posing for pictures in the front window. "I think an important mental movie played in his mind right then," says Dos Santos, who calls his cousin "a great guy." - Hometown hero - It is easy to find Lula fans in these parts, one of the regions that benefited most from the economic boom and ambitious social programs that are his signature legacies. Paulo Gomes Bizerra, who lives across a dirt road from the "little house," flashes an "L" for "Lula" after belting out a song he wrote for the leftist icon / AFP Across the road from the "little house," neighbor Paulo Gomes Bizerra, 50, has composed a song dedicated to Lula. "Lula our hero is back," he sings, belting out the chorus. In the nearby town of Garanhuns, street vendor Tiago Azevedo, 42, remembers Lula's presidency as a watershed for the poor and working-class. "We didn't even have hospitals in those days," says Dos Santos, who, like Lula, left as a boy to work in Sao Paulo / AFP "He brought electricity to people in rural areas who didn't have it, gave poor people the chance to go to university. People who would never have dreamed of owning a motorcycle or car were able to buy them," he says. But even here, Lula's legacy is not untarnished. In an area called the "Lulao," or "Big Lula" -- a neighborhood of low-income housing built by Lula's government -- a light-hearted but boisterous shouting match erupts at the local daycare between neighbors Maria and Renata da Silva. "Lula was an awesome president," says Renata da Silva, a 30-year-old mother of three who lives in the "Lulao," or "Big Lula," a neighborhood of houses built by Lula's government in the town of Garanhuns / AFP "Lula was an awesome president, he helped a lot of people," says Renata, a 30-year-old mother of three. "With Bolsonaro, all we've gotten is rising prices. Everything is super expensive." Maria, a 38-year-old single mother of two, erupts in a dramatic cackle. "All Lula's party did was steal!" she fires back. "I'm not going to lie. I'm voting for Bolsonaro." A group of Wyoming lawyers sent a letter last week to Trump-endorsed Republican nominee for U.S. House Harriet Hageman expressing their deep concern and disappointment about her public comment last month that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. Hageman, a land attorney, beat out incumbent Rep. Liz Cheney by nearly 40 points in the closely watched Aug. 16 primary. At an Aug. 3 forum in Casper, Hageman said the election was rigged to make sure that President Trump could not get reelected. What happened in 2020 is a travesty. It should never happen again. We need to make sure our elections are free and fair, she said. The letter argues that Hageman should know that her comments were both false and incendiary, and that the statement violates the Wyoming State Bars rules of conduct, as well as the oath attorneys take when admitted to the bar. It was signed by 41 Wyoming lawyers including former attorney general Pat Crank, former Wyoming Supreme Court Justice Michael Golden, Wyoming State Bar President Christopher Hawks, President Elect Anna Reeves Olson and past president Kenneth Barbe II, and John Robinson, one of the attorneys challenging Wyomings abortion ban. Hagemans statements received wide publication, both in Wyoming and nationally, the letter says. Not only did they serve to undermine public confidence in the outcome of our last presidential election, but they were also contrary to at least the spirit, if not the letter, of the oath you and the rest of us swore upon our admission to the Wyoming bar, as well as other ethical duties and responsibilities owed by all of us as Wyoming lawyers. The letter writers did not send the letter to the bar association, nor have they asked the group to discipline Hageman for her remarks. Hageman responded to the letter on her campaign website Thursday, saying it is meant as a threat against her for holding a different political opinion thats shared by a majority of Wyoming voters. She said it appears to be part of a larger national collusive effort by leftists and political insiders to target Republican lawyers who have concerns about the 2020 election ... and that she suspects The 65 Project provided the template for the letter. The 65 Project, named after the 65 lawsuits filed across swing states to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, is a bipartisan effort to protect democracy by holding accountable lawyers who bring fraudulent lawsuits seeking to overturn legitimate election results or otherwise violate their professional responsibilities to undermine our democracy, according to its website. Reeves Olson told the Star-Tribune that The 65 Project is not involved in any way with the letter. We had to do a significant amount of research, but we drafted the whole thing, she said. Crank also said in an email to the Star-Tribune that he has no knowledge of The 65 Project and doesnt believe it was involved. This letter was just a bunch of honorable Wyoming lawyers trying to influence a miscreant who is harming Wyoming and our country, he said. Secure election The letter, which was sent Sept. 12, cites a joint statement by the Election Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council, which is made up of several federal agencies and non-governmental organizations involved in election security matters, stating that the 2020 presidential election was the most secure in American history ... It emphasizes that Trumps attorney general William Barr said early on that the Department of Justice didnt find evidence of fraud that would have changed the elections outcome, and that the election results have been challenged in over 60 lawsuits, numerous administrative review proceedings, and post-election audits, none of which provided evidence that the election was fraudulent. Despite this clear proof that the election was not rigged and that no fraud occurred or in any way impacted the election results, Mr. Trump and his allies have continued to propagate the myth that the election was stolen from him and that President Biden was not legitimately elected, the letter continues. Regretfully, this fiction has been lent credence by too many lawyers, in at least potential violation of their ethical duties owed under the codes of conduct in many states. The letter points to the case of a personal lawyer to Trump and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was suspended from practicing in New York because of his claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged, and cites the New York appellate court that oversaw the decision: False statements intended to foment a loss of confidence in our elections and resulting loss of confidence in government generally damage the proper functioning of free society, the court said. When those false statements are made by an attorney, it also erodes the publics confidence in the integrity of attorneys admitted to our bar and damages the professions role as a crucial source of reliable information. The letter ends asking Hageman to not make any further statements denying the lawfulness of the 2020 election, or of the legitimacy of President Bidens authority and to distance herself from those that continue to perpetuate the dangerous myth of the stolen election. We hope that you will take our concerns to heart, and that all your actions in the days ahead will serve to uphold the Rule of Law and its cousin Fact-based Truth in accordance with the very highest standards of a Wyoming lawyer, the letter says. But Hageman said in her statement that shes still skeptical. There remain serious questions about that election, including hundreds of millions of dollars spent by Mark Zuckerberg to commandeer local elections offices in Democrat precincts, and the fact that a Pennsylvania court ruled that their states mail-in voting law is unconstitutional, she said in her statement. As a constitutional attorney, I have spent my career fighting for the rights of others, and now a group of my fellow lawyers is trying to squelch my own 1st Amendment rights because they disagree with me. And lets be clear this is not just an attack on me, its also aimed at conservative Wyomingites and anyone who supports President Trump, she continued. Id like to say Im surprised by this behavior, but its just what elites and those who consider themselves elites do. As far as the First Amendment is concerned, Hagemans comments are likely covered, said University of Utah law professor Bob Keiter, an expert on the Constitution. The courts have been very protective of what they call political speech, he said. Bar response? Whether the state bar would recommend for Hageman to be disciplined is another question. Unlike Giuliani, Hageman wasnt acting in her role as an attorney when she called the election rigged. She was speaking at a candidate forum. Usually, an attorney has to be admitted into their state bar association to practice law there, which involves taking that states oath of attorney. The Wyoming Supreme Court, which includes the bar, sets the standards for its members and is ultimately tasked with enforcing them. The state bar investigates complaints of misconduct and can make recommendations to the Supreme Court on whether or not it thinks public sanctions like being censured, suspended or disbarred should be applied. (Private disciplinary action by the bar is also an option, said Wyoming State Bar Executive Director Sharon Wilkinson.) Earlier this year, for example, the Wyoming State Bar charged a Teton County prosecutor with seven counts of professional misconduct for a murder trial that sentenced a man to life in prison. Those counts included knowingly making false statements in court. The Wyoming State Bars rules of conduct explicitly forbid members from engaging in dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation even when acting in a nonprofessional capacity. The rules are there to protect the bars image as well as protect the integrity of the justice system, said David Adler, an Idaho-based constitutional scholar. Adler, who has been critical of Hageman and other election deniers seeking office, spoke at the Wyoming bar associations annual meeting in Casper last week. Without those rules, every attorney would have license to engage in deceitful statements and to engage in fraudulent statements and mislead the public, he said. Honored to sign Crank, Wyomings former attorney general, said in an email to the Star-Tribune that he was honored to sign the letter, which had been sent to him by Casper attorney and signatory Bill Schwartz. I think it is ridiculous, ignorant, and reprehensible at this stage to perpetuate the lie that an election was somehow stolen from Trump, he wrote. It is also dangerous because such claims ferment the deep anger that exists in this country and fans the flames of division and hate based on a preposterous lie. Crank wrote that Wyoming county clerks take election integrity far more seriously than Hageman or [GOP Secretary of State nominee Chuck] Gray and every day strive to (sic) insure we have the most accurate and fair elections in the country. They live election integrity and dont bring it up only to advance their personal gain, he said. I have no doubt that if any County Clerk believed any vote was stolen from Trump, they would have told us immediately. Casper attorney Craig Newman, one of the signatories of the letter, told the Star-Tribune on Wednesday that his reason for signing the letter was to remind Hageman that, as a lawyer, she has special obligations and responsibilities and should not be making factually inaccurate and actually not true statements about an election. He added that those reasons were independent of any political leanings, and that he didnt participate in writing the letter.(A smaller group of about 10 of the signatories had a hand in actually drafting the letter, Reeves Olson told the Star-Tribune. She said that process started in early September.) Newman was in his 20s during the Watergate scandal. He doesnt remember that event causing the kind of vitriol and the sharp divisions that the 2020 election did. I dont think it pervaded the publics mind in this divisive way that the current problem has, he said. A Republican challenger who lost in the secretary of state primary election is making a bid for the roles interim position. Mark Armstrong, a former geologist, garnered 9.3% of the Republican vote in the primaries. Trump-backed Republican nominee for secretary of state Chuck Gray won 49.5% of the vote, beating out his closest challenger, Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, by about 9 points. There arent any other candidates for secretary of states running in the general election, so its almost certain Gray will become Wyomings next secretary of state. But the Republican Party will need to choose candidates to temporarily fill the position following former Secretary of State Ed Buchanans resignation last Thursday. Buchanan left the role to take a job as a judge in Goshen County. That leaves three months until someone new will assume the position. Republican Party leaders called on Buchanan to stay through the November election, but Buchanan nevertheless went ahead with his plans. The Republican State Central Committee will choose three candidates this Saturday and refer them to Gov. Mark Gordon, who will then appoint one of the three to fill the interim position. The short timeline means the interim secretary of state will have mere weeks to prepare for the November elections. Armstrong, like Gray, is concerned about voter fraud. According to the application, he has made 17 FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests demanding information regarding the 2020 election and questions the integrity of absentee and mail-in ballots, suggesting they should be limited to people with special circumstances... Hes currently the Albany County GOP committeeman. Its not clear if there are any other applicants for the interim position. Wyoming GOP Executive Director Kathy Russell and Secretary Donna Rice did not respond to the Star-Tribune by deadline. The Star-Tribune reached out to several local GOP leaders, who said they did not know of any other applicants right now. The selection meeting will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at the Wind River Recreation Center and is open to the public. Two construction companies are working feverishly to temporarily repair sections of roadway following damage caused by June flooding. Consequently, there was a continual circuit of semi tractor-trailer trucks loaded with dirt and rock cruising from washed-out stretches of roadway along Soda Butte Creek and in Lamar Canyon earlier this month. The trucks make roundtrips from the closed stretch of highway to a gravel pit in the park known as the Frog Pond, located between Tower Junction and Mammoth Hot Springs. Oftedal Construction based in Casper and Miles City, Montana is performing the work. At the same time, HK Contractors of Idaho Falls is rebuilding the winding Old Gardiner Road, previously a two-track dirt road, between Mammoth and Gardiner at the North Entrance. Access via this road is being granted to park employees and some concession companies, such as wildlife tours, but entry is strictly regulated to lessen construction disruption. Deadlines Officials hope both projects will be completed by mid-October, allowing the roadway between Gardiner (the North Entrance) and Silver Gate/Cooke City (the Northeast Entrance) to then be reopened to the public. Phone calls to the contractors for more details on how the work is going were not returned in time for this story. However, one construction worker said the Oftedal crews were working 14 hour days, six days a week to meet the Park Services October deadline. The hours and days could be extended, the worker added, as the target date nears. The crews are contending with unusual factors, such as bison walking through the construction site and the semis negotiating narrow park roads crowded by erratic tourists swerving to the roadside to view wildlife. Oftedal has also run into some dense rock in the canyon, dulling drill bits and prompting speculation about the need for blasting. Meanwhile at the North Entrance, stickers or park-approved authorization is necessary to be allowed on the Old Gardiner Road. There are specific times designated for entry and exit. At 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., a line of vehicles begins forming in Gardiner and Mammoth. Should drivers miss the window, the only other option is to wait until the next day or drive hundreds of miles to the nearest open exit near West Yellowstone or Cody, Wyoming. Entry Nathan Varley, who co-owns Yellowstone Wolf Tracker tours with his wife Linda Thurston, is thankful park officials have made restricted access available to businesses like his in Gardiner. Otherwise, it was a 3 1/2 hour drive, one way, to take clients in via the West Entrance at West Yellowstone. It feels like theyve done a superb job of being innovative, Varley said, even though officials may be taking heat for allowing guides in but not the general public. When the North Entrance was closed following the washout of the road between Gardiner and Mammoth, Varley said his company lost every booking for June and July. It was the second year in three years that weve wiped a whole season almost entirely clean and rebuilt that in the moment, he said, referring to the park being closed and implementing restrictions during the COVID-19 outbreak three years ago. Although tour guides like Varley are allowed to take customers into the park, he said there are few people visiting the gateway town of Gardiner because of the access restrictions. Consequently, he saw business drop by 60% to 70%. Some hotels were hit even harder, he added, while restaurants seem to be a bit more resilient considering they were already having trouble finding staff. One daily commuter from Gardiner to Mammoth bemoaned that she used to be able to commute in 15 minutes before flooding wiped out the road. She doesnt plan to stick around. Because of the lack of affordable housing in Gardiner, she and her husband are seeking a different mountain town to reside in. Drop The closure of the North and Northeast entrances has been apparent in Yellowstones visitation statistics. Due to the loss of access, June, July and August visitation the three busiest months in the park was down from previous years. Last July, the North and Northeast entrances accounted for about 270,000 visitors. Overall August visitation this year was down 37% from August 2021, a record-setting year with 4.86 million visits recorded. The visitation this August was pegged at around 582,000. To find an August visitation with less people requires going back to 1988 the year of the parks historic fires. Except for 1988, the park has seen more than 600,000 visitors every August since 1986. Visitation was down in June and July as well. If Yellowstone recorded the same visitation for the last four months of the year as in 2021, it would tally around 3.1 million visitors, an annual figure that hasnt been seen in 14 years. This is an unexpected turn around from what may have been another record year for visitation since Yellowstone is celebrating its 150th anniversary. What changes? Despite the lull and closed entrances, park visitors said they were unaware there was anything different about Yellowstone. Las Vegas tourist Jeff Mann said his family was pleased to see so many bears during their three-day trip that started at the parks West Entrance. But it was his first visit in about 20 years. Since then, park visitation has almost doubled. Jan Bach flew into Cody, Wyoming, from her home in Jasper, Texas, to see the elk rut at Mammoth. It was her eighth visit to Yellowstone, this time bringing her daughter and granddaughter for a six-day outing that included Grand Teton National Park to the south. She, too, hadnt visited in a long time, about 15 years. The only difference Bach noted was that things didnt seem to be in the same places as she remembered. Varley said in his tours around Yellowstone, the park seemed normally busy this summer except around the closed North Entrance. He added the decline in visitation probably hasnt affected wildlife since the majority of park visitors stick to roadways, leaving the rest of the park relatively untrammeled. The lack of visitation is more visible outside the park in the town of Gardiner where Varley lives. We have Gardiner all to ourselves or its lightly visited, he said. To have that in the middle of summer seems really odd. Walking the dog around in the evening, I know most of the people I see. Perspective Varley first moved to the area as a youngster in 1972 when his father, John Varley, was hired as a fisheries biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the park. It feels like Ive been here my whole life, he said. He officially launched his guiding business in 2006, but before that he worked with the Yellowstone Association. Because of his long history in Yellowstone, Varley said hes had a front-row seat to some of the defining moments in the parks recent history, including the torrential 1988 fires and the 1995 reintroduction of wolves. I feel enriched having lived through another one of Yellowstones top 10 events, he said, adding the June floods to the ever-growing list. 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. A man checks a weapon seized by Afghan law enforcement agencies in Jalalabad, capital city of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Sept. 21, 2022. (Photo by Aimal Zahir/Xinhua) JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan law enforcement agencies have seized 18 pieces of weapons including assault rifles, and arrested four people for keeping the arms illegally in eastern Nangarhar province, provincial head of the General Directorate for Intelligence (GDI) Mawlawi Mohammad Allah Edris said Thursday. The weapons were found in provincial capital Jalalabad, and in the districts of Khogiani and Surkhrod. The four people had been taken into custody for investigations, the official added. The personnel of the special units of the GDI during operations in Jalalabad, Khogiani and Surkhrod had collected 18 pieces of weapons including 15 pieces of AK-47, one RPG-7 and two pistols over the past five days and arrested four people, Edris told reporters. Without providing more details, the official said that security forces will not allow anyone to create law and order problems in the province. The caretaker government has vowed to collect weapons and ammunitions from anyone who illegally possesses in the war-torn country. Photo taken on Sept. 21, 2022 shows the weapons seized by Afghan law enforcement agencies in Jalalabad, capital city of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan. (Photo by Aimal Zahir/Xinhua) A teenager was one of two people arrested for a shotgun and seven rounds of ammunition in Pe You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close ISLAMABAD, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan continues to suffer a growing momentum in the spread of dengue fever cases amid recent outbreak mainly attributed to the monsoon-rain-triggered floods in the country. A total of 323 new cases of dengue fever were reported across the southern Sindh province in the last 24 hours, said the provincial health department on Wednesday evening. The worst-hit area was Karachi, the provincial capital, which reported 261 new cases. The number of dengue infections in Sindh in September has risen to 3,917, bringing the local total to 6,486 this year. Moreover, in the last 24 hours, 242 more people were diagnosed with the disease in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the provincial health department reported on Wednesday night. The number of active cases in the province stands currently at 1,614 and the total number of patients this year has reached 5,506. Additionally, the eastern Punjab province reported 229 new cases in the last 24 hours, the provincial health authorities said on Wednesday morning. Punjab's capital Lahore reported 100 new cases, followed by its Rawalpindi city with 86 cases. The total number of cases in Punjab this year has now gone up to 3,869. Furthermore, the country's capital Islamabad reported 96 new cases in the last 24 hours, the health authorities said on Wednesday evening. The total number of cases in the city has increased to 1,657 this year. The Pakistani government has launched an anti-dengue campaign including raising public awareness in response to the alarmingly high level of cases in the country and has taken special measures at the dengue hotspots in order to curb the spread of the disease. Renowned Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide has won a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship, top photography awards in France and Japan and been inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. But for fans of the heavy metal band Rage Against the Machine, it is her 1979 black-and-white photo Mujer Angel shot along the Arizona/Sonora border that strikes a chord. The photograph is of a Seri woman carrying a tape recorder she had traded for handicrafts with Americans. The woman, according to the photographer, looked as if she could fly off into the desert. Rage Against the Machine used the image on the cover of their 1997 single Vietnow. Mujer Angel is among Iturbides photographs in Etherton Gallerys new exhibit, Graciela Iturbide: Suenos, Simbolos, y Narracion, which opened on Sept. 20 and continues through Nov. 26. Iturbide took up photography in the early 1970s and has been documenting, mostly in black-and-white images, the lives of Indigenous and Mexican people. Her subjects have included strong feminist statements through the women of the Zapotec Indians in Oaxaca and the Seri Indians along the Arizona/Sonora border, as well as an early-career series focusing on death, mostly of infants and children. Iturbide, the mother of three, lost her daughter in 1970 when the girl was 6 years old. Iturbide, 80, will be in Tucson this weekend for two events surrounding the exhibit. She will speak at the University of Arizonas Center for Creative Photography on campus, 1030 N. Olive Road, at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. CCP was the first public institution to acquire her work. Admission to the talk is free. She also will be on hand for the exhibits opening reception from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Etherton Gallery, 340 S. Convent Ave., in Barrio Viejo downtown. The Tucson Musicians Museum is inducting a legendary Tucson DJ, a musician with an iconic last name and its first-ever metalhead into its hall of fame on Sunday, Sept. 25. The six inductees names will be added to the 165 who have come before them since the Musicians Museum started its hall of fame inductions 15 years ago. Proceeds from the ceremony on Sunday at Leo Rich Theater, 260 S. Church Ave., will benefit the museum and its youth mentorship program, said museum president and cofounder George Howard. Tickets to the event, which starts at 5 p.m. and will include live performances from several of the artists, are $25 at the door or in advance at tucsonmusiciansmuseum.org. The Tucson Musicians Museum launched its Tucson Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007 to honor musicians who had been part of the local scene 25 years and longer. This year, the group is making an exception for inductee Peter D. Petie Ronstadt, son of the late Michael Ronstadt and nephew of Linda Ronstadt. Normally it takes 25 years, but since hes from the first family of music in Tucson, we kind of made an exception to the rule for him, said Howard, noting that Ronstadt, who is in his late 30s, has been singing professionally since he was 12. Here are the 2022 inductees: Anthony Nick Augustine Anthony Nick Augustine was the original bassist for Rainer Ptaceks legendary Rainer and Das Combo in the early 1980s. Augustine, who began playing guitar, bass and drums when he was 14, also spent time playing with Eddie Papa Gabriel and The Crescent City Connection, Magnum, The Bayou Band and Pure Ice, which opened for the Bar-kays. After serving in the Army, he played with Jackie Blue & the Cosmic Touch Revue, George Howard & the Allstars, Uncle Wiggly and other bands. These days, you will find him playing bass for Heather Hardys Dusty City Blues band. John Hawk John Hawks resume includes touring with The Roy Clayborne Show back in the early 1970s when Clayborne introduced Tucson to its first country variety show. Hawk, who played guitar and harmonica, also played in a band with John Chastain, Mike Montiel and Jean Nordin that had a regular gig at the old Buckskin country bar on North Oracle Road for four years. Hawk went solo in the early 2000s and judging by an overnight Facebook post Sept. 14 that read like song lyrics, hes not putting his music career on the backburner anytime soon: I cant be done yet/Inside Ive got words that will last forever/I still have a song to sing/a simple melody for all to hear/That will bring us all together. Dave Kidd Squidd Squires Dave Kidd Squidd Squiress journey from his hometown of Kankakee, Illinois, to Tucson, wound through San Francisco where the Beat and Hippy generations merged and included a deep dive into transcendental meditation that led him to the Maharishi University in Iowa before taking a three-month course in France to become a transcendental meditation instructor in New Mexico in 1978. He also moonlighted as a DJ in those days for parties, clubs and weddings before immersing himself in 1980 in New Wave, punk and the roots revival scene. Acting on the advice of his brother Mike, Squires moved to Tucson in the late 1980s and landed a job with KXCI community radio station and launched the Kidd Squidd Rockroots show. He hosted his final show on the radio in January. KXCIs former executive director Cathy Rivers, who is now executive director of the Rialto Theatre, will present the award to Squires at the ceremony, Howard said. Matt Pimple Matt Pimple was just 11 years old when he started playing drums in 1980 and was still in his teens when he joined his first band, the thrash metal outfit Dover Trench. Hes gone on to play in a number of metal bands since including the 4 Pigs, Flying Donkey Punch, Single Finger Theory and Dredging the Lake. He is the first heavy metal musician to be inducted into the Tucson Musicians Hall of Fame. Peter D. Petie Ronstadt Peter D. Petie Ronstadt is the son of and bandmate of the late Michael J. Ronstadt and nephew of Linda Ronstadt, which probably guaranteed he would end up pursuing a music career. He was 12 and well-versed in a number of instruments including violin, bass, banjo, guitar and tuba when he started publicly performing. He played with his father in Ronstadt Generations and still plays with his brothers in Ronstadt Brothers in addition to his solo efforts including his band P.D. Ronstadt & the Co. and his duo Liz & Pete with vocalist Liz Cerepanya. Steven Shell Pony.ai, a developer of self-driving cars based in China and Silicon Valley, will begin testing its autonomous vehicles in Tucson, with trained safety drivers behind the wheel, in a partnership with Pima Community College. Pony.ai will base its first and only operation in Arizona at PCCs new Automotive Technology & Innovation Center at its Downtown campus, according to Sun Corridor Inc., the Tucson regions economic development agency. Founded in 2016 by two veterans of Google and Chinese internet giant Baidu in Silicon Valley, Pony.ai is co-located in Fremont, California, and Beijing and Guangzhou, China, where it is also testing autonomous cars to develop self-driving taxi services. Tucson is quickly becoming a leading city for tech startups and smart city technology, and Pony.ai is excited to expand our operations there, James Peng, Pony.ais co-founder and CEO, said in prepared remarks, adding that the city of Tucson, Sun Corridor and the Arizona Department of Transportation helped make the companys expansion to Tucson seamless. Pony.ai, which is backed by Japanese auto giant Toyota and other manufacturers, had been testing self-driving cars in California since 2017. But its state permit was suspended after a minor crash of one if its cars in Fremont last October. Arizona has become a hotbed of autonomous vehicle technology since Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order outlining a process for self-driving vehicle testing in 2015, which was followed by other orders and several laws allowing testing of autonomous trucks and self-driving vehicle delivery services. TuSimple, a developer of self-driving commercial trucks founded by Chinese scientists and entrepreneurs, has been testing its trucks on Interstate 10 with test drivers aboard from a research center and terminal on Tucsons southeast side since 2017. Googles Waymo has been testing autonomous taxis, with drivers aboard, in the Phoenix area since 2017. Pony.ais decision to select Tucson for their new autonomous passenger vehicle testing operations is further validation that Southern Arizona is an emerging player in the autonomous vehicle industry, Sun Corridor President and CEO Joe Snell said. PCC teamed up with TuSimple in 2019 to launch an Autonomous Vehicle Driver and Operations Specialist certificate program to train test drivers. PCC Chancellor Lee Lambert said the schools partnership with Pony.ai aligns perfectly with our vision of the PCC Automotive Technology & Innovation Center to be on the cutting edge of the new automotive technology. Self-driving vehicle testing in Arizona has not been without its problems. In 2018, a self-driving Uber car struck and killed a pedestrian in Tempe. While no other fatal accidents have been reported, data released by the National Highway Traffic Administration in July reported a dozen crashes involving autonomous vehicles in Arizona from when reporting became mandatory in July 2021, with data available through May. TuSimple is the subject of a federal investigation into a non-injury crash of one of its trucks in April during a run from its major development center and terminal on Tucsons southeast side Following the October crash of a Pony.ai test car, the company voluntarily recalled software used in several cars after an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. California revoked Pony.ais permit to test autonomous vehicles with a driver aboard in May, citing a failure by the company to monitor the safety records of its test drivers. Pony.ai spokesman Adam Steinberg said in an email statement that safety is paramount for the company. "Pony.ai approaches the development of autonomous vehicle technology with safety as our foundation, and we are proud of our safety record," Steinberg said, noting that Pony.ai has driven over 9.3 million real-world autonomous miles "in which no injuries have occurred. Pony.ai is confident that its conservative approach assures safe testing operations in Tucson," he said. "Our on-road testing in Tucson will have trained safety drivers behind the wheel of the vehicles. Steinberg said the company hopes to expand and add workers in Tucson but had no specifics to share about the operation. The privately-held company got a $400 million investment from Toyota in 2020 and claims a valuation of $8.5 billion. The seventh and final man charged in the killing of a Border Patrol agent near Nogales in 2010 has been sentenced to 50 years in prison. As part of his guilty plea, Jesus Rosario Favela-Astorga, from Sinaloa, Mexico, admitted he was one of several armed bandits who traveled from Mexico to the U.S. to hunt for marijuana smugglers to rob, a news release from the Department of Justice said. Favela-Astorga was sentenced Wednesday. At that time of the shootout, Agent Brian Terry and other members of a tactical unit were on extended deployment in the Arizona desert to try and catch such robbery crews. On Dec. 14, 2010, Terry and his team attempted to arrest Favela-Astorgas crew in a rural area north of Nogales when a member of the crew fired at the agents, hitting Terry in the back Terry called out to a fellow agent, Willie, Im hit! I cant feel my legs, according to evidence presented at prior trials. Although agents were still under fire, they tried to save Terry, but their attempts were unsuccessful. The five bandits were armed with four AK-47 style assault rifles and an AR-15 assault rifle, the news release said. After the murder, Favela-Astorga and the others fled back to Mexico. Manuel Osorio-Arellanes, who was left behind after he had been shot in the stomach by agents, was convicted and sentenced in 2014 to 30 years in prison after he identified the other members of the robbery crew, the news release said. Favela-Astorga was arrested by Mexican authorities in 2017 based on a provisional arrest warrant issued at the request of the U.S. and was extradited in January 2020. Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes, Ivan Soto-Barraza and Jesus Lionel Sanchez-Meza, the other members of the crew, were all arrested in Mexico years after the shooting. Soto-Barraza and Sanchez-Meza were extradited to the U.S. in 2014, convicted at trial in December 2015 and sentenced to life in prison, the news release said. Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes was extradited to the U.S. in 2018, convicted at trial in February 2019 and also sentenced to life in prison. Although Roasrio Rafael Burboa-Alvarez was not there the night of the shooting, he also pleaded guilty to murder after admitting he recruited the crew members in Mexico. He was sentenced to 27 years in prison. Two days before the fatal shooting, Rito Osorio-Arellanes was arrested by agents on immigration charges, unaware that he was part of the robbery crew, the news release said. Osorio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and was sentenced to 8 years in prison. A Douglas man has been arrested after a trooper found more than 50 pounds of fentanyl hidden in his car, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said in a news release. The trooper stopped Andres Ramirez-Sanchez, 28, Sept. 14 on Interstate 19, near Sahuarita. The trooper searched the vehicle and found 52 pounds of suspected fentanyl pills within a compartment built into the vehicles rocker panels, the agency said in a news release Wednesday. The pills were being smuggled from Nogales, Mexico to Tucson, the news release said. Ramirez-Sanchez was arrested and booked into the Pima County jail on suspicion of possession, transportation and sale of narcotic drugs, the agency said. Various images of children were found on a secret app downloaded on multiple devices owned by murder suspect Christopher Clements, a computer forensic analyst testified Wednesday. Former Tucson police digital forensic examiner Russell Blaylock told jurors what was recovered from two iPads and a MacBook that belonged to Clements. Clements, 40, a convicted sex offender, is on trial on charges of kidnapping and killing 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez in 2014. Maribel went missing while going to visit a friend, authorities have said. Clements faces a second trial in February in connection with the kidnapping and death of 6-year-old Isabel Celis, who went missing from her bedroom in 2012. He was charged with 22 felonies in both cases, including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping of a minor under age 15, burglary and 14 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, which is said to be related to child pornography. In addition to the images, Blaylock said investigators found Google searches on Clements MacBook. On Oct. 14, 2014 at 3:17 a.m., body found in desert was Googled, four months after Maribels body had been found in an Avra Valley desert area. Other searches included the phrases trace evidence on body and Tucson teen was murdered, Blaylock said. During testimony last week, Melissa Stark, Clements former girlfriend, told jurors she hadnt taken the photos and didnt know any of the children who appeared in them. She also said the Google searches were not made by her. On two of Clements iPads, an app called My Secret App was downloaded. Blaylock said the app allows the user to save media files, web browsing history, bookmarks and notes, all protected by a security pin. When the security pin was entered wrong, My Secret App would take a picture of who was trying to get in by using the front camera. Out of the six images it took, Blaylock said Clements was in five of them. On one of the iPads, Blaylock said, there were 1,247 images found, including 22 that were screenshots that captured web addresses. The web addresses included phrases such as preteen models and tiny models, Blaylock said. Images were uploaded to the app from Oct. 19, 2013, to Nov. 9, 2015. On the other iPad, 189 images were recovered, Blaylock said. The images found were a mixture of adults and children. Images on this iPad were uploaded to the app from Aug. 6, 2013, to Sept. 24, 2014. In court Wednesday, various pictures were shown from a Clements iPad. Many included children playing outside, playing in backyards and sitting on doorsteps. Clements trial is scheduled to last through Sept. 30. PHOENIX A Tucson man has been arrested in connection with a homicide case in which a Phoenix man was allegedly kidnapped, killed and dismembered, authorities said Thursday. John Cole, 45, has been booked into jail on suspicion of first-degree murder, kidnapping, theft by extortion, concealment of a body and other felony charges, Phoenix police said. It was unclear Thursday if Cole has a lawyer yet who can speak on his behalf. Police received a missing person call Monday involving 28-year-old Antoine Smith, who allegedly was kidnapped from his Phoenix apartment a few days earlier over an unpaid cash debt. Detectives were able to identify and locate Coles vehicle on its way to California and Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers helped stop and make the arrest. A search warrant was obtained and human remains were located inside Coles vehicle, police said. Court documents show Cole was interviewed by detectives and he allegedly told them he killed Smith in self-defense and then dismembered the victim at his Tucson home. Police said Cole later led detectives to a rural area south of Tucson where more of Smiths remains were recovered. Federal funding from the massive Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be critical to Tucsons ability to address contamination of the citys water supply by the chemical PFAS, Mayor Regina Romero told a Senate panel Wednesday. Romero was part of a group of city and state officials testifying on the local impact of the $1.2 trillion federal spending plan, which will fund everything from roads and rails to broadband and climate resilience. One witness told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee that the law provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to begin to invest in our nations infrastructure. Like most of the witnesses, Romero ran through a laundry list of city projects that are in line for infrastructure bill funding, including bridge replacement, electric vehicles and more. But she said the funds present an opportunity to address groundwater contamination by the hazardous chemical PFAS, which she said has already cost the city 10% of its water supply. Tucson Water has formally initiated the process to request $141 million to address two PFAS priority projects with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, Romero said in her written testimony. If approved, these projects would remove PFAS contamination from drinking water wells in areas most vulnerable to supply issues and from the reclaimed water system that serves the entire region, she testified. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS are so-called forever chemicals that linger in the environment and have been found in drinking water, food and peoples bloodstreams around the globe. The Environmental Protection Agency last month proposed designating the PFAS family of chemicals as hazardous because of their possible adverse health effects on people. The chemicals are used in a variety of consumer and industrial products, including firefighting foam often used at airports and military bases. Arizona Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, who announced the release this week of $13.6 million in funding for PFAS cleanup in the state, said the chemical has been found in groundwater near Luke Air Force Base, Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, the decommissioned Williams Air Force Base in Maricopa County and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. Romero said Tucson has spent $50 million so far to treat PFAS contamination in groundwater downstream from Davis-Monthan. Tucson has lost over 10% of our water supply to PFAS contamination, she said. It comes as water supplies throughout the Southwest are being stressed by falling levels in the Colorado River, another source of Tucson water supply. We must protect our water, Romero said. Another infrastructure priority cited by both Romero and Kelly was a project to widen Interstate 10, a heavily traveled highway that is currently just two lanes in each direction for 25 miles between Phoenix and Tucson. This is good for Arizona, individuals, companies, and safety, Kelly said at the hearing of the I-10 project. Romero said truck and passenger vehicle congestion and accidents on I-10 lead to supply-chain issues for the state, and the nation. The flow of goods and services between our first and second cities is very cumbersome, she said. Romero also cited funding to encourage development of Amtrak service between Phoenix and Tucson, which could reduce traffic on I-10 and encourage more people to use public transportation. Currently, there is no direct transit between Phoenix and Tucson. While witnesses at the hearing, from Delaware and West Virginia as well as Romero, said they were appreciative of the infrastructure funding, one pointed to red tape that has made it hard to access the funds. Coordination with various federal agencies is chaotic at best, said West Virginia Highway Commissioner Jimmy Wriston. While he said his state is grateful for the funding, he added that eligibility requirements can be quite confusing and hinder the ability to obligate the money under some programs. But Kelly said the many parts of the infrastructure law make historic investments for more sustainable and equitable living in local communities. He called on both parties to take advantage of the infrastructure law. That was echoed by Romero, who said the funding will help Tucson toward its goal of becoming the surviving sustainable desert city of the future. Through BIL funding, Tucson is building infrastructure investments that heal historic wounds, reconnect communities, and address the challenges that result from being on the front lines of climate change, Romero said in her testimony. Mark Finchem, the GOP candidate for Arizona secretary of state, suggested in a Time Magazine article this week that he would not certify the vote if President Biden were to win Arizona in 2024. In a cover story out this week, reporter Charlotte Alter said she called Finchem, an Oro Valley Republican, and asked him whether, if Biden wins Arizona in 2024, he as secretary of state would certify the vote. Finchem chuckled, she reported, and said this: If the law is followed, and legitimate votes have been counted, and Joe Biden ends up being the winner ... Im required under the law if theres no fraud to certify the election. Then Finchem added the key kicker: I think youre proposing something that, quite frankly, is a fantasy. The comment led to outrage among some online and in the news media. Laurie Roberts, columnist for the Arizona Republic, argued the comments should disqualify Finchem from the job because hes suggesting he will only certify the election results that he likes. Finchems reasoning also brought derision. Asked by Alter why it was so hard to imagine that Biden won Arizona in 2020 when polls before the election were showing that he likely would, Finchem said this: Isnt it interesting that I cant find anyone who will admit that they voted for Joe Biden? Pressed on that, he went on to say In a fantasy world, anythings possible. Finchem, who is running against Democrat Adrian Fontes, did not contest the quotes in the story, but he resorted to the usual name, Marxist, that he applies to his critics and opponents when he responded to the story on Twitter. Time Magazine is Marxist propaganda and the people who write for that #FakeNews rag hate America, he wrote. While some were angered by Finchems comments, he may also have been incorrect in describing the secretary of states leeway in certifying elections. Under state law and the current state elections manual, the secretary of state does not have the power to consider whether there may have been fraud or other misconduct before certifying the results. Eric Spencer, who was Arizona elections director under Republican Secretary of State Michele Reagan, pointed out that the manual says this: The Secretary of State has a non-discretionary duty to canvass the returns as provided by the counties and has no authority to change vote totals or reject the election results. State law also makes it clear that if challenges to elections are to occur, they are supposed to occur after certification. By certifying the election, the secretary of state is not precluding others from making allegations of fraud or having their day in court to litigate the existence of that fraud, said Spencer. Its a necessary precursor. But while the elections manual and state law are pretty clear on this point, Spencer, who litigates election cases in private practice now, suspects the existing rules and law could change before 2024. He noted that in November 2020, a Maricopa County GOP official signed the certificate of a logic and accuracy test of that countys machines but also wrote certification denied even though the machines passed the test. The expectations of the electorate are changing, Spencer said. People who under past politics would be on safe political ground to put their signature on a document no longer are on safe political ground. Polls favor Finchem Recent polls suggest Finchem may be leading the race for Secretary of State a couple of weeks before early ballots are sent out. An OH Predictive Insights poll of 654 likely Arizona voters, conducted Sept. 6-9, found that 40% favored Finchem while 35% favored Fontes. But 25% of those polled were still undecided, and the poll had a 3.8% margin of error. Pollster Michael Noble said the results closely matched the generic ballot results, and the final outcome will likely be decided by independents. A poll of 1,080 voters by the Trafalgar Group, conducted Sept. 14 to Sept. 17, found Finchem ahead of Fontes 48% to 41%, with 11% undecided and a 2.9% margin of error. Finchem has a fundraising lead, too, having raised more than $1.2 million to Fontes approximately $700,000. But Moveon.Org Political Action has reported spending a total of almost $1.8 million opposing Finchem, though most of it was spent long before he won the primary election Aug. 2. Pozzolo opens office The Republican challenging Democrat Raul Grijalva this round is opening a campaign office this week. Luis Pozzolos office at 438 W. Ajo Way is scheduled to open Friday, Sept. 23. That location is a little over mile from the Grijalva campaign headquarters near West Ajo and South Park Avenue, at 1021 E. Palmdale. Pozzolo is the latest GOP challenger to Grijalva, who first won congressional office in 2002 and has had few close calls as he rolled up re-elections after that. Weapon systems made by Tucson-based Raytheon Missiles & Defense are helping to turn the tide of war in Ukraine, which has received billions of dollars worth of arms from the U.S. and other allies to help it repel the Russian invasion. Since the Russians invaded in February, the U.S. alone has provided Ukraine with more than $15 billion in military aid, including missiles, rockets, artillery, drones, armored vehicles, radars, small arms and ammunition, the State Department said in a Sept. 16 update. The aid includes Raytheon-made Javelin anti-tank missiles, which have helped Ukraine destroy thousands of Russian tanks and other military vehicles, and Stinger air-defense missiles and several Raytheon weapon systems only recently confirmed by Pentagon officials. Heres a look at weapons being supplied to Ukraine that are made by Raytheon, the Tucson regions biggest employer with more than 13,000 local workers. Javelin anti-tank missile (FGM-148) Produced by both Raytheon and Lockheed Martin under a joint venture based in Tucson, the portable Javelin can target tanks up to about a mile and half away and attack from a high arc to hit tanks on top where their armor is lightest, locking onto targets to allow operators to move immediately after firing. The U.S. and its allies have supplied Ukraine with more than 5,000 Javelins and the U.S. is committed to providing more than 8,500 missiles, along with thousands of other anti-tank weapons. The Raytheon-Lockheed joint venture recently won a $311 million contract to produce Javelins, which cost more than $200,000 each, following contracts worth $309 million in May. The Javelin has helped Ukraine destroy hundreds of Russian tanks and thousands of vehicles overall, and has been honored by Ukrainians with St. Javelin religious icons. Stinger air-defense missile (FIM-92) First fielded in 1981, Raytheons lightweight, man-portable Stinger air-defense missile uses heat-seeking infrared homing to hit low-flying aircraft, helicopters and drones at a range of up to nearly three miles. Ukraine has received more than 2,000 Stingers, with more than 1,400 from the U.S., the State Department says. The U.S. famously supplied Stingers to Afghan rebels who used them to great effect in the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s and it is still in use by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps and more than 30 other nations. Though upgraded over the years, the Stinger went out of production in 2020. But Raytheon is again ramping up production, under a $624.6 million Army contract awarded in May to produce 1,300 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to replenish supplies sent to Ukraine. NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) Co-produced by Raytheon and Norway-based Kongsberg Defence, NASAMS defends against drones, fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and cruise missiles, at at range of up to about 30 miles. Raytheon recently won a $182 million Army contract to produce six NASAMS as part of the Ukrainian military aid package, after the U.S. previously supplied two systems. NASAMS uses Raytheons Sentinel radar and a surface-launch version of Raytheons Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), which is made in Tucson, and it also has been fitted with an extended-range version of the AMRAAM and Raytheons shorter-range Sidewinder air combat missile. NASAMS is fielded by a dozen U.S. allies, and a NASAMS guards the National Capital Region in and around Washington, D.C. Excalibur artillery shell (M982) Co-developed by Raytheon Missiles & Defense and BAE Systems Bofors, the GPS-guided Excalibur 155mm artillery shell can hit targets within a few meters at a range of about 25 miles. Each shell cost about $113,000 in fiscal 2021, according to Pentagon budget documents. The State Department has disclosed that the U.S. has supplied Ukraine with 2,000 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds, and recently released budget documents show that the Pentagon is seeking $92 million to replenish Excalibur stocks sent to Ukraine. TOW anti-tank missile (BGM-71) First fielded during the Vietnam War, the TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided) missile system is fired from a ground launcher, vehicles or helicopters and has a range of about two miles. The original TOW missile remains attached to the launch unit with a wire that carries targeting data to the missile; some newer versions use a wireless guidance system. The U.S. has supplied Ukraine with 1,500 TOW missile systems, according to the State Department. The TOW is the primary heavy anti-armor and assault missile for the U.S. Marine Corps and is fielded by more than 40 allied nations. High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM AGM-88) In service since 1983 and used by the U.S. and 15 allied nations, the air-launched HARM is designed to home in on and destroy air-defense radars from a range of about 90 miles. It was used extensively to blind enemy air defenses in Operation Desert Storm and later in Iraq. Raytheon makes the HARM AGM-88 and has upgraded it with a control section that adds GPS guidance. Northrop Grumman makes a newer version, the AGM-88E Advanced Antiradiation Guided Missile. The State Department had said the U.S. has supplied Ukraine with an undisclosed number of high-speed anti-radiation missiles, without specifying the type. But a senior Air Force official recently confirmed that the HARM had been adapted to Ukraines Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters. by Martina Fuchs GENEVA, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- A coalition of major global businesses, financial institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on Wednesday called for a new global treaty to end plastic pollution. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation announced in a joint statement that they have convened a new "Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty" of 83 organizations, which will form the basis for future policy engagement with governments. It comes in the run-up to the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC), which will take place from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 in Uruguay. The INC will develop an international, legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. "The plastic crisis extends beyond all borders, impacting the health of our oceans and wildlife, and the livelihoods of people from major cities to small coastal communities. The scope and scale of this global issue must be met with equally ambitious solutions," said Erin Simon, WWF's vice president and head of plastic waste and business. "We have no time to waste. The need for global coordination to tackle the plastic pollution crisis has never been more urgent," she said, adding that the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty will "push strongly for a framework that leaves the business-as-usual approach at the door and ushers us into a new era where ending plastic pollution is finally within reach." BUSINESS ACTION The organizations participating in the Business Coalition are pushing for "a global treaty to set common goals, rules and obligations that member states will be required to implement within their national jurisdictions", they said in a statement. "Many companies and countries are already taking important steps to address plastic pollution, but voluntary action alone cannot reach the scale we need to urgently solve this crisis. An ambitious global plastics treaty is required," said Rob Opsomer from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. "This coalition will bring together businesses from across the plastics value chain to support the development of an ambitious and effective treaty, one that accelerates the transition to a circular economy and ensures the value of products and materials is not lost but retained. Plastic can no longer be allowed to become waste or pollution," Opsomer added. Such rules and regulations would have an "undeniable impact on businesses that currently depend on plastic," the joint statement said. However, the Business Coalition shows that companies are willing to risk losing profit to avoid creating potentially lethal levels of pollution, it adds. The companies involved include major multinationals such as Danone, Nestle, PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Company, IKEA, L'Oreal and Unilever. On March 2 this year, at the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, 175 UN member states unanimously adopted a resolution to start negotiations on a new global treaty to end plastic pollution. WWF and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation said this week that the treaty negotiation process, which is expected to conclude at the end of 2024, will largely determine the trajectory of the plastic pollution crisis for generations to come. WWF International is an independent conservation organization based in Switzerland, with a global network active in nearly 100 countries and regions. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is an international charity that develops and promotes the circular economy in order to tackle major global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. PHOENIX Of almost 11,000 students who have applied for one of the states expanded empowerment scholarship accounts, more than 8,200 have not been enrolled in public school before a potential loss of $53.9 million to the states public schools. But not if Beth Lewis can stop it. Lewis is executive director of Save Our Schools Arizona (SOS), which is in the home stretch of its push to collect at least 118,823 signatures to put the scholarship program on the ballot in 2024. That would delay implementation of the law, currently scheduled to take effect Saturday, until 2024 when voters could have their say. Lewis, a former Valley school teacher, is confident her group can meet that threshold, scheduling a news conference Friday to deliver the petitions to the secretary of states office. Critics of the program say it will siphon off badly needed funds from an already-strapped public school system, what Lewis said would be kind of the nail in the coffin for public education. I mean, in a sense, it stops the complete decimation of public education, Lewis said of the petition. But supporters of the program argue that for a parent or student in a public school, nothing changes under the expanded ESA program, which they said is aimed at giving parents and children the freedom to choose the school thats right for them. Parents need the ability to secure the education thats best for their kid, said Steve Smith, Arizona director for the American Federation for Children, a national organization that has championed school choice across the country. Whether its a school that theyre in isnt performing as well, whether COVID has (stopped) them from a year or two of their learning, and they want to catch up, Smith said. Whatever the case is, now more than ever they need to access their funds to provide their child what they need. The bill authorizing the universal scholarship law was sponsored by Rep. Ben Toma, R-Peoria, and signed into law in July by Gov. Doug Ducey, who called it among the most expansive school choice legislation in the nation. With this legislation, Arizona cements itself as the top state for school choice and as the first state in the nation to offer all families the option to choose the school setting that works best for them, Ducey said in a statement at the time. Under the program, every student in Arizona, whether they are enrolled in a public school or not, could get state funds to use as a scholarship to attend a school of their choice. The scholarships would give about $6,500 to students in grades 1-12 toward an education at a private or charter school. Kindergarten students could get about $4,000. Its a sweeping expansion of the previous law, which limited the scholarships to children in failing public schools or public schools that were not able to meet their special needs. The Arizona Department of Education reported this week that as of Monday it had received more than 10,906 applications since Aug. 16, and that 76% of those applicants did not have children enrolled in public schools or about 8,288 students. Because the funding for ESAs come out of the states education and public school budget, those 8,288 students could be taking more than $53 million from public schools. Smith said the legislation merely gives more freedom to families who can use their ESAs for private, charter, online or homeschooling programs. But Lewis and others say Arizona schools are already underfunded and this program wont help. The state ranked 48th in school funding and 47th in spending, according to data from the Education Data Initiative, and 43rd for teacher salaries through 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Arizona Education Association President Marisol Garcia said that she sees the ESA program as another way to divert badly needed education funding. Part of the concern with any sort of voucher system is that its creating a third location for education funding, so not just public education, but then the charter schools and then now the private schools, Garcia said. So instead of funding one healthy system, that supports every single child and every single community, across the state, you have three different systems being inadequately funded, she said. Garcia said she knows teachers who have more than 40 students in a class, and high school teachers with a class load of more than 150 students. She said it is hard for a teacher with so many students to help individual students reach their goals. The fact that this legislature chose to pass a voucher program shows that they have no interest in making public schools a priority of this state, Garcia said. Lewis says the only way to address class size is with funding. I think a lot of people dont understand that its a funding issue, she said. When you reduce class sizes, you need to hire more teachers and you need to build more classrooms. And theyre like, Oh, I get it. That sounds expensive. While she is confident her group will get the minimum number of petition signatures needed, Lewis said they are working to exceed that number to allow for signature challenges. We will definitely need a large cushion, said Lewis, who expects supporters of the scholarship program to challenge the petitions in court and absolutely do everything in their power to kick us off the ballot. However, our signatures are collected by volunteers, so theyre very valid and a lot of our folks are teachers and parents and are really eagle-eyed and doing their best, so I feel really optimistic that we can withstand those court challenges, she said. And she is optimistic about the challenge that would come over the next two years if they successfully petition the issue to the 2024 ballot. A young woman holds up a sign calling for an end to violence against Indigenous people on May 5, 2022 at the state Capitol. Photo by Gloria Gomez | Arizona Mirror/University of Arizona Arizonas legislative study committee on murdered or missing Indigenous women and girls is returning to work next month, with an expanded mission to investigate violence against all Indigenous people, including men, boys, two-spirits and LGBTQ. Committee Chair and state Rep. Jennifer Jermaine said theyre looking forward to restarting the study committee and expanding their scope to missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP), even if its on an interim basis. Jermaine and Sen. Victoria Steele, both Democrats, introduced bills in 2021 and 2022 to re-establish the Arizona MMIWG study committee to expand the scope to include all Indigenous people. The original committees work ended at the end of 2020. While the provisions of the 2021 bill were eventually folded into the annual state budget, it was one of dozens of new laws in the budget that the Arizona Supreme Court ruled were unconstitutionally added to the spending plan. The 2022 measure was never considered by the Republican majority. But Rusty Bowers, the Republican speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, used his power to create an interim committee this year, Jermaine said. The committee he authorized has the expanded scope to include all Indigenous people in Arizona. Jermaine said she looks forward to hosting their hearing in person for tribal communities and hearing from the people impacted by MMIP. We want to make sure that we are gonna be accessible to the people, Jermaine said, adding that the committee plans on visiting several tribal communities before the end of the year. The problem is different in every corner of our state. Pascua Yaqui Tribes Attorney General Alfred Urbina agreed to serve on the study committee, and said he looks forward to getting back to work. I hope we can get a little deeper into some data collection, Urbina said. It will eventually lead to a more substantial report that will help the Arizona Legislature take action on MMIP. Urbinas work revolves around jurisdiction between federal, state and tribal agencies. He brings his expertise to the study committee because the Pascua Yaqui Tribe is one of the few tribal nations that can prosecute non-Native offenders in their tribal courts for domestic violence-related crimes committed within their community. The problem is different in every corner of our state. Rep. Jennifer Jermaine, D-Chandler Urbina said when agencies from different jurisdictions work together and more laws are put in place, resources are used more efficiently and effectively because there is a collaboration. I believe, and Ive seen it first hand, that it helps reduce crime, he said. Urbina said it is vital that the study committee now focuses on all Indigenous people because, when the original committee held its hearings, it heard from community members that they were missing whole segments of people. Theres people that are waiting to talk, to get their stories on the record, Urbina said. I think thats important. The legislature established the Arizona study committee in 2019, focusing only on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and it visited its first Indigenous community in December 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic halted the committees in-person work, so it began holding virtual hearings throughout 2020 and conducted phone or video interviews with families and survivors. At the end of 2020, the study committee published its first report about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in partnership with the Arizona State University Research on Violent Victimization Lab. The report found that 160 murders of Indigenous women were recorded in Arizona from 1976 to 2018 and that murders among Indigenous women and girls have steadily increased over the last 40 years. The study committee is continuing its partnership with ASU as the lab continues its research into MMIP. An Arizona Mirror analysis of the sparse available data on MMIWG cases found that more than 25% of murders involving Indigenous women in Arizona go unsolved. Additionally, the Murder Accountability Project found that one in three murders of Native Americans in Arizona goes unreported to the FBI. A 2017 study from the Urban Indian Health Institute found that Arizona has the third-highest number of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in the country. That study reported a total of 506 known cases in 71 urban cities across the country and 54 cases were identified in Arizona, including 31 in Tucson. In some tribal communities, women face murder rates that are more than 10 times the national average, according to the Department of Justice. In 2017, homicide was reported as the fourth-leading cause of death among Indigenous women under the age of 19, and the sixth-leading cause of death for ages 20 to 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the National Institute of Justice found that 84% of Indigenous women experience violence in their lifetime, compared to 71% of white women. Theres people that are waiting to talk, to get their stories on the record. I think thats important. Alfred Urbina, Pascua Yaqui attorney general Due to the study committees work, Jermaine said they had some wonderful legislative advances as they passed a statewide missing childrens statute in 2021 and a protective orders bill in 2022. The missing child statute bill, House Bill 2098, was a direct result of the study committee learning that each law enforcement jurisdiction has different standards for reporting missing children. The 2021 law makes it mandatory for law enforcement agencies in Arizona to report missing, kidnapped or runaway children. The protective order bill, House Bill 2604, increases the duration of a protection order from one year to two years and extends the duration of an emergency protection to seven calendar days after issuance. The bill also removes barriers for victims in rural communities by granting them an emergency order over the phone if the court is closed. That law goes into effect on Sept. 24. Arizonas MMIP study committee will be headed out into tribal communities this October, November and December to hear from more families and survivors about the issues that have impacted Indigenous communities for generations. It must complete its work before the legislature returns to work in January 2023. The study committee hearings will be held in five locations: Sells for the Tohono Oodham Nation on Oct. 14; Tucson for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe on Oct. 28; Chinle for the Navajo Nation on Nov. 10; Scottsdale for the Salt River PimaMaricopa Indian Community on Nov. 18; and Phoenix at the Arizona State Capitol on Dec. 19. These hearings are open to all Indigenous people throughout Arizona to share their experiences with MMIP. Each hearing is planned to be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time and will be recorded. Jermaine said families attending the hearings will have the option to testify in Executive Session, which means there will be no recording or audience, but most of the agenda for the hearing will be for community testimony. The recorded hearings will be available on the Arizona Legislature website at www.azleg.gov. Public Service Company of Oklahoma has new leadership. Ohio-based parent company American Electric Power has named Leigh Anne Strahler president and chief operating officer of Tulsa-based PSO, effective immediately. Strahler succeeds Peggy Simmons, who was appointed AEPs executive vice president of utilities. Simmons was COO of PSO more than four years. Its been an honor to work with my talented colleagues at PSO, community leaders and all other stakeholders in our service territory to power communities across Oklahoma, and Im proud of the great things weve accomplished, Simmons said in a statement. Leigh Anne brings a diverse operations background and expertise in the industrys unique regulatory climate to PSO. Her leadership will help ensure we can continue providing the excellent service that customers have come to expect. Leigh Annes knowledge and creativity will strengthen PSOs efforts to deliver innovative energy solutions that create value for customers. Strahler most recently served as vice president of regulatory and finance for PSOs sister company, Corpus Christi-based AEP Texas. In her new roles in Tulsa, she will oversee all aspects of PSOs service, including customer service, distribution operations, safety, communications, external affairs and regulatory functions. She will report to Simmons, who will lead the activities of all AEP utility operating companies and customer support. PSO serves at least 568,000 customer accounts in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma, covering 232 communities. PSO achieved the highest customer satisfaction scores in company history in 2021 for both residential and commercial customers while also bringing more clean energy to customers through the North Central wind projects, Strahler said in a statement. I look forward to working with the PSO team to continue this positive momentum and build upon our tradition of engaging in our communities and delivering clean, reliable energy and superior customer service. Strahler also previously was director of business operations support Appalachian Power, another PSO sister company. Strahler, who has a bachelors degree in economics from Bethany College in West Virginia and a masters degree in business administration from Ohio State University, joined AEP in 2006 as a senior cost control analyst in AEPs Generation organization. Featured video: This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Tulsa Greek Festival, which takes place Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 22-24, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1222 S. Guthrie Ave. The festival, also known as Opa!Homa, gives the citys Greek community a chance to share many aspects of Greek culture, from its religious faith to its spirited folk dancing. One of the main attractions of the festival is the food, which is prepared by volunteers from recipes that in some cases have been handed down for generations. The festival will be open to the public 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Sept. 23-24. Throughout the festival will be opportunities to tour of Holy Trinity church and learn more about the Greek Orthodox faith, as well as dance ensembles of all ages, from the Mikroulia, or Little Ones, to the adult members of the Agapi group, performing traditional dances. For those who come primarily for the food, the Tulsa Greek Festival offers a variety of Greek food and drink. The menu ranges from familiar street food items such as gyros and pork souvlaki (grilled kabobs) to full dinners with roasted lamb or chicken as the entree, served with stewed green beans, rice, pita bread and tzatziki sauce. Other items include spanakopita (hand pies filled with cheese and spinach), fried calamari, Greek fries topped with feta cheese and special seasonings, and saganaki, a fried cheese flambeed with brandy. In addition to soft drinks and bottled water, the festival also has adult beverages available, from Greek wines and beer to cocktails such as the Opa!Colada and the Kefi Lemonade, both featuring ouzo. For those with a sweet tooth, choices include baklava, kourambiethes (almond cookies coated in powdered sugar), loukoumades, or honey puffs, and finikia, spiced cookies soaked in a honey syrup and topped with crumbled nuts. For more information: tulsagreekfestival.com. Atlas Grill closes The New Atlas Grill, located in the historic Atlas Life Building at 415 S. Boston Ave., has closed. The restaurant, which served breakfast and lunch weekdays and offered a Saturday brunch, has a history that stretches back to 1923, when it was known as the Atlas Buffet. The name was later changed to the Atlas Coffee Shop, and in 1990 was renamed the Atlas Grill. The New was added about five years later. A sign on the door announced that it was permanently closed. White Lion hosts wine dinnerThe White Lion Pub, 6927 S. Canton Ave., will host a special wine dinner, with select vintages paired with a planned four-course meal, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27. The menu will include a beet and cucumber salad, mini Cornwalls and poached salmon, with cheese and assorted crackers for dessert. Cost is $65 per person, and guests must be 21 or older. To reserve seats: 918-491-6533 after 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Freya hosts first wine dinnerFreya Nordic Kitchen, 3410 S. Peoria Ave., will host its first wine dinner, 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, which will pair wines from Italy, Austria and Germany with the restaurants five-star Scandinavian cuisine. The menu will start with Torske Kugler, or cod cakes with a Danish remoulade, pickled carrot and sunflower seeds. A smoked salmon Smrrebrd, or open-faced sandwich with herbed Boursin cheese, roe, shaved onions and herbs on a Wasa crisp, will be followed with a salad of arugula, grapefruit, goat cheese, spiced pecans, and a roasted fennel dressing. The entree will be smoked duck served with a red currant jam, turnip puree, a napa cabbage salad and a three-seed crunch. Dessert is a Swedish cheesecake with white chocolate and a spruce syrup. Cost is $85 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Seating is limited. For reservations: 918-779-4413. Watch Now: 5 to find: Things to do this weekend After Sheryl Lee Ralph won the Emmy for playing veteran teacher Barbara Howard in Abbott Elementary, her phone didnt stop ringing. People talk about your phone blowing up, but my phone absolutely blew up, she says, just days after getting the award for Best Supporting Actress. Ive heard from all kinds of people a mayor, a governor, a prime minister. People I went to grade school with, junior high and high school. The president of the university I went to reached out on social media because, at least I know you will get the message there. It has been just unbelievable. Even producers that I worked with. I also had to ask them, Why didnt you hire me again? Its been like nothing I have ever experienced before. Ralphs acceptance speech was unique, too. A Broadway veteran, she sang Dianne Reeves Endangered Species as part of her moment. The crowd gave her a standing ovation and cheered when she said, To anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought your dream wasnt, wouldnt come true, I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like. This is what striving looks like. And dont you ever, ever give up on you. Beyonce sent her flowers; Reeves says she felt very proud when she heard the song as part of Ralphs speech. Dozens of teachers responded, too, and helped her feel the joy of winning. Later in the evening, Jimmy Kimmel pretended to be passed out when he and Will Arnett presented the Comedy Writing Emmy. It went to Abbott Elementarys Quinta Brunson and the bit went on longer than it should have. When Brunson offered her thanks, he didnt move from the floor. Kimmel later apologized but not until Ralph had a chance to tell him it was disrespectful. He listened and expressed his regret on his own late-night talk show when Brunson appeared. I told him to his face, Ralph says. And he understood. More noteworthy? Ralph is only the second Black woman to win Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy. Jackee Harry was the first, winning for 227. It takes six episodes for "Dahmer -- Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" (yes, that is indeed the show's full name) to meaningfully expand beyond the scope of either the serial killer or Evan Peters' portrayal of him. In that episode, "Silenced," directed by Paris Barclay and written by Janet Mock and David McMillan, the story of Dahmer victim Tony Anthony Hughes comes to the forefront. Tony (played with warm charm by "Deaf U" alum Rodney Burford) was a gregarious aspiring model with a big heart. He was Deaf, Black, gay, a great dancer. His friends and mother (a moving Karen Malina White) loved him very much. With every moment Burford gets to give Tony new life, the inevitable end of "Silenced" becomes all the more harrowing, and the cops' inaction to find the truth all the more infuriating. But as the show's nonsensical maze of a title suggests, this episode is an exception rather than the rule. Otherwise, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's new Netflix series is a grim, sepia-toned slog that rarely justifies its own existence. On the surface of it, Murphy enlisting his go-to actor Peters to portray one of the most notorious serial killers isn't at all a surprise. Alongside longtime collaborator Ian Brennan, "Monster" gives Murphy the opportunity to combine elements of "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story" (also about a gay predator chasing loneliness with violence) and "Ratched" (the gruesome "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" prequel series that gave an origin story to an infamous villain). Peters, affecting an unnervingly flat Wisconsin accent, gets to give yet another perturbing performance. But two years after the project was first announced, the surprise-drop rollout of "Monster" is... muted, to say the least. No episodes were available to screen before premiere; no stars present to interview, from Peters to Niecy Nash to Molly Ringwald. There was no premiere, no party, no pomp nor any circumstance. Not even the accompanying "Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes" -- the "Conversations Wth a Killer" follow-up to Netflix's previous Ted Bundy series -- dropped alongside "Monster" as might have once been expected. As Murphy's enormous Netflix deal looks set to fade into the ether, so, too, do his final projects for the streamer. Then again: even given all the attention in the world, "Monster" wouldn't have earned the hype. Like "Versace," it begins towards the end of the story before rewinding to show how "Jeff" came to be, in scattershot flashbacks. Murphy and Brennan's scripts hammer home the show's most obvious themes with such blunt force it's a wonder some scenes got past the first draft stage. Jeff's parents (Richard Jenkins and Penelope Ann Miller, doing their best) fight in weeping cliches. Jeff wheedles his victims in every episode with constant pleas for them not to leave because he's "tired of everyone leaving me." (Abandonment issues, get it?) In fact, given the history of Murphy's oeuvre, the most surprising element of "Monster" might be its relative restraint when it comes to gore. The details of Dahmer's crimes are largely left up to the imagination, or else the creeping score doing all it can to build adequate suspense. While knowing (or at least hoping) that Murphy and Brennan aren't trying to engender sympathy for Dahmer, it's egregious nonetheless that so much of this show is devoted to watching Peters' Dahmer self-flagellate for being "weird" as if reenacting the serial killer version of Jughead's now infamous "Riverdale" speech. (Dahmer: "I'm not a normal guy; I'm weird; I don't fit in"; Jughead: "I'm weird; I'm a weirdo; I don't fit in.") Then, after spending six episodes (of 10) detailing Dahmer's psychological profile and murders, the back half of the series turns to the aftermath of his arrest and the righteous fury the sheer horror of his transgressions inspired. This includes many attempts at underlining exactly how Dahmer could get away with so many astonishing crimes while the marginalized communities he trafficked in -- particularly queer, Black spaces -- protested the obvious unease surrounding him. If there was a story worth telling here -- and that's a big if, given the onslaught of true crime overwhelming television these days -- it was this. And yet, despite the detour of "Silenced," these crucial moments are largely rendered in two-dimensional platitudes that rarely go as deep as the subject requires. Not even the formidable Nash, so good as Dahmer's suspicious neighbor, can do much to change that. For as much as "Monster" makes moves to decenter him in its final episodes, it's still "The Jeffrey Dahmer Story," after all. If you want to see Peters fight internalized homophobia by fondling a mannequin, masturbate to memories of gutted animals, or solemnly fry up a human kidney, I guess this show is here for you. Beyond that, though, it simply can't rise to its own ambition of explaining both the man and the societal inequities his crimes exploited without becoming exploitative in and of itself. The story of Jeffrey Dahmer has been told over, and over, and over again. This version, despite its prestige trappings, has little else to add. "Dahmer -- Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" is now available to stream on Netflix. Oklahomans are being asked to intervene with their lawmakers as the Cherokee Nation pushes Congress again for a treaty-promised delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. in August 2019 announced Kimberly Teehee would be designated to represent the tribe and its 437,000 citizens in Washington, D.C. Three years later, Congress has yet to approve Teehee as a delegate with the ability to speak on the floor and vote, though only in committee. It is past time for the United States government to honor its promise, Hoskin said in a statement Thursday about the campaign to seat the Cherokee Nation delegate. Supporters are urged to contact their lawmaker through an online form at cherokeedelegate.com to ask that Congress use the next session to approve the seat for Teehee. The campaign will involve grass-roots mobilization, public events and advertising, according to a news release, including a three-minute video with Cherokee citizens encouraging Congress to act. Forced removal means all that we had developed in the East, all that wealth, the housing, we had nothing when we came here, Teehee said in the video. Look at the time it took for the Cherokee Nation post-removal to rebuild itself. Its important to Cherokee Nation that Congress seats its delegate to Congress this year. Referencing the Trail of Tears, Hoskin said the Cherokee Nation was guaranteed a voice in Congress in exchange for the sacrifice of our people and our ancestral lands by the Treaty of New Echota. The treaty was ratified by the Senate in 1836 and signed into law by President Andrew Jackson. As a member of the Cherokee Nation, I firmly believe the federal government must honor its trust and treaty responsibilities to Indian Nations. We are only as good as our word, Oklahomas 2nd District U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin said in a statement supporting Teehees seat. Teehee served for three years as President Barack Obamas senior policy adviser for Native American affairs in the White House Domestic Policy Council. Teehee also served in multiple leadership positions on Capitol Hill, including the bipartisan Native American Caucus in the House of Representatives, and in the Cherokee community. She was named the tribes vice president of government relations in 2014. A campaign spokesman did not respond by press time to requests for details on the public events planned to raise awareness. WASHINGTON As part of its 20th year researching Tulsas early childhood programs, Georgetown University on Tuesday released reports showing pre-Ks positive effects on college enrollment and earning ability. Through the decades, the Center for Research on Children in the United States at Georgetown has followed different cohorts of children in the pre-K program of Tulsa Public Schools and Tulsa Head Start. It has often found gains along the way, particularly for low-income, Black and Hispanic students. A daylong conference at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., focused on the unique Tulsa research project, featuring several panelists from Tulsa early education programs. If you care about children, then when you think of Tulsa, you should also think about universal pre-K because Tulsa has been an undisputed leader in this area, said Bill Gormley, co-director of the center and professor of public policy and government. Universal pre-K is a hot topic and deservedly so. It focuses on young children, many of whom desperately need a helping hand and most of whom can benefit from a strong preschool education. At its best, universal pre-K is a gift that keeps on giving. Oklahoma was among the first states to implement universal pre-K, programs for 4-year-olds offered by public schools. Only eight states fund pre-K for all children. In addition, Tulsa also has targeted early childhood education programs for low-income students that provide programs to parents as poverty interventions. Some of those resources are job training, education or social needs. The Tulsa pre-K program is noteworthy is several respects, Gormley said. First, its a relatively old program, having been established by the (Legislature) in 1998. Second, its a relatively high-quality program. Third, its a program that serves a diverse cross-section of students. Fourth, it relies on two key service delivery mechanisms: school-based pre-K and Head Start. All of these features together have made Tulsa a very attractive site for us as researchers. Its been our great privilege to study this program and its effects over the past two decades. Researchers say the idea of fade out a reference to gains made in early education fading is more a convergence, where non-preschool students are catching up to those who went to pre-K. The new data, research and working papers released Tuesday include: Third graders who have attended preschool have stronger cognitive and self-regulation skills than other children. Self-regulation refers to behavior, such as being able to follow directions from a teacher or communicate well with classmates. It is the first study to document the effects from preschool on self-regulation, and the lead author is Georgetown associate psychology professor Anna Johnson. This paper comes from the Tulsa School Experiences and Early Development study, known as SEED, with researchers from the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa listed as co-writers. Alumni of Tulsas pre-K program do better on several high school indicators, and researchers found a positive link to on-time graduation. Lead author Sara Amadon, senior research scientist at Child Trends, found students who went through pre-K were more likely to take an Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate class, less likely to fail a class and more unlikely to be held back a grade. The study did not find effects in test scores and GPA but saw preschool alumni had less absenteeism. Tulsa pre-K students are more likely to pursue higher education, according to a study led by Gormley of 4,033 students who were Tulsa kindergarteners in fall 2006. They estimate the likelihood of enrolling in college to be 12 percentage points higher for TPS pre-K students than for those who attended neither TPS pre-K nor Head Start. Gormley said this outperforms other programs encouraging college entry including several free tuition programs in the country. Tulsas early childhood education programs significantly changed childrens lives for the better in the long run by increasing the likelihood that they will enroll in college, Gormley said. Students who attended a Tulsa pre-K are more likely to become registered voters and show up at the polls. The data came from the Tulsa group of preschool students from 2005-2006 who are now college-aged. Lead author Karin Kitchens, assistant political science professor at Virginia Tech, looked at the voter data of the students against their peers. The increased civic participation is credited to the increased academic skills and self-regulation. The benefits of Tulsas pre-K program exceeds its costs in the long term, according to a team led by senior economist Tim Bartik of the Michigan-based Upjohn Institute. In one estimate, each dollar spent per pre-K participant is shown to yield an earnings effect of $2.65. A less conservative estimate shows a benefit-cost ratio could be as high as 4.08. We have to see what happens to college graduates and get some earnings data, Bartik said. NEW YORK (AP) President Joe Biden pledged on Thursday in his first face-to-face meeting with new Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to work to strengthen relations with the Pacific nation after what he said had been some rocky times in the past. Meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, the leaders discussed tensions in the South China Sea, the long-standing security relationship between the United States and the Philippines, stresses to the global economy and food security caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and other issues. Biden also noted that the Philippines was among U.S. allies to quickly condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Weve had some rocky times, but the fact is its a critical, critical relationship, from our perspective. I hope you feel the same way, Biden said at the start of the meeting. The relationship hit bumps during the presidency of Marcos predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. Human rights groups say Dutertes war on drugs resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings. According to human rights groups, virtually all the killings, carried out by police and armed vigilantes, occurred without due process, and the vast majority of victims were unarmed, poor low-level offenders. The U.S. government has suspended counter-narcotics assistance to the Philippine National Police since 2016. The White House in a statement said that the leaders discussed the importance of respect for human rights. Thursday's talks come amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and China over America's Taiwan policy. The One China policy recognizes Beijing as the government of China but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taiwan. China claims the self-ruled island as its own. Marcos, the son and namesake of the countrys former dictator, took office in June. He has said he wants to pursue closer ties with China, which has also sought to court him. Biden has put a premium on improving relations with Pacific nations in the early going of his presidency. He sees a rising China as the most threatening economic and national security adversary to the United States. Marcos underscored to Biden that the Philippines is your partners, we are your allies, we are your friends. He also thanked the U.S. for its massive assistance during the pandemic, including sharing COVID-19 vaccines, and for its role in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The role of the United States in maintaining the peace in our region is something that is much appreciated by all the countries in the region, and the Philippines, especially," Marcos said. He added, The 100-plus-year-old relationship between the Philippines and the U.S. continues to evolve as we face the challenges of this new century." Before Marcos took office earlier this year, Kurt Campbell, coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the White House National Security Council, acknowledged that historical considerations could present challenges to the relationship with Marcos Jr. That appeared to be a reference to long-standing litigation in the United States against the estate of his father, Ferdinand Marcos. A U.S. appeals court in 1996 upheld damages of about $2 billion against the elder Marcos estate for the torture and killings of thousands of Filipinos. The court upheld a 1994 verdict of a jury in Hawaii, where he fled after being forced from power in 1986. He died there in 1989. The elder Marcos placed the Philippines under martial law in 1972, a year before his term was to expire. He padlocked the country's congressional and newspaper offices, ordered the arrest of many political opponents and activists and ruled by decree. Marcos Jr. has bristled at critics who have branded his father a dictator. He's also repeated his fathers justification that martial law was necessary to fight growing Muslim and communist insurgencies. It was necessary to in my fathers view at the time to declare martial law because a war was really raging already at the time, he said in a recent interview with ALLTV. The Biden administration has sought to build strong relations with the younger Marcos administration. The two leaders have had good engagement at the cabinet level, according to the White House. For more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly LONDON (AP) The U.K. government confirmed Thursday that it's lifting a ban on fracking in England, arguing that the move will help boost the country's energy security amid Russia's war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Liz Truss announced within days of taking office earlier this month that she would reverse a 2019 ban on hydraulic fracturing, a controversial technique used to extract oil and gas from shale rock. Britain needs to explore all avenues available to us through solar, wind, oil and gas production - so its right that weve lifted the pause to realize any potential sources of domestic gas, business and energy secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said Thursday. Truss said she will not be going ahead with anything that carries a risk," but stressed that "energy security is vital. Officials also backed an expansion of licenses for oil and gas operations in the North Sea, drawing anger from environmental groups Thursday. The Conservative government suspended fracking in November 2019 after a series of tremors were recorded at the U.K.'s only shale wells near Blackpool in northwest England. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said lifting the ban means future applications will be considered where there is local support." Developers will need to have the necessary licences and permissions before they can commence operations. Fracking involves injecting high-pressure water deep underground to extract oil or gas from rock. Environmental groups have long opposed the practice, saying it can pollute groundwater and contributes to climate change. Critics also say it's an ineffective way to generate energy, doesn't help lower steeply rising energy bills, and is opposed by communities wherever it is attempted. Rees-Mogg faced an angry backlash from lawmakers, including some from his own Conservative Party. Opposition parties accused the Conservative government of breaking its own manifesto pledge in 2019, when the party promised it wouldnt lift the ban on fracking unless the practice was scientifically proven to be safe amid concerns over earthquakes. "Even when the government went all out for shale, the frackers produced no energy for the U.K. but managed to create two holes in a muddy field, traffic, noise and a colossal amount of controversy, Greenpeace energy security campaigner Philip Evans said. A government-commissioned review on the risks of shale gas extraction by the British Geological Survey was inconclusive, saying more data was needed. Officials argued that the limited current understanding of U.K. geology and onshore shale resources shouldn't be a barrier to fracking. It is clear that we need more sites drilled in order to gather better data and improve the evidence base," a statement from the government's business department said. Lifting the pause on shale gas extraction will enable drilling to gather this further data, building an understanding of U.K. shale gas resources and how we can safely carry out shale gas extraction in the U.K. where there is local support. The other parts of the U.K. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales aren't affected by Thursday's announcement. Meanwhile, the government's approval for more oil and gas operations in the North Sea means that more than 100 new licenses are expected to be granted from next month. Friends of the Earth Scotland said that the new round of licensing suggests that Britain's government "is effectively denying the reality of the climate emergency. Follow APs climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment Violence against women and children impacts every country and virtually every community around the world. The violence also carries far-reaching economic, security and moral implications. Yet sustained progress in preventing such violence remains elusive. If our societies aim to uproot gender inequity, all of us including men and boys must confront a scourge that undermines the common good. The United Nations defines gender-based violence as any act that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women and girls, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. Such violence is done to harm a person solely because of their gender. And it includes, but is not limited to, physical, sexual, emotional, economic and psychological abuse. Astonishingly, one in three women have experienced some form of violence. Those closest to women and girls, such as their intimate partners and family members, perpetrate most of the violence. The World Health Organization reported in 2018 that 26% of women ages 15 and older have already experienced intimate partner violence. A country cannot succeed when half a population is undervalued, unprotected, and abused. Violence against women and girls impacts national security, community safety and the expansion of free and fair societies. Autocrats, extremists and other rogue actors embrace this reality. From the Taliban in Afghanistan to Burmas military junta to Vladimir Putins actions in Russia, undermining the status of women in societies and encouraging physical abuse are rooted in their desire for control. Unfortunately, history demonstrates that nefarious actors leverage this sadistic tactic. And state-imposed inequity primes societies for further subordination of their female populations. At the same time, societies look away from abuses that violate fundamental human rights. In the United States, domestic violence incidents are some of the most highly dangerous and unpredictable response calls for law enforcement officers. Between 2011 and 2020, CNN reports, Domestic disturbance or domestic violence calls accounted for roughly 8.5% of the total number of officers killed between 2011 and 2020. Fortunately, numerous strategies can advance the fight against gender-based violence: Increase support for and inclusion of local organizations and advocates at policymaking tables. Those working on the frontlines understand violences influence on at-risk communities. They also know what can block sustainable interventions. Their real-world experience can help develop policies and investments that positively impact women and children. Improve access to survivor support services, especially in ways that meet at-risk communities where they are. In Guatemala City, the nonprofit Creamos innovatively integrates best practices into its community outreach. The organization even uses Zumba classes to build trust with women. By opening lifelines, the nonprofit bypasses the stigma so often associated with services for mental health care and support for survivors. Strengthen rule of law and justice systems. Access to justice for survivors of violence remains elusive. The UNs Spotlight Initiative and organizations like the International Justice Mission confront these challenges. Still, nations and communities alike need better collaboration and engagement across their public and private sectors. Men and boys need to help prevent abuse. Projecting positive gender norms remains one of the most critical needs. Communities need to actively engage men and boys in helping eradicate violence against women and children. This means working with them to confront harmful behaviors, perceptions, and customs. I am not suggesting an attack on masculinity or the status of men. Rather, this is an opportunity to affirm positive gender norms, dismantle archetypes and beliefs that have reinforced inequity, and demonstrate that the dignity and protection of all matters to the common good. We are all are stronger when women are valued and respected. A number of geographic features on the Oklahoma map are getting new names thanks to federal efforts to rid public lands of terms that insult Native Americans. The U.S. Department of the Interior, under orders from Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, searched for places on federal public lands with the term squaw in their names. Once identified, officials worked with stakeholders to find new names for these places. The result is 643 places across the country are being renamed. Most of these places are in Western states, with 80 in California alone. In Oklahoma, seven places are being renamed in Blaine, Cimarron, Lincoln, Mayes and Ottawa counties. Of those in northeastern Oklahoma, we now have Doctor Williams Creek and Doctor Williams Hollow in Mayes County and Potato Creek in Ottawa County. Haaland, the nations first Indigenous interior secretary, made this a priority due to the offensive nature of the term. The word is roughly derived from an Algonquin term for woman, but since colonization has become a derogatory and by some accounts, vulgar epithet that demeans Native American women. The term has historically been used as an offensive ethnic, racial and sexist slur, particularly for Indigenous women, the Interior Department said. Haaland, a member of New Mexicos Laguna Pueblo, elaborated further, saying, Racist terms have no place in our vernacular or on our federal lands. Our nations lands and waters should be places to celebrate the outdoors and our shared cultural heritage not to perpetuate the legacies of oppression. The issue got a boost a year ago when a high-profile ski resort in California, which hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, decided to change its name from Squaw Valley to Palisades Tahoe. The old name was derogatory and offensive, its leadership said in a joint statement. This is an issue Oklahoma has tried to deal with before. In 2000, members of the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives passed a resolution to begin the process of eradicating the term from the state map. Unfortunately, the effort made little headway. The federal effort has jumpstarted the process. While the Interior Departments orders only apply to federal lands, it does bring light to an issue that is on the minds of many Native American people. Oklahoma has one of the nations largest populations of Native Americans. It is home to nearly 304,000 tribal members representing 39 tribes. The tribes and their members are significant contributors to the progress weve made in Oklahoma. More than that, they are due the respect the Haaland is seeking that the places we visit and see on the map not carry language that denigrates their people and heritage. We applaud Haalands initiative on this issue, and hopefully we can continue to honor those who are such an important part of our state and nation. Ho Chi Minh City-based grocery chain Bach Hoa Xanh has been selling made-in-China mushrooms in the guise of quality local goods bearing Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP) tags, according to an investigation by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Investigative journalists from Tuoi Tre found that Dong A Trading and Production JSC, based in Linh Dong Ward, Thu Duc City, a district-level unit under Ho Chi Minh City, had been allegedly providing mislabeled products to Bach Hoa Xanh. In order to bear the VietGap label, fruits and vegetables must be grown using methods that ensure the safety and cleanliness of the products. In a statement sent to Tuoi Tre on Wednesday, Bach Hoa Xanh said it immediately ceased the sale of all products supplied by Dong A and asked the company to check the quality, origin, and supply process of its products. The grocery chain also issued an apology to customers. Bach Hoa Xanhs aim is to comply with regulations on the product traceability and ensure clear origins for its products," the chain said. "In this case, Bach Hoa Xanh understands the importance of better controlling the origin and quality of commodities. Vegetables are imported from China to Hoc Mon wholesale market in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Bong Mai / Tuoi Tre Bach Hoa Xanh purchased only mushrooms from Dong A. On June 8, 2022, we signed a contract with Dong A to use their products for up to three percent of the mushrooms sold in our stores. After this case, Bach Hoa Xanh will work with all of our other suppliers to better control our product sources. Bach Hoa Xanh claims the most important criteria it evaluates when purchasing products are quality, hygiene, and safety. Imports sold in its stores also meet Vietnams requirements, including having their origins and quality verified by and registered with relevant agencies. Fake and smuggled goods are prohibited from hitting the shelves. Bach Hoa Xanh claims its current policy is not to compromise with suppliers who skirt these regulations. Violations come to light With an abundant supply and prices as low as half of what Vietnamese products sell for, masquerading Chinese produce as 'grown-in-Vietnam' is becoming commonplace at supermarkets and convenience stores looking to improve their bottom lines. Last month, Tuoi Tre reporters went undercover as Dong A Company workers and discovered that the issue of fraudulent produce stretches beyond the produce sold at a single grocery store chain. During their investigation, the undercover reporters noticed a small mushroom processing room at the Dong A facility that had been sectioned off from the primary vegetable processing area. Inside the room, workers were replacing packing branded by a company named 'Ready Food' with new labels and tags that included the words 'fresh' and other Dong A insignia. These 'new' 300-gram trays of sundry, oyster, king oyster, and enoki were filled with produce that had been sourced from China and given 'fresh from farm to table' stickers together with a VietGap logo issued by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture of Rural Development. Elsewhere in the mushroom processing room, 125-gram bags of white linhzhi mushrooms labeled as 'made in China' that had been imported and distributed by Loi Hao Gia Co. Ltd. were repackaged into new 150-gram trays, renamed as 'beech mushrooms' and given stickers claiming the products were 'Fresh Vegetables' and 'fresh from farm to table.' Any traces of these products Chinese origins were removed. The fact that these mushrooms had all originated in China was corroborated by a veteran Dong A worker. Another Dong A worker told the Tuoi Tre reporters that these relabeled and repackaged mushrooms were to be delivered to Bach Hoa Xanh grocery stores. Sure enough, while the reporters were still on-site at the Dong A facility, a green truck bearing the Bach Hoa Xanh label pulled up to the loading dock where workers wearing shirts that read Toan Tin (Fully Trusted) Logistics began loading the truck with mushrooms. Fully Trusted Logistics JSC is an arm of Mobile World Investment Corporation, the operator of Bach Hoa Xanh. Workers replace the packaging of Chinese seafood mushrooms with plastic bags featuring a Dong A Trading and Production JSC logo. Photo: Bong Mai / Tuoi Tre Dong A claims a pillar of its mission is Spreading Dong As spirit connecting the community, and being an important part in the supply chain of agricultural products in Vietnam to increase the value of and ensure the sustainable development of Vietnamese agricultural products. The reporters followed the truck to Bach Hoa Xanhs central warehouse on Tran Dai Nghia Street in Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, where the Dong A-branded mushrooms were unloaded. An employee at the warehouse said the products were destined for Bach Hoa Xanhs retail stores. As part of their investigation, the Tuoi Tre reporters visited a mushroom stall run by Loi Hao Gia in Thu Duc wholesale market. Gias stall specializes in enoki, seafood, king oyster, brown and white lingzhi, and fresh shiitake mushrooms. According to staff, all of these mushrooms had been imported from China. Only the [food suppliers] packaging is theirs. They buy our mushrooms and replace the packaging and labels to make them their own, one staff member claimed. Consequences an afterthought Ho Chi Minh Citys Thu Duc and Hoc Mon wholesale markets have recently seen a huge inflow of vegetables from both China and from across Vietnam. These products include napa cabbages, cabbages, onions, carrots, and turnips, and most seem to have had their stamps and labels tampered with. At Thu Duc wholesale market, relabeling is so rampant that stall owners occasionally remove and replace Chinese labeling in plain sight. According to H., a trader at Thu Duc wholesale market, the wholesale price for Chinese onions is just VND15,000 (US$0.63) per kilogram compared to nearly double for onions grown in Da Lat, a greens hub of Vietnam. In addition to their lower prices, Chinese onions can also be stored for up to two weeks. Da Lat onions, on the other hand, have a shelf life of about five days. Only three to four percent of traders choose Da Lat greens. Most mainly sell [China-originated] produce, H. shared, pointing out that Chinse cabbages, for example, are bigger and have better coloring. H. also noted that Chinese and Da Lat cabbages both sell for about VND15,000 per kilogram but consumers prefer the Chinese because of their longer shelf life six days versus three days. After taking mushrooms from Dong A Trading and Production JSC, a Bach Hoa Xanh truck transports the products to the grocery chains central warehouse in Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Q.B. / Tuoi Tre Linh, a vendor at Hoc Mon wholesale market, noted that the packaging for the carrots, potatoes, onions, and fruits sold at the market all displays Chinese labeling, but when they are distributed to wet markets unpackaged, sellers there can easily dupe customers into believing they were cultivated elsewhere. Vietnamese people dont like poor-quality Chinese agricultural products, so most sellers say their products were farmed in Da Lat, the U.S., or Japan," Linh said. This also lets them sell their produce for double or triple the price." Chinese agricultural products overwhelm Vietnamese market According to Thu Duc wholesale market representatives, about 550 metric tons of Chinese goods are brought into the market each night. Many of these products, such as potatoes, carrots, napa cabbages, garlic, grapes, and pears, are sold at the market throughout the entire year. Their prices are also considerably cheaper than their counterparts grown in other countries. Chinese apples, for example, cost VND35,000 ($1.5) per kilogram while U.S. gala apples sell for VND75,000 ($3.2) per kilogram. In addition, Chinese and Korean pears are sold at VND35,000 and VND65,000 ($2.8) per kilogram, respectively. Another case in point is garlic, which fetches VND25,000 ($1.1) per kilogram if grown in China but VND300,000 ($12.7) per kilogram if planted on Vietnams Ly Son Island. The price of Da Lat pink potatoes is double that of Chinese yellow potatoes, at VND28,000 ($1.2) and VND14,000 ($0.59) per kilogram, respectively. While the supply of many local goods, such as Vinh Chau red onions, Da Lat white onions and carrots, and Hanoi cauliflowers, fails to meet demand, Chinese products are abundant and fetch low prices. Chinese red onions cost just VND25,000 ($1.1), Chinese white onions and carrots VND15,000, and Chinese cauliflowers VND35,000. Committing violations As per Decree 43/2017/ND-CP, organizations and individuals must take responsibility for labelling products, including secondary labels, in an honest, clear, and accurate manner which shows the nature of the products, according to a Ho Chi Minh City lawyer. Imported goods with improper labels may feature secondary labeling but the original tags need to remain intact on the packaging. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams agriculture minister said on Thursday the country is not in a deal with Thailand to jointly raise rice prices. The two countries agriculture ministries have only conducted general cooperation activities, minister Le Minh Hoan said in a statement during a government meeting in Hanoi. The statement - the Vietnamese governments first on the issue - comes less than a month after a Thai agricultural official said the two countries had agreed to cooperate in raising the price of rice in the global market. The two countries began talks in May. A Thai spokesperson said then that the objective of raising prices jointly was to increase their leverage in the global market and boost farmers incomes. Thailand and Vietnam account for about 10% of global production of rough rice and about 26% of global exports, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thai exporters have said a price cartel would be unfeasible and would make Thailand and Vietnam uncompetitive. The Vietnam Food Association said late last month the countrys rice exports are expected to rise to 6.3 million-6.5 million tonnes this year from 6.24 million tonnes last year on strong demand. A kindergarten teacher in Thai Binh Province, northern Vietnam has been suspended since Wednesday amidst accusations from parents that she had stabbed students with sharp objects. Nguyen Thi Tuyet, principal of Ky Ba - Fairy Dream 2 Kindergarten in the provinces Thai Binh City, where the incident happened, said that the suspension of P.T.T.T., 26, was meant to facilitate a police investigation into the case. The school management board promptly asked local police to investigate accusations made online by parents of students in Sunny 1 class that their children had been stabbed by T. with needles or thorns, according to Tuyet. At the same time, the school convened a meeting with parents to collect their accounts of the incident. So far, all of the schools camera footage and related documents have been shared with police officers for use during the investigation, Tuyet said. Although the incident remains unclear, we would like to sincerely apologize to parents for the worries that have been caused over their children, the principal added. On Wednesday, the Peoples Committee of Thai Binh Province also ordered the police unit and the education administration division of Thai Binh City to handle the case. Ky Ba - Fairy Dream 2 Kindergarten officially opened for operation in mid-2022. It currently hosts 180 children. Class Sunny 1 has 25 children and three teachers. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Over 1,000 people from 238 households in Tra Vinh Commune's Village 3 in Nam Tra District, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam have endured a rough life on the hillside for years due to the authorities unresolved conflict regarding overlapping geographical boundaries. The total area of the overlapping land between Kon Tum Province and Quang Nam Province is nearly 6,200 hectares, with the length of the whole route running through it at over 10 kilometers. This problem has lasted for years, but the two provinces have yet to agree on a solution, resulting in the precarious survival of over 1,000 people on the hillside. They long for fundamental infrastructures similar to those in other villages, including electricity, a road system, schools, markets, and telecommunication services. Where there is no light A well-off family can buy their own water-powered electricity generator and place it at the top of the stream [that runs through the village]. But for the less able, they often team up in groups of three to four families, said Ho Van Thong, a villager there. If the light goes out in one family, the others will be in darkness, too. The electricity produced is in small quantities, just enough for charging phones and keeping lights on. To use the TV set, you have to turn off the light, and vice versa. It is a mere 20-kilometer eastward journey from the center of Dak Nen Ward in Kon Plong District, Kon Tum Province, but it takes two hours to get to this village due to the sloppy road full of cracks and heavy bumps. There are overflowing dams, powerful streams, and makeshift hanging bridges. As the authorities have not adequately invested in this village, the people have to make their own roads and hanging bridges. At times, travelers will have to push their motorbikes up a rocky cliff. Lacking amenities A few children are seen peeling some pomelos they have just picked near the stream, with their dirty faces, bodily scratches, and barely any clothing. Under the afternoon shower, the adults return home after a hard day working in the field, trying to make ends meet. Thong and his wife live in a darkly lit wooden house. They can identify the difficulties due to the overlapping boundaries that their neighborhood unfortunately gets stuck in. This family used to burn wood logs for light. In the evening, the whole of Village 3 is buried in darkness, with flickering light from the fireplaces. The secluded lives of these people for years have remained unchanged. Nguyen Xuan Dieu, 30, experiences similar shortcomings. According to him, villagers there have always lived like this. They even have to clear the paths to make their own roads and build their own hanging bridges from natural materials. Their place is only accessible by foot, which is extremely exhausting. A few household owners were able to purchase motorbikes in 2008, but the challenging road system did not spare them. The roads and the bridges were spontaneously created by the people here, so they are of low quality and can cause damage to the vehicles," said Dieu. The only telephone signal spot is on top of the hill. Whoever needs to make a phone call will have to climb all the way up this hill, but the signal is not so good. It can be okay during the dry season, but for the rainy season braving this hill is a big deal. The only occasion when these villagers will travel far to get hold of basic necessities for sale is in time of a ceremony, be it a wedding, a funeral or a death anniversary. Most of their meals are based on foraged foods like bamboo shoots and wild plants. High hopes for their childrens education The correspondents from Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper braved the slippery slopes, flights of steps, and protruding branches in order to get to the highest house in the village. The most valuable objects in this house are the pots and the weary kitchen lights, blackened due to smoke from burnt wood. Nguyen Thanh Chim, head of Village 3 of Tra Vinh Commune, said that the unresolved overlapping boundary dispute between Kon Tum Province and Quang Nam Province has led to insufficient investments in infrastructures there. Everything is difficult around here. Everything is lacking, especially a road for traveling, transporting goods, doing business, and taking children to school, said Chim. Most people here dont have a motorbike and have to walk all day with a basket on their back to the more crowded areas to sell whatever products they have. They told us to move into Kon Tum Province altogether, but we cannot leave this land as we have lived here for generations," said Ho Thi Phien, a 53-year-old of Village 3. Our ancestors rest here, and all of our neighbors and relatives are in Tra Vinh Ward. We hope that the authorities of the two provinces will soon settle their disputes so that we can have a more stable life. A note from the authorities Regarding the overlapping land dispute, Tran Van Minh, chairman of the Peoples Committee of Dak Nen Ward, said that the two provinces recently had a meeting to resolve this conflict. The Quang Nam representatives proposed transferring the land of Village 3 to their ownership, while the Kon Tum officials also offered to relocate the 238 households to Kon Tum Province. Nguyen Thanh Chim, head of Village 3, and his family members live in a badly lit house due to the absence of electricity. Alternatively, they would exchange an equivalent area of land if Kon Tum agrees to surrender the overlapping area. However, there has been no agreement. "The commune officials still maintain their original statement that the administrative boundaries have to remain unchanged because the arable land and forest land are in the interests of the people, Minh said. Moreover, the people in the commune are short of productive land. If they are to be relocated, they will lose this and forest resources, and the forest environmental services will also be gone. As the two parties disagree, the people bear the brunt. The Departments of Home Affairs of the two provinces will develop a plan. They will measure the area and organize an official meeting with the local people." Since 2008, the two provinces have held many meetings but have not yet agreed on a solution, causing hundreds of households in this area to face many difficulties. Because one side manages the people while the other is in charge of the land, the investment in infrastructures in this area is still problematic. On the Quang Nam side, Nguyen Cong Ta, secretary of the Party Committee of Tra Vinh Commune, said that people in the overlapping area want to continue to work and live on their forefathers' land. "Whatever you do, you must respect people's opinions. We hope that the leaders of the two provinces have a plan to propose to the central government to resolve this problem soon so that the people will no longer suffer," said Ta. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! CAPE TOWN -- A South African local engineering team, which includes 20- to 70-year old members, for the first time took part in the continent's biggest solar car race, where drivers travel on public roads from Johannesburg to Cape Town. Before joining the competition, the residents of Mpumalanga province have been building and driving electric vehicles for a decade to encourage school kids to get involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Participating teams stand at the finish line at the V&A Waterfront after completing the final stage of the 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge race in Cape Town, South Africa, September 16, 2022. Photo: Reuters "What we've been doing is running a program, where they construct a vehicle, then race it over an hour on a race track, the team leader Klasie Botha said, adding that children from disadvantaged communities have benefited from this project. Netherlands' Brunel Solar Team celebrates at the finish line, after completing the final stage of the 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge race, at the V&A Waterfront, in Cape Town, South Africa, September 16, 2022. Photo: Reuters Mangaliso Gxesha, the driver of the province's first solar car team, said he was excited to participate in the challenge. South Africa's SolarFlair solar team leader, Klasie Botha interacts with driver Mangaliso Gxesha at the V&A Waterfront, on the final stage of the 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge race, in Cape Town, South Africa, September 16, 2022. Photo: Reuters "I saw the competition of solar cars in 2018. Up until now, we managed to build our own cars, now Im the driver of a solar car. Im so impressed," Gxesha said. Netherlands' Brunel Solar Team solar car participates in the final stage of the 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge race, near Cape Town, South Africa, September 16, 2022. Photo: Reuters He added that this race could be an opportunity for people to get interested in solar cars as fuel prices fluctuate. Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres on Tuesday sent a message to congratulate Vietnam on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the country's admission to the global organization, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his message, the UN secretary-general thanked Vietnam for its cooperation with the organization and support for its efforts in handling global challenges over the past 45 years. Guterres affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of the UN, adding that the nation has made many substantial and effective contributions to UN peacekeeping operations. He expressed his wish to further strengthen this solid relationship in the coming time in order to promote peace, sustainable development, and human rights in the world. Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has also sent greetings to Secretary-General Guterres on this occasion, the Vietnam Government Portal reported. The leader thanked the UN for the companionship and support for Vietnam's development over the past 45 years. Vietnam promises to assist the UNs central role in responding to global challenges, Phuc stated. The country will continue to cooperate closely with the UN and further promote its active and constructive contributions to the common work for peace and sustainable development in the world and each country, he stressed. Vietnam joined the UN on September 20, 1977. Over the past 45 years, the Southeast Asian nation has made active contributions, including serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and a member of the Human Rights Council. The country has also sent many military officers to take part in the UN peacekeeping missions in the world. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam have broken up a transnational drug ring and confiscated 56 bricks of heroin weighing more than 20 kilograms, as well as thousands of ecstasy pills. The municipal Department of Public Security confirmed on Wednesday that it had coordinated with the anti-drug police division of the Ministry of Public Security in order to break up the inter-provincial and transnational drug racket. The kingpin of the ring was identified as Dang Thi Hue, 51, from Le Chan District. Pham Bich Nguyet, 47, also from Le Chan, was named as her primary accomplice. Hue and Nguyet colluded with several other individuals in northern Dien Bien Province and north-central Nghe An and Ha Tinh Provinces. On September 19, the ring members smuggled a large amount of narcotics from overseas into Hai Phong. The illegal products were stored in Hues warehouse in Hai Phong while awaiting distribution. On the afternoon of the same day, officers caught Nguyet red-handed receiving a brick of heroin from Hue. Police then searched Nguyets home and discovered 13.85 grams of MDMA, 39.32 grams of methamphetamine, VND287 million (US$12,100), and other crime-related items. They then expanded their investigation, enabling them to locate Hues warehouse where they seized 15,000 ecstasy pills, five kilograms of crystal meth, 55 bricks of heroin, and an amount of cash. In total, officers confiscated 56 bricks of heroin weighing 20.348 kilograms, 12.43 kilograms of synthetic drugs, and VND317 million ($13,300). Police have arrested Hue and Nguyet and are working to identify other suspects involved in the drug ring. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Under Investigation returns to Nine for its third season on Monday with host, Liz Hayes. Under Investigation continues to pique Australians curiosity for crime, but more importantly the program exposes new evidence and seeks to provide answers to unsolved crimes, says Hayes. ,Alongside the nations best criminal minds, its a privilege to be able to investigate so many new and old unsolved mysteries, and in particular give a voice to the loved ones of victims who need to be heard. Our aim is to leave no stone unturned. Mystifying crimes that have baffled police for years are put under the microscope by Liz Hayes and her new teams of experts. Viewers will be there for every twist and turn as long-hidden evidence is uncovered and new witnesses speak. As Hayes convenes her experts at the Under Investigation War Table the first of eight gripping case files is opened: the top cop whose knowledge may have killed him. South Australian Detective Inspector Geoff Whit Whitford allegedly took his life on a remote beach. But this celebrated officer and loving father seemingly had little reason to commit suicide. He was, however, the head of an ultra-secret task force and had uncovered evidence of high-level police corruption. With exclusive access to a secret police file and new evidence provided by Whits daughter and former police officer Amanda Schultz, Under Investigation reveals a compelling case for what might have been murder. The motive? Geoff Whitford knew too much. Calls are now being made in the South Australian parliament for an independent inquiry. In the second major investigation, Hayes and her expert team examine the mysteries of Central Queenslands dark and deadly Flinders Highway. There have been 11 unsolved deaths and disappearances along this 800km stretch of bitumen. One was 21-year-old Tony Jones, hitchhiking between Townsville and Mount Isa as part of his trip of a lifetime. After making a final call to his girlfriend, Tony vanished somewhere along the highway. Mark Jones, Tonys brother, has waged a 40-year campaign to find the person hes convinced killed his brother. He joins the Under Investigation War Table as Tony Jones final moments are revealed. Under Investigations case files extend to Melbournes extraordinary Slug Gate saga, the health scandal that saw a $45 million family company destroyed; and Perths high-profile, politically supported religious group, The Esther Foundation, where instead of rehabilitation and treatment, residents allege they were exposed to abuse and terror. Esther received millions of dollars in public grants and support from former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Under Investigation also conducts a major investigation into Sydneys bloody gangland war where brawls, drive-by shootings, kidnappings and brazen assassinations are occurring in broad daylight. Monday, September 26, at 8.45pm on Channel 9 and 9Now. Ban on gas fracking in England lifted in push for energy independence A fracking rig flares gas during an anti-fracking protest by Greenpeace activists outside the Houses of Parliament in London By Paul Sandle, Muvija M and Susanna Twidale LONDON (Reuters) -Britain on Thursday formally lifted a moratorium on fracking for shale gas in England that has been in place since 2019, saying strengthening the country's energy supply was an "absolute priority". Energy prices have soared in Europe after Russia invaded Ukraine, and Britain is subsidising bills for households and businesses at a predicted cost of more than 100 billion pounds ($113 billion). New Prime Minister Liz Truss said earlier this month that fracking - extracting shale gas from rocks by breaking them up - would be allowed where it was supported by communities. Business and Energy Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said on Thursday all sources of energy needed to be explored to increase domestic production, "so it's right that we've lifted the pause to realise any potential sources of domestic gas". Fracking, which has been opposed by environmental groups and some local communities, was banned after the industry regulator said it was not possible to predict the magnitude of earthquakes it might trigger. Rees-Mogg, however, said the practice was "safe", and the limits on seismic activity should be re-assessed so it could take place in an "effective and efficient way". Cuadrilla, 96% owned by Australia's AJ Lucas, had the most advanced fracking wells in Britain and found a natural gas resource, but the rules around earth tremors meant its operations had to keep halting, meaning that neither of its two wells could be fully flow-tested. The company welcomed the decision and said it was committed to returning a portion of any shale gas revenue to local communities. "Lifting the moratorium will help the shale industry unlock UK onshore natural gas in quantities sufficient to meet the UKs needs for decades to come," Cuadrilla CEO Francis Egan said. Chemicals and energy giant INEOS, which holds several British shale gas exploration licences, said the government should treat shale gas development as "a national infrastructure priority." Story continues Experts say restarting the industry will do nothing to ease energy prices this winter, however, since it would take many years for an industry to develop and it remains unclear whether a significant amount of gas could be extracted. "Even if the risks proved to be manageable and acceptable, shale gas would only make a significant impact to UK supply if, over the next decade, thousands of successful wells were to be drilled," said Andrew Aplin, Honorary Professor at Durham University. Moratoriums on fracking in Scotland or Wales will continue, their devolved governments have said. TREMORS A report, requested by the government and published on Thursday by the British Geological Survey (BGS) said since little fracking had taken place in the country it "remains challenging" to estimate the seismic impact it could have. The largest tremor caused by fracking took place at Cuadrilla's site in Blackpool, northern England, in 2011, registering a magnitude of 2.3 which residents said woke them in the night. After this, the government introduced a traffic-light system which suspended work if seismic activity of 0.5 or above on the Richter scale was detected. The BGS said that threshold was the most conservative of any region where fracking has taken place, with some states in the Unites States, where fracking is commonplace, having a magnitude 4 threshold. Rees-Mogg said activity of 2.5 and below happened "millions of times a year across the world", adding that the limits on ground level movement for the construction industry were double those ever achieved by fracking in England. Allowing drilling to restart would generate data to understand how shale gas could be safely extracted where there was local support, the government said. It also confirmed its support for a new oil and gas licensing round, expected to be launched by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) in early October. ($1 = 0.8835 pounds) (Reporting by Paul Sandle and Susanna TwidaleEditing by William James and Mark Potter, Kirsten Donovan) LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's flag carrier TAP told customers on Thursday that hackers had stolen some of their personal data and published it on the dark web, although the state-owed airline said all payment details appeared to be safe. TAP said in a letter to customers the cyber attack last month obtained from its servers people's names, nationalities, email and home addresses, phone contacts and frequent flier numbers. "The release of the personal data via open sources could increase the risk of their illegal use, namely aimed at obtaining other data that could compromise the digital systems in fraudulent attempts such as phishing," TAP said. "There are no signs that any payments data have been retrieved from TAP systems," it said. The airline also said it had taken immediate containment measures to keep its systems working and to protect other data. It urged customers to be wary of unsolicited contacts requesting personal information, and told them not to click on links and attachments in suspicious emails. TAP also recommended changing passwords to stronger ones and said it would abstain from further contact with individual clients about the issue to avoid confusion. TAP CEO Christine Ourmieres-Widener told reporters the airline was "very serious about client data" and said the incident was upsetting. She would not disclose the number of affected clients, which some local media have put at around 1.5 million, saying that such estimates did not necessarily correspond to facts. She promised additional further investment in cybersecurity. Portugal's military has recently been the target of a cyberattack in which hundreds of classified NATO documents were allegedly stolen and put up for sale on the dark web, Diario de Noticias newspaper reported. Portuguese authorities have not acknowledged the breach but said they were investigating whether there had been one. (Reporting by Sergio Goncalves and Andrei Khalip. Editing by Jane Merriman) Lord Rothermere DMGT Lord Rothermere is to take day-to-day control over the publisher of the Daily Mail after taking the family business private earlier this year and expanding its portfolio of titles. The peer will take charge following the departure of Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) chief executive Paul Zwillenberg at the end of September, who is stepping down after more than six years in the role. His departure follows a deal earlier this year struck by Lord Rothermere to take the company private, ending its 90 years on the London Stock Exchange. The deal came after City institutions soured on consumer publishing, DMGT's core and the peers family business since 1896. Instead of backing away from the sector, Lord Rothermere has bought up titles including the i newspaper and the New Scientist magazine, which have been combined in a new subsidiary called Harmsworth Media. Analysts expect the trend to continue as sales of print newspapers and magazines continue to decline, requiring owners of printing presses such as DMGT to own more titles to maintain efficiency. As DMGT built up its consumer publishing business Mr Zwillenberg led a series of sales of less high-profile but valuable business information assets. The group offloaded businesses including financial information provider Euromoney and insurance company RMS, as well as its stake in the property website Zoopla. DMGTs ventures division also invested in online car dealership Cazoo a deal that handed a large payday to investors and was used to finance part of the take-private deal. Lord Rothermere has chaired the group since the death of his father in 1998, but corporate governance guidelines made it difficult for him to hold the chief executive title at the same time. In a memo to staff, Mr Zwillenberg said: An inevitable consequence of the strategy we put in place six and a half years ago, if it was successful, was that I would work myself out of a job. Now, with our companies all leaders in their respective markets, with great teams in place and exciting opportunities ahead, I have decided that the time is right to step down. Story continues Lord Rotheremere said: We are now masters of our own destiny, having taken the company private at the beginning of this year, and have a bright future to look forward to is in large part thanks to [Mr Zwillenberg]. Paul Zwillenberg - DMGT Mr Zwillenberg has a long history with DMGT, helping to launch the companys digital media business in the late 1990s. He subsequently left but rejoined DMGT in 2016 when the company needed a new direction, he said. He will remain at the media group as a senior adviser to Lord Rothermere alongside outgoing finance director Tim Collier, who announced his departure last year. It is the latest upheaval at the top of DMGT following the surprise return of longtime Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre. Mr Dacre rejoined the newspaper as editor-in-chief of parent company DMG Media in November last year, just weeks after parting ways with the publisher after 42 years. His return followed an unsuccessful bid to be named chairman of media regulator Ofcom and came days after the ousting of Geordie Greig as Daily Mail editor. In its final trading update before delisting from the London Stock Exchange, DMGT said it was considering job cuts in an effort to mitigate surging costs. The company said it was facing substantial increases in distribution and energy costs, as well as the highest newsprint prices since 1996. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The leading digital entertainment enabler, UniPin, has joined hands with Domino's Pizza Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, along with the critically acclaimed open-world adventure role-playing game Genshin Impact, for the launch of an exclusive collaboration with collectibles, branded merchandise, and unforgettable treats that are up for grabs for all Malaysians, Singapore, and Thailand gaming community. Customers can look forward to get an exciting value deals and branded merchandise with the launch of Domino's Pizza Emergency Food Combo. UniPin joins hands with Domino's Pizza and Genshin Impact for the launch of an exclusive collaboration The collaboration will involve selected Domino's stores with Genshin Impact-themed decor and a series of roadshows across the nation, lucky draws and social media activities to immerse fans and customers, giving them a chance to participate in fun activities and contests. Customers and cosplayers alike will be able to take pictures in Domino's outlets with Genshin Impact branded materials, use hashtags #GenshinImpactxDominos and #DominosEmergencyFoodCombo, enter a lucky draw and get a chance to win UniPin Credits. Meanwhile, roadshows kicked off in Malaysia stores, beginning from Kedah on 16th September, followed by nine other states from 17th September to 23rd October. Whereas for Singapore, a full day roadshow on the 8th October will be held in Domino's Kebun Baru in Singapore. Each roadshow will commence at 12 PM and continue to 6 PM. Hundreds of fans and customers who are very enthusiastic about the campaign are lining up for more than an hour at the participating branches during the first week of the roadshow. Chief Executive Officer UniPin, Ashadi Ang, said "UniPin is delighted to held this marvelous collaboration with Genshin Impact and Domino's Pizza. In this collaboration, we aim to pull the youth and community together, giving back to them by providing additional value toward each party's loyal customer and bring forward better innovation to improve gaming experience across Southeast Asia. Please expect more from us since we're preparing great combos for you to enjoy." Story continues More details and information related to the partnership can be found through UniPin Malaysia Instagram account @unipin_malaysia, or UniPin website https://www.unipin.com/pizza-adventures For media inquiries Kezia Maharani Media Relations pr@unipin.com SOURCE UniPin Photograph: Leigh Day/PA The family of a woman with a severe dairy allergy who died after eating a vegan Pret a Manger wrap contaminated with milk protein have warned that more people will die unless comprehensive testing throughout the food supply chain and better labelling are introduced. Celia Marshs family also said they believed the 42-year-old dental nurse would still be alive if a company that made a coconut yoghurt added to the wrap had informed Pret there was a risk it could have been contaminated because it was made in a factory that used milk. Marsh, from Melksham in Wiltshire, died two hours after eating a super-veg rainbow flatbread bought from a Pret in Bath during a post-Christmas shopping trip in 2017. Maria Voisin, the senior coroner for Avon, concluded that the wrap contained a dairy-free coconut yoghurt alternative supplied to Pret by the Kent company Planet Coconut. The coroner said the yoghurt included milk protein, which caused Marshs anaphylaxis. Giving a narrative conclusion, Voisin said: A product which is marked dairy-free should be free from dairy. She said the contamination arose because a stabiliser in the yoghurt called HG1 had become contaminated during its manufacture at Tate & Lyles plant in north Wales. The inquest heard that Tate & Lyle sent the HG1 to Planet Coconut in bags making clear they were not made in an allergen-free area and Planet Coconut had documentation that flagged the risk. But Voisin said Planet Coconut had not highlighted this risk to Pret. The coroner said she would write to the Food Standards Agency raising concerns about the labelling on products claiming to be dairy-free and the testing process. Outside court, Marshs daughter Ashleigh Grice, 27, said Marsh was our rock, the soul of the family. She continued: On that terrible day she trusted the labelling in the Pret a Manger store. But the vegan wrap had been contaminated. The contents were poisonous to her. Grice said there was a woeful lack of testing in the food supply chain and too much vague labelling such as may contain. She also claimed there was a failure in the healthcare system to help people with serious food allergies. Story continues She added: It is now clear to us that if Planet Coconut had passed on the warnings in their possession to Pret a Manger about the risk of cross-contamination, Mum would still be alive today. Mums death, like so many allergy deaths, was entirely avoidable. Marshs husband, Andy, 51, said: Celia meant the world to us all. She could brighten up your worst days with just one smile. She would look at you with her blue eyes and you just felt better. She was a great mum. He added: I want to see testing at every stage of the process to make sure nothing gets through the cracks. Kayleigh Grice, 20, said she was also shopping with her mother in Bath on the day she died. We split to go for separate lunches. I do often think that if we had maybe gone with her, then maybe she wouldnt have eaten the sandwich and she would still be there now. Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, whose 15-year-old daughter, Natasha, died in 2016 after eating a Pret baguette containing sesame seeds, said: Celia died one year after we lost our own daughter Natasha, who also died from an allergic reaction to food she considered safe to eat. We need urgent reform of the flawed and misleading precautionary allergen labelling system. The Marsh family and Ednan-Laperouse called for anaphylaxis to be recognised as a notifiable disease. This would result in instant precautionary product recalls, which could save lives, and an accurate picture of the true toll of the numbers of serious incidents and fatalities, said Ednan-Laperouse. Pano Christou, the chief executive of Pret a Manger, said: As the coroner made clear, Planet Coconut had information which should have alerted them that their yoghurt may have contained milk and this information was not passed on to Pret. It goes without saying that if Pret had ever known that the yoghurt may have contained milk, we would have never used the ingredient. We have taken significant steps forward with our suppliers and labelling policies since 2017. In a statement, Planet Coconut said it bought a licence from a company called CoYo in Australia to manufacture and sell a dairy-free coconut yoghurt in the UK. It said it was obliged to buy the HG1 from CoYo and was given many assurances by CoYo that the stabiliser was made in a dairy-free production environment. CoYo said during the inquest that under the licensing agreement, Planet Coconut was obliged to ensure the HG1 it used was dairy-free. The judge in Alex Joness Sandy Hook defamation trial has joked that shes going to call in sick when the far-right conspiracy theorist takes the stand. The hilarious exchange unfolded in a court in Connecticut on Wednesday during a sidebar between Judge Barbara Bellis and Mr Joness attorney Norm Pattis. Mr Pattis told the judge that his client is going to be in court on Thursday to testify before the jury, who will decide how much damages he must pay to the families of victims of the 2012 massacre because of the lies he spread. Before Mr Pattis could finish what he was saying, Judge Bellis interjected: Im calling in sick. When Mr Joness attorney began to laugh awkwardly at her comments, the judge doubled down. Im not joking, she added. Her comments came as Mr Jones has repeatedly disrespected the judge both on his Infowars show and during irate rants outside the courthouse ever since his second defamation trial began back on 13 September. On Tuesday, the right-wing extremist launched into a furious rant by the court where he branded Judge Bellis a tyrant and insisted he didnt broadcast lies about the mass shooting on purpose. This is a travesty of justice and this judge is a tyrant, he fumed. This judge is ordering me to say that Im guilty and to say that Im a liar. None of thats true. I was not wrong about Sandy Hook on purpose. He went on to make a bizarre connection with Jussie Smollett, who famously faked an incident where he said he was the victim of a racist attack. I questioned it just like Jussie Smollett, just like WMDs in Iraq, just like the Gulf of Tonkin, he said. Alex Jones will be in court tomorrow...to which the judge jokes, "I'm calling in sick."#AlexJones #SandyHook pic.twitter.com/D0RygKfPmZ Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) September 21, 2022 There have been a lot of staged events in history, like WMDs in Iraq, and I question every major event that we see, and so Im being put in an impossible position inside of this courthouse where Im being ordered to say Im guilty. Story continues He went on to claim that the judiciary has been weaponised and that the trial is a struggle session right outside of South Africa or Communist China. In a follow-up rant on Wednesday, he took aim at the media over its reporting on the developments in his companys bankruptcy case. His latest tirade came after the court was shown evidence last week that Mr Jones had been mocking Judge Bellis and calling the trial a kangaroo court on the very same platform that he used to push lies about the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook massacre. In court on Friday, Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for the victims families, showed the court a screengrab which was taken from the Infowars website that week. The picture showed Judge Bellis with red lasers for eyes, with the word CONTEMPT! plastered across it. A caption reads: Alex Jones kangaroo court watch: Day 1. A screenshot from Infowars of Judge Barbara Bellis (Law & Crime) Mr Mattei grilled witness Brittany Paz about the image, questioning whether Infowars and its parent company Free Speech Systems was taking the trial seriously. Has Alex Jones been calling this court a kangaroo court this week? he asked. Ms Paz, an attorney hired by Mr Jones to represent his companys operations in court, claimed that she didnt know. Is Infowars taking this trial seriously? Mr Mattei continued. Ms Paz insisted that Im taking it seriously. The far-right conspiracy theorist had been expected to take the stand to testify on Wednesday but is now expected to do so on Thursday. At his last trial in Texas last month, Mr Jones admitted that he knew the 2012 massacre was real and not a hoax as he had previously claimed it was. In that case, he was ordered to pay $4.11m in compensatory damages and $45.2m in punitive damages to Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, the parents of six-year-old victim Jesse Lewis. Alex Jones in an Infowars episode where he spreads lies about Sandy Hook (Hearst Connecticut Media) Mr Jones was successfully sued by the families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting in multiple lawsuits. Mr Jones had began spouting false claims almost immediately after the 2012 massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, claiming on his conspiracy site that the mass shooting was a giant hoax and that the victims were actors. He continued to push the lies to his followers for years claiming it was a false flag operation. While Mr Jones profited financially from spreading his lies, the victims families were subjected to years of in-person and online harassment and threats from his followers. The Texas suit was the first to go to trial last month. Now, jurors in Connecticut will decide how much Mr Jones must pay those families in damages. A 15-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed outside his school gates has been identified by police as Khayri McLean. The teenager died in hospital following an attack close to the entrance of North Huddersfield Trust School (NHTS) in Woodhouse Hill at 2.45pm on Wednesday, West Yorkshire Police said. A 16-year-old boy remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder at an address in Huddersfield shortly before 5am on Thursday. A police spokesperson said the attack on Khayri is being treated as a targeted incident and specialist detectives are continuing to conduct a wide range of enquiries across the Huddersfield area. Chief Superintendent James Griffiths, District Commander of Kirklees Police, said: We full realise the concern Wednesdays murder has caused in communities, and I want to reassure residents everything possible is being done to investigate what took place. The mother of Khayris girlfriend said her daughter had described him as the perfect boy. Sherrin James, who left flowers at the scene on Thursday, said her daughter Shyana, 16, had been going out with him for around eight months. The 35-year-old said the pair were literally inseparable, adding: He was her first proper boyfriend. She absolutely adored him and he absolutely adored her. She said he was perfect. Ms James said Khayri had messaged Shyana shortly before the incident, saying he had had a good day at school and couldnt wait to see her. She added: Her friend phoned her within minutes saying he had been hurt and was bleeding. I drove straight round, parked at the top and ran down. His mum was here and some of the teachers. Floral tributes being left near the scene in Woodhouse Hill, Huddersfield (Nigel Roddis/PA) I got on the floor with them and held his hand. I was telling him to wait for Shyana. I was just trying to make him pull through because he was squeezing my hand. Ms James said her daughter is heartbroken, adding: I cant even describe it. Shes just in bits. Khayri was treated at the scene and then taken to Leeds General Infirmary for emergency surgery, police said, but he was pronounced dead a short time later. Story continues A GoFundMe page has been set up to give the teenager the best send-off. NHTS pupils Alfie Wilkinson and Ruben Duncan-Keane left flowers at the scene with their mothers. Ruben, 12, said they had been traumatised by what had happened while Alfie, 12, described Khayri as a very popular kid. People have gathered at the police cordon to lay tributes to the victim (Nigel Roddis/PA) He said: Ive seen him about and he just looked like a nice kid and I didnt know why anybody would want to do that to anyone. Describing the incident, Alfie said: I saw him lying on the floor and then one of my teachers started giving him chest compressions to keep him alive and covering the wound. He thought it was a normal school day, going to school and then he came out and got stabbed. He didnt even get to go home and tell his mum how his day was, and that shouldnt happen to anyone. Headteacher Andrew Fell said in a statement that NHTS had lost a wonderful student from our school community. Mr Fell said: It is with enormous sadness that I must tell you that following an incident on Woodhouse Hill Road yesterday, one of our pupils has tragically lost their life. The pupil was taken by ambulance to hospital after the incident but despite the most valiant of efforts, medical staff were unable to save their life. A police evidence bag at the scene (Nigel Roddis/PA) This is truly shocking news for our pupils, your children and our staff. We will be providing specialist support for any among our community who feel they could benefit. A couple, who asked not to be named, said they had removed their son from the school over concerns about knives and gangs. The mother said: I took him out because I knew this was going to happen. Local councillor Amanda Pinnock, who represents Ashbrow ward on Kirklees Council, also attended the scene and said: People are feeling shock, people are feeling upset, quite rightly so a terrible incident had taken place, a young boy has lost his life. We are all heartbroken. This is not what we want to be hearing in our community. It is concerning, we have to make sure something like this never happens again. This isnt isolated to Ashbrow, its certainly not isolated to Huddersfield, its something affecting the whole country and it needs to be addressed. Billy Shankland attended the scene with his son, a Year 7 pupil at the school, to lay flowers. He said: Its awful, Ive got a child within the same age group, I cant imagine what the familys going through. Police investigating the murder of a 15-year-old male in Huddersfield have made an arrest. A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder this morning and is in custody. See more at https://t.co/waA84B10Q3 pic.twitter.com/Awhopss92Q West Yorkshire Police (@WestYorksPolice) September 22, 2022 He didnt know the boy, but hes got friends who did. Its a shock. It is very (concerning) because we dont know if its targeted or random for us, anything could be happening. Its scary. Lucy Smith, who lives near the school, said: I think were all in shock, Ive got two teenagers roughly the same age and anyone with a family must be feeling shocked and saddened. It was really important for me to come here, when things like this happen, to do something that can just help us feel better when we are all feeling completely powerless in the face of violence and thinking about a family that must be falling apart today. Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Marc Bowes said police have identified a number of witnesses to the incident. The incident occurred near the entrance to North Huddersfield Trust School (Nigel Roddis/PA) Our investigation is still at a very early stage, and we will be carrying out extensive inquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident that has resulted in the absolutely senseless loss of a young life, he said. We recognise that an incident of this nature will cause understandable shock and concern in the community, and we are working closely alongside our colleagues at Kirklees District who are increasing their presence in the area to reassure people and keep them updated as our investigation progresses. We have already identified a number of witnesses to the incident itself but would still like to hear from anyone who has any information that could assist the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat, quoting crime reference 13220521713. Cambridge University - Jonathan McManus/Moment The University of Cambridge has pledged to increase scholarships for black British students after its slavery inquiry uncovered links to an appalling history of abuse. The university said it would create new postgraduate places for black British students and scholarships for postgraduate students from Africa and the Caribbean. It will also fund more research into the legacies of slavery and commission a work of art to commemorate the achievements of black scholars and alumni of the university. Prof Stephen Toope, the outgoing vice-chancellor of Cambridge, said: It is not in our gift to right historical wrongs, but we can begin by acknowledging them. "Having unearthed our universitys links to an appalling history of abuse, the report encourages us to work even harder to address current inequalities particularly those related to the experiences of black communities. Benefited from slave trade The university launched an inquiry more than three years ago into how the 800-year-old institution benefited from the slave trade in response to scrutiny from some students and academics. It followed the Rhodes Must Fall movement in 2015, when students demanded the removal of a statue of the imperialist Cecil Rhodes from Oriel College. The final report of the inquiry, published on Thursday, found no evidence that the university directly owned slave plantations or slaves. However, it said that Cambridge had received significant benefits. They included funds from companies that participated in the trade, as well as from individual benefactors, and from fees derived from the families of plantations. It also reported on ways in which individual scholars at the university presented ideas that were used to justify slavery, while others promoted its abolition. The final report recommended that open discussions on financial reparations take place. However, it recommended that it would be more constructive to focus on deploying resources to make a difference to the communities affected by the legacies of enslavement. Story continues The university has committed 1.5 million of seed funding to implement the reports recommendations, which it plans to grow via donations from individuals and university colleges. It pledged to build on the programme launched in 2018 with the grime artist Stormzy to offer scholarships to dozens of black students at Cambridge. The new scholarships will target masters and PhD black British students, a cohort that is very much under-represented, the university said. In 2019-20 the black British postgraduate cohort was 1.7 per cent of the total compared with 2.7 per cent for undergraduates. Additional funding for five years will be allocated to the universitys black advisory hub, which was launched last year to support black students and run initiatives for a more inclusive environment. The university has also pledged to significantly enhance its recruitment activity among African and Caribbean students, working with colleges to create dedicated scholarships. A Cambridge Legacies of Enslavement Research Centre will be established to continue the investigations initiated by the inquiry. Separate funding from a donor will be used to commission a black British artist to create a work of art memorialising black Cambridge scholars or graduates. 'Process of reflection' Prof Toope said the inquiry was part of the university's "wider process of reflection about its role in a changing society". "This process includes considerations about how black and minority ethnic communities are represented and truly included within Cambridge; about what and how we teach; about how best to manage, curate and display collections in our museums; about how we engage most productively with academic institutions in other countries, and with black and minority ethnic communities across the United Kingdom." The investigation was overseen by an advisory group of nine professors supported by two post-doctoral researchers. Other British universities such as Glasgow and UCL also commissioned slavery inquiries. The examination of links between universities and slavery and colonialism increased following the death of George Floyd by a police officer in the US in May 2020. In Cambridge, there was a failed attempt to remove the memorial to Tobias Rustat, the 17th century benefactor with links to the slave trade, from the chapel of Jesus College. Last year, a group of students launched a campaign to rename the Seeley Library, named after Sir John Seeley, a historian who contributed to justifying the British Empire. Responding to the report, Prof David Abulafia, a fellow of Gonville and Caius College, told The Telegraph: Its vital to remember that the slave trade was conducted by people in the past, long dead. Their values are not our values. Their sins are not our sins. We need to be wary before we take responsibility for our remote ancestors actions. The double W Series champion Jamie Chadwick has insisted she can make it to Formula One within five years, rejecting scepticism that such a goal was achievable made by the Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali. Chadwick said the remarks only offered greater motivation to prove him wrong. F1 has not had a female driver compete at a grand prix since Lella Lombardi raced in Austria in 1976 but Chadwick remains convinced she can make. She conceded, though, there is still a long way to go despite her remarkable success in the all-female W Series. Related: Abbi Pulling: Its possible a woman can be in F1 in the next five years It doesnt really bother me to be honest, she said of Domenicalis comments that he did not believe a woman would make it to F1 within the next five years. It is motivation if nothing else. My goal is definitely to try and make it in five years. There is a lot I need to achieve in that time but my goal is to try and go through the correct feeder series and have success to be in F1 within five years. The W Series was created to give female drivers a platform to show off their skills and has proved successful, now operating as part of F1 support races. Chadwick won the first two seasons and has since been taken on as a development driver by the Williams F1 team. This year, with five wins from six races, she could wrap up her third title at the next round in Singapore on 2 October. Yet despite her success, the step up to the F3 and F2 feeder series has remained elusive, with a lack of track time compared to her male competitors cited as a major reason. On Wednesday she took part in an Indy Lights test for Andretti racing at Sebring in Florida. Indy Lights is the feeder series for Indy Car and Chadwick believes a drive there next season in the heavier, more physically demanding cars, would be the perfect precursor to then returning to Europe to race in F3. Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhones or the Google Play store on Android phones by searching for 'The Guardian'. If you already have the Guardian app, make sure youre on the most recent version. In the Guardian app, tap the yellow button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications. Turn on sport notifications. Story continues I felt comfortable with the car, she said. The main thing is that with the long races and the amount of testing you get in Indy Lights it could put me in a really good position for the year after to make another step up, having had that extra time to develop both physically and as a driver. The W Series CEO, Catherine Bond Muir, noted that Chadwick was already having to play catch up to her male counterparts in terms of how far she had advanced in the sport and that there was a long way to go before racing presented a level playing field. Jamie has not had the amount of time in a car because historically the money has never ever gone towards the girls, she said. That is changing but it is happening slowly because the whole of the structure of motorsport needs to change and peoples views and opinions need to change. FILE PHOTO: The Citigroup Inc logo is seen at the SIBOS banking and financial conference in Toronto By Mehnaz Yasmin (Reuters) -Citigroup Inc said on Wednesday it was planning to wind down its retail bank in the United Kingdom, aiming to further streamline operations as part of its chief executive's strategy. The move would help Citi improve its focus on services to wealthy clients, the bank said, adding that it had asked certain of its retail clients to shift to its private bank. Winding down its UK retail bank, which comprises just a single branch, would have no material financial impact on the company, the lender added. "Retail banking typically has a lot worse margin profile than wealth management. So it would make sense for them to just focus on this higher-return-on-capital business," said Siddharth Singhai, chief investment officer of New York-based investment firm Ironhold Capital. After taking up the top job last year, Chief Executive Officer Jane Fraser pledged to simplify Citigroup by exiting non-core businesses, including consumer franchises in 13 markets in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Fraser has been tasked with transforming a business whose share price lagged rivals like JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bank of America during her predecessor Michael Corbat's eight years in charge. On the other hand, JPMorgan and Goldman have expanded their operations in the UK in recent years. In May, executives at JPMorgan said its consumer bank Chase had attracted more than half a million customers in Britain. Goldman also offers savings accounts under its consumer arm Marcus in Britain. Citi's latest announcement comes months after the bank said it would exit its Citibanamex consumer banking business in Mexico, ending its 20-year retail presence in the country. The UK plans were first reported by the Financial Times, which said Citi is not considering selling its UK retail operations. The bank has begun consultations with its UK retail banking staff, Citi said. (Reporting by Niket Nishant and Mehnaz Yasmin in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Maju Samuel) LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Liz Truss said economic strength in democracies could help push back authoritarianism, in her first international speech as prime minister on Wednesday, also defending her plans for economic reform as a boost to the free world. Truss is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which she addressed late on Wednesday, calling for like-minded nations to combat authoritarianism together. As well as securing energy independence from Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, Truss highlighted how her own plans for lower taxes in Britain - for individuals and corporations - were aimed at winning a "new era of strategic competition." "We want people to keep more of the money they earn, so they can have more control of their own lives and contribute to the future," Truss told the annual gathering of world leaders. "We're reforming our economy to get Britain moving and we want to work with our allies so we can all move forward together," she said. "The free world needs this economic strength and resilience to push back against authoritarian aggression and win this new era of strategic competition."Truss, a conservative who wants to lower taxes and have fewer regulations, on Tuesday said she was prepared to push ahead with the plans even if they were unpopular. Some critics drew a contrast to U.S. President Joe Biden, who said he was "sick and tired of trickle-down economics." One of Truss's junior ministers earlier on Wednesday denied what the government was doing amounted to trickle-down economics. (Reporting by Alistair Smout and William James; additional reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Grant McCool) Vietnamese universities, foreign partners co-launch over 400 training courses Universities nationwide are implementing more than 400 joint training programmes with foreign countries for the undergraduate level, as per statistics from the Ministry of Education and Trainings Department of International Cooperation. Students at University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC), which is having a joint program with the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City's University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Source: UMC) Of the programmes, 186 were licensed by autonomous higher education institutions and 222 by the ministry. The UK tops the lineup of foreign nations by joining 101 join programmes, or about 25% of the total. It is followed by the US with 59 programmes, France 53, Australia 37 and the Republic of Korea (RoK) 27. Meanwhile, between 2016 and 2021, Vietnam annually welcomed 4,000 6,000 foreign students on average. The figure was the highest in 2019 with 6,300, dropping to some 3,000 each in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. Up to 80% of the foreign students in Vietnam come from Laos and Cambodia. Their proportion is followed by that of those from the RoK, China, France, and Japan. Most of them study short-term courses and undergraduate programmes. The Vietnam National Universities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are currently offering training to the highest numbers of students belonging to different nationalities, at 74 and 44, respectively./. Five Britons captured in Ukraine by pro-Russian forces have returned to the UK, it has been reported, after being released on Wednesday. It is understood John Harding, Dylan Healy and Andrew Hill were set free alongside Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin. Prime Minister Liz Truss said on Wednesday that the release of five Britons had been secured by working with Ukrainian authorities and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, but the identities of the men were not initially confirmed. Non-profit organisation the Presidium Network, which has been supporting the family of Mr Healy, told the BBC on Thursday all five were back safely in the UK. Dominik Byrne, co-founder of the organisation, which has been providing aid to Kyiv, said the men were looking forward to normality with their families after this horrific ordeal. The Foreign Office has not commented on the whereabouts of the men. Mr Aslins release was confirmed by his local MP Robert Jenrick, while multiple reports also indicated that Shaun Pinner would also be returning home. A video emerged late on Wednesday of two men sitting inside an airliner, in which Mr Aslin introduced himself and Mr Pinner, adding: We just want to let everyone know that were now out of the danger zone and were on our way home to our families. Mr Pinner interjected: By the skin of our teeth, as Mr Aslin continued: We just want everyone to know the good news etc, so thanks to everyone thats been supporting us and whatnot, so its really muchly appreciated. Mr Pinner added: Thanks to everybody. Liz Truss is visiting New York for a UN summit where world leaders are discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine (Toby Melville/PA) A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic had sentenced Mr Aslin to death alongside fellow British detainee Mr Pinner in July. Ms Truss, who is visiting New York for a UN summit where world leaders are discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine, tweeted: Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families. Story continues She thanked Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky for his efforts to secure the release of detainees, and Saudi Arabia for their assistance. Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends, Ms Truss added. Mr Harding, along with Mr Hill and Mr Healy, went on trial last month in the city of Donetsk, Russian media reported. The three, along with Swede Matthias Gustafsson and Croat Vjekoslav Prebeg, all pleaded not guilty to charges of mercenarism and undergoing training to seize power by force, according to Russian media. The next court hearing in their case was scheduled for October, the Interfax news agency reported, citing a statement by the separatists court. Associated Press said the 10 prisoners included citizens of Sweden, Croatia and Morocco, as well as two US military veterans, Alex Drueke, 40, and Andy Huynh, 27. Mr Jenrick said he was deeply grateful to the Ukrainian government, as well as the Saudi Crown Prince and the Foreign Office, for securing the release. He added: Aidens return brings to an end months of agonising uncertainty for Aidens loving family in Newark who suffered every day of Aidens sham trial but never lost hope. As they are united as a family once more, they can finally be at peace. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the release brings to an end many months of uncertainty and suffering, including the threat of the death penalty, for them and their families, at the hands of Russia. Tragically that was not the case for one of those detained and our thoughts remain with the family of Paul Urey. The British aid volunteer died earlier this year while being detained by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine. I would like to express my gratitude to President Zelensky and his team for their efforts to secure their release, and to HRH Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman and his team, for their assistance, the Foreign Secretary said in a statement. I continue to call on Russia to comply with International Humanitarian Law and not exploit prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political purposes. Allan Hogarth, from Amnesty International UK, called it a huge relief after a sham judicial process apparently designed to exert diplomatic pressure on the UK. In this image taken from video footage run by China's CCTV, former Chinese justice minister Fu Zhenghua is escorted by court police as he attends a court session for his verdict announcement in Changchun, northeastern China's Jilin province on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. The former Chinese justice minister was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on charges of taking bribes and helping criminals including his brother hide illegal activity, state TV reported Thursday. (CCTV via AP) BEIJING (AP) A former Chinese justice minister was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on charges of taking bribes and helping criminals including his brother hide illegal activity, state TV reported Thursday. Fu Zhenghuas conviction adds to a string of senior officials who have been punished for corruption in a long-running crackdown launched after President Xi Jinping took power in late 2012. Fu, 67, pleaded guilty to abusing his powers in roles including minister and chief of police for the Chinese capital, Beijing, in 2005-21 to hide crimes by his brother and others, China Central Television said on its website. In return, Fu received money and property amounting to 117 million yuan ($16.5 million), the official China Daily newspaper reported in July. Thursday's report and earlier news accounts gave no details of what Fus brother, Fu Weihua, was accused of doing. Death sentences with a reprieve usually are commuted to long prison terms if the convict is deemed to have reformed. Fu will be sentenced to life in prison without parole if his sentence is commuted, CCTV said. Liz Truss hits out at Vladimir Putins catastrophic failure in Ukraine in UN speech Vladimir Putin is desperately trying to justify a catastrophic failure in Ukraine, Liz Truss has said, accusing the Russian president of sabre rattling after he warned his country would use all the means at our disposal to protect itself. It comes as world leaders gather at a United Nations summit in New York to discuss the ongoing Russian assault on Ukraine. The Russian presidents comments in a televised address to the nation appeared to suggest the conflict in Ukraine could spiral into a nuclear crisis. He announced a partial military mobilisation, with 300,000 reservists set to be called up as the Kremlin attempts to regain ground in the face of a counter-attack by Ukraines forces. And Mr Putin said its not a bluff when he vowed that Russia would use its weapons of mass destruction if its territory was threatened. The Russian leader accused the West of nuclear blackmail and claimed high-ranking representatives of the leading Nato states had talked about the possibility of using weapons of mass destruction against Russia. To those who allow themselves such statements regarding Russia, I want to remind you that our country also has various means of destruction, Mr Putin said. Ms Truss, addressing the United Nations General Assembly, praised the strength of collective purpose in response to Mr Putins invasion so far, but warned that support for Ukraine must not wane. Liz Truss stands with French President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte Macron, left, and Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska at The Ukrainian Institute of America (AP) She said: In Ukraine, barbarous weapons are being used to kill and maim people. Rape is being used as an instrument of war. Families are being torn apart. And this morning we have seen Putin desperately trying to justify his catastrophic failures. He is doubling down by sending even more reservists to a terrible fate. He is desperately trying to claim the mantle of democracy for a regime without human rights or freedoms. And he is making yet more bogus claims and sabre-rattling threats. This will not work. The international alliance is strong - Ukraine is strong. Story continues British diplomats were taking Mr Putins nuclear threats seriously, but the thinking was they have already seen him lie and bluff during the war. The Prime Minister told fellow world leaders that the UK will spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, repeating a promise she made when she campaigned to become Tory leader. She said: In the face of rising aggression we have shown we have the power to act and the resolve to see it through. But this must not be a one-off. This must be a new era in which we commit to ourselves, our citizens, and this institution that we will do whatever it takes - whatever it takes to deliver for our people and defend our values. Ms Truss praised the brave, dignified Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, who is attending the summit in New York. The Prime Minister also drew an explicit link between the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis facing the UK and countries across Europe, as she promised not to be coerced or harmed by cutting off toxic power and pipelines from authoritarian regimes. She said: We will ensure we cannot be coerced or harmed by the reckless actions of rogue actors abroad. We will transition to a future based on renewable and nuclear energy whilst ensuring that the gas used during that transition is from reliable sources including our own North Sea production. The comments by Mr Putin prompted stern responses from other world leaders, with US president Joe Biden using his speech at the UN General Assembly to condemn the Russian presidents reckless disregard for the countrys responsibilities as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, following a meeting with Ms Truss, said: We condemn Putins actions and agree that his calls to mobilise parts of the population are a sign of weakness. Russias invasion is failing. Moscow-controlled regions in eastern and southern Ukraine are set to hold referenda on becoming parts of Russia, which could give the Kremlin the pretext for a wider war because Mr Putin would be able to claim parts of his state were being attacked. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK would never recognise the results of sham referendums which were held at the barrel of a gun. Appearing on Channel 4 News, Mr Cleverly was pressed on whether he would meet with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov while in New York. This is an opportunity at the UN, of course, to talk to our friends and allies, but of course we also take this opportunity to talk with countries that we disagree with, he said. Im not going to go into details about what my meeting programme is going to be whilst Im here, he told the programme. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Mr Putins actions were an admission that his invasion is failing and Russia is becoming a global pariah. Melinda Simmons, the UKs ambassador in Kyiv, said the Russian presidents essential weakness was he still refuses to understand Ukraine. A British defence intelligence update suggested Mr Putin was being forced to undermine his own public position that the war in Ukraine was a special military operation rather than a full-scale conflict. These new measures have highly likely been brought forward due to public criticism and mark a further development in Russias strategy, the Ministry of Defence said. Putin is accepting greater political risk by undermining the fiction that Russia is neither in a war nor a national crisis in the hope of generating more combat power. The Prime Minister, who held talks with the US president on Wednesday, is using her visit to the United Nations to rally support for Ukraine. Ms Truss joined Ms Zelenska and Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyal to tour an exhibition titled Russian Warcrimes at the Ukrainian Institute of America on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday evening, the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK called Mr Putin desperate. Somebodys saying that Im not bluffing, that is the first signal that he is actually bluffing, trying to intimidate everybody, us and the West, he told BBCs Newsnight programme. Hurricane Fiona churned toward Bermuda as a powerful Category 4 storm on Wednesday as Puerto Rico struggled to restore power and water after receving a crushing blow. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Fiona was expected to approach Bermuda, a British territory of some 64,000 people, late on Thursday. In Washington, the State Department advised Americans to reconsider travel to Bermuda and authorized family members of US government personnel to leave. "US citizens in Bermuda wishing to depart the island should depart now, ahead of Hurricane Fiona's arrival," it said in a travel advisory. Fiona was upgraded overnight to a Category 4 hurricane, the second highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The NHC said the storm was packing maximum winds of 130 miles per hour (210 kilometers per hour) as it headed north toward Bermuda at around eight miles per hour. "On the forecast track, the center of Fiona will continue to move away from the Turks and Caicos today, approach Bermuda late on Thursday and approach Atlantic Canada late Friday," the NHC said. "A storm surge will cause elevated water levels along the coast of Bermuda," it said. "Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves." Fiona has left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean and killed four people in Puerto Rico, according to a US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official quoted by The Washington Post. One death was reported in the French overseas department of Guadeloupe and another in the Dominican Republic. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell is in Puerto Rico and toured flood damaged areas with the governor of the US territory, Pedro Pierluisi. - 'Will not stop' - FEMA said it was sending hundreds of additional personnel to Puerto Rico to help with relief efforts on the island, which suffered widespread power outages. Pierluisi said the storm had caused catastrophic damage on the island of three million people, with some areas receiving more than 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain. Story continues US President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency in Puerto Rico, which is still struggling to recover from Hurricane Maria five years ago. LUMA, the Puerto Rico power company, said more than 2,000 utility workers were assessing damage and working to restore electricity to hundreds of thousands of customers. "LUMA and all our partners will not stop until every customer is restored and the entire grid is reenergized," its public safety manager Abner Gomez said in a statement. The storm also left around hundreds of thousands of people in Puerto Rico without drinking water as a result of power outages and flooded rivers, officials said. In the Dominican Republic, President Luis Abinader declared three eastern provinces to be disaster zones: La Altagracia -- home to the popular resort of Punta Cana -- El Seibo and Hato Mayor. After years of financial woes and recession, Puerto Rico in 2017 declared the largest bankruptcy ever by a local US administration. Later that year, the double hit from hurricanes Irma and Maria added to the misery, devastating the electrical grid on the island -- which has suffered from major infrastructure problems for years. The grid was privatized in June 2021 in an effort to resolve the problem of blackouts, but the issue has persisted, and the entire island lost power earlier this year. bur-cl/wd Jacob Rees-Mogg has pointed to fracking as a means of bolstering UK energy security following Putin's invasion of Russia JACOB Rees-Mogg has supported a "baseless" claim that Russian president Vladimir Putin has funded opponents of fracking. The new Energy Secretary made the claims while defending the UK Governments move to lift its ban on fracking shale gas. Speaking on Thursday in the Commons, he said: Im well aware that there have been objections to fracking. But I would also note that there have been stories widely reported that some of the opposition to fracking has been funded by Mr Putins regime. Rees-Mogg has repeatedly pointed to fracking as a means of bolstering UK energy security in the wake of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, while also seeing it as a means of making the country richer. READ MORE: Greenpeace considering fracking and North Sea drilling legal challenge against UK Government Responding to the Energy Secretary's comments, shadow business and energy secretary Ed Miliband said the claims were an absolutely outrageous slur and described them as shameful and disgraceful. Co-director of climate charity Possible, Leo Murray, said Rees-Moggs comments were a complete smear by someone clutching at straws. He added: The reality is that the overwhelming majority of the British people oppose fracking without any need of fictional handouts from the Kremlin. This follows a scientific report warning that forecasting for large earthquakes is still a scientific challenge which may concern campaigners as in 2019 fracking caused an earthquake in Lancashire. Meanwhile, in Scotland, Holyrood ministers have confirmed that the ban on fracking will be maintained north of the Border. Scottish Energy Secretary Michael Matheson tweeted shortly after the announcement of the UK Government lifting its ban on Thursday morning. He said: To be clear this policy change does not apply in Scotland. Fracking can only happen here if licences are issued by the Scottish Government and we do not intend to issue any licences. Story continues A spokesman for the First Minister later said there is no review point for the Scottish Governments position on fracking. The granting of licences for fracking are a devolved matter, meaning the policy will not impact Scotland unless Scottish ministers agree to it. The Scottish Government has repeatedly adopted a policy position of no support for fracking, following a moratorium on the issue. Earlier in September, Nicola Sturgeon was asked to clarify her Governments position on fracking during First Ministers Questions. She said: This is a devolved matter and our position is unchanged. We do not intend to grant licences for fracking. Shannon Brandt, 41, allegedly ran over pedestrian Cayler Ellingson, 18, with his car in a McHenry alley, North Dakota on Sunday (Screengrab/ WDAY-TV) A man admitted to deliberately running over a teenager in North Dakota after a political argument, because he believed that the pedestrian was part of a Republican extremist group, according to reports. Shannon Brandt, 41, allegedly ran over pedestrian Cayler Ellingson, 18, with his car in a McHenry alley on early Sunday following an altercation between them at a street festival. He was charged with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death on Monday in Foster County. But Mr Brandt was released from jail after he posted a $50,000 bond on Tuesday, sparking concern and outrage among people, according to jail records. The accused told investigators that he fled the scene after hitting Ellingson, but he returned briefly to call 911 before he left again. He also admitted to drinking alcohol prior to the incident and thought that the teen was calling people to harm him. Brandt admitted to striking the pedestrian with his car because he had a political argument with the pedestrian and believed the pedestrian was calling people to come get him, the court document said. Brandt admitted to leaving the scene of the incident and returning shortly after where he called 911. Ellingson was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries, but was later pronounced dead. According to Inforum, the man believed that the teenager had affiliations to a Republican extremist group. Investigators tracked Mr Brandt to his home in Glenfield on Sunday and consented to a chemical breath test which showed his blood alcohol content was above 0.08 per cent, the legal limit to drive. Ellingson called his mother to pick him up after the argument with Mr Brandt and asked her if she knew the man. She talked to her son again when she was on the way to pick him up from the street dance when the teenager said that he or they were chasing him. His parents told the police that they knew the accused but believe their son did not know him. LONDON (Reuters) -Security forces detained more than 1,300 people in Russia on Wednesday at protests denouncing mobilisation, a rights group said, hours after President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia's first military draft since World War Two. The independent OVD-Info protest monitoring group said that according to information it had collated from 38 Russian cities, more than 1,311 people had been held by late evening. It said those figures included at least 502 in Moscow and 524 in St Petersburg, Russia's second most populous city. Unsanctioned rallies are illegal under Russia's anti-protest laws. Russian Interior Ministry official Irina Volk, in a statement quoted by Russian news agencies, said officers had cut short attempts to stage what it called small protests. "In a number of regions, there were attempts to stage unauthorised actions which brought together an extremely small number of participants," Volk was quoted as saying. "These were all stopped. And those persons who violated laws were detained and taken to police stations for investigation and establish their responsibility." One-way flights out of Russia were rocketing in price and selling out fast on Wednesday after Putin ordered the immediate call-up of 300,000 reservists. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Ron Popeski, David Ljunggren and Lisa Shumaker) People in these European cities think cars should be banned one day a week A majority of people in London, Barcelona, Warsaw, Brussels, and Paris think cars should be banned one day a week, new research suggests. According to the Clean Cities Campaign - a European network of urban mobility campaigners - 62 per cent of citizens in these five major cities support the idea. The radical concept could reduce Europes oil consumption from urban transport by up to five per cent. Thats the equivalent of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuanias collective annual oil demand. This research clearly shows that car-free days are a sure fire way to get cities off oil very fast without any complicated infrastructure or policy change, says Barbara Stoll, director of the Clean Cities Campaign. They are among the best short-term measures that are immediately available, cheap and easy to implement. Support is highest in Warsaw and Paris where 65 per cent of citizens back a weekly car-free day. So how would the initiative work - and would it help the environment? How would car-free days work? Dott - a European transport operator offering electric bikes and scooters - has created a series of visuals showing how Europes capital cities might be reimagined without cars. Rome, as reimagined without cars. Micro-mobility company Dott has created a series of visuals showing European capitals without cars - DOTT But car-free days are not a new idea. In fact, 22 September is World Car-Free day. Several cities around the world have already implement this policy in some way. Every Sunday between 6am and 11am, Jakarta - the capital of Indonesia - closes main roads to private vehicles. Colombias capital Bogota hosts a weekly Ciclovia or Bicycle Way, prohibiting cars for five hours on Sunday mornings. The idea first went mainstream in the 1970s, when a sudden embargo caused oil prices to soar. To help conserve supplies, 10 European cities introduced regular car-free Sundays. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the EU imposed strict sanctions on Russian imports. The move was intended to economically isolate Russia but has caused oil prices on the rest of the continent to surge. Story continues London, as reimagined without cars. Micro-mobility company Dott has created a series of visuals showing European capitals without cars - DOTT Car-free days could be one way to make a dent in the demand and deal with the threat of shortages. The Clean Cities analysis found that one single car-free day implemented in all major European and UK cities could save between 541 and 945 thousand barrels of oil. Over the course of a year, this would save between 29 million and 49 million barrels of oil. According to the Clean Cities analysis, this is a better impact than 60 per cent of the population working from home for three days a week. Would car-free days help the environment? The transport sector makes up a quarter of all global fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions, with half coming from private vehicles like passenger cars and trucks. By reducing oil demand, car-free days could help societies decarbonise. They could also limit toxic air pollution. According to the European Environment Agency, 10 per cent of cancer cases in Europe are caused by air pollution. Air contamination takes an average 2.2 years off global average life expectancy, the WHO has warned - a combined 17 billion life years. Cars are one culprit responsible for this shocking pollution, spewing out chemicals and particulates. Cities should consider car-free days as a measure to deliver a quick drop in toxic air pollution which kills thousands of Europeans a year, Stoll said. Besides, they are a great way to demonstrate to the public what life can be like in cities when the roads are not dominated by cars. Queen Elizabeth died on 8 September. (PA) Queen Elizabeth II died around 3pm on 8 September, three and a half hours before the official announcement, a British magazine has claimed. Private Eye also claimed the monarch had been quite ill for some time and only managed to do the state appearances she did in the final months of her reign with the help of medication, despite Buckingham Palace blaming "ongoing mobility issues" for her absence. The magazine said the Queen was "physically weak, although mentally alert". Private Eye said the Queen had hoped to receive Boris Johnson and new PM Liz Truss for the official handover of power in London, but her doctors told her she was not fit enough to leave Balmoral. Read More: Lying In State: Mourners describe 'eerie but beautiful' Westminster Hall atmosphere Members of the Royal Family rushed to be at the Queen's side on 8 September. (PA) Despite her limited mobility, she was still able to carry on her normal tasks, including reportedly managing to call her horse racing manager to check on how one of her horses was doing in the days before her death. But she became seriously ill on 8 September, catching many of those close to her and the wider Royal Family by surprise. Although most of her family rushed to see her as soon as it became aware she was gravely ill, in the end only Princess Anne and the former Prince of Wales were there at her bedside when she died. Private Eye said the Queen died around 3pm, but the required phone calls to inform the wider political and media establishment were delayed until all of the Royal Family could be informed. The magazine claims the way the Royal Family's press team handled the death of the Queen was informed by the death of Prince Philip. They said Buckingham Palace was still claiming Philip was in "good spirits" when he was "being revived by crash teams" around the time of his death. Read more: King Charles coronation: When will he be crowned and will there be a bank holiday? Huw Edwards was in black tie by 2pm before he announced the Queen's death at 6.30pm. (Getty) The Palace also struggled to keep a lid on the news of the Queen's health as members of the royal staff began briefing trusted journalists about the seriousness of her situation. Story continues Coincidentally, BBC journalist Yalda Hakim tweeted the Queen had died around the actual time of the Queen's death, despite not knowing this and later retracting the tweet saying she had been mistaken. On the day of the Queen's death, the nation came to a standstill almost as soon as Buckingham Palace said they were concerned about the monarch's health. The BBC suspended normal programming from 12.30pm, with an episode of Bargain Hunt cut short. Politicians were stunned into silence in the middle of a debate on the government's answer to the energy bill crisis. Royals rushed to Balmoral from across the country with Prince William, Andrew and Edward arriving by car around 5pm. Initial reports suggested the group arrived before the Queen's death, with only Prince Harry missing out on seeing her one last time, but this now appears to not be the case. By 2pm, BBC journalists had all switched into black dress and tie. The Queen's death was announced to the public at 6.30pm. In the wake of an appeal to the United Nations by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for Moscow to be punished for its invasion, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will on Thursday face top Western diplomats, including US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in a special meeting convened by the Security Council at the request of France. In his address to the UN General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called no fewer than 15 times for the punishment of Russia. He received a standing ovation from world leaders assembled in New York. "Ukraine demands punishment for trying to steal our territory. Punishment for the murders of thousands of people. Punishment for tortures and humiliations of women and men," Zelensky said in English. Zelensky called for a special tribunal to hold Russia accountable, saying it would be a "signal to all would-be aggressors". He also demanded a compensation fund, saying Russia "should pay for this war with its own assets". His address came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin mobilised reservists and made a veiled threat to use nuclear weapons, signs that he is in no rush to end the war. Zelensky indicated that he saw no point in immediate peace talks, saying Russia used diplomacy only to buy time on the battlefield. "Russia is afraid of real negotiations and does not want to fulfil any fair international obligations. It lies to everyone -- as is typical for aggressors, for terrorists." Macron calls for maximum pressure On the sidelines of the UN gathering, French President Emmanuel Macron urged the world to "put maximum pressure" on Russian leader Vladimir Putin, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denounced the call-up of Russian army reserves announced by Moscow as "an act of desperation". British Prime Minister Liz Truss in her first trip since succeeding Boris Johnson vowed before the UN to keep up "our military support to Ukraine for as long as it takes". Story continues NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Putin's "dangerous and reckless nuclear rhetoric". Top European Union diplomats held an emergency meeting late Wednesday on the UN sidelines to discuss the extension of sanctions against Russia. "We will study, we will adopt new restrictive measures, both personal and sectoral," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said after that meeting, adding that a final decision needed to be made formally. Russia's "seizure and militarization" of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant Europe's largest also drew condemnation from several countries, including the United States, France, and Britain. The "risks of a nuclear incident will remain dangerously high as long as Russia is present on the site of the nuclear plant," they said in a joint statement calling for Moscow's withdrawal. (REUTERS) Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov dramatically walked out of a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday after his UK counterpart accused Moscow of a catalogue of dishonesty and disinformation over the war in Ukraine. Mr Lavrov, who arrived late to the meeting and left after addressing the council, baselessly claimed Kyiv and the west had sparked Russias war of aggression. Whats particularly cynical is the position of states pumping Ukraine full of weapons, training their soldiers, he said. Mr Lavrov claimed, without evidence, that the west was seeking to drag out the fighting as long as possible in spite of the victims in order to wear down and weaken Russia. He sought to justify Russias invasion by making claims without merit that radical forces and neo-Nazis had been ruling Ukraine since 2014 as a result of an armed coup with direct support of western countries. This meant that Moscows decision to conduct the special military operation was inevitable, he added. There is no evidence to support any Mr Lavrovs claims. Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilisation in Russia on Wednesday after Ukrainian counteroffensives saw his forces lose swathes of territory in the Kharkiv region. He also confirmed that the liberated territories in Ukraine that were occupied by his forces would hold referenda on joining Russia, paving the way for a potential nuclear attack on the grounds that Ukrainian forces are attacking Russian territory. Mr Putin on Wednesday threatened to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia, saying his country would use all the means at our disposal to protect itself. Speaking after Mr Lavrov, Britains foreign secretary James Cleverly condemned Mr Lavrovs catalogue of distortions, dishonesty and disinformation. Hes left the chamber, Im not surprised. I dont think Mr Lavrov wants to hear the collective condemnation of this council. Elsewhere, Mr Cleverly called on UN countries to reject the charade of referenda being proposed by Moscow. Story continues He said: Every day the devastating consequences of Russias invasion become more clear. We see the mounting evidence of Russian atrocities against civilians, including indiscriminate shelling and targeted attacks on over 200 medical facilities and 40 educational institutions and horrific acts of sexual violence. The Security Council meeting on atrocities committed in Ukraine is taking place during the annual gathering of world leaders for the UN General Assembly. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 and its forces have killed thousands of civilians and destroyed civilian infrastructure. At the meeting, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres warned Mr Putin that talk of a nuclear attack was totally unacceptable and that so-called referenda in areas under Russian control effectively amounted to annexation. US secretary of state Antony Blinken earlier told the meeting that one man chose this war, one man can end it. If Russia stops fighting, the war ends, but if Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends, he said. Almost 1,200 protesters have been arrested in cities across Russia as they protested President Vladimir Putin's order to mobilise 300,000 troops to fight in the Ukraine war. Putin's speech sparked protests in at least 37 cities, including St Petersburg and the capital Moscow, according to the independent Russian human rights group OVD-Info. Journalists in Moscow witnessed at least a dozen arrests in the first 15 minutes of a protest, as participants risks Russia's harsh laws on criticising the military and the war. Asked whether protesting would help, one Muscovite who declined to give their name said: It wont help, but its my civic duty to express my stance. No to war! In Yekaterinburg, Russias fourth-largest city, police hauled onto buses some of the 40 protesters who were detained at an anti-war rally. One woman in a wheelchair shouted, referring to the Russian president: Goddamn bald-headed nut job. Hes going to drop a bomb on us, and were all still protecting him. Ive said enough. Thousands of Russian men - our fathers, brothers and husbands - will be thrown into the meat grinder of the war. What will they be dying for? What will mothers and children be crying for? the Vesna opposition movement said, calling for demonstrations. Details of mobilisation unclear As protest calls circulated online, the Moscow prosecutors office warned that organising or participating in such actions could lead to up to 15 years in prison. Authorities issued similar warnings ahead of other protests recently. However, Wednesday's demonstrations were the first nationwide antiwar protests since the war began in late February. The state communication watchdog Roskomnadzor also warned media that access to their websites would be blocked for transmitting false information about the mobilisation. It was unclear exactly what that meant. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, asked what had changed since he and others previously said no mobilisation was planned, said Russia is effectively fighting NATO because the alliances members have supplied weapons to Kyiv. Story continues Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who also spoke Wednesday on Russian TV, said 5,937 Russian soldiers have died in the conflict, far lower than Western estimates. Shoigu said only those with relevant combat and service experience would be mobilised, adding that about 25 million people fit these criteria, but only about 1% of them will be mobilised. However, Putin's decree authorising the partial mobilisation -- which took effect immediately -- offered few details, raising suspicions that it leaves enough legal leeway to broaden the draft at any moment. Western leaders said the mobilisation was in response to Russia's recent battlefield losses in Ukraine. President Putin's partial mobilisation order came a day after Russian-controlled regions in eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans for referendums on becoming integral parts of Russia -- a move that could eventually allow Moscow to escalate the war. The referendums will start Friday in the eastern Luhansk and Donetsk and southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, and the balloting is all but certain to go Moscows way. Foreign leaders are already calling the votes illegitimate and nonbinding. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said they were a sham and noise to distract the public. Thousands of Scottish independence supporters march through Glasgow during an All Under One Banner march in 2020. (Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images) Thousands of Scottish independence supporters march through Glasgow during an All Under One Banner march in 2020. (Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images) Support for Scottish independence has more than doubled in the past 10 years, according to a major new study. The latest British Social Attitudes survey found that 52 per cent of Scots now want to leave the United Kingdom, compared to just 23 per cent in 2012. And for the first time, fewer than half - 49 per cent - of people in Northern Ireland supporting remaining in the UK. The study, which was carried out by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), revealed a growing divide between Scotland, England and Northern Ireland over the future of the UK. Voters in Scotland were asked whether they supported independence, devolution or the abolition of the Scottish parliament. The jump in support for independence since 2012 reflects the huge changes in Scottish politics in the last decade. The 2014 independence referendum campaign saw a significant jump in support for leaving the UK, with the pro-Union side eventually winning by 55 per cent to 45 per cent. The Brexit vote, which came despite Scotland wanting to stay in the EU, has also boosted the independence cause. According to the survey, 65 per cent of Remainers in Scotland now back leaving the UK, up from 44 per cent in 2016. The SNP remains by far the most popular party north of the border, and continues to push for a second referendum - although Liz Truss has insisted she will oppose any attempt to have one. Support in Northern Ireland for Irish reunification has increased from 14 per cent in 2015 to 30 now, the survey found. Brexit again seems to be a factor, with only 37 per cent of people in Northern Ireland who voted Remain now in favour of being part of the UK, down from 64 per cent. Elsewhere, the social attitudes survey also found that for the first time, more than half of Brits - 51 per cent - now support changing the voting system to proportional representation. Story continues Sir John Curtice, senior research fellow at NatCen, said: The United Kingdoms politics are now beset by some fundamental disagreements about the rules and the structures that should be in place, and these disagreements are reflected in divergent views between supporters of different parties and those living in different parts of the UK. More people than ever want to change the voting system in Westminster, support for leaving the UK has also grown in Northern Ireland, and supporters of the major parties in Scotland and England are more polarised than ever over the question of how Scotland should be governed. Not least of the reasons for this is Brexit, which seems to have helped fuel partisan disagreement about the countrys constitution. Some Remain voters appear to have reacted to being on the losing side in the EU referendum by now wanting to change the rules under which the UK is governed. This article originally appeared on HuffPost UK and has been updated. Related... Climate campaigners are threatening legal action after the UK Government gave its backing to an expansion of oil and gas operations in the North Sea. The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) is now expected to undertake a new round of oil and gas licensing early next month. Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said that could lead to more than 100 new licences being granted, which he claimed could safeguard UK energy supplies and support more than 70,000 jobs in Scotland. But environmental campaigners reacted angrily to the announcement, made by Business and Energy Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg. The support for new licensing comes as the UK Government seeks to increase domestic energy production in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has led to increased volatility across the sector. Business and Energy Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said improving energy security is an absolute priority for the UK Government (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Mr Rees-Mogg said: In light of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine and weaponisation of energy, strengthening our energy security is an absolute priority. He said new Prime Minister Liz Truss had made clear her determination for the UK to be a net energy exporter by 2040, and added: To get there we will need to explore all avenues available to us through solar, wind, oil and gas production. Greenpeace accused the UK Government of pandering to outdated, fringe fossil fuel interests. Philip Evans, an energy security campaigner with the group, said: New fossil fuel licences are the opposite of energy security. We believe this licensing round is unlawful and well be looking at taking legal action. Friends of the Earth Scotland also made its opposition clear, with campaigner Freya Aitchison saying: In ploughing forward with this new licensing round, the UK Government is effectively denying the reality of the climate emergency. She said devastating climate impacts being seen in recent flooding in Pakistan, typhoons in Japan and this summers record breaking heatwave in the UK are being driven by burning fossil fuels. Story continues In ploughing ahead with new oil and gas licences & lifting the #fracking ban, the UK Government is denying the reality of the climate emergency. More: https://t.co/Ju0XNCCOlg pic.twitter.com/P0kcdKjWPM Friends of the Earth Scotland (@FoEScot) September 22, 2022 Ms Aitchison called on the Scottish Government to stand up to these reckless plans to expand fossil fuels and hand out permits for oil and gas companies to explore and drill in the North Sea. She insisted: These plans will lock us into a climate-destroying energy system for decades to come, entrenching reliance on this volatile industry in places like Aberdeen, and leaving people all across Scotland exposed to rocketing energy bills. However Mr Jack said the UK Government is working to ensure security of energy supply and exploring the further potential of the North Sea is crucial to this. He said: This new round of oil and gas licensing, which is expected to lead to more than 100 new licences, will not only safeguard our domestic supply and protect UK households, businesses and public services from volatile global prices, it will also support more than 70,000 energy sector jobs in Scotland. Supporting this sector has always been a vital part of our net-zero strategy, ensuring we have energy resilience while investing in renewable sources such as wind, tidal and solar power. Scottish Net Zero and Energy Secretary Michael Matheson stressed the Scottish Government position is clear that unlimited extraction of fossil fuels is not consistent with our climate obligations. He added: It is alarming that the UK Government appears to believe that licensing of more than 100 new oil and gas fields will not materially impact the ability of the UK to reach net-zero by 2050, and reckless to believe that this approach is in any way consistent with our climate obligations. Mr Matheson said it is deeply frustrating that calls for four-nation discussions on the issue were ignored by the UK Government, and Scottish ministers were not given advance sight of the plans despite them having a fundamental bearing on securing a just transition for our oil and gas sector. He added: Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine only serves to highlight the importance of accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources. New oil and gas fields do not present a timely solution to the current energy price crisis, nor our energy security needs. A special tribunal should be created to punish Russia for its aggression in Ukraine, the country's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the UN General Assembly. Zelenskyy, speaking in a pre-recorded video, also called for Moscow to have its power of veto removed at the UN Security Council. "Ukraine demands punishment for trying to steal our territory," said Zelenskyy. "Punishment for the murders of thousands of people. Punishment for tortures and humiliations of women and men. "A special tribunal should be created to punish Russia for the crime of aggression against our state. This will become a signal to all 'would-be' aggressors, that they must value peace or be brought to responsibility by the world." His speech comes after his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin announced a "partial mobilisation" of reservists to serve in Ukraine. On Friday, "referendums" will begin in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine -- Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson -- on joining Russia. Zelenskyy said both moves showed that Moscow was not interested in negotiating an end to the conflict. "Ukraine wants peace," said Zelenskyy. "Europe wants peace. The world wants peace." "The military mobilization in Russia is true," he added. "Sham referendums are also true. Russia wants war. It's true. But Russia will not be able to stop the course of history. Mankind and international law are stronger than one terrorist state. Russia will be forced to end this war. The war it has started." Back in Moscow, Putin defended Russia's war in Ukraine and the drafting of reservists. "Being a patriot is the essence of the nature and character of the Russian people," he said at a ceremony commemorating the anniversary of Russian statehood "Now, in the course of a special military operation, our heroes, soldiers, officers and volunteers are demonstrating precisely the highest human qualities, fighting bravely, shoulder to shoulder, like brothers, for the sake of saving the people of the Donbas, for the sake of their native country, which will always be only free and independent." The unsolved murder of Claudia Lawrence Watch our mini documentary here A mini-documentary series exploring the most shocking cases in Britain today delves into the unsolved murder of Claudia Lawrence. The York chef disappeared on March 18, 2009, leading to the largest and most complex missing person inquiry in North Yorkshire Police history. Today, True Crime Newsquest releases its mini-documentary on the mysterious case, featuring unique insight from veteran York Press reporter, Mike Laycock. The film takes viewers from the early stages of the investigation in 2009, and up to the latest developments at the Sand Hutton Gravel Pits early last year. True Crime Newsquest was recently joined by award-winning investigative journalist Mark Williams-Thomas, who exposed Jimmy Saville as a paedophile in The Other Side of Jimmy Savile. Speaking about the release of the new Claudia Lawrence documentary, the former detective said: "We will for the first time, bring you the most definitive timeline and overview of the investigation, bringing you right up to date. "In addition, we showcase some very interesting information about Claudias phone records." This article is part of True Crime Newsquest. A new series by Newsquest featuring insight from local journalists who covered the stories first-hand. Subscribe to the True Crime Newsquest YouTube channel to stay up to date with the new documentaries. (Bloomberg) -- The US Senate voted Wednesday to join more than 130 nations in pledging to phase out the use of super-polluting greenhouse gases found in refrigerators and air conditioners, a step that is expected to avoid as many greenhouse gas emissions as the entire planet emits every two years. By a vote of 69 to 27, the Senate ratified the 2016 Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Two-thirds of the senators present were required to vote yes for ratification. US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry called the vote a profound victory for the climate and the American economy. The Montreal treaty was adopted in the 1980s to protect the ozone layer. The Kigali amendment expands on it by winding down the the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, by 85% over 15 years. A group of chemicals used primarily for cooling, HFCs were embraced as a less-damaging replacement for another class of chemicals chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs that depleted the ozone layer and trapped heat in the atmosphere. (The Montreal Protocol originally sought to curb CFCs.) While HFCs are better in both respects, they are still a powerful agent of global warming, shorter lived than carbon dioxide but thousands of times more potent. The Kigali amendment went into effect in many nations in 2019 but not in the US. The Trump administration declined to submit it to the Senate for approval, despite unusually broad-based support from politicians in both parties, industry and environmental advocates. Worldwide implementation of the measure can avoid as much as 70 billion tons of CO emissions between now and 2050, and can prevent up to half a degree Celsius of climate warming over this century, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Its also seen as crucial to achieving the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 Celsius. Phasing out the use of HFCs is one of the most important things to do to keep the option of 1.5 degrees open, said David Doniger, a senior strategic director with the Washington-based environmental group. In the US alone, the phaseout will avoid 4.6 billion tons of emissions by 2050, Doniger said. Story continues Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the significance of ratification on the Senate floor before the vote. In a year where weve already seen plenty of major bipartisan bills become law, the Kigali amendment just might be one of the most important bipartisan achievements to date less heralded but maybe more important because this measure will go a long way to lowering global temperatures, while also creating tens of thousands of American jobs, said Schumer, a Democrat from New York. Theres no reason not to support Kigali, Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, said the day before the vote. Some conservative groups, such as Americans for Prosperity, urged senators to vote against the measure, arguing that ratification will increase costs for consumers and businesses. Yet the amendment has the backing of companies that have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in plants, equipment and other upgrades to make way for the alternatives. An industry report from 2018 estimated that ratification would directly create 33,000 new manufacturing jobs and have a positive impact on the balance of trade. The US Chamber of Commerce wrote in a letter to senators that joining the Kigali agreement would enhance the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers working to develop alternative technologies, and level the global economic playing field. Domestically, the US is already in compliance with the amendment: The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 directed the Environmental Protection Agency to issue rules mandating an HFC phaseout. But failure to ratify Kigali could have subjected US manufacturers to trade restrictions, said Stephen Yurek, president of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, a trade group that represents companies like air conditioner manufacturer Trane Technologies Plc and the Chemours Co., which makes an HFC substitute. I think in the end it will create jobs and open up markets for us, said Senator Shelley Moore Capito, the top Republican on the Senate environment committee. Were the ones who are producing a lot of the alternatives to HFCs. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Don't Miss Your Last Chance to Win a Festival Bratislava Package at Unibet Poker September 22 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor The 500,000 guaranteed The Festival Bratislava Main Event runs from October 11-16 at the Banco Casino, Bratislava, Slovakia, and you could be playing it in for as little as 2 thanks to Unibet Poker. However, if you want to get your hands on a fantastic package worth 1,300 you need to hurry because the final package-awarding satellite kicks off at 7:00 p.m. BST on September 22. At 7:00 p.m. BST on September 22, the 1,300 Unibet Live The Festival Bratislava satellite shuffles up and deals. The satellite costs 25 to enter, unless you win one of six guaranteed tickets in the 2 buy-in SuperQualifier that commences at 5:30 p.m. BST on September 23. Don't worry of your first 25 bullet doesn't hit the target because there are unlimited rebuys available for the first eight ten-minute levels, with a 6,000-chip add-on available at the end of the eighth level. Unibet Open Malta is One Week Away; Qualify Today! One The Festival Bratislava Main Event package is guaranteed for every 1,300 in the prize pool, with that package awarding its winner: 550 buy-in to The Festival Bratislava Main Event Five nights at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (from October 11) 175 credited to your Unibet Poker account for expenses Your last chance to win a 550 The Festival Bratislava Main Event seat, online at Unibet Poker anyway, is in the 25 buy-in 550 Unibet Live The Festival Bratislava Seat Only satellite at 7:00 p.m. on September 23. As the tournament's name suggests, this satellite pays out a 550 seat only, so you would be responsible for your own hotel and travel costs should you get your hands on the 550 ticket. Massive Crowd Expected For the 500,000 Guaranteed Main Event The Festival last dropped anchor in Bratislava in September 2021 it was a massive success. Some 621 players bought in and created a 304,245 prize pool. This year's Main Event will be even larger because The Festival organisers have slapped an 500,000 guarantee on the prize pool! Former poker dealer Martin Mauthner came out on top last time in Bratislava, banking 56,870 after a three-way deal involving runner-up Adi Rajkovic (45,130), and David Vedral (38,270). More recently, in July 2022, Norway's Eirik Kristiansen came out on top of a 552-strong field to become The Festival Tallinn champion, an accolade that came with 56,100 in cold, hard cash. Former Poker Dealer Martin Mauthner Wins the 300K GTD The Festival Series Bratislava Main Event (47,600) Help Yourself to 20 Extra and a 200 Bonus Now is the time to join the fun and games at Unibet Poker because signing up for a free account via PokerNews links gives you an awesome welcome package. If you dont have an account already, download Unibet Poker via PokerNews. Create your account, and make a deposit of at least 10. Doing so entitles you to 20 worth of tickets, plus entry into up to four 500 weekly welcome freerolls. Your new Unibet Poker account comes with a 200 playthrough bonus. Play real money cash games, tournaments and HexaPro games, and your bonus money releases into your playable account balance at the frequencies shown below: The German government has said it will nationalise the country's biggest gas importer, Uniper, as it battles massive losses amid Europe's energy crunch. The Finnish company Fortum that had controlled Uniper said Russia's squeeze on supplies since the invasion of Ukraine meant that the unit had lost 8.5bn (7.4bn) to date. The latest state intervention followed a rescue package agreed in July. The deal will effectively see the German state take over Fortum which is currently majority-owned by Finland's government. Read more: Tough choices for Germany as coal power stations return to keep people warm this winter Uniper's losses have mounted as Russia has cut back natural gas supplies to European countries supporting Ukraine. Prices have soared for the fuel needed to heat homes, generate electricity and power factories, raising fears of business closures, rationing and a recession as the weather turns cold. Some factories in Germany are already operating below capacity in a bid to save money. The scramble for supplies saw Berlin take control of three Russian-owned oil refineries last week before an embargo on Russian oil takes effect next year. German economy minister and vice chancellor, Robert Habeck, said of the nationalisation: "This means that Fortum will belong to the German state when this is completed. "We will be the main shareholder with 99%". He said the step had become necessary because the supply situation had "changed significantly" since the first aid package revealed in the summer as Russia had since axed flows through the main Nord Stream 1 pipeline. Uniper has a share in its portfolio of 50% from Russian gas and represents 40% of the German gas supply. "We are taking an equity stake of 8bn (7bn) in Uniper and, so to speak, buying Fortum out. "I want to say this once again: Fortum loses its entire equity investment, which was once equivalent to about 8bn, and we are now buying out the shares for 480m. Fortum is also involved in this bailout through enormous loss of equity," the minister concluded. Roca Therapeutics Roca Therapeutics completes seed funding round Series A funding round initiated to further fund the clinical development of its "First In Class" small molecules against Uveal Melanoma and other indications fueled by hypervascularization and immunosuppressive inflammation. Nice, France - 22 September 2022 - Roca Therapeutics, a leading biotech startup specialized in the discovery and development of small molecules addressing severe life-threatening disorders caused by hypervascularization and macrophages M2 driven immunosuppression, today announced the closing of a seed funding round led by 3B Future Health Fund II and SATT Sud-Est. Roca Therapeutics will use these funds to i) to develop its Lead Clinical candidate RCT001 (Metastatic Uveal Melanoma) until IND/CTA readiness in 2023, ii) and to further expand the companys portfolio of assets with the nomination of a second clinical candidate against Neovascular Glaucoma associated to Uveal melanoma. Uveal melanoma is a rare deadly disease with a very poor prognosis and high unmet need. Roca Therapeutics has uniquely designed innovating small molecules addressing dedicated pathobiological mechanisms (M2 Macrophages driven immunosuppression and resistant angiogenesis) recently linked to indications such as Uveal Melanoma as well as Renal Cell Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Roca Therapeutics has received grants and non-dilutive funding from BPI (French Public Investment Bank), PACA Canceropole, UCA (Universite Cote d'Azur), Eurobiomed Grand Sud (competitive cluster), the Incubator PACA-Est, Nice Metropole, and Southern Regional council. "I am thrilled to welcome 3B Future Health Fund II and SATT Sud-Est as new shareholders in Roca Therapeutics, and I would like to thank them for their support as we move forward with developing our lead First in Class small molecule asset, as well as targeting the expansion of our pipeline. Today's investment will be integral to us fulfilling our mission to offer patients with no current treatment options, a potentially extended life and restored vision., said, Maeva Dufies, Co-founder, CEO and CSO of Roca Therapeutics. Story continues Roca Therapeutics is leveraging an exceptional combination of knowledge of the antitumor resistance mechanisms and a seasoned complementary team to develop new small molecules in aggressive tumors and hypervascularization, commented, Roberto de Ponti, Managing Director and General Partner of 3B Future Health Fund II. We are excited to support ROCA Therapeutics talented team in converting their highly promising and valuable research into new treatments. We are proud and grateful to have to the opportunity to support the creation of Roca Therapeutics. The evolution of the company and progress of their projects to date is very encouraging and we are delighted to be shareholders in the company", said, Laurent BALY, President of SATT Sud-Est. "This collaboration with 3B Future Health Fund and SATT Sud-Est will help Roca Therapeutics to put in place the foundations on which to execute on the company's strategic goal to offer an holistic approach for the treatment of Uveal Melanoma and its complications for the patients", commented, Zaki SELLAM, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Roca Therapeutics and Managing Partner of Landmark BioVentures AG, he added, I am also highly excited to announce that the Board of Roca Therapeutics has decided to immediately initiate a Series A funding round in preparation for funding the clinical development of our lead small molecule asset against Uveal Melanoma and other indications fueled by hypervascularization and immunosuppressive inflammation. The Roca Therapeutics Board of Directors now consists of: Dr Maeva Dufies (CEO and CSO, scientific co-founder), Zaki Sellam (Executive Chairman, co-founder, representative of Landmark BioVentures AG), Dr Gilles Pages (Scientific co-founder), Dr Rachid Benhida (Scientific co-founder), Dr Cyril Ronco (Scientific co-founder) and Roberto De Ponti (Representative of 3B Future Health Fund II). Contact Roca Therapeutics: contact@roca-therapeutics.com Consilium Strategic Communications Matthew Neal neal@consilium-comms.com / Tel: +44 (0) 7720088468 About 3B Future Health Fund II 3B Future Health Fund II S.C.A. SICAV-RAIF is a Luxembourg based investment fund with focus on early-stage investment opportunities in Europe and the U.S. in areas of high unmet patient need, mainly oncology and rare disease therapeutics. The Fund is the second investment fund sponsored by Riccardo Braglia, Executive Chairman of Helsinn Healthcare Group and Chairman and General Partner of 3B Future Health Fund I and II, Luxembourg. www.3bfuturehealth.com About SATT Sud-Est SATT Sud-Est, the technology transfer and accelerator, provides a privileged interface between companies and public research in the PACA and Corsica regions. SATT Sud-Est has out-licensed two patents co-owned with Universite Cote d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Paris University and Curie Institute. The originating laboratories of Dr Gilles Pages (Institute for Research on Cancer and Ageing in Nice - IRCAN) and Dr Rachid Benhida (Institute of Chemistry in Nice - ICN) have been funded (via a maturation investment program) by the SATT Sud-Est and by the IDEX UCA-JEDI as well as Canceropole PACA. https://www.sattse.com About Landmark BioVentures AG Landmark BioVentures AG is a privately held Entrepreneurial Investment company, headquartered in Basel (Switzerland). Combining both Entrepreneurial & Drug Development expertise (oncology & immunology). The University of North Georgia (UNG) broke ground on Sept. 21 on a facility expansion at its Blue Ridge Campus, with University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, state legislators, community members, and university representatives joining President Bonita C. Jacobs to mark the occasion. "We know that higher levels of educational attainment can provide life-changing opportunities that help students and communities prosper," Jacobs said. "We are grateful for the support from the Board of Regents, Governor Kemp, House Speaker David Ralston, Senator Steve Gooch, and the state legislature that has helped us expand access to higher education across northeast Georgia." Perdue echoed Jacobs sentiment, noting that UNGs Blue Ridge Campus allows students to pursue college degrees in a student-focused environment close to home while preparing them to be competitive in a global workforce. UNG received $13 million in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget for the construction of a new 25,000-square-foot building and additional parking at that campus in May. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2023 and be completed by fall 2024. Gov. Brian Kemp signed the state budget on May 12 at the Blue Ridge Campus. The funds are in addition to the $2 million included in the state's Amended Year 2022 budget for the Blue Ridge Campus expansion, which is a $15 million project. The campus first opened in a temporary site in Blue Ridge in 2015, and moved to its standalone location off Ga. 515 in 2020. HA NOI Viet Nam's economic success story has been closely associated with improved economic freedom, which will likely remain a strong driving force for the country's socio-economic development in the future, said policymakers and experts during a conference organised by the European Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (EuroCham) in Ha Noi on Thursday. Speaking to participants at the conference, Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch, former Ambassador of Germany in Viet Nam said the Southeast Asian economy has made leaps and bounds in the last few decades with its open-market and business-friendly policies. The former German ambassador said he has been impressed with the Vietnamese spirit of competition and their strong will to move forward after the devastation of the war, drawing a comparison to his home country. Dr. Rainer Zitelmann, researcher and recognised author on the topic of wealth, said Viet Nam has seen one of the most impressive gains in economic freedom among countries with a population of over 30 million around the world since 1995. He attributed the country's economic success, which has lifted millions of Vietnamese out of poverty since the oi Moi (Reform) in 1986, to the proliferation of private entrepreneurship, a free market, strong private property rights and the Government's direction to lessen central economic planning. Zitelmann, who has travelled to many countries around the world for his research, said the Vietnamese, especially the young, are "particularly motivated to learn how to generate wealth". "Among the 11 nations included in the study, Viet Nam had more respondents than any other nation stating who valued getting rich," he said. Viet Nam is the only country where more women (78 per cent) than men (72 per cent) said they want to get rich, according to Zitelmann. He added the Vietnamese generally view rich people with positive traits such as being visionary and far-sighted, intelligent, bold, industrious and imaginative. He urged, however, for the Government to not stray from the path of success and continue to stay committed to market economy and economic freedom. Dr. Zitelmann has written 25 books, mostly on the topics of business and wealth. His works have been well-received in Asian countries including China, India and South Korea. Two of his most well-known books The Wealth Elite" and The Rich in Public Opinion" have been published in Viet Nam. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for a global approach, and international solidarity in response to climate change in his message to the informal Leaders' Roundtable on Climate Change in New York, co-chaired by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Egyptian President on Thursday. The event was initiated by Guterres to unify awareness and promote strong political commitment to climate finance, greenhouse gas emission reduction and energy transition, in the lead-up to the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt in November. It is crucial to have a global approach, strengthened international unity and multilateralism, with the UN placed at the centre to tackle climate change, Chinh said in the message. A people-wide approach is also needed in this effort as people remain the heart, subject, resources, motivation and goal of development, he noted, adding that it is particularly important to ensure equality and justice globally and in each country. A developing nation rising from the ruins of wars, yet Viet Nam has long been a responsible UN member and determined to fulfil its international commitments with the greatest endeavour, the PM stated. He then asked development partners to support Viet Nam through technology transfer, financial incentives, personnel training and active experience sharing, in improving regulatory framework and governance. It will enable Viet Nam to realise the goal of cutting greenhouse emissions, effectively responding to climate change, ensuring energy security, promoting sustainable socio-economic development, addressing social security issues and improving living standards, the leader emphasised. He also took the occasion to thank international partners, UN bodies and the UN Secretary-General for their cooperation with and support for Viet Nam in climate change response, particularly accelerating the talks for the establishment of a Just Energy Transition Partnership. VNS HA NOI President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will represent the Vietnamese Party and State at the funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo in Tokyo on September 25-28, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. The attendance of the Vietnamese Head of State at the funeral shows recognition of the former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's contributions to promoting the two countries' relations, affirming the importance of the extensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Japan, spokesperson for the foreign ministry Le Thi Thu Hang said. During his time in office, the late Japanese PM visited Viet Nam four times and made important contributions to promoting the development of the two countries' relations comprehensively across all fields. President Phuc is expected to attend the main activities of the State funeral and meet with the family of the deceased Prime Minister, as well as Japanese and world leaders, Hang said. Abe, 67, was assassinated by a 41-year-old man on the morning of July 8, 2022, while delivering a campaign speech for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate in Nara City. Deputy PM's UN General Assembly The foreign ministry also announced that Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh is leading the Vietnamese delegation at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly from September 22-24 in New York, the United States. The visit takes place as Viet Nam celebrates the 45th anniversary of membership to the United Nations (September 20, 1977 2022) and successful fulfilment of its term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021. Recently, cooperation between Viet Nam and the United Nations has been constantly strengthened, Hang said, adding that Viet Nam is participating ever more actively and responsibly by making meaningful and in-depth contributions in all areas of the UN. She noted that this has contributed to elevating the position of Viet Nam in the international arena. During his stay in New York, the Deputy PM is expected to attend the opening ceremony and deliver important remarks at the general debate of the 77th General Assembly. Also as part of the visit, Deputy PM Minh will meet with UN leaders, hold bilateral meetings, and chair an event commemorating the 45th anniversary of Viet Nam's accession to the UN. VNS At Con ao National Park in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau from April to October, visitors can participate in exciting activities, such as witnessing sea turtles laying eggs and releasing baby turtles into the ocean at dawn. As an important nesting place for two rare marine species -- olive ridley sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles, the park has 14 beaches that the turtles favour to lay eggs, including those on Hon Tai (Tai Islet), Hon Bay Canh (Bay Canh Islet) and Hon Tre (Tre Islet). Among them, Bay Canh Islet has attracted the largest number, with up to 30 mother turtles coming ashore to nest at night. As tourists from Ha Noi joining a group releasing baby sea turtles into the sea in August, Nguyen Ngoc Lan and her children were excited about the new experience. "Con ao is renowned for its rich and diverse fauna, flora and marine life. It is also the nesting haven of the highest number of sea turtles in Viet Nam. Wishing to enable my children to learn about nature while on vacation, I decided to take them to Con ao National Park this summer," Lan said. "The park authority has done an excellent job preserving the wild landscape and natural environment, which is extremely important. A fresh and clean environment will give us more energy to regenerate our health." According to Nguyen Hoang Phuoc, a volunteer for the sea turtle preservation programme, Con ao deserves its title as one of the most beautiful domestic tourist destinations. "I have been to Con ao four times and many other famous islands at home and abroad. However, to me, the archipelago still ranks at the top. The sea here is crystal clear and beautiful while the local people are fully aware of the preservation of the marine environment, which motivated me to become a volunteer in the sea turtle conservation programme," he said. Phuoc added that visitors to Bay Canh Islet or other big islands of the archipelago are likely to see signs calling for environmental protection that volunteers and locals have erected. Developing eco-tourism The 16-island archipelago of Con ao is located 180km off Vung Tau City and about 230km southeast of HCM City. Con ao was once named "Hell on Earth" with painful memories of French colonialists and the US-aided-and-abetted Sai Gon regime turning the archipelago into a prison to detain Vietnamese revolutionary fighters and other patriots. Today, it is better known for beaches with white sand, crystal-blue water and colourful coral reefs, attracting an increasing number of local and foreign visitors in recent years. The national park is home to 1,077 species of vascular plants and 155 species of fauna. Many bird species in Con ao cannot be found anywhere else in Viet Nam, such as the red-billed tropicbird, masked booby, and pied imperial pigeon. Surveys conducted by the Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography have found more than 1,300 maritime fauna and flora species, including 44 in Viet Nam's Red Data Book, in Con ao National Park. The archipelago is also home to a small population of dugongs and an important nesting place for olive ridley sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles that are vulnerable to extinction worldwide. With the success of sea turtle conservation activities in recent years, Con ao has been recognised as an official member of the Indian Ocean-Southeast Asia, the 11th member of the marine turtle conservation network. The national park, a Ramsar wetland of international importance, has more than 340 species of corals and is one of the richest and most diverse coral reefs in the country. With such natural gifts, Con ao Islands have the potential to develop eco-tourism products such as watching turtles lay eggs, diving to see corals, climbing mountains and trekking into the forest. To properly reach its potential, the Ba Ria Vung Tau People's Committee [the provincial administration] has approved a plan for the development of eco-tourism and leisure tourism in Con ao National Park until 2030. The plan stipulates that the principle of leasing the forest environment is not to change the state's ownership of the forest. Organising eco-tourism must not negatively affect natural ecosystems, biodiversity, landscapes, environment, and natural life of wild animals and plants, as well as the cultural identity of the local community. The archipelago is also set to become a world-class site for marine, cultural, historical and spiritual tourism, according to a revised plan for Con ao development by 2045, newly approved by Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh. The plan has been revised to boost tourism on the islands, protect and promote its historic relics and preserve the ecosystem of Con ao National Park. Under the plan, Con ao's population will reach 15,000 by 2030 and 25,000 by 2045. The archipelago now comprises 16 islands with a total land area of over 75 square kilometres, and has a population of 10,500 who live only on Con Son, the biggest island. According to Nguyen Cong Vinh, vice chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Ria Vung Tau Province, the revised plan is an important decision, playing an important role in planning and orienting the development of Con ao in the future. The provincial authority has been investing in various projects to innovate Con ao's tourism, such as bringing electricity from the mainland to the islands, building a telecommunications cable system and waste treatment plant adopting incineration, and a reservoir to supply the needs of local people and tourists. In addition, the national park is now offering 20 sites with over 900 hectares of land for lease, according to Nguyen Khac Pho, director of the Con ao National Park authority. Through the lease, the southern province aims to develop scores of eco-tourism products on the islands in keeping with national and international standards. The park now has more than 60 eco-tourism projects that have been given in-principle approval and are looking for investors. They have an obligation to coordinate with the park to protect the forest, ensuring forest fire prevention and fighting during the project implementation. One of the highlighted eco-tourism projects is being developed by the Saigon Pearl Investment Company. Under the deal signed between the company and the park authority, more than 70 hectares of land will be leased to the company to build an eco-tourist site. It will include a genetic resource conservation centre for endangered plants, corals, and turtles and a brown squirrel protection programme. Tran Viet Khoa, chairman of the Management Council of Saigon Pearl Investment, said the company would not trade off the national park's environmental values and untouched beauty for economic benefits, adding that to protect the forest and marine ecosystems and wetlands is to protect tourism resources and sustain the business. Tourism products would be created based on the natural ecosystem around Ong Cau Beach, while the pristine natural ecosystem here would be preserved as part of efforts to develop Con ao as a national tourist site, Khoa said. The local authorities have also made great efforts to protect the ecosystem and the natural landscape of the park. The Con ao island district authority has coordinated with the World Wide Fund for Nature Vietnam to work on a project to reduce the use of plastic bags and single-use plastic products. The district has officially committed to becoming a plastic-reducing island, aiming to have no plastic waste in nature by 2030. With the successful launches of eco-tourism projects and environmental protection measures, Con ao is expected to be a role model for Viet Nam's tourism industry and a not-to-be-missed destination for travellers worldwide. VNS Brand Finance the worlds leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy in conjunction with the brand consulting firm Mibrand Vietnam JSC has announced the 50 most valuable brands in Vietnam in 2022. This is an annual event and the seventh year in which the Brand Finance Vietnam Forum has been organised in Vietnam. Managing director of Mibrand Lai Tien Manh said, We are really impressed with the spectacular growth rate of leading brands in Vietnam in 2022. The Brand Finance Vietnam 2022 report will become the most important measure for the success of brands in all fields across the country. Viettel is the most valuable Vietnamese brand for the seventh consecutive year Viettel was ranked as the most valuable Vietnamese brand for the seventh consecutive year with a value of $8.8 billion, ahead of second-ranked VNPT (up 4 per cent to almost $2.9 billion) and Vinamilk in third (up 18 per cent to $2.8 billion). Alex Haigh, managing director of Brand Finance Asia Pacific commented, Despite the pandemic, Vietnam has maintained its economic stability and has become a rapidly growing and increasingly diversified market. However, to continue to grow in brand value and help the country move from being product oriented to marketing and brand driven, Vietnamese brands need to be open to change, react quickly, diversify, and become more transparent with all stakeholders. Vietnams top 50 brands achieved an aggregate increase in brand value of 36 per cent on-year. The top 10 Vietnamese brands are worth $24.4 billion this year, accounting for 67 per cent of the $36.6 billion of the top 50 Vietnamese brands. According to the Brand Finance Forum 2022, insurance, real estate, and mechanical and construction are the fastest growing sectors, while telecommunications, banking, and food contribute the most to the rankings. Nine Vietnam banks named in Brand Finance Banking 500 (Infographics) Vietnam's banking sector sees greatest year-on-year brand value growth at 23%, according to Brand Finance Banking 500. Nine Vietnam banks in the list increase their global brand finance ranking. MBBank an ambitious climber in the Brand Finance Banking 500 ranking MBBank is one of the fastest-growing financial institutions in the Brand Finance Banking 500 ranking for 2022. The significant increase in brand value reflects MBBanks drastic transformation in recent years. Viettel brand value goes up 32 steps to $6 billion Viettel remains the highest-ranking telecommunications brand in the Southeast Asia region and the only Vietnamese brand in the Brand Finance Global 500 2021 Ranking. Vietnam climbs higher on Brand Finances Global Soft Power Index 2021 Vietnam is the only nation in ASEAN jumping 2.5 points on Brand Finances Global Soft Power Index 2021 from 50th to 47th. The four telecom brands have a total value of $13.1 billion and comprise the largest economic sector by brand value. The banking sector follows with $8.5 billion from twelve brands and the food sector is the third-most valuable with $3.46 billion from seven brands. In the top 50, Bao Viet Group has a brand value of $731 million, ranking 14th. In the banking sector, MB Bank is the strongest Vietnamese brand, while Techcombank has had remarkable growth as it increased five places compared to 2021 to enter the top 10 for the first time. VietinBank ranked ninth, up one place compared to 2021. Agribank continued its steady growth momentum with a growth value of 22 per cent, maintaining its position as the most valuable bank brand in Vietnam. Some brands have stable growth value such as VPBank (up 37 per cent compared to 2021) and FPT (up 24.5 per cent on-year). Hoa Phat Group also increased by 68 per cent compared to the previous year. In the real estate sector, the brand value of Vinhomes in 2022 is $2.38 million, up 99 per cent. This is the fastest-growing brand in the top 10 most valuable brands in Vietnam. Notably, there are four new entrants in the rankings, including Nam Long (ranked 34), Vinacomin (ranked 43), Chin-Su (ranked 44), and Masan Consumer (ranked 45). Starbucks Vietnam CEO Patricia Marques and MoMo e-wallet CEO Nguyen Manh Tuong announced a cooperation agreement between the companies a fortnight ago and discussed the opportunities this would bring. F&B mainstays taking digital direction, Source: YouTube The cooperation will help Starbucks Vietnam customers have more payment options in addition to cash, bank cards, and Starbucks cards. MoMo can reach more new customers from the Starbucks brand, and it also increases choices for their loyal customers, said Tuong. Explaining why it is only now linking with e-wallets, Marques pointed out that any project needs a lot of time to prepare the system. When it comes to implementation, we know there is still a lot of work to do, said Marques. MoMo is a Vietnamese e-wallet that has gained 30 million users since its debut in 2009 and was the only Vietnamese representative in the top 50 fintech companies in the world ranked by KPMG Global Fintech in 2019. It is the first e-wallet accepted at all Starbucks Vietnam stores in Vietnam. Entering the Vietnamese market in 2018, Starbucks was interested in applying technology solutions to bring customers modern and new experiences, including cashless payments. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted Starbucks to accelerate its digital transformation by working with delivery apps such as Grab and ShopeeFood, then developing its own app to make it easier for customers to order drinks and pay. Thousands of businesses in the food and beverage (F&B) sector are witnessing a strong digital makeover. According to the payment platform Payoo, the number of cashless transactions in the second quarter of 2022 increased by 61 per cent in volume and 41 per cent in value as compared to the first quarter. International cards have become the dominant payment method, accounting for 64 per cent in volume and 77 per cent in value. Domestic cards ranked second with 21 per cent in volume and 17 per cent in value. For QR codes, it stands at 15 per cent and 6 per cent, respectively. This rate is even higher in other sectors, such as tourism, retail, and education. The F&B market has witnessed many other deals between businesses and non-cash payment solution providers. Customers at Highlands Coffee, Jollibee, Gongcha, and Haidilao can pay with domestic cards, international cards, QR codes, or e-wallets, and emerging methods such as contactless payments. VNPay has cooperated with many outlets such as the Lotteria fast food chain, TH true MILK, Guta coffee chain, and Phuc Long. Payoo is working with several financial partners including MasterCard, VPBank, and TPBank, and retail chains such as Jollibee, FamilyMart, Highlands Coffee, and Grove Fresh. Winnie Wong, country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos at Mastercard, said that new technology has made payments faster and more convenient, so it is inevitable that the F&B sector will embrace this technology. Traditional shoppers have gradually switched to cashless payments because of the convenience and safety. F&B businesses now have to change how they serve to match customer needs, Wong said. Mastercards New Payments Index 2021 revealed that 84 per cent of consumers in the Asia-Pacific region have seen their access to emerging forms of payments increase in the previous year alone. While 88 per cent used at least one emerging payment type in the year, two-thirds (64 per cent) of all respondents, including 75 per cent of millennials, say they tried new payment methods that they would not have tried were it not for the coronavirus pandemic. According to market research firm BMI, Vietnam has become one of the most attractive F&B markets globally. The contribution of the F&B sector to the total national GDP in 2021 was about 15.8 per cent. Spending on both food and beverages accounts for the highest proportion in the monthly spending structure of Vietnamese consumers with about 35 per cent of the total consumption expenditure in the country. Furthermore, under a report by Dcorp, a company that advises and deploys management solutions for the hospitality and retail industry, spending on food services is also at a high level with more than $360 each month, higher than that of other countries in the region such as Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia. But Vietnams F&B sector is characterised by the prevalence of smaller companies. The Dcorp report added that 84 per cent of food companies have less than 50 employees. Over time, it said, one would expect larger companies to develop from the F&B ecosystem. BAEMIN Academy aims to foster local food and beverage industry The online food delivery application BAEMIN Vietnam has officially introduced the BAEMIN Academy to the public and its merchant partners. World opening eyes to exciting Vietnamese offerings in F&B Vietnamese food and beverage groups are increasingly making their presence felt in numerous countries worldwide thanks to the remarkable quality improvement of goods, with a huge trade fair this week set to put even more of these goods on show. The event, to take place on October 12-14 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, is occurring in conjunction with events on beverage ingredients and natural ingredients, in order to provide attendees an unsurpassed opportunity to attend three shows in one location for efficient business and networking. Gateway to the countrys F&B ingredients industry Attendees will be able to gain valuable insights and inspiration, source innovative ingredients, develop new business relationships, learn from industry experts, and participate in the many show highlights, all of which will help them to grow their business and competitiveness. The event will also cover the pandemic aftermath, which has affected consumer perception of health issues, thereby increasing the demand for high-quality food and beverage (F&B) ingredients and products that meet health requirements. As a provider to create a platform and marketplace for global businesses to meet, discover products, trade and grow through major exhibitions, virtual events, online marketplaces, specialist content, and data services, Informa Markets is confident that Fi Vietnam 2022 can contribute to transitioning the governments policy from vision to action. This will be carried out by encouraging knowledge transfer and investment to increase the competitiveness and quality of domestic products while bringing Vietnamese F&B brands to regional and international markets to drive further export growth. Fi Vietnam is a dynamic event for a dynamic market. Since its inception in 2014, it has rapidly grown into the most comprehensive F&B ingredients event in Vietnam. This year, it will bring together more than 5,000 professionals from around Vietnam and beyond, from all industry segments, as well as more than 160 exhibitors from 20 countries. The Vietnamese food ingredients market has shown ongoing and robust growth across numerous categories since the pandemic peak passed, representing significant business opportunities for local and foreign companies. According to statistics from the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, the average annual consumption of F&B in Vietnam accounts for 15 per cent of GDP and is the largest domestic consumer market. The total retail sales value of related products was estimated to be $54.9 billion in 2021, and Statista forecasts an increase in compound annual growth rate by 9.9 per cent, to $66.3 billion, by 2023. This is a clear demonstration of the resistance of the Vietnamese economy and its full recovery from the pandemic, and is a prerequisite for Vietnam to become one of the most promising markets for F&B in Asia. Register for Fi Vietnam 2022 at https://ers.ubmthailand.com/fiv22 World opening eyes to exciting Vietnamese offerings in F&B Vietnamese food and beverage groups are increasingly making their presence felt in numerous countries worldwide thanks to the remarkable quality improvement of goods, with a huge trade fair this week set to put even more of these goods on show. Thaifex-Anuga Asia 2022 recognise exhibitors for their F&B excellence From May 24 to 28, Thaifex-Anuga Asia 2022 Taste Innovation Show Awards is encouraging innovative food and beverage (F&B) industry operators to inspire exhibitors, event participants, and F&B players locally and internationally. A week of F&B innovation and a journey into the future of food at Thaifex Running from May 24 to 28, ThaifexAnuga Asia 2022 food and beverage trade fair officially welcomes exhibitors and visitors to IMPACT Muang Thong Thani for the regions biggest event created to meet the needs of food and beverage (F&B) industry operators and product innovators. The two sides will partner in the development of diabetes medical records and the application of IT solutions in the management of clinics. Specifically, OneClinic's system for electronic medical and personal health records helps increase operational efficiency for clinics and improves the quality of medical examinations and treatments for patients. Doctors can easily manipulate and build specialised diabetes medical records, and patients can self-monitor their health and know the status of the treatment, especially for chronic non-communicable diseases that need continuous monitoring and regular treatment such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, lung disease, diabetes, and mental disorders. At the signing ceremony, Nguyen Francis Tuan Anh, director of OneClinic emphasised, OneClinic is an ecosystem that connects and integrates software, medical devices, and patient data to improve patient engagement, increase quality, and save treatment costs. OneClinic aspires to become one of the leading providers of healthcare solutions for private clinics. Tuan Anh continued, These solutions are developed based on the latest technologies that meet the standards of the International Health Database and International Health Information Security and are compatible with current systems." In Vietnam, more than 3.5 million people are suffering from diabetes. Diabetes is still an urgent issue and is always the top concern in public healthcare. The disease causes many dangerous complications, being the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, and amputation. According to the International Diabetes Federation's statistics, in 2019, 463 million people aged 20-79 had diabetes worldwide. It is expected that diabetes will affect 578 million people by 2030 and 700 million people by 2045. The application of technology in healthcare treatment is promising much relief for patients In Vietnam, more than 3.5 million people are suffering from diabetes. The proportion of people with diabetes mellitus increases rapidly. It is expected that the number of people with diabetes in Vietnam will increase to nearly 6.3 million by 2045. However, the solutions in the management and treatment of diabetes so far are still limited. There are difficulties for doctors in monitoring blood glucose levels and handling timely prescriptions. Likewise, patients sometimes miss or forget to visit the clinics periodically to monitor subclinical tests. Since there are no tools to manage patient data, doctors will only be able to provide services to a finite number of patients. In addition, it is difficult for diabetics to meet the high cost of treatment, lacking timely interaction with doctors to be warned of the risk of complications. According to Dr. Le Minh Quang from the Cardiff Diabetes Centre, the application of technology in the healthcare sector becomes increasingly important, including in the management of chronic diseases like diabetes. Medtech helps doctors better treat and manage more diabetes patients, contributing to improving their life quality. The partnership between the two sides is expected to help overcome the problems of the management of the clinic system and medical records in the care of chronic diseases, opening a new level in treatment and management. INFOMED Vietnam wins the worlds first patent for electronic medical records INFOMED Vietnam has won the patent for a blockchain-secured and document-based electronic medical records (EMR) system from the US Patent and Trademark Office, making it the first patent of this kind in the world. VMED Group leads way in pioneering med-tech solutions With an ambition to increase high-quality healthcare access to local people, VMED Group is instigating development of new med-tech solutions to reach more health facilities nationwide. Following its internal announcement to cease all operations, all Propzy employee labour contracts were terminated effective September 13. Founded by John Le in 2015, Propzy was the first company in Vietnam to provide a technology-based solution for real estate transactions in a closed process by directly connecting buyers and sellers. Up until early 2021, Propzys business model was still an integrated all-in-one service, allowing the company to collect commission of 1 per cent from every transaction as a middleman. When a piece of property encountered legal issues, the company would also provide legal services with an off-contract fee. Propzy was on top of the proptech world in 2019 but, as with many startups, the pandemic damaged them beyond repair According to Tech in Asia, Propzy successfully raised $33 million during its operation, the second-largest total investment in Vietnams proptech market. Like many well-known startups with groundbreaking business ideas, Propzys initial recipe for success was expansion. By 2017 the company had increased to 120 employees and moved to a new office. The following year, the number of employees increased to 200 and a transaction centre system was formed. By 2020, Propzy had 1,200 employees, 80,000 customers, and more than 30 transaction centres. It was in the process of building a lending strategy to assist its homebuyers before encountering a series of operational and capital management issues at the onset of the pandemic. According to Tran Khanh Quang, general director of Viet An Hoa Real Estate Investment JSC and one of the industry insiders who had followed Propzy since its early days, the startup was typical in that it boasted a good model but poor execution. In the beginning, John Le was in charge of finance, with a team of highly qualified technology and real estate staff members. However, over time, it seems that the management line in the company was no longer as clear, and the founder seemed to have made many decisions on his own, Quang told VIR. By the end of May this year, Propzy dissolved its subsidiary Propzy Services. A month later, in a restructuring effort to develop new products and enter a new round of funding, the company cut half of its staff, mainly in sales. Along with that, Propzy also temporarily closed all transaction centres. Despite considerable doubts from the market at the time, Le insisted that all the changes were in line with the companys new business model and strategy. It was hoped that the company would sub-divide its service segments for easier management, including an exchange that connected all real estate needs, a transaction support service, real estate financial solution service Propzy Stay, and a new product line called Propzy Home. The turnaround and restructuring plans could neither improve the business situation nor convince investors to put down money. Tech in Asia a fortnight ago reported that Propzy was in early-stage negotiations with 99 Group of Singapore about an acquisition agreement. However, it was uncertain whether 99 Group would continue to pursue the deal. Le Minh Duc, founder and CEO of Remaps, another proptech startup, noted that Propzys income source was not sufficient enough. Its only source of income was a small commission on every successful transaction and, as its tech portion was insufficient, they were forced to bring many brokers into the same transaction to avoid risks, Duc assessed. It is difficult for a startup to survive when the personnel apparatus becomes cumbersome. Quang of Viet An Hoa added that the unfortunate event was a typical case of overspending. In addition, as Vietnams real estate industry is quite fragmented and complex, it takes someone with practical hands-on experience to fully understand the industry. Many real estate businesses nowadays like to attach technology to their products and service. But without the right execution, money will just be burnt in vain, he said. Propzys Management Board confirmed that remaining salaries and accumulated leave would be paid in full, and that the company will also try to provide a severance allowance commensurate with each employees tenure and contribution. Founder and CEO of Propzy John Le was a big name in the fintech startup circle in the United States in the 2000s, with a total of more than $35 million raised for his companies. Some of his prominent startups included LoanTrader and Portellus, with investments from Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, GE Capital, Zurich, FBR Capital, and IAC. In 2009, Le established TransUnion Vietnam - the countrys first international credit information company. Three years later, as bad debts were one of the countrys biggest problems, he teamed up with a number of stakeholders to support the establishment of Vietnam Asset Management Company. Le said his idea of founding Propzy came from the many difficulties that he faced trying to rent houses in Vietnam, as he had to constantly travel between Vietnam and the US. With the goal of simplifying real estate transactions, he founded Propzy in 2015, officially transitioning from being a finance expert into a player in real estate. Hai Nguyen-Co-chairman PropTech Vietnam Network The biggest challenge for proptech startups in Vietnam is similar to that in the global property market: digital transformation in the real estate sector is very slow. Even in the proptech market in Southeast Asia, the total number of active proptech startups currently accounts for only a very small percentage compared to other industries such as fintech, edtech, and e-commerce. While the proptech ecosystem is still immature, attracting investment from venture capital funds will be difficult. And when there is a lack of investment capital, startups will find it difficult to create value for the real estate market in two ways: using technology to improve efficiency or complete disruption of the whole market. Another difficulty for proptech startups is that public sources of real estate data is fragmented and inefficient. So, startups need a lot of expertise and business relationships to build their own. This creates huge costs and hinders the growth of startups. Though Propzys shutdown is really bad news for the proptech market in Vietnam, the startup receiving huge capital from famous investment funds such as SoftBank Ventures Asia, Gaw Capital, and others was positive for other small-sized startups and the entire proptech Vietnam ecosystem. However, the history of technology startups has proven that as long as difficulties exist, we will always have new solutions to overcome them, making peoples lives happier. Propzy did not reach its final destination. However, it will leave a pathway for other young startups to step up. In fact, within the last two years, a new wave of proptech startups has launched to solve one of the most difficult challenges in our lives: buying and selling homes. Vietnamese proptech startup Propzy ceases operation Startup proptech Propzy just released an internal announcement to stop its operation on September 12, and all employee labour contracts are terminated effective September 13 at 12.01am. After studying agricultural technology at the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment of Israels Hebrew University, Tran Nhat Huy wants to return to Vietnam to establish a startup on agritech, with solutions helping farmers to save water and prevent pesticides during crop production. My three friends and I will graduate next January and we are now working for an Israeli aquaculture production tech group that is expected to begin its presence in Vietnam next year, to provide services and consultancy for construction of fish farms, Huy told VIR. However, we need at least $80,000 for our startup and currently we dont know how to secure it, Huy said. We also need to learn more about establishing it. Everything is now under discussion, but we want to contribute to the homeland what we have studied in Israel. Despite the countrys enormous potential and demand, Vietnam has almost no specific regulations for developing startups in general and agritech ones in particular. Startup ecosystem requires helping hand The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in July released a report on Vietnams ecosystem for tech startups, with a focus laid on five Vietnamese agritech startups (Agri Hitech, APPA Group, MrFarm, NextFarm, and SGS) and six healthtech ones (One Vietnam, Finizz, ISOFH, OneLink, VieVie, and Viet Software). All startups typically have difficulty recruiting and maintaining human resources. Market penetration and financial sustainability are problems for all startups, stated the report. In addition to their small size, all tech startups surveyed have limited equity. To raise initial capital, the startups use their own funds or those of family and friends or special funds offered by government agencies as the standard source of funding. All three types of funding are insufficient for expansion. Respondents indicated that they need to spend more time on marketing and solving financial problems in order for the businesses to develop and survive, said Truong Thinh Pham and Aimee Hampel-Milagrosa, who compiled the report. The two experts also pinpointed some other obstacles to startup development in Vietnam. Specifically, recruiting and maintaining adequate human resources is a common problem as they cannot pay high salaries and are not willing to give their employees equity in the company. This is an even more serious problem in the healthtech sector, where some medical knowledge is required. The critical factor for the survival and development of startups is capital. In addition to their small size, all interviewed startups have limited equity. Some startups generate modest revenues but do not have sufficient cash flow to cover the costs associated with expanding their market, Pham said. Promising lands In Vietnam, the concept of technology-based startups is relatively new as it is only in 2016 that all the components of a startup ecosystem became available. There are no official figures on the number of tech startups; it is estimated that the total number in 2021 was around 3,800, with four homegrown unicorns: VNG, VnPay, SkyMavis, and MoMo. Startups in Vietnam became increasingly active in 2018 when the nation attracted $448 million in capital investment in startups, doubling to $861 million in 2019 and about 10 times more than in 2017. Investments in tech startups reached a record high of $1.4 billion last year, the National Innovation Centre reported. The national startup ecosystem is focused on developing vibrant, fast-growing businesses based on the use of intellectual property, technology, and innovative business models. Policies to encourage investment in startups in Vietnam are gradually being completed to demonstrate the governments commitment to improving the business environment for tech startups, such as the numerous government-sponsored pitching competitions and the visit-and-learn experiences to other countries with developed startup ecosystems. The Law on Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprise Support officially established the legal status of startups. The most important legal document to date, Decree No.38/2018/ND-CP from March 2018, details the formation and operation of innovative startup funds. This created an important legal basis for the establishment of organisations supporting Vietnamese startups, and also laid the groundwork for the development of a capital market for innovative startups. As a result, several local investment funds have been established to provide financial support to startups. Branches of international venture capital offices, accelerators, and coworking spaces have been opened in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Challenges However, for the startup ecosystem in Vietnam to flourish, the ADB suggested that legal provisions and policies supporting startups in Vietnam may need to be updated and harmonised across agencies. Most legal provisions target small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and few provisions apply to startups. While SMEs and startups may seem similar at the initial stage, there is a clear difference between the two, which should be filtered into distinct policies, said the ADB report. Nguyen Tao Chuyen, director of NTC Agro Trading JSC in Hanoi, had his startup dissolved last year after five years of operations. Although providing clean and safe farm products to restaurants and hotels in Hanoi, the company found it hard to implement its solutions using high technology in freezing products due to difficulties in capital access. We had to resort to loans from relatives and friends, but this situation couldnt last long as we also had to pay debts. Some partners wanted to contribute, but their capital was not enough, Chuyen said. In 2016, the government enacted Supporting the National Innovative Startup Ecosystem until 2025, a scheme known as Project 844. It laid the groundwork for the creation of a friendly environment to maximise the value of startup activities and the scientific knowledge of the community. With the exception of Project 844, which sets specific quantitative goals for startup development, other policies do not have binding responsibilities for startup development success. For example, other ministries, agencies, and organisations charged with formulating annual plans to support innovation for startups do not have specific activities to implement Project 844, the ADB said. At the local level, although the implementation plan for Project 844 has been issued, actual implementation is still in its early stage, so results cannot be assessed. What is known is that support from government agencies lacks detailed and enforceable regulations, which is reflected in unclear implementation plans in some communities. Their plans simply repeat the content of Project 844 without developing specific local measures for startups. Huy and his friends have also heard about Project 844. However, it remains vague. In Israel, if you have an idea for a feasible startup, it gets very special support from the government in terms of loans and business location, Huy said. However, in Vietnam, startups require more capital than their current operating capital. They often use their own funds to raise initial capital or turn to their family and friends to obtain it. However, these are usually small amounts, less than $10,000, that do not get them very far. If this occurs to us, I am not sure our startup can flourish in Vietnam. According to the ADB, Vietnam is competing with regional leaders in creating a favourable ecosystem for startups. However, if challenges are removed, it is expected that the country could very well be the next China or India for startups. Ascend Vietnam Ventures surpasses $50 million target On June 28, Ascend Vietnam Ventures announced that it exceeded its $50 million target for its flagship early-stage venture capital fund, AVV Alpha. Led by Binh Tran and Eddie Thai, the fund is seeking the next wave of globally iconic startups emerging from Vietnam. Moving from budding startup to global conqueror As the economy is back on track again, many entrepreneurs are eager to push through with their startups. Thye Yeow Bok, head of Startup Ecosystem Southeast Asia at Google, talked to VIRs Nguyen Hai about the right strategies to conquer local and global markets. Two Waco stages hope to start their audiences off this fall with smiles and songs, both from musicals fueled by joy, love and a touch of Europe. At Waco Civic Theatre, the prevailing cultural accent is Italian, captured in the Adam Guettel-Craig Lucas musical The Light in the Piazza, whose pivotal moment occurs on a tourist trip to Italy in 1953. Baylor Theatre has contemporary Paris as the backdrop to its musical Amelie, a 2015 collaboration by Daniel Messe and Lucas. No fears for the language-challenged, though: Both musicals are (mostly) in English. Audiences may leave with something more universal, namely spirits buoyed by romance, love and turning to the French here a joie de vivre. In The Light in the Piazza, mother Margaret Johnson (Kelly MacGregor) and her daughter Clara (Anna Poe) find their lives changed during a summer in Florence, Italy. A chance encounter between Clara and local resident Fabrizio Naccarelli (Davian Raggio) causes romantic sparks to fly, and its not just a cultural difference between an American and an Italian that has the mother concerned. A childhood accident left Clara developmentally delayed and she fears Clara and Fabrizio cant handle what might come from their romance, even though it brings her daughter joy and happiness. Fabrizios parents Giuseppe (Micah Key) and Franca (Krystal Marshall) have issues of their own as well. Director Jen Stephenson, who also is director of Baylor Opera Theatre, said The Light in the Piazza falls more in the musical vein of classic Broadway musicals by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II or Alan Lerner and Frederick Loewe than more contemporary ones driven by rock, rap or hip-hop. Composer Adam Guettel comes by it honestly, she noted: Rodgers is his grandfather. Guettels score mirrors the storys emotions. There are sweeping melodies you leave singing, Stephenson said. Although theres a lot of music in The Light in the Piazza, some of which is fairly sophisticated, its still musical theater and not opera, she said. Music director Brad Baker oversees the music, which will feature piano accompaniment rather than an orchestra or instrumental ensemble. Music informs Amelie Romance also grows out of the incidental in Baylor Theatres Amelie, with music by Daniel Messe and Nathan Tysen and a book also written by Lucas. Based in part on the 2001 movie of the same name, the musical follows a young Parisian named Amelie (Kaitlyn Bailey) largely raised without affection, who nonetheless approaches life with enthusiasm and imagination. Resolving to be a do-gooder in the aftermath of Princess Dianas death in Paris, she decides to look for the owner of a box of childhood trinkets she discovered and return them. Her quest starts a journey that touches and changes a number of strangers for the better, but she doesnt recognize the interest of one of those she encounters, a young man named Nino (Erik Campos), has in her and how his interest might change her own life. Shes like a magical character, explained director and Baylor University theater graduate student Cassie Nordgren. Music and song underlie much of the story, whose multiple locations require more of a suggestion of place than specific sets or backdrops. Amelies personality and outlook also shape the musicals settings, plus the occasional use of puppets. We want to bring that childhood imagination to life, said Nordgren, a musical theater buff, but by way of choreography. Nordgren, 36, came to Baylor after a time in New York in which her experience in producing dance narratives, then choreographing actors scene transitions, persuaded her that she could direct. Learning the finer points of that brought her to Baylor for graduate studies in directing. Her background in dance and choreography have shaped her eye for telling stories visually, but as a musical, Amelie adds an extra dimension. I love the way music speaks to the story and informs the story, she said. An eight-piece orchestra perched above the stage backs the singing of the 14-member cast and Nordgren hopes the musicals audiences come away energized by love, adventure and playfulness. Amelie starts its nine-performance run on Wednesday. Guitarists Steve Howell and Dan Sumner will offer a different type of musical tribute Thursday night at Anthem Stories, one where the subject of the tribute escaped public attention for much of his life. The subject of their musical attention is Snoozer Quinn, an obscure Louisiana musician whose distinctive fingerpicking approach to jazz guitar in the 1920s and 1930s made him a pioneer, though he made no recordings until the last weeks of his life in 1949. Howell, a guitarist based in Marshall, was introduced to Quinns story only a few years ago and it was a revelation for someone with a lifelong love for rural country blues and jazz guitar. Hes the missing link in the lineage of jazz guitar, he explained. At a time when most jazz guitarists came from an Italian mandolin tradition, using a pick to play the guitar and strumming chords to set a songs rhythm for a band, Quinn brought a fingerpicking style he learned from playing clawhammer banjo as a boy in Louisiana. Quinn had a profoundly misshapen head, Howell said, and a chronic problem with alcohol, both of which severely limited his career as a musician. His skill eventually led him to New York in the 1920s, where he would play with the likes of Louis Armstrong and the Dorsey brothers. Notable bandleader Paul Whiteman hired him for a time, only to use him as a player at cocktail parties rather than as a musician in Whitemans band. Quinn made a recording for Victor Records in 1928, but that record and its master are lost. Quinn returned to Louisiana and spent his life playing with regional dance bands in New Orleans, Galveston, East Texas and along the Gulf Coast. He died of tuberculosis in 1949, but a friend persuaded him to record a set of songs while in a TB ward. That rare recording provided not only a sample of his musical style, but part of the repertoire behind Thursday nights tribute. Howell teamed with fellow guitarist Sumner, who collaborated with Katy Hobgood Ray on a biography of Quinn, to create the musical tribute. Texas Music Cafe director Chris Ermoian invited Howell and Sumner to bring their tribute to Waco. Howell had worked with Texas Music Cafe several times before and readily accepted the offer. Ive spent a lot of time in Waco over the years, he said. Howell, in fact, will play with his band the Mighty Men Saturday night at the Texas Music Cafe studios, 715 Washington Ave. Their program will feature several songs from Quinns recording, plus several from that era done in Quinns style. Included are numbers such as Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams, Stormy Weather, Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans? Mood Indigo, Aint Misbehavin, St. James Infirmary and Bye Bye Blackbird. The evening also will feature a dinner with a menu inspired by the New Orleans and Gulf Coast environs where Quinn spent much of his life, featuring sea bass almondine with wild rice, Waldorf salad, pineapple upside-down cake and bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Tickets are $45, available in advance at eventbrite.com, with tickets at the door priced at $49. A former Connally Primary School teacher is back in jail on charges that he stalked female employees of a local store, just weeks before he is set to stand trial on 2021 charges involving stalking and soliciting teen girls. Timothy Bruner, 60, of Waco, was arrested Monday on a third-degree felony stalking charge after he was accused of sending lewd and harassing Instagram messages to the employees, court records show. An affidavit lists a string of sexually graphic and demeaning electronic messages sent around April 1 from accounts known to belong to Bruner. One of the employees told detectives she and another woman were in fear of sexual abuse, not knowing if the person sending the messages was in their store, an arrest affidavit in the case says. An employee told detectives Bruner went to her checkout line, then sat in his vehicle for an extended period of time watching her through the front door, the affidavit states. The woman told a detective she was in fear of leaving her residence during this time. Bruner lost his job as a second-grade teacher at Connally Primary School about 11 months ago after he was arrested on charges involving sexual misconduct, the Tribune-Herald reported at the time. He was first arrested Oct. 14 on charges of online solicitation of a minor, after a sting in which he exchanged online messages with a sheriffs office detective posing as a 16-year-old girl, and invited her to join him in sexual activities, the Tribune-Herald reported. The next day, while Bruner was out of jail on bond, he was arrested again on stalking charges when investigators found incriminating evidence on his phone, the Tribune-Herald reported. Investigators said messages on his phone confirmed the report from a 19-year-old woman who said Bruner had been stalking her with sexually explicit messages for three years and that she was in fear of being sexually assaulted. He was indicted in those cases May 26, with a trial scheduled to start Oct. 10 in 54th State District Court. Bruner remained in McLennan County Jail on Thursday on the new stalking charge with bail set at $75,000. Hidden Creatures at zoo Cameron Park Zoo, 1701 N. Fourth St., and Waco Escape Rooms will have a Hidden Creatures Mystery event from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the zoo. In the family-friendly game, part scavenger hunt and part escape room, teams will work to find mythological creatures across the zoo before they go back into hiding. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for children ages 5-12 and free for younger kids, and can be purchased at hiddencreatures.com. Walk Out of the Darkness Waco Walk Out of the Darkness will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Brazos Park East, 3516 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The walks main goal is to come together as a community to raise awareness about and support mental health and suicide prevention. All donations support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which researches suicide prevention, creates and distributes education programs, advocates for public policy, and supports survivors of suicide loss. The event will start with free registration and check in, resource tables, live music, kids activities, memory wall, luminaries and more. Opening activities will be followed by a brief ceremony and the walk. For more information, contact Jennifer Warnick at 512-661-9335 or jenniferwafsp@gmail.com. Goodwill Gala Saturday The 2022 Goodwill Gala will run from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday at The Baylor Club in McLane Stadium, 1001 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The event is a fundraiser for the Goodwill Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $145 and up. For tickets, go to htgi.betterworld.org/events/2022-annual-goodwill-gala. Voter registration Volunteers from Project VIER, or Voter Information, Engagement and Registration, will register citizens to vote from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday at Tru Jamaica Restaurant, 937 Taylor St. Voters can register, or update their address if needed. Oct. 11 is the registration deadline to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 8 election. Early voting will start Oct. 24. Midway ISD 75th The Midway ISD Foundation will hold Midways 75th anniversary reunion from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Midway Middle School Cafeteria, 800 N. Hewitt Drive. All former Midway High students and faculty are invited to a casual mixer to celebrate 75 years of MISD. Pictures will be made of cheerleaders, band members, mascots and other groups at the free event. For more information, call 254-761-5614. "Are you ready to see your fixer-upper?" How many times have "Fixer Upper" fans heard Joanna Gaines say those words before the big reveal on their popular home renovation show? And here I was, standing outside the Cottonland Castle, i.e., Chip and Jo Gaines most famous Magnolia acquisition (outside of the Waco Tribune-Herald building, I would argue), with those words echoing in my head. Five other souls and myself were about to partake in the hour and a half tour of the 6,176-square-foot mansion which, by the way, could be yours if the price is right. The building that put the castle in the Castle Heights area has been the site of $50 tours of the building and grounds since July, but those tours will wrap up on Oct. 26. Thats a couple of weeks after Fixer Upper: The Castle drops concurrently on Magnolia Network, HBO Max and Discovery Plus at 8 p.m. Oct. 14. Twenty percent of the net profits from the castle tours will go to The Cove, a local nonprofit that works to end youth homelessness. The Cove has been an organization dear to the heart of Magnolia for many years, wrote Amy Gaston, Magnolias local director of experiential marketing, in an email. Their mission to serve youth experiencing homelessness in Waco by giving them a safe place where they can thrive speaks to our own belief in home. The work they do to ensure the most vulnerable in our community are cared for and supported is inspiring. I pitched to Magnolias marketing folks my idea to share the castle story in this October Dwelling themed issue of Waco Today. I wasnt sure they would agree to it since this issue comes out prior to the new show. But thankfully, they did, though with numerous restrictions to avoid revealing anything they dont want shared prior to the shows debut. I completely understand that. Magnolia is a brand and they are protecting their product. That said, it bothered me a bit to know that every other person on the tour was free to snap photos and take video to their hearts content and share that via social media. But for me, a journalist and editor of Waco Today, I could only grab images and video to use for reference in writing this article. The images that accompany this story, other than the exterior shots (which also had to get approval by Magnolia), were provided by Magnolia. There are some gorgeous rooms throughout the castle that my prose cant do justice, but we arent allowed to share any images even online until the final episode of Fixer Upper: The Castle premieres Nov. 18. Theres a conservatory that in every sense embodies the same-named room from the Clue board game, right down to the black and white floor. Likewise, there would be no comments even via email from Chip or Jo for this story. Ive never liked writing a story where I couldnt at least get a comment from one of the principals. But such is how Magnolia controls its narrative. I did receive comments from Kristen Bufton, director of design, for which I am grateful. The color bars on the edges of these pages should reflect Moody Fig, one of the colors of the castles palette from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines. Taking the Tour Upon starting the tour of the castle, we were given a Magnolia fabric wrist band (oh, I think its the Moody Fig color!) and a 6-by-6-inch booklet detailing some of the history of the castle and Chip and Jos approach to its renovation. The booklet contains a QR code to a 3-D tour of the building to show its level of disrepair just a few years ago. The Gaineses bought the castle in 2019 after some 20 years of Chip putting in offers that were rejected. Among the noteworthy facts in the booklet is that original property owner John Tennant started building the castle in 1890 and completed only the basement and first floor. In 1913, Capt. Alfred Abeel bought the castle and partnered with architect Roy E. Lane to finish construction. In 1941, the castle was purchased by the Pipkin family, founders of W.P. Pipkin Drugs. Daughter Pauline Pipkin Garrett was Wacos first female pharmacist. She later inherited the home, which eventually was donated to a local church. Between 1991 and 2018, ownership changed several times but few improvements were made. The castle has three floors, with four bedrooms, 3 baths and seven yes, seven fireplaces. And a tower. Original materials in the castle include Honduran mahogany paneling, Caen stones imported from France, Carrera marble imported from Italy, and 120 train carloads worth of sandstone. Our tour guide, Sharon Stokes, admitted shes one of those Southern California transplants who moved to Waco three years ago and began working at Magnolia, initially at the store two years ago. Stokes shared numerous stories about what Joanna Gaines wanted to preserve with the building, such as how the dining room on the first floor was originally going to be the kitchen. The room suffered a lot of graffiti but the paneling in it was saved. The master bedroom on the second floor is the only room with original flooring, although those floor pieces were collected from all the other rooms of the house, Stokes explained. Challenges The old building faced a number of significant obstacles in the renovation process, said Kristen Bufton, director of design. One of the top challenges, she said, because Chip and Jo want the castle to be purchased as a residence, was adding central air and heat. When we purchased the house, there had never been central air and heat, she said. We needed to get creative because of the minimal change we wanted to make to the footprint of the house ... the restoration of all wall finishes/crown/ceiling finishes. We worked with a mechanical engineer that was able to work with us and present options and we were able to speak into it from a design standpoint. We landed with a plan that made minimal impact to the floor plan (converted two spaces to be mechanical closets and included only one far down in the house in an inconspicuous location.) It felt like a win-win. Creating a space on the main floor for a kitchen was another biggie, she said. The original kitchen was located in the basement, Bufton wrote. We knew we needed to move this up to the main level to make this house function well for a modern family. We ended up converting the main floor dining room to a kitchen. We also used an office located down the hall to act as a butlers pantry to create more usable prep/storage space for the new homeowners. One sacrifice we made was deleting the fireplace in the dining to convert it to the space where the range is located. We actually were able to salvage the old mantel and just install it over the range, which felt like a win. "We also were able to keep the existing built-in china cabinet in the dining room and showcase it as storage for the new kitchen. The sill height of the windows was tricky since we wanted to salvage all existing windows, but we also needed to run cabinets in front of the window. We ended up modifying the bottom sash of the window to be 6 inches shorter and installed the countertops right up to the bottom of the window in order to keep as much of the original window as possible. There were plenty of oohs and aahs by those of us in the tour group and a real respect for the work done to meld the past with the present. The booklet notes that Chip and Jo repeatedly returned to the castles roots during the renovation process by studying the German castle that inspired the original design and discovering how to restore spaces in order to reflect the grandeur of the castle. Visitors Thoughts Two members of our group, Belinda Coleman and Maureen Wood, are friends from Ohio who specifically made the trip to Waco to visit Magnolia. Their husbands went to Canada for a fishing trip, so the wives decided to travel to Texas. Both had sons stationed at Fort Hood at one point, but only Belinda had been to Texas before. They came for the week, toured Magnolia, shopped at The Findery and Spice Village, and went out to Valley Mills Vineyards for a wine tasting. They said the castle tour for them almost didnt happen. Maureen said they initially didnt want to pay the $50 ticket price for a tour, but changed their minds. It was worth the $50, Maureen said after the tour ended. Belinda, who lives in Greenfield, Ohio, said the kitchen was her favorite part of the castle. I loved how they brought the past to present times without changing the integrity of the castle, she said. I live in a three-generation farmhouse. This tour made me want to put some older pieces back into my home. For Maureen, the master bathroom stood out. It was so spacious and modern, but still had the feel of an older-style bathroom, she said. I assume when the castle was built they did not have indoor plumbing. I also loved the painted fireplace in the first-floor sitting room. I liked how she mixed the new with the old. Locals might choose to wait until the premiere of Fixer Upper: The Castle to see what the Gaineses have done to the castle. But theres still time for a first-hand visit to Cottonland Castle to soak in the majesty of the building and its rejuvenated look before the tours end. As a modernized castle, it does not disappoint. CEDAR FALLS The University of Northern Iowa will be hosting a reading with Jesus "Chuy" Renteria on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. in Sabin 002. He will read from his coming-of-age memoir, "We Heard It When We Were Young: Tales of Growing Up Mexican American in Small-Town Iowa." His memoir recounts his time growing up in West Liberty, Iowa's first majority-Hispanic town. Both sides of his family are from border towns in Mexico that came to the Midwest meatpacking towns. Renteria is also a hip-hop dancer, teacher and an assistant director for the University of Iowa's Inclusive Education and Strategic Initiatives Unit. He was the host of "The Englert's Writers of Color Reading Series" podcast and published stories in "We are Interwoven: An Anthology of Bicultural Iowa: Vol. 1." The reading is free and open to the public. U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson launched new campaign ads portraying the Marion Republican as a champion for working families, while criticizing her Democratic opponent, state Sen. Liz Mathis of Hiawatha, for voting against a bill that lowers the individual income tax rate for all Iowans to a rate of 3.9% by 2026. The Gazette reported Democrats expressed concerns about the impact the $1.9 billion reduction in future revenue could have on the state budget, and criticized the new law for favoring higher-income workers. While the highest wage earners will see their tax rate slashed, lower-income workers will see only a modest rate reduction. The ad states Mathis wants higher taxes and more government spending, just like Pelosi. Another add touts Hinsons efforts to support Iowa moms and families by working to expand access to maternal health care, address a nationwide infant formula shortage and increase affordable child care options. Hinson voted for the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in May. The law takes certain actions to address infant formula supply chain disruptions affecting participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC. A separate measure, which Hinson voted against, would provide $28 million in emergency supplemental appropriations to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to address the shortage of infant formula in the United States. Hinsons campaign said the bill, which passed the House and stalled in the Senate, lacked guardrails to ensure the funding was spent appropriately or immediately. Mathis campaign also notes Hinson voted against the American Rescue Plan Act signed into law last year that has brought the nearly $200 million of federal funding to Iowa child care centers. Hinson said the price tag of the American Rescue Plan was far too high and included funding in areas that should not have been included, and has introduced separate legislation to expand the federal child tax credit. Mathis, in a statement, said Hinson is amplifying her lies to Iowa moms and families in TV spots, when her voting record clearly shows the truth. Ive introduced, sponsored and voted for legislation with Republicans to lower Iowans tax burdens, while Hinson has repeatedly voted in Congress against lowering costs for Iowa families, Mathis said. Bohannon pushes back Iowa City Democratic state Rep. Christina Bohannan, who is running to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, is pushing back against false attacks that she is anti-law enforcement in a new TV ad. With violent crime increasing in many parts of the country, Republicans have portrayed Democrats as soft on crime ahead of this years elections, using calls from some progressive activists to defund the police as a political attack line. Bohannan donated in 2019 to the Prairielands Freedom Fund, which provides bond and bail to free immigrants from detention. Its leaders support abolishing detention and prison. However, Bohannan said she did not know the organizations mission when she donated in support of a friends birthday, and has made statements on the Iowa House floor in support of law enforcement. The ad features Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel, a Democrat, who defends Bohannans record of supporting law enforcement. Kunkel, in the video, call the attacks against Bohannan flat-out lies. We can trust Christina to make sure Iowas police have the funding we need. Anyone who says different is just plain wrong, he says. Miller-Meeks campaign manager Elliott Husbands said district voters wont be fooled by (Bohannans) desperate attempts at misdirection. Bohannan released another ad Wednesday stating that if elected to Congress she would work to stop politicians from insider trading of stocks. Bohannan will also oppose pay raises for politicians and will fight to ban members of Congress from becoming lobbyists permanently, according to the add. Miller-Meeks ad Miller-Meeks, of Ottumwa, highlighted her perseverance, hard work and military service in a new ad released earlier this week. In the ad, Miller-Meeks states she left home at age 16 and joined the Army at 18 years old. Thats how I worked through college. And to get through medical school, I took the night shift as a nurse, Miller-Meeks says in the ad. Im not afraid of hard work. Congress is full of showoffs that just shout at each other on cable TV. Thats not me. I believe in working hard and getting things done. DES MOINES A day after political opponents argued Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Franken should release from legal constraints a former staffer who claimed Franken kissed her without her consent, Frankens campaign manager said no such legal agreement exists. Franken, a retired U.S. Navy admiral from Sioux City, is running against longtime Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley. In a Des Moines police report published Monday by the conservative website Iowa Field Report, Kimberley Strope-Boggus, who worked on Frankens campaign before being fired in February, told police that after meeting for drinks at a Des Moines bar in March, a person who is not named but presumed to be Franken based on the context grabbed the collar of her vest and kissed her on the mouth. Des Moines police closed its investigation and the Polk County Attorney declined to open a case after determining no criminal intent was established. Franken acknowledged the meeting occurred, but denied Strope-Boggus claims, telling The Gazette on Monday, It never happened. In the incident report, Strope-Boggus said the Franken campaign asked her to sign a separation agreement that included a stipulation that prevents her from making disparaging remarks about the candidate or his campaign. On Tuesday, Grassleys campaign spokeswoman and the Republican Party of Iowa said Franken should release Strope-Boggus from any nondisparagement agreement. On Wednesday, Frankens campaign said no such legal agreement exists. No agreement exists that prevents any employee of our campaign past or present from speaking out on this issue, Franken campaign manager Julie Stauch said in a statement sent to reporters. These accusations are false and deceitful insinuations from political opponents. Stauchs statement goes on to compliment Grassley for his expressed support for federal legislation that would nullify nondisclosure agreements when workers report sexual harassment and assault, and says Franken would vote for the bill in the Senate. Strope-Boggus told The Gazette she is seeking legal counsel before commenting on Frankens claim that there is no legal agreement that prevents her from speaking publicly. Grassley campaign spokeswoman Michaela Sundermann accused the Franken campaign of attempting to play word games with its claim that there is no legal agreement that precludes Strope-Boggus from discussing her claims. Sundermann noted in the police report Strope-Boggus said Frankens attorneys told Strope-Boggus attorney that her reposting of social media posts about the Franken campaign originally posted by her wife were in violation of the nondisclosure that she signed when she was terminated. The question remains: Will Mike Franken release his accuser from all nondisclosure agreements so she can fully share her side of the story? And will Mike Franken pledge not to retaliate against his accuser should she speak out freely regarding all her interactions with him? Sundermann said in a statement to The Gazette. Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann, in a statement, accused Franken of using intimidation tactics to silence victims. These allegations are very troubling, and Iowans deserve to hear the whole story, Kaufmann said. Mike Franken has been accused of gross misconduct and it speaks directly to his character. While the authorities of Western countries, and especially the States, are frightening and blabbering people with stories about Russia determined to destroy the world, a new Chernobyl almost happened, for which America itself would bear responsibility. During the indiscriminate Ukrainian shelling of Energodar, one shell hit the territory of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. As a result, this led to damage to the water pipe of the power units cooling system. The catastrophe did not happen due to the work of additional backup sources of the reactor safety system. When examining the scene, it turned out that the Ukronazis fired at the nuclear power plant from American rocket launchers. This is clearly evidenced by the found fragments of a large-caliber projectile. Show these materials in close-up to ordinary Europeans and US citizens. Let them draw conclusions about who exactly kills the civilian population of Donbass and brings humanity to another nuclear catastrophe. Although America is no stranger. She has experience in the destruction of Japanese cities by atomic bombings. Kadyrov WtR Results of the decisions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of 21.09.22. 1. Referendums will be held, and the Donbass republics and other territories will be accepted into Russia. 2. The protection of all the territories that have joined will be significantly strengthened by the Russian Armed Forces. 3. Russia announced that not only mobilization capabilities, but also any Russian weapons, including strategic nuclear weapons and weapons based on new principles, could be used for such protection. Therefore, various retired idiots with generals stripes do not need to scare us with talk about a NATO strike on Crimea. Hypersonic is guaranteed to be able to reach targets in Europe and the United States much faster. But the Western establishment, in general, all citizens of the NATO countries need to understand that Russia has chosen its own path. There is no way back. Medvedev And I add, Amen to that WtR We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form FILE - Boeing employees work on the 737 MAX on the final assembly line at Boeing's Renton plant, June 15, 2022 in Renton, Wash. The SEC announced Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, that Boeing Co. will pay $200 million to settle allegations that the company and its former CEO misled investors about the safety of its 737 Max after two of the airliners crashed, killing 346 people. An Ohio man who testified at a congressional hearing about why he stormed the U.S. Capitol has been sentenced to two years of probation for his role in the mobs attack Lhyfe announced it has inaugurated the worlds first offshore renewable hydrogen production demonstrator which is due to be launched off the coast of Saint-Nazaire in France. Lhyfe produces its renewable green hydrogen by using water and wind or sun to power its electrolysers. Water is fed into the electrolyser, which is split into hydrogen and oxygen meaning the only by-product is oxygen. The electrolyser is installed on GEPS Techno's floating platform. After six months of operations at the quayside in Saint-Nazaire the offshore unit will be deployed at the SEM-REV site. It is to be connected to several offshore energy sources, including the the floatgen floating wind turbine. Lhyfe's demonstrator is expected to validate the offshore hydrogen production technology with the company envisaging large-scale industrial deployment in 2024. It is anticipated to produce 440 kg per day. "At Lhyfe, we have only one objective: to leave a more breathable planet to our children. That's why we wanted to take up a major technological challenge: to prove - by producing hydrogen at sea for the first time - that it is possible to do it today. By opening the way to the massive production of renewable hydrogen at sea, Sealhyfe is fully involved in the European deployment of the offshore hydrogen sector, and wishes to contribute to building the energy sovereignty of countries," said Matthieu Guesne CEO of Lhyfe. Earlier this month, Lhyfe announced the launch of its first UK operation to identify opportunities to deploy production facilities to support the countrys net zero ambitions. Lhyfe is developing green hydrogen solutions for regions, industry, transport and fuel distribution. It has ambitions for more than 3 GW of electrolytic hydrogen in operation by 2030. Back in June Lhyfe and Chantiers de lAtlantique announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of offshore hydrogen production platforms. Lhyfe and Chantiers de lAtlantique will collaborate on offshore renewable hydrogen production projects with on-grid or off-grid wind farms. Chantiers de lAtlantique will design, build and install the platforms, while Lhyfe will be in charge of the design and operation of the renewable hydrogen production facilities. What began with a $1 payment to her credit card company turned into a loss of $1,000 and months of hassle for Ana Warner, 80. Still a few days away from receiving her next Social Security check, Warner lost $1,000 from her checking account, which was overdrawn. I was cleaned out, she says. While the vast majority of mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) which handles some 129 billion pieces a year arrives without incident, mail theft and mail carrier robberies are a growing problem around the U.S. Its causing alarm and drawing more intense scrutiny from law enforcement and particularly the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). In 2021 there were 33,000 reports of incidents involving mail carrier robberies and mail theft, up from 24,000 in 2019, according to the USPIS. The uptick isnt being fueled by lone thieves and random porch pirates, explains Brendan T. Donahue, Assistant Inspector in Charge at the USPIS Criminal Investigations Group. The most pernicious perpetrators are working for organized criminal groups that are extremely tech savvy and adept at countering law enforcement techniques, he says. For years mail theft was primarily a West Coast problem, prevalent in cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, Donahue notes, but the USPIS has recently been seeing more incidents in the eastern U.S., particularly in and around Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; and New York City. There were at least 13 mail carrier robberies in the Greater Washington, D.C., area alone this year from May 23 to July 7 (four of the suspected thieves have since been indicted for mail theft and unlawful possession of USPS keys). Behind the crime Sometimes criminals go fishing not to be confused with phishing a rather old-fashioned (but effective) method in which theyll attach something sticky to a weighted object tied to a string, drop it into a mail receptacle and reel in their catch. NEW YORK There are few places in the U.S. with a more deeply ingrained reputation as a refuge for immigrants than New York City, where the Statue of Liberty rises from the harbor as a symbol of welcome for the worn and weary. But for Mayor Eric Adams, reconciling that image with an influx of migrants landing in the city, including thousands being bused there by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, is proving difficult. The city is struggling to accommodate what Adams says has totaled more than 13,000 asylum seekers, leading him to explore whether New York can ease its practices for sheltering the homeless or even temporarily house migrants on cruise ships. Both ideas have drawn blowback from liberal advocates who are influential in the citys politics. Adams is one of several leaders of Democratic-leaning jurisdictions facing a sudden test of their commitment to being sanctuary cities or states. The designation, in which local officials pledge to limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities, has long proved popular among progressives pressing to ensure the government treats migrants humanely. But officials say the policy is being exploited by leaders hoping to make a political point. We are not telling anyone that New York can accommodate every migrant in the city. Were not encouraging people to send eight, nine buses a day. That is not what were doing, Adams said this week about his request for Abbott to coordinate with the city about the buses of migrants hes sending. Were saying that as a sanctuary and a city with right to shelter, were going to fulfill our obligation. The GOP effort began in the spring when Abbott and Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona put migrants on buses to Washington and later New York. The move was intended to draw attention to what the GOP governors deemed failed border and immigration policies under Democrats and the Biden administration. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis intensified the tactic, chartering a flight last week to Marthas Vineyard, an elite Massachusetts vacation spot. The unpredictability that Adams referenced is precisely what the governors say theyre trying to accomplish. If you believe in open borders, then its the sanctuary jurisdictions that should have to bear the brunt of the open borders, DeSantis said at a news conference Tuesday. Abbotts office has dismissed complaints and says Democratic officials should call for President Joe Biden to secure the border instead of complaining about fulfilling their sanctuary city promises. Sanctuary cities or states are not legal terms but have come to symbolize a pledge to protect and support immigrant communities and decline to voluntarily supply information to immigration enforcement officials. Advocates say they are havens for immigrants to feel safe and be able to report crime without fear of deportation. Adams isnt the only leader struggling to navigate the challenge. In Washington, D.C., where Abbott has sent about 8,000 migrants this year, Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared a limited state of emergency. She sought help from the National Guard, which the Pentagon has denied. The D.C. Council on Tuesday voted to create an Office of Migrant Services to help asylum seekers. Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois brought in the Illinois National Guard to assist more than 750 migrants who have arrived in Chicago since late August, but officials in some Chicago-area suburbs have complained that they got no notice when dozens of asylum-seekers were put up in local hotels for emergency housing. Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, a Republican, said both Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot apologized for not giving him advance notice, echoing complaints by Democrats that the Republican governors had not provided a warning the migrants were coming. But Grassos town has not been asked to provide any resources to help with the migrants, and all the hotel rooms are being paid for by the state, county and city of Chicago, according to Pritzkers office. Laura Mendoza, an immigration organizer for advocacy organization The Resurrection Project, said putting migrants in suburban hotels has helped relieve some pressure but finding everyone a place to stay has been a challenge. Mendoza said she has lost count of how many buses she has helped welcome at Chicagos Union Station as they arrive from Texas. After a 24-hour bus ride with minimal breaks, she said, some of the people disembark dehydrated and with swollen legs from sitting so long. Others have bruises and scars from their journey, Mendoza said. Unfortunately, she said, we dont have a lot of answers other than: Youre going to have a safe place to sleep tonight. Tens of thousands of migrants who cross the border illegally are released in the United States each month to pursue their immigration cases, a practice that accelerated during Donald Trumps presidency and has reached new levels during the Biden administration. To avoid the time-consuming task of scheduling court appearances, the Border Patrol has sharply expanded use of humanitarian parole. Migrants are released with an order to appear at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. In New York City, Adams said he is considering legal action against the GOP governors. He said Monday that the city had opened an investigation after one woman seeking asylum died by an apparent suicide over the weekend at a New York City shelter. His administration has been strained by a long-standing court-ordered right to shelter law requiring the citys homeless services to provide shelter to anyone without a roof over their head. Adams has recently suggested reassessing how the city complies with the law, but he said Tuesday he would not consider trying to send the migrants back to border states. It would be the wrong thing to do, and it would send the wrong message, he said. When I look at the large number of other communities that have come from other places to experience the American dream, what wouldve happened if we wouldve sent them back? That is not who we are as a country. New York City opened a resource center last week to connect migrants with services like legal help, housing and medical care. Adams is exploring whether New York can get the migrants permits to work, perhaps in the citys short-staffed restaurants. Sandro Hidalgo, a Venezuelan construction worker who arrived last week on a bus sent from El Paso, is among those being sheltered in New York and said hes looking for work. I feel like there is an intention to help, but there is no organization, he said. There are no beds to sleep. I slept on the floor last night, inside, but on the floor. I am trying to get out of the shelter, but the city is very expensive. ___ Associated Press writers Bobby Caina Calvan and Claudia Torrens in New York, Elliot Spagat in San Diego, Claire Savage in Chicago and Anthony Izaguirre in Tallahassee, Fla., contributed to this report. The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office released photos of three suspects who allegedly tried to steal beer before one of them shot the man who stopped them in Lat July in the South Valley. (BCSO) The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office released photos of three suspects who allegedly tried to steal beer before one of them shot the man who stopped them in Lat July in the South Valley. (BCSO) The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office released photos of three suspects who allegedly tried to steal beer before one of them shot the man who stopped them in Lat July in the South Valley. (BCSO) The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office released photos of three suspects who allegedly tried to steal beer before one of them shot the man who stopped them in Lat July in the South Valley. (BCSO) Prev 1 of 4 Next Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal Deputies are looking for a trio of would-be shoplifters who, in late July, shot a man who stopped them from stealing beer at a South Broadway gas station. The Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office said on Twitter that the man was shot once in the chest and hospitalized, but survived the July 26 incident. BCSO released photos of the three suspects, including one who appeared to be firing a gun, and their vehicle a black Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. BCSO spokeswoman Jayme Fuller said the man who was shot was a good Samaritan and the case remains under investigation. Deputies responded around 12:25 p.m. to a shooting near Rio Bravo and Broadway SE, according to BCSO. The agency said they found a man who had been shot in the chest outside the Circle K. BCSO said the man had helped retrieve beer from two men who tried to steal from the gas station and then got into the black SUV. The agency said a third man got out of the SUVs driver seat and shot at the man, striking him in the chest as he and his stepson got into their vehicle to leave. BCSO said anyone with information on the case should contact detectives at 505-468-7373 or private message the agency on social media. A similar incident happened less than a month later. BCSO said that, on Aug. 24, a couple tried to steal beer from an Allsups convenience in the South Valley and the man fired a gun at a security guard who kicked them out. Fuller said the suspects in that case were identified but have not been arrested. The Land of Enchantments inaugural corn maze owes its origins to an outbreak of phytophthora also known as chile wilt on a farm in the west valley of Las Cruces. As a result, about five acres of the farm owned by Anna Lyles and her husband was rendered useless at least for what it was originally intended. When a marketing-savvy friend suggested they turn the space into a corn maze in conjunction with 150th anniversary of the City of Las Cruces, the Lyles shrugged and said, Why not? That first edition of the Mesilla Valley Corn Maze was a humble operation that included no facilities, one picnic table and an extension cord Lyles borrowed from the neighbors so she could run a cash register. Today, the corn maze itself is about eight acres, but the attraction as a whole spans 45 acres and includes hayrides, pumpkin picking, food service, live music, games, activities and a country store, among other things. My husbands a commercial grower. He calls what I do down here my hobby, Lyles said with a laugh. Which is fine. Lyles venture started a trend, as corn mazes can now be found throughout New Mexico. McCalls Pumpkin Patch (Moriarty), Rio Grande Community Farm (Albuquerque) and Wagners Farmland Experience (Corrales) are in close proximity for those who dont want to journey too far from the Duke City. For those who dont mind taking a road trip, there are mazes to be found in other areas of the state such as Las Cruces and Anthony. The majority of these include a variety of family-friendly activities with the price of admission. Mesilla Valley remains the original, though the act of navigating a corn maze has changed significantly over the course of the past two decades. Going and walking through the maze isnt near the challenge it is today as it was in the beginning before we had GPS on our phones well, before everybody had phones, Lyles said. It changes it. People still enjoy going out there and doing it, but its not quite like it used to be. You can get a Google Earth shot of it and see exactly where youre at and figure it out from there. A certain measure of creativity is involved in the creation of a corn maze. The La Union Maze in Anthony, for example, has been around almost as long as Mesilla Valleys and has adopted a number of different themes over its 23 years. That will be no different in 2022. We try to get creative every year and try to do something a little bit different, says La Union office manager Karoline Sondgeroth. Weve done an alien theme once before, but we were kind of excited this year because I believe it is the 75th anniversary for the Roswell Incident. Thats why we went back to the crop circles and the aliens. Also, the crop circles make it a little extra challenging because youre not sure if youre walking in circles, if this is the same one, is this a different one. It kind of is a little bit more challenging. But just as with the Mesilla Valley version, visitors have plenty of tools at their disposal while tackling La Unions maze. Sometimes, getting lost is half the fun. The maze itself is technically divided into two separate mazes, Sondgeroth said. Its one design, but theres two entrances and two exits. Typically, people have the option of taking a map with them. And some people want to navigate their way in and out. Other people just want to get lost. They have that option. We have employees in there that are available to help people find their way out just in case they do get lost. Regardless of ones approach to maze navigation, places like La Union Maze and Mesilla Valley have become yearly destinations. Theres so much to do. Even for those that have been coming year after year, its a family tradition for many in our area, Sondgeroth said. Because its seasonal, it helps bring in that fall feeling. Lucas Black knows too well that fatherhood is full of ups and downs. But hes always ready to get down and dirty. Its these reasons exactly why he was drawn to the film, Legacy Peak. I think for me, God orchestrated the story to fall in my lap, he says. When I left NCIS: New Orleans, my family decided to take some time off and connect with each other. We went to a home school convention and the script came to me through a mutual friend. My wife had a lump in her throat when she read it. We had been praying about the next step and God would use us to impact culture in a positive light. Legacy Peak is an original film which began streaming on Pure Flix. It tells the story of Jason, played by Black, who is on an adventure to win the hearts of Noelles kids before they marry. The plan for them to fly to her parents cabin days before she wraps up work quickly falls apart and the adventure turns to a struggle to survive before this new family can start a life together. Being a dad is the greatest privilege and honor of my life, but I know I couldnt do it without my faith in Jesus and following the model that God has given me for fatherhood, Black says. This movie is about what real fatherhood looks like its messy and chaotic and requires so much patience and grace. But in the end, the lessons learned and bonds created are unbreakable. Black was drawn to the script because Jason is shown in a different light as a father. Many Hollywood movies undermine the role of the father, Black says. This story empowers men and fathers. Black says being able to portray Jason on his journey to fatherhood was incredible. Jason doesnt know anything about fatherhood, he says. His father ran away when he was young. This is all new territory for him. Hes willing to take on the responsibility of the children. Production took place in the Colorado mountains, where Black describes the weather as night and day. We filmed fall heading into winter and one side of the mountain it was cold, he says. On the other side it was warmer. The nights we filmed, it was cold and I was hoping that it didnt show up on camera too much. Especially when we had to do the scenes in the water. Black hopes that audiences will be able to see Jasons journey through the film and recognize themselves a little in the character. Jason heart for the kids grows and adversity brings them together, he says. I want to encourage men and fathers to go out and watch the movie because it puts them in a good light. This is one for the whole family to see because its a story that we all need. Now streaming Legacy Peak starring Lucas Black began to stream on Pure Flix on Thursday, Sept. 22. For 10 years Cine Magnifico has given visibility over the years to films and artists from all Spanish-speaking countries. This year is no different. The film festival is put on by Instituto Cervantes Albuquerque. In-person film screenings will be at the KiMo Theatre in Downtown Albuquerque and will take place on Friday, Sept. 23, through Sunday, Sept. 25. According to Silvia Rodriguez Grijalba, Instituto Cervantes Albuquerque executive director, the festivals mission is to make the best Latino cinema available to the community of Albuquerque in general, and to film lovers. With the anniversary year, Rodriguez Grijalba says the festival was able to expand to El Paso for some screenings. One of the guests this year is director Oscar Aibar. Aibar will take part in a Q&A at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, after the 3 p.m. screening. Aibars film, El sustituto, is a curious and sinister story about former Nazi officer refugees on the most touristic coast of Spain. With a degree in fine arts and a decade of experience as a comic book scriptwriter, Aibar has also developed a solid career as a film and television director with films such as El bosc, El Gran Vazquez and series such as Cuentame, one of the longest-running and highest-rated series on Spanish television. At Cine Magnifico, the support to the local cinema of New Mexico filmmakers is one of our main objectives, Rodriguez Grijalba says. That is why we will dedicate a day to showcase the creativity of three audiovisual creators from our wonderful state: Jordyn Romero, Erica Nguyen and Erik Sanchez, who will also participate in a panel discussion to talk about film and creativity with Shelle Sanchez, director of Arts & Culture of the City of Albuquerque. This event will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at the KiMo. Rodriguez Grijalba says the festival is supported in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and supported in part by the Urban Enhancement Trust Fund, public endowment created by the Albuquerque City Council. The history of hornos in New Mexico dates back to the 16th century and represents a deep and powerful connector to our intercultural history that blends Native American and Spanish heritage those who first introduced us to bee-shaped, mud adobe outdoor ovens. A horno is an iconic symbol of pueblo and native New Mexico cooking and found throughout our region. I dont think its a coincidence that I recently attended a Hands-On Horno Baking experience with Norma and Hutch Naranjo in Espanola. Through Heritage Inspirations, several friends and I went to the Naranjos home and prepared three different recipes in one of two hornos Hutch Naranjo built in their backyard that date back more than 30 years. But the horno to which I refer in this review has been around much less time, since the 2021 summer solstice, though it feels like this restaurant has been here forever. Since opening Horno on Santa Fes tony Marcy Street, chef David Sellers and his wife and business partner, Heather Sellers, have been cooking and serving up serious dishes in an unpretentious manner. Their food, style and setting continue to receive consistently rave reviews by everyone who visits. Of the name, David Sellers said, Horno is a metaphor for the heart of the kitchen. And the food speaks to everyones heart in a big way. Because I have had three memorable meals at Horno, this restaurant remains at the top of my list when I want a lovely dining experience, but without the fine dining price tag. Whether you want dinner or when you really want to dine, Horno hits all the right notes. The patio is welcoming and many people love it, but I prefer the indoor space. Its cozy without being expansive. The staff is attentive without being intrusive. And I like the room with the bar which has big windows so you can still connect with and see whats happening outside. White walls are just austere enough to make the dark wooden floors feel sexy and oh-so Santa Fe. The lighting is just right and I recall they dim the lights at seven oclock to make you sit back, relax and enjoy the Horno experience. Horno has a very intentional wine list and the staff is ready to assist if you need guidance. While everything is not made in the oven, David Sellers has created a menu based on what he likes to eat. And since hes got good taste, knows good food and knows how to cook, trust that you are in capable hands and let the menu speak to you. Diverse but not wildly crazy, the menu is inventive with an array of reasons to return on a regular basis. The Grilled Octopus and Iberico Chorizo ($19) appetizer is a must-have. The first time I went, my dining companion had this as her entree and the portion is enough to stand in for a light meal. Crispy and tender octopus and oily Spanish chorizo are a match made in heaven. Add a few potatoes and squid ink aioli and this is a dish I order every time. Being a lover of vegetables, I was drawn to the Miso Roasted Vegetables ($11). Compared to the octopus dish, this appetizer did not win me over. Tuna tartare is a favorite dish, so we ordered that as well. Hornos cold and raw Tuna Tartare ($17) is served over a hot risotto cake. That hot and cold combination didnt work for me and one of the parts was extremely salty. But this has been the only miss among so many hits. The Roasted Beet Salad ($13) was a welcome surprise in that David Sellers interpretation is not your ordinary, everyday beet salad that is overplayed in most restaurants and worthy of reinvention. And reinvent this salad is exactly what David Sellers has done. Believe me when I say the beet salad is outstanding. Tender, roasted golden beets and spring mix mingle with cucumber slices and dill vinaigrette. There is a generous and crispy sprinkling of pumpkin seed and pinon granola which take this salad to a whole new level. Add tofu feta and this salad is a first-place winner and an ideal choice for vegans. I also enjoyed the Caesar Salad ($12) which features long romaine lettuce leaf dressed with a delectable garlicky dressing and topped with focaccia croutons and anchovies. This is another stellar interpretation of a classic salad with a David Sellers spin. When I visited for my birthday, I had the Fish of the Day (Market Price), which was snook, a Panamanian fish and one of my favorites. This dish made my special day seem even more special. Served over faro with seasonal vegetables with a dill, caper and butter sauce, it was perfection on a plate. Because Horno makes fresh pasta daily, my dining companion and I dove into two pasta dishes Maccheroniala Chitarra Carbonara ($14) and Squid Ink Cappellini ($24). The classic carbonara is an appetizer but eats like an entree. Rich and thick with butter, diced pancetta and plenty of Parmesan, this dish sings loudly and is worthy of sharing. Alternatively, the squid ink pasta is light and delicate with a savory seafood broth and crab crumbled on top. What I have missed in previous visits but will keep me visiting Horno on the regular include the Beer Battered Fish Sandwich ($18) with a jalapeno tartar sauce on a brioche bun. Sandwiches are served with your choice of salad or fries, and I say yes to the fries. When I visited the restaurant for a charity event recently, the Pollo Mattone ($24) was a show-stopping dish that had everyone at the table who didnt order the chicken jealous. A half-chicken is roasted and served with polenta and vegetables and this generous serving will likely provide you with lunch the next day. The Bouillabaisse for Two (Market Price) is another dish that I promise to try on a future visit. Clams, mussels, fish and shrimp sit in a saffron broth with a dollop of a classic Provencal rouille, a mayo-like concoction made with breadcrumbs to give it extra heft. This is a dish that will definitely keep you coming back for more. In Horno, David and Heather Sellers have created a restaurant where you can visit once or twice a week or where you go for special occasions. The space, the menu and the service are exemplary, comforting and kind three things that we all need a lot more of. Many New Mexicans suffer from food insecurity and the problem is getting worse in the state. In 2018, Tap Into New Mexico Craft was launched to help curb hunger through donations benefiting Roadrunner Food Bank. This year, Lescombes Family Vineyards/St. Clair, Marble Brewery and Safe House Distilling have partnered with Republic National Distributing Company of New Mexico and Roadrunner Food Bank for September 2022 Tap Into New Mexico Craft month. As part of the campaign, a $50 donation will be made to Roadrunner Food Bank for every local retailer or restaurant that carries products from Marble, Safe House and St. Clair. A list of participating retailers and restaurants can be found at tapnmcraft.com. I would say (there are) between 75 to 100 different displays or placements in the market, said Sandra Pacheco, national sales director for Lescombes Family Vineyards. And were trying to exceed that this year. We are highlighting this program the entire month of September, as is Marble and Safe House. And were doing different events throughout the month that help contribute to not only the understanding of the program, but also by providing support. All of the participating brands will bring their teams to volunteer at the Roadrunner Food Bank. Coming together with our friends at St. Clair and Safe House is paramount in the fight to end hunger in New Mexico, said Barbie Gonzalez, president of Marble Brewery, in a Tap Into Craft news release. We hope this program reinforces support and awareness for the Roadrunner Food Bank which continues to feed thousands of New Mexicans. Every donation counts. One dollar can provide up to five meals, Pacheco said. So its a lot with just a little. In New Mexico, one in four children and one in six adults experience hunger. The state ranks worst for childhood hunger among all states in the U.S., according to the news release. More statistics and information about Roadrunner Food Bank can be found at rrfb.org. Based on the past couple of years, and through the pandemic, things have gotten worse in New Mexico and not better with regard to hunger, Pacheco said. So were just trying to put something together that brings New Mexico businesses, those that are providing handcrafted beverages and those that support the beverages, to help give back to our community. According to Hunger In America Report statistics, 90% of hungry households have an annual income of less than $20,000 a year and the rest report having no income at all. About 60% of hungry households reported choosing between paying for medicine or medical care and food in the last year. In its fifth year, the Tap into New Mexico Craft program directly supports the needs of New Mexico hungry families through Roadrunner Food Bank, Pacheco states in the news release. This is a month during the year when a New Mexico craft winery, distillery and brewery along with our distributor, partner together to help fight food insecurity. As a New Mexico company, we believe it is our responsibility to lift up and support our local community as our local community supports our brands throughout the year. Working together, we can make a difference. For decades now, Democrats have been able to assume New Mexico is theirs for the taking at least in presidential elections. And it would be easy to look at our current Democratic governor, senators, congressional delegation minus Yvette Herrell, and majorities in the state Legislature, and assume New Mexico has been largely exempt from the current MAGA Republican assault on our democracy. But that assumption would be wrong. Election conspiracies have come to the New Mexico Republican Party, and New Mexico voters seem more willing to vote for Republicans, despite the partys current extremism. Look no further than our primary elections that took place earlier this year. Secretary of state elections dont receive much attention from voters or the media, but the Republican nominee for the office in New Mexico deserves our attention and alarm. Her name is Audrey Trujillo and the only thing you need to know about her is that she is part of the so-called America First Secretary of State Coalition. The organization, founded by Nevada Republican secretary of state nominee Jim Marchant, consists of the most extreme MAGA Republicans who spread conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. If it succeeds, the coalition will have control over elections across the country, including in key swing states. Their goal is to be in a position to help Trump and his allies overturn the next free and fair election that he loses. Even though Biden won New Mexico by 99,720 votes in 2020, Trujillo believes Trump won our state and shared her evidence on Steve Bannons podcast: We didnt see Biden signs anywhere. We saw Trump signs. We saw huge convoys. Rock-solid evidence. But Trujillos extremism doesnt stop with election conspiracies. Her Twitter account shared tweets that mocked a Spanish accent and perpetuated anti-Semitic tropes. When first confronted with the tweets, Trujillo said the account was fake, possibly made by her political opponents, such as antifa. She then backtracked and admitted the profile was hers, but said she didnt recall tweeting those messages herself. But, if she did tweet them, Trujillo said, she wouldnt have intended for them to be racist. If Trujillos (uncontested) primary win werent alarming enough, Republicans actions after the primary are even more evidence of the Big Lies grip on our state party. In Sandoval County, Commissioner Jay Block who lost the Republican gubernatorial primary voted against certifying the primary election results. And, in Otero County, it took a state Supreme Court order to force Republican commissioners to certify the results. Even then, Commissioner Couy Griffin, who was recently convicted of trespassing on Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, still voted against certification. The reason? Conspiracy theories about Dominion voting machines. Or, as he put it, gut feeling and intuition about election irregularities. Again, more rock-solid evidence. All of this would be unnerving even if Republicans didnt stand a chance of winning elections in our state. But thats not the case. In the most recent statewide poll, Trujillo trails incumbent Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver 41 to 34, with 16% still undecided. And Trujillo could benefit from trickle-down support for the Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Ronchetti, who is trailing Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham by only a few percentage points. Regional trends are also in Republicans favor here in New Mexico as Hispanic voters across the Southwest are shifting toward the Republican Party. Just recently, a Republican won a special election in Texas largely Hispanic 34th congressional district in a region Democrats have dominated for more than a century. Before the Trumpian takeover of the Republican Party, I wouldve been excited about my partys expanding popularity in our state. Its disappointing and dangerous that more New Mexicans are being drawn to this new, anti-democratic version of the party. Democrats and pro-democracy conservatives like me must take note. We cant let conspiracy theorists take over New Mexico, even if theyre members of our party. L.B. Marquez is a self-described disenchanted lifelong Republican from Las Cruces. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal During the Vietnam War, Lee Otto flew scout helicopters in search of the enemy. The way you find the enemy is that they shoot at you, Otto said. That was a long time ago. Now 78, Otto devotes much of his time to flying airplanes he builds himself. Seems as if he never got over living dangerously. Have a plan Founded in 1953, the Experimental Aircraft Association is an international organization of aviation enthusiasts, many of whom build the planes they fly. Otto is among the 100 people who are members of Albuquerque Chapter 179 of EAA. He says flying planes you put together in your garage or in the hangar of a small airport is not as dangerous as taking fire from people determined to knock you out of the sky. I plan for what I am going to do if I have a problem in the first 100 feet, the first 500 feet, he said of taking off in self-built planes. And I let the people in the (airport) tower know what those plans are. For example, on Sept. 6, when Otto lifted off from Albuquerques Double Eagle II Airport for the inaugural flight of a Vans RV-12, a small kit plane he and fellow EAA chapter members spent 27 months building, he had clearance to put down on another landing strip if necessary. It wasnt. In a minute, I was up to 1,000 feet and then I could glide to a landing on three different places on the airport if I needed to, he said. He didnt need to. It felt terrific, he said of that first flight in the RV-12, which came off without a hitch. Talented people On a weekday afternoon, Otto and other EAA Chapter 179 members are in a hangar at Double Eagle II, working on the engine of the shiny RV-12. Their pride in the aircraft hovers about them like an aura. The plane is a two-seater with a wing span of 26 feet, 9 inches. It has a 100-horsepower engine and can attain speeds of more than 115 mph and a ceiling of about 14,000 feet, although cruising altitudes of 8,000 to 9,000 feet are the norm. During ground tests following the initial flight, an ignition problem was detected in the RV-12. Albuquerque EAA members are determined to get that corrected so the plane can be part of the chapters Land of Enchantment Fly-In and Airport Open House on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Double Eagle II. Early arrivals at the event will get the chance to see a variety of aircraft, some of which will be judged in different categories, fly into the airport. A hundred or more planes are likely to be on display. Otto has no doubt the RV-12, its ignition glitch corrected by then, will be among them. Because we have so many talented people in our chapter engineers and scientists, he said. And I know how to use a file and how to use a grinder sophisticated tools like that. Fly anything Otto is originally from Rochester, New York, but he moved with his family to the San Francisco Bay area of California when he was 8. The Army introduced him to flight when it taught him to fly helicopters in 1966. He said he is not sure what talents the Army saw in him that made his superiors believe he would make a good flying target. Otto took heat from enemy fire while flying copters in Vietnam, but he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received on the ground during a mortar attack. I got shrapnel in the right arm and face, he said. I took a big chunk in the shoulder. If it had hit me five inches higher, in the head, I would not be here now. After his service in Vietnam, he learned to fly fixed-wing aircraft, including gliders. Basically, I flew anything anybody would let me, he said. Otto and another helicopter pilot ran a helicopter services business for a while, and then he had a company that did embroidery, logos, insignia etc., for businesses. Flying and planes, however, have remained an integral part of his life. More than six years ago, he and his wife moved to Albuquerque. My wife is a photographer, he said. She fell in love with the landscape photography here. And I like the 300 days a year you can fly. Otto has taken part in the building of five aircraft, two from scratch, including a Vans RV-10, which is his personal aircraft. I joined EAA in the 1980s because I was fascinated with peoples ability to do this, build these planes, he said. There are maybe 30 (self-built) aircraft at Double Eagle II. Maybe 40. All you need to build them is space, patience, tools and good directions. And all you need to fly them safely is a pilots skill and a plan. UNITED NATIONS One day after Ukraines president laid out a forceful case against Russias invasion at the United Nations, the United States made its own assertions in front of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday about why Russia should face further censure and isolation. Minutes later, Russia came right back, calling the claims unfair and saying Ukraine is to blame. Antony Blinken, the United States top diplomat, spoke to Security Council members on Thursday, detailing allegations of what he called war crimes and other atrocities committed by Russia and urging them to send a clear message to the country to stop its nuclear threats. Russias foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, addressed the Security Council shortly afterward, repeating his countrys frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraines east one of the explanations Moscow has offered for the invasion. Ukraines Western allies have been covering up the crimes of the Kyiv regime, said Lavrov, who was not in the room when Blinken and some other U.S. allies spoke. He appeared just before his own speech and departed immediately afterward. The almost-exchange between the two top diplomats came on the heels of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys demands for world leaders to punish Russia in a video speech delivered Wednesday, just hours after Moscow made an extraordinary announcement that it would mobilize some reservists for the war effort. Buoyed by a counteroffensive that has retaken swaths of territory that the Russians seized, Zelenskyy vowed that his forces would not stop until they had reclaimed all of Ukraine. We can return the Ukrainian flag to our entire territory. We can do it with the force of arms, the president said in a speech delivered in English. But we need time. Video speeches by Zelenskyy in an olive green T-shirt have become almost commonplace. But this speech was one of the most keenly anticipated at the U.N. General Assembly, where the war has dominated over conflicts in other regions. On Thursday, Israels prime minister, Yair Lapid, delivered a speech focused on the Palestinians and included a call for the establishment of a Palestinian state. An agreement with the Palestinians, based on two states for two peoples, is the right thing for Israels security, for Israels economy and for the future of our children, Lapid said. The speech, coming ahead of Nov. 1 elections, appeared to be part of an effort by Lapid to portray himself both to voters and global leaders as a statesman and moderate alternative to his main rival, hardline former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But it was short on details, and there is virtually no chance Lapid, who has long supported a two-state solution, will get to push forward with his vision. Israels parliament is dominated by parties that oppose Palestinian independence, and opinion polls forecast a similar result after the upcoming elections. The Palestinians seek the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip territories captured by Israel in 1967 for an independent state, a position that enjoys wide international support. While Lapid and dozens of other world leaders sought airtime for issues plaguing their own nations including climate change, rising food costs, human rights and vaccine inequity Ukraine remained at the center of the U.N. General Assembly, popping up in speeches by leaders from all over the world decrying Russias invasion of a sovereign country. Its an attack on this very institution where we find ourselves today, said Moldovan President President Maia Sandu, whose country borders Ukraine. U.S. President Joe Bidens address, too, focused heavily on the war in Ukraine. This war is about extinguishing Ukraines right to exist as a state, plain and simple, and Ukraines right to exist as a people. Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever you believe, that should make your blood run cold, he said. If nations can pursue their imperial ambitions without consequences, then we put at risk everything this very institution stands for. Everything. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is not attending the General Assembly, has said he sent his armed forces into Ukraine because of risks to his countrys security from what he considers a hostile government in Kyiv; to liberate Russians living in Ukraine especially its eastern region of the Donbas from what he views as the Ukrainian governments oppression; and to restore what he considers to be Russias historical territorial claims on the country. Earlier this week, he warned that his nuclear-armed country will certainly use all means available to us if its territory is threatened and to defend the country and its people. Putins decree Wednesday about the mobilization was sparse on details but officials said as many as 300,000 reservists could be tapped. It was apparently an effort to seize momentum after the Ukrainian counteroffensive. But the first such call-up in Russia since World War II also brought the fighting home in a new way for Russians and risked fanning domestic anxiety and antipathy toward the war. Shortly after Putins announcement, flights out of the country rapidly filled up, and more than 1,000 people were arrested at rare antiwar demonstrations across the country. Zelenskky asserted that Moscow wants to spend the winter preparing its forces in Ukraine for a new offensive, or at least preparing fortifications while mobilizing more troops in the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II Russia wants war. Its true. But Russia will not be able to stop the course of history, he said, declaring that mankind and the international law are stronger than what he called a terrorist state. ___ Associated Press journalists Andrew Katell in New York and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report. For more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly CHURDAN, Iowa In the 1970s when George Naylor said he wanted to grow organic crops, the idea didnt go over well. Back then organic crops were an oddity, destined for health food stores or maybe a few farmers markets. I told my dad I wanted to be an organic farmer and he goes, Ha, ha, ha,' Naylor said, noting it wasnt until 2014 that he could embrace his dream and begin transitioning from standard to organic crops. But over the decades, something unexpected happened demand for organics started increasing so fast that it began outstripping the supply produced in the U.S. Now a new challenge has emerged: Its not getting consumers to pay the higher prices, its convincing enough farmers to get past their organic reluctance and start taking advantage of the revenue pouring in. Instead of growing to meet the demand, the number of farmers converting to organic is actually dropping. Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture committed up to $300 million to recruit and help more farmers make the switch. It feels good, said Chris Schreiner, executive director of the organic-certifying organization Oregon Tilth, referring to the government help. Its a milestone in the arc of this work. Schreiner, who has worked at the Oregon-based organization since 1998, said expanding technical training is important given the vast differences in farming land conventionally and organically. Schreiner noted that one farmer told him that converting a conventional farmer was like asking a foot doctor to become a heart surgeon. The key difference is the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides as well as genetically modified seeds. Most conventional farms rely on those practices but they are banned at organic farms. Instead, organic farmers must control weeds and pests with techniques such as rotating different crops and planting cover crops that squeeze out weeds and add nutrients to the soil. Crops can only be deemed organic if they are grown on land that hasnt been treated with synthetic substances for three years. During that period, farmers can grow crops, but they wont get the extra premium that accompanies organic crops. According to the USDA, the number of conventional farms newly transitioning to organic production dropped by about 70% from 2008 to 2019. Organic comprises about 6% of overall food sales, but only 1% of the countrys farmland is in organic production, with foreign producers making up the gap. In the U.S, There are so many barriers to farmers making that leap to organic, said Megan DeBates, vice president of government affairs for the Organic Trade Association. While farmers seem hesitant, U.S. consumers arent. Annual sales of organic products have roughly doubled in the past decade and now top $63 billion, according to the Organic Trade Association. Sales are projected to climb up to 5.5% this year. That growth is clear to anyone pushing a cart in an average supermarket, past bins of organic apples and bananas, through dairy and egg sections and along shelves brimming with organic beef and chicken. The new USDA effort would include $100 million toward helping farmers learn new techniques for growing organic crops; $75 million for farmers who meet new conservation practice standards; $25 million to expand crop insurance options and reduce costs; and $100 million to aid organic supply chains and develop markets for organics. Nick Andrews, an Oregon State University extension agent who works with organic farmers, called the USDA effort a game changer. It should be especially attractive to farmers with small parcels of land because the added value of organic crops makes it possible to make significant money off even 25 to 100 acre (10 to 40 hectare) farms much smaller than the commercial operations that provide most of the countrys produce. Ive seen organic farmers keep families in business who otherwise would go out of business, Andrews said. Noah Wendt, who in the past few years has transitioned 1,500 acres (607 hectares) of land in central Iowa to organic, noted the shift has been rocky at times for him and his farming partner, Caleb Akin. But he and Akin recently bought a grain elevator east of Des Moines to use solely for organic crops, the kind of project the USDA program can assist. They hope the elevator will not only be a nearby spot to store grain but provide a one-stop shop to learn about growing and marketing organic crops. Seeing all the organic activity is gratifying for George and Patti Naylor, who farm near the tiny central Iowa community of Churdan. But they say they still value most the simple benefits of their choice, such as evenings spent watching hundreds of rare monarch butterflies that flock to their herbicide-free farm. As Patti Naylor put it, It really helps to believe in what youre doing. ___ Follow Scott McFetridge on Twitter: https://twitter.com/smcfetridge SAN DIEGO Since escaping two weeks ago, officials say the fugitive Malaysian defense contractor nicknamed Fat Leonard who orchestrated one of the U.S. Navys largest bribery scandals zipped between countries to find a place where he could become virtually untouchable for American authorities. It almost worked. After cutting off an ankle monitor and slipping away from house arrest in San Diego on Sept. 4, U.S. and Venezuelan officials say Leonard Glenn Francis went across the border into Mexico, then traveled to Cuba and Venezuela, where he was arrested Tuesday at Simon Bolivar International Airport outside Caracas. Francis was planning to travel to Russia, according to Interpol Venezuela Director General Carlos Garate Rondon, who disclosed the arrest in a statement posted Wednesday on Instagram. He said Francis would be handed over to the countrys judicial authorities to begin extradition proceedings. Greg Rinckey, a former Army lawyer who is now in private practice, said he believes Francis was trying to play the angle of using some countries to get outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. Marshals Service. It looks like they caught him just in time, Rinckey said. If he made it to Russia, I dont believe the Russians would have turned him over to us. And while Venezuela and the United States have an extradition agreement, the U.S. government could face an uphill challenge returning the fugitive to American soil. The Biden administration doesnt officially recognize President Nicolas Maduros socialist government, has no embassy in Venezuela and has imposed crushing sanctions on the country that have further embittered relations. Law enforcement cooperation between the two countries is rare. There was no immediate word on when Francis might be extradited to the U.S. The arrest came on the eve of his scheduled sentencing in a federal court in California for a bribery scheme that lasted years. Francis pleaded guilty in 2015 and had been allowed to remain in home confinement to receive medical care while he cooperated with the prosecution. With his help, prosecutors secured convictions of 33 of 34 defendants, including more than two dozen Navy officers. The towering man with a wide girth and gregarious personality wielded incredible influence as a main point of contact for U.S. Navy ships at ports across Asia. His familys ship servicing business, Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd. or GDMA, supplied food, water and fuel to vessels for decades. He plied officers with Kobe beef, expensive cigars, concert tickets and wild sex parties at luxury hotels from Thailand to the Philippines. In exchange, commanders passed him classified information and steered their ships, mostly from the Navys 7th Fleet, to ports he controlled so he could cover up as much as $35 million in fake charges. Among those he befriended was a Russian diplomat, Francis told podcaster Tom Wright, who created a nine-part series on the case. In an episode posted last October, Francis said he lived only a stones throw from the Russian Embassy in Singapore, and the Russian diplomat would stop by his home uninvited to drop off vodka and other gifts. Its unknown if Francis turned to his Russian friends for help while on the lam. A law enforcement official familiar with the case told The Associated Press that authorities tracked down Francis using a cellphone number they were provided. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly, said Francis was located Tuesday in a Caracas neighborhood. Venezuelan authorities deployed a team of officers at the airport after a cab driver tipped them off that Francis was leaving a hotel and headed there. The official said Francis intended to board a plane to the Venezuelan Caribbean Island of Margarita, which Venezuela wants to turn into a popular destination for Russian tourists because of its pristine beaches accessible by ferry or flights from the mainland. The government said last month it plans to offer five flights a week between Margarita and Moscow starting Oct. 1. Signs in Russian can already be seen at the island. The official said Francis later told authorities his final destination was Russia. Its unclear if Francis had contacts in Russia offering to help, and if he did, what they wanted in return. Francis bragged about still holding compromising photos and videos of Navy officials. What really worried the United States the most was these officers being corrupted by me, that they would be corruptible by the foreign powers, Francis said in one of the podcasts episodes. His sentencing hearing was still held Thursday to deal with the changing situation. When he returns, Francis will need new attorneys. His defense attorney, Devin Burstein, told the judge he plans to file a motion severing their ties due to an irreparable breakdown in the attorney-client relationship. Burstein did not mention his clients arrest in Venezuela. And when Francis does return, prosecutors indicated he will face an even longer sentence, asking the court to note his failure to appear at his sentencing hearing as ordered. That could add five years to his potential sentence of 25 years, if he is ultimately charged for not showing up. U.S. District Court Judge Janis Sammartino set a Dec. 14 status hearing for Francis with the caveat that all parties could meet sooner depending on how events unfold. This turn of events raises several issues, and obviously will have an impact on other cases, she said. Sentencing hearings are scheduled in October for four Navy officers who went to trial and were convicted in the case. ___ Garcia Cano reported from Caracas, Venezuela. AP writer Joshua Goodman in Miami contributed to this report. SAN SALVADOR, Puerto Rico President Joe Biden said Thursday the full force of the federal government is ready to help Puerto Rico recover from the devastation of Hurricane Fiona, while Bermuda and Canadas Atlantic provinces prepared for a major blast from the Category 4 storm. Speaking at a briefing with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials in New York, Biden said, Were all in this together. Biden noted that hundreds of FEMA and other federal officials are already on the ground in Puerto Rico, where Fiona caused an island-wide blackout. More than 60% of power customers remained without energy on Thursday, and a third of customers were without water and local officials admitted they could not say when service would be fully restored. Biden said his message to the people of Puerto Rico who are still hurting from Hurricane Maria five years ago is: Were with you. Were not going to walk away. That seemed to draw a contrast with former President Donald Trump, who was widely accused of an inadequate response to Maria, which left some Puerto Ricans without power for 11 months. The hurricane was still at Category 4 force late Thursday as it was making a close pass to Bermuda, where authorities opened shelters and announced schools and offices would be closed Friday. Fiona was expected to still be a large and dangerously potent storm when it reached Canadas Atlantic provinces, likely late Friday, as a post-tropical cyclone. Its going to be a storm that everyone remembers when it is all said and done, said Bob Robichaud, warning preparedness meteorologist for the Canadian Hurricane Centre. Hundreds of people in Puerto Rico remained cut off by road four days after the hurricane ripped into the U.S. territory, and frustration was mounting for people like Nancy Galarza, who tried to signal for help from work crews she spotted in the distance. Everyone goes over there, she said pointing toward crews at the bottom of the mountain who were helping others also cut off by the storm. No one comes here to see us. I am worried for all the elderly people in this community. At least five landslides cover the narrow road to her community in the steep mountains around the northern town of Caguas. The only way to reach the settlement is to climb over thick mounds of mud, rock and debris left by Fiona, whose floodwaters shook the the foundations of nearby homes with earthquake-like force. The rocks sounded like thunder, recalled Vanessa Flores, a 47-year-old school janitor. Ive never in my life heard that. It was horrible. At least one elderly woman who relies on oxygen was evacuated on Thursday by city officials who were working under a pelting rain to clear paths to the San Salvador community. Ramiro Figueroa, 63, said his bedridden 97-year-old bedridden father refused to leave home despite insistence from rescue crews. Their road was blocked by mud, rocks, trees and his sisters pickup, which was washed down the hill during the storm. National Guard troops and others brought water, cereal, canned peaches and two bottles of apple juice. That has helped me enormously, Figueroa said as he scanned the devastated landscape, where a river had changed its course and tore up the community. At least eight of 11 communities in Caguas are completely isolated, said Luis Gonzalez, municipal inspector of recovery and reconstruction. Its one of at least six municipalities where crews have yet to reach some areas. People there often depend on help from neighbors, as they did following Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm in 2017 that killed nearly 3,000 people. Miguel Veguilla said that in Marias aftermath he used picks and shovels to clear debris. But Fiona was different, unleashing huge landslides. I cannot throw those rocks over my shoulder, he said. Like hundreds of thousands in Puerto Rico, Veguilla has no water or electricity service, but said there is a natural water source nearby. Danciel Rivera, 31, arrived in rural Caguas with a church group and tried to bring a little cheer by dressing as a clown. Thats very important in these moments, he said, noting that people had never fully recovered from Hurricane Maria. A lot of PTSD has reared its head these days. His huge clown shoes squelched through the mud as he greeted people, whose faces lit up as they smiled at him. Puerto Ricos government said some 62% of 1.47 million customers remained without power Thursday. A third of customers, or more than 400,000, did not yet have water service. Too many homes and businesses are still without power Biden said in New York, adding that additional utility crews were set to travel to the island to help restore power in the coming days. The executive director of Puerto Ricos Electric Energy Authority, Josue Colon, told a news conference that areas less affected by Fiona should have electricity by Friday morning. But officials declined to say when power would be restored to the hardest-hit places and said they were working first to get energy to hospitals and other key infrastructure. Neither local nor federal government officials had provided an overall estimate of damage from the storm, which dropped up to 30 inches of rain in some areas. The U.S. center said Fiona had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 kph) late Thursday. It was centered about 195 miles (315 kilometers) west of Bermuda, heading north-northeast at 21 mph (33 kph). Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 115 miles (185 kilometers) from the center and tropical storm-force winds extended outward up to 275 miles (445 kilometers). Bermuda Premier David Burt sent a tweet urging residents to take care of yourself and your family. Lets all remember to check on as well as look out for your seniors, family and neighbors. Stay safe. The Canadian Hurricane Centre issued a hurricane watch extensive coastal expanses of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island. Hurricanes in Canada are somewhat rare, in part because once the storms reach colder waters, they lose their main source of energy. and become extratropical. Those cyclones still can have hurricane-strength winds, but now have a cold instead of a warm core and no visible eye. Their shape can be different too. They lose their symmetric form and can more resemble a comma. Fiona so far has been blamed for at least five deaths two in Puerto Rico, two in the Dominican Republic and one in the French overseas department of Guadeloupe. Fiona also hit the Turks and Caicos Islands on Tuesday, but officials there reported relatively light damage and no deaths. ___ Associated Press writers Zeke Miller in Washington, Seth Borenstein in New York, Rob Gillies in Toronto and Maricarmen Rivera Sanchez in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed to this report. FORT WORTH, Texas A man who was apparently caught on video slugging a flight attendant in the back of the head during an American Airlines flight was arrested after the plane landed in Los Angeles. Authorities charged Alexander Tung Cuu Le on Thursday with interfering with a flight crew. Le, of Westminster, California, faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The incident happened Wednesday on a flight from San Jose del Cabo in Mexico to Los Angeles International Airport. Video posted by another passenger showed a man running up behind a male flight attendant and punching him as the crew member walked in the other direction. According to an FBI agents affidavit, shortly after takeoff Le grabbed another flight attendant by the shoulders and asked for coffee. He was told to wait. When Le, 33, moved from the back of the plane to an open seat near the first-class cabin, the male flight attendant asked him to return to his assigned seat. Instead, Le stood in a two-fisted fighting stance and swung an arm at the crew member but missed, according to the affidavit. The flight attendant was on his way to report the incident to the pilot when he was struck in the back of the head. Several passengers apprehended Le and cuffed his hands and legs with restraints provided by a different flight attendant, according to the FBI agent. The injured flight attendant, who spent the rest of the flight with an ice bag on his head, was taken to a hospital. The president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, the union representing Americans cabin crews, said the passenger had exhibited dangerous, life-threatening behavior. Thankfully, the crew and passengers subdued the passenger, and the flight landed safely, said the union official, Julie Hedrick. This violent behavior puts the safety of all passengers and crew in jeopardy and must stop. Airline spokesman Curtis Blessing said American has banned the man from ever traveling on the airline. He said American was helping law enforcement investigate the incident. According to Federal Aviation Administration figures, airlines have reported nearly 2,000 incidents involving unruly passengers this year, down from nearly 6,000 last year even with a 38% increase in U.S. air travelers. Most of the incidents in 2021 and early 2022 involved passengers who refused to wear face masks, but the federal requirement for masks on planes and public transportation was struck down by a federal judge in April. Government figures dont indicate how often the incidents turn violent, although it appears to be rare. The most notorious case involved a young woman who punched a Southwest flight attendant, breaking some of her teeth, on a plane in California. The woman was sentenced to 15 months in prison. The University of New Mexicos Iranian Student Association will hold a candlelight vigil Friday in honor of an Iranian woman whose family says she was killed by law enforcement authorities in Iran. According to a UNM news website, the vigil will honor Mahsa Amini, 22, who was detained by Irans morality police for allegedly wearing an inappropriate hijab on Sept. 13. Amini was taken to a detention center in a police van, but upon getting there, she collapsed, eventually went brain dead and died of cardiac arrest three days later, the site says, adding that she also suffered severe skull fractures. Iranian police denied allegations that they were involved in her death, the site says. The incident has prompted a series of ongoing protests across Iran. The vigil will start at 5 p.m. in front of the UNM Bookstore. According to the site, the vigil will not only honor Amini but will pay respects to all lives lost through police brutality, as well as those fighting for equal womens rights throughout Iran. For more information, email Tina Memarian at tmemarian@unm.edu. As travel roars back to life, the time is now for travellers to reconnect with the destinations, cultures, people and experiences that they love. With the aim of inspiring us all to rediscover ourselves and reignite our desire to travel, Booking.com, one of the worlds leading travel brands, launches the second edition of its award-winning Booking Explorers campaign today and celebrates the adventurers and trailblazers among us who have kept the spirit of travel alive, despite the struggles and disruptions we continue to face post-pandemic. Through the Booking Explorers campaign, Booking.com is bringing to life the compelling stories of 5 explorers across APAC, including the up-and-coming Bollywood actress Shanaya Kapoor, along with other leading travel personalities from Australia, South Korea, Vietnam and Japan. As part of the campaign, these APAC explorers share their travel stories and desire to explore all things new and familiar, whether its in their own backyards or around their home countries. Shanaya Kapoor, who is gearing up for her acting debut, shares her love for India its colourful cities and picturesque countryside, Instagram-worthy destinations and most importantly, the need for responsible travel among GenZs Through this years Explorers, Booking.com continues to celebrate the relentless spirit of travel, and their desire to keep experiencing and exploring all things new and familiar, whether its in their own backyards or around their home countries. However as much of the world seeks to travel again, we recognise the need for sustainability: from avoiding single-use plastic and making smart, responsible choices when choosing stays, to transforming how and where we travel so that we minimise our impact on the destinations we visit; and hopefully leave our destinations greener than when we first arrived. Shanaya Kapoor, the Indian explorer for this years Booking Explorers edition, shares her love for the country its colourful cities and picturesque countryside, instagram worthy destinations around the country, and most importantly, the need for responsible and sustainable travel among GenZs. Apart from Shanaya, this years campaign also features four new personalities from Australia, South Korea, Vietnam and Japan. Former MasterChef Australia grand finalist, Simon Toohey takes us on a culinary adventure through Victoria, Australia. Multidisciplinary artist MY Q brings us through every nook of South Korea from underground music scenes to contemporary art galleries. Nature-loving lifestyle personality Tran Quang Dai advocates for sustainable living and travelling as he takes us through Vietnam. And finally, Japanese supermodel Ai Tominaga, a familiar face in haute couture, shares her love for tranquillity, the beauty of nature, and the countryside. Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director for Asia Pacific said, Our explorers are truly inspirational with their desire to keep exploring the world sustainably, despite the challenges faced. I hope these stories stir travellers everywhere to open their hearts and minds to new experiences and put sustainability at the forefront of all they do. Shanaya Kapoor, the India explorer for this campaign said, I am really excited to associate with Booking.com and be a part of the Booking Explorer campaign that celebrates the relentless spirit of travel in a more meaningful and responsible way. I personally love to travel and I feel as a young actor trying to work on my craft there is no better drama school than travelling into the unknown. Find inspiration into new cultures, meet new characters and learn from new friends. Even if you are not an actor but knowing yourself, finding out qualities about yourself, about your personality, you will always know one new thing when you travel and that for me is a great achievement. With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, Booking.com is committed to helping travellers rediscover the beauty of travel and reconnect with the experiences they love. Offering the widest choice, great value, and the easiest experience so travellers can book their perfect place to stay, Booking.com offers the means to get around from anywhere and on any device. With the Enforcement Directorate (ED) having cleared him and his Network of any wrongdoing in the ratings imbroglio, Arnab reveals for the first time the plot to frame him. In sensational disclosure, he claimed the entire ratings system was paralysed by the TV industry in India to target him. It was a bitter battle between new entrepreneurship and legacy media. Now Arnab answers, not just about the ratings question but about a whole range of issues facing the Indian news media. Loved by the country for his ability to grill guests day in and day out on his channel, the famous news television host is here to answer all questions posed during Duologue with Barun Das. It is a role reversal both for Das as well as Goswami. And for the audience, it is a double bonanza. Barun Das, who as MD & CEO of TV9 Network, has disrupted the news television order in the country, has now been donning a new role facing the camera on his series Duologue that featured former UK Prime Minister David Cameron as the last guest. In the latest edition, Arnab Goswami, clearly Indias best known news anchor turned media entrepreneur, gets into the hot seat. On the menu is a no holds barred cerebral conversation on the state of news media in India and abroad. No mincing of words but a straight from the heart take on the need for recognising the new order in the news television media, the ratings imbroglio, big corporate media take over, Khan Market gang, free media, and the need for an Indian narrative for a global audience. Duologue with Barun Das also features Arnab responding to criticism on being pro-establishment to nation wants to know controversy to his days at NDTV and Times Now and his vision behind Republic. Speaking about the show featuring Goswami, Das said, I believe leadership is all about disruption. Arnab is phenomenal and makes for an unrivalled case study. You may simply love him or hate him but can ignore him only at your own peril. The best part of having him at Duologue has been about his uncanny ability to speak frankly on issues that not only define him but also have a significant bearing on the news media scene in India. After the cameras stopped rolling, Goswami said, Barun has an easy-going and yet razor-sharp conversational style. He got me to open up on subjects Ive been quiet about, and Im glad we duologued like I havent before. I wish his OTT platform and this show all the very best. Talking about the clean chit, Goswami said, I recorded this Duologue with Barun a few days before the final TRP Report came out. He made me speak about our incarceration for the first time since my arrest. People should know the truth about what happened to the Republic, how we fought and how we have won. Most grateful to Barun for the opportunity. The must watch 'Duologue with Barun Das' show featuring Arnab will host four episodes: EP1: The Disruptors EP2: Friends, foes, and fortitude EP3: Media Inc EP4: Frankly speaking, finally Duologue with Barun Das is a cerebral conversation with a legend or a legend in the making. As the title suggests, it is a two-way interaction to enable exchange of ideas in a free-flowing manner. Duologue is not provoked by headline management but to evolve emancipated influencer conversations. The global uptake of wireless 5G networks is now doubling every year to reach 813 million connections by the end of the second quarter of 2022. According to data from Omdia and 5G Americas, forecast global 5G connections will reach 1.1 billion by the end of this year. Chris Pearson, President of 5G Americas said, The progress of 5G continues throughout the Americas with more spectrum, coverage, and usage. We are entering an era of innovation with an expanding 5G ecosystem that is learning how to take advantage of the technical capabilities of this great technology. The doubling of 5G global connections tracks with mobile data use, which is also doubling roughly every year, according to Ericsson. Most recent data from Omdia suggests 430 million global 5G connections were added from Q2 2021 to Q2 2022, representing a 112 percent increase from 383 million to 813 million. Those figures represent 16 percent sequential quarterly growth from 703 million in Q1 2022 to 813million in Q2 2022. Global 5G connections are forecast to again accelerate in 2023, approaching 2 billion and reaching 5.9 billion by the end of 2027. By region, North America had a total of 99 million 5G and 502 million LTE connections by the end of Q2 2022. This translates into an addition of 17 million 5G connections for the quarter a gain of 20.7 percent over Q1 2022. Additionally, CTIA notes fast growth in 5G uptake in the United States, which now identifies 315 million Americans covered by 5G and one-third of American adults having an active 5G device. Overall, a total of 137 million 5G connections is projected to come from North America by the end of 2022. In comparison, 4G LTE is expected to remain strong in Latin America and the Caribbean through the end of 2022. In Q2 2022, there were 540 million 4G LTE connections, representing 6.9 percent quarterly growth with the addition of 34.7 million new LTE subscriptions, a number expected to reach 541 million by year end. Latin America and the Caribbean is projected to have 22 million 5G connections by year end of 2022, and 398 million by 2027. According to Jose Otero, Vice President of Caribbean and Latin America for 5G Americas, 5G deployment and adoption is progressing in Latin America. Governments will need to continue to work with the industry to streamline processes and provide more radio spectrum to operators in the region. Latin America is an industrial hub of global importance and 5G will provide economic and social benefits for all in the region. Overall, the number of 5G commercial networks globally has reached 233, according to data from TeleGeography and 5G Americas. That number is expected to reach 313 by the end of 2022 and 352 by the end of 2024, representing strong 5G network investment growth in many regions throughout the world. The number of 5G and 4G LTE network deployments as of August 15, 2022, are summarized below: 5G: Global: 233 North America: 14 Caribbean and Latin America: 26 4G LTE: Global: 699 North America: 18 Caribbean and Latin America: 131 Visit www.5GAmericas.org for more information, statistical charts, infographic and a list of LTE and 5G deployments by operator and region. Subscriber and forecast data is provided by Omdia and deployment data by TeleGeography (GlobalComm). Ralco Tyres has launched a new initiative, titled #NoPressureDelivery. The brand hopes to create awareness and ease the pressure faced by delivery executives of quick commerce, who are tasked to complete their orders within mere minutes. The initiative urges users to make a simple change. By writing No Pressure Delivery as part of delivery instruction, thereby lifting the pressure on the rider to deliver the users order in a rush. Also, this way, the apps would know that users are willing to wait for a little longer ensuring the safety of the rider. Launched through a short video featuring actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood, the brand empathises with delivery executives who spend most of their working hours on roads, braving uneven roads, rains, and traffic and risk of accidents. The brand highlights that pressure should be applied to tyres and not people. The initiative is a follow-up to the year-long campaign that highlights Ralco Tyres ability to handle extreme pressures of the roads. Reacting to the campaign, Manjul Pahwa, Director, Ralson India, said, At Ralco, we make tyres that can handle any and all pressure, so we understand the pressure that delivery executives go through each day. No Pressure Delivery is an initiative that we hope will help ease the pressure on the delivery riders and spark a much needed conversation. Yogeshwar Sharma, VP - Marketing Communications , Ralson India, added here, In an era dominated by social media, Ralco Tyres has chosen to bring to the fore social and human angles of certain deserving subjects of commerce and trade. Risk to the life of delivery boys in meeting tight timelines is one subject which Ralco has recently raked up for social conversations through philanthropist Sonu Sood. We hope this drive leads to a social change and the concept of No Pressure Deliver catches up to bring respite to the growing community of delivery boys. Speaking on how the idea came to light, Hemant Shringy, Chief Creative Officer, BBDO India (Mumbai), said, When we joined hands with Ralco more than four years ago, together we crafted the brands ideology of Tread New Paths. And with each piece of work that we have done since, we attempted to make a difference. With #NoPressureDelivery, the brand takes a thought leadership stance. While its amazing that there are constant innovations and new offerings in the world, its important to pause and think, do we really need this? Is this sustainable? No Pressure Delivery is a humane plea in the tech-enabled world. Priyanka Rishi, GM & EVP, BBDO India (Mumbai), elaborated, We believe brands can impact societal narratives. Hence, we keep a sharp look-out for evolving behaviours that might need to be questioned, re-shaped or reframed. In todays context, #NoPressureDelivery is one such important conversation. Grateful for brave client partners at RalcoTyres, who hold the same belief and want to drive positive change. Watch the campaign: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/Cijg11XIi2Z/?hl=en Twitter - https://twitter.com/ralsonindia/status/1569338550801547266 ITV has today announced that Sheena Amin is to replace Niko Waesche as director of ITV AdVentures Invest. Sheena takes on the role following the departure of Niko Waesche, who set up and ran the fund in its first two years. Niko is returning to Europe for personal reasons. Sheena joins ITV from BBC Studios channel business UKTV, where she was responsible for launching and running its media for equity programme over several years. From carrying out investments in companies including PitPat, ClickMechanic and Beelivery to serving as a Board Member on the BBC Studios Executive Committee, Sheena joins ITV with a wealth of experience across strategy, commercial and corporate development at leading consumer brands Virgin Media and Dixons Carphone. She also gained investment experience at Summit Partners, a global private equity and venture capital fund. ITV AdVentures Invest is a Media for Equity programme which sees ITV take minority stakes in early stage digital and direct-to-consumer businesses, alongside venture capital investment, in return for advertising inventory across ITVs range of market-leading channels and the ITV Hub. The initiative represents an innovative opportunity for early-stage businesses seeking to build scale through TV advertising, alongside a strategic media partner. Under Nikos leadership, ITV AdVentures invested in several high-growth companies, including Carwow, Spoke, what3words and Feel. Niko will continue in the media for equity space, assuming the role of Partner at German Media Pool, the fund he founded more than ten years ago. Sheena Amin, Director of ITV AdVentures, said: Im thrilled to be joining ITV to lead their media for equity fund, ITV AdVentures which has gotten off to a fantastic start under Nikos watch. With its unparalleled reach, ITVs network of channels is uniquely placed to help consumer startups become brand famous, acquire new customers and grow to new heights. I look forward to partnering with many talented entrepreneurs and helping them scale their business to the next level through the power of TV. Tom Betts, Director of Corporate Strategy at ITV said: "We're very excited for the next stage of growth of ITV AdVentures Invest. Im convinced that in Sheena we have the best person available in the industry to help us build our portfolio. With Sheena's leadership we are looking forward to demonstrating the value ITV can bring to our existing portfolio and to future early stage companies across a range of sectors. My thanks to Niko for helping us launch the fund and complete the first round of deals, and we wish him well as he returns to Germany." Wunderman Thompson India has announced the appointment of 2 senior hires, Rakesh Varma and Abhay Godbole at its Mumbai office. The new hires come at a time when the agency has embarked on an accelerated growth path of creative transformation with a continued focus on driving relevance and scale, inspiring growth for its clients. Rakesh who has joined as Vice President & Executive Business Director has over 15 years of advertising experience, having worked across a diverse range of brands with a special liking for the automobile & the auto ancillary category with brands like Volkswagen, TVS Motorcycles, Ashok Leyland & Gulf Oil. He has been associated with leading brands like Hotstar, Radio City, FBB, Gelusil & Tata AIA amongst others. He has in depth understanding and experience in brand strategy, campaign planning and leading integrated marketing efforts. Having previously worked with Wunderman Thompson Mumbai, Abhay Godbole returns to the agency for a second innings as Vice President & Client Servicing Director. During his previous stint with the agency, Abhay was instrumental in leading the much lauded Mutual Funds Sahi Hai for AMFI. He has close to two decades of experience in marketing communications working across categories like FMCG, Automobile and BFSI. Passionate about advertising and creativity, Abhay believes any marketing challenge can be addressed through compelling creative solutions. Commenting on the new appointments, Anurag Tandon, Managing Partner, Wunderman Thompson Mumbai, said, As we continue to diversify our client roster and grow our talent base, it was critical for us to have the right hands on deck. Rakesh and Abhay bring with them extensive experience and domain knowledge that will propel us to drive growth in key industry domains and deliver the best outcomes for our clients. Both our senior hires have an impressive track record of building strong consumer brands and I am looking forward to scaling new heights with our client partners.t On taking up his new role at Wunderman Thompson, India, Rakesh Varma, commented, At Wunderman Thompson, were building a future thats as exciting as its legacy. And Im really fortunate to be a part of this transformation. With its diverse brand portfolio, integrated service approach and promising growth vision, WT is all set to thrive. Looking forward to nurturing some of the long-standing client relationships and creating new ones. Abhay Godbole added, I am delighted to be back at Wunderman Thompson, one of Indias finest agencies that has nurtured and built multiple brands in the country. Wunderman Thompson is in a unique position of creating the agency of the future, an agency that is capable of delivering the best of both mainline and data led digital communications. I look forward to be a part of this exciting and transformational journey. Rajesh and Abhay will report to Anurag Tandon, Managing Partner, Wunderman Thompson Mumbai. South Africa: Fighting corruption without fear or favour National Prosecuting Authority Investigating Directorate (NPA ID) head, Advocate Andrea Johnson, has reiterated the units commitment to fighting corruption without fear or favour. This as several prominent former members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) were arrested and appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court to face charges related to two police tenders amounting to some R54 million. The accused are former National Police Commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane, Lieutenant Colonel Godfrey Mahwayi, Major General Maanda Obert Nemutandzhela, Major General Mankosana Agnes Makhele, and businessmen Inbanathan Kistiah and Avendra Naidoo. The arrest of these very high ranking and seasoned police officials in this seminal case endorses the ID's commitment to dealing with corruption and state capture regardless of where it manifests itself. It is also dealing with the lack of accountability, which to date has undermined the legitimacy of the law is and shows that the wheels of justice are turning and impunity is no longer a given. On the contrary, the rule of law is the most important protection of the weak against the whims of the powerful and it is what stands between us and tyranny, Johnson said. NPA ID spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka said the accused face a litany of charges including fraud, corruption, theft, and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) related to two police tenders issued in 2016. She explained that one of the tenders, initiated in December 2016, related to the emergency procurement of intelligence gathering software called RIPJAR. RIPJARwas intended to collect and monitor information from social media platforms on the instigators of the university students #FeesMustFall protests. Open sources reveal that the #FeesMustFall protests started in October 2015. By December 2016, it was far-fetched to claim a response to the protests as an emergency. They purported to buy the RIPJAR software from a company that is not involved in software engineering but was a security alarms and surveillance cameras company. The owners of the so-called competing companies were friends, who in fact and in truth, were involved in cover quoting. The cover quote was supplied to Inbanathan Kistiah by the former husband of the sole director of a company called Perfect Source, which was a human resource recruitment company, Seboka said. Further, another mobile communication encryption software called Daedalus was also procured. According to Seboka, the software was procured to encrypt voice calls made by management of the SAPS at the time when Phahlane was under investigation by IPID in relation to the controversial police blue lights tender and other allegedly irregular procurements that happened while he was in the police service. Daedalus made it impossible for investigators to get call records from cellphone providers. Daedalus was procured for the sole purpose of encrypting calls and wiping out cellular records and messages. It is further alleged that deviation from normal procurement processes for the contracts [which were]signed and processed on the same day and payment was made on 22 December, one day after approval, she said. The accused are all currently out on bail of ranging from R5000 to R50 000 and are expected back in court on December 7. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-09-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Yangtze River areas complete 25% of autumn grain harvest amid 'limited impact' from record drought (Global Times) 08:56, September 22, 2022 Farmers harvest rice at the paddy fields in Huatian Town of Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Chongqing, Sept. 14, 2022. Huatian Town of Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County in Chongqing is famous for its rice production on terraced fields. (Photo: Xinhua) Drones deployed for artificial rain, water diverted to irrigate farmland Provinces along the reaches of the Yangtze River have ramped up a slew of drought-relief measures to ensure livelihoods and production. Although the longest and widest drought since nationwide observations began in 1961 may have a limited impact on grain harvest this autumn, it could affect the upcoming autumn sowing, experts warned. Meteorologists said multiple factors such as a lack of precipitation and sweeping heat waves have contributed to the record-breaking drought, and they warned that the situation may continue in the next 10 days, urging continuous efforts in drought relief to guarantee the normal supply of household water, industrial production and environmental protection. The National Meteorological Center had issued a yellow alert for drought for 34 consecutive days as of Tuesday, covering many provinces including Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Anhui. The high temperatures in most areas of Jiangxi tended to ease on Tuesday, but rain was hard to find in the entire province. Meteorological data showed about 95.7 percent of the regions in Jiangxi were experiencing sizzling temperatures. Drought-induced cracking of soil in some areas of arable land was seen in videos released by local media. All 122 countries and districts in Hunan have seen medium-scale drought. A total of 56 rivers with a drainage area of more than 50 square kilometers, and 34 rivers with a drainage area of more than 100 square kilometers were drying up, according to the Hunan drought-relief department on Wednesday. Since July, the Yangtze River Basin has recorded 42.7 days of drought, 28.9 days more than in the same period of normal years, which has been the most since 1961. A total of 666 observation stations in the whole river basin have recorded drought of medium and above levels, accounting for 96 percent of the entire basin. The affected area was the largest since 1961. The short duration of the meiyu rainy period since summer and the lack of any typhoons having traveled inland in July and August have resulted in the precipitation. Besides that, the strongest heat wave since 1961 contributed to the continuous drought, Sun Shao, a senior research fellow from the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday. In response, Governor of Jiangxi Province Ye Jianchun stressed on Tuesday the importance of ensuring water supply security at a meeting for emergency water supply. Ye said that the continuous drought and lack of rain have seriously affected the drinking water supply, irrigation, industrial production and the environment, according to Jiangxi authorities. Li Shiqin, an official from the Jiangxi provincial drought-relief department, told local media that some 17,700 people in remote mountainous areas of the province need to have drinking water delivered. In regions where people suffer from severe shortage of water, upstream reservoirs have been opened to guarantee water supply. Officials in Jiangxi have also worked to save the ecology of Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater lake, which entered the dry season this year 100 days earlier than normal. They have been desilting the lake, connecting sub-lakes to the main channel of the lake, and conducting health monitoring of fish in the water. The lake has become shallower and smaller, with bare sand and meadow beneath the lake visible in some areas. In Southwest China's Sichuan Province, drones were deployed for artificial rain to ease the drought caused by days of high temperatures. A large-scale triple-engine UAV developed by Sichuan Tengden Sci-Tech Innovation Co conducted artificial rain enhancement operations recently in Sichuan, the Global Times learned from the company on Wednesday. According to the planned route, the UAV returned to the ground safely after 2.5 hours of cloud-crossing operations at an altitude of 4,500 meters to 5,000 meters, covering an artificial precipitation operation area of about 600 square kilometers, according to the company. On agriculture production, Sun noted the lack of precipitation has left large areas of tea plantations along the Yangtze River basin baking in extreme high temperatures. Oranges, mangoes, and bananas in some regions have cracked and fallen off trees. But Li Guoxiang, a research fellow at the Rural Development Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes that the drought in the southern regions of China may have a limited impact on this year's autumn harvest, since most of the crops are maturing as modern mechanized agricultural operations are being carried out to harvest crops in most rural areas. More than half of the autumn crops have been harvested in Southwest China. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, approximately 20 percent of crops have been harvested. In Northeast China and regions along the Yellow River and Huaihe River, harvesting is sporadic so far, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MOA). However, the drought may affect autumn sowing and the early growth of crops, so more measures including large-scale irrigation should be strengthened to ensure sowing, Li told the Global Times. Climate change is one of the major causes of the extreme weather this year, and for the long term, China has to strengthen water conservation and increase its disaster prevention capability, according to Li. Sun predicted that precipitation in regions along the Yangtze River in the next 10 days will still be low and drought will continue in those regions. (Web editor: Liang Jun, Du Mingming) Once could be excused. Twice is suspicious. Three times seems like a strategy. Are Democrats choosing infirm, intellectually challenged, feeble people to run for office so that they can be easily manipulated? Joe Biden was and is clearly infirm, physically, psychologically, and cognitively. John Fetterman is also clearly infirm due to two things: He has had a recent stroke which seems to have left him cognitively impaired, and he also has a rather prominent swelling on the back of his neck, which could be the sign of several very serious conditions. Kamala Harris is intellectually suspect, linguistically incontinent, and verbally incoherent. Why are these people being chosen by the Democrat Party for the highest offices? My observation leads me places I would rather not go. With Joe Biden in the White House, he is clearly doing what he is told by others. This much is clear; he simply does not have the stamina, the wisdom, or the political acumen necessary to be an effective President of the United States. His gaffes, his verbal dyslexia, his delusional prevarications, his garbled verbiage, and his ability to reliably make statements his handlers have to mop up afterward, are all deeply troubling. No political party would run such a candidate unless two things were happening: One, the election would be guaranteed to affect a win for the candidate, and two, the candidate would simply be a figurehead for the real powers behind the throne. Biden would have to know that others would be running his presidency. Were he and Jill that easy to roll? If someone offered a Democrat the most powerful position on the planet and told him, Dont worry, we will do all the hard work, you just relax and sign the papers, wouldnt most Democrats close the space between them and a pen at the speed of light? Biden would have to have assumed that his old buddy, Barack Obama (and his underlings) would be doing the heavy lifting, allowing Lunchbucket Joe to cruise, basking in the reflected glory without lifting a finger. The bulb in Kamala Harris' attic is also known to be a little dim. She is supremely arrogant, lacking in leadership and a decent work ethic. She is lazy, entitled, and is unable to keep staff due to her abrasive and very ambitious personality. She was not even able to get enough votes from her own party in 2020 to get on the ticket for POTUS and is so impaired on so many levels that no one wants much to do with her. So imagine our surprise when she was chosen by the Democrat Party as Bidens running mate. The most unpopular Democrat candidate gets to be vice-president without having a single thing to offer except her well-documented pliability. Kamalas myriad word salads and bizarre rants about working together and the passage of time, to name just two, reveal a vapidity that is hard to explain unless her intellectual betters viewed her as malleable in return for the perks of being Veep. She is a mental cipher now a heartbeat away from the Presidency. John Fettermans candidacy seems to be another cruelty perpetrated on the American public in the name of winning at all costs. The candidate for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania has physical and mental problems that preclude coherent statements and reactions to the pressures of running for office. He has already revealed he is not up to the job. Yet Fetterman is another case where the Democrat Party has chosen the weakest, not the strongest, candidates. It is almost as though the party has made a decision to deliberately choose impaired, malleable, but ambitious people who have failed in their past attempts at wielding power or who are recognized as those who might sell their souls for some power. Were the candidates told, Dont worry, weve got this"? Were they told, "Well handle the voting aspect of this, you just do what youre told and youll cruise your way to power? It would make sense if this were indeed the case, because we already know that the Democrats insatiable lust for power creates new cynical methodologies: Choose the weak to represent the stronger powers behind the thrones. A malleable winner is preferable to a strong, self-sufficient winner who may not take orders from the real powers behind the thrones. That the Left has an agenda is clear; it involves weakening the populace through policies such as a national gun registry. But they cannot put those policies in place unless the selected leaders promote those radical agenda items which further the leftist cause. George Soros, the Obamas, Susan Rice, Valerie Jarrett, and many other wealthy, elite, no-borders, one-world Marxist climate zealots have an iron grip on the Democrat Party from bottom to top. Are the elites deliberately choosing weak people so as to control them from behind the curtain? We know they have done that with Biden, Kamala, and Fetterman. Is this their new modus operandi; choose the weak who will bow to the strong because the weak are more palatable to voters than the strong? After all, why run candidates with minds of their own when you can run a candidate who has a mind that can easily be hijacked for radical leftist causes? Image: Governor Tom Wolf Fresh from his deft Marthas Vineyard gambit, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flew into Kansas on Sunday to rally support for Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, now running for governor against incumbent Democrat Laura Kelly. Saul Alinsky, the acknowledged master of forcing poseurs to honor their own policies, could not have done better than DeSantis. No political stroke in memory has succeeded in exposing liberal hypocrisy quite so effortlessly and effectively. Had the Islanders taken the 50 illegal aliens in, they might have checked DeSantiss move and saved a little face, but they didnt. They lived up to their most ludicrous stereotypes, calling in the National Guard and deporting the hapless Venezuelans to some sterile Army base on the mainland. It will be years before Marthas Vineyard is anything but a template for a meme or a punch line to a joke. Both Schmidt and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall had fun with Marthas Vineyard in the speeches they gave preceding DeSantiss. The SRO crowd at the Olathe (O-lay-the) Civics Center ate it up. When DeSantis took center stage, the thousands in attendance were primed. They surged to their feet and roared their appreciation. If it wasnt clear before this past week, it was clear to everyone in Olathe. Ron DeSantis has arrived. Before Donald Trump descended the golden escalator at Trump tower in June 2015, the GOP had gone more than a quarter-century without a rock star. Now, it has two, and that is the challenge. Although he ran as the moderate candidate in the 2020 GOP primary, Marshall, a medical doctor, has been a pleasant surprise for conservatives. That said, he did not mention Trump in his speech. Schmidt has also been tagged as something of a moderate, but one would not have guessed that from his intense and impressively disciplined speech. He did not mention Trump either. Halfway into his roughly hour-long speech DeSantis, too, remained mum on Trump. Nor did he mention Marthas Vineyard. Leaving the thunder to Schmidt, DeSantis almost matter-of-factly walked the audience through a tutorial on effective governance. Unlike Trump or Obama before him, he began his sentences with we, not I. DeSantis spent much of that time discussing his evidence-based COVID policy and its extraordinary effect on the states tourist economy. He focused as well on the inarguable benefits of having kept the public schools open when other governors did not, among them Kansass Laura Kelly, or Lockdown Laura as the earlier speakers called her. Like Marshall and Schmidt before him, DeSantis addressed the corruption of public schools through the imposition of the evil Marxist twins, Critical Race Theory and gender ideology. These are the social issues on which Republicans will focus in 2022. For the time being at least, certainly in Kansas, abortion is something of a hot wire. Gender is not. No issue provoked a more visceral reaction from the crowd than the idea of boys participating in girls sports. On this front, Kelly is particularly vulnerable, having twice vetoed bills proposed by the Republican-led Kansas legislature that would have banned biological males from competing against females. I should add that I had wangled a press pass to event and was able to end-run the seemingly endless line of Kansans who braved the 90-plus temperature and occasional sprinkles to see DeSantis. I was eager to hear what the Florida governor had to say about Marthas Vineyard, and I suspected the audience was too. Well into the speech, DeSantis eased his way into the subject. It seems, he said (and here I paraphrase), illegal immigration has gotten a lot of attention lately. Almost as one, the audience erupted in cheers and sustained applause. I was equally curious to see how DeSantis spoke of Donald Trump. He did this smoothly as well, crediting President Trump with curtailing immigration through his stay-in-Mexico policy and the building of the border wall. He made the case that Biden undid these efforts for no other reason than to spite Trump. Throughout this part of the discussion, DeSantis referred to the people flooding across the border as illegal aliens, a much bolder turn of phrase than it ought to be. Although the local media seemed oblivious to the inherent drama, DeSantis was walking a fine line in Kansas. In my conversations with Republicans here in Kansas City where I live, I have found that most prefer that DeSantis be the GOP nominee in 2024. None of the people with whom Ive spoken are NeverTrumpers. As far as I know, all voted for Trump in 2020, many enthusiastically. The Marthas Vineyard maneuver, however, has solidified their support for DeSantis. If DeSantis chooses to run in 2024, he can blow off the Liz Cheney Republicans -- there are not enough of them to matter -- but he cannot afford to alienate hardcore Trump fans, especially if Trump also decides to run. Given what Ive seen from afar and what I saw Sunday up close, DeSantis is ambitious enough to run and adroit enough to win. The attendees on Sunday would probably agree, and many of them came in MAGA gear. Heres hoping that Trump is savvy enough to read the tea leaves. To learn more, see www.cashill.com Image: Gage Skidmore I began watching the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II at 4:00 a.m. It was an event filled with emotion and so many traditions from Western Civilization over the centuries. It was also a poignant reminder that, with the death of the queen, we have lost one of our last connections to that great civilization that gave us law, order, general liberty, culture, and our Christian heritage. During the 10-day mourning period, tens of thousands of people gathered in the streets; yet, there was only respectful silence and enthusiastic cheering for the queen. When a rabble rouser tried to disrupt, he was told to shut up. This is in stark contrast to our own nation, where radical leftists are allowed to intimidate, punish, and even murder other Americans. Its conservatives who are told to shut up. Michael Harris, cultural critic, wrote that the woke attack on the deceased queen is actually a good thing because it furthers Critical Race Theory and reminds us that America had slaves. He failed to note the legacy of the British lies in the fact that, everywhere they ruled, slavery was eventually abolished -- including America -- literacy rates improved, railroads were built, and elites were educated at universities. The funeral service was held at the 11th century Gothic cathedral -- Westminster Abbey, followed by the committal service in St. Georges Chapel in the 1000-year-old Gothic/Victorian/Georgian Windsor Castle. As the service drew to a close, the coffin of Queen Elizabeth was lowered into the Royal Vault where, in a private burial, she will be laid to rest in the King George VI Memorial Chapel with her belated husband Prince Philip, her parents, and her sister Margaret. Those magnificent structures, the classical music, and the somber pipe organ strains were evidence of the incredible culture that Christendom has given the world in music, art and architecture. The Left wants to cancel that culture and its visual reminders of the Christian faith. Although the mourners were black-clad, the scene was like a fairy tale with brilliant colors everywhere. Old soldiers proudly wore their gleaming military medals and army veterans -- Chelsea Pensioners -- wore their traditional scarlet tunics. Knights of the Garter had bright blue velvet capes. Soldiers had gleaming plumed helmets and trumpeters blew their long silver instruments adorned with banners. Civilians proudly sported their colorful ribbons indicating civilian honors bestowed upon them by their queen. The intense pride that the British feel for their country was evident everywhere. This, too, was in stark contrast to America. We have had more personal freedoms and more wealth than any other nation on earth, but we have no reason to be proud of our nation, according to Michelle Obama. The power of the British throne and the sway that Queen Elizabeth held over people were evident over the past 10 days. The line to file past her coffin grew to 10 miles as people stood in line for 24 hours to have one minute to say goodbye to their queen. Around the world, flags flew at half-mast in her honor. The funeral service at Westminster Abbey, one of the largest in history, was attended by more than 500 foreign heads of state, monarchs and dignitaries from 175 countries. More than four billion around the world watched the event on live TV. The Left hated Queen Elizabeth because she represented a lifetime of undying loyalty and service to her country, dignity, grace, kindness, honor, traditional family structure, and a deep, abiding Christian faith. She represented an era when men fought and died to preserve our Western Civilization and religion. Male masculinity and female femininity were cherished and protected. Many British saw the queen as their loving grandmother who gave them comfort. During the service, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, reminded the congregation of the queens speech during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when frightened Britons were forced to remain in their homes, isolated from friends and family and wondering what the future held. Echoing the words of a World War II era song by Vera Lynn, Queen Elizabeth assured the nation, We will meet again. One of the most frequent comments by mourners, who were interviewed by TV reporters, was that Queen Elizabeth II represented stability in the face of turmoil and great change. America once had leaders who represented stability and possessed the qualities of Queen Elizabeth. The Black Robed Regiment inspired and educated their colonial congregations about personal freedoms and political engagement during their lengthy Sunday sermons. General George Washington, our first president, knelt to pray in the snow before a battle. Other presidents publicly praised God. Congress routinely prayed in the U.S. Capitol. More than two centuries later, we have a senile, self-serving, corrupt, socialist president who actively seeks to divide the nation instead of bringing stability. America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles with a free-market economy that produced the most literate and wealthy nation ever on the earth. That has changed with our shift to Marxism and away from Christianity. Our new American religion is social justice. In Christianity and Social Justice: Religions in Conflict, Jon Harris explains that social justice has its own doctrines of God, man, sin, and salvation, as well as its own priestly class, liturgical rituals, and canon of texts. All are at odd with the historic Christian faith. As Britain turns inward to mourn its great loss, America battles internal divisiveness. The question is whether the sun is setting on these once glorious nations. In America, if were to regain stability and become the great nation we once were, we must seriously work to turn our ship of state around. As Michael Harris wrote, ...it is up to evangelicals, and Americans in general, to decide which path to follow. Carole Hornsby Haynes is an education policy analyst/adviser, historian, speaker, and accomplished classical pianist and organist. To contact: chaynes@drhaynesreport.com Image: Library and Archives Canada A new meme has emerged from leftists concerning conservatives: if conservatives are Christian, and especially if they support Trump, they are automatically Christian nationalists. This false narrative amounts to persecution of evangelical Christians. Just this week, The Denver Post published an editorial masquerading as a news story that smeared Congresswoman Lauren Boebert as a "dangerous Christian nationalist." Not until the eleventh paragraph in the story did Conrad Swanson, the reporter, mention that Boebert's representative said that Boebert does not consider herself a Christian nationalist. Seems Swanson had a narrative to feed first. The headline on the story read, "Lauren Boebert is part of a dangerous religious movement that threatens democracy, experts say." The story includes statements from so-called experts on sociology and religion who have a problem with Boebert's religion and expressed concern about Christian nationalism. However, most of the experts were sociologists and all seemed to be leftists. No balance in the story. Also, it is an old journalistic trick to hide your opinion behind quotes from experts. The main point of the story is disproven right away, something Swanson, who seems to be threatened by Christianity, doesn't appear to understand. He reported that Rep. Boebert wants Christians to take their place in Christ and influence the nation. Influence? Doesn't seem too dangerous. By contrast, those whose religion is wokeism or secular humanism or Marxism were behind the over 500 riots in American cities in the summer of 2020. They pushed and perpetrated actual violence. People died. Businesses were burned to the ground. Swanson seems frightened that Rep. Boebert was found speaking at the Truth & Liberty Conference in Woodland Park, as if she had been at a Klan rally or something. It scares his experts that the congresswoman is one of those Christians who believe that Jesus will be returning. Hate to tell Swanson, but this is a core belief of Christianity. Swanson's article also asserts that this is a very white religious movement. My husband and I attended the Truth & Liberty Conference in Woodland Park. At one lunch, we sat with two black individuals. We spoke with Hispanic and Asian attendees, too. Colorado demographics are not that diverse; I think we all know that. I found Boebert's speech remarkable and uplifting. Did Swanson have something to prove? Seems so. He was fear-mongering for sure. Now, maybe he would just like to ban Christians from the public square. Okay, but we can bet that he would claim the right to speak anywhere and everywhere about his religion or antipathy to religion. In fact, he did that in his article. Perhaps he just doesn't want Christians to be vocal in the public square. Most of the speakers at the conference would say, too bad. They are leading Christians who are not backing down from the public square anymore and being politely quiet. And some truths were reinforced at the conference: this nation was founded on faith yet included protections for all around matters of conscience. First, the U.S. Constitution prohibits government from establishing a religion. That includes Christianity and the religion of choice of government and media these days. Government bureaucrats and technocrats and their partners in the media are working hard to establish wokeism, secular humanism, and atheism in America, but Christians also have a right to influence Americans. Second, the U.S. Constitution prohibits government from interfering with Americans', including Christian Americans', free exercise of religion. That includes free expression in the public square, such as at the Truth & Liberty Conference. Personally, I appreciate that Boebert is a strong Christian who can represent us. But let me give a little reassurance to those who are uncomfortable with her free exercise. Christians believe that God gives every human being free will to choose whether to believe in Him or not. Christians are called to take the same attitude. In other words, Christians may try to influence others and even offer them an opportunity to receive Jesus, but they are to do that respectfully. They must take no for an answer, even if they might keep praying for an individual in private. Also, Christians are taught to respect the right of other human beings to choose a different way and to treat them with kindness, compassion, and love, whether they choose Christianity or some other religion or none, and not to be violent. I've no doubt that Rep. Boebert will persevere in the face of this new false narrative, this persecution, against her and her faith. As for me, I'm inspired to influence others to stand up for our Republic. I expect I may also face persecution in the coming days, but that's okay; Christians always have been persecuted to some degree. C.S. Boddie writes for Meadowlark Press, LLC. Image via Max Pixel. American institutions are entirely dominated by leftist combatants academia, government, media, education, medicine despite the majority of the public not holding leftist views. Undeniably, these political assailants are assaulting us from all sides: Vanderbilt's new profit-driven "transgender" program, school curricula that play fast and loose with the truth, political persecution from the literal Department of Justice, and the list goes on ad nauseam. So what happened? In general, political conservatives in this country have many unfavorable reputations, and as far as I can tell, none of them holds true to the character of the conservative movement we're not actually racists, or bigots, or fascists, or whatever other unfounded malignant moniker they sling at us. However, there is one reputation unendowed, and that's the profound degree of cowardice and apathy. Jesse Kelly, a political pundit known for his sharp wit and unabashed principle, hammers on this point quite frequently: As every part of your culture is being assaulted from all sides, the GOP cant grab its ankles fast enough. https://t.co/qTaaLK04BM Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) September 12, 2022 In the tweet above, Mehmet Oz, the candidate up against John Fetterman in Pennsylvania, was referencing a letter campaign showing support for the proposed (and deceptively named) Respect for Marriage Act. According to Liberty Counsel, one of the leading nonprofits that supports conservative and evangelical Christian values from a legal angle, writes: This bill will codify same-sex marriage and will make marriage and the biological fact of male and female genders legally unrecognizable, even as it gives cover to every other perversion of marriage, including polygamy and pedophile 'child bride' marriages. In 2010, Oz hosted a "transgender" children segment on his talk show, which GLAAD described as "some of the best nationally televised conservations about gender identity" the GLAAD organization "rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance" and "tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural [emphasis added] change." Clearly, he's no conservative. The LGBT agenda is, by definition, socially liberal it's not conserving traditional values whatsoever. So why is Oz now running as a Republican, claiming to represent conservative ideals? Well, as Kelly said, "the GOP can't grab its ankles fast enough." Mainstream Republicans skulk away from conflict, then tout their cowardice as "civility" and it's shameful. They agree with the communists "Judeo-Christian values have no place in a secular society" and couldn't be more wrong. There is no such thing as a cultureless society. When conservatives stand down, opposing forces fill the void. As biblically reverent conservatives withdrew, depravity advanced. In the 1950s, Alfred Kinsey sexually abused children under the guise of science; in the 1960s, Christian prayer was removed from schools, and the sexual "liberation" of women began; in the 1970s, child sacrifice became federally sanctioned, all because it was sanitized with the word "abortion." Now participation in "hookup culture" is to blame for skyrocketing rates of sexually transmitted infections and diseases. The situation has been described as "out of control": Infections rates for some STDs, including gonorrhea and syphilis, have been rising for years. Last year, the rate of syphilis cases reached its highest since 1991 and the total number of cases hit its highest since 1948. HIV cases are also on the rise, up 16% last year. And an international outbreak of monkeypox, which is being spread mainly between men who have sex [sic] with men, has further highlighted the nation's worsening problem with diseases spread through sex. As blogger Don Surber said, members of the "hookup culture" are "slowly learning why society was so 'uptight' about sex" and even offered some novel solutions: How about teaching abstinence in school? How about promoting fidelity in marriage and other relationships? How about doing what worked? Yes, turns out these ideas aren't so novel, but clearly evocative of Judeo-Christian ethics. Rampant homosexuality, sexual "liberation," and the sexualization of children are all symptoms of conservative cowardice. This nation was born out of Judeo-Christian principles. The writers of the Constitution certainly didn't establish a standard of morality from the oppressive parameters of the Koran, or the wickedness of The Communist Manifesto, but rather the timeless truths of the Ten Commandments. It's time we start acting like the Jesse Kellys of the conservative movement rather than the Mehmet Ozes. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. In July, Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi ordered the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution to step up the enforcement of the nation's hijab law. Just weeks later, a young woman standing with her family in a Tehran subway station was arbitrarily taken into a van by the "morality police" for an unknown dress code violation. While in custody, Mahsa Amini, 22, fell into a coma and was taken to a hospital, where she died three days later. Her father said her legs were bruised; others say she had been beaten on the head near her neck. The government says she died of a heart attack. But the Iranian people, who are already outraged over abuses by the "morality police" and other Iranian military forces, are protesting in the streets. "Women, Life, Freedom" is a common chant. So is "I will kill whoever killed my sister." Raisi is in New York, where he is planning to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in October. Opponents of Iran's regime are protesting his visit, saying a murderer like him cannot be welcomed by the international body that upholds human rights. Raisi was a key overseer of the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in 1988. The death of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian of Kurdish ethnicity, has now intensified the calls for the world's leaders to rebuke Raisi, not only for mass murder, but also for his misogynistic and brutal treatment of women. The UNGA should be a place to "take immediate action" on the atrocities of the Iranian regime against women, said Mrs Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). "The dossier of the Iranian regime's crimes should be referred to the Security Council, and its leaders should be brought to justice," Mrs. Rajavi said, adding that Iran's women should hold a national protest against the mullahs' cruel laws and their "morality police," who terrorize the population. Raisi's upcoming presence at the U.N. "will be a terrible affront to the U.N. charter," as he and the Iranian regime "systematically executed my husband and many of my dearest friends, burying them in secret mass graves," Zahra Afshari Amin wrote in a September 18 article in The New York Post, referring to the 1988 massacre. "The United Nations and its leading member-states must understand that by granting Raisi a platform, they'll effectively be overlooking these killings and legitimizing the position held by a man known to countless Iranians as the 'Butcher of Tehran.'" The outcry after Mahsa's death has been fierce and widespread. Even Mahsa's funeral was invaded by the regime. Enraged residents of Tehran staged a protest rally outside Kasra Hospital, where Mahsa passed away. Demonstrators chanted, "Death to the dictator," "We are all Mahsa," "From Kurdistan to Tehran, oppression against women," and "Khamenei is a murderer, his rule is illegitimate." Plainclothes agents arrested protesters and tried to disperse the crowds, but the protesters grew stronger, chanting, "Vigilant Iranian, support, support" to encourage others to join them. Due to the outcry, regime forces tried to force Mahsa's family to bury her at night in her hometown, Saqqez, to prevent large crowds from attending her funeral. Her family resisted and postponed the burial to the morning of September 17. From the early hours of September 17, state security forces blocked the entrances of Saqqez to prevent people from coming to the funeral. However, thousands of Saqqez residents still gathered at the main cemetery and vocally chastised the regime for its murder of Mahsa. After Mahsa's burial, protesters held a rally outside the governor's office and confronted the security forces while chanting, "I will kill whoever killed my sister." The police responded by firing tear gas and pellets at the protesters, arresting some people and wounding several others. On the third day of protests, uprisings occurred in Sanandaj, Mahabad, and Karaj, and a demonstration was held by students at Tehran University. The regime tried to hamper the protests by disrupting the internet in Saqqez and Sanandaj, but the crowds could not be stopped. Women had a significant presence in the protests. Mrs. Rajavi offered her sympathies to Mahsa Amini's family and called for public mourning over her murder. Meanwhile, on the fifth day of the uprising in different areas of Tehran and dozens of cities across Iran, at least 25 provinces have continued. people in Tehran and other cities, including Mashhad, Sabzevar, Arak, Ilam, Marivan, Gorgan, Birjand, Isfahan, Sari, Tabriz, Karaj, Fardis Karaj, Kermanshah, Qazvin, Shiraz, Bandar-Abbas, Kish, Kerman, Rafsanjan, Sanandaj, Qom, Khorramabad, Zanjan, Rasht, Ahvaz, Urmia, Bukan, Mahabad, Ardabil and Hamedan took to the streets and demonstrated against the mullahs' regime. On Tuesday, the state-run website Eslam-e No reported a tweet by Mohsen Mansouri, the governor of Tehran, in which he wrote, "The main elements of tonight's gatherings in Tehran were fully organized, trained and had plans to create disturbances in Tehran. Pouring diesel fuel on roads, hurling rocks, attacking the police, setting fire to motorbikes and garbage cans, destroying public property, etc. are not things that ordinary people would do." Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), saluted the protesting youths and said that Iran is united in the uprising for freedom. Rebellious cities are joining together. The resounding cries of "this month is the month of sacrifice, Seyyed Ali [Khamenei] will be overthrown," and "this is the last message, the regime itself is the target" have shaken the mullahs' regime's pillars in the streets of Tehran. Is it not time to listen to the opponents of the regime and call on the U.N. and Western governments to "take immediate action" on regime atrocities? Saeed Abed is a member of the NCRI Foreign Affairs Committee, Human Rights Activist, and expert on Iran and the Middle East. Image: Chickenonline via Pixabay, Pixabay License. A huge rhetorical error is to get entangled in your opponent's fake premise. We all recognize that problem with the hypothetical "when did you stop beating your wife" question, but Republican politicians often find themselves playing defense against a fundamentally flawed question. Kari Lake, however, does not do that. Her response to a reporter's loaded question about Blacks and police shows how to avoid this rhetorical trap. Lake, who is running against Katie Dobbs to be governor of Arizona, appeared at a press conference against an Arizona Police Association backdrop. An unseen reporter fired off a loaded question: Kari, a lot of people of color feel like they are unfairly targeted by police. Are they wrong to feel that way? And regardless of if there's any merit there, what can you as governor do to improve the perception of police? Most Republican politicians, when asked such a question, would have begun a stumbling defense about how most police are good people, but it's up to everyone to make sure to protect the minority community from bad police, and blah, blah, blah. In other words, they would have accepted the premise while, at the same time, trying to walk away from it. It's a normal human response, but a bad one if you're running for office. Image: Kari Lake. Twitter screen grab. Kari Lake doesn't respond that way. She immediately questioned the reporter's premise: "A lot of people of color? How many people of color have you talked to about that?" Suddenly, instead of Lake being on the defensive, the reporter was, as he mumbled about "surveys." With the reporter caught flatfooted, Lake shifted to her own unassailable position: all people, regardless of color, want to be safe. Crime is everybody's problem. BIG MISTAKE: Reporter claims People of Color are "TARGETED" by Police@KariLake: Every Arizonan wants safety & security in their neighborhood. It doesnt matter what your skin color is.@AbrahamHamadeh: "Do these these brave Men & Women look like racists to you?" WATCH & RT! pic.twitter.com/TplhIIrLsX Kari Lake (@KariLake) September 16, 2022 Which surveys? I'm happy to look at those stats. Because I will tell you this, that I talk to people of color. I talk to all Arizonans. They're all concerned about the crime. Just because your skin isn't the same color as yours doesn't mean you want your kids to be walking down the street in an unsafe neighborhood. Every Arizonan wants safety and security in their neighborhood. It doesn't matter what your skin color is. And if you look at stats, you will look and see that police do not target people of color. That is a lie that's been perpetuated by the left and then spread and disseminated and re-spread in the media. Check the stats. That is exactly how you do it. With today's hostile media, you don't defend your position; you challenge their narrative. Moreover, Lake did it calmly, clearly, gracefully, and without any overt hostility. After Lake spoke, Abraham Hamadeh, the Republican candidate for attorney general, chimed in to reinforce her point. He was less effective than Lake because he sounded more aggressive and hostile. Following her almost queenly presentation, Hamadeh came across as a bit weak. Overall, Lake gets an A+ and Hamadeh an A-. Both showed political savvy, and Lake gave a primer in handling the press. Incidentally, I've heard concerns about both Lake and Hamadeh. To the extent that Lake was once a Democrat, people worry that she's a plant someone who runs from the right but will govern from the left. That's possible. However, I am also someone who was once a Democrat and is now a conservative. I believe that people not only change their views, but, having changed them, become very passionate about their newfound values. A gamble on Lake being the real deal seems like a better bet than voting for Katie Hobbs, a known leftist. As for Hamadeh, the hard-left Jewish Forward outlet claims he is an antisemite and offers four pieces of evidence. First, when Hamadeh was three, his Syrian-born father, Jamal (then an illegal alien because he had overstayed his visa) was indicted for conspiracy to commit arson against a firebombed Chicago synagogue. The charges against Jamal were dropped. There is no indication, however, that Hamadeh supports violence against Jews. He is part Druze, and the Druze support Israel, and he claims some Jewish connections. Second, when Hamadeh was 16, he posted at the Ron Paul Forum saying Jews are rich and influential, a typical antisemitic trope. A year later, he argued for cutting U.S. funding to Israel. However, just as I forgive Lake for being a Democrat because I was once one, I am disinclined to judge someone for what he did at 16 or 17 because I was once that age. I was really stupid then, too, with a lot of bad ideas. Third, Hamadeh opposes George Soros. All thinking people, Jewish or not, should oppose Soros, who is a megalomaniacal anti-Semite and anti-Zionist who happens to be genetically Jewish. Fourth, after the Syrian civil war started, Hamadeh dreamed of an Israel-Turkey alliance to help topple Bashar al-Assad. I'm at a loss to see why that's anti-Semitic. For over six years, the establishment media have set out to destroy Trump. It's been nothing but lies about Russian collusion, accusations of racism, claims he is authoritarian, endless witch hunt investigations, and to top it off, they've labeled him an illegitimate president in efforts to mislead the public and actually interfere in elections. Meanwhile, they intentionally bury the truth about Clinton and Biden corruption and the truly authoritarian actions of Obama and Biden. Now, The New York Times puts out a garbage piece, regurgitated throughout the media, that Republicans are the great threat to our republic. The title? "'A Crisis Coming': The Twin Threats to American Democracy." Somehow, the authors of this campaign piece don't care that Democrats challenged elections in 2000, 2004, and 2016, when they lost. Eventually, widespread violence erupted in response to President Trump's win. The only time the media care about challenges to elections is when Democrats win. From the above-referenced article: The first threat is acute: a growing movement inside one of the country's two major parties the Republican Party to refuse to accept defeat in an election. The media never cared that several states violated their election laws, nor did the stenographers in the media care when Soros and Zuckerberg spent massive amounts of money to influence elections, so it's a crock when they publish an opinion piece like this. Then, The Washington Post furthered the Democrat Big Lie, saying, "The next big threat to democracy" is "under-the-radar election sabotage" and continued with this: The second threat to democracy is chronic but also growing: The power to set government policy is becoming increasingly disconnected from public opinion. This threat is quite humorous. For one thing, the government is not supposed to make laws based on public opinions, because if that was the case, minorities would rarely be protected (if ever). The second thing is that the policies of the leftists at NYT and the other media outlets are disconnected from public opinion, to an extreme and radical degree. Here is a partial list of Democrat policies that are not popular: Big government, higher taxes, and more regulations. Abortion on demand, through all three trimesters, no matter how viable a child is. Withholding life-saving care from babies born alive in botched abortions. Open borders free-for-all. Soft-on-crime prosecutors and no bail laws, which allow dangerous, career criminals to terrorize the rest of us. The destruction of multiple energy industries, based on theories and computer models, instead of scientific data. Forcing people to switch to inefficient, expensive, impractical, and unaffordable electric vehicles powered by the highly flammable pollutant lithium, all in the name of "climate change." Teaching children in toddlerhood about deviant sexual lifestyles. Champion school curricula that teach that Whites are inherently oppressive, racist, and privileged. Unconstitutionally shifting student loan debt from the borrower to the taxpayer. Forcing girls to compete with boys and share restrooms and locker rooms with them. Shift toward socialist policies, instead of giving everyone equal opportunity to climb the economic ladder with capitalism. Wanting to federalize elections and opposing common sense photo ID laws. Abolition of the Electoral College. I have trouble finding the Democrat policies that the writer and other Democrats support that are popular with the public (probably because they don't exist). The writer of this piece apparently believes that it is the Supreme Court's job to rule based on popular opinion, or popular will, instead of their defined role as interpreters of the law. That shows a complete lack of knowledge of the Constitution and separation of powers. The current Court is the opposite of an activist court with their recent rulings on abortion and environmental regulations. They sent the power back to the states and federal legislative bodies to make laws and stifling regulations. That is where laws are supposed to be made, not in the courts, and not by unelected bureaucrats. From the article: The run of recent Supreme Court decisions both sweeping and, according to polls, unpopular highlights this disconnect. Although the Democratic Party has won the popular vote in seven of the past eight presidential elections, a Supreme Court dominated by Republican appointees seems poised to shape American politics for years, if not decades. And the court is only one of the means through which policy outcomes are becoming less closely tied to the popular will. It was the 1973 Court that was activist when it overrode the Constitution and legalized abortion nationwide. Even Ginsburg believed that the ruling was "too sweeping," which made it "vulnerable to attacks." John Roberts was an activist when he sided with the liberal judges to rewrite Obamacare to make it "constitutional." Supreme Court judges should never rewrite laws if they're unconstitutional; rather, they should be overturned and nullified. Public or personal opinion have no bearing on constitutionality. The media and the Democrats love activist judges who rule as they like and tread on the separation of powers. The elitist left paints Trump and "MAGA Republicans" as the threat to America, but the reality is, it's they. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. Letitia James, New York's attorney general, seems disinterested in addressing any of New York's systemic criminal issues. Instead, like Ahab pursuing Moby-Dick, she has one obsessive goal: destroying Donald Trump and his family. Indeed, that was a significant part of her election platform. All of her efforts have culminated in a 220-page civil suit against Trump, his children, and the Trump Organization, claiming that the Trump businesses overvalued their properties. The complaint (which I haven't read) apparently goes through property after property, identifying the value the Trump Organization gave for the property and then giving James's estimation of those property values. It sounds like a stinker of a case. Trump being Trump was not shy about attacking James for her unhinged, vindictive effort to destroy him for daring to win the 2016 election, and his family, too. (You can tell she's worried that Ivanka, Eric, and Donald Jr. could all run for office successfully if they wanted.) You just need to see a couple of videos to understand James's Ahab-like obsession with destroying Trump: I was never a Melville fan, but I distinctly recall that Ahab died pursuing the whale. Trump does not appear to be worried: That's to be expected. What's a little more interesting is that the New York Times isn't impressed, either, as Trump was quick to note: The reality is that, in the real estate world, property owners give their valuations and then the bank, if one is seeking financing, or the insurance company, if one is seeking insurance, makes its own evaluation. Any American who has bought a home knows that this is true. No bank or insurance company would ever hand out money or coverage based on someone's own estimation. In other words, no one was harmed, which explains why no bank or insurance company has sued or is joining the suit. If, as seems likely, James cannot prove injuries, she has no case. Kurt Schlichter, a brilliant litigator and legal commentator, spelled out the problems with James's case: Anyone interested in how the Trump civil lawsuit will go? Should I forgo billing for a moment to explain it to you? Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) September 21, 2022 Once Trump is served, he takes a few weeks to respond. He probably cannot remove the case since there are NY defendants, so no diversity. Now we're in mid-October. He moves to dismiss. 2/ Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) September 21, 2022 Other causes of action may have damages allegations - we'll see. But there are plenty of other grounds to move to dismiss that just leap off the page. 4/ Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) September 21, 2022 So, the initial motion to dismiss will not be heard before the midterm - the real mission was accomplished by filing suit in time to influence the election, but not so early that this garbage case could be tossed out before the election. 6/ Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) September 21, 2022 I expect the case will be dropped or tossed after a couple motion to dismiss rounds. Maybe there will be a small, piddling settlement the AG will claim is a victory. It's not a real lawsuit. It's lawfare. And I hope red AGs are taking note of the new rules. 7/ Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) September 21, 2022 Heck, the case is so bad that even Bill Barr, who's become Trump's mortal enemy when it comes to disputing the American president's plenary power to declassify anything he wants, has gone on record saying that the case is a "political hit job" that constituted "gross overreach," that will end up "backfiring," because it will increase sympathy for Trump. The suit, he concluded, is nothing more than a manifestation of Trump Derangement Syndrome. No president in American history has paid such a high price for daring to buck the establishment. Trump may be gone from office, but the leftists holding power across America have vowed to do everything they can to hunt him down and destroy him. Is it appropriate for me, at this point, to remind them again that Ahab went down with the ship? Image: Moby-Dick (edited). Public domain. Republicans and conservatives like to say we must reform the Justice Department and FBI. I disagree. If we win the majority in Congress, they both need to be gone. That means completely gone, with no attempt to reform or rebuild them. That may sound like an overreach, but the time to restore our constitutional republic is upon us. Does any of us really believe we are somehow safer or more secure with an intact DOJ and FBI? They are irredeemably corrupt. Weeding out some of the more sinister miscreants within those organizations will not change the culture that has evolved over the past few decades. We have already tried that, and it made matters worse. We should thank Barack Obama and Joe Biden for clearly illustrating to the American people the dangers inherent in an enforcement arm of the federal government. We are now living in a police state that will, through intimidation and force, move the country toward one-party rule and totalitarianism. How many more lives must be destroyed before we all understand that we are under attack for what we believe, including (indeed, especially) exercising our First Amendment rights? It has moved far beyond just Donald Trump and virtually anyone associated with him. Now, if you sell pillows for a living and in any way suggest that you believe that the 2020 election was a fraud, then you're on the list for FBI harassment and possible arrest. Never mind all that "free country" and "Bill of Rights" stuff. Image by Andrea Widburg. This is obviously not the American way. It is, however, the type of behavior that was instrumental in stirring up the American Revolution. We are witnessing a "long train of abuses and usurpations." President Trump recently said that, if he were to serve a second term, he would fire 50,000 swamp creatures across several government agencies. God bless him, but that number is woefully inadequate. It literally needs to be upwards of a million pink slips if we are ever to restore our constitutional government. I understand that people have become accustomed to the nanny state and that we need to move forward slowly, with respect for the Constitution and the rule of law, but we've been going in reverse for more than a century. There are now well over 400 federal government agencies, and almost all of them are unconstitutional. People are beginning to understand that the "nanny" can morph into an unholy witch at a moment's notice. Our representatives need to start making big changes to try and unravel this mess before it consumes us. Defunding it is a good place to start. The Constitution clearly spells out the government's role. Nowhere does it call for a government police force. There is also little doubt that, as matters now stand, removing the DOJ and FBI would enhance domestic tranquility. These rogue agencies consider half the American population their enemies. That's hardly a recipe for domestic tranquility. We did just fine without them for nearly a century, and we would be better off if they were gone tomorrow. After all, the Constitution intended for the states to absorb the policing duties that are now assigned to the federal government. If a state "department of justice" and its police force become corrupt, that does not affect the lives and rights of American citizens in the same way that it does at the national level. It's also easier to fix corrupt agencies belonging to the individual states. Those institutions are closer to the people and can more readily be protested or elected away. If a state government becomes in any way oppressive, people have the option of leaving. Most would not, but, depending on the level of oppression, many would. You need look no farther than what is happening in California today. A torrent of people is leaving the state. This solution is not available at the federal level. Most people do not have the means to leave the country and would not want to leave if they did. They are Americans. If the government needs lawyers to defend itself or to prosecute individuals within the government, they can be hired out of the private sector, as they were before the DOJ's creation. Think of how much money would be saved yearly somewhere in the neighborhood of a quarter of a trillion dollars. What manner of ominous changes might we face without ten thousand government lawyers and their police force? Perhaps, securing the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity? Maybe an American renaissance? The pre-COVID booming Trump economy was largely the result of his efforts at deregulation. Downsizing the government is the ultimate form of deregulation, and what better place to begin than with the corrupt police state? Frank Liberato is a pseudonym. America's progressives, led by Bernie Sanders, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Elizabeth Warren, and Joe Biden, have established an agenda and have sanctioned a strategy that harkens back to a much earlier day: the Inquisition that started in the 12th century. The Inquisition was part of the Catholic Church's effort to identify and punish heresy. Heresy was any opinion contrary to the canons of the Church. Heretics were harshly punished, and their lives were often "canceled" (terminated). The earliest prosecutions seem to have been against Catholic splinter groups and later spread to Jews, Muslims, and Protestants, although Catholics who deviated from the Church's dictates were also subject to persecution. America's progressives have their own "religion" and impose punishment on heretics as well. The progressives excommunicate, "cancel," heretics, banning them from jobs and access to the media. The primary targets for the progressive inquisition are citizens who desire limiting government control over their lives; support the Constitution (to include freedom of religion); support law and order; want schools to focus on reading, writing, and arithmetic; or, gasp! voted for Donald Trump. Dissenters from the progressive religion are not labeled heretics, since the similarity to the Inquisition would become too obvious. Instead, they are labeled "deplorables," "destroyers of democracy," and "semi-fascists." Progressives eschew economics: cost-benefit analysis, supply and demand, and opportunity costs are irrelevant to their values and "logic." Once they determine a policy they like, it matters not how much it costs or how wasteful it is. The Green New Deal and the tuition debt forgiveness programs are cases in point. Asking if the money might be put to better use will mark the questioner as "selfish." Progressives raise illogic to a new level. Progressives are also destroyers of history that they do not like. They accept no "false gods." Statues of the Founding Fathers and Abraham Lincoln are pulled down and their names excised from schools and other buildings. Joseph Stalin rewrote Russian history for political gain. Progressives are doing the same. The catechism of the progressives includes Critical Race Theory, the 1619 Project, and the indoctrination of pre-pubescent children into transgender ideas. Progressive teachers, we are told, know best how to educate our children. Progressives have found their own official inquisitors: the FBI and Department of Justice seem to have become part of the progressives' religion. They have hidden Hunter Biden's laptop and his crony capitalism and Joe Biden's nepotism. They have allowed Hillary Clinton to escape prosecution for mishandling sensitive government documents. Members of the "true faith" walk free while heretics are prosecuted. Progressives, as true socialists, seize ownership of businesses in practice if not in name. They will regulate business to do their bidding by imposing ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) scores, packing boards of directors with public representatives (i.e., progressive faithful), and banish industries and oil pipelines not to their liking. Progressives, in their intolerance of dissenting ideas and abhorrence of sharing political power, plan to make Washington, D.C. a state in order to add two new Democrat senators. They speak of packing the Supreme Court with progressive-friendly justices. For progressives, the end justifies the means. Progressives desire a one-party, one-religion state and will not stop until their mission is accomplished. The original Inquisition lasted for several hundred years. The Enlightenment greatly helped to end it. Progressives now threaten these gains. They seek to banish competition and establish one-party (one-church) rule. Knowledge through reason, liberty, toleration, and constitutional government is under threat. Progressives are dangerous to individual freedom, and they must be called out for what they are: intolerant religious zealots, fascist-socialists, and power-hungry anti-intellectuals. Burton Abrams is a professor emeritus of economics at the University of Delaware and a research fellow at the Independent Institute in Oakland, Calif. He is the author of The Terrible 10: A Century of Economic Folly. Image: Robert-Fleury. The Woman King is a new movie from Hollywood that helps to bring a little history to the same audience that ate up Disney's Black Panther. However, as even some Blacks are realizing, the Dahomey tribe that is central to the movie had significant responsibility for perpetuating the African slave trade. At some point, though, American Blacks are going to have to grapple with why no one has seen fit to blame the Africans Blacks and Muslim slave traders. The African slave trade, by which we mean the pipeline of slaves from Africa to Europe, lasted for 500 or so years, from the 1400s through 1900. Within Africa itself, Black Africans kidnapped approximately 20,000,000 fellow Black Africans and delivered them to Muslim traders, who, in turn, sold them to Europeans, who used them in South America, the Caribbean, and North America. More specifically, when it comes to North and South America, a trade that lasted from 1525 through 1866, 12.5 million Africans were sent overseas, only 388,000 of whom ended up in what came to be the United States with most of them arriving when North America was still a British colony. North America was not a major player. That doesn't make what happened in North America moral; it simply puts it in perspective compared to the total slave trade from Africa to Spanish, British, French, Dutch, and other European colonies. Image: Bringing captive slaves to market in Africa. Public domain. Africa's involvement in the trade was essential. Europeans referred to Africa as the Dark Continent not because its inhabitants had dark skin, but because, before the mid-19th century, they had never penetrated the interior. It was a dark continent as in an "unknown" continent. If African tribes hadn't kidnapped their enemies and passed them along to Muslim slave traders, there would have been no Muslim slave trade. CNN learned this reality when Don Lemon recently spoke with Hilary Fordwich, who, to his surprise, enthusiastically agreed with his suggestion that people who benefited from colonialism (i.e., in Lemon's mind, the royal family and Europeans) should pay reparations. He was less pleased when Fordwich explained that the root cause of slavery was the Africans who sold out their own people. You really must watch the video to get a sense of Lemon's stone-faced shock, which was so profound that he couldn't even argue with her. That's one video, though. American Blacks are getting a better lesson about their forebears' role in the slave experience because of The Woman King, about the group of female soldiers guarding the Dahomey king in the early 19th century. What's fascinating is that it's not just White conservatives pointing out the Dahomey kingdom's prominent role in the slave trade, or the fact that these female warriors were complicit in raiding other tribes to kidnap or torture to death anyone who survived a successful assault. Just look at who has signed on to the #BoycottWomanKing hashtag. (Note: ADOS stands for American Descendants of Slavery.) My people, we have no reason to support this film. Let it fail. They're not our heroes, they're the villains. #BoycottWomanKing pic.twitter.com/wSr2KB1j97 Earl Landix (@EarlLandix) September 17, 2022 On one hand this actress says #TheWomanKing is historical, it's real but when promoting this movie they never discuss the REAL history that the Dahomey were African Slave Traders. This movie does not sit right with my soul. #BoycottWomanKing pic.twitter.com/KJjaqpriXA Nas (@nasescobar316) September 16, 2022 So, let me get this straight. Hollywood created a fictional black male slave catcher name "Bigger Long" in #HarrietMovie and told us to shut up about it. Now, they're creating heroes out of REAL SLAVE CATCHERS and telling #ADOS it's honorable. Please.#BoycottWomanKing Marrio Mathews (@AuthorMarrio) September 20, 2022 The gravity of the atrocities skipped over by #womanking can't be put into words. The #BoycottWomanKing protest should be an awakening for #ados Black Americans as to the GAPS in their own identity. "The African Trade" by History is a good primer. WATCH: https://t.co/swtqTpWP4Z pic.twitter.com/harsBDJTnv Antonio Moore (@tonetalks) September 20, 2022 I cannot applaud enough this historical honesty. But you won't see it generally from the left, and therein lies a core element of leftist racism. Naturally, leftists attack Whites because they want to bring down the Western capitalist system to replace it with socialism, and they'll use any means possible to achieve that goal. However, their unwillingness even to touch upon African and Muslim responsibility for the slave trade speaks to something deeper: they do not believe that anyone should expect from the 16th-, 17th-, and 18th-century Africans and Muslims the same moral awareness and obligations they impose upon Europeans from the same time period. The Europeans back then should have known better; the others, well, not so much. This division in moral responsibility can be seen either as a high compliment to the White Europeans and Americans, whom the leftists so despise, or as a deep insult to the Blacks and Muslims whom the leftists identify as both victims and leftist brothers in the war against the West. I view it as the latter, and I sure would like to see more Blacks and Muslims get offended that their ancestors are considered morally inferior to Western Europeans. The transgender movement could not survive if America's medical establishment were not supporting it. If so-called "transgender" people were swiftly referred to compassionate psychiatrists who help people recover from gender dysphoria, transgenderism would be a medical backwater. But as unearthed materials from Vanderbilt University's Medical Center show, "transgenderism" is a huge money-maker. Moreover, it appears that the medical center aggressively polices its staff to make sure they don't kill the goose laying these remarkably profitable gender eggs. Matt Walsh's Twitter thread speaks for itself. All the videos are short, and I urge you to take the time to listen to each one of them. What you'll see unfold is a medical center that is apparently willing to mutilate people, including children, for money, and that seems to have implemented oversight systems to ensure that no one on the medical staff can even attempt to dissuade people from destroying their bodies with chemicals and surgery without the threat of a career-destroying response. Seeing these videos, it's natural to turn to the internet to find further information that would confirm what's happening or that would put the material in context, showing that it's not as bad as it seems. However, Vanderbilt University Medical Center has taken the original materials offline, including blocking access to web pages that might provide further information. (See, e.g., the pages that once gave information about Shayne Taylor, here and here, the doctor who touts the enormous profitability of so-called "transgender" procedures.) And while the Medical Center denies any actionable wrongdoing, it does not deny the specific facts set out below. Naturally, because Walsh brought to a wider audience information that Vanderbilt Medical Center freely made available to the public, he was accused of terrorism and reported to the FBI. With those predicates in mind, here's Matt Walsh's Twitter thread (or you can watch the video at the bottom of this post, in which Matt Walsh discusses in greater detail the same evidence): BREAKING: My team and I have been investigating the transgender clinic at Vanderbilt here in Nashville. Vanderbilt drugs, chemically castrates, and performs double mastectomies on minors. But it gets worse. Here is what we found. Let's start at the beginning. Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 20, 2022 Vanderbilt opened its trans clinic in 2018. During a lecture the same year, Dr. Shayne Taylor explained how she convinced Nashville to get into the gender transition game. She emphasized that it's a "big money maker," especially because the surgeries require a lot of "follow ups" pic.twitter.com/zedM7HBCBe Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 20, 2022 Vanderbilt was apparently concerned that not all of its staff would be on board. Dr. Ellen Clayton warned that "conscientious objections" are "problematic." Anyone who decides not to be involved in transition surgeries due to "religious beliefs" will face "consequences" pic.twitter.com/CgNicrG4Mg Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 20, 2022 In case the objectors hadn't gotten the memo, Vanderbilt unveiled a program called "Trans Buddies." The "buddies" are trans activists from the community who attend appointments with trans patients, monitoring the doctors to guard against "unsafe" behavior such as misgendering pic.twitter.com/KyYUdRHrrP Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 20, 2022 Vanderbilt makes their Trans Buddies available to children, too. They make lots of "services" available to children, including chemical castration. Though at some point in the last month they removed explicit admission of this fact from their site. Here's the archived screenshot pic.twitter.com/X9nBpSxTC1 Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 20, 2022 Before you watch the next video, keep in mind that, by stopping normal development before puberty, the child will never achieve sexual satisfaction as an adult: At a recent talk at Duke University on "Trans & Gender Diverse Policies, Care, Practices, & Wellbeing," surgeon and "trans affirming" doctor Marci Bowers, who transitioned at the age of 38, admitted that children who undergo transition before puberty will never have adult sexual function or experience orgasm. "An observation that I had," said Bowers, "every single child who was, or adolescent, who was truly blocked at Tanner stage 2," which is the beginning of physical development, when hormones begin their work of advancing a child to adulthood, "has never experienced orgasm. I mean, it's really about zero." Contemplate that one for a few minutes. And also ask yourself whether a 13-year-old is informed explicitly that, if he follows this path (puberty-blocker plus full "transing"), he will never again have an orgasm and, if given that information, understands what that really means. But they must have forgot to delete a video from Vanderbilt Psychiatrys Youtube channel back in 2020 which admits explicitly that they will give and have given irreversible hormone drugs to children as young as 13. pic.twitter.com/Qn48zWoJ1N Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 20, 2022 After they have drugged and sterilized the kids, Vanderbilt as explained in this video presentation by plastic surgeon Julien Winocour and Physicians Assistant Shalyn Vanderbloemen will happily perform double mastectomies on adolescent girls. pic.twitter.com/SRvtytflsk Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 20, 2022 So, lets review. Vanderbilt got into the gender transition game admittedly in large part because it is very financially profitable. They then threatened any staff members who objected, and enlisted a gang of trans activists to act as surveillance in order to force compliance. Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 20, 2022 They now castrate, sterilize, and mutilate minors as well as adults, while apparently taking steps to hide this activity from the public view. This is what "health care" has become in modern America. Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 20, 2022 Tennessee's governor, now that this matter has been brought to his attention, is calling for an investigation into Vanderbilt Medical Center's "transgender" program. Image: Trans-Buddy at Vanderbilt U Med. Center. Twitter screen grab. Just as news leaks out about Venezuela's socialist dictator emptying his prisons to fuel Biden's border surge, Joe Biden has announced that sending these particular foreign criminals back is "not rational." According to Fox News: President Biden said Tuesday that it is "not rational" to send migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border back to nations like Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua as concerns grow over the number of migrants arriving at the southern border. A reporter asked Biden why the border is "more overwhelmed on your watch." "Because there are three countries," Biden began. "There are fewer and fewer immigrants coming from Central America than from Mexico. Its a totally different circumstance." "What's on my watch now is Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, and the ability to send them back to those states is not rational," he continued. "We're working with Mexico and other countries to see if we can stop the flow," he added. This is quite a policy, given what Venezuela's dictator has been doing on the migrant front. According to Breitbart News: A recent Department of Homeland Security intelligence report received by the Border Patrol instructs agents to look for Venezuelan inmates released from entering the U.S., according to a source within CBP. The report, reviewed by Breitbart Texas, indicates the Venezuelan government, under the leadership of Nicolas Maduro Moros, is purposely freeing inmates including some convicted of murder, rape, and extortion. The intelligence report warns agents the freed prisoners have been seen within migrant caravans traveling from Tapachula, Mexico toward the U.S.-Mexico border as recently as July. The source, not authorized to speak to the media, told Breitbart Texas the move is reminiscent of a similar action taken by Cuban dictator Fidel Castro during the Mariel boat lift in the 1980s. The report does not state whether the released prison inmates were traveling as a cohesive group but does state it was commonly shared knowledge among migrants traveling to the United States within a caravan in July that many of the Venezuelan migrants in the group were convicts and included hardened criminals. It didn't get very much press attention, but what Biden's actually saying is that as Venezuelan murderers, robbers, rapists, extortionists, fraudsters, motorcycle thugs, kidnappers, traffickers, and other plagues on society get through to the American side of the border, they should have no fear of being sent back. Joe's going to keep them here. As with all things Biden, it was an inchoate policy mumbled on the fly with zero consideration of the implications. The backstory here is that not only has Nicolas Maduro emptied his prisons, but he's refusing to take the Venezuelan criminals back, so any Venezuelan thug who makes it to another country such as the U.S. is ours to keep forever. Joe Biden is actually going along with that dictated term, and the result has been thousands of Venezuelan criminals unleashed onto the law-abiding in the U.S., with no fear of deportation. It's a shocking capitulation, and certainly the policy of a weakling. Maduro can see what's happening and will be encouraged to empty even more prisons, the better to make room for dissidents, and you can bet his brutal dictatorship's oppressiveness will intensify. Maduro, in fact, has not only emptied his prisons of criminals to supply Joe's border surge, but driven some 20 million Venezuelans out of their country already. Those millions, from Venezuela's ruined middle class and poor, have scattered throughout Latin America and Spain in the world's now largest diaspora, topping even Syria for refugees released outward. Now the latest wave from Venezuela is heading here, and you can bet that these aren't "their best," given that the productive middle classes the doctors, lawyers, businessmen, teachers have already gotten out years ago and have bolstered Miami's, Houston's, Bogota's, Lima's, and other countries' economies. This late wave is the underclass, the people who wore the red t-shirts, took the free bags of beans, and waved their fists with the late Hugo Chavez against the yanqui imperialismo for the most part. The nightmarish socialism that Maduro has inflicted upon the country, accompanied by high crime and the trillion-plus dollars in theft and corruption, effectively robbed the people of their and their nation's wealth, and drove millions to simply just get the heck out. Now the human waves are extending to the lower and least productive classes, if not the outright criminals. This may be why Biden has suddenly changed his policy on Venezuelans originally vowing to return them, and now saying it's "not rational" to return them. Biden's protestation about not being able to send the migrants back is a shocking testimony to his weakness. He obviously has no "pull" with the Maduro-ites, and they have no fear of him. This stands in stark contrast to President Trump, who had the Maduroites on edge. Trump, recall, let the boom down on Mexico when its socialist leader started sending migrants through to surge on in. He shut down the U.S.-Mexico border, halted trade, vowed to end NAFTA, and read Mexico the Riot Act should it keep this little migrant-surge act up. As a result, Mexico played ball, treaties were signed, such as the "Remain in Mexico" agreement, and the migrant surge slowed to a trickle. As a bonus that will never be seen under Biden, relations between the U.S. and Mexican leader, became utterly cordial and cooperative. That's leadership. No such luck with Biden at the helm. He couldn't even get Latin American leaders who've taken vast amounts of American aid to turn up at his hosted Summit of the Americas last year. His influence on leaders in the region is nil. The implications of this policy, suffice it to say, are incredibly bad and from multiple directions. For illegal aliens, Biden's claim about migrant returns is an open invitation to try to cross the border while the crossing is good. The message sent is that if you are Venezuelan and you come to the U.S. without authorization, you won't be sent back. Look forward to more migrants from more countries with similar recalcitrant governments to join the surge. Africa, for one, is loaded with them. For Maduro, it's a feather in his cap that he can do whatever he wants with Uncle Sam. Penalties are nil, and the U.S. is a paper tiger. That perception is particularly boosted by Biden's incompetent diplomatic team on Venezuela and Biden's open desire to buy Venezuelan oil to offset his production shutdowns here in the States. Biden, to Maduro, is a beggar. For other countries' governments, particularly the cynical poor ones that send their underclasses as a pressure valve to head off protests at their government's incompetence and corruption, the word is out to them, too why take back nationals when Venezuela has set the Biden standard that if you don't take back your nationals, America will keep them? Look for more nations to suddenly say they won't take their nationals back since Maduro won't, with some emptying their prisons to boot. For Americans, lie back and take the criminals Joe brought to you. You have no voice, no interests, and no right to rule of law. It's bad stuff that can only intensify the border surge and make the border even less controllable. Biden seems to be running interference for Maduro, allowing him to do whatever he wants. The only outcome to this is more trouble. Image: Screen shot from CSPAN video via YouTube. Mechanical clocks of the 19th century and earlier were not very accurate timekeepers and tended to drift over the course of a single day. After a few days, these clocks could no longer reliably tell time. Then, the clocks had to be calibrated, usually by clockmakers. One source of accurate time were observatories. An astronomer with a telescope could tell the precise time by looking at the sun and the stars in the sky. This time was then relayed to the public and to ships using audio-visual cues, such as firing a gun or raising a flag. The time ball atop Flamsteed House at Greenwich, London. Photo credit: Carmen Seaby/Flickr The Royal Observatory in Greenwich was the primary keeper of time. To help mariners at the port and others in line of sight of the observatory to synchronize their clocks to the Greenwich Mean Time, the observatory had a very visible time ball that dropped precisely at 1 pm every day atop the observatory. It still does. Later, the observatory installed a large clock on its gate so that anyone could see the accurate time at any moment rather than wait for a signal. However, to view this clock, people had to physically make a trip from their homes and offices across London to the observatory, which was inconvenient. John Belville, an assistant at the Royal Observatory, had a plan. Rather than having people come to the observatory, have the time go to the people. Everyday, Belville would set the time on a pocket watch at the observatory, then travel around London passing out the accurate time for a small subscription fee. Belville had around two hundred clients consisting of the railways, clockmakers, ship chartering companies and rich individuals who wanted to ensure their watches were tracking the right time. The Belville familys pocket watch, Arnold, at the Clockmakers Museum. Photo: Science Museum The watch Belville used was a state-of-the-art John Arnold pocket chronometer that provided time to an accuracy of a tenth of a second. It was originally made for the Duke of Sussex and had a gold case. When it was given to John Henry, he changed the case to silver because he was worried thieves might steal a gold watch. John Henry continued this service until his death in 1856, upon which his widow, Maria, was granted the privilege of carrying on the work as a means of livelihood and continued the business until her retirement in 1892 when she was in her eighties. Maria then passed the family business to her daughter Ruth. Related: The Pneumatic Clocks of Paris When Ruth Belville took over the business, she faced stiff competition from different telegraph time services that were capable of signaling time by telegraph system. If you had the right equipment, you could automatically synchronized your clocks using time signals transmitted directly from various observatories. But homes and small businesses didn't have in-house telegraph stations. So they continued to rely on Ruth Belville. Maria Belville, mother of Ruth Belville, 1892. Ruth Belville at the Royal Greenwich Observatory, 1908. John Wynne, the director of the largest company devoted to distributing time signals telegraphically, even attacked Ruth Belville publicly, claiming that her methods were amusingly out of date. He also implied that she might have been using her femininity to gain business. After his speech was published in The Times newspaper Belville was besieged by reporters interested in her business and also the possible scandal, which was implied by Wynne's comments. Belville managed to cope, and the resulting publicity resulted in an increase in sales. Belville said that all Wynne had managed to do was to give her free advertising. Like her mother, Ruth Belville continued selling time until her eighties, when she retired in 1940. By then, modern technologies had outpaced Ruths beloved pocket watch and it could no longer compete with more efficient, reliable and accessible modes of communication. In all, the Belville family business spanned 104 years, from 1836 to 1940. Before Ruth passed away in 1943, she donated her watch, nicknamed Arnold, to the London Clockmakers' Company. It is now housed at the Clockmakers Museum in London. (ANSA) - ROME, SEP 22 - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed Italian Premier Mario Draghi during a bilateral meeting at the UN in New York late on Wednesday after the outgoing head of government took part in the General Assembly. "We are extremely grateful for your leadership at the international level, for the capacity you have shown together with Italy to take forward and achieve breakthroughs with highly important dossiers," Guterres told Draghi, sources said. "You have made an exceptional contribution. You are a real champion of multilateralism". Draghi, meanwhile, stressed the importance of the UN in the current situation of multiple crises. "This is a time in which the only possible response is to join forces at the United Nations," he said. "A thing that struck me during the General Assembly was that many speeches cited the United Nations Charter. "Signing it was one of the best things humanity has ever done. "This institution should always have a lead role". (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, SEP 22 - Democratic Party (PD) leader Enrico Letta said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants Italy and the European Union to be divided and is cheering for the centre-right coalition to win Sunday's general election here. "It's a dramatic time in the history of Europe and of our country," ex-premier Letta told an ANSA Forum. "What I want is to call for an effort to unite the country, to be united and together at a time when we must not be divided. "What Putin wants is a divided Italy and a divided Europe, an Italy that works to divide Europe. "After the election there will be a result and another government, not (outgoing Premier Mario) Draghi. "The vote must take account of the fact that there needs to be a government capable of taking clear positions and stopping the ambiguous stances that are not good for our country or for the capacity of Europe to be united. "When I sense that Putin is particularly attentive to the result in Italy, that he would be happy for the right to win in our country, I feel worried". The centre-left leader said there was no chance of the PD patching things up with the 5-Star Movement (M5S) after it triggered the crisis of government that caused the coalition supporting outgoing Premier Mario Draghi's government to collapse. "The 5-Stars decided to run alone," Letta said. "They brought down Draghi, so they are responsible for something serious. "Our paths separated at that moment in an irreversible way. "The M5S deliberately decided to go alone. They did so to regain the (political) virginity they lost in the four years in which they governed with anyone". While the PD is a close second to Giorgio Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party in the polls, the centre-left coalition as a whole lags a long way behind the combined centre-right bloc. But Letta has said the centre-left still has a chance of winning as a high percentage of voters are undecided. On Thursday he appealed to 18-year-olds who will have the chance to vote for the first time. "Go out and vote," he said. "Don't let your destiny be decided by others. "The destiny of our country depends on your vote". (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, SEP 22 - The Sovereign Order of Malta's Lieutenant of the Grand Master Fra' John Dunlap was received by Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace in Rome on Wednesday. The visit took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality and it was an opportunity to reaffirm the strong ties and fruitful cooperation between the Order of Malta and the Italian authorities. During the meeting, the Lieutenant of the Grand Master illustrated the Order of Malta's activities on the five continents to the President of the Republic. Particular attention was devoted to the support and assistance network set up for the Ukrainian population since the outbreak of war, both inside the country, and in the surrounding regions. Fra' John Dunlap explained that these activities are accompanied by the work of Order of Malta's diplomatic network, which currently enjoys diplomatic relations with 112 states. The Sovereign Order of Malta's intense diplomatic activity on both a bilateral and multilateral level, closely linked to, and in support of, humanitarian action and in defence of human dignity and human rights, was mentioned. It was also stressed that the Order of Malta's new Constitutional Charter reaffirms both the Order of Malta's sovereignty and its nature as a religious order. It was the first meeting of the new Lieutenant of the Grand Master and the Order's high offices with a foreign Head of State. It was the fifth official meeting of the Order of Malta's highest office with the President of the Italian Republic in the last 20 years. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, SEP 22 - The White House has said it does not expect Italy's policy of supporting Ukraine following the Russian invasion to change after Sunday's general election here. "We don't think that Italy will in any way break ranks from the Western coalition of countries that support Ukraine, whatever the outcome of the vote is," a White House official told reporters on the fringes of the UN General Assembly. "The American president will have to talk immediately with whoever the new prime minister in Italy is, understand what they are like and what this means". (ANSA). Jaou Photo exhibit in Tunis on theme 'Endless Body' On October 6-20 in Tunis, Sfax and Sousse (ANSA) - TUNIS, 22 SET - The art festival Jaou Photo 2022, the first international photo biennial in Tunisia, is expected to be a platform for debate and artistic and cultural dialogue with the participation of nearly 160 photographers and artists from over 45 countries. Organized in Tunis, Sfax and Sousse, under the theme "Endless Body", this sixth edition will also focus on other genres connected to the body and photography, or dancing, theater, cinema and music. Jaou Photo will take place on October 6-20, with a program of 15 shows of photos and art videos including one on Italian artist Andrea Benelli, invited by the Italian cultural institute in Tunis. "Jaou Photo is trying to facilitate access to contemporary art, creating at the same time a festive atmosphere for the event", said Lina Lazaar, president of Kamel Lazaar Foundation (Klf) which organizes the event, adding that "the festival is an invitation to get together and a way of restoring the original meaning of what should be a festival". The French institute of Tunisia (Ift), the municipality of Tunis, the Tunisian cultural ministry, the embassies of Switzerland and France in Tunisia, the Italian cultural institute in Tunis, the Goethe Institute and the National office of Tunisian tourism (Ontt), Tunisair and Kmc are among the main partners of this Festival. (ANSA). BEIRUT - A boat reportedly carrying more than 50 migrants, which set sail from northern Lebanon last week, has been missing for 72 hours, the family members of passengers were quoted as saying by media in Beirut. The relatives said they have not heard from dear ones on the boat since Monday. Alarm Phone, the independent association helping people who cross the Mediterranean, said two days ago on Twitter that it was alerted by passengers of a boat carrying 53 people, including five children, that it was in danger off the island of Crete. The families of migrants gathered Thursday in Tripoli, the main city of the region of northern Lebanon, to ask local and central authorities to intervene to track down and rescue the passengers. Some of the refugees blocked streets near the suburban district of Bab Tabbane, one of the most socially and economically marginalized areas of Lebanon. The Lebanese army intervened, according to local media. Over the past few weeks, Europe-bound departures from northern Lebanon have increased with mainly Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian migrants. Most of the passengers are families - mainly women and minors - who are trying to flee the devastating financial crisis of Lebanon, the worst in its history. The majority of migrant boats, often overcrowded and in bad condition, don't reach their destination. They are intercepted by the Lebanese army or ask to be rescued at sea. ATHENS - Some 1,500 people allegedly tried to cross into Greece from Turkey, through the Evros river, on Wednesday, according to the Greek minister for the protection of citizens (the equivalent of the interior ministry) Takis Theodorikakos, interviewed by broadcaster Skai. The attempt failed when migrants noticed "the strong presence of measures of dissuasion" along the border, revealed the minister. He added: "We are facing a clear plan organized by Turkey, in the majority of cases the migrants are taken by vehicles of Turkish security forces. It is not a spontaneous action". The minister however added that Wednesday's case did not risk to turn into an event similar to the one reported in February 2020, when thousands of refugees massed on the border with Greece in the region of Evros, and the Greek government deployed military forces. The region of Evros (Meric in Turkish) is today one of the most militarized in Greece. Recently, the Greek government has announced that it wants to further extend a 35-km-long border wall to discourage crossings. Italian population to fall by 11.5 mn in 50 yrs - ISTAT Just 1 in 4 families will have kids in 2041 says stats agency (ANSAmed) - ROME, SEP 22 - The Italian population is set to fall by 11.5 million over the next 50 years, national statistics agency ISTAT said Thursday. The continuing demographic decline will see the population drop from 59.2 million as of January 1, 2021, to 57.9 million in 2030, 54.2 in 2050 and 47.7 in 2070, said the institute in its latest demographic forecasts. The ratio of people at a working age (15-64 years) and those outside it (0-14 and over 65) will go from around 3 to 2 in 2021 to about 1 to 1 in 2050. In 10 years' time a population drop is forecast in 4 out of 5 Italian towns and cities, and in 9 out of 10 rural areas. People will continue to have fewer and fewer children, ISTAT said. By 2041, it said, just one in four families will have children. Deaths could be double the number of births by 2049, at 788,000 to 390,000, ISTAT went on. The percentage of over 65 will rise from 23.5% in 2021 to 34.9% in 2050, the forecast said in continuing evidence of Italy's constantly greying population. Some 10.2 million people will be living alone in 2041, compared to 8.5 million in 2021, the report said. (ANSAmed). Truss's change with Israel - UK 'evaluating' Jerusalem embassy Along Trump's footsteps. Spokesperson confirms after Lapid talks (ANSAmed) - LONDON, 22 SET - The British conservative government under the new leadership of Liz Truss is evaluating the possibility of relocating the British embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move so far only carried out among major countries by the US following a decision taken by then-president Donald Trump and later not revoked by Joe Biden. The new premier spoke about it in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly during a meeting with her Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid, as confirmed on Thursday by a spokesperson of Downing Street, stating that the "dislocation of the embassy is now under revision" by Truss. Media outlets noted how the diplomatic offices of key European and Western countries, apart from the US, are for the moment remaining in Tel Aviv since the UN and the international community have never recognized Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem, which has an Arab majority. The US embassy move, decided in 2018, was at the time criticized by the then Tory premier of Britain, Theresa May, and followed by violence in East Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories. It was only imitated over time by Honduras and Guatemala, as well as Kosovo, which in 2021 opened its first embassy in Israel. (ANSAmed). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked his Turkish counterpart Recept Tayyip Erdogan in a message on Telegram Thursday for contributing to the release of 215 Azov leaders. "Ukraine has liberated 215 heroes from Russian detention. We very much appreciate the contribution of all those involved in the rescue of the defenders and we will never forget it. Many thanks to the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for leading this process. We have agreed that five released Azov commanders will be in comfortable conditions in Turkey until the end of the war and they will be able to see their families", the Ukrainian president said on Telegram. A total of 215 Ukrainian fighters were released. They defended the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, the last Ukrainian stronghold in the area. After being detained by the Russians, they were liberated as part of a massive effort for a prisoners' exchange. "Five heroes, commanders of Azovstal's defense, were exchanged with 55 prisoners of war, who don't interest us", said the head of Zelensky's presidential office, Andriy Yermak. Israel: Lapid 'in favor of two-State solution' Media: Announcement today at UN General Assembly (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, 22 SET - Israel's support for a 'two-State solution' to the conflict with Palestinians will be announced by Israeli Premier Yair Lapid during a speech to the UN General Assembly, according to sources close to the prime minister highlighted by local media. A few media outlets believe this will be a "marked turning point" in the Israeli foreign policy of the past few years. Lapid, Haaretz wrote, insists on the need for political separation from the Palestinians "to strengthen Israel's security". Very negative comments have already been made not only by the nationalist opposition, but also by several ministers. The main opposition party Likud promptly responded to the report saying "Lapid wants to hand over to the enemy parts of the Land of Israel". "For years, Benyamin Netanyahu succeeded in removing the Palestinian issue from the international agenda, and in less than a year Lapid has instead brought to the forefront Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas)". And in the transition government led by Lapid (ahead of political elections scheduled in November) critical voices were also heard. "Lapid only represents himself with this position", warned Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, a member of the nationalist-religious right. "A Palestinian State represents a danger for Israel". Justice Minister Gideon Saar (leader of a new secular and centrist formation) said "a terrorist state in Judea-Samaria (West Bank) threatens our security. The majority of the Israeli population and its representatives will prevent it". Surprised and entirely against Lapid's initiative, former premier Naftali Bennett said "there isn't any logic in bringing back the project of a Palestinian State. We are in 2022 and not in 1993 (the year of the Olso accords). Our friends too are not expecting compromises from us on our security and our future". (ANSAmed). A married man accused of murdering his lover and their child told police officers he lied to her but never harmed her, a court has heard. William MacDowell, 80, has denied murdering Renee MacRae, 36, and Andrew MacRae, three, at the Dalmagarry layby, on the A9 near Inverness on November 12 1976. The High Court in Inverness heard in the days following the disappearance of Renee MacRae and her son that MacDowell gave four different statements: in the first denying any involvement with Mrs MacRae, but in a later interview admitting it. Detective Chief Inspector Brian Geddes read out MacDowells statements to the jury that MacDowell and Renee MacRae had spoken about going to a hotel for a weekend away but he decided he had no intention of going and made his excuses. Renee MacRae and her son Andrew went missing in November 1976 (PA) I always had to lie to her as she always wanted me to go off with her. If she had her way it would have been every weekend. This is why I had to keep telling her lies and leading her on, MacDowell, who now lives in Penrith, Cumbria, told police on November 18 1976. I never harmed Renee in any way apart from mentally perhaps. I couldnt do that, he told detectives quizzing him about the disappearance. In another police interview, he told officers she kept wanting me to go away with her saying we would hit it off but that he always made it clear to her that he could not leave his own wife and children for her. If I was misleading her, it was only because I was afraid of what she might do, he said, and the jury heard she had been taking pills first prescribed to her, but later obtained from a friend. MacDowell told officers at the time he could not throw any light on her disappearance and had no idea where she might be, the court heard. Jean Wallace told detectives that on November 12 1976 she saw a lone man with a pushchair at a place she later located as within the Dalmagarry layby area, according to a police statement taken in 1977. Jurors heard how Mrs Wallace told the police the man she saw was bending over the pushchair, and had one arm supporting some stuff heaped on the pram. I got the impression something brown was involved. Whatever was on the pushchair was covered by clothing and overhanging the side of the pushchair, the court heard. As she and her husband drove past him, she told police: The man turned, he looked directly towards me. His eyes were wide and staring and I thought, then, this was not a natural stare and was caused by fear or panic. Mrs Wallace, who has since died, at the time told officers she asked her husband if there was something wrong with their car because she could smell rubber burning, the court heard. On that night, Mrs MacRaes BMW was found burned out in the layby, and it was later recovered by police. Donald MacArthur, a detective chief inspector in Inverness, said forensic experts had recovered a heavy deposit of blood from the underside of the BMWs boot carpet which he said was about the size of a half crown coin, approximately 3cm in diameter. John Bissett, 67, told the court he was driving along the Shenachie road, which came out near the A9s Dalmagarry layby, where Mrs MacRaes burnt out BMW was found, when he and a friend saw a vehicle parked up in a passing place. As we approached the car we saw what we took to be a person or persons at the back of the car. They seemed to be hiding. He or she or they didnt want us to see what they were up to, said Mr Bissett. We assumed it was possibly poachers in the area, its not an uncommon practice, he said. One thing that did strike us at the time was it was a very smart car for poachers to be using. The court heard from Ewan MacDonald, 70, a police officer at the time who took Mr Bissett and his friend out to find a car similar to the one they had seen, and told a court they pointed to a Volvo. Murray Macara KC, acting for MacDowell, questioned Mr MacDonald why officers did not take the two witnesses to car parks separately as they would do if they were taking part in an identity parade. Asked about him being quite scathing about the initial investigation, the 70-year-old said he did not have strong views but some of his colleagues felt there might have been missed opportunities in the investigation. MacDowell is also accused of disposing of the bodies of Mrs MacRae and her son and also disposing of a boot hatch from his Volvo car to defeat the ends of justice, which he denies. He has lodged a special defence of incrimination and alibi, part of which is he was at the Mercury Motor Inn, Inverness, that evening before going home via his work and a shop. James MacBeath, 69, was one of the men MacDowell had visited that evening in the hotel. The former construction buyer told the court the accused appeared agitated that night, and Mr MacBeath added: He looked at his watch several times and said he had to be somewhere about seven. The conversation was much of a general nature but two or three times he said he was going to go out with his wife at seven oclock. I think he said he was going to meet her, giving the impression they were going out together. The first time he mentioned this was when he came into the bar and joined us. But, he told the court, the time he left the hotel meant he would have been late for the meeting. The trial, before Lord Armstrong, continues. The Princess Royal has met members of the armed forces to offer her personal thanks for their roles in the Queens funeral. Anne visited Portsmouth Naval Base and St Omer Barracks in Aldershot to meet representatives of the Royal Navy and Army personnel who had been involved in the procession and planning. More than 1,000 sailors and Royal Marines were on duty at the funeral on Monday, alongside RAF and British Army personnel. Anne visited Portsmouth in her role as Commodore-in-Chief Portsmouth, while at Aldershot she attended in her position as Colonel-in-Chief of both the Royal Logistic Corps and the Royal Corps of Signals. The Princess Royal, in her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Logistic Corps and Royal Corps of Signals, meets personnel from across the Corps at St Omer Barracks (Jonathan Brady/PA) Leading Engineering Technician (LET) Benjamin Tetley was one of 142 sailors responsible for pulling the gun carriage. He said: It was an honour to meet Her Royal Highness Princess Anne. It was a lovely personal touch that she came down in person to thank personnel involved. I was really honoured to be involved in carrying the gun carriage, I dont think theres a more personal part to have played. Anne meets Royal Navy personnel at Portsmouth Naval Base who took part in the Queens funeral procession (Andrew Matthews/PA) Everyone had a sense of purpose and put all their effort in. The Royal Navy is steeped in tradition and we helped upkeep that. To be part of that history and tradition is truly an honour. LET Tim Lavender, based at HMS Sultan in nearby Gosport, managed a team of nine sailors working on the gun crew movement and management. He said: I felt very honoured. If you put the Royal Navy and us sailors under pressure, we come together and we get the job done. The Princess Royal at St Omer Barracks (Jonathan Brady/PA) Aircraft Engineer Connor Scotney, who was a street liner in Windsor, said: I felt honoured that the Princess Royal took the time out to thank us for all we did. My family are all very proud of me and the part I played in the funeral. A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a 15-year-old who was fatally stabbed outside his school gates. A murder inquiry was launched after the teenager died in hospital following an attack close to the entrance of North Huddersfield Trust School (NHTS) in Woodhouse Hill at 2.45pm on Wednesday, West Yorkshire Police said. The force has now confirmed a 16-year-old was arrested at an address in Huddersfield shortly before 5am on Thursday in connection with the incident. A spokesperson added: He remains in custody and inquiries are ongoing, led by detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Inquiry Team. The mother of the victims girlfriend said her daughter had described him as the perfect boy. Sherrin James, who left flowers at the scene on Thursday, said her daughter Shyana, 16, had been going out with the boy, named locally as Khayri, for around eight months. The 35-year-old said the pair were literally inseparable, adding: He was her first proper boyfriend. She absolutely adored him and he absolutely adored her. She said he was perfect. Ms James said Khayri had messaged Shyana shortly before the incident, saying he had had a good day at school and couldnt wait to see her. She added: Her friend phoned her within minutes saying he had been hurt and was bleeding. I drove straight round, parked at the top and ran down. His mum was here and some of the teachers. Floral tributes being left near the scene in Woodhouse Hill, Huddersfield (Nigel Roddis/PA) I got on the floor with them and held his hand. I was telling him to wait for Shyana. I was just trying to make him pull through because he was squeezing my hand. Ms James said her daughter is heartbroken, adding: I cant even describe it. Shes just in bits. The victim was treated at the scene and then taken to Leeds General Infirmary for emergency surgery, police said, but he was pronounced dead a short time later. A GoFundMe page has been set up to give the teenager the best send-off. NHTS pupils Alfie Wilkinson and Ruben Duncan-Keane left flowers at the scene with their mothers. Ruben, 12, said they had been traumatised by what had happened while Alfie, 12, described the boy who had died as a very popular kid. People have gathered at the police cordon to lay tributes to the victim (Nigel Roddis/PA) He said: Ive seen him about and he just looked like a nice kid and I didnt know why anybody would want to do that to anyone. Describing the incident, Alfie said: I saw him lying on the floor and then one of my teachers started giving him chest compressions to keep him alive and covering the wound. He thought it was a normal school day, going to school and then he came out and got stabbed. He didnt even get to go home and tell his mum how his day was, and that shouldnt happen to anyone. Headteacher Andrew Fell said in a statement that NHTS had lost a wonderful student from our school community. Mr Fell said: It is with enormous sadness that I must tell you that following an incident on Woodhouse Hill Road yesterday, one of our pupils has tragically lost their life. The pupil was taken by ambulance to hospital after the incident but despite the most valiant of efforts, medical staff were unable to save their life. A police evidence bag at the scene (Nigel Roddis/PA) This is truly shocking news for our pupils, your children and our staff. We will be providing specialist support for any among our community who feel they could benefit. A couple, who asked not to be named, said they had removed their son from the school over concerns about knives and gangs. The mother said: I took him out because I knew this was going to happen. Local councillor Amanda Pinnock, who represents Ashbrow ward on Kirklees Council, also attended the scene and said: People are feeling shock, people are feeling upset, quite rightly so a terrible incident had taken place, a young boy has lost his life. We are all heartbroken. This is not what we want to be hearing in our community. It is concerning, we have to make sure something like this never happens again. This isnt isolated to Ashbrow, its certainly not isolated to Huddersfield, its something affecting the whole country and it needs to be addressed. Billy Shankland attended the scene with his son, a Year 7 pupil at the school, to lay flowers. He said: Its awful, Ive got a child within the same age group, I cant imagine what the familys going through. Police investigating the murder of a 15-year-old male in Huddersfield have made an arrest. A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder this morning and is in custody. See more at https://t.co/waA84B10Q3 pic.twitter.com/Awhopss92Q West Yorkshire Police (@WestYorksPolice) September 22, 2022 He didnt know the boy, but hes got friends who did. Its a shock. It is very (concerning) because we dont know if its targeted or random for us, anything could be happening. Its scary. Lucy Smith, who lives near the school, said: I think were all in shock, Ive got two teenagers roughly the same age and anyone with a family must be feeling shocked and saddened. It was really important for me to come here, when things like this happen, to do something that can just help us feel better when we are all feeling completely powerless in the face of violence and thinking about a family that must be falling apart today. Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Marc Bowes said police have identified a number of witnesses to the incident. The incident occurred near the entrance to North Huddersfield Trust School (Nigel Roddis/PA) Our investigation is still at a very early stage, and we will be carrying out extensive inquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident that has resulted in the absolutely senseless loss of a young life, he said. We recognise that an incident of this nature will cause understandable shock and concern in the community, and we are working closely alongside our colleagues at Kirklees District who are increasing their presence in the area to reassure people and keep them updated as our investigation progresses. We have already identified a number of witnesses to the incident itself but would still like to hear from anyone who has any information that could assist the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat, quoting crime reference 13220521713. Three Britons released from captivity by Russian-backed forces have been hailed as defenders of democracy and freedom by their former commander in Ukraine. It is understood that John Harding, Dylan Healy and Andrew Hill were set free alongside Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin on Wednesday, landing in Britain in the early hours of Thursday morning. Three of the five Mr Harding, Mr Pinner and Mr Aslin are believed to have served in the Georgian Legion, a pro-Ukrainian volunteer unit, under Mamuka Mamulashvili. All those guys did their best to defend democracy and freedom, Mr Mamulashvili told the PA news agency. They were in the Georgian Legion at approximately the same time and they were perfect guys. It was very important for us to get those guys out of captivity because Ive been in captivity myself and I know what it is. Mr Mamulashvili singled out Mr Harding, a veteran of the British Army, for his contribution to the legion, where he trained younger volunteers as an instructor. He is one of the best representatives of his nation who came here to defend Ukraine and I give him my respect, he said. Non-profit organisation the Presidium Network, which has supported the family of Mr Healy, told PA that all five had landed safely in the UK and been reunited with their families. Dominik Byrne, co-founder of the organisation, said: We dont know exactly if theyve all returned back to their homes yet, but we do know theyre with families at the moment. The Foreign Office has not commented on the whereabouts of the men. Mr Aslins release was confirmed by his local MP Robert Jenrick while multiple reports also indicated that Mr Pinner would be returning home. A video emerged late on Wednesday of two men sitting inside an airliner, in which Mr Aslin introduced himself and Mr Pinner, adding: We just want to let everyone know that were now out of the danger zone and were on our way home to our families. Mr Pinner interjected by the skin of our teeth, as Mr Aslin continued: We just want everyone to know the good news etc, so thanks to everyone thats been supporting us and what not, so its really muchly appreciated. Mr Pinner added: Thanks to everybody. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic had sentenced both men to death in July. Prime Minister Liz Truss, who is visiting New York for a UN summit, tweeted: Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families. Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families. Liz Truss (@trussliz) September 21, 2022 She thanked Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky for his efforts to secure the release of detainees, and Saudi Arabia for their assistance. Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends, Ms Truss added. Mr Harding, along with Mr Hill and Mr Healy, went on trial last month in the city of Donetsk, Russian media reported. The three, along with Swede Matthias Gustafsson and Croat Vjekoslav Prebeg, all pleaded not guilty to charges of mercenarism and undergoing training to seize power by force, according to Russian media. The next court hearing in their case was scheduled for October, the Interfax news agency reported, citing a statement by the separatists court. Mr Jenrick said he was deeply grateful to the Ukrainian government, as well as the Saudi Crown Prince and the Foreign Office, for securing the release. I am delighted that my constituent, Aiden Aslin, and the other British prisoners of war held captive by the Russian authorities have finally been released and are on their way back to the UK. 1/3 Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) September 21, 2022 He added: Aidens return brings to an end months of agonising uncertainty for Aidens loving family in Newark who suffered every day of Aidens sham trial but never lost hope. As they are united as a family once more, they can finally be at peace. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the release brings to an end many months of uncertainty and suffering, including the threat of the death penalty, for them and their families, at the hands of Russia. He continued: Tragically that was not the case for one of those detained and our thoughts remain with the family of Paul Urey. The British aid volunteer died earlier this year while being detained by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine. Mr Byrne said he was completely relieved and so pleased that the five men had returned to Britain, but added that he was still thinking of Mr Ureys family. Allan Hogarth, from Amnesty International UK, called the news a huge relief after a sham judicial process apparently designed to exert diplomatic pressure on the UK. Electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint operators have urged the Chancellor to cut VAT on public charging. Bosses at 23 companies signed a letter urging Kwasi Kwarteng to make the simple, relatively low-cost intervention as the rise in electricity prices threatens consumers willingness to switch to EVs. Drivers who cannot charge at home because they do not have off-street parking pay four times more tax for electricity when using public chargepoints. VAT on domestic electricity is 5% whereas motorists using on-street chargers pay 20%. The letter, coordinated by EV campaign group FairCharge, was signed by chargepoint operators such as Ionity, Instavolt and Osprey ahead of Mr Kwartengs mini-budget on Friday. It stated: We write to highlight the severe threat that high and volatile electricity costs are having on the Governments stated ambitions to decarbonise transport with the switch to electric vehicles and your ambitious plans for the development of a comprehensive public charge point network. It went on: One quick solution, that is totally within your control, is to heed the Fair Charge campaigns call for an immediate cut in VAT on the electricity delivered by our networks. Such a cut would immediately feed through to a reduction in prices. Further, it would show the strength of the Governments continued commitment to transport decarbonisation. Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show the rapid increase in sales of new pure electric cars has slowed in recent months. The number of registrations during the first three months of the year was 102% more than during the same period in 2021. At the end of August, the year-to-date increase had fallen to 49%. Quentin Willson, founder of FairCharge, said the Treasury needs to act now on EV charging costs. He continued: This is a critical moment in the transition to electric cars, and the Government must not be allowed to unintentionally sabotage this transition. Its also huge opportunity for this new Government to prove its green credentials and show it is serious about net zero. RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: Chargepoint operators have had no choice in recent months but to increase their charges to reflect the enormous increases in the wholesale cost of electricity, and this is something we could well see worsen in the next few months. Cutting the 20% VAT rate on public chargers to match the 5% charged on domestic electricity would cost the Government little in the grand scheme of things and is absolutely the right thing to do. Whats more, it would be those drivers who depend on the public charging network including those who cant charge at home who would benefit the most, helping to end the current inequity between those with driveways and those without. Five Britons captured in Ukraine by pro-Russian forces have returned to the UK, it has been reported, after being released on Wednesday. It is understood John Harding, Dylan Healy and Andrew Hill were set free alongside Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin. Prime Minister Liz Truss said on Wednesday that the release of five Britons had been secured by working with Ukrainian authorities and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, but the identities of the men were not initially confirmed. Non-profit organisation the Presidium Network, which has been supporting the family of Mr Healy, told the BBC on Thursday all five were back safely in the UK. Dominik Byrne, co-founder of the organisation, which has been providing aid to Kyiv, said the men were looking forward to normality with their families after this horrific ordeal. The Foreign Office has not commented on the whereabouts of the men. Mr Aslins release was confirmed by his local MP Robert Jenrick, while multiple reports also indicated that Shaun Pinner would also be returning home. A video emerged late on Wednesday of two men sitting inside an airliner, in which Mr Aslin introduced himself and Mr Pinner, adding: We just want to let everyone know that were now out of the danger zone and were on our way home to our families. Mr Pinner interjected: By the skin of our teeth, as Mr Aslin continued: We just want everyone to know the good news etc, so thanks to everyone thats been supporting us and whatnot, so its really muchly appreciated. Mr Pinner added: Thanks to everybody. Liz Truss is visiting New York for a UN summit where world leaders are discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine (Toby Melville/PA) A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic had sentenced Mr Aslin to death alongside fellow British detainee Mr Pinner in July. Ms Truss, who is visiting New York for a UN summit where world leaders are discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine, tweeted: Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families. She thanked Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky for his efforts to secure the release of detainees, and Saudi Arabia for their assistance. Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends, Ms Truss added. Mr Harding, along with Mr Hill and Mr Healy, went on trial last month in the city of Donetsk, Russian media reported. The three, along with Swede Matthias Gustafsson and Croat Vjekoslav Prebeg, all pleaded not guilty to charges of mercenarism and undergoing training to seize power by force, according to Russian media. The next court hearing in their case was scheduled for October, the Interfax news agency reported, citing a statement by the separatists court. Associated Press said the 10 prisoners included citizens of Sweden, Croatia and Morocco, as well as two US military veterans, Alex Drueke, 40, and Andy Huynh, 27. Mr Jenrick said he was deeply grateful to the Ukrainian government, as well as the Saudi Crown Prince and the Foreign Office, for securing the release. He added: Aidens return brings to an end months of agonising uncertainty for Aidens loving family in Newark who suffered every day of Aidens sham trial but never lost hope. As they are united as a family once more, they can finally be at peace. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the release brings to an end many months of uncertainty and suffering, including the threat of the death penalty, for them and their families, at the hands of Russia. Tragically that was not the case for one of those detained and our thoughts remain with the family of Paul Urey. The British aid volunteer died earlier this year while being detained by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine. I would like to express my gratitude to President Zelensky and his team for their efforts to secure their release, and to HRH Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman and his team, for their assistance, the Foreign Secretary said in a statement. I continue to call on Russia to comply with International Humanitarian Law and not exploit prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political purposes. Allan Hogarth, from Amnesty International UK, called it a huge relief after a sham judicial process apparently designed to exert diplomatic pressure on the UK. The discontinued prosecution of a military veteran known as Soldier F for two murders on Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in 1972 is to resume. Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced that court proceeding are to recommence against the former paratrooper on two counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. Last year, the PPS announced a halt to the prosecution citing concerns that the case could collapse if it proceeded to trial. However, earlier this year, the Divisional Court of the High Court in Belfast overruled that move after it was challenged by the family of one of the victims. People take part in a march to mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Derry earlier this year (PA) And earlier this month, the court rejected the PPSs bid to have its appeal referred to the UK Supreme Court. The PPS has now reviewed its position and has decided to resume the prosecution. The service originally announced it was halting the prosecution of Soldier F for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney amid concerns the case could collapse in light of a separate court ruling on the admissibility of evidence which caused the collapse of another Troubles murder trial involving two military veterans. The McKinney family then successfully challenged the original decision by prosecutors by way of judicial review. Bloody Sunday was one of the darkest days in the history of the Northern Ireland Troubles, when members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 civil rights protesters in the Bogside area of Derry. Another man shot by paratroopers on January 30 1972 died four months later. While many consider him the 14th victim of Bloody Sunday, his death was formally attributed to an inoperable brain tumour. Soldier F is accused of the murders of James Wray (left) and William McKinney who died on Bloody Sunday (Bloody Sunday Trust/PA) Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Michael Agnew said: The judgment delivered by the Divisional Court in March 2022 has been carefully examined and a fresh review of this case carried out. It has been concluded that, in order to give effect to the Divisional Court judgment, the original decision to prosecute Soldier F should stand. Therefore, the committal proceedings that were put on hold should now proceed. The PPS has written to representatives of the families and victims directly involved in the prosecution of Soldier F to confirm this decision. We have offered to meet with the families to answer any questions they may have and to outline the next steps to be taken to progress the case. Soldier Fs legal representatives have also been informed. I am very conscious of the upset caused to the Bloody Sunday families by the PPS decision to withdraw proceedings against Soldier F last year. It is our role to keep under review the evidence presented in every case. This case has presented difficult and complex legal issues for prosecutors, as was acknowledged by the Divisional Court. The PPS is committed to progressing court proceedings against Soldier F without any further delay. The Soldier F prosecution is now listed for a review hearing at Londonderry Magistrates Court on September 27. Mickey McKinney, brother of William McKinney, said: We are delighted that the prosecution of Soldier F will resume next week. We hope that the PPS secure an early date for the resumption of the committal proceedings and that Soldier F is returned for trial to the Crown Court without further delay. We hope to meet with the PPS to discuss the future progress of the case in the coming weeks. The family of one of five Britons released from captivity by Russian-backed forces said it has been a harrowing time. It is understood Shaun Pinner was set free on Wednesday alongside Aiden Aslin, John Harding, Dylan Healy and Andrew Hill, landing in Britain in the early hours of Thursday morning. His family said he was in good spirits and is looking forward to steak and a glass of red wine. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic had sentenced Mr Pinner and Mr Aslin to death in July. They had both lived in Ukraine for a number of years and were serving with its regular forces when the full-scale war broke out. In a statement released by the Foreign Office, Mr Pinners family said: We would like to thank everybody involved in Shauns release, especially all at the Foreign Office, Liz Truss and her team, Boris Johnson and (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelensky. Shaun would also like to thank the hospitality of the Saudi Government and Prince Mohammed bin Salman al Saud who also assisted in the negotiations for his freedom. Its a very emotional time as you can expect and we are unable to currently discuss so early in his release any details fully. Its been a harrowing time for Shaun and our family which has now had such a happy resolution. Shaun is in good spirits and still has his sense of humour intact. He is looking forward to steak and a glass of red wine tonight. We are now enjoying some family time and would appreciate the privacy at this moment. A photo issued by the Foreign Office appeared to show a beaming Mr Pinner with his loved ones. Three of the British nationals freed by pro-Russian forces were hailed as defenders of democracy and freedom by their former commander in Ukraine. Mr Harding, Mr Pinner and Mr Aslin are believed to have served in the Georgian Legion, a pro-Ukrainian volunteer unit, under Mamuka Mamulashvili. All those guys did their best to defend democracy and freedom, Mr Mamulashvili told the PA news agency. They were in the Georgian Legion at approximately the same time and they were perfect guys. It was very important for us to get those guys out of captivity because Ive been in captivity myself and I know what it is. Mr Mamulashvili singled out Mr Harding, a veteran of the British Army, for his contribution to the legion, where he trained younger volunteers as an instructor. He is one of the best representatives of his nation who came here to defend Ukraine and I give him my respect, he said. Non-profit organisation the Presidium Network, which has supported the family of Mr Healy, told PA that all five had landed safely in the UK and been reunited with their families. Dominik Byrne, co-founder of the organisation, said: We dont know exactly if theyve all returned back to their homes yet, but we do know theyre with families at the moment. The Foreign Office has not commented on the whereabouts of the men. Mr Aslins release was confirmed by his local MP Robert Jenrick. His mother, Angela Wood, told the BBC that at times she thought she would never see him alive again. His release happened overnight, Im still in shock, she said. The first thing I needed to do was to give him a big hug and make sure it was real. It still doesnt feel real now. Ms Wood also said the Russian separatists who were holding Mr Aslin, over a period she described as torture for the family, would contact her asking her for money. A video emerged late on Wednesday of two men sitting inside an airliner, in which Mr Aslin introduced himself and Mr Pinner, adding: We just want to let everyone know that were now out of the danger zone and were on our way home to our families. Mr Pinner interjected, saying by the skin of our teeth, as Mr Aslin continued: We just want everyone to know the good news etc, so thanks to everyone thats been supporting us and what not, so its really muchly appreciated. Mr Pinner added: Thanks to everybody. Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families. Liz Truss (@trussliz) September 21, 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss, who was visiting New York for a UN summit, tweeted: Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families. She thanked Mr Zelensky for his efforts to secure the release of detainees, and Saudi Arabia for their assistance. Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends, Ms Truss added. Mr Harding, along with Mr Hill and Mr Healy, went on trial last month in the city of Donetsk, Russian media reported. The three, along with Swede Matthias Gustafsson and Croat Vjekoslav Prebeg, all pleaded not guilty to charges of mercenarism and undergoing training to seize power by force, according to Russian media. The next court hearing in their case was scheduled for October, the Interfax news agency reported, citing a statement by the separatists court. Mr Jenrick said he was deeply grateful to the Ukrainian government, as well as the Saudi Crown Prince and the Foreign Office, for securing the release. I am delighted that my constituent, Aiden Aslin, and the other British prisoners of war held captive by the Russian authorities have finally been released and are on their way back to the UK. 1/3 Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) September 21, 2022 He added: Aidens return brings to an end months of agonising uncertainty for Aidens loving family in Newark who suffered every day of Aidens sham trial but never lost hope. As they are united as a family once more, they can finally be at peace. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the release brings to an end many months of uncertainty and suffering, including the threat of the death penalty, for them and their families, at the hands of Russia. He continued: Tragically that was not the case for one of those detained and our thoughts remain with the family of Paul Urey. The British aid volunteer died earlier this year while being detained by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine. Mr Byrne said he was completely relieved and so pleased that the five men had returned to Britain, but added that he was still thinking of Mr Ureys family. Allan Hogarth, from Amnesty International UK, called the news a huge relief after a sham judicial process apparently designed to exert diplomatic pressure on the UK. Kwasi Kwarteng is set to announce the creation of low-tax, low-regulation investment zones in his mini-budget on Friday. The Government is in talks with dozens of local authorities in England to set up zones. The Chancellor is expected to tell the House of Commons: The time it takes to get consent for nationally significant projects is getting slower, not quicker, while our international competitors forge ahead. We have to end this. To support growth right across the country, we need to go further, with targeted action in local areas. We will liberalise planning rules in specified agreed sites, releasing land and accelerating development. And we will cut taxes, with businesses in designated sites enjoying the benefit of generous tax reliefs. During the Tory leadership campaign, Prime Minister Liz Truss said investment zones would be central to her plan to boost growth. More details on how areas can bid to take part will be set out by the Department for Levelling Up. The Government is also considering converting the post-Brexit freeports introduced by Boris Johnson into investment zones, where further deregulation is expected. The 38 areas in discussion to become an investment zone are: Blackpool Council Bedford Borough Council Central Bedfordshire Council Cheshire West and Chester Council Cornwall Council Cumbria County Council Derbyshire County Council Dorset Council East Riding of Yorkshire Council Essex County Council Greater London Authority Gloucestershire County Council Greater Manchester Combined Authority Hull City Council Kent County Council Lancashire County Council Leicestershire County Council Liverpool City Region North East Lincolnshire Council North Lincolnshire Council Norfolk County Council North of Tyne Combined Authority North Yorkshire County Council Nottinghamshire County Council Plymouth City Council Somerset County Council Southampton City Council Southend-on-Sea City Council Staffordshire County Council Stoke-on-Trent City Council Suffolk County Council Sunderland City Council South Yorkshire Combined Authority Tees Valley Combined Authority Warwickshire County Council West of England Combined Authority West Midlands Combined Authority West Yorkshire Combined Authority Another rail strike has been announced for next month, continuing the wave of industrial action sweeping the country. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) announced that 40,000 of its members at Network Rail and 15 train operators will walk out on October 8. Rail strikes are already planned on October 1 and 5, threatening fresh travel chaos for passengers. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said it was encouraging that the new Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan had met the union. We welcome this more positive approach from the government to engage with us as a first step to finding a suitable settlement. However, as no new offer has been tabled, our members have no choice but to continue this strike action. We will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the employers and government need to understand our industrial campaign will continue for as long as it takes, he said. A Network Rail spokesperson said: We have received notification of another strike by the RMT on Saturday October 8, just one week after another walkout it has co-ordinated with train drivers at Aslef. This latest strike will again mean very significant disruption for passengers, and well be asking people to only travel if absolutely necessary due to the reduced service that will be in place. Full timetables for all upcoming strike days will be published in due course. RMT members at train companies and Network Rail as well as train drivers in Aslef will strike on October 1 in the long-running row over pay, jobs and conditions. Aslef members will also strike on October 5. The strikes will affect delegates and visitors travelling to and from the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, as well as the London Marathon and weekend sporting events. RMT members employed by contractors who clean Avanti West Coast trains will walk out for 24 hours on Friday in a separate dispute over pay. A Rail Delivery spokesperson said: This strike will hit sports fans, friends and families planning to meet up and the RMT members themselves who have already lost, at the very least, many hundreds of pounds due to industrial action since June. Rather than staging more counterproductive action that will further alienate the very customers we need to secure the long-term future of the industry, the RMT leadership should commit to serious reform. That is how we can improve services and deliver a fair deal for our people, passengers and for taxpayers. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: This is incredibly disappointing. Thousands of people once again will have their day-to-day lives disrupted and be unable to attend work, doctors appointments, or travel to meet loved ones. Our railway is in desperate need of modernisation but all more strikes will do is take it back to the dark ages and push passengers further away. We urge union bosses to reconsider this divisive action and instead work with their employers, not against them, to agree a new way forward. Hundreds of ivory items remain on sale in the UK despite a near total ban on its trade having been in effect for months, a charity has found. The import, export and dealing of elephant ivory items of all ages not only those produced after a certain date became illegal in June, unless they have been registered or have an exemption certificate. Wildlife charity Born Free said it had identified hundreds of ivory items still being sold online, as well as an increase in the sale of ivory from hippos and other threatened species not protected by the new legislation. In a single month, researchers discovered more than 600 ivory listings with a total guide price of 1.2 million on just three online sales sites. While the figures suggested the new Ivory Act had successfully reduced the volume of elephant ivory being traded online, almost half of the listings were thought to be illegal. Researchers also found significantly more items 353 compared with 277 before the ban were now being listed covertly as bone. Born Free is calling on the Government to strengthen enforcement of the Ivory Act to encourage greater compliance among traders. It also wants hippo ivory, and ivory from other species such as warthog, included within the Act to give the species the same protection as elephants. Elephants are commonly targeted for their tusks and the demand for ivory is known to contribute to poaching, driving a decline in populations. The number of elephants free in the wild has declined by almost a third, with the savanna elephant population plummeting by around 30% equal to 144,000 elephants across 15 African countries between 2007 and 2014. It is estimated that around 20,000 elephants are also still being slaughtered annually because of the global demand for ivory. Frankie Osuch, Born Frees policy support officer and author of the report, said: Its encouraging to see that many sellers appear willing to comply with the new Ivory Act as well-enforced ivory bans are crucial for protecting wild elephants. However, its frustrating to see that some auction houses and private dealers are instead choosing to find ways to evade detection on platforms so that they can illegally continue selling ivory online. Its crucial that both the Government and e-commerce websites take action to ensure that any continuing ivory trade at least complies with the law. The Government launched a digital ivory service earlier this year, allowing those who own ivory to register or apply for an exemption certificate. People need to register or certify items only for the purposes of dealing in exempt items containing ivory. Those who own but are not planning to sell their ivory items do not need to register or certify them. The Government is also considering extending the Ivory Act to other ivory-bearing species and will publish the response to its consultation later this year. Holidaymakers are being urged to use unspent vouchers worth 30 million before they lose financial protection next week. Consumers who fail to act by September 30 are putting their money at risk, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said. Refund credit notes (RCNs) were given to customers by travel firms for package holidays cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Vouchers worth a total of 30 million have not been used, according to the CAA. RCNs can be put towards the cost of a new holiday or exchanged for cash. Any issued between March 10 2020 and December 19 2021 are covered by the Atol scheme, which means holders will not lose out if the company they booked with goes bust. But that protection expires at the end of the month. Michael Budge, head of Atol, which is run by the CAA, said: We are again urging people to either use their refund credit note to book another Atol-protected trip or ask their travel company for a refund. This will affect customers of some of our biggest travel firms, so our message is simple this is the last chance to make sure you continue to be financially protected by the Atol scheme. Even if your refund credit note is valid after the end of September, it wont enjoy Atol protection. It is better to be safe than sorry, and we are urging people still holding one of these refund credit notes to take action now. Consumers were legally entitled to cash refunds within 14 days for package holidays cancelled due to the virus crisis. But many travel companies offered RCNs as an alternative to help their cash flow during the widespread disruption. A spacecraft built by Nasa is set to intentionally crash into a small asteroid as part of a planetary protection test mission. While this asteroid named Dimorphos poses no threat to Earth, the aim of the mission is to demonstrate that dangerous incoming rocks can be deflected by deliberately smashing into them. The spacecraft, known as Double Asteroid Redirection Test (Dart), is expected to collide with the 170-metre wide (560ft) asteroid at 00:14 UK time on September 27. (PA Graphics) Dimorphos is part of a binary asteroid system and orbits Didymos, which takes around 11 hours and 55 minutes. But astronomers at Nasa are hoping that Dart, while destroying itself in the process, will shorten this orbital period by about 10 minutes. Nasa said: Darts target asteroid is not a threat to Earth but is the perfect testing ground to see if this method of asteroid deflection known as the kinetic impactor technique would be a viable way to protect our planet if an asteroid on a collision course with Earth were discovered in the future. There currently somewhere around 27,000 asteroids in near-Earth orbit. (PA Graphics) Rocks that are 140 metres (460ft) and larger in size and come nearer than 4.7 million miles (7.5 million km) during orbit are classed as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs). The Dart mission will be the first ever full-scale demonstration of asteroid deflection technology. The spacecraft recently captured its first images of Didymos and Dimorphos using an onboard instrument, known as the Didymos Reconnaissance and Asteroid Camera for Optical navigation (Draco). The image of asteroid Didymos and its orbiting moonlet Dimorphos was taken by Draco (Nasa JPL Dart Navigation Team) It was about 20 million miles (32 million km) away from the asteroid system when it took the photos in July. It has taken 10 months for Dart to come close to Dimorphous after launching last November on SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket. The asteroids will be around 6.8 million miles (11 million kilometres) from Earth when the collision happens. (PA Graphics) Dart will accelerate at about 15,000 miles per hour (24,140 kilometres per hour) before colliding with Dimorphos. This collision will be recorded by a briefcase-sized satellite known as the Light Italian CubeSat for Imaging of Asteroids (LICIACube), which was provided by the Italian Space Agency. The European Space Agency will launch its Hera spacecraft in 2024 to gather data in the aftermath of the crash (ESA/Science Office) LICIACube, which weighs just 14 kg (31 lbs), hitched a ride with Dart into deep space before recently separating from the spacecraft in a final farewell. In 2024, the European Space Agency (ESA) will launch its Hera spacecraft, which will go on a two-year journey to the asteroid system to gather information in the aftermath of the crash. ESA said: By the time Hera reaches Didymos, in 2026, Dimorphos will have achieved historic significance: the first object in the Solar System to have its orbit shifted by human effort in a measurable way. A physiotherapist and the man whose life she saved after he collapsed on Britains highest mountain have returned to finally make it to the summit together two years on. Trevor Botwood, 63, who suffered a cardiac arrest on Ben Nevis in August 2020, said he decided to make the climb with Courtney Ferguson to put the incident to bed. They also wanted to raise money for the mountain rescue service. Mr Botwood said he owes his life to the off-duty NHS Lothian physiotherapist, who noticed him in difficulty as she walked up with her sister. The pair returned to the mountain in August (Courtney Ferguson/NHS Lothian/PA) He had set off to climb Ben Nevis in August 2020 for the first time with his sister, Irene, in memory of his nephew, and planned to place his nephews photo at the top. Ms Ferguson, 27, from Edinburgh, said: The mountain was busy with tourists, everyone was encouraging one another to keep on going. I saw a man around the halfway point leaning into his walking poles, I stopped to offer some encouragement when he tumbled forwards hitting his head off the rocks. Ms Ferguson was unable to find a pulse on Mr Botwood and knew he needed urgent treatment. Mr Botwood had suffered a cardiac arrest, although this was not known at the time. Mr Botwood was flown to hospital (Courtney Ferguson/NHS Lothian/PA) The physiotherapist, who works at Bonnyrigg Health Centre, in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, said: All my previous training just kicked in and I went into autopilot. I managed to get another passer-by to help hold Trevors head to aid his airway, while I started doing chest compressions. My sister, Brogan called 999 and alerted Trevors sister who was further down the mountain. When Trevor finally regained consciousness, I was able to use what I had learned during my time in ICU throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and knelt behind him holding him until the helicopter got there as he was quite distressed. It felt like it had only been around 10 minutes but, actually, I carried out chest compressions for nearly 20 minutes. Mr Botwood was flown to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment and was later transferred to a hospital in his hometown of Leeds where he made a full recovery. The pair have kept in touch since the incident and have become good friends. On August 6 this year, they returned to Ben Nevis to hike up it together along with their friends and family to raise money for Scottish Mountain Rescue. Mr Botwood said: I owe my life to Courtney, shes a beautiful person inside and out. I decided that in order to move on and put the incident to bed I had to try and climb Ben Nevis again. I am usually a fit and healthy person and go on many walks it just so happened that on that day in 2020 something went wrong. Heading back up Ben Nevis with Courtney two years after she saved my life felt really special. If it wasnt for her and her swift actions, I wouldnt be here today. It was brilliant to finally reach the top, it was like a big weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Well be planning our next trip to meet Courtney and her family again soon. Mr Botwood was able to finally place a photo of his nephew at the summit, along with that of another nephew who has since died. Scottish Mountain Rescue represents 25 volunteer Mountain Rescue Teams, including two Search and Rescue Dog Associations, the Scottish Cave Rescue Organisation and the Search And Rescue Aerial Association Scotland, who can call on more than 850 volunteers. Jacob Rees-Mogg has claimed there have been widely reported stories that opposition to fracking has been funded by the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Business Secretarys comments came as he was answering questions in the Commons on the lifting of the moratorium on shale gas extraction. Mr Rees-Mogg told MPs he is well aware there are people who are opposed to fracking, but noted some of the opposition has been funded by Mr Putins regime. Shadow climate change secretary Ed Miliband accused him on Twitter of making an absolutely outrageous slur. Labours Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, told the lower chamber: One thing I think the Secretary of State is perhaps not aware of, is the strength of opposition to fracking in communities like mine in Lancashire. She went on: There is no public support for fracking. So Id like to ask the Secretary of State if he can be very clear to my constituents in Lancaster and Fleetwood whether or not they will be given decision on whether or not fracking happens in Lancashire? The Business Secretary replied: Im well aware that there have been objections to fracking, but I would also note that there have been stories widely reported that some of the opposition to fracking has been funded by Mr Putins regime. Shadow climate change secretary Ed Miliband tweeted shortly afterwards: Absolutely outrageous slur by Jacob Rees-Mogg that people who object to fracking are funded by Putin. Shameful and disgraceful. Ed Miliband said Jacob Rees-Moggs comments were shameful and disgraceful (Dominic Lipinski/PA) During the urgent question, which was raised by Mr Miliband, Mr Rees-Mogg also accused fracking opponents of hysteria and ludditery. The hysteria about seismic activity, I think, fails to understand that the Richter scale is a logarithmic scale, he said. He added: This (fracking) is of such importance, and it is sheer ludditery that opposes it. On the issue of financial compensation, Mr Rees-Mogg told MPs he does not have a formal thing to announce but repeatedly stressed the need for it to encourage areas to allow fracking. He said: The last time we discussed fracking, the idea was communities would be delighted if they got 10 for the village hall. I dont think thats the right way to do it, it needs to be direct to the individuals who are affected, and Ive had preliminary discussions with the Chancellor, but I dont have a formal thing to announce. Earlier, he told MPs: We should not be ashamed of paying people who are going to be the ones who dont get the immediate benefit of the gas but have the disruption. On Thursday evening, Government minister Robert Jenrick appeared to distance himself from Mr Rees-Moggs claims about opposition to fracking. I dont know what evidence there is that opposition groups have been funded by the Kremlin, he said. What I think he may have been trying to articulate is that it is absolutely essential we have energy security as a country and one of the roots to that is to broaden and diversify our domestic energy production and fracking is one crucial element in that. A driver who passed the scene where the burned out car of a woman thought to have been murdered with her son more than 45 years ago told police how a man there had a stare caused by fear or panic. Jean Wallace told detectives that on the night in question she saw a lone man with a pushchair at a place she later located as within the Dalmagarry layby area on the A9, according to a police statement taken in 1977. Her statement to police was read out in the trial against William MacDowell, 80, at the High Court in Inverness. MacDowell, from Penrith, Cumbria, denies murdering his son, Andrew MacRae, three, and the childs 36-year-old mother, Renee MacRae, on November 12 1976. William MacDowell is on trial for murder at the High Court in Inverness (Dan Barker/PA) Jurors heard how Mrs Wallace told the police the man she saw was bending over the pushchair, and had one arm supporting some stuff heaped on the pram. I got the impression something brown was involved. Whatever was on the pushchair was covered by clothing and overhanging the side of the pushchair, the court heard. As she and her husband drove past him, she told police: The man turned, he looked directly towards me. His eyes were wide and staring and I thought then this was not a natural stare and was caused by fear or panic. In the statement read out by Detective Chief Inspector Brian Geddes, Mrs Wallace, then a teacher, told officers: I may have seen more but for the fact this mans staring was frightening me and I looked away. Mrs Wallace, who has since died, at the time told officers she asked her husband if there was something wrong with their car because she could smell rubber burning, the court heard. On that night, Mrs MacRaes BMW was found burned out in the layby, and it was later recovered by police. Donald MacArthur, a detective chief inspector in Inverness, said forensic experts had recovered a heavy deposit of blood from the underside of the BMWs boot carpet which he said was about the size of a half crown coin, approximately 3cm in diameter. And, the court heard, in a police interview on December 20 1976, MacDowell appeared to be worried, dejected and tired, but his wife, Rosemary, attended the police office and demanded that he leave. When MacDowell gave another police interview shortly after, Mr MacArthur wrote in his statement, the accused then appeared apprehensive and worried and at one point in the interview the suspect, who smoked a pipe, appeared as if he was having difficulty breathing. Shortly afterwards he was found laying on the floor curled around the toilet pan attempting to vomit, the court was told. John Bissett, 67, told the court he was driving along the Shenachie road, which came out near the A9s Dalmagarry layby, where Mrs MacRaes burnt out BMW was found, when he and a friend saw a vehicle parked up in a passing place. As we approached the car we saw what we took to be a person or persons at the back of the car. They seemed to be hiding. He or she or they didnt want us to see what they were up to, said Mr Bissett. We assumed it was possibly poachers in the area, its not an uncommon practice, he said. One thing that did strike us at the time was it was a very smart car for poachers to be using. It looked fairly new and in good condition. Not what you expect poachers to be using. MacDowell is also accused of disposing of the bodies of Mrs MacRae and her son and also disposing of a boot hatch from his Volvo car to defeat the ends of justice, which he denies. He has lodged a special defence of incrimination and alibi. The trial, before Lord Armstrong, continues. A union flag was set on fire by protesters while Australia marked a national day of mourning for the late Queen. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Her Majesty was held in Canberra on Thursday a one-off public holiday announced by the prime minister after her death as anti-monarchy demonstrations were held in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and the nations capital. Prior to the memorial service at Canberras Parliament House, footage was shared on social media of the union flag being burned at a park in Melbourne the starting point for a lunchtime Abolish the Monarchy march. A video was also shared by a Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) journalist of an Australian flag being set on fire in Brisbane as crowds chanted always was, always will be Aboriginal land. Prime minister Anthony Albanese and governor-general David Hurley, who had only recently returned from the Queens funeral, were joined in Canberra by state and territory leaders, ministers, former ministers, ambassadors, chief justices and former governor-generals. Following a minutes silence and the singing of the national anthem Advance Australia Fair, Mr Hurley called the day of mourning one of sadness but also a day of reflection. He went on to acknowledge that the countrys First Nations people have been shaped by the colonial history. In considering the unifying role Her Majesty played, Id acknowledge that her passing has prompted different reactions for some in our community. Im conscious to respect that many First Nations Australians shaped by the colonial history have brought a reconciliation journey. That is a journey we as a nation must complete, the governor-general told mourners. And so to her legacy for us in Australia, I have found myself asking whether the unparalleled reaction of the last 13 days has been just a moment in time, a unique reaction driven by Her Majestys remarkable life, longevity, and service, or is there a greater lesson to be drawn? Id suggest that a lesson for us can be found by being both reflective and prospective in our considerations, to look back and admire and to look ahead and contemplate. In his speech, Mr Albanese said the Queen had sought to understand Australia during her 16 trips to the nation during her 70-year reign. Monuments to the Queen dot our landscape. The name of Elizabeth lives in nearly every city and town. Perhaps the greatest tribute we can offer her family and her memory is not a marble statue or a metal plaque. It is a renewed embrace of service to community. A truer understanding of our duty to others. A stronger commitment to respect for all, the prime minister said. This would be a most fitting memorial, to a magnificent life of service to others. May Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II rest in eternal peace. Meanwhile, organisers of the Melbourne rally, which included Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) and Fighting in Solidarity Towards Treaties group (FISTT), called for the abolition of the monarchy and an end to racist, colonial imperialism which stole from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Be there tomorrow in Melbourne at 1.30pm, at Birrarung Marr Media Release Melbourne Rally: Abolish the Monarchy 2022In Melbourne, Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance, Aboriginal 1/10 pic.twitter.com/Ui2qa2KVIf Shouty Merikii (@Meriiki) September 21, 2022 While they mourn the Queen, we mourn everything her regime stole from us: our children, our land, our loved ones lives, our sacred sites, our histories, WAR said in a statement. We stand against racist colonial imperialism and its ongoing effects on us as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We stand in solidarity and rage with other peoples across the world who have been oppressed, murdered, enslaved and vilified under the British colonial enterprise. We do not want to be a part of the Stolen(common)Wealth. FISTT spokesperson and New South Wales Greens Upper House candidate Lynda-June Coe called the sudden declaration of a day of mourning for the late monarch a real insult to First Nations people. The Wiradjuri and Badu Island woman told the ABC that since the death of the Queen, Indigenous peoples responses and experiences to colonisation and dispossession had been silenced and erased. King Charles III met with Anthony Albanese ahead of the Queens funeral (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Our mob have been calling for our Day of Mourning to be recognised for over 80 years, since 1938, she said. It really does show that there are two sides of this story and ours unfortunately continues to be silenced and erased completely. In Adelaide, a protester was ejected from Government House for holding a sign and writing Abolish the monarchy in one of the Queens condolence books. Footage shared by 7News Adelaide showed the man being escorted from the scene by three police officers. Despite significant pressure to do so throughout Australias recent history, no treaty has been negotiated between First Nations peoples. Australia is the only ex-British nation that has not ratified a treaty with its Indigenous peoples which would require the government to legitimise Aboriginal nations as separate to the nation of Australia. Geologists have reacted to the Government lifting the ban on fracking by saying the UK has the wrong type of shale and it was 280 million years too late. The controversial go-ahead was met with concerns over earthquakes and an increase in greenhouse gas production at a time when the UK had made progress on reducing carbon emissions. Professor Jon Gluyas, of Durham University, said: Liz Truss hopes to frack us out of the energy crisis by drilling thousands of wells to produce shale gas. It wont work societal objections aside, we have the wrong kind of shale and geology which is far too complex. (PA Graphics) Indeed, even the founder of Cuadrilla of Lancashire fracking fame a few years ago says the same. Fracking was paused in 2019 following worries about earthquakes in west Lancashire and the Government said it would be guided by the science before it was allowed to restart. But Professor Stuart Haszeldine, a geologist at Edinburgh University, said there had been no advances in predicting the seismic impact of fracturing rock at depth since then. Much of the UKs shale gas had simply leaked away through cracks and faults since it was formed, he said. We are massively late by 280 million years, he said. Prof Haszeldine said local residents would be faced with long-term worries over earthquakes damaging their properties. And businesses encouraged to invest in expensive test drilling also risked huge losses, he said. I see this as a very significant commercial risk, Prof Haszeldine said. You can come in and lose a whole pile of money. But Professor Richard Davies, petroleum geologist from Newcastle University, would not write off the possibility of fracking being viable in the UK. He said: Everything I have learned from the oil industry shows that there are surprises underneath the surface of the Earth. We dont know everything. Prof Davies believed firms may look to the Gainsborough area of Lincolnshire rather than Lancashire, should fracking start again. He said: Although the UK is criss-crossed with faults, theres some evidence that Midlands is slightly simpler. Prof Gluyas said that while much focus has been on the north-west of England, two potential sites for fracking development were Somerset, where Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg has his constituency, and shale oil in Norfolk, close to the Prime Ministers constituency. Prof Gluyas, director of Durham Energy Institute, said: They might just like to lead the way. A conservation project is celebrating a successful first breeding season with the birth of 22 wildcat kittens. It is hoped the animals, also dubbed the Highland Tiger, could be among the first of their species to be released into the wild in Britain. Led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), Saving Wildcats is working with national and international experts to restore Scotlands critically endangered wildcat population by breeding and releasing them into carefully selected locations in the Cairngorms National Park. Planning is under way to release the kittens, which were born between April and August this year, into the Highlands in 2023. We are celebrating a HUGE SUCCESS today at the end of our very first breeding season at the centre! In a quiet area away from visitors @HighlandWPark, we are thrilled to have welcomed a total of 22 wildcat kittens in six litters Learn more https://t.co/scXjr46Zv6 pic.twitter.com/afHdLblcpC Saving Wildcats (#SWAforLIFE) (@SaveOurWildcats) September 22, 2022 David Barclay, Saving Wildcats conservation manager, said These kittens are the future of wildcats in Scotland with decades of extensive research showing their species is highly likely to go extinct in Britain if we do not carry out releases. Our target for the first breeding season was 20 kittens, so to have 22 in just six litters is a huge success which gives us a great base for the next phase of the project. While human presence is kept to a minimum to give these cats the best possible chance of survival after release, our small team of expert keepers are able to monitor the kittens and their parents on remote cameras. It has been fantastic to watch them grow and develop over the summer. Once the kittens are fully independent and no longer reliant on their mums, they will move into special pre-release enclosures which are designed to help prepare them for the many challenges of life in the wild. The kittens are monitored on remote cameras (RZSS/Saving Wildcats/PA) Planned releases of wildcats in Scotland are subject to a translocation licence. The Saving Wildcats project is based in a quiet area away from visitors at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie. It is led by RZSS in collaboration with NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Nordens Ark, and environment authorities in Andalucia, Spain. Dr David Hetherington, nature networks manager at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: The Cairngorms National Park is home to over 25% of the UKs rare and endangered species and it is incredibly exciting to be working with national and international partners to plan wildcat releases here. Scotlands wildcats have been identified as a priority species in our five-year Cairngorms Nature Action Plan and this successful first breeding season at the Saving Wildcats centre is a significant milestone in our collective efforts to save this critically endangered species from extinction in Britain. The Princess Royal will thank members of the armed forces who were involved in the Queens funeral during a visit to Portsmouth Naval Base and St Omer Barracks, Aldershot. Anne, as Commodore-in-Chief Portsmouth, will meet with Royal Navy personnel who took part in the funeral procession on Thursday. She will then travel to Aldershot in the afternoon where, as Colonel-in-Chief of both the Royal Logistic Corps and Royal Corps of Signals, she will visit personnel from across the Corps who played a key role in providing logistical support for the funeral and other associated ceremonial duties. King Charles and the Princess Royal arriving for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth (Sarah Meyssonnier/PA) Meanwhile, the Earl of Wessex will visit troops on deployment in Estonia and Germany to recognise their service to King and country. Edward, in his role as Royal Colonel of 2nd Battalion The Rifles and Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, arrived in Tallin, Estonia on Wednesday evening ahead of Thursdays visit to Camp Tapa military base. Once there, he will meet with 2 Rifles personnel to thank them for their vital support to UK military operations, their service to the Queen during her time as Commander-in-Chief, and their commitment to King Charles as Head of the Armed Forces. Edward will pay tribute to the ongoing service of the armed forces stationed abroad (James Manning/PA) The earl will then travel to Paderborn, Germany on Friday to visit troops on deployment from the Royal Wessex Yeomanry at the Normandy Barracks and pay tribute to the ongoing service of the armed forces stationed abroad. The royal visits come as Australia holds a national day of mourning for the Queen, with a national memorial service taking place at Parliament House in Canberra. The royal family is continuing its period of mourning for the Queen, to be observed until seven days after the funeral. Members of the royal family are not expected to carry out official engagements, and flags at royal residences will remain at half-mast until 8am on Tuesday after the final day of royal mourning. New Delhi: The government on Wednesday approved a Rs 19,500-crore production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for manufacturing solar photovoltaic (PV) modules in order to attract investment in the solar space in the country. The scheme is expected to achieve manufacturing capacity of giga watt (GW) scale in high efficiency solar PV modules. Besides, the government also approved modifications in the scheme for semiconductors and display manufacturing eco-system, with uniform fiscal support of 50 per cent of project cost for all technology nodes under the ambitious programme. Announcing the decisions after the Cabinet meeting, information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur said, "The Union cabinet today approved a Rs 19,500-crore PLI scheme on a national programme on high efficiency solar PV modules with an aim to attract Rs 94,000 crore investment in the sector. It is likely to generate employment opportunities for nearly 1,95,000 people directly and 7,80,000 people indirectly." Besides, the cabinet also tweaked the Rs 76,000 crore incentive scheme for semiconductors and display manufacturing units, offering to give 50 per cent of the project cost across all categories of factories as it looks to woo global players. The cabinet also gave a go-ahead for National Logistics Policy, which aims at reducing transportation cost and promoting seamless movement of goods in the country. Prime Minister Naren-dra Modi had unveiled the policy last week . The Jeep Wrangler dominates the off-roading scene in the United States, but travel internationally and you'll find a different nameplate that's synonymous with conquering tough terrain: Land Rover Defender. From carrying personnel in the Carrara marble quarries of Italy to roving the lush farmland of England and traversing the harsh desert of Namibia, the Land Rover Defender has been a stalwart companion for those exploring beyond the end of the pavement since it arrived in 1983 as the One Ten. But 2020 saw the classic workhorse replaced by an all-new Defenderofficially offered in the U.S. for the first time since the mid-1990sthat ditched the bare-bones, rough-edged body-on-frame approach of the original for an aluminum unibody and an upscale interior. Combining a luxurious cabin with the promise of all-terrain abilities, the new Defender quickly became a popular choice in upper-middle-class suburban America, shuttling the kids to school and hauling groceries home from the supermarket. But a recent trip to take part in the Land Rover Trek competition served as a reminder that the Defender doesn't just suggest off-road capability with its squared-off looks and Land Rover badge. During our time with the Trek programa grueling two-day adventure designed to educate dealership employeeswe were reacquainted with the Defenders extreme off-road chops as it became our go-anywhere mobile home for a night. Photo credit: Caleb Miller - Car and Driver Rooftop Tents, Gear Add Utility (and Weight) The Trek competition sees retail employeesplus a batch of journalistsdriving modified 2023 Defender 110s. The most obvious change to the Trek vehicles is the Roofnest Falcon Pro rooftop tent, which costs $3995 and weighs 180 pounds. The Defenders are also fitted with a remote-controlled electronic Warn winch, a snorkel air intake, a gear carrier box affixed to the side of the cabin, and a beefier front under-shield for protecting vital mechanical components from protruding rocks. Other goodies included an ARB refrigerator in the cargo area, a solar panel perched atop the tent, two exterior-mounted water containers, and limb risers stretching from the hood to the roof to guide tree branches out of the way on narrow trails. All this equipment strapped to the Defender severely compromises the on-road driving experience. The extra weight makes acceleration an exercise in patience, especially given that our Defenders were powered by the base turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. The 296 horsepower produced by that engine is enough for daily driving in an unmodified 110, but with the increased weight, we wished we had the 395-hp inline-six or even the 518-hp supercharged V-8. The added heft also meant that the brakes needed to work that much harder to bring the rig to a stop. The rooftop tent and other exterior-mounted equipment also noticeably raised the center of gravity, requiring us to use caution when navigating the twisty two-lane highways of upstate New York and Vermont. Plus, at speeds above 50 mph the tent and other protrusions amplified wind noise to a deafening howl. Photo credit: Caleb Miller - Car and Driver Over the Rocks But the heavier load didnt seem to affect the Defender much when tackling the off-road challenges set out by Land Rover on its property in Manchester, Vermont. On a series of all-terrain courses, the Defender confidently scaled mud-covered hills and adeptly trundled over large rocks. The experience inside was surprisingly serene and relaxing, with the standard air springs absorbing bumps and keeping the cabin fairly level over the undulating topography. Even with the Warn winch attached to the front bumper, the 110 had excellent approach and departure angles, allowing for impressive agility in tight spaces and on steeply inclined hills. We never scraped the front skid plate or high-sided the SUV, with the Defender seemingly egging us on to find it more demanding challenges. Unlike the original Defender, the new 110 uses technology to help it tackle tricky off-road trails. The start of one of the courses featured an approximately 45-degree drop down a rocky slope, but the vehicles hill-descent control easily managed our speed, leaving us to focus on avoiding the largest obstacles in our path. The height-adjustable air suspension also came in handy during an accuracy challenge, where we were tasked with steering our Defender to hit hanging cones with a target stuck onto our roof. The height-adjustable air suspension allowed us to raise or lower the vehicle in order to line up the right trajectory to hit a cone with the target. The backup camera, along with a suite of other camera views, also played a critical role in the Defender's finesse in the tight and twisty route through the forest. Photo credit: Caleb Miller - Car and Driver Despite the compromises on the highway, we were thankful for all of the gear our Defender was carrying when we stopped for the night. The fridge provided us with cool water after a long and tiring day and also preserved the ingredients for our dinner cookout. Setting up our rooftop tent was a breeze, with the hydraulic folding mechanism slowly opening the tent after a light upward push. Once erected, the tent was comfortablewith a soft floor and plenty of room for one personand warm, allowing us to avoid the cold ground as temperatures dropped into the low 50s at night. When we got back on the New York State Thruway to return to Jaguar Land Rover headquarters in Mahwah, New Jersey, we were quickly reminded of the tradeoffs that came with transporting several hundreds of pounds of equipment on the roof. But the Defenders all-terrain competence and our cozy night in the tent had won us over. We stopped worrying about the sluggish acceleration and ungainly handling, instead slowing down to appreciate the picturesque New York countryside as the leaves began to don their autumnal hues. You Might Also Like A federal appeals court on Wednesday removed barriers to the Justice Departments criminal probe into documents uncovered at former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate, finding that investigators can continue to use about 100 classified files uncovered in the inquiry. The decision marked a big win for the DOJ. The Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit temporarily reversed portions of a ruling earlier this month from a Florida judge who had barred the government from using the secret papers for criminal investigative purposes pending a review by an independent arbiter. In a 29-page ruling, a three-judge appeals panel wrote that public interests weighed in favor of allowing the government to continue probing the trove of confidential documents. The panel said in its order that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the government to answer critical questions without access to the classified material, and that it could not discern why Trump would have an individual interest in or need for any of the one-hundred documents with classification markings. Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Hilton Anatole on Aug. 6, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Hilton Anatole on Aug. 6, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. (BRANDON BELL/) The initial ruling came from Judge Aileen Cannon of the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Florida appointed by Trump in 2020 and Wednesdays decision bookended a brutal day for the ex-president. In the morning, the New York state attorney general sued Trump, accusing him and his associates of overstating the value of his assets by billions of dollars. Pages from a Department of Justice court filing on Aug. 30, 2022, in response to a request from the legal team of former President Donald Trump for a special master to review the documents seized during the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago, are photographed early Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. Pages from a Department of Justice court filing on Aug. 30, 2022, in response to a request from the legal team of former President Donald Trump for a special master to review the documents seized during the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago, are photographed early Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. (Jon Elswick/) In the lead up to Cannons decision, the Justice Department had been probing Trumps handling of secret government records, which were mixed in at Mar-a-Lago with books, unclassified government materials and hundreds of news clippings, according to court papers. The FBI unearthed the files on Aug. 8 in an unprecedented search of Trumps Palm Beach, Fla., residence and club. An aerial view of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. An aerial view of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. (Steve Helber/) Legal experts had raised eyebrows at Cannons order. The main point of the appeal is ultimately to get a rather incoherent and poorly reasoned opinion about presidential prerogative off the books, Peter M. Shane, a legal scholar in residence at NYU, said last week. Five Britons captured in Ukraine by pro-Russian forces have returned to the UK, a non-profit organisation supporting one of the families has said. It is understood John Harding, Dylan Healy and Andrew Hill were set free alongside Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin on Wednesday, and landed in Britain in the early hours of Thursday morning. Prime Minister Liz Truss said on Wednesday that the release of five Britons had been secured by working with Ukrainian authorities and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, but the identities of the men were not initially confirmed. Non-profit organisation the Presidium Network, which has been supporting the family of Mr Healy, told the PA news agency that all five had landed safely in the UK and had been reunited with their families. Liz Truss said the release of five Britons had been secured by working with Ukrainian authorities and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Dominik Byrne, co-founder of the organisation, said: We dont know exactly if theyve all returned back to their homes yet, but we do know theyre with families at the moment. The Foreign Office has not commented on the whereabouts of the men. Mr Aslins release was confirmed by his local MP Robert Jenrick, while multiple reports also indicated that Shaun Pinner would also be returning home. A video emerged late on Wednesday of two men sitting inside an airliner, in which Mr Aslin introduced himself and Mr Pinner, adding: We just want to let everyone know that were now out of the danger zone and were on our way home to our families. Mr Pinner interjected: By the skin of our teeth, as Mr Aslin continued: We just want everyone to know the good news etc, so thanks to everyone thats been supporting us and whatnot, so its really muchly appreciated. Mr Pinner added: Thanks to everybody. I welcome the safe return of Ukrainian prisoners of war and one civilian, including 5 British nationals. I'd like to express my gratitude to President @ZelenskyyUa and HRH Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman for their efforts and assistancehttps://t.co/X2zSLryVej James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) September 21, 2022 A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic had sentenced Mr Aslin to death alongside fellow British detainee Mr Pinner in July. Ms Truss, who is visiting New York for a UN summit where world leaders are discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine, tweeted: Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families. She thanked Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky for his efforts to secure the release of detainees, and Saudi Arabia for their assistance. Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends, Ms Truss added. Mr Harding, along with Mr Hill and Mr Healy, went on trial last month in the city of Donetsk, Russian media reported. The three, along with Swede Matthias Gustafsson and Croat Vjekoslav Prebeg, all pleaded not guilty to charges of mercenarism and undergoing training to seize power by force, according to Russian media. The next court hearing in their case was scheduled for October, the Interfax news agency reported, citing a statement by the separatists court. Reports suggested the 10 prisoners included citizens of Sweden, Croatia and Morocco, as well as two US military veterans, Alex Drueke, 40, and Andy Huynh, 27. Mr Jenrick said he was deeply grateful to the Ukrainian government, as well as the Saudi Crown Prince and the Foreign Office, for securing the release. He added: Aidens return brings to an end months of agonising uncertainty for Aidens loving family in Newark who suffered every day of Aidens sham trial but never lost hope. As they are united as a family once more, they can finally be at peace. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the release brings to an end many months of uncertainty and suffering, including the threat of the death penalty, for them and their families, at the hands of Russia. Aiden Aslins local MP Robert Jenrick confirmed his release Tragically that was not the case for one of those detained and our thoughts remain with the family of Paul Urey. The British aid volunteer died earlier this year while being detained by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine. I would like to express my gratitude to President Zelensky and his team for their efforts to secure their release, and to HRH Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman and his team, for their assistance, the Foreign Secretary said in a statement. I continue to call on Russia to comply with international humanitarian law and not exploit prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political purposes. Mr Byrne said he was completely relieved and so pleased that the five had returned to Britain, but added that he was still thinking of Paul Ureys family. Allan Hogarth, from Amnesty International UK, called it a huge relief after a sham judicial process apparently designed to exert diplomatic pressure on the UK. Rep. Adam Schiff will write the foreword for a book that details the findings of the congressional investigation of the Jan. 6 attack. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff of California is not done talking about the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Random House announced Wednesday that Schiff (D-Burbank), a member of the committee investigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021, will be writing a foreword for the upcoming book, "January 6 Report: The Findings of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol." According to a press release, the book is "the official report of the investigation into the attack perhaps the most vital congressional investigation in American history with exhibits, witness testimony, and an exclusive foreword written by Congressman Adam Schiff who offers critical insights into this harrowing chapter in American history." Schiff will not be compensated for his contribution, the press release noted. Historically, published accounts of federal investigations have done well on the bestsellers chart. Attorney Kenneth Starr's criminal investigation of Bill Clinton, which led to the then-president's Senate impeachment trial in 1999 (he was acquitted), was released as "The Starr Report" and became a worldwide bestseller. And in 2019, "The Mueller Report," which documented attorney Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, also became a bestseller and spawned multiple books about it. In 2021, Schiff released his memoir, Midnight in Washington: How We Almost Lost Our Democracy and Still Could, which focuses not on former President Trumps attempts to invalidate the 2020 election, but on Congress members' responsibility in the assault. The book was awarded last year's L.A. Times Book Prize in the current interest category. Donald Trump could not have succeeded in doing any of the damage he did to our country but for the fact he had so many willing enablers in the Congress of the United States, Schiff said at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in April. I wanted to ask, How does it happen that people allow themselves to be so badly used?," he added. "A lot of these people were my colleagues, and some of them were people I had admired and respected, because I believe that they believed what they were talking about. It turned out that none of that mattered to them. At the event, Schiff singled out House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California for enabling Trump, pointing to audio recordings that showed he had flip-flopped on how Trump should handle the post-election attack. The Jan. 6 investigations were mostly boycotted by Republican Congress members, with only Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois crossing party lines to participate in the committee. In 2019, Schiff led the first impeachment of Trump as chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Trump was impeached by the House for withholding military aid and a White House meeting from Ukraine while pressuring that countrys leadership to announce an investigation into then-former Vice President Joe Biden. Is there one among you who will say: Enough? Schiff asked GOP senators during the 2020 Senate impeachment trial. He said that anyone who didn't vote to convict Trump see their name tied to his with a cord of steel for all of history." A man without character or ethical compass will never find his way, Schiff added. You are decent. He is not who you are. Although Schiff did not lead the charge for Trump's second impeachment, he stated that the insurrection at the Capitol was an impeachable offense committed in broad daylight, in which the whole country was a witness. He said the lightning-fast impeachment was required by the exigency of the circumstances, and also made possible by the very nature of the crime. The Senate voted against conviction at the end of both Trump impeachments. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. On a Sunday morning at a church in Madison, Wisconsin, a Cameroonian immigrant feels at home despite being thousands of miles away from his loved ones. Ngwa Augustine says he owes his life to this community, especially the two people sitting next to him: Toni and Mark Swandby. "I feel loved. I feel loved and welcome," said Augustine. He calls them his American parents. For nearly three years, they've been living under the same roof. In late 2019, the Swanbys decided to open their house to this asylum seeker they had never met. "I said, should we have some guy from Cameroon come and live with us?" said Toni Swandby. "He said 'well, there's no reason why we can't. I mean, it's just us. We got all this room.'" Augustine had just been released by ICE from federal detention and needed a place to stay while his asylum case inched its way through the system. After the incredible hardships he had experienced in his life, meeting the couple and getting a free bedroom was a huge relief. "It was just magical. It was just something I can't really explain. The happiness I felt at that time. There was hope," said Augustine. In Cameroon, Augustine says he was twice arrested and beaten by local authorities after he demanded more rights for the country's Anglophone minority. SEE MORE: Texas Opens Investigation Into Migrant Flights To Martha's Vineyard "I was tortured, we were being tortured every day. A lot of people died," he said. One day, after he passed out from the torture, guards dumped him on the street, thinking he was dead. When word got out that he survived, Augustine fled without saying goodbye to his wife. "I couldn't see her because they were looking for me," said Augustine. He escaped north to Nigeria but felt unsafe because Cameroonians were getting arrested. So he flew to Ecuador, a country with lax visa rules. From there, he trekked for months across eight countries all the way to the U.S. border. Despite restrictive Trump administration policies, Augustine was allowed to enter the U.S. in July 2019. "I found myself in front of the Americans and I said 'OK, hello, good, this is my name, I am a Cameroonian and I'm seeking political asylum," he said. He passed a credible fear screening, successfully arguing he faced real danger back in his home country and had a "significant possibility" he could win a full asylum hearing. When he was transferred to a Wisconsin ICE jail, his life was changed by what he calls a miracle. Maggie Morris, a University of Wisconsin law student, met Augustine in detention as part of a class with the immigrant justice clinic. "I think my eyes immediately got teary. It's not the kind of story you hear every day when you're doing intakes," said Morris. Morris and her professor, Erin Barbato, instantly decided to represent Augustine for free which was a game changer, as it's extremely difficult to win asylum without representation. Barbato says two factors helped Augustine's case: he had been persecuted by his own government, due to his political opinions. He checked the boxes to qualify for asylum under American law. "And he had a very kind demeanor that would be welcoming for the students to work with," said Barbato. The students quickly got him out of detention on parole. And Barbato asked a friend at the Midvale Community Lutheran Church if they could find him a place to stay. That connected him to the Swanbys. Augustine won his asylum case in September 2021, two years and two months after he first stepped foot in the U.S. Now he has one last goal: bringing his wife and his 5-year-old daughter here to his new home. He hasn't seen them in four years. But when it comes to the backlogged immigration system in the US., nothing is moving too swiftly. So without a clear timeline, Augustine is waiting for the day his American family and his Cameroonian family can all be by his side, safely in the United States. A man whom a grand jury indicted on manslaughter in the death in Fort Worth of another driver whose vehicle was struck during a drag race in which the man who died was not involved is on trial. Prosecutors began on Wednesday to present evidence in the trial of Travis Todman in 371st District Court in Tarrant County. Todman, 40, was indicted in the Oct. 28, 2018, death of Keenan Hilsabeck. The 22-year-old died when his vehicle was struck by a car racing on a street, authorities have said. The collision occurred about 4 a.m. at Columbus Trail and McCart Avenue. Two vehicles were racing in the south lanes of Columbus Trail when Hilsabeck turned onto Columbus from McCart Avenue, police have said. The vehicle Todman was driving hit Hilsabecks vehicle, police said. Hilsabecks death was caused by blunt force injuries, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office. Todman left the scene without providing aid to Hilsabeck, according to the indictment. In an obituary prepared by Hilsabecks relatives, they wrote he was a talented musician, comedian, poet, and confidant. Born in Fort Worth, Keenan attended schools in Japan and Greece and graduated from Aledo High School in 2014, according to the obituary. He received an associate degree from Weatherford College and worked at Torchys Tacos. In a videotaped address Wednesday to the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the nations of the world to punish Russia's government for the war it launched against Ukraine earlier this year. A crime has been committed against Ukraine and we demand just punishment, Zelensky said. The crime was committed against our state borders. The crime was committed against the lives of our people. The crime was committed, again, against the dignity of our women and men. The crime was committed against the values that make you and me a community of the United Nations. Only seven member states voted against allowing Zelensky to address the General Assembly via video feed, Ukraine's president said: Russia, North Korea, Nicaragua, Cuba, Syria, Belarus and Eritrea. Again and again, Zelensky used his remarks to press the point that Russia must be held accountable for its decision to launch a preemptive war on its neighbor. Ukraine demands punishment for trying to steal our territory, punishment for the murders of thousands of people, punishment for the tortures and humiliations of women and men, punishment for the catastrophic turbulence Russia provoked with its illegal war and not only for us Ukrainians, but for the whole world, Zelensky said. Punishing Russia, Zelensky said, was one plank of what he billed as a 5-point formula for peace to end the ongoing conflict. The other items in his plan included guarantees to protect life, the restoration of security measures and the reestablishment of Ukraines territorial integrity, future security guarantees as well as Ukraines unfettered determination to defend ones self. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images) Specifically, Zelensky said that international punishment against Russia must be carried out until the internationally recognized border [of Ukraine] is restored, and until the damages and losses of the war are fully compensated. Until then, international sanctions against Moscow should continue, Zelensky said. Russia should also be stripped of its right to vote or issue vetos as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, Zelensky said. He also took aim at some Russian citizens, like those who have continued to vacation in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, as the war rages on just miles away. Citizens of the aggressor state [Russia] shouldnt be allowed to enjoy tourism or shopping in the territory of those who value this, Zelensky said, but should be encouraged through visa restrictions to fight against the aggression of their own state. Zelensky noted that as the General Assembly was taking place, Ukraines military was continuing to uncover human remains from a mass grave in the recently liberated town of Izyum. The bodies of women and men, children and adults, civilians and soldiers were found there 445 graves, Zelensky said before recounting how a male victim was found to have been castrated prior to being killed. Ask, please, the representatives of Russia why the Russian military are so obsessed [sic] with castration, Zelensky said. What was done to them so that they want to do this to others? In a speech delivered before the assembly earlier in the day, President Joe Biden forcefully decried Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This war is about extinguishing Ukraines right to exist as a state, plain and simple, and Ukraines right to exist as a people, Biden said. Wherever you are, wherever you live, whatever you believe ... that should make your blood run cold. Weaponry provided by the United States and other NATO allies are credited with helping sway the momentum in the conflict toward Ukraine and Biden made clear that the U.S. would not back down in its opposition to Russian aggression. Still, Zelensky renewed his appeal for even more military hardware. President Biden speaking about the war in Ukraine at the U.N. on Wednesday. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images) For us, this is war for life. That is why we need defense support, Zelensky said. Weapons, military equipment and shells. Offensive weapons, and long-range ones, is enough to liberate our land. And defensive systems, above all air defense, and we need financial support to keep internal stability and fulfill social obligations to our people. In his own speech on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of 300,000 reservists to the military in order to try to stem recent military setbacks in Ukraine. He also accused the U.S. and Europe of nuclear blackmail, and issued a not-so-veiled threat to use nuclear weapons. The territorial integrity of our homeland, our independence and freedom will be ensured, I will emphasize this again, with all the means at our disposal, Putin said. And those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the prevailing winds can turn in their direction. But Zelensky also referenced an incident that occurred Monday in which Russian artillery shells exploded near the Pivdennoukrainsk nuclear power plant in Ukraines southern Mykolaiv province, the latest act in the conflict that, Zelensky said, proved again that Putin was the one who posed a global threat. On the eve of the General Assembly meeting, Russia fired missiles at a South Ukraine nuclear power plant. The explosion hit the station buildings. Windows were broken, walls were damaged. The rockets exploded only 300 meters from the walls of the reactors. And this is after the IAEAs clear appeal to Russia to stop any hostile activity against any nuclear facilities of Ukraine, Zelensky said, adding,That makes all of you a target. Russian radiation blackmailing is something that should concern each and every one of you because none of you will find a vaccine against radiation sickness. ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) A Florida man who fled the U.S. and was eventually arrested in Croatia has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $7.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Don V. Cisternino, 46, of Chuluota, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Orlando federal court to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and illegal monetary transaction, according to court documents. His hearing is scheduled for Jan. 5 where could face up to 32 years in federal prison. As part of a deal with prosecutors, Cisternino has already agreed to forfeit the money from the fraud, as well as any assets connected to the crimes. According to the plea agreement, Cisternino fraudulently secured more than $7.2 million in emergency funds through a Paycheck Protection Program loan in May 2020. Cisterninos PPP loan application falsely claimed that his business, MagnifiCo, had 441 employees and monthly payroll expenses in 2019 of more than $2.8 million. The company actually had no employees other than Cisternino. Along with his loan application, Cisternino submitted false W-2s, many of which listed the names and Social Security numbers of real people who had not authorized him to use their identities. After receiving the money, Cisternino spent it on a Lincoln Navigator, a Maserati, a Mercedes-Benz and a 12,579 square-foot (1,168 square-meter) home in Seminole County, Florida. Cisternino fled to Switzerland after learning he was being investigated for fraud in January 2021, officials said. He was arrested in April that year pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice while trying to enter Croatia from Slovenia by way of Italy. He was later extradited to the United States. The Paycheck Protection Program involves billions of dollars in forgivable small-business loans for Americans struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The money must be used to pay employees, mortgage interest, rent and utilities. It's part of the coronavirus relief package that became federal law in 2020. ___ Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak. Ginni Thomas, the staunch Trump ally and wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, has agreed to meet with the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. The interview will occur in the coming weeks, CNN reported, adding that Thomas attorney Mark Paoletta confirmed the deal. As she has said from the outset, Mrs. Thomas is eager to answer the Committees questions to clear up any misconceptions about her work relating to the 2020 election, Paoletta was quoted as saying. She looks forward to that opportunity. Thomas, 65, had been engaged in a back-and-forth negotiation with committee members over testifying. Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, one of two Republicans on the panel, suggested in July that Thomas could be subpoenaed. Virginia Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Oxon Hill, Md., Feb. 23, 2017. Virginia Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Oxon Hill, Md., Feb. 23, 2017. (Susan Walsh/) In March 2022, Ginni Thomas admitted that she was at former President Donald Trumps Stop the Steal rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, but said she didnt join the crowd that stormed the Capitol building an attack that led to the presidents second impeachment, and the focus of the House panels current investigation. Ginni Thomas reportedly worked behind the scenes to try to convince officials in Arizona and Wisconsin to overturn President Bidens electoral victories in those states. Clarence Thomas was the only member of the court to vote against allowing the Jan. 6 committee to gain access to Trumps White House records, which included text messages from his wife to then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. In some of the messages, Ginni Thomas urged Meadows to continue working on Trumps push to illegally remain in office. The Thomases have claimed that the wifes work has no influence on the justices actions on the Supreme Court. In Europe, political analysts are pointing to Sweden and Italy as possible harbingers of a political mood shift across the continent driven by a growing wariness of immigrants as well as anger over rising crime rates. The startlingly strong performance of the far-right Sweden Democrats in this months Swedish parliamentary elections and polls showing that the nationalist Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d'Italia) party is poised for victory in this weekends contests in that country have both been spurred by those two issues, analysts told Yahoo News. Gang violence in Sweden was the issue in the election, said Gunilla Herolf, a researcher at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs who specializes in European integration. Its a problem, she added, that is weighing on every Swede. Some are furious. Some are just terribly upset. Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi arrives to speak at the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) In Italy, security issues are being exploited by right-wing forces, sociologist Giovanna Campani told Yahoo News. At a glance, the two countries share relatively few commonalities. Sweden is a wealthy, cohesive welfare state, which over the past 90 years has typically been led by leftist coalition governments. By comparison, Italys economy, which is burdened by massive debt, is reeling. Costs of living are soaring, and over the past decade, its government has changed nearly every 18 months. But in both places, rising crime and misgivings about immigrants are prompting a political realignment. The Sweden Democrats, originally formed as a neo-Nazi party in 1988, were one of four right-leaning parties that won a combined 176 of 349 seats in Swedens Parliament in last weeks election, besting the center-left coalition by six seats. Now, details of which parties will partake in the new coalition government, and how much influence the Sweden Democrats will actually have, are being hammered out. Despite being ostracized by mainstream Swedes, the party won 20.5% of the vote, elevating it from the fringes to Swedens second-most popular party. Its campaign in Sweden where 20% of the population is now foreign-born, and the country has become known as the gun violence capital of Europe was built on promises to control crime perpetrated by young migrants and to deport some foreign-born Swedes. Giorgia Meloni, the leader of Fratelli d'Italia, at a meeting in Palermo for the 2022 Italian elections. (Francesco Militello Mirto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Jimmie Akesson, the new leader of the Sweden Democrats, insists his party has shed its fascist leanings, though the party remains staunchly anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim and keeps pounding home its messaging linking foreign-born Swedes and crime. The party points to recent crime trends showing that drug-peddling armed gangs have emerged in some migrant communities during the past five years. In 2021, Sweden experienced some 360 gang-related shootings and 47 deaths; by September of this year, 47 had already died in shootings. Sweden used to be a completely peaceful country and safe, Brussels-based Roland Freudenstein, vice president of the independent think tank GLOBSEC, told Yahoo News. Now its become one of the most unsafe places in Europe not only because of its gang shootings but also because of high number of incidents of rape. So thats brought an end to the political correctness, he said. Even the [liberal] Social Democrats are talking about immigration, law and order, and getting tough on crime. The rate of armed violence is growing faster than anywhere else on the continent, according to a 2021 report by the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention. The increase in gun homicide in Sweden is closely linked to criminal milieux in socially disadvantaged areas, according to the report. Until recently, it was all but taboo in Sweden for mainstream politicians to acknowledge the problem. Jimmie Akesson, the leader of the Sweden Democrats, delivers a speech at the party's election watch in Nacka, near Stockholm, on Sept. 11. (Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images) That's why the Sweden Democrats are gaining in popularity, said Eric Adamson, a Stockholm-based project manager at the Atlantic Councils Northern Europe office. They were the only ones talking about this in recent years. Both socially and politically, he said, the topic had previously been off limits for Swedes to discuss. In Italy, a Sept. 25 snap election necessitated by the July collapse of the government of Prime Minister Mario Draghi seems likely to result in the most conservative leadership there since Benito Mussolini seized power in 1922. The likely new prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has also run on an anti-immigrant platform, vowing to mobilize the Italian navy to prevent African refugees from reaching her country. Like Sweden, Italy has also been dealing with rising violent crime, though much of it doesnt involve the immigrants who have sought safe haven there in recent years. Youth gangs of Italians, which some 6% of Italian teens are believed to belong to, are becoming a nightmare for the country, especially around Naples and the south, though some African migrants appear to be starting to form them as well. This June, however, an estimated 1,500 African youths went on a rampage in the northern town of Peschiera, breaking windows, roughing up tourists and allegedly sexually assaulting young women on a train. Matteo Salvini of the League, a right-wing political alliance he formed with Brothers of Italy and Silvio Berlusconis Forza Italia for the upcoming election, lambasted the attack. Meloni, the Brothers of Italy leader, who has promised to protect Italy from Islamization, seized on the uproar, posting a video on her Twitter account of an African man allegedly raping a woman in broad daylight. Lega (League) leader Matteo Salvini at the closing campaign rally of the center-right's coalition in Rome on Tuesday. (Yara Nardi/Reuters) The bigger issue for Meloni, however, may be the changing face and complexion of Italian citizens. The woman who promotes God, homeland and family frequently laments Italys low birth rate and fears the extinction of Italians and their replacement by immigrants from Africa, a conspiracy she has accused the government of the European Union of orchestrating. The EU is complicit in uncontrolled immigration, the invasion of Europe and the project of ethnic replacement of European citizens, she wrote on her website in February. Campani thinks there are a number of factors at work in Italy that end up working in the rights favor including anger over the bureaucracy of the European Union, which imposes rules on many aspects of Italys government, such as the treatment of migrants, how to utilize COVID funds, what sorts of energy to invest in and how to handle its debt crisis. Meloni has promised to challenge Brussels authority, vowing that if shes elected to lead Italys government, the fun is over. If she does become prime minister, Freudenstein said, European policymakers will find a more pugnacious and feistier Italy. Shes a fresh face and I think Italians want to try out something new, he added. According to a December 2021 YouGov poll of residents in 10 European nations, both Italy and Sweden were among the top three European countries saying that the number of foreigners allowed to immigrate to European countries has been excessive a statement with which 77% percent of Italians and 73% of Swedes agreed. Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson at a press conference after she presented her resignation to the speaker of the Swedish Parliament on Sept. 15. (Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images) In April, young migrant men, protesting the planned burning of the Quran by a Swedish provocateur in towns across the country, kicked off riots in three cities that injured more than 100 Swedish police just one disturbing event that forced then-Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, a Social Democrat, into admitting a problem with violence among some migrant communities, and the existence of parallel societies of many foreign-born in Sweden. Segregation has been allowed to go so far that we have parallel societies in Sweden, she told reporters. We live in the same country but in completely different realities. We will have to reassess our previous truths and make tough decisions. The issue in Sweden, said Herolf of the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, isnt immigration itself. Its the mafia-like Eastern European clans and gangs that made it into the country along with legitimate asylum seekers and refugees. There are people coming into Sweden who bring criminality with them, she said, including some from the former Yugoslavia. But there were also loads of decent hardworking people from there too. So [previously] we didnt want to talk about that and risk hurting the good people. Whats more, she said, its now widely recognized that Sweden has taken in far too many refugees since 2015, when the civil war in Syria broke out creating a refugee crisis, and that the government in Stockholm has been reticent to force them to integrate into Swedish society. We have a responsibility to make demands on them to learn Swedish, to join in Swedish society," and not just live in foreign bubbles. A gun casing on cobblestones after police shot the tires of a car that failed to stop and broke through barriers on Via Paulo VI in Rome, at the border of the Vatican, on June 19. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images) Sweden has been an extremely tolerant and antiracist country, Johan Martinsson, a political science professor and research director of the Laboratory of Opinion Research and the Citizen Panel at the University of Gothenburg, told Yahoo News. He pointed to an incident in 2002 when a politician suggested that foreigners should be given a basic language test before being given citizenship. It was considered an outrage, Martinsson said. He was called a racist for even suggesting it. The increasing popularity of nationalist, anti-immigrant parties in Europe, such as Marine LePens rise in France, underscores the need for mainstream politicians to openly admit to issues as they emerge, and to stop worrying that acknowledging them simply reinforces the radical right, said Freudenstein. Integration policies for migrants have to become much tougher, he added, and governments need to be tougher about language, about [banning the wearing of] burqas, and about prohibiting afternoon [Islamist] schools where children unlearn what they learned in the morning about womens rights and the separation of church and state. Freudenstein, for one, is concerned about what the rise of far-right parties will mean for the cohesion of the European Union all the more with soaring energy prices and potential shortages, even the possibility of natural gas rationing as the continent heads into the colder months. We know a crisis winter is coming, he said. And its going to reinforce this feeling of Lets try something new, and the feeling that the structures and powers in place have failed. He points to the growing possibility of a severe recession that will dramatically increase social tensions. The next six months will be crucial, he believes, and will decide the future of politics in Europe. The best time to stay at Club Mahindra Arookutty and by extension, the Alappuzha region, is during peak winter months HYDERABAD: Every traveller wants a comfortable hotel experience that puts them in a great location with friendly staff, whether theyre heading to a business conference, a beach getaway or a party. With access to 100+ resorts across India and the world, Club Mahindra offers a home away from home. The properties are a perfect blend of luxury and comfort. From cultural activities to gourmet sessions, adventure activities to art workshops, there are so many family delights tailored to suit all. One such experience is at Club Mahindra Arookutty, which offers a diverse range of leisure and relaxation. Each experience is thoughtfully created, drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscape, local culture, and people. Club Mahindra Arookutty is located 13 kilometres away from the city of Kochi, the financial and industrial capital of Kerala. The quickest way to reach the resort is via flight. The Cochin International Airport is located 44 kilometres away from the resort, while Alappuzha or Alleppey is 40 kilometres from the property. Located amidst the stunning natural beauty of the backwaters, Club Mahindra Arookutty's unique feature is the views it has on offer. The property has rooms in a 4-storey building as well as independent villa units. The ones in the building also face the backwaters. The best time to stay at Club Mahindra Arookutty and by extension, the Alappuzha region, is during peak winter months. As a place that experiences hot and humid summers, the cooler months between November and February offer some respite from the heat. The hotel is clean and offers great hospitality along with friendly staff to assist with all needs. The quality of food as well as the variety, provided in a buffet system, stands out. The resort provides a host of amenities such as a spa, swimming pool, adventure sports, delicious local cuisines, and bed and breakfast. All rooms are well-equipped with modern amenities such as AC, microwave, mini-fridge and tea/coffee machines, allowing the guests to wake up to the lush green views and enjoy a comfortable stay. The property provides a host of adventure sports, including kayaking, shikara rides, and narrow canal boating and offers local sightseeing facilities. In the evenings, they also provide outdoor activities, such as volleyball, football, and badminton, as well as indoor games such as table tennis, carom, chess and air hockey, among others. The resort also offers special services like candlelight dinners, couple spa sessions and other services which are ideal for newlyweds to spend quality time. One can move around the resort freely and feel comfortable as staff members are available to direct and assist in any situation. The resort also facilitates pickup-drop services for tourists to visit many landmarks as well as the airport. The resort also provides early check-in and late check-out options on request. Overall the experience was great at Club Mahindra Arookutty with a pleasant atmosphere, good service and friendly staff. Patrons view products promoted by former boxer and cannabis entrepreneur Mike Tyson on display in 2021 at Planet 13 dispensary in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Architects of the effort to legalize pot in California made big promises to voters. But six years later, California's legal weed industry is in disarray with flawed policies, legal loopholes and stiff regulations hampering longtime growers and sellers. Despite expectations that it would become a model for the rest of the country, the state has instead provided a cautionary tale of lofty intentions and unkept promises. Compromises made to win political support for Proposition 64, the 2016 initiative to legalize cannabis, along with decisions made after it was approved by voters that year, unleashed a litany of problems that have undermined the state-sanctioned market. At the root of the failure: an array of ambitious, sometimes conflicting goals. California officials vowed to help small farmers thrive but also depended on the support of big cannabis operators backed by venture capital funding, who helped proponents of Proposition 64 raise $25 million and won a key concession after its approval. The result was a licensed recreational cannabis system that benefited large companies over smaller growers who are now being squeezed out of the market. Members of the Siskiyou County marijuana task force weigh cannabis plants after cutting them down at an illicit grow in Mount Shasta Vista in 2021. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) The state set out to simultaneously cripple illegal operators and reduce marijuana-related criminal penalties to address racial injustices imposed by the long-running "war on drugs." Far from reducing illegal weed, those efforts instead allowed the black market to flourish after legalization with the help of organized crime operations that run massive unlicensed farms and storefront dispensaries in plain view, bringing crime and terrorizing nearby residents. And those raided by police are often up and running again within weeks or days. An undercover Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy loads two evidence bags into a van after raiding an illegal marijuana dispensary in Compton in 2018. Despite pot being legal in California, the black market dominates sales because of Proposition 64's unintended consequences. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press) While making legal pot available across the state, officials created regulatory loopholes that allowed large swaths of California to ban marijuana sales. Though voters approved legalization, cities and counties have been skittish: Most rejected allowing cannabis businesses in their jurisdictions, resulting in only a fraction of the predicted number of licensed dispensaries operating. A glut of cannabis produced by licensed and unlicensed farmers has driven down what small farmers can get for their crops, resulting in many facing financial ruin. Licensed businesses complain of stifling taxes and high overhead costs. Many of the serious problems the state now faces were predicted seven years ago by a blue ribbon commission chaired by Gavin Newsom, then Californias lieutenant governor. A bud tender helps Samanta Cubas and Jonathan Quevedo with marijuana products at the Bonafide California cannabis dispensary in Maywood in July. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) The commission urged restraint on taxing the legal market and limits on licensing to prevent big corporate interests from dominating the industry. The panel, which included law enforcement and civil liberties activists, also recommended robust enforcement, particularly against large illegal growing operations. This is the story of how the promise of Proposition 64 went so wrong, and how the states grand vision proved so elusive. It was a sweltering afternoon in 2015 when Newsom and other members of his blue ribbon commission faced hundreds of anxious cannabis growers and sellers inside the Redwood Playhouse, a small theater in Garberville. The meeting was held a year before Californians would vote to legalize recreational cannabis, and pot farmers at the Humboldt County gathering gave the panel a preview of the potential problems to come. Small-scale growers, including second-generation farmer Jonathan Baker, told Newsom they were worried about surviving under the state legalization plan. We just do not want to see our livelihoods stolen from us, Bakersaid. Newsom told the farmers that he was sympathetic to their plight and warned that deep-pocketed special interests were already at work in Sacramento. Gavin Newsom, center, then California's lieutenant governor, at a 2015 public forum of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy in Oakland. Six years after voters legalized recreational pot, now-Gov. Newsom says, "For too many Californians, the promise of cannabis legalization remains out of reach." (Michael Macor / San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) Im in Sacramento long enough to know that the persuasion industry moves it, Newsom told the crowd. Folks with a bunch of money move in, and theyre writing those rules and regulations and, with respect, writing a lot of you guys out. We cannot let that happen. His blue ribbon commissions report released months later suggested drafters of a legalization initiative consider limiting the number of licenses issued to any one owner "to prevent the growth of a large, corporate marijuana industry dominated by a small number of players." State officials and backers of the initiative promised to limit farms to an acre apiece for five years to give small growers a chance to establish themselves in the legal market. As a result, Proposition 64 prohibits issuing a license for more than one acre until Jan. 1, 2023. Once the ballot measure was approved by voters, it was up to state agencies to draft and implement the various rules that would regulate the new licensed market. It was during that process in 2017 that state agriculture bureaucrats added a last-minute loophole that allowed firms to accumulate multiple licenses if each was for less than an acre. As a result, large corporate farming operations have accumulated numerous licenses of under an acre each, putting small farms that are unable to compete at that volume out of business. Today, the 10 companies with the largest growing operations have a combined 1,862 licenses, or 22% of the 8,338 state licenses for cultivation, according to a Times analysis of state data. The loophole was added, after more than a month of public input, by administrators at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, drawing protests from state Sen. Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) and Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa). "This last minute revision rolls out the red carpet for large corporations to crush the livelihood of small family farmers who should be given a fair chance to succeed in a regulated market," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the department. A Newsom administration official noted the controversial rule on licenses was added before he was elected governor. The administration told The Times that agriculture officials believed they had no authority to limit the number of licenses under an acre that an individual could obtain. Advocates for small growers reject that explanation. They say they felt left out of rule-making discussions, and believe lobbying by corporate cannabis interests was behind it. "The law was written by and for big money, said Casey O'Neill, a small-scale grower in Mendocino County who was active in an association of small farmers at the time the rules were written. ONeill and other small farmers point to a flood of campaign contributions from cannabis cultivators, retailers and others that includes a combined $400,000 to Newsoms first campaign for governor, the most given by the industry to any of the candidates in the 2018 election. One firm that now has a multi-acre farm, FLRish Inc., contributed $10,000 to the Proposition 64 campaign and spent $574,000 lobbying state agencies during the years regulations were drafted, approved and implemented. The firm has 23 cultivation licenses for a large farming operation in Monterey County. Peoples Farming LLC received state approval for 215 cultivation licenses, allowing it to grow more than 160 acres of cannabis on the outskirts of Lemoore in Kings County. A Times reporter who visited the site was turned away by a security guard and a company representative, who declined to answer questions about the operation. The firms top executive gave $7,500 to Newsoms 2018 campaign for governor. State cannabis department officials are not concerned that there are several large firms in addition to small operations, believing a diverse market is needed to meet consumer needs, said Linda Mumma Solorio, an agency spokeswoman. She said the agency is trying to assist small farmers by providing financial help to cities that assist minority-owned businesses and by cracking down on growers who falsely claim to have grown their crops in areas known for high-quality weed. Nicole Elliott, director of the California Department of Cannabis Control, acknowledged times remain tough for small farmers. "I fear that we will lose some of them, whether they close up shop altogether or revert back into the illegal market," she said in a recent interview with The Times. "That is an area the state can do more to help remove barriers for them to participate in the legal market." In Humboldt County alone, surveys conducted before Proposition 64 estimated that there were as many as 15,000 grow sites. As of June, there were 884 licensed cultivation operations, according to Natalynne DeLapp, executive director of the Humboldt County Growers Alliance. Baker, the small farmer who warned Newsom of his fears about legalizations impact on his livelihood, has struggled for years to get state and local permits to grow in California. He said he has been stymied in part by the significant expense of meeting state and local requirements, which for him include bringing power and water facilities to a remote Humboldt County property. Cannabis flooding the market from large grows has driven down prices and made it difficult for small farms to turn a profit, he said. As a result, Baker stopped farming in California two years ago and began growing hemp in Oregon and Wisconsin. California was once viewed as a cannabis trailblazer. It was the first state in the nation to authorize the sale and use of medical cannabis by approving Proposition 215 in 1996. From that point, groups that included the Drug Policy Alliance began planning to expand legalization to recreational use. Their first attempt, Proposition 19 in 2010, drew fierce opposition from leading city councils, police chiefs and prosecutors, including then-San Francisco Dist. Atty. Kamala Harris. Voters shot down the initiative by a margin of 53% to 46%. But the rise of the criminal justice reform movement in the years that followed galvanized support for legalization. Proponents pointed to the disproportionately high marijuana-related arrest rates of people of color, particularly Black residents. Newsom, who says he has never used the drug, was among early supporters who argued that legalization was a vital social justice issue. He agreed to head the Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy to study the thorny issues California would face in legalizing cannabis. At the hearings, representatives for cities and law enforcement told the commission that any legalization measure would have to guarantee municipalities could ban pot businesses. Those drafting Proposition 64 took note: The ballot measure was written in a way that gave cities and counties the power to veto allowingcannabis businesses within their jurisdictions. Key opponents of Proposition 19, including the League of California Cities, did not oppose Proposition 64. That concession shaped Californias legal weed marketin ways that some supporters didnt anticipate. When pot became legal here, the vast majority of communities didn't want anything to do with the drug. Five years after the launch of legal pot, some two-thirds of California cities prohibit brick-and-mortar retail cannabis stores, according to Hirsh Jain, founder of the Ananda Strategy, a firm that advises the cannabis retail industry. Among Orange Countys 34 cities, for example, Stanton, Santa Ana and Costa Mesa are the only ones that have approved retail stores. "For too many Californians, the promise of cannabis legalization remains out of reach, Newsom said Sunday as he signed a package of bills that includes protections for the delivery of medical marijuana. Instead of a predicted 6,000 cannabis retail stores, California has licensed only 1,200pot shops and 597 home-delivery businesses, fewer than exist in some smaller states. Advocates for legalization argue there are public health and safety benefits to cannabis shops operatingacrossthe state. They note that in areas without licensed shops, residents are more likely to buy untested marijuana from illegal operations, which include those run by organized crime groups. "Local control is a disaster [for] cannabis" in California, said Robert Solomon, a UC Irvine law professor and co-chair ofthe school'sCenter for the Study of Cannabis. Proposition 64 was drafted by attorney Richard Miadich, a longtime political ally of Newsom, whomthe governorlater appointed as chairman of the state Fair Political Practices Commission. Miadich declined to comment on whether Proposition 64 achieved his aims. Newsom said thatfrom the start of legalization, there was a political imperative to take into consideration the concerns of cities in drafting the initiative, and he has urged those dissatisfied with the slow growth of the legal market to be patient. In June, he responded to criticism from the industry by announcing reforms that included eliminating a cultivation tax to ease the burden on legal farms. He also approved $20 million in grants to cities and counties to develop and implement local retail licensing programs an incentive aimed at encouraging more cities to embrace cannabis businesses. This will be a multiyear process to get that black market on the retreat, not the ascendancy, and get the retail and responsible adult-use market on steady ground, Newsom said at the time. Though legalization proponents say the measures are a start, many say stronger action is required by the state. Sean Kiernan, executive director of the veterans advocacy group Weed for Warriors, has touted a proposal to also reduce the cannabis excise tax imposed on retailers from 15% to 5%, and share some of the revenue with counties and cities that allow pot shops. Advocates for a broader market say California needs to look at other states for inspiration. Cannabis retail stores are allowed in two-thirds of Washingtons towns and 79% of those in Oregon. In Oregon, cities where a large portion of voters supported the state legalization measure must put any proposal to ban shops to a local vote. That hashappened in towns including Oregon City, where the city commission adopted a prohibition but voters rejected the ban. Oregon has one pot shop for every 5,500 residents. In California, there is one pot shop for every 36,000 residents. Ken Corney was the police chief in Ventura when he was asked to serve on Newsoms blue ribbon commission. The plain-spoken Texas native remembers law enforcement warning the panel that any legalization measure had to allow for criminal prosecution of illegal growers and sellers. The panels 2015 report said the state should provide alternatives to incarceration for low-level offenses in the illicit market, but tough criminal penalties for large-scale traffickers and growers. The panel feared a legal market could become a cover for illegal activity, including large-scale cultivation and distribution for sales inside or outside California, warning those problems couldlead to violent crime. However, the groups instrumental in pushing Proposition 64, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Drug Policy Alliance, fought for significant decriminalization, seeing it as a way to end the war on drugs that had disproportionately affectedminority communities. For many of us, this was as much about landmark criminal justice reform as it was about having access to a commercially regulated market for adult use, said Armando Gudino, former California policy manager for the alliance. Since legalization, illegal cultivation centers have engulfed rural communities, terrorizing local residents as heavily armed guards protect criminal enterprises that operate with near impunity, a Times investigation reported this month. The farms have caused environmental damage and exploited laborers, some of whom live in squalid, sometimes deadly conditions and are cheated out of their wages. Corney said it was a mistake to downgrade the penalty for growing cannabis from a felony to a misdemeanor, which he said has hamstrung law enforcement efforts to stop illegal grows. The idea that we remove the consequences, taking away felonies for illegal grows and illegal dispensaries has set up the black market to a large extent, said Corney, who was president of the California Police Chiefs Assn. when the initiative was debated and approved. In contrast, states including Alaska, which legalized recreational use in 2015, maintained the ability to file felony charges in many cannabis cases. There, legal pot made up 57% of sales last year, according to a study by BDSA, an analytics firm whose tracking data have been cited by lawmakers and regulators who have drafted pot-related laws and policies. In California, the legal market accounted for an estimated 30% of sales. Even some longtime advocates of legalization said Proposition 64 did not provide enough tools to combat the black market. We could have added stiff financial penalties and restrictions on the black market, said Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), a leading author of legislation to allow cannabis firms to be licensed by the state. He has supported subsequent legislation to boost civil fines for violations. The California Legislature intervened in 2019 by approving a law allowing administrative fines of up to $30,000 per violation by an unlicensed person. The state Department of Cannabis Control has issued a citation under that law only once. In June, the governor signed legislation to give local agencies clearer authority to fine landlords, suppliers and others who abet illegal operations. But legal operators say the state has not been aggressive enough to combat illicit growers and dealers. The elephant in the room is that we are not doing anything to stop or deter illicit operations, said Adam Spiker, executive director of the Southern California Coalition, a trade group representing licensed cannabis operators. Kevin Jodrey remembers having high hopes in 2015 when he took Newsom on a tour of remote Humboldt County farms, including his small Wonderland Nursery near Garberville. Newsom, casually dressed in jeans and a pullover, showed keen interest in the details at the grows they visited in his black SUV, Jodrey recalled. Seven years later, Jodrey is disappointed in what California has wrought. He estimated it has cost him $900,000 to comply with local and state regulations, including environmental rules that required extensive grading, installation of new culverts and other steps to keep water from leaving his property. Many of Jodreys neighbors have sold their small farms, he said. Jodrey let his fields sit fallow this year and last, deciding it wasnt worth trying to plant cannabis when large operators licensed and unlicensed have flooded the market with product and state and local governments have not approved enough retail stores to handle the supply. You hate to bitch about it not being fair, but the deal that was sold to us was definitely not, Jodrey said. Industry leaders, including trade groups and cannabis business owners, say Proposition 64 ushered in high taxes and fees that can add 40% to the retail cost of cannabis, as well as a tangled and expensive license approval process that requires costly environmental studies. Dale Gieringer, California director for the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws, said he and other supporters of Proposition 64 saw from the start that there were flaws in the initiative that could hinder the legal market. We certainly werent satisfied with the details of Prop. 64, which imposed too many restrictive, petty regulations and too many burdensome taxes, he said. Californias taxes for recreational weed are among the highest in the nation. A Los Angeles pot shop, for example, faces a 15% state excise tax, a 10% recreational marijuana tax imposed by the city and 9.5% in county and state sales tax. State and local taxes are capped at 20% in Oregon, where cities cannot impose taxes greater than 3%. Shoppers view the goods at the Artist Tree dispensary and delivery shop in West Hollywood in 2021. Unlike West Hollywood, most cities in California do not license legal pot businesses. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) In May, a coalition of some 130 cannabis businesses and advocacy groups wrote an open letter to Newsom, calling on him to remedy the failures of Prop. 64 and to not allow the cannabis market that pioneered our nations industry to further descend into bankruptcy. Newsom responded to the complaints in June by signing legislation that suspends the cultivation tax, but allows the state to increase the excise tax after three years to generate equivalent revenue. Industry officials say the governor's actions have not gone far enough, calling for him to also slash the excise tax from 15% to 5%. Other states, such as Colorado and Washington, have high taxes but have simplified the licensing process and levy lower fees on applicants. Those hoping to improve Californias licensed cannabis system cite the two states, the first to legalize retail sales in 2012, arguing they have done better than California in developing their legal markets. In California, the initial application fee for a retail license is $1,000, but there are also annual state fees that depend on revenue and can amount to tens of thousands of dollars each year for a moderate-sized business, and up to $96,000 for a large retail operation. Washington charges a $266 application fee for a retail license and a $1,062 annual renewal fee. Colorado charges about $7,400 in licensing fees, but after that the annual fee is only $1,800. Proposition 64 also requires operators seeking state licenses to go through a costly and time-consuming process of studying the environmental impacts of their operations and taking steps to reduce harm. Such costs are a burden for small cannabis operations but can be absorbed more easily by large farms that are backed with money from venture capitalists. John Casali, 53, said he is struggling to keep his small farm going, given the taxes and fees and the oversupply of cannabis from mega-farms and illegal growers. I think about quitting every day, he said. Times staff writers Paige St. John and Aida Ylanancontributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. World leaders address the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid called on Thursday for a two-state solution to decades of Israeli-Palestinian conflict and reasserted that Israel would do "whatever it takes" to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. His mention of a two-state solution, the first by an Israeli leader in years at the United Nations General Assembly, echoed U.S. President Joe Biden's support in Israel in August for the long-dormant proposal. "An agreement with the Palestinians, based on two states for two peoples, is the right thing for Israel's security, for Israel's economy and for the future of our children," Lapid said. He added any agreement would be conditioned on a peaceful Palestinian state that would not threaten Israel. Lapid spoke less than six weeks before a Nov. 1 election that could return to power the right-wing former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a longstanding opponent of the two-state solution. Israel captured East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza - areas that Palestinians seek for an independent state - in a 1967 Middle East war. U.S.-sponsored Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2014. In his speech, Lapid again denounced Iran and voiced Israel's determination to prevent its longtime foe from gaining a nuclear weapon. "The only way to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon is to put a credible military threat on the table," he said. "We have capabilities and we are not afraid to use them." Widely believed to have the Middle Easts only nuclear weapons, Israel regards Iran as an existential threat. Tehran denies trying to develop a nuclear weapon. PALESTINIANS, U.S. REACT Efforts to reach a two-state Israeli-Palestinian deal have long been stalled. Palestinians and rights groups say Israel has entrenched its control of the occupied Palestinian territories through its military rule over millions of Palestinians and persistent settlement construction. Wasel Abu Youssef, a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization, told Reuters that Lapid's words "mean nothing." "Whoever wants a two-state solution must implement it on the ground," he said, by respecting previously reached agreements, stopping settlement expansion and recognising East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides called Lapid's speech "courageous" for supporting the two-state solution. Lapid praised efforts by Middle Eastern countries to normalise relations and cooperate with Israel. He urged Muslim countries, from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia, to make peace with it. (Reporting by Henriette Chacar in Jerusalem; Editing by James Mackenzie and Howard Goller) A Kansas City landlord is accused of attacking his tenant with a wooden pole in the parking lot of a Sheffield neighborhood convenience store on Monday night. Authorities said the encounter landed both men in the hospital with serious injuries. Haidar Alkhuzaii, of Riverside, was charged Tuesday in Jackson County Circuit Court with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. As of Monday night, he remained hospitalized with serious injuries and was being monitored by police officers. According to court records, Kansas City police were called around 7:40 p.m. Monday to investigate a disturbance outside the Quick Shop gas station and convenience store at 5401 Winner Road on the far East Side. Arriving officers found one man, identified as the victim of an assault, on the ground in the parking lot with bloody head wounds. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital for treatment of facial cuts and facial fractures, including a broken jaw. In the parking lot police found more blood, a broken piece of wood and a pocket knife. During a police interview, the alleged assault victim said he was standing outside the store identified in court papers as his workplace and smoking a cigarette when Alkhuzaii, his landlord, pulled up in a vehicle with another person. He alleged that Alkhuzaii was armed with a wooden pole and started hitting him in the head unprovoked. The victim pulled a pocket knife for defense, he told police, but was then attacked by Alkhuzaiis companion as well. He told detectives that he eventually became dizzy and fell to the ground. The victim also told police Alkhuzaii was upset that the rent has not been paid, a detective wrote in charging documents. That night, roughly 11 minutes after police were called, Alkhuzaii was checked in at the hospital after being brought there in a private vehicle. He had a severe cut to his face and was taken into surgery. The person who brought him there left before police arrived, according to court records. Witnesses to the account included convenience store employees. They described Alkhuzaii and the other man as the aggressors, saying the assault victim was being struck as he tried to run away, according to court records. Surveillance video from the store reviewed by police also allegedly shows Alkhuzaii begin the fight and backed up those statements. It also showed the victim swinging toward Alkhuzaii at one point, according to court documents. An arrest warrant for Alkhuzaii was issued Tuesday. It calls for him to be held on a $25,000 bond. The "Bachelorette" didn't work out the way contestant and Anaheim Hills resident Zach Shallcross planned, which is why he's giving the process another chance as the next star of ABC's the "Bachelor." During the Tuesday finale of its historic "Bachelorette" season that featured two leads instead of one, ABC confirmed that Shallcross will be the next (and only) eligible star looking for love when the "Bachelor" returns for its 27th season on Jan. 23, 2023. Twitter met ABC's announcement of the tech executive with divisive reactions, with some users questioning ABC's "bland" choice and other users supporting Shallcross on his second go with the "Bachelor" franchise. Regardless, Shallcross will usher in a new chapter of the "Bachelor," with previous experience to draw from. "What I learned from that experience was that it didn't change how ready I was," he said on Tuesday. "I am now more ready that's almost fuel to the fire. I'm ready to find my person. My best friend." Shallcross is a former football player who graduated from the California Polytechnic State University with a degree in business administration in 2019. According to his Instagram page, he has two sisters and was born in July. For Zodiac-heads, that means Shallcross is a Leo. Here's what else we know about the incoming "Bachelor" star. He left the 'Bachelorette' on his own terms Shallcross bonded with bachelorette Rachel Recchia (who led the season, along with Gabby Windey) over their childhood memories. He was one of the season's frontrunners, but his romance went south in more ways than one. A week after Recchia visited her suitors' hometowns, Shallcross was among the final men traveling to Mexico for the season's final episodes. While there, he and Recchia spent their day tasting tequila, shopping and doing a tarot card reading. But things took a turn after Recchia invited her suitor for an overnight date. Shallcross said that behind closed doors, he and Recchia discussed "religion, politics" and spoke about their commitment to each other ahead of a possible engagement. He added that Recchia kept questioning whether he's ready for "marriage at this early of an age." "That was a surprise. It was like we were two strangers. I don't know what it could be, but Rachel's concern came outta nowhere," he said. "I think it's s, to be honest, and she was putting on a front. That scares me." Just moments before Recchia handed out her final two roses, Shallcross pulled her aside. "It's kind of hard to wrap my head around it. I did really love you. I saw a future with you. But I need to go," he said while leaving the Mexico resort. With Shallcross on the road home, Recchia informed her remaining suitors of the situation and continued with her rose ceremony. Shallcross wore his heart on his sleeve, and fans were there for it. Shallcross did not seem to have a problem with outwardly expressing his emotions during his time on the "Bachelorette." Whether he was tearing up during a screening of their home videos at the El Capitan or encouraging Rachel to yell out her frustrations while in Europe, Shallcross was one in a handful contestants this season who was vocal about his emotions. Earlier this season, Shallcross also opened up to Recchia about going to therapy to process his emotions. "Zach goes to therapy? Amazing!" tweeted one user. "ZACH AND JASON BOTH ADVOCATING FOR THERAPY ????! We love to SEE IT!!!," another Twitter user said. As a result, members of "Bachelor Nation" called Shallcross "genuine and sweet," and even came to his defense during his rocky moment with Recchia. "Zach is just perfect," one user said. Being on television runs in the family When Recchia trekked to Anaheim Hills for Shallcross' hometown visit, some viewers might have heard a familiar voice. Meeting Recchia were Shallcross' parents, Chapman and Megan, and his uncle, actor Patrick Warburton. Yes, that Patrick Warburton known for his work on "Seinfeld," "The Emperor's New Groove" and "Family Guy." Warburton's scores of acting credits include "Bee Movie," "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command" and "The Venture Bros." His 'Bachelorette' debut came months after some crypto controversy In August, The Times reported that the future "Bachelor" told his father and former city of Orange fire Captain Chapman Shallcross about the world of cryptocurrencies. Impressed by the technology's potential, the elder Shallcross put his crypto assets in the Celsius Network, a lender that promised to be safer than a bank. Celsius froze more than $4 billion in assets in June and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July. As a result, Chapman Shallcross was among the 1.7 million people worldwide locked out of their crypto assets in Celsius. He has more than $400,000 locked up in the lender. I thought [Celsius] would be a solid place to put my cryptocurrency; and as its turning out, its not and its horrifying, he previously told The Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The incendiary issue of the transportation of migrants has flared once again and its not going anywhere. The latest spark came when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) organized two flights of migrants to Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts on Sep. 14. Beyond the fact that around 50 people, many of them originally from Venezuela, were transported to the island, little else is agreed upon. DeSantis has stood over the move and is getting significant support from Republicans and conservatives. But the flights have elicited uproar on the left and among immigration advocates. Some of the migrants have filed a class-action suit against DeSantis, other Democratic politicians have implied he has committed crimes, and even a Texas sheriff has gotten involved. DeSantis appears adamant that there will be more flights. Here are the main legal issues. The migrants class-action suit Immigrants gather with their belongings outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022, in Edgartown, Mass., on Marthas Vineyard. (Ray Ewing/Vineyard Gazette via AP) The class-action suit filed on Tuesday is the most dramatic and concrete legal development to date. The suit was filed in federal court in Massachusetts. It takes aim at DeSantis, Florida Secretary of Transportation Jared Perdue and the state of Florida. The core of the case is the allegation that the migrants were coaxed onto the flights by false promises fraudulent inducement in legal terms and that this means DeSantis and his allies infringed those migrants rights and committed fraud. It asserts that migrants were approached outside a shelter in San Antonio by mysterious people who won their trust by supplying them with minimal benefits such as McDonalds vouchers. In one instance, it is alleged, several dozen people were asked to sign a document in order to receive a $10 McDonalds gift card. The document, according to the legal filing, was not completely translated to Spanish: an entire paragraph about liability and transport was not translated at all, and language specifying that the journey would take place from Texas to Massachusetts was not translated at all either. The plaintiffs also allege they were given brochures bearing the title Massachusetts Refugee Benefits and promising wide-ranging help with housing, clothes and transportation for job interviews. In fact, the brochure had been put together by Florida officials, the suit alleges. Massachusettss real refugee resettlement plan, the filing notes, has highly specific requirements for which no members of the putative class are eligible. The class-action lawsuit, brought in conjunction with Alianza Americas, a network of migrant-led organizations, outlines 12 different causes for action, including violations of the Fourth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment, and the intentional infliction of emotional distress. One of the lawyers representing the migrants, Oren Sellstrom, told The Hill, Our complaint alleges a number of violations of both the U.S. Constitution and federal laws. A state governor just cannot fraudulently induce vulnerable individuals to board a plane and cross state lines. Sellstrom, the litigation director at Lawyers for Civil Rights, described the alleged conduct as shocking. You describe it and then almost have to step back and realize that it actually happened, it was actually orchestrated by an American governor, he said. DeSantiss team counters that the migrants took the flights voluntarily an assertion that, if proved true, would negate most, if not all, of the lawsuits claims. Taryn Feske, DeSantiss communications director, said in a statement that the relocations were done on a voluntary basis. DeSantiss office also provided a copy of consent forms to reporters, which list Massachusetts as the final destination and which they say the migrants signed. The immigrants were homeless, hungry, and abandoned and these activists didnt care about them then, said Feske. Floridas program gave them a fresh start in a sanctuary state and these individuals opted to take advantage of chartered flights to Massachusetts. DeSantis himself told Sean Hannity of Fox News on Monday, It was clearly voluntary and all the other nonsense youre hearing is just not true. The Democrats accusations of possible criminality California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a podium in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group via AP) Alongside the civil suit, Democratic politicians have called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate whether crimes might have been committed by the Florida governor or people working on his behalf. The most prominent figure to make such as call is California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who has tangled repeatedly with DeSantis in recent months. Each man is considered a possible 2024 presidential contender. Last week, Newsom penned a public letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland. He encouraged Garland to investigate whether the alleged fraudulent inducements offered to the migrants would support charges of kidnapping under relevant state laws something that could, in turn, serve as a predicate offense for charges under so-called RICO statues, which were originally drawn up to fight organized crime. A Democratic state representative in Massachusetts, Dylan Fernandes, has called for an investigation along similar lines. He tweeted on Sept. 18 that the DOJ should investigate legal implications around fraud, kidnapping, deprivation of liberty, and human trafficking. Of course, if the DeSantis defense that the migrants took the flights voluntarily carries the day, allegations of kidnapping would go nowhere. Even those sympathetic to the migrants plight see steep challenges for a criminal prosecution. It seems questionable whether the DOJ would bring criminal charges against a sitting governor and potential presidential candidate on a matter as loaded and polarizing as immigration unless the evidence of illegality was absolutely clear-cut. The FBI and DOJ probably have to look into this. They almost have no choice, said Jesse Bless, an attorney specializing in immigration matters. Referring to the alleged conduct by state officials, Bless said, Certainly you couldnt do this to a U.S. citizen and people in the U.S., regardless of [immigration] status, do have civil rights protections. Yet, at the same time, Bless acknowledged, I dont know what the remedy would be. Does DeSantis go to jail? he added, making clear he sees such an end result as improbable. The sheriffs investigation Immigration 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, Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022, in Edgartown, Mass., on Marthas Vineyard. (Ray Ewing/Vineyard Gazette via AP) Among the curious elements of the Marthas Vineyard episode, one stands out: The sequence of events originated in Texas, not Florida. Many of the migrants claim that their first point of contact occurred outside or near the shelter in San Antonio. There, they say they were contacted by unidentified people one woman gave her name as Perla who set in motion the process by which they eventually ended up in Massachusetts. Their flights, in fact, first left Texas before touching down in Florida en route to Massachusetts. That, in turn, has led the sheriff of Bexar County, Texas where San Antonio is located to launch his own investigation. Sheriff Javier Salazar, a Democrat, has been vaguer than others in outlining exactly what he is investigating, however. Salazar has told reporters that he believes the migrants were lured under false pretenses, including the promise of work. He has said they were exploited and hoodwinked. But Salazars broad statements make it hard to evaluate where his probe goes next. Speaking with CNN this week, he noted, with respect to DeSantis, I have not said and nor will I say that Ive got the governor under investigation. The budgetary questions Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) Alongside the more dramatic accusations being flung back and forth about the legality of the migrant flights, the more prosaic issue of budgeting has also received attention. The flights were funded from a $12 million item in the Florida budget that was passed overwhelmingly by state legislators earlier this year. But that measure, and how its been interpreted, is the subject of new debate. Firstly, as Politico and other outlets have noted, the budget legislation required that the money be used with respect to transporting unauthorized aliens from this state. Democrats and migrant advocates return to the point that the migrants journey originated in Texas, not Florida. They further add that people from outside the U.S. have a legal right to claim asylum and to have those claims adjudicated. In other words, they are not unauthorized aliens. Republicans and others with a more hard-line view of immigration argue that there is no problem with the language since the migrants presented themselves at the U.S. border without the required documents to enter the country. Separately, there is controversy around the origins of the money. Democrats say it clearly came from the interest earned by the state on COVID-19 stimulus payments from the federal government. A Washington Post report last week said that DeSantiss office did not respond to multiple questions about the source of the funds or whether the $12 million in covid aid had been used for the flights to Marthas Vineyard. At a recent news conference, DeSantis proclaimed, Ive got 12 million to use and so we are going to use it. His intention appears to be to continue with the migrant flights until the money is exhausted. The migrants who have filed the class action suit assert that this amounts to the use of COVID-19 relief funds for unauthorized purposes. Others, who do not go that far, have said the episode shows a loophole in the provision of those funds that other states might exploit. Meanwhile, some Democrats in Florida are pressing the issue. State Sen. Annette Taddeo (D), currently running for Congress in the states 27th District, said she asked questions about the money from the outset. In particular, she unsuccessfully sought a carve-out that would have prohibited the money from being used to move people out of Florida who were seeking asylum from left-wing groups or regimes in other nations. Taddeo fled her native Colombia at the age of 17 after her father was kidnapped by left-wing FARC guerrillas. Cuban Americans, many of whom fled Fidel Castros regime or have forebears who did so, are a famously potent constituency in South Florida. Referring to DeSantiss move and the widespread speculation that he is eying a 2024 presidential bid Taddeo told The Hill, This may be popular for a national presidential primary, but not in Miami. Figures such as DeSantis, she contended, are wanting the votes, but when it comes time to welcome the people who are fleeing communist and murderous regimes, they are just treating them like political pawns. That is completely unacceptable. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Clashes between Iranian security forces and protesters angry over the death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody have killed at least nine people since the violence erupted over the weekend, according to a tally Thursday by The Associated Press. The scope of Iran's ongoing unrest, the worst in several years, still remains unclear as protesters in at least a dozen cities venting anger over social repression and the countrys mounting crises continue to encounter security and paramilitary forces. Widespread outages of Instagram and WhatsApp, which protesters use to share information about the governments rolling crackdown on dissent, continued on Thursday. Authorities also appeared to disrupt internet access to the outside world, a tactic that rights activists say the government often employs in times of unrest. In a country where radio and television stations already are state-controlled and journalists regularly face the threat of arrest, the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard urged the judiciary on Thursday to prosecute anyone who spreads fake news and rumors" on social media about the unrest. The demonstrations in Iran began as an emotional outpouring over the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman held by the countrys morality police for allegedly violating its strictly enforced dress code. Her death has sparked sharp condemnation from the United States, the European Union and the United Nations. The police say she died of a heart attack and was not mistreated, but her family has cast doubt on that account. Independent experts affiliated with the U.N. said Thursday that reports indicated she was severely beaten by the morality police, and called for an impartial investigation to hold perpetrators accountable. The protests have grown in the last four days into an open challenge to the government, with women removing and burning their state-mandated headscarves in the streets and Iranians setting trash bins ablaze and calling for the downfall of the Islamic Republic itself. Death to the dictator! has been a common cry in the protests. Demonstrations have rocked university campuses in Tehran and far flung western cities such as Kermanshah. Although widespread, the unrest appears distinct from earlier rounds of nationwide protests triggered by pocketbook issues as Irans economy staggers under heavy U.S. sanctions. The unrest that erupted in 2019 over the governments abrupt gasoline price hike mobilized working class masses in small towns. Hundreds were killed as security forces cracked down, according to human rights groups, the deadliest violence since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Irans state-run media this week reported demonstrations of hundreds of people in at least 13 cities, including the capital, Tehran. Videos online show security forces firing tear gas and water canons to disperse the protests. London-based Amnesty International reported that officers also fired birdshot and metal pellets and beat protesters with batons. Footage on social media from the northern city of Tabriz shows a young man allegedly shot by security forces bleeding out in the street as protesters shouted for help. At least nine people have died in the confrontations, according to an AP count based on statements from Irans state-run and semiofficial media. In a statement on Thursday, the Guard blamed the unrest on Iran's enemies, saying their "sedition will fail. In Aminis home province in the northwest, Kurdistan, the provincial police chief said four protesters were killed by live fire. In Kermanshah, the prosecutor said two protesters were killed by opposition groups, insisting that the bullets were not fired by Irans security forces. Some demonstrators appear to have targeted security forces. Three men affiliated with the Basij, a volunteer force under the Guard, were killed in clashes in the cities of Shiraz, Tabriz and Mashhad, semiofficial media reported, bringing the death toll acknowledged by officials to at least nine on both sides. In Mashhad, the state-run IRNA agency reported that a policeman was hospitalized with severe burns after protesters tried to set him on fire. The independent experts with the U.N. said the clashes have killed at least eight people by their count, including a woman and 16-year-old boy, with dozens more injured and arrested. The clashes have left a trail of destruction. In the province of Mazandaran, along the coast of the Caspian Sea, angry crowds damaged or set fire to over 40 government properties and injured 76 security officers, Rouhollah Solgi, the deputy governor, said Thursday. As the protests spread, authorities shut down the internet in parts of the country, according to NetBlocks, a London-based group that monitors internet access, describing the restrictions as the most severe since the mass protests of November 2019. Iran has grappled with waves of protests in the recent past, mainly over a long-running economic crisis exacerbated by Western sanctions linked to its nuclear program. Iranians also blame government corruption and mismanagement as prices of basic goods soar, the currency shrivels in value and unemployment remains high. The Biden administration and European allies have been working to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear accord, in which Iran curbed its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, but the talks have been deadlocked for months. Proposed legislation to force Big Tech to pay publishers for aggregating news content online is headed for the Senate after the Judiciary Committee approved a revised amendment addressing censorship concerns Thursday. The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act would temporarily exempt newspapers, broadcasters and other publishers from antitrust laws to collectively negotiate an annual fee from Google and Meta/Facebook, which dominate the nearly $250 billion U.S. digital advertising market. Proponents say it will boost struggling news organizations and level the playing field with Big Tech, while critics question whether local journalism or large media companies will be the true beneficiaries of the bill. The bill stalled in committee two weeks ago after an amendment introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz to prohibit censorship collusion narrowly passed, sharply dividing the bipartisan sponsors of the bill. At the time, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., lead co-sponsor of the bill, said the bipartisan legislation had been blown up by the Cruz amendment, which would provide Big Tech a negotiating out by simply bringing up content moderation. But she worked with Cruz to come up with a revised amendment to keep censorship off the table when media and Big Tech negotiate content fees. The replacement amendment further clarifies the bills focus is solely on compensation for news organizations when platforms access their content, and that discussions or agreements between news organizations and platforms on content are outside of the scope of the bill, Klobuchar said. Introduced in the House and the Senate last year, the bill provides temporary safe harbor from antitrust laws, enabling news outlets to join together to negotiate content fees for aggregated content on Google and Meta/Facebook, the only two platforms targeted by the proposed legislation. The bill would cover thousands of local and regional newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune and other Tribune Publishing newspapers, which were acquired by hedge fund Alden Global Capital for $633 million in May 2021. It excludes large national publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. Local TV and radio broadcasters including network owned and operated stations that publish original digital news content and meet other eligibility requirements would also be covered by the bill. This legislation misunderstands the relationship between Facebook and news, and it ignores our users preferences for new types of content, a Meta spokesperson said in an emailed statement Thursday. Facebook does not proactively post news on our platform publishers and broadcasters are the ones who control whether and how their content appears on Facebook, and they can choose to use our free services as long as it provides value and makes business sense for them. A Google spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. With approval of his amendment, Cruz supported the legislation, which passed through committee by a 15 to 7 vote, and will move to the Senate floor for consideration. I think this amendment protects against this antitrust liability being used as a shield for censorship, said Cruz, R-Texas. Big Tech hates this bill. That to me is a strong positive for supporting it. The local media ecosystem has been in steep decline during the new millennium. Newspaper ad revenue, which peaked at $49.4 billion in 2005, fell by more than 80% to $9.6 billion in 2020, according to the Pew Research Center. A recent study by Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism found the country has lost more than a fourth of its newspapers about 2,500 overall and 60% of its working journalists since 2005. Meanwhile, Big Tech has been gobbling up the bulk of the fast-growing digital advertising pie. Google is projected to generate nearly $70.1 billion and Meta/Facebook $55.5 billion, or more than 50% of the total U.S. digital ad spend this year, according to Insider Intelligence. Under the bill, the annual fee paid by Big Tech would be distributed to all local publishers that participate in the collective negotiations, with 65% of the allocation based on how much they spend on journalists as a proportion of their overall budget. Todays markup and vote was a major step toward getting small and local news publishers the fair compensation they deserve for their content, David Chavern, president and CEO of the News Media Alliance, a Washington, D.C.-based newspaper trade organization, said in a statement Thursday. But diverse opposition to the bill, from journalist unions to digital rights groups, has been mounting over everything from the temporary antitrust exemption to undermining copyright law and fair use on the internet. The biggest concern may be whether payments from Big Tech would bolster local journalism or benefit big media companies. Those concerns were exacerbated last month when Gannett, the nations largest newspaper chain, laid off 400 employees, or about 3% of its U.S. workforce, following a larger than expected revenue decline and loss in the second quarter. McLean, Virginia-based Gannett publishes USA Today and more than 230 other newspapers. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., voted to move the bill out of committee, but said he could not support it in the Senate without built-in consequences to hold accountable companies such as Gannett and Alden, the second-largest newspaper chain, if they dont invest the Big Tech proceeds in journalists. I believe we need stronger language to ensure that the revenue from this bill goes to the workers that make journalism possible and is invested in the high-quality local journalism that those workers produce, Padilla said. rchannick@chicagotribune.com FILE - MyPillow chief executive Mike Lindell speaks to reporters outside federal court in Washington, Thursday, June 24, 2021. On Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, Lindell said that federal agents seized his cellphone and questioned him about a Colorado clerk who has been charged in what prosecutors say was a deceptive scheme to breach voting system technology used across the country. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) MyPillow chief executive Mike Lindell has sued the Department of Justice and the FBI, demanding the return of a cellphone agents seized from him outside a fast food restaurant in southern Minnesota last week, apparently as part of an investigation into an alleged scheme to breach voting system technology. Lindell alleges in the complaint, filed Tuesday in federal court in Minnesota, that the confiscation of his iPhone violated his constitutional rights against unlawful search and seizure and an attempt to chill his freedom of speech. Lindell, a prominent promoter of false claims that voting machines were manipulated to steal the 2020 presidential election, asked the court to order the return of his phone and to prohibit federal authorities from using any data they've accessed from it or from his cellular service provider. FBI agents stopped Lindell at the drive-through window of a Hardee's restaurant in Mankato on Sept. 13, when Lindell says he was on his way home from duck hunting with a friend in Iowa. They came with a search warrant, signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Tony Leung on Sept. 7, that authorized them to seize his cellphone and data on it pertaining to Dominion Voting Systems, as well as to a Colorado county clerk and other alleged co-conspirators. The complaint also says Lindell has been served with a grand jury subpoena dated Sept. 7 that seeks similar information to what the search warrant covered. Video: Mike Lindell must face defamation suit over election-rigging claims The scope of the federal grand jury probe in Colorado isnt known, but local authorities there have charged Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters in what they've described as a deceptive scheme, which was designed to influence public servants, breach security protocols, exceed permissible access to voting equipment and set in motion the eventual distribution of confidential information to unauthorized people. She has pleaded not guilty. Peters has appeared at several events with Lindell over the past year, including his cybersymposium in August 2021 in South Dakota at which a digital copy of Mesa Countys election management system was distributed. According to Lindell's complaint, the FBI agents boxed in his truck at the drive-through, then questioned him for 25 to 30 minutes about Dominion and Peters. It says the agents allowed Lindell to leave only after he handed over his phone. Lindell says he needs the phone back because it's the main way he runs MyPillow and affiliated businesses. His complaint alleges the government obtained the warrant in bad faith, and without apprising the magistrate judge of Lindell's role in the Colorado case. He also alleges the government must have used his cellphone signals or a tracking device on his truck without a warrant, to find him at the Hardee's. Lindell is already the subject of a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion in the District of Columbia that says Lindell falsely accused the company of rigging the 2020 presidential election. In a separate case, a federal judge in Minnesota on Monday said a defamation lawsuit against Lindell by a different voting machine company, Smartmatic, can go forward. Thousands of Russians took to the streets and fled the country Wednesday after Vladimir Putin called for a massive reservist mobilization. Protesting and criticizing the war in Ukraine is illegal in Russia, and more than 1,300 people were arrested in 38 cities across the country, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, according to Agence France-Presse. Russian riot police arrest a protester in Moscow on Wednesday. Russian riot police arrest a protester in Moscow on Wednesday. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/) Wednesdays demonstrations were the largest in Russia since Putin launched his unprovoked war on Feb. 24. The few remaining flights out of Russia quickly sold out at exorbitant prices, and long lines were spotted along land borders with Finland and Mongolia, the Washington Post reported. Russian leader Vladimir Putin speaks in a pre-recorded TV address announcing his military mobilization plan. Russian leader Vladimir Putin speaks in a pre-recorded TV address announcing his military mobilization plan. (Gavriil Grigorov/) Thousands of Russian men our fathers, brothers and husbands will be thrown into the meat grinder of the war, the Vesna opposition group said. What will they be dying for? What will mothers and children be crying for? Putins reserve call-up could mean 300,000 Russian men are forced to join his bumbling war effort in Ukraine. The Russians were recently shaken by a lightning-fast Ukrainian offensive in the northeast. With News Wire Services VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council witnessed pandemonium on Wednesday with opposition Telugu Desam, BJP and PDF members staging protests in the house over state governments move to rename Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences after late chief minister YSR Reddy. Soon after council chairman Koyye Moshenu Raju started the Question Hour, TD members trooped into the well holding aloft placards denouncing YSR Congress government over changing the name of health university. Some of them even climbed up the podium demanding that its existing name be retained. The chairman disallowed any discussion on the issue stating that no bill pertaining to the subject has come to the knowledge of the house so far. But TD, BJP, PDF and other members continued protesting while the chairman ran the business with ministers giving replies to queries raised by members despite the din. Health minister Vidadala Rajani rose to say that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has immense respect for late chief minister N.T. Rama Rao and hence has named a district after him during the restructuring of districts. Rajani went on to expose a private conservation between TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and media personality Radhakrishna over changing the name of NTR Arogyasri. This led to protests by TD members, who trooped into the well holding placards and raising slogans, while some climbed to the podium and tore up papers. They did not heed to Moshenu Rajus pleas to get back to their seats and participate in the discussion when the subject is scheduled subsequently. The chairman gave the house a break thrice to restore calm but trouble persisted. In the interim, ministers concerned moved their bills one after another for introduction. After lunch break, the health minister introduced the bill proposing to name NTR University of Health Sciences after YSR. She justified the move saying their government is adding as many as 17 new medical colleges to existing 11, taking total number of medical colleges in the state to 28. Vidadala Rajani maintained that credit for this should go to late YSR Reddy, as he had brought revolutionary changes especially in health sector and nearly 800 people died after learning that the former CM had died in a chopper crash. Opposition TD members then began climbing up the podium, some remained standing in the well raising slogans, while TD MLC Deepak Reddy kept banging the table and some other members blew whistles to disrupt proceedings. Moshenu Raju called in marshals to stand guard in the well and podium to ensure opposition members do not disrupt proceedings. TD MLAs branded YSRC members as traitors and said the soul of NTR will be subject to anguish over the move to rename the health university. Cuts too deep The Missouri Senate has taken the first step toward cutting individual income taxes in the current special session of the General Assembly, as Republican Gov. Mike Parson requested. It now goes to the Missouri House. Its great to go back to your constituents and say, I cut your taxes. The problem is, Republican lawmakers forget to add, and Ive gutted school budgets, too. Most of the state budget pays for education and services such as health care. And these departments have been running near empty. You cant just keep cutting public education and think our kids will end up job-ready after high school. Right now, Republicans can do pretty much whatever they want in Jefferson City. But I want them to do right by our kids and vote against these tax cuts that would hurt our schools. I hope that the special session ends without giving politicians a political win while undermining our future. - Helena Webb, Ballwin, Missouri Ongoing threat When a political party fails to trust or support the integrity of the electoral system, it is deliberately rejecting one of the key norms that make democracy work But that is exactly what the MAGA Republicans are doing since Donald Trump refused to accept the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, even though every recount and fact check proved the Electoral College was accurate. The outcome was clear, and its acceptance is necessary for a democratic form of government to survive. Yet with our midterm elections only weeks away, in a Washington Post poll of Republicans and Democrats running for Senate or governor, 12 of 19 Republican candidates in competitive states said they would not promise to accept the elections results. And what was obvious, if not specifically spoken, was that, like Trump, they would not promise to accept an outcome where they lost. Simply put, if this is where the Republican Party is today, it is a clear message that American politics as practiced and honored over our lifetimes are seriously at risk. The Jan. 6, 2021, effort to overturn the legitimate voice of American voters is not finished. Only the first attempt failed. - Harold J. Schultz, Kansas City The real record My opponent for Platte County presiding commissioner is determined to define me as a far-right extremist and an election-denying racist, but Ill continue to focus on my track record and my positive message. (Sept. 21, 14A, Letters) My top priority for the county is to make sure that our law enforcement agents have the tools and resources they need to keep Platte County residents safe. My commitment to public service is evidenced by the fact that Ive been appointed to and served on three different county boards and one committee. And as the owner of a small real estate investment business for the past 20-plus years, I have the experience necessary to understand the countys complex budgets, build alliances and solve challenging problems. I knock on doors, walk in parades and meet with Platte County residents every day. I speak at public events and I attend commission sessions. And you can find me every Friday morning until the election from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Fittis Espresso (adjacent to LCs Hamburgers in Platte Woods). Come on by and lets talk. In the meantime, Ill continue to stay focused on my positive message and to connect with as many voters as possible between now and the election. - Scott Fricker, Parkville Who decides I have a simple suggestion to all the legislatures trying to decide how to best handle whether to permit abortions, and if so under what circumstances: Pass a bill making this an issue to be decided by female voters only. I strongly suspect it would pass overwhelmingly in every state. - Don Lysaught, Shawnee A bad trade Doesnt it make your stomach churn to consider that we ousted Claire McCaskill from the U.S. Senate and replaced her with Josh Hawley? It does mine. - Brian Casey, Kansas City Henry Clay High School English Teacher Nathan Spalding said he was logging into his computer in his classroom around 7:35 a.m. Wednesday when he noticed what looked like a scrunchie on the phone. I got closer and realized it was a snake, said Spalding. Spalding said the incidents are indicative of infestations at Lexingtons Henry Clay High School that include mice, roaches and spiders. On Thursday, Spalding told the Herald-Leader, a mouse fell from the ceiling in a different classroom while a colleague was teaching. It landed on a students desk and caused quite a commotion, he said. Yet another coworker has had three mice fall from her ceiling this school year, though not when students were in the classroom. The custodians have been using glue traps to catch them. However, some mice will chew off their limbs to escape the glue, he said. District officials did not immediately comment Thursday after receiving a text and an email from the Herald-Leader about the incidents the teacher described. But they provided a letter that Henry Clay Principal Paul Little sent to families Thursday responding to a social media post circulating this week, claiming that our schools health and safety was at risk due to unwanted pests inhabiting our building. Little said in the letter that the health and safety of students and staff is a top priority, and our school leaders are working alongside the Fayette County Public Schools operations and maintenance teams to address these concerns. Spalding said Kentucky Fish and Wildlife staff saw a photo of the snake and identified it as a baby rat snake. A newly formed gap had been created in the ceiling tiles allowing the snake to fall through, Spalding said. A custodian removed the snake with tongs and took it outside, he said. Spalding said the incident on Thursday was the first that he had heard of a mouse falling from the ceiling with students in the classroom. We also had a mouse run through the cafeteria during our Back to School faculty meeting, he said. Fellow Henry Clay teacher Jeni Ward said mice have run through her classroom. She said everyone in the building including administrators is doing everything they can to help with the problem. But she said district officials should match that energy. I feel like when snakes and mice are dropping from your ceiling, I feel like this is an emergency. We cant wait, Ward said. Ward said district officials should act faster. Littles letter to families said as the weather begins to turn cooler it is not uncommon for rodents and pests to find their way into buildings. Each fall, our buildings and grounds maintenance teams work proactively to lay traps and spray repellent. Additionally, last week, our building was evaluated and treated by professional exterminators as part of the districts ongoing maintenance protocols, the letter said. We will continue to take all steps necessary to ensure that Henry Clay High School is a welcoming place to learn and work, it said. District officials have previously said that Henry Clay High School, whose current building opened in the 1970s, is one of the schools that they want to modernize or replace. The school has had past problems with a lack of air conditioning in sweltering heat. Most people seem shocked about the working conditions teachers in public education are forced to endure, but I dont feel like most teachers are that surprised, Spalding said. WASHINGTON (AP) The White House and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say a Republican-led proposal to ban abortion nationwide after 15 weeks would endanger the health of women and have severe consequences for physicians. If passed and enacted, this bill would create a nationwide health crisis, imperiling the health and lives of women in all 50 states, according to a preliminary analysis of the bill by Jennifer Klein, the White House Gender Policy Council chairwoman, that was obtained by The Associated Press. It would transform the practice of medicine, opening the door to doctors being thrown in jail if they fulfill their duty of care to patients according to their best medical judgment. The measure introduced last week by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., proposes a nationwide ban that would allow rare exceptions. The legislation has almost no chance of becoming law in the Democratic-controlled Congress. GOP leaders did not immediately embrace it and Democrats are pointing to the proposal as an alarming signal of where Republicans would try to go if they were to win control of the Congress in November. Many in the United States had believed the constitutional right to abortion, established by the Supreme Court almost 50 years ago, could never be overturned. But that protection was stripped away this year by the court's conservative majority, and advocates are leaving nothing to chance. A majority of those questioned in a July poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research said Congress should pass a law guaranteeing access to legal abortion nationwide. Vice President Kamala Harris urged Democratic attorneys general at a meeting Thursday in Milwaukee to keep fighting for abortion rights in the states. She singled out Wisconsin's Josh Kaul, who is up for reelection in November, for filing a lawsuit to challenge the state's 1849 law banning abortion, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Josh, our administration has your back, she said to applause. Clinics in Wisconsin stopped performing abortions after the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade as the legal fight plays out over whether the state law is in effect. Republican lawmakers have rejected two attempts by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, also on the ballot, to repeal the law. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a nonprofit organization representing more than 60,000 physicians nationwide, sent a letter to the White House on Thursday outlining its concerns about the proposed law. The group took issue with the arbitrary gestational age limit because it was not grounded in science and medical evidence and would dramatically interfere with the ability of patients to receive timely medical care, including prenatal care, miscarriage management, and abortion care. The organization argued that doctors would become less skilled because if the bans were in effect, their training would be altered to comply with law. The letter said doctors feared the bans already in place in several states following the overturning of abortion rights will have deadly consequences, further exacerbating the worsening maternal mortality crisis, within which 80% of deaths are preventable. The White House said the Republican proposal could have a chilling effect, with the prospect of doctors unwilling to care for patients any more. Doctors could also face criminal charges for performing an abortion to safeguard the health of the mother, offering miscarriage care, providing an abortion to a pregnant woman whose baby has no chance of survival, or treating a rape victim who has not fully completed reporting requirements. ___ Associated Press Writer Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin contributed to this report. Follow AP's coverage of abortion at https://apnews.com/hub/abortion By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) - The white woman who falsely told police she was threatened by a Black bird-watcher in New York City's Central Park has lost a lawsuit accusing her former employer Franklin Templeton of illegally firing her and portraying her as racist. In a decision on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams rejected Amy Cooper's claim that she was defamed when Franklin Templeton and its Chief Executive Jenny Johnson referred on three occasions to the incident and said they did not tolerate racism. A video of the incident went viral. The Manhattan judge also said Cooper failed to prove she was fired in May 2020 because of her race or gender, and without the kind of thorough investigation once done into a male employee's alleged offensive conduct. Lawyers for Cooper did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Franklin Templeton, part of San Mateo, California-based Franklin Resources Inc, said it "responded appropriately" to the incident and was pleased with the dismissal. Cooper joined Franklin Templeton in 2015, and was working as an insurance portfolio manager when a May 25, 2020 video showed her appearing agitated after confronting the bird-watcher Christian Cooper, who is not related. Amy Cooper was shown calling the police and saying "there's an African-American man threatening my life" after Christian Cooper asked her to leash her dog to comply with park rules. The video was taken the same day a Minneapolis policeman killed George Floyd, sparking nationwide protests about racial injustice. Franklin Templeton fired Amy Cooper the next day, and she was branded on social media as "Central Park Karen," incorporating a pejorative for an entitled white woman. Cooper argued that the defendants' statements implied that Franklin Templeton had uncovered details about her alleged racism not evident from the video, but the judge disagreed. "The contents of the viral video, as well as the dialogue surrounding it both in the media and on social media, were already matters of public knowledge," making the defendants' statements "inactionable as pure opinion," Abrams wrote. Manhattan prosecutors charged Cooper in July 2020 with filing a false police report, a misdemeanor. They dropped the charge seven months later after Cooper completed therapy that included instruction on not using racial bias. The case is Cooper v Franklin Templeton et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 21-04692. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot) A Scottish school has been named among the worlds best for helping out in its community. Dunoon Grammar School in Argyll has been named as one of the three finalists for the worlds best school prize for community collaboration. The only UK school in the category, the establishment was named alongside schools in Brazil and India. The school has been recognised for its work over a range of projects locally, nationally and internationally, with pupils travelling to Malawi, Costa Rica and Ghana to help build schools and hospitals. Due to the rural location of the school, for many years, the area has suffered something of a brain drain according to principal teacher, Paul Gallanagh. The young people have had no real option but to pack up and leave the town to continue with their education or to find employment. As a school, we very much want to address that. Headteacher David Mitchell wants to ensure the young people feel they are an integral part of the community. Dame Emma Thompson has praised the work of pupils at Dunoon Grammar (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Our vision statement at Dunoon Grammar School is about being at the heart of the community, where we strive together to achieve excellence, he said. We have set up so many partnerships to help develop our curriculum. During Covid, it was a difficult time for everybody. Our young people streamed bingo into a number of care homes. The elderly residents were delighted. It just showed that our young people care about our community. Young people also worked with members of the community to design a monument for those who lost their lives during the pandemic. They also had the chance to present some of their climate change solutions to world leaders at the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow in November 2021. Their work has been recognised by actress Dame Emma Thompson, who has close ties to the area. She previously told the pupils at the school in a personalised message: It means that all you wonderful young people have been going out nationally, internationally and locally, and sharing your skills, learning and giving. It is an amazing initiative to be part of. You are all so extraordinary and I cannot wait to hear about the outcome later in the year. Good luck, congratulations, well done and lots of love. Mr Mitchell previously said being shortlisted was an amazing achievement. He said: Being shortlisted for the Worlds Best School is obviously an amazing achievement for us. Our staff, parents and pupils truly amaze me every day with their commitment and drive to make Dunoon Grammar School at the heart of the community. I really appreciate all their efforts. Vikas Pota, founder of T4 Education and the Worlds Best School Prizes, said: The Worlds Best School Prizes surface the expertise of inspirational schools from every corner of the globe. Its time for governments everywhere to listen to their voices. Congratulations to Dunoon Grammar School for being named top three finalists for the first ever Worlds Best School Prizes. Teachers everywhere will be inspired by the examples of these outstanding British schools. Dunoon Grammar was named alongside EMEF Prof Adolfina JM Diefenthaler school in Brazil and the PCMC English Medium School, in Pune, India. The school will find out in October if it has won a share of the 250,000 US dollars (220,000) prize fund for the winners of the five categories in the competition. The Prince of Wales has told funeral workers in Windsor that he got choked up seeing Paddington Bear tributes to the Queen as he carried out his first engagement since her funeral. William and his wife the Princess of Wales greeted volunteers and operational staff and praised their work during events surrounding the Queens committal service in Windsor. The pair, who wore black as they continued to observe the royal mourning period, met about 30 people at Windsor Guildhall on Thursday afternoon. Vice Lord Lieutenant Graham Barker and Windsor councils lead royal funeral planner, Andrew Scott, introduced them to staff and volunteers representing different sectors who supported the crowds on Monday. They included St John Ambulance volunteers, council workers, stewards, Crown Estate staff and logistics teams. William told a member of the logistics team that certain moments catch you out as they spoke about the last few days. The prince said: If you flip it on its head, it is always very comforting that so many people care. It makes it a lot better. There are certain moments that catch you out. You are prepared for all but certain moments catch you out. The couple meet volunteers and operational staff at Windsor Guildhall (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA) He added: It is the things you dont expect that get to you, adding that he got choked up over the Paddington tributes. Speaking later to council workers, William also joked about there being a new competition between Paddington Bear and the corgis. He said Paddington is a new addition but the corgis have been there for longer. William and Kate also spoke to members of the Crown Estate, who helped to organise the floral tributes in Windsor, about the number of flowers left by members of the public. The heir to the throne described the colours as amazing, with Kate adding: The spotlight was on Windsor and it looked incredible, so well done. The staff and volunteers were involved in the committal service for the Queen (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA) The prince thanked the team for their work, saying people dont see all the hard work that goes into it, before adding: We appreciate all the hours you have put in. When the Crown Estate staff thanked the pair for coming to say thank you, Kate said: Its the least we could do. We should have been volunteering. They also spoke to a group of Royal Borough ambassadors, and the princess asked if many people in the crowds were locals. The ambassadors told her that people in the crowd had turned up from all over the world. Its amazing how many people wanted to come and pay their respects, the princess said. William said later: Its been a busy few days but you guys have been doing long hours as well, so thank you so much. William and Kate meet Royal Borough ambassadors (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA) Speaking to the transport workers who helped to organise road closures and car parks, he said: We were quite worried that with everyone coming here it would shut down the whole town, but it kept moving. Kate added: We were grateful we could still got the children to and from school. The engagement was one of Williams first since he became the heir apparent and became known as the Prince of Wales with Kate as the Princess of Wales after the death of his grandmother and the accession of his father, Charles. Other royals are also undertaking engagements on Thursday to thank people involved in the Queens funeral and to recognise the service of those on deployment overseas. The Earl of Wessex is visiting Estonia and Germany in his role as Royal Colonel of 2nd Battalion of The Rifles and Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry. The Princess Royal is travelling to Portsmouth Naval Base to meet Royal Navy personnel who took part in the funeral procession, and then to St Omer Barracks, Aldershot, to thank those who provided logistical support during the funeral. Kate met ambassadors from the royal borough (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA)) The Prince and Princess of Wales are meeting volunteers and operational staff to thank them for their work on the Queens committal service at Windsor Castle. William and Kate arrived at Windsor Guildhall on Thursday for their first royal engagement since the late monarchs funeral. The pair will pass on their appreciation to volunteers and staff who worked on the service at St Georges Chapel on Monday afternoon. They will also thank the group for supporting the large crowds that gathered in Windsor to commemorate the Queen and watch the procession of her coffin up the Long Walk to the castle before the service. The prince and princess arrived dressed all in black as they continue to observe the royal mourning period which lasts until Monday. The engagement is one of their first since William became the heir apparent and became known as the Prince of Wales, after the death of his grandmother and the accession of his father, Charles, to become the King. The Prince and Princess of Wales meet volunteers and operational staff at Windsor Guildhall (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA)) William also inherited the title Duke of Cornwall and is now the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge. Kate is now known as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. Other royals are also undertaking engagements on Thursday to thank people involved in the Queens funeral and to recognise the service of those on deployment overseas. The engagement is one of their first since William became the heir apparent (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA)) The Earl of Wessex is visiting Estonia and Germany in his role as Royal Colonel of 2nd Battalion of The Rifles and Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry. This trip includes thanking members of 2 Rifles for their service to the Queen at Camp Tapa, Estonia, and visiting troops on deployment from the Royal Wessex Yeomanry at the Normandy Barracks in Paderborn, Germany. The Princess Royal is visiting Portsmouth Naval Base to meet Royal Navy personnel who took part in the funeral procession. Anne will also visit St Omer Barracks in Aldershot to meet personnel who played a central role in providing logistical support during the funeral. 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. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Stanislav Zas met today with Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Major-General Edward Asryan in Yerevan, the CSTO said in a news release. The sides thoroughly discussed the current situation in separate sections of Armenias border regions. The possible future measures by the CSTO in the current situation were discussed. China launches campaign to address problems of excessive bride price, extravagant wedding ceremonies (Global Times) 09:00, September 22, 2022 Eight national departments have jointly issued a notice on Wednesday to address the prominent problems of excessive bride price and extravagant wedding ceremonies in China's rural areas by rolling out a special work plan for a nationwide campaign. Giving a bride price and dowry has a long history in China as a goodwill gesture between the couple to tie the knot and their two families. However, the nature of the traditional customs has changed a lot over the years and has become a financial burden to many families. The work plan jointly released by eight departments, including China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, will strengthen ideological and moral development in rural areas and carry forward traditional Chinese virtues to promote the civilized rural customs in China's rural areas. According to the notice, the campaign was launched in August and will be carried out through the end of next year. The campaign is aimed at effectively curbing the spreading momentum of a series of outdated conventions and bad customs in some parts of China such as highly valued bride price and dowry, comparison in expense of maintaining social relationship, generous burial and poor support, and extravagance and waste. According to the work plan, the burden of expenditures on weddings, banquets and betrothal gifts for people in the rural areas will be significantly reduced. A series of advocating standards will be promoted in the counties, townships and villages and the excellent traditional Chinese virtues will be carried forward and inherited. Behaviors such as promoting vulgar values of romantic relationship and marriage, asking for and showing off an excessive bride price, and encouraging to raise the bride price will be regulated. The campaign will regulate the problem of giving gifts in cash in social relationships. Gifts involving a lot of money have brought heavy burdens on people in rural areas. Also, the failure to fulfill filial duty and the promotion of feudal superstitions and vulgar activities at funerals, such as ghost marriage, will be regulated. Overly large-scale and extravagant wedding ceremonies and funerals which cause serious waste will be regulated. With the number of people at prime marriage age declining in recent years and late marriage trending in China, registrations of married couples in China dropped to a record low in 2021with only 7.64 million registering their marriage, the first time for the figure to be less than 8 million since 2003 and the lowest since 1986, when the ministry started to disclose the figures. Demographers have warned that the decline in the number of marriage registrations will inevitably result in the decline of the birth rate in China, since most children are born within marriages in China. (Web editor: Liang Jun, Du Mingming) YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan doesnt rule out the possibility of meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Prague, Anadolu reports. According to the Anadolu news agency, Erdogan said that he is considering participating in the European Political Community meeting in Prague, and if a decision is made to travel to Czech Republic then presumably the Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan will also be there and a meeting could take place. It is possible that we will have the chance to discuss all issues there, Erdogan said. Erdogan added that they will have some initiatives in the Caucasus which are now in the planning phase. The Turkish president said that he will discuss these issues with his brother Azerbaijani President Aliyev and will take steps accordingly. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi within the framework of the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, the Prime Ministers Office said. PM Pashinyan spoke in detail about Azerbaijans large-scale aggression against the sovereign territory of Armenia and its aftermath, underscoring the importance of the international communitys, including Irans adequate reaction in direction of condemning the Azerbaijani actions and withdrawal of Azerbaijani military units from sovereign territory of Armenia. PM Pashinyan expressed content regarding Irans clear assessments and highlighted close bilateral partnership in the current situation. President Raisi said that Iran is closely following the developments and added that all conflicts in the region must be resolved exclusively peacefully. President Raisi said that Irans position over territorial integrity of countries and the inadmissibility of changes of borders in the region is clear and that Irans connection with Armenia must not be jeopardized. President Raisi said Iran is ready to support the establishment of peace in the region, adding that the issue of Armenias security is important for Iran. PM Pashinyan and President Raisi exchanged views on further development and expansion of cooperation between Armenia and Iran in various areas. Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. On September 21, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan participated in the reception hosted by United States President Joe Biden in honor of the delegations participating in the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. A brief conversation between the Armenian FM and the US President took place during the event, the foreign ministry said. Gehlot is expected to reach Kochi on Thursday and make a last-ditch effort to convince Rahul Gandhi to take over the reins of the party New Delhi: Indicating that he would like to continue as Rajasthan chief minister even if he becomes Congress president, Mr Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said if a minister in a state stands for the Congress presidents election, that person can remain as a minister and also contest the polls. Waiting in the wings to take over from Mr Gehlot, former Rajasthan deputy CM Sachin Pilot joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kerala on Wednesday and walked along with senior leader Rahul Gandhi. Mr Gehlot further added: The party and the high command have given me everything. I have been in posts for 40-50 years. For me, no post is important, I will fulfil any responsibility given to me. Mr Gehlot on Wednesday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi to discuss the contours of the presidential elections in the party and his position with regard to the political situation in Rajasthan. He is expected to reach Kochi on Thursday and make a last-ditch effort to convince Rahul Gandhi to take over the reins of the party. He has been very vocal that Mr Gandhi should take over as the party chief once again. The Rajasthan Congress was the first to pass a resolution demanding that Mr Gandhi be made president, after which several other state units followed suit. Insiders claim that if Mr Rahul Gandhi does not agree to file his nomination, then Mr Gehlot will file his nomination next week. Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor is also expected to file his nomination. He was at the AICC headquarters to peruse the voters list and met Congress election chief Madhusudan Mistry. Meanwhile, a senior party leader said that Mrs Sonia Gandhi had clearly indicated that the election and the process will be neutral. He further added that the high command will not endorse any candidate. Earlier, AICC communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh had said: Anybody who wants to contest is free and welcome to do so. This has been the consistent position of the Congress president and Shri Rahul Gandhi. This is an open, democratic and transparent process. Nobody needs anybodys nod to contest. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh bowled a googly on Wednesday by claiming that he should not be ruled out for the presidential election. Some reports indicate even Karnataka PCC president D.K. Shivakumar may also contest. Interestingly, if Mr Rahul Gandhi does not contest, then many leaders may be in the electoral fray. Mr Rahul Gandhi will be in New Delhi on Friday, September 23, taking a break from the Bharat Jodo Yatra, but when asked he will be filing his nomination, a party spokesman noted that the filing of nominations will start from September 24, when Mr Gandhi will not be present. The process of filing nominations for the election will be held from September 24 to September 30. The date for scrutiny of nomination papers will be October 1, while the last date for withdrawal of nominations will be October 8. The election is due to be held on October 17, and the results will be declared on October 19. The searches are being conducted at multiple locations in the largest ever investigation process till date Officers of National Investigation Agency (NIA) with security personnel during raids at the offices of Popular Front of India (PFI) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), in Mangaluru, Thursday (PTI) New Delhi: In a first-ever largest action, a joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and state police forces have arrested over 100 Popular Front of India (PFI) leaders during raids across 10 states, said sources on Thursday. The searches are being conducted at multiple locations in the largest ever investigation process till date. These searches are being conducted at the residential and official premises of persons involved in "funding terrorism, organising training camps and radicalising people to join proscribed organisations". "In a major action across 10 states, NIA, ED and state police have arrested more than 100 cadres of PFI," sources told ANI. The raids were conducted in Telangana, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and many more states, said sources. NIA earlier this month also raided 40 places in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh in a PFI case and detained four persons. The agency had then conducted searches at 38 locations in Telangana (23 in Nizamabad, four in Hyderabad, seven in Jagityal, two in Nirmal, one each in Adilabad and Karimnagar districts) and at two locations in Andhra Pradesh (one each in Kurnool and Nellore districts) in the case relating to Abdul Khader of Nizamabad district in Telangana and 26 other persons. In the operation, NIA had seized incriminating materials, including digital devices, documents, two daggers and Rs 8,31,500 cash. As per NIA, the accused were "organizing camps for imparting training to commit terrorist acts and to promote enmity between different groups on the basis of religion". Raids in Mangaluru NIA officials conducted searches at the office of Popular Front of India and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in Mangaluru and also at the houses of some of the office bearers of PFI in various parts of Dakshina Kannada during the early hours on Thursday. Sources said that the team of NIA officials arrived at the PFI office situated at Nellikai road in Mangaluru around 3.30 am and conducted raids. PFI and SDPI offices are situated in the same building. The search continued for about 4 hours. As soon as the news spread, PFI workers arrived at the spot and started shouting Go Back NIA, slogans. Local police were deployed to control the situation. City Police Chief N Shashi Kumar arrived at the spot and ensured that the situation is under control. SDPI district president Aboobaker Kulai alleged that the raids are politically motivated. "I asked the NIA about the search. They did not give any proper answer," he said. According to the notification, the process for filing nominations for the election will be held from September 24 to 30 File photos of Shashi Tharoor, Sonia Gandhi and Ashok Gehlot. After more than two decades, the Congress is likely to see a non-Gandhi contest for the post of its chief, with Shashi Tharoor and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot likely to run for the AICC presidential poll. (PTI Photo) New Delhi: The Congress' central election authority on Thursday issued a notification for the AICC president polls, setting the ball rolling for electing the successor to the longest-serving party chief Sonia Gandhi. In the notification issued, Chairman of the Central Election Authority Madhusudan Mistry, under the power vested in him by provision of Article XVIII of the Constitution of the Indian National Congress, announced the election of the president of the party to be held as per the given schedule. According to the notification, the process for filing nominations for the election will be held from September 24 to 30. The date of scrutiny of the nomination papers would be on October 1, while the last date of withdrawal of nominations would be October 8. The election, if there is more than one candidate, will take place on October 17. The counting of votes and the declaration of results would be on October 19. "Now therefore, I hereby call upon the delegates of the Congress Party to elect the President of Indian National Congress in accordance with the provision made under Article XVIII," Mistry said in the notification. The nomination form will be available at the AICC Office, 24 Akbar Road, New Delhi, according to the notification. The race for the Congress president's post hotted up on Wednesday with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot giving a clear indication that he could enter the poll fray and Shashi Tharoor meeting the party's poll panel chief to enquire about the nomination formalities. After over two decades, the Congress is set to see a contest for the post of party chief. The upcoming polls would certainly be historic as the new president would replace Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving party president who has been at the helm since 1998, barring the two years between 2017 and 2019 when Rahul Gandhi took over. The party last saw a contest for the post in November 2000. Jitendra Prasada had lost to Sonia Gandhi in 2000 and prior to that Sitaram Kesri had defeated Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot in 1997. Email Newsletters Get the best of The Aspen Daily News in your inbox. Our newsletters are free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. News Details Sub-GHz wireless mesh solution for precision farming Date: 22-09-22 Precision farming/agriculture is about using electronics and communication technology to monitor the growth of crop and also provide water, fertilizers, and any resources for the growth and also protecting crop from diseases. Here in this article we are talking about a solution by a company in providing right amount of water for the crops using wireless control tech. Using soil moisture sensors and water valves, the right amount of water can be fed to plants by having wireless monitoring and control of flow of water throughout the agricultural farm land. The wireless solution provider Radiocrafts, is offering Sub-GHz wireless mesh solution calld RIIM to manage automatically smart irrigation system. This new wireless system supports connectivity to devices where mobile network coverage is not available. By providing reliable communication, this system enables collection of moisture sensor data and also control valves. The solution is embedded in a RF module which uses a wireless network without any license fees. The mesh network is self-forming, self-feeding and self optimising, and it covers wide area of 80 to 80 kms, with a communication distance range of 1400 meters between devices. A single router can control thousand devices. RIIM Supports adoptive frequency agility for high throughput and maintains time synchronisation by also featuring faulting node detection. The water valves are controlled using symmetrical communication, that means RIIM is designed to handle downlink and uplink communication efficiently and effectively. The system also supports Over the air filmware updates, without a person going into the agriculture farming field to update the software. Most importantly the system can be driven by 2 AA batteries for two years, by having much of the electronic circuitry going in to sleep mode as soon as it does its job. A RIIM node can stay on for 10 years powered by a CR2772 (870 mAh capacity coin cell battery) while sending 12 bytes every hour, 24 hours per day. The system also supports to directly interface to any sensor/actuator used for soil moisture sensing, light sensing for photosynthesis, rain sensing, temperature and also wind sensing. To know more on this visit: https://radiocrafts.com/applications/smart-irrigation/ How to Protect Yourself and Your Family From Preventable Diseases Share This: 1Collision is excited to announce the addition of Kepners Precision Auto Krafters in Benton Harbor, MI. Established more than 50 years ago, Kepners Precision Auto Krafters is a family-run business located southwest of Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. The company prides itself on repairing vehicles to the highest standards and providing excellent service. We are delighted to add Kepners to our network and support their ongoing business goals, said John Hollingsworth, 1Collision's director of new location development. Connie Kepner, owner and CEO of Kepners, learned about 1Collision from another collision repair facility in Grand Rapids that was experiencing the same challenges in the industry as her business. Connie decided to affiliate with 1Collision for the support offered in finding technicians and learning new business programs and processes. Connie's husband, Rich, opened the body shop in the early 1970s when he was 18. Over the years, the business grew and Rich invested in technology and tools to provide proper repairs and maintain the highest quality work. Connie joined the company in the 1990s. My husband was a great body man and restored vehicles, said Connie. This included Muhammad Alis Rolls Royce, currently at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, KY. Since Rich died six years ago, Connie and the front office staff have run the business office, while her son, Ryan Kepner, and son-in-law, Jesse Holmes, assist with estimates and manage the body shop. Many employees have worked at Kepners for 20 to 30 years. We probably have the best technicians in town, said Connie. We dont have a big turnover so... The Toyota Supra Turbo was born into an era of Japanese automotive courage. The car had noble adversaries like the Mazda RX-7, the Mitsubishi 3000 GT, and the Nissan 300ZX. But out of them all, this Toyota managed to rise to fame quickly. It featured a generous 180-mph speedometer that was complemented by a tachometer that had an arousing 6,800-rpm redline.The car reached legendary status when people discovered that it could handle tuning with virtually no issues. It turned into a must-have for some gearheads. With that major advantage and the star status brought by the well-known car-related motion picture, things were always going to look good for those that didnt want to get rid of them or heavily modify their two-door 2JZ-powered Toyotas.But are Mk IV Supra auctions becoming too enthusiastic nowadays? Well, lets see. Its an interesting world out there.Back in July, a 1997 Toyota Supra Turbo with an automatic gearbox sold for $230,000. The community went berserk, and everyone was happy for both the seller and the owner. From that point on, most people thought there wasnt going to be any other Mk IV Supra Turbo that would generate the same amount of interest.But things went south fast. The same vehicle was auctioned off at Mecum for $165,000! The seller said they made a different deal with the BaT buyer, the Supra was returned to them in exchange for another vehicle, and they chose to not relist it on Bring a Trailer. So, the sale for $230,000 stands, even though it ultimately found another home for $65,000 less.And, keep in mind, were still in the six-figure price territory.However, here we are! After this innocent mishap, another Toyota superstar is finding itself at the top of the food chain. Manufactured in June 1994 at the Motomachi plant in Japan, the black-on-black six-speed manual model was destined to arrive in the U.S. More specifically, it ended up in Ohio, where it was bought in August of the same year by its first and only owner. They paid $48,895, which would amount to $87,754 in todays money.During its 28 years of existence, the vehicle was never stolen or crashed. Its title remained clean, and the owner traveled approximately 13,000 mi (20,921 km) with it.The best thing about this particular 1994 Supra Turbo is that it managed to go away for $2,000 over what the winning bidder had to pay for the aforementioned 1997 Mk IV. The new owner paid $232,000 and the $5,000 Bring a Trailer fee.While some of the auction watchers and followers understood why the Mk IV Supra Turbo can reach such high valuations, some expressed some doubts about this result.A couple of them even compared the hype for Supras with the effervescence only met in crypto markets during bull runs. But on social media, things went even more south. Some said they believe this is a money laundering attempt, while others couldnt believe what a clean, verified, and well-documented Supra could bring in.The seller (the owners wife) commented on the auction and thanked everyone for their input while adding that she was impressed with the passion, enthusiasm, and knowledge that everyone shared.All in all, the buyer pays what they think the vehicles worth, and theres nothing anyone can do about it. It might not matter to them that people love the 3.0-liter 2JZ powerplant tucked away under the hood or the Made in Japan emblem. They might as well not care about the Fast and Furious link.Someone truly wanted this vehicle, and they got it. And thats all we need to know. That is until it pops up on some other auction platform and sells for a lot less. 4WD If the 1KZ engine doesnt ring a bell, its enough to say that its one of the most appreciated engines built by Toyota. It served under the hood of the unbreakable Toyota Hilux but also in the Prado, so you wont have problems finding spare parts when you need them. This trusted 3.0-liter diesel powerplant goes great with thetransmission, making the HiAce the perfect base for an overland camper.Of course, being imported from Japan, its a r ight-hand drive example , so it needs some time to get used to it before setting up on a trip. Overtaking other vehicles on a two-lane road would be difficult without the help of a co-driver. Another problem is the sliding side door, which opens on the wrong side, that is, toward traffic. Were not sure whether converting these vehicles to left-hand drive is worth it. Still, they can be pretty valuable in many situations.The diesel engine in this Toyota is very economical, and you wont have problems with the van for many years. Sleeping inside would not be a problem, as they are usually very versatile. With a bit of skill, you can convert it into a proper camper by installing a folding bed and a kitchenette. Even a slide-out camper box would do miracles with little effort and money. At the end of the day, youd have a camper van able to climb almost anywhere. This HiAce was imported from Japan before the selling dealers acquisition in June 2022. It comes with a three-row configuration, qualifying as a people carrier. It has air conditioning up front and in the rear cabin, which is also equipped with a heater. The HiAce is offered on Bring a Trailer , with the highest bid at $7,069. This is usually the average selling price for this type of van, but well see how the auction ends in two days. The MX-5 Rally of Records brought together all four generations of the Miata, ranging from the NA with its quirky pop-up headlights to the ND available in dealer forecourts right now. The 707 cars drove around the racetrack under the watchful eye of an adjudicator, who made the record official at 6:00 pm. Nobuhiro Yamamoto, lead engineer of the NC and ND, held a presentation titled Fun to Drive Will Never Die during the event.Andrea Mancini, the owner of a resort where a huge collection of MX-5s is found, attended the rally as well. The resort in question is Miataland, located in the beautiful bite-the-back-of-your-hand region of Umbria. His collection exceeds 30 units of the Japanese roadster with British roadster influences.Mazda has famously used the Lotus Elan as inspiration for the NA , which is the only Miata with pop-up headlights. Produced between 1989 and 1997 to the tune of a little more than 430,000 units, the first generation also took inspiration from the likes of the MG B and Triumph Spitfire. Come 1998, the NB rolled out with small improvements and fixed lights. The NB is the only Miata offered from the factory with a turbocharged engine option.Although controversial, the NC took the MX-5 in a different direction. More specifically, the rag-top roadster could be optionally configured with a folding hard top that opened the low-slung Miata to a wider audience.The ND can be considered an involution in the sense that its shorter and lighter than the NC it replaces. On the upside, a smaller and lighter car is a better-handling car, hence the need to replace involution with evolution.On an ending note, have you heard the NE has recently made its spy photo debut ? Expected to arrive in 2024, the fifth generation is expected with wider rear fenders and some kind of hybrid assistance. The most likely culprit is the e-Skyactiv X 24-volt mild hybrid from the current Mazda3. Ecocopter already operates Airbus helicopters to conduct highly-complex aerial work missions in South America for different industry sectors, from firefighting to mining supports. Its fleet is comprised of 21 rotorcraft, including the H125, the H135, and the H145, all operating across South America.But the company thats been around for two decades also has several years of drone operations under its belt. This is why it sees UAM operations as the next natural step, with Airbus as the best potential partner. The two have announced the beginning of a collaboration specifically aimed at launching this type of service in several countries in the region, specifically Ecuador, Chile, and Peru.This is just one of the many initiatives for air taxi services launched over the past two years all over the world. However, its still going to take a while before air taxis become a common sight in urban centers. As advanced as the eVTOLs themselves may be, it also takes a strong infrastructure and accurate legislation to make UAM a reality. And both of these factors take a long time to figure out.In the meantime, Airbus has also established similar collaborations in Italy and Germany, and its building a dedicated test center for the CityAirbus NextGen in Donauworth, Germany.The future air taxi promises a range of 50 miles (80 km) on a single charge and cruises at speeds of up to 75 mph (120 kph) while still being remarkably quiet. It also seems that the electric four-seater will be powered by a motor made in California MAGicALL will provide a custom version of its high-torque (up to 50 Nm/kg) brushless motor, MAGiDRIVE. FWD But it seems regular people still have a bit of love left for the ailing carmaker . The Japanese automaker, while part of a big and powerful automotive group, is turning into a modern sad story of loss and itinerancy. They are not doing great at home in Japan, they are but a pale shadow of their former selves in the United States, and they are shooting themselves in the proverbial leg across the Atlantic Ocean.Still, some Old Continent fans are left with Mitsubishi ideas in their hearts and minds, even if only virtually. Let us give you an appropriate example. Czech Republic-based virtual artist Rostislav Prokop, better known as rostislav_prokop on social media, continues to explore the option of making quirky stuff. So, after he recently dabbled with a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Ute that would have been a crazy, mindlessly stanced pickup truck if ever real, now he is turning his attention to something gallant.More precisely, towards the sixth-generation (1987-1994) Mitsubishi Galant, aiming to imagine it as the Fox Body Ford Mustang quarter-mile drag racing hero of the front-wheel drive community. Do not raise an eyebrow, as Europeans love the straight-line acceleration shenanigans just as much as anyone else, even if their favorite choice of wheels is not exactly rear-wheel drive.Plus, one should never argue with personal options, as the pixel master expressly mentioned this dark, menacingdragster fantasy would be his choice if he ever built a quarter-mile dragstrip machine. But how about the digital highlights? Well, there are plenty of them, including a subtle widebody aero kit , a crimson roll cage, just one seat for added lightness, and the innuendo that a lot of changes went under the hood and around the chassis. Neat, right? A little background on Teacup Tiny Homes, just in case the name doesnt sound familiar. This is a Canadian tiny house builder on the market for over six years now. The companys goal is to offer budget-friendly living alternatives that dont compromise in terms of quality, aesthetics and functionality.Serving the entire North American market, Teacup offers a generous portfolio of plans to choose from and Ive already covered two of them, the Margo and the Ruby . Once you find a model to your liking, you start customizing it to your exact needs and preferences. There are plenty of options available in terms of layout, types of materials used, furniture, and so on. All Teacup tiny homes can also come with a bathroom equipped with either a bathtub or a shower.With 423 sq ft (39 sq m) of living space and three sleeping areas, the Ellie plan is suitable for families, being able to sleep six people in its main bedroom and two upstairs lofts, plus another person in the living room, if needed. In fact, Teacup says the model is its most popular one for families.This tiny house has a length of 34 ft (10 m) and a width of 8.5 ft (2.6 m). Its main bedroom is located on the ground floor and there are two lofts upstairs, accessible via ladders. You can also opt for stairs to get to the lofts, instead of the ladder. Ellie comes with heated floors, an instantaneous propane water heater, LED lighting, and theres also a full appliance package available.Just like all the Teacup plans, Ellie also gives you the opportunity to choose between a bathtub or a shower for the bathroom. In this case, the owners went with a 3 ft (91.4 cm) stand up shower. The bathroom is spacious enough to fit a washer, a sink, cabinets, and shelves for storing various items.Teacups Ellie tiny house model ranges in price from approximately USD 137,330 to USD 163,315, depending on the customizations you make. Heres a presentation of the Ellie plan below. Luck isnt something that comes by very often, but recently, Tyler Hoover of Hoovies Garage YouTube channel has been enjoying a lucky streak. Last month, he bought perhaps the cheapest Ferrari 599 GTB for $133,000 with 30,000 miles (48,280 kilometers) on the dash. Last week, he purchased a neat Cadillac CTS-V Wagon for $30,000 (even though it came with a terrible history).On his most recent update, luck came knocking at his door again, in the form of a Jaguar E-Type S1, and as youd expect, it was cheap.So, when someone emailed me about a Series One E-type Jag, a 4.2-liter 1966 that he bought from a 50-year owner, I thought it was a dream the next day. When I realized this was a real person and the price that we agreed to, I thought, well, this must be a scam, Hoover revealed.Apart from mesmerizing the car market with its stunning looks when it first came out, the Jaguar E-Type went ahead to win the 24 hours of Le mans three years in a row. When the road-going version came out in 59, it was capable of speeds of up to 150 mph (245 kph).Under the hood, it came with a 4.2-liter in-line six, which was good for about 355 hp (360 ps) for the European version. The American variants were detuned to comply with the emissions regulations.Hoover got this fantastic piece of history for $69,696, perhaps the cheapest you can get in the United States. It has 73,000 miles (117,482 kilometers) on the dash.Perfectly restored examples are now worth well over $300,000, and this car, well, it is a driver, but it was lovingly cared for, and it came with a massive surprise in the trunk and under the hood, Hoover said.If that wasnt enough, the Jaguar E-Type S1 came with vintage service manuals, magazines, books, and records (handwritten) from 1966. yet to be confirmed by Jaguar, this 1966 E-Type Jaguar is a matching numbers unit.We recommend watching the video below for a glimpse of the treasure trove he got with the rare classic car. But if theres a chance you could possibly forget that, Floyd Mayweather wont allow it. So, for his latest chat via Zoom with TMZ Sports, on the occasion of a possible, rumored match against Conor McGregor, TBE (aka The Best Ever) brought along a case of some of his most valuable watches. He doesnt put a specific figure on it, but its worth way over $20 million.You can see that part of the interview in the video below. Mayweather has never shied away from showing off his wealth , and this is a perfect example in this sense: asked if he could show the interviewer a watch, he asks for a price range first. His first display unit is a Rainbow Tourbillon in yellow gold and rainbow diamonds, priced in the ballpark of $2 million.And thats not even the most expensive timepiece he carries along. That would be his jewel crown, the Jacob & Co. one-off Billionaire Watch , which he bought in the summer of 2018 for a whopping $18 million and that he brings out whenever he tries to shut his haters up. He does the same now, waxing poetic about how those who say hes broke are haters because thats what people want to see.Its not cheap to fly around the world in a private jet, he laughs. Imma continue to be successful, continue to build generational wealth and continue to take care of my family because that's what it's really about.Well, that and diamond watches that are unlike any other in the world. Like the Billionaire Watch : presented to the world in 2015 but in Mayweathers possession since 2018, its a massive timepiece that includes 260 carats worth of emerald-cut baguette diamonds (239 diamonds in total), set in 18-carat white gold. The rectangular dial, also made of white gold, shows the skeletonized movement within, with the tourbillon escapement.Mayweather stops short at just two watches for this interview, but he says the case is loaded with eye-catching units. On his return back to the U.S., it will include one more, since he made a stop at luxury watch retailer Pegasus Tokyo, walking out with a brand new Audemars Piguet. He paid for it in cash because, of course, he could. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration SUV The following day, the South Korean automaker placed the trailer harness accessory on automatic warranty part return. From April 27th to May 9th, the company met with Mobis Parts America, the supplier of the harness, to review a harness from a 16 Sorento that had experienced a thermal event.The issue was escalated to thethe following month. With the help of a third-party engineering firm, Kia decides to further investigate this rather uncanny problem.On July 20th, a technical service bulletin was issued, requiring the use of a 15-amp fuse when installing the genuine accessory. Mobis then conducts a CT scan of a tow hitch harness module sourced from a Sorento, identifying origin damage on the printed circuit board. Come September 6th, the unnamed third-party engineering firm conducts different scans, eventually discovering chloride contamination on the circuit boards of returned parts.On September 7th, Kia was aware of three confirmed vehicle fires and 30 localized melting incidents. All of them involved the 2016 to 2020 model year Sorento mid-size utility vehicle, with receipts dating from August 2015 through August 2022. The supplier then informs Kia that the very same tow hitch harness module is used in the 2021 to 2023 model year Sorento and the 2017 to 2022 model year Sportage compact. On September 9th, Kia becomes aware of two thermal events involving 21 and 22 Sorentos.No injuries or crashes were reported, but nevertheless, Kia couldnt ignore this problem any longer. The South Korean automaker decided to recall no fewer than 70,887 tow hitch harness accessories supplied by Mobis Parts America, split between 48,835 units that were sold to dealers and 22,052 units that were fitted to the '16 to '23 Sorento and '17 to '22 Sportage.The remedy is under evaluation at press time, which is why customers who own a subject vehicle with a tow hitch harness are advised to park their vehicle outside and away from structures until the repair is conducted. SUV But to those people, we call your bluff and raise you this certifiably Aussie 2004 Land Rover Discovery with something demonstrably different than the 4.6-liter gas-V8 it left the dealership with 18 years ago. Would you pass it up? We think not. As solid and powerful as this Disco's stock engine was, it pales compared to what it's sporting under the hood now. A six-liter LS2 GM V8 from the mid-2000s Chevy Corvette, Trailblazer SS, Pontiac GTO, and Saab 9-7X Aero . But that's far from the only noteworthy thing about this Land Rover.Les Richmond Automotive of Campbellfield, Victoria, Australia, specializes in one thing only, taking late 90s and early 2000s Land Rovers and replacing their internals with an all-American classic LS V8. More often than not, these engines are often the more modern LSX small block engine. A motor derived from the seven-liter LS7 V8 from the C6 Corvette Z06.Their services include the above upgrades but also servicing in-house modified vehicles, sourcing parts for customers to install at home, and offering advice about building custom Land Rovers through their website blog. In a nice change of pace, the tried and true LS2 is made to work just as well in this 2004 Discovery application. A brilliantin its own right, only a group as skilled as these Aussies has any business performing major surgery on it.A project of this magnitude requires a level of labor that most people aren't skilled or time-wealthy enough to undertake. But in the hands of the right mechanic, it can only be described as witchcraft to the untrained eye. It started with a complete body-off-frame disassembly to remove the stock Rover-derived V8 engine and its six-speed automatic transmission. A phenomenal engine in its own right, it'd be a tragedy to part it from its cradle if not for the total nosebleed-producing LS engine replacing it.Once the new engine was snuggly in place, a GM 6L80E six-speed automatic transmission was paired behind it. From there, power is fed to an LT230T transfer case with a limited-slip differential from Ashcroft with a matching set of locking diffs from the same company. With a marginal wheelbase extension, the truck is now sitting at a 105-inch (2667-mm) wheelbase. There's ample room for an aftermarket coil spring setup from White Tiger alongside off-road-grade shocks from Bilstein.It's all backed up by disk brakes at all four corners mounted on 168-inch wheels riding on 3511.5-inch, all-terrain Beadlock tires. Thanks to a plethora of photos from the build, we see how every aspect of this Disco's construction is altered and improved by a remarkably small group of highly skilled people. From first impressions alone, it's clear the exterior of this Disco means business. Its bulging off-road tires and jet-black alloy wheels combine with its roof rack and chrome bull-bar to create a package fit for the apocalypse, a warzone, or both. At least to the untrained eye.The Chunky same, like the normal-sized spare tire, bolts to the back like a set of tactical gear fitted to a roving desert soldier, and its hood-mounted snorkel completes a silhouette with an uncanny level of machismo. Even Grand Cherokee, Land Cruiser, and G-Wagon aficionados would have to tip their cap in respect to the level of craftsmanship that permeates every inch of the exterior of this Discovery. For how beefy it looks on the outside, the looks under the hood and in the cabin of this Disco are equally utilitarian.The custom engine cover fitted to this LS2 V8 almost appears to have come as OEM equipment with how uncannily it looks at home in this classic British 4x4. A rear cargo area filled with utility drawers and a large food/beverage cooler lets you know this isn't the grocery-getting suburban runabout that so many of its brethren turned out to become. This is a vehicle for serious off-road trips. A hardened brute of a machine for journeys where any old SUV with any old all-wheel-drive system would fall apart after a while.Most people don't need a car the likes of what comes out of Les Richmond Automotive's shop. But for those who do, this is your white whale, your holy grail. Your patron saint of the LS-Swapped Land Rover. Check back soon for more from V8 Month here on autoevolution. The highly-anticipated G800 makes the bold claim of delivering the longest range in the business aviation sector 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 km) at Mach 0.85 (652 mph/1,049 kph) while the G700 flaunts the most spacious cabin, also boasting an impressive range of 7,500 nautical miles (13,890 km).Both of them can reach a maximum speed of Mach 0.90 (690.5 mph/1,111 kph), and thats largely due to the engine that powers them.The Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines for both aircraft recently obtained the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification, Gulfstream announced. The jets were also built with the aerodynamic wing design that Gulfstream had introduced previously on the G650, as well as a new winglet that is making its debut on the G700 and G800.These design innovations, coupled with the powerful Pearl 700, resulted in better fuel efficiency and lower emission levels.Only a few months ago, the G800 completed its first international flight, from Savannah, Georgia, in the U.S., to Farnborough in UK. Considering that this happened just weeks after the jets official debut, its an impressive achievement.The G700 is also a winner straight out the gate. After its official debut in May, it won the prestigious International Yacht & Aviation Award (IY&AA) for its remarkable design.These game-changing business jets also come with the latest technological advancements in terms of flight controls, boasting the only electronically-linked active control sidesticks and a Predictive Landing Performance System. Passengers will also get to enjoy low cabin altitude, reduced noise levels, and an advanced system for air circulation. Dilbar is one of the biggest catches of international authorities under the current wave of sanctions against Russian oligarchs. It belongs to billionaire Alisher Usmanov, who also happens to be one of Vladimir Putins closest allies, and was seized in Germany in March this year. It had been sitting in the Blohm + Voss shipyard for refits, so, in a way, it never actually stood a chance.Following the arrest, there have been signs of movement at the shipyard , like extensive maintenance work that included removing all covers and reports about having it refloated. Lurssen, which delivered Dilbar in 2016 for a rumored $600 million, would only say that whatever work was being undertaken was necessary maintenance, of which authorities had been informed in advance.Last night (September 21), under the apparent cover of darkness, Dilbar was brought out of the dry dock and refloated. It then quietly and very slowly made its way out of the port of Hamburg, local media outlet NDR reports. Footage of Dilbars exit is included in the video below, which is stamped at the 3.17-minute mark for your convenience.Despite previous concerns and the odd timing of the exit, this is not a case of trying to make an escape . Dilbar is now a dead vessel, in the sense that its engines have been removed, and it has no crew onboard, so the only traveling it will do will be by a tugboat. The purpose of its removal from the Blohm + Voss shipyard is to make room for other projects, so Lurssen, which is the parent company of Blohm + Voss, is taking it to a storage facility in Bremen.NDR says that Dilbar is being towed by two tugboats down the Elbe river and should be moored in Bremen no later than Thursday night. For obvious reasons, a third tugboat carrying customs officers is accompanying the convoy, but with no engines and no crew, Dilbar is not going anywhere authorities dont want it to go. Left my Tesla Model S in my closed parking place for a one month while going abroad for a business trip. Just returned to a rotten mushroom Tesla. @elonmusk bro whats going on!!!???????????? I want a full refund paid in XRP pic.twitter.com/TXjiiOVeqm Crypto Violin (@Cryptoviolin) September 19, 2022 Our first case came from Ankara, Turkey. Crypto Violin (@Cryptoviolin) shared a video on Twitter showing how he found his Model S after traveling abroad for about one month. Make sure you check it below and the screenshots we extracted from it. Crypto Violin said he just returned to a rotten mushroom Tesla. He tagged Elon Musk and asked the Tesla CEO what was going on with the company.The steering wheel, door panels, seat belts, headliner, and pillar trims are full of mold. On the vehicles floor, we can see paper mats, which indicate the Model S was probably washed before it was parked. Did water invade the cabin? That would explain the mold. In a vehicle where moisture may invade the battery pack and demand a $20,000 replacement, perhaps fungus growing in the interior is the least of the owners problems. Professional cleaners took six hours to get rid of that mess. Crypto Violin said he will sell the car anyway to buy a Model S Plaid.We have bad news for him. On Twitter, Fahim ELN (@FahimEln) shared images of a Model S before delivery. As Tesla investors started suggesting he made up the story because he likes NIO, he stated the photos came from Ashil Patel, who published the pictures on the Tesla Owners Worldwide Facebook group.In his post, Patel asked the help of other group members to find a way to get Elon to see this because this is ridiculous. The Model S would be the third Tesla in his family, ordered a year and a half ago. Patel paid $160,000 on the car, which suggests it is a Model S Plaid. Every time he had a delivery date, Tesla postponed it until September 18.Patel went to the Springfield Tesla Service Center and was flabbergasted by what he found. The pictures show a broken right taillight, misaligned panels, apparent welds in places where there should be nothing, bruised, scratched or missing paint, deformed headrests, torn bits in the seats, stained leather, scratched plastic cladding, and deformed rubber trims.The Tesla client complained about the issues, and the manager would not even come outside to look at all the problems in the car. His excuse was that he was short on staff, and he recommended that Patel should take delivery of the Model S and schedule an appointment to get everything fixed. Patel refused that and was told, to go order another car.We have no idea if Elon Musk will ever watch Crypto Violins video or see the pictures Patel wanted to show him. Anyway, he should. Musk should also care. But before American freight rail companies pat themselves on the back for a job well done, we suggest they first eat a couple of fat slices of humble pie. Why? Because they know for a fact that the American rail network could be so much better than it is. Young people abroad use their vast, high-speed native rail systems to ferry themselves across continents without driving. Meanwhile, Americans and their sub-par interstate passenger rail so often have to sit in traffic on the country's ever more crowded interstates.The reason why American rail is so hopeless compared to Europe and Asia has nothing to do with the abilities of our domestic manufacturing or the skill of our engineers. We should also note, we don't claim to know the answers to the endless problems plaguing American rail, both cargo and passenger. But so much of it has to do with decades-old antiquated rail doctrines that, at best, burn out cargo rail employees entirely too quickly and, at worst, ensure Amtrak riders spend exorbitant amounts of time sitting in train stations, not going anywhere.Why is this? Well, much of it has to do with a phenomenon we're going to refer to as Freight Supremacy. Because Amtrak owns only a tiny portion of the track its rolling stock travel over, and private freight companies own the rest, freight trains will nearly always take priority when it comes down to which train proceeds while the other waits behind on the same set of rails.Let's put it this way. To get from Paris, France, to Viena, Austria, via rail with a transfer in Nurnberg, Germany, takes a little under ten hours, give or take. That's a journey of just under 770 miles (1,236.1-km). For comparison, a similarly sized trip of 790 miles (1271.3-km) from New York to Chicago via the fancy Acella line to your transfer in Washington D.C. takes double that time, 20 hours and 45 minutes. Why? A big reason is rail supremacy. As infuriating as it is for Amtrak passengers and crew, American rail freight's feverish, break-neck pace is also leaving its workers reeling.So many of the debates between major American rail freight firms like CSX, Union Pacific, and Norfolk Southern and the two most prominent rail worker unions stem from an ostensible lack of pay and appropriate employee benefits associated with the perennial burnout from an industry that stops for no reason, despite difficulty finding lasting labor. If nothing else, this recent aborted labor strike shows just how interconnected passenger and freight rail service success in the U.S. truly is.Put it all together and add in decades of false promises and exaggerated claims of improvement by political actors from both major parties, we have a situation where the American rail system as a whole looks like an embarrassment compared to other countries in the developed world. President Joe Biden has announced intentions to grant Amtrak a sum of $66 billion in order to revitalize its fleet and potentially purchase more rail along its routes. But there's a sense among the American people vocal about comprehensive improvements in rail infrastructure that this simply isn't enough.Don't get twisted. This isn't a politically partisan issue. Democrats and Republicans alike have been bluffing on direct funding towards a nationwide high-speed rail network since the days when private companies like New York Central and Penn Central did the job Amtrak does today. Those who remember them will tell you traveling by train was much less a pain in the you-know-what back when they were around.Let's just cut to the chase already. The United States is more than capable of building a functioning, capable and dependable continent-crushing high-speed passenger rail network in our lifetimes. The fact that such projects are beset by political war games and endless bickering between labor unions and increasingly hawk-ish corporate upper management is nothing short of a complete national embarrassment. That's without mentioning that countless millions of Americans live nowhere near the nearest rail station. Be it inter-city/inter-county rail lines or interstate rail, lots of American towns are practically removed from access entirely.Not only can America build high-speed rail, but it can do while giving American rail workers the pay raises and benefits they've fought so ferociously to attain. All without cutting too much into the record profits American rail has seen over the last decade. If all parties were to meet in peace and devise real solutions instead of sewing discourse amongst each other, we might actually start seeing improvements that satisfy both American rail workers and their company's profits all at the same time. Hopefully, enough progress to actually have a decent WiFi connection on the average Northeast Regional train. Toyotas idea of a virtual hitch bar is interesting as a proof of concept and could be implemented with existing technologies. The idea is pretty straightforward and, as the name suggests, doesnt involve using a hitch ball, hitch bar, safety chain connections, or any other physical component. Instead, the vehicle in tow would use its sensors to follow the car in front automatically. This means it can act as an autonomous vehicle of some sort, accelerating, braking, and turning as needed.A video on Toyotas media website shows two T oyota Sienna minivans demonstrating the hitchless towing concept. Although the video was uploaded in August, it is not publicly listed. Instead, it can be accessed with a direct link, or you can watch it below. For now, the two vehicles maintain a considerable distance between them, but this should improve. If not, having another vehicle slot in between would be awkward. Toyota didnt provide technical details, but we assume the system must have some security built in. Otherwise, any vehicle can slot in between and hijack the towed car.But then again, if this indeed involves a secure protocol to connect the two vehicles, it would only work for two Toyota vehicles. We still struggle to find use cases for the hitchless towing systems. One would be when you have two Toyotas in your household (not very common, but not unusual either) and want to take them both someplace at the same time. But because there still needs to be a driver in the second car, this is not different from driving the vehicles separately.Besides that, towing means a different thing for most people. It is usually performed when the following vehicle cannot move under its own power. We dont know how were supposed to convince a broken-down car to follow the leader in this case. A tow hitch would do the trick nicely, though. Were not sure why Toyota thinks the North American market could benefit from this technology either. Well see how this goes, as Toyota will start testing the system on highways and in light urban traffic situations. When I get to Dubai, I go straight to our Phantom, rapper Offset said in a short video posted on his Instagram Stories on September 21. As he gave a small glimpse of the ride, he added, Dont play with me. The Phantom the rapper rented is nothing to play with, because it's not a regular vehicle, but a one-of-one Rolls-Royce Phantom stretch limo . It might look fake, but it's not.The interior of the massive luxury car provides enough seating for four people and, as you'd expect, comes with quite a lot of features. There's a fridge in one of the consoles and even a tablet to control the music or just pass the time.With a luxury car like this, it's all about privacy, with window tints, button-operated curtains, and a privacy glass between the cabin and the driver.The interior features white leather seats, it has a Starlight Headliner on a light gray roof, and you can see several wood accents throughout the cabin.Of course, the car is based on a real Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe, but it was cut and extended, according to Mo Vlogs, even more than the Extended Wheelbase version of the luxury sedan. It also seems to come with some body parts supplied by Mansory There are no official details about the specs, but the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe came with Rolls-Royce's powerful 6.75-liter V12 engine under the hood, good for 454 horsepower (460 ps) and a maximum torque of 531 lb-ft (720 Nm). These figures helped it reach 62 mph (100 kph) from a standstill in 5.8 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph (249 kph).One thing is for sure, Offset truly knows how to pick his rides, as this one is reportedly priced at $1 million. And it's exactly what he needs to roll in style. The Defense Ministry in Yerevan said one Armenian soldier was wounded when his unit came under cross-border mortar and small arms fire on Wednesday evening. The enemy fire was silenced by retaliatory actions, said Aram Torosian, the ministry spokesman. He clarified afterwards that the skirmish occurred near Sotk, a border village in Armenias Gegharkunik province which was heavily damaged by Azerbaijani shelling last week. For its part, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said that early on Thursday Armenian forces opened fire on its troops in the Kelbajar district bordering Gegharkunik, using mortars, grenade launchers and automatic weapons. It also claimed that an Armenian sabotage group tried unsuccessfully to attack their Azerbaijani positions in the area. Torosian dismissed the claims as disinformation. No further truce violations were registered as of Thursday afternoon, the official told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. The fresh skirmishes were reported hours after Azerbaijani President Ilham again blamed Armenia for last weeks fighting and threatened it with further military action. I hope that this [escalation] finally taught them a lesson because they saw that nothing can stop us, Aliyev said during a visit to Lachin, another Azerbaijani district sandwiched between Armenia and Karabakh. Nobodys phone call, no statement or initiative will stop us. Meanwhile, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that Azerbaijan is trying to force Armenia to fulfill its maximalist demands. He charged earlier that Baku wants Yerevan to fully accept the Azerbaijani terms of a bilateral peace treaty and to open an exterritorial corridor connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave. On Monday, Mirzoyan met with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov in New York for talks hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the ongoing annual session of the UN General Assembly. Blinken urged the two sides to prevent further hostilities and return to the peace process. The United States reportedly helped to stop the September 13-14 border clashes which left at least 280 Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers dead. Congratulating Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Armenias independence anniversary marked on Wednesday, Biden also reaffirmed U.S. support for the Armenian peoples democratic aspiration, sovereignty, and security. The United States stands with Armenia as you continue working to combat corruption, develop accountable institutions, strengthen rule of law, and advance respect for human rights, read his congratulatory message publicized by Pashinians office on Thursday. Biden also said: Recent hostilities [on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border] underscore the need to redouble our diplomacy so Armenia can look to a prosperous and peaceful future, which includes normalization of relations with neighbors. We remain committed to working with you and other parties to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict, including for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, added the U.S. president. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken similarly stressed the need for a long-term political settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on August 24 when he announced the appointment of a new U.S. co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group. The mediator, Philip Reeker, visited Yerevan and Baku last week amid deadly border clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry denounced Blinkens statement, saying that the U.S. risks being left out of the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process with its attempts to revive the Minsk Group. It again claimed that Azerbaijans victory in the 2020 war with Armenia put an end to the Karabakh conflict. The outgoing U.S. ambassador in Yerevan, Lynne Tracy, has repeatedly stated over the past year that Washington considers the conflict unresolved because there is still no agreement on Karabakhs status. Karabakhs ethnic Armenian leaders remain strongly opposed to any settlement that would restore Azerbaijans full control over the territory. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter. Riblet structures provide up to three percent additional yield Europe-wide sales and retrofitting of turbines by Omega-Tools GmbH Energiekontor AG, a pioneer in renewable energies since 1990 and listed on the SDAX of the German stock exchange, has teamed up with the international maintenance company Omega-Tools GmbH and BASFs Coatings division to gradually equip its wind turbines with Novaflex BladeUp, thus making them more efficient. With its microscopic line structures, the functional film ensures a noticeable increase in the yield of wind turbines. The riblets reduce the formation of unfavorable air turbulence on the surface of the blades, so that a larger proportion of the wind can be used for generating electricity. In a measurement campaign that has been running for about a year, an increase of up to three percent in power output was determined; for this purpose, BASF Novaflex BladeUp was installed on a 1.3-megawatt SWT 1,300 turbine (formerly AN Bonus) in Ilsede, Lower Saxony, Germany. We are impressed with the significant increase in power yield with Novaflex BladeUp. This makes it all the more important that we implement this option for our plants in a timely manner and thus contribute to the energy transition, said Carsten Schwarz, Member of the Management Board from Energiekontor AG. The company has awarded Omega-Tools GmbH a first contract to equip wind turbines of the tested type with BASFs film and intends to include further turbine types. In the long term, Energiekontor AG wants to equip all available turbines their own and those managed by their company with Novaflex BladeUp. BASF has worked closely with the Wind division of Omega-Tools GmbH to ensure that the films are professionally installed. The subsequent application of the functional film to existing wind turbines is feasible without long idle times of the plant and can be performed for every model, said Olaf Dostalek, Managing Director of Omega-Tools GmbH, who with his company takes over the Europe-wide application of Novaflex BladeUp to the turbines of Energiekontor AG, and who acts as contact and sales partner for this technology in the market. BASF is also interested in extending Novaflex BladeUp to turbines and blades from other manufacturers and other performance classes. An integration into the manufacturing processes of the blade manufacturers would also be possible, so that new wind turbines can directly generate a higher electricity yield, said Jorg Lenz, head of the Beyond Paint Solutions business unit at BASF. A Rohingya volunteer watchman was killed at a refugee camp in Coxs Bazar allegedly by Rohingya insurgents, making him the fifth victim of such an attack by armed rebels, Bangladeshi police said Wednesday. While police wouldnt say whether the suspected assailants belonged to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) insurgent group, residents of the sprawling camps near the Myanmar border insist that it was behind these attacks on the volunteer Rohingya security guards. A group of 20-25 armed men attacked volunteer security watchmen early Wednesday morning at the Balukhali camp in the Ukhia sub-district, said Md. Faruk Ahmed, assistant superintendent of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn-8), who identified the dead victim as 35-year-old Mohammad Jafor. The armed group attacked Jafor around 3:30 a.m. and stabbed him with a sharp weapon, the police officer said, adding that Jafor was later hacked with machetes. The rebel Rohingya groups are facing obstacles to committing any offence inside the camps due to the volunteer guards. Thats why they are now trying to challenge the security of the camp through such attacks, he said. According to the police, including Jafor, at least five Rohingya volunteer watchmen and three camp leaders have been killed since July. According to APBN officials, almost 8,000 Rohingya volunteer for guard duty. Night-time guards were introduced at the camps in October following the September 2021 killing of Rohingya leader Muhib Ullah, who had drawn international attention to the refugees plight and visited the White House in Washington. In a report issued in June, Bangladesh police alleged that ARSA leader Ataullah Abu Ahmmar Jununi had ordered Muhib Ullah assassinated because he was popular. Jubair blamed ARSA for killing Rohingya leaders who call for refugees to repatriate to Rakhine, their home state in nearby Myanmar. He said that while ARSA claimed that its members were working to defend and protect Rohingya against state repression in Myanmar, they wouldnt flinch in attacking refugees. ARSA, formerly known as Al-Yaaqin, is the Rohingya insurgent group that launched coordinated deadly attacks on Burmese government military and police outposts in Rakhine that provoked a crackdown that began on Aug. 25, 2017 and forced close to three-quarters of a million people to seek shelter in Bangladesh. For years since the 2017 exodus into Coxs Bazar, Bangladeshi government officials denied that ARSA had a foothold or presence in the sprawling camps, which house about 1 million refugees. But that changed with Muhib Ullahs killing by a group of gunmen and other attacks that followed. Md. Harun, a security volunteer and community leader, told BenarNews about Wednesdays attack: We suspect that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army is behind this latest attack. Hasina on Rohingya repatriation Earlier, on Tuesday, Bangladeshi border guards and police arrested 22 people, including seven Rohingya refugees, when they were trying to go to Malaysia by boat via the Bay of Bengal. Teknaf Model Police Station chief Hafizur Rahman said that of the 15, seven were Rohingya and the rest were Bangladeshi nationals. And of the 15 Bangladeshis, five were working as agents to send the remaining 10 of their compatriots to Malaysia, the officer said. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday again urged the international community and the United Nations to hasten the repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingya to Myanmar, state news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported. Hasina made this call while U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi paid her a courtesy call in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly proceedings. Hasina also emphasized enhancing the U.N. refugee agencys activities in Myanmar on Rohingya issues. Indonesian President Joko Widodo listens as U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an event with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as part of the U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit, in Washington, May 13, 2022. President Joko Jokowi Widodos absence from the U.N. General Assembly for an eighth consecutive year is a missed opportunity for Jakarta to present its views on major global issues, and lowers Indonesias standing as G20 chair, analysts and legislators said. Since taking office in 2014, Jokowi has never attended the meetings of the world body in person and will not attend this years session in New York because he has to deal with urgent domestic issues, the presidential secretariat said. Sukamta, a lawmaker with the opposition Prosperous Justice Party, said Jokowis presence at the United Nations headquarters could be an opportunity to showcase Indonesias leadership on the international stage amid a transformation from a unipolar to multi-polar world. It is quite unfortunate that Mr. Jokowi is not [going to be] present at the U.N. General Assembly, Sukamta told BenarNews. In todays uncertain global situation, the world needs new leadership figures. Jokowi attended last years General Assembly via video link as Southeast Asias most populous country was reeling from a surge in COVID-19 cases. This year, Indonesia is expected to be represented by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, while Jokowi will stay home, said the head of the presidential secretariat Heru Budi Hartono. Retno is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Monday. [The president] wants to focus more on domestic issues first. There are many urgent tasks that need to be discussed with the ministers, Heru told BenarNews. However, attending the U.N. meeting in person would have been a good opportunity for Jakarta to demonstrate leadership ahead of what is expected to be a contentious G20 summit in Bali in November, said Yanuardi Syukur, a researcher at the Center for Strategic Policy Studies at the University of Indonesia. Ideally, as the G20 chair, Indonesia should take every opportunity to show the world that it is capable of global leadership, Yanuardi told BenarNews. In his State of the Nation speech on Aug. 16, Jokowi said that with its chairmanship of the G20 this year and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year, Indonesia was at the pinnacle of global leadership. Jokowi now needs to be more assertive at the upcoming G20 summit to make up for his no-show at the General Assembly Hall, Yanuardi said. The build-up to the meeting in Bali has been fraught in recent months with divisions within the G20 over Russias war in Ukraine. Western countries have condemned Russia for invading Ukraine, but other members, including China, Indonesia and India, have refused to follow suit and have maintained ties with Moscow. As this years holder of the rotating G20 presidency, Jokowi has sought unity within the grouping of the worlds 20 leading industrialized and emerging economies ahead of the summit. In March, U.S. President Joe Biden, who is also expected to attend the summit, urged Jokowi to invite Ukraine as a guest if Russia was not expelled from the group for invading its smaller neighbor in late February. Jokowi said in August that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping were both expected to attend the G20 summit. Dinna Prapto Raharja, co-founder of the Sinergy Policies think-tank, said face-to-face meetings with other leaders during the U.N. General Assembly would have aided Jokowis push for G20 unity. Presence [at the U.N.] also symbolizes support for multilateralism amid global power rivalry, Dinna told BenarNews. More concerned with domestic politics Muhammad Syaroni Rofii, a lecturer in international relations at the University of Indonesias School of Strategic and Global Studies, said Jokowi might have chosen to stay in the country owing to nearly daily street protests against a recent government decision to raise fuel prices by 30 percent. It seems that Mr. Jokowi wants to ensure that the domestic situation is stable, Syaroni told BenarNews. Syaroni said Jokowis physical absence at the General Assembly for eight straight years also might reflect his priorities. Jokowi is more concerned with domestic politics. Infrastructure development is his top priority. Meanwhile, foreign policy is mostly delegated to Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, said Syaroni. Atip Latipulhayat, professor in international law at Padjadjaran University in Bandung, contrasted Jokowi with founding President Sukarno who used his speech at the U.N. General Assembly in 1960 to rally the world against imperialism. If I was asked to guess the reason, I suspect Mr. Jokowi feels that he is not a man of ideas, unlike Sukarno, said Atip. This could be the reason why Jokowis attempt to mediate between Russia and Ukraine was not successful, he said. Things could be different if he had invested in U.N. forums, he said. Kuala Lumpur plans to press ASEAN into deciding the fate of its five-point consensus on Myanmar before the regional blocs summit in November, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said Monday in New York on the eve of high-level proceedings at the U.N. General Assembly. By November the bloc will need to decide whether the consensus its leaders had agreed on with Myanmar in April 2021 should be junked, said Malaysias outspoken top diplomat, who has consistently taken the lead on post-coup Myanmar issues at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Saifuddin spoke to reporters as part of a panel after he met with Burmese opposition members in New York. Mondays meeting took place amid reports that the junta forces had fired on a village school in Myanmars Sagaing region, killing at least seven children, in what appeared to be the deadliest incident involving children since last years military coup. Saifuddin questioned the validity of the consensus. Between now and November ASEAN must seriously review if the 5-point consensus is still relevant and decide if it is still relevant. By the time we meet in November, we must ask hard questions and have an answer, Saifuddin said as he addressed reporters afterwards at Malaysias diplomatic mission to the United Nations. If it is not working we have to decide whats next. We cannot go in November and then start talking about it. We have to do the groundwork now. The Myanmar military meanwhile has blithely ignored the five-point consensus it agreed to with ASEAN last year, one of the main points of which was an end to violence. Its forces have also killed more nearly 2,300 people since the generals seized power by toppling an elected government on Feb. 1, 2021. In July, Saifuddin had raised the prospect of scrapping the consensus to resolve Myanmars post-coup crisis, after the Burmese junta made a mockery of it by executing four political prisoners. The consensus had called for an end to violence; constructive dialogue among all parties; the mediation of such talks by a special ASEAN envoy; the provision of ASEAN-coordinated humanitarian assistance and a visit to Myanmar by an ASEAN delegation to meet with all parties. Activists and analysts have lambasted the Southeast Asian bloc for the failed five-point plan to restore democracy to Myanmar, because the junta and its leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, have ignored every point they agreed to 17 months ago at an emergency ASEAN summit in Jakarta. On Monday, the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights called the five-point consensus an unmitigated failure. We have to develop a new model, the way forward is the NUG should be a part of this, said APHR Chairperson and Malaysian MP Charles Santiago, who attended the press briefing with Saifuddin. The NUG has no role to play in the existing model, but now the NUG should be part of the rebuilding of Myanmar, Santiago added. The NUG, or the National Unity Government, is the parallel civilian government of Myanmar. On Monday, Saifuddin also expressed his disappointment with the extent of ASEANs dialogue with the Myanmar opposition, namely the NUG and the NUCC, a body of opposition stakeholders. Malaysia is not satisfied with the engagement [of ASEAN with the NUG and NUCC] because we have made this call months ago that ASEAN should engage with the NUG and NUCC, he said. There must be consultation between ASEAN and stakeholders, with a clear endgame and the endgame is return to democracy in Myanmar. Malaysia was the first ASEAN member to officially contact Myanmars shadow, civilian government. Saifuddin said the NUG in recent months had worked to bring together all the ethnic communities of Myanmar. In the past few months, the NUG has done a wonderful job of confidence building in all stakeholders. We have probably not seen such unity among all stakeholders ever, he said. ASEAN must engage with the NUG, and this is something we will again bring up on the 22nd, he said. ASEAN foreign ministers are scheduled to meet informally Sept. 22 on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. U.S. President Joe Biden takes part in a bilateral meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos in New York, Sept. 22, 2022. President Joe Biden on Thursday met face-to-face in New York for the first time with the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos, the new leader of Washingtons longtime Indo-Pacific ally, to discuss the disputed South China Sea, among other global issues. The two presidents met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, four months after Marcos, the son and namesake of the late Philippine dictator, swept to power in a landslide electoral victory. The Philippines and the United States are allies in a mutual defense treaty dating back to 1951, and Biden on Thursday said Washington and Manila were in a critical, critical relationship. For decades, the alliance has strengthened both of us, I believe, Biden said to Marcos before they started their bilateral meeting, according to a transcript released by the White House. [I] expect well discuss the South China Sea and disputes in a critical global throughway. Ive spent a lot of time with with not only the President of China but others about the international waters and how they have to be respected. During the meeting, according to a readout from the White House, the two leaders reflected on the importance of the US.-Philippine alliance and Biden reaffirmed the United States ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines. Apart from discussing the situation in the South China Sea, they talked about energy security, climate action, infrastructure, the impact of the Russian war in Ukraine on energy prices and food security, and the crisis in Myanmar, among other matters, the readout said. In the South China Sea, the Philippines and China have overlapping territorial claims. Beijing has never accepted a 2016 international arbitration tribunal that ruled in Manilas favor and said that Chinas claims had no legal basis. Beijing also consistently encroaches on Manilas waters in the Philippine exclusive economic zone. Before taking office on June 30, Marcos promised he would assert the 2016 arbitration court ruling, an issue that his immediate predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, was widely criticized for overlooking. On Thursday, the Philippine president said the role of the United States in maintaining the peace in our region is something that is much appreciated by all the countries in the regions and the Philippines especially. [I] hope that we will be able to discuss further the roles that our two countries will play together and individually as we continue down that road, maintaining peace despite all of the complexities that have arisen in the past few months, he added, according to the transcript from the White House. The U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty calls on both countries to aid each other in times of aggression by an external power. The Pentagon previously said it was prepared to assist Manila if it invoked the treaty amid threats from other nations. In March, the two nations conducted one of their largest-ever joint exercises with officials, saying they hoped it would convey a message of strong bilateral military ties in the face of maritime challenges from China. Additionally, Washington conducts regular freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, where several Southeast Asian nations have overlapping claims with that of Chinas. In his speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Marcos alluded to the South China Sea when he urged respect for an open, inclusive, and rules-based international order that is governed by international law and informed by the principles of equity and justice. He also said then that Manila would continue to be a friend to all, and enemy of none, implying it wouldnt take sides in a superpower rivalry. Human rights As they prepared to go into Thursdays bilateral meeting, Biden also said that he hoped to discuss human rights with his Philippine counterpart. According to a readout from their meeting, the two men also discussed the importance of respect for human rights. The U.S. presidents comment came a day after the 50th anniversary of Ferdinand E. Marcos martial law declaration, a painful memory for thousands of Filipinos who saw their rights trampled upon. Activists have documented thousands of cases of deaths and enforced disappearances that took place during 14 years of martial law. As thousands marked the anniversary in the Philippines, Marcos, issued no statement from New York. More recently, the Marcos administration said it was seeking to block efforts by the U.N.s International Criminal Court to investigate alleged abuses and thousands of officer-involved killings committed by his Rodrigo Duterte, in the Philippine war on drugs. Camille Elemia in Manila contributed to this report. Communist New Peoples Army (NPA) guerrillas stop a vehicle at a checkpoint in Lagonlong, a town in Misamis Oriental province, southern Philippines, May 2, 2016. In a major setback for the government, a Manila court dismissed its petition to declare the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New Peoples Army, as terrorist groups. The CPP and NPA were not organized for terrorism, Marlo Magdoza-Malagar, the presiding judge at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch, said in the ruling on Wednesday that was made public the next day. The communist party and its guerrilla wing have been waging an insurgency against the government since 1969. While the armed struggle with the violence that necessarily accompanies it is indubitably the approved means to achieve the CPP-NPAs purpose, means is not synonymous with purpose, a portion of the 135-page ruling said. Armed struggle is only a means to achieve the CPPs purpose; it is not the purpose of the creation of the CPP, it added. The Department of Justice filed the petition in 2018, citing the Human Security Act of 2007 as a basis. If it had won the case, the government would have been allowed to examine bank accounts of the organizations leaders and members. The HSA law was repealed in 2020 after the Philippines adopted the controversial Anti-Terror Act, a law with more teeth and wider scope. The government can still seek to have the communist groups proscribed under the ATA. On Thursday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told reporters that his office was ready to appeal the decision and, if necessary, elevate it to the Court of Appeals. Its something that the state has to take care of when people are attacking the state. We need to act and we use the law for this purpose. And we will obey the law whatever the case may be, Remulla told reporters. Rebellion is not terrorism In its decision, the court cited nine incidents against civilians in the southern Mindanao region that, according to the governments petition, were committed by the CPP-NPA. The court said these only qualified as rebellion, not terrorism. Terrorism is larger in scope than rebellion; rebellion is only one of the various means by which terrorism can be committed, the ruling said, citing a previous decision by another Philippine court. According to the ruling, none of the incidents caused widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the wider population and could instead be characterized as pocket and sporadic occurrences. It added that the CPP-NPAs chosen strategy of guerrilla warfare was also not synonymous with terrorism. Perhaps contributing to the low impact of the foregoing atrocities is the CPP-NPAs chosen battle strategy which is guerrilla warfare within the context of a protracted peoples war, the court said. The nine incidents of atrocities fall within the category of small-time hit and run attacks and sporadic acts of violence with no specified victims or targets. The court also said that the witnesses only identified the alleged suspects based on clothes and firearms. This identification leaves much to be desired. Certainly, it takes more than a certain manner or mode of dressing to establish that one is a member of the CPP-NPA, it said. The Philippines has no law prohibiting membership to communist groups. Such identification based on clothes and weapons, the court added, is not exclusive in Mindanao, where there are other armed groups such as the Abu Sayyaf, Maute group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and Moro National Liberation Front, among others. In addition, the court said, the government failed to present evidence proving that incidents in Mindanao were committed on the orders of the communist leadership and that they were done to coerce the state to give in to the groups demand. The court also touched on the dangers of red-tagging individuals. Red-tagging is a term activists use when law enforcers accuse groups or individuals of being communist rebels or supporters of the leftist insurgency. A member of mass organizations, the court said, is not always a member of any of the underground movements, much less the CPP-NPA. Legal pushback The communist party said it welcomed the reasonable and fair court decision, calling it a legal pushback by some members of the judiciary against the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). The task force and some of its officials have been criticized for its alleged vilification and red-tagging of individuals and groups. I think the NTF-ELCAC is now legally obliged to zip its big mouth and stop its terrorist-branding against the CPP and NPA, and its campaign of suppression against workers unions, peasant associations, CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena said in a statement on Thursday. Otherwise, the NTF-ELCAC will probably face legal challenges. Renato Reyes, secretary-general of the progressive group Bayan, said it was time for the government to stop its policy of terrorist labeling to address armed conflict. The Philippine government should pursue a policy of peace negotiations that address the social basis of the conflict in order to achieve a just and lasting peace, Reyes said in a statement on Thursday. Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, former national police chief and the key enforcer of former President Rodrigo Dutertes drug war, expressed regret over the court ruling. I feel its a waste. Had it been the other way around, it would have been a big help in our anti-insurgency crackdown, Dela Rosa told reporters on Thursday. Despite the unfavorable ruling, retired Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, the head of the task force, stood by their claim that the communist group and its armed wing are terrorists. [The court has] the right to do that but still the NTF-ELCAC still sustains its previous record. Even the international community made its stand against the CPP as a foreign terrorist organization, Salamat said in a televised interview on the same day. Thats the funny part. We are here in the Philippines, saying that the CPP-NPA is not a terrorist group, while other international organizations already made strong statements that they are a terrorist group, he added. The Philippine government, through the Anti-Terror Council created by the anti-terror law, designated the CPP and NPA as terrorist groups in 2020, as well as 16 other linked organizations in 2022 further suppressing their funding sources. The United States, the European Union, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and United Kingdom have long designated the CPP-NPA as a foreign terrorist organization. Jojo Rinoza in Manila contributed to this report. 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. Large numbers of Russians have rushed to book one-way tickets out of the country after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of military reservists for the war in Ukraine Business writer Tony Dobrowolski's main focus is on business reporting. He came to The Eagle in 1992 after previously working for newspapers in Connecticut and Montreal. He can be reached at tdobrowolski@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6224. Community News Editor / Librarian Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989. It underscores why our democracy, which relies both upon the rule of law and a system of norms, is so structurally vulnerable to polarization. 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. SPRINGFIELD The Berkshire Eagle is going to court today to fight the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in its bid to get a reporter to reveal a confidential source. The Eagle says in court filings that doing so would break the reporters promise not to reveal the identity of a person who provided information about a Chicopee mans claim in a civil lawsuit that as an altar boy in the 1960s he was repeatedly raped by clergy, including a former bishop, Christopher J. Weldon. The Eagles coverage in 2019 revealed an attempt by the diocese to shield the late bishop from being exposed as an abuser. That coverage was supported by an independent judges report in 2020 and cited repeatedly in the mans 2021 lawsuit against the diocese and eight of its officials, including former Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski. A subpoena from the dioceses lawyers asks the newspaper, in effect, to violate a pledge to a confidential source and would undermine its ability to conduct investigative journalism, The Eagle says in court filings. On Thursday, a judge in Hampden County Superior Court will weigh whether Larry Parnass, The Eagles managing editor for innovation, will have to turn over certain notes, communications and other documents to the diocese, which oversees Berkshire County. In its subpoena, the diocese also demands Parnass provide a deposition on those same elements of the civil case. In an affidavit, Parnass told the court he cannot produce the requested information while protecting the identity of a confidential source. Forcing him to do all this might give future whistleblowers pause. The order also harms my ability to engage in investigative reporting with nonconfidential sources, he said in an affidavit filed last month. If I am required to comply with the order, I believe that potential sources in the future will be less likely to speak with me for fear of entanglement in litigation. The diocese rejects the claim that a sources privacy is a consideration in this case. Production of these materials will not in any way impact newsgathering or chill potential sources to the press who, like these sources, wanted to be made public, says a diocese filing. The diocese says Parnass information is critical to determining consistency in the plaintiffs statements about his abusers. Parnass began reporting on the mans story in 2019, and has written more than a dozen news articles about the allegations against Weldon and the dioceses handling of the case and subsequent lawsuit. The man, listed in court documents as John Doe, filed suit in January 2021 against the Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield and other diocese clergy and officials, claiming he was brutalized by sexual abuse in the 1960s when he was an altar boy. The man, now 70, named Weldon and two parish priests as his abusers. Weldon also served the diocese from 1950 to 1977. The man describes violent and ongoing rapes and abuse as a child, and in his complaint refers to what he experienced as atrocities. A internal diocesan review board and two investigators found his claims credible. Weldons name was stripped from a Springfield rehabilitation hospital. A task force was set up to improve the dioceses handling of abuse claims. Apart from the abuse itself, the mans lawsuit seeks redress on grounds that diocesan officials mishandled his claims, failed to act on them and staged a cover-up. During the litigation, the diocese attempted to shield itself by claiming immunity through its charitable status, but the Supreme Judicial Court shot that down in April. With that defeat, lawyers continued their collection of evidence, known as discovery, leading to the serving of a subpoena to Parnass in March asking him to produce a wide range of documents. The newspaper moved to quash the subpoena, mainly on grounds that it would reveal sources to whom Parnass had promised anonymity and impair the ability of journalists to report on powerful people and entities. Judge Karin L. Goodwin, citing a classic fishing expedition by the diocese for a broad array of information, narrowed the scope of the dioceses requests to Parnass. She centered it only on an area she saw as relevant and that she believed didnt involve confidential sources what the man told a diocese investigator and review board about Bishop Weldon before the panel found his claims credible. Parnass said even this pared down scope will compromise his source and he and the newspapers attorney, Jeffrey J. Pyle, are asking for full protection. It is this reporters privilege, balanced against the dioceses right to information to make their case, that Judge Goodwin will weigh on Thursday. Balancing interests There is no shield law for reporters in Massachusetts. It is one of the few states without one. The Supreme Judicial Court in 1985 dismissed a petition from the governor that would make rules to shield journalists from the kinds of threats now faced by Parnass, who would be subject to sanctions if he refuses to comply with the court. Multiple attempts to pass a national shield law have failed, leaving a patchwork of different rules, and leaving journalists vulnerable. Massachusetts follows common law, and takes a case-by-case approach to press protection, while balancing the need for information crucial to a court case. The scale should tip a bit more toward journalists when confidential sources need protection, say First Amendment and press freedom advocates. It leaves sources vulnerable to retaliation. It creates a significant chilling effect on information coming to light, said Jennifer A. Nelson, senior staff attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in Washington, D.C., which provides free legal representation and other support to journalists. Among its many online resources for reporters in every state, the committee keeps a list of reporters who have been jailed for refusing to reveal confidential sources. As of 2019, there were 23 in the U.S. dating back to 1950 including Judith Miller of The New York Times in 2005 for her reporting on a White House leak. A slew of others were fined over the years; seven were both jailed and fined. The California-based First Amendment Coalition runs the Subpoena Defense Initiative, which also provides support and education for journalists. Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, says hes hearing more anecdotal stories of newsrooms receiving subpoenas for reporting materials, though he says he has no data to back it up. He says a universal shield law would give newsrooms certainty about their degree of protection. In the meantime, the coalition is working to help journalists. We have a class online titled, What to do if you receive a subpoena, Silverman said. We try to educate newsrooms about what their rights are and good practices within their newsrooms. Occasionally well hear of a newsroom receiving a subpoena and theyll comply right away not knowing exactly what their rights are or how they can respond or push back. The Eagle has pushed back, and will continue to do so, said Publisher Fredric Rutberg. This is a question of principle, and thats why were making this case, and were proud to be making it, Rutberg said. Were disappointed that we have to. Rutberg, a former judge in Berkshire County, said it is unusual to see a civil litigant asking for a reporters notes and testimony about confidential communications. He criticized the diocese for doubling down on this issue. Its particularly galling to me that the diocese, thats in the business of trying to soothe people, is trying to do something to try to undermine the First Amendment and freedom of speech, Rutberg said. The diocese, however, says in court filings that it sees specific materials held by Parnass as key to its case. Diocese attorney Michael McDonough declined to comment, saying he is not authorized to speak on aspects of the case that relate to press freedoms. Pyle, the Boston-based media law attorney representing Parnass, says its been at least a decade since hes gone to court on behalf of a reporter to protect a confidential source. And I think that that speaks to the care that judges typically take with weighing a partys request for information against the threat to the First Amendment, Pyle said, noting that he has testified before the Legislature in favor of a shield law that would give reporters more certainty about their protections. Pyle says the legal fallout in this case is a perfect example of whats at stake in the reporting of important news stories particularly the risks of revealing the identity of a source who was promised that they would remain anonymous. There is no question in my mind that Larrys sources would not have come forward but for that promise, Pyle said. Priests question fund appeal for camp cited in Bishop Weldon abuse report EAGLE INVESTIGATIONS: Like all camps that can't open this summer, the one the Springfield Diocese owns alongside a cool mountain reservoir is hurting for money. Some see a new fund appeal as "tone deaf" in light of the past use of Camp Holy Cross by a former bishop found to have raped an altar boy. John Wendling built over 300 homes in Berkshire County over the course of his career. Now, he's a key part of a different kind of construction: supportive housing for homeless residents in Pittsfield. Donald Morrison is an Eagle columnist and co-chairman of the advisory board. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of The Berkshire Eagle. BOISE - The Idaho Department of Education is encouraging high school seniors with outstanding academic achievement who are set to graduate between January and August of 2023 to apply for the 2022-23 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Seniors who score exceptionally well on either the SAT or the ACT college admissions exams during the two-year window that began in 2020 and runs through October 2022 are automatically considered for participation. This automatic selection includes the top 20 female and top 20 male test-takers. Those students are notified by the Presidential Scholars Program. Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra may also nominate up to 20 additional candidates 10 female and 10 male based on their outstanding scholarship, achievements and demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership. In addition, students in career and technical education (CTE) fields may also apply for the program. Superintendent Ybarra may nominate up to five students based on their accomplishments in CTE fields. Students who would like to be considered for a nomination can apply HERE. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 4. Seeing the enormous talent of Idahos students being recognized at the national level is always exciting, and our hard-working kids have earned it, Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra said. I know that there are students out there who are incredibly deserving of this honor, and Im excited to see what this years application process brings us. The following items are required for both traditional and CTE seniors to apply for the program. Students seeking a CTE nomination should note this in the self-assessment portion of the application, along with: BLACKFOOT, ID - A 35-year-old Blackfoot, ID man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for coercing a minor to engage in sexual activity and producing and receiving child pornography. Andrew Ray Young was also sentenced to 25 years of supervised release, which will commence upon completing his prison sentence. Young will also be required to register as a sex offender. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, the investigation began in December 2020, after an individual reported finding sexually explicit Snapchat messages between a 14-year-old child and Young. A detective with the Bonneville County Sherriffs Office obtained a search warrant for Youngs home and electronic devices. A search of Youngs phone found that Young was having sexual conversations with the child for over eight months. During that time, he had the child produce numerous sexually explicit images and videos. This included 38 files recovered from Youngs phone. The child testified at trial that the Defendant met her online. Through a process of grooming, he convinced her to produce the images and videos. Protecting the most vulnerable members of our society, our children, has never been more urgent, said Hurwit. I thank our federal and local partners for their teamwork and dedication in this case. We will continue our efforts to ensure the safety of Idahos children. Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, a preview of the latest entry into the "Killing" series, "Killing the Legends." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices The company will use SigTuple AI100 to digitise its entire network of pathology labs Krsnaa Diagnostics will set up a tele-pathology reporting centre in Pune, to use AI100 to digitise its entire network of pathology labs. For this, Krsnaa Diagnostics has tied up with SigTuple to use artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technology to automate the manual microscopy process across its entire pathology network. The tie-up is expected to significantly reduce the turnaround time, standardise reporting quality and increase efficiency. SigTuple AI100 is the premier solution for AI-assisted digital pathology. It is also the only digital pathology solution available, which is economical and robust enough for wide-scale adoption in emerging markets. Dr Ravinder Sethi, COO, Krsnaa Diagnostics said, The SigTuples AI100 will be deployed across our laboratories. To begin with, we have commenced deployment in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. COO of Pathology Services at Krsnaa Diagnostics, Dr Manish Dattatreya Karekar, said, One of the major challenges that any diagnostics provider faces in setting up quality diagnostic centres outside of the large urban areas, is the availability of pathologists. In the absence of a pathologist at site in laboratories outside urban areas, these samples need to be shipped to central reference laboratories for review. This tie-up will help the pathologists work efficiently and bring standardization in reporting processes." Unpacking the important metrics beyond price and language More organisations of all sizes are choosing to outsource their business services than ever before. Experienced outsourcers that have been doing so for years are upping the ante, and there is a marked increase in first-time outsourcers who are looking to achieve greater efficiencies and improve customer experience across their operations. The drivers behind the big increase in offshoring are diverse, and they bring many complexities in the journey to finding the best-fit BPO partner. Clinton Cohen While the consequences of the pandemic may have been a catalyst that fast-tracked a shift to outsourcing, I dont believe they are temporary or fleeting. There is a significant shift of organisations outsourcing more of their non-core processes and skills requirements in the long term to obtain the operational and labour efficiencies they need in a massively competitive environment. Skills shortages in countries like the US are a significant driver, while many businesses want to avoid the capex on inhouse functions, processes and infrastructure to manage their growth while still facing a volatile market and economy, explains Clinton Cohen, CEO of iContact BPO, a South African-based BPO provider servicing predominantly international markets. iContact BPO is part of the Alefbet Holdings group which owns numerous collections and customer service BPO providers. The multichannel and always-on client service platforms that became mainstream in the last two to three years as businesses now serve customers from across the globe are also here to stay - from in-person to whatsapp and e-mail, chatbots, online to service agent. Businesses are under massive pressure to manage such a diverse service eco-system not only in terms of the tech, but also the financial and human capital that underpins it. There are very few businesses that can handle all these diverse functions and processes inhouse, and the move to outsourcing is a complex process with many moving parts. There are critical objectives to be set in the how and why of outsourcing your non-core processes, and then finding the best BPO partner to deliver on your objectives and performance metrics, adds Cohen. Some of the objectives behind outsourcing include achieving greater operational efficiencies, cost reductions, labour arbitrage, accessing value added-services and better technology, improving customer service and experience, enhanced data and analytics capabilities and managing business continuity risks. Once these objectives are clearly defined and measurable, the most challenging part of the strategy is finding the right BPO partner to fulfil on your objectives and targets both in terms of its operational and technical capabilities, as well as having the right culture-fit for your business and customers. One of the ways of managing the complexity in this process is to work with a specialist third-party facilitator who would be responsible for setting up the outsourced offshore office and operations and recruiting the right BPO partner to meet the defined objectives. iContact BPO has worked closely with BrainCX a customer experience (CX) and digital transformation consultancy - and believes that having an experienced partner that can align the objectives and CX needs of the client, with the right BPO partner in terms of capabilities and culture, is invaluable, notably for businesses entering into outsourcing for the first time, and for those that have complex, multinational outsourcing strategies. A trusted outsourcing facilitator will have extensive experience in different markets and geographies with many BPO providers and can provide referrals and partner selection options that integrate with your technology outsourcing and digital transformation strategies. When embraced strategically, such a facilitator puts in the hard yards both in terms of expertise, market reach and time to help your business expand sooner with a proven outsourcing strategy and process, avoiding the hurdles and pitfalls along the way, adds Cohen. Research conducted by Knowledge Executive on behalf of GBS World surveyed over 360 global business buyers from Australia, Canada, the UK and the US, and revealed that finding the right BPO provider is anything but straightforward. It often takes buyers between three (48%) and six months (7%) before they find a right-fit supplier. Just over 56% of respondents in the GBS World research indicated that they struggled to shortlist just five best-fit service providers. Tariq Alinur Tariq Alinur, CEO of BrainCX, a US-based CX strategist and digital transformation expert that provides such outsourcing facilitation to some of the largest brands around the globe, explains that when a client is building their outsourcing model, there needs to be a strategy and roadmap that underpins how this process unfolds, and how the stated objectives translate into operational excellence. Outsourcing can be an intimidating process and the shift is not cut and dried or simple. Recently, BrainCX (BCX) and iContact BPO worked together in landing a large North American telecommunications company in an outsourcing bid to South Africa a significant win for Cape Towns burgeoning BPO industry. With many years of experience on both sides of being a client and a provider, Tariq Alinur shares some of the most important considerations that he looks for when finding the best BPO partner for his clients: Channel competency Its important that your BPO provider has the experience and technical skills sets to deliver on the type of channel you need to deliver on your customer experience objectives. Does the BPO provider have a core competency in the same or similar channel that you require support on? Ideally if youre wanting Whatsapp and chat support, youd want to see a track record in these channel competencies. Its important that your BPO provider has the experience and technical skills sets to deliver on the type of channel you need to deliver on your customer experience objectives. Does the BPO provider have a core competency in the same or similar channel that you require support on? Ideally if youre wanting Whatsapp and chat support, youd want to see a track record in these channel competencies. Industry vertical expertise Certain businesses may have specialised outsourcing needs - think screening of medical records, insurance claims processing, research and surveys and so on. Its ideal to seek out the expertise of a niche BPO provider that not only specialises in such functions, but also has direct experience in servicing clients in the same industry vertical, bringing proven experience and hard-earned hindsight to the table. Certain businesses may have specialised outsourcing needs - think screening of medical records, insurance claims processing, research and surveys and so on. Its ideal to seek out the expertise of a niche BPO provider that not only specialises in such functions, but also has direct experience in servicing clients in the same industry vertical, bringing proven experience and hard-earned hindsight to the table. Language and accent Some countries are very accent-challenged, and while the language requirement may be English for example, other factors to consider is whether the agents speak clearly and whether the accent is comprehensible. Can the agent clearly understand the customer and vice versa? This is not about getting rid of accents or being accent agnostic, but rather about comprehension. One of the reasons why South African BPO providers perform so well in North American markets is that the accent although not American has a strong British influence and is clear and easily understood. Some countries are very accent-challenged, and while the language requirement may be English for example, other factors to consider is whether the agents speak clearly and whether the accent is comprehensible. Can the agent clearly understand the customer and vice versa? This is not about getting rid of accents or being accent agnostic, but rather about comprehension. One of the reasons why South African BPO providers perform so well in North American markets is that the accent although not American has a strong British influence and is clear and easily understood. Cultural affinity - Will the agents of your BPO provider be able to build a rapport with the customers they serve, and be able to pick up and run with the many cultural nuances of your market? A significant advantage that South Africa has in its favour that goes far beyond the factors of linguistics, technology, and economics, is the empathy and work ethic of its people. When it comes down to customer experience and cultivating a culture of empathy, South Africas call centre agents are well advanced in this vital customer service skill. There is also an easy cultural fit with certain figures of speech, euphemisms and terminologies of the US, European, UK and Australian markets. - Will the agents of your BPO provider be able to build a rapport with the customers they serve, and be able to pick up and run with the many cultural nuances of your market? A significant advantage that South Africa has in its favour that goes far beyond the factors of linguistics, technology, and economics, is the empathy and work ethic of its people. When it comes down to customer experience and cultivating a culture of empathy, South Africas call centre agents are well advanced in this vital customer service skill. There is also an easy cultural fit with certain figures of speech, euphemisms and terminologies of the US, European, UK and Australian markets. Talent and human capital Who are the people that will be providing the service and support, what is the level of training competence and quality assurance, what is the level of experience and commitment of the supervisory and operations teams? Have you done the due diligence to meet with the team in person? What is your BPO providers process for recruitment and training and handling attrition and retention of agents? It is vital to have a solid understanding of the sophistication, experience and commitment of the management team that will be running your outsourced operations. Who are the people that will be providing the service and support, what is the level of training competence and quality assurance, what is the level of experience and commitment of the supervisory and operations teams? Have you done the due diligence to meet with the team in person? What is your BPO providers process for recruitment and training and handling attrition and retention of agents? It is vital to have a solid understanding of the sophistication, experience and commitment of the management team that will be running your outsourced operations. Flexibility - How important is flexibility in terms of systems, processes, management style, technology and so on, versus a BPO provider who adheres strictly to a fixed playbook of how they operate? This becomes a very important consideration, especially for a first-time outsourcing foray. Typically, when a client is building their outsourcing model for the first time, the needs and technology requirements are not always distinctly defined - there is a need to build the strategy on a discovery basis. In such a scenario, you would look to work directly with experienced and collaborative executive teams that are willing and capable of building a CX model tailored to your business needs, rather than enforcing a predetermined playbook that may not be a good fit. Your BPO provider needs to have a passionate and vested interest in your success! - How important is flexibility in terms of systems, processes, management style, technology and so on, versus a BPO provider who adheres strictly to a fixed playbook of how they operate? This becomes a very important consideration, especially for a first-time outsourcing foray. Typically, when a client is building their outsourcing model for the first time, the needs and technology requirements are not always distinctly defined - there is a need to build the strategy on a discovery basis. In such a scenario, you would look to work directly with experienced and collaborative executive teams that are willing and capable of building a CX model tailored to your business needs, rather than enforcing a predetermined playbook that may not be a good fit. Your BPO provider needs to have a passionate and vested interest in your success! Look at the real value, not the price - The value-added services that the right BPO provider brings to the table can prove immeasurable and goes way beyond the basic metric of price. The data and analytics capability and AI now available in contact centres is cutting-edge and provides incredibly deep insights for customers to act upon. Consider the speech-to-text capabilities and sentiment analysis that now allow BPO providers to deliver quality assurance to clients at levels never seen before. Other crucial value adds come to mind, such as advanced digital tech, productivity management tools, software-as-a-service (SaaS), innovation in process and training, compliance, data security and hands-on leadership which go well beyond the commoditised services of price and language capabilities alone. - The value-added services that the right BPO provider brings to the table can prove immeasurable and goes way beyond the basic metric of price. The data and analytics capability and AI now available in contact centres is cutting-edge and provides incredibly deep insights for customers to act upon. Consider the speech-to-text capabilities and sentiment analysis that now allow BPO providers to deliver quality assurance to clients at levels never seen before. Other crucial value adds come to mind, such as advanced digital tech, productivity management tools, software-as-a-service (SaaS), innovation in process and training, compliance, data security and hands-on leadership which go well beyond the commoditised services of price and language capabilities alone. Proximity and distance have become less important Many customers still prefer to work with vendors in the near shore, and there is a perception that closer is better. The reality however is that once a programme is launched, its very rare that the client needs to visit the providers location. The pandemic experience proved this without a doubt. What is important is whether your BPO provider has a solid track record and experience in managing, training and supporting your operations remotely, no matter where they find themselves in the world. The important considerations should be around whether they have the right infrastructure and tools to communicate effectively, and proximity is becoming less of an issue than ever before. The success of every client-BPO partnership is underpinned by delivering strong offshoring fundamentals, bringing together the best of customer experience, economics, quality BPO services, rapid scale when needed, high service levels and an absolute commitment to the operational performance metrics that matter most to your shared business model. Partnering with the right BPO partner will reduce costs, improve CX, grow the bottom line, and most critically, provide the scale and support needed to act rapidly wherever, and whenever market opportunities arise, concludes Alinur. For more information visit www.icontactbpo.com and www.braincx.com. Fin24, news website News24's financial news platform has rebranded to News24 Business, completed with a new logo. Source LinkedIn LinkedIn The Media24 building in Cape Town The rebranding is part of News24 strengthening the quality of its content offering across its various virtual pages as the site introduces a slew of changes affecting all of the publication's vertical brands. Broader brand refresh The move ties into a broader brand refresh at News24 which includes both cosmetic and structural changes to the main website. The publications refreshed business section is aimed at further aligning News24s popular verticals under one umbrella brand. Appointments bolster reporting quality In December 2021, renowned political and financial journalist Carol Paton joined the business desk as writer-at-large. Earlier this month, News24s business desk welcomed financial journalist Karl Gernetzky as its first companies editor. These appointments form part of a major investment by News24 to bolster the quality of reporting and build an amalgamated digital newsroom. "News24 has invested in building out its business desk, which has grown to become one of the biggest and most experienced in the country," says business editor, Helena Wasserman. An obvious progression "Accordingly, adopting the News24 Business name is an obvious progression for us and our readers," Wasserman explains. As a central part of the overarching news brand, News24 Business will continue to provide up-to-date business and finance news, stock market data, economic analysis, personal finance, and investment information to its readers Wasserman has assured readers that they can expect the same top-tier financial journalism, views, and analysis from the world of money, with a growing focus on the country's top corporations. "In coming months, News24 Business will strengthen its company coverage to help our readers make sense and profit from critical developments in corporate South Africa, Wasserman added. The latest leg of the brand refresh comes after News24s desktop and mobile website redesign in May 2020, and the introduction of its premium subscription service that same year. At the time of the changes in 2020, the business sites web address merged with News24s, becoming www.news24.com/fin24 Home improvement and DIY brand, Builders, has launched a brand-new benefits programme, Builders+. Source World Orgs https://rsa.worldorgs.com/ World Orgs Builders have launched a brand-new benefits programme, Builders+ Builder+, which is available to customers from this week, is positioned as the plus side of life and will improve customers' shopping experience by keeping track of their preferred products and service and giving them the best deals. Were excited about the launch of Builders+. We wanted to provide our customers with a rewards programme that fits into their daily shopping, says Janet Booysen, Builders marketing executive. By signing up to the plus side of life, shoppers will have access to amazing deals, personalised offers tailored for them, and a rewards system that doesn't expire. Saving has never been simpler, Booysen further explains. The plus side of life is finally here! Save more, get more and get more done with Builders+ Sign up for Builders+ today https://t.co/TOVaE0xh0v #HeresToHome pic.twitter.com/Z0AjkqIFKi Builders (@BuildersSA) September 20, 2022 Customer-service-related benefits Builders+ benefits are available immediately and joining the programme is free. Shoppers can look forward to exciting customer-service-related benefits such as monthly competitions, the choice of a virtual or physical card (or both), automatic digital receipts, making return purchases a breeze, and early access to exciting store promotions. The programme also offers savings-related benefits such as special Builders+ deals, personalised offers on products, and services, making sure they get discounts on items they really want, 10% birthdays discounts and 10% discounts for pensioners on Wednesdays, available both online and instore. Existing Builders cardholders will automatically become part of Builders+. New shoppers can apply on the Builders website or at any store. Rewards programmes remain popular The popularity of rewards programmes among South Africans remains high, as many consumers look to find ways to stretch their pockets and make the most out of their everyday purchases. In 2021, Truth & BrandMapp-South African Loyalty Whitepaper, reported an increase in South Africans using rewards programmes, this up to 74%. This stemming from a pool of over 33,000 South Africans, with an income of more than R10,000 a month. The group also notes that, despite this representing a portion of the entire population, the percentage speaks to 100% of South Africas taxpayers. As a result of this popularity, more and more South African brands are including rewards as part of their customer relations strategy. KwaZulu-Natal's Agricultural Union, Kwanalu has announced macadamia and banana farmer, Tammy Williams as its 2022 KZN Toyota Kwanalu Young Farmer of the Year. Source: Supplied | Tammy Williams Williams will represent Kwanalu and all KwaZulu-Natal farmers in the Toyota SA/Agri SA National Young Farmer of the Year Competition 2022 taking place later this year, where she will compete against top farmers from all nine provinces. Williams impressed judges with her determination in learning from the ground up, mastering many technical aspects of farming implementing environmentally conscious applications and driving community upliftment. "Every year we are astounded at the extremely high standard of our young farmers this is a testament to the passion, determination and excellence of agriculture in our province. Their resilience, commitment and optimism in both the industry and our country is truly inspiring," says Sandy La Marque, CEO of Kwanalu. The Toyota/ Kwanalu Young Farmer of the Year 2022 competition was open to farmers under the age of 40, male or female who are members of their provinces agricultural unions. The judging and evaluation of the farmers and their agricultural practices take place at a provincial level with the applicants being evaluated on all aspects of their business including their overall vision for the future of their farm/ business. Entrants are judged on their management and business philosophies, as well as the technical competence with which their philosophy is applied. Perseverence key to success for young farmer With no prior farming experience, Williams started as a receptionist at Windemere Farm near King Shaka International Airport 12 years ago. Taking an interest in farming and showing a willingness to learn, Williams potential was recognised and she was promoted to manage a section of the banana farm operations. Rising to each challenge over the years, Williams took over the production and management of several banana farms totalling 120 hectares and, in 2013, she expanded into macadamia production. Since then, they have grown their macadamia operations to 150 hectares. "Having been involved in both the technical and administrative aspects of farming, I have learnt that the two go hand in hand in keeping a farming operation efficient and, as a result, a lot of money can be saved when these elements are not viewed as separate," says Williams. Striving towards areas of improvement, Williams has her sights set on fine-tuning their macadamia and banana operations towards increasing profitability for the business in the future. Source: Zoran Orcik via 123RF "I believe that the quality of the macadamia nuts produced on our farm will be what sets us apart in future and we have been getting closer to understanding how to do this by trying out new techniques, while also calibrating the ideal conditions for a superior end product," says Williams. Williams is passionate about conservation and is always looking for new ways to minimise the use of insecticides and herbicides. "I am an avid bee lover and have introduced basil and other vegetation to attract good insects for the farm. I also make sure we conserve the natural bush and waterways to take care of the sensitive ecosystems on the farm," says Williams. Williams believes that anyone with a willingness to work hard and to learn can achieve their hearts desire. "I am not from a farming background, but through opportunity and perseverance, I have found a passion for agriculture. We provide opportunities for our staff to extend themselves into new areas, just as I have been afforded. Watching their growth and passion for farming develop and enabling them to provide for their families is extremely gratifying," says Williams. The National School of Government (NSG) is inviting public servants to sign up for the new Championing Anti-discrimination in the Public Service and Managing Performance in the Public Service courses. Image source: Illia Uriadnikov 123RF.com The courses are currently available on the e-learning platform, at no cost. According to the NSG, the Championing Anti-Discrimination in the Public Service course targets senior managers, while the Managing Performance course is for middle managers, who want to better understanding the public service performance management and development system. The NSG said it has waived the fees for the Championing Anti-Discrimination in the Public Service to enable a speedier self-enrolment and access by public servants. The participants will study at their own pace online. The Championing Anti-Discrimination in the Public Service course, according to the NSG, was developed explicitly to empower public servants with information and tools to end discrimination in the public service amongst public servants, and by public servants against the public. Meanwhile, the Managing Performance in the Public Service course is designed to assist employees, who are not part of the Senior Management Service, to manage their performance and abide by the public service performance management system prescripts. It will also enable them to, amongst other things, write performance goals that are measurable, clear, achievable and aligned to organisational objectives, assess performance continuously, identify gaps and compile a suggested plan of action, and revise performance objectives where required. NSG principal, Professor Busani Ngcaweni, said the courses will help public servants to critically reflect on their own beliefs, attitudes, thought patterns, and behaviour. They will identify and apply relevant strategies and principles to challenge discrimination in all contexts, examine legislation that addresses discriminatory processes and plan how these principles can be applied. They will also be able to assess their departmental policies and practices in light of global anti-discrimination standards. Importantly, they will be empowered to initiate and support anti-discriminatory behaviour in the public sector, he explained. He has called on senior managers to undertake the course. The NSG is mandated with the responsibility of ensuring that public servants comply with the provisions of established legislation, regulations and systems, and can exercise proper discretion and innovation in solving routine and complex delivery problems. The courses have been deliberately converted to free courses that are easily available on our e-learning platform so that public servants can enrol themselves easily and quickly, and be able to undertake the courses at their pace and convenience, said Ngcaweni. How to enrol for the courses: Eskom's recent implementation of Stage 5 and 6 load shedding highlights the urgent need to execute the energy action plan outlined by government on 25 July. Janice Foster, managing director: energy at Zutari According to Janice Foster, managing director: energy at Zutari, the action plan announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa sent a strong and positive message to the market, industry and private investors looking to invest in renewable energy. What was great about the presidents speech was that he has opened the energy challenge to a shared solution with opportunities for everyone to have an impact, no matter how small, says Foster. Ramaphosas acknowledgement that the country faces an electricity shortage of 6,000MW is important because a problem cannot be fixed until it is identified, adds Foster. While the large-scale renewable projects mooted are long-term interventions, Foster says she is optimistically confident that the action plan sets us up to make the right decisions and move us in the right direction. "However, for these to start having an impact, they need to be implemented with the utmost urgency, she says. Important moves by government A highlight of the plan is doubling the new generation capacity for wind and solar power for Bid Window 6 of the Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) from 2,600MW to 5,200MW. The submission date of which has been extended to 3 October to allow for the registration of additional bidders. Another significant step is removing the threshold for embedded generation capacity entirely. Raising the threshold to 100MW last year has already unlocked a pipeline of more than 80 confirmed private sector projects which are now starting to reach financial close. With a combined capacity of over 6,000MW, this is a significant increase in capacity for private off-takers, says Foster. Preferred projects in Bid Window 5 are facing a number of obstacles to achieving financial close. Therefore, a way to resolve the hurdles so that they can move forward into construction needs to be found, she adds. Another important move by government is the announcement of an Eskom feed-in tariff for small-scale embedded generation. That is a real signal of incentive to Eskoms commercial users and private residential customers that they can also contribute and support their own needs at the same time, says Foster. While municipalities like Cape Town are already forging ahead in this regard, it applies to utility customers at present. Private sector participation It is also positive that the government is reaching out to the private sector to assist with expertise and skills. Yes, while there are consulting firms like us that can provide that support, there are also possibly a number of individuals who have left the industry entirely for whatever reason who can be attracted back and add value. I think it has definitely sent a message acknowledging the need for everyone to contribute in whatever way they can. It is a shared problem, so we can make it a shared solution, says Foster. The planned battery energy storage to supplement Eskoms capacity represents a multifaceted approach to the energy crisis. This opens up the energy storage market to private investment. The addition of battery energy storage systems (BESS) will support the grid by catering for peak shaving, providing network stability, adds Foster. These systems will enable greater penetration of renewables into the future. Ensuring a just energy transition However, a just energy transition is probably the most important consideration from a local perspective. The bulk of our power supply is still coal-based. As we transition away from fossil fuels, we need to ensure there are opportunities for participation of all stakeholders, especially the thousands employed in the coal-mining industry. Our energy crisis is a relatively solvable problem from a technical standpoint, but the number of social and institutional challenges it brings are equally, if not more, important, stresses Foster. It is a global imperative for the world to reduce its reliance on carbon-intensive energy solutions. This is a problem likely to be with us for the foreseeable future. It is both an energy security challenge as well as the need to reduce the carbon footprint of our energy supply, she concludes. Bilateral tax treaties are mainly based on the principle of reciprocity. Under this principle, one state negotiates better treaty terms with another in exchange for making a particular concession. As is clearly seen in most protocols, the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause is usually included as a concession by a developing state looking to renegotiate particular treaty provisions. An illustration of this can be seen in the inclusion of the MFN clause in South Africa's protocols with the Netherlands and Sweden, as it was negotiating to include withholding tax on dividends. The broad rationale behind MFN clauses stems from the field of foreign direct investment. Throughout history, the MFN clause has seldom been accepted as a principle to be included in tax treaties. It is indisputable that the MFN clause comes with some benefits, however, its downfalls are significant. The most significant of these being that the clause creates various opportunities for the reduction of source taxation and that it exposes the source states, which are usually developing countries, to large-scale base erosion of taxes. To illustrate this, we analyse two court cases involving the Netherlands, South Africa and India. A judicial perspective In ABC (Pty) Ltd v C: SARS [2019], the taxpayer sought to receive beneficial treatment from the South African and Kuwait Double Taxation Agreement (DTA), which provided an exemption from the dividends withholding tax. The basis for this claim had come about through a technical flaw in the wording between Sweden and South Africa's DTA, which omitted the words "after the date of this convention". As a result of this wording, treaty benefits afforded to another State by South Africa that are more favourable than those in the DTA with Sweden triggered the MFN clause. In effect, the exemption to withholding tax on dividends in the Kuwait DTA would automatically apply to the Swedish DTA. The ripple effect of this clause is that all other States with an MFN clause, like the Netherlands in this instance, could claim the same exemption afforded in South Africa and Sweden's DTA. It is on this basis that the taxpayer argued that the exemption of withholding tax on dividends should apply to Dutch residents, by virtue of the MFN clause, in their tax treatment with South Africa. The tax court found in favour of the taxpayer and instructed the South African tax authorities to provide refunds to all withheld dividend taxes to Dutch residents. Therefore, the technical or unforeseen error in the MFN clause between South Africa and Sweden resulted in a huge fiscal loss of revenue for South Africa. This case clearly demonstrates the dangers of unintended consequences that come with the inclusion of the MFN clause in tax treaties. In the case of Concentrix Services Netherlands BV WP and Optum Global Solutions International BV WP (C), the court again found in favour of the taxpayer, who was a Netherlands tax resident. This resulted in the application of a lower withholding tax of 5%, as was applied in India and Slovenia Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), based on the MFN clause contained in the Indian and Netherlands DTAA. A turning point, in this case, was a condition that required the third state to be an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member before or at the time the DTAA was signed between the third state and India. However, the court held a contrary view, to the effect that the condition would only be fulfilled at the time the MFN benefit was claimed and not after the treaty. This interpretation, in our view, goes beyond the scope of the ambits of the MFN clause and its intended purpose when the tax authorities included it. This largely broad interpretation violates the principle of good faith as enshrined in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT). This case demonstrates a clear downfall of the MFN clause in that it may result in unintended consequences due to the uncertainty posed by its interpretation, particularly in the judiciary. Practical comments As can be deduced from the above discussion, the MFN clause infringes on the fundamental principle of the "Pacta sunt servanda" as enshrined in Article 26 of the VCLT. It infringes this principle by altering treaty provisions that are decided upon and conceded bilaterally by states during treaty negotiation by invoking future benefits or treaty terms that go beyond the original terms agreed upon by the states in their DTA. These unforeseeable future treaty benefits have serious repercussions for states that would not gain from the invoked benefits. As already seen after the ABC v SARS decision, the MFN clause significantly increased investment flow through South Africa and the Netherlands due to the zero-rated withholding tax on dividends, thus increasing treaty shopping and significantly reducing South Africa's collectible tax revenue on the declared foreign dividends. Therefore, states negotiating or renegotiating their DTAs, including the MFN clause, should exercise caution when drafting the clause, and undertake a rigorous assessment of its impact on their tax treaties within their network prior to ratifying it. Court gives immediate redress for blind and visually impaired people. Image source: Thirdman from Pexels The Constitutional Court has ruled that sections of the Copyright Act are unconstitutional and given Parliament 24 months to fix it. Meanwhile blind people may convert written material into accessible formats without permission from copyright holders. Parliament is in the process of amending the Act but this is taking too long - 12 years - say justices. Blind and visually impaired people, prevented from converting written material to braille or other accessible formats without the permission of copyright holders, can now do so following a ruling by the Constitutional Court. The court has also given Parliament 24 months to cure the unconstitutional defects in the Copyright Act. In a unanimous decision on Wednesday, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Copyright Act is unconstitutional in that it limits the access of visually impaired people to published literary works and artistic works. Before the court was a ruling by Gauteng High Court Judge Mandla Mbongwe, made almost one year ago, that the provisions, which imposed a book famine for blind and visually impaired people, were an unjustifiable limit to their rights and did not pass constitutional muster. While Judge Mbongwe ruled that the Acts gatekeeping provisions, enacted in 1978, would no longer be effective from the date of his ruling, this had to be confirmed by the Constitutional Court. In May, the court heard argument in the application launched by Blind SA, represented by Section27, against the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. Amendments to the Act have been in the offing for some 12 years. Blind SAs advocate Jonathan Berger argued during the hearing that an amendment bill, which would exempt visually impaired people from its provisions, had been held hostage to a lengthy legislative process. In the meantime, he said, many South Africans including people such as retired Constitutional Court Judge Zac Yacoob and Spotlight Editor Marcus Low, struggled to access books to learn. Berger argued that when permission was sought to convert the written material to an accessible format, it was either refused, or worse, just ignored with no reasons given. The Minister did not oppose the application, conceding that the Act was unconstitutional and the order sought was in line with the amendment bill, currently in the legislative process. While giving Parliament 24 months to cure the defect in the Act, the Constitutional Court ruled that in the meantime certain exceptions would apply to those affected. Those affected included government institutions and non-profit companies which provide education and training, and caregivers. The court ruled that they must have access to written works in an accessible format without prior authorisation. It spelt out that this order affects people who are blind, or have any visual impairment and are unable to read printed works, or who cannot hold or manipulate a book, or focus or move their eyes. The Minister was ordered to pay Blind SAs costs. Writing on behalf of the court, Acting Judge David Unterhalter said the affidavits of those affected speak trenchantly of the deprivations wrought upon persons because of the provisions of the Act. One, a Mr Gama, a teacher at a school for the deaf and blind, had described how many special schools across the country struggled to obtain sufficient textbooks in accessible formats. This disadvantaged learners and impaired their dignity. After learners leave school, their position is often worse still. Judge Unterhalter repeated the words of Justice Yacoob, who said: My own experience tells me that it is impossible to express in words how urgent this is. The best I can do is say that every day that the present Copyright Act prevails in the form in which it is, literally thousands of blind and visually impaired people are deprived of reading material and the prejudice to them is irreparable, incalculable and very difficult to put in words. Judge Unterhalter said it took little imagination to appreciate what the scarcity, relative or absolute, did for the life chances of those with these disabilities, and that some had achieved substantial success was only testament to their personal fortitude. While the requirement of authorisation protected the rights of copyright owners, regard needed to be had on its impact and the challenge by Blind SA was well founded. No case was advanced by the Minister to show that the limitation of rights is justified. Indeed, the minister did not oppose the application. Judge Unterhalter said the parliamentary process had already taken too long, and those affected should not have to wait further to secure a remedy. Interim relief was therefore appropriate during the 24-month period of suspension. Regarding submissions that South Africa should ratify the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled, which would increase the number of books available, he said this was a matter for Parliament and not the court. This article was originally published on GroundUp. China, like-minded countries call for more equitable development Xinhua) 09:02, September 22, 2022 GENEVA, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- China and a group of more than 30 countries on Wednesday called for people-centered development that ensures development gains are enjoyed on a larger scale and in a more equitable way. This would especially help those in vulnerable and marginalized situations to have equal access to basic rights such as education, health care, housing and decent jobs, Chen Xu, China's permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva said in a joint statement delivered at the ongoing 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council. Improved basic rights would in turn lead to higher-quality development that is more efficient, equitable, sustainable and secure, Chen said. "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic reverses global development gains, hinders the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and exacerbates inequalities within and among countries," the joint statement said. "We call on all parties to enhance global solidarity and take inclusive measures to combat the pandemic, advance post-pandemic recovery, and ensure equitable access to vaccines and medicines," it added. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda should, while taking into account differing national realities, capacities and levels of development, and respecting national policies and priorities, continue to be a priority on the international cooperation agenda, the statement said. Efforts should be made to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals on schedule. Developed countries should take more practical measures, it added, and international financial institutions should avoid austerity policies which impede economic, social and cultural rights. The joint statement also called on the UN Human Rights Mechanisms to put more emphasis on the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights, the elimination of inequalities, and to provide effective assistance upon consent of countries concerned. At the same time, the statement said, the UN Human Rights Council and the UN Human Rights Office should protect the rights of all countries to choose their own development paths. They should also oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs, unilateral sanctions without basis in international law, and the politicization and marginalization of the development issue. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun) In partnership with Proctor & Gamble Africa, WeConnect International in South Africa held its annual P&G Women Entrepreneurs Academy 2022 seminar in Johannesburg on 30 August 2022 to 1 September 2022, over the course of three days, with a cohort of 25 women business owners who were selected for this unique capacity building programme facilitated by the Procter & Gamble Africa team. Procter & Gamble Africa has over the years demonstrated its commitment to supplier diversity and inclusion by facilitating capacity-building modules for women entrepreneurs in the region. To date, 117 women-owned businesses have successfully completed the programme in South Africa since 2017. The curriculum comprises of ten modules expanding in business development topics such as growth strategies, business operations, company branding, sales, communications and leadership skills, human resources and supplier relationship management. These specialised sessions allowed the women to get a better understanding of the topics covered and encouraged great interactions with the facilitators. Opening the session on day one of the seminar, senior vice-president and general manager of P&G sub-Saharan Africa, Vilo Trska, engaged the women business owners on 'Aligning and Executing Your Business Strategy', followed by senior brand director, head of Marketing, Michael Simpson, who led an energetic session on 'Brand Building'. Both sessions allowed the women to get a better understanding of the topics covered and encouraged great interactions with the facilitators. On day two, director of purchasing for sub-Saharan Africa, Otto Meyer, touched on the importance of the procurement processes for potential suppliers to large corporations and how these principles can be applied to SME businesses when using external suppliers. His discussion was followed by Laylah Kara, senior purchasing manager, who spoke on P&Gs sustainability purchasing practices. P&G set a new ambition to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its operations and supply chain, from raw material to retailer. Finally, Uche Ajo, senior human resource manager, led the HR discussion with the women business owners on the importance of hiring the right people in their businesses which ultimately leads to the success of the goals of the business. Ending the three-day seminar, customer sales director, Natalee Sukhnandan, walked the women through the significance of customer experience by facilitating the final module on 'Understanding and reaching your customer' which was an amazingly interactive session. The dynamic and energetic conversations with the facilitators and the women business owners to share learnings with each other were apparent throughout the course of the programme. To top off the seminar, the selected women entrepreneurs were encouraged to partake in a 'Elevator Pitch' to showcase their businesses. The Elevator Pitches were judged based on two categories: clarity and impression. The top three finalists won a cash prize of R15,000. The top three winners: Rethabile Moabi from Rom Cleaning Service Marie Sebueng from IAMS Powerhouse Consulting Rosharon Morgan from GM Boiler and Steam Engineering Thereafter, the finalists will compete for the ultimate prize of R100,000. With the help of the Proctor & Gamble Africa team, Otto Meyer and Sameer Dheda contributed to the overall success of the three-day seminar. The P&G Women Entrepreneurs Academy Class of 2022: Nthabiseng Mehale from Africa Smarttrans Rose Raphakga from African Kgadi Enterprises Melisa Evans from AfroFuture Tech Sibongile Mthimunye from BWGL Group Pty Ltd Vuyo Gumede from Cheetah Energy Drink Lerato Makube from Eco Care Waste Management Nazlie Nelson from Fab Clean Nyasha Muvirimi from Finenergi Advisory Services Sakhe Silwana from FlavourSome Fresh Food Rosharon Morgan from GM Boiler and Steam Consulting Engineering Henrietta Dibakwane from HMD Staffing Services Marie Sebueng from IAMS Powerhouse Consulting Nokukhanya Kubheka from Luminous Marketing & Branding Christine Mackay from Macatlas Freight Pty Ltd Tshire Mokubetsi from MJSL Group Pepsi Baiocco from Neon Energy Limited Sibusizwe Mbatha from Niengobawethembisile Pty Ltd Rethabile Moabi from ROM Cleaning Service Khanyisile Kuveya from Rosenhle Shantall Ramatsui from Shantui Solutions Lebogang Letsoalo from Sincpoint Thato Dibetle from TT Deco Patricia Mbatsha from Uniani Clinic Atteridgeville Khaya Cokoto from X Spark WeConnect International in South Africa would like to thank the P&G sub-Saharan Africa leadership team, who contributed to the success of the event this year and congratulate our women business owners for completing the three-day seminar. As part of this initiative, WeConnect International partnered with P&G by equipping women business owners with the skills to grow their businesses and position them to do business with global corporations. Given P&Gs existing presence in these countries, the projects allowed P&G to increase their market reach as well as achieve awareness of their supplier diversity and inclusion initiatives among local stakeholders and government officials and how this engagement will contribute to economic growth. To date, more than 460 women-owned businesses have benefited from this collaborative project in China, South Africa, Turkey, Mexico, India, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Singapore. Following each programme, WeConnect International has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the women participants, reflecting successful implementation of the training as well as its impact on the growth of the targeted women-owned businesses. About WeConnect International WeConnect International is a member-led, global non-profit that brings motivated, large corporate, multilateral and government buyers together with women-owned suppliers around the world. It works with over 160 multinational buying organisations with over $1tn in annual purchasing power combined, that have committed to sourcing more products and services from women-owned businesses based in over 130 countries. WeConnect International identifies, educates, registers and certifies womens business enterprises that are at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by one or more women. WeConnect International provides certification in over 50 countries that represent over 70% of the worlds population. Listen to me! You have to consider the possibility that [the GOP] does not like you. [The GOP] never wanted you. In all probability, [the GOP] hates you. This is not the worst thing that can happen. -Tyler Durden announcing a third-party run Bad news for the Republican faithful: the GOP wont be swooping in to rescue you from the nascent biomedical global technocracy. Politicians are rarely saviors, and almost always cowards. If/when the Republicans take the House in the fall and thats a big if at this moment due to their miserable poll performance despite President Brandons record unpopularity Ive rhetorically called for the GOP to prosecute COVID Warlord Anthony Fauci for his perjury before Congress, not to mention his genocidal crimes against humanity. Rhetorically is the operative word here. Why would I expect the GOP to really deliver on that front? Sen. Rand Paul, the only Congressman committed to such an endeavor, has pledged to do so. But even if they promise to now, they likely wont muster the fortitude to follow through when Big Pharma intervenes with the bribes. Big Pharma Campaign Cash to Democrats/Republicans Source: Open Secrets They dont really mean it. The COVID-19 pandering is meant to gin up justified popular rage and, ultimately, votes. The GOP Congressional lineup, especially the leadership, is packed with neutered cucks. Ted Cruz, Linsey Graham, et al. will play-act tough guys on stage when theyre throwing red meat to their base but wont take action that their donors object to. Case in point: remember when Lyin Ted Cruz told the crowd at the 2016 GOP convention to vote their conscience to thunderous boos, only to go backstage, get yelled at by his donors to back Trump, then slithered onto Twitter to walk it all back? Lyin Ted ended up phone-banking for Trump like a good boy, gifting us the saddest, nearly pornographic cuckold image in human history. Ted Cruz walking into the Trump phone bank office: This is where the party ends. pic.twitter.com/RVWMfLlOXg Aaron S. Veenstra (@asveenstra) March 23, 2022 Because he has no balls, nor grit, nor sincerity. When politicians careers are on the line because their corporate funding is threatened, all purported moral convictions are abandoned. The rare exception for instance, a Ron Paul or Dennis Kucinich is shut out from any real leadership position. Their integrity disqualifies them from ever holding significant power. The GOP is led by lawyers, not leaders corrupted gatekeepers that function as a controlled-opposition release valve to ease growing populist discontent. They provide an outlet for popular rage and then funnel it into a black hole of empty, broken promises. The partys 2023 congressional takeover plan proves this. Its chock full of the same types of vague, standard rhetoric about tax cuts, restricting immigration, and criticizing Silicon Valley, an outdated relic of the 90s: Republicans are expected to focus their new platform on education policies aimed at tapping into parental discontent; countering the rise of China with new economic measures; and oversight of the Biden administration. They are also looking at invoking other traditional GOP goals such as cutting taxes , restricting immigration , criticizing Silicon Valley and repealing environmental rules. Tapping into parental discontent; criticizing Silicon Valley. How banal; how non-threatening! In fact, the current plan was literally co-authored by blast-from-the-past longtime GOP Swamp creature Newt Gingrich, who famously engineered the 1994 Congressional takeover. If anyone knows anything about lying for votes, its Newt. Despite his lofty rhetoric in the iconic Contract With America, nothing substantial changed in the neoliberal states function once the GOP took over. Lets compare two priorities mentioned in the 2023 plan (if thats what it can be called): tax cuts and immigration reform. Of course, GOP candidates promise tax cuts because theyre popular with the actual voting base. But, more importantly, tax cuts are a priority for the interest groups that fund their campaigns. We can take the GOP at their word that theyll cut taxes at least corporate taxes and personal income taxes at the highest bracket because the interest groups that pay those are their donors. They get served. Why does the GOP consistently deliver on tax cuts they promise, but will never do anything significant about immigration even though theyre both recurring, constant centerpieces of the partys political platform? Heres the key difference: restricting mass immigration is solely important to the voting base who see their culture diluted and their wages diminished with each passing year. The donors, on the other hand, the only entities that matter, dont oppose mass immigration. On the contrary, they desire it. Multinational corporate think tanks like the Koch Brothers Foundation, who do business across borders and have no fidelity to any nation, spend billions of dollars lobbying Congress to maintain the status quo of illegal immigration and, in fact, to increase the rates. The GOP is hooked on Koch money. Therefore, the GOP will lean into curbing immigration while campaigning to get votes but will abandon the project after assuming power until the next election cycle. Thats how this game works. 20+ years ago, George W. Bush promised to control immigration while running for office with a pledge of no amnesty for illegal immigrants. He did the same when running for reelection in 2007. Meanwhile, while governing, Bush oversaw the continued immigration tsunami (mostly of the illegal variety) that occurred after the 1994 free trade (a euphemism for multinational corporate rape) NAFTA deal opened the floodgates. Source: Migration Policy Institute In 2019, no longer running for office, Bush called immigration a blessing. The hard political reality is that the GOPs corporate state donors love mass immigration: it waters down the culture, demoralizes the native population, drives down wages, and adds millions each year to the easily exploitable underclass. The GOP gaslights its own voters as a cynical electioneering tactic to garner support, never intending to follow through on any campaign promises that dont directly benefit its donor owners. Enlist in a parallel society/economy and leave the politicking performance to the masters and slaves who engage in the dance. Ben Bartee is an independent Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs. Follow his stuff via Armageddon Prose and/or Substack, Patreon, Gab, and Twitter. Bitcoin public address: 14gU3aHBXkNq8bDqmibfnubV7kSJqfx5LX A FORMER Putin ally and top aviation expert has died in Moscow, becoming the latest of the Russian president's associates to meet his end in a mysterious fashion since the start of the war in Ukraine. Anatoly Gerashchenko, the former rector of the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI), died after reportedly falling down a series of flights of stairs on Tuesday. A Russian channel on the messaging app Telegram, quoting the MAI, said: "This morning, 73-year-old Anatoly Gerashchenko fell from a height, flying [down] several flights of stairs." It is the function of mass agitation to exploit all the grievances, hopes, aspirations, prejudices, fears, and ideals of all the special groups that make up our society, social, religious, economic, racial, political. Stir them up. Set one against the other. Divide and conquer. Thats the way to soften up a democracy. J. Edgar Hoover, Masters of Deceit The U.S. government has become a master of deceit. Its all documented, too. This is a government that lies, cheats, steals, spies, kills, maims, enslaves, breaks the laws, overreaches its authority, and abuses its power at almost every turn; treats its citizens like faceless statistics and economic units to be bought, sold, bartered, traded, and tracked; and wages wars for profit, jails its own people for profit, and has no qualms about spreading its reign of terror abroad. Worse, this is a government that has become almost indistinguishable from the evil it claims to be fighting, whether that evil takes the form of terrorism, torture, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, murder, violence, theft, pornography, scientific experimentations or some other diabolical means of inflicting pain, suffering and servitude on humanity. With every passing day, it becomes painfully clear that this is not a government that can be trusted with your life, your loved ones, your livelihood or your freedoms. Just recently, for example, the Pentagon was compelled to order a sweeping review of clandestine U.S. psychological warfare operations (psy ops) conducted through social media platforms. The investigation comes in response to reports suggesting that the U.S. military has been creating bogus personas with AI-generated profile pictures and fictitious media sites on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in order to manipulate social media users. Psychological warfare, as the U.S. Armys 4th Psychological Operations Group explained in a recruiting video released earlier this year, enables the government to pull the strings, turn everything they touch into a weapon, be everywhere, deceive, persuade, change, influence, and inspire. Of the many weapons in the governments vast arsenal, psychological warfare (or psy ops) can take many forms: mind control experiments, behavioral nudging, propaganda. In the 1950s, MK-ULTRA, the mind control program developed under CIA director Allen Dulles as part of his brain warfare Cold War campaigns, subjected hundreds of unsuspecting American civilians and military personnel to doses of LSD, some having the hallucinogenic drug slipped into their drinks at the beach, in city bars, at restaurants. For Operation Midnight Climax, the CIA hired prostitutes to lure men into a bugged room, where they would be dosed with LSD and observed having sex As Brianna Nofil explains, MK-Ultras mind control experiments generally centered around behavior modification via electro-shock therapy, hypnosis, polygraphs, radiation, and a variety of drugs, toxins, and chemicals. The CIA spent nearly $20 million on its MKULTRA program, reportedly as a means of programming people to carry out assassinations and, to a lesser degree, inducing anxieties and erasing memories, before it was supposedly shut down. As one study reported, detainees held in CIA safe-houses abroad were literally interrogated to death in experimental methods combining drugs, hypnosis and torture, to attempt to master brainwashing techniques and memory erasing. Similarly, the top-secret Montauk Project, the inspiration for the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, allegedly was working to develop mind-control techniques that would then be tested out on locals in a nearby village, triggering crime waves or causing teenagers to congregate. As journalist Lorraine Boissoneault concludes, Despite MK-ULTRA violating ethical norms for human experiments, the legacy of brainwashing experiments continued to live on in U.S. policy. The same methods that had once been used to train American soldiers ended up being used to extract information from terrorists in Abu Ghraib, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. Fast forward to the present day, and its clear that the governmentaided and abetted by technological advances and scientific experimentationhas updated its psy ops warfare for a new era. For instance, the government has been empowered to use its ever-expanding arsenal of weapons and technologies to influence behaviors en masse and control the populace. Its a short hop, skip and a jump from a behavioral program that tries to influence how people respond to paperwork to a government program that tries to shape the publics views about other, more consequential matters. Thus, increasingly, governments around the worldincluding in the United Statesare relying on nudge units to steer citizens in the direction the powers-that-be want them to go, while preserving the appearance of free will. Back in 2014, for example, a Fusion Center in Washington State (a Dept. of Homeland Security-linked data collection clearinghouse that shares information between state, local and federal agencies) inadvertently released records on remote mind control tactics (the use of psycho-electronic weapons to control people from a distance or subject them to varying degrees of pain). Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic could easily be considered psychological warfare disguised as a pandemic threat. As science writer David Robson explains: Fears of contagion lead us to become more conformist and tribalistic Daily reminders of disease may even sway our political affiliations Various experiments have shown that we become more conformist and respectful of convention when we feel the threat of a disease the evocative images of a pandemic led [participants in an experiment] to value conformity and obedience over eccentricity or rebellion. This is how you persuade a populace to voluntarily march in lockstep with a police state and police themselves (and each other): by ratcheting up the fear-factor, meted out one carefully calibrated crisis at a time, and teaching them to distrust any who diverge from the norm. This is not a new experiment in mind control. Add the governments inclination to monitor online activity and police so-called disinformation, and you have the makings of a restructuring of reality straight out of Orwells 1984, where the Ministry of Truth polices speech and ensures that facts conform to whatever version of reality the government propagandists embrace. This policing of the mind is exactly the danger author Jim Keith warned about when he predicted that information and communication sources are gradually being linked together into a single computerized network, providing an opportunity for unheralded control of what will be broadcast, what will be said, and ultimately what will be thought. Weve already seen this play out on the state and federal level with hate crime legislation that cracks down on so-called hateful thoughts and expression, encourages self-censoring and reduces free debate on various subject matter. The end goal of these mind-control campaignspackaged in the guise of the greater goodis to see how far the American people will allow the government to go in re-shaping the country in the image of a totalitarian police state. The governments fear-mongering is yet another key element in its mind-control programming. Its a simple enough formula. National crises, global pandemics, reported terrorist attacks, and sporadic shootings leave us in a constant state of fear. The emotional panic that accompanies fear actually shuts down the prefrontal cortex or the rational thinking part of our brains. In other words, when we are consumed by fear, we stop thinking. A populace that stops thinking for themselves is a populace that is easily led, easily manipulated and easily controlled whether through propaganda, brainwashing, mind control, or just plain fear-mongering. Fear not only increases the power of government, but it also divides the people into factions, persuades them to see each other as the enemy and keeps them screaming at each other so that they drown out all other sounds. In this way, they will never reach consensus about anything and will be too distracted to notice the police state closing in on them until the final crushing curtain falls. This Machiavellian scheme has so ensnared the nation that few Americans even realize they are being brainwashedmanipulatedinto adopting an us against them mindset. All the while, those in powerbought and paid for by lobbyists and corporationsmove their costly agendas forward. This unseen mechanism of society that manipulates us through fear into compliance is what American theorist Edward L. Bernays referred to as an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. It was almost 100 years ago when Bernays wrote his seminal work Propaganda: We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of personswho understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind. As I point out in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, to this invisible government of rulers who operate behind the scenesthe architects of the Deep Statewe are mere puppets on a string, to be brainwashed, manipulated and controlled. For years now, the powers-that-bethose politicians and bureaucrats who think like tyrants and act like petty dictators regardless of what party they belong tohave attempted to brainwash us into believing that we have no rights: to think for ourselves, make decisions about our health, protect our homes and families and businesses, act in our best interests, demand accountability and transparency from government, or generally operate as if we are in control of our own lives. Well, the government is wrong. We have every right, and you know why? Because, as the Declaration of Independence states, we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rightsto life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happinessthat no government can take away from us. Its time we started reminding the government that we the people are the ones in charge. Source: https://bit.ly/3S1pM5K ABOUT JOHN W. WHITEHEAD Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute. His most recent books are the best-selling Battlefield America: The War on the American People, the award-winning A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State, and a debut dystopian fiction novel, The Erik Blair Diaries. Whitehead can be contacted at staff@rutherford.org. Nisha Whitehead is the Executive Director of The Rutherford Institute. Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at www.rutherford.org. The United States is making progress toward the creation of a digital currency, which the administration of President Joe Biden believes would assist in enhancing the countrys position as a worldwide financial leader. It announced the issuance of a framework that outlines the regulation of digital assets, which includes bitcoin and other objects of value that exists purely in digital form. The framework consists of a number of different approaches that may facilitate the management of these assets and make the digital asset space more resistant to fraud, or so they say. Government agencies have been hard at work over the last six months, since since President Biden issued Executive Order 14067 on March 22 with the title Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets, in order to develop the framework. A digital dollar may seem far-fetched, but it is not beyond the realm of possibility. Today, the Biden-Harris Administration published policy objectives and a technical analysis for a potential U.S. central bank digital currency: https://t.co/VrwSs7hpNS White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (@WHOSTP) September 16, 2022 The framework recommends the establishment of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), also known as a central band for a digital version of the United States dollar, in order to facilitate the processing of digital transactions more easily. The CBDC has the potential to make possible an efficient payment system, create technical innovations, and facilitate cross-border transactions, all while fostering environmental sustainability, according to a fact sheet that has been released to describe how agencies have responded to the executive order. In point of fact, digital U.S. dollars already do exist in commercial bank accounts all around the nation. These dollars are backed by reserves in accordance with a method of banking known as fractional-reserve banking. The White House unveiled a new framework on regulating digital assets including cryptocurrencies, which includes increased oversight and exploring the creation of a potential digital U.S. dollar. pic.twitter.com/GRpgc19D3U Forbes (@Forbes) September 16, 2022 The Federal Reserve insists that banks only keep a small percentage of their total deposit obligations in cash. Transactions are conducted digitally and do not entail the physical movement of bags containing cash. A theoretical electronic dollar would, in the same way that the physical dollar is controlled, get the complete faith and support of the central bank. Jerome Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, has said on many occasions that the primary objective of digital money issued by a central bank would be to do away with the need for cryptocurrencies. According to the blueprint that was made public, The United States will continue to monitor the development of the digital assets sector and its associated illicit financing risks, to identify any gaps in our legal, regulatory, and supervisory regimes. As part of this effort, Treasury will complete an illicit finance risk assessment on decentralized finance by the end of February 2023 and an assessment on non-fungible tokens by July 2023. What Has Universal Basic Income (UBI) To Do with Covid, War & Tony Blair? In March 2022, The Irish Times called it A welcome step: Irelands first basic income scheme on the way where artists will get 250 a week in a pilot scheme but many want to see it extended to all. Five months later and it had increased to 325 with The Irish Times called it a seismic leap forward where some 2,000 artists will be guaranteed that weekly wage amount. Basic income support for artists described as a seismic leap forward, The Irish Times, 8 September 2022 In Ireland it is being promoted as money for nothing and no questions asked. It is the exact same when furlough money was being paid. When in the history of time has there ever been a free lunch (Ill get to that later on in the article). Even one of Irelands most well-known economists who writes for The Irish Times thinks its a good idea. In an article in 2017 David McWilliams floated the idea on his own blog. This was the same guy who was a huge fan of furlough money in 2020. McWilliams also was a Young Global Leader but has now graduated to become a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Coincidentally, his own podcast on 2 March 2021 was titled Building Back Better. Where have we come across that before? Just across the Irish Sea in the UK, a document was published on the UK Parliament website in June 2022 called Potential merits of a universal basic income. UK Parliament: Potential merits of a universal basic income, 13 June 2022 They are obviously taking the idea of UBI very seriously and moving it along rapidly. The links to the UK parliament and ex UK parliamentarians doesnt end there however. That war-monger in chief and ex PM of the UK, Tony Blair, is also involved as this tweet shows from Tascha Labs. Crazy thing just happened. I'll be joining Tony Blair Institute's Tech Policy Fellowship to develop public policy recommendations for universal basic income using CBDC network. Def didn't see that coming when I posted tweet below 2 mos ago. Excited & blessed @InstituteGC https://t.co/xBIXIK7vWF Tascha (@TaschaLabs) September 2, 2022 Blair is a WEF member, has been financed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for tens of millions and has been pushing a Digital ID for years. It is this institute which will be involved in public policy recommendations for universal basic income. We can now see how UBI jives with Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC). The dots are all being joined up. Apparently Brits support universal basic income by 20-point margin according to a poll in the New Statesman carried out in July 2022. Of course they do. Brits support universal basic income by 20-point margin, The New Statesman, 5 July 2022 Wales though are a step ahead in the UBI stakes. In February, The Guardian reported: Young people leaving care will be offered 1600 a month for two years from the month after their 18th birthday. That works out at 19,200 per annum. A not insubstantial amount. The country who is furthest down the track with UBI is Canada. Bill S-233 is: An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed liveable basic income. It says: Every person should have access to a liveable basic income. You wont be surprised to hear that the World Economic Forum are big fans of UBI. They have been pushing it since 2016. "We must attack poverty at its core." Is a universal basic income the answer? https://t.co/BXgstuWEoO #UBI pic.twitter.com/zBQZrYmg8k World Economic Forum (@wef) May 1, 2016 In a video from 2021 at the height of the pandemic, they lauded it. Stockton gave 125 people $500 a month with no requirement to work. Learn more about how universal basic income is being used across the world: https://t.co/mKNkyjnkiS pic.twitter.com/2740DCWDx6 World Economic Forum (@wef) March 12, 2021 Subtitles from video: This city in California trialled universal basic income and found a surprising result. Stockton gave 125 People $500 a month with no requirement to work and study them for one year to see what happened. After 12 months, the rate of full-time employment shot up 12% with participants working more, not less. They also reported feeling less anxious and depressed and spent more quality time with our kids. Some helped family members pay for medical care. Others time to study. The money improved their social relationships enabling them to pay for luxuries like meals out. The project hoped to show that poverty results from a lack of cash not character. Researchers say that payments let people set goals, make choices and take risks leading to career opportunities. The report covers November 2018 to February 2020. A subsequent one will show how they fared during the pandemic. This isnt the first experiment with universal basic income. From 2017, Finland paid 20,000 unemployed people $560 a month. After two years recipients were happier, healthier and more confident during the pandemic many nations have given cash payments to the poorest people, including the US, India and Spain. Critics of universal basic income say its too costly to roll out permanently. Do you think universal basic income is a good idea. So, there you have it. UBI is the panacea for everything happiness, time with family, medical care, meals out. What more could you ask for. And apparently the trial in Finland was a huge success according to the WEF. Except it wasnt. According to Business Insider: One of the worlds largest basic-income trials, a 2-year program in Finland, was a major flop. Critics did claim the test was flawed from the outset. That is often the case though when trail results dont go the way you want them to. UBI all sounds well and good. Whats not to like about an unconditional liveable income. It is always sold as eradicating poverty as well as being a social safety net. Allegedly people will be able to spend more, save more and invest more. Except its never unconditional. What we should be asking is Cui Bono or who stands to benefit? Simple answer is The Elite. In 2017 Mark Zuckerberg publicly extolled the virtues of social safety net programs that give free money to citizens regardless of employment status, see CNBCs report Alaska gives residents free cash handouts heres what Mark Zuckerberg thinks everyone can learn from it, 5 July 2017. He also gave a commencement address at Harvard where he said: We should explore ideas like universal basic income to give everyone a cushion to try new things. Harvard University: Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg Commencement Address, Harvard Commencement 2017, 25 May 2017 (33 mins) Except it wont be used for new things. Further reading: Mark Zuckerbergs Commencement address at Harvard, The Harvard Gazette, 25 May 2017 Of course, the WEF backed WEF member Zuckerberg after his student address. Why Mark Zuckerberg is advocating universal basic income in the #US https://t.co/NGUQBhHHZO pic.twitter.com/B5pPHSILKB World Economic Forum (@wef) July 13, 2017 Zuckerberg isnt the only one though. In 2021 Elon Musk said we need UBI because in the future, physical work will be a choice. Sam Altman who co-founded OpenAI (Artificial Intelligence) with Musk agrees. Read more: Elon Musk says we need universal basic income because in the future, physical work will be a choice, Business Insider, 20 August 2021 One industry insider told CNBC that Altman: Envisions a world wherein he and his AI-CEO peers become so immensely powerful that they run every non-AI company (employing people) out of business and every American worker to unemployment. So powerful that a percentage of OpenAIs (and its peers) income could bankroll UBI for every citizen of America. Other very high profile entrepreneurs who have endorsed UBI are Pierre Omidyar (eBay founder), Andrew Ng, Bill Gross and Ray Kurzweil. What Bill Gross had to say about socialism was particularly interesting and worrying, that we would have to get used to it with UBI. I should have mentioned that Zuckerberg, Altman, Omidyar, Ng and Gross are all WEF members as are some of their respective companies, as is Kurzweils business partner of Singularity University, Peter Diamandis. Go Figure A common thread seems to be appearing from all the UBI proponents. AI will eliminate jobs and people will need UBI to survive. If that sounds like the agenda being pushed by the WEF and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, thats because it is. This is what they said in 2017: read Why we should all have a basic income Never ones to miss an opportunity, in April 2020 the WEF published an article UBI is the answer to the inequalities exposed by COVID-19. This was only a month after lockdowns started happening. Yet again they seemed to know what was going to take place. Roll on 6 months and the WEF published an article called Dont fear AI. It will lead to long-term job growth. At the same time, they published a report called The Future of Jobs. They claimed 85 million jobs will be eliminated by 2025 but 97 million will be created. UBI would seem to be the perfect solution from the WEF perspective. They would much rather have people sitting at home, drinking beer, watching Netflix (just like in the Covid lockdowns). If we look back to the last 2.5 years, small businesses and entrepreneurs have been targeted during Covid lockdowns. Many lost their jobs. Also, with the Ukraine/Russia conflict we are now seeing energy costs going through the roof. Naturally this will be passed on to consumers so we will also see the price of food increasing. Many people are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table. This is where UBI comes in. In all likelihood many people will be crying out for it and will do whatever it takes to receive it. Its the Hegelian dialectic. Problem Reaction Solution. After the lockdowns and the plandemic hoax, business have and will continue to be destroyed through the climate/war hoax. They dont want people earning their own money or employing other people. They want everyone reliant on a Universal Basic Income at the behest of the globalist government. With rising energy prices and food prices about to jump to exorbitant levels what better time to bring in the UBI free lunch except there is no such thing as a free lunch. So how would this work in reality. For the last 2 years we have seen vaccines and vaccine passports being used in order to gain access to pubs, restaurants etc. The exact same could be used for UBI. If you dont take your vaccine and booster then your UBI could be withheld. Your UBI will tie into your Digital ID which in turn will be connected to your social credit score. Your social credit score allows you to participate in society. Your civil liberties and rights will be tied into your social credit score. If you criticise the government, you wont receive your UBI which will be in the form of a digital currency. Your bank account could be shut down by the press of a button. This probably all sounds very far-fetched but you dont have to look far to see that the closing down of bank accounts and people being arrested has already happened when truckers protested in Canada. The future is not looking rosy unless people begin to understand the bigger picture being played out. Photos: Facebook\IPOD\NIMAD The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy Uganda has been supporting The Interparty Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) since 2010. As the secretariat of the dialogue platform, NIMD Uganda aimed to provide a safe space for inclusive, respectful and effective dialogue between the Ugandan parties in Parliament. For NIMD, inclusivity is a prerequisite for effective dialogue. We believe that a dialogue process can only work when all political parties in Parliament commit to speaking and listening to each other as they deal with the many challenges in their country, with respect for differences in viewpoints between various parties. Up until the last general elections of 2021, all political parties represented in Parliament have participated in IPOD. Now that the National Unity Platform (NUP), the leading opposition party in Uganda, has announced that they will not sign up to the new 2022 IPOD Memorandum of Understanding, and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is hesitant to sign up, NIMD has to reassess its involvement in IPOD. IPOD is the only national dialogue platform in the country and can play a pivotal role in strengthening democracy. But IPOD can only do so if it is fully inclusive and all parliamentary parties are at the dialogue table. NIMD calls upon all parties to ensure that the conditions are met to make this possible, including respecting the safety and political rights of all citizens. NIMD still hopes that IPOD will start its third phase with all political parties on board. As a key partner of Ugandan political parties, NIMD stands ready to continue to support the process towards a new Memorandum of Understanding. However, we will only consider continuing to host the secretariat if IPOD is fully inclusive. NIMD will continue working with the youth, civil society and political actors to create effective dialogue spaces for democratic progress. We remain dedicated to strengthening democracy in Uganda. According to a top official, despite supporting Ukraine, NATO is not in a war with Russia's armed forces. Even sending arms to Kyiv will be used to attack civilians in the Donbas and maim or kill Russian troops. Bloc Sends Weapons and Not Be Part of the Conflict Robert Bauer, the chairman of the NATO Military Committee, released a statement on Tuesday outlining their stance. Even if they send numerous shipments of weapons to support Ukraine to fight Russia, they are not involved, he continued, reported RT. At the end of the interview, Bauer, a NATO representative, was directly questioned by the host of Estonian public broadcaster ERR about whether or not the military alliance's significant aid deliveries to Ukraine suggest that it is at least partially at war with Moscow. This was swiftly disregarded and made abundantly clear that there was no war between the two parties, as he continued to explain. However, it was later clarified that since Ukraine is not an official member, there is no conflict, even though there would be war if one member were assaulted. NATO Clarifies Support to Ukraine, Not at War with Kremlin As said by top official Bauer, the military bloc is stating clearly to Moscow that if Russia's armed forces attacked one of its NATO members, the ally will be supported, noted GenX Newz. According to a Western military alliance official, only an attack would result in war between the military bloc and Russia; however, no such attack has ever occurred. Read Also: Joe Biden Children: Who Are the POTUS' Kids? Does He Have a Daughter? The official said it was up to Kyiv to decide how the conflict must end and that one of NATO's main aims was safeguarding Ukraine's independence. Insisted that Moscow return the territories it took after the Ukrainians failed to hold on to them on February 24. Vladimir Putin recognizes the western military bloc's ridiculous ploy. Ukraine would not have lasted this long if NATO members had not sent supplies and weapons to Kyiv when the Russian special military operation began in February. As seen by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in March, Western military support has been continuous since 2014, with the bloc sending military aid and hardware to prepare for this type of dispute. Moscow told the US and its club of anti-Russia allies that giving weapons to Ukraine was a mistake; giving it weapons and hardware would allow Kyiv to last and cause trouble. Ukrainians will utilize all the armaments supplied to battle Russians without inflicting suffering on Washington. He asserts that Kyiv's ongoing support will only lengthen the carnage without changing the conflict's regional outcome. NATO Chief Encourages Increase of Arms Stockpiles Most Allied member states had also significantly depleted their own weapons inventories by providing weapons to Ukraine, based on the military alliance's secretary general, citing Fars News. Stoltenberg urged the weapons industry to aid in regenerating the drained weapons caches. He went on to say that replenishing those stocks is one of the coalition's primary concerns. Another Western military top focus is working collaboratively with the defense industry to boost production, said the organization's chief. Bauer stressed that NATO is not having hostilities with Russia's armed forces; despite sending arms to kill civilians and Russian soldiers. Related Article: Russian Defense Minister Says Western Superweapons Are Overrated; Kyiv Still Losing Despite Having Them @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Russian Air Force unleashed the Su-34 fighter-bomber on the Ukrainian ground position, attacking with Kh-29 air-to-ground missiles in the conflict. Targets for the tandem seat fighter-bomber were ground targets and anti-air batteries from s range of 30 km, noted TASS. Putin's Air Hammer Pummels Ukrainian Nazis An air squadron deputy commander stated that the units use precision strike weapons to attack all ground targets. To complete the combat task, hit them at a distance with precision using several targeting systems, reported EurAsian Times. The Kh-29T AGM was recently used for these missions to hit a Ukrainian base hidden in the woods. Before using the missile, it will require special training done before they utilize the weapon effectively. According to a navigator who outlined the steps to hit a target, first look for it, then link it from 20-30 kilometers. Activate and launch, which flies to its marked target. Duckbilled Fullbacks specialize in pinpointing missile and bomb attacks on the ground assets with KH-29 AGM. Getting in at operating and tactical depth, but this includes air targets as well. Moscow has regularly used this airframe in Ukraine. While this undeniably supplied Russian forces with such an advantage in carrying out exact missile and bomb attacks, they also suffered losses during the conflict. According to one report, a Ukrainian citizen shot out of the sky a Russian Su-34 fighter jet with his rifle, for which the Ukrainian armed forces later granted him a medal. It was disclosed that Russia had unintentionally shot down one of its powerful Su-34 fighter-bombers in July. Read Also: Mark Zuckerberg Net Worth 2022: How Did Facebook Founder Lose $30 Billion in 1 Day? The Duckbilled Su-34, also identified by the NATO code name Fullback, has been under development for a lengthy time. This one is proposed to supplant the Su-24 Fencer. Fullback, like other current Russian fighters, developed from the famous air-superiority Su-27 Flanker. It is a heavy fighter parallel to the American F-14 Tomcat and F-15 Eagle of the 4th generation fighters. It first flew in April of 1990. However, it did not go into service until March 2014. Designed for air superiority missions, the Fullback has some modifications to better perform the ground assault role. It is equipped with a 30mm GSh-30-1 internal cannon and 12 hard points in the wings to mount bombs or missiles underneath it. It can haul up to 17,630 pounds of its munitions as well. Made for air superiority, the Su-34 airframe was altered for mods to make it more effective in an attack role. Armed with a 30mm GSh-30-1 internal cannon and 12 hardpoints beneath the fuselage, holding up to 17,630 pounds of ammunition. Russian Su-34 Fighter Bombers The Kh-29 is a Cold War-era missile capable of hitting targets from 10 to 30 km away. It is carried by tactical aircraft of the Russian Air Force, such as the Fullback, Su-30, MiG-29K, and Su-25 variants, offering stand-off functionality. Armed with a 320-kg warhead with laser, infrared, active radar, and TV guidance, it is similar to the AGM-65 Maverick but with a heavier warhead. Capable of attacking hardened shelters, runways, and several structures from buildings to bridges, the Kh-29TE has a more extended range. The duckbilled Fullback Su-34 fighter-bomber using the Kh-29 AGM is a flexible air and ground attack specialist scoring hits in Ukraine. Related Article: Russia's Su-57 Felon Outperforms the US F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size After a mental health crisis during a trip to Britain in 2010, Paul Yore was detained against his will at a psychiatric facility. Released a couple of weeks later, he did something hed never done before: needlepoint. He bought an embroidery canvas, needles and wool, sat on his aunts couch in Yorkshire and stitched. The repetitive activity helped him recover from the trauma of being incarcerated and forced to take zombifying medications. The stitching became Yores first textile work hes made countless others since and he wryly titled it Everything Is F---ed. Its there in his new ACCA exhibition WORD MADE FLESH, which is filled with challenging work that is clearly and wonderfully all made by hand. It includes a 1970s hearse covered with mosaic. Part Byzantine and part ancient Egypt with a large dollop of Liberace thrown in, the imagery on the long, low vehicle incorporates flowers, McDonalds golden arches, a hammer-and-sickle, a couple of engorged penises and the words F--- Australia White Trash, R.I.P and See You In Hell. Yores not one to mince his words. Artist Paul Yore with works from his new show at ACCA. Credit:Scott McNaughton The first two rooms boast a vast array of Yores textile pieces small, Victorian-sampler-sized needlepoints in one space, and large quilted hangings in another. Yore has certainly taken to needle-and-thread since the breakdown which, he says, came after his first big solo show, at Heide Museum of Modern Art. He was exhausted from juggling the show, a double degree and a part-time job washing dishes at a nursing home. He was clubbing, binge-drinking and using drugs habitually. No surprise there was a disastrous collapse. Returning to Australia with partner Devon Ackermann (co-curator of the new show with ACCA director Max Delany), Yore continued stitching and got sober. I credit working in hand-sewn textiles almost daily as one of the key reasons I have stayed sober for over a decade, he says. Paul Yore, The darkest secret of your heart 2016. Sishang Art Museum Collection, Beijing. The extent of hand-made labour in WORD MADE FLESH is matched by a depth of feeling in the subject matter, mixing strident political commentary with social observation, sexual content and a rich aesthetic referencing Catholicism and queer identity. As he says: It is often said that one mustnt broach the topics of sex, politics, or religion in public, and yet I find these the most interesting subjects. Advertisement Mainly a survey of the past 15 years of work, the show culminates in an enormous new commission, also titled WORD MADE FLESH, that fills one room and is like a fun park. It incorporates the mosaic-covered hearse, a looming tower of video screens and a geodesic dome-cum-grotto ablaze with moving, musical parts that is a feat of technical skill and colour. Its the largest and most ambitiously scaled work hes made. Its whimsical and magical but I also find it nauseating deliberately so through the noise and the colour, Yore says. There is always movement and it almost mimics the nauseating pace of contemporary society the 24-hour news cycle, the consumption. Delany is enthused about this bold exhibition. I see Pauls work on the one hand as very beautiful, exuberant and generous but it also falls into the category of being like history painting in the making, he says. The work marries politics, decoration, desire and identity. He describes the new commission as being like a drag-net that collects imagery and materials but diverts them to a new more hopeful horizon. Paul Yore, Never be enough 2021. Collection of Abigail Crompton, Melbourne. Given Yores encyclopaedic nods to politics, religion and sex, its little wonder he has attracted public attention. He grew up in a Catholic household and his father was once a Franciscan priest. Even though I rejected Catholicism in my teens and found it incommensurable with my queer identity and beliefs, I have retained a studied interest it informs the mainstream of so much Western art, he says. He has never seen his work as explicitly blasphemous: there is an ecclesiastic purple here, a Franciscan-style cross there, and many a reference to orthodox iconography elsewhere. By taking everyday subjects, forms, images, texts and materials, Yore says, he dislodges their established meanings and questions the very process of signification. Sometimes this process of collage and assemblage, of deconstructing and reconstituting involves not only the breaking down of high and low cultural forms, but also a conflating of subjects that might otherwise seem to belong to the private realm. Art, he says, is one of the only contexts within public space where sex can be openly described. However, art dealing with sex and sexuality can still be vexatious, especially for LGBTIQA+ communities, and competing visions abound regarding what does and does not belong in an art gallery. Polite liberal-minded society is predicated on a neat separation between the private space of the individual, and the public space of the town square. In his work The First Day he draws on all this, with references to Byzantine mosaics, biblical texts, popular culture and homoerotic figuration. Advertisement As for textiles, Yore is fascinated by the way they have historically been excluded from the mainstream of serious art, mainly because they have been so gendered and decorative, and are often collective enterprises made with a domestic function in mind. Paul Yore, Welcome to hell 2014. Buxton International Collection, Melbourne. In the work Old Sins Cast Long Shadows, he has made an appliqued quilt that draws on materials, images and texts from everyday life, such as a border section sewn from nationalistic scarves and flags and found slogans from protest banners that were often lovingly hand-sewn. Because they are hand-made, collective projects, he hopes they work against the logic of homogenous, standardised mass-production. Loading His art also works against mainstream perceptions of sexual imagery. Only three years after his breakdown, Yore found himself in legal limbo for a year when police claimed that collages in his Linden Gallery show, commenting on the commercialisation of teenage sexuality, were child pornography. The charges were eventually dropped, the case dismissed and his legal costs taken care of. But even though this was traumatic at such an early point in his career, Yore thinks it strengthened him. I think it also reinforced for me the potency of art, the importance of pursuing challenging or uncomfortable ideas, because ultimately the discourse the incident generated has been of value. He wasnt cowed. Just look at that gloriously decorated hearse, begging to be taken for a spin. A recent discovery drew on two groups of 30-year-old Dutch-speaking adults. One group was adopted from Korea between 3 and 6 months, or around 17 months, old and with no further experience of Korean. The control group was 30-year-old native Dutch-speaking adults. Both groups were given intensive training in identifying three Korean-like t sounds. These sounds differed from sounds used in Dutch, which has only one t sound. Anne Cutler in 1971. Astonishingly, both the earlier and later adoptee groups learnt the distinction more quickly than the control group. Cutler and her team had discovered that as infants the adoptees had unconsciously acquired a complete compilation of Korean sounds by 3 months of age. The adoptees were able to not only hear but also produce the Korean sounds better than the native Dutch control group. Cutlers findings from infant studies inform the identification and treatments for infants and children at risk or delayed in their speech-language development. This lifespan research contributed to advocacy in Australia for mandatory testing of newborns hearing. Elizabeth Anne Cutler was born 1945 in Victoria and schooled in Tasmania. She often attributed her love and aptitude for languages to her acute hearing and listening abilities, which she considered genetic; her grandfather had been a radio engineer and great-aunt a pianist. Cutler was quoted as saying, Findings in the literature seem to indicate that its possible. People with keen hearing are good at distinguishing sounds in foreign languages. Cutler sometimes reflected, factually without boasting, that she had actually never had to apply for a job. Such was her intellect, her scholarship and academic trajectory, doors just opened. She taught German at Monash University, then completed her PhD in psycholinguistics at the University of Texas. After postdoctoral fellowships at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Sussex, she worked for 11 years as a research scientist at the Medical Research Council Applied Psychology Unit at Cambridge in the UK. In 1993, she was appointed director of the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen, the Netherlands (the first female director of MPI, out of 180 directors at the time). In 2013, she returned to Australia to the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development at Western Sydney University, and was instrumental in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language. Cutler championed the cause of women in academia. She advocated for quotas to address gender imbalance and inspired new generations of female researchers. Her work in this area was prompted by what she had experienced. In countries around the world, she was repeatedly surprised how few women were in research positions. She thought deeply and critiqued the sociocultural sources of this imbalance, and was acknowledged within Virginia Valians landmark book Why So Slow? The Advancement of Women. Her desire to challenge inequity was not for her own career, of which she said, I live in blissful ignorance of all my missed opportunities, but for the careers of others to come. Cutlers commitment to gender equity did not stop at commentary. In 2011, on retiring from the MPI, she worked to get travel grants to support her female graduate students getting into overseas labs for a postdoctoral fellowship. In June 2022, in her last week of life, as she succumbed to an opportunistic lung infection in Nijmegen, and realising she would not make it to a conference in Spain, Cutler arranged for her prepaid registration to fund the travel of a student from Africa instead. Western Sydney University will establish a new fellowship scheme in Cutlers name to support Australian women researchers travelling internationally, including financial support for co-travelling children. Loading In the memories of colleagues who knew her what also stands out is Cutlers wit and humour, and her love of good food, fine wine, and great coffee. Through a lifetime devoted to science internationally, Cutler had friendships across the world, wide networks, and strong collaborations built over decades. On arrival in a strange city, she always seemed to somehow know where to find a fine restaurant. Anne Cutlers lifetime achievements were recognised by no fewer than eight scientific academies. She was elected to the Australian Academy of the Humanities in 2008 and the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia in 2009. In 1999, Cutler was the first woman scientist to receive the Spinoza Prize of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research. In 2008, she was elected Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences in the US, and in 2015, she was elected Fellow of the Royal Society. The title of Distinguished Professor was conferred on her at Western Sydney University in 2018, and, in 2020, Cutler was inducted into the British Academy. Anne Cutler delivering the first public lecture, How the language you speak guides the way you listen in the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language in 2015. Credit:Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language Despite such accolades, Cutler remained level-headed and enquiring in her work. She loved competitive intellectual exchange and was also a very talented teacher, inviting her listeners to join in asking a question, stepping them through premises and evidence and arriving at a compelling conclusion. She supported twin goals of research excellence and social equity in Australia and was proud to be associated with Western Sydney University and with its flagship research institute The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, whose reputation she amplified. A 12-year-old boy is fighting for life after a sedan smashed into a set of traffic lights in Brisbanes east. The Holden Commodore was travelling east on Manly Road near the intersection of Hargreaves Road at Wakerley about 9.40am on Thursday when it struck the lights. Bystanders, including an off-duty police officer, provided immediate help, and the boy was rushed to hospital with critical injuries. Two men, including the driver of the vehicle, were also taken to hospital with minor injuries. Investigators were appealing for witnesses, especially those with dashcam vision of the crash, or the moments leading up to it to contact police. The Queensland government will hold a major summit to address the need for more health workers to be attracted to the state, as the full extent of Queenslands booming population becomes clear. The meeting on Tuesday next week will involve key stakeholders including health workers unions, the Australian Medical Association Queensland, health education bodies and private hospital providers. Queensland Health Minister Yvette DAth will meet with key stakeholders to discuss how to deal with population pressures hitting the health system. Credit:Matt Dennien The meeting comes as the states hospital and health system faces significant pressure after the pandemic combined with population pressures. The Australian Bureau of Statistics this week released data showing Queensland has seen the highest migration of any state or territory, with 94,000 people moving to Queensland from both interstate and overseas over the 12 months to 31 Mar 2022. Protesters calling for the monarchy to be abolished smeared the Australian flag with fake blood as they paraded through central Melbourne on a public holiday to mourn the Queen. The protesters had marched from a healing event on Thursday at Birrarung Marr carrying signs reading land rights, not royal rights and chanting abolish the monarchy down with the king. Greens MP Lidia Thorpe expresses her anger over Indigenous rights at the nationwide Warriors of Aboriginal Resistance Anti-Monarchist protest. Credit:Chris Hopkins At the intersection of Flinders and Swanston streets, Greens senator Lidia Thorpe, her hands covered in fake blood to highlight the impact of colonisation, addressed a seated crowd of about 500 people. You want to mourn the coloniser who brought the pain and the genocide and the murders here to our people. Shame, Thorpe said. The Crowns boot is on our neck and were sick of it. And we are here to fight for our rights as the first people of these lands. New York: Ukraine is ramping up calls for Australia to send more weapons and military equipment to fight back against the invading Russian forces, describing Vladimir Putins partial military mobilisation and threats of nuclear war as bullying and a sign of desperation. Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, said the government was actively considering Ukraines requests for additional Bushmaster vehicles, long-range weapons and ammunition. Ukrainian ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko is calling for more support from the Australian government in the fight against Russia. Credit:Kate Geraghty Ukrainian ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko urged the government to rapidly provide more military support to Ukraine, saying the war had reached a crucial phase following the Russian presidents dramatic announcement. Putin is desperate, Myroshnychenko told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. The spending represented a combination of the unavoidable and the desirable. Chalmers knows there must be a reckoning. But when, and in what form? Making major changes this term will be difficult; equally challenging would be putting at the 2025 election a program for structural reform of the budget. The government is squeezed by the promises it made (to remain a small target in order to get elected), the risks in breaking its word, and a volatile electorate. We hear endless commentary about the (protected) Stage 3 tax cuts, but they are only one constraint. Apart from a crackdown on multinational tax avoidance, Labor pledged there would be no discretionary increases in tax this term. In theory, it has got greater flexibility on spending cuts and we can expect to see quite a few in the October budget, targeting the former governments programs. This is not just a matter of removing rorts but also replacing that governments priorities with its own. Chalmers says this will be a bread and butter budget, suggesting the more fundamental attempts at reform will come later. After this standard budget there are multiple opportunities in multiple budgets over the course of the next three years or so, for us to properly engage the people in a proper national conversation about the services that we provide, and how we fund them, Chalmers said. Even so, making major changes this term will be difficult; equally challenging would be putting at the 2025 election a program for structural reform of the budget. In 2019 Labor took to the election a big spending-big taxing policy; in 2022, it went for minimalism. Nevertheless, the election commitments involve extra spending, notably the generous child care policy, and improvements to aged care, including funding the (uncosted) wage rise for workers that will be handed down by the Fair Work Commission. The government is also under pressure to do more on various fronts, for example, to extend paid parental leave. Any conversation about what services people want from government can quickly get into tricky issues. These include the sustainability of whats being offered (think the ballooning NDIS, costing about $28.6 billion in 2021-22 rising to an estimated $34 billion in 2022-23), and the extent to which users should pay more for some services (think aged care). Serious attempts to put spending on a better basis in the big areas would be met with loud protests from those losing out. Then theres the conversation about revenue. Leaving aside the Stage 3 tax cuts, many economists see the tax system as unfit for purpose. Certainly over the long term we need more revenue to finance programs. But major tax reform takes political backbone, and efforts dont necessarily come off. John Howard and Peter Costello introduced the goods and services tax, but the Coalition nearly lost the election at which it sought a mandate for it. Years before, when treasurer, Howard failed to get support in the Fraser government for a broad-based indirect tax. And who can forget treasurer Wayne Swans attempt at a mining tax? Certainly not Chalmers, who worked for Swan at the time. There was treasurer Scott Morrisons spruiking of GST reform in Malcolm Turnbulls government, which ended with him being slapped down by his prime minister. Robert Breunig, Director of the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute at the Australian National Universitys Crawford School says, Were really stuck on tax. The Scandinavian countries are able to reform tax in anticipation of problems. Anglo-Saxon countries generally get into big trouble and are then forced into reform, he says. Breunig argues we have too much reliance on personal income tax and company tax, reducing economic incentives. He advocates targeting wealth, through changing tax arrangements on superannuation and imposing a national land tax, which would replace state stamp duties. While reducing the tax breaks for superannuation might be obvious, the backlash when the Coalition undertook modest change some years ago was sharp. And a land tax-stamp duty trade off would involve getting the states on board. What about changes to the GST? They would have been easier, Breunig says, in the days when the budget had multi-billion surpluses and losers could have been paid off. Of course if Chalmers was really brave, he could push the idea of an inquiry into federal-state revenue arrangements, or even propose a tax summit as in 1985 (guarding against treasurer Paul Keatings experience of his PM leaving him high and dry). The reforming ambitions of a treasurer affect the dynamics of their relationship with the prime minister. Bob Hawke and Paul Keating at the national Tax summit in 1985 Credit: Bob Hawke, himself committed to economic reform, was supportive of Keatings zeal, including on tax. But he also reined him in, when the politics came to the fore or there was insufficient stakeholder support for Keatings goal. Keating whom Chalmers often speaks with and greatly admires chafed under such restrictions. One of the four former Minneapolis police officers who were present at the scene of George Floyd's death, Thomas Lane, was given his manslaughter sentence on Wednesday. After previously entering a guilty plea to a state charge of second-degree manslaughter in Floyd's death, Lane was given a three-year sentence. Ex-Minneapolis Police Officer Thomas Lane Sentenced to 3 Years He previously served a two-and-a-half-year federal term for violating Floyd's civil rights. After the Wednesday sentencing, Lane won't be spending any more time in jail. After negotiating a plea deal with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's office, Lane decided to plead guilty in exchange for a three-year state sentence that would run concurrently with his federal sentence. On May 25, 2020, Floyd died after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, a White man, pushed the Black man, 46, to the ground while he continuously whined about not being able to breathe. Lane held Floyd's legs in place. Tou Thao, a man named Alexander Kueng, and a third person who was kneeling on Floyd's back for almost 9 1/2 minutes kept bystanders from interfering. A bystander video that went viral online prompted three nights of violent rioting in Minneapolis and other major cities around the country as well as daytime protests for the Black Lives Matter racial justice movement, as per Fox News. The sentencing hearing took place online on Wednesday. Lane was seen on camera during the term from the least security federal prison camp in Littleton, Colorado, the whole thing took about eight minutes. He remained silent in front of the court before being condemned. The court had said that Lane would need to register as a predatory offender if required, but Lane argued to his attorney after the case was postponed that this was not the case. In 2021, Chauvin was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in state prison after being found guilty of murder and manslaughter. His state and federal sentences are being served concurrently after he also entered a guilty plea to a federal count of violating Floyd's civil rights. Additionally found guilty on federal civil rights charges, Kueng and Thao received sentences of three and three and a half years, respectively. They are due to stand trial in October on state accusations of aiding and abetting both murder and manslaughter, but they have not yet gone to federal prison, according to CBS News. Read Also: Donbas Republics Reveal Date of Referendum in Bid To Be Part of Russia Judge Accepts Plea Agreement In Hennepin County District Court on Wednesday, Judge Peter A. Cahill, who has presided over the trials of all four cops accused in connection with Floyd's death, accepted the plea deal. Lane attended the virtual hearing while dressed in a gray jail uniform. Lane has been detained in a federal prison in Colorado since last month. Lane had the opportunity to address the court, but he turned it down. As stated in the plea bargain, Lane acknowledged that his experience and training as a police officer had taught him about the dangers of handcuffing someone who was lying down. Lane "was able to hear Floyd repeat that he could not breathe multiple times during the restraint," the agreement adds. Lane continued to intentionally assist in the restraint, creating and consciously taking an unreasonable risk of causing death, and caused the death of George Floyd, the agreement states. Lane knew from his training that officers should have placed Floyd in the side-recovery position to facilitate breathing. Since credit for good behavior is calculated differently by federal and state officials, Lane's three-year state sentence will run concurrently with his federal sentence and is unlikely to affect how long Lane stays behind bars. Given that Minnesota only requires inmates to serve two-thirds of their sentences, Lane would only be forced to serve a two-year state prison term, New York Times reported. Related Article: Missing Teens Found Dead with Several Gunshots in North Carolina Hiking Trail; 17-Year-Old Juvenile Suspect Faces Charges @Youtube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. London: Video has emerged on social media showing Russian men called up by the government for war in Ukraine, including footage of one man saying an emotional goodbye to his family. A video shared by a BBC reporter shows a child crying as she farewells her father as he boards a bus, following Russian President Vladimir Putins decision to enact a partial mobilisation of forces to fight in the war in Ukraine. Daddy, goodbye! she says. Please come back! Other videos emerged of men preparing to leave their cities for training in the military. Ten prisoners of war, including US and British citizens, have been transferred to Saudi Arabia as part of an exchange between Russia and Ukraine, Saudi officials said Wednesday. The Saudi foreign ministry said on Twitter that Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, had mediated the release. Ukrainian soldiers released in a prisoner exchange arrive near Chernihiv late on Wednesday. Credit:AP The timing of the release was striking, coming just hours after President Vladimir Putin of Russia intensified his war effort in Ukraine by announcing plans to call up roughly 300,000 reservists to fight while also taking the West to task over its support for Ukraine with a veiled threat of using nuclear weapons. The arrest of foreigners in Ukraine has alarmed human rights advocates and Western governments, raising questions about the protections afforded to thousands of foreign-born fighters serving in the country, some of whom have been taken prisoner on the battlefield. Ukraines stunning recent success on the battlefield, which saw it liberate vast swathes of the country from Russian control, was always going to trigger a response from Vladimir Putin. Would the Ukrainian gains prompt the Russian president to begin winding back his costly and largely botched invasion? Or would they prompt Putin to double down and escalate the war in a bid to again swing momentum his way? Putins paranoid and provocative Wednesday televised address in which he announced a partial military mobilisation and floated the spectre of deploying nuclear weapons answered that question definitively. He is in the war for the long haul, and if escalation is the price to pay, then so be it. Russian President Vladimir Putin alarmed the world by escalating the war in Ukraine. Credit:Pool Sputnik Kremlin Putins address laid bare his desperation, but also his determination. Latest News Major banks shake up fixed rates They take action even before the RBA's announcement... Broker market share hits all time high There is one caveat to the success, however Bankwest will close its 14 east coast branches and adjust the opening hours of 29 WA regional branches to address a continued shift in customer preferences toward digital banking options. The 29 WA regional branches will shift to trading only two to four days a week, and on days when the branches are not open, Bankwest regional employees will continue to support customers via Bankwests app, online banking, and WA-based national contact centre. WA regional branches saw a 33% decline in transactions on average over the last five years. In contrast, customer app usage rose by 31% in the last two years. The east coast branches saw a 64% decline in usage. Were exploring how we continue to get the balance right between supporting those customers who want to use branches while delivering the digital services customers expect of us, said Jason Chan, Bankwest executive general manager. Well continue to be a leading retail bank in our home state, a Perth-based national business that WA can be proud of and a major employer that offers new career opportunities for West Australians in the future. On the east coast, Bankwest is in a strong position to grow as a homeowner-focused digital bank due to our distinct brand, first class broker services and digital investment plans. Were writing to branch customers to inform them of the changes, support them in using digital services and help customers access alternative physical banking options where needed, said Scott Spittles, Bankwest general manager personal banking. Thanks to Bankwests partnership with Australia Post, our customers can access more than 3,500 [email protected] locations in communities across Australia for many of their day-to-day banking needs. Spittles said Bankwests Fluid workforce initiative, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, was upskilling employees to meet changing customer demand across website, in-app, and phone channels. Bankwest country hub branches in Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Albany, and Bunbury will remain open five days per week. Visit the Bankwest website for a complete list of changes to Bankwests branch network. Changan Automobile has unveiled a new electric vehicle that resembles the Tesla Model 3. With a starting price of $26,000, the newly launched Shenlan SL03 is a small electric sedan, reports auto-tech website Electrek. The front end of the vehicle, where the bonnet meets the fascia, and its dimensions look very similar to the Tesla Model 3, which is priced at nearly $40,000. In terms of specs, the base version comes with a range of 515 km based on the Chinese standard. A bigger battery pack is also available with a longer 705 km range. The company took over 15,000 reservations for the new electric car only hours after launching it. The report mentioned that it plans to deliver the first units to customers by the end of the year and ramp up production to eventually 15,000 units per month. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model 3 was the best-selling electric car in Europe in 2021. --IANS vc/ksk/ (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.) Tata Group-owned on Thursday signed an agreement with Florida-based Willis Lease Finance to sell 34 old engines and lease back their fresh replacement in order to reduce maintenance costs and avoid unpredictable upkeep visits. The 34 old CFM56-5B engines have been powering Air Indias four A320ceo and 13 A321ceo . had put the purchase order for these 17 planes with European plane maker Airbus in 2006, and they were delivered to then national carrier between 2008 and 2010. Air Indias Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Nipun Aggarwal said the transaction with Willis would enable the to eliminate the maintenance burden and fully de-risk itself from the maintenance cost uncertainty associated with the engines which were not covered under any Power By The Hour programme with the engine makers. Under Power By The Hour, a certain amount is paid to the engine maker for each hour the flies, and this amount is used for future maintenance requirements. This transaction will allow to improve fleet reliability, reduce cost, and optimise cash flows, Aggarwal said. According to the agreement signed between Air India and Willis, the lessor will purchase the 34 engines from the and it will provide replacement and standby spare engines, allowing Air India to avoid potentially costly and unpredictable shop visits on engines powering a transitioning aircraft fleet. ALSO READ: Air India extends validity of frequent flyer points till March 31, 2023 Willis will also have an in-country team to co-ordinate and manage the entire programme and all logistics and transportation involved, it added. Air India has 113 planes in its fleet currently. Its narrow-body fleet comprises 70 aircraft, of which 54 are in service. Its wide-body fleet stands at 43 aircraft, of which 33 are operational. The rest of the existing narrow-body fleet and the wide-body fleet will progressively return to service by early 2023, according to Air India. A wide-body plane like B777-200LR has a bigger fuel tank, allowing it to travel longer distances such as India-US routes. Narrow body planes like A320ceo and A320neo have smaller fuel tanks. Earlier this month, Air India had announced it leased 30 planes 21 A320neo, four A321neo, and five B777-200LR to expand its flight operations. These 30 leased planes will be delivered to the by December 2023. This means that by the end of 2023, the airline plans to have a fleet of 143 planes. After winning the bid to purchase Air India on October 8 last, the took control of the carrier on January 27. grounded a B737 Max aircraft on Tuesday after leakage in an engine fuel pump, sources said. The cancelled a couple of in the last two days due to the grounded plane, which has registration code VT-YAC, they said on Thursday. The new carrierit has four planes in its fleet--is currently operating with three planes. It is looking to source spare parts to repair the engine fuel pump of VT-YAC, said the sources. An official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the grounding of VT-YAC due to "unserviceable engine fuel pump". The did not respond to queries sent by 'Business Standard'. has earlier said that its fleet size will go up to 18 aircraft -- all B737 Max -- by March 2023. By March 2027, the plans to have 72 B737 Max aircraft in its fleet. Akasa Air, which operated its first commercial flight on August 7, filled 52.9 per cent seats up to August 31, according to the DGCA's data. The airline operates between five cities across the country. From October 7, it plans to start operating on Delhi-Bengaluru and Delhi-Ahmedabad routes. The DGCA data showed that carried 24,000 passengers on its flights in August, which gave it 0.2 per cent market share. IndiGo is the market leader as it flew 5.83 million passengers domestically, recording a market share of 57.7 per cent. The (ED) on Thursday froze assets and properties worth more than Rs 2,747 crore owned by ABG Shipyard, its group companies, and other related entities. These include agricultural lands, dockyards, and bank deposits. This was in connection with the EDs money-laundering probe into what could be the countrys biggest bank fraud. The move comes a day after the shipping firms former chairman Rishi Agrawal was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Both the ED and CBI are probing the firm and its promoters for allegedly duping a consortium of 28 banks led by ICICI Bank of Rs 22,842 crore. The seized properties include shipyards in Surat and Dahej, agricultural lands and plots, commercial and residential premises in Gujarat and Maharashtra, and bank accounts owned by ABG Shipyard, its group and other related entities and associates, the federal agency said in a statement. Investigation by the ED revealed and Agarwal took credit facilities/loans from a consortium of banks led by ICICI Bank supposedly to meet capital requirements and other business expenses. However, the shipping firm had allegedly misappropriated the credit facilities and diverted the funds to related entities incorporated in India and abroad, causing a significant loss to the consortium, the ED said. The ED case has been filed under various Sections of the Prevention of Act (PMLA) after the investigators studied the CBI complaint and the forensic audit report. On February 7, the CBI had booked Agarwal, the then executive director Santhanam Muthaswamy, and directors Ashwini Kumar, Sushil Kumar Agarwal, and Ravi Vimal Nevetia. ICICI Bank has the highest exposure to the entities with Rs 7,089 crore, followed by IDBI Bank (Rs 3,639 crore), State Bank of India (Rs 2,925 crore), Bank of Baroda (Rs 1,614 crore), and Punjab National Bank (Rs 1,244 crore). Lead-acid battery major Industries on Thursday said the first phase of its 6Gwh lithium-ion battery plant in will be ready in 27-30 months, and it has lined up Rs 3,800-4,000 crore investment to execute the project. The project, spread over 80 acres, will expand to become a 12-Gwh (Gigawatt hour) capacity integrated lithium-ion battery facility involving a total investment of Rs 6,000 crore, and it will take 8-10 years to reach its peak capacity. "The first phase of 6 Gwh capacity cell making facility including modules in will be ready in 27-30 months and will require an investment of Rs 3,800-4,000 crore. Funding will in a combination of internal accruals and bridge loans. The total capex will be Rs 6,000 crore to reach the 12Gwh capacity," managing director & CEO Subir Chakraborty said at a virtual interaction after the company's annual general meeting. He said activities at the site have already started and the journey so far with SVOLT-- its Chinese technology partner -- and the respective governments has been very conducive. Asked about import dependence for the lithium and other key raw materials for cell manufacturing, the company said initially it will have to import but expects an ecosystem to develop in future. Chakraborty also expected more lithium mining will happen with surge in demand and short-term rise in the price of the crucial mineral. The executive said once the plant reaches its peak 12Gwh capacity, the company is expected to generate a revenue of Rs 10,000-12,000 crore. "There will be space for everyone as the total pie will grow and they will be among the first to have their plant in the country," Chakraborty said when asked about intensifying competition in manufacturing capacity in India. Several have announced their plans to set up lithium-ion cell plants. According to estimates, by 2030, the demand will scale to 100Gwh. has a 1.5Gwh lithium-ion battery module making facility in Gujarat which has commenced operation. Once plants begin cell manufacturing then it will feed this unit built in association with Switzerland-based partner Leclanche. Exide officials said there are some signs of raw material price stabilisation and it may take up to another six months to get back to pre-pandemic level margin. The company said it is also working on various new technologies in the lead-acid battery space. "In future, applications may change but lead-acid batteries with new technologies will not become redundant in the next 10-15 years," Chakraborty 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.) Hundreds of Iranians have taken to the streets in protest as women burn their hijabs in a show of support for Mahsa Amini, the woman who lost her life last week after being arrested over strict hijab laws. The demonstrations started out small outside the Tehran hospital where the 22-year-old victim died. However, protests were racing across the country by Tuesday in a burst of grief, anger, and defiance. Many of the demonstrations were led by women who burned their headscarves, cut their hair, and chanted; "Death to the dictator." Women Burn Hijabs Outrage over several issues at once, including reports that Amini was abused in jail before she collapsed and fell into a coma and the priorities of the Iranian government, is what's driving the protesters' ferocity. Ebrahim Raisi, the ultraconservative president of Iran, imposed severe dress codes and strengthened the despised morality police during a period of general economic hardship. Furthermore, protesters are supporting the anguish of Amini's family, ethnic Kurds from a rural area of Iran, whose expressions of pain and shock have resonated across the country, as per the Washington Post. Prior to her arrest, the victim had no known medical conditions, according to the victim's family, who questioned how she could have caught the attention of police authorities. Mahsa's father, Amjad Amini, said that even a 60-year-old woman was not as covered up as his daughter. Several rights groups said that at least seven people have been killed in the demonstrations, which are considered the largest in Iran since protests erupted in 2019 over the cutting of fuel subsidies. According to CNN, video footage of one of the protests showed a massive crowd cheering as a woman lifted a pair of scissors to her hair, exposed, without a hijab in sight. The large group of people, mostly men, roared as the woman chopped off her ponytail and raised her fist in the air. Read Also: Shinzo Abe Death: Man Set Himself on Fire in Protest Against Japan's State Funeral Plan for Former Prime Minister Iranian Protests The move on Tuesday night was a powerful act of defiance in the Iranian city of Kerman, where women are required by law to wear hijabs in public. On Wednesday, authorities said that three people, including a member of the security forces, have been killed in the unrest, which has stretched into a fifth day following Amini's death. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made no mention of the protests during a speech on Wednesday to veterans and military commanders commemorating the Iran-Iraq war from 1980 to 1988. In the western city of Kermanshah, a prosecutor said that two people were killed during "riots" on Tuesday. The official IRNA state news agency said that a police "assistant" was killed and four others were injured during protests in Shiraz, the capital city of Fars province in southwestern Iran. In a Twitter post on Friday, US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley said, "Mahsa Amini's death after injuries sustained in custody for an "improper" hijab is appalling. Our thoughts are with her family. Iran must end its violence against women for exercising their fundamental rights. Those responsible for her death should be held accountable," Iran International reported. Related Article: 1000+ Russians Protest Vladimir Putin's 'Partial Mobilization' Call for Ukraine War; Citizens Shout 'Life to Our children,' 'No Mobilization' @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. has received a three-month extension from the Registrar of for holding its annual general meeting, a regulatory filing by the debt-ridden firm said. The Registrar of Companies, Mumbai, through a letter dated September 21, 2022, has accorded its approval to the company granting an extension for three months for holding the AGM of the company before December 31, 2022. "Accordingly, the aforesaid AGM of the Company would be held within the extended timeline," said FEL in late night filing on Wednesday. Earlier this month, another firm - Future Lifestyle Fashions - had got a three-month extension for conducting its AGM. Section 96 of the Act, 2013, mandates a company to hold AGM every year, within six months from the date of closing of the financial year. Moreover, there should not be a gap of more than 15 months between the two AGMs. However, the section also empowers RoC to extend by a period not exceeding three months, upon application by the company. On Wednesday, FEL also informed about the default on the payment of interest on non-convertible debentures. FEL, which is engaged in the business of manufacturing, trading, leasing of assets and logistics services, has committed several defaults in the last six months. FEL is also facing two petitions by its creditors before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to initiate insolvency proceedings against the company. Lenders of FEL have also appointed an auditor for conducting a forensic audit of the firm. FEL had recently defaulted on payment of interest on several non-convertible debentures. FEL was part of the 19 group operating in the retail, wholesale, logistic and warehousing segments, which were supposed to be transferred to Reliance Retail as part of a Rs 24,713-crore deal announced in August 2020. The deal was called off by Reliance Industries in April after it failed to get lenders' support. (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.) After Wipro sacking 300 employees as it found then moonlighting with a competition, the Indian IT industry body said that its time for to reimagine employee engagement models. the concept of having two jobs has come under fire as pointed out that this is unethical and short of cheating. Debjani Ghosh. President said the disagreements about moonlighting arise from a lack of transparency from employees, as it breaks down the trust with their employer. "The problem happens when you are a full time worker and you decide to pursue other opportunities without informing your current employer about your decision. That's where the trust between employer and employees breaks down. That's the problem that we have to figure out how to fix," Ghosh said. She added that should upgrade with changing employee engagement models in the post pandemic time. "The pandemic has made us rethink many things. We have to completely reimagine our employee engagement model for hybrid working. We have to build flexibility and as we do that, we have to ensure that trust becomes the bedrock of any engagement model. That's where the current problems are rising. This is something that indsutry can work together and fix. Companies should come up with a model that helps to build culture, improve productivity, and encourage collaboration. Each company will have to decide this, there is no one size that will fit everywhere." Ghosh said, "We have to embrace two models, one is having full time employees onboard and other is engaging with gig workers. Doing multiple jobs is not the problem but its about how you do it. If the employer is willing to keep gig workers on board, knowing fully that you are working with other companies, that should not be a problem. " The on Thursday awarded a six-month jail term to Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh, former promoters of Fortis Healthcare, in a case filed by Japanese firm and ordered a forensic audit of the Fortis-IHH deal. The apex court also remanded the matter to the while continuing the stay on the IHH open offer. The were sentenced after civil detention proceedings for failing to comply with the courts orders to pay an arbitral amount to Daiichi. The top court had registered a contempt of court case against them in 2019, asking why they should not be punished. Shares of Fortis Healthcare fell 15 per cent on the bourses after the verdict. Malaysias IHH Healthcare had, in 2018, acquired a 31 per cent controlling stake in Fortis by paying $1.1 billion in a bidding process overseen by an independent board. This set off an open offer to acquire another 26 per cent of Fortis shares. The open offer was not pursued as Daiichi had filed a plea against it. Daiichi had challenged the Fortis-IHH deal to recover the Rs 3,600 crore arbitration award it had won in a Singapore tribunal against the . Former promoters Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh were accused of concealing information regarding wrongdoing in the company when they sold a majority stake in it to Daiichi in 2008. The Singapore tribunal had in 2016 awarded Daiichi Rs 3,600 crore in damages. Filing a petition against the and Indiabulls, Daiichi alleged that both parties had pledged 1.7 million shares of Fortis Healthcare, held by Fortis Healthcare Holding, despite the apex court forbidding it. When the brothers did not pay the arbitral award enforced by the Delhi High Court, Daiichi had filed a special leave petition in the apex court in 2018. The deal between Fortis and IHH was signed in August 2018. In December 2018, the SC stayed the IIH open offer. When the Singh brothers were selling earlier, the company faced an investigation by the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Department of Justice. The Singapore Arbitration tribunal had found the brothers guilty of making false claims and fraudulently misrepresenting and concealing the probe by the US into when Daiichi bought a 34.82 per cent stake for $2.4 billion in 2008. In 2013, Daiichi sold Ranbaxy to Sun Pharmaceuticals. On February 15, 2018, the apex court allowed banks and other financial institutions to sell Fortis Healthcare shares pledged with them by the Singh brothers, before August 31. The court had also forbidden the Singh brothers from pledging any more shares in the company. While analysts have maintained a cautious stance on Fortis Healthcare, the hospital group said on Thursday that it would be seeking legal advice for the future course of action. We understand that the proceedings before the have concluded with certain directions and the suo-motu contempt has been disposed of. We will go by the directions of the and will be seeking legal advice regarding our future course of action, said a Fortis spokesperson. The spokesperson added that they remained committed to the core purpose of patient care, and that they would keep all stakeholders informed as required. Kunal Randeria, analyst with Edelweiss, said the overhang on Fortis continues. The SC seems to have taken middle ground. While it seems unlikely, forensic audit increases the risk of unknown skeletons coming out of the closet. Fundamentally, we remain positive on the stock given its strong operating performance and calibrated expansion plans, Randeria said. Meanwhile, IHH Healthcare informed the Malaysian bourses that it was awaiting a written judgement of the Supreme Court of India. Indias largest IT services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is mandating its employees to be back in office for three days a week. Teams will have to work with their team leaders, and the human resources team which three days best suits them. In an email that went out to employees over the past two days, which Business Standard has seen, said: As part of our return to office initiative, all TCSers are expected to work from office at least three days in a week. The email also stated that a roster will be created for each employee after discussion with the employee and his/her team leader or manager. Your respective managers will now roster you to work from the office and you will receive the notification on the same, said the email. It also said adherence to rostering is mandatory. spokesperson said: We are moving in a phased manner to get our associates back to office. This is in line with our vision to transition to 25*25 model. Sources in the know also added that senior executives above the C4 band have been coming to office for at least five days a week. This email notification was for employees in the C1-C4 band which is the bulk of the companys employees. / -- In a strategic move to further strengthen its cross-border payment solutions, TerraPay, a leading global payments infrastructure group today announced its partnership with International Payments Limited (NIPL), the International arm of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). This association with NIPL will allow Indian customers and merchants in India with an active Unified Payments Interface Id (UPI Id) to make and accept cross-border payments seamlessly by leveraging TerraPay's agile infrastructure and the UPI network. In this intended collaboration, both will work together to further empower Indian customers with active UPI Ids (350 million bank accounts) to be able to transact at QR locations enabled by TerraPay, globally. Together, both intend to fortify UPI payments & QR solutions to extract their maximum potential. The partnership will further increase the use of UPI and QR for cross-border merchant payments. This initiative will speed up the usage of UPI apps across different geographies thereby further enhancing the digital drive for cashless transactions. Furthermore, since UPI payments & QR transactions are customer-initiated with a two-factor authentication it adds an element of non-repudiation and hence drastically reduces disputes and grievance redressal issues. With this collaboration, TerraPay is keen to build interoperability among the various financial instruments that it powers and get marginalized or underserved communities into the mainstream of . Unified Payments Interface is an instant real-time payments (RTP) system developed by National Payments Corporation of India. It is amongst the most successful RTP systems globally, providing simplicity, safety, and security in person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions in India. In 2021, UPI enabled commerce worth 940Bn (~39Bn transactions). In August 2022 alone, the volume of transactions crossed 6.56Bn. Globally, TerraPay processes pay-outs into 4.5Bn+ bank accounts and 1.5Bn+ mobile wallets. With the vision to foster financial inclusion, residents, POIs, and the Indian diaspora will be able to send money to India by using TerraPay's agile, transparent and real-time payment highway. Sharing why this partnership is critical to the vision of a cashless world, Ritesh Pai, President-Product & Solutions, TerraPay said, "Our ambition and aim is to collaborate and develop faster, more innovative, and transparent cross-border payment solutions. This effort is with an intent to establish the foundation of a new reality. We will act as a catalyst whether it's enabling interoperability between schemes or countries by bringing in ubiquity, convenience, scale, transparency, and affordability. Our partnership with NIPL is one such strong step to make cross-border payments, immediate, cost-effective, accessible for all, and settled in a secure medium thus adding value to the global payments ecosystem." Mr. Anubhav Sharma, Head International Business - Partnership, Business Development & Marketing commented, "At NIPL, we are aiming to take the solutions that has built and established in India to international markets and build a truly interoperable global payments system with other participating nations. We are actively engaging with partners across the world to build partnerships in areas of cross-border acceptance and remittances. With this strategic partnership with TerraPay, we are looking to enhance the overall customer value proposition and provide user-friendly, convenient transaction alternatives to consumers, globally." About TerraPay Headquartered in The United Kingdom, TerraPay believes that the smallest payment deserves a borderless journey as safe as the largest. The company has been building an ever-expanding payments highway that empowers businesses to create transparent customer experiences with an uninterrupted, secure, and real-time global passage for every payment, however small or large. Licensed and approved across 26 global markets, TerraPay are a leading global partner to banks, mobile wallets, money transfer operators, merchants, and financial institutions, creating a more expansive and inclusive international financial ecosystem. With access to a payments infrastructure that spans the globe, their partners become beacons of the promise of global financial inclusion. For more details, visit terrapay.com About NIPL International Payments Limited (NIPL) was incorporated on April 3, 2020, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). As the international arm of NPCI, NIPL is devoted to the deployment of NPCI's indigenous, successful Real-Time Payment System Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Card Scheme RuPay, outside of India. NPCI has successfully developed and proved its product and technological capabilities in the domestic market by transforming the payment segment in India. Conversely, there are several countries that want to establish a 'real-time payment system' or 'domestic card scheme' in their own country. NIPL, with its knowledge and experience, can offer these countries technological assistance through licensing, consulting for building real-time payment systems to meet the rapidly evolving needs of fast-growing global businesses. NIPL is focused on transforming payments across the globe with the use of technology and innovation. It will not only enable payment for Indians but also uplift other countries by enhancing their payment capabilities through technological assistance, consulting, and infrastructure. For more details, visit www.npci.org.in Media Contact: Anwesha Mukherjee anwesha@terrapay.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1222771/TerraPay_Logo.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1905178/NPCI_Logo. (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 said if two corporate bodies fall within the ambit of corporate debtors, there is no reason why insolvency proceedings cannot be initiated against both under the IBC. Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) deals with the initiation of the corporate insolvency resolution process by financial creditors. The apex court also observed that approval of a resolution in respect of one borrower cannot "certainly discharge" a co-borrower. A bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and J K Maheshwari delivered its verdict on a plea against the August last year judgement of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) which had dismissed an appeal against an order of the adjudicating authority, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai. The NCLT had in its February last year order admitted a petition for initiation of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) against a firm for the same set of loans arising out of the same loan documents, in respect of which the financial creditor had initiated CIRP against another company. The apex court, which dismissed an appeal against a judgement passed by the NCLAT noted in its verdict that the financial creditor had disbursed a loan of Rs six crore to one of the pursuant to the loan-cum-pledge agreements, executed both by the two firms. It noted that the other company has been referred to in the agreement as borrower and pledger and prima facie, it appeared that the firm was a party to the loan-cum-pledge agreement in its dual capacity of borrower and pledgor of shares. While referring to a previous verdict of the apex court, the bench said it was held that the approval of a resolution plan concerning a corporate debtor does not discharge the guarantor of the corporate debtor. "On a parity of reasoning, the approval of a resolution in respect of one borrower cannot certainly discharge a co-borrower," the bench said. "If there are two borrowers or if two corporate bodies fall within the ambit of corporate debtors, there is no reason why proceedings under section 7 of the IBC cannot be initiated against both the corporate debtors," it said. The apex court said the same amount cannot be realised from both the corporate debtors. "If the dues are realised in part from one corporate debtor, the balance may be realised from the other corporate debtor being the co-borrower. However, once the claim of the financial creditor is discharged, there can be no question of recovery of the claim twice over," it said while dismissing the appeal. The bench noted in its verdict that the financial creditor had filed separate petitions under section 7 of the IBC for initiation of CIRP against both the firms and the NCLT had admitted the pleas. During the arguments before the apex court, the counsel appearing for the appellant, a suspended director of one of the firms, had said that no amount under the loan-cum-pledge agreements was disbursed by the financial creditor to the company and the loan was granted to the other firm. The lawyer had argued that since no disbursement was made to the firm against consideration for the time value of money, there was no obligation on its part to make any repayment to the financial creditor. The counsel appearing for the financial creditor had argued that both the were described as borrowers in the loan-cum-pledge agreements . (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.) Visteon Corporation, a US-based cockpit electronic systems maker, has said that it is planning to come up with a second manufacturing unit in India targeting the Western and Northern India. This is in addition to the expansion plans at its existing manufacturing unit in Chennai. We are contemplating about looking at a second plant in India, where we will have the advantage of geographic proximity to the customers in the western belt or the northern belt, said Aashish Bhatia, vice president and general manager, Visteon. According to the media reports, Visteon Corporation is planning to start manufacturing displays at its Chennai unit in 2023. The company supplies cockpit electronic systems, including instrument clusters, infotainment systems, and sensors to original equipment manufacturers. When asked about the plans to invest $20 million to set up a display panel facility, the company said that it will have more capacity in place by the first quarter of the next year. The company is looking at installing the display unit with a capacity of close to about 1 million units per year. Bhatia said that the company did not see any major slowdown during the pandemic other than the first four to five months. I did not see a slowdown of demand for vehicles from the customers and the number of launches in the last 18 months. We did not see a slowdown in the investments that the OEMs are making in terms of starting up new programs, he said, while adding that the chip shortage has affected the industry more than the pandemic. That is what has really dampened a little bit on the potential of revenue that we could have realized otherwise, Bhatia added. The company indicated that artificial intelligence is going to play a major role in terms of improving the passenger experience going ahead. The head of WhatsApp's India payment business, Manesh Mahatme, has quit after more than a year with the Meta Platforms-owned company to join India, a source told Reuters on Thursday. Mahatme's exit comes at a critical time for Whatsapp, which is seeking to ramp up its payments service in a highly competitive market and lock horns with more established payers such as Alphabet Inc's Google Pay, Ant Group-backed Paytm and Walmart's PhonePe. During his stint at WhatsApp Pay, the company won regulatory approval to more than double its payments offering to 100 million users in India, its biggest market with more than half a billion users overall. Mahatme has joined as director of product in the e-commerce division of .com Inc in India, the source said. He joined in April 2021. Mahatme was previously on the board of Pay India between 2014 and 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile. WhatsApp in a statement said Mahatme played an important role in expanding access to WhatsApp payments in India, adding the payments service was a "a priority for Meta and we will continue to innovate and drive momentum as part of our broader efforts." Amazon did not respond to a request for comment. WhatsApp rolled out cashback rewards this year to lure more Indians to its peer-to-peer payments service, even though the regulatory caps on number of users that can use its service meant it continues to face stiff competition from rivals. (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.) Manesh Mahatme, the head of WhatsApp's India payment business has quit after about 18 months with the Meta Platforms-owned company and is reportedly headed to Amazon where he previously worked. Last year, Mahatme joined from Amazon where he spent close to seven years as Director and Board member of Amazon Pay India and led product, engineering, and growth teams. Mahatme's exit comes at a crucial time for Whatsapp, which is scaling up its payments service in India and competing with established players such as Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm. A Meta spokesperson confirmed that Mahatme has quit the firm and a query to Amazon remained unanswered till the time of going to press. Manesh (Mahatme) has played an important role in expanding the access to 'payments on WhatsApp' in India, and we wish him every success in his future endeavours, said the Meta spokesperson. Payments on is a priority for Meta and we will continue to innovate and drive momentum as part of our broader efforts to bring the 'next 500 million Indians' onto the digital payments ecosystem." WhatsApp, along with Reliance's Jio Platforms also recently rolled out of online shopping experience. It gave a shot in the arm of these firms and would help them take on other e-commerce like Amazon and Flipkart. The partnership will give JioMart access to over 487 million users in India. In a global first, JioMart on WhatsApp will enable users in India, including those who have never shopped online before, to seamlessly browse through JioMarts entire grocery catalogue. They can add items to the cart, and make the payment without leaving WhatsApp chat. Mahatme also played a role in helping WhatsApp to win regulatory approval to more than double the number of users of its payments service in India to 100 million. In April this year, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) allowed Meta-owned WhatsApp to add sixty million users to its payments service, taking the total number of consumers it can offer the unified payment interface or UPI-based feature to 100 million. The NPCI had granted WhatsApp approval in November 2020 to go live on UPI in the multi-bank model in a graded manner, allowing 20 million users to start off with. The number was later increased to 40 million last year. After the cap was extended to 40 million users, Manesh Mahatme, director-payments for WhatsApp India, had said his company would work with the NPCI to expand its users. After Mahatme's appointment last year, Abhijit Bose, Head of WhatsApp in India, had said that Mahatme has been one of the key innovators driving the growth of digital payments in India over the last decade, and his experience will help the firm maximize the impact and scale of payments on WhatsApp. Mahatme brings with him 17 years of experience in digital financial services and payments across Citibank, Airtel Money and Amazon. He was also instrumental in building and scaling the payment experience and platform for Amazon Indias marketplace business. He graduated from BITS, Pilani (Electronics Engineering) and from SP Jain, Mumbai (Management). A special investigation team (SIT) on Wednesday filed a charge sheet against activist Teesta Setalvad, retired Director General of Police RB Sreekumar and former IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt in a case of alleged "fabrication of evidence" in connection with the 2002 riots. SIT has filed a 100-page charge sheet in court. The investigation agency has also produced documents while also mentioning witnesses in the charge sheet. Earlier on September 2, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Teesta in a case in which she was arrested for allegedly fabricating documents to frame innocent people in the 2002 riots cases. The apex court directed Setalvad to surrender her passport till the matter is considered by the High Court. A bench of Chief Justice UU Lalit, Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia said that in its view Setalvad is entitled to release on interim bail. The bench also said that Setalvad shall be produced before the concerned court for interim bail and the concerned court shall release her on bail subject to such conditions that the concerned court deems fit. In its order, the top court noted that Teesta, a lady, has been in custody since two months and the investigative machinery has had the advantage of custodial interrogation of her for seven days. The order of the apex court came on a plea of Setalvad seeking interim bail. She has approached the top court against the August 3 order of the High Court which issued notice to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) seeking its response to bail applications filed by Setalvad and former Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) RB Sreekumar and posted the hearing on September 19. They were arrested by the Ahmedabad Police Crime Branch on June 25 on the basis of a First Information Report (FIR) registered against them under sections 468 (forgery for cheating) and 194 (fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction for capital offences) of the Indian Penal Code. The SIT formed to probe the case has alleged that Setalvad and Sreekumar were part of a larger conspiracy carried out at the behest of late Congress leader Ahmed Patel to destabilise the then Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Narendra Modi, who was the Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time. Former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt is also an accused in the case. The FIR against Setalvad, Sreekumar, and Bhatt was registered after the Supreme Court had on June 24 dismissed the plea filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging the clean chit given by the SIT to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several others in 2002 . Ehsan Jafri was among 69 people killed during the violence at Gulberg Society in Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002. Zakia Jafri has challenged the SIT's clean chit to 64 people including Narendra Modi who was the Gujarat Chief Minister during the riots in the State. She had alleged a "larger conspiracy" behind the post-Godhra incident riots. However, the SIT in the apex court had opposed the plea of Jafri saying there is a sinister plot behind the complaint to probe the "larger conspiracy" behind the 2002 and the original complaint by Jafri was directed by Teesta Setalvad, who levelled allegations just to keep the pot boiling. (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.) An appeals court has allowed the Department of Justice to resume its investigation and review of classified documents recovered from former United States President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. The three-judge appeals court panel granted the DOJ's request to block aspects of US District Court Judge Aileen Cannon's ruling that delayed the criminal investigation. The panel ruled that the judge, who is a Trump appointee, erred when she temporarily prevented federal prosecutors from using the roughly 100 documents, marked as classified, as part of a criminal inquiry. Review of Classified Mar-a-Lago Documents In the 29-page decision, the panel ruled that Trump "has not even attempted to show that he has a need to know the information contained in the classified documents." They added that the former president has also failed to establish that the current administration has waived that requirement for the documents in question. Andrew Brasher and Britt Grant, two of the three judges of the panel, were appointed to the court by the former president. Robin Rosenbaum, the third judge, was appointed by former President Barack Obama, as per Politico. In the unanimous decision, the three judges declared it "self-evident" that the public interest favored allowing the DOJ to determine whether any of the classified records were improperly disclosed, risking national security damage. The appeals court wrote in an opinion that for their part, they could not discern why the plaintiff would have an individual interest in or need for any of the one-hundred documents with classification markings. According to CNN, a special master's review of that subset of roughly 100 records, which would have allowed Trump's legal team to view the documents, is now partially stopped. Judge Raymond Dearie was assigned to be the special master in the case and is able to continue his work reviewing the rest of the material seized from Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. Read Also: George Floyd Death: Ex-Minnesota Cop Gets Final Ruling for Role in Floyd Killing Trump's Claim of Declassification Trump's lawyers, throughout the litigation, have raised vague questions about whether or not the materials are in fact classified. However, they did not straightforwardly assert in court that the former president declassified them. The appeals court panel called Trump's legal team out on Wednesday night, arguing that there was no evidence of declassification. They added that before the special master, Plaintiff resisted providing any evidence that he had declassified any of the records. On the other hand, the former president's lawyers also sought to put off making any specific disclosures about whether the documents had been declassified while the special master initially reviews the materials. Prosecutors told the 11th Circuit on Tuesday that the records' classification markings establish that they are government records and that responsible officials previously determined that their unauthorized disclosure would cause damage, including "exceptionally grave damage" to the country's security. The appeals court's decision is a striking repudiation of Trump's attempts to claim in public, but in court, that he already declassified the documents. The court added that in any event, the declassification argument is a red herring because it would not change its content or render it personal, the New York Times reported. Related Article: Donald Trump, Children Gets Slapped with $250 Million Lawsuit Over Fraud Charges; Ill-Gotten Wealth Takes Focus @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Days after eight cheetahs were shifted from to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno Park, an eight-member Special Task Force (STF) of wildlife officials has been appointed by the Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to look after the big cats, official sources told IANS on Wednesday. The eight cheetahs are currently kept in a quarantine zone, which the NTCA proposed to the forest department via an order. The eight-member STF will be headed by Alok Kumar, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of . The other members of the task force include Principal Secretary (forest and tourism), and wildlife experts from the NTCA and Wildlife Institution of India (WII), the sources said. "The STF has been given the responsibility to ensure the security of the newly-introduced cheetahs at Kuno Park. They will be recommending facilities required to ensure the safety of the cheetahs and submit reports to the NTCA," sources said. The cheetahs were released at Kuno National Park by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, which also happened to be his birthday. --IANS pd/arm (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.) Call it belief, misconception, or mythology peppered with fascinating tales, in a dedicated to dogs is attracting visitors, including Chief Minister . Located in Khapri village, Balod district, the is known as Kukurdev Mandir. In the Chhattisgarhi dialect and Hindi too, kukur means . Baghel on Monday visited the during his ongoing Bhet Mulaqat programme. The is aimed to take governance to ground zero and evaluate progress and performance. A state government spokesperson said Baghel started the second day of the programme in Balod by worshipping at the temple. The chief minister performed rituals at the Kukurdev Temple and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the state, the spokesperson said. The temple is a symbol of Chhattisgarhs rich cultural heritage. The temple is a template of the loyalty of the speechless towards his master and an example of the strong bond between human and animal. The story of the temple dates back to the Nagvanshi dynasty. Khapri village was then a home of nomads and one of them owned a faithful . A famine broke out in the region, and the nomad had to mortgage his dog to a malguzaar (moneylender). One day a theft took place at the malguzaars home and the thieves decamped with a huge booty. The faithful dog took the malguzaar to the spot where the thieves had hidden the stolen treasure. The malguzaar was deeply impressed by the dogs loyalty and set him free after hanging the written account of the dogs faithfulness in the form of a letter on his neck. The dog, with the letter tied to his neck, returned to his nomad master. The latter thought the dog had deserted the malguzaar and in a fit of anger attacked him. The dog died. The nomad then read the letter tied to the dead dogs neck and realised the dutifulness and loyalty of the speechless animal. He then made a tomb for the dog at the spot of the Kukurdev Temple. The Nagvanshi kings, who ruled part of in the 14th and 15th centuries, built the temple on the spot. The centuries-old belief that worshipping at the temple cures fatal dog bites still continues. Victims from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh visit the temple. According to rituals, they have to take a round of the tomb with folded hands and consume a pinch of mud. As the flow of patients diminishes following modern medicine and awareness, the temple is now turning into a place to visit. The will on Thursday hear a petition filed by the Uddhav Thackeray-led seeking permission to hold its annual Dussehra rally at the iconic Shivaji Park in central on October 5. The petition, seeking urgent hearing, was mentioned before a division bench of Justices R D Dhanuka and Kamal Khata on Wednesday. The bench posted it for hearing on Thursday. The plea said the party was constrained to approach the HC as the civic body was yet to take a decision on their applications submitted in August seeking permission for the rally. The petition sought directions to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to forthwith grant permission for the Sena's Dussehra rally at the Shivaji Park. The Sena in its plea also said the party was holding the Dussehra rally every year at the Shivaji Park since 1966 and the civic body had always permitted it. Addressing party workers in suburban Goregaon on Wednesday evening, former chief minister asserted that his party's annual Dussehra rally will take place at the Shivaji Park. The Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, which comprised the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, collapsed in June this year after a revolt led by Eknath Shinde against the Sena leadership. Shinde was later sworn in as the chief minister with BJP's Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy. Both the Thackeray-led Sena and the rival group led by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde had sought permission to hold their Dusshera rallies at the Shivaji Park. The BMC has not taken any decision on the issue so far. Both the factions, as an alternative, had also applied for permission to hold the rally at the MMRDA ground at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in . Last week, the Shinde faction got the nod for holding a rally at the BKC. (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.) A division bench of the on Thursday rejected a review petition of government to reconsider an earlier judgement of the bench to clear (DA) arrears within three months. The bench comprising justices Harish Tandon and Rabindranath Samanta rejected the state government's petition to review its May 20 order. Upholding an order of the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT), the had in May directed the government to release dearness DA arrears since July 2009, when the Revision of Pay and Allowances (ROPA) came into effect in the state, within three months. The state government had filed a writ petition in the high court challenging the SAT order of July 2019 that directed it to pay DA at par with the Centre, and to clear the amount in three instalments. The division bench on Thursday also fixed November 9 as the date of hearing of a contempt petition filed by the associations of state government employees, alleging that the authorities had not cleared the DA arrears within three months from May 2022. (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.) Commerce and Industry Minister on Thursday urged the countries for starting timely discussions in the WTO on extending patent waiver for the production and supply of COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics. In June, members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreed to grant a temporary patent waiver for manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines only for five years. However, talks on including therapeutics and diagnostics, as proposed by India and South Africa, under the purview of this waiver were to start after six months. Goyal raised the issue while delivering his opening statement at the Trade, Investment and Industry Ministerial Meeting that is underway in Bali, Indonesia. "He urged the to commit itself to positive and timely discussions on important areas mandated by the MC12 (12th ministerial conference) including WTO reforms and extension of TRIPS (Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) waver to cover the production and supply of COVID 19 diagnostics and therapeutics within the agreed timeframe of 6 months," an official statement said. Goyal also asked members to be conscious that our fisheries negotiations and a permanent solution to public stockholding, a permanent solution to e-commerce moratorium, among other agendas, required their urgent attention and decisions. Further, he called for intensive efforts to save and promote multilateralism. If multilateralism was imperilled, the world would not be left with many forums to promote dialogue and diplomacy and thus free trade would suffer, 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.) The on Thursday said it has approved a USD 350 million (over Rs 2,832 crore) loan to Gujarat for spending towards public healthcare services, focussed specially on adolescent girls and disease surveillance. The World Bank's Executive Board of Directors approved the USD 350 million loan to the state, the multilateral funding agency said. The funding will come from arm International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), carrying a maturity of 18 years including a grace period of 5.5 years. The loan will be utilised through the state government's Systems Reform Endeavours For Transformed Health Achievement In Gujarat (SRESTHA-G) Programme. It will enable more people access a wider range of high-quality health services, the said. Gujarat currently delivers seven health services to its citizens, including reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The World Bank funding will help the state further expand these services to include mental health and palliative health services and also strengthen non-communicable services in the state. "This programme will enhance access to traditional health services while supporting the state's effort to open access to new ones, such as mental health and palliative care, thus contributing to improved health outcomes for the people of Gujarat," said Auguste Tano Kouame, the World Bank's Country Director for India. Over the years, the state has made steady improvements in various key health indicators including reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health. However, challenges remain as 69 per cent of adolescent girls and 36 per cent of adolescent boys suffer from anaemia, it said. Besides, 10 per cent of rural and 5 per cent of urban residents in the state have mental health issues. World Bank said SRESTHA-G will lay special focus on improving the health and nutrition of adolescent girls and boys with priority accorded to 14 districts where more than 70 per cent of adolescent girls are anemic. Among others, it will also support a population-based screening process with help from local Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM). People at high risk for non-communicable or other diseases will be encouraged to go to their assigned public healthcare provider. It will also help the state develop surveillance systems for early detection of disease outbreaks. It will spearhead the 'one health' agenda, including combating antimicrobial resistance, World Bank said. "Gujarat has a robust system of health service delivery at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels," said Rahul Pandey and Andrew Sunil Rajkumar, the Task Team Leaders of the SRESTHA-G Programme. The World Bank will support increased transparency and accountability of the health system through public reporting, and improved citizen engagement by implementing annual health assemblies or Swasthya Parishad. It will also introduce innovative ways to address adolescent health and nutrition related issues in the state, they 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.) Globally 2,052 death sentences were recorded in 56 countries and 579 executions in 18 countries by Amnesty International in 2021. Since 2017, four people have been executed in India, according to the Prison Statistics of India report. Among India's neighbours, Pakistan had the highest number of executions at 88 and Bangladesh had 15 in the same time period. While Sri Lanka retains the law on capital punishment, no execution has taken place in the past ten years. During the Bharat Jodo Yatra on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi said that the post of party chief is an "ideological post" and defines "a particular view of India". "You're taking a historic position which defines a particular view of India. president is an ideological post. You represent a set of ideas, a belief system and a vision of India," Gandhi said, as reported by ANI. The party will conduct the elections for the post of its president on October 17. The results of the elections will be announced on October 19, immediately after counting. According to a notification released by the party on Thursday, the voting will take place at the PCC Headquarters from 10 AM to 4 PM. The counting will take place at the AICC Headquarters. The date for filing the nominations has been fixed from September 24 to September 30. "We're fighting a machine that has captured the institutional framework of this country, that has unlimited money and ability to buy, pressurise & threaten people," Gandhi said in on Thursday. On Wednesday, Gandhi had said that he expected the leaders to follow the "Udaipur resolution" of "one man-one post". The statement came after chief minister showed interest in running for the post of party chief. Gehlot landed in to join Gandhi in the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The party adopted the resolution in the "Chintan Shivir" organised in May. It adopted the Udaipur declaration, declaring that there should be only one man for one post. Post his meeting with Gandhi, Gehlot said that the one who gets elected to the post should not hold any other post as it requires "looking after the entire company". Earlier, Gehlot had repeatedly maintained that he could juggle "even three posts" if required. Reports have stated that and may also file their nomination for the post of Congress president. NDTV on Thursday reported that Manish Tewari and Kamal Nath may also contest for the post. Plant-based protein food company GREENEST shipped the first consignment of India's plant-based meat to the US on Wednesday. The 5,000 kg consignment consisted of mini samosas, hot and spicy strips, momos, spring rolls, nuggets, and grilled patty, among other products, according to an announcement by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), and reported by BusinessLine(BL). "This is just a beginning, and we hope that India with its rich vegetarian heritage will become a hub for the growing global demand for plant-based Vegan products," M Angamuthu, chairman, APEDA, was quoted as saying by BL. The report further added that expects the Indian plant protein market to reach $400-450 million in the next five years. GREENEST has collaborated with Wholesome Foods to export its plant-based products to the US. Gaurav Sharma, founder of GREENEST said that the company has been receiving "large interest" from foreign markets. Wholesome Food's managing partner Jeet Hirpara added that the consignment to the US is the "first of many more to follow." "Plant-based vegan food is a burgeoning category with a strong international potential and we see it as one of the key contributors to our packed foods export portfolio from Gujarat," Harpreet Singh, regional head, APEDA- said. GREENEST's investors include names like Better Bite Ventures, a New Zealand-based dedicated Alt Protein VC fund, Magnetic and Sachid Madan, former chief executive of ITCss frozen snacks business. India's imports in 2022/23 could jump 9% from a year earlier on a rise in domestic consumption and as competitive prices allow the tropical oil to regain its share in the world's biggest market, a Reuters survey showed on Wednesday. The higher buying could help top producer Indonesia in bringing down ballooning inventories and support benchmark Malaysian prices, which have nearly halved from record highs earlier this year. imports in the new marketing year starting from Nov. 1 could rise to 8.4 million tonnes from 7.7 million tonnes this year, according to the average estimate of nine dealers and one industry official polled on the sidelines of the Globoil conference in Agra. "Consumption will improve in the new year as prices have corrected and demand has also been rising with opening up of the economy," B.V. Mehta, executive director of Solvent Extractors' Association of India, said. Indian demand weakened this year due to COVID lockdowns and record high edible oil prices, he said. The country's edible oil consumption could rise by 3.6% to 23 million tonnes next year, the survey showed. The recent price correction in palm oil is prompting Indian refiners to increase imports, especially from Indonesia, which has been trying to bring down the stocks, Nirav Desai, partner at trading firm G.G. Patel & Nikhil Research Company. In the last quarter of the current marketing year vegetable oil imports are set to jump, which would allow the country to start the next season with opening stock of 2.55 million tonnes, up from 1.7 million tonnes a year ago, he said. buys palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia, with its soyoil mainly imported from Argentina and Brazil. It purchases sunflower oil from Ukraine and Russia. Higher would lift India's total edible oil imports to 14.1 million tonnes in 2022/23 from 13.8 million tonnes, the survey showed. India's sunflower oil imports, which were disrupted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, could rise 15% to 2.5 million tonnes in the new season as shipments have resumed from the Black Sea region, dealers said. Soyoil imports, which are set to jump to a record 4.1 million tonnes in the current year, could fall to 3.5 million tonnes in the new season. "Indonesia's export restrictions allowed soyoil to gain market share. But now palm oil availability is not an issue. Prices are also lower. So palm will regain some lost share," said a New Delhi-based dealer with a global trading firm. India's local edible oil supplies are likely to remain largely steady as a rise in supplies of soybean and rapeseed could be offset by a drop in production of rice bran and ground nut oil, they said. (Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav, Editing by Louise Heavens) (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.) According to Russian MPs, a special privilege is drafted related to the speedy naturalization of foreign fighters. It applies to all foreigners signing up for Russian military service, which has fewer conditions. Naturalization for Foreign Fighters This measure by the Russian Parliament that was passed would offer them easy Russian citizenship just by fighting for the Russian Armed Forces, reported RT. The bill was passed by both the Federal Council and the upper house of Parliament last Wednesday, with the concurrence of Russia's lower chamber and the State Duma the day before. Foreign nationals seeking Russian citizenship must meet a few requirements; those fighting for the motherland will have an easier time. Such a new amendment will be easier to obtain for those who are interested. The bill was passed by both the Federal Council and the upper house of Parliament last Wednesday, with the concurrence of Russia's lower chamber and the State Duma the day before. Should the legislation be passed into law, it allows all other nationalities all eligible with an exception, which lessens the required service to only a year in the armed forces. Those who fall under the incentive clause, compared to typical citizenship applicants, are not required to get a Russian residency permit or stay in the country for a specific time. To apply for obtaining citizenship, they must always acknowledge that they will comply with Russian law, get a legitimate source of revenue, and speak Russian proficiently. The proposed legislation by Russian MPs will also modify the prerequisites for a special privilege and how long a foreign fighter's original agreement to serve in the Russian military has to be. Read Also: Volodymyr Zelensky Net Worth 2022: How Wealthy Is the Ukraine President? Present rules say it should be five years, though the change is one year when Russian President Vladimir Putin will sign it. Kremlin Talks About the Semi-Mobilization The president's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, will only say that the unpublished portion discusses personnel numbers. He added the unpublished clause included in the degree in regards to mobilization is not for all eyes, spoken last Wednesday, per the Good Word News. Without going into further detail, he continued, the information provided in the portion pertains to the numbers of personnel to be called up. President Vladimir Putin announced a partial deployment throughout Russia during a speech that was telecasted earlier on Wednesday. The pertinent decree was then posted on the internet. Ten clauses make up the document, but only clause number seven was not made public. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu stated in his interview that the only thing that can be said is that about 300,000 people are to be mobilized, citing Reuters. He added that they wouldn't be recruited simultaneously, as the minister of defense clearly stated. The spokesman pointed out that Putin explained in his speech that Russia is now challenged by the military possibility of NATO and several other unfriendly countries in Ukraine. He introduced this serves as the basis for the current partial call to arms. They won't be since a partial deployment was proclaimed in Russia beginning on September 21 as a result of a presidential order, and those who were picked under it were given the rank of contract soldiers. Russian MPs passed a measure that would grant a special privilege to foreign fighters in seeking Russian naturalization, with less stringent requirements. Plus, the situation in Ukraine must be nipped in the bud. Related Article: Moscow Says Kyiv's Accusations of War Crimes Is a Lie Like in Bucha @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. India on Thursday told the UN Security Council that the need of the hour is to end the conflict in Ukraine and return to dialogue and said the nuclear issue is a particular anxiety, underlining Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion to Russian President Vladimir Putin that this cannot be an era of war. "The trajectory of the Ukraine conflict is a matter of profound concern for the entire international community. The future outlook appears even more disturbing. The nuclear issue is a particular anxiety," External Affairs Minister told the 15-nation UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine Fight against impunity'. The briefing, chaired by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, was held Thursday as world leaders gathered in the UN headquarters for the high-level 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Addressing the Council briefing were UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly and Foreign Ministers of other UNSC members. Jaishankar told the Council that in a globalised world, the impact of the conflict is being felt even in distant regions. "We have all experienced its consequences in terms of SURGING costs and actual shortages of food grains, fertilizers and fuel." On this core too, there are good grounds to be worried about what awaits us," he said. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. On Wednesday, Jaishankar met Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at the UN headquarters here and apprised him of India's principled position that emphasises cessation of all hostilities and return to dialogue and diplomacy. (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.) Vice Chancellor Santishree D Pandit met chairman M Jagadesh Kumar and discussed a slew of issues, including the release of grants and faculty increment, the varsity has said. The meeting took place on Tuesday to expedite several pending issues pertaining to the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Meanwhile, the chairman has assured to positively look into the pending matters of at the earliest, the varsity said. Santishree D. Pandit, Vice Chancellor, along with the Registrar met Prof M Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, on 20th September 2022, the varsity said in a statement on Wednesday. During the meeting, various matters about the faculty, staff and students of the university were discussed. The issues related to the extension of the deadline for CAS (Career advancement Scheme) application, duration of various fellowship grants, five non compounded increments to faculty for PhD, long pending cases of release of pensionary benefits, the release of grants under different heads, among others, were discussed in detail. The Chairman has assured to positively look into the pending matters of JNU at the earliest. The University looks forward to engaging with the higher authorities like the University Grants Commission (UGC) more closely for an effective resolution of the pending issues," the varsity 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 reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging the judgement refusing to lift the ban on in educational institutions of the state. On March 15, the had dismissed petitions filed by a section of Muslim students from the Government Pre-University Girls College in Udupi seeking permission to wear inside the classroom, saying it is not a part of the essential religious practice in Islamic faith. The state government had, by its order of February 5, 2022, banned wearing clothes that disturb equality, integrity, and public order in schools and colleges. Several pleas have been filed in the apex court challenging the verdict. A bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia reserved its verdict in the matter. (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.) Indian made foreign (IMFL) in is set to become costlier, as the state cabinet has decided to increase the existing rates of excise duty by 15 per cent on all types of hard (IMFL and bottled in original products) to be paid before the import or removal from the manufacturer. The rates of excise duty in respect of military or paramilitary units shall be 50 per cent of the rates of excise duty fixed to be paid before the import or removal from the manufacturer, the cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu decided on Wednesday, a communique from the CMO said. Among a slew of decisions, the cabinet also reviewed the ongoing exercise of resolving the Assam- boundary and decided to amicably resolve the matter at the earliest. The cabinet approved the proposal of taking over of the DBT-APSCS&T Centre of Excellence for Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-APSCS&T Centre of Excellence for BRSD) established under the aegis of State Council for Science and Technology at Kimin by the state government along with infrastructure and existing manpower with effect from October 1 this year. This is for furtherance of biotechnological research and sustainable development of bioresources in the state. The Centre of Excellence has been established with financial assistance and support from department of biotechnology under the union ministry of science and technology on "as is where is basis". The council has taken over for a period of five years during which time the centre will work towards self-sustenance. The cabinet was further briefed on four major agendas on the 28 action points, cent per cent of saturation of 13 centrally sponsored schemes (CSS), Mission Amrit Sarovar and PM Gati Shakti. The 28 action points covered issues such as the contribution of the state in making India a $5 trillion economy, ease of living and ease of doing business focusing on DBT integration with Aadhaar enablement, sound GST administration and reducing compliance burden by repealing old laws. A strong emphasis was given on the use of drone technology and improving the state's intelligence. The cabinet was also briefed about the implementation status of NEP 2020 with special focus on skill development of the youth. Use of social media effectively for promoting and spreading awareness about various government schemes and programmes was also briefed. A briefing was also done about the saturation status of 13 centrally sponsored schemes including Prime Minister Awas Yojana (Urban & Rural), Jal Jeevan Mission, PM Jan Arogya Yojana, PM Gram Sadak Yojana, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, PM Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojana, SVAMITVA, Bharat Net II, Soil Health Card, Kisan Credit Card, Atal Pension Yojana and SVANidhi. The cabinet reviewed the progress of these schemes month-wise and district-wise according to the set saturation targets to ensure timely saturation of these schemes. The cabinet was informed about the status of Mission Amrit Sarovar, a new initiative launched by the Prime Minister with a view to conserve water for the future. The mission is aimed at developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the country as part of celebrations of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. A briefing was also done on PM Gati Shakti in line with the master plan to lay the foundation of overall infrastructure and an integrated development path of the economy. Decisions regarding projects related to GATI shakti, institutional arrangements like Constitution of Empowered Group of Secretaries, Network Planning Group and Technical Support Unit, framing of the State Logistics Policy, integration and authentication of data layers among various ministries and sectors like railways, roadways, ports, waterways, airports, mass transport and logistics infrastructure was communicated to the Cabinet. The cabinet was also briefed on the leak of question paper for the assistant engineer (civil) examination conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission. It was decided to constitute a high-level committee to inquire into the entire episode and submit a report within 15 days. (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.) On Thursday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids across ten states and arrested over 100 people linked to the Popular Front of India (PFI). The operation launched as an anti-terror exercise is said to be the "largest ever" search operation. According to reports, the search operations were conducted to crack down against the people allegedly involved in terror funding, organising training camps, and radicalising people. "We strongly protest the fascist regime's moves to use agencies to silence dissenting voices," said after the house of its president Nazeer Pasha was raided. What is Created in 2007, the organisation describes itself as the "organisation that fights for the rights of minorities, Dalits, and marginalised communities". It was founded after merging three organisations in southern India, the National Democratic Front in Kerala, the Forum for Dignity, and the Manitha Neethi Pasarai in Tamil Nadu, according to Indian Express (IE). is headquartered in New Delhi. The decision to form the organisation was made on November 22, 2006, in Kozhikode, . According to IE, the organisation does not maintain a record of its members, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to press charges against them after arrests. The organisation does not contest elections but carries on social and religious work among Muslims. Entering politics, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) emerged from PFI in 2009. It raises political issues for Muslims, Dalits, and other marginalised communities. PFI provides ground workers to SDPI. What is the controversy around PFI? The party has been most visible in . There have been repeatedly accused of riots, murders, and having links with terrorist organisations in the state. In 2012, then chief minister Oommen Chandy told the High Court that PFI is "nothing but a resurrection of the banned outfit SIMI". The government also filed an affidavit saying that PFI workers were involved in 27 murder cases. Most of those killed were from RSS and CPM. Later in 2014, BJP said there were growing instances of "religious terrorism" in the state. "In the last six years, 24 BJP-RSS workers have been killed in Kerala, seven of them by the Popular Front of India," IE quoted K Surendran, then state BJP president, as saying. In April 2022, A Subair, PFI president of Elappully, was killed outside a mosque. The police said that the killer's vehicle was registered under the name of S Sanjith, an RSS worker. Sanjith was killed in November 2021, allegedly by the workers of PFI and SDPI. A day after Subair's death, SK Sreenivasan, another RSS worker, was hacked to death in Palakkad. The administration deployed 300 police personnel in Palakkad to prevent further clashes. How influential is SDPI politically? SDPI has a large presence in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada and Udipi regions. However, it has not been able to make a mark in the assembly or the Lok Sabha. In the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the party won 1 per cent and 3 per cent votes, respectively. However, Congress and BJP have often linked each other with PFI and SDPI. BJP has repeatedly blamed the murders of party cadres, especially in Karnataka, on PFI. They even sought a ban on the party. On the other hand, Congress allegedly struck a deal with SDPI in the 2018 elections to withdraw candidates from the constituencies both parties contested. In 2013, after coming to power, Congress's Siddaramaiah government dropped 176 cases filed against PFI by the previous BJP government, IE added. A portion of a road caved in as incessant spell of light to moderate rain drenched for the second consecutive day on Thursday leading to waterlogging and uprooting of trees that caused massive traffic snarls in many parts of the capital. The weather department has issued a 'yellow' alert for Friday, cautioning people about moderate rain at most places in the city. The continuous downpour through the day caused a chock-a-block situation on various intersections and key stretches of the city, sending the traffic haywire. The rains also led to a sharp spike in cab and autorickshaw fares, as they manned their vehicles through waterlogged roads and obstructions caused by uprooted trees. The Municipal Corporation of received three complaints related to waterlogging from Fatehpur Beri, Sangam Vihar, Tikri Kala village, while there were seven complaints pertaining to uprooting of trees. The Traffic Police helpline said they received 23 calls related to traffic jam, seven regarding waterlogging and two related to uprooting of trees from different parts of Delhi. Calls were received regarding traffic jam at Khajuri Chawk, Goyala Dairy, Yamuna Bridge, Outer Ring Road Paschim Vihar, Rohini Sector-8, Hanuman Mandir Pusa Road, Azad Market, Dwarka flyover, Dhaula Kuan to Gurugram, officials said. They said waterlogging was also reported from the AIIMS flyover, stretch between Rajdhani Park to Mundka, Nigambodh Ghat, near Mayapuri flyover among others. Two incidents of uprooting of trees were also reported from Burari and Abai Marg here, they added. The Delhi Traffic Police took to Twitter to guide commuters about the traffic situation. "Traffic is affected on the carriageway from Mahipal Pur red light towards Mehrauli due to waterlogging. Traffic is affected on Phirni Road and Tooda Mandi red light, Najafgarh due to waterlogging," it tweeted. "Kindly avoid travelling on Mahatma Gandhi Marg from Moti Bagh Junction towards Dhaula Kuan due to waterlogging near Shanti Niketan," it said in another tweet. A senior police officer said traffic was heavy on the stretch from Dhaula Kuan to Gurugram and near Satya Niketan in southwest Delhi. A portion of a road caved in near Satya Niketan and only two lanes of the four are functional due to which heavy traffic was reported on the stretch, the officer said. Commuters also took to the microblogging site to complain about the traffic situation. "Massive Traffic jam from Hamdard Nagar to Ambedkar Nagar Bus Depot," one of the users said. Another used said, "No traffic police seen anywhere to guide motorists stuck at various locations due to heavy rain - one DTC bus breakdown on Dwarka Palam flyover - stuck for 45 min around 1 pm. Now, waterlogging in Dwarka underpass under airport light - stuck for another 45 minutes." The fresh spells of rains just before the withdrawal of monsoon from the National Capital Region will help cover the large deficit (46 per cent till September 22 morning) to some extent, according to the MeT department. It would also keep the air clean and the temperature in check, it said. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 23.8 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, seven notches below normal. The 24-hour average air quality index settled at 66 (satisfactory category) at 4 pm, improving from 109 on Wednesday. The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi's primary weather station, gauged 31.2 mm of between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm. The weather stations at Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge and Ayanagar received 56.5 mm, 27.4 mm, 16.8 mm and 45.8 mm of precipitation during this period. The Delhi University area, Jafarpur, Najafgarh, Pusa and Mayur Vihar recorded 16.5 mm, 18 mm, 29 mm, 24.5 mm and 25.5 mm of rainfall, respectively. The Safdarjung Observatory has recorded 58.5 mm against a normal of 108.5 mm in September so far (till Thursday morning). It had recorded 41.6 mm in August, the lowest in at least 14 years, due to the absence of any favourable weather system in northwest India. Overall, Delhi has recorded 405.3 mm rainfall against a normal of 621.7 mm since June 1, when the monsoon season historically sets in. The IMD on Tuesday said the southwest monsoon had withdrawn from parts of southwest Rajasthan and adjoining Kutch, three days after the normal date of September 17. Usually, it takes around a week after its withdrawal from west Rajasthan for the monsoon to retreat from Delhi. The withdrawal of southwest monsoon is declared if there has been no rainfall in the region for five days along with the development of anti-cyclonic circulation and water vapour imagery indicates dry weather conditions over the 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.) Recent good rains in Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh will save the crop and arrest to some extent the anticipated loss in India's rice output in this Kharif season, according to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Director A K Singh. In its first estimate, the Agriculture Ministry has pegged a 6 per cent drop in the rice production at 104.99 million tonnes in the Kharif season of the 2022-23 crop year (July-June), from over the year-ago period. is the main Kharif (summer) crop, sowing of which had begun with the onset of the Southwest Monsoon in June and harvesting starts next month. Speaking to PTI, IARI Director A K Singh said the lag in sowing due to poor rains in a few states has been a cause of concern. Fortunately in the last few days, there have been good rains in eastern UP, and . This has come as a great relief to farmers as at this particular time water is required for the long-duration paddy varieties crop, he said. The paddy crop is in the most active phase of growth and this rain will be very helpful, he said, and added, "This (rains) will in fact cool down the anticipated paddy crop loss of 10-15 per cent due to non-availability of rains and poor irrigation." The rice production loss will be arrested to some extent, which will be captured in the next crop estimate by the ministry, he added. Till last week, paddy coverage remained lower mainly in by 9.37 lakh hectares, followed by Madhya Pradesh (6.32 lakh hectares), West Bengal (3.65 lakh hectares), Uttar Pradesh (2.48 lakh hectares) and (1.97 lakh hectares) on account of poor . The IARI Director said otherwise, the paddy prospects are bright in the northwestern states of Punjab, western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Many states have started the harvest of early varieties of paddy like in Pusa-Basmati variety 1509 and 1692. The average crop yields reported is 25-28 quintals per acre. Farmers are getting Rs 3,500 per quintal for basmati rice in the market. Likewise in non-basmati rice segments, paddy variety PR-126 is already harvested and the arrival has started and crop yields are quite good, he said. On the impact of rice dwarf disease, Singh said there has been a "slight set back" due to dwarfing in rice which happened due to Fijivirus. This was reported in Uttarakhand, western UP and more in Haryana and Punjab. It was reported more in non-basmati rice varieties like PR-126 and PR-121, and PR-114. The extent of damage was 10-15 per cent. If you see overall states, not more than 5 per cent of area has been affected, he said. To check virus transmission from sick plant to healthy one, it is important to control the spread of the disease by timely application of insecticides, he added. According to the Met Department, the southwest monsoon has started withdrawing and it has withdrawn from parts of southwest Rajasthan and adjoining Kutch. (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.) Taking forward his outreach to the Muslim community, chief on Thursday visited a mosque and a madrassa here and held discussions with the chief of the All India Imam Organisation who termed him rashtra pita'. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh sarsangchalak' went to a mosque in central Delhi's Kasturba Gandhi Marg and followed it up with a visit to the Madarsa Tajweedul Quran in Azadpur in north Delhi. This is the first time he has visited a madrassa, an official accompanying him said. All India Imam Organisation chief Umer Ahmed Ilyasi used the rashtra pita' descriptive for Bhagwat while talking to children at the madrassa. However, Bhagwat intervened to say there is only one father of the nation and said everyone is Bharat ki santan' (child of the nation), according to the official. He said the RSS chief also spoke to the children about the need to know more about the nation and stressed that while the modes of worship could be different, all religions must be respected. Ilyasi and Bhagwat held talks for about an hour at the mosque, which also houses the office of the All India Imam Organisation and the cleric's residence. He is a rashtra pita'. We discussed several issues for for strengthening the country," Ilyasi told PTI, adding that Bhagwat had visited the mosque as well as madrassa on his invitation. "With this visit of Bhagwat, a message should go that we all want to work towards strengthening India. For all of us, the nation comes first. Our DNA is the same, it is just that our religion and methods of worshipping god are different," Ilyasi said, echoing the RSS chief's words. Bhagwat was accompanied by senior Sangh functionaries, including joint general secretary Krishna Gopal and Muslim Rashtriya Manch patron Indresh Kumar. In a statement after the visits, RSS Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar said, "Sarsanghachalak meets people from all walks of life. It is a part of the continuous general 'Samvad' process." The significant visits by the head of the BJP's ideological mentor came on a day multiple probe agencies conducted raids across the country and arrested more than 100 activists of the Popular Front of India for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country. The RSS chief has been holding discussions with Muslim intellectuals for strengthening communal harmony over the last few weeks. He recently met Delhi's former lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung, former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi, former Aligarh Muslim University vice chancellor Zameer Uddin Shah, former MP Shahid Siddiqui as well as businessman Saeed Shervani. During the meeting, Bhagwat reportedly raised the issue of the usage of the word "kafir" for Hindus, which he said does not send out a good message. The group of Muslim intellectuals, on their part, objected to some right-wing activists calling Muslims "jihadi" and "Pakistanis". They also reportedly told Bhagwat that the real intent behind the word 'kafir' was something different but it is now being used as an abuse' in some quarters. The RSS chief, it is learnt, acknowledged the views of the intellectuals and underscored that the "DNA of all Hindus and Muslims are same". The All India Imam Organisation is the representative voice of the community of Indian imams and claims to be the largest imam organisation in the world. (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.) Observing that the notification of the Master Plan for (MPD) 2041 cannot remain in limbo, the has expressed hope that the final Master Plan would be published on or before April 30 next year. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay S Oka made the statement after Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati gave the cut-off dates for final approval and notification of the MPD-2041. The ASG said the MPD-2041 will be placed before the Authority in the first week of December 2022, and any modifications in the document will be done by the last week of December 2022. ASG Bhati further informed the apex court that a letter will be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for final approval and notification of MPD-2041 by January 15, 2023. "Even though the dates given are tentative, we expect these dates to be strictly adhered to as the matter cannot remain in limbo for ad infinitum period of time. We are sure that the final Master Plan would be published on or before April 30, 2023," the bench said in its recent order. On the previous date of hearing on August 24, the had directed the counsel for the DDA and the ASG "to obtain necessary instructions from the Department concerned as within how much time the Master Plan will be notified". "We are not willing to accept a simple statement that it is at an advanced stage. If the counsels by the next date are of the view that better assistance can only be given by the Secretary, Urban Development and the Vice Chairman, DDA, we may have the pleasure of their presence to assist us," the top court had warned. Meanwhile, the top court also constituted a judicial committee of two retired High Court judges which would deal with the issues relating to sealing and de-sealing of properties, regularisation or levy of penalties or conversion charges, demolition of unauthorised construction, and removal of encroachment. The apex court-appointed Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, retired Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and Justice GS Sistani, retired Judge of the High Court who would take a call on all these applications keeping the aforesaid conspectus in mind. "... On the last date of hearing on August 24, 2022, this Court explored the aspect of setting up of an independent judicial body to look into the concerns of the applicants to be presided over by retired Judges. We have opined that once the Judicial Committee so appointed directs de-sealing or rejects the same, the application would lie to this Court and we would be adopting the SLP approach. This would facilitate a quick disposal of almost 150 applications pending which continue to rise and it is extremely essential that people who are compliant get the remedy at the earliest," said the bench while setting up of the committee. "Such a Judicial Committee is necessary to be empowered to analyse all aspects of the matter, i.e., what is the nature of allotment, whether there is any change of the policy of that allotment, what according to the norms prevalent is permissible and what are the nature of the violation and in view thereof pass necessary orders. The power to direct compounding on payment of charges, if compliance is possible under existing norms, is also an aspect which must vest with the Committee," it added. The top court said that in order to facilitate the disposal of applications pending before it, challenging the orders passed by the Monitoring Committee, shall stand referred to the judicial committee for consideration and passing orders. We make it clear that insofar as the directions for de-sealing are concerned, the directions of the judicial committee shall be implemented forthwith even if there are reservations of the monitoring committee, said the bench. "We hope this would simplify the process for consideration of the applications at an early date leaving only a narrow area of consideration by this Court. All necessary arrangements should be made to facilitate the commencement of the proceedings before the judicial committee within a period of two weeks from today," the apex court's September 13 order stated. In its order, the bench said that the concerns in the present proceedings arise from rampant unauthorised and illegal use of residential areas for commercial and industrial purposes. The ground situation brought it to such an adverse level that the had little option but to step in directly into this area to ensure that the residential areas of city are not destroyed, it said, adding that it is towards this objective that a monitoring committee was appointed on May 7, 2004, to end the unauthorised and illegal industrial activity in residential and non-conforming areas. (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.) In a first, the on Wednesday said that all constitution bench hearings from next week onwards would be live streamed. On Tuesday, a full court comprising all judges of the apex court discussed the same and agreed on the proceedings. Next week onwards, all constitution bench hearings in the will be live streamed. Reports said that the live streaming of SC hearings could start on September 27, with the telecast of constitutional cases on a regular basis. The came to this decision by a judgment in September 2018, in which the apex court declared a live telecast of court proceedings part of the right to access justice under Article 21 of the Constitution. Senior SC advocate Indira Jaising has said that the court should have its own channel, and in the meantime, the court can start streaming its proceedings on its website and on YouTube. This is not the first time an Indian court has announced that it will live-stream hearings. Which other live stream their case hearings? In India, Gujarat, Orissa, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Patna, and Madhya Pradesh High live-stream their proceedings through their YouTube channels. The Indian draft rules have a ten-minute delay on the live stream. The Gujarat and Karnataka High only live stream the Chief Justice's Court on YouTube. The draft rules require all cases to be streamed, barring those that fall within limited exceptions. According to Observer, the rules also say that nothing 'uncivil or inappropriate' should be streamed. Nations that live stream their court hearings United States The Supreme Court of the United States streams its hearings in audio format at the end of each week. The US top court publishes hearings on its website and Oyez of all cases. Oyez is a multimedia judicial archive of the Supreme Court of the United States' proceedings. Brazil The Supreme Federal Court of Brazil live streams hearings of all cases in video format on television. UK The UK Supreme Court live streams hearings of all cases in video format on its website. Canada The Canadian Supreme Court also live streams hearings of all its cases in video format on its website. Australia The Australian Supreme Court streams hearings of its full-court cases on its website with a delay of about a day. Meanwhile, the High Court of Australia (HCA) does not live-stream its proceedings. On the other hand, the constitutional courts of Germany and France do not upload any recordings of proceedings. On Tuesday, House Democrats rejected claims that "ss schemes," including Hunter Biden's business dealings that would affect US foreign policy, were at play. The House Oversight and Reform Committee looked at a resolution of inquiry that requests that President Biden disclose all records that are in his control regarding the commercial affairs of Hunter Biden and other Biden family members and associates about several corporations. Resolutions of inquiry must be discussed in committee and are privileged. Lindsey Graham: Hunter Biden's Laptop is 'Real' However, after nearly two hours of discussion, the committee decided against passing the resolution. Republicans claimed that Hunter Biden's business dealings at best demonstrate how he was able to profit handsomely from using his father's name, and at worst suggest that he may be improperly influencing President Joe Biden's foreign policy. Others have raised concerns about how President Biden's foreign policy may have been influenced by the fact that Hunter Biden made money in China and Ukraine, according to material found on his laptop. Republicans have disputed President Biden's frequent claims that he is unaware of his son's actions, as per Fox News. The GOP's goals, according to chairperson Carolyn Maloney, are misplaced, and they are merely trying to "smear" President Joe Biden and help former president Donald Trump by focusing on his personal life. Even though the resolution was unsuccessful, it is just another indication that if House Republicans regain control this fall, they want to utilize their investigative authority to focus on President Joe Biden's son. Republicans have already written the administration hundreds of letters asking for details on the matter, and Comer has said that he intends to drag Hunter Biden before the committee for legislative hearings. The Joe Biden administration was urged to establish a special counsel to look into Hunter Biden on Monday by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other prominent Senate Republicans, who claimed it was vital to do so to prevent the impression of improper behavior. More than 30 Republicans, including McConnell, John Thune, the Republican whip in the Senate, and Sen. John Cornyn, signed the letter, according to CNN. Hunter Biden's laptop is real, according to South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, and any criminal activity by the president's son needs to be looked into by an unbiased special counsel. According to Graham, who made an appearance on 'Fox & Friends' on Tuesday, 32 senators concur that the younger Biden's dealings merit the same level of scrutiny as Robert Mueller's investigation of the role that Russia played in the 2016 presidential election. The motivation for the protection was highlighted in the letter as a lack of public faith in authorities as a result of the politicization of the Justice Department under Garland's leadership. Hunter Biden is the subject of an inquiry being led by the US Attorney for Delaware, a Trump appointment, who recently paid the IRS $2 million to avoid prosecution, Bizpac Review reported. Read Also: Appeals Court Allows DOJ To Resume Probe of Classified Documents Recovered From Trump's Mar-a-Lago Estate FBI Agent Who Suppressed Info About Hunter Biden is Accused of Misconduct Meanwhile, when he was the lead investigator in a prominent political corruption case that brought an end to a congressman's career, the former FBI special agent who allegedly suppressed information about Hunter Biden was also accused of flirting with a witness and hiding her sexual relationship with one of his agents. After being accused of unethical behavior during the investigation into Hunter Biden's laptop after it was left off at a computer repair shop in Delaware, Timothy Thibault, 55, is now the subject of a growing scandal. In the lead-up to the 2020 elections, Thibault, one of the 13 special agents tasked with investigating the contents of the computers, is accused of mislabeling harmful content as disinformation and attempting to halt a stream of unfavorable information. Thibault's professional integrity has been seriously questioned previously, so this is not new. He was accused of a complete failure to uphold proper boundaries in an investigation in 2009, and because of his behavior, which was so heinous, the defense team in a famous corruption case used it as justification to demand a fresh trial, as per Daily Mail. Related Article: Gov. Ron DeSantis Faces Lawsuit for Flying Migrants in Martha's Vineyard for 'Fraudulent Scheme' @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. is an incredibly important player on the world stage and London wants to see it play the full and active part in the global arena in line with its size, economic heft and influence, Foreign secretary James Cleverly has said. Reiterating support for India's permanent membership in the UN Security Council, he underlined that long-standing institutions like the United Nations need to evolve to ensure its future is as influential as its past. "The United Nations, like all long-standing and important institutions, needs to evolve to make sure that its future is as influential as its recent past. is an incredibly important player on the global stage in so many ways," Cleverly told PTI in an exclusive interview here on Wednesday on the margins of the high-level UN General Assembly session. Cleverly said the was the first of the five permanent members of the Security Council, which also comprise China, France, Russia and the US, to call for to have a permanent seat on the Security Council. "I think it's right and proper that the Security Council reflects the world as it is at the moment and not just the world as it was when the United Nations was first brought into being. "So of course, we do want to see India play the full and active part on the world stage that its size, economic heft and influence dictate. We will continue to support that kind of evolutionary reform of the United Nations and for India to play an increasingly active role within that," said Cleverly, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom under the new administration of Prime Minister Liz Truss. In response to a question, he said the Indo-Pacific has been an explicit area of focus in the UK's most recent strategic, security and development plan, the country's integrated review published last year. "It will inevitably be a continued and increasing focus for us and the world. We're not the only country to recognize this kind of rebalancing of global power." On counterterrorism, Cleverly said when the United Nations was created, state-on-state conflict was the primary area of concern for world leaders. "Of course, what we're seeing now, the terrible situation in Ukraine notwithstanding is that the risks of state-on-state violence, while still there have perhaps reduced and that is welcome." "But the increasing threat is from terrorism which manifests itself both in terms of physical violence and increasingly now in the digital space," he said, adding the international community needs to respond to that. "We need to continue working together to pursue peace. Whilst that is the foundation stone upon which the United Nations is built as an institution, it is as important now as it has ever been. We live in a difficult and dangerous and turbulent world. We all have a joint incentive to try and address those issues and the modern manifestations of the issues and that's what we want to hear at the UN as well," Cleverly. That is what the will continue doing in its strong partnership and relationship with India and this is an issue, the UK foreign secretary said, adding he looked forward to speaking with his Indian counterpart External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during their bilateral meeting in New York. India is currently a non-permanent member of the 15-nation Security Council and New Delhi's two-year tenure on the horseshoe high table will end in December this year when India will preside over the powerful UN organ. Jaishankar, while addressing students and faculty at Columbia University here, was asked how long it will take for India to become a permanent member of the Security Council. "I was serious when I said I'm working on it," he said during a conversation with Columbia University Professor and Former Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Arvind Panagariya at the Raj Centre at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. "It's obviously a very hard task because at the end of the day if you say what is a definition of our global order. The five permanent members are a very crucial definition of what the global order is about. So it's a very fundamental, very deep transformation that we are seeking. "We believe that transformation is overdue because the UN is a product that was devised 80 years ago. And 80 years ago by any standards of human creativity is a long time ago. The number of independent countries has quadrupled in that period," Jaishankar said, adding that there are big parts of the world which are left out. Citing an assessment by Panagariya, Jaishankar said within a few years, India will be the third largest economy in the world and the most populous society. "To have such a country not there in the key global councils is not good for us. But I would also urge it's not good for the global Council in question." "I do believe that with each passing year, I sense in the world greater and greater support for India to be there because we do command today the confidence and trust of very large parts of the world. I do not want to compare it with the current P5. But I would at least say a lot of countries perhaps think that we speak for them with a high degree of empathy and accuracy," Jaishankar had 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.) Chief Minister called on Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya at New Delhi on Wednesday and thanked the Union Minister for allocating Bulk Drug Pharma Park to . He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had always accorded priority to the developmental needs of the state and added that Bulk Drug Pharma Park would ensure retention of pharma formulation units in the State besides creating long-term local employment opportunities. The Union Minister assured the Chief Minister of all possible support to the state for speedy completion of all formalities for setting up the Bulk Drug Pharma Park. The Union Cabinet authorized the bulk drug park plan on March 21, 2020, and subsequently, guidelines were issued on July 21, 2020, wherein evaluation criteria were prescribed for submitting the proposal. As per the regulations, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Government of India, was required to contribute 90 per cent of the project's costs, up to a maximum of Rs 1000 crore. The state government began searching for the necessary land parcel during the Corona period and ultimately chose a 1,405-acre parcel near Polian, Tibbin, Malluwal Tehsil Haroli, district Una. He stated that the expected investment in the park is between Rs 8000 and Rs 10,000 crore, with an estimated project cost of Rs 1200 crore, of which the Central government will fund the development of common infrastructural facilities with Rs 1000 crore. About 15,000-20,000 people are anticipated to be directly employed. The required power is between 100 and 120 MW. \As a matter of fact, there are over 600 pharmaceutical formulation facilities in Himachal Pradesh, and the state's yearly need for bulk drugs ranges between 30,000 and 35,000 crores. Now that the bulk medicine demand for the entire state would be cost-effectively satisfied from this park, it would increase the output and operational effectiveness of the pharma formulation facilities. (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.) Ahead of the 2022 United Nations Conference, commonly referred to as COP27, the Centre is reaching out to states to encourage them to devise stronger climate action plans. This comes with India aiming to become a net-zero economy by 2070. COP27 will be held in Egypt from November 6 to 18. As the government prepares for it, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and (MoEFCC) is hosting a two-day conference of state ministers in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, starting September 23. The conference aims to foster greater synergy between the central and state governments in developing better policies on several and climate issues, said the ministry. This would include eliminating plastic pollution through a multi-pronged approach and 'State Action Plans' to effectively combat with a focus on LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which is part of India's nationally determined commitments (NDC) submitted to the UN. Emphasis on expanding the forest cover while protecting species and restoring degraded land is also on the agenda. During COP26 in Glasgow last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 2070 deadline to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. This is two decades later than the 2050 target set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. India has committed to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45 per cent by 2030 up from the 2005 level of 30 per cent. State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC) are already in place in 33 states and Union Territories, according to a Lok Sabha reply in 2022. But only a few states have started implementing them. In March 2022, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation announced the Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP), which aims to make Mumbai a net-zero city by 2050. However, the corporation has not yet constituted a climate cell, as mandated by the MCAP. To achieve the ambitious target, the is reaching out to states to motivate them to adopt: efficient and cleaner technologies; renewable energy; e-mobility; better waste management methods; climate-resilient infrastructure; sustainable urbanisation, and so on. According to officials in the ministry, the last such conference was held in 2015. MoEFCC also hopes to bring states on board on environment matters through policies and programmes clearance, coordination and by way of overseeing implementation through its single-window PARIVESH portal. Among other things, the Centre intends to push for tree promotion on a mission mode outside of forests. The national goal is to bring one-third of the area under forest and tree cover. In its NDC, India has put forth a target of creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by increasing forest and tree cover by 2030. The government on Wednesday released the draft Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022, under which it has proposed a provision to waive off fees and penalty of telecom and internet service providers. The ministry has proposed provision for refund of fees in case a telecom or internet provider surrenders his license. "Seeking your views on the draft Indian Telecom Bill 2022," Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a post on a social media platform in which he also shared the link of the draft bill. The last date for public comment on the draft is October 20. According to the draft , the central government may, "waive in part or full any fee, including entry fees, license fees, registrations fees or any other fees or charges, interest, additional charges or penalty" for any licence holder or registered entity under the telecom rules. The bill proposes to exempt "press messages that are intended to be published in India" of correspondents accredited to the central or state government from interception. However, the exemption will not be granted in case of any public emergency or in the interest of the public safety, sovereignty, integrity or security of India, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, or to prevent incitement to an offence, according to the draft. In such cases "any message or class of messages, to or from any person or class of persons, or relating to any particular subject, brought for transmission by, or transmitted or received by any telecommunication services or telecommunication network, shall not be transmitted, or shall be intercepted or detained or disclosed" to the authorized officer, according to the draft bill. (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 Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022, is based on Wireless Planning Coordination (WPC) reforms aimed at making the process of companies applying for permits more efficient and without physical interference, said on Thursday. Vaishnaw said the draft Bill would bring down the time for licensing to 28 days and usher in licensing reforms through an online process. This will now reduce the paperwork and right of way (RoW) approval permission down to 6-7 days, he said at the 9th Annual Forum of Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI) on Thursday. The minister said the reforms were essential for businesses to plan their investments in the country. It is part of the overhauling exercise being done by the internally as it looks to simplify procedures and provide ease of doing business to the industry. Right of Way (RoW) is a pre-requisite for establishing telecommunication networks and improvement of telecommunication services. The existing regulatory framework, based on Right of Way Rules, 2016, has had a limited impact in addressing bottlenecks in rapid expansion of telecommunication infrastructure. Effective mechanisms for obtaining RoW will be essential for rapid roll-out of newer technologies such as 5G, the government has said. The Draft Telecom Bill provides for a robust regulatory framework within the federal structure, to obtain RoW in a uniform, nondiscriminatory manner, for establishment of telecommunication infrastructure. The Bill seeks to remove the limitations by providing an enabling framework that facilitates RoW for laying or building telecommunication infrastructure by any facility provider. In this case, facility provider includes any licensee or registered entity, including any contractor or sub-contractor or agent working for the central government or licensee or a registered entity. Commerce and Industry Minister on Thursday urged member nations to commit to timely discussions on important decisions mandated at the World Trade Organisations (WTO) 12th ministerial conference on issues. These included matters related to WTO reforms, including strengthening of the dispute settlement mechanism, as well extension of TRIPS waiver to cover the production and supply of Covid-19 diagnostics and therapeutics within the agreed timeframe of six months. At the 12th ministerial meeting in June, WTO member nations agreed upon the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement that gives greater scope to diversify production of Covid-19 vaccines and to override the exclusive effect of patents through a targeted waiver over the next five years. It was also decided that within a timeframe of six months, starting June 17, member nations will have to decide on the inclusion of production and supply of Covid-19 diagnostics and therapeutics, which was proposed by India. The minister also asked nations to be conscious that the fisheries negotiations and a permanent solution to public stockholding and e-commerce moratorium, amongst other agendas at the WTO required their urgent attention and decisions. The minister was delivering his opening statement at the Trade, Investment and Industry Ministerial meeting, underway in Bali, Indonesia, since Wednesday. Goyal said if multilateralism was imperilled, the world will not be left with many fora to promote dialogue and diplomacy. Therefore, free trade will suffer. India believes that multilateralism is the cornerstone for managing and facilitating global trade, Goyal said. At the G20 ministerial, India also called upon all member nations to show utmost flexibility and draw from the experience from the WTO MC12 in June, where significant progress to promote equitable and fair trade was achieved. There was significant support to Indias position and many members expressed the desire to see outcomes, and aligned with Indias proposal, an official statement said. Amid a deepening global energy crisis, India is planning to set up a strategic gas reserve on the lines of its strategic petroleum reserve (SPR), Livemint reported on Thursday. According to the report, the government is planning to utilise existing (LNG) tunnels and exhausted oil wells and also planning to build new underground infrastructure similar to the large salt caverns for SPR. India has 5.33 million tonnes (MT) of underground facilities in Visakhapatnam, Mangalore, and Padur. The Centre can choose reserves close to the pipeline infrastructure so that fuel can be easily transported in times of need, Livemint reported, quoting government officials. The plan for an SPR was first considered by the government last year. However, as India was assured of supplies at the time, the plan was shelved. But now the central government has revived the plan as the world is staring at an energy crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine war that has sent fuel prices to record highs. There was a study. Officials had gone to see such infrastructure in Italy," an official told Livemint. The official added that the plan was put on hold as the government felt that the nation had the adequate domestic capacity to meet demand from priority sectors, including the networks, fertilisers, and cooking gas. It will make sense as the consumption increases and obviously considering this volatility," the official told the business daily. The fertiliser industry, power sector, city gas distribution, and steel sectors are among the major drivers of India's energy demand. India, which is the fourth-largest LNG importer globally, in FY22 supplied 64.8 billion cubics of natural gas from import and local production. Indian companies have LNG contracts amounting to 22 million tonnes per annum. Last year, India had produced 34,024 million standard cu. m (mscm) of gas. The central government is also expanding its national gas grid to 35,000km from the current 20,000km. The latest development comes after GAIL failed to secure a deal with Russia's Gazprom and was forced to buy crude oil at exorbitant prices in spot markets. will strive to corner at least 60 per cent share of the Indian palm oil markets which in recent times have slipped to around 47 per cent with Malaysia occupying the rest, a senior official from its largest palm trade association said. Trade relations with India did get impacted due to the sudden ban on exports imposed in our country in April but I think we now have a better policy and exports will be back to normal. India is one of the largest buyers of Indonesian palm oil and we believe that our market share will come back to levels enjoyed earlier sooner than later, Fadhil Hasan, Head of Trade and Promotion Division of the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) told Business Standard. Hasan was in Agra to attend the annual Globoil Conference, which is a congregation of leading players from the domestic and global edible oil trade and industry. India imports around 13-13.5 million tonnes of edible oils every year, of which around 8-8.5 million tonnes (around 63 per cent) is palm oil. Of this, 8-8.5 million tonnes of palm oil, almost 45-47 per cent in recent times came from and the remaining from neighboring Malaysia. Hasan said that the flip-flop in first banning the exports and then lifting it first partially and then fully did have an impact on the healthy trade relations between the two nations, but things are now coming back to normal. Going forward, we (Indonesia) can guarantee that such policy flip flops that happened in April and May wont happen again, Hasan said. Indian edible oil markets were plunged into a tizzy in April when Indonesia, which is a big supplier of palm oil into the country, suddenly banned exports to control its domestic prices. There was a fear that the monthly supplies of around 300,000-325,000 tonnes of palm oil would suddenly stop in India sharply escalating the already high domestic prices. Few months later, suddenly lifted the ban, first partially and then totally. In between, there were coflicting signals as to whether the ban would get revoked or not. However, since then, things have changed a lot and global edible oil markets have softened due to falling demand and Indonesia too not only lifted the export ban but is now staring at high pipeline stocks. This is threatening to pull down global palm oil prices sharply in the coming months, but Hasan believes that the drop might not be very severe as domestic production in Indonesia will be lower than last year. Look in the 2021 calendar year, Indonesia produced around 46.9 million tonnes of which will go down to 45 million tonnes this year because of less area expansion and productivity decline. Palm oil production in neighbouring Malaysia too will be lower than last year. Both these factors will keep the markets supported and though there might be minor swings in between but prices will remain supported, Hasan said. He said that as per his estimate prices will move up to $1000-$1100 per tonne and stabilize there as supplies are not expected to go up strongly. On India's domestic Oil Palm Mission that has targeted to produce 2.8-3.0 million tonnes of palm oil locally by 2025-30, Hasan said that the Mission is noteworthy but benefits should not exceed the cost because the cost of producing palm oil in India will be much higher than Indonesia or Malaysia. We would also like the Indian government to keep the tariffs at their current levels of zero and would also work without the government to ensure that the zero export levy continues even after October so that trade between the two countries is facilitated, Hasan said. Meanwhile, in a related development, palm oil producers associations from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka formed the Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA) today to work across the world to ensure that palm oil is recognized as a high-quality, economical and healthy vegetable oil and to change the negative perception about palm oil. Together the Asian markets account for almost 40 per cent of the global palm oil demand, with India being the largest importer of palm oil in the Asian region. The world annually consumes around 240 million tonnes of edible oils, of which almost 80 million tonnes (34 per cent) is palm oil. Of this almost 50 million tonnes comes from Indonesia and around 20 million tonnes from neighbouring Malaysia. Providing impetus to Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence production, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract on Thursday with the Indo-Russian joint venture (JV) Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for buying the latest version of the missile for its newest warships. So far, missiles have had a range of 295 kilometres, to adhere to the parameters of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which restricts missile sales involving a non- country to a maximum range of 300 km. However, with Indias admission into the MTCR, a new generation of BrahMos missiles, with ranges of 400 km and more, can legitimately be built by the Indo-Russian JV. The surface-to-surface BrahMos missiles were bought for an overall approximate cost of 1,700 crore under the Buy-Indian category, stated the MoD on Thursday. These new BrahMos missiles will be dual-role capable, announced the Navy, which means that its warships can fire them at targets on land, as well as at enemy warships. It is notable that BAPL [is] making a crucial contribution to augment the new generation surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) with enhanced range and dual role capability for land as well as anti-ship attacks, stated the MoD after signing the contract. These missiles are going to significantly enhance the operational capability of (IN) fleet assets, it said. BrahMos Aerospace JV was established through an Indo-Russian Inter-Government Agreement (IGA) in February 1998 for designing, developing, producing and marketing the . The JVs share capital of $250 million was contributed by India and Russia in the ratio of 50.5 per cent and 49.5 per cent, respectively. The share capital was enhanced by $50 million to pay for developing the aircraft version of the missile, which is fired from the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter. Additionally, the Defence R&D Organisation also contributed Rs 370 crore towards the infrastructure, technologies and production facilities for building the missile system. in five key industries caused the Indian exchequer a tax loss of Rs 58,521 crore, and also resulted in the loss of 1.6 million jobs, according to a report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) released on Thursday. The report, titled Illicit Markets: A Threat to Our National Interests, pegged the size of the illicit market in the five industries mobile phones, household and personal goods, packaged foods, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages at Rs 2.6 trillion in 2019-20. According to the report by FICCIs Committee Against and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE), the two highly regulated and taxed industries, tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, [accounted] for nearly 49 per cent of the overall tax loss. The combined fast-moving consumer goods industry household and personal goods, and packaged foods has been particularly badly hit, accounting for three-fourths of the total illicit value of goods and 68.5 per cent of job losses, according to the report. The report suggests that addressing the demand-supply gap of legitimate goods, strengthening the domestic manufacturing sector, increasing awareness among consumers, rationalisation of tariffs to reduce tax arbitrage, creation of a conducive environment for innovation, and strengthening the intellectual property rights (IPR) regime, could help tackle this problem. Najib Shah, former chairman of the Central Board of Indirect and Customs, is to empower consumers. It is essential that the consumer should be empowered by being made aware that results in the loss of government revenue, generates black money which can be further used to fund other criminal activities. Addressing the FICCI-CASCADE MASCRADE 2022 event, former vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu said: We need to counter smuggling, counterfeit trade with all the strength and means at our disposal. This requires collective effort from industry bodies, consumers, retailers and other stakeholders to keep a watch on such activities in order to put an end to this menace. Speaking to Business Standard, Anil Rajput, chairman of CASCADE, said the government must look into this issue and take necessary measures. It is ultimately the power of the consumer to avoid purchasing these goods, which can play a pivotal role in bringing down and counterfeit trade, he said. A US-based think tank said in a report released on Thursday that North Korea might be getting ready to unveil a new submarine that is thought to be able to launch ballistic missiles. In an address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden accused North Korea of blatantly breaching UN sanctions and cited the nation as one of the reasons to enhance global nuclear nonproliferation efforts. North Korea Prepares Submarine Carrying Ballistic Missiles In 2019, state media depicted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a previously unreported submarine that was built under his special attention and that would be operational in the waters off the east coast. Analysts first noticed signs that at least one new submarine was being built in 2016. State media at the time did not mention the submarine's weapons systems or the location or timing of the inspection, but analysts claimed the new ship's apparent size suggested it was intended to transport missiles, as per Express. Analysts have argued over whether the alleged new missile submarine is a completely original design or if it is based on a modified Romeo Class submarine that North Korea first purchased from China in the 1970s before starting to manufacture them domestically. North Korea tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in May from near Sinpo, where it maintains submarines and the necessary equipment for SLBM test-firings. This test was part of an extraordinary flurry of missile tests this year. In the midst of stalled denuclearization negotiations, observers claim North Korea has started preparations to resume nuclear testing for the first time since 2017, according to Reuters via MSN. Read Also: Shinzo Abe Death: Man Set Himself on Fire in Protest Against Japan's State Funeral Plan for Former Prime Minister North Korea Denies Supplying Weapons to Russia In addition, a North Korean defense official who wished to remain anonymous ordered the US to cease making careless comments and to be quiet, according to a story in the country's official media on Thursday. As part of Moscow's efforts to alleviate the severe supply shortages in Ukraine that have been made worse by US-led export controls and sanctions, Biden administration officials earlier this month confirmed a declassified US intelligence assessment that stated Russia was currently buying arms from North Korea, including millions of artillery shells and rockets. A few weeks after Moscow branded the US intelligence finding as fraudulent, North Korea released a declaration. Exporting weapons from North Korea to Russia would be against United Nations resolutions that forbid such activity, Click On Detroit reported. The North Korean official emphasized that Pyongyang has never accepted the illegal sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council against the nation by the US and its vassal forces. An English translation of the statement given by North Korea quotes the official as saying that the export and import of military hardware is a legal privilege inherent to a sovereign state. By accusing the US of causing the situation and criticizing the West's hegemonic agenda as a reason for Russia's military action in Ukraine to defend itself, North Korea has attempted to sever ties with Russia over its aggressiveness in the country. The North Korean administration has also expressed interest in sending workers to the country's east to aid in the reconstruction of pro-Russian breakaway territories. Apart from Russia and Syria, North Korea was the only country to officially acknowledge Donetsk and Luhansk's independence in July, as per Global News. Related Article: 1000+ Russians Protest Vladimir Putin's 'Partial Mobilization' Call for Ukraine War; Citizens Shout 'Life to Our children,' 'No Mobilization' @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. On Friday, the University Grants Commission (UGC) released a tentative timeline for admissions in undergraduate programmes on the basis of the Common University (CUET) - 2022 in different central universities. Informing the same, chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar took to Twitter to state has collected a tentative timeline and other details of Admission in UG Programmes based on CUET- 2022 in different central universities. The candidates should look at the link under the "Notices" section to find the details. UGC has collected tentative timeline and other details of Admission in UG Programmes on the basis of CUET- 2022 in different Central Universities. Students are encouraged to visit this UGC link under "Notices" section.https://t.co/QFodctDH2i pic.twitter.com/90xZtjG7ju Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) September 22, 2022 The results for the debut edition of the CUET for UG admissions were declared on Friday last week. Initially, results were scheduled to be announced by 10 pm on Thursday, but it was delayed owing to a vast database. "The merit lists will be prepared by participating universities, who will decide about their counselling based on the CUET-UG score card," said Sadhana Parashar, senior director (exams), National Testing Agency (NTA). At least 12 candidates scored 100 percentile normalised score in all five subjects in the debut edition of the CUET-UG, while 104 got the perfect score in four subjects, according to NTA. Girls outshone boys in CUET and in several other -- seven are among the candidates who scored 100 percentile in five subjects, while 76 girls scored 100 percentile in four subjects. A total of 21,159 candidates -- 12,799 female and 8,360 male students -- have scored 100 percentile in at least one subject. With 1.49 million registrations, the CUET is now the second biggest entrance exam in the country, surpassing JEE-Main's average registration of 900,000. NEET-UG is the biggest in India, with an average of 1.8 million applicants. "The rank lists will be prepared by universities using normalised NTA scores and not on the basis of percentile. The scores have been normalised to provide a level playing field for students since they wrote the test in the same subject on different days," Kumar said. Directorate of Medical has started the application process for undergraduate medical admissions through UG 2022. In the first stage, counselling is being held for government and management quota seats. Eligible candidates can apply for counselling 2022 on tnmedicalselection.net. Those who use under both quotas will have to submit separate forms. This year, a total of 132,167 Tamil Nadu candidates appeared in NEET; of them, 67,787 have qualified. As per the government and management quotas schedule, NEET qualified candidates must register between September 22 and October 3 (5 pm). The government quota includes seats at Tamil Nadu government medical and dental colleges and government quota seats in self-financing medical/dental colleges. Management quota counselling is for management quota seats, including NRI in self-financing medical/dental colleges. on Thursday launched special offers under a Festive Bonanza scheme for several categories of loans including home loans, personal loans, automobile loans, tractor loans, gold and two-wheeler loans. For home loans, the private sector bank is offering a 50 per cent discount on processing fees, balance transfer and loan against property. Customers can also receive car loans for up to 100 per cent of the on-road price on new loans and up to 100 per cent valuation on a used car loan for a tenure of up to 8 years. In the personal loan segment, customers will not be levied pre-closure charges after 12 equated monthly instalments are paid. Under the special offers, for two-wheeler loans customers can avail of up to 100 per cent of the on-road price and receive EMIs as low as Rs 30 per Rs 1,000, the bank said. The bank is also offering no-cost EMIs in the consumer space for brands such as Apple, Samsung and Sony. Under the festive scheme, the lender is providing offers in areas including electronics and gadgets, apparel and jewellery and travel and dining. Customers can receive discounts and cashbacks up to Rs 25,000, the bank said. Many of the offers are available till September 30 with some closing before that date, ICICI Banks website showed. Solapur-based Laxmi Co-operative Bank ceased operations from Thursday after the (RBI) cancelled its licence for not having adequate capital and earning prospects. The has requested the Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra, to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank. On liquidation, every depositor would be entitled to receive claim amount of his/her deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs 5 lakh from the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). About 99 per cent of the banks depositors are entitled to receive the full amount from the DICGC. The DICGC has already paid Rs 193.68 crore of the total insured deposits, said the in a statement. Laxmi Co-operative was in breach of various provisions of Banking Act and in its present condition it would be unable to pay depositors in full. The continuance of the bank was prejudicial to the interests of its depositors. Public interest would be affected if the bank was allowed to carry on its business, said the . The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday said it has cancelled the licence of Solapur (Maharashtra) based The Laxmi Co-operative Bank Limited as the lender does not have adequate capital and earning prospects. As per the data submitted by the cooperative bank, more than 99 per cent of the depositors are entitled to receive full amount of their deposits from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), the said in a statement. As of September 13, 2022, the DICGC has already paid Rs 193.68 crore of the total insured deposits, it added. "The bank does not have adequate capital and earning prospects," the said while announcing that The Laxmi Co-operative Bank ceases to carry on banking business, with effect from the close of business on Thursday (September 22, 2022). As per the statement, the co-operative bank has failed to comply with the requirements the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and its continuance is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors. "The bank with its present financial position would be unable to pay its present depositors in full," the said. Consequent to the cancellation of its licence, the bank is prohibited from conducting the business of banking' which includes, among other things, acceptance of deposits and repayment of deposits. The Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra has also been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank, the central bank added. On liquidation, every depositor would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of his/her deposits up to Rs 5 lakh from DICGC. (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 Reserve Bank of India on Thursday directed Mahindra and Mahindra Financial Services (MMFSL) to stop using third-party services for loan recovery until further orders, citing "material supervisory concerns". "The Reserve Bank of India has today, in exercise of its powers under section 45L(1)(b) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, directed MMFSL, Mumbai, to immediately cease carrying out any recovery or repossession activity through outsourcing arrangements, till further orders," said the regulator in a statement. However, the said NBFC may continue to carry out recovery or repossession activities, through its own employees. This action is based on certain material supervisory concerns observed in the said NBFC, with regard to the management of its outsourcing activities, added . RBI's action comes days after reports of a 27-year-old pregnant woman being crushed to death trying to stop a loan recovery agent, working on behalf of MMFSL, from seizing her father's tractor over loan dues in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh. "We will investigate this incident from all aspects and will also undertake an examination of the practice of using third-party collection agencies that has been in existence," Mahindra Group CEO Anish Shah had said in a statement on Twitter last Friday. MMFSL did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on RBI's directive. (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.) Public sector lender has received the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBIs) approval to open a special vostro account with Gazprombank of for settlement in Indian rupees. The Kolkata-based lender is the first bank to receive regulators approval following the RBIs decision to allow Indian to settle in Indian in July. The Russian lender, which was set up by worlds largest gas producer and exporter Gazprom to provide banking services for gas industry enterprises has been operating since 1990. One of the top three in Russia, Gazprombank offers a whole range of banking and investment services to over 45,000 corporate and three million private clients. In an interaction with Business Standard last week, MD & CEO, Soma Sankara Prasad, said they received many applications from from several countries for opening a special vostro account. They have come out with a circular regarding the special vostro account. It will work in cases where the balance of is even with the country. It is a good mechanism, which has been introduced by the where a certain amount of trade can take place in rupee, Prasad had said. We have received some applications for opening special vostro accounts from banks of other countries. We are looking at it, he added. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February this year, Indias trade with has been rising. During the April-June quarter, Indias imports from were valued at $9.27 billion, up 369 per cent on year. comprised almost two-thirds of imports from the nation. Other major imported items from the country included coal, soybean and sunflower crude oil, fertilisers, among others. On July 11, the issued a circular allowing trade settlements between India and other countries, including Sri Lanka and Russia, in . ALSO READ: We find some stress in restructured accounts, says UCO Bank MD & CEO The circular said Indian importers undertaking imports through the INR trade mechanism will make payment in the same, which has to be credited into the special vostro account of the correspondent bank of the partner country, against the invoices for the supply of goods or services from the overseas seller/supplier. The had said the exchange rate between the currencies of the two trading partner countries to be market determined. Many banks in India are planning to open such special vostro accounts for settling trade transactions with other nations. Indian exporters sending out goods and services through this mechanism should be paid in rupees from the balances in the designated special Vostro account of the correspondent bank of the partner country, the RBI notification said. was chosen by the Union government in 2012 as the payment bank for oil imports from Iran, after the United State tightened the earlier rounds of sanctions. UCO Bank was chosen because of its limited global presence, which made it less vulnerable from repercussions over its involvement with then sanctioned Iran. UCO reaped rich benefits from that deal. However, in recent times there has been no fresh inflows as India was no longer importing oil from Iran. Earlier till 2019, we were buying oil from Iran. So a huge amount of balance was there in Iranian banks account with us. Since we have stopped buying oil from Iran from 2019, the balance has gone down, Prasad said, adding that UCO was looking at ways to augment the rupee balance. US President supports Germany, Japan and India as permanent members of a reformed United Nations Security Council, a senior official of his administration has said. At the same time, a lot of work needs to be done in this matter, the official told reports on Wednesday on condition of anonymity. "We have historically and continue to stand behind the idea that Germany, Japan and India should be permanent members of the Security Council," the official said in response to a question. Earlier on Wednesday, President in his address at the UN General Assembly reiterated his commitment to reforming the UN Security Council. Biden said he believes the time has come for the institution to become more inclusive so that it can better respond to the needs of today's world. Members of the UN Security Council, including the United States, should consistently uphold and defend the United Nations Charter and refrain from the use of veto, except in rare and extraordinary situations, to ensure that the Council remains credible and effective, he said. "That is also why the United States supports increasing the number of both permanent and non-permanent representatives of the Council. This includes permanent seats for those nations we've long supported," Biden 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.) US President on Wednesday met with the newly elected UK Prime Minister Liz Truss on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly and committed to continue close coordination between both the countries on global challenges, including support for Ukraine. "The leaders committed to continuing their governments' close coordination on global challenges, including support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression, addressing challenges posed by China, and securing sustainable and affordable energy supplies," the White House said in a statement about the meeting. US President, who is in New York to attend the UNGA session, expressed his condolences for the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and his appreciation for the opportunity to pay his respects at the State Funeral. "The leaders discussed the importance of continued support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. They also affirmed their shared commitment to protecting the gains of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement," the statement reads. Ahead of the meeting with UK PM, Biden said, "we both are committed to protecting the gains of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland. And I'm looking forward to hearing what's on your mind and how we can continue to cooperate." Truss responded, "And, of course, I'm looking forward to discussing the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and how we make sure that's upheld into the future." Truss also thanked US first lady Jill Biden for coming to the UK for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth-II, who took her last breath on September 8. "She was the rock on which modern Britain was built. And I have seen a huge outpouring of affection for her in the United Kingdom but also here in the United States," Truss added. "And as you say, President, we are steadfast allies. And I've enjoyed working with Tony Blinken very closely in our response on Russia's appalling war in Ukraine and making sure that we are supporting the Ukrainians in their fight for freedom. But we face huge challenges as autocracies seek to cement and increase their assertiveness around the world," UK PM said. Earlier in the day, Biden met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and discussed several issues including the Ukraine war and the Black Sea grain deal. "President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the UN General Assembly in New York. The leaders reaffirmed the strong partnership between the United States and the United Nations," according to the White House statement. (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.) On a blustery November day last year Britain's future king stood before world leaders to deliver a rallying cry that they should "act with all despatch, and decisively to confront a common enemy. The clarion call in the vast, windowless hall of a Glasgow convention center at the opening of the U.N. climate conference concerned an issue long dear to the heart of the then- . Climate change and loss of biodiversity were no different from the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe, he said. In fact, they pose an even greater existential threat, to the extent that we have to put ourselves on what might be called a war-like footing. He warned leaders that time was running out to reduce emissions, urging them to push through reforms that are radically transforming our current fossil fuel-based economy to one that is genuinely renewable and sustainable. We need a vast military-style campaign to marshal the strength of the global private sector," he said, adding that the trillions at businesses' disposal would go far beyond what governments could muster and offered "the only real prospect of achieving fundamental economic transition. It was a fierce call to arms quite unlike the gentle appeal delivered by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in a video message that evening. For decades, Charles has been one of Britain's most prominent environmental voices, blasting the ills of pollution. Now that he's monarch, he is bound to be more careful with his words and must stay out of politics and government policy in accordance with the traditions of Britain's constitutional monarchy. Charles will have very little freedom of maneuver now that he is King," said Robert Hazell, an expert on British constitutional affairs at University College London. All of his speeches are written or vetted by the government, said Hazell. "If he makes an impromptu remark which seems at odds with government policy, the press will pounce on him to point out the inconsistency, and the government will rein him in; he will have to be far less outspoken than he has been in the past. Still, many say it's unlikely he will abruptly stop discussing climate change and the environment not least because they are issues that are above political ideology. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said last week that it would be perfectly acceptable for the monarch to advocate for climate action, even though his role is meant to be apolitical. It's important that the monarchy distance from party political issues, Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corp. 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. It should be something that's above politics, the need to act on climate change, he added. Keeping mum on climate may be particularly tricky for Charles in light of the current Conservative government's ambivalent stance. While the government says it remains committed to the goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net zero' by mid-century, Energy Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg says Britain should keep burning the fossil fuels at its disposal. We need to be thinking about extracting every last cubic inch of gas from the North Sea, he said in a recent radio interview, citing the need for energy security. In the past Rees-Mogg has spoken out against building more on-shore wind farms in Britain and questioned the effect that rising carbon dioxide emissions are having on the climate, even though experts say the warming effects of increasing CO2 levels are clear. Britain's new Prime Minister Liz Truss likewise favors exploiting the country's natural gas reserves, including by exploring fracking in parts of the to boost the country's domestic gas supplies and reduce dependence on gas prices. Earlier this month, Truss's government lifted a 2019 ban on the controversial practice of fracking for shale gas in England. As environment secretary in 2014, Truss called large-scale solar farms a blight on the landscape scrapped subsidies for farmers and landowners to build them. Speaking in a 2018 BBC documentary marking Charles' 70th birthday, his sons William and Harry revealed the frustration their father feels at the world's failure to tackle environmental challenges. They recalled how, as teenagers, Charles would make them go litter picking during the holidays and obsess over the need to turn off lights. Such small actions pale in comparison to the air miles the monarch has racked up over a lifetime of jetting around the world though he claims to have converted his Aston Martin to run on surplus white wine and cheese. Charles' lament that many people simply pay no attention to science on climate change has also been called out by those who point out that he has long been an advocate of unproven naturopathic therapies. Some of Charles' subjects want him to continue the fight against climate change, even as king. Yet the new king himself has acknowledged that his role as eco-warrior cannot last, at least in its current form. "I'm not that stupid," he told the BBC four years ago on being asked whether he would continue his activism as before. The battles of a prince are not those of a king, he explained, but made clear that they can still be fought by the next in line, Prince William. In his first address as sovereign to the nation on Sept. 9, Charles emphasized that, saying it will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others, he added. Like Charles, William, 40, has made climate change one of his main advocacy topics, and last year he made his mark by awarding the first Earthshot Prize, an ambitious legacy project the prince founded to award millions of pounds in grants for environmental initiatives around the world over the next 10 years. His efforts, however, have been undermined by criticism that his conservation charity invested in a bank that is one of the world's biggest backers of fossil fuels. (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.) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle joined King Charles III, Camilla Parker Bowles, and other Royals in mourning yesterday as they put Queen Elizabeth II to rest. But after being assigned to sit in the second row, behind the new monarch King Charles III and his wife Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's placement in Westminster Abbey raised concerns. The explanation behind the sitting configurations in the abbey is now known. Prince Harry Seated Far From Prince William, Family Prince Harry and Meghan Markle trailed King Charles III in the approximate age order of the Queen's grandchildren, according to insiders at Buckingham Palace. Additionally, the seating arrangement was made to guarantee that families would be kept together, according to officials. Prince William and his family were granted front row seats, while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were seated a distance away. Instead, they were seated next to Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, as well as their wives, were seated in the front row adjacent to King Charles III. Those who saw the funeral on television yesterday circulated a hypothesis that Meghan Markle had been kept away from the cameras. A candle was allegedly positioned to block the Duchess of Sussex's face during the service at Westminster Abbey, according to social media users. While Meghan Markle was seated behind The Queen Consort Camilla and next to husband Prince Harry, only her hat was visible to viewers of the State Funeral on television for the most of the ceremony. There is no evidence that the placement of one of the four candles encircling Her Majesty's casket was done so with the goal of hiding Meghan Markle's face. But despite this, a lot of Twitter users came to the social media platform to express their opinions about the placement on a momentous day for Britain. At Windsor's St. George's Chapel Prince William walked his two oldest children, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince George of Wales, to their seats before joining the 800-person audience. Before settling in, Prince William was observed halting. In a kind gesture, he motioned for his brother and sister-in-law to take the front row. After placing Kate Middleton between Prince George and Prince Charlotte and letting them go ahead of him, he finally took a seat at the end of the row, as per The Sun. During Queen Elizabeth II's vigil, Prince Harry's military outfit also stood out from Prince William's and Prince Andrew's, but a royal filmmaker maintains that Buckingham Palace had no ulterior intent. The princes kept watch over the late monarch's casket at Westminster Hall before her ceremonial funeral on Monday. During a different vigil, Prince Andrew's military outfit and Prince William's uniform both bore the initials EIIR on the shoulder. The emblem stands for Elizabeth Regina, which is Latin for Queen. Nick Bullen, co-founder of True Royalty TV, tsaid that there are two explanations for why Prince Harry's uniform's symbol is missing. First, Prince Harry is no longer a member of the British Armed Forces who is currently serving. If you are not a current member of the British Armed Forces, you are not permitted to wear His or Her Majesty's uniform without the monarch's permission. It's to stop individuals from disguising themselves as military personnel. Prince is not a serving member of the military forces, therefore the sole reason King Charles III gave him permission to wear the uniform at that specific time at Westminster Hall for the vigil. In order to represent this, the uniform might be changed, Fox News reported. Read Also: George Floyd Death: Ex-Minnesota Cop Gets Final Ruling for Role in Floyd Killing Prince Harry Urges to Heal Rift With Royal Family On the other hand, a shocking new book asserts that Prince Harry considered using a mediator to help mend the divide among the royal family. Author Katie Nicholl wrote in her upcoming book, 'The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown,' that King Charles III insisted on chatting with his son over tea before they met the Queen in the spring. Although Prince Harry apparently wanted to clear the air, the awkward exchange did little to help defuse the escalating hostilities. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle came late for the meeting giving Charles only 15 minutes to catch up with them before he had to fill in for the Queen for the Royal Maundy Service, according to the royal author. Prince Harry reportedly received a ridiculous response from Camilla and the two decided to settle their disagreements discreetly inside the family. Since leaving the UK for the United States and following their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship with the royal family has become tense. A disagreement about the Duke of Sussex's UK police security prevented him from attending his grandpa Prince Philip's burial ceremony in March. A few weeks later, however, when the Sussexes swung by Windsor to visit the royal family on their way to the Invictus Games in the Netherlands, a royal reconciliation seemed to be in the works. Nicholl continued by saying that when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were relocating to the US, they felt relief since the "drama" would be gone, according to SKY News. Related Article: Expert Reveals What Prince Harry Said to Prince William During Queen Elizabeth II's Service; Where Does Their Relationship Stand Now? @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. External Affairs Minister shared his concerns about the security and welfare of the Indian community in the with his British counterpart James Cleverly and welcomed his assurances on the same. "A warm conversation with Foreign Secretary @JamesCleverly. Discussed taking forward Roadmap 2030. Appreciate his commitment to deepening our partnership," Jaishankar tweeted Wednesday. He said his conversation also covered global issues, including Indo-Pacific, Ukraine and UNSC matters. "Shared my concern about the security and welfare of the Indian community in the . Welcomed his assurances in that regard," Jaishankar said. In his meeting with Bolivia Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta, Jaishankar said he spoke about "our development partnership and expanding our economic engagement. Exchanged views on global developments." After his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Anniken Huitfeldt, Jaishankar said he appreciated "our ongoing cooperation in the UN Security Council. Discussed our Nordic partnership, Afghanistan, Ukraine and climate action." He also met Foreign Minister of Estonia Urmas Reinsalu and "discussed the deepening of bilateral cooperation following the opening of our Embassy. Also exchanged views on developments pertaining to Ukraine." Jaishankar hosted the 10th India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Trilateral Ministerial Commission Meeting and reviewed the IBSA process and recognised its activities. Appreciated its promotion of South-South cooperation, including on global and multilateral issues. Reiterated commitment to reformed multilateralism, he said. Brazil's Foreign Minister Carlos Franca and Minister of Health of South Africa Joe Phaahla attended the meeting. (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 German government agreed to nationalise the country's largest gas importer Uniper in an effort to ensure energy security against the backdrop of Russia's gas supply freeze and rocketing gas prices. The government has agreed with Uniper and its previous majority owner, Finland's Fortum, on the far-reaching deal. Following the completion of a capital increase and the acquisition of Uniper shares from Fortum, the German government will own approximately 98.5 per cent of Uniper, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Fortum. The German government is taking over "a total of 99 per cent of Uniper" as part of a further stabilisation package, the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) said on Wednesday. As a result, the government is creating "a clear ownership structure in order to secure Uniper as well as the energy supply for companies, municipal utilities and consumers". The stabilization measures are still subject to approval by the European Commission. In addition, an extraordinary general meeting of Uniper is scheduled to adopt the deal before the end of 2022. Uniper has a 50 per cent share of Russian gas in its portfolio and is responsible for about 40 per cent of gas supply in Germany, especially to over 100 municipal utilities and large companies, and therefore plays a central role in supplying with natural gas. German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that the takeover of Uniper was necessitated by Russia's decision to completely suspend gas deliveries via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline on September 1. Since then, Uniper has had to procure gas on the expensive spot market. According to Fortum, Uniper has so far incurred losses of around 8.5 billion euros ($8.4 billion). --IANS int/shs (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.) Group Inc. cut its 2023 economic growth forecast for sharply, predicting Beijing will stick to its stringent Covid Zero policies through at least the first quarter of next year. will probably increase 4.5% in 2023, down from a previous projection of 5.3%, Goldmans economists led by Hui Shan wrote in a note. This years prediction of 3% was maintained. is unlikely to begin reopening before the second quarter of next year as it tries to put several steps in place first, such as higher vaccination rates for elderly and increased manufacturing of cheap and effective Covid pills, Goldman said. Also Read: China braces for a slowdown even worse than 2020 as growth declines sharply The authorities may also want to wait until after the Lunar New Year peak travel season and next Marchs parliament session when the reshuffling of government officials is completed, before exiting the Covid Zero strategy, the economists wrote. Any easing of Covid restrictions will probably be followed by a jump in infections, reduced mobility and possible supply chain disruptions, which will curb economic activity, the economists said. is likely to experience a surge in infections upon a full reopening given the lack of infection-induced immunity and the high transmissibility of omicron, they said. Therefore, we would expect a modest drag on growth in the first three months of reopening followed by a steep recovery thereafter. On the property market, Goldman said Beijings mantra of housing is for living in, not for speculation is unlikely to change if President Xi Jinping secures a third term, as is widely expected, at the Communist Partys congress in October. Major easing of property restrictions is unlikely, the economists said. We continue to expect a sizable drag from the property sector to GDP growth this year and beyond, Goldman said. Prime Minister has set a very ambitious desire to get the Free Trade Agreement signed by Diwali and his new British counterpart Liz Truss wants her administration to "match the pace and ambition" of the Indian leader, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said. Cleverly also said that the bilateral relationship between India and UK is longstanding and wide-ranging, which is both a "huge plus" but it also means that "quite understandably there is a desire to have a very, very wide-ranging, meaningful free trade agreement." "Obviously, Prime Minister Modi has set a very ambitious desire to get a free trade agreement signed by Diwali. Now that means that both us and Indian negotiators are going to have to work very, very hard but we are very willing to do so," Cleverly told PTI in an interview here Wednesday on the margins of the high-level UN General Assembly session. "We want to make sure that the deal that we do, ideally by Diwali, is the first step in a continually evolving trade and economic relationship with India. So, there's a lot to do and not a lot of time," Cleverly said, adding that he is keen to "match the ambition of the Prime Minister. "He (Modi) is a very high-energy political leader. He's very, very ambitious. He's ambitious for India as a country, he is ambitious for our relationship with India and all this is incredibly positive. Our Prime Minister (Truss), I know because we've had this discussion, she wants us to match the pace and ambition of your Prime Minister. And that means the other ministers and the officials are going to have to work really hard and really fast." Diwali falls on October 24 this year. Cleverly said "we need to continue discussing things like climate change, the impact on food security and of course, our joint efforts to bring resolution to the various conflicts around the world, including, of course, the Russian invasion of Ukraine. So a very, very broad and busy agenda," he said. He added that that range of potential agreements also adds complexity. While there are traditional areas in a free trade agreement such as exports and imports of manufactured goods, agricultural goods, technology and service industries, the mutual recognition of professional qualifications is also "incredibly important now." "It is a challenge in a positive way because we have such a strong heritage and inter-woven economies and societies," he said. Jaishankar, speaking at an event at Columbia University, said India has done a trade agreement with Australia and UAE recently. "We are in the middle, fairly advanced in negotiations with the UK. We have recommenced with the EU, quite hopeful out there and there will be a few others which will happen." Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said last month that negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement between India and the UK are progressing at a faster pace. The agreement is aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investments between the two countries. India has signed a trade pact with the UAE in a "record" time and "now our talks with the UK are moving at a faster pace", Goyal had said. In January, India and the UK formally launched talks for a free trade agreement. They have set the deadline for concluding talks by Diwali. Cleverly met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar late Wednesday evening on UNGA sidelines, the first opportunity for him to formally meet with his Indian counterpart after Jaishankar's "very very kind message that he sent congratulating me" when he took on the post of Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom under the new administration of Prime Minister Truss, who took office early this month when Queen Elizabeth had formally asked her to form a new government. Two days after Truss met her at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the 96-year-old British monarch passed away. British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis said in New Delhi that the best way to celebrate Diwali will be to have a good free trade agreement between India and the United Kingdom. He observed that the free trade agreement (FTA) will lead to the creation of more jobs, growth and opportunities for both India and the UK. Speaking on the sidelines of an event, he asserted that there was "high ambition" to complete the FTA by Diwali -- a deadline set earlier by both nations -- and added, "that would be an auspicious date". Asked if one could expect a 'Diwali Dhamaka' for India in relation to the FTA, the British High Commissioner quipped, "I hope so." Earlier addressing an Assocham conference, Ellis said: "We have the aim to finish the FTA by Diwali." India and the UK trade mostly in services which accounts for about 70 per cent of the overall trade. Both countries also aim to increase their bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by the end of this decade. (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.) Iranians experienced widespread on Wednesday amid days of mass protests against the government, including a loss of access to Instagram, one of the last Western social media platforms available in the country. An Iranian official had earlier hinted that such measures might be taken out of security concerns, and the loss of connectivity will make it more difficult for people to organise protests and share information about the government's rolling crackdown on dissent. has seen nationwide protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was detained for allegedly wearing the mandatory Islamic headscarf too loosely. Demonstrators have clashed with police and called for the downfall of the Islamic Republic itself, even as Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi addressed the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. London-based rights group Amnesty said Wednesday that security forces had used batons, birdshot, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse protesters. It reported eight deaths linked to the unrest, including four people killed by security forces. It said hundreds more have been wounded. Iranian officials have reported three deaths, blaming them on unnamed armed groups. Witnesses in Iran, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said late Wednesday they could no longer access the internet using mobile phones. NetBlocks, a London-based group that monitors internet access, meanwhile reported widespread disruptions to both Instagram and WhatsApp. Both are owned by Facebook parent Meta, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Earlier on Wednesday, Iran's Telecommunications Minister Isa Zarepour was quoted by state media as saying that certain restrictions might be imposed due to security issues," without elaborating. already blocks Facebook, Telegram, Twitter and YouTube, even though top Iranian officials use public accounts on such platforms. Many Iranians get around the bans using virtual private networks, known as VPNs, and proxies. In a separate development, several official websites, including those for the supreme leader, the president and the Central Bank, were taken down at least briefly as hackers claimed to have launched a cyberattack on state agencies. Hackers linked to the shadowy Anonymous movement said they targeted other Iranian state agencies, including state TV. Central Bank spokesman Mostafa Qamarivafa denied that the bank itself was hacked, saying only that the website was inaccessible because of an attack on a server that hosts it, in remarks carried by the official IRNA news agency. The website was later restored. has been the target of several cyberattacks in recent years, many by hackers expressing criticism of its theocracy. Last year, a cyberattack crippled gas stations across the country, creating long lines of angry motorists unable to get subsidised fuel for days. Messages accompanying the attack appeared to refer to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Amini's death has sparked protests across the country. The police say she died of a heart attack and was not mistreated, but her family has cast doubt on that account, saying she had no previous heart issues and that they were prevented from seeing her body. The UN human rights office says the morality police have stepped up operations in recent months and resorted to more violent methods, including slapping women, beating them with batons and shoving them into police vehicles. President Joe Biden, who also spoke at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, voiced support for the protesters, saying "we stand with the brave citizens and the brave women of Iran, who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights. The UK also released a statement Wednesday calling for an investigation into Amini's death and for Iran to respect the right to peaceful assembly. Raisi has called for an investigation into Amini's death. Iranian officials have blamed the protests on unnamed foreign countries that they say are trying to foment unrest. Iran has grappled with waves of protests in recent years, mainly over a long-running economic crisis exacerbated by Western sanctions linked to its nuclear program. The Biden administration and European allies have been working to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear accord, in which Iran curbed its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, but the talks have been deadlocked for months. In his speech at the UN, Raisi said Iran is committed to reviving the nuclear agreement but questioned whether it could trust America's commitment to any accord. Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. It began ramping up its nuclear activities after then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 agreement, and experts say it now likely has enough highly-enriched uranium to make a bomb if it chooses to do so. (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 head of the Olympic Committee apologized Wednesday for the organization's longtime failure to commemorate 11 Israeli athletes killed by Palestinian militants at the 1972 Munich . Thomas Bach spoke at a ceremony in Tel Aviv marking the 50th anniversary of the deadly attack on the Munich Olympics, two weeks after Germany's president apologized at a memorial ceremony in Germany for his country's failures before, during, and after the attack. On Sept. 5, 1972, the Palestinian group Black September attacked the Israeli Olympic delegation at the Munich Olympic Games, killing 11 Israelis and a police officer. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the athletes were brutally murdered in cold blood by a Palestinian terrorist organization just for being Jews, just because they were Israelis. This was the moment that the Olympic torch was snuffed out, and the five-ringed flag was stained with blood, he said. Bach said the attack in Munich was one of the darkest days in Olympic history and an assault on the Olympic Games and its values. Everything that the Olympic Games stand for was shattered 50 years ago with the horrific attack on the Israeli Olympic team. He apologized for the many years it took the Olympic Committee to commemorate the Israeli victims in a dignified way. A moment of silence was held at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games last year the first time the Olympic Games' organizers marked the killing of the Israeli athletes in nearly half a century. For this pain, and for this anguish, that we caused, I am truly sorry, Bach said. Last month the German government reached an agreement to provide the families of the Munich victims a total of 28 million euros (or $27.6 million) in compensation after the families had threatened to boycott this year's memorial ceremony. (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.) US President has acknowledged that there are "shifting geopolitical trends" in relation to China, but said that the US does not seek conflict or want another . Speaking at the UN General Assembly's high-level meeting on Wednesday, he said, "Let me be direct about the competition between the United States and China. As we manage shifting geopolitical trends, the United States will conduct itself as a reasonable leader." "We do not seek conflict. We do not seek a . We do not ask any nation to choose between the United States or any other partner", he said. But the US will "be unabashed in promoting our vision of a free, open, secure, and prosperous world," he added. With tensions rising between Beijing and Taipei, especially after US Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island in August, Biden said, "We seek to uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits." He reiterated Washington's commitment to "'One China' policy, which has helped prevent conflict for four decades. And we continue to oppose unilateral changes in the status quo by either side". He also criticised Beijing's nuke programme, saying "China is conducting an unprecedented, concerning nuclear buildup without any transparency". He said that Washington was engaged in "new, constructive ways to work with partners to advance shared interests" and was "elevating" the Quad - a group of India, the US, Australia and Japan in the Indo-Pacific". In a dig at Beijing's programmes such as the "One Belt, One Road" initiative and for infrastructure programmes that have led to serious economic problems for countries like Sri Lanka, Biden tried to contrast them with Washington's. He said that the US offers countries "investments that are designed not to foster dependency, but to alleviate burdens and help nations become self-sufficient; partnerships not to create political obligation, but because we know our own success - each of our success is increased when other nations succeed as well". "With partners in the Americas, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific, we're working to build a new economic ecosystem while - where every nation - every nation gets a fair shot and economic growth is resilient, sustainable, and shared. Iran President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, who spoke before Biden, said Teheran was ready to return to the nuclear deal it had entered into with the five permanent members of the Security Council, Germany and the European Union aimed at preventing it from developing nuclear weapons. The US had unilaterally repudiated it during Donald Trump's presidency freeing Iran from its obligations under the agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). But Iran continues to face crippling sanctions from the US and the West. Raisi said that there is a "serious will" to accept a new nuclear deal but said that there should be a commitment that it will not be repudiated again. Biden said that the US was "prepared for a mutual return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action if Iran steps up to its obligations". But, he declared, "the United States is clear: We will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon". (Arul Louis can be contacted at aru.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) --IANS arul/shs (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.) US President held discussions with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday on issues including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Black Sea grain deal. "President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the UN General Assembly in New York. The leaders reaffirmed the strong partnership between the United States and the United Nations," the White House said in a statement about the meeting at UN headquarters during the General Assembly in New York. The statement further added that both the leaders discussed the issues facing the UN, including Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, which is a clear threat to the core tenets of the UN Charter and its impact on the broader community. "The President thanked Secretary-General Guterres for his leadership in working to establish the Black Sea Grain Initiative. They also reaffirmed the continued need for global action to address the global climate and food security crises," the statement reads. After meeting UN Secretary-General, Biden updated his Twitter account and wrote, "I joined UN Secretary-General @AntonioGuterres to reaffirm the partnership between the U.S. and the United Nations. We discussed the threat of Russia's war in Ukraine to the UN Charter and global community and the need for swift action to address climate and food insecurity." Before the bilateral meeting with Guterres, Biden said, "(In progress) ...really positive, particularly you stepping in to access grain out of Ukraine and Russia. And -- but there's so much more we can do, I think. We're -- we're prepared. And it wasn't hyperbole what I was suggesting when I spoke. There are -- I think that, you know, the great polluting nations of the world like ours owe an obligation to the nations that are suffering the consequences of global warming." While recalling the G7 meeting, Biden suggested to set up a Build Back Better initiative worldwide where one doesn't have to go to countries to help, "but we're looking for USD 600 billion among us to be able to have them build the infrastructure they need to protect their physical capacity to survive. And I think we can do it. That's going to take some real focus." "And Senator Kerry is still continuing to try to generate some cooperation with China, which was started. I hope we can get that back on track in a major way. There's just a whole lot of things that I -- I think we have the capacity to do. And -- but -- then again, there's one friend of mine who is a neurosurgeon who said my problem is I'm a congenital optimist. But I am optimistic. I think we can make things better," Biden said as quoted in the statement. (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 leaders of and agreed to accelerate efforts to mend ties frayed over Japan's past colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula as they held their countries' first summit talks in nearly three years on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, both governments announced on Thursday. The meeting occurred after Tokyo denied Seoul's earlier announcement they had agreed on the summit, in a sign of the delicate nature of their current relations. During their 30-minute meeting on Wednesday in New York, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shared the need to improve bilateral ties and agreed to instruct their respective diplomats to step up talks for that, Yoon's office said in a statement. Kishida's office confirmed the meeting. A separate Japanese Foreign Ministry statement said the two leaders agreed to promote cooperation between the two countries as well as with the United States. It said the leaders shared the need to restore sound relations. Yoon's office said the two leaders also jointly expressed serious concerns about North Korea's recent legislation authorising the preemptive use of nuclear weapons in certain conditions and the North's reported moves to conduct its first nuclear test in five years. The Japanese Foreign Ministry said Kishida and Yoon agreed to further cooperate in their response to North Korea. Both South Korean and Japanese governments said Yoon and Kishida agreed to continue communications between them. But it wasn't immediately known how meaningful the two leaders' conversation in New York was to address major sticking points in bilateral ties that suffered their biggest setback in recent years when the two countries were governed by their predecessors. In 2018, South Korea's top court ruled that two Japanese companies Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries must compensate Koreans who had been forced to work during Japan's 1910-45 colonial occupation. The companies and the Japanese government have dismissed the rulings, arguing that all compensation issues were already settled under a 1965 treaty that normalised bilateral ties and included Tokyo's provision of hundreds of millions of dollars to Seoul in economic assistance and loans. The dispute prompted the two governments to downgrade each other's trade status and Seoul to threaten to abandon an intelligence-sharing deal. The Korean former forced labourers and their supporters, for their part, pushed for the forced sales of the Japanese companies' assets in . It's unclear if Wednesday's summit would yield progress in efforts to improve bilateral ties since some of the former forced labourers in the court cases maintain the Japanese companies must first consent to the South Korean court rulings if they want to resolve the legal disputes. The strained ties have complicated a US push to bolster its trilateral security alliance with Seoul and Tokyo two of its key regional allies where it deploys a total of 80,000 troops to better deal with a rising Chinese influence and North Korean nuclear threats. On Wednesday, President Joe Biden met Yoon and Kishida separately on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. In their talks, Biden and Yoon reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their countries' military alliance and ensure close cooperation to address the North Korean threat. Biden and Kishida discussed the importance of advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific, emphasising the importance of strengthening and modernizing their security alliance, according to the White House. and have been seeking better ties since Yoon's inauguration in May. The Yoon-Kishida meeting was the first summit between the countries since December 2019, when then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met in China on the sidelines of a South Korea-Japan-China summit. (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.) remains far and away the world's most favoured financial centre, with London still second and Singapore overtaking Hong Kong to come in third, latest rankings from the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) showed on Thursday. Paris returned to the top 10 to replace Tokyo, but sank 22 places to 73rd as Western countries severed ties with the capital after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, GFCI said. GFCI, compiled by Z/Yen, a City of London think tank, and the China Development Institute, rated 119 centres using 66,121 assessments from 11,038 financial professionals, and quantitative data. has held the top position among global financial centres ranked by GFCI for four years, overtaking London. "London's second position looks secure but needs a significant global change to once again challenge for the top place," said Michael Mainelli, chairman of Z/Yen. Britain's new Prime Minister Liz Truss wants to 'unshackle' the UK financial sector from rules which date to when the country was in the European Union in order to increase London's attraction as a global financial centre. A new bill before the UK parliament in July sets out many tweaks to financial rules, but Truss wants to go further, signalling the government may scrap a cap on bankers' bonuses inherited from the EU. New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles topped GFCI's separate fintech sector ratings, with London fourth and Shanghai fifth. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese manufacturing contributes to stabilization of global supply chain Xinhua) 09:17, September 22, 2022 People look at an aircraft at the 2022 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) HEFEI, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Among the products exhibited at the ongoing 2022 World Manufacturing Convention, a red unmanned helicopter has caught the attention of many visitors. The convention opened on Tuesday in Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province in east China. It highlights the latest products, technologies and applications in the manufacturing sector. Themed "Creating a beautiful world through manufacturing," the four-day convention features nearly 40 events, including exhibitions and seminars. "The unmanned helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 600 kilograms and a cruising speed of 120 kilometers per hour," said Yan Jinliang from the Anhui Yingliu Group, the helicopter's manufacturer. "It is designed to carry out missions such as goods delivery in complex terrain, forest fire control and power line patrols." In addition to manufacturing aircraft engines, the company also produces valves, impellers, drilling diverters and other key components used in high-end equipment for marine engineering, oil and gas drilling, mining and transportation. "Our key component products have been sold to over 100 customers in nearly 40 countries, including the United States, Britain, Germany and the Netherlands, with an export value of about 1.5 billion yuan (215.7 million U.S. dollars) per year," Yan said. Maintaining the stability of global industrial and supply chains is a vital guarantee for promoting the development of the world economy, and it serves the common interests of all. China is taking concrete actions to deepen international cooperation on industrial and supply chains and ensure that people of all countries share the fruits of development. CRRC Puzhen Alstom Transportation Systems Limited has brought its driverless, straddle-type monorail train to the World Manufacturing Convention. Thousands of kilometers away, the same monorail train is being tested on the Pink Line in Thailand's capital Bangkok, and is expected to be operational next year. In 2017, the company signed a contract with Bangkok to provide 288 monorail train carriages for the city's Yellow and Pink lines. The trains have been designed with driverless technology. "Compared with the subway, the monorail is quieter, more adaptable and cheaper to build. The construction cost is only one-third of the subway's," said Xu Haida, president of the company, adding that it can greatly ease the city's traffic pressure in an environmentally friendly way. Established in 2014, the company has an annual production capacity of 200 straddle-type monorails and 100 automated people movers. Its products have been exported to countries such as Thailand, Egypt, Brazil and Singapore. "The world economy is facing greater downside risks and uncertainties. Holding the World Manufacturing Convention at this critical moment provides the world economy with a platform to deepen exchanges and pursue cooperation," Christian Wulff, global chairman of the Global Alliance of SMEs, said via video at the convention's opening ceremony. More than 640 enterprises are exhibiting products at the convention, and 568 projects with a total investment of 367.7 billion yuan are expected to be signed during the event, according to the organizer. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun) The US fentanyl crisis is being fueled by Chinese drug networks, but Beijing has little motive to tackle it due to deteriorating US-China Relations , according to a non-profit think tank. Craig Singleton, a senior scholar at the nonpartisan Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that "China has been the main supplier of the fentanyl flooding America's illicit drug market since about 2013." A 2020 Drug Enforcement Administration research found that China is the leading supplier of fentanyl and fentanyl-related compounds trafficked to the US, as well as the top source of "international mail and express consignment." Fentanyl seizures from China frequently weigh less than one kilogram yet have concentrations of pure fentanyl that are more than 90 percent. Chinese drug traffickers have allegedly used the internet to advertise fentanyl and the ingredients necessary to create it, frequently selling and shipping the pills directly to American buyers. Mexican drug traffickers frequently buy Chinese narcotics to smuggle across the US border. In 2019, the Chinese government responded to years of criticism by tightening regulations on the nation's fentanyl production. As part of an agreement with the Trump administration, China pledged to investigate suspected fentanyl manufacturing regions, limit online drug marketing, and enforce drug shipping restrictions. Drug Networks Devised Ways To Get Off the Hook Chinese drug networks have also found ways around the rules by making and selling chemicals that are ingredients to make fentanyl. This makes it harder to enforce the law. A year after the restrictions were implemented, Center for Advanced Defense Studies analyst Michael Lohmuller told NPR that "many Chinese networks involved in the production and advertising of fentanyl quickly adapted to increased legal constraints by modifying their techniques to exploit loopholes in chemical restrictions and disguise their activities." Read Also: Hunter Biden Probe: Democrats Strike Down Request To Release First Son's Financial Documents Increasing Cases of Fentanyl Overdose in US Teens The US Fentanyl crisis poses an increasing concern to teenagers, and when they return to school, experts warn they may meet the substance in unexpected forms. The LA Times reported last week that three teenagers were hospitalized after overdosing at their Hollywood high school on what they believed to be Percocet tablets. A young girl died also last week as a result of her overdose, per a report from Axios. Earlier this month, the DEA released a warning about a new trend of "rainbow" or multicolored fentanyl, which has the potential to target young people and can be sold in the form of bright tablets or sidewalk chalk. At least 18 states have already seized it. According to Ohio State University professor O. Trent Hall, who specializes in addiction psychiatry, teenagers "really don't know the risk of the substances they're consuming." Hall told Axios that they have observed: "fentanyl disguised as common medications for ADHD, or for pain, or for anxiety, and the pills that are being purchased look exactly like those medications." Research published in May in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence indicated that the percentage of seizures occurring as pills grew from 13.8 percent in 2018 to 29.2 percent in 2021. In a related news, per The Hill, the Commerce Department announced new penalties on exports of US fentanyl supply and other chemicals to Russia and Belarus because they may enable "military aggression." In reaction to Russia's aggressiveness towards Ukraine, the Commerce Department placed additional export prohibitions on Russia and Belarus last week. The agency noted that restrictions were expanded to cover "lower-level commodities possibly beneficial for Russia's chemical and biological weapons manufacturing capabilities." Related Article: Report Shows Cancer Death Rates in US Continue To Decline Thanks to New Treatments, Improved Screening @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Prime Minister has a powerful, influential voice on the world stage and the Russian leadership respects India's position on the global arena, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said, emphasising that London hopes President listens to those voices who are calling for peace amid the Ukraine conflict. Cleverly was responding to a question on the Russian-Ukraine conflict and Modi telling Putin last week on the sidelines of the 22nd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Uzbekistan's Samarkand that "today's era is not of war". "Prime Minister Modi has a powerful, influential voice on the world stage. We know the Russian leadership respects India's voice and position on the world stage. I think Prime Minister Modi's intervention is very, very welcome. And we really hope that listens to those voices who are calling for peace and for de-escalation. So we very much welcome Prime Minister Modi's intervention," Cleverly told PTI in an interview. He also said that there has been a terrible loss of life in the Ukrainian conflict. "Obviously, we have seen the terrible loss of life in the Ukrainian conflict, both loss of life of Ukrainians but also of young Russian men and women, which is terrible," Cleverly, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, said here on Wednesday on the margins of the high-level UN General Assembly session. He underlined that the challenges that pre-existed with regard to food security and people at risk of food insecurity and famine have been amplified by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "We've always been very, very clear that our sanctions do not target food exports, they do not target fertilizer exports, they do not target ammonia exports. But nevertheless, people in the world who are already hungry, their situation has been made worse by Putin's invasion of Ukraine. And that's why Prime Minister Modi's intervention is important and very welcome," he said. Cleverly added that "obviously India is an incredibly important and influential country on the world stage. I think with so much turbulence going on in the world, our close partnership and working relationship with India is incredibly important." As world leaders gather at the UN headquarters for the high-level week amid turbulent global times and humanitarian and geo-political crises, Cleverly said the UN is still relevant. "The world is changing in many areas and changing very, very quickly. And it's important that institutions adapt and evolve to meet those changing challenges and circumstances. And multilateral fora like the UN will always be an important part of our relationship." He added that bilateral relationships are also very, very crucial. Meeting counterparts collectively at UNGA provides a "fantastic opportunity" to have really key bilateral meetings. Cleverly, in New York for the high-level UNGA session, met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the UNGA margins late Wednesday evening. Earlier in the day, Cleverly said he was looking forward to meeting his Indian counterpart. Jaishankar "knows us well. He's worked with my predecessors. And I'm very, very much looking forward to discussing both global issues, regional issues and also our bilateral relationship. (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.) Flights out of Russia were nearly fully booked after President said the country will mobilise reservists to fight in Ukraine. Several news outlets and journalists said on Twitter that Russian airlines have stopped selling tickets to Russian men between 18 and 65 (the fighting age) amid fears that a martial law could be imposed. Meanwhile, the invasion of Ukraine has caused almost $1 trillion of damage, a Kyiv government official said Thursday, as the war batters the countrys economy. In terms of direct and indirect costs Ukraine had suffered somewhere close to $1 trillion in damages, said Oleg Ustenko, economic advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The figure was equivalent to five times Ukraines annual GDP before the invasion in February, Ustenko said at an event hosted by the German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin. Ukraine handed over a key ally of Putin in exchange for hundreds of prisoners of war including many captured in a landmark battle, a swap that outraged pro-Kremlin propagandists. Viktor Medvedchuk was one of 55 people turned over to Russia in return for 215 prisoners, including 188 who held out for months against Russian assault at the Azovstal steel plant in the port city of Mariupol early in the war, Zelenskyy said. Five Ukrainian commanders were also freed as part of the deal on condition that they spent the rest of the war in Turkey under the personal protection of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Zelenskiy said. Five UK citizens, two Americans and three other foreigners were also released as part of mediation efforts involving Saudi Arabia, he said. Ukraines Foreign Ministry thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday for playing an essential role in the negotiations to free the foreign prisoners, who were flown to Riyadh after their release. Police detained about 1,400 people at protests in 38 Russian cities Wednesday against the mobilization order, according to the OVD-Info monitoring group. Some of the male detainees were handed draft notices. Britain on Thursday formally lifted a moratorium on fracking for shale gas, saying strengthening energy supply was an absolute priority. Energy prices have soared in Europe after Russia invaded Ukraine, and Britain is subsidising bills for households and businesses at a predicted cost of more than 100 billion pounds ($113 billion). Prime Minister Liz Truss said earlier this month that fracking extracting shale gas from rocks by breaking them up would be allowed where it was supported by communities. World leaders at the on Thursday called for Moscow to be held accountable for human rights violations in Ukraine as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov defended Moscow's war and accused its neighbor of committing atrocities. Addressing a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on atrocities committed in Ukraine since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion, Lavrov accused Ukraine of creating threats against Russian security and "brazenly trampling" the rights of Russians and Russian-speakers in Ukraine. "I can assure you that we will never accept this," said Lavrov, who came to the council chamber to speak and then left. "Everything I've said today simply confirms that the decision to conduct the special military operation was inevitable." He said countries supplying weapons to Ukraine and training its soldiers were parties to the conflict, adding that "the intentional fomenting of this conflict by the collective West remained unpunished." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged that Washington would continue to support Ukraine to defend itself. "The very order we've gathered here to uphold is being shredded before our eyes. We can't let President Putin get away with it," Blinken told the council. Thousands have been killed and Ukrainian cities reduced to rubble since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in the biggest assault on a European state since World War Two. The Security Council meeting on Thursday took place during the annual gathering of world leaders for the U.N. General Assembly. The council has been unable to take any meaningful action on Ukraine because Russia is a permanent veto-wielding member along with the United States, France, Britain and China. Thursday's meeting is at least the 20th time the Security Council has met on Ukraine this year. Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan told the council there were "reasonable grounds" to believe crimes within the jurisdiction of the court had been committed in Ukraine. The Hague-based court handles war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and crimes of aggression. Khan said the ICC investigation priorities were intentional targeting of civilian objects and the transfer of populations from Ukraine, including children. The United States has said estimates from a variety of sources, including Moscow, indicate that authorities have "interrogated, detained, and forcibly deported" up to 1.6 million Ukrainians to Russia since Moscow's invasion. The United States, United Kingdom and other members called for nations to ensure Russia is held accountable for atrocities they say Moscow has carried out in Ukraine. "We must make clear to President Putin that his attack on the Ukrainian people must stop ... that there can be no impunity for those perpetrating atrocities," British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said, adding that the world needed to reject Moscow's "catalogue of lies." U.N. chief Antonio Guterres told the meeting that talk of a nuclear conflict is "totally unacceptable." Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday threatened to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia. Guterres told the council ministerial meeting that he was concerned about the plans for "so-called 'referenda'." "Any annexation of a state's territory by another state resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the U.N. Charter and of law," Guterres said. Referendums on joining Russia are due to take place from Friday until Tuesday in several largely Russian-held regions in eastern and southern Ukraine, which comprise around 15% of the country's territory. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the priority was to resume dialogue without pre-conditions and for both sides to exercise restraint and not escalate tensions. "China's position on Ukraine is clear. The sovereignty, territorial integrity of all countries should be respected and the reasonable security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously," Wang said. Asked if he might speak with Lavrov at the Security Council on Thursday, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he will "keep safe social distance." (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After two years of discourse dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, this year's UN General Assembly has a new occupant of centre stage: the war in . The pleas made by leaders from around the world for peace were both an altruistic amplification of besieged Ukrainians' plight as well as born from self-interest. As several speeches made clear, the repercussions of the Russian invasion have been felt even thousands of miles away. It is not just the dismay that we feel at seeing such deliberate devastation of cities and towns in Europe in the year 2022. We are feeling this war directly in our lives in Africa, Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said on Wednesday. "Every bullet, every bomb, every shell that hits a target in Ukraine, hits our pockets and our economies in Africa. The speeches that elided any direct reference to the conflict were few, but the war resonated even in the absence of its direct invocation. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the president of Kazakhstan, never let the words or Russia slip from his lips, but he made several seemingly pointed allusions. He opened his remarks by painting a bleak picture of a world catapulted into a new, increasingly bitter period of geopolitical confrontation that's engendered the prospect of the use of nuclear weapons, and not even as a last resort. Just hours later, Russian President Vladimir Putin who is not attending the UN General Assembly declared that he would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons to defend his country's territory. Russia is a key ally of Kazakhstan, and the war in has left the former Soviet country in an awkward spot. Tokayev performed a similar dance last week during Pope Francis' visit, refusing to speak directly about Ukraine while generally decrying a morbid state of affairs. On Tuesday, Tokayev laid out three primordial principles: the sovereign equality of states, the territorial integrity of states, and peaceful coexistence between states. These three principles are interdependent. To respect one is to respect the other two. To undermine one is to undermine the other two, he said. The theme of territorial sovereignty resonated in other speeches, as countries who have faced infringements invoked their own traumas or cited the fate of Ukraine as a fear. We must not be silent in Bosnia and Herzegovina either. We owe that to our vivid memories of the horrors of war and aggression," Sefik Dzaferovic, chair of the presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said on Wednesday. The United Nations system was unable to prevent or stop the war in my country in the period between 1992 and 1995. Unfortunately, that happened again with Ukraine. Russia has long been accused of trying to destabilise the Balkans anew including Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dzaferovic's turn at the rostrum came a day after Putin met with a Bosnian Serb separatist leader in Moscow. Russian peacekeepers have been stationed in Transnistria, a breakaway region in Moldova, since the end of a separatist war in 1992. Sandwiched between description of how the war in Ukraine our neighbour and friend has affected her country, Moldovan President Maia Sandu called for the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria. Poland is the Ukrainian ally that has taken in the most refugees, and President Andrzej Duda made 34 references to the country in his speech on Tuesday. We must not forget those who are suffering," Duda said. "Let us remember that six months of Russian aggression in Ukraine has brought the biggest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II. But Duda also highlighted how Ukraine has captured the world's attention when many other momentous crises outside of Europe have not. Were we equally resolute during the tragedies of Syria, Libya, Yemen? Did we not return to business as usual after two great tragedies of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the wars in the Horn of Africa, and while condemning the invasion of Ukraine, do we give equal weight to fighting mercenaries who seek to destabilize the Sahel and threaten many other states in Africa? he said. On the first day alone, Ukraine drew more than 150 mentions across speeches from leaders, including the UN Secretary General. Antonio Guterres opened the General Assembly by touting Ukraine and Russia's deal with the help of Turkey over grain shipments as an example of successful multilateral diplomacy. The war was threaded throughout his speech, as he turned to its gloomier yields. The fighting has claimed thousands of lives. Millions have been displaced. Billions across the world are affected, he said. In the lone video address to the General Assembly, for which he was given special dispensation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself called out the seven countries who voted against the allowance: Seven. Seven who are afraid of the video address. Seven who respond to principles with a red button. Only seven." None of those seven had yet spoken. But even if those countries had somehow prevailed, Slovakian President Zuzana Caputov said it was incumbent on other countries to advocate for Ukraine. The democratic world and all of us must be a voice of Ukraine. The voice that won't be silent, voice that will continue to testify about Russia's crimes in Ukraine, she said on Tuesday. The voice that will remember, and that will act so no one is ever allowed to commit such atrocities again. (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.) Two US military veterans who disappeared three months ago while fighting with Ukrainian forces were among 10 prisoners, including five British nationals, released by Russian-backed separatists as part of a prisoner exchange mediated by Saudi Arabia, officials said Wednesday. Alex Drueke, 40, and Andy Huynh, 27, went missing in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine near the Russian border June 9. Both had traveled to Ukraine on their own and became friends because both are from Alabama. The families announced their release in a joint statement from Dianna Shaw, an aunt of Drueke. "They are safely in the custody of the US embassy in Saudi Arabia and after medical checks and debriefing they will return to the states," the statement said. Shaw said both men have spoken with relatives and are in "pretty good shape", according to an official with the US embassy. The Saudi embassy released a statement saying it helped secure the release of 10 prisoners from Morocco, the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Croatia. Shaw confirmed that Drueke and Huynh were part of the group. The United Kingdom said five British nationals had been released, and lawmaker Robert Jenrick said one of them was Aiden Aslin, 28, who had been sentenced to death after he was captured in eastern Ukraine. "Aiden's return brings to an end months of agonising uncertainty for Aiden's loving family in Newark who suffered every day of Aiden's sham trial but never lost hope. As they are united as a family once more, they can finally be at peace," Jenrick tweeted. British Prime Minister Liz Truss heralded the release on social media. "Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families," she tweeted. Russian state television had previously said Drueke and Huynh were being held by Russian-backed separatist forces in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. The US does not recognize the sovereignty of the Donetsk People's Republic and has no diplomatic relations with them, which made it necessary for to lead efforts to get the men released. Drueke joined the Army at age 19 after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, and he believed he could help Ukrainian fighters because of his training and experience with weapons, Shaw said previously. Drueke left in mid-April. Druke's mother received a call from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning and an embassy worker handed the phone to the man, Shaw said. "He got on the phone and said, Hi mom, it's your favorite child,'" she said. Huynh moved to north Alabama two years ago from his native California and lives about 193 kilometers from Drueke. Before leaving for Europe, Huynh told his local newspaper, The Decatur Daily, he couldn't stop thinking about Russia's invasion. "I know it wasn't my problem, but there was that gut feeling that I felt I had to do something," Huynh told the paper. "Two weeks after the war began, it kept eating me up inside and it just felt wrong. I was losing sleep... All I could think about was the situation in Ukraine." Huynh told his fiance he wants a meal from McDonald's and a Pepsi-Cola when he returns home, Shaw said. The two men bonded over their home state and were together when their unit came under heavy fire. Relatives spoke with Drueke several times by phone while the two were being held. (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.) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had an urgent meeting scheduled with his Cabinet on Wednesday to discuss the country's electricity crisis, which has led to unprecedented levels of nationwide power blackouts in Africa's most developed economy. The troubled state-owned power utility Eskom, which produces about 95% of the country's electricity, is implementing scheduled, rolling blackouts in an attempt to save electricity while struggling to keep its ageing and poorly maintained coal-fired power stations operational. Ramaphosa returned home to chair the meeting with his ministers after attending the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London. He cancelled his trip to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. Eskom had started implementing Stage 6 power cuts, a level that means businesses and homes go without electricity for more than 10 hours a day. The company has since reduced the level to Stage 5, which requires South Africans to go without power for up to eight hours a day. The blackouts are also affecting other government services, including water supplies in some areas as electric-powered pumps grind to a halt. With South Africa's economy already struggling to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, economists have given stark warnings on the effect of the blackouts. Eskom imposed power cuts - what the company refers to as load-shedding - to a less-drastic degree earlier in the year, and they were a crucial contributor to the economy contracting by 0.7% in the second quarter, according to the official South African statistics agency StatsSA. Eskom sometimes gives just a few hours notice of the blackouts. It is very difficult to understand what will happen next," Jannie Rossouw, an economist at Johannesburg's University of The Witwatersrand, said. "Will load-shedding stages decline over time going forward, will we go back to Stage 6, or might we even move beyond Stage 6 in months to come? It is really just about impossible for the general public and businesses in to plan if Eskom cannot plan its capacity," Rossouw said. Just about every economic sector has been hurt, and South Africa's biggest telecommunication companies this week warned that continuous blackouts may start affecting their services. MTN chief technology and information officer, Michele Gamberini, said it was currently using upgraded power back-up batteries to keep its cellphone towers operating but that prolonged blackouts could lead to loss of services. Despite us having placed thousands of batteries at our sites across the country, the efficacy of those batteries greatly reduces once we pass Stage 4 load-shedding, Gamberini said. The company has also rolled out more than 2,000 diesel-powered generators to its sites to counter the prolonged blackouts, it said. Eskom is in a race against time to procure additional capacity from renewable energy sources like wind and solar through independent power producers. It has announced a program to urgently procure at least 1,000 megawatts of electricity from the private sector to ease the burden of the blackouts. Ramaphosa faces pressure from opposition parties that called on him to fire the ministers responsible for state-owned enterprises and the energy sector. His government defended itself by saying it took over a dysfunctional Eskom, which was at the heart of allegations of massive government corruption under former President Jacob Zuma. We really regret the way in which our energy provision that is coming from Eskom is upsetting both our households and the economy," Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said on the Newzroom Afrika news channel. But this is the Eskom we inherited, this is the Eskom we're trying to fix very hard. There are already moves by Ramaphosa's rivals to oust him as the leader of the ruling African National Congress at the party's elective conference in December. (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.) is recalling nearly 1.1 million U.S. because the window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction, increasing the risk of injury. The electric vehicle manufacturer told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) it would perform an over-the-air software update of the automatic window reversal system. The recall covers some 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2021 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X . said it was not aware of any warranty claims, field reports, crashes, injuries, or deaths related to the recall. NHTSA said a closing window without the proper automatic reversing system may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury. NHTSA said the failed to comply with the requirements of a federal motor vehicle safety standard on power windows. said during product testing in August employees identified window automatic reversal system performance that had "greater than expected variations in response to pinch detection." After extensive additional testing, Tesla determined the vehicles pinch detection and retraction performance in the test results did not meet automatic reversal systems requirements. Tesla said starting Sept. 13, vehicles in production and in pre-delivery received a software update that sets power operated window operation to the requirements. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As violations continue to take place in Afghanistan, Britain's Ambassador, Rita French condemned the suppression of women in and said that the condition for women and girls in the country is deteriorating and the community is subjected to grave oppression. She stated that Afghan women had been severely restricted from enjoying their human rights, according to Khaama Press. "Women in are confined to their houses and are the only people in the world who are not allowed to attend secondary school," French said, voicing concerns about Afghan women. "The UK will continue strongly championing the voices of Afghan women and girls and continue to provide life-saving support and provide space for Afghan women's voices," French added, Khaama Press reported. The United Nations Assistance Mission in (UNAMA) released a recent report, outlining the situation in Afghanistan since the takeover. The report summarized UNAMA's findings with regards to the protection of civilians, extrajudicial killings, torture and ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests and detentions, the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, fundamental freedoms and the situation in places of detention, according to Khaama Press. The regime in Afghanistan has drawn heavy criticism across the world for a decree banning girls from schools above grade six. The plight of Afghan women has continued to be deplorable in the country. Contrary to the Taliban's claims, girls were stopped from going to school beyond a sixth grade on March 23 and a decree against the women's dress code was issued after a month. There are restrictions on movement, education and freedom of expression of women posing a threat to their survival. Around 80 per cent of women working in the media have lost their jobs, and almost 18 million women in the country are struggling for health, education and social rights. (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.) While thanking New Delhi for its humanitarian assistance, Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal asked India to "join forces" to stop Russia's invasion when he met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday. "I emphasised the need to join forces to stop Russia's war against Ukraine" and "thanked India Government and people for humanitarian aid", Shmyhal tweeted after their meeting on the sidelines of the General Assembly high-level meeting. Their meeting took place on the eve of a Security Council meeting on at which Jaishankar is expected to participate. Tweeting about their meeting, Jaishankar said he thanked the leader "for sharing his perspectives and assessment of the ongoing conflict". "Discussed their consequences, including for food security, energy security and safety of nuclear facilities," he added. Shmyhal also tweeted that he counted on India's support for the Black Sea corridor for exporting foodgrains from his country and for demilitarising the area around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station (ZNPP). Europe's largest nuclear is under Russia's occupation and there has been shelling around it putting it at risk. While India has remained neutral on Russia's invasion abstaining from votes at the Council and the Assembly condemning Moscow, it has provided humanitarian assistance to and recently voted with the West on a procedural vote to invite Ukraine President to speak remotely to the Council despite Russia's opposition. In what is probably the sternest public stand on the invasion, Modi said last week during his meeting in Samarkand with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, "Today's era is not an era of war. We have discussed this with you on phone several times, that democracy, diplomacy and dialogue touch the entire world." But it is to be seen if that would translate to a change in India's position and votes at the UN. Zelensky is scheduled to address the Assembly Wednesday after remotely after he received special permission to speak Jaishankar had an impromptu meeting with Dominican Republic's Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez when he ran into him at the UN headquarters. "Good to run into my friend", Jaishankar tweeted, adding "Our new resident Embassy (in Santo Domingo) is a statement of our growing cooperation" with the Dominican Republic. Jaishankar also attended an interactive discussion at Columbia University's School of and Public Affairs that was organised by Aravind Panagariya, the Director of Deepak and Neera Raj Center on Indian Economic Policies at the university and a former vice chair of the Niti Aayog. (Arul Louis can be contacted at aru.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) --IANS arul/shs (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.) Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has declared a public health emergency for due to the severe flooding caused by hurricane Fiona which made landfall in the American territory earlier this week. Under the declaration issued on Wednesday, the HHS haas deployed a 15-person health and medical task force from its National Disaster Medical System and a 10-person incident management team to . "The declaration follows President Biden Biden's disaster declaration and gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) beneficiaries and their health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs," the Department said in a statement. Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Becerra said: "We will do all we can to assist officials with responding to the impacts of Hurricane Fiona and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support." "We are working closely with territory health authorities and our federal partners and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support." Hurricane Fiona made landfall on on Sunday as a Category 1 hurricane, bringing heavy rain, catastrophic damage, and an island-wide blackout. Localised flash and urban flooding due to swells continue to affect the island, which has over 3 million residents. More than 1 million customers in Puerto Rico were still without power as of Wednesday evening, according to poweroutage.us. Fiona, which has strengthened into a Category 4 storm, is approaching Bermuda, according to the US National Hurricane Center. --IANS ksk/ (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.) Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated Thursday that any weapons in Moscow's arsenal, including strategic nuclear weapons, may be used to defend Russian territory from Ukraine. According to the former head of state, there will be referendums organized by separatist and Russian-installed authorities in significant portions of Russian-occupied Ukrainian areas. Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, also noted: "There is no going back" as Russia will accept the Donbas (Donetsk and Luhansk) republics and other territories, Reuters reported. The Russian military forces would greatly increase their security of all the territories, according to Medvedev, who also added: "Russia has indicated that any Russian weapon, "including strategic nuclear weapons and weapons based on new principles," may be employed for such protection in addition to mobilization capabilities. Russian Occupied Areas in Ukraine Will Hold Referendums On Friday, Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia provinces, as well as part of Mykolaiv province, will hold referendums on joining Russia. Kyiv and its Western allies have called the elections a sham because they are being set up with only a few days' notice while the country is under military occupation. The seized regions, where Ukrainian counteroffensives have picked up steam in recent weeks, will be entitled to protection from Russian nuclear weapons under Moscow's nuclear policy if they are formally accepted by the Russian Federation, per Al Jazeera. Read Also: Worsening US-China Relations Could Amplify America's Fentanyl Problem: Here's What's Happening The Russian military only controls about 60 percent of the Donetsk and 66 percent of the Zaporizhzhia regions, indicating Moscow does not completely control any of the four territories it would attempt to annex. In recent months, Medvedev has frequently made hostile statements about the West and Ukraine, underscoring his transition from an outwardly Western-minded liberalizer as president from 2008 to 2012 to an outspoken geopolitical hawk. Putin Not Bluffing According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the West is attempting to "destroy" Russia, and Kremlin will surely use "all the means" to safeguard the nation and its people when the territorial integrity of the country is "threatened." "This is not a bluff," he added, per a report from The Jerusalem Post. On Wednesday, a high-ranking Biden administration official rejected Putin's nuclear-charged language as the Russian leader had waved the nuclear card before and did it again during his recent speech. The source added, "the language and formula he used today is quite similar to how he's spoken before." The seized regions, where Ukrainian counteroffensives have picked up steam in recent weeks, will be entitled to protection from Russian nuclear weapons under Moscow's nuclear policy if the Russian Federation formally accepts them. In other related updates, many Russians booked one-way flights out of the country Wednesday after Vladimir Putin announced a partial activation of military reservists for the Ukraine war. Flights filled rapidly and rates for remaining connections surged, allegedly due to fears that Russia's borders could soon close or that Putin could announce a bigger call-up that could send many Russian men of fighting age to the front lines, according to AP News. Air Serbia, the only other European airline, operating flights between Moscow and Belgrade despite a flying embargo by the European Union, swiftly sold out of tickets for the ensuing several days. Related Article: 1000+ Russians Protest Vladimir Putin's 'Partial Mobilization' Call for Ukraine War; Citizens Shout 'Life to Our children,' 'No Mobilization' @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The House has passed legislation to overhaul the rules for certifying the results of a presidential election as lawmakers accelerate their response to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and Donald Trump's failed attempt to remain in power. The bill, which is similar to bipartisan legislation moving through the Senate, would overhaul an arcane 1800s-era statute known as the Electoral Count Act that governs, along with the US Constitution, how states and Congress certify electors and declare presidential election winners. While that process has long been routine and ceremonial, Trump and a group of his aides and lawyers unsuccessfully tried to exploit loopholes in the law in an attempt to overturn his defeat to in the 2020 election. Democrats are pushing to pass the bill before the end of the year and ahead of the 2024 election cycle as Trump is considering another run. While at least 10 GOP senators have signed on to the Senate version, the House vote fell mostly along party lines. House Republicans most of whom are still aligned with Trump argued that the legislation shouldn't be a priority and that it is a political vehicle for Democrats ahead of November's midterm elections. The final vote was 229-203, with nine Republicans joining all Democrats in voting for the bill. None of the nine Republicans is returning to Congress next year. The legislation would set new parameters around the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress that happens every four years after a presidential election. The day turned violent last year after hundreds of Trump's supporters interrupted the proceedings, broke into the building and threatened the lives of then-Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress. The rioters echoed Trump's false claims of widespread fraud and wanted Pence to block Biden's victory as he presided over the joint session. The legislation intends to ensure that future Jan. 6 sessions are "as the constitution envisioned, a ministerial day," said Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, a Republican who co-sponsored the legislation with House Administration Committee Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif. Both Cheney and Lofgren are also members of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack. Ahead of the vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the legislation is necessary as there have been attempts in states across the country to change election laws to make it easier to nullify future results. Now we have a solemn duty to ensure that future efforts to undermine our elections cannot succeed," Pelosi said. The bill would clarify in the law that the vice president's role presiding over the count is only ceremonial and that he or she cannot change the results. It also sets out that each state can only send one certified set of electors after Trump's allies had unsuccessfully tried to put together alternate slates of illegitimate pro-Trump electors in swing states where Biden won. "This bill will make it harder to convince people that they have the right to overthrow an election," Lofgren said. The legislation would increase the threshold for individual lawmakers' objections to any state's electoral votes, requiring a third of the House and a third of the Senate to object to trigger votes on the results in both chambers. Currently, only one lawmaker in the House and one lawmaker in the Senate has to object. The House bill would set out very narrow grounds for those objections, an attempt to thwart baseless or politically motivated challenges. In addition, the bill would require courts to get involved if state or local officials want to delay a presidential vote or refuse to certify the results. The House vote comes as the Senate is moving on a similar track with enough Republican support to virtually ensure passage before the end of the year. After months of talks, House Democrats introduced their legislation Monday and held the quick vote two days later in order to send the bill across the Capitol and start to resolve differences. A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation this summer and a Senate committee is expected to vote on it next week. While the House bill is more expansive than the Senate version, the two bills cover similar ground and members in both chambers are optimistic that they can work out the differences. And despite the mostly party-line vote in the House, supporters are encouraged by the bipartisan effort in the Senate. "Both sides have an incentive to want a set of clear rules, and this is an antiquated law that no one understands," said Benjamin Ginsburg, a longtime GOP lawyer who consulted with lawmakers as they wrote the bill. "All parties benefit from clarity." House GOP leaders encouraged their members to vote against the legislation. They said the involvement of courts could drag out elections and said the bill would take rights away from states. The bill is an "attempt to federalize our elections," Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., said on the House floor. He argued that voters are more focused on the economy and other issues than elections law. Illinois Rep. Rodney Davis, Lofgren's GOP counterpart on the House Administration Committee, said Democrats are desperately trying to talk about their favourite topic, and that is former President ." Democrats said the bill was not only a response to Trump, but also a way to prevent objections and mischief from all candidates in the future. "If you think that this legislation is an attack on President Trump, you simply haven't read the legislation because there's nothing in there attacking President Trump," said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., another member of the Jan. 6 panel. This is about reforming the Electoral Count Act so it works for the American people. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., was blunter. He criticized Republicans who have defended Trump's actions that day and who have downplayed the seriousness of the former president's attempts to overturn the results of the election. The nine Republicans who voted in support of the legislation are all either retiring or were defeated for reelection in their GOP primaries this year. Eight of the nine voted for Trump's impeachment immediately after the insurrection. The nine Republicans are Cheney and Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Fred Upton of Michigan, Peter Meijer of Michigan, Tom Rice of South Carolina, Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, John Katko of New York and Chris Jacobs of New York. (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.) : Top Senators and influential Congressmen have advocated for a strong India-US tie and underscored the contribution of the Indian-American community in this matter. At the Indian Independence Day celebrations event at the US Capitol on Wednesday, Senator Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, recalled his visits to India and seeing "the greatness of the largest democracy in the world in full action". "Had it not been for the Indian community that came to West Virginia to provide their services, most of rural West Virginia would not have health care today," he said while observing that a major section of healthcare service in the rural US is provided by Indian-American doctors. The event was organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in association with the American Hindu Coalition and the Federation of India and Indian Diaspora Studies. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith stressed the importance of having strong relations between India and the United States. "The relationship is mutually beneficial for both of the countries and not just in the field of medicine and technology," said the Republican Senator from Mississippi. Senator Shelley Capito from West Virginia noted how the Indian-American community is playing a key role in enriching the cultural experience of her state. "I live in Charleston, West Virginia, a small rural state. If we did not have any Indian-American doctors, we would not have any kind of quality healthcare, we would not have the breadth and the depth and the richness of our communities that we have," she said. India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that there is a close connection between the two countries and today it is driven by the leadership of the two largest democracies of the world. Observing that in a month more than half a dozen senior Indian ministers are visiting the country and a similar visit would happen from the US to India, he said that this is a reflection of the relationship. Indian-American doctors have a very important role to play in the India-US relationship, Sandhu said. Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna said, "India should not be subject to (CAATSA) sanctions because of its historic relationship with Russia." Praising the recent messaging of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Russian leadership, Khanna said India can play a critical role in a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict. Modi, who met Vladimir Putin last week on the sidelines of the 22nd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan's Samarkand, had told the Russian leader that "today's era is not of war". Pramila Jayapal, the first and only Indian-American woman in the US Congress, said India and the US, despite being a world apart, have shared a very unique and important relationship over the years. India and the US have made tremendous strides in the promotion of public health. With the help of more than USD 200 million in aid from the US, India surpassed an important milestone in the fight against COVID-19 by administering two billion doses of vaccines, the second most of any country in the world, she said. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said the Indian American community needs to make its presence known. India, he said, has done a lot in the last 75 years. "I want to talk a little bit about its (India's) greatest export. Its greatest export is you Indian Americans who are four million strong. They are the fastest-growing ethnic minority in America. They're the most prosperous ethnic minority. The most well educated." Congressman Ted Deutch said India and the US are strategic partners and are the key assets in the India-US relationship. Sampat Shivangi, a member of the National Advisory Council, Center for National Mental Health Services, said have a key role to play in the India-US relationship. Alok Shrivastava from the American Hindu Coalition (AHC) said they want more Indian doctors to come here. "The process should be simple. The AHC is also pushing for simplified legal immigration from India for those kinds of people." Asserting that Indian doctors are a brand now in the US because of the selfless service they have done to the country, AAPI president Dr Ravi Kolli said India has done a great job in the last 75 years in all aspects of development. (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.) US President and Prime Minister Liz Truss declared themselves staunch allies Wednesday as they tried to patch up a divide over Brexit's impact on peace in Northern Ireland. The leaders met at the United Nations two days after they attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London, and Britain hopes the global goodwill toward the late queen will help smooth out bumps in relations with the US and other allies caused by the UK's departure from the European Union. The US, in particular, is concerned that Brexit has rattled the foundations of the 1998 Good Friday peace accord that ended 30 years of sectarian violence. We are both committed to protecting the Good Friday Agreement of Northern Ireland, and I'm looking forward to hearing what's on your mind, Biden said at the start of the meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York. Truss said she was looking forward to discussing the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and how we make sure that's upheld into the future. Truss thanked the president and First Lady Jill Biden for coming to London for the queen's funeral, and described the US and Britain as steadfast allies. But she avoided referring to the trans-Atlantic partnership as a special relationship, shying away from the language her predecessors dating back to Winston Churchill have used. Biden said Britain was our closest ally in the world. Truss and Biden see eye to eye on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Britain the biggest military contributor to Ukraine after the US. On China, Truss' concerns about Beijing's growing assertiveness echo Biden's views. And the two leaders share a concern that China is outflanking Western democracies in wooing the developing world. But Truss, who took office Sept 6, faces scepticism from many US diplomats and politicians over Brexit. Truss served as trade minister and foreign secretary under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a Brexit champion who plunged relations with the 27-nation EU into a chilly new era. Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom that shares a land border with an EU member, and Brexit has brought new customs checks and paperwork for Northern Ireland trade. The issue has spiraled into a political crisis for the power-sharing government in Belfast, with British Unionist politicians refusing to form a government with Irish nationalists because they see the checks as undermining Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom. Seeking to break the impasse, Britain has announced legislation to suspend the checks and rip up part of its legally binding Brexit treaty with the EU a move that angered the bloc and alarmed Washington. Biden has warned that no side should do anything to undermine the Good Friday Agreement, which the US played a key role in negotiating. The proudly Irish-American Biden has taken a particular interest in the issue. Many pro-Brexit British politicians had promised any loss of trade with the EU would be easily replaced with increased exchanges fostered by free trade agreements with other countries, such as the US. But Truss was forced to admit this week that a long-sought UK-U.S. free trade deal would not happen in the short to medium term, partially because of opposition in the Biden administration and Congress. We're not currently negotiating a trade deal with the US the US isn't negotiating a trade deal with anyone at the moment but we are open to negotiating a trade deal when the administration decide that's what they want to do, Truss said at a meeting with business leaders in New York on Wednesday. (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.) In a major action to address climate change, the Senate has ratified an agreement that compels the United States and other countries to limit use of hydrofluorocarbons, highly potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning that are far more powerful than carbon dioxide. The so-called Kigali Amendment to the 1987 Montreal Protocol on ozone pollution requires participating nations to phase down production and use of hydrofluorocarbons, also known as HFCs, by 85% over the next 14 years, as part of a global phaseout intended to slow . The Senate approved the treaty, 69-27, above the two-thirds margin required for ratification. HFCs are considered a major driver of and are being targeted worldwide. Nearly 200 nations reached a deal in 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda, to limit HFCs and find substitutes more friendly to the atmosphere. More than 130 nations, including China, India and Russia, have formally ratified the agreement, which scientists say could help the world avoid a half-degree Celsius of . President Joe Biden pledged to embrace the Kigali deal during the 2020 presidential campaign and submitted the agreement to the Senate last year, months after the Environmental Protection Agency proposed a rule that would limit US production and use of HFCs in line with Kigali. The EPA rule, in turn, followed a 2020 law passed by Congress authorizing a 15-year phaseout of HFCs in the US. "The Kigali Amendment will be one of the most significant bipartisan measures the Senate takes on all year," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. By ratifying the treaty, "not only will we protect our planet," Schumer said Tuesday, but senators also will provide "a golden opportunity to help American businesses dominate in an emerging (global) business" of refrigerants that do not rely on HFCs. "If we fail to ratify the amendment, the rest of the world is going to move on without us," Schumer said. "Without Kigali, we're going to play second fiddle to nations like China, whose businesses will surpass ours in developing viable HFC alternatives, taking jobs that by all rights belong here in America." The US Chamber of Commerce also urged approval, calling the amendment "a win for the economy and the environment". Senate ratification "would enhance the competitiveness of US manufacturers working to develop alternative technologies, and level the global economic playing field," the group said in a letter to the Senate. Ratification of the amendment "would continue the important, bipartisan action Congress took in 2020 with passage of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, which phased out domestic HFC manufacturing,'' said Jack Howard, the chamber's senior vice president for government affairs. Chris Jahn, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, an industry group, called the amendment a "tremendous market opportunity for our members to take advantage of game-changing technologies" that allow refrigeration in a more environmentally responsible manner than HFCs. "This is one of those truly rare things you get in the policy world where it is a win-win" for the environment and business, he said in an interview. Every year, millions of refrigerators and air conditioning units are sold around the world, and US businesses are prepared to meet that demand, Jahn said, citing growing markets in Asia, South America and Europe. David Doniger, a senior climate and clean energy official with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the Kigali Amendment builds on the the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which he called "the world's most successful environmental treaty? He said "the ozone is on the mend because the world took action to eliminate? chlorofluorocarbons, also known as CFCs, and other ozone-destroying chemicals, Doniger said. The next logical step is to replace HFCs with safer, commercially available alternatives, Doniger said. Democratic Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said ratification of the Kigali Amendment would "unleash billions of dollars in US economic benefits and create some 150,000 American jobs by 2027." Carper and Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., pushed for the 2020 law phasing out HFCs, saying it would give U.S. companies the regulatory certainty needed to produce alternative coolants. Both men represent states that are home to chemical companies that produce the alternative refrigerants. (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.) President Vladimir Putins order to call up as many as 300,000 reservists to fight in Ukraine triggered alarm and scattered demonstrations as Russians were forced to confront the reality of the deadly conflict. Police detained about 1,400 people at protests against the order in 38 cities Wednesday night, according to the OVD-Info monitoring group. Some of the male detainees were handed draft notices, while protesters may face criminal charges under the harsh laws against criticism of the war the Kremlin has imposed since the Feb. 24 invasion. Some university students who joined the demonstrations were threatened with expulsion, which could annul draft exemptions. For millions of Russians whove been largely shielded from the reality of the Kremlins bloody seven-month war, Putins speech early Wednesday announcing a partial mobilization came as a shock. The authorities provided few details of how the order, which is the first in since World War II, will be implemented and who will get drafted. Regional governments quickly began issuing orders for reservists -- a huge category covering people who served as conscripts, contract soldiers, and part-time officers -- to prepare to be summoned and banning them from leaving the area, according to Pavel Chikov, a lawyer who advises on conscription cases. Doctors in Moscow also received mobilization notices, he said on Telegram. Finlands border service reported a 50% surge in car traffic overnight, but said volumes were still below typical weekend levels. Google data showed a surge in search requests for how to leave Russia and even how to break an arm. Social media were flooded with reports of spikes in airline ticket prices. One of the consequences of mobilization will be the fact that the apolitical and passive population will be trawling the Internet and social media to search for answers over mobilization, Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the R.Politik research group, said on Telegram. And theyll find them not where the Kremlin wants them to, and not just information about how theyll be drafted. Putins major problem is his confidence that the people support him by default because hes a leader whos doing the right thing in the national interests, she added. Worried relatives of those facing the call-up for war vented their anger on the Telegram channel of Vyacheslav Volodin, the lower house of parliaments speaker and a Putin ally. The mobilization order will affect 300,000 people and apply only to those with military experience, according to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Students and people who havent served in the army wont be called up, he said. But the presidential decree on mobilization doesnt specify which categories of Russias 2 million reservists will be called up and has a secret clause. A media outlet set up by jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny fanned the discontent by broadcasting a conversation with the son of Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in which the programs host posed as an official from the military recruitment office. Nikolay Peskov, 32, said he wouldnt obey the summons and would sort this out at another level, according to the audio recording. Peskov later said his sons comments were taken out of context and that he would make the only right decision. Russian President tripled down on the war in in a short but defiant televised speech on Tuesday. Politically, he announced that a series of referendums on joining would be held in the conquered territories of eastern this week. Militarily, he repeated previous not-so-veiled threats to use nuclear weapons, and announced a mobilization of 300,000 reservists to be thrown into his flailing special military operation. All these choices smack of desperation and an attempt to thread a narrow needle: Putin wants Russians to believe that everything is going fine and that ultimately he will conquer Ukraine; but he also knows that with as many as 80,000 troops killed in action or wounded in just over six months of war, he simply must get more soldiers into the fight. The referendums are largely meaningless, with pre-ordained outcomes that no informed observer or the United Nations will take seriously. The nuclear threat is a repetition of Putins bluster from months ago. He is highly unlikely to use even a low-yield tactical nuclear weapon given the obvious threat of starting World War III and also the immense damage it would do in his efforts to keep Brazil, India, Nigeria, South Africa and other large non-aligned countries in neutrality. But the mobilization of 300,000 troops is worth examining as a matter of military analysis. What does the decision to call in reserves say about the state of the war, and how should the West react? When I was supreme allied commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, I participated in exercises with many reserve troops, including those of three non- countries with exceptional systems: Finland, Israel and Switzerland. (Finland is currently in the midst of the accession process.) Finland and Israel are small nations with a history of being invaded by their immediate neighbors in the case of the former, and various Arab nations for the latter. Both have universal conscription (males for Finland, both sexes for Israel) that flows into a highly ordered, motivated and exceptionally well-equipped reserve force. I came away with deep respect for their capabilities. Another country with incredibly ready reserves is neutral Switzerland. The military tradition there is deeply respected and woven into Swiss culture, from highly trained fighter pilots to troops mounted on racing bicycles. Every time I flew over Switzerland in aircraft, I would look with admiration to the left and right at reserve fighter pilots in high-end jets escorting us over their country. The Russian reserve system, by contrast, is not highly regarded by outside military analysts. It is based on the vestiges of universal conscription that were in place for decades, and the stories of raw draftees being beaten, abused and starved are legendary. (See, for example, One Soldiers War by Arkady Babchenko for a snapshot inside the brutal system.) It is also shockingly corrupt. When soldiers get out of uniform after brutal wars in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Syria they want to get as far as they can from the army. Once discharged, former soldiers are loosely tracked by the Russian state. In contrast to modern Western militaries, there appears to be very little systematic training, no organized equipment maintenance or operations, and no in-depth ties with standing units and missions. While there are a few reserve units in the model of US system, they are small and inadequately supported by the larger armed forces. Ominously for Russia, the mobilization order places the onus for recruitment on various governors of Russian regions, under a system of quotas levied by the defense ministry. This demonstrates that there is no broad, structured reserve to which the Russian military can turn. Additionally, the decree allows for further call-ups down the road, and offers bonuses to the reserves who come forward, much like the incentives offered to convicts in Russian prisons to go and fight. It will be a Herculean administrative task to provide uniforms and training for 300,000 troops, find qualified leaders at the officer level, provide them with effective equipment, and get them integrated with communications and logistics. It will be months before a significant number can be brought to bear in combat. Then, almost certainly, they will become yet another wave of cannon fodder launched at Ukrainian positions. The Ukrainians, knowing they may eventually be facing a much larger force, will prepare their own responses. They will be seeking (and probably receiving from the West) systems that can negate large numbers of foot soldiers: close-air attack planes, tanks and artillery, mounted machine guns, precision mortars and long-range surface-to-surface missiles. The Russians being pulled off the street in this mobilization will face a highly motivated, extremely well-armed and very innovative foe in the Ukrainians. The War of Putins Ego continues, and many of these 300,000 poor souls are likely to pay the ultimate cost for his folly. The head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency said Wednesday he met with Ukraine's and Russia's foreign ministers in a bid to establish a safety and security zone around a nuclear plant in southeastern that is Europe's largest. The Zaporizhzhia power plant has faced almost daily shelling and bombardment, raising fears of a nuclear accident. Rafael Grossi, director-general of the Atomic Energy Agency, said that as a result of the separate meetings with Ukraine's Dmytro Kuleba and Russia's Sergey Lavrov, work has already begun on establishing and shaping the zone. He said he hopes to visit Kyiv soon, and "perhaps later on" go to Russia. "Given the urgency of the situation and the gravity of what's going on in the field we have to move fast," Grossi said. Both nations, he said, share "a conviction that the establishment of the zone is indispensable. "The mere fact that the two foreign ministers are sitting down with me and are listening to our ideas, I think it's a good indicator that there is a very strong solid base for this thing to happen," he said. Grossi said negotiating a safety zone is complex, and issues that need to be addressed include protecting the plant, how the zone would be implemented and how an agreement would be enforced. The IAEA chief said the Zaporizhzhia plant was shelled and attacked earlier Wednesday, and a "projectile" hit a pipeline in a pool where spent nuclear fuel is cooled, and it stopped working. Technical experts were able to use other available capacities to continue pumping water into the pool, he said, stressing that this is just one example of the serious issues at the facility which has also seen external power repeatedly restored and interrupted. Over the past weeks, and Russia have traded blame over shelling at and near the plant. "No one would ever run a plant like this in normal circumstances with all these problems," Grossi said. "We are playing with fire and continue to play with fire." Russian troops seized the Zaporizhzhia plant in the southeastern city of Enerhodar, in early March, soon after their February 24 invasion of Ukraine, but its nuclear operations continue to be run by its Ukrainian staff. Grossi led an IAEA team that visited Zaporizhzhia in late August and proposed the establishment of a safety zone soon after. He left two IAEA experts at the plant to monitor the situation and said the IAEA is in constant contact with them trying to ensure that their working conditions are the best possible, but stressed again "we are in a situation which is not normal." The Russian capture of Zaporizhzhia renewed fears that the largest of Ukraine's 15 nuclear reactors could be damaged, setting off another emergency like the 1986 Chernobyl accident, the world's worst nuclear disaster, which happened about 110 kilometers (65 miles) north of Kyiv. Grossi was also asked about the IAEA's dealings with Iran and its latest report earlier this month which said it believes Iran has further increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to one short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. The nuclear agency voiced increasing concerns over Tehran's lack of engagement with a probe into man-made uranium particles found at three undeclared sites in the country that has become a sticking point in efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers. Grossi said there are many things that Iran has observed, but "there are these three big question marks" that have to be answered and "are not going to be wished away." "I hope in the next few days to be able to re-establish some contacts so that we can continue with this process which has been lingering for a long time," he said. Asked why he hadn't met with Iranian leader who are attending UN events this week, he replied, "Well, perhaps you should ask them." Speaking at the General Assembly's leaders' meeting, Iran's president insisted Wednesday that his country is serious about reviving a deal meant to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear bomb. But Ebrahim Raisi questioned whether Tehran could trust America's commitment to any eventual accord. The United States pulled out of a previous deal in 2018 under President Donald Trump. (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 hit a new high of Rs 52,474, as the stock gained 2.5 per cent on the BSE in Thursday's intra-day trade. The stock of the garments and apparels maker rallied 8 per cent in three days in an otherwise weak market. In comparison the S&P BSE Sensex was down 0.39 per cent at 59,227 points at 10:17 AM. However, in the past three months, the stock price of has soared 35 per cent, as compared to 14 per cent rise in the benchmark index. The strong outperformance of was on the back of strong operational performance in April-June quarter (Q1FY23). The company's revenue grew 167 per cent year-on-year (YoY) and 21 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) at Rs 1,341 crore. EBITDA was at Rs 298 crore, while margins were at 22.2 per cent, up 771 per cent YoY and 11 per cent QoQ, led by operating efficiencies. The company is the exclusive licensee of JOCKEY International Inc. (USA) to manufacture, distribute, and market JOCKEY brands in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Maldives, Bhutan, and the UAE. Page Industries is also the exclusive licensee of Speedo International in India. An uptick in consumer consumption and increase in fashion or brand consciousness is making consumers more aspirational and discerning. Going foward, the company expects that the growing urban women population and women corporate workforce are better growth opportunities. The management said tier 2 and 3 centres are also becoming an important marketplace for the company given the increased awareness of healthier lifestyle and availability of quality, functional innerwear and athleisurewear. "Buoyed by strong wedding/festive season and a normalised quarter after a gap of two years, lifestyle retailers displayed a strong show with robust topline growth. Retail sector appears to be on the cusp of delivering strong sustained revenue growth driven by improved consumer sentiment, wardrobe refresh and increased spend on discretionary purchases as consumer wallet share on non-essentials had remained subdued for last two years," ICICI Securities said in retail sector update. Going ahead, the company aims at capacity expansion with increased infrastructure and facilities. This will allow scalability and ramp up of incremental machinery and manpower to meet expected demand growth. Besides that, the company has also significantly expanded their presence by opening several exclusive brand outlets (EBOs) along with large format stores, multi brand outlets, thereby, ensuring brand availability and accessibility across the country, said Page Industries in FY22 annual report. PNB: The bank has issued and allotted Basel III Compliant Additional Tier-I Bonds at a coupon of 8.30% p.a. aggregating to Rs.658 crore on private placement basis. Ashoka Buildcon: The company had submitted its bid to the South Western Railway ('SWR') and the company has received a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from SWR for the Project viz. 'Construction of New BG Line. The accepted bid project cost for the project is Rs.258.12 crore. The completion period is 24 months. PB Fintech: The company informed that it has made investment of Rs 649.99 crore in subsidiary Policybazaar Insurance Brokers and investment of Rs 249.99 crore in subsidiary Paisabazaar Marketing And Consulting. Heritage Foods: A meeting of the board of directors of the company is scheduled on 30 September 2022 to consider and approve for raising of funds by way of issue of equity shares on a rights issue basis. Spandana Sphoorty Financial: The board of directors of the company considered and approved the issuance of upto 500 Secured, Senior, Redeemable, Transferable, Listed, Principal Protected, Market Linked, Rated, Non-Convertible Debentures of face value of Rs. 10 lakh each, aggregating up to Rs. 25 crore on a private placement basis with a green shoe option up to Rs. 25 crore in the form of Secured, Senior, Redeemable, Transferable, Listed, Principal Protected, Market Linked, Rated, Non-Convertible Debentures of face value of Rs. 10,00,000/- each on private placement basis. KPI Green Energy: KPI Green has received a new order for executing Wind-Solar'Hybrid Power Project of 5.40 MW (comprising of 5.40 MW Wind Turbine and 4 MWdc Solar) capacity from M/s Greenlab Diamonds LLP, Surat under 'Captive Power Producer (CPP)' business segment of the company. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Triveni Engineering & Industries announced the divestment of its entire 21.85% stake in Triveni Turbine (TTL) worth Rs 1,609 crore, unlocking significant value for shareholders. Driven by strong investor demand, the sale of shares was to marquee investors including sovereign wealth funds such as GIC, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), foreign institutions such as Nomura, Plutus and leading mutual funds such as SBI MF, Aditya Birla MF, Sundaram MF, Invesco MF. The Company has undertaken the sale on 21 September 2022 in the following manner: 1) 10% of the total paid-up capital of TTL was sold to Rati Sawhney, one of the existing promoters by way of inter-se transfer between promoters at a price of 229 per share(based on the previous day closing price of 228.95 per share on NSE) through block trading window on stock exchange; and 2) 11.85% of the total paid-up capital of TTL was sold to multiple leading institutional investors through block trading window on the screen-based trading system of the stock exchanges at a price of 226.70 per share. 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 next Tizen smart TV you buy may not be from Samsung A new range of budget Tizen-based smart TVs will soon be appearing in the UK stores, but they wont come from Samsung. The South Korean company has opened its popular TV OS to Linsar owner Tempo, as part of a new Tizen TV by Samsung licensing program. The first Tizen sets produced under the Tempo deal will make their debut in Aldi stores in a matter of weeks. They will ship into the UK, France, Italy, Spain, New Zealand and Australia. Sydney based distributor Tempo has secured a global deal with Samsungs head office to manufacture TVs running the highly popular Smart TV Tizen operating system, reports Channel News. The Tizen OS will appear in a variety of TV brands owned by the distributor, including Linsar, Bauhn and Akai. UK TV brand Linsar was acquired by Tempo International in 2016. Aldi Australia is offering a 65-inch 4k Bauhn TV for AUS$669 (approximately 390). The move not only widens the use of the Tizen OS, currently competing for users with LG's webOS and Android TV, but significantly expands the reach of the IP delivered AVOD TV channel service, Samsung TV Plus. Tizen is a Linux-based open source operating system, and currently has 190 million users in 197 countries. Tizen OS-powered devices include TVs, monitors and digital signage. Chief Minister Hemant Sorens response to surviving a bitterly contested trust vote in the Assembly has been to double down on provincialism, which has become a go-to policy for most parties in power in India today. The Local Resident of Bill, which the state Cabinet passed recently, proposes to keep 1932 as the cut-off year for proof of land records to define a local, which would, in turn, determine access to state benefits. This intent was clear from a parallel Bill approved by the Cabinet to increase reservations from the Supreme Court mandated 50 per cent to 67 per cent. Once these Bills are passed, the government proposes to petition the Centre to include them in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, which contains a list of central and state laws that cannot be challenged in court (the abolition of the zamindari system being one example). This marks a considerable hardening of the position from just six months ago, when the Mukti Morcha (JMM) government had indicated that the 1932 cut-off would not be the sole criterion for determining domicile status. The intent of Wednesdays decisions is clearly to enhance benefits for tribals, who account for 26 per cent of the states population and whose welfare was at the heart of the states formation in 2000. AAP legislators on Thursday took out a march in protest against the cancellation of the special session of the Vidhan Sabha here. Carrying placards with messages of "Stop murder of democracy" and "Operation Lotus murdabad'", the party MLAs slammed the Congress and the BJP for allegedly being hand in glove and working against holding the special session of the state assembly. However, the AAP legislators were stopped from moving towards the Governor's residence. Police had put up barricades around one km from the Vidhan Sabha complex. The protesting MLAs sat down where they were stopped and started shouting slogans against the Congress and BJP. No state minister was seen participating in the protest. The decision to take out the march was taken after Chief Minister chaired a meeting of AAP legislators at Vidhan Sabha complex Thursday morning to decide the next course of action after cancellation of the special session. The AAP legislators also hit out at Governor Banwarilal Purohit for withdrawing his earlier order of calling the special session on Thursday. It (not allowing a special session) is completely unjustified. The state government can call the assembly session, said Lambi MLA Gurmeet Singh Khudian. He alleged that the Governor at the behest of higher-ups decided to cancel the session. The BJP is doing wrong and democracy is in danger, Khudian alleged. Moga MLA Amandeep Kaur told PTI that earlier the permission of summoning the assembly session was given and it was cancelled by the Governor later. Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh too dubbed the governor's move as murder of democracy. He also spoke against the BJP's alleged Operation Lotus, saying the saffron party was trying to topple governments by offering money. In an embarrassment to the AAP government in Punjab, the Governor had on Wednesday thwarted the Bhagwant Mann-led regime's plan to summon a special assembly session to bring a confidence motion. The Governor withdrew an earlier order calling the special session on Thursday, saying it had sought legal opinion after the Congress and the BJP approached the Raj Bhavan arguing that the House rules did not allow it. While the AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister slammed the Governor for not allowing the assembly session, saying it raises a big question on the country's democracy, the opposition parties hailed Purohit for preventing the government from sabotaging the constitutional and legislative practices and procedures. The AAP government in had sought the session to bring a confidence motion, days after it accused the BJP of trying to topple its government. The AAP had recently claimed that at least 10 of its MLAs were approached by the BJP with an offer of Rs 25 crore to each of them in a bid to topple the six-month-old government under its 'Operation Lotus. (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.) Slamming Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao for allegedly not fulfilling his promises like 'pucca' houses for poor, leader and Union Minister of State for Rural Development on Thursday asserted that would come to power in the State. Speaking at a public meeting here this evening, which was organised to mark the conclusion of State president Bandi Sanjay Kumar's fourth phase of 'padayatra', she said she could clearly see a big change happening in with the BJP coming to power. The TRS government has stopped the funds of Gram Panchayats and not fulfilled its promises, including houses for poor, she alleged. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, said the State's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is driving bulldozers against the houses of those who robbed the funds meant for State's development. "Do you want that kind of government or not?... when the BJP government came, the houses of such people will be demolished. Should we settle their accounts or not?" she said. She ridiculed the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' undertaken by Rahul Gandhi saying it would be his last programme as the Congress would not be able to come to power in the future. She said Rahul Gandhi, Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Bihar and want to become the Prime Minister of the country. Claiming that all the 'parivarvadi' people in States are coming together against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said they would not be able to achieve anything as people of the country are with Modi. She attacked the AIMIM and its leaders Asaduddin Owaisi and Akbaruddin Owaisi over their alleged hate speeches. Talking about the Aam Admi Party (AAP), she alleged that the Ministers from that party in Punjab and Delhi had to go to jail for dishonesty. She also recalled her association with the Ram temple movement. Meanwhile, State BJP president Bandi Sanjay Kumar claimed that the BJP brought the situation wherein the AIMIM had to take out rallies with the National Flag in hand in the old city of Hyderabad which was not the case earlier. Kumar, who spoke on various issues of the State and attacked the TRS government, said the fifth phase of 'padayatra' would begin on October 15. He had launched his 'padayatra' last year. (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 Centre has changed the category of the land allotted to political parties for their offices in Delhi from 'institutional' to government-to-government' transfer, which will significantly bring down the dues. The government approved the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry's proposal in this regard earlier this month, they said. The land rates under the 'government-to-government' category are cheaper than the 'institutional' rates. The latest change is likely to benefit 14 political parties which were allotted land between 2000 and 2017, they said. However, there was no official word from the ministry on the same. According to the sources, the 14 political parties, including the BJP, Congress and Janata Dal (United), together owed around Rs 150 crore in land dues to the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry. After the change in allotment category, it is learnt the BJP will owe around Rs 17 crore to the ministry while the Congress may get Rs 27 lakh from the government as a refund, the sources said. However, there is no official confirmation regarding this, they added. These parties were allotted land by Land and Development Office (L&DO) between 2000 and 2017. According to rules, the area of land considered for allotment varies depending on the strength of the party in Parliament. (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.) Asserting that the bond between the and Mumbai was unbreakable, party president Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday dared the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) to hold Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections and Assembly polls in a month and defeat his outfit. Accusing the BJP, which is part of the state government, of speaking "blatant lies on the Rs 1.54 lakh crore Vedanta-Foxconn semiconductor plan coming up in Gujarat, Thackeray attacked Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for sitting quiet over losing out on the project and prostrating before Delhi. The former chief minister, addressing party workers at suburban Goregaon, said the Centre is giving huge incentives to the project after it was moved to the adjoining BJP-ruled state. A blame-game erupted in following the announcement last week that the joint venture semiconductor project of Indian conglomerate Vedanta and Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn, proposed to be set up near Pune city earlier, will come up in Gujarat now. At the rally attended by his wife Rashmi and second son Tejas, Thackeray asserted that his party's annual Dussehra rally will take place at its traditional venue, Mumbai's Shivaji Park. The party is yet to get permission from the BMC top hold its annual rally at the iconic park. "Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked his party (BJP) to show the its place in the Mumbai civic polls. I dare you to try it. Shiv Sena's relationship with the city was unbreakable and the party was deeply connected with the day-to-day life of ordinary Mumbaikars, rushing to their help whenever required, he said. The Sena leader be it natural calamities or terror attacks, it is the Shiv Sainik who responds to them first and comes to the aid of people, and not the . "I challenge Amit Shah that if you have guts, hold the BMC polls in a month and also state Assembly elections," he said. Earlier this month, Shah, during a visit to Mumbai, had asked leaders and workers to inflict a "deeper wound" on the Uddhav Thackeray-led on its home turf. Shah, a former president, had slammed Thackeray, saying he compromised on everything to become the CM with the support of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress despite seeking votes in the 2019 polls in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis. The Shiv Sena has been ruling the Mumbai civic body for almost 30 years. Currently, the BMC is run by an administrator as the five-year term of the civic body had ended and elections are awaited. If you hit a person at any place, it does hurt. When you hit a person on his home ground, the pain is deeper. Now it is the time to inflict a deeper wound to Sena, Shah had told a meeting of BJP leaders. Speaking at the rally, Thackeray elaborated on the deep bond between his party and Mumbai residents. "Why is the bond between Mumbai and the Shiv Sena strong? Because its shakas (party branches) are open all the time. So be it blood donations, admission in hospitals and schools or employment, the party is there to help people," he said. Have you (the BJP) even understood Mumbai before thinking of winning it? Before winning the civic body, win the hearts of Mumbaikars which the Shiv Sena has, said the former CM. Thackeray said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Shah, central agencies and the traitors (a reference to rebel Sena MLAs led by Chief Minister Shinde), will attack the Shiv Sena from all sides. Fight this (BMC) election as your (party workers) first election. Assume that we do not have anythingthe civic body, corporators. Consider that the MLAs, MPs who left us lost the polls in the last elections and we have to again wage a new fight, the Sena leader said. Thackeray asked the BJP, his former ally, to tell people what was its contribution in building the metropolis apart from considering it just a piece of real estate and asked what is the relation between Kamlabai (BJP) and Mumbai? Vultures are hovering over Mumbai and they want to swallow Mumbai. You remember Mumbai when elections are round the corner. Where are these vultures when Mumbai is in trouble? Mumbai could be just a saleable property for you, but for me it is my motherland. This is our mother and those who come to attack us, we will disembowel them in this political wrestling, he warned. In a stinging attack on rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, whose revolt in June brought down the three-party Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, he dubbed them as children who swallow their mother. Hitting out at the BJP for targeting him on dynastic politics, the former Chief Minister said, "I am proud of my family who took part in the Samyukta (united) Maharashtra movement." He said the Bharatiya Jan Sangh (BJP's forerunner) was never a part of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. When the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti was formed, the Jan Sangh engineered a split in it and broke the unity Marathi manoos. They (BJP) are their children, the Sena leader said. Thackeray also listed the work done by the erstwhile MVA government headed by him while handling the COVID-19 pandemic. "If saving lives is corruption, we have done it," he said, referring to BJP's allegations of corruption during the pandemic when the Shiv Sena-led ruling coalition was at the helm in the state. The former CM said during the COVID-19 pandemic, he saved lives without discriminating people on the lines of religion or language. Taking a dig at Modi, the Sena leader said cheetahs were brought to the country after 70 years and publicity was how they "roar". "They (cheetahs) meow...because they never roar," said Thackeray, an ace wildlife photographer. I proudly say that we brought penguins (in Mumbai zoo when Sena was ruling BMC), but I have never clicked pictures of penguins despite being a photographer," he said. A pet project of Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray, introducing penguins in the Mumbai zoo had faced criticism from the BJP and even the Congress for high cost of maintenance of the flightless birds. State BJP leaders call the Shiv Sena as Penguin Sena in response to their Sena counterparts dubbing the BJP as Kamlabai (a dig on the party's lotus symbol). The Sena president said although schools in the Aam Aadmi Party-ruled Delhi are good, his political outfit, which controlled the BMC for nearly 25 years, improved the quality of education in civic-run schools and introduced virtual classes some 15 years back. (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.) LG has ordered an internal inquiry into the alleged irregularities in engagement of guest teachers in AAP government schools and embezzlement of funds in payment of salaries to ghost teachers, LG office sources said on Thursday. The LG Secretariat has asked the Chief Secretary to advise Director (Education) to immediately verify the engagement, physical attendance, and withdrawal of salaries of all guest teachers engaged by the city government in its schools, they added. A status report has to be submitted within a month. "LG has observed that the instances of non-existent guest teachers and embezzlement of funds are of serious concern' and cannot occur without connivance of the Principals/Vice Principals/Accounts staff'," the note from the LG Secretariat to the Chief Secretary read. The move comes days after Saxena gave permission to the Anti-Corruption Branch to probe charges against four vice principals of a government school, for allegedly misappropriating funds through non-existent guest teachers. (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 prepares for a likely contest to the party's top post after decades, on Thursday batted for the "one-man, one-post" concept in lines with the Chintan Shivir reforms and indicated he may not run for the party president's post. Gandhi's statement comes amid speculations that Rajasthan Chief Minister and Thiruvananthapuram MP might throw their hats into the ring and on a day the party issued notification for the AICC presidential polls. Gandhi, also the MP from Wayanad in Kerala, declined to answer queries on whether he would contest in the presidential polls by saying "I have made my position clear (on that) in the last press conference. I have repeated it several times." Earlier this month, Gandhi had said he has made his decision on whether he will take up party presidency but did not divulge his plans, asserting he will give his reasons if he does not contest the elections for the post. Gandhi's remarks were seen by many in the party as an indication that he may stick to his earlier stance of not taking up the party chief's post. On Thursday, Gandhi said that questions on whether he would contest in the party's presidential poll was "aimed at distracting me from the yatra". He has embarked on the 3,500 km Kanyakumari-Kashmir 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. On the issue of one man one post concept, Gandhi said, "what we have decided, jo humne Udaipur mein decide kiya, woh party ka ek commitment hai. Toh i expect that commitment to be maintained (What we decided in Udaipur that was party's commitment. I expect that commitment will be maintained)." Following the three-day Udaipur brainstorming session in May, the5 'Chintan Shivir,' the party proposed a number of reforms, including limiting one post to one person. Gandhi's remark assumes significance as Gehlot, seen as a front runner in the party presidential poll, would reportedly seek to retain his chief ministerial post if he become the Congress president. Gehlot arrived in Kerala amidst speculation as to who all would be contesting the party's presidential polls. He is likely to press Gandhi to take up the party reins. Responding to queries during a press conference held between the first and second leg of the day's Bharat Jodo Yatra on Thursday, Gandhi said the Congress president was not just an organisational position but that it was an ideological post and a belief system. On being asked what would be his advise to the presidential post candidates, Gandhi said, "My advise would be that you are taking on a position which is a historic position and it is a position that defines and has defined a particular view of India." "Congress president is not just an organisational post, it is also an ideological position and a belief system. Therefore, my advise would be that whosoever becomes the Congress president should remember that he represents a set of ideas, a belief system and a vision of India." On the nation-wide raids on the offices and other premises of the Popular Front of India (PFI), Gandhi said all forms of communalism should be combated. "All forms of communalism, all forms of violence, regardless of where they come from, are the same and should be combated. There should be zero tolerance towards communalism regardless of where it is coming from," he said. When asked as to what would be his response to those criticising the yatra for spending very few days in Uttar Pradesh, Gandhi responded, "don't worry about that. We have a clear view on what needs to be done in UP." He also said that the yatra was from one end of the country to another and "frankly we cannot walk 10,000 km". Regarding queries on what happened in Goa while the yatra was going on, on party MLAs joining the ruling BJP enmasse, Gandhi stated, "As I have said many times before, we are fighting a machine that has captured the institutional framework of this country." "We are fighting a machine that has unlimited money, unlimited ability to pressurise people, unlimited ability to buy people, threaten people and the outcome of that is what you have seen in Goa." On whether the yatra can maintain the same momentum in other states as it is doing in Kerala, he said that it does not matter which state you go to, effect of the yatra would be the same regardless of who is running the state. When asked about his position regarding the Left government in Kerala, Gandhi said the evaluation of the LDF dispensation in the southern state would be better done by the Congress leaders here. However, he also said, "As far as the Left front goes, I have an ideological disagreement with them. I have issues with how they view and Kerala." He further said that people walking with the yatra are telling what they think about the Left government. "A lot of Left workers are coming and shaking hands with me. They appreciate the idea of what we are doing," he added. At the same time he also said that while it is difficult for senior leaders of the Left front to support what the Congress was doing due to the "political combat" between them, "they know in their hearts that the point I am raising is correct". On queries regarding a unified opposition against the BJP, Gandhi said it was very important for all opposition parties to come together as it "was required to fight the ideology and financial power and the institutional power" of the saffron party and the RSS. "So I think it is very important that opposition has a discussion and comes out with a strategy," 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.) Lieutenant Governor on Thursday urged the High Court to restrain the Aam Aadmi Party and several of its leaders from levelling "false" allegations against him and his family, after they claimed that he was involved in a Rs 1,400 crore scam during his tenure as the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) chairman. Justice Amit Bansal, who heard the matter for two hours, reserved the order on the issue of granting interim relief to plaintiff Vinai Kumar Saxena. Besides, Saxena has also sought to injunct AAP, its leaders Atishi Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Durgesh Pathak, Sanjay Singh and Jasmine Shah, who was appointed by the Government of NCT of as Vice Chairperson of the Dialogue and Development Commission, to delete or take down the alleged false and libelous posts or tweets or videos circulated and issued on social media. He has also sought damages and compensation of Rs 2.5 crore along with interest from the political party and its five leaders. Saxena's counsel urged the high court to direct Twitter and YouTube (Google Inc) to take down or remove the tweets, re-tweets, posts, videos, captions, taglines along with pictures of the plaintiff and his family members on their respective platforms. The counsel for the AAP and its leaders argued that one of the statements was that during Saxena's tenure as KVIC Chairman, his daughter was given a contract of Khadi which was against the rules. The counsel said it was a statement of fact and no one has denied it. (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.) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has met Umer Ahmed Ilyasi at the Kasturba Gandhi Marg mosque in the capital. RSS's Sunil Ambekar said it was a part of the continuous dialogue with the people. The meeting comes on the heels of Bhagwat interacting with a group of intellectuals from the Muslim community. In August, a five-member delegation met Bhagwat, and the meeting lasted for more than an hour. During the meeting the atmosphere in the country and measures to strengthen communal harmony were discussed in detail. Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi, who was among the Muslim intellectuals who met Bhagwat, told IANS that he had sought an appointment with the Sangh chief regarding the communal atmosphere in the country. Following which the RSS chief met the delegation in Delhi. Speaking to IANS, Quraishi further said that both the sides (the delegation and the RSS chief) were unanimous that without strengthening the harmony between the communities, the country can neither be strong nor it can make progress. He said that in the meeting it was also agreed that all the parties should work to convince and motivate their people to strengthen the communal harmony in the country. Besides Quraishi, other members of the delegation included former Lt. Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung, former Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University Lt. Gen. (Retd) Zameeruddin Shah, former MP Shahid Siddiqui and industrialist and philanthropist Saeed Sherwani. --IANS miz/stp/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.) Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday targeted Uddhav Thackeray for "betraying" the Hindutva ideology, even as he declared himself as the true torchbearer of the ideals of founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Addressing a function here, Shinde alleged that it was Uddhav Thackeray who betrayed the Hindutva ideology propounded by Balasaheb Thackeray by joining hands with arch-rivals Congress and NCP. We are being called 'gaddar' (betrayers). But it is we who took Balasaheb's ideals forward, while they shortchanged the ideals of Hindutva. Who is 'gaddar' and who is 'khuddar' (one having self-esteem), the people will decide, Shinde said. Shinde, who led a rebellion in the ranks in June and became chief minister with the support of the BJP, was responding to the allegations made by predecessor Uddhav Thackeray at a rally in Goregaon in suburban Mumbai. Thackeray, who had dumped the BJP to become chief minister of the Vikas Aghadi government with NCP and Congress as allies, had resigned in the face of rebellion by Shinde who had the support of over 40 of the Sena's 55 MLAs. Responding to allegations by the Thackeray faction of accepting bribes to break the Shiv Sena, Shinde said he has a detailed account of who paid whom during MVA government and would reveal the details at an appropriate time in Mumbai. Shinde had called a meeting of the Shiv Sena leaders from across the country here in a bid to revive the party organisation amid a tussle for control of the party with Thackeray. Both Thackeray and Shinde have been claiming to be the 'real' Shiv Sena and have knocked the doors of the Election Commission for allocation of the 'bow and arrow' election symbol. The commission is expected to hear the matter on September 27. The war of words between Shinde and Thackeray has been escalating every passing day ahead of the elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation likely to be held later this year. Shiv Sena is not a private limited company. We have built this party giving our sweat and blood alongside Balasaheb Thackeray. It is not your estate. If you treat the party workers as your servant, they will desert you I understood the pain of the party workers and helped them at every step, when you turned your back on them, Shinde said. Referring to Thackeray's charge of calling him an agent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shinde hit back, saying at least he was not the agent of Dawood Ibrahim and Yakub Memon, who had carried out attacks on Mumbai. Shall we call you agents of Dawood and Yakub for it was during your tenure the grave of Yakub Memon was decorated, Shinde said. Balasaheb Thackeray had wished for the removal of Article 370 and building of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Modi and Shah have done that. Instead of being labelled as the agent of Dawood and Yakub, I would any day like to be called an agent of Modi and Shah, the chief minister said. Shinde said the people had showered him with love wherever he went, within or outside . Taking a dig at Thackeray's rally in suburban Mumbai, Shinde said those who did not meet party workers for the past several years have now started interacting with the cadre. It is because of us that Shiv Sena workers are experiencing better days (acche din). At least he has started meeting state leaders, Shinde said, referring to the meeting of party leaders with Thackeray held in Mumbai on Wednesday. Shinde accused Thackeray of backstabbing the people's mandate for the Shiv Sena-BJP in the 2019 assembly election for sheer lust for power. We went along, thinking that the senior leadership had taken a decision with something in mind But I was forced to revolt when the troubles of party workers started increasing despite the party being in power. There is a limit to tolerate injustice, the chief minister said. Shinde said the voters had reposed faith in Shiv Sena and BJP in the recent gram panchayat elections. We received overwhelming support from the people, while you (Thackeray faction) were relegated to the sixth position, he said. Shiv Sena leaders from the state, who also spoke before Shinde, accused Thackeray of ignoring the interest of the party workers and compromising the ideals of Hindutva by joining hands with the Congress and NCP. (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 mask of anonymity will soon come off for one YouTuber. Popular Minecraft YouTuber and content creator Dream has recently announced he would do a face reveal after achieving around 30 million subscribers. Not much is known about Dream aside from him being a Minecraft YouTuber since they joined the platform in February 2014, per their channel's About page. Dream Face Reveal Details Dream mentioned in its announcement on his YouTube community tab that his next upload will feature a face reveal, adding that "the mask is coming off." The popular Minecraft YouTuber said he is "super nervous" about doing the face reveal, but he is "incredibly excited" for what's to come in the future. "I can't wait to start meeting you guys in person," Dream added. The timing of Dream's face reveal seems to coincide with the fact that he recently reached around 30 million subscribers on YouTube - which is a big deal for many content creators on the platform, even if YouTube doesn't give them a milestone reward. For those unaware, the highest milestone reward YouTube gives to content creators is when they reach ten million subscribers, which earns them the diamond creator award, per its subscriber milestone rewards page. Read More: American Airlines Has Been Hacked: Here's What You Should Know Although Dream joined YouTube in 2014, he only began to create content for YouTube regularly in 2019, per Dot eSports. Nevertheless, as his content picked up enough attention, more and more of Dream's viewers and fans began to ask for a face reveal. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant delays in Dream's plan to do a face reveal despite the fact that he never wanted to be a Youtuber that hides his identity under a mask. Eventually, Dream's avatar or online face became a "staple aspect" of who he is. Dream's face reveal follows the announcement of GeorgeNotFound, a YouTuber whom he is friends with. According to Dream's announcement, George is finally moving to Florida with "the Dream Team," a YouTube team that is made up of YouTubers Sapnap, George, and Dream himself. per the Dream Team Wiki. Dream and Sapnap moved to a new house called the Dream Team house in Florida in late January, where they will live for at least five years. This house is the same one George will move into after he departs from London, England. Why Doing Face Reveals Is A Big Thing For YouTubers Although most, if not all, YouTubers start their online career using an alias that hides their identity, such as H20Delirious and Sovietwomble, there are some who do not want or are willing to reveal their identity to their audience. According to Newbie Films School, a YouTuber doing a face reveal is a big thing because they are exposing their true identity to the world, allowing the public to judge them and their appearance. It could also lead to them being in a vulnerable position, such as being stalked in real life and on the world wide web. However, a face reveal could provide YouTubers who do it with positive attention and the opportunity to further improve or solidify their brand. Related Article: Why is Minecraft So Popular Today? Here's A Closer Look RJD president Lalu Prasad on Wednesday said that he along with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar would soon meet Congress' interim president in Delhi in an effort to unite all major non-BJP parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He claimed that the BJP wants to disturb communal harmony in society to hide the real issues that are plaguing the people. I along with Nitish Kumar ji will meet Sonia (Gandhi) ji in Delhi. I will also meet Rahul Gandhi after completion of his padyatra. The united opposition will throw the BJP out of power in the next Lok Sabha polls, Prasad said while addressing the party's state council meeting. Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's upcoming visit to the Seemanchal area of Bihar, the former chief minister said people need to be alert and careful. BJP leaders may instigate people of different communities to fight with each other in the state. Nitish ji is also very careful about this visit of the Union Home Minister, Prasad said. Seemanchal region has a heavy concentration of Muslim population. Shah is scheduled to address two rallies on September 23 and 24 in Purnea and Kishanganj districts respectively. This will be the first trip of Shah, considered the party's principal strategist, to the state since a political upheaval stripped the BJP of power. Their (BJP leaders') agenda is to disturb communal harmony in society and not to allow people to debate on real issues. Many political parties compromised with the BJP but I never did this, he said. The grand alliance partners have also planned at least three rallies in the Seemanchal region after Shah's visit. The RJD supremo, who has not been keeping well, was accompanied by RJD state unit president Jagdanand Singh, deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and socialist leader Sharad Yadav on the stage. On March 20 this year, Sharad Yadav merged his Loktantrik Janata Dal with the RJD in the presence of Tejashwi Yadav in Delhi. (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.) did not release its Pixel 5 and Pixel 6 premium smartphones in India, opting for less expensive A-series phones for the country. It is set to change this year as has confirmed the arrival of Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro in India. Unveiled at the Googles developer conference earlier this year, the Pixel 7 series is set to launch globally on October 6 at Made by Google hardware launch event. Alongside the Pixels duo, the American giant is expected to unveil its maiden smartwatch named Pixel Watch. Pixel 7 series: What to expect has confirmed that the Pixel 7 series will be powered by a second-generation 'Tensor G2' processor. Built in partnership with Samsung, the next-generation chip from Google would be powered by its machine learning algorithms to provide more helpful, personalised features to photos, videos, security and speech recognition. The 7 and 7 Pro are expected to come with new front-facing camera sensors capable of recording up to 4K resolution videos. Other expected features include a triple-camera-system led by 50-megapixel primary sensor, Android 13, and screen of 120Hz refresh rate. Pixel Watch: What to expect Besides the Pixel 7 series, Google is likely to unveil its maiden smartwatch, the Pixel Watch. The smartwatch is expected to sport a circular, domed design and feature a tactile crown and side button. The watch is said to be made of recycled stainless steel. Google at the I/O developers conference said that the Watch would have the customisable bands that easily attach. Other expected features include Wear OS 3, Fitbit's health and fitness tools, and customising watch faces. We all know the routine by heart: Please ensure your seats are in the upright position, tray tables stowed, window shades are up, laptops are stored in the overhead bins and electronic devices are set to flight mode. Now, the first four are reasonable, right? Window shades need to be up so we can see if theres an emergency, such as fire. Tray tables need to be stowed and seats upright so we can get out of the row quickly. Laptops can become projectiles in an emergency, as the seat back pockets are not strong enough to contain them. And need to be set to flight mode so they cant cause an emergency for the aeroplane, right? Well, it depends whom you ask. Technology has advanced a great deal and communication relies on radio services, which have been coordinated to minimise interference since the 1920s. The digital technology currently in use is much more advanced than some of the older analogue technologies we used even 60 years ago. Research has shown personal electronic devices can emit a signal within the same frequency band as the aircrafts communications and systems, creating what is known as electromagnetic interference. But in 1992, the US Federal Aviation Authority and Boeing, in an independent study, investigated the use of electronic devices on aircraft interference and found no issues with computers or other personal electronic devices during non-critical phases of flight. (Take-offs and landings are considered the critical phases.) The US Federal Communications Commission also began to create reserved frequency bandwidths for different uses such as mobile phones and aircraft navigation and communications so they do not interfere with one another. Governments around the globe developed the same strategies and policies to prevent interference problems with aviation. In the EU, electronic devices have been allowed to stay on since 2014. 2.2 billion passengers Why then, with these global standards in place, has the industry continued to ban the use of One of the problems lies with something you may not expect ground interference. Wireless networks are connected by a series of towers; the networks could become overloaded if passengers flying over these ground networks are all using their phones. The number of passengers that flew in 2021 was over 2.2 billion, and thats half of what the 2019 passenger numbers were. The wireless companies might have a point here. Of course, when it comes to mobile networks, the biggest change in recent years is the move to a new standard. Current 5G wireless networks desirable for their higher speed data transfer have caused concern for many within the industry. Radio frequency bandwidth is limited, yet we are still trying to add more new devices to it. The aviation industry points out that the 5G wireless network bandwidth spectrum is remarkably close to the reserved aviation bandwidth spectrum, which may cause interference with navigation systems near airports that assist with landing the aircraft. Airport operators in Australia and the US have voiced aviation safety concerns linked to 5G rollout, however it appears to have rolled out without such problems in the European Union. Either way, it is prudent to limit mobile phone use on planes while issues around 5G are sorted out. Ultimately, we cant forget air rage Most airlines now provide customers with Wi-Fi services that are either pay-as-you-go or free. With new Wi-Fi technologies, passengers could theoretically use their to make video calls with friends or clients in-flight. On a recent flight, I spoke with a cabin attendant and asked her opinion on phone use during flights. It would be an inconvenience for cabin crew to wait for passengers to finish their call to ask them if they would like any drinks or something to eat, she stated. On an airliner with 200+ passengers, in-flight service would take longer to complete if everyone was making phone calls. For me, the problem with in-flight use of phones is more about the social experience of having 200+ people on a plane, and all potentially talking at once. In a time when disruptive passenger behaviour, including air rage, is increasingly frequent, phone use in flight might be another trigger that changes the whole flight experience. Disruptive behaviours take on various forms, from noncompliance to safety requirements such as not wearing seat belts, verbal altercations with fellow passengers and cabin crew, to physical altercations with passengers and cabin crews typically identified as air rage. In conclusion in-flight use of phones does not currently impair the aircrafts ability to operate. But cabin crews may prefer not to be delayed in providing in-flight service to all of the passengers its a lot of people to serve. However, 5G technology is encroaching on the radio bandwidth of aircraft systems; well need more research to answer the 5G question regarding interference with aircraft navigation during landings. Remember that when we are discussing the two most critical phases of flight, take-offs are optional but landings are mandatory. Doug Drury, Professor/Head of Aviation, CQUniversity Australia This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. All we are saying that follow the traffic rules, this is what RBI governor Shaktikanta Das told financial technology firms -- which have seen phenomenal growth in the last few years. The companies in the fintech sector are expected to have 1 trillion dollars in assets under management by 2030. But their rise is posing a two-fold challenge before regulators and the government: to turn India into a fintech superpower while ensuring that the firms ensure consumer safety. Technological innovation has been the key behind the runaway success of fintech firms. Similarly, the pharma industry too banks on innovations to survive and grow. Pharmaceutical giant Roche -- which is celebrating 125 years of existence -- also believes that its ability to reinvent itself through innovation was behind its success. Members of the founding family of Roche are in India. Business Standards Sohini Das & Nivedita Mookerji spoke to them. Its not just Roche. Indias growth story is increasingly catching the attention of leading brands all over the world. Robust demand in its economy -- aided by government spending -- has also enabled capital goods companies to sustain strong order inflows. Experts remain positive on the sector and expect this trend to continue in the medium term. We take a look at key factors which make analysts bullish on this space. A new virus has just arrived in India. But its not attacking the lungs of people. It is straightaway going for their wallets. Indias federal cyber security agency has issued an advisory. And leading banks are alerting their consumers to stay cautious about the SOVA virus. Listen to this episode of the podcast to know more. This is the blog of Dr Caitlin Green FSA. It features posts on my main academic research foci alongside other topics that I'm currently working on, including drafts of papers, ideas and similarthese are usually identifiable by the presence of footnotes. You're free to cite these drafts if they are of interest, and are reminded that academic blogs are indeed citable under most citation systems. In addition, the current site also houses posts relating to my personal interests, including long-distance trade, migration and contacts; landscape and coastal history; early literature and legends; and the history, archaeology, place-names and legends of Lincolnshire and Cornwall. For further details of this website & how to contact me, please see the ' About ' page or @caitlinrgreen on Twitter. Web browsing data of American citizens have been disclosed to military intelligence officers, who purchased them from a data broker, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden revealed, citing whistleblower claims. Wyden divulged that at least four agencies within the U. S. Department of Defense, which includes both the Army and Navy, have spent $3.5 million on a data monitoring tool that can provide access to immense amounts of email data and web browsing activity. This tool's developer, Team Cymru, which is based in Florida, flaunts that its tool can offer customers information on the "super majority" of all activity on the internet" and "visibility" into more than 90 percent of internet traffic. Wyden ACLU Voice Concern that Pentagon Data Purchases from Brokers Used to Violate Privacy Rights These previously unknown purchases were first revealed by Vice on Wednesday and had led to concerns from Sen. Wyden and the America Civil Liberties Union that the Pentagon might have been using this tool to get "extremely sensitive information about who we are and what we're reading online," Wyden said. The procurement shows U.S. government agencies can use constitutional cover to gather data from questionable data brokers and companies. Read Also: Spy Tech Allows Governments To See Everything On Your Smartphone Probe Urged on Questionable Procurement of Citizen Data Wyden urged inspectors general at the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security to investigate their respective agencies' procurement of the data, stressing he had confirmed that they are purchasing such confidential, private data "without judicial authorization." Wyden also said a whistleblower went to his office to disclose that formal complaints were filed "up and down their chain of command." According to Wyden, the complaints charged the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in purchase agreements to get netflow data without any warrant. The NCIS and Wyden quoted the unnamed whistleblower as saying he/she was "purchasing access" from Team Cymru for the data, which includes netflow records and some communications content. Team Cymru, Wyden said, has been "a data broker whose data sales I have previously investigated," Wyden is the current Senate Finance Committee chairman and member of the Select Intelligence Committee. These netflow records show what servers users connect to, thus revealing specific websites they visit. The logs may also show the volume of data sent or received and how long a user visits a site. Team Cymru, a threat intelligence firm which was first reported by Vice's Motherboard in August last year, has been working with internet service providers to gain access to netflow records. The company informed Wyden at the time that it obtained "netflow data from third parties in exchange for threat intelligence." Citing sources, Vice reported that Team Cymru granted clients access to a dataset, from which they could make "queries against virtually any IP to pull the netflows to and from that IP over a given point in time." This would provide Team Cymru clients the ability to monitor Internet traffic through virtual private networks (VPN), with which users surf the internet privately. Wyden further said that procurement records had confirmed the U.S. military's use of the Augury tool, which offers "petabytes" of network data from hundreds of collection points globally. According to Wyden, at least "100 billion new records," are collected each day, including email and web browsing data. Wyden said a company named Argonne Ridge Group provides Augury. Argonne, he said, shares "the same corporate address" as Team Cymru, and has "overlapping corporate officers." Argonne, he added, has secured contracts with U.S. Cyber Command, the Army, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service. Related Article: Yahoo, ACLU Press US Government Declassify Secret Surveillance Orders Following the "sleepy chicken" TikTok challenge, the Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning advising people not to cook chicken in cough medicine NyQuil, as per Reuters. According to the agency, cooking chicken in NyQuil can be dangerous as boiling certain medication can cause harm to breathing. Moreover, consuming food cooked in cough and cold medication is unsafe. TikTok Challenge Posits Dangers to Health, FDA Warns While cooking chicken in NyQuil syrup used to be a silly social media challenge, it trends when FDA issued the warning, according to CBS News. The trend on TikTok challenges people to cook chicken in cough and cold medicine NyQuil, according to the FDA. NyQuil and other over-the-counter cough and cold syrups contain acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and doxylamine, according to the agency. With this, the FDA warned of the possible dangers of boiling chicken in the said medicine as boiling certain medications posits harm to breathing. Cooking chicken in NyQuil is dangerous even if people will not eat the meat as applying heat to the medicine "could cause people to inhale high levels of the drug's vapors." According to the agency's notice posted on September 15, the cough and cold medicine can become concentrated when boiled. Its properties may also change when heat is applied to it. In addition, consumption of such food items boiled in NyQuil and other cough and cold medicines can be dangerous to your health. The video was posted one year ago on TikTok. In the video, a TikTok user fries chicken breasts in the cough and cold medicine. The TikTok user even used a flatiron hair straightener to flip the chicken. According to NBC News, it is unknown how many people have tried boiling chicken in NyQuil. Moreover, it is surprising that people tried doing it as the TikTok video does not use the word "challenge." Read Also: TikTok Milk Crate Challenge Ban: Doctors Warn Lifelong Injuries! FDA Offers Suggestions to Parents FDA released the warning on its official website on September 15 with the title "A Recipe for Danger: Social Media Challenges Involving Medicines." In the news release on the agency's website, FDA warned people of a TikTok video that challenges people to cook chicken in NyQuil, saying it's unsafe, as per Buzzfeed News. As for FDA, this is not the first time that the agency has issued a warning about a social media challenge that utilizes non-prescription medicine. A related warning was issued by the agency in September 2020, this time because of the "Benadryl Challenge." The warning was issued after there were reports of teenagers who were admitted to emergency rooms after participating in it. Meanwhile, FDA offered a number of suggestions to parents on how they could prevent their children from participating in these harmful social media challenges. One of the FDA's suggestions is to keep over-the-counter and prescription drugs away from their children. Aside from this, a clear and open conversation with their children should help the parents clarify the things that the children should try and should not try. The agency said that parents should remind their children that overdoses can happen when OTC and prescription drugs are taken in huge amounts. Related Article: TikTok Frozen Honey Challenge Goes Viral; But Experts Warn It Will Make You Sick! James Cleverly Screen Capture The UK will continue to stand in lockstep with Ukraine in defiance of Russian President Vladimir Putins threat to use nuclear weapons, Britain's top diplomat said in an exclusive interview. NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 21: The UK will continue to stand in lockstep with Ukraine in defiance of Russian President Vladimir Putins threat to use nuclear weapons, Britain's top diplomat said in an exclusive interview. ''We have seen this escalatory aggressive rhetoric coming from Vladimir Putin. What he should understand, what the world should understand, is that we will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainians because they defend their homeland against his aggression,'' Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told Anadolu Agency in a sit-down interview on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Neither Ukraine nor NATO has been a threat to Russia, he said. Putin on Wednesday announced a mass mobilization in Russia of 300,000 reservists to support his flagging war effort in Ukraine. In doing so, he issued a dire threat of nuclear force as he and his proxies prepare to hold referendums to annex additional Ukrainian territory. The decision to call up reserves is yet another sign that the Kremlins ''illegal'' and ''unprovoked'' war on Ukraine is not going according to plan, Cleverly said, urging Moscow to withdraw its troops. ''We know that Vladimir Putin had hoped to invade the whole of Ukraine in a matter of weeks. And now we're seeing months later the Ukrainian forces pushing the Russian forces back in much of the eastern part of Ukraine,'' he said. Cleverly slammed Russian-backed plans to hold sham referendums in occupied territories of Ukraine, adding any polls ''would not be free, or fair, or legitimate.'' ''They would not reflect the true desires, the will of the people in eastern Ukraine,'' he said. ''Rather than waste time and energy on these meaningless referenda, they should withdraw their troops, give Ukraine back to the Ukrainians, and allow them to rebuild their country.'' He also said that Western sanctions do not affect Russian food, fertilizer or ammonia exports, a rebuttal to claims often repeated by Moscow to skirt responsibility for a global food crisis. Russian authorities have alleged that Western sanctions hinder the countrys grain and fertilizer exports despite a deal brokered by Turkiye and the UN enabling grain exports from Ukraine and Russia to address the crisis. ''Putin is using hunger as a weapon of war, and it is immoral and wrong for him to do so,'' he said. He also praised Turkiyes efforts to help broker what has become known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative. ''We very much value the role that Turkiye formed in negotiating the grain export deal from the Black Sea, and the work that they've done protecting the Montreux agreement,'' he said. - UK supports UN reform Cleverly also spoke about reforms at the 15-member UN Security Council and said the UK supports long-sought demands of other member states, including Turkiye. ''What we want to see is the UN continue to be an effective voice on the world stage. To be effective, of course, all institutions need to evolve, he said. ''We do support United Nations reform. We want to do that, of course, in conjunction with the international community. The UN's most powerful body has faced criticism in recent years for failing to keep up with its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security because of the veto powers of the five permanent members of the council. The UK is one of the permanent members, alongside the US, China, Russia and France. Ten elected non-permanent members rotate every two years AA We might soon witness SpaceX's huge Starship Mars rocket have its orbital flight. On Wednesday, Elon Musk was asked when the first orbital flight of Starship might possibly happen. His reply is not void of confidence when he tweeted "Late next month maybe, but November seems highly likely." With this confirmation from the SpaceX CEO himself, we can expect the Starship Mars rocket to go to space as early as October this year. SpaceX Prepares for the First-ever Orbital Test Flight of Starship SpaceX has long been preparing for the first-ever orbital test flight of Starship. For those unfamiliar, it is the "huge vehicle that is built to carry cargo and people to the moon, Mars and other distant destinations," as per Space.com. On May 5, 2021, SpaceX launched a Starship prototype labeled SN15. The prototype completed a high-altitude flight and landed without exploding. According to CNET, that was the last time the Starship prototype was launch. NASA is hoping to use it for Artemis mission, with the aim of sending astronauts back to the moon. Since the successful launch of the prototype, Musk and SpaceX have been working to make the first orbital demonstration flight of Starship possible. And finally, next month or on November, we will see the product of their work. Starship is comprised of a huge first-stage booster called Super Heavy and a 165-foot-tall (50 meters) spacecraft called Starship, according to Space.com. What's remarkable with Starship is both the booster and spacecraft will be fully reusable. SpaceX used the next-generation Raptor engines to power the booster and the spacecraft, 33 for Super Heavy while six for Starship. Read Also: Starship Technologies Unveils Their Delivery Robot Elon Musk Hopes to Conduct Wet Dress Rehearsal Soon Musk is hoping to conduct a full "wet dress rehearsal" of the Starship's launch in the coming weeks. The SpaceX CEO also hopes to finally test fire the 33-engine of Super Heavy. Based on SpaceX plans, prototypes Booster 7 and Ship 24 will be used in the coming orbital flight test. In the past weeks, engine tests in both vehicles were being performed by SpaceX at Starbase, the South Texas facility of SpaceX. On September 7, seven of the 33 Raptors of Booster 7 were lit up. But aside from conducting the testing and making sure that the Super Heavy is ready to do the orbital flight, a launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must be secured by SpaceX before it can launch Starship, as per CNET. Currently, everyone is waiting for FAA's decision. SpaceX obtained a tentative approval after the launch plan passed a key environmental review in June. The tentative approval comes with 75 required changes to the mission profile. These changes need to be satisfied first before the license is given. Once it's clear to go, the test flight of Starship will begin at Starbase. During the test flight, Ship 24 will be sent on an orbital trip. It is expected to end with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, while Booster 7 is expected to come down in the Gulf of Mexico. Related Article: SpaceX Starship Environmental Review Delayed Again by FAA - When is the New Date? Pierre-Auguste Renoir's "Andree in Yellow Turban and Red Skirt (Reading)" (1917-1918), back, and a series of Pablo Picasso's ceramic works, including "Jacqueline at the Easel" (1956) and "Aztec Vase with Four Faces" (1957), are on view as part of the "MMCA Lee Kun-hee Collection: Monet, Picasso, and the Masters of the Belle Epoque" exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea's Gwacheon branch in Gyeonggi Province. The show invites the works of eight European masters into the gallery. Yonhap By Park Han-sol Setting foot in the gray-walled circular gallery nestled in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, is like traveling back in time to 19th-century Paris in the Belle Epoque. Surrounded by the flickering, golden-hued glow reminiscent of the gas lamps that once dotted the Parisian streets, visitors to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) only need to take a few steps forward before diving into the dreamlike art world of eight era-defining European masters. At "Monet, Picasso and the Masters of the Belle Epoque," the museum's third exhibition series celebrating late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee's massive art donation last year, 97 paintings and ceramics etched with the names of Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Paul Gauguin, Joan Miro, Marc Chagall and Camille Pissarro are ready to captivate any wandering pairs of eyes. "They are masters in the truest sense of the word, taking the lead in the 19th- and 20th- modern art movements, spanning Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Cubism and Surrealism," the show's curator, Jeon Yu-shin, said during a press conference, Tuesday. While the eight featured artists have different birthplaces and nationalities, what brings them together is their time spent in Paris in the Belle Epoque, a golden age of Europe at the turn of the 20th century that was characterized by economic prosperity and cultural innovations prior to the outbreak of World War I. The French capital city found itself as a hub of remarkably flourishing arts and culture, birthing numerous masterpieces and styles that stood at the forefront of international creative movements from Impressionism to Fauvism, Cubism and Dadaism. A group of Pablo Picasso's bird-themed pitchers and vases, including "Large Bird, Black Face" (1951) and "Bright Owl" (1955), is seen in the foreground at "Monet, Picasso, and the Masters of the Belle Epoque." Displayed in the back is Joan Miro's nearly four-meter-wide "Painting" (1953). Newsis Taking the center stage both physically and figuratively at the exhibition is Picasso, whose 90 ceramic works of plates, vases, pitchers and tiles provide a thematic and formal connection with paintings of other seven iconic artists. The Spanish master first developed an interest in pottery in the early 1900s in Paris when he was introduced to the ceramic vessels produced by Gauguin. However, it wasn't until decades later in the 1940s when he visited Vallauris, a town in southern France famed for its centuries-old pottery industry, that the artist began plunging into his newfound creative endeavor. On display at the gallery is a series of ceramic objects bearing the motifs of birds, centaurs, human faces, curvaceous women and intense bullfights produced between 1948 and 1971. Picasso designed 633 different pottery editions for over two decades, in which his original wares would be reproduced under his supervision by craftsmen at the town's Madoura workshop. The reproductions would be numbered and stamped with phrases like "Poincon Original de Picasso," "D'apres Picasso" and "Edition Picasso, Madoura." While they constitute a lesser-known body of his work, curator Jeon said these pieces are an important testament to Picasso's ceaseless formative experiments that continued into his later years, as he blurred the boundaries between painting, sculpture and printmaking. "The artist expressed hope that his wares, which combined the genres of painting and sculpture, would be found in the village market or used by ordinary people in their day-to-day lives thus producing them in multiple numbers in editions," she added. Claude Monet's "The Water-Lily Pond" (1917-1920) / Courtesy of the MMCA The museum's curatorial choice to use Piccaso's ceramics as a thematic gateway to other European masters' brushwork is an interesting one. The huge disproportion between the number of pottery pieces, 90, and that of paintings, seven, on view will likely lead one to think that the connection is tenuous at best and wonder if its establishment was at all necessary. Nevertheless, the exhibition still proves to be a special chance to appreciate the priceless pieces in one place as part of the MMCA's newly added permanent collection. Monet's "The Water-Lily Pond" and Renoir's "Andree in Yellow Turban and Red Skirt (Reading)" document the two leading Impressionist figures' endeavors to capture the fleeting effects of light shimmering on the surface of the lily pond and on the female reader in fecund shades of blue and pink-yellow, respectively. Gauguin's "Crane on the Banks of the Seine" portrays his initial creative foray into Impressionism before he left his job as a stockbroker and began pursuing painting full-time. Camille Pissarro's "The Cereal Market in Pontoise" (1893) / Courtesy of the MMCA His mentor and patron, Pissarro, is shown side by side at the gallery through "The Cereal Market in Pontoise," where he applied pointillism favored by younger Neo-Impressionists to depict a crowded marketplace. In addition to serving as a celebrated star of the Impressionist movement, Pissarro is considered a father figure to a number of later generations of creators, including Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Cezanne. Spanish-born Dali, Miro and Picasso, as well as Belarusian-born Chagall, belonged to the loosely defined group of Ecole de Paris, referring to the artists of non-French origin who settled in Paris in the first half of the 20th century. Each painter's expressive use of colors in unique pictorial styles has birthed a striking constellation of women, birds, stars, mythological figures and flowers floating freely on canvas or on the surface of pitchers and plates. "Monet, Picasso and the Masters of the Belle Epoque" runs through Feb. 26, 2023, at the MMCA Gwacheon. Sometimes its good to be reminded of just how good a car is by giving it go once more. In the case of the Mitsubishi Xpander, its the smal... Samsung Electronics said Thursday it will provide 5G solutions to America's largest cable service provider, Comcast, in its latest deal as one of the world's biggest 5G network services providers. The partnership to supply 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) is aimed at helping Philadelphia-based Comcast to "enhance 5G connectivity" for its customers, the Korean tech giant said, as demand for stable internet access in the U.S. is rapidly on the rise. Samsung did not disclose the value of the deal. Samsung's 5G RAN technology enables Comcast to more "easily and cost-effectively" offer 5G connectivity for customers "without having to build or acquire additional cell sites," Samsung said in a press release. "With this partnership, Samsung continues to build on its wireless technology leadership in commercial 5G rollouts," said Mark Louison, executive vice president and head of the network business at Samsung Electronics America. "We look forward to helping Comcast advance its goals in delivering best-in-class 5G mobile services for their Xfinity Mobile and Comcast Business customers," he said. Xfinity is a TV and internet service provider owned by Comcast. Samsung is currently providing 5G network solutions and equipment to global telecommunications operators, including Verizon, DISH Network, Vodafone, Japans' KDDI and India's Airtel. (Yonhap) Song Chi-hyung, co-founder and chairman of Dunamu, delivers opening speech of the Upbit Developer Conference 2022, at the Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center, Thursday. Courtesy of Dunamu Polygon, Solana upbeat over new era of Web 3.0 By Lee Min-hyung BUSAN The Upbit Developer Conference (UDC) 2022 started Thursday with great fanfare under the key theme of "Imagine your blockchain life," bringing together prominent blockchain developers from here and abroad in the nation's largest port city. Leaders and developers from major blockchain network operators such as Polygon, Solana, TRON and FTX have appeared at the event, where they discussed how blockchain will reshape people's daily lives. The UDC 2022 is expected to grab the attention of more than 3,000 visitors during the two-day-long fair. This marked the first time since 2019 that the event was held offline due to the years-long COVID-19 pandemic. Song Chi-hyung, co-founder and chairman of Dunamu, welcomed the audience with an opening address. Upbit is the nation's largest crypto exchange and an affiliate of Dunamu. He remained optimistic about the outlook of the crypto and blockchain industry, saying that the ongoing "crypto winter" will eventually be overcome by the continuous development of blockchain products and services. "We need to prove with more advanced blockchain products and services that we can tackle the crypto winter," Song said during the speech. "The blockchain service environment has drastically improved with the successful upgrade of Ethereum's Merge, which paved the way for the scalability expansion all across the industry." "The notion of tokens has also expanded into non-fungible tokens (NFT), and a variety of companies in the area of commerce and content are also joining the blockchain project, which was not the case in the early phase when only some financial and fintech firms showed interest." After his speech, Henry Hecht-Felella, global strategy and operation lead at Polygon, discussed the Layer 2 blockchain. Polygon is a rapidly-growing Layer 2 solution built on Ethereum. He expressed its vision of attracting more than 1 billion users across the globe into the next-generation internet era of Web 3.0, which features a decentralized online world. Tom Lee, Korean team lead at Solana Foundation, delivers a keynote speech on the sidelines of the Upbit Developer Conference 2022, at the Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center, Thursday. Courtesy of Dunamu U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) sent a letter with their colleagues to hold the CEOs of Instagram, TikTok, Snap Inc., and YouTube accountable for their failure to adequately prevent the sale of fentanyl-laced pills to teenagers and young adults on their platforms. In addition to Senators Blackburn and Cassidy, the letter was signed by Senators Daines (R-Mont.), Lee (R-Utah), Sullivan (R-Ark.), Marshall (R-Kan.), Lankford (R-Okla.), and Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.). Read the full letter here. Social media platforms like yours provide a convenient venue for dealers to anonymously and discreetly peddle these counterfeit pills to a young audience, wrote the senators. With four in 10 of these pills containing a lethal dose of fentanyl, more and more of these online transactions are ending in tragedy, continued the senators. Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death among adults age 18-45. According to the CDC, illicitly manufactured fentanyl was the leading cause of overdose deaths, accounting for 71,328 lost lives in 2021, up from 57,834 in 2020, with an even sharper increase expected in 2022. Hulse/Van Dusen house was just down Pine Street from St. Paul's Episcopal and across from the Rathburn home where several Civil War generals stayed Sidney C. Van Dusen had one of the first homes on the northern end of Prospect Street (later Boynton Terrace). His son, Harry Freeborn Van Dusen, lived for many years at 602 Pine St. The family background was German-French. Sidney Van Dusen was born in 1835 at Manheim, New York, the son of Simon and Mary Timmerman Van Dusen. At age 22, he was in the hardware business at Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He married Jennie M. Sisson, of Chicago, in 1863. The family was still in New York when Harry was born in 1864. Sidney Van Dusen studied at the Institute of Learning. He made his way to Atlanta, then arrived in Chattanooga in April 1880. He and Harry set up shop at the Read House across from the train station. Sidney was a railroad ticket broker - one of the best known in the South. He was the elder statesman of the Ticket Brokers Association and won many of its honors. Harry had a cigar and tobacco shop. Sidney later moved his office to 103 W. Ninth St. Sidney married Jane "Jennie" Maxwell. They made their home on Prospect Street at a time when there were few houses on the later very fashionable street. Their only close neighbor as late as 1887 was the Hunts. But by 1889 there had been eight houses built in the section leading over to West Sixth Street. Sidney Van Dusen was on the City Council, and he was elected a member of the city Board of Public Works a few months before his death. It was said "there were few more popular or had more friends" than Sidney Van Dusen. On the last day of May 1905, Sidney Van Dusen had gone to the office as usual. He returned home for lunch, then went back to the office as did many Cameron Hill business people. He arrived home around 6 and was sitting on the porch with his granddaughter, looking over the spectacular view of Chattanooga, when he slumped in his chair and died of a heart attack. Harry was still at the office when he got the startling news. He jumped in a buggy and rode up Cameron Hill as quickly as he could, but his father had died by the time he arrived. Sidney Van Dusen was 69 and "had never been seriously ill in his life." Harry Van Dusen married Cora B. Hulse in 1885 when he was 21. The young couple moved in with her parents, Andrew J. and Lydia Hulse, on Pine Street. It was at the corner of Sixth Street just across the street from the antebellum Rathburn home. Cora's aunt, Martha Wood, was living there also. Andrew J. Hulse was a Confederate veteran. The Hulses were at 221 W. Eighth St. until the house at Pine and Sixth was built in 1889. The Harry Van Dusens lived in this house for many years and raised their daughters, Mabel and Mamie, there. Harry Van Dusen served for five years as chairman of the city Board of Public Works. He also at one time was proprietor of the Northern Hotel, which was near the foot of Cameron Hill. Harry Van Dusen also accumulated much valuable real estate. The family was active at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Harry Van Dusen, like his father, suffered from heart ailments. On June 7, 1925, he left his home at 834 Fort Wood on his way to carry out a business errand at the Marion Extract Company in Highland Park. He decided to stop at the home of the Willson family on Bailey Avenue as they had been friends for 25 years. He was at the front door when he said he was dizzy, then he collapsed and died. Mamie Van Dusen married Oscar Thomas Buffalow in 1919. She lived until 1981 when she was 88. Carrie, a daughter of Sidney and Jennie Van Dusen, died in 1868 as a toddler. Another daughter, Mabel, died in 1881 when she was six. Another daughter, Florence, lived until 1957. At the Spring Festival in 1904, Florence Van Dusen was the "Court Favorite" at the Coronation Exercises. Florence married Russell Dow. Still another daughter, Jennie, married Alvin Hajos and they lived in Atlanta. A photo has not yet been located of the Van Dusen home on Prospect Street. A man on Commerce Street called police wanting to verify if it was marijuana he found in one of his work vehicles. Police arrived and saw a minuscule amount of what appeared to be marijuana shake in the dash under the radio. Shortly after picking up the extremely small amount of possible marijuana, it crumbled in the officers fingertips. There was nothing for police to confiscate. * * * Police received a notification through dispatch that panhandlers were begging for money at the intersection of East Brainerd and Graysville Road. Upon arrival police saw a man walking in and out of traffic attempting to make contact with drivers. Police spoke to the man who identified himself and his friend, who was also panhandling. The man said they didnt know their actions were illegal and left the scene. * * * A man on E. Polymer Drive told police he went out to his vehicle and found the front driver side window was broken out and his Glock 19x had been stolen out of his locked center console. The stolen firearm has been entered into NCIC. * * * Police responded to a shoplifting at Walmart at 501 Signal Mountain Road. A Walmart associate said a black male had fled the store with merchandise that had not been paid for. The employee said the man got away with $120 worth of merchandise. The employee said they were unable to identify the suspect, however a report was needed for their files. * * * An employee at BASF Dispersions at 2120 Polymer Dr. had his Jeep broken into while at work. Police believe that the suspects were looking for weapons. The man said nothing was stolen from his Jeep. He did say his glove box drawer was damaged and his center counsel was also damaged. * * * A woman called police to report she had lost her cell phone at Hamilton Place at 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. She wanted a police report because it was a free government phone and she wanted another one. * * * A woman on Camellia Drive said she was having issues again with a man and woman. The last time the police were out with this woman, she said the man had a gun. Police were not able to make contact with the white Nissan or either person. Police were able to determine that these three have been having issues. The woman has not been able to provide police with any real proof that the man has had a gun or threatened anyone with a gun. Police were able to determine that nothing had been taken at this time. * * * Police responded to Food City at 4510 Hwy. 58 where a Jeep Patriot was parked and a Ford Mustang's parking brake failed and rolled into the Jeep. Neither vehicle had a driver at the time. Both owners were given complaint cards. * * * An officer responded to a disorder on Croll Court where a man said his girlfriend was not giving him his keys. The girlfriend gave the man his keys back and told him to leave, which he did. * * * A woman at Krystal at 2298 E. 23rd St. told police she had her vehicle and store keys together sitting on the counter inside of the store. An older white male, wearing a black shirt, black pants and sunglasses, entered the store, grabbed her keys, held them up and then left the store. The woman said the man got into a newer black Jeep displaying a white registration plate with black letters. The woman said she had never seen the individual before and did not have any type of altercation with him to prompt him to steal her keys. The woman said the store's key was also on her key ring. RTIC sent a photo taken of the suspect vehicle on E. 23rd Street, however the registration was not visible. The officer checked the area but did not locate the suspects vehicle. An unidentified anonymous source sent me a 24-page pamphlet titled Roster of Our Dead Buried in Confederate Cemetery at Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was first published in 1894 which would be the era of the Lost Cause movement led by the Daughters of the Confederacy and other groups urged on by self-serving politicians to appeal to and memorialize the loss of a loved one during the Civil War in 1861-1865. The August 21, 1894, document in 24 pages lists the names and companies served of 749 known and 156 unknown sons of the South from the states of Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Kentucky that were originally buried in a low unsightly spot. In reality there are two Confederate Cemetries in the area. The one described above lies north of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus between that location of the old City High School on East 3rd Street. There also exists the Mizpah Jewish cemetery in that location that was created in 1866. It had originally been started in 1853 as the Hebrew Benevolence Association for Jewish immigrants. The written documents described above contains four pages of commentary by another historical figure in Chattanooga who was identified as the Chairman of the N.B. Forrest Camp Memorial committee formed in 1885 in the name of the general remembered both as the wizard of the saddle and the leader of the multiple executions of black prisoners at Fort Pillow in West Tennessee. Finally, Nathan Bedford Forrest would be identified as one of the founders of the Klu Klux Clan in middle Tennessee. His name was Joseph F. Shipp and he served as the Sheriff of Hamilton County from 1904-1908. He served as a captain in the Confederate Army and after the war became a very successful entrepreneur in the manufacturing industry in Chattanooga. By 1893 Shipp was allegedly known as one of the wealthiest citizens in Hamilton County. Unfortunately, he was the Sheriff in 1906 who was in charge of the jail when vigilante justice took place in the rape case of a white woman by a negro, Ed Johnson, who had been sentenced to hang but the execution was delayed by the appellate process. The complete story has been fully reported based on the original research and investigation conducted by the late City Court Judge Ellis Meachem (EM) (an acknowledged author of several books), and the award-winning publication Contempt of Court by respected writer Mark Curriden (MC) and well known attorney Leroy Phillips, Jr. (LP). It was reported by a deceased attorney and actually corroborated by the lawyers son that EM turned over his background materials to LP who with MC turned the original unfinished product into an American Bar Association Silver Gavel Award for legal writing. Due to his alleged conflict in the mob removal of Johnson from his custody and the hanging of the prisoner from the Walnut Street Bridge, Sheriff Shipp and several of his deputies were charged with contempt in the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., convicted, and he was required to serve a sentence of three months in a federal prison. Upon his return to Chattanooga, it is alleged that he was welcomed home by a crowd at the train station estimated to be around 10,000 fans and supporters. Throughout the rest of his life until his death on Sept. 18, 1925, at his home on Lookout Place, Shipp was a strong advocate for honoring the deceased Rebel soldiers buried in the two afore-mentioned cemeteries. He urged the various State Divisions of the United Confederate Veterans to furnish a Bronze with each comrades name and command cast therein the same to stand as a perpetual memorial to the memory of our heroic dead as shown by the written Roster. The receipt of the Roster in a plain manilla envelope provides significant historical data on one of the most prominent burial sites of Southern soldiers in Hamilton County. The second collective burial plot is on the former William S. Standifers Farm in Silverdale at 7710 Lee Highway which in 1900 was reported to contain 75-100 Confederate graves in an abandoned cemetery. Actually, there were approximately 155 soldiers buried there but due to deterioration of the wooden markers and lack of official records their identifies are unknown. Over the years various degrees of interest have surrounded the final resting place of those who served but did not survive the end of the conflict. At a veterans meeting in 1903 the sum of $75 was raised to purchase the large lot from Mr. Standifers widow in 1904. In 1926 and 1934 additional funds and donations of materials resulted in a large concrete archway being erected over the entrance. Allegedly local foundries donated cast iron signs that were erected but are missing in 2022. A non-profit corporation was formed in 1979 titled the Chattanooga Area Relic and Historical Association but its corporate status was dissolved on Dec. 31, 1987. Descendants in the sons of Confederate Veterans and others have maintained the upkeep of the area to the present. * * * You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com) Chief Judge William Boyett (third from left) stands with his colleagues, from left, Senior Judge Jack Partain, Judge Charlie Bethel of the Georgia Supreme Court, Superior Court Judges Cindy Morris, Jim Wilbanks, Scott Minter and Senior Judge Bobby Adams - photo by Mitch Talley As members of his family look on, Chief Judge William Boyett talks during the ceremony. He has been a judge in the Conasauga Circuit since 1983. - photo by Mitch Talley Chief Judge William Boyett smiles as he talks during a ceremony naming the Historic Courtroom of the Whitfield County Courthouse in his honor. - photo by Mitch Talley Friends, family and colleagues of William T. Boyett surprised the long-time Superior Court Chief Judge during a special ceremony Friday morning at the Whitfield County Courthouse, during which the recently renovated Historic Courtroom was dedicated and named in his honor. As the longest serving active member of the state Superior Court bench, you represent the best of the judiciary, and through your service have helped to build public confidence in our judicial system as a fundamental, indispensable and independent branch of government, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia Michael P. Boggs wrote in a letter read during the ceremony by Judge Charlie Bethel of the Georgia Supreme Court. And despite nearly 40 stellar years as a Superior Court judge, you have also served the state judiciary well beyond your service on the bench, Chief Justice Boggs added. Your dedicated public service has truly made the judiciary better and improved the administration of justice. Whether as president of the Council of Superior Court Judges (including during my time on the Superior Court bench), through service on nearly every committee of the Council, service on the Judicial Council, or in giving back to your community, you represent the very best of our profession. Chief Justice Boggs called Judge Boyetts contributions immeasurable and reminiscent of the toil-worn craftsman always endeavoring to do the duty that lies nearest. Another colleague, Charles A. Pannell Jr., U.S. district judge for the Northern District of Georgia, wasnt able to attend the ceremony because hes recovering from spinal surgery, but in a letter read by Superior Court Judge Cindy Morris, he praised Judge Boyett for being steady as she goes while saluting his patience and persistence. Judge Boyett graduated from Dalton High School in 1963, earning a law degree from the University of Georgia and returning to his hometown to practice law with Mitchell & Mitchell. In 1983, he was elected as the third Superior Court judge of the Conasauga Circuit and has remained on the bench ever since. Nathan Lock, president of the Conasauga Bar Association, said naming the courtroom in honor of Judge Boyett was an easy decision for the groups members, all of whom responded with an emphatic yes when questioned by Mr. Lock and other leaders of the association, including Vice President Andrew Powell and Secretary Azurae Orie. I took [my oath as a lawyer] 10 years ago in front of Judge Boyett, Mr. Lock said. I think my knees were buckling together because I was scared to death, and he called me up and said some kind words and wished me luck in my practice. That was the first of many opportunities I had to stand before Judge Boyett, and hes treated me with respect and dignity each time, even when he rules against me, which happens from time to time. While himself representing key words from that oath - truly and honestly, justly and uprightly - Judge Boyett also cares, listens and shows respect in the courtroom, Mr. Lock said. During the ceremony, Mr. Powell unveiled a plaque that will be placed in the courtroom in honor of the judge, reading: Honorable William T. Boyett Courtroom. Dedicated in appreciation of his faithful service to the citizens of Whitfield and Murray Counties and his caring stewardship of this court as Chief Judge. Mr. Powell said Judge Boyett has created a legacy in the community and quoted a colleague who had this to say about him: At a time when so many elected officials seem to have lost their ability to engage in civil discourse, Judge Boyett remains a gentleman. Whether hes dealing with county commissioners, clerks, sheriffs or any other elected official, Judge Boyett is always polite, respects their positions, listens and eloquently states the courts position. He holds fast the principles in which he believes, but also knows how and when to compromise. If theres anything that makes the judicial branch stand apart from the other branches, its the fairness, courtesy and dignified demeanor of people such as Judge Boyett. He always remembers that the administration of justice is non-partisan and should rise above petty politics. If there is such a thing as judicial DNA, Judge Boyett has it. He IS a judge. It is not what he does, its who he is. Looking out at his children, grandchildren and other relatives gathered on the front row, Judge Boyett took time to praise their individual accomplishments before saying he was honored and appreciative of the honor bestowed upon him. I found out I passed the Bar [exam] out here on the sidewalk, he recalled while looking back on his career. I was walking toward Crawford Street, and Judge [Robert Luke] Vining walked by me and he said, Hello, lawyer! and I knew what he meant. After practicing law for about a dozen years, Judge Boyett quipped that he decided to run for the third judgeship in the circuit because nobody else wanted the job. I got elected and have been elected since, he said. The first time I sat up there, I looked out at the people and I thought to myself: Im where Im supposed to be. Renovated as part of the 2020 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, the Historic Courtroom looks the same, but new HVAC, sprinkler, lighting and sound and evidence presentation systems have been installed. The meeting of the Red Bank Commission began with the swearing in of City Judge Johnny Houston by General Sessions Court Judge Christie Sell. This will be his third term as the citys judge. Commissioner Ruth Jeno said that Judge Houston has always been fair, kind and generous and has been an exceptional judge. The Red Bank Fire Department will be getting two new specialized vehicles after they were approved for purchase at the commission meeting. A Polaris Ranger XP 1000 Utility Terrain Vehicle will be bought for $59,701 to be used for extinguishing brush fires and to perform rescues that are off the beaten path, specifically in the White Oak Park/Stringers Ridge Park which is shared with Chattanooga, as well as any new parks that are just now in the planning stages, said Fire Chief Brent Sylar. City Manager Martin Granum added that it could be used not only for parks but for any unimproved areas where firefighters could get in before a fire gets big. In response to Commissioner Ruth Jeno, he said that he estimates that 25 percent of Stringers Ridge is in the authority of Red Bank. The city has an agreement with Chattanooga for fire and rescue in the park as long as they are available, said Commissioner Jeno, who was the only vote against the purchase, saying she believes the park is covered at this time. A 2022 Ford F-250, 4x4 Crew Cab, diesel powered pickup truck will also be added to the fire departments administrative fleet. It will be assigned to Chief Sylar and will be a command vehicle, he said, and will be used to pull a 10,000-pound trailer that carries 650 pounds of foam, which is the reason a large truck is needed. The truck will be bought through a state contract at the price of $62,736. Another vehicle was approved for the public works department. A Kuboda commercial lawnmower will be purchased for $17,738 to replace the eight-year-old mower that is currently in the shop. The mower is used five days a week for upkeep of all the citys parks and green spaces and, while the old one is being repaired, the city has had to use a rental mower. A vote passed to participate in and accept a Safety Partners grant for $2,000 from the citys insurer, Public Entity Partners. The purpose of the grant is to encourage a safe and hazard free work place. The council agreed to provide a required $2,000 match. This is a grant that is received each year, and this year the money will be used to purchase personal protective equipment, specifically, boots for the public works employees. Another grant for $1,000 from Tennessee American Water will buy equipment to be used on the fire departments new pumper truck. In reports from the commission and city administration, Commissioner Jeno gave a reminder that the citys beautification board will meet on Friday. She also said the Senior Center will be holding an event Building futures and Changing Lives, on Oct. 3 where help will be provided to seniors for the use of computers, cell phones and other technologies. Mayor Hollie Berry reported that the Community Food Pantry at Red Bank United Methodist Church will hold the next distribution on Oct. 6 from 4:30-6 p.m. And Vice Mayor Stefanie Dalton said that the annual coupon books are now being sold at all Hamilton County schools. They can be bought from any student or any school in person or from the schools website. City Manager Granum said it is close to the one-year mark since he started working for Red Bank. Now the commissioners are beginning to create an annual assessment for him. And he will be doing the same for the six people who report directly to him. City Recorder Tracey Perry told the commissioners that one of the new positions that the city created this year has been filled. A capital projects manager has been hired and will begin on Oct. 10. Governor Bill Lee and Commissioner David Salyers of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today announced the creation of Savage Gulf State Park in Grundy and Sequatchie counties, a boost for recreation in the region, bringing the total of Tennessees state parks to 57. The park, featuring one of Tennessees most scenic areas, includes the nearly 19,000-acre Savage Gulf State Natural Area, which is also a National Natural Landmark. The site contains old-growth forest and remarkable vistas, including waterfalls and the Great Stone Door, an impressive cliff line overlooking Savage Gulf that gets its name from a top-to-bottom crack in the cliff, resembling a door left slightly ajar. The new park includes land formerly managed as part of South Cumberland State Park. South Cumberland had become too large to manage effectively as a single park, and the lands unique characteristics warrant status as a stand-alone park. This a special day for Tennessee State Parks, Governor Lee said. Its one of the most spectacular sites in our state, and the new park will serve Tennesseans for many years to come. Tennessee State Parks are recognized as one of the best state parks systems in the country, and this park adds to that special standing. Savage Gulf State Park will be a unique Tennessee attraction, Commissioner Salyers said. We want all Tennesseans to enjoy its natural beauty and recreation opportunities, and we are grateful to the governor and the Tennessee General Assembly for their leadership in making this happen. The Tennessee General Assembly provided $30,380,000 for future improvements, including a visitors center, RV campground, and infrastructure to support new facilities. For now, current access points remain as is. I am grateful to see yet another opportunity emerge to showcase our states majestic natural beauty, said Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge. This new state park will be a great resource for Tennesseans as well as an attraction drawing in visitors from across the country to our state. I appreciate the vision of Governor Lee, Commissioner Salyers and all those whose work led to this day. Tennessees incredible state park system is critical to our sustained economic success, said Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville. Thanks to Gov. Lee, Commissioner Salyers, Lt. Gov. McNally, the General Assembly, and all who have partnered on the Savage Gulf State Park project. This new resource will not only enhance the entire system, but it will also continue driving Tennessee tourism while improving the quality of life for both citizens and our many visitors. Grundy County is thrilled that our beautiful state parks will be enjoyed by visitors for years to come, said Grundy County Mayor Michael Brady. The park will be unique and bring to the forefront the beauty of the area. We are extremely grateful and appreciative to Governor Bill Lee, Commissioner Salyers, and the Tennessee General Assembly for their commitment to our majestic state parks. The Savage Gulf State Park will mean so much to Grundy County and Tennessee on so many levels. This is a great day for Grundy County! The Friends of South Cumberland State Park has had a long and valuable relationship with Tennessee State Parks, said Trae Moore, president of the Friends of South Cumberland support group. We have been able to assist the state in protecting South Cumberland State Park and grow it into the natural treasure that it is today, and we look forward to the creation of the new Savage Gulf State Park and expanding access for Tennesseans and visitors alike. While most of Savage Gulf will continue to be maintained as a designated state natural area, the park will include the addition of a744-acre developable area comprised of theformer Shady Valleynursery and two recently acquired tracts. Key partners in the creation of the park include the Friends of South Cumberland, the State Lands Acquisition Fund, and the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Reporting on its five-year Chattanooga Climbs economic goals, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce said its five-year goal of $1 billion in capital investment was reached and surpassed in three years. At the Chattanooga Chamber Annual Meeting, presented by sponsor Chattanooga Gas, Jim Haley, immediate past chair of the Chattanooga Chamber Board of Directors, reported: - Steam Logistics' investment downtown and the West Star Aviation expansion at the Chattanooga Airport led the way in capital investment over the 12-month fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022 - Over the same period, $38 million in capital investment helped create 685 jobs - With a continued focus on talent development, Avondales Construction Career Center broke ground In addition, DEVNET, Inc., HomeServe USA and Hudson Materials played a significant role in achieving those numbers. The three-year cumulative results of the five-year Chattanooga Climbs plan include: - Reaching and surpassing the goal of $1 billion in capital investment; total of $1,097,079,071 in investment funds - The goal of a $55,000 average wage by 2024 is 91% complete; the average wage to date is $50,034 - The goal of creating 5,000 total jobs is 63% complete; a total of 3,147 jobs were created - The goal of $500 million in new payroll is 63% complete; $314,507,385 in new payroll has been reached Each year the Chattanooga Chamber recognizes the extraordinary leadership of member volunteers through awards for Council of the Year and Ambassador of the Year. Christy Gillenwater, president and CEO, Chattanooga Chamber, honored 11 area Chattanooga Chamber councils and the International Business Council for dedicating more than 3,000 volunteer hours to our community. Ms. Gillenwater announced that the Chattanooga Chamber Ooltewah Collegedale Council received the coveted Chamber Council of the Year Award. Their work included supporting small businesses with networking events, partnering with the local library, and implementing training programs focused on teaching soft skills. Marcia Caldwell, office manager and marketing director, Embark Project Services, was named Chattanooga Chamber Ambassador of the Year. Mr. Haley recognized her exemplary integrity and professionalism in announcing the honor. Board of Director Chair Janelle Reilly, Market CEO with CHI Memorial, thanked Mr. Haley and looked forward to achieving new goals together. "You've been an incredible leader and role model, Ms. Reilly said of Mr. Haley. We will continue our mission of championing member businesses and promoting regional economic growth with the help of Paul Leath, our chair-elect, as well as our board of directors, our Chattanooga Chamber Council leaders, business leaders, key partners and many volunteers." During the virtual meeting, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp shared their perspectives on the regions economy and Haley thanked them both along with Jim Coppinger, outgoing Hamilton County Mayor. Mr. Kelly lauded the one-time infusion of federal funds as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, funds which will be used to help close opportunity gaps with the investment of $30 million into 36 local initiatives. Of that, $8.8 million will go toward workforce development projects. Mr. Wamp emphasized the importance of continuing to equip workers with job-ready skills. "My team and I stand ready to work with the Chamber on economic development issues while maintaining a laser focus on raising the bar in public education and building a workforce that meets the needs of current employers and new businesses that come to Hamilton County," Mr. Wamp said. Ms. Gillenwater highlighted the past years public relations and talent recruitment outreach: - 1.2 billion media impressions promoting Chattanooga - ChattanoogaCalling.com attracted talent with over 38,000 users - In collaboration with the Chattanooga Airport and Branch Technology, a 16-foot, 3D-printed Climbs Sculpture welcomes visitors and showcases ChattanoogaCalling.com - New ChattanoogaTrend.com website In addition, the Chattanooga Chamber's 2022 Annual Report covers the business case for diversity, equity and inclusion through initiatives to build diverse talent and enhance community wealth. The Chattanooga Chamber manages the INCubator, housed in the Hamilton County Business Development Center. The INCubator reached 100% manufacturing capacity and 80% occupancy overall. INCubator clients created more than 250 jobs in diverse industry sectors. Recent program graduates include Branch Technology and Hoff & Pepper, which both expanded over the past year. The annual report also highlights the Chamber's public policy initiatives of the past fiscal year which include monitoring more than 250 pieces of legislation while supporting Gov. Bill Lee's proposal for overhauling K-12 funding, Tax Increment Financing legislation for South Broad Revitalization, and funding for a new health science building at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga during the 2022 Tennessee General Assembly. The Chattanooga Chamber's policy agenda also included support for federal investments in workforce and skills training, early childhood education funding, workplace vaccine policies, and expanding Amtrak. Continuing its track record of talent development and retention, 45 participants graduated from Leadership Chattanooga and 24 graduated from Protege Chattanooga, both Chattanooga Chamber professional development programs. My late father-in-law Dr. Robert OBannon, a noted college professor, coined a phrase he called academic schizophrenia. Schizophrenia, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a serious mental disorder where people abnormally interpret reality. Their thinking and behavior impair daily functioning. Symptoms can vary in type and severity over time. Dr. OBannon theorized that some of the policies and education fads we had adopted were no longer based on reality and could eventually hurt the education of students and drive committed educators from teaching. That is a simple explanation for his deeper understanding of the issue. Eventually, education ceases to function as intended and no longer functions as expected. He outlined causes and solutions. Former Wilson County Superintendent, Dr. Donna Wright, shared similar concerns with Nashvilles WKRN Channel 2, about the crisis in public education about the need for a major overhaul in education. Weve got federal mandates. Weve got state requirements. Weve got local initiatives, too. So, roll all that into pieces, and whats happened out there, weve taken the joy out of teaching, Dr. Wright said. Dr. Wright also believes a lack of desire to teach, and an exodus of exhausted educators put the system so many children depend on in a precarious situation. She has identified the problem: too much overlapping government regulation and government mandates that are often contradictory. If it keeps going, it is unsustainable. Government, at every level federal, state, and local is, with increasing regularity, creating unintended consequences on public education. This makes our schools and districts incapable of changing to meet a student or societal needs. It also expands the scope and purpose in which schools were originally established. No wonder parents and educators are frustrated. We see the inevitability of conflict daily in schools, on our news, and social media. Dickson County High School principal Joey Holley offered some profound thoughts on modern teaching. Holley said: Kids with complex living arrangements, uninvolved guardians, societal expectations, and pressures of social media. Like a pressure cooker, they eventually steam out of control. From parents to students, Holley said it goes back to support at home. Sometimes we have it. Most of the time we dont. Why have schools become the de facto means to address our social problems? And are our schools the appropriate structure needed? Eric Stinton, a writer/teacher in Hawaii asks, If we want schools to do all of the things teach academics; teach social, emotional and decision-making skills; reduce poverty and increase parental involvement; change stigmas about counseling, nonviolent conflict resolution, and self-care; reconcile racial and cultural tensions in society; teach kids how to conduct themselves online and enforce penalties when they dont then were going to have to make some substantial changes to what schools are and how they operate. Stinton challenges us to address the social problems that affect schools, instead of seeing them simply as another problem with schools. We must take the burden off our educators to solve all of society's litany of problems. Until we address that issue, along with lack of respect, educator workload, and student discipline issues, we can expect teacher turnover and retention issues to worsen. Kelly Treleaven raises a key question: What about the glaring problem that K-12 education in America relies on the unpaid labor, kindness, and guilt teachers have to do whats best for kids? Then she brings up quiet quitting where teachers take care of themselves, re-prioritize their values, and delay self-burnout. Treleaven then asks: What will happen if teachers (rightfully) scale back their work, but the powers who created and perpetuated this system are never made to reckon with their problematic arrangement. We are heading for a shift in public education. Like it or not, our current model must be better understood, and our purpose clearly defined. As we look at changes, the question in public education is, Who blinks first? Politicians, parents, or educators? Then we will face the next challenge, Who will remain? We are resilient people, who are stronger together when we place people above politics. Education must be forward-thinking. If there was ever a time to redefine what we want in our schools, now is the time according to Doug Bergman from Udacity. However, we should also look backward--- at our traditions and customs and be reminded of why public education exists in the first place. The Tennessee General Assembly should focus on what we, as a state, even want from public education. JC Bowman Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee Hundreds of prison, jail deaths go uncounted by U.S. federal government: report Xinhua) 09:18, September 22, 2022 NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Justice Department is failing to adequately and efficiently collect data about deaths in state prisons and local jails, with at least 990 incidents going uncounted by the federal government in fiscal year 2021 alone, according to a newly released bipartisan Senate report. The report's findings were the focus of a hearing on Tuesday of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which probed this summer the accusations of unsanitary and unsafe conditions at a penitentiary in Atlanta and other allegations of misconduct across the federal prison system. "Now, the conclusion of a 10-month investigation into how the Justice Department oversees the federal Death in Custody Reporting Act accuses the agency of missing death counts that are readily available on public websites and in arrest-related databases," said NBC News in its report of the issue. In addition, the law requires that states and federal agencies report in-custody death information to the attorney general, who must then study how the data can help reduce such deaths and provide the results to Congress. The information was due at the end of 2016, but the Senate report says it won't be completed until 2024, according to the report. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun) Passengers look out the window at the sea from a train running along the coast in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Sept. 16. Newsis Gwandong Pungryu Era Route is one of 10 Korean Heritage Routes By Kwak Yeon-soo GANGNEUNG Gangneung is a city with rich cultural heritage and incredible ocean views. The eastern coastal area stretching from Gangneung to PyeongChang, Sokcho and Yangyang is nicknamed "the jewel of Korea's real landscape painting" for its stunning scenery and coastal views. Since ancient times, scholars and travelers headed east to Gangwon Province to enjoy the beauty of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range stretching across the Korean Peninsula and visit the East Sea. Many of them composed poems and wrote travelogues, praising the natural landscape, history and culture of the Gwandong region (now eastern Gangwon Province). The region was described in the Gwandongbyeolgok, a travel journal written by Jeong Cheol during the Joseon Kingdom period (1392-1910). Among the explorers was a 14-year-old girl named Kim Keum-won (1817-?), who disguised herself as a man and traveled the eight scenic spots of the Gwandong region on her way to Mount Geumgang (now located in North Korea). "According to Gyeonggukdaejeon (a book containing the fundamental laws of the Joseon Kingdom), women were prohibited from traveling or visiting the temple monastery. However, Kim persuaded her parents to embark on her solo adventure," cultural commentator Eom Mi-jeong, who dressed up as Kim, said during a press trip to the region last week. Cultural commentator Eom Mi-jeong, right, who is dressed as Kim Keum-won (1817-?), a young female traveler during the Joseon Kingdom, explains the Gwandong Pungryu Era Route on a seaside train in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Sept. 16. Newsis The Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation introduced the Gwandong Pungryu Era Route as part of its Visit Korean Heritage campaign. Pungryu means appreciation for the arts or nature, as enjoyed by scholars, poets and travelers in the Joseon era. The route includes a seaside train ride from Gangneung to Samcheok and a moonlight tour around Seongyojang, a 300-year-old residence that used to belong to an aristocratic family during the Joseon Kingdom. "We rolled out the tour package in 2020 in the hopes of attracting foreign visitors. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our initial plans, and so we turned our eyes toward targeting domestic tourists instead," an official from the foundation said. Passengers ride along the ocean, which runs between Gangneung Station and Samcheok Beach Station, on a special train in which seats are facing toward the windows to give a good view of the ocean scenery outside. The stops along the one-hour ride are Jeongdongjin, Mukho, Donghae and Chuam stations. At Jeongdongjin Station, a flutist plays "La Mar," and at Samcheok Beach Station, gayageum (12-stringed Korean zither) and haegeum (two-stringed violin-like instrument) players greet passengers with traditional Korean music. A night view of Seongyojang, a traditional estate that has been preserved in its original form for over 300 years, in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Sept. 16 / Newsis After arriving at Samcheok Beach Station, passengers can enjoy about two hours of free time when they can visit Jukseoru Pavilion, which is estimated to have been built in 1275 by Yi Seung-hyu (1224-1300), a scholar who retired to Mount Duta, or enjoy a cup of coffee or soft tofu gelato near the beach. "The tickets for the Gwandong Pungryu Era Route tour were sold out in two minutes after the booking started. This year, we held the tour only once in September, but we plan to hold it twice in May and next September. We are in talks with Korea Railroad Corp. to replace the outdated train," the foundation official said. An actor dressed up as Kim Keum-won, right, a young female traveler during the Joseon Kingdom, stands under Wolhamun, the main gate of Seongyojang, in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Sept. 16. The two signboards on the gate's two pillars have a poem written on them: "A bird falls asleep on the tree by the pond and a monk knocks on the door under the moonlight." Courtesy of Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation After the sunset awaits the moonlight tour around Seongyojang, a traditional estate that has been preserved in its original form for over 300 years. "Seongyojang was built by Lee Nae-beon (1703-81), the 11th descendant of Prince Hyoryeong (a brother of King Sejong). Since then, the residence has been inherited and well-preserved through 10 generations for more than 300 years. It provided temporary accommodation to scholars and travelers, and Kim also stayed in this place while traveling," cultural heritage commentator Park Kwang-ill explained. The privately owned, 99-section home was designated a national folklore cultural heritage asset in 1967. It is comprised of the matriarch's room as well as other rooms such as the "sarangchae" (the men's part of a house), "dongbyeoldang" (a detached hall in the east) and "seobyeoldang" (a detached hall in the west). Near the front gate is a manmade pond and a pavilion called Hwallaejeong. "Seongyojang was built in traditional Korean style, but some buildings have modern looks. For instance, the terrace of Yeolhwadang (place of the male master of Seongyojang) was built by the Russian consul at the end of Joseon Kingdom," Park explained. Participants on a moonlight tour of Seongyojang look around the historic site in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Sept. 16. Courtesy of Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation A traditional music performance is held at Seongyojang in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Sept. 16. Courtesy of Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation Thurman Carl Coleman, 79, from Ringgold, was convicted on Wednesday by a Catoosa County jury for the charges of aggravated sexual battery, aggravated child molestation (two counts), incest (two counts), and child molestation (five counts). The evidence presented over the course of a three day trial, presided over by Judge Ralph Van Pelt, Jr., showed that Coleman engaged in a pattern of child molestation for over a decade. Colemans family, including his son, daughter-in-law, and their children moved into his residence to assist him with care after his wife passed away in 2011. The family moved into their own residence in the summer of 2021 and shortly thereafter, two children disclosed that he had been molesting them for several years. One of the victims disclosed the abuse to a counselor at a summer camp, and another victim disclosed to her mother. Coleman had been exposing himself to the victims, digitally penetrating the children, and performing oral sex on them on a regular basis for a number of years when the family was living with and caring for Coleman. The Catoosa County Sheriffs Office was notified of the disclosure of abuse and an investigation was conducted, wherein the victims were interviewed at the Childrens Advocacy Center in Ft. Oglethorpe. Over a three-day trial, both of the children took the witness stand to confront Coleman and described in detail the sexual abuse he had inflicted on them for years. One of the victims detailed how Coleman would take her for ice cream and then demand she submit to his abuse as payment for the ice cream. Evidence was also presented of Coleman previously molesting another family member. The jury deliberated less than an hour before convicting Coleman. The state of Georgia was represented by Assistant District Attorney Deanna Reisman during the trial. Victim Advocate Amber Armstrong provided care and assistance to the victims and their family during the course of the trial. The case was investigated by Detective Brittany Gilleland with the Catoosa County Sheriffs Office. District Attorney Chris Arnt praised the team effort in prosecuting this case. We are proud to work with dedicated professionals like Holly Kittle at the Childrens Advocacy Center and Detective Brittany Gilleland of the Catoosa County Sheriffs Department. Ms. Reisman worked diligently to prepare and present a powerful and compelling case to the jury which enabled them to quickly reach a verdict and bring an end to the defendants sexual predation. This case is another example of my offices dedication to pursuing justice for the most vulnerable victims. If you choose to molest children in the Lookout Mountain Circuit by prepared for a very long stay in a Georgia Prison. Coleman remains in the Catoosa County Jail awaiting sentencing scheduled for Oct. 26. He faces a minimum sentence of life with at least 25 years without parole. George Harrison invited members of the Hells Angels to stop in and see him if they ever visited England. Despite his welcoming offer, he didnt hesitate to throw them out. Harrison eventually had to rescind his invitation after some unruly behavior at a Christmas party. Even before this, though, Harrison had no qualms about pushing them out the door. During a meeting, Harrison kicked out three Hells Angels who vastly outsized him. George Harrison | David Redfern/Redferns George Harrison once invited Hells Angels to visit him According to Rolling Stone, in 1968, Harrison sent an eye-raising memo to the Beatles Apple Records headquarters. Hells Angels will be in London within the next week, on the way to straighten out Czechoslovakia [a reference to the current political upheaval]. There will be 12 in number complete with black leather jackets and motorcycles. They will undoubtedly arrive at Apple and I have heard they may try to make full use of Apples facilities. They may look as though they are going to do you in but are very straight and do good things, so dont fear them or up-tight them. Try to assist them without neglecting your Apple business and without letting them take control of Savile Row. George Harrison. Beatles' last public performance, on top of Apple Records, London, this month 1969: pic.twitter.com/bHyfm4J1Az Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) January 10, 2018 Harrison had run into the group in San Francisco and gave them an open invitation to look him up if they were ever in England. George Harrison once kicked several Hells Angels out of a meeting Though Harrison welcomed the Hells Angels to the Apple offices, he didnt want them involved in every part of his day-to-day life. He once tossed them out of a meeting. I saw him back-out three Hells Angels, musician Jackie Lomax said, per the book George Harrison: Behind the Locked Door by Graeme Thomson. We were in an office together with Alistair [Taylor], and these three Angels just flung open the door and walked straight in. According to Lomax, Harrison had no problem with confronting the three men. I was looking for the closet, but George walked straight up to the biggest guy in the middle and said, What are you doing here? We dont want you here, were having a meeting,' Lomax explained. The guy must have outweighed him by 200lbs, but he just walked back and kept saying, I know you, I know you He walked out the door and George shut it in his face. Pretty impressive, man! Force of will! Right out the door. He eventually asked them to leave after a Christmas party Harrison eventually rescinded his invitation after a Christmas party. Mayhem broke out when the turkey was served. Day 1 of #BeatlesAdvent "Hello to the Seventies and Give Peace a Chance". Apple's 1969 Christmas card, with pictures of their staff members. The signature by "George Harrison" is actually Mal Evans, though he's done a decent job of it (genuine sig: photo 4). pic.twitter.com/I2B3uj84ax Eddie Robson (@EddieRobson) December 1, 2019 A huge turkey came in on a big tray with four people carrying it, Apple Records president Neil Aspinall said. It was about 10 yards from the door to the table where they were going to put the turkey down, but it never made it. The Hells Angels just went Woof! and everything disappeared: arms, legs, breast, everything. By the time it got to the table there was nothing there. They ripped the turkey to pieces, trampling young children underfoot to get to it. Ive never seen anything like it. In the end, Harrison was the one who invited him, so he had to ask him to leave. As hed demonstrated before, he didnt have much of a problem with that. RELATED: George Harrison Shared 1 of the Main Faults of John Lennon and Paul McCartney Kate Middleton Honored Queen Elizabeth at Her Funeral In the Most Subtle Way Kate Middleton was one of the many members of the British royal family who attended Queen Elizabeths funeral. The newly titled Princess of Wales accompanied her husband, Prince William, and brought their two oldest children Prince George and Princess Charlotte to the service at Londons Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19. Following royal protocol, Kate wore a tasteful all-black funeral ensemble for the days events. And she wore two pieces of jewelry as a subtle tribute to the late monarch. Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton | Samir Hussein/WireImage Kate Middleton wore an Alexander McQueen coat dress to Queen Elizabeths funeral Kate chose a sharp-shouldered, double-breasted black blazer dress from Alexander McQueen that featured pleats, a narrow waist, and a deep V-shaped neckline. It was an angular garment that resembled a 1980s power suit, and it was the black version of the dress she wore at a Platinum Jubilee event earlier this summer. She accessorized her funeral ensemble with a wide-brimmed black hat. And, the princess added some eye-popping jewelry from the queens extensive jewelry collection. The Princess of Wales honored Queen Elizabeth II at her funeral in the most subtle way The Princess of Wales jewelry selections for the funeral was how she chose to honor her late grandmother-in-law. First, she wore a pair of long drop pearl earrings that were given to Queen Elizabeth as a wedding gift in 1947 by Sheik Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa of Bahrain. According to jewelry expert Maxwell Stone, the earrings were crafted from a shell containing seven pearls. And, they are estimated to be worth $8,000 (7,000). Kate also wore a dramatic four-row Japanese pearl choker with a diamond clasp made from a collection of cultured pearls that were gifted to the royals by the Japanese government. The piece was part of Queen Elizabeths regular jewelry collection in the 1980s and 90s. The choker was also worn by the late Princess Diana in 1982 at a state banquet in the Netherlands. The choker and the earrings have great sentimental value to Kate Middleton The Pearl Choker was created using cultured pearls, which means that they were grown in pearl farms in carefully chosen environments. Despite possessing all the qualities luster and hardness of natural pearls, cultured pearls arent as rare and this reflects in their price, Stone explained. With this in mind, Id estimate its value to be approximately $26,300 (23,000). Though to Kate, it holds a great deal of sentimental value as not only was it once part of the Queens regular jewelry collection, but it was also once worn by the late Princess Diana. This wasnt the first time that Kate wore both the pearl choker and the Bahrain pearl drop earrings to a royal funeral. She also wore both pieces when Prince Philip was laid to rest last year. Its incredibly heartwarming to see that Kate chose these pieces to pay her respects to the Queen particularly because she wore them to Prince Philips funeral back in 2021. The Princess obviously associates them with the late monarch and Prince, Stone concluded. Because Queen Elizabeths will is sealed, we dont know the details about who received her jewelry. But, its probably safe to say that the choker and the earrings now belong to the new Princess of Wales. RELATED: How Queen Elizabeth II Prepared Kate Middleton to Be Queen Catherine Kate Middletons standout accessory at Queen Elizabeths funeral was part of the late monarchs elegant jewelry collection. And it was one that Princess Diana also borrowed from the queen and wore. Read on to learn more about the jewelry piece and how Kate often creates homages to Diana, a mother-in-law she never met. Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, and Princess Charlotte of Wales | Loic Venance/WPA Pool/Getty Images Kate Middletons funeral accessory was a 4-strand pearl choker that belonged to Queen Elizabeth The choker Kate wore to the historic funeral is made from cultured pearls and was gifted to Queen Elizabeth by the Japanese government sometime before 1982. When Diana traveled to the Netherlands for a state visit that year, she wore the piece on loan from the queen. In recent years, Kate has been spotted in the choker on more than one occasion. She wore it to the queens anniversary party in 2017 and Prince Philips funeral in 2021, before, most recently, the queens funeral in 2022. Kate Middleton often creates echoes of Princess Diana One royal expert argued that even though Kate is a very different woman from her late mother-in-law and doesnt seek to emulate her, she creates echoes of the former Princess of Wales. I think a respectful nod, a respectful tribute, Katie Nicholl, the royal correspondent for Vanity Fair, told 9Honey (per Express). She added Kates echoes of Diana are more of an acknowledgment of the continuation of history than an imitation. Her success has been in carving her own identity in the royal family, Nicholl said of the new Princess of Wales. Kate Middletons veiled funeral accessory was another solemn tribute to Queen Elizabeth (L-R) Camilla, Queen Consort; Meghan, Duchess of Sussex; Prince George of Wales; Catherine, Princess of Wales; Princess Charlotte of Wales; and Sophie, Countess of Wessex | Karwai Tang/WireImage Princess Charlotte matched her mom in a black coat-dress and shoes paired with a black hat at the queens funeral. Furthermore, it was Charlottes first time publicly wearing a brooch, a horseshoe that Queen Elizabeth gifted to represent their shared love for horses. Kate also wore a black hat, but hers had a mourning veil attached, as is traditional according to royal family dress code rules. That is there to act as armour [sic] as well as a signifier of grief for the mourner (per BBC). As mourning attire goes, the veil serves multiple functions. It helps shield the face of the person in grief, traditionally signifies their loss, and serves as a form of self-expression. Modern covers are often latticed so the individual wearing them can see clearly. In contrast, Jackie Kennedy famously wore a relatively short, black, opaque veil to the funeral of her assassinated husband, John F. Kennedy, in 1963. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth and other royal family members wore slightly longer see-through covers to her fathers funeral in 1952. RELATED: Queen Elizabeths Funeral: Princess Charlotte Wore a Special Gift From Her Late Great-Grandmother Riverdale is finally ending after years of fans begging the show to wrap up. The CW series debuted in 2017, and as it progressed, fans began questioning its wacky journey. A show that started as a murder mystery dived off into a supernatural show, and fans couldnt stop poking fun at it. Now that its wrapping up, Betty Cooper actor Lili Reinhart says shell miss her charcter, but doesnt express the same sentiment for Riverdale itself. Lili Reinhart says shell miss Betty Lili Reinhart as Betty | Jack Rowand/The CW After taking viewers on a wild ride throughout its seven seasons, Riverdale is finally ending. In a Wired Autocomplete interview on September 1, 2022, Reinhart assured fans that shed be in the shows final season but took some time to express her sadness over having to say goodbye to her character. She said, I love Betty. I will really miss playing a character thats been with me for so long. I mean, I dont know how my career is going to look like, but I dont know Ill play a character for as long as Ive played Betty. So I cherish getting to know her for that long. Reinhart previously spoke to Parade and revealed she isnt willing to commit to another project with a full-season order, saying shell be shifting her focus to films. I would not sign on ever again for another 22-episode series, she explained, calling it not a very sustainable way of living. She told the publication that shed miss playing Betty, but shes looking forward to what her life and career will look like outside of Riverdale. Lili Reinhart stopped asking questions after Riverdale season 3 Riverdales premise in the first season centered around a murder mystery that shook up the eponymous town. However, as time passed, the town became a place where anything could happen. From gang wars and serial killers to faked deaths, organ harvesting, and superpowers, anything goes in Riverdale. If you didnt watch the show from the first season, you would be forgiven for not understanding the bizarre plot. Fans have constantly made fun of the series, and at times, the actors are in on the jokes. Reinhart said in an interview that she and her fellow cast members stopped asking questions after season 3. We all were a little confused, to be honest, but I think we realized that the show was on this train, and it was going full steam ahead. I stopped asking questions after that, she told Sirius XM. You gotta take Riverdale for what it is, and I think when you stop trying to really make sense of it is when you can just enjoy the craziness for what it is. And thats the whole point, she added. Reinhart appeared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, where she expressed her excitement for her career in the future now that Riverdale is ending. The Look Both Ways actor told the host she was looking forward to more mature roles. I have a lot of sort of dramatic, deep roles in my future after Riverdale. Definitely roles that you have not seen me in. Im an adult. Im an adult woman and Im going to start playing those more adult roles. Thats whats on my horizon and I could not be more excited, she said. Lili Reinhart felt like a prisoner returning to the Riverdale set .@lilireinhart is NYLON's September cover star. She got candid about quarantine, 'Riverdale' taping, and going to therapy. https://t.co/Xv9rHfe2c8 NYLON (@NylonMag) September 2, 2020 Every season on Riverdale typically has 20+ episodes, meaning filming happens almost all year round. Given that the show films in Vancouver, Canada, a year is a long time to be away from home. Reinhart told Nylon in 2020 that shooting the popular show can be isolating, especially when COVID-19 protocols were in place. She said, I genuinely feel like a prisoner, going back to work, because I cannot leave Canada. That doesnt feel good. You cant go home for Thanksgiving, cant visit your family. No one can come visit you unless they quarantine for two weeks. It just feels f*****. RELATED: Riverdale Finally Answers the Biggest Question About Sabrina Spellman and Chilling Adventures It is that time of year when Netflix unleashes its long list of upcoming projects and series for fans to get excited about. Like last year, Netflixs Tudum event will host a Korea special to talk about hit K-dramas like Money Heist: Korea, updates on Squid Game, and upcoming K-content. The teaser gave fans a tantalizing tidbit for Singles Inferno Season 2 with the possible return of Shin Ji-yeon and Moon Se-hoon. Moon Se-hoon and Shin Ji-yeon for Singles Inferno Season 2 | via Netflix The dating reality series had Moon Se-hoon and Shin Ji-yeon leave the island together Fans watched as a group of male and female contestants ventured to a deserted island off the coast of South Korea to hopefully find love. For longer than a week, the contestants took part in missions, intimate conversations, and dates to a luxury resort to arouse a connection. One of the couples fans were curious about from the get-go in Singles Inferno was Moon Se-hon and Shin Ji-yeon. From the moment Ji-yeon arrived on the island, Se-hoon showed his interest. But his feelings were left unheard, and fans sometimes felt desperate. But by the finale, Se-hoon captured Ji-yeons interest, and they ventured to Paradise together. The two contestants soon developed a possible romance that led the couple to choose each other during the finale. But after the dating series, fans wondered if they got together in real life. While many original couples did not make it, Ji-yeon and Se-hoon had fans believing they are secretly dating. In multiple interviews done by Se-hoon, he eagerly and wholeheartedly talked about Ji-yeon. He also met up with her for a coffee date. For Ji-yeons Youtube channel, she met up for a chat at his restaurant. Despite multiple hints, the couple has not made an official announcement. Netflixs Korea Tudum event is likely why, as Se-hoon and Ji-yeon both appear in a teaser for Singles Inferno Season 2. RELATED: Singles Inferno: Kim Hyeon-joong Is Displeased After Shows Editing Led to Malicious Comments About Him Moon Se-hoon and Shin Ji-yeon appear cozy in a teaser for Singles Inferno Season 2 In April 2022, Netflix officially announced going forward with Singles Inferno Season 2. The teasers for the new season are vague and show clips from the first season promising an even hotter dating scene on the deserted island. The producers have previously explained the small changes that would be made for the new season and what would stay the same. But fans are more curious to know about its cast. The producers explained the new season would involve a new cast of contestants. But Netflixs Korea Tudum event teases otherwise. The small teaser for Singles Inferno Season 2 shows both Se-hoon and Ji-yeon back on the island. Fans might believe that the small teaser is an old clip from the first season. But a deep dive into the episodes prove otherwise. The clothing worn by Se-hoon and Ji-yeon in the teaser is nowhere to be seen in the first season. Fans can speculate that the rumored couple will try their luck at how strong their relationship is in the second season, all while dealing with new possible suitors. RELATED: Singles Inferno: Did Moon Se-hoon Unknowingly Confirm He Is Dating Shin Ji-yeon? Will previous castmates return for Singles Inferno Season 2? Singles Inferno is Netflixs first Korean-based dating series. While successful among global fans, there was some backlash over comments made, beauty standards, and scandals. Not only did some of the cast mates feel they were portrayed in a negative light due to editing, but Song Ji-a faced backlash for wearing fake designer items. The scandal led to her quitting social media and being away from the spotlight for months. In a Netflix Tudum article, the producers had no plans for a reunion special due to the contestants backlash. In interviews for the casts personal Youtube channels, many agreed to have fond memories of their time on the island. But no one has explicitly agreed to want to return. But Se-hoon and Ji-yeon seem to have changed their minds for Singles Inferno Season 2. The Tudum Korea event did reveal one of the Singles Inferno contestants returns but in a new series. Professional dancer Cha Hyun-seung is easily recognizable in the teaser for Physical: 100 due to his arm tattoo. The teaser shows him going head-to-head against another male in a competition-style challenge. RELATED: Singles Inferno Song Ji-a Resurfaces Months After Scandal In this microscope image the lead phthalocyanine molecules on a superconducting lead surface appear as four-leaf clovers. The vibrations of these molecules were studied with the new method. In molecules, the atoms vibrate with characteristic patterns and frequencies. Vibrations are therefore an important tool for studying molecules and molecular processes such as chemical reactions. Although scanning tunnelling microscopes can be used to image individual molecules, their vibrations have so far been difficult to detect. Physicists at Kiel University (CAU) have now invented a method with which the vibration signals can be amplified by up to a factor of 50. Furthermore, they increased the frequency resolution by far. The new method will improve the understanding of interactions in molecular systems and to further develop simulation methods. The research team has now published the results in the journal Physical Review Letters. The discovery by Dr. Jan Homberg, Dr. Alexander Weismann and Prof. Dr. Richard Berndt from the Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics, relies on a special quantum mechanical effect, the so-called inelastic tunnelling. Electrons that pass through a molecule on their way from a metal tip to the substrate surface in the scanning tunnelling microscope can release energy to the molecule or take it up from it. This energy exchange occurs in portions determined by the properties of the respective molecule. Normally, this energy transfer happens only rarely and is therefore difficult to measure. In order to amplify the measurement signal and simultaneously achieve a high frequency resolution, the team of the CAU used a special property of molecules on superconductors they had previously discovered: suitably arranged, the molecules show a state in the spectra that appears needle-shaped, very high and extremely sharp -- the so-called Yu-Shiba-Rusinov resonance. The experiments were supported by theoretical work of Troels Markussen from the software company Synopsis in Copenhagen. In order to protect its worldwide known laboratory mixer Hauschild SpeedMixer brand and prevent consumer injury, Hauschild GmbH & Co. KG has taken affirmative, global action to stop US-based FlackTek, Inc. and its affiliates from misappropriating Hauschilds SpeedMixer brand and preventing consumers from access to genuine Hauschild parts and service. Hauschild has filed suit in the US, a civil proceeding in the Netherlands, as well as a criminal proceeding in Spain, against FlackTek and its various agents like Synergy Devices Ltd. (UK), SpeedMixer Iberica (Spain) and RohChem (The Netherlands). The proceedings allege, among other things, intellectual property infringement and unfair trade practices acts, as well as theft in the criminal proceeding. FlackTeks no longer an authorized distributor Until May 2020, US-based FlackTek Inc. had served as an authorized distributor of Hauschilds genuine SpeedMixer machines. In 2020, the parties agreed to terminate their relationship, ending FlackTeks status as an authorized distributor of genuine SpeedMixer machines. Before the termination, and in breach of the contact with Hauschild, FlackTek released and started selling a competing product under the SpeedMixer mark without Hauschilds consent or knowledge. As a result, Hauschild was forced to file a lawsuit in the United States District Court in Colorado against FlackTek and its affiliates, FlackTek Manufacturing, Inc. and FlackTek SpeedMixer, Inc., arising out of their attempts to misappropriate and infringe Hauschilds SpeedMixer trademark and to unfairly compete against Hauschild. Controversies Since May 2020, therefore after the termination, Hauschild has found several irregularities in relation with its devices sold by FlackTek and misleading advertisement on the Internet. Devices sold with different labelling and carrying the name of FlackTek although produced and branded by Hauschild. Devices with unauthorized modifications. Devices with altered year of production. FlackTek uses fake labels carrying Hauschild name and logo, but with a production year later than he real one. False conformity certificate issued in the name of Hauschild and carrying the name of a FlackTek employee. Direct sale and support of customers by Hauschild Engineering Genuine Hauschild SpeedMixer machines should only be serviced by authorized service representatives using genuine Hauschild parts and technology, as this is the only way to ensure Hauschild SpeedMixer machines operate at manufacturer-supported, high-quality standards. Consumers should be warned that, if approached by a FlackTek representative, genuine Hauschild SpeedMixer machines do not need to be replaced by FlackTeks new machines, which are not made in Germany and are not backed or supported by Hauschild, and do not use genuine Hauschild parts, says Fabio Boccola, CEO of Hauschild. The Cherokee Phoenix earned seven awards in this years National Native Media Awards contest presented by the Native American Journalists Association. A member of a coalition of families of alleged COVID-19 vaccine side effect victims gets his head shaved during a rally held near Seoul Central District Court, May 6, calling on the government to provide better compensation to victims. Yonhap Gov't ordered to compensate for COVID-19 vaccine adverse effects By Lee Hyo-jin A recent court ruling ordering the government to compensate a man suffering from COVID-19 vaccine side effects has put the health authority in a difficult position, amid growing calls to recognize deaths and illnesses following vaccination more actively. The Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of the man, who is in his 30s, in a lawsuit filed against the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) commissioner, Aug. 19. The plaintiff, living in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, claimed that he suffered a fever the day after receiving an AstraZeneca dose in April 2021, and felt dizziness and numbness in his legs the next day. He was later diagnosed with an intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral cavernous malformation and mononeuropathy. He requested that the KDCA compensate him 3.6 million won for his medical fees, but was rejected. The agency viewed that there was no causal link between his illness and the vaccine. However, the court said in its ruling, "It is not impossible to assume that there is a causal link between the illnesses and vaccination, considering that the plaintiff did not show such symptoms before receiving the vaccine, even though he had a preexisting condition." The KDCA made an appeal, Sept. 5, citing the need to give additional explanations on the case based on medical data. But the agency is likely to face more legal battles. There are currently eight other lawsuits over vaccine side effects in process, with over 87,000 cases of vaccine side effects reported to the KDCA. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Commissioner Peck Kyong-ran speaks during a briefing at the agency's headquarters in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, Sept. 4. Yonhap In Lower Manhattan, people in suits pass by a green space with a modest stone monument on their way to the citys big courthouses. They rarely stop to notice the African Burial Ground National Monument, marking the historic site where more than 15,000 Africans were buried when the city banned slave burials in church cemeteries. The burial ground was discovered during a construction project in 1991 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1993. Yet it took more than a decade of political pushing and preservation work before the National Park Service (NPS) opened the site as a national monument. Now Black church leaders are pressing the federal agency to develop more memorials like this one. They want to mark Black history on public land, and they have specific spots in mind like the site of the 2015 church massacre in Charleston, South Carolina. This month, leaders of some of the largest Black Protestant denominations and several state Baptist conventions made formal overtures to the park service to memorialize a site connected with the 1908 Springfield race riots in Illinois. The NPSwhich oversees historical markers and memorials on public land, such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, DCcurrently has no sites documenting lynchings or mass killings of African Americans. Separately, in a new survey from the National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE), 700 Black church leaders listed their suggestions for possible memorial sites, noting that they felt their past input on public lands had been politely ignored. Among the most popular responses were sites honoring Black leaders such as Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, and Frederick Douglass as well as designations for historically Black colleges and universities, many of which grew out of local churches theological training programs. The number one site church leaders thought should be preserved to showcase atrocities against the Black community was Charlestons Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, where a white supremacist killed nine African Americans meeting for a Bible study in 2015. They also mentioned documenting the 1906 Atlanta race riot, the 1873 Colfax massacre, and the 1923 Rosewood massacre. We didnt provide them a checklist. To have something repeatedly named, to me that's a big deal, said Cassandra Carmichael, the executive director of NRPE. Now were going to dig into some of these places to find out what could we tell, what could we advocate for to be protected. Other Sites Pastors Named for Memorials: - The 5,000 Rosenwald schools in the South, of which 500 remain; - The last-known slave ship to arrive in the United States, the Clotilda, which is currently underwater in Mobile, Alabama, after being discovered in 2019; - Lake Lanier, a man-made lake in Georgia that flooded a Black town that had first been forced out by lynchings and violence. Creating a new area under the National Park Service requires an NPS study and approval by Congress or the president. The park service is in the process of studying more African American landmarks to recommend and has been looking at a site to memorialize the Springfield race riots for the past five years, according to Tokey Boswell, an NPS associate regional director. The proposed Springfield site, a few blocks from the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, would mark the remains of five homes destroyed during the violence. The 1908 brutality in Springfield stemmed from an accusation that a Black man assaulted a white woman, spurring white residents of Springfield to mob violence. They burned Black homes to the ground and lynched Black men, and 2,000 Black residents fled the city for good. Through our faith, we envision an exceptional future, wrote the head of the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, Mark A. McConnell, in his letter to NPS. The convention was founded in 1902, at a church a few blocks from the proposed site of the monument. We know that we can attain redemption as a nation for the racial injustices committed if we, as a nation, confess and acknowledge the true course of events and the impacts that they had. Denominational leaders who wrote the NPS about a national monument at Springfield represented millions of churchgoers, including the presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ, the bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the college of bishops for the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, and the president of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus, among others. Almost all the letters noted not just the atrocity of the riot but also its role in the formation of the NAACP. It is history that includes raw racism but also exemplifies Black agency, wrote Melvin Owens, the president of the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention. All the letters were addressed to the NPSs Boswell, who said it was a very impressive showing from the Black clergy. The NPS will finish its study next year, and it can give a positive or negative report on the site. Then its up to Congress or the president to order a monument. Illinois lawmakers have introduced measures in the US House and Senate to create one in Springfield. Every site is unique, Boswell added: Sometimes Congress will make it a unit the very next year, sometimes in 10 years. Memorializing such history is healing for the Black community, the clergy said, and it can correct national misconceptions. New York, for example, often lives in denial of its slaveholding history, but places like the African Burial Ground bring attention to that past. Before the American Revolution, New York had the largest slave population outside the South. Slaves built roads like Wall Street and Broadway as well as the city wall. Slavery existed in this northern state well after the Revolution too. On Staten Island, Black historians have pushed for decades for a little marker to denote a Black church cemetery where the last slave born in the borough is burieda man named Benjamin Prine, who died in 1900. The cemetery has since been paved over and is now home to a parking lot for a bank, a 7-Eleven, and a paint store. Richard Dickenson, a Black historian in the 1990s, managed to get the bank to display a small plaque about the cemetery, but the plaque was later taken down. Now a different bank has moved in, and Dickenson has since died. Another Black historian who specializes in Staten Island, Debbie-Ann Paige, has taken up the cause for the cemetery. Filmmaker and genealogist Heather Quinlan found the living descendants of Benjamin Prine. They lived a mile away from the cemetery on Staten Island but didnt know that it existed, that they had an enslaved ancestor buried there, or that there had even been slavery in New York, Quinlan said. We were supposed to be We took in the huddled masses! said Quinlan. [Slavery] was [used by] the barbarians down south. And if we did it, it wasnt that bad. The NPS cant do anything on private land, though it has consulted with locals about how they could memorialize the church cemetery. Quinlan and others have discussed what the city could do on the sidewalk beside the strip mall, such as plant a tree or install a plaque, in honor of those buried in the cemetery. Now the family, historians, and Quinlan can celebrate a little: On October 3 the street that runs alongside the strip mall over the cemetery will be co-named Benjamin Prine Way. Quinlan said it would be the first street in New York named for a formerly enslaved native New Yorker. Nearby is Van Pelt Avenue, which bears the same name as Prines owner, pastor Peter Van Pelt. Quinlan has been working on a documentary about the cemetery and is trying to uncover more records about the AME church there. Researchers know of 50 graves specifically in the church cemetery under the pavement, but there could be up to a thousand, said Quinlan. The survey of Black pastors frequently mentioned Black cemeteries as potential locations for memorials. Like the New York sites, many were destroyed or paved over for development. It would give us some sense of solace to know that the larger culture is concerned about hearing our story and has the courage to be able to listen, said Gregory Williams of Holsey Temple CME Church in Atlanta. Marsha Blackburn joins wave of lawmakers demanding investigation into Vanderbilt Pediatric Gender Clinic Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee are calling for an investigation into Vanderbilt University Medical Center following allegations that it has been performing body mutilating surgeries on teenagers suffering from gender dysphoria. Blackburn raised concerns about the reports of youth being given puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones that can lead to sterilization, remarking that she was shocked by the content in VUMC's videos in a Tuesday tweet. We would hope that VUMC would make better decisions, she wrote. There is nothing healthy about mutilating the bodies of minor children. We need an investigation into VUMC putting profits ahead of children immediately. In a statement to The Daily Wire, Tennessees governor called for an investigation into the universitys pediatric clinic, noting that it raises serious moral, ethical and legal concerns. We should not allow permanent, life-altering decisions that hurt children or policies that suppress religious liberties, all for the purpose of financial gain. We have to protect Tennessee children, and this warrants a thorough investigation, Lee said. In a series of tweets this week, The Daily Wire's podcast host Matt Walsh said that the Monroe Carell Jr. Childrens Hospital at the Nashville-based Vanderbilt drugs, chemically castrates, and performs double mastectomies on minors. BREAKING: My team and I have been investigating the transgender clinic at Vanderbilt here in Nashville. Vanderbilt drugs, chemically castrates, and performs double mastectomies on minors. But it gets worse. Here is what we found. Let's start at the beginning. Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 20, 2022 Walsh shared a screenshot of a now-deleted webpage outlining the services provided at the childrens hospitals Pediatric Transgender Clinic, specifically gender-affirming hormone therapy and pubertal blocking. Walsh noted that at some point in the last month they removed explicit admission of this fact from their site. Vanderbilt makes their Trans Buddies available to children, too. They make lots of "services" available to children, including chemical castration. Though at some point in the last month they removed explicit admission of this fact from their site. Here's the archived screenshot pic.twitter.com/X9nBpSxTC1 Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 20, 2022 The most recent archived version of the webpage, captured on Aug. 31, removed the list of services the hospital provides to trans-identified children, but still mentioned that the clinic "provides care to gender variant and transgender children and adolescents," adding: Our clinic offers a setting for your family to receive education and resources regarding medical transition." Before we begin such treatments as pubertal blocking or gender-affirming therapy, we require a letter from a mental health provider and informed consent, the modified webpage read. As of Wednesday morning, those seeking to access the webpage receive a message informing them that This page could not be found. A video shared by Walsh showed Vanderbilt health law expert Dr. Ellen Clayton stating that doctors who refuse to provide body-mutilating surgeries (removing breasts and genitals) due to their religious beliefs will face consequences. Clayton also referred to conscientious objections to such surgeries as problematic. If you dont want to do this kind of work, dont work at Vanderbilt, she said. VUMC did not respond to The Christian Posts request for comment. Brent Leatherwood, the Tennessee-based president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention, wrote in a tweet that the university has turned children into pawns of culture war experimentation. Ive seen the reports of what has been revealed at Vanderbilt. The @ERLC has long decried turning minors into pawns of culture war experimentation. Thats exactly what this is. The word disturbing doesnt even begin to describe it. Brent Leatherwood (@LeatherwoodTN) September 21, 2022 Equally upsetting are the threats levied against those whose conscience objects to this work or whose religious beliefs compel them to speak against it, he added. Steamrolling those individuals convictions, especially when it involved children, should be a concern for every one of us. Leatherwood highlighted the report as an example of why Christians must be prepared to bear witness to Gods creation of male and female, citing Genesis 1:27. He called on Christians to be resolute, noting that God alone is the Lord of the conscience. This is what undergirds our Commissions work on behalf of our churches to strongly oppose such things as the Transgender Mandate and other related initiatives that threaten conscience rights, religious freedom, and, as weve seen here, cause irreparable harm, the ERLC president concluded. Concerns about minors disfiguring their bodies by taking sterilizing drugs or maiming their bodies by undergoing trans surgeries also emerged this month after a leading LGBT health association removed the minimum age requirement for obtaining puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or genital-mutilating surgeries. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) published its Standards of Care 8th Edition in the International Journal of Transgender Health earlier this month. The journal later issued a correction, removing sections related to suggested minimal ages for offering so-called gender-affirming care or surgical treatment. According to a 2017 study titled Age is Just a Number that was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, among 20 surgeons affiliated with WPATH, more than half said they have performed vaginoplasty [on] minors. WPATH maintained that the primary goal is for youth to work alongside their parents or guardian regarding important gender care decisions. However, the new guidelines suggest that parental consent should not be required if parents have rejected their childs gender needs. In these situations, youth may require the engagement of larger systems of advocacy and support to move forward with the necessary support and care. Mark Driscoll temporarily suspended from TikTok for saying men cant have babies Mark Driscoll, the outspoken Senior Pastor of Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, says he was briefly suspended from the popular short-form video hosting service TikTok for declaring on the platform that men cant have babies. What happens on TikTok when you say that men cant have babies, Driscoll tweeted Saturday with an image of a notice on his suspended TikTok account stating that he was prevented from posting due to multiple violations of the hosting services community guidelines. The suspension of the account ended on Thursday. In his reaction to the restriction by TikTok, Driscoll cited Romans 1:18 which says: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Driscoll, who recently kicked off a new nine-week teaching series at his church called Real Men: Act Like a Man, said Wednesday that the problem in our day is not toxic masculinity; its the complete LACK of masculinity. In a world void of strong men and fathers, we want to build you up to bless women and children, and transform legacies for generations to come, he said about the nine-week teaching series. What happens on TikTok when you say that men cant have babies. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Romans 1:18 pic.twitter.com/QIHswG79g8 Pastor Mark Driscoll (@PastorMark) September 17, 2022 The former leader of the wildly successful but now defunct Seattle-based Mars Hill Church has also been an outspoken critic of the transgender movement and recently interviewed Dr. Michael Miller, former chairman of plastic and reconstructive surgery at The Ohio State University, about the epidemic of transgenderism and what that means for the future of our civilization. This has existed since antiquity. You can find statuary from ancient Rome, you look at one side of the statue it looks female, you look at the other side of the statue it looks male. They have male organs with breasts that are beautifully carved, Miller told Driscoll. There has been gender confusion for as long as there has been human beings, I believe. Whats new now is the emphasis on it and part of the emphasis thats being placed on it, in Western culture anyway, is the shift thats occurred between some fundamental ways that we think about the world. Among these fundamental ways that people think about the world, Miller said, is the idea now among some people that reality is malleable. Driscoll founded Trinity Church in 2016 after he was forced to dissolve Mars Hill Church in 2015 over leadership failures. Last summer, he was accused by a former employee of immoral, unethical and unbiblical actions. Chad Freese, who said he attended the church for nearly three years and served on Driscolls security team for eight months, said in an open letter at the time that he resigned after witnessing alleged abuses that went on behind the scenes under Driscolls watch. Freese was director of security at the church for seven weeks. I served on the security team for eight months. I served as the director of security for only seven weeks (Feb. 27 April 18, 2021,) until I resigned due to the pastors immoral, unethical, and unbiblical actions, Freese wrote at the time. I did not see these issues until I became part of the inner circle where I attended meetings and participated in top-secret conversations. I acknowledge I was complicit in executing the duties of my position. I did not get fired, nor was I kicked out of the church as others have been. I could not continue down the same path as the leadership of the church, as that is not who I am, nor who God called us to be. Nigeria: Radical Fulani kidnap pastor, dozens of Christians in church raids ABUJA, Nigeria Suspected Fulani herdsmen abducted dozens of Christians from a church service in northwest Nigeria, less than a week after kidnapping nearly 60 members of the same denomination in the north-central part of the country, sources said. In northwest Nigeria, the suspected herdsmen and other terrorists who raided the nighttime service of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Suleja, Niger state, at about 2 a.m. on Saturday kidnapped the pastor and other Christians, area residents said. The congregation was holding an all-night prayer vigil at the church site in the Japap area of Suleja at the time of the attack by Fulani herdsmen, said Suleja resident Nathaniel Ade. Another town resident, Elisha Musa, also identified the assailants as Fulani herdsmen, who are predominantly Muslim. The Fulani herdsmen kidnapped the pastor of the church and some of his members, Musa said in a text message to Morning Star News. Soldiers from Zuma Rock Barracks, Suleja, who rushed to the church to rescue worshipers and repel the attackers got there hours after the attackers had left with the kidnapped victims. The Rev. Raphael Opawoye, secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Chapter, said that Christians in Niger and other states in northwest Nigeria have suffered unabated attacks by herdsmen and other terrorists, though kidnapped Priest Leo Raphael Ozigi was released after a ransom was paid. In March, 45 Christians were abducted by the terrorists and herdsmen during two days of uninterrupted attacks on the communities of Sarkin Pawa town and some communities in Munya Local Government Area of Niger state, Opawoye told Morning Star News in a text message. A Catholic priest, the Rev. Fr. Leo Raphael Ozigi, was kidnapped on March 27 while he was on his way back from Gwada town to Sarkin Pawa town, where he had gone to minister in one of his parishes. Family members of the Catholic priest had to pay a huge ransom to the bandits and terrorists in order to secure his release from captivity. Kidnappings in Kaduna State In north-central Nigerias Kaduna state, suspected Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists on Sept. 13-14 attacked area homes and an all-night prayer vigil of another Cherubim and Seraphim Church, kidnapping at least 57 Christians, but possibly as many as 14 soon escaped, sources said. At least 43 Christians remained captive after the raid in Kasuwan Magani town, Kajuru County, according to the Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Kaduna state chairman of the CAN. Awemi Maisamari, national president of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), said in a press statement that, along with the abducted church members, some Christians were kidnapped from their homes. There is still no breathing space for Christian communities in southern Kaduna, as terrorists, jihadists, bandits and armed herdsmen have continued to plunder and wreck Christian communities in the southern part of Kaduna state, Maisamari said. Kasuwan Magani is about 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of the city of Kaduna. On Sept. 12, the assailants abducted six people in a raid on the Ungwan Fada area of Kasuwan Magani, he said. With no measures put in place to forestall a recurrence, the following day, Sept. 13, the terrorists stormed the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, during a night vigil program at the Bayan Kasuwa quarters area of Kasuwan Magani town, at around midnight, Maisamari said. They succeeded in kidnapping more than 60 Christians from the church and neighboring houses. However, they were not able to take all of them away because some were very little children, too aged or had health challenges. While taking their captives to their camps, the herdsmen and other terrorists attacked Janwuriya village, another predominantly Christian community near Kasuwan Magani, and abducted two more Christians, he said. As of Monday, Sept. 19, 45 Christians have so far been confirmed abducted by the terrorists, Maisamari said. However, on Sept. 18, their captors made contact with some families in the town via phone calls and claimed that only 40 were being held by them. Its possible the kidnappers said they had 40 captives because they have already killed five of them, he said, adding that the terrorists are demanding a ransom of $465,294 (200 million naira). Another Cherubim and Seraphim Church was attacked this month in southwest Nigeria. In Ogun state, animists who practice tribal religion on Sept. 2 burned down a church building where Christians were worshiping and holding a prayer vigil, area residents said. The attack on Cherubim and Seraphim Church in the Agbado area left many Christians injured, area residents said. Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith last year (Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2021,) at 4,650, up from 3,530 the previous year, according to Open Doors 2022 World Watch List report. The number of kidnapped Christians was also highest in Nigeria, at more than 2,500, up from 990 the previous year, according to the WWL report. Nigeria trailed only China in the number of churches attacked, with 470 cases, according to the report. In the 2022 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to seventh place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 9 the previous year. Massachusetts school district promotes book telling students how to use gay sex apps WARNING: The following article contains sexually explicit content A book available to students of a public school district in Massachusetts includes instructions on how to use online sex apps, drawing the ire of online critics as debate about the content accessible to students in public schools continues to loom large in American politics. The Twitter account LibsofTikTok published a tweet Monday reporting that the book titled This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson is "proudly displayed" at a school within the Newburyport Public School District in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The Christian Post reached out to Newburyport Public Schools for comment. A response was not received by press time. A photograph posted with the tweet showed This Book is Gay on a bookshelf at an undisclosed location underneath a poster advertising "Banned Books Week." The initiative is backed by the American Library Association in response to an increase in attempts to ban books from schools that critics contend are sexually explicit. The pornographic book This Book is Gay is proudly displayed in @NBPTDistrict. The book teaches kids how to have sex and use sex apps. pic.twitter.com/CFBJ68lTlo Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 19, 2022 A screenshot of the book accompanying the tweet shows a section titled "How sex apps work." The book informs readers that after they "upload a tiny pic of [themselves] to the app," the app "works out your location" and "tells you who the nearest homosexuals are." From there, users can "chat to them," with the book stressing that "because they are near, it's easy to meet up with them." LibsofTikTok's Twitter thread about the book includes a screenshot from Chapter 9, "The Ins and Outs of Gay Sex." The first page of the chapter notes that "this chapter is about sex" and urges those who "aren't ready for the finer details of same-sex pairings" to skip the chapter. The book laments that schools "taught you all about straight sex when you were TEN YEARS OLD" and maintains "the fact that they didn't also teach you what same-sex couples do is nothing less than institutionalised homophobia." "Straight sex was presented as the norm to make five per cent of the population feel abnormal," the book states. "This chapter is simply all the stuff teachers SHOULD be saying if they want to be inclusive of people with same-sex" attraction. An additional page of the book shared by LibsofTikTok showed the author telling readers not to use vaseline and baby oil in conjunction with condoms during gay sex and referring to anal sex as "bum fun." The book contends that some gay men don't like the sexual act because "it's the hole poo comes out of." The page transitions from talking about sex between men to "girl-on-girl sex," detailing how "two women can pleasure each other in a variety of fun ways" and suggesting that "a hand can do the job of five penises in one." LibsofTikTok provided a link to the entire text of the book, warning that "it gets much worse." While the school district didn't respond to CP's request for comment, Newburyport School Superintendent Sean Gallagher confirmed to The Newburyport Daily News that the book is available in a school library. In an earlier interview with The Daily News, Gallagher said that parents have the right to petition for a book to be removed from circulation and need to submit the proper paperwork. The inclusion of This Book Is Gay has drawn the ire of the Newburyport-based grassroots coalition Citizens for Responsible Education, which warns that the book is also available for download on an ebook app that allows kids access using their school computer logins without parental knowledge or permission. "Page 156 of 'This Book is Gay' gives your teenager instructions on how to use sex apps," the organization wrote in a Facebook post. " A story published on the website Mass Resistance last year contains additional snapshots of the book, which includes a claim that homosexual men have bigger genitalia than their heterosexual counterparts. In addition to including graphic pictures of male and female anatomy illustrating which parts "FEEL NICE" when touched, the book provides instructions on how to engage in anal and oral sex and give "handies." A summary compiled by Amazon characterizes This Book is Gay as an "instruction manual" for LGBT people to read after they "come out." It explicitly highlights the presence of a section dedicated to "the ins and outs of gay sex." LibsofTikTok's post about the presence of This Book is Gay in Newburyport Public Schools came on the second day of Banned Books Week, which organizers describe as "an annual event celebrating the freedom to read." Characterizing itself as a "response to the sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries," Banned Books Week serves as a collaboration of "the entire book community librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular." This Book is Gay is one of the top 10 challenged books of 2021, as identified by Banned Books Week. Two of the other books on the list, Gender Queer and Lawn Boy, have also garnered national attention not only for their graphic depictions of sex but for the promotion of sex between men and boys. The Banned Books Week website asserted that both books were "banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content" and because they were "considered to have sexually explicit images," not mentioning the concerns about pedophilia. Last year, Stacy Langton, whose son attends Fairfax High School just outside Washington, D.C., appeared at a Fairfax County School Board meeting to express outrage over the presence of the two books in high school libraries throughout the largest school district in Virginia. She noted, "One book describes a fourth-grade boy performing oral sex on an adult male," while "the other book has detailed illustrations of a man having sex with a boy." "The illustrations include fellatio, sex toys, masturbation and violent nudity," she added. "Pornography is offensive to all people; it is offensive to common decency." Concerns about sexually explicit material in school libraries and curricula, as well as some schools embracing elements of critical race theory, have led to the creation of several advocacy groups. Such organizations include Parents Defending Education, a "national grassroots organization working to reclaim our schools from activists promoting harmful agendas," and the 1776 Project PAC, which supports "school board candidates that vow to overturn any teaching of the 1619 Project or critical race theory in their school districts." David Platt explains why people who never hear the Gospel won't see Heaven Pastor and author David Platt says that God won't condemn people to Hell simply because they haven't heard the Gospel but rather because they are still lost in their sin, warning that the American church should be more invested in bringing the good news to the unreached. The 44-year-old pastor of McLean Bible Church in Virginia and former head of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board preached a sermon last week before the Watermark Community Church group The Porch, which holds meetings every Tuesday for young adults. "Somebody will say to me: 'What do you think happens to the innocent man or woman or child in X part of the world who never hears the Gospel?' And if you ask me that question, I would say, based on the Word of God, that person without question goes to Heaven, even though they've never heard the Gospel," Platt said. "Of course, they go to Heaven. The only problem is they don't exist. There's no innocent people in the world waiting to hear the Gospel. There's guilty people all over the world. That's why they need to hear the Gospel." Humans have "no clue of the depths of the sinful [nature] of their own hearts and in the world around [them]," according to Platt, stressing that "there is no one who is innocent before God." "Not only are all people guilty, but there's no amount of good we can do to overcome our guilt. All people are condemned for rejecting God. And that's true regardless of whether or not someone has heard the Gospel," Platt said. Platt questioned the audience if they think it would be just for God to condemn someone to Hell if they never heard the Gospel. "I think the answer to that question is 'no.' They're not accountable for what they've not heard," he said. "At the same time, that doesn't mean they go to Heaven because they're condemned for rejecting the God that has been clearly shown to them." "People start to think, well, 'Well maybe, if, because they haven't heard the Gospel, God will let them into Heaven. God is loving [and] gracious. We know He wants them in Heaven. They haven't heard the Gospel. Maybe He will let them in because they haven't heard,'" Platt continued. The pastor warned that the problem with this reasoning is that would mean "the worst thing we could do for all the people" who haven't heard the Gospel would be to "tell them the Gospel." "If they have not heard the Gospel and that is some kind of pass into Heaven, and we get there, and we're like 'we want to tell you the good news,' and because we've come with the good news, now there's a chance we can go to Hell, they would be like: 'Just keep it to yourself,'" he continued. Citing Romans 3:19-20, Platt said that everyone "stands condemned for rejecting God." "This is good news that we proclaim to people who have rejected God," he said. "The point here is that regardless of whether or not someone has heard the Gospel, all people stand guilty before God and sin and deserve eternal separation from Him." "I picture Paul writing the book of Romans. It's been two chapters worth of the sinfulness of man all the way up to Chapter 3, Verse 20," Platt continued. "I picture him with tears in his eyes, but then I picture him picking up that pen and writing, 'But now a righteousness from God apart from the law has been made known, and this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe." Platt said every Christian should make an effort to "reach the unreached" people groups worldwide with the Gospel before it's too late for many souls. "What that word 'unreached' means is not just lost. It's not just that they're sinners who are separated from God by their sin," Platt explained. "People are just like that in Dallas, Texas." "The difference is; there's Christians in churches in Dallas, Texas. [But] in the middle of Saudi Arabia, there's very few Christians and very few churches. And what that means is if you live in Saudi Arabia, the likelihood is you've not been reached by the Gospel." When someone is unreached, Platt noted, it means that "you'd be born and you'd live, and you'd die, and the likelihood is you'd never hear the Gospel." Platt continually expressed throughout his sermon that if someone dies without the opportunity to hear the Gospel before dying, they will be permanently separated eternally from the Lord. "I think for most Christians in America, where the Gospel has come, either we don't realize there are 3 billion people in the world who have never heard the Gospel, or we think they'll be OK when they die, [that] they'll go to Heaven," Platt preached. "That's the only answer I can come up with for why we are not talking about this all the time in our churches. And everywhere in Christianity today, if we believed 3 billion people were dying and going to Hell without ever hearing about Heaven, I think we'd be talking about that all the time." Platt asked if there is "any greater injustice than 3 billion people going to an eternal Hell while all the people who know how to go to an eternal Heaven sit back and do little to nothing?" "We spend most of our money on ourselves. We give some of our money to churches and ministries. And we spend most of that money in churches and ministries on making ourselves more comfortable in our churches and ministries. And then there's a small percentage of the money that we give to churches and ministries that goes toward what we normally call missions overseas to other countries," Platt said. He added that roughly 1% of American Church funds regularly go to missions to reach the unreached people groups overseas. "We're fooling ourselves if we think we're passionate about giving to missions while we're ignoring 3 billion people who've never heard the Gospel," he stressed. As his sermon came to a close, Platt told the crowd that they "have been put in a time and a place where there are more opportunities to get the greatest news in the world to people in the world than ever before." "Jesus is saying to the room full and other gatherings full of young adults who have this good news: 'I've left you here for a reason. And it's not to waste your life [carving] out a comfortable Christian spin on the American dream. You were created for so much more than this,'" he concluded. Jewish university, LGBT club reach temporary truce in ongoing legal battle An LGBT student organization and New York City Orthodox Jewish university have agreed to halt enforcement of a court order requiring the school to recognize the group as an official on-campus club while the school appeals its case. Becket law, a non-profit interest firm representing Yeshiva University, announced Tuesday that YU Pride Alliance has agreed that a "stay should be entered to allow Yeshiva to appeal a ruling against it without the threat of sanctions." The LGBT group's decision to approve the request for a stay to restore club activities was sent in a press release to the school's newspaper, The Commentator. The club sued the school, claiming refusal to grant official status violated a city law preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The announcement follows the university's decision last Friday to temporarily halt all club activities in light of the state court's refusal to grant a preliminary injunction while the litigation continues. That announcement came after the U.S. Supreme Court vacated an order that temporarily halted the state court's June ruling. "We are agreeing to this stay while the case moves through the New York courts because we do not want YU to punish our fellow students by ending all student activities while it circumvents its responsibilities," the statement reads. Hanan Eisenman, director of communications at Yeshiva University, said in an email newsletter that the school's club activities will resume once the students return to campus after the Jewish holidays. "Now that Pride Alliance has offered a stay, we have sent their lawyers a signed agreement to stay the trial court order. We look forward to working together to quickly resolve this issue." Students with the YU Pride Alliance filed the lawsuit last year after the university denied their requests to register as a student club. A New York State Supreme Court ruled in June that Yeshiva University must recognize the group as a formal student organization. New York Supreme Court First Judicial District Judge Lynn Kotler's ruling permanently restrained Yeshiva University "from continuing their refusal to officially recognize the YU Pride Alliance as a student organization because of the members' sexual orientation or gender and/or YU Pride Alliance's status, mission, and/or activities on behalf of LGBTQ students." The judge argued that the university must award the same privileges to the Pride Alliance group that it does other student clubs under New York City human rights law. An Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court declined an appeal, and the university sought relief from the U.S. Supreme Court. Justice Sonia Sotomayor granted the school a temporary reprieve, which remained in effect until the court ruled last Friday in a 5-4 vote that it was too early to get involved in the case. The court left open the possibility that the school return once the case was heard in lower courts. Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett dissented, arguing that the school's right to religious freedom justified its response to the student group. "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," Alito wrote in the dissent. In a statement to The Christian Post last Friday, Yeshiva University President Rabbi Ari Berman advocated for the right of every university to work with students to establish clubs that align with the school's religious values. Dozens of religious freedom groups urge State Dept. to take stronger stance on Nigeria An international coalition of religious freedom advocates and organizations from across the political spectrum are calling on the U.S. State Department to redesignate Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" and appoint a special envoy to evaluate Christian persecution in the West African country. On Monday, a coalition of 33 organizations and 35 individuals sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken asking the Biden administration to designate Nigeria as a country of particular concern, a designation signifying governments that have "engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom." The letter calls for a special envoy to "investigate the situation and make recommendations in consultation with local representatives." The letter comes as some human rights advocates have warned for years that predominantly Christian farming communities in the country's Middle Belt are often attacked by predominantly-Muslim ethnic herders. Additionally, the presence of Islamic extremist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State in northern Nigeria has pushed millions of people from their homes. The Nigerian government has denied that religious persecution is taking place, calling the violence responsible for thousands of deaths in recent years part of decades-old farmer-herder clashes. "The CPC designation and Special Envoy are vital to recognizing the gravity of the religious freedom violations occurring in the country and the government's unwillingness to control the problems, as well as its contributions to the problems," the letter states. The letter was organized by ADF International, a division of the religious liberty advocacy organization Alliance Defending Freedom. Other organizations that backed the letter include the Family Research Council, International Christian Concern, the American Humanist Association, the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the Hudson Institute, the Anglican Persecuted Church Network, In Defense of Christians, the Religious Freedom Institute and Jubilee Campaign USA. Notable signatories included former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback and former U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., who spearheaded the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 that created the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The letter to Blinken comes nearly a year after the State Department removed Nigeria from its annual list of countries of particular concern. The Trump administration added Nigeria to the State Department's CPC list in 2020. USCIRF, a nonpartisan agency that advises the U.S. government on matters related to global religious freedom, was one of several advocacy organizations that criticized Nigeria's removal from the CPC list. ADF International Senior Counsel Sean Nelson elaborated on his concerns with the state of religious freedom in Nigeria in an interview with The Christian Post. He cited statistics from the persecution watchdog Open Doors USA, finding that "in 2021, 4,650 Christians were killed in Nigeria for their faith and that's more than all other countries combined." "Priests are regularly, almost daily, weekly, being kidnapped, being killed by nonstate actors, by militants, by Islamic extremists and the [Nigerian] government has shown an unwillingness to really confront this problem," Nelson said. Nelson expressed concern about "blasphemy laws that are widespread throughout the north that are leading to people being in prison for decades or even having the death penalty [imposed] on them." ADF International provides legal support for victims of persecution, including Nigerian Christians accused of blasphemy. "Throughout the world, we are building alliances with lawyers and with advocates to make sure that ... in every country, where there are serious religious freedom violations occurring, that those victims have legal representation and are able to make their voices heard," Nelson told CP. Nelson praised the bipartisan group of religious freedom advocates who signed on to the letter. In addition to the Republican Brownback, Democrat Katrina Lantos Swett, who served as the chair of USCIRF during the Obama administration, has endorsed the call for more decisive U.S. action against Nigeria. "They're from different parties, but they come together because this is such an important issue and such a clear-cut issue of a country where serious violations of religious freedom are occurring," he said. Nelson touted the "international support" reflected in the letter, referring to signatures from members of the United Kingdom Parliament. "Internationally, people really recognize that the situation for religious freedom in Nigeria is terrible and is steadily getting worse," Nelson said. Robert Destro, the former assistant secretary of state for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor during the Trump administration, also signed the letter. When asked why he believes the State Department removed Nigeria from the CPC list, Nelson suggested that "many in the State Department do not believe that there are religious motivations behind many of the killings." This line of thinking extends beyond the United States, Nelson said, noting that the president of Ireland said when sharing his thoughts on a Pentecost Sunday mass shooting that it's not fair to "scapegoat pastoral peoples who are among the foremost victims of the consequences of climate change." "This is very clearly designed to attack the Christian community there," Nelson added. "It's very clearly designed to say you're not welcome in this country. And I think there's a hesitancy from the State Department to confront that reality, that Christians really are being targeted very clearly." In its 2021 International Religious Freedom Report, the State Department acknowledged the existence of "pervasive violence involving predominantly Muslim herders and mostly Christian" farmers while suggesting that the violence equally extends to Muslim farmers. Nelson said that ADF International has "been in contact with the State Department for several years to "regularly update them about the cases that we are supporting there." Examples of cases ADF International is involved with in Nigeria include "Christians being brought in front of Sharia courts, where they are being accused of apostasy" in addition to "being threatened" and "jailed by the courts as they await their hearings." Nelson reported that his organization works with the State Department to ensure Christian converts can get out of jail and have their cases dismissed. Nelson said he did not have "any particular individuals in mind" to serve as a special envoy. "The kind of person who would be good for that is somebody who has deep experience within the region, within the country but also has real concern and expertise on human rights violations and on religious freedom violations and understands just how this is affecting victims and is able to build trust with different religious communities and people on the ground," Nelson said. The advocate said there are several steps the governments in Nigeria can take to protect Christians and others being persecuted. "Some of these include repealing the blasphemy laws that are widespread throughout the north, that affect not just Christians, they affect humanists, they affect minority Muslims that disagree with the majority in the region. So that's an important first step," he said. "The government should really listen to the religious communities to hear how they're experiencing the persecution, to acknowledge the religious dimensions of the violence that's happening. The government should increase security, increase accountability when there are mob attacks against people for their faith that they should make sure that they fully investigate and find all of the perpetrators and bring appropriate charges and see those cases through to conviction." Nelson urged religious leaders to ensure that their congregations "have a nonviolent peaceful response to their disagreements across all different political and social issues so that the different faiths there can get along without resorting to violence, without resorting to attacks on different communities." President Yoon Suk-yeol arrived in Canada on Thursday for a summit with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on building stable supply chains in core minerals for EV batteries. Yoon, who is on a three-nation trip to Britain, the United States and Canada, arrived in Toronto where he is scheduled to visit the University of Toronto for a meeting with AI experts. Toronto is Canada's biggest economic hub and a global leader in digital technology and the AI industry, according to Yoon's office. In the evening, the president will meet with Korean residents in the city. Toronto is home to around 120,000 Koreans. From Toronto, Yoon will head to Ottawa on Friday for a summit with Trudeau. The two met on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Madrid in June and will continue their discussions on ways to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership ahead of the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations next year. The summit agenda includes ways to cooperate for the establishment of stable supply chains in core minerals, and ways Canada can support South Korean businesses in the country, according to Yoon's office. Canada is a key producer of core minerals needed in the production of EV batteries, and South Korean businesses plan major battery-related investments in the country, it said. Following the summit, Yoon will depart for Seoul and return home Saturday. (Yonhap) Decline Of Religion Is A National Health Concern, Kanye Opens Christian School In CA, Biden Declares Pandemic Is Over link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:44 07:44 A question Ive been asked lately by young people who've regretted both taking cross-sex hormones and undergoing body-mutilating trans surgeries is: Might the tide finally be turning against this insanity? Should religion, including Christianity, continue to decline as shown in a recent analysis by the Pew Research Center, leading to an increase in the population with no religion, Americans may not just lose their faith but their health, too, according to a father-daughter research team. President Joe Bidens recent declaration that the COVID-19 pandemic is over has sparked a divided reaction among health experts who say the disease is likely to remain a leading cause of death in the U.S. indefinitely. Virginia orders schools to stop hiding trans students' health information from their parents Virginia's Department of Education under Gov. Glenn Youngkin released a directive telling all school districts to stop allowing students to identify as the opposite sex without legal documents and to keep parents informed about their child's "psychological development." The directive announced Friday orders all 133 Virginia public school districts to no longer allow students to enter opposite-sex bathrooms and other private spaces. Similarly, students who want to be referred to by their chosen pronouns must file legal documents. In addition, the directive says that schools must "keep parents fully informed about all matters" related to a child's health and social and psychological development," and they must not conceal information related to the child's gender from parents. The document also states that school staff is not required to address a student "in any manner" that contradicts their religious beliefs. Youngkin's guidelines reverse the directive enacted under the previous governor, Democrat Ralph Northam, which called for allowing trans-identifying students to use opposite-sex pronouns without documentation. Nicole Neily, founder and president of the national parental rights activist organization Parents Defending Education, said in an interview with The Christian Post that other states should follow Youngkin's lead. "The kinds of ideas and the kinds of policies that have been pushed in schools across the country, when parents know what's going on, they're appalled by those, and rightly so," Neily said. "Because right now, the default setting in far too many school districts is let's keep secrets from mom and dad." "The fact that Gov. Youngkin has put parental rights first and foremost is something that shouldn't be revolutionary, but sadly, in 2022, it is," she added. The ACLU of Virginia criticized the Youngkin administration's policy, claiming in a Saturday tweet that the directive will worsen suicide and self-harm rates in LGBT students. "We are appalled by the Youngkin administration's overhaul of key protections for transgender students in public schools," the ACLU wrote. Neily argues that schools already serve as mandatory reporters, requiring teachers and staff to intervene if they feel a child is in an unsafe environment. "For them to now pretend that the default setting is all families are unsafe is really throwing the baby out with the bathwater because there are already provisions in place," she said. Neily claimed that the Northam administration's policies made schools assume that families were unsafe and that school was the only place of safety for kids. "Unfortunately, these policies are in schools across the country, coast to coast," Neily said. While many districts in conservative areas of the state will likely comply with Youngkin's order, The Washington Post reports that there is talk of a lawsuit coming from northern Virginia districts in the liberal suburban Washington counties. Critics contend that the order violates the Virginia Human Rights Act, which was expanded in 2020 to bar discrimination based on gender identity in public accommodations. Since Parents Defending Education's founding in March, the organization has received 50 to 200 tips from across the country. Most of the tips received this year have been about policies related to gender identity in schools. Parents have concerns about fairness regarding female athletes losing awards or scholarships due to being forced to compete against biological males, according to Neily. In addition, parents are worried about girls having to share a bathroom or locker room with boys identifying as the opposite sex. Neily pointed to a federal lawsuit that the ACLU filed in August in the Northeastern District of Iowa Cedar Rapids Division after the Linn-Mar Community School District instituted a gender-neutral bathroom and locker policy. She claims that many girls were afraid to use the restroom or change for gym class as a result, something she feels highlights many parents' concerns regarding such policies. "They worry about the privacy of these spaces," she said, stating that Gov. Youngkin is leading with "parental rights." "People want to know what is going on in their child's life so they can make informed decisions," the Parents Defending Education founder said. "'Maybe I won't send my child on the field trip; I want to know if my child is being referred to by a different name.'" "If the child is leading, for all intents and purposes, a double life in school they're going by one name and one pronoun at home and another at school what kind of mental turmoil does that cause for adolescents?" she asked. Last November, Youngkin defeated his Democratic challenger, Terry McAuliffe, in the Virginia gubernatorial race, an election that took place amid national debates surrounding parental involvement in education. During a debate, McAuliffe argued against parents telling schools what to teach. Meanwhile, Youngkin propped himself up as an advocate for parental involvement in education. Around this time, two schools in Loudon County, Virginia, attracted controversy amid reports of two sexual assaults committed at two separate high schools by the same male student. In one instance, the student wore a skirt in a girls' bathroom. The incidents reportedly occurred before Loudoun County officials implemented a policy allowing trans-identifying students to enter opposite-sex bathrooms and other single-sex spaces. Last July, Fairfax County adopted a policy permitting trans-identifying students to enter any bathroom or single-sex space they wanted, which many parents protested. Another policy required school newspapers, yearbooks and other official student lists to refer to students as their chosen pronouns, according to The Washington Post. Decline of religion in America is a national health concern': researchers Should religion, including Christianity, continue to decline as shown in a recent analysis by the Pew Research Center, leading to an increase in the population with no religion, Americans may not just lose their faith but their health, too, according to a father-daughter research team. Brian Grim, who is president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, and his daughter, Melissa Grim, who is a senior research fellow and project director at the foundation, published a study in 2016 showing how religion contributes some $1.2 trillion annually to the socio-economic value of the American economy. They followed up that study with another in 2019 published in the Journal of Religion and Health that valued the work of nearly 130,000 congregation-based substance abuse recovery support programs in the U.S. at up to $316.6 billion. We find that these faith-based volunteer support groups contribute up to $316.6 billion in savings to the U.S. economy every year at no cost to taxpayers, the researchers recalled in a brief published by the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation on Saturday. While negative experiences with religion (e.g., clergy sex abuse and other horrendous examples) have been a contributory factor to substance abuse among some victims, given that more than 84% of scientific studies show that faith is a positive factor in addiction prevention or recovery and a risk in less than 2% of the studies reviewed, we conclude that the value of faith-oriented approaches to substance abuse prevention and recovery is indisputable, they noted. And, by extension, we also conclude that the decline in religious affiliation in the USA is not only a concern for religious organizations but constitutes a national health concern. The recent Pew analysis projected religious composition in the U.S. under multiple switching scenarios for the first time, as part of the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project which analyzes religious change and its impact on societies around the world. In the study, Pew highlights four hypothetical scenarios out of several possibilities to demonstrate how the U.S. religious landscape might change over the next half century. The impact of younger Christian adults abandoning their faith without limitation was modeled in one of those scenarios. While the other three scenarios reflect varying degrees of religious disaffiliation, they all show Christians continuing to shrink as a share of the U.S. population, even under the counterfactual assumption that all switching came to a complete stop in 2020. The ranks of the unaffiliated, however, are projected to grow under all four scenarios. Of course, it is possible that events outside the studys model such as war, economic depression, climate crisis, changing immigration patterns or religious innovations could reverse current religious switching trends, leading to a revival of Christianity in the United States, the researchers noted. But there are no current switching patterns in the U.S. that can be factored into the mathematical models to project such a result. The confusion about boundaries between men and women in churches It would be the last time I met with Billy Graham before his death. He was not feeling well enough to get out of bed, but he welcomed Nellie Jo and me like when we were long-time friends. The reality was that we had only been with the famed evangelist a few times. This visit to his rustic North Carolina cabin seemed different. He was much more reflective than on previous visits. At one point, Billy Graham pointed to a portrait of his wife, Ruth. If there were any other wall hangings in his bedroom, I do not recall them. His voice was at his strongest when he said three brief words, I miss her. I remember I remember how he said those words with deep emotion and meaning. I remember how he often spoke of the love he had for Ruth. I remember how he was faithful to her. I remember how he kept his integrity to death, not succumbing to the temptations of power, money, and sex. Though I never heard it directly from him, I remember reading in multiple sources that Billy Graham and his team made some key decisions as their new organization was in its formative stages. They made voluntary commitments to maintain their integrity in the areas of power, sex, and money. The rule Though Billy Graham and his team never called them rules, they made several commitments. The most well-known was their decision never to be alone with a person of the opposite sex other than their spouses. Billy Graham kept his integrity throughout his earthly ministry. Though viewed by many as a man of great power, prestige, and influence, he remained faithful, caring, and humble. His commitments to his wife, his ministry team, and his God were steadfast and enduring his entire life. Navigating the confusion We at Church Answers have received several questions in light of recent issues of moral failure and, most recently, communication with someone of the opposite sex. Without all the facts, it can be confusing to understand what to do. Perhaps we can mostly agree on a few tenets that, taken together, can help guard our hearts, minds, and integrity. Ask what Jesus would do. We know enough about our Savior and his unscathed integrity to emulate him always. Never spend time alone with a person of the opposite sex other than your spouse. I have been criticized for this stand. Some of my critics view it as legalistic and potentially unfair to females in situations where the men far outnumber the women. Others have pointed out dating as an exception. Still, I stand by this commitment. It has served me well. Run from pornography. Many leaders who failed morally have shared stories about the traps of pornography and how it leads to other forms of immorality. Read the Bible every day. Those who choose to hear from God each day will be less likely to stray morally. He is our compass. He is our truth. Pray every day. Like Bible reading, prayer is a discipline where we hear from God every day. Regard others, and specifically others of the opposite sex, as those who have been created in the image of God. We are much less likely to attempt to conquer, demean, or abuse those whom we see as Gods image bearers. While these 6 guidelines do not answer the specificity of all situations, they can provide the guardrails we so desperately need. And though I obviously do not know all situations, I personally do not know anyone who followed these guidelines and had moral failure. I would love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Originally published at Church Answers. Cameroon: Gunmen kidnap 5 priests, nun and churchgoers after setting fire to church Gunmen kidnapped five priests, a nun and two churchgoers after setting a Catholic church on fire in western Cameroon. The region has been the scene of a bloody conflict between anglophone separatists and the countrys government for several years. Those who were abducted from St. Marys Church in the town of Nchang remained missing Tuesday, AFP quoted the bishops of the ecclesiastical province of Bamenda as saying as they expressed their shock and utter horror. Archbishop Andrew Nkea said the kidnappers had given no concrete reason for last Fridays attack. The bishops said they strongly condemn all these attacks against the church and her ministers, and appealed to those who have taken the priests, the nun, and the Christians in Nchang to release them without further delay, Catholic News Agency reported. We insist on this because this act has now crossed the red line and we must say that enough is enough, they added. A wave of persecutions against the hierarchy of the church is now the new game of the struggle, and all kinds of threat messages are sent out against missionaries who have surrendered their lives to work for the people. Cameroons security forces have been battling rebel groups that are seeking independence for the countrys northwestern and southwestern parts, also known as the Anglophone region, to create a new country, Ambazonia. French is spoken in other parts of the country. About two-thirds of Cameroons population is Christian and Muslim constitute about 30%. Armed separatist groups emerged in 2017 after the government cracked down on protests. Cameroons President Paul Biya called the groups terrorists. The conflict has killed thousands and displaced as many as 500,000 since 2014, CAN said, noting that on Sept. 6, suspected militant separatists opened fire on a bus in Muyuka, killing at least six civilians. In their statement, the bishops said attackers had increasingly targeted the Catholic Church along with Presbyterian and Baptist churches. Last February, the countrys defense forces were accused of killing at least 32 people, including a pregnant woman and 14 children, in Cameroons English-speaking region. We outrightly condemn the killing of children, women and the entire household in Ngarbuh Ntumbaw. We equally denounce the ungodly act of burning a PCC house of worship at Mbufung Bali, the Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba, moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, said in a statement at the time, according to Cameroon-Info.Net, which pointed to the role of defense and security forces. The Taliban seized power in Kabul twelve months ago. The Afghan army surrendered Bagram Airbase and with it much equipment and the maximum-security prison. The Taliban released about 5000 prisoners, many of whom were Islamic militants affiliated with the Afghan Taliban, the Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)), al-Qaeda, and Islamic State. Thousands of vulnerable Afghan Christians fled and were evacuated by Christian aid groups that support the persecuted Church. At the time, the underground church was estimated to comprise around 10 000 converts from Islam (up from 0 in 1950). Some Christians stayed because they were unable to flee; others including hundreds of Afghan pastors chose to remain despite the risk, to be light and salt, bearers of grace and truth, amidst a desperately needy people. The church still grows. Taliban spokesman Inamullah Samangani claimed, in speaking to Voice of America (VOA) that, There are no Christians in Afghanistan. A Christian minority has never been known or registered here. He also claimed that There are only Sikh and Hindu religious minority in Afghanistan that are completely free and safe to practice their religion. These statements are at odds with the documented consequences of quitting Islam. For example, in 2006, an Afghan man, Abdul Rahman, who had converted to Christianity was sentenced to death by a court in Kabul but flown to Italy after intense diplomatic pressure from the U.S. government. The Afghan Church not only exists but remains and continues to grow! In October 2021, just two months after the Taliban take-over, an Afghan church leader told Global Catalytic Ministries: Today I went to visit some families. In one home, half of them are believers and half of them are not. It has been very special, when they see me they are so happy and grateful that I have not left them. I know this is the light of Jesus they are responding to. That is what I hear the most when I go visit people, that my presence gives them hope, and I know that is from the light of God. God works supernatural miracles, signs, and wonders in this part of the world often, but what I am seeing now is more of a natural kind of miracle where He is touching the hearts of people. From what I am seeing in the streets I do think things are getting worse, but it is a very special time and I think the church here will explode in growth. .even among persecuted ethno-religious minorities This includes the Dari/Farsi (Persian)-speaking Shiite Hazara and the non-Pashtun (e.g. Tajik, Uzbek, Turkmen, etc) Muslims of the north. Of all Afghanistans peoples, the Hazara are known to be the most open to the Gospel. The Shia Hazara community have been the targets of many atrocities by militants including the Taliban. Ethnic Hazara are also the community that has seen the largest number of Afghans turning to Christ. Working through a network of underground churches, Global Catalytic Ministries (GCM) delivers relief aid and has helped thousands of people to escape. More about that here. Pastors and others serving the Afghan Church report an increased openness to the Gospel. Heart4Iran reports (MNN 14 Aug) that when the Taliban conquered Afghanistan one year ago, its call centre was flooded with calls from Afghanistan. They were hopeless, traumatised, and afraid for their lives, explains Mike Ansari. All of the callers needed trauma counselling. So we hired Afghan Christians, trained them on trauma counselling, and set up a vast call centre focusing on processing contacts from Afghanistan. They talk to those inside of Afghanistan, and to Afghan refugees fleeing to other countries. Ansari says most callers wanted to know about Jesus. We just told them that God loves them and has not forsaken them. We assured them that God had a wonderful plan for them. Afghans tell Heart4Iran that God has forgotten them. But Heart4Iran and Biblica are teaming up to prove its not true. Working together, theyre finding ways to smuggle Dari (Afghan Persian) New Testaments to Christians inside Afghanistan. They request prayer for this ministry: specifically for wisdom, creativity and protection. Our prayers are needed Lord God, you are Jehovah-jireh, our provider. We pray that you would provide for the underground church hiding places of safety under the shadow of your wings (see Psalm chapter 17, verses 8-9); that you would send them provisions for life food, clean water, clothing, medicine (see Matthew chapter 6 verse 25); and supply every need of every Christian mission or ministry group that works to bring light and life, grace and truth, to Afghans be they Sunni Pashtuns, Tajiks, Turkman or Uzbeks, or Persian-speaking Shiite Hazaras; urban elites, impoverished villagers, or refugees throughout the Diaspora. Please pray for all ministries devoted to supporting our Afghani brethren in prayer, and providing carefully channelled essential aid for refugees and those who remain. 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. This photo shows Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul speaking during a parliamentary session at the National Assembly in Seoul, July 29. Yonhap Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul sought Thursday to assuage public concerns here about the possibility of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) troops being deployed in the event of a Taiwan-related contingency. USFK Commander Paul LaCamera said earlier this week that commanders do "contingency planning" for "anything," in response to a forum question on the potential role of South Korea in case of China's military movement against Taiwan. The remarks spawned speculation that USFK personnel could potentially be mobilized to a Taiwan crisis at the expense of their primary role to cope with evolving threats from North Korea. "When it comes to the USFK operation, South Korea and the United States have a consultation mechanism," Shin said in an interview with MBC Radio. "I can tell our citizens that we will ensure consultations would not move in a direction that undermines security on the Korean Peninsula." He pointed out that the general tenor of LaCamera's remarks appeared to be that military leaders are to prepare for even a single percent chance of security risks rather than going into detail about what can happen in a Taiwan contingency. "Had there been such (considerations), that would be a matter to be discussed between the South and the U.S.," he said. "There haven't been any discussions on such an issue yet." At the forum hosted by the U.S.-based Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS), LaCamera highlighted, "My job here is to defend the Korean Peninsula and to maintain peace and stability and security in Northeast Asia." But he noted that what starts locally can become regional and global and that it is prudent to look at "second- and third-order effects" from a contingency. Some observers have been leery that the USFK's role could go beyond the peninsula to help address regional security issues under the name of "strategic flexibility" despite increasingly complex North Korean threats. (Yonhap) Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol attended a digital forum in New York on Wednesday, saying digital technologies should be shared and used to expand freedoms. Yoon attended the Digital Vision Forum at New York University as part of his visit to the city for the U.N. General Assembly. In a speech, he offered his vision for a digital order to be sought jointly by the people of the world to realize the universal values of freedom, human rights, peace and solidarity, his office said. "President Yoon explained that digital technologies must contribute to expanding freedom and that it is important to produce economic and social value through digital data," it said in a press release. He also stressed that the digital ecosystem should be open for participation by everyone, while expressing his commitment to Korea fulfilling its role as a model nation in the digital era and to crafting a national digital strategy to share its achievements with the citizens of the world, it said. Yoon later met with Korean American scientists after the forum and emphasized the importance of scientific and technological innovations in increasing freedoms in Korea. Among the scientists in attendance were Kim Young-kee, a physics professor at the University of Chicago and the first Asian woman to be elected president of the American Physical Society, and Nam Chang-yong, a scientist at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and recipient of the Battelle Inventor of the Year award. (Yonhap) Jeon Joo-hwan, the 31-year-old suspect in the subway murder case, is being transferred from Seoul Namdaemun Police Station to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, Sept. 21. Yonhap The government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) agreed Thursday to consider reviewing all stalking cases reported to the police, amid public outrage over an alleged stalking and murder case at a Seoul subway station last week. The agreement was made after the justice ministry and the police reported their plan to respond to stalking crimes in an emergency meeting held at the National Assembly, PPP Rep. Lee Man-hee said. "We discussed how to prevent crimes similar to the recent tragedy that happened at Sindang Station involving stalking," Lee told reporters, adding that the government and the PPP agreed to look into more than 2,000 cases related to stalking reported to the police. On Sept. 14, Jeon Joo-hwan, a 31-year-old employee of the Seoul Metro, was apprehended at Sindang Station on Line No. 2 after stabbing a female colleague in her 20s to death in the subway station's ladies' room. The case shocked the nation, as it was revealed the killing took place one day before a court was set to sentence him on charges of stalking her. The two had known each other since entering Seoul Metro the same year. IRCC's inventory has decreased for the first time since July 2021. Canadas immigration backlog decreases slightly to 2.6 million IRCC's inventory has decreased for the first time since July 2021. Canadas immigration backlog decreases slightly to 2.6 million IRCC's inventory has decreased for the first time since July 2021. Canadas immigration backlog decreases slightly to 2.6 million IRCC's inventory has decreased for the first time since July 2021. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is reporting a decrease in its August 31 inventory. A spokesperson from IRCC sent CIC News inventory data suggesting the backlog has been reduced by 95,204 persons in a matter of six weeks. The inventory across all lines of business has progressed as follows since last July: IRCC recently came out with a new webpage tracking the inventory. According to that webpage there were 2.4 million in IRCCs inventory on July 31. Of those, 1.1 million were within service standards and 1.3 million were in the backlog. CIC News has reached out to IRCC to inquire about the apparent discrepancy in data from the media department compared to data reported on the government website. This article will be updated if an explanation is obtained. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Immigration category Persons as of August 31, 2022 Permanent residence 513,923 Temporary residence 1,698,284 Citizenship 371,620 Grand total 2,583,827 The citizenship inventory stands at 371,620 applicants as of September 1, compared to 444,792 on July 15. The permanent residence inventory stands at 513,923 people as of August 31, compared to 514,116 as of July 17. Also on August 31, the temporary residence inventory stood at 1,698,284 people, compared to 1,720,123 persons as of July 17. Therefore, there have been reductions across all three major groups. Express Entry and PNP inventories A total of 40,180 Express Entry applicants are waiting in the queue, a reduction from the previous month when there were 51,616 persons in the inventory. IRCC has continued to hold rounds of invitations for Express Entry candidates from all programs. Between September 21, 2021 and July 6, 2022, IRCC only invited Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates to apply for immigration. Under the PNP, certain programs (enhanced PNPs) are managed by the Express Entry system, while others (base PNPs) are managed by the provinces own systems. Express Entry-managed PNPs have seen a reduction in inventory, but base PNPs have increased from 35,599 in July to 41,832 in August. Family class inventory continues upward trend Inventory for all family class immigration programs are up to 125,746, compared to July when it was 118,251. The Spouses and Partners program has the second largest inventory compared to all immigration programs at 61,073. Privately sponsored refugees have the largest inventory at 68,123 persons. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has 53,029 persons waiting for decisions, up from 47,025 in July. IRCC efforts to reduce backlog On August 29, Fraser highlighted how Canada is working to address the backlog and improve the immigration system by hiring up to 1,250 new employees by the end of the fall, modernizing IRCC operations, introducing application status trackers, and publishing monthly data on the IRCC website Inventory in tables The following tables show more details of IRCCs inventory. Permanent residence inventory Permanent residency class Persons as of August 31 Economic class 206,688 Family class 125,746 Humanitarian and compassionate 29,224 Permit holders class 16 Protected persons class 152,249 Total 513,923 Economic class inventory Immigration category Persons as of August 31 Agri-Food Pilot Program 866 Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs 1,528 Atlantic Immigration Program 210 Canadian Experience Class (EE) 5,214 Canadian Experience Class (No EE) 118 Caring For Children Program 29,179 Federal Investor 4 Federal Self Employed 4,022 Federal Skilled Workers (C-50) 120 Federal Skilled Workers (EE) 11,669 Federal Skilled Workers (Pre C-50) 23 High Medical Needs Program 4 Live-in Caregiver Program 832 Provincial/Territorial Nominees (EE) 22,998 Provincial/Territorial Nominees (No EE) 41,832 Quebec Entrepreneur 259 Quebec Investor 10,727 Quebec Self Employed 82 Quebec Skilled Workers 23,559 Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot 1,103 Skilled Trades (EE) 299 Skilled Trades (No EE) 5 Start-up Business 1,314 TR to PR 50,721 Total 206,688 Express Entry inventory Immigration program Persons as of August 31 Federal Skilled Workers (EE) 11,669 Canadian Experience Class (EE) 5,214 Skilled Trades (EE) 299 Provincial/Territorial Nominees (EE) 22,998 Total 40,180 Family class inventory Immigration program Persons as of August 31 Children & Other Family Class 8,880 FCH-Family relations - H&C 2,764 Parents and Grandparents 53,029 Spouses & Partners 61,073 Total 125,746 Humanitarian and compassionate class inventory Immigration program Persons as of August 31 HC & PH class-ADM Dependant Person Overseas 8,880 Humanitarian & Compassionate Straight 2,764 Humanitarian & Compassionate with Risk or Discrimination 53,029 Public Policy With RAP 61,073 Public Policy Without RAP 4,385 Total 29,224 Permit holders class inventory Immigration program Persons as of August 31 Permit holders class 16 Total 16 Protected persons inventory Immigration program Persons as of August 31 Blended Visa Office-Referred 148 Dependants Abroad of Protected Persons 26,919 Federal Government-assisted Refugees 32,365 Privately Sponsored Refugees 68,128 Protected Persons Landed In Canada 23,572 Quebec Government-assisted Refugees 1,117 Total 152,249 Temporary residence inventory Application type Persons as of August 31 Study Permits 152,147 Study Permits Extensions 23,896 Temporary Resident Visas 896,772 Visitor Record 96,598 Work Permits 359,247 Work Permits Extensions 169,624 Total 1,698,284 Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. Every year, Canada uses the Parents and Grandparents program to allow Canadians to sponsor loved ones living abroad. This year, it could be your turn. Reuniting with your loved ones through Canadas Parents and Grandparents Program Reuniting with your loved ones through Canadas Parents and Grandparents Program Every year, Canada uses the Parents and Grandparents program to allow Canadians to sponsor loved ones living abroad. This year, it could be your turn. Reuniting with your loved ones through Canadas Parents and Grandparents Program Every year, Canada uses the Parents and Grandparents program to allow Canadians to sponsor loved ones living abroad. This year, it could be your turn. Reuniting with your loved ones through Canadas Parents and Grandparents Program Every year, Canada uses the Parents and Grandparents program to allow Canadians to sponsor loved ones living abroad. This year, it could be your turn. Vimal Sivakumar Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Canada places an immense priority on reuniting family members through immigration. That is why the family class is consistently Canadas second-largest group of immigrants. In the first half (Jan-July) of 2022, 51,745 immigrants came to this country through family-class programs. From dependent children and spouses to parents and grandparents, Canada takes great pride in providing Canadian citizens and permanent residents with programs to help bring their loved ones to this country. One of these programs is called the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Sponsor your parents and grandparents for Canadian immigration A program that uniquely only lasts several weeks every year, the PGP provides Canadian citizens and permanent residents with a way to help their parents and grandparents receive permanent residence in this country. Eventually, parents and grandparents who become permanent residents through this program may also be eligible for Canadian citizenship. Under this program, Canadians can sponsor either one or both of their parents or grandparents, but they are still required to list their other living parent/grandparent on the application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Past years of the PGP The PGP changes the number of applications it takes every year. For context prior to providing an explanation of the program, IRCC accepted a maximum of 10,000 applications in 2020 but that number rose to 30,000 in 2021. This number could change once again when the IRCC opens PGP applications for the 2022 year. 2021 PGP eligibility criteria (Canada excluding Quebec) Although this criteria may change for the 2022 program year, the 2021 eligibility criteria for this program were as follows: A sponsor must be invited to apply A sponsor must be either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act A sponsor cannot be a temporary resident on a visa or permit nor have an in progress permanent resident application Sponsors must be at least 18 years of age Sponsors must be residing in Canada (potential applicants will need to provide proof of status during the Interest to Sponsor phase) during the application process and after the application decision The person or persons being sponsored must not, as determined by the Canadian government, have a medical condition that either poses a danger to public health and safety or places excessive demand on health/social services The sponsor must not be receiving social assistance from IRCC (Employment Insurance and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit do not qualify as social assistance) A sponsor must meet all other requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations Exceed the minimum necessary income (MNI) level for this program and provide proof of income to IRCC (details below) Sign an undertaking (details below) Details regarding the MNI requirement for the Parents and Grandparents program are as follows: The MNI is a measure of the level of income in a household, used to determine whether an applicant can support themselves, their family unit, and those they wish to sponsor (details on the definition of a family unit and the PGP-specific MNI for Canadians outside of Quebec can be found here) If married or in a common-law relationship, the income of both the sponsor and spouse can be included The sponsor on a PGP application (outside Quebec) must exceed the MNI for the three consecutive taxation years prior to the submission date of their application to be eligible for this program To prove that an applicant meets MNI requirements, they must submit Canada Revenue Agency-issue notices of assessment to support their application Details regarding the undertaking process for the Parents and Grandparents program are as follows. By signing an undertaking, the Canadian applicant (outside of Quebec) is making a 20-year commitment to: Financially support, including for essential needs, the sponsored person(s) (starting when they become permanent residents) Repay any social assistance benefits paid to the sponsored family members (if applicable) PGP ineligibility (Canada excluding Quebec) There are several reasons a potential PGP sponsor may be deemed ineligible for this program. Some of those reasons include if the potential sponsor: Is in jail, prison, or penitentiary Did not give the financial support they agreed to when signing a sponsorship agreement to sponsor a relative in the past Has declared bankruptcy and are not discharged Has received social assistance for a reason other than a disability Was convicted of a violent criminal offence, any offence against a relative, or any sexual offence inside or outside Canada Cannot legally stay in Canada and must leave the country because they received a Removal Order Did not pay back: An immigration loan, a performance bond and/or a court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child support 2021 PGP application steps (Canada excluding Quebec) The following were the four application steps for this program in 2021. Please note that this process may change for the 2022 program year. Step 1: Ensure you have met the eligibility criteria If a sponsor wishes to do so, they may have their common-law partner or spouse co-sign the PGP application to help meet the minimum necessary income criteria for eligibility. The co-signer must also prove income for the three taxation years prior to the application submission. Additionally, a PGP co-signer will be subject to the same eligibility requirements as the primary sponsor as well as the terms associated with the signed undertaking. Step 2: Have completed an Interest to Sponsor form on IRCCs website Step 3: If a sponsor has submitted a past Interest to Sponsor, they must ensure they update the information entered in those forms Step 4: Wait for the IRCC to hold their annual PGP lottery, after which sponsors will have 60 days to submit completed sponsorship applications to IRCC if selected IRCC lottery note: IRCC has found their lottery system to be the fairest and most transparent selection process for the PGP. It removes duplicate applications and ensures true randomization. 2021 PGP in Quebec There are crucial differences in the PGP process for Quebec when compared to the rest of Canada. Below are differences in eligibility criteria and application steps from 2021. Please note that these criteria and steps may change again for the 2022 program year. 2021 Eligibility Criteria: The Quebec government has its own set of immigration sponsorship requirements that a Canadian sponsor living in that province must meet beyond the criteria established by IRCC. Details can be found on the Quebec government website. Quebec also uses a different standard for MNI, although it is still based on the size of a sponsors family unit (MNI and family unit details for Quebec can be found here). The Government of Quebec will also assess the sponsors income. The province of Quebec imposes a 10-year undertaking agreement as opposed to the 20-year commitment throughout the rest of the country. In this part of Canada, sponsors will also be required to sign an additional undertaking form on top of the one provided through IRCC. 2021 Application Steps: Step 1: Ensure you have met the eligibility criteria Step 2: Have completed an Interest to Sponsor form on IRCCs website Step 3: If a sponsor has submitted a past Interest to Sponsor, they must ensure they update the information entered in those forms Step 4: Wait for the IRCC to hold their annual PGP lottery, after which sponsors will have 60 days to submit completed sponsorship applications to IRCC if selected Step 5: Obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ in French) by applying to the Quebec government. Once it is obtained, submit it to IRCC PGP application processing The IRCC notes that the average processing time for a PGP application is between 20 and 24 months. Sponsor your parents and grandparents for Canadian immigration CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. To help meet the needs of enterprises that are looking to navigate uncertain economic conditions while complying with new data regulations, ServiceNow has released the next iteration of its Now workflow automation platform, dubbed Tokyo, with new features that focus on easing supply chain complexities and optimizing asset and human resource (HR) management. Tokyos release comes just months after the company released the previous version of the Now platform, named San Diego, that focused on personalization and automation of work experiences. The new release, according to the company, is geared more toward chief financial officers and chief operating officers who are looking for a return on their IT investment. Simplifying the supply base The release comes with a new feature, dubbed Supplier Lifecycle Management (SLM), that can read names and other data of suppliers from emails and spreadsheets and move them into a new window inside the Now platform. Automatically moving these supplier contacts and information, according to ServiceNow, helps enterprises reduce operating cost and allows the supply chain team to focus on creating a more resilient supplier base. The SLM also offers a supplier-facing interface that can be used to launch queries for the enterprise. For users in the enterprise itself, Tokyo includes a new tool, dubbed Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), designed to automatically track and help manage the full lifecycle of physical business assets, from planning to retirement, for industries such as healthcare, financial services, retail, manufacturing, and the public sector. The EAM tool can enhance companies strategic planning capabilies as it allows easy visibility into the enterprise asset estate, the company said, adding that EAM can alo help to optimize inventory levels in order to generate maximum efficiency from existing assets. Automating HR issue resolution ServiceNows Tokyo release also offers features that focus on simplifying human resource management. One new feature, Issue Auto Resolution for Human Resources (ITSM), is designed to help HR teams manage issues brought up by company staff by applying natural language understanding to analyze employee requests and deliver content through the same channels used by employee. These channels can be Microsoft Teams, SMS or email, the company said, adding that ITSM understands and routes any request to a specific HR representatives in case of pressing matters. Another feature, dubbed Manager Hub, is focused on employee retention. The feature, which can be accessed via the Employee Center (desktop or mobile), provides a single window for managers within an enterprise to map employee milestones and review them. The Manager Hub can be used by an enterprise to deliver personalized training to all managers within an enterprise, Service Now said. Security and Sustainability The Tokyo iteration of Now also comes with added sustainability-planning and security features. The new release offers a feature named Vault, designed to secure business-critical ServiceNow applications by using controls such as flexible key management and data anonymization. It also allows enterprises to export their ServiceNow system and application logs at scale and in near real-time, the company said. Another tool in Tokyos arsenal is the Admin Center, which allows system administrators to discover, install and configure ServiceNow tools or features through a self-service interface. Admin Center, according to the company, can take advantage of new Adoption Blueprint features, which in turn can recommend applications to administrators based on criteria such as instance maturity and application entitlements. In order to help enterprises plan and manage their sustainability goals, the Now platforms Tokyo release comes with an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management tool. The tool, according to the company, can track performance towards goals, collect and validate data for audits and create reports that aligns with major ESG reporting frameworks. Ryan Ding, President of Huawei Enterprise BG, says deeper digital transformation can help companies better deal with uncertainties. From the rise of remote work to constant innovations in emerging technologies, the breakneck pace of global disruptions is spurring Asia Pacifics digital growth. Take for instance the internet economy in Southeast Asia, which is expected to double to US$363 billion by 2025. This has created a clear opportunity for businesses, allowing them to ride on this wave of digitalization for seizing greater growth opportunitiesas long as they play their cards right. The number of companies that have a digital transformation strategy was up 42% from two years ago, says Ryan Ding, President of Huawei Enterprise BG, Enterprise direct investment in digital transformation is set to grow at 16.5% per year over 2022 to 2024. Deeper digital transformation can help companies better deal with uncertainties. Bob Chen points out that data ingestion, transmission, storage, and analysis are key steps in digital transformation Huawei We are entering the fourth industrial revolution, where menial office tasks will be carried out by machines. The huge potential of AI in labour will play a vital role in creating wealth, says Bob Chen, Vice President of Huawei Enterprise BG,. Tapping into this potential will be key for an enterprise to stay competitive and for a country to develop its digital economy. Deepening digital transformation through scenario-based approach This is why as digitalization continues to sweep the region, industry leaders are looking to leverage cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G and the cloud, to bolster their digital transformation efforts. But this requires a marked shift away from the one-size-fits-all approach in adopting new innovations. Instead, businesses have to identify the most suitable technologies for specific scenarios, even if it means tapping on multiple solutions to address their precise needs. This is key to driving continuous, long-term innovation. For Ryan Ding, identifying what these needs can lead to substantial results. Using Huaweis connectivity, and cloud technologies, we are working with our partners to drive ongoing industry innovation and multi-tech synergy, creating scenario-based solutions for diverse customer need. Together, we will create greater value and unleash the power of digital In the past, power line inspectors had to walk dozens of kilometres a day with 10kg backpacks. At one power grid, their engineers inspect nearly one million kilometres of power lines each year, equivalent to walking 25 times around the earth, he says. To support their work, Huawei uses a combination of technologies, including solar-powered systems, optical ground wires, microwave, and Wi-Fi. Now engineers can inspect power lines remotely without leaving the office. With these technologies, power line inspection is 80 times faster, and the engineers can work more safely. At the same time, data remains the core of digital transformation, and the fuel behind any technology adoption strategy. If data is the new oil, then the 100 exabyte of data thats being generated daily needs to be refined, before it can power any digitalization efforts. In other words, the data have to be collected, transmitted, stored, analysed, and processed before its usable. Whats more is that any improvement in this data processing cycle, no matter how small, can make great strides in helping businesses unlock new opportunities. This philosophy is a cornerstone of Huaweis approach to digital transformation. Data is at the core of digital transformation, and data ingestion, transmission, storage, and analysis are key steps, says Chen Huawei provides full-stack data collection, transmission, storage, computing, and analysis solutions to effectively support end-to-end closed-loop data processing. Huawei provides full-stack data collection, transmission, storage, computing, and analysis solutions to effectively support end-to-end closed-loop data processing Huawei By combining both data and scenario-based technologies, traditional industries can also realize their digital transformation initiatives. One example is the marine logistics and global supply chain industries, which are now embracing Fifth Generation Fixed Network (F5G)-enabled, ship-to-shore cranes to free operators from tedious, manual tasks. Engineers in the power and energy industries, too, can inspect power lines without putting their lives on the line, while carrying out their responsibilities more efficiently than before. Then there are smart solutions, which can be applied in compute-intensive scenarios, such as in medical image processing and reading, as well as network traffic security in tunnelling protocols, that can enhance key features, such as predictive capabilities and deep learning techniques. Finding the right technology for the right scenario makes the path forward for deeper digital transformation across multiple industries. Huawei Partnership is a key ingredient to growth Digital technology may has redefined how industries operate, but the journey of digital growth isnt meant to be embarked alone. Instead, partnerships are crucial to building a collaborative ecosystem that thrives on shared success, with businesses able to tap on a diversity of services at their disposal. To better support businesses, Huawei is working with their partners to build three capabilities: consulting and planning around digital transformation, product and portfolio expertise, and solution development. Huawei offers support to our partners on enablement, platforms, funding, and talent. Over the next three years, we will invest US$300 million to support our partners and train more talent through our ICT Academies and Huawei Authorized Learning Partners, says Ding. Enabling new business models through data More than just technical innovation, digital technologies have the capacity to unlock the hidden potential for organizations across any industry. This can lead to growth across several aspects of their business, be it improved employee confidence or greater customer satisfaction. Thus by examining the unique requirements of their most complex scenarios and processes, businesses can discover the right solution against todays rapidly changing disruptions. These topics and more will be discussed at Huawei Connect 2022. Under the theme of Unleash Digital, the annual event has taken place in Bangkok on September 19, and will head to three more cities in Dubai, Paris, and Shenzhen. Several ICT products, portfolios, and solutions designed to address a variety of industry scenarios will be introduced. Through a series of summits, broadcasts and exhibitions, there will be previews of new, ground-breaking innovations, as well as best practices and results from our work with customers and partners around the world. Deeper digital transformation will help companies better adapt to an ever-changing world. Huawei is working closely with our partners to find the right technology for the right scenario, says Ryan Ding, we will support customers in furthering their digital transformation and unleash the power of digital. Find out more about Huawei Connect 2022 here. Members of the New York City Fire Riders visited the Luzerne County Community College Walk of Honor on Wednesday to pay tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Close By Lee Eung-tae Some years back, most local governments passed ordinances guaranteeing student rights in education, religion and private life. In particular, our government no longer permits any corporal punishment in schools and proscribes extreme scolding and shouting as they infringe on student rights. Most liberal teachers and parents applauded the legislation. Now, students from kindergarten to high school can spend their time in school without worrying about being scolded or physically punished by their teachers. They can be free and happy. But are all Koreans, including parents, teachers and students, happy with this changed educational environment? I am not so sure. It is true that corporal punishment and extreme scolding are frightful experiences, especially for young, fragile children who are mentally immature. Obviously, scars from early childhood can traumatize some students for life. Now that these laws have sunk deep roots into the school environment, any teacher using corporal punishment will be instantly complained about by parents and even reported to the police. But unexpectedly, these laws have actually produced untenable school environments. Once clean and quiet classrooms have turned into jungles which young female teachers fear to enter. Innocent kids became rude, talking disdainfully to teachers. Teachers are no longer respected but ridiculed by students and parents alike. Teachers are no longer the ones to criticize and correct students' misbehavior in the hope of forming better citizens in our society. They have become bystanders in too many classroom situations, just doing their duty of teaching their subject for the given class period without taking any notice of disruptive behavior. As a former teacher, I was saddened to see a video clip in which a young female teacher was teaching in front of the board while one student lied down on the teacher's platform taking pictures and another one torso quite naked giggled, and a third played a cellphone game. I was infuriated when the school authority claimed that the students' impudent actions were due to their intimacy with the teacher. So it's okay for them to behave so rudely in front of their parents, too? I found another news report at least as deeply shocking: a parent barged into a classroom and slapped the face of the teacher in front of all the children. Why? Her son had been told off the previous day for misbehaving. While frustrated at this sad reality of our school environment, I realized that this abysmal situation was anticipated from the beginning. When the ordinances were initially discussed, lawmakers and the others concerned were only focused on students' rights without considering their repercussions. Legislation ordering students' human rights would have catastrophic results because it didn't go hand in hand with measures and programs to create a total harmonious school environment. Where is the ordinance which will guarantee teachers' rights for teaching in the classroom? Our local governments, mired in countless other pending issues, seem to be incapable of noticing the severity of deteriorating classroom environments. Must we parents, teachers and every citizen faced with this ordinance passed, I argue, by populists who didn't take its tragic ramifications into account, leave the awful classroom environment to fester? Are we to neglect our duty to bring our kids up to be polite and mannerly citizens instead of disrespectful louts? And when many of these children grow up and act as ignorantly as they did in the classrooms where, in the absence of courtesy education, they didn't learn decent behavior, are we parents, teachers and other citizens willing to shoulder the responsibility for that? Lee Eung-tae (eungtae@gmail.com) is a former high school teacher who taught English for 35 years. 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 Macmillan Cancer Support has announced that Gemma Peters is to join the cancer charity as chief executive. Peters is currently chief executive of Blood Cancer UK, and will move into her new role in January. She will take over from Macmillans current chief executive, Lynda Thomas, whose decision to step down from the charity at the end of 2022 and move into non-executive roles was announced in the spring. Thomas has worked at the cancer support charity for 20 years, having joined as joint head of media. Peters said: I am delighted to be joining the brilliant Macmillan team, having long admired and personally seen Macmillans impact for families affected by cancer. Building a strong organisation that ensures the voices of people living with cancer are heard has been central to my time at Blood Cancer UK and I feel very lucky and proud to be able to build on that at Macmillan, whose mission has never been more important. Peters joins Macmillan following almost 20 years of experience in health and cancer care in leadership, advocacy and fundraising roles. Besides Blood Cancer UK, she has held roles at Kings Health Partners, Kings College London and Mencap. Richard Murley, Macmillans chair, said: We are excited by the leadership Gemma will bring to take Macmillan forward at this critical time for cancer treatment and care. During the recruitment process, trustees, colleagues and people living with cancer were impressed by Gemmas passion, her deep knowledge of cancer care, her strategic insight and track record leading effective and inclusive organisations. 'She has been a brilliant colleague and we will miss her' Blood Cancer UK said a new chief executive is not expected to be in post by the time she leaves, and so Helen Rowntree, current director of research, services & engagement, will become interim chief executive until the role is filled. John Ormerod, chair of Blood Cancer UK, said: On behalf of the whole blood cancer community, I want to say how grateful we all are for Gemmas contribution to our mission over the last few years. She has brought to the job a combination of determination, compassion, and a relentless focus on what is in the best interests of people affected by blood cancer. As well as a great leader, she has been a brilliant colleague and we will miss her. But Gemmas greatest achievement at Blood Cancer UK lies in the role she played in helping build the strong team and culture that are now among our greatest assets. It is these two things that mean we go forward confident that over the next few years we will have an even greater positive impact for people with blood cancer, and move even more quickly towards the day when blood cancer is finally beaten. sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, The UK has risen to 17th place in the latest Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) World Giving Index, from 22nd position a year earlier, while globally numbers of donations reached record levels. In terms of donating money, the UK was the fifth most generous country in 2021, with 65% of the population giving to charities. However, it ranked 55th in terms of volunteering, with 24% of British adults estimated to have volunteered in 2021. The UK ranked 97th for helping a stranger, with 52% of the population estimated to have offered assistance to someone they didnt know. The UKs overall position, of 17th, is up from 22nd position a year earlier but below its average position of seventh for the ten-year period 2009-2018 . More people than ever donated to charities in 2021 CAFs index is based on data from Gallups World View World Poll, including data for 119 countries. The report found many high-income countries rose up the ranking after seeing a steep decline in scores in 2018, which continued and even accelerated during the first year of the pandemic. Some low-and-middle-income countries tended to see increased scores during the first year of the pandemic, with further rises in 2021, most notably for volunteering and helping a stranger. Despite a global pandemic, and the economic hardship experienced by many communities worldwide, more people than ever donated money to charities in 2021, with 35% estimated to have done so in 2021. Meanwhile, 62% of people around the world were estimated to have helped a stranger last year, which was also a record high. Indonesia had the highest overall generosity score for the fifth year in a row with an index of 68%, largely unchanged since 2020 (69%). Indonesia has the highest rate of donating (84%) and volunteering (63%) in the world. Neil Heslop, chief executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, said Covid-19 has affected the worlds poorest and vulnerable the most. He said: Private donors and businesses are likely to be called upon to fill funding gaps and charities will need to work out how best to direct their limited funding for the greatest impact. However, in the wake of two difficult years and with further challenges likely to come, we continue to see great instances of global generosity. sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Late last month, following a series of blackouts in Puerto Rico, hundreds of residents gathered in San Juan to protest mismanagement by Pedro Pierluisi, the governor, and luma, the private energy company that has overseen the islands grid since last year. For most of the day, the atmosphere was more block party than direct action, Carlos Edill Berrios Polanco, who covered the protest for Latino Rebels, wrote, but in the evening, protesters pushed against a police barricade and threw bottles and rocks, and police responded with pepper spray and tear gas. One officer fired pepper spray directly at Berrios Polanco, even though he was wearing a helmet with press emblazoned across it in big white letters. He was temporarily blinded. At least four other reporters were attacked the same night, including a student journalist who was hit with a baton. (Police later apologized to at least one of the journalists and pledged an investigation.) This was not the first protest against luma, over both blackouts and sharply rising energy rates. (luma maintains that it inherited a dysfunctional system.) While they attracted some coverage in US national media, they barely scratched the surface of the political news cycle: according to a tool maintained by Stanford University, there were scarcely any discussions mentioning Puerto Rico on major cable networks in July and August, and those that did often concerned stories like sexual harassment allegations against Ricky Martin and National Pina Colada Day; CNN aired a timely report, by Leyla Santiago, on the devastating impact of the climate crisis on the island, but even that didnt mention the blackouts or energy protests. On Sunday, another blackout in Puerto Rico attracted a greater degree of national attentionbecause it was triggered by a hurricane, Fiona, barreling into the island, shutting off its power supply entirely and bringing dangerous winds and rain. The day before Fiona hit, Pierluisi had briefed the media on the expected impact. As he did so, the lights in the room where he was speaking went out. ICYMI: The end of the pandemic is a bigger story than Biden If the hurricane and fresh blackout brought a greater degree of national attention to Puerto Rico, it was far from undividedand, as Monday dawned, major-media interest coalesced elsewhere, around the queens funeral. Critics, many of them journalists, noticed the discrepancy. The US media should be covering Puerto Rico more than the Queens funeral, Nina Turner, a Democratic politician and ally of Bernie Sanders, wrote on Twitter. The diaspora here deserves to know whats happening on the island. Journalism > ratings. On In the Thick, the podcast that he hosts with Maria Hinojosa, Julio Ricardo Varela was equally scathing, if not more so. I woke up this morning in the United States of America, I turned on my televisionand Im like, Maybe theyll say something about Puerto Rico, Varela said Monday. I changed every channelCNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC, CBS, everythingthey were running Queen Elizabeths funeral. Puerto Rico had, at the time, no power, water issues, and everyones in London and not in San Juan. That, to me, says it all about how second class American media views Puerto Rico. Not everyone was in London; CNN, to cite one example, had Santiago on the ground in Puerto Rico as Fiona made landfall. Since then, coverage has become more visible in national US media. The New York Times put a photo of Fionas impact above the fold of its front page on Monday, and the story made Tuesdays front page, too; yesterday, the Wall Street Journal made it the subject of the papers daily news podcast, while NPRwhose correspondents Luis Trelles, Adrian Florido, and Greg Allen have been on the ground in Puerto Ricoincluded Fiona among the top three stories on its Up First podcast on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Still, the impact of Fiona has had to jostle for attention with other storiesnot only the queens funeral, but the latest twists and turns in the interminable Trump-records story and the ongoing fallout from Florida governor Ron DeSantiss migration stunts (a story literally designed to distract the press)and its hard to escape the conclusion that US national media would have treated it as a much bigger deal had Fiona hit pretty much anywhere on the mainland. And, ultimately, the frustrations of Varela and other observers have deep roots in a pattern of mainstream-media neglect when it comes to coverage of Puerto Rico. The queens funeral was just the latest example of erasure by displacement, even if it was exquisitely on the nose. Sign up for CJR 's daily email As it happened, Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico almost exactly five years after Hurricane Maria hit the island. (The anniversary fell on Tuesday.) That storm, and the devastation it wreaked, did attract major US media attentionvastly more so than Fiona has so far, if the Stanford tool is any guidewith everyone from Univision, which sent at least twenty-five staffers, to Education Week, which sent two journalists to chronicle the impact on Puerto Ricos schools, scrambling to cover it. Even then, though, Maria only became a really big national story on a delay, as CJRs Pete Vernon reported at the time, and it continued to attract less coverage than comparable recent disasters on the mainland before interest started to fade. In the months that followed, important updates to the story got downplayed. In May 2018, the cancellation of the sitcom Roseanne (remember that?) decisively drowned out coverage of a new report estimating that the true death toll from Maria could have been seventy times higher than initially thought. The following weekend, the Sunday shows didnt mention the report at all. As Vernon also reported, some journalists at major national publicationsSantiago, of CNN; David Begnaud, of CBS; Frances Robles, of the Times; and othersmade it their mission to stay on the story after the initial interest died down. NPRs Florido relocated to Puerto Rico for a time; Danica Coto, of the Associated Press, was already based there. Even the AP, though, has shrunk its permanent bureau on the island in recent years. And, if stories explicitly concerned with the long aftermath of Maria struggled to cut through the national news cycle, stories about other aspects of Puerto Rican politics had an even harder time, even when they were highly consequential (and fascinating). In 2019, the corruption arrests of two former officials, and the near-simultaneous mass leak of offensive texts (including about Begnaud and other members of the media) sent by then-governor Ricardo Rossello and his aides, were downplayed for days by national mediaIt was tough trying to ring that bell and say, This is importantif this was happening in front of a statehouse in the States, it would be the front page and top story everywhere, Begnaud told me at the timeand though mass protests and Rossellos eventual resignation piqued interest, that, too, quickly dissipated, at least at the top levels of the news cycle. When earthquakes hit the island in 2020, there was, again, some coverage, but it was, again, relatively sparse. They didnt come up at all in a contemporaneous presidential debate. In recent times, the stories that have needed amplifying about Puerto Rico have often involved the islands financial plight and its infrastructure problems, not least around energy supply. Again, dogged journalists at major national outlets have covered these issues, but that coverage has rarely, if ever, risen into big story territory across the breadth of the mainstream-media landscape. When Fiona took out the islands power this week, it wasnt an Act of God that smote an otherwise functional system but a crisis smashing into a crisis, as some of this weeks national headlinesEven before Fiona, Puerto Ricos power grid was poised for failure; Puerto Rico power grid no match for Fiona; residents unsurprised; Puerto Ricos Long Struggle to Keep the Lights Onattested. We should, collectively, have shined a brighter light on this story sooner, not after the fact. Major news outlets have always been better at giving big play to sudden events, like hurricanes, than to structural problems. In Puerto Ricowith its second class media status, where even the former doesnt always happenthats especially true. Hurricanes Maria and Fiona havent just been linked by a quirk of timing, but by a continuous story of mismanagement and neglectone that is separate from major medias own neglect of the island, but mirrors it, and has been driven by some of the same forces. Numerous local reporters in Puerto Rico, it should be said, know that all too well and have stayed on the story. On Monday, Berrios Polanco, the journalist who was attacked by police at the protest in August, appeared on Hinojosa and Varelas podcast; he had initially been invited to talk about the anniversary of Maria, but ended up discussing his Fiona coverage as well. Before Fiona, Berrios Polanco had been working on a piece for Latino Rebels in which he had intended to explore whether Puerto Rico was ready to handle the next big hurricane after Maria. We had to scrap it, he said, of the story. Because today and yesterday have shown that we absolutely are not. Below, more on Puerto Rico: Shining a light: Last week, before Fiona hit, the superstar Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny, who has recently been outspoken against luma , released El Apagon, meaning The Blackout, a music video that doubled as a documentary. The video intersperses verses with reporting by Bianca Graulau, an independent journalist, explaining the situation with the islands grid. Its a music video that turns into a news documentary, Graulau said on TikTok. Im honored Bad Bunny thought of me and that he had the crazy idea to give us this platform. The Posts Bethonie Butler has more (and Alana Casanova-Burgess and Monica Morales-Garcia profiled Graulau for Latino USA). Last week, before Fiona hit, the superstar Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny, who has recently been outspoken against , released El Apagon, meaning The Blackout, a music video that doubled as a documentary. The video intersperses verses with reporting by Bianca Graulau, an independent journalist, explaining the situation with the islands grid. Its a music video that turns into a news documentary, Graulau said on TikTok. Im honored Bad Bunny thought of me and that he had the crazy idea to give us this platform. The Posts Bethonie Butler has more (and Alana Casanova-Burgess and Monica Morales-Garcia profiled Graulau for Latino USA). Puerto Rican media: Maria was economically devastating for media in Puerto Rico, with local outlets making cuts and journalists who were laid off struggling for months to find new jobs, as CJRs Zainab Sultan reported in 2018. But that hasnt stopped the islands media sector from evolving in recent years; some prominent journalists became independent bloggers, while the Centro de Periodismo Investigativo, an investigative nonprofit, obtained and reported on the leaked messages that would eventually bring down Rossello. The leaks revealed incestuous ties between some corporate media and officials, but Mario Roche Morales, a communications professor, told Danny Jin for CJR in 2019 that the options that are emerging in the digital sphere are giving more options to the public to obtain information from sources without ties with the government. Maria was economically devastating for media in Puerto Rico, with local outlets making cuts and journalists who were laid off struggling for months to find new jobs, as CJRs Zainab Sultan reported in 2018. But that hasnt stopped the islands media sector from evolving in recent years; some prominent journalists became independent bloggers, while the Centro de Periodismo Investigativo, an investigative nonprofit, obtained and reported on the leaked messages that would eventually bring down Rossello. The leaks revealed incestuous ties between some corporate media and officials, but Mario Roche Morales, a communications professor, told Danny Jin for CJR in 2019 that the options that are emerging in the digital sphere are giving more options to the public to obtain information from sources without ties with the government. Chicago: Earlier this month, at least one TV station in Chicago reported that a Puerto Rican festival in the city had been shut down by police after a shooting on the grounds, but in fact a fistfight was to blame and the festival resumed the next day. Afterward, the Puerto Rican cultural center that organized the event criticized local media for inaccurate and biased coverage. The center invited the media to showcase the best of our culture, but no major news outlets came to cover these wonderful events, it said. Instead, news outlets have published false headlines. Block Club Chicago has more. Earlier this month, at least one TV station in Chicago reported that a Puerto Rican festival in the city had been shut down by police after a shooting on the grounds, but in fact a fistfight was to blame and the festival resumed the next day. Afterward, the Puerto Rican cultural center that organized the event criticized local media for inaccurate and biased coverage. The center invited the media to showcase the best of our culture, but no major news outlets came to cover these wonderful events, it said. Instead, news outlets have published false headlines. Block Club Chicago has more. Diasporican: For KQED, Luke Tsai spoke with Illyanna Maisoneta food writer who became the first Puerto Rican food columnist in the US, at the San Francisco Chronicle, and helped trigger the reckoning over racism in food media at Bon Appetit in 2020about her forthcoming debut cookbook, Diasporican: A Puerto Rican Cookbook. The book documents Maisonets experience as a Puerto Rican living in the diaspora here in Northern Californiaand the way the mix of cultures here has informed her cooking, Tsai writes. Its a book that deals with grief and childhood trauma and the long-reaching effects of American colonialism. Other notable stories: ICYMI: Adnan Syed, Serial, and justice Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. Eight people were rushed to hospitals after being injured when an explosion Tuesday tore through the top floor of a Chicago apartment building, officials said. The explosion at the 36-unit, four-story apartment building in the South Austin neighborhood occurred at about 9 a.m., officials said. Chicago Fire Department Deputy Chief Marc Ferman told reporters a few hours later that the department had finished searching for potential victims and was confident that nobody remained trapped inside the building, of which much of the top floor had collapsed. He said technical crews had shored up the upper floors to allow firefighters to search to make sure we didnt leave any victims underneath any of the debris. A cause of the blast had not yet been determined. Seven of the injured were in the building on the citys West Side when the explosion occurred and one apparently was in a building across the street, Ferman said. Three of the people who were hurt had serious to critical injuries, the department said. Photographs and video posted on the Chicago Fire Departments Twitter page showed that much of the top floor was destroyed. Scores of bricks and other debris had fallen onto the street, crushing at least one car and seriously damaging two others. Several residents said they were home when the explosion rocked the building. I was asleep, and all of a sudden there was a loud booming, Lawrence Lewis, who was asleep at the time, told WGN television. I woke up to my windows gone, my front door blown open. I just saw smoke, and I ran out of the house. I was asleep. Im shook up right now. Otis Maning, who lives across the street, told the Chicago Sun-Times that he was on his couch watching television when all of a sudden I hear, Boom!' My heart almost shot out of my body. I saw windows busted open, I saw debris, he added. Yumika Bady, 25, was also at her home across the street and saw that the blast blew out the back window of her car that was parked nearby. It just made my apartment shake, Bady told The Associated Press. Chicago police bomb squad and agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded to the explosion. (Associated Press reporter Teresa Crawford contributed to this report) Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Supervisors in San Francisco voted Tuesday for a trial run allowing police to monitor in real time private surveillance cameras in certain circumstances, despite strong objections from civil liberties groups alarmed by the potential impact to privacy. San Francisco, like many places across the country, is struggling to balance public safety with constitutional protections. The ability to monitor in real time was requested by San Francisco Mayor London Breed and supported by merchants and residents who say police officers need more tools to combat drug dealing and retail theft that they say have marred the citys quality of life. It is temporary and will sunset in 15 months. The vote was 7-4, with some supervisors astonished that the governing board of politically liberal San Francisco would consider granting more powers to law enforcement, particularly at protests. Others pushed back, saying they were tired of sophisticated criminal networks taking advantage of San Franciscos lax attitude toward retail theft and other property crimes. Supervisor Aaron Peskin, a privacy advocate who successfully passed legislation in 2019 to ban the use of facial recognition software by San Francisco police and other city departments, said they worked hard to negotiate safeguards, including strict reporting requirements in when live monitoring was used and if it improved safety. I realized that is anathema to some, said Peskin. I am willing to give it a try. Police use of private surveillance equipment has ramped up across the country as a way to deter and investigate crime. Most usage is voluntary although a new ordinance in Houston mandates certain businesses bars, nightclubs and convenience stores to record outside their premises at all times and share footage with police when requested. In San Francisco, the new policy comes after years of a tumultuous pandemic in which footage of rampant shoplifting and brutal attacks on Asian American seniors went viral, fueling a sense of unease and lawlessness. Police can only monitor live for up to 24 hours, and only in true emergencies where lives are at stake or in a specific criminal investigation. They can also monitor live at large or high-profile events in order to decide where to deploy officers. Permission must be received from the individual, business or community district for access to their cameras. Only outdoor areas can be monitored. The trial period will last 15 months, giving supervisors about a years worth of data to review before they decide to extend the pilot program, tweak it or kill it altogether, Peskin said. More than two dozen groups called on the board to prohibit live surveillance except in emergencies and to create an independent auditing process to assess the program. Organizations, including the ACLU of Northern California, said the policy change will lead to broad police surveillance that will disproportionately impact African Americans, homeless people and the impoverished. Board President Shamann Walton, who is African American and voted against the legislation, said police already have the tools to request video footage from private citizens and make arrests. I know the thought process is, just trust us, just trust the police department. But the reality is people have been violating civil liberties since my ancestors were brought here from an entirely, completely different continent, he said. Mayor Breed thanked the board, saying live surveillance would allow the police to respond to the challenges presented by organized criminal activity, homicides, gun violence, and even officer misconduct. In December, the mayor called for a crackdown in illegal vending and drug dealing in the Tenderloin, one of the poorest and most drug-infested neighborhoods in the city. At the time she announced she would seek legislation allowing law enforcement real-time access to surveillance video. Despite her harsh words Breed said it was time to be less tolerant of all the bull that has destroyed our city the neighborhood remains troubled. In June, San Franciscos progressive prosecutor Chesa Boudin was ousted from the district attorneys office in a rare recall and replaced by Brooke Jenkins, who pledged to hold accountable drug dealers and other criminals who see San Francisco as an easy target. She supports the policy. The proposal needs a second vote to become law, which is usually perfunctory and given the following week. Two members of the five-member police commission have requested the board hold off on the final vote until they have an opportunity to review the legislation. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. By Nancy Qian CHICAGO As China prepares for its 20th National Congress in October, when President Xi Jinping is expected to accept an unprecedented third term, many observers worry about uncertain days ahead, especially regarding Taiwan. But one doesn't need a crystal ball to glimpse its future. China's leaders, for their part, are looking at Russia. China has mirrored Russia's historical trajectory for most of the past 100 years. At the beginning of the 20th century, both were large empires with outdated institutions that could not protect their people from foreign wars, corruption, inequality, and poverty. While Russia's per capita income in 1900 was around one-third that of the United States, Chinese incomes were half those of Russia. In 1949, the new People's Republic was modeled, politically and economically, on the Soviet system. In both China and the Soviet Union, a command economy replaced markets, and the central government influenced every aspect of people's lives what they produced and ate, where they worked and lived, and what they could say, read, and write. But Beijing and Moscow struggled to maintain production, because workers enjoyed very little reward for their labor. Among other strategies to compel people to work harder, the Soviet and Chinese governments established systems that threatened farmers with starvation if their production did not meet quotas set by the state. This approach led to more than seven million famine deaths in the Soviet Union (with the highest mortality rates in Ukraine) in 1932-33, and to 16.5-45 million famine deaths in China in 1959-61. Not surprisingly, these enormous economic calamities posed a serious political threat to the regimes. After all, the Soviets and the Chinese Communists were supposed to be modernizers who would empower the people and deliver economic prosperity after centuries of oppression, corruption, and abject poverty. To survive, each regime touted its role as a defender of the people against foreign invaders. The Soviet Union and China suffered more losses than any other country in World War II with their death tolls reaching 20-27 million and 15-20 million, respectively. And in the decades thereafter, the Cold War kept alive the fear of foreign invasion and the legitimacy of authoritarian regimes. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia became a model of what not to do. Its per capita income plummeted by 50 percent between 1989 and 1996, and did not recover to 1989 levels for another decade. Corruption and crime were rampant. Unemployment skyrocketed from 5 percent in 1991 to 13 percent in 1998, and social problems like alcoholism rose in tandem. In 1993, per capita alcohol consumption had reached 14.4 liters (of 100 percent alcohol), up from 11.7 liters in 1989. In 1994, 47 people per 100,000 died from alcohol-related causes three times higher than the U.S. rate. The Communist Party of China learned from the Russian experience and pursued its liberalization with more care. Recognizing that rapid political liberalization in Russia had ended up sweeping the Communist Party from power, and that auctioning off state assets had given rise to billionaire "oligarchs," the CPC took pains to avoid the same fate. By carefully controlling privatization and political reforms such as local elections, it restructured the economy gradually, making progress through trial and error, and avoided sudden and destabilizing shifts in the distribution of wealth. Liberalization transformed China and Russia from relatively equal economies to ones where the top 1 percent own one-third of the wealth. In 2015, the bottom 25 percent of Chinese households owned only 1 percent of the country's wealth, while the bottom half of Russian households owned just 15 percent. Like the Russian oligarchs, the new Chinese elites are usually perceived as egotistical, corrupt threats to state authority. In Russia, President Vladimir Putin gained popularity for "defeating" the oligarchs and bringing back law and order. In China, Xi's aggressive campaigns to reduce corruption and curb the power of new billionaires such as Alibaba founder Jack Ma have been similarly popular. The renewed rivalry with the West has also boosted both leaders' popularity. Many Russians and Chinese have been convinced that the West through North Atlantic Treaty Organization's post-1991 enlargement and U.S. support of Taiwan is a threat to their sovereignty. Polls suggest that up to three-quarters of Russians and most Chinese support Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While times have changed, the playbook for popularity has not. Strongmen still appeal to the people by presenting themselves as defenders of equality against poverty, corruption, and foreign invaders. The more controversial their hold on power is, the more they need success in these fights. The less success they have in the economic battles, the greater their need for an external enemy. It is no coincidence that the Russian invasions of Crimea in 2014 and Ukraine in 2022 followed Putin's controversial return for an unprecedented third term in 2012 and coincided with declining incomes (and oil prices) since 2014 and rising corruption. No explicit political resistance is expected at the start of Xi's third term this October. But he still faces popular demands for economic improvement. Since 2012, when Xi came to power, corruption has increased while inequality is unabated. The prolonged zero-COVID lockdowns have reduced economic growth forecasts for 2022 to 3.3 percent, the lowest since 1976 (excluding 2020). The strongman's playbook strategy for boosting popularity dictates distracting attention away from China's economic woes and attempting to take Taiwan by force. But history indicates that China will move cautiously and base its actions on Russia's experience. The more successful Ukrainian resistance is, and the more costly the war is for Russia, the more likely peace across the Taiwan Strait will be. Nancy Qian, professor of managerial economics and decision sciences at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, is a co-director of Northwestern University's Global Poverty Research Lab and the founding director of China Econ Lab. This article was distributed by Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). Time to compensate for adverse vaccine effects more broadly A local court recently ordered the government to compensate a man diagnosed with brain diseases after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff in a lawsuit filed against the head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), which had rejected his claims of damage to his health due to the vaccine. It was the first known case that has recognized the causal relationship between the vaccine and its adverse effects. The man in his 30s claimed he had a fever one day after getting an AstraZeneca shot in April of last year and felt dizziness and numbness in his legs the following day. He went to a hospital and was diagnosed with an intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral cavernous malformation and mononeuropathy. Still, the KDCA refused to recognize the causal relationship because the man had a preexisting condition. However, the court decided that the vaccination caused these problems because he had shown no such symptoms before receiving the vaccine shots, despite his preexisting condition. The KDCA appealed the verdict, saying it would actively explain the medical evidence and adverse vaccine reaction information. However, many experts point out that the quarantine authorities have been somewhat passive in acknowledging the association between the COVID-19 vaccines and their side effects. Currently, eight other lawsuits have been filed seeking compensation for the COVID-19 vaccines' adverse effects, and the number is likely to increase sharply. The government urgently needs to come up with systematic countermeasures, expanding the scope of recognizing causal relationships between the COVID-19 vaccines and their adverse effects. Nor should it pass the entire burden of proof on to victims. Although the spread of the coronavirus pandemic has displayed a relatively stable trend in recent weeks, immunity has waned and vaccinations continue. On Wednesday, the government announced an additional vaccination plan of vaccines updated for the Omicron variant and asked for the public's active participation. However, questions remain as to whether citizens will respond positively to the health authorities' call if the KDCA remains reluctant to acknowledge side effects and abnormal symptoms like now. The government ought to expand support for those showing ill effects and cope with individual damages more broadly than it does now. Seoul, Tokyo should untie Gordian knot President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have agreed on the need to mend Seoul-Tokyo ties soured by a dispute over wartime forced labor. The agreement came during their 30-minute one-on-one meeting Wednesday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. The meeting, which fell short of a summit, was described as "informal talks" by Yoon's office. It was held after both sides engaged in a war of nerves over whether to hold such a gathering between Yoon and Kishida. Tokyo had reportedly expressed displeasure at Seoul's announcement of the meeting before the two countries reached a final agreement on it. Nevertheless, it is meaningful that the leaders met for the first time since December 2019 when then President Moon Jae-in and his counterpart Shinzo Abe had talks during a trilateral summit between South Korea, Japan and China. Yet, Yoon and Kishida still found it difficult to resolve thorny issues regarding the fraught history shared by the two countries. No one expected Yoon and Kishida to cut the diplomatic Gordian knot once and for all during their brief meeting. As a presidential official noted, the two countries have just taken the first step toward restoring ties and working together to cope with issues of mutual concern. In this sense, the meeting itself could raise hopes that Seoul and Tokyo will make sincere efforts to narrow their differences and move forward toward a better future. If both countries resolve their differences over the issue concerning the compensation for surviving Korean victims of forced labor, they can step up cooperation in various fields such as security, the economy, technology and climate change. It is worth noting that Yoon and Kishida shared concerns about North Korea's nuclear program and its preparation for a seventh nuclear test. The two countries must collaborate to thwart North Korean military threats. Trilateral cooperation with the U.S. is also crucial to ensure peace and stability in Northeast Asia. Seoul and Tokyo can also join hands to deal with the escalating great power competition between the U.S. and China as well as create stable supply chains for strategic goods such as semiconductors and electric vehicle batteries. In order to forge a future-oriented partnership, Seoul and Tokyo should spare no efforts to find a viable solution to the compensation issue. Yoon is taking a more flexible attitude toward the matter than his predecessor Moon Jae-in, who had taken a hardline stance on the issue against Japan. Now it is the time for Tokyo to change its uncompromising position that Seoul should revoke its top court's ruling, which states that Japanese firms should pay compensation to the forced labor victims. What's regrettable is that Japan is still sticking to its argument that all reparation claims stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula were settled under the 1965 basic treaty that normalized relations between the two countries. The Japanese foreign ministry's press announcement on the Yoon-Kishida meeting implied that nothing has changed on the compensation issue. This is casting a dark cloud over the prospect of settling the issue and looking to the future. We urge Japan to face up to its history squarely and reflect on its wartime atrocities, including sex slavery by its troops. Chinese, Argentine FMs meet on sidelines of UNGA session Xinhua) 09:20, September 22, 2022 Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 20, 2022. (Photo by Liao Pan/Xinhua) NEW YORK, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Tuesday with Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Argentina, Wang said it is of great importance for China-Argentina relations to build on the past to make greater strides. Under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, the two sides have promoted continuous and in-depth development of China-Argentina relations, he added. The two sides held splendid activities to celebrate China-Argentina Friendship and Cooperation Year, accelerated the co-building of the Belt and Road and achieved fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation in various fields, Wang continued. He also noted that China is willing to work with Argentina to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to deepen strategic cooperation and push the China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level. Wang said as important emerging markets, China and Argentina share common visions, pursuits and interests, and shoulder common responsibilities. China appreciates Argentina's adherence to the one-China principle and supports Argentina in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he noted, adding that China welcomes Argentina to join the BRICS family and stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination between the two sides in international and regional affairs. For his part, Cafiero said Argentina and China have always respected and cooperated with each other since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago. He thanked China for its strong support to his country, adding that Argentina firmly adheres to the one-China policy and welcomes China's investment. Argentina is ready to advance the Belt and Road cooperation and expand bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, mining, shale gas and natural gas to usher in next 50 years of more fruitful bilateral relations. Cafiero noted that Argentina and China both uphold multilateralism and never judge other countries' affairs, adding that Argentina highly recognizes China's leadership and openness, and looks forward to joining the BRICS mechanism at an early date for stronger South-South cooperation. Wang said China-Argentina strategic cooperation is in line with the trend of the times, adding China supports Argentina in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs, and appreciates Argentina for fulfilling its responsibilities as the rotating chair of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). China stands ready to work with Argentina to follow through on the outcomes of the China-CELAC Forum so that China-Latin America cooperation can better benefit the people of the two sides, he noted. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun) Danggeun Market Co-Founder and Co-CEO Kim Jae-hyun poses during a recent interview with The Korea Times at its head office in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Softbank-backed unicorn startup says it's in no rush to go public By Kim Yoo-chul The way consumers purchase products has changed drastically over the past few decades, from door-to-door salesmen and billboard ads to digital advertisements. One noticeable trend seen both in the e-commerce and retail industries during the COVID-19 pandemic is the meteoric growth of online consumer-to-consumer (C2C) platforms. As a marketing term, C2C e-commerce is considered a model in which one consumer sells goods or services to other consumers online. It has become one of the four mainstream e-commerce business models today. Despite the pandemic, business-to-consumer (B2C) marketplaces were displaying sound financial performance with Amazon and other top-tier B2C platform operators enjoying revenue and profit growth. However, a lesser known development has been the spectacular rise of C2C marketplaces as the amount of transaction volume, largely involving secondhand products, has soared. "I am a true believer in the power of in-person interactions. Location-based in-person communities offer a chance for people to share their preferred habits, to learn new things, to meet and connect with others who have the same objectives. Danggeun Market is aiming to evolve from a platform for secondhand goods to a trusted facilitator connecting people according to location and communities," its co-founder and co-CEO Kim Jae-hyun said in a recent interview at the company's head office in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. The key responsibility of a facilitator is to build up relevant processes and to create conditions in which parties involved could be satisfied to help them achieve their desired output. Simply put, what a facilitator does is to come up with a plan, then guide and handle various group events to make sure that a group's common purposes are met satisfactorily with a high level of participation, said Kim. By stressing that in-person communities are the core factor behind an improved awareness of brand advocacy, the executive said Danggeun Market is on track to expand its business scope to ensure that its users are functioning well on its mobile platform. Currently, unlike Coupang and Woowa Brothers, which are engaged in commerce and operate a quick-delivery service, Danggeun Market offers accessibility for consumers to fresh local produce delivery and daily-necessity services including cleaning, education and real estate brokerage, all within a four to six-kilometer, cutting costs in the process. "Danggeun Market is still viewed as an effective tool for secondhand goods. But we are expandable and stretchable as we have a very solid user base. When a company spends continuously in the growth of their community members, their relationship with that company will get much stronger," the co-CEO said. Facebook Marketplace, for example, which Danggeun Market believes is its bigggest competitor, has put a higher priority on targeting transactions among people in the same local communities without charging sellers commission fees, because it is dependent upon the profit generated from third-party advertisers attracted to heavy-traffic sites. The co-CEO said he also plans to expand ad-based revenue stream models that will be in sync with its mobile payment transaction service, also known as Danggeun Pay. Danggeun Market, the publisher of South Korea's hyperlocal community application, Karrot, has 30 million cumulative users as of August this year and 18 million monthly active users. It is one of the most preferred apps in terms of daily frequency and visits, followed by its chief peers Naver Cafe and Band, the company said in a statement to The Korea Times. "As the COVID-19 pandemic is nearing the end, I would say a new order will prevail in the tech startup industry. That means the industry itself will display rationalization with a few qualified market players having more opportunities and receiving investors' attention. We are positioned to claim our spot as one of the top beneficiaries in the sector in the post-COVID era given our strengths in brand awareness and unique but competitive market positioning," said the co-CEO. In no rush to go public Kim said Danggeun Market is not in hurry to go public and added it has no plans to launch extra fundraising campaigns after it succeeded in raising $162 million in a Series D round of funding with a valuation of $2.7 billion. So far, Danggeun Market, categorized as a unicorn startup, raised a total of $205 million. A captured image of Danggeun Pay / Courtesy of Danggeun Market Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, responds to reporters at the Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center, Wednesday. Yonhap Chip expert says monopoly issue won't be a big problem By Baek Byung-yeul Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong showed his intention to acquire British chip architecture design company Arm from Japan's SoftBank as the Samsung Group leader made public a plan to meet SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son in Seoul next month. Considering Samsung's secretive nature, industry analysts said Thursday that the Samsung leader's remarks come as a surprise and signify a strong will to acquire Arm. The U.K.-based chip design firm is currently up for sale as U.S. graphic chip giant Nvidia failed to gain approval from the fair trade bodies of countries deeply involved in the chip industry, even though it reached a deal to purchase a 100-percent stake in Arm from SoftBank for $40 billion in October 2020. On Wednesday, the Samsung chief was asked when he arrived at the Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center whether there was a meeting to discuss the acquisition of Arm during his two-week-long business trip to Europe and Latin America. He answered, "We didn't meet, but SoftBank Chairman Son Jeong-ui (known as Masayoshi Son in Japan) will come to Seoul next month. I think he probably will make a proposal at that time." It remains unclear whether Samsung will form a consortium with other companies to jointly acquire Arm to avoid monopoly concerns, because the U.K. chip design company is a leader in mobile chip architecture design. However, Jim Handy, a renowned chip analyst and general director at Silicon Valley-based semiconductor market research company Objective Analysis, said the monopoly or antitrust issue will not be a big problem for Samsung, because the Korean tech company is not regarded as a processor manufacturer and will not be severely affected by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), a measure of market concentration that is used to determine market competitiveness. "One part of the reason that Nvidia could not buy Arm is that it would have put too much power in the hands of one company. The antitrust laws in the U.S. to prevent monopolies very clearly state the conditions that the U.S. government finds unacceptable. One is market concentration, which is measured by the HHI. I believe that the HHI for Nvidia + Arm would have been too high. Samsung would not have this problem, since Samsung is not a processor manufacturer," he said. "Of course, as you say, many of Arm's licensees and competitors, as well as Nvidia's competitors, would have been upset by an Nvidia acquisition, and they probably attended the hearings and presented their objections to the acquisition. I don't think that there would be as much noise during a Samsung-Arm hearing, since Samsung is not a processor company. I believe that it would be easier for Samsung to buy Arm than Nvidia," the analyst added. Lee Jae-yong, left, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, and Masayoshi Son, right, chairman and CEO of SoftBank, arrive at the Korea Furniture Museum in Seoul to attend a meeting, July 4, 2019. Yonhap A wheat production complex in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. Courtesy of Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. 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. gettyimagesbank POSCO Chemical seeks engineers fluent in English, French By Park Jae-hyuk Fluency in foreign languages has emerged as an important skill for those who seek jobs in Korea's electric vehicle (EV) battery industry, as manufacturers and materials suppliers are vying to expand their presence overseas amid lingering uncertainties concerning the global supply chain, according to industry officials, Thursday. As of this Wednesday, POSCO Chemical began to recruit college graduates fluent in English and French, hiring them for engineering roles in the company's factories here and overseas. In contrast to the recent job market trend of looking for employees majoring in engineering, the chemical firm is set to hire foreign language specialists from among applicants majoring in law, politics, public administration, statistics, international trade or foreign languages, with a plan to train them as engineers. "As we have aggressively expanded our battery materials business overseas, we decided to hire people who truly understand the cultures and geopolitics of the countries we entered," POSCO Chemical said in a press release. "Because of our continuous overseas expansion through the joint construction of a cathode material plant in Canada with General Motors and strategic partnerships signed with our clients in North America and Europe, we have continued to hire a large number of new and experienced workers." Korea's top three EV battery makers LG Energy Solution (LGES), Samsung SDI and SK On have also looked for foreign language experts to reinforce their global communication teams. They have hired new staff with backgrounds in global public relations (PR) and journalism, who possess high-level English skills, in order to task them with writing press releases and networking with foreign media. After Samsung SDI's communication team hired a former reporter from an English-language daily newspaper late last year, SK On also hired a former reporter from an English-language news agency last month, as well as a former employee of a global PR agency. "We will continue to reinforce our global PR department, as we continue to expand overseas," said a spokesperson from one of the three EV battery makers. Over the past few years, jobseekers majoring in humanities and social sciences have been unpopular not just among tech firms, but also among banks and financial institutions, which have prioritized hiring software programmers and engineers for digitization plans. Most Korean students have therefore devoted themselves to learning coding and other tech-related subjects. The necessity of supply chain diversification amid the global trade war, however, led Korean companies to build their production facilities in various countries, allowing more foreign language specialists to work for export-reliant tech firms. 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 By Linda Dillman Staff Writer Canal Winchester Schools has entered into an agreement with the Madison Township Police Department to provide a school resource officer for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year. The Madison Township Police SRO joins a Fairfield County SRO who is already on duty. The district began discussions with Madison Township after the county sheriffs office said they could not provide a second SRO due to staffing. Currently, the Fairfield County deputy spends most of his day at the high school and travels to other campuses as needed. The township resource officer will split time between the middle school and two elementary buildings. I do believe having a relationship with Madison Township with an SRO would be extremely important in adding an extra layer of security and safety in our district, said Superintendent Kiya Hunt. Having trained school resource officers to support our school administrators and staff is an important piece of our overall safety and security plan for our schools. In addition to SROs, the Canal Winchester Schools safety plan also includes a comprehensive mental health support program, trained threat assessment and crisis response teams, safety drills with students, and training for teachers and staff. We look forward to working in partnership with Madison Township Police Department and Fairfield County Sheriffs Office to keep our schools safe, secure, and welcoming for all students and staff. Board President Kevin Butler said safety is a priority for Canal Winchester Schools and it is better to be proactive instead of reactive. Weve been mulling around ideas, said Butler. Im excited to have the opportunity to work with Madison Township. This is a big deal. We know finding a good officer is a challenge. Keeping our students and staff safe is our top priority. We are grateful to the Madison Township Trustees and Madison Township Police Department for their support in adding a second resource officer to enhance safety and security at our schools. The district and police department hope to have an officer in place by mid-October. When asked about any differences in working with the sheriffs department, Madison Township Police Chief Gary York said he anticipates having the same type of relationship his SRO has at the Groveport Madison High School with the Groveport Police Department SRO. That relationship has really developed and given that school a good sense of security, said York. I dont see any difference. I see us working alongside the sheriffs department SRO. Hunt pointed out a couple of differences in practice between the two departments, but she felt they would not clash. The Fairfield County SRO does not wear a body camera, whereas the Madison Township officer does and, according to Hunt, will turn it on if a situation warrants. I feel cameras are very important and we need to work to get all of our officers on school grounds to have a camera when it involves our student, said board member Vangela Barnes. It is important to have a picture of what transpires, not just a witness. In addition, the township SRO carries a taser and the county SRO does not. Board member Matt Krueger said that over the last five years, the district has focused attention on addressing the mental health aspect in educating students and beefing up the staff and resources for families and students. Bringing on a second SRO is a piece to that puzzle of safety in the classroom, said Krueger. Theres safety outside and inside the buildings. I appreciate the board and administrations help in bringing this all together and creating a safe environment for students and faculty. Im proud to bring on a second SRO. Its a good day. State Report Card results The news was good when Canal Winchester Local Schools opened up its state report card for the 2021-22 school year, considering the district was battling the effects of a global pandemic dating back to 2020. I am happy to report the district has met or exceeded state expectations for learning across the board, said Superintendent Kiya Hunt during a Sept. 19 board meeting. This is due to our students, teacher and staff dedication over the last two years to recover from the interruptions and setbacks due to the COVID 19 pandemic. We are proud to see continued excellence in gap closing and exceeding progress expectations. In moving forward, Hunt said her staff will closely review the report card data and identify areas where there is room for improvement. According to the Ohio Department of Education, the district met five out of five standards in Gap Closing, which measures reductions in educational gaps for student subgroups. The score significantly exceeds state standards. Canal Winchesters Graduation Rate and Progress (a measure of student growth) met four out of five standards and exceeds the state standard. The district met three out of five standards for Achievementstudent performance on state testsand Early Literacy, grades kindergarten through third grade. Township trustees approve SRO for CW Schools By Linda Dillman Staff Writer Students will soon see a pair of school resource officers in their hallways following Canal Winchester Schools agreement with the Madison Township Police Department to add another officer to their SRO staff. During an early morning special Madison Township trustee meeting on Sept. 19, prior to the Canal Winchester Board of Education meeting that night, the trustees approved providing a Madison Township Police officer as a school resource officer for the 2022-23 school year. The agreement is similar to one the township has with Groveport Madison Schools. According to Madison Township Police Chief Gary York, following school board approval and per a Fraternal Order of Police agreement, the job must be posted in-house for five days for officers with at least three years of service with the department. This is a pretty quick-moving process, said York. I anticipate this to be a smooth transition like we had five years ago with Groveport. I think that transition went smoothly. The Madison Township officer will work in tandem with a Fairfield County deputy sheriff covering the high school, middle school and elementary schools. York anticipates his officer to start off at the middle school and elementary buildings. We are not disciplinarians, said York. Were there for the kids. According to the agreement, violations of the student code of conduct or school rules that are not criminal matters will be handled by school faculty and staff, not SROs. The officers are told they should not directly intervene unless the situation directly affects an imminent threat to the health, safety, and security of the student or another person in the school and will employ de-escalation techniques as appropriate. School discipline is the responsibility of the appropriate school administrator. York expects his Madison Township officer to start as soon as Oct. 3. While the Canal Winchester SROs are contracted by the district for the school year, they return to their regular department positions for the rest of the year. For the current school year, Madison Township is being reimbursed for school services at a prorated amount for the first year since the memorandum began after the start of the 2022-23 year. The cost is based on a fixed percentage of the SROs current department salary and benefits, depending on who applies and is chosen for the position. I was approached by Canal Winchester Schools, said York, and learned they have been looking for a second SRO for some time. Its also something Ive been thinking about for some time as well. Im very excited about this opportunity. I know we have a successful program at Groveport. I think SROs are very important in the community and the bond our Groveport SRO has with the kids is incredible. All SROs appointed after Nov. 2, 2018, must complete an additional 40 hours of school resource officer training within one year of appointment. SROs are encouraged to receive additional training each year on topics such as trending school-based law enforcement topics, child development, adolescent psychology, trauma, conflict resolution, mental health and addiction, children with disabilities, juvenile and education law and policy, and cultural competence. SROs also engage in traditional criminal investigation and report-taking. They have the authority to issue warnings, make arrests, and use alternatives to arrest at their discretion, mindful of the common goal of supporting student success. SROs are not involved in searches conducted by school personnel unless a criminal act is involved or unless school personnel require the assistance of the officer because of exigent circumstances, such as the need for safety or to prevent flight. They are allowed to participate in a search of a students person, possessions, locker, or vehicle only where there is probable cause to believe that the search will turn up evidence that the student has committed or is committing a criminal offense. While the employment of a school resource officer by the district for the school year diverts the officer from regular township duty, township trustees approved hiring a new officer effective Oct. 3 contingent upon successful completion of all required testing and evaluations. We also have two more in the pipeline, said York, who asked for patience as the department works through the hiring process. The Grove City Community Diversity Advisory Task Force will host a listening session from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 10 in City Hall, Council Chambers, 4035 Broadway. Guided by the vision statement Creating a community that thrives by enhancing a welcoming and inclusive environment and celebrates the fact that we are not all the same, the members of the task force are seeking public input. All are encouraged to attend the diversity task force listening session. Each attendee wishing to address the task force must sign and fully complete a speakers sheet to be recognized. Each speaker will be allotted a maximum of two minutes to answer the question, What do you see as opportunities for diversity, equity and inclusion in Grove City to make our community the best it can be?. Community input will also be solicited, through an online single-question survey. Visit bit.ly/GCDTFsurvey to complete the survey. Respondents may pick up and submit surveys at City Hall, 4035 Broadway; the Grove City Library, 3959 Broadway and the Evans Center, 4330 Dudley Ave., or mail to: Diversity Task Force, 4035 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio 43123, Attn: Tami Kelly, clerk of council through Tuesday, Oct. 18. For the majority of office-based workers, working outside the office has been the new normal for close to two and a half years. Hybrid work, however, has created a growing disconnect between employees and leaders, according to new research from Microsofts latest Work Trend Index Pulse Report, published in conjunction with the latest product upgrades to its employee experience platform, Viva. The report, Hybrid Work Is Just Work. Are We Doing It Wrong?, is based on data from 20,000 people in 11 countries, in addition to trillions of Microsoft 365 productivity signals and findings from LinkedIn and Glint People Science. Organizations have reached a critical turning point in the evolution of hybrid work, with Microsofts findings clearly demonstrating that a new approach is needed from companies, said Sunita Khatri, a senior director of product marketing at Microsoft. Now more than ever, leaders need to balance employee interest with what it takes for the business to be successful moving forward, Khatri said. This means aligning people's tasks with work that matters or has an impact and creating an employee experience that meets employee expectations. These tensions are particularly acute when it comes to issues of productivity. Dubbed productivity paranoia by Microsoft, research shows that 85% of leaders say the shift to hybrid work has made it challenging to have confidence their employees are being productive, while 87% of employees surveyed for the report said they are productive at work. Managers miss visual cues of productivity Many leaders and managers are missing the old visual cues of what it means to be productive because they cant physically see who is hard at work, according to Microsoft,. The report found that 49% of hybrid-work managers said they struggle to trust that their employees are doing their best work, in comparison to 36% of in-person managers. Furthermore, 54% of hybrid-work managers reported having less visibility into the work their employees do, while only 38% of in-person managers reported having the same problem. As a result, employees are now feeling the pressure to prove theyre working, causing so-called digital overwhelm to soar. Consequently, unless leaders stop worrying about whether their employees are working, amd instead focus on helping them prioritize the work thats most important, Microsoft hypothesizes that hybrid work will become unsustainable. This issue is further illustrated by the fact 81% of employees surveyed said it was important that their managers helped them prioritize their workload, but only 31% said their managers had ever given clear guidance during one-on-ones. The report also highlighted the need for organizations to have a better understanding of what motivates their employees to come into the office. Seventy-three percent of employees and 78% of business decision makers surveyed said they need a better reason to go into the office than company expectations, with 84% saying they would be motivated to go in if they could socialize with coworkers, and 85% citing the ability rebuild team bonds. To retain employees, the Microsoft research highlights the importance of re-skilling and up-skilling your employees. Of those surveyed, 55% of employees said the best way to develop their skills is to change companies. However, 68% said they would stay longer at their company if it was easier to change jobs internally, a figure that rose to 76% if they knew they would be offered learning and development support. To try and address the challenges outlined by the report, Microsoft have launched a slew of new additions to its Viva platform. Microsoft Viva addresses hybrid-work challenges Khatri said that alongside attempting to bridge the employee/manager disconnect, all the updates to the Viva platform are focused on unifying the employee experience. These include two new apps, Viva Pulse and Viva Amplify. Viva Pulse is designed to enable managers and team leaders to seek regular and confidential feedback on their teams experience, using smart templates and research-backed questions to help managers pinpoint whats working well, where to focus, and what actions could be undertaken to address team needs. This [product] is really focused on empowering managers to regularly seek feedback from their teams and then be able to take action on those confidential responses, Khatri said. In comparison, Viva Amplify is meant to improve communication between leaders and employees. The app centralizes communications campaigns, offers writing guidance to improve message resonance, enables publishing across multiple channels and distribution groups in Microsoft 365, and provides metrics for improvement. In addition to the app launches, Microsoft is also introducing a slew of new capabilities to Viva, including Answers in Viva, Leadership Corner in Viva Engage, and People in Viva. Answers in Viva uses AI to match employee questions to answers and experts across the organization to help put collective knowledge to work for all employees, while Leadership Corner provides a space where employees can interact directly with leadership, share ideas and perspectives, participate in organization initiatives, and more. People in Viva is also an AI-driven capability that creates profile cards with details on an employees interests, knowledge and team goals to help colleagues easily discover connections, experts and insights across the organization. Viva integrations enhance ease of use Viva Goals, which was launched over the summer, will have upgraded capabilities too, including a deeper integration with Microsoft Teams to check in on OKRs (objectives and key results), new integrations with Microsoft Planner and Microsoft Project, and an Azure DevOps extension. The integrations enhance ease of use, said J. P. Gownder, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester. The fact that a lot of the employee-facing experiences can be used right inside of Teams is helpful at reducing some of the complexity of the numerous features," Gownder said. In addition, enhanced integrations between Viva Learning and LinkedIn Learning will make it easer for users to access content from LinkedIn Learning Hub, all of which will be synched directly in Viva. A new home experience in Viva Connections will bring all the Viva apps together in one place, and updates to the Viva briefing email will provide more personalized productivity recommendations to help employees catch up on work, meetings and learning. IHC welcomes Singaporeans to Little India for Deepavali 2022 festivities Little India in Singapore resplendent and lit up for Deepavali 2022. In the first post-COVID Deepavali, Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) working with Little India Shopkeepeers and Heritage Association (LISHA), has added more reasons for Singaporeans and tourists to head to the precinct and specifically to IHC. Maria Bhavani Dass, General Manager, National Heritage Board, Indian Heritage Centre, was excited to share, This year we have the Big Bus Tour where people can enjoy the lighting on Serangoon road and the race course road. Adding a new dimension to enjoy a trip to Little India from October 1 to 23. Maria Bhavani Dass, General Manager, National Heritage Board, Indian Heritage Centre. Photo: Connected to India As part of the annual celebration of the Festival of Lights, this year the Indian Heritage Centres (IHC) Deepavali Open House welcomes an exciting array of programmes this year. In a first for IHC, visitors will be able to enjoy the annual Little India Deepavali street light-up and decorations on the Deepavali Big Bus Tour that will run over the Open House weekends. The customised open-top sightseeing bus tour provides the perfect introduction to the Little India precinct during the festive season and excellent photo opportunities from the top deck. "We have interactive storytelling sessions; we also have the LEGO mural where we want people from the community to come and put the rangoli together," Maria said. Visitors will be able to contribute to a LEGO mural inspired by rangoli designs, planned in collaboration with LEGO artist Jeffrey Kong. They will help to complete the mural by filling in its white outline with coloured LEGO bricks. A little showcase of Asura (demon) Bhasmasura was enacted during the rollout of Deepavali plans. Photo: Connected to India This year, IHC is partnerinig with the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) who have also set up displays and events in the IHC, including interactive displays and light decorations. The crowd-favourite miniature replica of the Little India Deepavali street light-up arch along Campbell Lane returns as well. The decorated arch extends from the institutions entrance to its stairwell, serving as the perfect backdrop. Visitors can also upload photos of themselves enjoying the light installations on social media and tag #IHCDeepavali to redeem limited-edition money packets. The events organiised by the IHC are focal points for not just the Indian community but the residents of Singapore at large. Photo courtesy: IHC "It is an up close and personal experience to capture the essence of light. After all, Deepavali is the festival of lights," Maria said. Other Deepavali-themed programmes include craft workshops, cooking-demos, heritage trails, and evening trishaw rides. Registration is required for certain programmes at https://ihc-programmes.peatix.com. Admission to IHC is free for all. The events organised by the IHC are focal points for not just the Indian community but the residents of Singapore at large; for them to learn more about Indian culture and this year for the Deepavali celebrations. "One of the key focus points is for non-Indians to come in to learn about the history of Deepavali and take part in their immersive experiences so that they can learn more about Deepavali and the Indian community," Maria said. If the little showcase of asura, (demon) Bhasmasura, which was enacted during the rollout of Deepavali plans are to go by, whether it is refreshing the tales connected with the festival or getting to know more about it is going to be an enjoyable experience. Read more Singapore News and Entertainment News here SMEs and Startups Minister Lee Young, third from left, speaks during the Korea-U.S. Startup Summit at Pier 17 in New York, Wednesday (local time). Courtesy of Ministry of SMEs and Startups By Park Jae-hyuk Korean and U.S. businesspeople looking forward to meeting President Yoon Suk-yeol in New York ended up being disappointed when the presidential office canceled Yoon's appearances at their events at the last minute, according to industry officials, Thursday. Yoon initially planned to deliver a keynote speech on Wednesday (local time) for the Korea-U.S. Startup Summit at Pier 17 in New York. Other attendees there included SMEs and Startups Minister Lee Young, Google Vice President Karan Bhatia, Oracle Senior Vice President Dave Rosenberg, Hyundai Motor President Kong Young-woon, Naver Cloud Platform CEO Park Weon-gi and RPS Ventures Managing Partner Kabir Misra. The event was mainly intended for the state-run Korea Venture Investment Corp. and three U.S. venture capital firms to announce promises to raise a combined $215 million to help Korean startups enter overseas markets. Beijer Ref has signed an agreement to acquire all assets in Transport Cooling SA, a distributor of transport cooling for trucks and trailers. The company's geographical coverage currently consists of seven branches in South Africa and one branch in Namibia. Annual sales amount to approximately SEK 150 million. Transport Cooling SA is an operating unit of GEA Africa, which is fully owned by GEA Group AG. Over the years, GEA has established good relationships within the transport cooling segment in Southern Africa. Since 1964, Transport Cooling SA has had an exclusive distribution agreement with Thermo King, a global industry leader in transport cooling. Through its distribution agreement, Transport Cooling SA provides a wide range of high-quality products. The business currently consists of approximately 90 employees and their client base includes approximately 400 customers. Transport Cooling SA will be integrated as a business unit of Beijer Ref Africa but will continue to operate under its own brand. The acquisition is expected to have a minor impact on the Beijer Ref Group's earnings and position. Christopher Norbye, CEO Beijer Ref, comments: "Transport cooling is a new market segment for us and we are pleased to welcome Transport Cooling SA to the Beijer Ref Group. It is a well-managed company that offers and maintains more than 150 products within transport cooling. With over 40 years of experience from the industry, the company has a knowledgeable management team that will continue to be a central part of the business's future development." The parties have signed a binding agreement, after which the competition authority in South Africa will now review the transaction. The takeover is expected to take place during Q1 2023. Please share the news "They had reason for the warm feelings. Their countries had agreed on the sale of a package of sophisticated weapons and intelligence gear worth roughly $2 billion with Pegasus and a missile system as the centerpieces. Months later, Netanyahu made a rare state visit to India. And in June 2019, India voted in support of Israel at the U.N.s Economic and Social Council to deny observer status to a Palestinian human rights organization, a first for the nation. India under Hindutva follows Zionist Israel in dealing with Kashmir With the beginning of the 2nd term of Modi [2019] India witnessed brazen execution of the old anti-Muslim agenda of the RSS. Article 370 which provided special provisions to guarantee its distinct character to Jammu & Kashmir State [the only Muslim majority State in India] was abrogated [August 5, 2019]. A day later, renowned political thinker, Pratap Bhanu Mehta could not help writing: There are times in the history of a republic when it reduces itself to jackboot. Nothing more and nothing less. We are witnessing that moment in Kashmir. But this moment is also a dry run for the political desecration that may follow in the rest of India. The manner in which the BJP government has changed the status of Jammu and Kashmir by rendering Article 370 ineffective and bifurcating the state is revealing its true character. With the beginning of the 2nd term of Modi [2019] India witnessed brazen execution of the old anti-Muslim agenda of the RSS. Article 370 which provided special provisions to guarantee its distinct character to Jammu & Kashmir State [the only Muslim majority State in India] was abrogated [August 5, 2019]. A day later, renowned political thinker, Pratap Bhanu Mehta could not help writing: "This is a state for whom the only currency that matters is raw power. This is a state that recognises no constraints of law, liberty and morality. This is a state that will make a mockery of democracy and deliberation. This is a state whose psychological principle is fear. This is a state that will make ordinary citizens cannon fodder for its warped nationalist pretensions. For, fundamentally, what this change signals is that Indian democracy is failing. It is descending into majoritarianism, the brute power of the vote; it will no longer have the safety valves that allowed inclusion...Not a single one of us can take any constitutional protections for granted. Parliament is a notice board, not a debating forum. The Indian State under Modi has been religiously following the Zionist Israel in persecuting Muslims and human rights defenders of the region. According to Fernand de Varennes, The loss of autonomy and the imposition of direct rule by the Government in New Delhi suggests the people of Jammu and Kashmir no longer have their own government and have lost power to legislate or amend laws in the region to ensure the protection of their rights as minorities. The Since the Indian Governments 5 August announcement revoking Kashmirs special status, tighter central Government control has resulted with access to information and peaceful protests quashed. "Reports have described a near total communications blackout in Jammu and Kashmir since the evening of 4 August, with internet access, mobile phone networks, and cable and Kashmiri television channels cut off. "The experts expressed concern that the measures, imposed after the Indian Parliament revoked the Constitutionally-mandated status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, would exacerbate tensions in the region. "The shutdown of the internet and telecommunication networks, without justification from the Government, are inconsistent with the fundamental norms of necessity and proportionality, the experts said in a statement. "The blackout is a form of collective punishment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, without even a pretext of a precipitating offence. "The Government has also imposed a curfew across Jammu and Kashmir, with massive numbers of troops brought in to enforce movement and peaceful assembly restrictions, particularly in the Kashmir Valley. "We remind the Indian authorities that the restrictions imposed by the Indian Government are intrinsically disproportionate, because they preclude considerations of the specific circumstances of each proposed assembly, the experts stated. "At the same time, information received suggests an increase in the arrest of political figures, journalists, human rights defenders, protesters and others. "The experts expressed deep concern over reports that security forces were conducting night raids on private homes leading to the arrests of young people. Amnesty International released many reports of the impunity with which Indian State was following the Zionists in persecuting Kashmiris. In one of these Affinities between Zionism And Hindutva 1. Gods Chosen People: According to Zionism the Jewish people were chosen by God as His true worshippers and to fulfill the mission of proclaiming his truth among all the nations of the world. The Hindutva flag-bearers proclaim the same status. According to them Hindu Race... professes its illustrious Hindu Religion, the only Religion in the world worthy of being so denominated, which in its variety is still an organic whole, capable of feeding the noble aspirations of all menenriched by the noblest philosophy of life in all its functions, and hallowed by an unbroken, interminable succession of divine spiritual geniuses, a religion of which any sane man may be justly proud. Guided by this Religionthe [Hindu] Race evolved a culture, which despite the degenerating contact with the debased civilizations of the Mussalman and the Europeans, for the last ten centuries, is still the noblest in the world. (Golwalkar, MS, We Or Our Nationhood Defined, Nagpur, 1939, pp. 40-41.) Speaking a language similar to the Zionists, Golwalkar went on to declare that the world soon will tremble with fear before the Chosen People; upholders of the Hindutva. It is to be noted that MK Gandhi described as Father of Indian nation without mincing word stated as early as 1938: Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English or France to the French. It is wrong and inhuman to impose the Jews on the Arabs... Surely it would be a crime against humanity to reduce the proud Arabs so that Palestine can be restored to the Jews partly or wholly as their national home (Gandhi, MK, The Jews in Palestine, Harijan, November 26, 1938.) 2. Religion as basis of nationality: Both believe that religion is the determining factor for nationality. Both are against inclusive nationalities. 3. Religious scriptures as authentic history: For Zionists and Hindutva protagonists, religious scriptures narrate actual history and any other narrative is unacceptable. Myths are truths. 4. Genocidal: Zionist organizations and Zionist Israel have been widely condemned for the genocide of Palestinians and other opponents. Israel is the only state which has been condemned both by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations through more than 200 resolutions since its founding in 1948. The Indian State under Modi has been religiously following the Zionist Israel in persecuting Muslims and human rights defenders of the region. According to Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues , and Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief , in a statement said:The following report carried by UNO new site proved once again that Kashmir looked like Palestine under Zionism:Amnesty International released many reports of the impunity with which Indian State was following the Zionists in persecuting Kashmiris. In one of these released in July 2015 titled, DENIED: Failures in accountability for human rights violations by security force personnel in Jammu and Kashmir described in details how Kashmir had turned into killing fields.According to Zionism the Jewish people were chosen by God as His true worshippers and to fulfill the mission of proclaiming his truth among all the nations of the world. The Hindutva flag-bearers proclaim the same status. According to them Hindu Race...(Golwalkar, MS, We Or Our Nationhood Defined, Nagpur, 1939, pp. 40-41.)Speaking a language similar to the Zionists, Golwalkar went on to declare that the world soon will tremble with fear before the Chosen People; upholders of the Hindutva.It is to be noted that MK Gandhi described as Father of Indian nation without mincing word stated as early as 1938:(Gandhi, MK, The Jews in Palestine, Harijan, November 26, 1938.)Both believe that religion is the determining factor for nationality. Both are against inclusive nationalities.For Zionists and Hindutva protagonists, religious scriptures narrate actual history and any other narrative is unacceptable. Myths are truths.Zionist organizations and Zionist Israel have been widely condemned for the genocide of Palestinians and other opponents. Israel is the only state which has been condemned both by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations through more than 200 resolutions since its founding in 1948. In India we have witnessed a major genocide of minorities almost every decade in which Hindutva cadres have been found involved. In these genocides victims have not been only minorities but lower Castes of Hindus also. It is important to know that RSS which claims to be a cultural organization is fond of worshipping arms. It celebrates its foundation day as ''shastr pooja" (worship of the arms) in which RSS leaders/cadres participate in large numbers. Recently following into the foot-steps of Zionist Israel RSS-BJP rulers have made bulldozers as a symbol of punishing Muslims. 5. Demonization of opponents: An important commonality between the two is the demonization and persecution of anti-Zionists as Anti-Semitic and anti-Hindutva as anti-Hindu. The renowned researcher of Zionism, Yoav Litvin In fact, anti-Zionists were targeted from before the foundation of the state of Israel. Today, Jewish pro-Palestinian activists who support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement are detained, punished and even deported. In India MK Gandhi (Father of the Nation), anti-Hindutva intellectuals/journalists namely Govind Pansare, MM Kalburgi, Narender Dabholkar and Gouri Lankesh were assassinated by the Hindutva zealots for being anti-Hindu. Arrest of anti-Hindutva intellectuals like Anand Teltumbde, Fr Stan (who died during incarceration), Gautam Navlakha, Varavara Rao, lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj, activists Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Hany Babu, Umar Khalid and hundreds others under terror laws. 6. Blatantly racist: Zionists ruling Israel may harp on the divine unity of the Jews of the world but in reality Israel is ruled by and for superior Ashkenazi [European] Jews. In Israel hatred for dark-skinned African Jews and Sephardi [Spanish speaking Jews] and Mizrahi Jews [Jews from Central and West Asian countries, many of them Arabic-speaking] is too glaring to be missed. In India RSS demands abrogation of the democratic-secular-egalitarian Constitution and promulgation of Manu Code [Manusmriti] as law of the land. Manusmriti is declared to be most worship-able after Vedas. It RSS' linkages with international neo-fascist organizations The world has not bothered to take any notice of a terrorist network developing fast in India and its neighbourhood between RSS and the two terrorist ultra nationalist Buddhist groups of Myanmar and Sri Lanka against minorities; specially Muslims in the region. According to an editorial in The International New York Times [Deadly alliances against Muslims, October 16, 2014] it was announced by Galagodaththe Gnanasara, the leader of the radical Sri Lankan Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena [Buddhist Power Force] at an international convention in Colombo in September 2014. The editorial The guest of honor was Ashin Wirathu, a Buddhist radical whose picture Time magazine put on its July 1 [2013] covers as The Face of Buddhist TerrorMr. Gnanasara claimed he was in discussions at a high level with the right-wing Indian Hindu group Rashtriya Swayam Sevak to form what he called a Hindu-Buddhist peace zone in South Asia. The NYT editorial also carried Facebook and Twitter congratulatory messages of Ram Madhav (who kept on shuffling as spokes-person of RSS and general secretary of BJP) to Bodu Bala Sena. These must be read to know the depth of linkages between Buddhist terrorist organizations and RSS. Norway's neo-Nazi mass murderer Anders Behring Breiviks linkages with RSS On 22 July 2011 Breivik massacred 77 youth belonging to the Norways ruling Labour Party at a youth training camp on the island of Utya. It was no sudden carnage by some mad person. Breivik had planned it for years. Just before the attack he had released on line A European Declaration of Independence In this case, too, the world took almost no notice of the critical fact that Breiviks manifesto laid down a plan of co-operation between neo-Nazi movements of Europe and Hindu Nationalist organizations of India. Out of 1515 pages of Breiviks manifesto 102 pages dealt with the glorification of Hindutva movement of India. It emphasized that it was essential that these two learn from each other and cooperate as much as possible as Our goals are more or less identical. This manifesto specially How critical is the danger of RSS becoming a rallying point of all the neo-Fascists of the world can be gauged by the fact that the former according to its own For in-depth study of RSS, please click --- *Formerly with Delhi University, click here for some of Prof Islam's writings and video interviews/debates. Facebook: https://facebook.com/shamsul.islam.332. Twitter: @shamsforjustice. Blog: http://shamsforpeace.blogspot.com/ Importantly, the manifesto pledged military support to the nationalists in the Indian civil war and in the deportation of all Muslims from India as part of a larger campaign to overthrow of all western European multi-culturalist governments.How critical is the danger of RSS becoming a rallying point of all the neo-Fascists of the world can be gauged by the fact that the former according to its own admission was active in 39 countries with the nomenclature, Hindu Seva Sangh. The RSS has not uploaded data after 2015 in this regard. There must be many more countries where it could be functioning covertly. The civilized world can risk overlooking this most lethal danger on its own peril.For in-depth study of RSS, please click this link.--- An important commonality between the two is the demonization and persecution of anti-Zionists as Anti-Semitic and anti-Hindutva as anti-Hindu. The renowned researcher of Zionism, Yoav Litvin wrote In India MK Gandhi (Father of the Nation), anti-Hindutva intellectuals/journalists namely Govind Pansare, MM Kalburgi, Narender Dabholkar and Gouri Lankesh were assassinated by the Hindutva zealots for being anti-Hindu. Arrest of anti-Hindutva intellectuals like Anand Teltumbde, Fr Stan (who died during incarceration), Gautam Navlakha, Varavara Rao, lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj, activists Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Hany Babu, Umar Khalid and hundreds others under terror laws.Zionists ruling Israel may harp on the divine unity of the Jews of the world but in reality Israel is ruled by and for superior Ashkenazi [European] Jews. In Israel hatred for dark-skinned African Jews and Sephardi [Spanish speaking Jews] and Mizrahi Jews [Jews from Central and West Asian countries, many of them Arabic-speaking] is too glaring to be missed.In India RSS demands abrogation of the democratic-secular-egalitarian Constitution and promulgation of Manu Code [Manusmriti] as law of the land. Manusmriti is declared to be most worship-able after Vedas. It decrees sub-human status to women and Sudras [lowest Caste in the Brahmanical Caste system]. Moreover, RSS treats dark-skinned South Indians as inferior.The world has not bothered to take any notice of a terrorist network developing fast in India and its neighbourhood between RSS and the two terrorist ultra nationalist Buddhist groups of Myanmar and Sri Lanka against minorities; specially Muslims in the region. According to an editorial in The International New York Times [Deadly alliances against Muslims, October 16, 2014] it was announced by Galagodaththe Gnanasara, the leader of the radical Sri Lankan Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena [Buddhist Power Force] at an international convention in Colombo in September 2014. The editorial disclosed that at the convention:The NYT editorial also carried Facebook and Twitter congratulatory messages of Ram Madhav (who kept on shuffling as spokes-person of RSS and general secretary of BJP) to Bodu Bala Sena. These must be read to know the depth of linkages between Buddhist terrorist organizations and RSS.On 22 July 2011 Breivik massacred 77 youth belonging to the Norways ruling Labour Party at a youth training camp on the island of Utya. It was no sudden carnage by some mad person. Breivik had planned it for years. Just before the attack he had released on line A European Declaration of Independence which declared war against the devils: cultural Marxism, multi-culturalism, feminism, emotionalism, humanism, and egalitarianism.In this case, too, the world took almost no notice of the critical fact that Breiviks manifesto laid down a plan of co-operation between neo-Nazi movements of Europe and Hindu Nationalist organizations of India. Out of 1515 pages of Breiviks manifesto 102 pages dealt with the glorification of Hindutva movement of India.It emphasized that it was essential that these two learn from each other and cooperate as much as possible as Our goals are more or less identical. This manifesto specially mentioned the name of the fountain head of the Hindutva politics, RSS and its appendages like BJP, ABVP (Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad; student appendage of the RSS) and VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad; RSS appendage to bring the world under Hindutva hegemony) as partners. Those who believe in a world free of hegemonic ethno-nationalism, racism, religious bigotry and hatred have rightly taken note of Zionism and its ally Christian Zionism, major perpetrators of ethnic cleansing of Others. However, the civilized world with its core belief in multi-culturalism and peaceful co-existence is oblivious to a no less dangerous threat to the present human civilization: the Hindutva Zionism.As the term reads it is part of the Hindutva world-view which stands for an exclusive Hindu India minus Muslims and Christians. The other religions like Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism will have no independent status but treated as part of Hinduism. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS; National Volunteer Organization) is the most prominent flag-bearer of the Hindutva politics whose cadres presently rule India, the largest democracy in the world.RSS was founded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (1889-1940) in 1925 who was disillusioned with the Indian freedom struggle led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) against the British rule for believing that Indian nation was a composite entity consisting of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and followers of other religions living in India.Hedgewar and his associates aggressively claimed that India was an exclusive nation of Hindus. For RSS the real enemies were not the British rulers but Muslims and Christians as they belonged to foreign religions. Thus RSS represented the militant Hindu nationalism, termed as Hindutva opposed to Gandhis all-inclusive Indian nationalism.According to the most prominent ideologues of Hindutva, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (1883-1966) and Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar (1906-73), the Hindutva is true Hinduness which should not be reduced to what is understood as Hinduism. Hindutva is aggressive commitment to the belief that India is the Father-land and Holy Land of Hindus who are Aryans, speak Sanskrit language and believe in casteism. All others are foreign races who...(Golwalkar, MS, We Or Our Nationhood Defined, Nagpur, 1939, p. 48.)Golwalkars another Holy book for the RSS cadres "Bunch of Thoughts", has a long chapter titled as Internal Threats in which Muslims and Christians have been described as threat number 1 and 2, respectively. (Golwalkar, M.S., Bunch of Thoughts, Sahitya Sindhu, Bangalore, 1996, p. 177.)Importantly, RSS and its leading cadres presently ruling India are the most vocal supporters of Zionism and the Zionist Israel after the West. The renowned Indian author, Khushwant Singh noted that RSS supported Zionism and the Jewish state of Israel for no other reason but that it was forever waging wars against its Arab neighbours who were Muslims.The current RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat like his predecessors has been calling upon the RSS cadres to emulate Israel to tread the path of Israel while serving the cause of nationalism. A leading English daily of Israel, the Jerusalem Post too underlined the fact that whenever a BJP (Bhartiya Janata Party; a political appendage of the RSS) government comes to power, the vibrancy in India-Israel relations reaches new heights.At the government level Narendra Modi [Prime Minister of India since 2014] who is also a leading ideologue of the RSS was the first Prime Minister of India to visit Israel in mid-2017 [almost 70 years after founding of the Indian Republic] with the then Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visiting India in early 2018. Both continue to enjoy close friendship despite Netanyahu no more being the prime minister of Israel.India is one of the largest importers of Israeli arms but the largest consumer of the surveillance and intelligence-related equipment. The latest disclosures about the Israel made Pegasus spyware make it clear how India made large purchases of it for use against lawyers, journalists, politicians and activists who were suspected to be opposed to the Hindutva politics.On the surveillance front the ganging up of Zionist Israel and India is proved by the fact that India remains the only democracy not to share any information about the purchase of Pegasus spyware which has been described as the worlds most powerful cyber weapon.Concerned by the abstruseness of Modi government Supreme Court, the highest court of justice of India had to constitute a committee to find out the truth in October 2021. The report was submitted in a sealed cover on August 25, 2022. The Bench comprising Chief Justice of India N V Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli while accepting the report informed that the Government of India did not cooperate with the committee.It was a sad scenario for Indian democracy that rulers of India even refused to respond to a committee appointed by the highest court of justice whose deliberations were confidential. For reasons known to the Court only it did not pass any judgment.In the meantime, two renowned investigate journalists; Ronen Bergman and Mark Mazetti relying on official papers of Israel confirmed that India did buy the Pegasus courtesy Netanyahu. According to the report: Models pose with LG CNS' artificial intelligence technology-based English language learning app Speaking Class, Thursday. Courtesy of LG CNS By Baek Byung-yeul LG CNS is expanding the scope of its English language learning service based on artificial intelligence (AI) technology by distributing them to schools across the country for free to let more people learn English easily using the latest technology, the company said Thursday. LG CNS is a subsidiary of LG Corporation founded in 1987 that provides information technology services. The company explained that the language learning service, called Speaking Class, is a smartphone application-based service that lets users study English anywhere and anytime through their handsets. It said the service is designed to maximize learning efficiency by using AI, because the technology analyzes users' English pronunciation, speech speed and similarity of answers to measure their learning level on a scale of one to five. Users can also train to improve the accuracy of their English speaking by comparing model answers with their answers. The other strength of the Speaking Class service is that teachers can create their own English learning content, LG CNS said. "Most of the current English education apps are designed to learn only through given content. But we support the Speaking Class production tool and website for teachers. When a teacher enters an English conversation, our AI technology automatically processes it into English learning content and reflects the results in the Speaking Class app," a company spokesman said. LG CNS said the Speaking Class app has 71 kinds of English textbooks for elementary, middle and high schools here. To this end, the company signed content partnership agreements with seven publishers. The company added that it provides the service in 11 education offices in the country at no cost. Since June 2021, it has already provided the service to the office of education in Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island. To let more people experience its AI-based language learning services, the company took part in EdTech Korea 2022 fair, which is currently being held at COEX convention center in Seoul until Saturday. There, the company also displayed another AI-based English language learning app AI Tutor. Namyang Diary Product Chairman Hong Won-sik wipes tears from his eyes as he steps down from his position at the company's headquarters in Seoul on May 4. Korea Times file By Kim Jae-heun A court has ordered Namyang Dairy founder and his family members to hand over their controlling stake in the dairy company to local private equity firm (PEF) Hahn & Company as they agreed last year. The Seoul Central District Court ruled against Namyang Chairman Hong Won-sik and his family, Thursday, saying they should honor their stock purchase agreement (SPA) with the PEF, dismissing all their claims. In May of last year, Hong and his family members signed the pact to sell their 53.8-percent stake in the firm for 310.7 billion won ($220.2 million), but four months later, they canceled the deal, arguing that Hahn & Company unjustly interfered in their firm's management and violated a non-disclosure agreement. The PEF then filed a lawsuit against Hong, asking him to honor the contract. It said that since the agreement was finalized, it has every right to appoint its candidates as the dairy firm's board members. "The stock trading contract was completed, and the defendant's insistence on the violation of the Attorneys-at-Law Act, as well as the unjust hiring of the same legal representatives, are not accepted," the court ruled. Further, it ordered Hong to pay for the legal fees. Hahn & Company welcomed the court's verdict. "The ruling confirmed the natural principle that contracts should be kept. We thank the court for making a good decision. There have been three provisional dispositions (made against Chairman Hong) and there is no doubt that our claims have been justified. (Once the ruling is confirmed,) we will take over the management rights and move on to normalize Namyang Dairy Products' business," a Hahn & Company official said. On the other hand, Hong expressed "regret" through his law firm, vowing to appeal the ruling immediately. "Our rights were not properly protected in the process of selling the company that inherited the family business. (Hahn & Company) also did not implement the prior agreement made with us. It is regretful that the court did not seem to have fully considered these conditions," Hong said in a statement. The trial of former Uber CISO Joe Sullivan marks the first time a cybersecurity chief has faced potential criminal liability. Sullivan is charged with trying to conceal from federal investigators the details of a 2016 hack at Uber that exposed the email addresses and phone numbers of 57 million drivers and passengers. The two charges against Sullivan, obstruction of justice and failure to report a crime, carry potential jail time of five and three years, respectively, in a watershed case that has drawn the attention of security professionals. In a sardonic coincidence, Sullivans trial began days before news broke that Uber had been hacked again. Uber says that a hacking group run by teenagers called LAPSUS$ likely stole an employees credential to gain wide-ranging access to Ubers internal systems including the companys Amazon Web Services console, VMware vSphere/ESXi virtual machines, Google Workspace admin dashboard for managing the Uber email accounts, Slack server, and bug bounty program portal. Uber confirmed the breach and claimed it has no evidence that the hacker gained access to sensitive user data. The latest Uber breach doesnt appear to involve any malfeasance on the part of Ubers security team. Nonetheless, its timing underscores that corporate cybersecurity chiefs remain in uncertain legal territory regarding significant hacks. Although the issue of some form of personal liability insurance, or directors-and-officers (D&O) insurance, for CISOs has been raised in the context of Sullivans woes, experts say they arent seeing demand for it yet. Sullivans attorneys argue hes not responsible The 2016 breach involved admitted hackers Vasile Mereacre, who went by the name John Doughs, and Brandon Glover hacking into an Uber S3 folder containing more than 200 users private data files. They stole the names, email addresses, and phone numbers of 57 million app users, along with 600,000 drivers license numbers. They then contacted Uber seeking a ransom payment. The hackers mostly communicated with Rob Fletcher, a company security response team member, although they also contacted Sullivan. Uber ultimately agreed to pay the pair $100,000 to delete the data as a bug bounty and asked them to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), allegedly to conceal the whole affair from the public and regulators. The incident remained under wraps until 2017, when Dara Khosrowshahi became Ubers new chief executive and fired Sullivan. This past summer, Uber entered a non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors to resolve a criminal investigation into the cover-up of the 2016 breach, given that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had a pending investigation into the companys data security practices at the time. Prosecutors contend that as the security chief for Uber, Sullivan was obligated to disclose the breach to the FTC. Sullivans attorneys argue that Ubers legal team and not Sullivan was obliged to report the breach to the FTC. Andrew Dawson, an assistant US attorney, said, This is a case about a cover-up, about payoffs and about lies. The evidence will show that Mr. Sullivan paid for the hackers silence because Uber was being investigated by the FTC. Gray areas such as ransomware could leave CISOs responsible Given the rapid spike in ransomware attacks over the past three years, many organizations have chosen to pay the ransom to attackers in a manner not dissimilar to what Sullivan did. Even Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology Anne Neuberger has said, despite the FBIs advice never to pay a ransom, We recognizethat companies are often in a difficult position if their data is encrypted and they do not have backups and cannot recover the data. And that is why given the rise in ransomware and given, frankly, the troubling trend we see of often targeting companies who have insurance and maybe richer targets that we need to look thoughtfully at this area. Although most organizations are not under investigation by the FTC and wouldnt go to the lengths that Uber did to conceal a payment to hackers, gray areas could conceivably emerge, depending on the circumstances, that could leave a CISOs vulnerable to subsequent legal actions, and potentially costly legal bills, if they participated in a decision to pay a ransom or deal with a cybersecurity incident in an unconventional way. CISOs dont seem to be seeking additional insurance While CISOs are no doubt watching Sullivans trial nervously to determine whether they should demand D&O insurance, the same kind of liability protection that corporate directors and officers receive at significant corporations, right now the primary focus for CISOs is on the general cyber liability insurance front, Steven Aiello, security practice director at Ahead, tells CSO. With the CISOs that I'm having conversations with, the additional forms of insurance are not something they're bringing up as a point of concern right now. I'm not saying that they shouldn't have it. What I'm saying is that the CISOs that I'm having discussions with, that's definitely not something that they're bringing to the table as a concern. Its no surprise that general cybersecurity insurance is a current focus of attention, given that policies written in the insurance market are becoming increasingly precarious. One leading underwriter, Lloyds of London, will soon exempt state-backed attacks from their coverage. Moreover, some companies are ditching the coverage altogether following a 74% spike in cyber insurance premiums. D&O insurance could also be overkill for most CISOs because, When you look at an organizational structure, the CISOs role is still really more of a VP, SVP position than a true C-level position, Aiello says. Its, unfortunately, still not a true C-level position. If you look at the organizational structures, a lot of CSOs either roll up to a CFO or a CIO. Yet as cybersecurity becomes more sophisticated and government agencies spell out more guidance on achieving security and resiliency in their organizations, CISOs have a right to be nervous, given possible accusations that might crop up in the future if they fail to follow the emerging guidance today. Take the case with Uber. That happened post-attack, what we call, right of boom. If you covered it up, that seems to be something that, of course, gets you exposed, Ian Bramson, global head of industrial cybersecurity at compliance firm ABSG Consulting, tells CSO. But as regulations come in and say you have to report an incident in X amount of time, or you have to do X, Y, and Z. When they start being more prescriptive, and companies aren't following that, then the executives will be more exposed as they go along, Bramson says. There's an overall impact dimension, meaning what did you do to prepare? Did you not prepare well enough? Then you might be liable for that. Bramson thinks CISOs on the OT side of the business might face more significant risks than pure IT cybersecurity leaders because liability protection is less mature in industrial environments, and I can shut stuff down. I can blow stuff up on the OT side. The best bet for CISOs is protective governance policy Aiello thinks that most organizations wont pay for D&O insurance, or any other kind of professional liability insurance, for their CISOs because those policies can cost $100,000 or more per year. CISOs are unlikely to pay for that kind of insurance out of their own pockets to absolve themselves of some personal risk. If that were the case, most CISOs wouldnt take the job, because you can be a lower level resource and make just as much money and not have to carry that risk and not have to carry that cost, says Aiello. The better bet for CISOs is to ensure that corporate governance policies provide them with protection. I would absolutely make sure that when the organization chose to accept a risk by not getting cyber liability insurance or by failing to fund a project, it should be documented that it wasnt the CSO that chose to accept this risk; it was the CEO or the CFO or the COO that chose to accept that risk. By Kim Hyun-bin A total of seven U.S. companies in the semiconductor and secondary battery industries have pledged to invest a combined $1.15 billion in Korea to build plants, R&D centers and other facilities, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Energy said, Friday. The ministry held the "North American Investment Reporting Ceremony and Investor Roundtable" in New York on Thursday (local time), amid President Yoon Suk-yeol's official visit to the U.S. to attend the UN General Assembly. The technological cooperation between Korea and the U.S. has strengthened through investments by core U.S. companies in the fields of semiconductors and secondary batteries amid the pandemic and global supply chain disruptions. This investment is expected to contribute not only to the domestic transfer of advanced technologies but also to nurturing high-level technical manpower. It is expected to contribute greatly to securing a competitive advantage in the domestic semiconductor industry and strengthening cooperation in Korea-U.S. supply chains. According to the ministry, the world's four largest semiconductor equipment companies, including Applied Materials, BorgWarner and Northland Power, are actively expanding their investments in Korea, which is expected to have a very positive impact on strengthening the semiconductor ecosystem and supply chain. Applied Materials is leading in the investment to establish an R&D Center. Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang evaluated this investment as meaningful as it is highly connected to strengthening the supply chain and promoting carbon neutrality. At the "Korea-North American Investor Roundtable" event, representatives of 13 global companies that have already invested in or are interested in investing in Korea attended including Lam Research, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Google sharing investment results in Korea and future cooperation plans. Advertisement Gold Price Outlook: Gold prices got knocked lower in the wake of the September Fed meeting as the FOMC signaled additional rate hikes over the coming months. Technical analysis studies suggest more weakness may be ahead for gold prices, which havent been able to stage a meaningful recovery above 1680. Gold prices retain a bearish bias in the near-term, according to the IG Client Sentiment Index . Recommended by Christopher Vecchio, CFA Get Your Free Gold Forecast Get My Guide Fed Not Pivoting Soon The September Fed meeting revealed a more hawkish FOMC than what markets were expecting. Ahead of the meeting, rates markets were expecting the Fed funds rate to peak at 4.5% in 2023 and end the year closer to 4%. Instead, the Summary of Economic Projections revealed that some Fed policymakers favored bringing the main rate closer to 5% at its peak, while the consensus was that the main rate would end 2023 at 4.6%. The net-impact has been higher US Treasury yields and US real yields, which have been the bane of gold prices over the past few months (the US 10-year real yield peaked at +110-bps). It stands to reason that the fundamental environment has become more difficult over the past 24-hours, which complements the already-weak technical backdrop (never mind a bearish September seasonality tendency). Gold Volatility Drops, Gold Prices Steady Historically, gold prices have a relationship with volatility unlike other asset classes. While other asset classes like bonds and stocks dont like increased volatility signaling greater uncertainty around cash flows, dividends, coupon payments, etc. gold tends to benefit during periods of higher volatility. Gold volatility has pulled back modestly, and in the context of higher US yields (both nominal and real) and a stronger US Dollar, gold prices are continuing to struggle. GVZ (Gold Volatility) Technical Analysis: Daily Price Chart (September 2021 to September 2022) (Chart 1) Gold volatility (as measured by the Cboes gold volatility ETF, GVZ, which tracks the 1-month implied volatility of gold as derived from the GLD option chain) was trading at 17.91 at the time this report was written. The 5-day correlation between GVZ and gold prices is -0.51 while the 20-day correlation is -0.92. One week ago, on September 15, the 5-day correlation was -0.98 and the 20-day correlation was -0.89. Gold Price Rate Technical Analysis: Daily Chart (August 2021 to September 2022) (Chart 2) Last week it was noted that a return to the yearly low cant be ruled out in the near-term. Gold prices fell through the former yearly low around 1680, carving out a September low and a 2022 low at 1653.87 yesterday. While there hasnt been any significant downside follow-through, the fact of the matter is that gold prices are treating the 1680 area as a ceiling in recent days, suggesting that former support has become meaningful resistance. Momentum is still bearish. Gold prices are bck below their daily 5-, 8-, 13-, and 21-EMAs, and the EMA envelope is in bearish sequential order. Daily MACD is trending lower below its signal line, and daily Slow Stochastics are holding in oversold territory. A drop below 1653.87 would open up the floor for a move into the 1630s by the end of the month. Gold Price Technical Analysis: Weekly Chart (October 2015 to September 2022) (Chart 3) The longer-term view is slightly evolving, although a double top remains in place [and] a massive sideways range between 1680 and 2075 may have formed. Momentum on the weekly timeframe remains bearish, with gold prices below their weekly 4-, 8-, and 13-EMA envelope, which is in bearish sequential order. Weekly MACD is still trending lower below its signal line, and weekly Slow Stochastics are in oversold territory. If gold prices fail to recover above 1680, the double top warrants a long-term multi-month, if not multi-year bearish perspective for gold prices. Recommended by Christopher Vecchio, CFA Building Confidence in Trading Get My Guide IG CLIENT SENTIMENT INDEX: GOLD PRICE FORECAST (September 22, 2022) (Chart 4) Gold: Retail trader data shows 81.23% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 4.33 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 4.75% lower than yesterday and 11.33% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 15.92% lower than yesterday and 35.61% higher from last week. We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests Gold prices may continue to fall. Positioning is more net-long than yesterday but less net-long from last week. The combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a further mixed Gold trading bias. Trade Smarter - Sign up for the DailyFX Newsletter Receive timely and compelling market commentary from the DailyFX team Subscribe to Newsletter --- Written by Christopher Vecchio, CFA, Senior Strategist Riot police block a street during a protest against mobilization in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday. AP-Yonhap More than 1,300 people have been arrested at demonstrations across Russia against President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a partial mobilization of civilians to fight in Ukraine, a police monitoring group said Wednesday. The OVD-Info monitoring group counted at least 1,332 people detained at rallies in 38 different cities across the country after Putin's morning address to the nation. The protests were the largest in Russia since demonstrations that broke out following the announcement of Moscow's military intervention in Ukraine in February. AFP journalists in the center of the Russian capital Moscow said at least 50 people were detained by police wearing anti-riot gear on a main shopping street. In Russia's former imperial capital, Saint Petersburg, AFP reporters saw police surround a small group of protesters and detain them one-by-one, loading them onto a bus. Protesters were chanting "No mobilization!" "Everyone is scared. I am for peace and I don't want to have to shoot. But coming out now is very dangerous, otherwise there would be many more people," said protester Vasily Fedorov, a student wearing a pacifist symbol on his chest. "I came out to the rally planning to participate, but it looks like they've already arrested everyone. This regime has condemned itself and is destroying its youth," said Alexei, a 60-year-old resident who declined to give his last name. The end of the Second Elizabethan Age, the end of an incredible week in our country's history, the end of a time that none of us will ever forget. Especially Holly and Phil, the ITV daytime television hosts who have gone from heroes to zeros, from morning-sofa messiahs to stone-cold pariahs in less than seven days. Their crime? To skip the queue. I know! They skipped the queue to see the Queen lying in state at Westminster. In this country, queue-skipping carries a maximum penalty of six years in celebrity jail, plus cancellation of upcoming panto appearances and any ancillary money-making schemes. Will Holly Willoughby's fans ever feel quite the same way again about paying forty quid for a bottle of her Wild perfume, with its top notes of shame and embarrassment? Can Phillip Schofield really carry on being 'one of this country's most loved television presenters' as it says on, um, his own official website? Will the pair of them really be sacked? I hope not. Come on. Millionaire celebrities don't queue for anything in this forsaken world. Yet the sight of Phil and Holly grovelling for condolences of their own, alongside panicky explanations that they only skipped the queue on behalf of 'the millions of people in the UK who haven't been able to visit Westminster in person' has been an unexpected shaft of joy in a sombre week. We all needed a good laugh and boy did this pair of dopes deliver. Still, it got me thinking. Let's not be petty. Let's focus on the big picture instead. In Britain, the death of our monarch brought much national sorrowing and mourning, but it also brought a tidal swell of pride and patriotism, too. Yes, there is much to be sad about, but there is so much more to be glad about. So here is my story of glory, an A-Z review of a week that reminded us all exactly why Britain is so great. Especially Holly and Phil, the ITV daytime television hosts who have gone from heroes to zeros, from morning-sofa messiahs to stone-cold pariahs in less than seven days. Pictured: Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield at Westminster Hall Will the pair of them really be sacked? I hope not. Come on. Millionaire celebrities don't queue for anything in this forsaken world. Pictured: The long-term hosts on This Morning yesterday A is for autumn, which has arrived with the apple harvest what could be lovelier? My favourite varieties are the Blushing Holly and the Crimson Phil. Some say these apples are rotten to the core and that they give everyone the pip but don't you understand? They were only in the media queue, not the VIP queue, fools. And they were only doing it for you. B is for Balmoral, which might now be turned into a tourist attraction. Surely that should put a smile on Nicola Sturgeon's wintry wee face? Get behind me in the queue (not that dread word again!) for The Queen's Electric Fire Sitting Room, the Cherie Blair Memorial Pregnancy Bedroom and The Breakfast Room where Fergie had to face the family wrath following the toe-sucking revelations. C is for Center Parcs. On the day of the Queen's funeral, the holiday resort company went mad and ordered all paying guests to leave their accommodation at 10am and return the next day at 4pm. Following understandable uproar, they then allowed guests to stay, but only if they remained indoors and didn't smile as a mark of respect. The only people exempt from the rule were Phil and Holly, who didn't even have to wait in line at the Pancake House. 'We're eating pancakes on behalf of the millions of people in the UK who can't eat pancakes in person,' explained Holly. D is for Domino's Pizza. On Tuesday the company tweeted: 'Apologies to anyone waiting on their pizza, we've just received an order from Holly and Phil.' They weren't the only corporates getting in on the chuckle act. Tourist attraction The London Dungeon have just issued a new 'Holly & Phil' queue jump pass for 'people who are too good to queue'. Meanwhile, online trolling was abundant. One meme had Phil shoving aside passengers queuing for the Titanic lifeboats ('I've got a VIP pass'), while another showed Holly in a wheelchair trying to game her way to the front of the Alton Towers queue. D is for Domino's Pizza. On Tuesday the company tweeted: 'Apologies to anyone waiting on their pizza, we've just received an order from Holly and Phil.' E is for Emma, the Queen's pony. Just like the surge of electricity on the National Grid when the kettle is put on during television ad breaks, there was a surge of tears on the National Emotional Grid when Emma appeared to say goodbye to HM at Windsor. 'I think she probably had some sort of sixth sense that Her Majesty wouldn't be riding her any more and she did her proud by standing there so respectfully,' said head groom Terry Pendry. If you know another show pony with a lovely mane who didn't wait quite so respectfully for the Queen this week, write her name here: H O _ _ Y. F is for fighting back, which is what Holly and Phil have been doing all week. ITV released a statement clarifying that their highly paid stars were at Westminster in a professional capacity with 'press accreditation'. They insisted: 'They did not file past the Queen's coffin' and that 'any allegations of improper behaviour are categorically untrue'. The duo also released a statement claiming that they 'understood' the anger people felt, but said they went for everyone who 'couldn't go'. G is for 'go', see above. Music festival fans are thrilled that Holly and Phil are also going to provide this service at Glastonbury next year when the queue for the Portaloos gets too much at peak times. 'We are going to go for everyone who can't go,' they said in another joint statement. H is for Harry and Meghan, who have returned to California with much food for thought. And once they have digested this week's events, what happens next will set the tone for transatlantic royal relations for the next decade, if not for ever. Will they carry on acting like a pair of spoilt Cinderellas who just had the cherry nicked off their second slice of cake? Or has the sombre majesty and precision-drilled pageantry of the past week made them understand their roles at last? We will find out soon enough. E is for Emma (pictured), the Queen's pony. Just like the surge of electricity on the National Grid when the kettle is put on during television ad breaks, there was a surge of tears on the National Emotional Grid when Emma appeared to say goodbye to HM at Windsor H is for Harry and Meghan (pictured), who have returned to California with much food for thought I is for the person in the queue who is you. J is for Major Johnny Thompson, the handsome equerry who was such a hit performing his ceremonial duties this week. Should there be a queue to lie in a state alongside Johnny, please know I am not the sort of woman who would jump that queue. K is for Kirsty Young. 'She made history, she was history,' said Young during her BBC broadcast from Windsor. It was the perfect, pithy quote that best summed up the Queen. L is for Liz Truss. Someone needs to have an urgent word with her about her official wardrobe. Was her bargain-rail funeral dress with its front and back slits entirely appropriate? And I wish she'd invest in what the Queen's dresser would call 'proper corsetry'. More sartorial horror ensued during her visit to the UN in New York this week, where the PM wore a dark wrap dress, bare English legs and pointed nude kitten heels to meet President Macron. Mrs Thatcher must be spinning in her Aquascutum tweeds. M is for meltdown, which is what everyone is having. N is for names. Back at Queuegate, more than 50,000 people have signed a petition for Holly and Phil to lose their jobs. Oh come off it. Perhaps they made a mistake, but they don't deserve that. If This Morning fans think this is the worst way celebrities use their leverage, they are very much mistaken. O is for over. Is it over yet? Not quite. P is for pallbearers, the real heroes of the week. There is something about their shuffling endeavour, their step-by-step progress in the face of peril and hazard that sums up the dogged British spirit. All it would take is one stumble and the outcome would be too terrible to contemplate. Just thinking about it must surely make them wake up screaming. What do pallbearers have nightmares about, I wonder? They probably have nightmares about being Holly and Phil. Q is for queue, both the noun and the verb. Queueing is something so very dear to the British psyche and heart. We lead the world in standing behind others always have done, mate, always will. In this, we are nothing if not versatile. We champion the single-file format along with the solitary line that breaks into multiple strands, should we ever find ourselves in front of several kiosks or tills. We are a river, flowing into a delta; we are the stem that branches into many blooms. P is for pallbearers, the real heroes of the week. There is something about their shuffling endeavour, their step-by-step progress in the face of peril and hazard that sums up the dogged British spirit Queueing is something so very dear to the British psyche and heart. We lead the world in standing behind others always have done, mate, always will. Pictured: Mourners queue to see the Queen lying in state Seconds after the queue to see the Queen lying in state opened, there was a ticketing system in place, ropes erected, zigzag tracks laid down, numbers and names taken. Did anyone break that sacred system? You tell me. R is for regret. Phil and Holly have a few. But then again, too few to mention. They did what they had to do. They saw it through with quite a large exemption, actually. They planned each charted course. Each careful step along the queue byway. And more. Much more than this. They queued their way. S is for Small Pleasures. A biscuit with a cup of tea. The crunch of leaves underfoot. And Eamonn Holmes making the most of Holly and Phil's discomfort. 'They said they didn't get a fast track lie. They said they didn't pay their respects to the body lie. What else were they there for? I mean, let's just tell the truth about the whole thing,' he fumed on GB News. Delicious. T is for Telling the Truth. It is also for Telling the Bees. Let us also celebrate other seasonal British rituals, such as Turning on the Heating. Turning on the Big Light. Turning off This Morning With Phil And Holly. U is for uproar. R is for regret. Phil and Holly have a few. But then again, too few to mention. They did what they had to do. They saw it through with quite a large exemption, actually V is for VIPs who did queue. Including David Beckham, Susanna Reid, James Blunt and his wife Sofia Wellesley. Line of Duty actor Daniel Mays described the experience as 'magical' and said it 'made me proud to be British and proud to be a Londoner'. W is for waiting. For days, we were waiting for the special report on This Morning that was the reason for Holly and Phil jumping the Queen Elizabeth queue in the first place. 'Here is this ever-moving line, which is in real contrast to the stillness of her,' said Holly, putting on her best sadface. Was that it? I'm afraid so. X, Y & Z X marks the spot where the reputational rot set in, Y is for why oh why did this ever happen to them and Z is for zone, as in war zone. As Phil and Holly are now accredited journalists keen to bring the news from world hotspots on behalf of their viewers, can we expect to see them reporting from Kyiv next week? We'll all be queueing around the block for that. How do you possibly follow the immaculate, spectacular pomp and circumstance of the Queen's state funeral? The answer is: you don't. You can't. King Charles has wisely decided his own Coronation will be a low-key, low-carbon affair. In contrast to his beloved mother's glorious, historic send-off, which drew heavily on military and religious tradition, it will reflect the rich diversity and very real concerns of modern Britain. The King is mindful of the cost-of-living crisis his people are facing this winter, so there will be none of the expensive pageantry we saw in London on Monday. He intends the Coronation to be a far more modest event. World leaders will be told they are welcome but do not need to attend, in order to cut the number of private aircraft heading for London. Charles is determined to keep the ceremony's carbon footprint to a minimum. He doesn't want to turn it into an international jamboree. A Buckingham Palace source said: 'The message may well be sent out that, 'We've seen you all quite recently, so don't feel obliged to go to the trouble of coming all this way again so soon.' As a mark of respect, all public transport will come to a standstill because of the latest 48-hour strike by ASLEF and the RMT The same source added: 'The King is by nature quite a frugal person and I would expect he will want the Coronation to focus more on the spiritual elements than the more showy parts.' A crack team of courtiers and civil servants is already hard at work in secret on plans for the Big Day. But some early details have been leaked exclusively to this column. Foreign dignitaries who do wish to attend are invited to assemble on the beach at Calais, where they will be brought to Britain in a fleet of environmentally friendly dinghies, operated by the Albanian mafia. From Dover, they will have to make their own way to London, on foot or bicycle. That should keep the numbers down. Places at the ceremony itself will be limited. This is because, in a clean break from tradition, Charles has decided that the Coronation will be held not in Westminster Abbey but in London's Central Mosque, in Regent's Park, to mark his intention to be Defender of all Faiths and none. The day will begin with the announcement of a royal amnesty for all illegal immigrants currently living in the UK. There will also be a special Coronation Honours List, including a knighthood finally for Sir David Beckham, in recognition of his services to queueing. Foreign dignitaries who do wish to attend are invited to assemble on the beach at Calais, where they will be brought to Britain in a fleet of environmentally friendly dinghies, operated by the Albanian mafia The Coronation will be broadcast live on all television networks, including the Shopping Channel, where coverage will be hosted by recent hirings Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, rebuilding their careers after being hounded out of ITV in disgrace by a Twitter mob following their royal funeral faux pas. As a mark of respect, all public transport will come to a standstill because of the latest 48-hour strike by ASLEF and the RMT. To prevent well-wishers driving to the ceremony, London's congestion charge will be raised for the day to 5,000, non-payment punishable by up to five years in prison. The only exemption will be for the Mayor of London, Genghis Khan, who will travel to the ceremony in his 300,000, chauffeur-driven, armour-plated Range Rover, strictly for security reasons, you understand. Prime Minister Liz Truss, should she survive until next summer, will have to pedal to the mosque on a Boris Bike, along with her Cabinet, MPs, members of the House of Lords and other dignitaries, including minor royals. In keeping with his commitment to Net Zero, Charles will shun the official state Rolls-Royce and has opted for a more sustainable method of transport. The King and Queen Consort will travel from Buckingham Place to Regent's Park in the recently commissioned Royal Pink Yacht, pulled by members of Extinction Rebellion and accompanied by Scotland Yard's ceremonial Skateboard Squad. The King and Queen Consort will board the Royal Pink Yacht and journey by road to the official reception at the Pizza Express in Woking They will pause in Oxford Circus to pick up Dame Emma Thompson and hold a minute's silence for all those dying because of the climate genocide. Crowds are expected to have to queue for anything up to 15 minutes in Regent's Park to see the royal couple. Security will be provided by the paramilitary wing of Black Lives Matter. On arrival at the Central Mosque, the King will be greeted in traditional fashion by a Sky News reporter screeching: 'When are you going to abdicate, sir?' Prayers will be led by the Ayatollah of Canterbury. Greta Thunberg, newly appointed United Nations Rapporteur on Climate Annihilation, will read the lesson: It's The End Of The World As We Know It, from the book of R.E.M. The formal Coronation ceremony will be performed by the King's influential spiritual adviser, Lord Swampy of Bypass, who will place a crown of thorns on His Majesty's head, to signify the suffering caused by global warming. There will be no traditional fanfare. Instead the service will feature some of the King's favourite music, including an historic recording of The Ying Tong Song, performed by the late Welsh baritone Sir Neddie Seagoon. On the conclusion of the brief ceremony, the congregation will leave the mosque in reverse order to the refrain of I'm Walking Backwards For Christmas, composed by Sir Spike Milligan. King Charles has wisely decided his own Coronation will be a low-key, low-carbon affair The King and Queen Consort will board the Royal Pink Yacht and journey by road to the official reception at the Pizza Express in Woking, taking in the world-famous Park Lane cycle-lane, where they will be roundly booed by hundreds of black cab drivers stuck in all-day traffic jams. Members of the royal household will follow on carbon-neutral electric scooters. Crowds expected to number in dozens will line the A3 to throw flowers and paper darts made out of their recent energy bills. After the reception, Charles intends to embark on a tour of his kingdom, including previously neglected areas such as Leicester, where he will make a speech in all 70 of the languages spoken in that historic city. He will be treated to a re-enactment of the Battle of Bosworth Field sorry, Kashmir by masked members of the local Muslim and Hindu militias. In Brighton, he will pay his respects to the town's extensive LGBTQWERTY+ community, before watching a recreation of the famous battle on the beach, from the seminal British movie Quadrophenia. The parts of mods and rockers will be taken by militant trans activists and TERFS, what we used to call women. Before departing, Charles will drive a symbolic electric scooter off Beachy Head. As Coronation Day comes to an end, the Queen Consort will return to London's Hyde Park for a spectacular display of pyrotechnics. Using the glowing embers of her cigarette, she will light effigies of Lady Di and Prince Andrew, who are reported to have lobbied the Queen in a desperate attempt to stop Charles acceding to the throne. God save the King! The brand behind Sophie Wessex's poignant outfit for the Queen's funeral have shared behind-the-scenes photographs of the making of the coat - and revealed it was embroidered with the Queen's favourite flowers. The Countess, 57, donned a black Italian wool and silk satin ensemble as she joined her husband Prince Edward and other senior royals for the service at Westminster Abbey and the committal at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The elegant confection was crafted by the luxury designer Suzannah London, who revealed on Instagram that the floral design was actually a touching tribute to the Queen. The label posted they had worked tirelessly to embroider detail onto the coat, saying: 'Many beautiful panels of Italian wool and silk satin were embroidered as a tribute with Lily of the Valley - Her Majestys favourite flowers, intertwined with florals from her wedding bouquet.' The brand behind Sophie Wessex's poignant outfit for the Queen's funeral have shared behind-the-scenes photographs of the making of the coat - and revealed it was embroidered with the Queen's favourite flowers The elegant coat was crafted by the luxury designer Suzannah London, who revealed on Instagram the touching tribute to the Queen The brand's seamstresses embroidered the garment with a Lily of the Valley, the late Monarch's favourite flower, as well as florals from her wedding bouquet. Sophie kept the tribute subtle to ensure the focus remained on the Queen for her funeral on Monday. The coat dress was by much beloved royal designer Suzannah London, who posted: 'An absolute honour and privilege to be given this opportunity to be a small part of modern history yesterday. 'Thank you to our dedicated team and all at Suzannah to enable the making of this beautiful coat dress design for HRH Countess of Wessex.' The brand's seamstresses embroidered the garment with a Lily of the Valley, the late Monarch's favourite flower, as well as florals from her wedding bouquet Sophie and her husband Prince Edward, 58, appeared visibly distraught during the late Monarch's state funeral, and were seen wiping their tears while the world paid tribute to the Queen. The Countess, who was dubbed the Queen's 'rock' following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh last year, has appeared somber and openly emotional this week. She paired the beautifully crafted coat with an acorn diamond brooch and diamond earrings. Elsewhere, other members of the royal family decided to pay homage to the late Queen with the carefully selected jewellery they wore. Princess Charlotte, seven, arrived at Westminster Abbey with a delicate silver horseshoe pinned to the lapel of her black coat which was gifted to her by the Queen, and belonged to the Queen Mother. The black embroidery was elegant and subtle on the dark material of the coat dress at the funeral The Countess of Wessex arrived for Monday's service with Meghan Markle, whose husband Prince Harry travelled with his cousin Peter Phillips A family in grief: From left: The Duchess of Sussex, Queen Consort, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex stand outside Westminster Abbey after the state funeral The Queen Mother, who married King George VI, then Duke of York, in 1923, wore the brooch for a portrait taken in 1929. The delicate piece is shaped like a horseshoe and covered in sparkling gems. Meanwhile Kate Middleton, 40, also honored the Queen at the state funeral by donning two pieces that once belonged to the late monarch, her husband's grandmother. The Princess of Wales arrived at Westminster Abbey wearing a pair of Bahrain pearl drop earrings and a four-strand pearl choker with a centre diamond clasp. The Countess of Wessex is tipped to get a host of the Queen's most-valued royal patronages as acknowledgement for being her 'confidante.' Royal sources previously told the Mirror that she could take over patronages including the Women's Institute and Dog's Trust. The Earl and Countess of Wessex, quietly cried as they bid the Queen farewell during her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey One said: 'The Queen and the countess had a fantastically warm and joyful relationship. 'Her Majesty admired Sophie's quiet sense of duty, her strong work ethic and the way she balanced her public and family lives. They also shared many of the same interests.' The source added that the Queen's decision to pass the patronages on to Sophie is a reflection of their bond. And they said that Sophie's popularity with the public has become clear. It is likely that under the reign of King Charles she will take on a larger public profile. Male escorts have given some shocking insights into their work in the sex industry in an eye-opening online thread. Men from around the world took to US-based anonymous confessions app Whisper to reveal what it is really like to be an escort. One man explained how he was once shot at when his clients husband came home early, while another revealed he slept with his former partner's mother while at work. However others admitted it's not all about sex as many woman just want to feel 'loved and wanted'. Here, FEMAIL shares some of the most revealing confessions... Men from around the world took to US-based anonymous confessions app Whisper to reveal what it is really like to be an escort, including one man, from California, who admitted he was shot at when his client's husband came home early A man, from Arizona, revealed after spending two years as an escort he realised 'women just want to feel appreciated' One student, from Leicester, admitted he decided to become an escort because the 'amazing pay' helps him through university Another man, from Alabama, decided to open up about his job as a sex worker, having never told a soul before One man from Las Vegas, Nevada, admitted he has found the sex work isnt as bad as he thought it would be Shocking! Another man, from the US, revealed he was once contacted by his former girlfriend's mother while working as an escort Covering up the truth! One man, from Chicago, Illinois, said he was fed up of making up a profession when he was asked what he does for a living Another person, from an unknown location, admitted he sleeps with men for money and his wife loves it This man, from Prittlewell, England, said the job is more then sex for him as he helps women feel 'loved and wanted' This man, from Hollywood, Florida, has been 'living a lie' for 10 years because he hasn't told his partner about his job One male escort, from Long Beach, California, explained how he was hired by a lesbian to pretend to be her boyfriend because she hadn't yet come out to her parents Another male escort, from Bethel, Texas, admitted he would love to have sex for his pleasure for once Another person, from an unknown location, admitted he didn't picture having male clients but said it was worth the money One American male escort said his job is 'the best' as he gets paid well to sleep with 'mostly attractive' women This man, from White Plains, New York, explained many people would be shocked to learn how many women use escorts Another escort, from Lawrenceville, Georgia, revealed he is always playing it safe by using condoms and 'frequently' getting checked A man, from an unknown location, said many people don't think male escorts exist but he says they definitely do One British teenager admitted he is an escort at 18-years-old - and said he doesn't want his parents to find out what he does Eleven people, four of them security personnel, have been killed in growing protests over the death of a young woman in morality police custody, Iranian news agencies reported Thursday. Three militiamen were stabbed or shot dead after they had been "obilized to deal with rioters,"in Mashhad in the northeast, Qazvin in the center and Tabriz in the northwest, the reports said. A fourth member of the security forces was killed in the southern city of Shiraz, they said, adding that a protester had also been stabbed to death in Qazvin. Iranian officials had previously confirmed the deaths of six demonstrators. Four died in Kurdistan, the home province of Mahsa Amini, the young woman whose death last week triggered the protests, and two in Kermanshah, another province with a large Kurdish community. The Iranian authorities have denied any involvement in the deaths of protesters. (AFP) The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg have enjoyed some quality time with three of their grandchildren, after an emotional visit to London for the Queen's funeral earlier this week. Grand Duke Henri, 67, and Grand Duchess Maria, 66, were among the dignitaries and head of states of attended the late Monarch's funeral at Westminster Abbey, and her Committal Service in Windsor on Monday. The couple, who arrived in London on Sunday ahead of the ceremony recovered from the emotional visit by taking their three grandchildren to an amusement park in Bettembourg. There, they looked after Princess Amalia, eight, and Prince Liam, six, the children of Prince Felix, and the son of Crown Prince Guillaume, Prince Charles, two, as they fed animals and played with the plants on display. Adorable pictures shared on Instagram revealed a glimpse of the grandparents' family day out, as the family puckered up to a fish and fed grapes to a red panda. Grand Duke Henri, 67, and Grand Duchess Maria, 66, looked after Princess Amalia, eight, and Prince Liam, six, the children of Prince Felix, and the son of Crown Prince Guillaume, Prince Charles, two, yesterday Grandmother Maria Teresa beamed as she was photographed talking to her two youngest grandsons during the visit The Grand Duke and his wife were among the foreign royals who travelled to London to attend the Queen's funeral on Monday Snaps showed a beaming Henri and Maria Teresa as they proudly posed with their grandchildren during their visit to the park. Dressed in a stylish leopard print shirt, Maria Teresa could be seen doting over her grandchildren as they discovered the park. Meanwhile, Grand Duke Henri looked proud as he looked at his two-year-old grandson and heir Charles making his way around the premises. In one picture, Charles, the youngest of the bunch, could be seen looking at a sea turtle with his grandmother, and feeding a red panda during his tour. Princess Amalia, who is the couple's only granddaughter, blew a fish a kiss while her little cousin Charles looked on Proud grandfather Grand Duke Henri supervised as his youngest grandson and heir, Charles, played on one of the amusement park's attractions 'The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess are overjoyed grandparents,' the post, shared by the Grand Duke's court, read. 'They took three of their grandchildren to the Parc Merveilleux of Bettembourg,' it went on. 'On the programme: a literal world tour of the fauna and flora from five continents. 'The park, which offers an amusing proximity to the animals, is an ideal location for a family visit, rich in discoveries for the children, and a sharing moment particularly appreciated by their grandparents,' the post continued. 'A very pleasing moment was the reunion between Prince Charles with his friends the red pandas Nila and Rani,' who he proudly introduced to his cousins,' it concluded. The Prince met the red pandas during a prior visit to the park with his parents, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie. The Grand Duke and his wife have five children: Prince Guillaume, 40, Prince Felix, 38, Prince Louis, 36, Princess Alexandra, 31 and Prince Sebastien, 30. They also have five grandchildren: Prince Charles, who is Guillaume's son and second in line for the Grand Ducal throne, Princess Amalia and Prince Liam, who are Felix's children and Prince Gabriel, 12 and Prince Noah, 11, who are the sons of Prince Louis. Charles pointed to one of the animals while his grandmother looked on. Meanwhile, Amalia fed a red panda living in the park Charles, who met the red pandas during a prior visit to the park, was a natural as he handed them food The young prince pointed to a blue fish during his visit to the wildlife park with his two cousins and grandparents Yesterday's activities were a welcomed change of pace after an emotional weekend that saw Henri and Maria Teresa fly to London to attend the Queen's funeral and paying her respects during her lying-in-state at Westminster Hall on Sunday night, before attending the ceremony on Monday. The couple were joined by 400 other foreign dignitaries and heads of state who had made the journey to London. Emperors, kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers and other foreign dignitaries descended on the British capital for Her Majesty's state funeral, with many stopping at Westminster Hall on Sunday to pay their respects to the monarch, who was lying in state. Later on Sunday evening, they attended the 'reception of the century' at Buckingham Palace, hosted by King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla. Charlene spent 10 months in South Africa last year before receiving treatment for exhaustion The couple's marriage has been plagued by rumours in recent years Comes after he attended the Queen's funeral in London with Princess Charlene His wife Princess Charlene did not appear to have joined him at the event Prince Albert of Monaco gave an address to the UN in New York last night Prince Albert of Monaco made a solo appearance in New York last night as he addressed the UN - after attending the Queen's funeral in London with his wife Princess Charlene. The 63-year-old donned a pair of thick framed glasses as he took to the podium for the historical event in New York, as the United Nations' 77th session got underway. However it is not known if his wife, Olympic swimmer Charlene, 43, has joined in the States for the visit. Days ago, the couple had their highest profile appearance to date at the Queen's funeral in London. It came after a difficult 18 months, where their marriage was plagued by rumours of a third love child, before Charlene spent some 10 months in South Africa. Prince Albert of Monaco made a solo appearance in New York last night as he addressed the UN - after attending the Queen's funeral in London with his wife Princess Charlene Days ago, the couple had their highest profile appearance to date at the Queen's funeral in London. It came after a difficult 18 months, where their marriage was plagued by rumours of a third love child, before Charlene spent some 10 months in South Africa Prince Albert delivered the address in front of other world leaders and their partners at the summit. He donned a smart navy suit with a light blue tie for the occasion, and opted for a thick pair of black frames. It did not appear his wife was among those watching - and it is unknown if she travelled to New York with her husband for the trip or remains in Europe. Earlier this week, the couple made their highest profile appearance to date, when they attended the Queen's historic funeral in London, joining 2,000 other mourners at Westminster Abbey. Prince Albert donned a smart navy suit with a light blue tie for the occasion, and opted for a thick pair of black frames During his address, which took place during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the royal could be seen sipping from his water glass Prince Albert delivered the address in front of other world leaders and their partners at the summit (pictured) He donned a pair of thick framed glasses as he took to the podium for the historical event in New York, as the United Nations ' 77th session got underway The Monaco palace has consistently denied media reports of a rift between Charlene and the principality's ruler Prince Albert, who were wed in 2011. However rumours the pair were incompatible were sparked from the outset, with Charlene attracting a barrage of attention over an apparent bad dose of pre-wedding jitters which, reportedly, saw her seeking refuge in her country's embassy and gaining the moniker 'the Runaway Bride'. In December 2020, it seemed the relationship was plagued by rumours, with a third paternity suit emerging. The allegations in December 2020 claimed that Albert had fathered a love-child (which would be his third, if proven) with an unnamed Brazilian woman during the time when he and Charlene were already in a relationship. After 10 months away, Charlene returned to Monaco last November (left) but only for a brief period. She has since started doing the occasional royal duty with her husband and children by her side (right, in May) The woman said she met the prince in a nightclub in Rio de Janeiro in 2004 when Charlene and Albert were supposedly dating. Her daughter, a 15-year-old Brazilian schoolgirl, sent a handwritten note in Portuguese to Prince Albert at the Royal Palace last September. Albert's legal team call the allegations 'a hoax' and the legal team of the woman concerned declined to comment. It was due to come to court in Milan in February but never commenced. Some believe the matter has been settled. Soon after the allegations came to light in December 2020, Charlene famously shaved half her head in the style of a punk rocker. By the spring, she left for South Africa. She had a 10-month absence in her native South Africa last year, where she contracted and was hospitalised for a serious sinus infection that delayed her return to Monaco. She underwent surgery in October for an ear, nose and throat infection after checking in under a pseudonym in a Durban hospital, a palace source said at the time. After her return to the principality in November, Charlene left almost immediately to receive treatment for 'exhaustion' at a Swiss clinic. Friends previously told Page Six that the mother-of-two 'almost died' while she was in her home country, while her husband spoke out to say she is suffering from 'exhaustion, both emotional and physical'. 'She was clearly exhausted, physically and emotionally. She was overwhelmed and couldn't face official duties, life in general or even family life,' Albert told People magazine in November. The mother-of-two was absent from Monaco for 10 months, and spent the period in South Africa A palace statement released on December 23 revealed Albert and the couple's children were planning to visit Charlene during the Christmas holidays, as well as asking for the family's privacy to be respected. It added that the princess 'is recuperating in a satisfactory and reassuring manner, although it may take a few more months before her health has reached a full recovery.' But distinguished royal journalist Stephane Bern has long speculated that Charlene's litany of supposed health problems could simply be a cover-up to excuse her from participating in royal activities alongside her husband. Bern said in January of last year, Charlene was expected to make a trip to visit French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, but suddenly came down with an illness. 'The princess had contracted a sudden gastroenteritis,' he said. 'The Palace has had to invoke a suffering princess so often that the Monegasques today find it hard to believe. By crying wolf, the mother of Jacques and Gabriella has discredited and isolated herself.' The couple released an official family portrait to mark Easter, but body language experts noted at the time that Albert looked 'tense' in the image, while highlighting the close bond shared by Charlene and her children She returned to public duty in May of this year, joining her husband Prince Albert, 64 and their twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, seven, at Monaco's E-Prix. However body language experts said she appeared 'emotionally isolated from an animated Prince Albert' despite trying to 'emphasise her role as a loving wife'. Since then, Princess Charlene has slowly been making an entrance back into royal life - and the couple celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary Since May, she has since joined her husband and children at a TV festival, religious ceremonies and a royal visit to Norway (pictured) Since then, she has joined her husband and children at a TV festival, religious ceremonies and a royal visit to Norway. She has gone on to take part in solo engagements alongside the joint appearances with her husband. And she has also taken part in more family occasions publicly - including joining her children on their first day of school. In July, she shared a photograph alongside Prince Albert as they celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary. It is unknown what her current relationship with Prince Albert is like. French media has claimed she is receiving 10million a year to appear by her husband's side at public outings. Leading French media reported the ruler of the tax haven Mediterranean principality was doing everything possible to keep Charlene 'at his side at public events'. Major French outlets that specialise in celebrity news said Charlene's sudden re-appearance was welcomed by all Royal watchers. This week, the royal appeared deep in thought as she attended the Queen's funeral with her husband Prince Albert The couple were sat among a host of other foreign royals from around the world (pictured, third row on the left) The Prince has also fathered two other children outside of wedlock. Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, who is now 29 and the result of Albert's affair with an American estate agent, and Alexandre Coste, 18, whose mother is a former Togolese air hostess. Both children were struck off Monaco's line of succession in return for vast financial settlements. Charlene has directly attempted to address the talk about a third possible love child. She told Point de Vue magazine last January: 'When my husband has problems, he tells me about it. I often tell him, 'No matter what, I'm a thousand percent behind you. I'll stand by you whatever you do, in good times or in bad.' Her appearance at the Queen's funeral earlier this week was her most high profile to date, and represented a return to the world stage for the Monaco royal. It was a return to the world stage for Princess Charlene, who has been largely out of the spotlight in the last 18 months Earlier this month, she paid an emotional tribute to the Queen on her Instagram page, sending her condolences to the British Royal Family. She posted a photo of the late monarch on Instagram to express her sorrow. Her tribute followed messages from royal families around the world including Spanish King Felipe VI and Dutch King Willem-Alexander. Posting on Instagram, Princess Charlene wrote: 'I am deeply saddened at the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a truly great lady whose dedication and service was recognised throughout the world during the 70 years of her reign. 'Today, my thoughts are with her family, her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren and the British people.' And at the funeral, she walked arm-in-arm with Prince Albert, wearing a lengthy, modest, black dress with black heels. Princess Mary of Denmark has stepped out in New York after the Foreign Office offered its 'profound apologies' to the Danish Royal family for mistakenly inviting the royal to Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. The mother-of-four, 50, cut a stylish figure in an orange print dress, teamed with a smart black blazer as she attended the WWF and Ellen MacArthur Foundation meeting 'Global Plastics Treaty Business Coalition'. Concentrating on mobilising the business world in the elimination of plastic pollution, the gathering came during Princess Mary and her husband Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark's visit to America for the UN General Assembly. Frederik and his mother Queen Margrethe II, who has since tested positive for Covid-19, attended the Queen's funeral and mourning events in London on Sunday and Monday. However, the Foreign Office confirmed on Tuesday that it had sent an invite to Princess Mary in 'error'. Princess Mary of Denmark (pictured) has stepped out in New York after the Foreign Office offered its 'profound apologies' to the Danish Royal family for mistakenly inviting the royal to Queen Elizabeth II's funeral The mother-of-four (pictured), 50, cut a stylish figure in an orange print dress, teamed with a smart black blazer as she attended the WWF and Ellen MacArthur Foundation meeting 'Global Plastics Treaty Business Coalition' Princess Mary accepts a card and some flowers from a young girl when attending the meeting The Danish Royals had confirmed Princess Mary's attendance on September 13, writing: 'HM The Queen and the Crown Prince Couple [will be] present at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II'. But on September 19, the family issued another statement reading: 'Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness The Crown Prince' would 'participate from Denmark' - making no mention of Princess Mary's absence. Official invites sent to current heads of state allowed them to bring one guest to the funeral. But Princess Mary's original invitation was sent out in 'error' after it was suggested that the guest of Queen Margrethe, her son Crown Prince Frederik, was also invited to bring a guest. The British Foreign Office confirmed it sent an apology to the Danish Royal Household via the Danish Embassy, a spokesperson told MailOnline on Tuesday. Concentrating on mobilising the business world in the elimination of plastic pollution, the gathering came during Princess Mary and her husband Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark's visit to America for the UN General Assembly Princess Mary's original invitation to Elizabeth II's funeral was sent out in 'error' after it was suggested that the guest of Queen Margrethe, her son Crown Prince Frederik, was also invited to bring a guest Queen Margrethe II and her son, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark pictured at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday The 'regrettable error' was made due to the Foreign Office having to send out many invitations within a short space of time. Questions were raised over why Spain and the Netherlands were allowed more than two royal guests each, but it is understood that invitations were extended to former monarchs from both countries. Which European Royals attended the Queen's funeral on Monday? King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain Juan Carlos, former king of Spain, his wife Queen Sofia King Philip and Queen Mathilde of Belgium Queen Margrethe II and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco Tsar Simeon of Bulgaria Prince Radu and his wife Margareta of Romania Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece Advertisement King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, were accompanied by his mother Princess Beatrix to Westminster Abbey . Meanwhile, Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia attended the late monarch's funeral, with the former King Juan Carlos I and his wife Sofia also present. The Royal House told Danish news outlet BT: 'There has been a regrettable error in the invitation from the British Foreign Office's protocol. 'It is thus only the Queen and the Crown Prince who, from the Danish side, will participate in Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral on Monday.' A Foreign office spokesperson said: 'The FCDO has passed on their profound apologies to the Danish Royal Household through the Danish Embassy.' Monday saw Westminster Abbey fill up with 2,000 people including world leaders, foreign royals and several hundred ordinary Britons chosen by the Queen for her funeral. But Australian-born Princess Mary was noticeably missing from the service, while her husband Prince Frederik and mother-in-law Queen Margrethe, were in attendance. BT's royal correspondent Jacob Heinel Jensen said the Danish royal house would have been 'upset' by the eleventh hour change. 'It's really clumsy and unfortunate... It has meant that the Royal House must now say that a mistake had been made, and that is embarrassing,' he said. 'I think the Royal House easily understands that a mistake has been made. I wondered myself when I was in London and the British media wrote that there were only two invitees per country. 'After all, you got the feeling that there really must be extra close ties between Denmark and Britain's royal house if we got three invitations.' Representatives of more than 20 Royal Families were present at Monday's service including the reigning monarchs of the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. Japan's Emperor Naruhito, who rarely makes overseas visits, was among the guests along with King Jigme & Queen Jetsun of Bhutan and the Sultan of Brunei. Kings and Queens from around the worlds sat side-by-side in Westminster Abbey as they mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II during her state funeral (pictured: 1. Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands 2. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands 3. King Willem-Alexander 4. Queen Silvia of Sweden 5. King Carl Gustaf of Sweden 6. Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark 7. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark 8. King Harald of Norway 9. Queen Sonja of Norway 10. Queen Sofia of Spain 11. King Juan Carlos of Spain 12. Queen Letizia of Spain 13. King Felipe of Spain 14. Tsar Simeon of Bulgaria 15. Princess Charlene of Monaco 16. Prince Albert of Monaco 17. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg 18. Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg 19. Queen Mathilde of Belgium 20. King Philippe of Belgium 21. Prince Radu of Romania 22. Margareta of Romania 23. Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece 24. Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece 25. Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein 26. Hereditary Prince Alois) The Danish royal family were said to be attending in full force when they made an official announcement on September 13 but six days later the 50-year-old mother-of-four was nowhere to be seen Photos and video footage shot at the funeral showed Prince Frederik and Queen Margrethe - now the only reigning Queen left in the world - sitting opposite King Charles III and his family on Monday King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, and King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, were among the first monarchs to view the monarch lying-in-state at Westminster Hall. Vaccinated Margrethe, 82, who is Europe's longest serving current head of state, and the only current queen regnant, tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday evening, the royal household said. Queen Margrethe's VERY busy week before she tested positive for Covid-19 SUNDAY: Pays an emotional visit to Westminster Hall where she sees the Queen's coffin Was driven by coach to Buckingham Palace reception along with King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. Attended the 'reception of the century' where she mingled with the 1,000 other guests, and was pictured chatting closely with King Charles MONDAY: Attends the Queen's State Funeral in London alongside 2,000 other attendees Attends the Queen's Committal Service in Windsor, where she sat two rows behind Prince William and Kate Middleton TUESDAY NIGHT: Tested positive for Covid-19 WEDNESDAY: Royal household announces the news Advertisement On Monday, she was in attendance at Westminster Abbey along with her son Crown Prince Frederik, and the two went on to the Queen's Committal Service in Windsor afterward. The monarch also paid her respects to the Queen by visiting her coffin in Westminster Hall on Sunday night, and attended the Buckingham Palace 'reception of the century' where she was pictured chatting closely with King Charles. A statement shared by the palace on Tuesday read: 'Her Majesty the Queen tested positive for COVID-19 last night and is now staying at Fredensborg Castle. The Queen's activities this week have thus been cancelled. 'Friday's evening party at Christiansborg Castle for the Danish members of the government, the Folketing and the European Parliament will be held with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess as hosts.' Denmark's Queen, who received a third dose of the vaccine in November, has previously had Covid-19, having tested positive for the virus in February. The royal court said the Queen is only showing mild symptoms. Queen Margrethe held a close relationship with Queen Elizabeth II and was among the first international monarch to pay tribute to Her Majesty. She was also spotted shedding a tear in front of the Queen's coffin before the funeral on Monday. Both Queens are great-great granddaughters of Queen Victoria - making them third cousins - with Margrethe often looking up to Elizabeth like a big sister. In May, Margrethe told the UK's ITV news that Elizabeth, 14 years her senior, was a 'huge inspiration' to her as the only other living Queen. '[Queen Elizabeth] was 26 when she became Queen. When I was growing up, I hoped I wouldn't be as young as that when my father died. It made an enormous impression on me. The fact that she was dedicating her life. I understood what that meant. This is for life. That is the whole point of my life. And I know she sees that too,' she said. With the death of Elizabeth II, Margrethe II of Denmark has become the only living Queen in the world Queen Margrethe of Denmark lead the foreign royals paying tributes to Queen Elizabeth II, who died aged 96. They are pictured in 2000 at London's Natural History Museum 'When I was growing up, my mother and father said to me, 'look at what they do in England' and I could see that it could be done and it was worthwhile and you could live a very full life with it, even with a heavy schedule and demanding job.' The mother-of-two added that both Queens see their roles as 'dedication' and 'a job' and the way that Elizabeth 'faced her duties' 'inspired her'. 'The way she has faced her duties, the way she has dedicated her life, and she does it with a smile. She has been through many things,' she added. 'When you get to my age, you don't have the emptiness, what am I going to do tomorrow? I know jolly well what I am going to do tomorrow, and the next day, and the following year.' The pair, also had sweet nicknames for one another. Margrethe called Elizabeth by her childhood nickname 'Lilibet' while Elizabeth called Margrethe 'Daisy'. The Danish royal family, including Hobart-born Mary, shared a close connection with Elizabeth. Pictured in 2016 In February, Margrethe and Mary, met with the Princess of Wales and officially welcomed her to Copenhagen The Danish monarch is known as 'Aunt Daisy' to many in her family as she was named after her grandmother, Princess Margareta of Sweden, and her name is similar to the Nordic word for the daisy flower. 'We are definitely affectionate, but I don't want to splash it all over the place,' she told ITV of Elizabeth II. The pair also had a love of dogs in common. While Elizabeth will forever be associated with corgis, Margrethe is known in Denmark for her love of dogs. While Elizabeth got her first corgi as a child, it was Margrethe's late husband Prince Henrik who introduced her to dachshunds. Margrethe was also among the first royals to pay tribute to the Queen upon her death. Margrethe was also among the first royals to pay tribute to the Queen upon her death In a statement she wished the new King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla her 'deepest thoughts and prayers' after Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral. 'I send you and Camilla my warmest thoughts and prayers,' she said. 'She was a towering figure among the European monarchs and a great inspiration to us all. We shall miss her terribly. 'Her 70 years of reign and service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth are an unprecedented and remarkable achievement. 'We shall always remember her important contributions to their development and prosperity.' Historian Robert Hardman said the Queen would have wanted a simple funeral The Queen didn't want 'pomp and ceremony for herself' and simply wanted to be buried next to her father - 'but she recognised the role she played', according to royal experts. Her late Majesty, who died at Balmoral aged 96, was laid to rest in a moving private ceremony at Windsor's King George VI Memorial Chapel on Monday night - following a huge and prestigious public funeral at Westminster Abbey. But one royal commentator has speculated that the Queen wouldn't have wanted such a service and only agreed to it out of duty. Royal biographer Penny Junor told People: 'She wouldn't have wanted that pomp and ceremony for herself, but she recognised the role she played... Even in death, she was still serving.' The Queen's final resting place has been marked with a simple slab reuniting her for eternity with her adored husband Prince Philip and her parents King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Historian Robert Hardman, author of Queen of Our Times: The Life of Elizabeth II, said: 'She had no wish to see a statue of herself or to even have a separate burial chamber within St. George's Chapel. 'As her cousin Margaret Rhodes once said to me, "She wanted to make her father proud".' The late Queen pictured here with her husband Prince Philip, parents King George V and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and her sister Princess Margaret The George VI Memorial Chapel in St George's Chapel, Windsor, where Queen Elizabeth was interred on Monday It was a simple yet poignant request of the late Queen - for, following the historic funeral, Her Majesty was interred as plainly as she'd wished. And that was not in a grand separate burial chamber within St George's chapel - but next to her beloved father, with a simple inscription bearing her name. In the tomb, the ledger stone an inscribed slab laid into the floor had previously been marked with the names of the Queens parents in gold lettering on black Belgian marble. But following the funeral, Buckingham Palace revealed that a new slab was installed overnight with the names of the late monarch, her husband and parents along with the dates of their birth and death. In order, it reads George VI 1895-1952, Elizabeth 1900-2002, Elizabeth II 1926-2022, Philip 1921-2021. The George VI Memorial Chapel in St George's Chapel, Windsor, where the Queen now lies alongside her family Between the two couples is a single metal Garter Star, the insignia of the Order of the Garter, the countrys oldest and most noble order of chivalry. All four were members of the order and St Georges Chapel, where the memorial chapel is situated, is its spiritual home. The humble stone annexe, which can be viewed through a metal gate inside St Georges Chapel, also contains the ashes of the late monarchs sister, Margaret. The public will from next week be able to view the Queens final resting place but will have to pay for the privilege. King Charles follows his mother's coffin draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey after her funeral The chapel, which is currently closed during the period of royal morning, will reopen to visitors on Thursday September 29 as part of a general tour of Windsor Castle, costing up to 28.50 for adults and 15.50 for children. The castle is only open five days a week from Thursday through to Monday but St Georges Chapel is closed to the public on Sundays as it is a living place of worship. Castle tours are run by the Royal Collection Trust (RCT), a registered charity and a department of the Royal Household. No profits are kept by the Royal Family. Income generated from admissions and other commercial activities is used for the upkeep of the Royal Collection, one of the largest and most important art collections in the world and one of the last great European royal collections to remain intact. The Queen 'adored Harry right to the end' and would have wished for the family to 'patch things up', a royal historian has claimed. Robert Hardman, author of Queen of Our Times: The Life of Elizabeth II, believes that Her Majesty was 'one of the conduits between Windsor and California'. Speaking to PEOPLE Magazine, he expressed that it would have been one of the late monarch's 'dearest wishes' to connect the rift within the family since Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping back from royal duties in 2020. Relations between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and other members of the Royal Family have been strained since Harry and Meghan moved to California shortly before the coronavirus pandemic. Relations between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and other members of the Royal Family have been strained since Harry and Meghan moved to California. Members of the family pictured last week The Queen (pictured days before her death) 'adored Harry right to the end' and would have wished for the family to 'patch things up', a royal historian has claimed The couple upped sticks and left Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor Estate, where they had been living while in the UK, and now reside in a $14 million mansion in Santa Barbara with their children Archie, three and Lilibet, one. The move caused a divide in the family as tensions arose within Harry's relationship with his brother Prince William and father, now King Charles. The divide appeared to deepen when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not fly back to the UK in March to attend Prince Philip's memorial service at Westminster Abbey. At the time, it was reported the Duke was concerned about security arrangements for his family in the UK. Despite the rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the family, there have been glimpses of a potential reconciliation following the Queen's death. On the Saturday after the monarch passed away, the Prince and Princess of Wales made their first public appearance outside the Windsor Estate to read tributes that had been left to Her late Majesty and to greet mourners. In an unexpected appearance, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined the couple as the 'Fab Four' were reunited in their grief. The couple (pictured this month with Prince William and Kate Middleton) upped sticks and left Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor Estate, where they had been living while in the UK Her late Majesty passed away at Balmoral Castle on 8 September at the age of 96, at which point her eldest son Charles automatically became King However, a source told PEOPLE the appearance was 'awkward' and both couples struggled. 'They were in a stoic spirit of just getting through it for the Queen,' the source said. Mr Hardman's claims come after an explosive new royal book claimed Her late Majesty was 'hurt' by Harry and Meghan's decision to leave The Firm. In an extract from the book, The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown, published in Vanity Fair, author Katie Nicholl quoted an unnamed source who said the Queen didn't like to think about the Duke and Duchess's decision to step down as senior royals. The source told the author: '[The Queen] was very hurt and told me, 'I don't know, I don't care, and I don't want to think about it anymore'.' The source added it was of more regret to Her late Majesty that the Sussexes' move meant she did not have the opportunity to see as much of Archie and Lilibet as she'd have liked. Her late Majesty passed away at Balmoral Castle on 8 September at the age of 96, at which point her eldest son Charles automatically became King. King Charles (pictured on Monday) also allowed Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan, to wear his military uniform during a vigil last Saturday night King Charles permitted Prince Harry (pictured), who served in Afghanistan, to wear his military uniform as he took part in a vigil on Saturday night in which he guarded the Queen's coffin in Westminster Hall The Princess of Wales, the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex walk to meet members of the public at Windsor Castle in Berkshire As the monarch, the book claims Charles is keen to heal the rift between the family and his youngest son Harry, 38. In his first televised address to the nation on 9 September, King Charles said: 'I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.' Some royal fans have claimed the mention of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was an 'olive branch' towards the couple, who happened to be visiting Europe when the Queen passed away. King Charles also allowed Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan, to wear his military uniform during a vigil last Saturday night along with the Queen's other grandchildren, in which they guarded her coffin as it lay in state in Westminster Hall. Despite the fact he is no longer a working royal, King Charles granted his youngest son permission to don the military uniform so he could pay his respects to his grandmother. However, Nicholl's book claims previous attempts have been made to smooth things over between the Sussexes and other royals over the last two years, which have somewhat fallen flat. The book reported King Charles, who was then Prince of Wales, invited Harry and Meghan to tea just weeks after the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service, as the couple stopped off in the UK before heading to The Hague to attend an Invictus Games event. However, an unnamed family friend told Nicholl the meeting was 'awkward' and only lasted for around 15 minutes after the Duke and Duchess were late to meet then-Prince Charles and then-Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla. They claimed: '[Harry] actually suggested that they use a mediator to try and sort things out, which had Charles somewhat bemused and Camilla spluttering into her tea.' They added the Queen Consort told the Duke his suggestion was 'ridiculous' and that they would resolve their differences within the family. Advertisement The Prince of Wales has told volunteers and operational staff who helped to organise the Queen's Committal Service that moments of sadness 'catch [him] out' while he grieves for his grandmother, Her late Majesty. Prince William and Kate, who opted to wear her recycled 2,150 Dolce & Gabbana collarless long coat in black, arrived at Windsor Guildhall today to pass on their appreciation to volunteers and staff who worked on the service at St George's Chapel - which followed Her Majesty's state funeral at Westminster Abbey. And during the engagement, which was the first in person engagement for the Prince and Princess of Wales since the state funeral, William said he found himself 'choked up' when he saw Paddington Bear tributes to his grandmother, but had found comfort in the public outpouring of support for the Royal Family. He said: 'It is the things you don't expect that get to you,' he said, adding that he got 'choked up' over the Paddington tributes. He went on: 'It is always very comforting that so many people care. It makes it a lot better. 'There are certain moments that catch you out. You are prepared for all but certain moments catch you out.' They also thanked the group for supporting the large crowds that gathered in Windsor to commemorate the Queen and watch the procession of her coffin up the Long Walk to the castle before the service. William and Kate, dressed all in black as they continue to observe the royal mourning period which lasts until Monday, were greeted by a small crowd of well-wishers upon their arrival outside the hall. The Royal Family were not expected to carry out any official engagements during their mourning period, after more than a week of being under the world's gaze while performing ceremonial duties following the Queen's death. Yet royal duties recommenced yesterday for William, with the father-of-three making his first speech since his grandmother passed away with a pre-recorded address to the Earthshot Prize summit in New York. The prince was due to attend but cancelled his trip following the Queen's death. Buckingham Palace say a small number of engagements will be undertaken during royal mourning to thank those involved in the delivery of HM Queen Elizabeths Funeral and associated ceremonial events, and to recognise the service to King and country of those on deployment overseas. William and Kate aren't the only royals heading back to work in-person today; Princess Anne, 72, has stepped out at Portsmouth Naval Base, where she shook hands with Royal Navy personnel who took part in the procession. It is her first engagement since attending her mother's funeral on Monday. Kate, Princess of Wales, and Prince William attended Windsor Guildhall this afternoon, three days after the funeral of Her late Majesty the Queen, to speak with staff and volunteers who helped organise and run the committal service at St George's Chapel in Winsdor on Monday The Princess of Wales remained elegant and composed as she met with staff and volunteers and spoke to them about how they managed to organise a seamless, poignant ceremony to say farewell to Her late Majesty The Prince and Princess of Wales met with staff, who were also dressed in black to pay their respects to Her late Majesty during the period of mourning The Prince and Princess of Wales (pictured) have met with volunteers and operational staff to thank them for their work on the Queen 's committal service at Windsor Castle William and Kate arrived at Windsor Guildhall on Thursday for their first royal engagement since the late monarch's funeral Speaking to staff, the prince asked whether the Queen passing away at Balmoral 'made it complicated'. He added: 'I think I heard it was the '"least planned for plan". It was seamless, you could feel it.' William and Kate spoke of the extraordinary public response to the Queen's death as they met with volunteers and workers who helped in Windsor on the day of the State funeral. It was the couple's first official engagement since the funeral on Monday, as several senior royals returned to their duties, while continuing to mourn for the Queen. The couple, now Prince and Princess of Wales, met with unsung heroes who helped behind the scenes, including St John Ambulance volunteers, council workers, stewards and Crown Estate staff who managed the floral tributes left by members of the public. Kate said she had been 'amazed' by the numbers of well-wishers who had wanted to show their support for the Queen. William joked about the tributes featuring a new 'competition' between Paddington Bear and the corgis, saying Paddington was 'a new addition' but that the Queen's beloved corgis 'have been there for longer'. The prince and princess arrived dressed all in black as they continue to observe the royal mourning period which lasts until Monday The pair (pictured) have passed on their appreciation to volunteers and staff who worked on the service at St George's Chapel on Monday afternoon The Princess of Wales maintained the full black outfit as the family continues its period of mourning, but she smiled through her grief in order to thank the staff who ensured the Committal service was a fitting tribute to Her late Majesty Kate waved as she left the meeting in which she and the Prince of Wales said a heartfelt thanks to the staff and volunteers in Windsor, in their first public engagement since the Queen's funeral Many of the tributes featured the Queen's dogs or Paddington, after the Queen filmed a brief sketch with the bear for her Platinum Jubilee in June. Some well-wishers even left marmalade sandwiches after the monarch joked she kept them in her handbag. William thanked the team in Windsor for their work following the Queen's death, adding: 'We appreciate all the hours you put in.' Kate added: 'The spotlight was on Windsor and it looked incredible, so well done.' An estimated 100,000 bouquets and other tributes were left in Windsor by well-wishers, and the Princess of Wales remarked on some of the emotional messages left with the flowers. She asked workers: 'How are you all doing emotionally, because it's not only physical, particularly reading all the notes.' Workers from the Crown Estate thanked the couple for coming to see them, but Kate replied: 'It's the least we could do. We should have been volunteering.' The Princess of Wales greeted staff and volunteers with a handshake and a smile as she and her husband, Prince William, thanked them for their hard work in putting together the Committal service The new Princess of Wales, formerly the Duchess of Cambridge, wore a simple pair of pearl earrings for a touch of class without being ostentatious as the family observes its period of mourning Despite giving warm smiles to the staff and volunteers, there were points where grief appeared to be etched on the Princess of Wales's face just three days after the funeral of Her late Majesty Kate sported an understated look while observing the period of mourning, with her brunette tresses down and straight, light make-up and few accessories Kate appeared to duck out of the way as Prince William shook hands with a volunteer from St John's Ambulance, who were on standby throughout the day to ensure the crowds of mourners were safe The Prince of Wales shook hands with other staff members and volunteers who ensured the crowds who had gathered to pay their respects to the Queen were well looked after and safe The Prince and Princess of Wales (right) met with the staff and volunteers at Westminster Guildhall, for a reception in which they expressed the family's gratitude for their hard work One of the workers who met the Prince of Wales showed him a photo on her phone, which William took a closer look at and smiled Prince William opened up about his grief after losing his grandmother while he spoke to staff who helped put together her Comittal Service, admitting there were moments of sadness that 'catch [him] out' The Prince of Wales also spoke about his relief that, despite the state funeral and Committal Service being one of the most profound occasions the world has ever seen, attended by 2,000 people, the town of Windsor didn't come 'to a standstill' William admitted he and the family had been 'worried' that the Queen's funeral and Committal service might disrupt the lives of ordinary people in Windsor, but he praised staff and volunteers for ensuring this did not happen Kate told workers and volunteers that she had seen preparations for the Committal Service being made, such as barriers being put up, as she drove around Windsor throughout the week Windsor Guildhall, pictured, where Kate and William are speaking to volunteers and operational staff to thank them for their work on the Queen's committal service at Windsor Castle The couple said they had worried Windsor would be 'shut down' by the arrangements, but spoke of their relief that public services had kept running, and that they had been able to get their children to and from school. Vice Lord Lieutenant Graham Barker and Windsor council's lead royal funeral planner introduced the Prince and Princess of Wales to staff and volunteers representing different sectors that supported the crowds that turned up to commemorate the Queen. This included St John's Ambulance, transport staff, council workers, stewards, infrastructure organisers and logistics teams, who carried out tasks like putting out barriers and making announcements over a speaker system to the crowds. Kate spoke about seeing all the infrastructure like barriers going up along the roads 'coming back and forwards from the school run'. The group spoke about the number of people in the crowds, with one of the logistics staff saying it was about 110,000. William said: 'We did not see the whole town come to a standstill. That's what we were worried about, that it would disrupt everyone's lives.' Later, when one of the staff talked about how difficult the last few days must have been, he said: 'If you flip it on its head, it is always very comforting that so many people care. It makes it a lot better. There are certain moments that catch you out. You are prepared for all but certain moments catch you out.' The engagement is one of their first since William became the heir apparent and became known as the Prince of Wales, after the death of his grandmother and the accession of his father, Charles, to become the King. William also inherited the title Duke of Cornwall and is now the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge. Kate is now known as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. A period of national mourning ended on Tuesday, but an extended period of royal mourning for family members remains in place until Monday. On Wednesday, a virtual speech from William was played out to the Earthshot Prize conference. The royal couple spoke to the logistics team who carried out tasks like putting out barriers and making announcements over a speaker system to the crowds. Pictured, Prince William today The engagement is one of their first since William became the heir apparent and became known as the Prince of Wales, after the death of his grandmother and the accession of his father, Charles, to become the King. Pictured, Kate today Vice Lord Lieutenant Graham Barker and Windsor council's lead royal funeral planner introduced the Prince and Princess of Wales to staff and volunteers representing different sectors that supported the crowds that turned up to commemorate the Queen Kate (pictured left) today spoke about seeing all the infrastructure like barriers going up along the roads 'coming back and forwards from the school run' He began by saying: 'Although it is the saddest circumstances that I am unable to join you today, I am able to join you in video form as you gather in New York for the Earthshot Prize innovation summit.' He went on to confirm he and Kate would travel to Boston in December for the second Earthshot Prize award ceremony, adding they are 'so excited.' Other royals are also undertaking engagements on Thursday to thank people involved in the Queen's funeral and to recognise the service of those on deployment overseas. The Earl of Wessex is visiting Estonia and Germany in his role as Royal Colonel of 2nd Battalion of The Rifles and Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry. This trip includes thanking members of 2 Rifles for their service to the Queen at Camp Tapa, Estonia, and visiting troops on deployment from the Royal Wessex Yeomanry at the Normandy Barracks in Paderborn, Germany. The Princess Royal is visiting Portsmouth Naval Base to meet Royal Navy personnel who took part in the funeral procession. Anne will also visit St Omer Barracks in Aldershot to meet personnel who played a central role in providing logistical support during the funeral. On Wednesday, a virtual speech from William (pictured today with Kate) was played out to a climate change conference Princess Anne has stepped out for her first royal engagement since attending her mother, the Queen's funeral on Monday Her late Majesty's only daughter, 72, was seen at Portsmouth Naval Base, where she shook hands with Royal Navy personnel who took part in the procession The Prince and Princess of Wales' outing today comes after a royal book claimed William and wife Kate felt 'relief' when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to move to the US, because they felt that the 'drama was gone'. In a book soon to be published about The Firm, The New Royals, author and journalist Katie Nicholl addressed the deepening division between the Sussexes and other members of the Royal Family after Harry and Meghan decided to step down as senior royals and begin a new life in the US in 2020. William is reported to have held a summit of aides - which came to be known as the Anmer Summit after the couples Norfolk home - to discuss the Royal Family's future in the wake of Harry's move to the States. Meanwhile, Prince Harry apparently suggested bringing in a mediator to solve his rift with the rest of the Royal Family, causing Camilla to 'splutter over her tea'. The book quotes an unnamed family friend who told the author the Duke of Sussex met with his father in spring this year and wanted 'to clear the air' - but the awkward meeting left relations strained. After the Duke and Duchess did not attend the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service at Westminster Abbey in March amid a reported dispute over their UK security arrangements, Nicholl wrote that a glimmer of hope was on the horizon when the couple stopped off in the UK before a visit to The Hague for an Invictus Games event a few weeks later. In an extract of the book published in Vanity Fair, Nicholl said King Charles, who was then Prince of Wales, insisted on a meeting with Harry over tea before he had an audience with the Queen. The Princess of Wales, the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex walk to meet members of the public at Windsor Castle in Berkshire The Prince and Princess of Wales' outing today comes after a royal book claimed William and wife Kate felt 'relief' when Prince Harry (pictured here with Prince William during a special vigil for the Queen) and Meghan Markle announced their decision to move to the US, because they felt that the 'drama was gone' Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Catherine, Princess of Wales stand at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II lays on the catafalque at Westminster Hall on September 14 The Prince of Wales, Prince George, the Princess of Wales, and Princess Charlotte during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday 'The meeting with Charles and Camilla was more awkward than their cordial tea with the queen,' Nicholl wrote, adding that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were late to the meeting which left Charles with just 15 minutes to catch up with his youngest son and daughter-in-law before he had to attend the Royal Maundy Service at Windsor Castle where he stood in for the Queen. The family friend said: '[Harry] actually suggested that they use a mediator to try and sort things out, which had Charles somewhat bemused and Camilla spluttering into her tea.' They added the Queen Consort told the Duke his suggestion was 'ridiculous' and that they would resolve their differences within the family. Despite the rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the family, there have been glimpses of a potential reconciliation following the Queen's death. It had originally been reported that Harry and Meghan were not planning on meeting with William and Kate during their stay in the UK. But on the Saturday after the monarch passed away, the Prince and Princess of Wales made their first public appearance outside the Windsor Estate to read tributes that had been left to Her late Majesty and greet mourners. In an unexpected appearance, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined the couple as the 'Fab Four' were reunited in their grief. Princess Anne has stepped out for her first royal engagement since attending her mother, the Queen's funeral on Monday. Her late Majesty's only daughter, 72, was seen at Portsmouth Naval Base, where she shook hands with Royal Navy personnel who took part in the procession. The royal, who is Commodore-in-Chief of HMNB Portsmouth, greeted those involved in the heartfelt ceremony which saw Her Majesty laid to her final resting place in Windsor. Anne smiled as she met the personnel who took part in her mother's funeral, donning a black blazer over a white blouse, accessorised with a navy neck scarf. Princess Anne has stepped out for her first royal engagement since attending her mother, the Queen's funeral on Monday Her late Majesty's only daughter, 72, was seen at Portsmouth Naval Base, where she shook hands with Royal Navy personnel who took part in the procession The Princess Royal will also visit St Omer Barracks in Aldershot to meet personnel who played a central role in providing logistical support during the funeral. It comes as a number of royals are expected to make appearances today. The Prince and Princess of Wales are today meeting volunteers and operational staff to thank them for their work on the Queen's committal service at Windsor Castle. Elsewhere, the Earl of Wessex is visiting Estonia and Germany in his role as Royal Colonel of 2nd Battalion of The Rifles and Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry. During her visit, Anne met personnel from across the Corps at St Omer Barracks, Aldershot, who played a central role providing logistical support during Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and other ceremonial duties Dressed in a black suit paired with an off-white shirt and sage scarf, Anne listened closely to the officers she met during her visit The Princess Royal Colonel-in-Chief of both the Royal Logistic Corps, and Royal Corps of Signals, looked well during the event today Princess Anne looked to be enjoying her visit and was seen laughing with some of the officers present The Princess Royal looked ready for business in a tailored black suit. Several officer came to greet her outside The King's sister shook the hands of some of the officers who worked on the logistics of her mother's funeral The Princess Royal, who was sporting a discreet red lipstick, listened carefully during her chat with one of the officers Other officers looked on smiling as their colleagues got to shake hands with the Princess Royal Royal duties recommenced yesterday, when Prince William made his first speech since his grandmother's passing with an address to the Earthshot Prize summit in New York. The Prince of Wales, 40, was due to travel to New York for a solo trip this week to give a speech at a conference for his environmental initiative, which aims to find solutions to repair and protect the planet. However the royal cancelled his trip after The Queen's death earlier this month, and looked deeply emotional and appeared pensive throughout his grandmother's funeral in London as well as her committal service in Windsor, on Monday. The Prince of Wales returned to work yesterday as he pre-recorded a message which was played at the conference. The royal, who is Commodore-in-Chief of HMNB Portsmouth, greeted those involved in the heartfelt ceremony which saw Her Majesty laid to her final resting place in Windsor Anne smiled as she met the personnel who took part in her mother's funeral, donning a black blazer over a white blouse, accessorised with a navy neck scarf The Princess Royal will also visit St Omer Barracks in Aldershot to meet personnel who played a central role in providing logistical support during the funeral The Prince and Princess of Wales are today meeting volunteers and operational staff to thank them for their work on the Queen's committal service at Windsor Castle Royal duties recommenced yesterday, when Prince William (pictured with Kate today) made his first speech since his grandmother's passing with an address to the Earthshot Prize summit in New York He began by saying: 'Although it is the saddest circumstances that I am unable to join you today, I am able to join you in video form as you gather in New York for the Earthshot Prize innovation summit.' He went on to confirm he and Kate would travel to Boston in December for the second Earthshot Prize award ceremony, adding they are 'so excited.' It came as the Royal Family released two poignant photo tributes to the Queen as they begin another week of mourning after a state funeral full of emotion, ceremony and symbolism that wowed and moved the world before King Charles III personally laid his mother to rest during a private burial earlier this week. Her Majesty's long journey to her final resting place began in Balmoral on the day of her death on September 8 and ended on Monday with her private interment next to Prince Philip, with the new King scattering earth on his mother's coffin at 7.30pm. Prince William joined his wife Kate and children Prince George and Princess Charlotte at the funeral on Monday, as well as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry The royals took to George's Chapel for the committal service (pictured) which followed the Queen's funeral at Westminster Abbey And as she was laid to rest the royals released a tribute titled: 'In loving memory of Her Majesty The Queen' and shared a never-before seen image of the late Monarch hiking through heathlands in her beloved Scotland and a smiling picture of her with her parents, sister and husband at Buckingham Palace. The touching post issued via the Royal Family's social media accounts also touched on King Charles III's first address to the nation as monarch in which he quoted the Shakespeare's immortal play Hamlet - 'May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.' Queen Elizabeth II now lies at peace for eternity in the royal vault under St George's Chapel with her husband, father, mother and sister. She is the 12th British monarch to be buried at Windsor and has chosen to be with her family following the 'Us Four' principle pursued by her father George VI. He told his daughter repeatedly that following the abdication of his brother, a happy and united Royal Family was the most important thing in life after the duties of a monarch. A premature baby who was born weighing just one pound and was given a 50 per cent chance of survival has beat the odds and finally left the hospital - after spending more than 500 days in the ICU fighting for her life. Tyler Robinson's now-18-month-old daughter, Autumn, from Chicago, Illinois, was born four months early - at just 23 weeks - after Tyler suffered from a uterine rupture, which resulted in the newborn developing many complications. Autumn was born with a chronic lung disease called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and weighed only 1.1 pounds - and doctors weren't sure if she was going to make it. A premature baby who was born weighing just one pound and was given a 50 per cent chance of survival has beat the odds and finally left the hospital - after spending 500 days in the ICU Tyler Robinson's now-18-month-old daughter, Autumn, from Chicago, Illinois, was born four months early - at just 23 weeks - after Tyler suffered from a uterine rupture Autumn was born with a chronic lung disease called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and weighed only 1.1 pounds - and doctors weren't sure if she was going to make it 'Autumn was given a 50-50 chance of survival,' Dr. Megan Lagoski, a neonatologist who treated the baby, told Good Morning America recently. Autumn is seen with her mother 'Autumn was given a 50-50 chance of survival when she was first delivered,' Dr. Megan Lagoski, a neonatologist who treated the baby at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, told Good Morning America recently. What is bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)? Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a form of chronic lung disease that affects newborns, most often those who are born prematurely and need oxygen therapy In BPD the lungs and the airways are damaged, causing tissue destruction in the tiny air sacs of the lung An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 newborns develop BPD in the United States every year In the long run, increased pressure inside the blood vessels in the lungs and between the heart and lungs can cause pulmonary hypertension. In severe cases, heart failure can occur Newborns who suffer from BPD may also experience trouble feeding, leading to delayed development Source: Lung.org Advertisement 'She was having dangerous dips in her oxygen level, even to the point where her heart rate would become low too and they were worried that she was going to die. 'Her heart was strained from all the work it required to pump blood through the lungs and to pick up oxygen and bring it back and pump it to the rest of the body, something called pulmonary hypertension, and that made her even sicker.' At just five months old, Autumn underwent an emergency surgery to have a breathing tube placed in her lungs - which helped immensely. 'Once we got her to good support on the breathing machine, we were able to help her start to do normal baby things and have more interactions that were meaningful with her mother,' Dr. Lagoski explained. Autumn continued to fight, and was even nicknamed 'Feisty' by the hospital staff due to her strong personality. The baby spent 17 months - equating to 524 days - in the hospital in total, before she was finally strong enough to go home on August 17. And during her stay, Tyler made sure to visit her daughter every single day. 'I talked to her and I would tell her, "Autumn, it's OK, if you're ready to go But if you're not ready to go, and you want to keep fighting this good fight, mommy's gonna keep fighting this good fight with you,"' she recalled. '"We're gonna keep doing this together no matter what." I would just pray on my baby, talk to my baby, sing to my baby.' Tyler used her strength and positivity to not only bring light to Autumn's world, but also to the doctors, nurses, and other patients. 'I decorated for everything. I put out candy for the nurses,' she said. 'You know, we're in this bad situation and we're feeling [like] we're never gonna get out of it, but a little candy here and there, it'll bring a little happiness to somebody.' 'She was having dangerous dips in her oxygen level, and her heart was strained from all the work it required to pump blood through the lungs,' Dr. Lagoski added At just five months old, Autumn underwent an emergency surgery to have a breathing tube placed in her lungs - which helped immensely Autumn continued to fight, and was even nicknamed 'Feisty' by the hospital staff due to her strong personality The baby spent 17 months - equating to 524 days - in the hospital in total, before she was finally strong enough to go home on August 17 She told CBS News in a previous interview that the staff at Lurie Children's Hospital became like her 'family.' During her stay, Tyler made sure to visit her daughter every single day. She said: 'I would just pray on my baby, talk to my baby, sing to my baby' 'They've seen me cry, laugh, they listened to me scream and yell,' she explained. 'They've been my family since I've been here and they've been my family because they love my baby.' After more than 500 days in the hospital, Tyler brought Autumn home last month, which also marked the baby's first time outside. 'She's never seen outside or felt the wind. She started sneezing - you know normal kid stuff that we take for granted, like her seeing the sun and seeing other people,' Tyler said at the time. 'She doesn't know this life. She only knows life inside the hospital. I'm just so thankful to be able to walk out with my baby.' Autumn is now happily recovering at home, but she still uses a ventilator. After more than 500 days in the hospital, Tyler (seen with Autumn soon after her birth) brought the baby home last month, which also marked her first time outside 'She's never seen outside or felt the wind,' Tyler said at the time. 'She doesn't know this life. She only knows life inside the hospital. I'm just so thankful to be able to walk out with my baby' Autumn is now happily recovering at home, but she still uses a ventilator She has made developmental strides, and has learned to sit up and play with her toys 'Thats her best friend,' her mom previously joked to NBC Chicago of the machine. 'She holds it. To her it's nothing. It's a part of her.' 'She loves to cuddle, loves to smell and loves to play. She likes attention and she sure gets a lot of that,' her doctor, Dr. Lagoski, added She's now learning to sit up and play with her toys. Tyler added to GMA, 'My Autumn girl is a happy, happy baby. She is stubborn but sweet as can be, lovable. Dr. Lagoski also told NBC that the baby is 'rolling all over the place,' and is full of 'smiles and laughs.' 'She loves to cuddle, loves to smell and loves to play. She likes attention and she sure gets a lot of that,' the doctor added. While Tyler is 'very scared' about having her daughter at home as a single mother, especially because there is a 'shortage of home nursing' in her area, she's prepared - as this was something she has dreamed about for more than 500 days. 'Im a single parent, and a lot of the time I wont have nursing because of shortage in home nursing,' she said to NBC. 'Im very scared but Im also ready. Ive been preparing for this since shes been born.' While Tyler is 'very scared' about having her daughter at home as a single mother, she's prepared - as this was something she has dreamed about for more than 500 days 'Im a single parent, and a lot of the time I wont have nursing because of shortage in home nursing,' she said to NBC. 'But Im ready. Ive been preparing for this since shes been born' Tyler admitted that she still suffers from PTSD from the experience, explaining that she often hears 'the screams' from other parents in her head While the mother-of-one saw horrible things during her time at the NICU, she added that 'it's a wonderful place' where 'miracles' can happen 'I did it all for her,' she concluded. 'I sacrificed a lot for her but I would do it again I would do it all over again for her, everything for her, because I love her' Tyler also admitted that she still suffers from PTSD from the whole experience. 'I'm still going through it,' she revealed to GMA. 'I still have the screams in my head from parents. 'They can hide it but it's real out here and nobody [knows] about it unless they're living in it. 'And it's not just the parents - these nurses have to see too. It's a different world [in the NICU].' While the mother-of-one saw horrible things during her time at the NICU, she added that 'it's a wonderful place' where 'miracles' can happen. 'You see miracles, my baby is a miracle but let's not stray away from also the pain that us parents see and feel from the other parents,' she added. 'I did it all for her, no matter what I did,' she concluded. 'I sacrificed a lot for her but I would do it again I would do it all over again for her, everything for her, because I love her.' Chinese VP attends commemorative event for Int'l Day of Peace 2022 Xinhua) 09:23, September 22, 2022 Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan makes a keynote speech while attending the commemorative event for the International Day of Peace 2022 via video link on Sept. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to work with the international community to jointly implement the Global Security Initiative, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said on Wednesday while attending the commemorative event for the International Day of Peace 2022 via video link. All countries need to practice mutual respect, enhance solidarity and coordination, respect others' national security, sovereignty and development interests, and refrain from interfering in others' internal affairs, Wang said in his keynote speech. "We should uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, share weal and woe, and safeguard common security," Wang said. He also called for dialogue and consultation to achieve peaceful coexistence, and unequivocal support for all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crisis. "We need to work together to improve global governance, firmly oppose hegemony and bullying, practice true multilateralism, safeguard world peace and stability, and promote the development and prosperity of all countries," Wang said. Pointing out that peace is the common cause of mankind, Wang said China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development and continue to be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order. "China is ready to work with all peace-loving countries and peoples in the world to build a community with a shared future for mankind," Wang added. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari also attended the event via video link. Foreign participants said that the Global Security Initiative meets the common aspirations of people of all countries and has injected important impetus into building a peaceful, secure and prosperous world. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun) People participate in a protest against Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi outside of the United Nations in New York City, Wednesday. Protests have broke out over the death of 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody for allegedly violating the country's hijab rules. Amini's death has sparked protests across Iran and other countries. AFP-Yonhap Iran restricted internet access Thursday after days of protests and unrest that have claimed at least 11 lives, following the death of a young woman in the custody of the morality police. Public anger has flared in the Islamic republic over the death last week of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been detained for allegedly wearing a hijab headscarf in an "improper" way. Activists said the woman, whose Kurdish first name is Jhina, had suffered a fatal blow to the head, a claim denied by officials, who have announced an investigation. During six straight nights of protests, women demonstrators have defiantly taken off their headscarves and burned them in bonfires or symbolically cut their hair before cheering crowds, video footage spread on social media has shown. "No to the headscarf ... yes to freedom and equality!" protesters in Tehran were heard chanting in a rally that has been echoed by solidarity protests abroad. Iranian women interviewed by AFP on the streets of Tehran said they were now more careful about their dress to avoid run-ins with the morality police. "I'm frightened," said Nazanin, a 23-year-old nurse, who asked to be identified by her first name only for safety reasons. "They shouldn't confront people at all" or interfere with how women dress, she added. There has been growing international alarm at the Iranian crackdown on the protests, including from US President Joe Biden in an address to the United Nations. "Today we stand with the brave citizens and the brave women of Iran who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights," Biden told the General Assembly on Wednesday. 'Women, life, freedom' He was speaking shortly after world leaders gathered in New York heard a defiant speech from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. He pointed to the deaths of indigenous women in Canada as well as Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories and the Islamic State group's "savagery" against women from religious minority groups. "So long as we have this double standard, where attention is solely focused on one side and not all equally, we will not have true justice and fairness," Raisi said. Iranian state media reported that by Wednesday street rallies had spread to 15 cities, with police using tear gas and making arrests to disperse crowds of up to 1,000 people. In southern Iran, video footage purportedly from Wednesday showed demonstrators setting fire to a gigantic picture on the side of a building of general Qassem Soleimani, the revered Revolutionary Guards commander killed in a 2020 US drone strike in Iraq. Demonstrators hurled stones at security forces, set fire to police vehicles and garbage bins, and chanted anti-government slogans, the official IRNA news agency said. "Death to the dictator" and "Woman, life, freedom," protesters could be heard shouting in video footage that spread beyond Iran, despite online restrictions first reported by internet access monitor Netblocks. Iran moved to further block access to Instagram and WhatsApp on Thursday. "In accordance with a decision by officials, it has no longer been possible to access Instagram in Iran since yesterday (Wednesday) evening and access to WhatsApp is also disrupted," the semi-official Fars news agency reported. The two apps were the most widely used in Iran after the blocking of other platforms in recent years, including Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, YouTube and Tiktok. UN human rights experts condemned both the "use of physical violence against women" and the "state-mandated internet disruptions". "Disruptions to the internet are usually part of a larger effort to stifle... free expression... and to curtail ongoing protests," they said in a statement. 'Shock' to the regime On Thursday, Iranian media said three militiamen "mobilised to deal with rioters" were stabbed or shot dead in northwestern Tabriz, central Qazvin and northeastern Mashhad. A fourth member of the security forces died in the southern city of Shiraz, the reports said, adding that a protester was stabbed to death in Qazvin, adding to six protester deaths already announced by officials. But there were fears the death toll could rise, as Norway-based Kurdish rights group Hengaw on Wednesday also reported the deaths of two protesters, aged 16 and 23, in West Azerbaijan province. The Iranian authorities have denied any involvement in the deaths of protesters. Amnesty International said it has recorded the deaths of eight people six men, one woman and a child with four of them shot by security forces at close range with metal pellets. The protests are among the most serious in Iran since November 2019 unrest over fuel price rises. The wave of unrest over Amini's death "is a very significant shock, it is a societal crisis," said Iran expert David Rigoulet-Roze of the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs. (AFP) A mom-of-four who was 'shunned' by her church after they discovered her OnlyFans account is cashing in as a 'Mormon mistress' on the site claiming married Mormon fans are paying for virtual sex. Holly Jane, 39, from California, has been part of the religious group for years, which has very strict rules, including no alcohol, tobacco, vulgar language, or sex outside of marriage. However, the single mom, who has over 61,300 followers on Instagram, claims the restrictions don't stand in the way of her lucrative OnlyFans career, which makes her $45,000 per month. Holly Jane, 39, from California, has claimed married Mormon and Catholic fans are paying her for virtual sex on Only Fans, saying she is their 'online mistress' The Mormon mom recently revealed that a fellow churchgoer 'snitched' on her antics to their local bishop, and she was forced to choose between the church and her OnlyFans career Holly recently made headlines after revealing a fellow churchgoer 'snitched' on her antics to their local bishop, and she was asked to choose nudes or the church. But the OnlyFans model has insisted that she has no plans to stop, though she admitted the demands of being an object of sexual desire are tiring her out. 'I'm knackered. I'm having virtual sex with these men at least three times a day,' Holly told NudePR.com. She believes she is popular with religious men, particularly Mormons, because they are naive about sex before they get married. Holly said she was shunned by the Mormon church after refusing to give up her OnlyFans account, where she has virtual sex at least three times a day The mother-of-four makes $45,000 per month posting on the subscription site Holly believes she is popular with religious men, particularly Mormons, because they are naive about sex before they get married 'I think with people in the Mormon church, they marry young and follow the rules,' she explained. 'Sex isn't really spoken about and men often have an uncomfortable relationship with it. 'They have this idea of what having a wife will be like, and when their sex lives aren't what they expected, they come to me. 'That's why I'm getting so many married religious men secretly signing up to my account. 'There are also non-religious people who view being a Mormon as a kink or a fetish. I'm their own online mistress,' she added. Although she has thousands of fans globally, Holly also has '20 dedicated regulars' whom she talks to every day many of whom are conservative believers. 'Some of them are married, some are Mormon, others Catholic,' she said. 'I really get them going. I'm the "Mormon mistress" dream. 'They have this idea of what having a wife will be like, and when their sex lives aren't what they expected, they come to me,' she said Holly has '20 dedicated regulars,' as well as thousands of other followers, some of whom ask her to dress in her Sunday church clothes 'I'm knackered. I'm having virtual sex with these men at least three times a day,' Holly told NudePR.com Holly juggles her sexy content creation with being a mom, and she noted that she doesn't have any time for a dating life off-screen 'Some of them even ask me to dress in my Sunday church garment for my videos, which is white, so it's quite sacred. It really adds to the whole forbidden vibes. I feel like these men are addicted to me.' But keeping dozens of men entertained all day means Holly has little time for a dating life off-screen. 'I don't really have time to find a partner as I'm doing this constantly, all day, every day,' she said. 'The married men tell me their partner isn't putting out anymore, and that's where I come in. In a way, they are cheating, but virtually.' Holly started her OnlyFans account in August last year and quit her more traditional job as a recruiter. She now juggles her sexy content creation with being a mom. One of her children knows about her extracurricular activities and 'isn't bothered' by it. She is teaching her daughter that 'celebrating her body is not something to be ashamed of.' Holly's late husband, Stephen (pictured), tragically passed away back in 2017, when he was just 31 years old, but the mom believes he would have approved of her choice One of her children knows about her extracurricular activities and 'isn't bothered' by it. She is teaching her daughter that 'celebrating her body is not something to be ashamed of' 'I feel like these men are addicted to me,' Holly said of her fans Holly's late husband, Stephen, tragically passed away back in 2017, when he was just 31 years old, but the mom believes he would have approved of her choices. Holly previously told NudePR.com: 'Stephen always knew of this sexy side to me. I think he would have been supportive. 'I've always had this desire, which dates back to when I was a little girl, where I would long to be doing Playboy. 'What people don't realize is OnlyFans is different from porn as these men feel like they have a relationship with you. 'So if they want a little bit of me, I don't mind doing that. Especially if I'm getting paid.' The Duchess of Sussex was 'unresponsive' to Queen Consort Camilla's advice to her when she first joined The Firm, a royal book has claimed. A new biography of the Queen Consort, written by Angela Levin, claims the then-Duchess of Cornwall organised lunches with Meghan and did her best to welcome her into the family - but her advice fell flat with an 'unresponsive' Meghan. An extract of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall: A Royal Survivor, which was published in the Telegraph, Levin claims Camilla was keen to help Meghan at the beginning of her relationship with Harry after herself struggling to be accepted by the Royal Family, and 'warmly' welcomed her when she first arrived in London. A biography of the Queen Consort Camilla, written by Angela Levin, claims the then-Duchess of Cornwall was keen to welcome Meghan into the family (Meghan and Queen Consort Camilla at the Queen's funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday) Levin claimed Meghan was 'unresponsive' to Camilla's efforts to advise her on the increased scrutiny she would receive as a senior member of the Royal Family (pictured: King Charles, Queen Consort, Harry and Meghan at Charles's 70th birthday) Levin added King Charles, who was then Prince of Wales, enjoyed Meghan's company and often spoke to her about theatre and the arts. In an attempt to help the Duchess of Sussex 'find her feet', the Queen Consort advised her on how to handle the pressure of being in the public eye and the scrutiny she would face as a senior member of the Royal Family. Levin quoted an unnamed source who told her at the time: 'She doesnt want to see anyone struggling and she is fond of Meghan.' Despite Camilla's efforts, Levin claimed the Duchess 'seemed bored' and 'preferred to go her own way' in carving out a role for herself within The Firm. The author also acknowledged the Duchess of Sussex's reputation within the family for being an incredibly hard worker, noting the cookbook she made contributions to which had been put together by survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. A royal book has claimed Harry suggested bringing in a mediator to heal the rift within the royal family, to which Queen Consort Camilla 'spat out her tea'. Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla at the Queen's funeral on Monday Paying tribute to Meghan's work with the Grenfell community, Levin noted how the Queen Consort invited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, plus Camilla's friend Lucia Santa Cruz, to lunch at Highgrove, and made sure the menu had been cultivated specifically from recipes in the Grenfell Tower cookbook - which Lucia described as 'a really nice gesture'. The account detailed by Levin comes as another royal book claims the Queen Consort 'spluttered over her tea' when Prince Harry suggested bringing in a third-party mediator to heal the rift between himself and Meghan and the rest of the family. In The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown, by Katie Nicholl, which has been serialised in Vanity Fair, Nicholl wrote how relations between the Duke and Duchess and the rest of the family were most strained after Harry and Meghan did not come to the UK in March 2021 to attend the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service. At the time, reports claimed Harry had concerns over his family's security arrangements while in the UK. Nicholl wrote that King Charles, who was then Prince of Wales, invited Harry and Meghan to tea just weeks after the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service, as the couple stopped off in the UK before heading to The Hague to attend an Invictus Games event. However, an unnamed family friend told Nicholl the meeting was 'awkward' and only lasted for around 15 minutes after the Duke and Duchess were late to meet then-Prince Charles and then-Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla. They claimed: '[Harry] actually suggested that they use a mediator to try and sort things out, which had Charles somewhat bemused and Camilla spluttering into her tea.' They added the Queen Consort told the Duke his suggestion was 'ridiculous' and that they would resolve their differences within the family. Celebrities and wealthy social elites are spending $1,500 a month on a pre-diabetes drug with miraculous weight loss effects - so much so that those who actually need it are having trouble finding it. Variety reports that semaglutide, which is sold under the brand name Ozempic, has become a staple in some groups. One insider said that everyone from actors, moguls, to reality stars to producers are using the injectable drug. So much so that it has become a part of a star's preparation process alongside their hair and make-up routine. The drug, manufactured by the Danish firm Novo Nordisk, has been in short supply for people who use it as a pre-diabetes drug, though. Variety reports that pharmacies are backlogged on orders until December. Not being able to access their medication can have disastrous effects for someone who needs it to manage their blood sugar - as they could develop diabetes and suffer other symptoms. Diabetes drugs have shot to popularity in recent years as weight loss supplements. Unlike typical drugs that can be found on a store shelf, they are approved by regulators and generally have little negative side-effects. They also are more effective and have been through significant clinical trials - a claim many over-the-counter weight loss drugs can not make. The injectable pre-diabetes drug Ozempic has become popular has s weight loss supplement among celebrities and wealthy elites - so much so that it is in short supply for actual pre-diabetics who need it to manage their condition Matt Mahowald, a celebrity nutritionist who founded New Performance Nutrition, explained to Variety that the drug worked by slowing the body's secretion of insulin - stopping the stomach from emptying and reducing a person's appetite. The drug went viral on TikTok over summer as a boon for those looking to slim down, and unfounded allegations that stars like the Kardashian family was using them for weight loss began to rise. Glamour reports that Google searches for the drug boomed after Kim Kardashian shared that she had dropped her body fat percentage from 25 to 18, though she never confirmed use of the drug. Many unnamed celebrities, social elites and even trend-chasing common-folk are, though. Variety reports that Signal chats between the rich and famous are lauding over the drug's ability to help them lose weight. It does not come cheap, though, costing over $1,000 per month out-of-pocket to access it. Rumors that reality TV star Kim Kardashian used the drug were swirling on social media after she dropped a significant amount of body fat in a short period of time. The rumors were never confirmed. Pictured: Kardashian in New York City on September 20, 2022 'It's easily going to be $1,200 to $1,500 per month. If you go out and buy an Ozempic pen from a pharmacist, that's what you're getting charged,' Mahowald said. 'It's become a huge problem, everyone jumping on this bandwagon. The insurance companies are refusing to cover this for anyone who is not diabetic.' The surge in demand for the drug has caused problems for the drug has left many pre-diabetics - for which there are nearly 100 million in the United States - unable to access it. 'It's led to panic. Pharmacies have units on back order through December,' Mahowald added. Unmanaged pre-diabetes can put a person at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a potentially devastating condition that can lead to blindness, limb amputation, other ailments and even death. Ozempic can carry some heavy side-effects to, including diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and stomach pain. Use of the drug has become so widespread in celebrity circles that it is considered a part of a some stars' routine the same way hair and makeup are, Variety reports It is often supplied to doctors and nutritionists eager to write a prescription for their celebrity clientele. Variety also reports that medical spas in Arizona have become reliable locations to get a person's hands on the drug. It is not the only diabetes drug that has recently gained use as a weight-loss supplement, as doctors and patients alike search for answers to America's obesity epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 70 percent of Americans are overweight, and 40 percent are obese. While there is rarely any crossover between these groups and those on the red carpet, their motivations are the same. Tirzepatide, a type 2 diabetes drug manufactured by Eli Lilly, has gained attention after it showed promise in clinical trials for helping with weight loss in recent months as well. New Health Sec to unveil crackdown on GP waits today - but already scepticism Comes despite reports ministers want to name and shame worst performers Ms Coffey said she does not want to be 'overly prescriptive from Whitehall' GP practices won't be punished if they fail to offer patients an appointment within a fortnight, Therese Coffey has admitted. During a round of interviews this morning, the newly-appointed Health Secretary said two weeks was 'an expectation' rather than a firm target - despite the Government promising to crack down on long waits. Ms Coffey added she did not want to not be 'overly prescriptive from Whitehall' about 'exactly how a GP will run their practice'. She also claimed she is not 'intending to take a league table approach' after it was widely reported last night ministers were looking at naming and shaming the worst performing surgeries. Ms Coffey is due to unveil plans to improve access to family doctors this afternoon as public satisfaction with GPs is at an all-time low. They include a demand for family doctors to offer same day appointments to the sickest patients and a two-week maximum wait for non-urgent patients. But there will be scepticism over whether the plans will be enforceable or go far enough to make a genuine difference. Ms Coffey will also set out how she plans to ease the 8am scramble for appointments and end the frustration of constant engaged tones or being left hanging on the line. There have been reports of patients ringing over 60 times before finally getting through. GP practices won't be punished if they fail to offer patients an appointment within a fortnight, Therese Coffey has admitted Almost half of GP appointments are done on the same day but there is massive variation around the country There were just 27,558 full-time equivalent, fully-qualified GPs working in England last month, down 1.6 per cent on the 18,000 recorded in June 2021. It was down 5.3 per cent on the more than 29,000 working in June 2017 Map shows: The proportion of GP appointments made in-person in July across England's integrated care boards Ms Coffey told ITV's Good Morning Britain 'it's a reasonable expectation that they [patients] should be able to see their GP within a fortnight'. Almost one in seven GP appointments made in England in August a total of 3.9million occurred at least two weeks after they were booked, official figures show. Ms Coffey told Times Radio the Government would like GPs 'where possible' to see the most urgent patients on the same day. She added: 'I think it's fair that patients, when they ring up, not being told that they have to wait six weeks for appointments potentially, and that's when we're seeing other people turn to the parts of the NHS like A&E.' But she said 'it will be down to clinicians, of course, to those doctors doing that triage, on who they see on the same day and their prioritisation.' 'I'm very conscious that nearly everybody who accesses the NHS does that through primary care, through their GP,' Ms Coffey added. 'That's why I'm putting so much emphasis in what I'm going to do to try and help patients get what they expect from GPs and to help GPs deliver that as well.' She was asked on LBC Radio if her pledges meant patients should see a GP face to face, or whether a telephone or video consultation would do. Ms Coffey's crackdown on GP surgeries also includes easing the 8am scramble for appointments and ending the frustration of constant engaged tones or being left hanging on the line. One patient on Twitter claimed she rang over 60 times before finally getting through Festus Akinbusoye, Bedfordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, said all slots were already booked out when he rung his surgery when it opened Another patient claimed they'd been forced to pay 40 for a private appointment because they couldn't get through Coffey denies she's part-time Health Sec Therese Coffey has denied that her role as Deputy Prime Minister meant she was only a part-time Health Secretary. Ms Coffey has her own office in No 10 and plays a key role at the heart of the new Prime Minister's administration. But she insisted the NHS plan being set out on Thursday showed she was focused on her job as Health and Social Care Secretary. Ms Coffey has an office in Downing Street previously used by the No 10 director of communications, in a sign of how closely she is working with Ms Truss. 'What we're doing is working together so that the Prime Minister has at hand the person who's in charge of the money, that's the Chancellor, but also the Chief Whip, and indeed me as Deputy Prime Minister,' she told ITV's Good Morning Britain. Ms Coffey said she 'will be chairing things like the Home Affairs Committee and different elements like that' within Government. 'I'm here to support the Prime Minister deliver on what she set out to the Conservative Party membership and to the country during the summer.' Good Morning Britain presenter and former Labour cabinet minister Ed Balls said he had turned down a similar dual role under Gordon Brown because he wanted to focus on his then job as children's secretary. Asked if it was possible to do both of her jobs properly, she told him: 'I'm conscious that in two weeks we've already pulled together our plan for patients and we will continue to develop that.' She added: 'I don't think it will be a case of being part-time... We don't have fixed working hours. 'We continue to do what we do right across Government in order to make sure we function effectively as a Government and I'm looking forward to being part of that.' Advertisement Many patients still complain they are unable to see a doctor in-person after the bulk of appointments were done virtually during the pandemic. 'I think that's open to the relationship between the GP and the patient,' Ms Coffey said. 'I know that, throughout the pandemic, there's been a variety of ways that people have interacted with seeing their GP. I'm not going to be overly prescriptive. 'I know that some people enjoy just having a phone call, but may need to go in and see the doctor, I know that other patients are very keen in that regard.' She said more than half of practices are already meeting the expectations she has set out, but she was not 'intending to take a league table approach'. Asked whether GPs who underperformed would face sanctions, she said: 'One of the points about also opening up and publishing data by practice is it may give some patients the opportunity to choose to use a different GP and to make that change as well.' Ms Coffey will present her 'Plan for Patients' to the Commons at around 12pm today, detailing a drive to avert an NHS winter crisis. Part of her plan includes a new telephone systems to make it easier to get through to receptionists and keep callers updated of their place in the queue. Patients have shared stories on Twitter about the 8am scramble, including one who said they'd rang over 60 times and another who likened it to playing roulette with their health. Another claimed they'd been forced to pay 40 for a private appointment because they couldn't get through. Festus Akinbusoye, Bedfordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, said all slots were already booked out when he rung his surgery when it opened. Ms Coffey will also change funding rules so practices can recruit extra staff, allowing GPs to focus on care and freeing up 1million extra appointments a year. And pharmacies will be empowered to manage more medicines without a prescription, which could free up an additional 2million GP consultations. Miss Coffey is expected to tell MPs: 'I will put a laser-like focus on the needs of patients, making their priorities my priorities and being a champion for them on the issues that affect them most. 'Our Plan for Patients will make it easier to get a general practice appointment and we will work tirelessly to deliver that, alongside supporting our hardworking GP teams.' NHS Digital figures show 65 per cent of consultations were made in-person across England in July, compared to more than 80 per cent before Covid Meanwhile, figures show fewer than half of appointments across the country were with a fully-qualified GP Just over a third of consultations in Lincolnshire were with a doctor. The rest were seen by other staff, including nurses, physiotherapists and even acupuncturists. Map shows: The proportion of appointments seen by a fully-qualified GP in ICBs across England in July The plan will call on the public to take part in a 'national endeavour' to support the health and social care system, urging the 1million volunteers who came forward to support the NHS during the pandemic to do so again. Louise Ansari, of the watchdog Healthwatch England, said improving access to GPs would help reduce the number of patients turning up at A&Es, adding: 'Bringing in more support staff and improving phone lines will provide much-needed reinforcements for GP surgeries.' But Professor Martin Marshall, of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'Lumbering a struggling service with more expectations, without a plan as to how to deliver them, will add to the intense workload and workforce pressures GPs and our teams are facing, whilst having minimal impact on the care our patients receive.' He objected to the publication of waiting time 'league tables', saying GP practices tailored services to serve 'different patient demographics'. He added: 'Introducing arbitrary performance rankings compares apples with pears and will work against and demoralise those working in practices that 'rank' lower.' Helen Buckingham, of the Nuffield Trust think-tank, said that even if the plan freed up some time for GPs, it risked 'simply proliferating ways for patients to find out the ugly truth of general practice there just aren't enough doctors to go around'. Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, said: 'We will work with the Government so we can support NHS staff to deliver these new ambitions for patients.' The Government is promoting an NHS advice page on vaginal cancer which doesn't use the word 'women' despite promising to crackdown on the woke de-sexing of medical language. The Department of Health and Social Care's Twitter account yesterday promoted the page, which was quietly made gender-neutral last year. In November 2021, the page had a line that stated: 'Vaginal cancer is rare, especially in women under 40.' But now the overview section of this page omits this information entirely, with users having to click through to the 'symptoms' subheading to find it. The DHSC promoted the NHS page as part of Gynaecological Cancers Awareness Month which are unique to the female reproductive system. These include cancers of the vagina, cervix, ovaries, womb and vulva. Ex-Health Secretary Sajid Javid promised to reverse gender-neutral language in NHS advice after a series of MailOnline revelations which showed the term 'women' was being quietly erased. His successor, the newly-appointed Therese Coffey, has yet to say whether she will keep her predecessor's promise. The Department of Health and Social Care has promoted an NHS female cancer page that removed the word 'women' and also failed itself to use the term The NHS vaginal cancer page is just one of the health service's gynaecological cancer pages which have scrubbed the term 'women' from its landing page in the name of being 'inclusive'. The page featured term 'women' on its landing page in November 2021 but this was changed in an update In December of that year Newly appointed Health Secretary Therese Coffey has yet to say if she will honour her predecessor's commitment to reversing the de-sexing of NHS women's health pages NHS info pages on gynaecological cancers have undergone an 'inclusive' scrubbing. For example, the original version of the ovarian NHS cancer page featured the line: 'Ovarian cancer, or cancer of the ovaries, is one of the most common types of cancer in women.' Another line read: 'Ovarian cancer mainly affects women who have been through the menopause (usually over the age of 50), but it can sometimes affect younger women.' However, in an update sneaked out in January these were removed with the page now saying: 'Anyone with ovaries can get ovarian cancer, but it mostly affects those over 50.' NHS Digital, which manages health information webpages for the health service, has defended the changes as ensuring language was 'inclusive'. A spokesperson added: 'The NHS website provides information for everyone. 'We keep the pages under continual review to ensure they use language that is inclusive, respectful and relevant to the people reading it.' Like the NHS, DHSC did not mention 'women' or 'woman' in its promotional post or the accompanying image. DHSC did not respond to MailOnline's queries on if it was aligning itself with NHS Digital's inclusive language policy. Bizarrely, similar men's health NHS pages, like the one for testicular cancer, remain untouched by gender-neutral terminology. Women's health experts have repeatedly warned the woke language changes could be dangerous for women by over-complicating vital health messaging. Ex-Health Secretary Sajid Javid promised to reverse gender neutral language in NHS advice after MailOnline revealed the term 'women' had been quietly erased from menopause advice in June. His new successor, Therese Coffey, has yet to commit to the same Here are some examples of the woke language changes that have engulfed NHS communications. Some of these examples have been taken from national NHS communications while others are used by individual hospitals The woke language storm came to a head in June when Mr Javid vowed to stamp out the trend. His promise was made in response to MailOnline revealing how the word women had been removed from the NHS's official menopause page. Vaginal cancer is considered rare, with only 250 cases diagnosed in the UK per year, with 110 deaths. This rises to 1,369 cases per year in the US, with 431 deaths. The main symptoms of the disease are a lump in the vagina and ulcers or skin changes around the vaginal area. Potential symptoms are often picked up during cervical screening but women should see their GP if they notice any changes themselves. Although the cancer types mostly affect women, they can also strike transgender men and non-binary people assigned female at birth. A DHCS spokesperson said: 'We are clear that biology matters and there are different health needs between the sexes.' 'Its important that NHS guidance, while being inclusive, should use clear terms that people can understand and are specific about who can be affected by conditions and how they will be treated'. From 'chestfeeding' to 'human milk' and 'birthing PARENTS': How NHS language is going woke - with women quietly being scrubbed out of 'inclusive' advice pages 'Chestfeeding' instead of breastfeeding and asking men if they are pregnant before getting a scan are just two ways NHS language has gone woke recently. NHS chiefs have repeatedly defended the changes, saying they want to be 'inclusive, respectful and relevant'. But health experts have warned de-gendering medical advice could be dangerous as it over-complicates and obscures vital health messaging. Here, we detail some of the ways the woke language storm has engulfed the health service. Period page avoids 'women' and 'girls', instead uses 'people who bleed' MailOnline revealed the terms 'women' and 'girls' had been omitted from NHS backed guidance about periods. A website funded by the Welsh Government to give advice about menstruation omitted the words 'women' and 'girls' from its information. Instead the website, Bloody Brilliant, which cost the taxpayer 84,000, used the terms 'people who bleed' and 'half of the population'. Medics and campaigners described the language as 'infuriating' and 'confusing', warning it would complicate much needed health messaging for vulnerable girls. The website was set up in 2021 with the aim of 'breaking the taboo around periods by encouraging conversation on one of the most normal, natural topics'. MailOnline's exposure of the issue last month led to the branch of NHS Wales responsible for the advice stating language will now be changed to include 'women' and 'girls'. Bloody Brilliant, an NHS commissioned website on periods was heavily criticised for refusing to mention 'women' and 'girls', instead referring to 'people who bleed' NHS removes the word 'women' from its MENOPAUSE page MailOnline revealed the NHS's online guidance about the menopause had the terms 'women' and 'woman' removed. The webpage used to describe the condition as 'when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally'. But a new, gender-neutral description made in May, says: 'Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels'. The old advice also highlighted menopause usually occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, but about one in 100 women experience it before 40. But none of this information is included in the overview section of the updated webpage. In total six mentions of 'women' and 'woman' have been scrubbed from the page. Justifying the change, NHS Digital said they wanted language to be 'inclusive and respectful'. Experts warned that de-sexing the menopause page meant women with low English or health literacy could miss out and not read further. The NHS has quietly omitted the terms 'women' and 'woman' from its webpage on menopause. Pictured here is the older version of the menopause overview page (May 16) which mentioned women six times But the new version omits women from the overview entirely. Experts have warned women could be disadvantaged by de-gendered medical advice confusing health messaging NHS midwives told that sex is 'ASSIGNED' at birth Midwives denounced claims they 'assign' the sex of children at birth in a row on woke language. The wording came from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in an 'inclusivity' statement. Their document said: 'We recognise maternity and gynaecological services will be accessed by women, gender diverse individuals and people whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth.' But some midwives hit back at the colleges, arguing that they merely 'observe' the reality of a baby's sex at birth as opposed to deciding it themselves. Jo Gould, a midwife in Sussex, said she was 'ashamed' of her representative body and that the statement was 'nonsense' and 'offensive'. But the RCM said the phrase sex assigned at birth was used correctly arguing it is the UK governments Office for National Statistics legal terminology for the sex observed at birth and then recorded on the birth certificate. A statement on inclusivity from the Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has provoked outrage from some midwives on social media for using the term 'sex assigned at birth' NHS pregnancy advice refers to 'chestfeeding' and refuses to mention breasts The NHS was criticised over 'ideological' new advice for trans parents that failed to mention the word 'breast'. A page titled 'chestfeeding if you're trans or non-binary' makes no mention of breasts and refers to breast reduction operations as 'top surgery'. It was also accused of 'normalising' a potentially dangerous chest-binding technique. The guidance also encourages people to keep taking hormone transitioning drugs when they 'chestfeed', despite admitting 'it is unclear what effect this could have on your baby'. The advice was written a year prior to publication but was only issued online after nearly 12 months of internal NHS wrangling. It provoked concern among nurses and maternity experts, who said the advice fails to warn people about health risks of such practices to both parents and babies. The term chestfeeding is used throughout the page with the term 'breast' omitted. Breastmilk likewise has been replaced with 'milk from the chest' The page also says testosterone can pass through breast milk to babies but adds it is 'unclear' what affect passing the hormone on to a baby could have Critics of the page have said it normalises a potentially dangerous 'binding' technique used to make breasts smaller using fabric and which can cause a variety of health problems NHS bosses removed term 'WOMEN' on ovarian and womb cancer advice pages Official NHS advice pages about ovarian, womb, vaginal and cervix cancers were found to have quietly scrubbed the word 'women' from their webpages earlier this year. The term was missing from the landing pages of three sections explaining the cancers, which are only found in biological women. For example, the original version of the ovarian NHS cancer page featured the line: 'Ovarian cancer, or cancer of the ovaries, is one of the most common types of cancer in women.' Another line read: 'Ovarian cancer mainly affects women who have been through the menopause (usually over the age of 50), but it can sometimes affect younger women.' However, in an update sneaked out in January these were removed with the page now saying: 'Anyone with ovaries can get ovarian cancer, but it mostly affects those over 50.' The changes were made late in 2021 and early 2022 but only came to light in May. The old version of the NHS ovarian cancer page as of December 30 2021 (left) mentions women specifically twice, whereas the new version (right) omits them NHS reinstates the word women in its miscarriage advice In June, the health service added the word 'women' back to its miscarriage page following backlash. The health service replaced 'women who know they're pregnant' with 'people who know they are pregnant'. Another line on the page was also criticised for saying miscarriage 'only affects about one in 100 people' instead of women. Despite amending one of the sentences to state that having three consecutive miscarriages 'only affects about one in 100 women', other pages in the NHS guidance make no mention of women at all. A section called 'aftermath' refers to 'people' seven times but not once to women, including in its sub-paragraph about the emotional impact of a miscarriage. Another section titled 'causes' does mention women several times when attributing their age as a factor on their pregnancy, with one in ten expectant women under 30 having a miscarriage compared to five in ten over 45. NHS Digital has now partially amended the webpage to include the word 'women' once at the end NHS-backed guidance states transwomen can breastfeed Experts warned newborn babies could be harmed by woke NHS-backed guidance stating biologically born men can breastfeed. Guidance from the La Leche's charity linked to on the NHS's controversial 'chestfeeding' advice page states biological men who swap sex can stimulate milk supply using the Newman-Goldfarb protocol. But the procedure, which involves taking a powerful drug called domperidone, has been mired in controversy and is effectively banned in the US because of its side effects. NHS bosses only recommend it to women struggling to produce milk in some cases because domperidone carries a risk of giving a baby an irregular heartbeat. Experts told MailOnline how scientists have 'no idea about the implications', of breastfeeding in men and that the NHS should focus on improving access to breastfeeding rates for women. An NHS England spokesperson said the link to La Leche's advice on the chestfeeding guidance page was to an 'independent, non-profit support site' and added does not reflect NHS policy. Hospitals asking men if they are pregnant before scans In March, it was revealed that men were being asked if they are or could be pregnant before given radiotherapy by some NHS trusts. Male cancer patients, as well as those having X-rays and MRI scans, were asked if they were expecting a baby, because the word 'female' was replaced by 'individuals' for medical procedures. For example, the Walton Centre NHS in Liverpool now asks 'all patients under the age of 60, regardless of how you may identify your gender' whether they could be having a baby. The dangers that radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine pose to an unborn child mean medics must find out if biologically female patients are pregnant before carrying out the procedures. But campaigners warned the move could spark the beginning of a 'clinically dangerous' move to record only gender, and not sex, on medical records. Patients and their families have also complained of 'unnecessary confusion and agitation' for vulnerable patients. Student midwives being taught how to help biological MEN give birth In May this year, it was revealed that midwifery students at Edinburgh Napier University were being taught biological men could get pregnant and trans men could give birth even if they have a penis. In a coursebook that has since been revised, trainee midwives were given detailed instructions on how to treat a male-to-female trans person during childbirth. The book's introduction stated: 'You may be caring for a pregnant or birthing person who is transitioning from male to female and may still have external male genitalia.' Another section with photo demonstrations detailed how to fit a catheter in a person with a penis and scrotum during labour. The book also included special instructions for people with prostate glands which are exclusive to biological men who may feel particular 'discomfort'. Several experts criticised the university, describing the woke material as 'remarkably ignorant about basic biology, sex and anatomy'. Bosses at the university have now changed the wording to say, 'people transitioning from female to male' rather than 'male to female', following the uproar. NHS told to use inclusive birth terms to avoid offending transgender people NHS services were told to use 'inclusive' terms like 'chestfeeding' so trans pregnant people aren't offended by a Government-funded report published in April. Produced by charity the LGBT Foundation other suggestions of language change was avoiding terms like 'vaginal birth', recommending 'frontal' or 'lower birth' instead. The charity also says some trans and non-binary people would benefit from having a private space in hospitals to give birth, so that they are not made uncomfortable by seeing women. It detailed the experience of one trans person, who said: 'I didnt have to go to a ward full of women after giving birth, I was actually provided with a private room for me and baby which was very helpful and accommodating for me and my gender identity.' The report was based on a survey 121 trans Britons on their experience of pregnancy. It was commissioned by the Health & Wellbeing Alliance, a partnership between charities and the NHS, which is managed jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. NHS hospital tells staff to say 'birthing parents' and 'human milk' In February last year Brighton and Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust unveiled 'gender inclusive' phrases it wanted its staff to use. These included terms like 'birthing parents' and 'human milk' rather than 'mothers' and 'breast milk' to avoid offending transgender people. The Trust said using 'gender inclusive' phrases was part of a drive to stamp out 'mainstream transphobia'. Other changes include replacing the use of the word 'woman' with the phrase 'woman or person', and the term 'father' with 'parent', 'co-parent' or 'second biological parent', depending on the circumstances. The new terms will be used for documents, protocols and Trust-wide communication. The move was welcomed by inclusivity campaigners at the time, with the group TransActual tweeted: 'This is fantastic, well done. Let's hope many more trusts follow suit. Everybody deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.' But weight loss experts said yesterday that BMI should be replaced with the lesser-known waist-to-hip ratio It categorises people as underweight (below 18.5), healthy (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9) or obese (30+) Doctors have used BMI for two centuries, ever since it was devised by a Belgian mathematician in the 1830s Advertisement Is Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson fat? You'd be forgiven for thinking not, but according to official weight calculators the Hollywood hunk is technically obese. But the wrestler-cum-actor, famed for his chiseled physique, isn't the only superstar wrongly labelled by the Body Mass Index (BMI) formula. Fellow Fast and Furious actor Vin Diesel is also considered too flabby, with a BMI of 30 one shy of Dwayne. Meanwhile, The Terminator himself, the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger, sat dangerously close to the morbidly obese threshold at the peak of his physical fitness in the 1980s, with a whopping BMI of 33. Experts say the celebrity examples are proof that it is time to finally ditch the hated go-to measurement, which is crudely calculated by dividing your weight by height. Calls came to a head yesterday, as researchers said BMI should replaced with the lesser-known waist-to-hip ratio because it better predicts whether someone will die young. Devised by a Belgian mathematician in the 1830s, doctors have now relied on BMI for almost two centuries. It's used to categorise people as underweight (with a score below 18.5), healthy (18.5 to 24.9), overweight (25 to 29.9) or obese (30 or more). But it has one major flaw, critics insist. BMI is incapable of differentiating between fat distribution and muscle mass. Realistically, it means a rugby player and cough potato of the exact same height and weight would share scores even if the former has a ripped physique and the other carries a spare tyre. Hollywood hunk or hulk? Muscular celebrities like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Vin Diesel and Arnold Schwarzenegger are deemed obese under the Body Mass Index formula which is widely used by health authorities around the world. Some scientists are now arguing it should be replaced. Figures for Mr Schwarzenegger are from his 'peak' as a bodybuilder Waist-to-hip ratio is one of the contenders touted to replace BMI. It is calculated by dividing the circumference of your waist by that of your hips. Women with a ratio of 0.85 or more and men with a score of 0.9 or greater are deemed to have high risk levels of visceral fat Dr Arya Sharma, an obesity expert at the University of Alberta in Canada, told MailOnline the examples show how BMI measures how large someone is, not how obese. 'BMI is a measure of size, not health,' he said. 'Obesity is a medical diagnosis that should be based on the presence of health impairments resulting from excess body fat it is not diagnosed simply by stepping on a scale.' Ifran Khan, a medical student based at University College Cork who penned the latest paper calling for BMI to be ditched, said: 'It doesn't reliably predict risk of disease or mortality.' Judging WHR can help people work out if they are carrying excess weight around their middle, Mr Khan and fellow experts said. Studies have repeatedly shown this spare tyre, as it is colloquially known, can drive up the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. How to calculate your waist-to-hip ratio The waist-to-hip ratio is a measure indicating healthy levels of body fat. Use a tape measure to determine the circumference at you waist the smallest width of your natural waist, usually just above the belly button. Then do the same for your hips the widest part of your buttocks. Divide the waist measurement by the hips figure to determine the ratio. The value of the score differs for men and women. For women, a low risk score is 0.8 or below, while moderate risk is 0.81 to 0.85 and 0.85 or higher. In men it is 0.95 or below, 0.96 to 1 or 1 or higher. Advertisement The ratio is the circumference of your waist usually just above your belly button divided by that of your hips, or the widest part of your buttocks. Women with a ratio above 0.85 and men 0.9 are deemed to be at higher risk of the knock-on effects of obesity. Mr Khan said the celebrity examples demonstrated the flaws behind BMI. 'It exactly captures the main point of the study: regardless of your BMI, WHR remains consistent in its strength of predicting death,' he said. 'As seen by the photographs, even if they have an "obese BMI, that doesnt necessarily mean they have increased risk for disease or mortality.' Mr Khan and colleagues presented a study arguing why we should cease using the BMI scale at the annual meting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Stockholm. Their study tracked the health records of more than 50,000 adults who had died. The experts measured how likely a person was to die early based on their BMI, WHR or fat mass index, which, similar to BMI, accounts for the amount of fat someone has compared to their height. Results showed having a higher WHR increased the risk of death linearly. This meant the risk of an early death was lowest for those with the smallest waist-to-hip proportion, before steadily increasing as the figure rose. For comparison, those with either an extremely high or low BMI or FMI had a higher risk of death, compared to those in the middle. HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR BODY MASS INDEX - AND WHAT IT MEANS Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on your weight in relation to your height. Standard Formula: BMI = (weight in pounds / (height in inches x height in inches)) x 703 Metric Formula: BMI = (weight in kilograms / (height in meters x height in meters)) Measurements: Under 18.5: Underweight Underweight 18.5 - 24.9: Healthy Healthy 25 - 29.9: Overweight Overweight 30 - 39.9: Obese Obese 40+ : Morbidly obese Advertisement This, the authors claimed, means that WHR was the better predicator of early death of any kind than the other kinds of obesity measurement. Mr Khan said: 'BMI's major limitation is that it doesn't take into account differences in fat distribution. 'This could mean that someone who has accumulated fat around their waist will have the same BMI as someone of the same age and height who stores their fat around the hips, despite the health risks of abdominal fat. 'WHR, however, better reflects levels of abdominal fat, including visceral fat, which wraps around the organs deep inside the body. 'With WHR the message is simply [that] the lower the WHR, the lower your mortality risk.' He added: 'Clinical recommendations and interventions should prioritise setting healthy WHR targets rather than general BMI targets. 'A more accurate measure of a healthy body shape may make a significant difference to the ill health and deaths caused by type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some cancers and numerous other conditions.' Criticism of BMI's inaccuracy is not new, however. Even the NHS itself warns about its flaws, including the muscle vs fat issue. It also says it shouldn't be used for pregnant women due to the inevitable weight gain as a baby develops in the womb. BMI also doesn't pick up some obesity risks from differing ethnic backgrounds. For examples studies have shown people from a South Asian background have a greater genetic risk of type 2 diabetes if they have a BMI over 23, which is considered a healthy score for other groups. However, some argue that BMI is the most useful indicator we have for weight and health for the general population. And others have argued using WHR has its own problems. Responding to the most recent study, Professor Nick Finer, a consultant based at University College London, said: 'It is well established that BMI is an imperfect measure.' He added, however, that 'there is a problem about relying on the waist-hip ratio as a measure of obesity severity'. This is 'because it changes little with modest weight loss and so does not necessarily reflect health improvements'. More than 42million adults in the UK will be overweight or obese by 2040, according to projections by Cancer Research UK It comes after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said in April that people should ensure their waist measurement is less than half their height to keep health problems at bay. Adults with a body mass index (BMI) under 35 should measure their own waist-to-height ratio as part of wider plans to tackle obesity, it said. Excess bodyweight is considered one of Britain's biggest and ever-expanding health issues, with the latest data showing 64 per cent of adults are overweight, and more of us are predicted to grow fatter in the future. Obesity doesn't just expand British waistlines but health care costs, with the NHS spending an estimated 6.1 billion on treating weight-related disease like diabetes, heart disease and some cancers between 2014 to 2015. In the US an estimated 73.6 per cent of adults are considered either overweight or obese. What should be done to tackle the Britain's ever-burgeoning waistlines is up for debate. New Prime Minister Liz Truss is said to be considered scrapping a range of anti-obesity 'nanny-state' measures with the supposed aim of helping the cost-of-living crisis. The move prompted a coalition of 70 health organisations to write to Ms Truss today, expressing their 'profound concern' about the rumoured reversals. But Bay says that she is still struggling with pain daily, and that her body now feels like it is trapped inside that of an old woman She was also put on medication to help with pain that put her into menopause Surgery was performed to cut out two 'grapefruit sized' cysts on her right ovary A 33-year-old woman who faced periods that were so painful they felt like her 'insides were being ripped apart' was shocked to be diagnosed with two 'grapefruit-sized' cysts on her right ovary. Farren Bay, from California, had been suffering the pain since her early teens but was constantly told by doctors she had constipation or a urinary tract infection (UTI). It was only when she collapsed on the floor gasping for air at the age of 26 that medics finally diagnosed her with endometriosis where tissue forming the uterus lining grows in other areas, like the ovaries, leading to severe pain. The hospital technician has now had surgery to remove the cysts and being put on medication to ease the pain. But she said the first round of drugs triggered a temporary menopause, and that she still suffers nausea leaving her feeling like she is 'trapped' in the body of an elderly person. Doctors say she is still able to have children, but only via her left ovary and fallopian tube after the cysts struck on the other side of her body. Farren Bay, now 33 and from California, was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2015 after she collapsed on the floor gasping for air the pain was so severe. She had been to doctors since her early teens but was told she either had constipation or a urinary tract infection (UTI) Scans revealed she had two 'grapefruit-sized' cysts on her right ovary (Shown above is a picture from the surgery). These were removed during an operation The hospital technician (shown after surgery) was then put on pills to help ease the pain, but said they left her with hot flushes and memory loss. She was then switched to a separate treatment, but said she was still suffering pain from them Endometriosis is a painful condition where tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of it, such as in the ovaries and fallopian tubes. When this breaks down every month the blood fails to drain away, leading cysts to form. About 11 percent of American women or 6.1 million are thought to have the condition, which leaves them struggling with pelvic pain, pain during sex and indigestion among other symptoms. Endometriosis: What is it, what are the symptoms and how can it be treated? What is endometriosis? Endometriosis is a condition where tissue that covers the inside of the uterus, the endometrium, appears in other parts of the body including the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It bleeds just as it would when lining the uterus, with the blood becoming stuck instead of draining away leading to cysts forming. About six to 11 percent of American women have the condition, which normally strikes in the 30s and 40s. But it can take years to diagnose because the symptoms may be confused for a bad period. Endometriosis causes There is no known cause of endometriosis, although one theory posits that family genetics plays a large part. Other potential causes are immune system issues and complications from menstrual periods, where the tissue shed ends up flowing to other parts of the body. Endometriosis symptoms Main endometriosis symptoms include chronic pelvic, lower back and abdominal pain that may be worse than normal during a period; experiencing pain during sexual intercourse, painful bowel movements; bloating and nausea. Painful periods and difficulty getting pregnant are other key symptoms. Experiencing heavy periods and infertility are noted as being symptomatic of endometriosis. Endometriosis diagnosis The doctor will conduct a pelvic exam and may perform an ultrasound, however, a laparoscopy is currently the only way to confirm an endometriosis diagnosis. A laparoscopy is a procedure that involves the doctor making a small incision in the abdomen and passing a small tube through it to see if there are any patches of endometriosis tissue. Endometriosis treatment There is no cure for endometriosis. However, hospitals offer treatments that can ease the symptoms. These include painkillers such as paracetamol, hormone medicines and contraceptives like the pill, the contraceptive patch and an IUS. Surgery to cut out the endometriosis tissue or parts of the organ affected are also options. Advertisement But it can often take years to diagnose because warning signs are regularly dismissed as just 'bad periods' by medics. It is also hard to diagnose, as this can only be done via a scan or surgery where doctors look inside the pelvic area to check for rogue uterus tissue. Treatment options include surgery to remove any cysts, and medicines to trigger a temporary menopause and relieve the pain. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) can also be inserted to help period fluid drain away. Bay said despite complaining to doctors repeatedly in her early teens, it took until she 2015 to get a diagnosis. In her case they used laparoscopic surgery to detect the condition where a small incision is made in the abdomen and tube inserted to check for uterus tissue growing elsewhere in the body. She then had surgery to remove the cysts, and was then put on prescription drug Lupron Depot which stops periods to help ease the pain. But Bay said she had a 'terrible experience' with the medication that left her suffering 'insomnia, hot flushes, mood swings, bone pain and memory loss'. She added: 'The drugs put you into a medically-induced menopause it was absolutely horrible.' Doctors later switched her to a separate medication, but Bay said it did not work which led her to for a time 'stop [taking] everything altogether'. She is now on another medication, but says the condition still causes her pain and leaves her feeling 'angry, confused, upset and alone'. 'The pain put me out of a job as a hospital technician in December 2020 for over a year,' she said. 'I couldn't pay my rent, afford my car, daily necessities, or even food not to mention the cost of surgeries and medications that kept piling up in debt.' Bay says she still suffers nausea and fatigue every day, as well as pain in her pelvis, hips and knees. 'At the age of 33, my body can't do the things I want it to it's disheartening,' she said. 'It also affects my relationships with people in my life, because it's hard to socialize. Sometimes, I suffer constant nausea and am so fatigued I barely want to go out. 'My body feels like it's trapped inside an elderly woman.' Bay returned to work in March 2022, but has only been able to go part-time due to the symptoms. She is forced to rely on some financial support from her parents. Describing her symptoms pre-diagnosis, she said: 'I remember my insides feeling like they were being ripped apart in my early and teen years, and even as an adult.' Doctors repeatedly said I had a UTI or constipation, she said, but my symptoms persisted even after treatment. In July 2015, at the age of 26, she called her father to ask for help because the pain was so severe. 'When he found me, I was collapsed on the floor, gasping for air,' Bay said. 'The paramedics came and I was rushed to the hospital to find out that I had two cysts the size of grapefruits on my right ovary. 'They admitted me to observe me and I was told, by my gynecologist at the time, that if I didn't feel better by morning that surgery would be the best option. 'She removed the cysts [in surgery] and during my follow-up appointment, I found out I was diagnosed with endometriosis.' In December 2020, Bay (shown left, and right her stomach after surgery), had to take more than a year off work due to the pain which left her struggling to pay bills and even get food on the table. She had to rely on her parents for some financial aid Bay is aiming to raise awareness of endometriosis (shown above after surgery). About 11 percent of American women have the condition, estimates suggest, but it is often misdiagnosed She has spoken out about her illness to raise awareness of the condition and help others in a similar place. She said: 'The disease can be lonely people will make you feel ashamed or "crazy" for having the feelings that you do when dealing with it. 'Endometriosis is a whole-body disease. You're in pain and your feelings are valid. 'I hope that sharing my story will help many other people either get diagnosed or feel less alone because this disease is very isolating.' Scientists have found a way to repair fibers damaged fibers in the spine that do not repair themselves after significant injury in what could be a major step towards reversing some forms of paralysis. A team from the Imperial College London, in England, were able to stimulate the regeneration of axon fibers in the spine of mice three months after they had suffered a devastating spinal injury that left them unable to walk. These fibers have no regenerative properties and will While the mice did not regain their ability to walk, this is the first time doctors have been able to repair these fibers in the spine, opening the door for further research into fixing damage caused by spinal cord injury (SCI). An estimated 300,000 Americans are suffering from SCI, with around 18,000 cases being recorded each year. While physical therapy and other forms of treatment can help a person slowly regain some function, there are not reliable ways to repair a damaged spine and cure a person's SCI-related paralysis. Researchers found that the molecule TTK21 could repair axons in the spine, which do not usually regenerate after a severe spinal injury. Mice included in the study who did see their spines recover did not regain the ability to walk, though (file photo) In a study published in PLOS on Tuesday, researchers tested whether the molecule TTK21 could be used to activate axon regeneration in mice suffering from SCI. In previous studies, researchers found that the molecule would was up to the task if applied shortly after injury, but there was no existing data on whether it would be effective for chronic SCI. Each of the mice were treated for ten weeks, half with TTK21 and the others with a control treatment. After completion of treatment, researchers found that new axons were sprouting in the spinal cord. Axons are fibers that are responsible for carrying signals and impulses between nerve cells. When damaged, the body can no longer send signals from the brain through the nervous system, making motor functions impossible. Spinal cord injury can be devastating and cause permanent loss of motion in the limbs Spinal cord injury (SCI) can be devastating, and often occur as a result of a traumatic injury There are no outright cures for SCI but physical therapy can help a person slowly regain their motor function There are two primary forms of paralysis caused by SCI, quadriplegia and paraplegia A quadriplegic suffers damage to all four of their limbs and many of their organs. The paralysis affects almost the entire body Paraplegics suffer damage below their waste and often lose motor functioning in their legs Around 300,000 Americans are suffering from SCI, with around 17,000 others suffering a devastating injury each year Source: Mayo Clinic and The Miami Project Advertisement They do not repair themselves when damaged, making injury to the nervous system - and specifically the spinal cord where many nerves are linked to brain - both permanent and devastating. Axons that were affected by the injury stopped retracting as well, and growth in sensory axons among the treated mice increased as well. Unfortunately, despite the axon growth, the paralyzed mice did not regain the ability to walk, and showed no actual improvements in motor function. Researchers are still hopeful that TTK21 can serve as a base for treatment for paralysis in the future. 'This work shows that a drug called TTK21 that is administered systemically once/week after a chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) in animals can promote neuronal regrowth and an increase in synapses that are needed for neuronal transmission,' Simone Di Giovanni, lead researcher from the college, said in a statement. 'This is important because chronic spinal cord injury is a condition without a cure where neuronal regrowth and repair fail. 'We are now exploring the combination of this drug with strategies that bridge the spinal cord gap such as biomaterials as possible avenues to improve disability in SCI patients.' Spinal injuries are devastating and more frequent than some may believe. The Miami Project reports that around 300,000 Americans are currently living with a spinal injury. Around 17,000 others will suffer an injury each year. A vast majority of cases, 80 percent, are among males. In 20 percent of cases, the injured person will suffer complete paraplegia - totally losing motion below the waste. Currently, there are no medicines to treat SCI, and instead patients are subject to years of physical therapy if they hope to recover. Osprey said last week that soaring electricity wholesale prices had forced it to increase its public charging rates to a record 1 per kWh Electric car chargepoint operators have urged the Chancellor to cut VAT on public charging or risk a dramatic slowdown in demand for low-emission vehicles. Bosses at 23 companies signed a letter urging Kwasi Kwarteng to make the 'simple, relatively low-cost intervention' as the rise in electricity prices 'threatens consumers' willingness' to switch to EVs. Drivers who cannot charge at home because they do not have off-street parking pay four times more tax for electricity when using public chargepoints. One of the charging providers signing the letter, Osprey, last week announced it was hiking its rates to a record 1 per kWh at its network of rapid devices due to soaring wholesale electricity prices. VAT on domestic electricity is 5 per cent whereas motorists using on-street chargers pay 20 per cent. Campaign group FairCharge, which is fronted by former Top Gear host expert Quentin Willson, has for months been calling on the Government to introduce VAT parity to help electric car owners who are without domestic charging facilities during the cost of living crisis. The Government confirmed this week a new Energy Bill Relief Scheme that will provide a discount on wholesale costs for all non-domestic customers from October. However, this will only remain in place until March, with operators warning of a cliff-edge impact on public charging costs early next year. Reducing taxation on the use of public devices would instead offer immediate - and longer-lasting - financial relief to those who are have no option but to charge their cars away from home. And with around a third of UK homes not having off-street parking, the letter warns that without urgent action the Government is 'severely threatening' its own decarbonisation targets. Such a cut would immediately feed through to a reduction in prices Letter from chargepoint operators to the Chancellor The letter was signed by chargepoint operators including Ionity, Instavolt and Osprey ahead of Mr Kwarteng's mini-budget on Friday. Last week, Osprey boss Ian Johnston, said the company had been put in a 'difficult position' by a lack of Government support in the face of sky-rocketing wholesale electricity prices, leaving it no option but to hike charges for customers for a second time in just eight weeks. It increased rates by over 50 per cent from 66p to 1 per kWh - that's three times the average of 34p per kWh for domestic charging from 1 October. Bosses at 23 companies urged Kwasi Kwarteng to make the 'simple, relatively low-cost intervention' as the rise in electricity prices 'threatens consumers' willingness' to switch to EVs The letter was signed by chargepoint operators including Ionity, Instavolt and Osprey ahead of Mr Kwarteng's mini-budget on Friday Following the Energy Bill Relief Scheme announcement, Osprey said it would be reviewing its pricing again in the hope it will slash the 1-a-kWh cost of accessing its charging network - and has backed FairCharge's call for the VAT reduction. The letter sent to Mr Kwarteng on the eve of the mini-Budget stated: 'We write to highlight the severe threat that high and volatile electricity costs are having on the Government's stated ambitions to decarbonise transport with the switch to electric vehicles and your ambitious plans for the development of a comprehensive public charge point network.' It went on: 'One quick solution, that is totally within your control, is to heed the Fair Charge campaign's call for an immediate cut in VAT on the electricity delivered by our networks. 'Such a cut would immediately feed through to a reduction in prices. Further, it would show the strength of the Government's continued commitment to transport decarbonisation.' Drivers who cannot charge at home because they do not have off-street parking pay four times more tax for electricity when using public chargepoints Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show the rapid increase in sales of new pure electric cars has slowed in recent months. The number of registrations during the first three months of the year was 102 per cent more than during the same period in 2021. Quentin Willson says the Treasury needs to act now on public EV charging costs At the end of August, the year-to-date increase had fallen to 49 per cent. Willson says the Treasury 'needs to act now on EV charging costs'. He continued: 'This is a critical moment in the transition to electric cars, and the Government must not be allowed to unintentionally sabotage this transition. 'It's also huge opportunity for this new Government to prove its green credentials and show it is serious about net zero.' RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: 'Chargepoint operators have had no choice in recent months but to increase their charges to reflect the enormous increases in the wholesale cost of electricity, and this is something we could well see worsen in the next few months. 'Cutting the 20 per cent VAT rate on public chargers to match the 5 per cent charged on domestic electricity would cost the Government little in the grand scheme of things and is absolutely the right thing to do. 'What's more, it would be those drivers who depend on the public charging network including those who can't charge at home who would benefit the most, helping to end the current inequity between those with driveways and those without.' The Chancellor of the Exchequer will today set out plans for a wave of financial deregulation that has been dubbed Big Bang 2.0. Kwasi Kwarteng is to reveal some of the reforms alongside a mini-Budget which is expected to represent the biggest set of tax-cutting measures in more than 30 years. The deregulation plans will herald a wider package of measures to be set out later in the autumn. Growth targets: Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's (pictured) mini-Budget is expected to represent the biggest set of tax-cutting measures in more than 30 years Though details were last night yet to be made public, the idea of pushing ahead with the long-promised scrapping of red tape won a broad welcome in some quarters. Lord Tyrie, the former MP who once led the Commons Treasury committee and later chaired the UKs competition watchdog, said: The regulatory framework needs frequent review if it is to remain effective and proportionate. The idea echoes the original Big Bang of 1986 when deregulation of the City of London under the Thatcher government prefigured its rise as a global financial centre. Kwarteng proposed a Big Bang 2.0 during a meeting with banking bosses on his first full day in office this month. He told 14 executives that the Government would pursue an unashamedly pro-growth agenda. The package looks set to include reform to regulation of pension funds and insurers so that they can release more capital for investment, as well as changes to stock market listings rules to make the UK more attractive for company flotations. Prime Minister Liz Truss told a business round table in New York this week: We want the City to be the most competitive place for financial services in the world, and we see that as a key part of the levelling up agenda. When we unblock capital, that capital will be used across the UK to make every industry become more productive and competitive. The plans look likely to build on proposed financial services legislation introduced to Parliament earlier this year. The new government has already signalled that it wants to scrap a cap on bankers bonuses. A spokesman for industry lobby group The City UK said the Government looked keen to go even further than what was already in the bill before Parliament but cautioned: Regulation cannot be done at a mile a minute. Changes you make have implications on your trading relationships around the world. Dealing with Solvency II rules governing the insurance industry is among issues on the cards. Also likely to be in the spotlight will be MiFID, a package of EU regulation including rules on company research seen as hindering the ability of small companies to raise capital. There would be broad applause across industry should the Government be able to move more quickly, the spokesman for The City UK said. Saudi Arabia said Thursday it will launch a training program with the goal of sending its own astronauts, including a woman, into space next year. The kingdom is actively promoting science and technology as part of its wide-ranging Vision 2030 plan to overhaul its economy and reduce its dependency on oil. The plan, championed by Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also calls for greater integration of women into the workforce of the conservative Muslim country. Saudi Arabia lifted a long-standing ban on women driving in 2018. ''The Saudi Astronaut Program, which is an integral part of the Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030, will send Saudi astronauts into space to help better serve humanity,'' the Saudi Space Commission said in a statement. "One of the astronauts will be a Saudi woman, whose mission to space will represent a historical first for the Kingdom." The first Arab or Muslim to travel to space was Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan bin Salman, a half-brother of the crown prince and an air force pilot who was part of the seven-member crew of NASA's Discovery mission in 1985. He later served as head of the Saudi Space Commission from 2018 until last year, when he was appointed an adviser to King Salman. The neighboring United Arab Emirates has the Arab world's leading space program, having launched a probe into Mars' orbit in February 2021. The UAE plans to launch its first lunar rover in November. If the moon mission succeeds, the UAE and Japan, which is providing the lander, would join the ranks of only the U.S., Russia and China as nations that have put a spacecraft on the lunar surface. (AP) The asset management firm set up by Jacob Rees-Mogg is exploring a sell-off that could net millions for the new Business Secretary. Somerset Capital, which manages about 4.4billion, could merge with another money manager. Chief executive Dominic Johnson is preparing to step down ahead of a potential move into politics. Johnson, a former Conservative party vice-chairman, co-founded Somerset with Rees-Mogg 15 years ago. Payout: Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg founded Somerset Capital, which manages about 4.4bn, with former Conservative party vice-chairman Dominic Johnson The Business Secretary still owns a stake in the low to mid-teens and receives dividends, while Johnson has around 15 per cent. Somersets own value has suffered in recent years, with profits falling thanks to a sell-off in emerging markets and a general global market downturn. Its profits were down 34 per cent to 9.7million during the 12 months to March 2021, while turnover slumped by 20 per cent. But analysts believe it could still fetch as much as 70million. It is understood one potential buyer is Emso Asset Management, which also specialises in emerging markets. Rees-Mogg has had limited input in recent years, having resigned from his advisory role at Somerset in 2019 when he was appointed to the Cabinet. The woman's parents are now looking to evict her if she continues to not pay rent VCAT threw out the case and there was no formal rental agreement set up Parents took their daughter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal A woman, 22, was taken to a tribunal for not paying rent while living at home A Victorian woman who was taken to a tribunal by her parents for not paying rent while she lived with them is now facing eviction. The woman, 22, was taken to the Victorian Civil and Administrative (VCAT) Tribunal by her parents, who wanted her to pay a share of their rental costs. But the tribunal ultimately threw out the case as there was no formal rental agreement between both parties. A woman, 22, living at home has been taken to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (pictured) by her parents because she refused to contribute to the rent Real estate rental guru Richard Saville (pictured), the founder and director of Break Your Lease, says the 'adult child' should consider moving out of home By law, parents have no legal right to make their son or daughter pay rent while they live at the family home. However, they also have no obligation to provide their children with accommodation and can evict their son or daughter at any time, with or without reason. The woman's parents are now looking to evict her if she continues to refuse to pay rent. A friend of the woman asked real estate rental guru Richard Saville, the founder and director of Break Your Lease, about what she could do to stop her parents from evicting her. 'A good way to move forward from this situation is through calling in a mediation service to help with the communication between parents and adult child, and create a pathway,' he wrote in a column for Nine.com.au. The case was dropped as there was no rental agreement set up between both parties. The parents are now looking to evict their daughter (stock image) 'This may be a board arrangement setting a price and listing acceptable behaviours, or perhaps setting a date for the adult child to leave,' he explained. 'The adult child will need to do some preparation by looking at rental prices and availability of alternate accommodation and remember to budget for the utilities, power, water, and internet/phone and food expenses.' Saville said VCAT was correct in throwing out the case as there was no rental agreement between both parties. However he understood why the parents would want their daughter to contribute to the rent. 'The cost of living has increased so much that it is understandable for a household to share costs,' he said. He recommended the young woman begin looking for alternative accommodation. Almost three years after a special commission report made recommendations to tackle the hold of meth on regional NSW, the Perrottet government has committed $500 million to combat the scourge. In a long-awaited response to the 109 recommendations, Premier Dominic Perrottet announced $358 million would be spent to close gaps in the system and improve outcomes. Pre-court drug diversions for low level offences will be introduced for people without prior convictions, giving people a chance to undertake courses and counselling rather than go through the courts. More than $141 million will be allocated for justice system initiatives aiming to address the underlying causes of drug use and the impact it has on other offending (pictured, a drug user) More than $141 million will be allocated for justice system initiatives aiming to address the underlying causes of drug use and the impact it has on other offending. The $10.8 million inquiry received more than 250 submissions and was handed down in January 2020. The government quickly rejected a number of recommendations such as decriminalising drugs, introducing pill testing and eradicating drug dogs, but the final response did not come until Wednesday. People who use drugs will have more opportunities to get help before they end up in jail, but there is still 'zero tolerance for drugs'. Some of the special commission's recommendations were scrapped, including decriminalising drugs and getting rid of drug dogs (pictured, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on Wednesday) Mr Perrottet said he did not believe in decriminalisation, Police Minister Paul Toole said the government's response was 'not about going soft on drugs' and Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the force would target 'those that create the problem that we're trying to deal with'. Nothing changes for drug suppliers, importers and distributors, but their customers and victims, especially those who do not want to be addicted to drugs anymore, will have more options. Specialist drug courts will be expanded, with Sydney's to run five days a week instead of one. An Indigenous court list and other culturally-geared initiatives such as the Youth Koori Court and Circle Sentencing will also be boosted through the justice response. The pre-court drug diversions for low level offences will be similar to a scheme that already operates for cannabis, however Attorney-General Mark Speakman says they will remain separate. 'We believe ice and other prohibited drugs should be treated differently to cannabis,' he said. Early intervention in prioritised rural and regional populations (Indigenous, pregnant, young, or mentally ill people), upgrading capacity for telehealth consults and other virtual healthcare, and hiring more staff are part of the health response. The government says about 30,000 people impacted by alcoholism or dependency on other drugs will benefit, along with more than 11,000 people who have 'alcohol and other drug related offending behaviour'. The NSW Bar Association has said a statewide decriminalisation scheme was one of four 'no-brainer' recommendations that need to be enacted as soon as possible. The commissioner who led the inquiry, Dan Howard, has said he was distressed by the government's 'hard-line' approach to drugs. There was an imbalance in how much Australia spent on policing compared to harm reduction and 'helping people who need help', he told ABC radio on Tuesday . 'The whole drug and alcohol sector is grossly underfunded and has been for years,' Professor Howard said. The current approach drove drug users into the shadows, instead of helping them seek treatment. A terminally ill woman who billionaire Gerry Harvey tried to evict from one of his rural properties has made final arrangements to die in the home. Peggy Luker lived rent-free in a house at Kurrajong, 75km north west of Sydney, with her de facto husband Garry Dent for eight years until he died aged 80 in 2017. Mr Dent had worked for Mr Harvey as a contractor for a decade and a half before his death and the pair had been friends for 50 years. Ms Luker, who is dying of cancer, believed the property had belonged to her late partner but shortly after Mr Dent's funeral the Harvey Norman co-founder told her to 'move out and get the pension'. Billionaire Gerry Harvey was trying to evict a dying woman from a house she shared with her late de facto husband who was a friend of the entrepreneur for 50 years. Mr Harvey, the co-founder of Harvey Norman, is pictured with wife Katie Page Peggy Luker lived rent-free on a property at Kurrajong, 75km north west of Sydney, for eight years with her long-time partner Garry Dent until he died aged 80 in 2017. Ms Luker and Mr Dent are pictured The dispute was to play out in the NSW Supreme Court earlier this month but was settled before it went to hearing. Ms Luker was unable to continue with the case because her health had deteriorated so severely. The terms of the settlement cannot be disclosed but it appears Ms Luker and Mr Harvey each had some success. A title search with NSW Land Registry Services confirms the Kurrajong property is still owned by one of Mr Harvey's companies, G Harvey Nominees Pty Ltd. Daily Mail Australia has also become aware Ms Luker and her doctor signed a NSW Health document in June which stipulates she intends to die at the Kurrajong address. The document is titled 'death certification arrangements for expected home death'. 'This form will assist with timely removal of the body from the patient's home and give certainty about who will complete the medical certificate of cause of death,' it states. A title search with NSW Land Registry Services shows the house Peggy Luker occupies at Kurrajong is still owned by G Harvey Nominees Pty Ltd (highlighted above) The document does not preclude Ms Luker being taken to hospital but that would be against her last wishes. A representative for 83-year-old Mr Harvey confirmed to Daily Mail Australia earlier this month the legal action against Ms Luker had finished. 'Mr Harvey is very happy the matter has resolved and wishes Peggy Luker all the best for the future,' the representative said. 'No further comment will be made as the settlement terms are confidential.' Ms Luker's lawyer Christopher Crawley said at the time his client had been too ill to continue with the court case. 'Unfortunately, Peggy Luker was required for cross-examination and was unable to continue with the case as her health had severely deteriorated,' Mr Crawley said. Mr Harvey, now worth an estimated $2.83billion, said earlier this week he had a 'blessed life' and his own health meant far more to him than money. Mr Harvey had asked Mr Dent to help him subdivide 40 hectares of land (pictured) he bought with his first wife in 1972 and wanted to sell as 15 individual lots A $4million mare he owned had died recently and despite the horse not being insured Mr Harvey thought about the monetary loss 'for five minutes at the most'. 'In the big picture, I'm still alive, I'm still healthy,' he told news.com.au. 'I would've given away every penny I've got just to be healthy. 'The money side of it, your assets, I couldn't give a damn. At the end of the day you've got to be happy and healthy, nothing else matters.' Ms Luker had a failed kidney transplant eight years ago and developed skin cancer from medication she took to stop the organ's rejection. Doctors told the now 68-year-old there was no more they could do to prevent the cancer spreading to other parts of her body and the disease would kill her. After Mr Dent's death five years ago thought she could go on living at the Kurrajong house because she believed it belonged to her partner. Mr Harvey had even delivered a eulogy at Mr Dent's funeral. She fought an eviction notice issued on Mr Harvey's behalf by suing G Harvey Nominees Pty Ltd, the trust listed as owning the property. An agent acting of behalf of Gerry Harvey sent Ms Luker this eviction notice in June 2020. 'There is no written lease or licence agreement between You and the Landlord in relation to your occupation of the Property' Ms Luker stated she learnt the property was still in the name of the trustee only after Mr Dent's death - the same time Mr Harvey said he learnt Ms Luker believed it was hers. She had been terrified of being turfed out of the house and feared she would end up living on the street. Mr Harvey, while sympathetic to Ms Luker's circumstances, said in an affidavit he never gave the house to Mr Dent and he wished to sell the property. After years of dispute Mr Harvey visited the property in June 2020 in an attempt to convince Ms Luker to move out, The Age newspaper reported last year. According to Mr Harvey's affidavit he told Ms Luker: 'Maybe you can get into a housing commission or something. Surely you have a Plan B?' Ms Luker said Gerry Harvey told her partner Garry Dent the couple could live on this property rent free and then take a slice of the profit when it was sold. They later moved to another house Ms Luker stated in an affidavit sworn on her behalf that Mr Dent was a property developer who had been a friend of Mr Harvey for about 50 years years. 'The deceased worked for the Harvey Norman group of companies and in the general interests of Gerry's various corporations until he was 80 years old when he died unexpectedly,' the document said. Ms Luker and Mr Dent - who had three children from a previous marriage - had lived together for 23 years and to her knowledge he had died without a will. According to Ms Luker's affidavit, Mr Dent had solved a problem for Mr Harvey in 2001 when poor car park access to a Harvey Norman store at Penrith was causing the business to lose money. A spokesman for Mr Harvey told Daily Mail Australia: 'Mr. Harvey is very happy the matter has resolved and wishes Peggy Luker all the best for the future' Mr Harvey then asked Mr Dent to help him subdivide 40 hectares of land he had bought with his first wife in 1972 and now wanted to sell as 15 individual lots. The land at Kurrajong had a 28 hectare sanctuary in the middle which was fenced off to protect wildlife and featured nature walks and a bicycle track. According to Ms Luker's affidavit, Mr Dent advised Mr Harvey he could attract buyers by building a luxury home on one of the larger vacant blocks. The old friends allegedly agreed Mr Harvey would spend $800,000 on that house, which Mr Dent and Ms Luker would then live in and maintain until all the lots were sold. When that first house on Patterson Lane was sold the couple would keep whatever difference there was between $1,300,000 and the sale price, according to Ms Luker. Mr Harvey stated in his affidavit there was no legal agreement to share profits from the sale and Mr Dent never complained about the situation. Ms Luker stated Mr Harvey rang to express sympathy when Mr Dent died and delivered a eulogy at his funeral in the Trinity Grammar School Chapel at Summer Hill When the house sold for $1,700,000 about four years after it was built, Mr Harvey built another house on a smaller block for Mr Dent and Ms Luker instead of paying the couple $400,000. In her affidavit Ms Luker said Mr Harvey never increased Mr Dent's salary from $5,000 a month in 15 years but her partner told her, 'He won't agree to a raise, don't forget, we have the house'. Ms Luker stated Mr Harvey rang to express sympathy when Mr Dent died and delivered a eulogy at his funeral in the Trinity Grammar School Chapel at Summer Hill. Two weeks later, according to her affidavit, Ms Luker rang Mr Harvey to 'clarify about the house situation' and he told her the original alleged deal was 'nonsense'. Mr Harvey allegedly told Ms Luker that Mr Dent 'was not his responsibility and she was to move out and get the pension.' Mr Harvey - 'representing Harvey Norman where Garry worked for 15 years' - is listed as one of two speakers who gave eulogies at Mr Dent's funeral Ms Luker stated in her affidavit she tried to resolve all her issues with Mr Harvey for three years before receiving a notice to leave the property on June 18, 2020. 'You have occupied the Property rent free as a tenant at will,' that letter said. 'The Landlord requires You to vacate the Property on or before 10:00am on 20 August 2020.' Mr Harvey is chairman of Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd which owns the retail giants Harvey Norman, Domayne and Joyce Mayne. He is also a noted race horse owner and breeder. Far-right Republican Ohio congressional candidate J.R. Majewski's claims he is an Air Force combat veteran who deployed to Afghanistan after the 911 terrorist attacks have been debunked, according to the Associated Press. The Trump-backed candidate has campaigned as a military veteran who claims to have endured 'tough' conditions serving in Afghanistan, including a lack of running water that forced him to go more than 40 days without a shower. But military documents obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request indicate Majewski never deployed to Afghanistan. They show that in fact his 'combat service' involved completing a six-month stint helping to load planes as a 'passenger operations specialist' at an air base in Qatar, a comfortable US ally that was a safe distance from the fighting. Before that, the records state that Majewski was based at Kadena Air Base in Japan for much of his active-duty service. J.R. Majewski, Republican candidate for U.S. Representative for Ohio's 9th Congressional District, has claimed that he served in Afghanistan as a combat veteran, but military records show this to be false Majewski photographed receiving an endorsement from Donald Trump on September 17 during his congressional campaigning The AP reported on these remarks in its article: Here's video of J.R. Majewski claiming he served a tour of duty in Afghanistan and then saying, "I don't like talking about my military experience." pic.twitter.com/glmlqFmfMW Eric Hananoki (@ehananoki) September 21, 2022 Yet just last year Majewksi tweeted about 'going back to Afghanistan' amid the chaotic scramble to pull US forces out of the country. In interviews Majewski has been far less forthcoming when asked about the specifics of his service, having claimed to have served in Afghanistan in 2002 and 2003. In a 2021 interview on the One American Podcast, Majeski confirmed that he served one tour in Afghanistan, describing it as 'tough'. 'I don't like talking about my military experience,' he said. 'I really don't like to divulge a lot of things about the military because for me it was a tough time in life. You know, the military wasn't easy.' Throughout his campaign Majewski has offered his Air Force service as a valuable credential. The tagline 'veteran for Congress' appears on campaign merchandise. He ran a Facebook ad promoting himself as 'combat veteran.' And in a campaign video released this year, Majewski marauds through a vacant factory with a rifle while pledging to restore an America that is 'independent and strong like the country I fought for.' More recently, the House Republican campaign committee released a biography that describes Majewski as a veteran whose 'squadron was one of the first on the ground in Afghanistan after 9/11.' A campaign ad posted online Tuesday by Majewski supporters flashed the words 'Afghanistan War Veteran' across the screen alongside a picture of a younger Majewski in his dress uniform. Military records show that Majewski's 'combat service' involved completing a six-month stint helping to load planes as a 'passenger operations specialist' at an air base in Qatar (pictured: Al Udeid Air Base 30 miles outside Doha, capital of Qatar), a comfortable US ally that was a safe distance from the fighting Soldiers disembark from a plane upon returning home from deployment in Afghanistan, at Fort Drum, New York, US, September 6, 2021. Majewski has claimed that he served in Afghanistan in 2002 and 2003 Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division, salute during the welcome ceremony after returning home from deployment in Afghanistan, at Fort Drum, New York, September 6, 2021 Experts argue that even Majewski's description of himself as a 'combat veteran' is misleading. The term can evoke images of soldiers storming a beachhead or finding refuge during a firefight. But under the laws and regulations of the US government, facing live fire has little to do with someone earning the title. During the Persian Gulf War, then-President George HW Bush designated, for the first time, countries used as combat support areas as combat zones despite the low-risk of American service members ever facing hostilities. That helped veterans receive a favorable tax status. Qatar, which is now home to the largest US air base in the Middle East, was among the countries that received the designation under Bush's executive order - a status that remains in effect today. Majewski's campaign said that he calls himself a combat veteran because the area he deployed to - Qatar - is considered a combat zone. Regardless, it rankles some when those seeking office offer their status as a combat veteran as a credential to voters without explaining that it does not mean that they came under hostile fire. Majewski also lacks many of the medals that are typically awarded to those who served in Afghanistan. Though he once said that he went more than 40 days without a shower during his time in the landlocked country, he does not have an Afghanistan campaign medal, which was issued to those who served '30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days' in the country. He also did not receive a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, which was issued to service members before the creation of the Afghanistan campaign medal if they deployed overseas in 'direct service to the War on Terror.' Matthew Borie, an Air Force veteran who worked in intelligence and reviewed Majewski's records at APs request, said it's 'odd' that Majewski lacks many of the 'medals you would expect to see for someone who deployed to Afghanistan.' Despite the records showing he did not serve in Afghanistan, just last year Majewksi tweeted about 'going back' amid the chaotic scramble to pull US forces out of the country (pictured) Majewski said in a 2021 interview on the One American Podcast: 'I don't like talking about my military experience,' after volunteering that he served one tour of duty in Afghanistan. 'It was a tough time in life. You know, the military wasn't easy.' Pictured: The US withdrawal from Afghanistan There's also the matter of Majewski's final rank and reenlistment code when he left active duty after four years of service. Most leave the service after four years having received several promotions that are generally awarded for time served. Majewski exited at a rank that was one notch above where he started. His enlistment code also indicated that he could not sign up with the Air Force again. Majewski's campaign said he received what's called a nonjudicial punishment in 2001 after getting into a 'brawl' in his dormitory, which resulted in a demotion. Nonjudicial punishments are designed to hold service members accountable for bad behavior that does not rise to the level of a court-martial. Majewski's campaign declined to make him available for an interview and, in a lengthy statement issued to the AP, did not directly address questions about his claim of deploying to Afghanistan. A spokeswoman declined to provide additional comment when the AP followed up with additional questions. In a statement, the Republican candidate for a northwestern Ohio congressional seat defended his military record. 'I am proud to have served my country. My accomplishments and record are under attack, meanwhile, career politician Marcy Kaptur has a forty-year record of failure for my Toledo community, which is why Im running for Congress.' 'As somebody who was in Qatar, I do not consider myself a combat veteran,' Don Christensen, a retired colonel and former chief prosecutor for the Air Force, said of Majewski. Majewski had a massive Trump mural painted on his lawn to campaign in the 2020 general election The mural was done at Majewski's Ohio home before he ran for congress 'I think that would be offensive to those who were actually engaged in combat and Iraq and Afghanistan.' 'Veterans have done so much for this country and when you claim to have done what your brothers and sisters in arms actually did to build up your reputation, it is a disservice.' Majewski's account of his time in the military is just one aspect of his biography that is suspect. His post-military career has been defined by exaggerations, conspiracy theories, talk of violent action against the US government and occasional financial duress. Still, thanks to an unflinching allegiance to former President Donald Trump - Majewski once painted a massive Trump mural on his lawn - he also stands a chance of defeating longtime Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur in a district recently redrawn to favor Republicans. Majewski is among a cluster of GOP candidates, most running for office for the first time, whose unvarnished life stories and hard-right politics could diminish the chances of a Republican 'red wave' on Election Day in November. He is also a vivid representation of a new breed of politicians who reject facts as they try to emulate Trump. With no previous political experience, Majewski is perhaps an unlikely person to be the Republican nominee taking on Kaptur, who has represented the Toledo area since 1983. But two state legislators who were also on the ballot in the August GOP primary split the establishment vote. That cleared a path for Majewski, who previously worked in the nuclear power industry and dabbled in politics as a pro-Trump hip-hop performer and promoter of the QAnon conspiracy theory. He was also at the US Capitol during the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. J.R. Majewski, Republican candidate for U.S. Representative for Ohio's 9th Congressional District, speaks at a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio., Sept. 17, 2022 Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, speaks during an event at the Shipyards on Feb. 17, 2022, in Lorain, Ohio. Kaptur is seeking to retain her seat in Ohio's 9th congressional district, campaigning against Majewski Majewski has not been charged in connection with the attack. But he has falsely stated that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump and said that the insurrection 'felt like a setup' by police who were targeting Trump supporters. In his statement, Majewski said, 'I deeply regret being at the Capitol that day' and 'did not break the law,' while calling for those who did to be 'punished to the fullest extent of the law.' Majewski's resume exaggeration isn't limited to his military service, reverberating throughout his professional life, as well as a nascent political career that took shape in an online world of conspiracy theories. Since gaining traction in his campaign for Congress, Majewski has denied that he is a follower of the QAnon conspiracy theory while playing down his participation in the Capitol riot. The baseless and apocalyptic QAnon belief is based on cryptic online postings by the anonymous 'Q,' who is purportedly a government insider. It posits that Trump is fighting entrenched enemies in the government and also involves satanism and child sex trafficking. 'Let me be clear, I denounce QAnon. I do not support Q, and I do not subscribe to their conspiracy theories,' Majewski said in his statement to the AP. The mischaracterizations extend to his professional career, in which he has repeatedly described himself as an 'executive in the nuclear power industry,' including in a campaign ad last spring. But a review of his now-deleted resume on the website LinkedIn and a survey of his former employers do not support the claim. He most recently worked for Holtec International, a Florida-based energy conglomerate that specializes in handling spent nuclear fuel. But he is not listed among the executives and members of the corporate leadership teams in current or archived versions of the company's website. A spokesman confirmed Majewski was a former Holtec employee, but declined to offer details on his position or role, which Majewski's LinkedIn page described as 'senior director, client relations.' Majewski's campaign declined to address his claim of being an executive, but said he participated in weekly conference calls with executives. Majewski also described himself on LinkedIn as 'project manager - senior consultant' for First Energy, an Ohio based power company, a position that he stated he held since shortly after leaving the military. The company, Majewski explained in a biography posted to his website, quickly recognized him for his 'intellect and leadership capabilities' Yet records from his 2009 bankruptcy raise questions about his seniority. They show he was an 'outage manager' who earned about $51,000 a year. In the bankruptcy, Majewski and his wife gave up their home, two cars and a Jet Ski to settle the case, court records show. Still, in a nationalized political environment, some Republicans suggest none of this will matter to voters. 'At the end of the day, this will be a question of whether they want Nancy Pelosi leading the House or Kevin McCarthy,' said Tom Davis, a former congressman who led the House Republican campaign arm during George W. Bush's presidency. 'These elections have become less about the person. I wouldn't say candidates dont matter, but they dont matter like they used to.' A popular comic strip has been canned by 77 newspapers after its creator Scott Adams started incorporating anti-woke plotlines, including a black character who identifies as white. Adams' much-loved 'Dilbert' comics have been in circulation since 1989 and frequently pokes fun at office culture, but he announced he was sensationally dropped by publisher Lee Enterprises. The media company owns nearly 100 newspapers across the country - including The Buffalo News, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and the Arizona Daily Sun - and has been publishing Adams' jokes about the corporate ladder for years. One of his most recent controversial comic strips included a black worker, who identifies as white, being asked to also identify as gay to boost his company's environmental, social, and governance ratings. Dave, his reoccurring character, replies: 'Depends how hard you want me to sell it,' before the boss responds: 'Just wear better shirts.' Adams, 65, is believed to be worth nearly $70million - a fortune he amassed thanks to the popularity of his characters, as well as his non-Dilbert related works. Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip Dilbert, has called out the 77 newspapers after he was suddenly dropped One of the most recent comics touched upon anti-woke ESG enterprises in corporate workspaces. This comic was posted September 20, 2022 Another satire, posted on Monday, showed the same character in charge of the fictional firm wondering how he can open a new factory without contributing negatively to the environment. As a solution to stop him being bashed by 'woke' commentators, the boss concludes that he'll add a non-binary worker to his board to increase diversity. Adams' satirical strips feature in newspapers across 57 countries, and in 19 languages - and there are over 20 million Dilbert books and calendars in print. The character Dave, named after the creator's brother, is a prankster who messes with his boss, Adams said. He told Fox News that some newspapers voiced concerns after receiving complaints about his comic content. But he could not say for sure if that had anything to do with the removal of 'Dilbert.' Adams said: 'It was part of a larger overhaul, I believe, of comics, but why they decided what was in and what was out, that's not known to anybody except them, I guess.' The Daily Cartoonist reported that the comic strips 'Baby Blues,' 'Red and Rover,' 'Mutts' and 'Bizarrro' were also cut. Cartoonist Dan Piraro, who created 'Bizarro,' spoke about getting the axe. 'Lee Enterprises, a newspaper group that is majority-owned by a large investment firm, stopped running 'Bizarro' and many other comics in their papers this past week,' Piraro wrote on his webpage. The removal of the strips has had a 'significant' financial impact on Adams, but it's unclear how much money he was making from the partnership to begin with. Responding to claims that Lee Enterprises were just making changes to their syndication, the cartoonist added: 'Do you think they flipped coins to decide what to keep and what to delete? It wasn't about popularity or cost. (That I know.)' This 'controversial' comic was posted September 13, 2022 Another one of Adams' gaffs was published on September 7, 2022 This comic hit publication on September 19, 2022 ANTI-WOKE COMICS: 'The more woke you are, the more you will get paid,' published September 2, 2022 'But it could have been a normal business decision of another type that is a huge coincidence. All possible.' In another of his anti-woke comics, one boss told workers: 'We are replacing traditional performance reviews with a wokeness score assigned by human resources.' They explain the idea that 'the more woke you are, the more you will get paid.' But one confused worker buts in, saying: 'That feels too subjective.' And the boss bites back: 'That'll cost you two points off your wokeness score, bigot.' Lee Enterprises - who own local media outlets from 26 different states - has been contacted for comment. Advertisement Prince Andrew secretly plotted with Princess Diana and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson to try to prevent Charles becoming King and allow Prince William to take the throne with the Duke of York as Regent, an explosive new biography claimed today. Andrew is also alleged to have 'lobbied' the Queen and campaigned against the marriage between Charles and Camilla, now King and Queen Consort, telling his mother that she was not trustworthy. Angela Levin's new book on the life of Camilla, serialised in the Telegraph, claims that the Duke of York was 'very nasty' to her and conspired with Princess Diana to prevent the Queen's eldest son from becoming King. Under Andrew's alleged plan, William would have been lined up for the throne with Charles pushed out and Andrew made Regent if the Queen had died before William was 18. Citing a 'senior insider', Ms Levin writes that the Duke of York 'plotted' with Diana to 'push Prince Charles aside', with the aim of Prince Andrew becoming 'Regent to Prince William'. 'Andrew lobbied very hard with the hope that Charles would not become king when his mother died, and that William would wear the crown', she said. Ms Levin added the Prince 'lobbied very hard' to try and prevent his older brother from taking to the throne. Prince Andrew is said to have 'lobbied' the Queen to try and position himself as Regent to Prince William The Prince is also said to have opposed the now-King Charles marriage to Camilla Andrew's alleged plot would have seen William on the throne should the Queen have died - with Andrew as Regent A 'senior insider' at the palace is said to have told Ms Levin: 'When Diana was alive, through her friendship with Andrew's wife Sarah, [Duchess of York] she plotted with Andrew to try to push Prince Charles aside so Prince Andrew could become Regent to Prince William, who was then a teenager. 'They were dark and strange times, where paranoia became reality, and this was a worry. The explosive claims are in Angela Levin's new biography, based around Camilla's life 'His behaviour was very, very negative and extremely unpleasant to Queen [Elizabeth], who disagreed. I was told it was one of the rare occasions he didn't get his way. 'Nonetheless, he was apparently very angry that he couldn't rule the country in some way. He remained so hostile to Camilla's emergence and acceptance that it's doubtful it has ever been forgiven.' Buckingham Palace and representatives for the Duke of York have been contacted for comment. Ms Levin also wrote about the Duke's hostility to Charles' marriage to Camilla, claiming Andrew was 'poisonous' and 'very nasty' about her to the late Queen Elizabeth. The insider said: 'He tried to persuade the Queen to block Charles marrying Camilla by being quite poisonous, mean, unhelpful and very nasty about Camilla.' These claims allegedly included that Camilla was insufficiently aristocratic and was untrustworthy. In 1998, when Charles turned 50, a party was thrown but the Queen and Prince Philip declined in case Camilla was there. Camillas close friend Lucia Santa Cruz said: When Camilla was married to Andrew Parker Bowles, she used to go to Balmoral with him and join the Royal family. They got on marvellously well with her But when the marriage failed and she was with Prince Charles, she was rejected and got all the blame, which was so unfair'. The Duke of York and King Charles have reportedly had a strained relationship over the years, which has worsened dramatically since Prince Andrew's ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein emerged. When Buckingham Palace announced in January that the Prince would be stripped of all his military titles and patronages, and would defend his sex abuse case against Virginia Giuffre as a private citizen, it was understood the now-King had been instrumental in influencing the decision. The Queen is said to have always had a soft spot for her second son, the Duke of York A palace insider told Angela Levin that Prince Andrew was 'poisonous' and 'very nasty' about Camilla (pictured following the church blessing of their civil wedding ceremony) Princess Diana is said to have been supportive of her son, Prince William, ascending to the throne ahead of his father At the time, palace sources said the 'ruthless and swift' decision had been 'widely discussed' within the Royal Family following Andrew's failed bid to persuade a judge to dismiss the civil lawsuit. Prince Charles and his son William were understood to have been 'instrumental' in the move to force him out from being an active member of the royal family. Charles was said to have spoken to his mother by telephone to share his thoughts on the decision. An inside source at the palace said at the time: 'It was a ruthless and swift decision which will have been recommended by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge and sanctioned by the Queen.' It was later reported in February that Charles had told his brother to stay 'out of sight' at official events. Prince Andrew has since reached a settlement with Ms Giuffre, in which he did not admit any wrongdoing. Angela Levin has previously published biographies of the royal family, including Prince Harry in 2018 and on Prince William and Kate in 2015. Her latest work, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall: From Outcast to Queen Consort, explores Camilla's relationship with senior members of the royal family and how they have evolved over time. A North Carolina sheriff investigating the murder of two teenagers found gunned down on a woodland trail has announced charges against a 17-year-old, and said the suspect - when arrested - would be charged as a juvenile. Lyric Woods, 14, and 18-year-old Devin Clark were last seen on Friday in Orange County, west of Durham. The bodies of the pair were discovered at the weekend on a woodland trail with gunshot wounds. On Tuesday, Charles Blackwood, the sheriff, said that the search for the suspect was continuing, but charges had been filed. They would initially be charged as a juvenile thanks to a 2019 law, which stated that 16 and 17-year-olds would avoid adult charges. If the person is then charged with first degree murder, the case would automatically move to adult courts. Lyric Woods, 14, (left) and 18-year-old Devin Clark were last seen on Friday. Their bodies were confirmed to have been found on Sunday Family members from both victims have visited the site where their children were found dead, less than two miles from Woods' home 'Through the hard work of my investigators, along with the assistance of personnel from many other law enforcement agencies, we have identified a suspect in this case,' said Blackwood. Charles Blackwood, Orange County sheriff 'We will now work with local, state, and federal authorities to apprehend and present the suspect to the court system.' He added: 'I want to thank the families of Devin Clark and Lyric Woods for trusting us and the investigative process during this excruciatingly painful time. 'I hope the imminent apprehension of this subject will bring them some comfort as they mourn their loved ones.' The suspect has not been named. Stan Dean, Woods' grandfather, has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the 17-year-old suspect. 'I'm living a nightmare,' he told the News & Observer. Dean told the newspaper he had laid a cross with lights on it at the spot where his granddaughter's body was found, because she 'was afraid of the dark.' Stan Dean, Woods' grandfather, crafted a cross surrounded by flowers and put it where her body was found, with lights, because his granddaughter was 'afraid of the dark' Woods was friends with Clark, whose body was found alongside hers Locals reacted with anger to Blackwood's announcement that the 17-year-old would be charged with a juvenile. Blackwood did not clarify that the suspect would be tried in adult court if subsequent charges were filed. 'This person murdered 2 people!! Said person should be tried as an adult!' wrote one on Facebook. 'The law needs to be changed, this 17 year old knew exactly what he/she was doing. Old enough to point the gun and take two lives, old enough to pay the consequences. No excuses,' said another. Another commented: 'Great work OCSD, now the court system needs to do their job that person should never see the outside of a prison again be under trial as an adult and possibly the death penalty....those kids deserve it!!' Several said the teenager should face the death penalty if convicted. North Carolina has the death penalty, but the last person executed was in 2006. No one has been sentenced to death in the state since 2019. 'The 17 year old knew right from wrong and had no business with a gun, so his parents need to be held accountable as well,' said one. 'He needs to be charged as an adult and put in prison for life! The death penalty isn't good enough for what he did.' Another added: 'Tried as a juvenile? Death penalty or life isnt enough for the pain both sets of parents will do life from here on out with because of this crime taken out on their kids. 'Death here should be as close as it can be to the pain these kids went through.' Keith Raniere, the leader of notorious sex cult NXIVM, was assaulted in his prison in Arizona by another inmate, leaving him unconscious and nauseous for a week Convicted sex cult leader Keith Raniere has been beaten up and knocked unconscious in his prison in Tucson, Arizona by another prisoner - before being housed with an intersex inmate next to a cage smeared with human feces. Raniere, who is serving his first year of a 120-year sentence, says he was assaulted by Maurice Withers as he walked to his table with his food one morning, and faced disciplinary action for 'fighting' despite not fighting back. Withers, 33, was put behind bars for sex trafficking crimes in Madison, Wisconsin and punched Raniere in the face, leaving him with a black eye and nausea for a week, despite never having spoken to him before. 'I was given a disciplinary ticket for 'fighting' and have had my privileges revoked and was placed in segregation 'pending investigation,' Raniere said, also claiming he 'did not fight back' in the sworn affidavit on September 6. He remains in a segregation unit, a housing unit set aside from the general population, and his lawyers contend he should have been 'returned to his normal housing.' Raniere believes the prison is retaliating against him because he is appealing his conviction based on allegations the FBI are framing him Raniere has been forced to spend hours in cells smeared with human feces, is housed with an intersex female prisoner according to his lawyers While Raniere is said to have branded his female 'slaves' on their public area with his initials, Withers reportedly has a tattoo that reads 'Ain't no money like hoe money,' according to prosecutors. The former NXIVM ringleader has reportedly been forced to spend hours in cells smeared with human feces, is housed with an intersex female prisoner and is allowed only one five-minute phone call a month, among other grievances. 'Currently he is allowed one five-minute phone call per month, he cannot have a razor, he has no access to legal resources, and given books 'at staff discretion,'' his lawyers say. Raniere says he believes these measures and the disciplinary ticket are 'retaliation for the recent publicity that my case has received as a result of my efforts to challenge my conviction.' He was convicted in 2019 of all charges of sex trafficking, forced labor conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy and racketeering charges with underlying acts that included possession of child pornography, extortion and identify theft. His lawyer, Stacy Scheff, says the disciplinary ticket was eventually dropped but also believes the prison warden was aware Raniere was victimized but is attempting to retaliate as Raniere is appealing his conviction. Raniere was assaulted in the dining hall of his prison by inmate Maurice Withers, 33, another convict put behind bars on sex trafficking offenses A court sketch of Raniere in June 2019 when he was convicted of seven counts including child porn and sex trafficking Victims of the cult told prosecutors how Raniere and other leaders branded them with a burning piece of metal The cult leader's legal team believe they have a chance to have his convictions thrown out over the FBI's alleged bungles and fabrications. Their report points to alleged 'anomalies with the FBI search', such as the unusual manner in which agents collected evidence from Raniere's study at a home in Halfmoon, New York in March 2018. They claim that investigators 'bypassed' several areas of the home and went 'straight to a study area where, under a desk, were the very first two evidentiary items they collected: the Canon digital camera along with its camera card.' Those two items were, 'notably,' the 'only two pieces of digital evidence the government used to prove the child pornography and child exploitation RICO acts, which would stem from an allegedly accidental discovery of photos eleven months later,' the report states. In an interview with DailyMail.com, a top former FBI cyber forensics expert hired by Raniere's attorneys believes there were bungled procedures, manipulation of evidence and even an apparent effort to 'frame' the cult leader for his child sex conviction. Richard Kiper, who used to train the trainers of FBI cyber forensics experts before he retired in 2019, told DailyMail.com that the Canon camera was made in 2004, but the timestamps on some of the photos were from 2003. Kiper also claimed that metadata on one of the photos shows it was manipulated in Adobe Photoshop. The expert also told DailyMail.com that one FBI agent, Michael Lever, allegedly broke protocol by taking the camera and card out of the evidence locker twice for a total 24 days in September 2018, before the Bureau conducted its forensic analysis. NXIVM was partially bankrolled by Seagram's heiress Claire Bronfman, who was prosecuted alongside Raniere and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conceal and harbor illegal aliens for financial gain and to fraudulent use of identification in April 2019. Her lawyer, Duncan Levin, said the evidence of tampering by the FBI was cause to throw out all the NXIVM convictions. 'Society cannot live in a world where law enforcement is tampering with evidence,' he said. 'If these allegations are true, it means that all of the defendants in the case should have all of the charges thrown out. There should be no opportunity for a do-over for the government.' The State Department suggests that the administration has been working to get to the 'root causes' of migration as the border crisis has more than quintupled under President Joe Biden's leadership. While Biden's administration focuses on what causes migrants to leave their home countries and come to the U.S., it has failed to implement policies aimed at stopping the flow of illegal immigration over the southern border. State Department spokesperson Ned Price, however, told Fox News on Wednesday that results cannot be achieved in short timelines despite the nearly two-years of Biden's presidency. 'We have never been under any illusions, nor should anyone, that we can fully address the root causes overnight or over the course of a week or month,' Price said. He added: 'But this is something that we are working on, we're working on it as diligently as we can.' The claim comes after new figures were released this week showing that a new record was reached in August and more than 2 million migrants have illegally entered the country so far in Fiscal Year 2022. State Department Spokesman Ned Price said that the White House is 'getting to the root factors of migration' while answering why migration has run rampant in the last two years of the Biden administration August figures were released this week that brought the total number of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) migrant encounters to more than 2 million in Fiscal Year 2022 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered 203,597 migrants at the southern border in August alone, which is a slight uptick from the crossings in July. Since October 2021, CBP has recorded encountering 2,150,639 migrants who have crossed over the border from Mexico and since the start of Biden's time in office has had run-ins with more than 3.5 million. These figures do not include the amount of migrants who have crossed over the border and evaded CBP agents. Price would not respond when asked about some reports that the White House is 'frustrated' with Fox's coverage of the border crisis with some calling it 'alarmist'. 'I'm at the State Department,' Price said, suggesting the question would be better directed to someone at the Department of Homeland Security. 'More importantly,' he continued, 'I'm not a media critic. I will leave it to others to render judgment on media coverage. What we're doing with countries throughout the region, with our partners in the U.S. Government to try to address the root causes of migration. The root factors that are pulling people away from their homes in places in central America, in South America, in the broader region that are, in some cases, bringing them to our border.' 'The State Department is working hard every day to try to address those pool factors, those root causes,' Price said. Migrants continue to flood over the border from Mexico despite the administration claiming the southern border is 'closed' Venezuelan migrants walk along the U.S. border wall with Mexico to turn themselves into Border Patrol agents after crossing the Rio Grande on September 21, 2022 in El Paso, Texas Vice President Kamala Harris was put in charge of the migration crisis by Biden and her office quickly branded the role as addressing 'root causes' of migration rather than the issues at the border. Republicans have chastised the Biden administration for ignoring the prevailing crisis, especially as the number of deaths along the border have reached record-breaking numbers. In September alone, 30 migrants have died along the border adding to the total toll of 782 deaths in Fiscal Year 2022. That figure surpassed the previous record reached in Fiscal Year 2021 when more than 557 deaths were reported. Frustrated shoppers have threatened to boycott Woolworths stores over the supermarket's plans to introduce new artificial intelligence technology. The chain announced it would install powerful new surveillance systems in checkout areas to 'reduce misscans' and crackdown on 'fake swipes'. The overhead cameras detect when items haven't been scanned correctly and prevent shoppers from entering cheaper products when weighing their produce. However, customers have raised concerns over being recorded by the technology while others have said the system makes them feel like 'thieves'. 'You wanna treat me like a f***ing thief then YOU scan my s***,' one wrote on Reddit, while another said they had boycotted their local store over the new cameras. Frustrated shoppers have threatened to boycott Woolworths stores over plans to introduce new controversial artificial intelligence technology (pictured, Woolworths shopper) 'I have legit just walked out of Woolies and left my stuff there because the self-service checkout wouldn't let me pay,' another fed-up shopper said. Another shopper said the 'incredibly annoying' system recommends the wrong products or a more expensive one if a misscan is detected. 'If I choose something other than what's on the suggested list of weight fruit and veg, an attendant has to come over to approve it,' they said. 'Usually have to wait ages as well because the attendant will be busy helping like 10 other people.' Others urged their fellow shoppers to instruct the supermarket that they don't consent to being filmed. Woolworths said the new camera technology trial was to see if it could help reduce misscans and improve speed for customers through the checkout'. Woolworths is rolling out big changes to all its checkouts to 'reduce misscans' that will also catch out Australian shoppers who try to bag groceries without paying Woolworths is rolling out surveillance cameras at self-serve and operator-assisted checkouts to reduce incidents of fake swiping 'If a misscan occurs, a short video highlights the affected product and customers then have the opportunity to re-scan it,' it said. 'While most customers do the right thing at our self-serve checkouts, we're all busy and mistakes can easily happen.' Woolworths said the technology is used internationally and 'should make the self-serve scanning process more accurate'. It is currently in use at stores in Hornsby, Neutral Bay, Chullora and Carnes Hill after being trialled in Seven Hills. However, most shoppers and retail observers expect the supermarket's real motivation is to catch more stealing at self-service checkouts. Fake swiping by shoppers at self-serve checkouts costs Australian shops up to $9 billion a year, the Australian Retailers Association claimed. Retail analysts claimed Australian shoppers don't feel bad about fake swiping - also known as 'micro thefts' - because it's seen as stealing from a 'robot'. Woolworths' new camera technology detects when something has bypassed your scanner by filming the area the customer is standing in, then stops the checkout process and sets off a red light above. The technology halts the checkout process to replay a video on the checkout screen in front of you if it senses an item being put into a bag without being scanned On social media Australians reacted to in-store signs warning customers they could be filmed with a mix of anger and concern It then replays a video of the issue on the checkout screen in front of you. The footage, which blurs faces and the payment keypad, is kept by Woolworths in case police ask to see it later. The system covers all checkout lanes in stores trialling the new cameras, including those with operators scanning your groceries. That means the cameras can pick up customers 'forgetting' to pay for bulk or heavy items in their trolleys - like 24 packs of drinks or a tray of dog food cans. As soon as a shopper accidently or deliberately pushes their trolley past the scanner or the checkout operator, if it contains contains any products, the red light above will go off and show the operator a video of the problem. The trial will be expanded to hundreds of stores across NSW, Victoria, and Queensland with other states and territories to follow. Woolworths has 1,086 stores across Australia. As soon as a shopper accidently or deliberately pushes their trolley past the scanner or the checkout operator, if it contains contains any products, the red light above will go off and show the operator a video of the problem 'At the end of the day you've got nothing to worry about if you do the right thing,' a retail source told Daily Mail Australia. Woolworths said it would 'listen closely to both customer and team feedback on the trial over the coming months'. But no matter what opposition shoppers have to the cameras it's unlikely the supermarket leader would step back from the new anti-theft camera. But the technology is legal in Australia, so the retail source said refusing to agree would only lead to being told to shop somewhere else. 'Anytime you go just about anywhere you walk past CCTV so it's hardly new,' one said. She delivered an address at the Earthshot Prize, a sideshow in UN's leaders week Jacinda Ardern has taken the place of grieving royal Prince William in New York Jacinda Ardern has stood in for Prince William at an environmental summit in New York City, describing herself as an 'exceptionally poor substitute'. The New Zealand prime minister was asked personally by the Prince of Wales to deputise in his place at the Earthshot Prize innovation summit, a sideline event at the United Nations General Assembly's leaders week. Backed by the British royal family and beloved environmentalist David Attenborough, the Earthshot Prize grants huge sums to conservation leaders as a way to incentivise sustainability efforts. Ms Ardern was introduced by former mayor of New York and billionaire Mike Bloomberg, who said the Kiwi PM was 'a global leader on climate change' who had 'devoted her life to building a better world'. 'I am an exceptionally poor substitute but I also know we all understand the need for His Royal Highness to be with his family at this time,' Ms Ardern said. 'My message today is one of gratitude and encouragement. Jacinta Ardern (pictured) has filled in for Prince William in New York City environmental summit, the Earthshot Prize The Prince of Wales remained in Britain as he mourns with his family just a week after the death of the Queen (Pictured: Prince William with family, father King Charles and Prince Harry) 'As governments we have a responsibility to create the incentives and the space for you to flourish ... and the accountability that comes with guardianship. 'We think often of our challenges but imagine for a moment what can be achieved by channeling our potential.' Ms Ardern talked up her government's efforts to combat climate change, including legislating a platform to limit New Zealand's emissions to 1.5C, complete with an independent agency and plan to do so. She also confirmed New Zealand's ambition to become 'the first country in the world to price agricultural emissions'. The Earthshot Summit is backed by the royals and David Attenborough to reward bright minds in sustainability Jacinda Ardern (pictured: back right) attended the Queen's funeral with other world leaders earlier this week The Kiwi leader is in New York this week to deliver New Zealand's address to the UN General Assembly, which she will do on Saturday morning (AEST). Russia's invasion of Ukraine hangs over the global summit, with Ms Ardern telling journalists in New York more countries needed to condemn Vladimir Putin's war. 'What we need here is a rallying cry from the world what is happening here is illegal, it's immoral,' she said. 'This whole false narrative around liberating Ukraine, you don't attack, and you don't threaten use of nuclear weapons over a country you claim to be liberating.' On Thursday, she will appear on a panel with her predecessor as New Zealand PM, Helen Clark, discussing pandemic readiness. The Earthshot Prize takes its name from US President John F Kennedy's description of space travel as an audacious 'moonshot,' an ambition that led to the creation of other technologies. Toyota is bringing its monster Tundra ute to Australia to compete in truck market Toyota is bringing its behemoth Tundra ute to Australia to combat the latest series of massive competitor models taking the country by storm. The world's largest car manufacturer have confirmed plans to bring the enormous truck Down Under in response to the overwhelming popularity of the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 utes. The Tundra dwarfs Toyota's HiLux, Australia's most popular car, in size, with the new ute measuring in at 5,933mm long and 2,037mm wide compared to the classic's chassis at just 5,265mm long and 1,800mm wide. Toyota is bringing its behemoth Tundra ute to Australia to combat the latest series of massive competitor models taking the country by storm The Tundra (top) dwarfs Toyota's HiLux (bottom) in size, with the new ute measuring in at 5,933mm long and 2,037mm wide compared to the classic's chassis at just 5,265mm long and 1,800mm wide Toyota's monster would be its most expensive model on sale in Australia, with prices ranging from $80,000 all the way to $265,000. It has 5,400kg of towing power with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine. Despite not being an eco-friendly vehicle, the Tundra does feature a hybrid powertrain, which combines the twin-turbo V6 with a motor-generator mounted between it and the transmission. Toyota is rolling out a testing phase of 300 right-hand-drive Tundras, which it says are the real deal and 'not prototypes'. The vehicles will arrive in Australia in 2023. Tundra vs HiLux size comparison Length (mm): 5933 vs 5265 (+668) Width (mm): 2037 vs 1855 (+182) Height (mm): 1981 vs 1865 (+116) Wheelbase (mm): 3701 vs 3085 (+616) Front track (mm): 1737 vs 1535 (+202) Rear track (mm): 1737 vs 1550 (+187) Tub length (mm): 1666 vs 1550 (+116) Tub width between arches (mm): 1237 vs 1110 (+127) Tub height (mm): 531 vs 490 (+41) Seating capacity: Five vs Five Ground clearance (minimum): 216 vs 216 Approach angle (degrees): 21 vs 29 -(8) Departure angle (degrees): 24 vs 27 (-3) Kerb weight (kg): 2805 vs 2055 (+750) Max towing (braked, kg): 4680 vs 3500 (+1180) Max payload (kg): 673 vs 995 (-322) Advertisement Toyota's monster would be its most expensive model on sale in Australia, with prices ranging from $80,000 all the way to $265,000 Size comparison between Toyota's popular HiLux (top) and the new Tundra (bottom) set to hit Aussie showrooms in 2024 The manufacturer, however, said the truck likely won't go on sale until 2024, given the huge logistical challenge of reconfiguring its fleet for Aussie roads. 'This is the first time anywhere in the world that Toyota has undertaken a project like this, taking a car produced in one market, exporting it to a country that's not Japan and having local engineers thoroughly redevelop it for the local needs of customers this is not just moving the steering wheel, we're substantially re-imagining Tundra for Australia,' Toyota Australia's vice president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley said. 'We're taking the steering column, the rack and the shift lever from the LandCruiser platform, for example. It's a full-scale re-engineering project. It will be an even better Tundra.' Tunda vs HiLux power Displacement: 3444cc vs 2755cc Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 Hybrid petrol vs 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder Power: 326kW @ 5200rpm vs 150kW @ 3400rpm Torque: 790Nm @ 2400rpm vs 500Nm @ 1600-2800rpm Transmission: 10-speed automatic vs Six-speed automatic Combined consumption: 11.2L/100km vs 7.9L/100km Advertisement The manufacturer however said the truck likely won't go on sale until 2024 given the huge logistical challenge of reconfiguring its fleet for Aussie roads Side-on comparison of the HiLux (top) and Tundra (bottom) The Tundra will rival the Chevy 1500 and Ram 1500, which have seen extensive pre-orders for the popular American-style trucks. 'We've been watching this market for about four years, it's not new territory for us, it's a matter of making it work, it's got to be commercially viable for us, there's got be demand, and clearly there is interest,' Mr Hanley said. 'There's trades people, business fleets, agriculture, leisure; this has a big, broad use, a very diverse customer base. Construction business owners I know have said to me, 'If you had a Tundra, we'd be there tomorrow.' Ford are also expected to start rolling out its F-150 pickup from mid-2023 and beat Toyota to the market. Meanwhile, Ram recently brought the world's biggest ute to Australia after the TRX hit Aussie showrooms. The Ram TRX has finally arrived in Australia boasting three-times more power than the Toyota HiLux The Ram TRX, named after the Tyrannosaurus Rex, has made its debut Down Under, boasting a supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8, producing 523kW, 702 horsepower and 882Nm of torque. Those figures see the TRX outperform every model in its class, even the new Ford Ranger Raptor - which Ram cheekily mock with an image of a T-Rex eating a Velociraptor in its interior. The Ram TRX starts at an eyewatering $199,950 with additional on-road costs - more than double its rival Raptor. The new Ram ute features a 12-inch touch screen and 19-speaker Harman Kardon stereo The new model 1500 sees a wider chassis to fit its monstrous 325mm tyres, with a new bonnet scoop designed to increase airflow to the 6.2L supercharger. A 12-inch touch screen provides passengers with a number of features including the 19-speaker Harman Kardon stereo - which Ram describe as the 'finest and most powerful audio system available in a pick-up truck'. The TRX also features launch control and eight different drive modes, can reach 100mk/h in 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 190km/h - despite weighing more than three tonnes. The huge price is the result of Ram having to convert the ute from left-hand drive to right-hand drive for its Australian customers. The TRX sells for $113,500 in the United States, a discount of about $87,000. Advertisement Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky demanded that the world punish Russia in a dramatic address to the UN General Assembly Wednesday, saying Russia should be forced to pay for Ukraine's war expenses. Speaking to the assembly by video-broadcast, Zelensky demanded a compensation fund and said Russia 'should pay for this war with its own assets.' During the speech Zelensky called 15 times for 'punishment' of Russia over its invasion while laying out what he called his conditions for peace, 'Ukraine demands punishment for trying to steal our territory. Punishment for the murders of thousands of people. Punishment for tortures and humiliations of women and men,' Zelensky said in English in the pre-recorded video. Sporting his signature green military t-shirt, Zelensky received a rare standing ovation in the General Assembly, which has returned in person after two years of pandemic restrictions. Though Zelensky did not attend in person, his wife, Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska, was in attendance at the assembly after being seen on the streets of New York City before the speech. Olena looked super chic in a black pantsuit as her husband said Ukraine would prevail in repelling Russia's attack. Her blazer sported a wide white lapel, and she wore a pair of bright high-heeled pumps to match. Olena - wearing her wavy blonde hair in a side part - could seen stoically listening as her husband called for a special tribunal to hold Russia accountable, which he said would be a 'signal to all would-be aggressors.' Sporting his signature green military t-shirt, Zelensky received a rare standing ovation in the General Assembly, which has returned in person after two years of pandemic restrictions Though Zelensky did not attend in person, his wife, Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska, was in attendance at the assembly after being seen on the streets of New York City before the speech Speaking to the assembly by video-broadcast from Ukraine, Zelensky demanded a compensation fund from Russia, saying the nation should 'pay for this war with its own assets' Zelensky's address came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin mobilized reservists and made a veiled threat to use nuclear weapons. Zelensky did not discuss the mobilization in detail during his speech, but he suggested any Russian talk of negotiations is only a delaying tactic, and that Moscow's actions speak louder than its words. 'They talk about the talks but announce military mobilization. They talk about the talks but announce pseudo-referendums in the occupied territories of Ukraine,' he said. 'Russia is afraid of real negotiations and does not want to fulfill any fair international obligations. It lies to everyone - as is typical for aggressors, for terrorists.' Olena looked super chic in a black pantsuit as her husband said Ukraine would prevail in repelling Russia's attack Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska's blazer sported a wide white lapel, and she wore a pair of bright high-heeled pumps to match it Olena - wearing her wavy blonde hair in a side part - could seen stoically listening as her husband called for a special tribunal to hold Russia accountable, which he said would be a 'signal to all would-be aggressors' Putin's partial mobilization decree was sparse on details. Officials said as many as 300,000 reservists could be tapped. It was apparently an effort to seize momentum after a Ukrainian counteroffensive this month retook swaths of territory that Russians had held. But the first such call-up in Russia since World War Two also brings the fighting home in a new way for Russians and risks fanning domestic anxiety and antipathy toward the war. Shortly after Putin's announcement, flights out of the country rapidly filled up, and hundreds of people were arrested at anti-war demonstrations across the country. Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska deftly avoids a downed coffee cup on the streets of New York City before attending her husband's address at the United Nations Olena Zelenska was seen on the streets of New York City before she attended the UN general assembly to hear her husband speak Other world leaders also joined Zelensky in rebuking Russia on Wednesday, including US President Joe Biden and French president Emmanuel Macron. 'Russia has shamelessly violated the core tenets of the United Nations Charter,' Biden told the General Assembly. 'Let us speak plainly. A permanent member of the United Nations Security Council invaded its neighbor - attempted to erase the sovereign state from the map.' President Macron, speaking on the sidelines of the General Assembly, said that the world must put 'maximum pressure' on Putin whose decisions 'will serve to isolate Russia further.' The European Union said its foreign ministers would hold an emergency meeting late Wednesday in New York to address Putin's speech. Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska arrives prior to an address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly Shannon Brandt, 41, from North Dakota allegedly admitted to fatally striking 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson following 'a political argument' A driver charged with fatally striking a teenager in North Dakota allegedly told investigators he purposely hit the teen with his SUV after they had a political argument, according to court documents. Cayler Ellingson, 18, was struck and killed following a street dance in McHenry early on Sunday. The driver accused of striking Ellingson in an alley. Shannon Brandt, 41, is charged in Foster County with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death. Jail records from Stutsman County, where Brandt was being held, show he posted $50,000 bond on Tuesday and was released. Brandt told investigators he left the scene after striking Ellingson, returned briefly, called 911 and then left again, according to a probable cause affidavit. The court document said Brandt told investigators he had been drinking alcohol before striking Ellingson and thought the teen was calling people to do him harm after they argued and that he felt threatened. He told state first responders that 'he struck the pedestrian (Ellingson) because the pedestrian was threatening him.' 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson was struck by a car following 'a political argument' on Sunday The case caught the attention of the son of former President Trump, Donald Trump Jr. 'Brandt stated that he had a political argument with the pedestrian who then called some people with Brandt was afraid they were coming to get him,' court documents detail. 'Brandt admitted to State Radio that he hit the pedestrian and that the pedestrian was part of a Republican extremist group.' 'Brandt admitted to leaving the scene of the incident and returning shortly after where he called 911.' Ellingson was rushed to a hospital in Carrington with serious injuries. He was pronounced dead. Ellingson was rushed to hospital with serious injuries, but could not be saved The families of both Brandt and Ellingson both showed up at the scene shortly after police arrived. Investigators arrested Brandt at his home in Glenfield later on Sunday. Brandt 'admitted to consuming alcohol prior to the incident,' records show. Officials said he consented to a chemical breath test which showed his blood alcohol content was above 0.08%, the legal limit to drive. The case caught the attention of the son of former President Trump, Donald Trump Jr. 'An 18 y/o conservative is murdered by 41 year old leftist & the media is totally silent. No connection to Joe Biden and his insane speech of just 2 weeks ago it's as though it never happened & doesn't matter. Of course Trump would not get that benefit b/c our media is broken!' he tweeted on Tuesday. Brandt was charged with criminal vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash involving a death; he was also charged with driving under the influence Capt. Bryan Niewind of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, which helped investigate the death, said the political argument claim by Brandt has not been substantiated because the investigation is still ongoing and more witnesses need to be interviewed. The specific details of the alleged argument were not released. Ellingson's parents later told police they knew Brandt, but they did not believe their son did, the affidavit said. Ellingson's mother described how she was on her way to pick up her son from McHenry when he called her about 2:40am and asked if she knew Brandt. Ellingson called again a short time later and said 'that 'he' or 'they' were chasing him.' She could no longer reach him after that, the document said. Ginni Thomas (pictured) has reached a deal to be interviewed by the January 6 committee, a new report revealed Wednesday evening Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' wife Ginni Thomas has agreed to speak with the January 6 committee, a new report reveals. The House panel probing last year's Capitol attack has come to an agreement with Thomas after months of speculation over whether she would comply with the Democrat select committee. Thomas voluntarily came forward to be interviewed by the panel in coming weeks, her attorney Mark Paoletta confirmed in a statement to CNN. The panel said it wanted to speak with Thomas after it was revealed the committee members were in possession of email correspondence between her and Donald Trump's election attorney John Eastman. They also had text messages between Thomas and Mark Meadows, who at the time of the exchange of messages was Chief of Staff to Trump. These messages showed Thomas urging Meadows to continue the fight to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Thomas is married to conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Since the messages emerged, it wasn't clear if the panel was making it a top priority to have Thomas testify, other than some of the members suggesting they wanted to hear from anyone who had information regarding that day. Subsequent evidence emerged that Thomas encouraged state lawmakers in Arizona and Wisconsin to overturn the presidential election results. The panel announced on Wednesday evening just as reports of Thomas' cooperation also emerged that it is holding another one of its public hearings on September 28 at 1:00 p.m. It is not yet clear if Thomas' testimony will be featured in the next hearing. Thomas is the wife of one of the most conservative justices on the Supreme Court, who was nominated by President George H. W. Bush, and is an attorney and conservative activist. 'As she has said from the outset, Mrs. Thomas is eager to answer the Committee's questions to clear up any misconceptions about her work relating to the 2020 election. She looks forward to that opportunity,' Paoletta said in his statement on her impending interview with the panel. Initially, the news of the panel wanting to speak with Thomas came shortly after a controversial Supreme Court ruling that saw the overturn of landmark ruling Roe v. Wade, which led to a federal-level ability for all women to get an abortion. At the time, Paoletta noted it had been a 'particularly stressful time' for the Thomases just days after the ruling, which led to threats and protests outside the homes of conservative justices. The lawyer said the couple was 'subjected to an avalanche of death threats and other abuse by the unprecedented assault on the conservative Supreme Court Justices and their families.' The January 6 panel will hold its next hearing on September 28 after taking a break following a series of public hearings in June and July He also previously insisted that none of Thomas' exchanges with Meadows about the 2020 elections were 'unethical, much less illegal, and none of it suggests that Mrs. Thomas had even the slightest role in the January 6th attack on the Capitol, or even has any information about the attack.' The select committee probing the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack alluded this summer that they would hold more hearings this month. The next hearing, after the series in June and July, will take place on Wednesday, September 28. While all nine members of the panel were appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, making the investigation very one-sided, there are two members who are Republicans although they have been shunned by the GOP. Representative Liz Cheney from Wyoming lost her House Republican Conference Chairwoman post, was censured by the GOP in her home state and recently lost her primary race against Trump-backed Harriet Hageman. Illinois Representative Adam Kinzinger, who along with Cheney voted for Trump's impeachment for the January 6 attack, decided not to run for reelection in the 2022 midterms. The family of the 18-year-old whose murder sparked the hit podcast Serial has condemned the Baltimore City state attorney for failing to warn them her accused killer would be freed. Adnan Syed, now 41, had his 2000 conviction for murdering Hae Min Lee vacated on Monday. Lee's family, through their lawyer, criticized the state attorney for Baltimore City, Marilyn Mosby, for failing to give them sufficient warning of Monday's hearing. 'For more than 20 years, the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office has told the family of Hae Min Lee that their beloved daughter and sister was murdered by Adnan Syed,' the statement read. 'One week ago, for the first time, the family was informed that, through a year-long investigation that is apparently still ongoing, the state had uncovered new facts and would be filing a motion to vacate Mr Syed's conviction.' Hae Min Lee, 18, was murdered in Baltimore in 1999. The man convicted for her killing, Adnan Syed (right) was released from prison on Monday in a hearing which the Lee family said was sprung on them with little warning Marilyn Mosby, the state attorney for Baltimore City, was accused by the Lee family of not giving them sufficient time to prepare for Monday's hearing Steve Kelly, an attorney representing the Lee family, added: 'For more than 20 years, no one has wanted to know the truth about who killed Hae Min Lee more than her family. 'The Lee family is deeply disappointed that today's hearing happened so quickly and that they were denied the reasonable notice that would have permitted them to have a meaningful voice in the proceedings.' On Tuesday, the creator of Serial - a true-crime podcast that helped free Syed - said that she feels a mix of emotions over how long it took authorities to act on evidence that has long been available. The local prosecutor started a unit to review sentencing and a new Maryland law relating to juvenile sentencing provided a mechanism for reexamining the case - all after the Serial podcast in 2014 turned the details of the case into an obsession for countless amateur sleuths. Syed is pictured in a photo from the time of Lee's murder, when he was 17 Mosby immediately applauded the judge's decision as a victory for justice, but Syed's win came as a bittersweet reminder to those who had been aware of the gaps in the case for years. In a new episode of Serial released on Tuesday, host Sarah Koenig noted that most or all of the evidence cited in prosecutors' motion to overturn the conviction was available since 1999. 'Yesterday, there was a lot of talk about fairness, but most of what the state put in that motion to vacate, all the actual evidence, was either known or knowable to cops and prosecutors back in 1999,' Koenig said. 'So even on a day when the government publicly recognizes its own mistakes, it's hard to feel cheered about a triumph of fairness. 'Because we've built a system that takes more than 20 years to self-correct. And that's just this one case.' Koenig argued that the case against Syed involved 'just about every chronic problem' in the system, including unreliable witness testimony and evidence that was never shared with Syed's defense team. On Monday, Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn in Baltimore ordered Syed's release after overturning his conviction for the 1999 murder of Lee, a high school student and Syed's ex-girlfriend. Syed has always maintained his innocence but in 2019 the state's highest court had rejected his appeal for a new trial. Syed, center, leaves the Cummings Courthouse on Monday after a judge ordered his release At the behest of prosecutors who said they had recently uncovered new evidence, Phinn ruled that the state violated its legal obligation to share evidence that could have bolstered Syed's defense. The judge said the state must decide whether to seek a new trial date or dismiss the case within 30 days. Mosby, who entered office in 2015, filed a motion last week to vacate Syed's conviction, a filing that Koenig described as a 'firework' coming from the same office that asked a jury to convict Syed years ago. Key to Monday's outcome was evidence uncovered by a unit that Mosby's office launched to reexamine cases in which juvenile defendants were given life sentences. That worked in tandem with a 2021 Maryland law that enables someone convicted as a juvenile to seek a reduced sentence after serving at least 20 years. Syed was 17 when Lee was killed. Prosecutor Becky Feldman led the unit and found notes written by one of her predecessors describing two phone calls in which people gave them information before Syed's trial about someone with a motive to harm Lee. That information was not given to the defense at the time, according prosecutors - an omission that Phinn said violated Syed's rights. Koenig noted that she knew who these two new potential suspects were - and so did detectives who investigated Syed two decades ago - but declined to name them because they have not been charged. 'One of (the suspects) was investigated at the time, submitted to a couple of polygraphs. The other was investigated also, but not with much vigor, as far as I can tell,' she said. A key Putin ally who chose the Russian leader to be godfather to his daughter has been freed as part of a prisoner swap which has seen Azov battle commanders and 10 foreign nationals released. Russia has freed 215 Ukrainians it took prisoner after a protracted battle for the port city of Mariupol earlier this year, including top military leaders, a senior official in Kyiv said on Wednesday. The freed prisoners include the commander and deputy commander of the Azov battalion that held out in the city's steelworks for weeks, said Andriy Yermak, the head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's office. The move comes as a surprise after Russian-backed separatists last month said there would be a trial of Azov personnel, who Moscow describes as Nazis. Ukraine denies the charge. In a statement, Yermak said the freed prisoners included Azov commander Lieutenant Colonel Denys Prokopenko and his deputy, Svyatoslav Palamar. Also at liberty is Serhiy Volynsky, the commander of the 36th Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The three men had helped lead a dogged weeks-long resistance from the bunkers and tunnels below Mariupol's giant steel works before they and hundreds of Azov fighters surrendered in May to Russian-backed forces. Viktor Medvedchuk, who is said to be a close friend of Vladimir Putin, shortly after his arrest Azov officer Sviatoslav Palamar grins as he talks to someone on the phone shortly after his release Sean Pinner (left) and Aiden Aslin (right) speak from a plane shortly after their release Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) attends a meeting with leader of the banned Ukraine's Opposition Platform For Life party Viktor Medvedchuk in Saint Petersburg in 2019 Putin today threatened the west as he mobilised 300,000 reservists for the Russian Army Head of the Ukraine's State Security Service Vasyl Maliuk embraces a prisoner of war (left) Paramedics were seen helping some of the newly released prisoners of war Yermak said that in return, Kyiv had freed 55 Russian prisoners as well as Viktor Medvedchuk, the leader of a banned pro-Russian party who was facing treason charges. Medvedchuk was arrested in April as he attempted to flee Ukraine and meet up with Russian FSB intelligence agents in Transdniestria. The Ukrainian lawmaker and tycoon, one of the country's richest people, is known for his close ties to Putin and says the Russian leader is godfather to his youngest daughter, Darya. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously offered to swap him for Ukrainians captured by Russia, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said Medvedchuk had 'nothing to do with the special military operation.' 'He is a foreign politician,' he told reporters, adding that the Kremlin was not aware if Medvedchuk wanted Moscow to be involved. 'Medvedchuk has never had any behind-the-scenes relations with Russia,' Peskov added, implying that he would otherwise have left Ukraine before Moscow sent in troops. Medvedchuk is a hugely controversial figure because of his close ties to Moscow. He had been under house arrest since 2021 on treason charges over accusations that he tried to steal natural resources from Russia-annexed Crimea and hand Ukrainian military secrets to Moscow. Meanwhile five Brits are heading home after their release was agreed as part of the prisoner swap and they were flown to Saudi Arabia earlier today. Public broadcaster Suspline said the exchange had happened near the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv. Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia said Russia had released 10 foreign prisoners of war captured in Ukraine following mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. President Zelensky of Ukraine has welcomed the prisoner swap, which sees 215 Ukrainian POWs released L-R John Harding, Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin are released months after being captured in Ukraine Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky (left) speaks with released prisoner of war Azov regiment commander Denys Prokopenko (right) Kateryna Polishchuk, a Ukrainian who helped defend the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol, reacts after she speaks to a loved one after her release The sister of British prisoner of war Shaun Pinner, who was facing a death sentence at the hands of pro-Russian separatists after being captured in Ukraine, has revealed her relief after he was freed. Cassandra Pinner says her family, and the relatives of four other British men who were also released, can celebrate after it was confirmed he will be coming back to the UK after being freed from detention today. The 48-year-old is currently in Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh after the country intervened to negotiate the release of 10 captured prisoners at the behest of the Crown Prince. Among the others released are two Americans, one Swede, one Croat and one Moroccan. Speaking to MailOnline, Cassandra said: 'I am just so relieved that my brother and the others will be home tomorrow. 'It has been hell for everybody but at last the worrying can stop for us. 'We must not forget all that is still happening in Ukraine, but for now our families can celebrate that our boys are home!' Pinner will be flown back to the UK in the near future along with Nottinghamshire man Aiden Aslin and three other Brits who were captured by pro-Moscow separatists. He and Aslin were captured in June and kept in detention, before a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) handed them both a death sentence. But the two are now on their way back to the UK, along with three other Brits, as Aslin and Pinner's families eagerly await their return. Shaun Pinner (left) and Aiden Aslin (right), who had been serving in the Ukrainian marines, were captured by Putin's troops in the city of Mariupol in April. The pair have both now been released More than 1,000 people have reportedly been arrested today across Russia for protesting against the war UK Prime Minister Liz Truss said: 'Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families.' It could not be immediately established if the released group included Morocco-born Brahim Saadoun who was also captured and sentenced to death alongside the Brits in Donetsk. The prisoner exchange came at a puzzling time, landing on the same day Vladimir Putin ordered the mobilisation of reservists in a dramatic escalation of the war in Ukraine. Putin also threatened the West with nuclear weapons over Ukraine, after he announced plans to annex occupied parts of its territory to the Russian mainland. He announced today that around 300,000 army reservists would be called up to the front lines. It comes after a series of heavy defeats which have forced Russian troops to retreat and regroup. The UK's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: 'I welcome the safe return of Ukrainian prisoners of war and one civilian, including five British nationals. Prisoners of war from other countries held by Russia-backed proxies have also been returned. 'This brings to an end many months of uncertainty and suffering, including the threat of the death penalty, for them and their families, at the hands of Russia.' Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have captured hundreds of enemy fighters since the start of the conflict, with a handful of prisoner exchanges having taken place. The head of the UN human rights mission in Ukraine said earlier this month that Russia was not allowing access to prisoners of war, adding the UN had evidence that some had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment that could amount to war crimes. Russia denies torture or other forms of maltreatment of POWs. After Putin announced mobilisation, all plane tickets to countries where Russians would not need a visa, including Turkey, Armenia and Georgia, have now sold out, while flagship airline Aeroflot is not displaying any available flights. More than 100 demonstrators holding 'no to mobilisation' signs and chanting anti-war slogans have been dragged away by armed police trying to stamp out the unrest across the country, and a reported 1,000 people have been arrested today alone. Last month, the head of the Russian-backed separatist administration in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk said a trial of captured Azov personnel would take place by the end of the summer. The Azov unit, formed in 2014 as a militia to fight Russian-backed separatists, denies being fascist, and Ukraine says it has been reformed from its radical nationalist origins. More than 80 flights cancelled at Sydney Airport in public holiday chaos Up to 80 flights have been cancelled at Sydney Airport in a public holiday travel nightmare as the east coast is hammered with wild weather. The airport has blamed torrential rain and strong winds for 45 flights being cancelled from Sydney between 6am and 7.30pm. Up to 41 flights into Sydney have also been axed in bad news for travellers who planned to take advantage of Thursday's National Day of Mourning. 'In anticipation of bad weather today, domestic airlines advised overnight that some services would be affected,' a Sydney Airport spokesperson said. 'Passengers are advised to check with their airline regarding the status of their flight. 'Passengers who are travelling today are recommended to arrive two hours prior to domestic flight departures, and three hours for international services.' The airport plans to move to a single runway due to the wet weather with services scheduled to return to normal by Thursday afternoon. AirServices Australia released a statement assuring customers weather conditions were being 'constantly monitored' with 'parallel runway operations to resume at Sydney Airport as soon as conditions permit'. Up to 80 flights have been cancelled at Sydney Airport in a public holiday travel nightmare as the east coast is hammered with rain (pictured, lines at the airport) Much of Australia's east coast is set to be hit with heavy rain over the coming days Josh Clements, Head of Communications for Sydney Airport, told 2GB radio the decision to cancel the flights had been made overnight. 'The alternative was to run the gauntlet and let people turn up and be disappointed,' he said, adding the affected airlines - Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin and Rex - are working to put customers on new flights. Mr Clements warned that Friday would be even busier with the start of the school holidays with up to 2.4million people expected to travel though the airport. The cancellations coincide with the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne on Saturday, with Qantas saying it would put on extra flights to get as many Sydney residents to the clash between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans. It comes as severe thunderstorms and damaging winds caused havoc in NSW on Wednesday, with similar storms possible for southern Queensland. Ongoing flooding is expected for parts of NSW, Queensland and Victoria, the Bureau of Meteorology said, with several warnings issued for each state. The bureau said a deep low pressure system is building over northern NSW with possible heavy rainfall for the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers - with 70mm of rain forecast to fall over NSW throughout Thursday. Up to 41 flights into Sydney have also been cancelled in bad news for travellers who planned to take advantage of Thursday's National Day of Mourning (pictured, Sydney Airport on Thursday) A flood watch warning is current for north-west, central west and south-west inland rivers in NSW. The wet weather is a result of a low pressure system moving across Australia's south-east. Port Macquarie on NSW's mid north coast is in for a massive drenching with between 45 and 85mm of rain forecast over the next three days. Weatherzone meteorologist Felix Levesque said the low pressure system was progressively moving towards the east coast of NSW and Queensland. A deep low pressure system is currently over northern #NSW. #SevereWeatherWarning is current for possible heavy rainfall about the #MidNorthCoast and #NorthernRivers, with flash flooding and river rises expected from possible heavy rain. Monitor Warnings: https://t.co/aWsADZzYxA pic.twitter.com/uCGoyB5vZs Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) September 21, 2022 Ongoing flooding is also expected for parts of NSW, Queensland and Victoria, the Bureau of Meteorology said, with several flood warnings issued for each state The meteorologist said significant rainfall would be seen over Thursday and Friday along the east coast from Batemans Bay up to south-east Queensland. Parts of NSW's mid north coast could see 80mm of rain fall over the coming days. In Sydney, between 15 and 25mm is predicted to fall on Thursday. The rain won't ease up in the NSW capital until Sunday. Melbourne will have a dry public holiday on Thursday, but the rain will start to fall on Friday into Saturday for the AFL Grand Final. Brisbane won't escape the wet weather with rain continuing on Thursday. Thunderstorms are also likely. Adelaide is mostly in for a dry end to the week, with the rain to start back up again on Sunday. Hobart will have a wet weekend with most of the rain to fall on Friday. Those living in the nation's capital are in for a wet week with the sun only coming out on Sunday. Meanwhile on the other side of the country Perth will see some showers on Wednesday but an otherwise dry and sunny end to the week. Temperatures will soar in the Northern Territory with 35C days forecast for Darwin. The Colombian mother who committed suicide at a family shelter in Queens had been told 'she was a bad mother' by employees just days before she took her life, according to a friend of the deceased. DailyMail.com can now confirm that the mother-of-two was 32-year-old Leydy Paola Martinez Billalobos, a migrant from Bogota who had been living at the Family Shelter in Hollis, Queens with her 15-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter-since May. There, she was apparently harassed by shelter employees and was scolded for leaving her children unattended, against shelter rules, before she hanged herself from a shower rod on Sunday. Billalobos was found by her teenage son, Kevin Billalobos, with an electrical cord wrapped around her neck. The heartbroken boy told police in the aftermath he felt like he was to blame for his mother's death, and described his mother to reporters as 'perfect.' Now, the teen and his younger sister, 7, are reportedly staying at a hotel with a family friend since the tragedy. It is unclear whether they will be sent back to Bogota to live with their father. Leydy Paola Martinez Billalobos, a migrant from Bogota who had been living at the Family Shelter in Hollis, Queens with her 15-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter-since May, committed suicide on Sunday. She had been waiting for her husband, John Bernal, to join the family in the United States Residents have claimed that the rules at the Hollis Family Shelter in Queens (pictured) are too strict, and some of the employees are 'racist' to South and Central Americans A friend, whose name was not revealed for safety reasons, told Univision/Noticias 41 on Tuesday that both she and Billalobos had been struggling to find a job as neither of them had working papers. 'We look for everything- washing dishes, cleaning the apartment, whatever,' the friend said. Eventually, she said, Billalobos had taken a job cleaning someone's home. But when she left for work, Billalobo had to leave her children unattended apparently breaking the shelter's rule that kids 18 and under need to have parental supervision. When some of the staffers found out what she had did they 'made her feel bad' called her 'a bad mother', because she left her kids alone, the friend of the deceased told the outlet. 'She went out to clean house to feed her kids,' the friend said, adding: 'A lot of the women are a little depressed because of the childcare and because of the rules and regulations at the shelter.' Meanwhile, Billalobos' husband, John Bernal, said his wife was stressed and overwhelmed in the days leading up to her death. She was alone with their children trying to find work so she can support her family as she waited for him to come to New York but each time he tried he was deported back to Columbia. Migrants are loaded onto MTA buses in Manhattan after arriving by bus from Texas to Port Authority Bus Terminal 'I had advised her to be patient,' he said. 'She was desperate because I hadn't been able to get there. I tried three times but I couldn't.' It is unclear if the children will be going back to Colombia to be with their father. They are currently staying at a hotel, the news outlet reported. The Colombian Consulate is in the process of trying to bring Billalobos' body back to her homeland of Columbia, the news outlet said. DailyMail.com has reached out to the shelter and the city Department of Health and Human Services for comment. The friend also revealed to Univision she heard Kevin's screams on Sunday afternoon after he made the horrifying discovery, but was not able to comfort him because of the security that was around. The woman, who lives with her husband and two children - ages 9 and 14 - said she came to New York from Venezuela by bus two months ago, and that it took them a full month and 15 days to get here. She said that even though she feels 'very grateful that she has a place to sleep,' 'some of the workers treat the the mothers very badly.' In total, over 11,000 migrants have arrived in New York City since May In fact, Sandra Padera, 42, who had been living at the shelter for three years with her husband and three children said that some of the staffers are 'racist,' particularly towards the Central and South American population. She said she is not able to work and does not have working papers, claiming: 'Those who have working papers are treated better than those who do not.' Another woman, who asked not to be identified, also said 'the shelter treats the emigrants bad, especially the immigrants.' Nadia, 36, who manages a neighborhood grocery store, said that Billalobos had come in looking for a job a few months ago, but because she didn't have working papers she said they couldn't hire her. When she learned that Billalobos was the woman who died by the suicide at the shelter she was both shocked and saddened. 'I can't believe it was her. I don't know why she would kill herself... so tragic. 'What will happen with her kids?' she asked. 'I hope they will send the husband here now [to New York] and not send her children back to Colombia. It's so much worse there,' Nadia said. 'At least in New York they will get benefits and care.' On Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams revealed that a migrant mother that arrived in New York City months earlier committed suicide at one of the city's shelters. 'The thousands of asylum seekers we have seen arrive in our city came to this country seeking a better life,' the statement began. 'Sadly, though, yesterday, an asylum seeker in one of our facilities took her own life.' The tragic news comes as Adams declared a 'humanitarian crisis' in his city after 2,500 migrants were bussed into the Big Apple and floods of people pour into Texas everyday. The mayor said in the statement that the death 'is a reminder that we have an obligation to do everything in our power to help those in need.' According to the Democrat Mayor, New York's facilities for housing migrants has been pushed to the brink in recent months - with the city having already opened 23 emergency shelters. Adams said that 38 more shelters are set to be created to deal with the mounting issue. Speaking on ABC on Sunday, Adams added: 'This is an American crisis that we need to face a humanitarian crisis that was made by human hands, by some of the governors in the southern states.' At least six busses of asylum seekers arrived in New York from Texas on Sunday - while shelters in the city reached 'breaking point.' In total, over 11,000 migrants have arrived in the city since May - 2,500 of which were sent on busses by Gov Abbott. Adams revealed to WCBS that his team are looking into potentially housing the thousands of people bussed into the Big Apple on cruise ships. He added: 'We examined everything from the legality of using any type of cruise ship for temporary housing.' This comes as Republicans have stepped up their attacks on the Biden administration as they try to make immigration the theme of November's midterm elections. Despite the Martha's Vineyard move being praised in Republican circles, liberals criticized DeSantis for pulling what they characterized as a cruel stunt which used human lives as pawns in a political game. Among the critics was President Biden, who said DeSantis was 'playing politics with human beings.' If you or anyone you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts, please call or text the National Suicide Hotline 24/7 at 988 or 1-800-273-8255. North Korea told US to stop making 'reckless remarks' and to 'keep mouth shut' US intelligence said that Russia was in process of buying arms from North Korea North Korea has denied supplying any weapons to Russia during the war in Ukraine and has no plans to do so, and said U.S. intelligence reports of weapons transfers were an attempt to tarnish Pyongyang's image. An unnamed North Korean defence official told the US to stop making 'reckless remarks' and to 'keep its mouth shout', according to a state media report released today. Biden administration officials earlier this month confirmed a declassified U.S. intelligence assessment that Russia was in the process of purchasing arms from North Korea, including millions of artillery shells and rockets. It comes as Moscow attempts to ease severe supply shortages in Ukraine worsened by U.S.-led export controls and sanctions. The North Korean statement came weeks after Moscow described the U.S. intelligence finding as 'fake.' North Korean arms exports to Russia would violate United Nations resolutions banning the country from importing or exporting weapons. North Korea has denied supplying any weapons to Russia during the war in Ukraine and has no plans to do so, and said U.S. intelligence reports of weapons transfers were an attempt to tarnish Pyongyang's image. Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in Russia in 2019 The North Korean official stressed that Pyongyang has never recognized the 'unlawful' U.N. Security Council sanctions against the country 'cooked up by the U.S. and its vassal forces.' The official said the export and import of military equipment is a 'lawful right peculiar to a sovereign state,' according to an English translation of the statement published by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. 'But we take this opportunity to make clear one thing. We have never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia before and we will not plan to export them,' said the official, who was described as a vice director general of the National Defense Ministrys general equipment bureau. 'It is not sure from where the rumor originated which the U.S. is spreading, but it is aimed at tarnishing the DPRKs image,' the official said, referring to the countrys formal name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. Facing sanctions and export controls, Russia in August bought Iranian-made drones that U.S. officials said had technical problems. Experts say North Korea, if willing, could become a major source of small arms, artillery and other ammunition for Russia, considering the compatibility of their defense systems based on Soviet roots. North Korea has sought to tighten relations with Russia even as most of Europe and the West has pulled away, blaming the U.S. for the crisis and decrying the Wests 'hegemonic policy' as justifying military action by Russia in Ukraine to protect itself. U.S. officials believe that the Russians could look to purchase additional North Korean military equipment in the future. Pictured: North Korea's military test-fires multiple rocket launchers The North Korean government has even hinted it is interested in sending construction workers to help rebuild pro-Russia breakaway regions in Ukraines east. In July, North Korea became the only nation aside from Russia and Syria to recognize the independence of the territories, Donetsk and Luhansk. North Korea also has used the war as a window to accelerate its own arms development, testing dozens of weapons including its first long-range missiles since 2017, exploiting a divide in the U.N. Security Council, where Russia and China have blocked U.S. attempts to tighten sanctions on Pyongyang. The North has punctuated its testing activity with repeated threats of nuclear conflict with Seoul and Washington. The latest was a law passed by Pyongyangs rubber-stamp parliament this month that further enshrined the countrys status as a nuclear power and authorized the preemptive use of nuclear weapons over a broad range of scenarios where its leadership comes under threat. Sung Kim, the Biden administrations special representative for North Korea, met with South Korean counterpart Kim Gunn in Seoul on Thursday where they expressed 'serious concern' over the Norths escalating nuclear doctrine spelled out in the new law, South Koreas Foreign Ministry said. The diplomats reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defend South Korea in the event of a nuclear war with the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear. The allies also maintained their months-old assessment that North Korea is gearing up to conduct its first nuclear test since 2017 and discussed 'stern' countermeasures to such an action, the ministry said. Britains biggest police force is failing to record thousands of crimes of stalking, domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour responding to just one in 21 calls in some areas. The police watchdog raised serious concerns about the Metropolitan Polices performance after the force failed in six out of nine areas of work, with the blunders resulting in offenders evading justice. Just days after Sir Mark Rowley took over as Commissioner, His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services has demanded that Scotland Yard make urgent improvements. Britain's King Charles III, joined by Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, arrives to meet emergency service workers at Lambeth HQ on September 17, 2022 The report found that more than 69,100 offences a year were going unrecorded, with victims of domestic violence or those suffering long-term abuse such as stalking, controlling and coercive behaviour or harassment being ignored. Not all reports of rape were correctly recorded and in some cases it was taking more than three days for crimes to be logged leading to delays in rape investigations and victims receiving support. Inspectors believe the force turns a blind eye to many incidents of anti-social behaviour, with just one out of the 21 calls from victims leading to a crime being logged. The force, which was put into special measures three months ago, was labelled inadequate in the way it responds to the public, with call handlers unable to answer 999 calls quickly enough, and failures to identify vulnerable or repeat victims. It also missed opportunities to preserve evidence which may help investigations. A watchdog has raised 'serious concerns' about the performance of the Metropolitan Police after it found the force was 'failing' in several areas of its work Shoddy investigations by inexperienced detectives also let criminals off the hook, the inspectors found. Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr warned: Until the force improves how it responds to incidents and increases the capability and supervision of its investigators, it will not be able to sustainably reduce crime. Dame Lynne Owens, Met Deputy Commissioner, said: We want to remove as many hurdles as possible to make it easier for hardworking officers to fight crime, deliver justice and support victims. Breast cancer surgery guidelines are leaving thousands of women at risk of the disease returning, a major review has found. Around one in five women who undergo treatment to remove tumours are having insufficient breast tissue removed, researchers say. This leaves them with a much higher chance of cancer recurring in the breast or elsewhere, making it incurable. Breast cancer is the second most deadly cancer for women, causing 11,400 deaths a year. Experts said the focus had wrongly been on the cosmetic outcome of surgery, with an over-reliance on drug breakthroughs and radiotherapy to mop up any remaining cancerous cells. But they believe thousands of lives could be saved if between one and two millimetres of healthy surrounding tissue was removed with a tumour. In the biggest analysis of its kind, researchers from the University of Manchester compared the outcomes of 68 studies involving 112,140 patients. The chance of the recurrence of a tumour elsewhere in the body was 25.4 per cent in patients who had cancerous tissue up to the edge of what was removed. Around one in five women who undergo treatment to remove tumours are having insufficient breast tissue removed, researchers say, which leaves them with a much higher chance of cancer recurring in the breast or elsewhere. (Stock image) But that figure fell to 8.4 per cent for those who had up to 2mm of health tissue removed as well and to 7.4 per cent for patients with a clearance of 2mm or more, according to the findings published in the British Medical Journal. Cases of cancer returning in the breast which raises the disease mortality rate by four times stood at 8.8 per cent for those with less than 1mm of healthy tissue removed but at just 3.9 per cent for cases involving more than 1mm. Professor Nigel Bundred (pictured), who led the study, said guidelines needed changing Professor Nigel Bundred, who led the study, said guidelines needed changing. He added: 'You have to do the surgery right in the first place. Some patients are being left with a tumour left in the breast and the assumption is that chemotherapy and radiotherapy will compensate.' He continued: 'We have been in an era where everybody was de-escalating breast cancer surgery saying we've got all these extra treatments that make the difference... well actually they don't. 'There's also been this trend over the last 10 years that everybody must have reconstruction and everything just have a wonderful cosmetic result. 'But the patients were quite clear what they wanted, first and foremost, was cure of the cancer. They can always come back and have their cosmesis improved but they want their cancer cured.' Regulator NICE published updated guideline on the diagnosis and management of early and locally advanced breast cancer in 2018 but felt there was insufficient evidence to clearly define an optimum removal margin. Jane Murphy at the charity Breast Cancer Now, said: 'It's crucial that everyone receives the treatment most effective and suitable for them to reduce the risk of cancer returning or spreading. 'This analysis adds to what we already know about the importance of ensuring a small amount of healthy tissue surrounding the tumour is removed during breast-conserving surgery and concludes that a minimum clear margin of at least 1mm should be achieved. 'This evidence can now be considered within current clinical practice and should be discussed as part of the patient's treatment.' The man who slapped Rudy Giuliani on the back in a Staten Island supermarket had charges against him dismissed on Wednesday - despite Giuliani claiming, with considerable exaggeration, that Daniel Gill wanted 'to cause serious harm'. Giuliani, 78, was campaigning at the supermarket on June 26 in support of his son Andrew's ultimately unsuccessful bid to win the Republican party's nomination for governor. The former lawyer for Donald Trump and mayor of New York City was standing with a group of people when Gill, a 39-year-old a grocery store clerk, walked past and reached out. Gill later said he was angered by Giuliani's support for the repeal of Roe v. Wade. He touched Giuliani's back with an open palm, saying: 'What's up, scumbag?' ShopRite worker Daniel Gill, 39, seen here touching Rudy Giuliani's back during a campaign stop for his son, Andrew, on June 26 Gill, of Staten Island, spent 24 hours in jail for the incident but has since has charges dropped Gill then walked away. He was arrested and spent more than 24 hours in jail. Giuliani declared in a Facebook video: 'His intent was to cause serious harm. I could have fallen and cracked my skull and died.' Video of the incident soon emerged, however - leaving Giuliani red faced when the 'attack' was revealed to be a mild encounter. Giuliani appeared to barely react in the video, but later said it felt 'like somebody shot me' or that he had been hit by a boulder. Giuliani, 78, discussed his encounter with a supermarket worker during a campaign stop for his son Andrew Giuliani was in Staten Island campaigning for his son, Andrew, when he was struck by a disgruntled supermarket worker On Wednesday, Richmond County district attorney's office announced that the case has been adjourned in contemplation of dismissal, which means the charges will be dropped in six months if the man stays out of trouble. In a statement read in court on Wednesday, Assistant Richmond County District Attorney Darren Albanese said Gill 'violated a basic social contract which is a lesson taught when we are young - keep your hands to yourself.' But the district attorney said proving in court that Gill caused physical injury or intended to do so would be 'extremely difficult.' Susan Platis, an attorney with the Legal Aid Society's Staten Island trial office who represented Gill, said he has no prior criminal record and 'did not commit any criminal act, and this outcome, which will ultimately dismiss the case in its entirety, reflects that reality.' Anthony Fauci has said he won't be retiring in the 'classic sense,' despite many Americans calling for the Covid czar to retire for good Anthony Fauci said at a conference on Wednesday he would not be retiring in the 'classic sense' even as many Americans become weary of the doctor and call for him to retire permanently. Many social media users have taken to the internet to complain about Fauci's unwillingness to hang up his boots for good, and are calling on the 81-year-old to 'retire in the classic sense.' Fauci spoke at The Atlantic Festival sponsored by media outlet The Atlantic where he discussed the 'draconian' measures he instituted, but defended the decision as necessary because of the dire situations in the nation's hospitals. The nation's 'top doctor' said he knew that shutting things down, even temporarily, would have a bad effect on the nation's schoolchildren and the economy. One Twitter user called on him to 'just retire already,' and contended that he knows 'it's no longer a pandemic!' Fauci spoke at The Atlantic Festival sponsored by media outlet The Atlantic and admitted his 'draconian' lockdowns had negative consequences Many Americans took to Twitter following the discussion to voice their feelings about his comments, and some want him to step away from professional life for good One Twitter user contended Fauci knows there is no longer a Coronavirus pandemic and asks for him to 'just retire already' Fauci said his biggest regret was not more clearly explaining that 'science and data change from day to day and from week to week' He also claimed that social media created a divisiveness that warped his statements and purposefully made his guidance sound controversial and arbitrary. 'When you make recommendations, if the primary goal when you're dealing with a situation where the hospitals were being overrun in New York, intensive care units were being put in hallways, you have to do something that's rather draconian.' He said his biggest regret was not more clearly explaining that 'science and data change from day to day and from week to week.' 'You have to make a balance when you're dealing with the only way to stop something cold in its tracks is to try and shut things down,' Fauci said. 'You try to shut things down for the sake of it, that's bad. but with the purpose of being able to regroup so that you can then open up in a safe way, that's the best way to do it,' he continued. When asked about what comes next for the Covid czar, Fauci said he won't retire but rather 'rewire' as he wants to inspire the next generation of medical professionals and perhaps write articles or lecture. 'I'm not gonna retire in the classic sense. I'm stepping down from the federal government,' he said. 'I think I looked pretty spry and energetic at my age, I have a few more years to do something while I'm still energetic. I still have all my smarts and I'm still relatively healthy, he added.' He maintained that 'the benefit of my experience to hopefully inspire the younger generation of scientists and would-be scientists so that you might stimulate them to want to pursue a career in science and in medicine.' He was also questioned about President Joe Biden's controversial comments last weekend, where he asserted that the Covid pandemic was 'over.' 'I'm not gonna retire in the classic sense. I'm stepping down from the federal government,' Fauci said at the conference President Joe Biden asserted that the Covid pandemic was 'over' in an interview on Sunday with 60 Minutes 'We still have a problem with COVID. We're still doing a lotta work on it. It's - but the pandemic is over,' Biden said to journalist Scott Pelley During Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes, host Scott Pelley pointed out to the president that they were walking around the first Detroit Auto Show in three years and then asked, 'Is the pandemic over?' 'The pandemic is over,' Biden replied. 'We still have a problem with COVID. We're still doing a lotta work on it. It's - but the pandemic is over.' Fauci said Biden was trying to make the point that 'it's very different now,' and said 'we have vaccinations, we have boosters, we have the availability as of the last couple weeks an updated vaccine that actually matches the circulating strain. The epidemiologist said in August he will leave government service in December to 'pursue the next chapter' of his career as President Joe Biden praised his work during the Covid pandemic and Republicans vowed to call him before Congress. Biden said Fauci has saved 'countless lives,' which includes decades of work on infection diseases including the AIDS crisis, Ebola, Zika and the coronavirus pandemic. 'I've been able to call him at any hour of the day for his advice as we've tackled this once-in-a-generation pandemic. His commitment to the work is unwavering, and he does it with an unparalleled spirit, energy, and scientific integrity,' Biden said in a statement. Fauci became a household name during Donald Trump's presidency when he clashed with the then-president and members of the Republican Party on how to handle the covid pandemic. Eventually sidelined by Trump's administration, he continued to speak out, advocating for face masks and social distancing before vaccines were widely available while Republicans painted him as symbol of lockdowns. Fauci also clashed with Congressional Republicans about mitigation measures for the pandemic, notably Senator Rand Paul. 'Fauci's resignation will not prevent a full-throated investigation into the origins of the pandemic. He will be asked to testify under oath regarding any discussions he participated in concerning the lab leak,' Paul wrote on Twitter of Fauci's resignation. There was some suggestion that, if Republicans win control of Congress in the November election, they would start an investigation of Fauci. There was speculation he would retire to avoid that. Fauci called that 'nonsense.' Republicans, however, are already vowing to call him before Congress - whether he works for the government or not. Authorities were introducing facial recognition technology to spot women not wearing their hijab in public Advertisement Protesters destroyed Iranian police vehicles and sent morality offers running in the streets as the fifth night of protest rocked the country in the early hours of Thursday morning. Dozens of Iranian cities were locked in the grips of deadly riots as women tore off their hijabs and took to the streets, burning the garments while marching for their rights to be seen publicly without the veil. Women in Turkey protested outside the Iranian embassy by cutting off their hair and holding it above roaring crowds. Kurdish and Lebanese women took part in a rally in the downtown district of the capital Beirut, while Iranians in New York rallied outside a United Nations conference to protest against the arrival of Iran's hardline president Ebrahim Raisi. Female-led protests have shaken the country since the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died after being arrested by the morality police for failing to wear her hijab 'correctly'. Authorities said earlier in September they would use facial recognition technology in public places to spot women who didn't adhere to the stricter hijab laws, arresting those who didn't comply. Dozens of people stage a demonstration to protest the death of a 22-year-old woman under custody in Tehran Iran on September 21 Protesters chant slogans during a protest over the death of a woman who was detained by the morality police, in Tehran Kurdish and Lebanese women take part in a rally in the downtown district of the capital Beirut on Spetember 21, 2022, days after the Iranian authorities announced the death of Mahsa Amini Nasibe Samsaei, an Iranian woman living in Turkey, cuts her hair during a protest following the death of Mahsa Amini, outside the Iranian consulate in Istanbul A woman holds up a handful of her hair after cutting it during a protest over the death of Iranian Mahsa Amini outside the Iranian Consulate on September 21 A protester holds a portrait of Mahsa Amini during a demonstration in support of Amini, a young Iranian woman who died after being arrested in Tehran by the Islamic Republic's morality police, on Istiklal avenue in Istanbul An elderly lady removed her veil to expose her grey hair and walked through the city of Rasht with her head uncovered, chanting 'death to [supreme leader] Khamenei' risking life imprisonment for her defiance. Lights flashing red and blue shrank back into the shadows as protesters advanced, with a crowd of hundreds overwhelming the regime's forces. Elsewhere, police fled atop motorcycles as a wave of protesters charged. Amini's treatment during captivity led to her becoming comatose and dying following her arrest in Tehran, sparking demonstrations in multiple areas, the capital included. President Raisi has promised an investigation after at-first denying the accusations, but it has done little to quell the protests. The head of Tehrans morality police, Ahmed Mirzaei, has reportedly been suspended after the death of the young woman, according to The Times of Israel. Two people died on Tuesday in the western Iranian city of Kermanshah, the city's prosecutor was quoted as saying on Wednesday by the semi-official Fars news agency. Mahsa Amini, 22, is pictured before her arrest and alleged torture by the Iranian authorities 'Unfortunately, two people were murdered in yesterday's riots in Kermanshah. We are certain this was done by anti-revolutionary elements because the victims were killed by weapons not used by the security apparatus,' Shahram Karami said. The prosecutor added 25 people, including protesters, security forces and bystanders, were injured during the protests. Iran's Telecommunications Minister Issa Zarepour on Wednesday warned of internet restrictions, citing the 'security issues of these days.' The Anonymous hacktivist group said it hacked the official website of Irans president in support for the ongoing protests, according to Iran International. In an another development, Elon Musk said he wants to be exempt from Iranian sanctions so he can provide the country with his Starlink satellite internet. People light a fire during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini, in Tehran, Iran September 21 People attend a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died after being arrested by the Islamic republic's 'morality police' in Tehran People participate in a protest against Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi outside of the United Nations on September 21, 2022 in New York City People participate in a protest against Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi outside of the United Nations on September 21, 2022 in New York City A social media user going by the handle 'erfan_kasrale' tagged Musk in a tweet on Monday, saying: 'I'm sure you won't answer it Mr Musk, but is it technically possible to provide Starlink to Iranian people? It could be a game changer for the future.' And Musk tweeted a reply on Tuesday, September 20, saying: 'Starlink will ask for an exemption to Iranian sanctions in this regard.' The protests are among the most serious in Iran since November 2019 unrest over fuel price rises. It came as the United States and Iran butted horns on the return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal on Wednesday, with President Joe Biden vowing Tehran would never get an atomic bomb. Raisi struck a defiant tone at the United Nations General Assembly by decrying 'double standards' on human rights after the death of an Iranian woman in police custody that has sparked protests around Iran. Protests have spread across Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini after the young woman was arrested by the morality police The president also said he wanted former US President Donald Trump to face trial for the killing of Iran's Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, holding up a picture of the general who was killed in a US drone strike in 2020. Iran is demanding that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, stop investigating traces of uranium found at three undeclared Iranian sites. 'These issues are not going to be wished away,' agency chief Rafael Grossi told reporters at the United Nations, adding that he hoped to meet with Iranians in a few days. 'The IAEA has limited access to Iran's nuclear facilities... We are ready to re-engage with Iran'. He fears they could be kicked out as the Charles reviews the property portfolio Sources say Prince Andrew, who now looks after the Queen's corgis, will stay He has a 75-year lease on the lavish property, which belongs to the Crown Estate The Duke of York and his ex-wife live in the 31-bedroom Royal Lodge in Windsor Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will remain at their lavish Windsor mansion in the near future, but fear they could be 'kicked out' amid a shake-up within the Royal Family. The Duke of York is said to be expecting a letter giving him notice to leave Royal Lodge, a 31-bedroom property he leases from the Crown Estate, at some point in the future. The concerns come as his brother Charles begins his reign as King and looks to make good on previous promises that he will streamline the monarchy. As part of this is thought there will be a review into the Crown's vast property portfolio, which covers 500,000-plus acres of land, and how it is being used. This review could lead to the decision to kick Andrew out of the mansion he shares with his ex-wife and the corgis which used to belong to his late mother. While he is safe in the immediate future following the death the Queen, sources have said that he might be told to leave in the future, according to The Sun. Prince Andrew fears he and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson could be kicked out of their Windsor mansion, according to reports The divorced couple live in Royal Lodge, a 31-bedroom mansion in Windsor that used to belong to the Queen Mother It is thought that the royal would be owed a significant amount of money if told to leave the house. He signed a preferential but undisclosed 100-year lease on the property, which used to belong to the late Queen Mother, that could entitle him to up to 7million if severed by the Crown. The late Queen's third child has been largely shut away from the public eye in recent years for his association with Jeffrey Epstein and subsequent civil case involving one of the deceased paedophile's victims. While Andrew settled the case in the US without accepting guilt, he was stripped of his royal and military titles and has been forced away from the spotlight at the behest of King Charles III and his son Prince William. Andrew does not own any property of his own, apart an 18million ski chalet he so disastrously bought with his ex-wife in Verbier five years ago. He has now been forced to sell that after failing to make the second 5million instalment he owed the vendor, French socialite Isabelle de Rouvre, who took legal action to retrieve it. However, despite accepting an offer for the property a year ago, it still has not been sold, The Sun reports. An insider told the paper Andrew, who was considered to be 'under the protection of the Queen' would not be removed from Royal Lodge in the near future as it would 'seem callous to throw them out so soon after she died'. They added: 'But if he's doing no duties and rattling around a 30million mansion during the cost-of-living crisis, then it's a terrible look.' A spokesman for the Duke of York did not comment when contacted by The Sun. The property is owned by the Crown Estate, which is thought to be set to undertake a review of its portfolio now Charles has become king If he does leave it is not clear where he will live, having sold his former marital home Sunninghill Park, near Windsor, which was a wedding gift from the Queen. The 12-bedroom property, likened to an out-of-town superstore, had languished on the market for five years before suddenly being bought in 2007 for 15million 3million over the asking price by Timur Kulibayev. Kulibayev is the son-in-law of Prince Andrew's friend and goose-hunting partner Nursultan Nazarbayev, the former autocratic ruler of Kazakhstan. Asked about the deal, Mr Kulibayev said at the time that the decision to pay 3million over the asking price for a property that had been on the market unsold for five years had come about because of a briefing from Prince Andrew's camp that other parties were interested in it. 'We can confirm at the time of purchase we were told that there were several interested parties,' said his spokesman. Earlier this year it was revealed that the Duchess of York had bought a 5million luxury property in Mayfair. Andrew has been forced to put his 18million chalet in the ski resort of Verbier on the market The Duke of York also previously sold his 15million 12-bedroom love nest, Sunninghill Park in Berkshire The property is said to be viewed as an investment opportunity for her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, but for now it is Fergie's only home in London amid questions about where she could have found the cash. Her multi-million pound purchase came despite her repeated complaints of financial difficulties in recent years, describing herself as 'continually on the verge of financial bankruptcy' in a 2010 TV interview in the US. She also admitted to having 'little understanding' of money and there were reports she had run up as much as 4.2million in debt during her marriage to Andrew. She received 3million from their divorce and most of her income is now likely to come from her books. Her first bodice-ripper crept onto the bestseller charts last year - despite critics branding it a 'slog' with no sex. Critics branded the book 'boring' but it initially sold 1,000 copies a week when it was released. People on the street said the Duchess had been spotted viewing the house in the late spring - and seen running into a waiting vehicle. They admitted they were happy to have yet another famous neighbour - as long as her ex-husband stays away. Nearly two-thirds of the public believe the King should pay tax on his private inheritance, a poll has found. The Queen agreed to pay income and capital gains tax in 1993 but sovereign-to-sovereign bequests are exempt from inheritance tax. Her Majestys personal wealth was estimated at 370million, which would make the King liable for an inheritance tax bill usually charged at 40 per cent above a 325,000 threshold of 148million. Now a survey by YouGov has found 63 per cent of the public believe he should pay inheritance tax. Nearly two-thirds of the public believe the King should pay tax on his private inheritance, a poll has found In the poll, commissioned by campaign group Tax Justice UK, 16 per cent said the King should not pay inheritance tax, while 21 per cent did not know. The monarchs overall wealth is estimated to be around 24billion, including property such as Buckingham Palace which belongs to him only in an official capacity. It is managed by the Crown Estate, which surrenders any profit earned to the Treasury, receiving a portion of this as the Sovereign Grant to fund the monarchs official duties. Campaigners have claimed this should be exempt from inheritance tax, while the Queens personal wealth, which included property, private investments and racehorses, should be taxed. Robert Palmer, from Tax Justice UK, said: Its clear that a big majority of the public think the King should pay inheritance tax on the private fortunes he has just inherited. The monarchs overall wealth is estimated to be around 24billion, including property such as Buckingham Palace which belongs to him only in an official capacity The status quo is pretty ridiculous given how much the Royal Family has in their private fortune. This is just one of many examples of how very wealthy people can pay low levels of tax and legally avoid paying what is due to the Exchequer. But defenders of the rules argue that it is wrong for the Royal Familys wealth to be whittled away with each generation. Inheritance tax remains deeply controversial because it tends to hit middle class earners hardest as very wealthy individuals are able to exploit legal loopholes, such as gifts and trusts. In 2016, the new Duke of Westminster inherited 9billion almost tax free when his father died because his estate was held in trust. The result of the poll came as King Charles planned a slimmed-down coronation next spring to reflect his new-look monarchy. Sources have said the new sovereign would like his ceremony to be shorter, smaller and less expensive to acknowledge the nations cost-of-living crisis and to reflect how the Royal Family will operate under his leadership. YouGov interviewed 1,705 people between September 15 and 16. A former United States general predicted Russia's newly announced conscription will be a 'disaster', just as Google searches for 'How to break an arm at home' rocketed in the country since Vladimir Putin announced the new measure. Mark Hertling, formerly an Army lieutenant general specializing in troop training, took to Twitter today to explain that Russia's barely existent military training program is sure to spell further disaster for Russia in their sputtering invasion of Ukraine. 'Putin's announced mobilization of 300,000 'reservists' was jaw-dropping to me this morning, but not for the reason some might suspect,' Hertling tweeted, 'Why? Because [sic] know how Russian soldiers are trained, in basic training & in their units.' Hertling went on to explain how the US Army drills about 150,000 recruits per year in ten weeks of rigorous basic training, then sends them off to specialized training before the troops 'report to their units ready to be integrated in the specific mission.' In the Russian army, however, Hertling said recruits often receive no basic training at all and are sent straight to their units where they receive training which sometimes lasts only a handful of days. Meanwhile, Russians seem to agree with Hertling's assessment of their front line prospects, as Google searches for ' ' - which translates to 'how to break an arm at home' - skyrocketed in the country mere hours after Putin announced he was conscripting 300,000 citizens to join his invasion of Ukraine. Mark Hertling, formerly an Army lieutenant general specializing in troop training, took to Twitter today to explain that Russia's barely existent military training program is sure to spell further disaster for Russia in their sputtering invasion of Ukraine Putin announced that 300,000 people with military experience would be conscripted beginning Wednesday Hertling said he previously visited Russia and saw their basic training, which he described as 'awful.' 'During 2 visits to RU, I saw basic & unit training. It was awful,' he wrote, 'Familiarization versus qualification on rifles, rudimentary first aid, very few simulations to conserve resources, and...most importantly...horrible leadership by 'drill sergeants.'' 'The issue is the Russian army is poorly led & poorly trained. That starts in basic training, and doesn't get better during the RU soldier's time in uniform.' 'Mobilizing 300k 'reservists' (after failing with depleted conventional forces, rag-tag militias...)' Hertling argued Russian's rushed training process coupled with their use of questionable recruits was sure to spell disaster for their offensive. '...recruiting prisoners & using paramilitaries like the Wagner group) will be extremely difficult,' he wrote. 'And placing "newbies" on a front line that has been mauled, has low morale & who don't want to be portends more RU disaster.' 'Jaw-dropping. A new sign of RU weakness.' Google search data suggests Russians are considering desperate measures to get out of the catastrophic conscription Hertling predicted. The search engine measures search terms on a scale of zero to 100 - zero denoting less popular terms and 100 more. When Putin delivered his address announcing the conscription at 2am EST Wednesday, searches for "how to break an arm at home" clocked in at zero, according to Newsweek, meaning they were so low they didn't even track on the scale. However, by just 4am EST, searches for that term in Russia had spiked to 38 out of 100. Hertling explained how the US Army drills about 150,000 recruits per year in ten weeks of rigorous basic training, then sends them off to specialized training before the troops 'report to their units ready to be integrated in the specific mission' Hertling argued Russian's rushed training process coupled with their use of questionable recruits was sure to spell disaster for their offensive Putin's draft is set to become effective on Wednesday. Currently only individuals with previous military experience are eligible. After Putin's announcement, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu assured the Russians that only 300,000 people with "previous military experience" would be eligible. The conscription comes as Russia struggles to fill its ranks on the Ukrainian front. Military officials have been spotted trying to recruit violent criminals from the nation's prisons to join the fight. A huge fire has broken out across three two-storey warehouses in east London and 125 firefighters are currently tackling the blaze as local residents are told to keep their doors and windows shut. Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters were called to the fire on Fowler Road in Ilford. The London Fire Brigade was called at 9.07pm on Wednesday. Fire crews from Romford, Dagenham, Ilford, Woodford and other fire stations in the surrounding area are at the scene. The cause of the fire is not known at this stage. Firefighters tackle a huge blaze at warehouses in Ilford on Wednesday evening Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters are at the scene on Fowler Road The plume of smoke from the blaze meant police are asking residents to keep their windows closed Hainault Industrial Estate warehouse Fire only about 2 fire engines when I went past ended up being at least 20! Fire spread quickly so scary how fast it spread. Smoke is everywhere and can still smell it from our house. Hope to god no one was hurt. Stay Safe @LfbRedbridge pic.twitter.com/xAbvFdDfR6 vicki Webber (@vickiWebber11) September 21, 2022 London Fire Brigade tweeted: 'Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters are at the scene of a fire on Fowler Road in #Ilford. Firefighters are tackling blaze where a range of warehouses are alight. More information to follow.' Redbridge Police have said that Romford Road, New North Road and Fowler Road have all been closed. It tweeted: 'We are assisting our colleagues from @LondonFire as they respond to a large fire in Fowler Road, Ilford. 'Local residents are urged to avoid the area & keep their windows closed due to the smoke Road closures are in place including on Romford Road, New North Road and Fowler Road.' Wes Streeting, MP for Ilford North, tweeted his thanks to the London Fire Brigade for its efforts so far in tackling the blaze. He wrote: 'Huge thanks to the London Fire Brigade for their response to the fire on the Hainault industrial estate. I hope that no one is hurt and that everyone is safe.' Advertisement Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny have joined Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his girlfriend Jodie Haydon at a moving memorial service to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II. Mr Albanese and Governor-General David Hurley signed a condolence book ahead of the pause for reflection at the start of a national memorial service at Parliament House. Their procession into the Great Hall was led by Indigenous performers Wiradjuri Echoes with Aunty Violet Sheridan, a Ngunnawal Elder, delivering the Welcome to Country. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon were joined by a Who's Who of Australian politics at the memorial service for the late Queen Elizabeth II who died at age 96 on October 8 Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny were among the 700 guests at the service in the Great Hall at Parliament House Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was seen walking into the service beside former Prime Minister Paul Keating, who served as leader from 1991 to 1996 Governor-General David Hurley delivers a speech during the national memorial service Political leaders past and present, judges, military chiefs and other dignitaries are among 700 guests at the service who participated in a minute's silence to pay tribute to the long-reigning monarch. Mr Hurley, Mr Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton spoke during the televised service, which will also feature a Bible reading, prayers, music and a floral tribute. Mr Albanese paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth's 16 tours to Australia and said the monarch had 'embraced the breadth of our continent, the depth of our people's hearts, the warmth of our humour'. 'For so many, for so long, the Queen was a rare and reassuring constant in a world of change,' he said. 'In an age of performative celebrity, the Queen embodied quiet dignity. 'In an era of fads and fashionable causes, the Queen did not seek to chase the times, instead she held to qualities and virtues that are timeless; love of family, loyalty to country, service to community, kindness to those in need and respect for everyone she met.' Mr Albanese concluded his speech by offering that 'perhaps the greatest tribute we can offer her family and her memory is not a marble statue or a metal plaque', but rather, 'a renewed embrace of service to community'. Mr Albanese at one point embraced another guest during the moving service Mr Morrison and other former Prime Minister's were seen adding a sprig of wattle to a wreath during the service A 1954 painting of the Queen by eight-time Archibald Prize winner Sir William Dargie is the centre-piece of the service Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard and his wife Janette arrive at the service in Canberra on Thursday Australia's Governor-General said Queen Elizabeth II had provided a 'common touch point that could overcome divisions and draw people together'. 'In an era where trust in institutions is declining, Queen Elizabeth evolved, adapted, and changed within her role as monarch but, ultimately, remains true to the commitment she made all those years ago - 'Throughout all my life, and with all my heart, I will strive to be worthy of your trust',' he said. Mr Hurley flew to London to attend the Queen's funeral last week and told guests he was still coming to terms with the gravitas of the service, as well as the outpouring of grief he witnessed. Inside the Great Hall, among the sea of black suits, dresses, hats and veils, could be seen the bright orange of SES volunteers, red of Scout uniforms and blues and greens of school uniforms. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was seen walking into the service beside former Prime Minister Paul Keating, who served as leader from 1991 to 1996. Earlier this month, Mr Keating described the monarch as an 'exemplar of public leadership'. 'Her exceptionally long, dedicated reign is unlikely to be repeated; not only in Britain, but in the world generally,' he said. Premier and Treasurer of Western Australia Mark McGowan and Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk sat beside Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews during the service Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young attended the service Australian singer and ARIA award winner Anthony Callea performs during the national memorial service The Queen died on September 8 aged 96, having reigned as Australia's head of state for 70 years Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon speak to an Indigenous dancer as they arrive at the service The Queen died on September 8 aged 96, having reigned as Australia's head of state for 70 years. Twenty years ago she declared during a visit to Australia her 'admiration, affection and regard for the people of Australia will remain, as it has been constant, sure and true'. Up to six Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II jets from No.77 Squadron will fly past parliament at midday. The Queen visited the country 16 times during her reign and was the patron of more than 20 Australian charities and associations. She consulted with 16 prime ministers and 16 governors-general served in her name. All eight state and territory leaders are present, as arestate governors, justices of the High Court and religious leaders. Cabinet minister Tanya Plibersek said it was an important day to mark 70 years of service. Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Christopher Smith (left) Chief of Army Major General Paul Kenny (centre) and Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman (right) were also in attendance Former prime ministers Paul Keating, John Howard and Scott Morrison (pictured) are attending the memorial service 'This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to mark the passing of a very special woman,' she said. Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney, who is taking part in the service, said she believed it would be received 'very respectfully' by Indigenous people. 'There is a huge respect for sorry business - it is part of Aboriginal culture and the reverence to the Queen in my view falls into that category,' she told ABC radio. However, she said there was a 'complex relationship' between Indigenous people and the monarchy. 'You cannot divorce the issues of colonisation from the role of Britain going back through the ages.' Mr Albanese concluded his speech by offering that 'perhaps the greatest tribute we can offer her family and her memory is not a marble statue or a metal plaque', but rather, 'a renewed embrace of service to community' Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney (centre) said she believed it would be received 'very respectfully' by Indigenous people. She is pictured with Labor MPs Marion Scrymgour (left) and Malarndirri Mccarthy (right) Opposition frontbencher Karen Andrews, who is also attending the service, said it would be a 'fitting tribute'. A 1954 painting of the Queen by eight-time Archibald Prize winner Sir William Dargie is the centrepiece of the service. The painting is surrounded by Australia's floral emblem, the golden wattle, and some of her favourite flowers, sweet peas and dahlias. Former Australian Idol contestant Anthony Callea is performing at the service. Both houses of parliament will sit on Friday to speak on a condolence motion for the Queen and pay tribute to King Charles III. Rescuers are working against the clock to return the whales to the sea A desperate rescue mission has been launched to save the remaining 35 pilot whales after a total of 230 were beached in a mass stranding off Tasmania's west coast. Marine conservationists are now in a race against the clock to return the whales to the sea, after hundreds were stranded on Ocean Beach near Macquarie Harbour, south of Strahan on Wednesday. Some were also stranded on a sand flat inside Macquarie Harbour, south of the town. Harrowing photos show the lifeless corpses of many pilot whales that were unable to be saved. Rescuers have since worked tirelessly to wrap the surviving whales in sheets, and pour buckets of water over them to keep them wet. A desperate rescue mission has been launched to save the remaining 35 pilot whales after a total of 230 were beached in a mass stranding off Tasmania's west coast Marine conservationists are now in a race against the clock to return the whales to the sea, after hundreds were stranded on Ocean Beach near Macquarie Harbour, south of Strahan on Wednesday Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service regional operations manager Brendon Clark said teams had been working to reposition the whales. 'The primary focus this morning will be on the rescue and release of those animals,' he told reporters on Thursday morning. 'Unfortunately, we do have a high mortality rate out on this particular stranding.' Mr Clark said the exposed conditions on Ocean Beach contributed to the high death rate. A meeting of about 50 people was held on Thursday morning where the animals were assessed and tasks were delegated. 'We are conscious that some of them may re-beach themselves, and so we'll be monitoring that,' Mr Clark said. Only 35 out of the 230 beached pilot whales have survived as rescuers race to return the surviving whales to sea Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service regional operations manager Brendon Clark said teams had been working to reposition the whales New methods are being trialled to return the whales to sea The delicacy of the rescue mission has been exacerbated by the fact the whales are just 'dead weight' on the sand. Mr Clark said a new method was being trialled to return the whales to sea, involving heavy equipment and machinery. Tom Mountney from Petuna Aquaculture said volunteers had been helping authorities care for the beached whales. 'From [Thursday] we will be using our vessels, getting the whales in the water and trying to get them out several hundred meters off the coast,' he told the ABC. Volunteers have been helping out in the delicate rescue mission Changes in weather and water temperatures have been cited as possible causes for the strandings Mr Mountney added the whales had been 'growling' and 'squeaking' as rescuers worked to keep them alive. The stranding is the second in a matter of days, after 14 dead sperm whales washed ashore at King Island on Monday. Changes in weather and water temperatures have been cited as possible causes for the strandings. Wildlife biologist Kris Carlyon said more deaths were unfortunately inevitable. 'It's inevitable we may lose a few more. They have been stranded for over 24 hours. They're in a highly exposed stressful location,' Dr Carlyon told ABC News. It comes two years after the worst whale stranding in the nation's history occurred in the same location. About 470 pilot whales were found beached at Macquarie Harbour and at least 380 died. The search effort was initially launched after 270 whales were spotted struggling in shallow water. Wildlife biologists and a vet are still investigating how the pod became stranded - with theories ranging from warmer temperatures to seismic activity in the area Rescuers were hampered by the extremely cold temperatures and rain. The second stranding has left the Tasmanian town rattled. Experts say the stranded whales have come from the same pod. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania confirmed that a team from the Marine Conservation Program were heading to the area with whale rescue gear. They will work alongside Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service officers and Tasmanian Police. Wildlife biologists and a vet are still investigating how the pod became stranded - with theories ranging from warmer temperatures to seismic activity in the area. The animals' echolocation navigation may also have been thrown off by the shallow waters and sandbanks. Beached whales most often die of dehydration. The animals have a very thick layer of blubber that keeps them warm in deep-sea temperatures, but causes them to rapidly overheat near the surface. A stranded whale may also be crushed to death by their own weight, without water acting as a support, or else if they are stranded in deep water they may drown if their blowholes are covered. Mass whale strandings occur relatively often in Tasmania. Former President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday he had thought New York Attorney General Letitia James would settle her case against him, which he said he had problems with because he is not guilty. The remarks came as the ex-president railed against James' $250 million lawsuit, claiming Trump lied about his property values when applying for loans to expand his real estate empire. Speaking with Sean Hannity from his home in Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday, Trump doubled down on his assertion that his property values are high, pointing to the decadence of Mar-a-Lago. That is when he revealed: 'I actually never thought that she would bring a case, and she brought it. And the reason I thought was because she didn't have a case. 'I was of the impression that she wanted to settle,' he claimed. 'But I had a problem because how do you pay something even if it's a small amount of money if you're not guilty.' The former president also noted that in his loan applications, he puts in a disclaimer telling creditors to appraise the values themselves an apparent defense against the suit. He then went on to refer to the lawsuit as 'just a continuation of a witch hunt that began when I came down the escalator of Trump Tower,' and suggested that James had been after him since she first ran for office. Former President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday he had thought New York Attorney General Letitia James would settle her case against him His remarks came in an interview with Sean Hannity from his Mar-a-Lago home 'She campaigned on it four years ago, it was a vicious campaign,' Trump said. 'And she just talked about Trump and "We're going to get him, we're going to indict him, we're going to get him." 'She knew nothing about me,' he claimed. 'I never heard of her, but I saw this woman, I saw this statement she was putting out without knowing anything.' 'She said, "We're gonna get him," her whole campaign was based on that,' Trump continued. 'Then she came after us, we have been going over this for years.' 'We came down the escalator and it started,' Trump claimed. The FOX News host then asked the former president whether he ever filled out a loan application when he was running the Trump Organization, to which Trump replied: 'Well, you know, we make loans, but I have very little debt.' He added: 'They have demeaned me for years with this stuff, and now they find out that I have very little debt, very, very little, a lot of cash we have a great company and we have among the best assets anywhere in the world. 'I went through, they were demeaning me constantly these people. There is something wrong with them,' he said, apparently referencing Letitia James. 'I really believe that they hate our country.' Hannity seemed to offer the former president a defense at one point, noting that loaners have 'a fiduciary responsibility to determine what the value' of each property is The former president then noted that he has a disclaimer on each of his loan applications saying the estimates were done by Trump Organization management, and creditors should get their own appraisals Hannity tries to workshop a legal defense for Trump right during a Fox News interview pic.twitter.com/tCkSBpTrn1 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 22, 2022 At that point, Hannity seemed to offer Trump a defense saying loaners have 'a fiduciary responsibility to determine what the value' of each property is. In response, the former president claimed that he has a disclaimer on each of his loan applications. 'It basically says, "Get your own people, you're at your own risk. This was done by management. So don't rely on the statement that you're getting." 'It basically says to an institution: "You're going to loan money, you're going to have to go out and get your own appraisers, your own lawyers, everything.' Trump added that he does not have a mortgage on most of his properties, but if he did, appraisers would come in and compare it with nearby homes. New York AG Letitia James announced Wednesday that her office is suing former President Donald Trump and his adult children Trump quickly hit back against the Attorney General, accusing her of being 'racist' Trump's remarks on Hannity come just hours after he called James, who is black, 'racist' and accused her of bringing forward the lawsuit to help her 'really bad poll numbers.' 'Another Witch Hunt by a racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who failed in her run for Governor, getting almost zero support from the public, and now is doing poorly against Law & Order A.G. candidate, highly respected Michael Henry,' Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. 'I never thought this case would be brought - until I saw her really bad poll numbers. She is a fraud who campaigned on a get Trump platform, despite the fact that the city is one of the crime and murder disasters of the world under her watch!' In a follow-up post minutes later, Trump added: 'Attorney General Letitia Peekaboo James, a total crime fighting disaster in New York, is spending all of her time fighting for very powerful and well represented banks and insurance companies, who were fully paid, made a lot of money, and never had a complaint about me, instead of fighting murder and violent crime, which is killing New York State. 'She is a failed A.G. whose lack of talent in the fight against crime is causing record numbers of people and companies to flee New York. Bye, bye!' At a news conference on Wednesday, James said her suit comes after she reviewed 'millions of documents' with a team of investigators She claimed that the president and his three adult children, Eric, Ivanka and Don Jr 'persistently' inflated the value of assets James had said earlier in the day Wednesday that Trump and his children engaged in 'numerous acts of fraud' in a dramatic press conference as she announced the suit against the former president. She cited documents that accuse Trump and his three adult children of pumping up property values when seeking lending to expand his real estate empire. 'Claiming you have money that you do not have does not amount to the "Art of the Deal. It's the art of the steal,' James said, referencing Trump's famous book. The New York Attorney General specifically named Trump and his three adult children, Don Jr., Eric, and Ivanka Trump, and said they 'persistently' inflated the value of assets. She said she reviewed 'millions of documents' with a team of investigators, and told reporters she was suing Trump for 'violating the law as part of his efforts to generate profits for himself, his family and his company.' James said he did so 'to cheat the system and to cheat all of us,' and is seeking $250 million while asking a judge to bar Trump and his adult children from serving on boards, obtaining lending in the state, or engaging in real estate purchases for a period of five years. Trump would maintain his financial interest in the property even if a judge rules against him in the suit. And although her suit is only a civil matter, James said she would refer evidence she uncovered to other authorities. She said Trump inflated his net worth to 'deceive banks' when seeking lending to expand his real estate empire James said Trump's financial statements were 'greatly inflated, grossly exaggerated, and objectively false,' and went on to detail many of those valuations that he claimed. She accused them of creating 'more than 200' false and misleading asset valuations. Among his alleged misdeeds, she accused Trump of 'intentional and deliberate fraud' by tripling the size of his Trump Tower penthouse apartment, thereby goosing its value. She Trump claimed the apartment was 30,000 square feet. 'In reality, the apartment had an area of less than 11,000 square feet.' Based on the inflated square footage, the apartment was valued at $327 million. 'To this date, no other apartment in New York City has ever sold for that much,' she said. Mar-a-Lago at $730M when it should be $75M, apartments inflated by 65 times and $127 M for a golf course losing money: The breakdown of properties New York AG claims Trump inflated and how he did it - as he claims SHE is the fraud By Morgan Phillips, Politics Reporter For Dailymail.com After a three-year probe into the former president's finances New York attorney general Letitia James filed a civil lawsuit against Donald Trump on Wednesday for alleged 'numerous acts of fraud.' Following a review of 'millions of documents' with a team of investigators, she told reporters she was suing Trump for 'violating the law as part of his efforts to generate profits for himself, his family and his company.' James specifically named Trump and his three adult children, Don Jr., Eric, and Ivanka Trump, and said they 'persistently' inflated the value of assets. The attorney general, who is running for reelection in November, claimed the financial benefit from the scheme in total was $250 million, including interest savings and transaction profits, and came in financial statements from 2001 to 2021. The former president, in turn, claimed James, who is black, is 'racist' and she herself is the 'fraud.' Here's a breakdown of the lawsuit's biggest accusations: Trump claimed his Trump Tower penthouse apartment was three times its actual size - and worth a whopping $327 million According to James, Trump claimed his penthouse in Trump Tower in Manhattan was 30,000 square feet when in reality the place was only a third of that size - 11,000 square feet. Based on the inflated square footage, Trump valued the apartment at $327 million, a price which James called 'absurd.' 'To this date, no other apartment in New York City has ever sold for that much,' she said. Trump valued Mar-a-Lago at nearly 10 times what it was worth at $739 million Trump's Florida golf resort was valued at $739 million 'based on the false premise that it was unrestricted property and could be developed for residential use,' according to James. Her office pointed out that Trump donated the residential development rights of the property and sharply restricted making any changes. She claims that the property should have been valued at $75 million and brings in about $25 million in revenue per year. Trump valued his Park Avenue based on the units' market value, though they were rent stabilized and worth far less at a total of $84.5 million The Trump Organization received a valuation for Trump Park Avenue, a 32-story condo building with 120 apartments and eight penthouses, in 2020 at $84.5 million. On a 2020 statement of Trump's financial condition he listed the property being worth $135.8 million. James' team found that in 2011 and 2012, Trump 'ignored legal restrictions' listed 12 rent-stabilized units in the building by what they would be worth if they could be rented out at market value. Trump claimed the units were worth $50 million, over 65 times the $750,000 those units were appraised at in 2010. Trump valued his Seven Springs estate nearly ten times what it was appraised for only a few years prior at up to $291 million In 1995 Trump purchased his 213-acre estate in Westchester County, New York for $7.5 million. Two decades later in 2006 it was found to be worth $30 million, but Trump's statements of financial condition from 2011 to 2021 found the property to be worth $261 million and $291 million. In 1995 Trump purchased his 213-acre estate in Westchester County, New York for $7.5 million Trump tears into 'racist' New York Attorney General Letitia 'Peekaboo' James after she files suit against him 'Another Witch Hunt by a racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who failed in her run for Governor, getting almost zero support from the public, and now is doing poorly against Law & Order A.G. candidate, highly respected Michael Henry,' Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. 'I never thought this case would be brought - until I saw her really bad poll numbers. She is a fraud who campaigned on a get Trump platform, despite the fact that the city is one of the crime and murder disasters of the world under her watch!' Trump added in a followup post: 'Attorney General Letitia Peekaboo James, a total crime fighting disaster in New York, is spending all of her time fighting for very powerful and well represented banks and insurance companies, who were fully paid, made a lot of money, and never had a complaint about me, instead of fighting murder and violent crime, which is killing New York State. She is a failed A.G. whose lack of talent in the fight against crime is causing record numbers of people and companies to flee New York. Bye, bye!' Advertisement Trump listed the value of 40 Wall Street at over $300 million what it was found to be worth at $530 million The Trump building at 40 Wall Street, where Trump owns the ground lease was valued at $220 million in 2012. The Trump Organization listed the property's value at $530 million in 2013. Trump told Nevada tax authorities Trump International Hotel and Tower in Las Vegas was worth far less than what his financial statement showed at $108 million Trump owns a 50 percent stake in a hotel condominium tower together with businessman Phillip Ruffin. In 2015 the Trump Organization submitted a $24,950,000 valuation to contest taxes they owed to Nevada, but the same year his statement showed the property to be worth $108 million. Trump did not factor in escalating rent expenses for his Niketown valuation in the mid-$400 million range Trump owns two ground leases for a space that adjoins Trump Tower that for many years he rented to Nike. In 2020 and 2021 Trump reported the value of the property was in the mid-$400 million range, while James' office found the property to be worth $225-$250 million range, arguing that Trump had not factored in 'escalating scheduled rent expenses.' Trump used 'deceptive techniques' to list the value of his golf and social clubs James' office found that Trump used a number of 'deceptive techniques' to estimate the value of his 12 clubs. The first is a 'fixed asset scheme,' where she says Trump valued the clubs based on fixed assets without factoring in any depreciation. Others schemes listed involved factoring the value of memberships into the valuation while listing Trump's liability for those memberships as zero. A 'brand premium scheme' entailed the Trump Organization adding a premium to inflate the value of golf courses and clubs, often up to 30% for the 'Trump Brand,' while claiming that brand premiums were not included. Trump valued his Turnberry golf course on a fixed asset scheme at $127 million even though it has been operating at a loss In 2017, Trump's golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, was valued at nearly $127million. But James insists it has operated as a loss since then, and says it was 'false and misleading' of Trump to use a valuation of the course based on a fixed asset scheme. Donald Trump has launched another blistering attack on Joe Biden for 'dismantling' his achievements in the White House. The former president listed his accomplishments while he was in charge and said he was 'so proud' of what his administration did, including tax and regulation cuts, energy independence and the border wall. He went on to say 'we did things nobody ever thought possible' and then tore into Biden and his current administration when they 'came along and just dismantled that.' Former President Donald Trump appeared on Fox News in an interview with Sean Hannity to discuss New York AG Letitia James and the current Biden administration He said Biden's reluctance to deal with the border crisis has allowed an influx of drugs into the country, and said 'we were doing great, and now you've got drugs pouring into the country at a level that nobody has seen. Trump claimed 'we had drugs down 19% from what they were the previous year' and also said the border crisis has allowed 'millions' of people to pour through. He also said the country 'would have been energy dominant in a very short period of time,' in a way that would have been 'larger than Russia and Saudi Arabia put together.' 'We really have a country that is going downhill,' he said, calling the US a 'country in decline' that has 'new problems.' Trump said the country is 'in decline' but would have 'been energy dominant' if he had continued leading Trump went on to claim his move to fill the country's oil reserves would have meant 'we would have been supplying China, we would have been supplying everyone.' 'We had 500 years right under our feet,' he said. The interview comes after a federal appeals court is allowing Justice Department lawyers to continue looking at the documents marked as classified that were taken from Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago during the August raid. DOJ says the FBI obtained about 100 classified documents in the search, for a total of about 300 documents marked classified from Trump's Florida golf club. It's unclear if Trump will appeal the ruling, which was a victory for the Justice Department and its investigation into the records Trump took with him when he left the White House. Overwhelmed El Paso BEGS Biden for help: Kind-hearted locals say they can't keep up with influx of migrants pouring over border - and that President is ignoring them Kind-hearted volunteers running food banks and shelters in the border town of El Paso are begging the Biden administration to help them ease the crisis they have created by allowing thousands of migrants to enter the country every week. The crisis at the border is escalating to such an extent that 1,050 migrants, predominantly from Venezuela, are arriving every day. They are overwhelming the town, whose residents have always welcomed migrants and provided them with food and resources but who are now struggling to keep up with the demand. In an impassioned plea for help on Wednesday, the CEO of the Rescue Mission of El Paso, a religious shelter which welcomes the homeless, said no one from Washington DC had been in touch. He said the sheer volume of people turning up every day is straining the shelter, and that staff fear they cannot feed and clothe everyone who needs it. The food banks have bare shelves and shelters are bursting with beds. Cots have now been set up in the chapel at the rescue mission to accommodate the extra people. Migrants in the Rescue Mission of El Paso are now sleeping in the shelter's chapel, where beds have been set up to accommodate the sudden influx of people in need of accommodation Cots inside the chapel at the Rescue Mission of El Paso as the town struggles to cope with the influx of migrants The Rescue Mission of El Paso is pleading for help from the public The shelves are bare at good banks like El Pasoans Fighting Hunger. For years, the town has generously welcomed migrants and fed them - but the current influx is stretching resources A group of Venezuelans, who recently crossed to the U.S. from Mexico, walk together after receiving food and other aid from a good Samaritan on September 20, 2022 in El Paso, Texas Venezuelans who recently crossed to the U.S. from Mexico, hang out near the Greyhound bus station waiting to continue on their journey on September 20, 2022 in El Paso, Texas. In recent weeks, Venezuelans have arrived in increasing numbers in El Paso Asylum-seeking migrants, mostly from Venezuela, wait in line to be processed after crossing the Rio Grande to El Paso, Texas, U.S., as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, September 19, 2022 EL PASO SHELTER CEO'S PLEA TO BIDEN: HELP US DEAL WITH THE CRISIS Blake W. Barrow, CEO of El Paso Rescue Mission As you have probably seen in the news, the Rescue Mission has faced additional challenges in the last two weeks. But each challenge is an opportunity to show God's love to hurting people. The immigration processing center became so over-crowded that the government began loading migrants on busses and dropping them off in front of shelters. The Rescue Mission has received about 500 migrants. All of them are from Venezuela. They need showers, good clothes, and food. We have all heard press reports about bussing migrants to different parts of the country. Here are the facts as I have seen them: Almost all of the migrants arrive with an idea of an ultimate destination. About 20% of them want to go to New York. The city has been chartering busses to New York to assist those desiring that destination. I am not aware of anyone being placed on a bus to New York who did not want to go there. Meanwhile, the number of migrants we have coming into El Paso is so large that it is overwhelming the housing and support services that the city is able to offer. Obviously, we need a well-coordinated, federal solution to this problem, but, so far, no one from Washington has asked our opinions. The mission of the Rescue Mission has remained the same. All of the people coming to the Mission are homeless and in need of the services the Mission is able to offer. When we have hungry people standing in front of us, we are going to feed them, and we are going to offer shelter space to as many people as we can. But, the additional meals are straining the food budget. We are serving more than twice as many meals today than we were two weeks ago. Your help is urgently needed. We need good walking shoes, jeans, towels, twin sized sheets, and money for food and the utility bills. Also, we would love to have people who speak Spanish who can pray with those who are here. They have made a 3,000+ mile journey and have experienced lots of trauma along the way. Thank you and God bless you for sharing. Blake W. Barrow, CEO of El Paso Rescue Mission Advertisement The Rescue Mission of El Paso has now set up cots inside its chapel to accommodate the thousands arriving every week. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the mission pleaded for more donations. 'Here's a glimpse of our Chapel where we've had to move in cots for the overflow of migrants we've received. 'We are in need of walking shoes for men, women and children. Shoes can be new or gently used as long as there are no holes or stains.' And in a letter written on Wednesday, CEO Blake W. Barrow said: 'The immigration processing center became so over-crowded that the government began loading migrants on busses and dropping them off in front of shelters. The Rescue Mission has received about 500 migrants. 'All of them are from Venezuela. 'They need showers, good clothes, and food.' He added that the city desperately needs government help, but is being ignored. 'The number of migrants we have coming into El Paso is so large that it is overwhelming the housing and support services that the city is able to offer. 'Obviously, we need a well-coordinated, federal solution to this problem, but, so far, no one from Washington has asked our opinions. He pleaded for funding from the federal government and for donations of clothes, along with Spanish speakers to assist the migrants in prayer. 'When we have hungry people standing in front of us, we are going to feed them, and we are going to offer shelter space to as many people as we can. But, the additional meals are straining the food budget. We are serving more than twice as many meals today than we were two weeks ago. Your help is urgently needed. 'We need good walking shoes, jeans, towels, twin sized sheets, and money for food and the utility bills. Also, we would love to have people who speak Spanish who can pray with those who are here. They have made a 3,000+ mile journey and have experienced lots of trauma along the way.' Food banks are struggling to keep up with the demand in the town too. 'We are working very hard to find the financial and the food resources to meet this crisis. We are preparing sack lunches and sack breakfasts on a daily basis for the migrant population. 'We've been preparing close to 2,000 meals a day,' said Susan Goodell, CEO of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank told FOX News. Mario D'Agostino, the town's Deputy Health Manager, said: 'If we go back and look at what the average was in August, that was around 700 per day. Today alone, we received at least 1,050 people released to the community.' He added that the majority of those traveling into the town now are from Venezuela, and that almost all want to be bussed to New York City. Migrants 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 US Vice President Kamala Harris, at the Naval Observatory in Washington, DC, on September 15, 2022 Migrants arriving in New York City earlier this month. Republican Mayors are warning Democratic counterparts they'll keep sending bus loads of people until they denounce Biden's border policy 'By far, the vast majority of them have requested to go to New York City. We've also had several large groups that are asking to go to Chicago,' he said. Local politicians have likened the unfolding crisis to something from a 'third world country'. While the migrants are temporarily overwhelming strained resources in El Paso, it is not the final destination for the thousands of Venezuelans arriving in the town. There is an ongoing row between governors and mayors in Texas and New York over where the families should be settled. El Paso is defending sending thousands to New York City, insisting it's where the migrants want to go. New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other Mayors of Democratic, sanctuary cities are up in arms over having to deal with the bus loads of people arriving. Republican leaders say it perfectly calls their bluff, after watching them pontificate on the issue for years without ever having to deal with the crisis at play. President Biden continues to largely ignore the crisis. Advertisement Donald Trump has said he could declassify documents just 'by thinking about it' as he again slapped down the FBI's right to raid his Mar-a-Lago mansion. The former president furiously insisted he had a right to the items seized by agents at the Florida home last month - and even claimed they took his last will and testament. He also threatened to release security camera footage of them digging through the house, but hinted he would pixilate their faces. Trump sat down for the explosive interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News on Wednesday night as he opened up on a wide range of topics from the comfort of his Mar-a-Lago mansion. He railed against New York Attorney General Letitia James after she launched a $250million lawsuit against him, claiming he lied about his property values when applying for loans to expand his real estate empire. He also slammed Joe Biden for 'dismantling' his achievements in the White House, insisting the southern border crisis would not have happened if he was still in office because the wall he build was nearly completed. The interview aired hours after a federal appeals court said it would allow DOJ lawyers to continue looking at the documents marked as classified taken from Mar-a-Lago. Donald Trump on Wednesday night spoke to Fox News host Sean Hannity about the Mar-a-Lago raid His remarks came in an interview with Sean Hannity from his Mar-a-Lago home Documents seized during the search of Trump's estate on August 8 are pictured on August 30. Trump's lawyers have declined to say in legal filings whether Trump had ordered them declassified while he was in office and had the authority Agents stand guard outside Mar-a-Lago on August 8, as the FBI was searching the property DOJ CAN continue to probe classified documents seized from Mar-a-Lago A federal appeals court is allowing Justice Department lawyers to continue looking at the documents marked as classified that were taken from Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago during the August raid. The emergency ruling overturns a trial judge's order over those documents that blocked federal investigators' work on the documents. It's unclear if Trump will appeal the ruling, which was a victory for the Justice Department and its investigation into the records Trump took with him when he left the White House. The appeals panel ruled that Florida Judge Aileen Cannon erred when she prevented federal prosecutors from using the 100 documents that were marked as 'classified.' '[Trump] has not even attempted to show that he has a need to know the information contained in the classified documents,' the three-judge panel from the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a 29-page decision. 'Nor has he established that the current administration has waived that requirement for these documents.' Advertisement Speaking to Hannity, the former president told of his shock at learning, while in New Jersey, that his Florida estate was being searched. He also said that he was considering releasing footage of the search, despite the FBI asking him not to, to protect the identity of the agents involved. Hannity asked him whether the documents seized over the course of three searches - in January, June, and August - were declassified, as Trump has repeatedly claimed, and the former president replied: 'I did declassify, yes.' Hannity asked him how they were declassified. 'There doesn't have to be a process, as I understand it,' Trump said. 'Different people see different things. 'If you're the president of the United States you can declassify just by saying it's declassified. Even by thinking about it - because you are sending it to Mar-a-Lago or wherever you're sending it. 'It doesn't have to be a process, it can be a process but it doesn't have to be. You're the president you make that decision. So when you send it, it's declassified. I declassified everything.' Trump spoke hours after a federal appeals court ruled that Justice Department lawyers could continue looking at the documents marked as classified that were taken from Mar-a-Lago during the August raid. The emergency ruling overturned a trial judge's order, which blocked federal investigators' work on the documents. It's unclear if Trump will appeal the ruling, which was a victory for the Justice Department. Trump said that the agents 'shopped' through his possessions, and took items such as his will, which had not yet been returned to him. 'They took a lot,' he said. 'I think they took my will - I found out yesterday. I said, where is it?' Hannity said: 'Am I in it?' Trump, laughing, replied: 'That could cause a lot of problems for people who won't be happy - or maybe will be very happy. I think the fact they took my will is a horrible thing. They shopped.' Hannity told Trump he had heard 'they took your passport, the medical records, they took your tax records' - adding that they also 'took 500 pages of attorney-client privilege information.' Trump said he was in New Jersey when a member of his staff said the Florida estate was being searched, on August 8 The former president then noted that he has a disclaimer on each of his loan applications saying the estimates were done by Trump Organization management, and creditors should get their own appraisals Hannity told Trump he had heard 'they took your passport, the medical records, they took your tax records' - adding that they also 'took 500 pages of attorney-client privilege information' What are classified materials and who can declassify them? The letter from the National Archives and Records Administration to Congress stated that it has identified items 'marked as classified national security information' within 15 boxes of information returned by Trump from Mar-a-Lago. The government maintains various levels of classified information. According to the Senate Intelligence Committee, 'Top Secret' information applies to information that could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security. One level down is 'secret' information, which could 'reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage to the national security.' Below that is information that is merely 'confidential.' That applies to information, 'the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national security.' Notably, the letter from Archivist of the U.S. David Ferriero did not state at what level the information is classified. The government classifies voluminous material, and there is a longstanding effort by watchdog groups and some lawmakers to reduce the amount of classification. The Washington Post previously reported that some of the documents Trump took to Mar-a-Lago were clearly marked as classified, with some at the 'top secret' level. It reported some were 'extremely sensitive' and would be limited to a small group of officials. It is a crime to mishandle classified information, and the letter from NARA states that it has been 'in communication' with the Justice Department. The president has broad unilateral authority to declassify information. In 2019, Trump tweeted out a high-resolution image of an Iranian rocket launch, leading to questions about whether he had put out classified information. He later tweeted: 'We had a photo and I released it, which I have the absolute right to do.' Advertisement Trump said the agents went through his personal quarters, and searched the rooms of his wife Melania and son Barron. 'They came onto the site and wouldn't allow any legal representation or representation,' Trump said. 'So they go into the rooms - my bedroom, my office, they go into my wife's closet. My son's bedroom.' Trump said it was scandalous that 16-year-old Barron Trump's room was searched, but Hunter Biden's bedroom was not. 'There's a picture of Hunter Biden and Barron Trump - you look so innocent, and Hunter doesn't look so innocent; they said his room was raided, but his wasn't. There were terrible things.' Trump, 76, was asked by Hannity why he had not released the surveillance camera footage of the search. 'They've asked me not to do that because they feel the FBI agents might be in physical harm and danger,' Trump said. 'So I've not done it.' Hannity replied: 'You could pixel out their faces to protect their identity.' Trump agreed, saying: 'I guess I could do that.' Hours before the interview aired a federal appeals court allowed DOJ lawyers to continue looking at the documents marked as classified that wore taken from Trump's Mar-a-Lago mansion. The emergency ruling overturns a trial judge's order over those documents that blocked federal investigators' work on the documents. It's unclear if Trump will appeal the ruling, which was a victory for the Justice Department and its investigation into the records Trump took with him when he left the White House. The appeals panel ruled that Florida Judge Aileen Cannon erred when she prevented federal prosecutors from using the 100 documents that were marked as 'classified.' '[Trump] has not even attempted to show that he has a need to know the information contained in the classified documents,' the three-judge panel from the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a 29-page decision. 'Nor has he established that the current administration has waived that requirement for these documents.' Raymond Dearie, a veteran New York judge who has been appointed as special master, grilled Trump's lawyers at a Tuesday hearing The court that made the ruling was stacked with Donald Trump appointees. The former president appointed two out of three of the judges on the panel. The other was appointed by Barack Obama. But their decision was unanimous. 'It is self-evident that the public has a strong interest in ensuring that the storage of the classified records did not result in 'exceptionally grave damage to the national security,'' the appeals court said. 'Ascertaining that necessarily involves reviewing the documents, determining who had access to them and when, and deciding which (if any) sources or methods are compromised.' The department filed the appeal with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals after another federal judge, Aileen Cannon, who sits in Florida, ruled against the government's request to separate documents marked 'classified' from those being sorted through by the special master. 'They're panicking,' Trump lawyer Alina Habba said. 'This is what happens. This is not what the DOJ is supposed to do. This is not what the FBI is supposed to do. But that is what I think is happening.' 'Now the Department of Justice filed this crazy raid, pretending it's all these criminal actions, because it's around the corner to November, and this is what we like to call an October surprise, which we've seen before,' she said. She was referring to the August 8 FBI search of Mar-a-Lago. That came after correspondence between National Archives officials and Trump's team went on for a year. Trump returned 15 boxes of material to the government in January 2022. A grand jury subpoenaed documents in May. A DOJ official collected more material in June. And then the FBI took additional boxes in the search. Raymond Dearie, a veteran New York judge, has been appointed as special master to oversee the Mar-a-Lago investigation. The Trump Team listed him as among two recommendations for the post. According to a report, they believed he was a skeptic of the FBI A federal appeals court is allowing Justice Department lawyers to continue looking at the documents marked as classified that wore taken from Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago during the August raid. DOJ says the FBI obtained about 100 classified documents in the search, for a total of about 300 documents marked classified from Trump's Florida golf club. Habba's comments come after Raymond Dearie, a veteran New York judge who has been appointed as special master, grilled a team of four of his attorneys in a Brooklyn courthouse Tuesday over their refusal to back up claims that he declassified files when he left office. 'You can't have your cake and eat it too,' Judge Raymond Dearie said when the former president's legal team repeatedly refused to back up the claims in a tense court hearing in Brooklyn on Tuesday. Dearie is tasked with reviewing a trove of government documents including information marked classified that FBI agents seized at Mar-a-Lago. He was pressing Trump's legal team with sharp questioning about whether they had evidence to back up the former president's continued claims that he had declassified material when he left the White House. His tough questions came as Trump's lawyers and the Justice Department try to work through how to sort through boxes of government material that were held at Trump's club after Trump left office. Some legal experts have said Trump could be in legal jeopardy even if he had declassified all the material that has been uncovered, since the government is investigating possession and handling of national security information, which could apply even if it weren't classified. Trump lawyer Jim Trusty at one point said the lawyers were 'not in a position' to say whether Trump had declassified the documents until they could review them. 'You did bring a lawsuit,' Dearie scolded him. Dearie also said that absent evidence from Trump's lawyers, he would assume the document were classified as marked. 'If the government gives me prima facia evidence that they are classified documents, and you don't advance any claim of declassification, I'm left with a prima facia case of classified documents, and as far as I'm concerned, that's the end of it,' he said. 'How do you pay something if you're not guilty?' Trump rails against New York AG Letitia James for 'vicious' $250M campaign against his family business and says he was expecting her to SETTLE the case - as he chats with Sean Hannity at Mar-a-Lago Former President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday he had thought New York Attorney General Letitia James would settle her case against him, which he said he had problems with because he is not guilty. The remarks came as the ex-president railed against James' $250 million lawsuit, claiming Trump lied about his property values when applying for loans to expand his real estate empire. Speaking with Sean Hannity from his home in Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday, Trump doubled down on his assertion that his property values are high, pointing to the decadence of Mar-a-Lago. That is when he revealed: 'I actually never thought that she would bring a case, and she brought it. And the reason I thought was because she didn't have a case. 'I was of the impression that she wanted to settle,' he claimed. 'But I had a problem because how do you pay something even if it's a small amount of money if you're not guilty.' The former president also noted that in his loan applications, he puts in a disclaimer telling creditors to appraise the values themselves an apparent defense against the suit. He then went on to refer to the lawsuit as 'just a continuation of a witch hunt that began when I came down the escalator of Trump Tower,' and suggested that James had been after him since she first ran for office. 'She campaigned on it four years ago, it was a vicious campaign,' Trump said. 'And she just talked about Trump and 'We're going to get him, we're going to indict him, we're going to get him.' 'She knew nothing about me,' he claimed. 'I never heard of her, but I saw this woman, I saw this statement she was putting out without knowing anything.' 'She said, 'We're gonna get him,' her whole campaign was based on that,' Trump continued. 'Then she came after us, we have been going over this for years.' 'We came down the escalator and it started,' Trump claimed. The FOX News host then asked the former president whether he ever filled out a loan application when he was running the Trump Organization, to which Trump replied: 'Well, you know, we make loans, but I have very little debt.' He added: 'They have demeaned me for years with this stuff, and now they find out that I have very little debt, very, very little, a lot of cash we have a great company and we have among the best assets anywhere in the world. 'I went through, they were demeaning me constantly these people. There is something wrong with them,' he said, apparently referencing Letitia James. 'I really believe that they hate our country.' Hannity seemed to offer the former president a defense at one point, noting that loaners have 'a fiduciary responsibility to determine what the value' of each property is At that point, Hannity seemed to offer Trump a defense saying loaners have 'a fiduciary responsibility to determine what the value' of each property is. In response, the former president claimed that he has a disclaimer on each of his loan applications. 'It basically says, 'Get your own people, you're at your own risk. This was done by management. So don't rely on the statement that you're getting.' 'It basically says to an institution: 'You're going to loan money, you're going to have to go out and get your own appraisers, your own lawyers, everything.' Trump added that he does not have a mortgage on most of his properties, but if he did, appraisers would come in and compare it with nearby homes. New York AG Letitia James announced Wednesday that her office is suing former President Donald Trump and his adult children Trump quickly hit back against the Attorney General, accusing her of being 'racist' Trump's remarks on Hannity come just hours after he called James, who is black, 'racist' and accused her of bringing forward the lawsuit to help her 'really bad poll numbers.' 'Another Witch Hunt by a racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who failed in her run for Governor, getting almost zero support from the public, and now is doing poorly against Law & Order A.G. candidate, highly respected Michael Henry,' Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. 'I never thought this case would be brought - until I saw her really bad poll numbers. She is a fraud who campaigned on a 'get Trump' platform, despite the fact that the city is one of the crime and murder disasters of the world under her watch!' In a follow-up post minutes later, Trump added: 'Attorney General Letitia 'Peekaboo' James, a total crime fighting disaster in New York, is spending all of her time fighting for very powerful and well represented banks and insurance companies, who were fully paid, made a lot of money, and never had a complaint about me, instead of fighting murder and violent crime, which is killing New York State. 'She is a failed A.G. whose lack of talent in the fight against crime is causing record numbers of people and companies to flee New York. Bye, bye!' At a news conference on Wednesday, James said her suit comes after she reviewed 'millions of documents' with a team of investigators She claimed that the president and his three adult children, Eric, Ivanka and Don Jr 'persistently' inflated the value of assets James had said earlier in the day Wednesday that Trump and his children engaged in 'numerous acts of fraud' in a dramatic press conference as she announced the suit against the former president. She cited documents that accuse Trump and his three adult children of pumping up property values when seeking lending to expand his real estate empire. 'Claiming you have money that you do not have does not amount to the 'Art of the Deal. It's the art of the steal,' James said, referencing Trump's famous book. The New York Attorney General specifically named Trump and his three adult children, Don Jr., Eric, and Ivanka Trump, and said they 'persistently' inflated the value of assets. She said she reviewed 'millions of documents' with a team of investigators, and told reporters she was suing Trump for 'violating the law as part of his efforts to generate profits for himself, his family and his company.' James said he did so 'to cheat the system and to cheat all of us,' and is seeking $250 million while asking a judge to bar Trump and his adult children from serving on boards, obtaining lending in the state, or engaging in real estate purchases for a period of five years. Trump would maintain his financial interest in the property even if a judge rules against him in the suit. And although her suit is only a civil matter, James said she would refer evidence she uncovered to other authorities. She said Trump inflated his net worth to 'deceive banks' when seeking lending to expand his real estate empire James said Trump's financial statements were 'greatly inflated, grossly exaggerated, and objectively false,' and went on to detail many of those valuations that he claimed. She accused them of creating 'more than 200' false and misleading asset valuations. Among his alleged misdeeds, she accused Trump of 'intentional and deliberate fraud' by tripling the size of his Trump Tower penthouse apartment, thereby goosing its value. She Trump claimed the apartment was 30,000 square feet. 'In reality, the apartment had an area of less than 11,000 square feet.' Based on the inflated square footage, the apartment was valued at $327 million. 'To this date, no other apartment in New York City has ever sold for that much,' she said. Mar-a-Lago at $730M when it should be $75M, apartments inflated by 65 times and $127 M for a golf course losing money: The breakdown of properties New York AG claims Trump inflated and how he did it - as he claims SHE is the fraud By Morgan Phillips, Politics Reporter For Dailymail.com After a three-year probe into the former president's finances New York attorney general Letitia James filed a civil lawsuit against Donald Trump on Wednesday for alleged 'numerous acts of fraud.' Following a review of 'millions of documents' with a team of investigators, she told reporters she was suing Trump for 'violating the law as part of his efforts to generate profits for himself, his family and his company.' James specifically named Trump and his three adult children, Don Jr., Eric, and Ivanka Trump, and said they 'persistently' inflated the value of assets. The attorney general, who is running for reelection in November, claimed the financial benefit from the scheme in total was $250 million, including interest savings and transaction profits, and came in financial statements from 2001 to 2021. The former president, in turn, claimed James, who is black, is 'racist' and she herself is the 'fraud.' Here's a breakdown of the lawsuit's biggest accusations: Trump claimed his Trump Tower penthouse apartment was three times its actual size - and worth a whopping $327 million According to James, Trump claimed his penthouse in Trump Tower in Manhattan was 30,000 square feet when in reality the place was only a third of that size - 11,000 square feet. Based on the inflated square footage, Trump valued the apartment at $327 million, a price which James called 'absurd.' 'To this date, no other apartment in New York City has ever sold for that much,' she said. Trump valued Mar-a-Lago at nearly 10 times what it was worth at $739 million Trump's Florida golf resort was valued at $739 million 'based on the false premise that it was unrestricted property and could be developed for residential use,' according to James. Her office pointed out that Trump donated the residential development rights of the property and sharply restricted making any changes. She claims that the property should have been valued at $75 million and brings in about $25 million in revenue per year. Trump valued his Park Avenue based on the units' market value, though they were rent stabilized and worth far less at a total of $84.5 million The Trump Organization received a valuation for Trump Park Avenue, a 32-story condo building with 120 apartments and eight penthouses, in 2020 at $84.5 million. On a 2020 statement of Trump's financial condition he listed the property being worth $135.8 million. James' team found that in 2011 and 2012, Trump 'ignored legal restrictions' listed 12 rent-stabilized units in the building by what they would be worth if they could be rented out at market value. Trump claimed the units were worth $50 million, over 65 times the $750,000 those units were appraised at in 2010. Trump valued his Seven Springs estate nearly ten times what it was appraised for only a few years prior at up to $291 million In 1995 Trump purchased his 213-acre estate in Westchester County, New York for $7.5 million. Two decades later in 2006 it was found to be worth $30 million, but Trump's statements of financial condition from 2011 to 2021 found the property to be worth $261 million and $291 million. In 1995 Trump purchased his 213-acre estate in Westchester County, New York for $7.5 million Trump tears into 'racist' New York Attorney General Letitia 'Peekaboo' James after she files suit against him 'Another Witch Hunt by a racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who failed in her run for Governor, getting almost zero support from the public, and now is doing poorly against Law & Order A.G. candidate, highly respected Michael Henry,' Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. 'I never thought this case would be brought - until I saw her really bad poll numbers. She is a fraud who campaigned on a 'get Trump' platform, despite the fact that the city is one of the crime and murder disasters of the world under her watch!' Trump added in a followup post: 'Attorney General Letitia 'Peekaboo' James, a total crime fighting disaster in New York, is spending all of her time fighting for very powerful and well represented banks and insurance companies, who were fully paid, made a lot of money, and never had a complaint about me, instead of fighting murder and violent crime, which is killing New York State. She is a failed A.G. whose lack of talent in the fight against crime is causing record numbers of people and companies to flee New York. Bye, bye!' Advertisement Trump listed the value of 40 Wall Street at over $300 million what it was found to be worth at $530 million The Trump building at 40 Wall Street, where Trump owns the ground lease was valued at $220 million in 2012. The Trump Organization listed the property's value at $530 million in 2013. Trump told Nevada tax authorities Trump International Hotel and Tower in Las Vegas was worth far less than what his financial statement showed at $108 million Trump owns a 50 percent stake in a hotel condominium tower together with businessman Phillip Ruffin. In 2015 the Trump Organization submitted a $24,950,000 valuation to contest taxes they owed to Nevada, but the same year his statement showed the property to be worth $108 million. Trump did not factor in escalating rent expenses for his Niketown valuation in the mid-$400 million range Trump owns two ground leases for a space that adjoins Trump Tower that for many years he rented to Nike. In 2020 and 2021 Trump reported the value of the property was in the mid-$400 million range, while James' office found the property to be worth $225-$250 million range, arguing that Trump had not factored in 'escalating scheduled rent expenses.' Trump used 'deceptive techniques' to list the value of his golf and social clubs James' office found that Trump used a number of 'deceptive techniques' to estimate the value of his 12 clubs. The first is a 'fixed asset scheme,' where she says Trump valued the clubs based on fixed assets without factoring in any depreciation. Others schemes listed involved factoring the value of memberships into the valuation while listing Trump's liability for those memberships as zero. A 'brand premium scheme' entailed the Trump Organization adding a premium to inflate the value of golf courses and clubs, often up to 30% for the 'Trump Brand,' while claiming that brand premiums were not included. Trump valued his Turnberry golf course on a fixed asset scheme at $127 million even though it has been operating at a loss In 2017, Trump's golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, was valued at nearly $127million. But James insists it has operated as a loss since then, and says it was 'false and misleading' of Trump to use a valuation of the course based on a fixed asset scheme. Donald Trump tears into Joe Biden for 'dismantling' what he did in the White House and slams him for not finishing southern border wall - despite the 'millions and millions' of migrants crossing into America Former President Donald Trump appeared in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity on Wednesday night and slammed President Joe Biden for 'dismantling' his achievements in the White House. Trump listed his accomplishments while he was President and said he was 'so proud' of what his administration did, including tax and regulation cuts, energy independence and the border wall. He went on to say 'we did things nobody ever thought possible' and then tore into Biden and his current administration when they 'came along and just dismantled that.' Former President Donald Trump appeared on Fox News in an interview with Sean Hannity to discuss New York AG Letitia James and the current Biden administration He said Biden's reluctance to deal with the border crisis has allowed an influx of drugs into the country, and said 'we were doing great, and now you've got drugs pouring into the country at a level that nobody has seen. Trump claimed 'we had drugs down 19% from what they were the previous year' and also said the border crisis has allowed 'millions' of people to pour through. He also said the country 'would have been energy dominant in a very short period of time,' in a way that would have been 'larger than Russia and Saudi Arabia put together.' 'We really have a country that is going downhill,' he said, calling the US a 'country in decline' that has 'new problems.' Trump said the country is 'in decline' but would have 'been energy dominant' if he had continued leading Trump went on to claim his move to fill the country's oil reserves would have meant 'we would have been supplying China, we would have been supplying everyone.' 'We had 500 years right under our feet,' he said. The interview comes after a federal appeals court is allowing Justice Department lawyers to continue looking at the documents marked as classified that were taken from Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago during the August raid. DOJ says the FBI obtained about 100 classified documents in the search, for a total of about 300 documents marked classified from Trump's Florida golf club. It's unclear if Trump will appeal the ruling, which was a victory for the Justice Department and its investigation into the records Trump took with him when he left the White House. Several suitcases containing human body parts were found in a Brooklyn apartment on Wednesday afternoon. Officers from the NYPD made the discovery after receiving a call about a missing tenant and a 'foul odor' coming from the unit. Cops made the discovery at 315 Linwood Street in East New York, however officials were not allowed into the apartment until after 10pm because they were waiting for a search warrant to be approved. Upon entering the address on the sixth floor of the 10-story building, they immediately found blood and human remains. Multiple suitcases found filled with body parts inside a Brooklyn apartment on Wednesday The building superintendent made the gruesome discovery at 315 Linwood Street in East New York around 1:30pm Police were called to the address after a 'foul order' was reported in a sixth-floor home The New York City Medical Examiner could be seen on site on Wednesday evening There was no sign whatsoever of the tenant, thought to be in her 20s, according to the New York Post. A person of interest has been identified by authorities and is being hunted by the NYPD for questioning. A woman who lives next door to where the horrific scene was uncovered explained how the building superintendent of a neighboring block was first to discover the human remains and then called police. Officials from various New York City law enforcement agencies were on site on Wednesday NYPD Crime Scene Unit officials were on site together with regular NYPD cops Upon entering the address on the sixth floor, they immediately found blood and human remains The discovery was made at a newly constructed apartment block where a number of people who were formerly homeless reside Officials say 'a large amount of blood' was found on the premises. Other residents living in the building say the apartment in which the remains were uncovered had a boyfriend where fights would often be heard. The building, of which there are 100 individual apartments, was constructed in 2020 and houses a number of people who were formerly homeless. 'This neighborhood is not the best neighborhood to be honest with you, but this is outrageous. Absolutely outrageous,' neighbor Lindsey Vena said to ABC7. 'It makes me scared to even be around here. I'm just sick. 'This is scary. I live here with my family and it's just kind of wicked knowing that there's somebody doing something like this where you lay your head at night,' she said. The New York medical examiner is investigating the findings with more information expected to be released on Thursday. Crime Scene Investigators could be seen outside taking photographs of the scene The medical examiner and police officer were not allowed access into the unit until after 10pm because they were waiting on a search warrant to be approved Officials from various New York City departments could be seen keeping watch last night The NYPD's Crime Scene Unite were on-scene and spotted taking photographs outside He mounted curb in Outlands and struck four kids who were getting icecream Samuel William Davidson was jailed for 28 years for killing four children The drugged driver who mowed down and killed four young children is seeking a second appeal after claiming his ADHD diagnosis may have been linked to the horror accident. Danny and Leila Abdallah's three children, Sienna, eight, Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13 and their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, were walking to get ice cream in Oatlands, western Sydney, when Samuel William Davidson mounted the kerb and killed all four in February, 2020. Samuel William Davidson has his jail term slashed by eight years last after killing four children in Oatlands in 2020, and is looking to appeal the sentence again In July, the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal decided that Davidson's original 28-year sentence, carrying a non-parole period of 21 years, was manifestly excessive and reduced by eight years. Davidson is now appealing that sentence seeking permission from the High Court to overturn the decision after claiming judges failed to determine whether his ADHD could have been linked to the incident. Antony (far left), 13, Angelina (far right), 12, and Sienna Abdallah (front left), 9, were killed in the horror accident on February 1, 2020 The original sentence for Davidson was 28 years in jail with a non-parole period of 21 years after he pleaded guilty to numerous offences, including manslaughter. But a majority decision handed down by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal in July saw that reduced to 20 years behind bars with a non-parole period of 15 years. His barrister, Stephen Odgers SC, has lodged paperwork in the High Court to seek permission to appeal the latest sentence and further reduce his time in prison. Representatives for Davidson are looking to appeal his sentence again after claiming justices didn't decide whether his ADHD was a factor in the accident Documents from the High Court, as reported by the Telegraph, say Davidson's ADHD made him prone to 'drink excessively in the first place', according to psychiatrist Dr Richard Furst. He said 'the decision to drive in the first place, apparently to obtain (or) withdraw money he owed, whilst intoxicated, was probably also influenced by his ADHD'. Their argument is based around three factors - one that suggests two Court of Criminal Appeal justices failed to conclude whether his condition influenced his behaviour on the day of the accident. Should the High Court grant a second appeal, Davidson's representation will request the case be sent back to the CCA for resentencing. Veronique's mother Bridget Sakr slammed the attempt as 'farcical' and said it had rammifications for the entire community. 'Its clutching at straws to find any reason. He could have actually not gotten into the vehicle and crashed and killed four children,' she said. 'Hes already got 25 per cent off for pleading guilty, then he got another reduction and hes going back again. 'I wonder what the Australian community would think if they knew their taxpayer funds are going to Samuel Davidson.' In July, Mr Abdallah said the decision to reduce Davidson's sentence to just 20 years with a non-parole period of 15 years was 'disappointing' and he was unable to see how his children's killer was successful in the appeal. Danny and Leila Abdallah (pictured) were left disappointed in the justice system after an appeal saw the killer of their three children have his sentence reduced by eight years 'Today is a tough one, it brought us back to the tragedy, we were slowly moving forward and focusing on the kids but it just brought us back there again,' Mr Abdallah told 2GB's Jim Wilson. 'Look four (children) died and three are spiritually dead they're just walking around with grief and pain. 'Although we did forgive the driver, I'm just disappointed by the justice system.' Mr Abdallah, who has four children with wife Leila, said his children who survived the incident couldn't understand why the sentence had been reduced, and felt 'let down'. 'At the end of the day what they're (justice system) doing is they're giving permission for other people to take drugs and drink alcohol and drive because the sentence is going to be not much,' he said. 'It's not about me and my family, it's the next family that goes through this. 'What example have we shown society when someone does something like that? 'We've got to live with our life sentence.' A Malaysian defense contractor nicknamed 'Fat Leonard' who orchestrated one of the largest bribery scandals in US military history has been arrested in Venezuela after fleeing before his sentencing. The international manhunt for Leonard Glenn Francis ended with his arrest by Venezuelan authorities Tuesday morning at the Caracas airport as he was about to board an airplane for another country, the U.S. Marshals Service said. Interpol Venezuela Director General Carlos Garate Rondon said in a statement posted on Instagram that Francis came to Venezuela from Mexico. Rondon said he was headed to Russia. The arrest came on the eve of his scheduled sentencing in a federal court in California for a bribery scheme that lasted more than a decade and involved dozens of U.S. Navy officers. There was no immediate word on when he might be extradited to the United States. Francis was under home arrest in San Diego when he cut off his GPS ankle bracelet and escaped on Sept. 4. Ten U.S. agencies searched for Francis and authorities issued a $40,000 reward for his arrest. Leonard Francis, nicknamed 'Fat Leonard', is a 57-year-old Malaysian defense contractor that was recently arrested in Venezuela after being on the run U.S. authorities also issued a red notice, which asks law enforcement worldwide to provisionally arrest someone with the possibility of extradition. Malaysia and Singapore both have extradition agreements with the United States. Francis pleaded guilty in 2015 to offering prostitution services, luxury hotels, cigars, gourmet meals and more than $500,000 in bribes to Navy officials and others to help his Singapore-based ship servicing company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd. or GDMA. Prosecutors said the company overcharged the Navy by at least $35 million for servicing ships, many of which were routed to ports he controlled in the Pacific. Francis had been allowed to remain in home confinement to receive medical care while he cooperated with the prosecution. With his help, prosecutors secured convictions of 33 of 34 defendants, including more than two dozen Navy officers. The date of his sentencing had been put off for years as he continued to assist prosecutors. He was preparing to appear on the witness stand in a trial earlier this year to testify against five former naval officers, but he was never called. Last year, he boasted in a podcast about plying admirals with booze and prostitutes, and the sweet informant deal he struck with the US government. Francis is shown with Rear Admiral Bolivar, who was investigated as part of the scandal. Senior Navy officials pictured at a party Francis says he threw for them in his unofficial role 'Everybody was in my pocket. I had them rolling around in my palm. I had the Navy by their balls. I turned my torpedo, my guns against them, because they betrayed me,' Francis says in one episode of a nine-part series. He also revealed that the government had arranged for visas for his whole family, saying: 'Everybody came legally. Uncle Sam knows, everybody knows what I'm doing. My children are my children. In one episode of the podcast, he spoke proudly about going after Michael Misiewicz, a commander who he supplied with prostitutes in Tokyo in exchange for secret shipping routes to Australia. 'Misciewicz had value, you know, he was like the number two guy in the scheduling department. 'If you look at him, he's actually a really nice guy, very gentle personality, friendly, great dad to his kids, womanizer...' Francis said, adding that his number two - New Yorker Edmond Aruffo - 'embedded' him. 'They wanted to have the good life that they could not have. They wanted the fine dining, the fine gifts, hotel rooms, sedans, luxury cars, watches, handbags, fancy meals, alcohol, cigars,' he said. Francis had infiltrated Misiewicz's family and friends while he was working on the USS Blue Ridge out of Manila in 2011. He gave him and his family tickets to the Lion King in Tokyo, bought his wife Marcy a Gucci handbag when she became suspicious of him, and arranged for Michael to sleep with prostitutes in Tokyo on a regular basis. The scheme came crashing down in 2013 after Marcy Misiewicz, Michael's wife, suspected he was cheating on her and confronted him. He struck her and she reported it to the NCIS, which started filtering through Michael's emails. Among them were exchanges with Francis, where Michael had supplied secret shipping routes to Australia. Francis, who had a spy in the NCIS, found out and tried to placate her but he was eventually arrested, along with Misiewicz, who was sentenced to seven years in prison. Francis also suggested that some of the most senior admirals he corrupted were being protected by the Navy, a claim that is bolstered by the fact that some were disciplined in military courts, whereas others were pursued by the Department of Justice. Leonard Glenn Francis aka Fat Leonard even purchased a decommissioned British warship, renamed it the Glenn Braveheart (pictured), and occasionally turned it into a giant party boat Fat Leonard, aka Leonard Glenn Francis, on his warship - the USS Braveheart - which he bought. He is obsessed with American culture and speaks with an American accent, despite never having lived in the US at the time The Braveheart, Fat Leonard's warship, which he bought in 2003, was used as a 'floating brothel', according to some of those interviewed as part of the investigation 'Some of the more senior admirals got handled by the Navy because then they can be brushed under the carpet, it's little more than a slap on the wrist, they call it 'different spanks for different ranks'. 'If you're an admiral you don't get punished to the same degree as if you're junior,' Wright said. The case has resulted in federal criminal charges against 34 Navy officials, defense contractors, including Francis, and the Glenn Defense Marine Asia corporation. So far, 26 of those have pleaded guilty and many have been sentenced to several years in prison. U.S. Navy Capt. Daniel Dusek, center, handed over classified ship schedules and steered aircraft carriers to revenue ports controlled by Glenn Defense in return for prostitutes, alcohol and stays at luxury hotels The mother who the boy hit, known only as Rachel, said 'F--- George Gascon' when she heard the boy had been granted a hearing LA County District Attorney George Gascon - known for going light on criminals in the name of progressive reform - sought a softball sentence for the boy The boy was sentenced to seven months at the camp, after being found to have been intoxicated while driving the car, which was also stolen The 16-year-old convicted of mowing down a mother and her infant last June has was granted a hearing for his request for early release from juvenile probation A California youth convicted of mowing down a mother and her eight-month-old baby in a horrifying hit and run last year has asked to be released early - despite being sentenced to just seven-months in a juvenile probation camp. As the 16-year-old driver is due to appear in an LA court at 9am Thursday to make his plea, the young mother voiced outrage that District Attorney George Gascon didn't inform her of the hearing. 'I remain incredibly disappointed with the justice system in LA, but I am unsurprised to learn that I am yet again being denied my rights as a victim to participate and use my voice in the judicial process,' the mother, only identified as Rachel, told Fox News Digital, 'F--- George Gascon.' Rachel said she expected the boy's next hearing to be on November 8, near the end of his sentence slightly more than half-year sentence which she thought was too short to begin with. The incident made headlines in June after Gascon's office - long known for going light on criminals in the name of progressive reform - sought a softball sentence while prosecuting the 16-year-old, who was intoxicated while driving the stolen vehicle. A California youth convicted of mowing down a mother and her eight-month-old baby in a horrifying hit and run last year is asking to be released early after being sentenced to just seven-months in a juvenile probation camp As the 16-year-old driver is due to appear in a Los Angeles court at 9am Thursday to make his plea, the young mother voiced outrage that LA County District Attorney George Gascon didn't inform her of the hearing Harrowing footage from the August 6, 2021, incident showed Rachel pushing her son Charlie in a stroller through the Venice neighborhood when the car came careering towards her. She tried to get out of the way in the narrow alley, but the car veered towards her and smashed into her and the stroller, throwing her over the top of the car and crashing into the baby. As horrified onlookers ran to help, the driver sped off - only stopped when a pickup truck blocked his path. During his sentencing in June it was decided that the teenager - known only as KB - would serve his sentence at a 'juvenile probation camp,' rather than in juvenile detention. Rachel, in her victim impact statement, told of the devastating impact of the teenager's actions - who had drugs in his system at the time, but was not drunk. 'I thought those were the last moments of our lives; we were dead,' she wrote. 'That feeling, along with the memory of a car accelerating directly into us, will haunt me forever.' She described in vivid detail the horrific moment he surged towards her and her baby. 'As the car approached me and my child, I stopped walking and moved the stroller and myself up against a building on the right side of the road to ensure that we gave the reckless driver plenty of room to pass,' Rachel said. 'As the car got dangerously close to us, KB turned the wheels in our direction and accelerated as he aimed to kill us.' 'I was also told that his record would be wiped clean when he turns 18,' she continued. 'How on earth can that be? He tried to murder two innocent pedestrians. Murder. And we have video evidence. My child would be dead if I hadn't been there to protect him.' The incident made headlines in June after Gascon's office - long known for going light on criminals in the name of progressive reform - sought a softball sentence while prosecuting the 16-year-old, who was intoxicated while driving the stolen vehicle Gascon's office told Fox News the youth camp sentence was 'an appropriate resolution.' 'The Sheriff's Department agreed with the felony charges that were filed. 'At arraignment, the minor admitted two felony counts of assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury and one felony count of hit-and-run. 'The Probation Department recommended, and the court sentenced the minor to a youth camp for five to seven months, an appropriate resolution.' They said that juvenile justice was intended to 'rehabilitate young people'. 'In this case, this teen will be held accountable for his actions and receive the needed services to foster positive development to keep him from committing future offenses,' the office added. 'I remain incredibly disappointed with the justice system in LA, but I am unsurprised to learn that I am yet again being denied my rights as a victim to participate and use my voice in the judicial process,' the mother, only identified as Rachel, told Fox News Digital , 'F--- George Gascon' Harrowing footage from the August 6, 2021, incident showed Rachel pushing her son Charlie in a stroller through the Venice neighborhood when the car came careering towards her Yet Rachel remained furious. 'I have never been more surprised or disappointed, and, in fact, I have never felt so victimized as I have by the system and current policies of LA's DA, George Gascon,' Rachel wrote. 'My heart breaks when I think about all of the other victims out there, less fortunate than me, whose murderers are getting lenient sentences and being released from prison before their sentences are complete.' She added: 'George Gascon doesn't value my life or the life of my child, or any other victim out there and would rather reward the monsters like KB by demonstrating to them that their actions have no consequences. 'DA Gascon is telling him and every other thug in LA County that it doesn't matter if you try to murder people. 'Why are Gascon's policies prioritizing the livelihood of rotten monsters when my child, my baby, who is incapable of protecting himself, is left to fend for himself, and is essentially being told his life doesn't matter?' Gascon, 68, was elected in November 2020, but has proved deeply unpopular for his progressive policies that critics say are soft on crime. In August recall petition fell just shy of the 567,000 required to put bring the motion to a ballot, while still amassing about 520,000 names. Protesters then smeared red dye over an emblem at the British Consulate during the protests in the CBD Senator Lidia Thorpe riled protesters in Melbourne with red 'blood' on her hand and an impassioned speech Activists called for England and the monarchy to burn in the intense display, with others calling for a treaty Protesters in Brisbane have made waves by burning the Australian flag in the CBD as they marched Demonstrations have kicked off in Australia's capital cities with aims to 'abolish the monarchy' on Thursday Advertisement Protesters have set fire to the Australian flag and called to 'abolish the monarchy' hours after the national memorial service was held to mourn the Queen. Thousands rallied against colonialism to draw attention to First Nation people's suffering, with protests held in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra. The demonstrations at Melbourne's Birrarung Marr cut up the flag, while elders in Brisbane set the Australian flag on fire on top of a pile of flaming newspapers. Federal Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe led a crowd on the Queen's National Day of Mourning in Melbourne. 'The Crown has blood on their hands. Our people are still dying in this country every single day,' Ms Thorpe said at the rally. The Crown's boot is on our neck and we're sick of it.' The group then smeared red dye, resembling blood, over an emblem on the British Consulate in Melbourne. Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe roused a large crowd of activists in Melbourne with an impassioned speech and 'bloodstained' hand (pictured) Protesters smeared red dye over an emblem at the British Consulate in the Melbourne rally (pictured) Protest leaders set an Australian flag on fire in an intense display during Brisbane's 'Abolish the Monarchy' protests Activists set fire to newspapers and Australian flags at Brisbane's 'Abolish the Monarchy' protest Police were seen with a man on the ground during the Melbourne anti-monarchy protest which saw activists marching down the CBD In Brisbane's CBD hundreds of protesters gathered just after midday marching from the Queen Victoria Statue. One speaker at the protest was heard saying, 'Our message to England and the Monarchy is to f**king burn.' 'We don't need the numbers, we just need the passion,' another protester said. A banner at the Brisbane protest read 'No Kings, No Cops, No Capitalists', carried by the economic-reformist group the Socialist Alternative. Other protesters at the rally wore shirts calling for Australia Day to be abolished. Indigenous elder Uncle Wayne Wharton wore one such shirt standing by an Australian flag while other Indigenous protesters set a flag alight in Brisbane's CBD. Activist groups had been planning the protests since the Queen's death. Wayne Wharton (pictured centre) held up a flag for burning at Brisbane's anti-monarchy protest Activist carried signs and called for a range of reforms during the first of nationwide national day of mourning protests (pictured) Protestors swarmed the central streets of Brisbane with banners, flags, signs and T-shirts all calling for an end to the monarchy (pictured) In Sydney, protesters gathered in front of the Town Hall building in the CBD, using speakers to address the crowd, standing on sandstone steps. While in Adelaide, a 31-year-old man had to be forcibly removed from Government House after he chanted anti-monarchy slogans and then refused to leave. He was escorted from the premises and issued with a trespass notice not to re-enter the area for 24 hours. Activist and Sydney local Lizzy Jarrett (pictured) addressed the huge crowd from the front of Town Hall in the city's CBD Large crowds gathered in Sydney holding signs and listening to speakers on Thursday (pictured) Activist groups Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) and Fighting In Solidarity Towards Treaties were one group who organised the demonstrations. 'This is a stance against the continued crimes committed against marginalised First Nations, black, brown and Asian communities. We do not support benefactors or Stolenwealth (sic) and demand justice, truth and accountability for all. Justice for all,' WAR wrote on Facebook. 'This is a demonstration against racist colonial imperialism.' Signs and banners held at the protests across the country called for a range of reforms including the introduction of an Indigenous treaty, Australia to become a republic and for justice in response to reports of First Nations deaths in custody. In 2007, Indigenous youths accounted for 59 per cent of the total juvenile detention population, according to government records. Last year, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners made up 30 per cent of all prisoners. The explosive protests across the country saw a group of elders burn Australian flags in Brisbane and activists in Melbourne smear red dye on the British Consulate (pictured) Protestors in Melbourne demanded changes ranging from abolishing the police to the establishment of a treaty with First Nations peoples A woman in Sydney held a sign asking for a treaty, a republic and for the country to 'de-colonise' Karl Stefanovic has been accused of 'touching' a male waiter at a charity event he attended in Brisbane with wife Jasmine. Queensland Police said they were investigating a report of an alleged assault on a man at a riverside suburb in Brisbane during a function on August 20. 'Queensland Police are investigating a report regarding the alleged assault of a man at a Newstead business during an event on Saturday, August 20,' police said. Karl Stefanovic is being investigated by police over an alleged assault at a Brisbane fundraiser. He is pictured alongside his wife Jasmine Yarbrough at the event last month The media personality shared a heartfelt post to melanoma sufferer Gina (pictured next to each other at the event) 'As investigations are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further. 'It is understood the matter has been discussed privately between the parties to seek a resolution.' The waiter lodged a report after he was allegedly touched by Stefanovic, 48, at the Mercedes-Benz melanoma charity event in Newstead the Courier Mail reported. Stefanovic, who was the host for the six-hour event, attended with his wife Jasmine Yarbrough. The event, dubbed The Six Hour Project, was attended by around 350 guests and raised $290,000 for melanoma research. Last month, Stefanovic and his wife shared photos on Instagram of themselves dressed in formal attire as they mingled with patrons at the fundraiser. Stefanovic is pictured at Sydney Airport after arriving back from England where he was covering the Queen's funeral In one photo, the media personality posed next to melanoma sufferer and event organiser Gina Savage. 'Gina, courage, resilience and beauty,' he wrote in the caption. 'We just lifted the roof for you, your battles, your charity and everyone else fighting melanoma.' Proceeds from the fundraiser - which seeks to raise awareness, increase detection and find a cure for the cancer - were donated to The Mater Foundation and Melanoma Institute of Australia. 'One Australian dies every six hours from melanoma,' the fundraiser website reads. 'The Six Hour Project is on a mission to change this devastating statistic.' Ms Savage previously appeared in an interview on the Today show with Stefanovic to tell the story of her diagnosis before the pair reunited to hold the fundraiser. The allegations come as Stefanovic was pictured at Sydney airport on Wednesday after arriving back in Australia from England. The television presenter was sent to London on September 13 to cover the death of Queen Elizabeth II and her funeral. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment. Clarke, who was hallucinating before the attack has been charged with attempted murder Incredibly, the victim survived the attack and is now in hospital Clarke picked up a pair of scissors to begin his attack and later looked for knives The brutal attack was all caught on surveillance cameras in Lee County, Florida Edmond Clark, 36, from Florida stabbed another man 40 times in an attempt to behead him This is the sickening moment a Florida man stabbed a man he knew 40 times with a pair of scissors to allegedly try to behead him. Edmund Clarke, 36, went into The Trading Post in Burnt Store Marina, a family-owned restaurant and store in Punta Gorda, with the son of an elderly man he acted as a caretaker for. Clarke and the victim had entered the store together and were ordering food. The pair could be seen choosing drinks and placing them on the counter. Suddenly, Clarke grabs a pair of scissors from a nearby cup before lunging at the victim. The entire bloody attack was all caught on surveillance video while at least two other people in the store were witness to the 'brutal attack'. The victim was stabbed more than 40 times in the head, neck and torso area. Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff's Office say Clarke could be seen hacking away at the man in an attempt to behead him. Clarke, left, in blue, can be seen ordering food at the convenience store in Lee Country Suddenly, Clarke can be seen grabbing a pair of scissors from a nearby cup before lunging at the victim. Clarke took the scissors from a cup that was sitting on the counter at the store When the scissors did not appear to be sharp enough, he allegedly grabbed other knives that he found inside the store's kitchen area. It was several minutes before police arrived on scene to tackle Clarke - all the while, the gruesome attack continued. The victim was rushed to hospital suffering from severe wounds to his head, neck and torso. Clarke had served as a caretaker for the victim's father for about a decade. The pair had met up prior to the incident taking place after the victim picked up Clarke from hospital after suffering from abdominal pain. After leaving the hospital, Clarke told the victim he was hungry, so the pair stopped at The Trading Post store and were ordering food when the unprovoked attack suddenly began. Incredibly, the victim survived the attack and is now in hospital It was several minutes before police arrived on scene to tackle Clarke - all the while, the gruesome attack continued The store was sealed off while police conducted an investigation into the unprovoked attack Witnesses reported hearing Clarke suddenly experiencing hallucinations as he ranted about being targeted by an unknown enemy. It was then his violent and vicious assault began. Clarke was arrested at the scene and has been charged with attempted murder. 'This disgusting crime will not be tolerated in Lee County,' said Sheriff Carmine Marceno. 'I am proud of the quick response of our deputies that helped save the victim's life, and the hard work of my detectives to take Clarke off the street.' The victim was flown to the hospital, where they underwent emergency surgery. He claimed activists were trying to 'censor' history by painting over the mural Radio host and commentator Chris O'Keefe was outraged by protesters' actions Indigenous protesters have defaced a mural of Queen Elizabeth II on Australia's National Day of Mourning, sparking widespread outrage. Massive crowds gathered in Sydney and across Australia on Thursday to protest the monarchy and call for reforms for First Nations people following the Queen's death a fortnight ago. As part of the demonstrations, activists sprayed over the mural in inner-Sydney Marrickville and spray painted the Aboriginal flag over the Queen's face. Nine News reporter Chris O'Keefe branded the spray painters 'disrespectful' on his 2GB radio show. 'I say defaced, because the Queen's face has been covered in yellow paint, with the red and black parts of the flag on the top and bottom it's terribly disrespectful,' O'Keefe told listeners. He also claimed the activists were trying to censor history by covering over the mural. First Nations activists and allies in Sydney spray painted over a Marrickville mural of Queen Elizabeth II (pictured), earning the ire of radio commentator Chris O'Keefe Protests were held in Sydney on the National Day of Mourning, with speakers calling for an end to the monarchy (pictured) Police were seen with a man on the ground during the Melbourne anti-monarchy protest which saw activists marching down the CBD 'This history needs to be told, and it needs to be taught and as a country, we are coming leaps and bounds in recognising and facing this history,' O'Keefe said. 'I strongly believe that censoring this history cannot continue but we are talking about Queen Elizabeth. 'On a day where she has only been buried three days ago these kinds of offensive remarks do one thing and one thing only, polarise our country.' Protests continue around the country, with hundreds gathering in state capitals to hear speeches on the effects of colonisation impacting Indigenous Australians. First Nations activists and allies also burned an Australian flag in Brisbane, and smeared 'blood' over an emblem on the British Consulate in Melbourne. The explosive protests have seen those in attendance call for treaties, a republic and the 'decolonisation' of Australia. The explosive protests across the country saw a group of elders burn Australian flags in Brisbane and activists in Melbourne smear red dye on the British Consulate (pictured) Protesters held signs calling for treaties, an Australian republic and for the country to 'decolonise' itself from the British A massive storm stretching across Australia's east coast is set to wreak havoc on millions with flood-ravaged towns bracing for another disastrous weather event. Several flood warnings have been issued across New South Wales with south-east Queensland also in the firing line. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned heavy rainfall and storms will continue to lash the NSW coast from the Hunter region up to the Northern Rivers over Thursday night and into Friday. The miserable conditions will ruin the plans of many families wanting to get away for the school holidays which begin this weekend in NSW. Already on Thursday, the severe weather caused airlines to cancel 100 domestic flights coming in and out of Sydney. Meanwhile, a four-year-old boy, and two women, 51 and 44, were also rescued after their vehicle became submerged in floodwaters near Dungog. Residents of Lismore, who have been devastated by two flooding events this year are being told to brace for more wet weather, with a minor to moderate flood warning issued for the town's Wilsons River. A massive storm stretching across Australia's east coast is set to wreak havoc on millions with flood-ravaged towns bracing for another disastrous weather event Photos showing the rescue of a four-year-old boy, and two women, 51 and 44, after their vehicle became submerged in floodwaters near Dungog on Thursday TOWNS IN THE SEVERE WEATHER WARNING AREA Tweed Heads Murwillumbah Urbenville Kyogle Byron Bay Lismore Tabulam Evans Head Yamba Jackadgery Grafton Nymboida Ebor Coffs Harbour Bellingen Nambucca Heads Advertisement 'Depending on the location and intensity of the rainfall, peaks above moderate could be possible from Friday and into the weekend,' the BoM warned. Between 80 to 120mm of rain is expected to fall across parts of the Mid North Coast over a 24-hour period, while severe weather warnings have been issued for the Northern Rivers. Isolated falls of up to 200mm of rain are also on the forecast. Within the past 24 hours 100mm of rain has already lashed areas from Grafton to Coffs Harbour, while parts of the Mid North Coast have seen 180mm. SES Commissioner Carlene York said there's already been 49 rescues in this flood event, and more than 500 calls for help. A moderate flood warning has also been issued for the Nambucca River at Bowraville on NSW's Mid North Coast. Floods have already hit Wee Waa, a town in the state's northwest, with helicopters dropping off supplies. NSW Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke warned on Thursday it was the start of a 'very long season' for flood conditions. The severe weather caused airlines to cancel 100 domestic flights coming in and out of Sydney Queues of people are seen at the Virgin and Jetstar departure terminal at Sydney Domestic Airport on Thursday The airport has blamed torrential rain and strong winds for flights being cancelled from Sydney between 6am and 7.30pm 'We're facing challenges on multiple fronts with prolonged flooding through the west and northwest of NSW, renewed river rises in the Central West and southern parts of NSW,' she said. 'Now communities in the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and North Coast who have been made flood weary over the past several months are facing an uncertain couple of days with weather conditions worsening.' Parts of NSW have already seen more than 50mm of rain fall since 9am on Thursday. Ms Cook said she was confident emergency services were equipped to deal with the floods. BOM Meteorologist Jane Golding said flash flooding is possible for areas between the Central Coast and the Queensland border. 'We're expecting areas to see 24-hour totals of above 100mm but we're going to see some bullseyes in there that are higher than that, and those bullseyes are where we will see flash flooding,' Golding said. A man is rescued from his car by State Emergency Service workers in Windsor on July 4 in Sydney Residents of Lismore, who have been devastated by two flooding events this year (pictured in March this year) are being told to brace for more wet weather A childrens play area is seen inundated by floodwaters in Camden in Sydney in July this year Flooding is shown by helicopter on a tour of the Hunter Region by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet in July 'That's enough rain to cause the rivers to start rising, road ponding, and dangerous driving conditions. The ground is so saturated across all of NSW with the gusty winds around at the moment we can expect trees down as well.' Up to 100 flights were cancelled at Sydney Airport on Thursday due to the disastrous weather. The airport has blamed torrential rain and strong winds for flights being cancelled from Sydney between 6am and 7.30pm. Up to 41 flights into Sydney have also been axed in bad news for travellers who planned to take advantage of Thursday's National Day of Mourning. Services were scheduled to return to normal by Thursday afternoon. Thousands of desperate Russians are scrambling to flee the country to dodge Putin's mobilisation, as miles-long queues form to escape into border countries. Men of fighting age are racing to avoid a potential call-up after Putin ordered Moscow's first mobilisation since World War Two, with plans to immediately start conscripting some 300,000 troops to fight on the frontline. Many flights were sold out yesterday amid the panic, while others appeared to resort to drastic tactics to avoid the conscription, with Google searches for 'how to break an arm at home' - skyrocketing hours after Putin's speech. A wife from Tyumen in Siberia said: 'I will not let my husband go. I'll break his both legs. His duty is to raise his children.' The authorities issued a a special warning issued to potential recruits that they face legal sanctions if they self-harm by breaking arms or legs to avoid the call-up. Photos and videos have also emerged of airports crowded with young men and heavy traffic near border crossings, driven by fears the country might lock down and send more civilians to war. Yesterday, flagship carrier Aeroflot said it was not 'yet' banning young men from travelling, suggesting travel restrictions may soon be in place. And a dramatic night time picture from Vnukovo airport in Moscow shows men trying to escape before they are prevented. A dramatic night time picture from Vnukovo airport in Moscow shows men trying to escape the country before they are prevented Queues of cars trying to get out of Russia form on the country's border with Georgia hours after Putin announced mobilisation Traffic arriving at Finland's eastern border with Russia (pictured) 'intensified' during the night, the Finnish Border Guard said early on Thursday Putin (pictured today) announced plans to immediately start conscripting some 300,000 troops to fight on the frontline Almost all the men - mainly aged 25-35 - were summoned near to passport control for interrogation. They were questioned on whether they had bought their ticket after the Putin mobilisation announcement, and whether they had a return ticket. They were asked about the purpose of their trip and their military status, and if they answered satisfactorily, a female officer escorted them to the passport control and signalled to the officer that they were permitted to leave the country. Some were then quizzed again by the FSB officer at passport control. It is not known how many were stopped from flying. Separately, a video showed major queues at a border crossing between Russia and Kazakhstan in the Kulunda district of Altai Region . 'The overwhelming majority of people are Russian men,' said an eyewitness. 'Many do not know the procedure for crossing the border - this can be seen from their confused behaviour . Heavy traffic has formed near border crossings, driven by fears the country might lock down and send more civilians to war Men of fighting age are racing to avoid a potential call-up after Putin ordered Moscow's first mobilisation since World War Two 'They are probably going abroad for the first time.' Traffic arriving at Finland's eastern border with Russia 'intensified' during the night, the Finnish Border Guard said early on Thursday. 'The number clearly has picked up,' the Finnish border guard's head of international affairs Matti Pitkaniitty told Reuters. 'It is an exceptional number in the sense that it clearly is busier,' he said, adding that the situation was under control and border guards were ready at nine checkpoints. Tens of thousands of others sought to flee the country, with queues at borders from Finland to Georgia and to Mongolia. Women were not barred from leaving by Putin's new Iron Curtain. New protests are scheduled today by opponents of Putin's mobilisation, despite 1,386 anti-war demonstrators detained in 38 cities last night. Anger has also erupted on social media and a new word was even invented to describe the hell Putin has unleashed - 'Mogilisation', from the Russian word '' [Mogila] - or grave, the morbid fate awaiting thousands drafted into the army. Yesterday, plane ticket prices skyrocketed, with a family of three having to fork out 44,000 to fly to Johannesburg, while the cheapest flights to Dubai were costing more than 8,000 - about ten times the average monthly wage, for a one-way economy fare. According to Russian investigative news outlet RBK, all plane tickets to countries where Russians would not need a visa, including Turkey, Armenia and Georgia, sold out, while flagship airline Aeroflot is not displaying any available flights. Some alleged people already had been turned back from Russia's land border with Georgia and that the website of the state Russian railway company collapsed because too many people were checking for ways out of the country. Videos showed men in the Russian Far East beginning a journey of thousands of miles after seemed summonsed for war Meanwhile, those being sent to war were today given just four hours to pack their belongings. Videos showed men in the Russian Far East beginning a journey of thousands of miles after seemed summonsed and sent for military training before going to the front in the war with Ukraine. In Dalnegorsk, seven time zones east of Moscow in Primorsky region, mobilised reservists were videoed on a bus as an officer took a roll call. In regional capital Vladivostok, men were seen reporting to an enlistment office with their belongings having been summoned to be sent to Putin's war. In Ussuriysk, a 62-year-old trauma doctor - who in theory does not qualify for mobilisation - was summonsed. His furious wife refused to take the document. The mobilisation staff then went to the clinic where he worked, 'posing as patients', and handed him the summons to the war. He was given four hours to pack and leave, it was reported. The same timescale was reported elsewhere in the Russian far east, with men being woken in the night and told they had fours to obey the Putin mobilisation edict. Men are pictured queueing up to board flights out of Russia at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport Huge queues are seen in the early hours today at Russia's border with Georgia, with drivers having to wait for 5 hours to get out of Russia Queues of cars trying to get out of Russia on the country's border with Mongolia are seen after the call-up There were reports of people cowering behind doors and refusing to accept the military summonses. In Luchegorsk, men who refused to open doors at night were handed the summonses when they arrived at work this morning. Some 60 men were taken to Bikin, in Khabarovsk region, and sent into the hands of the Russian military machine. Desperate women even threatened to break their husbands' bones so they were unfit for the call-up. A wife from Tyumen in Siberia said: 'I will not let my husband go. I'll break his both legs. His duty is to raise his children.' The authorities issued a a special warning issued to potential recruits that they face legal sanctions if they self-harm by breaking arms or legs to avoid the call-up. Other ploys were men seeking to wed women with multiple children. Anna, a Muscovite, 46, said: 'A friend, a single mother of five was proposed to today. 'She laughed so hard when she told me about it, and said looks like she will be super popular in the near future. 'It seems men with three or more children will not be mobilised.' Almost all the men at the airport - mainly aged 25-35 - were summoned near to passport control for interrogation Newly-mobilised men walk towards a conscription point in the Far East of Russia But many men were seeking to leave Russia altogether rather than face the hell of the frontline in Ukraine. One man who left Russia by air said: 'I am 33 and I have a military ID [so is liable to be mobilised], but [it shows] I am not fit to serve because of my health. 'I flew out to Bishkek [capital of Kyrgyzstan]. 'All men are now stopped at Sheremetyevo airport [in Moscow], their documents are taken away. 'They are all asked if they served in the military, and when they bought their tickets. 'Next is either an interrogation, or they are left to go in 15 or 20 minutes after a thorough document check. 'I wasn't interrogated. 'I don't know if there are those who were not allowed to leave the country after the interrogation.' A man from Krasnoyarsk in Siberia seeking to fly abroad via at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow said today: 'There were 40 summonses issued yesterday among the people I knew. 'The lists must have been prepared well in advance.' There were queues up to five hours long on routes from Russia into Finland which has massively restricted those allowed entry. Google data showed a family of three would have to fork out 44,000 to get to Johannesburg today in a 45-hour trip with three layovers 'Traffic jams on the border with Finland at the checkpoints located in the Leningrad Region had not been resolved by the morning of September 22,' reported Fontanka news outlet. A total of 75 cars were in a backlog at Torfyanovka-Vaalimaa, 35 cars in Brusnichny, and 60 cars in front of the Imatra checkpoint. People were spending the night in cars hoping to exit into the EU. A video showed huge queues in darkness at the Russian border with Georgia, which has become a favourite destination for people seeking to flee Putin's war. At the frontier with Kazakhstan, an escapee said: 'We left Saratov at 6pm to Uralsk in Kazakhstan. 'It was a bad road, and a giant jam at the border. 'Nearly everyone I managed to speak said they were running away from mobilisation.' On the Russian border with Mongolia in the Buryatia republic cars were reportedly queuing for 'many hours'. Men mobilised by Russia were told they would have a credit holiday on debts as the government sought to sweeten the pill of the call-up. Furious Russians used social media to demand that MPs should be the first to be mobilised. All plane tickets to countries where Russians would not need a visa, including Turkey, Armenia and Georgia, have sold out, while national carrier Aeroflot is not displaying any tickets for today But one - in ruling party United Russia - claimed he was making a sacrifice by remaining at his desk in parliament. 'Sometimes it seems that writing a statement and going to the front is probably the easiest decision,' said MP Dmitry Vyatkin. But this cannot be done, because 'MPs must convey the importance and criticality of the current situation to everyone'. In fact, MPs are anyway exempt under Putin's mobilisation decree. MP Andrey Kartapolov, head of the parliamentary defence committee, said newly mobilised reservists would undergo training by officers with special military operation combat experience before being sent to the war zone. 'The training will take place on Russian territory, on Defence Ministry military grounds, under guidance of experienced officers who have combat experience and the special military operation experience,' he said. Defence analyst Mikhail Khodaryonok claimed on state TV that 'nobody will be out catching citizens at bus stops, on the street or in public places', saying people will receive military summons at their place of residence. Putin's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused the west of wanting to humiliate Russia with defeat on the battlefield. Google searches for 'How to leave Russia' also increased today, data shows (pictured), as terrified civilians sought to avoid the prospect of conflict 'The collective West, led by the United States, is openly seeking to defeat Russia 'on the battlefield.' 'The United States and its allies are ready to sacrifice Ukraine for the sake of their geopolitical goals. 'To achieve them, they pump the country with weapons, and this leads to an escalated and prolonged conflict. It puts off the prospects of its settlement.' Moscow's NTV channel - owned by the media arm of Kremlin energy giant Gazprom - made clear the upcoming referendums on invaded regions joining Russia could only have one outcome. Ukraine was 'a cobbled together' republic but its people were part of 'the Russian world'. 'Historically, politically, legally, however you want, this land belongs to us,' said one academic pundit' who insisted the lands must not be abandoned to 'Nazis'. The report claimed with no evidence that that 'punishment squads' are engaging in torture and rape in areas still under Kyiv's control. Kremlin propagandists sought to justify Putin's massive mobilisation and nuclear strike threat as being due to the West threatening the future of Russia - even though there is no such threat. On state TV's 'Time Will Tell' show pundit Alexei Mukhin alleged that 'many Western actors are openly talking of war with Russia and to ignore this kind of threat is not possible'. Accusing the West of aggression - when it was Putin who invaded Ukraine - he said: 'The Russian Federation in my view always acts consistently in response to a direct threat to its existence and security.' Military expert Ivan Konovalov told viewers there was no need for 'panic' since only 300,000 of the total reserve of 25 million were being called up. Contrary to the initial evidence he said these were main people who wanted to go and fight. The West would now be facing 'our military force', including weapons in Russia's 'nuclear triad'. 'We hope we will make do without our nuclear triad, though it is always ready,' explained presenter Ruslan Ostashko. Propagandist Olga Skabeyeva echoed Putin's bogus claim that the West is using 'nuclear blackmail' against Russia. With no link to reality she said the West's aim is 'to destroy Russia and break up the country into several regions at war with each other'. Known as Putin's 'Iron Doll', she warned viewers that the 'possible use of the nuclear potential against Russia could have more disastrous consequences for European countries, first and foremost'. The referendums in illegally invaded regions of Ukraine would be used to publicly insist these lands were now part of Russia, she made clear. Russia could respond with nuclear missiles, she indicated. 'The West is now aware that an attack on Ukraine, on those lands, and with the use of Western weaponry, including American or any other, will be viewed as an attack on Russia, with absolutely all the ensuing consequences.' Nationalist writer Nikolai Starikov echoed the theme preached by Putin that the West want to dismember Russia. 'As our president says fairly, they want to do to the Russian Federation what they did to the Soviet Union. To split it up into a certain number of states and sow hatred. 'The announcement of partial mobilisation is a step forward to Russia's victory. And no-one intends to take a step back from that victory.' Warmongering military expert Igor Korotchenko demanded a wartime spirit. 'There must be one slogan - 'Everything for the front! Everything for victory!', and everyone should be involved in this.' Advertisement Smiling, waving, and flashing peace signs for the cameras: This was the emotional moment Ukraine's hero defenders of Mariupol were freed last night in a shock prisoner swap with Russia. Their survival defies all the odds. Having lasted almost three months under a Russian siege, wildly outmanned and outgunned, they were last seen being bussed off to prisons likened to concentration camps. Many doubted they would be seen alive again. Russian hardliners, who view Azov as the worst of the worst - Nazis and war criminals - had been calling for their execution. But last night, they were confirmed safe. Among them Azov commander Denis Prokopenko, his deputy Svyatoslav Palamar, and Marine commander Serhiy Volynsky, Also pictured was Kateryna 'Birdie' Polishchuk, a medic whose singing inside the Azovstal steelworks inspired a nation, and Mykhailo Dianov, last seen with a shattered arm that became symbolic of the horrors inside the plant. Andriy Yermak, a top adviser to President Zelensky, said more than one of the fighters was heavily pregnant. Olena Zelenska, the First Lady, declared it was 'the day all of Ukraine was waiting for'. Mykhailo Dianov, one of the hero defenders of Mariupol, was dramatically freed last night in a surprise prisoner swap with Russia along with 205 other Ukrainians Sviatoslav Palamar, one of the officers of the Azov battalion who was last seen inside the Azovstal steel plant, smiles after being released from Russian captivity late last night Ukraine said 205 of its citizens - including 100 from the Azov battalion - were among those traded for just 56 Russians, including Putin ally Viktor Medvedchuk There were smiles all around as members of the Azov battalion were released, with many fearing they would never be seen again after surrendering in the city of Mariupol back in May A member of the Ukrainian armed forces embraces one of the newly-freed prisoners last night, after Russia announced a surprise swap for members of its own armed forces In total, Russia agreed to give up 215 Ukrainian prisoners - the five Azov commanders, 10 foreign prisoners including Britons Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin, and 200 others - in return for just 56 of their own. Ukrainian POWs traded back to freedom last night are viewed on a bus back to home soil today Among the Russians released is Viktor Medvedchuk, Putin's right-hand man in Ukraine, with President Zelensky saying he was exchanged for 200 Ukrainians. Zelensky said price was one worth paying, and that Medvedchuk had already provided spies with a lot of information. But - amid fury in Russia about trading away the Azov defenders - speculation surfaced that Medvedchuk was not the main point of the swap. Some - including security expert Michael Weiss - speculated that Russians captured during the lightning-fast counter-attack out of Kharkiv might actually be behind it. Rumours had been swirling that Ukraine managed to capture a Russian general during that offensive, which would be the highest-ranking officer to be taken prisoner since the Second World War. Moscow and Kyiv have neither confirmed nor denied those rumours, and seem in no rush to do so now. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the exchanges, calling them 'no small feat,' but adding that 'much more remains to be done to ease the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine,' his spokesman said. The U.N. chief reiterates the need to respect international law on the treatment of prisoners and will continue to support further prisoner exchanges, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. According to Zelenskyy, many of those freed belonged to Ukraine's Azov regiment, whom he called heroes. Kateryna 'Birdie' Polishchuk, a medic whose signing inside the Azovstal plant (left) inspired Ukraine, was also pictured smiling after her release (right) last night Ukrainians released from Russian captivity as part of a prisoner swap last night pose in front of the national flag Denis Prokopenko (centre right), the commander of the Azov battalion, was among those who had been threatened with execution after his capture but who was freed yesterday Five Azov commanders - led by Denis Prokopenko - will now be taken to Turkey where they will be forced to sit out the rest of the war under the protection of President Erdogan More than 2,000 defenders, many in the Azov unit, marched out of the Azovstal steel plant's twisted wreckage into Russian captivity in mid-May, ending a nearly three-month siege of the port city of Mariupol. Five of the released Azov commanders are now living in Turkey, according to a post on Zelenskyy's website. Meanwhile Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner were flown to Saudi Arabia, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said to have assisted in negotiations. A total of five Britons, along with two Americans, one Swede, one Croat and one Moroccan, are currently in Riyadh. In a video which was posted on Instagram, the pair smile at the camera as they sit in their seats on a plane out of Russia. Aslin says: 'We just want everyone to know that we are now out of the danger zone and we're on our way home to our families.' Pinner, who is sat next to him, chips in: 'By the skin of our teeth'. Two US military veterans Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27 were also both freed thanks to the prisoner exchange. UK Prime Minister Liz Truss said: 'Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families.' The prisoner exchange came at a puzzling time, landing on the same day Vladimir Putin ordered the mobilisation of reservists in a dramatic escalation of the war in Ukraine. Putin also threatened the West with nuclear weapons over Ukraine, after he announced plans to annex occupied parts of its territory to the Russian mainland. A picture of Dianov taken earlier in the war with a shattered arm had become a symbol of the horrors his unit endured under Russian siege With no sign of the protests easing, authorities restricted access to the internet Riots erupted across the country after Mahsa Amini, 22, died after being arrested by morality police for wearing 'unsuitable attire' Death toll rises to ten as violent protests continue to rage across Iran A defiant pensioner removed her headscarf and chanted 'death to Khamenei' while protesters ripped down posters of him as violent protests continued to rage across Iran. The elderly woman walked through demonstrators in the northern city of Rasht and waved her headscarf in a show of defiance against the country's strict Islamic dress codes as she chanted death to the country's supreme leader. Her protest came amid growing unrest across the country over the death of Mahsa Amini. The 22-year-old died last week after being arrested by morality police in Tehran for wearing 'unsuitable attire'. In recent days, dozens of Iranian cities have been locked in the grips of deadly riots with women tearing off their hijabs and taking to the streets, burning the garments while marching for their rights to be seen publicly without the veil. Reports from Kurdish rights group Hengaw said three protesters were killed on Wednesday, bringing the death toll from the protests to 10. A defiant pensioner removed her headscarf and chanted 'death to Khamenei' and protesters ripped down posters of him while chanting 'death to the dictator' as violent protests continued to rage across Iran Reports from Kurdish rights group Hengaw said three protesters were killed by security forces on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 10 An overturned police car is seen on fire in Bojnurd, Iran, September 22, 2022 Mahsa Amini, 22, from Iran's Kurdistan province, fell into a coma and died while waiting with other women held by the morality police In footage from Sari, the capital of northern Mazandaran province, activists teared down posters of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini and Supreme Leader Khamenei on a municipality building. 'Amin Marafti, 16, Milan Haghigi, 21, and Sadruddin Litani, 27, were at least three Shno residents who were shot dead by government forces during the city's demonstrations ,' Hengaw said in a statement. 'I'm just looking outside of from flat's window. It's a complete chaos down here,' Ashskan, a resident of Tajrish in the centre of the capital Tehran, told MailOnline. 'They [police] fired teargas here, it's a residential, children are living here. It's lots of smoke, people are suffocating,' he said. 'Most of the protesters are women with no headscarves. They are clashing with the police. Some time police officers run after the people and sometime the other way around,' he added. 'It's very crowded. They fired teargas into our parking. They are chanting 'Dictator! dictator' and also 'death to the dictator' I also heard gunshots,' he continued. Iran blocked access to Instagram and WhatsApp and imposed drastic restrictions on internet access Thursday. 'In accordance with a decision by officials, it has no longer been possible to access Instagram in Iran since Wednesday evening and access to WhatsApp is also disrupted,' the semi-official Fars news agency reported. The two apps were the most widely used in Iran after the blocking of other platforms in recent years, including Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, YouTube and Tiktok. Connections have slowed significantly since protests erupted following the government's announcement of the death of Mahsa Amini. Significant internet outages were also reported across the country, with one of the biggest mobile phone operators disrupted, leaving millions offline. In Another footage from Sari, the capital of northern Mazandaran province, activists teared down the posters of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini and Supreme Leader Khamenei on a municipality building In recent days, dozens of Iranian cities have been locked in the grips of deadly riots with women tearing off their hijabs and taking to the streets It comes as 13 Iranian lawmakers have suggested to the government to take harsher measures against the protesters. Officials have denied that security forces have killed protesters, suggesting they may have been shot by armed dissidents but footage shows police officers firing directly at people. Meanwhile protesters in Tehran and several other Iranian cities torched police stations and vehicles on Thursday morning. Unrest triggered by the death of a woman detained by the Islamic Republic's morality police intensified for a sixth day. She fell into a coma while in detention. The authorities have said they would launch an investigation into the cause of death. Amini's death unleashed huge anger in the population and the worst protests in Iran since 2019. Many Iranians, particularly the young, have come to see Amini's death as part of the Islamic Republic's heavy-handed policing of dissent and the morality police's increasingly violent treatment of young women. Some women demonstrators have defiantly taken off their hijabs and burned them in bonfires or symbolically cut their hair, video footage spread virally on social media has shown. Some women demonstrators have defiantly taken off their hijabs and burned them in bonfires or symbolically cut their hair Officials have denied that security forces have killed protesters, suggesting they may have been shot by armed dissidents but footage obtained by MailOnline shows police officers firing directly at people Most of the protests have been concentrated in Iran's Kurdish-populated northwestern regions but have spread to the capital and at least 50 cities and towns nationwide, with police using force to disperse protesters. In the northeast, protesters shouted 'We will die, we will die but we'll get Iran back' near a police station which was set on fire, a video showed that was posted on a Twitter account 1500tasvir, which focuses on Iran protests and has around 100,000 followers. Another police station was set ablaze in the capital Tehran as the unrest spread from Kurdistan, the home province of Amini. Iran's rulers fear a revival of the 2019 protests over gasoline price rises, the bloodiest in the Islamic Republic's history. Reuters reported 1,500 were killed. Protesters also expressed anger at Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 'Mojtaba, may you die and not become Supreme Leader,' a crowd was seen chanting in Tehran, referring to Khamenei's son, who some believe could succeed his father at the top of Iran's political establishment. Another police station was set ablaze in the capital Tehran as the unrest spread from Kurdistan, the home province of Amini Iran's rulers fear a revival of the 2019 protests over gasoline price rises, the bloodiest in the Islamic Republic's history. Reuters reported 1,500 were killed Protesters also expressed anger at Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei With no sign of the protests easing, authorities restricted access to the internet, according to residents, and internet shutdown observatory NetBlocks. Amini's death has unleashed fury across Iran over issues including freedoms in the Islamic Republic and an economy reeling from sanctions. Women have played a prominent role in the protests, waving and burning their veils, with some cutting their hair in public. In northern Iran, crowds armed with batons and rocks attacked two members of the security forces on a motorbike as a crowd cheered, as seen on a video, which Reuters was unable to verify. Women have played a prominent role in the protests, waving and burning their veils, with some cutting their hair in public. NetBlocks also reported a 'nation-scale loss of connectivity' on Iran's main state mobile telephone provider and another company's network WhatsApp's servers were disrupted on multiple internet providers, hours after Instagram's services were blocked, London-based NetBlocks said. The group's data shows a near-total disruption to internet service in parts of Kurdistan province in western Iran since Monday, while the capital city of Tehran and other parts of the country have also faced disruptions since Friday, when protests first broke out. Meanwhile a Twitter account linked to the 'Anonymous' hacker group claims to have launched cyber attacks against the Iranian government and affiliated websites. The group shared screenshots showing websites of Iran's government portal, the office of a government spokesperson, and the central bank taken down after purportedly being hacked. Protesters chant slogans during a protest over the death of a woman who was detained by the morality police, in downtown Tehran, Iran In an address to the UN General Assembly, US President Joe Biden said Americans will stand with 'the brave women of Iran who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights'. He spoke after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi rejected calls from Western powers to respect women's rights. Iran's hard-line president, Ebrahim Raisi, has deflected criticism of his government's response to the protests and the subsequent violence. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran rejects some of the double standards of some governments vis-a-vis human rights,' he said. 'Human rights belongs to all, but unfortunately it is trampled upon by many governments,' he added referring to the discovery of unmarked graves of indigenous people in Canada, the suffering of the Palestinians and images of migrant children held in cages in the United States. In an address to the UN General Assembly, US President Joe Biden said Americans will stand with 'the brave women of Iran who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights' Iran's hard-line president, Ebrahim Raisi, has deflected criticism of his government's response to the protests and the subsequent violence Elon Musk said he wants to be exempt from Iranian sanctions so he can provide the country with his Starlink satellite internet Mahsa Amini, 22, from Iran's Kurdistan province, fell into a coma and died while waiting with other women held by the morality police Iran's Telecommunications Minister Issa Zarepour on Wednesday warned of internet restrictions, citing the 'security issues of these days.' Elon Musk said he wants to be exempt from Iranian sanctions so he can provide the country with his Starlink satellite internet. A social media user going by the handle 'erfan_kasrale' tagged Musk in a tweet on Monday, saying: 'I'm sure you won't answer it Mr Musk, but is it technically possible to provide Starlink to Iranian people? It could be a game changer for the future.' Mahsa Amini, 22, from Iran's Kurdistan province, fell into a coma and died while waiting with other women held by the morality police. Amini's father has repeatedly said his daughter had no health problems, adding that she had suffered bruises to her legs. He held the police responsible for her death. Iranian leaders have vowed to investigate the circumstances of Amini's death while accusing unnamed foreign countries and exiled opposition groups of seizing on it as a pretext to foment unrest. The new 'special relationship' had a tricky start last night as Joe Biden sent a 'candid' message about his 'personal' feelings on the Northern Ireland Brexit row. The PM and US president sat down for their first talks at the UN general assembly in New York. Aides said the discussions went on for 75 minutes rather than the hour scheduled, and there was a united front on Ukraine and the response to Russia. However, the leaders appear to have had an awkward exchange over Northern Ireland, with US officials describing the conversation as 'candid' - usually code that there was not agreement. Mr Biden is said to have stressed the 'personal importance' he sets on resolving the spat over the province and protecting the Good Friday Agreement. For her part, Ms Truss filled in the US president on her talks with EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen - and has signalled she wants to settle the issues within six months. The premier is targeting getting the Northern Ireland Executive back up and running in time for the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in Easter. That could also coincide with a state visit to the UK by Mr Biden. Liz Truss and US president Joe Biden sat down for their first talks at the UN general assembly in New York Mr Biden and Ms Truss spoke for 75 minutes, when the meeting had been scheduled for an hour Threats by the UK to override parts of the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol have caused tensions between Britain and Washington. Mr Biden told the Prime Minister he was 'looking forward to hearing what's on your mind' about the protocol when they met at a United Nations summit. While cameras were still rolling, she told him: 'Of course I'm looking forward to discussing the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and how we make sure that's upheld into the future.' Downing Street said the leaders only had a 'very short discussion' about the protocol. One of the president's team brought it up at the end of the meeting, with No10 insisting Mr Biden did not seek reassurances. He characterised the tone of the meeting as 'warm' and that they did not discuss a UK-US trade deal, with Ukraine instead dominating discussions. A US official said Mr Biden made clear that protecting the Good Friday Agreement 'is a matter of bipartisan importance in the United States and a matter of personal importance to him as president'. Downing Street said Ms Truss and Ms von der Leyen met 'one to one' for more than half an hour. The spokesman was unable to answer questions about the meeting, including on whether there had been a breakthrough or new ideas discussed between them, because he was not in the room. The White House had ramped up the significance the protocol would play in talks with Mr Biden, who is vocally proud of his Irish heritage, ahead of the meeting. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan made it clear Mr Biden would discuss it 'in some detail' with Ms Truss. The leaders appear to have had an awkward exchange over Northern Ireland, with US officials describing the conversation as 'candid' - usually code that there was not agreement The Prime Minister is pushing ahead with the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol Bill which the EU and other critics say will breach international law by suspending elements of the agreement. There have also been suggestions she could unilaterally trigger Article 16 of the protocol, to override parts of the agreement brokered as part of the Brexit divorce deal. But instead No 10 said Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and how the US can help on UK energy security were far more prominent in the wide ranging and 'warm' discussions. Mr Biden and Ms Truss were meeting after the president sent a tweet just as the PM was discussing her economic policy, which said he was 'sick and tired of trickle-down economics'. 'It has never worked,' he said. The comments underlined the differences between the two leaders' stances just as Ms Truss says she wants to foster closer ties with international allies. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said it was 'ludicrous' to suggest Mr Biden was criticising UK policy, arguing each country is facing different economic challenges. The white 'Central Park Karen' who accused a black birdwatcher of threatening her in 2020 has lost a lawsuit against her former employer for firing her after the incident. Amy Cooper claimed she was illegally fired and falsely portrayed as a racist by New York investment house Franklin Templeton following the May 25, 2020, incident. The following day, May 26, 2020, Franklin Templeton said in a tweet - which was liked 277,000 times - that it performed a legitimate investigation and 'determined indisputably' that Cooper was racist and terminated her. Cooper's lawsuit, however, claimed there was never a 'legitimate' investigation and the company's tweet gave the 'Karen' narrative 'legitimacy' and 'caused her such severe emotional distress that she was suicidal.' In a decision on Wednesday, US District Judge Ronnie Abrams rejected Cooper's claim that she was defamed when Franklin Templeton and Chief Executive Jenny Johnson made public statements on the incident three times saying they did not tolerate racism. Cooper claimed that this portrayed her as a 'privileged white female 'Karen.' The video of the incident went viral. 'Central Park Karen' Amy Cooper, (pictured) who falsely accused a black birdwatcher of threatening her in May 2020, lost her lawsuit against her former employer Wednesday Christian Cooper, who is not related to Amy, is a birdwatcher who spends his time in Central park and was falsely accused of threatening Amy after he told her to put her dog on a leash Pictured: Amy Cooper choking her dog during the intense encounter. She was fired the following day over the incident but suited her employer The Manhattan judge also said Cooper failed to prove she was fired in May 2020 because of her race or gender, and without the kind of thorough investigation once done into a male employee's alleged offensive conduct. Lawyers for Cooper did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Franklin Templeton, part of San Mateo, California-based Franklin Resources Inc, said it 'responded appropriately' to the incident and was pleased with the dismissal. Amy Cooper joined Franklin Templeton in 2015 and was working as an insurance portfolio manager when a May 25, 2020, video showed her appearing agitated after confronting the birdwatcher, Christian Cooper, who is not related. Amy Cooper was shown calling the police and saying 'there's an African-American man threatening my life' after Christian Cooper asked her to leash her dog to comply with park rules. The video was taken the same day a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd, sparking nationwide protests about racial injustice. Franklin Templeton fired Amy Cooper the next day, and she was branded on social media as 'Central Park Karen,' incorporating a pejorative for an entitled white woman. Amy Cooper argued that the defendant's statements implied that Franklin Templeton had uncovered details about her alleged racism not evident from the video, but the judge disagreed. Amy Cooper was employed by Franklin Templeton to manage their insurance portfolio Pictured: Amy Cooper talking police during the incident. US District Judge Ronnie Abrams rejected Cooper's claim that she was defamed by Franklin Templeton 'The contents of the viral video, as well as the dialogue surrounding it both in the media and on social media, were already matters of public knowledge,' making the defendants' statements 'inactionable as pure opinion,' Abrams wrote. Manhattan prosecutors charged Cooper in July 2020 with filing a false police report, a misdemeanor. They dropped the charge seven months later after Cooper completed therapy that included instruction on not using racial bias. In the failed lawsuit, Amy Cooper claimed race had nothing to do with the incident. She said Christian Cooper had a 'history of aggressively confronting dog owners' in Central Park. 'It was Christian Cooper's practice and intent to cause dog owners to be fearful for their safety and the safety of their dogs, and he had a history of doing so to people,' the lawsuit says. She was 'frightened to death after being selected as the next target of Christian Cooper, an overzealous birdwatcher engaged in Central Park's ongoing feud between birdwatchers and dog owners,' according to the lawsuit. Franklin Templeton, with offices at 280 Park Avenue, employs about 11,000 people worldwide Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson said she was confident in the 'due diligence' her company did before it fired Amy Cooper a day after the Central Park incident went viral The legal action cites a previous run-in Christian Cooper had with a man named Jerome Lockett, a black dog owner who frequents Central Park. Lockett told media outlets that Christian Cooper is a 'd**k' and 'probably did threaten her.' 'Sure, we're breaking the rules by having our dogs off leash in a park that has 80 percent of its area off-leash hours, but that gives that guy no authority to accost people in such manner,' Lockett said, according to the court document. 'My two fellow dog owners have had similar situations with this man, but don't feel comfortable coming forward because they're white. They think they'll be seen as a 'Karen' or whatever.' But the company still 'perpetuated' the 'Karen' vs. an innocent African American narrative and never contacted Lockett, the lawsuit says. But Franklin Cooper CEO Jenny Johnson says they investigated the incident thoroughly. 'I've been in a couple of situations where social media got it wrong. And it's difficult as a CEO, and as a firm, when social media doesn't have it right and you need to stand by people,' Johnson told Yahoo News last month. 'In the case of that situation [of Amy Cooper], we stand by our decision 'We felt and we feel confident in the due diligence we did in the end the process to make our evaluations.' The firm manages up to $1.5 trillion in assets and employs more than 11,000 people. West Yorkshire Police says it has arrested another boy, 16, on suspicion of murder and are questioning him Advertisement The girlfriend of a 15-year-old boy murdered in broad daylight outside his school gates says her heart is shattered after he was 'pinned down' and stabbed to death by a 'balaclava-clad killer'. Tragic Khayri McLean was killed in front of horrified pupils as he was making his way home from North Huddersfield Trust School at 3pm yesterday. Emergency services rushed to the scene and the boy was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, but he was sadly pronounced dead shortly afterwards. The young victim's mother Marcia had come to the spot this morning and had been 'overcome with emotion'. Police have launched a murder inquiry and have arrested a 16-year-old boy. Khayri's heartbroken girlfriend Shyana James, 16, said he had been on his way home to change clothes and meet her when he was attacked. She revealed that he rang her just minutes before his death to say he was on his way to her and then sent a Snapchat message showing his location. Shyana said: 'He was the best person ever. He would drop anything for you and he'd do absolutely anything for anyone. 'I spoke to him at 2.52pm yesterday and he was saying he'd had a good day and couldn't wait to see me later. 'He was going home to get changed then he was going to come to mine. He was the love of my life. We were talking about our future the other day. He was just the best person I knew.' Shyana, who has set up a fundraising page to help Khayri's family cover the cost of a funeral, was comforted by her mother, Sherrin, 33, as she visited the scene today wearing Khayri's coat. Sherrin said: 'They were inseparable. He was always round mine and I'd drop him off at home after. 'He was a good boy, really quiet. He'd do anything for anybody ever. We have no idea what's provoked this, we're at a loss to understand why it's happened. We just do not know. There was quite a lot of kids that saw it.' Ruben Duncan-Keane and Alfie Wilkinson, both 12, said they saw the shocking incident unfold as they left school. Speaking with permission of their parents to reporters, they described how they saw a teacher attempt chest compressions in a desperate bid to save his young life after the stabbing. Khayri McLean hugged by his mother in an older picture together sat at a table outside a cafe, believed to be in Huddersfield Khayri McLean, 15, with girlfriend Shyana James, 16, in a social media picture provided by the James family to use Tragic Khayri McLean was killed as he tried to make his way home from North Huddersfield Trust School at 3pm yesterday Khayri smiles happily with his mother in a heartbreaking picture posted on social media before his dead on Wednesday A police officer stands guards at the scene where a boy was stabbed yesterday in Fartown an area of Huddersfield, West Yorks Alfie said his pals had seen 'two guys in balaclavas' hanging around before school closed. He said: 'They knew who they were going for and unfortunately they got him.' Ruben, who Khayri had shown around the school when he first started, said: 'I'm traumatised. I just saw him laid on the floor and saw a teacher trying to give him chest compressions.' The boys had visited the scene to lay flowers in memory of the tragic teen with their mums. Alfie added: 'I didn't get much sleep last night, I kept waking up. As soon as I heard the news that he'd died I burst into tears. 'I didn't even know him but I'm here laying flowers for him because nobody should lose their life like that. 'He'd just started year 11 and was preparing for his GCSEs. It shouldn't happen. The least we can do is come here and pay our respects.' A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said a boy, 16, had been detained, adding: 'The youth was arrested at an address in Huddersfield shortly before 5am this morning in connection with the incident in Woodhouse Hill, Fartown, yesterday afternoon. 'He remains in custody and enquiries are ongoing led by detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.' Khayri's identity was confirmed by the West Yorkshire coroner. West Yorkshire Police said they had arrested a 16-year-old boy this morning on suspicion of murder after the deadly attack The scene in Fartown, a suburb of Huddersfield, West Yorks, was still cordoned today as the police continued to investigate Police cordon and floral tributes near the scene in Woodhouse Hill, Huddersfield, where a 15-year-old boy was stabbed A floral tribute near to the scene in Woodhouse Hill, Huddersfield, where a 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death yesterday The teenager was attacked in Woodhouse Hill at 3pm yesterday, and was a pupil at NHTS. West Yorkshire Police has described the killing as an 'absolutely senseless loss of a young life' and has stepped up patrols in the area of tonight. Headteacher Andrew Fell said in a statement: 'It is with enormous sadness that I must tell you that following an incident on Woodhouse Hill Road yesterday one of our pupils has tragically lost their life. 'The pupil was taken by ambulance to hospital after the incident but despite the most valiant of efforts, medical staff were unable to save their life. 'This is truly shocking news for our pupils, your children and our staff. We will be providing specialist support for any among our community who feel they could benefit.' The statement said the school will not open until 10.30am today and then only to students who need support. Mr Fell said: 'West Yorkshire Police have launched an urgent investigation, so it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time. People grieve and lay flowers at the scene where a boy was stabbed yesterday, pictured in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire A sign is left where a boy was stabbed yesterday, pictured in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, reading 'we breathe despair' 'I would urge everyone not to engage in speculation about possible causes or perpetrators and allow the police to make their inquiries. A statement has been released. 'Our deepest sympathies go out to the pupil's family and friends who must feel, as we do, completely devastated. They have lost a loved one and we have lost a wonderful student from our school community.' The force's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET) is investigating the incident and remains on the scene tonight as forensics and specialists conduct searches. Police were called to the incident, which took place in the Fartown area of Huddersfield, at 2.54pm. Afiya Mahmood, 39, who lives opposite the school, said: 'I work from home and my husband messaged me to say someone had been stabbed outside the school. It must have been about half-an-hour after the incident had happened. 'I hadn't heard anything but I ran up to see what happened. 'I could see the boy from the window, and the paramedics working on the child. There was blood but they've washed it away now. 'There were a lot of paramedics, about 15 or 20, or that's what it felt like anyway. Then they took him away. 'It's very overwhelming, distressing. It's shocking, it's just a young boy isn't it.' The unnamed teen was allegedly 'pinned down' in Woodhouse Hill, near the gates of North Huddersfield Trust School, at around 3pm yesterday. (Pictured: Huge police response near scene of incident) A PCSO stands at the scene of the stabbing in Fartown, in Huddersfield, yesterday afternoon after the stabbing unfolded Yorkshire Air Ambulance had blocked off the roads surrounding the incident (pictured), while parents say they are deeply concerned Billy Shankland attended the scene with his son, a Year 7 pupil at the school, to lay flowers by the cordon. He said: 'It's awful, I've got a child within the same age group, I can't imagine what the family's going through. 'He didn't know the boy, but he's got friends who did. It's a shock. 'It is very (concerning) because we don't know if it's targeted or random - for us, anything could be happening. It's scary.' Lucy Smith, who lives near the school, attended the scene to leave a poem she had written on the railings outside. She said: 'I think we're all in shock, I've got two teenagers roughly the same age and anyone with a family must be feeling shocked and saddened. 'It was really important for me to come here, when things like this happen, to do something that can just help us feel better when we are all feeling completely powerless in the face of violence and thinking about a family that must be falling apart today.' A father, aged 46, who has a son at the school told Yorkshire Live: 'It was a scary moment when I heard there had been trouble and a teacher answered my 14-year-old son's phone. I understand he may have witnessed some of what happened. 'I was asked by staff to come and collect him. I've heard that it all came out of nowhere. This pupil was grabbed, pinned to the floor and stabbed repeatedly.' Yorkshire Air Ambulance had blocked off the roads surrounding the incident, while parents said they were deeply concerned. Another father, whose daughter is at the school, said something 'needs to be done' about the rise in crime in the area, adding: 'My daughter just started there and was getting on bus home. Lad in black hat and snood jumped out on a pupil and stabbed him and ran off. 'She saw the scuffle but didn't see the knife or blood. The bus had just pulled up as it happened so blocked some of the incident - she seems OK but still processing it I think. It's only her third week or so at this new school.' He added that the area was starting to 'feel like a crime drama.' A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: 'At 2.54pm this afternoon police received a third-party report that a teenager had been seriously injured in an assault in Woodhouse Hill, Huddersfield. Pictures taken earlier today showed at least half a dozen police cars responding to the incident. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Marc Bowes said: 'Our investigation is still at a very early stage, and we will be carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident that has resulted in the absolutely senseless loss of a young life. 'We recognise that an incident of this nature will cause understandable shock and concern in the community, and we are working closely alongside our colleagues at Kirklees District who are increasing their presence in the area to reassure people and keep them updated as our investigation progresses. 'We have already identified a number of witnesses to the incident itself but would still like to hear from anyone who has any information that could assist the investigation.' Anyone with information is asked to contact HMET detectives via 101 or online at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101LiveChat quoting crime reference 13220521713. 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 Report found crime recording should be trustworthy, but instead more than 69,100 offences go unrecorded Hard-hitting new report comes days after Sir Mark Rowley took over as Commissioner of UK's biggest force Police watchdog has raised serious concerns about Met's performance after it failed in six out of nine areas Advertisement The troubling state of the Metropolitan Police was laid bare today, from a failure to record 69,000 crimes including stalking, domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour to an 'inadequate' response to 999 calls. The police watchdog has raised serious concerns about the performance of Britain's biggest force after it failed in six out of nine areas of police work, with inspectors warning the blunders are resulting in some offenders not being brought to justice. His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) today demands Scotland Yard make urgent improvements in a hard-hitting new report just days after Sir Mark Rowley took over as Commissioner. Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr said he was particularly concerned about how the Met treated victims of crime. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I think it's got worse over the period I've been looking at the Met which is about five or six years. And since our last report in this area we think performance has declined since then. 'One of the Met's fundamental problems is it needs to get that lower level leadership right and have a low tolerance of poor standards. Inexperienced and new staff work better when they're have strong guidance and that's not happening.' The police watchdog has raised serious concerns about the performance of Britain's biggest force after it failed in six out of nine areas of police work, with inspectors warning the blunders are resulting in some offenders not being brought to justice His report found crime recording should be trustworthy, but instead more than 69,100 offences are going unrecorded by the force each year, with victims of domestic violence or those suffering long-term abuse such as stalking, controlling and coercive behaviour or harassment being ignored. Not all reports of rape are correctly recorded and in some cases it is taking more than three days for crimes to be logged leading to delays in rape investigations and victims receiving support. Inspectors believe the force is turning a blind eye to many incidents of anti-social behaviour, with just one out of the 21 calls from victims it reviewed leading to a crime being logged. The force was graded as inadequate in the way it responds to the public, with call handlers unable to answer 999 calls quickly enough, failing to identify vulnerable or repeat victims and missing opportunities to preserve evidence which may help investigations. The force currently answers 63.9% of 999 calls within 10 seconds, against a national target of 90%. It also sees 36.6% of calls to the non-emergency number 101 abandoned, compared with a goal of less than 10%. Shoddy investigations by inexperienced detectives are also letting some criminals off the hook, the report found. The report comes three months after the Met was put into special measures by the watchdog, which means it now faces external monitoring and must come up with an improvement plan. The latest damning indictment comes after Commissioner Cressida Dick was forced to quit in February following a torrid year of scandals which saw the murder of Sarah Everard by one of her officers, the force being branded institutionally corrupt by an independent inquiry and Met officers jailed for photographing bodies of murder victims. Mr Parr said his report raises serious concerns about how the force responds to the public and the level of understanding the force has about its demand and its workforce. He said: The Met must get better at how it responds to the public - currently, its call handling teams are unable to answer calls quickly enough. In addition, it isnt correctly documenting the decisions of victims to withdraw from an investigation or to accept an out-of-court disposal. Recording victims wishes is vital to support the criminal justice process and to understand what is stopping victims from being able to complete the investigation process. The Met must improve in this area. Mr Parr found that investigations are not always reviewed or overseen properly adding: A lack of experience in responding to and investigating incidents of crime leads to delays for victims and makes successful criminal justice end results less likely. He warned: The force doesnt have enough capacity and capability in its frontline policing roles to meet demand. It isnt consistently supervising crime investigations to a good standard, resulting in some offenders not being brought to justice. Until the force improves how it responds to incidents and increases the capability and supervision of its investigators, it will not be able to sustainably reduce crime. His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) today demands Scotland Yard make urgent improvements in a hard-hitting new report just days after Sir Mark Rowley took over as Commissioner Officers are also failing to communicate with victims about why their case is being dropped or why cautions are being offered in lieu of more harsher punishments. He suggested overloaded officers and staff are struggling with unmanageable caseloads and being forced to work on their days off to get through their work. The inspection also highlighted a high number of wanted suspects remain on the loose, with the number of suspects remaining outstanding for long periods of time is growing. In addition, Mr Parr found officers were failing to record the grounds for stop and searches. Although he said there was reason for hope that the force can improve: We found many examples of police officers and staff working hard, professionally and with compassion in very difficult circumstances. We also found considerable evidence of fair treatment and inclusive engagement with the communities the force serves. Mr Parr stressed the Met "operates under scrutiny other forces do not face", praising how it led one of the biggest police operations in the UK's history in the wake of the Queen's death while also contending with an incident in which two of its officers were stabbed. The findings also describe "many successes and some examples of innovation", he said, adding the Met is "good at preventing crime and anti-social behaviour, and has developed innovative techniques to improve how it collects evidence and identifies offenders, such as its new forensic technique for detecting the presence of blood on dark clothing and its new rapid testing kit for drink spiking". A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said the new Commissioner is committed to addressing all of the issues that the report highlights. Dame Lynne Owens, Deputy Commissioner, said: Our new Commissioner, Sir Mark, has returned to policing with a clear plan for change at the Met. We are both determined to renew policing by consent, working with communities to deliver the kind of police service Londoners need and deserve. We will be using data and insight to improve the Mets performance on crime fighting and prevention. We want to remove as many hurdles as possible to make it easier for hardworking officers to fight crime, deliver justice and support victims. Our pledge to London is more trust, less crime, high standards. Here, at the start of our first 100 days, we are drawing together expertise from across the Met and beyond, listening to our communities and the workforce, to put in place the right plans and take swift action to deliver our pledge. The watchdog has raised 'serious concerns' about the performance of the Metropolitan Police after it found the force was 'failing' in six out of nine areas A public attitude survey from the London Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime showed trust levels fell from an estimated 83% in the year to March 31 2020 to an estimated 73% in the year ending March 31 2022. In a sternly worded letter before his tenure began, then-home secretary Priti Patel demanded Sir Mark address the "appalling mistakes of the past", listing the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer, strip searches of children, and the abject failures investigating the deaths of the victims of serial killer Stephen Port among the key issues that had damaged public confidence. In response to the watchdog report, a Home Office spokesman said: "The findings in this report are deeply concerning. The people of London expect better and the Met must work to implement the necessary improvements as a matter of urgency." "Earlier this month the Home Secretary met with Sir Mark Rowley and was reassured by his immediate plans to address these issues and restore the public's trust in policing. "The Met, as the country's largest force, shoulders immense responsibility and recently played a critical role during the national period of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It is essential that the professionalism shown over the past few weeks is replicated in all they do to keep the public safe. "Ministers will be monitoring closely the progress towards improvement and the rebuilding of trust and confidence. We expect the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) to work with the Met leadership to deliver this transformation." There has also been outrage over racist, sexist and homophobic messages shared by a group of officers based at Charing Cross police station between 2016 and 2018, questions raised over the force's approach to tackling corruption and its use of stop and search as well as ongoing investigations into deaths following police contact, including that of Chris Kaba, who was fatally shot by an officer. On Wednesday a judge branded comments made by a serving Met officer and a former constable "sickening" and "abhorrent" as they were convicted of sending grossly offensive messages in a WhatsApp group with Ms Everard's killer. In the wake of her murder, two separate reviews into the Met are taking place and HMICFRS is also reviewing vetting procedures used by all forces in England and Wales. Former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has claimed Vladimir Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine is a 'bluff' and predicted the collapse of his regime within two years. Kasyanov, who served as Prime Minister under President Putin between 2000 and 2004 before being sacked and exiled, said he 'very much doubts' the Russian leader will use nuclear weapons. It comes after Putin threatened Kyiv and the West that he won't hesitate to use nuclear weapons to protect Russian territory, as Moscow prepares to annex Ukrainian territory via sham referendums. Kasyanov, an ardent critic of Putin who this year fled Russia to an unknown location, also claimed that the war in Ukraine, which has seen an estimated 55,000 Russian soldiers killed and thousands of tanks destroyed over the past seven months, could lead to the collapse of Putin's regime. Anger is mounting in Moscow after Putin ordered the mobilisation of 300,000 reservists to fight in Ukraine, prompting thousands of Russians to bravely protest against being sent to the front lines in 38 cities across Russia. Kasyanov told Channel 4 News: 'In terms of mobilisation, it's not a bluff. In terms of potential use of nuclear weapons, I think it's a bluff.' The former Russian PM said that Putin is planning to annex occupied areas of Ukraine via sham referendums and call it his own territory before threatening to use nuclear weapons to defend it. Former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has claimed Vladimir Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine is a 'bluff' and predicted the collapse of his regime within two years Kasyanov, who served as Prime Minister under President Putin between 2000 and 2004 before being sacked and exiled, said he 'very much doubts' the Russian leader will use nuclear weapons. Pictured: Sarmat missile test launch on April 20 in Russian territory Kasyanov explained: 'He wants right now to blackmail the Western leaders, the whole of Western society. 'He wants to recognise, through these artificial referendums, occupied parts of Ukraine as Russian territory and to say to the Western leaders after that, 'Putin is ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russian sovereign territory'. 'But I very much doubt that Mr Putin will use nuclear weapons because he realises that for the Western leaders, that's the same, whether there is annexation and recognition, the nature of the war would not be changed.' The Kremlin has ordered the mobilisation of thousands of Russian reservists and orchestrated referendums in the occupied areas of Ukraine that are set to start Friday. Residents will be asked whether they want to become part of Russia in the provinces of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - a vote that is certain to go Moscow's way, which means that Russia could absorb those lands as early as next week. Kasyanov said that the conscription campaign is one of the riskiest domestic move of Putin's two decades in power, after the Kremlin promised it would not happen. He said this, coupled with heavy losses inflicted on the Russian military by Ukrainian troops, could lead to the collapse of Putin's regime. Kasyanov said: 'I feel that by the end of the year, there will be a completely different situation and today Mr Putin by announcing general mobilisation, Mr Putin has already started the period of his end of his era. 'The military potential of the Ukraine army will grow and they will have a decisive advantage on the battlefield that will lead to the change of the situation and, as I think, to the collapse of the Putin's regime.' Putin raised the stakes yesterday by announcing a partial mobilization as he vowed to use 'all available means' to deter future attacks against Russia - a reference to Moscow's nuclear arsenal in a chilling new round of brinkmanship. Some observers see Putin's move to annex Ukrainian territory along with the mobilization and renewed nuclear threats as a last-ditch attempt to force Ukraine and its Western backers into accepting the current status quo after a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive earlier this month. Putin threatened Kyiv and the West that he won't hesitate to use nuclear weapons to protect Russian territory, as Moscow prepares to annex Ukrainian territory via sham referendums Tatiana Stanovaya, an independent political expert who follows the Kremlin's decision-making, described Putin's rushed moves on the referendums as a pretext for upping the ante. 'This is a blunt Russian ultimatum to Ukraine and the West: Ukraine must back off or there will be a nuclear war,' Stanovaya said. 'For Putin, the annexation would legitimize the right to resort to nuclear threats to protect the Russian territory.' The mobilization of troops is the first such move in Russia since World War II. The Soviet Union used a draft to fight its 10-year war in Afghanistan, and Russia also relied on conscripts during the two wars in Chechnya in the 1990s and early 2000s. While Putin and his defense minister promised only a partial mobilization aimed at calling up about 300,000 reservists with previous military service, analysts say the move will severely strain the corrupt and inefficient government system and fuel instability that would threaten Putin's hold on power. The mobilization order immediately triggered protests in Moscow and other cities that were quickly disbanded by police who detained nearly 1,400 demonstrators. Independent news outlets said some of those arrested were served summons to report to military enlistment offices on Thursday, the first full day of conscription. Flights out of Russia sold out after Putin's announcement. 'Every normal person is (concerned), it's horrible,' said one man, identifying himself only as Sergey, disembarking in Belgrade after a flight from Moscow. 'It is ok to be afraid of the war and such things.' Kirill Rogov, an independent political analyst, described the mobilization order as an 'explosive mixture of madness, incompetence and despair.' He noted that Putin risks losing support from the bulk of the Russian public that until now has seen the war as a 'distant and limited development.' A man is dragged away by Russian security forces at a protest in Moscow on Wednesday night against Vladimir Putin's order for the mobilisation of military reservists A woman is carried away by Russian police in Moscow on Wednesday night during a demonstration against the Russian president's latest escalation in the Ukraine conflict Alexander Baunov of the Carnegie Endowment noted the mobilization has broken Putin's pact with his political base that expected him to deliver stability and a vision of Russian grandeur without the need for personal sacrifice. 'Now sacrifice is required, and it's a violation of the past unwritten agreements that would trigger more repressions,' Baunov wrote. He noted that Putin's move to annex Russia-controlled regions amounts to a warning: 'You dared to fight us in Ukraine, now try to fight us in Russia, or more precisely, what we call such.' Meanwhile, in a televised address to the nation Wednesday, Putin said Moscow's nuclear arsenal is more modern than NATO's and declared his readiness to use them. 'This is not a bluff,' Putin added somberly in an apparent reference to those in the West who described his earlier nuclear threats as a blustery attempt to weaken the international support for Ukraine. Russian military doctrine envisages the use of atomic weapons in response to a nuclear attack or aggression involving conventional weapons that 'threatens the very existence of the state,' vague wording that offers ample room for interpretation. But former PM Kasyanov believes that Putin's threat is indeed a bluff - and this war will prove to be the end for the Russian President. Kasyanov said that Putin could somehow nominate a puppet successor to get out of his difficult position. He explained: 'I think Mr Putin could somehow, just to get out of his position, nominate some kind of successor, but this successor will not be a real leader of the country, that will become some kind of technical successor for certain period of time, which of course, would lead to the collapse of the regime. 'Then inevitably, there will be democratic elections, but it will take time, it will not be tomorrow, not in six months, but in two years' time. Within that period of time, Mr Putin leaves somewhere, departs, I don't know, to Baikal Lake resort or China.' Meanwhile, Putin yesterday accused the US and its allies of arming and training Ukraine's military and encouraging Kyiv to attack Russian territory. He seemed to push the threshold for using nuclear weapons even lower. 'In the event of a threat to the territorial integrity of our country and to defend Russia and our people, we will certainly use all means available to us,' he said. Ukrainian soldiers sit on a armoured personnel carrier (APC) on their way to the frontline against Russian troops in the Donetsk region on Wednesday In recent weeks, Russian officials have repeatedly warned Washington that supplies of longer-range missiles to Ukraine would effectively make the U.S. a party to the conflict. U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket launchers and other Western weapons played an important role in the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region that represented Moscow's biggest military defeat since it was forced to withdraw its troops from Kyiv after a botched attempt to seize the Ukrainian capital early in the war. It raised the prospect of more battlefield successes for Ukraine, which has vowed to reclaim control over all Russian-occupied territories, including the Crimean Peninsula that Moscow annexed in 2014. Ukraine's success has been a humiliating blow to Putin, who has cast the invasion of Ukraine as a 'special military operation' and has tried to win it with a limited contingent of volunteer troops. Western estimates put Russia's invading force at about 200,000 at the start of the war, and it has suffered heavy losses in seven months of fighting. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace recently put Russian losses at over 25,000 dead. While Ukraine has declared a sweeping mobilization with a goal of forming a 1 million-member military, the Kremlin so far has tried to avoid the unpopular move, recruiting volunteer soldiers and even prisoners. Hawkish circles in Moscow long have pushed for a mobilization, arguing it's impossible to fend off Ukraine's assaults along a 500-mile front line with the currently outnumbered Russian force. Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) smile after a swap, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Chernihiv region, Ukraine, in a handout photo released on Thursday A group of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) are seen after their exchange, in the Chernihiv region, Ukraine Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine carried out an unexpected prisoner swap on Wednesday, the largest since the war began and involving almost 300 people, including 10 foreigners and the commanders who led a prolonged Ukrainian defence of Mariupol earlier this year. The foreigners released included two Britons and a Moroccan who had been sentenced to death in June after being captured fighting for Ukraine. Also freed in the deal brokered by Saudi Arabia, according to a Saudi ministry, were three other Britons, two Americans, a Croatian, and a Swedish national. The released Ukrainians had been captured after a long battle for the port city of Mariupol earlier this year and included top military commanders, said Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelenskiy's office. Several Western military experts said drafting hundreds of thousands of new troops would take months, do little to slow Russia's losses, and could even make matters worse by drawing resources away from the battlefield to train and equip recruits. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's state prosecutors warned citizens against joining foreign armies after Russia offered fast-track citizenship to those who sign up and Ukraine said it had captured Uzbeks fighting alongside Russians. Hundreds of thousands of Uzbeks live in or regularly travel to Russia to find work and provide for their families at home. On the Moscow metro, men could be seen studying call-up papers. 'You always feel worried at moments like these. Because you have a wife and kids and you think about it,' one resident told Reuters. Jacob Rees-Mogg faced the wrath of Tory backbenchers today after confirming he was lifting the ban on fracking in England - and accused critics of being bankrolled by Vladimir Putin. Firms extracting gas using the controversial technique will be permitted to cause bigger earthquakes in a bid to kickstart production, the Business secretary told MPs. He made clear the limit of 0.5 on the Richter scale will be eased, potentially to 2.5, admitting that otherwise no mining would take place. But the Tory minister faced a wave of attacks from his own side of the Commons amid questions over whether local residents will get any say in whether drilling goes ahead. PM Liz Truss has previously stressed that any projects will require local support - with suggestions that local residents could get discounts on their energy bills in return for agreeing. But Mr Rees-Mogg today suggested that while there would be 'compensation' it would not amount to a veto on new drilling. He also raised hackles in Tory ranks by accusing opponents of fracking of 'sheer Ludditery' before adding: 'I'm well aware that there have been objections to fracking, but I would also note that there have been stories widely reported that some of the opposition to ... fracking has been funded by Mr Putin's regime.' Labour said the slur was 'shameful and disgraceful.' The 2019 Conservative manifesto pledged not to lift England's moratorium unless fracking was scientifically proven to be safe amid concerns over earthquakes. But the government said today that a long-awaited British Geological Survey review had concluded more evidence was needed - and that required more drilling. Fyle Tory ark Menzies said if the Prime Minister 'is to remain a woman of her word', then the Government needs to set out how local consent is established. Responding to Mr Rees-Mogg's suggestion that opposition was 'ludditery', Mr Menzies hit back, saying: 'There is nothing luddite about the people of Lancashire or of Fylde.' Jacob Rees-Mogg has confirmed the axing of the temporary ban on fracking, arguing the move will help bolster energy security following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Pictured, the Cuadrilla site at Preston Mr Rees-Mogg has made clear the limit of 0.5 on the Richter scale for earthquakes triggered by fracking will be eased, admitting that otherwise no mining would take place Fyle MP Mark Menzies, said if the Prime Minister 'is to remain a woman of her word', then the Government needs to set out how local consent is established. Conservative MP Scott Benton joined other Tory MPs in expressing anxiety over the Government lifting the fracking ban. The MP for Blackpool South said many of his constituents have 'strong objections' to fracking and also asked how the Government will ascertain whether local support is given, and 'what incentives if any are going to be provided to local communities to have fracking imposed upon them'. 'My constituents are understandably anxious about fracking returning to the Fylde coast, so when will they receive an answer to some of these questions?' he said. Mr Rees-Mogg said: 'This will affect some residents much much more than others and therefore it is only right that they are compensated, and that they receive some financial benefit for the inconvenience that they will have.' He added: 'The majority of the inconvenience does not actually come from the extraction of shale gas, but it comes from the building of the shale gas well in the first place, and the lorry movements that are associated with that, and it is important that people benefit and are rewarded for doing something that is in the national interest.' Fracking is the process of hydraulic fracturing, which uses high-pressure liquid to release gas from shale formations. Regulations require work to stop if tremors above 0.5 on the Richter scale are detected, but Mr Rees-Mogg said he wanted that lifted potentially to 2.5, telling MPs: 'There are millions of seismic events of 2.5 or lower in the world every year, we should not assume that every seismic event is the San Francisco earthquake.' But senior Tory backbencher Greg Knight was among critics in the Commons, warning fracking is an 'unknown quantity'. 'The safety of the public is not a currency in which some of us choose to speculate,' he said. The technology has been championed by Mr Rees-Mogg, and Ms Truss has said gas could start being extracted within six months. It is widely used in the US but there are concerns the UK is far more densely populated. On BBC Newsnight, Mr Rees-Mogg said: 'The seismic limits will be reviewed to see a proportionate level. 0.5 on the Richter scale, which is only noticeable with sophisticated machinery, it is quite right that fracking would not take place, that level is too low. 'But I can't confirm a new level, because that is being looked at.' Ms Truss stressed the need to find new energy sources amid a crisis worsened by Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine when asked if she believes fracking is safe, or whether she is breaking a manifesto pledge. 'The context we're talking about here is we don't have enough domestic energy supplies,' she told reporters travelling with her during a UN summit in New York. 'Fracking is a part of the energy mix we should be looking at all options. No option should be off the table to improve our energy security because that's the number one issue we face. 'We will not be going ahead with anything that carries a risk but I'm clear that energy security is vital.' She also stressed that the Government will only authorise fracking in areas where there is local support. It is not yet clear exactly what incentives will be offered. Shadow minister Ed Miliband said: 'He says in his written statement laid before this House, tolerating a higher degree of risk and disturbance appears to us to be in the national interest. 'I look forward to him and his colleagues explaining his charter for earthquakes to the people of Lancashire, Yorkshire, the Midlands, Sussex, Dorset, and indeed Somerset will be part of his dangerous experiment. 'Let me tell the party opposite: we will hang this broken promise around their necks in every part of the country between now and the next general election.' The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said lifting the ban meant future applications will be considered 'where there is local support'. Liz Truss (pictured in New York this week) has stressed that any projects will require local support - with suggestions that local residents could get discounts on their energy bills in return for agreeing Developers will need to have the necessary licences, permissions and consents in place before they can commence operations. The Government also published the British Geological Survey's scientific review into shale gas extraction, which was commissioned earlier this year. BEIS said the review 'recognised that we have limited current understanding of UK geology and onshore shale resources, and the challenges of modelling geological activity in relatively complex geology sometimes found in UK shale locations'. The Government argued that the limited understanding should not be a barrier to fracking, but instead a reason to drill more wells to gather more data. 'It is clear that we need more sites drilled in order to gather better data and improve the evidence base, and we are aware that some developers are keen to assist with this process,' a BEIS statement said. 'Lifting the pause on shale gas extraction will enable drilling to gather this further data, building an understanding of UK shale gas resources and how we can safely carry out shale gas extraction in the UK where there is local support.' The Government also announced a new oil and gas licensing round, expected to be launched by the North Sea Transition Authority in early October. This is expected to lead to more than 100 new licences being granted to search for oil and gas in the North Sea. Environmental groups hit out at the move to lift the ban, with Greenpeace energy security campaigner Philip Evans warning fracking was 'a dud'. 'As energy experts keep telling ministers, drilling for more fossil fuels whether it's fracking or North Sea oil and gas will not lower bills, make us less dependent on volatile fossil fuel markets or cut our carbon emissions. 'And fracking may not even work at all. Even when the Government went 'all out for shale', the frackers produced no energy for the UK but managed to create two holes in a muddy field, traffic, noise and a colossal amount of controversy,' he said. A childminder who told Meghan Markle that she was 'so beautiful' outside Windsor Castle has denied online claims that she was planted by the Duchess of Sussex's PR team. Isabelle Charters, 25, was with her father, brother and boyfriend waiting with other mourners on the Long Walk in Windsor last Tuesday, September 13, when she spoke to Ms Markle. She filmed a video as Prince Harry and Meghan arrived and showed the girl next to her in the crowd, Amelka Zak, 14, giving Meghan a hug. Ms Charters then tells Meghan: 'Oh my goodness. You are literally so beautiful.' Isabelle Charters (pictured), 25, was with her father, brother and boyfriend waiting with other mourners on the Long Walk in Windsor last Tuesday, September 13, when she spoke to Ms Markle She (pictured in denim jacket) filmed a video as Prince Harry and Meghan arrived and showed the girl next to her in the crowd, Amelka Zak (between Ms Charters and Meghan), 14, giving Meghan a hug But she has been left shocked after being accused on social media of being paid by Meghan Markle's PR team to be there. Some said she was planted in that exact spot so her team could find her. Others also said Ms Charters and Meghan were old friends from the Invictus Games. She was also wrongly accused of being Amelka's mother. Ms Charters filmed the moment Meghan came over to her and Amelka and posted it on TikTok where it has been viewed 30million times. She said: 'A lot of you might have seen the viral video going around at the moment. 'That I posed of myself and the girl standing next to me having an interaction with Meghan. But she has been left shocked after being accused on social media of being paid by Meghan Markle's PR team to be there 'Amazing moment': Teenager Amelka Zak, 14, is seen embracing the duchess during the walkabout in Windsor to view the floral tributes to The Queen yesterday 'This interaction was really up close and personal. The girl next to me did end up hugging Meghan and a lot of fake stories have risen from this video.' Graduate Ms Charters - who most recently worked as a childminder - added: 'I'm just here to clear it all up. 'I'm the girl in the denim jacket who is next to the girl who hugs Meghan. 'I'm the girl who says ''Oh my goodness. You are literally so beautiful'' 'Now for context. I have actually lived in Windsor my whole life. I was out in Windsor that day with my dad, my brother and my boyfriend. 'This may shock you but the girl next to me who ended up hugging Meghan, I have never met in my life. The teenager told CNN that she was happy to see the Princes and their wives reunited 'I have no relationship with this girl. I'm not associated with her. We were purely next to each other in the crowd by chance. We were total strangers.' She added: 'However, we did end up bonding over the fact we were both really excited to see Meghan. 'Originally we didn't know she was going to be there. It was just William and Kate at first. 'So when they said Meghan and Harry were going to come, I think out of the people around us we were the two that were the most excited by it.' She added: 'So here's where it gets crazy. I have seen videos and articles saying that I am this girl's mother, saying that Meghan's PR team paid for me to be there. 'I was planted in that spot, that I knew Meghan from before form the Invictus Games.' The 'fab four' reunited at Windsor to mourn the death of The Queen; it was the first time the couples have been together in public since March 2020 She also said a body language expert said she looked like an actor 'So ultimately I wanted to show that the experience and interaction that we had with Meghan was really lovely and genuine,' she said. 'And she was so kind to us, even though it was short it was really sweet and don't believe everything you read online.' Amelka told CNN that she had wanted to share a hug to show the royal that she was still liked by British people. She said: 'We were just waiting for her to come and she came near me and asked my name and how my day was, how long I was waiting. 'And I asked her if I could have a hug, and she hugged me back. It was quite an amazing moment. I'm still shaking now.' The startled teenager said she wanted to offer a warm welcome to the American after 'everything that's happened'. 'Everyone was kind of cheering me on and I guess I felt like I needed to in a way, because I look up to her in someway and it felt like the right thing to do.' She explained that she'd enjoying seeing the Princes reunited, saying: 'It was quite nice to see William and Kate and Megan and Harry together. 'And it was fine, but I just wanted to like show her that she's, like, welcome here, I guess. And wanted to hug her after everything that's happened, really, now.' One accuser - called Genevieve - posted a photo of Ms Charters and one of a lookalike woman from the Invictus Games. She said: 'Can someone help me understand this? Same woman, yet it was made to look spontaneous. 'How would they have known Meghan Markle was there as it was impromptu? 'On the walk about, it was her daughter that hugged Meghan Markle and she told her 'you are so beautiful'. 'So this was clearly set up.' Another social media user - called Cary - added: 'And she was not a plant like Miss Amelka.' She then questioned how much the pair were paid by Harry and Meghan. The Twitter post has since been removed and replaced with a new tribute post Social media users said the post was 'shameful' and 'racial profiling' In a tribute post highlighted his 'heroin addiction' and 'penchant for burglary' The New York Times has been accused of racism over an obituary of a beloved Aboriginal actor that some Australians described as 'shameful'. The publication's Twitter post about Jack Charles' death said he 'was one of Australia's leading Indigenous actors, but his heroin addiction and penchant for burglary landed him in and out of jail throughout his life'. Furious social media users claimed the post, which has since been removed, was offensive and an example of 'racial profiling'. The New York Times has been slammed for an obituary of a beloved Aboriginal star Jack Charles (pictured) that dubbed by Australian's as 'shameful' Furious social media users claimed the post was offensive and 'racial profiling' 'No, we are not doing this. He was a leading actor and activist. This isn't presenting a complex person, it's straight up racial profiling,' one user wrote. 'Wow. This is one of the worst ways I've seen his story told. Shame on you,' said another. 'How to say "we're a tone deaf racist publication" without saying "we're a tone deaf racist publication",' commented a third. The original post was later deleted and replaced with a tweet remembering Charles as 'one of Australia's leading Indigenous actors and activists'. The original post has since been removed and replaced with a tweet remembering Charles as 'one of Australia's leading Indigenous actors and activists' The Indigenous actor died of a stroke on September 13 aged 79. The senior elder of the Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta passed away at Royal Hospital of Melbourne, surrounded by close friends and family. In a statement, his family said 'he will live on in our hearts and memories through his numerous screen and stage roles'. The Aboriginal icon was named NAIDOC male Elder of the year in 2022. Senator Lidia Thorpe posted to social media that the Aboriginal community had 'lost our King'. The Indigenous actor died of a stroke on September 13 aged 79. The Indigenous icon was named NAIDOC male Elder of the year in 2022 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took to Twitter to say: 'Jack Charles lived a hard life and he leaves a joyous legacy. He endured cruelty, he knew pain. 'He survived every turn of the vicious cycle, holding on to his humanity. Jack Charles uplifted our nation with his heart, his genius, his creativity and passion.' Charles was taken from his mother as an infant, raised at the Salvation Army Boys' Home in Melbourne's Box Hill - where he was the only Aboriginal child. He was raised as a Christian and remained religious until his death. The Aboriginal actor spent decades in and out of prison and battled a serious addiction. He said his struggles with addiction and the law was a reaction to childhood trauma, such as being taken from his mother as an infant and experiencing both physical and sexual abuse while growing up in an orphanage. Yet Charles managed to get clean in 2008, turning a new leaf in his career at the same time as a documentary about him, Bastardy, was released. Anthony Albanese took to Twitter to say: 'Jack Charles lived a hard life and he leaves a joyous legacy. He endured cruelty, he knew pain' The Stolen Generations survivor starred in several ABC and SBS television programs including Cleverman, Wolf Creek and Who Do You Think You Are? - the latter of which he discovered the identity of his father. Charles revealed in his Jack Charles vs The Crown show in London he struggled with a drug addiction as a child and often turned to petty crime as a result. He then used his story to influence government legislation and create platforms for other Aboriginals to open up about their past. Charles also worked alongside the late Uncle Archie Roach to support current and former Indigenous inmates. Advertisement A haunting video has emerged today showing a Russian girl sobbing uncontrollably as her conscript father boards a bus to join the Ukraine invasion amid Vladimir Putin's mass mobilisation push. The Russian President has paved the way for up to 1million Russians to be conscripted into the armed forces and sent to fight in Ukraine, it has been claimed, as a group of enlistees from Stary Oskol in Belgorod region were videoed being taken away into their military service. The footage records a child, seemingly a girl, shouting - but not seen - after one of the conscripts saying: 'Papa, goodbye. Please come back. Papa, bye, Papa Papa...?' The child cries inconsolably as her father somewhere in a group of men slowly leaves, some never to return. One claim was that these men who are close to the Ukraine border in Belgorod region would be first of the newly recruited to the front, but all are supposed to have at least one months training first. Separately, university students are seen in a video being marched by police from their lecture theatres to war service in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia already one of the worst hit regions for bloodshed in Putins war. The scene at Buryatia State University came one day after the defence minister Sergei Shoigu had vowed higher education students would not be enlisted. Yesterday, the despot announced that 300,000 people with previous combat experience or specialist skills will be sent to the frontlines in Ukraine, with the first batches seen kissing their loved ones goodbye today. However, the official order was published with a paragraph ominously blanked out. Putin's spokesman says it relates to the number who can be called, and a source within the presidential palace now claims it says '1million'. The document also makes no mention of previous combat experience and sets no limits on who can be summoned except those who are too old, sick or in jail - opening the door for virtually anyone to be drafted. The child's father waits tob e called up to service while his child cries, shouting after him: 'Papa, goodbye. 'Please come back. Papa, bye, Papa Papa...?' Vladimir Putin is pictured today, speaking to the chief of a state-owned Russian mortgage company in the Kremlin Putin announced a partial mobilisation yesterday and vowed to use 'all available means' to deter future attacks 'The figure [to be called up] was corrected several times, and in the end they settled on a million,' the source told opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta. Anecdotal evidence from some of Russia's many regions, where military commissars are already to rounding up people for the frontlines, indicated the net is being cast far wider that Putin suggested. Videos from Chechnya and Yakutia showed large numbers of men - some of them middle aged - being loaded on to buses to take them off to war. Andrew Roth, of The Guardian, also claimed to have spoken to people living in a small village in Buryatia - in Russia's far east - where 20 people out of 450 had been handed papers, or around 5 per cent of the population. Repeated country-wide, that would yield a force far larger than 300,000. It appears the draft is currently focused in Russia's poorer and more-remote eastern regions, likely because Putin feels less-threatened by unrest there than in his western power-bases of Moscow or St Petersburg. However, it seems not everyone in the west is immune - with human rights groups reporting that some activists arrested overnight for protesting the war are being handed draft papers inside the police station. Officers in four stations around the capital are said to be drafting dissenters into the armed forces, human rights group OVD-Info told CNN, with at least one being threatened with 15 years in jail if they refuse. Meanwhile the General SVR Telegram channel also claimed the 300,000 figure was 'false' saying the actual target is 500,000 this year, and 500,000 next. The channel, which claims insider Kremlin sources, also claimed the 'general estimate of losses by March next year is about 300,000 killed and wounded'. First clips coming out of Russia this morning of draftees saying bye to their families. This from a small town in Yakutsk. Credits @taygainfo pic.twitter.com/tlaVRoDgLT Pjotr Sauer (@PjotrSauer) September 22, 2022 Newly-conscripted Russian men have bidden an emotional farewell to their tearful wives and families Children and partners were weeping as they said goodbye to the men who have been drafted into the war At least 300,000 reservists have been sent to battle in a dramatic escalation of Putin's savage invasion A child is held up to a bus window to say goodbye to their father being taken to the front lines There are fears the conscription will see more civilian men of fighting age drafted into the brutal seven-month conflict Britain's Ministry of Defence said it will take months for the new recruits to be fully prepared for war despite Putin's attempts to bolster his flagging campaign According to Russian media outlets, anyone taking part in the so-called 'illegal rallies' risks military conscription Pavel Chikov, a Russian human rights lawyer, said the decree allows conscription 'in the broadest possible terms.' 'The president is leaving it at the Defense Minister's discretion,' Chikov said. 'So in fact it is the Russian Defense Ministry that will decide who will be sent to war, from where and in what numbers.' James Heappey, a British defence minister, said today that 300,000 men conscripted into the military would 'suffer horribly for the Kremlin' hubris'. Speaking in the House of Commons, he said: 'Putin is rattled and his tactics transparent. He is implicitly acknowledging his heavy losses and his armed forces' ability to achieve any of their objectives. His false narratives, escalatory rhetoric, nuclear sabre-rattling are all, bluntly, admissions of failure.' Mr Heappey said Mr Putin and his defence minister Sergei Shoigu have 'backed themselves into a corner', adding: 'They have sent tens of thousands of their own citizens to their deaths, ill-equipped and badly led, they're now to send hundreds of thousands more with little training and no winter uniform into the teeth of the Ukrainian winter against an opponent that is well-motivated, well-equipped and succeeding. 'Neither Putin nor Shoigu's lies, threats and propaganda can disguise the truth: Russian conscripts are going to suffer horribly for the Kremlin's hubris.' News of the mobilisation sparked fury across Russia yesterday, with more than 1,400 people arrested in demonstrations in at leas 38 cities. Experts and observers said the move showed Putin is getting desperate, and risks backfiring on his regime by causing a collapse in morale at the front and an upsurge of anger back home. Police officers detain demonstrators in Saint Petersburg yesterday as protests broke out across Russia A man is dragged away by Russian security forces at a protest in Moscow against Vladimir Putin's order for the mobilisation of military reservists Russia is now almost seven months into what Putin anticipated would be a days-long war to depose the Ukrainian government and install a puppet regime. But instead he has found himself locked into a grinding war of attrition against a determined enemy backed by Western weapons and money. China and India - both of whom had good relations with Putin before the war have distanced themselves from his regime, while even North Korea has said it won't supply arms to Russia because it will 'tarnish' its image. More protests are scheduled to take place today, organised by anti-war groups, as opposition to the invasion grows. In a daily briefing, the MoD said: 'Russia is likely to struggle with the logistical and administrative challenges of even mustering the 300,000 personnel. 'It will probably attempt to stand up new formations with many of these troops, which are unlikely to be combat effective for months. 'Even this limited mobilisation is likely to be highly unpopular with parts of the Russian population. Putin is accepting considerable political risk in the hope of generating much needed combat power. 'The move is effectively an admission that Russia has exhausted its supply of willing volunteers to fight in Ukraine.' Putin's announcement led to a mass exodus with traffic at border crossings with Finland and Georgia surging and prices for air tickets from Moscow rocketing. Prices for air tickets out of Moscow soared above 5,000 for one-way tickets to the nearest foreign locations, with most air tickets sold out completely for coming days. Social media groups popped up with advice on how to get out of Russia while one news site in Russian gave a list of 'where to run away right now from Russia.' There were long tailbacks at border crossings with Georgia. 'War is horrible,' Sergei, a Russian man who declined to give his surname, told Reuters as he arrived in Belgrade, the Serbian capital. 'It's okay to be afraid of war and of death and such things.' One Russian man who gave his name only as Alex told Reuters in Istanbul that he had left Russia partly due to the mobilisation. A woman is carried away by Russian police in Moscow during a demonstration against the Russian president's latest escalation in the Ukraine conflict A man is carried away by security personnel in Moscow as thousands took to the streets to protest against the war and the mobilisation of reservists Police officers detain a woman in Moscow on September 21, 2022, following calls to protest against partial mobilisation announced by President Vladimir Putin There were clashes between police and protesters in Moscow, as people took to the streets to protest Putin's latest plans in the Ukraine conflict 'The partial mobilisation is one of the reasons why I am here,' he said. 'A very poor step it seems to be, and it can lead to lots of problems to lots of Russians.' Russian state-owned pollsters say that more than 70 per cent of Russians support what the Kremlin calls the 'special military operation', though polling leaked in July showed an even split between those who wanted to fighting to stop or continue. A tourism industry source told Reuters that there was desperation as people sought to find air tickets out of Russia. 'This is panic demand from people who are afraid they won't be able to leave the country later people are buying tickets not caring where they fly to,' the source said. Traffic arriving at Finland's eastern border with Russia 'intensified' overnight, the Finnish Border Guard said. 'The number clearly has picked up,' the Finnish border guard's head of international affairs, Matti Pitkaniitty, told Reuters, adding that the situation was under control and border guards were ready at nine checkpoints. Housebuilders are furious over new rules that require new homes to have steel bars built across their first floor windows to prevent increasingly tall Britons from falling out. Developers have argued that the new building safety regulations have left them with the limited options of either make pricey and arduous planning changes, or installing the bars. The signing off of the changes by ministers was prompted by warnings from Whitehall officials of a surge in fatal accidents in the wake of new insulation standards. This is because the civil servants were expecting more homeowners to attempt to keep their warmer homes cooler in summer by opening first-floor windows. The Building Regulations 2010 part of the Building Act 1984, must be complied with when it comes to all building work. The bars set to prevent accidents, which must meet essential safety criteria, could be a single internal bar across a bay window or Georgian bars. It is understood by The Telegraph that developers protested the new rules but civil servants belonging to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities rejected them in an email, seen by the newspaper, on August 17. Housebuilders are furious over new rules that require new homes to have steel bars built across their first floor windows to prevent increasingly tall Britons from falling out. Pictured are some first floor windows in central London Officials said, 'People through time have become taller and their centre of gravity is higher, which requires a higher guard for their protection.' They referenced research from the 1990s, as it showed there were roughly 50 fatal falls and 2,300 hospitalisations from windows every year. A civil servant in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities wrote: 'While we recognise this data is not up-to-date, data from the past on falls from height can still be informative. 'It was clear to the department that the new overheating standards could pose a greater risk of falling, that in turn needed enhanced protection.' It is understood by The Telegraph that developers protested the new rules but civil servants belonging to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (its headquarters are pictured) rejected them in an email, seen by the newspaper, on August 17 The Home Builders Federation described the changes to regulations as 'ill thought-out and contradictory to other regulations [with] clear aesthetic implications for new homes'. Industry sources have claimed that 'tens of thousands' of planned homes could be hit by the new rules. This comes at a time when the UK's new Prime Minister Liz Truss is trying to to encourage more housebuilding. A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities said: 'We make no apologies for ensuring buildings are safe. We have engaged extensively with industry on this issue and reject any suggestion that it will delay building the homes the country needs. 'Housebuilders must take into account the safety of residents when designing opening windows in the first place they are not required to install bars on first floor windows.' A tribunal ruled he was dismissed due to lack of funding and not his complaints The scientist told panel he was let go by department after he made the claims Mr Moghaddam said when he complained he was dismissed by department head An Oxford University academic who claimed he was forced out after he complained an eminent professor was plagiarising his work has lost his unfair dismissal claim. Senior scientist Amin Moghaddam said the professor running the lab he worked in was committing 'author misconduct' in a 'calculated approach to steal my ideas and work', a tribunal heard. When he complained to the head of the pathology department, he said he was told that he was fortunate because, in Sir Isaac Newton's words, he 'stood on the shoulder of giants'. Dr Moghaddam claimed he had not been given the 'credit he was due' and his path to secure a better position within the lab had not been 'properly supported'. He said that he had been 'unfairly' treated over a number of years, and that the lab he worked in 'favoured' white students as authors of reports. His employment ended in March 2019 after failing to secure more funding - after his relationship with boss Professor Quentin Sattentau sour following his claims of plagiarism, the tribunal heard. Dr Moghaddam then took the University of Oxford to an employment tribunal claiming unfair dismissal, race and disability discrimination and whistleblowing. Senior scientist Amin Moghaddam (left) claimed he had not been given the 'credit he was due' after he complained that Prof Sattentau (right) put himself as the senior author on his research However, Dr Moghaddam has now lost his legal battle and seen all of his claims dismissed - with the tribunal concluding his contract had not been extended because there was no funding to do so and he had not been unfairly treated. The tribunal, held in Reading, Berks, heard that Dr Moghaddam, who was born in Iran, worked at the University as a senior postdoctoral scientist from May 2003 until the end of March 2019 under Prof Sattentau. Prof Sattentau, who has worked at Oxford University for two decades, is a Professor of Immunology and is a leading researcher in advancing understanding of HIV pathogenesis and vaccine design. Dr Moghaddam was employed on a number of 'fixed term' contracts of 'varying lengths' during his time at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology. The tribunal heard that in 2015, under Prof Sattentau's leadership, a successful research grant secured funding, resulting in Dr Moghaddam's contract being extended until March 31 2019. However, from September 2018 he complained about the professor's 'scientific misconduct', the panel heard. In 2014 Dr Moghaddam had an article published on peanut allergy in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology - but complained that Prof Sattentau put himself as the senior author of the lauded research. The tribunal heard he subsequently accused the professor of 'breaching academic authorship guidelines'. Dr Moghaddam wanted more independence and to be seen as an independent researcher - but was told he couldn't do that as part of another Principle Investigator's (PI) team. As Dr Moghaddam approached final year of his contract in February 2018, he suggested to Prof Sattentau a grant application - but was informed that it was department policy for the PI (Prof Sattentau) to lead applications. Dr Moghaddam lost his legal battle with the tribunal concluding his contract at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology (pictured) had not been extended because there was no funding Following this, in March 2018, using Dr Moghaddam's research, Prof Sattentau presented a 'preliminary outline' of the application to a grant panel at Wellcome Trust. Dr Moghaddam said this happened without his consent - but Prof Sattentau explained to the tribunal he went ahead without speaking to Dr Moghammad beforehand because he wanted to proceed 'as soon as possible' to have the best chance of winning the funding. Prof Sattentau also told the tribunal he didn't think it necessary to consult him as it was 'just a preliminary discussion' to see if the trust would be 'interested' in funding the research. In April 2018 Prof Sattentau sent Dr Moghaddam an email spelling out the need for a paper that year. However he told the tribunal he had not been willing to use his research unless he had shared authorship. Prof Sattentau told Dr Moghaddam that authorship of papers was a 'sensitive issue which requires careful consideration' and it was 'very difficult to commit to the authorship before a paper has been drafted'. Dr Moghaddam told the tribunal that at this point he was feeling 'very depressed and pessimistic'. He said he felt 'threatened' by Prof Sattentau's email highlighting the need to produce a paper, otherwise he could not guarantee the 'security' of his funding - and therefore his employment. However, the tribunal found that the email from Prof Sattentau had simply spelt out 'in what he believed to be the facts', that with no paper came no funding, and he was concerned about Dr Moghaddam's employment. The tribunal rejected Mr Moghaddam's claims that this was a threat to his job security and instead ruled Prof Sattentau's application to the Wellcome Trust was 'supportive'. By late 2018, the tribunal described the pair's relationship to be 'unravelling fast' after disagreements on the funding application. The tribunal heard that in October 2018, Dr Moghaddam wrote a letter complaining of 'systematic appropriation of his scientific output and rightful authorship' of research he had done. In a meeting with head of department Professor Matthew Freeman, Dr Moghaddam told the tribunal he was 'belittled' and Prof Freeman told him 'if he could see further it was because he stood on the shoulders of giants'. However, the tribunal accepted Prof Freeman's explanation that he used the phrase, 'commonly used among scientists', in relation to Dr Moghaddam trying to continue working with Prof Sattentau. The tribunal also accepted that Prof Freeman asking 'why are you still here' was in relation to Dr Moghaddam working at the Dunn School - having 'encouraged' him to apply for a faculty position elsewhere if he wanted to have a career as an independent researcher. Dr Moghaddam told the tribunal that in the Dunn School there was a 'striking trend' that favoured white students as authors in Professor Sattentau's lab. Employment Judge Andrew Gumbiti-Zimuto said: 'Dr Moghaddam's complaint against Prof Sattentau about academic matters illustrate the break known in their relationship. 'In the context of this breakdown neither Mr Moghaddam or Prof Sattentau could work together to find ways of getting funding to continue Dr Moghaddam's work. Without funding there was not a way to continue his employment. 'The dispute resulted in Dr Moghaddam and Prof Sattentau not being able to work together to agree on how to make applications for grant funding, the absence of which both recognised would have a terminal effect on his employment. 'The lack of cooperation between them came about because they could not agree on the production of a published paper, without which Prof Sattentau considered there was no real prospect of an application for grant funding being successful.' The tribunal did not accept Dr Moghaddam's assertion that his career progression had been blocked by his senior figures within the school. They also concluded that the breakdown in the relationship had led Dr Moghaddam to 're-interpret' events so that he thought Prof Sattentau's motive to have been of a 'malign' nature where 'none existed'. His claim of dismissal on the grounds of race were dismissed as he was subject to 'no less favourable treatment'. All other claim, including unfair dismissal and whistleblowing detriment, were also dismissed. After the launch of the Investing in Innovation Program in June 2022, Southbridge A&I, Salient Advisory and SCIDaR have reached their second milestone by selecting 30 of the most promising African Health Tech companies. Join them on September 26th, 2022, at 9 am WAT for the big reveal of I3s first cohort! Call for applications and selection for the first cohort of 30 Pan-African companies took place from June until August 2022. More than 450 companies from 31 African countries completed their application to the program. The transparent selection was made by four reputable accelerators across the continent (CCHub, Impact Lab, Villgro and Startup Bootcamp) with local selection committee composed by top industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors. Once selected, each company will receive a $50,000 grant and access to market support through local and international partners. The program will foster introductions and relationships between sponsors, donors, industry leaders and government officials. Additionally, i3s flagship Access to Market event will gather all the whole ecosystem in Lagos, Nigeria between the 5th and 7th of December 2022. Throughout the next year, i3 companies will also receive investment readiness support and introduction to leading investors. As a reminder, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, alongside Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), AUDA-NEPAD and AmerisourceBergen, launched a pan-African initiative to provide 30 promising early and growth-stage companies per year with access to markets and commercialization support to power their scale. The program, called Investing in Innovation (i3) is operationalized by, Salient Advisory, SCIDaR, and SouthBridge A&I. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires A cyber-security expert says Optus customers need to watch out for criminals impersonating them online after hackers potentially stole personal details from the entire telco's client database. Thursday's massive cyber breach allowed hackers to access personal details, such as passport and drivers licence numbers, email and home addresses, dates of birth and telephone numbers, of around 10 million Australians. Alastair MacGibbon, who is chief strategy officer at cyber-security firm CyberCX and a former advisor to the prime minister, says Optus customers should beware. Chief strategy officer at cyber-security firm CberCX Alastair MacGibbon has warned Optus customers they could be impersonated by criminals 'Personal information has been stolen,' he told the ABC. 'A lot of personal information for several million people and slightly less information for about 6 million more. 'They should be looking for whether criminals are mimicking them, or stealing their identity, trying to obtain credit in their name ... etc.' He said Optus could guard the interests of their customers is by paying for credit monitoring. 'That way you will be monitored by credit monitoring services if someone has been using your name and other details to obtain credit,' Mr MacGibbon said. Nearly 10 million Optus customers have had their personal details stolen in what is believed to be one of the biggest cyber attacks in Australian history The cyber expert warned the personal information gathered by a large organisation was 'potentially valuable for criminals'. 'If you collect a lot of information it is more valuable so any company that collects a lot of information is at risk of this type of incident occurring,' he said. 'It appears this is about customer data being stolen.' Mr MacGibbon said the breach was 'pretty significant by Australian standards'. 'My understanding is that it is about 9 million people that have been impacted so I am going to say that's probably the Optus database, which is very significant,' he said. 'This size is rare but not completely unlikely in a place like Australia.' Mr MacGibbon said that the Optus breach might not be the work of a sophisticated group of hackers There was one bit of 'good news'. 'It's not great that it's (information) been stolen or accessed but it seems that their (Optus's) networks are functioning,' Mr MacGibbon said. It remains unclear what the hackers were after at this stage with authorities and the telco still investigating How to improver your cyber-security Keep your devices up-to-date with security upgrades. Use strong passwords that contain one lowercase letter, one uppercase letter, one number, and four symbols but not the following &%#@_ Don't reuse the same password on multiple devices Reset your password around once a year Add a second layer of protection to a password by using two-factor or multi-factor authentication - such as a password and a number sent by text to your phone Advertisement 'They (Optus) might have already been contacted by criminals,' he said. 'We don't necessarily know what the motives are.' Despite the scale of the attack Mr MacGibbon did not necessarily think it was the work of master hackers. 'It might be a sophisticated criminal group,' he said. 'It might be an unsophisticated criminal group, someone might have stumbled across a vulnerability, something Optus hadn't done that in hindsight it should have done. 'From time-to-time nation states have engaged in this type of activity as well.' Optus chief executive Kelly Rosmarin says the company is working with the Australian Federal Police to investigate the attack Optus is now investigating the full extent of information accessed and how much had been stolen as well as how it happened. 'Obviously there's a lot of stakeholder communications including government agencies that they are going to have to answer to on how this occurred,' Mr MacGibbon said. 'They'll obviously have to report this to the Privacy Commissioner, that legislation has been in place for several years, and they will be working closely with law enforcement agencies and the Australian Cyber-Security Centre.' After breaching the Optus firewall hackers reportedly stole 2.8 million customers' passport and drivers licence numbers, email and home addresses, dates of birth and telephone numbers after reportedly exploiting a weakness in the company's firewall. The remaining seven million had their dates of birth, email addresses and phone numbers stolen. Optus might have employ credit monitors to make sure their customers aren't impersonated by criminals Optus chief executive Kelly Rosmarin said the company was working with the Australian Federal Police to investigate the attack. 'We are devastated to discover that we have been subject to a cyberattack that has resulted in the disclosure of our customers' personal information to someone who shouldn't see it,' she said in a statement. 'As soon as we knew, we took action to block the attack and began an immediate investigation. While not everyone may be affected and our investigation is not yet complete, we want all of our customers to be aware of what has happened as soon as possible so that they can increase their vigilance. 'We are very sorry and understand customers will be concerned. Please be assured that we are working hard, and engaging with all the relevant authorities and organisations, to help safeguard our customers as much as possible.' Mobile and home internet, along with messages and voice calls have not been affected She said customers' payment details had not been compromised, but advised them to check their bank accounts for suspicious activity. 'Optus has also notified key financial institutions about this matter. While we are not aware of customers having suffered any harm, we encourage customers to have heightened awareness across their accounts, including looking out for unusual or fraudulent activity and any notifications which seem odd or suspicious.' Mobile and home internet, along with messages and voice calls have not been affected. Both past and present Optus customers have been impacted. Liz Truss took a series of veiled swipes at China as the Prime Minister addressed the UN General Assembly in New York in the early hours of this morning. Attending her first major international gathering since entering Downing Street, Ms Truss spoke of a 'real struggle' between the world's democracies and autocracies. She urged Western nations to focus on delivering economic growth at the risk they could 'fall behind' authoritarian states. The PM, who is hoping to kickstart the UK economy with a tax-cutting mini-Budget tomorrow, also called for the G7 and other like-minded countries to 'act as an economic NATO'. This included her renewed backing for a $600billion alternative to China's belt and road initiative, which was set up by G7 leaders at their Cornwall summit last year. Prior to becoming PM this month, Ms Truss had taken an increasingly hawkish stance towards Beijing as Foreign Secretary. She has been tipped to formally declare China as a 'threat' to national security in a rethink of Britain's foreign policy now she's in No10. Liz Truss spoke of a 'real struggle' between the world's democracies and autocracies as she addressed the UN General Assembly in New York The PM urged Western nations to focus on delivering economic growth at the risk they could 'fall behind' authoritarian states Prior to becoming PM this month, Ms Truss had taken an increasingly hawkish stance towards Beijing as Foreign Secretary Although Ms Truss did not specifically mention China in her UN speech, she issued a lengthy defence of the world's democracies in comparison to more autocratic states. 'Democracy gives people the right to choose their own path. And it evolves to reflect the aspirations of citizens,' she said. 'It unleashes enterprise, ideas, and opportunity. And it protects the freedoms that are at the very core of our humanity. 'By contrast, autocracies sow the seeds of their own demise by suppressing their citizens. 'They are fundamentally rigid and unable to adapt. Any short-term gains are eroded in the long term because these societies stifle the aspiration and creativity which are vital to long-term growth.' Ms Truss outlined a country where 'Artificial Intelligence acts as judge and jury, where there are no human rights and no fundamental freedoms' as 'not the kind of place anyone truly wants to live'. She warned world leaders that they 'cannot simply assume there will be a democratic future'. 'There is a real struggle going on between different forms of society between democracies and autocracies,' the PM added. 'Unless democratic societies deliver on the economy and security our citizens expect, we will fall behind. 'We need to keep improving and renewing what we do for the new era, demonstrating that democracy delivers.' As Foreign Secretary, Ms Truss attempted to overhaul the UK's overseas aid spending in order to offer poorer countries an alternative to taking money from states such as China. Beijing's 'Belt and Road' initiative has been branded 'debt trap diplomacy' by critics, with China accused of funding major infrastructure projects in developing nations with unsustainable loans. China is then claimed to use that debt to gain leverage over those countries' governments. Prior to her speech at the UN General Assembly, Ms Truss held bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden in New York In her UN speech, Ms Truss hailed the UK's 'leadership on free and fair trade'. 'Rather than exerting influence through debt, aggression, and taking control of critical infrastructure and minerals, we are building strategic ties based on mutual benefit and trust,' she said. The PM urged world leaders to build on the 'strength of collective purpose' they showed in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 'Now we must use these instruments in a more systematic way to push back on the economic aggression of authoritarian regimes,' she said. 'The G7 and our like-minded partners should act as an economic NATO, collectively defending our prosperity. 'If the economy of a partner is being targeted by an aggressive regime we should act to support them. All for one and one for all.' She hailed the G7's $600billion Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment - set up as an alternative to China's 'Belt and Road' initiative - for providing 'an honest, reliable alternative on infrastructure investment around the world, free from debt with strings attached'. Prior to her speech at the UN General Assembly, Ms Truss held bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden in New York. Downing Street said Ms Truss informed Mr Biden of her plans to update Britain's 'Integrated Review' of foreign and security policy - published last year - to 'ensure the UK is fully equipped to tackle the evolving challenge from countries like China and Russia'. 'The leaders stressed the need to end over-reliance on authoritarian states in terms of our energy, technology and manufacturing supply chains,' a No10 spokesperson added. Ms Truss is expected to update the Integrated Review to declare China as a 'threat' to national security - giving it similar status to Russia. Advertisement A British prisoner of war finally freed by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine has 'had a shave and a couple of beers' and will celebrate his release with 'a steak and a glass of red wine' - as he and four other Brits were reunited with their families back in the UK today. Shaun Pinner, 48, enjoyed an emotional reunion with his family in the UK after a deal saw him and four other Brits set free after five months in detention. The former soldier, who had been sentenced to the death penalty before a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic alongside Aiden Aslin in June, yesterday released a video confirming they were 'out of the danger zone' as the pair were flown to Saudi Arabia. John Harding, Dylan Healy and Andrew Hill were also released by Russian-backed forces as part of the prisoner exchange. The release came after an agreement was brokered by the Saudi Crown Prince to release a total of 10 POWs who had been captured during the fighting. Mr Aslin and Mr Pinner had earlier surrendered to Russian soldiers in the besieged port city of Mariupol before spending five months in prison in Donetsk. Tired and smiling, ex-British Army soldier Mr Pinner was met by relatives including mother Debbie Price, stepfather Lyndon, son Evan Pinner and sister Cassandra at a hotel near an undisclosed airport this morning. His stepfather told the Mirror: 'I have just given him a shave. I took all his beard off for him. He is well and looks fine. He is so pleased to be home. 'I am sure Shaun has got a lot to say about his experience. What he has gone through is not for the faint-hearted. 'He is tired. He has had a couple of beers. He is going to have steak with a glass of red wine tonight and is looking forward to that. He is living on adrenalin.' His sister Cassandra told MailOnline: 'We are just relieved that he is home safe and sound, there are no words to express how thankful we are. 'He is in good spirits, he is still his funny self, even at this difficult time. Health wise, he is surprisingly very well too.' Meanwhile, Mr Aslin spoke of his 'traumatic experience' as he was reunited with family back at home in Balderton, Nottinghamshire, this afternoon. He arrived from Heathrow Airport in a silver Mitsubishi ASX with a Ukraine sticker on the back bumper at around 2.20pm. After getting out of the vehicle with family members he then went inside to be reunited with 'overjoyed 'mum Ang Wood. Speaking on his doorstep, Aiden said: 'Me and my family want the privacy after the traumatic experience. Please respect this and when I'm ready to talk to the media I will.' His mother arrived at the family address 30 minutes before her son and said she hadn't slept all night and was tired from the long journey. Tired and smiling, ex-British Army soldier Mr Pinner (second from right) was finally reunited with his family back in the UK today following months of detention in Ukraine Aiden Aslin arrives back at his home in Balderton, Newark, today, after being released by Russian-back separatists following months in detention Mr Aslin spoke of his 'traumatic experience' as he was reunited with family back at home in Balderton, Nottinghamshire, this afternoon From left: John Harding, Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin pose for a selfie as they sit on a flight out of Russia to Saudi Arabia yesterday evening Aiden Aslin (left) and Shaun Pinner (right) and Moroccan Saaudun Brahim (centre) pictured during a sentencing hearing in the so-called Supreme Court of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic British national John Harding, who was captured by pro-Russian forces, sitting inside a dock at a court in Donetsk last month Britons Andrew Hill and Dylan Healy alongside Croatian Vjekoslav Prebeg during a court hearing in the Russian-held region of Donetsk last month Aiden Aslin's mum Ang Wood arrives home in Balderton, Newark, earlier today following her son's return to Britain via Saudi Arabia Cassandra Pinner has spoken of her family's delight that her brother Shaun has been released Ms Wood said earlier: 'There's not really much I can say right now, I'm just spending some time with my family as I'm still in a state of shock. 'The last 24 hours have been an absolute whirlwind and I'm just trying to get my head around everything. I'm obviously overjoyed and hugely relieved but my focus is on getting him home safely now. 'We haven't any indication when that will. I haven't been able to speak to him so far, we'll believe it once he is home but obviously its promising news. 'I'm just still in complete shock I think. It's quite emotional. I didn't know if this day would ever come. I'm still trying to process the news myself.' It comes after Newark MP Robert Jenrick said in a statement last night: 'I am delighted that my constituent, Aiden Aslin, and the other British prisoners of war held captive by the Russian authorities have finally been released and are on their way back to the UK. 'I am deeply grateful for the work undertaken by the Ukrainian government, the Saudi Crown Prince, Liz Truss, James Cleverly and the dedicated civil servants working in the FCDO Detainees team to bring their horrific ordeal to a close. 'Aiden's return brings to an end months of agonising uncertainty for Aiden's loving family in Newark who suffered every day of Aiden's sham trial but never lost hope. As they are united as a family once more, they can finally be at peace.' Mr Healy, meanwhile, was also among the prisoners of war surprisingly released yesterday. He had been providing humanitarian assistance in Ukraine when he was captured. The 22-year-old is now back home 'safe and well', with a source close to the family saying he wants time out for the next few days to process the traumatic event. Dominik Byrne, founder of humanitarian charity Presidium Network which was brought in to investigate Dylan's disappearance, said he was delighted he had been released. Mr Healy was detained in April alongside Paul Urey, 45, from Warrington, who later died in detention amid concerns he had been tortured by Russian separatists. The pair were captured by Russian forces while trying to cross a checkpoint into Russian territory. They were helping with the 'high risk evacuation' of women and children from Zaporizhzhia in south-eastern Ukraine when they were captured. But officials in the Moscow-backed DPR claimed they were charged with carrying out 'mercenary activities' in April, according to Russian state media Tass. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly welcomed the release of the British nationals, but added: 'Tragically that was not the case for one of those detained and our thoughts remain with the family of Paul Urey.' Paul Urey (pictured), 45, from Warrington, died in detention earlier this year amid concerns he had been tortured by Russian separatists Shaun Pinner (left) and Aiden Aslin (right), who had been serving in the Ukrainian marines, were captured by Putin's troops in the city of Mariupol in April. The pair have both now been released Aslin, pictured here during his time in captivity in Donetsk, thanked people for their support after being released yesterday The list of prisoners released includes five British nationals, two Americans, one Swede, one Croat and one Moroccan. Pinner is pictured in the orange shirt with Aslin on his left after landing in Riyadh Pinner (right) and Aslin (left) were sentenced to death, along with Moroccan Saaudun Brahim (centre) in June this year by a pro-Russian separatist court In a statement, Saudi Arabia said Moroccan, US, Swedish and Croatian nationals had also been freed as 'part of an exchange of POWs between Russia and Ukraine'. Saudi Arabia said the detainees had been transferred from Russia and it was organising their return to the respective countries. The sudden announcement by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the prisoners' release came as a surprise to many, including their families. It is believed to have been a personal initiative of the Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed Bin Salman. Until now, the Saudis have kept a low profile over the Ukraine conflict. Ms Truss also thanked Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky 'for his efforts to secure the release of detainees, and Saudi Arabia for their assistance'. The PM added: 'Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends.' In a video which was posted on Instagram, Mr Aslin and Mr Pinner smiled at the camera as they sat in their seats on the plane to Riyadh last night. Aslin said: 'We just want everyone to know that we are now out of the danger zone and we're on our way home to our families. Pinner, who was sat next to him, chipped in: 'By the skin of our teeth'. Aslin added: 'Not just us, there was in total 10 foreigners that were in captivity. We're going to be pretty quiet... until we get things sorted out, but we just want everyone to know the good news. 'Thanks to everyone that's been supporting us, its really appreciated. Pinner agreed, saying: 'Thanks to everyone, I can't say thank you enough.' Aslin and Pinner were captured in June and kept in detention, before a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) handed them both a death sentence. Two US military veterans Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27 were also both freed thanks to the prisoner exchange. The list of newly released prisoners includes five British nationals, two Americans, one Swede, one Croat and one Moroccan, an official stated, who added that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman headed the negotiations. The plane carrying the prisoners left Russia earlier today and landed in the Saudi capital Riyadh this afternoon. They will soon be returned to their home countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported, citing sources familiar with the mediation. UK Prime Minister Liz Truss said: 'Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families.' The prisoner exchange came at a puzzling time, landing on the same day Vladimir Putin ordered the mobilisation of reservists in a dramatic escalation of the war in Ukraine. Putin also threatened the West with nuclear weapons over Ukraine, after he announced plans to annex occupied parts of its territory to the Russian mainland. Aslin (pictured) seemed in good spirits as he was checked over by medics after his release from detention earlier today Oleksandr Kravtsov, head of Vedmedi division, sees his wife Maryna as he disembarks a plane after being freed from Russian captivity POWs held in Russia, some of which were sentenced to death after fighting in eastern Ukraine, have been released following mediation by Saudi Arabia I am delighted that my constituent, Aiden Aslin, and the other British prisoners of war held captive by the Russian authorities have finally been released and are on their way back to the UK. 1/3 Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) September 21, 2022 The two Americans were freed thanks to a prisoner exchange brokered by Saudi leader Prince Mohammed bin Salman (pictured, right, with Joe Biden in Jeddah in July) The prisoners were captured on the frontlines in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region. Truss thanked Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky 'for his efforts to secure the release of detainees, and Saudi Arabia for their assistance'. 'Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends,' Ms Truss added. A former care worker, Mr Aslin moved to Ukraine after falling for his now-wife Diane, who is originally from the city of Mykolaiv. He and his brother were captured after fighting in the city of Mariupol in April. The UK's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: 'I welcome the safe return of Ukrainian prisoners of war and one civilian, including five British nationals. Prisoners of war from other countries held by Russia-backed proxies have also been returned. 'This brings to an end many months of uncertainty and suffering, including the threat of the death penalty, for them and their families, at the hands of Russia.' Tragically that was not the case for one of those detained, he said, recalling the family of Paul Urey who died while in captivity. Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba announced in July that Russians had returned Mr Urey's body to the nation after he died in detention having suffered 'illnesses' and 'stress. But the corpse revealed signs of torture and was missing body parts, Ukrainian officials said. He had been in held captivity by separatists in the Donetsk region. 'I would like to express my gratitude to President Zelensky and his team for their efforts to secure their release, and to HRH Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman and his team, for their assistance,' Cleverly added. 'I continue to call on Russia to comply with International Humanitarian Law and not exploit prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political purposes.' Drueke and Huynh were believed to be the first US citizens confirmed captured by Russia's forces in eastern Ukraine when they were reported missing in mid-June. At the time, Huynh's fiance, Joy Black, told Reuters the men had been motivated to support Kyiv in its fight against Russia after watching television footage from Ukraine in the first weeks after Russia invaded. Drueke, 39, left, and Andy Huynh, 27, appeared terrified in footage released by Russian forces where they identified themselves and denounced war. They men went missing in June after their platoon in Ukraine was ambushed by Russian soldiers Large numbers of foreigners have travelled to Ukraine to fight since Russia's February 24 invasion. Some of them have been caught by Russian forces, along with other foreigners in the country who say they were not fighters. It could not be immediately established if the released group included Britons Shaun Pinner and Morocco-born Brahim Saadoun who were also captured and sentenced to death in Donetsk. A Swedish citizen, captured at the port city of Mariupol and facing a possible death sentence under the laws of the DPR, was among those released, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde confirmed. 'I can confirm that the Swede who in May was taken into custody by Russian forces is free and on his way to Sweden,' Linde told Swedish news agency TT on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. MbS reportedly made the initial offer to mediate during a telephone call with Putin back in March, during the early stage of the war. It is not yet clear how many prisoners were returned to Russia, or why Saudi Arabia intervened on the day Putin decided to declare partial mobilisation. Alexander Drueke, left, and Andy Huynh, right, have both been freed after they were captured by Russia while fighting in Ukraine. The US military veterans' freedom was arranged in a deal brokered by Saudi Arabia 'The release comes based on the priority given by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, and in continuation of his commitment to the humanitarian initiatives towards the Russian-Ukrainian crisis,' a statement from the Saudi ministry of foreign affairs read. 'This also results from his continued engagement with the relevant countries.' In the conversation back in March, MbS also reaffirmed Saudi intention to maintain the balance and stability of the oil market and abide by agreements from OPEC an intergovernmental body that regulates global oil prices. OPEC+ announced it would boost production by 100,000 barrels a day in August, barely making a dent in meeting global demand after observers claimed the Biden administration was asking Saudi Arabia to increase oil production and reduce global energy prices. The move came weeks after Biden visited Saudi Arabia, giving a boost to the ruling family and the Crown Prince. Saudi Arabia and most of the Arab countries are the world's biggest oil exporters, along with Russia, which together make up OPEC+. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (pictured) was involved in negotiations to release 10 foreign nationals captured in Ukraine from Russian prison, a Saudi official claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Governor of the Novgorod region Arab countries nevertheless supported the UN General Assembly resolution demanding Russia withdraw troops from Ukraine. Both Russia and Saudi Arabia have an interest in keeping world oil production stable despite soaring prices due to the invasion of Ukraine forcing the two countries to collaborate and putting the crown price in a position to negotiate with Putin on other matters. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have captured hundreds of enemy fighters since the start of the conflict, with a handful of prisoner exchanges having taken place. The head of the UN human rights mission in Ukraine said earlier this month that Russia was not allowing access to prisoners of war, adding the UN had evidence that some had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment that could amount to war crimes. Russia denies torture or other forms of maltreatment of POWs. After Putin announced mobilisation, all plane tickets to countries where Russians would not need a visa, including Turkey, Armenia and Georgia, have now sold out, while flagship airline Aeroflot is not displaying any available flights. More than 100 demonstrators holding 'no to mobilisation' signs and chanting anti-war slogans have been dragged away by armed police trying to stamp out the unrest across the country, while others desperately try to flee the country by snapping up one-way tickets from Moscow. Four police officers wearing black visors, vests and carrying batons detain a person in Moscow this evening More unrest was expected this evening in western Russian cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg, as protesters vented their fury, holding up 'no to mobilisation' signs Some alleged people already had been turned back from Russia's land border with Georgia and that the website of the state Russian railway company collapsed because too many people were checking for ways out of the country. Putin's apocalyptic nuclear warnings have prompted even China to demand a ceasefire 'through dialogue and consultation', while Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Putin should return all occupied land, including Crimea, to its 'rightful owners'. Meanwhile the US will retaliate with 'a devastating strike' if Putin uses nuclear weapons, the United States Army's former European commander has warned. Russian Railways and Aeroflot said they hadn't 'yet' been ordered to ban men aged 18 to 65 from boarding. A group based in Serbia, Russians, Belarussians, Ukrainians and Serbs Together Against War, tweeted that there were no available flights to Belgrade from Russia until mid-October. Flights to Turkey, Georgia or Armenia also sold out, according to the Belgrade-based group. Alexei Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition leader, said Putin was sending more Russians to their deaths for a failing war. 'It is clear that the criminal war is getting worse, deepening, and Putin is trying to involve as many people as possible in this,' Navalny said in a video message from jail recorded and published by his lawyers. 'He wants to smear hundreds of thousands of people in this blood,' Navalny said. The tyrant's announcement, made in an early-morning television address, raised fears that some men of fighting age would not be allowed to leave Russia. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the call-up would be limited to those with experience as professional soldiers, and that students and those who had only served as conscripts would not be called up. Nevertheless, the move has raised fears of mass conscription in the worrying escalation of the war. Comes as Trump faces lawsuit announced by NY Attorney General for lying about value of property It is not known what happened to the gold bars and where they went He did not know what to do with the gold bars and gave them to security guard It was to cover the cash portion of the lease on a parking garage Donald Trump was once paid in gold bars that were wheeled into the Trump Tower apartment, new book claims as he faces sweeping $250m lawsuit from New York AG Letitia James for 'lying about the value of his property.' The forthcoming book by New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman called 'Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America' and obtained by CNN, reveals new details about his business dealings, including the gold bar payment. She wrote that Trump used to sometimes receive lease payments in cash and that a leaseholder once gave him the gold bars covering the cash portion of the lease on a parking garage. The parking garage was in the General Motors building in Manhattan, bought by Trump in 1998. According to Haberman's book, Trump was clueless about what to do with the gold bars. He told Matt Calamari who was a security guard that became CEO of Trump's Organization to take the bars to his apartment in Trump Tower. But it is not known where the gold bars ended up. CNN reported that Calamari's lawyer did not comment and it was called a 'fantasy question' by Trump. The forthcoming book by New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman called 'Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America' and obtained by CNN , reveals new details about his business dealings, including the gold bar payment According to Haberman's book, Trump was clueless about what to do with the gold bars. Pictured: Maggie Haberman It comes after the New York Attorney General's lawsuit was announced yesterday against Trump. Letitia James announced the suit against the former president at a dramatic Wednesday press conference, citing a document that accuses Trump and his three adult children of pumping up property far beyond their actual valuations when seeking lending to expand his real estate empire. James said that the president and his children engaged in 'numerous acts of fraud' in a legal move that looks to rip away his ability to do business in her state for years. She specifically named Trump and his three adult children, Don Jr., Eric, and Ivanka Trump, and said they 'persistently' inflated the value of assets. Trump hit back at James, who is black, calling her 'racist' and accused her of bringing forward the case to help her 'really bad poll numbers.' 'Another Witch Hunt by a racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who failed in her run for Governor, getting almost zero support from the public, and now is doing poorly against Law & Order A.G. candidate, highly respected Michael Henry,' Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. 'I never thought this case would be brought - until I saw her really bad poll numbers. She is a fraud who campaigned on a get Trump platform, despite the fact that the city is one of the crime and murder disasters of the world under her watch!' Donald Trump accepts Gold Bullion from APMEX CEO Michael Haynes as a deposit on a commercial lease for the 50th floor at 40 Wall St. on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011 in New York. A leaseholder once gave him the gold bars covering the cash portion of the lease on a parking garage, according to Maggie Haberman's new book Letitia James, pictured, announced the suit against the former president at a dramatic Wednesday press conference, citing a document that accuses Trump and his three adult children of pumping up property far beyond their actual valuations when seeking lending to expand his real estate empire Despite the apparent extravagance of getting paid in gold, there were times when Trump was sailing close to the wind. Trump once had to borrow several million dollars from one of his own executives, George Ross, Haberman reports. Ross would tell the author only that it was to 'cover a situation that was disposed of very quickly' and that it was not to make payroll. Ross appeared as one of Trump's advisors on NBC's 'The Apprentice' She also recounts a time when 'was said to have threatened to go public with rumors that Malcolm Forbes, the deceased owner of Forbes magazine, was gay' as the magazine was readying a report stating Trump's net worth was far below his own claims. That issue the amount of Trump's net worth was a key part of the accusations James spelled out on Wednesday. The gold bars were to secure a lease on the parking garage in the GM Building Haberman also recounts a time when 'was said to have threatened to go public with rumors that Malcolm Forbes, the deceased owner of Forbes magazine, was gay' as his magazine was preparing an expose on his actual worth Trump once had to borrow several million dollars from one of his own executives, George Ross, Haberman reports. Ross appeared as one of his advisors on 'The Apprentice' 'Indeed, Mr. Trump made known through [Trump Organization CFO Allen] Weisselberg that he wanted his net worth on the Statements to increasea desire Mr. Weisselberg and others carried out year after year in their fraudulent preparation of the Statements,' according to her 222-page suit. The suit says those inflated statements went into the financial statements that Trump used to obtain lending. Trump also spoke to the author about having do deal with the mob or 'mob-controlled' entities as a developer in New York City real estate, without stating he was fully knowledgeable. 'Well, anybody that built in New York City, whether you dealt with them indirectly, or didnt even know they existed, they did exist,' the former president said. 'Well, you dealt, you had contractors and you dont know if they were mob or controlled or maybe not controlled, but I will tell you getting bids sometimes is very tough. Youd get one bid, itd be a high end disappointing bid. And then there was nobody else to bid,' Trump said. Haberman also recounts a time when Trump tussled with the Securities and Exchange Commission over a misleading earnings statement. Accounts at the time said Trump wasn't personally involved. But consultant Alan Marcus told Haberman Trump 'personally marked up a draft of the release in question and made existing projections rosier,' according to the book. Trump fielded a question from Fox News host Sean Hannity in his Wednesday night sit-down about his financial statements. Hannity told him that a lender wouldn't 'just go by the borrower's estimation of valuation of a particular property,' after James accused him of making false statements in those documents to get loans. Trump responded: ' First of all, these are banks that have the best law firms in the world, the biggest and best and most powerful. They do their own work. They don't rely on us.' Then, he continued, 'We have a disclaimer and we put together, my people put it together. I would look at it and it looks fine, but it's not overly important. What's important is the property I have the best property ... We have a disclaimer right on the front and it basically says, you know, get your own people, you're at your own risk.' 'Claiming you have money that you do not have does not amount to the "Art of the Deal. It's the art of the steal,' James said at her Wednesday press conference, referencing Trump's famous book. James said Trump's financial statements were 'greatly inflated, grossly exaggerated, and objectively false.' A tiny west London studio flat which features a shower cubicle standing next to the oven has been mocked on social media. The 850-a-month property is located in the trendy Notting Hill area of west London and is an estimated five-minute walk from the local tube station. Inside, the single bed is placed in the centre of the room as an obstructive feature; sitting nakedly underneath a narrow window and beside an ill-matching wardrobe, standing awkwardly in the corner like a shy teenager at their first school disco. This is the studio apartment in Notting Hill, west London which is being offered to rent for 850 a month. It features a small single bed sat in the middle of the room sandwiched between the cooker and a wardrobe A large mirror provides a visual illusion, tricking the eye into thinking that the kitchen is in an adjacent room accessed through a serving hatch A glass shower cubicle stands beside the cooker and in full view of the rest of the room. Thankfully the toilet is behind a traditional door, providing a modicum of dignity in the unlikely event that a visitor is invited back to the flat One online commentator tried to look at the bright side claiming the unusual layout offers the opportunity to multitask A large mirror has been fitted to the wall opposite the kitchen area to make the room look more spacious. It provides a visual illusion, tricking the the eye into thinking the cooker, sink and fridge are in an adjacent room with access through a serving hatch. But much of the mirror is blocked by the poorly placed wardrobe which, itself, is kept away from the wall by a 30cm-wide shelf. This further diminishes the amount of floorspace for the new tenant. The small single bed will restrict the number of people able to stay in the room overnight, meaning any heat this winter will be supplied by an oil-filled electric radiator, ominously brought in to supplement the house's central heating. Studio apartments in the area often rent for more than 1,000-a-month. Not many will have a glass shower cubicle installed next to the cooker in full view of the bed which is only one stride away. Thankfully, the toilet has its own wooden door providing a modicum of dignity in the unlikely event the tenant invites a friend over for a spot of supper, to be eaten, sitting on the edge of the bed, possibly staring out towards the net curtains. The new tenant will be expected to provide the landlord with a 1,700 deposit ahead of moving in while settling their council tax bill a short time later. Other bills are included in the rent, apart from an internet service. If the tenant is able to find a suitable surface to place a television, they will also have to pay the BBC licence fee. Rita Simoes-Muir, who saw the online listing, said: 'Being able to shower and watch your dinner while its cooking - thats handy.' Another commentator, Kelly, said: 'Oh, that's grim.' A third added: 'At least it's low maintenance.' Argued an elder would come anchored in history and culture rich of ceremony He sees monarch as undemocratic and imposes relatively little on citizens Suggested an Indigenous elder instead of having a monarch or president Waleed Aly had bold proposal to replace late Queen as Australia's head of state Waleed Aly has sparked debate with his co-hosts on The Project by calling for an Indigenous elder to replace Queen Elizabeth II as Australia's head of state. The monarchy versus republic debate has been reignited in Australia as the official mourning period comes to a close following the Queen's death a fortnight ago. As Australians commemorated the National Day of Mourning on Thursday, Aly suggested an alternative approach having an Indigenous elder as Australia's future head of state instead of a monarch or president. But co-host Carrie Bickmore disagreed, arguing people still want consistency after having a Queen for 70 years. Aly believes if Australians are asked to forego the monarch, it needs to be replaced with something more fitting but magical. 'An Australian President doesn't offer the sense of constancy, history or ritual we'll be replacing,' Aly explained. Waleed Aly has led calls for an Indigenous elder to replace the Queen's as Australia's head of state. Pictured are protestors denouncing colonialisation at a Sydney rally on Australia's National Day of Mourning for the Queen 'If we're going to do this, we need to draw on our own sources of tradition, ceremony and spirituality.' A self-confessed republican, Aly see the monarchy as unchanging, draped in history, tradition and ritual. 'In short, monarchy becomes a kind of foil to government. It works specifically because it's undemocratic and imposes relatively little on citizens,' he said. 'It's powerful precisely because it has no real power. The Queen was loved because she was so frequently silent, so often a blank canvas.' He argued the case for a recognised Indigenous elder appointed as our head of state, which already would come anchored in a long history and a culture brimming with ceremony. 'One of the great things about some Indigenous ceremonies like Welcome to country, is they're often informal,' Aly continued. 'This extraordinary mix of ceremony and informality capture something unique and charming about the Australian character.' 'We could even call our elder Uncle or Aunty and when our Aunty dies, deep rituals of mourning would already exist, ready for us to embrace as a nation.' Carrie Bickmore (right) disagreed with The Project co-host Waleed Aly's bold proposal Australia commemorated its National Day of Mourning for the Queen, who died a fortnight ago He admitted the office would be racially closed but pointed out so too is the monarchy which is always going to be white and doesn't extend to white Catholics. 'It's also undemocratic which replicates precisely one of the monarchy's virtues,' he added. 'Sure, I can see problems. For example, how would the elder be chosen from among the hundreds of First Nations we have? Does it rotate in a predetermined way? 'Our head of state has to be an apolitical figure, confining itself to speaking on areas of mere total agreement. Would the elder face too much pressure to become an activist? 'I admit it's rough but it captures something of the richness and magic of monarchy while being in disputably ours.' Co-host Carrie Bickmore disagreed it's about the consistency of the monarchy. 'We've had a Queen for 70 years so all the words of dignity and consistency and all that, it's all about her for a lot of people,' she said. Bickmore says any plans to ditch the monarch are too soon. Walled Aly believes if Australians are asked to forgo the monarch, it needs to be replaced with something more fitting but magical, such as an Indigenous Elder appointed as head of state Georgie Tunny added: 'It's interesting having the conversation because I think it's an interesting concept of just having something that doesn't need a precedent right now. 'Whether or not something like that could be apolitical, I have my doubts. I don't think a head of state could not be political.' Peter Helliar described the idea as fascinating. Aly responded by saying his proposal is just a 'thought starter' in full respect of the monarchy and admitted it isn't foolproof. 'It's a point of discussion, I'm not presenting it as a solution necessarily,' he said. 'But I think there's something that could be worked on. It literally popped into my head one night because I thought ' there's something there that needs to be preserved.' Britain's King Charles III , Camilla, the Queen Consort, Princess Anne, and Prince Andrew, from left, standing together during the state funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II in central London, England, Monday Sept. 19, 2022 The proposal divided The Project viewers. 'An indigenous elder would make a great head of state. And another alternative is both the existing monarchy and elder, one woman tweeted. Another added: 'I actually thought the idea has merit. At least he had started a discussion which is more than some people are doing. But not everyone agreed 'No one can really believe that there is a suitable President. We like our connection to the past and want to keep it into the future,' one viewer commented. For free, confidential support contact Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their website An army veteran who served alongside Prince Harry took his own life after suffering with PTSD caused by the death of his serviceman brother in Afghanistan, an inquest heard. Nigel Hawkins, 34, struggled to cope and even blamed himself after his older brother, Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins, was killed in a Taliban blast in 2007. The mental health of Mr Hawkins, originally from Dareham, Norfolk, further deteriorated during Covid lockdowns as he struggled with mounting debts due to self-employment. His relationship with his new girlfriend then broke down which proved to be the 'straw that broke the camel's back'. The inquest heard that in the days before his death Mr Hawkins sought help through his GP as he was feeling suicidal before he died on April 7 this year. But an administration blunder meant that the father-of-two's case was downgraded from urgent to routine. Instead of being seen by mental health specialists within days, the error meant he faced a wait of up to seven weeks. Lance Corporal Nigel Hawkins (pictured with his daughter in 2016), 34, took his own life after suffering with PTSD caused by the Taliban's killing of his older brother in Afghanistan Mr Hawkins' older brother Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins (pictured) died, aged 22, when his vehicle was blown up by a homemade bomb during a routine patrol in Sangin in 2007 During that time Mr Hawkins went to stay with his estranged wife, Lucy, and his children at their home in Bridport, Dorset. But while Mrs Hawkins was at work and the children at school, the former serviceman hanged himself. The hearing heard he had spoken to his girlfriend earlier that day hoping for a reconciliation but she told him she would not be waiting for him when he returned home to Alton, Hampshire. She later called his ex-wife at work and told her Mr Hawkins had said he wanted to kill himself. Mrs Hawkins tried to call him but got no response and found him when she got home on April 6 this year. An investigation was carried out by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust into how Mr Hawkins' case came to be downgraded. Investigating officer Nick Cicutti told the inquest staff shortages meant admin staff were pulled onto covering reception and referral appointment letters were delayed in being sent out. The senior nurses that made the decision to downgrade his referral to routine did not know this and said had they known it would have changed their decision. Mr Cicutti admitted that having a date for an appointment could have been beneficial to Mr Hawkins so not knowing may have contributed to his low mood. He apologised to the family and said: 'There were gaps in our care, they shouldn't have happened. I apologise unreservedly on our part and hope we can learn from those mistakes and not do them again.' Speaking after the inquest, Mr Hawkins' mother Jan told of her anger at the fact he was let down. She said: 'I feel angry, sad and totally devastated. Nigel loved making people laugh, he loved his children and was a very proud dad. 'He was the sort of lad who would help anyone who needed it but when he needed help it didn't come. People who said they could help him didn't. He needed a lifeline, a promise of help and support not 'oh he can wait'. 'So many young men struggle to keep going and there are increasing numbers who are so desperate that they can only see one way out. 'We are proud of our boys and to lose them both is more that I can bear.' Nigel Hawkins (front centre) on parade during Chatsworth Country Fair in 2008 The death of Alex (pictured with his wife) death hit his brother hard. His mother later said that he blamed himself because he couldn't say 'good luck' to him before he went on the fateful tour of Afghanistan Mr Hawkins joined the army in 2005. He became a lance Corporal and served for 10 years in the Blues and Royals Regiment, the same regiment as Prince Harry. His older brother Alex served at the same time but in the Royal Anglian Regiment. He died, aged 22, when his vehicle was blown up by a homemade bomb during a routine patrol in Sangin in 2007. His death hit his brother hard. His mother later said that he blamed himself because he couldn't say 'good luck' to him before he went on the fateful tour of Afghanistan. Mr Hawkins, a self-employed transport supervisor, was later diagnosed with PTSD by a counsellor who said the condition was caused by his brother's death. His mental health deteriorated from 2020 and came to a head on March 11 this year when he went to hospital having taken an overdose. He discharged himself before he was seen by the mental health team but contacted his GP practice in Alton five days later asking for help. The Bournemouth inquest heard his doctor made a referral to the mental health community team stating Mr Hawkins should be seen within seven days. He should have been notified by letter of an appointment date within 48 hours but due to the staffing issues, his was not sent until April 7. Mr Hawkins had also spoken to his sister, Nicki Langley-Stevens, who worked for the MoD and is a mental health first aider, and she put him in touch with the military veterans charity PTSD Resolution. An appointment was made for April 7 - the day after he killed himself. Although Mr Hawkins had separated from his wife they remained friendly and he showed up unexpectedly at her home at 5am on Tuesday, April 5. She told the hearing: 'He had just turned up before but never that early in the morning. He said he was angry with everybody apart from myself and the children but he wouldn't explain any more. 'My son had a bug so I had already spoken to work and told them I wasn't coming in. We spent all day with him, he bought the children a new fish each, he was fine, it was just a normal day.' She said in the early hours of the morning he had spoken about his appointment on Thursday and made plans for the weekend with the children. She said when she left for work on the Wednesday Mr Hawkins was still asleep. The Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust has since recruited more staff since the incident and better communication had been put in place to prevent any future issues. Dorset area coroner Brendan Allen said he was satisfied he did not need to make a prevention of future deaths report as measures had been put in place to address what happened. He recorded a verdict of suicide. For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. Click here for details However she said Sarah Atherton's appointment proves Truss had 'no intention' The wife of Conservative MP Johnny Mercer has claimed he is 'fed up' as she criticised Liz Truss for not 'honouring her promise' to have a dedicated veterans minister in her cabinet. Felicity Cornelius-Mercer tweeted slamming the Prime Minister for downgrading the care of the UK's 2.4 million veterans. Referencing the appointment of Sarah Atherton as Minister for Defence, People and Veterans, Mrs Cornelius-Mercer wrote: 'Sarah is lovely & the only women from the ranks to be in Parliament. 'But also final confirmation @trussliz had no intention of honouring her promise to appoint a dedicated minister of state for veterans affairs to her first cabinet. The role has been further demoted.' In response, someone asked Mrs Cornelius-Mercer how her husband - former Veterans Minister Mr Mercer - was doing, to which she replied 'fed up'. Felicity Cornelius-Mercer tweeted slamming Lis Truss for downgrading the care of the UK's 2.4 million veterans Mrs Cornelius-Mercer criticised Ms Truss for not 'honouring her promise' to appoint a dedicated veterans minister Referencing the appointment of Sarah Atherton as Minister for Defence, People and Veterans, Mrs Cornelius-Mercer said it confirmed Ms Truss had 'no intention' of honouring her promise of appointing a dedicated veterans minister She continues: 'I am going to keep saying this until people stop patronisingly telling me to keep quiet - I am married to a veteran. It is my battle. It can be anyone's battle. 'Johnny pulled veterans care out of the MoD as it just doesnt work there. He created the office of veterans affairs in the independent cabinet office. Similar setup to USA, Canada, Oz etc. It has now been put back where it doesnt work for veterans.' Earlier this month Mrs Cornelius-Mercer slammed the appointment of James Heappey as Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans, as her husband has argued veterans care should stand alone. She tweeted: 'Reversing the seven years of work my husband did getting veterans away from the MoD where it failed him and so many others, and showing she lied in the leadership election to 'keep veterans affairs where they are'. Mrs Atherton, who is the first Conservative to represent the constituency of Wrexham, joined the army and served in the Intelligence Corps upon leaving school. She continued by saying she would keep pressing on the issue as she is married to a veteran and 'it is my battle' The new minister sits on the Defence Select Committee and supports travel discounts for some former British Armed Forces who have been injured. In her role as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Wales, she supported discussions about prosecutions of sexual abuse within the armed forces taking place in civilian courts as opposed to military courts. Before heading up her husband's parliamentary office, Mrs Cornelius-Mercer worked as a supervisor at MK Airlines - a Ghanaian freight transport service that had its headquarters in East Sussex before going bust in 2010. The mother-of-three completed her training and became a qualified lifeguard earlier this year after setting herself the goal as part of her 2022 New Year's resolutions. Mrs Cornelius-Mercer had previously slammed the appointment of James Heappey as Minister for the Armed Forces as well as Mrs Atherton's appointment (both pictured) She said the qualification was 'validation that your hard work has paid off', and shared her delight at her 'sense of achievement'. Earlier this year, she revealed her spouse had been so 'p****d' during a phone call with the then-PM Boris Johnson that he couldn't remember their conversation the next day. The MP for Plymouth Moor View defended his wife after she was blasted for posting the tweet. 'She's on this nuts journey with me the highs and many lows. She is more than entitled to take the p*** out of me/the PM/whoever she likes,' he wrote online. Villagers facing eviction from one of the final coastal communities untouched by second homes have vowed to continue their war with a top public school despite being dealt a bitter blow to their campaign. The 1,200-acre Trevalga estate was formerly owned by Gerald Curgenven, a former pupil of Marlborough College, who left the land in this will to the exclusive school in 1959, with the instruction to 'preserve it'. Marlborough College attempted to sell the land off in 2010 after receiving legal advice that the trust was invalid because it did not have an end date or ultimate beneficiary. However, the sale was blocked after residents hired lawyers who told suggested the college's position was wrong. Earlier this year, locals discovered trustees had instructed Savills to put the land up for sale with a guide price of 15,750,000, prompting a fresh battle by residents. More than 3,000 people signed up the campaign, dubbed the 'Battle of Trevalga'. to block the move. The idyllic Cornish village home to six farms and 17 other properties, with some families having lived there for three generations. Campaigners had previously pleaded for the Charity Commission to step in and block the sale. But the villagers have been dealt a major blow to their hopes after commission officials told them they would not intervene in the sale. Serena Patrick, who has spearheaded the campaign, said the news was a bitter blow. But the 38-year-old vowed to continue the fight - and revealed they were now looking at a way of purchasing the manor themselves. Serena Patrick and Kizzy Lockyear (pictured) are residents who now fear eviction from the Trevalga estate in northern Cornwall The Trevalga estate stretches half a mile inland and includes a cliff-top manor house, six let farms, 17 further houses and cottages Trevalga, pictured on a map, is located between the tourist havens of Boscastle and Tintagel in northern Cornwall 'We are not hugely surprised by this response,' she added. 'Of course we are very disappointed and feel there are a large number of questions that need to be answered about the management of the estate and also a very large question about the manor of the registration with the commission. 'We feel the charitable objectives did not reflect the intentions of the will trust. But the battle of Trevalga is still on, 100 per cent. We will be investigating all avenues as well as seeking legal advice. 'We are still digesting the implications of the latest development though before we agree on our next steps. 'They did assure us they would be considering all recommendations, but obviously we dont know why they have overlooked what was provided to them by solicitors.' Ms Patrick said there were 'numerous suggestions' on what they can do next and said public support had been growing. She added: 'One of them is looking at purchasing the manor ourselves through a community land trust, which would be a shared mortgage situation. We are tentatively looking into this. 'At the same time we are working to preserve the manor no matter what occurs, by looking at ecological surveys, protected conservation and a potential dark skies area. 'If the worst happens and it is sold as an "investment opportunity" as the marketing suggests, we will revisit how we wish to resist evictions, which we did when this possibility first arose in 2010.' The idyllic Cornish hamlet is thought to be one of the last places in Britain unspoilt by second holiday homes, with some families having lived there for three generations The Charity Commission says it had 'thoroughly assessed' the ongoing row over the sale and was 'satisfied' with the trustees decision to sell up. Tracy Howarth, assistant director of casework for the commission, said: 'This has been a period of great uncertainty and anxiety for the residents of Trevalga and I know that this outcome will come as a further disappointment for those impacted. Cornwall's fight against second homes Cornish authorities are trying to clamp down on second homes in the county. This includes introducing restrictions on new builds being built in second homes in popular tourist destinations such as St Ives. Cornwall Council said there is 'an imbalance in supply and demand' that the county has never seen before. St Ives MP Derek Thomas said in December last year that around 100 families compete for every available three-bedroom home in parts of Cornwall. The housing problem in Cornwall was accelerated during the pandemic when 'staycations' boomed. Increased demand for second homes in beach towns drove up prices even further - with the cost of rent nearing that seen in London. In May, chief Executive of affordable housing charity Cornwall Community Land Trust, Andrew George, said plans to double council tax on second home owners were 'empty face-saving spin'. Advertisement 'However, having thoroughly assessed the matter, we have concluded this is not a matter in which the commission can intervene. 'In this instance, we are satisfied that the trustees decision-making and the process followed have complied with the law and our guidance. It is therefore right that we have concluded our case.' Trustees pushing for the sale of Trevalga claim it is subject to an archaic piece of law called the 'Royal lives' clause, which relates to the last living descendent of George V, the British monarch who was alive when the trust was established. The will's trustees argue the clause gives the trust an end point in the next few decades and are pushing for this to be brought forward because they claim the estate is no longer viable. Trustees recently said that the decision 'was not taken without careful consideration', having previously claimed their message has been 'manipulated' in the process and insisting the estate must be sold if the homes are going to be maintained and looked after. The three trustees include John Wakeham, a retired auctioneer and land agent, Rebecca Perry, a commercial artist and hotelier, and Mark Bromell, a chartered surveyor. They say they have a legal duty to pay Marlborough College the proceeds from the full market rents raised from all residential and farm tenancies on the estate. The trustees are also responsible for protecting the capital value of the estate. Mr Wakeham said: 'Buildings dont look after themselves, and the houses, cottages and farms left by Gerald Curgenven in 1959 have required maintenance over the past 63 years to ensure they remain fit for purpose. Herein lies the problem. 'These old Cornish properties not only require an increasing level of repair, but also material improvements to meet todays expectations. 'The only money available to the trustees is rental income, and Marlborough College as a registered charity itself requires its correct share of that income.' Local residents Serena Patrick (left), Kizzy Lockyear (right) and her son Reuben (centre) are campaiging against the sale of Trevalga in northern Cornwall Residents insist they will continue wage the 'Battle of Trevalga' in order to stop the 1,200-acre estate go up for sale for 15.75 million, with signs having gone up across the community Residents fighting to save the hamlet described Trevalga as a 'unique place in Britain that has been left largely untouched by the modern world'. It also doesnt suffer from any light pollution and has escaped the invasion of second home owners and holiday lets throughout the rest of Cornwall. Speaking previously, Ms Patrick said locals were fighting for more than just their own homes. She added: 'It has not been developed, because of how Gerald Curgenven managed it in his lifetime. 'And after his death in 1959 it has been almost completely sheltered from the rise of modernism and development that has swept the entire country. Peter Pracownick's home, the Trevalga Manor (pictured). Mr Pracownick has lived there for the last 26 years but now fears eviction following news the estate is on the market The 1,200-acre estate is mapped out here in an advert showing the pristine and unspoilt scenery 'It is a medieval parish that is largely unchanged - and a living piece of shared history. 'With no street lighting, you can stand in almost complete silence. It is unique. What he tried to do was ensure homes for local people in a beautiful and historic area. 'So what is the point in writing a will if when you die you can just say my wishes dont matter? 'The trust created to preserve Trevalga has, in our view, now been twisted into a tool to exploit it for nothing more than monetary gain.' The 1,200-acre estate, which is situated between the villages of Boscastle and Tintagel, includes all the tenanted properties, a mile of coastline and a few small rocky islands. Currently, houses are rented to locals at reasonable rates, but Savills said in its marketing material new owners may want to pursue the 'redevelopment' and 'further income generation.' Curgenven left the entire estate - which he first purchased for 14,000 in 1934 - in a will trust to Marlborough College upon his death. The trust was created so the estate could be preserved and improved 'and as far as possible not sold or broken up'. Her father, Ian, giving evidence, said social media was a 'risk' to 'children's lives' Molly was sent content with headings such as '10 depression pins you might like' A social media executive today said they were 'sorry' Molly Russell was able to view content about self-harm and suicide on their platform and admitted it was 'not safe' when she used it. The 14-year-old, from Harrow, northwest London, researched disturbing content online before taking her own life in November 2017. Today her father, Ian, told her inquest: 'I believe that social media helped kill my daughter'. This morning, Pinterest's head of community operations, Judson Hoffman, was questioned by Oliver Sanders KC, representing the schoolgirl's family. He asked: 'Pinterest accepts that its platform should be safe for children?' Mr Hoffman replied: 'It should be safe for everyone on the platform.' Mr Sanders continued: 'And it accepts that in 2017, when Molly was on it, it wasn't safe?' Mr Hoffman replied: 'That's correct, there was content that should have been removed that was not removed.' The social media executive was also quizzed on the type of content Molly was exposed to on the platform. North London Coroners' Court was shown two streams of content the schoolgirl saw, comparing the material she viewed earlier in her use of the platform and in the months closer to her death. While the earlier stream of content included a wide variety of content, the latter focused on depression, self-harm and suicide. Molly Russell, from Harrow, northwest London, researched disturbing content online before taking her own life in November 2017 Asked by Oliver Sanders KC, the lawyers representing Molly's family, if he agreed that the type of content had changed, Mr Hoffman said: 'I do and it's important to note, and I deeply regret that she was able to access some of the content shown.' The inquest heard Pinterest sent emails to her with headings such as '10 depression pins you might like' and 'depression recovery, depressed girl and more pins trending on Pinterest'. The emails also contained images which Mr Sanders questioned whether Mr Hoffman believed they were 'safe for children to see'. Mr Hoffman replied: 'So, I want to be careful here because of the guidance that we have seen. I will say that this is the type of content that we wouldn't like anyone spending a lot of time with.' Mr Sanders said 'particularly children' would find it 'very difficult ... to make sense' of the content, to which Mr Hoffman replied: 'Yes.' The lawyer asked: 'You've said you regret, are you sorry it happened?' Mr Hoffman replied: 'I am sorry it happened'. The inquest also heard how Molly used an anonymous Twitter account to reach out to celebrities and influencers for help. . She sent tweets to JK Rowling, American actress Lili Reinhart and YouTube star Salice Rose, with one saying: 'I can't do it any more.' Today Molly's father, Ian, told her inquest: 'I believe that social media helped kill my daughter'. Pictured right: Pinterest's Judson Hoffman (at the front) Ian Russell was taken through the posts from the witness box today, where he said: 'I believe social media helped kill my daughter.' He said the messages sent to high profile figures were 'particularly prevalent on Twitter'. Mr Russell told North London Coroner's Court that harmful and 'normal' online content would have been 'conflated' in a 14-year-old's mind. He was asked about his thoughts on the effect of Molly accessing 'harmless' content on social media platforms, such as posts about fashion and pop music, by Oliver Sanders KC. Mr Russell told the inquest that 'digital technology can be brilliant', but the difference between the two types of content 'would be very much blurred' for his daughter. One tweet, sent to Ms Reinhart by Molly, which was read to the court today, said: 'I can't take it any more' Giving evidence in the witness box today, Mr Russell said: 'I believe social media helped kill my daughter. 'I believe that too much of that content is still there and I believe there is a lack of transparency. 'Children shouldn't be on a platform that presents a risk to their lives.' Mr Russell was taken through tweets to celebrities where his daughter said she 'just can't take it'. One tweet, sent to Ms Reinhart by Molly, which was read to the court today, said: 'I can't take it any more. 'I need to reach out to someone, I just can't take it.' Mr Russell said: 'It's exactly that type of message ... that was particularly prevalent on Twitter. 'On the Twitter platform... she reached out to celebrities with thousands or millions of followers who wouldn't even notice one small tweet from someone like Molly. 'She was never really going to get a response.' Other tweets, directed at YouTuber Ms Rose, said: 'I can't do it any more. I give up.' Another said: 'I don't fit in this world. Everyone is better off without me.' The court was told these tweets were sent a few months before the teenager died. Mr Russell said the schoolgirl seemed to be 'back to her normal self' shortly before she died. The 59-year-old said his daughter seemed 'excited' about things in the future and that in the two months before her death he thought the 'passing phase she was going through had passed'. The inquest, which is expected to last up to two weeks, continues. For free, confidential support contact Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their website Advertisement The bravery medals of a parachuting SAS dog are expected to fetch 30,000 at auction, after he was awarded the animal version of the Victoria Cross for being dropped behind enemy lines in World War Two. Rob the para-dog made 20 parachute jumps and served in daring SAS missions in North Africa and Italy, including one where he joined commandos to prepare the ground for the Allied invasion of Anzio in 1944. The courageous canine's job was to be on guard and alert the men of any danger by licking their faces, while he also carried important messages from one part of the front to the other. Rob, a border collie retriever, was the only dog ever to be awarded both the PDSA Dickin Medal for Gallantry and the RSPCA Red Collar for Valour - as well as a lifetime supply of biscuits. After the war Rob was returned to his owners and died in 1952 aged 12 - 69 in human years. Books have been written about his wartime exploits and he even featured on the front cover of the Radio Times in 1989. His owner's son, Basil Bayne, who grew up beside Rob near Tetchill, Shropshire, has now decided to sell the heroic dog's medals alongside his collar, a portrait painting and several photographs. The charming trove is tipped to sell for more than 30,000 at auctioneers Noonans of Mayfair, London. Rob the para-dog (pictured being honoured) served in daring SAS missions in North Africa and Italy, including one where he was dropped behind enemy lines with the commandos to prepare the ground for the Allied invasion of Anzio in 1944 Rob was the only dog ever to be awarded both the PDSA Dickin Medal for Gallantry and the RSPCA Red Collar for Valour (both pictured) - as well as a lifetime supply of biscuits The courageous canine's job was to be on guard and alert the men of any danger by licking their faces. He also carried important messages from one part of the front to the other After the war Rob was returned to his owners and died in 1952 aged 12 - 69 in human years. Pictured admiring his own portrait His owner's son, Basil Bayne, who grew up beside Rob near Tetchill, Shropshire, has now decided to sell the heroic dog's medals alongside his collar, a portrait painting and several photographs Christopher Mellor-Hill, specialist at Noonans, said Rob's medals were the 'most important' of their kind ever to come to auction. He said: 'Rob the parachuting dog is the most famous of all the Dickin Medal recipients and we are delighted to be offering his medals on behalf of the family who owned him. 'Rob was the first war dog attached to the SAS to be awarded the 'animal V.C.' and was reportedly the only war dog to have been nominated for the Dickin Medal by the War Office. 'Demobilised on November 27, 1945, Rob led the Wembley Parade of 32 war dogs on July 16, 1947. He was the star of the show as far as the 10,000 spectators were concerned, being the only dog present to hold both the Dickin Medal and the R.S.P.C.A. Red Collar and Medallion for Valour. 'Over the years books have been written about him and he featured on the front page of the Radio Times. I believe this is the most important Dickin Medal to ever be sold at auction.' The black and white dog was born in 1939 and he helped owner Edward Bayne on his Shropshire farm before the obedient animal was offered up for military service in 1942. A letter included in the sale describes how Rob 'eagerly followed' his comrades out of the airplane on jumps. The account tells of how his training began after soldiers in the 2nd SAS regiment in North Africa sneaked him on board. When heir commanding officer realised Rob had gone with them, he decided to send him to Italy. The letter reads: 'It was from there (North Africa) that the 2nd S.A.S. practised their parachute drops and one day the men smuggled Rob up in the plane for a ride. 'It was all they could do to prevent him from jumping out after the men. So they borrowed a harness from a nearby American base who were trying to train dogs to jump and on the next jump again took Rob with them. 'This time Rob jumped and on landing the men ran to him to release him from the parachute. He had made a perfect drop, falling silently without panic through the air. 'It was only at this point that the commanding officer was informed of the fact that Rob had been airborne and from then on his training began in earnest.' Jennifer Hodges, the daughter of Corporal Victor Redhead, Rob's SAS handler, wrote in a letter that the canine would 'eagerly parachute ahead' of her father. She said: 'While the soldiers were sleeping Rob would patrol round them and lick their faces to bring them to instant wakefulness at the slightest sound. 'On one mission, he went missing for five weeks but in that time rounded up all the widely scattered members of his 2nd SAS patrol and they returned home safely'. The black and white dog was born in 1939 and he helped owner Edward Bayne on his Shropshire farm before the obedient animal was offered up for military service in 1942 Books have been written about Rob's wartime exploits and he even featured on the front cover of the Radio Times in 1989 The charming trove is tipped to sell for more than 30,000 at auctioneers Noonans of Mayfair, London next month The Dickin Medal has been awarded to 71 animals - 34 of them going to dogs, 32 to pigeons, four to horses and one to a cat Rob the para-dog's RSPCA Red Collar for Valour is also being sold in the auction taking place on October 12 After serving with infantry in North Africa, he became the first dog to serve with the SAS when he was dropped on sabotage missions with his own special parachute in Italy. At the time of receiving the medals, Mr Bayne told how Rob cared for the other animals on the farm. He said: 'He used to help settle the chicks in their houses at night, picking them up in his mouth when they had strayed away - he had a wonderful mouth - and tucking them in under their mothers.' When Rob was still a small puppy, he went on an exploration beyond the boundaries of Tetchill and was brought home by John Brunt, then a schoolboy at Ellesmere College. John became a frequent visitor and took Rob on walks. After leaving college John joined the army and led a distinguished career until he was killed in action. In a strange coincidence, on the day that Rob received the 'animal VC' it was announced that John had been posthumously awarded the VC. Basil Bayne, who now lives in Antrim, Northern Ireland, learned to walk by holding on to Rob's tail. He said: 'Following his wartime exploits, Rob was returned to us and settled back into life on the farm, occasionally making public appearances to help raise funds for returning prisoners of war and their families. 'In February 1948 he disappeared for five days with his companion, our other dog, Judy, a spaniel. Rob returning in an emaciated condition without his collar. 'It had red white and blue ribbon all around it. Several years later a local farm worker out rabbiting with spade found the collar hooked around the root of a tree. 'Rob had strained and lost weight until he was able to slip the collar over his head. This dilapidated collar, now missing all ribbons, is among the items in the auction and the strain on the holes in the collar is obvious.' The Dickin Medal has been awarded to 71 animals - 34 of them going to dogs, 32 to pigeons, four to horses and one to a cat. The vast majority were granted for acts of bravery in the Second World War but several wards have been made to Arms and Explosives Search Dogs of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps for their gallantry in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rob's medals will be sold on October 12. Russia will use its largest and most-powerful nukes to defend the territory it occupies in Ukraine, a staunch ally of Vladimir Putin has insisted today. Dmitry Medvedev, who served as a stand-in for Putin from 2008 to 2012, vowed the territories will become part of Russia when referendums are held this week - after which 'any Russian weapons' will be used to defend them. That includes 'strategic nuclear weapons' such as Putin's giant new Sarmat missile, Medvedev said, and 'weapons based on new principles' - likely a reference to hypersonic technology that the Kremlin claims is invulnerable to air defences. 'The Western establishment [and] all citizens of the NATO countries need to understand that Russia has chosen its own path. There is no way back,' he added. Russia will use its largest nuclear weapons to defend its new territories in Ukraine, a staunch Putin ally has said (pictured, Sarmat nuclear missile) Dmitry Medvedev, head of the Russian security council, said Russia's hypersonic weapons could strike the West as he issued new threat today Medvedev spoke out a day after Putin gave a fire-and-brimstone speech in which he issued a fresh nuclear threat against the West, telling world leaders: 'I'm not bluffing.' But Liz Truss, the UK Prime Minister, hit back in a speech at the UN last night - telling Putin the West would not be 'cowed' by nuclear blackmail. She vowed billions more in support for Ukraine, and said that Britain would not stop arming the country until Russia is defeated. US President Joe Biden was similarly defiant, pledging the West will 'stand in solidarity against Russia's aggression, period.' He added: 'A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.' Putin also announced the 'partial mobilisation' of Russia's military reserves yesterday, including those with combat experience and 'special skills' the army needs. It marks the first time since World War Two that Russia has press-ganged its population into the army, and comes in the wake of another humiliating defeat. Ukraine last week scored a major victory by routing Russia's army to the east of Kharkiv, leaving troops fighting for control of the Donbas vulnerable. Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defence minister, said 300,000 Russian men will now be conscripted and sent to the front - twice the size of the initial invading force - in the hopes of stopping the rot and capturing the whole of the Donbas region. Putin has been forced to call up his military reserves as his war in Ukraine fails, prompting young Russian men to try and flee the country last night Queues of cars trying to get out of Russia form on the country's border with Georgia hours after Putin announced mobilisation Videos have revealed what appear to be the first bus-loads of men departing from some of Russia's remotest regions towards the frontlines today. But experts and analysts have said the reinforcements are unlikely to turn the tide of the war in Putin's favour, and may actually hurt him by angering the population. Overnight, there were protests in around 30 Russian cities against the war with hundreds of people arrested. Thousands more tried to flee the country to escape the draft, with plane tickets to visa-free nations selling out within hours. Huge traffic jams and queues also built up at border points overnight, while social media was flooded with messages - including wives threatening to break their husband's bones to make them unfit to fight. Russia is now almost seven months into what was supposed to be a days-long war to topple the Ukrainian government and install a loyal puppet in its place. Instead, Putin has found himself bogged down in a grinding attritional war against a dogged enemy backed by Western arms and money. His military has made some gains - capturing territory in the south and east equivalent to the size of Belgium - and now appears to be trying to consolidate. Putin yesterday announced referendums that will take place in the occupied regions of Ukraine, on whether or not to become part of the mainland. A man is carried away by security personnel in Moscow tonight as thousands took to the streets to protest against the war and the mobilisation of reservists A woman is carried away by Russian police in Moscow tonight during a demonstration against the Russian president's latest escalation in the Ukraine conflict A man is dragged away by Russian security forces at a protest in Moscow tonight against Vladimir Putin's order for the mobilisation of military reservists When - and not if - the sham votes pass, he vowed to us 'all means' to defend them. That spooked nuclear experts, because Russia's long-standing policy is that it can use nukes to defend itself in the event of an 'existential threat' to the country. Putin suggested attacks on the 'new territories' may be considered such a threat, which was underlined by Medvedev today. He wrote on Telegram: 'Results of the decisions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of 09/21/22 '1. Referendums will be held, and the Donbass republics and other territories will be admitted to Russia. '2. The protection of all the territories that have joined will be significantly strengthened by the Russian Armed Forces. '3. Russia announced that not only mobilization capabilities, but also any Russian weapons, including strategic nuclear weapons and weapons based on new principles, could be used for such protection. 'Therefore, various retired idiots with generals' stripes do not need to scare us with talk about a NATO strike on Crimea. 'Hypersonics are guaranteed to be able to reach targets in Europe and the United States much faster. 'But the Western establishment, in general, all citizens of the NATO countries need to understand that Russia has chosen its own path. There is no way back.' Ms Marsh subsequently collapsed in a busy street and later died in hospital The family of a mother-of five with an acute dairy allergy who died after eating a Pret a Manger vegan wrap that was contaminated with traces of milk have called for stricter food testing. Celia Marsh, 42, suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction after eating the 3.75 sandwich from a Pret store in Bath, Somerset, in December 2017. The dental nurse from Melksham, Wiltshire, had a severe dairy allergy but believed the super-veg rainbow flatbread to be dairy-free. But the coconut yoghurt used as dressing was later found to have traces of milk protein in it. Mrs Marsh, who 'religiously avoided' all dairy products and carried an EpiPen with her, subsequently collapsed in a busy street and died in hospital two days after Christmas. The product was supplied by Planet Coconut, a firm set up by 'mumpreneur' Bethany Eaton. She bought the licence to market and distribute COYO in the UK from its Australian founder Henry Gosling - and built it into a multi-million pound business. But she admitted not carrying out any testing of the raw product, which was made in a UK Tate and Lyle factory, after relying on 'assurances' from Mr Gosling it was dairy free, the inquest heard. Senior coroner Maria Voisin today reached a narrative conclusion following a two-week inquest into Mrs Marsh's death at Avon Coroner's Court in Bristol, adding that lessons must be learnt to prevent future deaths. The coroner concluded that Mrs Marsh died from 'anaphylaxis triggered by the consumption of milk protein' she had unknowingly consumed 15 minutes earlier. Celia Marsh, 42, suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction after eating a 'super-veg rainbow flatbread' at a Pret store Family of Celia Marsh, (from left) Mrs Marsh's mother Jen Gower, Mrs Marsh's daughter's Kayleigh Grice, Brenna Grice, Ashleigh Grice (speaking), Mrs Marsh's husband Andy Marsh, and her daughter Shanaye Grice, outside Avon Coroner's Court in Bristol today Mrs Marsh had been enjoying a family meal at the Pret A Manger store (pictured) in Bath, Somerset, in December 2017. 'Enough is enough': Full statement from the family of Celia Marsh following the conclusion of inquest Speaking outside the inquest, Celia's eldest daughter Ashleigh Grice, 27, read a further statement on behalf of the family. She said: 'Our mum Celia was our rock, she was the soul of our family. She wasn't just our mum, wife, daughter and sister. She was a best friend to us all. She was the family. She was our world. 'We miss her every day and will always carry the unbearable pain of her loss. 'Never to share her love and laughter again, or to see her as the doting Nan she would have been. 'It is now almost five years since our mum Celia was suddenly and tragically taken from us. She knew she had a serious food allergy. 'Because of that constant fear, mum was extremely cautious in all she ate, checking every label - often triple checking - for dairy. 'On that terrible day she trusted the 'dairy-free' labelling in the Pret a Manger store. But the vegan wrap had been contaminated with milk protein. The contents were poisonous to her and she collapsed in the street. 'We would like to thank all the first responders, bystanders and hospital staff who helped our mum Celia on the day she died - especially trained first aider Brendan Turvey, who cared for her at the scene. 'There are many lessons to be learned from our loss to prevent other families suffering as we do: The woeful lack of testing in the food supply chain for products that claim to be dairy free or free from The inconsistent use by food businesses of vague labelling such as 'may contain' and 'produced in a factory where*' And the failure of the healthcare system to help people with serious food allergies 'We strongly support the recommendation that food-related anaphylaxis is officially registered as a notifiable disease. This would help save lives. 'Finally, we would like to thank the Coroner for her verdict today and our amazing legal team of Jeremy Hyam, Hannah Noyce, and Leigh Day. 'The inquest has helped bring us closer to some answers. 'It is now clear to us that if Planet Coconut had passed on the warnings in their possession to Pret a Manger about the risk of cross-contamination mum would still be alive today. Mum's death, like so many other allergy deaths, was entirely avoidable. 'As a family we believe that action must be taken now by the food industry and the government. We need better testing, better labelling, and better healthcare. 'To prevent other families having to carry the grief that we will always hold. Enough is enough.' Advertisement Ms Voisin told the inquest: 'She had a known allergy to milk. On that day in Bath city centre she had a super-veg rainbow flatbread which she believed was safe to eat. 'She suffered an anaphylaxis caused by milk protein in the yoghurt in the wrap. This caused her to collapse and, despite the efforts of medical teams involved, she died.' Ms Voisin continued: 'Celia Marsh was allergic to milk. She died when she suffered anaphylaxis caused by consumption of a wrap contaminated with milk protein. 'She was not aware that the wrap contained milk protein. The wrap contained a product with was labelled as dairy-free yoghurt alternative but, despite this, contained milk protein which was the cause of Celia's anaphylaxis. 'The contamination arose because an ingredient in the yoghurt called HG1 (a starch) had been cross-contaminated with milk protein during its manufacture. 'The manufacturer of the dairy-free yoghurt had in its possession documentation that flagged this risk but this risk was not passed on to its customers.' Speaking outside the inquest today, Celia's eldest daughter Ashleigh Grice, 27, read a statement on behalf of the family. She said: 'Our mum Celia was our rock, she was the soul of our family. She wasn't just our mum, wife, daughter and sister. 'She was a best friend to us all. She was the family. She was our world. 'We miss her every day and will always carry the unbearable pain of her loss. Never to share her love and laughter again, or to see her as the doting Nan she would have been. The statement added: 'As a family we believe that action must be taken now by the food industry and the government. 'We need better testing, better labelling, and better healthcare. 'To prevent other families having to carry the grief that we will always hold. Enough is enough.' Celia's husband Andy Marsh, 51, described his wife, who who he married in 2007, as his 'best friend' and called for tighter testing. He said: 'Any manufacturer who makes something that is then labelled 'free from' has to take the responsibility for the testing to make sure it is exactly that. 'I want to see testing at every stage of the process to make sure nothing gets through the cracks and to provide a safety net. 'People with allergies are currently relying solely on the fact that the packaging says it is 'free from'. 'Surely more testing along the way - even if it is more time consuming - would be better going forward.' Pret a Manger chief executive Pano Christou said today that the incident 'should never happen again'. He added: 'As a father and husband, I can only imagine how distressing this has been for Celia's children and family. 'Our deepest sympathies remain with everyone who knew and loved Celia. 'We fully support the coroner's findings. As the coroner made clear, Planet Coconut had information which should have alerted them that their Coyo yoghurt may have contained milk and this information was not passed on to Pret. Mrs 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 'It goes without saying that if Pret had ever known that the Coyo yoghurt may have contained milk, we would have never used the ingredient. 'On Pret's part, we have taken significant steps forward with our suppliers and labelling policies since 2017. 'Through the Pret allergy plan, we made a clear commitment to lead the industry in developing new policies for people with food allergies. 'We will continue to do everything we can to help every customer get the information they need to make the right choice for them.' Celia's daughter Kayleigh Grice, 20, was shopping with her mother at the time, but had split to go for a separate lunch. Teenage girl, 15, died of allergic reaction to Pret a Manger baguette just a year earlier Mrs Marsh's death came just a year after Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, died in similar circumstances when she suffered a reaction to hidden sesames in a Pret baguette in 2016. She knew she was allergic to milk, eggs, banana, nuts and sesame seeds so along with her dad, Nadim, had checked the label carefully. But the artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette contained sesame seeds that were baked into the dough and were not visible or listed in the ingredients. Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, suffered an allergic reaction to a Pret baguette She went into anaphylactic shock within minutes of take off on a British Airways flight to France. Despite efforts to give her adrenaline shots, she was unable to breathe and suffered a heart attack and later died in a French hospital on July 17, 2016. Her father Nadim administered two Epi-pens which delivered potentially lifesaving adrenaline to his daughter as she struggled to breathe. But they did not work and she suffered multiple cardiac arrests. Advertisement She said: 'I do often think that if we had maybe gone with her, then maybe she wouldn't have eaten the sandwich and she would still be there now. 'But obviously Andy was with her, looking after her and checking on her anyway so you just can't think like that. 'Labelling has to be better for people with allergies. There has to be clearer messages. 'Mum was so on it with labelling, she would triple check everything. If there was any hint that something may contain something she was allergic to, she wouldn't touch it or even go anywhere near it. 'Change has to come to make sure no other family goes through what we went through. This should not happen ever again.' Earlier during the inquest, Mr Marsh told the court of how his wife began to feel 'a bit funny' after eating the wrap as they were in clothing store Gap and both then decided to leave the shop. He described how his wife suffered from asthma and eczema and suffered from a dairy allergy. She only drank soya milk, always read the labels on food and, if she was not sure whether or not something contained dairy, she would always ask for more information. This meticulous approach followed a severe allergic reaction she had suffered after eating a marshmallow the previous May. On the morning of the incident, Mr Marsh said he believed his wife had eaten her usual breakfast of overnight oats with fruit and soya milk. Shortly after 1pm, their daughter Taylor, then aged seven, said that she was hungry and went into a pasty shop to get a sausage roll. Mrs Marsh went with her but did not buy any food there because the staff said that the pasties were washed in egg and milk. Instead, she purchased a super-veg rainbow flatbread from Pret A Manger on Stall Street, which she believed to be dairy-free. The family then headed towards Gap, with Mrs Marsh eating her sandwich as she walked. While they were in the Gap store, Mrs Marsh told her husband she 'felt a bit funny', but she often felt like that after she had eaten something new. After a quick look upstairs the family left the shop. Because it was cold outside as they headed back down Stall Street, Mrs Marsh took out her inhaler, her husband told the court. But the court heard she then revealed she was struggling to breathe and asked her husband to call for an ambulance. Mrs Marsh collapsed while he was on the phone and an off-duty doctor rushed over to assist. She was rushed to hospital, but died days later. Brenna Grice, 22, told of the moment she returned to find that her mother had collapsed. She said: 'We walked down this street and saw a massive crowd - it was a very distressing scene. Someone we knew came up to us and told us it was our mum on the floor. 'We could not believe that it was our mum. Even though she had allergies, I never believed this would happen to her. 'I would not wish what had happened to us on any other family. After the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse you would think lessons would have been learned, and it would not happen again - but it has.' The mother-of-five, pictured here with her husband Andy Marsh, was rushed to hospital after the incident in December 2017 but she sadly later died Ms Ednan-Laperouse died in similar circumstances when she suffered a reaction to hidden sesames in a Pret baguette purchased at Heathrow Airport which did not display it had them as an ingredient. She had a sesame allergy. The tragedy sparked an overhaul of food labelling laws which now requires food retailers 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. Ms Voisin said she would be writing a prevention of future deaths report to the Food Standards Agency and the Royal College of Pathologists. She told the inquest that changes had taken place at both Pret and Planet Coconut, so her report would not be directed at them. The coroner said she would write to the Royal College of Pathologists asking for current guidelines to be revisited, including retaining bloods taken in hospital for future testing. Senior coroners should be informed if a death in their area is potentially due to anaphylaxis at the earliest opportunity, while post-mortem examinations in such cases should be prioritised, Ms Voisin told the hearing. Mrs Marsh died after eating a 'super-veg rainbow flatbread' (pictured) which had been contaminated with milk protein She will ask the Food Standards Agency to inform a 'small subset' of adult allergy sufferers of the dangers of inadvertent exposure to allergens, as there is 'no safe level'. Labels such as 'may contain', 'free from' and 'vegan' could be misleading, she said. There could be testing of products marked as 'dairy free' throughout the supply chain, Ms Voisin added. She will also question whether anaphylaxis should be a notifiable disease. A statement from Planet Coconut, who were the UK manufacturer for COYO in the UK, reads: 'We have cooperated fully with the inquest and our thoughts remain as ever with the family of Mrs Marsh.' 'We are deeply regretful for having trusted and relied upon the assurances given to us by COYO and Henry Gosling.' 'We bought a licence from COYO in Australia to manufacture and sell a dairy free coconut yoghurt in the UK. 'Under this licence, we were obligated to buy the HG1 starch from COYO. We were given many assurances by Henry Gosling, the owner of COYO, that this was made in a dairy free production environment, specifically for COYO.' 'Dairy-free is something we are deeply passionate about and is why we bought the COYO licence in the first place. Henry Gosling and COYO withheld vital allergen information about this product from us until after Celia Marsh's tragic death.' On the labelling, a spokesperson added: 'The rules around labelling of raw ingredients need to be reviewed in light of this. 'Vaguely worded labels, like those printed on HG1 in fine print stating "manufactured in a factory that handles", are inadequate and should instead carry a "may contain" warning for customers.' The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation after a United Airlines jet was forced to make an emergency landing when a shower of sparks flew off and debris fell to the ground moments after taking off from Newark Airport. The Boeing 777-200ER, which took off from Newark heading for Sao Paulo, Brazil, at 11.24pm, had to enter a holding pattern at 24,000 feet over the Atlantic after experiencing what is suspected to be a hydraulic pressure pump failure on landing the landing gear. Approximately an hour and a half later, after dumping fuel over the ocean to reduce weight, the aircraft made a safe emergency landing back at Newark Airport. The FFA have now confirmed they are probing the cause of the malfunction. The terrifying moment was purportedly caught on video by a nearby plane spotter, who captured the shower of sparks streaming from the landing gear compartment of the Boeing 777. He also took a photograph of a piece of rectangular, rusty-looking piece of debris that fell to the ground. Despite the dramatic scenes, the plane landed safely after the crew reported an emergency and that an investigation is under way. There were no reports of any casualties or injuries among the crew and passengers. Video of what was thought to be a United Airlines Boeing 777 shedding debris and showers of sparks was caught last night after it took off from Newark A photo of the debris that fell from the plane was captured by a nearby plane spotter. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed they are investigating the incident The flight map shows flight UA149 entering a holding pattern at 24,000 feet over the Atlantic after experiencing what is suspected to be a hydraulic pressure pump failure In a statement, United Airlines said: 'After our aircraft experienced a mechanical issue shortly after takeoff, it remained in the air to burn fuel and then landed safely. 'Passengers deplaned at the gate and a new aircraft is scheduled to depart this morning.' The FFA said: 'United Airlines Flight 149, a Boeing 777-200, landed safely at Newark Liberty International Airport shortly before 1 a.m. local time today after the crew reported an emergency. 'The flight departed Newark and was headed to Sao Paulo, Brazil before it returned. The FAA will investigate.' Boeing 777s are equipped with three hydraulic systems. The left, center and right systems deliver hydraulic fluid at a rated pressure to operate flight controls, flap systems, actuators, landing gear and brakes. Primary hydraulic power for the left and right systems is provided by two engine-driven pumps and supplemented by two on-demand electric motor-driven pumps, according to power company Eaton. The incident is not the first involving United Airlines' fleet of rapidly ageing Boeing 777s, which are some of the oldest models of their kind in the world. In February 2021, a United Airlines Boeing 777 suffered an uncontained engine failure after departing from Denver to Honolulu. A loud bang was heard just four minutes after take off and pieces of the engine began to plummet to the ground over Broomfield, CO. Jet engine parts were scattered around the entire suburb, with the entire engine inlet lip ending up in one piece in a resident's front yard. No one was injured in the incident. The incident is not the first involving United Airlines' fleet of rapidly ageing Boeing 777s (pictured), which are some of the oldest models of their kind in the world Plane spotter Hayden Smith caught the dramatic moment on camera from the ground. All 241 passengers and crew were able to land safely 23 minutes after take off and just 19 minutes after the engine imploded. The airline later released a statement announcing 'out of an abundance of caution' that they were grounding 24 Boeing 777 aircraft 'powered by Pratt & Whitney 4000 series engines from [their] schedule.' The Federal Aviation Administration then announced that all Boeing 777s equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW4070 engines would be grounded until further notice. During this time a thorough investigation into the engine failure was carried out. United Airlines said that they were working closely with the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board to 'determine any additional steps that are needed to ensure [their] aircraft meet [their] rigorous safety standards and can return to service.' The FAA issued a directive that extra care be given to the maintenance inspection of the Boeing 777s. Specifically, the FAA cites the 'hollow fan blades that are unique to this model of engine' as the reason for the incident. A police officer has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a male colleague during a drunken night out when he told his fellow officer that he had a 'sizeable package' before grabbing his penis over his clothes. PC James Holt, 32, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, who serves with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), left his victim - who cannot be named for legal reasons - feeling 'violated'. Liverpool & Knowsley Magistrates' Court heard how Holt and the officer had joined other trainees for a night out in Manchester in April, last year. Louise McCloskey, prosecuting, told the court how some of the group had visited the Barca Bar earlier in the evening but Holt was asked to leave because he was so 'intoxicated'. They joined other colleagues and made their way to the Rain Bar, also in Manchester city centre, but as they walked along Holt told the victim that he had a 'big penis'. He also told his fellow officer that he had a 'sizeable package' before grabbing his penis over his clothes, Ms McCloskey said. PC James Holt (pictured outside the court), 32, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, who serves with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), left his victim - who cannot be named for legal reasons - feeling 'violated' Liverpool & Knowsley Magistrates' Court (pictured) heard how Holt and the officer had joined other trainees for a night out in Manchester in April, last year Holt grabbed his penis a second time, and when the victim told a female colleague he had been groped, she replied: 'He better not do that to any of the girls.' Later in the evening, Holt confronted his victim and repeatedly asked him, 'Do you know something?' while poking him in the chest, the court heard. Giving evidence, the victim said the entire group had been drunk but Holt's 'level of drunkenness was higher', while his behaviour was 'unacceptable'. 'He was saying that I had a large penis without knowing anything about it,' the officer said. 'Initially, I thought he was just joking but the conversation continued. 'I just tried to ignore it and go back to normal conversation. 'He said I had a sizeable package and proceeded to grab my crotch area. He put his hand on my penis over my trousers.' Asked by Ms McCloskey how he felt afterwards, the officer said: 'I was taken aback, I felt violated.' He added that he had not understood why Holt had repeatedly asked him whether he 'knew something' while poking him hard in the chest. The court heard that two days later Holt sent a message to his victim using a group WhatsApp - called 'Big Time Cops' - saying he could not remember much about the night out but wanted to apologise for his behaviour. The officer had replied: 'It's no problem mate. Don't worry about it.' Although the officer had not initially pursued a complaint, a colleague who was assigned to work alongside Holt later alerted superiors. Holt (pictured outside the court) had denied a charge of sexual assault but was found guilty after a two-day trial A formal complaint was subsequently made to the force's professional standards branch and Holt was arrested. Julia Smart KC, defending, said the reason the victim had not lodged a complaint against Holt, who is heterosexual and has a partner, was because he did not view what happened as 'such a big deal'. She described Holt's behaviour as 'inappropriate, horseplay or banter', but not a sexual assault. The victim said it had taken time for him to process what happened and he had not 'felt comfortable' about pursuing a complaint. Holt had denied a charge of sexual assault but was found guilty after a two-day trial. District judge Timothy Roswell, who delivered the verdict, granted him unconditional bail until sentencing on October 31. GMP said Holt has been placed on restricted duties and that misconduct proceedings will recommence upon conclusion of criminal proceedings. In 2019 the father and son pair were busted for possession of an illegal firearm, as well as possessing $150,000 worth of marijuana An aspiring GOP congresswoman running against Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with attacks on the US Rep's soft-on-crime stance has a husband and son who have both been convicted of serious crimes. Tina Forte, 52, has blamed increasing crime rates on bail laws that New York State liberalized four years ago, saying that she will be tougher on crime than AOC. She has even shared finger-jabbing campaign videos of herself targeting the so-called Squad member's progressive beliefs on law and order. But Forte makes no mention of the repeated disgrace heaped on her family by her close relatives' grubby criminal antics. Forte's husband Joseph Joey Snapple Galdieri, 55, has been in and out of jail several times. Her son Joseph Jr, 28, has also spent time in the slammer - despite trying to avoid prison by moaning about his food allergies. The father and son ran a huge cannabis dealing operation from the family's beverage company in the Bronx, according to the Daily Beast. A gun with its serial number filed-off was found on the same premises, even though Galdieri Sr and Jr's prior felony convictions ban them from owning firearms. Forte, who bills herself as a fervent Donald Trump and police supporter, has been accused in the past of using her maiden name to distance herself from her 'crime family', with the hashtag 'galdiericrimefamily' being widely used online. Tina Forte (pictured with blonde bob) has declared a war on crime in her attempt to be elected for congress in the Bronx, but did not reveal that both her husband Joseph Galdieri, 55, and son Joseph Jr, 28, are both serial criminals with federal charges against them Forte has bragged about growing up in the Bronx as part of her campaign to become US rep., writing on her website that she and her husband built their own beverage distribution company. But the family's wealth - which includes a $1 million, seven-bed home in Nanuet, New York, comes from illegally pushing drugs. Forte's son, Joseph Jr, 28, and her husband were involved in the center of a federal drug and gun bust in 2019 at the soda warehouse which ended in both pleading guilty. She has slammed AOCs supported bail reform, telling Fox News: I grew up here, I own a business here, I raised my family here. I see the difference. We have the criminals that are being released immediately due to the AOC-supported bail reform. Galderi Sr (right) was convicted of a second-degree assautl charge in 2013 while his son (left) has convictions for drugs raps across several states Forte has blamed increasing crime rates on bail laws approved by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Forte also claimed that crime is out of control in the area, in a series of interviews slamming her Democrat incumbent. A FBI investigation found that Galderi Jr arranged the drop off of $150,000 worth of marijuana over the phone, at the same time security cameras at their business address caught his father pacing behind him. The investigation also claims that Galderi Sr handed a co-conspirator to the drugs charges a plastic bag full of cash. He was also caught on camera opening a drawer which contained a semiautomatic pistol with its serial number illegally abraded in a drawer. Both father and son were already convicted felons at the time of the offence, so neither could legally possess a firearm. Galderi Snr was found guilty of second-degree assault previously, while Galderi Jr had substance charges across several states. She has been accused in the past of using her maiden name to distance herself from her 'crime family', with the hashtag 'galdiericrimefamily' being widely used online Her husband and son were caught on surveillance footage at their soda beverage warehouse handling an illegal firearm and handing over bags of cash In a statement Forte said her sons mistakes better have ended or he will have more to worry about than the police' His father was handed a sentence of time served, plus two years probation and a $20,000 forfeiture of his criminal gains. In June of this year Galdieri Jr attempted to get his prison time of 18 months reduced, claiming that the prisons were unable to address his allergies and medical needs. The motion was denied in a ruling that ridiculed the veracity of his claims. A judge also noted that he persisted in criminal conduct even while on pretrial release by continuing to deal marijuana. He has since been released from prison, with Forte saying in a statement that her sons mistakes better have ended or he will have more to worry about than the police. She added: One of my three children, Joseph, made some very poor decisions. In 2019 at 25, he committed a nonviolent marijuana offense and possessed a firearm. She has slammed AOCs supported bail reform, telling Fox News: I grew up here, I own a business here, I raised my family here. I see the difference' As part of her pledge to become a representative, Forte calls for expunging the records of non-violent charges for marijuana possession Galderi Sr was handed a sentence of time served, plus two years probation and a $20,000 forfeiture of his criminal gains. Pictured: The family home in Nanuet, New York Joseph paid the price, in fines, attorney fees, and time behind bars. As for my husband, he was unaware of our sons crimes. He was only roped into the charges because of my son utilizing our business location for a single delivery of marijuana. As a result of my sons conduct our lives were turned upside down. My son knows he has no more chances with me. This experience has given me insights to the reforms we desperately need, including decriminalization of marijuana, expungement of marijuana violations, and restoring rights for nonviolent offenders. Forte only made the statement when contacted by the Daily Beast, who'd exposed her family's crime-soaked past. As part of her pledge to become a representative, Forte calls for expunging the records of non-violent charges for marijuana possession. New York legalized recreational cannabis use in 2021, but it still does not allow unlicensed sale of the drug. Her website does not comment on federal gun charges or violent offences like her sons 2013 assault charge, and her sons prior convictions involve drugs other than marijuana. Hussain has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison in Italy A British millionaire City trader has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison in Italy for beating up his model ex-girlfriend and threatening to torch her home. Ajaz Shah Hussain, 38, also burnt his terrified Rania Baffoun, 28, with a hot iron on her face as 'punishment' during their 18-month stormy relationship, the court heard. One of the exhibits in the case against him was the iron and graphic pictures of the injuries she suffered were shown in court although he claimed Rania had 'brushed against the iron' while he was using it. Prosecutor Davide Ercolani explained to the court in Rimini, Italy, how Hussain, who was the CEO of a foreign trading firm called Fortitude Capital, was arrested after police were called to Rania's flat. Married father of two Hussain who has luxury homes in Knightsbridge and Milan was held after driving to Rimini in his gold coloured UK registered 165,000 Lamborghini. The court heard how witnesses described how he was shouting and threatening to release a sex tape the couple had made before trying to set fire to the car in January 2021. British millionaire City trader, Ajaz Shah Hussain, has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison in Italy for beating up his model ex-girlfriend and threatening to torch her home One of the exhibits in the case against him was the iron and graphic pictures of the injuries she suffered were shown in court although he claimed Rania had 'brushed against the iron' while he was using it Ajaz Shah Hussain, 38, also burnt his terrified Rania Baffoun, 28, (pictured)with a hot iron on her face as 'punishment' during their 18-month stormy relationship, the court heard Mr Ercolani explained how Rania, who is of Tunisian origin but has Italian nationality, was the victim of repeated domestic violence and had been hospitalised twice with her injuries. She said he burnt her with a hot iron as a 'punishment' and in August 2019 and police were called to the Milan flat they shared, after Hussain allegedly strangled her and punched her in the face. Mr Ercolani told the court how a 'simple domestic appliance was turned into a lethal weapon' as he showed pictures of burns on Rania's face to the shocked hearing. He also described how Hussain filmed himself as he threatened his girlfriend with a knife saying he would kill her then 'hire the best and most expensive lawyers' to get him off. Hussain also tried to run Rania over outside his Knightsbridge flat in December 2020 and she had then decided to leave him and return to her home in Rimini to escape his abusive controlling behaviour, the court heard. As he was arrested outside her home, the prosecutor said he shouted at police:' You don't scare me, you can't do anything to me because I can buy anyone I want.' Married father of two Hussain who has luxury homes in Knightsbridge and Milan was held after driving to Rimini in his gold coloured UK registered 165,000 Lamborghini (pictured) As Hussain was arrested outside her home (pictured), the prosecutor said he shouted at police:' You don't scare me, you can't do anything to me because I can buy anyone I want.' Prosecutor Davide Ercolani explained to the court in Rimini, Italy, how Hussain, who was the CEO of a foreign trading firm called Fortitude Capital, was arrested after police were called to Rania's flat. Pictured: Court documents showing Hussain's mugshot following his arrest Hussain who is originally from Solihull - did not appear in court and was sentenced in his absence and officials will now try to have him extradited to Italy so he can serve his sentence. In a statement to court he had claimed Rania was a high class prostitute who he had fallen in love with and had invited her to live with him at his Knightsbridge flat after meeting her in London in 2018. He said he had given her more than 150,000 for plastic surgery including a breast enhancement, lip work and dental implants as well as jewellery and money for a car. But he said the relationship turned sour late in 2019 and she fled back to Italy. In a statement at an earlier hearing he said: ''It quickly became apparent to me that this woman was just after money - even though she told me she was no longer having sex with clients. 'Shortly after we met, a 45,000 watch went missing and she admitted taking it from me. ''I would pay for everything she wanted but she also became jealous of my wife, I am allowed to have a wife and take another woman, but she wasn't happy with it. ''I spent thousands on her so that she wouldn't return to prostitution but the relationship just degenerated. ''I didn't attack her with an iron, what happened was I was ironing something and she accidentally brushed her arm against it. ''I just went to see her after we finally ended the relationship and I wanted to try and get my money back as well as the Mercedes car I had got her.'' Court documents list his UK address as 199 Knightsbridge, one of the of the most exclusive apartment blocks in London where homes sell for more than 7million. His Milan address was given as Giax Tower, one Milan's most luxurious residences where homes sell for over 1million. Hussain was also ordered to pay 60,000 Euro compensation to Rania and her lawyer Umberto De Gregorio said:'With this verdict my client has found some serenity that she lost. Justice has been done and the judge believed what happened and this was not the result of her exaggerations or aspirations.' Advertisement Bermuda residents are boarding up their homes and businesses as Category 4 Hurricane Fiona heads toward the island with winds up to 135 mph and 50 feet tidal swells. The storm has reached winds upward of 130mph and is expected to reach Bermuda by Friday morning before touching down in northeastern Canada by Saturday. Scott Barnes, a fisherman, prepared for the incoming storm on Thursday by adding four anchors to one of his boats, and moving the others to a cove to protect them from the hurricane. 'I'm taking this serious,' Barnes said. As of Thursday afternoon, Fiona had maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour and was about 410 miles southwest of Bermuda and moving north-northeast at 13 mph, the National Hurricane Center in Miami. A hurricane warning remained in effect for all of Bermuda, home to more than 60,000 people, and the eye of the storm is expected to pass just west of Bermuda on Thursday night, the center said. 'I'm taking every precaution to stay safe,' resident DeanWilliams said. 'Preparation is the key because as its highest intensity we can do nothing but wait it out.' Officials issued a travel warning and warned U.S. residents that wish to leave the island to do so immediately before Fiona's grand arrival, according to the Bermuda Travel Advisory. Over one million homes and businesses are still without power in Puerto Rico Thursday morning after the now-Category 4 Hurricane Fiona made its way across the island. A man in Hamilton, Bermuda was seen boarding up a business as the threat of Hurricane Fiona lingers. The storm is currently a Category 4 threat and is swiftly moving towards Bermuda with winds up to 135mph Residents and store owners are quickly preparing for the storm to arrive on Friday. Along with strong winds, the storm will also bring 50 feet tidal swells Scott Barnes, a fisherman, was preparing his boats by placing one off a cove with multiple anchors and sheltering two others. Pictured: a man preparing for Hurricane Fiona Residents said they were taking every precaution to stay safe - especially after the storm left Puerto Ricans without powers for days A hurricane warning has been issued for all of the island of Bermuda. Hurricane Fiona ignited off Puerto Rico's coast on Sunday as Category 1 storm before heading to the Dominican Republic A woman was seen in Hamilton, Bermuda walking into a boarded up clothing store amid the threat of FionaT Hurricane Fiona is expected to bring winds up to 135 mph and 50 feet tidal swells The projected path of Hurricane Fiona: The storm is estimated to hit Bermuda by Friday morning and Nova Scotia by Saturday The impact of the storm as it is projected to land in northeastern Canada by Saturday Hurricane Fiona has been roaring since September 14. The map above shows the direction the storm has traveled Bermuda's incoming storm is expected to bring heavy rain and flash flooding, along with 'pounding surf,' according to The Weather Channel. Island residents aren't sure what to expect but prepare for the worst after hearing about the tragedy in neighboring islands. Hurricane Fiona ignited off Puerto Rico's coast on Sunday as Category 1 storm before heading to the Dominican Republic. As the storm approaches Bermuda, some residents have fled the island while others are sticking out the horrendous storm. 'Get yourself some batteries and water and couple cans of stuff,' one resident told Fox Weather. 'if the generator's running, now you should be okay.' 'We're lucky in that we have water for our home use is under our house in a tank,' another resident said. 'So as long as you have a bucket and a rope and you can dip your tank to use it for your household needs, you're all set to go.' Others said that many residents have prepared their gas stoves or barbecues. 'We're always ready,' she said. Hurricane Fiona is expected to reach northeastern Canada by Saturday and has been dubbed, 'One of Canada's Strongest Storms, according to The Weather Channel. Rainfall is expected on Friday in Canada as the storm goes north. Price Edward Island, central and western Nova Scotia and parts of western Newfoundland have received hurricane watch advisories. Those areas have also been advised to 'expect prolonged power outages, numerous downed trees, structural damage, washed out roads and significant coastal erosion. The storm's effects are also anticipated to reach eastern Maine and New Brunswick, Quebec and Labrador. An estimated eight people have died as a result of the storm passing through Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, according to Reuters. A count by CNN indicates at least one death in Guadeloupe, two in Puerto Rico and two in the Dominican Republic. In addition to the power outages across Puerto Rico, more than 450,000 people are still without water service as of Thursday. Pictured: people removing downed trees in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona left the island without power. Puerto Ricans are still picking up the pieces from the horrific storm In the Dominican Republic, more than a million people are without running water while just under 350,000 homes and businesses were without power An estimated eight have died as a result of the storm passing through Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the Turks and Caicos Islands Hurricane Fiona tore across Puerto Rico while tearing bridges and lifting ocean water onto land Currently, the pace to restore power to homes is faster than efforts performed after Hurricane Maria hit in 2017 when all 1.5 million homes were without power for a week. The now-bankrupt Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority took 11 months to restore power to all customers. LUMA Energy, which now presides over the island's power, said 'full restoration could take several days.' In the Dominican Republic, more than a million people are without running water while just under 350,000 homes and businesses were without power as of Wednesday. Maj. Gen. Juan Mendez Garcia, director of the DR's emergency operations center, told CNN that more than 600 homes had been destroyed while some communities are without access to aid. President Joe Biden announced Wednesday the approval of a major disaster declaration for the territory which will allow Puerto Ricans access to grants for temporary housing and home repairs in addition to low-interest loans to cover property losses. 'This ensures that our people will have access to additional help from FEMA to recover from the damage caused by this event,' Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi tweeted. Complementing the president's efforts, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has deployed staff from city agencies to help Puerto Rican officials survey the damage. 'The team will include representatives from New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), New York City Department of Buildings, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and the New York City Department of Design and Construction,' according to a news release from the mayor's office. Power is estimated to be restored to Puerto Rico in the next 'several days' A man in Wheelchair looks at a flooded road after the passage of hurricane Fiona in Salinas, Puerto Rico Homes are flooded on Salinas Beach after the passing of Hurricane Fiona Nino Correa estimated at least six Puerto Rican municipalities were cut off by the then-Category 1 hurricane A member of the Puerto Rico National Guard guides a truck with supplies to be distributed in an affected community A woman washes the dishes in a house near the highway connecting Miches with El Seibo in the northeast of the Dominican Republic A man collects spring water from a mountain next to a highway in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Cayey, Puerto Rico Commissioner for Puerto Rico's emergency management agency Nino Correa estimated at least six Puerto Rican municipalities were cut off by the then-Category 1 hurricane. 'We are all isolated,' Manuel Veguilla, who lives in the cut-off neighborhood of Caguas, told CBS News. Though the federal government has announced a public health emergency on the island, damage estimates have yet to be made. It is estimated that Fiona dropped up to 30 inches of rain in some parts of Puerto Rico as more than 1,000 people are in shelters. The Turks and Caicos Islands have reported minimal damage and no deaths, despite the eye of the storm passing near Grand Turk, the British territory's capital island. 'God has been good to us and has kept us safe during this period when we could have had a far worse outcome,' Deputy Gov. Anya Williams said. As government officials have started visiting islands to make repairs, many areas across the territory are still without power as of Wednesday including Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay, North Caicos, and Middle Caicos. This aerial picture taken on September 20, 2022, shows a flooded area in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, after the the power went out with the passage of Hurricane Fiona. Aerial picture taken on September 20, 2022, in Utuado, Puerto Rico Aerial picture taken on September 20, 2022, shows a flooded area in Arecibo, Puerto Rico Members of the Puerto Rico National Guard distribute water in an affected community in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Ponce, Puerto Rico Government employees delivers supplies to a person due to power and water outages View of wrecked car in the San Jose de Toa Baja neighborhood that was flooded due to the over flow of the river Rio de la Plata Neighbors work to recover their belongings after the flooding caused by Hurricane Fiona in the Los Sotos neighborhood of Higuey, Dominican Republic Locals clear mud brought by Hurricane Fiona in the Los Sotos neighborhood of Higuey, Dominican Republic Neighbors work to recover their belongings after the flooding caused by Hurricane Fiona in the Los Sotos neighborhood of Higuey, Dominican Republic A man collects spring water from a mountain in Cayey, Puerto Rico on Tuesday A man collects donated water bottles for drinking after Hurricane Fiona damaged water supplies in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico Neighbors work to recover their belongings from the flooding caused by Hurricane Fiona in the Los Sotos neighborhood of Higuey Nicasio Gil walks through the stagnant water left by the swollen Duey river after the passing of Hurricane Fiona in the Los Sotos neighborhood of Higuey A parking area is seen flooded outside the Roberto Clemente Stadium after the passage of hurricane Fiona in Salinas, Puerto Rico A man wades through a flooded street in Nagua, Dominican Republic An estimated 30 inches of rain was dropped in parts of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic Winds reached upward of 130mph People remove downed trees on September 20, 2022 in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. The island awoke to a general island power outage after Hurricane Fiona struck this Caribbean nation two days ago Two deaths were recorded in Puerto Rico as a result of the blackout, including one 70-year-old man who burned to death after filling his generator with gasoline as it was running and a 78-year-old man who inhaled toxic gases emitted from his own generator. 'The damages that we are seeing are catastrophic,' Pierluisi said. 'What we don't want is loss of life.' President Joe Biden issued a message Monday to Puerto Rico: 'We stand with you and we will get through this together.' Brown water rushed through streets, into homes, and even consumed an airport runway in southern Puerto Rico. Roads were turned into raging torrents as Fiona also ripped up asphalt from roads and washed away a bridge in the central mountain town of Utuado that police say was installed by the National Guard after Hurricane Maria. The storm also ripped off the roofs of several homes, including that of Nelson Cirino in the northern coastal town of Loiza. 'I was sleeping and saw when the corrugated metal flew off,' he said as he observed how the rain drenched his belonging. Ada Vivian Roman, a 21-year-old photography student, said the storm knocked down trees and fences in her hometown of Toa Alta. 'Im actually very anxious because it's a really slow-moving hurricane,' she said. She said she is also worried about whether the public transportation she relies on to get to her job at a public relations agency will be operating by the time she has to go back to the office. Residents affected by Hurricane Fiona rest at a storm shelter in Salinas, Puerto Rico, Members of the Puerto Rico National Guard rescue a woman stranded in her house in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Salinas A man walks pass by a Puerto Rican flag painted on a door in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Penuelas, Puerto Rico A second storm passing behind Hurricane Fiona has now been upgraded to Tropical Storm Gaston as of Tuesday, according to AccuWeather.com. Gaston is not expected to be a threat to the Caribbean or to North America. Meteorologists expect a tropical wave, which began to form Wednesday, 'is the most significant threat for the US mainland we've had this hurricane season.' The tropical rainstorm has been designated Invest 98L by the National Hurricane Center and is located near the northcentral coast of South America. 'If the main brunt of the tropical rainstorm is able to avoid drifting over South America, it can evolve into a full-fledged tropical storm anytime through Friday while over the eastern Caribbean,' meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. Should the storm continue to develop, the rainstorm would grow into a Category 3 hurricane that will pass toward the center of the Gulf of Mexico, AccuWeather predicts. 'At this early stage, U.S. interests from Miami to New Orleans should closely watch the evolution of this system,' Pastelok said. Advertisement An RAF bunker that warned of Hitler's bombs in World War II is set to be converted into a luxury underground holiday home. The windowless concrete structure at Ringstead Bay in Dorset served as an RAF radar base after it was built in 1941. The station was part of an early warning system of bunkers spread out along the south coast to watch for the German Luftwaffe. In 1952, when Cold War tensions with the USSR were rising, the structure was refurbished as a rotor station. These were elaborate air defence systems developed to warn of potential Soviet bombers and the personnel that manned the station lived minutes away at Upton Farm Slide me The windowless concrete structure (left) at Ringstead Bay in Dorset served as an RAF radar base after it was built in 1941. Lipton Plant Architects of London has been given planning permission by Dorset Council to convert the bunker into a two-bed holiday home (right, CGI of what the home would look like) The station was closed again in 1956 and it remained derelict until the National Trust took ownership of the land. The windowless building is now almost invisible from the outside, camouflaged into the landscape thanks to overgrown foliage and vegetation. Lipton Plant Architects of London has been given planning permission by Dorset Council to convert the bunker into a two-bed holiday home. The architects have released CGI concept images of what the bunker will look like when it is completed. Blast holes will be blown into the concrete walls of the bunker facing the Jurassic Coast which will then be filled with glass to provide windows. Greenery will still carpet the roof of the base but the shrubs immediately outside the new windows will be cut back. Blast holes will be blown into the concrete walls of the bunker facing the Jurassic Coast which will then be filled with glass to provide windows Greenery will still carpet the roof of the base but the shrubs immediately outside the new windows will be cut back The station will blend into the surrounding countryside with a woodland track leading into the compound. All of the inside will be completely refurnished to provide a luxurious holiday retreat. Locals in the area have written letters supporting the conversion. Richard Deakin, said: 'I love the idea these old buildings can be brought back to life. 'There are a few more about, so if successful maybe they could also be restored.' Another neighbour, Councillor Nigel Williams, said: 'This proposed sympathetic conversion of a dilapidated World War 2 radar bunker represents a masterstroke of conservation of a slice of our local history at Ringstead, while at the same time permitting others to benefit from staying there. The station will blend into the surrounding countryside with a woodland track leading into the compound. All of the inside will be completely refurnished to provide a luxurious holiday retreat 'Looking out, it will have stunning views of the bay and will barely be seen by anyone else in the surrounding area.' A spokesperson for Lipton Plant Architects said: 'We are absolutely delighted that our highly unusual scheme to turn a disused WWII bunker into a holiday home has been granted planning permission. 'It was previously lost beneath the landscape and vegetation but by re-inhabiting the bunker we hope to celebrate its significant history. 'By 'blasting' a new opening not only can the space be enjoyed as a holiday home but views of the Jurassic Coast will be revealed.' A fraudster dubbed 'the con Queen of Hollywood' who faces extradition to the US over a 1.5m swindle said he fled to Britain so he can be openly gay, a court heard. Indonesian Hargobind Tahilramani, 42, allegedly ran a scam which saw him impersonate top film executives, including producers working for The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan. Victims received calls offering the opportunity of a lifetime shooting a blockbuster film in Indonesia between 1 January 2013 and 31 August 2020, it was said. Among those allegedly imitated by the 'catfish' were Star Wars producer Kathleen Kennedy, former Sony movie chief Amy Pascal, and ex-Paramount boss Sherry Lansing. Tahilramani allegedly spoke in a high-pitched voice to impersonate Rupert Murdoch's ex-wife Wendi Deng while luring creatives into his scheme. Tahilramani was charged by a grand jury in the Southern District of California with eight counts on 6 October 2020. On count one he is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries the maximum of 20 years jail. He faces two counts of wire fraud, carrying the same maximum. Tahilramani also faces five counts of aggravated identity theft, each count carrying a maximum of two years imprisonment. Hargobind Tahilramani, 42, allegedly ran a scam which saw him impersonate top film executives He was arrested at a 60-a-night Aparthotel in Manchester in the early hours of 26 November 2020 after a year long probe by the FBI. Tahilramani is resisting extradition to the US because he wants to be tried in the UK. Appearing via video link from HMP Wandsworth wearing a grey jumper today, Tahilramani explained why he wants to live in the UK after claiming asylum. 'My mother was born in British Hong Kong and my father in British India. English was my mother tongue. 'They have told me beautiful stories about places like Whitby and Liverpool, London, Margate and they told me that someday I should go to the UK. 'The most important thing is now that I am a gay man openly and this is is a free society...has always accepted people of all kinds. 'That is the link that I have with this country.' Tahilramani told the court that he grew up in Indonesia as part of a Sindhi Indian Community, which adhered to 'strict values'. When his mother was pregnant with him, others in the community expected him to be a girl. Tahilramani is accused of impersonating Rupert Murdoch's former wife Wendi Deng 'So the community thought that I was a mistake and I was never born to make any children and it was already prescribed as a child that I was the crazy one.' He said that his sexuality meant he would be considered an 'outlier' and an 'abnormal person' in his community. Tahilramani added that he knew Indonesia to be 'fanatically Muslim' with 'laws' and 'morality police' that he lived in fear of. He said he was 'locked up' for almost three years in an institution there. The court heard that, growing up, he was 'forced to live a lie'. Ben Cooper, KC, defending, asked: 'I want to understand the connection between what you personally experienced in being forced to live a lie...and its impact on you in terms of your subsequent behaviour?' Tahilramani replied: 'When I was younger, probably 12 or 13, my mother was closest to me. 'I discovered I was gay. 'She informed me that I would have to marry someday. 'That was the first time I was dishonest. Ever since then I had to sort of put on a mask. 'This mask followed me all the way through my adult life.' He confirmed that the lying and dishonesty that he had to keep up is tied up in a wish to be accepted. Tahilramani allegedly pretended to be executives, including producers working for The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan (pictured) The court also heard that Tahilramani has 'always' been in fear of his family. He claims he fled Indonesia for the UK to flee from his sisters. Tahilramani said he bumped into a friend of his sister's who told him they thought he had mental health problems and belonged in a home, prompting him to flee. 'I want to be accepted by them but I know I can't and I fear that for the rest of my life I will never be loved again.' Psychiatrist Dr Stuart Grassian, an expert on the psychiatric effects of solitary confinement, said Tahilramani will not be able to cope in an American prison. Giving evidence over a live link Dr Grassian said: 'Will he be able to cope in the same way he has been able to cope in Wandsworth? My answer is no.' Tahilramani has been working in textiles and studying as he lives in custody in HMP Wandsworth, the court heard. Tahilramani is resisting extradition to the US because he wants to be tried in the UK The psychiatrist deemed him 'relatively stable' and 'doing reasonably well' at the London prison. He also agreed that Tahilramani was currently at a 'low risk of suicide'. Dr Grassian wrote two reports in which he highlighted the difference between US and UK incarceration and how that would affect the alleged fraudster. 'As I indicated I have a fairly extensive experience in reviewing conditions in US prisons. 'I do know that individuals who are seen as at significant risk of victimisation are very likely to be in solitary confinement. That is an extremely harsh condition of confinement. People suffer. 'There is a significant risk of suicide even among those who don't have underlying mental disturbances.' Dr Grassian believed Tahilramani would 'come across as someone who could be victimised'. The extradition hearing continues. Advertisement The number of migrants crossing the English Channel has now exceeded 30,000 for the first time, new government figures show. Some 667 people were detected yesterday, taking the provisional total for 2022 to 30,515. This is higher than the figure for the whole of 2021, when 28,561 crossings were recorded. Further crossings have taken place today, with children and a heavily pregnant women among the arrivals. There have been 5,475 crossings detected so far this month, including 1,160 on September 4. This was just below the 1,295 on August 22, which is the highest daily total on record. Further crossings have taken place today, with children and a heavily pregnant women among the likely arrivals at Dungeness The heavily pregnant woman is helped by police officers across the shingle at Dungeness following the latest landings today There have been 5,475 crossings detected so far this month, including 1,160 on September 4. This was just below the 1,295 on August 22, which is the highest daily total on record. Pic: People are carried by the RNLI onto the beach at Dungeness Migrants are housed in tents after being brought ashore from Border Force vessels in Dover, Kent Soldiers direct groups of migrants coming off a Border Force vessel at Dover docks this afternoon It is more than five months since the then home secretary, Priti Patel, announced plans to send migrants to Rwanda to try to deter people from crossing the Channel. Since then, 25,247 people have arrived in the UK after making the journey. On April 14, Ms Patel signed what she described as a "world-first" agreement with Rwanda, under which the East African country would receive migrants deemed by the UK to have arrived "illegally", and were therefore inadmissible under new immigration rules. However the first deportation flight, due to take off on June 14, was grounded amid legal challenges. Several asylum seekers, the Public and Commercial Services Union and charities Care4Calais, Detention Action and Asylum Aid, are embroiled in court cases with the Home Office as they challenge the legality of the policy. The number of people reaching the UK in small boats from France after navigating busy shipping lanes has increased steadily in recent years. An RNLI boat carrying a large group of migrants comes ashore at Dungeness before they were met by police It is more than five months since the then home secretary, Priti Patel, announced plans to send migrants to Rwanda to try to deter people from crossing the Channel A man is helped up a shingle bank by a member of the RNLI. Despite the growing numbers, the small boat arrivals are a fraction of the number of people going to mainland Europe Some 299 were detected in 2018, followed by 1,843 in 2019 and 8,466 in 2020, official figures show. Despite the growing numbers, the small boat arrivals are a fraction of the number of people going to mainland Europe. Data from the UN's refugee agency shows at least 120,441 people arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean by land and sea last year. The MoD said its data is taken from "live operational systems" and is subject to change, "including reduction". 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." Data from the UN's refugee agency shows at least 120,441 people arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean by land and sea last year. Pictured: A family arriving at Dungeness today They slammed Liz Truss's bills plan as 'too little too late' as pubs forced to close Thomas Daniell pub in Truro forced to close twice a week to reduce energy costs Alan Woods said 'extortionate' electricity prices are sending them 'back to 1753' Masons Arms in Camelford, Cornwall is candle-lit every Monday to combat bills The owners of two pubs have gone 'back in time' by switching off the lights and serving customers by candlelight to combat 'extortionate' energy bills. They slammed Liz Truss's energy bills announcement yesterday to half business costs as 'too little too late', as costs threaten to close pubs and businesses for good. While skyrocketing gas and electricity bills have been tough for domestic customers, businesses do not have the same price caps as residential properties so their bills can rise even higher. The Masons Arms in Camelford, Cornwall is now purely candle-lit every Monday, with all light switches turned off. The Thomas Daniell pub in Truro will do the same for one day in October. The gastropub has also had to close on a Monday and Tuesday each week recently since electricity bills began to leap up. Alan Woods who has run the Masons Arms for just over four years said the move was to combat the 'extortionate' price of electricity which could cripple the business while also providing a new atmosphere. Mr Woods said things went 'crazy' as soon as Britain emerged on the other side of the bulk of Covid restrictions. A month before the pandemic hit, in March 2020, Mr Woods said his electric bill was around 1,000 a month. His last bill was just under 4,000. The Masons Arms (pictured) in Camelford, Cornwall is now purely candle-lit on Mondays, with all light switches turned off Jamie Hilton-Lavender (pictured), manager of The Thomas Daniell, said the candle-lit night is a way to offer something different to customers while curbing the exploding energy bills 'We had those few months when it was going great again and the pub was livening up,' he said. 'Then we had our energy bills and it went mental - how has it gone that crazy? 'We're all in the same boat as small businesses. There's only so much you can do to help. 'People are all looking at strategies, closing their doors a few days a week, or even permanently. Come October, we'll see what the increases are but it's not looking good.' He said: 'We are going back to 1753, the year The Masons Arms opened. 'It was known as The Kings Arms. 'Travel back in time where the pub will be lit by candle light throughout, also our normal menu and our Autumn menu will be running. 'This will also help us to lower our extortionate electric bill and give you a unique evening.' Mr Woods said he hopes it'll save some money and help people remember that small local businesses are suffering just like individuals. Jamie Hilton-Lavender, manager of The Thomas Daniell, said the candle-lit night is a way to offer something different to customers while curbing the exploding energy bills. He's gone one step further and is turning off the mains entirely. On October 4 the lights, tills and everything in between will be off. 'Everyone's struggling with the cost of living,' Mr Hilton-Lavender said. 'It's getting out of control.' What your pub outings may soon look like. Pictured: People sit in a pub by candle light due to South Africa's struggling power utility Eskom, implementing regular power cuts - called 'load-shedding' - because of ageing coal-fired power stations, in Cape Town on Tuesday He said that The Thomas Daniell has had to close on a Monday and Tuesday each week recently. This decision was made after electric bills began to leap up. He added: 'There's only so much extra you can charge your customers to come in, some of the costs you have to bring on yourself.' Mr Woods said, pubs like his are facing impossible decisions about the future of the business. Running costs are forcing many to close earlier, cut menu items or even lay off staff. How the price cap will work The Government will push through emergency legislation to underpin the new relief scheme once Parliament returns from its break for the party conferences in October. For customers on fixed-price contracts, if the wholesale element is above the new Government cap, the price per unit will be automatically reduced for the duration of the scheme. Customers with default, deemed or variable tariffs will receive a per-unit discount up to a maximum of the difference between the Government rate and the average wholesale price over the period - the maximum discount is expected to be around 405 per MWh for electricity and 115 per MWh for gas. For customers on flexible purchase contracts, typically those with the highest energy needs, the level of reduction will be calculated by suppliers, subject to the same maximum discount. A parallel scheme will be established in Northern Ireland. The government gave the example of a pub using 4 MWh of electricity and 16 MWh of gas a month: They signed a fixed contract in August 2022, giving them a current monthly energy bill of about 7,000. At the time they signed their contact, wholesale prices for the next six months were expected to be higher than the Government Supported Price of 211/MWh for electricity, and 75/MWh for gas, meaning they can receive support under this scheme. The difference between expected wholesale prices when they signed their contract and the Government Supported Price is worth 380/MWh for electricity and 100/MWh for gas, meaning they receive a discount of 3,100 per month, reducing their bill by over 40 per cent. Advertisement For Mr Woods the issue is particularly problematic as he lives above the pub with his family of five. He went on: 'It's a strange one, we've always argued that the bit upstairs is different but energy companies won't distinguish. 'So we're always being charged business rates in the evening for our family. 'It's worrying for everyone, overall. 'We have to just keep ploughing on since everyone's struggling, everyone's watching their pennies.' Yesterday, the Government announced that energy bills for UK businesses will be cut by around half their expected level as part of a major support package. The scheme will fix wholesale gas and electricity prices for firms for six months from October 1. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said yesterday that the energy support 'will be a lifeline for many pubs and brewers this winter'. But she added: 'Whilst this announcement has helped businesses to breathe an initial sigh of relief as they head into this critical period, more support is needed to tackle the cost of doing business and we need a plan beyond the next six months. 'Our industry is one of only a few that supports jobs and livelihoods in every single part of the UK, and we have the potential to deliver growth in every single community we serve. 'On Friday, the Chancellor must take steps to address the cost of doing business, by reducing the tax burden on our sector, allowing pubs and brewers the chance to not only survive this winter, but remain at the heart of local economies and their communities for many years to come.' Melissa Evans, 47, who has been in the industry for 21 years and a landlady for the last three and a half, said last month the rise in prices is beyond laughable and has had to close at 9pm recently due to high energy bills. She said her pub, The Plough, in Whitstable, Kent, has seen its utilities bills skyrocket in recent months. Her original business plan when she took on the pub forecasted bills for electricity and gas at 8,000 per year, which she described as 'amusing' in hindsight. 'I'm now looking at 33,000 just for gas and I now need to work that into my business without affecting my staff and customers,' she said. Prime Minister Liz Truss announced that a cap will come in from October that will half wholesale costs until March next year at the earliest. It will also be backdated for contracts agreed on or after April. As pubs risk having to charge upwards of 10 for a pint Ye Olde Fleece Inn in Kendal, which dates back to 1654, has seen a huge increase of 80,000 to it's annual electricity bill. The beloved historic pub currently pays 44,000 for its annual electricity bill, but was last week quoted 124,000 for the 12 months from Christmas. 'It is absolutely horrendous,' Chris Moss, a director of Westmorland Hospitality, which runs the Fleece, told MailOnline in August. 'The government needs to get a grip on this or we risk losing the British pub forever.' 'We have to make that decision. Are they going to intervene? or are we just going to move forward and say the pub is going to be no more?' He said while they had expected their bill to rise they were so shocked by how much it had gone up they had to check it with their broker, adding it has 'probably increased again since then.' Advertisement Debbie Collier, 59, was found in a steep-sided ravine on September 11 in a densely wooded area in Tallulah Falls, Georgia a day after she disappeared The gruesome spot where murdered Georgia mom Debbie Collier was discovered naked and burned can now be revealed in exclusive DailyMail.com pictures. Two harrowing burn sites just feet apart and a newly sawn-off tree clearly show where police discovered the missing woman in a densely-wooded ravine near scenic Tallulah Falls. The real estate office manager, 59, was found clinging to a tree by sheriff's deputies a day after vanishing from the modest home she shared with husband Steven, 67, in Athens, Georgia, 60 miles away. Parts of her body were charred. Eerily, just hours before her death, she had sent her daughter Amanda Bearden $2,385 via payment app Venmo along with a chilling last message. It read: 'They are not going to let me go, love you there is a key to the house in the blue flower pot by the door.' DailyMail.com tracked down the murder site after obtaining the Habersham County Sheriff's Office incident report of the September 11 discovery. This detailed the rough route to the horrific scene by Deputy Blake Forrester and his human odor-detecting K9 Zane. We started at a pull-off to an old logging road near Victory Home Lane, Clarksville, where Collier's rented black 2022 Chrysler Pacifica was found through the Sirius XM service in the vehicle being 'pinged' to locate it via GPS. DailyMail.com followed the path to the murder site after obtaining the Habersham County Sheriff's Office incident report of the gruesome discovery A recently sawn-off tree and two burn sites marked the area where police discovered the missing woman in a ravine near scenic Tallulah Falls The densely wooded area showed clear signs of a recent forensic investigation, with discarded latex gloves and crime tape littering the ground A poignant teddy bear shrine guarded the spot where officers discovered the Pacifica but no sign of the missing mom. We headed into the dense woodland along the former logging road and within roughly six feet the roadway disappeared and turned into a rough track. After 25 feet we saw the first signs of the search that would ultimately lead us to the horror site: a discarded pair of blue plastic forensic gloves. Then, to the right, strips and small fragments of sheriff's office yellow crime scene tape were scattered every three to five feet, heading south in a line and parallel to busy GA 15. Under a dense canopy of trees and with fallen limbs littering the undergrowth, we followed the trail of plastic scraps. After roughly 15 minutes of hiking through piles of dead leaves and timber, we began to descend downhill sharply until we came across three sets of blue forensic gloves that had been ditched. Then we were confronted by a macabre spectacle that tied in with our knowledge of Collier's death. Part of a tree had been sawn off, leaving a jagged portion jutting up and the toppled portion lying close by. The mom was found clinging to a tree and within feet was a compact burnt area of leaves and timber. A 15-minute hike through piles of dead leaves and timber led to a site downhill where DailyMail.com reporter spotted part of a tree that had been sawn off A few feet from that lay a larger uprooted tree with parts of its roots scorched, believed to be the one described in the chilling police report Forensic gloves lay nearby along with pieces of paper and what appears to be a strip of a book cover Yellow crime scene tape is scattered every three to five feet around the area in Tallulah Falls leading to the spot where Debbie Collier's body was discovered A poignant teddy bear shrine now sits on the spot where officers discovered Collier's rented black 2022 Chrysler Pacifica with no sign of the missing mom A few feet from that lay a larger uprooted tree. Parts of the roots were scorched. Forensic gloves lay nearby along with pieces of paper and what appears to be a strip of a book cover. And that is where the trail of tape fragments ended. The site was only roughly 25 feet from the roadway and vehicles could be heard clearly passing by after we followed the path of the killer or killers. Collier's cause of death has not been revealed. Nor is it publicly known if she died in the ravine or was taken there after being killed. Debbie showed no hint of any personal problems or worries while at work, stunned staff at her real estate office told DailyMail.com. 'We are all in a state of complete shock at what has happened,' said one employee at Carriage House Realty in Athens, where she was the front office manager. 'Debbie had been here for seven or eight years. We are still taking this in,' added the staff member, who did not want to be named. 'She never mentioned any personal issues in her life.' In another twist, DailyMail.com can reveal that police had spotted the Pacifica rented from Enterprise by the mom because her own vehicle was being repaired unlocked and unoccupied beside the old logging road at 5pm the previous day. But unoccupied cars were routinely spotted at that location, according to the report. That was an hour before Collier's husband reported her missing in a call to Athens-Clarke County Police, according to the case report obtained by DailyMail.com. The following day, the car was located in connection with the missing person inquiry at 12:28pm. After various officers had arrived on the scene, the sheriff's office incident report reads: 'Deputy Forrester deployed his nationally certified tracking (human odor) K9 Zane. It's unclear what occurred early on September 10, but the concerned family reported her as a missing person following a cryptic message to her daughter in the late afternoon 'They are not going to let me go, love you there is a key to the house in the blue flower pot by the door,' read the Venmo message sent to her daughter, Amanda Bearden, pictured right According to the missing persons report filed a day before Collier was found, the mom had sent her daughter Amanda Bearden $2,385 via money-sending app Venmo along with a chilling last message In the incident report obtained by DailyMail.com, officers described finding 'a nude female laying on her back, grasping a small tree with her right hand' in a densely wooded area 'He casted around the driver side door of the vehicle and pushed into the wood line on what appear to be a logging road. 'They pushed in casting for odor approximately 50 yards Northeast, could not establish any track, then casted South-Southeast. Zane was able to establish a track working South to Southeast away from Tallulah Gorge and away from GA 15.' The officers and the K9 continued tracking in that direction for about a quarter of a mile where they soon spotted 'a red tote bag' near an uprooted tree and 'what appeared to be the remains of a fire.' Further down the embankment they also spotted a 'blue object that appeared to be a tarp.' As they got closer, Deputy Forrester noticed about 10 to 15 feet down a hill, a tan object, 'that as he approached he could tell was a human body,' the report states. The officers described seeing 'a nude female laying on her back, grasping a small tree with her right hand' and immediately observed her 'to be obviously deceased, and identifying her as Collier.' The remains were 'apparently burned with what appeared to be charring to her abdomen,' the report states. The report also reveals daughter Amanda arrived at the scene and joined officers beside the Pacifica 'in a hysterical state.' 'Bearden began screaming that the vehicle belonged to her mother,' it states. Athens cops had notified her of the location after the Sirius XM ping. Sergeant Neal and Officer Dakota Foster spoke to the distraught daughter 'in reference to Collier's mental health state, and briefly about her medical history'. Collier was found 60 miles from the modest home she shared with husband Steven, 67, in Athens, Georgia Collier's husband Steven reported her missing at 6pm on September 10 saying he had not seen her since 9pm the previous night The gruesome discovery of Collier's naked and charred body was discovered close to Tallulah Gorge waterfalls Bearden said 'her mother did not have any history of any mental health issues, and denied suicidal tendencies. She also stated that her mother had a bad back, and couldn't have walked far'. Steven Collier told police in the missing persons report that he had not seen Debbie since 9pm on September 9 and that they slept in separate bedrooms 'due to his snoring'. He said the Pacifica was still in the driveway of their home when he left for work the following morning. Collier sent the money via Venmo to her daughter at 3:17pm, according to the report. And of the chilling accompanying message, it stated: 'Amanda said the message scared her and got her worried for her mom, so she tried calling her but she did not pick up. 'Amanda also informed that her mother did not take anything with her but her drivers license and debit card.' Police have declared Collier's death a homicide but have not revealed any further details, including the names of possible suspects. Cops hunting the killer or killers say there is no evidence to suggest Collier was kidnapped despite the cryptic text received by her daughter Amanda. They also say there is no evidence that Collier committed suicide. Habersham County Sheriffs Office add that officers have executed several search warrants at locations tied to the victim and have conducted preliminary interviews of those closest to the victim. A statement said Debbie Colliers body was taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab for an autopsy. But no report of the results have been released, it adds. The GBI told DailyMail.com is not involved in the investigation. The US Air Force Academy is under fire for holding diversity and inclusion training that urges cadets to use non-gendered language, scrapping words like 'mom,' and 'dad', as well as 'girlfriend' and 'boyfriend.' According to screenshots from the seminar, obtained by FOX News Digital, Air Force training officials are asking recruits to use generic terms like 'partner' instead of 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend,' and 'parent' or 'parents' instead of 'mom' and 'dad.' The slides shared by FOX News prompted outrage from many across the country, including Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL). Waltz, a Green Beret and Afghan War veteran, spoke with the news agency about his feelings regarding what he calls 'destructive' lessons being taught to young cadets. He even compared the workshops to those seen in the communist Soviet Union and China, held to push extreme ideologies on recruits. A screenshot of the 'diversity and inclusion' training for cadets at the US Air Force Academy 'That is absolutely destructive to morale, to unity, to everything that I know from a military, that by the way, integrated way before the rest of the country in 1948,' Waltz said in the interview. The Academy is recommending that trainees adopt 'person centered' language, using 'person with disabilities' rather than 'disabled,' or 'transgendered people/service members' rather than 'transgenders.' 'Y'all', 'folks' and 'squaddies' are also given a thumbs up, according to the slides, while 'guys' is out. The move is part of a push for diversity and inclusion within the Air Force and other armed force branches. Cadets in a training exercise at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado An Air Force Academy spokesperson said in a statement that the training is to help prepare cadets to for any and all future conflict. 'As part of the Diversity & Inclusion Cadet Leadership Program, this conversation was developed by cadet leaders and USAFA staff to introduce all cadets to Department of the Air Force definitions of diversity and inclusion, as well as how these concepts enhance our warfighting effectiveness,' the spokesperson said. The seminar also included diversity of thought experience that required cadets to name as many animals that start with 'G' and then come together with a group to see how many they were able to get individually, as opposed to when everyone combined their lists. Training also suggested that phrases such as 'colorblind,' 'I don't see color,' and 'we're all just people' be phased out. Cadets salute during a commencement ceremony at the US Air Force in Colorado Nicknames and jokes directed at fellow cadets are similarly discouraged, and racial and homophobic slurs are strictly prohibited. 'USAFA develops leaders of character that can lead diverse teams of Airmen and Guardians inclusively, to enhance innovation and win future conflict,' the spokesperson continued in the statement. Rep. Waltz, however, disagrees. 'To those of us who are a little bit older, it reminds us of what the Soviets used to do or what the Chinese do today, where they literally have political commissars inserted at every level end of the chain of command, but they have a separate reporting chain to ensure that the military is abiding by their ideology and their political doctrine,' the congressmember said. FL Rep. Mike Waltz who is pushing back against the diversity and inclusion training In 2021, the US Air Force Academy made headlines for announcing a Diversity and Inclusion Reading Room, specially designated with curated books and described in a release as a 'treasure trove of big ideas and a safe space for open discussion.' 'We need to foster an understanding about the challenges of diversity, racism and injustice, promote a wide-range of perspectives and be respectful of people we agree and disagree with,' said Mark Jensen, president of the Academy's faculty senate and a philosophy professor. 'Our intention is to create an informal space for cadets and permanent party to broaden and deepen their exploration of the issues involved in diversity, inclusion and justice,' said assistant English professor Daniel Couch. Waltz told FOX News' Tucker Carlson during a recent interview that he has been in contact with parents and cadets at the US Air Force Academy regarding the lessons. "When we are in the majority, we are going to legislate this, and we are going to cut it out of the U.S. military," Waltz added. Houston police have arrested a carjacker who shot dead his friend before stealing his car and then leaving his toddler inside to die in the sweltering heat. Bolanle Fadairo, 38, has been charged with the murder of Michael Essien and his two-year-old son, Micah, in Houston, Texas, on September 20. He was also pictured in a mugshot released on Thursday. Essien, 38, got into an argument with Fadairo, before being shot dead in front of his young son, with the gunman taking off in his victims SUV. Micah was still in the backseat, and was found hours later by officers who believe he died as a result of heat exhaustion - with outside temperatures reaching 93F. It is understood that Fadairo deleted messages between himself and Essien before he was arrested, with officers confirming the pair had arranged to meet. The reason for the meeting has not yet been revealed, but cops swooped on Fadairo just yards away from where the shooting took place at 4am on Wednesday morning. Footage, obtained by ABC, show Fadiaro putting his hands up and then on the hood of a cop car after he was surrounded by officers. Essiens wife reported that her husband and son were missing at around 6.40pm, hours after he was shot multiple times by Fadairo at 1:45pm in El Camino Del Rey. Bolanle Fadairo, 38, has been charged with the murder of Michael Essien and his two-year-old son in Houston, Texas Michael Essien, 38, was shot dead infront of his two-year-old son Micah (pictured) who was then left for hours to die in a hot car by Fadairo Officers swooped on Fadairo, close to the shooting, at 4am on Wednesday after the deaths of the father and son The dad-of-three leaves behind his wife and two other children, including a baby girl who was born just a week ago. Officers discovered the stolen vehicle with the toddler inside five hours after his father was shot. An autopsy report is yet to be completed on the toddler, but investigators believe that he died from heat exhaustion after being abandoned in the car since around 2pm. Officers broke the glass from the SUV and attempted to save the child, but he was pronounced dead by the time an ambulance arrived. Essiens sister, Jessie, told ABC that her nephew had just learned how to say her name, describing her brother as a peaceful man. She said: All I want is my brother and my 2-year-old who just learned how to say Auntie Jessie. He called Auntie Jessie in the church Sunday. He ran and said, "Hi, Auntie Jessie". Michael has a 5-year-old son and a 1-week-old baby, 1-week old. Michael has a wife. Lord Jesus, all I need is my brother. Essiens wife reported that her husband and son were missing at around 6.40pm, hours after he was shot multiple times by Fadairo at 1:45pm in El Camino Del Rey Fadairo was seen on surveillance visiting a gas station store after the killing dressed in a white t-shirt and black Oakland Raiders baseball-cap Essiens sister, Jessie (pictured) told ABC that her nephew had just learned how to say her name, describing her brother as a peaceful man An autopsy report is yet to be completed on the toddler, but investigators believe that he died from heat exhaustion after being in the car since around 2pm Anybody that knows my brother knows Michael is a peaceful man. Michael never argued with anyone. Michael takes the shirt off his body and gives to other people to put on. Michael would give the last dime he has to other people. Investigators believe that Fadairo met his victim at the agreed location, with the pair arguing before he shot his friend multiple times. Essien fled a short distance, before collapsing in the parking lot as Fadairo stole his Chevrolet Traverse with Micha in the back and fled the scene. Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite told reporters: We never knew about the child until she called.Sadly, it was too late. The child had passed in the car. 'At this time, we don't know why or how or what the cause of death will be. It could be something like heat exhaustion, we just don't know. 'That will be determined later through autopsy. 'It's the hardest thing we do. Children are innocent.' Surveillance footage of the Fadairo shows him calmly walking around a convenience store after the killing, wearing black shorts, a white t-shirt, and an Oakland Raiders baseball-cap. He will appear in court in connection with the charges on Thursday. Houston Police launched a manhunt for Fadairo and issued surveilance footage of him after the incident Officers broke the glass from the SUV and attempted to save the child, but he was pronounced dead by the time an ambulance arrived Todd Bensman is Senior National Security Fellow for the Center for Immigration Studies and author of 'Overrun: How Joe Biden Unleashed the Greatest Border Crisis in U.S. History.' He previously served for nine years as senior intelligence analyst for the Texas Department of Public Safety's Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division. All it took was the arrival of 50 migrants on Martha's Vineyard to wake Democrats and the mainstream media up to the reality of America's historic and transformational immigration crisis. Who knew? All they needed was 19 months, dating back to the start of the Biden administration, to be wrenched out of their partisan fog to recognize the scope of this humanitarian disaster. It's sickening, but here we are. On Monday, The New York Times grudgingly ran a story that used the 'H' word to describe the 'historic pace of undocumented immigrants entering the country.' It is a pace that would have struck generations of Democrats as totally unacceptable, until recently. This week, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at long last released statistics from August showing the stark numbers: More than 2.15 million encounters with immigrants on the southern border, between October 2021 and August 2022. The full reporting period, which runs through September, will probably end with 2.35 million encounters. The Biden presidency could easily end with seven million or more new migrants in America a population larger than the size of Los Angeles and Chicago combined. By definition, an encounter happens each time a Border Patrol agent physically lays hands on an individual attempting to enter the country illegally, so one migrant may be countered multiple times. These numbers are literally off the charts. 2.15 million encounters is the highest number since the Eisenhower administration started keeping records in 1960. It's also up significantly from 1.7 million encounters during Biden's first term and even that was a record at the time. For comparison, between 2010 and 2016, Border Patrol handled less than 500,000 encounters and never topped 400,000 in 2011, 2012 and 2015. All together Border Patrol's 17,000 agents have had to process immigrants approximately 4 million times since Biden became president. And while millions were arrrested on the border, millions more got into America and they will continue to do so. The Biden administration itself has legally paroled some 1.4 million family members and unaccompanied minors into America bound only by the promise that they'll report to immigration authorities someday. Add to that at least another 900,000 'gotaways,' which is a slang term once only used by Border Patrol agents to describe individuals who they suspect were able to evade capture. The problem of 'gotaways' has become so pronounced that it is now part of the official lexicon. Adding these two groups together, a total of more than at least 2.3 million illegal immigrants have entered America since Biden took office. 2.15 million encounters is the highest number since the Eisenhower administration started keeping records in 1960. On Monday, The New York Times grudgingly ran a story that used the 'H' word to describe the 'historic pace of undocumented immigrants entering the country.' (Above) Migrants on the border in downtown El Paso, Texas, U.S., September 21, 2022 In this trend holds, and there's no indication that it won't, a second half of the Biden term could boost that number to some five million or higher. If the administration follows through with its pledge to lift the Trump-era pandemic-related 'Title 42,' which sped the expulsion of migrants in the interest of public health, then as many as 540,000 migrants a month could pour in, according to intelligence community estimates. In that case, the Biden presidency could easily end with seven million or more new migrants in America a population larger than the size of Los Angeles and Chicago combined. To put this unprecedented migration in even sharper perspective consider that over nearly six decades, 12 million legal immigrants were admitted to the US through Ellis Island in New York City's Hudson Harbor. At its peak, those numbers reached 1,004,756 in 1907, an average of 84,000 legal immigrants a month. Under Biden, the average is 139,000 illegal immigrants per month. Obviously, America has grown since the migrant waves through Ellis Island stopped, but the current period clearly rivals that transformational era in American history. Ordinary Americans are already paying a steep price for this. Mark Krikorian, executive director of the immigration policy think tank Center for Immigration Studies, estimates the lifetime fiscal cost of the illegal aliens Biden has let in so far at more than $100 billion. That's in addition to $140 billion a year taxpayers already bear for benefits and services to the longer-term illegal alien population. But those aren't the only costs. To put this unprecedented migration in even sharper perspective consider that over nearly six decades, 12 million legal immigrants were admitted to the US through Ellis Island in New York City's Hudson Harbor. (Above) Migrants climb through a fence in the desert at the base of the Baboquivari Mountains after they were apprehended Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, near Sasabe, Ariz. by U.S. Border Patrol agents Probably the very area of civic life where most Americans will first and most viscerally experience the impact of the Biden border crisis will be in the schools. A 1982 Supreme Court ruling required enrollment of minors in public school regardless of immigration status no matter the costs or hardships. In Austin Independent School District, teachers held protests in April 2022 drawing attention to a 400-student influx of immigrant teenagers from Central American nations at its International High School and Eastside Early College High School campus. Teachers complained they were left to give instruction in hallways and conference rooms. In and around New York City, a significant surge of 5,000 immigrant children flooded into four counties in a single 11-month span through August 2021, posing a $139 million additional burden on New York taxpayers to educate them. This is the story all across the country. Health and Human Services reported that 107,742 unaccompanied children were released to sponsors inside the U.S from October 2021 to July 2022. Los Angeles county took in 4,579 children, Florida's Miami-Dade county accepted 2,306 and Texas' Harris county absorbed 7,170. It's impossible to determine from available public records exactly how many immigrant children have been enrolled in the nation's public schools. But accounting for the surge of migrants under both the Biden and Trump administrations, probably close to two million have been added to the nation's 49.5 million students in public schools, a four percentage increase over four years, by my estimation. Long before frustrated Republican governors tried to force northern Democrats to 'please, just pay attention to what is happening to all of us,' no one said a word about the roaring conveyor belt that had already bused and flown many hundreds of thousands of border-crossers to cities all over America. That machine runs full-throttle even now, pouring a biblical Noah's Flood of foreign nationals into schools, homeless shelters, jobs and welfare lines across America. Would liberal America just listen for a minute to what Republican governors are trying to say, they would know that millions more are on the way thus making an already-dire crisis that much more dire. Perhaps, if they opened their ears and their eyes, they'd join with Republicans in a normal civil discourse about whether this permanent new condition is what everybody really wants. And if it's sustainable. Riots erupted when Mahsa Amini died after being arrested by morality police for wearing 'unsuitable attire' Death toll has risen to ten as violent protests continue to rage across Iran Women are directly challenging authoritarian regime by cutting hair and burning headscarves in protest Advertisement More Iranian women are defiantly filming themselves cutting off their hair and burning their hijabs in solidarity with Mahsa Amini who was killed last week for wearing 'unsuitable attire'. State-mandated headscarves have been removed by women in the streets and others shared videos of them defying the draconian dress codes in an open challenge to the authoritarian regime. Ms Amini died at the age of 22 last week, three days after she was arrested by the 'morality police' responsible for enforcing Iran's strict Islamic strict dress code. Police said she died of a heart attack and did not suffer any mistreatment, despite experts claims she was severely beaten. Her death has sparked nationwide protests which have seen at least ten people killed as violence grips the republic. The US imposed sanctions today on the morality police, accusing it of abuse and violence against Iranian women and of violating the rights of peaceful Iranian protesters. More Iranian women are defiantly filming themselves cutting off their hair and burning their hijabs in solidarity with Mahsa Amini A woman holds up a handful of her hair after cutting it during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini outside the Iranian Consulate People clash with police during a protest following the death of Mahsa Amini, in Tehran JK Rowling earlier praised the Iranian women who are challenging Iran's strict dress code The US Treasury also said it had put sanctions on the heads of the Iranian army's ground forces and of the morality police as well as on Iran's minister of intelligence. To prevent protests from spreading, Iran's biggest telecom operator largely shut down mobile internet access again Thursday, said Netblocks, a group that monitors internet access, describing the restrictions as the most severe since 2019. Reports from Kurdish rights group Hengaw said three protesters were killed on Wednesday, bringing the death toll from the protests to 10. An anchor on Iran's state television suggested the death toll from the mass protests could be as high as 17 on Thursday, but did not say how he reached that figure. 'Unfortunately, 17 people and police officers present at the scene of these events lost their lives,' the anchor said, adding official statistics would be released later. One pensioner removed her headscarf and chanted 'death to Khamenei' while protesters ripped down posters of the Supreme Leader. A defiant pensioner removed her headscarf and chanted 'death to Khamenei' and protesters ripped down posters of him while chanting 'death to the dictator' as violent protests continued to rage across Iran Reports from Kurdish rights group Hengaw said three protesters were killed by security forces on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 10 An overturned police car is seen on fire in Bojnurd, Iran, September 22, 2022 Mahsa Amini, 22, from Iran's Kurdistan province, fell into a coma and died while waiting with other women held by the morality police In footage from Sari, the capital of northern Mazandaran province, activists teared down posters of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini and Supreme Leader Khamenei on a municipality building. 'Amin Marafti, 16, Milan Haghigi, 21, and Sadruddin Litani, 27, were at least three Shno residents who were shot dead by government forces during the city's demonstrations ,' Hengaw said in a statement. 'I'm just looking outside of from flat's window. It's a complete chaos down here,' Ashskan, a resident of Tajrish in the centre of the capital Tehran, told MailOnline. 'They [police] fired teargas here, it's a residential, children are living here. It's lots of smoke, people are suffocating,' he said. 'Most of the protesters are women with no headscarves. They are clashing with the police. Some time police officers run after the people and sometime the other way around,' he added. 'It's very crowded. They fired teargas into our parking. They are chanting 'Dictator! dictator' and also 'death to the dictator' I also heard gunshots,' he continued. Iran blocked access to Instagram and WhatsApp and imposed drastic restrictions on internet access Thursday. 'In accordance with a decision by officials, it has no longer been possible to access Instagram in Iran since Wednesday evening and access to WhatsApp is also disrupted,' the semi-official Fars news agency reported. The two apps were the most widely used in Iran after the blocking of other platforms in recent years, including Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, YouTube and Tiktok. Connections have slowed significantly since protests erupted following the government's announcement of the death of Mahsa Amini. Significant internet outages were also reported across the country, with one of the biggest mobile phone operators disrupted, leaving millions offline. In Another footage from Sari, the capital of northern Mazandaran province, activists teared down the posters of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini and Supreme Leader Khamenei on a municipality building It comes as 13 Iranian lawmakers have suggested to the government to take harsher measures against the protesters. Officials have denied that security forces have killed protesters, suggesting they may have been shot by armed dissidents but footage shows police officers firing directly at people. Meanwhile protesters in Tehran and several other Iranian cities torched police stations and vehicles on Thursday morning. Unrest triggered by the death of a woman detained by the Islamic Republic's morality police intensified for a sixth day. She fell into a coma while in detention. The authorities have said they would launch an investigation into the cause of death. Amini's death unleashed huge anger in the population and the worst protests in Iran since 2019. Many Iranians, particularly the young, have come to see Amini's death as part of the Islamic Republic's heavy-handed policing of dissent and the morality police's increasingly violent treatment of young women. Some women demonstrators have defiantly taken off their hijabs and burned them in bonfires or symbolically cut their hair, video footage spread virally on social media has shown. Some women demonstrators have defiantly taken off their hijabs and burned them in bonfires or symbolically cut their hair Officials have denied that security forces have killed protesters, suggesting they may have been shot by armed dissidents but footage obtained by MailOnline shows police officers firing directly at people Most of the protests have been concentrated in Iran's Kurdish-populated northwestern regions but have spread to the capital and at least 50 cities and towns nationwide, with police using force to disperse protesters. In the northeast, protesters shouted 'We will die, we will die but we'll get Iran back' near a police station which was set on fire, a video showed that was posted on a Twitter account 1500tasvir, which focuses on Iran protests and has around 100,000 followers. Another police station was set ablaze in the capital Tehran as the unrest spread from Kurdistan, the home province of Amini. Iran's rulers fear a revival of the 2019 protests over gasoline price rises, the bloodiest in the Islamic Republic's history. Reuters reported 1,500 were killed. Protesters also expressed anger at Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 'Mojtaba, may you die and not become Supreme Leader,' a crowd was seen chanting in Tehran, referring to Khamenei's son, who some believe could succeed his father at the top of Iran's political establishment. Another police station was set ablaze in the capital Tehran as the unrest spread from Kurdistan, the home province of Amini Iran's rulers fear a revival of the 2019 protests over gasoline price rises, the bloodiest in the Islamic Republic's history. Reuters reported 1,500 were killed Protesters also expressed anger at Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei With no sign of the protests easing, authorities restricted access to the internet, according to residents, and internet shutdown observatory NetBlocks. Amini's death has unleashed fury across Iran over issues including freedoms in the Islamic Republic and an economy reeling from sanctions. Women have played a prominent role in the protests, waving and burning their veils, with some cutting their hair in public. In northern Iran, crowds armed with batons and rocks attacked two members of the security forces on a motorbike as a crowd cheered, as seen on a video, which Reuters was unable to verify. Women have played a prominent role in the protests, waving and burning their veils, with some cutting their hair in public. NetBlocks also reported a 'nation-scale loss of connectivity' on Iran's main state mobile telephone provider and another company's network WhatsApp's servers were disrupted on multiple internet providers, hours after Instagram's services were blocked, London-based NetBlocks said. The group's data shows a near-total disruption to internet service in parts of Kurdistan province in western Iran since Monday, while the capital city of Tehran and other parts of the country have also faced disruptions since Friday, when protests first broke out. Meanwhile a Twitter account linked to the 'Anonymous' hacker group claims to have launched cyber attacks against the Iranian government and affiliated websites. The group shared screenshots showing websites of Iran's government portal, the office of a government spokesperson, and the central bank taken down after purportedly being hacked. In an address to the UN General Assembly, US President Joe Biden said Americans will stand with 'the brave women of Iran who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights'. He spoke after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi rejected calls from Western powers to respect women's rights. Iran's hard-line president, Ebrahim Raisi, has deflected criticism of his government's response to the protests and the subsequent violence. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran rejects some of the double standards of some governments vis-a-vis human rights,' he said. 'Human rights belongs to all, but unfortunately it is trampled upon by many governments,' he added referring to the discovery of unmarked graves of indigenous people in Canada, the suffering of the Palestinians and images of migrant children held in cages in the United States. In an address to the UN General Assembly, US President Joe Biden said Americans will stand with 'the brave women of Iran who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights' Iran's hard-line president, Ebrahim Raisi, has deflected criticism of his government's response to the protests and the subsequent violence Elon Musk said he wants to be exempt from Iranian sanctions so he can provide the country with his Starlink satellite internet Mahsa Amini, 22, from Iran's Kurdistan province, fell into a coma and died while waiting with other women held by the morality police Iran's Telecommunications Minister Issa Zarepour on Wednesday warned of internet restrictions, citing the 'security issues of these days.' Elon Musk said he wants to be exempt from Iranian sanctions so he can provide the country with his Starlink satellite internet. A social media user going by the handle 'erfan_kasrale' tagged Musk in a tweet on Monday, saying: 'I'm sure you won't answer it Mr Musk, but is it technically possible to provide Starlink to Iranian people? It could be a game changer for the future.' Mahsa Amini, 22, from Iran's Kurdistan province, fell into a coma and died while waiting with other women held by the morality police. Amini's father has repeatedly said his daughter had no health problems, adding that she had suffered bruises to her legs. He held the police responsible for her death. Iranian leaders have vowed to investigate the circumstances of Amini's death while accusing unnamed foreign countries and exiled opposition groups of seizing on it as a pretext to foment unrest. Liz Truss has told Israel she is 'positively considering' moving the UK embassy to Jerusalem in a major shift in British foreign policy. The Prime Minister informed her Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid she was reviewing the British embassy's current location in Tel Aviv. Moving the British embassy to Jerusalem would be a copy of Donald Trump's controversial action when he was US president, which prompted bloody protests. Countries have usually been loathe to base their embassies in Jerusalem as it is regarded as a capital by both Israel and the Palestinian leadership. The majority of international embassies in Israel are based in Tel Aviv, which is viewed as a more neutral choice. In 2017, Britain joined other members of the UN Security Council to reject the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. It followed Mr Trump's announcement of his decision to move the US embassy to the city. The Prime Minister informed her Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid she was reviewing the British embassy's current location in Tel Aviv Liz Truss met with Israel's PM at the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday as she attended her first major international summit since replacing Boris Johnson Ms Truss and Mr Lapid also held discussions in New York about trade, Iran and the Ukraine war Ms Truss met with Mr Lapid at the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday as she attended her first major international summit as PM. Downing Street said Ms Truss had informed the Israel PM of her 'review of the current location of the British embassy in Israel', alongside discussions about trade, Iran and the Ukraine war. Following their talks, Ms Lapid used Twitter to post a picture of their meeting and wrote: 'I thank my good friend, British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who announced that she is positively considering moving the British Embassy to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. 'We will continue to strengthen the partnership between the countries.' The US embassy officially opened in Jerusalem in May 2018, which coincided with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel. Former PM Theresa May condemned Mr Trump's decision to relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv when he announced it the previous year. At the time, she reiterated Britain's 'clear and long-standing' position on Jerusalem's status - that it should be determined as part of a peace settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians and should ultimately be a shared capital. Advertisement An amateur British photographer has captured jaw-dropping pictures of a rare black leopard stalking at night. Steve Darling, 74, was on a Kenyan safari earlier this month when he spotted the big cat as they made their way back to camp. The Shrewsbury snapper said he was 'shaking' after observing the young female, named Giza, the Swahili word for darkness, catch a dik-dik antelope. He explained: 'We love wildlife and I took up photography after retirement. This was our first trip after covid lockdown. An amateur British photographer has captured jaw-dropping pictures of a rare black leopard stalking at night Steve Darling, 74, was on a Kenyan safari earlier this month when he spotted the big cat as they made their way back to camp The Shrewsbury snapper said he was 'shaking' after observing the young female, named Giza, the Swahili word for darkness, catch a dik-dik antelope 'The photos of the leopard were taken in Laikipia on the 1st September, on a trip with a group of photographers led by Federico Veronesi. 'We were on our way back to the camp, in the dark, after following the tracks of a male leopard when Giza, the black leopard appeared. 'She is a beautiful young female, not long having left her normal-coloured mother, who was also in the vicinity. 'She lives on an island in the centre of the Ewaso Narok river and crosses over to the bank to hunt. He explain: 'We love wildlife and I took up photography after retirement. This was our first trip after covid lockdown' 'The photos of the leopard were taken in Laikipia on the 1st September, on a trip with a group of photographers led by Federico Veronesi' 'She is a beautiful young female, not long having left her normal-coloured mother, who was also in the vicinity' 'Giza melted her way through the brush, easily killed a dik-dik and then moved up into an acacia tree for her meal. 'We waited for two hours until she had finished, when she climbed down the tree and again melted into the bush. 'I was absolutely amazed at her grace and beauty and was actually shaking when she first appeared. 'As you can imagine, it is not straightforward photographing a black leopard at night using spotlights, and I was so pleased when the results were available. 'Unfortunately, the heavy rain in the mountains caused the river to swell and Giza couldn't cross over for our remaining stay in the area.' Black leopards only differ from other leopards in the colour of their coat, a genetic variation known as melanism. Most commonly, dark individuals become fitter to survive and reproduce in their environment as they are better camouflaged. This makes some species less conspicuous to predators, with leopards using it as a foraging advantage during night hunting. Former President Donald Trump could be allowed to return to Facebook in time for the 2024 election season,' Meta's President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg revealed Thursday. 'He could be. We've been very open that that temporary suspension is a two-year period though 'til early January of next year,' Clegg said in an interview Thursday in Washington, D.C. with Semafor's Editor at Large Steve Clemons. Clegg, who previously served as the UK's Deputy Prime Minister explained that 'if we think there is content on our platform which will lead to real-world harm- physical harm - then we feel we have a clear responsibility to act against it.' In Trump's case, Clegg said that Facebook would have to weigh 'how that may or may not effect the risks of real world harm.' If lifted, Trump would be allowed back on the social media website on January 7, 2023. Trump, who amassed 35 million followers on Facebook, was banned from the platform in 2021 after making comments that allegedly incited the January 6 Capitol attack. At the time, the Silicon Valley giant said Trump would only be allowed back on the site if 'the risk to public safety has receded.' He was also kicked off Instagram and Twitter that January, in response to MAGA riot. Meta's President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg (left) said former President Donald Trump 'could be' allowed back on Facebook in January. He was interviewed by Semafor's Steve Clemons (right) Thursday morning in Washington Donald Trump could be allowed back on Facebook in time for the 2024 election season, Meta's president of global affairs revealed on Thursday Mark Zuckerberg, Meta and Facebook's founder, kicked Trump off of the social media website for his role in the Capitol insurrection Speaking today at a Semafor Exchange event, Clegg said: 'When you make a decision that affects the public realm, you need to act with great caution. 'You shouldn't throw your weight about.' Trump is said to be facing a challenge for the 2024 Republican nomination from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, although neither man has yet declared their intention to run for the White House. In the wake of his ban last year, Trump warned that big tech will pay a 'political price' for taking away his free speech. The decision was an unprecedented move of censorship on a world leader and sparked a global debate over how much control social media and big tech should have. In an email to supporters in May 2021, Trump fumed: 'What Facebook, Twitter, and Google have done is a total disgrace and an embarrassment to our Country. 'Free Speech has been taken away from the President of the United States because the Radical Left Lunatics are afraid of the truth, but the truth will come out anyway, bigger and stronger than ever before. 'The People of our Country will not stand for it! These corrupt social media companies must pay a political price, and must never again be allowed to destroy and decimate our Electoral Process.' Nick Clegg (pictured) is in charge of lifting Trump's ban. He previously served as the UK's Deputy Prime Minister Trump tears into 'racist' New York Attorney General Letitia 'Peekaboo' James after she files suit against him 'Another Witch Hunt by a racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who failed in her run for Governor, getting almost zero support from the public, and now is doing poorly against Law & Order A.G. candidate, highly respected Michael Henry,' Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. 'I never thought this case would be brought - until I saw her really bad poll numbers. She is a fraud who campaigned on a 'get Trump' platform, despite the fact that the city is one of the crime and murder disasters of the world under her watch!' Trump added in a followup post: 'Attorney General Letitia 'Peekaboo' James, a total crime fighting disaster in New York, is spending all of her time fighting for very powerful and well represented banks and insurance companies, who were fully paid, made a lot of money, and never had a complaint about me, instead of fighting murder and violent crime, which is killing New York State. She is a failed A.G. whose lack of talent in the fight against crime is causing record numbers of people and companies to flee New York. Bye, bye!' Advertisement The Facebook revelation comes at a tough time for Trump - after he was yesterday sued by New York Attorney General Letitia James for allegedly engaging in 'numerous acts of fraud' following a three-year probe. James announced the $250million suit against the former president, citing a document that accuses Trump and his three eldest children of pumping up property far beyond their actual valuations when seeking lending to expand his real estate empire. She specifically named Trump and his three adult children, Don Jr., Eric, and Ivanka Trump, and said they 'persistently' inflated the value of assets. And although her suit is only a civil matter, James said she would refer evidence she uncovered to other authorities. James said Trump's financial statements were 'greatly inflated, grossly exaggerated, and objectively false,' and went on to detail many of those valuations that he claimed. Her suit comes after a three-year probe, and less than two months before the November elections, where Trump isn't on the ballot but many of his preferred candidates are. The total 'fraud' was in the amount of $250 million, she claimed, and came in financial statements from 2011 to 2021. That amount is for 'disgorgement of all financial benefits obtained through the persistent fraudulent practices,' according to the AG's office. Trump was also at the center of a FBI raid in August - when his Mar-a-Lago mansion was ransacked and documents were seized by agents as part of an ongoing investigation. The Justice Department has said it was investigating Trump for removing White House records because it believed he illegally held documents including some involving intelligence-gathering and clandestine human sources - among America's most closely held secrets. The FBI says it took about 11,000 documents, including roughly 100 with classification markings found in a storage room and an office, while serving a court-authorized search warrant at the home on August 8. Facts about Russia-Ukraine conflict: Putin signs decree on partial mobilization in Russia Xinhua) 09:23, September 22, 2022 BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments in the Ukraine crisis: Putin signed a decree on the partial mobilization in Russia, the Kremlin said Wednesday, which the president said in a televised address that a partial mobilization is necessary to defend Russia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. According to the decree, the partial mobilization in the Russian Federation will begin on Wednesday. "... To protect our motherland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, to ensure the security of our people and people in the liberated territories, I consider it necessary to support the proposal of the defense ministry and the general staff on the conduct of partial mobilization in the Russian Federation," Putin said. "... Citizens of the Russian Federation called up for military service by mobilization have the status of military personnel serving in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation under a contract," said the decree. According to the president, only citizens in military reserve will be subject to prescription, and they will undergo additional training. - - - - Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday that the Ukrainian side continued to shell the city of Energodar and the area around the Zaporozhzhia nuclear power plant. The shelling damaged a pipe in the technical water supply system of the fifth power plant, and hit the power supply line of it. Ukrainian firepower was suppressed by Russian artillery, he said, adding that the radiation levels at the nuclear facility remained normal. - - - - The Russian Defense Ministry said Monday that the country's aerospace forces, missile troops and artillery units have attacked seven command posts of the Ukrainian armed forces over the past day. The Russian army destroyed 52 artillery detachments, as well as Ukrainian forces and military technical equipment in 134 districts, the ministry said. In addition, Russia's aerospace forces struck Ukrainian production workshops at the Iskra military plant in the city of Zaporizhzhia, which provided services for the U.S.-made HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system. - - - - Ukraine's state-run nuclear energy operator Energoatom on Monday accused Russian forces of shelling the Pivdennoukrainsk nuclear power plant (NPP) in Ukraine's southern Mykolaiv region. "At night, a missile fell 300 meters from the Pivdennoukrainsk NPP. There was a short-term power outage," Energoatom said on Telegram. Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the Deputy Head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, said that three power lines were disconnected by the shelling. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun) Joey Barton's racist killer brother has been granted parole from prison and could be free as early as next month. Michael Barton was jailed for 18 years in 2006 for his role in the sickening ice pick murder of black 18-year-old Anthony Walker. In February, Barton, 33, was moved to HMP Thorn Cross, an open jail in Cheshire. The Parole Board announced its decision today following an oral hearing earlier this month. Barton has now been told he will be freed and could be walking the streets again in October. A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Michael Barton following an oral hearing. Michael Barton (left) murdered Anthony Walker, 18, (right) with cousin Paul Taylor, 20, in Huyton, in 2005, and will have a parole hearing days before the 15th anniversary of the murder 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims. 'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing. 'Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing. 'It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority. 'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.' Joey (pictured this month) told his brother to turn himself in in the aftermath of the crime Barton's release is subject to a number of strict conditions. The killer gave evidence supporting his parole bid and is believed to have emphasised his exemplary behaviour and progress in jail. A written summary of the decision states: 'Evidence was presented at the hearing regarding Mr Barton's progress and custodial conduct during this sentence. 'He had undertaken accredited programmes to address his decision making and had completed two years on a regime designed to support people in addressing drug misuse. 'Mr Barton had also completed work on victim awareness and had engaged in a regime designed and supported by psychologists to help people recognise and deal with their problems. 'There had been no behavioural concerns for many years and Mr Barton had secured trusted roles in prison. 'It was considered that Mr Barton had addressed past concerns about racist attitudes through his improved level of maturity and living in prison with a diverse group of people.' The report added: 'The panel was told that Mr Barton had made good use of his time in the open prison, which had included testing in the community via several periods of temporary release on licence. Gee Walker, Anthony's mother, said the decision to grant parole left her feeling 'betrayed' 'No significant concerns had been raised and in a report before the panel, Mr Barton's Probation Officer had supported his release.' It concluded: 'After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was satisfied that Mr Barton was suitable for release.' The strict licence conditions include an exclusion zone, regular drug testing, wearing an electronic tag and adhering to a curfew. Barton was 17 when he and his cousin Paul Taylor, then 20, ambushed 18-year-old Anthony after racially abusing him at a bus stop on July 29, 2005. Taylor drove an ice axe through Anthony's skull in a park in Huyton, Merseyside, and the killers fled to Amsterdam. Barton was found guilty of murder and jailed for a minimum of 17 years and eight months at Preston crown court that year, while Taylor admitted murder and must serve at least 23 years and eight months. At sentencing, Barton was told he was 'poisonous to any civilised society'. But in 2016 it was revealed Barton's tariff had been cut to 16 years from 18 after he had become a charity worker in jail. The decision left Anthony's mother, Dr Gee Walker, feeling 'betrayed'. Dr Walker has said: 'Our justice system is the laughing stock of the world. Life definitely doesn't mean life. 'But I choose to forgive because living a life of hate is so destructive.' She said previously: 'They promised me 18 years, a year for each year my son lived. 'If the justice system makes a promise and can't keep it, what hope is there for us? 'When the judge passed a sentence of life, we are the ones who are sentenced to a life of 'what?', or 'how?' 'We wonder what he would have been like, or how he would have turned out. We wonder what he'd be doing now. 'We are the ones who are left with this abyss of pain and wondering.' Reducing Barton's original tariff, Mr Justice Mitting said the killer's 'remarkable' transformation in prison had satisfied the 'high threshold' for taking time off the sentence. The judge noted that a summary of a post-sentence evaluation was that Barton was 'a racist thug', and that 'violence was routinely deployed' by him and his fellow gang members. But he went on to claim that Barton had performed a 'transformation from a racist thug into the sensible realistic young man' while in custody. Soldier F is facing two counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder PPS has now reviewed its position and has decided to resume the prosecution The discontinued prosecution of Soldier F is to resume, it has been announced The discontinued prosecution of a military veteran known as Soldier F for two murders and several attempted murders on Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in 1972 is to resume, Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service has announced. The PPS announced last year it was halting the prosecution of Soldier F for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney amid concerns the case could collapse in light of a separate court ruling on the admissibility of evidence which caused the collapse of another Troubles murder trial involving two military veterans. The McKinney family then successfully challenged the original decision by prosecutors by way of judicial review. Earlier this year, the High Court in Belfast overruled a decision by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) to drop charges against the former paratrooper. And earlier this month, the court rejected the PPS's bid to have its appeal referred to the UK Supreme Court. The PPS has now reviewed its position and has decided to resume the prosecution. Soldier F is facing two counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. Soldier F was accused of murdering James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) on January 30, 1972 Bloody Sunday saw British troops open fire on civil rights demonstrators in the Bogside area of Derry, killing 13 people. Pictured: A confrontation between soldiers and protesters earlier in the day Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Michael Agnew said: 'The judgment delivered by the Divisional Court in March 2022 has been carefully examined and a fresh review of this case carried out. 'It has been concluded that, in order to give effect to the Divisional Court judgment, the original decision to prosecute Soldier F should stand. 'Therefore, the committal proceedings that were put on hold should now proceed. 'The PPS has written to representatives of the families and victims directly involved in the prosecution of Soldier F to confirm this decision. 'We have offered to meet with the families to answer any questions they may have and to outline the next steps to be taken to progress the case. Soldier F's legal representatives have also been informed. 'I am very conscious of the upset caused to the Bloody Sunday families by the PPS decision to withdraw proceedings against Soldier F last year. It is our role to keep under review the evidence presented in every case. 'This case has presented difficult and complex legal issues for prosecutors, as was acknowledged by the Divisional Court. The PPS is committed to progressing court proceedings against Soldier F without any further delay.' Lawyers for the McKinney family said they had been informed that proceedings would resume next week. The family of William McKinney: John (second left) and Mickey (second right), walk in with solicitors, brothers, Fearghal and Ciaran Shiels, as they arrive at the City Hotel in Londonderry, for a meeting with the Public Prosecution Service last year Mickey McKinney, brother of William McKinney, said: 'We are delighted that the prosecution of Soldier F will resume next week. 'We hope that the PPS secure an early date for the resumption of the committal proceedings and that Soldier F is returned for trial to the Crown Court without further delay. 'We hope to meet with the PPS to discuss the future progress of the case in the coming weeks.' Bloody Sunday was one of the darkest days in Northern Ireland's history, when British soldiers shot dead 13 civil rights protestors in the Bogside area of Londonderry. Another man shot by paratroopers on January 30 1972 died four months later. While many consider him the 14th victim of Bloody Sunday, his death was formally attributed to an inoperable brain tumour. Ministers are drawing up plans for the UK's first grammar schools in almost a quarter of a century, the new Education Secretary said today. Kit Malthouse said that PM Liz Truss wanted her government to 'address the strong desire in quite a lot of parents' for more choice. There are more than 150 grammar schools which select pupils by ability in the UK but the opening of new ones was outlawed in 1998 by Tony Blair. The issue has become a cause celebre for many Tory MPs but despite several attempts to reintroduce them in the past 12 years nothing has happened. Speaking to the Yorkshire Post today, Mr Malthouse said: 'We're about parental choice, everybody needs to be able to make a choice for their kids. 'She (the Prime Minister) definitely wants to address the strong desire in quite a lot of parents to reflect the benefits that many got from grammar schools.' But the idea was slammed by Labour, with his shadow Bridget Phillipson saying: 'This is a distraction tactic from a desperate Government that has run out of ideas about how to tackle the challenges facing our country. Kit Malthouse (left) said that PM Liz Truss wanted her government to 'address the strong desire in quite a lot of parents' for more choice. Labour's Bridget Phillipson said: 'This is a distraction tactic from a desperate Government that has run out of ideas about how to tackle the challenges facing our country. 'Grammars make up a tiny minority of schools, they don't improve educational outcomes and parents don't want them they want the Education Secretary to raise standards across our comprehensive schools. 'Labour will focus on ensuring all young people leave education with the skills they need for work and for life, which is why we will end tax breaks for private schools and invest the money in driving up standards across state schools.' Ms Truss has described her self as a 'huge supporter' of selective grammars. She sent her children to one despite being educated at a state comprehensive and going to Oxford. Last weekend, senior Tory backbencher Sir Graham Brady said he would seek to amend the Schools Bill to allow the building of new grammars. He told the Sunday Telegraph: "What we are aiming to do is not something that would force a big reorganisation of the schools system across the country, but rather some thing which would remove the statutory prohibition which prevents any new selective schools," he said. A Florida middle school math teacher was fired after he grabbed students in chokeholds and giving them cruel nicknames, such as 'four-eyes,' 'Oompa Loompa,' and 'Beavis.' Victor Lopez, 49, of Boynton Beach, was fired from Loggers' Run Middle School on Wednesday after an investigation found he had behaved 'inappropriately' with 16 students. Twelve of the 16 students reported he had engaged in inappropriate physical contact, WPTV reported. Eight out of the 16 students were also reportedly receiving end of inappropriate comments or jokes they didn't find funny. The teacher started at the school in September. Lopez - who has worked for the district for 16 years without incident - has been put on an unpaid suspension and will be officially terminated on October 18 if he doesn't appeal in writing. The investigation started around September 1 after a student complained to his mother that Lopez had pulled his ear in class in late August, according to The Palm Beach Post. He also reportedly showed his mother a video of Lopez hitting the student in the arm with a yardstick, the Post reported. Within days of reporting the incident, the school police were able to identify three other victims who had been hit with a yardstick by Lopez. Victor Lopez, 49, of Boynton Beach, was fired on Wednesday after an investigation found he had behaved 'inappropriately' with 16 students by flicking and shoving them, putting them into chokeholds, and calling them names. He has worked in the school district for 16 years He allegedly called many students cruel names, including Four-Eyes, Oompa Loompas, Beavis, Oprah, and Will Smith, the investigation report said He told an HR manager that the only thing he 'should be questioned on is my sarcasm' The student had started recording the interaction with Lopez on his school-issued laptop because he anticipated the slap when he told his teacher hadn't finished the homework, he told investigators. He said he was embarrassed by the interaction. The student also told authorities that Lopez often did this and said the yardstick with blue tape on the end was used to hit students. Lopez was described as 'aggressively "tapping" [the student] on the inner arm, then immediately "tapping" him a little lighter in the upper arm.' Another student told investigators that he ran away from his seat when he saw the teacher approaching him with a raised ruler because he has 'seen Lopez hit other students with the ruler and he was scared.' A different student said Lopez struck him after he translated for Portuguese-speaking students, because 'Lopez thinks they are socializing.' The same student also said he was hit twice in the leg with a ruler for answering a question wrong. The math teacher admitted to investigators that he did use a yardstick in his class, but said he only 'tapped' them with it, according to the investigation report, viewed by The Palm Beach Post. In addition, he allegedly grabbed a female student forcibly by the back of the neck on August 31, which a colleague reported, according to the Post. The interaction, which was reportedly caught on surveillance footage, showed Lopez dropping his hand when the other teacher appeared. The student told investigators that Lopez was mad at her because she had chosen to use the restroom at a farther bathroom and when she attempted to explain why he told her to 'shut up,' the Post reported. He then reportedly grabbed her by the neck and walked her to a closer bathroom. Although she was injured, she said his grip 'hurt a little.' She also said she saw Lopez hitting her classmates at times and said it happened when he was angry or just joking. The school board (pictured) gave him an unpaid suspension and he will be officially terminated on October 15 if he does not appeal the decision Law enforcement charged him with battery for the incidents, but the State Attorney's Office declined to prosecute, The Palm Beach Post reported. In a June 11 email, Lopez wrote to an HR representative: 'Honestly, the only thing I should be questioned on is my sarcasm. 'The difference this year is that I made the conscious effort to use methods that would make sure students felt safe, cared for and that I created an atmosphere where kids really wanted to learn...with an authentic feel to it.' DailyMail.com has attempted to contact Lopez for comment. It is unclear if he plans to appeal the school board's decision. A gang has kidnapped three young chimpanzees from a Congolese sanctuary and are demanding a six-figure ransom for their safe return. The animal thieves sent 'proof of life' videos to the central African shelter and are threatening to decapitate them if their demands are not met in what is the first ever recorded ransom case involving an ape. Footage shared by the kidnappers shows two of the orphaned animals, Hussein and Cesar, clambering over upturned furniture while Monga, a five-year-old female, has her arms tied above her head in the bare-brick room. Cesar had only been at the sanctuary for a few weeks after he was rescued from a market and taken on a three-day trip on the back of a motorcycle and two flights to the shelter. The chimpanzees were seized on September 9 at 3am from the 14-acre Jack primate rehabilitation centre in Lubumbashi, although it is not clear how the gang managed to pull off the heist. A gang has kidnapped three young chimpanzees from a Congolese sanctuary and are demanding a six-figure ransom for their safe return Founder Franck Chantereau said of the footage: 'You can see how terrified they are.' He said threats have been made against his family and said he would not pay the six-figure ransom. He is working with law enforcement agencies to try to locate the chimps and ensure their safe return. The chimps are already orphans due to animal trafficking, a trade worth an estimated 20billion a year. Chantereau said: 'They had all been given a second chance, but now this fresh horror.' The black market is driven by collectors of body parts and live animals in Asia and the United Arab Emirates. Adams Cassinga, director of ConservCongo which investigates and prosecute wildlife crimes, told Mongabay: 'This is very rare, this is the first time, not just in Africa but the world, that I am hearing of this. We have heard [of] people using wildlife as a shield or as a political or social agenda. 'This is the first time I have heard of people literally kidnapping animals so that they can ask for money. 'These criminals have taken the entire wildlife crime to a new level. And it demands that law enforcement agents step up their games as well. There is panic and fear.' A baby chimp costs around 10,000 but taking one in the wild normally involves killing its entire family. Footage shared by the kidnappers shows two of the orphaned animals, Hussein and Cesar, clambering over upturned furniture The chimp population in Africa has plummeted from a million at the start of the 20th century to around 300,000 today. Chantereau, from France, set up his facility in 2006 which is one of three in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is home to around 40 chimpanzees. It helps rehabilitate the animals rescued from traffickers, providing food, shelter and medication while raising awareness of their plight. The kidnapping has sparked concern for a new type of crime targeting sanctuaries. He told Mongabay: 'We have faced a lot of challenges for 18 years now. But we have never experienced anything like this: the kidnapping of apes. They also threatened to kidnap my own kids and wife.' Florence Teneau, from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which helps to fund the Jack sanctuary, said: 'These shelters receive a lot of aid and funds from international associations, like ours, and the traffickers take advantage of this, because the animals become all the more precious.' MailOnline has contacted the Jack sanctuary. RMT union barons will grind Britain to a halt again next month as it announced today that 40,000 staff from Network Rail and 15 train operators will stage a walkout on October 8. The planned walkout will 'effectively shut down the railway network', RMT said as it will see tens of thousands of railway workers take to picket lines. Which 15 train operating companies will walkout on October 8? As well as Network Rail, the 15 train operating companies participating in the strike are: Chiltern Railways Cross Country Trains Greater Anglia LNER East Midlands Railway c2c Great Western Railway Hull Trains Northern Trains South Eastern South Western Railway Transpennine Express, Avanti West Coast West Midlands Trains GTR (including Gatwick Express) Advertisement The new date - marking the third rail strike now planned in October - was set as part of an ongoing dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. Rail strikes are already planned by Aslef union members from 12 train companies on October 1 and 5, threatening fresh travel chaos for passengers. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said today that it was encouraging that the new Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan had met the union. 'We welcome this more positive approach from the government to engage with us as a first step to finding a suitable settlement,' he said. 'However, as no new offer has been tabled, our members have no choice but to continue this strike action. 'We will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the employers and government need to understand our industrial campaign will continue for as long as it takes.' A Network Rail spokesperson said: 'We have received notification of another strike by the RMT on Saturday October 8, just one week after another walkout it has co-ordinated with train drivers at Aslef. 'This latest strike will again mean very significant disruption for passengers, and we'll be asking people to only travel if absolutely necessary due to the reduced service that will be in place. 'Full timetables for all upcoming strike days will be published in due course.' A Rail Delivery spokesperson said: 'This strike will hit sports fans, friends and families planning to meet up and the RMT members themselves who have already lost, at the very least, many hundreds of pounds due to industrial action since June. 'Rather than staging more counterproductive action that will further alienate the very customers we need to secure the long-term future of the industry, the RMT leadership should commit to serious reform. 'That is how we can improve services and deliver a fair deal for our people, passengers and for taxpayers.' As well as Network Rail, the 15 train operating companies taking part are: Chiltern Railways, Cross Country Trains, Greater Anglia, LNER, East Midlands Railway, c2c, Great Western Railway, Hull Trains, Northern Trains, South Eastern, South Western Railway, Transpennine Express, Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains and GTR (including Gatwick Express). The staged walkouts come on a big weekend for sport, with a number of Premier League fixtures set for October 8, including Man City v Southampton, Bournemouth v Leicester City and Chelsea v Wolverhampton. The strike is yet another blow for rail passengers, who were preparing to suffer more travel misery next month after drivers in the Aslef union at 12 train operators agreed to walk out on October 1 and 5. The logos of the 15 train operating companies taking part in the strike on October 8 Commuters wait for trains at London Liverpool Street station during strike action on June 23 RMT Union boss Mick Lynch on the picket line outside London Euston in August Empty platforms at King's Cross railway station during a rail strike by RMT union members on August 20. Staged walkouts will affect travel to and from the Conservative party conference in Birmingham which is due to take place between October 2 and 5. Runners hoping to get to London for the London Marathon on October 2 will also be impacted by the strikes as routes into and around the city will be affected. RMT members employed by contractors who clean Avanti West Coast trains will walk out for 24 hours on Friday in a separate dispute over pay. A planned strike by drivers on September 15 and 17 was called off as a mark of respect following the Queen's death. RMT Union general-secretary Mr Lynch said the walkout of rail workers during the official mourning period was 'suspended' as it joins 'the whole nation in paying its respects'. He added: 'We express our deepest condolences to her family, friends and the country'. The move comes after a summer of discontent as thousands of workers across the rail, telecoms, legal and postal sectors, staged walkouts amid disputes over pay and working conditions. Criminal barristers have staged indefinite strike action over a dispute about Legal Aid fees, while postal workers also staged strikes with a further 48-hour strike planned for later this month. The University of Cambridge received 'significant benefits' from slavery, according to a new inquiry. The investigation, carried out by the Legacies of Enslavement Advisory Group, found that the university and its colleges benefited from companies that participated in the trade, as well as from individual benefactors, and from fees derived from the families of plantations. The Legacies of Enslavement Advisory Group was appointed in 2019 by Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen J Toope. Following its investigation, the group has made a series of recommendations, which the university has committed to implementing. The investigation, carried out by the Legacies of Enslavement Advisory Group, found that the university and its colleges benefited from companies that participated in the trade, as well as from individual benefactors, and from fees derived from the families of plantations. Pictured: Jesus College Cambridge These include setting up a dedicated slavery research centre, enhancing existing academic links with universities in the Caribbean and West Africa, increasing the number of postgraduate scholarships and bursaries for black British students and students from Africa and the Caribbean, and commissioning a piece of art commemorating the achievements of black academics in the university. Professor Toope said the report has helped the university better appreciate the nature of its links with the slave trade. 'A university as long-established as Cambridge would inevitably have benefitted from what was, until the 19th century, a widely accepted system of exploitation,' he said. 'This report helps us better appreciate the nature of those links. It also offers a glimpse into some of the ways in which, as a provider of education, the University played a role in promoting some of the ideas that underpinned the practice of enslavement.' The news comes after Jesus College's campaign to remove a memorial plaque to Tobias Rustat, a college benefactor and investor in the slave trade, from its chapel. The news comes after Jesus College's campaign to remove a memorial plaque to Tobias Rustat, a college benefactor and investor in the slave trade, from its chapel He accumulated his wealth during his career as a courtier - but also invested in several trading companies, including the Company of Royal Adventurers of England Trading into Africa - commonly known as the Royal African Company (RAC). The Company had complete control of Britain's slave trade, as well as its gold and Ivory business, with Africa and the forts on the coast of west Africa. A contemporary of Rustat was Edward Colston, who became Deputy Governor of the Royal African Company. He accumulated his wealth during his career as a courtier - but also invested in several trading companies, including the Company of Royal Adventurers of England Trading into Africa - commonly known as the Royal African Company (RAC) During Colston's tenure, his ships transported around 80,000 slaves from Africa to the Caribbean and America. The college fought the Church of England in a consistory court case in February to remove the memorial to an alternative space, but ultimately lost the case. While Clare College Cambridge renamed its accommodation from 'The Colony' to Castle Court as the nickname for the accommodation did not 'reflect the values of the college'. Russian reservists were today warned they will 'suffer horribly' in Ukraine following Vladimir Putin's mobilisation order. After being forced onto the back foot by recent Ukrainian advances, the Russian President has called up thousands of extra troops to join his faltering invasion effort. Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon, Armed Forces minister James Heappey described how 'rattled' Mr Putin's action was an acknowledgement of Russia's 'failure'. The partial mobilisation, which applies to 300,000 military reservists, has forced the Kremlin to conduct a brutal crackdown of protests against the move in Russian cities. Mr Heappey, who noted how 25,000 Russians have already died during the Ukraine conflict, told MPs that Moscow was now condemning hundreds of thousands more troops to a miserable winter. 'Russian conscripts are going to suffer horribly for the Kremlins hubris,' the minister added. Ex-prime minister Boris Johnson, speaking in the same Commons debate, branded 'weak' Mr Putin as a 'problem gambler' taking greater risks because he is 'terrified of losing. The former premier highlighted how the price of one-way plane tickets from Moscow to South Africa rocketed yesterday because potential Russian conscripts 'have no desire to be sacrificed on the altar of his (Mr Putin's) ego'. At one point, Mr Johnson misspoke and thanked the 'inspirational leadership of Vladimir Putin' before quickly correcting himself and saying Volodymyr Zelensky. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called up thousands of extra troops to join his faltering invasion effort Armed Forces minister James Heappey described how 'rattled' Mr Putin's action was an acknowledgement of Russia's 'failure' Ex-PM Boris Johnson branded 'weak' Mr Putin as a 'problem gambler' taking greater risks because he is 'terrified of losing The Russian President's announcement of partial mobilisation was accompanied by fresh threats of nuclear war towards Ukraine and its Western allies. But Mr Heappey today dismissed Mr Putin's 'sabre-rattling' as the 'act of a desperate man who knows this is not going his way'. 'We believe that it is sabre-rattling and we believe it is designed to try and put a wedge amongst the cohesion of the Western alliance and to deter us from supporting Ukraine at the exact moment Ukrainian troops seem to have the upper hand,' he told MPs. The Armed Forces minister informed the Commons that Russia had suffered 25,000 dead, with tens of thousands injured and tens of thousands more troops having deserted. He added that Mr Putin had also seen his war machine suffer the destruction of 3,000 armoured and protected vehicles, more than 400 artillery pieces decimated and scores of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) downed. 'Seven months into this conflict, Russia lacks sufficient manpower in the field to achieve any of its objectives and the mood of Moscow is changing quickly,' Mr Heappey said. He claimed the Russian President and the country's defence minister Sergey Shoigu had 'backed themselves into a corner'. 'They have sent tens of thousands of their own citizens to their deaths, ill-equipped and badly led,' the minister continued. 'Theyre now to send hundreds of thousands more with little training and no winter uniform into the teeth of the Ukrainian winter against an opponent that is well-motivated, well-equipped and succeeding.' 'Neither Putin nor Shoigus lies, threats and propaganda can disguise the truth: Russian conscripts are going to suffer horribly for the Kremlins hubris.' Mr Johnson, who was widely praised for his efforts in supporting Ukraine while he was PM, told MPs that Britain must be prepared to give more military and economic assistance. 'At this turning point in the war, it is more vital than ever that we have the strategic patience to hold our nerve and ensure that the Ukrainians succeed in recapturing their territory, right to the borders of 24th February,' he said. 'And, if possible, to the pre-2014 boundaries because that is what international law demands.' Mr Johnson claimed Mr Putin's mobilisation order had caused 'panic among people about to be fed into the meat-grinder of Putin's warzone'. 'Yesterday, in a single day, the price of a one-way air ticket from Moscow to South Africa went up to $50,000,' he added. 'Because those potential conscripts can see that what began as a war to rebuild the Soviet empire has collapsed into a shameful war to save Putin's face. 'And they have no desire to be sacrificed on the alter of his ego.' Ty's father said the dog that attacked his son is named Diablo, which translates to devil Mary Gehring, 89, was also transported to the hospital but later died from her injuries on Sunday The 12-year-old was airlifted to a local hospital in Golden, Colorado after police found him critically injured Ty, 12, is in recovery after he was attacked by two pit bulls that later mauled his 89-year-old grandma on September 14 A 12-year-old boy is recovering in hospital after his pet pit bull Diablo - Spanish for devil - mauled him in an attack that also killed his grandmother. Ty and Mary Gehring, his 89-year-old grandmother, were attacked by the 12-year-old's dog on September 14. Diablo has lived with Ty since he was just five-years-old - ever since his parents divorced seven years ago. Ty's dad, who does not want to be identified, called the hound a 'sweetheart' while struggling to comprehend the details of the attack. 'They grew up together that's why I have a hard time believing that he was any kind of aggressor,' his dad told Fox 31. 'For the years that I have known that dog, he was a sweetheart.' Ty is now recovering from puncture wounds, lacerations and broken pinkies after being airlifted to the hospital last week. Gehring succumbed to her injuries two days later on September 16. Ty is recovering from puncture wounds, lacerations and broken pinkies. He was airlifted to the hospital last week after being attacked by the dog he had for seven years 'They grew up together that's why I have a hard time believing that he was any kind of aggressor,' his dad told Fox 31 . 'For the years that I have known that dog, he was a sweetheart' Ty ran to get help from his next-door neighbor on the day of the attack. Police arrived at the home located at 15712 West 1st Ave in Golden minutes later Upon arrival, police found the 12-year-old and his grandma with serious injuries The boy's father has attempted to piece the attack together and mentally played back when he heard Ty was in the hospital. 'I get a call from my sister while I'm boarding a plane that Ty was attacked by a dog and that there was a serious injury and he was [air lifted] to the Children's Hospital,' his father said. He later added: 'When my son was able to talk, I asked him how his grandma was doing and he completely broke down.' On the day of the attack, Ty ran to get help from his next-door neighbor. Police arrived at the home located at 15712 West 1st Ave in Golden, Colorado to find the grandma and boy with 'serious injuries from an attack by two pit bull dogs,' police said. Officers found blood from the home leading into the backyard, where the dogs were still mauling the grandmother. They used stun guns, but werent able to pull the dogs off her until back up arrived. Ty, 12, is in recovery after he was attacked by two pit bulls on September 14. One of the pit bulls in the attack has been in the family for years and was called a 'sweetheart' by the boy's father Both victims were immediately taken to the hospital. Ty's dad remains clueless about what went wrong, especially after he made his ex-wife extensively research whether Diablo was a 'fight breed' before they got the dog seven years ago. His father called Ty and his grandmother 'best friends' as struggles to understand the sequence of events that led to the attack.. 'That was his best friend. Ty just got baptized from his grandma recently, and she has a very active role in his life. She was a very good influence. His grandma was one of the kindest people that you would ever meet in real life. Protesters then smeared red dye over an emblem at the British Consulate during the protests in Melbourne Senator Lidia Thorpe riled protesters in Melbourne with red 'blood' on her hand and an impassioned speech Activists called for UK and the monarchy to burn in the intense display, with others calling for a treaty Protesters in Brisbane have made waves by burning the Australian flag as they marched through streets Demonstrations have kicked off in Australia's capital cities with aims to 'abolish the monarchy' on Thursday Advertisement Hundreds of protesters rallied in Australia today and called for the monarchy to be 'abolished', with some demonstrators burning the Australian flag and smearing red paint on the British consulate, just hours after a national memorial service was held to mourn Queen Elizabeth II. 'Abolish the Monarchy' demonstrators gathered in cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, protesting the persecution of Indigenous people since the British landed in Australia more than two centuries ago. In Melbourne, protesters cut up the Australian flag, which includes the British Union Jack, while others in Brisbane set their flags on fire on top of a pile of flaming newspapers. In an address to protesters in Melbourne, Lidia Thorpe, a Federal Greens senator in the Australian parliament of Aboriginal heritage, accused the British monarchy of having 'blood on their hands'. Australia is one of the few former British colonies that never struck a treaty with the Indigenous population. The country marked Thursday as a day of national mourning following the Queen's death on September 8. But Thorpe shouted to the crowd of protesters in Melbourne: 'The Crown has blood on their hands. Our people are still dying in this country every single day. The Crown's boot is on our neck and we're sick of it.' The group then smeared red dye, resembling blood, over an emblem on the British Consulate in Melbourne. Meanwhile, in Brisbane, hundreds of protesters gathered, with one shouting: 'Our message to England and the Monarchy is to f**king burn.' Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe roused a large crowd of activists in Melbourne with an impassioned speech and 'bloodstained' hand (pictured) Protest leaders set an Australian flag on fire in an intense display during Brisbane's 'Abolish the Monarchy' protests Protestors holding placards which read 'abolish the monarchy' protest outside the British Consulate General office on Thursday in Melbourne 'Abolish the Monarchy' demonstrators gathered in cities including Sydney, Melbourne (pictured) and Canberra, protesting the persecution of Indigenous people since the British landed in Australia more than two centuries ago The explosive protests across the country saw a group of elders burn Australian flags in Brisbane and activists in Melbourne smear red dye on the British Consulate (pictured) Protesters smeared red dye over an emblem at the British Consulate in the Melbourne rally (pictured) In Sydney, scores of people came together near a statue of Queen Victoria in the city centre before marching through the streets. 'I think the monarchy needs to be aware that there's unfinished business happening here in Australia,' said Gwenda Stanley, a 49-year-old activist of the Indigenous Gomeroi people. 'The monarch is nothing to mourn about, it is something if anything for our people to rejoice,' she said, calling for the return of Indigenous lands and restitution for 'war crimes'. 'The monarchy needs to be abolished, it should have been many years ago,' said 24-year-old Indigenous activist Paul Silva. 'First Nations people within Australia are still fighting for their traditional lands,' he added. 'We demand that they return those lands to the traditional owners.' 'We don't need the numbers, we just need the passion,' another protester said in Brisbane, while other demonstrators held a banner which read: 'No Kings, No Cops, No Capitalists'. Hundreds of protesters rallied in Australia today and called for the monarchy to be 'abolished' Activists set fire to newspapers and Australian flags at Brisbane's 'Abolish the Monarchy' protest Police were seen with a man on the ground during the Melbourne anti-monarchy protest which saw activists marching down the CBD Other protesters at the rally wore shirts calling for the national Australia Day to be abolished. Australia Day, held on January 26 every year, is a controversial date in the calendar because it marks the anniversary of British colonisation of the country - with Indigenous activists naming it 'Invasion Day'. Argument rages over how history should remember a fleet of 11 British ships carrying a human cargo of convicts arriving at Port Jackson in present-day Sydney on January 26, 1788. For indigenous Australians, Australia Day marks the start of white colonisation and persecution, including massacres of their people. Protesters highlight that a penal colony was built on land taken from Indigenous inhabitants without the negotiation of a treaty. The lack of any treaty with Indigenous populations puts Australia out of step with comparable countries including the United States, Canada and New Zealand. Indigenous elder Uncle Wayne Wharton wore one such shirt calling for Australia Day to be abolished, while standing next to other Indigenous protesters as they set an Australian flag alight in Brisbane. Activist groups had been planning the protests since the Queen's death. Protestors in Melbourne demanded changes ranging from abolishing the police to the establishment of a treaty with First Nations peoples People holding placards participate in an anti-monarchy protest in Melbourne on Thursday A woman in Sydney held a sign asking for a treaty, a republic and for the country to 'de-colonise' Protestors swarmed the central streets of Brisbane with banners, flags, signs and T-shirts all calling for an end to the monarchy (pictured) Activist carried signs and called for a range of reforms during the first of nationwide national day of mourning protests (pictured) Wayne Wharton (pictured centre) held up a flag for burning at Brisbane's anti-monarchy protest In Adelaide, a 31-year-old man had to be forcibly removed from Government House after he chanted anti-monarchy slogans and then refused to leave. He was escorted from the premises and issued with a trespass notice not to re-enter the area for 24 hours. Activist groups Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) and Fighting In Solidarity Towards Treaties were one group who organised the demonstrations. 'This is a stance against the continued crimes committed against marginalised First Nations, black, brown and Asian communities. We do not support benefactors or Stolenwealth (sic) and demand justice, truth and accountability for all. Justice for all,' WAR wrote on Facebook. 'This is a demonstration against racist colonial imperialism.' Signs and banners held at the protests across the country called for a range of reforms including the introduction of an Indigenous treaty, Australia to become a republic and for justice in response to reports of First Nations deaths in custody. Large crowds gathered in Sydney holding signs and listening to speakers on Thursday (pictured) At a national memorial service for the queen in Canberra, Australia's Governor-General David Hurley, who represents the monarchy, said he recognised the concerns of the island continent's first inhabitants. 'Considering the unifying role her majesty played, I acknowledge that her passing has prompted different reactions for some in our community,' Hurley said. 'I'm conscious and respect that the response of many First Nations Australians is shaped by our colonial history and broader reconciliation journey. That is a journey we as a nation must complete.' Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised a referendum in his first three-year term to give Indigenous peoples the right to be consulted by lawmakers on matters that affect them, a so-called Voice to Parliament. Though an avowed republican, Albanese has made the Voice to Parliament his priority, rejecting questions about a push for an Australian republic as inappropriate during a period of mourning. The arrival of British settlers in 1788 signalled the start of two centuries of discrimination and oppression of Indigenous Australians who have inhabited the land for an estimated 65,000 years. The persecution of Indigenous peoples has been braided into Australia's history, beginning with the decimation of the population after colonisation and continuing through policies such as the forced removal of children. The inequalities facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia remain stark, with life expectancies years shorter than that of other Australians and a higher rate of deaths in custody. In 2007, Indigenous youths accounted for 59 per cent of the total juvenile detention population, according to government records. Last year, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners made up 30 per cent of all prisoners. Donald Trump told Sean Hannity in a new interview that perhaps FBI agents who searched his home at Mar-a-Lago were looking for Hillary Clinton's deleted emails only to have his interviewer clarify that Trump wasn't claiming he possessed them. Trump made the startling comment in an interview where he defended the propriety of storing government information at his Florida club, even if documents are marked 'classified.' 'You can declassify just by saying, its declassified. Even by thinking about it,' Trump said, speaking to the executive's broad declassification authority. After repeating his claim that he declassified the material, trump tore into the National Archives and Records Administration, which exchanged letters with his lawyers while the agency pursued the return of government material. 'Now, I declassified things, and we were having a lot of problems with NARA. You know, NARA is a radical left group of people running that thing, and when you send documents over there, I would say theres a very good chance that a lot of those documents will never be seen again,' he said. 'Were they looking for the Hillary Clinton e-mails that were deleted but they are around someplace?' former President Donald Trump speculated about the FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago Under the Presidential Records Act, former presidents are allowed access to materials from when they were in the White House. 'Theres also a lot of speculation because of what they did, the severity of the FBI coming and raiding Mar-a-Lago. Were they looking for the Hillary Clinton e-mails that were deleted but they are around someplace? Or were they looking for the spying on Trumps ...' the former president continued. He has long railed against the agency for 'spying' on his campaign, and called the Russia probe that began during the 2020 campaign a 'witch hunt.' 'Wait, wait, youre not saying you had it,' Hannity interjected clearing up that Trump wasn't suggesting that he possessed the emails he was long said were part of a conspiracy or coverup. 'No, no, they may be saying they may have thought that it was in there,' Trump corrected. 'That you did. Okay,' Hannity replied. Trump said FBI agents who raided Mar-a-Lago may have been seeking Hillary Clinton's deleted emails, in reference to a controversy dating to 2016. Trump has long demanded the return of emails Clinton deleted after determining they were 'personal.' He asked Russia to help locate the emails that summer Trump has fumed about the FBI raid on his Florida club Trump clarified when pressed that he didn't possess his former rival's emails Documents seized during the search of Trump's estate on August 8 are pictured on August 30. DOJ did not report recovering Hillary Clinton's emails at Mar-a-Lago. But DOJ says about 100 documents marked 'classified' were found there Trump was referencing the 30,000 emails that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's team deemed personal while conducting a search of her home email server that she used during her tenure. The agents that searched his home did so under a warrant that authorized them search for 'documents and records constituting evidence, contraband, fruits of crime, or other items illegally possessed in violation' of three statutes related to possession and handling of government documents. Trump didn't provide evidence for his suggestion that the FBI agents were looking for his campaign rivals emails at his home. The FBI under former Director James Comey reviewed about 30,000 emails that Clinton returned to the State Department in 2016. Trump famously in July 2016 asked Russia for its help locating the deleted emails. 'Russia, if youre listening, I hope youre able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing, I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press,' he said. Trump told Hannity of his classification authority: 'If youre the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying, its declassified. Even by thinking about it, because youre sending it to Mar-a-Lago or to wherever youre sending it.' 'And there doesnt have to be a process. There can be a process, but there doesnt have to be. Youre the president, you make that decision. So when you send it, its declassified. We I declassified everything,' he said. Judge Raymond Dearie, the special master sorting through documents under another judge's order, asked Trump's lawyers to provide evidence that he had declassified the material marked classified. A three- judge panel from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals cited that exchange when ruling Wednesday to lift a stay that prevented investigators from using the classified documents as part of their investigation. Trump also brought up Clinton while attacking the federal judge who signed off on the warrant. 'He's a Clinton person and an Obama person, and I understand that. But he hated Trump,' said Trump. In another comment, Trump connected National Archives officials with what he calls the 'Russia hoax,' while complaining that his lawyers were left outside during the search of his property. 'They wouldnt let anyone inside. And, you know, if you look at NARA and if you look at the FBI over the last 10, 15 years, and if you look at all of the things that the Justice Department whats taken place. When you look at what took place with the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax Sean, they spied on my campaign, what could be worse?' he said. A convicted stalker once dubbed London's 'most dangerous' woman could be freed within days despite absconding during her trial two years ago after a paperwork error meant a key charge was left off her arrest warrant. Farah Damji, 55, also known as Farah Dan, was jailed for five years in 2016 for stalking a church warden after meeting him on an online dating site. Damji, daughter of South African-born property tycoon Amir Damji, had made her victim's life 'complete hell' after he spurned her sexual advances. A court heard she had attempted to 'destroy his life' and she was referred to as London's 'most dangerous woman'. In 2020, she was sentenced to 27 months in prison for breaches of restraining orders while in prison, but the trial took place in her absence after she fled to Ireland. She could be freed 'within days' a hearing heard today after her prosecutor claimed she has served all of her sentence once time in prison in Ireland is taken into account. Southwark Crown Court heard in 2020 that while imprisoned for stalking her victim, Damji raised 5,000 by asking for donations on Twitter to hire a top QC to appeal her conviction in November 2016. The socialite also published 'character assassinations' of individuals she was prohibited from referencing by restraining orders online during her prison term. She then penned a letter to a government body accusing the investigating officer from the case of 'stalking and harassing her', Southwark Crown Court heard. Farah Damji, 55, breached a restraining order twice and was convicted in her absence in 2020 after she fled the UK She was arrested in Ireland last month and launched an appeal against her extradition to the UK, which has since failed A European Arrest Warrant was issued to extradite Damji after it transpired that she had fled to Ireland. She has been wanted in the UK to serve the remainder of her prison sentence Damji had also complained that a police officer had 'scared' her elderly mother by contacting her without permission in a message sent to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), an organisation which typically deals with sexual and violent offenders. The officer is one of many names Damji is forbidden from mentioning under the terms of her restraining order. But she launched an online campaign to 'besmirch the character' of the officer while in prison. Judge Michael Gledhill told the court in her absence: 'She has made herself absolutely scarce so that the police cannot find her. 'In my view this defendant is extremely manipulative. 'She has done her best to disrupt the smooth running of these proceedings from the moment she arrived at this court. 'She is playing the system and she continues to play the system, in my view.' Damji, who ran an art gallery in Manhattan in the 1990s, was convicted in February 2020 of two counts of breaching the restraining order in April 2018 and June 2018. Damji was arrested in Dublin in August 2020 and remanded in custody for seven months before she obtained bail. She was re-arrested in County Galway last month and remanded in custody as the UK government launched extradition proceedings. She had fought against her surrender to the UK at the Supreme Court of Ireland in June and was on bail while judges considered her appeal. But Irish police arrested her at a property on a bench warrant issued following her failure to appear at court for these hearings. It is alleged that she broke bail conditions, but she could now be released regardless after an error meant this offence was not listed on the bench arrest warrant. Farah Damji, 55, was previously dubbed 'London's most dangerous woman' A judge at the High Court in Dublin finally cleared the way for her to be extradited to the UK last week after it was confirmed she would not face further charges in Ireland of failing to surrender to bail. Prosecutor Richard Hearnden said: 'The offence of failing to surrender to bail was not cited on the European Arrest Warrant so unfortunately this court has no jurisdiction to act. 'I have had to conclude that there are no grounds for her to be charged with an offence under the bail act. 'It's a shame that that oversight happened but that's the way the arrest warrant was filled in. 'Failing to surrender to bail is a criminal offence in its own right and it should have been written on the arrest warrant.' Rhiannon Cole, who represented Damji on behalf of her Irish lawyers, said she had spent a considerable amount of time on remand in Ireland. Damji had been promised a document from the Irish authorities detailing how many days she had spent in prison in Ireland, but it had not arrived by the time of today's hearing. Ms Cole said the document would show that Damji had a maximum of 10 days left to serve on her sentence, or possibly no time at all. Judge Jeffrey Pegden, KC, said today that Damji's release date should be known in the next few hours. He told her: 'Your sentence has to be served by you. My earnest hope is that the document setting out the time in custody in Ireland is forthcoming in the next 24 hours as to the time you have left to serve.' Damji was jailed for the first time in 2010 for a 17,500 benefit fraud and she has numerous convictions for fraud, theft and perverting the course of justice, as well as at least three separate convictions for stalking. She will now serve the rest of her sentence until her release in the coming days. The Republicans say it calls the bluff of the rich liberal elite who claim to be pro-immigration without living through the true scale of the crisis Florida Gov. Ron de Santis and Texas' Greg Abbott sent them duly north - to the outrage of Adams and others The vast majority of the migrants say they want to come to New York, a sanctuary city where their chances of being turned in to ICE are slimmer Advertisement New York City Mayor Eric Adams has revealed his solution to influx of 13,000 migrants to the Big Apple with nowhere to live - opening two, refugee-style outdoor camps for them. The mayor revealed the plans on Thursday along with photos of the planned relief sites, which resembled the type of tented landscapes often seen in war zones. One of the sites will be in Orchard Beach, on the edge of the Bronx, next to waspy Westchester County. The location of the second site has not been confirmed. In a press release on Thursday, Adams touted the plan as a victory and proof that he understands his 'moral duty' to the thousands of Venezuelan migrants currently arriving in New York City every week. The release failed to give specifics of when the sites will open or, crucially, how many beds they will contain. Meanwhile thousands of migrants continue to be sent every week from Texas and Florida, where Republican leaders say it's high-time Democrats like Adams understand the true scale of the crisis. In addition to the two migrant sites, Adams has awarded a $34million contract to Bronx Family Network to set up beds for both migrants and the homeless in the same area. That's on top of the 6,000 hotel rooms he has already contracted out for migrants in Manhattan. Adams, claiming the new relief sites will help absolve the problem in New York, said in a press release on Thursday: 'More than 100 years ago, Ellis Island opened its doors to welcome in those yearning to breathe free. An example of the type of site NYC Eric Adams plans to open to house the thousands of migrants arriving every day. One will go in the Bronx and a second location is yet to be confirmed. Adams claimed it as a moral victory. The tents include rows of beds with thin-looking sheets in an outdoor tent, just as winter approaches An aerial view of an example site. Adams, claiming it as a moral victory, said the issue needed to be treated like a humanitarian crisis One of Adams' proposed sites is near Orchard Beach, on the peripheries of the city 'Now, more than ever, its clear that we are again dealing with a humanitarian crisis created by human hands. Adams says it's unfair for leaders in Texas and Florida to send the migrants to him - despite NYC being the top of all of their lists for refuge 'While other leaders have abdicated their moral duty to support arriving asylum seekers, New York City refuses to do so,' he said. In photos of an example site, cot beds are shown lined up in rows in the outdoor tent. Adams said they'd only stay there for up to '96' hours, then be moved on to their desired 'settlement' sites. 'This is not an everyday homelessness crisis, but a humanitarian crisis that requires a different approach. 'Thats why the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers will be the first touchpoint for asylum seekers that will provide them with a range of services and support as families determine their next steps. 'This emergency response represents what we know must be done during this humanitarian crisis, as we continue to seek assistance from our federal and state partners to continue this work. 'Like the generations that came to our city before, New York will provide the thousands now coming to our city with the foundation to build a better life,' Adams said. The town bearing the brunt of the crisis is El Paso, a border community in Texas with just 600,000 full-time residents where thousands of Venezuelans and other migrants are arriving now every week. Yesterday, locals operating housing shelters and food banks pleaded for help from the Biden administration in an open letter. They also added that contrary to Adams' claim that it's inhumane to bus the migrants from Texas to New York, it's where almost all of them want to go. 'About 20% of them want to go to New York,' Barrow wrote in an open letter on Wednesday. 'The city has been chartering busses to New York to assist those desiring that destination. 'I am not aware of anyone being placed on a bus to New York who did not want to go there,' Blake Barrow, the CEO of the Rescue Mission of El Paso, said in an open letter. Pictured: A bus carrying migrants arrived in New York City on Sunday, Sep, 4 Migrants arriving in New York City earlier this month. Republican Mayors are warning Democratic counterparts they'll keep sending bus loads of people until they denounce Biden's border policy He added that despite having the most hands-on experience with the people crossing the border, no Washington officials have been in touch with them to offer them help or seek their expertise. 'The immigration processing center became so over-crowded that the government began loading migrants on busses and dropping them off in front of shelters. The Rescue Mission has received about 500 migrants. 'All of them are from Venezuela. They need showers, good clothes, and food.' He added that the city desperately needs government help, but is being ignored. 'The number of migrants we have coming into El Paso is so large that it is overwhelming the housing and support services that the city is able to offer. 'Obviously, we need a well-coordinated, federal solution to this problem, but, so far, no one from Washington has asked our opinions.' News of the complaints come just hours after it was reported that former President Donald Trump could return to Facebook in 2023 Center for Renewing America, the group that filed the complaints, allege that Zuckerberg hired a former Obama staffer to execute the scheme Organization claims that Chan and Zuckerberg used donated money to attempt to sway the 2020 presidential election in now President Joe Biden's favor A conservative think tank has filed a legal complaint against Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan A conservative think tank has filed a legal complaint against Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan over allegations they spent $500 million to help Joe Biden win the 2020 election. Chan and Zuckerberg are cited in one of two complaints filed with the Internal Revenue Service by the Center for Renewing America (CRA), a conservative nonprofit run by former deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought. According to FOX Business, the complaints filed with the IRS allege that the high ranking Facebook officials attempted to sway the 2020 presidential election in favor of now President Joe Biden with $500 million funneled through nonprofit, tax-exempt voting rights groups. CRA says the donations should have been eligible for taxation, because they were used for electioneering. CRA also filed a second complaints against the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), Center for Election Innovation and Research (CEIR) and National Vote at Home Institute (NVAHI), claiming that they played a major role in the scheme to help now President Biden win the vote. Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan pictured together at an event The complaints go on to argue that Zuckerberg hired former campaign manager for President Barack Obama, David Plouffe, to execute the scheme. CRA believes that Chan and Zuckerberg created major million dollar grants and that Plouffe sent the money to democratic-leaning areas in swing states. The think tank also alleges that Plouffe used the three nonprofit organizations to help pull off the plan. Those are tax exempt, with the CRA saying that exemption was improper in the case of the grants, and that tax should have been paid on the donations, given the purpose they were allegedly used for. In a statement shared with FOX Business, CRA said that Chan and Zuckerberg 'disguised the political nature of their donations' and called the alleged situation 'disgraceful.' David Plouffe, former campaign manager for former President Barack Obama "It is beyond disgraceful to imagine federal taxpayers subsidizing the partisan preferences of billionaires who easily could have given to a Democrat super PAC in 2020," the think tank said in their statement. "But, of course, then they would not have been able to take a tax deduction, so they disguised the political nature of their donations and shuffled them through 'charitable' intermediaries, making ordinary Americans foot the bill," the CRA continued. Vought, who was appointed to the position by then President Donald Trump, was endorsed by the one term president after announcing the launch of the organization. "Russell Vought did a fabulous job in my administration, and I have no doubt he will do a great job in continuing our quest to make America great again," Trump said in a statement released in 2021. Former President Donald Trump, who was kicked off Instagram and Facebook in June 2021 The news comes just hours after Semafor Media broke a story claiming that Trump, who has been banned on Meta-owned sites, could return to Facebook and Instagram once his two year suspension ends. Former President Trump was taken off of the apps in June 2021 after an investigation into whether his posts ignited the deadly January 6, 2021 insurrection at the United States Capitol. Nick Clegg, president of global affairs for Facebook parent company Meta, recently spoke with Semafor Media at an event in Washington, D.C., in which he said that the company will evaluate the situation before making a decision. If we think there is is content on our platform which will lead to real-world harm physical harm then we feel we have a clear responsibility to act against it. Clegg said. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, displays their logo outside headquarters In filing their complaints, CRA hopes that their claims will prompt further investigation into Chan and Zuckerberg, as well as the nonprofits. "We leave to the Service to determine whether there is enough evidence to sustain a criminal investigation into Chan or Zuckerberg for tax fraud," the CRA complaint stated, according to FOX Business. "Nevertheless, at the very least, it is incumbent upon the IRS to recoup what is likely a false tax deduction on a roughly hundred-million-dollar order of magnitude: an unlawful taxpayer subsidy running to support Democrat electioneering purposes." Advertisement The Princess of Wales said she believed the late Queen was looking down on them when five rainbows appeared in the sky over Balmoral. Kate, 40, who opted to wear her recycled 2,150 Dolce & Gabbana collarless long coat in black, made the comment as she and William thanked people who had worked to stage Queen Elizabeth's funeral in Windsor. It came as the Royals remarked at seeing the colourful weather phenomenon as they spent time in Scotland. The Prince of Wales, 40, said the unusual sight had left them surprised, adding 'In Scotland, how many rainbows turned up? You hardly ever see rainbows up there, but there were five.' Kate smiled as she replied: 'Her Majesty was looking down on us.' And during the engagement, which was the first in person engagement for the Prince and Princess of Wales since the state funeral, William said he found himself 'choked up' when he saw Paddington Bear tributes to his grandmother, but had found comfort in the public outpouring of support for the Royal Family. The stunning skies seemed to say a last goodbye to the Monarch, on Sunday, who has been a central figurehead of the country for over 70 years, and Britain's longest reigning monarch. Elizabeth II was synonymous with Windsor Castle, where rainbows also appeared, and where she spent much of her time especially after the death of her beloved husband, Prince Philip, in April last year. And the rainbows were seen also overhead the Queue, which saw around 250,000 mourners lining up throughout the night to see the Queen lying in state. Her Majesty also gave her name to the tower which holds the bell of Big Ben, which was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark her Diamond Jubilee, and also saw the stunning phenomenon. It comes as rainbows were also spotted outside Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle on the day of Her Majestys death, on Thursday, September 8. Kate, Princess of Wales, and Prince William attended Windsor Guildhall this afternoon, three days after the funeral of Her late Majesty the Queen, to speak with staff and volunteers who helped organise and run the committal service at St George's Chapel in Winsdor on Monday Natures own memorial: A rainbow appeared yesterday over Westminster Abbey and Parliament while Londoners revel at a stunning red sky over Big Ben A rainbow also appeared when people gathered outside Buckingham Palace on the day the Queen died, aged 96, in Balmoral on Thursday, September 8 The Union flag is pictured being lowered on Windsor Castle as a rainbow covers the sky on September 08, when the Queen died William and Kate arrived at Windsor Guildhall on Thursday for their first royal engagement since the late monarch's funeral The Princess of Wales remained elegant and composed as she met with staff and volunteers and spoke to them about how they managed to organise a seamless, poignant ceremony to say farewell to Her late Majesty Kate appeared to duck out of the way as Prince William shook hands with a volunteer from St John's Ambulance, who were on standby throughout the day to ensure the crowds of mourners were safe It came as the Royal couple told volunteers and operational staff who helped to organise the Queen's Committal Service that moments of sadness still caught him out. The Royal Family were not expected to carry out any official engagements during their mourning period, after more than a week of being under the world's gaze while performing ceremonial duties following the Queen's death. Yet royal duties recommenced yesterday for William, with the father-of-three making his first speech since his grandmother passed away with a pre-recorded address to the Earthshot Prize summit in New York. The prince was due to attend but cancelled his trip following the Queen's death. Buckingham Palace has said a small number of engagements will be undertaken during royal mourning to thank those involved in the delivery of HM Queen Elizabeths Funeral and associated ceremonial events, and to recognise the service to King and country of those on deployment overseas. William also said: 'It is the things you don't expect that get to you,' he said, adding that he got 'choked up' over the Paddington tributes. He went on: 'It is always very comforting that so many people care. It makes it a lot better. 'There are certain moments that catch you out. You are prepared for all but certain moments catch you out.' They also thanked the group for supporting the large crowds that gathered in Windsor to commemorate the Queen and watch the procession of her coffin up the Long Walk to the castle before the service. The Prince and Princess of Wales met with staff, who were also dressed in black to pay their respects to Her late Majesty during the period of mourning A rainbow is seen in a semi circle over Westminster Hall on Sunday before the Queen's funeral The Prince and Princess of Wales (pictured) have met with volunteers and operational staff to thank them for their work on the Queen 's committal service at Windsor Castle The Royal Family were not expected to carry out any official engagements during their mourning period, after more than a week of being under the world's gaze while performing ceremonial duties following the Queen's death. But yesterday William made his first speech since his grandmother passed away with a pre-recorded address to the Earthshot Prize summit. Buckingham Palace say a small number of engagements will be undertaken during royal mourning to thank those involved in the delivery of HM Queen Elizabeth's Funeral. Princess Anne, 72, has also stepped out at Portsmouth Naval Base, where she shook hands with Royal Navy personnel who took part in the procession. It was her first engagement since attending her mother's funeral on Monday. Speaking to staff, the prince asked whether the Queen passing away at Balmoral 'made it complicated'. He added: 'I think I heard it was the ''least planned for plan". It was seamless, you could feel it.' William and Kate spoke of the extraordinary public response to the Queen's death as they met with volunteers and workers who helped in Windsor on the day of the State funeral. It was the couple's first official engagement since the funeral on Monday, as several senior royals returned to their duties, while continuing to mourn for the Queen. The prince and princess arrived dressed all in black as they continue to observe the royal mourning period which lasts until Monday A rainbow is seen over the Big Ben on the eve of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch and a rock of stability across much of a turbulent century The pair (pictured) have passed on their appreciation to volunteers and staff who worked on the service at St George's Chapel on Monday afternoon The Princess of Wales maintained the full black outfit as the family continues its period of mourning, but she smiled through her grief in order to thank the staff who ensured the Committal service was a fitting tribute to Her late Majesty Kate waved as she left the meeting in which she and the Prince of Wales said a heartfelt thanks to the staff and volunteers in Windsor, in their first public engagement since the Queen's funeral A rainbow forms as people queue to pay their respects to Britain's Queen Elizabeth following her death, in London Windsor Guildhall, pictured, where Kate and William are speaking to volunteers and operational staff to thank them for their work on the Queen's committal service at Windsor Castle Her late Majesty's only daughter, 72, was seen at Portsmouth Naval Base, where she shook hands with Royal Navy personnel who took part in the procession Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince George of Wales pictured arriving at Westminster Abbey Britain's William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince George and Princess Charlotte at the day of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey (Top to bottom) The Prince of Wales, Prince George, the Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, the Duke of Sussex and Duchess of Sussex at the committal service for Queen Elizabeth II held at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle SEPTEMBER 8 -- The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the Long Walk at Windsor Castle Kate spoke about seeing all the infrastructure like barriers going up along the roads 'coming back and forwards from the school run'. The group spoke about the number of people in the crowds, with one of the logistics staff saying it was about 110,000. William said: 'We did not see the whole town come to a standstill. That's what we were worried about, that it would disrupt everyone's lives.' Later, when one of the staff talked about how difficult the last few days must have been, he said: 'If you flip it on its head, it is always very comforting that so many people care. It makes it a lot better. There are certain moments that catch you out. You are prepared for all but certain moments catch you out.' The engagement is one of their first since William became the heir apparent and became known as the Prince of Wales, after the death of his grandmother and the accession of his father, Charles, to become the King. William also inherited the title Duke of Cornwall and is now the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge. Kate is now known as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. The Prince and Princess of Wales' outing today comes after a royal book claimed William and wife Kate felt 'relief' when Prince Harry (pictured here with Prince William during a special vigil for the Queen) and Meghan Markle announced their decision to move to the US, because they felt that the 'drama was gone' Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Catherine, Princess of Wales stand at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II lays on the catafalque at Westminster Hall on September 14 The Prince and Princess of Wales' outing today comes after a royal book claimed William and wife Kate felt 'relief' when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to move to the US, because they felt that the 'drama was gone'. In a book soon to be published about The Firm, The New Royals, author and journalist Katie Nicholl addressed the deepening division between the Sussexes and other members of the Royal Family after Harry and Meghan decided to step down as senior royals and begin a new life in the US in 2020. William is reported to have held a summit of aides - which came to be known as the Anmer Summit after the couples Norfolk home - to discuss the Royal Family's future in the wake of Harry's move to the States. Meanwhile, Prince Harry apparently suggested bringing in a mediator to solve his rift with the rest of the Royal Family, causing Camilla to 'splutter over her tea'. The book quotes an unnamed family friend who told the author the Duke of Sussex met with his father in spring this year and wanted 'to clear the air' - but the awkward meeting left relations strained. After the Duke and Duchess did not attend the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service at Westminster Abbey in March amid a reported dispute over their UK security arrangements, Nicholl wrote that a glimmer of hope was on the horizon when the couple stopped off in the UK before a visit to The Hague for an Invictus Games event a few weeks later. The Prince of Wales, Prince George, the Princess of Wales, and Princess Charlotte during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday In an extract of the book published in Vanity Fair, Nicholl said King Charles, who was then Prince of Wales, insisted on a meeting with Harry over tea before he had an audience with the Queen. 'The meeting with Charles and Camilla was more awkward than their cordial tea with the queen,' Nicholl wrote, adding that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were late to the meeting which left Charles with just 15 minutes to catch up with his youngest son and daughter-in-law before he had to attend the Royal Maundy Service at Windsor Castle where he stood in for the Queen. The family friend said: '[Harry] actually suggested that they use a mediator to try and sort things out, which had Charles somewhat bemused and Camilla spluttering into her tea.' They added the Queen Consort told the Duke his suggestion was 'ridiculous' and that they would resolve their differences within the family. Despite the rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the family, there have been glimpses of a potential reconciliation following the Queen's death. It had originally been reported that Harry and Meghan were not planning on meeting with William and Kate during their stay in the UK. But on the Saturday after the monarch passed away, the Prince and Princess of Wales made their first public appearance outside the Windsor Estate to read tributes that had been left to Her late Majesty and greet mourners. In an unexpected appearance, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined the couple as the 'Fab Four' were reunited in their grief. An autistic girl received a fatal stab wound while her mother was choked to death, police officers have said as they continue to investigate the double-murder. Jillu Nash, 44, and her 12-year-old daughter, Louise Nash, were found dead in their two-bedroom bungalow in Sudbury, Suffolk two weeks ago. Police officers confirmed today that the post-mortem examinations showed that the girl had died from a fatal stab wound to her abdomen while her mother was killed by 'pressure on the neck'. Police had been called to the home just after 9.55am on September 8 following concerns over the safety of the individuals inside. After gaining entry to the property, Suffolk Police officers found the mother and daughter dead inside. Jillu Nash was killed at her bungalow in Great Waldingfield, near Sudbury, Suffolk on September 8. Her 12-year-old daughter, Louise Nash, also died after being stabbed fatally in the abdomen Louise Nash, 12, was stabbed fatally in the abdomen. A 46-year-old man, who was found with injuries inside the property, now remains in hospital and has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder A 46-year old man was found inside the property and was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He remains at Addenbrooke's Hospital under arrest of on suspicion of two counts of murder, where his condition remains stable, according to police. The deaths have shaken the community in Great Waldingfield, with flowers being laid in the street in memory of the mother and daughter. Forensic police officers at the home of the mother and daughter who tragically died on September 8 Flowers have been left outside the home where the mother and daughter were found killed. One person who lived in the village said Ms Nash 'was devoted to her daughter' Renuka Baldwin, chair of Great Waldingfield Parish Council, told the Mirror that the pair's lives had been 'brutally cut short in such awful circumstances,' leaving villagers 'deeply saddened'. Another person who lived in the village said: 'She was devoted to her daughter. We would see her drive past with her in the car and she would always wave.' Police officers said that they believed it was a 'contained incident' with no wider threat to the community and said that all three individuals were known to each other. Due to the fact that there had been previous (but not recent) contact between the victim and Suffolk Constabulary, the matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for their assessment, in line with agreed protocols. Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anybody with any information to contact the Major Investigation Team, either online or by calling 101 and quoting the reference 57943/22. Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously. She was set to talk to the Iranian leader about the protest and civil unrest happening in the country after the death of Mahsa Amini, 22 'The aide made it clear that the interview would not happen if I did not wear a headscarf,' she wrote. 'So we walked away' Raisi reportedly requested it as it is the 'holy months of Muharram and Safar' and had an aide deliver the news 40 minutes after the interview was to start CNN's Christiane Amanpour canceled an interview with the Iranian president after he asked her to wear a headscarf amid the civil unrest in Tehran. The Chief International Anchor, 64, was set to interview President Ebrahim Raisi, 61, at the United Nations in New York on Wednesday when he demanded she wear a headscarf at the last minute. Amanpour - who is Iranian and grew up in Tehran - declined the request, writing on her Instagram: 'We are in New York, where there is no law or tradition regarding headscarves. I pointed out that no previous Iranian president has required this when I have interviewed them outside Iran.' When she interviewed former President Hassan Rouhani, she did not wear a headscarf either. However, the journalist does wear one while reporting inside Iran, because 'otherwise you couldnt operate as a journalist,' she told CNN's New Day. All women, including tourists, have had to wear a headscarf in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. CNN's Christiane Amanpour, 64, canceled an interview with the Iranian president after he asked her to wear a headscarf amidst the civil unrest in Tehran, she announced on Instagram Amanpour - who is Iranian and grew up in Tehran - declined the request, writing on her Instagram: 'We are in New York, where there is no law or tradition regarding headscarves.' The veteran anchor said an aide came in 40 minutes after the interview was supposed to start to ask her to accommodate Raisi's wishes, who reportedly requested it as it is the 'holy months of Muharram and Safar' (pictured: Raisi at the UNGA on September 21) The veteran anchor said an aide came in 40 minutes after the interview was supposed to start to ask her to accommodate Raisi's wishes, who reportedly requested it as it is the 'holy months of Muharram and Safar.' 'The aide made it clear that the interview would not happen if I did not wear a headscarf. He said it was a matter of respect, and referred to the situation in Iran - alluding to the protests sweeping the country,' Amanpour wrote on Instagram. 'Again, I said that I couldnt agree to this unprecedented and unexpected condition,' she continued. 'And so we walked away.' It was supposed to be the first time Raisi would have been interviewed on American soil. He was visiting New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Amanpour was set to talk to the Iranian president about the growing tensions in Tehran, where women are burning their hijabs after the death of Mansa Amini, 22. Riots erupted when Mahsa Amini died after being arrested by Islamic Republic's morality police for wearing 'unsuitable attire.' She previously interviewed former President Hassan Rouhani without a headscarf Police said she died of a heart attack and did not suffer any mistreatment, despite experts' claims she was severely beaten. State-mandated headscarves have been removed by women in the streets and others shared videos of them defying the draconian dress codes in an open challenge to the authoritarian regime. At least 10 people have been killed as violence grips the republic. The US imposed sanctions today on the morality police, accusing it of abuse and violence against Iranian women and of violating the rights of peaceful Iranian protesters. The US Treasury also said it had put sanctions on the heads of the Iranian army's ground forces and of the morality police as well as on Iran's minister of intelligence. To prevent protests from spreading, Iran's biggest telecom operator largely shut down mobile internet access again Thursday, said Netblocks, a group that monitors internet access, describing the restrictions as the most severe since 2019. Reports from Kurdish rights group Hengaw said three protesters were killed on Wednesday, bringing the death toll from the protests to 10. An anchor on Iran's state television suggested the death toll from the mass protests could be as high as 17 on Thursday but did not say how he reached that figure. 'Unfortunately, 17 people and police officers present at the scene of these events lost their lives,' the Iranian anchor said, adding official statistics would be released later. Mahsa Amini, 22, from Iran's Kurdistan province, fell into a coma and died while waiting with other women held by the morality police. It is rumored she was brutally beaten to death More Iranian women are defiantly filming themselves cutting off their hair and burning their hijabs in solidarity with Mahsa Amini A woman holds up a handful of her hair after cutting it during a protest over the death of Amini outside the Iranian Consulate People clash with police during a protest following the death of Amini in Tehran JK Rowling earlier praised the Iranian women who are challenging Iran's strict dress code One pensioner removed her headscarf and chanted 'death to Khamenei' while protesters ripped down posters of the Supreme Leader. In footage from Sari, the capital of northern Mazandaran province, activists tore down posters of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini, and Supreme Leader Khamenei on a municipality building. 'Amin Marafti, 16, Milan Haghigi, 21, and Sadruddin Litani, 27, were at least three Shno residents who were shot dead by government forces during the city's demonstrations,' Hengaw said in a statement. 'I'm just looking outside of from flat's window. It's a complete chaos down here,' Ashskan, a resident of Tajrish in the center of the capital Tehran, told MailOnline. '[The police] fired teargas here, it's a residential, children are living here. It's lots of smoke, people are suffocating,' he said. 'Most of the protesters are women with no headscarves. They are clashing with the police. Some time police officers run after the people and sometime the other way around,' he added. A defiant pensioner removed her headscarf and chanted 'death to Khamenei' and protesters ripped down posters of him while chanting 'death to the dictator' as violent protests continued to rage across Iran 'It's very crowded. They fired teargas into our parking. They are chanting 'Dictator! Dictator!' and also "death to the dictator." I also heard gunshots,' he continued. Iran blocked access to Instagram and WhatsApp and imposed drastic restrictions on internet access Thursday. 'In accordance with a decision by officials, it has no longer been possible to access Instagram in Iran since Wednesday evening and access to WhatsApp is also disrupted,' the semi-official Fars news agency reported. The NetBlocks shows a near-total disruption to internet service in parts of Kurdistan province in western Iran since Monday, while the capital city of Tehran and other parts of the country have also faced disruptions since Friday, when protests first broke out. The two apps were the most widely used in Iran after the blocking of other platforms in recent years, including Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, YouTube and TikTok. It comes as 13 Iranian lawmakers have suggested to the government to take harsher measures against the protesters. Officials have denied that security forces have killed protesters, suggesting they may have been shot by armed dissidents but footage shows police officers firing directly at people. An overturned police car is seen on fire in Bojnurd, Iran, September 22, 2022 In more footage from Sari, the capital of northern Mazandaran province, activists teared down the posters of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini and Supreme Leader Khamenei on a municipality building Meanwhile, protesters in Tehran and several other Iranian cities torched police stations and vehicles on Thursday morning. Unrest triggered by the death of a woman detained by the Islamic Republic's morality police intensified for the sixth day. Amini's death unleashed huge anger in the population and the worst protests in Iran since 2019. Many Iranians, particularly the young, have come to see Amini's death as part of the Islamic Republic's heavy-handed policing of dissent and the morality police's increasingly violent treatment of young women. Some women demonstrators have defiantly taken off their hijabs and burned them in bonfires or symbolically cut their hair, video footage spread virally on social media has shown. Most of the protests have been concentrated in Iran's Kurdish-populated northwestern regions but have spread to the capital and at least 50 cities and towns nationwide, with police using force to disperse protesters. Some women demonstrators have defiantly taken off their hijabs and burned them in bonfires or symbolically cut their hair Officials have denied that security forces have killed protesters, suggesting they may have been shot by armed dissidents but footage obtained by MailOnline shows police officers firing directly at people In the northeast, protesters shouted 'We will die, we will die, but we'll get Iran back' near a police station that was set on fire, a video showed that was posted on a Twitter account 1500tasvir, which focuses on Iran protests and has around 100,000 followers. Another police station was set ablaze in Tehran as the unrest spread from Kurdistan, the home province of Amini. Iran's rulers fear a revival of the 2019 protests over gasoline price rises, the bloodiest in the Islamic Republic's history. Reuters reported that 1,500 were killed. Protesters also expressed anger at Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 'Mojtaba, may you die and not become Supreme Leader,' a crowd was seen chanting in Tehran, referring to Khamenei's son, who some believe could succeed his father at the top of Iran's political establishment. In northern Iran, crowds armed with batons and rocks attacked two members of the security forces on a motorbike as a crowd cheered, as seen on a video, which Reuters was unable to verify. A Twitter account linked to the 'Anonymous' hacker group claims to have launched cyber attacks against the Iranian government and affiliated websites. The group shared screenshots showing websites of Iran's government portal, the office of a government spokesperson, and the central bank took down after purportedly being hacked. In an address to the UN General Assembly, US President Joe Biden said Americans will stand with 'the brave women of Iran who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights'. He spoke after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi rejected calls from Western powers to respect women's rights. Iran's hardline president has deflected criticism of his government's response to the protests and the subsequent violence. Another police station was set ablaze in the capital Tehran as the unrest spread from Kurdistan, the home province of Amini Iran's rulers fear a revival of the 2019 protests over gasoline price rises, the bloodiest in the Islamic Republic's history. Reuters reported 1,500 were killed Protesters also expressed anger at Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'The Islamic Republic of Iran rejects some of the double standards of some governments vis-a-vis human rights,' he said. 'Human rights belongs to all, but unfortunately it is trampled upon by many governments,' he added referring to the discovery of unmarked graves of indigenous people in Canada, the suffering of the Palestinians, and images of migrant children held in cages in the United States. Iran's Telecommunications Minister Issa Zarepour on Wednesday warned of internet restrictions, citing the 'security issues of these days.' Elon Musk said he wants to be exempt from Iranian sanctions so he can provide the country with his Starlink satellite internet. A social media user going by the handle 'erfan_kasrale' tagged Musk in a tweet on Monday, saying: 'I'm sure you won't answer it Mr. Musk, but is it technically possible to provide Starlink to Iranian people? It could be a game changer for the future.' Iranian leaders have vowed to investigate the circumstances of Amini's death while accusing unnamed foreign countries and exiled opposition groups of seizing on it as a pretext to foment unrest. Women have played a prominent role in the protests, waving and burning their veils, with some cutting their hair in public. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stormed out of a UN Security meeting today after a delusional speech in which he accused 'totalitarian' Ukraine of 'neo-Nazism' and 'Russophobia'. It came after France, the current head of the Security Council, called a special session in New York to highlight the need for accountability for the atrocities seen in Ukraine. Although Lavrov was not caught on camera leaving the room, his early departure was referenced by UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. 'He has left the chamber, I'm not surprised, I don't think Mr Lavrov wants to hear the collective condemnation of this council,' Mr Cleverly said. Lavrov told the Council that there has been a narrative that Russian aggression initiated the war as he lashed out at Western accusations. 'There's an attempt today to impose on us a completely different narrative about Russian aggression as the origin of this tragedy,' Lavrov said. He accused Ukraine of 'Russophobia,' including through its imposition of Ukrainian language rules. 'The United States and their allies with the connivance of international human rights organisations have been covering the crimes of the Kyiv regime,' Lavrov added. The Foreign Minister also accused Ukraine of becoming a 'Nazi-like state' in a rambling speech. 'We have no doubt that Ukraine has become a completely totalitarian Nazi-like state where the norms of international humanitraian law trampled on,' Lavrov said. He added: 'We have no illusions that today the armed forces of Russia and the militias of Lugansk and Donetsk are being opposed not only by the neo-Nazi formations of the Kiev regime but the military machine of the collective West.' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (pictured) stormed out of a UN Security meeting after a delusional speech in which he accused 'totalitarian' Ukraine of 'Russophobia' Lavrov pictured speaking at the Security Council meeting in New York, accused the West of 'covering up the crimes of the Kyiv regime' Before the meeting started, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had wryly told reporters that he planned to keep a 'safe social distance' from Lavrov. And before Vladimir Putin's attack dog Lavrov had entered the room, council staffers prepared to put a placard marking Ukraine's seat next to Russia's, but Kuleba objected, leading to his seat being moved. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on every UN General Assembly member to 'send a clear message' to Russia that it must stop its nuclear threats. Putin said earlier this week that his nuclear-ready army will 'certainly use all means available to us' to defend the country. Blinken demanded that Putin be held to account as he faced Russia during a session in which the United Nations catalogued abuses in Ukraine. 'The very international order we've gathered here to uphold is being shredded before our eyes,' Blinken told the Security Council. 'We cannot - we will not - let President Putin get away with it.' Blinken accused Putin of adding 'fuel to the fire' with recent steps including calling up reservists and planning referendums in Russian-held Ukrainian territory just as Kyiv made strong gains on the ground. The top US diplomat said it was critical to show that 'no nation can redraw the borders of another by force.' 'If we fail to defend this principle when the Kremlin is so flagrantly violating it, we send the message to aggressors everywhere that they can ignore it, too.' World leaders and senior diplomats from across the globe descended on New York for the annual meeting this week, with Mr Cleverly attending as part of a UK delegation headed by Liz Truss - his first overseas trip since taking the role. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly (pictured) referenced Lavrov's departure, suggesting he did not want to hear the 'collective condemnation of this council' The Foreign Secretary, who was speaking right after Lavrov's delusional speech, accused Russia of more lies. 'Today I have listened to further instalments of Russia's catalogues of distortions, dishonesty and disinformation,' he added. Mr Cleverly also added that the 'devastating consequences of Russia's invasion become more clear' every day. 'We see the mounting evidence of Russian atrocities against civilians, including indiscriminate shelling and targeted attacks on over 200 medical facilities and 40 educational institutions and horrific acts of sexual violence,' he said. Mr Cleverly argued that Putin is planning to 'fabricate' a referenda on becoming parts of Russia due to be held in Russian-controlled regions in eastern and southern Ukraine. He said: 'We have information which means that we know that Russia is about to hold sham referenda on sovereign Ukrainian territory with no basis in law under the threat of violence after mass displacements of people in areas that voted overwhelmingly for Ukrainian independence. The special meeting was called by head of the Security Council France in a bid to to highlight accountability in Ukraine 'We know what Vladimir Putin is doing. He is planning to fabricate the outcome of those referenda, he is planning to use that to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory, and he is planning to use it as a further pretext to escalate his aggression. 'We call on all countries to reject this charade and to refuse to recognise any results.' Russia is outnumbered on the Security Council, but any meaningful action on Ukraine by the 15-member body has been hampered because it is a veto-wielding permanent member. But Blinken earlier told the meeting that 'one man chose this war, one man can end it'. The Security Council meeting came on the heels of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's demands for world leaders to punish Russia in a video speech delivered Wednesday, just hours after Moscow made an extraordinary announcement that it would mobilise some reservists for the war effort. Buoyed by a counteroffensive that has retaken swaths of territory that the Russians seized, Zelensky vowed that his forces would not stop until they had reclaimed all of Ukraine. 'We can return the Ukrainian flag to our entire territory. We can do it with the force of arms,' the president said in a speech delivered in English. 'But we need time.' A couple who was caught having sex has been fined by authorities in Colombia's Caribbean coast department of Atlantico. Sunbathers were shocked at the sight of a couple having sex in broad daylight at Marimar Beach in Puerto Colombia on September 11. A family of beachgoers recorded the couple switching positions in the water as children played nearby. A man who appeared to be the person filming the naked couple shouts, 'I thought he was going to turn her on her back.' A woman who was near him then said, 'It must be that she is drugged? That woman must be drugged up?' A couple was busted having sex in a beach September 11 in Puerto Colombia, a seaside municipality in the Colombian coastal province of Atlantico. Authorities were able to locate the pair after the video went viral and fined them 900,000 Colombian pesos, about $205 Puerto Colombia public security chief Saul Leyva revealed that the couple was immediately identified by authorities and fined 900,000 Colombia pesos, about $205 The viral video shows the couple turning around in the water multiple times. The man recording the footage tells another person, 'don't look over there ... he's already laughing.' Puerto Colombia public security chief Saul Leyva revealed that the couple, whose names were withheld, was identified by authorities and fined 900,000 Colombia pesos, about $205. 'We have a manual for the use of the beaches to make responsible use of the area, that is why we located these people and fined them,' Leyva said. The lewd beach act comes nearly two months after Emily Barrios, a native of the Colombian city of Santa Marta, was filmed having sex with an American man on the balcony of an apartment in the Caribbean coastal province of Cartagena and coerced into coughing up several thousands dollars to prevent from being processed through the judicial team. A man (left) and a woman (right) were filmed engaging in sexual activities on a beach in the Colombian coastal town of Puerto Colombia The 22-year-old woman, according to El Tiempo newspaper, said that police officers arrived at the home and showed them footage of the video that was been recorded by someone near their building. Barrios and her partner acknowledged that they were the ones in the video having sex in front of their friends and that she was only complying with a sexual fantasy that the man had. The interrogation went south when the two officers started asking them for money because they would be subject to a fine. They ended up giving $3,000 to the crooked cops, Barrios said. Although the incident was placed under investigation by the Cartagena Metropolitan Police, the American tourists were fined and asked to abandon the country. The wives of border patrol agents are running for Congress after becoming fed up with what their husbands have to deal with under President Joe Biden's immigration policies. Of the three running for Congress, Representative Mayra Flores already won a special election in June to replace a Democratic congressman who left mid-term in Texas' 34th congressional district. The other two are Cassy Garcia, who beat out six other Republicans to take on Democrat Representative Henry Cuellar and Irene Armendariz-Jackson, who quit her job as a Realtor in El Paso to challenge Democratic Representative Veronica Escobar. If Garcia and Armendariz-Jackson are successful, Republicans will only need to flip two more House seats in the 2022 midterm elections to win back a majority in the lower chamber. Predictions have shown for months that Democrats would lose the House in November's election. The three womens' focus on border issues has won them broad support from conservatives in the border state. Three wives of Border Patrol agents, including Representative Mayra Flores (pictured), are running for Congress in Texas in the 2022 midterms because they are fed up The other two wives of border agents running are Cassy Garcia (left), who beat out six other Republicans to take on Democrat Representative Henry Cuellar and Irene Armendariz-Jackson (right), who quit her job as a Realtor in El Paso to challenge Democratic Representative Veronica Escobar Figures released from August show that Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has encountered more than 2 million migrants in 2022 and there's still one more month left of reporting before the end of the fiscal year. There has also been a record-breaking number of migrant deaths along the border with 780 reported this year. 'The support they're not receiving from the administration it's unbelievable,' Garcia said, according to the Washington Examiner. She also slammed Vice President Kamala Harris' role in addressing the southern border crisis. 'I think she's still trying to figure out the root causes, right? We know what the root causes are, right? They're not enforcing laws,' Garcia, a former senior aide to Texas Senator Ted Cruz, said. Garcia's husband has been a border agent for 26 years and is challenging Cuellar, who has served for nine terms in a district that encompasses a large portion of the southern border and spans into the state toward San Antonio. Armendariz-Jackson will take on Escobar, who succeeded Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke, in the Lone Star State's 16th congressional district, which also includes part of the border with Mexico but further north than Cuellar's current district. Armendariz-Jackson's husband was a border patrol agent for 24 years before he took early retirement when the vaccine mandate was implemented for all federal employees Flores' husband is a Border Patrol agent. He is pictured (center) holding the Bible Flores (right of him) used to be sworn in as a U.S. Representative when she succeeded a Democratic congressman who left his term early to become a lobbyist Her husband had to retire early from the Border Patrol after 24 years due to vaccine mandates. 'After 24 years, today will be my husband's last day serving as a Border Patrol agent,' she announced on Twitter in December 2021. 'Due to Biden's tyrannical vaccine mandate, he has had to take an early retirement,' she added. 'He has served El Paso & America well he truly loved his job. This is a sad day for our family.' In her thread at the time, Armendariz-Jackson said her husband was lucky to take an early retirement, adding that others had to quit at a time in the middle of their career. Armendariz-Jackson quit her job as a realtor in El Paso to run against Escobar. All three women secured the party nomination in March. Flores also won a special election in June for a seat the incumbent left to become a lobbyist. The Republican lawmaker is married to a Border Patrol agent and has made border security a top focus of her campaign, which continues for November. 'We have a border that is completely out of control,' Flores said, according to the Examiner. 'It's not just a humanitarian crisis. It's also a national security crisis.' 'Our Border Patrol are focused on women and children. They're not able to focus on the terrorists coming in.' Todd Bensman is Senior National Security Fellow for the Center for Immigration Studies and author of 'Overrun: How Joe Biden Unleashed the Greatest Border Crisis in U.S. History.' He previously served for nine years as senior intelligence analyst for the Texas Department of Public Safety's Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division. All it took was the arrival of 50 migrants on Martha's Vineyard to wake Democrats and the mainstream media up to the reality of America's historic and transformational immigration crisis. Who knew? All they needed was 19 months, dating back to the start of the Biden administration, to be wrenched out of their partisan fog to recognize the scope of this humanitarian disaster. It's sickening, but here we are. On Monday, The New York Times grudgingly ran a story that used the 'H' word to describe the 'historic pace of undocumented immigrants entering the country.' It is a pace that would have struck generations of Democrats as totally unacceptable, until recently. This week, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at long last released statistics from August showing the stark numbers: More than 2.15 million encounters with immigrants on the southern border, between October 2021 and August 2022. The Biden presidency could easily end with seven million or more new migrants in America a population larger than the size of Los Angeles and Chicago combined. The full reporting period, which runs through September, will probably end with 2.35 million encounters. By definition, an encounter happens each time a Border Patrol agent physically lays hands on an individual attempting to enter the country illegally, so one migrant may be countered multiple times. These numbers are literally off the charts. 2.15 million encounters is the highest number since the Eisenhower administration started keeping records in 1960. It's also up significantly from 1.7 million encounters during Biden's first term and even that was a record at the time. For comparison, between 2010 and 2016, Border Patrol handled less than 500,000 encounters and never topped 400,000 in 2011, 2012 and 2015. All together Border Patrol's 17,000 agents have had to process immigrants approximately 4 million times since Biden became president. And while millions were arrrested on the border, millions more got into America and they will continue to do so. The Biden administration itself has legally paroled some 1.4 million family members and unaccompanied minors into America bound only by the promise that they'll report to immigration authorities someday. Add to that at least another 900,000 'gotaways,' which is a slang term once only used by Border Patrol agents to describe individuals who they suspect were able to evade capture. The problem of 'gotaways' has become so pronounced that it is now part of the official lexicon. Adding these two groups together, a total of more than at least 2.3 million illegal immigrants have entered America since Biden took office. 2.15 million encounters is the highest number since the Eisenhower administration started keeping records in 1960. On Monday, The New York Times grudgingly ran a story that used the 'H' word to describe the 'historic pace of undocumented immigrants entering the country.' (Above) Migrants on the border in downtown El Paso, Texas, U.S., September 21, 2022 In this trend holds, and there's no indication that it won't, a second half of the Biden term could boost that number to some five million or higher. If the administration follows through with its pledge to lift the Trump-era pandemic-related 'Title 42,' which sped the expulsion of migrants in the interest of public health, then as many as 540,000 migrants a month could pour in, according to intelligence community estimates. In that case, the Biden presidency could easily end with seven million or more new migrants in America a population larger than the size of Los Angeles and Chicago combined. To put this unprecedented migration in even sharper perspective consider that over nearly six decades, 12 million legal immigrants were admitted to the US through Ellis Island in New York City's Hudson Harbor. At its peak, those numbers reached 1,004,756 in 1907, an average of 84,000 legal immigrants a month. Under Biden, the average is 139,000 illegal immigrants per month. Obviously, America has grown since the migrant waves through Ellis Island stopped, but the current period clearly rivals that transformational era in American history. Ordinary Americans are already paying a steep price for this. Mark Krikorian, executive director of the immigration policy think tank Center for Immigration Studies, estimates the lifetime fiscal cost of the illegal aliens Biden has let in so far at more than $100 billion. That's in addition to $140 billion a year taxpayers already bear for benefits and services to the longer-term illegal alien population. But those aren't the only costs. To put this unprecedented migration in even sharper perspective consider that over nearly six decades, 12 million legal immigrants were admitted to the US through Ellis Island in New York City's Hudson Harbor. (Above) Migrants climb through a fence in the desert at the base of the Baboquivari Mountains after they were apprehended Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, near Sasabe, Ariz. by U.S. Border Patrol agents Probably the very area of civic life where most Americans will first and most viscerally experience the impact of the Biden border crisis will be in the schools. A 1982 Supreme Court ruling required enrollment of minors in public school regardless of immigration status no matter the costs or hardships. In Austin Independent School District, teachers held protests in April 2022 drawing attention to a 400-student influx of immigrant teenagers from Central American nations at its International High School and Eastside Early College High School campus. Teachers complained they were left to give instruction in hallways and conference rooms. In and around New York City, a significant surge of 5,000 immigrant children flooded into four counties in a single 11-month span through August 2021, posing a $139 million additional burden on New York taxpayers to educate them. This is the story all across the country. Health and Human Services reported that 107,742 unaccompanied children were released to sponsors inside the U.S from October 2021 to July 2022. Los Angeles county took in 4,579 children, Florida's Miami-Dade county accepted 2,306 and Texas' Harris county absorbed 7,170. It's impossible to determine from available public records exactly how many immigrant children have been enrolled in the nation's public schools. But accounting for the surge of migrants under both the Biden and Trump administrations, probably close to two million have been added to the nation's 49.5 million students in public schools, a four percentage increase over four years, by my estimation. Long before frustrated Republican governors tried to force northern Democrats to 'please, just pay attention to what is happening to all of us,' no one said a word about the roaring conveyor belt that had already bused and flown many hundreds of thousands of border-crossers to cities all over America. That machine runs full-throttle even now, pouring a biblical Noah's Flood of foreign nationals into schools, homeless shelters, jobs and welfare lines across America. Would liberal America just listen for a minute to what Republican governors are trying to say, they would know that millions more are on the way thus making an already-dire crisis that much more dire. Perhaps, if they opened their ears and their eyes, they'd join with Republicans in a normal civil discourse about whether this permanent new condition is what everybody really wants. And if it's sustainable. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dodged a question Thursday about whether President Joe Biden should run for re-election in 2024. 'I'm not going to get into the politics about whether the president should run or not,' the top House Democrat told reporters at her weekly press conference. Before refusing to outright endorse another Biden run, she said: 'President Biden is the president of the United States.' 'He did a great service to our country. He defeated Donald Trump. Let's not forget that,' she continued. 'If you care about the water we breathe, the water we drink, the education of our children, jobs for their families, pensions for their seniors - any subject you can name.' Pelosi is the latest Democrat to hedge on whether the current occupant of the Oval Office should appear at the top of the ticket in two years. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dodged a question Thursday about whether President Joe Biden should run for re-election in 2024 Pelosi is the latest Democrat to hedge on whether Biden, photographed at the U.N. General Assembly Thursday, should appear at the top of the ticket in two years. Only Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips has said Biden shouldn't run again, but Ohio Senate hopeful Tim Ryan, currently a House member, recently floated that both parties needed new blood. Biden is 79, while former President Donald Trump - who has hinted he could run again - is 74. 'My hunch is that we need new leadership across the board Democrats, Republicans, I think its time for a generational move,' Ryan said earlier this month. Ryan later appeared at an Ohio event headlined by the president. 'The president said from the very beginninghe was going to be a bridge to the next generation, which is basically what I was saying,' Ryan told the White House pool, clarifying his earlier comments. When asked if Biden should run again he answered: 'That's up to him.' Rep. Debbie Dingell made a similar statement when pressed by NBC's Kristen Welker on Meet the Press Now last month. 'If he wants to run, let's see what he's going to do,' Dingell said. During Biden's tour of the Detroit Auto Show last week, Dingell gave a more enthusiastic response. 'I'm going to tell you, if he runs we're all supporting him,' she said, jumping in as reporters were asking Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who's running for re-election, whether Biden should run in 2024. Whitner laughed and answered, 'I'm not having that conversation.' Sen. Debbie Stabenow was asked specifically if he should run for president. Instead she answered that she'd back Biden if he decides to run. 'There's no question about that, if President Biden runs again, count me in,' Stabenow said. A 3-year-old girl who survived a suicide bombing in Afghanistan has been missing for nine months since she vanished from a playground by her family's apartment. Lina Sardar Khil, 3, was last seen at a playground inside the San Antonio-based and gated Villas Del Cabo apartment complex in December 2021. The San Antonio Police Department does not have any witnesses or tangible evidence in her disappearance, according to The New York Times. Khil, whose family is from Afghanistan, survived a suicide bombing that killed 13 US soldiers and hundreds of Afghans in the summer of 2021 during a family visit. Her father, Riaz Sardar Khil, was an Afghan soldier who aided US forces and was granted immigration prior to Lina's birth. 'We came from Afghanistan to have a happy and safe life here, but it didn't happen,' Riaz said. 'My whole life was ruined.' Lina Sardar Khil, 3, went missing from the Villas Del Cabo apartment complex in San Antonio on December 20, 2021 Sardar went missing in a five-minute span when her mother, Zarmeena, looked away as Lina played in a playground at the complex Riaz Sardar Khil (right), Lina's father, said his 'whole life has been ruined' because of his daughter's disappearance The FBI has joined San Antonio police in the investigation into Lina's disappearance. San Antonio's chief of police, William McManus, says both departments have sifted through all tips and leads up to the nine-month mark of the toddler's disappearance, all of which have been unsuccessful. He said he has been confused by the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. 'I have not talked to anyone about this case, family or law enforcement, that's just not baffled,' McManus said. 'Nobody vanishes into thin air, and I don't believe that Lina did either. I never give up. I don't think the police ever give up on a case.' Pamela Allen, a family spokesperson, told KENS5 that a private investigator has also been hired to assist investigators. 'There's been a few leads that have come in, but nothing solid,' she said. Pictured: Locals continue their search for Lina. Since her disappearance, public searches have since been paused as it is now believed Lina is no longer in Texas Pamela Allen (pictured), a spokesperson for the Sardar family, said a private investigator has been hired in Lina's search Lina was last seen inside the Villas Del Cabo complex wearing a black jacket, a red dress and black shoes Public searches for Lina in the San Antonio area have been paused, as it is now believed she is no longer in the state. Allen has urged all locals to continue wearing buttons with Lina's face on it and to post flyers describing her appearance. 'We're believing that someone will say something that will lead out to be a good tip,' Allen said. A $250,000 reward is available to anyone who is able to provide information leading to Lina's whereabouts. Both Lina and her family survived a suicide bombing in Afghanistan where 13 US soldiers and hundreds of Afghans died San Antonio police chief William McManus: 'Nobody vanishes into thin air, and I don't believe that Lina did either' Upon arrival and after an initial investigation, police say they found no witnesses or tangible evidence Lina's mother, Zarmeena Sardar Khil, said she remembers letting her daughter out to play with other children on December 20, 2021. Around 5.30pm, Zarmeena was watching Lina, who was wearing a black jacket, a red dress and black shoes, run around the complex's playground. She saw the back of Lina's head before she turned away for five minutes. When she turned around, she couldn't find Lina among the dozen-plus children. She then knocked on every door for the next 30 minutes before calling Riaz. 'I kept thinking Lina would appear,' she said. Both Riaz and Zarmeena then reached out to several local Afghan community leaders to aid in their search for their daughter. 'Our community does not trust the authorities,' said Lawang Mangal. 'He did not know what to do.' After an hour into Lina's disappearance, Mangal urged the Sardar family to call the police. Riaz said his family opted to move to San Antonio because of the city's large Afghan refugee population Immediately following Lina's disappearance, both Riaz and Zarmeena contacted local Afghan community leaders to aid in their search Any information regarding Lina's disappearance can be relayed to the Missing Person Unit's number at 210-207-7660 Local Afghans with similar stories to Riaz say Lina's story has instilled fear in them in the nine months since she vanished. 'We came here looking for peace, stability, security for our children,' said Amir Mohammad Amiri. The apartment complex in San Antonio is located an hour and a half from Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two teachers were killed in a May school shooting. 'I keep my eyes on them all the time,' Aminullah Amir said of taking his four children to the park. 'I am scared they will disappear like Lina. We always thought America was safe. Now, we are not too sure.' Riaz believed San Antonio was a good place to relocate his family, as the city is home to an estimated 2,600 Afghan refugees. He currently works as a truck driver while his wife has become entwined in a community of Afghan women who live in their apartment complex. Anyone with information regarding Lina's disappearance are urged to call the Missing Person Unit's number at 210-207-7660. The rant concluded an unhinged day in court, in which Jones had to answer His outburst prompted Judge Barbara Bellis to threaten to hold him in contempt of court, and 'physically' restrain him so he doesn't speak out again When Chris Mattei, an attorney for the families of the victims, asked him to 'show a little respect,' Jones asked: 'Is this a struggle session? Are we in China?' He claimed 'liberals' can 'switch emotions on and off when you want' Infowars conspiracy theorist Alex Jones burst out into a rant against 'liberals' who can 'turn their emotions on and off' after being shown a tearful video statement from a Sandy Hook victim's father in court on Thursday. Jones, 48, is on trial to see how much he will have to pay surviving families after losing his first defamation trial involving the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. For years, he declared the deadliest mass shooting at an elementary school in US history a hoax, as families said they were distressed by his claims their loved ones faked their deaths. A lawyer for the families of the victims, Chris Mattei, sought in court on Thursday to double down on the effect his statements had on those who lost their loved ones. He showed the court a tearful video statement by Robbie Parker taken the night after his daughter, Emilie, was killed in the shooting. 'These are real people, you know that Mr. Jones?' Mattei asked the conspiracy theorist as he sat in the witness box. But Jones seemed unfazed, saying: 'Just like all the Iraqis you liberals killed and loved. 'It's unbelievable,' he added. 'You switch emotions on and off when you want. It's just like ambulance chasing.' Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones burst out into a rant about 'liberals' who can 'turn their emotions on and off' at his Sandy Hook hoax trial on Thursday The outburst came after Chris Mattei, a lawyer for the families of the victims, played a tearful video statement by Robbie Parker taken the night after his daughter, Emilie, was killed in the shooting At that point, things in the courtroom heated up, with Mattei asking Jones, 'Why won't you show a little respect?' over the objections of the Infowars' host lawyer, Norm Pattis. Still, Mattei continued, saying: 'You have families in here that lost children, sisters, wives moms,' to which Jones asked: 'Is this a struggle session? Are we in China?' He went on to claim that he has apologized '100 times' to the parents, 'and I'm done saying I'm sorry. 'I legitimately thought it might be staged. I stand by that. I won't apologize for that.' Following the exchange, Judge Barbara Bellis said she felt like she could not get a word in edgewise. She then asked Pattis: 'How are we going to avoid this problem tomorrow? 'Do you want me to stop your client from speaking?' she asked. 'Physically do you want me to stop him from speaking?' Bellis said she will have a zero-tolerance policy moving forward, the New York Times reports, and told Jones and his lawyer they can either obey the rules about politics and these outbursts or face a contempt hearing before adjourning the trial for the day. Afterwards, the Times reports, Jones could be heard shouting and laughing in an adjacent room. And when Pattis followed him out of the courthouse on Thursday, the lawyer could be heard muttering: 'I'm not my client's keeper.' When his lawyer, Norm Pattis, followed him out of the courthouse, he could be heard muttering: 'I'm not my client's keeper' Jones' rant on Thursday concluded a unhinged court hearing, at which the conspiracy theorist was often seen squirming in his chair on the witness stand, his face blush pink and rapidly blinking. He seemed to be trying to avoid any eye contact with Bellis, who is also presiding over the defamation trial, after he called her a 'tyrant' with 'lasers coming out of her eyes.' 'And you've called this judge a tyrant, correct?' Mattei asked Jones, to which he agreed. 'You actually use that word a lot with your audience, you call people tyrants, don't you?' After a long pause, Jones replied: 'Only when they act like it.' Bellis kept her face neutral but peeked over at him during the pause before returning to scribbling down notes. 'One way that you've been conveying to your audience that Judge Bellis has been acting like a tyrant is by showing her with lasers coming out of her eyes, right? You know you did that?' Mattei continued. Jones denied that he 'directed' the creation of the meme, which had appeared on his show. He also claimed the first time he saw it was 'in court.' Jones, 48, seemed wildly uncomfortable as he took the stand on Thursday to answer questions about calling Judge Barbara Bellis a 'tyrant.' Bellis is also preceding over the defamation trial Jones, who did not attend the first six days of trial, admitted he has been watching it, to which the attorney smartly replied: 'Oh, so you've been watching this? You could have just watched it from the seat.' As the edited image of Bellis was shown to the courtroom, Mattei asked: 'So this the tyrant you've been telling your audience about.' 'I believe, I believe,' Jones stammered before getting cut off by Bellis, who asked him to 'look at me.' At the sound of his name coming from the judge's mouth, his face flinched before he turned to look at her. 'It's 'yes, no, or I don't know,'' she instructed him. Jones declared he 'didn't know,' but would later change his answer to 'yes' after asking for the question to be repeated. The conservative conspiracy theorist squirmed and appeared nervous as his attorney asked for the initial answer to be 'struck' down and was denied. At one point, he did a double take toward his lawyers and raises his hand up as he switched between his defense and the screen. Jones, who reaches an audience of millions through his Texas-based program, spent years claiming on-air that the Newtown, Connecticut, shooting was a hoax - and was found liable for those claims by Judge Barbara Bellis earlier this month. Last year, a Texas judge ordered he pay more than $50million to the parents of one of 20 kids who died in the mass shooting. He squirmed in his seat throughout the questioning, often making weird facial expressions. 'You actually use that word a lot with your audience, you call people tyrants, don't you?' Sandy Hook Attorney Chris Mattei. Jones replied: 'Only when they act like it' He appeared stressed as he was sworn into during his defamation trial on Thursday The loud-mouth conspiracy theorist was often found squirming in his chair, his face blush pink, and rapidly blinking as he tried to avoid any eye contact with Bellis He pulled many expressions throughout the trial on Thursday as he took the stand Jones reportedly had an outburst on the stand after the harsh questioning from the defense and the judge adjoined for the day, asking his lawyer: 'How are we going to avoid this problem tomorrow?' The current hearing - which is now in its sentencing stage - is being held to determine how much he should pay relatives of eight other victims and an FBI agent who responded to the scene of the 2012 massacre. A Connecticut jury of three men and three women, meanwhile, will determine the exact amount Jones and InfoWars owes to relatives of the 26 killed in the shooting, which Jones had said were 'crisis actors.' 'I have apologized for six years for anything I did wrong, questioning Sandy Hook,' Jones, 48, said during his tirade outside the courthouse on Wednesday, ending up red-faced and out-of-breath at points. 'I didn't question Sandy Hook to be mean, I wasn't the leader of question for Sandy Hook, but I did say things that were hurtful and not true, but I did not do it on purpose.' Jones went on to reiterate previous assertions that he has apologized for his comments, which he has said were not intentionally malicious - all while growing increasingly irate. 'I apologized four years ago on Joe Rogan it's got over 100million views,' Jones told reporters. 'But the corporate media constantly says that, 'Oh, for the first time, he apologizes,'' quoting what he likely perceived the general public's perception of his persecution, sarcastically putting the sentiment in air quotes. 'I apologized on Steven Crowder three years ago,' Jones went on, referring to a 2019 appearance on another right-wing web show. 'Six years ago,' he went on, 'I said: 'I believe Sandy Hook happened.'' 'When I became extremely famous during the Trump campaign, Hillary Clinton ran $30million of national ads saying I was Trump's 'brain,'' Jones continued, repeating claims that he been targeted by the left for repeatedly speaking out against them. 'Look, I like President Trump overall,' Jones said, 'but I was not his brain.' He added of the former president: 'He doesn't listen to anybody but himself.' The outspoken conspiracy theorist went on to downplay his influence among the political right, suggesting that his comments do not hold nearly as much weight as the media currently suggests. 'Them Democrats believe that I run the Republican Party I don't,' Jones said outside the court on Wednesday, as prosecutors called three relatives of victims slain in the shooting to testify against him. 'They believe that I'm, like, this Lex Luthor mastermind that controls everything I don't,' Jones said, growing increasingly emotional. 'I basically don't even control my own life.' Jones seen leaving the Connecticut courthouse on Thursday during a lunch recess Chris Mattei (pictured) is representing the Sandy Hook families and did not go easy on Jones Many topics have been barred from discussion, and the jury had been asked to leave the courtroom on several occasions on Thursday. At one point, Bellis exclaimed: 'You're going to get your exercise today, for those of you who wear Fitbits.' Bellis bared any questions regarding the First Amendment, the settlements regarding the 2012 shooting that didn't involved Jones, his bankruptcy claim, his previous Sandy Hook trial - this trial focuses on how much he owes the plaintiffs, politics, and more. Before Jones took the stand, Bellis reportedly asked him if he understood the rules, according to The New York Times. 'I don't want to have any unpleasantness,' she told him. 'I understand as long as they don't ask those questions,' he replied. Also during the trial today, he was questioned on the employment of Dan Bidondi, a freelance cameraman, who Jones has tried to distance himself from. Bidondi had made several trips to Newtown to confront residents and survivors of Sandy Hook. 'Evacuate the Dancefloor' is no longer just the name of a song for New Jersey newlyweds - who dodged death when a dancefloor collapsed during their reception. Cassidy and Brian Gagliardotto tied the knot in a beachside ceremony with nearly 200 family members and close friends on September 17. But the happy day almost ended in tragedy when a second-story dancefloor at the Daymark Inn at Barnegat Light in New Jersey gave way during their reception. The couple, who told WABC that it took them years to plan the wedding and reception, said that all was going according to plan and the night was just getting started. 'Our DJ just kicked it off and we were like three songs in,' Brian told WABC. Bride and groom Cassidy and Brian Gagliardotto wait outside the bar where their reception was held with friend Jillian Mary after the dance floor caved in The reception, held inside of the Daymark Bar and Restaurant in Barnegat Light, was quickly moved outside when after just a few songs, guests started to feel shaking. According to witnesses, the second floor of the building was beginning to collapse as the group danced and celebrated. 'I felt it like drop, and I instantly got off the dance floor,' the bride said. Members of the Barnegat Light Volunteer Fire Department were called to the scene to assist with any injuries and evacuation. Wedding guests hang out as firefighters assess and evacuate the Daymark bar in Barnegat Light, New Jersey, following the collapse of a second story dancefloor Officials from the Barnegat Light Volunteer Fire Company shared in a Facebook post that, thankfully, the floor did not fully collapse, but rather cave in. 'The DJ did an excellent job of announcing to all patrons to safely exit the building after hearing the rumble noise,' the department said in their post. No one was injured in the incident. The estimated cost of the damage is unknown at this time and officials say that the restaurant and bar will remain closed until deemed structurally secure. Volunteer firefighters worked quickly to evacuate and assess the scene after the dance floor collapsed during a wedding reception at the Daymark Bar in Barnegat Light, New Jersey While the near-death experience may have been enough to put the brakes on some wedding parties, Cassidy, Brian, and their guests did not let the incident stop the fun. The party initially moved outside of the restaurant where guest continued conversation and fun, before eventually moving on to another location. 'We knew where my parents were staying and we moved to that location and the party just continued on,' Brian said. While it was certainly disruptive, it didn't completely ruin the reception, according to Brian. 'Luckily we were able to get all our first dances in, all our speeches in,' Brian Gagliardotto said. Brian and Cassidy Gagliardotto were all smiles on their wedding day after years of planning The quick action of the volunteer fire department was hailed by those on social media as heroic. 'From personal experience, I know that the emergency personnel on this island are second to none. God bless them all,' said one person responding to the Barnegat Light Volunteer Fire Company's Facebook post. Another Facebook commenter shared that she believes the situation will make a great story one day for everyone to look back on and laugh at. 'One day, like 5 years from now they can joke about how their wedding was so fun, they literally brought the house down' wrote one woman. 'But in all seriousness my heart goes out to the bride and great news no one got hurt, including responders, that is all that truly matters. Best wishes to the newlyweds.' Icelandic police have arrested four suspected 'right-wing extremists' as part of a huge anti-terror sting. Officials in the small island nation say they found several 3D-printed semi-automatic weapons and 'thousands' of rounds of ammunition during raids at nine different locations yesterday. The country's national police commissioner said it is investigating the 'preparation of a terrorist attack' that could have been targeted towards the country's parliament and 'various institutions of society'. Police said all four Icelanders were arrested in Kopavogur, a suburb of the capital Reykjavik, and the southwestern town of Mosfellsbaer, as part of a large-scale operation that involved 50 officers. According to one local newspaper those arrested are believed to have connections to Nordic right-wing extremist groups. Police in Iceland have arrested four people on suspicion of terrorism offences. Pictured: Officers take part in training involving firearms in Reykjavik in March Authorities in the small island nation say they found semi-automatic weapons and 'thousands' of rounds of ammunition in raids yesterday. Pictured: Police taking part in firearm training in March It is believed these are the first anti-terror arrests in the history of Iceland. Two of the men remain in custody today. Speaking at a press conference, Karl Steinar Valsson, National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, said: 'The origin of the police operations yesterday... was in the context of an investigation into the preparation of a terrorist attack.' While potential motives were unknown, the targets are believed to be 'various institutions of society' and 'citizens of the state', according to Valsson, possibly including the parliament and the police itself. Police also said they were looking into where there were links between the men and extremist organisations and that they were in contact with foreign authorities. 'As far as we know, this is the first time that an investigation of this type has been launched (in Iceland),' Valsson said. The Guardian quotes him as saying: 'It is safe to say that our society is safer than it was.' He added: 'We are just starting some work and are seizing a large amount of phones and computers and other such things. All that work is in the very early stages. 'We took certain measures while we were getting the situation under control. Of course, we don't want to reveal what the exact response of the police is. 'At its peak, there were about 50 police personnel who took part in the police operation. With them, we think we've covered what we're investigating and don't think there's any danger in travelling.' According to Icelandic newspaper Stundin, sources claim the men's connections with extremist groups in other Nordic countries and in other parts of Europe are being investigated. It is believed the arrests are the first of their type in the country's history. Pictured: Officers simulate a police operation in March this year According to local media, the suspects are thought to have connections to right-wing extremist groups. Pictured: Police take part in training in Reykjavik in March It added that it is thought many of the weapons have been brought into Iceland and that police believe they themselves were to be the main targets of the attack. The small nation of 375,000 people has topped the Global Peace Index since it was included in the ranking in 2008 and considered the 'most peaceful country in the world'. Violence is rare, evidenced by one of the lowest crime rates in the world, although a surge in violent crime in recent years has worried the authorities. Police in Iceland have been monitoring the rise of a neo-Nazi group known as the Nordic Resistance Movement, which has developed a following. A report by the Office of the Commissioner of the National Police published last years said the organisation could be a threat, adding: 'It is clear that the Nordic Resistance Movement falls under the groups of right-wing extremists that Norwegians and Swedes consider to be a cause for concern.' South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was caught on hot mic calling U.S. lawmakers 'f***ers' who could humiliate President Biden by failing to pass the additional $6 billion in aid to the United Nations Global Fund he promised. Yoon, who took office in May, made the comment after Biden promised the additional funds at the UN General Assembly, seemingly unaware that he was caught on a live microphone. 'How could Biden not lose damn face if these f***ers do not pass it in Congress?' he told Foreign Minster Park Jin Wednesday, according a translation from Agence France-Press. The Washington Post worded it slightly differently: 'It would be so humiliating for Biden if these idiots don't pass it in Congress.' Moments before Yoon chatted with Biden and posed for a photo op at the gathering of world leaders in New York. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was caught on hot mic calling U.S. federal lawmakers 'f***ers' who could humiliate President Biden by failing to pass the additional $6 billion in aid to the United Nations Global Fund 'How could Biden not lose damn face if these f***ers do not pass it in Congress?' he told Foreign Minster Park Jin, according a translation from Agence France-Press Handing an additional $6 billion over to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria would require the approval of Congress. The disparaging remarks went viral in Yoon's home country - a Youtube clip of the comments had over two million views and 'f***ers' became a no. 1 trending topic on Twitter in South Korea. Critics tore into the Korean leader for insulting a key ally - Washington stations 27,000 troops in South Korea to help counter threats from North Korea. Park Hong-keun, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party in South Korea, criticized Yoon's 'foul language tarnishing the US Congress' as 'a major diplomatic mishap.' 'He wasn't speaking publicly on the stage but in passing, and although I don't know who recorded it and how, I actually think it should be verified,' a South Korean official told reporters afterward, according to Yonhap. Yoon, who took office in May, made the comment after Biden promised the additional funds at the UN General Assembly, seemingly unaware that he was caught on a live microphone 'I think it's highly inappropriate to draw a link between private remarks and diplomatic accomplishments,' the official added, referring to criticism that Yoon had created a diplomatic disaster. 'It's quite regrettable that a diplomatic disaster is being talked about over something like that when he is doing everything to complete a demanding schedule in the national interest of the Republic of Korea.' Yoon, a political novice, has suffered low approval ratings in his few months in office through a string of missteps. In August he raised eyebrows when he failed to meet U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi while she was in South Korea because he was having a 'staycation.' Some claimed he was deliberately shunning the speaker due to fear of retaliation from Beijing. As part of his fiscal year 2023 budget Biden requested $2 billion for the Global Fund, the first part of a $6 billion three-year pledge he made at the conference. Advertisement Volodymyr Zelensky today called on Russians to 'protest' the partial mobilisation announced by Vladimir Putin and told Kremlin troops in Ukraine to 'fight back, run away or surrender'. Deranged despot Putin has paved the way for up to 1million Russians to be conscripted into the armed forces and sent to fight in Ukraine, it's been claimed, as the Kremlin conducts a brutal crackdown of those protesting his latest controversial action. This has prompted the Ukrainian President to call for further protests by Russians, and say in his daily address: '55,000 Russian soldiers died in these six months of war. Do you want more? No? Then protest. Fight back, run away, or surrender' to our army.' Zelensky also told the Russian people today that are 'complicit' in Putin's brutal invasion which has seen alleged torture and the murder of civilians as he then said conscripts had a choice to 'live, die or become a cripple' if they cannot stop being shoved off to the front lines. All flights out of Russia to neighbouring areas that allow visa-free entry were nearly entirely booked today while prices also skyrocketed as the partial mobilisation, which so far applies to 300,000 military reservists, begins. The Russian President's call for thousands more troops yesterday was also accompanied by fresh threats of nuclear war towards Ukraine and its Western allies. Meanwhile, Russian and Ukrainian forces exchanged missile and artillery barrages as both sides refused to concede ground - despite recent military setbacks for Moscow and the toll on the invaded country after almost seven months of war. Volodymyr Zelensky today called on Russians to 'protest' the partial mobilisation announced by Vladimir Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin has called up thousands of extra troops to join his faltering invasion effort Men pictured queuing up to flights out of Russia at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport as people begin to flee the country again Cars cross the border from Russia to Finland at the Nuijamaa border check point in Lappeenranta today News of the mobilisation sparked fury across Russia yesterday, with more than 1,400 people arrested in demonstrations in at leas 38 cities. Experts and observers said the move showed the Russian President is getting desperate, and risks backfiring on his regime by causing a collapse in morale at the front and an upsurge of anger back home. Russia is now almost seven months into what Putin anticipated would be a days-long war to depose the Ukrainian government and install a puppet regime. But instead he has found himself locked into a grinding war of attrition against a determined enemy backed by Western weapons and money. Putin's attack dog Sergei Lavrov STORMS OUT of UN meeting after delusional speech accusing Ukraine of 'Russophobia' while slamming narrative 'Russian aggression is the origin of this tragedy' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stormed out of a UN Security meeting today after a delusional speech in which he accused 'totalitarian' Ukraine of 'neo-Nazism' and 'Russophobia'. It came after France, the current head of the Security Council, called a special session in New York to highlight the need for accountability for the atrocities seen in Ukraine. Although Lavrov was not caught on camera leaving the room, his early departure was referenced by UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. 'He has left the chamber, I'm not surprised, I don't think Mr Lavrov wants to hear the collective condemnation of this council,' Mr Cleverly said. Lavrov told the Council that there has been a narrative that Russian aggression initiated the war as he lashed out at Western accusations. 'There's an attempt today to impose on us a completely different narrative about Russian aggression as the origin of this tragedy,' Lavrov said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (pictured) stormed out of a UN Security meeting after a delusional speech in which he accused 'totalitarian' Ukraine of 'Russophobia' He accused Ukraine of 'Russophobia,' including through its imposition of Ukrainian language rules. 'The United States and their allies with the connivance of international human rights organisations have been covering the crimes of the Kyiv regime,' Lavrov added. The Foreign Minister also accused Ukraine of becoming a 'Nazi-like state' in a rambling speech. 'We have no doubt that Ukraine has become a completely totalitarian Nazi-like state where the norms of international humanitraian law trampled on,' Lavrov said. He added: 'We have no illusions that today the armed forces of Russia and the militias of Lugansk and Donetsk are being opposed not only by the neo-Nazi formations of the Kiev regime but the military machine of the collective West.' Advertisement China and India - both of whom had good relations with Putin before the war have distanced themselves from his regime, while even North Korea has said it won't supply arms to Russia because it will 'tarnish' its image. More protests have been organised by anti-war groups, as opposition to the invasion grows. There were also reports of a mass exodus following the announcement. On Thursday the Kremlin dismissed as 'fake' reports that Russians eligible for mobilisation were rushing for the exit. Russian missile strikes in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia also left one person dead and five wounded, Ukrainian officials said. Officials in the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk said Ukrainian shelling killed at least six people. While the hostilities continued, the two sides did manage to agree on a major prisoner swap. Hours before Thursday's attacks, the high-profile prisoner swap saw the announcement of an exchange of 215 Ukrainian and foreign fighters - 200 of them for a single person, an ally of Mr Putin's. Zelensky told the Russian people today: 'You are already complicit in all these crimes, murders and torture of Ukrainians. Because you were silent. Because you are silent. 'And now it's time for you to choose: for men in Russia, this is a choice to die or live, to become a cripple or to preserve health. 'For women in Russia, the choice is to lose their husbands, sons, grandchildren forever, or still try to protect them from death, from war, from one person (Putin).' Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, confirmed that the Mr Putin ally, pro-Russian Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk, was part of the swap. Among the freed fighters were Ukrainian defenders of a steel plant in Mariupol during a long Russian siege, along with 10 foreigners, including five British citizens and two US military veterans who had fought with Ukrainian forces. Some of those freed had faced death sentences in Russian-occupied areas. A video on the BBC news website showed two of the released British men, Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, speaking on a plane. 'We just want to let everyone know that we're now out of the danger zone and we're on our way home to our families,' Mr Aslin said in the video, as Mr Pinner added: 'By the skin of our teeth.' The continuation of Russian missile attacks and beginning of a partial mobilisation of Russians into the armed forces suggested the Kremlin was seeking to dispel any notion of weakness or waning determination to achieve its wartime aims in light of recent battlefield losses and other setbacks that undercut the aura of Russian military might. Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon, Armed Forces minister James Heappey described how 'rattled' Mr Putin's action was an acknowledgement of Russia's 'failure'. Mr Heappey, who noted how 25,000 Russians have already died during the Ukraine conflict, told MPs that Moscow was now condemning hundreds of thousands more troops to a miserable winter. 'Russian conscripts are going to suffer horribly for the Kremlin's hubris,' the minister added. Ex-prime minister Boris Johnson, speaking in the same Commons debate, branded 'weak' Mr Putin as a 'problem gambler' taking greater risks because he is 'terrified of losing. The former premier highlighted how the price of one-way plane tickets from Moscow to South Africa rocketed yesterday because potential Russian conscripts 'have no desire to be sacrificed on the altar of his (Mr Putin's) ego'. At one point, Mr Johnson misspoke and thanked the 'inspirational leadership of Vladimir Putin' before quickly correcting himself and saying Volodymyr Zelensky. The Armed Forces minister informed the Commons that Russia had suffered 25,000 dead, with tens of thousands injured and tens of thousands more troops having deserted. He added that Mr Putin had also seen his war machine suffer the destruction of 3,000 armoured and protected vehicles, more than 400 artillery pieces decimated and scores of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) downed. A woman is carried away by Russian police in Moscow during a demonstration against the Russian president's latest escalation in the Ukraine conflict There were clashes between police and protesters in Moscow, as people took to the streets to protest Putin's latest plans in the Ukraine conflict Police officers detain a woman in Moscow on September 21, 2022, following calls to protest against partial mobilisation announced by President Vladimir Putin Ex-PM Boris Johnson branded 'weak' Mr Putin as a 'problem gambler' taking greater risks because he is 'terrified of losing Armed Forces minister James Heappey described how 'rattled' Mr Putin's action was an acknowledgement of Russia's 'failure' 'Seven months into this conflict, Russia lacks sufficient manpower in the field to achieve any of its objectives and the mood of Moscow is changing quickly,' Mr Heappey said. Desperate Russian wives threaten to break their husbands' BONES so they are unfit to join war as thousands of men scramble to flee country with airports crammed and huge traffic jams after conscripts are given 'four hours to pack and leave' Men of fighting age are racing to avoid a potential call-up after Putin ordered Moscow's first mobilisation since World War Two, with plans to immediately start conscripting some 300,000 troops to fight on the frontline. Many flights were sold out yesterday amid the panic, while others appeared to resort to drastic tactics to avoid the conscription, with Google searches for 'how to break an arm at home' - skyrocketing hours after Putin's speech. A dramatic night time picture from Vnukovo airport in Moscow shows men trying to escape the country before they are prevented A wife from Tyumen in Siberia said: 'I will not let my husband go. I'll break his both legs. His duty is to raise his children.' The authorities issued a a special warning issued to potential recruits that they face legal sanctions if they self-harm by breaking arms or legs to avoid the call-up. Photos and videos have also emerged of airports crowded with young men and heavy traffic near border crossings, driven by fears the country might lock down and send more civilians to war. Yesterday, flagship carrier Aeroflot said it was not 'yet' banning young men from travelling, suggesting travel restrictions may soon be in place. And a dramatic night time picture from Vnukovo airport in Moscow shows men trying to escape before they are prevented. Advertisement He claimed the Russian President and the country's defence minister Sergey Shoigu had 'backed themselves into a corner'. 'They have sent tens of thousands of their own citizens to their deaths, ill-equipped and badly led,' the minister continued. 'They're now to send hundreds of thousands more with little training and no winter uniform into the teeth of the Ukrainian winter against an opponent that is well-motivated, well-equipped and succeeding.' 'Neither Putin nor Shoigu's lies, threats and propaganda can disguise the truth: Russian conscripts are going to suffer horribly for the Kremlin's hubris.' Mr Johnson, who was widely praised for his efforts in supporting Ukraine while he was PM, told MPs that Britain must be prepared to give more military and economic assistance. 'At this turning point in the war, it is more vital than ever that we have the strategic patience to hold our nerve and ensure that the Ukrainians succeed in recapturing their territory, right to the borders of 24th February,' he said. 'And, if possible, to the pre-2014 boundaries because that is what international law demands.' Mr Johnson claimed Mr Putin's mobilisation order had caused 'panic among people about to be fed into the meat-grinder of Putin's warzone'. 'Yesterday, in a single day, the price of a one-way air ticket from Moscow to South Africa went up to $50,000,' he added. 'Because those potential conscripts can see that what began as a war to rebuild the Soviet empire has collapsed into a shameful war to save Putin's face. 'And they have no desire to be sacrificed on the alter of his ego.' A haunting video also shows a group of enlistees from Stary Oskol in Belgorod region being taken away into their military service. The footage shows a conscript's child, seemingly a girl, being heard but not seen shouting after him: 'Papa, goodbye. Please come back. Papa, bye, Papa Papa...?' The child cries inconsolably as her father somewhere in a group of men slowly leaves, some never to return. One claim was that these men who are close to the Ukraine border in Belgorod region would be first of the newly recruited to the front, but all are supposed to have at least one month's training first. Separately, university students are seen in a video being marched by police from their lecture theatres to war service in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia already one of the worst hit regions for bloodshed in Putin's war. The scene at Buryatia State University came one day after the defence minister Sergei Shoigu had vowed higher education students would not be enlisted. The despot yesterday announced that 300,000 people with previous combat experience or specialist skills will be sent to the frontlines in Ukraine, with the first batches seen kissing their loved ones goodbye today. However, the official order was published with a paragraph ominously blanked out. Putin's spokesman says it relates to the number who can be called, and a source within the presidential palace now claims it says '1million'. The document also makes no mention of previous combat experience and sets no limits on who can be summoned except those who are too old, sick or in jail - opening the door for virtually anyone to be drafted. 'The figure [to be called up] was corrected several times, and in the end they settled on a million,' the source told opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta. Traffic arriving at Finland's eastern border with Russia (pictured) 'intensified' during the night, the Finnish Border Guard said early on Thursday Queues of cars trying to get out of Russia form on the country's border with Georgia hours after Putin announced mobilisation The child's father waits tob e called up to service while his child cries, shouting after him: 'Papa, goodbye. 'Please come back. Papa, bye, Papa Papa...?' Anecdotal evidence from some of Russia's many regions, where military commissars are already to rounding up people for the frontlines, indicated the net is being cast far wider that Putin suggested. Videos from Chechnya and Yakutia showed large numbers of men - some of them middle aged - being loaded on to buses to take them off to war. Andrew Roth, of The Guardian, also claimed to have spoken to people living in a small village in Buryatia - in Russia's far east - where 20 people out of 450 had been handed papers, or around 5 per cent of the population. Repeated country-wide, that would yield a force far larger than 300,000. Pavel Chikov, a Russian human rights lawyer, said the decree allows conscription 'in the broadest possible terms.' 'The president is leaving it at the Defense Minister's discretion,' Chikov said. 'So in fact it is the Russian Defense Ministry that will decide who will be sent to war, from where and in what numbers.' Speaking in New York on Thursday, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock praised Russian anti-war protesters and said no one inside the country can continue turning a blind eye to what is happening in Ukraine because 'every Russian is now going to be at risk of being drafted into this war'. German interior minister Nancy Faeser went further, offering concrete support to deserters. She told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung that anyone who 'courageously opposes Putin's regime and therefore puts himself in the greatest danger' can apply for asylum in Germany. A man is dragged away by Russian security forces at a protest in Moscow against Vladimir Putin's order for the mobilisation of military reservists Police officers detain demonstrators in Saint Petersburg yesterday as protests broke out across Russia Ratcheting up tensions, a senior Kremlin official on Thursday repeated Mr Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons if Russian territory comes under attack. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's Security Council, said strategic nuclear weapons are one of the options to safeguard Russian-controlled territories in eastern and southern Ukraine. The remark appeared to serve as a warning that Moscow could also target Ukraine's Western allies. Pro-Moscow authorities in Ukraine's Russian-occupied regions are preparing to hold referendums on becoming part of Russia - a move that could allow Moscow to escalate the war. The votes start on Friday and end next Tuesday in the Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions. Foreign leaders have called the votes illegitimate and non-binding. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said they were a 'sham' and 'noise' to distract the public. Russia's neighbours have been on edge about a possible threat from Russia, and one of them, Estonia, announced it is starting an exercise on Thursday for nearly 2,900 reservists and volunteers, in an apparent counter to Moscow's announcement of a partial military mobilisation. The 'special master' going through documents seized at Mar-a-Lago has given Donald Trump's lawyers eight days to back up his claims that FBI agents planted material while carrying out a search of his club. Judge Raymond Dearie included the order in a new 'case management plan' for processing through some 11,000 documents and follows Trump repeatedly making the allegation publicly without offering evidence of FBI misconduct. 'No later than September 30, 2022, Plaintiff shall submit a declaration or affidavit that includes each of the following factual matters,' the judge wrote, including 'a list of any specific items set forth in the Detailed Property Inventory that Plaintiff asserts were not seized from the Premises on August 8, 2022.' The inventory lists items that FBI agents catalogued following the August 8 search of Trump's private club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Justice Department says that included more than 100 documents marked 'classified,' with some bearing top secret markings. Trump, in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, claims he 'declassified everything,' which appears to contradict his claim that the material was planted. Dearie, a senior federal judge in New York, has also pushed Trump's team to provide evidence that he had done so. Raymond Dearie, a veteran New York judge who is serving as 'special master,' has given Donald Trump's lawyers until Friday to provide a list of 'specific items' that they assert 'were not seized from the Premises' Trump made his latest allegations of planting evidence, which would be a crime, shortly after telling Hannity that perhaps the FBI was looking for Hillary Clinton's deleted emails during the search. 'The problem that you have is they go into rooms they wont let anybody near they wouldnt even let them in the same building,' he said of his own attorneys. 'Did they drop anything on those piles? Or did they do it later? Theres no chain of custody here with them,' Trump said. 'Wouldnt that be on videotape, potentially?' Hannity asked him. Trump told him that the FBI asked him to turn off security cameras during the search but that they were kept running. 'No, I dont think so. I mean, they were in a room,' Trump said, brushing off the idea. Some of Trump's lawyers have made similar claims. 'Did they drop anything on those piles? Or did they do it later? Theres no chain of custody here with them,' Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity Documents seized during the search of Trump's estate on August 8 are pictured on August 30. Trump's lawyers have declined to say in legal filings whether Trump had ordered them declassified while he was in office and had the authority Judge Raymond Dearie has pressed Trump's lawyers on the president's claim that he declassified materials - a claim Trump returned to in an interview with Sean Hannity Judge Dearie wants a list of 'speciic items' that Trump's team claims were not seized from Mar-a-Lago He is setting out a schedule to sort through 11,000 documents DOJ says were held at Mar-a-Lago Trump has also called it a 'set-up' and compared it to 'Russia, Russia, Russia' and 'hoaxes.' The submission 'shall be Plaintiffs final opportunity to raise any factual dispute as to the completeness and accuracy of the Detailed Property Inventory,' wrote Dearie, who was one of two candidates for the post that Trump's lawyers recommended to a Trump-appointed federal judge, Aileen Cannon. A three-judge panel by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Cannon's ruling that Dearie should go through the classified material so that Trump's lawyers could make privilege claims. The Justice Department had appealed, arguing that Trump had no interest in possessing the material. That panel included two Trump-appointed judges and one appointed by Barack Obama. It ruled that a Justice Department criminal investigation relying on classified records seized from the club can proceed, and it stopped the special master from sorting through the classified documents to weigh privilege claims. By October 14th, the government will have to submit a document listing any factual disputes with items on the list to be reviewed. During September, the two sides will trade lists of documents that may or may not be privileged, and Judge Dearie will weigh in on the disputed ones. That process will run through October. The latest Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data shows so far 2,150,638 encounters for 2022, with one more month to go in the fiscal year Price also testified that ICE was detaining far fewer migrants under Biden in 2021 than it did under Trump in 2019 From 2008 to 2016, ICE removed up to 400,000 aliens per year and never less than 230,000. In 2021 the agency removed only 55,598 aliens 'A decade ago, under President Obama, ICE removed ... almost seven times the number of aliens than the Biden administration did?' the ICE official was asked A top Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official admitted under oath that his agency removed seven times more migrants under President Obama in 2012 than it does under President Biden. Executive Associate Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Corey Price made the stunning admission during a Sept. 9 deposition as part of a lawsuit by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other agencies. 'Director, ICE currently is removing less aliens from the United States than it has in the last decade, right?' Florida Chief Deputy Attorney General John Guard asked. 'I do not have the last ten years' data available. But it is less than at least the last four years that I have here,' Price replied. Executive Associate Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Corey Price made the stunning admission during a Sept. 9 deposition as part of a lawsuit by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody Migrants from Central and South America wait near the residence of US Vice President Kamala Harris after being dropped off on September 15, 2022 in Washington, DC From 2008 to 2016, ICE removed up to 400,000 aliens per year and never less than 230,000. In 2021 the agency removed only 55,598 aliens 'In 2012, a decade ago, under President Obama, ICE removed almost eight times or, excuse me, almost seven times the number of aliens than the Biden administration did in either 2021 or 2022, right?' asked the attorney. 'That appears correct,' said Price. From 2008 to 2016, ICE removed up to 400,000 aliens per year and never less than 230,000. In 2021 the agency removed only 55,598 aliens. Price also testified that ICE was detaining far fewer migrants under Biden in 2021 than it did under Trump in 2019. 'In 2021, ICE detained approximately 40 percent of the aliens than it did in 2019, right? And it's 50,000 to 19,254,' said Guard. 'That appears correct,' Price responded. That's despite the fact there were nearly double the migrant encounters at the southern border in fiscal year 2021 that there were in 2019 - 1,734,686 to 977,509. The latest Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data shows so far 2,150,638 encounters for 2022, with one more month to go in the fiscal year. Price also testified that ICE was detaining far fewer migrants under Biden in 2021 than it did under Trump in 2019 A new CRC Research poll for the 85 Fund, a conservative group, found that a majority of Americans believe 'sanctuary cities' should have to help house unlawful migrants just as border towns do Venezuelan migrants walk along the U.S. Border fence after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico to turn themselves in to the U.S. Border Patrol on September 22, 2022 in El Paso, Texas Meanwhile, a new CRC Research poll for the 85 Fund, a conservative group, found that a majority of Americans believe 'sanctuary cities' should have to help house unlawful migrants just as border towns do. The poll, obtained by DailyMail.com, asked: 'In order to manage the influx of illegal immigrants crossing the border, the state of Texas has sent buses of immigrants to other states and sanctuary cities including Chicago, New York City, and Washington DC. Do you agree or disagree that sanctuary cities should have to share the burden of dealing with these illegals and not just the border states?' Even a slight majority of Democrats - 51 percent - agreed, as did 78 percent of Republicans and 63 percent of Independents. Recently Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made waves by sending two chartered planes of 50 migrants to Martha's Vineyard, a billionaire's enclave off Massachusetts. Democrats decried the move, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom suggesting the Department of Justice investigate states potentially 'kidnapping' migrants to fly them to other states. A mile beneath northern England, in the Bowland shale, there lies about a thousand trillion thats 1,000,000,000,000,000 cubic feet of natural gas. Realistically, with todays technology of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, we could extract about 10 per cent of that if we wanted. It would fetch a gob-smacking 4 trillion at todays prices. Producing shale gas would lower energy bills, create jobs, generate tax revenue, displace imports, greatly enrich the North of England and slightly impoverish Vladimir Putin to name just a few of the benefits. Shale is the source rock for natural gas, but for decades nobody could get it to flow except where it has seeped into porous sandstones. Then, in Texas in the 1990s, a new technique was tried that used water instead of gel to create millimetre-wide cracks in the shale deep underground. Combined with miles-long horizontal drilling, this led to a series of breakthroughs. Matt Ridley: 'Realistically, with todays technology of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, we could extract about 10 per cent of that if we wanted. It would fetch a gob-smacking 4 trillion at todays prices' Earlier this year, George Yates, a Texan entrepreneur who has interest in some potential drilling rights in northern England, gave me some numbers to illustrate just how special the opportunity for the UK is and why he is investing. The Barnett shale near Fort Worth, in Texas, where the story began, has 150 billion cubic feet of gas per square mile of land. The Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania is twice as rich at 300 billion. But the Bowland shale in Britain is more than twice as rich again, at 650 billion. Incidentally, despite the claims of some of my critics, I have zero personal interest to declare in this debate. I used to make money from coal, gass main rival, but theres no gas-rich shale under my land. Despite this incredible opportunity for the UK, only months ago the government was about to order the oil and gas exploration firm Cuadrilla to pour concrete down the two wells they had drilled in the Bowland shale, near Blackpool. Were we mad? Yes. Have we come to our senses? Lets hope so. Yesterday, the new Business and Energy Secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg, announced in parliament that the ban on fracking has now been lifted to help accelerate the UKs domestic energy supply. The new Business and Energy Secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg, (pictured) announced in parliament yesterday that the ban on fracking has now been lifted to help accelerate the UKs domestic energy supply Claiming she was setting a new ambition for our country, Liz Truss pledged earlier this month to make sure that the UK is a net energy exporter by 2040. Not only is this ambition entirely achievable, its also a green fantasy that we could soon do without gas, which supplies half our electricity, most of our heating and a lot of our industrial needs and will do for several decades. We have gone from exporting to importing gas, while America went in the other direction thanks to shale. In terms of emissions, this makes no sense. We treat imported gas as having a zero-carbon footprint till its burned, which is a lie: transporting it in tankers generates lots of emissions. Producing gas at home is even more valuable than producing oil at home. Oil is cheap to transport so there is a global price. There is no global gas price. Gas costs a fortune to liquefy and transport across oceans, which is why the price of gas has been at least four times as high here as in America this year. When I first visited Pennsylvania in 2011 to see what all the shale-gas fuss was about, the experts told me it was a flash in the pan. It wont last, and its the final gasp of a dying industry, they insisted: gas is running out. They could not have been more wrong. The innovations that allowed the production of shale gas transformed America, made it self-sufficient in energy, revitalised lots of industries and changed geopolitics. It demolished the then dominant myth of peak gas, that the world would soon run out. Matt Ridley: 'Half the people protesting at community meetings in Yorkshire and Lancashire were posh middle-class climate types from down South. At one picket line, they warmed themselves over coal braziers, apparently oblivious to the irony' Back here, some experts try to insist Britain is not the same as America and that fracking wont work for us. The geologist Chris Cornelius said this week he thinks Britains regulations are too tight and its geology might be too complicated for any meaningful extraction of gas. But that is what some said about Pennsylvania, too, 15 years ago. Besides, the risk is taken by the firms that do the work: thats what private enterprise means. If it doesnt work, the investors will soon pull the plug at no cost to the taxpayer. As for the common argument that Britain is too densely populated for gas extraction, some of Americas shale gas is also produced in densely populated areas. One drilling pad I visited in Colorado was right next to a housing estate. Worried residents asked to be notified when the work would start, then called up to say: Why has the start been delayed because weve heard and felt nothing? Came the reply: We started on time, didnt you notice? Under pressure from green zealots, the British government imposed far too strict limits on vibrations (or earthquakes as the BBC likes to call them) from fracking operations. Those limits, if applied to almost any other industry, including quarrying, transportation and the military, would have stopped them, too. The tremors emanating from a mile below ground that stopped the drilling near Blackpool were equivalent to somebody sitting down hard in a chair in the same room. Yet until last year, ministers boasted of stopping the shale-gas industry with this nonsense. Mr Rees-Mogg has this week committed to reviewing the current limit of 0.5 on the Richter scale, calling it too low. The Prime Minister, meanwhile, says shale-gas extraction should go ahead only if it has local support. We dont really know what locals think because the opposition to shale gas in Britain came largely from outsiders and was both highly emotive and highly inaccurate. Friends of the Earth was ticked off by the Advertising Standards Authority for fibbing. In North Yorkshire, local farmer Lorraine Allanson was treated to terrifying threats for saying she would welcome shale gas. In her book My Story she tells of shouting, abuse, public defecation, intimidation, hijacking lorries to stop deliveries, blocking the village street. The Prime Minister Liz Truss says shale-gas extraction should go ahead only if it has local support She argues now that locals should decide and not rich Green NGOs and their minions. We need a PR campaign that informs the public about UK regulations and puts a stop to the endless ridiculous propaganda about water, tremors and cancer. Half the people protesting at community meetings in Yorkshire and Lancashire were posh middle-class climate types from down South. At one picket line, they warmed themselves over coal braziers, apparently oblivious to the irony. At another location, they protested about unsightly concrete pads at the drilling sites never mind the fact that wind farms use far more concrete per unit of energy generated and are far more obtrusive. Greens also complained about minute quantities of chemicals in the water being injected into rocks a mile beneath the surface, forgetting that those rocks are by definition already soaked in toxic hydrocarbons. These protesters have uncomfortable fellow travellers. One individual who has opposed shale gas from the start is Vladimir Putin. Black stuff comes out of the tap when you frack near peoples homes, he lied in 2013. Alexander Medvedev, the general director of gas giant Gazprom Export, said Russia was ready to wage its war on shale. While the Kremlin-supporting Russia Today called shale-gas executives the moral equivalent of paedophiles. The Russians want the West buying their gas instead. How quickly could shale gas make a difference in Britain? Much will depend on how fast the planners and quangos take decisions. At present they approach each new drilling well separately as a different application, which takes time and adds cost. But Francis Egan, chief executive of Cuadrilla, says that if planning didnt take three years for each frack job then gas could be produced within just a couple of months of moving equipment on site. You could certainly see an effect, albeit small at first, before the next election. Therese Coffey has vowed to combat the NHS bed-blocking crisis with the launch of a 500million emergency fund. The Health and Social Care Secretary told MPs the money will help free up space in hospitals as she revealed her own nine-hour wait in A&E. Beleaguered ambulance services will also be supported by a new army of volunteer first aiders in a bid to cut delays. More than 13,000 beds in England around one in seven are occupied by patients who have been deemed medically fit to leave. But a shortage of carers means they face difficulty finding a place in care or home help. Care providers will be encouraged to use the fund to help plug 165,000 vacancies. Staff may be offered bonuses, pay rises or more generous overtime to prevent more leaving for better paid jobs in retail. There will also be a drive to attract more care workers from abroad, with 15million available to cover areas like visa applications and accommodation. Miss Coffey described the 500million as a downpayment while ministers work to rebalance funding across health and social care. But care charities last night dismissed the sum as insulting. Delayed discharges cost the NHS up to 5.5million a day, while a record 6.8 million languish on waiting lists. Therese Coffey (pictured) has vowed to combat the NHS bed-blocking crisis with the launch of a 500million emergency fund The fund is among a host of measures in the Governments Our Patient Plan, which was published yesterday in a drive to avert an NHS meltdown this winter. The Health Secretary revealed she was motivated to tackle poor care after suffering her own A&E ordeal in July, when she waited nearly nine hours to see a doctor and still wasnt treated. She said: I was asked to go back the next day, so I went to a different hospital just three miles away and I was seen and treated appropriately. Thats the sort of variation that were seeing across the NHS. But Mike Padgham, chairman of the Independent Care Group, said the cash will not touch the sides. He said: Announcing this 500million as if it were the answer to our prayers is insulting. This is a sticking plaster put on a gaping wound by a doctor that doesnt see how sick the patient is. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting criticised Miss Coffeys Sesame Street plan, which she has called A, B, C, D ambulances, backlogs, care and doctors and dentists Miss Coffey, pictured, also vowed a laser-like focus on ambulance handover delays and revealed 45 per cent occur at just 15 NHS hospital trusts, which will be given intensive support to improve. Hospitals will open the equivalent of 7,000 more beds, and use remote monitoring in peoples own homes, while the number of 999 and NHS 111 call handlers will rise. The Government will also be exploring the creation of an ambulance auxiliary service. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting criticised Miss Coffeys Sesame Street plan, which she has called A, B, C, D ambulances, backlogs, care and doctors and dentists. And Conservative former health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: It is not more targets the NHS needs, it is more doctors. Can Coffey's medicine cure real ills facing healthcare? Analysis by Shaun Wooler Health Correspondent For The Daily Mail The Health Secretary has quickly homed in on the health and social care issues infuriating patients and delivered a welcome plan for tackling them. But Therese Coffeys blueprint named Our Patient Plan risks being written off as a wish list as critics warn there are too few doctors, nurses and carers to deliver its aims. MPs, charities, trade bodies and health think-tanks have shot down the document, saying it fails to do enough to address chronic staff shortages. The scale of the problem is huge: the NHS is short of more than 100,000 staff, with one in ten nursing posts vacant, and adult social care needs a further 165,000 workers. Many in the sector believe the 500million social care downpayment announced yesterday is unlikely to be enough to make a significant difference. Here we look at the patient priorities Miss Coffey has identified or ABCD as she calls them and why a shortage of NHS employees may make her plan difficult to achieve. A Ambulances Heart attack and stroke patients face hour-long waits for an ambulance as crews are stuck outside A&E unable to offload patients and respond to new calls. Hospitals need to discharge medically-fit patients so there are beds for new cases but a shortage of carers means there is nowhere for these frail people to go. Carers can often earn more working in retail and trade bodies say the plan does not provide funding to offer all workers the pay rises needed to retain or attract enough staff. Ambulances are a priority as heart attack and stroke patients face hour-long waits as crews are stuck outside A&E unable to offload patients and response to new calls B Backlogs Hospital waiting lists are at a record high of 6.8million and ministers accept this number is likely to rise before it falls. A shortage of doctors, nurses and available hospital beds limit the rate at which patients can be admitted. The British Medical Association says pension changes do not go far enough to stop more doctors reducing hours or retiring early. And the Royal College of Nursing is balloting its members over industrial action in a dispute over pay. C Care Liz Truss wants to scrap the Health and Social Care Levy funded through the national insurance rise and has pledged to put 13billion into social care through other means but is yet to provide details. Meanwhile care providers are grappling with soaring food and energy bills and say they are too short of money to fund pay rises for staff themselves. Ministers must provide more funding to be able to offer staff competitive salaries that means fewer are attracted by jobs in other sectors, they say. Liz Truss (pictured with Ms Coffey) wants to scrap the Health and Social Care Levy funded through the national insurance rise and has pledged to put 13billion into social care D Doctors and Dentists There are fewer fully-qualified, full-time equivalent GPs now than in 2015 but the population is ageing and living with more complex conditions. The Royal College of GPs says this means it is unrealistic to expect doctors to be able to see every patient who wants an appointment as quickly as they would like. Nine in ten NHS dental practices have closed their books to new adult patients, with the British Dental Association blaming a lack of government funding for dentists turning to private work. Advertisement Furious Prince Harry snubbed dinner with King Charles III and his brother the Prince of Wales at Balmoral after a row with his father when the new monarch banned Meghan Markle from joining the grieving Royal Family on the day the Queen died, sources have claimed. The Duke of Sussex reportedly wanted his wife to join him as royals raced to the Scottish estate to say their final goodbyes to their beloved mother and grandmother on September 8. However, Britain's new King phoned his youngest son and told him it was 'not appropriate' for the former Suits actress to be there, according to reports. It is claimed that in the ensuing row, during which Harry fought to persuade his father to allow Meghan to come with him, he missed a flight carrying William and their uncles Andrew and Edward to Scotland - and with it the chance to bid farewell. The prince - who plunged the monarchy into crisis after he and the duchess sensationally quit royal duties and left the UK for California two years ago, before making a series of stunning allegations against The Firm - was so angry that his wife had been banned, and that he had missed his first flight, that he refused to have dinner that evening with Charles, William and Queen Consort Camilla. Instead, he ate with the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex before leaving early the next morning, The Sun reports. Prince Harry had insisted on having his wife, Meghan, with him on the day the Queen died, but she was banned from attending by King Charles III, it is alleged. Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stand behind King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral on September 19 It is claimed that in the ensuing row Prince Harry missed his flight to Aberdeen, meaning he took a later one that only landed after Her Majesty's death had been announced to the world. Pictured: The Duke of Sussex looks sombre while travelling from Aberdeen to Balmoral on the day of the Queen's death Instead of having dinner with his father, brother and stepmother, Harry decided to eat with his uncles at Balmoral Castle on the night of the Queen's death. Pictured: Balmoral Castle in Scotland Prince Harry allegedly snubbed his father and brother when having dinner at Balmoral after the new King banned his wife from attending. Pictured: King Charles III and the Duke of Sussex walk alongside Princess Anne as they arrive at the committal service for the Queen at Windsor on September 19 After the row the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex put on a united front by walking out to meet members of the public. Pictured: The Princess of Wales, the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex walk outside Windsor Castle on September 10 Harry was so furious after the row that he ate dinner with Prince Andrew, Prince Edward afterwards, instead of his brother and father. Pictured: The Prince of Wales, Duke of York, and Earl and Countess of Wessex, arrive at Balmoral after the Queen's death The Sun quotes a source as saying: 'Harry was so busy trying to get Meghan to Balmoral and rowing with his family that he missed the flight. 'Charles has an open invitation for Harry to dine with him whenever he is in the country. 'But Harry was so furious that he refused to eat with his father and brother. 'It was a massive snub. And he got out of Balmoral at the earliest opportunity to catch the first commercial flight back to London.' The next morning he was the first member of the Royal Family to leave, boarding an early British Airways flight from Aberdeen where he was pictured comforting an airport worker after she passed along her condolences for his grandmother's death. Harry headed back to Meghan at 8.28am, where he was sat alone in the rear of a Range Rover as he was driven out of the Royal Family's Scottish home, where he had arrived at 7.52pm the night before. The death of Queen Elizabeth: A timeline of how today's sad news was announced 12.35pm: A statement is released by Buckingham Palace, announcing that the Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors became 'concerned for her health'. A Palace spokesperson said: 'Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.' 12.47pm: A statement is released by Clarence House, confirming that Prince Charles and his wife Camilla would travel to Balmoral. It said: 'The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have travelled to Balmoral'. 12.48pm: A minute later, Kensington Palace announces that Price William will be travelling to Balmoral. The statement read: 'The Duke of Cambridge is also travelling to Balmoral.' 1.37pm: It is reported that Prince Andrew has travelled to Balmoral Castle in Scotland following news that doctors were concerned for The Queen's health. 1.38pm: Sources confirm to the Press Association (PA) that The Princess Royal is at Balmoral, and the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex are on their way to the Queen's Scottish home. 1.55pm: A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirms that the couple will be 'travelling to Scotland'. While the initial statement mentioned 'Scotland', it did not make directly make mention of Balmoral. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were due to attend the WellChild Awards ceremony in London on Thursday evening, but changed their plans to travel to see the Queen. 4.14pm: A news alert by the Press Association (PA) said that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were believed to be travelling to Balmoral 'separately' from other royals. 4.39pm: Less than 30 minutes later, PA issue another news alert, quoting an unnamed source, saying that that the Duchess of Sussex would not travel to Balmoral with the Duke of Sussex. The source said that Prince Harry would be making the trip by himself. A source said the Duchess could potentially join Harry in Scotland at a later date, following what PA described as a 'change of plan'. 4.44pm: Minutes later, Omid Scobie, a journalist considered to be 'friendly' towards the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and who often quotes unnamed sources close to the couple, writes a post on social media network, Twitter about the situation. He wrote: A source has shared an update stating that only Prince Harry has made the trip up to Balmoral. Like the Duchess of Cambridge (who is in Windsor with their three children), the Duchess of Sussex is staying back in England (but still not attending tonight's WellChild Awards).' The post mentions Kate, who earlier in the day it was revealed would not travel to Balmoral. 6.30pm: The Royal Family announces via social media site Twitter that Queen has died 'peacefully' at Balmoral at the age of 96. 8pm: Prince Harry arrives at Balmoral following the public announcement Advertisement He was swept into Aberdeen airport at 9.20am, led by five police outriders, and boarded a flight to London leaving at 10am. Harry wore a black suit and carried a shoulder bag as he walked towards the steps of the plane. An airport worker offered her sympathies as the Prince was about to walk up the steps of a British Airways aircraft. The woman, who was dressed in a high- visibility yellow jacket, addressed Prince Harry. The royal smiled and patted her gently in the shoulder before boarding the aircraft for Londons Heathrow Airport. Less than 12 hours earlier grief had been written on the Duke's face after landed in Scotland following the announcement of Queen Elizabeth II's death. He had his head bowed and partially covered his face as he was driven out of Aberdeen airport, arriving at Balmoral after dark. The Queen's death had forced an unexpected reunion between Harry and the rest of the Royal Family. The Sussexes, whose comments since Megxit has caused a rift with the royals, especially William, were not expected to see any royals during their tour of the UK and Europe - despite staying yards from the Cambridges during their pseudo-royal tour of Europe - until Her Majesty's passing. Since then the pair have taken part in more than a week of national mourning with other members of the Royal Family. Harry was prominent in a number of processions and services, walking behind his grandmother's coffin as it was transported from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, and again as it was subsequently moved to Westminster Abbey for her funeral. Meanwhile, Meghan joined her husband for the Queen's funeral and committal service on Monday, September 19, as well as for the coffin procession to Westminster Hall on September 14. The pair also appeared to put on a united front with the Prince and Princess of Wales, heading out together to greet mourners and well-wishers at Windsor Castle. It was claimed earlier this week that Meghan requested a 'one-to-one' meeting with King Charles in a bid to heal rifts before she left for California with Harry after the Queen's funeral. Neil Sean, an entertainment correspondent who has appeared on NBC News, MSNBC and Access Hollywood, said that he had heard from a 'very good source' that the American actress had sent a letter requesting a private conversation with the King. Mr Sean claims that Meghan wanted to 'clear the air' amid reports the couple would fly back to the US as soon as they can to see their children, Archie, three, and Lilibet, one. 'She'd now like before they return back to California to have a one-to-one audience with King Charles III,' Sean said in a video posted to YouTube, that has recorded nearly 300k views. 'That's rightMeghan one-to-one with King Charles. You heard correct. 'It's a very brave move from Meghan herself,' Sean said. Detailing the content of the letter, he said: 'It would be an opportunity to clear the air, pull the rights from wrongs and explain some of the rationale behind what they've been doing over the last two years. 'Now, you know, you have to admire Meghan's self-belief, whatever you think.' However, in a twist, royal sources claimed it was 'very unlikely' that the Duchess of Sussex had written such a letter. Charles is known to want to heal his relationship with his son and his wife, even saying how much he loved them in his first address as King, making it very unlikely he would ignore such a request if it happened, one source said. Buckingham Palace and the Sussexes have not commented on the claims, however royal sources told MailOnline that Meghan would be 'very unlikely' to trouble the King as he mourns his mother after yesterdays funeral and as he grapples with his first days as King. Another insider said it would be 'odd' for the Duchess to write formally to the King directly for a meeting, given Harry would have a direct path to his father. Meghan Markle, the Dutchess of Sussex, requested a 'one-to-one' meeting with Charles in a formal letter sent to the new King, according to a Royals insider The Royals insider claims the 41-year-old penned a formal note to King Charles hoping to meet privately following his mother's funeral Prince William directs Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to their seats at St George's Chapel for the committal service Prince William and Prince Harry join the procession following the state hearse carrying the coffin at Windsor While William and Harry have put aside their disagreements for royal events in recent days, fears over the content of Harry's upcoming memoir continue to cast a cloud over their relationship - especially following the bombshell interview he and Meghan gave to Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 when they accused an unnamed royal of racism. Rumours of a rift between the brothers first emerged in 2019 when they divided their households following various disagreements about Harry's role, but their feud deepened amid the fallout from the Megxit saga in 2020. But the death of the Queen has seen the rivals shelve their differences, with William and Kate joined by Harry and Meghan for the first occasions in more than two years since Commonwealth Day in March 2020. A royal source told the Telegraph's Camilla Tominey that Prince William and Kate, felt 'the focus should solely be on this period of deep mourning and nothing else. The focus should only be on his late grandmother'. Prince Andrew and Prince Harry were both again banned from saluting during the procession to Westminster Abbey on Monday while other royals including King Charles III, Prince William and Princess Anne all performed the gesture. Members of the Royal Family saluted when the Queen's coffin was taken into the Abbey. But Andrew and Harry simply stood still because they were not allowed to wear military uniform, as neither are now working royals. It comes after Harry and Andrew were also prohibited from saluting at the funeral procession to Westminster Hall. Andrew did also not salute at the vigil in Edinburgh for the same reason. The decision to ban Harry and Andrew from wearing military uniforms in most events following the Queen's death at Balmoral is a reminder of how both now have limited involvement in the Royal Family. Prince Harry spent ten years in the Army, but he was stripped of his honorary military titles in 2020 after he and his wife announced they were stepping down as senior working royals and moving abroad. His uncle the Duke of York, who was forced to stand down from public life in 2019 over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, is the only other royal banned from wearing military uniform at the ceremonial events and funeral. Meghan was 'unresponsive' to Queen Consort Camilla's attempts to give her advice and support when she first joined the Royal Family, book claims By Jessica Taylor for MailOnline The Duchess of Sussex was 'unresponsive' to Queen Consort Camilla's advice to her when she first joined The Firm, a royal book has claimed. A new biography of the Queen Consort, written by Angela Levin, claims the then-Duchess of Cornwall organised lunches with Meghan and did her best to welcome her into the family - but her advice fell flat with an 'unresponsive' Meghan. An extract of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall: A Royal Survivor, which was published in the Telegraph, Levin claims Camilla was keen to help Meghan at the beginning of her relationship with Harry after herself struggling to be accepted by the Royal Family, and 'warmly' welcomed her when she first arrived in London. A biography of the Queen Consort Camilla, written by Angela Levin, claims the then-Duchess of Cornwall was keen to welcome Meghan into the family (Meghan and Queen Consort Camilla at the Queen's funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday) Levin claimed Meghan was 'unresponsive' to Camilla's efforts to advise her on the increased scrutiny she would receive as a senior member of the Royal Family (pictured: King Charles, Queen Consort, Harry and Meghan at Charles's 70th birthday) Levin added King Charles, who was then Prince of Wales, enjoyed Meghan's company and often spoke to her about theatre and the arts. In an attempt to help the Duchess of Sussex 'find her feet', the Queen Consort advised her on how to handle the pressure of being in the public eye and the scrutiny she would face as a senior member of the Royal Family. Levin quoted an unnamed source who told her at the time: 'She doesnt want to see anyone struggling and she is fond of Meghan.' Despite Camilla's efforts, Levin claimed the Duchess 'seemed bored' and 'preferred to go her own way' in carving out a role for herself within The Firm. The author also acknowledged the Duchess of Sussex's reputation within the family for being an incredibly hard worker, noting the cookbook she made contributions to which had been put together by survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. A royal book has claimed Harry suggested bringing in a mediator to heal the rift within the royal family, to which Queen Consort Camilla 'spat out her tea'. Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla at the Queen's funeral on Monday Paying tribute to Meghan's work with the Grenfell community, Levin noted how the Queen Consort invited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, plus Camilla's friend Lucia Santa Cruz, to lunch at Highgrove, and made sure the menu had been cultivated specifically from recipes in the Grenfell Tower cookbook - which Lucia described as 'a really nice gesture'. The account detailed by Levin comes as another royal book claims the Queen Consort 'spluttered over her tea' when Prince Harry suggested bringing in a third-party mediator to heal the rift between himself and Meghan and the rest of the family. In The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown, by Katie Nicholl, which has been serialised in Vanity Fair, Nicholl wrote how relations between the Duke and Duchess and the rest of the family were most strained after Harry and Meghan did not come to the UK in March 2021 to attend the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service. At the time, reports claimed Harry had concerns over his family's security arrangements while in the UK. Nicholl wrote that King Charles, who was then Prince of Wales, invited Harry and Meghan to tea just weeks after the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service, as the couple stopped off in the UK before heading to The Hague to attend an Invictus Games event. However, an unnamed family friend told Nicholl the meeting was 'awkward' and only lasted for around 15 minutes after the Duke and Duchess were late to meet then-Prince Charles and then-Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla. They claimed: '[Harry] actually suggested that they use a mediator to try and sort things out, which had Charles somewhat bemused and Camilla spluttering into her tea.' They added the Queen Consort told the Duke his suggestion was 'ridiculous' and that they would resolve their differences within the family. Close to 250mm of rain drenched parts of Australia's east coast in just a few hours overnight as a wild super storm wreaks havoc for millions, triggering flash flooding and evacuations. Northern NSW and south-east Queensland have been at the receiving end of the ferocious weather, with several floods and severe weather warnings. Upper Springbrook, in the Gold Coast, copped 222mm of rain in just three hours to midnight, as did the Couchy Creek nature reserve in NSW's Northern Rivers. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the Gold Coast on Friday morning by the Bureau of Meteorology. Northern NSW and south-east Queensland have been at the receiving end of the ferocious weather, with several flood and severe weather warnings in place Close to 250mm of rain drenched parts of Australia's east coast in just a few hours overnight as a wild super storm wreaks havoc for millions, triggering flash flooding and evacuations Residents in Coolangatta, Miami and Tweed Heads are set to be impacted by heavy rainfall and damaging winds on the forecast. The BoM has warned severe thunderstorms could lead to flash flooding in the Gold Coast, Coolangatta and Springbrook. Landslides have reportedly been seen along Pine Creek Road in Springbrook, prompting several road closures. Sleepless night for people at the Big 4 in Helensvale. Camp sites flooded after an intense storm @TheTodayShow @9NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/nfZVpLhqTI Jess Millward (@JessMillward9) September 22, 2022 Those camping at the Big 4 site in Helensvale, on the Gold Coast, were forced to flee their tents on Thursday night when they suddenly became flooded Those camping at the Big 4 site in Helensvale, on the Gold Coast, were forced to flee their tents on Thursday night when they suddenly became flooded. Footage of the site on Friday morning shows the entire campground flooded, with what appears to be children's bikes completely submerged underwater. Meanwhile those in the Northern Rivers have also been warned of severe thunderstorms and more heavy rainfall, with towns in the area still recovering from two major flooding events this year. 'Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is expected to continue about the far Northern Rivers district, easing during the morning and clearing in the afternoon,' the BoM said on Friday. Lismore, Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Ballina and Casino are all in the firing line. A moderate flood warning has been issued for the Tweed and Wilson River. A severe weather warning that was initially issued for NSW's mid north coast has been cancelled. A car is seen floating in floodwaters on the outskirts of Warren in central NSW on Thursday Photos showing the rescue of a four-year-old boy, and two women, 51 and 44, after their vehicle became submerged in floodwaters near Dungog on Thursday SES workers are seen moving sandbags to flood affected areas The miserable conditions, that have resulted from a low pressure system, will ruin the plans of many families wanting to get away for the school holidays which begin this weekend in NSW. NSW Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke warned on Thursday it was the start of a 'very long season' for flood conditions. 'We're facing challenges on multiple fronts with prolonged flooding through the west and north-west of NSW, renewed river rises in the Central West and southern parts of NSW,' she said. 'Now communities in the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and North Coast who have been made flood weary over the past several months are facing an uncertain couple of days with weather conditions worsening. 'We are at the start of a very long season we expect, this is the third consecutive La Nina, and as we have seen all year our catchments and landscapes are highly saturated. Lismore is still recovering from two major flooding events this year 'This increases the risk of flash flooding and water coming up very very quickly and catching people unawares.' The heavy rainfall is expected to ease across the east coast by Friday evening, the BoM said, but showers are still likely over the weekend. SES NSW has conducted 14 rescues in the past 24 hours, and there were 193 calls for help. It comes after a four-year-old boy and two women were rescued by a police officer using just a rope and a winch after their vehicle became submerged in floodwaters in the NSW Hunter region. Authorities were told three people had become trapped in a vehicle at a flooded causeway on Lyons Road at Bingleburra, west of the country town of Dungog, about 9.30am on Thursday. Clean up efforts are still continuing in Lismore after the northern NSW town was inundated with floods earlier this year A senior constable soon arrived on the scene, where he saw a black SUV stranded in the swirling current, which was about five metres across. 'Using a rope as a safety line, (the officer) entered the floodwater and made his way to the vehicle,' NSW Police said in a statement. He and a 51-year-old woman with the SUV worked together to pull a four-year-old boy through the window and to safe ground. The officer then waded back into the water to free the 51-year-old, whose foot was caught on a rock. After attaching a winch to the SUV to stabilise it, he went back into the water to help a 44-year-old woman trapped inside the vehicle. She and the young boy were physically uninjured and treated by paramedics for shock. The officer is being considered for a bravery award, police said. Flooding is affecting multiple parts of NSW, as a dangerous weather system that hit inland parts of the state tracks east to the coast. Flood warnings are current in the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and Hunter regions, where the rescue occurred. Police have urged members of the public not to drive through floodwaters and avoid non-essential travel. Sharon Osbourne has said she wishes she told her CBS cohosts to 'f*** off' after they asked her to be more repentant for defending her friend Piers Morgan, who was labelled a racist for questioning Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Oprah interview. Osbourne, 69, was forced out of daytime show The Talk on March 26, 2021 after 11 years. She spoke out to defend Morgan, who was angered by the March 7, 2021 interview with Oprah. Morgan was also forced out of his show in the UK, Good Morning Britain. On Thursday, Osbourne spoke about her experiences at the time, and told of her fury at being pushed out. 'I wanted to look into the camera and say 'F*** you, f*** you, f*** you, f*** you, and CBS take that. But I couldn't do that. Sharon Osbourne said that she wanted to tell the CBS executives, live on air, 'f*** you' Osbourne is pictured with Piers Morgan, her friend of many years, who she defends 'Can you imagine if I'd have done that, what it would've done? It would've been suicidal for me to do that, but that's what was inside me. 'And I honestly wanted to say: 'CBS go f*** yourselves.' Osbourne's problems began after Morgan - who she has been friends with for years, with both serving as judges on America's Got Talent from 2006-11 - criticized the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview. 'I'm just going to say what I'm going to say. This is a two-hour trash-a-thon of our royal family, of the monarchy, of everything the queen has worked so hard for, and it's all being done as Prince Philip lies in hospital,' said Morgan the day after the interview. 'They trash everybody. They basically make out the entire royal family are a bunch of white supremacists by dropping this race bombshell. 'They didn't name which one it was. They just throw it out there, so it can be any member of the royal family.' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spoke to Oprah Winfrey for an interview broadcast on March 7, 2021 Markle told Winfrey that she was bullied by a racist royal family Osbourne defended Morgan amid a furious backlash, which saw him being labeled racist. 'I am with you,' she tweeted. 'I stand by you. People forget that you're paid for your opinion and that you're just speaking your truth.' Morgan was forced out of his show on March 9, 2021; Osbourne was similarly shown the door two weeks later. Osbourne said that she did not regret her actions, and was scathing about the CBS executives. 'As soon as the show was over, I said I want Heather Gray - the showrunner - and the other showrunner, Kristin Matthews,' Osbourne said. 'And they all put us in some office room. 'I was like: 'If you want me out, just f****** tell me. Who told you to do this to me?' Osbourne's new series is out later this month The 69-year-old was scathing in her recollection of events She added: 'And Heather Gray and Kristin Matthews were crying, and Sheryl's rocking back and forth, still crying, and I'm like: 'Why are you all crying? You all did this to me! Why did you do it?'' She said they simply pointed up, indicating that it was their superiors at CBS who made the decision that she had to go. Osbourne, who now co-hosts a show on the new British channel The Talk with Morgan, insisted that her friend was airing legitimate views. 'Piers isn't a racist, has never written anything that's racist, has never said anything that's racist,' she said. 'And because you don't agree with somebody, they could be an alien. They could be purple, pink or blue. If you don't agree with them, you don't agree with them. That's all. 'He was branded a racist and because I supported him, I was branded a racist.' Osbourne is pictured with her co-hosts on The Talk: Sheryl Underwood, Carrie Ann Inaba, Eve, and Sara Gilbert Osbourne said she was astonished at the response from CBS bosses. 'They said to me at one point: 'You're not repentant enough. And we don't believe that you can repent for what you've done.' 'I'm like: 'What's this? Am I in f****** church? Can't do it, so go f*** yourselves.' 'I had this anger within me for CBS. You've planted the seed, now I have to live with this. 'Cause once you plant the seed that someone's a racist, whether you are or you aren't, that lives with you.' Osbourne is seen on March 9, 2021, being criticized for her support for Morgan Morgan and Osbourne are pictured in a photo posted to her Instagram on October 5, 2021 The pair are seen together in April 2007 She said she and her family had received death threats. On social media, I had all these nut case, you know, threatening me. 'Said they were going to come in the night, cut my throat, cut my husband's throat, cut my animals up, and all these death threats.' Osbourne said that the threats to harm her husband of 40 years, Ozzy, were the final straw. The Black Sabbath frontman suffers from Parkinson's Disease, and has had multiple surgeries after breaking his neck. 'Then they started on Ozzy. And it's like, 'Hey. Mm-mm. He's had enough f****** stress for the last three years of his life.' And they're picking on him.' And she said she had no regrets, 'I'll stand by what I did. Yes, I f****** swore. Yes I stood up for myself,' she said. 'Yes I told the lawyers at CBS, 'Don't f****** talk to me this way. You don't know me. You don't know anything.' United Airlines revealed Wednesday it grounded about 25 of its Boeing 777-200 planes - just days before one of them was forced to turn back only minutes after taking off. United grounded dozens of the planes after realizing that some of its aircraft had not undergone required inspections of the front edges of the wings, or the wing slats. It led to the airline canceling flights on Monday night and Tuesday morning. Those passengers affected were rebooked. But on Wednesday night, a 777-200 aircraft that had been cleared to fly was forced to turn back after taking off from Newark Airport in New Jersey following an issue with its hydraulic system. The wing slats are part of the hydraulic system. The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident but United has not commented if the issue is at all connected to the grounding of similar aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration explained how United grounded 25 of the jets after discovering it had failed to inspect slats on the wing edges that are used during takeoffs and landings. The FAA said United reported the issue, and the FAA is reviewing circumstances that led to the missed inspections. United Airlines has grounded 25 of its Boeing 777-200 airplanes from service after not fulfilling the required inspections of the front edges of the wings United said earlier this week afternoon that it had inspected 10 of the planes and was working with the FAA to return the others to flying in the next two weeks without causing additional flight cancellations. 'We've completed inspections on 10 of those aircraft, and are working with the FAA to return others to service while inspections are ongoing over the next two weeks,' United said in a statement. The FAA said it was reviewing United's inspection plan 'as well as looking into the circumstances that led to the missed inspections.' In May, the FAA cleared United's 52 Boeing 777 planes equipped with Pratt & Whitney (PW) 4000 engines to return to service. The jets were grounded after the failure of a Pratt & Whitney engine on one that caused parts of the housing to fall on the Denver area. United Airlines discovered it had failed to perform required inspections on the wing leading-edge panels, the FAA, a U.S. regulator said The United flight to Honolulu suffered engine failure and showered debris over nearby cities and made an emergency landing in February 2021. A loud bang was heard just four minutes after take off and pieces of the engine began to plummet to the ground over Broomfield, Colorado. Jet engine parts were scattered around the entire suburb, with the entire engine inlet lip ending up in one piece in a resident's front yard. No one was injured and the plane safely returned to the airport. United said that he wing leading-edge panel inspections of some of those 777-200s are not related to engines or recent engine work. They said the inspections in most cases can be completed overnight. United's Boeing 777s are some of the oldest models of their kind in the world. The 777 planes seat between 276 and 364 passengers, according to United's website, and are mostly used on long international flights. Video of what was thought to be a United Airlines Boeing 777 shedding debris and showers of sparks was caught on Wednesday night after it took off from Newark Airport in New Jersey Meanwhile, the FAA has launched an investigation after a United plane was forced to make an emergency landing when a shower of sparks flew off and debris fell to the ground moments after taking off from Newark Airport in New Jersey. The Boeing 777-200ER, which took off from Newark heading for Sao Paulo, Brazil, at 11.24pm on Wednesday night had to enter a holding pattern at 24,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean after experiencing what is suspected to be a hydraulic pressure pump failure on landing the landing gear. Approximately an hour and a half later, after dumping fuel over the ocean to reduce weight, the aircraft made a safe emergency landing back at Newark Airport. The FAA have now confirmed they are probing the cause of the malfunction. The terrifying moment was purportedly caught on video by a nearby plane spotter, who captured the shower of sparks streaming from close to the landing gear compartment of the Boeing 777. He also took a photograph of a piece of rectangular, rusty-looking piece of debris that fell to the ground. Despite the dramatic scenes, the plane landed safely after the crew reported an emergency and that an investigation is under way. There were no reports of any casualties or injuries among the crew and passengers. A photo of the debris that fell from the plane was captured by a nearby plane spotter. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed they are investigating the incident In a statement, United Airlines said: 'After our aircraft experienced a mechanical issue shortly after takeoff, it remained in the air to burn fuel and then landed safely. 'Passengers deplaned at the gate and a new aircraft is scheduled to depart this morning.' The FFA said: 'United Airlines Flight 149, a Boeing 777-200, landed safely at Newark Liberty International Airport shortly before 1am local time today after the crew reported an emergency. 'The flight departed Newark and was headed to Sao Paulo, Brazil before it returned. The FAA will investigate.' Boeing 777s are equipped with three hydraulic systems. The left, center and right systems deliver hydraulic fluid at a rated pressure to operate flight controls, flap systems, actuators, landing gear and brakes. Primary hydraulic power for the left and right systems is provided by two engine-driven pumps and supplemented by two on-demand electric motor-driven pumps, according to power company Eaton. The flight map shows flight UA149 entering a holding pattern at 24,000 feet over the Atlantic after experiencing what is suspected to be a hydraulic pressure pump failure On Thursday, US securities officials fined Boeing $200 million over the aviation giant's misleading assurances about the safety of the 737 MAX airplane following two deadly crashes, regulators announced Thursday. Boeing agreed to the penalty to settle charges it 'negligently violated the antifraud provisions' of US securities laws, the Securities and Exchange Commission said in a statement, saying the company and its leader 'put profits over people.' Boeing's former chief executive, Dennis Muilenburg, also agreed to pay $1 million to settle the same charges in the civil case. US securities officials fined Boeing $200 million over the aviation giant's misleading assurances about the safety of the 737 MAX airplane following two deadly crashes, regulators announced Thursday. Pictured, Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are seen parked in an aerial photo at Boeing Field in Seattle ready to be delivered Boeing Max 737's two deadly crashes: What happened? Boeing was forced to ground the 737 Max after the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia happened less than six months apart. The first disaster happened October 29, 2018, when a Max flying as Lion Air flight JT 610 fell into the Java Sea 15 minutes after taking off from Jakarta. All 189 aboard the plane died, including 180 Indonesians, one Italian and one Indian. The second crash occurred on March 10, 2019, when Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302, which also was a Max jet, took off from Bole International Airport in the Ethiopian capital and crashed. All 157 people onboard the plane died. US carriers American, United and Southwest had to cancel flights for the holidays, including over Christmas and into the new year, after the plane was grounded around the world. Boeing reported on July 14, 2019, that customers canceled orders for 60 of the grounded 737 MAX jets in June. The aircraft maker removed another 123 planes from its backlog over doubts that the deals will be completed. Advertisement The settlement marks the latest hit to Boeing over the MAX following the Lion Air Crash in Indonesia in October 2018 and the Ethiopian Airlines crash in Ethiopia in March 2019, which together claimed nearly 350 lives. One month after the first crash, a Boeing press release approved by Muilenburg 'selectively highlighted certain facts,' implying pilot error and poor aircraft maintenance contributed to the crash. The press release also attested to the aircraft's safety, not disclosing that Boeing knew a key flight handling system, the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), posed safety issues and was being redesigned. After the second crash, Boeing and Muilenburg assured the public that there was 'no surprise or gap' in the federal certification of the MAX despite being aware of contrary information, the SEC said. 'In times of crisis and tragedy, it is especially important that public companies and executives provide full, fair, and truthful disclosures to the markets,' said SEC Chair Gary Gensler in a press release. 'The Boeing Company and its former CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, failed in this most basic obligation. They misled investors by providing assurances about the safety of the 737 MAX, despite knowing about serious safety concerns.' The SEC said both Boeing and Muilenburg, in agreeing to pay the penalties, did not admit or deny the agency's findings. Boeing said the agreement 'fully resolves' the SEC's inquiry and is part of the company's 'broader effort to responsibly resolve outstanding legal matters related to the 737 MAX accidents in a manner that serves the best interests of our shareholders, employees, and other stakeholders,' a company spokesman said. The crash of the Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 MAX six minutes after takeoff on March 10, 2019, killed all 157 people on board. Pictured, wreckage is piled at the crash scene of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 near Bishoftu, Ethiopia 'We will never forget those lost on Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, and we have made broad and deep changes across our company in response to those accidents.' US air safety authorities cleared Boeing's 737 MAX to resume service in November 2020 following a 20-month grounding after the crashes. A principal cause of the two crashes was identified as the MCAS, which was supposed to keep the plane from stalling as it ascended but instead forced the nose of the plane downward. The Federal Aviation Administration required Boeing to upgrade this system to address the flaw. In January 2021, Boeing agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle a US criminal charge over claims the company defrauded regulators overseeing the 737 MAX. Joe Biden, the nation's second Catholic president, falsely claimed Thursday that the Catholic Church believes in exceptions for rape and incest for abortion. At a Democratic National Committee event in New York City, Biden decried the GOP's abortion efforts as demanding ' no exceptions rape, incest, no exceptions.' 'I happen to be a practicing Roman Catholic,' he said. 'My church doesn't even make that argument.' Biden specifically cited the efforts of 'Graham and others,' referring to Sen. Lindsey Graham's 15-week abortion ban bill. The Catholic Church not only makes no exception for rape and incest, it goes beyond Graham's 15-week ban and says abortion is wrong from the moment of conception. Joe Biden, the nation's second Catholic president, falsely claimed Thursday that the Catholic Church believes in exceptions for rape and incest for abortion Biden, a devout Catholic, falsely claimed his church allows exceptions for rape and incest when it comes to abortion Biden and his sister Valerie chat with their priest at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church in Wilmington, Del. after Mass on Sept. 10 'Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception,' the Catechism of the Catholic Church reads. 'Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.' After addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday Biden visited Billionaire's Row, a strip of luxury buildings along the southern tip of Central Park, for a Democratic fundraiser at the home of Henry and Marsha Laufer. In September 2021, the president said that he does not agree life begins at conception. 'I have been and continue to be a strong supporter of Roe v. Wade,' he said at the White House, answering a reporter's question on abortion. 'I respect them those who believe life begins at the moment of conception and all I respect that. Don't agree, but I respect that,' he said. Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C. commented shortly after: 'The Catholic Church teaches, and has taught, that life human life begins at conception. So, the president is not demonstrating Catholic teaching.' Pope Francis described Biden's abortion views despite his very public Catholic faith as an 'incoherence' in July. The pope said that he leaves the president abortion stance to his own 'conscience' in an interview with Univision. 'Let (Biden) talk to his pastor about that incoherence,' the pope said. On Sunday Biden again invoked his Catholic faith when he was asked during an interview with CBS 60 Minutes how he has made it through all the 'tragedy' in his life - losing a wife and one-year-old daughter in 1972 and his 46-year-old son Beau in 2015. 'You know, this gets me a long way, this rosary,' the president said, pulling out the rosary he keeps in his pocket. High winds and heavy rainfall have led to hundreds of travellers being stranded at airports around the country as dozens of flights coming in and out of Sydney are cancelled. Up to 40 flights due to land or depart out of Sydney were cancelled on Thursday morning as severe weather warnings were issued by the Bureau of Meteorology for heavy falls and thunderstorms across NSW's east coast. Passengers at Sydney Airport complained on social media of receiving alerts about cancellations at 4.30am, and long queues were seen inside the Sydney terminal. Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded at airports as the east coast is hammered with rain (pictured, lines at the airport) 'In anticipation of bad weather today, domestic airlines advised overnight that some services would be affected,' a Sydney Airport spokesman told AAP on Thursday. Passengers flying in and out of Sydney should check the status of their flights with the airline, the spokesman said. 'Passengers who are travelling today are recommended to arrive two hours prior to domestic flight departures, and three hours for international services,' he said. The cancellations come in the lead-up to Saturday's AFL Grand Final, with Victorian travellers enjoying two consecutive public holidays before the weekend. Queensland is also on school holidays, while the NSW, Northern Territory, ACT and West Australian term ends on Friday. Tasmania and Victoria go on holidays at the end of next week. It is expected 2.4 million people will fly through Sydney during the holiday peak, a Sydney Airport spokesman said. Meanwhile in the Sunshine State, operations are 'flowing relatively smoothly' at the Gold Coast airport, according to a spokesman. The spokesman told AAP operations are being assisted by an ambassador program that is helping people board their flights and check in at the terminal. When Kwasi Kwarteng delivers his mini-Budget today, it promises not only to be the most significant fiscal occasion in decades. It might be the moment Conservatism awakens from its coma. Under recent Tory governments, the party has shifted from free market principles and instead slumped into the big-state Treasury orthodoxy that drove the tax burden to an 80-year high. Thankfully, the Chancellor and Prime Minister Liz Truss are determined to re-energise the country by taking a more radical approach turbo-charging growth. That is why the mini-Budget's centrepiece is the biggest tax giveaway since the 1980s. Mr Kwarteng will reverse the national insurance hike, scrap the planned rise in corporation tax and cut stamp duty. Kwasi Kwarteng and Liz Truss are determined to re-energise the country by taking a more radical approach And a bonfire of red tape will unlock the shackles on business and accelerate crucial infrastructure projects. When his predecessor, Nigel Lawson, cut tax rates, productivity soared and the Treasury's tax take actually went up. Partly as a result, Margaret Thatcher won a third consecutive general election. Low taxes work morally and practically. They put more money in people's pockets, create jobs, and foster a climate where enterprise and wealth creation can thrive. There will, of course, be relentless shroud-waving from the Left and the BBC, who claim Mr Kwarteng's audacious agenda merely benefits the rich. But they are wrong, and he must stick doggedly to his guns. With the country heading into recession, we can't afford to surrender to the failed economic consensus. The Government must do all in its power to stimulate growth. If the country becomes more prosperous, everyone gets richer. And the Tories, too, will enjoy a political windfall. Let's get fracking The Mail has sympathy with communities which fear their quality of life may be hit by noise and pollution from fracking. But the brutal gas and electricity bills hitting families starkly illustrate the dangers of outsourcing our energy supplies to foreign powers. So the Government is right to lift the ban on extracting shale gas and review the tremor limits. As well as supplying cheap energy, fracking could provide many thousands of jobs. Of course, drilling will need local consent. But if locals receive their gas for free, perhaps any opposition can be overcome. At a time of an unprecedented energy crisis, it would be absurdly complacent not to give fracking a try. A troubling practice With wearisome predictability, GPs are grumbling about Therese Coffey's plan to cut waiting times for appointments. The Health Secretary is concerned delays for consultations deter patients from seeking a doctor's advice with potentially serious health implications. But the militant medical unions say this sensible measure will be 'demoralising'. Yes, being a doctor can be stressful. And the Government must train more practitioners to prevent the service collapsing. But it costs the taxpayer around 230,000 a year to train a GP, and many quickly go part-time. Wouldn't primary care be healthier if they were obliged to work full time for a meaningful stint? Astronomers have detected a hot bubble of gas swirling around the Milky Way's supermassive black hole at over 200 million miles an hour. It is circling Sagittarius A* at almost a third of the speed of light on an orbit similar in size to that of the planet Mercury, completing a full circle in just 70 minutes. Experts say the discovery could help us to better understand the enigmatic and dynamic environment of the enormous void at the heart of our galaxy. Lead author Dr Maciek Wielgus, of the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Germany, said: 'We think we're looking at a hot bubble of gas zipping around Sagittarius A* on an orbit similar in size to that of the planet Mercury but making a full loop in just around 70 minutes.' He added: 'This requires a mind-blowing velocity of about 30 per cent of the speed of light.' Mysterious: Astronomers have detected a hot bubble of gas swirling around the Milky Way's supermassive black hole at over 200 million miles an hour. The ALMA radio telescope spotted signs of a 'hot spot' orbiting Sagittarius A* (shown), the black hole at the centre of our galaxy WHAT IS SAGITTARIUS A* AND HOW WAS IT CAUGHT ON CAMERA? Sagittarius A* - abbreviated to Sgr A*, which is pronounced "sadge-ay-star" - owes its name to its detection in the direction of the constellation Sagittarius. Its existence has been assumed since 1974, with the detection of an unusual radio source at the centre of the galaxy. In the 1990s, astronomers mapped the orbits of the brightest stars near the centre of the Milky Way, confirming the presence of a supermassive compact object there - work that led to the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics. Though the presence of a black hole was thought to be the only plausible explanation, the new image provides the first direct visual proof. Because it is 27,000 light years from Earth, it appears the same size in the sky as a donut on the moon. Capturing images of such a faraway object required linking eight giant radio observatories across the planet to form a single 'Earth-sized' virtual telescope called the EHT. These included the Institute for Millimeter Radio Astronomy (IRAM) 30-meter telescope in Spain, the most sensitive single antenna in the EHT network. The EHT gazed at Sgr A* across multiple nights for many hours in a row - a similar idea to long-exposure photography and the same process used to produce the first image of a black hole, released in 2019. That black hole is called M87* because it is in the Messier 87 galaxy. Advertisement An international team spotted the 'hot spot' using the ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) radio telescope in the Chilean Andes. Supermassive black holes are incredibly dense areas in the centre of galaxies. They act as intense sources of gravity which hoover up dust and gas around them. Sagittarius A* located just 26,000 light years from Earth is one of very few black holes in the universe where we can actually witness the flow of matter nearby. But as the area absorbs all surrounding light, it is incredibly difficult to see, so scientists have spent decades searching for hints of black hole activity. The observations were made by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) during a campaign by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration to image black holes. In April 2017 eight existing radio telescopes were linked worldwide, resulting in the first ever image of Sagittarius A*. Dr Wielgus and colleagues used ALMA data recorded simultaneously with the EHT observations of Sagittarius A*. There were more clues to the nature of the black hole hidden in the ALMA-only measurements. Serendipitously, some were done shortly after a burst or flare of X-ray energy was emitted from the centre of the Milky Way and detected by NASA's Chandra Space Telescope. These kinds of flares, previously observed with X-ray and infrared telescopes, are thought to be associated with 'hot spots' gas bubbles that orbit very fast and close to the black hole. Dr Wielgus said: 'What is really new and interesting is such flares were so far only clearly present in X-ray and infrared observations of Sagittarius A*. 'Here we see for the first time a very strong indication that orbiting hot spots are also present in radio observations.' Less than one per cent of the material initially within the black hole's gravitational influence reaches the event horizon, or point of no return, because much of it is ejected. Consequently, the X-ray emission from material is remarkably faint, like that of most of the giant black holes in galaxies in the nearby universe. Co author Jesse Vos, a PhD student at Radboud University, the Netherlands, said: 'Perhaps these hot spots detected at infrared wavelengths are a manifestation of the same physical phenomenon. 'As infrared-emitting hot spots cool down, they become visible at longer wavelengths, like the ones observed by ALMA and the EHT.' The flares were thought to originate from magnetic interactions in the extremely hot gas orbiting very close to the black hole. The research's findings support this idea. Co-author Dr Monika Moscibrodzka, also from Radboud, said: 'Now we find strong evidence for a magnetic origin of these flares and our observations give us a clue about the geometry of the process. 'The new data are extremely helpful for building a theoretical interpretation of these events.' ALMA allows astronomers to study polarised radio emission from Sagittarius A*, which can be used to unveil the black hole's magnetic field. An international team spotted the 'hot spot' using the ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) radio telescope in the Chilean Andes (pictured) The data combined with theoretical models shed light on the formation of the hot spot and the environment it is embedded in, including the magnetic field. Stronger constraints on the shape of than previous observations help uncover the nature of our black hole and its surroundings. Scans by ALMA and the GRAVITY instrument at ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT), which observes in the infrared, suggest the flare originates in a clump of gas. It swirls around the black hole at about 30 percent of the speed of light in a clockwise direction in the sky with the orbit of the hot spot being nearly face-on. Co author Dr Ivan Marti-Vidal, of the University of Valencia, said: 'In future we should be able to track hot spots across frequencies using coordinated multiwavelength observations with both GRAVITY and ALMA. 'The success of such an endeavour would be a true milestone for our understanding of the physics of flares in the Galactic centre.' This visible light wide-field view shows the rich star clouds in the constellation of Sagittarius (the Archer) in the direction of the centre of our Milky Way galaxy The team is also hoping to be able to directly observe the orbiting gas clumps with the EHT, to probe ever closer to the black hole and learn more about it. Dr Wielgus added: 'Hopefully, one day, we will be comfortable saying we "know" what is going on in Sagittarius A*.' How black holes form is still poorly understood. Astronomers believe it happens when a large cloud of gas up to 100,000 times bigger than the sun collapses. Many of these 'seeds' then merge to form much larger supermassive black holes, which are found at the centre of every known massive galaxy. Alternatively, a supermassive black hole seed could come from a giant star, about 100 times the sun's mass, that ultimately forms into a black hole after it runs out of fuel and collapses. When these giant stars die, they also go 'supernova', a huge explosion that expels the matter from the outer layers of the star into deep space. The new study has been published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. Instagram is developing a tool that can block unsolicited nude photos sent in a direct message (DM), a spokesperson for its parent company Meta has confirmed. Known as 'Nudity Protection', the feature will reportedly work by detecting a nude image and covering it, before giving the user the option of whether to open it or not. More details are due to be released in the coming weeks, but Instagram claims it will not be able to view the actual images or share them with third-parties. This has been confirmed by Liz Fernandez, Meta's Product Communication Manager, who said it will help users 'shield themselves from nude photos as well as other unwanted messages'. She told The Verge: 'Were working closely with experts to ensure these new features preserve peoples privacy, while giving them control over the messages they receive.' Known as 'Nudity Protection', the feature will reportedly work by detecting a nude image and then filtering that message from the inbox It is still in the early stages of development, but will hopefully help to reduce incidents of 'cyber-flashing'. Cyber-flashing is when a person is sent an unsolicited sexual image on their mobile device by an unknown person nearby (stock image) News of the feature was first announced on Twitter by leaker and mobile developer Alessandro Paluzzi. He said that 'Instagram is working on nudity protection for chats', and posted a screenshot of what users may see when opening the feature. It said: 'Securely detect & cover nudity. Technology on your device covers photos that may contain nudity in chats. Instagram cant access the photos. 'Choose to view photos or not. Photos will stay covered unless you choose to view them. 'Get safety tips. Learn ways to stay safe if youre interacting with sensitive photos. 'Turn on or off anytime. Update in your Settings.' Liz Fernandez, Meta's Product Communication Manager, said the tool will help users 'shield themselves from nude photos as well as other unwanted messages' Ms Fernandez likened the feature to the 'Hidden Words ' feature on Instagram that was introduced last year. Ms Fernandez likened the feature to the 'Hidden Words' feature on Instagram that was introduced last year. This allows users to automatically filter messages containing words, phrases and emojis they don't want to see. She also confirmed that Nudity Protection will be a voluntary feature that users can turn on and off as they please. It is still in the early stages of development, but will hopefully help to reduce incidents of 'cyber-flashing'. Cyber-flashing is when a person is sent an unsolicited sexual image on their mobile device by an unknown person nearby. This could be through social media, messages or other sharing functions such as Airdrop or Bluetooth. In March, it was announced by UK ministers that men who send unsolicited 'd**k pics' will soon face up to two years in jail (stock image) HOW WILL THE 'NUDITY PREVENTION' TOOL WORK? The new 'Nudity Prevention' tool will reportedly work by detecting images that may contain nudity that have been sent to the user over chat. It will automatically cover the image, and the user can choose whether to view it or not when they open the message. Instagram will not be able to access the photos, and the user can turn on or off the feature any time. Advertisement In March, it was announced that men who send unsolicited 'd**k pics' will soon face up to two years in jail. Ministers confirmed that laws banning this behaviour will be included in the Governments Online Safety Bill, which is set to be passed in early 2023. The move will apply to England and Wales as cyber-flashing has been illegal in Scotland since 2010. It came after a study from the UCL Institute of Education found that non-consensual image-sharing practices were 'particularly pervasive, and consequently normalised and accepted'. Researchers quizzed 144 boys and girls aged from 12 to 18 in focus groups, and a further 336 in a survey about digital image-sharing. Thirty-seven per cent of the 122 girls surveyed had received an unwanted sexual picture or video online. A shocking 75 per cent of the girls in the focus groups had also been sent an explicit photo of male genitals, with the majority of these 'not asked for'. Snapchat was the most common platform used for image-based sexual harassment, according to the survey findings. But reporting on Snapchat was deemed 'useless' by young people because the images automatically delete. Furthermore, research by YouGov found that four in ten millennial women have been sent a picture of a man's genitals without consent. Twenty-two wildcat kittens have been born in the Highlands - and could be among the first of the species released into the wild in Britain in 200 years. The wildcats, nicknamed 'Highland Tigers', have been bred as part of a conservation project led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS). The Saving Wildcats project is working with national and international experts to restore Scotland's critically endangered wildcat population by breeding and releasing them into carefully selected locations in the Cairngorms National Park. Planning is under way to release the kittens, which were born between April and August this year, into the Highlands in 2023. Twenty-two wildcat kittens have been born in the Highlands - and could be among the first of the species released into the wild in Britain in 200 years We are celebrating a HUGE SUCCESS today at the end of our very first breeding season at the centre! In a quiet area away from visitors @HighlandWPark, we are thrilled to have welcomed a total of 22 wildcat kittens in six litters Learn more https://t.co/scXjr46Zv6 pic.twitter.com/afHdLblcpC Saving Wildcats (#SWAforLIFE) (@SaveOurWildcats) September 22, 2022 Scotland's wildcats The wildcat was hunted and persecuted to extinction in England and Wales more than a century ago when all predators were considered vermin. It has not been able to return since, due to loss and fragmentation of habitat and more recently interbreeding with domestic and feral cats. Scotland's last wildcat group is no longer deemed a viable population. But it is hoped restoring a healthy number of one of the few native predators could restore balance in the ecosystem. They perform important functions like controlling prey such as rabbits and rodents while giving other hunters competition for food. Advertisement David Barclay, Saving Wildcats conservation manager, said: 'These kittens are the future of wildcats in Scotland with decades of extensive research showing their species is highly likely to go extinct in Britain if we do not carry out releases. 'Our target for the first breeding season was 20 kittens, so to have 22 in just six litters is a huge success which gives us a great base for the next phase of the project. 'While human presence is kept to a minimum to give these cats the best possible chance of survival after release, our small team of expert keepers are able to monitor the kittens and their parents on remote cameras. 'It has been fantastic to watch them grow and develop over the summer. 'Once the kittens are fully independent and no longer reliant on their mums, they will move into special pre-release enclosures which are designed to help prepare them for the many challenges of life in the wild.' Planned releases of wildcats in Scotland are subject to a translocation licence. The Saving Wildcats project is based in a quiet area away from visitors at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie. It is led by RZSS in collaboration with NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Norden's Ark, and environment authorities in Andalucia, Spain. The wildcat was hunted and persecuted to extinction in England and Wales more than a century ago when all predators were considered vermin Dr David Hetherington, nature networks manager at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: 'The Cairngorms National Park is home to over 25 per cent of the UK's rare and endangered species and it is incredibly exciting to be working with national and international partners to plan wildcat releases here. 'Scotland's wildcats have been identified as a priority species in our five-year Cairngorms Nature Action Plan and this successful first breeding season at the Saving Wildcats centre is a significant milestone in our collective efforts to save this critically endangered species from extinction in Britain.' The wildcat was hunted and persecuted to extinction in England and Wales more than a century ago when all predators were considered vermin. It has not been able to return since, due to loss and fragmentation of habitat and more recently interbreeding with domestic and feral cats. Scotland's last wildcat group is no longer deemed a viable population. But it is hoped restoring a healthy number of one of the few native predators could restore balance in the ecosystem. They perform important functions like controlling prey such as rabbits and rodents while giving other hunters competition for food. Hilton Hotels has signed on to design the crew lodging and hospitality suites in the Starlab, one of three stations in the running to replace the International Space Station (ISS) that is set to retire no earlier than 2031. The partnership is with Voyager, which has set out to construct a large inflatable habitat that is set to launch in 2027 - and it is using $130 million from NASA to make it happen. The announcement, however, does not reveal details of the rooms, but states Hiltons suites will make extended stays more comfortable. This would be a major change from the living quarters on the ISS, which is said to be as cozy as a five bedroom house. However, it can sometimes house 13 crew members and large amounts of equipment, making it feel more like a crowded space. Starlab is one of three commercial space stations in the running to replace NASA's International Space Station Dylan Taylor, Chairman and CEO, Voyager Space, said in a statement: Starlab will be more than just a destination, it will be an experience made infinitely more unique and artful with the Hilton team's infusion of innovation, expertise, and global reach. Voyager and Hilton are acutely focused on creating innovative solutions for the future of humanity and this partnership opens new doors to what is possible for comfort-focused space exploration and habitation. Voyager, which was awarded $160 million by NASA is up against the Blue Origin-led project called Orbital and a Northrup Grumman platform based on its Cygnus spacecraft. The space station will be a large circle and rotate to generate artificial gravity that will be set at a similar level to the gravity found on the surface of the moon. Voyager released this image last year, but it could be the future suites on the station Starlab is being designed by Voyager, which partnered with Hilton Hotel to create living quarters that make extended stays in space more comfortable Blue Origin received $130 million and Northup Brumman $125.6 million. All three hope to be operational by the middle of this decade, with NASA as a customer, but the bulk of funding from commercial sources. The chosen station will be used by NASA, and other government agencies, as well as private sector customers, including for tourism. Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, said in a statement: Hilton has been innovating to improve the guest experience and pioneering new destinations for travel for more than a century. We are thrilled to partner with Voyager to bring that expertise to Starlab. For decades, discoveries in space have been positively impacting life on Earth, and now Hilton will have an opportunity to use this unique environment to improve the guest experience wherever people travel. This landmark collaboration underscores our deep commitment to spreading the light and warmth of hospitality and providing a friendly, reliable stay whether on the ground or in outer space. Voyager and Hilton will partner in the areas of architecture and design, leveraging Hiltons word-class creative design and innovation experts, to develop Space Hospitality crew headquarters aboard Starlab, including communal areas, hospitality suites, and sleeping arrangements for the astronauts. Additionally, the teams will seek to explore opportunities together for longer-term efforts including the ground-to-space astronaut experience, global co-marketing and branding, and other tourism, educational, and commercial efforts. Voyager, which was awarded $160 million by NASA is up against the Blue Origin-led project called Orbital (pictured) A Northrup Grumman platform based on its Cygnus spacecraft is also being developed Starlab is scheduled to launch by 2027 on a single flight, and will be a 'continuously crewed, commercial space station dedicated to conducting advanced research and fostering commercial industrial activity.' The habitat is designed for four astronauts and will have power, volume, and a payload capability equivalent to the International Space Station. The basic elements of the Starlab space station include a large inflatable habitat, designed and built by Lockheed Martin, a metallic docking node, a power and propulsion element, a large robotic arm for servicing cargo and payloads, and the George Washington Carver (GWC) Science Park. The GWC Science Park is a state-of-the-art laboratory system which will host a comprehensive research, science, and manufacturing capability. 'Starlab is the confluence of Lockheed Martins rich space expertise and history, Nanoracks innovation, and Voyagers financial savvy,' said Lisa Callahan from Lockheed Martin. 'This team is equipped to aid NASA on its mission to expand access to LEO and to enable a transformative commercial space economy. Blue Origin Orbital Reef is being designed to be a 'mixed-use space business park' that provides essential infrastructure needed to support all types of human spaceflight activity in low-Earth orbit and can be scaled to serve new markets, according to the group. Northrop Grumman has yet to name its upcoming space station, but says it is designed to be a modular, commercial destination in low-Earth orbit. The design leverages flight-proven elements, such as the Cygnus spacecraft that provides cargo delivery to the International Space Station and will be able to support four crew members at any one time. Notting Hill cemented Hugh Grants reputation as Britains leading man and helped property prices in the once run-down corner of West London to soar to those of Mayfair or Belgravia. Yet, the comedian Omid Djalili has now slammed the 1999 smash-hit romantic comedy, claiming that ethnic actors scenes were axed and his own role reduced to make it more white. Djalili, who compered the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the Queen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May, claims he was reduced to little more than a cameo role after originally being given more lines. Hitting out: Omid Djalili has slammed the 1999 romantic comedy Notting Hill, claiming that ethnic actors scenes were axed and own role reduced to make it more white He said: Notting Hill, another film I was cut out of, for being too brown. Notting Hill was a film where they tried to show the diversity of the Notting Hill area, then [a] producer goes: We want this to be more white. So they got rid of everyone. In the film written by Richard Curtis, Djalili, 56, made an uncredited cameo as a vendor who sells Will, played by Grant, the orange juice that he accidentally spills on Hollywood star Anna, played by Julia Roberts. Old times: In the film, Djalili made an uncredited cameo as a vendor who sells Will, played by Grant, the orange juice that he accidentally spills on Anna, played by Julia Roberts Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts in Notting Hill The moment would prove to be the catalyst for hapless Will's unlikely romance with the American actress, who is visiting west London while filming in the United Kingdom. I had some lines that were taken out, so it looks like Im an extra, says Djalili, who was born in London to Iranian parents. I just give Hugh Grant the orange juice. The only ethnic minority who stayed in the movie was Sanjeev Bhaskar he had a couple of lines. But, yeah, they whitewashed the film, unfortunately. Looking back: I had some lines that were taken out, so it looks like Im an extra, says Djalili, who was born in London to Iranian parents Special moment: Djalili compered the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the Queen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May Speaking on Richard Herrings Leicester Square Theatre podcast, Djalili, whose film credits include roles in Gladiator and The Mummy, adds: Im not bitter about it. Im just saying that as fact. After the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, he said: I would write different movies now. We are all thinking about things in different ways. 'We have a really impatient younger generation who are focusing on things I never focused on. They have both gone through recent relationship woes. So it's no surprise that Julie Bishop has joined forces with fellow socialite Ellie Aitken. The pair were photographed together at a glamorous event held on behalf of the Sydney Dance Company on the weekend. Julie Bishop (right), 66, and socialite Ellie Aitken (left), 42, were photographed together at a glamorous event held on behalf of the Sydney Dance Company on the weekend In a post shared by the high-profile socialite, the pair were seen dressed to the nines while Ms Bishop, 66, rested her arm around Ms Aitken's shoulder. Ms Aitken, 42, dazzled in a black long-sleeved mini dress, accessorising with black patent heels and a gorgeous jewelled necklace. 'What a wonderful night supporting the phenomenal @sydneydanceco,' Ms Aitken captioned the photo. Ms Bishop, for her part, also shared intimate moments from the event. The former Australian foreign minister posted several snaps from the red carpet, looking elegant in a grey fitted dress and pearl drop earrings. In posts shared by the females, the pair were seen dressed to the nines at the glamorous event The former Australian foreign minister posted several snaps from the red carpet, looking elegant in a grey fitted dress and pearl drop earrings 'Glittering evening showcasing the best of Australian contemporary dance @sydneydanceco,' she wrote. The pair's sighting comes after Ms Aitken found herself at the centre of a high-profile split in December after it emerged her husband of 20 years was having an affair with her best friend. Funds manager Charlie Aitken, 48, announced he'd separated from Ms Aitken and moved on with her younger friend Hollie Nasser. The move sent shockwaves through their tight-knit eastern suburbs circles, particularly since Ms Nasser, 36, was also married to Mr Aitken's business partner, Christopher Nasser. Ms Aitken found herself at the centre of a high-profile split in December after it emerged her husband of 20 years Charlie Aitken (left) was having an affair with her best friend Funds manager Mr Aitken, 48, announced he'd separated from Ms Aitken (left) and moved on with her younger friend Hollie Nasser (right) 'The truth is that despite the support of friends and family I have not coped well with the deeply hurtful lies, gossip and innuendo that has surrounded the breakdown of my relationship,' Ms Aitken said in a statement in early December. She announced she would be 'taking a break from social media' and public life while she and her family adjusted to the separation and her estranged husband's new relationship. 'I had attempted to put on a brave face and tried to manage my feelings and well-being despite the fact I have not had any control over the reasons for my sorrow,' she added. Ms Aitken later shared a text message she'd received from Ms Nasser on Instagram, in which her former friend accused her of 'playing the victim' and blamed her for 'ruining her marriage'. 'I had attempted to put on a brave face and tried to manage my feelings and wellbeing despite the fact that I have not had any control over the reasons for my sorrow,' Ms Aitken said in a statement in December. Pictured L-R: Mr Nasser, Ms Nasser, Ms Aitken and Mr Aitken Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the time, a longtime friend revealed: 'Ellie is not coping well at all. She's broken. Her whole life has just crumbled around her.' According to The Daily Telegraph, Ms Aitken is now in a much better place, and has even been spending time with her ex-husband for the sake of their two children. 'People really admire how gracious she has been throughout this ordeal. She's doing much better and definitely has her groove back,' a source said. Ms Nasser has since split from the investment banker. Ms Bishop's ex allegedly dumped her over dinner in Sydney in July, putting an end to their eight-year relationship.. Pictured together in 2015 Meanwhile, Ms Bishop's ex-lover David Panton dated from 2014 until July this year, when Mr Panton, a property developer, abruptly broke up with Ms Bishop over dinner at a restaurant in Circular Quay. The jet-setting couple had attended a private engagement with Prince Charles, now King Charles III, in London just a week earlier. The former deputy leader of the Liberal Party was reportedly blindsided by the split, and Mr Panton was later romantically linked to a woman from the Northern Beaches. Conspicuous by his absence was Ms Bishop's ex-lover David Panton, who used to be her 'handbag' at every celebrity party or red carpet event she would attend. The pair (pictured with James Packer in December 2015) dated from 2014 until July this year Mr Panton was sometimes described as Ms Bishop's 'handbag' during their eight years together as he was regularly photographed smiling by her side at lavish social gatherings. Pictured together in March Mr Panton was sometimes described as Ms Bishop's 'handbag' during their eight years together as he was regularly photographed smiling by her side at sparkling social gatherings, while barely saying a word in public. He was largely unknown when he first appeared with Ms Bishop at the 2014 Melbourne Cup, a year after the prime minister Tony Abbott appointed her minister for foreign affairs. They had been introduced by Ms Bishop's close friend and retired Liberal politician Bruce Baird and shared an interest in fitness and health. A seemingly never-ending round of glamorous outings followed - including repeated invitations to marquees at Flemington Racecourse, opening nights, film premieres and fashion shows. Mr Panton, a property developer, abruptly broke up with Ms Bishop over dinner at a restaurant in Circular Quay. The jet-setting couple had attended a private engagement with Prince Charles (left), now King Charles III, in London just a week earlier Sarah Cawood has revealed she'd been diagnosed with stage one breast cancer, after doctors discovered a lump during her routine mammogram. The presenter, 50, who previously fronted 90s favourites Live And Kicking and Top Of The Pops, admitted that she feels 'lucky' that doctors discovered the disease at an early stage. Sarah also told The Sun that she will undergo a lumpectomy following by radiotherapy and long-term hormone treatment, and has since been struggling with the menopause after being advised to stop taking HRT. Health update: Sarah Cawood has revealed she'd been diagnosed with stage one breast cancer, after doctors discovered a lump during her routine mammogram Explaining the moment she received her diagnosis, Sarah explained that after undergoing a routine mammogram doctors sent her for a follow-up, having discovered a lump in her breast. Following an ultrasound and a biopsy, she was told that the lump wasn't a cyst, and she assumed the worst as she headed to meet the surgeon. Despite receiving a cancer diagnosis, Sarah, who lives in Essex with her husband Andy Merry and their two children, said doctors reassured her that the condition was treatable. The TV personality even joked it was the 'Carlsberg of breast cancers' in reference to the popular 'if Carlsberg did' advertising campaigns of the early noughties. Throwback: The presenter who previously fronted 90s favourites Live And Kicking and Top Of The Pops, admitted that she feels 'lucky' that doctors discovered the disease early She explained: 'The surgeon went, ''Can you see that? That's a very small cancerous lump''. And I went, ''Oh, OK, is it aggressive?''. 'And she said, ''No''.. And I went, ''Brilliant''... I was like, ''OK, so easily fixed?'', and she was like, ''Yes, not really much of a problem.'' 'It really is the Carlsberg of breast cancers. If you have to have it, this is the one to have. I feel really lucky. 'There are people that really are up s**t creek without a paddle, who have cancer, and I am not that person.' Important: Along with undergoing treatment for her diagnosis, Sarah said she is focused on raising her two children Hunter, 10, and Autumn, nine Sarah did admit that after coming off HRT, she has been struggling with the effects of the menopause, particularly hot flushes and memory loss. Reflecting on her own career, Sarah admitted that had she bared all and posed for racy lads mags shoots, like her peer Denise Van Outen, she may have gotten more TV work, Despite describing her breasts as 'epic,' the mother-of-two opted against posing for the shoots due to a 'weird sense of propriety.' adding her then-boyfriend Adam Devlin also stopped her from baring all. Sarah rose to fame in the 90s for her presenting role on The Girlie Show, before hosting Live & Kicking, Top Of The Pops and the Eurovision Song Contest. Progress: Following her diagnosis, Sarah revealed that she will undergo a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and a long-term hormone treatment After many of her presenting jobs were axed or shelved, Sarah said her primary focus is motherhood and raising her two children, alongside hosting her menopause podcast Irregular B****es with pal Lou Mitchell. In 2016 Sarah revealed she was just '24 hours from death' when her C-section scar became twisted around her bowel and turned gangrenous. Speaking on Loose Women she said: 'I was 24 hours from death', she declared, explaining that her internal organs got stuck to the scar, cutting off the blood supply and developing into septicemia. Candid: Reflecting on her own career, Sarah admitted that had she bared all and posed for racy lads mags shoots, like her peer Denise Van Outen, she may have gotten more TV work Finally, twelve hours after she was admitted to A&E, Sarah ended up being operated on in surgery. The former TV star recalled thinking, 'I'm a goner', when doctors discovered an obstruction in her stomach, initially believing it could have been an ectopic pregnancy or appendicitis. 'I was frightened for my life', she said. 'But I didn't know I nearly died until after the surgery. 'I fell blessed and I see my scar as a victory sign.' Margot Robbie looked gorgeous as she headed to the Amsterdam afterparty following the film's premiere in central London on Wednesday. The actress, 32, put on a very leggy display in a shirt dress as she arrived at the swanky Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone, London. Margot's pin-stripped frock boasted long sleeves and a she completed the look with a pair of thigh-high leather boots. Stunning: Margot Robbie, 32, looked gorgeous as she headed to the Amsterdam afterparty following the film's premiere in central London on Wednesday The former Neighbours actress wore a radiant palette of make-up while her blonde tresses cascades past her shoulders. Margot beamed as she arrived at the exclusive venue while toting her belongings in a woven red handbag. The stunner was joined by her co-stars Rami Malek and Christian Bale for a much deserved celebration. DJ Amazonica was on the decks at the bash as the stars partied the night away. Arrivals: The actress, 32, put on a very leggy display in a shirt dress as she arrived at the swanky Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone, London Leggy: Margot's pin-stripped frock boasted long sleeves and a she completed the look with a pair of thigh-high leather boots Earlier in the evening Margot displayed her impressive abs in an eye-catching black gown with a matching cape as she graced the premiere's red carpet. With her all-black outfit, Margot appeared to be paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who was laid to rest on Monday following a state funeral that was watched by millions around the world. Margot flashed a hint of her toned abs in a plunging black gown that featured a slight cut-out before flowing into a thigh-split skirt, adding an extra touch of glamour with a matching cape. Hello! Margot beamed as she arrived at the exclusive venue while toting her belongings in a woven red handbag Party time: Margot was joined at the event by co-star Christian Bale who donned a smart black ensemble Amsterdam: Margot Robbie (centre) co-stars with Christian Bale (left) and John David Washington (right) in the movie, a 1930s-set comedy-drama The Wolf of Wall Street star's muted look still caught the eye thanks to the bold accessory, which flowed in a dramatic train that followed behind her as she posed on the carpet. Meanwhile Rami, 41, who is among the film's huge star-studded cast, cut a dapper figure in an all-black suit as he arrived for the premiere. The Mr Robot star was in good spirits as he arrived solo for the evening, followed close behind by Christian and his wife Sibi Blazic. Gentleman: The Oscar winner was joined by his wife Sibi Blazic whom he guided inside Fashionably late: Rami Malek, 41, arrived in his black suit which he wore hours earlier on the red carpet Christian, 48, matched his co-stars with an all-black suit while Sibi opted for a form-fitting midi dress with sheer sleeves as they posed together for the premiere. The Dark Knight star has acted as a producer on Amsterdam alongside director David O'Russell, and marks the third time he's joined forces with the acclaimed director, following his Oscar-winning turn in The Fighter, and his performance in 2013's American Hustle. Andrea Riseborough, 40, cut a dazzling figure in a stunning black gown adorned with sequins that perfectly highlighted her alabastar complexion. Sparkles: British actress Andrea Riseborough flaunted her toned legs in a magenta sequinned mini dress Party time! DJ Amazonica was on the decks at the bash as the stars partied the night away Rock chick: She layered the look with a leather jacket which she draped casually over her shoulders Glam: Earlier in the evening Margot displayed her impressive abs in an eye-catching black gown with a matching cape as she graced the premiere's red carpet Later the British actress slipped into a magenta sequinned mini dress to join her fellow actors at the star-studded after party. The premise of the film follows, 'three friends who witness a murder, become suspects themselves, and uncover one of the most outrageous plots in American history,' according to IMDB. During an interview with Deadline when discussing the upcoming mystery, director David expressed, 'Its old fashioned, with a scenario and characters we love. The story goes deep, about love and friendship. It goes deep into murder and events.' Dynamic duo: Andrea (left) posed up a storm with her co-star Margot at the star-studded premiere 'And history, which I love. It has many layers, so you can watch it more than once and discover things you didnt get the first time,' the talented filmmaker added. The filmmaker is known for directing other successful movies such as American Hustle (2013), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), and The Fighter (2010). Aside from Margot Robbie, the star-studded cast includes Christian Bale, Tenet's John David Washington, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert De Niro, Chris Rock, and Grammy award-winner, Taylor Swift. Olivia Wilde has hit back at reports of a feud with her 'sensational' Don't Worry Darling leading actress Florence Pugh. The director, 38, addressed the pair's widely-rumoured falling out on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday, insisting she has 'nothing but respect' for Florence, 26, despite by being plagued by claims to the contrary. Olivia gushed about Florence's performance in the controversial movie, and suggested being questioned about the feud is sexist because it's not something her 'male director colleagues are answering'. The actress also doubled down on claims she fired former leading actor Shia LaBeouf, 36, insisting he issued her an 'ultimatum' of choosing between him and Florence: 'I chose Florence.' Shutting down: Olivia Wilde has hit back at reports of a feud with her 'sensational' Don't Worry Darling leading actress Florence Pugh When asked by Stephen if she was 'feuding' with Florence, Olivia shut down rumours of tension between the pair as she gushed over the star's 'sensational' performance in the film. Director Olivia, who is dating lead star Harry, has been at the centre of speculation about a reported on-set rift with Florence, with original co-star Shia also adding to the drama. But the Booksmart director has now described Florence as a 'super hero' and insisted she has 'nothing against her for any reason' as she doubled down on her denial of any feud. 'She is sensational in this film. And it is about her being brave enough to listen to the brave people who've come before her who everyone else has ignored and trust her instincts,' Olivia said. Leading lady: Olivia gushed about Florence's performance in Don't Worry Darling, and suggested being questioned about the feud is sexist 'And she is the one brave enough to dismantle the system. She is a super hero. And Florence Pugh is as good at dramatic work as she is at action. There are real action sequences in the film. She has a run which I refer to as her 'Tom Cruise run.' It's the most impressive run I've ever seen,' she added. Seeming to address claims that Florence had scheduling conflicts for a press conference at Venice Film Festival, Olivia said there is 'nothing cooler than a busy actress'. 'I have nothing but respect for Florence's talent. She's fantastic. She's on the set of her movie Dune right now. There's nothing cooler than a busy actress. I have nothing against her for any reason,' Olivia said. Florence skipped a press conference for the film because her flight allegedly would land too late for her to get there, though she was seen in Venice nearby enjoying an Aperol spritz while it was taking place. Rumors: The director, 38, addressed the pair's widely-rumoured falling out on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday, insisting she has 'nothing but respect' for Florence, 26 Feud? The actress also doubled down on claims she fired former leading actor Shia LaBeouf, 36, insisting he issued her an 'ultimatum' Commenting on a video of Florence enjoying her cocktail at the time, Stephen said: 'People pointed out that she was having an Aperol spritz during the press conference and didn't show up for it.' To which Olivia cryptically replied: 'They did point that out.' She went on to imply that questions about the feud are sexist as she claimed her male director colleagues are not answering queries about their relationships with cast members. 'I think what's funny is like, I don't feel like my male director colleagues are answering questions about their cast,' Olivia said to applause from the studio audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. Rumored conflict: Director Olivia, who is dating lead star Harry, has been at the centre of speculation about a reported on-set rift with Florence (both pictured in the movie) 'These are not questions to give a director. They should be talking about the movie itself,' Stephen added, while admitting that he was giving into the appetite by asking her about the rumors. Olivia reportedly came into conflict with Florence during filming, as the Black Widow star was said to be unhappy over allegations that Olivia 'hooked up' with Harry while engaged to Jason Sudeikis. Olivia, 38, and Jason, 46, got engaged in 2012 and share children Otis, eight, and Daisy, five. They were thought to have split in November 2020 and Olivia made headlines with Harry in January 2021. While it's never been confirmed that Olivia and Harry's romance began while she was still engaged to Jason, Page Six reported that Florence fell out with Olivia over the coupling. Absent: Florence skipped a press conference for Don't Worry Darling because her flight allegedly would land too late for her to get there, but she was seen at the premiere for the film Iconic: But Florence was seen in Venice nearby enjoying an Aperol spritz while the press conference was taking place Then in the lead-up to the film's release, Florence did little-to-no promotion for the movie and was seen enjoying a cocktail nearby in Venice as she skipped a press conference for Don't Worry Darling. The rumours intensified after Olivia suggested Florence should have a 'wake-up call' in a leaked video, shared by Shia as he refuted Wilde's claim that he had been fired. Shia was originally set to star in Don't Worry Darling before Olivia replaced him with Harry, with Olivia claiming Shia's process was 'not conducive to the ethos that I demand in my productions'. But in response, Shia - who claims he quit 'due to lack of rehearsal time' - shared an an email he sent to the director and a video that she allegedly sent to him, proving he walked away from the film rather than being fired. High praise: Commenting on fans pointing out that Florence was enjoying a cocktail at the time, Olivia cryptically replied: 'They did point that out' In the footage, Olivia can be heard encouraging Shia to stay signed on to the film, rather than leave it, while also hinting at apparent tension with Pugh, 26, who she referred to as 'Miss Flo'. In the clip, she said: 'I feel like I'm not ready to give up on this yet, and I, too, am heartbroken and I want to figure this out. 'You know, I think this might be a bit of a wake-up call for Miss Flo, and I want to know if you're open to giving this a shot with me, with us. 'If she really commits, if she really puts her mind and heart into it at this point and if you guys can make peace and I respect your point of view, I respect hers but if you guys can do it, what do you think? Is there hope? Will you let me know?' Group line-up: The cast were all seen attending the premiere at Venice Film Festival amid the drama. Pictured: Nick Kroll, Florence Pugh, Chris Pine, Olivia Wilde, Sydney Chandler, Harry Styles and Gemma Chan Total transparency: Olivia also cleared the air about her one-time Don't Worry Darling co-star Shia LaBeouf, 36, who she claimed was let go from the film, though the actor claims he quit But speaking to Stephen, Olivia doubled down on her claims that she fired Shia, insisting that she 'chose Florence' after she claimed Shia had issued her with an ultimatum. When asked if she fired Shia, Olivia said: 'We had to replace Shia. He is a fantastic actor, but it wasn't gonna work. When he gave me the ultimatum of, you know, him or Florence, I chose Florence.' 'That was him feeling he was stepping away and me feeling like we were moving on without him,' she added. Claims: Shia was set to star in Don't Worry Darling before Olivia replaced him with Harry, claiming Shia's process was 'not conducive to the ethos that I demand in my productions' Addressing the conflicting accounts of Olivia claiming Shia was fired and the actor saying he quit, Stephen asked if he left in such a way that they could both believe they were correct in their stances. To which, Olivia said: 'It's a question of semantics. It wasn't going to move forward in a way he wanted it to, so he had to leave.' Elsewhere in the interview, Olivia also addressed 'another weird rumour' surrounding Harry Styles seemingly spitting on co-star Chris Pine at the Venice Film Festival. Fans claimed that footage showed Harry allegedly appearing to gob in the actor's lap, with Chris seeming to stop, look down at his leg, and stick out his tongue in disbelief. Conflicting: But Shia - who claims he quit ' - shared an an email he sent to the director and a video she allegedly sent to him, proving he walked away from the film rather than being fired The laughing actor, 42, shot an amused look back at the pop star, with fans speculating afterwards that Harry had spit on Chris' lap. But it has been denied that any spitting took place, with a source close to Chris Pine telling MailOnline: 'Harry Styles did not spit at all. People are seeing some odd illusion of sorts online that is clearly deceiving.' And Olivia also shut down rumours of any spitting occurring, insisting that people are trying to 'look for drama'. Stephen asked her: 'Did Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine? Why or why not? Support your answer.' Film: Harry and Florence play a married couple in Don't Worry Darling, which tells the story of a 1950s housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community Role: Olivia, who directed the controversial movie, also appears in the film as a character called Bunny, who is friends with Florence's character Alice To which a laughing Olivia said: 'He did not, but I think it's a perfect example of people will look for drama anywhere they can.' She definitively added, 'Harry did not spit on Chris, in fact,' while Stephen joked, 'Only time will tell'. 'No, he really didn't!' Olivia said with a laugh. She said the video was an example of people seeing what they want to see and described it as 'clickbait'. Oh dear: Despite all the hype surrounding Don't Worry Darling, it currently has a dismal 34 per cent critic approval rating (out of 64 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes Harry and Florence play a married couple in Don't Worry Darling, which tells the story of a 1950s housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community. Olivia appears as a character called Bunny. The pair play Jack and Alice Chambers, who seem to be the perfect couple, until she starts discovering things about their secretive community. Despite all the hype surrounding Don't Worry Darling, it currently has a dismal 34 per cent critic approval rating (out of 64 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes. Don't Worry Darling, which Olivia directed from a script by her Booksmart co-writer Katie Silberman with Carey Van Dyke and Shane Van Dyke, hits theaters on September 23. Glamorous Coleen Rooney enjoyed a fun girls' day out on Wednesday amid claims she is embroiled in another legal battle with Rebekah Vardy, this time over 1.5 million in legal costs. The WAG and mother-of-four, 36, was putting her worries out of her mind for the swanky meal with her pals where she looked gorgeous in a green silk dress. Sources claim the beauty, who won her historic 'Wagatha Christie' libel trial earlier this year, has doubled the costs she's demanding her rival pay from the originally proposed figure of 750,000. Beauty: Glamorous Coleen Rooney enjoyed a fun girls' day out on Wednesday amid claims she is embroiled in another legal battle with Rebekah Vardy, this time over 1.5 million in legal costs During the lunch with her nearest and dearest friends she looked great in the bright satin dress which she teamed with heeled black leather boots. She accessorised with huge gold Chanel earrings and a bag from the pricey French designer as she sipped on cocktails with her equally stylish friends. Coleen posed for a solo shot in the Japanese restaurant Kitten in Manchester before taking a group snap outside the swanky eatery. Together: The WAG and mother-of-four, 36, was putting her worries out of her mind for the swanky meal with her pals where she looked gorgeous in a green silk dress It comes as it is thought that the dispute over fees could mean a return to court for Coleen and Rebekah, with the mother-of-four also expected to pay 500,000 in legal costs. A source told The Sun: 'This costs hearing was always due to take place, but following her victory Coleen's costs have doubled what she originally asked for. '[Rebekah] will probably now have to hire her own costs lawyers to forensically dispute Coleen's demands one by one. Just as Coleen is adamant she's entitled to every penny, presumably Becky won't let this slide. 'If Coleen had stuck to her original estimate, then just maybe this matter would be done and sugared by now.' Posing up a storm: She accessorised with huge gold Chanel earrings and a bag from the pricey French designer as she sipped on cocktails with her equally stylish friends MailOnline has contacted representatives for Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy for comment. It was previously reported that Coleen and Rebekah were set for one last dramatic High Court showdown over who would foot the multi-million-pound bill for their costly 'Wagatha Christie' libel battle. Sources close to Coleen who won the case in July told The Mail on Sunday she will fight to make sure Rebekah pays the full amount, estimated to be up to 3million. Usually a winning party will still have to pay about 30 per cent of the costs. Pals: Coleen posed for a solo shot in the Japanese restaurant Kitten in Manchester before taking a group snap inside the swanky eatery But Coleen's team claim the judge's damning judgment that Becky did sell stories about her to The Sun newspaper means it is 'inconceivable' that she won't be made to pay the full amount. Mrs Justice Steyn ruled that Becky and her agent Caroline Watt had leaked stories about Coleen, wife of ex-England captain Wayne. Rebekah sued her former friend for libel over a now-famous social media post in which Coleen described setting up a 'sting operation' by posting fake stories to selected followers on her private Instagram account to uncover who was leaking stories about her to The Sun. The 'big reveal' post in October 2019 ended: 'It's Rebekah Vardy's account.' Money drama! Sources claim the beauty, who won her historic 'Wagatha Christie' libel trial earlier this year, has reportedly doubled the costs she's demanding her rival pay from the originally proposed figure of 750,000 After Rebekah brought legal action, Coleen offered her a 'drop hands' offer, which meant they would both walk away, paying their own costs. She also suggested they make a charity donation. But Rebekah declined, leading to a costly High Court trial. Now, after her victory, Coleen wants her rival to pay up. A source close to Coleen said: 'Coleen didn't want this to happen. She knew the money would be better spent on so many other things but she won't be letting Rebekah get away with not paying the full costs. 'She tried to settle this early on but Rebekah wouldn't have it. And if you look at the outlining of the judgment, it is inconceivable that a judge wouldn't agree she will pay them in full. Let's not forget, this action was brought by Rebekah and she lost spectacularly.' Difficult: The new fees could mean a return to court for Coleen and Rebekah (pictured), with the mother-of-four also expected to make a payment of 500,000 towards the legal costs During a preliminary hearing in March last year, the costs were estimated at 1.3million. Now, after the case's two-week High Court hearing, reports have claimed the total could be 3million. Rebekah's barrister, Hugh Tomlinson QC, reportedly charges 10,000 a day, while his opposite number, David Sherborne, charges about 8,000. There is speculation that Rebekah and her husband, Leicester City striker Jamie, may have to sell their Portuguese villa to pay the legal bill. Dame Prue Leith has revealed she almost killed 30 people with food poisoning. The Great British Bake Off judge, 82, recalled the event from early in her career when her company, Leith's Good Food, catered an event. She admitted that 28 people ended up in hospital with one man left in a critical condition after she served up an unsavoury chicken mayonnaise. Kitchen drama: Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith, 81, has revealed she almost killed 30 people with food poisoning Speaking on stage in Bath on the first night of her Nothing In Moderation tour, Prue said: : 'He could have ended up in the morgue!' You can't be in catering for 30 years without something going disastrously wrong'. She recalled her company being asked to put together a chicken mayonnaise dish for 25, however when five more guests were added the dangerous error occurred. Pure told the audience: 'The cooks poached another chicken while the flesh was still warm, which is a crime, and they mixed with the chicken that was already there'. Horror: She admitted that 28 people ended up in hospital with one man in a critical condition exclaiming: 'He could have ended up in the morgue!' She went on to say that the venue had no refrigeration and so the food was left out on an exceptionally hot day. 'This chicken sat there and lunch was very late and we managed to poison everybody.' She continued: 'It haunts me that episode as everybody was ill, 'All 30 people but two of them ended up in hospital and one of them was in critical care as he was very old and was a High Court judge'. Error: She recalled her company being asked to put together a chicken mayonnaise dish for 25, however when five more guests were added the dangerous error occurred and cooked meet was mixed with raw 'He could have ended up in the morgue and not in hospital. That was a wake-up call.' The television personality founded her company in the 1960s and went on to open numerous restaurants and training companies. It comes after it was revealed Prue was planning to crack America with a stint of one-woman shows. Throwback: The television personality founded her company in the 1960s and went on to open numerous restaurants and training companies (pictured in 1985) The star is hoping to head to Los Angeles and New York before returning to the UK. The South African restaurateur currently has two speaking gigs booked after filming a new series of the US version of her Channel 4 show alongside fellow judge Paul Hollywood, The Great American Baking Show. Dame Prue told the Mirror: 'Im going to try out one-woman shows in Los Angeles and New York'. 'And if they work, then next year Ill do two tours, one in the spring and one in the autumn round England and around America.' She is also planing to release a book, Bliss on Toast, as well as an updated version of her biography. Screen star: Dame Prue has filmed scenes for The Great American Baking Show alongside her fellow Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood (pictured) It comes after Dame Prue Leith said she is 'more likely' to use a cake recipe by Dame Mary Berry than one written by Paul Hollywood. The chef replaced Mary on The Great British Bake-Off back in 2017 and now stars alongside long-standing judge and fellow chef Paul Hollywood on the hit Channel 4 baking show but mused that the 'great debate' about Victoria sponge recipes is always in the creaming method. She told the Radio Times: 'Ill tell you what the great debate is always about with Victoria sandwiches do you make it using the creaming method? Do you cream the sugar and the butter together? You either chuck all the ingredients in together, or you cream it first.' The Great British Bake Off returned to Channel 4 for a new series on Tuesday 13 September Esther Anderson is days past her second baby's due date and she's dancing 'like no one is watching'. The Home and Away star, 43, showed her followers how big her baby bump has become at 40 weeks on Thursday, revealing that she can only fit into her husband's clothes now. 'Appreciating this little (BIG) body of mine for all its done the last 9 months,' she captioned the photo on Instagram. Esther Anderson, 43, (pictured) showed off her baby bump this week. The actress is currently days past her second child's due date She continued: 'And hubby for putting up with my hormones and lending me his jeans amongst other things xx.' A few hours later, the actor shared stills of her dancing as she attempted to induce labour. At one point, her husband Howard Moggs spun her around, careful to keep out of frame as she swayed her heavily pregnant body. The Home and Away star showed her followers how big her baby bump has become at 40 weeks on Thursday Esther wrote: 'Dance like no one is watching. (Or like your estimated due date has just come and gone.) 'Forest [her first child] was 10 days past due date so we be dancing, visualizing, acupuncture(ing), spicy-food-eating, hypnobirthing, walking, stair climbing, and bumping our way to your safe arrival baby Moggs. We cant wait to meet you!' Esther announced she was expecting her second child with husband Howard in April, sharing a sonogram and a photo of her growing family to Instagram. A few hours later, the actor shared stills of her dancing as she attempted to induce labour 'The 3 of us Soon to be 4!' she excitedly captioned the post, which had her posing with her partner and their three-year-old son Forest. 'We are so excited we have another mini Moggs on the way. Forry's big brother duties start in September!' Esther continued. Howard and Esther welcomed their first child in August 2018, sharing a sweet photo of the newborn to Instagram at the time. At one point, her husband Howard Moggs spun her around, careful to keep out of frame as she swayed her heavily pregnant body Esther announced she was expecting her second child with husband Howard in April, sharing a sonogram and a photo of her growing family to Instagram 'The love of our lives. Our darling boy Forest Jack Moggs is here and arrived weighing 8.5lbs. We couldn't be more in love with this beautiful little soul,' Esther wrote. The actor announced she was expecting her first child with her British advertising executive husband back in April 2018, saying she wasn't a 'spring chicken' but they were both 'so ready for parenthood'. Esther is best known for playing Charlie Buckton on Channel Seven soap Home and Away from 2008 until 2012. Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock have both had storied careers as A-list actors in Hollywood for several decades and counting. But many fans might be surprised to learn that the two stars hadn't worked together in the same film, despite having a warm friendship, until this past year when they appeared in back-to-back movies: the action-comedy Bullet Train and the action-adventure comedy The Lost City. It turns out the duos onscreen debut would have come many years earlier in a comedy film they collaborated on together but in the end it never got past the development stage. Not to be: Brad Pitt revealed he collaborated with Sandra Bullock on an idea for a film many years ago that would have them star together In a new interview British Vogue, promoting his new skincare line Le Domaine, Pitt was asked to reveal any skincare regimen he follows. While Pitt passed on sharing an beauty secrets, with a smile, writer Kathleen Baird-Murray hoped he might warm up to the idea of chatting about face creams by adding a bit of humor when she suggested he talk about how his routine has evolved over the years, without making it 'too QVC'. 'I wouldnt know how to do that, unless it was a comedy,' Pitt shoots back while laughing out loud. It's at this point that he remembers the movie idea that he and Bullock had collaborated on so many years ago involving a couple who were stars with QVC, the flagship shopping channel that specializes in televised home shopping. First onscreen film: Bullock's cameo in Bullet Train this past year was the first time the two lead actors ever worked together on the same movie 'Actually, Sandy [Sandra Bullock] and I did once try to develop a whole idea of a husband and wife team, who were QVC's most successful salespeople, but we're getting a divorce,' he shared with the magazine. Pitt, 58, goes on to reveal that the couple 'hate each other' and have resorted to letting their heated disputes play out on air 'as we sell things. That's as far as we got.' The flick never did get past the early stages where they flushed out some of the main concept and ideas. On screen again in 2021: Returning the favor, Pitt had a cameo in The Lost City that was shot a couple months after Bullet Train; Bullock stars in the lead of the hilarious action-adventure comedy alongside Channing Tatum Pitt and Bullock consider themselves to be great fiends ever since meeting at an Irish pub about 25 years ago, according to Animated Times. In fact, during the UK premiere of Bullet Train, for which Bullock has a cameo, Pitt would go as far as to call their friendship 'old time Hollywood.' 'Sandy is an angel for me,' Pitt admitted to Hello Magazine. 'I can call her for anything - she will drop her holiday for me. Really. "Stop your holiday and put on your gown and come host a 1000 person event for me," and she will do it.' He added: 'It is so fun to cross pollinate our movies like this - it's like old time Hollywood.' Since debuting in the U.S. on August 5, Bullet Train has grossed $222 million worldwide on a budget of around $90 million. High praise: During the UK premiere of Bullet Train, for which Bullock has a cameo, Pitt would go as far as to call their friendship 'old time Hollywood' Old time mates: 'Sandy is an angel for me,' Pitt admitted told Hello Magazine. 'I can call her for anything - she will drop her holiday for me' The Lost City, starring Bullock alongside Channing Tatum, had its premiere back on March 22 in the U.S. Pitt would make the trip to the Dominican Republic for his cameo in the hilarious movie that ended up grossing $190.8 million on a $68 million budget. The two leading actors have had comparable career paths, both making their debut on the silver screen in 1987, with Pitt getting his start in the comedy film Hunk, while Bullock scored her first film role in the action-thriller Hangmen. And as the years went by and they each mounted up the acting credits on their resume, both of them eventually saw their stars rise in the mid-1990s. Mary Fitzgerald and Emma Hernan were spotted while shooting the upcoming season of Selling Sunset in West Hollywood on Wednesday afternoon. The reality television personalities, 42 and 30, respectively, flaunted their figures in vibrant getups as they arrived to the set of the fan-favorite Netflix series. Several months prior, it was confirmed that Selling Sunset had been renewed for a sixth and seventh season on the popular streaming platform. An action! Mary Fitzgerald and Emma Hernan were spotted while shooting the upcoming season of Selling Sunset in West Hollywood on Wednesday afternoon. The reality television personalities, 42 and 30, respectively, flaunted their figures in vibrant getups as they arrived to the set of the fan-favorite Netflix series Fitzgerald stood out while wearing a neon green top from Showpo, which showed off her toned midsection underneath a graphic-printed jacket. She also rocked an equally eye-catching set of pants and a pair of black high-heeled shoes. The series regular accessorized with several articles of jewelry and carried a stylish Hermes bag from resale site OnQueStyle with her as she prepared for the day's shoot. Her platinum blonde hair was slicked down and tied into a sleek ponytail. Catching the eye: Fitzgerald stood out while wearing a neon green top from Showpo, which showed off her toned midsection underneath a graphic-printed jacket Glammed up: The series regular accessorized with several articles of jewelry and carried a stylish Hermes bag from OnQueStyle with her as she prepared for the day's shoot Hernan showed off her toned arms and legs in a light blue minidress upon her afternoon arrival. The reality TV star added extra glamour to her look with a pair of high-heeled shoes. Hernan, who joined the cast of the program during its fourth season, accessorized with a chic white purse and a set of sunglasses. Her voluminous blonde hair remained free-flowing and cascaded onto her chest and shoulders. Ooh la la! Hernan showed off her toned arms and legs in a light blue minidress upon her afternoon arrival Chic: Hernan, who joined the cast of the program during its fourth season, accessorized with a chic white purse and a set of sunglasses Later in the day, Fitzgerald and Hernan's equally glamorous co-worker Chelsea Lazkani was captured arriving to the West Hollywood set. The London native showed off her flowing, bleached blonde strands and slipped into a Barbie-inspired pink tweed co-ord. She strolled through the parking lot in a pair of sparkly sky-high heels and she toted her essentials in a rhinestone handbag with pearl details. The first season of Selling Sunset premiered on the Netflix streaming platform in March of 2019. She's arrived! Later in the day, Fitzgerald and Hernan's equally glamorous co-worker Chelsea Lazkani was captured arriving to the West Hollywood set Barbie girl: The London native showed off her flowing, bleached blonde strands and slipped into a Barbie-inspired pink tweed co-ord The program is centered on the agents of the Oppenheim Group as they deal with the pressures of their professional and personal lives. In addition to the group's founders, Brett and Jason Oppenheim, cast members include Chrishell Stause, Heather Rae Young, Amanza Smith and Davina Potratz, among others. Fan-favorite star Christine Quinn brought all the drama in season five, so it was a shock when it was later revealed she would not be returning to the show for future seasons. Renewed: Several months prior, it was confirmed that Selling Sunset had been renewed for a sixth and seventh season on the popular streaming platform Newer cast members in the show are Chelsea Lazkani and Vanessa Villela, as well as Hernan herself. This past June, it was announced that Netflix had renewed the show for its sixth and seventh seasons. The premiere dates for both runs of episodes have not been announced as of yet. Rosie O'Donnell has opened up about raising her nine-year-old daughter Dakota, who has autism. The 60-year-old entertainer told People Wednesday that she first was concerned after Dakota was initially diagnosed with autism at two-years-old in 2016. 'I was worried about how she would make it in this world,' the American Gigolo star said. 'I worried about my longevity, because as you speak to parents of kids with autism, their main worry is what happens when they die. Who's going to love their child and understand them the way you do?' The latest: Rosie O'Donnell, 60, has opened up about raising her nine-year-old daughter Dakota, who has autism. She was seen appearing on Watch What Happens Live earlier this year O'Donnell, who is mother to children Parker, 27, Chelsea, 25, Blake, 22, and Vivienne, 19, said of Dakota's autism: 'I know this is something that will be with her her whole life, and she'll learn to adjust to a world that doesn't necessarily go at her own pace.' The A League of Their Own star said that raising Dakota has helped teach her compassion on a level 'much deeper' than she ever had, and 'to really listen and communicate in a way [she] never had to with [her] other kids.' She added: 'I know there are people struggling and they don't know how they will get through another day. And I understand. But the sense of vulnerability that comes with having a kid with autism has been a gift to me. She teaches me.' The L Word: Generation Q performer recalled the details about her daughter's early days where she detected subtle differences. Rosie and her daughter Dakota were seen in a selfie earlier this year O'Donnell said it was like an angel fell into her life 'who doesn't function by societal standards' 'She was always highly verbal. Sometimes she would stare off in a way that she felt unreachable for a moment. She had a little bit of stimming she was doing with her hands ... I thought she was quirky - and beautiful and perfect. Still, I knew something was off, but I wasn't sure what it was.' O'Donnell noted that she noticed that Dakota didn't answer to her name: 'When she was being tested [for autism], the doctor kept calling out to her "Dakota, Dakota." She didn't respond. Somewhere deep down I knew.' The SMILF actress said she felt like she 'was punched in the stomach' when doctors told her of Dakota's autism diagnosis. 'I had to give myself a moment to go, "Okay, we're going to figure out how to get through it,"' she said. 'You can read as much as possible, but they say when you meet one person with autism, you've met one person with autism. It's a spectrum.' O'Donnell said it was like an angel fell into her life 'who doesn't function by societal standards.' 'I'm not taking away from the pain and hardship that this diagnosis brings to families,' The Fosters star said. 'All of a sudden, there's a child with a lot of needs and you spend a lot of time trying to connect on their level. It's not easy - but it's necessary to let them know they are seen. 'I didn't want Dakota to feel shame about her diagnosis. I have told her from the start that autism is her superpower. I hear her announcing to strangers, "My name is Dakota. I'm nine and I have allergies and autism." It's like a different operating system.' O'Donnell said Dakota is 'now reading at grade level' after initial struggles, when she sent her to 'a great school in Los Angeles' that teaches 'all kinds of neurodivergent kids and special-needs learners.' O'Donnell said Dakota 'feels things deeply but doesn't always express emotions,' recalling an anecdote in which the child was crying. 'We were driving home one night and she said, "Mommy, there's water on my face,"' she said. 'I said, "Those are tears. Are you sad?" and we talked about what feelings were. I held her and let her cry, reminding her everyone has feelings.' O'Donnell said Dakota is 'now reading at grade level' after initial struggles, when she sent her to 'a great school in Los Angeles' that teaches 'all kinds of neurodivergent kids and special-needs learners' O'Donnell said Dakota's 'autism forces [her] to see the world from a completely different place,' describing her as 'a gift from another dimension' O'Donnell said that she and Dakota have been in touch with Dakota's birth mother: 'We're in contact, so Dakota gets on FaceTime and says, "Are you the lady whose tummy I was in? I just wanted you to know I'm the kid that was in there, and when I got born, my mommy held me and I squeezed her pinkie, and I am with her. So I just want to let you know that's what happened to me. Bye."' O'Donnell said both she and the birth mother were 'in tears,' as 'that's a pretty intense, complex, emotional thing for a little girl to put together.' O'Donnell said that she has been 'fraught with anxiety' when her children turn 10, as that's the age she was at when her mother died of breast cancer. 'It's a shocking thing to lose a mother at a young age. Your mom is the center. You need them for everything: training bras, transitioning into puberty. Going through that on my own was a scary part of my childhood. You feel very alone. I don't ever want Dakota to feel that.' O'Donnell said Dakota's 'autism forces [her] to see the world from a completely different place,' describing her as 'a gift from another dimension.' 'Her ability to absorb information is unparalleled,' she said. 'I can imagine her winning on Jeopardy! someday. She teaches me. To be able to see the world as she does - for me, it's been a wonderfully magical experience. I'm so glad we have each other.' Gigi Hadid oozed confidence on Wednesday afternoon as she was captured exiting a building in New York City. The supermodel, 27, slipped her slender frame in a stylish burgundy jumpsuit from her Guest In Residence line and carried a black overnight bag. The outing comes after an insider dished to PEOPLE that Academy Award-winner Leonardo DiCaprio, 47, is 'taken with Gigi' amid their rumored romance. Confidence: Gigi Hadid oozed confidence on Wednesday afternoon as she was captured exiting a building in New York City Gigi styled her jumpsuit with a classic white crop top and a pair of Converse All Star sneakers. The runway maven's bright blonde hair was worn in a ponytail and she accessorized with a single gold chain necklace. She shielded her eyes with a pair of gold-framed sunglasses and let her natural beauty shine by going makeup-free. Gigi was reportedly heading to the airport as she was seen loading luggage into the back of a chauffeured vehicle. Fashionista: The supermodel, 27, slipped her slender frame in a stylish burgundy jumpsuit from her Guest In Residence line and carried a black overnight bag Though it's unclear where Gigi may be headed, the Vogue cover girl has been hunkered down in New York amid rumors of a budding romance with Leo. A source told PEOPLE that the Titanic actor is thrilled that they are getting to know each other as she is 'his type,' This comes after DailyMail shared exclusive images of the pair leaning into each other at a Manhattan party held at Casa Cipriani. 'They like each other and are having a good time,' a source told the site, adding 'he is taken with Gigi.' And the blonde catwalker is also the look he is drawn towards - think his supermodel exes Gisele Bundchen, Bar Refaeli and Toni Garrn. His last lady love, Camila Morrone, was a brunette actress. 'She is the type of woman he is usually attracted to,' added the source about Gigi, a top cover girl. Smitten: The outing comes after an insider dished to PEOPLE that Academy Award-winner Leonardo DiCaprio, 47, is 'taken with Gigi' amid their rumored romance. The actor has been spending time with the Vogue cover girl in New York City and is thrilled that they are getting to know each other as she is 'just his type,' a source told People They have been acquainted for years, which helps. 'They sort of run in the same high profile circles and would see each other at events, clubs, restaurants and gatherings,' said the source. 'A smart and successful girl like Gigi would intrigue Leo,' it was also noted. This comes after claims they are reportedly 'getting to know each other' less than a month after the end of his four-year relationship with Morrone. Following a number of reports that Leo had 'his sights set' on rebounding with the supermodel, 27, an insider revealed to People that he 'is definitely pursuing Gigi.' 'They've been seen hanging out with groups of people. It's only been a few weeks since the split. Since then, he's been hanging out with friends and family,' the source added in early September. Gigi is also dealing with a recent break-up as she broke up with One Direction boybander Zayn Malik in October. Hot meeting: This comes after DailyMail shared exclusive images of the pair leaning into each other at a Manhattan party held at Casa Cipriani His type: 'She is the type of woman he is usually attracted to,' added the source about Gigi, a top cover girl; Gigi seen on September 10 They were dating on/off since 2015 and welcoming a child, named Khai, age two, together in September 2020. Earlier this month, InTouch, reported that 'Leo and Gigi have hooked up a few times this summer. 'They have known each other for several years. They're super attracted to each other. She is exactly his type: gorgeous, sexy but low-key with a one-of-the-guys attitude.' Another one of their sources said that it is 'casual and not a constant thing,' however, a different source for the publication said that they are just hanging out as friends. The two seem to have run in similar social circles over the years as back in December 2019, Us Weekly reported that Leo and Gigi partied together at an Art Basel Miami afterparty alongside Kendall Jenner and Gigi's sister Bella Hadid. Meanwhile his most recent ex is moving on with her life as a source told People on Wednesday: 'Camila is doing fine. She has a big group of friends that really care about her. She is moving on with her life. She is not in contact with Leo.' DiCaprio and Morrone's breakup occurred shortly after her birthday in July -- which resulted in the actor being joked about online for seemingly only dating women under age 25. She's since moved into a new apartment in Malibu and Leonardo is reportedly already on the prowl for a new flame. Moving on: DiCaprio and Hadid are reportedly 'getting to know each other' less than a month after the end of his four-year relationship with Camila Morrone; seen in 2016 Split after four years: The unlikely pairing comes following his recent breakup with Morrone, months after she turned 25 (seen in May 2018) It's been claimed that Leonardo has been 'partying every night' since parting way with his girlfriend of four years, hanging out with his 'old crew and some girls' according to Page Six. Camila and her new ex Leonardo, who is 22 years her senior, were reported to have 'quietly' ended their relationship earlier this summer, a source close to Leo claimed to The Sun. The latest breakup seems to reinforce a pattern the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood star has established of never publicly dating a woman over the age of 25. Insiders close to Leonardo claimed to the publication that he and Morrone had been growing apart recently. 'Leo and Camila ended their relationship over the summer,' a source said. 'There are no bad feelings between them. It just came to a natural conclusion.' Back in July, Leonardo had been photographed with the Ukrainian model Maria Beregova, who is only 22, during his trip to Saint-Tropez. Ready to mingle? Gigi is also dealing with a recent break-up as she broke up with One Direction boybander Zayn Malik in October after dating on/off since 2015 and welcoming a child, named Khai, together in September 2020; Gigi and Zayn seen in 2016 'Leo and Camila ended their relationship over the summer,' a source said. 'There are no bad feelings between them. It just came to a natural conclusion' (seen in 2020) Pattern? DiCaprio and Morrone's breakup occurred shortly after her 25th birthday in July; the pair seen in November 2018 DailyMail.com revealed that Beregova had reverted to using her maiden name after divorcing her husband Abdelhafid, 30 whose grandfather was a henchman of Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The Ukrainian beauty began using her her maiden name again while on the trip, where she was pictured with the Django Unchained star. Beregova was raised in Switzerland and attend an exclusive boarding school, but she is currently based in London and is studying to take over her family's pharmaceutical business. On the same trip, Leo was also spotted partying with his longtime friend Tobey Maguire. The Spider-Man star is part of DiCaprio's famed 'Pussy Posse,' his group of male pals who partied with him throughout the '90s. Among the roster were Maguire, David Blaine, Jay Ferguson, Josh Miller, Ethan Suplee and Scott Bloom The Revenant star was first introduced to Camila back in 2008, when she was only 12 Former Home and Away star Courtney Miller said on Wednesday she would consider returning to the soap opera. The 26-year-old actress left the series in June so she could refine her craft at a drama school in Melbourne. She told Yahoo Lifestyle she would love to make a brief return to Summer Bay so she could put her newly-honed acting skills to good use. Former Home and Away star Courtney Miller (pictured) said on Wednesday she would consider returning to the soap opera 'I wouldn't do a long stint. I want to work again to see what Ive learned, what Ive taken on and how Ive grown as an actor,' she said. Courtney added that after four years starring on the series her onscreen co-stars became her real life friends. 'Well never lose touch. You love them in your heart but you cant always talk to them.' Courtney added that after four years starring in the soap opera her onscreen friends became her real life ones Courtney's character Bella Nixon, a dedicated photographer, bid farewell to Summer Bay after being offered a job opportunity in New York. She revealed on Instagram in June she is quitting the long-running Channel Seven soap. Courtney, who joined the cast in 2018, wrote in her farewell message: 'To the time of my life. Thank you @homeandaway. Forever & always your Bella.' Courtney's character Bella Nixon, a dedicated photographer, bid farewell to Summer Bay after being offered a job opportunity in New York. Pictured with co-star Kawakawa Fox-Reo Her surprise announcement coincides with rumours that series veteran Kate Ritchie may also be returning after nine years away. Ritchie raised eyebrows this week after posting a beachside selfie with a particularly telling detail. The 43-year-old shared a beaming photo of herself to Instagram with Sydney's Palm Beach in the background. Many of her 331,000 followers quickly noted the suburb is the shooting location for Home and Away's exterior scenes leading to speculation she may be returning. Courtney revealed on Instagram in June she is quitting the Channel Seven soap after four years In honor of his beloved sister, Bob Saget was the driving force behind the Scleroderma Research Foundation's annual star-studded fundraiser for three decades. But in the wake of the famed comedian's sudden and tragic death in January, this year's Cool Comedy, Hot Cuisine event was turned into a special tribute to Saget. Some of the world's top comedians and musicians, all of which were happy to call the former Full House star their friend, hit the stage to help raise funds for the Scleroderma Research Foundation, a non-profit that funds research in its search to find a cure, something that was near and dear to Saget's heart. His beloved widow, Kelly Rizzo, stepped in to continue the legacy he built with the fundraiser, while late night host Jimmy Kimmel, comedian Jeff Ross and musician John Mayer served as the hosts of the festivities. Kepping his legacy alive: Bob Saget's widow, Kelly Rizzo, 43, help spearhead her late husband's annual fundraising effort -Cool Comedy, Hot Cuisine, which was turned into a tribute to the comedian in Los Angeles on Wednesday Personally greeting all the celebrities and supporters, Rizzo, 43, looked elegant in a form-fitting brown gown that hugged her toned figure. The eye-catching number came complete with one sleeve and a slit down the right side, allowing her to flaunt her right leg at a moments notice, along with her black strappy heels. She kept the accessories to a minimum, wearing just a bracelet, dangling earrings and her wedding ring, Rounding out her overall look, Rizzo styled her platinum blonde tresses about shoulder length, styled long and straight with a part on the right, while in contrast she pulled her hair on the right side behind her ear. Glowing: Rizzo, 43, looked elegant in a form-fitting brown gown that hugged her toned figure Chic: The eye-catching number came complete with one sleeve and a slit down the right side, allowing her to flaunt her right leg at a moments notice, along with her black strappy heels Show of support: One of Saget's closest friends, John Stamos, was on hand for the fundraiser, like many previous years when Bob served as host Family affair: Stamos, 59, attended the fundraising event with his wife Caitlin McHugh Stylin': McHugh, 36, showed her sense of style in a black floral dress and open-toe heels Bittersweet: The event was bittersweet for Stamos, who has been sharing how much he misses his dear friend since his tragic passing in January Beaming: The former Full House star did showcase his infectious smile at times on the red carpet Beaming: Stamos and McHugh showed off their chemistry while striking various poses Like the previous years for the fundraiser, Full House co-star John Stamos, who was among Saget's closest friends, arrived with his wife Caitlin McHugh at his side. The actor, 59, flashed his trademark smile at times decked out in an all-black three-piece suit, while McHugh, 36, stunned in a black floral dress that had hints of white, pink red, baby blue, burgundy, among others. After posing alongside his wife of more than four years, Stamos shared the red carpet spotlight with Rizzo, and eventually McHugh made her way back in front of the the line of photographers for a few more photos. The team: Rizzo and joined the event's hosts Jeff Ross, John Mayer, and Jimmy Kimmel on the red carpet, along with Susan Feniger, who's a founding board member of the SRF Jam master: Blues guitar master John Mayer snuggled up with Rizzo for a few photos before jamming on stage for the audience Hansome: Mayer, who was one of Saget's good friends, looked sharp in a dark blue suit and tie Leading the event: Mayer served as one of the co-hosts on stage for the event Mayer, 44, who was also one of Saget's good friends, came dressed for success in a dark blue suit that he matched with a white dress shirt and a gray tie. He would also make a point of spending a few quiet moments with Rizzo, along with snuggling up next to her for a few photos. Always the jokester, Kimmel, 54, appeared to be cracking the occasional joke when he made his way to the red carpet with his wife Molly McNearney, 44. The couple, who have been married for more than nine years, showed off their chemistry as the photographers snapped away. The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host looked dapper in a classic black suit with a matching tie and a white dress shirt, alongside McNearney who opted to got with a soft pink suit that she wore with a plunging black top. Taking charge: Jimmy Kimmel, 54, also served as one of the co-hosts of the fundraising tribute Couples night out: Kimmel was decked out in a black suit while his wife Molly McNearney went with a pink suit Leading the way: Kimmel and McNearney took time out to chat with Rizzo, who, trying to keep her late husband's legacy alive, in terms of the fundraising event Good times: Kelly Rizzo, Kimmel and McNearnety shared a few laughs before the event got started Ross, 57, another one of Saget's dear friends, helped command the stage looking handsome in a blue three-piece suit. At one point, after going it solo on the red carpet, comedians Rosie O'Donnell and Kathy Griffin decided to join him for a few photos. O'Donnell, 60, looked to be in fine comedic form, trying to lighten the room with her funny antics dressed in an all-black ensemble, while Griffin, 61, showed off her toned figure in a black outfit that she had cinched in at the waist with a belt. Comedian and Saturday Night Live alum Kevin Nealon, 68, and famed television writer and creator Norman Lear, 100, also muscled their way next to Ross for a few moments of chatter and photos. JFunnyman: eff Ross, 57, also brought his brand of comedy as one of the co-hosts of the event Funny ladies: Rosie O'Donnell and Kathy Griffin joined Ross on the red carpet before the event Lady in black: Griffin, 61, showed off her fit figure in an all-black ensemble Supportive: Rizzo also shared a few quiet moments with Ross before the festivities kicked into high gear More comedy vets: SNL vet Kevin Nealon, 68,and famed television wrier and creator Norman Lear, 100, chatted up Ross while on the red carpet Another one of Saget's former co-star's Lori Loughlin, also showed her support for her longtime colleague and friend decked out in a gorgeous black gown The Full House and Fuller House star would pose solo and then get the attention of Rizzo for a few moments on the red carpet. Actress Regina Hall, 51, showed off her sense of style in an all-black outfit, consisting of what appeared to be velvet plants and a matching top. Some of the other celebrities to lend their support for the event included the likes of Joel McHale, Mike Young, Jonathan Silverman, Tom Bergeron, Amy Yasbeck, Nikki Glaser and Amanda Kloots. Longtime friend and colleague: Saget's former Full House co-star Lori Loughlin looked elegant in a black gown for the fundraising tribute Glowing: Loughlin, 58, flashed her beaming smile while posing for photographers Ladies night: Loughlin made a point of striking a pose with Rizzo Shaing a moment: Loughlin and Rizzo were joined on the red carpet by Caitlin McHugh 'Bob worked tirelessly to support the Scleroderma Research Foundation, in honor of his sister,' Rizzo said in a statement ahead of the event. 'This drive led him to bring together talent from across comedy and music in order to raise awareness and funds for the SRF. It was through laughter that he was able to touch many lives. She added, 'I am honored to continue the legacy he built, through working with Bobs closest friends to create an unforgettable night with the same goal that Bob had to find a cure.' 'I'm honored to be stepping into Bob's John Varvatos Converse sneakers to host the next Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine,' Ross said of his hosting duties, adding, 'These events meant so much to him and have always been a great bonding experience for us. Bob will be missed, but the show must go on until a cure for this awful ailment is found.' Stylin': Actress Regina Hall, 51, looked lovely in an all-black ensemble Supportive: Hall and Rizzo also took time out to talk and pose for a few photos Fashionably fit: TV legend Norman Lear and comedian Joel McHale both looked handsome in their respective outfits Saget passionately championed the Scleroderma Research Foundation since losing his sister Gay to the disease in 1994. Saget joined the Scleroderma Research Foundation Board of Directors in 2003, but he began his involvement in 1991 through the SRF's annual signature event, Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine first as an attendee, then the next year as a performer, and ultimately as one fo the key figures in organizing and producing the event. Scleroderma is a group of autoimmune diseases that may result in changes to the skin, blood vessels, muscles and internal organs. Symptoms may include areas of thickened skin, stiffness, feeling tired, and poor blood flow to the fingers or toes with cold exposure. While there isn't any known cure, there are treatments that may improve symptoms. The condition most often begins in middle age, with women more often affected than men. Since 1987, the fundraising event has raised more than $27 million to fund scleroderma research. Looking sharp: Jonathan Silverman showed his support for his late friend by attending the fundraiser in a black suit and tie Jokesters: Tom Bergeron and Amy Yasbeck got playful in front of the cameras Sweet: Mike Young posed arm-in-arm with Rizzo before the festivities got started Revealing: Amanda Kloots looked lovely in a white dress and open-toe heels for the event Fashionable: Yasbeck, 60, looked lovely in a black and pink floral dress with a matching purse Plunging: Jodie Sweetin, 40, went with a white floral minidress and heels Driven to make a difference: Saget passionately championed the Scleroderma Research Foundation since losing his sister Gay to the disease in 1994; Ross is seen with Sweetin Saget was found dead in his hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida on January 9 at the age of 65. He had performed his stand-up comedy show the previous night just outside of Jacksonville. A report from the Orange County Medical Examiner, obtained by People, revealed the Philadelphia native had likely fallen backward and hit his head, and thus died from blunt force trauma. The beloved comedian was laid to rest at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills near the graves of his parents and sister. Along with Rizzo, whom he married in 2018, Saget also left behind three adult children from his first marriage to Sheri Kramer. Family affair: Two of Saget's three adult children - Lara Saget, 32, and Aubrey Saget, 35 - posed side-by-side ahead of the event First class treatment: Saget's daughters also posed with the host of the event Lara and Aubrey Saget were also smiles while chatting with Ross on the red carpet Family matters: Rizzo also shared a moment or two with his lat husband's two adult children, Lara and Aubrey Saget Sharing the spotlight: Lara Saget joined John Mayer and Jeff Ross for a few moments Group shot: Kevin Nealon, Kelly Rizzo, Norman Lear, Lara Saget, John Mayer, Jeff Ross, Joel McHale and John Stamos took part in a group photo Smiling for Bob: Kevin Nealon, Kelly Rizzo, Norman Lear, Lara Saget, John Mayer, Jeff Ross, Joel McHale and John Stamos also flashed beaming smiles for the cameras Tiffany Haddish said Wednesday her show business projects have dried up in the wake of a molestation lawsuit that was recently dismissed. "I lost everything, all my gigs, going, everything, gone,' Haddish, 42, told TMZ Wednesday while walking through LAX,. 'I don't know I don't have no job, bro.' Haddish, 42, was asked about how the suit, in which a woman claimed she and her brother were underage when Haddish and comic Aries Spears sought to involve them in comedy skits. The latest: Tiffany Haddish, 42, said Wednesday her show business projects have dried up in the wake of a molestation lawsuit that was recently dismissed. She was seen at LAX airport Spears and Haddish were accused of producing comedy sketches in which an underage girl was mimicking an act of oral sex on a sandwich, and another in which Spears portrayed a child molester fantasizing over her brother. She said she was 'relieved' that the lawsuit had been dropped, and noted that she 'was concerned about the kids' more than anything else, presumably referring to the plaintiffs, who were 14 and seven when they claimed they had been abused by Tiffany and Aries, whom Tiffany said she no longer talks to. Haddish was clad in a camouflage jacket over a black shirt and black leggings with white sneakers. She had her blonde locks slicked back and wore black sunglasses and a watch. Haddish said she doesn't speak for, and have no affiliation with Spears, 47, the outlet reported. The Like a Boss star was asked about if she was concerned others might make accusations against her, which she said would be fake. A woman claimed she and her brother were underage when Haddish and comic Aries Spears sought to involve them in inappropriate comedy skits Haddish was clad in a camouflage jacket over a black shirt and black leggings with white sneakers She had her blonde locks slicked back and wore black sunglasses and a watch 'If there is somebody else [with a new lawsuit], that s*** fake,' she added defiantly. It's unclear the extent of her alleged job losses, as she was reported to be returning for the second season of her acclaimed AppleTV+ series The Afterparty. Haddish was seen out in public late on Tuesday night for the first time after a lawsuit accusing her and comedian Aries Spears of sexual abuse was dropped. She was spotted heading to a party in Los Angeles that was thrown by Jack Harlow while accompanied by her old pal Jaleel White, 45, best known for playing Steve Urkel on the sitcom Family Matters. The 22-year-old woman asked the judge overseeing the case to withdraw her lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled, according to court documents obtained by TMZ on Tuesday. The former plaintiff, referred to only as Jane Doe, had originally sued the 42-year-old Girls Trip star and the 47-year-old former MADtv fixture for allegedly grooming her and her younger brother when they were 14 and seven, respectively. DailyMail.com has reached out to a representative for Haddish for comment. After withdrawing her lawsuit, the woman issued a statement. 'My family and I have known Tiffany Haddish for many years and we now know that she would never harm me or my brother or help anyone else do anything that could harm us,' she wrote. 'We wish Tiffany the best and are glad that we can all put this behind us.' Notably, Spears was not mentioned at all in the statement, though both appear to be in the clear. It's unclear the extent of her alleged job losses, as she was reported to be returning for the second season of her acclaimed AppleTV+ series The Afterparty Permanent: The woman asked a judge to withdraw her lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled in the future; Haddish seen in July in San Diego Previously, the accuser had called on the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office to 'immediately arrest and prosecute' the celebrities. The reason for her change of heart after making such disturbing claims were not immediately known. In her lawsuit accusing the comics of abuse, the anonymous woman said that one of the sketches the group filmed was titled Through a Pedophile's Eyes. The woman and her brother John Doe said they were forced to participate in sexually suggested acts on camera, which left them with crippling emotional scars they are still dealing with today. In addition to filing the lawsuit, Jane Doe sent a letter to the Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon, accusing authorities of doing nothing about the case in the nearly two years since it was reported by their mother to the Las Vegas Police in January 2020, according to The Daily Beast. In the letter, Jane Doe alleged Haddish and Spears were mentioned by name in the initial complaint, and that the LVPD transferred the case to the Los Angeles Police Department, but that the LAPD officer assigned to it 'has done nothing with this complaint.' Speaking out: 'My family and I have known Tiffany Haddish for many years and we now know that she would never harm me or my brother or help anyone else do anything that could harm us,' she wrote in a statement that didn't mention Spears. 'We wish Tiffany the best and are glad that we can all put this behind us' 'This matter's breadth and complexity require your jurisdictional powers and resources to tackle and end the stream depravity committed by Haddish and Spears,' the letter continued, 'My brother and I are prepared to speak with investigators and prosecutors from your office and provide you with irrefutable evidence that substantiates our allegations.' Earlier in September, Haddish acknowledged her participation in the sketches, saying in a statement on her Instagram page from earlier this month that they were intended to be 'comedic,' but 'it wasn't funny at all.' It was a change in tone after her attorney previously called the allegations 'bogus claims.' Attorneys for Spears, 47, told the Washington Post that he 'isn't going to fall for any shakedown.' Mum's the word: Though Haddish acknowledged the videos and voiced regret about them, she said she could not provide details as the case was ongoing; seen August 2 in Hollywood Claims: Haddish was alleged to have brought the boy to a home where she and Spears molested him while filming a Funny or Die video titled Through A Pedophiles Eyes; seen in May in Philadelphia Jane and John Doe allege that their mother was friends with Haddish, who recruited them to participate in the videos. Jane said in 2013 that she agreed to partake in a video in which Spears asked her to mimic a video of women eating a sub sandwich in a suggestive manner, noises and all. When Jane did not do as she was told, she said Haddish joined in and instructed her on 'how to give fellatio, including movements, noises, moaning, and groaning,' according to the complaint. The complaint stated that the experience left her scarred and fearful and unable to trust anybody ever since. 'Plaintiff Jane Doe is 22 years of age now and has never dated,' the lawsuit read. 'She is scared that she will be taken advantage of again and led down a path of false trust like the path that Haddish led her down.' The complaint alleged that her brother participated in a sketch video a year later at Spears' home. This was the video titled The Mind Of A Pedophile, and it depicted John Doe as a seven-year-old left alone with a pedophilic babysitter played by Spears. According to The Daily Beast, John wore only his underwear throughout the video, and Spears rubbed baby oil on his body. By the end of the video, Spears was reportedly shirtless and received a massage from John. John Doe now claims to be afraid of being watched or recorded, to the extent that he puts 'band-aids over all the cameras on his electronics,' and has lived an isolated life since the video. 'I don't got no friends, I don't trust nobody, I'm scared of adults, I refuse to be recorded or take pictures because I am scared of weird-a** adults trying to do nasty stuff to me again,' he wrote in the complaint. 'I spend all of my time in my room and do not go anywhere because I don't trust anybody.' Missed the mark: In a statement posted to her Instagram earlier this month, Haddish said the skits were intended to be 'comedic,' but 'it wasn't funny at all.' Doe filed the lawsuit pro se, meaning she will is representing herself in the case. In a statement to DailyMail.com, Haddish' attorney Andrew Brettler said Doe's accusations were 'bogus' and that a host of attorneys who had considered taking the case agreed. 'Plaintiff's mother, Trizah Morris, has been trying to assert these bogus claims against Ms. Haddish for several years,' he said, 'Every attorney who has initially taken on her case and there were several ultimately dropped the matter once it became clear that the claims were meritless and Ms. Haddish would not be shaken down.' 'Now, Ms. Morris has her adult daughter representing herself in this lawsuit. The two of them will together face the consequences of pursuing this frivolous action.' On defense: In a statement to DailyMail.com, Haddish' attorney Andrew Brettler said Doe's accusations were 'bogus' and that a host of attorneys who had considered taking the case agreed; seen in April in Las Vegas Fighting back: Attorneys for Spears, 47, told the Washington Post that he 'Isn't going to fall for any shakedown'; seen in 2020 in New Jersey Though Haddish acknowledged the videos and voiced regret about them, she said she could not provide details, as the case was ongoing. 'I know people have a bunch of questions. I get it. I'm right there with you. Unfortunately, because there is an ongoing legal case, there's very little that I can say right now. 'I really look forward to being able to share a lot more about this situation as soon as I can.' The siblings also said that their mother previously tried to reach a $15,000 settlement with Spears over the alleged molestation video. Their mother alleges in a statement to The Daily Beast that she met Haddish through comedy and the two developed a close bond as they were both going through divorces at the time. According to the lawsuit, Haddish called the family for 'every birthday and every Christmas.' Funny or Die, a comedy website John's video was filmed for, shared a statement with TMZ saying it had no involvement in creating the 'absolutely disgusting' sketch, and it claimed the video was uploaded as user-generated content and removed as soon as they learned of it. Kylie Minogue is taking on America with her award-winning wine range. The Australian pop diva, 54, will host an online wine tasting aimed at tackling the American market on Thursday. The webinar will be held via Zoom and launched on September 22, at 4pm, American Pacific Eastern Standard time. Kylie Minogue is taking on America by hosting an online webinar for her award-winning fizz on Thursday, after it was named the most popular celebrity-branded drink in Britain 'Join me and Gwendolwyn Osborn from @wine_com for a virtual Kylie Minogue Wines wine tasting,' the hitmaker told her fans. Kylie launched her wines in the lucrative American market in June, with a performance at New York City's famous Cafe Carlyle. The Spinning Around hitmaker said bringing her wine to the U.S. market was a 'pinch-me' moment. 'Join me and Gwendolwyn Osborn from @wine_com for a virtual Kylie Minogue Wines wine tasting,' the hitmaker told her fans 'What a night! A true 'pinch-me moment' performing at the iconic Cafe Carlyle in New York City,' she wrote. 'Thank you to the team and bar staff at Rosewood for such a special launch for Kylie Minogue wines here in the U.S.' Kylie's wine-making venture has become an unexpected success. Kylie officially launched her wine range in America in June, performing at the iconic Cafe Carlyle in New York City So far, the Australian stunner has sold 3.5 million bottles of her rose in the UK alone. The wine range has sold five million bottles in total worldwide. It was announced last week that her rose prosecco had become Britain's top-selling celebrity-branded fizz. The Spinning Around hitmaker said bringing her wine to the U.S. market was a 'pinch-me' moment Kylie told The Australian the rapid success of her wine label had opened different avenues for her away from her 'normal job'. Late last year, the Can't Get You Out of My Head star announced she was moving back to Australia after more than three decades living in the UK. She made the decision after spending time in her home city of Melbourne in 2021, reported The Mirror. It was announced earlier this year that her rose prosecco had become Britain's top-selling celebrity-branded fizz 'This is something she has been thinking about for a while,' a source close to Kylie told the newspaper, adding that her love for London 'remains undiminished'. Kylie reportedly wants to move to Melbourne to be closer to her Australian family, including her parents Carol and Ron, siblings Brendan and Dannii and nephew Ethan. In February, Kylie bought an $8million mansion in Melbourne's east in a private sale. Tammy Hembrow dropped jaws on Thursday as she posed in a sheer lingerie set. The Gold Coast fitness influencer, 28, wore a mint-green polka-dot bra with matching underwear, which was pulled high onto her waist. Glowing just two months after giving birth to her third child, she showed off her incredible post-baby body and let her natural beauty shine by going makeup free. Tammy Hembrow dropped jaws on Thursday as she posed in a sheer lingerie set Her freshly dyed auburn hair was worn loosely in the photos, which she shared to Instagram alongside the caption: 'Morning.' Tammy quickly hopped back on social media after having her third child, showing off the astounding progress she's made in the gym. She recently enjoyed a sun-soaked holiday in Bali, Indonesia. The Gold Coast fitness influencer, 28, wore a mint-green polka-dot bra with matching underwear, which was pulled high onto her waist The mother of three flaunted her famous derriere in a barely there white bikini as she stretched out on a sun lounge by the ocean. It comes after Tammy revealed she was 'grateful' for all her body has done for her. Showing off her toned physique just two months post-partum, she reflected on the physical toll of childbirth and recovery. The mother of three recently enjoyed a sun-soaked holiday in Bali, Indonesia 'Grateful for this body and all it does for me,' she wrote. 'For legs that can run, arms that can lift, lungs that can breathe. For the children it carried,' she added. 'Grateful to be able to train and do what I truly love. Grateful for my strength.' It comes after Tammy revealed she was 'grateful' for all her body has done for her In the accompanying photos, Tammy showed off her ripped body in a series of gym selfies while wearing skintight, bright orange activewear. Tammy welcomed baby No. 3, daughter Posy, with her fiance Matt Poole on June 19. She is also mother to son Wolf, six, and daughter Saskia, five, from her relationship with ex-fiance Reece Hawkins. After rocking a rather casual look to appear on CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Olivia Wilde left the show in an elegant white gown. The 38-year-old actress and filmmaker (born Olivia Jane Cockburn) was spotted leaving the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City after The Late Show taping on Wednesday evening. Her departure comes after she confirmed her boyfriend and Don't Worry Darling co-star Harry Styles did not spit on Chris Pine, while also discussing Shia LaBeouf's departure. Elegant Olivia: After rocking a rather casual look to appear on CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Olivia Wilde left the show in an elegant white gown Wilde stepped out with a flowing white spaghetti strap gown with a plunging neckline. She also wore black Ray-Ban sunglasses and a number of gold necklaces with embedded diamonds. The actress and filmmaker accessorized with gold earrings and bracelets while completing her look with black platform heeled boots. Plunging: Wilde stepped out with a flowing white spaghetti strap gown with a plunging neckline She was discussing the 'weird rumors' that were swirling around the production, when she mentioned, 'spitgate,' joking, 'which you might have heard of.' Colbert referred to his notes, which included the question, 'Did Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine? Why or why not? Support your answer.' A laughing Wilde said, 'He did not, but I think it's a perfect example of people will look for drama anywhere they can.' Rumors: She was discussing the 'weird rumors' that were swirling around the production, when she mentioned, 'spitgate,' joking, 'which you might have heard of' She definitively added, 'Harry did not spit on Chris, in fact,' while Colbert joked, 'Only time will tell.' 'No, he really didn't!' Wilde said with a laugh. She also cleared the air about her one-time Don't Worry Darling co-star Shia LaBeouf, who she claimed was let go from the film, though the actor claims he quit. Did not: She definitively added, 'Harry did not spit on Chris, in fact,' while Colbert joked, 'Only time will tell' When asked if she fired Shia, Wilde said, 'We had to replace Shia. He is a fantastic actor, but it wasn't gonna work. When he gave me the ultimatum of, you know, him or Florence, I chose Florence.' She added, 'That was him feeling he was stepping away and me feeling like we were moving on without him.' When Colbert asked if he left in such a way that he could think he quit and she could think he was fired and they were both right, Wilde said, 'It's a question of semantics. It wasn't going to move forward in a way he wanted it to, so he had to leave.' The tenth season of Married At First Sight will feature the hottest cast to date. Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that Brisbane-based electrician Rupert Bugden will be one of two intruders appearing on the 2023 season next year. Rupert was spotted filming his wedding at Sydney's Grounds of Alexandria on Monday. Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that Brisbane-based electrician Rupert Bugden will be one of two intruders appearing on the 2023 season next year. Pictured at his wedding He will be paired with bombshell bride Evelyn Ellis, who previously appeared on Big Brother UK back in 2016. Rupert looked dapper in a navy coloured suit which he teamed up with a white button-up shirt. He completed his look with a white pocket square and pink and white flowers that were clipped to his jacket. He will be paired with bombshell bride Evelyn Ellis, who previously appeared on Big Brother UK back in 2016. Both pictured arriving back to their hotel after their wedding Rupert looked dapper in a navy coloured suit which he teamed up with a white button-up shirt Friends describe him as a 'genuine bloke' who is 'looking for something serious'. 'He's not playing games... He's been unlucky when it comes to finding the right girl and only signed up for this hoping he might actually find the one.' Like his fellow cast mates, Rupert has switched his social media accounts to private, which is a condition of filming the series. Friends describe him as a 'genuine bloke' who is 'looking for something serious' 'He's not playing games ... He's been unlucky when it comes to finding the right girl and only signed up for this hoping he might actually find the one'. Rupert pictured left with friends Rupert joins previously announced cast Jesse Burford, Duncan James, Cam Woods, Harrison Boon, Dan Hunjas, Layton Mills, Shannon Adams, Oliver Skelton and Joshua White. MAFS 2023 will star some of the hottest and most scandalous brides and grooms to date. Season 10 will feature a diverse mix of cast who include a dental hygienist, a baker, a beautician and construction worker who works as a part time male stripper. The new season of Married At First Sight returns to Channel Nine in early 2023. Sidney Poitier's daughters exuded glamour as they attended the premiere of the film Sidney - a documentary about their late father's life. Sherri, Beverly, Sydney, Anika and Pamela Poitier all posed together at the star-studded event in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Sydney, 48, named after her father, looked sensational in a teal midi dress with a pleated hemline. Family: Sidney Poitier's daughters exuded glamour as they attended the premiere of the film Sidney - a documentary about their late father's life (L-R Sherri, Beverly, Sydney, Anika and Pamela) The actress added height to her frame with a pair of open-toed heels while she styled her locks into a ponytail. Beverly, 69, opted for a white strapless gown which she paired with a matching sheer shawl. Letting her tresses fall loose down her shoulders, she also wore a diamond necklace for the premiere. Anika, 50, turned heads in a navy long-sleeved dress with a pleated detail and scooped neckline. Premiere: Sherri, Beverly, Sydney, Anika and Pamela Poitier all posed together at the star-studded event in Los Angeles on Wednesday Stunning: Sydney, 48, named after her father, looked sensational in a teal midi dress with a pleated hemline The star also wore a pair of open-toed heels and styled her locks into loose curls for the evening. Sherri opted for a brown and gold top with a floral patterned detail and a gold tassel embellishment, which she paired with a dark skirt. Pamela donned a black sleeveless dress and added to the outfit withj a white clutch bag. Sidney was also father to a sixth daughter, Gina, who passed away in 2018 aged 57, with the cause of her death never publicly revealed. Style: Beverly, 69, opted for a white strapless gown which she paired with a matching sheer shawl Sidney made its much-anticipated debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in early September, which sadly came eight months after Poitier's death at the age of 94. It tells the story of the life and career of heralded actor and director, who has the distinguished honor of being the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. The film, which had been in development and production for five years, takes a wide-ranging look at his lif. It is told in linear fashion and narrated by the actor himself through the use of eight hours of interview footage done in 2012 with Oprah Winfrey, as well as other archival interviews. Sidney had a film career spanning more than five decades and was known for being the first black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964. One of the last major stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood, he passed away on January 6, 2022 aged 94. Pierce Brosnan's youngest sons, Dylan, 25, and Paris, 21, have admitted they didn't know their 007 star dad was famous while growing up. Opening up on family life in a new interview with GQ, 69-year-old Brosnan's brood joined their dad as they revealed they just 'thought he had a lot of friends'. Musician Dylan also shared that once he knew of the stardom, he would keep it secret from pals - who were shocked to make the discovery. Like father, like sons: Pierce Brosnan's sons Dylan, 25, and Paris, 21, have detailed growing up in the limelight as they admitted to not knowing of their dad's fame during a recent GQ interview Pierce, who is best known for his portrayal of eponymous James Bond in the franchise from 1995 to 2002, is also father to Sean, 38, Christopher, 49 and Charlotte - who tragically passed away at aged 41 in 2013. Pierce shares Dylan and Paris with his wife of 21 years Keely Shaye Smith, while he adopted his first wife Cassandra Harris's children Christopher and Charlotte back in the 1980s, as they welcomed Sean together. Dubbing his father the 'nicest guy', Dylan admitted of his father: 'I always thought he had a lot of friends, growing up. 'Because people would come up to him in the street, and hes like the nicest guy, so he talks to everyone for a really long time.' Dad-of-five: Pierce, who is best known for his portrayal of eponymous James Bond in the franchise from 1995 to 2002, is also father to Sean, 38, Christopher, 49 and Charlotte - who tragically passed away at aged 41 in 2013 'Nicest': People would come up to him in the street, and hes like the nicest guy, so he talks to everyone for a really long time,' explained Dylan of his dad (L-R) Paris, Dylan, Pierce and Sean The second-youngest child of Pierce also admitted that he doesn't tell anyone who his dad is, with pals in shcok when they eventually do meet his famous family. 'I dont tell anybody that, under any circumstances,' jested Dylan. Despite their close relationship, Pierce's younger sons don't appear to be following in the Hollywood footsteps of their father - who has advised them against acting. And describing why he doens't encourage it, the actor simply explained: Just because its f***ing hard work. Its a cross to bear. Youre constructing and destroying yourself.' But some other members of the family have taken to the acting scene, with Pierce's son Sean starring in films such as My Father Die and No Easy Day. Sweet couple: Pierce shares Dylan and Paris with his wife of 21 years Keely Shaye Smith (pictured together) Pierce, who is trained as a commercial artist, has his first gallery show scheduled for 2023 - and enjoys painting with youngest son Paris. Admitting he is 'filled with pride' to see his Paris paint, the actor shared how it was the death of his first wife Cassandra that sparked him to paint more as a coping mechanism. Cassandra tragically lost her life to ovarian cancer in 1991, with her daughter Cahrlotte passing from the same disease in 2013. Coping with the pain following her diagnosis, Pierce explained: 'Carrying the weight and pain and the fear of that illness, I took out the paints. And started painting. With my fingers. With my hands, actually.' That canvas that he painted then will be in the upcoming show: 'Thats how we start heavy. But beautiful, beautiful.; Elisha Cuthbert looked the picture of elegance as she attended the premiere of her new movie Bandit at the Harmony Gold Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The actress, 39, showed off her style credentials in a floral print maxi-dress in pale pink, beige and cream. The screen star looked the picture of confidence as she posed at the star-studded red carpet event after recently admitting she 'felt pressured' in her early career to pose for sexy men's magazine shoots. Ethereal: Elisha Cuthbert looked the picture of elegance as she attended the premiere of her new movie Bandit at the Harmony Gold Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday Elisha stepped out wearing a pair of beige heels as she kept her accessories to a minimum. The actress opted for a radiant palette of make-up for the evening as her blonde tresses fell to her shoulders in loose waves. The 24 star plays Andrea Hudson in the upcoming movie based on the true life story of Gilbert Galvan Jr (also known as The Flying Bandit). Hollywood hotshots Josh Duhamel and Nestor Carbonell, who also star in the film, were in attendance on the night. Chic: The actress, 39, showed off her style credentials in a floral print maxi-dress in pale pink, beige and cream at the red carpet event Flawless: The actress opted for a radiant palette of make-up for the evening as her blonde tresses fell to her shoulders in loose waves Last month, Elisha opened up about how she felt she had 'no option' but to pose for racy spreads to promote her films back in the early days of her acting career. The Canadian-born beauty added that she's a little unsure about how the images, which are still available to be seen on the internet, will affect her children. 'That's what the [film] studio wanted you to do,' Elisha began in an interview on the Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson podcast. 'I mean, Halle Berry was doing it, for God's sake Jennifer Aniston was doing it. We were probably too young to be subjected to that, and feeling pressured to do that.' The mother-of-two - who shares Zaphire, four, and Fable, six months, with husband Dion Phaneuf - said she's worried about how the images will affect her children and noted how heavily 'airbrushed' they were. Cast: Hollywood hotshots Josh Duhamel and Nestor Carbonell, who also star in the film, were in attendance on the night 'This is weird': Last month, Elisha opened up about how she felt she had 'no option' but to pose for racy spreads to promote films in the early days of her career (pictured in 2002) 'This is what I have to explain to my kids. This weird, bizarre outfit and hair extensions,' Elisha said. 'I was in my early 20s. I didn't look bad, but did I look [like] that? I don't even know if the fantasy's real.' Throughout her career, Elisha posed for the likes of FHM and Maxim and ended up on a number of 'hot girl' lists at the time. Shrugging off the attention, she said: 'It's not like I won an Olympic medal. It was just some list some random magazine decided to create. 'When someone reads my bio, those things come up. They actually don't mean anything in regards to me as a person or my career.' The Canadian star is well-known for her role in the 2004 teen comedy film The Girl Next Door, where a teen falls in love with his new neighbour, a former porn star. She has also appeared on shows including The Ranch with Ashton Kutcher and 24 with Kiefer Sutherland. She was previously dubbed TV's most beautiful woman by Maxim readers but at the time said she was worried about how her Happy Endings co-stars Casey Wilson and Eliza Coupe would react to the news. 'To think that one person could be the most beautiful when there's Kaley Cuoco, Sofia Vergara, Zooey Deschanel? They're all stunning,' Elisha told Maxim at the time. 'I'm not gonna fight anyone about it, though. I'll accept it with grace. But being on a show with two other beautiful women, this is gonna make going to work very uncomfortable.' Helena Bonham Carter looked worlds away from her quirky self as she filmed scenes for her upcoming drama, One Life, on Tuesday. The actress, 56, was seen wearing a curly brunette wig while in costume as she enjoyed a coffee break on set in in Hampstead. The BAFTA winner will join two-time Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins and Johnny Flynn in the feature drama that is set during the Holocaust. In character: Helena Bonham-Carter looked worlds away from her quirky self as she filmed scenes for her upcoming drama One Life in Hampstead on Tuesday The production is inspired by the true story of Nicholas Winton - a London stockbroker who devised an elaborate plan to rescue hundreds of children in Czechoslovakia from invading Nazis. The title is paraphrased from the Jewish Talmud: 'Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.' Helena will play Winton's mother Babi Winton, who was of German-Jewish ancestry but had settled in North West London with her husband. Break time: The actress, 56, was seen wearing a brown wig while in costume while enjoying a coffee break on set According to Deadline, her scenes will be with Johnny Flynn, who portrays Winton in his younger years. Dressed in casual 1940's attire, Helena donned a shin-length green knitted cardigan over a tweed skirt and brown shirt. Keeping true to form, she further layered up with a tartan hooded fleece as she sipped on her hot beverage between scenes. Salute: The Crown star appeared in high spirits on the day as she gave an optimistic wave to onlookers Wardrobe change: While relaxing from shooting the exhausting scenes, Helena also slipped into a comfy pair of trainers as she took a break from her heels While relaxing from shooting the exhausting scenes, Helena also slipped into a comfy pair of trainers as she took a break from her heels. The Crown star appeared in high spirits on the day as she gave an optimistic wave to onlookers. Ever the professional, she looked focused as she took direction from a member of the film crew. Comfy: Dressed in casual 1940's attire, Helena donned a shin length green knitted cardigan over a tweed skirt and brown shirt On set: Ever the professional, Helena looked focused as she took direction from a member of the film crew Real life: The upcoming drama that is set during the Holocaust and is inspired by the true story of Nicholas Winton, a London stockbroker Inspirational: Nicholas Winton was a London stockbroker who devised an elaborate plan to rescue hundreds of children in Czechoslovakia from invading Nazis (pictured in 2003) Nicholas Winton's story recently went viral when a YouTube clip revealed an episode of the BBCs Thats Life from 1988, when Esther Rantzen hosted a special edition featuring him. During the broadcast the television presenter, 82, asked, 'Is there anyone in our audience who owed their life to Nicholas Winton? If so, could you stand up please?' Everyone in the studio audience stood and the episode has been viewed on You Tube many millions of times. Jonathan Pryce, Romola Garai, and Alex Sharp are also set to star in the drama, but no release date has yet been announced. EastEnders fans have been left convinced that Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb is returning from the dead after actor Ricky Norwood was said to be spotted on set. The soap star, 35, played Fatboy in EastEnders for five years after featuring on the soap opera's online spin-off show EastEnders: E20. Fatboy died in grisly circumstances in the Christmas 2015 storyline, with the character getting killed in a car in a case of mistaken identity. He's back? EastEnders fans have been left convinced that Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb is returning from the dead after actor Ricky Norwood was said to be spotted on set He died off-screen after Ronnie Mitchell arranged for her enemy Vincent Hubbard to be sent to the car crusher, but Fatboy was accidentally trapped in the car boot and killed instead. Some dedicated EastEnders fans have long been convinced that the character could return to the soap opera, as his body was never shown on screen. And rumours are now swirling that his 'return' is imminent after actor Ricky was apparently spotted at Elstree Studios. However, EastEnders have denied that Fatboy is due to return to the BBC show. Speculation: Rumours are now swirling about his 'return' after actor Ricky was filmed by a fan visiting Elstree Studios A TikTok user - who runs an EastEnders fan account - shared a live video which seemed to show Ricky walking on set and greeting eager fans. The excited female fan could be heard saying his apparent visit to the set was 'random', before speculating that she had ruined the surprise of his 'return'. She could be heard saying: 'That's so random! We're not allowed to post that though are we? S**t!' In the video, a group of fans also speculated that he could be returning for Dot Cotton's funeral episode, after the death of actress June Brown earlier this year. Fan favourite: The soap star, 35, played Fatboy in EastEnders for five years after featuring on its online spin-off show EastEnders: E20 Ricky was suspended from EastEnders in 2014 after a video was leaked of the star allegedly smoking marijuana and performing a sex act on Skype. BBC bosses decided to suspend Ricky from filming for two months when the pictures of him first came to light, while the actor apologised for his actions. Ricky had starred in online spin-off show E20 before finding fame on the long-running soap. After his exit from the soap, Ricky revealed that he suffered from depression and addressed his struggles on Celebrity Big Brother back in 2016. Shocking: Fatboy died in grisly circumstances in the Christmas 2015 storyline, with the character getting killed in a car in a case of mistaken identity Revealing that he didn't know at the time he was suffering from depression, he confessed that his anxiety was so high that he didn't want to leave the house. 'I went into deep depression,' he explained. 'I didn't know it was depression. I didn't want to leave my house, I had all the blinds drawn.' He added that despite leaving the soap after the scandal, he was pleased with the work he had achieved and what could come in the future. 'I was happy. I was only supposed to be there for three months, I was there just under six years,' he said. Danny Dyer has confessed he lost his virginity at the age of 14. The actor, 45, made the shock revelation during an appearance on ITV2's Shopping with Keith Lemon, which airs on Thursday night. The EastEnders star told the comedian how he met his wife Jo when they were both teenagers and 'were at it early' due to their young age. Shocked! Danny Dyer has confessed he lost his virginity aged 14 during a tell-all appearance on ITV2's Shopping with Keith Lemon, which airs on Thursday night The couple are parents to Love Island star Dani, 26, daughter Sunnie, 14, and son Arty, eight. Elsewhere on the show a segment saw Danny and Keith sit down enjoying a pint after going antique shopping in Essex. Not holding back and going straight for the killer question, host Keith questioned Danny about what age he first had sex. Young love: The EastEnders star told comedian Keith how he met his wife Jo when they were both just 14-years-old and 'were at it early' due to their young age (pictured in 2020) Danny confidently answered: 'I was about 14'. Leaving Keith in shock, he continued: 'Ya, I'm with her since I'm 13. 30 odd years of f**kin pain. Only joking. Of course I love her with all my heart. 'It's with the same missus I am with now. We got together very young, hence why we had a child so young. 'We were at it early so we had a child when we were 18,' he explained. Opening up: Danny confidently answered: 'I was about 14'. Leaving Keith in shock, he continued: 'Ya, I'm with her since I'm 13' Later in the interview the 'hard man' said how he couldn't remember 'pre being a parent' as he had his daughter Dani so early. He and his oldest child host their hugely successful Sorted With The Dyers podcast together. With his imminent EastEnders exit in sight, Danny said he'd love to work more with the influencer. The soap star who is grandfather to Dani's son Santiago, also joked about the 19-month-old's name telling Keith it sounded like the name of a 'little Columbian drug dealer' before quickly adding that the toddler was 'a beautiful little thing.' Shocking: It comes after he discussed the shocking moment he told EastEnders bosses he 'needed to leave or was going to die' (pictured on the soap with Scott Maslen as Jack Branning) Danny's appearance comes after he discussed the shocking moment he told EastEnders bosses he 'needed to leave or was going to die' during his past struggle with drugs. The presenter who recently announced his departure as Mick Carter on the BBC series after nine years, revealed the shocking reason he temporarily left the show in 2017. Speaking on Jaime Winstones new podcast, Greatest Night Ever, Danny recalled the moment when he became 'a f***ing lunatic' during his time on the soap, which put his marriage with wife Jo in jeopardy. Marriage: Danny explained that he made the confession to the shows bosses amid 'doing loads of drugs' and being a 'c*** all the time' to his wife Jo (pictured) In quotes obtained by The Sun, he said: 'I turned around to the bosses of EastEnders and I said, "Listen, Ive gotta go somewhere. Im going to die."' Danny explained that he made the confession to the shows bosses amid 'doing loads of drugs' and being a 'c*** all the time' to his wife. 'Fame never suited me. I was always f***ing gonna be going down the wrong path. So I lost the plot for many years and I was a f***ing lunatic,' he revealed. The actor added: 'I was doing s**t loads of f***ing drugs. I was searching for some thing. There was a hole in me and I couldnt work out what the f*** it was.' He admitted that he realised he was gong to 'f*** up his relationship' and become a 'shadow' of himself if her carried on. "I knew I had to f***ing sort myself out because Id been a c*** up to this point in the sense of what I was doing, what I was doing away from her [Jo], some of the situations I would find myself in,' he continued. Earlier this year, Danny admitted he wanted to quit EastEnders 'for a while' as he spoke out for the first time since he announced his departure from the soap. She's one of the most in demand supermodels. So it came as no surprise to see Bella Hadid touch down in Milan on Thursday for Fashion Week in the Italian city. The stunning cover girl, 25, was spotted checking into her hotel alongside art designer boyfriend Marc Kalman, 33, so they could freshen up before hitting the shows. Making an entrance: She's one of the most in demand supermodels. So it came as no surprise to see Bella Hadid touch down in Milan on Thursday for Fashion Week in the Italian city The supermodel looked effortlessly stylish for the trip, opting for a muted colour scheme of green and brown. She flashed a glimpse of her abs in a white crop top that she layered beneath a striped shawl and paired with khaki flares. Her glossy locks were swept back with a thick black headband and a pair of leather boots gave her model frame a boost. Cute couple: The stunning cover girl, 25, was spotted checking into her hotel alongside art designer boyfriend Marc Kalman, 33, so they could freshen up before hitting the shows Hippie chic: The supermodel looked effortlessly stylish for the trip, opting for a muted colour scheme of green and brown A myriad of chunky gold bangles and a fuchsia scrunchie on her wrist injected a splash of colour. She completed the hippie chic look with a Chanel messenger bag and micro shades. Her boyfriend Marc opted for a less eye-catching ensemble as he paired a black vest with baggy jeans and patent shoes. Top of the crops: She flashed a glimpse of her abs in a white crop top that she layered beneath a striped shawl and paired with khaki flares Brunette beauty: Her glossy locks were swept back with a thick black headband and a pair of leather boots gave her model frame a boost Earlier this year, the 5ft9 beauty spoke about her relationship with Marc as she praised his hard work ethic, adding they had grown very close over their romance. 'I'm really proud of Marc, who's like my emotional support bunny and is incredibly talented at everything he does,' she said. The Washington D.C. native and her boyfriend first sparked rumors of a romance back in the summer of 2020 but did not confirm the rumours until going Instagram official in July 2021. Bling ring: A myriad of chunky gold bangles and a fuchsia scrunchie on her wrist injected a splash of colour All about the accessories: She completed the hippie chic look with a Chanel messenger bag and micro shades Double trouble: Later in the day Bella and Marc were seen strolling through the city hand in hand as they enjoyed the atmosphere of Fashion Week Her appearance out came as romantic rumors regarding her older sister Gigi and Leonardo DiCaprio continue to swirl. Accord, a source said that the couple have been out together just the two of them as well as hanging out in groups with the pair not calling themselves 'exclusive' yet. The person added: '[DiCaprio] is not someone who is in-and-out of relationships. He doesn't jump around hooking up. They are taking it slow.' She has reportedly been spending time with Leonardo DiCaprio in recent weeks. And Gigi Hadid looked in good spirits as she landed in Milan for the city's annual Fashion Week on Thursday, joining her sister Bella Hadid, 25. Gigi, 27, cut a casual figure as she departed the airport in a burgundy jumpsuit with a gold patterned detail. Looking good: Gigi Hadid looked in good spirits as she landed in Milan for the city's annual fashion week on Thursday The media personality also sported a white crop top with a scooped neckline along with a matching pair of trainers. Adding to her outfit with an eye-catching gold necklace, Gigi complimented her look with a pair of sunglasses. Styling her blonde locks into a ponytail, the star carried a black handbag and a bright orange suitcase with her as she left the airport. The outing comes amid claims that Academy Award winner Leo has become very smitten with the supermodel after his split from Camila Morrone, 25. Stepping out: Bella Hadid was sotted in Milan on Thursday, making her way around town Sport luxe! Bella cut a casual figure in a Nike red jumper which she tanned with a tan skirt and long red boots Stunner: The beauty turned the sidewalk into a catwalk as she strutted her stuff Sweet: Bella happily posed with fans after being recognised Laid back: The model, 27, cut a casual figure as she departed the airport in a burgundy jumpsuit with a gold patterned detail The actor has been spending time with Gigi in New York City and is thrilled that they are getting to know each other as she is 'his type,' a source told People. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail recently shared exclusive images of the pair leaning into each other at a Manhattan party held at Casa Cipriani. 'They like each other and are having a good time,' a film source told the site, adding 'he is taken with Gigi'. 'She is the type of woman he is usually attracted to,' added the source about Gigi - who has been friends with Leo for years. Style: The media personality also sported a white crop top with a scooped neckline along with a matching pair of trainers Flawless: Gigi complimented her look with a pair of sunglasses Leo has previously dated the likes of Gisele Bundchen, Bar Refaeli and Toni Garrn. His last girlfriend, Camila, was a brunette actress. 'They sort of run in the same high profile circles and would see each other at events, clubs, restaurants and gatherings,' the source added. It comes after claims they are reportedly 'getting to know each other' less than a month after the end of his four-year relationship with Camila. Following a number of reports that Leo had 'his sights set' on rebounding with the supermodel, an insider revealed to People that he 'is definitely pursuing Gigi'. 'They've been seen hanging out with groups of people. It's only been a few weeks since the split. Since then, he's been hanging out with friends and family,' the source added in early September. Fashion week: The star was all smiles as she arrived at Versace headquarters after her flight Gigi is also dealing with a recent break-up as she broke up with One Direction boybander Zayn Malik in October. They were dating on/off since 2015 and welcoming a child, named Khai, age two, together in September 2020. Earlier this month, InTouch, reported that 'Leo and Gigi have hooked up a few times this summer'. 'They have known each other for several years. Theyre super attracted to each other. She is exactly his type: gorgeous, sexy but low-key with a one-of-the-guys attitude.' Another one of their sources said it is 'casual and not a constant thing,' but a different source for the publication said that they are just hanging out as friends. Moving fast: The outing comes amid claims that Academy Award winner Leo has become very smitten with the supermodel The two seem to have run in similar social circles over the years as back in December 2019, Us Weekly reported that Leo and Gigi partied together at an Art Basel Miami afterparty alongside Kendall Jenner and Gigi's sister Bella Hadid. Meanwhile, Leo's ex Camila is moving on with her life, with a source telling People: 'Camila is doing fine. She has a big group of friends that really care about her. She is moving on with her life. She is not in contact with Leo.' Leo and Camila's breakup occurred shortly after her birthday in July, which led to the actor being mocked online for seemingly only dating women under age 25. She has since moved into a new apartment in Malibu and Leonardo is reportedly already on the prowl for a new flame. It's been claimed that Leonardo has been 'partying every night' since splitting with his girlfriend, hanging out with his 'old crew and some girls', according to Page Six. The Revenant star was first introduced to Camila back in 2008, when she was only 12. Moving on: Gigi and Leo (pictured in January 2016) are reportedly 'getting to know each other' less than a month after the end of his four-year relationship with Camila Morrone, 25 His longtime friend Al Pacino, who had dated Camila's mother Lucila Sola for years, made the introductions, and Leonardo apparently remained friends with the family for years. Leonardo and Camila officially got together sometime in 2017, following his break-up with model Nina Agdal, just days before the Cannes Film Festival, though representatives for both initially denied that they were together. Back in July, Leonardo had been photographed with the Ukrainian model Maria Beregova, who is only 22, during his trip to Saint-Tropez. DailyMail.com revealed that Maria had reverted to using her maiden name after divorcing her husband Abdelhafid, 30 whose grandfather was a henchman of Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The Ukrainian beauty began using her her maiden name again while on the trip, where she was pictured with the Django Unchained star. On the same trip, Leo was also spotted partying with his longtime friend Tobey Maguire. The Spider-Man star is part of DiCaprio's famed 'Pussy Posse,' his group of male pals who partied with him throughout the '90s. Among the roster were Maguire, David Blaine, Jay Ferguson, Josh Miller, Ethan Suplee and Scott Bloom. Ola Jordan has revealed that she would 'love' to have more children as she discussed conceiving her daughter Ella after one round of IVF treatment. The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 39, welcomed her daughter Ella, two, with her husband James, 44, in 2020 after three years of trying for a baby. Ella was conceived after one round of IVF, with Ola and James previously being incredibly open about their battle to have a child. Family: Ola Jordan has revealed that she would 'love' to have more children as she discussed conceiving her daughter Ella after one round of IVF treatment Now, Ola has shared her hopes of having more children and revealed that she would turn to IVF again if she struggled to have a child naturally. Speaking to Isabel Webster on Thursday's GB News on behalf of IVI London, Ola said: 'I would love to have more children if it happens naturally, if it doesn't I will go for another IVF, yes.' The dancer candidly spoke about feeling like she had left it too late to have a child because she was focusing on her career - which saw her star on Strictly from 2006 to 2015. 'I have an amazing career travelling around the world, and then you sort of forget yourself sometimes and you go, 'oh, actually, probably I've missed the boat here',' she admitted. First child: The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 39, welcomed her daughter Ella, two, with her husband James, 44, in 2020 after three years of trying for a baby Speaking about deciding to undergo IVF after having fertility issues, Ola admitted she found it 'very hard' because she didn't know who to turn to for support. She said women still don't want to talk about going through IVF and said she didn't 'understand' why she wasn't getting pregnant when a lot of her friends were having babies. She explained: 'It's really hard because you don't know who to turn to. Most of my friends used to get pregnant so easily. 'I didn't understand why I wasn't getting pregnant. I was healthy, fit, I was a professional dancer. Candid: Ella was conceived after one round of IVF, with Ola and James previously being incredibly open about their battle to have a child 'It's very hard and it's very hard to turn to someone because everyone was getting pregnant around me. 'But then when I went through IVF and I announced that I was going through IVF suddenly I found all those women coming up to me and going 'I did IVF', so suddenly there were a lot of women that I could talk to. 'It's still a subject that people don't want to talk about, unfortunately.' But Ola admitted that she had a 'very positive' experience with IVF, which saw her conceive her daughter Ella after one round of treatment. 'I needed help and I needed to go through IVF which was obviously great for me because it happened for the first time and it was a very positive experience,' she said. Fertility: Now, Ola (pictured with James and Ella) has shared her hopes of having more children and revealed that she would turn to IVF again if she struggled to have a child naturally 'But at the same time, it's something that you don't really want to have to do. You want to conceive naturally.' She also addressed women delaying having children due to the cost of living and the Covid-19 pandemic, but said she wouldn't want other women to 'leave it too late' and 'struggle'. 'Things have changed massively, 49% of women are delaying having children because of different things like the cost of living, and Covid, and the war in Ukraine, which I understand,' she said. 'Ask yourself a question here. Do I want to bring a child into a world like this? 'But it's hard. It's hard because we just need to remember about ourselves, you don't want to leave it too late and then struggle with that yourself.' Hard times: Speaking about deciding to undergo IVF, Ola (pictured with James) admitted she found it 'very hard' because she didn't know who to turn to for support It is not the first time Ola has spoken about her fertility issues, previously saying she wishes she had tried for a baby earlier. Last year, Ola said she would have prioritised starting a family earlier if she knew she would struggle to fall pregnant. She told The Sun: 'You dont think youre going to have to go through IVF until it doesnt happen for a long time and you go "right theres a problem, we need to look into it".' 'So I suppose I would try earlier. But then we had a career, we were doing things, we were busy. I suppose youre never ready but I definitely would (have tried earlier) if I knew I was going to struggle to get pregnant.' Joy: But Ola admitted that she had a 'very positive' experience with IVF, which saw her conceive her daughter Ella after one round of treatment Kids: Last year, Ola (pictured pregnant with Ella) said she would have prioritised starting a family earlier if she knew she would struggle to fall pregnant Ola said her and James, who wed in 2003, were focused on their careers, saying: 'You have to pick between something like Strictly or having a family, unfortunately.' The star said she would have been unable to do Strictly - which she starred on from 2006-2015- with a baby as the BBC show is a 'six or seven month' commitment and she did not have anyone to look after her child. Speaking to the Sun about her daughter and the IVF process, Ola said: 'We are very lucky it happened for us on the first attempt, and we're extremely blessed to have Ella, she's such a little character.' She added: 'There are so many people who go through IVF and it doesn't happen for them. And there are lots of people out there who want a baby and they can't afford it.' Rochelle Humes has launched wellness products for the first time with her lifestyle brand My Little Coco, following in the footsteps of Gwyneth Paltrow and Holly Willoughby. The Saturdays star, 33, shared a mirror selfie of herself holding the new product with her 2.2 million Instagram followers as she announced the launch of the range. She also teased that she has a big announcement coming soon and that more new products will be launched in 2023. Business: Rochelle Humes has launched wellness products for the first time with her lifestyle brand My Little Coco, following in the footsteps of Gwyneth Paltrow and Holly Willoughby Rochelle, who flashed her abs in a white crop top in the selfie, said: 'GangIm SO excited about this one. You know how much wellness is a big part of my life. Well, its the same story for my babies too '@mylittlecoco is entering the Wellness category... Ive got a big announcement for you real soon but this is a little teaser.' Speaking on the affirmation cards for kids, she said: 'Im such a believer in positive affirmations and encouraging mindfulness from an early age I love to leave little notes in their bag or lunch boxes but we dont always have the time or words SO 'Ive created 52 little cards with individual affirmations and quotes... written by myself, my Hubby and some of my best friends. I really hope you find them useful and that they become part of your daily ritual with your little ones. Working hard: The Saturdays star, 33, teased that she has a big announcement coming soon and that more new products will be launched in 2023 Rochelle told her 2.2 million Instagram followers: 'You know how much wellness is a big part of my life. Well, its the same story for my babies too It seems as though Rochelle is following in the steps of Gwyneth, Holly and Kate Moss as they both ventured into the wellness space after carving successful careers in TV. Gwyneth - who is now a big player in the wellness world - first started her brand Goop as a weekly email newsletter offering 'new age' advice. Her articles would share words of wisdom such as how to 'police your thoughts' and telling readers to 'eliminate white foods'. Celebrity Wellness Brands Kate Moss - Cosmoss Holly Willoughby - Wylde Moon Gwyneth Paltrow - Goop Rochelle Humes - My Little Coco Advertisement Today her brand - which has previously caused controversy with risquely-named candles and gold sex toys - is valued at $250million. Presenter Holly launched her business venture Wylde Moon in 2021 and its emphasis on health and wellbeing also drew comparison to Hollywood star Gwyneth. It was predicted at the time that Holly's launch could bag her up to 12million, according to financial forecasters. Holly most recently announced a new wax melt product for her growing lifestyle brand, which also boasts a line of candles, jewellery and perfume. Rochelle recently confirmed her last day for ITV's show This Morning and explaned she was taking on an exciting new opportunity. The TV presenter confirmed her last day of hosting the show alongside co-presenter, Vernon Kay and said that she 'needs to leave in order to film another show for ITV.' She went on to announce her departure from the show via an Instagram post that showed off one of her recent looks. She captioned the post with 'My last day on @thismorning this week with @vernonkay before I head up north to record @ninjawarrioruk,' The ITV challenge show will be returning to screens later this year with Rochelle, Ben, and Chris hosting. Advertisement Elizabeth Debicki slipped into a red shift dress on Thursday as she once again transformed into Princess Diana to film new scenes for Netflix hit The Crown. The Australian actress, 32, bore a remarkable resemblance to the late royal as she joined actor Rufus Kampa, 16, - who plays a young Prince William - on set in Palma De Mallorca, Spain, with the two seen boarding a speed boat. The scenes indicated they were portraying a holiday taken by the group in July 1997 - just a month before Diana and Dodi's tragic passing - when the princes famously joined the couple for a trip in the South of France aboard a superyacht owned by Dodi's father Mohamed Al-Fayed. Filming of new scenes came just days after work on the series was paused following Queen Elizabeth II's passing earlier this month. Back at it: Elizabeth Debicki slipped into a red shift dress on Thursday as she once again transformed into Princess Diana to film new scenes for Netflix hit The Crown Elizabeth looked at ease as she reclined on her seat on the boat while chatting to Adrian Mole star Rufus, who was cast as the 15-year-old Prince last month. She showed off her toned legs in the sleeveless red knee-length dress which she teamed with black sunglasses and light brown sliders for the scenes in the sunny Spanish city. Elizabeth was seen strolling past pretty villas and walking down stone steps before making her way down to the speedboat. The star was surrounded by crew members as the production ploughed on following a brief break in filming days previously. Lady in red: The Australian actress, 32, (L) bore a remarkable resemblance to the late royal as she joined actor Rufus Kampa, 16, - who plays a young Prince William - on set in Palma De Mallorca, Spain Production: Filming of new scenes came just days after work on the series was paused following Queen Elizabeth II's passing earlier this month Meanwhile, Rufus sported a blue polo shirt, ivory trousers and brown shoes as he stepped into his new role as the young Prince of Wales. Will Powell, who plays Prince Harry, was also seen with the pair on set was also seen with the pair on set. The trio were seen speeding off on the boat as cameras captured the thrilling moment. Chilled: Elizabeth looked at ease as she reclined on her seat on the boat while chatting to Adrian Mole star Rufus, who was cast as the 15-year-old Prince last month Hard at work: Elizabeth and Rufus smiled and chatted away as they portrayed the roles of Princess Diana and her eldest son William Filming: The two looked happy to be filming scenes at sea in Spain Looking good: Elizabeth showed off her legs in the short red dress Speeding off: The cast filmed speedboat scenes in Spain The Crown recently resumed production on its sixth and final series in Barcelona after filming was paused for a single day following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Diana star Elizabeth was seen filming one of the late royals' final public appearances, when she visited the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, just four days after work on the series was paused following the monarch's passing. No doubt The Crown is adhering to a strict filming schedule to ensure its sixth and final series is released by Netflix on time, having been pushed back by its day-long pause in the wake of The Queen's passing. Stunner: She showed off her toned legs in the sleeveless red knee-length dress which she teamed with black sunglasses and light brown sliders for the scenes in the sunny Spanish city Out and about: Elizabeth was seen strolling past pretty villas and walking down stone steps before making her way down to the speedboat This way please: Elizabeth and her co-stars were seen making their way down winding,. stone steps All hands on deck: A plethora of crew members were seen on the dock Busy: The star was surrounded by crew members as the production ploughed on following a brief break in filming days previously Dapper: Meanwhile, Rufus sported a blue polo shirt, ivory trousers and brown shoes as he stepped into his new role as the young Prince of Wales There he is: Will Powell who plays Prince Harry was also seen with the pair on set Pretty: Elizabeth (L) looked stunning as she got her make-up touched up on set Younger days: Last month, Rufus was cast to play the Prince (right in 1997) at a different stage in his life, depicting his teenage years showing how he and the royal family coped with the death of Princess Diana Filming continues: The blonde beauty followed behind Rufus on the set Easy does it: Elizabeth was seen getting a helping hand off the boat It was revealed that filming for The Crown been suspended for one day as a 'mark of respect to the late monarch', who passed away aged 96 on September 8 at Balmoral Castle. Filming also did not take place on the day of the Queen's funeral. In a move that could be branded insensitive by fans, when the cast and crew return they will be covering Princess Diana's death in 1997 and the Queen could be seen in mourning clothes. Boat scenes: Elizabeth and Rufus shared a giggle as they sat at the back of the boat Scenes: A driver and another gentleman joined them on the boat for filming Chat: Elizabeth and Rufus appeared to bond while filming scenes as the royals Boat life: Elizabeth and Rufus happily filmed scenes on a board a speedboat called Hasta Pronto Duo: The pair are recreating scenes as the late Princess of Wales and her eldest son Last Thursday, star Imelda Staunton, who is playing an older version of Her Majesty in the Netflix series following predecessors Claire Foy and Olivia Colman, was seen in character as she prepared to leave the set. A scene covering Princess Diana's tragic death in Paris in August 1997 was scheduled to be filmed on Friday in Barcelona, Spain. However, SER Catalunya have reported scenes that would cover Princess Diana's death in August 1997 were being suspended following the death of Her Majesty. The set, which had been built in a district of Barcelona, had been modified to resemble a Parisian street with French road signs. So sad: The Crown recently resumed production on its sixth and final series in Barcelona after filming was paused for a single day following the death of Queen Elizabeth II (The Queen pictured in 2021) Still going: Diana star Elizabeth was seen filming one of the late royals' final public appearances, when she visited the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, just four days after work on the series was paused following the monarch's passing Schedule: No doubt The Crown is adhering to a strict filming schedule to ensure its sixth and final series is released by Netflix on time, having been pushed back by its day-long pause in the wake of The Queen's passing Respect: It was revealed that filming for The Crown been suspended for one day as a 'mark of respect to the late monarch', who passed away aged 96 on September 8 at Balmoral Castle This way please? The young Prince Harry was seen being helped off the speedboat Taking a break: Filming also did not take place on the day of the Queen's funeral Insensitive? In a move that could be branded insensitive by fans, when the cast and crew return they will be covering Princess Diana's death in 1997 and the Queen could be seen in mourning clothes Netflix had reportedly devised a plan, also named Operation London Bridge like the official funeral plan for the Queen, to outline what the production company for The Crown would do in the event of her passing. One of the show's creators Stephen Daldry said when the show first premiered in 2016 the cast would likely stop production, saying: 'It would be a simple tribute and a mark of respect. She's a global figure and it's what we should do.' Peter Morgan, writer of the drama, was quoted after news of the Queen's death was confirmed as saying: '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.' That's her boys: The actors playing William and Harry strolled ahead of actress Elizabeth Characters: Last Thursday, star Imelda Staunton, who is playing an older version of Her Majesty in the Netflix series following predecessors Claire Foy and Olivia Colman, was seen in character as she prepared to leave the set Sad scenes ahead: A scene covering Princess Diana's tragic death in Paris in August 1997 was scheduled to be filmed on Friday in Barcelona, Spain Suspension: However, SER Catalunya have reported scenes that would cover Princess Diana's death in August 1997 were being suspended following the death of Her Majesty Changes: The set, which had been built in a district of Barcelona, had been modified to resemble a Parisian street with French road signs Lovely sights: Elizabeth was seen filming outside a pretty Spanish villa adorned with pink flowers Locations in Palma and Andratx are said to have been considered for the sixth series, which will cover the romance of Charles and Camilla and William's university studies. Part of season five of the popular series was shot on the Balearic island last year, with Sant Elm beach on the west coast and the Port of Soller among the locations where filming took place. The last two series of The Crown will cover the Royal Family in the 1990s to 2003. The crew will be picking up the story where it left off in the fourth season. Plan: Netflix had reportedly devised a plan, also named Operation London Bridge like the official funeral plan for the Queen, to outline what the production company for The Crown would do in the event of her passing Thinking ahead: One of the show's creators Stephen Daldry said when the show first premiered in 2016 the cast would likely stop production, saying: 'It would be a simple tribute and a mark of respect. She's a global figure and it's what we should do Respect: Peter Morgan, writer of the drama, was quoted after news of the Queen's death was confirmed as saying: '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' Time scale: Locations in Palma and Andratx are said to have been considered for the sixth series, which will cover the romance of Charles and Camilla and William's university studies Filming: Part of season five of the popular series was shot on the Balearic island last year, with Sant Elm beach on the west coast and the Port of Soller among the locations where filming took place Boat day: Elizabeth and Rufus were seen chatting away as they sped off in the speedboat Catching up: The last two series of The Crown will cover the Royal Family in the 1990s to 2003. The crew will be picking up the story where it left off in the fourth season Off they go: The group were pictured on a speedboat called Teder1 Jonikal What a view: The water behind them as the speedboat zipped across the sea The breakdown of Charles and Dianas relationship will be a central part of the new series. The fourth series of The Crown, which streamed in November last year, told the story of the early romance between Charles and Diana. It was announced last year that Elizabeth would take over from Emma Corrin and play Diana for the fifth and sixth series, which will cover Diana's death in 1997. Happier times: Elizabeth smiled while filming scenes as the late Princess New role: It was announced last year that Elizabeth would take over from Emma Corrin and play Diana for the fifth and sixth series, which will cover Diana's death in 1997 Honour: 'It is my privilege and honour to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one' What a part: Elizabeth landed the role of Diana last year The actress said of her casting last year: 'Princess Diana's spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many. 'It is my privilege and honour to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one.' Meanwhile, Ed McVey will take over Rufus' role to play an older Prince William and will join Meg Bellamy, who last month was cast as Kate Middleton. Coming soon: Meanwhile, Ed McVey will take over Rufus' role to play an older Prince William and will join Meg Bellamy, who last month was cast as Kate Middleton Call: Younger days: Last month, Rufus was cast to play the Prince (right in 1997) at a different stage in his life, depicting his teenage years showing how he and the royal family coped with the death of Princess Diana Romance: Ed and Meg will play the couple during the period in which their romance blossomed while studying at St Andrews University Thrilled: Taking to Instagram after the news was revealed, an excited Meg penned: 'Pinch me please... So excited to announce that I will be playing Kate Middleton in Series 6 of Netflixs The Crown. It is such an honour to be joining the most incredible cast and crew, and I will strive to do Kate justice Experience: While Meg has no official acting credits to her name, both Ed and Rufus have significantly more experience The Netflix show initially put out a casting call in April to find a 'stunning actress' to portray the role of a young Kate, and now after a five month wait, they've finally found their Duchess. Ed and Meg will play the couple during the period in which their romance blossomed while studying at St Andrews University. The part of the future Queen Consort is Meg's first major acting role and comes just months after she left her comprehensive school in Wokingham. Taking to Instagram after the news was revealed, an excited Meg penned: 'Pinch me please... So excited to announce that I will be playing Kate Middleton in Series 6 of Netflixs The Crown. It is such an honour to be joining the most incredible cast and crew, and I will strive to do Kate justice. Filming: Ed, who will take on the Prince in the early 2000s with scenes showing how he fell for fellow Art History student Kate, graduated Drama Centre London in 2021 Past experience: He was an understudy in the play Camp Siegfried, which was show at London's Old Vic Overjoyed: Sharing his elation at landing the huge role, Ed penned on Instagram on Friday: 'Ahhhhh the big news is now out!!! Im absolutely buzzing to be given the opportunity to play Prince William in #TheCrown in Series 6!!!' Can't wait: He added: 'Along side the amazing @megkbellamy. Gunna be an amazing shoot cant wait to learn all I can! Full press release in bio' Debut: Meanwhile Rufus made his professional acting debut in Sue Townsends The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole 13 & 3/4s: The Musical, while he's also acted in a handful of West End productions While Meg has no official acting credits to her name, both Ed and Rufus have significantly more experience. Ed, who will take on the Prince in the early 2000s with scenes showing how he fell for fellow Art History student Kate, graduated Drama Centre London in 2021. He was an understudy in the play Camp Siegfried, which was show at London's Old Vic. She looks like a lady! Elizabeth was the picture of elegance as she sat cross-legged on the speedboat while filming scenes as Princess Diana There she goes: The stunning actress was hard to miss in her bright red dress Riding the waves: The group beamed as they zipped along the water on the speedboat What a ride: Filming continues for the next season of Netflix's The Crown Sharing his elation at landing the huge role, Ed penned on Instagram on Friday: 'Ahhhhh the big news is now out!!! Im absolutely buzzing to be given the opportunity to play Prince William in #TheCrown in Series 6!!! 'Along side the amazing @megkbellamy. Gunna be an amazing shoot cant wait to learn all I can! Full press release in bio.' Meanwhile Rufus made his professional acting debut in Sue Townsends The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole 13 & 3/4s: The Musical, while he's also acted in a handful of West End productions. Kim Kardashian has channeled Marilyn Monroe again months after wearing the icon's dress at the Met Gala and as Ana de Armas is set to play her in a soon-to-be-released biopic. The 41-year-old reality star put on quite the busty display as she was featured in a steamy promo for Dolce & Gabbana released on Thursday. Kim put on an eye-popping display in a cleavage-baring black dress from the Italian luxury house as she sat in the back of a limo while several cameras flashed into the vehicle. Laughing all the way to the bank: Kim Kardashian has channeled Marilyn Monroe again months after wearing the icon's dress at the Met Gala and as Ana de Armas is set to play her in a soon-to-be-released biopic She sported a short blonde wig featuring voluminous curls which looked exactly like classic beauty Marilyn's iconic locks. Kim gave sultry looks into the camera before popping up to grab a slice of pizza from a box sitting next to her. She passionately chewed on a slice before throwing it down and then put on even more racy poses and even belted out a laugh. Gorgeous: The 41-year-old reality star put on quite the busty display as she was featured in a steamy promo for Dolce & Gabbana released on Thursday Sultry: She put on a busty display Sight set: Kim put on an eye-popping display in a cleavage-baring black dress from the Italian luxury house as she sat in the back of a limo while several cameras flashed into the vehicle Yum: Kim gave sultry looks into the camera before popping up to grab a slice of pizza from a box sitting next to her Stunner: She sported a short blonde wig featuring voluminous curls which looked exactly like classic beauty Marilyn's iconic locks It ended with the hashtag #CiaoKim and promoted the upcoming Dolce & Gabbana women's spring-summer 2023 fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on Saturday at 2:30pm CEST. The campaign comes at an interesting time as Ana de Armas stars as Marilyn Monroe in biopic Blonde which will expand to more theaters on September 23, before premiering on Netflix on September 28. Back in June, Kim was at the center of controversy as a Marilyn Monroe devotee accused her of damaging the iconic nude gown the actress wore to sing 'Happy Birthday' to then-President John F. Kennedy in 1962 when she modeled it at the Met Gala the previous month. Ready for her close-up: She passionately chewed on a slice before throwing it down and then put on even more racy poses Flashing lights: Kim looked absolutely stunning Highly-anticipated: It ended with the hashtag #CiaoKim and promoted the upcoming Dolce & Gabbana women's spring-summer 2023 fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on Saturday at 2:30pm CEST Blonde ambition: The campaign comes at an interesting time as Ana de Armas stars as Marilyn Monroe in biopic Blonde which will expand to more theaters on September 23, before premiering on Netflix on September 28 The Marilyn Monroe Collection shared photos of the dress allegedly on display at Ripley's Believe It or Not! on Instagram back on June 13, claiming it now has 'missing crystals' and some were 'left hanging by a thread.' The viral images in question were taken by ChadMichael Morrisette at the museum's Hollywood location on June 12, according to the account run by historian and collector Scott Fortner. 'So much for keeping "the integrity of the dress and the preservation." @ripleysbelieveitornot, was it worth it?' read one caption mocking a statement Ripley's had released about the reality star borrowing the dress. Back in June, Kim was at the center of controversy as a Marilyn Monroe devotee accused her of damaging the iconic nude gown the actress wore to sing 'Happy Birthday' to then-President John F. Kennedy in 1962 when she modeled it at the Met Gala the previous month The Marilyn Monroe Collection shared 'before and after' photos of the dress on display at Ripley's Believe It or Not! to show the alleged damage Kardashian, 41, was loaned the gown by officials at the museum, where the 60-year-old dress has been stored in a temperature-controlled environment since it was bought for a record-breaking $5 million in 2016. 'Great care was taken to preserve this piece of pop culture history,' Ripley's said in May. 'With input from garment conservationists, appraisers, and archivists, the garments condition was top priority. Believe It or Not! no alterations were to be made to the dress and Kim even changed into a replica after the red carpet!' Hundreds of fans took to the comments to point out the alleged damage in the 'before and after' photos shared by the Marilyn Monroe Collection, though there was no way to confirm the validity of the images. 'Missing so many crystals and those tears,' one person wrote. 'What a disaster!!' The viral images in question were allegedly taken by ChadMichael Morrisette at the museum's Hollywood location on June 12 The account, which is run by historian and collector Scott Fortner, claimed the gown had 'missing crystals' and some were 'left hanging by a thread' Images shared by Fortner claim to show the dress with several crystals missing from the back of the design 'Not only the stretching around the zipper, but if you look at the upper-ish left side, there are several crystals missing!' another added. 'Damage has been done, and it cant be fixed,' someone else griped. 'The fabric is torn. Imagine what could have happened to it if Kim had worn the dress even longer. Im so sad to see this.' DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Kardashian and Ripley's Believe It or Not! for comment. Kardashian was the first person to don the gown since it was worn by Monroe in 1962. She admitted she lost 16 pounds in three weeks to fit into the dress, but she was still unable to zip it. Advertisement Heidi Klum embraced a recurring theme on Thursday evening as she joined close friend Alessandra Ambrosio on the front row at Moschino's Milan Fashion Week preview. Just two days after opting to go braless on the first day of this biannual event, the German supermodel once again binned the bra while attending the latest catwalk show to take place in Italy's fashion mecca. Klum, 49, showed off her cleavage in a plunging sleeveless jumpsuit with a kick-flare detail as she posed for photos ahead of the Milan based fashion label's show. Hard to miss: Heidi Klum (L) embraced a recurring theme on Thursday evening as she joined close friend Alessandra Ambrosio (R) on the front row at Moschino's Milan Fashion Week show She added to her distinctive look with a pair of lilac heels, while a black leather handbag served as her only accessory as she made her way inside. Joining the supermodel, Victoria's Secret Angel Alessandra Ambrosio, 41, caught the eye in a vibrant multi-patterned crop top and jacket, teamed with a matching miniskirt. With vibrancy and colour top of the agenda among many of Thursday's guests, she completed her look with mismatched red strappy heels and a neon green handbag. Don't mind me: The German supermodel once again binned the bra while attending the latest catwalk show to take place in Italy's fashion mecca Previously: Klum also went braless while attending the ABOUT YOU fashion show with daughter Leni in Milan on Tuesday evening Looking good: Klum showed off her cleavage in a plunging sleeveless jumpsuit with a kick-flare detail as she posed for photos ahead of the Milan based fashion label's show In good company: (L-R) Chiara Ferragni, Heidi Klum and Alessandra Ambrosio at the Moschino show in Milan on Thursday evening Milan Fashion Week was first established in 1958, is part of the global Big Four, the others being Paris Fashion Week, London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week. The show welcomes 30,000 visitors and hosts over 40 shows each season. This year will see the likes of Gucci, Prada and Versace unveil their latest collections. Klum recently promised her fans will be left speechless when they see her Halloween costume this year, with the star claiming it is her 'most expected' look to date. Upbeat: The three friends were in high spirits as they made their way into the exclusive event Good times: Klum laughed and joked with Brazilian model Alessandra ahead of the show Striking: Victoria's Secret Angel Ambrosio caught the eye in a vibrant multi-patterned crop top and jacket, teamed with a matching miniskirt Fancy meeting you here: Ambrosio and her model friend greeted one another with a hug Say cheese: Statuesque Klum also posed for a photo alongside Jeremy Scott as they took their seats at the event The fashion icon has long been dubbed the 'Queen of Halloween' thanks to the many incredible outfits she's worn for her annual party over the years. Speaking to DailyMail.com at the Daily Front Row Fashion Media Awards shortly before flying to Milan, the Making The Cut star stated: 'I wrack my brain about my Halloween costume every time because I don't want to do things that are possibly expected. 'I think what I'm doing this year is one of the most unexpected... not something anyone would think of. People are going to be left saying "Whattttt?"' As for a hint as to what she would be wearing, the mother-of-four simply teased: 'I'm going to be very claustrophobic in my outfit' Make way: J. Balvin opted for a loose fitting black outfit ahead of the Moschino show in Milan All set: Klum and Ambrosio greeted photographers after taking to their front row seats on Thursday evening Here we go: Models were seen walking the runway as the Moschino show got underway All at sea: Some of the outfits on display raised eyebrows during Moschino's latest show Interesting: Moschino brought a touch of the absurd to proceedings in Milan on Thursday Party time: One model wore a rather flammable looking inflatable and accompanying bag She has taken acting roles sparingly in recent years as she focused on her personal life by marrying Cooke Maroney and welcoming their first child in February of this year. And Jennifer Lawrence looked in her element as she was seen on set. The 32-year-old two-time Oscar winner was seen for the first time filming No Hard Feelings in Long Island, New York on Tuesday. Back in the saddle: Jennifer Lawrence was seen for the first time filming No Hard Feelings in Long Island, New York on Tuesday Good times: She was not alone as she was joined by Saturday Night Live alum Kyle Mooney as they shared a laugh while filming a scene of the upcoming comedy film on the doorstep of a home She was not alone as she was joined by Saturday Night Live alum Kyle Mooney as they shared a laugh while filming a scene of the upcoming comedy film on the doorstep of a home. Jennifer put on a leggy display in a pair of tiny grey running shorts along with a matching crewneck sweater. She added a pop of color in the form of red Adidas slide sandals. Pin parade: Jennifer put on a leggy display in a pair of tiny grey running shorts along with a matching crewneck sweater Ambition: Her blonde locks were worn down in a middle-part which looked like waves which flowed over her shoulders Beauty: She showcased her natural looks by wearing minimal make-up Her blonde locks were worn down in a middle-part which looked like waves which flowed over her shoulders as she showcased her natural looks by wearing minimal make-up. The scene turned intense as Kyle handed Jennifer a stack of documents leading Jennifer to yell at him. The comedian then walked away looking dejected with his hand on his navy blue messenger bag. Uh oh: The scene turned intense as Kyle handed Jennifer a stack of documents leading Jennifer to yell at him Goodbye son: The comedian then walked away looking dejected with his hand on his navy blue messenger bag Kyle was dressed comfortably in a white polo with grey shorts and matching Birkenstock double-strap sandals. This is his first major role since departing SNL after nine-seasons on the variety program earlier this year. Not much is known about the film other than Sony touting it as an 'R-rated comedy with a heart' but it was written and directed by Gene Stupinitsky who is best known for writing 2019 flick Good Boys and serving as producer for highly-popular sitcom The Office. Moving on: This is his first major role since departing SNL after nine-seasons on the variety program earlier this year Hilarious: Not much is known about the film other than Sony touting it as an 'R-rated comedy with a heart' but it was written and directed by Gene Stupinitsky who is best known for writing 2019 flick Good Boys and serving as producer for highly-popular sitcom The Office John Phillips - who previously wrote and produced 2016's Dirty Grandpa - co-wrote the script alongside Gene for the film tentatively set for release in 2023. No Hard Feelings will also star Hasan Minhaj, Alysia Joy Powell, and Andrew Barth Feldman. Jennifer jumped back into her passion for acting after welcoming her first child - a son named Cy - earlier this year, whom she shares with husband, Cooke Maroney. She starred in the psychological drama feature, Causeway, which premiered earlier this month at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. Collaborator: She starred in the psychological drama feature, Causeway, which premiered earlier this month at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival (pictured on September 10) The movie is centered on a soldier who attempts to adjust to civilian life after suffering a brain injury during a tour of duty in Afghanistan. In addition to Jennifer, the movie stars Brian Tyree Henry, Stephen McKinley Henderson and Linda Emond, among others. The movie will be released both in theaters and on the Apple TV+ streaming service on November 4. The second episode of The Kardashians season two promises to be full of major events and drama. A teaser was released on Thursday for the upcoming episode as it showed Kim, 41, wearing that iconic Marilyn Monroe dress ahead of her now iconic-up the pink stairs at the Met Gala in May. It also showed Khloe, 38, having anxiety over making her debut at the annual event which is seen as the biggest night in fashion. Happy birthday: A teaser was released for The Kardashians season two episode two on Thursday for the upcoming episode as it showed Kim, 41, wearing that iconic Marilyn Monroe dress ahead of her now iconic-up the pink stairs at the Met Gala in May Understandable: It also showed Khloe, 38, having anxiety over making her debut at the annual event which is seen as the biggest night in fashion The trailer began with Kris Jenner, 66, saying: 'It is show time. We always have so much going on. We're going to the Met.' Then it shows Kim doing a photoshoot in the iconic nude gown the actress wore to sing 'Happy Birthday' to then-President John F. Kennedy in 1962. It then cut to Khloe telling her sisters at a lunch about how much worry and fear she had ahead of the star-studded event as she said: 'Going on a red carpet gives me the most anxiety.' The trailer began with Kris Jenner, 66, saying: 'It is show time. We always have so much going on. We're going to the Met' What a rental: Then it shows Kim doing a photoshoot in the iconic nude gown the actress wore to sing 'Happy Birthday' to then-President John F. Kennedy in 1962 It then cut to Khloe telling her sisters at a lunch about how much worry and fear she had ahead of the star-studded event as she said: 'Going on a red carpet gives me the most anxiety' Kim quickly turned the conversation toward herself as she retorted: 'They are my dream come true' Kim quickly turned the conversation toward herself as she retorted: 'They are my dream come true.' There were also shots of eldest sister Kourtney, 43, preparing to marry Travis Barker, 46, in Italy as the ceremony happened later that month in addition to scenes from other family events. Kourtney and Travis married for a third time in front of friends and family in Portofino, Italy on May 22. What a moment: There were also shots of eldest sister Kourtney, 43, preparing to marry Travis Barker, 46, in Italy as the ceremony happened later that month in addition to scenes from other family events Til death do us part: Kourtney and Travis married for a third time in front of friends and family in Portofino, Italy on May 22 Kris continued by saying: 'These are the days that mean the most to me' Kylie Jenner, 25, who welcomed a second child months earlier added: 'Those memories, I just feel so blessed' Kris continued by saying: 'These are the days that mean the most to me.' Kylie Jenner, 25, who welcomed a second child months earlier added: 'Those memories, I just feel so blessed.' The clip ends with a humorous exchange between Scott Disick, 39, and Kendall Jenner, 26. Scott made quite the proposition to her as he said: 'I know that we've done some pretty crazy stuff together, would you go to space?' The clip ends with a humorous exchange between Scott Disick, 39, and Kendall Jenner, 26 as he asked: 'I know that we've done some pretty crazy stuff together, would you go to space?' Kendall was not very interested as she replied: 'I'm happy here' Kendall was not very interested as she replied: 'I'm happy here.' Then the father-of-three had a funny response as he said: 'You're not landing in Mars and having lunch.' The Kardashians season 2 streams Thursdays on Hulu. Erika Jayne was in high spirts on Wednesday after it was reported that she had been dismissed from a lawsuit. Late last week, the 51-year-old Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star was removed as a defendant from a suit originally filed against her and her estranged husband Tom Girardi, 83, according to Southern California's City News Service. The couple were being sued over attorneys' fees that Girardi's law firm alleged failed to pay to a team of lawyers that worked together with it on a case. In the clear: Erika Jayne, 51, was dismissed from a lawsuit originally filed against her and her estranged husband Tom Girardi late last week; pictured in May Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard L. Fruin had previously ruled in late August that Jayne should be removed as a defendant, but on Friday he signed a judgment affirming that ruling. He determined in the course of the lawsuit that the reality star had no 'actual knowledge' of Giradi's firm's alleged wrongdoing. The day before the judge signed his order dismissing Jayne, the plaintiffs also dropped complaints against her company EJ Global LLC On Instagram on Wednesday, she posted a screenshot of the Los Angeles Magazine article about the dismissal, captioning it, 'Another one [celebrating emoji].' Gloating: Erika wrote 'Another one' on Wednesday as she shared a screenshot of a Los Angeles Magazine article about the dismissal Of the hook: Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard L. Fruin had previously ruled in late August that Jayne should be removed as a defendant, but on Friday he signed a judgment affirming that ruling; she is seen on Wednesday, the day of her post, at a friend's house in LA The case was originally brought by the attorneys Philip R. Sheldon and Robert P. Finn and their law firms. They claim that Girardi and his law firm Girardi & Keese owe them attorneys' fees from collaborative work. Sheldon and Finn worked together with Girardi & Keese in 2008 and 2009 on personal injuries lawsuits alleging that the plaintiffs were exposed to dangerous chemicals from cement manufacturing plants. Sheldon, Finn and Girardi & Keese allegedly had agreements with the plaintiffs in writing that their firms would share attorneys' fees. After the original lawsuit was settled for $31 million, Sheldon and Finn claim that Girardi & Keese never gave them their share of the attorneys' fees. The attorneys took Girardi and Jayne to court in December 2020 for $900,000 in damages, as well as punitive damages. Missing out: Attorneys Philip R. Sheldon and Robert P. Finn claim Tom Girardi's firm agreed to split attorneys' fees with them on a case, but after it was settled for $31 million, they say they were never paid their share; Erika and Tom seen on RHOBH However, a sticking point with Jayne's attorneys was whether the alleged agreement to split the fees was put into writing, or if it was merely a verbal agreement. They claimed that Sheldon and Finn's suit doesn't clarify the nature of the agreement. In court filings, Jayne's attorneys defended her, noting that she is not an attorney and therefore claiming that she did not work with her ex on the case. They also claimed that she knew nothing of the original case, and added that her career in music and reality television wouldn't have given her knowledge or experience with the subject. 'I was completely unaware of, did not participate in and did not provide any assistance of any nature regarding any conduct or scheme by anyone including Girardi & Keese and Tom Girardi with the object or goal of harming plaintiffs or depriving plaintiffs of money that plaintiffs claimed was due to them,' read a statement Jayne gave under oath in a motion for dismissal. Not involved: Erika's lawyers said she is not an attorney and never worked with Tom on the case as a justification for dismissing her; seen in 2017 Jayne has repeatedly defended herself and denied knowledge of Girardi's potential wrongdoings. She has been involved in significant litigation related to claims that Girardi allegedly schemed to bilk the families of the victims of the 2018 Lion Air plane crash in Indonesia out of millions of dollars that were owed to them. Another lawsuit against Erika previously claimed that her company EJ Global 'was created for the purpose of funneling money from [Tom Girardi's law firm] Girardi Keese to benefit Erika.' The songstress has been required to return some of the pricy gifts that her estranged husband gave her in order to help compensate victims of the crash. However, she has continued to defend herself and claims to have been uninvolved and unaware of her then-husband's alleged misdeeds. Advertisement Under-fire Phillip Schofield cut a downcast figure on an evening out with his daughter amid the fallout from the royal queue storm. The presenter, 60, looked tired and dejected in his first off-screen public appearance since he and This Morning co-star Holly Willoughby were accused of bypassing the 13-hour line waiting to see the Queen lying in state. Dressed smartly in a grey jumper, jeans and a black jumper, Schofield appeared to be deep in conversation with his daughter Molly, 29, and her boyfriend Will Grieveson as they visited Little Bird restaurant near his west London home. Out and about: Under-fire Phillip Schofield cut a downcast figure on an evening out with his daughter on Wednesday amid the fallout from the royal queue storm They dined at the restaurant until 11pm on Wednesday, with waiters seemingly staying behind to serve them. The staff were seen cleaning tables and packing things away while Schofield, 60, and his daughter carried on eating and drinking, said a witness. Five minutes after they left, staff were also seen heading home. Maybe they didnt wanted to rush Phil. Feeling blue: The presenter looked tired and dejected in his first off-screen public appearance since he and This Morning co-star Holly Willoughby were accused of bypassing the 13-hour line waiting to see the Queen lying in state Catching up: Dressed smartly in a grey jumper, jeans and a black jumper, Schofield appeared to be deep in conversation with his daughter Molly and her boyfriend Will Grieveson as they visited a restaurant near his west London home Under fire: Former This Morning host Eamonn Holmes yesterday labelled Miss Willoughby and Schofield arrogant. Pictured: A segment from the This Morning piece that Holly and Phil were working on in a professional capacity, according to ITV The topic of the dinner conversation could well have been queue-gate as Molly is a talent manager at showbusiness agency YMU, who have represented Schofield for more than two decades. She also manages stars such as Davina McCall and Rochelle Humes. The following morning, Schofield was once again back on screen with Miss Willoughby, 41, his co-star on the ITV daytime show for 13 years. Late night feast: They dined at the restaurant until 11pm on Wednesday, with waiters seemingly staying behind to serve them PR control? The topic of the dinner conversation could well have been queue-gate as Molly is a talent manager at showbusiness agency YMU, who have represented Schofield for more than two decades The presenters used press accreditation to visit Westminster Hall last week while other stars, including David Beckham and Susanna Reid, waited for hours with the public. ITV insist that neither Schofield nor Miss Willoughby jumped the queue and that they were there in a professional capacity as part of the worlds media to report on the event. The pair addressed the allegations in a pre-recorded an 11-minute segment which was shown on This Morning on Tuesday, with Miss Willoughby saying: We would never have jumped the queue. Plenty to talk about: The trio were enjoying catching up with a lengthy dinner date amid fury over Phil's Queuegate scandal Dinner date: The staff were seen cleaning tables and packing things away while Schofield, 60, and his daughter carried on eating and drinking, said a witness A petition to axe the presenters from This Morning has reached more than 62,000 signatures and the row has said to have left Miss Willoughby in tears. She recently launched a lifestyle brand and has a 1million deal with Marks & Spencer. Her representatives are understood to be deeply concerned about how her girl next door reputation is being tarnished. A source said: Brand Holly was a triumph, everyone loved her, her fanbase was extraordinary but the tide has turned. VIP line: The presenters used press accreditation to visit Westminster Hall last week while other stars, including David Beckham and Susanna Reid, waited for hours with the public If you look at some of the comments out there, her popularity is falling through the floor. Holly will be furious. She has worked hard for this but there are many close to her who think that this has been an absolute PR disaster. Former This Morning host Eamonn Holmes yesterday labelled Miss Willoughby and Schofield arrogant. The presenter, who had a long-running feud with Schofield while they were both at ITV, added: Lets just tell the truth about the whole thing. 'They messed up, and instead of being arrogant and saying, "We were there working as journalists," why dont they just say, "Yeah, we thought it would be a good idea."' The Project host Carrie Bickmore looked like a woman half her age as she hit the beach in a brightly coloured bikini last weekend. The mother of three spent quality time with her children and partner Chris Walker, and later shared photos from the sunny excursion on Instagram. The Gold Logie winner, 41, showcased her flawless figure in a floral two-piece. The Project host Carrie Bickmore (pictured with daughter Adelaide) looked like a woman half her age as she hit the beach in a brightly coloured bikini last weekend She completed her look with stylish sunglasses and a tan fedora. In the caption, Carrie said she 'got a taste of summer this weekend and it was good'. It didn't take long for her Instagram followers to compliment her amazing photos. The Gold Logie winner, 41, showcased her flawless figure in the floral two-piece One fan gushed she was 'looking so good', while another said it seemed like she was having 'fun in the sun'. Carrie made headlines earlier this month after an embarrassing detail was discovered in her 20-year-old FHM magazine shoot, which had been unearthed by her colleagues at the Hit Network. She had stripped down for the lads' mag back in 2002 when the publication's readers voted her the 98th hottest woman in Australia. The mother of three spent quality time with her children and partner Chris Walker, and later shared photos from the sunny excursion on Instagram. (Pictured: Carrie with son Oliver, right, and daughters Evie, left, and Adelaide, second from right) Carrie was 21 and just starting her career as a newsreader at Nova FM when she posed in a black bra and silver earrings. But despite being voted one of the most attractive women in the country, the now-defunct magazine couldn't even get her name right. Her name was misspelled 'Carrie Brickmore'. The photo showed the future Gold Logie winner staring seductively at the camera while lying on a bearskin rug, which she said was 'so uncomfortable'. Carrie made headlines earlier this month after an embarrassing detail was discovered in her 20-year-old FHM magazine shoot, which had been unearthed by her colleagues at Hit FM Stella Maxwell was spotted in West Hollywood earlier on Thursday as she arrived at a local gym. The former Victoria's Secret Angel, 32, kept her look stylishly casual in a printed cropped top and sweatpants as she strolled under the California sunshine. The beauty recently showcased her runway skills as she walked for brands such as Carolina Herrera during New York Fashion Week earlier this month in September. Stylish: Stella Maxwell, 32, showed off her casual workout fashion as she headed to a gym in West Hollywood earlier on Thursday The Max Factor model donned a black, short-sleeved cropped top that had video game symbols printed on the front. She paired the top with comfortable, low-waisted black sweatpants that showcased her toned midriff. Stella slipped into a pair of classic black Adidas sneakers to complete her overall workout ensemble for the day. Busy: The talented model has been on-the-go and recently walked for luxury brands during New York Fashion Week earlier this month in September The Vogue model had a black purse slung over her right shoulder and held her phone in her hand as she quickly walked through the parking lot. Stella's blonde hair was pulled back into a tight, sleek ponytail to keep any loose strands from falling into her face during her fitness session. The stunning star accessorized her midday look by adding a gold necklace with a pendant along with small earrings. She threw on a pair of rectangular-shaped sunglasses to protect her eyes from the hot sun. Casual: The Vogue model kept her look simple and comfortable as she made her way to a gym in West Hollywood Runway ready: Stella had the chance to show off her runway skills during New York Fashion Week; seen in NYC earlier this month in September walking for Carolina Herrera Stella was scouted as a model when she was attending university in New Zealand. During a past interview with The Advocate, she explained that she originally had no intentions of pursuing modeling. 'I thought about being a ballerina,' she explained, adding a few other aspirations she had. 'Then I was obsessed with the idea of doing voice-over for animations, then a doctor.' Since being discovered, the fashion model has worked with numerous brands over the years, such as Marc Jacobs, Chanel, and Fendi. When talking to Elle, Stella expressed that one of the best things about her modeling experience was the close friendships she has made over the years. 'I've been blessed with the coolest job in the world. Outside of work, I still have the same friends I've had for years. But because I travel so much, I meet new people every day, and I'm just as open to new friends as I was before I started working,' she stated to the fashion publication. Stunning: Stella recently traveled overseas to attend the Venice Film Festival for the premiere of L'immensita at the beginning of September Close friends: Stella was pictured with her friend and fellow fashion model, Irina Shayk, that she met while working in the modeling industry together 'At this point, I have a group of friends in every city where I work, and so I always try to make time to see them and catch up with them, because it's part of why my job's so great,' Stella added. The fashion model recently joined forces and signed with IMG Models last year, which is one of the world's leading modeling agencies. The Belgium-born beauty was in a previous relationship with Twilight alum, Kristen Stewart, from 2016 to 2018, and briefly again in 2019. She also was in a short-term relationship with former Disney channel star, Miley Cyrus, in 2015. UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United States and its allies plan to ramp up criticism of Russia for its war in Ukraine on Thursday and press other countries to join in their forceful condemnations of the conflict. A day after President Joe Biden assailed Russian leader Vladimir Putin for what he called egregious violations of the U.N. Charter and international law, the U.S. will make the case at the U.N. Security Council that Russia should face further censure and isolation for its invasion, senior U.S. officials said. The officials said Secretary of State Antony Blinken will confront his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov at a council meeting with a litany of allegations of war crimes and other atrocities and call on countries that have yet to speak out forcefully against them as an affront to international order. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to preview what they expect will be a 15-minute presentation by Blinken. One official said Blinken would lay out what the Biden administration believes is a compelling case that the war has not only caused massive destruction to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people but exacerbated multiple other global crises, including potential famines and energy shortages, as well as distracted from efforts to improve international health, combat climate change and reduce poverty. The official said Blinken will point to recent developments, including Russias mobilization of new troops, threats to use nuclear weapons and new efforts to annex parts of Ukraine. Blinken will also say that Security Council has a "special responsibility" and obligation to speak out against actions that threaten its credibility and relevance as the U.N.s most powerful body, the official said. Despite the campaign, however, the official said Blinken was under no illusion that the council would act against Russia, given its veto power as a permanent member. Instead, the official said the aim is to convince other members to impress upon Moscow the global damage that the war is causing and demand that it end. A mural by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra, focusing attention on climate change and stewardship of the planet is displayed outside the United Nations headquarters ahead of the General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) On Wednesday, Ukraines president laid out a detailed case against Russias invasion at the United Nations and demanded punishment from world leaders in a speech delivered just hours after Moscow made an extraordinary announcement that it would mobilize some reservists for the war effort. Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed in a video address to world leaders that his forces would not stop until they had reclaimed all of Ukraine. "We can return the Ukrainian flag to our entire territory. We can do it with the force of arms," Zelenskyy said. "But we need time." ___ For more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly 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 'Lipstick king' back, jumpstarts online sales (China Daily) 09:26, September 22, 2022 Li Jiaqi promotes products during a livestream session. [Gao Erqiang/China Daily] After being absent from the public eye for over three months, Li Jiaqi, a top livestreaming host also known as the "lipstick king", returned to e-commerce behemoth Alibaba Group's livestreaming platform on Tuesday, which industry experts said is expected to bolster online consumption and intensify competition in the burgeoning e-commerce livestreaming segment. Li's livestreaming session on Taobao Live, which kicked off at 7 pm, attracted 150,000 viewers in the first 10 minutes and this figure surpassed 22 million by 8 pm. He showcased a number of commodities like cosmetics, skincare products, apparel and other household goods during the two-hour livestreaming session, with viewer numbers ultimately numbering 62.31 million. Most of the products Li promoted sold out immediately as viewers flooded the screen with comments welcoming him back, while the top livestreaming sales influencer repeatedly asked his audience to "shop rationally". Experts said the landscape of Chinese e-commerce livestreaming industry had begun changing during Li's absence. Dong Yuhui, a 29-year-old livestreamer from education training company New Oriental, has become a big hit by selling agricultural products in both Chinese and English through livestreaming. He quickly garnered over 20 million followers within just 20 days in June. Oriental Selection, the livestreaming channel of New Oriental on short video platform Douyin, had raked in over 300 million yuan ($42.6 million) during this year's June 18 shopping carnival, which ran from June 1 to 18. "Livestreaming has become a key method widely adopted by consumer brands to retain existing users, attract new ones and boost sales revenue," said Cui Lili, director of the Institute of E-commerce at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. A batch of new anchors represented by Dong from New Oriental, which features a refreshing style that combines disseminating knowledge and selling goods at the same time, has gained increasing popularity among the younger generation and is expected to break the monopoly of one or two top-notch influencers in the e-commerce livestreaming sector, Cui said. According to market consultancy iiMedia research, the revenue of China's e-commerce livestreaming sector amounted to 1.2 trillion yuan in 2021, up 25 percent year-on-year, and the figure is projected to reach 2.1 trillion yuan in 2025. Mo Daiqing, a senior analyst at the Internet Economy Institute, said Li's comeback on his livestreaming channel might be a test for the upcoming "Double-11"the Singles Day shopping festival on Nov 11. "No one wants to miss the biggest annual promotion campaign initiated by e-commerce platforms," Mo said, adding that given Li's popularity among consumers, his return will boost sales on Alibaba's online marketplaces. Competition in the livestreaming e-commerce sector is set to intensify as an increasing number of brands and merchants are flocking to livestreaming rooms of short video platforms including Douyin, Kuaishou and Xiaohongshua lifestyle-focused social networking site, she said. Online retailers should make strategic adjustments to reduce their dependence on top livestreaming anchors and support new anchors, she added. Moreover, more and more brands are aggressively moving toward starting their own livestreaming activities. (Web editor: Liang Jun, Du Mingming) Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch on Wednesday said that the markets regulator is working on an Asba-like facility for secondary market transactions. (PTI) Mumbai: In a move that could change the revenue model of brokers and exchanges, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch on Wednesday said that the markets regulator is working on an Asba-like facility for secondary market transactions. Experts pointed out that the primary revenue for brokers and exchanges has been the float money lying with them and implementing any Asba-like structure could force them to start charging brokerage again. In the Application Supported by Blocked Amount (Asba) system, money from a primary market applicant's account is deducted on allocation of shares in an IPO. Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest here, Buch said in an initial public offering (IPO), the Asba system helps ensure that money from an investor gets moved only when an allotment happens. We are now actively engaged in looking at Asba-like (facility) for the secondary market. So if that can be done for the primary market, why can't it be done for the secondary market? Buch windered. Such an instrument for the secondary market will remove structural vulnerabilities, said Buch. If your business model is such that it is going to increase concentration risk or structural vulnerability, chances are that sooner or later the regulator will move to eliminate, she said. Dhirendra Kumar, founder and CEO of Value Research, a mutual fund and other investment research firm, said, "Many brokers have run away with investors money in the recent past. If investors do not have to pay money till they get the shares, then buying shares will become safer. This has the potential to change the brokerage industry completely. Maybe brokers will have to start charging brokerage again." Calls and text messages to discount brokerages Zerodha and ICICI Direct remained unanswered. J.N. Gupta, former executive director, Sebi, said, "Any measure for protecting investors is always a good move. However we will have to wait till the contours are known." Referring to algo trading, Buch said that any business model that relies on a black box not open to sunlight, where its offering or claims cannot be audited or validated, will not be permitted. "Sebi is not against algo trading, but certain principles must be followed to makes the process transparent," she said. If algos claim they can deliver 350 per cent return, they must be able to simulate it in an independent arrangement so that Sebi can validate. It cannot be a black box not open to sunlight to sanitise it." Elaborating on how the Sebi is working to narrow down the regulatory gap, Buch shared principles that could help fintech entities get the regulatory go-ahead. First of all, she said, financial technology companies (fintech) must not play on anonymity nor they build barriers for investors or customers. Sounding tough, she also said since data is a public infrastructure or a public good, any attempt by any private party to own it or monetise it, will not be permitted. Startups, she said, should build themselves on public infrastructure like Aadhaar and make best use of them to build business models. New Delhi: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday, met with many Muslim intellectuals including Chief Imam, Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi. As per sources close to RSS, issues like the Hijab controversy, Gyanvapi and maintenance of peace and harmony among religions were discussed in the meeting. Other than Bhagwat, senior RSS members including Dr Krishna Gopal, Indresh Kumar, Ramlal and Karish Kumar also participated in today's meeting. Sunil Ambekar, the Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of RSS told ANI that the meeting was a part of the 'Samvad' process. "RSS Sarsanghachalak meets people from all walks of life. It's the part of a continuous general "Samvad" process," Ambekar said. The controversy over Hijab erupted from Karnataka college and is currently being heard in Supreme Court. It also came up in the findings of intelligence agencies that PFI was behind triggering the controversy. After the controversy erupted regarding Gyanvapi also, the RSS Chief met with Muslim intellectuals and academicians. Earlier on Tuesday, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat met with many Muslim intellectuals and discussed recent controversies and ways to strengthen religious inclusivity in the country. As per the sources close to RSS, the meeting was held for propagating the ideas of Sangh and for promoting the theme of religious inclusivity. Recent incidents like the Gyanvapi controversy, the Hijab controversy, and population control were discussed in the meeting. The meeting was attended by many intellectuals like former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S Y Qureshi, former Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung, former Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Lieutenant General Zameer Uddin Shah, former MP Shahid Siddiqui and businessman Saeed Shervani. Earlier, during the time of Ram Mandir's judgment as well, RSS had got active. The senior RSS members met with Muslim intellectuals and propagated the message that whatever order comes out, everybody will be accepting it peacefully. Similarly, Bhagwat's meeting with Arshad Madani back in 2019 also grabbed eyeballs. RSS has always specified that nationalism should be in everyone's heart irrespective of one's religious leaning. Tamil Nadu news roundup: A quick summary of most important developments in Tamil Nadu EPS group reaches affidavits of GC members to ECI Chennai: The day after landing in Chennai from New Delhi, AIADMK MP and prominent leader of the Edappadi K Palaniswami faction, C Ve Shanmugham, took a flight to the national capital on Wednesday carrying the original affidavits signed by 2,550 general council members of the party for submitting the documents to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Shanmugham was part of the delegation led by Palaniswami that visited the ECI in a bid to prove to the election authorities that 2,550 of 2,661 GC members had sworn their support to them and that they were the real AIADMK. But with the ECI officials asking them to submit proof of their claim that they enjoyed overwhelming support of the members when GC met on July 11 to elect Palaniswami as the interim general secretary, Shanmugham had to go back again with the necessary evidence. In the affidavits, the GC members had sworn their total support to Palaniswami stating that they elected him as the interim secretary of their free will. The exercise was aimed at countering the charge of the rival faction, led by O Panneerselvam, that the election was not held properly and that Palaniswami did not enjoy the overwhelming support of the General Council as claimed by him. Externment provision invoked against 5 in discrimination case Tirunelveli: The externment provision in the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act was invoked against five persons accused in the case of a caste Hindu shopkeeper refusing to sell candies to some school children belonging to the scheduled caste community. The case of untouchability came to light four days ago after the video of a petty shop owner, Maheswaran, denying candies to a few schoolkids at Panchakulam village in Tenkasi district became viral. Following this, the Karivalamvanthanallur police registered a case under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and under section 153 of IPC and 133(1) of CrPC against the five accused. Till date, the police arrested Maheshwaran, Ramachandran alias Moorthy and Kumar and are on the lookout for two more accused, Sutha and Murugan. Against this backdrop, the Tirunelveli district SC/ST court invoked the externment provision of the SC/ST Act against the five accused and ordered prevention of entry of all the accused into Panchakulam village for next six months from September 20. The order of externment was invoked on the plea of the Tenkasi district police against the accused due to the ability of the accused to affect the harmony of Panchakulam village by criminal activity, as exhibited by their prior conduct. BJP state chief Somu Veerraju wondered how the NTR university of health sciences could be named after former CM, late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. (DC Image) VIJAYAWADA: BJP state president Somu Veerraju slammed the YSR Congress government for renaming the NTR university of health sciences after former chief minister late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy by passing an amendment bill in the legislature. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the BJP state chief recalled the efforts of former chief minister late N.T. Rama Rao to bring all medical colleges in the undivided Andhra Pradesh under one umbrella by setting up a university for better governance. He wondered how the NTR university of health sciences could be named after Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy and asked as to when did Rajasekhar Reddy join the YSRC. He wanted Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to give clarity on the issue. Referring to the statements of minister for water resources Ambati Rambabu on setting up several government medical colleges in the state in the Assembly, the BJP senior leader flayed him and said that it was the Centre which sanctioned one medical college for each district in the state. Tata Group took back control of Air India and its low-cost international arm, Air India Express from the government in January this year. (Photo: ANI) MUMBAI: The Tata Group has started an exercise to evaluate options to consolidate AirAsia India and Vistara under Air India to bring operational synergies among the three airlines under its umbrella, sources said. Air India, which the group had taken control of in January after winning the bid to acquire the national carrier for Rs 18,000 crore in October last year, has set up a team under its Director of Operations, R.S. Sandhu, sources familiar with the development said. The team will evaluate synergies in operations between Air India Express and AirAsia India as well as between Air India and Vistara, they said. "Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson has set up this team, which will look into synergy between Air India Express and AirAsia India and also between Air India and Vistara and how to achieve the merger," a source said. The team has been asked to submit its plan within one year, the source added. It is understood that the plan is to achieve consolidation of AirAsia India into Air India Express over a one year period, while also targeting to bring all of the group's airlines businesses under the Air India umbrella by 2024. An e-mailed query to Tata Sons seeking comments remained unanswered. Tata Group took back control of Air India and its low-cost international arm, Air India Express from the government in January this year. Besides, it holds a majority 83.67 per cent stake in domestic budget carrier AirAsia India, which started flying in June 2014, while the remaining 16.33 per cent is with the Malaysian airliners group AirAsia. The group is looking to acquire the remaining stake in AirAsia India from AirAsia Group. In Vistara, Tata Sons' holding stands at 51 per cent and the rest 49 per cent is with Singapore Airlines. The full service carrier had started services from January 2015. VARANASI: The Varanasi district court on Thursday admitted a plea for carbon-dating of a "Shivling" claimed to have been found inside the Gyanvapi mosque complex here and asked the mosque management to file its objections by the next date of hearing. Judge A K Vishesh fixed September 29 as the next date of hearing in the matter involving the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri dispute. The court resumed hearing in the matter on Thursday, after rejecting a plea questioning the maintainability of the petition on September 12. The petition seeks the court's permission for worshipping the idols of the Hindu deities located on an outer wall of the mosque on a daily basis. Appearing on behalf of the plaintiff women, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain placed the demand for carbon-dating of the "Shivling" before the court. The judge allowed the plea and fixed September 29 as the next date of hearing in the matter, district government advocate Rana Sanjeev Singh said. The court did not entertain the Muslim side's plea for fixing the next hearing eight weeks after the last date of hearing in the matter on September 12, he added. The Hindu side had earlier claimed that the "Shivling" was found close to the "wazookhana" -- a small reservoir used by Muslims to perform ritual ablutions before offering namaz -- on the mosque premises. The mosque management had, however, said it was part of the fountain system of the "wazookhana". A total of 15 people had submitted applications in the court to become parties to the dispute. The judge said the applications of only eight people, who were present before the court, will be considered, Singh said. Five women have filed the petition, seeking permission to worship the idols of the Hindu deities claimed to be located on an outer wall of the mosque on a daily basis. The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee has said the mosque is a Waqf property. It had earlier questioned the maintainability of the plea. The committee looks after the affairs of the mosque. The mosque is located next to the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple and the case revived claims that the mosque was built on a portion of the Hindu structure demolished on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The Supreme Court had directed the district court to first decide on the maintainability of the case filed by the five Hindu women, seeking permission to offer daily prayers before the idols of Shringar Gauri. The mosque committee had approached the apex court, arguing that their plea was not maintainable as the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 mandated that the character of such places should remain as it was at the time of independence. The 1991 law made an exemption only for the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute. HYDERABAD: An unusual bonhomie was witnessed between Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka in the Assembly on Monday. This happened during the short discussion on Central Electricity Bill Ramifications which caught not just members of the ruling TRS but also Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy off-guard. Participating in the debate, Bhatti criticised the BJP-led government at the Centre for imposing power reforms on States, cutting loans of the Telangana state government loans for not opposing power reforms, statements made by Union ministers and BJP leaders on installing double engine governments in all states. He also expressed his partys support to the TRS government's opposition to the Centre on these issues. Bhatti was highly critical of the BJP, thus even though his speech went on for more than half-an-hour, neither the Speaker nor the Treasury benches interrupted him. Bhatti spoke till he finished on his own, as opposed to before when the Speaker would constantly ask him to wrap up while emphasising on the time limit. On his part, the CM mentioned Bhatti seven times in his one-and-a-half-hour response to the debate, complimenting the Congress leader on his remarks. While the discussion was focused on power reforms, Bhatti brought up other issues, including urging the CM to end the current VRAs strike by providing them with a pay scale, passing a resolution requesting that the new Delhi Parliament building be named after Dr B.R. Ambedkar, passing another resolution in the House opposing the Centres power reforms despite the fact that the House already approved a similar resolution in September 2021, and holding the winter session of the Assembly for 15 to 20 days since the ongoing two-day session was not at all sufficient to discuss several issues concerning people. When Bhatti spoke about issues other than power reforms, the Speaker and TRS MLAs and ministers were seen interjecting, but it was the CM who intervened to save Bhatti. The Speaker and TRS MLAs were signalled by the CM and minister of legislative affairs V. Prashanth Reddy to allow him to speak. The CM agreed with all of Bhattis points while pledging to pass the two resolutions that the Congress leader had requested on Tuesday. The CM also pledged to end the VRA strike and organise a 2025 day winter session to consider all matters affecting the people. The relations between CM and Bhatti turned sore after Bhatti was stripped off Leader of Opposition (LoP) status soon after Assembly polls in 2019 after 12 out of 18 Congress MLAs joined the TRS. Later, Bhatti's seat as LoP in the House was allotted to AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, although AIMIM was not given 'principal opposition status'. However, the relations between CM and Bhatti started improving when the Dalit Bandhu scheme was introduced in 2021. The CM invited Bhatti last year to Pragathi Bhavan to obtain his opinions on formulating guidelines for the successful implementation of Dalit Bandhu. This was for the first time that a Congress MLA stepped into Pragathi Bhavan so far. Later, the CM selected Bhatti's constituency Madhira as a pilot project for implementing Dalit Bandhu. The latest incidents in the House on Tuesday once again led to speculations that Bhatti was inching closer to TRS. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said whoever becomes the Congress president should always remember that he represents a set of ideas, a belief system and a vision for the country. Rahul was replying to questions form media persons on the side-lines of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Ernakulam district on Thursday. When asked what advice he would give to the person who occupies the post of president, he said; "Always remember that you are occupying a position which is a historic post. Its a position that defines and has defined a particular view of India, he said. Mr Gandhi said the congress president is not an organisational post. It is an ideological post and it is a belief system. While reiterating that he is not in the race for presidents post, he said any congress leader who wants to fight for the post has the right to contest the organisational elections. Opposition unity Gandhi said it is important for the opposition parties to come together to fight the ideology, financial power and captured institutional power of the BJP-RSS combine. It is important that the opposition has a discussion on the issue to evolve a strategy to fight the BJP, he said. However, the Congress leader said his goal with regards to the Bharat Jodo Yatra was to send out a message to the people of the country that hatred, violence and arrogance that is now visible in the country is not good for India. "Our country has a tradition of humility, non-violence and compassion and that is actually the true India. Apart from fighting the hatred, the other two issues on which we are focussing is the growing disparity between the rich and the poor. It has reached a point of no return. Poor are suffering high prices , unemployment and its an extremely painful time for them and then there are a handful of people who have immense wealth. This contrast is not good for India. When asked about the desertions from Congress including the recent instance in Goa, Mr Gandhi said; `We are fighting a machine that has captured the institutional framework of our country, a machine that has unlimited money, unlimited ability to pressurise, buy out and threaten people." Rahul said the jodo yatra had received overwhelming response in Kerala. the effect of the yatra will be the same irrespective of who is running that state since there is an underlying problem in India. People of the country, especially youth are feeling tremendous pain. On PFI raids My view is that all forms of communalism, all forms of violence, regardless where they come from, are the same and should be combated. There should be zero tolerance towards communalism regardless of where it is coming from. For 20 years, one person has not faced press conference At the press conference, Congress chief spokesperson Jairam Ramesh told journalists that they were asking too many questions and it was time to wind up. He said in a lighter vein that some leaders had not replied to queries in press conferences for more than 20 years, Rahul reminded him;"it's not some leaders but only one leader. I think there is only one leader who has not been subjected to questions at press conferences for the past two decades. No prizes for guessing that he was referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. New Delhi: Congress leader Digvijay Singh is likely to contest for the position of party's national president, sources said on Thursday. As per the sources, Singh will reach Delhi today, where he is likely to meet party interim chief Sonia Gandhi. The process of filing nominations for the post of party chief will begin on September 24 and will continue till September 30. The election is scheduled for October 17 and the counting of votes will take place on October 19. Rahul Gandhi is unlikely to contest the party's presidential elections, the sources said on Tuesday. Congress sources said Rahul Gandhi will not come to Delhi leaving the party's Bharat Jodo Yatra in between during the process of organisational election. The yatra is in Kerala at present and will enter Karnataka on September 29. Earlier, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday amid growing buzz about a contest in the presidential election in the party, while Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also signalled his desire to contest the election to elect a new party chief. General Secretary of AICC, Madhusudan Mistry had said those who want to contest for the post of president will need the signatures of 10 delegates adding that no separate polling booth will be made for party leaders on Bharat Jodo Yatris including Rahul Gandhi. The digital technology currently in use is much more advanced than some of the older analogue technologies we used even 60 years ago. (Representational image: PTI) Canberra: (The Conversation) We all know the routine by heart: Please ensure your seats are in the upright position, tray tables stowed, window shades are up, laptops are stored in the overhead bins and electronic devices are set to flight mode. Now, the first four are reasonable, right? Window shades need to be up so we can see if there's an emergency, such as fire. Tray tables need to be stowed and seats upright so we can get out of the row quickly. Laptops can become projectiles in an emergency, as the seat back pockets are not strong enough to contain them. And mobile phones need to be set to flight mode so they can't cause an emergency for the aeroplane, right? Well, it depends whom you ask. Technology has advanced a great deal Aviation navigation and communication relies on radio services, which have been coordinated to minimise interference since the 1920s. The digital technology currently in use is much more advanced than some of the older analogue technologies we used even 60 years ago. Research has shown personal electronic devices can emit a signal within the same frequency band as the aircraft's communications and navigation systems, creating what is known as electromagnetic interference. But in 1992, the US Federal Aviation Authority and Boeing, in an independent study, investigated the use of electronic devices on aircraft interference and found no issues with computers or other personal electronic devices during non-critical phases of flight. (Take-offs and landings are considered the critical phases.) The US Federal Communications Commission also began to create reserved frequency bandwidths for different uses such as mobile phones and aircraft navigation and communications so they do not interfere with one another. Governments around the globe developed the same strategies and policies to prevent interference problems with aviation. In the EU, electronic devices have been allowed to stay on since 2014. 2.2 billion passengers Why then, with these global standards in place, has the aviation industry continued to ban the use of mobile phones? One of the problems lies with something you may not expect ground interference. Wireless networks are connected by a series of towers; the networks could become overloaded if passengers flying over these ground networks are all using their phones. The number of passengers that flew in 2021 was over 2.2 billion, and that's half of what the 2019 passenger numbers were. The wireless companies might have a point here. Of course, when it comes to mobile networks, the biggest change in recent years is the move to a new standard. Current 5G wireless networks desirable for their higher speed data transfer have caused concern for many within the aviation industry. Radio frequency bandwidth is limited, yet we are still trying to add more new devices to it. The aviation industry points out that the 5G wireless network bandwidth spectrum is remarkably close to the reserved aviation bandwidth spectrum, which may cause interference with navigation systems near airports that assist with landing the aircraft. Airport operators in Australia and the US have voiced aviation safety concerns linked to 5G rollout, however it appears to have rolled out without such problems in the European Union. Either way, it is prudent to limit mobile phone use on planes while issues around 5G are sorted out. Ultimately, we can't forget air rage Most airlines now provide customers with Wi-Fi services that are either pay-as-you-go or free. With new Wi-Fi technologies, passengers could theoretically use their mobile phones to make video calls with friends or clients in-flight. On a recent flight, I spoke with a cabin attendant and asked her opinion on phone use during flights. It would be an inconvenience for cabin crew to wait for passengers to finish their call to ask them if they would like any drinks or something to eat, she stated. On an airliner with 200+ passengers, in-flight service would take longer to complete if everyone was making phone calls. For me, the problem with in-flight use of phones is more about the social experience of having 200+ people on a plane, and all potentially talking at once. In a time when disruptive passenger behaviour, including air rage, is increasingly frequent, phone use in flight might be another trigger that changes the whole flight experience. Disruptive behaviours take on various forms, from noncompliance to safety requirements such as not wearing seat belts, verbal altercations with fellow passengers and cabin crew, to physical altercations with passengers and cabin crews typically identified as air rage. In conclusion in-flight use of phones does not currently impair the aircraft's ability to operate. But cabin crews may prefer not to be delayed in providing in-flight service to all of the passengers it's a lot of people to serve. However, 5G technology is encroaching on the radio bandwidth of aircraft navigation systems; we'll need more research to answer the 5G question regarding interference with aircraft navigation during landings. Remember that when we are discussing the two most critical phases of flight, take-offs are optional but landings are mandatory. (The Conversation) Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Ethiopian Airlines is exploring possibilities of increasing its flight frequency between Bengaluru and Addis Ababa, a senior official of the airline said on Wednesday. The airline has been operating non-stop service between the two cities, on the B738/B787 Dreamliner aircraft, thrice a week. We are committed to increase the frequency on the route over time, Tigist Eshetu, Regional Director, Indian Sub-Continent, Ethiopian Airlines, told DH. The airline is expected to make the service four days a week soon, the official said, without confirming a timeline. Ethiopian Airlines operates the flight ET 690 from Addis to Bengaluru on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and the ET 691 flight from Bengaluru to Addis on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The airline began operating its services to Bengaluru in October 2019. It resumed services connecting the city after the pandemic in April this year. The increase in flight frequency is set to facilitate trade, investment and tourism to and from the Indian sub-continent, a statement from the airline said. The flights from Bengaluru connect passengers through the airline's global hub in Addis Ababa to more than 131 destinations in Africa, America, Europe and beyond. Seven persons were killed and 18 others injured when a minibus met with an accident in Nepals Bagmati province on Thursday, police said. The accident happened when the bus heading towards Birgunj from Kathmandu overturned at a steep turning point in Jurikhet in Bagmatis Makawanpur district. Six people were killed on the spot and one died while undergoing treatment at the Bhimphedi Primary Health Centre, a senior police official said. Similarly, in another accident, five people were killed and 13 others injured in a road accident involving a passenger bus in Kyangsi Bagar of Bhume rural municipality in Western Nepal. Five passengers died on the spot when the bus (G1K 9109) heading towards Rukumkot from Kathmandu met with an accident, a senior police officer from the District Police Office said. Of the injured passengers the condition of three is said to be in serious. The injured passengers are undergoing treatment at Rukumpur hospital, the police added. Barney (only his mother calls him Brian) Rowans Holywood burr belied his horrific description of the 1992 deaths of Gregory Burns, Aidan Starrs and John Dignam. The former BBC journalist was reading several excerpts from his new book, Living with Ghosts: the inside story from a Troubles mind, in Derrys Central Library last Thursday. One of the most moving passages was Barneys warm description of his convivial and last meeting with the late David Ervine, the Progressive Unionist Party politician who became a friend. 'Living with Ghosts' by journalist Barney Rowen retraces his steps through the North's conflict years Asked if the good relationships built up between politicians during the Good Friday Agreement negotiations were absent today, he acknowledged the 1998 cohort of politicians had all of the emotional attachment to both the conflict period and the euphoria when we thought we had peace. I can remember when the IRA read the ceasefire statement to me in 1994. It was a woman who read it, and when she read that line that there would be a complete cessation of military operations at midnight that night, I just remember thinking to myself, 'I wonder what that means?' And, I suppose, in the euphoria of the moment we thought, 'is this peace?' Really what it was, when you think about it now, was the beginning of a long end. It was the beginning of something rather than the end of something. I remember that day very well: August 31, 1994. It was my wife's birthday and she was eight months pregnant and our daughter was born between the IRA and the loyalist ceasefires of 1994. She was born in September 1994, said Barney. Smiling, he said: I can remember then the loyalists ringing, saying, 'we need to see you' and I explained, 'my wife's just home with a baby' and they said, 'we'll come to you'. So they arrived in Holywood. I met them in the high street and took them to a coffee shop, where they told me that their 'concerns had been addressed' and they would be in touch. I knew that meant the loyalist ceasefire was coming. But when I think back to that period of the 1990s, I think of the people who are gone. Martin McGuinness is gone. David Ervine is gone. John Hume is gone. Mo Mowlam is gone. David Trimble is now gone - so many of the people who were critical to the making of the process. There were also the people who were the quiet peacemakers, people like Fr Alec Reid, and Brendan Duddy from this parish. They are gone and so, I think, some people with the passing of time have forgotten how bad it was. I think, on occasions, we need to remind people where we were and where we still need to get to. That is still the challenge of today, said Barney. Barney Rowan said he believed the war was over. Do I think there would be a rerun of that conflict period? No, I don't, he said. However, there is stuff that we still need to get done. We need to find some way that properly puts the past to rest. We need to get it away from politics. I quote Colin Davidson, the artist, in the book. Colin painted the exhibition Silent Testimony, 18 portraits of people touched by the worst of the conflict period. He painted them as an exhibition, not of the past but of the present, because we still have not addressed many of the questions. 100,000 people went to see his exhibition in the Ulster Museum. I think what we need to do to address the question of the past and legacy is to take it away from us and take it away from politics. We need outside international help. We need a report of a conflict and peace period, written with pens free of emotional ink. We are all too close to it. We are stitched into the fabric of this place. We all have very different impressions and truths of what happened. We need that international report. We need to set that alongside people telling their own individual stories and we need a place of remembrance. There is the imagination in Silent Testimony to create something that becomes a sacred space. I remember someone - I think it was my colleague Eamonn Mallie - who described Colin Davidson's exhibition as 'something like the Stations of the Cross'. People just go, they're silent, they sit, they reflect, they leave, and they take something out of it. Barney pointed out that, for all of the big moments in the peace process, we had needed help from outside. For the politics, we needed Senator George Mitchell. For the guns, we needed General de Chastelain. For policing, we needed Chris Patton. And yet, on the two biggest questions that face us, our past and our future, we think we can do it ourselves. We are kidding ourselves if we think that. I would argue for an amnesty from this point of view: you cannot have a peace process that releases prisoners and then a past process that creates prisoners. I don't mean an amnesty in truth and I don't mean an amnesty in information, but we need to find the way of achieving the maximum amount of information from all of the sides while understanding that we are never going to have absolute truth from any side, never mind all of the sides. That is what I meant when I said we need to stop lying about the truth. We need to be more honest about what is achievable and what is not achievable, but I think putting people in jail in 2022, after releasing hundreds of prisoners in that period from 1998 through to 2000, is just an absolute contradiction. In terms of the British approach to it, I think their [Legacy] Bill is about closing down the past rather than opening it up. No one side relating to the conflict period should be designing any process which is about answering all of those questions. I think that bill is a house that no one is going to buy, said Barney. Barney Rowan said he was optimistic for the future. I know what I reported on. I remember the week from the Shankill bomb through to the Greysteel shootings and everything that happened in between it. So when people say to me nothing has changed they must be living on another planet. Everything has changed. There are still things that need to be done; that's the nature of a process. We have done the hard bits and the bits that still need to be done, while they are challenging, are not harder than what we have done already. So, how you find a way that puts the past to rest - and I don't mean that in any trite or glib way like drawing a line; there is no line thick enough to draw through or under or over our past - we need to be more creative about a process that might take us to the next stage. Then we (and I include myself in this), as the conflict generation, need to let go of this. We need to give it to the next generation. I look at 1994, the ceasefires and 1998, the political agreement, as being for the next generations. and yet we of the conflict generation hold on to them as if we own them. We own the past, we own the ceasefires and we own the political agreement, and in some of that what we have done is that we have made peace a daily grind rather than something you look forward to. If we are to imagine something better, we need to give it to the generations who come after us to shape that future and that present. We need to start thinking about 2032 and not 1972, said Barney. Turning to contemporary politics, Barney said the Protocol had created an earthquake within part of the unionist community. He explained: They think they have been sold out by a British Prime Minister, and so for them, it is not just about the trading arrangements; it is that bigger question of Northern Ireland being different than the rest of the UK. Psychologically, that has concerned them and frightened them, but I think if we look at our politics since Brexit, everything is changing. Pictured at the launch of 'Living with Ghosts' by Barney Rowan in Derry's Central Library: Colum Eastwod MP, Jenni Doherty (Little Acorns Bookshop), Barney Rowen, Liz Curry (Library Assistant) and Raymond McCartney (Foyle MLA retired). Brexit is a broken glass. It has shattered and scattered pieces everywhere. If you look at everything electorally since Brexit, unionists have lost their overall majority at Stormont. They lost their second seat in the European Parliament. They no longer hold the majority of Northern Ireland seats at Westminster. Sinn Fein is now the largest party at Stormont and that is a psychological shift. We are on a bend in the road. We are in a kind of waiting room. I wonder if we can assess the long-term prospects for political stability before we answer the next big question - union versus unity. Until that question is settled - whatever way it is settled - Stormont is always going to be up and down. I wrote in my last book that, after Julian Smith and Simon Coveney put it back together again, if Stormont fails again it should fail forever. We can't have broken politics all the time. The peace process was meant to be about politics working; not working sometimes. Social Democratic and Labour Party Leader Colum Eastwood MP has welcomed a decision by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS} to recommence the prosecution of Soldier F. Soldier F is accused of murdering William McKinney and James Wray and the attempted murders of Joe Mahon, Joe Friel, Michael Quinn and Patrick O'Donnell on Bloody Sunday in Derry. Mr Eastwood said his thoughts were with all the Bloody Sunday families following the decision. Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said: I welcome the decision by the PPS to recommence the prosecution of Soldier F following the ruling of the High Court. Its bitterly disappointing that this case has been subject to such long delays which will have only compounded the hurt experienced by those affected, but particularly the Wray and McKinney families. The SDLP has always been clear that those accused of crimes on Bloody Sunday should stand trial. Innocent people were murdered on what was one of the darkest days in our islands history and many in Derry are still impacted by it to this day. My thoughts are with all the Bloody Sunday families today, for decades they have fought with dignity for truth and justice for their loved ones. The families involved in this case face a difficult period in the coming weeks as they continue their long campaign and the SDLP will stand with them as we have always done." Energy support will be available to businesses next year, with the current broad brush policy replaced by a targeted approach, the Business Secretary has said. Jacob Rees-Mogg insisted there would be further support after April 1, after announcing the Government would for the next six months foot part of the rocketing energy bills faced by businesses, charities, schools and hospitals. In the Commons, the Business Secretary said a planned three-month review of the measures will be an opportunity to decide which organisations will need continuing support after April. SNP MP Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) told MPs a meat manufacturer in her constituency had been quoted a 345% increase in its electricity costs. She said: While I appreciate what his plans may be to help them in the next six months, what can he offer them after the end of that six months, because a 345% increase in just electricity costs could put this business under? Mr Rees-Mogg responded: We have done this on a completely broad brush basis because at the moment thats the right thing to do, its needed urgently. However, we do need to examine exactly who ought to benefit in a review and then have that announced in plenty of time for April 1 to see what level of support is needed for the longer term. He had earlier told the Commons: The three-month review is taking place to work out who will need support to ensure that support is properly targeted. What has been done at the moment is an immediate response to an extreme crisis to benefit everybody. But not everybody necessarily needs the same level of support. Mr Rees-Mogg would not say when further detail about Government plans for off-grid energy consumers would be announced, when asked by Conservative former minister Julian Smith. What we are looking at is the comparables because the heating oil price has not risen as much as the gas price, and we need to be fair to all users, and we are working on that currently, he said. He did set out a broad timeframe to help businesses in Northern Ireland with rising energy costs before the end of October. DUP MP Ian Paisley (North Antrim) told the Commons: Thousands of businesses in Northern Ireland are small and medium-sized enterprises. They actually cant wait now for legislation. So I am wondering if he can now commit to an emergency instrument or provision before December of this year? Mr Rees-Mogg replied: This House, when called upon, can act remarkably swiftly. The intention is that we should introduce legislation in October, and pass it by the end of October, and that it should take effect from October 1, to ensure that non-domestic users in the whole of the United Kingdom are helped, but that everybody in Northern Ireland should be helped as well. That is the broad timeframe and I hope that the House will co-operate with that timetable because obviously that is necessary for expedited legislation. Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds welcomed the Governments conversion to the freezing of energy prices, but added: We must all acknowledge, for too many companies, this news will already have come too late to save them. He also questioned how the support would be paid for, telling MPs: This Government says it cannot cost this package. But its clearly expensive. This Government says it can cut taxes, increase spending, increase borrowing and magically pay for that through higher growth that after 12 years in office has completely eluded them. This is fantasy economics and is a threat to British businesses and the financial stability of this country. The results of the census in Northern Ireland clearly indicate that historic and irreversible change is under way, a senior Sinn Fein figure has said. North Belfast MP John Finucane said the figures emphasised the need to intensify preparations for a future referendum on Irish unity. However, the DUPs Stormont Assembly member Philip Brett warned against lazy analysis linking religious affiliation with public opinion on constitutional change. Mr Finucane said: Todays census results are another clear indication that historic change is happening across this island and of the diversity of society which enriches us all. There is no doubt change is under way and irreversible. How that change is shaped moving forward requires maturity to take the challenges which face our society. We can all be part of shaping a better future new constitutional future and a new Ireland. But we must prepare for it. The Irish government should establish a citizens assembly to plan for the possibility of a unity referendum. A period of planning is critical. That planning and dialogue and engagement needs to happen now, and it must include people from all backgrounds and communities. The partition of Ireland has been a failure. We can build a better future together, for every person who lives on this island. Mr Brett said the census results should not be interpreted as a mini-referendum on the constitutional future of Northern Ireland. He said the share of the vote for those who advocate for a united Ireland had fallen from 42% in the 2001 Westminster election to under 40% in Mays Assembly election. The census publication should be about investment and shaping the public services that Northern Ireland needs in the future rather than a border poll or a sectarian headcount, he said. To draw political conclusions based on the number of Protestants and Catholics is simplistic and lazy. For the last 20 years there has been a trend towards a Protestant minority, a Catholic minority and a minority who dont identify as either. Rather than focus on a divisive border poll we should ensure that Northern Ireland builds first-class public services and a genuine shared future. Sinn Fein calls for a divisive border poll on the back of this census publication shows their main focus is removing Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom rather than a shared future. #NICensus2021 results online now View the results per 100 people in #NorthernIreland relating to, passports held, ethnic group, national identity, language, religion and more. To download the results visit https://t.co/0ARV5aUdu9 or explore online at https://t.co/olEJo7rpfN pic.twitter.com/fTvuXLdVsY Census 2021 Northern Ireland (@NICensus2021) September 22, 2022 Nuala McAllister, from the cross-community Alliance Party, highlighted the growth in the number of people not identifying with any religion. The MLA cautioned against interpreting the results through Northern Irelands traditional orange and green prisms. Its really important that right now its not about keeping one particular people in a majority but rather creating a shared future that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of what Northern Ireland actually is, she told Radio Ulster. Ulster Unionist Party MLA Mike Nesbitt said the results pointed to the development of a modern pluralist society in Northern Ireland. Whilst much of the focus will be on the religious headcount, it has been obvious for many decades that not all Catholics are nationalists or republicans, and not all Protestants vote for unionist parties, he said. The situation regarding identity and nationality is more complex than some like to portray and the Ulster Unionist Party is focused on increasing the number of people who support and vote for the Union, regardless of religious affiliation or background. That is the challenge for the future. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the census figures represented a seminal moment in the history of the island of Ireland. The significance of this transformation should not be downplayed or diminished out of fear or insincere politicking, he said. I acknowledge that todays figures may generate feelings of insecurity for some. But it is my honest hope that we can all now take a moment of serious and sincere reflection about the scale of change we have experienced and commit to a conversation about the powerful potential for change in the future. At the AI Hardware Summit in Santa Clara, September 14th, Krste Asanovic, SiFive Co-Founder and Chief Architect, took to the stage with Cliff Young, Google TPU Architect and MLPerf Co-Founder, to reveal how the latest SiFive Intelligence X280 processor with the new SiFive Vector Coprocessor Interface Extension (VCIX) is being used as the AI Compute Host to provide flexible programming combined with the Google MXU (systolic matrix multiplier) accelerator in the datacenter. They also talked about why this type of architecture is becoming popular for AI/ML workloads, and how, with this configuration, SiFive provides essential compute capabilities so Google can focus on deep learning SOC development. A video of the talk is expected to be available in early October. Click here to read more ... One of the headlining features of the iPhone 14 series has been Dynamic Island. It is the pill-shaped software interface that replaces the notch and also acts as a multi-tasking UI. Ever since Apple launched this feature, the whole tech community has been praising how clever and cool the feature is. And there were some who wished there was something like this on the Android side too. If you are one who wants a Dynamic Island on your Android phone, now you can get it this way. XDA Senior Member Jawomo has launched a new app called dynamicSpot on the Google Play Store that lets you have the Dynamic Island on Android smartphones. Lets see how it works. How to bring Dynamic Island on Android using dynamicSpot Here is how you can set up dynamicSpot: 1. Go over to the Play Store link and download dynamicSpot onto your Android phone. 2. Open the app once it's installed. 3. Choose the apps that you want to trigger the pop-up or say to work as part of the new pill-shaped island. 4. Grant notification access for it to show apps with notifications within the pill. 5. Allow it to draw on the screen, that is to display the floating pop-up even on top of other apps that you use. 6. We also advise you to ensure its battery optimization is set to unrestricted mode so that it doesnt get disabled automatically by the Android system. Within the dynamicSpot settings, you can also customize the position and dimensions of the pill, allow two popups in case of multiple notifications, and swipe options to clear notifications easily. Note that some of the features like the ability to show the app on the lock screen and mapping tap or long press to different actions are locked behind a paywall. In other words, those are premium features that cost 99 in India. Since the app is in early development, it may have certain limitations and bugs. However, for the pace at which it came about, we tip our hat to the developer. And appreciate the fact that this is what makes Android Android. Isnt it an operating system for tinkers like Jawomo? For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in. Oregon Fruit Products Oregon Fruit Products appointed Joe Prewett as president and chief executive officer. Prewett will assume the role effective mid-October, while current CEO Chris Sarles will help to ensure a smooth transition. Prewett has been with Tillamook County Creamery Association since 2013 as executive vice president of brand and category growth. He has been a member of the Oregon Fruit Products board for two years. Before joining Tillamook, Prewett served as vice president of marketing for Farmer Brothers Coffee, Coffee Bean International and Medical Research Institute. Prewett has a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon and a master's in business administration from the Anderson School at UCLA. Sarles is stepping down and plans to focus on non-profit organizations that help women and children. Founded in 1935, Oregon Fruit Products offers canned, frozen and shelf-stable premium fruit. The company is the located in Salem, Oregon. County Meath trainer, Gavin Cromwell, is certainly doing his bit for owners from these parts. Over the past couple of weeks, he has sent out the winner of a big Galway hurdle for the best known of Louth-based syndicates. However, it was a County Kildare handler, Michael Halford, who went tantalising close to landing one of the big handicaps at Leopardstown for Frank Lynch. A licence-holder since 2005 after learning the ropes at stables in Australia and this country the late Dessie Hughes one of those who gave him instructions at his Co Kildare yard Cromwell trains out of Balrath in the Royal County. He concentrates on both branches of the sport and has claimed a number of notable prizes for his owners, the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow and one of the main supporting events at the big Prix de lArc de Triomphe meeting in Paris among them. Records show he has accounted for 216 winners in the last five seasons, an impressive tally by any standards. Darver Star is in Cromwells stable strength, and probably not since the late hotelier Matt Donnellys Farney Fox, any one of many from Bunny Coxs former Lisnawilly stables, or, more recently, Judge Frank Roes Carlingford Castle, has there been a more popular local racehorse. Darver Star doesnt really need an introduction. Since first donning the red-and-white colours of the trio in whose name he races the mid-Louth based Pat Cluskey, Simon Fagan and Sean Fanning hes had his name written on hundreds of bookies dockets, many of which were worth holding on to. There would have been a real killing had he stayed on that wee bit better in the 2020 Cheltenham Champions Hurdle. That March day, as Covid-19 began to bare its teeth, Darver went from being handily placed to taking over the lead approaching the last; but while he landed in front, he found the climb to the winning post that too much for him, and faded to finish an honourable third. The handsome bay gelding was troubled with injury after that, and it was feared at one stage his racing career could be over. But expertly handled by the patient Cromwell and his team, he was returned to his best and a few weeks ago confirmed his well-being with a win at Kilbeggan. Darver Star faced stronger opposition at Galway a fortnight ago, but this time was even more impressive, winning the hugely competitive Deacy Gilligan Hurdle by just over eight lengths. The odds were good, 15/2. While his last attempt at the bigger obstacles didnt work out so well, the ten-year-old, bred by Pat Cluskey, could be turned to chasing again, though for the time being is likely to stay hurdling. Its in the other code in which Golden Twilight is trading his wares, and Frank Lynchs Leopardstown runner almost brought off the biggest win of his career. Running in the 88,000 to-the-winner Petingo Handicap the last race on the opening day of the prestigious Champions Weekend the Ronan Whelan-ridden gelding, who won at Dundalk on his previous outing, hit the front inside the final furlong, and although passed by the fast-finishing Moracana, fought back tenaciously, forcing the Judge to call for a photo. It was what they call a head-bobber, the decision likely to go to the one to have his head down at the line. They couldnt be separated by the naked eye, but the photo showed there was just the minimum between them, Moracano getting the verdict by the shortest of short-heads. Consolation came owner Lynchs way with the runners-up prize a handsome 23,000. Golden Twilight could be seen out at Dundalk over the winter. The first meeting of the new season took place last Friday, and therell be racing each week over the autumn and winter months up until early April. BULAWAYO province recorded the best Grade Seven ZIMSEC results countrywide for the third year in a row last year with reports showing that although Covid-19 affected continuous learning, the 2021 pass rate improved from the previous year. The 2021 Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Statistics Report shows that Bulawayo recorded the highest pass rate last year as well as in 2020 and in 2019. In 2019, Bulawayos pass rate stood at 79,51 percent against a 46,89 national average, in 2020 it was at 66,8 percent compared to 37,11 that was the national average. In 2021, the Bulawayo pass rate shot up to 76,6 percent compared to the national rate which stands at 40,7. Last year, Matabeleland North had the lowest pass rate at 22,2 percent while Harare which came second recorded 75,26 percent. It was followed by Midlands at 39, 09 percent and then Masvingo province at 37,17 percent. In position five was Manicaland with 36,6 percent, Mashonaland East at 34,5 followed by Mashonaland West at 31,8 and then Matabeleland South at 31,3 percent. In Zimbabwe, the key measures of learning outcomes are the national pass rates of public examinations at Grade 7, Ordinary Level and Advanced Level. In her summary of the report, the secretary in the Ministry Mrs Thumisang Thabela said Bulawayo has maintained pole position in terms of Grade Seven examinations results. Bulawayo has had the highest pass rate as in the past three years (76,75 percent in 2021) followed by Harare with 75,26 percent. Matabeleland North had the lowest Grade 7 pass rate of 22,24 percent, she said. She said since 2017, the gender disparities in Grade 7 pass rates have been in the favour of females. In 2021, the Grade 7 pass rate was 40,98 percent. The pass rates for males and female learners were 37,32 percent and 44,41 percent, respectively. During the period 2017 to 2018, the Grade 7 pass rate increased from 44,76 percent to 52,87 percent. However, during the period 2018 to 2020, the Grade 7 pass rate dropped from 52,87 percent to 37 percent. Thereafter, the Grade 7 pass rate increased by 3,98 percent in 2021, read the report. The report also shows that despite Covid-19 induced challenges, the country sustained a steady annual increase in the number of primary learners during the period 2017-2021. Over the period 2017-2021, there has been an annual increase of enrolment in lower and upper secondary schools. New entrants into Grade 1 are 430 378, of which, males and females constitute 50,49 percent and 49,51 percent, respectively. New entrants into Form 1 are 276 136, of which, 48,64 percent are males and 51,36 percent are females. Primary school Apparent Intake Rate (AIR) is at 93,38 percent while primary school Net Intake Rate (NIR) is 22,86 percent. Primary and secondary schools with access to internet are 23,02 percent and 39,43 percent respectively according to the report. The proportion of schools with computers for learners at primary and secondary levels of education are 35,01 percent and 50,39 percent, respectively. Furthermore, Seating Place Ratios are 1:39 for primary and 1:10 for secondary schools, while Writing Place Ratios are 1:55 and 1:11 for primary and secondary schools, respectively. At least 14 600 pupils, including 238 primary school girls dropped out of school last year due to issues related to pregnancy and child marriages. The prolonged school closure due to the Covid-19 lockdown also contributed to the spike in dropout incidences. The report shows that 69 660 pupils dropped out of school last year, the highest in four years. Of those, 50 744 were in secondary school while 18 916 were at primary level. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education attribute the spike in school dropout incidences to the Covid-19 lockdown. Some of the reasons that contributed to learners dropping out of school include financial challenges, child labour, illnesses and special needs for learners with disabilities. Chronicle Local Authority biodiversity projects in Louth are to receive a combined 60,000 in funding through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund. The LBAF scheme aims to support implementation of the national biodiversity plan at community, county and regional level, and recognises the importance of the work carried out by local authorities through their biodiversity and heritage officers. Nationally, over 1.4 million in funding has been made available for Local Authorities to carry out biodiversity projects. Six projects in Louth are slated to receive funding including: Funding of 2,550 has been granted to carry out an assessment of recreational damage to sand dunes at Seapoint, east of Termonfeckin in a pNHA (Proposed Natural Heritage Area) immediately adjacent to an SAC (Special Area of Conservation) and to plan for a controlled and minimally damaging public access route through them. The Birds - Little Tern project has been allocated 27,450 to support the Louth Nature Trust maintain the favourable conservation condition of Little Tern in the Boyne Estuary. 13,090 was granted to undertake a detailed survey of breeding Swifts in 49 localities across Co. Louth to establish a detailed picture of the distribution of nesting Swifts in the county. The data collected will allow planners and decision makers to effectively manage for Swifts at site level, helping to conserve this important part of Louths urban heritage. Swift Boxes will be installed in the county with the help of a 5,000 grant. The aim of this supplementary project is to use the data from the ongoing survey and to build, erect and install 40 swift nest boxes in several locations around County Louth, to bolster existing colonies and to replace lost nesting cavities. The Heritage Officer will ensure that the erection of nest boxes does not damage architectural heritage 7,000 will be used to undertake a Louth habitat survey and hire expert ecological consultants with proven experience of managing grazing for biodiversity conservation and also of controlling pressure/damage from recreational visitors. They will then develop detailed, site specific guidance and recommendations for grazing (commencement and termination dates and intensity) on a site. Finally, 5,000 will be used for Wetlands education with the local group making and using a short film on Ardee Bog to enhance learning in local schools about Irish raised bogs, specifically Ardee Bog, and all the flora and fauna living there. Announcing the funding Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, said: We know that communities are at the heart of biodiversity action and thats why Im so thrilled to see this fund continue to grow and increase its impact all across the country. This year, weve funded 128 projects across all 31 Local Authorities this will have real, tangible impact for nature and it couldnt come at a more crucial time. Whats more, the successful projects are all contributing to the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) and helping to advance our shared vision for nature. The new NBAP is currently out for public consultation, so its a great opportunity for people to have their say and help shape the future for biodiversity in Ireland. Engagement with communities and local authorities is crucial to the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan. All 31 local authorities applied for and will receive funding this year, with a total of 128 projects approved, covering a range of biodiversity related activities, including invasive alien species control, dune restoration, wetland surveys and biodiversity awareness and training. The public consultation for Irelands 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan launched on September 1st and submissions are invited through www.gov.ie/biodiversityplan . The public consultation will close on November 9th and the 4th NBAP will be published in early 2023. Unislim, Irelands leading slimming club, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the announcement that it continues its expansion north and south of Ireland, with the acquisition of The Academy Masterplan, a successful online weight loss solution run by top weight loss expert Karen Daly. In Dundalk, Mary McArdle has been running Unislim classes for 50 years and was one of the very first ever group leaders. Unislim is Irelands longest established weight loss company, with founder, Agnes McCourt, starting her first class in a church hall in Newry in 1972. Unislim now has classes in every corner of the country north and south. Fiona Gratzer, Agnes' daughter, now runs the company. The Academys founder and weight management expert Karen Daly will join the Unislim team as their new Growth Acceleration Manager. Karen has worked in the industry since 2009 and having lost over four stone herself, has all the tools to motivate and inspire people to live a healthy life. Karen also runs classes in Dundalk. Karen said Educating people to live healthier and watch them transform is honestly the best job in the world. Merging with Unislim gives my members access to an even bigger community of like-minded people to help support & motivate each other to success while at the same time providing them with even more classes and membership benefits. When Fiona Gratzer CEO of Unislim and Karen first met, they say they knew instantly, that their values were aligned and that together they could achieve so much more. They say that as industry experts, they knew that collaboration was the way forward and they have big plans for the development of Unislim in Ireland and beyond. Fiona has announced plans to help over 100,000 members reach a healthy weight over the next 12 months. This is a phenomenal year for us. Not only are we celebrating our 50th Anniversary but weve opened over 50 new classes run by former Weight Watcher leaders. Im now thrilled to work with Karen and expand our services to even more members all over the island of Ireland. My aim is to bring our holistic healthy lifestyle programme to 100,000 people over the next 12 months. Find out more at unislim.com and use discount code UNISLIM22 at the checkout to celebrate the 50th anniversary with them. At Wednesdays public meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) residents from Bay Estate called for more garda patrols in the area stating that they have seen an uptick in drug activity and an increase in drug dealers in the area recently. One resident stated that the dealers were starting to target younger kids outside local shops asking them to sell drugs for them and that dealers were starting to hide drugs in the pitch area and in hanging baskets forcing residents to take them down. Another stated that it was particularly prevalent around the school and on the surrounding walkways and that local children would benefit from gardai coming into the local school to warn of the danger of drugs. A third claimed that as recently as last week suppliers were meeting with dealers at 1:30pm in the day in front of the school while parents were collecting their four and five year old children. They stated that despite ringing the garda station no guards arrived. Supt Charlie Armstrong noted that a number of people had been arrested and convicted of drug dealing in the area and would speak to the Drugs Unit and Community Policing Unit about increased patrols. He said all calls made to the station are recorded on a log and that he would follow up on what happened in this particular incident. A number of measures and supports are needed to tackle the low representation of people living with sight loss in higher education and the workforce, a new report has found. NCBI has launched a new report entitled Equitable Education, detailing the challenges faced by students who are blind or vision impaired, and their families, in the education system. The report, based on the experiences of students and their families, contains a series of recommendations aimed at the Government and state agencies to ensure that all students, regardless of their level of vision, have access to an equitable and inclusive educational experience. Lorna Fitzpatrick, NCBI Advocacy and Engagement Manager said: Sight loss is a spectrum and can impact everyone differently, so it is imperative that children and young people with sight loss have access to regular individualised assessments and timely interventions to ensure they have the skills to be independent and active agents in their own learning. The report clearly shows variations that exist in students experiences in accessing supports as well as the severe lack of quality data on the number of students with vision impairment in the education system or evidence to demonstrate that current supports are enabling these students to thrive. This data will be key to driving future decisions relating to supports for students with sight loss and must be a priority for the Government Departments and state agencies. Eithne Walsh, Head of Communications and Advocacy with Feach said: This report marks a great starting point for improving supports for blind or vision impaired students in education. The issues highlighted in the report have been denying students with low vision equality of access to education, which ultimately affects every aspect of their lives. None of the issues are insurmountable, practical solutions can be put in place which will have a huge impact on their educational outcomes. The Equitable Education Report describes many of the challenges faced for students who are blind or vision impaired from primary education through to tertiary education. It focuses on solutions that are needed to support children and young people with sight loss to access learning and to develop the skills to support them as they transition through education. A recent AHEAD report shows that only 282 blind or vision impaired students are registered with Disability Support Services in Higher Education in 2020/2021. Further to this, only 24% of people who are blind or vision impaired are employed in Ireland. The low representation of people living with sight loss in higher education and the workforce demonstrates the need to implement changes throughout the education and employment systems to ensure they are supported to take up and achieve success throughout their lives. Some recommendations, which are outlined in more detail from page 4 of the report, include: Establish a database on the availability and delay of schoolbooks in accessible formats at beginning of each school year with the availability of learning materials as a KPI within the Department of Education on the timeline of delivery. Review of SUSI eligibility criteria to provide support for students who are blind or vision impaired studying on a part-time basis. Address the deficits in the provision of assistive technology and access skills to learning through the introduction of formalised procedures for individualised assessments and training to support optimum use of technology for learning. Develop school transitioning protocols determining and agreeing content and the delivery of comprehensive transitional plans for children who are blind or vision impaired. Fund the introduction of dedicated resources nationwide, similar to those in the south of the country, to deliver orientation and mobility supports for children and young people. Agree to a formal process of engagement with students to ensure that their experiences influence positive change. EBRD launches WB Youth in Business programme, combining finance and advice First 4.5 million to Kosovos Banka per Biznes to on-lend to young entrepreneurs Sweden to provide donor support for programmes regional roll-out The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is launching its new Western Balkans Youth in Business programme with a project in Kosovo, making it the first country to benefit from this dedicated credit line for young entrepreneurs under the age of 35. A 4.5 million loan will be provided to Banka per Biznes in Kosovo, which will on-lend the funds to local companies that are owned or managed by young entrepreneurs, and which are likely to be early-stage or micro companies and second generation businesses. Banka per Biznes already provides other types of financing to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in cooperation with the EBRD. The EBRDs Western Balkans Youth in Business programme envisages providing a total of 100 million to local banks in the six countries of the region. Alongside finance, the EBRD will provide advisory services in the form of consultants, e-learning and training, all with a view to fostering youth entrepreneurship and financial inclusion in the region. The government of Sweden is supporting the programme with a 3.5 million grant to help local partner banks increase their capacity and develop new financial products for young entrepreneurs, and to assist eligible small firms in strengthening their operations and bringing their businesses to the next level. The EBRD loan will be boosted by a 450,000 first-loss risk cover from the Shareholder Special Fund, the EBRDs multi-donor fund. The loan was signed in Prishtina by Mark Bowman, EBRD Vice President for Policy and Partnerships: We are very pleased to work once again with our long-standing partner Banka per Biznes, this time supporting Kosovos dynamic young entrepreneurs. Kosovo needs to create more opportunities at home for its educated young workforce. Providing better access to finance and advice for its young entrepreneurs will help retain talent and boost the economy. Artan Sadiku, Acting CEO of Banka per Biznes, said: BPB is privileged to have reached an exclusivity agreement with the EBRD to introduce the Youth in Business Programme in Kosovo. Our long-term partnership with the EBRD has resulted in yet another project, this time aimed at increasing entrepreneurship in Kosovo while supporting young owners of micro and small enterprises. The programme is in line with BPBs strategy, especially our dedication to provide non-financial services to the MSME sector. We believe that our wholesome approach towards this sector that is, providing not only financing but also training and other non-financial services will ensure long and trusted relationships with our clients. Banka per Biznes, the seventh-largest bank in Kosovo, was founded in 2001 and offers a wide range of commercial banking products, with a focus on micro-companies and SMEs. The EBRD holds a 10 per cent share in BPB. The EBRD has, to date, invested more than 625 million in Kosovo. The Banks strategic priorities in the country are to promote the green economy, support the competitive development of the private sector and foster regional integration. Previously, the Banks Youth in Business programme was launched in North Africa with an earmarked US$ 140 million package in Egypt and a 100 million package in Morocco, also combining lending and advice. A MOTHER has been charged with the murder of her children, Mikey and Thelma Dennany, in a car blaze in Co. Westmeath. Thelma, aged five, and her two-year-old brother Mikey were fatally injured when their vehicle went on fire at around 4pm on September 9. Their mother, Lynn Egar, 48, appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens at a late special sitting of Mullingar District Court tonight. Lynn Egar, 48, appeared at a late special sitting of Mullingar District Court tonight. She did not address the proceedings and, following a five-minute hearing, was remanded in custody to appear again at Athlone District Court via video link on September 28. Car discovered in flames A passerby came across their car engulfed in flames at Lackan, a townland on a rural road linking the villages Multyfarnham and Coole. The mother of four and toddler Mikey were pulled out, and later emergency services found the remains of Thelma inside the car. Mikey was rushed by ambulance to the Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar, but he was pronounced dead there. Their mother, Lynn Egar, also suffered injuries but was airlifted to a Dublin hospital, where she remained for over a week and a half. Investigation Detectives at Mullingar Garda station commenced an investigation and arrested her on Wednesday. The childrens mother was detained under section four of the Criminal Justice Act, which allows gardai to hold an individual for questioning for 24 hours, after which they must be released or charged. Ms Egar lived at the familys home in Winetown, Rathowen, Co Westmeath. Detective Sergeant David Donnelly told judge Owens that he charged her with two counts of murder at 7.22pm. In reply to charge after caution she made no reply, he said, and that she was handed a true copy of the charge sheets. She is accused of the murders of Thelma and Michael Dennany at Lackan, Multyfarnham, on September 9, contrary to common law. The district court does not have the jurisdiction to consider bail in murder cases, which only the High Court can consider. Gardai applied for a remand in custody to appear at Athlone District Court via video link next Wednesday. Defence solicitor Damien Coffey told judge Owens there was consent to his client appearing by video link at the next hearing. Legal aid was granted after the judge noted the solicitor had shown the investigation team a statement of Ms Egars means. Judge Owens asked Mr Coffey if anything else was required on the remand warrant, but the solicitor replied, nothing further arises, and he was granted permission to speak with his client after she was led out of the courtroom. Ms Egar was remanded to the Dochas Centre, the womens unit of Mountjoy Prison in Dublin. 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. United Nations and Danish national flags together with the flag of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2009. ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP via Getty Images Denmark has become the first high-income country to pledge to pay for loss and damage in other countries affected by increasing cases of extreme weather events. More than 100 million DKK ($13 million) is being sent to impacted countries. The funds are part of Denmarks Finance Act 2022, and the country has a target to direct at least 60% of its climate funds to help other countries adapt to climate change. Over $5 million will go to countries impacted by climate change, including the Sahel region in Africa. Yale Environment 360 reported that another $4 million will go toward disaster insurance, and $3 million is reserved for strategies on loss and damage negotiations ahead of the upcoming United Nations COP27 in Egypt this November. It is grossly unfair that the worlds poorest should suffer the most from the consequences of climate change, to which they have contributed the least, Denmarks Development Minister Flemming Mller Mortensen said in a statement. Loss and damage is an ongoing topic at the annual UN climate conferences, as high-income countries avoid financial responsibility for climate change and the disasters it causes, particularly in lower income nations. Many of the worlds poorest countries are hit hard by climate change, which the rich countries in particular have created, Daniel Toft Jakobsen, politician of the Social Democrat party in Denmark, said in a statement. Denmark must take the lead and contribute to the green transition around the world. But to that extent we also have a responsibility to help with climate adaptation and cover climate-related losses and damages, and I am happy that this package focuses on just that. While Scotland did dedicate nearly $3 million toward helping with climate adaptation and damage restoration in affected countries at COP26 last year, it is part of the UK and not a member of the UN. The symbolic move was meant to inspire other wealthy countries to make progress on loss and damage discussions. At the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on industrialized nations to tax windfall profits of fossil fuel companies, and then redirect the funds to countries suffering from climate-related loss and damage and to relieve people from high food and energy prices. It is high time to move beyond endless discussions. Vulnerable countries need meaningful action, Guterres said. This is a fundamental question of climate justice, international solidarity and trust. 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. An area devastated by illegal gold mining in the Jamanxim National Forest, state of Para, in northern Brazil. ANTONIO SCORZA / AFP via Getty Images Your iPhone may contain gold linked to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. A new report from Amazon Watch and the Association of Brazils Indigenous Peoples (APIB) published Monday reveals that the gold used by major tech and car companies including Apple, Tesla, Samsung, Microsoft, Intel, Sony, Volkswagen, Ford and General Motors could have been mined illegally from Indigenous lands in the Brazilian Amazon. We are witnessing the destruction of ecosystems and entire communities, and people are dying as a result of this deadly industry, APIB Executive Coordinator Director Dinamam Tuxa said in an Amazon Watch press release. [Minings] viability requires a consumer market that finances its destruction. This expose provides groundbreaking findings that identify leading companies potentially complicit in illegal Amazon mining. We now call on these corporate giants to prove that they are not buying gold extracted from our lands. Our expose Blood Gold, published today in partnership with @ApibOficial explores the impacts of illegal gold mining on Indigenous lands in the Amazon & details how the supply chains of valuable tech companies may be tainted by this conflict commodity. https://t.co/AA2KeGtgJe pic.twitter.com/20DWP86uAv Amazon Watch (@amazonwatch) September 19, 2022 The report, titled Blood Gold, revealed that two refineries in the supply chains of major electronics and automotive companies are being investigated for using illegally mined gold. These refineries are Chimet in Italy and Marsam in Brazil. The connection between Chimet and illegal mining was first publicized by Reporter Brasil in July, according to Reuters. Documents obtained by the journalism outfit revealed that Brazilian federal police had accused the refinery of acquiring millions of dollars worth of gold from a trader known as CHM do Brasil that had, in turn, allegedly obtained it from illegal operations. The initial reporting revealed that tech giants Alphabet (Googles parent company), Amazon, Apple and Microsoft all had Chimet in their supply chain. The Chimet gold came from the Kayapo Indigenous Territory, according to the latest report. The other refinery listed in the new report was Marsam in Brazil. This refinery has been accused of using gold illegally obtained by FDGold from the Munduruku and Yanomami territories. Gold is commonly used in the wiring and circuit boards of electric products including computers, smartphones and electric vehicles. But when it is mined illegally from Indigenous lands, it can be the cause of a host of environmental harms and human rights violations. We are currently experiencing a critical moment of terrible conflicts, with many land invaders inside our territory introduced by the miners, Mundurukus Pariri Association President Alessandra Korap Munduruku said in the press release. Illegal mining contaminates rivers with mercury, and the mercury contaminates the fish and our bodies. Mining kills and displaces people from their land. It only knows how to destroy. Munduruku and Tuxa were two of four panelists who announced the findings at an event as part of Climate Week NYC on Monday. Indigenous leaders have traveled to New York to urge major brands like the ones listed in the report to stop profiting from the destruction of the Amazon, according to The Guardian. Sometimes I wonder why I go. Im tired of saying the same thing and things moving so slowly, Domingo Paes, a member of the Achuar people in the Ecuadorian Amazon, told The Guardian. But Ive met lots of people, in government and young activists, who say we must take action and that this is urgent. When I hear people saying this, it gives me hope, that things are changing. In Brazil, the Amazon and the Indigenous communities within it are especially under threat now because of the policies of right-wing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who wants to make it legal to mine in Indigenous territories, according to the report. Illegal mining has already increased during his tenure, with the amount of illegal gold produced by the country rising 23 percent during his first two years in office, Brazilian sustainability think tank Instituto Escolhas told Reuters. A company that is buying gold from Brazil already knows there is a huge risk it is buying irregular gold Amazon blood gold, Larissa Rodrigues of Escolhas told Reuters. The report noted that 47 percent of gold produced in Brazil between 2015 and 2020 was obtained illegally. Companies from Laos and China work together to increase cattle output for export to China A joint venture for the production of cattle intended for export to China has been agreed upon by Chinese and Laos companies, Xinhua News reported. The related Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, by the Integrated Agricultural Joint Venture from Laos, Tianjin Ringpu Biotech from China, and the China-ASEAN Innovative Academy for Major Animal Disease Control. The MOU states that the three parties will establish a joint venture for the production of cattle, establish technical guidelines for large-scale healthy cattle breeding, establish a protocol for the prevention and control of major animal diseases as well as hygienic requirements in an effort to meet quarantine requirements for export to China, and implement industrial training programmes. It is anticipated that their efforts will help the Southeast Asian nation's livestock industry advance and reduce local poverty. A quota of 500,000 cattle for export to China has been granted to Laos under an intergovernmental agreement. Laos achieved US$900 million in export revenue from agricultural products in 2021, or 82% of its goal. Agricultural products from Laos are primarily purchased by China, according to information from the Lao Trade Portal website. - Xinhua News Uruguay land values up due to increasing demand for soybean and beef Uruguayan land brokers said increased demand for soybean and beef in the country are boosting rural land prices for the second year in the row, Bloomberg reported. Pablo Albano, who oversees the real estate division of land-and-cattle broker Zambrano & Cia, said this year, many producers are starting to incorporate the increase in soy and meat into land values. He anticipates a 10% to 20% increase in land prices. Albano said he hasn't been this busy since he took over the division in 2010 and closed more than 10 transactions this year. Daniel Dutra, the director of rival broker Escritorio Dutra, said the number of transactions has doubled this year, and property values have increased by 5% to 10%, driven primarily by Uruguayan buyers. Both predict that, barring significant swings in commodity prices, land values will stabilise in 2019. Soybean futures have increased 9.1% in Chicago this year as food demand has increased globally and supply has been hampered by the drought and Russia's conflict in Ukraine, one of the world's primary producers of bread. This is increasing demand for agricultural products coming from other international suppliers like Uruguay. Uruguay consistently ranks among the top 10 countries exporting beef to the world and is a significant producer of soybeans in Latin America. With shipments totaling nearly $1.9 billion through August, the nation's beef exports are on track to break their previous record this year. Additionally, wood pulp is one of the forestry products that Uruguay exports. The value of agricultural lands has increased as a result of rising prices for such commodities, which have increased farmland returns. Last year, land sales in Uruguay increased by 51% to almost 232,000 hectares (573,000 acres), valued at $811 million. According to information gathered by Uruguay's agriculture ministry, the average price per hectare increased 6% to a four-year high of nearly $3,500. Despite the fact that more properties are changing hands, the brokers claim that the market is still a long way from entering a speculative bubble. The majority of land buyers are Uruguayans, with smaller numbers of Europeans, Americans, and South Americans following. Albano reported receiving inquiries from Argentines looking to invest US$30 million in grazing and farming land. Dutra is also getting inquiries from people who live elsewhere. - Bloomberg Argentina focuses on GM wheat as drought and war affect global crops Backers for the genetically modified (GM) wheat strain called HB4, developed by Argentinian company Bioceres and state scientists, said it could help prevent food shortages at a time when severe droughts have been brought on by climate change in China, North America, and Europe and food supply chains have been hampered by a conflict between major growers Russia and Ukraine, Reuters reported. Argentina, the sixth-largest exporter of wheat, approved HB4's commercial planting in 2020. It is first GM wheat strain in the world to obtain such approval, and it has been modified to tolerate the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium. Fearing unintended consequences from changes to the genome of a grain used to make bread, pasta, and other staples, many environmental and consumer advocacy groups have opposed GM wheat. Soy and corn, which are primarily used for animal feed, have long been genetically modified. The commercialization of GM wheat is being spearheaded by Bioceres on a global scale. Different levels of support were given to it in Brazil, Nigeria, Australia, and New Zealand. To prevent contamination with regular wheat, which local farmers worry could lead to import bans, it is using blockchain and georeferencing. Raquel Chan, a biochemist and researcher at the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), who oversaw development of the strain that has since been licenced to Bioceres, said there is some ignorance about what transgenic is. The extra gene from the sunflower plant was inserted into the plant, which was almost indistinguishable from regular wheat but could tolerate a lack of water better. Chan said it could have occurred naturally and has in fact occurred in other circumstances. Normally, it takes a very long time, they simply completed it more quickly. According to a 2020 academic paper published in Frontiers in Plant Science, HB4 could increase crop yields by 20% compared to regular wheat under dry and warm conditions. Despite receiving Argentina's blessing, Bioceres has yet to begin marketing the GM wheat for use in the South American nation. It is also being tested in Brazil, a neighbouring country. Reuters observed scientists working on soy strains, a GM crop long established in the global food supply chain, in the Bioceres laboratories in Rosario, Argentina's major inland grain port, which is located on the banks of the Parana river. However, GM wheat has long been frowned upon. The main worry is the potential for GM and non-GM wheat to mix, according to Julio Calzada, chief economist at Rosario Grain Exchange in Argentina. Calzada said Argentina needs these US$4.5 billion in exports, but doing so might result in bans on international markets. At such a challenging time for the nation's economy, they are essential. Since 2004, when massive seed producer Monsanto, now owned by Bayer AG, abandoned plans to develop GM wheat that could withstand its weed killer Roundup, no other major seed company has publicly attempted to develop GM wheat. Even though the company has long sold corn and soy whose genomes were changed to withstand Roundup, or glyphosate, consuming countries were threatening to ban U.S. wheat. In 2020, Bayer agreed to pay billions of dollars to settle legal claims brought by individuals who said its weedkiller had injured them. Based on documents from the US Department of Agriculture, agribusiness firms BASF SE, BiogemmaUSA Corp, and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, owned by Corteva Inc, were granted permission to test genetically modified wheat in the country in recent years. BASF told Reuters that the trials were stopped in 2019 and wheat is now being developed using conventional breeding techniques. Corteva said it will not commercialise wheat as a result of its trials. Owner Limagrain said Biogemma only used field trials for research and development. Bayer said it was not working with GM wheat. Bioceres said it is attempting to obtain commercial approval from the governments of the US and Australia in order to plant HB4 wheat there. Ratna Sari Loppies, the head of the wheat flour mills association in Indonesia, which is Argentina's second-largest buyer of wheat after Brazil, downplayed concerns about contamination while stating that millers there would not yet purchase Argentina's GM wheat in order to prevent a "negative" impact on their own exports of consumer wheat products. Brazil appears to have softened its stance in an effort to increase its own wheat harvest and exports of the grain. Rubens Barbosa, president of the Brazilian flour millers association Abitrigo, said Brazil may approve HB4 wheat. He had threatened to stop importing wheat from Argentina in 2020 after that country's government had approved Bioceres' GM wheat. In 2021, Brazil granted approval for HB4 wheat flour. In order to ensure the traceability of the HB4 strain, Bioceres said they have taken strong precautions to prevent cross-contamination, including using blockchain technology in a "preserved identity production system." These actions, according to Bioceres CEO Federico Trucco, help convince sceptics. The recent approval in Nigeria, the only nation to fully approve imports of HB4 wheat grains, marks a new milestone. He claimed that in addition to North Africa, the company was making inroads in Vietnam and Indonesia. Consumers and millers in Brazil were becoming more accepting of GM wheat, he continued. - Reuters Indonesia implements strict policies on cattle movement before G20 Summit The Indonesian government has announced strict policies on cattle movement, which includes the sale and transport of cattle and cattle farming products, so that the G20 Summit at Bali in November would be a success, Antara reported. Wiku Adisasmito, coordinator of the expert team of the task force for the handling of foot-and mouth-disease (FMD), said it is now prohibited to transport susceptible cattle out of or into any of Bali's districts or cities. Swine, however, are an exception and are permitted to be sold to areas outside the province. Additionally, the requirement for vaccinating transported swine has been removed. In the meantime, the only fresh animal product that has been permitted to enter the province is premium meat that complies with the task force's rules. The task force, along with the Balinese government and community, are working to vaccinate cattle against FMD in the area in addition to tightening restrictions on the transport of goods. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health's (WOAH) recommendations, the government is attempting to speed up and increase the national FMD vaccination coverage to 80% by the end of October 2022. Adisasmito said surveillance will also be regularly conducted, representing their collective effort to protect the G20 Summit from FMD. He said that in addition to other provinces, he anticipates that the FMD handling efforts in Bali province will be accelerated. Adisasmito said the Aftopor vaccine, which was developed in France, is a FMD vaccine being used to stop FMD transmission in Indonesia. The Australian government has also given one million doses of the monovalent aphthogen oleo vaccine to Indonesia. In order to implement the FMD response in Indonesia more quickly, precisely, and measurably, he continued, various parties, including veterinarians as well as military and police personnel, have been involved. 2,666,637 cattle have received an anti-disease vaccination to date, based on information that was delivered from the task force. - Antara Oman calls for investments in aquaculture Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) is calling for investments in aquaculture and urging investors to submit a feasibility report on probable projects, their proposed sites and areas. According to MAFWR, an investor must provide information on the initial investment costs of a project and indicate the type of fish that will be cultivated and determine the fish farming system. Additionally, they must also provide an overview of project management and production stages, as well as the expected date by which one would start working on the project. They should also present the services that a project would provide to serve the local community. The last date for submission of applications is October 17. According to statistics issued by the ministry, fish production from commercial aquaculture projects in Oman reached 1,703 tonnes in 2021. Dr. Issa bin Mohammad al Farsi, director of the Fisheries Development Department in MAFWR, said that the integrated fish farming projects focus on the integration between agricultural activity and fish farming in order to achieve food security in the country. The ministry seeks to increase the contribution of the fish farming sector to the GDP and to achieve Oman Vision 2040 through several projects, such as the farming of white shrimp in the wilayat of Jalan Bani Bu Hassan and the establishment of an abalone production project in the wilayat of Mirbat, Dr. al Farsi said. - Muscat Daily Major project planned to protect harbour infrastructure A project will take place next year aimed at maintaining and improving critical infrastructure at Douglas Harbour. Repairs will be undertaken to the walls of King Edward VIII Pier and measures taken to protect its foundations against underwater erosion. Alterations will also be made to mitigate the effect of very high winds and protect the Isle of Man Steam Packet Companys new vessel, Manxman, which is under construction in South Korea. At 133 metres, it will be 8m longer than the Ben-my-Chree and bigger overall. Fenders and mooring bollards will be replaced and strengthened to reduce the risk of damage to both the pier and Manxman during stormy conditions. A number of changes are planned, under the direction of marine engineering experts Royal HaskoningDHV: Installation of a new remote mooring dolphin 10m beyond the end of the pier, including fender protection and maritime lighting (subject to Planning Application 22/00909/B) Installation of a new fender dolphin close to the end of the pier Installation of three new 100-ton mooring bollards close to the link span and stern of the ship Modifications to existing fenders to reduce the risk of damage Scour protection, through repairs and rock bag protection, to the berth wall and end of the pier Additional mooring rope winch at the end of the pier Demolition of the blockhouse building at the end of the pier The Manxman is expected to be delivered in April 2023 and in operation shortly afterwards. The proposed works are scheduled to commence in late summer 2023 and be completed ahead of winter and higher winds. Construction activity will take place around sailings, in full collaboration with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. A Prior Information Notice, known as a PIN, has today been placed on the Isle of Man Government Procurement Portal seeking expressions of interest from companies interested in undertaking the work. Infrastructure Minister Chris Thomas MHK said: The arrival of the new ship is eagerly anticipated for many reasons, and its important we adapt our existing infrastructure to ensure it is well-protected heading into the winter months. Issuing the Prior Information Notice is an important step in this process and will alert experienced specialist contractors equipped to undertake this type of project. King Edward VIII Pier was constructed in 1938, and the last programme of major works was undertaken more than 25 years ago. FlyDirect to continue flights from Isle of Man to Majorca next Summer Direct flights from teh Isle of Man to the Mediterranean will resume next Summer following overwhelming demand. FlyDirect will provide flights every Saturday between 20 May and 23 September from Ronaldsway direct to Palma Airport in Majorca. C. I. Travel Group Managing Director Robert Mackenzie said, We are delighted that so many people in the Isle of Man took the decision to choose to travel on our direct flight programme this summer. The challenges of travelling through the UK have been well publicised and the convenience and speed of flying direct has attracted many to try FlyDirect this year. FlyDirect is again partnering with BA CityFlyer, a subsidiary of British Airways who will operate the flights using the comfortable Embraer 190 jet aircraft. Meta has finally released the findings of an outside report that examined how its content moderation policies affected Israelis and Palestinians amid an escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip last May. The report , from Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), found that Facebook and Instagram violated Palestinians right to free expression. Based on the data reviewed, examination of individual cases and related materials, and external stakeholder engagement, Metas actions in May 2021 appear to have had an adverse human rights impact on the rights of Palestinian users to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, political participation, and non-discrimination, and therefore on the ability of Palestinians to share information and insights about their experiences as they occurred, BSR writes in its report. The report also notes that an examination of individual cases showed that some Israeli accounts were also erroneously banned or restricted during this period. But the report's authors highlight several systemic issues they say disproportionately affected Palestinians. Turn on browser notifications to receive breaking news alerts from Engadget You can disable notifications at any time in your settings menu. Not now Turned on Turn on According to the report, Arabic content had greater over-enforcement, and proactive detection rates of potentially violating Arabic content were significantly higher than proactive detection rates of potentially violating Hebrew content. The report also notes that Meta had an internal tool for detecting hostile speech in Arabic, but not in Hebrew, and that Metas systems and moderators had lower accuracy when assessing Palestinian Arabic. As a result, many users accounts were hit with false strikes, and wrongly had posts removed by Facebook and Instagram. These strikes remain in place for those users that did not appeal erroneous content removals, the report notes. Meta had commissioned the report following a recommendation from the Oversight Board last fall. In a response to the report, Meta says it will update some of its policies, including several aspects of its Dangerous Individuals and Organizations (DOI) policy. The company says its started a policy development process to review our definitions of praise, support and representation in our DOI Policy, and that its working on ways to make user experiences of our DOI strikes simpler and more transparent. Meta also notes it has begun experimentation on building a dialect-specific Arabic classifier for written content, and that it has changed its internal process for managing keywords and block lists that affect content removals. The next Artemis 1 launch attempt might take place as soon as next week, seeing as NASA has met all the objectives it set out to do to consider its rocket's fuel test a success. NASA had to test adding super-cooled fuel to the Space Launch System's tanks to confirm the repairs it made after it scrubbed the mission's second launch attempt in late August. The ground team at Kennedy Space Center spotted a persistent hydrogen leak affecting one of the fuel lines on the SLS at the time and tried to fix it the day of three times. In the end, the team was unsuccessful and decided to postpone the mission. The team determined a few days later that the leak was triggered when the SLS rocket's core booster tank went through a brief overpressurization. To prevent the same incident from happening, the team adjusted procedures for filling the rocket's tank with propellants, and it involves transitioning temperatures and pressures more slowly to prevent rapid changes that could cause leakage. The team's engineers also replaced the rocket's liquid hydrogen seals after discovering a small indentation in one of them that may have contributed to the leak. While the engineers encountered another hydrogen leak during the fuel test, their troubleshooting efforts worked this time around and got the leak to "within allowable rates." That allowed them to conduct the pre-pressurization test, which brought up the liquid hydrogen tank's pressure level to match what it would experience just before an actual launch. Turn on browser notifications to receive breaking news alerts from Engadget You can disable notifications at any time in your settings menu. Not now Turned on Turn on Artemis 1 launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson said the test went "really well" and that the team was able to accomplish all the objectives it set out to do. NASA will now evaluate data from the test before deciding if it can schedule another launch for the mission on its target date of September 27th. NASA and Hideo Kojima have teamed up for a project, and it's not the partnership itself that's unusual. Kojima Productions' mascot, after all, is a character called Ludens, who wears an extravehicular activity spacesuit and is meant to be an astronaut exploring digital space. No, it's the fact that they've collaborated on a watch. It's not even a smartwatch it's an actual wristwatch called Space Ludens that's based on the gaming developer's mascot. The watch was designed and will be sold by creative studio and watchmaker Anicorn, which previously worked with NASA on other watches and merch. As IGN notes, it's based on the visual style of Ludens' spacesuit, with its gray/silver coloring and gold screws and accents. The NASA logo adorns its watchface, along with the words "Extra-Vehicular Creative Activity Suit." Underneath, the Kojima Productions logo is stamped on the transparent case showing the watch's gears. While a watch is most likely not the first thing that'll come to mind when you hear that Kojima teamed up with NASA, it does look pretty cool and could appeal to fans of either party. The Space Ludens watch will be released in limited quantities on September 27th. Only 600 pieces will be available for purchase, and 100 of which will ship with a skull mask based on the one that's prominently featured in the Kojima Productions logo. Anicorn has yet to reveal how much it will cost, but its previous NASA watches don't come cheap and will set you back over $1,000. Turn on browser notifications to receive breaking news alerts from Engadget You can disable notifications at any time in your settings menu. Not now Turned on Turn on At CES 2021, LG revealed it was working on a phone with a rollable display and that it was going to be available later that year. Unfortunately, the company shuttered its mobile business before that happened. Now, a hands-on video by Korean tech reviewer BullsLab shows just how close LGs Rollable got to launching. The Rollable went a different way with flexible screen tech. Instead of folding, the screen, well, rolled out of the device. The screen was able to stretch out until the phone becomes a small tablet. In the video, you'll see how responsive the device is and how quickly it expands after the YouTuber swipes at the screen with three fingers. The reviewer even shows how strong the motor is, inching books away from the phone as it unfurls. Alas, it was never meant to be. Id definitely be concerned that anything motorized would also struggle with longevity theres a reason that motorized pop-out selfie cameras quickly disappeared from smartphones. Oppo also showed off a rollable phone prototype back in 2021, but that project has also gone silent. Maybe CES 2023? Mat Smith Turn on browser notifications to receive breaking news alerts from Engadget You can disable notifications at any time in your settings menu. Not now Turned on Turn on The biggest stories you might have missed Preorders for the device went live a little early in Canada. Logitech Logitech has revealed all the details of its handheld console. Logitech and Tencent (who built the device together) collaborated with Microsoft and NVIDIA to ensure there's native support for Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now. You can also use the Steam Link app to play games from your PC remotely, while the Xbox app supports remote play from consoles. You'll be able to stream games in 1080p at up to 60 frames per second on the seven-inch, 450-nit touchscreen.The system will be available from Amazon in the US, where it costs $350 USD, or $300 if you preorder. That's fairly pricey for a dedicated cloud gaming handheld, though it also has access to the Google Play Store to play Android titles. Continue reading. The images from James Webb Space Telescope are already providing new insights. NASA Researchers have shared the James Webb Space Telescopes first image of Neptune, offering the best view of the planets rings in over 30 years. The picture is not only clear, but offers the first-ever look at the dust-based rings in the near-infrared spectrum. At these wavelengths, the planet doesn't look blue it absorbs so much infrared and visible red light that it takes on a dark, ghostly appearance. Neptune is a particularly important target for scientists. At roughly 2.8 billion miles from the Sun, it's far enough to deal with conditions that aren't present for nearer planets, such as very low temperatures and a very long (164-year) orbit. Continue reading. Results with your address, phone number or email will be reviewed 'more quickly.' Google is releasing a tool that makes it easier to remove search results containing your address, phone number and other personally identifiable information. It first revealed the "results about you" feature at Google I/O 2022 in May, describing it as a way to "help you easily control whether your personally identifiable information can be found in Search results." If you see a result with your phone number, home address or email, you can click on the three-dot menu at the top right. That opens the usual "About this result" panel, but it now contains a new "Remove result" option at the bottom of the screen. Its rolling out to users in the US and Europe now. Continue reading. Our first proper look at the Surface Pro 9 and Surface Laptop 5? Microsoft isn't going to be left off the fall hardware event calendar. The company will hold a Surface event on October 12th at 10AM ET. While it's not completely clear what Microsoft plans to show off beyond "devices," we may get our first official look at the Surface Pro 9 and Surface Laptop 5. Its going to be a chaotic couple of weeks: Amazon has a hardware showcase on September 28th, Google has set a Pixel event for October 6th and Meta is expected to show off its next-generation VR headset on October 11th. Continue reading. Virtual worlds could distract you from the pain. MIT Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center researchers in Boston have published a study indicating that patients wearing VR headsets required less anesthetic during hand surgery. While the average conventional patient needed 750.6 milligrams per hour of the sedative propofol, people looking at relaxing VR content (such as meditation, nature scenes and videos) only required 125.3 milligrams. They also recovered quicker. The scientists claimed VR distracted the patients from the pain that would otherwise command their full attention. Researchers admitted that the headset wearers may have gone into the operating room expecting VR to help, potentially skewing the results. Further trials are planned. Continue reading. Over the course of his long, storied career, legendary newspaper and magazine designer Dr Mario Garcia has left an indelible mark on the Indian print media industry. From creating the widely appreciated look for Hindustan Times Mint to multiple redesigns of HT itself, and most recently, the complete revamping of The Hindus design on the occasion of the newspapers 144th year anniversary, Garcia has influenced how millions of Indians approach their morning newspaper. Over the course of his work as Founder and CEO of Garcia Media, based out of New York, he has worked as a design/editorial consultant in 120 countries, with projects for The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), New Straits Times (Malaysia) and Aftenposten (Norway). exchange4media spoke to the veteran designer about his latest work with The Hindu, the changing media landscape of print in the digital age, and his creative process. Edited excerpts: You've had a long history of association with the Indian media. Could you encapsulate how it all began? And how it has unfolded over the years? SPAN, the magazine published by the U.S. Embassy in Delhi, has honoured me with a profile focused on my work in India since 1999, when I first visited Delhis Hindustan Times. Since then, I have worked with Malayala Manorama, The Week, The Hindu, Sportstar, Business Line, Frontline magazine, Midday, Sakshi, Saakal Times and the creation of the financial daily, Mint. What are your own favourite redesigns or original designs that you've done over the years? It is difficult to single out one project (out of more than 750), just like it is difficult for a parent to single out a favourite child. Each project is unique in scope, challenges, and the far-reaching effect it may have on audiences. In my latest book, The Story, I single out three projects that stand out as especially challenging, but, in the end, with great results. For me, those are Die Zeit (Germany), The Wall Street Journal (USA) and El Tiempo (Colombia). Each presented a different challenge and all are legacy, iconic newspapers in their respective environments. Each began the process of rethinking and redesigning with editors sceptical of change, but, yet, in the end, these three titles went for big and long-lasting changes. Could you talk about your redesign of The Hindu? What was your inspiration? The Hindu is a familiar title to me, as I have worked on previous transformations of its design. This time, however, the challenge was greater: how to make a legacy, iconic print newspaper viable, interesting and essential, in the mobile era. This was not just a redesign but a total rethink, with major emphasis on the newsroom becoming a mobile-first operation. We trained the journalists to tell stories specifically to be consumed on the small screens of telephones. I worked with a talented internal team and was happy to see so many young journalists who think digitally now joining the ranks of The Hindu. I am inspired by The Hindus history, its authenticity and history for readers in southern India. The Hindu is, indeed, a national journalistic treasure, and my team and I did all we could to maintain a sense of elegance and gravitas with the new design across platforms. With the huge pivot towards digital, how have your print media designs evolved over the years? Has digitization influenced your designs? There is no question that many readers who read in print bring with them ideas and habits formed while consuming news digitally. However, each platform is different. How we write, edit and design for mobile consumption are a bit different from the way we do so via print. In fact, even reading on the small canvas of a phone is different from how the eye moves on the larger screen of a desktop or laptop computer, and vastly different from how we consume content on printed pages. The reader of today is more impatient and demanding, and comes to our content already knowing more than his predecessors did ten years ago. It is the job of the journalist in the mobile era to advance stories, to tell the reader more and to dig deep into the why of stories, knowing that readers are already aware of the essentials of content. Indeed, challenging times. Our work with The Hindu is all about adapting journalistic practices to the mobile era and how we consume news today. Unquestionably, digital modes of reading have migrated to print and we must take that into account, with 82% of readers consuming content on mobile devices. Finally, could you briefly take us through your process of coming up with a new design, in particular the time it takes and the various processes and teams it evolves over and through? Usually, my projects are divided into four stages: briefing (getting all the information necessary to understand why transformation is needed, and the type of change that is called for in the project), sketching (when my team and I get to put ideas down to present to the editors - this process is key, as it is where the briefing information translates into visible concepts), prototyping (taking the designs to reality, by creating actual screens and pages to review in the prototype stage), implementation (the launch day, which is the beginning of how the change will be presented to the audience). But it is not the end. For 3 months following the launch, we monitor the progress of the new concept, review feedback and incorporate necessary changes. These four steps have proved functional to us at Garcia Media, but we understand that how they develop is different for each project. Sometimes many prototypes are needed to get to one final concept that is acceptable to all. Sometimes we nail it in one prototype. Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India) CONTACT: Pamela D. Wilson +1 303-810-1816 Email: Inquiry_For_Pamela@pameladwilson.com Date: September 22, 2022 Denver, CO Employee resource groups for family caregivers of elderly parents now have access to an open course from caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson. The program, Support Caring for Elderly Parents, features eight modules. Wilson's Support Caring for Elderly Parents program takes caregivers through the A to Z of caregiving and features slide decks and related materials in these sections: Managing Emotions, Family Relationships, and Elderly Parents Who Refuse Care Signs Elderly Parents Need Care: Creating Strategies & Initiating Conversations with Parents, Doctors, and Family Members Activities of Daily Living & the Effects of Nutrition and Physical Activity on Aging Home Safety for Seniors: Preventing Falls, Injuries & Weakness A Plan for Elderly Parents: How to Create Stay Healthy Daily Routines Creating a Plan to Care for Loved Ones With Memory Loss Medicare Doesn't Pay for Everything: Planning for the Care Costs of Elderly Parents How to Manage Healthcare Providers for Elderly Parents Family caregiving is an unexpected path fraught with unanticipated challenges. Unfortunately, employees helping aging parents or loved ones often do not associate themselves with the word "caregiver," so they don't realize that help and support are available. Providing educational support within ERGs helps corporations support and retain valuable employees. In addition, by making caregiving of the elderly an acceptable workplace conversationmuch like conversations about raising childrenemployees feel less isolated and alone. Time spent in caregiving averages twenty hours a week on top of a full-time job. Time spent in care activities usually means that caregivers neglect other parts of their lives, including their health which can result in absenteeism. Telltale signs that employees may be caregivers of elderly parents include changes in work schedulesfor example, coming in late, leaving early, or requesting time off to take elderly parents to a doctor's appointment. Employees hesitate to advise supervisors of family caregiving responsibilities for fear of being viewed as less capable of doing their jobs. When parents or spouses have significant health issues like dementia, Alzheimer's, or Parkinson's disease, caregivers will eventually need more time to coordinate or provide care. Employee caregiver resource groups can support caregivers at various stages of the caregiving journey. Caregiver Support Wilson supports family caregivers, groups, and corporations worldwide by offering education for caregivers about managing, planning, and navigating health and aging issues. Learn more about Pamela at www.pameladwilson.com. Pamela may also be contacted at +1 303-810-1816 or through the Contact Me page on her website. # Over 90% of eligible fields have registered to take part in Northern Ireland's new Soil Nutrient Health Scheme, the Department of Agriculture (DAERA) has confirmed. Farmers located in zone one of the scheme - consisting of Co Down and parts of Co Armagh and Antrim - were encouraged by DAERA to apply before the 31 August deadline. The objective of the scheme is to test all, or the vast majority, of the 700,000 fields used for farming in the province in order to help farmers manage their nutrient applications. If farmers do not decide to register, they will fall short of the eligibility criteria which must be met to receive future agriculture support payments. These include the Farm Sustainability Payment, Beef Sustainability Scheme and Farming With Nature Scheme. The three new payments will be significant income streams for farmers going forward, replacing the majority of support currently offered by the BPS. DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has confirmed that uptake in zone one had been 'very successful', with over 90% of eligible fields registered. Mr Poots said: I look forward to the scheme providing our farmers with key information, on which future farming decisions can be based. The SNHS is a large and innovative scheme representing an investment of up to 45m in our farming sector. "Participating in the scheme will provide farmers with vital and detailed information, firstly on managing soil nutrients and later, on farm carbon stocks." DAERA is also interested in understanding why some farmers in zone 1 did not register by 31 August, and they will be contacted for feedback about their reasons for not joining. In addition, the department will be seeking the views of a number of farmers in zone 1 about the registration process to improve for future registrations for zones 2, 3 and 4. Warrenton, VA (20186) Today Showers this evening becoming less numerous overnight. Low 46F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Showers this evening becoming less numerous overnight. Low 46F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Chinese FM meets Britain's foreign secretary on sidelines of UNGA session Xinhua) 09:31, September 22, 2022 Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 20, 2022. (Photo by Liao Pan/Xinhua) NEW YORK, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met here with Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ambassadorial diplomatic relations between China and Britain, Wang said in the face of complex and grave challenges in today's world, the two countries, both as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should focus on mutually beneficial cooperation, and should avoid conflict and confrontation. A sound China-Britain relationship is based upon mutual respect, with objective understanding as the prerequisite, and proper handling of differences as the key, Wang said. He said he hopes that Britain's new government will view China and China-Britain relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and work together with China in the same direction, adding that he hopes the two sides can treat each other as equals, steer clear of interference, and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to advance the bilateral relationship along the right track. For his part, Cleverly noted that China, a major country with global influence, shoulders important responsibilities and plays an important role in the UN. Britain is committed to establishing mutually beneficial and effective relations with China, helping both sides achieve growth, and promoting peace and security, so as to benefit the people of both countries, he said. Noting that Britain appreciates China's great achievements in poverty alleviation, Cleverly said at a time full of challenges, the two countries should look to the future of mankind, focus on addressing common challenges, and strengthen cooperation in such areas as climate change and poverty alleviation. Britain stands ready to maintain open dialogue and exchanges with China, so as to create conditions for further cooperation between the two sides, he added. Noting that for a long time Britain was developing relations with China ahead of other Western countries, Wang said the two countries should take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to review and summarize the experience and lessons of the past 50 years, and to push forward the sound and stable development of bilateral relations. China unswervingly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, and is dedicated to establishing and developing sound relations with all countries, he said. Wang said China advocates for practicing true multilateralism, upholds an open strategy of mutual benefit and win-win results, and is willing to share market opportunities with other countries and achieve common prosperity. China stands ready to practice mutual respect, engage in candid dialogue, and advance mutual understanding with Britain, Wang said, adding that the two countries should safeguard the political foundation for bilateral relations and push forward the development of bilateral relations. Britain should honour its pledge that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic of China, and unequivocally oppose "Taiwan independence," he stressed. Cleverly said that Britain's position on the Taiwan question remains unchanged. The British foreign secretary also briefed Wang on Britain's view on the Ukraine crisis. Noting that China's position on the crisis has been consistent, Wang said from the very beginning, China has been committed to promoting peace talks, and has supported all efforts conducive to achieving peace. It is imperative to achieve a ceasefire and end the conflict, prevent new rounds of escalation of the situation, and jointly cope with the negative spillover effects of the crisis, he added. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun) Vietnam earned $26.284 billion from textile and garment exports in the first eight months of 2022, an increase of 24.3 per cent over the same period of last year, as per preliminary data of customs IT and statistics department, general department of customs, Vietnams ministry of finance. Yarn exports were $3.452 billion in the same period of this year. According to the latest figures, the US accounted for a major share (about 46 per cent) totalling $12.881 billion in textile and garment exports from Vietnam during the period under review. Japan and South Korea were the other major destinations with exports of $2.536 billion and $2.143 billion, respectively. Vietnams yarn exports, however, decreased by 5.3 per cent to $3.452 billion compared to the same period of last year. Of this, China imported around 46.49 per cent or $1.605 billion worth of yarn, followed by India that imported yarn worth $87.993 million. In volume terms, Vietnam exported 1,088,677 tons of yarn which was 17.4 per cent lower than the exports during the corresponding period of last year. Vietnam earned $26.284 billion from textile and garment exports in the first eight months of 2022, an increase of 24.3 per cent over the same period of last year, as per preliminary data of customs IT and statistics department, general department of customs, Vietnam's ministry of finance. Yarn exports were $3.452 billion in the same period of this year. In 2021, Vietnams textile and garment exports earned $32.750 billion, registering a growth of 9.9 per cent over the exports of $29.809 billion in the previous year, while yarn exports increased by 50.1 per cent to $5.609 billion from $3.736 billion in 2020. For 2022, Vietnam has set a target of $43 billion for its textiles, garments and yarn exports, according to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS). Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Austria-based Lenzing, a leading supplier of sustainably produced specialty fibres, has been recognised at The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)s Awards 2022 for its commitment towards paving sustainable practices for the denim industry. The companys flagship brand Tencel Modal fibre with Indigo Color technology won the award for Sustainability and Innovation at the ITMF Annual Conference in Davos, Switzerland. First launched in 2021, Tencel Modal fibre with Indigo Color technology has been established as the foremost fibre solution to address the demand for more eco-responsible fibre alternatives among denim brands and retailers. The new technology incorporates indigo pigment directly into Tencel branded modal fibres using a one-step, spun-dyeing process. Such process delivers superior colour fastness relative to conventional indigo dyeing. Compared with traditional rope-dyed indigo yarns, the production of Tencel Modal fibre with Indigo Color technology saves around 99 per cent of water and electricity, 80 per cent of chemicals, and even 100 per cent of heat energy, significantly reducing the ecological footprint of denim products, according to a press release by Lenzing. Lenzing, a supplier of sustainably produced specialty fibres, has been recognised at the ITMF's Awards 2022 for its commitment towards paving sustainable practices for the denim industry. The company's flagship brand Tencel Modal fibre with Indigo Color technology won the award for Sustainability and Innovation at the ITMF Annual Conference in Davos. At Lenzing, sustainability and innovation are key drivers of our business, and it is truly an honour to be recognised by industry players and the ITMF Awards. Through a blend of eco-responsible materials and pioneering technology, we created a new benchmark for the denim industry with Tencel Modal with Indigo Color technology. We will continue to innovate our fibre offerings to address the rising demand for eco-responsible alternatives. With each fibre innovation, we are one step closer to reducing the environmental impact of our textile industry ecosystem, said Florian Heubrandner, vice president global textiles business at Lenzing AG. Tencel Modal with Indigo Color technology fibres offer several possibilities, from denim to outerwear, active attire, and footwear. The new fibres can even open up applications for indigo in baby items, such as clothing and sheets, added the release. While we continue to explore different washes, effects, and fibre blends, we are open for innovation and what can be done. Beyond the denim market there are already commercial programmes in knitwear. With so many great minds and new ideas out in the market, this is an excellent opportunity to experiment with something new and lower the environmental footprint, said Tricia Carey, director of global business development denim and americas, Lenzing AG. To date, Tencel Modal with Indigo technology has been designated BioPreferred by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and was certified with the EU Ecolabel. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB) Earlier this month, Alex Hsu, president of International Cotton Association (ICA) and Bill Kingdon, managing director, ICA made outreach visits to Pakistan and Bangladesh the first visit possible to the regions since 2018. Across the region the ICA encouraged greater engagement from potential ICA members. Buyers in the region reported major hardship from disrupted supplies and late shipment. These are exacerbating the effects of currency depreciations, price volatility, reduced orders from retailers and brands the wider impacts of reduced yields in several major cotton producing regions. The ICA Board Strategy Meeting in November will be focusing on some of the issues raised, the ICA said in a media release. Earlier this month, Alex Hsu (ICA president) and Bill Kingdon (ICA managing director) made outreach visits to Pakistan and Bangladesh the first visit possible to the regions since 2018. Across the region the ICA encouraged greater engagement from potential ICA members. Buyers reported major hardship from disrupted supplies and late shipment. In Pakistan they were hosted by Mohammad Ali Bashir (ICA regional director for Pakistan), Atif Dada (Karachi Cotton Association) in Karachi and Iqbal Khurram in Lahore. Meetings were held with KCA, APTMA (South), APTMA (North-Central) and partner firms from across the country. In Lahore Carl Peltzer (Cargill) joined the delegation. In Bangladesh the group was hosted by Shafiqul Sarker Sohel (ICA regional director for Bangladesh). Meetings were held with BTMA (Bangladesh Textile Mills Association) and BCA (Bangladesh Cotton Association) as well as partner firms in Dhaka. Additionally, the ICA will begin to deliver a series of Trade Matters training courses in important buying regions, starting with Pakistan next month. The training will take place in various locations throughout Pakistan from October 17-22, and will cover important aspects of international trade, including contract making, ICA bylaws & rules, quality, classing & testing, claims and resolution, ICA arbitration, ICA lists of unfulfilled awards and ICA membership. This training is aimed at individuals with a basic knowledge of cotton quality matters. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD) Harleen Sethi has been a dancer, an anchor, done TV commercials, and then found her true calling in acting thanks to her performance in Broken But Beautiful alongside Vikrant Massey. As a child, she used to take part in hazaar competitions. She was the most extra-curricular activity-inclined girl in her school. So much so that her mother used to always have three or four costumes ready. Her confidence grew with every win. In fact, she'd end up winning despite not getting training. That's what convinced her to be do something creative. I was inclined towards advertising. I wanted to become an ad film director as he's the captain of the ship. My parents had already paid Rs 25000 for MBA classes when I told them I wanted to pursue something creative. They supported me in my decision and I started learning jazz, ballet and contemporary dance. I was a good student and soon got a scholarship for it. She progressed to being a dance instructor and was soon teaching students on a one-to-one basis. She even taught Frieda Pinto for her role in the Hollywood Musical Desert Dancer (2014). Dance led to her getting a break in the ad world. My first ad happened as a dancer. They were looking for someone who could do ballet in pointed shoes. That is how my journey began in front of the camera. For a few hours of work, I got Rs 17000 at that time. I got another call for another ad, but this time the director asked if I could act instead of dancing. That is how the journey in front of the camera began, she reveals. She worked in ad films for two years both as a model and an assistant director and also started giving auditions for shows and films. One such audition led to her being featured in Broken But Beautiful. She was actually chosen for another show called The Great Indian Dysfunctional Family. The entire cast were called for a narration with Ekta Kapoor. Harleen's sister was getting married, and she left her bidaai function early to be there for the narration. She was all decked up in traditional attire, with a big matha patti and huge earrings, when she landed at the meeting When I was introduced to Ekta, she said, Don't you think you are a little overdressed for narration?' They'd already locked in Vikrant Massey for Broken But Beautiful, and I'd heard they were considering Nushrratt Bharuccha or Prachi Desai to be the female lead. Ekta must have seen something in me as I was called for an audition. I gave one solo reading and the other with Vikrant. I was asked to choose between the two shows, and I picked Broken... because I'm a romantic at heart.She'd been an anchor for the show India Adventures and says she's open to doing all kinds of things, provided they're good. I recently met someone who was interested in developing a series on lesser known dance forms and wanted me to anchor it. It would take me all around the world to interview dancers. I want to live a wholesome life and not be restricted to doing just one thing, Every newcomer has to go through a cycle of struggle, and Harleen is no exception. With time, she's learnt to take rejection in her stride. I don't see it as rejection or failure, but as a learning opportunity." "I'm from Mumbai and live with my parents, so unlike a lot of outsiders, I didn't have to worry about paying rent or paying my bills on time. So my struggle hasn't been that harsh. There have been ups and downs for sure, but that's part and parcel of being an actor, she explains. She plays an army officer in Test Case 2 and a CBI officer in Gone Game 2. Harleen says she said yes to them because of their uniqueness. Right now, I am in the zone of being an actor who is just exploring, having fun, and learning. It all boils down to how convincing I can look in an audition. If I can convince a director at that point that I can play the part, then I can work with him and develop it further when we actually shoot. Also, 70 percent is luck. You should respect that and never allow your ego to get in the way. You should be kind and compassionate and helpful every time with everybody and let destiny sort you out. She'd love to do comedy, which is something she hasn't explored till now. In fact, she'd love to be in a proper Bollywood romantic comedy, with all the tropes thrown in. Being a dancer, I fantasise about doing a dance number in a film. I'm doing a medical drama on OTT, which is also a romance. But it's going to be all realistic and not over-the-top, like in our films. Strutting steadily into the hearts of viewers is no easy feat, but Harleen Sethi seems to have done it with aplomb and stayed put. She has always been inclined towards donning many hats at once. The young actress' approach to her career philosophy, her upcoming shows such as The Test Case 2 that'll continue to show her versatile graph of work as this time she'll play an army officer, and how she never wants to be stagnant in just one territory of creativity is indeed inspiring. It was refreshing to hear out about her focused future and how she perceives her filmography to pan out, replete with variety. Here's to aiming onwards and upwards, always, as sky is indeed the limit. Customers in ??Australia, India, and Japan can now service traffic locally while benefiting from Cloudflare's leading performance and security features for the first time Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET), the security, performance, and reliability company helping to build a better Internet, today announced that Cloudflare's Data Localization Suite (DLS) is now available in three new countries in the Asia Pacific region: Australia, India, and Japan. The Data Localization Suite will help businesses based in these countries, as well as global companies who do business in these countries, to comply with their data localization obligations by using Cloudflare to easily set rules and controls on where their domestic data goes and who has access to it. This ultimately allows any business with customers in these countries to service their data locally while benefiting from the speed, security, and scalability of Cloudflare's global network. Nearly 70% of countries in Asia have passed or drafted new data protection and privacy legislation. This often makes it difficult for regional companies to use foreign-based vendors to handle domestic traffic. Without regional support, many businesses are under pressure to use only in-country run vendors and may be required to restrict their application to one data center or one cloud provider's region. This creates a trade-off between compliance and fast, secure experiences for end users. With the Data Localization Suite, businesses of any size or industry can now use Cloudflare to get more choice and control over how to meet their data locality needs, without sacrificing security or performance. "No business should have to choose between compliance with local data regulation and a superior experience for their customers. And yet, we hear time and again that companies are forced to do so in the face of a complex and ever-changing landscape of regional legislation," said Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO, Cloudflare. "By expanding our Data Localization Suite to our customers in Australia, India, and Japan, we're ensuring data locality doesn't have to come at the expense of the speed, security, and privacy users expect and deserve online." Now, businesses in Australia, India, and Japan can use Cloudflare's Data Localization Suite to: Control where traffic is serviced : Companies can choose the data center locations where their traffic is inspected. Businesses can also use Cloudflare's Geo Key Manager to choose where private keys are held. : Companies can choose the data center locations where their traffic is inspected. Businesses can also use Cloudflare's Geo Key Manager to choose where private keys are held. Build and deploy serverless code, with regional control : Build applications that allow developers to combine global performance with local compliance regulations. Jurisdiction Restrictions for Workers Durable Objects makes it easy to build serverless applications that are confined to a specific region. : Build applications that allow developers to combine global performance with local compliance regulations. Jurisdiction Restrictions for Workers Durable Objects makes it easy to build serverless applications that are confined to a specific region. Use Cloudflare's security features to protect their web properties: Customers can use WAF, Bot Management, DDoS protection and more to ensure their websites are safe and stay online. Customers can use WAF, Bot Management, DDoS protection and more to ensure their websites are safe and stay online. Align with global and regional security certifications: Businesses can trust that they are compliant with global privacy and security certifications like ISO 27001, 27701, and 27018 while still offering performance and speed at scale. "Asia Pacific has over 2.5 billion Internet users, representing more than half of the total Internet users in the world, and data protection and privacy have become increasingly important in this region. Preserving end-user privacy is core to Cloudflare's mission of helping to build a better Internet, and we look forward to working with businesses across Australia, India, and Japan to enable them to provide fast, private, reliable, and secure services to their end-users," said Jonathon Dixon, VP and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Japan, and China, Cloudflare. Data Localization Suite has supported Cloudflare customers in alignment with European localization requirements and regulations since 2020. "We're thrilled to extend Cloudflare's localization benefits to our customers providing them greater control as they manage international data transfer requirements," said Blake Brannon, Chief Strategy Officer, OneTrust. "Our partnership with Cloudflare supports our mission to empower our customers to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape with ease." Today, Cloudflare's global network spans more than 275 cities in over 100 countries including more than 100 points of presence across Asia Pacific to bring its security, performance, and reliability solutions to as close to its regional customers as possible. Cloudflare continues to invest in the region, with offices in Beijing, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo. In March, Cloudflare also announced 18 new cities added to their global network, including Bhubaneshwar, India; Fukuoka, Japan; Kanpur, India; and Naha, Japan. For more information on regional services and Data Localization Suite, visit: Blog: Regional Services comes to India, Japan and Australia Data Localization Suite product page About Cloudflare Cloudflare, Inc. (www.cloudflare.com @cloudflare) is on a mission to help build a better Internet. Cloudflare's suite of products protect and accelerate any Internet application online without adding hardware, installing software, or changing a line of code. Internet properties powered by Cloudflare have all web traffic routed through its intelligent global network, which gets smarter with every request. As a result, they see significant improvement in performance and a decrease in spam and other attacks. Cloudflare was named to Entrepreneur Magazine's Top Company Cultures 2018 list and ranked among the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company in 2019. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Cloudflare has offices in Austin, TX, Champaign, IL, New York, NY, San Jose, CA, Seattle, WA, Washington, D.C., Toronto, Lisbon, London, Munich, Paris, Beijing, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains 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, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "explore," "plan," "anticipate," "could," "intend," "target," "project," "contemplate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of these words, or other similar terms or expressions that concern Cloudflare's expectations, strategy, plans, or intentions. However, not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements expressed or implied in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the capabilities and effectiveness of the Cloudflare Data Localization Suite and Cloudflare's other products and technology, the benefits to Cloudflare's customers from using the Cloudflare Data Localization Suite and Cloudflare's other products and technology, the expected functionality and performance of the Cloudflare Data Localization Suite and Cloudflare's other products and technology, the timing of when any new Cloudflare Data Localization Suite features will be generally available to all current and potential Cloudflare customers, Cloudflare's technological development, future operations, growth, initiatives, or strategies, and comments made by Cloudflare's CEO and others. Cloudflare's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to, risks detailed in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including Cloudflare's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2022, as well as other filings that Cloudflare may make from time to time with the SEC. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. Cloudflare undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. Cloudflare may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in Cloudflare's forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on Cloudflare's forward-looking statements. 2022 Cloudflare, Inc. All rights reserved. Cloudflare, the Cloudflare logo, and other Cloudflare marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Cloudflare, Inc. in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. All other marks and names referenced herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220921005958/en/ Contacts: Cloudflare, Inc. Daniella Vallurupalli Vice President, Head of Global Communications press@cloudflare.com MUMBAI, India, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "In the new architecture of Web 3.0, asset transfers are not only done traditionally, therefore we need a new form of money that transacts on a distributed ledger. Therefore today, the central bank needs to come up with a new form of money - a legal tender that excludes private currencies, as it doesn't act like a payment instrument," said Mr. Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai today. He was at a fireside chat with Smita Aggarwal, Global Investments Advisor of Flourish Ventures. "Under the new architecture, tokenisation will enable both asset ownership and transfer of value to happen in real-time," Mr. Mohanty added. Organised and presented by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Reserve Bank of India, International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), National Payments Council of India, the Payments Council of India (PCI) and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC), GFF 2022 is being held between September 20 and 22, 2022 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Pre-event festivities began virtually on September 19, 2022. Talking about the role of new technologies, Mr. Mohanty added, "The new form of money will lead to massive disintermediation whereby the connectivity between the central banks of different nations will not just bring down the cost of cross-border transfers but will also enable one to seamlessly use his local UPI anywhere in the world." "We have successfully connected the UPI equivalent network of Singapore known as PayNow, with Thailand's PromPay, to facilitate seamless cross-border transfers. We are now planning to connect to India by end of this year, and also in Malaysia, which will bring about a significant drop in the cost of cross-border transfers," he added. According to Mr. Mohanty, "wholesale CBDC" will not just make cross-border transfers more efficient and cost-effective but will also address challenges pertaining to regulations, processes and compliances. Elaborating on the new design of retail CBDC, Mr. Mohanty said, "The biggest debate for the central bank is how to deal with this new form of money, which will rest on the four-pronged architecture of - cryptography, ledger, consensus protocol and distribution. The uncertainty really is not around cryptos or smart contracts but around the validation protocol and therefore if we get that right it will transform the entire sector. This is now gradually changing with Ethereum's transition to 'proof of stake.'" "Additionally, the new form of money instead of retail CBDC should be designed as 'programmable money' which can be programmed for specific use-cases just like in the case of Covid grants. The retail CBDC can be extremely efficient and cost-effective and can even avert the need of a UPI rail for money transfers. This space needs to be watched out for especially for low-value transfers," he added. GFF 2022 is being supported by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), National Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency (Invest India), Startup India, Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) and ONDC. Special Partners of GFF 2022 are World Bank Group, United Nations Capital Development Fund, BIS Innovation Hub, KNOMAD, Better Than Cash Alliance and International Finance Corporation (IFC). View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/we-need-new-form-of-money-sopnendu-mohanty-monetary-authority-of-singapore-301630259.html Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2022) - Dentists providers of Fastbraces Orthodontic Technology from the US and around the world are converging to Dallas, Texas for the Annual Global Business Conference and Awards Gala that will take place at the Fastbracesuniversity.com Campus and the Hilton Anatole Hotel on September 23 & 24. The Founder of Fastbraces and Inventor of its Technologies, orthodontist Dr. Anthony Viazis and other highly-regarded speakers will address the participants of this meeting of highly skilled clinicians. Various business, financial, management and marketing topics will be discussed as well as the current state of affairs of the global orthodontic industry. The two-day event will culminate with the presentation of the Business Awards to over eighty (80) dentists who have demonstrated excellent clinical skills in the application of Fastbraces Technologies. These Awards will be presented by the inventor and his brother, orthodontic influencer, Dr. Evangelos Viazis, at the Black-Tie Gala given in honor of the providers. These Awards are the Mastership and Senior Mastership recognitions along with the Golden Athena Award, given to only one provider worldwide for his/her exceptional application of Fastbraces Technologies. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8621/137981_a0cb5053842f4b1c_001full.jpg About Fastbraces Technologies. Invented and founded by Dallas orthodontist, Dr. Anthony D. Viazis, Fastbraces Technologies is celebrating 30 years of providing products that help dentists and orthodontists straighten teeth safely, quickly, and easily. Fastbraces Technology is now globally known and used by doctors in over 50 countries where thousands of patients have been successfully treated. Tested in vitro and in vivo by universities, Fastbraces Technologies high performance bracket systems upright the roots of the teeth towards their final position (orthoeruption) from the beginning of treatment with a single square wire thereby reestablishing the natural alveolar bone morphology with the teeth straight. This proprietary technology is taught online (www.fastbraces.com) as well as at the Fastbracesuniversity.com Campus by Dallas, Texas and at seminars around the world. Company Details Name: Chris Denton Company Name: Orthoworld LLC Email: chris@fastbraces.com Website: https://www.fastbraces.com City: Dallas State: Texas Country: United States To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137981 So Soul, a globally fast-growing and innovative vape brand, demonstrated its all-new TPD certified e-cigarettes to EU vapers in the world's leading trade fair 'InterTabac', held in Dortmund, Germany. At the show, So Soul sufficed the visitors with flagship vaping experiences brought by a whole family of mesh-coil 2ml disposable vapes, namely AIRVAPE, ECO, CUBE, BOX, SOSOULBAR, and LIP. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220921005481/en/ So Soul Vape with their friends (Photo: Business Wire) TPD Certified So Soul Vapes So Soul's diversified TPD-approved product lines enabled them to launch partnerships with many local distributors and retailers from EU and global countries. "TPD certification is pretty important for us to sell the products in this regulated environment. Not only with TPD, I'm also amazed by So Soul that all their products in rich appearances have mesh coil inside. This makes me confident to promote this brand in multiple channels, both online and in brick-and mortar shops", said a German local distributor. So Soul AIRVAPE, 2ml Flagship Vape Super sleek with metallic-finished shell, So Soul AIRVAPE is an elegant-looking disposable vape that allows you to enjoy more than 600 puffs of crisp, satisfying 20mg-strength nicotine salts. Powered by advanced mesh coil system, AIRVAPE ensures peak vaping satisfaction to the last puff with strong and consistent flavor and aroma. The 600mAh internal battery ensures that you're never left high and dry. So Soul ECO, Perfect Combination of Look, Touch and Taste So Soul ECO is designed with the blended and gradient shell colors, soft shell touches, and a variety of compound flavors, that are refreshing, sweet, fruity, creamy and everything in between. As a 2ml 20mg-strength disposable kit powered by mesh coil, ECO is ready to make a hit in the European and UK markets with TPD and MHRA certifications. "At So Soul, we believe that you shouldn't have to compromise style for substance. Nor should you compromise on taste for tobacco," Luna Wang, founder of So Soul company said to one of journalist during the show. Currently, So Soul's products are sold globally in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit https://sosoulvape.com. Connect with So Soul on Twitter at @SoSoul_Official, on Instagram at SoSoul_official and on YouTube at So Soul Vape YouTube View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220921005481/en/ Contacts: Lisa Li So Soul Media Relations phone: +86 13501561158 marketing@sosoulvape.com DUSSELDORF, Germany, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the global leading inverter and energy storage supplier for renewables, exhibited its latest energy storage systems (ESS) for residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications during this year's decarbXpo in Dusseldorf, Germanybetween September 20th and 22nd. This latest product portfolio offers more efficiency and profitability to stakeholders and drives Europe's shift towards a low-carbon future. decarbXpo, referring to Expo for Decarbonised Industries, a new name for the former trade fair -- Energy Storage Europe, is a platform to share insights and innovations in climate neutrality. Sungrow exhibited its ESS solutions, providing a variety of services like frequency regulation, energy arbitrage, balancing mechanism, and black start which will stack up the revenue stream and increase the investment return. For utility-scale applications, Sungrow displayed its highly integrated ESS solution, the PowerTitan. The intelligent liquid cooled temperature control technology ensures higher efficiency and longer battery cycle life. The new cluster controller can charge and discharge battery racks individually, improving the overall system performance. The automatic state of charge (SoC) calibration and the automated coolant refilling considerably reduce operating and maintenance (O&M) costs. Tailored to commercial energy storage projects, Sungrow's liquid cooled ESS solution, the PowerStack, was also on display. The highly integrated solutions also feature a liquid-based thermal management system, which extends the lifetime of batteries and reduces thermal management energy consumption. "Among many energy storage system (ESS) solutions, the liquid cooled ESS attracts much attention due to the evolutionary thermal management technology, and other features including a minimum footprint, and intelligent O&M. Sungrow is preparing to unleash the further potential of liquid cooled ESS with its PowerTitan and PowerStack widely applied worldwide," commented Yan Mu, System Solution Manager of Sungrow in the decarbXpo forum. Optimized for residential power consumers, Sungrow offers a new 3-phase all-in-one Solution integrating Hybrid inverter, fully modular Battery and EV Charger. The solution is user-friendly, versatile and intelligent, ensuring solar energy can be saved during day-time and consumed later when needed. "The solution offers an optimized residential backup experience and energy security for homeowners during power outages, while the modular battery can store electricity when it's cheaper and use it to power their home and electric vehicle," said Andrea Polini, Senior Product Manager of Sungrow, in the forum. With climate-neutrality and energy independence being the common consensus in more and more European countries, Europe sees an increase in renewables being gradually dominant in the energy sector. As an integral part of decarbonization, energy storage will continue to be in high demand. As an early entrant in the energy storage sector with 3 GWh deployed in 2021, Sungrow has already supplied landmark projects including the 390 MWh Texas project, 750 MWh Israel projects, and Europe's largest energy storage project in Minety, the UK. The Company is poised to engage in more projects with ever-evolving product innovations across every continent. About Sungrow Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. ("Sungrow") is the world's most bankable inverter brand with over 269 GW installed worldwide as of June 2022. Founded in 1997 by University Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial & industrial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions, NEV driving solutions, EV charging solutions and renewable hydrogen production systems. With a strong 25-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power over 150 countries worldwide. www.sungrowpower.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1904235/Sungrow_Booth_at_decarbXpo_2022.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1344575/Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/focus-on-decarbonization-sungrow-displays-its-leading-energy-storage-system-solutions-at-decarbxpo-in-germany-301630531.html The early stage global InvesTech startup MINEO signed an MOU with the Management Committee of Nanjing Baxia High-tech Industrial Development Zone to strengthen cooperation between China and Finland. The agreement engages both parties in promoting and collaborating in technological innovation, cultural exchange and bilateral economic and trade activities. The MOU was signed following the recent City of Helsinki and City of Nanjing Innovation and Technology Cooperation Forum, co-organised by Nanjing Overseas Collaborative Innovation Center (Helsinki, Finland), and Mr. Xin Wang, Senior Business Advisor at Helsinki Partners. Positioned as the leading innovation hub and regional economic development center in Qinhuai District, Nanjing City, Baixia High-Tech Zone is a provincial-level development zone in Jiangsu Province. Responsible for planning, construction, management and services at the high-tech industrial cluster in Qinhuai District, Nanjing City, Baixia High-Tech Zone is a complete "1+X" public service platform with abundant resources, making it an ideal place for technological innovation, talent cultivation, and high-tech breakthroughs. During the recent Helsinki and Nanjing Innovation and Technology Cooperation Forum, attended by Clarisse Berggardh, CEO of Helsinki Partners; Zhan Fangfang and Lu Xin, Minister and Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Innovation of Baixia High-Tech Zone respectively, Ms. Zhan Fangfang commented, "MINEO is precisely what China needs to connect early stage projects with global investors." MINEO provides founders with an easy to use digital solution for building an investor ready video pitch deck. Investors benefit from an easy to search catalogue of early stage investment opportunities from global markets, presented in a standardised and sequenced video format. MINEO has recently expanded to Finland, where the company is now establishing its European headquarters, in the capital city of Helsinki. The collaboration with Baixia High-Tech Industrial Development Zone is the first of its kind for MINEO in Mainland China. "We are grateful and excited for the opportunity to participate in strengthening cooperation between China and Finland through technological innovation and economic trade activities. We believe that in cooperation with Baixia High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, MINEO can serve as a bridge between visionary innovators and quality investors in global markets," stated MINEO Founder Dominique Moralez. Dominique Moralez and Tanya Lee Moralez are co-founders of Hong Kong based Fenix TLS, MINEO and MINEO DOCS. The Moralez co-founder team are participants in the 90 Day Finn programme, organised by City of Helsinki owned Helsinki Partners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220921006050/en/ Contacts: MEDIA: Tanya Moralez media@mineo.io +358 40 373 7427 Elliptic Labs (OSE: ELABS), a global AI software company and the world leader in AI Virtual Smart Sensors, has confirmed that CEO Laila Danielsen will be a featured guest at the upcoming France Digitale Day 2022 Event. Danielsen is scheduled to have a fireside chat with Euronext's CEO, Stephane Boujnah, on September 28, 2022 at 2:35 p.m. CET. France Digitale Day 2022 is an annual event thatbrings together over 2,500 investors and founders from across France and Europe to discuss the latest trends in business, tech, and society at a unique, village-like venue in the heart of the French capital. Danielsen and Boujnah will be discussing the impact that Elliptic Labs' listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange, part of the Euronext Group, has had on its global expansion plans and aspirations. Elliptic Labs was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in March 2022, transitioning over from Euronext Growth Oslo. "Our AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform, which makes devices smarter, greener and easier to use, has been adopted across multiple verticals. We continue to capitalize on the market momentum through working with large customers and partners such as Lenovo, Bosch, Xiaomi, Intel and AMD," said Laila Danielsen, CEO of Elliptic Labs. "We decided to couple this commercial success with becoming a public company listed on the Euronext Oslo Brs to signal to our customers, employees, and shareholders that we value transparency, strong financial fundamentals, and long-term staying power. By focusing on our customers and their success, we are innovating and delivering critical experiences that our customers rely on in their products. Shipping on several hundred million devices proves that our customer-focus is the right path to growth and success. In turn, we have been able to recruit and strengthen our team, attracting talented people due to our commercial success and combined that we are publicly traded on the Euronext Oslo Stock Exchange. We believe that stockholder value will undoubtedly continue to grow because of our focus and strategy to build a solid and growing business that attracts a solid and committed team. We are excited to share this story at France Digitale Day 2022 with Mr. Boujnah." Stephane Boujnah, CEO and Chairman of the Managing Board of Euronext, said, "Elliptic Labs is a great example of how Euronext benefits the companies listed on it. Elliptic Labs offers world class innovation, execution, and future prospects with a diverse talented global team. After listing on Oslo Brs, part of Euronext Group, Elliptic Labs now has access to the largest liquidity pool in Europe and on the platform gathering 25% of shares traded in Europe. Over the past three years, Euronext has built the leading pan-European market infrastructure, through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. We aim to connect European economies to global capital markets to drive innovation and accelerate sustainable growth and to shape the capital markets for future generations." To learn more about France Digital Day 2022 and sign up to see Danielsen and Boujnah's fireside chat, please visit: https://francedigitale.org/en/event/fdday2022/. About Elliptic Labs Elliptic Labs is a global enterprise targeting the smartphone, laptop, IoT, and automotive markets. Founded in 2006 as a research spin-off from Norway's Oslo University, the company's patented software uses AI, ultrasound, and sensor-fusion to create AI Virtual Smart Sensors that deliver intuitive 3D gesture-, proximity-, presence-, breathing-, and heartbeat-detection experiences. Its scalable AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform creates software-only sensors that are sustainable, human-friendly, and already deployed in hundreds of millions of devices around the world. Elliptic Labs is the only software company that has delivered detection capabilities using AI software, ultrasound, and sensor-fusion deployed at scale. The company is listed on the Oslo Brs. Elliptic Labs is headquartered in Norway with presence in the USA, China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. Its technology and IP are developed in Norway and are solely owned by the company. About France Digitale Day France Digitale is the leading association of startups in Europe. Created in 2012 as a result of the pro-entrepreneur "pigeons" movement, the association currently represents more than 1,800 digital entrepreneurs and investors in France. France Digitale's mission is to create digital champions in Europe. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220921006053/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations: Lars Holmy Lars.Holmoy@ellipticlabs.com PR Contact: Patrick Tsui pr@ellipticlabs.com Regulatory News: SEGRO plc ("the Company") announces that Andy Gulliford has informed the Board of his intention to retire from the business in 2023. A process will be undertaken to identify potential successors and a further announcement concerning the date of Andy's retirement will be made in due course, allowing for an orderly transition of his responsibilities. Commenting on Andy's planned retirement, David Sleath, Group Chief Executive said: "Andy Gulliford joined the business in 2004 and has held a variety of important executive roles, culminating in his being appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2011 and joining the Board in 2013. He has played a vital role in the growth and success of the Company, particularly over the past decade. At a personal level, he has provided tremendous support to me and the Board and, throughout the organisation, he is regarded as a wonderful colleague to work with. He will retire with our very best wishes for the future." Andy Gulliford said: "I have been very lucky to have enjoyed a fantastic career at SEGRO. Being part of such a talented team has been a huge privilege. I will leave a strong, successful business which I am confident will continue to thrive. I'll miss it greatly, particularly my colleagues. In the meantime, there is still much to do, and it will be business as usual until then." In line with the Company's shareholder approved Directors' Remuneration Policy, the Remuneration Committee has approved "good leaver status" for Andy Gulliford in relation to bonus and share awards that will be outstanding when he retires. All awards will be treated in accordance with the relevant plan rules, will remain subject to the relevant performance conditions and holding periods, and will, in the case of the long-term incentive awards, be pro-rated for the proportion of the vesting period that has elapsed when he leaves employment. Share awards will be released on the normal dates. Andy's salary and benefits will continue until he retires from the Company, but he will not be entitled to Long Term Incentive Plan and Sharesave awards in relation to his period of employment during the 2023 financial year. About SEGRO SEGRO is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris, and is a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property. It owns or manages 9.6 million square metres of space (103 million square feet) valued at 21.3 billion serving customers from a wide range of industry sectors. Its properties are located in and around major cities and at key transportation hubs in the UK and in seven other European countries. For over 100 years SEGRO has been creating the space that enables extraordinary things to happen. From modern big box warehouses, used primarily for regional, national and international distribution hubs, to urban warehousing located close to major population centres and business districts, it provides high-quality assets that allow its customers to thrive. A commitment to be a force for societal and environmental good is integral to SEGRO's purpose and strategy. Its Responsible SEGRO framework focuses on three long-term priorities where the company believes it can make the greatest impact: Championing Low-Carbon Growth, Investing in Local Communities and Environments and Nurturing Talent. See www.SEGRO.com for further information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220921005931/en/ Contacts: Gary Gaskarth (External Communications Manager) +44 (0) 20 7451 9069 gary.gaskarth@segro.com Harry Stokes (Commercial Finance Director) +44 (0) 20 7451 9124 harry.stokes@segro.com Richard Sunderland Ellie Sweeney Eve Kirmatzis (FTI Consulting) +44 (0) 20 3727 1000 SEGRO@fticonsulting.com Provides greater security and flexibility to Orange customers Unleashes unparalleled service coverage, performance, and resilience Orange Business Services, a global network-native digital services company, Orange Cyberdefense, a leading cybersecurity services provider, and Netskope, a leader in secure access service edge (SASE), are partnering to deliver a new SSE (Security Service Edge) solution embedded into the Orange Telco Cloud Platform. The enhanced solution is designed to deliver optimal performance with maximized security, meaning enterprises will no longer need to find a compromise between the two. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005045/en/ A decade of shifting to cloud and mobile computing, along with the ever-present demands of hybrid work environments, have put security and networking requirements on a collision course. While SSE addresses the security challenges, enterprises need to incorporate them into overarching connectivity strategies to realize the full benefits of SASE. The partnership will leverage Orange Cyberdefense's security expertise and Netskope's global security private cloud footprint and SSE leadership, enabling Orange Business Services to deliver consistent internet security on and off the network. This will help protect enterprise customers from data loss and the growing volume of sophisticated threats across cloud, web and private applications, with the full attributes of a cloud-native platform. The co-managed solution will reduce complexity for enterprises, providing continuously updated cloud security via the Orange Business Services Telco Cloud Platform. Telco Cloud Platform is a revolution in the way networks are built, run, and managed with enhanced performance. The software-defined approach optimized for telco workloads allows for greater agility and cost reduction. Securing an enterprise's most important assets: people and data This innovative hybrid architecture embeds Netskope's points-of-presence (POPs) within the Orange network, strengthening the Orange customer value proposition by delivering the benefits of the Orange network, including speed and agility, while enabling customers to tap into the power of Netskope Intelligent SSE. Netskope Intelligent SSE provides granular visibility and real-time data and threat protection for cloud services, websites, and private apps accessed from anywhere, on any device. "Cloud transformation and hybrid work models mean that traditional security architectures are no longer effective or efficient. Plugging our market leading platform into Orange's network will enable Orange to significantly increase its offering to enterprises looking to secure data without limiting business productivity," explains Sanjay Beri, CEO, Netskope. "Increasingly enterprises are using the internet as their only WAN transport, even in a growing threat landscape. Working together we are delivering Orange customers a SASE-ready WAN edge while upgrading the security of the enterprise's network without downgrading the user experience." says Hugues Foulon, CEO, Orange Cyberdefense. "This innovative partnership is an important part of our Evolution Platform concept designed to simplify connectivity, cloud, and security and support business outcomes from end-to-end, providing real-time protection for our users, their applications, and data, wherever they are. It underscores our position as a trailblazer in SSE and managed services, providing the right balance of performance, speed, and protection to our customers," adds Aliette Mousnier-Lompre, CEO, Orange Business Services. About Orange Business Services Orange Business Services is a network-native digital services company and the global enterprise division of the Orange Group. It connects, protects, and innovates for enterprises worldwide to support sustainable business growth. Leveraging its connectivity and system integration expertise throughout the digital value chain, Orange Business Services is well placed to support global businesses in areas such as software-defined networks, multi-cloud services, Data and AI, smart mobility services, and cybersecurity. It securely accompanies enterprises across every stage of the data lifecycle end-to-end, from collection, transport, storage and processing to analysis and sharing. With companies thriving on innovation, Orange Business Services places its customers at the heart of an open collaborative ecosystem. This includes its 28,500 employees, the assets and expertise of the Orange Group, its technology and business partners, and a pool of finely selected start-ups. More than 3,000 multinational enterprises, as well as two million professionals, companies and local communities in France, put their trust in Orange Business Services. For more information, visit www.orange-business.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and our blogs. Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with revenues of 42.5 billion euros in 2021 and 282 million customers worldwide at 30 June 2022. Orange is listed on the Euronext Paris (ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (ORAN). In December 2019, Orange presented its new "Engage 2025" strategic plan, guided by social and environmental accountability. While accelerating in growth areas, such as B-to-B services and placing data and AI at the heart of innovation, the entire Orange Group will be an attractive and responsible employer. Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited. About Orange Cyberdefense Orange Cyberdefense is the expert cybersecurity business unit of the Orange Group. As a leading security services provider, we strive to build a safer digital society. We are a threat research and intelligence-driven security provider offering unparalleled access to current and emerging threats. Orange Cyberdefense retains a 25+ year track record in information security, 250+ researchers and analysts 17 SOCs, 13 CyberSOCs and 8 CERTs distributed across the world and sales and services support in 160 countries. We are proud to say we can offer global protection with local expertise and support our customers throughout the entire threat lifecycle. About Netskope Netskope, a global cybersecurity leader, is redefining cloud, data, and network security to help organizations apply Zero Trust principles to protect data. Fast and easy to use, the Netskope platform provides optimized access and real-time security for people, devices, and data anywhere they go. Netskope helps customers reduce risk, accelerate performance, and get unrivaled visibility into any cloud, web, and private application activity. Thousands of customers, including more than 25 of the Fortune 100, trust Netskope and its powerful NewEdge network to address evolving threats, new risks, technology shifts, organizational and network changes, and new regulatory requirements. Learn how Netskope helps customers be ready for anything on their SASE journey, visit netskope.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005045/en/ Contacts: Press Contacts: Emily Wearmouth, Netskope, ewearmouth@netskope.com Emma Goodwin, Orange, emma.goodwin@orange.com Elizabeth Mayeri, Orange Business Services, elizabeth.mayeri@orange.com. Report from Rapyd surveying nine European markets demonstrates the significance for seamless payments and payouts experiences to cater to varying regulations, changing consumer preferences and trends in every country 84% of Europeans consider themselves tech savvy and willing to explore fintech Spain, Iceland and Germany more open to exploring new fintech platforms, while France, Denmark and UK prefer to use same platforms as friends and family Nearly seven out of 10 (67%) Europeans demand direct bank transfers as their most preferred method to be paid, indicating the growing need for businesses to provide fast and secure payments in consumers' preferred payout methods. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005160/en/ Source: Rapyd's 2022 European eCommerce and Payment Methods report (Graphic: Business Wire) That's according to a new report released by Rapyd, the leading fintech-as-a-service partner, after conducting research to understand consumer choices, considerations and preferences in nine European countries; including data on how consumers prefer to pay and receive payments. Rapyd'sEuropean State of Disbursements report finds that access to, and interest in, financial technology apps is very high among consumers in the nine European markets surveyed. Europeans are embracing financial services apps for everything from banking, everyday spending and managing their investments. The findings show that 74% of European consumers use a mobile banking app, 50% use an eWallet app, 50% use a credit or debit card app, approximately one in six (16%) use an investment fund app and approximately one in eight (12%) use a personal financial management app. Rapyd'sEuropean eCommerce and Payment Methodsreportalso indicates that Europeans increasingly rely on phones for payments, financial management and eCommerce. Over half (52%) of Europeans report purchasing clothes online via mobile over the past three months, compared to 46% via laptop. Furthermore, the overwhelming majority of Europeans who purchased takeaway over the last 3 months did so via mobile (70%) compared to laptop (28%). Rapyd's State of Disbursements report also noted that Europeans are early adopters of fintech, prioritizing data security and lower costs when receiving payments. Only 16% are hesitant or lagging in the adoption of fintech. The data shows that 82% rank keeping their personal information secure as the most important feature for payouts, and over 70% of respondents do not want to pay any transaction fees. The report further analyzes and compares each market's attitudes towards fintech adoption. Interestingly, Spain had the highest number of early adopters or consumers more likely to be open to new fintech solutions (27%), followed by Iceland (22%) and Germany (20%). On the other hand, Denmark (54%), France (47%) and the UK (44%) had the highest number of consumers who identified as the 'late majority.' The analysis notes that these consumers are less likely to explore new financial technology, instead preferring to use the same platforms as family and friends. Over half of global online transfers are currently made with local or alternative payment methods. This, coupled with the rapid growth of marketplaces and gig economy models, is driving the need for new payout technology in Europe, notes the report. Rapyd also notes that with the roll-out of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) continuing and the Nordics' P27 payments initiative unfolding, real-time payments in Europe are here to stay, emphasizing the need to keep abreast of country-specific regulations. As such, the company is calling on businesses to ensure they have the infrastructure in place to guarantee reliable mass payouts driven by local preferences. Commenting on the findings, Arik Shtilman, CEO of Rapyd, said: "The companies that solve the technological challenges of disbursing funds in Europe will surge ahead of their competition. It's critical that businesses responsible for online financial transactions have partners that can support them in delivering reliable payout and payment solutions, can keep on top of local regulations and can stay on top of consumer preferences. The businesses that invest in dynamic tech solutions to guarantee reliable mass payouts will no doubt enjoy stability and growth through better engagement, loyalty and beneficiary preference. "Furthermore, given the growth of marketplaces and gig-economy platforms, working with partners that understand the evolving fintech space is key. Disbursing funds to a seller or worker is typically tied to individual sales on different platforms. This can be incredibly complex, as in many cases, the buyer, seller and platform provider are all in different locations. We recommend that businesses ensure local preferences are driving their payout strategy, with a particular focus on speed, security and choice, as these factors help drive greater use and adoption and build loyalty and trust." Rapyd's 2022 European eCommerce and Payment Methods report and 2022 European State of Disbursements report are available here. Notes to Editors: Survey Methodology Rapyd surveyed 4,286 adults (18+) in Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom online in March and April 2022. All respondents made an online purchase in the previous month and were nationally representative across age and income scale. About Rapyd Rapyd lets you build bold. Liberate global commerce with all the tools your business needs to create payment, payout and fintech experiences everywhere. From Fortune 500s to ambitious business and technology upstarts, our payments network and powerful fintech platform make it easy to pay suppliers and get paid by customers-locally or internationally. With offices worldwide, including Tel Aviv, Dubai, London, Iceland, San Francisco, Miami and Singapore, we know what it takes to make cross-border commerce as easy as being next door. Rapyd simplifies payments so you can focus on building your business. Get the tools to grow globally at www.rapyd.net. Follow: Blog, Insta, LinkedIn, Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005160/en/ Contacts: UK media inquiries Tash Nikolovski Rakhee Rathod rapyd@transatlanticent.com Global media inquiries Lizzie Ryan press@rapyd.net Leading Awards Reveal This Year's Top Retail Forex Companies LONDON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the world's leading awards for the forex and financial industries, The Global Forex Awards 2022 - Retail celebrate those forex and related businesses from around the world who are pushing the boundaries of innovation in retail forex trading solutions. Now in their fifth year, the awards highlight those businesses at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, low-cost trading, comprehensive market research tools, advanced educational programs and world-class customer service for direct to consumer/trader businesses, with 59 categories comprising of global award winners, as well as regional award winners which cover specific territories, including Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. "These are some of the most comprehensive awards for this sector, that offer both a transparent and trustworthy judgement of the global forex retail industry," explains Mike Boydell, Director of Holiston Media. "The public voting process took place throughout July 2022, and as has been the trend in previous years, there were very high engagement levels. We received tens of thousands of votes from right across the global forex trading communities and each of the winners have been voted for by their peers and customers and chosen for their world class service. Winning an award is a sign of trust and success in this highly competitive industry." This year's category winners are as follows: Award Category - Global Winners Best Affiliate Programme - Global INFINOX Best Forex Copy Trading Platform - Global XTrend Speed Best Forex Customer Service - Global Tickmill Best Forex EA - Global Forex Forest Best Forex ECN Broker - Global KEY TO MARKETS Best Forex Educational Resources - Global Eightcap Best Educational Broker - Global HFM Best Forex Fintech Broker - Global GO Markets Best Forex Introducing Broker Programme - Global AximTrade Best Forex Media Provider - Global Game Changers Magazine Best Forex Mobile Trading Platform /App - Global Vantage Best MT4 Broker - Global ATFX Best MT5 Broker - Global RoboMarkets Best Forex Trade Execution - Global Vantage Best Forex Trading Experience - Global Tickmill Best Forex Trading Platform - Global Skilling Best Forex Trading Support - Global XM Best Partners Programme - Global RoboForex Best Overall PAMM Broker - Global Exclusive Markets Best Value Broker - Global FP Markets Most Competitive Forex Broker - Global AXIORY Most Reliable Forex Broker - Global Hantec Markets Most Transparent Forex Broker - Global FXCM Most Trusted Forex Broker - Global Exclusive Markets Global Forex Newcomer of the Year Zenfinex Global Forex Broker of the Year XM Best Forex Trading Experience - Africa Hantec Markets Most Trusted Forex Broker - Africa Hantec Markets Best Forex Broker - Africa INFINOX Best Forex Copy Trading Platform - Asia AximTrade Best Introducing Broker - Asia AMarkets Best Forex Partners Programme - Asia FP Markets Best Forex Trading Experience - Asia Mitrade Best Forex Trading Platform - Asia KEY TO MARKETS Best Forex Trading Support - Asia GO Markets Best Value Broker - Asia Hantec Markets Most Transparent Forex Broker - Asia GKFX Prime Most Trusted Forex Broker - Asia Vantage Best Forex Broker - Asia GKFX Prime Best Forex Trading Experience - Europe FXCM Best Forex Trading Platform - Europe Skilling Best Forex Trading Support - Europe Eightcap Most Trusted Broker - Europe GO Markets Best Forex Broker - Europe FP Markets Best Forex Copy Trading Platform - LATAM INFINOX Best Forex Introducing Broker Programme - LATAM KEY TO MARKETS Best Forex Trading Experience - LATAM Hantec Markets Best Forex Trading Platform - LATAM Skilling Best Forex Trading Support - LATAM 4XC Most Reliable Broker - LATAM RoboForex Most Trusted Forex Broker - LATAM KEY TO MARKETS Best Forex Broker - LATAM ATFX Best Forex Introducing Broker Programme - MENA AximTrade Best Forex Trading Experience - MENA Emporium Capital Best Forex Trading Platform - MENA FXCM Best Forex Trading Support - MENA GKFX Prime Most Transparent Forex Broker - MENA Hantec Markets Most Trusted Forex Broker - MENA ATFX Best Forex Broker - MENA AximTrade This year's Global Forex Awards 2022 - Retail are sponsored by: 4XC, AMarkets, ATFX, AximTrade, Eightcap, Exclusive Markets, Forex Forest, FP Markets, FXCM, GKFX Prime, GO Markets, Hantec Markets, HFM, INFINOX, KEY TO MARKETS, Mitrade, RoboForex, RoboMarkets, Skilling, Tickmill, Vantage, XM, XTrend Speed, Zenfinex. "Well done to each and every one of this year's winners. They have proven they are at the very top of their game in the global forex retail industry. The Global Forex Awards 2022 - Retail are a true benchmark for success that will not only impress potential new customers, but will also boost existing client comfort and loyalty." concludes Mike. Founded in 2018 to celebrate creativity, innovation, effectiveness and customer service in the retail and B2B financial industry, today Holiston Media hosts five international awards. To find out more about the awards, the winners and the voting process go to https://www.globalforexawards.com LONDON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Exciting London-based start-up Playter is taking the BNPL space by storm, as they announce an increase in the amount of funding SMEs can access through their innovative growth platform, reducing business owners' burn rates, increasing runway, and freeing up capital. Up until now, Playter could offer up to 400k, with bespoke subscriptions calculated per customer through a unique algorithm connecting to open banking software to assess eligibility. Having recently raised $55m with major backing from Fasanara Capital, Fin Capital, Adit Venture Capital as well as Act Venture Capital, Playter is now able to increase the amount they can fund businesses up to 1m, giving startups and scaleups the ultimate freedom and flexibility of funding with no strings attached Playter's approach to SME funding continues to make waves in the BNPL space and beyond, and this latest announcement is no exception. Where traditional funding routes may have gone cold for early-stage start-ups, Playter's offering is a beacon for a multitude of innovative businesses looking not just to survive, but thrive. By allowing companies to go beyond using BNPL for online purchases, Playter's platform instead spreads the cost of professional service invoices, meaning business owners can free up capital to invest into high growth areas, such as software costs, recruitment, rent and many more invoiced costs. By increasing its funding offer to 1m, Playter gives more control to an even wider range of businesses who want to scale quickly; on their own terms. Playter's Founder & CEO Jamie Beaumont says "We're doing everything possible to give more value to millions of exciting businesses in the UK. Increasing our funding amount to 1m makes a huge difference to those looking for funding outside of equity and traditional debt. What's more, we don't ask for restrictive covenants or revenue share, meaning the Playter product can help you keep what you earn and invest in. We are now hoping to help fantastic businesses thrive through this turbulent period of economic uncertainty." Sign up to Playter in as little as 5 mins, with a decision in under 24 hours that could put you on the fast track to scaling. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/playter-now-able-to-offer-up-to-1m-per-year-in-funding-to-uk-smes-301629997.html Africa's leading payments technology company is providing additional payment options for merchants and customers SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Flutterwave, Africa's leading payments technology company, today announced Google Pay, a mobile payment service, developed by Google, as a payment method on Flutterwave. As part of this collaboration, Google Pay will serve as an additional payment option for merchants on Flutterwave for business. This collaboration will offer safe and seamless payments, as well as convenient checkout experiences for customers. Google Pay is a safe, simple, and helpful way to make contactless payments in store, and also payments in apps and on the web. Users store their cards for Google Pay in Google Wallet, a digital wallet app that is available on supported Android smartphones, tablets or watches. With this collaboration, Google Pay users in supported countries across the world can pay businesses on Flutterwave across Africa. With an average transaction completion time of 3 minutes, this integration is slated to reduce cart abandonment rate for businesses on Flutterwave. How it Works Get on a Flutterwave-supported website Select what you want to pay for Fill the order form Select Pay with Google Pay as your payment method Complete the payment with your Google Pay details To get paid via Google Pay, Flutterwave merchants must manually opt-in on their dashboard. Olugbenga 'GB' Agboola, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, said, "The continued and rapid growth of Flutterwave is due to our commitment to building a platform with simplified payments for everyone. The GooglePay payment option will attract more international customers and increase the current success rates for businesses on Flutterwave. Integrating with Google pay will allow users across the globe to participate in the booming e-commerce ecosystem in Africa. It will enable us to further fulfill our promise of creating endless possibilities for all." For additional information on Flutterwave or interview requests, please contact Wimbart PR at flutterwave@wimbart.com. About Flutterwave Flutterwave is a leading African payments technology company that enables businesses across the world to expand their operations in Africa and other emerging markets through a platform that enables cross-border transactions via one API. Flutterwave has processed over 200M transactions worth over USD $16B to date and serves more than 900,000 businesses including customers like Uber, Flywire, Booking.com, etc. The Company's key advantage is international payment processing in 150 currencies and multiple payment modes including local and international cards, mobile wallets, bank transfers, Barter by Flutterwave etc. Flutterwave has an infrastructure reach in over 34 African countries, including Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa. For more information on Flutterwave's journey, please visit: www.flutterwave.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/flutterwave-enables-google-pay-for-african-businesses-301630066.html Organised by myGwork on 19 October, WorkFair 2022 is the largest global virtual careers fair featuring truly inclusive employers, where graduates and professionals can work with pride. LONDON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite more companies touting their commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging individuals to be authentic at work, most professionals still fear revealing their true selves. Recent research has revealed that as many as three in five professionals still hide something about themselves from their employers. Additionally, many studies show LGBTQ+ graduates and professionals go back into the closet when they start a new job, despite intentions of WorkingWithPride. According to organisations like Stonewall, around two-thirds of graduates who were open about their sexual orientation or gender identity before starting their first job, went "back in the closet" when they started work. To create awareness around this issue, myGwork - the largest global business platform for LGBTQ+ professionals, will be launching a campaign at its upcoming event WorkFair on 19 October 2022. The campaign, created in partnership with Enactus, will feature graduates sharing why WorkingWithPride matters. The campaign reveals why bringing your whole and authentic self to work and WorkingWithPride is hugely important for professionals and graduates, particularly for younger generations entering the workplace right now. LGBTQ+ professionals and graduates have confirmed that hiding a part of who they are and not being able to bring their authentic selves to work can negatively impact productivity and innovation, and really limits their potential. One way that LGBTQ+ professionals and graduates can ensure they can be their authentic selves and work with pride is by applying for jobs with inclusive companies. "However, with so many companies being called out for performative allyship or rainbow washing lately, it can be difficult to find out which companies are truly progressive and inclusive, and actually live up to their diversity and inclusion statements," stated myGwork's founders Adrien and Pierre Gaubert. "That's why we created WorkFair." WorkFair 2022 is the largest global virtual careers fair for the LGBTQ+ community, helping jobseekers land their dream role at truly inclusive companies. "Focusing on WorkingWithPride, WorkFair 2022 powered by Highered this year, is a great event for job seekers - be they professionals or graduates - to connect and apply for their dream roles in real-time with inclusive employers of choice, where they don't have to hide their real identity," added Adrien (CMO) and Pierre (CEO). WorkFair will allow professionals to do just that, while raising awareness of the importance of WorkingWithPride. "The event is completely free for job seekers, whether they are experienced professionals, students or graduates, to access global inclusive LGBTQ+-friendly organisations that are ready and waiting to hire, as well as workshops to help improve personal branding, CV writing and interviewing skills." Over the last three years, WorkFair has helped thousands of job seekers engage, interact and apply for job opportunities with progressive employers across all industries. Confirmed booths at this year's WorkFair include Unilever, Netflix, DAZN, Omnicom Media Group, Capgemini, Oracle, WPP, WTW, Taylor Wessing, Pfizer, AB inBev, London Stock Exchange Group, Warner Bros Discovery, HCA Healthcare, Thomas International, Raytheon UK, Pearson, Enterprise, HSBC, Reach, Swiss Re, UN, State Street, Kelloggs and many more. Paul?Phillips, Strategy?Director at OMD UK, part of Omnicom Media Group, highly recommends both job seekers and companies to attend WorkFair: "myGwork's WorkFair is an invaluable event for the LGBTQ+ community. As community members are opting more and more to only work for companies that reflect their own value, WorkFair provides an easily accessible forum to engage directly with some of the world's most inclusive employers. It also provides a great platform for those employers to demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity, providing reassurance to the community and a call to arms to those companies that are falling short in balanced representation. I strongly recommend both companies and jobseekers to get involved." "As well as launching the WorkingWithPride campaign, we will share the results of our inaugural student survey, revealing what LGBTQ+ graduates expect from inclusive workplaces at WorkFair. It's a must-attend event for LGBTQ+ job seekers and inclusive employers committed to WorkingWithPride," added Adrien and Pierre Gaubert.??"We had over 80 companies attend last year's event, and many of them are returning to WorkFair this year." Commenting on partnering with myGwork's WorkFair this year, Enactus UK COO Amy Brereton said: "We are so excited to be partnering with myGwork, harnessing the power of the student voice across our network. The next generation of responsible leaders are sharing their own individual experiences of what it means to be 'WorkingWithPride'. By partnering with myGwork on this joint campaign, we are so proud to be collaborating with an organisation that, like Enactus,?is passionate about creating a better, more sustainable world for us all." Highered's co-founder Erik Spade added:?"Highered, the global career platform for graduates and early talent, is proud to support and partner with myGwork for WorkFair?2022."? Graduates, students and professionals can register to attend WorkFair2022 completely free of charge here. Further information? For press enquiries, contact press@mygwork.com? About myGwork? Award-winning company myGwork is the business community for LGBTQ+ professionals, graduates, inclusive employers and anyone who believes in workplace equality. It aims to empower the LGBTQ+ community by offering individual members a safe space where they can connect with inclusive employers, find jobs, mentors, professional events and news. The company's founders, Adrien and Pierre Gaubert, won the Attitude Young LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur of the Year Award and were also recently honoured as one of the?Top 100 Global LGBT+?OUTstanding?Executives. More recently, myGwork was shortlisted for?The 2022 Digital Leaders Impact Awards as a finalist in the sixth Digital Leaders Impact Awards 2022 celebrating UK tech for good. The company also won this year's Bank of London's 2022 Rainbow Honours. Additionally, myGwork was listed in the Top Five Startups with Pride by Geek Times and it recently won the Diva Magazine Award of Corporate Allies.?? Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1904510/WorkFair_2022.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/workfair-2022-job-opportunities-with-inclusive-employers-so-professionals--graduates-dont-have-to-return-to-the-closet-301630014.html MUMBAI, India, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In his keynote address at the Global Fintech Fest 2022 (GFF 2022) in Mumbai today, Alderman Vincent Keaveny, The Rt Hon. The Lord Mayor, City of London, emphasized the need for greater cooperation between India and the UK for a flourishing fintech ecosystem in both the countries. "The City of London Corporation is committed to deepening the terms between the businesses of London and India. With our combined expertise, the UK and Indian financial sectors continue to drive growth and prosperity in our respective countries. The UK currently holds the top spot as Europe's fintech hub. India, on the other hand, is on the verge of becoming Asia's top fintech hub with the highest adoption of fintech products and the emergence of many unicorns. Thus, fintech will play a major role in building a sustainable future for all," said Mr. Keaveny. India has been one of the most important markets for UK-based fintech firms. Talking about the country's fintech opportunity and the upcoming Free Trade Agreement, Mr. Keaveny said, "The Free Trade Agreement will pave a way for significantly stronger business relations between the two countries." The Lord Mayor referred to the UK-India Vision 2030 as the bridge between these two powerhouses of the global fintech landscape. "The UK-India 2030 vision is the roadmap for revitalizing a dynamic connection between our people, trade and investments and technological collaborations," he said. Organized and presented by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Reserve Bank of India, International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), National Payments Council of India, the Payments Council of India (PCI) and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC), GFF 2022 is being held between September 20 and 22, 2022 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Pre-event festivities began virtually on September 19, 2022. This is the third edition of the Global Fintech Fest, and the first one where domain experts are participating from across the globe in-person and virtually. GFF 2022 is being supported by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), National Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency (Invest India), Startup India, Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) and ONDC. Special Partners of GFF 2022 are World Bank Group, United Nations Capital Development Fund, BIS Innovation Hub, KNOMAD, Better Than Cash Alliance and International Finance Corporation (IFC). View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/uk-india-fintech-sectors-to-drive-growth-prosperity-of-both-countries-alderman-vincent-keaveny-lord-mayor-city-of-london-301630791.html 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. BOSTON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Internet of Things (IoT) devices promise to enable a world of smart, connected objects, with their number expected to rapidly accelerate to billions by 2030. However, small electronic devices typically rely on batteries that require frequent re-charging or replacement every few years, leading to high material and labor costs as well as unwanted waste. Powering IoT devices in a cheap, sustainable fashion is thus crucial to achieve the promised vision of a connected world. Small, low-cost thin film solar cells, optimized to work with diffuse indoor light, offer a solution to this dilemma. Perovskite PV for Indoor Energy Harvesting A connected world comes with the burden of batteries and unsightly extensive wiring. As more technologies are adopted into homes and businesses, the chaotic clutter of wires and the dwindling count of nearby power sockets become an increasing nuisance. The use of batteries is an environmentally unfriendly solution and replacing them on a mass scale every 3-4 years is expensive and labor intensive. The integration of a thin film solar module within smoke alarms, motion sensors, smaller electronic displays, and other gadgets means that there is no need for batteries or external wiring and so the device can be placed anywhere that has sufficient light exposure. Solar-powered devices are of interest to both homeowners and to retailers and would eliminate the need for batteries in many indoor IoT devices. Perovskite solar cells are an exciting new thin film technology that have demonstrated remarkably high efficiencies. Perovskite PV can provide similarly high-power density as silicon PV at a lower cost, a fraction of the weight, and with a simpler manufacturing process. Perovskite solar cells are able to maintain relatively high efficiencies even under low intensity or diffuse light, which makes them well-suited to both indoor and outdoor energy harvesting. This is a key advantage over the conventional silicon technology that suffers poor efficiencies under indoor light. Since the perovskite material applies like an ink, the solar cells are very lightweight, flexible, and unobtrusive. They can easily be integrated into small electronic devices and used to power them directly. IDTechEx has recently released a report, "Perovskite Photovoltaics 2023-2033", identifying the key challenges, competition, and innovation opportunities behind perovskite PV. Cost Trumps Efficiency and Durability For a lot of household and consumer electronics, high power is not a strict requirement. For example, powering headphones, sensors, and lights does not require state-of-the-art solar technology. Solar cells with an efficiency of 10-15 % could be sufficient to operate most small and portable electronics. Durability is another typically important criterion that can be relaxed since many electronics are intended for short-term use, with consumers frequently updating their devices for newer models. The need for 25-year lifespans, as is typical for rooftop solar panels, is no longer the standard to measure by. The key metric for the successful deployment of solar cells in consumer and retail electronics is cost. Given the increasingly high volume of consumer and retail electronics, energy solutions need to be economical. Additionally, solar technology will be competing with well-established and relatively inexpensive batteries. Solar could move into a competitive position with batteries if it were to demonstrate lower costs and greater practicality. Perovskite PV Joins a Burgeoning Market Perovskite is not the only PV technology being targeted at everyday electronics. In fact, there already exist wireless headphones powered by dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) that are available to purchase in shops. The household brand Adidas has recently announced it is partnering with DSSC-manufacturer, Exeger, to make their own solar-powered headphones. In addition, organic solar cells are being used on a small scale to power motion sensors and people counters. The advantage of perovskite PV over these already commercial technologies is that it is expected to be simpler to manufacture at scale. This is because, unlike DSSCs and organic PV, perovskite solar cells do not depend heavily on complex molecular synthesis. Perovskite PV also delivers higher efficiencies, which may make them the more suitable option as the functionality of IoT electronics becomes increasingly multifaceted. To discover how the various thin film PV technologies, including cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium selenide, gallium arsenide, and more, may revolutionize the transition to green energy, please see the brand new IDTechEx report, "Beyond Silicon: Thin Film Photovoltaics 2023-2033". For more information on this report please visit www.IDTechEx.com/BeyondSilicon. All IDTechEx reports contain detailed analysis of established and emerging technologies, their potential adoption barriers and suitability for different applications, and an assessment of technological and commercial readiness. Reports also include multiple company profiles based on interviews with early-stage and established companies, along with 10-year market forecasts. A full list of IDTechEx reports can be found at www.IDTechEx.com. About IDTechEx IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com . Images download: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/e4zs3al5xrq4qbg/AAC-klG3kzY1kttxQ16nWTo4a?dl=0 Media Contact: Natalie Fifield Digital Marketing Manager press@IDTechEx.com +44(0)1223 812300 Social Media Links: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/IDTechEx LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/idtechex/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IDTechExResearch Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1905341/Perovskite_PV.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/478371/IDTechEx_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/idtechex-discusses-powering-ubiquitous-electronics-with-perovskite-photovoltaics-301630810.html London, England--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - Global cyber security platform TryHackMe has launched unique training that allows users to emulate a potential adversary attack. The London-based company bases its new 'Red Teaming' interactive lessons on real-world scenarios, to help businesses expose vulnerabilities across their networks and systems. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8443/137957_28173cbda4870a09_001full.jpg Its gamified sessions are aimed at individuals who want to achieve high-level jobs in the security industry, alongside businesses looking to upskill their staff. The 'Red Teaming Pathway', launched as part of TryHackMe's Red Team Month, is designed to get employees to think like a cyber attacker in a bid to expose flaws in their company, which ultimately allows them to mitigate risk. Over 48 hours of hands-on training and assessments, those taking part learn how to challenge defence capability by imitating a cyber criminal's actions, emulate malicious attacks, retain access and avoid detection. Co-founder of TryHackMe, Ashu Savani, said: "We're incredibly excited to be rolling out a stream of more technical training for aspiring red teamers to learn the core technical skills required to do this kind of work! We're honing in on offensive security training with our new Red Teaming pathway created by our team of experts." Those who complete the pathway will have the advanced skills needed to pursue new career opportunities in offensive security. The cloud-based training also seeks to address a skills shortage in the industry. TryHackMe has also released new resources, including interviews and details about the salaries people can expect when they join the industry. Savani added: "This training is perfect for all businesses, and is particularly adopted by those most vulnerable to cyber threats. There is a strong pattern in rising threats to companies within financial, tech, medical and SaaS industries. Every business is at risk of security breaches and can pose as a target to hackers, so it's vital to mitigate human error with a training focus across the company. Learning to think like a hacker with Red Teaming training helps to understand loopholes and vulnerabilities, patch them, and mitigate risk." TryHackMe goes way beyond textbooks and focuses on fun interactive lessons that put theory into practice. Training labs are gamified and feature virtual machines, so users remain engaged and can learn the exact tools, technologies, and methods to hack and defend machines; transferable to real-world job roles and responsibilities. Businesses can sign up to take part in the new pathway here: https://tryhackme.com/path/outline/redteaming. Over one million people across the world have already enrolled with the company. For more information, visit: https://tryhackme.com/ Media Contact: Name: Emma Sivess Tel: 07799180194 Email: emma@tryhackme.com Business: TryHackMe To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137957 Commemorates 40 years of legal career of Cyril Shroff with fully funded research scholarships in climate change and sustainability related research in law and public policy at Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Oxford Vision to build a broad long-term relationship, create a pipeline of future leaders in law and public policy, and enable "brain gain" for India To commemorate 40 years in legal practice of India's leading corporate lawyer, Cyril Shroff, Managing Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas; and the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD)based at Somerville College, University of Oxford, will be instituting the "Cyril Shroff Scholarships".The fully funded scholarships seek to encourage research in pressing global issues involving law and policy, with a special emphasis on climate change and sustainability and seek to support "brain gain" in India by developing a pipeline of highly skilled talent and their research. This initiative is the first in plans for wider engagement over time. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220921005642/en/ Mr. Cyril Shroff, Managing Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, with Ms. Jan Royall, Principal, Somerville College, University of Oxford. (Photo: Business Wire) From 2023, the new Cyril Shroff Scholars at OICSD, University of Oxford will spearhead the shared values of the [Shroff Family] and Somerville College. The scholarship three in the first instance, with ongoing discussions for the future will be selected for their clear-sighted ambition to create change in India through law and public policy, with a lens on tackling the climate crisis. Outlining the vision behind Cyril Shroff Scholarship, Mr. Cyril Shroff, Managing Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, said, "On my 40th professional anniversary I have commenced my 'giving journey.' I believe that life is divided into 3 parts learning, earning and giving. Learning is lifelong, and in recognition of this, my giving journey commences with the scholarship instituted at Somerville College, University of Oxford. It is my ardent belief that law and public policy scholars at Oxford will be instrumental tackling the intractable challenges facing India, particularly the existential challenges of climate change. I also hope that this will be brain gain for India. Somerville College at the University of Oxford is a perfect partner for our giving journey given their storied history of inclusion, their India connection and empowering Indian scholarship since the very first Indian woman to study and practice law. This blends perfectly with our own ethos of creating the finest lawyers for a just world. Mr. Cyril Shroff recently completed 40 years in the profession. His career has spanned some of the most distinguished corporate, financial, and commercial matters in the country, that have been pivotal in building a global reputation for himself, and for Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, India's largest law firm that he leads as its Managing Partner. He was also an important force in reshaping and professionalising the legal profession and law firms in India and the adoption of legal tech. At CAM, Mr. Shroff pioneered and incubated several industry leading practices, most recently, ESG, in recognition of the climate crisis and its intersection with economic development and business. Over the years, his passion for a just world, blended with a keen sense of fairness and empathy has helped CAM firmly establish itself as a trusted advisor to its clients. Ms. Jan Royall, Principal of Somerville College, University of Oxford visited India and shared her views on the occasion, "I'm proud to see these scholarships become a reality. They will not only change the lives of the students who receive them, but go some way towards honouring and repaying the historic contribution made by Indian scholarship to our foremost universities and businesses, creating a brain gain for India, rather than a brain drain. Having spent time with Cyril Shroff in Mumbai, I can see his strong commitment towards a more sustainable world and deep intellectual curiosity on these critical issues. We are grateful for his philanthropic pledge to this endeavour. Ms. Royall has had a distinguished career in politics, notably serving as Chief Whip in the House of Lords and then as Leader of the House from 2008-2010. She also served as Shadow Leader of the House of Lords from 2010-2015. Prior to her parliamentary career, she was a senior adviser in the European Commission before heading its office in Wales. In 2004 she was appointed to the Lords as Baroness Royall of Blaisdon and in 2005 became a Government Spokesperson for Health, International Development, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Ms. Royall works with governments, political parties and NGOs in many countries on democracy building, leadership, nurturing civil society and women's empowerment. Mr. Cyril Shroff has over 40 years of experience in a wide range of practices areas, including corporate and securities law, disputes, banking, bankruptcy, and infrastructure. A thought leader and a visionary, Mr. Shroff has consistently been ranked as "Star Practitioner" in India by Chambers Global. Widely regarded as the "M&A King of India", he has advised many first of the kind transactions in India. He has also been very active on the public policy front, and has helped craft fundamental reform, draft critical legislations, and regulations. He serves as the Chair of the SES ESG Advisory Board, FICCI Corporate Law Committee, the CII National Committee on Regulatory Issues for the Financial Sector and has served on multiple committees of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, including Uday Kotak Committee on Corporate Governance and SEBI Committee on Insider Trading. Mr. Shroff is also a Member of the Advisory Board of the Centre for Study of the Legal Profession established by the Harvard Law School. He also serves on the Board of Krea University. CAM is the largest full-service law firm in India with a global reputation of being a trusted adviser. The Firm has 1000 lawyers and 160 Partners located across seven offices in India and in Singapore. The Firm recently received "Innovation in Advancing Markets" award at the FT Innovative Lawyers Asia Pacific 2022 Awards and the "National Law Firm of the Year: India" award at the IFLR Asia Pacific 2022 awards ceremony. Somerville College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England, was founded in 1879 as Somerville Hall, one of its first two women's colleges. Among its alumnae have been Margaret Thatcher, Indira Gandhi, Nobel Laureate Dorothy Hodgkin. Somerville College plays a major role in relations between Oxford and India. Cornelia Sorabji, born in the Bombay Presidency of British India, became the first Indian woman to study at any British university, when she came to Somerville in 1889 to read law, while Indira Gandhi, India's first female prime minister, read Modern History at the college in 1937. In 2012, the college and Oxford University announced the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD). It combines research, scholarships and engagement to study the complex challenges and opportunities posed by sustainable development in India. About 50 students have already been supported by the programme and are now contributing to India's sustainable development. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220921005642/en/ Contacts: CAM Media Contact: Madhumita Paul Dy. Chief Marketing Officer Marketing Communications madhumita.paul@cyrilshroff.com +91 98338 18006 Rahul Gossain Head Marketing Communications, and Delhi Region BD rahul.gossain@cyrilshroff.com +91 98731 54228 Somerville College Contact: Vinita Govindarajan vinita.govindarajan@some.ox.ac.uk +44 7879201518 Matthew Phipps communications.manager@some.ox.ac.uk 01865 270600 TUNIS, Tunisia, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. Temim Chaibi, CEO of Royal Invest, announced today that Royal Invest s.a.r.l. - Tunisia - has signed a Finance Agreement with Elite Capital & Co. Limited - United Kingdom - to finance its new mining plants. "Yesterday, Royal Invest signed an agreement to finance its new plants with Elite Capital & Co. Limited, a leading Financial UK company, after negotiations since May 2022 which culminated in this extraordinary event where the agreement was signed at the Tunisia Export Promotion Centre - CEPEX Headquarters," Mr. Temim Chaibi said. The signing ceremony of the agreement was attended by political and business leaders, including Marwa Mejdoub - Trade and Investment Adviser - Energy and Infrastructure Lead, representing His Majesty's Ambassador, Her Excellency Ms. Helen Winterton; Nejia Gharbi - Director General of Caisse des Depots et Consignations - CDC (representing 20% equity contribution from the Tunisian Government); Mohamed Ben Neji - Director of Marketing and Communications of CDC; Sofiene Rekik - Commercial Director of Banque Nationale Agricole; Mourad Ben Hassine - President and CEO of Tunisia Export Promotion Centre - CEPEX. "Royal Gypse" Gypsum Mine (Royal Invest, s.a.r.l - ROI) is the most respected gypsum mine in the Republic of Tunisia since 2007. ROI Gypsum Mine has delivered top-quality gypsum to its customers. ROI is dedicated to producing the best Gypsum in the Middle East and North Africa. Mr. George Matharu, President and CEO of Elite Capital & Co. Limited, added, "We would like to thank the UK Embassy in Tunisia for supporting our efforts, and our lawyers Barrister Issam Belhaj and Barrister Akram Zribi for making a success of the entire visit to Tunisia." Elite Capital & Co. Limited is a Financial Management company that provides project-related services including Management, Consultancy, and Funding, particularly for large infrastructure and mega commercial projects. Elite Capital & Co. Limited offers a wealth of experience in Banking and Financial transactions and has a range of specialized advisory services for private clients, medium and large corporations as well as governments. It is also the exclusive manager of the Government Future Financing 2030 Program. Mr. Temim Chaibi concluded his statement by saying, "I would like to thank all of my business colleagues and personal friends that have supported our project over many years to reach this fantastic conclusion." Elite Capital & Co. - Contact Details - Elite Capital & Co. Limited 33 St. James Square London, SW1Y4JS United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) 203 709 5060 SWIFT Code: ELCTGB21 LEI Code: 254900NNN237BBHG7S26 Website: ec.uk.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6ea4c8da-a596-401a-87e1-8df3b32047f7 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee8a6a2c-6b91-4652-8e1a-4cbe0ea8d277 The fifth edition of the Summit will unveil the potential of immersive metaverse applications, exploring pioneering use-cases Crypto, DeFi & Virtual Asset Forum will re-evaluate and navigate the future of alternative investments Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - The Future Blockchain Summit, the MENA region's longest running exhibition and conference connecting key stakeholders across Blockchain, crypto, and Web 3.0 will return to Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 10th-13th October 2022. Dubai's Future Blockchain Summit An integral part of GITEX Global 2022, the world's biggest tech and startup event of the year which will feature over 4,500 tech and digital companies from 170 countries, the four-day event will explore topics including the metaverse, Blockchain for enterprise and the future of digital assets. The Summit comes at an opportune time for the Middle East region's development in Blockchain and cryptocurrency - the UAE has positioned itself as a global futuristic innovations' hub, emphasised with the recent launch of the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and Dubai Metaverse Strategy, showing the commitment of its government to the implementation and advancement of cutting-edge solutions to the digital economy. The Summit is set to provide a major international meeting point for the Blockchain and crypto communities, welcoming more than 600 investors, offering Blockchain, cryptocurrency and metaverse innovators an unrivalled opportunity to accelerate their growth. Day four of the Summit will play host to the North Star Dubai Supernova Challenge, the biggest pitch competition in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, offering startups the opportunity to pitch to an audience of global investors and earn potentially transformative capital. Leading cryptocurrency exchanges and market makers including OKX, Coinstore, KuCoin, the Hong Kong Digital Assets Exchange, Elliptic, Chainalysis, Coinfirm and Sun Zu Labs will exhibit at the Summit. Blockchain protocol specialists Consensys, EOS Network Foundation, Ultron Foundation will also be exhibiting, while there will also be a comprehensive focus on the Metaverse, NFT and gaming with innovators including Sensorium, METAP Japan and Ghost Ivy set to be at the show. International experts speaking at the Summit include Aleksandr Bornyakov, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation, Ukraine; OG Arabian Prince, Founder, iNov8 Next Open Labs, Founding Member of Legendary Rap Group N.W.A; Lennix Lai, Director, OKX; Scott Page, CEO, Think:EXP, Technologist & Saxophone player for Pink Floyd; Farhad Shagulyamov, CEO, VELAS and many more. The Future Blockchain Summit 2022 will host an engaging line up of over 100 international speakers comprising business and government leaders who will discuss the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the global Blockchain ecosystem. The Global Leaders Exchange, Crypto, DeFi & Virtual Asset Forum, and Metafest will provide visitors with essential insights and offer a glimpse of the emerging future of the Web. Visit the event website for more information on the Future Blockchain Summit, as well as registration details. About Dubai World Trade Centre: With a vision to make Dubai the world's leading destination for all major exhibitions, conferences and events, DWTC has evolved from being the regional forerunner of the fast-growing MICE industry into a multi-dimensional business catalyst, focusing on Venues, Events and Real Estate Management. Complementary to the primary service offerings are a range of value-added services from media/advertising, engineering and technical consultation and wedding planning, security services and an award-winning hospitality portfolio. To know more about the Dubai World Trade Centre, kindly visit their website. For more information, please contact: Jensen Matthews PR, via: loredana@jensenmatthews.com Media Contact Company Name: Future Blockchain Summit Email Id: steven.besse@dwtc.com Company Website: https://futureblockchainsummit.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137959 Westinghouse Electric Company has signed Memoranda of Understanding with 22 companies in Poland. The MoUs, signed in the presence of the U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski, allow for cooperation on the potential construction of AP1000 reactors in the first Polish nuclear power plant and other potential AP1000 plant projects in Central Europe. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005223/en/ Westinghouse Electric Company has signed Memoranda of Understanding with 22 companies in Poland. (Photo: Business Wire) "The involvement of the Polish industry in the creation of the nuclear industry in the country and its first power plant is absolutely crucial. Polish industry and companies have a wealth of experience and know-how in the construction of power units of all kinds. Many of them also have experience in working on nuclear projects around Europe, which we want to make the most of. These memoranda open opportunities for cooperation not only for the Polish project but also potentially in the entire CEE region," said Miroslaw Kowalik, President of Westinghouse Poland. "The signing between Westinghouse and Polish suppliers is another key step in the strategic U.S.-Poland partnership on nuclear energy. Over the next several decades this project will create thousands of jobs in Poland and help build experience that can be used to support similar projects around the world," said Mark Brzezinski, U.S. Ambassador to Poland. The memoranda establish cooperation with the following companies: Kersten Sp. z o.o. world leader in bending steel and aluminum components. world leader in bending steel and aluminum components. Famur Famak S.A. global supplier of complete bulk material handling and storage systems and individual machines. global supplier of complete bulk material handling and storage systems and individual machines. Mostostal Pulawy S.A. - company specializing in manufacturing and installation of steel structures. - company specializing in manufacturing and installation of steel structures. Sefako S.A. boiler manufacturer. boiler manufacturer. ZPUE S.A. - manufacturer of advanced solutions for the electric power industry, primary and secondary power distribution and generation equipment. - manufacturer of advanced solutions for the electric power industry, primary and secondary power distribution and generation equipment. Grupa Powen-Wafapomop S.A. manufacturer of pumps and services provider. manufacturer of pumps and services provider. Emerson Automation Solutions provider of technologies and services that help businesses measure, analyze, control, automate and optimize manufacturing, processing, and distribution provider of technologies and services that help businesses measure, analyze, control, automate and optimize manufacturing, processing, and distribution Monta Materials Handling Sp. z o.o. - company specializing in assemblies of industrial equipment and installations. - company specializing in assemblies of industrial equipment and installations. GL Steel Sp. z o.o. - installation, maintenance, and servicing of static devices. - installation, maintenance, and servicing of static devices. Bureau Veritas Polska Sp. z o.o. certification of systems, products and persons, technical assessments and inspections in various industries, certification of suppliers and technology and environmental assessments. certification of systems, products and persons, technical assessments and inspections in various industries, certification of suppliers and technology and environmental assessments. Prochem S.A. - design company, implementing industrial investments and public facilities. It also deals extensively with environmental protection. It specializes in the design and implementation of construction projects. - design company, implementing industrial investments and public facilities. It also deals extensively with environmental protection. It specializes in the design and implementation of construction projects. ZRE Katowice S.A. - comprehensive services for energy and industry. Modernization, design, production, repair, service, assembly, and diagnostics. - comprehensive services for energy and industry. Modernization, design, production, repair, service, assembly, and diagnostics. Energoprojekt Katowice S.A. - comprehensive service of investments in the field of design, consulting, expertise and technical analysis, construction supervision, and general contracting. - comprehensive service of investments in the field of design, consulting, expertise and technical analysis, construction supervision, and general contracting. APS Energia S.A. specialists in testing, inspection, and certification. specialists in testing, inspection, and certification. TUV NORD Polska Sp. z o.o. - certification of systems, products, and persons, technical assessments and inspections in various industries, certification of suppliers and technology, and environmental assessments. - certification of systems, products, and persons, technical assessments and inspections in various industries, certification of suppliers and technology, and environmental assessments. Izotechnik Sp z o.o. manufacture and installation of equipment and entire industrial installations, as well as their repair and modernization. manufacture and installation of equipment and entire industrial installations, as well as their repair and modernization. Grafton Recruitment Sp. z o.o recruitment company. recruitment company. Bireta Professional Translations Sp.J. translation services. translation services. Ecol Sp. z o.o. maintenance services for industrial machinery and equipment. maintenance services for industrial machinery and equipment. Mostostal Krakow Sp. z o.o. provides services in the fabrication and assembly of steel structures and equipment installation. provides services in the fabrication and assembly of steel structures and equipment installation. Eaton Electric Sp. z o.o manufacturer of devices and equipment that support electricity management. manufacturer of devices and equipment that support electricity management. ENEGOMONTAZ-POLNOC-BELCHATOW S.A. implementation of energy and industrial construction facilities. Westinghouse is a world leader in nuclear power and a provider of products and technologies for nuclear power plants. The company is one of three technology providers considered in the first Polish Nuclear Power Plant project. About Westinghouse Electric Company Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe and innovative nuclear technologies to utilities around the world. Westinghouse delivered the first-ever commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957, and its technologies underpin nearly half of the world's operating nuclear power plants. Through innovation, Westinghouse has been the preferred partner for decades for technologies that cover the entire life cycle of a nuclear power plant. For more information, please visit our website and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005223/en/ Contacts: Media: Cathy Mann Media@westinghouse.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - Aguila Copper Corp. (TSXV: AGL) (OTCQB: AGLAF) (WKN: A2DR6E) ("Aguila" or the "Company") is pleased to report granting of an additional 25 BLM lode mining claims at the Lida copper-silver project on the Walker Lane Belt in south-central Esmeralda County, Nevada. The additional claims were staked in response to the identification of a highly prospective sub-surface induced polarization ("IP") chargeability anomaly. The area under claim now totals 4.83 sq km and secures the strike extent of the IP anomaly. The Lida project is now secured by 58 granted BLM lode mining claims that cover three recently identified high chargeability anomalies, each approximately 500m in length (see press release dated 23/08/22) (Figure 1). The high chargeability zone corresponds to an area of high-grade oxide copper sampled at surface. In 57 samples taken from dump and pit material, copper ranged from 26.20% Cu to 12 ppm Cu averaging 1.80% Cu. Twenty samples exceeded 1% Cu including 14 that exceeded 2% Cu. Three large discrete upright/steeply dipping chargeability anomalies of high IP were discovered within an elevated chargeable zone (Figure 2). The anomalies are each approximately 500m in strike length with a chargeability exceeding >40mV/V in a background of <10mV/V. Values above 10mV/V are typically considered anomalous. While there is typically a direct correlation between chargeability and sulphide content, it may not correlate to economic mineralization. "As preliminary results from the IP survey became available from the contactor, we identified the tenor and significance of the buried chargeability anomalies. In response, we extended both the survey area and our claims to ensure we own 100% of the target," said Mark Saxon, President and CEO. "The southern Walker Lane is re-emerging as a premier exploration district in Nevada, with Nevada Sunrise drilling for lithium immediately south of our Lida claims, and AngloGold Ashanti having recently consolidated the Beatty District with a US$150m acquisition from Coeur Mining." The Company is currently acquiring necessary land use permits and drilling contracts for a program to begin in Q4 of 2022. Technical Background Any references to the terms "ore minerals", "mineralization" or "mineralized zones" are purely for descriptive purposes and are not intended to be interpreted as or relied upon for any resource or economic evaluation of the project at this time. The Company has obtained historic exploration data for this press release from the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology and other public archives. Although historic exploration data was generated by reputable companies applying practice of the day, Aguila cannot verify the data or determine the quality assurance and quality control measures applied in generating the data. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the exploration history is fully captured. Additional drilling may have been undertaken, however the Company has not been made aware of or obtained additional data. Accordingly, the Company cautions that the exploration data reported in this news release may not be reliable. Readers are cautioned that a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 has not completed sufficient work to be able to verify the historical information, and therefore the information should not be relied upon. The qualified person for the Company's projects, Mr. Mark Saxon, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, has reviewed and approved the contents of this release. Figure 1: IP Chargeability Map for Lida project, Nevada. Chargeability image from 1400m ASL shown, with copper mineralized sample sites (orange), copper-silver mineralized shaft site, and location of pseudosections if Fig 2 (blue lines). To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7326/137992_3391cb9ad4527a48_002full.jpg Figure 2: IP Chargeability Pseudosections for Lida project, Nevada corresponding to N-S blue lines marked on Figure 1, each approximately 1.5km in length. High chargeability anomalies indicated by warmest colours (red-white). To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7326/137992_figure2.jpg About Aguila Copper Corp (TSXV: AGL) (OTCQB: AGLAF) (WKN: A2DR6E) Aguila Copper Corp is an emerging copper and precious metal company enhancing shareholder value through exploration and discovery. Aguila is focused on the Sherridon Project in Manitoba, the Lida Project in Nevada, and the Cora Project in Arizona. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, "Mark Saxon" Mark Saxon President & CEO For further information, please contact: aguilacopper.com 1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7 info@aguilacopper.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 release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain information set out in this news release constitutes forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based upon the opinions and expectations of management of the Company as at the effective date of such statements and, in certain cases, information provided or disseminated by third parties. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the closing of the transactions contemplated in the Option Agreement, the exercise of the option and the Exchange approval of the Option Agreement. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, and that information obtained from third party sources is reliable, they can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such risks include the ability of the Company to complete all payments, share issuances and expenditures required under the Option Agreement, the Exchange approval to the Option Agreement and uncertainties relating to exploration activities. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137992 ZURICH (dpa-AFX) - As per a report published in the Financial Times, Credit Suisse Group (CS) is planning to separate its Investment Bank into three units. The company is conducting a comprehensive review to strengthen its pivot to Wealth Management, Swiss Bank and Asset Management, supported by a transformation of the Investment Bank. The performance in the Investment Bank in the second quarter was impacted by significantly lower capital markets issuance activity as well as reduced client activity. In July, Credit Suisse said the Group will provide details on the progress of the strategic review, including specific performance goals, with its third quarter 2022 results. 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. 102.7 Meters Grading 159 G/T (5.1 Oz/T) Silver, 5.4% Zinc and 5.3% Lead Including 18.5 Meters Grading 335 G/T (10.8 Oz/T) Silver, 2.2% Zinc and 12.0% Lead and 7.2 Meters Grading 349 G/T (11.2 Oz/T) Silver, 7.3% Zinc and 9.7% Lead TUCSON, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / September 22, 2022 / Western Alaska Minerals (the "Company" or "WAM") (TSXV:WAM) is pleased to announce geological observations and assay results from massive sulfide mineralization cut at its Waterpump Creek Carbonate Replacement Deposit ("CRD") on its 100% owned Illinois Creek Project in western Alaska. The results incorporate visual data from drillholes WPC22-21 and 22 and assay data for WPC22-17 and 18 (See Table 1 and News Releases of July 5th and 20th, 2022). Visual data for Holes 21 and 22 are reported here for the first time. Assays for both, as well as WPC22-20, are pending. The intercepts in all holes show multiple stages of sulfide mineralization characterized by alternating zinc-dominant sphalerite-rich and lead-silver dominant galena-rich sulfide mineralization zones. Sulfides thicken progressively towards drillholes WPC22-17 and 18 (48.8 and 101.7 meters respectively) both of which include significant zones of late-stage pyrite showing multiple stages of brecciation and mineralization. The 102 meter intercept in drillhole WPC22-18 is by far the thickest and most mineralogically complex hole to-date with three intervals of high-grade Pb-Ag rich Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization. Additional intervals of Zn-dominant mineralization and lower-grade, late, multi-stage pyrite are also present. The combination of the abrupt thickening of mineralization towards drillhole WPC22-18 and its multi-stage complexity strongly indicate it is an important CRD feeder zone. Notably, WPC22-18 appears to lie at the intersection of the N-S Waterpump Creek graben and NE-SW Illinois Creek Fault, which suggests similar intersections identified elsewhere on the property may also host feeders that guided mineralizing fluids into the favorable carbonate host rocks. "Following progressively thicker and more complex mineralization encountered in WPC22-17 and 18 and then seeing it thin again as we drilled further southward along the WPC graben strongly suggests we hit a feeder chimney located at the intersection with the Illinois Creek Fault," said Joe Piekenbrock, Chief Exploration Officer. "Combining this with the extensive historical mining five kilometers to the southwest along the Illinois Creek Fault strongly reinforces our interpretation that it is one of the major mineralization controls in the district and increases the importance of drilling along it, especially where it intersects other similar structures now seen in the CSAMT survey." "It is remarkable to have cut a sulfide feeder zone so early in a CRD exploration program and this opens up a number of very exciting targets along the Illinois Creek Fault," said Dr. Peter Megaw, exploration advisor to WAM. "Having WPC22-18 to ground-truth geologic models and geophysical interpretations should greatly facilitate efficient exploration throughout this apparently very large scale CRD system". Table 1. Assay results - WPC22-17 and 18 Drill hole From (meters) To (meters) Thickness (meters) Ag g/t Ag Oz/t Zn % Pb % AgEq g/t* WPC22-17 125.5 174.3 48.8 144 4.6 9.0 5.5 680 including 125.5 135.3 9.8 428 13.8 15.9 14.1 1512 Including 160.6 164.7 4.1 417 13.4 14.8 18.3 1587 WPC22-18 147.2 248.9 101.7 160 5.1 5.4 5.3 544 including 158.6 165.8 7.2 349 11.2 7.3 9.7 947 including 191.7 195.0 3.3 358 11.5 7.2 10.6 980 including 223.8 242.3 18.5 335 10.8 2.2 13.5 798 * Silver Equivalent (AgEq) based on assumed prices of $22/oz Ag, $1.00/lb Pb, and $1.30/lb Zn Waterpump Creek Drilling: Analysis To-Date The manto mineralization encountered to date forms an elongate body 30 to 75 meters wide and 400 meters in length plunging gently to the south in the footwall dolomite adjacent to the WPC Creek structure. The overall architecture defined in the 2022 CSAMT profiles, indicates this structure is the western margin of a graben-like depression 500 to 600 meters wide that down-drops and drapes the overlying chlorite and graphite schist package onto the underlying dolomite section. As discussed earlier, there is an apparent chimney at the intersection of the WPC manto and the projection of the Illinois Creek Fault. To better understand the trend and lateral continuity of the WPC manto, a profile of four drill holes spaced from 25 to 40 meters has been completed on Section 7104900, 50 meters south of the exceptionally thick interval encountered in WPC22-18. Figure 1 shows this EW cross-section (7104900N) which lies 250 meters south of the previously reported 7105150N section through mineralization in WPC22-07 (See News Release of August 2, 2022). WPC22-20, 21 and 22 all cut significant massive sulfide intervals. From west to east the section shows: WPC22-21 cut 4.0 meters; WPC22-22 cut three intervals totaling 67.3 meters; and WPC22-20 cut two intervals totaling 32.1 meters of mineralization. Mineralization in section 7104900 again shows mineralization replacing the dolomite along the fold hinge of the dolomite as it is draped and/or faulted into the Waterpump Creek graben. Alteration forms a halo around the massive mineralization often as bleached dolomite along with quartz, dolomite, and calcite veins. Fluorescent fugitive calcite veins are concentrated peripherally at or near the top side of the massive mineralization and form a local vector of up to 50-100 meters around the massive sulfide. Figure 1. Cross-section (7104900N) (W-E) Ongoing drilling has now moved 200 meters to the south to section 7104700 due to a wide expanse of wetlands that preclude drilling in 2022. Late spring drilling and specialized equipment will be needed to drill this gap in 2023. Figure 2 is an updated longitudinal section along the axis of 2022 Waterpump Creek drilling. The mineralized body plunges to the south at 15-20 degrees along the western margin of the Waterpump Creek graben. Mineralization thickens dramatically south of 7105050N and shows the apparent chimney developing at the intersection of the WPC manto and the projection of Illinois Creek Fault. Future resource drilling should further define the geometries of the mineralized body. Figure 2. Longitudinal Cross-section down the axis of the Waterpump Creek manto (N-S) Figure 3 is a pierce point plan map of 2022 drilling at Waterpump Creek. The plan map shows the apparent intersection of the WPC manto and the projected trend of the Illinois Creek Fault. Importantly, Figures 3 shows the continuation of strong manto mineralization to the south of the likely WPC22-18 chimney at the intersection of the WPC Fault-controlled manto and the projection of the Illinois Creek syn-mineral fault. Figure 3. Pierce point Plan Map of the Waterpump Creek manto CRD Discussion To better understand the implication of WAM's ongoing CRD exploration at Waterpump Creek and the greater Illinois Creek District, a brief discussion on CRD's geometries, zoning and scale is available on our website and as an Appendix to this news release. CSAMT Geophysical Program In addition to the ongoing two rig drill program, a major system-wide CSAMT (controlled-source audio-magnetotellurics) geophysical program was completed in June covering the +/- 8 km distance between the Illinois Creek oxide mineralization, the Last Hurrah area and the Waterpump Creek target area. Inversion modeling of the CSAMT sections is ongoing. Preliminary results show a complex interplay of stacked thrusts and high-angle syn-mineral faults. The Waterpump Creek structure, the major mineralization control for the WPC manto, is apparent as the west bounding fault of the WPC graben which extends over at least 6 km of strike within the CSAMT sections south from Waterpump Creek through Last Hurrah to just east of the major East IC manto/gossan. Importantly, the survey shows the scale of the Illinois Creek CRD system is on par with some of the largest and richest CRD systems in the world, including the Santa Eulalia deposit in Mexico and the Tintic deposit in Utah (see the attached Appendix). A preliminary geologic re-interpretation and specific target zones are shown in Figure 4 based on the CSAMT inversions. Three apparent NNE-trending extensional faults are evident in the inversions: The west and east bounding faults defining the Waterpump Creek graben; and Wade's Fault trend which shows major down-drop to the west preserving the entire 400-meter-thick prospective carbonate stratigraphy recognized in the District. The graben-like down-drop to the west of Wade's Fault suggests that the dolomite between the Waterpump Creek Fault and Wade's Fault is a horst block of prospective carbonate stratigraphy with only the lower dolomite section preserved. The permissive stratigraphic section is characterized by an upper 100-meter thick, calcareous sandstone underlain by a 100-meter dolomitic sandstone and in turn, underlain by a 200-meter dolomite section. This permissive section lies immediately below the greenstone sill and a thin 20 to 50-meter thick graphitic schist. Late high-angle NE-trending faults, the Illinois Creek Fault and the Warm Springs Fault crosscut this framework. Deep oxidation is apparent between the Illinois Creek and Warm Springs Faults as is demonstrated at the Illinois Creek oxide Au/Ag deposit and the East Illinois Creek manto. The Illinois Creek oxide Au/Ag deposit formed as replacement mineralization in the Illinois Creek Fault and the East Illinois Creek manto formed in the hanging-wall of the Illinois Creek Fault as a replacement body at the contact between calcareous and dolomitic quartzites roughly 100 meters below the greenstone sill. Importantly, a major conductive anomaly is apparent in the data lying below: a shallow dipping Jurassic greenstone sill emplaced at the top of the prospective stratigraphy; and south of the Warm Springs Fault. This fault block was not tested in any of the historical drilling and suggests a major potential new target 4 x 2 kilometers in scale. Two initial drill holes tests have been completed in August and September through the greenstone immediately west of Wade's Fault testing this highly prospective untested block south of the Warm Springs Fault. Drillhole IC22-01 has intersected 50+ meters of intense silicification, brecciation and massive pyrite mineralization with anomalous XRF base metal values below the greenstone sill. The hole was terminated due to poor drillhole conditions and a second hole IC22-02 roughly 500 meters to the northwest and closer to the Warm Springs Fault again intersected major silicification and brecciation with lesser but still significant pyrite component, again below the greenstone sill. The hole was lost due to intense sanding of the calcareous quartzite. A third hole testing west across Wade's Fault into this stratigraphy is ongoing. Importantly, this drilling roughly 3 kilometers south of the ongoing Waterpump creek drilling shows that mineralizing fluids of the Illinois Creek CRD system lie below the extensive greenstone sill and significantly expands the potential target area for replacement mineralization. Figure 4. Preliminary Geologic interpretation and targeted zones based on the 2022 CSAMT program Kit Marrs, Western Alaska Minerals CEO, stated "Our 2022 drilling program at Waterpump Creek has now outlined a 400 meter long trend of high grade silver-lead-zinc mineralization. This is a significant step towards defining an economic CRD deposit. Mineralization has thickened and become wider as the drilling has moved south along trend. Our 2022 drilling success, along with the results of the June CSAMT geophysical survey has demonstrated that we have a major CRD system with excellent potential for additional discovery. The two exploration holes, IC22-01 and IC22-02, completed to date on targets outlined by the CSAMT survey, demonstrate that we are just now understanding the potential of this CRD system." Qualified Person The qualified person who reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this release is Stuart Morris, P. Geo., a qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Morris is an independent consultant with a MS in Economic Geology and 40 plus years of experience in mineral resources, mine, and exploration He is a Registered Geologist with the British Columbia Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (BC-APEG) No. 135066 and with the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration No. 16289. His review verified the data disclosed, including geology. sampling, analytical and QA/QC data underlying the technical information in this news release, including reviewing the reports of ALS, methodologies, results, and all procedures undertaken for quality assurance and quality control in a manner consistent with industry practice. All technical matters were consistent and accurate according to his professional judgement. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Quality Assurance/Quality Control of drill sample assay results are independently monitored through a quality assurance/quality control ("QA/QC") protocol which includes the insertion of blind standard reference materials, blanks, and duplicates at regular intervals. All logging and sampling procedures are completed at WAM's core handling facilities located at the Illinois Creek mine camp in Alaska. Drill core is logged under an established procedure using Geospark commercial logging software, then diamond sawn on site. Half drill-core samples are then securely transported to ALS facilities in Fairbanks, Alaska from Illinois Creek under a strict chain of custody protocol. Sample pulps are then sent to ALS's lab in Vancouver, Canada, for analysis. Gold content is determined by fire assay of a 30-gram charge with ICP finish. Silver, lead, copper, and zinc along with other elements are analyzed by ICP methods utilizing a four-acid digestion. Over-limit samples for silver, lead, copper, and zinc are determined by ore-grade titration analyses. ALS Inc. is independent of Western Alaska Minerals and its affiliates. ALS also performs its own internal QA/QC procedures to assure the accuracy and integrity of results. Parameters for ALS' internal and WAM' external blind quality control samples are acceptable for the elements analyzed. WAM is unaware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein. About WAM WAM began trading on the TSX-V in November 2021 and maintains corporate offices in Alaska and Arizona. WAM fully controls all claims in the historic Illinois Creek Mining District located in western Alaska near the Yukon River, covering 73,120 acres (114.25 square miles or 29,591 hectares). The District was originally discovered by Anaconda Minerals Co. in the early 1980's. Since 2010, WAM and its private precursor company Western Alaska Copper & Gold Inc. has reassembled the Anaconda property package and been engaged in exploring the District. The District encompasses at least five deposits containing gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc. The Company currently has approximately 22,414,104 common shares issued and outstanding and 238,643 proportional shares issued and outstanding. Each proportional share is convertible to 100 common shares at the request of the shareholder and in the discretion of the Company. Because of these conversion rights, for market capitalization and financial analysis purposes, it is appropriate to convert the proportional shares to common shares and add the product of the conversion to the current number of common shares outstanding. When doing so, the sum of the approximate number of common shares (22,414,104) and converted proportional shares (23,864,300) equals 46,278,404 shares. Further information regarding the Company's share structure is available upon request. On behalf of WAM "Kit Marrs" Kit Marrs President & CEO Phone: (520) 200-1667 For further information please contact: Vanessa Bogaert, Director of Corporate Communications/IR at vanessa@westernalaskaminerals.com Or visit our website at: www.westernalaskaminerals.com Forward Looking Information Certain statements made, and information contained herein may constitute "forward looking information" and "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the Company and there is no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as "anticipates", "believes", "targets", "estimates", "plans", "expects", "may", "will", "could" or "would". Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guaranteeing of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by 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. Appendix 1 CRD Discussion A critical element in effective exploration of carbonate replacement (CRD) deposits is a clear understanding of the orebodies' geometries and metal zonation patterns as seen in CRD analogs from around the world. Figure 1 show plan views of mineralized mantos and chimneys at the Santa Eulalia deposit in Mexico and the Tintic deposit in Utah. Mantos are often characterized as elongate rods of high-grade massive sulfide replacement mineralization in carbonate rocks often 20-100 meters wide, 10-40 metres thick and up to as much 3-4 kilometers in length. These ore body geometries typically result in a 'skeletal' distribution of the orebodies exemplified in the figure below. Figure 1. Skeletal Orebody Geometries Santa Eulalia District, Mexico and the Tintic District, Utah (courtesy Peter Megaw) Figure 2 demonstrates that mineralized mantos can be stacked over a significant vertical relief in any given district. At Santa Eulalia, ore bodies are stacked over a kilometer of vertical stratigraphy. Importantly and as a rule of thumb in CRD exploration, the first favorable limestone or dolomite (i.e., the deepest) encountered by the ascending mineralizer is often by far the most productive. Mantos in general attenuate in scale as you move outward in the system. Figure 2. Cross-section of the West Santa Eulalia District showing stacked mantos over 1km of stratigraphic thickness. (courtesy Peter Megaw) The final critical targeting aspect in CRD exploration is the metal zonation patterns indicative of where in the 'skeletal' geometry the encountered mineralization occurs. Figure 3 shows a plan map of the Hermosa/Taylor deposit in southern Arizona. The deposit exhibits classic CRD metal zonation both laterally and vertically between stacked mantos with proximal Cu-Zn-Ag-Au, intermediate Zn-Pb-Ag and distal Ag-Pb-Zn and Ag-Mn. Figure 3. Plan view of the Hermosa/Taylor Deposit, AZ showing both lateral and vertical metal zonation in the stacked mantos. (modified from AZ Mining, 2018) SOURCE: Western Alaska Minerals Corp View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716929/Western-Alaska-Minerals-Reports-Assays-for-Multi-Stage-CRD-Feeder-Zone-Cut-in-Hole-WPC22-18-at-Waterpump-Creek Recent Highlights Include: 2,144m completed in eight exploration holes testing new target types Geometallurgical study initiated on high-grade mineralization identified within the initial inferred resource Permitting on the south side of the project is advancing and will allow testing of additional high priority targets once granted Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - Chakana Copper Corp. (TSXV: PERU) (OTCQB: CHKKF) (FSE: 1ZX) (the "Company" or "Chakana"), is pleased to provide this update on the Soledad project, located in the Ancash Province of Peru within the Miocene mineral belt. Soledad is a high-grade copper-gold-silver discovery hosted in tourmaline breccia pipes in the active Aija-Ticapampa mining district with an initial inferred resource published Q1 2022 (see news releases dated January 11 and February 23, 2022). Exploration Update The Soledad mineral system is defined by hydrothermal alteration and outcropping tourmaline breccias within a surface area of 12 square kilometers. Eight exploration holes totaling 2,144m were completed on new targets on the north half of the project (north of the main quebrada) where the company is fully permitted for exploration drilling (Figure 1). The objective of the program was to test different target types than had been previously drilled by Chakana, which was principally focused on mineralized tourmaline breccia pipes that crop out at surface. The different target types include hydrothermal breccias (generally lacking tourmaline), vein breccias, intrusion-related mineralization, and areas with advanced argillic alteration. A summary of the results is listed below: Cima Blanca The Cima Blanca target area is located at the highest elevations (4,600m) on the north half of the project. The area defines the most distal alteration to the north in the Soledad mineral system. The host rocks are andesite lithic tuff, dacite tuff, and monzodiorite dikes with strong phyllic alteration and a predominance of paragonite over muscovite. Anomalous gold-silver-lead in rock chip samples are associated with east-west veins and quartz-tourmaline ledges. The target was further constrained by a strong response in the gradient array and offset induced polarization (IP) surveys. SDH22-276 intersected a blind breccia body with 126.4m of hydrothermal breccia cemented by pyrite (Figure 2a); there were no significant assays reported. Paloma Trend Two holes were drilled in separate targets on the Paloma trend, SDH22-277 and SDH22-279. The Paloma Trend is noteworthy as it is considered an important feeder structure and it hosts the Paloma East and Paloma West breccia pipes, both of which were included in the initial inferred resource estimate for the project (Figure 1). Several additional targets are located along this northeast-trending structural feature. The host rocks are andesite lithic tuff and volcanic conglomerate, which is a marker unit at the base of the Calipuy Formation. The targets were defined by strong phyllic alteration in breccia and structures, gold-silver anomalies in rock chip samples, strong soil gold anomalies, a prominent northeast-trending gradient array IP metal factor feature, and distinct offset IP anomalies. Hole SDH22-277 failed to intercept breccia but it did encounter a mineralized replacement structure with quartz-tourmaline-chalcopyrite (Figure 2b) with an apparent width of 0.85m containing 0.77 gpt Au, 138 gpt Ag, and 2.6% Cu from 184.34m depth. This intercept is 15m away from the downward extension of the Paloma West breccia pipe that is open at depth. These mineralized structures are common immediately adjacent to the tourmaline breccia pipes, indicating potentially significant expansion of mineralization in the Paloma West breccia pipe. Hole SDH22-279 was drilled beneath a small outcropping breccia. The hole intersected 32.7m of tourmaline breccia with no significant assays reported (Figure 2c). Additional drilling along the Paloma trend is warranted to follow up the high-grade intercept and to further explore this important feeder structure. Breccia 4 and Breccia 4 West The Breccia 4 target area is located on the same north-northeast structure as Breccia 5 and Breccia 6; otwo breccia pipes that are also included in the initial inferred resource estimate (Figure 1). Several east-west quartz-tourmaline-altered structures cut andesite lithic tuff intruded by monzodiorite. There are two principal breccias exposed with strong phyllic alteration, Breccia 4 East and Breccia 4 West, along with other inferred breccias from the geophysical surveys. Several rock chip samples with anomalous silver-lead values and anomalous gold in soil further define the targets. Two holes were drilled in separate targets in the Breccia 4 area, SDH22-278 and SDH22-280, both of which intersected significant lengths of breccia (200m and 137m, respectively). SDH22-278 was drilled to the southeast to test an inferred (blind) breccia, then continue across the main Breccia 5/6 structure and into the Breccia 4 East pipe. The hole intersected a blind breccia with two zones of pyrite-cemented hydrothermal breccia and a lower zone of tourmaline breccia (Figure 2d and 2e), but the hole was lost in the structure and failed to reach the Breccia 4 East breccia pipe. SDH22-280 intersected an upper zone of hydrothermal breccia cemented by pyrite and rhodochrosite, and a lower pyrite-cemented tourmaline breccia zone (Figure 2f and 2g). Both holes have anomalous lead and zinc values, typical of the distal halo of the mineralized tourmaline breccia pipes, potentially indicating significant mineralization nearby. Additional drilling in the Breccia 4 area and testing the main Breccia 4 East breccia pipe are warranted. Faro Area The Faro area is near the northwest limit of the Soledad mineral system where several untested breccias and dacite porphyry with sheeted veinlets and strong phyllic alteration are located. The sheeted veinlets are oriented east-west and consist of quartz-tourmaline-pyrite, averaging 5-7 and up to 15 veinlets per meter of dacite. Soil samples collected in the vicinity of the dacite porphyry are anomalous in gold-molybdenum, and rock chip samples are anomalous in silver-molybdenum-selenium. A breccia outcrop adjacent to the dacite porphyry is 50m in diameter with quartz-tourmaline alteration and soils anomalous in gold. Hole SDH22-281 was drilled to the southwest beneath the outcropping breccia and intersected 83m of hydrothermal breccia with arsenopyrite-sphalerite-chalcopyrite in the matrix and in veinlets (Figure 2h). This hole has anomalous copper-lead-zinc-arsenic values. Hole SDH22-282 was targeting a mineralized intrusion and an inferred breccia. The hole intersected 111m of tourmaline breccia with 14.8m of 15.9 gpt Ag from 35m depth, and anomalous values of copper and lead (Figure 2i). Deeper drilling in the dacite porphyry and drill testing several other outcropping breccias in the area is recommended. Paloma-Huancarama The area between the Paloma trend and the Huancarama breccia complex is highly prospective for the coalescence of breccia pipes into larger breccia bodies. The area is covered by colluvium and soil, with the target being defined by gradient array and offset IP surveys that identified zones with high conductivity and chargeability (high metal factor). Two holes were considered in the initial test of this target area. Hole SDH22-283 was drilled to the east on the eastern end of the geophysical anomaly. The hole intersected a small section of tourmaline breccia (5.2m) but failed to explain the geophysical anomaly in its entirety (Figure 2j). It is possible that the main source of the geophysical feature is further west. After the first planned drill hole, the decision was made to postpone further drilling in this area until the geophysical results have been revisited. Drill Hole Target Depth Breccia Comments SDH22-276 Cima Blanca 280.5 126.4 No significant assays SDH22-277 Paloma Trend 217.1 0 0.85m from 184.35 0.77 gpt Au, 138 gpt Ag, 2.6 % Cu SDH22-278 Bx 4 419.6 200.0 Anomalous Pb and Zn SDH22-279 Paloma Trend 185.3 32.7 No significant assays SDH22-280 Bx 4 West 200.5 137.5 Anomalous Pb and Zn SDH22-281 Faro 198.0 83.7 Anomalous Cu, Pb, Zn and As SDH22-282 Dacite porphyry 354.6 111.4 14.8m of 15.9 gpt Ag from 35m, anomalous Cu and Pb SDH22-283 Paloma-Huancarama 288.5 5.2 Anomalous As, Pb and Zn "The strategy for this phase of drilling was to test several individual drill targets with one hole each whereas previously we would drill three to four holes in a target. The results reveal a much larger extent of brecciation and hydrothermal alteration than previously known, indicating a large underlying intrusion that is driving this mineral system. We encountered more hydrothermal breccias than tourmaline breccias in this drill program. The timing and relations between these breccias and the high-grade tourmaline breccias that make up the initial inferred resource are currently being investigated. Integration of these results with previous drilling will improve our exploration model and understanding of the high-grade feeder structures in the Soledad mineral system as we prepare for drilling on the southern half of the project where we have delineated several high-grade breccia pipes cropping out at Companero, an extensive intrusion-related gold-molybdenum-tin soil anomaly, and a high sulfidation alteration system with strong silver mineralization at La Joya," stated President and CEO David Kelley. Geometallurgical Study A geometallurgical study, assisted by researchers at the University of Tasmania (CODES) as part of a PhD research project, has been initiated on high-grade mineralized zones defined in the initial inferred resource estimate (MRE) for the Soledad project (see news releases dated January 11 and February 23, 2022). The study will initially focus on Breccia 5 (Bx 5), then will transition to Bx 1, Huancarama, and other zones of high-grade mineralization identified in the MRE. The objectives of the work are to 1) resolve precious and critical metal deportment in sulfide and sulfosalt minerals to optimize mineral processing options, and 2) identify deleterious element deportment in sulfide and sulfosalt minerals for effective waste management planning. The study will use laser ablation with inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS) for chemical mapping of minerals to reveal precious, critical, and deleterious element deportment behavior, and automated mineral and rock characterization by scanning electron microprobe for detailed mineralogical mapping and textural assessment of ore and gangue phases for geometallurgical purposes. The initial phase of investigation will be based on eight composite samples from Bx 5. The composite samples were made from coarse rejects that have been stored in a freezer container to prevent oxidation. The eight composite samples selected from different domains defined by geochemical associations, resource boundaries, and breccia textures. The table below shows the initial head grade and the grade of different size fractions that are under investigation. Head grade (G) for eight geometallurgical composite samples from Bx 5. Table 2 To view an enhanced version of Table 2, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2172/137943_8ec9b84334a2389c_001full.jpg. Permitting Update Chakana continues with the process of modifying the semi-detailed environmental impact assessment (EIAsd) to allow exploration drilling on the south half of the project. The company received and responded to the initial observations regarding the modification of the permit and recently received the second and final observations from the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the National Water Authority (ANA). The company is in the process of responding to these final observations, after which a decision will be made on the environmental permit. Once approved, the permit moves to the final Initiation of Activities (AIA) stage. Approval of the modified EIAsd will allow drill testing in three principal target areas on the south side of the project: 1) Companero breccia complex, 2) Mega-Gold anomaly, and 3) La Joya (Figure 1). The Companero breccias are similar to the mineralized breccia pipes in the MRE on the north side of the project with strongly enriched gold in surface rock channel samples (see news release dated July 16, 2018). The Mega-Gold target is defined by an extensive soil anomaly that is strongly anomalous in gold-molybdenum-tin, in part overlying a poorly exposed, phyllic-altered granodiorite intrusion. The La Joya target area has strong silver mineralization in surface rock samples associated with high sulfidation advanced argillic alteration with vuggy silica, alunite, dickite, zunyite, diaspore, and pyrophyllite. About Chakana Copper Chakana Copper Corp is a Canadian-based minerals exploration company that is currently advancing the Soledad Project located in the Ancash region of Peru, a highly favorable mining jurisdiction with supportive communities. The Soledad Project is notable for the high-grade copper-gold-silver mineralization that is hosted in tourmaline breccia pipes. An initial inferred resource estimate for seven breccia pipes was announced in Q1 2022 (see news release dated February 23, 2022), with open pit and underground resources of 6.73 Mt containing 191,000 ounces of gold, 11.7 million ounces of silver, and 130 million pounds of copper. In addition, extensive multidisciplinary exploration has defined 154 exploration targets, 27 of which have been tested to date (17%), confirming that Soledad is a large, well-endowed mineral system with strong exploration upside. Chakana's investors are uniquely positioned as the Soledad Project provides exposure to copper and precious metals. For more information on the Soledad project, please visit the website at www.chakanacopper.com. Results of an initial resource estimate and additional information concerning the Project, including a technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, are available on Chakana's profile at www.sedar.com. Qualified Person David Kelley, an officer, and a director of Chakana, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD (signed) "David Kelley" David Kelley President and CEO For further information contact: Joanne Jobin, Investor Relations Officer Phone: 647 964 0292 Email: jjobin@chakanacopper.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement Advisory: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Chakana to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements or information relates to, among other things, the interpretation of the nature of the mineralization at the Soledad copper-gold-silver project (the "Project"), the potential to expand the mineralization, and to develop and grow a resource within the Project, the planning for further exploration work, the ability to de-risk the potential exploration targets, and our belief in the potential for mineralization within unexplored parts of the Project. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by law. Figure 1 - Map showing gold in soil for the Soledad project. Black polygons are outcropping tourmaline breccias; blue circles represent breccia pipes in the initial inferred resource estimate (see news release dated February 23, 2022); light brown lines are major faults; drill traces for the eight exploration holes reported in this release shown in black. The three main target areas on the south side of the project are ready to drill once the permit is granted. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2172/137943_8ec9b84334a2389c_002full.jpg. Figure 2 - Select core photos from drill holes reported in this news release: (a) Cima Blanca (SDH22-276 271.7m) - hydrothermal breccia with intense quartz-sericite altered clasts and pyrite cement; (b) Paloma Trend (SDH22-277 184.5m) - quartz-tourmaline-chalcopyrite replacement of andesite lithic tuff; (c) Paloma Trend (SDH22-279 94.4m) - tourmaline breccia; (d) Breccia 4 (SDH22-278 233.8m) - pyrite cemented hydrothermal breccia; (e) Breccia 4 (SDH22-278 335.45m) - pyrite-quartz cemented tourmaline breccia; (f) Breccia 4 West (SDH22-280 53.0m) - hydrothermal breccia cemented with pyrite and rhodochrosite; (g) Breccia 4 West (SDH22-280 83.75m) - pyrite cemented tourmaline breccia; (h) Faro (SDH22-281 136.8m) - hydrothermal breccia with quartz-arsenopyrite-sphalerite-chalcopyrite in matrix; (i) Faro (SDH22-282 184.5m) - tourmaline breccia with pyrite cement; (j) Paloma-Huancarama (SDH22-283 224.5m) - tourmaline breccia with quartz-pyrite cement. Core diameter is 6.35cm (HQ) in all instances. To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2172/137943_8ec9b84334a2389c_003full.jpg. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137943 As ongoing research published in the National Library of Medicine supports the effectiveness of EMDR, Grigore Counselling announces Total Immersion EMDR therapy in Surrey, BC. Surrey, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - Grigore Counselling has announced that its accelerated Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is now available for patients suffering from addictive disorders, including alcohol and drug addiction. More details can be found at https://www.thecelebritysaviour.com EMDR Therapy For Addiction In Surrey, BC Announced By Grigore Counselling To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/138049_d24ff67c44239a85_001full.jpg The new treatment is designed to help patients develop coping mechanisms to overcome addiction and prevent relapse. Therapy sessions are led by practice founder and creator of Total Immersion EMDR, Robert Grigore. "EMDR is a psychotherapeutic treatment which accelerates the brain's natural ability to heal itself, utilizing a process called Bilateral Stimulation," explains Robert Grigore. "EMDR has over 30 years of research and clinical trials, and is endorsed by leading health authorities around the world, including the World Health Organization." Grigore Counselling's novel approach, Total Immersion EMDR is an accelerated form of the traditional EMDR treatment and aims to provide lasting results in 3 to 5 days. This interactive psychotherapy method is used to relieve psychological stress that has built up over the years, allowing the brain to work through overwhelming experiences which were not properly processed. During the new addiction therapy sessions, Grigore directs eye movements while guiding the patient through traumatic memories or thoughts. The distraction caused by this bilateral stimulation makes processing stressful events less emotionally painful, helping patients properly process traumatic memories and eventually move past them. "EMDR has been proven effective for anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, relationship issues, procrastination, perfectionism, shame, and grief," says Robert Grigore. His new service is designed to help patients confront the negative emotions associated with addiction, while establishing healthy coping mechanisms and lowering the risks of relapse. Utilizing the brain's natural healing abilities, EMDR therapy aims to limit negative thinking and behaviours for lasting results. With the latest announcement, Grigore Counselling makes its innovative Total Immersive EMDR therapy available in form of five-day retreats, three-day weekend sessions, and single sessions. Founder Robert Grigore is renowned for his work with celebrities, who have publicly endorsed EMDR. Interested parties can learn more by visiting https://www.thecelebritysaviour.com/testimonials Contact Info: Name: Robert A. Grigore Email: info@thecelebritysaviour.com Organization: Grigore Counselling Address: 19567 Fraser Hwy. 469, Surrey, British Columbia V3S 6K7, Canada Phone: +1-778-883-4819 Website: https://www.thecelebritysaviour.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138049 TEL-AVIV, Israel, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zenity, the leader in security governance for No-Code/Low-Code development disclosed a severe vulnerability in Code by Zapier. The Zenity research team disclosed that they discovered a sandbox-escape vulnerability in Code by Zapier in the middle of March 2022. Code by Zapier is a service that is used by Zapier to execute custom code as part of a Zap. Exploiting this vulnerability, any user could take full control over the execution environment of their entire account allowing them to manipulate results and steal sensitive data. For example, a Zapier user could take control over the admin's custom code execution environment. Furthermore, the exploit could be performed via the user's private folder, which admins cannot monitor, thus avoiding detection. "The vulnerability discovered by our team allowed any Zapier user to take full control over their entire organization's environment. A user could read and even manipulate the admin's zaps and the admin would have no way of knowing about it," said Michael Bargury, Zenity's CTO and Co-Founder. The Zapier security team has been candid and responsive, and the issue is now fully mitigated, and this disclosure has been coordinated with the Zapier team. Zenity can confirm that the vulnerability has been fully mitigated by Zapier. Accounts of customers using Code by Zapier before 8/17/2022 could have been exploited. "Zapier is a secure platform in and of itself. Unfortunately, no platform is 100% secure and security vulnerabilities are commonplace even with the world's largest organizations," Bargury adds and expands: "Security of the Zapier platform itself is also only one part of the story. It is more important to secure what YOU build on top of Zapier. When you create a Zap, you could create a vulnerability that exposes your organization to risks. No-Code development is still development, and you must own your part of the shared responsibility model." For more information, please go to: https://www.zenity.io/blog/zapescape-organization-wide-control-over-code-by-zapier/ About Zenity Zenity is the first and only security governance platform for No-Code/Low-Code applications, automations and integrations. No-Code/Low-Code platforms are sweeping the world, allowing pro and citizen developers to create what they need, when they need it and on their own, but without any security governance and tooling. Zenity empowers IT and Security professionals to gain complete visibility and control over their No-Code/Low-Code estate, enabling them to unblock No-Code/Low-Code development and: (1) Gain visibility and discover No-Code/Low-Code shadow-IT with a cross-platform inventory; (2) Get continuous risk assessment to pinpoint vulnerabilities and insecure components; (3) Mitigate risk with automated remediation actions; (4) Govern the No-Code/Low-Code lifecycle and enforce security policies with playbooks. Zenity was established by Ben Kliger and Michael Bargury, ex-Microsoft cyber security leaders and experts, after experiencing security and no-code/low-code challenges while working in the security division. Zenity is the leader of security governance for this new wave of IT decentralization, and is working with large enterprises, among them Fortune 500 companies. More information could be found at Zenity's low-code security blog as well asthe OWASP Top 10 Low-Code/No-Code Security Risks group that Zenity leads. and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. For further information, contact hello@zenity.io Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1905331/zapescape_Zenity_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zenity-discloses-zapescape--a-severe-vulnerability-enabling-organization-wide-control-over-code-by-zapier-301630901.html Eclipse Foundation's latest survey showcases significant growth across all aspects of Jakarta EE and overall use of enterprise Java BRUSSELS, Belgium, Sept. 22, 2022. "The results from this year's survey confirm what we've been hearing and seeing for ourselves; enterprise Java is experiencing significant growth," said Mike Milinkovich, executive director of the Eclipse Foundation. "Not only that, but we believe this is just the beginning, as organizations get a better understanding of what today's enterprise Java and Jakarta EE can offer." The objective of this survey, now in its fifth year, is to help Java ecosystem stakeholders better understand the requirements, priorities, and perceptions of enterprise developer communities. The survey also seeks to help the Java ecosystem better understand how the cloud native world for enterprise Java is unfolding and what that means for their respective strategies and businesses. Conducted from March 9 to May 6, 2022, 1,439 individuals participated in this year's survey. Other key findings from this year's survey include: Jakarta EE is the basis for the top frameworks used for building cloud native applications The top three frameworks for building cloud native applications include Spring/Spring Boot, which lost ground this year at 57% (60% in 2022), followed by Jakarta EE at 53% (up from 47% in 2021), and MicroProfile at 30% (down from 34% in 2021). It's important to note that Spring/SpringBoot is reliant on Jakarta EE developments for its operation and is not competitive with Jakarta EE. Both are critical ingredients to the healthy enterprise Java ecosystem. Jakarta EE 9/9.1 usage has grown to 14% (vs. 9% in 2021). Java EE 8, Jakarta EE 8, and Jakarta EE 9/9.1 hit the mainstream with 81% adoption (vs. 75% in 2021). While 36% of respondents have already migrated or plan to adopt Jakarta EE 9/9.1 (with 14% already running Jakarta EE 9/9.1 in production), 19% of respondents plan to skip Jakarta EE 9/9.1 altogether and move directly to Jakarta EE 10. Over 59% of respondents (48% in 2021) have migrated to Jakarta EE or plan to do so within the next 6-24 months. The top three community priorities for Jakarta EE are: Native integration with Kubernetes 51% (63% in 2021) Better support for microservices (46%) Faster support from existing Java EE / Jakarta EE or cloud vendors (28%) With regard to the community's priorities in terms of the future of Jakarta EE, it is interesting to find that the first two priorities remain consistent from 2021 to 2022, while the third priority has shifted from "Faster pace of Innovation" to "Faster Support from existing Java EE / Jakarta EE or cloud vendors." This shift is indicative of increasing near-term demand for Jakarta EE support from today's cloud hyperscalers. Developers want better integration and support for their more advanced implementations now, rather than further down the road. The Jakarta EE community welcomes contributions and participation by all interested parties. As the Jakarta EE Working Group continues to build towards the release of Jakarta EE 10, including new cloud native functionality, this is the ideal time to join the community and have your voice heard. To learn more, and to participate, all are welcome to connect with the global community at the following page: https://jakarta.ee/connect/ Organizations that value enterprise Java and would like to help shape its future can join the Jakarta EE Working Group. Membership in the working group allows enterprises and other organizations to support the sustainability of the community, participate in marketing programs, and engage directly with the community. Learn more about the benefits and advantages of membership here: https://jakarta.ee/membership/ . Quotes from Jakarta EE Working Group Member Organizations IBM "It is clear from the survey results that Jakarta EE remains one of the most popular frameworks for cloud-native application innovation with Java," said Ian Robinson, CTO IBM Application Platform. "We're proud that the Liberty runtime delivers complete Jakarta EE compatibility and production support, along with MicroProfile, making it the ideal runtime for cloud-native applications." Microsoft "The 2022 Jakarta EE developer survey report is a valuable resource with a number of important insights," said Scott Hunter, VP of Product, Azure Developer Experience at Microsoft. "We look forward to utilizing the insights alongside what our customers tell us in moving forward Java on Azure. We are pleased to see all parts of the Java ecosystem, including Java EE, Jakarta EE, and Spring remain vibrant." OmniFish "At OmniFish we are very happy to see the positive results of the survey," said Arjan Tijms, OmniFish Director and Founder. "We very much look forward to continuing our contributions to the Eclipse GlassFish project, which provides a fully open source and open source foundation governed compliant Jakarta EE implementation of outstanding quality to the community. With the help of insights gained from this survey we'll be able to direct our resources to enhance both Eclipse GlassFish and our next generation Jakarta EE runtime Piranha Cloud." Oracle "The Jakarta EE Developer Survey findings demonstrate continued growth in developer interest in Jakarta EE, and continued growth in Jakarta EE usage," said Tom Snyder, VP of Engineering, Enterprise Cloud Native Products at Oracle. "And Jakarta EE community priorities align with Oracle's ongoing investments in Verrazzano for Kubernetes integration, in Helidon and Coherence for microservices support, and in WebLogic Server for Jakarta EE support on-premises and in the cloud. In short, we're pleased with the survey results and want to thank everyone who responded, and everyone who contributes to Jakarta EE." - Tom Snyder, VP of Engineering, Oracle Enterprise Cloud Native Java." Payara "This survey reveals increasing enthusiasm for both Jakarta EE and modernising applications in the cloud," said Steve Millidge, Payara CEO and Founder. "Payara is proud to be delivering products that optimise Jakarta EE for cloud native approaches, with our Payara Cloud serverless solution ready to remove infrastructural cloud challenges for Jakarta EE implementations. Jakarta EE's passionate community continues to set the standard for open source collaboration and innovation. This survey provides key insight as we work to make both the specifications and our vendor implementations ideally suited for users' needs. It highlights the need for faster integration with new technology. Payara rises to the challenge of a rapidly expanding Java ecosystem with aggressive compatibility and excellent support." About the Eclipse Foundation The Eclipse Foundation provides our global community of individuals and organizations with a mature, scalable, and business-friendly environment for open source software collaboration and innovation. The Foundation is home to the Eclipse IDE, Jakarta EE, and over 400 open source projects, including runtimes, tools, and frameworks for cloud and edge applications, IoT, AI, automotive, systems engineering, distributed ledger technologies, open processor designs, and many others. The Eclipse Foundation is an international non-profit association supported by over 330 members, including industry leaders who value open source as a key enabler for their business strategies. To learn more, follow us on Twitter @EclipseFdn , LinkedIn or visit eclipse.org . Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Media contacts: Schwartz Public Relations for the Eclipse Foundation, AISBL Stephanie Bruls / Susanne Pawlik Sendlinger Strae 42A 80331 Munich EclipseFoundation@schwartzpr.de +49 (89) 211 871 - 64 / -35 New specifications and capabilities enable enterprise Java developers to build lightweight applications suitable for microservices BRUSSELS, Belgium, Sept. 22, 2022, a working group hosted by the Eclipse Foundation, one of the world's largest open source software foundations, today announced the release of the Jakarta EE 10 Platform, Web Profile and the new Core Profile specifications. Jakarta EE 10 introduces features for building modernized, simplified, and lightweight cloud native Java applications, delivering a new baseline for the evolution and innovation of enterprise Java technologies under an open, vendor-neutral, community-driven process. "This release is the 'big one' that plants Jakarta EE firmly in the modern era of microservices and containers," said Mike Milinkovich, executive director of the Eclipse Foundation. "The release of Jakarta EE 10 reflects the work of a global community of contributors, with leadership from vendors such as Fujitsu, IBM, Oracle, Payara, and Tomitribe. Jakarta EE has already helped breathe new life into enterprise Java, but with this release it has now delivered key innovations for the cloud native era, which are critical to the future of our industry." Jakarta EE 10 provides new functionality in over 20 component specifications through version updates reflected in the specified APIs. For example: Jakarta Contexts and Dependency Injection (CDI) 4.0, including CDI-Lite enabling build time extensions Jakarta RESTful Web Services 3.1 standardizes a Java SE Bootstrap API and support for multipart/form-data Jakarta Security 3.0 supporting OpenID Connect and new functions in Jakarta Persistence queries and create Jakarta Faces Views With Pure Java The Jakarta EE 10 release defines a new profile specification with Jakarta EE Core Profile 10, which defines a multi-vendor platform for modernized and lightweight Java applications and microservices. The new Core Profile provides a subset of Jakarta EE specifications that targets smaller runtimes suitable for microservices development with lightweight runtimes, including a new CDI-Lite specification for building lightweight Jakarta EE applications. CDI-Lite allows a reflection-free programing model that enables compiling to native by providing build compatible extensions. The Jakarta EE 10 release enables enterprises building modernized cloud native Java applications to: Develop and deploy Jakarta EE 10 applications on Java SE 11 as well as Java SE 17, the most current LTS release of Java SE Take advantage of the new features including module system introduced in Java SE 9 and supported in Java SE 11 Another significant aspect of this release is enabling simplified application development by supporting the broader use of additional annotations. This makes it easier to build modularized applications, and offers improved integration across component APIs. Ultimately, this release helps developers more easily implement applications with modern security requirements and remove deprecated APIs, while also maintaining high levels of compatibility with prior Jakarta EE releases. In addition to these enhancements, there is a growing list of compatible products to support the already rich ecosystem. For example, Eclipse GlassFish 7, Open Liberty, 22.0.0.10-beta and Wild Fly 27.0.0 are delivering compatible versions today. Members of the Jakarta EE Working Group such as Fujitsu, IBM, Oracle, Payara, Red Hat and Tomitribe are working towards certifying Jakarta EE 10 compatible products. Once the release becomes available, the list of Jakarta EE 10 compatible implementations and products is expected to grow rapidly. The Jakarta EE community welcomes contributions and participation by all interested parties. To learn more and to participate, all are welcome to connect with the global community at the following page: https://jakarta.ee/connect/ Companies for which enterprise Java is important to their strategies can join the Jakarta EE Working Group. Membership in the working group allows enterprises and other organizations to support the sustainability of the community, participate in marketing programs, and engage directly with the community. Learn more about the benefits and advantages of membership here: https://jakarta.ee/membership/ . Quotes from Jakarta EE 10 Working Group Members Fujitsu "Fujitsu is excited about the release of Jakarta EE 10, which is the first innovative release since the 'jakarta' namespace was updated. It introduces a lot of new functionalities in more than twenty component specifications. Specifically, several security related updates will accelerate to use Jakarta EE technologies more safely in the enterprise systems with cloud native architecture," said Shinya Echigo, Head of Application Management Division, Fujitsu. "We are delighted to keep working on Jakarta EE technologies in the Eclipse projects, and will soon support running Jakarta EE 10 applications on Fujitsu Products." IBM "The release of Jakarta EE 10 is a major leap forward in its evolution as the platform for cloud-native Java innovation. Community collaboration in the open has demonstrated its ability to deliver a strong set of new and updated profiles and specifications," said Melissa Modjeski, IBM VP of App Platform and Watson AIOps, IBM Automation. "Our development team is currently working on updating Open Liberty to adopt Jakarta EE 10. The Liberty architecture and beta program continue to enable rapid adoption and support of the evolving standards. We are pleased to have Open Liberty capability for Jakarta EE 10 Core Profile and look forward to certifying to the other Jakarta EE 10 profiles soon." Microsoft "Jakarta EE 10 is a milestone release. It delivers a number of long pending changes vital to moving the ecosystem forward," said Scott Hunter, Microsoft VP of Product, Azure Developer Experience. "The Jakarta EE Core Profile is especially important in powering next generation cloud native Java runtimes. We look forward to enabling Jakarta EE 10 runtimes in Azure as they become available, collaborating with key partners like Oracle, IBM, Red Hat and VMware." OmniFish "As the biggest sponsor to the GlassFish project, OmniFish are very happy and excited by the release of Jakarta EE 10. The importance of this release is hard to underestimate, as it marks the first feature release since Java EE 8 was released 5 years ago and subsequently transferred to the Eclipse Foundation," said Arjan Tijms, founder of OmniFish. "Jakarta EE 10 therefore truly marks the beginning of a new era for Jakarta EE. We're happy to have seen so many different vendors and community members contributing significantly to this release, making it truly a multi-vendor and community project. OmniFish will show its dedication to Jakarta EE by continuing to support GlassFish, and additionally bringing Jakarta EE 10 compatibility to Piranha Cloud, which enables a wider range of users to take advantage of the Jakarta EE APIs." Oracle "The release of Jakarta EE 10 is great news for Java developers and the Java community," said Tom Snyder, vice president of Oracle Software Development. "Oracle already supports Jakarta EE 9 APIs in Helidon 3.0 milestone releases, and we are working on Coherence Community Edition support for Helidon and other frameworks that use Jakarta EE 9 APIs. We intend to leverage the new Jakarta EE 10 features across the Oracle Enterprise Cloud Native Java product line in the future to offer new solutions and more value for Java developers." Payara "I congratulate all the open source contributors, Working Group members, and the Eclipse Foundation team for this exciting evolution of the Jakarta EE Platform! Being a Member of the Eclipse Foundation, and a Strategic Member of the Jakarta EE Working Group, Payara continuously contributes to the Jakarta EE initiative and is pleased to welcome this next stage for cloud native, enterprise-ready Java," said Steve Millidge, Payara's founder. "We mark our commitment to Jakarta EE 10 by supporting it in our Community product almost immediately. Payara 6 Community will be released in coordination with Jakarta EE 10, and will run with it exclusively. With Jakarta EE, Payara Server continues to be easy to learn, simple to use, and ready to support reliable and secure deployments of Jakarta EE apps in any environment." Tomitribe "The Jakarta EE 10 release is a crucial juncture in the Cloud Native Java era," said Cesar Hernandez, Senior Software Engineer for TomiTribe. "The Core Profile introduction, new features, and additional changes reasserts that collaboration between communities, users, companies, and the ecosystem forges a prosperous path for technology innovation and evolution." VMware "Our upcoming Spring Framework 6 and Spring Boot 3 releases arrive with a Jakarta EE 9 baseline while at the same time embracing Jakarta EE 10 providers as they become available, automatically adapting to their presence at runtime," said Juergen Hoeller, VMware's senior staff engineer and Spring Boot Framework project lead. "The Jakarta EE 10 release is a clear signal for the evolution of common APIs such as Servlet and Persistence, triggering an ecosystem-wide move to the jakarta namespace - in order to embrace new provider generations based on the latest API versions." About the Eclipse Foundation The Eclipse Foundation provides our global community of individuals and organizations with a mature, scalable, and business-friendly environment for open source software collaboration and innovation. The Foundation is home to the Eclipse IDE, Jakarta EE, and over 400 open source projects, including runtimes, tools, and frameworks for cloud and edge applications, IoT, AI, automotive, systems engineering, distributed ledger technologies, open processor designs, and many others. The Eclipse Foundation is an international non-profit association supported by over 330 members, including industry leaders who value open source as a key enabler for their business strategies. To learn more, follow us on Twitter @EclipseFdn , LinkedIn or visit eclipse.org . Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Media contacts: Schwartz Public Relations for the Eclipse Foundation, AISBL Stephanie Bruls / Susanne Pawlik Sendlinger Strae 42A 80331 Munich EclipseFoundation@schwartzpr.de +49 (89) 211 871 - 64 / -35 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 22, 2022 / Power Nickel Inc. (the "Company" or "Power Nickel") (TSXV:PNPN)(OTCQB:CMETF)(Frankfurt:IVVI) is pleased to follow up on the recent release of the NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") on the "Nisk" Nickel project with the commencement of the second round of drilling. The NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resources Estimate for the Nisk Project was filed on SEDAR on August 30, 2022. The Nisk Project is located in the southern portion of the Eeyo Istchee James Bay territory, Quebec, a region that is the site of a number of mining projects (Figure 1) and improving infrastructure (Figure 2).[1] [1] References to nearby properties is for information purposes only and there is no assurance that Power Nickel will achieve the same results as on the nearby properties. Figure 1 - Location of the Nisk Project with respect to the location of other known deposits. Figure 2 - Location of the Nisk Project with respect to the current infrastructure available in the area. Power Nickel completed the acquisition of its option to acquire up to 80% of the Nisk Project from Critical Elements Lithium Corp. (CRE:TSXV). The Nisk Project comprises a large land position (20 kilometres of strike length) with numerous high-grade Nickel intercepts. Since completion of the option, Power Nickel retained 3DGeo Solution Inc to create a geological model of the Nisk Project and used this as a guide to the very successful initial Power Nickel 2400-metre drill program completed last December and reported in March of 2022. (See figure 3 below, modified from Press Release dated March 30, 2022). On the basis of this drill program and the historical drill results, 3DGeo Solution Inc was mandated to conduct a Mineral Resource Estimate and to prepare a NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Nisk Project. Engineering work related to defining a constraining pit shell and underground mineable shapes was contracted to InnovExplo Inc. The Highlights of the Mineral Resource Estimate are below. Table 1 - 2022 Nisk Project Mineral Resource Estimate. Note: NiEq = Nickel Equivalent, Ni = Nickel, Cu = Copper, Co = Cobalt, Pt = Platinum, Pd = Palladium, Au = Gold, Ag = Silver, % = Percent, g = Gram, t = Metric tonne Notes to Accompany Mineral Resource Table: 1. The Independent Qualified Persons for the purposes of this Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), as defined in NI 43-101, is Kenneth Williamson, P.Geo.. (OGQ # 1490) of Solution 3DGeo inc. The effective date of the estimate is May 17, 2022. 2. The estimate of the mineral resources of the Nisk Project complies with the "CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines" of November 29, 2019. The Mineral Resources were estimated in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions (2014), and Best Practices Guidelines (2019) prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council. 3. These mineral resources are not mineral reserves since their economic viability has not been demonstrated. 4. The resources are presented before dilution and in-situ and are considered to have reasonable prospects of economic extraction. Isolated and discontinuous blocks with a grade greater than the selected cut-off grade are excluded from the estimate of underground mineral resources. The blocks that must be included, i.e., isolated blocks with a grade below the cut-off grade located within potentially mineable volumes, have been included in the mineral resource estimate. 5. As of May 17, 2022, the database included a total of 66 drill holes (59 historic and 7 recent 2021 drill holes) totaling 15,266.3 meters of drilling. 6. A value of half of the assay lab detection limit for each element was used as a grade for the un-assayed core. 7. The assays were grouped within the mineralized domains in composites of 1.00 meters in length. 8. The block model was prepared using Leapfrog Geo and Edge software. The block model consists of 2-meter parent blocks and sub-blocks of 1 meter. The block model has a dip azimuth of 340. 9. An interpolation according to the "inverse distance squared" ("ID2") method was performed to estimate the grades in the interpreted mineralized volume. 10. An interpolation according to the "inverse distance squared" ("ID2") method was performed to estimate the Density (SG) in the interpreted mineralized volume. Sample intervals with missing SG values were calculated based on a strong correlation with %Ni. The calculation used was SG = (0.7001 x %Ni) + 2.6751. 11. The "Open Pit" mineral resources are presented at a cut-off grade of 0.33 %NiEq and are confined within a "Whittle" pit shell. The "Underground" mineral resources are presented at a cut-off grade of 0.91 %NiEq and are confined within volumes defined using "DSO" (Deswik Stope Shape Optimizer). These volumes correspond to groups of contiguous blocks with a reasonable size to be exploited by underground mining methods. 12. The engineering work required for the cut-off grade estimation and the creation of the DSO volumes were performed by InnovExplo Inc., and the following economic parameters were used: US $8.00/lb Nickel, $3.00/lb Cu, $25.00/lb Cobalt, $1000/Oz Platinum, $1000/Oz Palladium, $1300/Oz Gold, and $17.00/Oz Silver; Exchange rate of USD/CAD 1.30, metallurgical recovery of 85%, total processing cost CA $40.00/t, mining cost CA $6.00/t, mining overburden cost CA $4.20/t, underground mining cost CA $110.00/t, G&A cost CA $12.20/t, northern logistics costs CA $10.00/t. It should be noted that the G&A cost could be underestimated depending on the extraction sequence chosen. 13. The independent qualified person is not aware of any environmental, licensing, legal, title-related, tax, socio-political or marketing-related issue, or any other relevant issue that could have a material impact on the estimate of mineral resources. 14. The numbers of tonnes are rounded to the nearest hundred to reflect uncertainties, which may cause slight differences. Figure 4 shows the grade of the Nickel Equivalent (%NiEq) mineral resources and Figure 5 shows the mineral resource classification (indicated and inferred). Note that portions of the deposit still contain unclassified mineral potential and requires more in-fill drilling to potentially include this in a future updated MRE. Figure 4 - Isometric view of the 2022 Nisk Project Mineral Resource Estimate, showing both the open pit constrained resources (using a cut-off grade of 0.33 %NiEq) and the underground constrained resources (at a cut-off grade of 0.91 %NiEq). Figure 5 - Isometric view of the 2022 Nisk Project Mineral Resource Classification, showing both the open pit constrained resources (using a cut-off grade of 0.33 %NiEq) and the underground constrained resources (at a cut-off grade of 0.91 %NiEq). Figure 6 below shows the drill targets for phase 2 of the drilling at Nisk. As a follow-up to the filing of the Technical Report, 3DGeo Solution (3DGS) was mandated to design a drilling program aiming at infilling gaps within the defined resource area and to expand the known mineralization along identified higher-grade shoots. This second round of drilling, consisting of approximately 5,500 meters of drilling, aims at reaching over 15 of these different targets. GeoVector Management Inc is mandated as the operator of the current drilling program. "We are very excited to get back to drilling and building on our resource at Nisk. The initial round of drilling was done largely to verify the historic resource and allow us to post the inaugural NI 43-101 Technical Report and MRE. This round, based on what we've learned from the MRE study, will enable us to better explore and we hope to expand the resource as we look to demonstrate Nisk has the potential to become Canada's next Nickel Mine. The plan is to drill around 5,000 Metres but will adjust that to opportunities on the ground. We would expect the drilling program to continue into December and we will provide updates as progress dictates." commented Terry Lynch CEO of Power Nickel Qualified Persons Kenneth Williamson, P.Geo., M.Sc. and Matthew DeGasperis, P.Geo., B.Sc., from 3DGeo Solution Inc and consultants to Power Nickel, are the independent qualified persons who have reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release. About Power Nickel Inc. Power Nickel is a Canadian junior exploration company focusing on high-potential copper, gold, and battery metal prospects in Canada and Chile. On February 1, 2021 Power Nickel completed the acquisition of its option to acquire up to 80% of the Nisk project from Critical Elements Lithium Corp. (CRE:TSXV) The NISK property comprises a large land position (20 kilometres of strike length) with numerous high-grade intercepts. Power Nickel is focused on expanding its current high-grade nickel-copper PGE mineralization Ni 43-101 resource with a series of drill programs designed to test the initial Nisk discovery zone and to explore the land package for adjacent potential Nickel deposits. Power Nickel announced on June 8th, 2021 that an agreement has been made to complete the 100% acquisition of its Golden Ivan project in the heart of the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle has reported mineral resources (past production and current resources) in a total of 67 million ounces of gold, 569 million ounces of silver, and 27 billion pounds of copper. This property hosts two known mineral showings (gold ore and magee), and a portion of the past-producing Silverado mine, which was reportedly exploited between 1921 and 1939. These mineral showings are described to be Polymetallic veins that contain quantities of silver, lead, zinc, plus/minus gold, and plus/minus copper. Power Nickel is also the 100-per-cent owner of five properties comprising over 50,000 acres strategically located in the prolific iron-oxide-copper-gold belt of northern Chile. It also owns a 3-per-cent NSR royalty interest on any future production from the Copaquire copper-molybdenum deposit, that was sold to a subsidiary of Teck Resources Inc. Under the terms of the sale agreement, Teck has the right to acquire one-third of the 3-per-cent NSR for $ 3 million at any time. The Copaquire property borders Teck's producing Quebrada Blanca copper mine in Chile's first region. For further information on Power Nickel Inc., please contact: Mr. Terry Lynch, CEO 647-448-8044 terry@powernickel.com For further information, readers are encouraged to contact: Power Nickel Inc. The Canadian Venture Building 82 Richmond St East, Suite 202 Toronto, ON Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. 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", "indicates", "opportunity", "possible" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its planned activities at the NISK Property and for general working capital purposes; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties; maintaining its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associates with mineral exploration and mining operations; future prices of metals; changes in general economic conditions; accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates; the potential for new discoveries; the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the projects and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives for the projects; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company 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: Power Nickel Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/717006/Power-Nickel-Follows-Up-Release-of-NI-43-101-Compliant-Mineral-Resource-Estimate-on-the-Nisk-Nickel-Project-With-Commencement-of-Second-Round-of-Drilling Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - Provenance Gold Corp. (CSE: PAU) (OTCQB: PVGDF) (the "Company" or "Provenance") is pleased to report: Eldorado Permitting Update As noted in the Company's July 20, 2022, press release, Provenance received approval from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for its planned Eldorado property drilling program. The Company also completed the bond payment to the BLM. Additionally, Provenance has submitted the requested reclamation bond amount to the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI). The Company anticipates starting the drilling program this fall. The Eldorado property contains an extensive gold system that was defined by 242 historic drill holes. The Company's technical team has now finalized plans and confirmed drill targets for the upcoming program. In addition, the Company plans to issue an initial NI 43-101 technical report on the Eldorado property within the next few weeks. Silver Bow Property Option Terms Update The Company has reached an agreement to revise the terms of its existing option to acquire the Silver Bow property. To exercise the option, the Company is now required to complete further cash payments totaling US$510,000, of which US$20,000 has now been paid and a further US$70,000 is owing each year for the next seven years. All exploration expenditure requirements have been eliminated. A retained one percent NSR (Net Smelter Royalty) may be purchased for an additional $500,000. The Silver Bow property is located in south central Nevada about 50 miles east of Tonopah, south of the Round Mountain gold mine, and northeast of Goldfield. Silver Bow contains an extensive gold and silver mineralization system that is at least five kilometers in length. The property contains scattered historic high-grade gold and silver workings and small historic mines. Numerous surface samples taken by historic exploration companies and by Provenance contain high-grade gold and silver within an extensive area of bleaching, alteration and brecciation. Figure 1 - Silver Bow Sample Gold Assays To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5654/138038_49d7d5be043e784b_001full.jpg https://www.provenancegold.com/images/gallery/PAU_News_138.jpg Two target types are currently recognized on the property. The first target type is high-grade gold and silver hosted in veins in their boiling zones. Some of these targets in Nevada are known to host significant high-grade gold systems. Twin mineralized rhyolite domes on the Silver Bow property contain swarms of banded veins that are mineralized but untested in their boiling zones. A historic hole east of the target domes cut a vein that historically assayed 3.2 meters of 1.46g/t gold and 403.2g/t silver at a depth that may have been close to the vein's projected boiling zone. Two kilometers to the east, a dump sample that visually appeared to represent boiling zone veining assayed 293 g/t gold, suggesting gold in the boiling zones can also be enriched. The second target type at Silver Bow is near-surface bulk-tonnage deposits, which are the dominant deposits in Nevada. Silver Bow has at least three of these targets that are currently identified and only slightly explored. The very limited exploration to date yielded encouraging results. For example, a key bulk target is the Breccia Ridge on the north face of the northern of the twin rhyolite flow domes. Anomalous to multigram gold samples were assayed across the entire surface extent of the breccia zone. Rock chip sampling of the Breccia Ridge target returned gold assays ranging from 0.1 g/t gold to 3.7 g/t gold over an extensive area. A second very extensive bulk tonnage target is on the south dome. It is less understood as exposures are limited. A third bulk tonnage target found 2 kilometers east of the domes may already have been "tagged" by Provenance's drilling. The two northernmost drill holes contained thick intervals of gold and silver mineralization. Starting at surface, the two holes contained 46.7m of 0.34g/t gold and 10.6g/t silver and 80.6m of 0.246g/t gold and 14.6g/t silver. Another hole intercepted 1.5m of 3.92g/t gold and 58.9g/t silver. This appears to project northeastward into an area that is mostly covered with a thin veneer of colluvium but still has multigram gold and silver bearing outcrops. Provenance believes the Silver Bow property has exceptional exploration potential. However, the Company recognizes its limited resources are best spent on its two more advanced properties, White Rock and Eldorado. These are already established gold systems with respectively 100 and 242 holes that only need infill and step-out drilling. With this consideration, Provenance is entertaining potential joint-venture partners for its promising Silver Bow property. Rauno Perttu, Provenance CEO said, "I think Silver Bow is a discovery waiting to happen, but as a small company we have to put our exploration effort into the immediate opportunity that the Eldorado and White Rock projects allow." Provenance will be releasing a NI 43-101 technical report on the Silver Bow property in the coming weeks which will include substantially more detailed information. Qualified Person Steven Craig, CPG, an independent consultant and qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release. About Provenance Gold Corp. Provenance Gold Corp. is a precious metals exploration company with a focus on gold and silver mineralization within North America. The Company currently holds interests in three properties, two in Nevada, and one in eastern Oregon, USA. For further information please visit the Company's website at https://provenancegold.com or contact Rob Clark at rclark@provenancegold.com. On behalf of the Board, Provenance Gold Corp. Rauno Perttu, Chief Executive Officer Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange, nor its regulation services provider, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138038 Rapid new carrier onboarding and enhanced returns solution help online leader meet evolving consumer demand LONDON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Finntack, Europe's largest manufacturer and retailer of trotting products, is galloping toward a period of rapid online growth. To meet the steep rise in demand without compromising on speed and quality, the company is now working with long-term collaborator, nShift, the global leader in parcel delivery management, to explore new ways of enhancing delivery processes. In 2021, Finntack dispatched 30,000 shipments from its logistics center in Lahti, Finland to web shop customers across Europe. That figure is on course to reach 50,000 in 2022 and will jump to 80,000 in 2023. This represents an increase of more than 250% in just two years. As one of the horse industry's earliest internet pioneers, Finntack has been using nShift's automated shipping solutions for many years. Integrations with their enterprise resource planning (ERP) and e-commerce software enable them to print shipping labels quickly and accurately, automate the carrier booking process, and provide customers with the delivery options they're looking for. With orders now rising steeply, driven predominantly by increased demand from B2C customers, the company needs to keep exploring every available opportunity to enhance the delivery process - and that's where nShift comes in. Jukka Nevanlinna, Logistics Manager for Finntack, said: "Customers want their orders to arrive quicker and quicker. Next-day or even same-day delivery are becoming even more common. So we need to keep looking at ways to enhance the delivery options we offer. The nShift platform makes it very easy for us to onboard new carriers, wherever and whenever we need. This is going to be critical for us in the future, as we identify and implement new solutions to meet consumer demand. Returns is another area where we expect nShift to add value. Due to the nature of the products we are adding to our range, we anticipate that our return rate will soon rise above 10% for the first time. Having a quick and accurate system for managing returns is going to be imperative, so we are now looking at enhancing our process with the nShift Return solution." Richard Anderson, Chief Customer Officer at nShift said: "Finntack are on track for rapid growth, and they know they need to prepare for it now. There's no point in shutting the stable door once the horse has bolted. nShift helps its customers achieve scalable growth, enabling them to provide the best customer experience at every stage of their journey from checkout to returns." Read more about Finntack's work with nShift About nShift nShift is the global leading provider of cloud delivery management solutions enabling frictionless shipment and return of almost one billion shipments across 190 countries annually. nShift's software is used globally by e-commerce, retail, manufacturing and 3PL shippers. The company is headquartered in London and Oslo. It has over 500 employees across offices in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, United Kingdom, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Romania. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1782566/nShift_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/finntack-scales-up-deliveries-with-nshift-as-online-orders-set-to-double-301630951.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 22, 2022 / Komo Plant Based Foods Inc. (CSE:YUM) (OTCQB:KOMOF) (FRA:9HB) ("Komo") is pleased to announce Quality Foods will be carrying Komo's 2 serving Lasagna, Shepherd's Pie and Mac & Greens as well as both Meal Helpers (Bolognese and Taco Filling) at all Quality Foods locations. Quality Foods is a British Columbia owned, award-winning leader in the Canadian grocery industry with brick and mortar stores in 13 locations in B.C. including Qualicum Foods in Qualicam Beach, Quality Foods in Parksville, Nanoose Bay, Nanaimo (Harewood), Nanaimo (Northridge Village), Port Alberni, Comox, Courtenay, Campbell River, Powell River, Victoria (Langford) and Victoria (View Royal). "Quality Foods, the Island original, is thrilled to add this new favourite local brand, Komo Comfort Foods, to their 'Good For You' program. Their ready to bake meals aren't only an easy dinner night, they are also hearty and made with only real ingredients. Perfect to add to your veggie night or simply enjoy a meat free option! Best of all, apart from being healthy - Komo tastes delicious," says Quality Food's Reena Kaback About Quality Foods Quality Foods is BC owned and operated since 1982. The Vancouver Island chain is an award-winning leader in the Canadian grocery industry, employing over 1,000 employees primarily on Vancouver Island (and Powell River). Since opening their original store in 1982 as Qualicum Foods in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, they are proudly "an Island Original". Now they are Quality Foods, a BC owned and operated, award-winning leader in the Canadian grocery industry, employing over 1,000 people in thirteen full service grocery stores. The company was acquired by the Jim Pattison Group in 2017. About Komo Komo Plant Based Foods Inc. is a premium plant-based food company that develops, manufactures and sells a variety of plant-based frozen meals that are always hearty, satisfying, and made with wholesome ingredients. At Komo, our mission is to help make plant-based meals a staple on every dinner table by sharing our love for feel-good food that connects the people to the planet. We believe plant-based eating is the future and - Change can start with a single biteTM. Our experienced plant-based innovation and development team recreates vegan versions of traditionally cheesy and meaty classics, with 100% plants. Komo's products are sold direct-to-consumer through our eCommerce website and a distribution network of online and brick and mortar grocery, convenience and natural retailer channels. Our operating subsidiary Komo Comfort Foods launched in 2021 with our flagship products: plant-based Lasagna, Shepherd's Pie and Chickenless Pot Pie and Komo Plant-Based Meal HelpersTM - versatile meal starters to allow the creation of many dishes at home. Komo's newest product is Mac & Greens. All of our products are 100% plant-based, made with wholesome ingredients, free from preservatives and frozen for freshness. Freezing products is a natural and effective way of keeping food products for longer without having to use any preservatives. Komo's meals have a frozen shelf life of 18 months. Learn more at: www.komocomfortfoods.com and follow on Instagram: @komocomfortfoods For further information, please contact: William White, President & CEO, Komo Plant Based Foods Inc. will@komoeats.com +1 (236) 8000-YUM / (236) 800-0986 The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or Komo's future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Komo's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, Komo's product development plans, its ability to launch its products on food delivery apps, its ability to retain key personnel, its revenues, and its expectation as to the acceptance of its products by retailer stores and consumers constitute forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements made in this press release are made as of the date hereof. Komo disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE: KOMO Plant Based Foods Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/717000/Komo-Plant-Based-Foods-Expands-Distribution-through-Quality-Foods-Grocery-Chain Still, 77 percent of healthcare apps contain vulnerabilities and 21 percent of these are categorized as "high severity" Veracode, a leading global provider of application security testing solutions, today revealed that the healthcare sector takes first place for the proportion of software security flaws that are fixed, at 27 percent. The sector overtook financial services as the top-performing industry, demonstrating healthcare providers have made good headway toward the goal of making their software more secure over the past year. The data was published in the company's annual State of Software Security (SoSS) report v12, which analyzed 20 million scans across half a million applications in the healthcare, financial, technology, manufacturing, retail, and government sectors. Chris Eng, Chief Research Officer at Veracode, said, "Healthcare is one of the more highly regulated sectors and is considered critical infrastructure by the government, so it's encouraging to see the sector performs comparatively well in terms of overall flaw remediation. We hope healthcare developers and IT staff see this as a welcome ray of sunshine amidst the all-too-often gloomy realm of software security. There is still work to do, so here's to more improvements in the years to come." Despite taking the top spot for fix rate, 77 percent of applications in the healthcare industry contain vulnerabilities, with 21 percent of applications containing high severity vulnerabilities. The sector also has ample room for improvement in terms of the time spent to fix flaws once they're detected, taking up to a whopping 447 days to reach the halfway point of remediation. Healthcare Breach Costs Are the Most Expensive With healthcare companies incurring the highest average breach costs, at a new record high of $10.1 million*, taking proactive steps to minimize the risk of a cyberattack is imperative. Since data breaches in highly regulated industries tend to be associated with larger long-term costs that accrue over the ensuing years, the industry would benefit from even greater comprehensive efforts to address security earlier in the software development lifecycle. Of the six industries analyzed, healthcare providers rank toward the bottom for the proportion of applications with any flaws, and second to last for the percentage of high-severity flaws-defined as those that present a serious risk to the application and organization if they were to be exploited. When it comes to the types of flaws discovered from dynamic analysis of applications in the sector, compared to other industries healthcare providers perform well for authentication issues and insecure dependencies, but have a higher incidence of cryptographic and deployment configuration issues. Eng said, "We know that no application will ever be 100 percent free of security flaws, so it's important that businesses take all necessary steps to minimize risk as much as possible. This includes scanning at a regular, rapid pace using multiple testing types, integrating testing tools into developer environments, and providing hands-on training to help developers understand the origin of flaws and how to fix or prevent them entirely. The healthcare sector should also take extra care to prioritize critical flaws-those vulnerabilities that could have a catastrophic impact if left unaddressed for too long." Andrew McCall, Vice President of Engineering, Azalea Health Innovations, said, "The biggest obstacle to building security into our workflows is that developers will treat security as just a checkbox. But security is an ongoing process and has to be top of mind throughout the software development life cycle. We chose Veracode because it was the easiest and best solution when it comes to integrating into our existing processes." Third-party Library Security Considering a sharp increase in regulations to secure the software supply chain over the past year, the report analyzed third-party libraries to identify how vulnerabilities discovered through software composition analysis (SCA) behave. Overall, around 30 percent of vulnerable libraries remain unresolved after two years; however, that statistic reduces to 25 percent for the healthcare sector. In fact, while the overall ratio of vulnerable libraries found by SCA trends down steadily over time, healthcare experienced a brief upward spike before driving rates down dramatically over the last year or so. The Veracode State of Software Security v12 healthcare snapshot is available to download here and the full report is available here. IBM Security and The Ponemon Institute, "Cost of a Data Breach Report 2022": https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/3R8N1DZJ, July 2022 About the State of Software Security Report The Veracode State of Software Security (SoSS) v12 analyzed the full historical data from Veracode services and customers. This accounts for a total of more than half a million applications (592,720) that used all scan types, more than a million dynamic analysis scans (1,034,855), more than five million static analysis scans (5,137,882) and more than 18 million software composition analysis scans (18,473,203). All those scans produced 42 million raw static findings, 3.5 million raw dynamic findings, and six million raw SCA findings. The data represents large and small companies, commercial software suppliers, software outsourcers, and open-source projects. In most analyses, an application was counted only once, even if it was submitted multiple times as vulnerabilities were remediated, and new versions uploaded. About Veracode Veracode is a leading AppSec partner for creating secure software, reducing the risk of security breach, and increasing security and development teams' productivity. As a result, companies using Veracode can move their business, and the world, forward. With its combination of process automation, integrations, speed, and responsiveness, Veracode helps companies get accurate and reliable results to focus their efforts on fixing, not just finding, potential vulnerabilities. Learn more at www.veracode.com, on the Veracode blog and on Twitter. Copyright 2022 Veracode, Inc. All rights reserved. Veracode is a registered trademark of Veracode, Inc. in the United States and may be registered in certain other jurisdictions. All other product names, brands or logos belong to their respective holders. All other trademarks cited herein are property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005100/en/ Contacts: Katy Gwilliam kgwilliam@veracode.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Illicit narcotics and precursor chemicals worth more than $7170 million were seized and 1,333 suspects arrested in a massive operation coordinated by Interpol worldwide. The 39-day 'Operation Lionfish V' started on June 23 targeted the trafficking of illicit drugs along air, land and maritime routes in 22 countries via a coordinated cross-border approach. More than 291 tons of precursor chemicals and 35.5 tons of narcotics were seized. While traditional drugs like cocaine and cannabis continue to represent a significant share of the illicit drugs market, the operation underscored the rise in the production and sale of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine, Captagon and ketamine, Interpol said in a press release. Criminal organizations produce an endless supply of synthetic drugs using precursor chemicals that fetch them a very high profit margin. The production of synthetic drugs does not rely on environmental or external factors like cocaine and heroin and can be manufactured in urban settings close to major transportation hubs. During the five-week operation authorities recovered 1.8 tons of ketamine, 683 kg of methamphetamine and 581 kg of Captagon. Significant seizures also included 20.2 tons of cocaine; 11.7 tons of cannabis; 158 kg of heroin; 65,100 tablets and 48 kg of Tramadol; 9,500,000 pseudoephedrine tablets used to manufacture methamphetamine; and dozens of firearms, rockets and explosives. A clandestine super-lab capable of producing thousands of kilograms of ketamine was dismantled in Cambodia, where police arrested an individual wanted internationally on an Interpol Red Notice for alleged transnational drug smuggling offences. The arrested drug mafia members belonged to 25 different nationalities. Indian authorities made the largest single seizure of heroin during the operation after 75.3 kg of the drug were intercepted in the Port of Mundra. . The operation showed that traffickers use various types of transport modes to smuggle their narcotics including containerized maritime cargo, air couriers, postal/express mail services, commercial vehicles, GOFAST vessels and small aircraft. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de CAMBRIDGE, England, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Darktrace, a global leader in cyber security artificial intelligence, today announced that RioCan, one of Canada's largest real estate investment trusts, has selected Darktrace to defend "The Well," Canada's most ambitious multi-use real estate project. Set to open in 2023, The Well will host approximately 11,000 people daily. Located in downtown Toronto, this expansive development will comprise more than 200 retail, commercial, and residential spaces across 7.7 acres of land. RioCan selected Darktrace's DETECT and RESPOND technologies in 2021 to defend Network and Cloud infrastructure across its commercial office spaces and retail property investments. The property investor is now deploying Darktrace's AI to defend this three-million-square-foot project in Toronto from sophisticated and disruptive cyber-threats. As cyber-crime proliferates, attackers continue to target real estate organizations both to exfiltrate confidential data, including the financial information of property buyers and sellers, and to disrupt operations and demand hefty ransoms from investors and agents. With AI-powered defenses, RioCan is able to protect its IT estate as well as its operational technology, including elevators, thermostats, and appliances. "Central to the success of The Well is a world-class tenant experience," commented George Ho, Vice President of Informational Technology at RioCan. "The experience we've created for our visitors and tenants relies on a significant technology infrastructure, from lights switches and thermostats to security systems, which is reliable and will work uninterrupted. The best thing about Darktrace's AI is that it learns every detail of both our information and operational technology so that we can minimize any disruptions to our normal business operations in the event of a cyber security incident. That is the future of security." "As operations and services at shopping malls and public projects become increasingly digitized, threat actors are poised to take advantage and the need for powerful, precise protection is amplified," said David Masson, Director of Enterprise Security at Darktrace. "By expanding Darktrace's coverage to include The Well, RioCan has complete visibility of emerging threats and can instantly contain these using AI-driven technology which understands the business." About Darktrace Darktrace (DARK.L), a global leader in cyber security AI, delivers complete AI-powered solutions in its mission to free the world of cyber disruption. We protect more than 7,400 customers from the world's most complex threats, including ransomware, cloud, and SaaS attacks. Darktrace is delivering the first-ever Cyber AI Loop, fueling a continuous security capability that can autonomously spot and respond to novel in-progress threats within seconds. Darktrace has 115+ patent applications filed. Darktrace was named one of TIME magazine's "Most Influential Companies" in 2021. Media contacts: Liz Scanlon CommStrat (USA) +1 (510) 295-7542 darktrace@commstrat.com Tom Bermingham Brands2Life (UK) +44 (0)7908 714331 darktrace@brands2life.com Vanessa Cohen FleishmanHillard HighRoad (Canada) +1 (647) 822-8540 darktrace@FHhighroad.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/property-giant-riocan-defends-huge-development-in-downtown-toronto-with-darktrace-ai-301630106.html Dufry International AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Hudson Awarded Contract Extension At Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas) Through 2038 22.09.2022 / 14:05 CET/CEST As One Of Its Most Expansive Contract Extensions To-Date, Hudson Will Transform Its Retail Portfolio In Las Vegas With Digital Innovation, Brand Partnerships, And Reimagined Stores East Rutherford, N.J., September 22, 2022 - Hudson, a Dufry company and travel experience leader with more than 1,000 stores in airports, commuter hubs, landmarks, and tourist destinations across North America, today strengthened its long-standing partnership with the Clark County Department of Aviation, securing a contract extension at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) through 2038. The new contract extends a partnership dating back to 2003, underscoring Hudson's continued adaptability in evolving with trends and exceeding the needs of travelers, with LAS serving a record 51.5 million passengers in 2019. Now expanding its commitment even further, Hudson will invest significant capital in transforming its retail and digital portfolio at LAS. This reimagined travel retail experience will deliver operational excellence in a way that only Hudson can - through industry-leading service, technology offerings, store design, product assortment, and an innovative travel convenience and specialty portfolio. As part of this, Hudson will convert 17 of its 31 existing stores into all new concepts in 2022 and 2023, increasing its travel convenience and specialty retail footprint and complementing its current premium brand offering, including duty free. The new stores will feature striking design elements inspired by "The City of Lights," additional product selection from local brand partners like Ethel M, and expanded digital touchpoints. Red By Dufry, Hudson's new loyalty program, will be available in select stores so that travelers can engage with Hudson before, during, and after they travel and receive exclusive benefits every time they shop. Hudson will also increase the presence of digital-first payment options, which will allow team members to spend more time assisting travelers. This includes doubling the number of checkout registers and introducing mobile POS and other frictionless checkout capabilities for the first time - because Hudson knows what it means to deliver service with speed and convenience. "Thank you to Rosemary Vassiliadis and the entire airport management team for sharing our vision for the future of travel retail here in Las Vegas," said Brian Quinn, EVP and Deputy CEO of Hudson. "With this new extension, we have the opportunity to reinvent our store concepts and product selection to create unique shopping experiences designed for today's retail environment and traveler, leveraging our strengths in travel convenience, specialty retail, and digital innovation." "Hudson is a long-standing and valued partner in providing a world-class travel experience for those flying to and from Las Vegas," said Rosemary Vassiliadis, Director of Aviation for Harry Reid International Airport. "Innovation is one of our core values at LAS, and we appreciate Hudson's investment in technology and forward-looking retail concepts as we work together to meet and exceed traveler expectations." Spanning more than 25,500 square feet across Terminal 1, Terminal 3, and the D Gates, the reimagined stores are as follows: Travel Convenience: Hudson: As North America's largest travel essentials and convenience brand designed with a seamless customer experience at its core, Hudson offers books, magazines, snacks and beverages, travel and convenience necessities, local souvenirs, electronics, and more. Hudson Nonstop: Skip the checkout lines at Hudson Nonstop, a travel convenience concept that provides a fast and frictionless way for travelers to pick up their must-have essentials, food and beverage products, and local favorites, and then exit, all without stopping to pay. Specialty Retail: Brookstone: The ultimate lifestyle and experiential destination, Brookstone delivers innovative products in categories like audio, gadgets, luggage, STEM, travel accessories, and wellness - available through an exclusive travel retail partnership. Evolve by Hudson: Blending the accessibility of travel convenience with specialty retail, Evolve by Hudson is a one-stop shop specifically tailored to the local market. The Atrium: Featuring a collection of local, regional, national, and global brands, The Atrium is a specialty retail experience with branded shop-in-shops inside. Sunglass Hut: The leading eyewear destination, Sunglass Hut boasts the most sought-after fashion, luxury, and performance sunglass brands in a fun, highly engaging shopping experience. The store features a wide range of styles from Sunglass Hut's proprietary brands, Ray-Ban and Oakley, as well as premium brands. UNOde50: Discover the creative world of UNOde50, unique jewelry handcrafted in Spain. With a promise of exclusivity in its name, the brand presents limited editions of 50 units in each collection. The new stores will operate under Hudson Las Vegas JV, a joint venture between Hudson and its Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Partners: AC, LLC; BTU Gift & News, Inc.; Epicure International Group, Inc.; and SB Specialties, Inc. About Hudson Hudson, a Dufry Company, is a travel experience company turning the world of travel into a world of opportunity by being the Traveler's Best Friend in more than 1,000 stores in airports, commuter hubs, landmarks, and tourist locations. Our team members care for travelers as friends at our travel convenience, specialty retail, duty free and food and beverage destinations. At the intersection of travel and retail, we partner with landlords and vendors, and take innovative, commercial approaches to deliver exceptional value. To learn more about how we can make your location a travel destination, please visit us at hudsongroup.com or follow our journey on LinkedIn and Instagram. About Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is located just minutes away from the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and is the gateway for millions of visitors who come to Southern Nevada each year. The eighth-busiest airport in North America, LAS makes it possible to experience one of the world's most alluring and unique travel destinations. LAS is owned and operated by Clark County, Nevada, and does not benefit from local tax dollars. For further information, please contact: Hudson Media Contact Cindi Buckwalter VP of Corporate Communications communications@hudsongroup.com End of Media Release TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 22, 2022 / Aclara Resources Inc. ("Aclara" or the "Company") (TSX:ARA) is pleased to announce that the Company will be participating in strategic Rare Earths and Sustainability Mining conferences on September and October. Asian Metals - 13 th Rare Earth Summit On September 23, the Company will be participating in the Asian Metals 13th Rare Earth Summit in Hangzhou, China. Ramon Barua, CEO, will be giving the opening remarks of the event as well as presenting the recent developments of the Penco Module (defined below), the Company's heavy rare earths development project located in Chile. For additional information please visit the following link: https://www.asianmetal.com/Events_2022/2022RES/Index_2022RES_en.asp Rare Earths Industry Association ("REIA") - 2022 Annual Conference On October 5 and 6, the Company will be attending the REIA 2022 Annual Conference in Hanau, Germany. The conference is intended to improve the collaboration between the rare earths industry, its industrial customers, research institutions and governments to ensure these materials deliver on their incredible potential to decarbonize energy and transportation. Major downstream OEMs and Tier 1s such as BMW, Stellantis, Mercedes, Porsche, Polestar, ZF, Valeo, PSA, Mahle, Bosch, Brose, Shaeffler, Nidec, Grundfos, Danfoss, BASF, among other, will be participating as speakers, panelists, and attendees. Rodrigo Ceballos, General Manger and President, and Francois Motte, CFO, will be available in-person for meetings throughout the conference to discuss potential business opportunities as well as Aclara's plans for the Penco Module. Aclara will have a spotlight to pitch the Penco Module unique value proposition. For additional information please visit the following link: https://www.global-reia.org/conference-2022/ Metal Events Limited - 18 th International Rare Earths Conference On October 18, the Company will be attending the Metal Events 18th International Rare Earths Conference in Las Vegas, USA. Ramon Barua, CEO, and Francois Motte, CFO, will be available in-person for meetings throughout the conference to discuss potential business opportunities. For additional information please visit the following link: https://metalevents.com/events/18th-international-rare-earths-conference-2 MIT - Sustainability Mining & Energy Conference On October 18, the Company will be also attending the MIT - Sustainability Mining & Energy Conference in Santiago, Chile. The conference is intended to discuss the roles that climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and other critical environmental challenges will play in global, national, regional, and urban markets. This conference will highlight the MIT knowledge and expertise on sustainable mining and the clean energy transition. The Company will be presenting the Aclara's environmental and social unique value proposition as part of the fight against the climate change. Rodrigo Ceballos, General Manger and President, and Fernando Illanes, Public Affairs Manager, will be available in-person for meetings throughout the conference to discuss Aclara's plans for the Penco Module in Chile. For additional information please visit the following link: https://mitsloanlatam.cl/ About Aclara Aclara is a development-stage rare earth mineral resources company located in Chile. Aclara is initiating the development of its resources through a project called the Penco Module (the "Penco Module"), which covers a surface area of approximately 600 hectares and which has ionic clays that are rich in rare earth elements. Aclara is currently focused on the development and on the future construction and operation of the Penco Module, which will aim to produce a rare earth concentrate through a processing plant that will be fed by clays from nearby deposits. Aclara's unique extraction process offers several advantages such as: no blasting, crushing or milling required; no tailings dam; minimal water consumption due to a high level of water recirculation; amenable leaching with a fertilizer; and no radioactivity. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including statements with regard to advancing the exploration and development of the Penco Module, the exploration of potential new modules and the completion of a feasibility study on the Penco Module. 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. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's final prospectuses each dated December 2, 2021 filed on the Company's SEDAR profile. Actual results coulddiffer materially from those projected herein. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained in this news release is provided as of the date of this news release and 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 under applicable securities laws. For further information, please contact: Ramon Barua Chief Executive Officer investorrelations@aclara-re.com SOURCE: Aclara Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716931/Aclara-to-Attend-Rare-Earths-and-Sustainability-Mining-Conferences KENILWORTH (NJ) (dpa-AFX) - Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK), announced Thursday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Vence from its founders and shareholders. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Vence provides virtual fencing for rotational grazing and livestock management. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions. Vence, a privately held company, provides enhanced technology for producers and ranchers to track, monitor and manage the movement of cattle through a high-tech platform of virtual fencing solutions. Vence technology is currently available in the United States and parts of Australia. Rick DeLuca, president, Merck Animal Health, said, 'Vence is a natural fit with Merck Animal Health's growing portfolio of animal intelligence products that include identification, traceability and monitoring products. This new technology will give cow-calf producers the ability to track their cattle and the ability to move them from pasture to pasture.' Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX MERCK & CO-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de The Indexes will underlie Investo ETFs new Domestic Equity ETFs MarketVector IndexesTM announces the licensing of the MarketVectorTM Brazil Domestic Exposure (BRL) Index (ticker: MVBRDE), the MarketVectorTM Brazil Global Exposure (BRL) Index (ticker: MVBRGE) and the MarketVectorTM Brazil Small-Cap Value (BRL) Index (ticker: MVBRSV) to underlie Investo ETFs' new Domestic Equity ETFs. "We are proud to introduce three new equity indexes for the Brazilian market, including the newest members of our unique Economic Exposure Index family," said Steven Schoenfeld, CEO of MarketVector IndexesTM. "With Brazil's vitally-important Presidential election in October, the timing of our introduction of these indexes and the Investo ETFs that track them will enable investors to express their views on the Brazilian economy regardless of the election's outcome," he added. With such a dynamic and important economy, the approach of both global and local investors to the Brazilian equity market is ripe for innovation. The MarketVector Brazil Economic Exposure Indexes (MVBRDE and MVBRGE) provide, for the first time, a way for investors to gain more precise exposure to the economic and industry trends driving the Brazilian economy, as well as an efficient vehicle to diversify their existing Brazil equity exposures. And the Market Vector Brazil Small-Cap Value Index (MVBRSV) provides unique and targeted exposure to a segment of Brazil's equity market that is often ignored. The indexes are reviewed on a semi-annual basis and are calculated in USD as price indexes and total return net indexes. The MarketVectorTM Brazil Domestic Exposure (BRL) Index (ticker: MVBRDE) and the MarketVectorTM Brazil Global Exposure (BRL) Index (ticker: MVBRGE) are weighted by float-adjusted market capitalization. "These products offer a new way for investors to access the Brazilian equity market in a more intelligent and efficient way. By offering two products that focus on Global Exposure companies and Domestic Exposure companies, we allow investors to build their allocations according to what they understand to be the moment of the economy," says Caue Mancanares, CEO of Investo. "The best-known index in the Brazilian market is the Ibovespa. Meantime, the Ibovespa has some inefficiencies, such as a large concentration in a few large companies. The Brazil Economic Exposure ETFs complement an allocation purely on Ibovespa, as they allow investors to choose which segment of companies has the greatest potential, those that serve the Brazilian market or those that serve the markets outside Brazil." The MarketVectorTM Brazil Small-Cap Value (BRL) Index (ticker: MVBRSV) is weighted based on value-focused fundamental factors. "The Brazilian Small-caps ETF brings to Brazil a multi-factor investment strategy that is already established around the world, allowing Brazilian investors to systematically invest in companies with small capitalization and low multiples without worrying about spending time analyzing the financial statements of any company. It is an alternative for those who want to invest in Brazilian Small-caps, but focusing on the companies that are undervalued when compared to their peers," added Mr. Mancanares. Detailed information about the indexes, including methodology details and index data, is available on the MarketVector IndexesTM website. Key Index Features MarketVectorTM Brazil Domestic Exposure (BRL) Index (ticker: MVBRDE) Number of Components: 100 Base Date: December 31, 2013 Base Value: 1000 Key Index Features MarketVectorTM Brazil Global Exposure (BRL) Index (ticker: MVBRGE) Number of Components: 22 Base Date: December 31, 2013 Base Value: 1000 Key Index Features MarketVectorTM Brazil Small-Cap Value (BRL) Index (ticker: MVBRSV) Number of Components: 61 Base Date: December 31, 2013 Base Value: 1000 About MarketVector IndexesTM www.marketvector.com MarketVector IndexesTM ("MarketVectorTM") both trademarks pending is a regulated Benchmark Administrator in Europe, incorporated in Germany and registered with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). MarketVectorTM maintains indexes under the MarketVectorTM, MVIS and BlueStar names. With a mission to accelerate index innovation globally, MarketVectorTM is best-known for its broad suite of Thematic Indexes, its extensive family of global equity indexes, a long-running expertise in Hard Asset-linked equity indexes, and its pioneering Digital Asset index family. MarketVectorTM is a wholly-owned, independent subsidiary of Van Eck Associates Corporation of the US, and is proud to be in partnership with more than 25 Exchange Traded Product (ETP) issuers and index fund managers in markets throughout the world. About Investo https://investoetf.com/ Investo is the first independent investment manager in Brazil to specialize in ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Founded at Harvard University (USA) in early 2020, its purpose is to "turn Brazilians into global investors', bringing innovation to Brazil by means of products that enable investments abroad in a simple, safe, agile and low-cost manner, allowing Brazilians to participate in the value generation of the world's best companies. Founded by Caue Mancanares, CEO, Luiz Junior, COO, and partner Gabriel Lansac as CRO, Investo has partners such as BTG, Nubank Invest, Credit Suisse, Banco Inter and Banco Modal. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005565/en/ Contacts: Eunjeong Kang, MarketVector IndexesTM +49 (0) 69 4056 695 38 media-enquiries@marketvector.com Sam Marinelli on behalf of MarketVector IndexesTM 610-246-9928 sam@gregoryfca.com Follow-On Order Demonstrates Expanding Opportunities and Partnerships with Existing Customer Base TOCCOA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / September 22, 2022 / Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. (OTCQB:GAXY) ("Galaxy" or the "Company"), a provider of interactive learning technology solutions, has been awarded a follow-on purchase order from Lamar County, Georgia School District for G2 Interactive panels and accessories for an additional 130 classrooms. The purchase order follows an initial district-wide contract for G2 Interactive panels in 2019, and a second installation of panels in 2020. "Our partnership with The Lamar County School System continues to develop, with an additional significant order for our G2 interactive panels," said Gary LeCroy, Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy. "As we focus on expanding into new opportunities and regions for the K-12 education market, we are also highly engaged with current customers to place further products and services where needed throughout their facilities. The ability to retain customers and grow relationships with these larger contracts adds substantial and scalable revenue to our growth strategy. We look forward to fulfilling this next order for Lamar County Schools and to providing simplified and integrated solutions for seamless communication and effective learning for all our customers' students." The Lamar County School System, located in Barnesville, Georgia, comprises four traditional schools (primary, elementary, middle, and high), in addition to the Trojan Learning Center and Lamar County College & Career Academy. More than 350 employees proudly serve a diverse student population of approximately 2,800 students. About Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. Galaxy Next Generation (OTCQB:GAXY) is a provider of interactive learning technology solutions that allows the presenter and participant to engage in a fully collaborative instructional environment. Galaxy's products include Galaxy's own private-label interactive touch screen panel as well as numerous other national and international branded peripheral and communication devices. Galaxy's distribution channel consists of 22+ resellers across the U.S. who primarily sell the Company's products within the commercial and educational market. Galaxy does not control where resellers focus their resell efforts, although generally, the K-12 education market is the largest customer base for Galaxy products - comprising nearly 90% of Galaxy's sales. For additional information, please visit our website at: www.galaxynext.us. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Company Contact IR@GalaxyNext.us P: 888-859-1274 Investor Relations Brooks Hamilton MZ North America +1 949-546-6326 GAXY@mzgroup.us SOURCE: Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/716988/Galaxy-Next-Generation-Awarded-05-Million-Purchase-Order-for-G2-Interactive-Panels Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. (TSXV: SOIL) (FSE: SMKA) (OTCQX: OILSF) ("Saturn" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market, and Kevin Smith, Saturn's Vice President Corporate Development will be presenting a webcast at the International Investment Forum on September 27, 2022. OTCQX Upgrade Saturn begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol "OILSF." The Company upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink market. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. "Saturn has been on a rapid growth path over the past 18 month, having increased oil and gas production from 233 boe/d in the first quarter 2021 to reaching 12,000 boe/d today," stated John Jeffrey, Saturn's CEO. "Upgrading to the OTCQX is a critical measure in Saturn's growth strategy to enhance liquidity for our shareholders. Trading on the OTCQX will also better facilitate U.S. based investors to participate in a growing Canadian focused energy producer with an ESG driven commitment to responsible resource development." B. Riley Securities acted as the company's OTCQX sponsor. International Investment Forum The International Investment Forum is an online event taking place on September 27, 2022, that provides information on investment trends and ideas, covering all aspects of various industries, from top executives around the world. Saturn is scheduled to present at 11:30 am Eastern Daylight Time (5:30 pm Central European Summer Time). An overview of the schedule and presenting companies can be found at www.ii-forum.com. About Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. is a growing Canadian energy company focused on generating positive shareholder returns through the continued responsible development of high-quality, light oil weighted assets, supported by an acquisition strategy that targets highly accretive, complementary opportunities. Saturn has assembled an attractive portfolio of free-cash flowing, low-decline operated assets in Southeastern Saskatchewan and West Central Saskatchewan that provide a deep inventory of long-term economic drilling opportunities across multiple zones. With an unwavering commitment to building an ESG-focused culture, Saturn's goal is to increase reserves, production and cash flows at an attractive return on invested capital. Saturn's shares are listed for trading on the TSX.V under ticker 'SOIL', on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under symbol 'SMKA' and trade on the OTCQX under symbol 'OILSF'. Further information and a corporate presentation is available on Saturn's website at www.saturnoil.com. Saturn Oil & Gas Investor & Media Contacts: John Jeffrey, MBA - Chief Executive Officer Tel: +1 (587) 392-7902 www.saturnoil.com Kevin Smith, MBA - VP Corporate Development Tel: +1 (587) 392-7900 info@saturnoil.com Reader Advisory NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RATIOS This news release includes non-GAAP financial measures and ratios as further described herein. These non-GAAP financial measures and ratios do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures by other companies. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures and ratios provides useful information to investors and shareholders as the measures provide increased transparency and the ability to better analyze performance against prior periods on a comparable basis. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND STATEMENTS. Certain information included in this press release constitutes forward-looking information under applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "propose", "project", "scheduled", "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking information in this press release may include, but is not limited to, the trading liquidity of Saturn's securities, facilitation of trade for US investors, the continuation of trading on a exchange, and the maintenance of base production and the business plan, cost model and strategy of the Company. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Saturn, including expectations and assumptions concerning: the timing of and success of future drilling, development and completion activities, the performance of existing wells, the performance of new wells, the availability and performance of facilities and pipelines, the geological characteristics of Saturn's properties, the application of regulatory and licensing requirements, the availability of capital, labour and services, the creditworthiness of industry partners and the ability to source and complete asset acquisitions. Although Saturn believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Saturn can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks), constraint in the availability of services, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, the current COVID-19 pandemic, actions of OPEC and OPEC+ members, changes in legislation impacting the oil and gas industry, adverse weather or break-up conditions and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures. These and other risks are set out in more detail in Saturn's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2021. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Saturn believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because Saturn can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to other factors and assumptions which may be identified in this press release, assumptions have been made regarding and are implicit in, among other things, the availability of services, ability to spend the increased planned capital expenditures and the effect of higher oil prices on the Company's business. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which have been used. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof and Saturn undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. BOE PRESENTATION Boe means barrel of oil equivalent. All boe conversions in this news release are derived by converting gas to oil at the ratio of six thousand cubic feet ("Mcf") of natural gas to one barrel ("Bbl") of oil. Boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A Boe conversion rate of 1 Bbl: 6 Mcf is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio of oil compared to natural gas based on currently prevailing prices is significantly different than the energy equivalency ratio of 1 Bbl: 6 Mcf, utilizing a conversion ratio of 1 Bbl: 6 Mcf may be misleading as an indication of value. ABREVIATIONS AND FREQUENTLY REOCCURING TERMS Saturn uses the following abbreviations and frequently recurring terms in this press release: "WTI" refers to West Texas Intermediate, a grade of light sweet crude oil used as benchmark pricing in the United States; "MSW" refers to the mixed sweet blend that is the benchmark price for conventionally produced light sweet crude oil in Western Canada; "AECO" refers to Alberta Energy Company, a grade or heating content of natural gas used as benchmark pricing in Alberta, Canada; "bbl" refers to barrel; "bbl/d" refers to barrels per day; "GJ" refers to gigajoule; "NGL" refers to Natural Gas Liquids; "Mcf" refers to thousand cubic feet. 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 press release. All dollar figures included herein are presented in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138057 CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal Protective Equipment Market size is projected to be at USD 64.2 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of -1.3% from USD 68.5 billion in 2022, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. This growth is primarily triggered by the rising awareness about workplace safety, stringent regulations in developed countries and outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. According to OSHA, workplace injuries have witnessed an increase each year in the US. OSHA reported that workplace eye injury costs an estimated USD 300 million a year in medical treatment, lost productivity, and worker compensation. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also supports the fact, stating that a majority of the injured workers were not wearing PPE at the time of the accident. A number of losses, both direct and hidden costs, occur when a workplace accident occurs. Direct costs are realized at the time of accidents whereas hidden costs are realized post-accidents. As a result of increasing accidents and injuries at the workplace, the importance of work safety is rising. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=132681971 Browse in-depth TOC on "Personal Protective Equipment Market" 220 - Tables 67 - Figures 275 - Pages Hand & Arm is estimated to be the largest type of personal protective equipment market in 2021. Hand & arm protection includes three subcategories, namely, disposable gloves, reusable gloves, and others (wrist cuffs & armlets, elbow protectors, mitts, and barrier creams). Hand & arm protection is not only used to protect an individual from hazards or injuries at workplaces, but also to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The disposable gloves subsegment led the hand & arm protection equipment market in 2020 due to the increased demand from the healthcare industry. Disposable gloves are for single use and need to be disposed immediately, this ensures hygiene and prevention of contamination. The increasing number of hand cuts, abrasions, thermal burns, bruises, punctures, and arm injuries in daily activities is expected to fuel the market for hand & arm protection equipment during the forecast period. Healthcare is estimated to be the largest end-use industry of personal protective equipment market in 2021 The rising prevalence of COVID-19 was a key contributor to the increase in the use of personal protective equipment globally. Factors such as the increasing demand for hospital beds and ICUs in countries with increasing incidences of COVID-19 and an increasing number of temporary hospitals are driving the demand for personal protective equipment in hospitals while treating patients. Infrastructural expansion was evident on a global scale as governments made efforts to combat the virus and care for an increasing number of patients. All these factors increased the demand for personal protective equipment in 2020 and 2021 from the healthcare industry. However, demand is expected to decrease in the coming years, as the spread of COVID-19 is decreasing in most countries and governments too have lifted the mandates for the use of face masks in public places. Get Free Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=132681971 Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest growing market for personal protective equipment during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific offers the highest opportunities for personal protective equipment as it is one of the highest affected regions due to COVID-19. Growing awareness of personnel and workplace safety are also fueling the market demand in this region. The rising industrial developments, economic growth, and favorable business practices in the Asia Pacific are driving the demand for personal protective equipment. The key market players profiled in the report include Honeywell International Inc. (US), DuPont De Nemours, Inc. (US), 3M Company (US), Lakeland Industries, Inc. (US), Alpha Pro Tech, Ltd. (Canada), Sioen Industries NV (Belgium), Radians Inc. (US), Kimberly-Clark Corporation (US), Ansell Ltd. (Australia), and MSA Safety Inc. (US), among others. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=132681971 Browse Adjacent Markets:Resins and Polymers Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Protective Clothing Market by Material Type (Aramid & Blends, Polyolefin & Blends, Polyamide, and PBI), Application (Thermal, Chemical, and Visibility), End-Use Industry (Construction, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, and Mining) - Global Forecast to 2025 Face Mask Market by Nature (Disposable, Reusable), Material Type, Type (Surgical, Respirator), End-Use, Distribution Channel (Pharmacy & Drug Stores, Supermarket & Hypermarket, Specialty Stores, E-commerce) and Region - 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: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/personal-protective-equipment-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/personal-protective-equipment.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/personal-protective-equipment-market-worth-64-2-billion-by-2027--exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-301630888.html On 15th 16th September, German time, a special programme on "Sino-German Economic Cooperation in Challenging Times" sponsored by SHEDE SPIRITS took place in Berlin. The programme was organised by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Germany (CHKD) and comprised three events: The CHKD Evening Reception 2022, which took place on the evening of 15th September, where the new CSR Report of the CHKD was presented as a highlight; the Sino-German Business Conference "China Day 2022" organised by the CHKD in cooperation with the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK); and an anniversary concert at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany. High-ranking Chinese and German guests from politics and business as well as company representatives from various sectors were invited. The friendly talks focused on the deep friendship between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the strengthening of Chinese-German cooperation in trade and business, and the promotion of cultural exchange between the two peoples. Guests of honour included the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Germany, WU Ken, the Asia Representative of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, Dr Andreas Nicolin, and the President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Germany, ZHENG Donglin. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005556/en/ The Celebration of the 50th anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between China and Germany held in Berlin, with the appearance of the famous Chinese liquor company SHEDE SPIRITS (Photo: Business Wire) Thanks to FOSUN a platform for internationalisation SHEDE SPIRITS was able to sponsor the special programme. At the gala dinner during the CHKD evening reception, SHEDE SPIRITS presented its brands, including Shede Classic (6-year edition), Shede Wisdom (10-year edition) and Tunzhihu (Red), which were allowed to appear as designated spirits. Numerous high-ranking participants from Chinese and German business and politics tasted these premium spirits from Sichuan Eco-Breweries. The pure and delicate aroma earned rapturous applause. SHEDE SPIRITS also showcased the skill and culture behind its brand through on-site exhibition and presentation video. The brand's rich history won recognition from the guests. Like many Chinese spirits manufacturers, SHEDE SPIRITS continues to expand its internationalisation strategy and plans to market its products overseas. SHEDE SPIRITS aims to present premium spirits to consumers from all over the world as a medium to convey Chinese culture and beautiful lifestyle to the world. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005556/en/ Contacts: SHEDE https://en.tuopaishede.cn/ Luo xiaoshuan luoxiaoshuan@tuopai.biz Groundbreaking achievement in micro-transfer printing increases density of Rockley's silicon-photonics-based integrated lasers beyond previous levels Lays foundation for continued photonic chip size reduction and additional reductions in chip manufacturing costs Presents potential new commercial opportunities for Rockley, including ultra-small wearables, clothing, or XR/AR/VR headsets and glasses New chip technology will not impact timing of upcoming launch of Bioptx biosensing band or other current-generation products Rockley Photonics Holdings Limited (NYSE: RKLY) ("Rockley"), a global leader in photonics-based health monitoring and communications solutions, today announced that it has developed what it believes to be the world's first micro-transfer-printed (mTP) silicon-photonics-based laser for commercial applications. This groundbreaking achievement is expected to allow Rockley to further increase the density and reduce the size of its high-density spectrophotometer chips which are already the world's smallest for broadband infrared wavelength laser spectrometry (covering 1000 nanometers of spectrum) and are smaller in area than LED-based solutions currently used in wearables. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005112/en/ Size comparison of Rockley's new mTP laser array (Graphic: Business Wire) This advancement could potentially have a significant impact across a wide range of applications, including the design of exceptionally small wearable devices for the detection and measurement of multiple biomarkers. New silicon-photonics-based biosensing chips using mTP technology are expected to be available in the first half of 2024. The new chip technology should have no impact on the upcoming launch of Rockley's Bioptx biosensing band nor on any current-generation products that Rockley and its customers are developing. With this breakthrough in the mTP of silicon-photonics-based lasers, Rockley has dramatically increased the laser density of its photonics integrated circuits (PICs) for biosensing, creating what it believes to be the world's highest-density broad-wavelength laser spectrophotometer chip, surpassing its own previous achievements. Moreover, the mTP process is expected to reduce manufacturing costs and enable thinner, smaller footprint and higher-density chip designs. These attributes are powerful benefits for use in consumer and medtech devices and could facilitate the integration of Rockley's biosensing technology into future tiny wearables. Leveraging the mTP process, the new PIC technology will integrate a laser-generating "membrane" with a thickness of only 4 microns. The potential applications for this higher-density and smaller-footprint chip technology extend beyond biosensing and health monitoring into other areas, such as ultra-small wearables, clothing, or XR/VR/AR headsets and glasses. This mTP breakthrough is the direct result of Rockley's multi-year partnership with the Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork in Ireland, X-Celeprint Limited, and the Irish Photonics Integration Centre (IPIC), with funding support from the Irish government's Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF). The project started five years ago with a focus on developing a custom mTP process for Rockley's silicon photonics platform and has involved a multidisciplinary team of world-class engineers and researchers. This technology, along with many other Rockley innovations, is backed by a robust multidisciplinary patent portfolio of over 200 issued patents and 295 pending patents in total. "Applying the micro-transfer printing process to the production of integrated lasers is a huge breakthrough that we believe will have a tremendous impact on wearable biosensing and on the photonics industry as a whole," said Dr. Andrew Rickman, chairman and chief executive officer of Rockley. "We arguably have some of the most sophisticated photonics technology in the world, and this unprecedented level of miniaturization raises the bar even further. By creating biosensing chips that are smaller, lower-cost, and more efficient, we can continually improve our wearable biosensing products and deliver novel, relevant, and more powerful ways to monitor our health." "I believe that this next-gen, heterogeneous integration platform will lead to several significant technological advancements, including higher densities of lasers, increasingly smaller chip sizes, and ultra-high-volume manufacturing," said Aaron Zilkie, chief technology officer of photonics at Rockley. "The team has been working on this project for years, and we are extremely excited to have reached this important milestone. We are grateful for the close collaboration we've had with our research partners and for the funding support from the Irish government and its Science Foundation Ireland and Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund." About Rockley Photonics A global leader in photonics-based health monitoring and communications solutions, Rockley Photonics is developing a comprehensive range of photonic integrated circuits and associated modules, sensors, and full-stack solutions. From next-generation sensing platforms specifically designed for mobile health monitoring and machine vision to high-speed, high-volume solutions for data communications, Rockley is laying the foundation for a new generation of applications across multiple industries. Rockley believes that photonics will eventually become as pervasive as micro-electronics, and it has developed a platform with the power and flexibility needed to address both mass markets and a wide variety of vertical applications. Formed in 2013, Rockley is uniquely positioned to support hyper-scale manufacturing and address a multitude of high-volume markets. Rockley has partnered with numerous tier-1 customers across a diverse range of industries to deliver the complex optical systems required to bring transformational products to market. To learn more about Rockley, visit rockleyphotonics.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release that are not historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding Rockley's future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, and assumptions regarding future events or performance. The words "accelerate," "advance," "anticipate," "believe," "can," "capability," "continue," "could," "develop," "enable," "enhance", "estimate," "eventual," "expand, "expect," "focus," "forward," "future," "goal," "ground-breaking" "intend," "may," "might," "opportunity," "outlook," "plan," "possible," "position," "potential," "predict," "project," "revolutionize," "seem," "should," "trend," "vision," "will," "would" or other terms that predict or indicate future events, trends, or expectations, and similar expressions or the negative of such expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words or terms does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: (a) the potential of Rockley's sensing platform to provide a complete end-to-end solution that enables the non-invasive, continuous, and near-real-time monitoring of multiple biomarkers; (b) our belief that we have developed the world's first commercial micro-transfer-printed laser and the world's highest density spectrometry chips for wearable health monitoring, and our belief that these developments will produce significant additional reductions in chip manufacturing costs, improve power efficiency, potentially enhance performance of our products, and present new commercial opportunities and applications; (c) the timing of the availability of our products and technology; (d) our belief that we are laying the foundation for a new generation of applications across multiple industries, and the extent to which we may expand our focus beyond biosensing solutions; (e) our belief that photonics will eventually become as pervasive as micro-electronics; and (f) our potential to support hyper-scale manufacturing, address a multitude of high-volume markets, and deliver the complex optical systems required to bring transformational products to market. Forward-looking statements are subject to several risks, assumptions, and uncertainties (many of which are beyond Rockley's control) that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, assumptions, and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors described under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of these assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those discussed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Rockley will be those that have been anticipated. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and Rockley does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005112/en/ Contacts: Media Debra Raine Rainemakers Telephone: +1 415-349-7432 Email: rockleyphotonics@rainemakers.com Investors Gwyn Lauber Rockley Photonics Telephone: +1 626-995-0001 Email: investors@rockleyphotonics.com Renovations to Support Joint Intelligence Center Conti Federal Services, a leading U.S. government construction and engineering firm specializing in military and secure construction, has been awarded a fixed price contract of $26.9M to renovate the Joint Intelligence Center, Building 639, at Naval Air Station II Sigonella in Sicily, Italy. Established in 1959, the Naval Air Station Sigonella is regarded as the hub of US Naval air operations in the Mediterranean.Under the recently awarded military construction contract, Conti Federal will reconfigure and renovate the ground and first floors to provide a modern and contiguous space for Commander Task Force 67 Operations. The renovations are expected to be completed by August 2024. The contract was awarded to Conti Federal by Jacobs Engineering and the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Europe Africa Central (EURAFCENT) out of Naples, Italy. "We are proud to support our outstanding partner Jacobs on this very important project as we continue to expand our ever-increasing footprint in Europe," expresses Conti Federal CEO, Peter Ceribelli. "This is a tremendous opportunity that will allow us to continue to showcase our position as a leader in the industry and expand our track record of modernizing military bases for federal clients around the world." Conti Federal Services is the choice federal contractor for building the nation's mission critical projects. The company boasts an impeccable track record of modernization projects both locally and overseas. Currently, Conti Federal is working on the modernization of critical facilities at the Naval Support Activity in Naples, Italy. For further details about Conti Federal's work with USACE and other government agencies globally, visit: https://www.contifederal.com/projects. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005144/en/ Contacts: Meredith Koons Director of Marketing and Small Business Programs 732-540-9478 mkoons@contifederal.com The event, held at the Harvard Club in New York City, saw public figures from Ukraine, the US, including New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and more discuss how the rest of the world is impacted by the Ukrainian-Russian war. The Kyiv School of Economics, one of Ukraine's strongest business education institutions, raised $1,140,000 during a charity conference and dinner event last Saturday. The event brought together public figures from around the world, including Nobel-prize winners, military officers, economists and investors, historians, government officials, and Ukrainians who have experienced the war firsthand. They conveyed the conflict's true intensity and political reality, while discussing the war's global political and economic implications, in an effort to outline possible future scenarios and solutions. "Many still do not understand the impact this war will have and is currently having on other parts of life and the rest of the world," said Tymofiy Mylovanov, President at Kyiv School of Economics, "with this event, we channel everything the Ukrainian people have been feeling and make it make sense to the rest of the world, while raising money for the benefit of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, discussing the impact of the war, and what comes next: reconstruction, humanitarian aid, and Ukraine's role in the new world architecture." Multiple breakout rooms held hearings for various panel discussions across topics including: global security, economic analysis, energy use and resource allocation, and food security. Speakers included Two Nobel Laureates: Paul Krugman and Roger Myerson; Ukrainian military officers and surgeons directly from the frontlines; top economists and investors from Ukraine including Dr. Gorodnichenko, Dr. Mylovanov, and Ms. Shapoval; Ukrainian historians; Ukrainian US Ambassador H.E. John Herbst; Past Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Andriy Zagorodnyuk, and more. Audiences listened to panel discussions and allowed questions after. After the conference, a charity auction and dinner were held to honor the resilience and the spirit of the Ukrainian people, featuring Ukrainians who shared their stories of overcoming the challenges of the war, resisting the Russian invasion, and maintaining and developing a democracy. The $1,140,000 raised will help benefit charities across Ukraine and the Kyiv School of Economics, which will use the money to support the people of Ukraine through humanitarian efforts, educational projects, and efforts to increase talent and infrastructure within Ukraine. Mayor Eric Adams also made an appearance and spoke to the audience during the reception. He said, "When this war first started, and people stated that 'in days, the Ukrainian people would fall,' I said, 'you just don't know the Ukrainian people.'" He made further remarks on the benefits Ukrainian immigrants have made for the United States and especially New York City, as a true testament to the will and strength of its people. The charity dinner was closed out by a performance from the Ukrainian Chorus, Dumka of New York. Razom for Ukraine, a fundraising organization, and USUBC (US-Ukraine Business Council) also contributed informational and organizational support during the event. Fundraising in the United States is still ongoing, and money raised will be directed to other needs of Ukraine and Ukrainians. About Kyiv School of Economics Founded in 1996, the Kyiv School of Economics is an integral player in a world of colliding economic, political, technological, and nature-led forces. The Kyiv School of Economics is one of Ukraine's strongest business education institutions, developing capabilities for the people of Ukraine to create a democratic, prosperous, and sovereign country, combining real-world practitioners, leading experts in business education, intellectual rigor, and academic excellence. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220921006023/en/ Contacts: For more information, press only: Lara Vysokovskaya E-mail: pr@magonova.com For more information on the event: https://kse.ua/ua/events/usa OrCam Learn empowers students with learning challenges to read and learn with confidence LONDON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OrCam Technologies, innovator of life-changing, personal "AI as a companion" solutions, has today launched the OrCam Learn, an innovative, powerful new solution that supports teachers and schools, enabling every student to explore their full potential - by offering vital, practical reading support, and feedback, analysis and reporting. An evolution of the 2021 TIME Magazine 100 Best Inventions Winner OrCam Read, the interactive OrCam Learn empowers students with learning challenges - including dyslexia - to effectively read and learn, resulting in enhanced comprehension, reading fluency, and improvement of overall confidence in an education setting. The OrCam Learn is a wireless, compact handheld solution with an intuitive point-and-click operation that "captures" and immediately reads out loud a full page, paragraph, or single word of text - of the student's choosing - from books, digital screens, or classroom handouts The learning companion will listen to and provide feedback on the student's reading, and test reading comprehension. "Reading is crucial to access the school curriculum and we know that children who find reading difficult will struggle across all subjects. In fact, students with dyslexia or another specific learning difficulty (SpLD) are twice as likely to fail to achieve a grade 4 or above in English and maths at GCSE", said Irie Meltzer, UK regional director at OrCam Technologies. "The OrCam Learn solution has been designed to help teachers to support their students as they read and study. Integrated into day-to-day school life, it empowers students with learning challenges to develop and maintain reading and learning skills, gain confidence, and thrive - both inside and outside of the classroom. We are driven to level the educational playing field for a wide spectrum of students who can benefit from OrCam Learn." Moon Hall School in Reigate is one of 50 schools in the UK currently collaborating with OrCam Technologies in offering the OrCam Learn for use to their students with learning challenges. "The OrCam Learn solution enables our students to be as independent as possible with their learning experience, and as headteacher I absolutely recommend it," said Michelle Catterson, Executive Headteacher at Moon Hall School and Chair of the British Dyslexia Association. Makes reading and learning flow for every student Researchers have observed the benefits of reading out loud to improve reading comprehension and literacy. OrCam Learn's innovative "Reading Pal" feature harnesses interactive AI to support students in improving reading fluency by allowing them to read any text to the OrCam Learn, and then receiving immediate, conversational, and encouraging feedback about their reading. OrCam Learn listens to the student's reading, provides positive feedback to elevate confidence and positive feelings about reading, and then generates reports through a web and mobile app that provides teachers and support staff with a comprehensive analysis of the student's progress. Enables teachers to focus on teaching "Every teacher's priority is the development of their students, and those with learning challenges typically require more time and attention to succeed. We developed the OrCam Learn to partner with teachers, providing access to the insight and support they need to guide students with learning challenges more effectively. Allowing schools to direct resources where they are needed the most, and enabling students to work independently which can free up teaching assistants and alleviate logistical pressures like finding extra classrooms or scheduling separate times for exams", said Irie Meltzer. Every OrCam Learn reading session generates an automatic analytics report identifying areas of challenge. Listening to the student's reading, it captures a variety of metrics that help evaluate their performance, including those that are commonly used by reading specialists: Text difficulty level Fluency (measured by Words Correct Per Minute) Accuracy (% of accurately read words) Reading rate (Words Per Minute) Total reading time OrCam Learn also has an 'Exam Mode' that teachers can select by scanning a QR code before the student enters an examination. This offline setting ensures there is no possibility of any WiFi or cloud connectivity and that the solution complies with general school exam requirements. It also guarantees that students can complete examinations without the need for a human reader. In June 2022, OrCam Learn was awarded the 2022 EdTech Breakthrough Award for Remote Learning Solution of the Year, joining winning submissions in other categories from companies including Discovery Education, LEGO Education, Logitech, Spotify and Verizon. About OrCam Technologies: OrCam Technologies, a global leader in personal AI technology platforms, was jointly founded in 2010 by Israeli innovators Prof. Amnon Shashua and Mr. Ziv Aviram, who are also the Co-founders of Mobileye (now an Intel company), the collision avoidance system leader and autonomous driving innovator. Inspired by this development of ground-breaking artificial vision technology that supports safer driving, OrCam harnesses highly advanced, AI-driven computer vision and machine learning to empower and provide increased independence to people who are blind or visually impaired, have reading difficulties, learning challenges, or hearing loss. For more information: www.orcam.com and YouTube and follow OrCam on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1905485/Orcam_141.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/orcam-technologies-launches-learning-companion-solution-301631135.html BUFORD, GA / ACCESSWIRE / September 22, 2022 / Masterbeat Corporation (OTC PINK:MSTO), a company specializing in hard, tangible asset acquisitions with an intense focus on real estate, collectible classic automobiles, and other tangible assets gives update on Navarre Beach Florida property. On June 07, 2021, SBQ announced the purchased of a tract of land in Navarre Beach, Florida for $365,000 to build another upscale Beach Vacation Home. Ground has been broken and is the process of having all the underground electrical and plumbing installed. The pilings have been delivered, and all the lumber, trusses, windows, and appliances have been ordered. The Navarre property is listed for $3.75 million dollars and will be similar in size and style as the recently sold Santa Rosa Rolling Dunes property, which sold for $4.25 million and was the first of multiple custom 5,000 sq. ft. vacation style homes that SBQ will be constructing throughout the Florida Panhandle. The Navarre property will be an 8-bedroom, 8.5 bathroom, 3 story structure with a rooftop deck, and an elevator. The property will be able to sleep multiple families, will include a private resort-style pool with a hot tub, fire pit and much more. Rented Inc., recently listed the Florida Panhandle as the best location for investors to purchase vacation rental homes. Florida's northwest Gulf Coast ranked #1 on the new "100 Best Places to Buy Vacation Rentals." The report was compiled by Rented Research and Weiss Analytics ranking destinations by the cost of ownership, short-term revenue potential, acquisition cost, annual appreciation, and projected changes in asset value. The new 2020 report determined that Florida's Panhandle offers the best returns on vacation home investments over "Every Other Market" in the United States and has an index score of 98.7 out of 100. The Florida Panhandle has emerged as the clear winner as the top vacation-home investment area in the United States. See more at www.inman.com/2020/07/20/florida-is-the-no-1-state-to-purchase-a-vacation-rental/. About MasterBeat Corp. MasterBeat Corporation (OTC:MSTO), incorporated under the laws of Delaware, is a publicly traded company specializing in hard, tangible asset acquisitions with an intense focus on real estate, precious metals, and other tangible assets. The company believes its progressive approach to an old school model, especially in this market based on fragile earnings multiples and uncertainty, to acquire hard, tangible assets will not only offer long term capital appreciation but also deliver revenues, profits, and self-sustainability. www.masterbeatcorp.com info@masterbeatcorp.com Safe Harbor Statement This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 that are based upon current expectations or beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions about future events. Although we believe that the expectations and assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. Some of these uncertainties include, without limitation, the company's ability to perform under existing contracts or to procure future contracts. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties, including without limitation, successful implementation of our business strategy and competition, any of which may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements. We undertake no obligation and do not intend to update, revise or otherwise publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of any unanticipated events. Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will materialize. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. Contact: Josh Tannariello 561-570-7050 josh@masterbeatcorp.com SOURCE: MasterBeat Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/717040/MasterBeat-Corporations-SBQ-Holdings-LLC-Update-on-Navarre-Beach-Florida-Property LONDON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GetApp UK launched its latest research study surveying over 1,000 respondents to better understand governments, businesses and consumers' participation in the circular economy. GetApp's first report reveals that consumers believe money is the main incentive driving circular economy advocacy among businesses. 46% of respondents were of the opinion that companies take advantage of circular economy processes in order to make more money from producing sustainably, whilst 41% believe they do it to benefit economically from government initiatives. Meanwhile, 36% believe it is just a policy for greenwashing. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents opposed the statement that businesses are doing enough to cut down on waste. Whilst 84% of consumers would like more transparency regarding businesses' sustainability measures. Furthermore, an overall majority of 89% maintained that the government could be doing more to monitor company compliance with circular economy practices. GetApp's study also reveals how 39% of respondents had never heard of the concept of a circular economy before they were shown the definition. Demonstrating how there is still not enough awareness or education provided on the circular economy. Consumers' engagement in the circular economy GetApp's second study demonstrates how, much like businesses, consumers principally take part in the circular economy to save money. 50% stated they buy second-hand products to spend less, compared with just 12% that do it for sustainability purposes. GetApp's study also reveals buyers' passive perspective toward shopping for second-hand products, as 28% admit to not doing it very often, whilst 15% never shop second-hand. Some of the main reasons given by people who didn't wish to shop second-hand were that they prefer new products (64%), followed by their apprehension towards the quality of second-hand products (53%) and concern regarding how long the item would last (48%). Additionally, 29% of consumers don't sell second-hand items very often. Of those that do, three times more voted making money as the primary motivation behind selling second-hand items (54%), in comparison to those that do it for sustainability purposes (18%). Overall, GetApp's study uncovers how the circular economy model is not taken seriously enough by businesses or the government. Which in turn generates mistrust among the public, and therefore reduces the likelihood of consumers themselves investing in it. Additionally, when consumers do participate in the circular economy, their primary motivations lie in making money, instead of doing it for environmental reasons. David Jani , Content Analyst at GetApp UK, comments: A large proportion of our sample (39%) had never heard of the circular economy before. Yet, it seemed clear from our findings, that practices such as anti-waste, renewable energy, and reuse of materials, which are common circular processes, were regarded well by consumers. However, the public's commitment to performing these practices themselves is still somewhat limited. It is also clear that the main incentive for doing so is saving money or earning additional income. This seems to reflect that whilst the circular economy is an everyday practice for many people, greater awareness and engagement are needed to drive sustainability in the UK. About GetApp GetApp is the recommendation engine small businesses need to make the right software choice. GetApp enables SMEs to achieve their mission by delivering the tailored, data-driven recommendations and insights needed to make informed software purchasing decisions. For more information, visit www.getapp.co.uk. Study Methodology Data for the circular economy study was collected in July 2022, in which 1,027 UK consumers responded to GetApp's survey. Media Contact Carmina Solano Davis Marketing Specialist (UK) carmina.solano@gartner.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1905440/Circular_Economy_company_motivations_UK_GetApp.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/uk-consumers-believe-companies-mainly-commit-to-the-circular-economy-for-profit-revealed-in-a-new-study-by-getapp-301631144.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 22, 2022 / CanXGold Mining Corp., (TSXV:CXG)(FRANKFURT:3G8C)(OTC PINK:GDMRD), ("CanXGold" or the "Company"), announces that drilling is underway at its Phoenix Property at the Greenwood Precious Metals project in southeastern BC. The Company's Phoenix property covers a total area of approximately 9,817 hectares of extensively mineralized ground with 29 past producing mines, the largest of which is the former Phoenix copper-gold mine. Underground mining began at Phoenix in 1900 and attained a peak delivery in 1913 of more than a million tonnes of ore. Labour unrest in the Crowsnest Coalfield indirectly forced closure of the Grand Forks smelter and the mines in 1919. Mining by open pit was re-started at Phoenix in 1959 at a rate of 2,750 tonnes per day from 1972 until closure in 1976. Total production from Phoenix is documented as 26,956,525 tonnes of ore containing 971,756 ounces gold (30,225 kg); 6,174,712 ounces silver (192,055 kg) and 230,050 tonnes of copper (BC MEMPR Paper 1986-2). Diamond drilling being done at the Phoenix property. The Phoenix deposit was mined from surface to about 140 meters depth. This depth corresponds to the base of Mesozoic strata, which overlie older Paleozoic strata. The Phoenix deposit is stratabound and confined to the Mesozoic rocks. As such, very little exploration was done to search for mineralization in the Paleozoic rocks that lie beneath Phoenix and the possible source or feeder to the Phoenix deposit has never been found. If present, it is anticipated that the style of mineralization would be very different than that developed in the Phoenix mine. The Phoenix deposit is part of a skarn-type deposit formed by replacement of carbonate host rocks. Similar carbonate rocks are not common in the Paleozoic strata, so it is unlikely that skarn-type mineralization would be found in these rocks. An example of mineralization in Paleozoic rocks is the Golden Crown deposit, a gold-copper sulphide vein system located 2 to 3 km southeast of Phoenix. The first drill hole is targeting the middle of a large, 1 km diameter conductivity anomaly identified in the 2022 VTEM survey, located near the historic Phoenix mine. The target zone lies below 160 meters depth. Drilling is progressing and the hole is now just entering the target area. Readers are cautioned that historical records referred to in this News Release have been examined but not verified by a Qualified Person. Further work is required to verify that historical records referred to in this News Release are accurate. Technical disclosure in this news release has been approved by Dr. Mathew Ball, P.Geo., President of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Readers are cautioned that historical records referred to in this News Release have been examined but not verified by a Qualified Person. Further work is required to verify that historical records referred to in this News Release are accurate. For more details, please see the most recent National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Company's website at www.CanXGold.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors: CANXGOLD MINING CORP. Per: "Christopher R. Anderson" Christopher R. Anderson CEO For further information, please contact: CanXGold Mining Corp. - Corporate Communications: Tel: 604-288-2610 Email: Office@CanXGold.com Forward-Looking Statement Cautions: This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to, among other things, preliminary plans for a consolidation of the Company's Shares. 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 statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the possibility that the TSX Venture Exchange will not approve the proposed share consolidation, and that the Company may not be able to raise sufficient additional capital to continue its business. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of securities of the Company in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The Company's securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY 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. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: CanXGold Mining Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/717011/CanXGold-Mining-Corp-Targeting-BCs-Next-Major-Copper-Deposit-Hole-1-Well-UnderWay-Now-Approaching-KM-long-Anomaly-Defined-From-2022-Airborne-Survey Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - Satori Resources Inc. (TSXV: BUD) ("Satori" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of its fall drilling campaign at the Tartan Lake Project, Flin Flon, Manitoba. The Company plans to test the Hanging Wall Zone (in Main Zone) to extend the significant mineralization that was intersected in hole TLMZ21-12, which returned 47.56 g/t Au over 5.8 metres, within a broader interval that averaged 23.76 g/t Au over 12.6 metres (see news release dated December 6, 2021). This intercept is the second highest value intercept ever recorded at Tartan Lake Main Zone and the Company believes that the physical differences in lithology and mineralization tenor suggest that this could represent the upper portion of a new zone in the hanging wall of the Main Zone trend. The Company also plans to follow up on the most significant intersection reported from the South Zone in 2021. TLSZ21-05, intersected 7.48 g/t Au over 16.75 metres within a broader interval that averaged 4.76 g/t Au over 27.80 metres. Jennifer Boyle, Chief Executive Officer, states, "This fully funded program is designed to expand the newly identified mineralization in the Main Zone hanging wall and the South Zone. Recent drilling over the past year and a half has evidenced the tremendous potential for this project which has been long overlooked throughout the past three decades." Wes Hanson, P.Geo., is the qualified person who has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release. ABOUT SATORI RESOURCES INC. (TSXV: BUD) Satori is a Toronto-based mineral exploration and development company whose primary property is expanding the resource at the past producing Tartan Lake Gold Mine Project, located in the prolific Flin Flon Greenstone Belt, Manitoba. The Tartan Lake Project (2,670 Ha.) is located approximately 12 kilometres northeast of Flin Flon, Manitoba, and includes the Tartan Lake Mine (1986-1989) which produced 36,000 ounces of gold before the mine was shut down due to, in part, the price of gold falling below USD$390. Remaining infrastructure includes: an indicated resource estimate of 240,000 ounces averaging 6.32 g/t Au (see news release February 23, 2017), an all-season access road, grid connected power supply, mill, mechanical, warehouse and office buildings, tailing impoundment and a 2,100 metre decline and developed underground mining galleries to a depth of 300 metres from surface. Gold mineralization is associated with anastomosing quartz-carbonate veins hosted in east-west striking, steeply dipping shear zones up to 30 metres in width. The veins vary from several centimetres to several metres in width and gold grades vary from 1.0 to +100 g/t. Satori believes the mineral resources of the project are currently limited by drill coverage. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Boyle, B.A., LL.B. President and Chief Executive Officer Satori Resources Inc. (416) 904-2714 jennifer@capexgroupinc.com Mr. Pete Shippen Chair, Satori Resources Inc. (416) 930-7711 pjs@extramedium.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. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release of Satori contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Satori'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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138081 LONDON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA), the voice of the UK electrical industry, with partners Content With Purpose, have launched Leading the Charge, a new digital series exploring the sector's pivotal role in realising the UK's energy security and net zero ambitions. The series of films, podcasts and articles highlights some of the most important stories from across the sector, exploring the challenges of delivering secure, low-carbon energy infrastructure within the toughest economic climate in recent memory. The series features leaders and experts from Innovate UK, the Universities of Leeds and Bath, the Green Jobs Delivery Group, Electrical Safety First, and more. Steve Bratt, ECA Group Chief Executive, said: "The effects of the climate crisis and energy insecurity are being felt across all parts of society. The electrical industry is arguably the best-placed to install the EV chargers, connect the renewable energy sources, upgrade the grid and deliver the technology that will make a low-carbon, fossil-fuel-free society not only possible, but a far more viable alternative to today's status quo. "We hope this new series, gathering our industry's brightest minds and most influential players, will help viewers to realise the magnitude of the impact the electrical sector can have on the future of the planet if we level-up and seize the opportunities ahead." Max Smith, Managing Director, CWP, said: "We have the right expertise, ambition and technologies across the industry to deliver on net zero, but we're going to need more people with the right skills, more collaboration and more urgency if we're going to deliver on time. "Communication will be key, and we hope Leading the Charge will make a positive and impactful contribution to this shared challenge we all face." From 22ndSeptember 2022, 'Leading the Charge' films and other material can be found at leadingthecharge.eca.co.uk , with new content published on social media each week, until Christmas. Further Information About ECA ECA is the UK's largest trade association representing electrical, electrotechnical and other engineering contractors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at regional, national and European level. ECA member-companies are rigorously assessed before membership is approved. About CWP CWP is a strategic content creator that works in partnership with leading member bodies and associations; engaging professionals on their industries' contribution to solving the climate and ecological crisis. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-series-shows-electrical-sector-in-vanguard-of-energy-revolution-301631278.html Renewal of certification for 3 years Full in-house production Qualification of 3D additive printing and start of production of first projects Eragny-sur-Oise, Fleurieux sur l'Arbresle, France, September 22th, 2022 5:45pm CET -Safe Medical , a subsidiary of Safe Group (FR0013467123 - ALSAF), a company specializing in the design, manufacturing and marketing of single-use technologies for spinal surgeries, delivering the safest treatment for spinal fractures urgently treated, announces the renewal of its iso 13485 certification for its industrial production site in Fleurieux sur l'Arbresle. Safe medical, a subsidiary that manufactures medical devices for Safe Orthopaedics and for third parties, has had its ISO 13485 certification relating to quality management standards to produce medical devices renewed for the next three years. In addition, one year after the commissioning of the site's clean rooms, the Safe Group has announced the total internalization of the manufacture and packaging of its ready-to-use surgical kits. Finally, the qualification of 3D metal additive printing, financed by the stimulus plan in 2021, means that the first projects for new-generation medical devices can now be put into production, providing shapes and structures that facilitate bone regrowth, particularly in the case of interbody cages. "Since the summer of 2020, our Safe Group has been engaged in a production integration process. Manufacturing and innovation in ready-to-use technologies require specific industrial resources and skills that Safe Medical has implemented and qualified over the past two years. We are very proud to announce the renewal of our ISO 13485 certification as well as the expansion of our industrial capabilities with the qualification of additive printing," commented Pierre Dumouchel, Chairman and CEO of the Safe Group. "We are now producing all of our Safe Orthopaedics technologies in-house, halving our manufacturing lead times and improving our gross margin and associated working capital. These new facilities also enable us to offer other Safe Medical customers a very wide range of industrial processes, facilitating the qualification of processes that are increasingly constrained by new European regulatory requirements, as well as savings compared with a multi-supplier supply chain. Our double-digit growth confirms this group strategy ". About Safe Group Safe Group is a French medical technology group that brings together Safe Orthopaedics, a pioneer in ready-to-use technologies for spine pathologies, and Safe Medical (formerly LCI Medical), a medical device subcontractor for orthopaedic surgery. The group employs approximately 150 people. Safe Orthopaedics develops and manufactures kits combining sterile implants and single-use instruments, available at any time to the surgeon. These technologies are part of a minimally invasive approach aimed at reducing the risks of contamination and infection, in the interest of the patient and with a positive impact on hospitalization times and costs. Protected by 18 patent families, SteriSpineTM kits are CE marked and FDA approved. Safe Orthopaedics is headquartered in the Paris region (95610 Eragny-sur-Oise) and has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States and the Lyon region (Fleurieux-sur-l'Arbresle). For more information: www.safeorthopaedics.com Safe Medical produces implantable medical devices and ready-to-use instruments. It has an innovation center and two production sites in France (Fleurieux-sur-l'Arbresle, 69210) and in Tunisia, offering numerous industrial services: design, industrialization, machining, finishing and sterile packaging. Supported by the French stimulus plan in 2020, the company invests in additive printing and will be operational in 2022 on this new technology. For more information: www.safemedical.fr Contacts Safe Group Francois-Henri Reynaud Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Tel.: +33 Attachment Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - Golden Share Resources Corporation (TSXV: GSH) (the "Company" or "Golden Share") sadly announces that former CEO Nick Zeng has passed away after a short battle with cancer. The Company extends its sincerest condolences to his family and friends. Nick was a passionate leader who was CEO and Chairman of the Golden Share Board since 2015. His dedication and commitment to the Company and all stakeholders was exemplary. Until very recently Nick was actively pursuing an exciting new phase of exploration for a portfolio of drill ready targets. Director and Interim CEO Wes Roberts stated that: "Nick had good character, a great sense of humor, and positive energy which spread throughout the team making working with him fun. He will be sorely missed by us all." About Golden Share Golden Share is a natural resource company exploring in Ontario, Canada. Golden Share holds drill ready targets at the Ogoki Project (diamonds/REE), and the Kagiami Project for copper and nickel. A carefully planned drilling program, which could lead to exciting discoveries, offers the best potential rewards for exploration expenditures at this time. 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. For more information, please visit www.goldenshare.ca or contact: Golden Share Resources Corporation Fleming Huang, President E-mail: info@goldenshare.ca To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138091 The "Belgium Vehicle To Grid Market By Charging Type, By Component Systems, Others, By Vehicle Type, Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle, By Application, By Region, Competition, Forecast Opportunities, 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Belgium vehicle to grid market is projected to grow at a formidable rate during the forecast period, 2023-2027 The market growth can be attributed to the high penetration of smart power generation systems across various end-user sectors. Besides, rising demand for electric vehicles and rapid technological advancements are contributing to the market growth. Despite low demand for EVs in Belgium compared to other nations such as the Netherlands and Germany, rising awareness among consumers and persistent efforts by EV manufacturers to promote the adoption of EVs are expected to further support the growth of the Belgium vehicle to grid market in the future. Technology known as "vehicle to grid" allows electric vehicles to send any unused electricity to the grid. Future plans to use car to grid technology to power homes as well as the use of electric vehicles to store energy and use that energy to power other systems such as mobile phones, laptops, and similar gadgets are potential applications of the system. The technology allows for energy provision during peak times. When the renewable energy sources that depend on the weather are unable to meet the demand for electricity, this system has the ability to produce an additional source of power. High investments by market players to increase the sales of electric passenger car and commercial vehicles and expanding the electric vehicle charging infrastructure are also fueling the growth of the Belgium vehicle to grid market. Enhanced support by government authorities and more foreign direct investments are likely to positively impact the Belgium vehicle to grid market growth. The development of the market would also be aided by coordination between electric car manufacturers and those that operate charging stations and points. In the next five years, the expansion of the Belgium vehicle to grid market will be facilitated by increasing potential customers' awareness of the financial ramifications, the existing and planned charging infrastructure, the various types of charge points, and the offered driving range. The bidirectional charging segment is expected to register the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period, owing to their rising adoption for recharging the vehicle battery and utilize the stored energy during peak hours. Major players operating in the Belgium vehicle to grid market are Elia Group, Jedlix BV, FUERGY Industries j.s.a., NUVVE Corp., ABB Group., YUSO BV, among others. Objective of the Study: To analyze the historical growth in the market size of the Belgium vehicle to grid market from 2017 to 2021. To estimate and forecast the market size of Belgium vehicle to grid market from 2022 to 2027, and growth rate until 2027. To classify and forecast the Belgium vehicle to grid market based on charging type, component, vehicle type, application, region, and company. To identify the dominant region or segment in the Belgium vehicle to grid market. To identify drivers and challenges for the Belgium vehicle to grid market. To examine competitive developments such as expansions, new product launches, mergers acquisitions, etc., in the Belgium vehicle to grid market. To identify and analyze the profiles of leading players operating in the Belgium vehicle to grid market. To identify key sustainable strategies adopted by market players in Belgium vehicle to grid market. Competitive Landscape Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in Belgium vehicle to grid market. Elia Group Jedlix BV FUERGY Industries j.s.a. NUVVE Corp. ABB Group. YUSO BV Report Scope: Years considered for this report: Historical Years: 2017-2020 Base Year: 2021 Estimated Year: 2022 Forecast Period: 2023-2027 Belgium Vehicle To Grid Market, By Charging Type: Unidirectional Charging Bidirectional Charging Belgium Vehicle To Grid Market, By Component: EVSE Smart Meters Home Energy Management (HEM) Systems Others Belgium Vehicle To Grid Market, By Vehicle Type: Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Belgium Vehicle To Grid Market, By Application: Peak Power Sales Spinning Reserves Base Load Power and Others Belgium Vehicle To Grid Market, By Region: Flemish Wallonia Brussels For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/f1a5be View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005758/en/ Contacts: 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 22 September 2022 Rightmove plc Share buy-back programme Rightmove plc - Transaction in own shares Rightmove plc ('Rightmove') announces that today it purchased 213,000 of its 0.1p ordinary shares at a volume weighted average price paid per share of 603.958p. The highest price paid per share was 607.200p and the lowest price paid per share was 596.200p. Rightmove purchased these shares through Numis Securities Limited. The number of shares purchased represented 0.0256% of the voting rights attributable to the total ordinary shares in issue prior to such purchase. The purchased shares will be cancelled. Since announcing a share buy-back programme on 28 December 2007, Rightmove has purchased in aggregate 474,764,303 ordinary shares. The total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding treasury shares) following this announcement is 831,914,725. Rightmove holds 12,375,052 shares in treasury. In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as amended by The Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the "UK MAR"), the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the buyback programme. Contact: Michelle Palmer, Deputy Secretary CompanySecretary@rightmove.co.uk Schedule of Purchases - Individual Transactions Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares For immediate release 22 September 2022 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announces that it has today purchased 45,869 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 815.79 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 8,328,311; 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 216,662,992. The figure of 216,662,992 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 Jordan, Sept 22, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - On 15 - 16 August 2022, an in-person event featuring a richness of debates about future technology and cyber security was held in Jordan. The event's organiser, Trescon and its Strategic Partner JOCSA (Jordan Cyber Security Association) hosted more than 500 C-level attendees, including key stakeholders in the cyber security ecosystem, such as government officials, top experts in the field, solution providers, startups, media, among others. A picture of the panel discussion from the World Cyber Security Summit - Jordan that was streamed live on August 15-16, 2022 Leading players in Cyber security space like Green Circle, Agualetica, BeeezCrowd, Alpha Hub, Mandiant, CloudSEK, ManageEngine, and Wizard Cyber gathered at the event to examine the prospects for Cyber Security in Jordan. The event featured a ground-breaking alliance between specialists like: Scott E. Augenbaum - Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent; Author; Cybercrime Prevention Trainer, Scott Augenbaum LLC - Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent; Author; Cybercrime Prevention Trainer, Scott Augenbaum LLC Glen Thomas - Partner - Head of Technology and Cyber Consulting, Grant Thornton, United Arab Emirates - Partner - Head of Technology and Cyber Consulting, Grant Thornton, United Arab Emirates Dr. Haidar Fraihat - Cluster Leader - Statistics, Information Society, and Technology, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Lebanon - Cluster Leader - Statistics, Information Society, and Technology, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Lebanon Jacob Mathew - Head of Information Technology, Government of Abu Dhabi Entity, United Arab Emirates - Head of Information Technology, Government of Abu Dhabi Entity, United Arab Emirates Nicole Lau - Sales Director, Verimatrix, Oslo, Norway - Sales Director, Verimatrix, Oslo, Norway Ricoh Danielson - CEO, 1st Responder, an Incident Response Firm, United States - CEO, 1st Responder, an Incident Response Firm, United States Eng. Abdullah Faisal Biary - CISO, United Cooperative Assurance, Saudi Arabia - CISO, United Cooperative Assurance, Saudi Arabia Taha Hussain - Information Security Specialist, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority - DEWA, United Arab Emirates - Information Security Specialist, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority - DEWA, United Arab Emirates Dr. Hossam Elshenraki - Associate Professor, Dubai Police HQ, United Arab Emirates - Associate Professor, Dubai Police HQ, United Arab Emirates Eng. Mona Alshehri - Risk and Compliance Analyst, Saudi Air Navigation Services, Saudi Arabia - Risk and Compliance Analyst, Saudi Air Navigation Services, Saudi Arabia Dr Ahmed Abd El Hady Mohamed - Director of Quality in General Administration for Quality and Environmental Affairs, Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW), Egypt - Director of Quality in General Administration for Quality and Environmental Affairs, Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW), Egypt H.E. Belal Hafnawi - Commissioner - Board Member,Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC-Jordan), Jordan - Commissioner - Board Member,Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC-Jordan), Jordan Nada Khater - Head of Digital Transformation Policies and Strategies, Ministry of Digital Economy & Entrepreneurship, Jordan - Head of Digital Transformation Policies and Strategies, Ministry of Digital Economy & Entrepreneurship, Jordan Eng. Lama Arabiat - Head of AI, Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Jordan - Head of AI, Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Jordan Dr. Ashraf Ahmad - Dean - Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), Open Source Intelligence in Arabic Challenges and Solutions, Jordan & many more elite speakers to name a few. The show kicked off with an opening keynote by Nidal Al-Bitar, CEO, Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (Intaj), where he shared his insights on the topic 'Employment in the Cyber Security' by quoting, "As companies mature on their digital transformation journeys, cybersecurity remains the biggest concern: 69 per cent of US executives believe cyber security is the biggest AI-related risk." Abdulrahman Al-Nimari, VP, Cyber Security from Saudi Arabia spoke at length on 'Zero Trusting Your Enterprise. He was quoted saying, "You believe that if this gadget is making a call to an external network, it is making a positive call because we believe in that device. However, the call is essentially a command-and-control request to the internet to obtain the ransomware's symmetric key. Therefore, by authorising that outbound connection, you are personally enabling the attack." While speaking about 'Building a Resilient Cybersecurity Organization', George Eapen, Group CIO, Petrofac mentioned that, "For the right security outcome, CISO must build an ecosystem consisting of complementary solutions/partners/team." The event also witnessed a panel discussion on the topic 'Leveraging AI in Threat Intelligence to Enable Protection from Advanced Threats' that was moderated by Dr. Hossam Elshenraki "It comes down to the fact that cybersecurity is a shared duty and that the more systems we secure, the safer we are all. We're happy to have hosted World Cyber Security Summit in Jordan, and loved the support we received from the tech fraternity in Jordan with the help of international delegates, sponsors, thought leaders, and media among others," says Mohammed Saleem, Founding Chairman, Trescon. The 17th global edition of World Cyber Security Summit - Jordan is supported by Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Jordan and officially sponsored by: Platinum Sponsor - Green Circle | Agualetica Green Circle Agualetica Fintech Sponsor - BeeezCrowd BeeezCrowd Gold Sponsor - Alpha Hub | Mandiant Alpha Hub Mandiant Silver Sponsor - CloudSEK CloudSEK Bronze Sponsor - Wizard Cyber | IRIS Technology | Manage Engine | Verimatrix Wizard Cyber IRIS Technology Manage Engine Verimatrix Academic Sponsor - C-PATH | Princess Sumaya University for Technology | Daience University | Jordan University of Science & Technology | Jordan University of Science & Technology C-PATH Princess Sumaya University for Technology Daience University Jordan University of Science & Technology Jordan University of Science & Technology Strategic Partner - Jordan Cyber Security Awareness Association (JOCSA) Jordan Cyber Security Awareness Association (JOCSA) Community Partners - Intaj (Information & Communications Technology Association - Jordan) | ISACA | SOFEX JORDAN | JODDB | ABJ | JIF | Crown Prince Foundation | Talal Abu-Gazaleh Global | Jordan Insurance Federation | Amman Chamber Of Industry | AIBrza Intaj ISACA SOFEX JORDAN JODDB ABJ JIF Crown Prince Foundation Talal Abu-Gazaleh Global Jordan Insurance Federation Amman Chamber Of Industry AIBrza Robotics Partner - QUILL QUILL Digital and Production Partner - Q Tech Networks Q Tech Networks Transportation Partner - Careem World Cyber Security Summit - Jordan was Officially Supported by the following Media Partners: Official Media Partner: Almamlaka tv Official Newspaper Partner: The Jordan Times Media Partners: ACN Newswire U today Who's Who in Jordan's Banking, Insurance & Financial Services SECURITY Middle East Magazine Cyber Magazine TheNewsCrypto Micky News Wire19 Coinpedia - Crypto & Fintech News Media Industry Events Techly StartupNews.fyi News Affinity siliconindia MYTECHMAG World business outlook Crypto Academy BizClik Media Group Coinstelegram IBS Intelligence the market periodical Thecoinrepublic Coin News Extra DxTalks My security market place CDO Magazine PSU Connect Media Pvt Ltd About World Cyber Security Summit World Cyber Security Summit is a thought-leadership-driven, business-focused initiative that provides a platform for CISOs who are looking to explore new-age threats and the technologies/strategies to mitigate them. The Summit fuses CISOs across industry sectors from Jordan who meet, network, learn and engage with some of the world's renowned technology thought-leaders, subject matter experts, and technology innovators in a constructive, open-dialogue environment to find solutions for issues hindering their information/cyber security. About Trescon Trescon is a global business events and consulting firm that provide a wide range of business services to a diversified client base that includes corporations, governments, and individuals. Trescon is specialized in producing highly focused B2B events that connect businesses with opportunities through conferences, roadshows, expos, demand generation, investor connect, and consulting services. For further details, please contact: Nupur Aswani Head - PR, Media & Corporate Communications, Trescon +919555915156 | media@tresconglobal.com Source: tresconCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Corporate Alexis Vandier appointed new Chief Executive Officer to guide the Company through its next phase of growth Strategy focused on leveraging both the Company's clinical portfolio of first-in-class assets in immuno-oncology and immuno-inflammation along with its two unique pioneering pre-clinical platforms Newly formed international Scientific Advisory Board Pipeline Tedopi (T-cell specific immunotherapy) New clinical advances and analyses presented at ASCO and ESMO 2022 10 million milestone payment received from Boehringer Ingelheim for the initiation of the Phase 1 clinical expansion trial of BI 765063, SIRPa antagonist monoclonal antibody, in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and head and neck cancer patients 5 million milestone payment received from Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for CD28 antagonist VEL-101/FR104 following acceptance of the US Investigational New Drug (IND) Application Financials 16 million turnover and 31 million available cash as of June 30, 2022, providing financial visibility until Q3 2023 Conference call with live webcast on September 23rd at 2:00 p.m. CET 8:00 a.m. ET. Regulatory News: OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (ISIN: FR0012127173; Mnemo: OSE) (Paris:OSE), an integrated biotech company focused on developing first-in-class assets targeting cancer and inflammatory diseases, today provides updates on key milestones achieved during H1 2022 and reports its consolidated half-year financial results as of June 30, 2022. Alexis Vandier, Chief Executive Officer of OSE Immunotherapeutics, comments: "It is a great honor to have joined OSE Immunotherapeutics as Chief Executive Officer. OSE is at the forefront of the science needed to develop first-in-class assets to break the efficacy ceiling of immunotherapeutics targeting immuno-oncology (IO) and immuno-inflammation (I&I) indications. In the first half of 2022, we have continued to make important progress, including with our most advanced product Tedopi, which had demonstrated positive results in a Phase 3 trial in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients in secondary resistance after checkpoint inhibitor failure. We intend to further leverage this lead asset Tedopi in NSCLC and in other cancer indications explored in partnership with clinical oncology groups, both as a monotherapy and in combination. We continue to focus our research efforts on developing next-generation first-in-class therapies from our unique proprietary drug discovery platforms to generate significant value: the BiCKI platform focused on immuno-oncology, and its most advanced BiCKI candidate targeting anti-PD1xIL-7; and the Myeloid platform, focused on optimizing the therapeutic potential of myeloid cells in IO and I&I where our most advanced preclinical product, OSE-230, has the potential to resolve chronic inflammation. We have also seen important progress in the first half of 2022 with our partnered products. This has resulted in OSE Immunotherapeutics receiving a 10 million milestone payment from Boehringer Ingelheim for the initiation of the Phase 1 clinical expansion trial of BI 765063 in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and head and neck cancer patients and a further 5 million milestone payment from Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for FR104, a CD28 antagonist, following US Investigational New Drug (IND) acceptance for kidney transplant immunosuppression. I am very confident that the globally advanced clinical pipeline that we have today addressing high medical unmet needs, as well as our pioneering platforms, will allow us to deliver on our ambitious goals, and ultimately to improve the lives of patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) AND SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD (SAB) Appointment of Alexis Vandier as CEO Alexis Vandier was appointed CEO of OSE Immunotherapeutics, effective July 13, 2022. Mr. Vandier brings more than 20 years of experience with extensive international management and leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He joins OSE Immunotherapeutics from Ipsen, where he latest served as Vice-President Global Asset Lead, heading their efforts to build a leading oncology platform. As CEO, Mr. Vandier will lead OSE's corporate, business and development strategy focused on maximizing the value potential of the Company's lead clinical assets, including its ongoing partnered clinical programs and its two proprietary drug discovery platforms BiCKI and Myeloid. A newly formed SAB combining the expertise of renowned scientific and international key-opinion leaders in the fields of immunology, immuno-oncology, inflammation and immunotherapy The SAB, appointed in June 2022, will work with the Company's leadership team and advise its Board of Directors on its scientific, medical, translational and developmental strategy. The SAB includes Pr. Wolf-Herve Fridman (Universite de Paris), Dr. Sophie Brouard (CRTI, Nantes), Dr. Bernard Malissen (CIML, Marseille), Pr. Miriam Merad (Mount Sinai, New-York), Pr. Charles Serhan (Harvard, Boston) and Dr. Jennifer Wargo (MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston). STRATEGY UPDATE The Company pursues the ambition "to become a fast-growing biotech company combining a clinical portfolio of first-in-class assets in immuno-oncology and immuno-inflammation with a unique pioneering, highly productive pre-clinical platform engine." OSE Immunotherapeutics is in a unique position to achieve this ambitious goal based on its: Ability to master complex biology, particularly with regards to T-cells and myeloid cells and their ability to improve the treatment of IO and I&I indications, Strong clinical development expertise and Well-balanced clinical portfolio of wholly owned and partnered assets. The Company is continuing to focus significant resources on Tedopi, its most advanced asset and is working diligently to ensure it can start an additional Phase 3 study, in NSCLC patients with secondary resistance after failure with a first line immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. The Company is further preparing a submission for early access to make this treatment available for patients with a high unmet medical need as soon as possible. Beyond use in monotherapy, Tedopi is being developed in combination in several phase 2 trials led by clinical oncology groups. OSE Immunotherapeutics will also continue to support its partners, Boehringer Ingelheim, Servier and Veloxis, to ensure their assets can progress into late-stage clinical trials. In parallel, OSE Immunotherapeutics expects to be able to generate further significant value from its two proprietary drug discovery platforms: BiCKI platform focused on immuno-oncology (IO) is a bispecific fusion protein platform relying on the proprietary anti-PD1 backbone (OSE-279) to increase anti-tumor efficacy. The most advanced BiCKI candidate is targeting anti-PD1xIL-7. focused on immuno-oncology (IO) is a bispecific fusion protein platform relying on the proprietary anti-PD1 backbone (OSE-279) to increase anti-tumor efficacy. The most advanced BiCKI candidate is targeting anti-PD1xIL-7. Myeloid platform, which is focused on optimizing the therapeutic potential of myeloid cells in IO and immuno-inflammation (I&I). OSE-230 (ChemR23 agonist mAb) is the most advanced candidate generated by the platform, with the potential to resolve chronic inflammation by driving affected tissues to tissue integrity. MAJOR CLINICAL PROGRESS IN IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY AND IMMUNO-INFLAMMATION TEDOPI, a T-cell specific immunotherapy: Positive clinical results and analyses shared at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) annual meetings ASCO (June 2022) In advanced HLA-A2+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients after failure to immune checkpoint inhibitors, final data of Phase 3 Atalante-1 randomized trial were presented by Prof. Benjamin Besse (Gustave Roussy Institute, Villejuif, France). This presentation featured final positive Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) significantly better with Tedopi than with chemotherapy in the primary analysis for the population of interest (n=118 patients), defined as NSCLC patients in secondary resistance after checkpoint inhibitor failure. These PROs results and secondary endpoints were also confirmed as significant in the global population as sensitivity analysis (n=219 patients). In advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a randomized non-comparative Phase II study of maintenance with Tedopi, in monotherapy or in combination with nivolumab, or FOLFIRI after induction with FOLFIRINOX was presented by Dr. Anthony Turpin (Lille University Hospital, Lille, France). This presentation featured the first interim results from this Phase 2 clinical trial of Tedopi in advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. The primary endpoint of the trial is the one-year survival rate (Fleming- futility analysis; null hypothesis <25%), and the key secondary endpoint was the Time to maintenance Strategy Failure (TSF= time maintenance FOLFIRI reintroduction). The GERCOR oncology clinician group and the PRODIGE Intergroup, are sponsors of this study named TEDOPaM. ESMO (September 2022) A first analysis compared Tedopi to the Standard of Care (SoC) in patients with advanced NSCLC after secondary resistance to sequential use of chemotherapy followed by immunotherapy (CT-IO). The results have shown that in advanced HLA-A2+ NSCLC patients with IO secondary resistance after sequential CT-IO (n=118), overall survival (OS) was longer with Tedopi versus SoC regardless of the use (or not) of post progression anticancer treatment (with 13.5 months versus 10.6, HR=0.71; without 6.3 months versus 4.5, HR=0.76). A second analysis assessed the overall benefit/risk of Tedopi versus SoC chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC who failed therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The Net Treatment Benefit (NTB), a new statistical method combining efficacy, safety and quality of life, was assessed in the overall population (n=219). NTB of Tedopi was of 19% and reached statistical significance (p=0.035). BI 765063, a myeloid checkpoint inhibitor being developed in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim In May 2022, the initiation of the Phase 1 clinical expansion trial with BI 765063 sponsored and conducted by Boehringer Ingelheim triggered a 10 million milestone payment from Boehringer Ingelheim to OSE Immunotherapeutics. The trial is being conducted in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and head and neck cancer patients in combination, in particular with anti-PD-1 antibody ezabenlimab. VEL-101/FR104, a monoclonal antibody antagonist of CD28 developed in partnership with Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in transplantation In January 2022, Veloxis obtained acceptance of the IND from the Food Drug Administration (FDA) for a clinical trial with VEL-101/FR104 sponsored and conducted by Veloxis in the US. Based on the global license agreement signed in April 2021, this first milestone triggered a 5 million payment from Veloxis to OSE Immunotherapeutics. In February 2022, Veloxis obtained Fast Track Designation from the FDA for VEL-101/FR104 being developed for prophylaxis of renal allograft rejection in recipients of kidney transplants. In May 2022, dosing of the first participant in the Phase 1 occurred. CoVepiT, a prophylactic vaccine candidate against COVID-19: Positive long-term immune T cell memory responses In March 2022, positive long term immunological results at 6 months induced by CoVepiT in healthy volunteers with strong T cell memory responses against virus proteins were announced. In parallel, the resolution of local indurations related to T cell mechanism of action and the good safety profile were confirmed. However, new treatments like monoclonal antibodies or anti-viral treatments and new vaccines covering emerging variants are already available for targeted immunocompromised patients. Given these new therapeutic alternatives and multiple boosters recommended for these patients, additional clinical development of CoVepiT is made difficult. The Company's strategy is now to select the most relevant peptides allowing for an easier industrial scale-up to be ready at the request of Health Authorities for any new pandemic crisis with a novel variant. R&D PROGRAMS IN IMMUNOTHERAPY BiCKI-IL-7, a novel bispecific therapy combining anti-PD-1 and the cytokine IL-7 Presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in April 2022: Update on the advancements made with BiCKI-IL-7 in an oral session dedicated to an overview of the novel trends in cytokine immunotherapy. This presentation highlighted the differentiation of the novel bispecific therapy combining anti-PD1 and IL-7 cytokine and positioned it as a high potential asset for cancer patients suffering from immune escape following checkpoint inhibitor treatments. New myeloid checkpoint target CLEC-1* (a C type lectin receptor) and first monoclonal antibody antagonists of CLEC-1 blocking the "Don't Eat Me" signal Presentations at the Immuno-Oncology Summit Europe in May 2022 and Tumor Myeloid-Directed Therapies Summit in June 2022: CLEC-1, a novel checkpoint to regulate the antigen cross-presentation properties of dendritic cells. The identification and validation of novel immune checkpoint targets and development of their antagonists as an innovation in cancer immunotherapy to enhance myeloid cells and promote antigen presentation to bridge the innate and adaptative immune system. How the SIRPa-CD47 axis stimulates macrophages to recruit the adaptive immune arm via chemoattraction, and inhibition of this pathway may avoid T cell exclusion in synergy with T cell immune checkpoint and clinical translation. *Collaborative program between OSE Immunotherapeutics and Dr Elise Chiffoleau's (https://cr2ti.univ-nantes.fr/research/team-1) research teams (Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology (CR2TI), UMR1064, INSERM, Nantes University at Nantes University Hospital). A strong intellectual property (IP) with a broad scope to strengthen candidates' position in our portfolio Three new patents granted: in January 2022, a Japanese patent for use of Tedopi after failure with PD-1 or PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment in HLA-A2 positive cancer patients, until 2037; in March 2022, a US patent for OSE-279 and its use in cancer treatment, until 2039; in May 2022, a European patent covering CLEC-1, novel myeloid immune checkpoint target for cancer immunotherapy, until 2037. H1 2022 RESULTS The key figures of the 2022 consolidated half-year results are reported below: In k June 30, 2022 June 30, 2021 Operating result (3,425) (11,580) Net result (1,979) (11,488) In k June 30, 2022 December 31, 2021 Available cash 31,193 33,579 Consolidated balance sheet 102,266 101,876 As of June 30, 2022, available cash amounted to 31 million, giving a financial visibility until Q3 2023. During the first half of 2022, OSE Immunotherapeutics secured: 10 million milestone payment as part of the global collaboration and license agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim for BI 765063, a SIRPa inhibitor on the SIRPa/ CD47 myeloid pathway. 5 million milestone payment as part of the license agreement with Veloxis Pharmaceuticals Inc. for VEL-101/FR104, anti-CD28, in transplant indications. This available cash will enable the Company to finance its clinical development and R&D costs for earlier stage products. The turnover amounted to 16 million due to the milestones achieved with Boehringer Ingelheim for BI 765063 and with Veloxis for VEL-101/FR104. During the first half of 2022, the Company recorded a consolidated net result of -2 million. Current operating expenses were 19.4 million (versus 20.6 million for the same period in 2021) of which 78% are related to R&D. Without the R&D tax credit product, operating expenses are quite stable compared to H1 2021. The Board of Directors of September 22, 2022, has approved the Company's semester accounts as of June 30, 2022. The full "Half-year financial report" (Regulated information) is available on: https://ose-immuno.com/en/investors/ The limited review procedures on the consolidated accounts have been performed. The report on this limited review is being issued. OSE Immunotherapeutics will hold a conference call on September 23 at 2:00 p.m. CET 8:00 a.m. ET for analysts to give an update on business progress during the first half of 2022. The live webcast will be available at the following link: https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/oseimmunotherapeutics-en/20220923_1/ A replay of the webcast following the event will be available on the Company's website: https://ose-immuno.com/en/ ABOUT OSE Immunotherapeutics OSE Immunotherapeutics is an integrated biotech company focused on developing first-in-class assets targeting cancer and inflammatory diseases. The Company's current well-balanced first-in-class clinical pipeline includes: Tedopi (T-cell specific immunotherapy, off-the-shelf neoepitope-based): the Company's most advanced product; positive results for Phase 3 trial (Atalante 1) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer patients in secondary resistance after checkpoint inhibitor failure. Other sponsored combination Phase 2 trials in solid tumors are ongoing. (T-cell specific immunotherapy, off-the-shelf neoepitope-based): the Company's most advanced product; positive results for Phase 3 trial (Atalante 1) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer patients in secondary resistance after checkpoint inhibitor failure. Other sponsored combination Phase 2 trials in solid tumors are ongoing. OSE-279 (anti-PD1 advanced preclinical stage). OSE-127 / S95011 (humanized monoclonal antibody antagonist of IL-7 receptor) developed in partnership with Servier; ongoing Phase 2 in ulcerative colitis (sponsor OSE Immunotherapeutics) and ongoing Phase 2a in Sjogren's syndrome (sponsor Servier). / (humanized monoclonal antibody antagonist of IL-7 receptor) developed in partnership with Servier; ongoing Phase 2 in ulcerative colitis (sponsor OSE Immunotherapeutics) and ongoing Phase 2a in Sjogren's syndrome (sponsor Servier). VEL-101/FR104 (anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody) developed in partnership with Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in transplantation; ongoing Phase 1/2 in renal transplant (sponsor Nantes University Hospital); Phase 1 ongoing in the US (sponsor Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.). BI 765063 (anti-SIRPa mAb on CD47/SIRPa pathway) developed in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim in advanced solid tumors; positive Phase 1 dose escalation results of BI 765063 in monotherapy and in combination, in particular with anti-PD-1 antibody ezabenlimab; BI sponsored international Phase 1b clinical trial ongoing in combination with ezabenlimab alone or with other drugs in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). OSE Immunotherapeutics expects to generate further significant value from its two proprietary drug discovery platforms, which are central to its ambitious goal to deliver next-generation first-in-class immunotherapeutics: BiCKI platform focused on immuno-oncology (IO) is a bispecific fusion protein platform built on the key backbone component of anti-PD1 combined with a new immunotherapy target to increase anti-tumor efficacy. The most advanced BiCKI candidate is targeting anti-PD1xIL-7. focused on immuno-oncology (IO) is a bispecific fusion protein platform built on the key backbone component of anti-PD1 combined with a new immunotherapy target to increase anti-tumor efficacy. The most advanced BiCKI candidate is targeting anti-PD1xIL-7. Myeloid platform, which is focused on optimizing the therapeutic potential of myeloid cells in IO and immuno-inflammation (I&I). OSE-230 (ChemR23 agonist mAb) is the most advanced candidate generated by the platform, with the potential to resolve chronic inflammation by driving affected tissues to tissue integrity. Additional information about OSE Immunotherapeutics assets is available on the Company's website: www.ose-immuno.com Click and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn Forward-looking statements This press release contains express or implied information and statements that might be deemed forward-looking information and statements in respect of OSE Immunotherapeutics. They do not constitute historical facts. These information and statements include financial projections that are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by OSE Immunotherapeutics' management in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements include statements typically using conditional and containing verbs such as "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "target", "plan", or "estimate", their declensions and conjugations and words of similar import. Although the OSE Immunotherapeutics management believes that the forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, the OSE Immunotherapeutics' shareholders and other investors are cautioned that the completion of such expectations is by nature subject to various risks, known or not, and uncertainties which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of OSE Immunotherapeutics. These risks could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. These risks include those discussed or identified in the public filings made by OSE Immunotherapeutics with the AMF. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. This press release includes only summary information and should be read with the OSE Immunotherapeutics Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on 15 April 2022, including the annual financial report for the fiscal year 2021, available on the OSE Immunotherapeutics' website. Other than as required by applicable law, OSE Immunotherapeutics issues this press release at the date hereof and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information or statements. CONSOLIDATED PROFIT LOSS In K H1 2022 H1 2021 Turnover 16,047 8,975 OPERATING INCOME RECURRING 16,047 8,975 Research Development expenses (14,395) (14,419) Overhead expenses (3,813) (3,413) Expenses related to share-based payments (1,182) (2,724) OPERATING PROFIT/LOSS RECURRING (3,341) (11,580) Other operating income and expenses (84) 0 OPERATING RESULT (3,425) (11,580) Financial income 2,023 9 Financial expenses (708) (190) PROFIT/LOSS BEFORE TAX (2,110) (11,761) INCOME TAX 132 273 CONSOLIDATED NET RESULT (1,979) (11,488) Of which consolidated net result attributable to shareholders (1,979) (11,488) Net earnings attributable to shareholders Weighted average number of shares outstanding 18,527,401 18,006,502 The basic and diluted result per common share (/share) (0,11) (0,64) Diluted result per share (0,11) (0,64) In K H1 2022 H1 2021 NET RESULT (1,979) (11,488) Amounts to be recycled in the income statement: Unrealized gains on securities available for sale, net of tax Currency conversion difference 46 19 Amounts not to be recycled in the income statement: Actuarial gains and losses on post-employment benefits 34 17 Other comprehensive income in the period (13) 36 GLOBAL PROFIT/LOSS (1,992) (11,452) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET ASSETS in K June 30, 2022 December 31, 2021 NON-CURRENT ASSETS Intangible assets 49,957 51,122 Other intangible assets 860 0 Tangible assets Rights of use 4,609 926 4,513 Financial assets 731 936 Deferred tax assets 180 173 TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 56,337 57,670 CURRENT ASSETS Trade receivables 406 772 Other current assets 14,329 9,854 Cash and cash equivalents 31,193 33,579 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 45,928 44,206 TOTAL ASSETS 102,266 101,876 EQUITY LIABILITIES in K June 30, 2022 December 31, 2021 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Stated capital 3,705 3,705 Share premium 38,778 38,778 Merger premium 26,827 26,827 Treasury stock (447) (160) Reserves and retained earnings (20,086) (4,411) Consolidated result (1,979) (16,850) TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 46 798 47,890 NON-CURRENT DEBTS Non-current financial liabilities Lease non current liabilities 28,098 30,801 Non-current lease liabilities 3,984 3,965 Non-current deferred tax liabilities 1,630 1,748 Non-current provisions 571 710 TOTAL NON-CURRENT DEBTS 34,283 37,224 CURRENT DEBTS Current financial liabilities 2,824 1,611 Current lease liabilities 866 756 Trade payables 13,625 9,607 Corporate income tax liabilities 28 14 Social and tax payables 2,141 3,724 Other debts and accruals 1,700 1,050 TOTAL CURRENT DEBTS 21,184 16,761 TOTAL LIABILITIES 102,266 101,876 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005742/en/ Contacts: OSE Immunotherapeutics Sylvie Detry sylvie.detry@ose-immuno.com +33 153 198 757 Investor Relations Thomas Guillot thomas.guillot@ose-immuno.com +33 607 380 431 French Media: FP2COM Florence Portejoie fportejoie@fp2com.fr +33 607 768 283 International Media: MEDiSTRAVA Consulting Sylvie Berrebi David Dible Eleanor Perkin OSEImmuno@medistrava.com +44 (0) 203 928 6900 EQS-News: Polyus Finance Plc / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Polyus Finance Plc: Update on coupon payments in respect of 2023 Notes 22.09.2022 / 19:15 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO, OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN, ANY JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO RELEASE, PUBLISH OR DISTRIBUTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. Press Release 22 September 2022 PJSC Polyus Update on coupon payments in respect of 2023 Eurobonds PJSC Polyus (LSE, MOEX - PLZL) ("Polyus", or the "Company") notes the announcement made earlier by Polyus Finance plc (the "Issuer"), an indirect wholly-owned finance subsidiary of the Company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, about an update on coupon payments in respect of its outstanding U.S.$800,000,000 5.25% Guaranteed Notes due 2023 issued by the Issuer and guaranteed by PJSC Polyus and JSC Polyus Krasnoyarsk (the "Notes"). Under the terms of the Notes the Issuer was instructed to transfer the funds to the account of i2 Capital Trust Corporation Ltd, acting as a trustee under the Notes (the "Trustee"), as coupon payments for the subsequent transfer of such funds to the clearing systems for onward payment to the holders of the Notes, the rights to which are recorded in foreign depositories. The Issuer acted in the best interest of its bondholders and completed the transfer of funds to the Trustee on time and fulfilled its obligations under the terms of the Notes. The Trustee is seeking written confirmation from the relevant clearing systems that such funds can be transferred to them from the Trustee. The Issuer now expects that the funds would be transferred by the Trustee to the clearing systems for onward payment to the holders of the Notes. As a reminder, JSC Polyus Krasnoyarsk transferred the funds denominated in Russian rubles to National Settlement Depository as coupon payments for the subsequent transfer of such funds to the holders of the Notes, the rights to which are recorded in Russian depositories, on 24 July 2022, in line with the requirements of the Russian regulations presently in force and terms of Notes now in effect. The Issuer confirms its commitment in respect to all outstanding Eurobonds and will continue its efforts to facilitate the coupon payment to its bondholders. The Issuer will provide further updates in case there are developments with facilitating the coupon payments. Polyus Polyus is the world's fourth-largest gold mining company by production volumes and the largest gold miner in terms of attributable gold ore reserves. The Company has the lowest production costs among major global gold producers. Its principal operations are located in Siberia and the Russian Far East: Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk and Magadan regions and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Investor and Media contact Victor Drozdov, Director Communications & Investor Relations (CIR) Department +7 (495) 641 33 77 drozdovvi@polyus.com Forward-looking statements This announcement may contain "forward-looking statements" concerning Polyus and/or Polyus group. Generally, the words "will", "may", "should", "could", "would", "can", "continue", "opportunity", "believes", "expects", "intends", "anticipates", "estimates" or similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to future capital expenditures and business and management strategies and the expansion and growth of Polyus' and/or Polyus group's operations. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond Polyus' and/or Polyus group's ability to control or estimate precisely and therefore undue reliance should not be placed on such statements which speak only as at the date of this announcement. Polyus and/or any Polyus group company assumes no obligation in respect of, and does not intend to update, these forward-looking statements, except as required pursuant to applicable law. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. 22.09.2022 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Chaos theory, developed by Hokkaido University and Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, improves understanding of Arctic narwhal behavior, with the aim of helping efforts to protect this vulnerable species. SAPPORO, Japan, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Joint release by Hokkaido University and Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. Researchers have used the mathematical equations of chaos theory to analyse the data from long-term monitoring of an electronically tagged narwhal. They have extracted previously undetected diurnal patterns within what initially appeared to be irregular diving and surface resting behavior, using records extending across 83 days. "While animal-borne ocean sensors continue to advance and collect more data, there is a lack of adequate methods to analyse records of irregular behavior," says Hokkaido University geophysicist Evgeny A. Podolskiy, first author of the research published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology. Podolskiy developed the procedure to find behavioral patterns in seemingly intractable complexity with Mads Peter Heide-Jrgensen at the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are relatively small whales found in Arctic seas, famous for their long single tusks and called the unicorns of the sea. They are one of the most endangered Arctic species due to climate change, human activity, and predation by such invasive species as killer whales. The narwhals are notable for undertaking dives to extreme depths of more than 1,800 metres. Their life cycle is tightly coupled with sea ice, which is rapidly declining. Podolskiy and Heide-Jrgensen combined their expertises in signal processing and biologging to understand the full diversity of behaviors of a satellite-tagged narwhal. Mathematical techniques developed as part of chaos theory can interpret complicated and seemingly chaotic behavior in dynamic systems to reveal states called 'attractors', which the systems tend to develop towards. In essence, the approach identifies significant patterns that would otherwise be difficult to detect. The analysis of the behavior of the electronically tagged narwhal, inspired by Podolskiy's previous work on turbulence, revealed a daily pattern of activity and how it was affected by changing seasons, features of narwhal behavior that were previously unrecognised. The animal rested nearer to the surface around noon, but when they did dive at that time the dives were very deep. During twilight and at night the dives became more shallow but also more intense, possibly due to hunting for squid, which is known for diurnal vertical migration. It was also found that increased sea ice constrains the narwhal's surface activity, and is correlated with more intense diving. "Our approach is relatively simple to implement and can map and label long term data, identifying differences between the behavior of individual animals and different species, and also detecting perturbations in behavior caused by changing influences," the authors suggest. The researchers expect that their new method may be especially useful for assessing the challenges to narwhals and other Arctic animals posed by climate change and the loss of sea ice. Such information may prove vital in adopting policies to protect endangered species in the face of natural change and increased human activity. Contacts: Associate Professor Evgeny A. Podolskiy Arctic Research Center Hokkaido University Tel: +81-11-706-9626 Email: evgeniy.podolskiy@gmail.com Professor Mads Peter Heide-Jrgensen Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Tel: +299-361200 Email: mhj@ghsdk.dk Sohail Keegan Pinto (International Public Relations Specialist) Public Relations Division Hokkaido University Tel: +81-11-706-2185 Email: en-press@general.hokudai.ac.jp Fernando Ugarte (Head of Department of Birds and Mammals) Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Tel: +299 361242 Email: feug@natur.gl Research paper: Evgeny A. Podolskiy, Mads Peter Heide-Jrgensen. Strange attractor of a narwhal (Monodon monoceros) . PLOS Computational Biology. September 22, 2022. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010432 Funding: This work was supported by the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources; the Danish Cooperation for the Environment in the Arctic (2013_01_0289); the Carlsberg Foundation (CF14-0169); the Hokkaido University Support Program for Frontier Research (Fundamentals of Active Matter across Scales for Novel Materials); and the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II research project (JPMXD142031886) funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT). Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1904429/Attaching_a_satellite.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/clarifying-the-chaos-of-narwhal-behavior-301630132.html Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - ICEsoft Technologies Canada Corp. (CSE: ISFT) (the "Company" or "ICEsoft") is pleased to announce it has closed its secured convertible financing (the "Debt Financing") round raising gross cash proceeds of CAD $650,175. The issued secured convertible promissory notes (the "Notes") shall bear simple interest at a rate of 15% per annum. The term of the Notes is 36 months, and the Notes bear a conversion feature allowing the note holder to convert all or part of the principal balance and accrued interest into common shares in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") at an exchange rate of CAD $0.05 / share. Full conversion of issued Note principal and all accrued interest through the end of term of the note would result in the issuance of 18,855,075 Common Shares. No finder's fees were paid with respect to the completion of the Debt Financing. The proceeds, net of transaction costs, of the Debt Financing are expected to be used for general working capital and to accelerate sales and fund new market expansion efforts. Participating as part of the financing were company directors Derrick Hunter, and Francis Shen and Will Derrick, a Related Person and Observer on the company's board of directors. On the basis that each of Derrick Hunter, and Francis Shen are directors and Will Derrick is an observer to the board, and all are beneficial owners of, and/or has control or direction over, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the Common Shares, and have each participated in the Debt Financing directly or indirectly through the sale and issuance of CAD $ 200,175.00 worth of Notes to Mr. Derrick, CAD $ 100,000.00 worth of Notes to Mr. Hunter, and CAD $ 350,000.00 worth of Notes to Mr. Shen, are a "related party transactions" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61 101 ("MI 61 101"). In conducting their review and approval process of the Debt Financing, the board of directors of the Company determined that the preparation and distribution of a formal valuation and the seeking of shareholder approval for, and in connection with, the Debt Financing was not necessary under MI 61 101 because: (a) for the purposes of Sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61 101, the issuer is not listed on Specified Markets, (b) at the time the related party transactions were agreed to, neither the fair market value of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the related party transactions, exceeded 25 per cent of the Company's market capitalization; and (c) the disinterested directors of the Company (i.e., those other than Mr. Hunter and Mr. Shen) have approved the Debt Financing. The material change report in relation to the related party transactions was not filed less than 21 days before the closing date of the Debt Financing as the Company wished to complete the Debt Financing expediently. Following the Debt Financing, Mr. Derrick owns or controls 14,250,000 Common Shares, Warrants to purchase 3,000,000 Common Shares, and CAD $200,175.00 worth of Notes bearing simple interest of 15% per annum for a three year term which would be convertible into a maximum of 5,805,075 Common Shares at the maturity date of the Notes assuming all Note interest is accrued, carried and converted, being 12.7% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares and 19.1% assuming conversion or exercise of all securities owned or controlled by Mr. Derrick. Mr. Derrick owned or controlled 14,250,000 Common Shares, and Warrants to purchase 3,000,000 Common Shares, being 12.7% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares prior to the Debt Financing and 15.0% assuming conversion or exercise of all securities owned or controlled by Mr. Derrick at that time. Following the Debt Financing, Mr. Hunter owns or controls 15,932,357 Common Shares, Options to purchase 150,000 Common Shares, Warrants to purchase 2,400,000 Common Shares, and CAD $100,000.00 worth of Notes bearing simple interest of 15% per annum for a three year term which would be convertible into a maximum of 2,900,000 Common Shares at the maturity date of the Notes assuming all Note interest is accrued, carried and converted, being 14.2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares and 18.2% assuming conversion or exercise of all securities owned or controlled by Mr. Hunter. Mr. Hunter owned or controlled 15,932,357 Common Shares, Options to purchase 150,000 Common Shares, and Warrants to purchase 2,400,000 Common Shares, being 14.2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares prior to the Debt Financing and 16.1% assuming conversion or exercise of all securities owned or controlled by Mr. Hunter at that time. Following the Debt Financing Mr. Shen owns or controls 26,000,000 Common Shares, Warrants to purchase 26,000,000 Common Shares, and CAD $ 350,000.00 worth of Notes bearing simple interest of 15% per annum for a three year term which would be convertible into a maximum of 10,150,000 Common Shares at the maturity date of the Notes assuming all Note interest is accrued, carried and converted, being 23.2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares and 42% assuming conversion or exercise of all securities owned or controlled by Mr. Shen. Mr. Shen owned or controlled 26,000,000 Common Shares, and Warrants to purchase 26,000,000 Common Shares, being 23.2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares prior to the Debt Financing and 37.6% assuming conversion or exercise of all securities owned or controlled by Mr. Shen at that time. Each of Mr. Derrick, with an address of 3900 Essex Lane, Suite 340, Houston Texas, Mr. Hunter, with an address of 150 9th Ave. SW, Calgary Alberta, and Mr. Shen, with an address of 905-130 Bloor St. West, Toronto Ontario, advises that the securities have been acquired for investment purposes. Each of Mr. Derrick, Mr. Hunter, and Mr. Shen advises that each may, depending on the market and other conditions, increase or decrease his or its beneficial ownership of the Company's securities, whether in the open market, by privately negotiated agreements or otherwise, subject to a number of factors, including general market conditions and other available investment and business opportunities. To obtain a copy of the report filed by each of Mr. Derrick, Mr. Hunter, or Mr. Shen please contact ICEsoft Investor Relations at 403-993-3322. The securities issued pursuant to the Debt Financing will be subject to a hold period under applicable securities laws, which will expire four months plus one day from the date of the applicable closing of the Debt Financing. Closing of the Debt Financing is subject to receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. About ICEsoft Technologies Canada Corp. ICEsoft Technologies Canada Corp. is a software-as-a-service ("SaaS") company. ICEsoft's current software, which is available as freeware with a pay to use version, is used by some 150,000 developers, 20,000 companies, and some 400 paying customers. ICEsoft's newest product Voyent Alert! is an affordable Community Alerting Service specifically designed to meet the needs of small to medium sized municipalities, regional governments and enterpirse. The flexible platform serves the dual purpose of alerting and advising residents and employees during a critical incident as well as providing targeted day-to-day communication services. For more information, please contact: Brian McKinney President and Chief Executive Officer Tel: 403-663-3320 Address: Suite 261 - 3553 31st St. NW, Calgary, AB T2L 2K7 The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 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 NEWS RELEASE THIS NEWS RELEASE, REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE CANADIAN LAWS, IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL SECURITIES AND THE COMPANY IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT THEREFROM. Forward-Looking Information Advisory Certain statements made herein may contain forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities laws. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negatives thereof 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 statements or information herein include, but are not limited, to statements or information with respect to the completion of the Debt Financing, and the use of proceeds of the Debt Financing. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information by their nature are based on assumptions and 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 or information. We have made certain assumptions about the forward-looking statements and information, including receipt of all approvals required for the Debt Financing and the use of proceeds of the Debt Financing. Although our management believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include the ability to receive the approvals necessary to complete the Debt Financing, and those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Listing Statement dated May 27, 2019 and in the Company's most recent Management Discussion and Analysis filed on SEDAR. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements or information contained herein. Except as required by law, we do not expect to update forward-looking statements and information continually as conditions change and you are referred to the full discussion of the Company's business contained in the Company's reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. All forward-looking statements and information contained in this News Release are qualified by this cautionary statement. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138106 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - Danavation Technologies Corp. (CSE: DVN) (OTCQB: DVNCF) ("Danavation" or the "Company"), a Canadian-based Internet of Things ("IoT") technology company and provider of micro e-paper displays, is pleased to announce that it has closed the third tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement through the issuance of 1,452,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.25 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $363,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.35 per Common Share for twenty-four (24) months from the closing of the Offering. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid a certain eligible person a cash commission of $25,350 and issued 101,400 broker warrants ("Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.25 per Common Share for twenty-four (24) months from the closing of the Offering. In addition, the Company issued 102,000 Broker Warrants in connection with the closing of the second tranche of the Offering. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a four month hold period from the date of issuance. Proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company for working capital and for other general and administrative costs. The Company may close additional tranches of the Offering subject to all required regulatory approvals. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Danavation Danavation Technologies Corp. is a Canadian-based, Internet of Things (IoT) technology company, providing micro e-paper displays to organizations across North America. The Company's Digital Smart Labels, powered by IoT automation technology and software Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), enables companies across various sectors to automate labelling, price, product, and promotions in real-time, enhancing data accuracy and improving performance by removing high labour costs and low productivity associated with traditional labour-intensive workflows. By empowering the adoption of smart retail, smart cities and industry 4.0, our goal is to create a sustainable and profitable business for shareholders while advancing sound environmental, social and governance practices, including by significantly reducing paper usage. Danavation has introduced its solution to retailers across North America, including big box and boutique grocers, while also targeting new markets including healthcare providers, manufacturing, and logistics companies. Learn more about the background of Danavation and our vision for the future on our website. As well, follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube for more updates on how we are transforming the retail landscape. For further information, please contact: John Ricci President & Chief Executive Officer hello@danavation.com Cindy Gray 5 Quarters Investor Relations, Inc. Tel: 1-403-705-5076 | investors@danavation.com Investor Relations - United States Trevor Brucato, Managing Director RBMG - RB Milestone Group LLC New York, NY & Stamford, CT danavation@rbmilestone.com / www.rbmilestone.com For media relations / management interview requests: Mr. Nelson Hudes Hudes Communications International Tel: 1-905-660-9155 or nelson@hudescommunications.com Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to, the closing of the Offering, and potential and other matters. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. 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 RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138110 AccessFintech, a Tel Aviv, Israel- London, and Glasgow, UK- and New York-based fintech company evolving the capital markets operating model through data and workflow collaboration, raised $60M in Series C funding. The round, which brought the total capital raised to $97m since 2018, was led by WestCap, BNY Mellon and Bank of America, with further participation from Series B investors Dawn Capital, J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs and Citi Group. AccessFintechs Board of Directors will be joined by Kevin Marcus, Partner at WestCap and former President of Ipreo, and Caroline Butler, Global Head of Custody at BNY Mellon. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and expand operations. Led by CEO Roy Saadon, AccessFintech enables improved data sharing and workflow collaboration to evolve the financial industrys operating model. At its core is the AccessFintech Synergy Network, a modern and secure collaboration network that allows for resolution and decision-making in one place. It facilitates data collaboration at scale and provides visibility into transaction data and access to benchmarking insights. Synergy, AccessFintechs data collaboration network, has grown to include over 100 participants and expanded its asset class coverage to include derivatives and syndicated loans. It has also added to its securities offering by extending its lifecycle management through its new claims network and the launch of a ground-breaking predictive fails service. The Synergy Network leverages a cloud-based approach to data custody and management to reduce transactions costs and compress fees through collaboration and accelerated workflows, and helps organisations meet regulatory requirements. It is used by a growing number of leading global banks and broker-dealers, custodians, and asset managers. FinSMEs 22/09/2022 Lactiga Therapeutics, a North Brunswick, NJ- and Toronto, Canada-based biotechnology company, raised USD$1.6m in Pre Seed funding including over $350k in research grants. The round was led by 1517 Fund. In addition to the capital raised, the company has secured over $350k in nondilutive grants and awards over the last four months, including funds from the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) and Innovation Factorys Southern Ontario Pharmaceutical and Health Innovation Ecosystem (SOPHIE) program. The company intends to use the funds to complete its preclinical studies for its two primary development programs, LCTG-001 (for patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency) and LCTG-002 (for patients with COVID-19 and its variants) and to file its first Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration with plans to start human clinical trials in 2023. Led by Rik Mehta, PharmD, JD, LLM, Cofounder, Lactiga Therapeutics is an early-stage biotechnology company focused on improving the quality of life of patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases. The company is advancing antibody programs derived from human milk, for patients with primary immunodeficiencies and COVID-19, based on its patented technologies. FinSMEs 22/09/2022 CCTV: The CSIS, a US think tank, recently held an online seminar on the new Global Development Initiative. Some experts said at the meeting that the Global Development Initiative (GDI) is framed around accelerating the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It can help all parties pool strength, increase the efficiency of the use of development resources and can form synergy with developing countries development strategies. The experts also noted that the West should not throw the baby out with the bath water when it comes to the GDI, but engage with China through communication and coordination to ensure that the initiative can truly play its part. What is Chinas comment? Wang Wenbin: I have noted the relevant reports. We appreciate the experts objective and fair view of the GDI. A year ago today, President Xi Jinping put forward the GDI at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Over the past year, the GDI has encouraged the international community to take the issue of development seriously once again and reaffirm its commitment to realizing the sustainable development goals on schedule. The GDI has put forward a viable pathway, created a cooperation platform, and pooled development resources to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and responded to the most pressing challenges to development. Over the past year, the number of countries and international organizations supporting the GDI has grown to more than 100, and the Group of Friends of the GDI on the UN platform now has more than 60 member states. China has been working with other countries in actively following through on the pragmatic steps to achieve the 32 deliverables of the High-level Dialogue on Global Development to advance GDI cooperation and has achieved many early harvests. We launched an International NGOs Network for Poverty Reduction Cooperation, which is joined by organizations from 17 countries and regions already as the first batch. We are working with 150 institutions from nearly 40 countries and regions to jointly establish a World Technical and Vocational Education and Training League. The Group of Friends has made clear the joint proposition on food security at the UNGA. The China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Cooperation Center has been established. China has conducted joint production of COVID vaccines with 13 countries, including nine members of the Group of Friends. We have provided training for more than 40,000 people in developing countries through 1,000 capacity-building programs. The GDI is centered around the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and is led by practical cooperation programs in key areas. It seeks better alignment with the UN and attaches importance to the role of the UN development system. It is dedicated to forging greater synergy with the development process of regions, subregions and country blocs, pooling and leveraging resources, and better serving the actual development needs of developing countries. In line with the GDIs spirit of open and inclusive partnership, we welcome partners including developed countries participation in cooperation under the initiative to jointly bring global development to a new height, and forge the broadest synergy possible to meet all sustainable development goals on schedule. Bloomberg: Earlier, President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that he would use all available means in the fight over Ukraine. Whats the foreign ministrys comment on Vladimir Putins latest words about the escalation of force on Ukraine? Wang Wenbin: Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We call on the parties concerned to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation and find a solution that accommodates all parties legitimate security concerns. We also hope the international community will create conditions and space for that. Xinhua News Agency: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently issued the Global guidance framework for the responsible use of the life sciences. The framework noted the high-level principles of the Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists spearheaded by Tianjin University, which outlines a set of ethical norms proposed by the Chinese side. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: Im glad to note that the Global guidance framework for the responsible use of the life sciences recognizes the Tianjin Guidelines as high-level principles. This WHO document is the first global, technical and normative framework in biorisk management. The fact that it has included and introduced the Tianjin Guidelines as high-level principles is of great significance for promoting responsible biological research around the world. It fully demonstrates the international science communitys resolve to better regulate and promote biological research. The Tianjin Guidelines is the first international initiative on biosecurity that is named after a Chinese locality with Chinese proposals as the main content. It was developed collaboratively by Tianjin University of China and Johns Hopkins University of the US with input from scientists from multiple countries. It consists of 10 guiding principles and norms. It calls for stronger biosecurity awareness among researchers and responsible bioscience research from such perspectives as responsibilities of researchers, research findings dissemination, public engagement in science and technology, and international cooperation. It also encourages governments and research institutions to strengthen supervision and self-discipline to better translate bioscience progress into benefits for mankind. Biosecurity knows no borders. It is Chinas hope that through the concerted efforts of the international community, biological science and technology will flourish along the right path of greater safety and security. TASS: The Peoples Republic of Donetsk and Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia said that they will hold referendums on joining Russia from September 23 to 27. Do you have any comments on this? Wang Wenbin: Chinas position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear. We believe that all countries deserve respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity, that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, that the legitimate security concerns of any country should be taken seriously, and that support should be given to all efforts that are conducive to peacefully resolving the crisis. We call on the parties concerned to properly address differences through dialogue and consultation. China stands ready to work with members of the international community to continue to play a constructive part in deescalation efforts. CRI: According to reports, there has been continued armed conflict along the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan since September 14. The two sides have reached a ceasefire agreement, but the border situation remains tense. Does China have any comment? Wang Wenbin: Both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are Chinas friendly neighbors and comprehensive strategic partners. We hope and believe that the two countries have the ability to work through their differences and disputes properly in the spirit of mutual respect and friendly consultation and keep the region peaceful and stable. Associated Press: Id like to ask about the joint military exercises in Fiji. The United States, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji have been holding joint military exercises since last week, and this is set to conclude this Friday. Some see this as an effort to counter Chinas influence in the region, and wed like to ask the Chinese foreign ministry for any comments on this ongoing military exercise. Wang Wenbin: We do not oppose normal defense cooperation between relevant countries. But such cooperation should not target any third parties. Bloomberg: According to a report issued today by the European Chamber of Commerce in Beijing, China is losing its appeal among many European companies who are rethinking their future investments. Does the foreign ministry have a comment on this? Wang Wenbin: We noted the relevant report. First of all, if you look at the statistics released by China on inbound foreign investment for the first eight months of this year, you will find that European countries are among the fastest growing sources of investment in China. In a world still struggling to fight the pandemic and lift the global economy, China has both brought COVID under control and achieved social and economic progress. China was the first major economy in the world to register positive growth, providing strong assurance for foreign companies to do business in China. When all things are considered, Chinas COVID measures have worked best and been most cost-effective. China is actively building a new development paradigm. Chinas efforts to build a new system of an open economy at a higher level and a market-oriented, world-class business environment governed by a sound legal framework will create broader development opportunities for businesses from Europe and elsewhere, and open up new prospects for China-Europe economic and trade cooperation. We hope that relevant parties including Europe will provide an open, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies as well. Bloomberg: There have been some reports of a visit to China by German Chancellor Scholz in early November. Does the foreign ministry have any details on that proposed visit? Can you confirm that this is happening? Secondly, in an address to the UN, German Chancellor Scholz said that China should implement the recommendations of the recent report by the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet. Can you comment on the trips possibility and also the remarks made about the Xinjiang report? Wang Wenbin: On your first question, I have nothing to share. On your second question, we have made Chinas position clear. I would like to reiterate what we have said previously. The so-called assessment is orchestrated and produced by the US and some Western forces and is completely illegal, null and void. It is a patchwork of disinformation that serves as a political tool for the US and some Western forces to strategically use Xinjiang to contain China. The OHCHRs so-called assessment is predicated on the political scheme of some anti-China forces outside China. This seriously violates the mandate of the OHCHR and the principles of universality, objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicization. It once again shows that the OHCHR has been reduced to an enforcer and accomplice of the US and some Western forces in forcing the developing countries to fall into line with them. In recent years, nearly 100 countries, including Muslim countries, have spoken out at the Human Rights Council, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly and on other public occasions to support Chinas justified position on issues including Xinjiang and oppose interference in Chinas internal affairs in the name of so-called Xinjiang-related issues. They are the mainstream of the international community. The US and some Western forces seek to destabilize Xinjiang and use it to contain China. Their unjust, pernicious political agenda will not have peoples support and will only fail. Reuters: Just to follow up on the questions about President Vladimir Putins televised address today, in these remarks, he also said that Russia would launch a partial military mobilization. This is Russias first mobilization since World War II. Is the foreign ministry concerned about how the situation is developing given that a military mobilization hasnt been announced in such a long time? Wang Wenbin: I already stated Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis and Im not going to go over it again. Bloomberg: Also there are reports of a visit to China by French President Emmanuel Macron. Can you comment on that report? Is it accurate that this is going to happen? Wang Wenbin: I have nothing to share at the moment. Reuters: Top adviser to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Counselor Brent Neiman, said in a speech seen by Reuters on Tuesday that Chinas debt practices were unconventional and that they had failed to provide meaningful debt relief to low and middle-income countries. Does the foreign ministry have any comment? Wang Wenbin: China has always taken seriously the debt issue of developing countries. I need to underscore the following points. First, developing countries mainly borrow from commercial and multilateral lenders. According to the World Banks International Debt Statistics, by the end of 2020, commercial and multilateral creditors accounted for 40% and 34% respectively for the public external debt of 82 low-income and lower-middle-income countries. Bilateral official creditors took up 26% and China less than 10%. In recent years, developing countries have mainly borrowed their new debts from Western commercial creditors and multilateral institutions. The developing countries medium- to long-term debt payment mainly flows to Western commercial creditors and multilateral institutions. What you quoted from the US side is not based on facts. Second, China has been doing its utmost to support developing countries as they seek to address their difficulties in line with the principle of joint actions and fair burden-sharing. China is part of the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative for Poorest Countries and the agreement on its extension. China has fully implemented them and ranked first among G20 members in terms of deferral amount. By contrast, Western commercial creditors and multilateral institutions, who hold the biggest share of debts, refuse to be part of the effort, citing a need to maintain their credit rating, and have thus failed to make proportionate contributions to relieving the debt burden of developing countries. We call on the US to earnestly fulfill its due responsibilities, and make real contributions to easing the debt burden of developing countries instead of deflecting blame. Global Times: According to a report by SANA on September 20, the illegal US occupation forces in the north-eastern Syrian governorate of Hasakah looted new quantities of Syrian oil via 60 tankers, bringing them out to the north of Iraq. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: I noted relevant reports. This is not the first time that US troops stole oil from Syria. Their banditry has only grown more reckless. According to a statement from Syrias Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources, the average daily oil production during the first half of 2022 was around 80,300 barrels, while the US occupation forces and their mercenaries stole up to 66,000 barrels every single day, or 82% of total oil production. According to reports, since the beginning of August, there have been at least 10 oil thefts by US troops in Syria. Some 800 tankers were used to transport stolen oil to US bases outside of Syria. In the meantime, Syrian people have had to queue for hours to fill up at gas stations. A senior Syrian official said in an interview that the estimated value of direct losses resulting from the US militarys extraction, smuggling and illegal trade in Syrian oil, gas and mineral resources amounted to $18.2 billion by the end of the first half of 2022. Also, more than 14 million civilians in Syria are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. What the US troops have done has made the humanitarian disaster even more devastating for Syria. Syria is yet another victim of the USs rules-based order, just like Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. Under this order, the Syrian people are being deprived of their rights and lives, instead of being protected. We urge the US to respect Syrias sovereignty and territorial integrity and respond to the call of the Syrian people. The US needs to at once lift the unilateral sanctions on Syria, stop plundering Syrias national resources, hold the US troops legally accountable, compensate the Syrian people and take concrete action to remedy the pain they have inflicted on Syria. Associated Press: The United States has promised greater engagement with the South Pacific, in particular, after China and Solomon Islands had signed a bilateral security treaty earlier this year. This also includes a comment by US Vice President Kamala Harris that they would open new embassies in Tonga and Kiribati. Id like to first ask for your comments on such increased engagement in the region by the US and also Australia, which is also taking steps to do so. Second question, a destroyer USS Higgins and a Canadian frigate HMCS Vancouver had traversed the Taiwan Strait. The US Navy has said in a statement that the joint maneuver is a demonstration and commitment of the United States and the allies to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Do you have any comments about that? Wang Wenbin: On your first question, let me first say that Pacific Islands Countries (PICs) are independent sovereign countries and they have the right and freedom to develop friendly cooperation with other countries which should not be constrained or denied. Secondly, China never attaches any political strings to its friendly and cooperative ties with the PICs. Growing relations with the PICs is not about seeking a sphere of influence and does not target any third party. As noted by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his meeting with Foreign Minister of Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele in New York yesterday, developing countries have the right to development as much as anyone else, and their people are entitled to a happy life. Chinas cooperation with the PICs is about promoting common development and improving peoples wellbeing. It is warmly welcomed by the local people. On your second question, the spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese PLA has issued a statement on that. According to the spokesperson, the Chinese troops tracked and monitored the US and Canadian warships the entire time and stayed on high alert at all times to resolutely counter any threat or provocation and safeguard Chinas national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The current situation in the Taiwan Strait is complex and sensitive. Recently, US warships have repeatedly flexed muscles and made provocations in the Taiwan Strait under the pretext of freedom of navigation. The US has also been ganging up with other countries and resorting to pressure and intimidation. This is worsening the tensions and hurting the peace and stability in the region. We urge the US side to clean up its act, rectify its erroneous practice and stop being a troublemaker for regional peace and stability. We also urge other countries to act prudently and not to seek to pull chestnut out of the fire. Reuters: On Tuesday, the US Federal Communications Commission named Chinese telecom companies China Unicom and Pacific Networks Corp and its wholly-owned subsidiary ComNet as threats to US national security. Does the foreign ministry have any comment? Wang Wenbin: This is yet another example of the US overstretching the concept of national security and abusing state power to suppress Chinese companies. What the US did violates the rules of the market economy, undermines international economic and trade order and seriously hurts the interests of Chinese companies. China firmly rejects this. We urge the US side to immediately change its wrong course of action and stop hobbling and suppressing Chinese companies. We will continue to take necessary measures to firmly uphold the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies. On September 19, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Wang Yi said that China and Cuba are good friends, good comrades, and good brothers with mutual trust and a shared future. The heads of state of the two countries have built their friendship and maintained close communication. The Chinese side stands ready to work with Cuba to follow the guidance of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen unity and cooperation, and consolidate and develop the special friendship between China and Cuba. The Chinese side thanks the Cuban side for its firm support for China in safeguarding China's core interests, and the Chinese side also firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its sovereignty and independence, and firmly supports the country in accelerating development and rejuvenation, and believes that Cuba will make new and greater achievements on its path of socialist development. Wang Yi stressed that the two sides should further strengthen strategic alignment, advance Belt and Road cooperation in a steady manner, expand cooperation in agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, and other fields, and translate the high-level political mutual trust between the two countries into more outcomes in practical cooperation. Rodriguez wishes the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a full success. He thanked the Chinese side for the long-term support for Cubas national course of justice and for the solidarity and assistance when Cuba suffered from the pandemic, disasters, and other difficult times. Cuba is glad about the profound friendship and political mutual trust between the heads of state of the two countries, and supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and a series of other important initiatives put forward by the Chinese side. Cuba will continue its firm commitment to the one-China principle, unswervingly support the positions of brotherly China on issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang, and oppose all anti-China practices driven by political factors, and expects to further deepen Cuba-China relations of mutual benefit. Wang Yi said that the current international landscape is fraught with crises and mess, but good prevails over evil, solidarity means strength, and perseverance means victory. We are fully confident in the bright prospects of the progress of the human society, and stand ready to work with Cuba and other developing countries to strengthen unity and coordination, uphold fairness and justice, and jointly respond to global challenges, and promote common development and prosperity. On September 19, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The two sides agreed to take the first anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nicaragua as an opportunity to elevate bilateral relations to a new level. Wang Yi said, President Xi Jinping and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega have drawn a blueprint for bilateral relations since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations in December last year. Bilateral relations have seen rapid development and yielded fruitful "early harvests". Facts have proved that restoring diplomatic relations between China and Nicaragua fully conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples. China is firmly committed to developing its relationship with Nicaragua and supporting Nicaragua's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, independence and national dignity and Nicaragua's independent choice of development path, and will continue to uphold justice on issues related to Nicaragua. China appreciates Nicaragua for its unwavering support for the one-China principle, and believes that Nicaragua will continue its support for China's just stance on issues related to China's core interests. The Chinese side is willing to strengthen cooperation with Nicaragua under the Belt and Road Initiative and the synergy of respective development strategies, so as to translate the political mutual trust into momentum for comprehensive cooperation. Noting that the arrangement for "early harvests" under a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) has been signed by the two sides, Wang Yi expressed the hope to reach an agreement as soon as possible on a comprehensive FTA, of which the negotiation process has already been initiated. China will continue to support Nicaragua in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic until the virus is completely defeated. Wang Yi said, the Communist Party of China (CPC) will convene its 20th National Congress next month. It will fully review China's major achievements made and valuable experience gained in China's reform and development endeavors, and formulate the next programs of action to meet China's new development goals and the new expectations of the people. The CPC and Nicaragua's ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front have similar governing ideas. We look forward to enhancing exchanges of experience in state governance between the two parties. Moncada said that the Nicaraguan side treasures its brotherly friendship with China, and will stick to the one-China principle and firmly support China defending independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Nicaragua wishes the 20th CPC National Congress a full success. Nicaragua is pleased to see the signing of the arrangement for "early harvests" under the bilateral FTA, and is looking forward to further strengthening the exchanges of governance experience between the two parties and two countries. Nicaragua is willing to deepen cooperation in various fields and develop a sound bilateral relationship. Moncada stressed that the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping are of utmost importance. The Nicaraguan side fully supports and is willing to take an active part in the initiatives, practice multilateralism and contribute to world peace, security and development. On September 20, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Foreign Minister of Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Wang Yi expressed, over the three years since China and Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations, under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the all-round exchanges and cooperation between the two sides have yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of Solomon Islands. The political mutual trust has been continuously enhanced, and the foundation of bilateral relations has become more solid. Facts have proved that the decision to establish diplomatic relations between China and Solomon Islands fully conforms to the fundamental interests of Solomon Islands and its people. China appreciates that the government of Solomon Islands has led the people standing together, staying committed to independence, and unswervingly following the development path it has chosen. China will always be a trustworthy good friend of Solomon Islands, and will continue providing support and assistance within its capacity for Solomon Islands to accelerate common development and realize respective national revitalization. Wang Yi stressed, the cooperation between China and Solomon Islands sets a fine example of South-South cooperation. Developing countries also have the right to development, and their people are entitled to a happy life. Intensified efforts have been made to advance cooperation between China and Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Among the six cooperation platforms tailored for PICs, the Reserve of Emergency Supplies, the Climate Action Cooperation Center and the Poverty Reduction and Development Cooperation Center have been completed, while the Demonstration Center for Agricultural Cooperation, the Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Cooperation Center, and the Juncao Technology Demonstration Center will be open one after another as soon as possible. Solomon Islands is welcome to make good use of these centers to benefit its people. Manele wished the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a complete success. He said that China has become the largest development partner of Solomon Islands, and thanked China for providing strong support for Solomon Islands' hosting of the Pacific Games, and for helping Solomon Islands improve its infrastructure and change its landscape. Solomon Islands is firmly committed to developing relations with China. Having signed an agreement on Belt and Road cooperation with China, Solomon Islands stands ready to take an active part in the Global Development Initiative, and looks forward to strengthening pragmatic cooperation with China in various fields to promote new and greater development of Solomon Islands-China relations. The two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in agriculture, police affairs, education, fishery and other fields, and advance projects such as the athletes' village for the Pacific Games and the Comprehensive Medical Centre at the National Referral Hospital. On September 19, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen Hassen on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Wang Yi said, China and Ethiopia are comprehensive strategic cooperative partners with mutual trust. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations over half a century ago, no matter how the international landscape evolves, bilateral relations have always moved forward with sound and steady development. Mutual trust has kept deepening and pragmatic cooperation has been at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation. China highly appreciates Ethiopia's adherence to the one-China principle and its firm stand with China on issues concerning China's core interests. China will also continue to uphold justice on issues concerning Ethiopia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. China attaches great importance to deepening and carrying forward mutual trust and friendship with Ethiopia and stands ready to make joint efforts to elevate the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries to new levels. Demeke Mekonnen Hassen expressed that he thanked Mr. Foreign Minister for his visit to Ethiopia last year at a time when Ethiopia was in difficulties. Ethiopia cherishes the deep and strong friendship with China, and is ready to strengthen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and carry out all-round cooperation with China, and hopes that China will increase support for Ethiopia's personnel training. Ethiopia definitely agrees with the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and will continue to stand firmly with China. Demeke Mekonnen Hassen briefed on Ethiopia's commitment to advancing the peace talks on the northern conflict, and spoke highly of China's proposal on the "Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa". Wang Yi said, China appreciates Ethiopia's efforts for peace and supports Ethiopia in independently handling its own affairs. China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity to Ethiopia in dealing with temporary difficulties and jointly uphold the principle of non-interference in internal affairs. China appreciates Ethiopia's active support for the "Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa" and supports Ethiopia's proposal for the institutionalization of the Horn of Africa Peace Conference. China is ready to maintain close communication with all parties to encourage regional countries to build common ground, independently handle regional affairs and advance the process of regional integration. On September 19, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna on the sidelines of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York. Wang Yi congratulated France on its rotating presidency of the UN Security Council. He expressed that both China and France, as permanent members of the Security Council, shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining international security and stability. We both stand for a multi-polar world and greater democracy in international relations, and advocate upholding the central role of the United Nations and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China is willing to maintain high-level exchanges and strengthen solidarity and coordination with France to jointly tackle the current global challenges emerging one after another, and inject more positive energy and stability into the world. Colonna said that the relationship between France and China is crucial, and both countries have a diplomatic tradition of commitment to peace. Despite the profound changes in the current international situation, France and China remain committed to maintaining world peace, security and stability, and to relying on each other and working together to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. France is pleased to see the sound and close communication between the two heads of state and the smooth progress of bilateral exchanges. France appreciates China's assistance in the resumption of direct flights to China by Air France and the return of French students to China for school. France is willing to deepen bilateral cooperation on climate change, biodiversity and food security, among other fields. Wang Yi stressed that the overall stability of China-France relations in the changing international landscape is attributable to the strategic communication between the two heads of state, which has provided important strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation. China appreciates France's adherence to strategic autonomy. The Chinese side stands ready to work closely with France to strengthen cooperation in the fields of climate change, biodiversity and food security, and jointly address global challenges. The two sides exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Colonna expressed concern over the protracted and escalating conflict. Wang Yi stressed that China always stands for resolving differences through dialogues and will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks. On September 21, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Lavrov wishes the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a complete success. He expressed the belief that China will make new and greater achievements in its national development. Russia is ready to work with China to follow through on the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during the Samarkand Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and continuously promote practical cooperation between the two sides. The Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, put forward by President Xi Jinping, are very important and will form international synergy to promote peace, development, equality and justice in the world. Russia highly appreciates and actively supports the two initiatives. Russia looks forward to strengthening coordination and cooperation between the two sides in international and regional organizations such as the United Nations, the SCO and BRICS. Wang Yi said, the two heads of state held an important meeting in Samarkand and reached new consensus, charting the course forward for the development of bilateral relations. China is ready to work with Russia to comprehensively and efficiently implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state. Now the COVID-19 pandemic is still severe, and the international landscape is undergoing complex changes. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and responsible major countries, China and Russia should play our due roles. The two sides should deepen strategic coordination, advance high-quality practical cooperation, take an active part in global governance, work together to address global challenges, push for an international order that is more just and more equitable, oppose unilateralism and power politics, and uphold justice for developing countries and medium and small countries. The two sides exchanged views on the Ukraine issue. Wang Yi stressed, China will continue upholding an objective and just position to promote peace talks, and hopes that all parties refrain from giving up dialogue efforts and resolve security concerns through peace talks. Lavrov expounded on Russia's position, stressing that security is indivisible and Russia is still willing to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation. The two sides also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other topics. South Africa: Pandor calls on global leaders to deal with poverty, inequality and unemployment While the COVID-19 pandemic and East European war have severe global consequences, Minister Naledi Pandor says the world should not neglect the needs of the marginalised. Our greatest global challenges are poverty, inequality, joblessness and feeling excluded, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister said on Wednesday. Pandor was delivering South Africas statement to the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77). Acting on the Common Agenda Vision 2021 of the UN Secretary-General should become the major objective of this time because addressing poverty and underdevelopment will be the beginning of the real inflection point in human history, she said. The Minister reminded the leaders that the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration for Human Rights and its human rights protocols,which commit them to protecting everyone. We must acknowledge that we face these crises today because we have not always upheld these foundational principles consistently and fairly. Solidary Meanwhile, Pandor believes that global solidarity is required to meet other pressing challenges such as energy and food insecurity, climate change and the devastation caused by conflicts, including the existential threat of nuclear weapons. Instead of working collectively to address these challenges, we have grown further apart, as geopolitical tensions and mistrust permeate our relations, she admitted. We should, however, move forward in solidarity, united in efforts to address our common global challenges to ensure sustainable peace and development. COVID-19 Pandor said developing countries, especially in Africa, should not be left behind in treatments where global pandemics such as COVID-19 are concerned. It will be a tragic indictment on all of us as leaders if future pandemics found the poorest as unprepared as many were for COVID-19. She also called on strengthened global health architecture to better meet the challenges of new pandemics and other infectious diseases of concern. South Africa is proud to be part of this solution through the establishment of the first mRNA global technology transfer hubs, which will contribute to the security of supply of life-saving medication for African countries and other developing countries. Trade In addition, Pandor said the multilateral trading system must be strengthened to create a conducive environment for fair trade that also provides opportunities for developing economies. If actionable steps such as these are not taken, developing countries will remain subject to an imbalanced global financial and trading system. Climate change Pandor urged leaders to collectively deal with global energy shortages by deploying innovative solutions that are cheaper, cleaner and more accessible. She said urgent action is needed to protect the environment and the world for the current and future generations. Whilst Africa is the least responsible for the climate crisis, it finds itself at the epicentre of its worst impacts. Pandor said the world needs to emerge from COP27, in Egypt in November this year, with an agreement that contains enhanced and balanced actions on adaptation, mitigation and financing. Peace The Minister also took the time to call peace a global public good. There have been no winners of the wars of the past seven decades. Instead, they engendered strife, distrust among nations, divisions, a perpetual misallocation of resources to weapons, and increased poverty and underdevelopment. She told the delegates that Israel must be held accountable for its destructive actions that have significantly impaired the possibility of a two-State solution. Similarly, we cannot ignore the decades-long struggle for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. We must treat all conflicts across the globe with equal indignation, no matter the colour or creed of the people affected. She voiced South Africas stance to end the embargo against Cuba, which she said continues to impede the right to development of her people. In the same vein, we call for an end to unilateral coercive measures against Zimbabwe, which have compounded the problems experienced by the people of Zimbabwe and have a detrimental effect on the broader Southern African region. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-09-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. China's nuclear tech more widely used to benefit livelihoods: regulatory agency Xinhua) 09:33, September 22, 2022 BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's nuclear technology has in recent years been widely applied in many fields of the national economy, bringing tangible benefits to people's livelihoods, according to the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA). Over 90 experts and scholars gathered at the CAEA quarterly forum on Wednesday to discuss nuclear technology for the benefit of people's livelihoods, covering the current situation and future prospects of nuclear technology applications in China. According to Dong Baotong, deputy director of the CAEA, nuclear technology is used in many fields such as industry, agriculture, healthcare, environmental protection and security. "It plays an important role in promoting industrial transformation and upgrading, as well as in improving people's livelihoods," he said. The forum unveiled 10 major events demonstrating the significant results of nuclear technology applied to the national economy in recent years. Most are in the healthcare field, such as China's first heavy-ion medical accelerator, used in radiotherapy to treat cancer. According to the forum, nuclear technology has also played an important role in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been used to sterilize medical materials with higher efficiency and better sterilization effect. Nuclear technology has also been used in space exploration. A research team from the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, a subsidiary of the China National Nuclear Corporation, has recently discovered a new lunar mineral by means of X-ray diffraction and other nuclear technology analysis methods. Improving the level of nuclear technology application has become an inherent requirement for the construction of a strong nuclear industry in China, and it is also an important step to promote the high-quality development of the national economy, Dong said. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun) Albanys business community invited all three candidates in the race for Oregon governor to speak at a forum and annual convention. Betsy Johnson showed up. A crowd of several hundred clapped at times Wednesday, Sept. 21 during the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce event while Johnson lambasted regulations at state agencies she said smother Oregon businesses and stifle economic expansion. DEQ, DSL, E-I-E-I-O we are not a business-friendly state, Johnson said in an interview before the forum. Johnson said she had toured a site with Albanys director of economic development who told her state wetlands requirements have kept investors from building houses or commercial structures. How damn difficult the state makes it, she said. Some wetlands in Oregon are technically buildable but require mitigation compensating by replacing lost wetlands elsewhere, often driving up developers costs. At the same time, Johnson said she sees Albany establishing itself in the state as a business hub. ATI, a fixture in the citys titanium manufacturing sector, collaborates with other businesses in a Columbia County public-private research concern called Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald. Albany will insert itself into global shipping streams when the Mid-Willamette Valley Intermodal Center opens in nearby Millersburg with an estimated start date of later this year. Managers have said the center will export grass seed and import consumer goods for major retailers. Johnson sat on the congressional committees pushing funding to state agencies when Oregon Department of Transportation selected the Millersburg site in 2019. Business developments attract the attention of out-of-state investors, Johnson said, and signals that there are communities trying to draw money into Oregon. You got to go to Albany, Johnson said. Albanys chamber represents 500 businesses. Chamber staff said another nearly 400 dropped out after state health department mandates, like shut-downs and occupancy limits, led member businesses to close or cut back on costs. More than 90 businesses had set up 101 booths at the chambers annual Albany Business Extravaganza. Chamber board President Stacie Wyss-Schoenborn introduced Johnson as an equal-opportunity pisser-offer. The former state legislator leaned on her ownership of a helicopter business and nearly four terms representing small towns in Senate District 16, covering Oregons northwest. A long-time politician running an outsider campaign, a former Democrat who aligned with Republican policies, Johnson spent her first few guest speaking minutes telling chamber members what she isnt. Oregonians are skeptical of the far right and terrified of the progressive left, Johnson said. Johnson said opponent Tina Kotek on the Democratic ticket sides with activists who seek to end funding for police, and Republican nominee Christine Drazan has taken an anti-abortion stance on Oregon's fiercely defended health care access laws. They want us to pick between public safety and womens health, she said. Johnsons stumping positioned her as a business advocate from somewhere in the middle. Self-describing as a "business-friendly Democrat," Johnson said she's pro-natural resources industries. Many of her positions, and answers to chamber members' questions about policy, came down to deregulation. "It doesn't matter how beautiful your state is if you can't afford to live here," Johnson said. NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CFA Society New York, the local Society of the CFA Institute and leading forum for the investment community since 1937, was honored to host the African Heads of State and Asset Owners Forum in its New York offices on Tuesday, Sept. 20. This event showcased several global policymakers' views of the continent's current projects and future plans during Climate Week New York. Background: The African continent is undergoing a massive change. ESG projects are growing. The continental trade agreement is fostering cooperation and market formalization. However, for foreign investors, due diligence issues and capacity issues remain. African ESG projects are valuable, but decarbonizing Africa is not. Africa has 20% of the global population and only produces 3% of the world's carbon emissions. Asset owners generally welcome better information about African investments as they need data and insights. They would like to invest the time to know better about the continent. The policymakers said the time is right for greater partnerships among their countries and the world. Event: African Heads of State and Asset Owners Forum In honor of the occasion, Thomas Brigandi, CFA, Chair of the Board of Directors of CFA Society New York and Founder of CFA Society New York's Asset Owner Series, delivered the welcoming remarks at this African Heads of State Institutional Investor Climate Finance Dialogue during UN General Assembly Week 2022, where he formally welcomed African Presidents, Finance Ministers, corporate executives, senior global asset owners, asset managers and investment consultants. Opening ceremony included remarks by: Dr. Hubert Danso, CEO and Chairman, Africa investor; Ms. Cristina Duarte, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Africa; and H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission. African Heads of State Keynote Speakers introduced their priority regional and infrastructure investment projects that support Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the policies they are pursuing to stimulate and attract global and intra-African investment. Distinguished Heads of State included: H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E. Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles H.E. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia The Moderator of the panel was Dr. Hubert Danso, CEO and Chairman: Africa investor (Ai), Chairman: CFA New York Society Global Asset Owners' Advisory Council, AiSWPFF, Chairman, African Union Continental Business Network (CBN), African Green Infrastructure Investment Bank Advisory Board (AfGIIB). About CFA Society New York CFA Society New York has been a leading forum for the investment community since 1937. CFA Society New York's mission is to serve the needs of all members and investment professionals and to educate the investing public. CFA Society New York has spent years working on investments in the African continent. In years past, we simply helped make the risk-return profiles clear to analysts and portfolio managers who are CFA Society New York members. Later, we created educational programs to help assist asset owners understand the region. In 2019, we promoted a framework for infrastructure investments in the region. During the COVID lockdown, we brought all African CFA Societies together to discuss these investments. CFA Society New York Director of Marketing & Membership 1540 Broadway, Suite 1010 New York, NY 10036-2714 (646) 871-3421 JSkowrenski@cfany.org www.cfany.org Contact Information: James Skowrenski Director - Marketing & Membership jskowrenski@cfany.org 646-871-3421 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Washington, Sept. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) launched Growing Globally, one of several training courses housed in the revamped Ascent online learning platform. Growing Globally specifically explores ways women entrepreneurs can expand their small businesses into new, international markets. Access to digital and online training platforms remains critical to supporting women entrepreneurs. As women are the fastest-growing entrepreneurial segment in the nation, Ascent helps the SBA reach more women where they are and when they need it. At the U.S. Small Business Administration, we are boldly dedicated to transforming our learning ecosystem to be timely and relevant to women-owned small businesses across the country, stated SBA Associate Administrator of the Office for Entrepreneurial Development Mark Madrid . Under the leadership of SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, we look forward to announcing more educational initiatives to empower our small business ecosystems. Women entrepreneurs start and own nearly half of all businesses in the United States, employ 9.4 million workers, generate $1.9 trillion in revenue, and represent all industries. Ascent offers several essential journeys to assist women business owners with strategies toward growth and success, including Disaster & Economic Recovery, Strategic Marketing, Your People, Your Business Financial Strategy, Access to Capital, Government Contracting, Partnerships, Entrepreneurial Leadership, and Managing Sales. Each journey contains content and tools needed to grow your business, with additional topics added over time. Growing Globally" highlights six modules that feature the tools you need to master the topic: The Value of Growing Globally Opportunities for Growing Globally Exploring International Markets Social Entrepreneurship in International Business Exporting to World Markets Importing from World Markets As the global marketplace becomes increasingly interconnected, Growing Globally helps entrepreneurs explore emerging opportunities abroad for growth. This journey will also guide entrepreneurs through the benefits and risks of expanding into international markets and introduce them to tools they need to succeed. Visit Ascent.SBA.gov and register for your free access today. For additional opportunities on how women entrepreneurs can start, grow and recover, visit SBA.gov or contact your local SBA District Office . ### About the U.S. Small Business Administration Pune, India, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global isoparaffin solvents market size was valued at USD 805.0 million in 2021. The market is expected to grow from USD 833.5 million in 2022 to USD 1,066.7 million by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.6% during 2022-2029. Rapid developments in the cosmetics and personal care sector and strong demand for odor-free solvents from the paints & coatings sector are expected to foster the industrys growth. Fortune Business Insights provides this information in its report titled Isoparaffin Solvents Market, 2022-2029. Get a Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/isoparaffin-solvents-market-104118 List of Key Players Profiled in the Isoparaffin Solvents Report TotalEnergies SE (France) Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. (Japan) ExxonMobil Corporation (U.S.) Shell plc (U.K.) Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (U.S.) Braskem (Brazil) Mehta Petro Refineries Limited (India) RB Products, Inc. (U.S.) Drivers and Restraints Rising Infrastructure Development in Developing Countries to Foster Market Progress Isoparaffin solvents are chemicals that are used to develop paints and coatings. Increasing infrastructure development in several developing countries is expected to boost the product adoption. Also, increasing construction of buildings is expected to escalate the demand for the chemical. Furthermore, strong demand for odor-free paints is expected to attract huge demand, thereby facilitating the industrys progress. Moreover, increasing government housing investments are expected to create remunerative growth opportunities for the market. These factors may drive the isoparaffin solvents market growth. However, issues regarding material availability and its expensive nature are likely to hinder the industrys progress. Report Scope & Segmentation: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022-2029 Forecast CAGR 3.6% 2029 Value Projection USD 1,066.7 Billion Base Year 2021 Isoparaffin Solvents Market Size in 2021 USD 805.0 Billion Historical Data 2018-2020 No. of Pages 123 Segments Covered By Type, End-user and Regional Insights Isoparaffin Solvents Market Growth Drivers Rising Demand for Cleaning Agents from Household Sectors to Boost Market Growth Increased Awareness Regarding Hygiene to Boost Market Growth Inquire Before Buying This Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/queries/isoparaffin-solvents-market-104118 COVID-19 Impact: Reduced Paints & Coatings Demand to Restrict Industry Growth This market is expected to be negatively affected during the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced paints & coatings sales. The sudden spike in COVID-19 infections led to stringent restrictions on the manufacturing of isoparaffin solvents. Furthermore, restrictions on travel and transport resulted in a lack of raw materials required for the chemicals development. However, the post-COVID-19 phase empowered manufacturers to get their businesses back on the floors and balance their costs. This factor bolstered the industrys growth during the pandemic. Segments Paints & Coatings Segment to Dominate Attributable to Increasing Safety Concerns Based on application, the market is segmented into metal working, paints & coatings, pesticides, polyolefin synthesis, and others. The paints & coatings segment is expected to dominate due to rising safety concerns. Further, the rising demand for the product for developing low odor paints & coatings is expected to elevate segmental growth. Geographically, the market is clubbed into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Report Coverage The report provides a detailed analysis of the top segments and the latest trends in the market. It comprehensively discusses the driving and restraining factors and the impact of COVID-19 on the market. Additionally, it examines the regional developments and the strategies undertaken by the market's key players. Regional Insights Increasing Regulations Regarding the Reduction of Health Effects of Solvents to Foster Growth in North America North America is expected to dominate the isoparaffin solvents market share due to the rising regulations regarding the reduction of health and environmental effects of the solvent. The market in North America was valued at USD 283.5 million in 2021 and is expected to gain a huge portion of the global market share in the coming years. Furthermore, the rising demand for synthetic polyolefin required for packaging, consumer goods, and textile manufacturing is expected to foster market growth. In Europe , the rapidly developing cosmetics sector is expected to foster product demand. Furthermore, the strong adoption of personal care products is expected to enhance the demand for solvents, thereby facilitating the industrys progress. In Asia Pacific , infrastructural development and industrial expansion are expected to surge the product demand. Furthermore, numerous large and small scale OEMs for electrical machinery, aerospace, and automotive industries are expected to elevate the industrys progress. Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/isoparaffin-solvents-market-104118 Competitive Landscape Major Players Deploy Research and Development Activities to Enhance Sales The prominent companies operating in this industry deploy several crucial strategies to expand their scope and increase their brand image. Companies undertake substantial research and development investments to enhance the quality of their products, satisfy consumers demand, overcome shortcomings associated with the product, and elevate their sales. Furthermore, companies deploy the acquisition strategy of major players who might provide them with the correct resources and empower them to dominate the competitive market. Table of Content: Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Key Insights Key Emerging Trends For Major Regions Key Developments: Mergers, Acquisition, Partnership, etc. Latest Technological Advancement Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Isoparaffin Solvents Industry Supply Chain Challenges Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak Global Isoparaffin Solvents Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2018-2029 Key Findings / Summary By Application (Value/Volume) Metal Working Paints & Coatings Pesticides Polyolefin Synthesis Others By Region (Value/Volume) North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa TOC Continued! Speak to Our Expert: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/isoparaffin-solvents-market-104118 Read Related Insights: Solvents Market Size , Share, and regional forecast 2021-2028 Paints and Coatings Market Size , Share, and Regional Forecast 2019-2026 Calcium Formate Market Size , Share and Regional Forecast, 2022-2029 About Us: Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 9th Floor, Icon Tower, Baner - Mahalunge Road, Baner, Pune-411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Connect us via Social Media Channels: Pune, India, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Fortune Business Insights, the global precious metals market size is expected to gain momentum by reaching USD 403.08 billion by 2028 from USD 275.40 billion in 2021, while exhibiting a CAGR of 5.6% between 2021 to 2028. In its report titled Precious Metals Market, 2021-2028, Fortune Business Insights mentions that the market stood at USD 261.94 billion in 2020. The increasing investments in a commodity such as gold due to its low-risk factor compared to other investments such as equities, bonds, or real estate are fueling the market. Moreover, gold, silver, and platinum are the most preferred metals to produce jewelry due to their luster and malleability. Therefore, the increasing demand for jewelry from consumers is resulting in market growth. Get a Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/precious-metals-market-105747 List of Key Players Profiled in the Market Report Newmont Corporation (U.S.) Barrick Gold Corporation (Canada) AngloGold Ashanti Limited (South Africa) Kinross Gold Corporation (Canada) Newcrest Mining Limited (Australia) Gold Fields Limited (South Africa) Freeport-McMoRan (U.S.) PJSC Polyus (Russia) Anglo American Platinum Limited (South Africa) Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (South Africa) Other Players Report Scope & Segmentation: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2021-2028 Forecast CAGR 5.6% 2028 Value Projection USD 403.08 Billion Base Year 2020 Precious Metals Market Size in 2021 USD 275.40 Billion Historical Data 2017-2019 No. of Pages 160 Segments Covered By Type, By Application and Regional Precious Metals Market Growth Drivers High Demand from Electrical & Electronics Industry to Drive Market Growth Asia Pacific to Dominate Backed by Increased Consumption of Gold COVID-19 Impact The pandemic inflicted significant damage to the market, as mining and manufacturing units were shut. Moreover, the unavailability of workers also impacted the market, which led to a decline in demand from industrial and jewelry applications. However, investments in precious metals witnessed significant growth during the pandemic surge. For instance, in a report by the World Gold Council, the global investment in gold increased by 40% in 2020, compared to 2019. Inquire Before Buying This Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/queries/precious-metals-market-105747 Market Segmentation: By type Silver Gold platinum group metals By application Industrial Jewelry investment Finally, based on region North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa South America Based on type, the platinum segment held the largest market share of 26.1% in 2020. This is attributable to its increased demand in the auto-catalysts application. Moreover, platinum has the ability to capture carbon and other harmful emissions. Therefore, industries are increasingly using platinum group metals to curb pollution. What does the Report Provide? The market report provides a detailed analysis of several factors, such as the key drivers and restraints that will impact growth. Additionally, the report provides insights into the regional analysis that covers different regions, contributing to the growth of the market. It includes the competitive landscape that involves the leading companies and the adoption of strategies to introduce new products, announce partnerships, and collaborate to contribute to the growth of the market. Driving Factor High Demand from Electrical & Electronics Industry to Drive Market Growth The growing demand for metals from end-users such as automotive and electrical & electronics are increasing the demand for valuable metals. The automotive industry uses platinum and palladium metals in catalytic converters. Additionally, governments worldwide have become more aware of the climate crisis, therefore to meet the substandard of carbon emissions, vehicles have boosted the demand for platinum. Furthermore, the use of silver in the electrical & electronics industry, as stated by Silver Institute, accounted for 10.2% of the total silver demand in 2020 as silver is used in solar panels to conduct electricity with the highest efficiency. These factors are expected to drive the precious metals market outlook. Regional Insights Asia Pacific to Dominate Backed by Increased Consumption of Gold Asia Pacific is expected to remain at the forefront and hold the highest position in the market for precious metals during the forecast period owing to increased consumption of gold in the region. For instance, a report suggests that China and India are top consumers of gold worldwide. China consumes around 984 metric tons of gold per year, and India consumes approximately 849 metric tons of gold per year. Asia Pacific stood at USD 135.04 billion in 2020. North America is anticipated to showcase significant precious metals market share in upcoming years owing to the presence of minerals mines in the vicinity of the region, combined with the strong manufacturing capabilities in the region. Competitive Landscape Key Players Focus on New Product Launches to Gain a Competitive Edge The market for precious metals is consolidated by major companies striving to maintain their position by focusing on new launches. For instance, in May 2018, the AngloGold Ashanti, along with Barrick Gold, sold its 80% stake in Morila Gold Mine in Mali to Mali Lithium. This mine is projected to produce 765 kilograms of gold in 2019, and the sale of the mine was estimated to be at USD 22 million. Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/precious-metals-market-105747 Detailed Table of Content: Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Emerging Trends Key Insights Key Market Trends in the Global Market Key Developments: Mergers, Acquisition, Partnership, etc. . Latest Technological Advancement Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID 19 on Global Precious Metals Market Supply Chain Challenges Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak Global Precious Metals Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2017-2028 Key Findings / Summary Market Size Estimates and Forecast By Type Silver Gold Platinum Group Metals By Application Industrial Jewelry Investments Others By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa TOC Continued! Speak to Our Expert: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/precious-metals-market-105747 Industry Development January 2020: Kinross Gold Corporation acquired Chulbatkan from N-Mining Limited, worth USD 283 million. It is a high-quality heap leap development project in Russia. Read Related Insights: Rare Earth Elements Market to Reach USD 5,520.2 Million by 2028; Surging Adoption of Electric Vehicles to Reduce Emissions will Aid Growth, Says Fortune Business Insights Copper Foil Market Worth $10,375.6 Million at 7.9% CAGR by 2028; Booming Demand for Consumer Electronics Worldwide to Ensure Lasting Market Growth, Says Fortune Business Insights Magnesium Market to Hit USD 5,928.1 Million by 2020-2027 | Magnesium Industry CAGR of 5.4% About Us: Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Address: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd.9th Floor, Icon Tower, Baner Mahalunge Road, Baner, Pune-411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com NEWARK, Del, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global bone densitometer devices market is projected to reach a value of US$ 501.4 Mn in 2032, with the market expanding at an average CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period of 2022 to 2032. Valued at US$ 324.3 Mn in 2021, the bone densitometer devices market will reach an estimated US$ 335.7 Mn in 2022. The growing prevalence of bone-related diseases like osteopenia, osteomalacia, and osteoporotic fractures will fuel the market growth over the forecast period. Bone densitometer devices are used to perform a non-invasive procedure to check bone density and gauge the strength of bones. These devices are necessary while diagnosing bone-related disorders. Bone densitometers also analyze the risk of developing bone disorders. One of the major market drivers for bone densitometer devices is the rising incidences of knee osteoarthritis. With over 203 knee osteoarthritis cases for every 10,000 persons, 20 years of age and above, bone densitometer devices are expected to be in high demand in the upcoming years. Moreover, a surge in favorable reimbursement policies by Medicare will likely spur the demand for bone densitometer devices, particularly in countries like India and the U.S. Medicare provides private health insurance plans for the treatment of osteoporosis, which in turn accounts for the increasing expansion of the bone densitometer devices market. Also, many manufacturers are keen on releasing innovative products with novel offerings like low dosage and patented narrow-fan beam technology. This factor coupled with the rising need for excellent precision and accuracy, high definition image quality, and faster scan for multiple clinical applications will foster an atmosphere of the growth for the target over the projected period. Request a Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-733 Growing bone health awareness, more widespread knowledge about osteoporosis along with initiatives from NGOs and government organizations will likely drive the market growth for the bone densitometer devices over the forecast period, says an FMI analyst. Key Takeaways: Heightened demand for precise, speedy and high quality diagnosis to strengthen the market prospects. High cost of the target product and limitations of the DXA technology of bone densitometer device will impede market growth. The U.S. will dominate the global market space with a CAGR of 4.9%. The market in Germany will be driven by increasing bone disorder awareness programs. Axial bone densitometer segment will grow at a CAGR of 4.2% In terms of technology, Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry will hold about 3/5th of total revenue. Competitive Landscape GE Healthcare, Hologic, Inc., OSI Systems, Inc., Diagnostic Medical Systems Group, Swissray Global Healthcare Holding, Ltd., BeamMed, Ltd., Echolight S.P.A, Scanflex Healthcare AB, Medonica Co., Ltd., XinGaoYi Co., Ltd., Anjue Medical Equipment, Trivitron Healthcare, Eurotec Systems S.r.l, AMPall Co., Ltd., Lacn Laccessorio Nucleare S.R.L, Shenzhen XRAY Electric Co., Ltd., YOZMA BMTech Co., Ltd., Nanoomtech Co., Ltd., Osteosys Corporation, FURUNO Electric Co., Ltd ., and others are some of the major players in the bone densitometer devices market profiled in the full version of the report. Leading market players are concentrating on improving their product features to expand their business and enter new markets. Strategies like mergers, acquisitions, and distribution agreements are also employed by these enterprises to strengthen their position in the bone densitometer devices market. Ask an Analyst @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-733 More Insights into Bone Densitometer Devices Market Report In its latest report, FMI offers an unbiased analysis of the global bone densitometer devices market, providing historical data from 2011 to 2021 and forecast statistics for 2022 to 2032. To understand the global market potential, growth, and scope, the market is segmented based on product type (peripheral bone densitometer, axial bone densitometer), technology (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), peripheral dual energy x-ray, absorptiometry (pDXA), quantitative ultrasound, others), end-user (hospitals, orthopedic clinics, diagnostic centers), and region. According to the latest FMI reports, based on region, the bone densitometer devices market in the United States is expected to display substantial growth over the forecast period. The market in this country is predicted to expand at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2022-2032. High prevalence of osteoarthritis cases and a large overall patient population supports the regional market growth. Apart form the U.S., the bone densitometer devices market in Germany and China is predicted to undergo impressive growth over the assessment period. Based on segmentation, by product type, axial bone densitometer segment is expected to dominate the market, growing at a 4.2% CAGR. In terms of technology, the dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) segment is predicted to lead the market growth through 2032. 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 Get detailed TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-733 Have a Look at Related Research Reports of Healthcare Bone Growth Stimulators Market Size is poised to reach US$ 1.8 Bn in 2022. Driven by the growing need for advanced bone growth stimulators for neck, feet, and ankles, sales are forecast to grow at a robust 9.9% CAGR, pushing the market valuation to US$ 3.3 Bn in 2028 Bone Regeneration Market Share is set to witness a valuation of US$ 5.1 Bn in 2022, and further expand at a CAGR of 3.8% to reach US$ 7.4 Bn by 2032 Bone Marrow Transplant Market Demand is projected to have a sluggish CAGR of 3.4% during the forecast period. The current valuation of the bone marrow transplant market is US$ 10,355.73 million in 2022 Bone Metabolism Test Market Growth On the basis of geography, global bone metabolism test market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East Africa Bone Screw System Market Forecast is likely to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% through 2028, reaching US$ 1,963.9 Mn 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 TUNIS, Tunisia, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. Temim Chaibi, CEO of Royal Invest, announced today that Royal Invest s.a.r.l. Tunisia has signed a Finance Agreement with Elite Capital & Co. Limited United Kingdom to finance its new mining plants. Yesterday, Royal Invest signed an agreement to finance its new plants with Elite Capital & Co. Limited, a leading Financial UK company, after negotiations since May 2022 which culminated in this extraordinary event where the agreement was signed at the Tunisia Export Promotion Centre - CEPEX Headquarters, Mr. Temim Chaibi said. The signing ceremony of the agreement was attended by political and business leaders, including Marwa Mejdoub - Trade and Investment Adviser - Energy and Infrastructure Lead, representing His Majesty's Ambassador, Her Excellency Ms. Helen Winterton; Nejia Gharbi - Director General of Caisse des Depots et Consignations - CDC (representing 20% equity contribution from the Tunisian Government); Mohamed Ben Neji - Director of Marketing and Communications of CDC; Sofiene Rekik - Commercial Director of Banque Nationale Agricole; Mourad Ben Hassine - President and CEO of Tunisia Export Promotion Centre - CEPEX. Royal Gypse Gypsum Mine (Royal Invest, s.a.r.l - ROI) is the most respected gypsum mine in the Republic of Tunisia since 2007. ROI Gypsum Mine has delivered top-quality gypsum to its customers. ROI is dedicated to producing the best Gypsum in the Middle East and North Africa. Mr. George Matharu, President and CEO of Elite Capital & Co. Limited, added, We would like to thank the UK Embassy in Tunisia for supporting our efforts, and our lawyers Barrister Issam Belhaj and Barrister Akram Zribi for making a success of the entire visit to Tunisia. Elite Capital & Co. Limited is a Financial Management company that provides project-related services including Management, Consultancy, and Funding, particularly for large infrastructure and mega commercial projects. Elite Capital & Co. Limited offers a wealth of experience in Banking and Financial transactions and has a range of specialized advisory services for private clients, medium and large corporations as well as governments. It is also the exclusive manager of the Government Future Financing 2030 Program. Mr. Temim Chaibi concluded his statement by saying, I would like to thank all of my business colleagues and personal friends that have supported our project over many years to reach this fantastic conclusion." Elite Capital & Co. Contact Details Elite Capital & Co. Limited 33 St. James Square London, SW1Y4JS United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) 203 709 5060 SWIFT Code: ELCTGB21 LEI Code: 254900NNN237BBHG7S26 Website: ec.uk.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6ea4c8da-a596-401a-87e1-8df3b32047f7 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee8a6a2c-6b91-4652-8e1a-4cbe0ea8d277 Toronto, ON, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOUR20 announces the opening of its first Ontario location with the retail store based in Kitchener, a city in southeastern Ontario. The opening is the first step in FOUR20s expansion into the Ontario market with a focus on providing accessible cannabis education, improving the customer experience, and creating a confident budtender sales force. With the company seeing exponential growth in Alberta since its inception, the FOUR20 team has been looking forward to expanding into a new province and we are very excited for Kitchener to be the first location we open in Ontario, said Amber Craig, Chief Merchandising Officer. Our goal is to continue investing in our customers, providing transparency, education, accessibility, and inclusivity within cannabis through a best in-store experience. According to the Globe & Mail, the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) commented that cannabis consumers are favourably disposed to in-store shopping with only 4% of retail sales made through the OCS website. FOUR20 has created a program that is designed for the cannabis community fostering strong relationships in the industry, providing customers with a source of trusted information, and curating an inclusive environment. To align with the companys values of accountability, community, innovation, and service, FOUR20 has built an industry-leading education platform for their employees that will be implemented in all new locations. This platform includes education on the latest product innovations and critical cannabis knowledge to ensure customers receive the best shopping experience in-store. In the companys quest to continue bringing first-class cannabis education to its customers, FOUR20 has brought cannabis experts to its leadership team. Dr. Ife Abiola, VP of Advocacy & Education, joined the 420 Clinic in 2016 and has become a recognized authority in the scientific and medical applications of cannabis. With education at the forefront of our company ethos, providing education accessibility to our budtenders is of most importance, says Dr. Ife Abiola. We offer enhanced product knowledge and provide an understanding of the regulations required to operate successfully within a Canadian retail cannabis outlet. With FOUR20s expansion into Ontario, the company continues to provide accessible cannabis education to the masses. As a retailer designed for the cannabis community, FOUR20s new location is the beginning of its journey within Ontario offering a best-in-class retail experience. -30- About FOUR20: Our mantra has always been the same to approach cannabis in a socially responsible manner, ensuring were providing our consumers with the best products, information, and customer service to guide your cannabis experience. Were avid learners, caring community members, and changemakers. Were a company committed to bringing on passionate individuals who are willing to lean into a new industry with enthusiasm and a strong desire to learn, and we like to have a little fun along the way. Attachment Founder and Chairman Hasu P. Shah to Retire CEO Jay H. Shah to become Executive Chairman COO Neil H. Shah to become President and Chief Executive Officer PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE: HT) (Hersha or the Company), owner of high-quality hotels in urban gateway markets and regional resort destinations, today announced that its Founder, Hasu P. Shah, intends to retire as Chairman of the Board of Trustees on December 31, 2022, after 38 years with the Company. As part of the planned succession, the Board has selected Chief Executive Officer Jay H. Shah to become Executive Chairman of the Board, and President and Chief Operating Officer Neil H. Shah to become President and CEO and join the Board of Trustees, both appointments to be effective as of January 1, 2023. The Company will be eliminating the role of Chief Operating Officer. Hasu P. Shah commented: It has been a great honor to build this business from the ground up, first with my wife, and now with my two sons, alongside a talented and dedicated team. We founded the Company as a partnership with a single property, growing and transforming it into a publicly-traded REIT with a bi-coastal portfolio of luxury and lifestyle hotels in the most valuable urban and resort markets. Hasu and Hersha Shah founded the Company with the purchase and renovation of the Riverfront Hotel in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1984. With his sons and partners, Hasu grew the Company and took it public as a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in 1998. Under Hasus leadership, the Company has since developed, owned, or managed nearly 100 hotels across the U.S., and established itself as an industry leader in sustainability with the creation in 2010 of its award-winning EarthView program. Jay H. Shah commented: On behalf of the Board and the entire Company, Id like to thank and congratulate my father on his long career and invaluable contributions to Hersha. His unwavering determination and commitment to excellence will remain at the core of the business and we are grateful that he will continue on as honorary Chairman Emeritus to assist the Company by donating his time and wisdom. Todays announcement is the culmination of a thoughtful succession plan to ensure a smooth transition and Hershas continued success. Neil has proven to be a thoughtful and dedicated leader, particularly in navigating the challenges presented by the pandemic, and the Board and I are confident he is the right person to lead the Company in this exciting next chapter. Neil H. Shah commented: It is a privilege to have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of my father and brother and lead Hersha. As a result of these changes, our shareholders will benefit from increased value from a streamlined structure commensurate with our smaller but very high quality portfolio. This is an exciting and critical moment for Hersha as the industry continues to recover from the pandemic, and as a result of the work we have done to strengthen and improve our portfolio, we are on a strong trajectory. I look forward to continuing to work with such a dedicated team across the Company as we continue our focus on further growing shareholder value. About Hersha Hospitality Trust Hersha Hospitality Trust (HT) is a self-advised real estate investment trust in the hospitality sector, which owns and operates luxury and lifestyle hotels in coastal gateway and resort markets. The Companys 30 hotels totaling 4,544 rooms are located in New York, Miami & Key West, Washington, DC, Boston, Philadelphia, and select markets on the West Coast. The Company's common shares are traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the ticker HT. For more information on the Company, and the Companys hotel portfolio, please visit the Company's website at www.hersha.com Contact: Ashish Parikh, Chief Financial Officer Phone: 215-238-1046 Dublin, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Security Manual Template - 2022 Premium Edition" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Policy and Procedure Manual Compliance Management Made Easy California Consumer Privacy Act/GDPR/ISO/HIPAA/SOX/CobiT/FIPS Compliant/WFH Includes 28 Electronic Forms that are ready to use and User Bill of Rights for Sensitive Data and Privacy The Security Manual Template - ISO Compliant includes a 22 page Excel Security Audit Program and 22 full job descriptions in WORD and PDF formats. The jobs are: Chief Compliance Officer (CCO); Chief Security Officer (CSO); VP Strategy and Architecture; Data Protection Officer (DPO); Director e-Commerce; Database Administrator; Data Security Administrator; Manager Data Security; Manager Facilities and Equipment; Manager Network and Computing Services; Manager Network Services; Manager Training and Documentation; Manager Voice and Data Communication; Manager Wireless Systems; Network Security Analyst; System Administrator - Unix; and System Administrator - Windows. Many organizations fail to realize the benefits of security information management due to the often exhaustive financial and human resource costs of implementing and maintaining the software. However, Janco's Security Manual Template - the industry standard - provides the infrastructure tools to manage security, make smarter security decisions and respond faster to security incidents and compliance requests within days of implementation. The template provides a framework for evaluating SIM services and shows how they could be applied within your organization. Address issues like Work From Home (WFH) operational requirements, Identify Protection and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management). It is the complete must-have tool. Security incidents are rising at an alarming rate every year. As the complexity of the threats increases, so do the security measures required to protect networks and critical enterprise data. CIOs, Data center operators, network administrators, and other IT professionals need to comprehend the basics of security in order to safely deploy and manage data and networks. Securing a typical business network and IT infrastructure demands an end-to-end approach with a firm grasp of vulnerabilities and associated protective measures. While such knowledge cannot stop all attempts at network incursion or system attack, it can empower IT professionals to eliminate general problems, greatly reduce potential damages, and quickly detect breaches. With the ever-increasing number and complexity of attacks, vigilant approaches to security in both large and small enterprises are a must. The Security Manual Template meets that requirement. Comprehensive, Detailed, and Customizable The Security Manual is over 240 pages in length. All versions of the Security Manual Template include both the Business IT Impact Questionnaire and the Threat Vulnerability Assessment Tool (they were redesigned to address Sarbanes Oxley compliance). In addition, the Security Manual Template PREMIUM Edition contains 16 detailed job descriptions that apply specifically to security and Sarbanes Oxley, ISO security domains, ISO 27000 (ISO27001 and ISO27002), PCI-DSS, HIPAA, FIPS 199, and CobiT. Electronic Forms Application & File Server Inventory Blog Policy Compliance Agreement BYOD Access and Use Agreement Company Asset Employee Control Log Email Employee Agreement Employee Termination Procedures and Checklist FIPS 199 Assessment Internet Access Request Form Internet and Electronic Communication Employee Agreement Internet use Approval Mobile Device Access and Use Agreement Mobile Device Security and Compliance Checklist New Employee Security Acknowledgment and Release Outsourcing and Cloud Security Compliance Agreement Outsourcing Security Compliance Agreement Preliminary Security Audit Checklist Privacy Compliance Policy Acceptance Agreement Risk Assessment (pdf & docx) Security Access Application Security Audit Report Security Violation Procedures Sensitive Information Policy Compliance Agreement Server Registration Social networking Policy Compliance Agreement Telecommuting Work Agreement Text Messaging Sensitive Information Agreement Threat and Vulnerability Assessment Inventory Work From Home Work Agreement Key Topics Covered: 1. Security - Introduction Scope Objective Applicability Best Practices WFH Operational Rules Web Site Security Flaws ISO 27000 Compliance Process Security General Policy Responsibilities 2. Minimum and Mandated Security Standard Requirements ISO Security Domains ISO 27000 Gramm-Leach-Bliley (Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999. FTC Information Safeguards. Federal Information Processing Standard - FIPS 199. NIST SP 800-53 Sarbanes-Oxley Act California SB 1386 Personal Information Privacy California Consumer Privacy Act - 2018 Massachusetts 201 CMR 17.00 Data Protection Requirements What Google and Other 3rd Parties Know Internet Security Myths 3. Vulnerability Analysis and Threat Assessment Threat and Vulnerability Assessment Tool Evaluate Risk 4. Risk Analysis - IT Applications and Functions Objective Roles and Responsibilities Program Requirements Frequency Relationship to Effective Security Design Selection of Safeguards Requests for Waiver Program Basic Elements 5. Staff Member Roles Basic Policies Security - Responsibilities. Determining Sensitive Internet and Information Technology Systems Positions Personnel Practices Education and Training Contractor Personnel 6. Physical Security Information Processing Area Classification. Classification Categories Access Control Levels of Access Authority Access Control Requirements by Category. Implementation Requirements Protection of Supporting Utilities 7. Facility Design, Construction, and Operational Considerations Building Location External Characteristics Location of Information Processing Areas Construction Standards Water Damage Protection Air Conditioning Entrances and Exits. Interior Furnishings Fire Electrical Air Conditioning Remote Internet and Information Technology Workstations Lost Equipment Training, Drills, Maintenance, and Testing 8. Media and Documentation Data Storage and Media Protection Documentation 10. Data and Software Security Resources to Be Protected Classification Rights Access Control Internet/Intranet/Terminal Access/Wireless Access Spyware Wireless Security Standards Logging and Audit Trail Requirements Satisfactory Compliance. Violation Reporting and Follow-Up 11. Internet and Information Technology Contingency Planning Responsibilities Information Technology Contingency Planning Documentation Contingency Plan Activation and Recovery Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity and Security Basics 12. Insurance Requirements Objectives Responsibilities Filing a Proof of Loss Risk Analysis Program Purchased Equipment and Systems Leased Equipment and Systems Media Business Interruption. Staff Member Dishonesty Errors and Omissions 13. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Best Practices for SIEM KPI Metrics for SIEM 14. Identity Protection Identifying Relevant Red Flags Preventing and Mitigating Identity Theft. Updating the Program Methods for Administering the Program 15. Ransomware - HIPAA Guidance Required response 16. Outsourced Services Responsibilities Outside Service Providers - Including Cloud 17. Waiver Procedures Purpose and Scope Policy Definition Responsibilities Procedure 18. Incident Reporting Procedure Purpose & Scope Definitions Responsibilities Procedure Analysis/Evaluation 19. Access Control Guidelines Purpose & Scope Objectives Definitions of Access Control Zones Responsibilities Badge Issuance Appendix - A Attached Job Descriptions Chief Security Officer (CSO) Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) Data Protection Officer Manager Security and Workstation Manager WFH support Security Architect System Administrator Attached Policies Blog and Personal Website Policy Internet, Email, Social Networking, Mobile Device, and Electronic Communication Policy Mobile Device Policy Physical and Virtual File Server Security Policy Sensitive Information Policy - Credit Card, Social Security, Employee, and Customer Data Travel and Off-Site Meeting Policy Attached Security Forms Application & File Server Inventory Blog Policy Compliance Agreement BYOD Access and Use Agreement Company Asset Employee Control Log Email Employee Agreement Employee Termination Procedures and Checklist FIPS 199 Assessment Internet Access Request Form Internet and Electronic Communication Employee Agreement Internet use Approval Mobile Device Access and Use Agreement Mobile Device Security and Compliance Checklist New Employee Security Acknowledgment and Release Outsourcing and Cloud Security Compliance Agreement Outsourcing Security Compliance Agreement Preliminary Security Audit Checklist Privacy Compliance Policy Acceptance Agreement Risk Assessment Security Access Application Security Audit Report Security Violation Procedures Sensitive Information Policy Compliance Agreement Server Registration Social networking Policy Compliance Agreement Telecommuting Work Agreement Text Messaging Sensitive Information Agreement Threat and Vulnerability Assessment Inventory Work From Home Work Agreement Additional Attached Materials Business and IT Impact Questionnaire Threat and Vulnerability Assessment Tool Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Check List Excel Spreadsheet Appendix - B Practical Tips for Prevention of Security Breaches and PCI Audit Failure Risk Assessment Process Employee Termination Process Security Management Compliance Checklist Massachusetts 201 CMR 17 Compliance Checklist User/Customer Sensitive Information and Privacy Bill of Rights General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - Checklist HIPAA Audit Program Guide ISO 27000 Security Process Audit Checklist Firewall Security Requirements Firewall Security Policy Checklist BYOD and Mobile Content Best of Breed Security Checklist For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mrk3zn CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading real-time supply chain visibility provider FourKites today published its global Premier Carrier List (PCL), which recognizes the rapidly growing community of brokers, carriers and 3PLs who are achieving the highest standards of visibility-related operational excellence across all modes of transport. To qualify for the PCL, carriers must demonstrate an ability to provide high-quality, consistent and accurate data on the vast majority of their shipments, thereby enabling their shipper customers and other ecosystem partners to streamline operations, increase the speed of shipping dock turn times, reduce inventory levels and optimize labor costs. In the first half of 2022, 685 carriers were named to the PCL, which included an 11% increase in carriers in the Americas, an 8% increase in EMEA, and a 74% increase in APAC and other international markets. These Premier Carriers demonstrated a significantly higher tracking percentage, on average, versus non-PCL carriers. Over the last six months, carriers who qualified for the Premier Carrier List tracked an average of 92.6% of their over-the-road shipments with real-time visibility, while non-PCL carriers tracked only 74.3% of their shipments. Notably, Premier Carriers also experienced higher growth rates than their non-PCL counterparts. From H2 2021 to H1 2022, Premier Carriers experienced an 8% increase in over-the-road shipments, while non-PCL carriers saw their shipment count shrink by 2%. EMEA carriers saw even higher growth rates, with shipment volumes growing by 9%, compared to non-PCL carriers in EMEA, who saw shipment volume contract 2%. Qualifying for FourKites Premier Carrier List is an increasingly important distinction for carriers, brokers and 3PLs who need to stand out in an increasingly competitive and volatile market, said Jason Eversole, Vice President, Carrier Operations & Strategy, FourKites. Were pleased to see continued growth in the total number of Premier Carriers, and equally pleased to see the clear business benefits they are experiencing as a result of their visibility-related excellence. The Premier Carrier List is available here , where users can access and search the list according to carrier capabilities, transportation modes, geographies serviced and other relevant criteria. In addition, users can view carriers who are registered partners in the US Environmental Protection Agencys SmartWay program. Premier Carriers speak to program benefits: "Transervice is honored to be recognized as a FourKites Premier Carrier. FourKites has enabled Transervice, and our clients, with unparalleled visibility into our logistics operations. This capability ensures complete transparency throughout the supply chain and promotes efficient resource utilization. We are proud to partner with FourKites, and we look forward to their continued growth and innovation." Tom Poduch, Senior Director, Solutions, at Transervice Coldliner is honored to be a FourKites Premier Carrier for the eighth consecutive quarter. We pride ourselves on executing our core values of Safety, Service, Communication and Visibility. FourKites has proven to be a strategic partner in accomplishing our goals. Doug Abel, CEO, Coldliner Service As a former employee of FourKites, Ive experienced firsthand how imperative their technology is to the entire industry. TransLoop is extremely proud to be recognized as a FourKites Premier Carrier. We will continue to do whatever our shipper and carrier partners need us to do for TransLoop to be the most transparent and reliable broker partner in the industry. Nick Reasoner, CEO, TransLoop Were extremely excited to be listed on the FourKites Premier Carrier List once again. Weve made significant investments and process improvements to meet, and exceed, our customers' expectations. Meeting our customers' requirements is top priority, and it's what sets us apart from our competitors. We will not waver from our commitment to provide top-notch service. Leveraging FourKites and their visibility platform makes it much easier to do so! Dylan Murphy, COO, Backhaul Direct Midwest Carriers is proud to continue our legacy of excellence within the freight industry. With partners like FourKites, we are able to leverage technology to ensure efficiency and accuracy in our processes and deliveries. Thank you for this recognition as a Premier Carrier, FourKites! Eric Van Handel, President, Midwest Carriers At LiVe Logistics, we're focused on providing our customers with unmatched service, and we're excited to be a part of the FourKites Premier Carrier List. As one of only a handful of brokerages to achieve this goal, it's a testament to our commitment to our customers. We firmly believe that by combining our excellent team and a focus on technology, including visibility automation, our company and customers come out ahead. We look forward to continuing to be a FourKites Premier Carrier for many years. Chad Wakefield, President, LiVe Logistics About FourKites Leading supply chain visibility platform FourKites extends visibility beyond transportation into yards, warehouses, stores and beyond. Tracking more than 2.8 million shipments daily across road, rail, ocean, air, parcel and courier, and reaching over 200 countries and territories, FourKites combines real-time data and powerful machine learning to help companies digitize their end-to-end supply chains. More than 1,100 of the worlds most recognized brands including 9 of the top-10 CPG and 18 of the top-20 food and beverage companies trust FourKites to transform their business and create more agile, efficient and sustainable supply chains. To learn more, visit https://www.fourkites.com/ . Media Contact: Marianna Vyridi Big Valley Marketing for FourKites (650) 468-3263 mvyridi@bigvalley.co A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7fba9f75-b6ca-4de6-9c9c-c0894cd7d8ae English Portuguese LONDON, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Open Banking Excellence (OBE) , the global centre of community and knowledge driving change in Open Finance, is preparing to gather industry leaders around a virtual Campfire for a deep dive into payments initiation in Brazil. It has been more than one year since Brazil enabled Payment Initiation, with Mercado Pago becoming the first Payment Initiation Service Provider (PISP) in H1 2022. On September 27, key players in the Brazilian financial services industry will discuss Payment Initiation, consider the opportunities and shine a light on the phenomenal growth of Open Finance in Brazil. OBE will also fly the flag for the UK, which set a blueprint for other countries to follow and has retained its global leadership position. The Campfire will be held in Portuguese and feature a fireside chat in English with James Hickman , Chief Commercial Officer of Ecospend, to discuss his work on HMRCs Pay By Bank Account use case which has saved 500,000 in bank charges and processed more than 8bn in payments. Hosted by Eliseu Tudisco , Strategy Principal Director, Accenture, speakers from Brazils ecosystem include Ivo Mosca , Superintendent of Open Finance & Digital Payments at Itau Unibanco; Karen Machado , Open Finance Executive Manager at Banco do Brasil, Nathan Marion , General Manager, LATAM, at Volt, Vitor Levi da Silveira , CDO & Open Finance Lead, Cielo and Aristides Cavalcante Neto , Chief of CyberSecurity and Technologic Innovation Office at Banco Central do Brasil. Open Banking enables banks to securely share consumer data with third parties on a consent-driven basis to enable the creation of innovative new services. Open Finance is the next step and allows mortgages, savings, pensions, insurance, and other sectors to unlock the possibilities of data-sharing. Brazil introduced Open Banking and Open Finance in four phases. Phase 3 involved the initiation of Pix transactions, the Brazilian instant payment system, by payment transaction initiators, and Phase 4 marked the introduction of Open Finance. Statistics from the Central Bank of Brazil show the ecosystem has now processed a total of 8.5 million customer data sharing consents. There are an average of 286 million API calls per week - amounting to more than five billion API calls since April 1 2022. Brazil has over 5.6 million Open Finance customers, and more than 800 participating institutions. Eliseu Tudisco, Strategy Principal Director, Accenture, said: With the full completion of all phases, Brazil will have the most comprehensive Open Finance scope in the world, becoming the main Open Finance benchmark globally. A reason for pride and satisfaction for all participants in this phenomenal deployment. We have already seen a strong growth in the use of Open Finance, which will have an even greater growth with the increase in awareness and creation of new business models to not only increase financial inclusion and competitiveness, but also accelerate integrated journeys, personalization and capturing efficiency in the use of different types of financial products. It has been a milestone in my career to participate in this fabulous deployment and I look forward to the benefits that this rich ecosystem will bring to the Brazilian financial system. Helen Child, Founder of OBE , said: The eyes of the world are on Brazil. Payment Initiation was an important milestone and we are expecting to see the Brazilian ecosystem become a global leader. The pace of adoption and implementation has been hugely impressive. Everyone working in the Brazilian Open Banking and Open Finance ecosystem should be very proud. The pace is simply phenomenal. Brazil is now at the forefront of the global Open Finance movement, which can improve financial inclusion and help to create a greener, fairer financial services industry. The innovation taking place in Latin America is not just game-changing - but world-changing. It is a great honour to be involved in the Open Finance ecosystem in Brazil. Register to attend the Campfire here About Open Banking Excellence (OBE) Open Banking Excellence (OBE) is the worlds leading community of Open Banking and Open Finance pioneers, including fintechs, banks, regulators, BigTechs and wider financial services institutions. Connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter . CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSX-V: LBNK) (OTCQX: LBNKF) (LithiumBank or the Company) is pleased to announce the commencement of a hydrogeological study at the Park Place Lithium Brine Project, formally known as Fox Creek, located in west-central Alberta, approximately 180 km east of Edmonton along the Trans-Canada Highway. LithiumBank has engaged Matrix Solutions Inc. (Matrix) to conduct a hydrogeological study of LithiumBanks Park Place mineral permit area (Figure 1). Geologically, the area is underlain by the prospective Leduc Carbonate Reef complex and Beaverhill Lake Group. Matrix will utilize pre-existing data to determine porosity, permeability, transmissivity, and volume estimates of lithium-bearing brine. These estimates are expected to be used to complete a NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate. The Leduc Carbonate Reef complex (Woodbend Group) and the underlying Beaverhill Lake Group have historically been known to host the highest grades of lithium-in-brine in Alberta with samples that range from 76 mg/l to 130 mg/L lithium in Park Place Metallic and Industrial Mineral (MIM) permit area. These samples are considered historic and have not been verified by a Qualified Person (QP) under the latest NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure and cannot be relied upon. Historical samples are mentioned as a reference only until such time they have been verified. The Park Place Lithium Brine Project consists of 1,326,528 acres of contiguous MIM permits (Figure 1), which consists of 65 MIM permits and 10 MIM permit applications. Rob Shewchuk, CEO states, As we continue to advance our flagship Boardwalk Lithium project towards completion of a PEA, we are thrilled to demonstrate the significant lithium potential of our Park Place project, located 20km to the south of Boardwalk. This large land package took over 3 years for our team to put together capturing the vast majority of the Leduc reef structure in the area with potential to host a world-class lithium brine deposit. In the immediate future, the company is expected to conduct a thorough exploration program to define a 43-101 compliant inferred resource in Q4 with the intention to advance the project to a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) targeted for Q2/23. LithiumBank is currently working with several petro-operators in the permitted area to collect brine samples that will be used to verify historical results and conduct mineral processing test work with selected DLE technologies. Recent DLE test work at the Boardwalk Lithium Brine Project has provided a technical foundation and understanding of DLE processes that the company can now leverage for Park Place. Updates and results of the mineral processing and analysis will be released as they are received. Figure 1: Location of historic lithium brine samples from LithiumBanks Park Place Lithium Brine Project The Park Place area was the focus of a study, authored by D.R. Eccles and H. Berhane, entitled Geological Introduction to Lithium-Rich Formation Water with Emphasis on the Fox Creek Area of West-Central Alberta (NTS 83F and 83K) (https://ags.aer.ca/publication/ofr-2011-10). The report highlights significant lithium potential in three different formations, the Leduc (Woodbend), Nisku (Winterburn), and Swan Hills (Beaverhill Lake Group) and are supported by historical lithium brine samples that range from 76 mg/l to 130 mg/l lithium in these formations. The scientific and technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Kevin Piepgrass (Chief Operations Officer, LithiumBank Resources Corp.), who is a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the province of BC (APEGBC) and is a Qualified Person (QP) for the purposes of NI 43 101. Mr. Piepgrass consents to the inclusion of the data in the form and context in which it appears. About LithiumBank Resources Corp. LithiumBank Resources Corp. is an exploration and development company focused on lithium-enriched brine projects in Western Canada where low-carbon-impact, rapid DLE technology can be deployed. LithiumBank currently holds over 3.2 million acres of mineral titles, 2.82M acres in Alberta and 326K acres in Saskatchewan. LithiumBanks mineral titles are strategically positioned over known reservoirs that provide a unique combination of scale, grade and exceptional flow rates that are necessary for a large-scale direct brine lithium production. LithiumBank is advancing and de-risking several projects in parallel of the Boardwalk Lithium Brine Project. Contact: Robert Shewchuk CEO & Director rob@lithiumbank.ca (778) 987-9767 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. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance, including without limitation, that Matrix anticipates using data acquired from various oil and gas operators and that is publicly available porosity, permeability, transmissivity, and volume estimates of lithium-bearing brine, the estimates are expected to be used to complete a NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate and the Company is expected to conduct a thorough exploration program to define a 43-101 compliant resource estimate in Q4 with the intention to advance the project to a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) by Q2/23 are forward-looking statements and contains forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as intends or anticipates, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, should, would or occur. Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including that Matrix will use data acquired from various oil and gas operators and that is publicly available to determine porosity, permeability, transmissivity, and volume estimates of lithium-bearing brine, the estimates will be used to complete a NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate and the Company will conduct a thorough exploration program to define a 43-101 compliant resource estimate in Q4 with the intention to advance the project to a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) by Q2/23. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation, that Matrix will not use data acquired from various oil and gas operators and that is publicly available to determine porosity, permeability, transmissivity, and volume estimates of lithium-bearing brine, the estimates will not be used to complete a NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate and the Company will not conduct a thorough exploration program to define a 43-101 compliant inferred resource in Q4 with the intention to advance the project to a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) by Q2/23 on the timeline as anticipated by management or at all. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or 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 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 and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/21e5124a-6024-408a-a0c6-7577f17792a3 Toronto, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On 07 November 2022, CFA Society Toronto will be hosting its Annual Investment Dinner. We welcome Bill Browder, Co-Founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management and Author of Red Notice and Freezing Order for an intimate discussion moderated by Mari Jensen, Vice Chair, CFA Society Toronto. Please join us for what will be an engaging and thought-provoking discussion on global geopolitical risk and their investment implications. When: Monday, 07 November 2022 | 5 PM 10 PM Where: Fairmont Royal York, Canadian Room, 100 Front Street WestToronto, M5J 1E3 Speakers: Bill Browder Bill Browder Co-Founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, Author of Red Notice and Freezing Order William Browder is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management. Mr. Browder was the largest foreign investor in Russia until 2005, when he was denied entry to the country and declared a threat to national security for exposing corruption in Russian state-owned companies. In 2008, Mr. Browders lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, uncovered a massive fraud committed by Russian government officials that involved the theft of US $230 million of state taxes. Mr. Magnitsky testified against state officials involved in this fraud and was subsequently arrested, imprisoned without trial. He spent a year in prison and was repeatedly denied medical treatment. He died in prison on November 16, 2009, leaving behind a wife and two children. Since then, Mr. Browder has sought justice outside of Russia and started a global campaign for governments around the world to impose targeted visa bans and asset freezes on human rights abusers and highly corrupt officials. The United States was the first to impose these targeted sanctions with the passage of the Sergei Magnitsky Accountability Act in 2012, followed by the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act in 2016. Since then, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Baltic states, the European Union and most recently Australia have passed their own versions of the Magnitsky Act. Mr. Browder is currently working to have similar legislation passed in other countries worldwide including New Zealand and Japan, to name a few. Mr. Browder is the author of two bestseller books: Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Mans Eight for Justice and his latest release Freezing Order: A True Story of Money Laundering, Murder, and Surviving Vladimir Putins Wrath. Advance media passes Click here for more dinner details or for media inquiries, please contact: Esther Filer Marketing & Communications Specialist CFA Society Toronto Phone: (416) 366.5755 X 235 E-mail: media@cfatoronto.ca Twitter: @cfatoronto About CFA Society Toronto CFA Society Toronto is the world's largest Society of CFA Charterholders, dedicated to supporting the professional and business development of over 11,000 members. We provide our members with a local perspective on a global designation through our member services, which include educational programs, sponsored events, employment postings, quarterly newsletters and networking opportunities. A not-for-profit organization, CFA Society Toronto is affiliated with CFA Institute, the global body that administers the Chartered Financial Analyst curriculum and sets voluntary, ethics-based performance-reporting standards for the investment industry. CFA Society Torontos members are leaders in ethics in the financial community. For more information, please refer to www.cfatoronto.ca. Chartered Financial Analyst and CFA are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute. -30- Attachments Dublin, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "UK Islamic Finance Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The pandemic has provided another opportunity for Islamic finance to prove its potential and shine. The Islamic financial system is based on the principles of risk-sharing, ethics and morality, which equip it to act as a potential warrior to safeguard the interest of the poor and vulnerable under crisis. Islamic Finance has developed rapidly in the United Kingdom during the past decade (2011- 2021) and the government has been very supportive of its development and promotion. The United Kingdom hosted the first stand alone Islamic financial Institution in European Union and has the highest value of Shariah-Compliant assets of any non-Muslim country. The success of the government's initiative to develop Islamic finance in the UK was shown in 2021 when the government issued its second sovereign sukuk of 500 million, which was sold to institutional investors in the UK, the Middle East and Asia. Islamic finance will continue to expand in the next decade across regions and asset classes. From a market of just $200bn in 2003, the Islamic Finance sector is expected to grow to over $4trillion in assets by 2030. Key Market Trends Digital Disruption of the Financial Services Five years ago, Western economies experienced a surge in fintech start-ups offering more effective and efficient services through the creative application of software. Consequently, traditional finance institutions are now competing with challenger brands and neobanks to appeal to consumers, investors, and businesses. In the UK, fintech challenger brands like Monzo and Revolut have become part of the banking landscape. Established banks like JPMorgan have responded by launching their own challenger brands to rival the new competition. The scale and pace of digital disruption led by startups initially focused on the delivery of traditional financial services. The success of this first fintech wave has encouraged a new generation of start-ups, which are applying technology to deliver products and services designed specifically for certain demographics. The creation of tech-enabled Sharia compliant banks is on the rise in both Western and Islamic jurisdictions. Particularly in regions like Central Asia where countries are undergoing economic modernisation, fintech companies are playing an important role in giving consumers and investors the digital tools needed to effectively manage their finances. As more investment is directed into these Islamic fintech companies we are likely to see the sector grow. Growing Market awareness of Islamic Finance by big Financial Institutions Take Sukuk (an Islamic financial bond that effectively acts as a trust certificate) as an example. Sukuk supply has been rising in both Islamic and non-Islamic markets. Most Sukuk issuances are hybrid, with debt making up no less than 30 per cent. According to Fitch, the global amount of outstanding Sukuk reached $754.1bn in Q2 2021, which is 5 per cent higher than the same figure recorded in Q1. As the first western nation to issue a sovereign Sukuk, the UK has raised more than $50bn through 68 Sukuk issuances on the London Stock Exchange. While there is general awareness of Islamic finance, actual knowledge of its basic principles is not typically high among financial professionals based in non-Muslim jurisdictions. This is an issue that has been raised on numerous occasions in the UK. There have been attempts by the government to make the financial environment more religiously inclusive in the UK, yet the overall lack of available Sharia-compliant products has been a topic of recent debate. There are calls for the introduction of Sharia-compliant student loans by September 2022, enabling more students to access university education in the UK. Moves to make the UK's financial system inclusive and diverse will remain a top objective in 2022 and beyond. Part of this is due to the growing customer base. In the UK, there is estimated to be more than 100,000 Islamic finance retail customers. Government also puts the value of net assets of Islamic funds in the UK to 600m, with this figure set to rise in the ensuing years. Competitive Landscape The report covers major international players operating in the UK Islamic Finance Market. In terms of market share, some of the major players currently dominate the market. However, with technological advancement and product innovation, mid-size to smaller companies are increasing their market presence by securing new contracts and by tapping new markets. Companies Mentioned GateHouse Bank AI Rayan Bank Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank QIB UK Bank of London and The Middle East ABC International Bank Ahli United Bank Bank of Ireland Barclays BNP Paribas Bristol & West Citi Group IBJ International London J Aron & Co For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/h4xz3e Attachment BP Exploration Operating Company Limited (bp) has exercised the first of four months of options through 21st December 2022 for the charter of the Safe Zephyrus to continue providing gangway connected operations supporting the Seagull project at the ETAP central processing facility in the UK North Sea. The value of the one-month extension is approximately USD 3.5 million. Prosafe is a leading owner and operator of semi-submersible accommodation vessels. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker code PRS. For more information, please refer to https://www.prosafe.com Stavanger, 22 September 2022 Prosafe SE For further information, please contact: Jesper K. Andresen, CEO Phone: +47 51 65 24 30 / +47 907 65 155 Reese McNeel, CFO Phone: +47 47 51 64 25 17 / +47 415 08 186 This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Tampa, Fla., Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OPSWAT, a leading provider of Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) cybersecurity solutions, announced today the promotion of Stephen Gorham from Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Head of Global Operations to Chief Operating Officer (COO). Gorhams transition from CIO and Head of Global Operations to COO reflects his security and operational achievements over the past year. I am deeply humbled and appreciative of this opportunity, said Stephen Gorham, OPSWAT COO. It has been an incredibly busy but rewarding year at OPSWAT between the rapid growth and security and compliance initiatives. As COO, I look forward to continuing to lead the company to operational excellence through streamlining processes as we round out a successful 2022 and prepare for a busy 2023. Since joining OPSWATs executive team in 2021, Gorham implemented an organizational support structure and workforce plan designed to provide efficient and exceptional support services for IT, Cybersecurity, Service Desk, Enterprise Applications, and Global Operations. This grew OPSWATs cybersecurity staff by 350% and business application staff by 200%. Gorham also revamped the OPSWAT Help Desk into a true Global Service Desk providing assistance 24/7/365. Additionally, Gorham expanded OPSWATs compliance footprint by leading the company to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification in February 2022. With the organizations growth to over 600 employees, he also managed the process of securing OPSWATs global headquarters office in Tampa, FL, along with office expansions and openings in Romania, Israel, Vietnam, and other locations. It is my pleasure to name Stephen Gorham as OPSWATs COO, said Benny Czarny, OPSWAT Founder and CEO. His performance-driven approach to running the business and his ability to improve OPSWATs cyber risk posture, implement advanced IT systems, and streamline global processes has had a remarkable impact on the business over the past year and will set us up for success as we enter our next phase of growth. In addition to Gorhams contributions to OPSWAT, he has been affiliated with the U.S. military for more than 24 years, serving in the Army National Guard, U.S. Navy, and Army Reserve and has obtained over a dozen military accolades. Just last month, Gorham was named CIO of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. With Tomer Zuker recently appointed as OPSWATs Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Gorhams promotion comes at a transformational time for the company as it continues to grow and meet the increasing demand for CIP solutions around the world. ### About OPSWAT OPSWAT is a global leader in IT, OT and ICS critical infrastructure cybersecurity solutions and Deep Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR), protecting the worlds mission-critical organizations from malware and zero-day attacks. To minimize the risk of compromise, OPSWAT Critical Infrastructure Protection solutions safeguard both public and private sector organizations with the latest technology, processes, and hardware scanning to secure the transfer of data, files, and device access across critical networks. More than 1,500 organizations worldwide spanning Financial Services, Defense, Manufacturing, Energy, Aerospace, and Transportation Systems trust OPSWAT to secure their files and devices; ensure compliance with industry and government-driven policies and regulations, and protect their reputation, finances, employees, and customers from cyber-driven disruption. For more information on OPSWAT, visit www.opswat.com. Attachment WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA announced the appointment of Andrea A. Hayes Dixon, M.D., FACS, FAAP as the Howard University College of Medicine dean. With the appointment, effective October 3, 2022, Hayes Dixon becomes the first Black woman to serve as dean of The Howard University College of Medicine. She will succeed Hugh Mighty, MD, MBA, FACOG, who served as dean of the College of Medicine since 2015. With Hayes Dixons appointment, the number of women serving as academic deans at Howard University increases to 11. I am overjoyed to have the honor of announcing that for the first time in the colleges 154-year history, a Black woman will serve as the dean of the Howard University College of Medicine, said Frederick. If you look at the data on womens leadership in medicine, it shows there is still much progress to be made. With the appointment of Dr. Hayes Dixon, Howard University not only gains an incredible leader but we move the University and the field of medicine forward. According to 2021 data by the Association of American Medical Colleges, only 22 percent of medical school deans in the nation are women. With the distinction of becoming dean, Hayes Dixon adds to an already extensive list of groundbreaking accomplishments. In 2004, Hayes Dixon became the first African American woman in the nation to become a board-certified pediatric surgeon. In 2006, she became the first surgeon in the world to perform a high-risk life-saving procedure in teens with rare forms of abdominal cancer. Just last year, she became the first woman chair of the Department of Surgery at Howard University. I am truly honored and humbled to lead the outstanding Howard University College of Medicine, said Hayes Dixon. The responsibility of educating the nations next generation of leaders in medicine, is an enormous responsibility that I take very seriously. I am excited to engender allies and friends to join me in the journey of moving Howard forward. As dean of the College of Medicine, reporting to Anthony K. Wutoh, Ph.D., R.Ph., provost and chief academic officer, Hayes Dixon will oversee all aspects of academic and administrative affairs for the College of Medicine. Prior to joining Howard University, Hayes Dixon served as the surgeon-in-chief and division chief of pediatric surgery at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Childrens Hospital, where she also served as a professor of pediatric surgery and surgical oncology. Hayes Dixon leads a basic science laboratory, which focuses on rare sarcomas and maintains clinical research efforts. She specializes in refractory and resistant tumors in children, specifically soft tissue sarcomas in children. Patients from around the world request her services because of the rare diseases she investigates. She previously served as the section chief of pediatric surgery at the University of Texas (UT) MD Anderson Cancer Center. This is an exciting moment in the history of the College of Medicine as we look forward to the continued rise of the University in training the next generation of medical leaders and providers, said, Mighty, senior vice president for health affairs. Dr. Hayes will bring new experiences and vision to the mission of our historic College of Medicine. A native of Los Angeles Hayes Dixon earned a bachelors degree in religion from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. She then earned a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College. She completed a residency program at the University of California Davis-East Bay, under the tutelage of Claude Organ Jr., M.D. She also completed a molecular biology fellowship at the University of California - San Francisco. Hayes Dixon then completed a pediatric surgical oncology fellowship at the St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, and a pediatric surgery fellowship at the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children. She also participated in a special fellowship in melanoma and sarcoma at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. President Frederick also thanked Mighty for his stewardship of the College of Medicine since 2015. Under Mightys leadership, the College of Medicine received full re-accreditation, increased the number of graduates continuing to highly acclaimed residency programs, and led the Universitys collaborative partnership with Adventist Healthcare. As dean, Mighty led Howard Universitys COVID-19 response, established a testing clinic and a vaccine clinic, and provided services to the Howard University community and District of Columbia residents. Mighty will maintain his role as senior vice president for health affairs, where he will continue to lead clinical partnerships and collaborations, strengthen the Universitys partnership with Adventist Healthcare and advise the University on various clinical matters. Attachment New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "U.A.E. Diesel Generator Set Market" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317763/?utm_source=GNW The considerable advance is credited to the increasing requirement for backup and prime sources of power, chiefly in residential spaces, retail outlets, hotels, hospitals, and other commercial spaces. The industry is also driven by the high demand for diesel gensets with medium and high power ratings from the mining, construction, energy & power, manufacturing, and oil & gas sectors. The 376750 kVA category had the largest share, of more than 40%, of the U.A.E. diesel generator set market in 2021. This is credited to the increasing installation of these gensets in shops, healthcare centers, hospitality units, and industrial facilities as a backup electricity source. The largest revenue share, of 40%, in the U.A.E. diesel generator set market, was held by the industrial category in 2021, and it is likely to showcase significant growth in the years to come. The booming industrial development across the nation, driven by government efforts to lessen their reliance on oil & gas, is driving the sales of diesel generator sets. The U.A.E. is also observing a growing usage of data centers by hyperscale cloud providers and businesses across other sectors looking to exploit the national and global data consumption. The government has also driven the need for cloud-based facilities in the nation. Additionally, with the quick development of technologies such as IoT, big data, edge computing, and 5G connectivity, extra space for data has become essential in the U.A.E. The requirement for fuel-efficient DG sets is rising among construction businesses, oil & gas firms, and other enterprises in the nation. To content the surging need, U.A.E. diesel generator set market players are introducing innovative products, entering into partnerships, and allotting resources and funds to establish or develop their supply chains. The U.A.E. has hosted numerous international events in the recent past, for example, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which brought together more than 1,000 exhibitors from 50 nations; it was organized in 2022. Furthermore, in 2019, the AFC Asian Cup was held, witnessing the participation of 24 teams. Likewise, the Special Olympics World Games were held in Abu Dhabi and attended by around 7,500 athletes. Further, Expo 2020, which was one of the biggest recent events in Dubai, was held in 2021. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317763/?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. __________________________ FALLS CHURCH, Va., Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announces that its board of directors has elected Roshan Roeder corporate vice president and president, Defense Systems sector, effective October 17, 2022. Roeder will succeed Mary Petryszyn, who has announced her intent to retire effective January 13, 2023. Roshan is a seasoned executive with extensive experience leading a broad spectrum of businesses," said Kathy Warden, chair, chief executive officer and president, Northrop Grumman. With her leadership, our Defense Systems businesses will continue to thrive as they deliver mission-critical capabilities for our customers. On behalf of our company and the board of directors, I want to thank Mary for her contributions over her decade-long career with Northrop Grumman, said Warden. Marys unwavering commitment to our people, our customers and our culture is core to who she is and what she stands for. Petryszyn will continue as corporate vice president, reporting to Warden to support this transition until her retirement. Roeder is currently vice president and general manager of the Airborne Multifunction Sensors Division in the Mission Systems sector, which delivers large-scale, mission-critical C4ISR systems and complex hardware and software products for airborne platforms. In her 20-plus-year career with Northrop Grumman, she has led many different businesses for the company. She holds a bachelors degree in computer engineering from Virginia Tech. Northrop Grumman is a technology company, focused on global security and human discovery. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with capabilities they need to connect, advance and protect the U.S. and its allies. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers toughest problems, our 90,000 employees define possible every day. Contact: Vic Beck 703-280-4456 vic.beck@ngc.com Johnstown, PA, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) was recently awarded a $5.2 million U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) contract that involves building the worlds largest additive manufacturing (AM) machine. The project intends to overcome the limits of current AM (3D) equipment to build longer parts for critical defense applications. We are excited to play a role in this ground-breaking AM advancement, said Edward J. Sheehan, Jr., CTC President and CEO. The technical work we are performing for this project includes elements of CTCs full-service portfolio of AM capabilities including design, testing, post processing, machining, and qualification. CTC is working with subcontractor SLM Solutions NA, Inc. (U.S. office) to build this industrial metal 3D printer/machine with an extended 1.5-meter build envelope in the Z-axis. Partnering with CTC, a premier research and development company, will help us achieve the goal to create a new AM capability, said Sam OLeary, SLM Solutions CEO. We look forward to collaborating on an AM machine that will work much faster than existing equipment and feature the largest build envelope in the industry by far. Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) is an independent, nonprofit, applied scientific research and development professional services organization. CTC collaborates with its technology transition affiliate, Enterprise Ventures Corporation, to provide transformative, full lifecycle solutions through research, development, test, and evaluation work. To best serve our clients needs, we offer the complete ability to fully design, develop, test, prototype and build. We deliver robust, technical, and innovative solutions that safeguard our national security, retain U.S. technological advantage, and ensure the primacy of American manufacturing. For more information about CTC, visit www.ctc.com. SLM Solutions is a global provider of integrated metal additive manufacturing solutions. Leading the industry since its inception, it continues to drive the future of metal AM in every major industry with its customers long-term success at its core. SLM Solutions is home to the worlds fastest metal additive manufacturing machines boasting up to 12 lasers and enabling build rates up to 1000ccm/h. With a portfolio of systems to suit every customer's needs, along with its team of experts closely collaborating at every stage of the process, SLM Solutions leads the way on return on investment with maximum efficiency, productivity, and profitability. SLM Solutions believes that additive manufacturing is the future of manufacturing and has the desire and capability to take its customers there right now. SLM Solutions is a publicly traded company headquartered in Germany, with offices in Canada, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States. Further information is available on www.slm-solutions.com. Attachment New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Bariatric Surgery Devices Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317010/?utm_source=GNW The global bariatric surgery devices market is expected to grow from $1.59 billion in 2021 to $1.71 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.06%. The bariatric surgery devices market is expected to grow to $2.26 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.15%. The bariatric surgery devices market consists of sales of bariatric surgery devices by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refer to surgical devices used in bariatric surgery to reduce the weight of an individual by reducing the size of the stomach. Bariatric surgery devices are FDA-approved surgical equipment or devices used for surgeries performed in the gastrointestinal tract for facilitating weight loss for individuals with obesity or severe obesity. The main types of bariatric surgery devices include minimally invasive surgical devices, stapling devices, energy/vessel sealing devices, suturing devices, accessories, and non-invasive surgical devices.Minimally invasive surgical devices refer to surgical instruments specifically designed to perform the procedure through a small incision in the body rather than a large opening that benefits patients including reduced blood loss, minimal tissue damage, and faster recovery and rehabilitation time. These surgical devices are used in various procedures ranging from sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, revision bariatric surgery, non-invasive bariatric surgery, adjustable gastric banding, mini-gastric bypass, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. These surgical devices are widely used by clinics, hospitals, specialty centers, and ambulatory surgical centers. North America was the largest region in the bariatric surgery devices market in 2021.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the bariatric surgery devices market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The bariatric surgery devices market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides bariatric surgery devices market statistics, including bariatric surgery devices industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a bariatric surgery devices market share, detailed bariatric surgery devices market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the bariatric surgery devices industry. This bariatric surgery devices 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 growing obese population is significantly contributing to the growth of the bariatric surgery devices market.Obesity refers to the abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat, which might impair the health of individuals. In recent years, obesity has become a public health challenge across the globe, with a substantial contribution to global mortality and morbidity.The growing utilization of surgical procedures by obesity population across the globe to mitigate fat deposits are expected to boost demand for bariatric surgery devices. For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1 billion people globally are obese currently (2022), out of which 650 million accounts for adults, 340 million are adolescents and 39 million are children. Therefore, an increase in the obese population will contribute to the growth of the bariatric surgery devices market. Technological advancement is a key trend gaining popularity in the bariatric surgery devices market.Key players operating in the bariatric surgery devices market are focusing on developing technologically advanced products to meet the surgical demands and strengthen their position in the market. These developments include devices that offer improved features for better outcomes in bariatric surgery while reducing risks during the procedure.For instance, in September 2021, Olympus Corporation, a Japan-based medical technology company launched POWERSEAL advanced bipolar surgical energy devices. POWERSEAL provides surgeons with state-of-the-art sealing, dissection, and grasping capabilities in laparoscopic or open surgery while highly reducing the force required by the surgeon to close the jaws. It can be used in various forms of surgical procedures including bariatric surgery, general surgery and gynaecological, colorectal, urological, and other surgeries. In February 2020, Medtronic plc, an American medical device company acquired Digital Surgery for an undisclosed amount.The acquisition by Medtronic focused on utilizing the in-house team of digital surgery for the development of pedestal-based robot surgery systems, which can be used in general, urology, gynaecology, thoracic, colorectal, and bariatric procedures. Digital Surgery, is a UK-based developer of digital surgical tools utilizing advanced technologies such as next-generation computing, AI, visualization, and other tools. The countries covered in the bariatric surgery devices market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317010/?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. __________________________ New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Washing Machine Market By Type By Machine Capacity, By Distribution Channel (Multi-Branded Stores, Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, Online and Others, By Region, Competition, Opportunity and Forecast, 2017-2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06036620/?utm_source=GNW ), By Region, Competition, Opportunity and Forecast, 2017-2027 The global Washing Machine Market was valued USD71.77 billion in 2021 and is forecast to register a CAGR of 3.83% through 2027 to reach USD89.27 billion by 2027. The global washing machine market is mainly driven by increasing population in urban areas, changing lifestyles, and increasing technological advancements. Numerous global corporations are investing a significant amount of money in their research and development division because of the industrys growing demand for washing machines. The largest number of advances have been made for the massive global washing machine market.Every market leader wants to provide its customers brand-new, cutting-edge washing machines. The global Washing Machine Market can be segmented as front load automatic, top load automatic, and semi-automatic based on type.Manufacturers now have new means to connect with their clients thanks to the rise of the e-commerce industry and increased internet penetration rates, globally. The expansion of the global Washing Machine Market has been supported by the ability of businesses to increase their distribution reach and serve clients in even the most remote places thanks to the online sales channel.Rising disposable income is one of the primary drivers of the global washing machine market. It indicates a higher standard of living and greater consumer purchasing power. During the forecast period, demand for washing machines is anticipated to increase due to increased GDP per capita income globally. As many nations went into lockdown during COVID-19 and the global supply chain was disrupted, washing machine sales fell.Many businesses at the time claimed they had a decline in the number of washing machines sold due to weak demand in the first two quarters of 2020. Still, in the second half of the year, the washing machine industry grew at a strong rate. Increasing online sales fuel market expansion In 2020, online sales increased due to lockdowns and social distance practices.Washing machine manufacturers have extended their online presence on e-commerce sites such as Amazon, E-bay, etc. Customers opted to purchase washing machines through the internet. Many companies developed distinctive promotions and loyalty schemes like "Smart Upgrade" to keep and expand their user base. Increasing Washing Machine Innovations Driving the Market Growth Manufacturers of washing machines are introducing innovation in their products to boost technical development.LG Electronics (LG) launched its most innovative laundry invention, with an Artificial Intelligence Direct Drive (AI DD) motor, the new LG ThinQ front-load washing machine surpasses the capabilities of conventional washers. Internal water heaters, faster spin rates, anti-vibration technology, and tub cleaning cycles are some of the latest innovations that help washing machines work better. Rising Number of Nuclear Families The washing machine business will advance in the future because of growing nuclear households, more working women, and more consumer per capita income.A more comprehensive selection of alternatives encourages city people to switch from semi-automatic to fully automatic machines. Due to the vast price gap between fully automatic and semi-automatic top loaders, manufacturers can now actively market the former. Rising Population Will lead to the Market Growth of Global Washing Machine Market Rural demand is anticipated to increase and disposable incomes to rise even more due to the governments ambitious plans to strengthen the industrial sector, quadruple agricultural revenues, and make other structural changes targeted at reviving the economy.This expanding group of people and increased purchasing power may inspire innovation and generate employment, promoting economic progress. The need for a washing machine will rise as disposable income rises, which will lead to further market expansion. Market Segmentation The global washing machine market is segmented based on type, machine capacity, distribution channel, region, and competitive landscape.Based on the type, the market is segmented into front-load automatic, top-load automatic, and semi-automatic. Based on machine capacity, the market is categorized into below 8 kg and 8 kg and above. Based on distribution channel, the market is segmented into multi-branded store, supermarkets and hypermarkets, online and others (institutional sales, exclusive stores, etc.). The market analysis also studies the regional segmentation to devise regional market segmentation, divided among Asia-Pacific, North America, South America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. In terms of country, the United States Washing Machine Market is forecast to grow at a faster rate and is expected to reach around USD13.75 billion by 2027. Company Profiles Whirlpool Corporation, LG Electronics Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH, AB Electrolux, Panasonic Corporation, Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd., Midea Group Co., Ltd., Hitachi, Ltd., IFB Industries Limited and others are among the major market players in the washing machine industry that led the market growth of the global washing machine market. Report Scope: In this report, global Washing Machine Market has been segmented into following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below: Global Washing machine Market, By Type: Front Load Automatic Top Load Automatic Semi-Automatic Global Washing machine Market, By Machine Capacity: Below 8 Kg 8 Kg and Above Global Washing machine Market, By Distribution Channel: Multi-Branded Stores Supermarkets and Hypermarkets Online Others Global Washing machine Market, By Region: o Asia-Pacific China Japan South Korea India Australia Vietnam Thailand Indonesia o North America United States Mexico Canada o Europe Germany United Kingdom Italy France Spain Netherlands o Middle East & Africa Turkey Egypt Saudi Arabia UAE South Africa o South America Brazil Colombia Argentina Competitive Landscape Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in global washing machine market. Available Customizations: With the given market data, we offers customizations according to a companys specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report: Company Information Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five). Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06036620/?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. __________________________ New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Ventricular Assist Device Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317007/?utm_source=GNW The global ventricular assist device market is expected to grow from $1.51 billion in 2021 to $1.70 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.01%. The ventricular assist device market is expected to reach $2.69 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 12.16%. The ventricular assist device market consists of sales of ventricular assist devices by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refer to an implantable mechanical circulatory device used to treat heart failure by pumping blood from the heart to the rest of the body, improving circulation to vital organs. A wide range of ventricular assist devices are approved by the US FDA to provide long-term or permanent support to patients with end-stage heart failure. The main types of ventricular assist devices include left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), right ventricular assist devices (RVADs), and biventricular assist devices (BIVADs).The left ventricular assist devices refer to a battery-operated mechanical pump that helps in pumping blood from the left ventricle to the vital organs of the body. They are differentiated based on design into transcutaneous ventricular assist devices and implantable ventricular assist devices, and they operate on different flows which include pulsatile flow and continuous flow. they are used in hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and cardiology centers for bridge-transplant therapy, destination therapy, bridge-to-recovery therapy, and bridge-to-candidacy therapy. North America was the largest region in the ventricular assist device market in 2021.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the ventricular assist device market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The ventricular assist device market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides ventricular assist device market statistics, including ventricular assist device industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a ventricular assist device market share, detailed ventricular assist device market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the ventricular assist device industry. This ventricular assist device 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 increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders is driving the growth of the ventricular assist device market.Cardiovascular disorders are heart diseases caused by high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, inactivity, and other factors. The increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders is also due to noncontagious diseases such as diabetes, chronic respiratory illness, and heart attacks due to hypertension.The significant increase in cardiovascular disorders is expected to boost demand for ventricular assist devices as they act as a vital support system for severely ill cardiac patients. For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019, 17.9 million people died from cardiovascular diseases accounting for 32% of all global deaths. Of these, 85% of deaths were due to stroke and heart attack. Therefore, the increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders is expected to boost demand for ventricular assist devices during the forecast period. The rise in awareness regarding heart failure treatment is driving the growth of the ventricular assist device market.Heart failure is a disorder or set of symptoms that cause the heart to weaken or harden. Heart failure is defined by the hearts inability to provide enough blood to the body, and coronary artery disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, and damage to the heart muscle are some causes of heart failure.The rapid rise in awareness regarding heart failure treatments is expected to boost the utilization of ventricular assist devices to treat heart failure. For instance, according to the digital health service company VPG Medical Inc, around 670,000 people are diagnosed with heart failure each year in the USA. Additionally, according to the study published by the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), the occurrence of heart failure is expected to rise from 6.5 million Americans to more than 8 million by 2030. Thus, the rise in awareness regarding heart failure treatment will drive the growth of the ventricular assist device market. Technological advancement is a key trend gaining popularity in the ventricular assist device market.The company operating in the ventricular assist device sector are focusing on developing next-generation ventricular assist devices to improve the function of blood circulation. Key players are focusing on developing ventricular assist devices with new technology to gain a competitive edge and strengthen their position in the market.For instance, CorWave, a France-based medical technology company has developed left ventricular assist device (LVAD) membrane pump technology. This LVAD based on membrane pump technology utilizes a pulse pump (electromagnetic pulses) instead of a rotary pump to move blood and more closely encourages the movement of blood in a heart. It creates a pulsatile pumping action much more similar to the native heart. The countries covered in the ventricular assist device 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/p06317007/?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. __________________________ New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Peripheral IV Catheters Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06316986/?utm_source=GNW , Medical Components Inc., Vascular Pathways Inc., Tangent Medical Technologies Inc., Vigmed AB, Venner Medical and C. R. Bard, Inc. The global peripheral IV catheters market is expected to grow from $4.43 billion in 2021 to $4.78 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The peripheral IV catheters market is expected to grow to $5.87 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 5.3%. The peripheral IV catheters market consists of sales of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refer to a thin flexible tube that is placed into a vein to deliver medications and nutritional supplements. Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are used for therapeutic purposes such as administration of medications, fluids, or blood products as well as blood sampling. The main types of peripheral IV catheters are short peripheral intravenous catheters and integrated/closed peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC).A short peripheral catheter is less than 3 inches long. The technology used in peripheral IV catheters is conventional peripheral intravenous catheters, a safety PIVC that is used across various end-users such as hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and home healthcare. North America was the largest region in the peripheral IV catheters market in 2021.North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the peripheral IV catheters market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa. The peripheral IV catheters market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides peripheral IV catheters market statistics, including peripheral IV catheters industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a peripheral IV catheters market share, detailed peripheral iv catheters market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the peripheral IV catheters industry. This peripheral IV catheters 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 rising prevalence of chronic diseases is expected to propel the growth of the peripheral IV catheters market.Peripheral intravenous catheters are commonly used in the management of various chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and others. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, in 2020, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for approximately 10 million deaths, or nearly one in six deaths globally.Cancer-causing infections like human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis are mostly responsible for nearly 30% of cancer cases in low and lower-middle-income countries. Therefore, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases is expected to propel the growth of the peripheral IV catheters market. Technological advancements are shaping the peripheral IV catheters market.Many companies in the market are developing new products to provide technically enhanced products to their users. In September 2019, Terumo Medical Corporation, a Japan-based medical device company announced that it has introduced the R2P MISAGO RX Self-expanding Peripheral Stent at the 31st Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Conference, the worlds premier educational meeting that is specialized in interventional cardiovascular medicine.The introduction of R2P MISAGO will help physicians bring the benefits associated with a radial access approach to patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). R2P MISAGO is a device within the Radial to Peripheral (R2P) Portfolio, the first and only portfolio of longer-length radial devices that are specifically designed for peripheral procedures. In July 2021, BD (Becton, Dickinson, and Company), a global medical technology company, acquired Velano Vascular for an undisclosed amount.Through the acquisition, BD can now help health care providers eliminate multiple needlesticks for blood sample collection, reducing pain and discomfort while delivering quality outcomes and increased patient satisfaction, thanks to Velano Vascular and its innovative, needle-free technology that enables high-quality blood draws from existing peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) lines. Velano Vascular is a California-based medical equipment manufacturer; whose needle-free technology enables high-quality blood draws from existing PIVC lines. The countries covered in the peripheral iv catheters market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06316986/?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. __________________________ New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Auto-Dimming Mirror Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317652/?utm_source=GNW , Murakami Corporation, Shenzhen Germid Co., Samvardhana Motherson Group, Tokairika Co. Ltd., SL Corporation, Ichikoh Industries Ltd., Metagal Industria E-commercio Ltd, Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co.Ltd., Dura Automotive Systems, Webasto SE, and Glas Trosch Holding AG. The global auto dimming mirror market is expected to grow from $1.82 billion in 2021 to $1.98 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The auto-dimming mirror market is expected to reach $2.41 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 5%. The auto-dimming mirror market consists of sales of auto-dimming mirrors by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that are used to improve visibility and safety at night while driving.Auto-dimming mirrors are made up of a mirror and an electronic system that uses photo sensors to detect light from the front and back. These mirrors can dim the light reflecting from their surface by considerably reducing the glare of light from following vehicles on busy routes at night. The main types of fuel in auto-dimming mirror markets are internal combustion engines, hybrids, and electric.The internal combustion engine (ICE) refers to the ignition and combustion of the fuel that occurs within the engine itself. The engines convert the energy from the combustion into work.The engine consists of a fixed cylinder and a moving piston. The various vehicle types include passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles and involve several functions such as connected auto-dimming mirrors and non-connected auto-dimming mirrors. The various applications include the inside rear-view mirror and the outside rear-view mirror. Asia Pacific was the largest region in the auto-dimming mirror market in 2021.North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the auto-dimming mirror market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The auto dimming mirror solutions market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides auto dimming mirror solutions market statistics, including auto dimming mirror solutions industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an auto dimming mirror solutions market share, detailed auto dimming mirror solutions market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the auto dimming mirror solutions industry. This auto-dimming mirror solutions 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 surge in the automotive industry is expected to propel the growth of the auto-dimming mirror market going forward.The automotive industry refers to the designing, developing, and manufacturing of motor vehicles. These mirrors are used in vehicles to reduce the glare of light that is coming from other vehicles and hence prevent the driver from getting distracted. For instance, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation, an India-based government export agency, in May 2022, sales of automobiles in India increased by 5.8%, which is 18.49 million units, as compared to 17.47 million units in the year 2020. Also, the premium car industry sold 2,259 units in December 2021, an increase of 19.7% when compared with 2020. Therefore, the growth of the automotive industry is driving the growth of the auto-dimming mirror market. Technological innovations have emerged as the key trend gaining popularity in the auto-dimming market.Major companies operating in the auto-dimming sector are focused on introducing new technologies to sustain their position in the market. For instance, in August 2019, Gentex, a US-based company that develops, designs, and manufactures automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors, launched the latest version of its HomeLink car-to-home automation system that works on Bluetooth.It also controls a variety of radio frequencies by using cloud-based home automation technology that makes up the system. In addition, the company created an app that allows cloud-based device operation. In October 2021, Motherson Sumi Systems Limited, an India-based automotive components manufacturer, acquired Nanchang JMCG Mekra Lang Vehicle Mirror for an undisclosed amount.This acquisition would help SMR Group expand into the commercial vehicle category. Also, it would allow SMR to explore additional prospects for expansion in this region and strengthen the companys presence in a growing market. Nanchang JMCG is a China-based manufacturer of vehicle mirrors. The countries covered in the auto-dimming mirror market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317652/?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. __________________________ SALISBURY, N.C., Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An innovative initiative to address food insecurity on and around college campuses in North Carolina is launching its fourth annual effort. The Food Lion Feeds Collegiate Hunger Challenge, held in partnership with North Carolina Campus Engagement, encourages 15 North Carolina colleges and universities to compete against one another to see which student body collects and donates the most food to neighbors in need. Food Lion Feeds is Food Lions hunger-relief platform, and North Carolina Campus Engagement is a collaborative network of colleges and universities committed to educating students on civic and social responsibility. Through the competition, Food Lion Feeds and North Carolina Campus Engagement will award up to $22,000 in cash and prizes to winning colleges for their efforts to fight hunger on and around their campus. Throughout the challenge, which runs from Sept. 26, 2022, through Jan. 6, 2023, the participating colleges and universities earn points based on several activities the school participates in, all centered around combating food insecurity and raising awareness about the issue. Since the statewide Collegiate Hunger Challenge began in 2018, 28 North Carolina colleges and universities have participated. As part of the challenge, each school selects one or two MVP Student Hunger ambassadors responsible for leading the effort. We know hunger on and around college campuses is a significant issue, and were excited to partner with the next generation of leaders to find solutions for our neighbors in need, said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds. The Collegiate Hunger Challenge is a creative way to address food insecurities in our communities and support our partners in education. The Collegiate Hunger Challenge also kicks off in September to align with Hunger Action Month, a time when Food Lion Feeds deepens its commitment to raise awareness and inspire action to help people facing impossible choices resulting from food insecurity. This is such a powerful example of how higher education and business can partner to address a public issue for which they both are concerned, such as hunger and food insecurity, said Leslie Garvin, Executive Director of North Carolina Campus Engagement. It is so exciting to witness the passion and hard work of the student hunger ambassadors as they develop the civic skills to continue to be community leaders in the future. The 2022 Collegiate Hunger Challenge participating North Carolina schools are: University Partner City Appalachian State University Boone Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte Davidson-Davie Community College Lexington Durham Technical Community College Durham East Carolina University Greenville Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City Fayetteville State University Fayetteville Guilford College Greensboro North Carolina Central University Durham Piedmont Community College Roxboro Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte University of North Carolina, Charlotte Charlotte University of North Carolina, Greensboro Greensboro University of North Carolina, Pembroke Pembroke University of North Carolina, Wilmington Wilmington To learn more about the Food Lion Feeds hunger relief initiative, visit foodlion.com/feeds. About Food Lion Food Lion is an omnichannel retailer committed to nourishing its neighbors during the moments that matter most. More than 82,000 associates across 1,100+ stores deliver an easy, fresh and affordable shopping experience throughout 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Through its Count on me culture, Food Lion fosters a sense of belonging for all associates, promoting a diverse and inclusive environment that has supported LGBTQ+ equality for nearly two decades. Food Lion is the only company in the country to be named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for 21 consecutive years. It also pioneered a food rescue program to support food-insecure neighbors. Through Food Lion Feeds, the retailer has donated more than 970 million meals to individuals and families since 2014 and has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025. Founded and based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize. For more information, visit foodlion.com. About North Carolina Campus Engagement North Carolina Campus Compact is a collaborative network of colleges and universities committed to educating students for civic and social responsibility, partnering with communities for positive change and strengthening democracy. Learn more at nccampusengagement.org CONTACTS: Food Lion Media Relations 704-245-3317 publicrelationsteam@foodlion.com Leslie Garvin (NCCE) 336-278-7198 lgarvin@ncegnage.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a1260ada-0414-477e-8f38-6813b75d3e8f LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Swann, the leading brand of Do-It-Yourself security products for over three decades in Australia and the United States, announces the wide release of its Fourtify WiFi Security System. The Fourtify System provides peace of mind while being easy on the pocket. The reliable hybrid CCTV security system with wired 1080p cameras is perfect for perimeter security. Instead of a DVR box, the Fourtify system has a powered WiFi camera to connect the three additional wired cameras. The consumer can choose a preferred location to mount the primary WiFi camera, plug it into power, and then connect the other wired cameras to the primary camera without the need to take cables indoors for a quick and easy installation. Finally, view the live stream of all four cameras via the Swann Security App on a mobile device. Security features of the primary Fourtify WiFi camera include a loud siren (70 decibels) and two-way talk to greet guests or warn and deter intruders. This system comes with all other standard Swann features, such as weatherproof cameras, Night2Day Color Night Vision, and TrueDetect technology. Also, consumers can connect to other Swann products via the highly rated Swann Security App. In comparison to other camera brands, Swann Security offers free recording and clips save clips locally to the included 64GB Micro SD card. Fortify your home or business with the Swann Fourtify WiFi Security System and enjoy easy-to-install, reliable multi-camera affordable security. Included in the Swann Fourtify Kit box is a Fourtify Camera, 3 x PRO-1080MSX Cameras, a 64GB Micro SD Card, and 3 x 60ft Camera Extension Cable, 40ft Power Extension Cable, Power Adapter & Splitter, Mounting Hardware, Operating Instructions, and Swann Theft Deterrent Stickers. "We are pleased to be releasing the Fourtify WiFi Security System to a wider market," said Mike Lucas, CEO of Swann Security. "This is a reliable, low-cost product, perfect DIY security to provide peace of mind, so one knows that the perimeter of their property is always secure." The Swann Fourtify Kit just won the category Smart Home & Automation: DIY Smart Home Kits in the 2022 TWICE VIP Award from TWICE magazine. ABOUT SWANN: Swann has been in the security business for 35 years. As the worldwide leader of wired, DIY security solutions, Swann helps its customers protect their homes, businesses, and garages no matter where life takes them. Founded in Melbourne, Australia, Swann creates innovative DIY security solutions. Swann is the only brand that offers a complete lineup of inter-connectable wired and wireless security solutions via the Swann Security app, wholly integrated with Hey Google and Alexa. Follow Swann across social media for the latest products and news: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Contact Information: Tiffany Woo tiffany@presspassla.com (310) 817-0230 Related Images Image 1 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pixieset Media Inc. ("Pixieset" or the "Company"), a leading software provider for photographers and creative professionals, today announced that its Co-founder & CEO Simon Wong and Co-Founder & COO Phoebe Jiang have been named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 Pacific Region Winners. The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is a global program that recognizes the most ambitious leaders who are building and sustaining successful, dynamic businesses around the world. "What stands out about this year's finalists is their ability to capture growth in new or evolving markets," says Lui Petrollini, Entrepreneur Of The Year Pacific Program Director. "From infrastructure and meal delivery to talent management and cybersecurity, these organizations are well positioned to respond to consumer and business trends arising from the pandemic not just surviving but thriving in this new world. We're excited to celebrate their achievements." Founded in 2013, Pixieset supports photographers and creatives across the world as they launch and grow their businesses. Over the years, it has become one of the fastest growing companies in the photography industry, with over 700,000+ users on its platform globally. Phoebe Jiang commented, "Thank you, EY Canada, for this tremendous honour to be recognized alongside other incredible entrepreneurs. In building Pixieset, we had a dream of changing the photography industry for good by building software products that would empower any photographer out there to run their business with ease. I'm proud to say that we are doing just that, surrounded by an amazingly talented team of individuals who share this same dream." "We are honored to be recognized as EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 Pacific award winners. This award is a testament to the amazing team that we have at Pixieset, and we couldn't have done this without them," Simon Wong stated. About Pixieset: Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Pixieset is an all-in-one SaaS platform that offers a range of solutions, including website, gallery, and business management tools to help photographers and other creatives manage their workflow. The company has over 700,000+ users around the world and is a market leader in the industry. Stay in touch by following Pixieset on LinkedIn and Instagram. For more information, visit pixieset.com. About EY: EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers to the complex issues facing our world today. EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. ### Pixieset info@pixieset.com Contact Information: Rianna Tan HR Specialist info@pixieset.com 6043187779 Related Files EOY 2022_Regional Winner Logo_Pacific.png Related Images Image 1: Pixieset Media Inc. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Predictive Maintenance Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317014/?utm_source=GNW The global predictive maintenance market is expected to grow from $4.46 billion in 2021 to $5.86 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.55%. The predictive maintenance market is expected to grow to $17.09 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.67%. The predictive maintenance market consists of sales of predictive maintenance by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refer to data-driven condition monitoring tools and techniques designed to analyze equipment conditions and predict maintenance requirements.It uses testing methods such as data acquisition, data transformation, asset health evaluation, prognostics, decision support system, and a human interface layer that helps various industries to reduce maintenance and protect their machinery by connecting all the data sources combined with data analytics. The key element used in the process is the internet of things (IoT), allowing systems to work together to translate and analyze the recorded data. The main types of predictive maintenance include solutions and services.Predictive maintenance solutions are custom-designed software or platforms used for asset management, based on unique business requirements and operate on the internet of things (IoT) technology. They have deployed both on-premise and cloud infrastructure on stakeholders ranging from MRO, OEM/ODM, and technology integrators. They are used in heavy machinery, small machinery and others in industries ranging from aerospace & defense, automotive & transportation, energy & utilities, healthcare, IT & telecommunication, manufacturing, oil & gas, and other industries. North America was the largest region in the predictive maintenance market in 2021.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the predictive maintenance market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The predictive maintenance market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides predictive maintenance market statistics, including predictive maintenance industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a predictive maintenance market share, detailed predictive maintenance market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the predictive maintenance industry. This predictive maintenance 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 growing demand to reduce maintenance costs, equipment failure and downtime is significantly contributing to the growth of the predictive maintenance market.Equipment downtime refers to the duration in which particular equipment is not in operation due to unplanned equipment failure. Frequent equipment failure and unplanned downtime of large equipment are hampering the business operations due to a temporary halt of production activities, idle staff time, financial penalties, and others.For instance, according to the study published in Senseye Ltd, a UK-based provider of AI-driven predictive maintenance software, in June 2021, each production plant is losing $172 million per annum due to unplanned downtime. Thus, these manufacturing units are investing in advanced technologies to mitigate the probable unprecedented downtime of machinery in the plant. Therefore, growing demand to reduce maintenance costs, equipment failure, and downtime is expected to boost demand for predictive maintenance during the forecast period. The adoption of advanced technology is a key trend gaining popularity in the predictive maintenance market.Major companies operating in the predictive maintenance market are focused on providing technologically advanced predictive maintenance solutions to meet the technical demands of end customers and strengthen their market position. These companies are implementing next-generation technologies into their services such as IoT, AI (artificial intelligence), ML (machine learning), thermography, cloud computing, and others to match the market demand for better maintenance.For instance, in December 2021, Avanseus, Singapore-based predictive maintenance, and intelligent monitoring solutions company introduced an AI-based predictive maintenance solution across the operations of Bharti Airtel, an Indian premier communications company. The predictive maintenance solution uses machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) to support the move towards zero-fault, zero-touch networks by proactively predicting and preventing incidents in the network. In October 2019, AB SKF, a Swedish bearing and seal manufacturing company acquired Presenso Ltd for an undisclosed amount.This acquisition enables SKF to build digital capability to offer best-in-class, outcome-based solutions to customers. Presenso Ltd is an Israel-based artificial intelligence (AI) company that offers predictive maintenance software. The countries covered in the predictive maintenance 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/p06317014/?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. __________________________ VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osino Resources Corp. (TSXV:OSI) (FSE:RSR1) (OTCQX:OSIIF) ("Osino or the Company) is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated August 16, 2022, the Company has completed acquisitions of two remaining minority interests in the mineral properties comprising the Twin Hills Gold Project (the "Acquisitions"). Osino completed the acquisition of the remaining 10% of the shares in the capital of Osino Namibia Minerals Exploration (Proprietary) Limited ("ONME") for aggregate consideration of C$870,000 paid by issuance of 1,000,000 common shares of the Company to Ominda Mineral Resources Close Corporation ("Ominda"), who is arm's length to Osino (the "ONME Acquisition"). ONME was a 90% owned subsidiary of Osino and holds 8 EPLs covering a total of 86,409 hectares, including an EPL which hosts the gold mineralization at the Clouds deposit, forming part of Osinos overall Twin Hills gold mineral resource. As a result of the ONME Acquisition, Osino now owns 100% of ONME. The common shares of the Company issued under the ONME Acquisition are subject to a restriction from resale for a period of 24 months from the date of closing. In addition, Osino also acquired 20% of the shares in Richwing Exploration (Pty) Ltd ("Richwing) for aggregate consideration of C$137,931 (the "Richwing Acquisition"), paid through the issuance of 37,615 shares and a cash payment of C$96,552 to Richroad Investments Close Corporation ("Richroad") and South Wing Investments Close Corporation ("Southwing"), who are arm's length to Osino. Richwing was 80% owned by Osino and holds an EPL which hosts gold mineralization and industrial minerals south of the Twin Hills project area. Upon closing of the transaction Osino will own 100% of Richwing. As a result of the Richwing Acquisition, Osino now owns 100% of Richwing. The common shares of the Company issued under the Richwing Acquisition are subject to a restriction from resale for a period of 24 months from the date of closing. All common shares of the Company issued under the Acquisitions are also subject to a statutory four month hold from the date of issuance. No finders fees were payable in respect of the Acquisitions. Osino also expects to close an additional minority interest acquisition of 3% of the shares in the capital of Osino Gold Exploration and Mining (Proprietary) Limited ("Osino GEM") as previously announced by the Company on August 16, 2022. Upon completion of this acquisition, Osino will own 100% of Osino GEM. The Company expects to complete the acquisition of Osino GEM within a few weeks, as the acquisition is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Additionally, Osino is pleased to report that it has filed a technical report entitled, "Twin Hills Gold Project, Namibia, NI 43-101 Technical Report" dated effective July 26, 2022 and signed September 9, 2022 (the "MRE Technical Report") for its increased mineral resource announced in the Company's news release dated August 9, 2022. The MRE Technical Report was prepared and filed in accordance with National Instrument 43-101Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The technical report pertaining to the Companys latest pre-feasibility study, released on September 6, 2022 is expected to be filed in late September or early October. For additional information, please refer to the MRE Technical Report available on the Osino website and filed on SEDAR under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com which contains more comprehensive technical information, which was also summarized in the Company's news release dated August 9, 2022. Qualified Persons Statement David Underwood, BSc. (Hons) is Vice President Exploration of Osino Resources Corp. and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release and is a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (Pr. Sci. Nat. No.400323/11) and a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. About Osino Resources Osino is a Canadian gold exploration and development company focused on the fast-tracked development of our Twin Hills Gold Project (Twin Hills) in central Namibia. Twin Hills is at an advanced stage of exploration and development with more than 220,000m of drilling completed on the project since its grassroots discovery by Osino with various advanced development studies underway. Osino has a large ground position of approximately 6,900km2 located within Namibias prospective Damara sedimentary mineral belt, mostly in proximity to and along strike of the producing Navachab and Otjikoto Gold Mines. The Company is actively exploring a range of gold prospects and targets along the belt by utilizing a portfolio approach geared towards discovery, targeting gold mineralization that fits the broad orogenic gold model. Our core projects are favorably located north and north-west of Namibias capital city Windhoek. By virtue of their location, the projects benefit significantly from Namibias well-established infrastructure with paved highways, railway, power and water in close proximity. Namibia is mining-friendly and lauded as one of the continents most politically and socially stable jurisdictions. Osino continues to evaluate new ground with a view to expanding our Namibian portfolio. Further details are available on the Company's website at https://osinoresources.com/ On Behalf of The Board of Directors "Heye Daun" Heye Daun Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director CONTACT INFORMATION Osino Resources Corp. Julia Becker: Investor Relations Manager Tel: +1 (604) 785 0850 jbecker@osinoresources.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's future plans or prospects of the Company, including prospects for economic recoverability of mineral resources. 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 state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company 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. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company does not undertake to update any forward- looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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 press release. New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Aviation Analytics Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317004/?utm_source=GNW Ltd, OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited, GrayMatter Software Services Pvt ltd, Capgemini and Relx Group plc. The global aviation analytics market is expected to grow from $2.41 billion in 2021 to $2.70 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.79%. The aviation analytics market is expected to grow to $4.71 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.96%. The aviation analytics market consists of sales of aviation analytics software and solutions by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refers to a computational technology that provides end-users with information or statistics derived from past airport operating data, historical flight data, weather predictions, and real-time flight data.It allows for predictive analysis and query processing of large amounts of structured and unstructured aviation data. Aviation analytics is staffed by specialists in the aviation sector with various expertise, including business process engineering, sales and marketing, and accounting. The main component of aviation analytics is services and solutions.The services for aviation analytics to services that are used to optimize the efficiencies of flights and airport operations. These are deployed on-premise and cloud.The various Business Function requiring aviation analytics are finance, operations, maintenance and repair, sales and marketing, supply chain, and others (data analytics) and have applications in-flight risk management, fuel management, route management, fleet management, inventory management, wealth management, inspection, performance monitoring, predictive analysis, part replacement, supply chain planning and energy management. The main End User is OEMs, airlines, airports and MROs. North America was the largest region in the aviation analytics market in 2021.North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the aviation analytics market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The aviation analytics market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides aviation analytics market statistics, including aviation analytics industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a aviation analytics market share, detailed aviation analytics market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the aviation analytics industry. This aviation analytics 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 aviation passenger traffic is contributing to the growth of the aviation analytics market.Aviation analytics provides software and services that will help airports bring together their data so that the data is viewed by airport management in a complete and coordinated way. Aviation analytics will provide effective solutions to streamline the whole process of simplifying passenger traffic and making the operations hassle-free.According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) passenger data for March 2022, total traffic in March 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) was up 76% compared to March 2021. Thus, an increase in aviation will drive the aviation analytics market. Technological advancement is a key trend gaining popularity in the aviation analytics market.Airlines and airports are increasingly adopting new technology and turning to aviation analytics to automate operations, cut costs, and improve customer satisfaction. For instance, in May 2021, Alaska Airlines signed a contract to deploy the Flyways AI technology.It is a flight tracking and routing program that helps dispatchers make better judgments and plan more effective routes. The technology generates data-driven forecasts and makes flight operations and routing suggestions. Flyways helped the airline cut miles, save 480,000 gallons of fuel, and save 4,600 tonnes of carbon emissions over the six-month trial period. In October 2021, Atlantic Aviation Group, an Ireland-based Aircraft maintenance company, acquired Lufthansa Technik Shannon (LTSL) from its German parent Lufthansa Technik for an undisclosed amount.The acquisition allows AAG to maintain its current development trajectory while also taking advantage of the post-pandemic recovery in international aviation. Lufthansa Technik Shannon, a Germany-based company, provides maintenance, completions, repair, and overhaul services for aircraft, maintenance, repair, and MRO, OEM services for engines and components. The countries covered in the aviation analytics 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/p06317004/?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. __________________________ New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Aircraft Actuator Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317636/?utm_source=GNW Ltd., Aero Space Controls Corporation, Beaver Aerospace & Defense Inc., Rockwell Collins, and Curtiss-Wright. The global aircraft actuator market is expected to grow from $13.56 billion in 2021 to $14.85 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The aircraft actuator market is expected to grow to $19.66 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 7.3%. The aircraft actuator market consists of sales of aircraft actuators by entities (organizations, sole proprietors, and partnerships) that are used to adjust flight control surfaces such as elevators, rudders, ailerons, flaps, slats, and spoilers.Aircraft actuators are mechanical devices that can transfer and divert motion energy from one form to another. In the aviation sector, actuation systems are used in a variety of ways. It is responsible for everything from cargo bay doors and landing gear to engine components and flight control surfaces. The main types of aircraft actuators are hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, electromechanical, and electro hydrostatic.A hydraulic actuator type is a cylinder or a fluid motor that uses hydraulic power to perform mechanical tasks. The mechanical motion of the hydraulic actuator produces a linear, rotational, or oscillatory motion as an output.The different types of motions include linear and rotary, which have various platforms including fixed-wing and rotary-wing. These are used by several end-users, including commercial aircraft, military aircraft, and others. North America was the largest region in the aircraft actuator market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the aircraft actuator market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The aircraft actuators market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides aircraft actuators market statistics, including aircraft actuators industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an aircraft actuators market share, detailed aircraft actuators market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the aircraft actuators industry. This aircraft actuators 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. Increasing passenger traffic across the world is expected to drive the growth of the aircraft actuator market going forward.Aircraft actuators are used to perform numerous functions, such as adjusting flight control surfaces such as the elevator, rudder, and ailerons, among others. Due to continued economic growth and rising consumer spending, people from developing countries are increasing air passenger traffic, which is driving the growth of aircraft actuators. For instance, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), total global passenger traffic in March 2022 increased by 76.0% compared to March 2021. Also, in China, domestic air traffic increased by 11.7% in March 2022. Therefore, the increasing passenger traffic across the world is driving the growth of the aircraft actuator market. Technological advancements have emerged as the key trend gaining popularity in the aircraft actuator market.Major companies operating in the aircraft actuator market are focused on developing technologically advanced products to strengthen their market position. For instance, in June 2021, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, a US-based aviation company, delivered the primary flight control actuators and control electronics to Eviation Aircraft for the all-electric Alice aircraft.The new Curtiss-Wright high-power density electromechanical actuators (EMA) provide Eviation with a modular, distributed solution that enables a flexible control architecture. Curtiss-Wrights electromechanical actuation (EMA) technology helps speed the development of all-electric regional commuter aircraft and reduces the risk. For a wide range of aviation applications, including flight controls, landing gear, and utility actuation, EMA technology offers significant advantages over traditional hydraulic techniques, such as enhanced dependability, improved energy economy, and decreased weight. In February 2019, Safran, a France-based company that designs, develops, and manufactures aircraft engines, acquired the electromechanical systems business from Collins Aerospace for an undisclosed amount.Through this acquisition, Safran will preserve its market position and establish synergies in the electrical actuation and flight control components, allowing it to become a prominent player in pilot controls while still keeping its electrical actuation product line. Collins Aerospace is a US-based company that designs, develops, and manufactures aircraft actuator systems. The countries covered in the aircraft actuator market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317636/?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. __________________________ Houston, TX, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Modern Brokers of America (MBA), the solar broker that focuses on the acquisition and retention of customers for solar panel installation companies, has announced that it generated $100M in revenue in 2021. MBA, founded by President Nefi Shannon, says that having reached this milestone, it will now concentrate on speeding installation times and developing promotional offers. The news comes as the solar energy industry continues to grow in America. While most of the nations energy is generated by nuclear energy, coal, and natural gas, interest in green energy is increasing. One possible reason is the attention being paid to the effects of climate change, as the burning of fossil fuels for electricity and heat has been cited as the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Solar power is seen by environmentalists as a greener, more affordable option, which may explain why the number of American homes that use this energy source is expected to triple by 2030. We are excited that because of our excellent sales in 2021, we will be able to continue to expand and bring solar power to more homeowners who are interested in green energy, says MBA. We are now focusing on growing our programs in Texas and Florida and are working to open locations in Atlanta, Charlotte, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Denver. MBA states that it credits its sales team for 2021s increase in revenue. To put this in perspective, during the first six months of our company, we did just over $8M. Now in twelve months, we did $100M. The reason lies in our dedicated team of salespeople, who are passionate about what they do. Their hard work means that over the next year, we plan to implement a new hiring phase, one that we hope will lead to hundreds of additional jobs. The company reveals that in 2022 and 2023, it will continue to provide customers with the latest in solar technology and promotions. At the forefront of our efforts will always be our companys vision, MBA says. We seek to transform Americas energy sector through cost-efficient solar energy so that we can leave the Earth better than we found it. Modern Brokers of America is one of the largest solar panel brokers in the United States and focuses on securing contracts and financing before outsourcing their orders to their installation partners. For more information on Modern Brokers of America, please see https://modernbrokersofamerica.net/ or email Nefi Shannon at info@modernbrokersofamerica.net. New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Hydrogen Aircraft Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317001/?utm_source=GNW , Hypoint Inc., Pipistrel d.o.o Ajdovs?ina, Plug Power Inc., HyPoint, Zeroavia Inc., HES Energy Systems, Universal Hydrogen and Raytheon Technologies Corporation. The global hydrogen aircraft market is expected to grow from $0.92 billion in 2021 to $1.09 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.13%. The hydrogen aircraft market is expected to grow to $2.63 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.60%. The hydrogen aircraft market consists of sales of hydrogen aircraft by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that uses hydrogen fuel to run an airplane.A hydrogen airplane may use hydrogen energy in two different ways. Hydrogen may be consumed in a jet engine or another internal combustion engine, or it can be utilized to power a propeller using a fuel cell. Hydrogen-powered planes have hydrogen fuel tanks built within the fuselage to store fuel. The main technologies of hydrogen aircraft include fully hydrogen-powered aircraft, hybrid electric aircraft, hydrogen fuel cell aircraft and liquid hydrogen aircraft.A fully hydrogen-powered aircraft refers to an aircraft that use only hydrogen for its operation as a power source. These aircraft produce zero carbon emissions when in flight.The power sources used in hydrogen aircraft include hydrogen combustion and hydrogen fuel cell. The various applications of hydrogen aircraft include air taxis, business jets and unmanned aerial vehicles. The aircrafts ranges are 20 km to 100 km, more than 100 km and up to 20 km. North America was the largest region in the hydrogen aircraft market in 2021.North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the hydrogen aircraft market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The hydrogen aircraft market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides hydrogen aircraft market statistics, including hydrogen aircraft industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a hydrogen aircraft market share, detailed hydrogen aircraft market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the hydrogen aircraft industry. This hydrogen aircraft 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. An increase in air passenger traffic across the globe is expected to propel the growth of the hydrogen aircraft market.Air passenger traffic refers to scheduled passengers (number of people who have booked a flight with a commercial airline, excluding charter flights) handled by the global airline industry. With the rising number of passengers, more flights are in operation than ever before, leading to pollution due to the emittance of harmful gases by aircraft.To overcome the problem of pollution, hydrogen-based aircraft comes out to be a clean option. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) passenger data for March 2022, total traffic in March 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was up 76% compared to March 2021. Thus, an increase in aviation will drive the aviation analytics market. The development of unmanned aircraft powered by hydrogen is a key trend in the hydrogen aircraft market.Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are aircraft that do not have a human pilot or passengers. UAVs, sometimes known as "drones," can be totally or partially automated, but they are generally piloted remotely by a human.Many companies are moving towards developing unmanned aircraft powered by hydrogen to leverage hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source. In January 2022, Drone Works, a Japanese drone company, partnered with H3 Dynamics, a Singapore-based air mobility technology company, to build a hydrogen-powered drone.H3 Dynamics Aerostak hydrogen fuel cell system contains a special grade proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack, control electronics, lightweight enclosures with integrated air conditioning fans, and a LiPo (lithium-ion polymer)-compatible hybrid electronic board. The lightweight hydrogen-powered drone can fly longer than drones powered by lithium batteries. In April 2022, Textron Inc., an America-based industrial conglomerate operating in aviation, defense, industrial goods, and financial services, acquired Pipistrel for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition will enable Pipistrel to access more resources, technical and regulatory experience, as well as a global aircraft sales and support network, allowing it to speed up the development and certification of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. Pipistrel is a Slovenian-based lightweight aircraft manufacturer, provides a range of gliders and light aircraft with both electric and combustion engines. The countries covered in the hydrogen aircraft 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/p06317001/?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. __________________________ TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:ERE.UN, ERES or the REIT) announced today that on September 20, 2022, the Dutch government published its 2023 budget, as well as a number of announced changes to tax legislation. Key proposed changes which are relevant for the REIT include the following, all effective January 1, 2023: The landlord levy tax, which impacts certain of the REITs regulated suites, will be abolished. The abolition, which was previously announced as part of the governments coalition agreement, will positively result in an improvement in ERESs long-term net operating income margin. The real estate transfer tax ( RETT ) rate will be increased from 8% to 10.4%. Although this will result in an incremental cost on future acquisitions, it will otherwise have no direct impact on the REITs business or operations. ) rate will be increased from 8% to 10.4%. Although this will result in an incremental cost on future acquisitions, it will otherwise have no direct impact on the REITs business or operations. The lower rate applicable to the first bracket of profits subject to corporate income tax (CIT) will be increased from 15% to 19%. Furthermore, this lower CIT rate will apply to the first 200,000 in annual profits per taxpayer in 2023, which was decreased from the threshold of 395,000 applicable in 2022. Although this does negatively impact ERES, its estimated effect will be immaterial to the REITs operations and financial results. Notably, the Dutch government also announced that effective January 1, 2024, real estate investment trusts in the Netherlands (fiscale beleggingsinstellingen) will no longer be allowed to invest directly in real estate and remain exempt from corporate income tax (instead subject only to dividend withholding tax on mandatory annual distributions, as per the current tax regime rules). As a consequence, profits earned by real estate investment trusts from real estate investments in the Netherlands will become subject to Dutch corporate income tax. Importantly, this will not have an impact on ERES as the REITs structure is such that it does not hold any direct interest in real estate, and instead holds all of its investments indirectly through taxable vehicles. In effect, it does not apply to ERES as a real estate investment trust formed in Canada, and impacts only those which are formed in the Netherlands. Notwithstanding the above, the Dutch government has not released any further announcement on rent control or other potential regulatory developments and legislative proposals affecting the housing market. The Minister of Housing reiterated that it will update the Parliament in the fall of 2022. 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. 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. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release that do not relate to historical facts constitute forward-looking statements. These statements represent ERESs intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could result in actual results differing materially from these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are more fully described in regulatory filings that can be obtained on SEDAR at www.sedar.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 BOCA RATON, Fla., Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities litigation law firm Saxena White P.A. is pleased to announce that Marisa N. DeMato has been appointed the firms first Chief Diversity Officer. Marisa DeMato, a Director at Saxena White, is one of the industrys leading advocates for institutional investing in women and minority-owned firms and chairs Saxena Whites Womens Alliance, which fosters women-centered development and leadership in the pension, investment, and legal communities. A sought-after speaker and advocate on womens issues and diversity planning, she has a record of commitment to DEI, including previous work co-chairing an annual womens initiative forum recognized by Euromoney and Chambers USA as a top diversity program. Marisa has nearly two decades of experience advising pension funds and other institutional investor clients on securities fraud and corporate governance issues in the U.S. capital markets. A senior member of legal teams that have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf for investors, she is widely recognized by the legal media for her professional achievements, including being named both a Plaintiffs Trailblazer by The National Law Journal and a Northeast Trailblazer by The American Lawyer. It is an honor to take on this role. Our diverse culture has made our firm not just stronger and more effective but simply a great place to work. said Marisa. I am proud of the firm and its unstinting support in these initiatives and look forward to continuing our work together leading the industry in advancing these values. We believe that Marisas position and this C-level focus on DEI demonstrates to the market our understanding of the importance of empowering women and minorities. The firms leadership and our team share this mission and this commitment, said firm Co-Founder Maya Saxena. About Saxena White Saxena White P.A., a nationally certified woman- and minority-owned law firm that focuses on securities litigation and shareholder rights, is committed to the advancement of women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. With offices in Florida, New York, California, and Delaware, Saxena White is one of the nations leaders in prosecuting securities class actions and litigating other complex securities and corporate governance matters, having recovered billions of dollars on behalf of injured investors. In its 16-year history, the firm has distinguished itself with its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and drawn praise from its clients and several federal courts. Its focus on building diverse trial teams has become a model for the legal industry, creating new professional mentoring and learning opportunities. In addition to its Womens Alliance, the firm empowers its Diversity and Social Responsibility Committee to cultivate policies, practices, and activities that advance the firms social responsibility mission. Remarkable for the legal industry, the firms employees are nearly 50% female, 40% of its leadership is female and 40% is minority. For more information about Marisa DeMato and the firm, please visit www.saxenawhite.com. Source: Saxena White P.A. Contact: Marisa N. DeMato, Esq. 10 Bank Street 8th Floor White Plains, NY 10606 (561) 512-2031 mdemato@saxenawhite.com New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Disconnector Switches Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317622/?utm_source=GNW , Schneider Electric, Siemens, Socomec Group S.A., Driescher, Delixi Electric Co. Ltd., Honeywell, and Emerson. The global disconnector switches market is expected to grow from $11.49 billion in 2021 to $12.36 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.54%. The disconnector switches market is expected to grow to $15.44 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.72%. The disconnector switches market consists of sales of disconnector switches by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refers to switches used to de-energize parts of the electrical network such as overhead lines, transformers, and others for maintenance, inspections and service.The primary function of disconnector switches is to act as a visual indicator of whether an electrical connection is closed or open. The basic components of disconnector switches include current or live parts, contact systems, supporting or rotating insulators, operating drive and connecting rods, and base frames. The main types of disconnector switches include fused and non-fused disconnector switches.The fused disconnector switches refer to switching devices used for manual or isolation of loads and distribution boards. They are capable of carrying and breaking specific rated current and protecting downstream electrical loads and disconnecting all poles from the power supply load.They are mounted on panel, DIN rail, and other mounts. They are used in low voltage, medium voltage, and high voltage applications in commercial and industrial sectors. North America was the largest region in the disconnector switches market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the disconnector switches market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The disconnector switches market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides disconnector switches market statistics, including disconnector switches industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a disconnector switches market share, detailed disconnector switches market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the disconnector switches industry. This disconnector switches 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. Growing infrastructural and industrial developmental activities across the globe are expected to propel the growth of the disconnector switches market.Industrial development refers to the development of land for the manufacturing and partial manufacturing of goods, articles, substances, assembly of manufactured products, and others. An increase in infrastructural and industrial developmental activities is expected to boost the utilisation of disconnector switches, as they are used in industries to perform regular maintenance and repair activities. For instance, in January 2022, according to a budget document published by the Government of India, the industrial sector grew by 22.9% in the first half of 2021-22 compared to the same period in 202021, and it is expected to grow by 11.8% during 2021-22 financial year. Additionally, in November 2021, the fact sheet produced by the White House stated that congress had passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) for Americas infrastructure and competitiveness. Therefore, the growing infrastructural and industrial developmental activities are expected to boost demand for disconnector switches during the forecast period. Technological advancement is a key trend gaining popularity in the global disconnector switches market.The key players operating in the disconnector switches market are focusing on developing innovative products with greater operating efficiency and operator safety to meet fast-growing end customer demands and strengthen their business position. For instance, in April 2019, ABB, a Switzerland-based multinational corporation operating in the energy, transportation, utility and other sector updated its existing switch fuse disconnectors with new Slimeline XR Gold, by reducing power losses by 35% and increasing space savings. This technologically advanced disconnector offers high operational performance and is widely adaptable to highly demanding applications. In March 2021, Siemens AG, a Germany-based multinational conglomerate corporation acquired C&S Electric for $296.21 million. The acquisition by Siemens AG is focused on expanding its business presence in various sectors across India including home-building, construction, infrastructure, and other sectors. C&S Electric is an India-based manufacturer of low-voltage switchgear parts, metering devices, and other electrical equipment used to transmit and distribute electricity. The countries covered in the disconnector switches 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/p06317622/?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. __________________________ INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Teleradiology Market the new research report adds to Data Bridge Market Researchs reports database. This Research Report is spread across 350 Page, 220 No of Tables, And 60 No Figures summarizing Top companies, with tables and figures. Tele-radiology Market analysis document is created by thoroughly understanding the business environment which best suits the requirements of the client. With this market research document, it becomes easy to develop a successful marketing strategy for the business. This industry report is a complete overview of the market that takes into account various aspects of product definition, market segmentation based on various parameters, and the established merchant landscape. Estimations about the rise or fall of the CAGR value for a specific forecast period are also mentioned in the report. The winning Tele-radiology Market report not only gives the advantage to develop the business but also helps to outshine the competition. Data Bridge Market Research analyzes that the Global Tele-radiology Market is expected to reach USD 5,910.05 million by 2029, at a CAGR of 18.5% during the forecast period. Services account for the largest type segment in the market due to increasing teleradiology services among the global population. This market report also covers pricing analysis, patent analysis, and technological advancements in depth. Access PDF Sample Report (Including Graphs, Charts & Figures) @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-teleradiology-market Market Overview: Tele-radiology Teleradiology is a branch of telemedicine in which telecommunication systems are used to transmit radiological images from one location to another. Rapid developments in digital image processing technologies ensure effective image distribution across the regional, local, and global levels. The emergence and acceptance of mobile technology (mHealth) to visualize and interpret images further fuels the growth of the teleradiology market in developed nations such as the U.S., Germany, the U.K., Australia, and Japan. Widespread use of smart connected devices and related solutions confirms the effective interpretation of the medical images, thereby reducing treatment time. Hence, advancements in digital technology will enhance remote patient monitoring methodologies and accessibility to radiologists interpretation and consultation. Teleradiology is a medical method that captures visuals of the internal anatomy and function of the body that helps in the process of medical diagnosis or therapy. Interpreting all noninvasive imaging studies, such as digitized x-rays, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine studies, can be carried out in such a manner. It can capture medical images in one location and facilitate or transmit them over a range so that a radiologist can view and interpret them for diagnostic or consultative purposes In addition, according to the World Health Organization factsheet, cancer is responsible for one of every six deaths worldwide. Furthermore, approximately 70% of cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. The increase in the funding by the federal government to drive the adoption of these solutions further influence the market. Additionally, the surge in healthcare expenditure, advancements in healthcare infrastructure, and high demand for expanded care delivery positively affect the teleradiology market. However, repayments and the growing regulatory burden are expected to dampen the growth of the teleradiology market. On the other hand, the rising cost of technology is anticipated to restrain the market growth. Market Key Players Covered: Telemedicine Clinic Virtual Radiologic RamSoft, Inc. Koninklijke Philips N.V. Everlight Radiology Teleradiology Solutions All-American Teleradiology Medica Group PLC Vital Radiology Services PMG Services, Inc. General Electric RadNet, Inc. FUJIFILM Corporation Agfa-Gevaert Group USARAD.COM TeleDiagnosys Services Pvt Ltd. ONRAD, Inc. 4ways Healthcare Limited Allscripts Healthcare, LLC Redox, Inc. NightHawk Radiology NightShift Radiology NucleusHealth Access Full Research Report For In-depth Understanding @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/checkout/buy/enterprise/global-teleradiology-market Recent Developments In April 2022, 4ways announced that it had been shortlisted at the 2022 Health Investor Awards. 4ways is in contention for the diagnostics provider of the year award. This acknowledgment celebrated the growth of 4ways, strengthening its position as a key partner to the clients. 4ways has sustained improvement to its service offering through innovations in workflows and investments in new technologies. This has enabled 4ways to gain resilience as a platform for teleradiology and has provided operations security Opportunity Increasing Awareness Among People Teleradiology Market offers alternative options for receiving healthcare services globally, improving access and reducing costs associated with traveling for services. However, the full potential of teleradiology has not been realized with slow and fragmented uptake. The increase in the awareness program, teleradiology awareness, and support from the government has increased the usage of teleradiology and telehealth in various areas. These awareness programs and events among the people increase their interest in their health and to know more about the healthcare programs and what new opportunities are available for their health that will ultimately raise market growth of teleradiology and provide opportunities for companies to grow. What Reports Provides: Comprehensive analysis of product demand in global as well as regional markets Draw up information on major market trends, drivers, obstacles, and other related challenges A detailed review of many vendors present on the market Competitive world consists of launches, mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and joint projects with new products Complete coverage of all product and market segments for pattern evaluation, global market innovation, and market size forecast. Comprehensive review of the companies which operate for the products on the global market. The companys profile involves analysis of the product portfolio, sales analysis, SWOT analysis and the latest developments in the sector Growth Matrix offers brand segment and geography analysis that will be focused on investing, consolidating, and growing and/or diversifying market players Dynamics: Teleradiology Market This section deals with understanding the market drivers, opportunities, restraints, and challenges. All of this is discussed in detail as below: Key Drivers Growing Number of Advanced Imaging Procedures The rise in imaging procedures is expected to drive the demand for teleradiology solutions for reliability and efficiency. Advanced diagnostic imaging, including diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and nuclear medicine imaging, such as positron emission tomography (PET), has attracted many new providers. There has been a proliferation in the volume of diagnostic medical imaging services prescribed by practitioners, including radiologists. CT scans account for a quarter of all Americans exposed to radiation. A high level of engineering and expertise is required to manage advanced and sophisticated diagnostic imaging systems, thus driving the growing complexity of cases with a lack of appropriate resources. Adopting remote sensing solutions has contributed significantly to narrowing the rural-urban disparity in many emerging countries, including India and Brazil, as well as in developed economies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. These solutions are more practical and economical as they eliminate travel and allow radiologists to work from anywhere. The shortage of qualified radiologists has further increased the demand for radiology services. Advanced imaging procedures for teleradiology are expected to help the market get more accurate results quickly and propel the global teleradiology market Industry in the forecasted period. Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Teleradiology Artificial intelligence is one of the most promising breakthroughs in teleradiology. It is estimated that the number of publications on AI in radiology has grown from an average of 100-150 research publications per year to 700-800 per year over the past decade. Among all major imaging modalities, the acceptance of AI is higher in CT and MRI systems. Depending on the application, AI is also used primarily in neuroradiology. Several players in this market are expanding their AI offerings. AI has been embedded in numerous medical institutions worldwide and has proven itself a valuable partner in the radiology environment. Global Diagnostics Australia (GDA), an Integral Diagnostics Group (IDG) subsidiary, was one of the first Australian diagnostics companies to deploy AI as part of their radiology workflow. The company integrated high-end algorithms into the care management path to accelerate patient care and treatment of head, neck, and chest conditions. The additional benefit of AI in teleradiology is that Artificial intelligence helps radiologists quickly analyze image and data registries to understand patient conditions better, enhance their clinical role, and become part of the core management team. AI picks up enough weight that the radiologist can focus on the complex cases that require their specialist attention. Artificial intelligence (AI) can help create an inbuilt system that prioritizes cases based on their protocol requirement. For example, cases of trauma and stroke can be prioritized and assigned to the radiologist's work lists, thereby saving many lives. Artificial intelligence in teleradiology helps get improved results with automated tools and helps radiologists utilize their skills properly, which is expected to propel market growth. View Detailed Teleradiology Market Report@ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-teleradiology-market Challenges of Teleradiology Market: High Chances of Misdiagnosis A physical examination can better understand the patient's actual health condition, which is the most crucial element for the patient's treatment. All the treatment programs and what should be the next step for the treatment can be created with the help of a quick physical examination. The same procedure should be applied to the radiologists to know more about actual problems and conditions, and more outcomes are obtained when patients are present with radiologists during consultations. Lack of patient medical history and other necessary records of the patient body examination during medical imaging is a major factor in the radiologist's incapacity to make the optimal decision in teleradiology. For example, it has been demonstrated that communication between doctors and radiologists results in clinical diagnosis revisions in 50% of cases, affecting therapy options. The accuracy of interpretation will change if the patient's medical history is appropriately disclosed Thus, the high chances of misdiagnosis and improper examination of the report demolish the usage of teleradiology which is expected to challenge the global teleradiology market growth. Market Segmentation: The global tele-radiology market is segmented into type, delivery mode, imaging technique, technology, procedure, application, site, age, mode of purchase, and end-user. The growth among segments helps you analyze niche pockets of development and strategies to approach the market and determine your core application areas and the difference in your target markets. By Type Hardware Systems Software Telecom & Networking Services By Delivery Mode Web-Based Delivery Mode Cloud-Based Delivery Mode On-Premise Delivery Mode By Imaging Technique Small Matrix Size Large Matrix Size By Technology Advanced Graphics Processing Volume Rendering Multiplanar Reconstructions Image Compression By Procedure Tele-Consultation Tele-Diagnosis Tele-Monitoring By Application Cardiology Neurology Oncology Musculoskeletal Gastroenterology Pelvic And Abdominal Gynecology Urology Mammography Dental By Site Inhouse Onshore Offshore By Age Pediatric Adult Geriatric By Mode Of Purchase Group Purchase Individual Purchase By End Users Hospitals Ambulatory Surgical Centers Private Physician Offices Diagnostic Imaging Centers Global Teleradiology Market Regional Analysis/Insights The Global teleradiology market is analyzed, and teleradiology market size information is provided by type, delivery mode, imaging technique, technology, procedure, application, site, age, mode of purchase, and end-user. The countries covered in teleradiology market report are U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Russia, Turkey, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, and the rest of Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Philippines, Indonesia and rest of Asia-Pacific, UAE, Israel, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and rest of the Middle East and Africa, Brazil, Argentina and the rest of South America. In 2022, North America is dominating due to the presence of key market players in the largest consumer market with high GDP. The U.S Teleradiology market is expected to grow due to the rise in technological advancement in teleradiology. North America is dominating the market. The increasing investment in R&D and the increasing adoption of teleradiology as an option for formulating treatment regimens are expected to boost the market growth. The U.S. dominates the North American region due to the strong presence of advanced technology providers such as General Electric, Agfa-Gevaert Group, Koninklijke Philips N.V., FUJIFILM Corporation, and others. The U.K. dominates Europe due to the increasing demand from emerging markets and the expansion of healthcare industries. China dominates the Asia-Pacific region due to an increase in healthcare expenditure. 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 To Check the Complete Table of Content Click Here @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-teleradiology-market Explore Mort Reports: Teleradiology Software Market , By Technology (Hardware, Software, Telecom and Networking), Imaging Techniques (X-Ray, Computed Tomography (CT), Ultrasounds, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Imaging, Fluoroscopy, Mammography, Others), Application {Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), Radiology Information System (RIS)}, End User (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Diagnostic Centers, Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-teleradiology-software-market North America Teleradiology Market , By Type (Hardware, Systems, Software, Telecom, and Networking Services), Delivery Mode (Web-Based Delivery Mode, Cloud Based Delivery Mode, and On-Premise Delivery Mode), Imaging Technique (Small Matrix Size, and Large Matrix Size), Technology (Advanced Graphics Processing, Volume Rendering, Multiplanar Reconstructions, and Image Compression), Procedure (Tele-Consultation, Tele-Diagnosis, and Tele-Monitoring), Application (Cardiology, Neurology, Oncology, Musculoskeletal, Gastroenterology, Pelvic and Abdominal, Gynecology, Urology, Mammography, Dental, and Others), Site (In-House, Offshore, and Onshore), Age (Pediatric, Geriatric, and Adults), Mode of Purchase (Group Purchase, and Individual Purchase), End User (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Private Physician Offices, Diagnostics Imaging Centers, and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/north-america-teleradiology-market Asia-Pacific Teleradiology Market , By Type (Hardware, Systems, Software, Telecom, and Networking Services), Delivery Mode (Web-Based Delivery Mode, Cloud Based Delivery Mode, and On-Premise Delivery Mode), Imaging Technique (Small Matrix Size, and Large Matrix Size), Technology (Advanced Graphics Processing, Volume Rendering, Multiplanar Reconstructions, and Image Compression), Procedure (Tele-Consultation, Tele-Diagnosis, and Tele-Monitoring), Application (Cardiology, Neurology, Oncology, Musculoskeletal, Gastroenterology, Pelvic and Abdominal, Gynecology, Urology, Mammography, Dental, and Others), Site (In-House, Offshore, and Onshore), Age (Pediatric, Geriatric, and Adults), Mode of Purchase (Group Purchase, and Individual Purchase), End User (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Private Physician Offices, Diagnostics Imaging Centers, and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/asia-pacific-teleradiology-market Europe Teleradiology Market , By Type (Hardware, Systems, Software, Telecom, and Networking Services), Delivery Mode (Web-Based Delivery Mode, Cloud Based Delivery Mode, and On-Premise Delivery Mode), Imaging Technique (Small Matrix Size, and Large Matrix Size), Technology (Advanced Graphics Processing, Volume Rendering, Multiplanar Reconstructions, and Image Compression), Procedure (Tele-Consultation, Tele-Diagnosis, and Tele-Monitoring), Application (Cardiology, Neurology, Oncology, Musculoskeletal, Gastroenterology, Pelvic and Abdominal, Gynecology, Urology, Mammography, Dental, and Others), Site (In-House, Offshore, and Onshore), Age (Pediatric, Geriatric, and Adults), Mode of Purchase (Group Purchase, and Individual Purchase), End User (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Private Physician Offices, Diagnostics Imaging Centers, and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/europe-teleradiology-market Middle East & Africa Teleradiology Market , By Type (Hardware, Systems, Software, Telecom, and Networking Services), Delivery Mode (Web-Based Delivery Mode, Cloud Based Delivery Mode, and On-Premise Delivery Mode), Imaging Technique (Small Matrix Size, and Large Matrix Size), Technology (Advanced Graphics Processing, Volume Rendering, Multiplanar Reconstructions, and Image Compression), Procedure (Tele-Consultation, Tele-Diagnosis, and Tele-Monitoring), Application (Cardiology, Neurology, Oncology, Musculoskeletal, Gastroenterology, Pelvic and Abdominal, Gynecology, Urology, Mammography, Dental, and Others), Site (In-House, Offshore, and Onshore), Age (Pediatric, Geriatric, and Adults), Mode of Purchase (Group Purchase, and Individual Purchase), End User (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Private Physician Offices, Diagnostics Imaging Centers, and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/middle-east-and-africa-teleradiology-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:- SAN FRANCISCO, California, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National AIDS Memorial has released its latest mini-documentary, The Black Community & AIDS, the seventh film in its oral history project. The Black Community & AIDS chronicles the personal stories of nearly two dozen survivors and advocates from across the U.S. who are thriving, sharing their hopes and struggles about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and its disproportionate impact on the Black community. The film opens with powerful words from Phill Wilson, Founder of the Black AIDS Institute, who says, My grandmother used to say, When white people get a cold, black people get pneumonia. And so I thoughtif white people are getting the plague, what in the hell are we going to get? The 17-minute film can be viewed on the National AIDS Memorial website and its YouTube channel. In addition to the mini-documentary, viewers can watch individual interview segments which provide candid, deeper conversations with the film participants. Advocate Tori Cooper says, To talk about HIV in the Black community in present day, you have to really look at the history of HIV and Black people. Black people have been villainized and stigmatized around not just having an HIV diagnosis but as being pushers of the virus. That stigma that was perpetuated 40 years ago still exists and still impacts the way society thinks about people who are living with HIV. Sharing her truth and powerful story, advocate Sharron Chatman emotionally says, My mother made me eat off of paper plates and forks and that was hurtful because it was my Mom. Mothers arent supposed to reject or feel that way towards their child. Through SisterLove, I began to understand that me being HIV positive was no longer fearful in my life. I wasnt afraid anymore. I became a warrior. These powerful stories are just a few of the important topics the film addresses with interviewees who openly discuss the stigma, shame, and the complex, intersecting and multilayered prejudices that persist today and how so many survivors are thriving, living with pride, dignity and advocating for justice, equal access to care, and an end to the epidemic. The Black Community & AIDS was produced and directed by Jorg Fockele. Chevron, a long-standing partner of the National AIDS Memorial, is the presenting partner, providing major funding annually during the past five years for the program. "These films really bring to the forefront the power of storytelling and the lessons that can be taught for current and future generations," said Huma Abbasi, General Manager, Health & Medical at Chevron. "Our long-time support for this program is part of our commitment to sharing the very human experiences that have shaped four decades of the AIDS epidemic. These stories demonstrate the devastating impact that continues today, the hope and the work that still lies ahead. Community partners include the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Black Brothers Esteem, the New York City LGBT Community Center, Oasis Florida, W.O.M.E.N. Inc., GLAAD, MOBI, GMHC, Frontline Legal Services, Native Son, SisterLove, AIDS Project of the East Bay, Positive Womens Network and Thrive SS. This mini-documentary speaks to the work of the National AIDS Memorial in addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS in the Black community and the issues of stigma, discrimination and otherism that still exist today, four decades into this epidemic, said Chief Executive John Cunningham. We are so appreciative to the survivors and advocates featured in this film who shared their stories and whose work is helping make a difference in changing the statistics and helping to finally curb the disproportionate impact of this epidemic in the Black community. Prior to its official release, The Black Community & AIDS was exclusively featured at several major film festivals and HIV/AIDS events throughout the country, including Frameline, SF Queer Film Fest, New York City Black Pride, Positive Living Conference, and Atlanta Black Pride. The film was recognized for its powerful storytelling, including being honored with the prestigious Jury Award at SF Queer Film Fest. It was awarded the prestigious film The film will also be shown as part of the National AIDS Memorial Change the Pattern initiative that is partnering with Southern AIDS Coalition and Gilead Sciences to bring the AIDS Memorial Quilt to the South as a teaching tool with Quilt displays and programming to reimagine the fight to end HIV. Created in 2015, this multi-year AIDS oral history project helps ensure that stories and lessons of the epidemic are captured, curated, and retained for future generations. Additional featured films include "Substance Users, the Recovery Community & AIDS", "The Transgender Community & AIDS," "The A&PI Community & AIDS," "Women & AIDS," "The National Hemophilia Community & AIDS," and "The San Francisco Leather Community & AIDS." About the National AIDS Memorial The mission of the National AIDS Memorial is to share the story of the struggle against HIV/AIDS and to remember in perpetuity the lives lost, offer healing and hope to survivors, and inspire new generations of activists in the fight against stigma, denial and hate for a just future. Through the 10-acre National AIDS Memorial Grove in San Francisco, the 50,000 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and powerful educational, storytelling and awareness programs and events, the National AIDS Memorial connects four decades of the epidemic, and the lessons learned, to the issues of health and social inequities that still persist in our society today. Learn more at www.aidsmemorial.org. Attachments WESTPORT, Conn., Sept. 22, 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 Philadelphia CIO Executive Leadership Summit on September 29 at the Philadelphia Country Club. 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 thought-provoking, in-person CIO summit will bring together the top CIOs, technology executives and industry experts from the Greater Philadelphia area who will share their insights on how best to position their leadership styles to attract and retain the best and brightest people. Make no mistake about it we are in a global war for talent, said Hunter Muller, President and CEO of HMG Strategy. World-class technology leaders have an incredible opportunity to strengthen their leadership acumen and promote their personal brands to retain and attract the type of talent needed to power the 21st century business forward. Distinguished CIOs, CISOs and industry leaders speaking at the 2022 Philadelphia CIO Executive Leadership Summit on September 29 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 Anthony M. Butler, Sr. , Placement Director, NPower Maryland , Placement Director, NPower Maryland Kate Cione , VP of Strategy, The OConnor Group , VP of Strategy, The OConnor Group 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 Jess Hilman , CIO, Tessco , CIO, Tessco Michael Iwanoff , SVP & CIO, iContectiv , SVP & CIO, iContectiv 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 Dara Meath , Divisional CIO, Conair , Divisional CIO, Conair 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. HMG Strategy will also be hosting its 2022 HMG Live! Global CISO Executive Leadership Summit on October 4. This highly interactive virtual event will bring together the worlds top CISOs, security leaders and industry experts who will share the factors that are shaping the evolving role of the CISO as well as the latest trends on enterprise risk and the current threat landscape. World-class CISOs and security leaders speaking at the 2022 HMG Live! Global CISO Executive Leadership Summit on October 4 will include: Yassir Abousselham , CISO, UiPath , CISO, UiPath Martin Bally , CISO, Stellantis , CISO, Stellantis Patrick Benoit , VP & Global Business Information Security Officer, CBRE , VP & Global Business Information Security Officer, CBRE Scott Daitzman , vCISO/Managing Partner, SJD Cyber, LLC , vCISO/Managing Partner, SJD Cyber, LLC Nicole Darden Ford , VP & CISO, Rockwell Automation , VP & CISO, Rockwell Automation Rocco Grillo , Managing Director Global Cyber Risk Services & Incident Response Investigation, Alvarez & Marsal , Managing Director Global Cyber Risk Services & Incident Response Investigation, Alvarez & Marsal Monique Hart , CISO/Executive Director of Information Security , CISO/Executive Director of Information Security Emily Heath , Board of Directors, Chair of Technology & Cyber Security Committee, Member of Audit Committee, Norton LifeLock , Board of Directors, Chair of Technology & Cyber Security Committee, Member of Audit Committee, Norton LifeLock Susan Koski , Head of Security & Enterprise Response, The PNC Financial Services Group , Head of Security & Enterprise Response, The PNC Financial Services Group Matthew Lagana , Managing Director, CTO & CISO, MBIA , Managing Director, CTO & CISO, MBIA 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 Bradley Schaufenbuel , VP & CISO, Paychex , VP & CISO, Paychex Dr. Garrett Smiley , CISO & VP of Information Security, Serco Group , CISO & VP of Information Security, Serco Group Gary Sorrentino , Global CIO, Zoom , Global CIO, Zoom Frank Yanan , SVP, GIS Business Information Security Officer (BISO), Bank of America , SVP, GIS Business Information Security Officer (BISO), Bank of America Michael Zanga, Managing Director, Global Head of Technology, Cyber, Data and Change Risk, Barclays Valued Partners for the 2022 HMG Live! Global CISO Executive Leadership Summit include 8x8, Akamai, BetterCloud, Darktrace, Delphix, Fortinet, LastPass, Nutanix, Palo Alto Networks, Ping Identity, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler. To learn more about the 2022 HMG Live! Global CISO Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here. HMG Strategy will also be hosting its 2022 St. Louis CIO Executive Leadership Summit on October 5 at The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis. Key topics to be explored at this popular in-person event will include the technology mega-trends that are evolving and use cases that technology leaders are applying for business and operational success. Premier technology executives and industry experts speaking at the 2022 St. Louis CIO Executive Leadership Summit will include: Bhavani Amirthalingam , SVP, Chief Digital Information Officer, Ameren , SVP, Chief Digital Information Officer, Ameren Mike Anderson , Chief Digital Information Officer, Netskope , Chief Digital Information Officer, Netskope Christy Barker , VP & CIO, Olin Corporation , VP & CIO, Olin Corporation Jennifer Buckner , SVP, Technology Risk Management, Risk Governance and Operations, Mastercard , SVP, Technology Risk Management, Risk Governance and Operations, Mastercard Andrea Butcher , CEO, HRD , CEO, HRD Dedric Carter , Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Chief Commercialization Officer, Washington University in St. Louis , Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Chief Commercialization Officer, Washington University in St. Louis Roftiel Constantine , Global CISO, Barry-Wehmiller , Global CISO, Barry-Wehmiller Ed Corno , Chief Technology Leader, IBM Corporation , Chief Technology Leader, IBM Corporation Michael Downs , CTO, Evolving Solutions , CTO, Evolving Solutions Eric Druker , Data Science Director Central Integrity, Meta , Data Science Director Central Integrity, Meta Luis Giraldo , RVP, Business Value Consulting, OutSystems , RVP, Business Value Consulting, OutSystems Emily Hemingway , Executive Director, TechSTL , Executive Director, TechSTL Peter Hogan , VP of IT, Vi-Jon , VP of IT, Vi-Jon Jennifer Hopper , CIO, Save-A-Lot , CIO, Save-A-Lot David Karandish , Founder & CEO, Capacity , Founder & CEO, Capacity Emily Lohse-Busch , Strategic Advisor, Greater St. Louis, Inc. , Strategic Advisor, Greater St. Louis, Inc. Kimberly Martin , EVP, Business Operations and Automation, Mastercard , EVP, Business Operations and Automation, Mastercard Matthew Modica , VP, CISO, BJC Healthcare , VP, CISO, BJC Healthcare Lisa Nichols , CEO, Technology Partners , CEO, Technology Partners Ryan Robson , Principal, Digital Product Management, Edward Jones , Principal, Digital Product Management, Edward Jones Teresa Sanzoterra , VP & CIO, Specialty Generics, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals , VP & CIO, Specialty Generics, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Michael Seals , SVP, Business Strategy and CIO, Hussmann Corporation , SVP, Business Strategy and CIO, Hussmann Corporation Tushar Shelar , CIO, Murphy Company , CIO, Murphy Company Mark Sparks , VP, Global Head of Digital Product and Engineering, Bayer Crop Science , VP, Global Head of Digital Product and Engineering, Bayer Crop Science Subbu Subramanian , SVP, CIO, Chief Process Officer, American Railcar Industries , SVP, CIO, Chief Process Officer, American Railcar Industries Haroon Taqui , VP, Digital Portfolio, Architecture and Governance, Ameren , VP, Digital Portfolio, Architecture and Governance, Ameren Gary VonderHaar , EVP, Operations & Technology Processing, Mastercard , EVP, Operations & Technology Processing, Mastercard Mike Williams , CEO & Founder, Software Design Partners , CEO & Founder, Software Design Partners Erica Wilson, VP, IT Security & Risk, Cass Information Systems, Inc. Valued Partners for the 2022 St. Louis CIO Executive Leadership Summit include 8x8, Akamai, BetterCloud, Darktrace, Delphix, Evolving Solutions, Fortinet, The Judge Group, LastPass, Moveworks, Netskope, Nutanix, OutSystems, Palo Alto Networks, Ping Identity, Reliaquest, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, ServiceNow, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler. To learn more about the 2022 St. Louis 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. 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/6a24e6df-7153-4d72-aeec-11160b66f5ee New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Commercial Boiler Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317613/?utm_source=GNW The global commercial boiler market is expected to grow from $3.47 billion in 2021 to $3.64 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.81%. The commercial boiler market is expected to grow to $4.44 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.12%. The commercial boiler market consists of sales of commercial boilers by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that are used to provide heating and hot water to a non-domestic building.It is a pressurized system offering steam and hot water to buildings through the use of electricity or burning combustible fuel. With the lesser wastage of energy, commercial boilers keep the commercial building safe and comfortable. Commercial boilers usually have the components such as a burner, heat exchanger, combustion chamber, controllers and exhaust stacks. The main types of boiler in commercial boiler market are fire tube and water tube.The fire tube is a type of commercial boiler wherein the fire or hot gas is present inside the tubes and water surrounds these fire tubes. These boilers are easy to install and operate.Various fuels used in commercial boilers are natural gas, oil, coal and others through utilizing technologies such as condensing and non-condensing. Commercial boilers are mainly used in offices, warehouse and storage facilities, retail stores, educational institutions, lodgings, public assembly buildings and healthcare facilities. North America was the largest region in the commercial boiler market in 2021. The regions covered in the commercial boiler market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The commercial boiler market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides commercial boiler market statistics, including commercial boilers industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a commercial boiler market share, detailed commercial boiler market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the commercial boilers industry. This commercial boiler 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 rising commercial buildings and increase in safety equipment are expected to propel the growth of the commercial boiler market.Commercial buildings such as offices, retail stores, warehouses & storage facilities, and hospitals are rising due to various reasons such as economic development, rapid urbanization, industrial development, and others. A commercial boiler consists of a pressurized system that uses electricity or burns fuel to heat the water or provide heat in commercial buildings.Commercial boilers keep the commercial buildings safe and comfortable with lesser wastage of energy. Commercial boilers are a safe and cost-effective choice for commercial buildings.The rising commercial buildings and increase in the safety equipment required will generate demand for commercial boilers as these are an important part of commercial buildings for heat/steam applications. For instance, according to a factsheet by the Center for Sustainable Systems, in the USA, the commercial building floor space is expected to reach 124.3 billion square feet by 2050, showing an increase of 33% from 2020. Thus, the rising commercial buildings and increase in safety equipment will drive the growth of the commercial boiler market. The launch of innovative boiler systems is a key trend gaining popularity in the commercial boiler market.The commercial boiler market is witnessing the arousal of innovation trends such as the introduction of low NOx (nitrogen oxide) boilers, and high-efficiency boilers with compact designs, reduced carbon footprints, enhanced efficiency, easy installation, and others. These innovative commercial boilers offer companies increased sales, and an opportunity to gain a competitive edge in the market.For instance, in April 2022, Bosch, a global manufacturer of heating products launched its latest commercial boiler series, the Condens 7000 WP. The new series with new a design is created to increase install time with ease/convenience.It can save up to 60% on average installation times compared to the other models. It also offers the maximum output. In January 2020, SPX Corporation, a US-based provider of engineered solutions acquired Patterson-Kelley, for an undisclosed amount.With this acquisition, SPX adds a strong brand, technology, and high-quality range of commercial boilers and water heaters to its portfolio. It also enhances SPXs market presence and application support capabilities. Patterson-Kelley LLC is a US-based manufacturer of commercial boilers and water heaters. The countries covered in the commercial boiler 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/p06317613/?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. __________________________ New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Mass Notification System Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06316985/?utm_source=GNW The global mass notification system market is expected to grow from $10.38 billion in 2021 to $12.51 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.5%. The mass notification system market is expected to grow to $26.6 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 20.8%. The mass notification system market consists of sales of the mass notification system by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refer to a platform that sends one-way messages to inform employees and the public of an emergency.Organizations best served by a mass notification system will include fire and police departments, emergency management organizations, federal, state, and local governments, cities and communities, building owners and building management companies, and businesses that will justify their need and investment. Such systems will improve the safety and security of an organization by providing alerts and real-time instruction during a crisis. Mass notification systems is having a database of names, phone numbers, email addresses, and delivery methods. The main types of mass notification systems are in-building, wide-area, and the distributed recipient.In-building mass notification systems are usually roofed and walled structures built for permanent use. The mass notification system has components such as solutions and services and is deployed on the cloud, on-premises in large enterprises, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). There are various applications of the mass notification system such as emergency response management, business continuity, and disaster recovery, public alert and warning, reporting and analytics, and other applications (geofencing, workflow management, and critical event management). North America was the largest region in the mass notification system market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the mass notification system market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa. The mass notification system market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides mass notification system market statistics, including mass notification system industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a mass notification system market share, detailed mass notification system market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the mass notification system industry. This mass notification system 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 growing use of a smartphone is driving the growth of the mass notification systems market.Smartphone refers to a handheld electronic device that will require a connection to a cellular network. Mass notification systems will send one-way messages through email, smartphones, office phones, and home phones.For instance, according to the Indian Express data 2020, an Indian news media publishing company, there is nearly a 39 % increase in smartphone usage from 2019. According to Oberlo, an extension of the Shopify platform, data 2021, smartphone usage has been expected to continue to increase in the further years, breaching seven billion in 2024 before rising further to 7.5 billion by 2026. The growing use of a smartphone will drive the growth of the mass notification system market. Technological advancement are shaping the mass notification systems market.Many companies are adopting new technologies to provide enhanced products to their users. In October 2021, Motorola Solutions has launched the first AI-enabled in-car video system for law enforcement, the M500, in Europe.The solution will bring more powerful capabilities to the police vehicle for enhancing awareness and safety while building trust and transparency throughout communities. The M500 features new backseat passenger analytics which will automatically start the in-car camera recording when an individual enters the back of a police car. The recording is automatically saved in the recording. In December 2021, Potter, a St. Louis, Missouri-based manufacturer of sprinkler monitoring devices, and fire alarm systems, acquired Valcom Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is to expand Potters capabilities and technology with mass communication and notification systems. Valcom Inc is a US-based company that designs and manufactures electronics, telecommunication systems, loudspeaker paging, IP-centric Mass notification systems, and visual messaging. The countries covered in the mass notification system market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06316985/?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. __________________________ New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Modified Starch Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06316983/?utm_source=GNW , Qindao CBH Co. Ltd, Tereos and KMC. The global modified starch market is expected to grow from $10.82 billion in 2021 to $11.39 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The modified starch market is expected to grow to $13.92 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 5.2%. The modified starch market consists of sales of modified starch by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refer to the starch extracted from grains and vegetables such as corn, waxy maize, tapioca, potato, or wheat, which has been treated to improve its ability to keep the texture and structure of the food. Modified starch is used in food products that need to be cooked at high temperatures, microwaved, freeze-dried, or baked and fried so that the real texture of the food does not change during the cooking process. The main types of modified starch include cationic starch, etherified starch, resistant starch, and pre-gelatinized.Cationic starch is produced by treating a slurry of partially swollen granules of starch with a reactive compound. Cationic starches are generally used as wet end additives while making paper. The different modified starch raw materials include potato, corn, cassava, wheat, and other raw materials for applications in food and beverages, animal feed, paper-making, weaving and textiles, pharmaceuticals, and other applications. Asia Pacific was the largest region in the modified starch market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the modified starch market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa. The modified starch market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides modified starch market statistics, including modified starch industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a modified starch market share, detailed modified starch market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the modified starch industry. This modified starch 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 investment in the modified starch industry is expected to propel the growth of the modified starch market.Large players are investing in the modified starch industry to meet the demand, due to the increasing consumption of modified starch in various applications including food and beverage, paper, pharmaceuticals, textile, and other applications. For instance, in 2020, Cargill, a privately held American global food corporation invested $100 million in its sweetener plant, PT.Sorini Agro Asia Corporindo, in Surabaya, Indonesia, to build a wet corn mill and add a starch dryer to better serve the growing customer demand for corn-based starches, sweeteners, and animal feed ingredients in the region. Therefore, the increasing investment in the modified starch industry is expected to propel the growth of the modified starch market. New product launch are shaping the modified starch market.Large players are launching new products to stay ahead in the competitive market and to increase market share. For instance, in April 2021, Germany-based potato starch company, Emsland Group launched The Emwaxy Spray 200.It is a clean label low DE starch derivative, based on high amylopectin potato starch. Also, in March 2020, UK-based ingredients and solutions company, Tate & Lyle launched CLARIA EVERLAST, a new line of clean-label starches for freeze-thaw stability.The new clean-label starches will provide superior shelf stability. The company also introduced cook-ups and instant starches made from corn and tapioca starch. In February 2021, Tate & Lyle PLC (Tate & Lyle), a UK-based global provider of food and beverage ingredients and solutions, completed the acquisition of an 85% shareholding in Chaodee Modified Starch Co., Ltd. (CMS) for an undisclosed amount. Through the acquisition, Tate & Lyle extended its presence in specialty tapioca-based restaurants and established a dedicated production facility in the main tapioca-producing region of Eastern Thailand. Chaodee Modified Starch Co. Ltd. is a Thailand-based well-established tapioca-modified food starch manufacturer. The countries covered in the modified starch market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06316983/?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. __________________________ OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Madison Horn, U.S. Senate Nominee and cybersecurity expert from Oklahoma, is running against James Lankford for the U.S. Senate. She has rural roots being from Stilwell, OK, and is a Cherokee citizen. Her global experience in national security, understanding the impact the lack of access has on people's lives and proven leadership - positions her to provide practical solutions for the problems of today and tomorrow. A race on no one's radar, this flyover state is presumed to be in a red stronghold. However, the current political climate and issues facing Oklahomans are driving a landscape for Democratic candidates like Madison Horn to create an upset, which her campaign, Oklahomans for Madison, says is evident in recent polling done on other statewide races, with +4 and -1 margins showing the uncertainty building in Oklahoma. The biggest issue creating swings in states like Oklahoma, like seen in Kansas, is the restriction of women's health which Madison's opponent is leading and doubling down with recent statements. The following is an open letter from Madison Horn regarding a recent statement by her opponent, Senator Lankford. "Senator Lankford is drawing a connection to the passing of a deeply flawed, extreme piece of legislation restricting women's rights with rain falling as a sign of God's blessing. This bill, lacking both empathy and compassion, has brought suffering to thousands of women in our state, as similar bills have across our nation. The rain he is referring to was responsible for hundreds of farmers losing crops and income. This was no act of God, but a poor argument from a failing Senator whose only hope is to misuse religion for his own personal gain. Additionally, it misrepresents countless people of faith who desire a reasonable, caring approach to protecting reproductive rights. 85% of Americans support access to reproductive health services (Gallup 2022) - access that the Oklahoma bill denies. The growing trend of James Lankford abusing his own interpretation of faith to gain the trust of his constituents goes hand-in-hand with the extreme government overreach that he is forcing on others. He is not the first elected official throughout history to abuse religious views in this way, but it is another shameful example of a Senator who has become a mouthpiece for divisive factions and political pandering. The fact is, women are now suffering, Oklahoma is still in a drought, and elected officials like James Lankford must be voted out this November." Contact Information: Jake LaBrue Policy and Communications Deputy jake@madisonhorn.com 4056576032 Frank Frantz Campaign Manager info@madisonhorn.com 4056183564 Related Files Majority of Republican Voters Want to Make Christianity the Official Religion.pdf Oklahoma senator_God rewarded my state for its abortion ban by making it rain.pdf Related Images Image 1: Madison Horn U.S. Senate Nominee OK - Sept 2022 Madison Horn, U.S. Senate Nominee for Oklahoma headshot; running to unseat James Lankford This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment San Diego, CA, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- General Atomics (GA) congratulates Pietro Barabaschi on his appointment as Director-General of the ITER Organization. Dr. Barabaschis long career as an engineer and program manager in the field of fusion energy makes him an ideal choice as ITER progresses toward first plasma later this decade. General Atomics is committed to the success of ITER in its pioneering path to demonstrating practical fusion energy, said Dr. Anantha Krishnan, Senior Vice President of the General Atomics Energy Group. We look forward to supporting Mr. Barabaschi in his new role. Achieving economic fusion energy is one of the greatest challenges our world faces, said Dr. Wayne Solomon, Vice President for Magnetic Confinement Fusion (MFE). Leading ITER toward full operation over the next decade is a critical element of this process, and we congratulate Dr. Barabaschi for his willingness to shoulder this responsibility. General Atomics is fabricating a range of key components and systems for ITER, said John Smith, Senior Director of Engineering and Projects. We are proud to play an integral part in the quest for fusion energy. I was fortunate to work with Pietro during the ITER Engineering Design Activities phase, when he was at the San Diego Joint Work Site in the 1990s, said Dr. David Humphreys, Director of MFE Operations and Innovation. Not only is he well-known as a brilliant leader, he also has an enormous depth of technical expertise. He will bring an unparalleled combination of strengths to the challenge of leading ITER through the completion of assembly and into the operation phase. About General Atomics: Since the dawn of the atomic age, General Atomics innovations have advanced the state of the art across the full spectrum of science and technology from nuclear energy and defense to medicine and high-performance computing. Behind a talented global team of scientists, engineers, and professionals, GAs unique experience and capabilities continue to deliver safe, sustainable, economical, and innovative solutions to meet growing global demands. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Building a Foundation for Reconciliation 2022: The Interconnections between Infrastructure, Culture, and the Environment will explore and discuss how architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), and related industries can honour the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and become better allies to Indigenous Nations. On September 30, 2022, in partnership with IISAAK OLAM Foundation, Tsawout First Nation, Halalt First Nation, and the Roots to Roofs Community Development Society, RJC Engineers (RJC) will host the second installment of the Building a Foundation for Reconciliation webinar series. The first webinar in this series gave an overview of the history of this Land and outlined ways in which we can try to see the complex interconnections between many of the challenges facing Indigenous Nations. This webinar builds on that foundation. This webinar is a great resource for industry practitioners to improve their awareness of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Call to Action Number 92, and how architecture, engineering, and construction firms can be supportive partners and allies shares Eric Wilson, Indigenous Projects Liaison with RJC Engineers and IPCA Infrastructure and Systems Lead with IISAKK OLAM Foundation. Collectively, we face substantial challenges in the years to come. The defining issues of our time - climate change, ecological collapse, poverty, water scarcity, and turbulent social stratification - cannot be addressed through the lens of engineering, efficiency, and western government policy. Our best chance to produce meaningful solutions to these challenges is dependent on the coming together of Indigenous and Western Knowledge systems in mutual respect and appreciation of each others strengths. Elder Albert Marshall described this in his description of two-eyed seeing. In Marshall's words Two-Eyed Seeing refers to learning to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing and from the other eye with the strengths of Western ways of knowing and to using both of these eyes together for the benefit of all explains Wilson. The constitutional foundation stones of the country we know today as Canada was built upon sacred treaty relationships between European and Indigenous Nations in the spirit and practice of peace and friendship. These relationships were with one another, with Mother Nature, and with the Creator. Learning about the history of Indigenous peoples, including the history residential schools, helps build understanding so that together we can co-create a future for this land in-line with the original spirit of peace and friendship, says Eli Enns, Co-founder and President of the IISAAK OLAM Foundation. Attendees will have the honour of learning from Indigenous knowledge holders from Tsawout First Nation and Halalt First Nation who will discuss the intimate connections between infrastructure, culture, and environment Other speakers include the IISAAK OLAM Foundation and Roots-to-Roofs Community Development Society. The mini-conference will help AEC practitioners better understand how to approach infrastructure design with Indigenous Nations in a way that supports community, environmental, and cultural health and well-being. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the need for a systems approach to engineering design, and recognize the need for community led design. Presenters will share the role of infrastructure in the development of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and ways to identify how participants and their organizations can support the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Call to Action number 92. AME Group and AES Engineering are sponsors of the event, with support by the Canadian Mountain Network and the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership. The free 2-hour webinar will be held September 30th from 10 12 PDT. Register here https://bit.ly/3BrrDd1 RJC Engineers: (RJC) is a national, employee owned engineering firm that celebrates creative thinking, prompt service, and technical excellence in the design and maintenance of structures. Bringing the best of RJC to every project for over seven decades, they integrate ingenuity and practicality to create success for their clients and their projects. RJC provides structural engineering, structural restoration, building science, parking facility design, structural glass engineering, and building energy modelling services. RJC locations, leadership, projects, services, and contact information can be found at www.rjc.ca . AME Group: Is a full-service mechanical consulting engineering firm specializing in sustainable design. Our projects not only create a space of experience for us today, but reflect our purpose for future generations. Since inception in 2005, AME has grown from a single small office to locations in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, and Revelstoke. Our talented team of professionals offer extensive experience designing strategic solutions for a diverse range of projects, locally and across Canada. www.amegroup.ca AES Engineering: Is a leading Canadian consulting firm providing electrical engineering, lighting, and technology services for the built environment. Established in 2001, we have grown to over 130 people across British Columbia and Alberta while servicing clients nationwide. We provide solutions for building construction and infrastructure through mindful design and future-ready technology. Our unique approach prioritizes long-lasting sustainability, innovation, value, and well-being. Our focus is simple: We are designing a better tomorrow. www.AESengr.com IISAAK OLAM Foundation: The IISAAK OLAM Foundation shares knowledge and builds capacity for Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). The Foundations programs and collaborations support Indigenous leadership in the conservation of biological and cultural diversity, the development of sustainable and resilient communities, reconciliation between Indigenous and newcomer societies, and innovative solutions for (re)connecting people with their environment. Their ultimate purpose is to support the establishment and long-term capacity of IPCAs and to educate Canadians about their value and relevance. www.iisaakolam.ca Roots to Roofs Community Development Society: Roots to Roofs Community Development Society strives to be a leading nonprofit resources group, co-creating resilient housing, energy, training, and planning solutions with communities. From project visioning and inception, to construction and on-going management, their partners desires direct their activities and they move together at the speed of trust. www.roots2roofs.org Canadian Mountain Network: This not-for-profit is Canadas first formal research organization dedicated to advancing our understanding of mountain systems, which provide important benefits to Canadians living both near and far from these distinctive and iconic landscapes. CMN is focused on building partnerships between Indigenous organizations and communities, universities, governments, businesses and the not-for-profit sector, who are all committed to working together to advance knowledge that is inclusive. https://www.canadianmountainnetwork.ca/ Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership: The Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership is an Indigenous-led network that brings together a diverse range of partners to advance Indigenous-led conservation and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) across Canada. It aims to investigate, inform, and transform conservation strategy and practice by centring Indigenous leadership, rights, responsibilities, and knowledge. The CRP is a collective of Indigenous leadership, conservation agencies and organizations, academia, civil society and communities acting on and building from the recommendations set out by the Indigenous Circle of Experts report We Rise Together. https://conservation-reconciliation.ca/ Tsawout First Nation: Tsawout First Nation is one of five bands that constitute the WSANEC (Saanich) Nation, along with Tsartlip, Tseycum, Malahat and Pauquachin. The WSANEC Nation used to be one group, but was artificially split up by the federal government into multiple bands. Tsawout historically spoke SENCOEN (pronounced sen-CHAW-thin). www.tsawout.ca As Saanich people we strive to be whole in the spiritual, Cultural, and Physical sense. We continue to develop a healthy community which seeks a balance between our traditional values and todays economy, as the stewards of our lands and resources Vision statement from the Tsawout Comprehensive Community Plan (2010) Halalt First Nation: The Halalt originate from the village of xelaltxw, which means marked houses or painted houses, a reference to the fact that the houseposts in this village were decorated. According to information collected by Rozen (1985), this village was once located in the Cowichan Valley, at the spot where the Silver Bridge currently crosses the Cowichan River, at the south-eastern edge of the city of Duncan. According to Cowichan oral history, the forefathers of both the Cowichan and Chemainus people (Siyoletse and Stetsen respectively) originated from this village. www.halalt.org Media Contact: Tanya Kennedy Flood Marketing and Communications Leaders tkennedyflood@rjc.ca 403.390.1341 www.rjc.ca Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fd205549-12d7-4d95-b603-298224758988 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8fe49168-d8c0-4ff7-9660-6fd04c87ba13 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cb6ba59e-6d60-41bf-92e5-fc3180d8ce91 Denver, Colorado, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week, Oak Hill Estates, located in Holly, MI owned and operated by YES Communities, completed a 100% volunteer-led, Hug-A-Home renovation project for a long-term resident in the community. Mr. Cutters' home renovation was made possible by YES team members, including community managers, maintenance technicians, and office team members. YES Communities provided the homeowner with a multitude of home improvements including home painting, a new ramp, and a new furnace and central air unit. You did a great job, great job, said Mr. Cutter, a resident since 2004 that became disabled after suffering 5 strokes. Michael Cutter, Mr. Cutter's son said "It will surely help him and me sleep better at night. I have been wanting to paint the house for a long time and it is finally happening thanks to you guys! The YES Communities Hug-A-Home program was developed to assist residents through funding and allocating volunteer time for YES team members to offer help to deserving residents. YES Communities employees donate hundreds of hours of time to serve their own communities and help those who need it most. Hug-A-Home is a part of the YES We Care program, in which YES has invested over $813,000 since 2018 in assistance to team members, residents, and local organizations supporting YES Communities. As part of the Hug-A-Home program, local vendors and partners helped complete the project. Vendors included RG Mills, Turning Point Construction, Diamond Maintenance, Premier Heating and Cooling, AMHS, Kincade Construction, Fox Construction, MMHS, Bucks Concrete, JS Outdoor Services, Lova Construction, Appliance Repair Pros, Top Notch, T & F, Capitol Supply and Service, Wash on Wheels and Stevenson Stump Grinding. Michael also added, You guys are amazing, giving and caring to give your time, money, and effort to do such a great thing for someone. The Hug a Home program has changed lives, not just my dad's, but so many other communities this has helped, its not just here, its across the nation. Such a great thing to give back and it is just truly amazing. Thank you so much! About YES Communities YES Communities is a premier operator of manufactured housing communities and is based in Denver, Colorado. YES has been recognized as the Manufactured Housing Institute's "Community Operator of the Year" from 2009 to 2019. Attachment Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Splash Beverage Group , Inc . (NYSE American: SBEV) (the Company or Splash Beverage Group), a portfolio company of leading beverage brands, today announced it has commenced an underwritten public offering. EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, is acting as the sole book-running manager for the offering. The proposed offering of the common stock described above is being offered by the Company pursuant to a "shelf" registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-259865) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and declared effective by the SEC on October 8, 2021, and the accompanying prospectus contained therein. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the offering to support additional distribution and retail authorizations gained recently. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. A prospectus supplement describing the terms of the public offering will be filed with the SEC and will form a part of the effective registration statement. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained, when available, on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov or by contacting EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC Attention: Syndicate Department, 590 Madison Avenue, 39th Floor, New York, NY 10022, by email at syndicate@efhuttongroup.com , or by telephone at (212) 404-7002. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Splash Beverage Group Splash Beverage Group, an innovator in the beverage industry, owns a growing portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage brands including Copa di Vino wine by the glass, SALT flavored tequilas, Pulpoloco sangria, and TapouT performance hydration and recovery drink. Splashs strategy is to rapidly develop early-stage brands already in its portfolio as well as acquire and then accelerate brands that have high visibility or are innovators in their categories. Led by a management team that has built and managed some of the top brands in the beverage industry and led sales from product launch into the billions, Splash is rapidly expanding its brand portfolio and global distribution. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Words such as expect, estimate, project, budget, forecast, anticipate, intend, plan, may, will, could, should, believes, predicts, potential, continue and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause such differences include, without limitation, the risks disclosed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2022, and in the Companys other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Contact: LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Saturday, Sept. 24, from 5:30 p.m. until midnight The Autism Community in Action (TACA) will be hosting its 16th Annual Ante Up Autism Fundraising Event at The Waterfront Beach Resort 21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Ante Up for Autism is a national event that has successfully raised over $7 million over the last 15 years, giving TACA the opportunity to provide guidance and hope to people living with autism. TACA was founded in 2000, during this time 1 in 500 children were diagnosed with autism, more recent studies suggest that figures are now 1 in 44. On average, almost 1,000 caregivers and parents reach out to TACA every single month, all needing some level of assistance due to the impact autism has on their lives. Jennifer Vallinayagam - the COO of Sun West Mortgages, will be in attendance on behalf of the company, a presenting sponsor of this momentous occasion. Sun West Mortgages partnered with TACA so they could help them provide funding for welfare services to over 75,000 families affected by autism through four of TACAs most crucial programs. As parents, we all strive to ensure our children a brighter future. TACA provides this to families living with autism all across the country and we are proud to support them in their mission, said Pavan Agarwal, CEO of Sun West Mortgage Company Inc. To attend the event, please register virtually. Event Link In addition to the support and education TACA provides, Sun West wants to help your family achieve the dream of homeownership by offering a $750 lender credit to the members of TACA for your closing costs. Find more details here. Visit swmc.com for terms and conditions https://www.swmc.com/theprocessor. For licensing information visit www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Visit http://www.swmc.com/swmc/disclaimer.php for the full list of license information. Please refer to https://www.swmc.com/TXdis.php 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 The Autism Community In Action (TACA) The Autism Community in Action (TACA) is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 2000, with the mission to provide education, support, and hope to families living with autism. For more information visit www.tacanow.org. Wire Service Contact: InvestorWire (IW) Los Angeles, California www.InvestorWire.com 212.418.1217 Office Editor@InvestorWire.com Attachment NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Hunter Oil & Gas Corp. ("UHO" or the "Corporation") (TSX Venture Exchange: UHO) (Frankfurt: 18U1), is pleased to provide an update on recently completed geophysical work and the subsequently updated technical report in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 (Technical Report), along with an update on the status of the previously announced amalgamation agreement ("Transaction") with Bocana Resources Ltd. (Bocana) (together Bocana and UHO referred to as the "Resulting Issuer" or Parties). As a follow up to the previous announcements earlier this summer, Bocana completed an induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey on the Escala project in south-west Bolivia (the "Escala Project"). The Escala Project consists of 4 concessions covering 4000 hectares with known near surface porphyry style gold/silver and vein hosted silver/lead/zinc. Historic IP surveys were limited in areal extent but did indicate the presence of extensive sulphide mineralization associated with an intrusive complex. Bocanas IP survey entailed approximately 88-line kilometres and covered all known areas of mineralization and determined the arial extent of the sulphide mineralization and spatial relationship of the various known zones to each other. As a result of doing this work, the TSX Venture Exchange ("Exchange") requested that Bocana update the Technical Report on the Escala Project. The author, Mr. Greg Bronson, P. Geo., with Rae-co Consulting Ltd., had the following highlights and conclusions incorporated in his report. The following interpretations are made based on the recently completed geophysical survey and detailed geological mapping that was completed in Spring 2022. The interpretations of the geophysical data are based on raw data that has not been compiled. The induced polarization survey, raw data interpretation and conclusions are as follows: Chargeability Survey Results: Cerro Galapago area shows a roughly circular induced polarization, chargeability anomaly is approximately 1600 m by 1700 m in area. The size and shape of the chargeability anomaly suggests a large area of disseminated sulphide mineralized related to a porphyry system. Cerro Blanco area shows a chargeability anomaly over 1600 m with a north-westerly trend and with a 100-200 m width. In this area the mineralization may be more structurally controlled by sub vertical structures. Previous drilling programs did not properly evaluate these targets with mainly vertical drill holes. In the historical area of known silver base metal veins, a chargeability anomaly of 1600 m trending north-west with a 400 m width was identified. This subsurface anomaly is coincident with outcrops of base metal veins and indicates very good potential for the continuation of the vein system to depth. Resistivity Survey Results: Cerro Galapago area shows low resistivity values around a central core surrounded by moderate to high resistivities bordering around the low resistivity central core. Cerro Blanco area, hosts an 800 m trend of moderate to high resistivities coincident with the 1600 m chargeability anomaly described above. The center of the historical base metal/silver area shows a 1600 m diameter moderate to high resistivity anomaly. Ground Magnetic Survey Results: A ground magnetic survey was also conducted as part of the geophysical survey. As Bocana only has access to the raw field data at the time of writing, it is unknown if the ground magnetic survey represents total magnetism or has been filtered to only display the vertical component of the magnetic field. A large scale magnetic high has a trend through the survey area at approximately 330 degrees in azimuth. Geological Mapping Results: Recent geological mapping completed in spring 2022 shows similar lithologies as previous workers on the property. These latest mapping efforts show a radial facture pattern surrounding the potential Cerro Galapago porphyry system. Tim Turner, a director of Bocana commented, "The geophysical data we have collected to date on our Escala concessions supports the theory of a large, disseminated sulphide system of approximately to 2.5 km x 2.5 km centered on an intermediate to felsic, porphyritic intrusion. Once all data has been compiled, the company is planning to drill test this and several other comparable geophysical anomalies coincident with the porphyritic intrusions." Bocana and UHO have submitted the Technical Report and other supplemental documents for the proposed Transaction to the Exchange for their review and approval. The TSXV has since reviewed the technical report to determine whether it would meet Tier 2 Initial Listing Requirements (ILR) and, at the date of their review, September 19, 2022, the report does demonstrate that this property meets Tier 2 ILR. Additionally, the TSXV will provide comments, if any, on the remaining materials for their review back to the Parties for their consideration prior to their conditional approval and consent to move forward with the Joint Annual and Special Meeting of the Shareholders of both Parties. Once that occurs, the Parties will be filing the joint information circular on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), which will contain details regarding the Transaction, UHO, Bocana and the Resulting Issuer. Completion of the proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, (i) shareholder approval from both Bocana and UHO shareholders; and (ii) acceptance by the Exchange and receipt of other applicable regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. Qualified Persons Mr. Greg Bronson, P. Geo. is a qualified person, as defined by NI 43-101 and is the author of the Technical Report and Mr. Lorne Warner, P. Geo. of Bocana, both have reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release. For further information, please contact: Timothy J. Turner Chief Executive Officer United Hunter Oil & Gas Corp. Telephone: + 1 (713) 858-3329 Email: Info@unitedhunteroil.com Rodney Stevens Executive Chairman Bocana Resources Ltd. Email: rstevens@bocanaresources.com ANY SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "1933 ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO A U.S. PERSON IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE 1933 ACT. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAW. 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. The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the content of this press release. The information contained or referred to in this press release relating to Bocana has been furnished by Bocana. Although United Hunter has no knowledge that would indicate that any statement contained herein concerning Bocana is untrue or incomplete, neither United Hunter nor any of its respective directors or officers assumes any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information. Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance, receipt of requisite regulatory approvals, and if applicable pursuant to Exchange requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approvals, and any ancillary matters thereto, are obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the joint management information circular to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. This forward-looking information in respect of United Hunter and Bocana reflects United Hunter's or Bocana's, as the case may be, current beliefs and is based on information currently available to United Hunter and Bocana, respectively, and on assumptions United Hunter and Bocana, as the case may be, believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, management's assumptions about the Exchange approval for the Transaction, closing of the Private Placement, closing of the business combination announced above and Bocana's assumptions regarding its business objectives. Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement This release includes forward-looking statements regarding United Hunter, Bocana, the Resulting Issuer and their respective businesses, which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the completion of the Transaction, the ability to obtain regulatory and shareholder approvals and other factors and the timing and results of the Technical Report. Often, but not always, Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes", "estimates" or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of each entity. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release, including completion of the Transaction, may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the companies, including the risk that Bocana and United Hunter may not obtain all requisite approvals for the Transaction, including the approval of the Exchange for the Transaction (which may be conditional upon amendments to the terms of the Transaction), shareholder approval of the Transaction, risks of the resource industry, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals, economic factors, any estimated amounts, the equity markets generally and risks associated with growth, exploration and development. Although United Hunter and Bocana have 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 to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and United Hunter and Bocana undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. 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 news release. TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abaxx Technologies Inc., (NEO: ABXX) (OTCQX: ABXXF) (Abaxx or the Company), a financial software company, majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte. Ltd., the Abaxx Commodity Exchange (ACX), and producer of the SmarterMarkets Podcast, is pleased to announce the results of its annual general meeting of shareholders held in Toronto on September 22, 2022 (the Meeting). A total of 31,808,565 common shares, representing 43.5% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company, were represented at the Meeting. Six (6) directors were elected to the Companys board for the ensuing year. The following is a tabulation of the votes submitted in person and by proxy: Director Nominee Votes in Favour % Votes Withheld % Joshua Crumb 25,806,732 99.96% 10,821 0.04% Thom McMahon 25,689,893 99.51% 127,660 0.49% Margot Naudie 24,956,642 96.67% 860,911 3.33% Catherine Flax 24,454,379 94.72% 1,363,174 5.28% W. Scott Leckie 24,445,527 94.69% 1,372,026 5.31% Cyrus Hiramanek 25,806,752 99.96% 10,801 0.04% Shareholders also voted in favour of appointing KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and authorized the directors to fix their remuneration. The following is a tabulation of the votes submitted in person and by proxy: Votes in Favour % Votes Withheld % 31,364,763 99.66% 108,372 0.34% For more information refer to the management information circular dated August 10, 2022, available on the Companys profile at www.sedar.com. About Abaxx Technologies Abaxx is a development stage financial software company creating proprietary technological infrastructure for both global commodity exchanges and digital marketplaces. The companys formative technology increases transaction velocity, data security and facilitates improved risk management in the majority owned Abaxx Singapore Pte. Ltd. (ACX, or Abaxx Exchange) - a commodity futures exchange seeking final regulatory approvals as a Recognized Market Operator (RMO) and Approved Clearing House (ACH) with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Abaxx is a founding shareholder in Base Carbon Inc. and the creator and producer of the SmarterMarkets podcast. For more information please visit abaxx.tech , abaxx.exchange and SmarterMarkets.media Media and investor inquiries: Abaxx Technologies Inc. Investor Relations Team Tel: +1 246 271 0082 E-mail: ir@abaxx.tech Forward-Looking Statements This News Release includes certain forward-looking statements which do not consist of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that Abaxx expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as seeking, believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, or plan. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Abaxx, Abaxx does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, Abaxx objectives, goals or future plans, statements, timing of the commencement of operations, development of new products, statements relating to revenue expectations and the timing thereof, potential listing of the Companys securities on a US based stock exchange and estimates of market conditions. Such factors include, among others: risks relating to the global economic climate; dilution; the Companys limited operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; the competitive nature of the industry; currency exchange risks; the need for Abaxx to manage its planned growth and expansion; the effects of product development and need for continued technology change; protection of proprietary rights; the effect of government regulation and compliance on Abaxx and the industry; network security risks; the ability of Abaxx to maintain properly working systems; reliance on key personnel; global economic and financial market deterioration impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital; and volatile securities markets impacting security pricing unrelated to operating performance. In addition, particular factors which could impact future results of the business of Abaxx include but are not limited to: operations in foreign jurisdictions, protection of intellectual property rights, contractual risk, third party risk; clearinghouse risk, malicious actor risks, third-party software license risk, system failure risk, risk of technological change; dependence of technical infrastructure, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains. Abaxx has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of Abaxx normal course of business. Abaxx cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. In addition, although Abaxx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. When relying on Abaxx forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Abaxx has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Abaxx 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. Abaxx does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. The NEO Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Billings, Mont., Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 86% of American voters support the American Beef Labeling Act that reinstates mandatory country of origin labeling for beef. 90% of voters are concerned that foreign importers of beef can legally put a Product of U.S.A. sticker on a package containing beef that was born, raised, and harvested outside the United States. 89% of voters are concerned that foreign importers of beef can legally put a U.S. food safety inspection sticker on a package containing beef that was born, raised, and harvested outside the United States. 77% of voters believe it is important that the beef they purchase was born, raised, and harvested in the United States. 74% of voters say they would be more likely to vote for a U.S. Senate or U.S. House candidate who supports the American Beef Labeling Act. A new poll of registered voters, conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) shows an overwhelming majority of votersincluding 86% of Democrats, 83% of Independents, and 90% of Republicanssupport the American Beef Labeling Act (S.2716 and H.R.7291) that reinstates mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. Additionally, an overwhelming majority of voters (77%) believe it is important that the beef they purchase was born, raised and harvested in the United States and an overwhelming majority of voters (74%) say they would be more likely to vote for a U.S. Senate or U.S. House candidate who supports the American Beef Labeling Act. The poll further reveals that registered voters from all regions within the U.S. overwhelmingly support the American Beef Labeling Act 82% of Northeast voters, 90% of Midwest voters, 87% of voters in the South, and 84% of voters in the West. Read the key findings here . The American Beef Labeling Act ( S.2716 ) is a bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate in 2021 by Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Cory Booker (D-NJ). Despite attracting additional bipartisan cosponsors Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Barrasso (R-WY), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), the bill has languished without action in the U.S. Senate agriculture committee. In March 2022, a bipartisan companion bill was introduced in the U.S. House ( H.R.7291 ) by Reps. Lance Gooden (R-TX) and Ro Khanna (D-CA). Rep. H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) has since cosponsored the House measure. Too many members of Congress talk favorably about reinstating mandatory country of origin labeling for beef, but they have not yet joined the legislation as cosponsors, said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. Our new poll makes it clear that an overwhelming number of American voters want Congress to enact MCOOL for beef, and they demonstrated this with their specific support for the American Beef Labeling Act. We hope lawmakers will carefully review this poll and quickly join this legislation as cosponsors to ensure its swift enactment. According to Bullard, though many consumers and cattle producers have been contacting their congressional members urging support of the American Beef Labeling Act, in light of these powerful poll results, R-CALF USA is now urging them to go to www.labelourbeef.com to use the online form to email more requests for swift congressional action. Constituents can also call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 to ask for their congressional members by name. Key Findings: Voters want the beef they purchase to be American-made. Three quarters of respondents (77%) say it is important the beef they purchase was born, raised, and harvested in the United States. Concern over current food safety regulations for beef is high among U.S. voters. Nine in ten respondents (90%) say they find it concerning that foreign importers of beef can legally put a Product of U.S.A. sticker on a package containing beef born, raised, and harvested outside the United States. Support for the American Beef Labeling Act is strong. Eighty-six percent of voters show support for the legislation. When thinking about the upcoming elections, there is bipartisan support for the American Beef Labeling Act. Nearly three-quarters of Democrats (72%) and four in five Republicans (79%) say they are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports the American Beef Labeling Act. Read the key findings here . View the full poll results from Morning Consult here and the cross tabs here . # # # R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America) is the largest producer-only lobbying and trade association representing U.S. cattle producers. It is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the nations independent cattle farmers and ranchers. Visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516 for more information. Attachment Monday Night Mostly cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 55F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chinese FM makes four proposals for security in Middle East Xinhua) 09:41, September 22, 2022 BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday made four proposals for the promotion of peace and stability in the Middle East. Wang put forward the proposals when attending the opening ceremony of the second Middle East Security Forum via video. He said the Global Security Initiative is of great significance to peace and stability in the Middle East as it clearly outlines how to achieve common security for all countries. China is ready to seize the opportunity of implementing the Global Security Initiative and work with Middle Eastern countries and the broader international community to build up the new security framework in the Middle East, Wang said. Wang proposed upholding the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, making clear that Middle Eastern countries play a leading role, abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and strengthening regional security dialogue. As a strategic partner of Middle Eastern countries, China has always been an important and constructive force in promoting peace and supporting development in the Middle East, Wang said, adding that China will continue to work with Middle Eastern countries and the broader international community to make unremitting efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun) Sweetwater County School District No. 2 has new programming related to mental wellness this school year thanks to funding provided by the American Rescue Plan, a stimulus bill passed by Congress in 2021 that provided $303 million to help Wyoming schools mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the very top of the school districts website has a link to a Social/Mental Wellness page, which can connect members of the school community to multiple new resources. Theyre very easy for any staff member or any family to access these supports, Assistant Superintendent Alan Demaret said during last weeks school board meeting. The district has hired two counselors to be school-based wellness therapists, and theyve been working with families since this summer, Demaret said. The districts website has a link that allows individuals to contact the counselors directly. As of (mid-September), they have over 25 different clients already that theyre serving, he said. The districts website also offers access to a program called School Pulse, which allows students to reach therapeutic services by QR code 24 hours each day. Its really a nice way for students to reach out to someone in a discrete manner where they dont have to go to a counselor or a trusted adult, he said. Students and staff can take a picture of that QR code and immediately they will be sent a text message from a therapist that will check in with them and lead them through some questions to determine what kind of needs they might be having or if it is a critical situation. If it is a serious issue with a student, (the therapists) will at that point contact school administration so that we can follow up with that student. The district is also providing access to Care Solace, a company that Demaret said acts as a liaison to help families find the services they need and navigate all of the barriers that are in place when youre trying to get therapy. While theres been a lot more effort throughout our county to provide more therapeutic services, theres a lot of hoops you have to jump through, he said. As with School Pulse, the individuals can use a QR code on the district website to access Care Solace, which will determine the right type of therapist an individual needs and also takes care of scheduling and insurance issues. Information about the program is also distributed throughout the districts buildings, Demaret said. The district is also continuing a program it started last year, Mindfulness Wednesdays. That program is led by Jennifer Brown, a speech pathologist in the district and a yoga instructor, who meets with staff at a different school each week to lead them in exercises that promote wellness and relaxation. Even if some folks are not as comfortable with some yoga moves, or theyre maybe self-conscious about that, Jen assures me that they just need to show up and she will work with them, even if its just breathing pieces, Demaret said. The district is also continuing its Healthy Teacher Online Platform, a program on nutrition, mental wellness and exercise. That program currently has 162 teachers signed up, Demaret said. ARPA funds have also been used to add hall monitors to Green River High School and Lincoln Middle School. (The hall monitors) are really focusing on connecting with students, Demaret said. Its not just a gotcha model where theyre going around to find which students are tardy for class. Theyre really going around to make sure that students are OK and checking in with students who may be isolating themselves for whatever reason. I know that already in this school year on the first day, they were a really great help to students who were already having a difficult time. The district has federal funds to support the programs for three years. After that money disappears, Demaret said the district will get creative with resources to help continue programs that have been determined to be effective. The Chromecast with Google TV HD is official and it is cheaper than expected in the US you can pick one up for just $30. This replaces the basic Chromecast from 2018 that launched at $35 and was much less capable (it lacked the Google TV part). We should note that while this device has HD in its name, it actually outputs 1080p. Sure, thats less resolution the 4K model offers that one is $50 but it still supports HDR output. On a smaller TV the difference between 1080p and 4K may not be all that visible. If youre interested, you can pick one up from the Google online store, Best Buy and (soon) from Amazon. In Germany the HD version is 40, the 4K one is 70. The HD Chromecast comes only in Snow white. You can use this Chromecast with the popular streaming services, for live TV if you subscribe to YouTube TV as well as streaming games with Stadia (youll need a controller, though, as the included remote wont cut it). The Chromecast supports the major streaming services, YouTube and live TV, plus Stadia gaming The Chromecast with Google TV HD is powered by an Amlogic S805X2 chipset with 1.5GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard storage. This can be used to install some of the thousands of Android TV apps that this supports (this runs Android 12). This one (unlike the 4K model) supports AV1, which is gaining traction with video streaming sites (YouTube included), but is not well supported on smartphone chipsets (Qualcomm and Apple being the main culprits). By the way, if you have a Chromecast with Google TV 4K or plan to buy one, you should know that the Android 12 update is almost ready, though exact timing of the release is still to be determined. Via 1 | Via 2 After announcing a new Motorola Razr 2022 last month, we were left wondering if the new clamshell foldable would be made available outside of China. Now, thanks to some new leaked renders courtesy of @evleaks, we have some evidence that a global release outside of China could be imminent. Promotional materials of the Motorola Razr that came alongside its launch last month only showed contents of the displays in Chinese. These renders show plenty of text in English these could be intended to be displayed on Motorolas global site. Though some outlets speculated a US release could be possible, these images dont exactly indicate as such. We dont see any mention of a US carrier in any of the images, and one of the images shows a screen with WhatsApp open which is more popular in markets outside of the US. Still, if you zoom closely into the WhatsApp chat, the conversation mentions Portland and "the state" which likely refers to Oregon - in the US. Interestingly, the time and date on all the screenshots are 11:35 on Tuesday, April 3. While this coincidentally falls on my birthday (yes, really), April 3 doesnt fall on a Tuesday until 2029. After further investigating, however, Tuesday April 3, 1973, was the day that a Motorola engineer made its first phone call using a DynaTAC prototype of the first handheld cellular phone. Last month, Motorola announced the 2022 Razr, boasting some worthy upgrades over its predecessor. It has a new OLED panel with improved hinge that shuts completely closed and supports HDR10+ and 144Hz refresh rate. Plus, theres a punch-hole selfie camera instead of a notch now. Theres a main 50MP camera sensor with OIS and a 13MP ultrawide, but the real upgrade here is the addition of a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset (Motorola used Snapdragon 7XX series chips on previous models). The Razr 2022 is already available for sale in China starting at CNY5,999 (~$856). No other market pricing or availability has been confirmed by Motorola yet. Source Starting with devices launching with Android 13, the Seamless Updates feature will be a requirement on all devices that want to receive a GMS (Google Mobile Services) license. Since launching the feature with the OG Google Pixel since 2016, the feature has been tweaked and some of the downsides to using this feature have been addressed by Google. Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra This feature is implemented in the system partition of a device where the firmware is installed. Using A and B partitions make it possible for many Android devices to install OTA updates in the background, with the only downtime experienced by the user being the time it takes to reboot the phone. One other benefit to this approach is in the event of a botched update to one of the partitions, the device can revert to the previous update easily. The original Google Pixel launched with Seamless updates and many Android OEMs have adopted the feature. Finally! New devices launching with Android 13 MUST support virtual A/B, meaning it's all but guaranteed they'll also support Seamless Updates! Will the Galaxy S23 be Samsung's first device to finally support Seamless Updates? Full details here: https://t.co/yWZauBNF2L Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) September 21, 2022 Although A/B updates arent explicitly required by OEMs, virtual A/B support is now mandatory if an OEM wants its device to receive GMS licensing. As one of top Android smartphone brands in the world, Samsung is one OEM that has yet to implement Seamless Updates to its smartphones flagships included. Were sure that the brand has its reasons for not using A/B updates, but it comes at the inconvenience of the user who will have to schedule their updates to a time when they wont be awake - or face several minutes of downtime during a critical moment when the device is needed. If youre interested in a deep dive of Seamless Updates, how the feature works and how it has improved over the years, head to the Source link where Esper.io has an excellent write up about it. Source The vivo X80 Lite was unveiled today in the Central European country Czechia. The phone has a 64 MP main camera with OIS and a 50 MP selfie shooter, and if those specs sound familiar, thats because it is the vivo V25, disguised under a new name. The vivo X80 Lite comes with a Dimensity 900 chipset, and Czech customers are getting the 8/256 GB memory variant. The European country is also getting the Black and Gold colors with the Fluorite AG Glass on the back, but only the latter changes color under direct sunlight. The battery also remained unchanged - a 4,500 mAh cell comes with 44W fast charging that fills 61% in 30 minutes. The phone is with us (under its V branding) and we were impressed with its thin 7.79 mm body that weighs only 186 grams. Other specs include Funtouch OS 12, HDR10+ support for the 6.44 OLED, VC cooling, and IP54 ingress protection. The phone costs CZK9,999 ($400) and is up for pre-order at third-party retailers. Source (in Czech) Contractor Hanwha Energy Corporation might back out of its 2018 contract to build and operate a 60-megawatt solar farm in Inalahan, according to the Guam Power Authority. The project may not come through, GPA General Manager John Benavente told the Consolidated Commission on Utilities Thursday morning. If the Hanwha project falls through, it would be the latest setback in GPAs plan to have at least 400 megawatts of renewable energy in place by 2035, providing 50% of customer power. GPA currently has contracts for as much as 85 megawatts of solar power from two farms operated by contractors in Inalahan and Mangilao. ENGIE Solar cancels A 40-megawatt solar project, on leased military land at South Finegayan, was canceled in recent months after winning bidder ENGIE Solar backed out, citing a years-long delay caused by a procurement protest. Although it was selected as the top bidder, ENGIE hadnt yet signed a contract and was no longer willing to guarantee its bid price of 11 cents per kilowatt-hour. GPA also lost the project site because the military might instead use that land in connection with a new missile defense system for the island. The Navy stated it will continue to work with GPA to find land for renewable energy projects. Hanwha Hanwha is supposed to build its solar farm, including transmission lines, and start selling power to GPA by December 2023. The project site is near the existing solar farm in Dandan, Inalahan. Hanwha might not move forward with the project, citing excessively high costs, especially for transmission infrastructure, according to GPA. Benavente described the agreement as tenuous, with ongoing discussions. GPA legal counsel Graham Botha told commissioners GPA will seek damages if the project falls through. GPA is moving forward with plans to contract even more renewable energy. More projects The CCU, during its meeting next week, could approve GPAs request to solicit bids for up to 180 megawatts of renewable energy from solar farms or other sources. If approved by the CCU, GPAs proposal would require review by the Public Utilities Commission before it can start accepting bids. A timeline prepared by GPA states bids could be accepted in March 2023, with approved contracts in place by the end of November 2023. The new renewable energy projects possibly from several contractors must be operating within three years of the contracts being awarded, or by late 2026. According to GPA, the projects will allow GPA to have about 40% of its net sales come from renewable energy by 2026. That would give GPA a good start toward achieving 50% net sales from renewable energy by 2035, as required by law, according to the power agency. Two Democrats and two Republicans who hope to serve in the 37th Guam Legislature shared their stances on solving crime, homelessness and Guams political status during Thursdays kickoff of the Rotary Club of Guams weekly forums with senatorial candidates. Abortion Democrats Fred Bordallo and William Parkinson, along with Republicans Ken Leon-Guerrero and Ian Dale Catling, during a question-and-answer with Rotarians, said they do not support the pending Heartbeat Act of 2022, which seeks to ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Catling said the abortion ban should be placed before voters in a referendum, just like Kansas did. Leon-Guerrero said the government sucks at managing morality. Parkinson, Catling and Bordallo said they do not support a part-time legislature. Bordallo Bordallo, who previously served as Guams chief of police and former director of the Veterans Affairs Office on Guam, said once elected, he will prioritize ways to increase the hiring of police officers to help deter crime. He said hes certainly not for Guams independence from the United States, but would prefer a commonwealth status or free association with the U.S. Catling Catling, a former educator and historic preservation officer, said if elected, he will propose a sovereign wealth fund for Guam, by trading on the stock market and using the revenue to address the shortfalls in education and public services. He also said the designation of fish preserves does work, and has helped the fish population recover. Crimes, homelessness and prevalence of the drug ice, he said, are also funding issues. Parkinson Parkinson, a former firefighter, said his first bill, if elected, would be a permanent unemployment insurance program for Guam, given what the island went through during the COVID-19 pandemic and thousands lost their jobs. The ice problem, he said, could be addressed by investing in increased digital screening at ports of entry to prevent drugs from coming into the island. Statehood is Parkinsons preferred status for Guam, citing the immense power of having two Senate seats for a population of about 150,000 but noted this is unlikely to happen. His next preferred option is independence, while also saying that status quo is a legitimate choice. Leon-Guerrero Leon-Guerrero spoke about continuing his advocacy for a transparent and accountable government. The public, he said, has the right to know what the government has been doing with public funds. He was recently arrested for refusing to leave a Guam Memorial Hospital workshop, which he thought was discussing the plans for the construction of a new hospital. He said he does not support the building of a new hospital as envisioned by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, adding that it would put Guam into more debt causing the island to end up like Puerto Rico. The Rotary Club of Guams forum gave each candidate a chance to talk about their platform. Thursdays forum featured candidates who have never served in the Legislature. Each week, four senatorial candidates will be invited, the Rotary Club of Guam said. Have an idea? Want to praise or comment on something? Submit your letter to the editor. Haiti - News : Zapping... Offices of the National Archives ransacked and looted Several offices in the annex of the National Archives at Delmas 39 were ransacked and documents thrown into the courtyard 100 organizations call on Biden to drop the PM In a letter sent to U.S. President Jo Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols, more than 100 Haitian religious and civil society groups are calling on Jo Biden to drop his support for the Haitian Prime Minister whom they accuse of being at the center of the aggravation of the political and humanitarian crisis in Haiti. Jeremie : looting scene Tuesday in Jeremie scene of looting and fire in the offices of the International NGO CARE UN : Haiti a danger for regional peace Tuesday, September 20, 2022, during the opening of the General Assembly, Secretary Antonio Guterres included the Haitian crisis on the agenda among the conflicts that jeopardize peace and regional security and stressed that "in Haiti, gangs destroy the very foundations of society." An ACTED residence looted Individuals invested this Tuesday, September 20 a residence of the French Agency for Aid to Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED), located in Rochasse (alley Legagneur) and carried away mattresses, refrigerators, televisions, five motorcycles between others. Remember that the day before, the warehouse of this NGO had been looted. Ounaminthe : border bridge blocked Tuesday at the exit of Ounaminthe the border bridge was completely blocked by burning tires and tree trunks. A situation that has prevented truckers and people from accessing the Dajabon market to get supplies... Yellow alert raised Sterlin Marcelin, from the Hydro-Meteorological Unit announced the lifting of the yellow alert in Haiti put in place due to the passage of Hurricane Fiona. Although the hurricane passed at sea north of Haiti (and became a category 4 hurricane), it continues to cause rain in all departments, particularly in the North, North-East, North-West, Atibonite, Center, West and South-East Departments, until Wednesday, September 21. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : For the USA, the demonstrations in Haiti would be financed by economic actors The protest movements that are multiplying in Port-au-Prince, and in other provincial towns in Haiti, would be supported by economic actors, according to Juan Gonzalez, Principal Director of the National Security Council for the Western Hemisphere and special assistant to President Joe Biden speaking Monday, September 19 at the American Institute of Peace based in Washington, D.C. Juan Gonzalez said he was convinced that these street movements are financed by powerful economic actors (without naming them) who risk losing a lot of money if the Haitian system is reformed. Emphasizing "These are people who often do not even live in Haiti, who have villas in different parts of the world and who pay [the leaders, organizer, Neighborhood Chief, Gang Leaders...] for people to go out on the streets." Antonio Guterres the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, agrees and had made almost similar comments in an interview on France 24. For him, street movements are led by armed bandits who are paid by the powers of Haiti Same conviction for the Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry who declared in his address to the Nation of September 18, 2002, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37681-haiti-flash-prime-minister-henry-addresses-the-nation-and-calls-for-calm-video.html "No one will be able to link the looting of businesses, the attacks against politicians and members of the government, to the anger concerning the increase in fuel prices. It is not because of the price of fuel that one have looted schools, universities, hospitals, that one have stolen stocks of seeds and vaccines intended for several municipalities [...] that one ransanked the warehouse of an international organization. Heavily armed men were seen leading the protests. It is proof that what is happening in the streets has nothing to do with a demand for the price of fuel or the high cost of living [...]" pointing the finger at the armed men present in what is happening passes through the streets of the capital and in provincial towns. Former Prime Minister Evans Paul is in total disagreement with the declaration of Juan Gonzales which he qualifies as a lack of respect towards the population and a lack of consideration of the misery which surrounds it, affirming "no one in Haiti has the capacity to mobilize the whole country". Evans Paul also disagrees with Antonio Guterres' comments about protests in Haiti being led by bandits... TB/ PI/ HaitiLibre By William Schwartz | Published on 2022/09/21 In a recent press release, Hulu confirmed that the South Korean drama "Rookie Cops" had been confirmed for the streaming service's fall slate in the United States. "Rookie Cops" had been licensed by Disney+ internationally, and both Hulu and Disney+ are owned by the parent company Disney. The news comes as "Rookie Cops" had an all-at-once release in the United Kingdom and Ireland on September 21st, only for Disney+ in that region. Advertisement Disney's policy on South Korean drama releases in the American region remains unclear. Hulu lists Mitchell Squires and Billy Nilles as the press contacts for "Rookie Cops" but neither of them had responded to a request for comment prior to the publication of this article. The press release is also vague about the exact date of when "Rookie Cops" will appear on Hulu, with October 2022 being the premiere date. All other shows in the press release had more specific dates. "Rookie Cops" ended quite some time ago on March 26th, and there is no obvious technical reason for the long delay. The core audience for "Rookie Cops" was in Asia. Public rankings charts are only available in five regions. "Rookie Cops" was in the top ten for 30 days in Japan, 39 days in Hong Kong, 40 days in Singapore, 64 days in Taiwan, and 87 days in South Korea. Written by William Schwartz ___________ "Rookie Cops" is directed by Kim Byeong-soo, Kim Jung-wook-II, written by Lee Ha-na-II, and features Kang Daniel, Chae Soo-bin, Lee Sin-young, Park Yoo-na, Park Sung-joon, Min Dohee. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2022/01/26~2022/03/16, on Disney Plus. 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 Speakers demand county do more to address Andreotta's social media post Henderson County NAACP President Melinda Lowrance addressed Henderson County Commissioners Wednesday. Several people, including the president of the countys NAACP, on Wednesday called on Henderson County commissioners to do more to address a social media post they say insulted black and poor people. The Henderson County NAACP Unit 5477 was appalled at the subject matter, Henderson County NAACP President Melinda Lowrance told the countys Board of Commissioners during its regular monthly meeting. Even though it was only one individual involved, it put a negative light on the entire board. Lowrance and others who spoke said they were concerned about a Facebook post Commissioner Daniel Andreotta shared last week. The post included 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 bottom photo is in color and includes homes that appear in disrepair with the words or pay him without work. The post sparked media coverage last week and calls for Andreottas resignation. Lowrance and others who spoke Wednesday called on Andreotta and the board to address their concerns. A few other people who spoke during the boards public comment time said they thought Andreotta was the victim of cancel culture and agreed with the message he tried to convey. He was not speaking of racism and slavery. He was talking about rights being taken away, largely by the Democratic Party, Brett Callaway told the board. Callaways wife, Dorothy, also told commissioners that the post was aimed at people becoming slaves to the government. Lowrance said the NAACPs local Executive Committee met with County Commission Chairman Bill Lapsley and County Manager John Mitchell on Sept. 16 to discuss the controversy. The committee, Lowrance said, recommended the county take five specific steps to heal the community. Those steps include diversity and sensitivity training for the board and county staff, board conversations with the community on a quarterly basis, an open dialogue between commissioners the NAACP on a quarterly basis and the possibility censuring Andreotta. Lowrance said one of the five steps also includes an apology from Andreotta without reservation. She called his apology in the media last week full of fluff. Andreotta addressed the issue after the public comments. He said the quote in the post came from a website. I, just for clarity and fact, I appreciate those who understood what I was and wasnt communicating, he said. I apologize for anyone offended by the method. Last week, Andreotta said he did not intend to offend anyone with the post and only wanted to address the culture of dependency in America. I recently used a method to communicate that message that has offended some in our community. And for that, I do apologize, he said last week. Leslie Carey, who is the wife of N.C. Senate Candidate Jay Carey, told the board she believed the post perpetuates racism and made her question how decisions are made in the county. She also questioned Andreottas fitness for office. Perhaps, this job just isnt for you, she said. Others called on commissioners to education themselves about racism, the countys racial history and different cultures. Robert Zachary, who is a chaplain, said the controversy could be an opportunity. I think you have given us a great opportunity, he said. I think this is an opportunity, as some have said, to dialogue. Others said Andreotta was being treated unfairly. I commend speakers who are fair and honest, Harvey Sankey, a Republican Party activist, told commissioners. But this is the cancel culture that is once again out to destroy a good man. Flat Rock opens applications for ARP grants FLAT ROCK The Flat Rock Village Council announced that it is opening a grant application process to provide financial support to public service providers and Flat Rock-based independent businesses and nonprofits impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The funding for the grant process is made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Initial applications must be submitted to the Flat Rock village administrator by Nov. 23. The Village Council may seek community input to assist in ranking of potential awards and will make the final approval of all awards. The results will be posted publicly. Application forms can be downloaded from the Grant Award Process page on the Village of Flat Rock website (villageofflatrock.org). Potential grant award candidates will be grouped into: Village services General government services Independent businesses and nonprofits Village service awards will include Premium Pay for Village employees, consultation/administration costs associated with the grant program, and possibly a stormwater project (Dye Creek) in the Park at Flat Rock. General government service awards will be based on specific needs as recommended by public services providers, including fire and rescue departments, the sheriffs office, EMS,and the Henderson County Rescue Squad. Public service providers must submit a General Government Services Grant Application for consideration. Flat Rock-based independent business and nonprofit awards will be based on specific pandemic-related economic impacts as documented by the business or nonprofit on the Independent Business and Nonprofit Grant Application. At a minimum, applicants will be required to show a 20 percent reduction in revenue from a base year, prior to declaration of the pandemic emergency, to the following year. In addition, there are several Federal and State requirements governing the award of funds to nonprofits and independent businesses as outlined in the application. For more information, please contact the Village of Flat Rock at 828.697.810 BRCCs scanners will be available to public The State Library of North Carolina has awarded the Blue Ridge Community College Library a Bright Ideas Grant to facilitate the creation of the Blue Ridge Local History Project. The grant funds the purchase of audio recording and editing equipment to document the life stories of community members. The content will be available through the colleges libraries in Henderson and Transylvania counties. The grant also funds the digitization of important local history items, including books, artwork, maps, magazines, yearbooks, advertisements, and more. These collections will be made available to the public in the library and online. This means BRCCs library will be able to offer free digitizing/archiving services to the public. The librarys new scanners are available to patrons to digitize photos, film negatives, books, important documents and more. Baltiero is currently building the librarys recording studio to record community members stories. HUNDREDS of mourners lined Goring and Streatley high streets to observe a minutes silence for the Queen on Sunday. The line of people stretched almost 1km along High Street, which connects the two villages, from where it meets Red Cross Road in Goring to the traffic lights in the centre of Streatley. Residents dressed in black and carried Union flags as they paid respects to the late monarch before her state funeral on Monday. Organiser Ron Bridle, who lives in Goring, spread word of the event by distributing posters and via the villages electronic newsletter Genie. He said: It was a fitting way to pay tribute to our Queen by coming together as two villages. We joined together for street parties during her platinum and diamond jubilees and we believed it was fitting to come together again. A half-hour service was held beforehand at St Thomass Church in Manor Road, Goring, which was attended by about 50 people and ended with a collective rendition of the National Anthem. The vicar Rev Ben Phillips said the congregation was bigger than expected so there were not enough service sheets to go around. The church bells and those of St Marys Church in Streatley rang out for 15 minutes as people left and took their places for the silence. Many had brought lanterns or candles which illuminated the bridge between the villages. At 8pm, the bells paused as the minutes silence was observed. Mr Bridle said: There was a very sombre and respectful atmosphere for the silence. A lot of the staff and customers in restaurants on Goring High Street came out to pay their respects. It was a nice and fitting way to say farewell to our Queen and a real community reaction to her passing. The silence was ended by the ringing of the church bells which was greeted by a spontaneous round of applause before people went home. A GIANT image of the Queens head was projected on to a rock face in Henleys twin town of Bled. The Slovenian town displayed sillhouettes of the monarch from the start and end of her reign as well as her royal cypher and the years of her life on the rock beneath Castle Bled in a projection show on Monday night. About 500 candles were simultaneously lit on Lake Bled as the town paid tribute to the Queen in the presence of British ambassador Tiffany Sadler. Earlier in the week, Mayor Janez Fajfar signed a book of condolence at the British embassy in the capital city of Ljubljana WHAT would you do if, coming home to Fulham from your commute, you opened your briefcase to find it contained 1.5 million in 50 notes? Take it straightaway to the nearest police station or go home and book a flight to Barcelona for a long-term holiday? In Funny Money, Henry Perkins, the accountant who has got the wrong briefcase, plans to make a getaway with his wife Jean before Mr Nasty turns up to claim the criminal cash. And, this being a Ray Cooney comedy, things dont go according to plan. In fact Henry, adeptly played by Steven Pinder in this new production, and Jean (Natasha Gray) never get beyond the confines of their Fulham home. Davenport, a distinctly dubious copper played by a scowling Eric Carte, arrives to question Henry not about the money but about his strange behaviour in the pub on the way home. Fortunately, he can be bought off with some of the funny money. But when Slater, an unbent copper (Stuart Hall), calls to inform Jean that her husbands murdered body has been fished out of the Thames, things get even more complicated. The body is of course that of Mr Nasty, the rightful (i.e. wrongful) owner of the original briefcase but now posthumously clutching Henrys, whose treasures include a cheese and chutney sandwich. The murderer of Mr Nasty must be Mr Big. Now add to the mix a couple, Betty and Vic (Elizabeth Elvin and Harry Gostelow), who have been invited round to celebrate Henrys birthday, and an increasingly irate taxi-driver (Charlie Parker-Swift), who has been booked to take the couple to Heathrow. Cooney and the cast keep numerous balls spinning in the air as one fantastic invention is built on top of another and an entire imaginary family of visiting Australians is invented to account to Insp Slater for the goings-on. Theres some traditional farcical business involving the exchange of briefcases on stage and plenty of convenient exits and entrances to say nothing of the final arrival of Mr Big in pursuit of the money that is (not) really his. This production, directed by Ron Aldridge, is pacy and diverting and a welcome start to the autumn season at the Mill. Philip Gooden China sends new naval fleet on Gulf of Aden escort mission Xinhua) 09:42, September 22, 2022 QINGDAO, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The 42nd fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy set out from a military port in east China's Shandong Province on Wednesday to take over an escort mission from the 41st naval fleet in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. The 42nd fleet is mainly composed of naval troops and equipment from the PLA Northern Theater Command, including the guided-missile destroyer Huainan, the missile frigate Rizhao and a supply vessel, with dozens of special-operations soldiers and two helicopters on board. In preparation for the mission, the fleet conducted counter-terrorism and anti-piracy training, and training on commercial vessel rescue, the use of weapons and other subjects. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun) Cheval Collection has signed a management agreement with Nakheel which will see the debut of its Cheval Maison brand in Dubai. The 131-serviced apartment property is due to open in Q1 2023. It will feature a rooftop pool, a range of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments including a three-bedroom penthouse, lobby lounge and F&B offering, gymnasium and private parking. The signing of Cheval Maison -The Palm Dubai is the latest for Cheval Collection as it continues its focus on expansion through management contracts. In addition to Dubai the group is due to open two properties in Glasgow; the newly launched brand MY Locanda in 2024 and a recently announced Cheval Maison in Glasgow in 2025. Cheval Maison - The Palm Dubai is located adjacent to the Nakheel Mall, a luxury shopping mall featuring more than 140 shops and over 30 cafes and restaurants, and a short walk from West Beach. Mohammed S. Alawadhi, managing director for Cheval Collection, said: "Our vision to take on new management contracts both in the domestic and overseas markets is coming to life. Dubai-based Nakheel is a world-leading master developer whose innovative, landmark projects form an iconic portfolio of master communities and residential, retail, hospitality and leisure developments that are pivotal to realising Dubai's vision. Nakheel's waterfront projects, including the world-famous, award-winning Palm Jumeirah, have added more than 300 kilometres to Dubai's original, 70km coastline, paving the way for the development of hundreds of seafront homes, resorts, hotels and attractions. Cheval Collection, which is celebrating its 40th year in 2022, reported a return to pre- pandemic performance, as travel recovers globally. The company has three brands, with Cheval Maison joined by Cheval Residences and MY Locanda. A recent survey undertaken by Cheval Collection found that, of more than 2,200 travellers, 68% of respondents were likely or very likely to book a serviced apartment. This was only two percentage points lower than during 2020, when demand for serviced apartments was at a peak, illustrating the ongoing enthusiasm of guests for the product. Hotel website AvantStay, the premier hospitality platform transforming short-term rentals for the way people travel and invest today, announces the appointment of Ankur Jain as Chief Financial Officer. Jain joins AvantStay as a seasoned finance and startup executive with more than a decade in the real estate sector, including his previous roles as CFO of Better Place Forests (BPF); CFO and Founding Team Member at Mynd; and Vice President of Finance of Starwood Waypoint Residential Trust (now Invitation Homes), where he took the company public. Invitation Homes is the largest single family residential REIT in the world. In his new role at AvantStay, Jain will lead the finance team across accounting, financial planning, strategic finance, and finance operations to drive growth and profitability for the business as it matures. Jain will also join the rest of the AvantStay executive team as they continue to advance the business as a leader in the short-term rental industry. Prior to joining AvantStay, Jain was CFO of BPF where he focused on building and driving financial discipline, as well as raising capital to expand the business. Before BPF, Ankur was the CFO and a founding team member at Mynd, a real estate technology company serving the $85 billion+ property management and real estate investment market. He raised multiple financing rounds for Mynd, led the development of its in-house accounting system, and advised on acquisitions of regional property managers, enabling Mynd to grow into the largest tech-enabled single family residential property management company in the country with more than 10,000 homes. Ankur also served as the VP of Finance at Starwood Waypoint Residential Trust (now Invitation Homes), where he helped take the company public in 2014 and subsequently raised over $1.5 billion in debt and equity capital to fuel the company's growth from 4,000 to over 20,000 homes in two years, making them the second largest publicly traded REIT in the world. Singapore- CapitaLand Investment Limiteds (CLI) wholly owned lodging business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), unveils the refresh of its fastest growing brand, Citadines, with 80 properties under development across 56 cities. Ascott acquired the Citadines chain in Europe in 2004. It has since tripled its portfolio with 104 properties in operation, including its latest flagship property, Citadines Raffles Place Singapore, in the heart of the citys financial district. Every city is unique. Citadines, which means city dwellers in French, strikes a chord with travellers who seek quality city living. With the tagline For the Love of Cities, Citadines offers travellers the comfort of a serviced residence and the flexibility of a hotel. The refreshed brand is anchored upon the commitment to provide guests with the best of city living while inspiring them to live, work and play in infinite ways. With a sharpened brand purpose, guests can still look forward to the reliability that comes with the familiarity of the Citadines hospitality, while at the same time collect enjoyable memories of their stays as they immerse themselves in the different personalities of each and every city where Citadines is present in. The refreshed Citadines brand seeks to consistently curate unique experiences and service offerings that best meet the needs of its guests. Ms Tan Bee Leng, Ascotts Managing Director for Brand & Marketing, said: Citadines is an important brand in Ascotts portfolio and we look to aggressively expand its footprint in key cities around the world. We have always believed in the market potential of aparthotel living. Supported by its design versatility, favourable guest demographics and resilient market fundamentals, the growth of the brand has been exponential. Over the past few years, the serviced apartment business has transformed. We have likewise pivoted our offerings towards a hybrid model that would not only allow us to offer the option of both hotel rooms and serviced residences, but also a robust programme that better caters to the lifestyle needs of our guests." "With the buoyant growth in both corporate and leisure travel across key markets, we are excited to bolster our expansion plans for Citadines. Especially as travel resumes, it is timely for us to embark on a brand refresh for this fastest growing brand. With the trajectory were seeing, we are confident to continue growing Citadines, which has one of the most extensive global footprints amongst aparthotel brands, to deliver value for both our guests and owners. Presenting Citadines brand signatures As part of the refreshed brand and its ambition to promote a well-balanced lifestyle, activ, will be a key brand signature across all Citadines properties. A curation of amenities and programmes to jumpstart city living, activ will ensure guests can live, work and play seamlessly within the property and around the city. This includes resident events that are specially designed to activate the infinite possibilities of city living, fitness amenities and programmes that encourage an active lifestyle. Another signature programme is For the Love of Coffee, a collaboration with local communities to deliver unique coffee-related Citadines experiences to guests, wherever they are in the world. Through the universal language of coffee, Citadines aims to bring guests together, enabling a truly shared, immersive experience in every city. For the Love of Coffee will be a key feature in Citadines properties across the world. For example, Citadines Grand Central Sri Racha in Thailand launched an extensive line-up of activities during International Coffee Week last year, in partnership with Italian coffee company, illy, through a series of workshops, staff engagement programmes and complimentary coffee for guests. Citadines properties around the world will also be launching a series of coffee activation activities over the month of October this year, in support of #CitadinesLovesCoffee. Other brand signature initiatives include the cafe check-in experience at Citadines Raffles Place Singapore, where guests will be greeted by an integrated reception incorporating the relaxing vibes of a cafe as they step into the lobby. At Citadines Bay City Manila in the Philippines, the social lounge has been revamped into a coffee bar, where guests can interact and chat over a cup of coffee. Convertible features are also another brand signature that allows for the transformation of rooms and property spaces to suit the daily work and lifestyle needs of guests. At Citadines Raffles Place Singapore, guests seeking to prepare their meals or host a private meeting in a more social environment may take advantage of the residents kitchen, a private dining space which doubles up for both meetings and intimate dining events. A shared workspace at the lobby is fitted with varying seating arrangements including communal tables as well as barstools at high tables to ensure that different working styles are met. Citadines associates, known as Citazens, will undergo barista training and double-up as baristas, in addition to providing guests with the best hacks to navigate city living. This programme has since been successfully rolled-out at Citadines Sudirman Jakarta, and will be further expanded to other Citadines properties. With the unveiling of the refreshed Citadines brand, guests can expect to experience the full suite of key brand signatures as properties progressively roll out all initiatives across regions including the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East by 2025. A brand film titled For The Love of Cities, will roll out on various digital and social channels as part of the Citadines brand refresh. The film illustrates how each city offers its own unique sights, sounds and experiences. It highlights Citadines commitment to deliver on the best of city living, with every service offering catered to satisfy its guests in infinite ways. A regional TikTok campaign will kick off on 27 September 2022 across eight markets: Australia, France, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. About The Ascott Limited The Ascott Limited (Ascott) is a Singapore company that has grown to be one of the leading international lodging owner-operators. Ascott's portfolio spans more than 200 cities across over 30 countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the USA. Ascott has more than 78,000 operating units and over 57,000 units under development, making a total of more than 135,000 units in over 800 properties. The company's serviced apartment, coliving and hotel brands include Ascott The Residence, The Crest Collection, Somerset, Quest, Citadines, lyf, Preference, Vertu, Harris, Citadines Connect, Fox, Yello, Fox Lite and POP!. Ascott's loyalty programme, Ascott Star Rewards, offers exclusive benefits to its members when they book directly with Ascott for their stays at its participating properties. Ascott, a wholly owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Investment Limited, pioneered Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced apartment with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984. Today, the company boasts over 30 years of industry track record and award-winning brands that enjoy recognition worldwide. For more information, please visit www.discoverasr.com. About CapitaLand Investment Limited Headquartered and listed in Singapore, CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) is a leading global real estate investment manager (REIM) with a strong Asia foothold. As at 31 December 2021, CLI had about S$122.9 billion of real estate assets under management, and about S$86.2 billion of real estate funds under management (FUM) held via six listed real estate investment trusts and business trusts, and 29 private funds across the Asia-Pacific, Europe and USA. Its diversified real estate asset classes cover integrated developments, retail, office, lodging, business parks, industrial, logistics and data centres. CLI aims to scale its FUM and fee-related earnings through its full stack of investment management and operating capabilities. As the listed investment management business arm of the CapitaLand Group, CLI has access to the development capabilities of and pipeline investment opportunities from CapitaLand's development arm. Being a part of the well-established CapitaLand ecosystem differentiates CLI from other REIMs. As part of the CapitaLand Group, CLI places sustainability at the core of what it does. As a responsible real estate company, CLI contributes to the environmental and social well-being of the communities where it operates, as it delivers long-term economic value to its stakeholders. Visit http://www.capitalandinvest.com/ for more information. View source Despite financial uncertainty, consumers are not willing to reduce the amount they spend on health and well-being, according to the latest in a series of consumer surveys that Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has been conducting to test the pulse of consumer outlook and sentiment since the start of the pandemic. The survey of more than 11,000 consumers in 16 countries found that even in the face of widespread uncertainty and personal financial strains, consumers are considering health and fitness to be an essential, alongside groceries and household cleaning products. Even though two-thirds (66%) of survey respondents said they feel squeezed financially, 80% also said they intend to maintain or increase their spend on areas related to health and fitness such as exercise classes or vitamins and supplements in the next year. Source: Accenture Despite hard times, it is clear that people have redefined health and well-being to be an essential good and plan to maintain or increase their spend in this area this year, regardless of income levels, said Oliver Wright, a senior managing director at Accenture who leads its Consumer Goods & Services industry practice globally. With the health and wellness market expected to increase to more than $1 trillion in spend globally by 2025, consumer-facing companies must tap into cross-industry expertise and scientific and technological breakthroughs while also considering consumers changing priorities when designing new offerings. Rich Birhanzel, a senior managing director at Accenture and head of its Health industry practice globally, said, Peoples desire to take more control of their health and well-being is only increasing. Its vital for the healthcare industry to continue to explore and partner with consumer-facing companies to improve access, experience and outcomes for people and their healthcare journeys. The survey also found that respondents seem to be taking a more holistic view of wellness, reframing it as much more of a consumer staple. In addition to more than four in 10 respondents (42%) saying they are increasing the amount of physical activity, one-third (33%) of respondents said that theyre more focused on self-care such as indulging in a bath or beauty treatment than they were a year ago. Even with rising travel costs, the survey found that half (51%) of consumers also plan to maintain or increase their spend on leisure travel in the next year perhaps not surprising considering the widely recognized well-being benefits associated with a vacation. Furthermore, two in five (39%) high-income respondents have booked a luxury trip or wellness retreat for some time in the next 12 months. Among millennials, one in five (21%) booked to go away to a wellness retreat this year. In addition, one-third (33%) of all survey respondents said they are willing to sacrifice spending on non-essential household products or electronics so that they can afford to travel. Emily Weiss, a senior managing director at Accenture who leads its Travel industry practice globally, said, While the focus on personal well-being is not necessarily new, it is now less an indulgence and more of a non-negotiable essential for todays consumers, even at a time when many are feeling financial pressures. There is a huge opportunity here for travel and consumer-facing companies to tap into ecosystem partnerships and the local communities to offer differentiated experiences since wellness tourism today is about much more than the destination or activities it is an extension of the values and lifestyle of the traveler. While the survey identified where and how consumers are prioritizing spend, it is important that businesses understand the context in which those purchasing decisions are made. According to a recent Accenture report, The Human Paradox: From Customer Centricity to Life Centricity, it is becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to balance purpose and practicality in their purchases, with nearly two-thirds (64%) wishing that companies would respond faster with new offerings to meet their changing needs. Only by understanding the context will businesses have the right strategy to offer the most relevant brands, products or services. Retailers and brands can manage the impact of the evolving consumer trade-offs by staying close to consumer trends and pivoting quickly to respond to them, said Jill Standish, a senior managing director at Accenture who leads its Retail industry practice globally. While theres an undeniable headwind, retailers have always been good at innovating to solve problems, and innovation will become increasingly important to create new levels of value, drive down costs, and do the right thing for society and the planet. It calls for extraordinary levels of collaboration, commitment and consumer engagement not to mention technology and business innovation that is grounded in insight from reliable data sources. You can explore our new thought leadership app, which provides a personalized feed of all our latest reports, case studies, blogs, interactive data charts, podcasts and more. Visit http://www.accenture.com/foresight About the Research Accentures Consumer Pulse Survey 2022 offers insights into consumer outlook, sentiment and behaviors. This years survey is relevant to all consumer industries but is focused on consumer goods, retail, travel and health. Accenture surveyed a representative sample of 11,311 consumers from 16 countries: Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, the U.K., the U.S. and Vietnam. The survey was conducted online and targeted consumers who have made purchases for their household in the past six months. Respondents were split evenly across gender and age group. The survey was conducted between Feb. 7 and 15. This was supplemented with an additional consumer survey, conducted between April 7 and 25, which included 10,085 respondents from eight countries in the original survey: Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, the U.K. and the U.S. Findings of the survey are presented in an Accenture report for the retail industry. About Accenture Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Technology and Operations services and Accenture Song all powered by the world's largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 710,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at accenture.com. Rosewood Hotel Group, one of the world's leading hotel companies, encompasses four brands: ultra-luxury Rosewood Hotels & Resorts in North America, Caribbean/Atlantic, Europe, the Middle East and Asia; contemporary deluxe New World Hotels & Resorts in China and Southeast Asia; neighbourhood lifestyle pentahotels in Europe and Asia; and KHOS, a dynamic global business lifestyle hotel brand. Its combined portfolio consists of 59 hotels in 18 countries. Rosewood Hotel Group is pursuing a thoughtful expansion strategy with a target of 120 hotels in operation by 2020. There is a large global inequality in carbon emissions. Per capita emissions range from less than 1 metric tonne to more than 35 tonnes1 of CO2e with a global average of roughly 4.5 tonnes per capita2. Aligning the global community to the Paris Agreement requires the per capita average to drop at 2 tonnes by 20503. Affluence and carbon footprint go hand in hand. This is particularly true for the tourism and travel sector which remains "highly income-elastic and carbon-intensive "4. Climate change is turning into a climate emergency (see: heatwaves, drought, torrential rains and other extreme weather events). Cutting emissions is crucial and one potential way is to use market-based mechanisms. Carbon markets have been around for well-over two decades and may be best represented by the cap and trade system. The key question here is: "how are emission reductions exchanged from one company to another?"5 enabling overall emission reductions. The cap and trade is a market-based approach whereby a yearly maximum amount of emissions is set, known as 'cap'. A government then issues permits (known as allowances) to large emitters of greenhouse gases, such as steelworks, power stations, cement producers as well as civil aviation. Each business is required to have a permit for every tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) which it surrenders for each tonne of CO2e. Businesses with not enough permits (and too much emissions) can either cut back emissions or purchase permits on the carbon market from other businesses willing to sell permits. The idea is for businesses to forecast and undertake investments that would lower emissions at a lesser cost than paying a high carbon price. While there is merit to such system, it shows weaknesses with emissions that are far from being under control and back above pre-pandemic levels, rising across all sectors6. In tourism and hospitality, reconciling travel with an obligation to neutralize impacts on climate change is a tremendous task and for some, simply not compatible7, as long as we are still reliant on fossil fuel. What if not only industries had to trade carbon, but also each individual? Based on the cap and trade scheme, the concept of personal carbon allowances (PCAs), debated since the early 2000s8, aims to link personal action with global carbon reduction goals. Each individual is allocated a baseline emission amount which could cover housing, mobility and travelling emissions, for example. Travel decisions such as long-haul vacation flights or multiple short stays at all-inclusive resorts would result in additional emissions requiring the purchase of supplementary emission credits on a carbon trading market. Individuals not using the entire yearly allowance can then sell carbon credits on that market. There is a direct and visible incentive to reducing emissions. Finally, businesses wishing to continue selling products and services such as flights and overnight stays would have an incentive to develop low-carbon products and invest in emission reduction to ensure consumers acceptance in such carbon market - all things being equal including the fact that everyone would start with the same yearly allowance, individuals would prefer low carbon options. This is a highly debatable and controversial topic, since it raises the question of (personal) responsibility for climate action. The concept of PCA taps into economic incentives, social norms and pro-environmental decision making. PCA measurement is supported by technology, such as mobile apps, which enable the tracking of individual footprint. Similar systems have already been implemented, as a voluntary scheme, in communities across the globe9. In light of this, there are three questions to consider: Is it time to consider PCA dedicated to individual lifestyle and tourism choices? What are the opportunities linked to PCA and travel decisions but also the dangers and pitfalls to avoid? Could a PCA system function as a pull factor for hotels to track and disclose carbon emissions and ultimately an incentive to reduce those accordingly? References Climate Watch. (2022). Historical GHG Emissions. https://www.climatewatchdata.org/ghg-emissions?end_year=2019&start_year=1990 World Bank. (2022). CO2 emissions (metric tons per capita). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.ATM.CO2E.PC?name_desc=false The Nature Conservancy. (2022). Calculate Your Carbon Footprint. https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/ Lenzen, M., Sun, Y.-Y., Faturay, F., Ting, Y.-P., Geshke, A., & Malik, A., (2018). The carbon footprint of global tourism. Nature Climate Change, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-018-0141-x, p.4 Carbon Market Watch. (2019). Carbon markets 101: the ultimate guide to global offsetting mechanisms. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CMW-CARBON-MARKETS-101-THE-ULTIMATE-GUIDE-TO-MARKET-BASED-CLIMATE-MECHANISMS-WEB-FINAL-SINGLE.pdf, p.3 IMF. (2022). IMF Climate Change Indicators Dashboard. https://climatedata.imf.org/ Thomson, C. (2020). Why Tourism Should Dieand Why It Won't. New Republic. https://newrepublic.com/article/156307/tourism-dieand-wont Fawcett, T., & Parag, Y. (2010). An introduction to personal carbon trading, Climate Policy, 10(4), 329-338, DOI: 10.3763/cpol.2010.0649 Lahti. (2021). Personal carbon trading scheme made Lahti people question their mobility choices and reduce their emissions. https://www.lahti.fi/en/news/personal-carbon-trading-scheme-made-lahti-people-question-their-mobility-choices-and-reduce-their-emissions%e2%80%af/ Maurice Bergin Managing Director at GreenHospitality.ie Personal Carbon Allowances I am fundamentally against these proposals for a number of reasons It keeps making the Climate Crisis an individual problem and lets the 100 companies worldwide who are responsible for 71% of all emissions off the hook blame the individual, make us all feel guilty. Remember where the "carbon footprint" came from, the petroleum industry so that they could avoid taking responsibility. We need to fix our energy system and deliver massive renewable energy investment driven by government that will govern for people and the planet, not immensely wealthy organisations If I think of the 80% of the world's population that have never flown in a plane and the 5% of us who fly every year it is clear that this would just be a wealth transfer that could be managed in many other ways. However, I can see massive exploitation opportunities, especially in the developing world, and the suggested net beneficiaries not receiving their due payments. Hotels should be required to report and disclose their carbon emissions using an agreed methodology that is clear and unambiguous, published on their websites, and booking engines should publish their certified KPI's We need to focus on the organisations that cause emissions, not the people who consume the products and services, and that includes the Travel Transport sector and the Hotel Sector. We have 2 Carbon Neutral Hotels in Ireland already and more working hard to achieve this standard. Natasha Montesalvo Principal Consultant Destination, Strategy and Insight at EarthCheck Whilst on the surface the concept has merits it assigns personal responsibility to impact and forces individuals to shift behaviour based on their actions but in reality, who would manage, ensure compliance and cover the costs associated with such a significant program? It all becomes a little Black Mirror. The investment of such a significant program could be better spent on the development of innovative solutions to some of the transition pain-points especially aviation and transportation. Knowing these are the largest emitting areas in tourism and hospitality, a focused solution would have a greater impact than sending half full flights because only a third of the population has the carbon allowance to fly any more. Equality would also be brought into question. Does a personal carbon allowance just drive further inequality whereby the affluent are able to buy and trade at their whim to facilitate the continuation of the lifestyle they are used to, whilst the less affluent are unable to? Unintended consequences could mean loved ones missing significant life milestones or a feeling of being trapped in a situation that is unhealthy or dangerous. Such a program appears to demonises climate action putting lifestyle constraints on people rather than encouraging positive, responsible, low impact behaviours. Other options that may work more effectively working with destination marketing bodies to identify low impact travel markets and shift marketing efforts towards those specific groups, incentivising businesses to measure, monitor and reduce their impact, so that when individuals travel they do so in the knowledge that they are travelling in a responsible manner and building education and knowledge in a positive light to encourage greater engagement with sustainable practices across entire communities including government, residents, businesses and travellers. Stefan Gossling Professor at the School of Business and Economics, Linnaeus University Should we have personal carbon allowances? There can only be one answer: yes. And why? Because it is a small share of humanity emitting a very large share of global emissions, and no market-based measure will stop them. Yet, all coral reefs will disappear this century, as will all snow in the lower Alps. The Baltic herring will soon be gone. At the species level, ecosystems are under immense pressure. This pressure needs to be on individuals to stop emitting. The wealthier people are, the better are their chances of becoming net neutral. PCAs are easy to implement - and they can be made tradable to increase the incentive. Elena Cavagnaro Professor of Sustainability in Hospitality and Tourism at Stenden University of Applied Sciences It is becoming more and more difficult to reach the goal of the Paris Agreement and keep global warming well below 2 degree C. It is therefore understandable that PAC is back on the table. In my vision of sustainability, developed with George Curiel back in 2012 and entrusted to the 'Three Levels of Sustainability' book recently published in a second edition, we argue that responsibility should be taken not only at the level of societies and organisations, but also at the individual level. A CAP supports individuals to accept and act upon their responsibility. There are however several issues with CAP. Alongside the ones already summarized in the introduction to the panel, I would like to briefly ask attention for the following three points. First, most people who do not exceed their carbon budget live in the global south. Alongside the obvious difficulties to set up a global carbon market reaching every and each individual, it should be assured that trading is fair. People in the global south should be free to trade or not, meaning that they should be free to use the carbon emission rights they do not use yet to cope with their own needs. This ties into my second point: carbon emissions should be reduced, and the reduction should weight on the shoulders of the most affluent. The CAP system should be designed to discourage buying extra rights after a certain level of emissions is reached. Otherwise, the gap between rich and poor will stay the same, or even widen. Thirdly, a CAP system should consider diversity in circumstances. For example, ill people may already consume their emissions rights because they need to go back and forth to a hospital far away from where they leave. CAP should be adjusted for these people. Henri Kuokkanen Associate Professor at Institut Paul Bocuse While the idea of making individuals more responsible for the consequences of their behavior is tempting and I certainly would like to see more responsible travelers, I believe that individuals must be motivated rather than enforced toward such behavior. In my view, two major obstacles make individual allowances unfeasible. First, assuming that a "basic level" of carbon use for commuting and housing is hard and slow to change, a PCA would amount to an extra tax on tourism. This could have serious implications for an industry that employs significant amounts of people, particularly in poorer countries. Second, cap and trade schemes are, in principle, a solid approach to incentivize companies to reduce their carbon emissions. However, cap and trade, even in industrial production, has faced plenty of resistance. Forming consensus on a scheme that not only amounts to extra taxation but that would also require detailed monitoring of everyone's consumption habits is unlikely in today's political climate; already now, ideological division creates barriers to many simpler reforms and conspiracy theories and false information plague important efforts. It would be too easy to draw parallels between a system that tracks all housing and mobility emissions, and a police state that monitors its citizens, and encourage resistance toward such a system. For these reasons, I believe that a PCA would be a non-starter in many countries. However, something must be done. In my view, it is better to bank on the emerging trend of purposeful travel, as highlighted most recently by the Expedia 2022 customer survey, and aim at motivating an increasing share of people to behave sustainably instead of trying to force everyone to do so. I think a personal carbon budget makes sense, especially to finally make it clear to people what their own contribution to climate change is. However, I remain convinced, in line with the current scientific knowledge of relevant research, that the focus on climate change is wrong. Our biggest challenge is the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. We need to address this issue and here the hospitality sector can do a lot of good. Destinations and tour operators that protect and promote biodiversity on site need to be much more in the center of general interest and discussion! Jonathon Day Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director School of Hospitality and Tourism Management At their best mechanisms like a Personal Carbon Allowance that focus on individual behaviors raise awareness of issues of concern and change personal behaviors. At their worst, they are a cynical misdirect away from the actions that matter most. Don't get me wrong. There is certainly a need for individuals to take responsibility for their actions. People must align their actions with their beliefs. We must walk our talk. But we must recognize that the most significant actions require changes to the very operating systems of tourism. What are the most impactful changes required to reduce carbon emissions? Here's a couple: Changing the fuels we use for aviation and drive travel, ensuring our buildings are energy and water efficient, demanding our production systems are circular, and that our infrastructure is both carbon neutral and future-ready. Too often, the focus on individual activity rather than these larger underlying issues diverts attention from the leverage points in the system where real progress can be made. Perhaps the most famous example, at least in the US, is the "Weeping Indian" advertisement from the non-profit - Keep America Beautiful. In the early 1970s, there was growing concern that plastic bottles and cans were littering the highways of the United States. The campaign encouraged Americans not to litter and it was successful in many ways. America has less waste on the side of the road than many countries. But the focus on these individual behaviors as a solution to pollution took attention from the system change that was required finding packaging alternatives so that plastic and other waste were no longer required. We literally kicked the can down the road 50 years until now plastic waste is an acute problem. So - as individuals, it is important to be concerned about reducing individual carbon footprint because it reflects core values. But we must use the authority and integrity of those personal actions to amplify our message to policymakers and carbon producers that system change is expected and needs to start now. Celine Vadam Founder & CEO of WE(i) Think Although setting up a personal carbon allowance for every individual seems like a good idea, I am not sure that the market and industry are sustainable enough to add that level of pressure on the consumer: As long as we don't have more affordable sustainable ways to travel and that travelling in a sustainable way and staying at sustainable properties is still a luxury, it will put more pressure to lower incomes and further increase inequalities. People with high spending power will have no issue paying for upgrading their PCA allowance, while people with lower income will no longer be able to travel. On a wider scheme, this can also have an impact on mental health as vacations are a way to escape and unwind for a lot of people. What about business guests who are travelling for work? Some companies at the moment don't want to pay for offsetting their business travellers carbon impact. And even if the business travellers are eco concerned, it is putting pressure on them to use their PCA for work. This would work if companies have to pay for a separate professional carbon allowance for their travellers. A lot of tourism destinations are heavily dependent on tourism to feed their population and create jobs. We have seen the devastating impact on local communities of the travel stop during covid. Until we are able to accompany the change to offer sustainable options in the destination and make it accessible to travellers with their PCA, the damages in the local economies and communities could be significant. We definitely need to make travellers accountable for their choices when they travel. However, I think that the foundations of sustainable travel on a wide range of destinations are still too limited and exclusive to implement a mandatory PCA plan that will not lead to increased inequalities. Profound changes at infrastructure levels still need to happen first. Dan Ruben Director, How to Green Your Hotel I understand the need for a PCA. Humanity will only save itself if government, business, and citizens sharply reduce their GHG emissions. Citizens seem the furthest behind in understanding how their actions impact the climate. However, I fear that a PCA would provoke a backlash that would strengthen the conservative parties that block climate-friendly measures. Instead of a PCA, I support strong public-private campaigns that educate citizens about how they can make a positive impact, paired with incentives that promote climate-friendly actions. The foremost actions I have in mind, at least in wealthier countries: weatherize homes, convert to heat pumps, add solar, switch to EV's and eat less red meat. We should consider implementing a PCA at a later date, when it would have more popular support. Bastienne Bernasco Senior lecturer at Saxion UAS A personal carbon allowance (PCA) is an instrument designed to limit the carbon footprint of citizens. It is therefore essentially a political instrument which needs a democratic foundation. The individual footprint is caused by consumption of food, energy, mobility and material stuff. Measuring and controlling this footprint demands an entirely new system of control. This cannot be implemented without deep consideration of the trade-offs between privacy, liberty and responsibility. To achieve democratic resolutions, we will need to address questions on how we value privacy in our consumer behavior, how we value freedom in making choices, and to what degree individuals are able to take responsibility for sustainable choices. Then there is the question of climate justice. What (carbon intensive) lifestyles are global citizens actually entitled to, which consumer lifestyles should be encouraged? In the end, it's all about satisfying human needs within the boundaries set by climate change. Consumers should be able to opt for low carbon products and businesses should create value out of low carbon products and services--developing new exciting alternatives for carbon intensive food and for carbon intensive travel. Governments can support industry in promoting low and zero carbon alternatives so that the global community can finally achieve much-needed carbon reduction. Julia Massey Founder & Consultant, ESG Manager In my view, personal carbon allowance, as a cap-and-trade system of consumer responsibility for their carbon footprint, could work in the absence of other cap-and-trade systems. Otherwise, consumers will have to add to their costs of exceeding the personal allowances, also the carbon costs that are passed over by the sectors that are already in a cap-and-trade scheme (oil refining, steel, metal, aviation) or undergo other carbon costs (taxes, levies, increased insurance costs, increased operational costs due to climate-related risks, etc.), such as transportation sector. Willy Legrand Professor of Hospitality Management at the IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Columbia-Greene Media has recently teamed up with the US Postal Service to provide same-day delivery of your local newspaper with your mail. Our expanded daily delivery of your local news reaches into the following areas: The Pittsfield Dog Park celebrates one year of being open. The park is so popular the city has agreed to keep it open during the winter. Pittsfield Community Members Celebrate the Dog Park's Anniversary PITTSFIELD, Mass Dog enthusiasts, volunteers, and Parks and Recreation employees gathered at the Pittsfield Dog Park on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate it being open for one year. Dogs play off leash in the gated area. The dog park ensures dogs can exercise and socialize safely. The gated area has two sections: one side is for dogs that weigh less than 30 pounds and the other is for large dogs. The fenced area for off-leash dogs features a grassy layout for pooches to roam, a walking path, benches, complimentary waste bags, and even a dog-sized water fountain. Over the past year, the park has grown in popularity with many visitors praising it and expressing their joy in having a space where they and their dogs can socialize. "As a dog owner and dog lover myself, it's very important that these dogs get out and exercise and socialize because socialization skills just as humans are very important. It's very important for them to get along and get out and exercise and be healthy," Recreation and Special Event Coordinator Becky Manship said. "And it also helps the dog owner socialize and make networks and ask questions and have some conversations that they may not have had otherwise." The park has become so popular that the Parks and Recreation Department decided that it would keep the park open in the winter after receiving requests to do so from the public. During the winter, Friends of the Park volunteers will shovel the pathways and continue to maintain the park. "I've always wanted to have a place here in Pittsfield, people can bring a dog and lift them off leash, and so when this came about, I was eager to volunteer and wanted to be part of this project," Friends of the Dog Park Chair and volunteer Jeff Demary said. "And we keep it open all winter now, hopefully, that's going to happen again this winter. But originally, they were going to close it in the winter. But we had so many people using it all seasons that we just kept the gates open and people continue to use it." The volunteers are a crucial part of the park and it would not be open without them, Manship said. "We couldn't have been able to keep this open without the help of our volunteers like Jeff and many others," Manship said "So having the volunteers is critical and crucial and very important. And we thank our volunteers so much for all of their help because we can't do it alone. So the community has definitely rallied in that sense too." The dog park is still looking for more volunteers to help with maintenance and operations. "We're moving into year two, we're trying to streamline our maintenance and our operations of the dog park. We want to make certain that the community is well aware of what's happening here," Parks and Open Space Program Manager James McGrath said. "And certainly with Jeff's help, as part of the Friends of the Pittsfield Dog Park, we're trying to get more folks involved. ... who feel an affinity for this place and a desire to give back. So, I think with Jeff's help and support, and with all the other volunteer support, we'll continue to see success appear at the Pittsfield Dog Park." The Parks and Recreation Department will be able to continue to make improvements to the park due to the support they receive from the Stanton Foundation, a philanthropic organization in Boston interested in animal welfare and has been funding dog parks across the country. "With the Stanton Foundation's support, we are eligible for small capital improvement grants for three years after we open the dog park. So as of today, being open a full year, we are eligible for the first piece," Manship said. Through this grant the park will receive $8,000 a year for the first three years it is open. This year the primary concern will be fence work. Six media workers have been arrested by the security forces in Iran amid national protests following the death in detention of a young woman on 16 september. Several internet shutdowns and social media blockage have also been reported throughout the country. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urges Iranian authorities to immediately release the reporters and journalists and to restore the free flow of information. A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran on September 21, 2022, shows Iranian demonstrators taking to the streets of the capital Tehran during a protest for Mahsa Amini, days after she died in police custody. The nationwide protests erupted across dozens of major cities in Iran after a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, died in detention of the Morality Police of Tehran. Security forces arrested Shargh newspaper journalist Nilofar Hamedi on 22 September. Hamedi was one of the first reporters on the scene reporting on Mahsa Amini's situation in Tehran hospital before she died. Award winning female photographer Yalda Moayeri was arrested on 20 september in Tehran and transferred to the Qarchak prison in the south of the capital. The Tehran Province Journalists Association (TPJA) issued a statement demanding her release and said Moayeri was reporting on Tehran streets when she was arrested. Editor of the Mukrian news agency Masoud Kordpur and his brother Khosro were also arrested following their reporting on the death of Mahsa Amini and their coverage of the protests in Iran. Hengaw human rights organizations also reported the arrests of reporters Marzieh Talaee and Khatibzadeh. Mobile networks have been largely shut down and internet disruption was reported in several cities. Global internet monitor Netblocks has qualified the blocking in Iran as " the most severe internet restrictions since the November 2019 massacre.". IFJ General secretary Anthony Bellanger said: We urge Iranian authorities not to use the coverage of national protests as an excuse to muzzle the press. Every citizen in Iran has the right to know what is going on. Our colleagues must be released immediately and allowed to report freely. We also call on the authorities to immediately restore the free flow of information on the Iranian territory. Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), in partnership with American Chamber Foundation Philippines (AmCham Foundation) and Quidan Kaisahan donated roofing materials to 227 families in Negros Occidental that were affected by Super Typhoon Odette. Caltex representatives with the donation beneficiaries in Municipality of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental Odette made several landfalls in the Philippines in December 2021 damaged 68,616 houses in the province. Poor families are living in their houses still in a state of disrepair. Each family from the Municipalities of Hinigaran, Pontevedra and Murcia, received 6 GI sheets and 1 kilo of roofing nails to help them rebuild their houses. Mayors from each municipality attended the turnover ceremony and expressed their gratitude on the donation for their community. We are truly grateful to Caltex, AMCHAM Foundation and Quidan Kaisahan for this donation. It is a big help to our people who are still trying to rebuild their lives and their homes after the typhoon, said, Hon. Jose Maria Alonso, Mayor of Pontevedra Municipality in Negros Occidental. Recovering from calamities such as typhoons can be tough and so we are always willing to extend a helping hand the best way we can. We are grateful that we have partners such as AMCHAM Foundation who help us connect to the communities in need to make these donations possible for us to do so, said CPI Country Chairman Billy Liu. Through Caltex Biyaheng Pagtulong fuel promo launched earlier this year, Caltex raised P5M to help communities in Surigao, Cebu, Palawan, Southern Leyte and Negros Occidental that were badly hit by Super Typhoon Odette. Cyberattacks can be prevented before an attacker is inside the internal network. Threat monitoring allows organizations to take action and properly neutralize a threat before it can exploit any existing vulnerabilities and affect the target institutions. Kaspersky today unveils the results of its Digital Footprint Intelligence (DFI) report covering the external threats for a selection of countries from the Asia Pacific (APAC) region in 2021, including the six key countries in Southeast Asia (SEA). The reports sole purpose is to create awareness about security threats and demonstrate effective approaches to risk mitigation for widespread attacks with high business impact. Cybercriminals exploitation capabilities The rapidly growing share of adversaries initial access approach is the exploitation of 1-day vulnerabilities. Complicated business processes are forced to leave services on the perimeter, which in turn increases the external attack surface. With the help of public sources and specialized search engines, Kaspersky collected information on 390,497 services available from public networks and analyzed them for key security issues and vulnerabilities. Analysis revealed that in 2021, almost every fifth of the vulnerable services contained more than one vulnerability, thereby increasing the chances of an attacker performing a successful attack. All industry sectors, analyzed in the report, in all countries have issues with application of security updates for publicly available services. Government institutions (major personally identifiable information (PII) processors and providers of critical services for citizens) are potential incident-generators by a huge margin. Singapore has a low number of vulnerabilities and an outstanding low ratio between the number of services and the sum of vulnerabilities in them, while Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia have the highest ratio among SEA countries Figure 1. Distribution of vulnerable services In terms of the share of vulnerabilities with publicly available exploits, 3 countries out of TOP-5 are located in Southeast Asia (SEA) these are Malaysia, Vietnam, and Philippines. Figure 2. Distribution of vulnerable services with publicly available exploits From Kasperskys practice in incident response handled by Global Emergency Response Team (GERT) and CISA advisory adversaries use a well-known list of vulnerabilities to exploit organization defenses. While researching the security problems of companies from the APAC region, Kaspersky experts observed a number of commonly used vulnerabilities dubbed ProxyShell and ProxyLogon. Exploits for these vulnerabilities are easily available on the Internet, therefore, they can be easily exploited by even a low-skilled attacker. While ProxyShell is quite common in China and in Vietnam, the countries most affected by ProxyLogon are: In Government bodies Thailand In Financial China In Healthcare Philippines In Industrial Indonesia ProxyShell is a group of vulnerabilities for Microsoft Exchange servers - CVE-2021-31206, CVE-2021-31207, CVE-2021-34473, and CVE-2021-34523. ProxyLogon group includes CVE-2021-26855, CVE-2021-26857, CVE-2021-26858, and CVE-2021-27065. The vulnerabilities from the both groups enable an actor to bypass authentication and execute code as a privileged user. The best defense against these vulnerabilities is to keep public-faced systems updated with the latest patches and product versions. Companies should also avoid direct access to Exchange Server from the Internet. Kaspersky products protect against vulnerabilities from both groups ProxyShell and Proxy-logon. Credential brute force attacks A great share of attackers initial accesses leading to cybersecurity incidents are related to services with remote access or management features. One of the best-known examples is RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol). It is Microsofts proprietary protocol that enables a user to connect to another computer through a network of computers running Windows. RDP is widely used by both system administrators and less-technical users to control servers and other PCs remotely but this tool is also what intruders exploit to penetrate the target computer that usually houses important corporate resources. Last year, Kaspersky monitored 16,003 remote access and management services available for exploit. Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Vietnam provide the maximum facilities for an attacker to gain remote access. Government institutions are serving more than 40% of the attack surface for brute force attacks and credential leaks reuse. Clearly, cybercriminals are busy uncovering possible entry points in the region. From hunting for unpatched software, one-day vulnerabilities, and exploitable remote access and management services, malicious actors have a lot of options to infect lucrative industries. In short, a cyberattack is like a ticking bomb. While worrisome, reports such as our Digital Footprint Intelligence can be used as a tool to guide the cybersecurity capacity building of concerned organizations. If you know your weak areas, its easier to prioritize, comments Chris Connell, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky. To protect your businesses from such threats, Kaspersky experts also recommend that you: Regulate every major change to the network perimeter hosts, including services or applications launching, exposing new APIs, software installation and updating, network devices configuration and so on. All changes should be reviewed from the perspective of security impact. Develop and implement reliable procedures for identifying, installing, and verifying patches for products and systems. Focus your defense strategy on detecting lateral movements and data exfiltration to the internet. Pay special attention to outgoing traffic to detect cybercriminal connections. Backup data regularly. Make sure you can quickly access it in an emergency. Use solutions like Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response and the Kaspersky Managed Detection and Response service, which help to identify and stop the attack in the early stages, before the attackers achieve their goals. Use a reliable endpoint security solution, such as Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business (KESB) that is powered by exploit prevention, behavior detection, and a remediation engine that is able to roll back malicious actions. KESB also has self-defense mechanisms that can prevent its removal by cybercriminals. Read the full Digital Footprint Intelligence report for APAC on Securelist.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. Nepal exported electricity worth over 56 million U.S. dollars to India in nearly four months, the countrys National Electricity Authority (NEA) said on Wednesday. Kulman Ghising, the executive director of the state-owned power utility, said that Nepal exported power valued at 7.19 billion Nepali rupees (56.19 million U.S. dollars) to India from early June to mid-September. Since June this year, Nepal started selling more electricity to India following e consensus between the two governments. As per the current plan, Nepal hopes to earn more than 30 billion Nepali rupees (234 million dollars) in the fiscal year 2023-2024 by selling electricity to India, according to Ghising. Good News : Congrats to Kulman Ghising for being reappointed as MD of the Nepal Electricity Authority by today. Ministry had called him to receive letter today. Lots of expectation are pending from him. Wishing you a successful tenure. Art by: Mero Canvass pic.twitter.com/dNh4gUb4fe (@Yogesh_Khadka_) August 11, 2021 The earning that Nepal has made from power export is contributing to maintain adequate foreign currency reserves and reduce trade deficit with India, authorities said here. Nepal had a power deficit for a long time, but it started generating surplus electricity after the countrys largest 456 megawatts (MW) Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Project started to generate electricity in July last year. DOLAKHA @ - Testing of Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Project Dam Site (456 M.W.) 2077.12.10 pic.twitter.com/G4QTP7bwy9 Badri Tiwari (@BADRITIWARI130) March 27, 2021 According to the negotiations between Nepal and India, the Indian government allowed Nepal to sell electricity in the Indian market through a competitive bidding in November 2021. Now, Nepal can export 364MW of power generated by six hydropower projects in the country. Electricity has emerged as a key export item of Nepal and it is cooperating with India for the same. Neighbouring India has been Nepals only viable market for electricity trade so far. There have been a few rounds of talks between Nepal and Bangladesh for power trade in recent months, for which India is expected to help facilitate building cross-border transmission lines. #Nepal and #Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in power sector pic.twitter.com/qwgjWrGIsL DD News (@DDNewslive) August 10, 2018 Nepal-India energy sector cooperation has gained momentum in recent years. In mid-September, Nepals foreign secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal and his Indian counterpart Vinay Mohan Kwatra held a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation and energy cooperation was high on the agenda of their talks. The export of surplus electricity from Nepal to India was also discussed during the meeting. Power sector cooperation has been one of the key areas that the two countries have given priorities in recent months. A major development during the Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deubas visit to New Delhi last April was the adoption of the Joint Vision Statement on Power Sector Cooperation between Nepal and India. #India and #Nepal to re-energize the age old relationship between two countries. Connectivity and Energy to become important pillars of cooperation. Four new agreements signed during PM Sher bahadur Deuba's India visit. This includes Railway partnership and Petroleum purchase. pic.twitter.com/IXtuDsT05u Pranay Upadhyaya (@JournoPranay) April 2, 2022 As per the consensus reached at the highest level, Nepal Investment Board under the Nepali government had signed a pact with Indias NHPC Limited to develop two hydroelectric projects West Seti (750 megawatts) and Seti River-6 (450 megawatts) in the far western region of Nepal in the third week of August. India has been Nepals largest trade partner. The volume of bilateral trade reached over Nepali rupees 976.78 billion during the last eleven months of the fiscal year 2020-21 with imports from India amounting to Nepali rupees 886.59 billion and exports to India standing over Nepali rupees 90.19 billion, according to official figures. Also Read: India signs key hydro-deal with Nepal replacing China Over 100 top leaders and functionaries of the Popular Front of India (PFI) were arrested on Thursday morning in a nationwide crackdown against terrorist activities. According to sources, the searches were carried out by the National Investigation Agency and Enforcement Directorate at several locations across 13 states including Bihar, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. In what is being termed the largest ever investigation process till date, sources in the NIA said that searches were conducted in the residential and official premises of people involved in terror funding, organising training camps and radicalising people to join proscribed organisations. The maximum number of arrests were made in Kerala (22) followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka (20 each), Andhra Pradesh (5), Assam (9), Delhi (3), Madhya Pradesh (4), Puducherry (3), Tamil Nadu (10), Uttar Pradesh (8) and Rajasthan (2). NIA, ED and ATS conduct raids all over India and arrest more than 100 members of PFI. #PFI #pfi pic.twitter.com/SiOE2b0JSL Samarth Singh (@Samarth63807150) September 22, 2022 Sources further said that the Union Home Ministry was monitoring the entire crackdown which was being carried out with the support of the local police in the various states. According to the charge-sheet filed by the ED, PFI has formed District Executive Committee in UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and other places to raise funds. Targets are given to individuals to collect cash and transfer the same through Hawala or camouflaged as genuine business transactions. The ED during investigation analysed more than 600 domestic contributors and their bank accounts and also looked at accounts of more than 2,600 beneficiaries. The agency has found that many of these accounts were bogus and people on ground were not found during physical verification, the agency stated. One of the beneficiaries of this money was Anshad Baseudeen. He was arrested by UP ATS with IEDs, pistol and live cartridges. PFI has transferred Rs. 3.5 lakh from the account of PFI. This shows PFI was involved in terror activities, the ED stated in the charge-sheet. The NIA had, earlier this week, carried out searches at over 40 locations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana linked to PFI, following which four people were detained. Incriminating materials, including digital devices, documents, two daggers, and cash worth over Rs 8 lakh had been seized. Meanwhile, PFI members staged protests in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka against the arrests. Tamil Nadu | PFI workers protest against National Investigation Agency (NIA) raid at the PFI office in Chennai pic.twitter.com/EPAEzCKJFk ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2022 The raids are taking place at the homes of national, state and local leaders of PFI. The state committee office is also being raided. We strongly protest the fascist regimes moves to use agencies to silence dissenting voices, the PFI said in a statement. Also Read: PFIs vicious circle of friends from Turkey and Pakistan to Al Qaeda and ISIS The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) is currently seeking nominations for its Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for the 2023-2026 term. Under Ontarios Education Act, every exceptional pupil is entitled to special education programs and services which meet their needs. In the UCDSB, SEAC plays a vital role in ensuring that exceptional pupils receive appropriate educational services. SEAC is responsible to the Upper Canada District School Board for examining, reviewing, and making recommendations regarding the provision of special education programs and services. Some areas of focus are beliefs and goals, policies and procedures, organizational structures, program delivery methods, services, funding, and the annual review of the Special Education Plan. The SEAC Committee meets at the Board Office, 225 Central Avenue West, Brockville, Ontario, on the second Tuesday of September and the first Tuesday of each month, October to June, at 6:30 p.m. Local associations or organizations are invited to submit a representative application for membership on the Special Education Advisory Committee. Applications for Membership-at-Large are also welcome. (SEAC membership is comprised of up to 12 association/organization members and up to 3 Members-at-Large.) An association is defined as an association or organization of parents that operates locally within the area of jurisdiction of a board and that is affiliated with an association or organization that is not an association or organization of professional educators, but that is incorporated and operates throughout Ontario to further the interests and well-being of one or more groups of exceptional children or adults. To qualify as a representative, a person must be: A Canadian citizen; Over the age of 18 years; A resident within the jurisdiction of the board; A public school elector; and Not employed by the Upper Canada District School Board in any capacity. The term of office will coincide with the term of office for Board Trustees (4 years). Application forms can be found on the Board website http://www.ucdsb.on.ca. Application forms and nomination letters must be received by 4 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2022. Send to: Jennifer Perry, Superintendent of Special Education Upper Canada District School Board 225 Central Avenue West Brockville, ON K6V 5X1 If you have grown up in India in the '90s and '00s, we are sure you are well-acquainted with animated film Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama. The movie which was made on the 40th anniversary of Indo-Japanese diplomatic relations never released in Indian theatres but was telecasted on Cartoon Network regularly. Not many people know that Japanese film director Yugo Sako was behind it. Bryan Cranston as Lord Rama in Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama Yugo Sako co-directed the movie along with Ram Mohan and Koichi Saski. Did you know Bryan Cranston aka Walter White aka Heisenberg voiced for Lord Rama in the English version? Twitter While the Hindi version of the movie had Arun Govil voicing for Lord Rama, Amrish Puri as Raavan and Namrata Sawhney as Sita, the English dubbed version had Nikhil Kapoor, Uday Mathan and Rael Padmasee voicing for the respective roles. YouTube The film in United States was released as Warrior Prince or The Prince of Light: The Legend of Ramayana. This version was heavenly edited so that the American audience could easily understand the Indian mythological story. It is in this version, that Bryan Cranston voiced Lord Rama and Tom Wyner as Ravana. You can listen to Bryan Cranston voicing Lord Rama in the movie trailer below. Also Read: Good Side Of Walter White: Here's Why Heisenberg Wasnt A Villain But The Hero Of Breaking Bad! For the unversed, the idea of the movie came to Yugo Sako while working on the documentary The Ramayana Relics in 1983, a documentary film about excavations by Dr. B. B. Lal near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. At that time, he found the epic so interesting that he read 10 versions of it in Japanese. Sako then decided to collaborate with Indian animator Ram Mohan for the movie. "Because Ram is God, I felt it was best to depict him in animation, rather than by an actor," he said in an interview. Producer of the film Krishna Shah said, "Anyone can tell a story because Ramayana is a plot-oriented tale, but the key to Sako is that he finds humanity in his characters. Indeed, this is not a cardboard Ramayana, and the characters from Ram to Hanuman to Kumbkharna are three-dimensional ones. Sometimes, you forget these are merely animated figures, for the film almost has a lush, David Lean kind of ambiance." While Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is considered a serious film in Japan, in India, it is still seen as a children's movie. (For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment, and let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments below.) Hollywood actor Johnny Depp, who won the defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard, has found a new love in his lawyer. Contrary to reports of him dating Camille Vasquez, Hollywood actor Johnny Depp is reportedly dating one of his attorneys who represented him in his UK libel trial against the Sun. According to a US weekly report, Ms. Rich was also seen in court to support the actor, although she wasn't representing the actor in the defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. The duo was spotted at various locations in the UK. A report in Page Six claims that Johnny is dating London-based Joelle Rich. The report hints that the lawyer is married but separated. Her divorce may not be finalized yet. The report quotes a source saying that Johnny Depp's and Joelle Rich's chemistry is off the charts, adding, It's serious between them. They are the real deal. According to the report, the couple started their affair by secretly meeting in hotels. Twitter "There was no professional obligation for her being there. It was personal." Mr. Depp and his attorney, Camille Vasquez (who represented Depp as one of the lead attorneys during his six-week defamation trial against Amber Heard), sparked dating rumors. Web Screen Grab However, Ms. Vasquez denied these rumors. In a statement, she said, Reuters "I guess it comes with the territory of being a woman just doing her job. It's disappointing that certain outlets ran with it or said that my interactions with Johnny - who is a friend and I've known and represented for four-and-a-half years now - that my interactions in any way were inappropriate or unprofessional. That's disappointing to hear." AFP In an interview with People, Vasquez revealed that she has a boyfriend, and they are very happy in their relationship. AFP "It's unethical for a lawyer to date their client," she said, adding, "It's unfortunate, and it's disappointing, but at the same time, it kind of comes with the territory. I can't say I was all that surprised." On June 1, the jury awarded Depp USD 15 million in damages, but Heard had to pay USD 10.35 million due to a Virginia law limiting punitive damages (the judge reduced the amount). Twitter In her countersuit, Heard won one of the three defamation counts and was awarded USD 2 million in damages. Both of them recently appealed the verdict. (With agency inputs) (To get the latest updates from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment) In a progressive step to help employees take a mental-health break, SoftBank-backed internet commerce firm Meesho has come up with an 11-day companywide break from October 22 to November 1. Meesho's initiative is happening for the second year in a row. shutterstock After the hectic holiday shopping season, the company's employees can entirely disconnect from work and prioritize their mental health first, thanks to Reset and Recharge's revolutionary initiative. Even astronauts need breaks. So do folks working on moonshot missions at @Meesho_Official. For the 2nd year in a row, Meeshoites will unplug for 11 days (Oct 22-Nov 1) to Reset & Recharge after the festive season. Work is important, well-being is priceless.#Mentalhealth Vidit Aatrey (@viditaatrey) September 21, 2022 According to the company, the decision reflects Meesho's continuing dedication to creating a people-centric workplace, which places a significant emphasis on the overall well-being of employees. ET Meesho hoped that Reset and Recharge would pave the way for other companies to adopt similar employee-first policies when burnout and anxiety are becoming significant problems for today's workforce. officechai "Building a great company culture requires one to acknowledge that work-life balance, rest, and rejuvenation are key to employee well-being. With Reset and Recharge, we continue to push the envelope and redefine conventional workplace norms," said Ashish Kumar Singh, Chief Human Resources Officer, Meesho. Unsplash "Employees can choose to decompress however they wantspending time with near and dear ones, traveling, or picking up a new hobby. Such progressive policies have helped augment our employee centricity and industry-leading retention rates." The netizens are lauding Meesho's move. What a wonderful initiative! Shraddha (@i_Shraddha24) September 22, 2022 Love the way u guys timed it for Diwali....each one of us as Kids have special memories of Diwali, hope more Indian companies follow. Vinit Barve (@vinit_ab) September 21, 2022 Really appreciate that, empathy is the biggest strength of a leader Neeraj Tyagi (@NeerajEmotion) September 21, 2022 @Meesho_Official announcing an 11 day break company-wide for employees mental health for the second year is a beautiful example set. They not only understand their people's mental health but also set a benchmark for other companies and startups to be more people-centric. pic.twitter.com/jC81dowXer Rohini Manchanda (@Manchandarohini) September 22, 2022 #Meesho has announced an 11-day company-wide break for its employees to support mental health and well-being. All companies should follow this method. Work and well-being should go hand-in-hand. #mentalhealth #work #wellbeing #workethics #workculture #corporateculture Sai Shyam Appannagari (@mystiqueshyam) September 22, 2022 Finally an Indian Startup called Meesho announced 11 day break for it's employees reasons mental health. It's high time we must adopt such principles for work life balance. P.S:You are free to share yours perspective too Kripa Rabha (@imkripan) September 22, 2022 Meesho claimed to have developed several first-in-industry and progressive reforms, including a boundaryless workplace model, unlimited wellness leave, 30-week gender-neutral parental leave, and 30-day gender reassignment leave. Unsplash According to the company, the Reset and Recharge policy enhances its ongoing efforts to create a dynamic workplace centered on employee flexibility and empowerment. Meesho asserts that its extensive MeeCARE program is designed to improve both the employees' and their families' overall well-being. It enables employees to achieve a balance between their work and personal goals. MeeCARE offers plans, benefits, and other interventions that cover a broad range of wellness initiatives. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. (Also read: Indian Companies Incur $14 Billion Cost Yearly Due To Employees' Poor Mental Health, Says Deloitte Survey) Bound for greatness Theres plenty of reasons to be excited about the future of Canadas insurance industry. And they are the 46 young people, aged 35 or under, who were awarded the 2022 IBC Rising Stars awards. To determine the winners, a renowned panel of judges reviewed the candidates roles, achievements, goals and contributions to the industry, as well as recommendations from managers and senior industry professionals. The Rising Stars are bridging technological changes and promoting work-life balance, while progressing and understanding an industry that has historic ways of operating. I believe that we will still need a steady flow of new Gen Z workers as the baby boomer generation begins to reach retirement to ensure that our industry keeps growing Emily Flanigan, Agile Underwriting Solutions One winner, Emily Flanigan, says, The younger generation is very culture focused. We are tech savvy and value work-life balance a lot. Were also very ambitious and adaptable, so were ready for change. While fellow winner Uzair Zamir revealed his success is tied to relating to his clients. He explains, I believe everyone in the industry is working hard to make their mark but a few things which make me a niche is building a unique relationship with the clients, developing a personal style and understanding their needs. In addition to this, I focus more on educating the client on what they are paying for rather than how much they are paying. Tomorrows leaders The number of seniors (65 and over) is growing six times faster than the number of children (0 to 14) in Canada. Even worse, the number of Canadians approaching retirement has never been higher, with more than one in five (21.8%) people of working age between 55 and 64, according to Statistics Canada. As such, the insurance industry is engaged in a revolving-door replacement scenario: young folks coming in and older folks going out. Unemployment was at 4.9% in July 2022 the lowest ever on record giving younger job seekers the upper hand. Flanigan, a commercial underwriter for Agile Underwriting Solutions in Nova Scotia, is one who has seized that opportunity. She has been in the industry for three years, starting as an underwriting assistant. Her achievements include implementing an exclusive underwriting program and product, as well as being among the top five new business production underwriters on the Agile team. As per the Insurance Institutes demographics report, millennials have made up the largest portion of the P&C industry over the past couple of years, says Flanigan, a young millennial herself at 28. I believe that we will still need a steady flow of new Gen Z workers as the baby boomer generation begins to reach retirement to ensure that our industry keeps growing. Explaining why Flanigan has managed to stand out, Agile Underwriting Solutions senior vice president Matt Ripley says, Emily has all the traits one would look for in a future leader. He went on to explain that its her desire and ambition to push on that really impressed. She has consistently outperformed her new business targets finishing the year among the top three new business producers within Agile Underwriting Solutions across Canada, adds Ripley. In her short time in the role of Commercial Underwriter, Emily has established an exclusive welding program that will earn over $1M+ GWP in its first year and recently developed a new residential realty program in Atlantic Canada. Part of Flanigans success appears to be down to her understanding and keenness to learn lessons from more experienced colleagues. A great workplace is a diverse workplace where its inclusive and each person can bring positive things to the table, says Flanigan. Its also a good idea to get into the industry now, when the baby boomer generation is still here, so we can learn from them. Consumer behaviour has been changing for all generations, requiring businesses to be more efficient and utilize technology Patrick Tapuska, Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services The difference makers Patrick Tapuska, another winner, is a commercial broker for Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services in Alberta and agrees with his colleague. Of the baby boomer generation, Tapuska acknowledges they are the original titans of industry who are now looking to retirement and to pass along their wealth of knowledge to the younger generation of industry professionals like himself. That attitude is why he has facilitated the placement of insurance business that has resulted in a combined premium volume of more than $5 million GWP over the past year. Senior director of marketing at Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services Colin Wight, recalls a memorable moment when he realised Tapuska was a Rising Star. He says, In one specific circumstance, our premium was over 15% more than what the prospect had currently been paying, but with Patrick's assistance, the importance of the coverage benefits was effectively communicated to the prospect and we ultimately won their business. More words of praise come from the firms managing partner Brent Williams. Of Tapuska, he adds, He's been an exemplary employee, extremely hard working and dedicated, and has a very bright future in this industry and he's helped our office grow by 40%, year over year. He's been a huge part of our success, and we definitely hope he makes our office his home until retirement. Aged 28, Tapuska is also another young millennial who characterizes his generation as seeking a more equitable work-life balance. In addition, he sees younger professionals as most likely to adapt the industry to meet the demands of modern consumers. Consumer behaviour has been changing for all generations, requiring businesses to be more efficient and utilize technology, he explains. The younger generation of insurance brokers is being expected to adapt the industry to be more user-friendly, as well as to be accessible through the use of social media and other electronic media platforms. Proving that point, the insurtech market is projected to be worth more than $152 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research, fuelled in part by the demand to streamline. In addition to fully digital experiences helping to eliminate a lot of frustrating paperwork, younger consumers are seeking new coverage, such as pet and tech gadget insurance, as well as greater personalization and flexibility, according to Early Metrics. Then there is 25-year-old winner Kiran Kaur, who is described as extraordinary for her performance as a broker at Billyard Insurance Group Mississauga East. The companys business development manager Tina Tomaszewski says, Kiran has added a great value to our branch and the organization as a whole. As a high-volume broker, she has paved the way for many new young brokers and has helped them see what it takes to be great like her. Also highlighted was her ambition to be the best. Kiran is more focused and motivated than most. She is very dedicated to personal growth and investment, Tomaszewski adds. Another important thing to mention is though Kiran is a new broker, she has a great ratio of business. Most young and new brokers take the easy route and write auto and tenant policies, but Kiran mostly writes auto and home, and commercial policies. She really is one of a kind. I focus more on educating the client on what they are paying for rather than how much they are paying Uzair Zamir, Billyard Insurance Group Etobicoke Attracting the next generation Learning from more-experienced colleagues is good in principle, but you still need to get the younger generation through the door. A viewpoint that may attract others comes from Zamir, a sales manager with Billyard Insurance Group Etobicoke, who underlines the satisfaction of delivering results. I chose a career in the insurance industry for numerous reasons, new challenges every day, large social life/circle and most importantly the satisfaction of helping the community, he says. Zamirs colleague Manal Mansha underlines how important he is for their business ability to attract new recruits. She explains, He has plans to promote youths success by hiring young folks with determined and enthusiastic personalities and training them under his mentorship to the extent that it would help them in becoming successful young professionals. Flanigan emphasizes the importance of getting people while theyre still undecided about their career paths, targeting high schools and job fairs to showcase the importance of the industry. That will help them envisage what their future could be. She also feels that there could also be an improvement in job posts, noting that they should explicitly highlight that the industry is large and offers many different and engaging opportunities. Its also important to highlight our industry social events for networking and show that its a very fun industry to be in, she adds. Theres lots to do and lots of people to meet. Tapuska agrees that Flanigans idea of attracting candidates early could help turn insurance in Canada and the US from something that you just fall into into a more aspirational profession, such as finance or law. It would be more of theyre actually here to provide a service to protect my property, to protect my interests, says Tapuska. Theyre not just in it to sell me something and then move on; theyre actually a caring professional who is interested in my well-being. He also advocates for an increase in ex gratia payments to help foster a sense of benevolence and to facilitate better responses to natural disasters. As Glen Hopkinson, senior vice president and head of claims Canada, AXA XL, recently said in an article on axaxl.com, Once [you get a young person] in the door, lock it! (He was joking.) [Its important to show them that] it is an industry that is beneficial to the breadth of a career, he says. Its buildable. And it is rewarding. For those who join me in a career in claims, they will find it is so incredibly satisfying to provide superior customer service in a time of need. They will come to appreciate that when we are dealing with customers, they are in a time of need. Our customers will be dealing with a significant property loss, an injury, or they may be named in a lawsuit. It is our job to help them navigate these uncharted waters and, when we do so successfully, it is very rewarding. Millennial wisdom Sadly, there are many stereotypes that still linger like younger people are spoiled, lazy and cant be separated from their cell phones, or older folks are stuck in the past and cant comprehend what Wi-Fi is. Rebecca Collins, president of Search4U Insurance Recruiters, has dealt largely with candidates in their late 20s and early 30s and has had mixed experiences with younger recruits. I have actually spoken to candidates who are like, I don't want to be at work earlier than 10 a.m., she says. I will only work from home. I want this much money. When it comes to putting in the work to climb the ladder or to get to where they want to be, they just dont want to do it. They want everything handed to them on a silver platter. Some of the Rising Stars have their own thoughts on these perceptions and impressions. First, Gen Z. Flanigan characterizes them as culture-oriented, tech-savvy individuals who value their leisure time. Tapuska says, [Gen Z] requires greater mental health initiatives and work-life balance from their employers. [They look] to have business transacted using more technology but sometimes lack the understanding that business, in order to be successful, has to be transacted in person with long hours required to get the job completed. Second, millennials. They are ambitious, adaptable and agile, explains Flanigan. Tapuska feels like theyre less motivated by money and more focused on work-life balance. While younger generations may feel frustrated by the slow pace of development in the insurance industry, says Collins, they could benefit greatly from developing patience and realizing that it takes years to reach senior positions. Third, Gen X. For Flanigan, they are good and motivated leaders, with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. They are highly motivated by financial gain. But with most having children in the Gen Z working demographic, they are also pushing for the workplace to be more adaptive to the use of technology, as well as mental health care, says Tapuska. Fourth, baby boomers. They are loyal and company focused, says Flanigan. In the end, a great workplace is a diverse workplace as each brings something positive to the table. The bureau offered safety tips for homeowners, such as ensuring each household has an emergency preparedness plan and disaster kits; moving valuables away from the basement; keeping an updated home inventory; ensuring downspouts are clear of debris; securing loose patio furniture; and removing at-risk tree branches. IBC also advised homeowners to talk to their insurance representative to confirm if they have appropriate coverage. The bureau offered a reminder that water damage due to sewer backup is only covered if the policyholder purchased specific, optional sewer backup coverage; the same is true for damage caused by overland flooding, which is only covered by a certain optional coverage. Damage caused by wind, however, is typically covered by standard insurance, IBC noted. Those with comprehensive or all perils auto insurance can also rest easy knowing that their policy can cover damage to their vehicles. In the event that a homeowner has been ordered to evacuate their property due to the storm, IBC said that they may be entitled to additional living expenses. "We want to ensure that residents in Atlantic Canada are ready for strong wind or heavy rains that Hurricane Fiona may bring to the region, Dean prefaced. Even a significantly weakened hurricane can carry winds strong enough to cause widespread destruction." Read more: Florida insurance regulator refers insurer to receivership On Wednesday, Citizens president and CEO Barry Gilway briefed the Citizens Board of Governors, explaining that private property insurers are anticipated to take a $1 billion loss hit this year. "If the [financial] numbers remain in the red, and companies aren't put in a position where they are making a reasonable rate of return, you're not going to have a stable market," the chief executive said, adding that Citizens has been on a roller coaster ride for the past two decades. Gilway had previously projected that Citizens would hit over a million policies by the end of 2022, but the new figures have proven that the situation is far worse than initially predicted. Read more: Florida regulators hear Citizens Property Insurance's 11% rate hike proposal News of Citizens hitting a critical mass of policyholders comes after Florida legislators voted unanimously to find an alternative to Demotech, after the ratings agency planned to downgrade and/or withdraw the ratings of 17 insurers. Ratings withdrawals have typically preceded a companys insolvency or rehabilitation. Employers offering self-funded health benefit programs typically purchase medical stop loss insurance as a financial backstop to protect against any unforeseen expenses either a single catastrophic claim or an aggregate loss above and beyond the expected cost of their plan demographic. This is a huge marketplace, and one that garnered great attention through the COVID-19 pandemic around how employers offering self-funded health benefit programs might be impacted by COVID claims. In August, QBE North America a leading provider of medical stop loss insurance - released its 2022 Accident & Health Market Report, which leverages the insurers extensive claims database to highlight industry trends and product details to help employers best manage their self-funded healthcare plans. The report notes that the frequency of medical stop loss claims for COVID-19 more than doubled (+108%) from 2020 to 2021. Moreover, this increase was widespread across age groups, with the youngest age group (0-29) up fivefold. Through April 2022, claims within the younger age groups, 0-29 and 30-39, have already reached levels similar to all of 2021. Read next: Revealed 10 largest health insurance providers in the US Tara Krauss (pictured), head of Accident & Health at QBE North America, commented: The highly infectious COVID variants together with the prevalence of comorbidities has lowered the average age for a stop loss claim from 54 in 2020 to 49 in 2021, and the average cost of a COVID claim climbed 87% year over year. QBE North America even saw a few multimillion-dollar claims, including one case where a COVID patient was in intensive care for more than five months, which settled at $4.6 million. Krauss said claims of that severity were not expected at the start of the pandemic. For claims exceeding $200,000, QBE found that frequency increased 17% from 2020 to 2021, with particular jumps in respiratory claims (nearly 100%) and neoplasms (21%). Krauss said the increase was likely due not only to claims directly related to COVID, but also indirectly related through the impact of delayed care, during the pandemic. Considering the increase in high-cost claim frequency and severity, Krauss said now is the best time for employers to consider offering self-funded health benefit programs, with the protection of medical stop loss insurance. She pointed out that if medical stop loss claims are increasing, so are fully-insured healthcare claims and a lot of insurance carriers offering fully-insured healthcare plans are seeking significant rate increases to counteract those claims. With self-funded programs, employers have a lot more control over the coverage that their plan offers, Krauss told Insurance Business. They can drive care to the best providers with the best discounts, and they can react to outcomes to make positive improvements, with a focus on improving the member experience. Employers offering self-funded health benefit programs have more control over their specialty pharmaceutical spend, which is typically high as it involves specialty medications and treatments for rare or complex health problems. With the right plan language, cost containment measures, and vendors, employers can be very specific about how specialty pharmaceutical solutions are covered, and where employees can receive care. Read more: Tracking the post-pandemic workers' compensation market Its about finding better ways to control claim expenditures of the roughly 5% of individuals who drive 50% of a health plans medical spend, said Krauss, who admitted that figuring self-funded plans out, and creating plans that offer both the best coverage and cost-containment measures can be a significant burden for HR managers, which is why they rely so heavily on benefits advisers and consultants. When choosing a consultant, employers are going to want to know what their approach is to selecting strong cost containment vendors and specifically a strong PBM (pharmacy benefit manager), Krauss added. Are they just choosing to bundle with a medical carrier? This can limit the plans control over formulary, preferred drug lists and contract terms. Who will benefit from the rebates that the manufacturers are providing? Krauss said its also important for employers to work with brokers who are trying to get ahead of claims before they happen by offering cost-containment vendors with solutions that are going to drive lifestyle and behavioral changes. QBEs 2022 Accident & Health Market Report revealed that 90% of claimants who incurred claims over $100,000 since 2019 had comorbidities (more than one chronic condition). Finding ways within their self-funded plan design to incentivize behavior and lifestyle changes that could potentially reduce someone's comorbidities is going to help prevent excess loss claims, said Krauss. Its really about finding ways to get down to the member health level, using the right administrators and vendors and choosing an insurance carrier that will partner with you in your cost-containment journey to proactively manage claims. Liberty Specialty Markets, part of Liberty Mutual, and REIN chose to launch its new bundled insurance product in anticipation of the need for drone insurance in a fast-growing market, and to add value to Sonys drone offering, a release said. Our partnership with REIN enabled us to provide this unique solution for Sonys Professional Drone Airpeak S1 and demonstrates how we develop tailored solutions to support the ever growing and evolving needs of our insureds, said LSM head of delegated authority practice Lewis Edwards (pictured). We look forward to expanding our partnership with REIN to bring more embedded insurance solutions to our partners and clients. REIN is a fintech that helps carriers transform their insurance products into digital offerings on the Insurance Exchange (IX), allowing business customers and brokers to embed the offerings in their digital commerce environments. At REIN, our goal is to provide the technology necessary for carriers to be the partner companies trust for embedded insurance, said REIN co-founder and CEO Jason Griswold. By leveraging REINs IX platform, Liberty can provide global brands such as Sony the ability to access digital insurance products designed to meet their customers where they are, when they need it. Griswold added that REIN is consistently impressed with LSMs vision and commitment to being at the forefront of industry transformation. The drone insurance offering is available through Sonys Airpeak webpage. AIA Group Ltd. is in advanced talks to acquire MediCard Philippines Inc., people familiar with the matter said, as the insurance giant seeks to boost its presence in Southeast Asia. AIA and MediCard are finalizing the details of a transaction and could reach an agreement in the coming weeks after the Hong Kong-based insurance company outbid other insurers and investment funds, the people said. A deal could value the Philippine company at more than $350 million, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. No final decision has been made and talks could still fall apart, the people said. A representative for AIA declined to comment, while a representative for MediCard didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. The closely held health-care company has been working with a financial adviser on the potential sale that could value the business at $300 million to $400 million, Bloomberg News reported earlier this year. While AIA posted a 15% decline in new business value for the first half of this year as Covid lockdowns dented insurance sales in mainland China, the profitability of new policies showed positive growth in June. Its shares have dropped about 9% this year in Hong Kong, valuing the company at about $108.5 billion. In the Philippines, AIA provides life and general insurance services. MediCard is the only health maintenance organization in the Philippines that was founded and managed by doctors, according to its website. Since its inception in 1986, the company has grown from providing health care to individuals and families to serving large local and multinational corporations. It has nearly one million members and over 54,000 accredited doctors in more than 1,000 hospitals and clinics across the country. With assistance from Ian Sayson. Photograph: The AIA Central building, which houses the headquarters of AIA Group Ltd., center, next to the Bank of China Tower, rear right, and CCB Tower, in Hong Kong, China, on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Photo credit: Bertha Wang/Bloomberg Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Carriers Dale Partners Ltd. (DPL) announced it has received approval from the UK Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Lloyds to launch its managing agency, Dale Managing Agency Ltd. DPL also announced it has appointed four independent non-executive directors (NEDs) to join the board of Dale Managing Agency board. This is fantastic news and a major milestone in the development of Dale Underwriting Partners, said Duncan Dale, chief executive. It has always been our long-term goal to establish our own managing agency to give us the independence and accountability for the strategy, execution and governance of the business. Naturally, I would like to thank our amazing team. Their hard work, dedication and resilience have brought us to this point. Dale thanked the team at third party managing agency Asta for their tremendous support for the past nine years. The four new NED members of the board are: John Hastings-Bass is chair of the board. Hastings-Bass is also chair of Just plc and BMS Group. His prior appointments include: director of JLT Group, chair of International Development for A.J. Gallagher and chair of Novae Group Plc. Heather McKinlay is chair of the Audit Committee. McKinlay is currently also a NED for Antares Syndicate Management Ltd. and trustee of RedR UK, a humanitarian charitable organization. McKinlay has more than 20 years of experience in contributing to businesses of various sizes, specializing in the transformation and development of finance functions in previous CFO and executive director roles in the non-life insurance sector. Alan Grant is chair of the Risk Committee. Grant is currently also a NED for Oneglobal Insurance Brokers Ltd. Grants prior appointments include: chair of the Risk Committee at Thomas Miller Holdings Ltd. and chair of the Risk Framework and Compliance Committee of Argenta Syndicate Management Ltd. John Hume. Hume is the former chair of XL Re Europe. He has more than 35 years experience in financial services companies, providing strong guidance on finance, business strategy, operations and culture and successfully leading large transformation projects. Duncan Dale, Dominic Peters (active underwriter) and Carol McCarthy (finance director) also are joining the Dale Managing Agency Ltd. board. Dale Underwriting Partners is an independent, owner-managed underwriting business that began trading from Jan. 1, 2014 with the formation of Lloyds Syndicate 1729. Source: Dale Partners Ltd. Related: Topics Legislation Excess Surplus Talent Lloyd's Human Resources This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Strategic Risk Solutions and Markel International. A summary of these new hires follows here. Strategic Risk Solutions Taps Marshs Meindersma to Lead Canada Expansion Strategic Risk Solutions (SRS), the independent insurance company manager, announced that Brad Meindersma has joined SRS as the president of SRS Managers (Canada) Ltd. Meindersma brings with him to SRS a wealth of knowledge and experience. Before joining SRS, he was a senior vice president for Marsh Captive Solutions in Bermuda where he spent nearly three years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to that, he was executive vice president at JLT Insurance Management in Bermuda where he worked for more than seven years, his profile added. Meindersma has worked directly with and advised senior executives from companies ranging from mid-sized to Fortune 50. He has acted as the client account executive, a captive board member, an underwriting committee and/or investment committee member, client prospecting and sales manager, captive and commercial insurer setup, and coordinated the AM Best rating process as well as liaising with external service providers for a portfolio of captive and commercial clients. We are excited to have Brad join us as we have many Canadian clients in various domiciles but decided it was an opportune time to have boots on the ground locally to better serve our current and future clients based or with significant operations in Canada, said Brady Young, president, and CEO of Concord, Mass.-based SRS. We expect an uptick in activity, both new formations and re-domestications, given recent legislative changes and the opportunity to form domestic captives in British Columbia and more recently Alberta. Brad is the ideal person to build and lead our team in Canada as these domiciles gain traction, Young added. The growth potential at SRS is very exciting. Diving into the legislation and coordinating the setup of Alberta and British Columbia insurance management operations is a great beginning. SRS has such a well-respected reputation and growing the business into Canada to provide customized services is the logical next step, commented Meindersma. With over 25 years experience, SRS provides management and consulting services to a wide range of insurance company entities, from single parent captives to complex commercial insurers and reinsurers. SRS has operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and South Africa. *** Markel Intl Promotes 3 in Wholesale Claims Leadership Team Markel International, a subsidiary of Markel Corp. announces three senior promotions that build out the leadership team within its wholesale claims operation. This latest investment in leadership plays an important part of Markels strategy to scale further growth across the organizations wholesale business. Under the new leadership team, Jonathan Pestell will assume the role of head of claims performance for speciality, where he will concentrate on driving broker engagement, while identifying areas to strengthen Markels claims service across its professional and financial risk (PFR), cyber, equine, and trade credit, political risk, and surety (TCPRS) classes of business. Pestell has been with Markel International for more than 12 years during which time he has held the role of claims manager of professional indemnity at the organization. Meanwhile, Thomas Upton has been named head of claims performance for marine and energy. Akin to Pestells position, Upton will focus on enhancing relationships with brokers, ensuring that complex claims continue to be dealt with quickly and efficiently for clients operating in the marine and energy liability space. Upton started as a senior claims adjuster at Markel International more than seven years ago. Since then, he has climbed the ranks to become claims manager of energy liability and terrorism. Completing the line-up of appointments is Dan Lofty, as the new head of claims operations and special projects team (SPT). Lofty will be responsible for managing vendor relationships, ensuring the business continues to deploy the correct systems and processes. Lofty joined Markel International more than seven years ago, starting as a senior casualty claims adjuster in the reinsurance division before progressing to the role of reinsurance and special projects claims manager. Collectively, the trio, who have more than 50 years of experience in claims between them, will ensure the wholesale claims and underwriting teams are closely aligned, as they take Markels claims service to the next level. Pestell, Upton, and Lofty will be based at Markels London office and report to Chris OShea, wholesale claims director at Markel International. We would like to congratulate Jon, Tom, and Dan, on their recent promotions. With their wealth of knowledge and experience in claims, I am confident that they will further enhance our award-winning claims service, by working closely with our brokers, clients, and underwriting teams to drive profitable growth, as our wholesale business navigates to US$2 billion gross written premium (GWP), OShea commented. Topics Claims Leadership Canada A jury has awarded $363 million to a woman who alleged that a now-shuttered suburban Chicago plant that sterilized medical equipment exposed residents to a toxic industrial gas and gave her breast cancer. After a five-week trial, the Cook County jurors on Monday awarded Sue Kamuda $38 million in compensatory damages for the past and future loss of a normal life, emotional distress, disfigurement and shortened life expectancy, and $325 million in punitive damages. Kamuda, 70, developed breast cancer in 2007 despite having no predisposition to it, her lawyers said. She is the first of more than 700 people seeking damages from Oak Brook, Illinois-based Sterigenics to go to trial over health claims over the plants releases of ethylene oxide gas. Those lawsuits have been filed against Sterigenics since 2018, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published research showing people living near the plant in the DuPage County village of Willowbrook faced some of the nations highest cancer risks from toxic air pollution. Sterigenics, the former plants most recent owner, was ordered to pay Kamuda $220 million in punitive damages; parent company Sotera Health was directed to pay $100 million and Griffith Foods, the current name of the plants original owner, $5 million. Mondays verdict exceeded the $346 million Kamudas lawyers sought in closing arguments last Thursday against Sterigenics. It was such a relief, Kamuda said of the verdict. The retired school administrator told reporters one of her sons has been diagnosed with cancer and has filed his own lawsuit against the company. Lawyers for the companies argued that Kamudas attorneys offered no proof that her breast cancer was caused by exposure to ethylene oxide, an odorless gas pumped into fumigation chambers inside the sterilization plant and then released into surrounding neighborhoods. The companies also brought in industry-connected scientists who tried to persuade jurors the plant never posed a danger to its neighbors, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Emails and documents presented during the trial showed the companies knew long ago that ethylene oxide is extremely dangerous, but delayed installing pollution-control equipment. The documents also showed the companies attempted to undermine federal regulations that would require costly improvements at sterilization facilities, the Chicago Tribune reported. The plant had been releasing ethylene oxide from 1985 until it was temporarily shut down by the state in 2019 after authorities detected the gas nearby. Amid public pressure, Sterigenics closed the plant permanently later that year. Patrick Salvi Jr., one of Kamudas attorneys, said Mondays verdict likely will affect rulings in other lawsuits. We think this ought to set the tone. Theres a lot of victims out there, he said. Sterigenics and Sotera said in a statement they might appeal the verdict, saying it does not reflect the evidence presented in court. We will continue to vigorously defend against allegations about our ethylene oxide operations and emissions, the companies said. As we have consistently done throughout our history, we will continue to operate in compliance with applicable rules and regulations to ensure the safety of our employees, the communities in which we operate and patients around the world. Griffith Foods, an Alsip, Illinois company, said the lawsuit was a case of overreach by the plaintiffs lawyers. The company said it hasnt been connected to Sterigenics in over 20 years. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Illinois A Michigan veteran has been sentenced to five years in prison after investigators who followed him discovered he had faked injuries that allowed him to claim more than $260,000 in federal benefits. Joseph Gray, 53, of Lawton repeatedly claimed he had lost the use of his legs and left hand in order to obtain the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, prosecutors said. But government investigators saw him walking, using his left hand and even carrying a heavy bag on his shoulder. Acquaintances also told investigators they had not seen Gray in a wheelchair except for his VA appointments. Prosecutors said Gray received benefits intended for veterans who cannot work or care for themselves, even at home, because of service-related disabilities. A federal jury convicted Gray in April of conspiracy to defraud the government, making a false statement to the VA, theft of government funds and making a false, fictitious or fraudulent claim. A judge who sentenced Gray on Wednesday to a five-year prison term also ordered him to pay $264,631.51 in restitution for losses dating to 2004, the Kalamazoo Gazette reported. Grays wife, Paula Gray, 53, said she could not work because she had to care for her husband. She was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the government and other charges, and was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay the same restitution. Joseph Grays attorney, Scott Graham, said Gray earned military decorations during the Gulf War and sustained life-changing injuries, including injuries to his shoulders from a fall in Saudi Arabia. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Fraud Michigan People suing Johnson & Johnson over the companys talc products urged an appeals court on Monday to revive their claims, saying the profitable company should not be allowed to use a bankrupt subsidiary to block lawsuits alleging the products cause cancer. They asked a panel of the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to dismiss the bankruptcy of J&Js subsidiary LTL Management, saying that LTL is a concocted corporation set up solely to stop them from getting their day in court. J&J, which maintains its talc products are safe, spun off LTL in October, assigned its talc liabilities to it and placed the newly created subsidiary into bankruptcy days later. That restructuring strategy, known as the Texas two-step, paused about 38,000 lawsuits J&J was facing alleging that its baby powder and other talc-based products contain asbestos and caused mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. How a Bankruptcy Innovation Halted Thousands of Lawsuits from Sick Plaintiffs Critics, including lawmakers and legal experts, say J&Js bankruptcy maneuver could provide a blueprint for other big companies to avoid juries in mass tort lawsuits. Circuit Judge Julio Fuentes at Mondays arguments asked the cancer victims attorney Jeffrey Lamken whether the bankruptcy court could provide a more efficient resolution of the claims than trying cases one at a time in other courts. Lamken said the court should not make a general ruling about whether bankruptcy is better because its protections should be reserved for companies that are in financial distress and need to reorganize. He argued cancer victims should be allowed to sue because bankruptcy requires a comprehensive settlement to be reached through a lengthy court process before any individual case can be settled. LTL is under no pressure to move quickly, because it has no operations and suffers no penalty from remaining in bankruptcy, Lamken said. David Frederick, representing a separate group of cancer plaintiffs, said the bankruptcy allows LTL to pay less money, more slowly. Not a dime will be paid until the last appeal of the last objector is resolved, Frederick said. But J&J countered bankruptcy court allows all current and future talc lawsuits to be settled together, which it says is the fastest and fairest way. Litigating in other courts creates a huge variety of outcomes. Some plaintiffs will hit home runs and win large verdicts, while most people wont even get a turn at bat, with some dying before their cases go to trial, LTL attorney Neal Katyal said. Perpetual litigation also creates significant dead weight in attorneys fees and court costs, Katyal said. The company has set aside $2 billion to settle talc claims, which LTL executives describe as a starting point rather than a cap. J&J to End Global Sales of Talc-Based Baby Powder Before the bankruptcy filing, J&J faced costs from $3.5 billion in verdicts and settlements, including one in which 22 women were awarded a judgment of more than $2 billion, according to bankruptcy court records. But more than 1,500 talc lawsuits have been dismissed without J&J paying anything and the majority of cases that have gone to trial have resulted in defense verdicts, mistrials or judgments for the company on appeal, according to LTLs court filings. The cancer victims are asking the appeals court to overrule a New Jersey bankruptcy judge who allowed LTLs bankruptcy to continue. LTLs bankruptcy filing automatically stopped lawsuits from proceeding against it, and U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan in Trenton, New Jersey ruled in February that LTLs bankruptcy should also stop talc lawsuits from proceeding against parent company J&J. In refusing to dismiss the case, Kaplan said the bankruptcy court is better equipped to handle mass tort litigation than other courts. Topics Lawsuits New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! The insurance industry still has a lot of work to do when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion. In fact, despite a strong DEI push across the industry, there was little change in racial, ethnic and gender representation among employees at the largest U.S. insurers between 2017 and 2021, according to a new report from the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services. Women and people of color are still encountering a glass ceiling at the executive level, and individuals with disabilities are severely underrepresented in the industry, the report found. The report was released by Congresswoman Maxine Waters, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Committee on Financial Services, and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, chair of the Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion. The goal of the report is to examine and resolve the systemic and economic exclusion of women, people of color, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and other members of our society who have to fight for a seat at the table. The Committee requested data from insurance companies that received direct premiums of $7 billion or more (27 insurance companies total) to report and comment on their diversity and inclusion data and practices from 2017-2021. The request included six categories of quantitative data: workforce diversity, executive leadership diversity, CEO diversity, board diversity, supplier diversity, and investment of assets. In addition, firms were asked qualitative questions related to internal diversity and inclusion policies and practices. Rep. Beatty called the survey results disappointing during her opening remarks at a hearing on Tuesday. She also noted in her opening remarks that none of the insurance company CEOs who had been invited to speak at the hearing had agreed to do so. Let the record show that I am going to invite all 27 CEOs to meet on Zoom with me, Beatty said. By the Numbers Women comprised 54.6% of the overall workforce at the largest U.S. insurers in 2021. Only two companies surveyed had fewer than 50% of their total workforce comprised of women in 2021: Northwestern Mutual (47.9%) and AXA XL (46.9%). Representation of women is concentrated at the lower level and drops significantly the higher you go up the corporate ladder77.2% of administrative support employees identified as women compared to 33.5% at the executive level and 28.5% at the board level. Although no companies achieved gender parity at the executive level, Nationwide Insurance and American Family Insurance came the closest, each with 41.5% of executives identifying as women. Chubb was the furthest from parity with 23.4% of executives identifying as women. The report found that employees of color had a similar problem. In 2021, 30.5% of all employees at the participating insurers were people of colorthis is compared with 42% at big banks, 40.6% at big investment firms and 42% in the general population, according to the report. However, only 16.2% of the employees at the executive level were people of color; about 7% were Asian, 4.6% were Black, and 3.1% were Hispanic or Latino. At the board level, only 22.3% identified as people of color. The percentage of people of color in the overall workforce varied significantly by company, ranging from a low of 10% at Erie Insurance and Auto-Owners Insurance Company to a high of 54.6% at Assurant. GEICO had the highest percentage of executives of color (31.3%), while Erie Insurance had the lowest percentage (0.0%). The CEOs at the companies surveyed were overwhelmingly white men (88.9%) in 2021. Two companies had white women CEOs (Progressive Insurance and Tokio Marine HHC), and one had an Asian man as its CEO (Fairfax Financial). No CEOs identified as LGBTQ+ or as living with a disability. Just 4% of employees at these insurance companies identified as having a disability in 2021, compared to almost 25% of U.S. adults who are living with a disability, the report noted. The average amount of money spent with diverse suppliers at surveyed insurance companies was 2.7% with minority-owned suppliers, 2.4% with women-owned suppliers, and 1.2% with minority- and women-owned suppliers as a percent of overall procurement spend. GEICO reported the lowest numbers, with 0.0% spend with minority-owned suppliers in 2021, while The Hartford reported 6.3% spend. Meanwhile, when it comes to women-owned suppliers, The Hartford and GEICO reported 0.2% spend, while Liberty Mutual Insurance reported 7.3% spend. The budget allocated to diversity and inclusion for insurance companies on average in 2021 was $5.3 million (0.24% of the surveyed companies average total budget), an increase from an average of $3.2 million (0.13%) in 2017. Beyond the Numbers However, it isnt only about the demographics. I think insurers understand that this is not about the number of diverse faces at the table but the experience of those individuals once theyre brought on board, said Leroy Nunery, president of Evolution Advisors LLC and founder and principal of PlusUltre LLC, who was a witness at the hearing. The industry seems to be shifting from an isolated focusjust on recruitment datato a more inclusive picture of worker experience and programs for retention. But theres also evidence of growing attention for leadership development, mentorship and retention programs, and increased interest in HBCU recruitment. Eloiza Domingo, chief diversity officer and VP of Human Resources at The Allstate Corporation, agreed. At Allstate, we use the term inclusive diversity and equity, or IDE, on purpose, Domingo said. More than 20 years ago, we turned inclusion into an adjective because diversity is really nothing without an inclusive environment in which to thriveOur multi-year IDE corporate strategy was built with many stakeholders and focuses on four pillars: business practices, people, culture and community. Nunery said that lack of diversity at the C-Suite level is a large part of the problem. If you dont have leadership that either represents or can speak to the concerns and issues of diverse communities, it is likely that management inside those companies wont be held accountable, he said. Nunery also said the industry needs to think outside the box to address the lack of diversity and the talent shortage in general. The way people end up getting hired into the insurance industry isnt from school. It isnt from an ad. It isnt from a recruiter. Its because of a personal connection or a friend. And that goes for white, Black or anybody else. The industry itself has a brand awareness issue. So, if you want to not only increase the amount of talent but alsothe amount of ownership, youve got to have sponsorship. You have to have somebody inside but also outside advocating for that cause. He noted that companies need to build awareness about the industry, to send individuals out to promote opportunities and even help the community understand insurance as a product. You dont have to have an insurance background or any type of designation, quite frankly, to succeed, he said. Next Steps Ann Wagner, R-Mo., cautioned that while she supports voluntary disclosures of DEI data, she has long opposed mandatory disclosures that create an apples-to-oranges comparison between companies with different missions, goals, locations and resources. She also noted that since each company self-determined their metrics, I dont think we can really use this data for straight comparison. But it is a starting point to look at what practices work for promoting diversity and what obstacles companies still face. The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies commented on the hearing, noting the P/C industrys progress in DEI. Todays hearing showed that property/casualty insurers are committed to diversity and inclusion and building a workforce that directly reflects their policyholders and the population of our great nation, Jimi Grande, senior vice president of federal and political affairs for NAMIC, said in a statement. As data provided by the Congressional Research Service at the hearing shows, insurers pay a higher wage than the overall economywide average and employ a higher percentage of women and African Americans than the general working population. Insurers are also looking forward, working with Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as Hispanic Serving Institutions to recruit the next generation of industry leaders. Recommendations from the Subcommittee: Insurance companies should regularly collect disaggregated data on their workforce, executive and board diversity, as well as conduct regular audits on pay and racial equity to better understand their current workforce and why employees of color and women are not moving up the pipeline. This data should be made publicly available. Insurance companies should partner with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), minority serving institutions (MSIs), and community colleges to build talent pipelines into these organizations. Insurance companies should create training academies that educate less-senior employees on job opportunities and match graduates with mentors and sponsors to support their career growth. Insurance companies should consider at least one diverse candidate for all executive positions and board positions when there are openings. Diverse candidates may include individuals with a disability, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and people of color. Insurance companies should consider their board membership criteria and selection committee construction to reduce bias in the interview, selection, and appointment processes. See the full report: Diversity and Inclusion: Holding Americas Largest Insurance Companies Accountable. On Sept. 20, the Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion also held a hearing to discuss the findings. Topics Carriers Legislation Google Cloud and The Travelers Companies said they are working together to create a cloud-based data ecosystem that will help Travelers underwriters more efficiently evaluate risks for large and middle market businesses The data ecosystem, built on Google Cloud, will securely integrate millions of structured and unstructured data points from multiple sources internal and external and leverage artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to give underwriters a clearer picture of a prospective accounts risk profile. This will accelerate the quoting process for agents and customers. Insurance companies are rich with proprietary data, but theres an abundance of new and developing third-party data thats becoming increasingly valuable to underwriters, said Henna Karna, managing director, global insurance, reinsurance & risk management industry solutions, Google Cloud. Our ultimate goal is to empower the insurance industry with cloud-based capabilities that connect those dots and provide a complete view of risk. Early pilot results from the Google Cloud and Travelers partnership have demonstrated that by leveraging Google Clouds data and analytics tools, the time to complete an underwriting file for a commercial insurance quote for a large or middle market business can be reduced from an industry standard of weeks to potentially just minutes, substantially shortening the time from submission to quote. We have made great strides in recent years to improve and simplify the underwriting experience for our customers, agents and employees, said Greg Toczydlowski, executive vice president and president of Business Insurance at Travelers. Google Clouds world-class data science capabilities will significantly enhance our efforts and provide us with an even more granular understanding of the risks were evaluating at a faster pace. Topics Commercial Lines Business Insurance Underwriting Climate change combined with a third consecutive La Nina is not a good thing, a scientist is warning. Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist, professor and dean of the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan, wrote this week in an opinion piece for The Hill that 2022 has so far been unusually disastrous, with extreme climate and weather wreaking havoc in Australia, Pakistan, China, Europe, the U.S., and Africa. One of the reasons for all the climate and weather mayhem is obviously climate change, he writes. Without climate change, this years climate extremes would have been less severe, and the extreme heatwaves less frequent. While climate change has supercharged extremes, a major pattern of climate variability behind these extremes is the tropical phenomenon La Nina, according to Overpeck. Based on current conditions and models, it appears the world is set for a rare third straight La Nina year that will probably last through the Northern Hemispheres winter, increasing the odds of continued heat waves and drought in numerous spots around the globe. This includes odds that favor more hot, dry weather in already parched California across the southern tier of the U.S. to Southeast, the professor asserts. In other words, the climate disasters that struck each of these places in 2022 could worsen into 2023, he writes. And, when it does rain, climate change increases the chances that the rainfall could be extremely intense. Aon Collab A first-of-its-kind database to tracking the worlds fossil fuel production, reserves and emissions launched this week. The launch coincides with climate talks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Global Registry of Fossil Fuels, which is available for public use, includes data from more than 50,000 oil, gas and coal fields in 89 countries, covering 75% of global reserves, production and emissions, Associated Press Science Writer Drew Costley reported in a recent article. Carbon Tracker, a nonprofit energy transition think tank, and Global Energy Monitor, developed the database. High-resolution local or national information that can be accessed includes coal, oil and gas reserves, as well as carbon dioxide emissions they would generate if burned. It is a first-ever full transparency, open source, available-to-all kind of tool, Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, said in a press briefing about the registry. And as you build it out, we from UNEP will be mining it for every bit we can find, so that we, too, can use it. American Family American Family Insurance announced this week it is the first U.S.-based insurer to sign The Climate Pledge. The company joins 375 other national and global companies in 24 countries and encompassing some 53 industries in a large-scale commitment to take climate action, according to an article on Insurance Journal. The Climate Pledge was co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism in 2019. It is a commitment to reach net-zero carbon by 2040, as well as meeting The Paris Agreement 10 years early. It was about two years ago that American Family committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing on-site renewable energy production and renewable energy purchased, and diverting waste from landfills, among other actions. Its 2020 move included joining We Are Still In, a joint declaration of support for climate action, signed by more than 3,900 CEOs, mayors, governors, college presidents, and others, in support of the goals of the Paris Climate Accord According to American Family, joining The Climate Pledge extends its commitment and action across the American Family Insurance group of companies nationally. As one of the nations largest insurers, we know that mitigating and preventing the impacts of increased weather volatility and natural catastrophes are essential to our business, Bill Westrate, CEO and president of the American Family Insurance group of companies, said in a statement. We are committed to achieving our sustainability goals not only because its good for the environment but because its good for our customers and our business. Zurich Zurich recently put out a blog, Adapting to change building resilience to extreme weather, noting that open-source data, climate-risk models can help society adapt to floods, drought and wildfires from global warming that are taking an increasing toll. The blog points to an important meeting in Egypt, which is host the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP27). With wildfires near the Chinese city of Chongqing, heatwaves across Europe, floods in Pakistan and tornadoes in the US, adaptation to extreme-weather events will be a priority issue at Novembers COP 27 climate meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh, the blog states. It notes that extreme-weather events last year cost the global economy $329 billion, so the insurance industry must play a defining role in climate adaptation, and must help to quantify the impact of climate risk accordingly. One way to make that happen is to an open-source database of standardized, publicly available hazard data through greater collaboration with policymakers towards. Information on physical risks everything from hazard intensity and frequency, risk-location exposure and the vulnerability of specific assets can contribute to a more accurate picture of risk, so that assets can continue to be insured. Yet, much of that valuable data today is either not readily available, unstandardized, or both, the blog states. It also calls for developing better climate-risk models. Past columns: Topics Climate Change The Board of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association selected its chief legal and legislative officer, David Durden, to be the associations next General Manager after an extensive months-long search process, effective October 1, 2022. TWIA Board chair Chandra Franklin Womack said, It is with great pride that I announce the Boards decision to promote David Durden to TWIA General Manager. David has distinguished himself over his ten years of service to TWIA, and he has demonstrated throughout the search process that he is the clear choice to lead TWIA. All Board members are excited about this decision, and we look forward to working with David in the years ahead. David Durden began working at TWIA in June 2012. Previously, he served as the Deputy Commissioner of Public Affairs from 2007 to 2012 at the Texas Department of Insurance, where he was responsible for coordinating all facets of public relations, communications, and the tracking of emerging issues. Durden began his tenure at the Texas Department of Insurance in 1985 and served in various capacities. During the 81st Texas Legislative Session, Durden served as Senior Insurance Policy Advisor to Speaker Joe Straus, advising Speaker Straus on all bills related to the business of insurance, including workers compensation, and assisting other Texas House of Representatives members with issues regarding insurance legislation. The Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) and Habitat for Humanity will hold a hurricane preparation session at Mandeville Community Center on September 26, 5:30 p.m. The session, Insurance Information on Preparing for Hurricane Season, will take policyholders through the components of a homeowners policy, how they work, and why they are critical to protecting homes. LDI will also explain the Policyholder Bill of Rights. Residents interested in attending can contact Jennifer Z. Bondio, 985-888-1214. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Louisiana Hurricane A school bus crashed into a store in South Carolina on Tuesday, hitting one student outside and sending seven people to the hospital, authorities said. The front of the school bus was inside the brick building in North Charleston up to its windshield and the rear emergency door of the bus was open, TV footage from the scene showed. The driver, four students on board the bus and two other students were sent to the hospital. All the injuries appeared to be minor, North Charleston Police spokesperson Harv Jacobs told media outlets. The bus was carrying eight elementary students to North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary School when it veered out of control while making a turn and slammed into the Neighbor Store around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, authorities said. The store, which was closed at the time, serves as a bus stop for high school students. One student waiting for the bus was hit and another was struck by a tree branch, Jacobs said. Officials initially said a third student outside the bus was injured, but said that report was in error. Police are investigating the crash. Photo: The bus after it slammed into the Neighbor Store in North Charleston. (Andrew Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP) Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics K-12 Education South Carolina Walmart and CVS Pharmacy have settled with the state of West Virginia for a combined total of $147 million in a lawsuit over the companies roles in contributing to the oversupply of prescription drugs that fueled the opioid epidemic in the countrys most impacted state, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced. Walmart and CVS were two lawsuits that were part of a larger trial that was pushed back to June of next year along with Kroger and Walgreens. Morrisey recently announced a settlement with Rite Aid for up to $30 million to resolve similar litigation. The lawsuits allege the pharmacies contributions to the oversupply of prescription opioids in the state have caused significant losses through their past and ongoing medical treatment costs, including for minors born addicted to opioids, rehabilitation costs, naloxone costs, medical examiner expenses, self-funded state insurance costs and other forms of losses to address opioid-related afflictions and loss of lives. It brings the total settlements by the state in opioid lawsuits to $875 million, including $296 million with manufacturers, $400 million with wholesalers and $177.5 million involving pharmacies. These settlements wont bring back the lives lost from the opioid epidemic, but these and other settlements will hopefully provide significant help to those affected the most by this crisis in our state, Morrisey said during a news conference. This development also avoided a costly and lengthy trial and at the end of the day, West Virginia will have the highest per capita settlement results in the nation fighting for our people. Walmart agreed to a settlement of just over $65 million and CVS for $82.5 million. Morrisey said the deal with CVS includes a provision that means West Virginia can still receive money from any future national settlements that arise. The money from all opioid settlements will be distributed throughout the state to abate the opioid crisis. In August, West Virginia cities and counties reached a $400 million tentative settlement with three major U.S. drug distributors: AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson. In April, Morrisey announced the state would receive $99 million in a settlement finalized with Johnson & Johnsons subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. Photo: West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey at the trial against opioid drug manufacturers, earlier this year. Three drug makers settled in August, and now CVS and Walmart have agreed to pay millions. (Kenny Kemp/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP, File) Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Virginia A group of workers compensation carriers has filed a formal challenge to the states hospital reimbursement plan, arguing that payment levels would be far out of line with what other states allow and what other insurers pay in Florida for inpatient services. The move will likely delay implementation of the long-debated fee schedule for at least another few months. The consortium of insurers includes Normandy Insurance Co., Zenith Insurance Co., Bridgefield Employers Insurance Co., Bridgefield Casualty Insurance Co., BusinessFirst Insurance Co. and RetailFirst Insurance Co. The challenge comes after almost three years of debate, court rulings and revisions to the Florida Division of Workers Compensation hospital inpatient Reimbursement Manual. The petition, signed by attorney Ralph Douglas, of the McConnaughhay Coonrod law firm, was filed Sept. 12 with the state Division of Administrative Hearings. A hearing has not been scheduled but is not expected before late December. The 23-page petition echoes arguments made at an August hearing before DWC. The insurers contend that, under the proposed plan, the maximum reimbursement allowance for inpatient services would be two to three times higher than the Southeastern U.S. average. The DWC continues to base reimbursement levels on hospital charges, but insurers have long said that they should be based instead on actual payments made by other payers. Because petitioners collectively, if not individually, receive hundreds of hospital bills each year and pay millions of dollars of hospital medical bills, the Hospital Reimbursement Manual has a material and substantial impact on petitioners, the petition reads. The proposed reimbursement manual is arbitrary and out of line with state law, which notes that MRAs must be reasonable, the insurers said. Insurance company advocates have said that while workers comp accounts for a fraction of the medical service in Florida, some hospitals are hoping to see the outsized revenue that results from inflated reimbursement levels. In a related and equally controversial matter, the DWC had scheduled two workshops for Sept. 29 to discuss rules regarding physician dispensing of medications. The workshops have been postponed due to the impending hurricane bearing down on that part of the state, the division announced Monday, Sept. 26. The proposed rule would allow doctors and physician assistants to dispense authorized medications to injured workers and insurers cannot deny payment. The DWC is essentially starting over on the rules, after insurance companies challenged a bulletin from the state Department of Financial Services in 2020 that essentially authorized dispensing without going through the statutorily required rulemaking and review process. Insurers have argued that millions of dollars annually are stake. They have said that physician dispensing is akin to self-dealing when doctors own the pharmacy providing the meds, and it allows higher charges and few safeguards on drug conflicts or overuse by patients. Some Florida employers may not be as concerned about medical costs, after years of lowered comp rates. Today, Sept. 23, the state Office of Insurance Regulation will hold a virtual hearing on a proposed 8.4% average rate reduction for the voluntary market 2023, the seventh straight annual decrease. The hearing begins at 9 a.m. Eastern time. Topics Carriers Florida A Utah family has reached a $3 million settlement with Salt Lake City in a lawsuit filed after officers shot a 13-year-old boy with autism, leaving him badly wounded after responding to his mothers 911 call for help when he had a breakdown. The September 2020 shooting drew widespread scrutiny and was one of several around the U.S. in recent years that have fueled questions how police respond to calls involving people with mental illness. The boy, Linden Cameron, now 15, survived but suffered life-changing injuries and emotional trauma that still haunt him and his family, said family attorney Nathan Morris in a statement Tuesday announcing the settlement. Camerons family accepted the settlement to avoid more emotional trauma that would have come over years spent waiting for the lawsuit to reach trial, Morris said. A separate probe by prosecutors to determine if criminal charges will be filed against the officer is ongoing and could have delayed the familys lawsuit even longer, he said. There are mixed emotions by the family, Morris said. It is a huge relief to be done with this case, but at the same time we would liked to take this case forward to shine light on some of the issues. After the shooting, Salt Lake City began providing training for police, fire and dispatch officers about how to best engage with people who have sensory needs like Cameron. That training will continue, said Salt Lake City spokesman Andrew Wittenberg. The settlement amount of $3 million, which will go to Camerons parents, Golda Barton and Michael Cameron, was disclosed in a copy of the settlement agreement provided by Wittenberg, which showed it was reached weeks earlier. While the settlement is not an admission of liability, the parties agree that L.C.s shooting was a tragedy, Wittenberg said in a statement. The settlement represents combined efforts to reach a compromise that resolves this case outside of formal litigation and provides L.C. with resources for long-term, lifetime care. The shooting occurred on Sept. 4, 2020, when the boys mother called 911 to request help from a a crisis intervention officer for her son, who has autism and sensory issues. Salt Lake City officers who responded were not specialists in crisis intervention. Police said at the time that they had some mental health training, but they ended up shooting the boy as he ran away because they believed he made threats involving a weapon. No weapon was found and the family has always insisted Linden Cameron was unarmed. This tragic shooting should not have happened, the family said in the statement. The shooting officer acted recklessly leading up to the moment of the shooting. . . They knew Linden was experiencing a mental health crisis and knew that he would run from officers; yet those officers chased him down and shot him. Morris said the money will be used for to provide care for Linden Cameron, who still has substantial physical injuries and ongoing mental health needs. He still has bullets lodged in his body and nerve problems with his feet and arms, he said. It is going to be a long road for him to fully recover, if he ever does, Morris said. Hes a strong kid, though. He is a wonderful kid we are proud of him. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Law Enforcement Irish businesses are struggling to battle economic headwinds as corporate insolvencies rose substantially during the first half of the year. The total number of corporate insolvencies forecasted was 378, according to statistics published by professional services firm Deloitte. This is a 36% increase from the same period in 2021. Rising inflation, higher interest rates and spiralling energy costs are likely to increase pressure on businesses over the coming months, said David Van Dessel, partner at Deloitte. Small businesses are increasingly trying to restructure due to cost pressures including inflation and energy, in addition to trying to recover from the impact of the pandemic. The recent news that the Revenue Commissioners are now issuing payment demands against businesses who are in default on current taxes, including businesses who availed of the warehoused debt facility during the pandemic, will place further distress on those businesses and may further accelerate the increase in insolvency activity, said Mr Van Dessel. Professional services firm Deloitte said it has seen a sharp increase in the uptake of the small company administrative rescue process (Scarp) in August. There were six Scarp appointments last month. The total number of Scarps this year is 10. In addition, consumers impacted by inflation and interest rate increases may also reduce their discretionary spending, further exacerbating downward economic pressures, he added. The increase in small business owners using the Scarp scheme was predicted earlier this year by another professional services firm PwC. Over the remainder of this year and into 2023, we expect that an increasing number of businesses will avail of the Scarp restructuring tool, as well as the under-utilised examinership process, as they seek to deal with legacy debts that they have little or no prospect of repaying, said PwC partner Ken Tyrrell in July. Deloitte said the services sector is projected to account for the highest proportion of corporate insolvencies by the end of Q3, with 195 insolvencies, representing 52% of total insolvencies recorded so far this year and up from 46% in 2021. Its back. And better than ever if you fancy yourself a farmer. Labelled agri porn by Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy, the Irish Farmer Calendar 2023 is now available and includes hunks of agriculture charm from Offaly, Mayo, Dublin, Wicklow and Kilkenny. This year, after Covid-19 impacted publication, the calendar has almost doubled the number of pictures with 23 images included this year from shoots dating back to as early as October 2019. A shot from the Irish Farmer Calendar 2023. The topless farmers are also accompanied by adorable animals including kittens, dogs, rabbits, a goat and even an alpaca. Not to mention an appearance from Mr Claus himself in this year's calendar. Now in its 13th year, the quirky head turner has been popular in the past and has even beaten One Direction, Justin Bieber and Daniel ODonnell in the calendar charts. The calendar has been dubbed Agri porn by presenter Ryan Tubridy. And its not just the Irish that love it, the calendar has received orders from the US, Australia, UK, Brazil, Hong Kong and South Africa, proving there is also an international appetite for handsome Irish farmers. In fact, the first order for this year's calendar came from Japan, followed swiftly by customers in Switzerland and Finland. The 2023 calendar was shot in four locations throughout the past two years, with Cornstown House in Ashbourne, Co Meath, being the primary location. Cornstown House in Ashbourne, Co Meath specialises in Alpaca Trekking. Creator of the calendar series, Ciara Ryan, says this year sees a mixture of shoots which took place as early as 2019 and as late as October 2021 with 23 images rather than the usual 12 images. So far, this has gone down a treat with fans and we see new orders coming in every day from all over the world. It is great to see the calendar has universal appeal. The 2023 Irish Farmer Calendar is available now for 12.99. A family who have been living in a shed in Co Tipperary since last May have been offered a home by the county council. Bernadette Webster, 58, said she "cried" when she and her son received the letter notifying them that a council house was available for them to live in. However, there have been criticisms over how Tipperary County Council handled the case, which was highlighted in the Irish Examiner last weekend. The family said that they lodged appeals "over the last six and a half months" without success. "It should have never come to this," said Ms Webster, pointing to how she feels the family needed to go public with their ordeal to achieve a solution. There have been calls from the National Women's Council of Ireland to "urgently" improve access to stable housing for anyone fleeing domestic abuse, as in the case of Ms Webster, who exited the council housing list after she left the home she shared with a violent partner. This led to a series of unstable arrangements, from shelters to hostels, until the family obtained a tenancy with a private landlord. However the family were evicted earlier this year following the lease's expiration. Ms Webster paid thanks to Anja Norman, a Swedish vet near Mullinahone in east Co Tipperary, who provided the shed for Ms Webster and her 35-year-old son. Anja Norman and Bernadette Webster. Picture: Brendan Gleeson A second family, who have a five-year-old child, have also sought refuge at the farm in a portable building until Kilkenny County Council can find them accommodation. "I'll never be able to thank Anja enough for what she's done for us," said Ms Webster. "She's one in a million. "I cried when we got the letter yesterday. It's a council property and it means no more landlords and no more Daft; we deleted it off the phone last night. My son said to me: 'We don't need this anymore, Ma.' " Ms Webster said she hoped others did not need to do what she did to find a home. "It shouldn't be that way at all," she said. "It should have never come to this." Tipperary Sinn Fein TD Martin Browne said more should have been done to provide accommodation. "It's been escalating for the last four years and it's now in the much smaller towns in rural Ireland," he said, with in excess of 3,500 people on the housing waiting list locally. It's crazy to think that in 2022 we have people living in sheds. I agree that the council should have been more proactive here, although in a way their hands are tied to what funding they're getting from central Government." Bernadett Webster at her temporary home. Picture: Brendan Gleeson He supported the NWCI's call for more secure accommodation for people fleeing domestic violence. If someone "leaves local authority housing because of violence", it can be "held against them" as they must wait 18 months to two years until they can apply for council housing again, he added. NWCI director Orla O'Connor said the implementation of the third national strategy on domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence needed to be fully funded. "Domestic abuse is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children in Ireland," she said. There is an urgent need to improve access to safe and stable housing and to ensure a range of housing options tailored for women fleeing domestic abuse." She added that there must be clear pathways into longer-term accommodation out of refuges. Tipperary County Council did not respond to a request for comment. It said last Friday that it was trying to find accommodation for the Websters. A mother has been charged with the murder of her children, Mikey and Thelma Dennany, in a car blaze in Co. Westmeath. Thelma, aged five, and her two-year-old brother Mikey were fatally injured when their vehicle went on fire at around 4 pm on September 9. Their mother, Lynn Egar, 48, appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens at a late special sitting of Mullingar District Court on Thursday evening. She did not address the proceedings and, following a five-minute hearing, was remanded in custody to appear again at Athlone District Court via video link on September 28. A passerby came across their car engulfed in flames at Lackan, a townland on a rural road linking the villages Multyfarnham and Coole. The mother-of-four and toddler Mikey were pulled out, and later emergency services found the remains of Thelma inside the car. Mikey was rushed by ambulance to the Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar, but he was pronounced dead there. Their mother, Lynn Egar, also suffered injuries but was airlifted to a Dublin hospital, where she remained for over a week and a half. Detectives based at Mullingar Garda station commenced an investigation and arrested her on Wednesday. The children's mother was detained under section four of the Criminal Justice Act, which allows gardai to hold an individual for questioning for 24 hours, after which they must be released or charged. A criminal investigation has been launched into a car fire which left two children dead and their mother seriously injured in Co Westmeath. Ms Egar lived at the family's home in Winetown, Rathowen, Co. Westmeath. Detective Sergeant David Donnelly told Judge Owens that he charged her with two counts of murder at 7.22 pm. "In reply to charge after caution she made no reply," he said, adding that she was handed a true copy of the charge sheets. She is accused of the murders of Thelma and Michael Dennany at Lackan, Multyfarnham, on September 9, contrary to common law. The district court does not have the jurisdiction to consider bail in murder cases, which only the High Court can consider. Gardai applied for a remand in custody to appear at Athlone District Court via video link next Wednesday. Ms Egar, dressed in a purple hooded zipped top, black trousers and navy shoes, leaned forward and bowed her head at the start of the hearing but then turned and faced the judge. However, she remained silent throughout the proceedings. Thelma, 5, and Mikey Dennany, 2, who died in a car fire in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath on September 9. Defence solicitor Damien Coffey told Judge Owens there was consent to his client appearing by video link at the next hearing. Legal aid was granted after the judge noted the solicitor had shown the investigation team a statement of Ms Egar's means. Judge Owens asked Mr Coffey if anything else was required on the remand warrant, but the solicitor replied, "nothing further arises," and he was granted permission to speak with his client after she was led out of the courtroom. She was remanded to the Dochas Centre, the women's unit of Mountjoy Prison in Dublin. The bodies of the two children were returned to the family after gardai completed the formal identification process. Hundreds of mourners turned out for the children's funeral service on September 15 at St Mel's Cathedral before they were laid to rest at Cullyfad Cemetery in Longford. China sees vigorous development of its manufacturing industry over past 10 years 09:42, September 22, 2022 By Li Hongxing ( People's Daily Electric vehicles are being assembled at the JAC-NIO Advanced Manufacturing Center in Hefei, east China's Anhui province, Aug. 28, 2022. (Photo by Xie Chen/People's Daily Online) China's value-added industrial output grew from 20.9 trillion yuan ($3.1 trillion) in 2012 to 37.3 trillion yuan in 2021, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3 percent. During the same period, manufacturing value-added output increased from 16.98 trillion yuan to 31.4 trillion yuan, accounting for nearly 30 percent of total global output. China has maintained the largest producer of over 40 percent of the world's 500 major industrial goods. These inspiring achievements mirror the steady growth of China's manufacturing sector in terms of both quantity and quality. The Chinese manufacturing sector, with a more complete industrial system and supply chain, has come to a new level regarding comprehensive strength, innovation capability and competitiveness. The manufacturing industry is the very foundation for building China and improving its strength and the lifeblood of the national economy. In recent years, China has made huge efforts to upgrade the manufacturing industry and build itself into a world manufacturing power. An exhibition hall of a mechanical parts industrial park in Sihong county, Suqian, east China's Jiangsu province opens to the public, Aug. 17, 2022. (Photo by Xu Rui/People's Daily Online) The country believes high-quality development of the manufacturing sector, in particular that of equipment manufacturing, plays a major role in China's drive toward high-quality development of the economy. It is working to enhance the quality and strength of the real economy, especially the manufacturing sector, and is building advanced manufacturing clusters with international competitiveness. Over the past 10 years, China's manufacturing industry has witnessed historic achievements and changes, which have laid a solid material foundation for the country's development. The industry continuously improved its comprehensive strength and market players also gained greater vitality. So far, China has nurtured over 400,000 industrial enterprises above their designated size, or those with main business revenue of 20 million yuan or above, as well as more than 40,000 specialized and sophisticated small- and medium-sized enterprises that produce new and unique products. The quality of the supply system for China's manufacturing industry has significantly improved. The country has ranked at the top of the world in terms of the production and sales of new energy vehicles, and as of 2021, the shipment volume of 5G smart phones in China hit 266 million units. Citizens experience industrial cloud at the Yangtze River Delta (Hangzhou) Manufacturing Digitalization Empowerment Center in Xiaoshan district, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, May 2022. (Photo by Long Wei/People's Daily Online) Besides, the country has accelerated the upgrading of production models in the manufacturing industry and made new progress in the industry's high-end, intelligent and green development. It made breakthroughs in airplane manufacturing, manned space programs, power equipment and high-end numerical-control machine tools. By the end of 2021, the digital control rate of key processes in industrial enterprises and the penetration rate of digital R&D and design tools reached 55.3 and 74.7 percent respectively. Innovation and key technologies remain the core competitiveness of the manufacturing sector. As of 2021, investment in the sector's R&D had reached 1.54 percent, up from 0.85 percent in 2012, and the figure stood at 10.3 percent among specialized and sophisticated enterprises that produce new and unique products. More than 570 Chinese industrial companies made their way onto the list of the global top 2,500 companies in terms of R&D investment. Photo taken on Sept. 6, 2022 shows a girder erection machine for high-speed railway construction developed by a heavy equipment manufacturer subordinate to China Railway 11 Bureau Group Corporation in Xiangyang, central China's Hubei province. (Photo by Xie Yong/People's Daily Online) China has constructed 23 national manufacturing innovation centers and those jointly built by the central and local governments, and offered support in the construction of 125 basic public service platforms for industrial technology. Innovation is now taken as a priority in developing the manufacturing industry, to make the sector healthier and more robust. International Union of Railways recently published two international standards for high-speed railway infrastructure design and power supply, which were mainly drafted and developed by China. It is expected that China will make its manufacturing industry even stronger as it maintains fast growth, improves innovation capability, as well as speeds digitalization and green transition. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) University College Cork (UCC) is standing over its decision to require first-year nursing students to have access to an iPad as necessary for the course. It comes as incoming nursing students were strongly advised by their students union to hold off purchasing the iPads required by the college after concerns were raised over the new course requirement. The UCC school of nursing is currently requiring all first-year students to have access to their own personal Apple device, either an iPad or an iPad mini, iOS 12 or higher, and an Apple pen. This is thought to be the first higher-education course to tell students they are required to have access to a specific, branded piece of tech prior to beginning their course. A 64GB iPad mini and Apple pen currently cost more than 700 if purchased directly from Apple. It is understood that the UCC school of nursing requires the device as it plans to use an assessment tool for students clinical placements which is not available yet on Android. Students' Union advice In a statement, the UCC students union said it was strongly advising all first-year nursing students to hold off on purchasing an iPad for the academic year until several issues it flagged with the school are ironed out. We will continue to engage with the school [of nursing] and university on this matter over the coming week before first years commence on September 26. A spokesman for UCC said the university is acutely aware of the challenges currently faced by students. The School of Nursing and Midwifery is committed to making provision to support students who do not have the means to purchase this device themselves. "Any student who qualifies for UCCs Laptop Loan scheme will be supplied with the required device for their programme on a long-term loan. Students should contact the School of Nursing and Midwifery for support. Students will not be required to make any other hardware purchases for the duration of their course, the spokesperson added. Device availability Dr Ann Marcus-Quinn, an expert in technical communications and lecturer at the University of Limerick, said this is the first time she has heard of a third-level course stipulating the mandatory purchase of a specific brand to its students. The use of iPads and tablets in second-level schools has grown exponentially since 2010 when iPads were first released. Junior Cycle reform has seen ICT fully embedded in the curriculum, and tasks that require technology have been put into the heart and soul of it", she said. However, schools haven't been given devices for all students, so many students are asked to provide their own. Technology is not necessarily a bad thing, but just because it is available doesnt mean it needs to be front and centre. Because one school does it, it starts to creep and thats the real issue," said Dr Marcus-Quinn. In a post-covid world, many schools now require students to have access to a personal digital device, even if this isnt listed in the school policy, she added. I can see that filtering into both primary school and third level." Protests have erupted across Iran in recent days after a 22-year-old woman died while being held by the morality police for violating the countrys strictly enforced Islamic dress code. The death of Mahsa Amini, who had been picked up for her allegedly loose headscarf, or hijab, has triggered daring displays of defiance, in the face of beatings and possible arrest. Many Iranians, particularly the young, have come to see Aminis death as part of the Islamic Republics heavy-handed policing of dissent and the morality polices increasingly violent treatment of young women. Heres a look at what sparked the protests and where they might lead. What's happening in Iran? In street protests, some women tore off their mandatory headscarves, demonstratively twirling them in the air. Videos online showed two women throwing their hijabs into a bonfire. Another woman is seen cutting off her hair in a show of protest. At some of the demonstrations, protesters clashed with police and thick clouds of tear gas were seen rising in the capital, Tehran. Protesters were also chased and beaten with clubs by the motorcycle-riding Basij. The Basij, volunteers in Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, have violently suppressed protests in the past, including over water rights and the countrys cratering economy. Yet some demonstrators still chant death to the dictator, targeting both Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Irans theocracy, despite the threat of arrest, imprisonment and even the possibility of a death sentence. So far, at least six protestors have been killed. What caused the protests? Irans morality police arrested Amini on September 13 in Tehran, where she was visiting from her hometown in the countrys western Kurdish region. She collapsed at a police station and died three days later. Police detained her over wearing her hijab too loosely. Iran requires women to wear the headscarf in a way that completely covers their hair when in public. Only Afghanistan under Taliban rule now actively enforces a similar law. Ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia has dialed back its enforcement over recent years. The police deny Amini was mistreated and say she died of a heart attack. President Ebrahim Raisi has promised an investigation. Aminis family says she had no history of heart trouble and that they were prevented from seeing her body before she was buried. The demonstrations erupted after her funeral in the Kurdish city of Saqez on Saturday, and quickly spread to other parts of the country, including Tehran. How are women treated in Iran? Iranian women have full access to education, work outside the home and hold public office. But they are required to dress modestly in public, which includes wearing the hijab as well as long, loose-fitting robes. Unmarried men and women are barred from mingling. People run away from anti-riot police during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini in downtown Tehran, Iran. Picture: AP Photo The rules, which date back to the days after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, are enforced by the morality police. The force, officially known as the Guidance Patrol, is stationed across public areas. It is made up of men as well as women. Enforcement was eased under former president Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate who at one point accused the morality police of being overly aggressive. In 2017, the head of the force said it would no longer arrest women for violating the dress code. But under Raisi, a hard-liner elected last year, agents of the morality police appear to have been unleashed. The UN human rights office says young women have been slapped in the face, beaten with batons and shoved into police vehicles in recent months. How has Iran responded to the protests? Iranian leaders have vowed to investigate the circumstances of Aminis death while accusing unnamed foreign countries and exiled opposition groups of seizing on it as a pretext to foment unrest. Thats been a common pattern during protests in recent years. Irans ruling clerics view the United States as a threat to the Islamic Republic and believe the adoption of Western customs undermines society. Khamenei himself has seized on so-called colour protests in Europe and elsewhere as foreign interventions and not as people demonstrating for more rights. Tensions have been especially high since Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and imposed crippling sanctions. The Biden administration has been working with European allies for the last two years to revive the accord. The negotiations appear deadlocked, as nonproliferation experts warn Iran has enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear bomb if it chooses to build one. The Islamic Republic insists its program is peaceful. The governor of Tehran said that authorities arrested three foreign nationals at protests in the capital, without elaborating. Iranian security forces have arrested at least 25 people, and the governor of the Kurdistan province says three people have been killed by armed groups in unrest linked to the protests, without elaborating. The figure of those killed is now at least six. Activists and human rights groups have blamed Iranian security forces for killing protesters in other demonstrations, like those over gasoline prices in 2019. Could the protests bring down the government? Irans ruling clerics have weathered several waves of protests going back decades, eventually quashing them with brute force. The most serious challenge to the clerics rule was the Green Movement that emerged after the countrys disputed presidential election in 2009 and called for far-reaching reforms; millions of Iranians took to the streets. Authorities responded with a brutal crackdown, with the Revolutionary Guard and the Basij militia opening fire on protesters and launching waves of arrests. Opposition leaders were placed under house arrest. Among those killed was Neda Agha Soltan, a 27-year-old woman who became an icon of the protest movement after she was shot and bled to death in a video seen by millions on social media. Interview Beauty Contestant Held in Thailand After Criticizing Myanmar Junta Miss Grand International Myanmar 2020 Han Lay Miss Grand International Myanmar 2020 Han Lay was detained at Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport on Wednesday. On March 27 last year, after the February coup, she appealed to the media in Thailand, where she had been competing in a beauty pageant, for international help to rescue Myanmar from the regime. Since then she has been living in Thailand and speaking out against the regime. On September 18 she left for Vietnam for a visa renewal and was detained at the Thai airport on her return. Han Lay spoke to The Irrawaddy about her arrest. How were you stopped at the Thai airport? I had been in Thailand for nearly two years and I overstayed my tourist visa. Thai immigration told me that it was easier to renew my visa if I left Thailand for a while and re-entered. I went to Vietnam without any trouble but when I arrived back at the Thai airport I was told my passport was on an Interpol list and was registered as missing. I heard that Myanmar also alerted Vietnam that my passport was missing and that I am on the Interpol list as a wanted criminal. I am still at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. I told the [Thai authorities] that I am not flying back to Vietnam. They cant force me. I dont know what they will do. What did Thai authorities say? They want me to return to Vietnam. But my passport is registered as missing and I will be sent back to Myanmar. I cannot go to Vietnam. I insisted on staying at the airport for now as I have contacted the [United Nations refugee agency] UNHCR. It contacted Thai immigration and reported the case to the Thai government. How are you being treated at the airport? I was taken to the airport detention center. Now they know my identity I am allowed to stay freely. But I cant go anywhere. They seized my passport and tail me. Were detained because the regime named you a criminal? Myanmars police reported me [to the Thai authorities] and put me on the Interpol list. I have been in Thailand for nearly 18 months and have been allowed to renew my visa regularly. What charge has the regime filed against you? It charged me with high treason under Article 121 [of the Penal Code] and stuck a search warrant to my house. What are your plans? I hope the UNCHR can help as it seems to be the only agency that protects refugees from hostile states, no matter where I go, despite the Interpol list. I committed no crime. Did you expect this after speaking up? I am angry about the Interpol list. I dont like human rights violations and so I condemned them. I thought they would issue an arrest warrant in Myanmar at the most. I thought I could go to other countries even if I cant go back to Myanmar. I am not going back to Myanmar. I will be in danger. I will wait for help from the UNHCR. Maybe I can stay in Thailand or another country. How was your life in Thailand? Miss Grand International C [the pageant organizer] provided my accommodation and food since the contest. They gave me a job at their office around two months ago to help manage pageant contestants. They have also contacted the Thai government to help me. How will detention affect your beliefs? I have never regretted my comments. My beliefs have become stronger. Burma Bangladesh Army Chief Says Ready to Respond if Cross-Border Shelling From Myanmar Continues Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff General Shafiuddin Ahmed salutes while inspecting a guard of honor prior to a meeting with India's Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane (not pictured) in New Delhi on Sept. 7, 2021. / AFP DHAKABangladesh Army chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed said on Wednesday his personnel are ready to respond if the Myanmar military does not stop firing across the border in pursuit of Arakan Army (AA) fighters. He said he had sent his Myanmar counterpart a strong message complaining of junta forces shelling, shooting and jet and drone flights after a Rohingya person was killed and a number of others were injured by shelling in the hilly Bandarban area. We are ready to respond if it is needed. Thats for sure. I am in contact with all my stakeholders he told the Dhaka Cantonment program. Following his comments, however, shooting and shelling along the border intensified on Thursday morning. The Bangladesh army chief said he had established communication with his Myanmar military counterpart with the consent of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the countrys Defense Ministry, and sent a strong message. Myanmar military regime troops and the AA, a local ethnic armed group, have been warring near the Bangladesh border in northern Rakhine State. Bangladesh has filed complaints with the regime for conducting fighter jet and drone flights over its territory, and for using mortars and machine guns to fire across the border, since August. In the latest attack on Sept. 16, at least three mortar shells were fired into Bangladesh from Myanmar between 8:15 p.m. and 9 p.m., killing a 17-year-old boy, Mohammad Ikbal, and injuring six others, who were hospitalized. Dhaka recently deployed both the Border Guard Bangladesh and Coast Guard along its land and water boundaries with Myanmar. Attending a civil-military gathering, Gen. Shafiuddin said the Myanmar army chief replied to him in writing, through the defense attache, that the Myanmar military was not responsible for the incidents, and that a rebel group was to blame. We are in close touch and we do not expect further deterioration of the situation. It will be peacefully solved, he told the gathering, adding, Should it be aggravating further, no worry, we are ready to respond to the situation. Myanmars Foreign Ministry said on Sept. 19 that it informed the Bangladeshi ambassador that the shells that landed on the Bangladeshi side were fired during attacks on border security posts by the AA and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), an insurgent group. It reiterated its call for Bangladesh to investigate AA and ARSA bases inside Bangladesh. Bangladesh Home Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday held a high-level meeting with security and law enforcement agencies at his secretariat office to discuss the situation on the Myanmar border. Following the closed-door meeting, the minister said the army and other forces were ready to defend the country. We have seen a number of provocations. We think Bangladesh has no role as long as there is an internal conflict where [the] Arakan Army is fighting with [the Myanmar armed forces]. In reply to a question in New York, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, who is accompanying the prime minister during the ongoing United Nations General Assembly, said the conflict was between two groups inside Myanmar. Two groups are fighting in therethey [the Myanmar junta] told us they did not [deliberately target anyone]. One or two [shells] landed [inside Bangladesh] by mistake. We summoned them and they assured us that they would be careful, the minister said. The minister added that the border had been sealed and no one would be allowed to cross it. Burma Hundreds of Indians Reportedly Trafficked to Myanmar by Cybercrime Operations The Chinese casino city of Shwe Kokko is under construction in Myawaddy Township, Karen State in 2019. / The Irrawaddy Over 300 Indians have been forced to work for cybercriminal operations after being trafficked to Myawaddy in Karen State, according to a report in the Times of India (TOI). After being lured with false promises of legitimate jobs, and then taken captive by trafficking gangs, victims are forced to work for cyber-scam operations for more than 15 hours a day, the news outlet reported, citing an SOS video sent by one of the Indian victims. Myawaddy, on the Thai border, is under the control of the Myanmar military and its affiliated Karen State Border Guard Force (BGF). The area has become a people-trafficking hub after Chinese businessmen flocked there to set up gambling ventures including casinos, along with cybercrime activities, at a US$15-billion new city project opened in Shwe Kokko near Myawaddy in 2017. The project is a joint venture between the BGF and a Hong Kong-registered company, Yatai International Holding Group (IHG). Since then, many Myanmar people along with citizens of Thailand, China, Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos have reportedly been trafficked to work in illegal businesses there, while being held captive. The TOI reported that some of those who trafficked Indians to Myawaddy are Malaysian-Chinese. The victims were beaten and attacked with tasers when they refused to perform illegal tasks, the media reported. A 60-year-old fisherman from Karaikalmedu in southern India appealed on Monday to local authorities to rescue his son, who is among the Indian captives in Myawaddy. The victim, who was previously working as a data entry operator in Dubai, was trafficked and forced to work at a cybercrime center in Myawaddy after his manager promised him work at IT companies in Thailand, the TOI said, quoting family members. Leaders of Indian political parties have urged the Indian central government and local governments in the captives home towns to rescue them from Myanmar. A youth from Yangon who escaped from a cyber racket in Myawaddy told The Irrawaddy last year they were forced to make money for the cyber racket owner by deceiving people from other countries using online and social media tools or posing as employees of microfinance companies. People from Thailand, China, Brazil, the UK and India were targeted by the scams, he said. Some women trafficking victims were forced to engage in paid sex chat with the targets, according to those who escaped from the centers. They said victims were allowed to leave only when they had compensated their employers a certain amount of money by working it off. In August, controversial Chinse businessman She Zhijiang, the chairman of IHG, was arrested by Thai police in Bangkok as he was the subject of an international arrest warrant for allegedly running illegal online casinos. The 40-year-old had been on the run from Chinese authorities since 2012. He has had controversial mega projects and gaming ventures in Cambodia and at Shwe Kokko, as well as a lottery venture in the Philippines. The Shwe Kokko new city project was halted and investigated by the National League for Democracy (NLD) government in 2019 due to a lack of transparency, land confiscations, confusion over the scale of construction and the growing influx of Chinese money as well as suspected illicit activities including casino businesses. However, Yatai IHGs management continued its gambling operations in the new city, which is currently only partially finished. Burma Jailed Popular Mandalay Mayor Faces Fresh Corruption Charges Mandalay Mayor Dr. Ye Lwin. Myanmars regime filed a fresh corruption charge against ousted Mandalays municipal minister and mayor Dr. Ye Lwin less than a month before he completes his prison term, according to legal sources. The 71-year-old was detained following the coup in February last year. In December, he was sentenced by a junta court to two years in jail under Article 505(b) of the Penal Code for inciting civil servants to join the civil disobedience movement. A lawyer said: I heard a corruption case has been filed against Dr. Ye Lwin. The case has not yet been brought to court. Normally corruption cases are heard at the regional high court. We dont know why he was charged with corruption. Aungmyaythazan police declined to comment. Dr. Ye Lwin was briefly detained following the coup and then resigned as mayor on February 5, 2021. On February 8 his Facebook profile picture showed an anti-regime three-finger salute and the slogan Together with the people. He was detained and charged under 505(b) at Aungmyaythazan Township court 10 days later. One of his lawyers said: As the court ruled that his pre-trial detention would be deducted from his sentence, he was due to be released next month. But now he faces a corruption charge. In February he was taken from Obo Prison to hospital with gastrointestinal problems. A Mandalay-based poet said: When residents talk about the municipal authorities, Dr. Ye Lwin is always mentioned. Mandalay became a smart city during his five years as mayor. He listened to us and worked to develop the city. History will remember this injustice. The ophthalmologist is a respected figure in Mandalay. After the National League for Democracys 2015 general election victory, he was nominated by Mandalay Region chief minister Dr. Zaw Myint Maung as the mayor and municipal minister for Myanmars second city. He enjoys huge popularity among residents as the architect of Mandalays transformation into a smart city. Under Dr. Ye Lwins leadership, Mandalay was ranked fifth in 2018 by CIO-Asia among the top 10 Southeast Asian cities in the process of becoming smart cities, based on data from the ASEAN Post, Economist Intelligence Unit, the networks own project profiles and Govlnsider. Mandalay also won the Smart City 2019 award from the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization, a federation of information and communications technology industry associations in Asia and Oceania. Burma Myanmar People Fear the World Has Forgotten Them: UN Rapporteur Myanmar anti-regime protesters call for UN and US intervention against the regime in front of the US Embassy in Yangon in February 2021. / The Irrawaddy The UNs special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar has warned the world that the people of Myanmar are deeply disappointed by the response of the international community to their countrys crisis sparked by the military coup last year. Thomas Andrews said at a UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva on Wednesday that conditions in military-ruled Myanmar have gone from bad to worse to horrific for untold numbers of innocent people since the military staged a coup last year. With each report I have warned that unless UN member states change course in the way they collectively respond to this crisis, the people of Myanmar will suffer even further, he said. Myanmar has been socially and politically devastated by the military takeover. The regime has faced popular armed resistance across Myanmar since last year and is struggling to control the country. In response, it has resorted to artillery and air strikes to crush the resistance. As a result, Andrews said, 1.3 million people have been displaced; 28,000 homes destroyed; villages burned to the ground; and children killed. At the same time, there are 130,000 Rohingya in de facto internment camps while others suffer deprivation and discrimination rooted in their lack of citizenship. Despite the scale of its atrocities, the junta has gone unpunished by the international community, including the UN. The US and other Western democracies have imposed some targeted sanctions on the regime leadership but they have been largely ineffective as some countries, including regional neighbors, continue to engage with the junta. At the same time, due to resistance from the regimes allies Russia and China, the UN Security Council has yet to pass any resolutions against the regime, failing to deter the junta from committing atrocities against its own people, including the killing of more than 2,000 people so far for anti-regime activism. This has left many people in Myanmar critical of the international community for its lack of willingness to help them end the military dictatorship by providing practical action, rather than simply moral support. Andrews highlighted this point at the meeting, saying the people of Myanmar are deeply disappointed by the response of the international community to the crisis, which has been limited to expressions of support, without any practical action to back them up. They are frustrated and angered by member states that are working to prop up this illegal and brutal military junta with funding, trade, weapons, and a veneer of legitimacy, he said. Many in Myanmar have come to the conclusion that the world has forgotten them, or doesnt care, he added. Andrews suggested UN members rethink existing policies that arent working, while setting a new course of action to stand with and for those who are fighting for their lives, their children, their future. His appeal came as the UN General Assembly is in progress in New York. In his remarks to the assembly on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden barely mentioned Myanmar. He referred to the country briefly near the end of his 29-minute speech, pointing out that pro-democracy activists and ethnic minorities in Myanmar were being horribly abused by the military regime. A few days prior to Bidens speech, the regime launched air strikes and a ground assault against a school in Myanmar, killing 11 schoolchildren, some as young as 7. The UN secretary general said he strongly condemned the attacks. On Wednesday, US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet tweeted that he met with international partners on the sidelines of the UNGA to discuss the worsening crisis in Myanmar, the need to end the violence, and our efforts to support the people of Burma in their aspirations for peace and democracy. On the same day, he met with representatives of Myanmars civilian National Unity Government (NUG) and its parliamentary body. Burma Myanmar Regime Torturing Political Prisoners Held in Mandalay Jail Myingyan Prison seen on Google Map. Prison authorities at Myingyan Prison in Mandalays Myingyan Township are torturing political prisoners, said prison sources. Most of those being tortured are inmates moved from Sagaing Regions Monywa Prison in April, according to prison staff. Once political prisoners from Monywa arrived at Myingyan Prison, they were brutally beaten at the main entrance as prison authorities wanted to give them a first impression of what life inside Myingyan Prison is like. By doing that, they wanted to instill a sense of powerlessness in them, said a prison source. Since April, political prisoners have been subjected to both physical and psychological torture, said prison sources. They are forced to stand in a line as prison staff beat and kick their faces and bodies one after another. They are also forced to squat and listen to prison staff raving about the Myanmar military, shouting obscenities and cursing the resistance movement. On Monday, Ko Zin Min Htet, a former head of the Monywa Technological University Students Union, was beaten until he passed out, a spokesperson for the Monywa Strike Committee told The Irrawaddy. We have heard about these cases from prison staff who are watermelons [a term referring to junta soldiers and police who are secret supporters of the pro-democracy movement], said the spokesperson. While the jail staff who carry out the torture are usually acting on orders from prison authorities, at least three senior prison officials, including associate warden Win Kyaing, are personally involved in the torture, prison sources revealed. Former political prisoner U Tun Kyi said: They are licensed to beat political prisoners. Prison officials always try to find faults with everything prisoners do. We have to sit, conform and bathe according to their strict instructions. They treat humans worse than animals. They impose tough restrictions on your daily life, which finally inflict a mental breakdown. In Myingyan Prisons womens ward, female political prisoners who have fallen sick have been denied medical treatment. They have been forced to give monthly bribes of 25,000 kyats (US$12) to prison officer Daw Myint Myint Zaw to be spared from forced labor. Strike committees have urged international organizations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to visit prisons across Myanmar under the International Humanitarian Law. However, the military regime has rejected the ICRCs request to resume its prison visits and other humanitarian activities and to allow family visits to political prisoners. Over 100 political prisoners were transferred from Monywa Prison to Mandalays Myingyan and Obo jails. Among them were student union leaders on the Monywa Strike Committee, students and anti-coup protesters. Other political prisoners were moved from Monywa to Myingyan Prison in August. They include the deposed Sagaing Region Chief Minister Dr. Zaw Myint Naing. 12,444 people have been detained by the junta since last years coup as of September 20, with 1,477 of them receiving prison sentences, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Guest Column Myanmar Coup Leaders Turbulent Affair With Shan Warlord Yawd Serk RCSS leader Yawd Serk (left) and regime leader Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw in August 2022. / cincds Peace talks between the Myanmar juntas governing body, the State Administration Council (SAC), and various ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) seem oxymoronic in light of the bitter conflict between the multi-colored resistance and the increasingly embattled Myanmar military that is convulsing the country. But for many of the small armed groups who are signatories of the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), choosing to continue formal discussions with the junta is a preferred approach over the perils of open resistance, even though few of the NCA signatories have much capacity to actually wage war. The standard photo ops of the SAC talks reach a surreal peak when they include Chairman Yawd Serk, the longtime leader of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), meeting with coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. The handshakes, broad smiles, affected amity, all avert attention to what is a mutual feeling of visceral antipathy by two strongmen who would much prefer to kill each other, but need to at least to appear to be in a deal-making mood as they calculate in twisted symbiosis their own survival. Its been a long and tempestuous relationship, and since the February 2021 coup it has entered new and peculiar territory: not least as the RCSS is by far the largest NCA signatory to continue peace talks, with an estimated several thousand soldiers in its order of battle and operational territory in eastern, southern, and until recently, northern Shan State. Yawd Serk first came to prominence as one of the better Shan military commanders of the Mong Tai Army (MTA), especially during fighting in 1994 when the MTA was being outmaneuvered by the Myanmar military and the recently formed United Wa State Army (UWSA) for control of territory along the Myanmar-Thailand border. The MTAs leader General Khun Sa, a flamboyant narcotics entrepreneur who also championed Shan political rights [he declared independence for Shan State in late 1993], faced diminishing returns from the heroin trade and the UWSAs growing military strength, as well as the market shift to a new and lucrative narcotic: methamphetamines. Khun Sas bloodless surrender in January 1996 rocked the conflict world in Myanmar. Several thousand of his troops handed over a trove of weapons. The Myanmar military then went on a two-year rampage through central Shan State, forcibly relocating over 300,000 civilians and killing scores in a series of massacres. Along with several other commanders, Yawd Serk refused to surrender. With a small number of men and in coordination with other Shan armed groups and leaders, he initially reformed as the Shan United Revolutionary Army (SURA), the former name of the MTA. As SURA slowly regrouped and recruited, it became the Shan State Army-South, to distinguish itself from the real Shan State Army (SSA) formed in 1964 [which was thus classified as SSA-North or the Shan State Progressive Party] and a pre-1996 MTA surrender Shan splinter group in Hsipaw Township called the Shan State National Army and referred to as SSA-Central. The RCSS was established in May 2000 as a political front for the SSA-South. The propaganda of the former military regime, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), vilified the SSA-S as simply SURA, stoked by silent support from Yodaya, a derogatory term for Thailand, including allegations of substantial military aid. A series of major clashes in 2001 and 2002 along multiple points of the Thailand-Myanmar border included Myanmar military troops and UWSA soldiers. The SSA-S established five major base areas, and fought hard to protect them and an estimated 5,000 internally displaced persons in adjacent communities. 20 years later there are an estimated 7,000 IDPs in 6 camps. During this period, Yawd Serk became the principle nemesis of the Myanmar military. In one of the classic SPDC-era propaganda books from 2002, Will Tell All That Is True, Barring Noneand Special Articles, then Colonel Yawd Serk was derided as Ywet Sit: Yodaya was able to adopt Ywet Sit as a new drug lordYwet Sit is producing a large amount of heroin and stimulant tablets. Allegations of the SSA-Souths involvement in the narcotics trade persisted, and the SPDC media splashed photos of Ywet Sit with a Shan bodyguard called Sai Tun, who had been arrested in Mae Hong Son with 82 kilos of heroin. The military, backed by the UWSA, attempted to overrun the SSA-Souths Loi Tai Leng headquarters in a series of assaults in April and May 2005, but were driven back after heavy fighting. Widely seen, in the several years of its inception, as the most aggressive new incarnation of long-standing insurgencies, and the heir to legitimate Shan nationalism, Yawd Serk and the RCSS nevertheless fell into the past patterns of the MTA and other armed groups in Shan State: avoiding major armed conflict and brokering its strength to maintain territory and access to markets and revenue streams, and rejecting the SPDCs 2009 offer to transform into a Border Guard Force (BGF). The onset of the post-2010 transition provided Yawd Serk with an opportunity to enter the legal fold without surrendering any troops or territory. State and Union ceasefires were signed in late 2011 and early 2012. Talks continued, although the RCSS was perceived as a free-rider during the next three years negotiations for the NCA and the creation of structures and procedures: Yawd Serk wasnt perceived as a prominent ethnic leader for peace. Sporadic fighting continued in RCSS operational areas. High level interaction with localized instability was the RCSS-Myanmar military reality: the very definition of a negative peace. Very soon after the signing of the NCA in October 2015, RCSS troops were moving north in strength, with obvious connivance, or active assistance, but clearly a greenlight, from the Myanmar military. According to the Palaung State Liberation Front, the political wing of the Ta-ang National Liberation Army, the RCSS/SSA with a force of over 500 troops and by acquiring aid from the Myanmar government army, has been launching an expansion drive successfullyin Mogok, Kyaukme and NamhsanKutkai and Namkham (and) Mantong and Momeik Townships. A feature of the northern expansion was a form of Shanization of the RCSS political and social project, targeting Ta-ang politicians, teachers, monks and community leaders and insisting that the Shan language be taught over the Ta-ang language. Intercommunal tensions simmered across multiple communities. Much of this history since 2015 has been covered by various analysts, notably an excellent commentary by Khun Say Lone for Transnational Institute in May this year, and in a lengthy report by the Institute for Development and Security Policy in 2018. But in short, the post-NCA conflict dynamic was one of routine fighting on the ground between the RCSS and the military, and the RCSS against pretty much every other EAO in Shan State, and high level peace talks oscillating from optimism to acrimony, but failing to have much measurable progress to show for it. It was the diverse communities of northern Shan State who suffered from multiple taxation, forced recruitment, arbitrary killings, forced labor and abductions from EAOs, and systematic abuses by the Myanmar military, with civilians displaced by fighting multiple times in several townships. The NCA perversely condemned the north to increased conflict. The military also obstructed meetings of the Committee for Shan State Unity, an umbrella organization of Shan armed groups, political parties and civil society, both in January 2017 in Yangon and July 2017 in Chiang Mai. By the third anniversary of the NCA, Min Aung Hlaing was speaking more freely on how he genuinely perceived Yawd Serk, and his EAO lineage. Expanding political power, armory, forces and territory under the cover of NCA will only have a negative impact on already stable regions and ethnic areas, so there is a need to avoid this. Regarding RCSS (SSA), MTA led by U Khun Sa surrendered to the government which was formed under the pretext of politics and security and entered the legal fold on 5 January, 1996, and it split and went underground at the end of January. It was clashing with other EAOs while building up its political base, weaponry, size and enormously expanding its territory [in northern Shan State] after signing the NCA. The NCA shouldnt be misappropriated. If there is misappropriation, the [military], which is responsible to protect the lives and property of ethnic people, will not just stand by and do nothing. Min Aung Hlaings speech also claimed that the Myanmar military wanted to completely finalize the peace process by 2020. Min Aung Hlaing was essentially saying that the RCSS emerged from a drug bandit past and was seeking to expand its territorial operability into the north, to which the military would limit those ambitions, pursuing the same undulating deal-making and the pitting of groups against each other that has characterized Shan conflict and narcotic policies since the 1960s. The entire process effectively stalled through a combination of National League for Democracy (NLD) indifference and military obstruction, and the Karen National Union and RCSS suspended their involvement. That Min Aung Hlaing announced a unilateral nationwide Ceasefire for Perpetual Peace in December 2018 is clear evidence of committing to the NCA whilst also undermining it. The relationship between Min Aung Hlaing and Yawd Serk deteriorated from there. A series of one-off incidents, persistent clashes and tensions, a war of words and a breakdown in the Joint Monitoring Committee bedeviled the relationship. The militarys media mouthpiece, the Myawady Daily, shrieked in protest when Shan soldiers took possession of [allegedly] sensitive communications devices from army officers stopped at an RCSS checkpoint near Mong Pyin in February 2019, and then reported that the equipment had been returned the following day. Myanmars defence attache at the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok implored the Thai authorities to stop a planned meeting of the EAOs in Chiang Mai in June. Attempting to travel by car to Naypyitaw from Loi Tai Leng for the fourth anniversary of the signing of the NCA in October 2019, Yawd Serk and his party were blocked by the Myanmar militarys Central Eastern Command. In early 2020, fighting between the RCSS and the Myanmar military broke out in Mong Khaing, some of the heaviest battles in years. During COVID-19 there was optimism that the pandemic would foster better relations between the military and EAOs, but the military destroyed RCSS screening checkpoints, while also handing out aid in public displays of assistance that belied the tensions between the two sides. The RCSS initially condemned the February 2021 coup, but soon adopted an ambivalent position. The RCSS continues to issue a stream of statements in Burmese and English, but they can be interpreted multiple ways and have scarcely more sincerity than the SACs communications. Myanmar Now reported in early 2022 that the RCSS and SAC had reached a secret agreement in October last year promising not to train anti-SAC resistance, to follow the NCA and also to help transport aviation fuel: a claim that the RCSS hotly denied and demanded a retraction. The RCSS leader attended high level peace talks with Min Aung Hlaing in May and August. By the end of July, at its biannual meeting, the intentions of the RCSS were relatively clear, with a statement asserting (w)ith regard to the current political situation, RCSS embraces the way to engage in negotiations, and will strive to find ways in order to attain peace and establish a federal democratic unionRCSS will cooperate with all the organizations in the effort to meet and discuss with all the stakeholders in order to achieve long-lasting peace. The second round of peace talks between the two leaders in late August to 2 September was prominently displayed in junta-controlled media, but ultimately nothing was agreed on, with the RCSS officially claiming (a)s more time is needed to discuss the basic principles for the establishment of future federal unionit has been decided to discuss them in future meetings. So what does the RCSS retreat from the north and talks with the SAC mean for the future of Shan State? Unfortunately, it doesnt spell peace or stability, especially if the long and fractured relationship between Min Aung Hlaing and Yawd Serk is any guide. The RCSS finds itself in an invidious conflict checkmate. Having succumbed to strategic overreach in its seven year adventure in the north, RCSS/SSA-South forces have retreated since 2021 from the key townships of Hsipaw and Kyaukme down to southern Shan State, with its historical older brother but contemporary antagonist, the SSA-North prevailing for now. Yawd Serk misjudged Chinas perception of the RCSS as ambitious but disruptive, and likely western-backed, opportunists positioning for Belt and Road Initiative kickbacks. There are four key elements to Yawd Serks future political survival. The first is the UWSA and its glacial consolidation of territory throughout eastern Shan State and east of the Salween River, as forces of the southern Wa 171 Division move south and threaten Loi Tai Leng and RCSS positions along the border. Brief clashes in April indicated RCSS weakness and UWSA consolidation of the borderlands. The Myanmar militarys Golden Triangle Command in Kengtung could become little more than an encircled outpost, with the UWSA and dozens of militias owing de facto allegiance to the Wa with de jure command by the SAC slowly moving to pressure RCSS outposts. Has the UWSA placed Yawd Serk in a similar position to Khun Sa 26 years ago? The second is Thailand. Yawd Serk relies on Thai tolerance for the RCSS to continue. Thailand does not want similar border instability in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, as the other border provinces have experienced with fighting, refugees, cross border assistance, and Myanmar military airstrikes. Yet Thailand is also extremely concerned with UWSA expansion, which could mean, at least in a hybrid fashion, Chinese encroachment, and all the downsides that entails including potential narcotics flows, environmental degradation from Wa-connected gold mining, casino lawlessness and trafficking in persons and wildlife. Will the Thai security establishment hedge it bets on an old ally like Yawd Serk to regulate, as much as it can, the border to mitigate greater Wa influence? The third is Shan society. If Yawd Serks discussions lead to improved protection for Shan civilians, there is a plus. But this hasnt been a priority of peace talks since they started, and RCSS actions have contributed to a great deal of disunity and exasperation. EAO approaches to peace talks and federalism that exclude or marginalize civil society and political party perspectives will always lack legitimacy. Are Yawd Serks peace talks about ensuring his own survival or ensuring security for Shan State during post-coup instability? It is unlikely that the RCSS will gravitate towards the anti-military resistance. What does the RCSS owe the National Unity Government? Years of NLD condescension, and an expectation of fealty to another Bamar political project? Yawd Serks political ambitions reside in Shan State, not nationally. But how much will he turn to civilian perspectives to craft his survival strategy? There are few encouraging signs he will. While there is increased Peoples Defense Force activity against the military in northern and southern Shan State, particularly in Pekon and Hsi Hseng townships, Yawd Serk wont risk a wholesale investment in topping the Myanmar military from power. The last factor is the juntas strategy. Will the military regime maintain the pretense of talks to neutralize the RCSS? Min Aung Hlaing is reported to have proposed on 22 August that EAOs could join the Myanmar military or become BGFs. Will Min Aung Hlaing make Yawd Serk an offer he cant refuse? Just as the peace talks have been recursive, so too the politics of armed group agendas in Shan State are revolving cycles. As far ago as the early 1960s, the filmmaker Adrian Cowell documented the circular fortunes of armed groups in Shan State, with key players repositioning, displacing rivals through backhanded temporary deals, reversals of fortune and allegiances [the Cowell Collection has been preserved by the University of Washington and is available to view online]. One of Cowells diagrams to explain the politics of drugs and conflict in Shan State echo the dynamics of today, albeit without the opium factor being so prominent. One of Cowells last films, The Kings of Opium, details the surrender of Khun Sa to Eastern Commander General Tin Tun in the early 1996. Might Yawd Serks fortunes be reversed in similar fashion? Will the RCSS stay intact but work as a grudging BGF proxy for the SAC? Or will an elite deal between Yawd Serk and the junta spark a fragmenting into smaller forces with local arrangements of coexistence with the UWSA and the Myanmar military? Or is the tumultuous relationship between the two leaders simply the artifice of strongman survival instincts, stripped of any sincerity or sophisticated strategy? There may be more animus than ardor in these peace talks, but the chairman and senior general are undoubtedly in a relationship and its complicated. For the foreseeable future, its an affair akin to friends with benefits. David Scott Mathieson is an analyst working on conflict, humanitarian and human rights issues on Myanmar More than 1,600 book titles across 32 states were banned from public schools during the 2021-2022 school year, a new report said. What I want to be really clear about is the books are a pretext, Ashley Hope Perez, an author of a banned book, said. (Book banning) is a proxy war on students who share the marginalized identities of the authors and characters in the books under attack. In 2015, Perez wrote Out of Darkness, a young adult romance about a Mexican American girl and an African American boy set in the 1930s, but the book was banned from school districts last year. The states with the most incidents of banning are Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, according to an updated report released this week by PEN America, a group that is dedicated to fighting book bans and advocates for the First Amendment. Overall, there were 2,532 incidents of banning across the United States. [T]he scope of such censorship has expanded drastically and in unprecedented fashion since the beginning of the 202122 school year, the report found. In total, there are 1,648 unique book titles that were banned in 2021-2022. PEN previously published a report in April that found 1,586 instances of individual books banned, affecting 1,145 titles, in 86 school districts across 26 states. Groups demand bans The new report found that 50 groups at the state, national and local level, with as many as 300 chapters, have played a role in at least half of the book bans enacted across the country during the 202122 school year. Of those groups, 73% were formed in 2021, according to the report. Those who are advocating on this issue are within their rights, their freedom of assembly, mobilization, using their voices, and thats perfectly appropriate, Suzanne Nossel, chief executive officer of PEN America, said during a press briefing with reporters Monday. But when the end goal is censorship, as a free expression organization, its our obligation to call that out and to point out that even the use of legitimate tactics of expression can sometimes lead to a spurious and speech-defeating result, she said. More often than not, current challenges to books originate not from concerned parents acting individually but from political and advocacy groups working in concert to achieve the goal of limiting what books students can access and read in public schools. Book Ban Week The report was released in connection with Book Ban Week, an annual campaign by the American Library Association and Amnesty International to celebrate the freedom to read and to push back against censorship. The ALA also released its own report that found from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31 of this year, there were 681 attempts to ban or restrict library resources, and 1,651 unique titles were targeted. Some of those groups that have challenged school boards include Moms for Liberty, an organization formed in 2021 that has local chapters that target local school board meetings, school board members, administrators, and teachers to push right-wing policies, as reported by Media Matters. Moms for Liberty has about 200 local chapters across 37 states. In Florida, there are 566 books that are banned, according to the report by PEN. Friedman said that book bans occurred in 138 school districts, representing 5,049 schools, across 32 states. He added that the bans affect nearly 4 million students. Overwhelmingly we are seeing people Google what books have LGBTQ content whatsoever. Even just a book that has an illustration of a same-sex interracial couple gets thrown onto one of these lists and ends up banned in some districts, he said during the press call. The complete story appeared on the website of the Florida Phoenix, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to coverage of state government and politics from Tallahassee. You can visit them by clicking here. On Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami was busy tracking Category 4 Hurricane Fiona, Tropical Storm Gaston, plus three other disturbances, one with a 90 percent chance of developing into a depression or named storm. The NHC said a tropical wave located over the southeastern Caribbean Sea is moving west-northwestward towards the eastern and Central Caribbean and upper-level winds ahead of the system are forecast to become favorable for development in a couple of days, and a tropical depression could form. The NHC says there is a 90 percent chance the system develops into a depression. Should it become a named storm, it will be called Hermine, the next name in the 2022 Hurricane season names. The second disturbance, an area of showers and thunderstorms near the west coast of Africa is expected to move over warm waters in the Atlantic on Thursday where the NHC says environmental conditions will be conducive for development, and there is a 60 percent chance a tropical depression develops by this weekend. Should the depression form and become a named storm, it will be called Ian. The third system is an area of low pressure west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and the NHC says some slow development of this system is possible as it moves northwestward or northward over the tropical Atlantic. The NHC says there is a 30 percent chance of development over the next five days. Hurricane Fiona is now a dangerous Cat-4 Hurricane, producing sustained 130 mph winds and as of 5 a.m. Thursday, was located 485 miles SW of Bermuda, which is now under a Hurricane Warning. Fiona is moving NNE at 13 mph and headed for Nova Scotia over the weekend, according to the latest NHC advisory. The NHC expects Fiona will turn north northeastward or northeastward, increase in forward speed and on the present track, Fiona will pass just to the west of Bermuda Thursday, approaching Nova Scotia on Friday. Swells from Fiona are impacting the northern coast of Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Bahamas and should continue to spread westward across the southwestern Atlantic toward the east coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada. For the latest advisory, click here. As of 5 a.m. Thursday, Tropical Storm Gaston was located 375 miles WNW of the Central Azores with maximum 65 mph sustained winds, moving east at 17 mph. A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the islands of Flores and Corvo in the western Azores, and the islands of Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira in the central Azores. For the complete TS Gaston advisory, click here. September 21, 2022 The second annual Kevins Run for Funds hosted by Idaho State University raised $40,000 for student scholarships, exceeding last years total. Nearly 200 University employees and community members joined President Kevin Satterlee on a 5K course through Pocatellos campus last Saturday morning. Before the event, President Satterlee once again issued a challenge that, for every employee who beat him, he would personally donate $10 additional dollars to the scholarship fund. Twenty-two people beat him in the race, but President Satterlee opted to round up his donation to $1,000. All of the funds raised by the 5K were added to a permanent scholarship endowment. This fun run has become an annual tradition that brings together our campus community and, in the process, helps more students gain access to higher education, President Satterlee said. We need to stay focused on the needs of our students, and help them to achieve their dreams of an education. In addition to funds raised through event registration and President Satterlees additional donation, Lookout Credit Union and the Portneuf Health Trust also each donated $15,000. September 20, 2022 Idaho State Universitys Oboler Library will host a touring exhibit of the Idaho Constitution from Sept. 21 through late October. Creating and Conserving the Constitution is a touring exhibit curated by the Idaho State Historical Society that illustrates the historical context of Idahos constitution and recent conservation efforts. The exhibit will open Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 11:30 a.m., as part of the Idaho Heritage Trust Conference. Representatives from the Idaho State Historical Society will provide an overview of the history of Idahos constitution and the multi-year conservation project to ensure its longevity. Idahos original constitution underwent extensive conservation work in 2019 by the University of Utahs J. Willard Marriott Library Conservation Lab. Head of Preservation Randy Silverman was able to address several of the 132-year-old documents issues, thanks to a fundraising campaign by the Foundation for Idaho History. The animal-glue adhesive binding had failed and most of the text block was detached from the spine, an outdated lamination treatment had been applied to the first two pages and caused warping, distortions, and red ink to bleed due to humidity, and grime and tears appeared on pages throughout the text block. Idahos constitution contains 21 articles that act as supreme law for our state. Although there are more than 100 amendments, it remains as it was drafted over 132 years ago. A constitutional convention met in Boise between July 4 and August 6, 1889, with representatives from throughout the Idaho Territory debating every critical topic covered in the constitution. On October 5, 1889, Governor George Shoup issued a proclamation calling for an election on November 5 to ratify the document. Fred Dubois, Idahos territorial delegate to Congress, propelled the admissions bill for Idahos statehood, which the House passed in April 1890 and the Senate that June. Idaho became the 43rd state on July 3, 1890. September 21, 2022 What youre flushing down the drain is providing researchers at Idaho State University with the latest on COVID-19 in the Gem State. Recently, Julia Martin, associate professor of microbiology and biochemistry, started testing samples of wastewater collected at five water treatment facilities in East Idaho for the virus at her lab on ISUs Pocatello campus. Wastewater testing can help detect community-level disease outbreaks and may prove useful as an important early warning signal to help doctors and hospitals prepare for pockets of virus resurgence, said Martin. Unlike individual testing, wastewater testing captures virus shed by infected people, including those who are infected but don't develop disease symptoms. Additionally, its a relatively low-budget method to monitor public health and is particularly important for places where individual tests may not be readily available. Each week, samples from the sites in Bannock, Bingham, Blaine, Caribou, and Minidoka counties are analyzed by Emily Baergen, biology specialist at Idaho State and ISU graduate. Once she has the samples, Baergen isolates the virus from the wastewater, breaks open the virus to get it to release its genetic material, and then quantifies how much virus is in the sample. The data she collects is then reported to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfares Bureau of Laboratories, and trends in the data are posted on the Idaho Division of Public Healths COVID-19 Dashboard. I love collaborating with other labs throughout Idaho, and it's exciting to contribute to the nationwide wastewater monitoring system, said Baergen. The COVID pandemic was a driving force for creating a nationwide wastewater monitoring system, and its exciting to be part of a project that has so much potential to help prevent future pandemics. Baergen holds a masters in clinical laboratory science and a bachelors in biology from Idaho State. Before working with Martin, Baergen worked in research laboratories and healthcare-focused labs. What prepared me for working in the wastewater testing lab - and all of the labs Ive worked in since graduating - was the experience I was able to get from working in research labs as an undergraduate. ISU has so many opportunities for undergrads to get great experience working in research labs, whether its a paid job, independent research credits, or just volunteering. Not all universities have opportunities like this available to undergrads. Julia Martin, associate professor of microbiology and biochemistry, left, and Emily Baergen, biology specialist at Idaho State University, pose for a photo at the City of Pocatello's Water Pollution Control Plant on Thursday, September 08, 2022. Martin and Baergen have started testing samples of wastewater collected at five water treatment facilities in East Idaho to look for COVID-19. Looking ahead, Martin hopes to onboard more wastewater treatment facilities around Idaho for testing and sees the uses for this method of collecting data expanding to other fields. Wastewater testing has been used to track other pathogens like polio and influenza A for decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic has renewed interest in this type of testing for other important health-related items, Martin said. In the future, wastewater testing may be used for tracking antibiotic resistance in bacteria, knowing what types of chemicals pass through humans and into wastewater, detecting the prevalence of illicit drugs like opioids in a community, and more. The data could help decision-makers supply targeted resources to communities in need. For more information on ISUs Department of Biological Sciences, visit isu.edu/biology. 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. 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 The Registered Apprenticeship for Finance Business Partners is preparing to welcome its first group of apprentices after receiving a grant of nearly $120,000 from the Maryland Department of Labor on Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Labor previously approved the apprenticeship program, an initiative launched by the AICPA in November 2021. Wednesday's grant will cover instruction-related costs for a minimum of 25 apprentices beginning this fall. "This apprenticeship is an exciting partnership with the AICPA and the State of Maryland to support more Marylanders, both those seeking to enter the accounting and finance profession and those businesses in need of more talent in this critical area," Rebekah Brown, CPA, CEO of the Maryland Association of CPAs, said in a news release. Maryland is the first state in which the AICPA has registered its apprenticeship, according to the news release. The program, the nation's first registered apprenticeship program specifically for the accounting and finance profession, provides a unique opportunity for employees and employers alike. "The battle for talent is increasing, making the need for more skilled accounting and finance talent even more pressing," said Tom Hood, CPA/CITP, CGMA, executive vice presidentBusiness Engagement & Growth at the AICPA. "Our apprenticeship combines a world-class learning program with mentorship and on-the-job training, which helps employers recruit and grow their own, providing the kind of workplace the 21st century workforce expects diverse, inclusive, collaborative, and innovative." For participating employers, the program provides financial incentives and access to administrative resources designed to save time and money. For participating employees, the program creates a new path for those looking to pursue a career in accounting and finance. The apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training and mentorship at the employer's site, and the AICPA will provide apprentices with online, structured learning through the CGMA Finance Leadership Program. "Apprenticeships offer an opportunity to 'earn while you learn,' meaning that employees study the CGMA Finance Leadership Program and receive on-the-job training while also earning a living," said Joanne Fiore, vice presidentPipeline and Apprenticeships, CGMA Americas at the AICPA. Fiore discussed the apprenticeship program earlier this year on the JofA podcast. "Apprenticeships help build a more inclusive accounting and finance team by widening the aperture of candidates to consider," Fiore said in the news release. "Not every candidate has to have all the skills, experience and education upfront, because the apprenticeship provides the opportunity to gain them." The program is available to new hires and incumbent employees as well as those with four-year degrees and those earning two-year degrees. To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Bryan Strickland at Bryan.Strickland@aicpa-cima.com. 09/21/2022 An American flag waives in front of JSU's Houston Cole Library on a foggy morning in 2021. Photo by JSU Digital Media Services. by Buffy Lockette The JSU Department of Sociology and Political Science will present its third annual lecture series focused on American democracy in 2022-2023 the Tocqueville Lecture Series. Established on campus in 2020 under the leadership of Dr. Benjamin Isaak Gross, assistant professor of political science, the free, non-partisan series offers the public the opportunity to hear from leading scholars, professionals and civic leaders on timely issues impacting American society. For example: the complicated relationship between liberty and equality. Liberty and equality are two foundational concepts in American government, but those concepts are not the same, Gross said. Sometimes, to preserve one you have to sacrifice or compromise the other and that tension has always challenged American democracy. French sociologist and political theorist Alexis de Tocqueville for whom the lecture series was named was a groundbreaking scholar in this area. While traveling the US to study its prisons in 1831, he became fascinated with American democracy. He published the landmark book, Democracy in America in 1835, which History.com considers one of the most influential books of the 19th century, that remains a valuable explanation of America to Europeans and of Americans to themselves. Tocqueville wondered how America was making two things that are often at odds which each other liberty and equality work together, Gross said. He thought we might be on the path to something, but that it wasn't going to be easy or certain. Still, he saw America as an example that could inform and educate other democratic governments, such as his homeland of France. The lecture series invites the general public, as well as students, faculty and staff from across Alabama, to engage with ideas that are important in the founding and continuation of American government. The 2022-23 lectures include topics such as Title IX, authoritarian disinformation, freedom of speech and more. The 2022-2023 Lecture Schedule includes the following events: Sept. 20 : Restoring the Constitutional Integrity of Title IX, with Dr. Elizabeth Kaufer Busch, Christopher Newport University : Restoring the Constitutional Integrity of Title IX, with Dr. Elizabeth Kaufer Busch, Christopher Newport University Oct. 20 : Disinformation and the Threat to Democracy, with Dr. Brandon Stewart, Troy University : Disinformation and the Threat to Democracy, with Dr. Brandon Stewart, Troy University Nov. 10 : A Discussion of Frederick Douglass's Remarkable 1876 Eulogy of President Lincoln, Dr. Richard Ruderman, University of North Texas : A Discussion of Frederick Douglass's Remarkable 1876 Eulogy of President Lincoln, Dr. Richard Ruderman, University of North Texas Feb. 2 : What is Political Civility Today? with Dr. Lee Trepanier, Samford University : What is Political Civility Today? with Dr. Lee Trepanier, Samford University March 1 : The Inegalitarian Equality of the Declaration of Independence, with Dr. Emma Rodman, University of Massachusetts, Lowell : The Inegalitarian Equality of the Declaration of Independence, with Dr. Emma Rodman, University of Massachusetts, Lowell March 30: Free Speech on Campus with Dr. Jonathan Marks, Ursinus College All lectures are offered virtually, with some hybrid sessions, and are free and open to the public thanks to grants from the Alabama Humanities Alliance and the Jack Miller Center for Teaching Americas Founding Principles and History. High school and university faculty, civic groups and other organizations, as well as the general public, are invited to stream the live virtual lectures through Zoom or attend hybrid events on campus. Past lectures are also accessible through the series YouTube channel. For more information, contact Dr. Gross at 256-782-5651 or bgross@jsu.edu. Follow the Tocqueville Lecture Series on Facebook for updates. Cambodia's UN-backed Khmer Rouge war crimes tribunal gave its final verdict on Thursday, upholding the genocide conviction and life sentence in the appeal of former head of state Khieu Samphan. The tribunal was set up to prosecute the leaders of Cambodia's genocidal ultra-communist regime which wiped out some two million people through starvation, torture, forced labour and mass executions during its 1975-79 rule. Here is a timeline of key events surrounding the court, formally known as the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia: June 1997: Cambodia's government asks the United Nations for help bringing the leaders of the Khmer Rouge to justice. May 1999: Cambodian authorities arrest Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, for his role as head of the S-21 torture interrogation centre. June 2003: After tough negotiations, the UN and Cambodia agree to an international tribunal. September 2007: "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea is arrested. November 2007: Former head of state Khieu Samphan is arrested. Ex-Khmer Rouge social affairs minister Ieng Thirith is also arrested along with her husband Ieng Sary. February 2009: Duch's trial, the first at the court, begins. March 2009: Duch admits responsibility for his crimes and asks for forgiveness. He later asks to be acquitted on the grounds he was not a senior regime leader. July 2010: Duch is sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. His sentence is reduced by five years after the court rules Duch had been illegally detained. September 2010: The regime's top four surviving members -- Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Ieng Thirith and Khieu Samphan -- are indicted for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. March 2011: Duch's lawyers call for his acquittal at an appeal hearing, arguing he was only following orders. Prosecutors demand a harsher sentence, saying Duch lacks remorse. June 2011: The court's second trial -- involving the regime's top four surviving members -- officially opens. November 17, 2011: Judges halt proceedings against Ieng Thirith, saying she is unfit for trial because she has been diagnosed with dementia. November 21, 2011: The court hears opening statements in the case against Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary and Khieu Samphan. February 2012: Duch's sentence is increased to life imprisonment. September 2012: The release of Ieng Thirith is ordered on the grounds she is unfit to stand trial. March 2013: Ieng Sary dies in hospital at the age of 87 while still facing charges of genocide and war crimes. The court is urged to hurry up its work. October 2013: Prosecutors demand life imprisonment for Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan over the forced evacuation of Cambodians into rural labour camps and murders at one execution site. July 2014: Second trial begins against Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan on charges including genocide of Vietnamese people and ethnic Muslims, forced marriages and rape. August 2014: Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan are sentenced to life in prison for crimes against humanity. September 2014: Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan appeal against their convictions. October 2014: Genocide trial of Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan -- relating to mass murder of ethnic Vietnamese and Cham Muslims -- begins. August 2015: Ieng Thirith dies at the age of 83. June 2017: Khieu Samphan angrily denies genocide charges at the close of his second trial. November 2018: Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea are found guilty of genocide -- the first such ruling by the tribunal. Both are sentenced to life imprisonment. August 2019: Nuon Chea dies aged 93. September 2020: Duch dies aged 77. August 2021: Khieu Samphan -- the sole surviving senior Khmer Rouge leader -- begins his appeal against his genocide conviction. September 2022: Court upholds Khieu Samphan's conviction for genocide and multiple crimes against humanity, and reaffirms his life sentence. The UN-backed court set up to try Cambodia's Khmer Rouge leaders over the country's genocidal 1970s regime issued its last verdict on Thursday, when it upheld the genocide conviction of the regime's last leader. Here is a summary of other genocides recognised by the international community and courts or individual states: - Namibia: first genocide - Germany in 2021 acknowledged it had committed genocide in colonial-era Namibia in southwest Africa. German settlers killed tens of thousands of indigenous Herero and Nama people between 1904 and 1908, a massacre historians called the 20th century's first genocide. - Armenia - Armenia says Ottoman Turk forces killed up to 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1917, during World War I. It has long sought international recognition of this as genocide, backed by around 30 countries. The charge is vehemently rejected by Turkey, which admits nonetheless that up to 500,000 Armenians were killed in fighting, massacres or by starvation during mass deportations from eastern Anatolia. - Cambodia - During a four-year reign of terror by the Maoist Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979, some two million people died from starvation, mass executions and overwork. In 2018, a UN-sponsored tribunal in Cambodia convicted the two top surviving leaders of the regime, Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, of genocide. Nuon Chea has since died and 91-year-old Samphan appealed but on Thursday the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) upheld his conviction. The ruling will be the last given by the tribunal, winding up a 16-year-process dogged by criticisms for costliness, slowness, and bringing limited solace to survivors. - Rwanda - The Rwandan genocide began in early April 1994, shortly after the ethnic Hutu president was killed when his plane was shot down in an attack blamed by the government on Tutsi rebels. At least 800,000 people, mostly Tutsis and some moderate Hutus, were slaughtered over the following 100 days, according to the United Nations. The UN set up the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in the Tanzanian city of Arusha. It issued the world's first genocide conviction in 1998. Since then, courts in the United States, Canada and several European countries have also convicted Rwandan fugitives over their role in the bloodshed. - Srebrenica - The 1995 massacre in Srebrenica, eastern Bosnia, of more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys by Bosnian Serb forces was recognised as a genocide by the International Court of Justice, the UN's top legal body, in 2007. Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic and military chief Ratko Mladic were handed life sentences for genocide by a special UN court. - Sudan - In 2021, Sudan said it planned to hand over to the International Criminal Court ex-president Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted for genocide over fighting that erupted in the western Darfur region in 2003. The UN estimates that the Darfur conflict left 300,000 people dead. - Yazidis in Iraq - Islamic State jihadists in 2014 carried out a massacre of Yazidis, a Kurdish-speaking community in northwestern Iraq. In 2021, a German court convicted an Iraqi jihadist of "genocide". The parliaments of several Western states have also termed the crimes "genocide". - Rohingya in Myanmar - Around one million members of Myanmar's mostly Muslim Rohingya community fled the Buddhist-majority country for Bangladesh since August 2017, amid reports of rape, murder and arson. Myanmar has been accused of "genocide" by The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ). The International Criminal Court has also opened a probe, and in March the US declared the violence against the Rohingya constituted genocide. - Uyghurs in China - Lawmakers in several western countries have denounced a "genocide" by China of the Uyghur minority in western Xinjiang province. Rights groups say at least one million people from mostly Muslim minorities have been incarcerated in "re-education camps" in Xinjiang. A UN report earlier this month said the abuses could constitute "crimes against humanity" but avoided the term genocide. China has denied any wrondoing, saying it is running vocational training centres to counter extremism. More than 43 years after the fall of the Pol Pot regime, which claimed the lives of about a quarter of the Cambodian population between April 1975 and January 1979, the last survivor of the five Khmer Rouge leaders prosecuted under the international justice system has been definitively sentenced to life imprisonment for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Appeals Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) - more commonly known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal - handed down its ruling against Khieu Samphan on September 22 in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital. This judgment marks the end of the laborious judicial work carried out by this court composed of both Cambodian and international judges. It does not bring any surprises or new facts. The conviction of Khieu Samphan on appeal confirms, four years later, the judgment of the trial court and seals for history this courts legacy. Evaluating the ECCC remains a dilemma. On the one hand, there is the frustration caused by the meagre number of trials conducted, political interference, the mediocre career interests of its staff who sought to perpetuate the court forever, and the accusations of corruption. On the other hand, there is the historic judicial recognition of the crime committed, the public exposure of the facts and the unprecedented meeting after 30 years that Cambodian society was able to have with this unprecedentedly brutal part of its history, which spared no family in this small south-east Asian kingdom. Three convicts in 16 years It took 16 years for the court to convict three people. Kang Kek Leu (pronounced Kang Guek You), better known as Duch, was convicted of crimes against humanity in 2012 and sentenced to life in prison. The former director of S-21 prison, where at least 12,700 people perished (the majority of them former Khmer Rouge purged by the regime), died in 2020. He was the only one of the dignitaries on trial to acknowledge the essence of his crimes and the criminal nature of the regime. Ieng Sary, former foreign minister and brother-in-law of the all-powerful Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, died in prison while on trial in 2013. His wife Ieng Thirith, former social affairs minister, was declared unfit to stand trial due to senile dementia. She died in 2015. Nuon Chea, the regime's former Number 2, was sentenced to life imprisonment for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, along with Khieu Samphan, but he died before the end of the appeal process in 2019. Before them, the feared military leader Ta Mok also died in July 2006, as the ECCC judges were sworn in. Apart from these individuals, the Cambodian government, led for 37 years by former Khmer Rouge Hun Sen, blocked any move to prosecute four other officials. This was thanks to the obedience of Cambodian prosecutors and judges and, as written by Heather Ryan who observed the ECCC from start to finish for the NGO Open Society Initiative, the cowardice of the "United Nations, international officials and donors to the Court [who] are also to blame for not honestly and publicly acknowledging the political impediment to independent judicial review of these cases. "No sense of real justice" After the spectacular and rather quickly concluded Duch trial in 2009, the ECCC forgot about the urgency of trials. It took 11 years from the arrest of Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan to their trial on the most serious charges. So much time passed that even the official ECCC website stopped updating Khieu Samphan's file in 2017. In 2018, on the eve of the conviction of Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, historian David Chandler said of this tribunal - which will have cost at least 400 million dollars - that it was "now on its last legs and many will welcome its disappearance from the scene (...). As the ECCC edges toward that spongy concept, closure, many people in Cambodia and elsewhere believe that it has run its course and feel that it has passed its use-by date and ran out of relevance long ago." Ou Virak, a Khmer Rouge survivor and courageous activist for the rule of law since the 2000s, agreed. "I believe that the verdict does not bring any sense of real justice and that most Cambodians have given up any hope of justice or even appeasement," he said that same year. This feeling will be compounded by the fact that, despite much rhetoric from international justice experts and activists, the hoped-for impact of the ECCC on the functioning and independence of the national judiciary and strengthening of rule of law has not materialised. Today's Cambodia is marked by a judicial system riddled with corruption and totally at the orders of Hun Sen's authoritarian regime, which has long used it as a tool for repression of its opponents. Democratic freedoms, both in terms of political participation and freedom of information, have been lost during the ECCC's existence. "Considerable interest" Yet despite some of the worst judicial inefficiency in recent international criminal justice history and a deeply compromised moral standing, the ECCC leaves a number of accomplishments behind. Chandler believes that the Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea trial remains of "considerable interest" because of the mass of archival material collected, the fact that 100,000 Cambodians had the opportunity to attend these historic hearings, and the fact that the ECCC allowed for a national public debate about crimes that were not taught in schools until 2009. "For years, the teaching of Khmer Rouge history was propaganda. Now it is more balanced, more fair," said filmmaker Rithy Panh, a tireless worker for remembrance of the Khmer Rouge cataclysm. The Khmer Rouge Tribunal was the only international tribunal dealing with the crimes of communism. It was also an important experiment in terms of the participation of victims, who enjoyed full status as parties to the trial. This participation is considered the most effective and massive that UN criminal tribunals have organized. More than 3,800 victims participated in the trial of the two senior leaders, even if most often from a distance and in a small way, as the former co-lead counsel for the victims Marie Guiraud recounted. The end of the ECCC remains marked by frustration on the issue of reparations, a reality underlined by the resignation last June of the last international lawyer for the victims, Megan Hirst. This judicial undertaking, begun 30 years after the events, will mainly have established a few strong symbols for future generations of Cambodians, the vast majority of whom did not experience the terror of Pol Pot's regime and "that time of damned algebra", as French poet and resistance fighter during the Second World War Rene Char would have said. In case of a setback for donald trumpan appeals court allowed the US Ministry of Justice continue to use secret records from the former Presidents Mar-a-Lago estate. What happened: The three-person board of US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit Noting that the public has a strong interest in ensuring that the preservation of the classified records does not result in extraordinarily serious harm to national security' reported Associated Press. The court said the finding necessarily involves examining the documents, determining who had access to them and when, and deciding which (if any) sources or methods are compromised. The court said an injunction or delay in preventing a criminal investigation from using classified materials risks causing real and significant harm to the United States and the public, the AP said. See also: How to buy TMTG IPO shares Why it matters: The court observed Trumps apparent release of the confiscated documents. The judge said: The plaintiff suggests that he may have declassified these documents when he was president. But the recording contains no evidence that any of those recordings were declassified, the AP reported. In any case, the declassification argument is a red herring, at least for these purposes, since declassifying an official document would neither change its content nor make it personal. Florida federal judge aileen cannon, a Trump appointee had previously rejected the governments request for a partial stay of an order barring the DoJ from reviewing the seized materials. The judge also appointed a special master, the Senior District Judge Raymond Deariein the event of. Trump got lawyers on Wednesday rapped by Dearie in the first hearing on the seized papers, who questioned them about claims that Trump classified the documents. Trump had earlier praised Cannon on Truth Social as brilliant and courageous and said the DoJ will A mysterious hint on US television of an imminent prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine underscores Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogans unique role as a mediator and friend to both sides in times of war. Erdogan flew to New York from a meeting in Uzbekistan with Russian President Vladimir Putin his third in three months to tell US viewers on Monday that the Kremlin is ready to end this (war) as soon as possible. break up. Two hundred hostages will be exchanged by agreement between the parties, Erdogan said in an interview, without disclosing any further details. Putins decision less than two days later to partially call up reservists and raise the threat of nuclear war appeared to have undone Erdogans best intentions. But an announcement late Wednesday that Russia and Ukraine would exchange about 200 prisoners helped confirm Erdogans efforts to walk a fine line and remain neutral in Europes bloodiest conflict since World War II. The prisoner swap adds to a growing list of diplomatic successes that Erdogan is using to boast of his image as a global statesman nine months ahead of an election that polls show he could potentially lose. Turkish diplomacy has been impeccable since the beginning of the war, noted Frances former US and UN ambassador Gerard Araud. She weighed her interests, struck a balance between the warring factions and, when necessary, decisively exploited the situation. Diplomatic Offensive Erdogan can now take credit for playing a direct role in orchestrating the only two tangible agreements between Moscow and Kyiv in the Seven-Month War. A United Nations-backed deal signed in Istanbul in July resumed grain shipments from Ukraine across the Black Sea for the first time since Russias February 24 invasion. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the shipments a beacon of hope for famine-stricken parts of the world. The prisoner swap includes an agreement to stash five Ukrainian commanders including those defending the Azovstal Steelworks from a Russian attack on Mariupol in a secret location in Istanbul. Erdogan is also offering to mediate in the ominous military standoff surrounding the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. And he still hopes to bring Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy together for ceasefire talks, which neither side particularly wants but Turkish officials insist they are both necessary and realistic. Of all countries, Turkey is best placed to negotiate a deal between the two sides, said London-based political risk adviser Anthony Skinner. Manage Differences Erdogan has taken a deceptively simple approach to the war: arming Ukraine while using Moscows diplomatic isolation to his advantage by dramatically boosting trade with Russia. Turkish combat drones have achieved legendary status in Ukraine for helping destroy the main Russian armored columns attempting to take Kyiv in the early weeks of the war. And Russian trade and tourists have helped keep Turkeys faltering economy from fully collapsing ahead of Junes presidential and parliamentary elections. Putin and Erdogan have negotiated with each other for a long time and overall have been able to resolve their differences on a number of issues, Skinner said. Its no different in Ukraine. Kyiv has been frustrated by the Turkish governments failure to turn the tide on Moscow, but Ukraine is also benefiting immensely from Turkeys continued support in the conflict. Turkey analyst Soner Cagaptay describes Erdogans actions as pro-Ukrainian neutrality. Erdogan has tried to strike a balance between taking a pro-Ukrainian stance and avoiding an openly anti-Russian stance, Cagaptay wrote in a report for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. But there are signs that Erdogans policies have their limits. Lots of Cards to Play He ended a meeting with Putin in August by unveiling a sweeping economic cooperation deal that switched much of Turkeys trade with Russia to rubles. The United States fears the deal will help Russia evade sanctions that the West hopes will eventually force Putin to end the war. The US Treasury Department told Turkish banks and companies with close ties to Russia that they would face secondary sanctions. The warning triggered a sharp sell-off in Turkeys stock market last week. Two of the five Turkish banks that process ruble transactions through Russias Mir payments system suspended such operations this week. But Skinner said Erdogan still needed Russian trade. Kremlin-installed officials in Ukraines regions controlled by Moscows forces vowed on Thursday to push ahead with polls on Russias annexation this week after world leaders condemned the polls and said the results were invalid. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was due to defend what Ukraines allies are calling unlawful land grabs during a UN Security Council session convened by France over rights violations in Ukraine. Four Russian-held regions of Ukraine Donetsk and Lugansk in the east, and Kherson and Zaporizhia in the south said they would hold voting for five days starting Friday. Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-installed head of Kherson who got caught up early in the Russian invasion, said the referendum will go ahead in his region despite criticism. The date is fixed. We have the green light. Voting starts tomorrow and nothing can stop it, he told state-run Russian media. People have been waiting and demanding that this vote take place soon, he added. Western leaders meeting in New York this week unanimously condemned the ballots. Speaking at the United Nations, US President Joe Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of shamelessly violating the UN Charter with a war aimed at erasing Ukraines right to exist as a state. Door to door voting The integration of the war-torn regions of Russia would represent a major escalation of the conflict, as Moscow could then attempt to claim it was defending its own territory against Ukrainian forces. After the votes were announced by his proxies in Ukraine, Putin announced that Russia would call up about 300,000 reservists to bolster the war effort and warned that Moscow would use all means to protect its territory . Former Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev said in a statement on social media that those tools included strategic nuclear weapons. He predicted that the constituencies will integrate into Russia. For most observers, the results of the simultaneous votes are already a foregone conclusion and were rushed as Ukrainian forces made sweeping gains in a counter-offensive to retake the east. The referenda are reminiscent of a similar vote in 2014, in which Ukraines Crimea peninsula was annexed by Russia. Western capitals said the vote was fraudulent and had imposed sanctions on Moscow. Election officials in the Donetsk region, which has been partially controlled by Moscow-backed separatists since 2014, said voting would be door-to-door for the first few days. In the polling stations, however, that would only be possible on the last day, Tuesday. Putins move this week to call up reservists for Ukraine sparked small protests across Russia that led to more than 1,300 people being arrested. This senseless war Flights from Russia to neighboring countries, mostly former Soviet republics, that allow Russians visa-free travel are almost fully booked and prices have skyrocketed, indicating an exodus of Russians wanting to avoid war. Sergei, 44, looked lost and exhausted in the arrivals hall of the Armenian capitals airport and said he fled Russia to avoid conscription. The situation in Russia would make anyone leave the country, he told AFP news agency on condition of anonymity. Dmitry, 45, said he flew to Armenia from one of Russias eastern regions with a small bag, leaving his wife and two children behind and have no idea what Im going to do here. I dont want to go to war. I dont want to die in this senseless war, he told AFP journalists. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday denied that eligible Russians were flooding airports and staying at the countrys borders. A lot of incorrect information has surfaced on this, he said. Russias Defense Ministry on Wednesday confirmed it had secured the release of 55 of its soldiers in the largest prisoner swap between Kyiv and Moscow since the conflict began. In return, Ukraine has recovered 215 detained citizens, including soldiers who fought back against Russian forces besieging the Azovstal Steel Plant in Mariupol. As part of the deal, Ukraine also handed over to Russia Viktor Medvedchuk, considered President Vladimir Putins key ally in Kyiv. SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 9, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Hagens Berman calls on Tuya Inc. YOURS investors with significant losses Submit your losses now. Relevant period: March 15, 2021 August 9, 2022 Deadline for lead plaintiff: October 11, 2022 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/TUYA Contact a lawyer now: [email protected] 844-916-0895 Tuya Inc. (LFST) Securities Class Action: The case is being brought on behalf of all investors who purchased or are traceable to Tuya ADS in the companys IPO in March 2021. In particular, Tuyas IPO documents touted the companys historic growth, claiming it was fueled by the thriving ecosystem of customers made up of brands, OEMs, industry operators and system integrators, which generate revenue for Tuya from the sale of Products generated through e-commerce marketplaces like Amazon.com The declarations allowed Tuya to go public, raising over $946 million in gross proceeds. The complaint alleges that the IPO documents failed to disclose that: (1) a significant portion of Tuyas China-based customers engaged in the widespread and systematic manipulation of reviews and product listings that violated Amazon.coms Terms of Service; violate (2) prior to the IPO, a consumer investigation and data breach had uncovered 13 million records of organized fraud involving fake reviews linked to over 200,000 Amazon account profiles; and (3) as a result, there was a significant risk that a significant portion of Tuyas significant customers would be prevented from using Amazon.coms platform, adversely affecting Tuyas business, revenues, earnings and prospects . Shortly after the IPO, the financial press reported that Amazon.com had suspended hundreds of thousands of accounts after it discovered a massive fake review scam and shut down 340 online stores at one of its largest Chinese retailers in the first half of this year. When Tuya reported disappointing second quarter 2021 results on August 18, 2021, management blamed the results and outlook on the strict implementation of Amazon.coms seller policy. As a result, Tuya ADSs act almost The production unit of the drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," which recently concluded, delivers a sweet treat to fans who are currently having drama withdrawals! Park Eun Bin, Kang Tae Oh, Kang Ki Young and more enjoyed a syndrome-level popularity and dominated the Hallyu scene during its broadcast. 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' To Release Park Eun Bin, Ha Yoon Kyung's Story Thanks to the success of "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," Park Eun Bin, Kang Tae Oh, Kang Ki Young and the rest of the cast of the drama enjoyed their skyrocketing career. "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" is a court drama that centers on the story of a lawyer diagnosed with autism, and fights the corrupt and discrimination inside the court. During its broadcast, the series received critical acclaim from viewers all over the world. It also recorded an all-time high rating streak, wrapping up with an average rating of 17.5% nationwide. When it aired, the drama was also adapted into its webtoon version produced by AStory on Naver Webtoon, in which additional stories have been revealed. On September 21, AStory announced that they will incorporate Woo Young Woo (Park Eun Bin) and Choi Su Yeon's (Ha Yoon Kyung) friendship and their law school lives in the newest chapter of the webtoon. The company stated, "We plan to deal with the episodes that were not released in the drama through its webtoon version." "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" webtoon is available in seven languages including South Korean, English, Thai, Japanese, Indonesian, Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Meanwhile, the drama version of the work is available on Netflix with English subtitles for worldwide viewers. 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' Season 2 To Be Released in Early 2024 Apart from its webtoon version, fans are in for a sweet treat as "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" has just been renewed for a whole new season! Due to insistent public demand, AStory deliberated that a new season would be the best option to satiate fans. While there are no exact details re the matter yet, it is believed that the second season will be headlined by Kang Ki Young as the lead character as Park Eun Bin and Kang Tae Oh assume the supporting roles. In addition to that, it is expected to showcase the backstories of Ha Yoon Kyung, Joo Hyun Young and more. The production unit aims to release the new season in 2024. Are you excited for "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" Season 2? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. "Once Upon a Small Town" episode 9 illustrates changes between the budding friendship of Red Velvet's Joy and Choo Young Woo because of Ha Yul Ri. Meanwhile, the visitor is eager to win the veterinarian back by asking for help from the female officer. Meet the 'Once Upon a Small Town' Cast Airing every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the feel-good rom-com K-drama follows the story of Han Ji Yul (Goo Young Woo), a city-based veterinarian who was sent to the countryside of Heedong by his grandfather. Interestingly, he was able to adjust in the slow-paced life thanks to Officer Ahn Ja Young (Red Velvet's Joy), his childhood friend whom, unfortunately, he doesn't remember. With the new person in town, Ahn Ja Young's best friend, Lee Sang Hyun (Baek Sung Chul), seemed bothered over Han Ji Yul and the officer's connection. 'Once Upon A Time' Episode 9 Recap: Lee Sang Hyun is Protective Over Ahn Ja Young While Han Ji Yul made it clear that his visitor, Choi Min, is not his girlfriend, Lee Sang Hyun is protective of Ahn Ja Young and talks about getting in the way of others. It appears that Sang Hyun is just worried that Ahn Ja Young might be upset about Han Ji Yul's action toward the female officer. Choi Min Asks Ahn Ja Young for Help In "Once Upon a Small Town" episode 9, Choi Min gets comfortable around Ahn Ja Young. During their conversation, she asked Ahn Ja Young how Han Ji Yul had been in the countryside. Moreover, she was surprised that Choi Min asked for her help to get back to Han Ji Yul. Knowing Officer Ahn, she said yes, however, a part of her seemed hesitant since she also liked the Seoul-based vet. Choi Min Sees Ahn Ja Young and Han Ji Yul's Closeness As Choi Min planned to visit Han Ji Yul at the hospital, she brought coffee for everyone and met Ji Yul's young neighbor Kim Seon Dong. The young boy said that villagers claim that Choi Min is the doctor's girlfriend but he thinks that Han Ji Yul likes Ahn Ja Young and tells the lady that he saved her from an accident. At this point, Choi Min seemed devastated hearing stories about Ahn Ja Young and her ex-boyfriend. Moreover, she also witnessed how Han Ji Yul cared about Ja Young and vice versa. Will Choi Min still pursue getting back with Ji Yul? In the latter part of "Once Upon a Small Town" episode 9, Ahn Ja Young was stunned to see Choi Min kiss Han Ji Yul which made her think that they continued their relationship. KDramastars owns this article Written by Geca Wills Actor and trendsetter Lee Jong Suk made his appearance at a fashion event, and his hot pink outfit from head to toe is making us blush! Lee Jong Suk Makes Fans Blush With His Valentino Fashion Event 'Fit On September 21, Lee Jong Suk was spotted attending the Valentino Event in Seoul. As one of the luxurious brand's event guest attendees, the heartthrob became a scene-stealer as he strutted flaunting his overall hot pink outfit. According to Osen, a global launching project event for Valentino was held at the Seoul Wave Art Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of September 21. Different from his previous suits, the South Korean superstar proved that any color looks good on him. Clad in a hoodie and partnered with a below-the-knee trench coat and a pair of hot pink slacks and sneakers, he also accessorized his overall OOTN with a hot pink shoulder bag. This was Lee Jong Suk's first public event appearance following the successful conclusion of his drama "Big Mouth," which ended with soaring ratings. Apart from the actor, K-drama rom-com queen Gong Hyo Jin was also seen at Valentino's launching project event. While waiting for Lee Jong Suk's next screen appearance, viewers can visit and follow his Instagram to keep updated on the actor's events and schedule. Lee Jong Suk Givea Special Fan Service During His Offline Fan Meeting in Seoul From drama, movies, and fashion, Lee Jong Suk is indeed one of the busiest and in-demand Korean actors today. The "Pinocchio" lead star also had his offline fan meeting in Seoul last September 12. As an artist who is excited to meet his fans, Lee Jong Suk went viral even before the start of his solo fan meeting. It was for this reason that he went out and spent time with his fans hours before the live event. When the gates opened and fans started entering the venue, they noticed a very familiar guy handing out the fan lights prior to entry. It was then revealed that it was their favorite star, Lee Jong Suk. The "While You Were Sleeping" actor had come out to greet his fans in person, handing each attendee a fan light, making eye contact, and greeting them sincerely. 2022 pic.twitter.com/oVW70dSlvD (@resplendent_jk) September 12, 2022 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: YoonA Shows Interest in Working With Lee Jong Suk in Romantic-Comedy Drama What are your thoughts about Lee Jong Suk's hot pink OOTN at the Valentino fashion event? Share your replies/comments with us! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramastars. KDramastars owns this article. Shai Collins wrote this. New Dodge Ram pickup trucks for sale are seen at an auto mall in Ottawa, on Monday, April 26, 2021. Car buyers during the pandemic have had to contend with empty dealership lots and soaring prices for used cars. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Representatives with the states Department of Administration toured three Downtown small businesses to show the positive impacts relief and re-development grants have had on local entrepreneurs here. Department of Administration Secretary designee Kathy Blumenfield toured Smartys Sweets & Treats, 5821 Sixth Ave., EQUINOX Botanical Boutique, 5901 Sixth Ave. and Blue House Books, 5915 Sixth Ave., Thursday afternoon. Blumenfield was joined by Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian, State Reps. Tod Ohnstad, D-Kenosha, and Tip McGuire, D-Kenosha, Downtown Ald. Bill Siel and Gretchen Covelli, marketing Coordinator with Downtown Kenosha, Inc. They toured all three small businesses and chatted with the owners about the impact of grants and aid. Blumenfield said a big part of today was checking in after the grants as things kind of start bouncing back and understanding how helpful and how instrumental the grants were. What we learned today is many of these people wouldnt be in this space if it werent for the grants, Blumenfield said. I just see such a sense of community here. Blumenfield said more than 6,000 Wisconsin businesses have benefitted from grants distributed about 18 months ago during the COVID-19 pandemic The businesses visited Thursday received funds from the Main Street Bounceback program. Martha Perez, owner of Smartys Sweets & Treats said she never could have opened in the summer without a grant. We would have had to wait to open, she said. Business is steady. I love it. I was a full-time nurse and now Im part-time. This is my retirement and my kids legacy. Blumenfield said anyone interested in applying for assistance should visit the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation website. She said the governor has allocated more funds for such grants because of the success. The Main Street Bounceback program, which is funded by the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA), has been extended through Dec. 22. The Main Street Bounceback grants are up to $10,000. China makes big strides in developing whole-process people's democracy in past 10 years 09:52, September 22, 2022 By Zhong Yin ( People's Daily In the first half of 2022, 319,000 posts left on the Message Board for Leaders, a section on the People's Daily Online website, were replied by leaders and cadres nationwide. Over the past 10 years, a total of over 3 million posts on the section were replied. The section is a platform from which leaders and cadres hear the voices of the people, learn the difficulties faced by the people, and solicit opinions from the people. It vividly explains the value and purposes of the Chinese democracy that is "for the people" and demonstrates the unique advantages of the whole-process people's democracy. Democracy is not an ornament to be used for decoration. It is to be used to solve the problems that the people want to solve. Whole-process people's democracy in China is a complete system with supporting mechanisms and procedures. It prevents individuals from manipulating the political process to win elections, and leaves no room for politicians to shower promises while campaigning and break them all once elected. Whole-process people's democracy integrates process-oriented democracy with results-oriented democracy, procedural democracy with substantive democracy, direct democracy with indirect democracy, and people's democracy with the will of the state. It is a model of socialist democracy that covers all aspects of the democratic process and all sectors of society. It is a true democracy that works. An accurate understanding and a determination to forge ahead are preconditions and the key for realizing, developing, and enriching democracy. A sound and genuine democracy must allow the people to become masters of the country. The people's status as masters of the country is the essence of people's democracy. From the system of People's Congresses to the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the Communist Party of China (CPC) Leadership, from the broad patriotic united front to the system of regional ethnic autonomy, and from "courtyard discussions" to "community talks," the people's status as masters of the country is the bedrock of all the systems of the country. These well-coordinated and comprehensive institutional procedures serve to put into place diverse, open, and well-organized democratic channels. In practice, the principle of the people being masters of the country is manifested in the Party's governance policies and measures, in all aspects of the work of Party and state organs at all levels, and in the efforts to meet the people's expectation for a better life. In a word, China's whole-process people's democracy is one that centers on the interests of the people. Democracy starts with the full expression of the people's wishes, but if people can only voice their wishes but have no way to fulfill them, that is no real democracy. China's whole-process people's democracy covers the economic, political, cultural, social, eco-environmental and other fields, with a focus on national development, social governance and people's lives. Whole-process people's democracy is a comprehensive and coordinated system involving extensive and regular participation, ensuring that the people's voices are heard and their wishes are represented in every aspect of China's political and social life. In making and implementing decisions on major issues concerning reform, development and stability, and on matters bearing on the vital interests of the people, China conducts extensive consultations in all fields and at levels through various channels, including proposals, conferences, discussions, seminars, hearings, assessments, consultations, the internet, and opinion polls. Through open-door legislation by the National People's Congress (NPC) and transparent decision-making by the government, more and more ideas and suggestions of the general public are reflected in the major decisions of the Party and the government. China has ensured that its people have channels to express their aspirations, wishes and demands on issues ranging from important national strategies and policies to social governance and basic necessities of life, enabling their voices to be heard and their requests to be answered. On a wall in the Gubei Civic Center in Hongqiao subdistrict, Changning district of Shanghai, there is a watercolor painting of a rainbow bridge. On the painting, Hongqiao stands on one end of the bridge and the Great Hall of the People, the meeting place for the full sessions of the NPC, stands on the other. As one of the first grassroots-level legislation contact point designated by the Legislative Affairs Commission of Chinas NPC Standing Committee, the Hongqiao contact point has participated in opinion collections for 67 draft laws and provided 1,363 pieces of feedback. It fully demonstrates the strong vitality of the Chinese democracy. As long as China embraces the people-centered development philosophy and unswervingly promotes whole-process people's democracy, it will surely ensure the sound development of democracy and pursue well-rounded human development and common prosperity for everyone. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. 45 Shares Share There is something special about that childhood friend. Its a bond that lasts a lifetime, something we can only experience fully in our formative years. My friend was Richard. We were inseparable in school growing up, then roommates in college, growing into manhood together. When it came time for medical school, I went to Dallas, and Richard to Houston, where he would start his career. We drifted apart in those pre-cell phone years, each in a different world, each of those worlds with its own all-encompassing gravitational pull. I knew he had been depressed at times as far back as high school, but he always seemed to snap out of it. We took a vacation together on a break that last summer, and he just wasnt his old self. I couldnt quite put my finger on what had changed, but he was different. Our minds and energy were so preoccupied in that pivotal time as our careers were forming. A few months later, I got the call one evening from a mutual friend in Houston that he had taken his life. As I tried unsuccessfully to piece it all together in the days and years that followed, there were fragmented stories of those last weeks, none fitting together. To this day, I have no idea if he made any attempt to get help or if anyone tried to help him. The current seismic movement in medicine to address physician burnout has its roots in a realization more than two decades ago that we were losing our colleagues to suicide at an alarming rate, much higher than the general population. In the last ten years, there has been an explosion of research in this field, with a long overdue realization that the physician wellness crisis has little to do with the personalities we bring into medicine and everything to do with the environment we are placed in from the day we enter medical school until the day we retire, or change occupation, or worse. Since our county medical society started a counseling program, I have seen courageous colleagues get the help they needed with counseling or a recovery program, escaping a toxic work environment, cutting hours, developing healthier habits, connecting with colleagues, reconnecting with family, or leaving direct patient care. Still, we find in some of our colleagues a certain sense of cynicism or anger or hopelessness, sometimes even a sense of shame that prevents them from getting help. In a New York Times article, Clay Routledge writes about suicide as an existential crisis and notes that In order to keep existential anxiety at bay, we must find and maintain perceptions of our lives as meaningful. He goes on to say, How do we find meaning and purpose in our lives? There are many paths, but the psychological literature suggests that close relationships with other people are our greatest existential resource. My friend Richard may be the best friend Ill ever have. I have many happy memories of growing up together but also regrets. It is a difficult story even four decades later. We all need to pay close attention to self-care in the many forms that may take. We need to get help from professionals, lean into our family and trusted friends when we sense trouble, and listen when those around us express concern. We also need to look out for each other. Check-in with colleagues, especially if you sense they are struggling. What you think might be an awkward conversation with a friend might just save someones career, or marriage, perhaps even their life. Brian Sayers is a rheumatologist. A promenade performance telling the stories of the women who lived in Kilkenny in 1922 will take place at Rothe House later this month. The Untold Tales Of Freedom will explore what happened in Kilkenny in 1922 with particular interest in bringing to life the people the history books have forgotten. Creator and director, Ita Morrissey said she was moved by the personal stories shared by some of the participants during the project. It has been an interesting and challenging process, there is so little written about the female experience during 1922. So in that manner it is exciting to reimagine the past using creative means. We have spoken and heard stories of many people, gathering gems along the way. It has felt touching to have people share family stories and we have woven these personal stories into powerful and poignant monologues. Some of the participants have never written anything creative before, yet they have surprised themselves with what they have achieved, she added. This exciting new creative community project is funded through the Decade of Centenaries Grant Scheme. The project is a collaborative experience and involved story telling, writing, acting and devising culminating in a fictionalised piece of work depicting the untold stories of people living in Kilkenny in 1922. Performers in the Untold Tales of Freedom are Nicola Ryan, Rosey Hayes, Helena Duggan, Muireann Ryan and Jim Carroll. My motivation is about bringing people together and using creative ways to connect with each other. In this project we will be telling the untold stories of ordinary people and especially the role of women during this time in our history. There is so little written about the women who lived through this period of our history and I want to shine a light and tell their stories, said Ita Morrissey, who has being involved in creating a number of site specific community-based theatre projects in Kilkenny in recent years. Work to date includes a RISE 1916, a promenade performance on the streets of Kilkenny (2016), The Consuming Project (2017), The Last Brewer (2014) and The Monologues (2013) and a number of projects to mark International Womens Day. The Kilkenny-based theatre maker has also being allocated funding through Create Ireland for another project, The Freedom Project which will explore the concept of freedom and what rules we choose to live by and will be mentored by Annie Ryan of The Corn Exchange. Promenade performances of The Untold Tales of Freedom will take place at Rothe House on Friday, September 30, and Saturday, October 1, at 7pm and on Sunday, October 2 at 3pm. Kilkenny councillors have agreed to write to the President of the new South East Technological University (SETU) seeking a commitment that Kilkenny become a location for a major Third Level faculty. It follows years of speculation and lobbying to secure some sort of campus for Kilkenny as part of the new SETU, which has been formally established. Its new Board is currently developing a strategic plan. The Notice of Motion, brought by Mayor of Kilkenny David Fitzgerald, reads: That Kilkenny County Council seeks a commitment from the President and Board of the Technological University of the South East that the Board adopts Kilkenny as a core location for a major Third Level Educational Faculty with a minimum of 1,000 full-time undergraduate students based on a Kilkenny City Campus in the forthcoming TUSE Strategic Plan. Mayor Fitzgerald noted in recent days, Kilkenny was considerably quieter with fewer young people, as so many had to leave the county to attend their colleges. He said the Abbey Quarter Development Company could provide buildings and lease them to SETU. I think it is long overdue Kilkenny would have a campus for full time students, he said. The motion was seconded by Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh, who said she had some reservation about the inclusion of the minimum 1,000 students aspect, but maybe it is necessary to set a target. Cllr Cavanagh also suggested contacting Third Level institutions in Dublin to see if they might consider locating some type of campus or outreach faculty in Kilkenny. She said that many students were studying in Dublin but were unable to afford or even find available accommodation. Acting council chief executive Sean McKeown said in 2018, the council commissioned BH Associates to produce a report which showed a strong case for locating tertiary/ higher education and training provision in Kilkenny. He suggested asking BH Associates to look again at this report, and upgrade it, including updated figures. The council could then submit this report as part of a submission to the SETU consultation process. The members voiced their support for this proposal. A suspended sentence was imposed on a man who stole clothes due to hardship and alcohol. Seweryn Klama, who had an address at Ashfield East, Kilkenny at the time of the offences ,pleaded guilty to two counts of theft. Sergeant Morgan OConnor told the court that on March 5, 2022 a male was captured on CCTV taking a jumper from a clothing rail outside a retail premises in the Market Cross Shopping Centre in Kilkenny City. He entered the Market Cross Shopping Centre and was seen putting on the jumper, which was 59.99 and making off, the sergeant told the court. A few weeks later on March 15, 2022 gardai recognised the male in the shopping centre wearing the same jumper that he had stolen. The second incident before the court took place on March 8, 2022 at Dunnes Stores, Kieran Street, Kilkenny. At approximately 5.40pm on the date in question the defendant entered the store and stole two cans of Malibu Pina Colada worth 4. He later returned to the store and stole a further four cans worth 8 and was stopped by security. The defendant has no previous convictions. Solicitor Ed Hughes told the court that his client is a Polish national who has been on his own to a large degree since the age of 15. He is currently living with a man in a caravan who gives him odd jobs, he said adding that his client is in receipt of social welfare of 117 per week. Mr Hughes said that at the time of the theft of the jumper the weather was cold adding that his client didnt have any money due to hardship. Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted the defendant of three counts of theft under The Theft and Fraud Offences Act. The judge said the defendant had previously been offered the opportunity to engage with the Probation Services and added that there had been no engagement. Judge Carthy imposed a two month prison sentence and suspended it on condition that the defendant engage with the Probation Service. Kilkennys pride and joy, and one of the most spectacular cathedrals in Ireland, St. Canices Cathedral opens its doors to a very special acoustic show by Villagers when the band will return to Kilkenny to play a concert on Friday November 4 at 7.30pm. Villagers is an Irish indie folk band who specialise in atmospheric arrangements set to to often disquieting lyrics, formed by Conor OBrien in 2008 in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin. Prior to forming Villagers, OBrien had been in the avant-garde rock quartet The Immediate. With only two rehearsals under their belt and a set list composed entirely by OBrien, Villagers debut performance arrived in 2008 with a show alongside The Chapters at Dublin Whelans. The bands debut release, the EP Hollow Kind, was issued in February 2009. The EPs four tracks were all composed and recorded by OBrien and was supported by opening for Neil Young and Tracy Chapman. With a growing popularity, OBrien enlisted the help of Tommy Mclaughlin, Danny Snow, James Byrne and Cormac Curran. As well as touring with Neil Young and Tracy Chapman the group made appearances at a number of festivals in 2009 including Latitude, Oxegen, Indie-pendence, and Electric Picnic. OBriens debut album Becoming a Jackal was issued by Domino Records in 2010 to widespread critical acclaim. The record earned a nomination for the 2010 Mercury Music Prize, and the titled track won OBrien the coveted Ivor Novello Best Song Musically and Lyrically award in 2011. After the release Villagers embarked on an extensive tour including dates in the U.S., an appearance on Later with Jools Holland, and shows at Meltdown, London, Electric Picnic, and Reading and Leeds Festivals. In 2011 the group released the 12 vinyl Live at the Workmans Club, which features OBrien playing acoustically with minor piano accoutrements. Following a tour in support of Grizzly Bear at the tail-end of 2012, Villagers released their sophomore album {Awayland} in January 2013. Led by the single The Waves, {Awayland} reached No. 1 in the Irish Albums chart and No. 16 in the UK Albums chart, and was supported by a headlining tour. Later albums, Darling Arithmetic and The Art of Learning to Swim were also favourably received. Villagers fifth album Fever Dreams released in 2021 was described by the Irish Times: Living somewhat in a fantasy land, Fever Dreams is led by emotional connection, human interaction and, through indulgent instrumental combustions, the opportunity to express yourself honestly. The event at St Canices is sure to sell out quickly as the atmospheric acoustics of the cathedral will suit the bands style perfectly. The heightened nuclear risks from Russias aggression against Ukraine are unprecedented, the Irish premier has warned the United Nations. Micheal Martin referred to potential threats to nuclear safety and security resulting from military activity near civilian nuclear facilities in Ukraine as the Russian invasion rages on. Addressing the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday, the Taoiseach said the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty must remain an essential element of international peace and security, adding the urgency of its full implementation cannot be overstated. He described Russias invasion of Ukraine as carrying dark echoes of our continents past. We face an expansionist power brutally invading and occupying a peaceful neighbour, Mr Martin said. We faced this many times in Europe in the 20th century. We did not think we would face it again in the 21st century. But this is not just a European issue. Not just a concern for the West. All states, and particularly small countries such as my own, should fear a world where might equals right, where the strong can bully the weak; where sovereignty and territorial integrity can be blatantly violated; and where the UN Charter the charter that all of us in this Assembly have faithfully put our trust in can be flouted with impunity. Mr Martin referred to his visit to Ukraine in July, hearing first-hand accounts from civilians, and the uncovering of mass civilian graves in Bucha and Izium. We have seen the targeting of nuclear facilities and of civilian infrastructure, he said. And now we see President Putin plan sham referenda in eastern Ukraine, aimed at forcibly changing Ukraines borders, in clear violation of the UN Charter. We have to name what we are seeing. These actions, taken collectively, show Russia behaving as a rogue state. Mr Martin also referred to the impact of the invasion reaching as far as the Horn of Africa in terms of food insecurity. Some of the countries which have been worst-affected by the current food insecurity crisis are those most reliant on imports of wheat from Russia and Ukraine, he said. Combined with the impact of climate change, and of conflict, severe drought and other extreme weather events, we face a crisis that needs urgent action. Mr Martin described a time of crisis, referring to the threat of widespread global hunger, food insecurity, devastating impacts of climate change and blatant disregard for international law and the UN Charter. He went on to say that the gathering has the tools and systems to address these issues, and called for political will to implement treaties and charters that are agreed. When much of the progress that we were making towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals has stalled or gone into reverse, as we grapple with the continued effects of the Covid pandemic, he said. We cannot continue to shelve or postpone or ignore our existential global challenges. By Peggy Kelly Santa Paula News Hundreds of excited worshipers welcomed one of Santa Paulas favorite saints, El Santo Nino de Atocha on Saturday with a grand procession for the icon from Harding Park to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. The doll of The Holy Child of Atocha, nicknamed El Nino Azul because its usual garb is blue, was held aloft on a bed of flowers for the procession that included Mayor Martin Hernandez, Vice Mayor Jenny Crosswhite and Councilman John Procter. This is the 10th year that El Santo Nino the third most cherished icon in Mexico has been on loan from its shrine in Plateros, Mexico. The sacred doll will be enshrined in Santa Paula until Sunday to allow visits by pilgrims including those who find Southern California closer than Plateros, home of the original icon. Some years the welcoming procession for the saint has drawn as many as 5,000 people but this year said Police Chief Steve McLean Its a holiday weekend that kept the crowd smaller...everybody goes camping. But as vacationers return to the city there is little doubt that El Santo Nino will continue to draw crowds to the church that will attend special Masses, give offerings and pray for miracles. It was Father Charles Lueras, known at the church as Padre Carlos, who first organized the effort to have the replica image visit Our Lady of Guadalupe. He also accompanied The Little Saint on the procession, which wound its way through city streets closed to allow passage for the icon and its entourage. Aztec dancers, brass bugle and drum corps, Folklorico troupes, equestrians with dancing horses and more led the way for The Holy Child of Atocha who was greeted with cries of joy and prayers. Francisco Arellano of North Hollywood, at the parade with his wife and children, said it was his first visit to see the arrival of The Little Saint. Its beautiful, he said of the procession Arellano said had been urged by his brother-in-law. Well be back next year! Several in the crowd wore El Nino Azul T-shirts, the nickname of The Little Saint whose attire is traditionally blue in Renaissance style. At the end of the procession when asked for a crowd estimate SPPD Det. Shane Norwood noted, Ive been following the same crowd up! to the church. thl and Apollo Tourism & Leisure Ltd (ATL) have entered into an agreement to sell certain ATL assets to a wholly owned subsidiary of JUCY Group (2022) Limited (Jucy) for an indicative purchase price of approximately NZ$45 million. The divestment to Jucy remains subject to confirmation from the New Zealand Commerce Commission (NZCC) and the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) that it is satisfactory as part of their respective clearance reviews of thls proposed merger with ATL, and clearance being provided on that basis. The divestment is also conditional upon the scheme of arrangement in connection with the merger with ATL becoming effective. The assets include: 110 4 6 berth motorhomes from ATLs rental fleet in New Zealand and 200 4 6 berth motorhomes from ATLs rental fleet in Australia, including a proportion of the forward bookings associated with that fleet; ATLs Star RV motorhome brand; and the property leases for surplus ATL rental depots in Auckland, Perth, Alice Springs, Darwin and Hobart. thl and ATL have also agreed with Jucy that the merged group would: supply 40 motorhomes in calendar year 2023 with an option for an additional supply of 40 motorhomes in calendar year 2024 in each of Australia and New Zealand; at the request of Jucy, use best endeavours to introduce Jucy to wholesalers who currently market motorhomes under the Star RV brand and who do not have an existing relationship with Jucy; and provide certain transitional services to Jucy. It is expected that the sale of assets to Jucy will complete immediately prior to completion of the proposed merger with ATL, noting that completion of the divestment is a condition subsequent to the scheme. The merger remains subject to the satisfaction of conditions including refinancing, clearance from NZCC and ACCC, approval from the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board and requisite approval from ATL shareholders and the Supreme Court of Queensland. The NZCC and ACCC are expected to announce their decisions on Friday 23 September and Thursday 29 September, respectively. ENDS NZX Release - thl and ATL enter agreement for proposed divestment to Jucy 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: FSF - Monthly Allotment/ Redemption Notice PCT - Major leasing progress at Wynyard Stage 3 ATM - Renewal of arrangements with China State Farm GSH - Extension of borrowing facilities October 3rd Morning Report Contact closes its Green Bond offer and sets margin ATM - Share buyback to commence 5 October - 1Q23 Trading update HLG Full Year Results for the period ending 1 August 2022 SNC - 2022 Annual Meeting Result Steel & Tube - Trading Update - September 2022 CoBank is a $158 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. Its a member of the Farm Credit System. Visit www.cobank.com for more information. Jamboree-on-the-Air, or JOTA, is the largest Scouting event in the world. It is held annually on the third full weekend in October. JOTA uses amateur radio to link Scouts and hams worldwide, around the nation and in our community. This jamboree requires no travel other than to a nearby amateur radio operators ham shack or, in this case, to the Troop 525 Scout Hut, also known as the Civitan Building off Preacher Mill Road in Clarksville. All Scouts from any Council are welcome to come and participate in this Cogioba District event, stated Ernest Schmidt, American Legion Tennessee State Scouting chairman.They will also be hosting Jamboree on the internet at the same time, so participants will get credit for taking part in two events. Scouts of any age can participate, from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA and Venturers. Once at the JOTA ham radio station, the communication typically involves talking on a microphone and listening to the station speakers. However, many forms of specialized communication may also be taking places, such as video communication, digital communication (much like sending a message on your smartphone but transmitted by radio), or communication through a satellite relay or an earth-based relay (called a repeater). The exchanges include such information as name, location (called QTH in ham speak), Scout rank, age and hobbies. The stations youll be communicating with can be across town, across the country or even around the world! The World Scout Bureau reported that the 2017 JOTA-JOTI had over 1.5 million Scout participants from more than 160 countries. Once you have completed your stations, you may leave. You do not need to stay all day. Jamboree-on-the-Air and Internet will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year the American Legion CSM Gary W. Crisp Post 289 Amateur Radio Club and the Clarksville Amateur Transmitting Society will be hosting this event. The Clarksville city team will have folks operating three radio stations this year. The event starts Friday evening during the JOTA Jump Start and runs through Sunday evening, but the Clarksville JOTA will only be hosted on Saturday. To participate, contact the Post 289 Radio Club or a local ham radio operator, or a local amateur radio club. Source: https://www.legion.org/hamradio/256914/clarksville-american-legion-post-289-host-scouting-jamboree-air NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, crewmates arrive safely at Space Station The Soyuz MS-22 rocket launches to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos aboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Credits: NASA/Bill Ingalls NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and two cosmonauts arrived at the International Space Station Wednesday, bringing its number of residents to 10 for the coming week. The Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft carrying Rubio, as well as Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos, docked to the stations Rassvet module at 1:06 p.m. EDT. Following two orbits, docking occurred about three hours after a 9:54 a.m. launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will join the Expedition 67 crew when hatches open about 3:45 p.m. Expedition 68 will begin Thursday, Sept. 29, on the departure of Roscosmos cosmonauts Denis Matveev, Sergey Korsakov, and outgoing station commander Oleg Artemyev. The trio will land in Kazakhstan following a six-month stay aboard the orbiting laboratory. This marks the first spaceflight for Rubio, the second for Prokopyev, and the first for Petelin. Throughout their six-month stay aboard the orbital outpost, the trio will work on science and research in technology development, Earth science, biology, human research, and more. During Expedition 68, the arrival of NASAs SpaceX Crew-5 aboard Dragon Endurance will bring four more crew members to the space station. That crew currently is scheduled for launch Monday, Oct. 3, for a short handover period with Crew-4 astronauts prior to their return to Earth shortly after. Learn more about space station activities at: https://www.nasa.gov/station A federal appeals court is allowing the Justice Department to continue looking at documents marked as classified that were seized from former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home and resort. Correction The spelling of Gail Eldredge's name was corrected. COLUMBIA Central Missouri Community Action is offering a weatherization assistance program for low-income families. Weatherization helps people prepare their homes for the changing seasons by offering free energy saving improvements to income-eligible households. The program can help people save money by conserving energy which allows people to use that money on other family needs. It also allows families to live in a more comfortable, healthy and safe environment. Ben Burgett, CMCA's weatherization program manager, said he believes the biggest impact is lowering utility bills for its clients. "Some of our clients have to choose between paying their utility bill and food or their phone bills, so when you can save that much money just on your heating or your cooling, that's that money you can take and put it towards many other things," Burgett said. The program is available for residents in Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau and Osage counties. Eligibility is also based on income. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. "If you apply now, you can be ready before the winter," Burgett said. "We actually give preference to people that have no heat. So starting November if you don't have any heat in your home you get put to the top of the priority list and we will service them as quickly as we can." During CMCA's energy audit, they will come to your home and check air-tightness, air quality, insulation, water heater, HVAC system, gas appliances and your refrigerator. Gail Eldredge, a client of CMCA, said if you have a high electric bill, you should take advantage of the resources. "I could not manage the cost of what happened here, I just couldn't do it," Eldredge said. "So I suppose I would have sold my house and gone somewhere else." The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Ameren Missouri. You can apply online and see if you meet the requirements on CMCA's website. Limited in scope and territorial control and faced with constant provocations from an Ankara-allied Azerbaijan, the Russian peacekeeping mission has been hamstrung in its ability to perform its basic mandateto provide security for the civilian population, as well as greater stability in the region. by Pietro A. Shakarian In the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 13, Azerbaijan launched an aggressive military assault along the borders of the Armenian Republic. Observers of politics in the post-Soviet space may be forgiven for thinking that the center of fighting was the disputed, Armenian-inhabited region of Nagorno-Karabakh (also known as Artsakh by Armenians). In fact, however, the attack targeted several towns and villages within Armenia proper, notably Vardenis near Lake Sevan, Jermuk in the rocky Vayots Dzor province, and the leafy town of Goris in Syunik. The front line looks like World War I (Photo: nkrmil.am) The attack was only the latest in a series of provocations initiated by Baku, with Ankaras backing, since the conclusion of the 2020 Karabakh war, and especially since the commencement of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. One might expect there to be renewed hostilities in a face-off involving only Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, these attacks are even more significant, given the fact that Russian forces and peacekeepers have been present in the conflict zone since 2020. Moscows reaction to Bakus brazen bellicosity has so far been restrained, reflecting not only its difficult balancing act between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also concerns about potentially upsetting political ties with Turkey amid the conflict in Ukraine. However, while restrained for now, Moscows patience with Baku and Ankara is wearing thin and will not last forever, especially in the context of the current international situation. Complicated Roots Russias historical association with Transcaucasia and its peoples dates back centuries, although its first major political foray into the area was Peter the Greats Persian Campaign of the 1720s, an intervention involving an alliance with local Georgian and Armenian leaders. The roots of the Karabakh quandary itself are at least just as old. For some, the conflict can be dated back to the late 18th century, with the onset of competing interests between local Armenian princes and Tatar khans. For others, it can be dated to 1917-20, when the upheavals of the Russian Civil War led to ethnic violence in Transcaucasia. A 1919 decision by British interventionist forces left the Mountainous Armenian Karabakh under the control of the newly established Azerbaijan Republic. The British, who entered the fray in opposition to the Reds, were less concerned with ethnic peacebuilding and more interested in seizing the strategic oilfields of Baku. By the time the Bolsheviks managed to Sovietize Transcaucasia in 1920, they encountered a Karabakh that, although majority Armenian, was under the control of Azerbaijani forces. Therefore, as scholar Arsene Saparov reminds us, the eventual Soviet decision to officialize the status of the region as part of Soviet Azerbaijan was intended to be a quick fix for a new ruling elite eager to begin work on building a new socialist state. Yet, this fix ultimately left both Armenians and Azeris unsatisfied. The immediate origins of the Karabakh problem date back to the late 1980s, when Karabakh Armenian demands to unify with Soviet Armenia found expression under the banner of Mikhail Gorbachevs glasnost and perestroika. Peaceful protests in the Armenian capital Yerevan and the Karabakh capital of Stepanakert were soon met with anti-Armenian pogroms in the Azerbaijani industrial town of Sumgait. From there, a vicious cycle of violence ensued, pitting Armenians against Azeris, and Azeris against Armenians. A forceful population exchange traumatized the two communities. By the time of the Soviet dissolution in 1991, the conflict had erupted into a full-scale between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It ended only with a Russian-brokered ceasefire in 1994, leaving Armenian forces in control of most of Mountainous Karabakh, plus seven adjoining districts. For the next three decades, the situation remained essentially frozen. Peace talks between the sides saw limited results and effectively hit a dead end after the failure of the 2001 Key West peace talks. The death of longtime Azerbaijani leader Heydar Aliyev and the ascendancy of his more nationalistic son, Ilham, to the presidency further dimmed the prospects for peace, fueled by massive Azerbaijani arms purchases made with its new oil revenues. Bakus newfound belligerence found willing allies among the American war party in Washington, which hoped to use the former Soviet republic as a NATO-backed bridgehead across the Caspian, and to undermine Russian influence in energy-rich post-Soviet Central Asia. Russian Interests and Realities However, aside from periodic ceasefire violations, the situation in Karabakh remained relatively stable. Only the 2016 four-day war seemed to allude to the challenges that were to come. Russias position toward the region during this period was to preserve its influence and maintain regional stability for the sake of its state security. To that end, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov advanced the so-called Lavrov Plan, advocating the return of certain districts to Azerbaijan (excluding Kelbajar and Lachin) as well as the introduction of Russian peacekeeping forces in the region. However, neither Yerevan nor Baku ultimately accepted it. Turkeys intervention in the Caucasus in the 2020 Karabakh War changed the entire dynamic. Ankara tested the waters for such an intervention with its staunch support of Baku in 2016. However, it was the 2020 Karabakh war that increased Turkeys influence in the Caucasus considerably, with an eye to enhancing its influence in post-Soviet Central Asia, at the expense of Moscow. Although Russia managed to secure entry of its peacekeepers into the Karabakh conflict zone at the end of the war, the new presence of Turkey now meant that it had to balance its traditional interests with actively combating the expansion of Turkish influence in the region. At the same time, it sought to avoid a direct entanglement with Ankara. In practice, the Russian peacekeeping presence in Mountainous Karabakh should have acted as a guarantor for regional stability, deterring the prospect of renewed hostilities. Indeed, the idea behind the peacekeeping mission reflected the logic of the earlier Lavrov Plan, i.e., that Russian troops would be able to stabilize the Armenian-Azerbaijani frontlines in a way that the Armenian forces never fully could. Although the presence of Russian troops initially acted as a strong deterrent to renewed clashes, the peacekeeping mission ultimately failed to provide the lasting stabilization that was envisaged by policymakers in Moscow. The reasons stemmed partially from the greatly diminished territorial size of the self-proclaimed Artsakh-Karabakh Republic as a result of the 2020 war, combined with the limited number of Russian peacekeepers. The loss of the strategic districts of Kelbajar and Lachin (which were envisioned as remaining under Karabakh Armenian control in the original Lavrov Plan) also meant that the peacekeeping missions physical connection to the Russian forces in Armenia was severely curtailed and limited to a single road, the Lachin corridor, which itself has recently become an object of dispute. In addition, the outcome of the war destroyed any remaining balance that existed between the two sides, hindering Moscows ability to navigate the diplomatic waters between Baku and Yerevan. Armenia was catapulted into a state of political crisis, centered on its combative Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his opponents. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan, with Ankaras blessing, went on a victory high, and rather than content itself with its gains and pursue peace, sought to press its advantage by snatching up small strategic border territories in clashes with Yerevan. The Russian leadership foresaw the potential for even more provocations and flare-ups from Baku after the start of the 2022 conflict in Ukraine. Therefore, on the eve of the conflict, Putin met with Aliyev to bolster state-to-state relations. However, these steps failed to incentivize Baku from ceasing its attacks. Indeed, the attacks on Armenia and Mountainous Karabakh only increased soon after the conflict commenced, despite the Russian presence. Meanwhile, some Azerbaijani analysts, channeling classic Caucasian bravado, began boasting that Baku had become the leading great power of the region and that it could easily defeat Russia in a war. Although it is highly doubtful that Azeri troops will ever march on Moscow, the fact that Azeri public intellectuals started speaking in this manner did not go unnoticed in the Kremlin, reflecting the fact that Bakus hubris was reaching unacceptable levels. Some Russian observers even perceived Bakus latest attacks as part of another Western-led effort to provoke a second front of the Ukraine conflict in Transcaucasia, something that neighbouring Georgia has strongly refused to do in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Limited in scope and territorial control and faced with constant provocations from an Ankara-allied Azerbaijan, the Russian peacekeeping mission has been hamstrung in its ability to perform its basic mandateto provide security for the civilian population, as well as greater stability in the region. Politically for now, Moscow has focused on quick and quiet diplomatic resolutions to put out the fires that periodically erupt between Baku and Yerevan, an approach that is informed largely by its effort to avoid antagonizing Turkey. However, the reality remains that Ankaras growing influence in the Caucasus and Azerbaijans unrestrained bellicosity fundamentally contradict Russias long-term strategic interests in the region. For now, the Kremlin has opted to tiptoe around Turkey, but as in Ukraine, the time will come when its patience becomes exhausted, and it will have to turn to tougher and more decisive measures against provocations in Karabakh. Already, the more conservative focus on quiet diplomacy is beginning to appear incongruent with the challenges facing both Russian peacekeepers and Armenian civilians on the ground. It is also starting to undermine Moscows soft power in the region. The more aggressive the Azerbaijani attacks and the more reserved the Russian reactions, the more that Armenian civilians will begin to see Russia as being an unreliable ally, thus lending credence to pro-Western Armenians who wish to see the back of the Russians. Eroding public perceptions of Russia in Armenia, along with the perceived inaction of the Russian peacekeepers, were especially highlighted by the recent visit of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Yerevan. Indeed, although Pelosis move will not realistically provide the Armenian people with any tangible security benefits, it was politically calculated to antagonize Moscow, just as her visit to Taiwan was politically calculated to antagonize Beijing. Overall, the current situation surrounding Mountainous Karabakh has profound security implications for Moscow that are arguably just as serious as those in Ukraine. From the Kremlins perspective, if NATO-allied Turkey comes to dominate the Caucasus, they will also dominate Central Asia, and suddenly NATOs influence will be felt as far as the Altai mountains. Such a scenario is naturally intolerable for Russia, and the fears over security along its southern parameter undoubtedly informed its swift reaction to the events in Kazakhstan in January, dealing a blow to Ankaras post-Soviet ambitions. These same concerns continue to fuel anxiety in the Kremlin over the border clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the past week. Indeed, in Eurasia, Russia seems left with few easy decisions, but at some point, it will be forced to get tough in the Caucasus. Like a bear defending its territory, Moscow will not hesitate to defend its vital national security interests. The Russians are a patient people, but their patience is not infinite. This article was produced by Globetrotter in partnership with the American Committee for U.S.-Russia Accord. Dr. Pietro A. Shakarian is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Historical Research, National Research UniversityHigher School of Economics in St. Petersburg, Russia. By James M. Dorsey Fading hopes for a revival of the 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran's nuclear program potentially puts one more nail in the coffin of a regional security architecture that would include rather than target the Islamic republic. The potential demise of the nuclear agreement, coupled with America redefining its commitment to Middle Eastern security as it concentrates on its rivalry with Russia and China, spotlights the need for a regional security forum that facilitates confidence-building measures, including common approaches to transnational threats such as climate change, food security, maritime security, migration and public health. Mitigating in favor of a firmer grounding of the reduction of regional tension is the fact that it is driven not only by economic factors such as the economic transition in the Gulf and the economic crisis in Turkey, Iran and Egypt, but also by big-power geopolitics. China and Russia have spelled out that they would entertain the possibility of greater engagement in regional security if Middle Eastern players take greater responsibility for managing regional conflicts, reducing tensions and their own defense. Rhetoric aside, that is not different from what the United States, the provider of the Middle East's security umbrella, is looking for in its attempts to rejig its commitment to security in the Gulf. In addition to the emerging, albeit tentative, unspoken, macro-level big power consensus on a more inclusive, multilateral approach, efforts by the major regional powers Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Israel and Iran, except for as it regards ties between the Jewish state and the Islamic republics to reduce tensions and put relations on a more even keel, contribute to an environment potentially conducive to discussion of a more broad-based security architecture. The need to focus on conflict prevention and improved communication between regional rivals alongside more robust defense cooperation is evident irrespective of whether the Iran nuclear accord is brought back from the dead, given that the covert war between Israel and Iran will continue no matter what happens. Israeli officials this month warned that an Israel airstrike against Syria's Aleppo airport was a warning to President Bashar al-Assad that his country's air transport infrastructure would be at risk if he continues to allow "planes whose purpose is to encourage terrorism to land," a reference to flights operated on behalf of the Iranian military and Revolutionary Guards. Even so, the Biden administration remains focused on broadening responsibility for a regional security architecture that targets Iran rather than an inclusive structure that would give all parties a stake, seek to address root problems and stymie an evolving arms race. The administration has encouraged security cooperation between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, the two Arab states that two years ago established diplomatic relations with Israel, and Saudi Arabia, which has changed its long-standing hostile attitudes towards the Jewish state but refuses to formalize relations in the absence of a resolution of the Palestinian problem. The year's move of Israel from the U.S. military's European to its Central Command (CENTCOM), which covers the Middle East, facilitates coordination between regional militaries. In a first, Israel this year participated in a U.S.-led naval exercise alongside Saudi Arabia, Oman, Comoros, Djibouti, Somalia, Yemen and Pakistan, countries with which it has no diplomatic relations, as well as the UAE and Bahrain. In March, top military officers from Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt met in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss the contours of potential military cooperation. Similarly, the U.S., the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are attempting to create a regional air defense alliance. In June, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz claimed the partnership had already thwarted Iranian attacks. Similarly, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Israel are working on a fleet of naval drones to monitor Gulf waters and ward off Iranian threats. Furthermore, CENTCOM plans to open a testing facility in Saudi Arabia to develop and assess integrated air and missile defense capabilities. Scholar Dalia Dassa Kaye argues that focusing on the confidence-building aspects of cooperative security, involving a dialogue that aims to find common ground to prevent or mitigate conflict, rather than collective security that seeks to counter a specific threat, is one way of breaking the Middle East's vicious circle. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) patchwork of security structures, alliances between external powers and individual association members, and inclusive regional forums, demonstrate that the two security approaches are not mutually exclusive. The ASEAN model also suggests that, at least initially, a less centralized and institutionalized approach may be the best way to kick-start moves toward regional cooperative security in the Middle East. Negotiating an agreement on principles guiding regional conduct on the back of exchanges between scholars, experts and analysts, as well as informal, unofficial encounters of officials, could be a first step. To be sure, Iran's refusal to recognize Israel and its perceived goal of destroying the Jewish state likely constitutes the foremost obstacle to initiating an inclusive, cooperative security process. The carrot for Iran will have to be credible assurances that the United States, Saudi Arabia and Israel will not pursue regime change in Tehran and recognize that Iran's security concerns are as legitimate as those of others in the region. However, even that could prove to be a tall order, particularly if the negotiations to revive the nuclear accord fail. Nevertheless, that may be the only realistic way of putting Iran's support for militants in various Arab countries, including Lebanon's Hezbollah Shiite militia, various pro-Iranian paramilitary groups in Iraq, and Houthi rebels in Yemen, as well as the Islamic republic's ballistic missiles program the two major concerns of Israel and the Gulf states on an agenda to which Iran is a participating party. Ms. Kaye argues that "despite these serious obstacles, it is important to present a vision and pathway for an inclusive, cooperative process when a political opening emerges, or when a crisis erupts of such severe magnitude that even bitter adversaries may consider options that were previously unthinkable." Dr. James M. Dorsey (jamesmdorsey@substack.com) is an award-winning journalist and scholar, an adjunct senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and the author of the syndicated column and blog, The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer. An RDA staff member talks to local farmers about agricultural technology at The National Centre for Organic Agriculture in Yusipang, Bhutan, on Aug. 31. Courtesy of RDA By Kim Jae-heun The Rural Development Administration (RDA) has been accelerating its efforts to help Bhutan and other Asian nations bolster their food security by sharing its advanced agricultural knowledge and experiences, the state-run agricultural research institute said, Wednesday. RDA has come forward to provide its agricultural technology acquired over 60 years to developing countries in Asia. The agency aims to help them increase food production and improve local farms' incomes based on its Asia Food Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI). The AFACI is like a welcome rain after a drought for Asian countries that are facing difficulties improving their agricultural technologies to increase food growth in the country. It is a multilateral consultative body jointly established in 2009 by the RDA and 12 Asian countries including Vietnam. The member nations set regional goals to contribute to improving agricultural productivity and achieve sustainability in the field. So far, about 10 projects have been completed and five are ongoing. As the AFACI's achievements gain recognition throughout the region, non-member countries are showing increasing interest. There were a total of 13 member countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan and Cambodia, but Uzbekistan joined the multilateral consultative body as of this year and Pakistan has also asked about the membership procedures recently. Looking at the major achievements of the AFACI's completed projects, its "Agricultural Meteorological Information Production and Service," published in a report by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, was pointed out as an example of global climate change R&D excellence. It is the RDA's very first accomplishment reported to the U.N. Under the project, the RDA not only provided its technology to the member nations, but also shared its collected and analyzed agricultural weather information, as well as weather observation equipment, to minimize damage from the climate crisis in Asia. In addition, the consultative body also aided the food safety management systems of member countries through the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) project. The RDA supported GAP production technologies for the representative exports of agricultural products of member nations. For Bangladesh these products included tomatoes and mangoes, and for Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand, they included peppers and mangoes. Member countries were able to expand crop exports through agricultural quality management, which helped increase local farms' income at the same time. The Philippines more than doubled its income after harvesting taro leaves compared to when it only farmed rice. No Yes, a light case Yes, two or more light cases One serious case Two or more serious bouts Vote View Results Jay B recently made a comeback with his "Be Yourself" album, which features the title song "go UP." Shortly after its release, the EP swept the top spot of iTunes charts around the world, together with his new tracks. Jay B 'Be Yourself' Album & 'go UP' Ranks #1 on iTunes Charts + First-Day Sales On Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. KST, Jay B's "Be Yourself" album officially dropped alongside the music video for "go UP." The EP also features five B-side songs including his collab with Sik-K, titled "Break It Down." After its release, it only took the mini-album just a few hours to score No. 1 on iTunes Album charts across the globe. As of approximately 5:20 a.m. KST on Sept. 22, "Be Yourself" had ranked first in at least 38 different countries including Argentina, Brazil, Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Oman, Peru, Sudi Arabia, Venezuela, and more. At the same time, the title track "go UP" had also hit No. 1 on iTunes Song charts in at least 26 different regions, including Colombia, El Salvador, Turkey, Paraguay, Malaysia, Kenya, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Dominican Republic, and more. Not only that, Jay B's "Be Yourself" album also landed on the No. 1 spot on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart and No. 3 on the European iTunes Album Chart. It even peaked at No. 6 on the U.S iTunes Album chart. "go UP" even took No. 9 on the Worldwide iTunes Song chart and No. 46 on the European iTunes Song chart. The B-side songs also made it to the worldwide chart: "Livin'" at No. 121, "Fountain of Youth" at No. 139, "Holyday" at No. 145, "Break It Down" at No. 151" and "The Way We Are" at No. 163. These feats just go to show Jay B's widespread popularity as a solo artist. He may continue to secure No. 1 on iTunes album and song charts in the following days considering that his previous albums "LOVE" and "SOMO:FUME" topped in 53 countries and 49 regions respectively. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: GOT7 Jay B Shares Spooky Experience in Recording Studio Meanwhile, in South Korea, Jay B's "go UP" climbed up to No. 1 on Genie's real-time chart at 1 a.m. KST on the 22nd. It also debuted at No. 64 on Bugs Top 100 and No. 70 on MelOn at 7 p.m. KST on the 21st. Regarding the first-day sales of Jay B's "Be Yourself" album, a total of 11,487 copies were sold on the Hanteo Chart. Sadly, this figure is almost half of his first-day sales with "SOMO: FUME." Still, the numbers would probably increase in the coming days. If you haven't seen Jay B's "go UP" MV yet, check it out below: GOT7 Jay B's Upcoming Activity In other news, Jay B is set to embark on his first solo world tour called "Tape: Press Pause." The first part of this tour will take place in Asia. CDNZA Records has previously revealed the dates and stops in Asia. He will head to Manila, Philippines on Oct. 1, Bangkok, Thailand on Oct. 15 and 16, Jakarta, Indonesia on Oct. 22, and Japan on Nov. 2. Prior to heading to these cities, the GOT7 member will first hold a concert in Seoul on Sept. 24 at the Yes24 Live Hall. Since it is a world tour, more dates and cities are expected to be announced at a later date. So ,stay tuned! For more K-pop news, follow and subscribe to KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Maria Scott "The Sri Lanka authorities must investigate all human rights violations committed by security forces during the state of emergency including unlawful arrests, excessive use of force on protesters and the brutal crackdown at the protest site at Galle Face in July." Sri Lanka remains on a watchlist of countries that have seen a rapid decline in civic freedoms. Despite the removal of the Rajapaksa regime, brought about by mass protests amid the countrys worst economic crisis in decades the new President Ranil Wickremesinghe has continued the governments crackdown on protesters and activists, CIVICUS which is a global alliance of over 10,000 civil society organisations and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society throughout the world has stated in a statement. Following Wickremesinghes election, according to the statement, sweeping emergency powers were once again imposed to restrict protests and clamp down on protesters. Security forces used excessive force to remove parts of a rolling peaceful protest site in front of the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. Protesters have also been harassed, arrested and detained. Protest against the Wickremesinghe led government for defending Rajapaksas [ Photo: Thilina Kaluthotage ] The new watchlist is released by the CIVICUS Monitor, an online platform that tracks the latest developments to civic freedoms, including freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, across 197 countries and territories. Other countries included on the list are Guatemala, Guinea, Serbia and Zimbabwe. On 17 July 2022, emergency regulations were imposed giving sweeping powers to the police and the armed forces to search and make arrests of suspects without due process safeguards. UN human rights experts have condemned the extensive, prolonged and repeated use of state of emergency measures since April 2022 by the authorities to crack down on peaceful protesters. In the early hours of 22 July 2022, a coordinated joint operation by the Sri Lankan military, police and special forces forcibly removed parts of the three-month-long Gotagogama rolling peaceful protest site in front of the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. Security forces severely beat protesters and lawyers and removed many tents from the pavement. At least 50 people were injured andt nine protesters were arrested and granted bail on the same day. At least 14 protesters were hospitalised. Materials and electronic devices belonging to protesters were destroyed. The Sri Lanka authorities must investigate all human rights violations committed by security forces during the state of emergency including unlawful arrests, excessive use of force on protesters and the brutal crackdown at the protest site at Galle Face in July. Any pending charges against those arrested for peacefully exercising their rights must be immediately dropped. These repressive actions clearly do not meet Sri Lankas obligations under international human rights law, said Josef Benedict, Asia researcher for CIVICUS The security forces have sought to harass, arrest or detain activists and protesters seeking political reform and accountability for the countrys economic crisis. Journalists have also been targeted for their reporting on the crisis and protests On 25 July 2022, the Colombo Magistrates Court issued a travel ban on Father Jeewantha Peiris, a Catholic priest who had been prominent in the protests, and several others. Leading protester Dhaniz Ali was arrested by the police while trying to leave for Dubai on a flight on 26 July 2022. On 27 July 2022, unidentified men in civilian clothes abducted Veranga Pushpika, a former student activist and journalist who had also been active in the protests, from a bus in Colombo. Police did not disclose his whereabouts for several hours before acknowledging his arrest. On 3 August 2022, human rights defender and General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers Union Joseph Stalin was arrested. The human rights defender was taken to the Fort police station and remanded despite suffering from poor health. He was granted bail by a Colombo Fort Magistrate on 8th August 2022. On 18 August 2022, police intervened to disrupt a protest by members of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) in central Colombo by firing a water cannon and tear gas at them. The crackdown was followed by the arrest of members of the IUSF. According to reports, 20 people were arrested and 16 of the suspects were released on personal bail after being charged with unlawful assembly and obstructing the duties of police officers by blocking the road. One of those detained was human rights defender Chinthaka Rajapakse, the moderator of the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR), a human rights organisation focused on land rights, protection of natural resources and the environment. Three of those detained around the student protests including Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of the IUSF, Hashantha Jeewantha Gunathilake, member of the Kelaniya University Students Union and Galvewa Siridhamma Thero, the convener of Inter University Bhikku Federation, have been detained under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The government has used the PTA to target and harass minorities, activists, journalists and critical voices. On 9 September 2022, the National Organiser of Youth for Change (YFC), Lahiru Weerasekara was arrested by Maradana police as he was returning on his bike from a peaceful protest at Galle Face. The arbitrary arrests or harassment of activists and protesters must end and those detained for exercising their right to the freedom of peaceful assembly must be unconditionally and immediately released. President Ranil Wickremesinghe should also immediately end the use of the draconian counterterrorism law to lock up activists for long periods added Benedict. The violations against protesters are part of a broader trend of attacks on civic space under the Rajapaksa administration that civil society has documented in recent years including the targeting of activists and critics, use of the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), surveillance, intimidation and harassment of Tamil war victims and families of the disappeared, journalists and civil society organisations, particularly in the North and East, and failure to hold officials accountable for conflict-era crimes under international law. Sri Lanka is currently rated obstructed by the CIVICUS Monitor. There are a total of 42 countries in the world with this rating. This rating is typically given to countries where civic space is heavily contested by power holders, who impose a combination of legal and practical constraints on the full enjoyment of fundamental rights. The ambassador for Myanmar confirmed that many mortar bombs had been fired into Bangladeshi territory, but he asserted that their insurgent groups had also fired heavy artillery and mortars, some of which had landed on Bangladeshi soil. by Samina Akhter Myanmars persistent use of mortars to invade Bangladeshi land amounts to a declaration of war on Myanmars part and a diplomatic blunder on the part of the government of Bangladesh. In the most recent incident, Myanmar fired three mortar bombs on September 16 into Bangladeshi territory near the Tambru border in Bandarban, killing one man and injuring six others, who were taken to the hospital that night. On September 3, Myanmar fired at least two deadly shells 120 meters into Bangladesh at the Tambru border. On August 28, it launched two additional mortar shells across the same border into Bangladesh, but they did not explode. On August 20, a comparable occurrence occurred at the same border. Temporary settlements of Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh ( Photo: Special Arrangement ) Following each incident, Bangladeshi authorities called the ambassador of Myanmar to Dhaka and gave him protest letters. What started with mortar rounds that hadnt detonated has so far come to a close with the deaths and injuries caused by shell explosions. Bangladesh has reportedly handled the situation professionally on a bilateral basis up to this point, but all that seems to be happening is escalating tensions, which, according to Myanmar, is a provocation for war. Bangladesh is correct to resist giving up. All of this suggests, however, that despite their repeated claims to be the best of friends, India, China, and Russia have not been persuaded to help prevent Myanmar from inciting a war with Bangladesh. These countries include India, which has cordial bilateral relations with Myanmar, China, which exerts significant influence over Myanmar, and Russia. According to media reports, Bangladeshi authorities consider bringing the matter before the UN for resolution if diplomatic attempts to date have been unsuccessful. In December 2018 China and Russia abstained from UN negotiations, and in December 2017 they opposed a UN resolution on the Rohingya problem. It is understandable that the military-run Myanmar, which has a population one-third that of Bangladeshs and suffers from low credibility throughout the world, would appear to be breaking international law by shelling Bangladesh, given Bangladeshs weak strategic and political position on the world stage. In response to recent casualties at Bangladeshs Bandarban border, the foreign ministry of Bangladesh summoned Myanmars ambassador in Dhaka, Aung Kyaw Moe, and delivered a stern protest letter. Since mid-August, the ministry has summoned the Myanmar ambassador four times for violations of land and airspace by Myanmar along the border in BandarbansNaikhongchhari, as well as many incidences in which mortar shells from the neighbouring nation landed on Bangladeshi soil. To counteract any effects of the unrest in the Rakhine state, the Coastguard and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are still on high alert in the border region. The Myanmar Armed Forces have fired mortar shells into Bangladesh territory on numerous occasions, leaving the population living near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border areas feeling uneasy. In the most recent incident, which happened on Friday night, five mortar rounds fired from Myanmar detonated at a Rohingya camp in a no-land mans close to Tumbru bazar in Bandarbans Naikhongchhariupazila, killing a 28-year-old man named Mohammad Iqbal and injuring eight others. An earlier land mine explosion in BandarbansNaikhongchhari border area injured a young Bangladeshi man. The ambassador for Myanmar confirmed that many mortar bombs had been fired into Bangladeshi territory, but he asserted that their insurgent groups had also fired heavy artillery and mortars, some of which had landed on Bangladeshi soil. In this regard, the foreign ministry reaffirmed the government of Bangladeshs policy of zero tolerance toward terrorism and its refusal to harbour any forces threatening the security of its neighbours. The current crisis is instilling terror among the defenseless citizens residing in Myanmars border regions, it has been warned Myanmar. Bangladesh requested Myanmar to stop engaging in actions that endanger local residents lives and means of subsistence. Bangladesh also urged that Myanmar stop its careless military actions close to the border and make sure that no Myanmar-made ammunition enters Bangladeshi territory. Bangladesh has already said clearly that it wishes to resolve its differences with Myanmar amicably. Therefore, the nation hopes that Myanmar will learn from their error and stop taking actions in the future that would harm bilateral relations. The Myanmar Armed Forces kept firing many mortar shells into Bangladeshi territory on purpose in an effort to stir up trouble near the border. Bangladesh is working to find a diplomatic resolution with Myanmar because it doesnt want a war. And the nation will make every effort, taking the matter to the UN if necessary (UN). The government of Bangladesh, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, never supports armed conflict and always favours peaceful resolution. Bangladesh is attempting to resolve the issue on a bilateral and multilateral level. We are hopeful that the international community and the UN will step up and take the necessary actions to put an end to this disturbance. Although a battle with a neighbour is not desirable, a diplomatic solution to the problem should still be sought. If necessary, Bangladeshi authorities should raise this with the UN. To find a solution, it must intensify its diplomatic efforts on a regional and global scale. Meanwhile, Bangladesh should maintain a standing national army to defend its borders, fend against Myanmar, and avert any dangerous situations. Views expressed are personal Samina Akhter is a Dhaka-based columnist and women and human rights activist. China to release additional pork reserves to tame high price Xinhua) 13:25, September 22, 2022 BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- China will release more pork from government reserves to the market this week to maintain supply and price stability, the country's top economic planner said Thursday. The price of hogs has been running at a relatively high level recently, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). This will be the third batch of pork released from government reserves. The first batch was released on Sept. 8, and the second batch on Sept. 18. Last week, the average pork price tracked by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs was 35.87 yuan (about 5.14 U.S. dollars) per kg, up 0.7 percent week on week. The price was 54.3 percent higher than a year ago. The NDRC said it will follow market changes, continue to release pork reserves, and increase pork release if necessary. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 22 (ANI): Hearing a petition of Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray faction seeking permission to hold the Dussehra rally at Mumbai's Shivaji Park, the Bombay High Court on Thursday allowed it to amend its petition to challenge the BMC's decision refusing the nod and posted the matter for Friday. Eknath Shinde faction's MLA Sada Sarvankar made an intervention plea for the Dussehra rally and hearing on this will also take place tomorrow. Also Read | Red Cross Symbolises Hope for People, Says Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. A division bench of Justice Ramesh D Dhanuka and Justice Kamal Khata heard the petition of the Thackeray faction seeking permission for holding the Dussehra rally. Lawyers appearing for the Uddhav faction told the court they have got a letter from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation that their application has been rejected and they want to amend their petition. Lawyers for BMC also urged the court to defer the matter till tomorrow. Also Read | Mumbai Shocker: Nursing Student Groped by Hawker in Central Railway Local Train; Arrested for Molestation. The BMC has refused to give permission to the two factions for holding the rally, based on the local police's report which said that the event may cause law and order problems in the area. Shiv Sena has been holding the rally on Dussehra every year since 1966. The event is significant this year as Sena is now split up into two factions and the rally was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Uddhav Thackeray, in August, took a dig at Shinde, stating the party is not sure whether it will get permission for the event. Thackeray went on to say that whatever happens, he will hold a Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park "Shiv Sena's Dussehra rally will be held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Shiv Sainiks from all over the state will reach for this rally. We do not know these technical things whether the government will give permission or not. We will hold the rally. It doesn't matter to us whether others will hold rallies or not. Shiv Sena has grown not by traitors but by the blood of Shiv Sainiks," Thackeray had said addressing workers of his party. Uddhav had said that a lot is happening in Maharashtra about which he will talk speak at the Dussehra rally. Dussehra will be celebrated on October 5. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jashpur (Chhattisgarh) [India], September 22 (ANI): Three persons died while six more were left injured on Thursday, after a bus overturned while trying to save a bike that was coming from the wrong side, in Jashpur. Mayank Tiwari, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Pathalgaon told ANI that both the persons on the bike died in the accident. Also Read | @VPSecretariat @lokmanthan2022 @himantabiswa Proactive Stance by Intelligentsia on Latest Tweet by Prasar Bharati News Services. "A bus going from Pathalgaon to Ambikapur got overturned trying to save a bike coming from the wrong side. The two riding on the bike along with one bus passenger are dead, while six others are injured," the SDOP 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 [India], September 22 (ANI): In an effort to increase the voter base in southern states ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Jagat Prakash Nadda will be on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu from Thursday to chalk out a strategy for the party. During his stay, Nadda will take part in several public programmes and organisational meetings of the party. Also Read | IBPS Clerk Prelims Result 2022 Released at ibps.in; Know Steps To Check Scores. According to BJP sources, Nadda will visit Madurai and Karaikudi of the Sivagangai district. The sources said that this is an important organization-centric visit of the National President, in which he will hold meetings with different fronts like social media and Mahila Morcha, and will meet the core committee and booth workers. During the meeting, he will take feedback and give directions to all the workers and leaders of the party. Also Read | Chhattisgarh Accident: Three Passengers Killed, Four Injured After Bus Overturns in Jashpur District. Apart from this, he will also address a public meeting in Karaikudi. He will reach Madurai Airport in the morning where he will be accorded a warm welcome by the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and karyakartas. A cultural programme cum grand reception in honour of the BJP National President will be held outside the airport. Nadda will meet some eminent personalities from various fields at Hotel Amika in Madurai. Post this event, he will proceed to Karaikudi. Nadda will hold a meeting with the state team of Mahila Morcha and women representatives of district BJP office bearers at PLP Palace, Karaikudi. He will hold a meeting of the state office bearers and all cells of the state BJP at the same venue. Nadda will address a massive public rally in Karaikudi. He will head a meeting with the state core committee at Chettinad Palace in Karaikudi. The next day on Friday, BJP President will offer prayers at the historic Pillayarpatti Vinayaka Temple in Karaikudi. Later in the day, he will hold a meeting with state office bearers and district presidents of OBC and SC Morcha of BJP at PLP Palace, Karaikudi. Nadda will also take a meeting of state office bearers, district presidents and prabhari's at the same venue. Nadda will also address a meeting of booth presidents of the Sivaganga parliamentary Constituency at PLP Palace. As per the party sources, Nadda will meet the voters of Tamil Nadu on his second day. He will meet those people who are considered influencers such as doctors, teachers, professors and businessmen among others. In the evening, the BJP chief will pay rich tributes to great freedom fighters (Marudhu Brothers) at his house in Tirupattur. (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 22 (ANI): Observing that the notification of the Master Plan for Delhi (MPD) 2041 cannot remain in limbo, the Supreme Court has expressed hope that the final Master Plan would be published on or before April 30 next year. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay S Oka made the statement after Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati gave the cut-off dates for final approval and notification of the MPD-2041. Also Read | IBPS Clerk Prelims Result 2022 Released at ibps.in; Know Steps To Check Scores. The ASG said the MPD-2041 will be placed before the Authority in the first week of December 2022, and any modifications in the document will be done by the last week of December 2022. ASG Bhati further informed the apex court that a letter will be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for final approval and notification of MPD-2041 by January 15, 2023. Also Read | Chhattisgarh Accident: Three Passengers Killed, Four Injured After Bus Overturns in Jashpur District. "Even though the dates given are tentative, we expect these dates to be strictly adhered to as the matter cannot remain in limbo for ad infinitum period of time. We are sure that the final Master Plan would be published on or before April 30, 2023," the bench said in its recent order. On the previous date of hearing on August 24, the Supreme Court had directed the counsel for the DDA and the ASG "to obtain necessary instructions from the Department concerned as within how much time the Master Plan will be notified". "We are not willing to accept a simple statement that it is at an advanced stage. If the counsels by the next date are of the view that better assistance can only be given by the Secretary, Urban Development and the Vice Chairman, DDA, we may have the pleasure of their presence to assist us," the top court had warned. Meanwhile, the top court also constituted a judicial committee of two retired High Court judges which would deal with the issues relating to sealing and de-sealing of properties, regularisation or levy of penalties or conversion charges, demolition of unauthorised construction, and removal of encroachment. The apex court-appointed Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, retired Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and Justice GS Sistani, retired Judge of the Delhi High Court who would take a call on all these applications keeping the aforesaid conspectus in mind. "... On the last date of hearing on August 24, 2022, this Court explored the aspect of setting up of an independent judicial body to look into the concerns of the applicants to be presided over by retired Judges. We have opined that once the Judicial Committee so appointed directs de-sealing or rejects the same, the application would lie to this Court and we would be adopting the SLP approach. This would facilitate a quick disposal of almost 150 applications pending which continue to rise and it is extremely essential that people who are compliant get the remedy at the earliest," said the bench while setting up of the committee. "Such a Judicial Committee is necessary to be empowered to analyse all aspects of the matter, i.e., what is the nature of allotment, whether there is any change of the policy of that allotment, what according to the norms prevalent is permissible and what are the nature of the violation and in view thereof pass necessary orders. The power to direct compounding on payment of charges, if compliance is possible under existing norms, is also an aspect which must vest with the Committee," it added. The top court said that in order to facilitate the disposal of applications pending before it, challenging the orders passed by the Monitoring Committee, shall stand referred to the judicial committee for consideration and passing orders. We make it clear that insofar as the directions for de-sealing are concerned, the directions of the judicial committee shall be implemented forthwith even if there are reservations of the monitoring committee, said the bench. "We hope this would simplify the process for consideration of the applications at an early date leaving only a narrow area of consideration by this Court. All necessary arrangements should be made to facilitate the commencement of the proceedings before the judicial committee within a period of two weeks from today," the apex court's September 13 order stated. In its order, the bench said that the concerns in the present proceedings arise from rampant unauthorised and illegal use of residential areas for commercial and industrial purposes. The ground situation brought it to such an adverse level that the Supreme Court had little option but to step in directly into this area to ensure that the residential areas of Delhi city are not destroyed, it said, adding that it is towards this objective that a monitoring committee was appointed on May 7, 2004, to end the unauthorised and illegal industrial activity in residential and non-conforming areas. (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 22 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received a copy of the Braille version of the Assamese Dictionary 'Hemkosh' from Jayanta Baruah. According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Hemkosh was among the earliest Assamese dictionaries dating back to the 19th century. Also Read | IBPS Clerk Prelims Result 2022 Released at ibps.in; Know Steps To Check Scores. PM Modi complimented Jayanta Baruah and his team for his efforts leading to the publication of the Braille version. "Glad to have received a copy of the Braille version of 'Hemkosh', which was among the earliest Assamese dictionaries dating back to the 19th century. I compliment Mr Jayanta Baruah and his team for his efforts leading to the publication of the Braille version," PM Modi said in a tweet. Also Read | Chhattisgarh Accident: Three Passengers Killed, Four Injured After Bus Overturns in Jashpur District. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Wednesday and apprised him about the slew of development initiatives in the state. According to the Assam government, in course of his meeting with the Prime Minister at his official residence, Sarma had apprised the Prime Minister about the various developmental projects and schemes taken up in the state. He also informed the Prime Minister about the status of the underwater tunnel between Kaliabor and Jamuguri. The Chief Minister also once again extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to the concluding function of the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Borphukan to be held in New Delhi on November 24 next. Earlier, the first Braille edition of 'Hemkosh', an Assamese dictionary, was gifted to the Prime Minister by the Chairman of 'Sadin-Pratidin' group of publications, Jayanta Baruah in which Chief Minister Sarma and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal were present. Earlier today, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga to hold another round of talks on the long-pending Assam-Mizoram border issue in the national capital on Wednesday afternoon. "Today my Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga and I met to discuss the Assam and Mizoram border issue. A team of ministers from both states met in Aizawl recently. Today we discussed the progress and reviewed what happened in the meeting and we are satisfied with the progress. We are in the process of forming regional committees to solve this issue", said Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma after the meeting. The meeting between the two CMs lasted for around twenty-five minutes. Mizoram CM Zoramthanga exclusively told ANI, "We have had a good round of meetings and are satisfied with the progress made at the meeting between the ministers of the two states. We're hoping that we will be able to solve the issue at the earliest." When asked about the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Zoramthanga said, "As of now we have had no talks of a meeting with the Union home Minister." In November last year, the two CMs met in the presence of the Union Home Minister in the national capital to discuss the decades-long pending issue. In July last year, the border dispute turned violent, resulting in the death of seven personnel from the Assam police and injuring several others. Following this, a couple of rounds of meetings have taken place between the delegations from Assam and Mizoram to solve this issue amicably. In 1972 Mizoram was made a union territory. However, the UT carved out of Assam was made a state in 1987. After initial acceptance of the border with Assam Mizoram gradually began disputing the border. (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 22 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reviewed the ongoing reconstruction works in Badrinath and Kedarnath through a virtual medium. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the virtual meeting from the Secretariat. Prime Minister Modi inquired about the progress of the reconstruction works of Badrinath and Kedarnath. Also Read | Red Cross Symbolises Hope for People, Says Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. "In the coming time, the number of devotees in Shri Kedarnath and Shri Badrinath would increase rapidly. The places near Shri Kedarnath will also have to be developed from the point of view of spiritual tourism," said PM Modi. He also highlighted that efforts will have to be made in the direction of development of the surrounding area. Also Read | Mumbai Shocker: Nursing Student Groped by Hawker in Central Railway Local Train; Arrested for Molestation. "Attention should also be paid to the accommodation and basic facilities available to the devotees between Rambara and Kedarnath. A complete plan should be prepared of what can be done spiritually for the devotees in and around Vasukital, Garuda Chatti, Lincholi and their surroundings," he added. He also stressed that along with Badrinath, a plan should also be made to develop the surrounding areas as a model and said, "Attention should also be paid to developing Mana village and its surrounding areas for rural tourism. In these, a good model of economy can be made by promoting local culture and local products." He also noted that maximum cooperation should be taken from the helpers and doctors and said public cooperation is also necessary along with government systems. The Uttarakhand Chief Minister said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the reconstruction work is going on at a fast pace in Badrinath and Kedarnath. "In view of the convenience of the devotees, night and day work is in progress. The target has been set to complete all the work by December 2023. So far this year, more than 35 lakh registered devotees have come for the Chardham Yatra," said CM Dhami. Chief Secretary Dr SS Sandhu gave a presentation of the reconstruction works of Kedarnath and Badrinath. He said that the reconstruction work of the first phase in Kedarnath has been completed. "In the second phase, 21 works worth Rs 188 crore are being done. Out of which 3 works have been completed, 6 works will be completed by December 2022. The remaining 12 works are targeted to be completed by July 2023. The gate has been constructed in Gaurikund. The work of Sangam Ghat will be completed by June 2023. The work of Ishaneshwar Temple will also be completed in a month," said Dr Sandhu. According to the master plan, all the work will be completed by December 2023. "In Badrinath work is being done at a fast pace as per the master plan. The work of Sheesh Netra Lake and Badrish Lake will be completed in three months. The work of the river development project will be completed by June 2023," he added. Secretary Culture, Government of India, Govind Mohan informed through a presentation that there are four types of work to be done under the Ministry of Culture for Kedarnath which will be started soon. He also informed that the establishment of Orientation Center at Sonprayag, Chintan Sthal (Meditation Sthal) at Rambara, Choti Lincholi, Badi Lincholi and Channi Camp, Shiv Udyan at Kedarnath and Kedar Gatha Museum in Kedarnath have been fully planned and prepared. On this occasion, Chief Secretary Dr SS Sandhu, Officer on Special Duty, Tourism Department Bhaskar Khulbe, Secretary Tourism, Sachin Kurve Secretary Culture Government of India, Govind Mohan, Joint Secretary to Government of India Rohit Yadav, Deputy Secretary to Government of India, Mangesh Ghildiyal were present. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kochi (Kerala) [India], September 22 (ANI): The Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday entered its 15th day and is scheduled to enter Thrissur district of Kerala this evening. Congress party leaders and workers from Parambayam Juma Masjid in Kochi joined Gandhi as he resumed his yatra today. Also Read | Wipro Terminates 300 Employees for Moonlighting With Rival Firms. On Wednesday, the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' got embroiled in a controversy after the picture of RSS ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar appeared among other freedom fighters on a poster which was meant to welcome the Congress party leaders in Kerala. As soon as photographs of the banner with Savarkar's picture went viral on the internet, the BJP said that Savarkar's "pictures adorning Congress's Bharat Jodo Yatra banner is a good realisation for Rahul Gandhi." However, Congress termed it as a printing mistake and said immediate action has been taken against the local leader while a detailed probe is being conducted." Also Read | Dog Attacks in Kerala: Pet Dog Jumps on Veterinarian During Vaccination, Bites His Face and Hand in Thirupuram. The banner has Savarkar's picture among photographs of other freedom fighters like Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Gobind Ballabh Pant and Chandrashekhar Azadwent viral on the internet. Reacting to the faux pas, Congress alleged that the BJP-RSS person deliberately tampered with the banner and said that they will probe the matter. After the embarrassment and criticism from the BJP, the party acted swiftly and the Savarkar picture was covered by a picture of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi on the campaign poster for 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. Notably, Congress has always criticised Savarkar, claiming that he apologised to the British instead of fighting them. Earlier on Wednesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP-led government of favouring big business and took a dig at billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, saying "he can monopolise any business he wants in the country". "He can monopolise any business he wants in the country. He can buy any airport and port. He can dominate agriculture, power and solar business. Who gives him money to build these businesses? It comes from public sector banks, it is your money," Rahul Gandhi said. Addressing a public meeting at Paravoor Junction in Aluva in Kochi here during a break in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi made a veiled reference to Gautam Adani and said the second-richest man on the planet is from India and asked "who gives him money to build businesses". On Wednesday, Gandhi began his Yatra by paying tributes to spiritual leader Sree Narayana Guru. "An inspiring start to the day. Offered my tributes to the great spiritual leader, philosopher and social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru whose teachings of equality are key to the idea of #BharatJodoYatra," Gandhi tweeted. 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. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thane, Sep 22 (PTI) As many as 64 new cases of coronavirus have been detected in Maharashtra's Thane district, taking its infection tally to 7,44,610, a health official said on Thursday. Also Read | PFI Raid: NIA Arrests Popular Front of Indias Delhi Chief Pravez Ahmed, Detains 105 Activists in Joint Raids With ED. With the addition of these numbers on Wednesday, there are currently 594 active COVID-19 cases in Thane, which is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, he said. Also Read | Chennai Shocker: Man Hits Grandmother With Hammer Over Monetary Dispute, Watches TV As She Bleeds to Death. The death toll in the district remained unchanged at 11,960. The recovery count has reached 7,32,745, 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) Amethi (UP), Sep 22 (PTI) Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday said she learnt from Amethi that those who continue to make efforts get victory one day. Irani was apparently referring to her victory against former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Also Read | Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Bats for Opposition Strategy To Tackle 'Divisive Forces'. Addressing a job fair through videoconferencing, the minister said," Those who keep trying and never give up get victory one day, this is what I learnt from Amethi." Irani said Prime Minister Narendra Modi created a ministry for skill development for the first time after the Independence and this will work in coordination with other departments. Also Read | OSSC Recruitment 2022: Vacancies Notified for 64 Junior Lab Assistant Posts at ossc.gov.in; Know Steps To Apply. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Etawah, September 22: Four children died and two others are injured after a wall of their house collapsed due to heavy rainfall in the Chandrapura village in the Civil Line area of Uttar Pradesh's Etawah on Thursday. "Four siblings, three boys, and one girl, have died and the compensation will be granted to the family as per the norms," said Avnish Rai, District Magistrate, Etawah. Uttar Pradesh Horror: Minor Gang-Rape Victim Forced To Walk Home Naked in Moradabad, Video Goes Viral. The deceased children have been identified as Sinku (10), Abhi (8), Sonu (7), Aarti (5) while one Rishav (4) and their grandmother Sharda Devi (75) were seriously injured in the wall collapse incident and have been admitted to the district's, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Government Joint Hospital. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath also expressed deep grief over the deaths caused due to wall collapse in Etawah. As per the CMO, CM Adityanath has instructed to give a relief amount of Rs 4 Lakh from the Disaster Relief Fund to the next of kin of the deceased and to give proper treatment to the injured persons. "#UPCM @myogiadityanath has deeply condoled the loss of lives due to the collapse of the wall in district Etawah. The Chief Minister has directed the senior officers to immediately visit the spot and conduct relief work," the CMO tweeted. Gujarat: 7 Undertrials Attempt Mass Suicide by Drinking Phenyl in Vadodara Central Jail. "The Chief Minister has given instructions to provide relief amount of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. He expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and directed them (officials) to make proper arrangements for their treatment while wishing for a speedy recovery of the injured," it said in another tweet. Etawah District Magistrate Rai and Senior Superintendent of Police Jaiprakash Singh took a closer look at the Chandrapur spot after taking the injured to the hospital. More details into the matter are awaited. Earlier on Wednesday night, an under-construction roof of Islamia College of Commerce collapsed in UP's Gorakhpur where two persons buried under the debris were rescued safely by the teams. On Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted isolated heavy falls and thunderstorms over Uttar Pradesh till Friday. "Isolated heavy falls & thunderstorm/lightning likely over Uttarakhand and West Uttar Pradesh during 21st-25th...and over East Uttar Pradesh during 21st -23rd and moderate rainfall likely over Delhi on 21st & 22nd September," the IMD tweeted. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Balochistan [Pakistan], September 22 (ANI): Balochistan residents have accused the Pakistan authorities of corruption in the distribution of flood relief materials, local media reported. A number of protestors gathered outside the Tehsildar's office and raised slogans against the Pakistan government. They alleged that the Tehsildar Jalal Murri in connivance with Naib Tehsildar Risaldar Aslam Murri has distributed items to his close associates and influential people instead of the flood-affected families, local media reported. Also Read | India Takes Dig at China at UNSC, Says 'Politics Should Not Prevent Sanctioning of Terrorists'. The protestors said that they were deprived of the government relief and assistance due to the Tehsildar's actions. They further said that during the ration distribution, when they went to the authorities for ration, the authorities refused and told them to ask assistance from people whomever they have voted. Moreover, the Tehsildar threatened the residents and told them no one can harm him, the protestors alleged. Also Read | EAM S Jaishankar at UNSC: End Conflict in Ukraine, Return to Negotiating Table. People have asked Deputy Commissioner of Kohlu to take action against the said officers, saying that the scope of the protest would be widened otherwise, local media reported. Earlier, Sabir Hussain, Coordinator to Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan accused the Hunza Deputy Commissioner (DC) of stealing two trucks worth of relief items sent by the foreign affairs office of Xinjiang, China, local media reported. Sabir alleged that Hunza DC had misappropriated trucks loaded with relief items sent from the Chinese foreign affair office of Xinjiang after they crossed the Sost Pakistan-China border. He claimed that Hunza DC took away the relief trucks in connivance with the DC Customs at the border. The relief items were sent by the Xinjiang office of Chinese foreign affairs at the request of the acting governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, Syed Amjad Ali Zaidi, amid the ongoing devastating floods situation, local media reports said. Sabir attached the documents from the Foreign Affairs Office of China and invoices of the consignment as proof of the accusation of corruption. Due to rampant corruption by the Pakistan province administrations, locals continue to suffer in times when they need the most help amid the devastating floods. This has created an outrage as thousands of people in far-flung areas are still waiting for help from the govt and welfare groups but the administration is busy pleasing their associates and influential people. The Monsoon rains have claimed more than a thousand lives across Pakistan since June and unleashed powerful floods that have washed away swathes of vital crops and damaged or destroyed more than a million homes. Record monsoons and heavy floods in Pakistan have given rise to hunger and various illnesses which have affected 33 million people and are estimated to have caused USD 30 billion in damage. (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 York [US], September 22 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a 10-day visit to the United States, met with his Estonia counterpart Urmas Reinsalu on the third day of the 77th session of the UNGA, on Wednesday (local time) at the UN headquarters in New York. Jaishankar is in the US for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting. Also Read | China President Xi Jinping Tightens State's Control Over Religious Affairs, Forces 60 Christians To Seek Asylum in US. "Good to meet FM of Estonia @UrmasReinsalu during #UNGA day 3. Discussed the deepening of bilateral cooperation following opening of our Embassy. Also exchanged views on developments pertaining to Ukraine," EAM tweeted. Jaishankar also interacted with Norway Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, Bolivia's Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. Also Read | Instagram Disrupted Across Iran Amid Protests Over Death of Woman Detained by Morality Police. While meeting Norway Minister, Jaishankar discussed nordic partnership, Afghanistan, Ukraine and climate action. "A good conversation with FM Rogelio Mayta of Bolivia. Spoke about our development partnership and expanding our economic engagement. Exchanged views on global developments," Jaishankar tweeted. While talking with UK Foreign Secretary, Jaishankar discussed taking the roadmap 2030 forward. Jaishankar also appreciates Cleverly's commitment to deepening the partnership between the two countries. "Our conversation also covered global issues including Indo-Pacific, Ukraine and UNSC matters. Shared my concern about the security and welfare of the Indian community in UK. Welcomed his assurances in that regard," Jaishankar said in a tweet. Jaishankar interacted with three presidents and four foreign ministers, on the second day of the 77th session of the UNGA, on Tuesday (local time) at the UN headquarters in New York. Jaishankar is in the US for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting. He met French President Emmanuel Macron, Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo and Comoros President Azali Assoumani in the US. Apart from that, the External Affairs Minister also met four of his counterparts including Denis Moncada from Nicaragua, Alexander Schallenberg from Austria, Najla al-Mangoush from Libya and Mevlut Cavusoglu from Turkiye. To discuss the ongoing cooperation between India and Ghana, Jaishankar called on the President of Ghana at UN headquarters in New York. Jaishankar has more than 50 official engagements in total. The highlights of Jaishankar's meetings particularly with developing countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Small Islands are sharply focused on the reform of the UN Security Council. Jaishankar will address world leaders at the General Assembly on Saturday, after which he will leave for Washington and a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Djibouti City [Djibouti], September 22 (ANI): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation was signed on Thursday between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) in New Delhi and the Institute of Diplomatic Studies (IDS) of Djibouti to expand the relationship between the two countries. The MoU was signed in the presence of Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan and the Foreign Minister of Djibouti, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. The two ministers also signed an agreement on the exemption from visa requirements for holders of Diplomatic and Official/Service Passports. Also Read | Pakistan: Imran Khan Apologises Before Islamabad High Court for Threatening Lady Judge. "During my visit to Djibouti, we signed 2 MoUs: Visa exemption for diplomatic & official/service Passport holders. Cooperation between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service & the Institute of Diplomatic Studies of Djibouti. A step in right direction to take the relationship further," Muraleedharan tweeted. MoS Muraleedharan also held a meeting with Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Health Minister Ahmed Abdilleh. Also Read | UK's Ofcom To Probe Amazon, Microsoft, Google's Dominance in Cloud Market. They had candid discussions on several aspects of bilateral relations & identified further areas of cooperation, including education, defence and health, Muraleedharan said. Earlier in the day, Muraleedharan visited the chancery and interacted with the officials of the embassy. Taking to Twitter, the official handle of the Indian embassy in Djibouti wrote, "Hon'ble @MOS_MEA visited the Chancery and interacted with the Embassy officials. @MEAIndia @SecretaryCPVOIA @IndianDiplomacy." The minister is on an official visit to Djibouti from September 21-22. He arrived in the Horn of Africa nation on his maiden visit on Wednesday. It is the first ministerial visit from India after a resident embassy opened in Djibouti. "H.E. @MOS_MEA arrived in Djibouti today on his maiden visit. This is also the first Ministerial visit from India after the opening of a resident Embassy here. He was warmly received by both the Ambassadors @indiaindjibouti & @djibembindia," the official account of India in Djibouti tweeted. India and Djibouti share warm and friendly relations underpinned by historical and cultural linkages. Djibouti extended extraordinary support in the evacuation of Indian nationals from war-torn Yemen in 2015 (Operation Rahat). Under Operation Rahat, India evacuated nearly 5,600 people from Yemen. In 2015, a conflict raged between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels. A sizeable Indian community is living in Djibouti. The visit is expected to provide further momentum to the bilateral ties between India and Djibouti. (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 22 (ANI): The event of Hindu political activist Sadhvi Ritambhara in the United Kingdom was cancelled after a mob gathered at a temple in Smethwick to protest against the leader. In an interview with ANI, Sadhvi said, "There were some people who could not see India's development and tried to fuel fear within the Hindu community. They try to create a situation, run the campaign and even assert pressure on the political leader." Also Read | Donald Trump, 3 of His Children Including Ivanka and Eric, Sued by New York Attorney General for Fraud. According to Sadhvi Ritambhara, she was scheduled to go to London from Los Angeles and later to India, but the programme was postponed due to the protest there. "They (the mob) also have created pressure on the media," she added. Earlier, around 200 people gathered outside a Hindu temple in Birmingham to protest against Sadhvi Ritambhara's event, according to media reports. Also Read | Suspicious Package Near US Capitol Cleared; Road Closures, Sidewalks To Open Shortly in Area. A mob staged a violent demonstration outside the Durga Bhawan temple in United Kingdom's Smethwick on Tuesday. Videos that surfaced on social media showed a large crowd of people marching towards the Durga Bhawan Hindu Centre on Spon Lane. They were also heard raising religious slogans. Several from the mob were seen climbing the temple's walls. Sandwell Police had earlier tweeted, "We're aware of a planned protest in West Bromwich later today (20 September). We understand this is in relation to concerns around a speaker at the Temple in Spon Lane, but we're informed the event has been cancelled and this person is not staying in the UK." This incident comes after recent social media reports about Pakistani organised gangs were seen vandalising and terrorising Hindus in the UK's Leicester City. The incident follows a spate of violence and disorder in the eastern part of the city. The Indian High Commission in London on Monday condemned the violence perpetrated against the Indian community in Leicester and sought immediate action against those involved in the attacks. "We strongly condemn the violence perpetrated against the Indian community in Leicester and vandalisation of premises and symbols of Hindu religion. We have strongly taken up this matter with the UK authorities and have sought immediate action against those involved in these attacks. We call on the authorities to provide protection to the affected people," the statement read. The cycle of violence was triggered on August 28 after India won the Asia Cup T20 match against Pakistan. On Sunday, a clash broke out among groups of young men in Leicestershire, according to the police statement. A total of 47 arrests have been made so far, Leicestershire Police 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) Washington, Sep 22 (AP) In a major action to address climate change, the Senate has ratified an international agreement that compels the United States and other countries to limit use of hydrofluorocarbons, highly potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning that are far more powerful than carbon dioxide. The so-called Kigali Amendment to the 1987 Montreal Protocol on ozone pollution requires participating nations to phase down production and use of hydrofluorocarbons, also known as HFCs, by 85% over the next 14 years, as part of a global phaseout intended to slow climate change. Also Read | Suspicious Package Near US Capitol Cleared; Road Closures, Sidewalks To Open Shortly in Area. The Senate approved the treaty, 69-27, above the two-thirds margin required for ratification. HFCs are considered a major driver of global warming and are being targeted worldwide. Nearly 200 nations reached a deal in 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda, to limit HFCs and find substitutes more friendly to the atmosphere. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Calls for International Tribunal To Punish Moscow's Invasion. More than 130 nations, including China, India and Russia, have formally ratified the agreement, which scientists say could help the world avoid a half-degree Celsius of global warming. President Joe Biden pledged to embrace the Kigali deal during the 2020 presidential campaign and submitted the agreement to the Senate last year, months after the Environmental Protection Agency proposed a rule that would limit US production and use of HFCs in line with Kigali. The EPA rule, in turn, followed a 2020 law passed by Congress authorizing a 15-year phaseout of HFCs in the US. "The Kigali Amendment will be one of the most significant bipartisan measures the Senate takes on all year," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. By ratifying the treaty, "not only will we protect our planet," Schumer said Tuesday, but senators also will provide "a golden opportunity to help American businesses dominate in an emerging (global) business" of refrigerants that do not rely on HFCs. "If we fail to ratify the amendment, the rest of the world is going to move on without us," Schumer said. "Without Kigali, we're going to play second fiddle to nations like China, whose businesses will surpass ours in developing viable HFC alternatives, taking jobs that by all rights belong here in America." The US Chamber of Commerce also urged approval, calling the amendment "a win for the economy and the environment". Senate ratification "would enhance the competitiveness of US manufacturers working to develop alternative technologies, and level the global economic playing field," the group said in a letter to the Senate. Ratification of the amendment "would continue the important, bipartisan action Congress took in 2020 with passage of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, which phased out domestic HFC manufacturing,'' said Jack Howard, the chamber's senior vice president for government affairs. Chris Jahn, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, an industry group, called the amendment a "tremendous market opportunity for our members to take advantage of game-changing technologies" that allow refrigeration in a more environmentally responsible manner than HFCs. "This is one of those truly rare things you get in the policy world where it is a win-win" for the environment and business, he said in an interview. Every year, millions of refrigerators and air conditioning units are sold around the world, and US businesses are prepared to meet that demand, Jahn said, citing growing markets in Asia, South America and Europe. David Doniger, a senior climate and clean energy official with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the Kigali Amendment builds on the the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which he called "the world's most successful environmental treaty? He said "the ozone is on the mend because the world took action to eliminate? chlorofluorocarbons, also known as CFCs, and other ozone-destroying chemicals, Doniger said. The next logical step is to replace HFCs with safer, commercially available alternatives, Doniger said. Democratic Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said ratification of the Kigali Amendment would "unleash billions of dollars in US economic benefits and create some 150,000 American jobs by 2027." Carper and Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., pushed for the 2020 law phasing out HFCs, saying it would give U.S. companies the regulatory certainty needed to produce alternative coolants. Both men represent states that are home to chemical companies that produce the alternative refrigerants. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, September 22: Good news for job seekers who want to make a career in banking as the State Bank of India (SBI) has invited online applications for the post of probationary officer. As per the job notification, a total of 1673 vacancies will be filled through this recruitment drive. Interested candidates can apply for the SBI PO vacancies by visiting the official website of SBI at sbi.co.in. Candidates must note that the last date to apply for the posts is October 12, 2022. Coal India Recruitment 2022: Vacancies Notified For 108 Medical Executive Posts at coalindia.in; Heres How to Apply. How to apply for SBI PO 2022: Visit the official website at sbi.com.in. Click on "RECRUITMENT OF PROBATIONARY OFFICERS" link. SBI 2022 registration window will appear on the screen. Register and login Fill in the application form Submit the documents. Pay the SBI PO application fee Submit the form. Selection Process for SBI PO 2022: Candidates will be selected through 3 stages. Online preliminary exams, online main exams, and psychometric tests will be conducted for recruitment. KSP Recruitment 2022: Application Begins For Over 3400 Armed Police Constable Posts At ksp-recruitment.in; Heres How to Apply. Age Limit for SBI PO 2022: Candidates should be in the age group of 21 to 30 years of age. Application Fee for SBI PO 2022: General/ EWS/ OBC candidates - Rs.750 SC/ ST/ PwBD candidates are exempted. Candidates must note that the online preliminary exam is scheduled to be conducted from December 17 to 20, 2022, while the online main exam is scheduled to be conducted in the months of January and February 2023. For more details and updates, please visit the official website of the State Bank of India. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2022 03:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, September 22: The Congress on Thursday issued a notification for the party president poll, setting the ball rolling for electing the successor to the longest-serving chief Sonia Gandhi, with senior leaders Ashok Gehlot and Shashi Tharoor being seen as potential contenders. According to the notification issued by the party's central election authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry, the process for filing nominations for the election will be held from September 24 to 30. Congress President Elections: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot To Be in Delhi Tomorrow, Likely to Meet Sonia Gandhi. The scrutiny of the nomination papers would take place on October 1, while the last date of withdrawal of nominations would be October 8. The final list of candidates would be published at 5 PM on August 8. Polling, if required, will take place on October 17. The counting of votes and the declaration of results would be on October 19. Over 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee delegates will vote in the polls. The party had also assured leaders that those wanting to file nomination will be able see the list of all 9,000 delegates from the office of central election authority at the AICC office from September 20. In the notification, Central Election Authority Chairman Madhusudan Mistry, under the power vested in him by provision of Article XVIII of the Constitution of the Indian National Congress, announced the nomination form will be available at the AICC Office, 24 Akbar Road, New Delhi. "I hereby call upon the delegates of the Congress Party to elect the President of Indian National Congress in accordance with the provision made under Article XVIII," Mistry said in the notification. The race for the Congress president's post hotted up on Wednesday with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot giving a clear indication that he could enter the fray, and Shashi Tharoor meeting the party's poll panel chief to enquire about the nomination formalities. After over two decades, the Congress is set to see a contest for the post of party chief. The upcoming polls would certainly be historic as the new president would replace Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving party president who has been at the helm since 1998, barring the two years between 2017 and 2019 when Rahul Gandhi took over. The party last saw a contest for the post in November 2000. Jitendra Prasada had lost to Sonia Gandhi in 2000 and prior to that Sitaram Kesri had defeated Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot in 1997. With Rahul Gandhi likely to stick to his stance of not taking on the mantle of party president again, it seems the party will have its first non-Gandhi president in over two decades. Also, with Sonia Gandhi asserting that she would remain neutral in the polls and there would be no "official candidate" it could be a keener contest than the one in 2000. Bhopal, September 22: The members of a Muslim family have been brutally beaten up by a mob in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district allegedly in what is being considered as "an act of revenge". Wajid Ali and his family members were attacked as he had eloped with a 23-year-old Hindu woman almost a month ago. The incident which happened on September 15 came to light after a video surfaced on the social media late on Tuesday. In the video, several people including women could be seen beating a Muslim man and his parents mercilessly. Gujarat: Married Woman Elopes With 14-Year-Old Boy, Police Ask His Kin To Produce Age Proof. Those attacked have been identified as Wajid Ali, 35; his father Sayed Ali, 52, and mother Sameena Ali, 48 -- all residents of Lalgaon village named located around 35 km from Chhindwara. On September 15, when Wajid and his parents were on their way to meet a relative in Auriya village, they were noticed by the villagers and were attacked. The Chhindwara police claimed to have registered a case against the Hindu family, and also arrested four persons. "The act came as revenge after Wajid Ali had eloped with a Hindu woman of the same village. The girl, however, was brought to her family later. When the Muslim family was noticed, some people cornered them and later attacked. An FIR has been registered and at least four persons have been arrested so far. Further investigation is underway," a police officer said. The police further said that Hindu woman who was brought from Hyderabad few days ago was reunited with her parents in Chhindwara. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2022 05:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, Sep 22: Former Union Minister Manish Tewari is also preparing to contest the Congress presidential poll, sources close to him revealed that he was in his constituency to meet the state party delegates who are the voters in the election. Every candidate requires 10 Pradesh Congress committee delegates to propose his/her name for the candidature. Tewari is one of the vocal critics of the Congress leadership and has demanded reforms in the party. However, there are now chances that there could be a multi-cornered contest if Tewari throws in the hat. The Congress' central election authority on Thursday issued notification for the Congress president polls. Uddhav Thackery-Led Sena To Go Ahead Despite Denial of Permission for Dussehra Rally, Calls It Bad Script of BJP. According to the notification, while the nomination forms will be available from Thursday, the filing of nominations will be held between September 24 and 30. Scrutiny of nomination will take place on October 1, and the same day, a valid candidate list will be published. The last date of withdrawal is October 8 following which, a final list will be brought out. While the poll will be held on October 17, counting will take place on October 19. Amid hectic political lobbying, there is a likely contest between Ashok Gehlot and Shashi Tharoor while Suresh Pachauri also met Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday, besides Mukul Wasnik and Pawan Bansal. PayCM Poster Row: Karnataka Police Arrest Two Accused Connected With KPCC Over Embarrassing Poster of CM Basavaraj Bommai With QR Code; Watch Video. Ashok Gehlot had met Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi and the meeting lasted for two hours, after which he left for Kerala to join Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. Sources said that Sonia Gandhi has asserted that the poll will be fair and she will not endorse any candidate. Apparently, the issue of Rajasthan was also discussed in the meeting but there is no official word on it. Gehlot is tipped to file his nomination next week for the president's post. However, he is reluctant to leave the Chief Minister's chair in the state. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2022 02:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Due to a technical glitch in signal initiation at Dadar Station, trains are running late on the Main line. Staff /officials are attending it and will be resolved soon. Shivaji Sutar, chief public relations officer, Central Railways, said that staff and officials are attending it, and will be resolved soon. Some commuters were seen walking on the railway tracks as a result of the delay. Technical Glitch at Dadar Railway Station: Maharashtra | Technical problem in signal initiation at Dadar Station. Trains are running late on Main line. Staff /officials are attending it and will be resolved soon: CPRO CR, Shivaji Sutar ANI (@ANI) September 22, 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.) The first consignment of plant-based meat products under Vegan food category exported to USA from Gujarat Centre plans to boost the export of vegan foods products to Australia, Israel and New Zealand Read here: https://t.co/IfMeQ3XhrG PIB India (@PIB_India) September 22, 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.) The #NREGA workers across the country are observing Action Day to revive proper functioning of #MGNREGA from September 21 to 23. The NREGA workers are mobilising to raise their demands of adequate funding, timely payment of wages and others. pic.twitter.com/GCet3VhZB4 IANS (@ians_india) September 22, 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.) The gate on Jim Schnicks neat little dairy farm is padlocked. The killings happened here and over at the Buckner place. At first, everyone thought that 14-year-old Kirk Buckner had just gone berserk and killed his parents, his three younger brothers and Jim Schnicks wife. They had found the gun in Kirks hand as he lay dead on the floor of the Schnick home. Schnick said he had to kill the boy, his wifes nephew, to stop the rampage. But now, Jim Schnick is in jail in Marshfield, the county seat, accused of all seven killings on that Sept. 25 morning. Advertisement Having Schnick accused of the murders does not make for a tidy ending. True, Kirk Buckners name has been cleared. But Schnick was part of this community of 250 for a lot of years. He worked hard for the volunteer fire department, and Postmaster Jim Jacobs seemed to recall that he once had been a member of the Lions Club. In a little town like this, everyone is sort of like a relative, Jacobs said. Everybody was kind of relieved to find out the boy didnt do it. Nobody really wanted to find out about Mr. Schnick, because he had a lot of friends, too. The rolling country around Elkland is part of the Ozark foothills. At this time of year, the trees are beginning to turn and, at night, the thermometer dips to near freezing. Those who still work the land full time for a living, as the Schnicks and the Buckners did, mostly do so as dairy farmers. The Buckners, with four children, did not have much money left over after paying for the necessities. When Webster County Sheriff Eugene Fraker drove down the gravel road to the Schnick farm that early morning, he saw two ambulances that had got there before him. Young Kirk Buckner was dead, and so was Schnicks wife, Julie. Schnick was bleeding from what appeared to be shots to the leg and abdomen. Fraker noticed a couple of things, seemingly unimportant at the time, but relevant later. He was overacting, Fraker said. For one thing, he said, Schnick was thrashing about wildly, as if delirious from grief and his wounds. Two men had to pin his arms to the floor while a paramedic worked on him. And, when they both let go, Schnick continued to writhe but did not try to get up. He was thrashing about, but it was like a little bantam rooster wanting to be held back from a fight, the sheriff said. Suffered Flesh Wound Another thing, Fraker said, was that Schnicks voice was very weak. That did not seem unusual then, but it did when the medical report came in. The shot to the abdomen was only a flesh wound. A bullet in the leg doesnt make you lose your voice, Fraker said. Of course, in all the excitement, he was not thinking about that at the time. After the other bodies at the Buckner home were discovered, the news media arrived in a swarm. It fell to the sheriff to comfort the senior Buckners, also dairy farmers here, who had lost a son, a daughter and four grandchildren. It was not until Sunday, two days after the murders, that Fraker began to believe things were not as they appeared, when the evidence did not seem to fit together. Schnick, meanwhile, had done another unusual thing: His wounds had only been severe enough to warrant an overnight hospital stay, but he had told doctors he did not want to be released. The sheriff called Sgt. Tom Martin of the Missouri Highway Patrol criminal division and asked for help. I wondered when you were going to call, Martin said. Plausible Explanation The initial explanation that Fraker had put together and given to the press had seemed plausible. The boy, for whatever reason, had snapped. He had killed his mother, Jan, 36; brothers Dennis, 8, Timothy, 7, and Michael, 2; and his father, Steve, 35, whose 250-pound body he somehow moved three miles away to the Pleasant View Church cemetery. Then he had driven to the Schnick farm and killed his aunt before he was himself killed in a struggle with his uncle. It was easy to believe the story that Kirk Buckner might have done it, said Gordon Nordquist, the editor and publisher of the weekly Marshfield Mail. I couldnt put it together any other way. It seemed like a believable tale. Audie DeHart, principal of Marshfield Junior High, which Kirk had attended, said much the same thing: It looked like the boy did it. It looked pretty conclusive. Shot and Stabbed But Fraker was not so sure. For one thing, the autopsy report on Kirk showed that the boy had not only been shot through the heart but had been stabbed there as well. Either wound, the coroner told the sheriff, would have been almost instantly fatal. As Fraker and Martin questioned Kirks friends and relatives, many stated adamantly that the boy could not have committed the murders. Some of his classmates said he had been acting strangely before the killing spree, but his closest friends said Kirk had been his usual self. Then there was the question of finding the gun in his right hand, when Kirk was left-handed. And the problem of how a 90-pound boy managed to load his 250-pound father into a pickup truck and then dump him near the cemetery. Neither police officer said anything to Schnick about all this. And the dairy farmer, having been released from the hospital, went to be looked after by the senior Buckners, who on the night of the killings had been taking care of the two Schnick daughters. Only after all the funerals had been held did Martin ask Schnick if he would take a polygraph test. Schnick agreed to take one the next Monday. Got a Confession Highway Patrol Sgt. Donny Smith came in from Poplar Bluff to administer the test. He got a confession from Schnick instead. The question of motive is still something neither Fraker nor county prosecutor Don Cheever will discuss in detail. They will say only that it seems to involve a mix of things. For one, there was bad blood between Schnick and Steve Buckner. For another, there was a $50,000 insurance policy on Julie Schnicks life. Loves a funny thing, Fraker said cryptically. .22-Caliber Pistol Cheever said that the working theory is that Buckner went to the Schnick house at about 4 a.m., armed with the .22-caliber pistol used in all the killings. There was a struggle. Buckner was killed and then dumped at the cemetery. Then the rest of the Buckner family was killed, the three younger boys apparently shot as they slept. Kirk Buckner was the only one dressed, probably doing chores, and police now say he may have died trying to save his family. Julie Schnick is now presumed to be the last one to die, Cheever said. Still, there is a cloud over this case, and answers may be hard to come by. Schnick confessed to the killings, Cheever said, but he really didnt explain why it happened. I dont know if we will ever know exactly why it happened, he added. Martin, though, still thinks it most important that the boy who was killed will not be branded a killer. The most tragic thing would have been if we didnt clear Kirk Buckners name, he said. The Justice Department can now resume its review of Mar-a-Lago documents that the Federal Bureau of Investigation seized from former U.S. President Donald Trump's Florida residence. Associated Press News reported that the federal appeals court has lifted the hold on the said documents as ruled by a three-judge panel. The decision has cleared the way for Justice Department and investigators to continue the preview of the documents as they deliberate whether there is a criminal charge they can bring against the former president. The U.S. Court of Appeals also noted that Trump had presented no evidence that he had declassified the sensitive records, which he has repeatedly maintained. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, had temporarily banned investigators from continuing the use of Mar-a-Lago documents in its probe. She earlier said that the hold would remain instilled while a separate review by an independent arbiter is pending. Two of the three judges who lifted the hold were nominated to the 11th Circuit by Trump namely, Britt Grant and Andrew Basher. Meanwhile, the third judge was Robin Rosenbaum, who was nominated by former President Barack Obama. READ NEXT: Joe Biden Calls Donald Trump's Handling of Documents 'Totally Irresponsible' Donald Trump Declassification of Documents The three-judge panel wrote in their ruling that the declassification argument "is a red herring because declassifying an official document would not change its content or render it personal." CBS News reported that the judges went on to say that if they assumed the former president did declassify some or all of the documents, "that would not explain why he has a personal interest in them." Justice Department lawyers argued that Cannon's temporary ban was keeping investigators from using the materials for investigative purposes "impedes the government's efforts to protect the nation's security." Trump's lawyers wrote in their filings that the government has not proven their claims that the documents are classified, according to The New York Times report. They added that the former president has "broad authority governing classification of, and access to, classified documents." Mar-a-Lago Documents Trump said in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity that he can declassify top secret government documents just "by thinking about it," as reported by an Independent report. He also defended his handling of the Mar-a-Lago documents, saying that he declassified the documents "when they left the White House." He also said in the interview that he was not involved in the packing up of presidential records as he left the White House. The National Archives said in January 2022 that it had identified highly sensitive materials being kept at Mar-a-Lago and asked permission to notify the FBI. The agency also rejected Trump's arguments in May that his executive and attorney-client privilege protect handing over the documents. Meanwhile, Trump is facing another legal challenge with New York Attorney General Letitia James and the Trump Organization for "numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation." READ MORE: Donald Trump Admits He Didn't Win Presidential Election 2020 During Interview With Presidential Historians This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Mar-a-Lago special master holds preliminary meeting with DOJ, Trump's legal team - from CBS News For the second time, a Honduran judge sentenced former Honduran First Lady Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo to prison. She is now serving a 14-year sentence for being found guilty of corruption. As the first lady, Bonilla de Lobo embezzled over $1 million in government funds from 2010 until 2014. This is the second trial involving the former first lady, as she was previously found guilty and sentenced to 58 years in prison. The conviction was tossed out due to reported inconsistencies in the process. She then had a re-trial in March and was convicted of fraud and embezzlement. The 14-year sentence levied upon her is the result of that trial. According to the Associated Press, the former first lady of Honduras now has 20 days to appeal the sentence. Juan Berganza, the attorney representing her, said he would appeal the sentence. What Did First Lady Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo Do? The Honduras Public Ministry revealed that Bonilla de Lobo spent around 12.2 million lempiras, or around $560,000, on personal credit card payments, as well as her children's school fees and real estate construction. The Standard reported that the money she spent was originally meant for low-income children. The former first lady's sentencing was a unanimous decision. She was sentenced to seven years for fraud and another six years, two months, and 20 days for misappropriation of funds, making it a total of 14 years, one month, and five days in prison for her. In addition, she was also ordered to pay a fine of over $560,000 in order to pay back the government funds she embezzled. Bonilla de Lobo is now also disqualified for subsidies, public aid, and contracting with the public sector. In addition, she will not be able to enjoy benefits, tax incentives, and social security due to her prison sentence, according to DW. READ NEXT: Honduras Jails U.S. Citizen Over Child Pornography Charges Corruption Also Runs in the Family as Former President Porfirio Lobo Also Known To Be Corrupt Her husband, former Honduras President Porfirio Lobo Sosa, is also involved in corrupt practices and is even linked to the illegal drug trade. Last year, the United States even barred him from entering the country due to him having allegations of his involvement in drug trafficking. Extrajudicial killings also marred the Lobo presidency, as eight journalists and ten members of the political group known as the National Popular Resistance Front (FNRP) were killed during his tenure. He served from January 2010 until January 2014, following a military coup that ousted then-President Manuel Zelaya. However, his biggest red flag while in office was his drug trafficking connections. His son, Fabio Lobo Bonilla, was arrested in Haiti during a sting operation by the United States. Drug Enforcement Administration in 2015. He pleaded guilty to attempting to import cocaine into the United States. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison. READ NEXT: Argentina VP Cristina Fernandez De Kirchner Evades Death After Gunman's Weapon Jammed During Assassination Attempt This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Honduras Hopes Election Trumps Coup - Associated Press The case of missing Ayotzinapa students in Mexico has taken another turn after the disappeared students' families and relatives asked the government of Israel to extradite the former top investigator involved in the case. France 24 News reported that the former head of Mexico's Criminal Investigation Agency, Tomas Zeron, is accused of manipulating the probe and was considered to be one of the architects of the "historical truth" of the case that was presented in 2015. The presented official version of the incident was widely rejected by the victims' relatives and independent experts. A representative of the families of the missing Ayotzinapa students, Meliton Ortega, said that Israel is "protecting" Zeron, whom Ortega described as a "human rights violator." Ortego added that Zeron tortured those he detained at the time to craft the "historical truth" they presented. Mexico has repeatedly asked Israel to deport Zeron after being accused of kidnapping, torturing suspects, and manipulating evidence. Zeron has continued to deny the allegations. READ NEXT: Mexico Arrests Army General Jose Rodriguez Perez for Role in the Deaths of 43 Missing Ayotzinapa Students Mexico Protesters Calling Israel to Deport Suspect Families and supporters of the case of the missing Ayotzinapa students have vandalized the Embassy of Israel in Mexico during a protest demanding the extradition of Zeron. Hooded militants destroyed the embassy's security cameras and painted the walls with slogans saying "Extradition of Tomas Zeron," "43," and "Free Palestine." The protesters also wrote "Death to Zionism" on the embassy's wall, according to a La Prensa Latina report. Mexico has already submitted its request for the extradition of Zeron in September 2020. The former criminal investigation agency head was alleged to destroy evidence while torturing witnesses during the probe of the mass abduction of the students in the southern state of Guerrero. It was reported that Israel and Mexico do not have an extradition treaty, and Israeli officials have reportedly ignored the request to punish the Mexican government for its vote in the United Nations to investigate the crisis in Palestine. Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has personally written to Israeli Minister Naftali Bennett requesting his help to return Zeron. Case of Missing Ayotzinapa Students The 43 missing Ayotzinapa students were studying at an all-male teacher training college in Ayotzinapa. The college has a history of left-wing activism and students have regularly taken part in demonstrations, as reported by BBC News. The students were on the way to Iguala to protest against what they saw as a discriminatory hiring process for teachers. In addition, the students were aiming to raise funds for a trip they were planning to Mexico City to protest the 1968 Tlatelolco Massacre on its anniversary. One member of the group said they were planning to commandeer a number of buses for their trip but noted that they would convince the drivers to take them to the place instead of forcing them. The students clashed with the police and ended up with 43 of them missing, with investigators alleging that the students were seized by municipal officers. The "historical truth" that was presented has been discredited, with the attorney general who was in charge of the probe already arrested. READ MORE: Mexico Arrests Former Top Prosecutor Leading the Investigation Into Disappearance of 43 Ayotzinapa Students This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Experts say Mexican military falsified evidence in 43 missing students case - from Al Jazeera English The House on Wednesday passed a bill to overhaul an election law, which had been around for centuries, in response to the January 6 insurrection. The legislation passed with 229 votes in favor of overhauling the 1800s-era statute known as the Electoral Count Act against 203 votes. Lawmakers passed it in response to the January 6 riot where former President Donald Trump attempted to overthrow the results of the 2020 presidential election. According to the Associated Press, the bill's passage means that the Electoral Count Act will be overhauled, along with the U.S. Constitution, how states and Congress certify electors and declare presidential election winners. The report said Trump and some of his aides and lawyers have not been successful in trying to exploit loopholes in the law during an attempt to overturn his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Democrats have been scrambling to pass the bill by the end of the year, ahead of the 2024 election cycle, as Donald Trump considers running again. Several Republicans Voted Yes For the Election Law Overhaul While a staggering number of votes were from Democrats, a surprising number of Republicans still voted for the bill. In the Senate version of the bill's passage, at least 10 GOP senators voted for the bill. However, only nine House Republicans voted in favor of the overhaul at the House, as the vote fell mostly along party lines. Several House Republicans who argued against the bill noted that it should not have been a priority because the Democrats are using it as a political tool ahead of the midterm elections in November. All nine House Republicans who voted in favor of the overhaul are not returning to Congress next year. READ NEXT: New York AG Letitia James Officially Files Lawsuit Against Donald Trump and His Adult Children For Fraud What Does This New Election Reform Bill Do? According to PBS, the bill would set new parameters around the January 6 joint session of Congress, which happens every four years after a presidential election. Republican Wyoming Representative Liz Cheyney, who co-sponsored the bill, said the measure would ensure that the January 6 sessions are "as the constitution envisioned, a ministerial day." House Administration Committee Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif), who also co-sponsored the bill, noted that "the American people are supposed to decide an election, not Congress." This is reportedly in response to Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the elections using then-Vice President Mike Pence, who chose to go with the constitution and certified the election, announcing Joe Biden as the official and rightful winner of the 2020 presidential election. According to the Boston Globe, the bill also increases the threshold for individual lawmakers' objections to any state's electoral votes. It now requires a third of the House and a third of the Senate to object in order to trigger voting on the results for either chamber. It changes the previous rule that only one House Representative or one Senator can object to the vote. It was an attempt to thwart baseless or politically motivated challenges, such as what Donald Trump tried to do during the events leading up to the insurrection on January 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol to try to stop Congress from certifying the presidential electoral votes. READ MORE: Ron DeSantis in Legal Trouble: Martha's Vineyard Migrants File Class-Action Lawsuit While Bexar County Sheriff Investigating Governor's Actions in Flying Migrants to Massachusetts This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: House Passes Election Reform Legislation With Support of Nine GOP Lawmakers - From NBC News House lawmakers are at the crossroads of passing the stopgap spending bill to avert a shutdown when current funds run out on September 30. One of the critical problems that they need to address is President Joe Biden's request for $22.4 billion "to meet immediate short-term domestic needs" allegedly connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this week, Biden made the headlines after declaring that the pandemic was over, triggering a mountain of backlash from Republicans and even some Democrats and public health experts. As lawmakers return to The Hill, one of the key problems they have to come together is Biden's differing public pronouncements and policies like the massive pandemic-related funding he is asking Congress. Joe Biden Wants $22B COVID-19 Pandemic Funding According to Blaze Media, House lawmakers are struggling to agree on whether to grant Joe Biden's $22.4 billion COVID-19 funding. The aid, if Congress permits, would be for continuous COVID-19 testing, research and development of vaccines and therapeutics, preparation for possible variants, and support for the global pandemic response. In a press release, the White House said the government's COVID-19 response efforts continue to require additional funding. It added that the lack of additional funding had prevented the government from adequately replenishing the national stockpile of at-home tests, suspending the sending of free test kits to Americans, and leaving domestic testing capacity diminished for a potential fall surge. If the House does not have a final approval for the stopgap spending bill, the government will undergo a partial shutdown when the fiscal year ends on September 30. According to the Washington Post, the Republicans seem to have been seizing on the apparent double standard and noting that the president's rhetoric contradicts his policies. READ NEXT: Joe Biden's 'COVID-19-Is-Over' Declaration Gets Refuted by Experts: Here's Why It's Not Joe Biden Declares COVID-19 Pandemic 'Is Over' During his interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley that aired on Sunday, Joe Biden said the COVID-19 pandemic is over despite reports of two new Omicron variants on the rise. His statements triggered a backlash from different sides, even from Democrats, who were struggling to get Republican support to push forward on Biden's funding request. The Washington Post reported that some Republican lawmakers were reluctant to support the pandemic funding, especially after Biden's statement that the pandemic was over. They noted that the COVID funding was not the highest priority. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre attempted to contextualize Biden's remark. "Just to step back for a second... When he made those comments, he was walking through the Detroit car show, the halls of the Detroit car show, and he was looking around. We have to remember the last time they held that event was three years ago. We are in a different time. He's been very consistent about that," she said, attributing Biden's work as president to the improving COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the New York Times show that the daily average of COVID-19 cases on September 21 is nearly 56,000. A Gallup survey also revealed that two-thirds of Americans expect a surge of new cases this fall. READ MORE: Joe Biden Says COVID-19 Pandemic 'Is Over' Amid Reports of 2 New Omicron Variants on the Rise This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ivan Korrs WATCH: Is the COVID-19 Pandemic Over or Not? - From Fox Business A Florida mom and her son were shot and killed by her ex-husband during an argument that began over an electric bill and lights left on in the house. According to NBC News, Michael Williams, 47, was arrested on Sunday night and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The Volusia Sheriff's Office identified the victims as Marsha Ebanks-Williams, 48; and Robert Adams, 28. The sheriff's office said Williams called 911 just before 8 p.m. and told the police that he shot the victims "in self-defense" at the DeLand home that he was sharing with her ex-wife following their June divorce that ended their 10 years of marriage. Officers responded to the Daytona Park Estates neighborhood's home and found Williams in a vehicle parked in the driveway. The sheriff's office noted that Williams surrendered while the Florida mom and her son were found dead inside the home. There were also two young children inside the house, ages five and six, who were identified as Adams' children. Police said the children were visiting their father from Tallahassee and may have witnessed the shooting. READ NEXT: Texas Toddler Found Dead Inside Stolen SUV Hours After Dad Was Shot Dead Outside Hispanic Supermarket Florida Mom, Son Killed by Ex-Husband Over Electricity Bill Michael Williams told police that he had shut off power to the house, locked the electrical panel, and left. When he returned to the home, the Florida man discovered that the lock had been cut and replaced, and the power to the house had been restored, People reported. Police said that incident led to the argument that resulted in Williams fatally shooting his ex-wife and stepson. According to Williams, the Florida mom and her son attacked and punched him repeatedly in the face. However, police noted that Williams did not appear to have any injuries "other than some superficial scratches." Chief Deputy Brian Henderson said investigators determined that Williams went berserk over arguments he had with his ex-wife over electricity in the home. He noted that Williams was upset that he felt that the two were leaving the lights on in the house, which prompted him to put a lock on the box outside of the house. Henderson held up a mugshot of Williams in a news conference, saying "this does not look like a violent attack to me that warrants being shot multiple times." Young Children Likely See Suspect Shooting Florida Mom, Their Father Brian Henderson said the five and six-year-old children seemed to have witnessed their father and grandmother getting murdered, adding that it was a senseless murder that did not have to happen, New York Post reported. The exes lived together after the divorce and had planned to sell the property and split the proceeds. The only weapon found on the property was Michael Williams' gun. Police officers reportedly responded to five domestic disputes at their home in the past year. However, there were no allegations of violence at the time. Authorities noted that Williams' criminal record includes allegations of child abuse, domestic violence, and battery on a law enforcement officer. Henderson called the relationship toxic and revealed that the Florida mom called the sheriff's office just hours before the attack, seeking legal advice. Williams is being held in the Volusia County Branch Jail with no bond. READ MORE: Florida Elderly Woman Killed After Falling Into Pond Near Home, Attacked by Two Alligators This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Florida Man Accused of Shooting, Killing Ex-Wife, Her Son Over Electricity Usage - From FOX 35 Orlando Armed members of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel invaded a bar in Mexico's Guanajuato state and killed at least 10 people inside. According to Infobae, the gunmen arrived at the El Jarras bar at around 9 p.m. on Wednesday. They then started spraying bullets inside and left narco messages attributing the attack to the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel. The messages also cited the leader of the cartel, Jose Antonio Yepez Ortiz, alias "El Marro." Initially, nine people were reported to have died from the attack. However, that number was updated after one of the victims, who was rushed to a hospital, died. The gunmen had also managed to record the attack and posted it on social media: #Tarimoro #Guanajuato | En redes sociales comparten #Video del ataque a un Bar donde se habla de nueve personas que perdieron la vida. Redes Sociales pic.twitter.com/wxWcFKl7Wb Noticias del estado de Guanajuato (@BjxNoticias) September 22, 2022 READ NEXT: Mexico: Jalisco New Generation Cartel May Have Murdered 2 Lucha Libre Wrestlers Violence in Mexico's Guanajuato State as Mexican Drug Cartels Vie For Supremacy The attack comes a week after 10 women were killed in a span of 72 hours across Guanajuato state in Mexico. 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. Five of these women were shot and found on the same day. No one has been detained yet for these crimes. A man was also shot dead while standing at the entrance of his home at San Francisco del Rincon in Guanajuato last week. 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. This shows how violent the state has become, as it has grown to be a battleground between the Mexican drug cartels operating in the area. Santa Rosa De Lima Cartel and Jalisco Cartel in Mexico's State of Guanajuato 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 home-grown Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel and the Jalisco cartel 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. Reports said the CJNG has already killed hundreds of Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel members. 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. On the other hand, Jose Antonio Yepez Ortiz, the leader of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel, has already been captured by Mexican authorities in 2020. However, the cartel members and new leaders continued to engage in turf wars to win or maintain their territory even though their boss was arrested. READ MORE: Mexico: Son of Celaya Mayor in Guanajuato State Shot Dead by Gunmen in Ambush Attack This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: On the Frontline of Mexico's Drug War - From Sky News Today a group of Ukraine families are being forced to leave their temporary Laois homes, to live in another county. In all, eight families who came to Ireland to escape the war by Russia, were requested to pack up and move to other temporary accommodation in Kilkenny. They were only given less than two days notice by the Department of Children, a move that "shocked and horrified" Laois Integration Network. Read more below. The families are vacating Laois houses that had been bought and furnished for another group of non-nationals seeking refuge in Ireland, Direct Provision residents. The Didean chairman is Mountrath based businessman Ed Dunne. He formed Didean housing body in 2019 to offer an alternative to Direct Provision centres which house people seeking refugee status in Ireland. After a long wait, some of those residents are now being moved in, spelling the long planned closure of the controversial centres. In Laois they include the Montague Hotel in Emo and Hibernian Hotel in Abbeyleix. Mr Dunne confirmed the detail to the Leinster Express/Laois Live. "The purpose of the project is being fulfilled. Families are coming from the direct provision system in general hotels / reception centres etc." He said that a figure of 15 Ukraine families leaving the houses, reported in national media, is not correct. "We currently have a total of 20 homes around Laois, only 8 had been vacated contrary to media reports. A number of other families had been supported on to long term accommodation while they were with Didean," he said. The houses had been sitting ready and idle for over a year and a half waiting for the Government to close down direct provision centres. When the Ukraine war began, Didean offered them as temporary accommodation. Mr Dunne said he cannot comment on the situation of the Ukraine families forced to leave his houses so suddenly, including children leaving schools and parents leaving jobs. They are offered shared accommodation in Kilkenny as an only option. "Unfortunately we are not in a position to comment on the move of residents to Kilkenny given our contractual obligations, specifically clauses re confidentiality. "Didean has no control over the moving on of residents other than the provision of social care supports aimed at helping them seek independent accommodation," the chairman said. The founder of Nua Healthcare, philantropist businessman Mr Dunne is also the CEO of Siol Foundation which funded the creation of Mountrath's digital and community hub BloomHQ. Meanwhile the Department of Children has stated that it is obliged by law to accommodate not just people fleeing war, but anyone arriving to Ireland seeking international protection, which includes those living in Direct Provision. "Under EU and International Law, Ireland is obliged to examine the claim of any person who arrives into the country and claims International Protection. While that claim is being examined by the Department of Justice, the International Protection Accommodation Service offers accommodation and related services to International Protection applicants who wish to accept the offer of accommodation from the Irish State. "Under the EU Temporary Protection Directive, people fleeing war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland, are entitled to Government-provided accommodation. Accommodation is made available by the Departments Ukrainian Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team (UCTAT)." Three Laois schools in Portlaoise will be planting their own little woodlands soon thanks to sharing in grants totalling 63,000 awarded to the county for a range of biodiversity projects. The Holy Family campus, Scoil Bhride and Summerhill Campus as well as Laois Education Centre have been awarded 17,000 between them for An Choill Beag (little woodland) projects. Each campus will received 200 native Irish trees, planted in small, dense woodland habitats to form Outdoor Classrooms. Suzanne Dempsey Environmental Awareness Officer at Laois County Council is leading the delivery of the An Choill Bheag project in Portlaoise with the Environmental Education unit of An Taisce. "The entire process involves student participation and presents a huge learning opportunity for students and leaves the legacy of a wonderful teaching resource for the school and place of tranquillity to enjoy nature. The entire project is managed by LEAF in An Taisce and I am really impressed by the education resources and supports that they have developed as well as their professionalism and knowledge in planning and planting the Choill Beag on site," she told the Leinster Express/Laois Live. "The sites selected for this project include Summerhill Campus (Portlaoise Educate Together, Marybourgh NS and Gaelscoil Portlaoise), Holy Family Campus, Scoil Bhride NS and Laois Education Centre which is a teacher training facility. LEAF and Laois County Council had an introductory meet with the schools last week to discuss site selection. This initiative supports the objectives of the Portlaoise Low Carbon Town Project and is being co-funded by Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund and Laois County Council," Ms Dempsey said. Part of the Portlaoise Low Carbon Town actions, An Choill Beag in Primary Schools will also add a woodland to Laois Education Centre on the Block Road in Portlaoise, as an educational resource for teachers with bespoke signage as part of new a Biodiversity Demonstration site. In all Laois won over 63,000 for four projects. Half of it, 31,450 will pay for field studies of precious biodiverse Laois Wetlands. A desk study of the wetlands in Laois was carried out in 2021 with the assistance of the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) by Wetland Surveys Ireland. Phase two is a selected field study in 2022, with 30 sites being studied in detail on the ground. There is 4,250 granted to pay for a Radio Awareness campaign on All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, alongside Westmeath and Offaly County Councils and support Birdwatch Ireland podcast series "In Your Nature, presented by Laois ornithologist Ricky Whelan and Niall Hatch, both of BirdWatch Ireland. A medieval Laois round tower has won over 10,000 to enhance its biodiversity. Timahoe Monastic Site will benefit to the tune of 10,998. In all the Department of Heriage announced 1.4 million for 128 community projects across all 31 local authorities. All support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan, the new draft of which is currently out for public consultation. Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, announced the money, from the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF). Since it was launched in 2018, a total of almost 4m has been granted to local authorities through the LBAF to carry out projects in support of the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021. We know that communities are at the heart of biodiversity action and thats why Im so thrilled to see this fund continue to grow and increase its impact all across the country, said Minister Noonan. This year, weve funded 128 projects across all 31 Local Authorities this will have real, tangible impact for nature and it couldnt come at a more crucial time. Whats more, the successful projects are all contributing to the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) and helping to advance our shared vision for nature. The new NBAP is currently out for public consultation, so its a great opportunity for people to have their say and help shape the future for biodiversity in Ireland. Engagement with communities and local authorities is said to be crucial to the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Projects aided include invasive alien species control, dune restoration, wetland surveys and biodiversity awareness and training. The public consultation for Irelands 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan launched on September 1st and submissions are invited through www.gov.ie/biodiversityplan. The public consultation will close on November 9th and the 4th NBAP will be published in early 2023. The death has occurred of Michelle Murphy Glen Easton Lodge, Leixlip, Kildare Murphy, Michelle, Glen Easton Lodge, Leixlip, Co. Kildare, September 20th 2022, peacefully at home surrounded by her loving mother Rosaleen, adored "Princess" of the recently deceased Michael, sadly missed by Ann, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, friends and her best buddy Boss. Rest In Peace Those attending Michelle's Funeral are asked to kindly wear bright and colourful clothing Reposing at Oliver Reilly's Funeral Home, Leinster St., Maynooth (W23V99E) on Friday from 5pm to 8pm. Removal from Oliver Reilly's Funeral Home on Saturday morning at approx 10:30am to arrive at the Church of Our Lady's Nativity, Leixlip for 11am funeral mass, followed by burial in Confey Cemetery, Leixlip. Those who are unable to attend the funeral, please leave a personal message for the family in the condolences section below. The Funeral Mass can be viewed on Saturday at 11am by clicking on the following link : http://oln.ie/oln/live-webcam/ Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues. Family flowers only please. Donations can be made in memory of Michelle to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association by clicking on the following link : https://imnda.ie/donate/ For all enquiries, please contact Oliver Reilly Ltd. Funeral Directors on (045) 868230 The death has occurred of Kevin HIGGINS Kill, Kildare Higgins (Kill) September 20, 2022, (peacefully), at home, Kevin, father of Dean, Shane and Aaron. Pre-deceased by his father Brendan; Sadly missed by his sons and their mother Sinead, mother Theresa, brothers Ben, Darren and William, uncles, aunts, mother-in-law Margaret, daughter-in-law Rebecca, bothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. Reposing on Friday from 5pm to 7pm at Murphy Brothers Funeral Home, Church Lane, Naas. Removal on Saturday to St. Brigids Church, Kill arriving for 10am Mass. Funeral immediately afterwards to St. Corbans Cemetery. Enquiries to Murphy Brothers Funeral Directors, Church Lane, Naas Ph: 045 897397. The Funeral Mass can be viewed by clicking on the following link: https://www.churchmedia.tv/test May He Rest In Peace The death has occurred of Eileen Lennon (nee Ni Loingsigh) Leixlip, Kildare / West Cork, Cork Lennon (nee Ni Loingsigh), Eileen, Leixlip, Co. Kildare and late of Lyrenageeha, West Cork. September 19th 2022, peacefully in her 102nd year at home surrounded by her loving family, beloved wife of the late Myles, pre-deceased by her son-in-law Liam and great-granddaughters Aoife and ELodie, deeply regretted by her loving daughters, sons, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Rest In Peace Reposing at her residence on Thursday from 1pm, followed by removal at approx. 6:30pm to arrive at the Church of Our Lady's Nativity, Leixlip for 7pm Evening Prayers. Funeral Mass on Friday morning at 12 noon, followed by burial in Confey Cemetery. Those who are unable to attend the funeral, please leave a personal message for the family in the condolences section. The Evening Prayers on Thursday at 7pm and the Funeral Mass on Friday at 12 noon can be viewed live by clicking on the following link : http://oln.ie/oln/live-webcam/ For all enquiries, please contact Oliver Reilly Ltd. Funeral Directors on (045) 868230 Earlier this year members of the popular and highly regarded Maguire Family from Ross, Manorhamilton participated in four peaks climb of Ireland's highest mountains in aid of North West Hospice and in memory of a dearly loved husband and father, Christopher; who passed onto his eternal reward on 13 July 2021. This excellent Maguire Family mountaineering challenge on behalf of North West Hospice received widespread support from the local community and indeed from much further afield. The sum raised by the Maguire Family totalled 7,809.07. In a message their appreciation to the Maguire Family, North West Hospice expressed a very big thank you to Ethel Maguire, Mary Alice, Paddy, Janette, Daniel and Peter Maguire who raised 7,809.07 from their 4 Peak Challenge. This involved climbing the highest mountains in each of the four provinces of Ireland. The 4 Peaks were Slieve Donald at 840m in Co. Down in the province of Ulster, Lugnaquilla at 925m in Co. Wicklow in the province of Leinster, Carrauntoohill at 1040m in Co. Kerry in the province of Munster and Mweelrea at 841m in Co. Mayo in the province of Connaught. Well done to the Maguire Family and thank you to everyone who supported their challenge the North West Hospice message of gratitude stated in conclusion. FeatureIncumbent president Jair Bolsonaro is deploying his influence to gain voters in the region, which has traditionally been a bastion of Lula's Workers' Party for two decades. On the shores of this lagoon with putrid waters, there are dead leaves and heaps of garbage. Pigs snore, defecate and give birth in the mud. Huddled under shanties of wood and metal, in the middle of indescribable chaos, there are people all poor and Black. Among them are fishermen with sad eyes, teenage mothers and children building castles in the mud. Some have swollen feet, streaked with purplish veins, as a result of being devoured by the "bichos geograficos," parasitic larvae. If Brazilian despair had a face, it would be that of these four favelas of Vergel do Lago. They form a vast canopy of corrugated iron which houses up to 12,000 poverty-stricken people. Though these favelas exude a sense of sorrow and abandonment, they are actually located in the heart of Maceio, the capital of the Northeastern state of Alagoas, known among tourists for its fine sandy beaches, turquoise waters and natural deep-sea swimming pools. Read more Subscribers only Letter from Rio: Lula and Bolsonaro sing for victory 'He gave us dignity' In June, the slum received an unexpected visit from Jair Bolsonaro. He came to inaugurate the first phase of a vast social housing program: 89 colorful towers that are five stories high and that are divided into 1,176 apartments. The project is financed by the federal state, and should eventually offer decent housing to the inhabitants of the favelas of Vergel do Lago. The far-right president, accompanied by his ministers and the city's mayor, was received like the messiah and cheered by an enthusiastic crowd. Cecilia and Rafael, inhabitants of the Sururu de Capote favela, at the edge of Mundau Lake, in the district of Vergel do Lago in Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil, on August 12, 2022. FRANCISCO PRONER/AGENCE VU FOR 'LE MONDE' Sebastiao da Paixao and his family were among the hundred or so that have already been able to move in. "This apartment is a gift from God," said Mr. da Paixao, a 32-year-old fisherman with greying hair. He proudly showed us his tiled two-room apartment, which he occupied with his three children and his wife. "No rats, mud or water-leaks," he said. "During the last elections, I voted left. I was afraid that with Mr. Bolsonaro it would be a civil war. But it's the opposite that happened! He gave us dignity." We are interested in your experience using the site. Send feedback Sebastiao da Paixao, 32, fisherman and resident of the Sururu of Capote favela, in his fishing warehouse in Vergel do Lago, Maceio, Brazil, August 12, 2022. FRANCISCO PRONER/AGENCE VU FOR 'LE MONDE' On October 2, the date of the first round of the presidential elections, Mr. da Paixao, like many other fishermen, will vote, without hesitation, for the far right. This means victory for Mr. Bolsonaro, who has decided to make Alagoas his operation base for the conquest of the Nordeste. However, this is a considerable challenge as the region where a quarter of the Brazilian electorate lives has been a "red fortress" [a stronghold of the Workers' Party (PT) and its leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a native of the neighboring state of Pernambuco and a favorite in the next election] for two decades. You have 69.03% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. Your storiesOlga has returned to Paris after her vacations in Ukraine and Iceland, while Sasha is getting ready to leave for a few days of rest with her mother in the Carpathians. For the 28th week, the two sisters talk about their daily life to Le Monde's 'M' magazine. Olga and Sasha are two Ukrainian sisters. Olga is 34 years old and is working in a wine shop in Paris, where she has been living for seven years. Her younger sister Sasha is 33 years old and lives in Kyiv near her parents and grandmother. Recently, she has started working remotely for a French digital communications agency. Since the beginning of the conflict, the two sisters have agreed to keep a diary for Le Monde's M magazine. Tuesday, August 30 Olga: I arrive at work completely jetlagged. I'm in some kind of trance, I don't know if my trips happened or not! But my overwhelmed phone tells me they did. Between Ukraine and Iceland, I took a good 5,000 photos in the last three weeks. Sasha: Every day I read the news from the front. And I live with one thought: Men and women are fighting for our lives and our freedom. For my life and my freedom. Everything I do is connected to this. My life is a small stone that revolves around the great sun that is our army. In the country, "computer silence" has been declared which means that no information about the counter-attack in the South is being transmitted or broadcast. Nothing is said on the official channels, but the Ukrainian web is still rustling. We feel it by intuition. There have been military successes. We are all happy about it, but hundreds of our compatriots will not come back. For 28 weeks, our president has been paying tribute to the fighters every day, those who are still at the front and those who died there. Thousands of heroes. Wednesday, August 31 Olga: I keep asking myself a million questions about my future, about where I need to be. Still no answers. My mother and Sasha are planning their vacation in the Carpathians. I'm looking forward to it for them, it will be such a real rest for them! I also just learned that my grandmother's sister, who lives in southwest Ukraine, is coming to visit her on Saturday. This is the right time. Life in Kyiv has returned almost to normal. They will be able to rest easy. We are interested in your experience using the site. Send feedback Sasha: The figure of 87,000 dead in Mariupol is circulating in the Ukrainian media. It's incomprehensible to my brain. I do a quick calculation, trying to imagine the disaster's impact. Assuming that each dead person has at least 10 relatives, that means that 870,000 people were directly affected by the massacre. The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) delegation is in Kyiv and will soon go to Zaporizhzhia to assess the danger level at the nuclear power plant, following the military actions of the rachists [contraction of "Russian" and "fascist"]. It makes me feel better and, on the other hand, it hurts me everywhere. I don't know if these visits can really change anything. The russians [Olga and Sasha have chosen not to capitalize "Russia," "Russian" and "Putin"] do what they want; it's an invasion, like in the Middle Ages. You have 77.92% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. 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. Providing further impetus to Aatmanirbharta in defence production, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) signed a contract today with M/s BrahMos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. (BAPL) for acquisition of additional dual-role capable Surface to Surface BrahMos missiles at an overall approximate cost of 1700 Crore under Buy-Indian" Category. Induction of these dual-role capable Missiles is going to significantly enhance the operational capability of Indian Navy (IN) fleet assets. It is notable that BAPL is a Joint Venture (JV) between India and Russia making crucial contribution to augment the new generation Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSMs) with enhanced range and dual role capability for land as well as anti-ship attacks," the ministry informed in a press release. This contract is going to give further boost to indigenous production of critical weapon system and ammunition with active participation of indigenous industry. In March this year, India successfully test-fired surface-to-surface cruise missile BrahMos at Andaman and Nicobar island. The extended-range missile was able to hit the target with pin pointed accuracy. The test was conducted in presence of Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari who also congratulated for the successful test firing of the cruise missile. "Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari congratulated on the successful test-firing of surface-to-surface BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. He is in the Island territory of Andaman & Nicobar to review operational preparedness," said Defence officials as quoted by ANI. In March, a controversy also erupted when a missile, believed to be BrahMos was misfired into the territory of Pakistan. After a subsequent inquiry by the Court of Inquiries (COI), the services of three Indian Airforce Officers was terminated for deviation from the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) leading to the misfiring. A BrahMos missile was accidentally fired on March 9. A Court of Inquiry (Col), set up to establish the facts of the case, including fixing responsibility for the incident, found that deviation from the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by athree officers led to the accidental firing of the missile," the statement said. The whole team of the Election Commission of India (ECI) will begin its visit to poll-bound Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat today, September 22, to assess the readiness of the poll machinery in the two states, according to the news agency PTI. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey are on a three-day visit to poll-bound Himachal Pradesh beginning Thursday. The team has kick-started the preparations for the upcoming assembly elections. During the visit, they will meet top state government officials to review preparations and ensure that measures are being taken for the smooth conduct of elections. The officials are likely to visit Gujarat on Monday, September 26 for the same purpose. It is usual for the Election Commission to visit poll-bound states before the announcement of elections. Previously, Himachal Pradesh went to polls on November 9, 2017, while Gujarat exercised its franchise in two phases -- December 9 and 14 in the same year. The tenures of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat assemblies will end on January 8, 2023, and February 23, 2023, respectively. In Himachal Pradesh, the BJP defeated the Congress in 2017 to come to power. The Congress is gearing up to challenge the BJP in the largely bipolar hill state, where the AAP is trying to get a foothold. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a youth rally on 24 September in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, ahead of the likely assembly elections this year. On the other hand, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal had last week also held town hall meetings in Gujarat where he interacted with auto-rickshaw drivers, lawyers, and other people. During his multiple visits to Gujarat in the recent past, Kejriwal had announced a slew of "guarantees", including free electricity up to 300 units per month, allowances for women and unemployed youth, free and quality healthcare and education, and the creation of jobs. (With PTI inputs) Even as questions were raised over the transfer of the big-ticket Vedanta-Foxconn Project to Gujarat, the state is set to get one more tranche of assistance from the World Bank. The global bank's executive board of directors has approved a loan of $350 million to the state of Gujarat for spending on healthcare services. The package will be specially focused on adolescent girls and disease surveillance. "This program will enhance access to traditional health services while supporting the state's effort to open access to new ones, such as mental health and palliative care, thus contributing to improved health outcomes for the people of Gujarat," said Auguste Tano Kouame, the World Bank's Country Director for India. International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the funding arm of the World Bank sanctioned the loan for 18 years including grace period 5.5 years. The state government's Systems Reform Endeavours For Transformed Health Achievement In Gujarat (SRESTHA-G) Programme will facilitate the utilization of the loan. It will enable more people to access a wider range of high-quality health services. The state currently provides seven kinds of health services to its citizens, including reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The World Bank funding will help the state expand into areas like mental health and palliative health services. The state also intends to strengthen non-communicable services in the state. On one side, when the state has a lot of achievements in its basket with improvement in several health indicators including reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, even then 69% of adolescent girls and 36% of adolescent boys suffer from anemia in the state. Besides, around 10% of the rural and 5% of the urban population of the state suffer from issues of mental health. World Bank said SRESTHA-G will lay special focus on improving the health and nutrition of adolescent girls and boys with priority accorded to 14 districts where more than 70% of adolescent girls are anemic. Local Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM) will also support the population-based screening process for more effective implementation. The state will also encourage people with high risk of non-communicable diseases to go to their assigned public healthcare provider which will also facilitate surveillance building of the state for early detection of disease outbreaks. "Gujarat has a robust system of health service delivery at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels," said Rahul Pandey and Andrew Sunil Rajkumar, the Task Team Leaders of the SRESTHA-G Programme. World Bank will also ensure more accountability in the health sector with the help of public reporting and will also implement annual health assemblies or Swasthya Parishad to improve citizen engagement in the sector. It will spearhead the 'one health' agenda, including combating antimicrobial resistance, World Bank said. With Inputs from agencies. Speaking at an event on `20 years of Modi governance' before an audience of BJP workers on Wednesday Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman praised PM Modi's approach to governance and his trust in people for the successful implementation of digital payment systems in India which she says has proved the naysayers wrong. The Finance Minister also talked about the use of digital payments systems during the Covid-19 pandemic when people received money directly in their bank accounts by 'pressing a button'. She adds if people could not reach the banks or did not know how to take it, the bank Mitra went to the village and delivered their money. She also compared the scenario to that in 'advanced counties' where some of them were writing (aid) checks, putting them in an envelope and sending them to people through the post. Crediting Prime Minister Modi's approach to governance for the success she said Several doubts were raised about how electronic payments would work, especially in rural areas where Internet connectivity is patchy, but now "in spite of Covid India leads the world in UPI payments," About the Prime Minister's approach to governance she said it starts with "trust our people, trust our industry, trust our women and trust our families," Talkin about the skepticism around the UPI payments system she remembered how a UPA minister it was impossible to popularize electronic payments claiming "how would one pay 7 to a vegetable vendor electronically". She says that doubt has been dispelled now. Targetting the congress the veteran BJP leader said during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government was in power a new corruption scam would emerge every day, but in the last eight years, nobody has even "carelessly" accused the Modi government of corruption. She also credited the Modi government for changes made in the format of Padma awards, she said "We do not know any of them. They are picked from the hinterlands, from the corners of the country. They are great achievers themselves but we did not have time to recognise them. We did not know how to locate them. But Modiji's team locates every one of them," "Delivery is the story", the finance minister said, adding that there had been slogans like `Garibi Hatao' and promises to provide things like potable water in the past. "But all that is getting fulfilled now, because here is a man (Modi) who is dedicated to the country," the finance minister added With inputs from PTI There is greater support for India to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council and also a broad global consensus over the need to reform the Council, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday as quoted by news agency ANI. He also asserted that an expanded Council is not only in India's favor but also in other unrepresented areas. "After a few years, India will be the third largest economy in the world and it will also be the most populous society. Hence, it will not be good for us if such a country is not included in the council. I think it's good for the global council," Jaishankar said while speaking at Columbia University, New York. Earlier, the External Affairs Minister also stated that India and China have a mutual interest in finding a way to accommodate each other as the "Rise of Asia" is contingent on the economies of the two countries getting along well. He also said that the biggest thing people have seen in the world is the rise of China. Over the last three days, Jaishankar has met with envoys and heads of states from around the world on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and has more than 50 official engagements in total. He met UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to hold discussions and appreciate his insights on the global situation. After the meeting, he also tweeted to applaud his counterpart and regarded the meeting as successful. He also held a set of bilateral talks with his counterparts in the Balkans, Europe and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Asia. In a trilateral Ministerial meeting with UAE and France, India also ensured a fruitful exchange of ideas to enhance mutual cooperation between the countries. Jaishankar will address world leaders at the General Assembly on Saturday, after which he will leave for Washington and a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (With ANI inputs) Abortion is banned or severely limited in a number of states. Here's where things stand If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. Local News, Health & Wellness, Politics By Chris Boyle Published: September 22 2022 The group applauded the action by Oyster Bay and Hempstead, and urged the remaining communities with restrictions on the books to follow suit. Today, New York State Senator Anna M. Kaplan (D-North Hills) and Assemblywoman Gina L. Sillitti (D-Port Washington) held a press conference on the steps of the Nassau County Courthouse in Mineola, NY to announce progress in their effort to rid Long Island communities of local abortion restrictions known as "trigger laws." Two weeks ago, Senator Kaplan and Assemblywoman Sillitti uncovered the results of their investigation into local abortion restrictions, which found that 5 communities on Long Island still had restrictions on the books, and called for their urgent repeal by local governments. In the two weeks since, The Towns of Hempstead and Oyster Bay have heeded their demands, and repealed their local abortion restrictions in a quiet fashion. Senator Kaplan and Assemblywoman Sillitti were joined by Senator Jim Gaughran, Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, and advocates from Planned Parenthood of Greater New York to announce the success of their repeal effort, and to call for further action by the three remaining communities with restrictions on the books. Senator Anna M. Kaplan said "If we've learned anything from the extremist Supreme Court's reckless decision to steal our Constitutional right to choose, it's that we can't take anything for granted, and we've got to fight for our rights at every level of government, because clearly there are people who will stop at nothing to assert their control over women, and they'll use every trick in the book to do it. Two weeks ago, I called on local officials to repeal draconian abortion restrictions that were still on the books here on Long Island, and today I'm proud to announce that the Towns of Oyster Bay and Hempstead did exactly what I told them to do: they repealed their abortion restrictions! While they may not have done so with any fanfare, this is a moment worth celebrating, and I thank them for this achievement. Now, it's time for officials in the remaining three Long Island communities to do their part and repeal their abortion restrictions, which we know were enacted with the sole purpose of getting between women and their right to choose." Assemblywoman Gina L. Sillitti said "When the Supreme Court overturned a Womans Right to Choose, it sent shockwaves across the country and forced every elected official at every level of government to make a decision; are we going to stand for womens rights or against them? I joined my colleagues in the State Legislature to send an unequivocal message, New York will always support a womans right to choose. I am glad that the Town of North Hempstead, the Town of Hempstead, and the Town of Oyster Bay have joined our call to action and repealed the anti-abortion statutes still on their books, sending a message to women everywhere that your rights are too important to leave unprotected." Following action by the Town of North Hempstead to repeal their local abortion restrictions over the summer, Senator Kaplan and Assemblywoman Sillitti undertook a comprehensive review of the municipal code of over 110 of Long Island's Counties, Towns, Villages, and Cities, finding that the Town of Hempstead, Town of Oyster Bay, Town of Huntington, Village of Freeport, and Village of Williston Park, with a combined population of over 1.25 million people, still had draconian abortion restrictions on their books. On September 8, Senator Kaplan and Assemblywoman Sillitti unveiled the results of their investigation, and called on the municipalities to repeal their restrictions. On September 13, the Town of Oyster Bay was the first to heed their demands, introducing a repeal measure during their September Board Meeting as a last minute walk-on resolution following three hours of closed-door executive session. On September 20, the Town of Hempstead followed suit and adopted a repeal measure during their September Board meeting with little fanfare. Following their action, the Town of Huntington and the Villages of Freeport and Williston Park are the only remaining communities with abortion restrictions on the books. Assemblywoman Judy Griffin said "Last night, we were reminded of the power of womens voices. In a victory for choice, for safety, and for womens health, the Hempstead Town Board heard our call to action and voted to repeal a 50-year-old section of the town code that limited the right to an abortion - a so-called trigger law. Thank you Supervisor Clavin and Town Board members! Our work is not complete. Now I reiterate my call for the Village of Freeport to follow the bipartisan model of Town of Hempstead, Town of Oyster Bay, and Town of North Hempstead by repealing their trigger law in the village code and speaking with one voice: we support women, we support choice, and we support a woman's right to choose." Assemblymember Charles Lavine said Action such as this is necessary to provide the legal support for women to be able to choose what to do with their own bodies. We must continue at every level of government, from municipality on up to the state, to do whatever is necessary to protect womens reproductive freedom amidst a continuous assault on their rights. The laws generally restrict access to abortions of any kind, including medication based, non-surgical abortions, by requiring that all abortions take place in a hospital setting, effectively outlawing abortion clinics like Planned Parenthood, and adding an extraordinary time and cost barrier to keep women from accessing this vital healthcare. Individuals found violating these ordinances could be subject to jail time and fines. Click here to download the full text of each municipality's restrictions. The laws in each municipality were passed and added to local code in the early 1970's during a wave of such measures being enacted across Long Island as a means of restricting access to abortions in local communities and preventing the establishment of clinics that provide abortion care. While the laws are not presently enforceable due to action by the State Legislature to protect abortion rights statewide through measures like The Reproductive Health Act, which was passed in 2019 and co-sponsored by Senator Kaplan. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: September 22 2022 Keith Dillon was driving at nearly three times the legal limit for alcohol when he crashed head-on into Police Officer Willard Gomes vehicle. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a New Hyde Park man pleaded guilty in a 2018 New Years Day crash that seriously injured a Nassau County Police Department officer. Keith Dillon, 33, pleaded guilty Tuesday before Judge Caryn Fink to Aggravated Vehicular Assault (a C felony); Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony); Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (an unclassified misdemeanor); and Tampering with Physical Evidence (an E felony). Dillon is expected to be sentenced to 6 to 12 years in prison on October 19, 2022. Dillon previously pled guilty on May 13, 2019, and was sentenced, but due to an appellate court decision overturning the conviction, the case was returned and prosecuted again by NCDA. Officer Gomes life was forever changed by the defendants reckless decisions to drive at excessive speeds while extremely intoxicated and high, said DA Donnelly. More than four years after this horrific head-on crash, Officer Gomes continues to fight for his recovery every day. No one should have to suffer as he has. We continue to wish Officer Gomes the best and thank him for his heroic service to Nassau County. DA Donnelly said that at approximately 2:24 a.m. on January 1, 2018, the defendant was driving his 2014 Dodge Ram at 70 mph southbound on Glen Cove Road in Greenvale nearly three times the limit for alcohol and impaired by Xanax when he drove onto the center median, eventually crashing his vehicle head-on into an unmarked police car, driven by NCPD Officer Willard Gomes. The event data recorder from the defendants truck indicated that the defendant was traveling at full acceleration and never applied the brakes. Gomes was on DWI patrol at the time of the crash, and the force of the collision pushed the car approximately 50 feet backward and rotated the car approximately 180 degrees. The defendants vehicle flipped over and came to a stop approximately 30 to 40 feet from the officers car. Xanax and cocaine were found in the defendants car after the crash. Officer Gomes suffered a brain bleed, broken elbow and leg fractures which required multiple surgeries to repair. To this day, he walks with a permanent limp and cannot fully bend his left elbow or touch his face with his left hand. Officer Gomes will require additional surgeries to regain mobility in his left arm. The defendant suffered a fractured ankle. (Alliance News) - England's fracking ban has been lifted as UK Prime Minister Liz Truss's government vowed to explore all avenues to improve energy security, setting Downing Street on a collision course with environmental campaigners. Business & Energy Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said the impact of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine means securing domestic energy supplies is vital as he defended lifting the moratorium on fracking, which has been in place since 2019 after a series of tremors caused by the process. Rees-Mogg suggested limits on acceptable levels of seismic activity are too restrictive and said the government is determined to "realise any potential sources of domestic gas". Fracking is the process of hydraulic fracturing, which uses high-pressure liquid to release gas from shale formations. The 2019 Conservative manifesto pledged not to lift England's moratorium unless "the science shows categorically it can be done safely". A government-commissioned report by the British Geological Survey was inconclusive, saying more data was needed. Rees-Mogg said: "In light of Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine and weaponisation of energy, strengthening our energy security is an absolute priority, and as the prime minister said we are going to ensure the UK is a net energy exporter by 2040. "To get there we will need to explore all avenues available to us through solar, wind, oil and gas production so it's right that we've lifted the pause to realise any potential sources of domestic gas." The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy said lifting the ban means future applications will be considered "where there is local support". Developers will need to have the necessary licences, permissions and consents in place before they can commence operations. BEIS said the BGS review "recognised that we have limited current understanding of UK geology and onshore shale resources, and the challenges of modelling geological activity in relatively complex geology sometimes found in UK shale locations". The government argued that limited understanding should not be a barrier to fracking, but instead a reason to drill more wells to gather further data. A BEIS statement said: "It is clear that we need more sites drilled in order to gather better data and improve the evidence base, and we are aware that some developers are keen to assist with this process. "Lifting the pause on shale gas extraction will enable drilling to gather this further data, building an understanding of UK shale gas resources and how we can safely carry out shale gas extraction in the UK where there is local support." Truss insisted she will not authorise "anything that carries a risk" but "I'm clear that energy security is vital". By David Hughes, PA Political Editor source: PA Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Bradda Head Lithium Ltd - North America-focused lithium development company - Launches new corporate website and brand refresh, in order to improve user experience. Says brand refresh marks "significant" point in the company's development, and highlights growth since its initial public offering on London's AIM market back in July 2021. Adds that "excellent progress" has been made towards the company's proposed dual listing on TSX Venture Exchange. Chief Executive Charles Fitzroy comments: "We're really pleased to be launching our new site, which we have been working on for some time. We have designed it to better illustrate Bradda Head's diverse asset base, and provide shareholders with a clearer perspective on the investment opportunity. "We also look forward to the benefits that we believe the listing will bring the company as well as informing a new investor base with a long history of understanding lithium and resource exploration companies of the Bradda story." Current stock price: 9.56 pence, down 6.7% on Thursday 12-month change: up 20% By Sophie Rose; sophierose@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - JPMorgan Indian Investment Trust PLC on Thursday said its portfolio manager, Raj Nair, plans to leave JPMorgan Asset Management after 24 years with the company. JPMorgan Indian Investment is an investor in Indian companies. The company explained that its portfolio is managed on a joint portfolio manager basis. Co-Manager Ayaz Ebrahim will continue in his current role managing the company's investments. From September 30, Ebrahim will be joined as co-manager by Amit Mehta and Sandip Patodia. Mehta joined JPMorgan in 2011. He is currently a portfolio manager responsible for Global Emerging Markets portfolios based in London. Patodia joined JPMorgan this month. He is a country specialist responsible for India portfolios within the Emerging Markets and Asia Pacific Equities team. He also is based in London. Prior to JPMorgan, Patodia worked at Prusik Investment Management LLP and Atlantis Investment Management Ltd. "The board would like to thank Raj for his long-standing contribution to the management of the company's portfolio and it looks forward to working with Ayaz, Amit, Sandip and the other members of the company's investment management team to seek to deliver strong long-term returns to shareholders," the company said. Shares in JPMorgan Indian Investment were down 0.5% to 868.00 pence each in London on Thursday morning. By Sophie Rose; sophierose@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. China committed to carbon goals despite global volatility Xinhua) 14:58, September 22, 2022 BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- China will stay committed to achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality amid recent setbacks in global carbon reduction efforts as some countries fell back on coal plants to tide over an energy crunch, an official said Thursday. "Low-carbon transformation is no walk in the park," Liu Dechun, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, told a media conference. China will integrate carbon goals into the big picture of environmental protection and economic and social development, he said. The country will further pursue the green and low-carbon transformation of its energy sources, upgrade its industries to enhance energy efficiency, and spur green technology innovations, he said. Thursday marks the two-year anniversary of China's pledge to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and to realize carbon neutrality by 2060. This cause had made a good start, said Liu. China launched a national carbon market in July 2021, and had seen a cumulative turnover of 195 million tonnes of carbon emission quotas worth nearly 8.6 billion yuan (about 1.2 billion U.S. dollars) by Sept. 14. Notable low-carbon headway can also be seen in sectors such as construction and transportation. China had completed over 2 billion square meters of green buildings in urban areas by 2021 and has led the world in terms of the output and sales of new energy vehicles for seven years in a row. The country has advanced clean and efficient consumption of coal and recorded a world-topping 1.1 billion kilowatts in installed capacity of renewable energy sources, said Liu. Its energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product keeps falling, while the forest coverage ratio is ever-increasing to absorb more carbon emissions. China has sought to promote an equitable and win-win mechanism for global climate governance and has supported developing countries' low-carbon efforts, according to Liu. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) The head of Air Force special operations said he's concerned about a mechanical issue on the service's fleet of CV-22 Ospreys that caused sudden emergency landings, saying that the root cause has not been identified. Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, told reporters Tuesday evening at the Air Force Association's Air, Space and Cyber Conference that the service knows that a hard clutch engagement, an issue where power surges into one of the two engines on the aircraft, is happening. But he said experts don't know why it's happening. "I've been dissatisfied with the progress that we're making ...," Slife said. "We may not know why it's happening, but we do know what is happening." Read Next: Air Force Falls Short of Reserve and Guard Goals amid Recruiting Struggles In Mid-August, the Air Force Special Operations Command ordered all their Ospreys to stop flying after recording four hard clutch engagements, or HCEs, since 2017. None of those incidents happened in combat environments, and none of them was fatal, according to Slife. An AFSOC official told Military.com at the time of the stand-down that a hard clutch engagement "causes the engine [system] to transfer all the power into one of the [two] engines to keep the Osprey in the air." Slife told reporters Tuesday that he ordered the Ospreys to stop flying last month after realizing the command hasn't done enough in the past to address the problem. "I was asking myself, 'What would I say to myself in the aftermath of a fatal mishap, and we discovered that the reason for this was the clutch issue?'" Slife said. "'Would I look back and say that I did everything that I could do today?' I couldn't answer that in the affirmative." While the root cause of the issue is still unidentified, he cleared the fleet two weeks later in early September. Since the Aug 16 stand-down, Air Force Special Operations Command's V-22 crews have participated in briefings to better understand and know how to handle hard clutch engagement incidents. Additionally, AFSOC's CV-22 maintainers are "completing one-time inspections to verify data within the Air Force maintenance information system and compare it to the components that are physically installed on aircraft," AFSOC said in a statement. Slife told reporters Tuesday he plans to "put a time-change requirement on those clutches," meaning that parts would be swapped out on aircraft at scheduled intervals regardless of whether the platform had experienced problems. He added that most of the incidents have occurred around the middle of their service lifespan. The Osprey is a revolutionary, yet controversial, aircraft for the military. It combines the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities of a traditional helicopter with the long range of a turboprop plane. In total, 15 mishaps involving the hard clutch engagement have occurred in the military since the start of the program in 1991; four of them happened with the Air Force, and the remainder have happened with the Marine Corps, which also pilots the Osprey. Unlike the Air Force, the Marine Corps did not ground the aircraft after identifying the problem. The branch said its pilots have been trained to respond to hard clutch issues when they appear. "It is common knowledge with the fleet," the Marine Corps said last month. "Simply by doing hover checks significantly reduces the exposure to this incident." Air Force Special Operations started to focus on teaching pilots risk mitigation techniques following the stand-down, but the ultimate goal "remains identifying the root cause of HCE and finding and implementing a materiel solution," according to a statement released earlier this month. One of the Air Force's CV-22 Ospreys has been stuck on a remote nature reserve in Norway since last month after the crew experienced a hard clutch engagement and had to make an emergency landing. Slife said the aircraft is only 80 meters from the edge of the water. The plan is to bring a barge with a crane on it to retrieve the Osprey and then bring it to an airfield for inspection and repairs. "It's nearly done and here in the next handful of days, probably inside the next week, we'll probably pull it up," Slife said. Hard clutch engagements are costly, and potentially life-threatening, mishaps. One pilot who spoke with Military.com on condition of anonymity earlier this month detailed a 2017 Osprey incident that caused more than $5 million in damage to the aircraft. Both engines and five gearboxes needed to be replaced, as well as nearly a dozen other components. It took a team of six, working 12-hour days, 45 days to repair the aircraft, according to an Air Force report. -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: It 'Blew Everything Apart.' Osprey Accident Shows Danger of Clutch Issue as Services Keep Flying The parent company of Facebook and Instagram was ordered to pay nearly $175 million for violating patents held by the maker of a push-to-talk app founded by a former Green Beret who had sought to solve battlefield communications problems he encountered in Afghanistan. A federal jury in Austin, Texas, deliberated for a day before finding that Meta Platforms Inc. infringed two patents held by Voxer Inc., and awarded Voxer $174.5 million in damages, according to court documents filed Wednesday. Voxer had accused the Menlo Park, California, social media giant of taking its proprietary streaming technologies and incorporating them into Facebook Live and Instagram Live after a potential collaboration fell through. Tom Katis, Voxer's co-founder and chief executive until 2015, had been inspired by his battlefield experiences to find new technology that could enable transmission of voice and video communications "with the immediacy of live communication and the reliability and convenience of messaging," according to court documents. He had reenlisted after 9/11 and was serving as a communications sergeant with the Army Special Forces in 2003 when his unit was ambushed and he faced the shortcomings of existing systems while trying to coordinate medevacs and reinforcements, according to Voxer's complaint. Voxer launched the Voxer Walkie Talkie app in 2011, and Facebook soon approached the company about a potential collaboration, court documents stated. By February 2012, Voxer had shared its patent portfolio and proprietary technology with Facebook, but when early meetings failed to result in an agreement, "Facebook identified Voxer as a competitor although Facebook had no live video or voice product at the time," the documents stated. The social media giant then revoked Voxer's access "to key components of the Facebook platform," according to court documents. The jury found that both Facebook Live, launched in 2015, and Instagram Live, launched in 2016, "incorporate Voxer's technologies" and infringed two Voxer patents. The first involves a system that progressively transmits streaming media over a network "as the streaming media is created and persistently stored, therefore enabling hybrid digital communications that can be both real-time and time-shifted; and by delivering video communication without first establishing an end-to-end connection over the network between the sender and receiver." The second also involves transmission of streaming media, "by generating two or more degraded versions of a streaming video message and transmitting an appropriate degraded version to each recipient; and by trans-coding the video media of a video message," according to the documents. In early 2016, Voxer met with senior Facebook executives and sent a statement that outlined the app's patent portfolio "and specifically referenced the patent families" of all of the patents Meta would be accused of infringing, according to court documents. Katis had "a chance meeting" with a Facebook Live senior product manager in late February 2016 and raised the issue of the platform's patent infringement, encouraging the product manager to follow up with the senior Facebook executives, the documents stated. "Facebook has prioritized live video messaging since the launch of Facebook Live and Instagram Live, with one report identifying Facebook Live as Facebook's 'top priority,'" according to the documents. In a statement to The Times, a Meta spokesperson disputed the claims, saying the company believes that evidence presented at trial showed that Meta did not infringe Voxer's patents. "We intend to seek further relief, including filing an appeal," the spokesperson said. An attorney for Meta referred a request for a statement to the company. Voxer's attorneys did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday night. ___ 2022 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. SEOUL, South Korea North Korea says it hasnt exported any weapons to Russia during the war in Ukraine and has no plans to do so, and said U.S. intelligence reports of weapons transfers were an attempt to tarnish North Korea's image. In a state media report Thursday, an unnamed North Korean defense official told the U.S. to stop making reckless remarks and to keep its mouth shut. Biden administration officials earlier this month confirmed a declassified U.S. intelligence assessment that Russia was in the process of purchasing arms from North Korea, including millions of artillery shells and rockets, as Moscow attempts to ease severe supply shortages in Ukraine worsened by U.S.-led export controls and sanctions. The North Korean statement came weeks after Moscow described the U.S. intelligence finding as fake. North Korean arms exports to Russia would violate United Nations resolutions banning the country from importing or exporting weapons. The North Korean official stressed that Pyongyang has never recognized the unlawful U.N. Security Council sanctions against the country cooked up by the U.S. and its vassal forces. The official said the export and import of military equipment is a lawful right peculiar to a sovereign state, according to an English translation of the statement published by the Norths official Korean Central News Agency. But we take this opportunity to make clear one thing. We have never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia before and we will not plan to export them, said the official, who was described as a vice director general of the National Defense Ministrys general equipment bureau. It is not sure from where the rumor originated which the U.S. is spreading, but it is aimed at tarnishing the DPRKs image, the official said, referring to the countrys formal name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. Facing sanctions and export controls, Russia in August bought Iranian-made drones that U.S. officials said had technical problems. Experts say North Korea, if willing, could become a major source of small arms, artillery and other ammunition for Russia, considering the compatibility of their defense systems based on Soviet roots. North Korea has sought to tighten relations with Russia even as most of Europe and the West has pulled away, blaming the U.S. for the crisis and decrying the Wests hegemonic policy as justifying military action by Russia in Ukraine to protect itself. The North Korean government has even hinted it is interested in sending construction workers to help rebuild pro-Russia breakaway regions in Ukraines east. In July, North Korea became the only nation aside from Russia and Syria to recognize the independence of the territories, Donetsk and Luhansk. North Korea also has used the war as a window to accelerate its own arms development, testing dozens of weapons including its first long-range missiles since 2017, exploiting a divide in the U.N. Security Council, where Russia and China have blocked U.S. attempts to tighten sanctions on Pyongyang. The North has punctuated its testing activity with repeated threats of nuclear conflict with Seoul and Washington. The latest was a law passed by Pyongyangs rubber-stamp parliament this month that further enshrined the countrys status as a nuclear power and authorized the preemptive use of nuclear weapons over a broad range of scenarios where its leadership comes under threat. Sung Kim, the Biden administrations special representative for North Korea, met with South Korean counterpart Kim Gunn in Seoul on Thursday where they expressed serious concern over the Norths escalating nuclear doctrine spelled out in the new law, South Koreas Foreign Ministry said. The diplomats reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defend South Korea in the event of a nuclear war with the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear. The allies also maintained their months-old assessment that North Korea is gearing up to conduct its first nuclear test since 2017 and discussed stern countermeasures to such an action, the ministry said. A Naval Academy midshipman was found not guilty of second-degree rape by a jury Wednesday morning following more than a week of arguments in Anne Arundel Circuit Court. Several witnesses testified in the trial of Wisconsin native Garrett Lee Holsen that he had intercourse with a heavily intoxicated midshipman during an off-campus party last year following the Herndon Monument Climb. On Tuesday, the last day of testimony before jurors went to deliberate, Holsen testified that the woman did not appear intoxicated, and gave consent when he asked if she wanted to have sex while in an upstairs bathroom at the party. He said that he and the woman had developed a close friendship throughout the year, which he saw as evolving into a deeper, romantic connection. Last week, the woman and her fellow midshipmen testified she was heavily intoxicated during the party, and did not give consent to have sex with Holsen that evening. She said she did not have any sexual interest in Holsen. Assistant State's Attorney Courtney Scalice argued during Tuesday's closing statements that Holsen saw "the perfect opportunity" to take advantage of his friend sexually while she was intoxicated and in the bathroom with him. Defense attorney Peter O'Neill argued that she had not been drinking heavily, and had consented to have sex with Holsen that evening. In a statement, Anne Arundel State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess commended the woman for testifying and prosecutors "for their efforts in seeking justice even when it isn't always found." She said she is "disappointed in the outcome" of the trial, and vowed to "continue to seek justice" in sexual assault cases. O'Neill said he and Holsen are "grateful for the jury's verdict," calling it "the correct decision," and said that his client is "looking forward to continuing his career." O'Neill called several character witnesses last week, including Holsen's ex-girlfriend, who was dating him at the time and continued to date him following the woman's sexual assault allegations. Those witnesses, who were not present at the party, testified about Holsen's peacefulness and respect toward women. Earlier in the trial, O'Neill questioned the integrity of Holsen's accuser due to her admission to an unrelated honor code violation for plagiarism, and countered the testimony of several witnesses called by prosecutors by noting inconsistencies within their recollections of the party. He also slammed detectives for failing to investigate the case further. Naval investigators referred the case to Annapolis Police last year. A Naval Criminal Investigative Service spokesperson said the case went to city police for local prosecution rather than through the military justice system "out of respect for [the woman's] wishes" and because it happened at an off-base residence on Colonial Avenue in Annapolis. O'Neill and prosecutors both said during their closing arguments that the lead Annapolis Police detective failed to recover physical evidence or photographs from the scene, and only interviewed the woman for about 20 minutes. "This [investigation] is just embarrassing," O'Neill said during closing arguments. "It should be frightening to all of us." Annapolis Police "did not do a good job at all" investigating the case, Scalice acknowledged during closing arguments. Jurors started their deliberations Wednesday morning, and voted unanimously to acquit within an hour and a half. Five of the jurors were women, and seven were men, according to O'Neill. Holsen was charged with second-degree rape as well as second-degree assault and a third-degree sexual offense. After hearing arguments from O'Neill and the prosecution, Anne Arundel Circuit Judge Robert Thompson instructed jurors to not consider the other counts if they decided Holsen was not guilty of the rape charge. Both midshipmen involved in this case are still enrolled at the academy. A spokesperson for the academy would not comment on any action related to this case as officials there do not discuss "midshipmen personnel issues due to privacy concerns." ___ (c)2022 The Capital (Annapolis, Md.) Visit The Capital (Annapolis, Md.) at www.hometownannapolis.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. UNITED NATIONS U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on every U.N. Security Council member to send a clear message" to Russia that it must stop its nuclear threats in the war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier this week that his nuclear-armed country will certainly use all means available to us if its territory is threatened and to defend the country and its people. Blinken used a council session Thursday to criticize Russia's invasion and press other countries to join in Washington's forceful condemnations of the conflict. He listed atrocities he said were committed by Russia and suggested that more could come. "Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately," he said. The Security Council has held dozens of contentious meetings on Ukraine since the war began in February, but Thursdays meeting had special stature: It was held during the annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders and brought multiple foreign ministers to the table. Called by France, the current council president, the meeting was focused on addressing accountability for alleged abuses and atrocities, and the U.S. and other Western members repeatedly accused Russia of committing them. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, meanwhile, repeated his country's frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraines east one of various explanations Moscow has offered for the invasion. Ukraines Western allies, he said, have been covering up the crimes of the Kyiv regime. Lavrov was not in the room when Blinken and some other U.S. allies spoke, only appearing just before his own speech. Despite Blinkens forceful words, no one expects the council to act against Russia since Moscow has veto power as a permanent member. Instead, a U.S. official said Blinkens aim was to convince other members to impress upon Moscow the global damage that the war is causing and demand that it end. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to preview Blinkens speech before he spoke. The meeting came a day after President Joe Biden assailed Putin for what he called egregious violations of the U.N. Charter and international law. At the U.N. Security Council, Blinken made the case that Russia should face further censure and isolation for its invasion. In listing several allegations of war crimes and other atrocities, he called on countries that have yet to speak out forcefully against them as an affront to international order. He noted that the war had not only caused massive destruction to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people but also distracted the council from other global crises, including potential famines, climate change and widespread poverty. As the meeting began, there were already signs of a charged atmosphere around the council's famous horseshoe-shaped table. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wryly told reporters beforehand that he planned to keep a safe social distance from Lavrov. And as council staffers prepared to put a placard marking Ukraine's seat next to Russia's, Kuleba apparently raised objections the placard was moved to another spot. Lavrov was not in the room at that point. The International Criminal Court opened an investigation in March into possible crimes amid the war and sent teams to gather evidence. Prosecutor Karim Khan told the council Thursday that hes dispatching more ICC staffers next week to look into allegations emerging from eastern Ukraine. Khan hasnt yet announced any charges linked to the conflict, but he reiterated to the council that he believes there are reasonable grounds to think that crimes have been committed. The picture that Ive seen so far is troubling indeed, he said. Ukraine, meanwhile, has pushed for the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute alleged war crimes. On Wednesday, Ukraines president laid out a detailed case against Russias invasion at the United Nations and demanded punishment from world leaders in a speech delivered just hours after Moscow made an extraordinary announcement that it would mobilize some reservists for the war effort. Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed in a video address to world leaders that his forces would not stop until they had reclaimed all of Ukraine. We can return the Ukrainian flag to our entire territory. We can do it with the force of arms, Zelenskyy said. But we need time. ___ Associated Press photographer Mary Altaffer contributed. A veteran-led organization helping Afghan allies escape the Taliban was allegedly fleeced out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by companies and people, including other veterans, who promised to help nearly 200 refugees but failed to deliver, the organization claimed in a lawsuit filed in federal court this week. Save Our Allies, which was founded by three veterans and a veteran's wife to help Afghans who served as interpreters for the U.S. military flee after the Taliban returned to power last year, said in the lawsuit it was defrauded out of $735,128 by defendants who pressured them for more cash in order to get the "fat lady to sing." "They did not provide what was promised as far as air transport, visas, decent housing and kept trying to stick 'em up for more money to the point where it became clear that it was a classic scam," Kevin Carroll, the lawyer representing Save Our Allies, told Military.com in a phone interview. Read Next: VA Mulls Pushing Vets to Telehealth Before Offering Local Doctor Appointments The allegedly broken promises have left 197 Afghans stranded in Pakistan without a clear path forward. "Efforts are continuing to get those refugees who can get resettled into other third countries resettled in those countries," Carroll said. "But unlike the situation as it was described to Save Our Allies, these people are not all perfect candidates for Special Immigrant Visas." Special Immigrant Visas are the category of visas reserved for those who aided the U.S. war effort and their families. The lawsuit names three companies -- Ravenswood Group, a business consultancy based in Florida; SAMA Global, an investment firm based in Qatar; and City Gate Trading and Contracting Company, a Qatari housing company -- and three people: Matt Nelson, a Marine veteran and a former board member of Save Our Allies; Greg Gustin, CEO at Ravenswood and a Marine veteran; and Shahzada Khurram, a senior employee at both Ravenswood and Sama Global. Nelson, Gustin and Khurram did not respond to Military.com's emailed requests for comment, but Gustin and Khurram denied wrongdoing to The Washington Post, which first reported on the lawsuit. The lawsuit, which was filed in federal district court in Florida on Monday, seeks to recoup the money Save Our Allies says it was swindled out of, as well as more than $2.2 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges that Nelson approached Save Our Allies in early 2022 about a group of Afghan refugees he could safely evacuate to Qatar via Pakistan "if only Save Our Allies provided him with funding and assistance." The organization agreed to provide the funds and added Nelson to its board, and he then introduced the group to Gustin and Khurram, the suit says. In January, Save Our Allies entered into an agreement with SAMA that said SAMA and subcontractors, including Ravenswood, would provide transportation for the refugees to get to Qatar, as well as housing, employment and other services in Qatar, according to the suit, which included a copy of the agreement. But, the lawsuit alleges, SAMA and Ravenswood "knowingly lacked the capability to assist, and never intended to assist, the Afghan refugees' relocation to Qatar," and Nelson "knew or should have known" that. The agreement stipulated costs should be no more than $750,000. But in February, Gustin wrote a memo, a copy of which is attached to the suit, saying he had "learned that the 'costs' for what we are providing exceeds $10M per planeload." The memo also warned that "the fat lady has not yet sung, but she is on stage, adjusting the microphone." "But we are out of cash -- and it is cash that is needed to get the lady to sing. Don't worry, she will sing, (soon) but we need more help as fast as possible," the memo said. Save Our Allies had been promised the evacuees would be sent to Qatar in February, but when nothing had happened by mid-March, employees of the organization flew to Pakistan and found the refugees were "ill-housed and without visas," the lawsuit added. Further, during the wait to get to Qatar, a 12-year-old girl with leukemia who couldn't get treatment in Pakistan died, according to the lawsuit. The memo in which Gustin asked for more cash is not specifically addressed to Save Our Allies, and Carroll said he suspects there are more victims out there. Hundreds of veterans formed dozens of groups to help evacuate Afghan allies after summer 2021. "You dishonor the uniform that you wore if you use it to try to build up your credibility with other people and then take their money," said Carroll, who said he also served in Afghanistan. "It's even worse when there's innocent, defenseless, vulnerable civilians that are harmed by the scheme." -- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel. Related: One Year Later, Troops and Veterans Involved in Afghanistan Exit Grapple with Mental Scars Editors note: After publication, defendant Greg Gustin responded to Military.com with a five paragraph statement denying wrongdoing. The statement reads in part: On behalf of the named defendants, we categorically deny all charges and any wrongdoing whatsoever. We have written, verifiable evidence that refutes each and every baseless accusation. Their assertion that we demanded more money is also without foundation; we merely stated the costs far exceeded our estimates (we never ever claimed to be in the rescue business). ETS Key Select Mineral List Type Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements Detailed Mineral List: Baryte Formula: BaSO 4 Reference: personal correspondence with Giles Peatfield Barytocalcite Formula: BaCa(CO 3 ) 2 Reference: personal correspondence with Giles Peatfield Calcite Formula: CaCO 3 Reference: personal correspondence with Giles Peatfield Fluorite Formula: CaF 2 Reference: personal correspondence with Giles Peatfield Pyrite Formula: FeS 2 Reference: personal correspondence with Giles Peatfield Quartz Formula: SiO 2 Reference: personal correspondence with Giles Peatfield Witherite Formula: BaCO 3 Reference: personal correspondence with Giles Peatfield Gallery: List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts Pyrite 2.EB.05a FeS 2 Group 3 - Halides Fluorite 3.AB.25 CaF 2 Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides Quartz 4.DA.05 SiO 2 Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates Barytocalcite 5.AB.45 BaCa(CO 3 ) 2 Calcite 5.AB.05 CaCO 3 Witherite 5.AB.15 BaCO 3 Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates Baryte 7.AD.35 BaSO 4 List of minerals for each chemical element C Carbon C Calcite CaCO 3 C Barytocalcite BaCa(CO 3 ) 2 C Witherite BaCO 3 O Oxygen O Calcite CaCO 3 O Baryte BaSO 4 O Barytocalcite BaCa(CO 3 ) 2 O Quartz SiO 2 O Witherite BaCO 3 F Fluorine F Fluorite CaF 2 Si Silicon Si Quartz SiO 2 S Sulfur S Baryte BaSO 4 S Pyrite FeS 2 Ca Calcium Ca Calcite CaCO 3 Ca Barytocalcite BaCa(CO 3 ) 2 Ca Fluorite CaF 2 Fe Iron Fe Pyrite FeS 2 Ba Barium Ba Baryte BaSO 4 Ba Barytocalcite BaCa(CO 3 ) 2 Ba Witherite BaCO 3 References Sort by Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A) Deane, R.W. (1972) Mineralogical Examination of fluorite samples submitted by Jorex Limited, Progress Report No. 1. Lakefield Research of Canada Limited report Appendix 2 in Woodcock, J. R. 1972. Geology, Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Metallurgy Sampling and Analyses, Liard Fluorspar Project. British Columbia, Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources, Assessment Report 3,840. McCammon, J.W. (1973) Fluorite-Witherite Occurrences near Liard River Hot Springs Park, in British Columbia Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources, Geology, Exploration and Mining in British Columbia, 1972, pp. 587-595. Pell, Jennifer. (1992) Major Fluorspar Deposits in Northern British Columbia, in Fluorspar and Fluorine in British Columbia. Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mineral Resources Division, Geological Survey Branch, Open File 1992-16, pp. 33-40. Traill, R.J. (1970) A Catalogue of Canadian Minerals. Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 69-45. Traill, R.J. (1983) Catalogue of Canadian Minerals, Revised 1980. Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 80-18. Other Databases Link to British Columbia Minfile: 094M 002 Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary. The Liard Fluorspar deposit area is located north of Liard Hotsprings at Mile 498 on the Alaska Highway. The principal deposit is about 3 kilometres north of the hotsprings, 213 kilometres west-northwest of Fort Nelson, British Columbia and 162 kilometres east-southeast of Watson Lake, Yukon.There is an extensive description of the occurrence on the British Columbia Minfile site, current to 2020, part of which is quoted below:The occurrence encompasses about seven showings in the Gem claim group, covering an area southeast of Mould Creek . . . . The deposits generally occur as lenticular replacements in Dunedin Formation limestone, or Besa River Formation argillite near their contact, or in both units. These replacement bodies are usually irregular but may be stratiform and massive, particularly in the limestone. Much of the mineralization is in the form of fracture-filling in brecciated limestone (or less commonly argillite), possibly a solution collapse feature of the replacement process, or due to the replacing solutions invading fault breccia. The host rock breccia fragments are mostly angular and a few centimetres across.The strongest mineralization generally consists of 60 per cent combined fluorite and witherite, typically in subequal amounts, with a smaller proportion of barite . . . . Minor quartz and calcite may be associated. The fluorite varies from dark purple and coarse grained, to black and fine grained. Prolonged exposure to sunlight tends to render the fluorite colourless (Assessment Report 109). The witherite is massive, very fine grained, and varies from white to black. Mineralization in the argillite and slate is much more friable, and is locally much richer in witherite and barite than fluorite.The deposit has also been described in some detail by McCammon (1973) and by Pell (1992).Comments by Giles Peatfield on some of the minerals reported from the locality:Barytocalcite: The earliest reference to this mineral that I can find is by Traill (1970), who noted that it was found in drill core and X-ray confirmed (X-ray Laboratory, Geol. Surv. Can.); he listed the five strongest lines of the pattern. Traill (1983) re-iterated the identification. The Pacific Museum of Earth at the University of British Columbia has a specimen (catalogue number 2550) from a locality north of the hotsprings and slightly south of the drilling area.Fluorite: The fluorite shows variable colour, ranging from dark purple to lighter purple to black, with increasing inclusion content. The inclusions were thought by Deane (1972) to be organic material; McCammon (1973) described them as fine-grained carbon.Further comment: McCammon (1973) and Pell (1992) report analyses of selected material from these deposits containing in excess of 3% Sr by spectrographic analysis. There is no information regarding the specific source of the strontium possibly it is contained in baryte. TODAY: Brinson cleared DFA waivers and was assigned to Triple-A after being outrighted off the 40-man roster. SEPTEMBER 21: The Giants have designated outfielder Lewis Brinson for assignment, Maria Guardado of MLB.com was among those to relay (Twitter link). San Francisco also optioned righty Sean Hjelle to Triple-A Sacramento. The moves clear active roster space for reliever Jharel Cotton, who has reported to the team after being claimed off waivers a few days ago, and infielder Jason Vosler, who has been recalled. Brinson is out of minor league option years, so he had to stick on the MLB roster or be designated for assignment. The Giants 40-man roster tally dips to 39. San Francisco just added Brinson a few weeks ago. With active rosters expanding by two players in September, the Giants acquired the former first-rounder from the Astros. Brinson had signed a minor league deal with Houston over the offseason and had a very good Triple-A showing, blasting 25 home runs with a .299/.356/.574 line through 364 plate appearances. While the Astros never called him to the major leagues, the Giants immediately selected his contract after trading for him. Brinson has played in 16 games this month, tallying 39 plate appearances. While hes picked up three home runs in that limited time, hes drawn just a pair of walks while going down on strikes 14 times. Subpar strikeout and walk numbers have been common throughout his MLB career, as hes walked at a 5% clip with a 28.4% strikeout percentage in parts of six big league seasons. Brinsons aggressive approach and high swing-and-miss rates have contributed to a .198/.246/.328 line through 1150 career plate appearances. Thats obviously not the production many had envisioned when Brinson was coming up through the minor league ranks. Long one of the sports top prospects, the righty-swinging outfielder was a key part of the deals that sent Jonathan Lucroy from Milwaukee to Texas and Christian Yelich from Miami to the Brewers. He spent parts of four seasons with the Marlins but never consistently hit against big league pitching. Through parts of seven years in Triple-A, he owns a far more impressive .308/.373/.545 line. San Francisco will place Brinson on waivers within the next few days. As a player with over four years of big league service, hed have the right to refuse an outright assignment in favor of free agency if he goes unclaimed. Nigerian disc jockey and producer, Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, professionally known as DJ Cuppy has said getting a man who will love her has been difficult. Currently, she considers herself as someone who is not lucky with men because all those who have been approaching her don't love her. According to DJ Cuppy who is the daughter of Nigerian billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, in a recent podcast, men are interested in her because of her father's wealth. Cuppy who has on several occasions announced via her social media handles that she is single noted that she would be happy if she meets a man who truly loves her and sees her father as a 'by-product'. Back home, I feel like so many guys don't want me, they want my dad. If I meet a guy in the UK, and I have met guys in the UK; when I tell them that I am from Nigeria, they ask me what village. And it makes me feel the person is not really Nigerian. They just love my dad. I met a guy recently and the next thing he asked me was, 'so when am I going to meet your dad.' I was shocked. I want someone to love me a lot and be happy and my dad would be like a by-product, she indicated. Ghanaian actress, Ama K. Abebrese, has says she will be in a better position to win an Oscar for Ghana. According to her, she believes that in the next five years, she would be nominated for the Oscars and possibly win one or two. Speaking on 'Xclusives' with Noella Kharyne Yalley in Spain, Ama K. Abebrese said it was about time a Ghanaian won the Oscars, which she believed would be her. There are times and seasons. However, do not be surprised if an African, a Ghanaian wins an Oscar, she said. It is going to happen. I am going to win an Oscar. Until it's done, some people will not believe it, she stressed. Ama stressed that she takes inspiration from the likes of Rocky Dawuni and Wizkid who have made it to the Grammys. Rocky Dawuni was nominated for a Grammy; other Ghanaians have also been nominated; Wizkid got nominated and won; Burna Boy also won, so the truth is Africans, Ghanaians, it is possible. I just realised something with film the business of film is not like music at the moment. When that changes, it will get to a point where people will start talking about it, she added. GH Page Leading developer of sustainable energy solutions Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, has reached a financial close on the Carmonita Norte solar PV cluster in Extremadura, Spain. With a capacity of 123 MWdc, the Carmonita Norte cluster will be the first of the three projects that the Carmonita node will host. Covering an area of 356 hectares, the Carmonita Norte cluster will produce around 260 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean energy per year, which is enough to supply energy to approximately 93,600 Spanish homes, while avoiding the emission of around 193,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), said a statement. The Carmonita Norte cluster joins several solar photovoltaic projects that the company currently has in Extremadura both in operation (La Solanilla, 50 MWp, and the San Servan 220 cluster, 138 MWp divided into three projects), and under construction (the San Servan 400 cluster, 150 MWp divided into three projects), reaching a total of 461 MWp executed. Together with the solar projects currently under development, the total projects will deliver a forecasted 1.1 gigawatts (GW) in the region in South-West Spain. For the construction, FRV has reached a financing agreement under the Project Finance modality with MUFG, ING and Santander Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) for a total amount of Euro 80.9 million. Once the plants are operational, the project's revenues will be guaranteed by a long-term Power Purchase Agreement or PPA. It is estimated that the first plant of the Carmonita complex will be fully operational by the end of 2023, which will contribute to the Long Term Decarbonization Strategy (LTS) promoted by the Spanish Government, which sets out the path to achieve Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions neutrality in Spain by 2050. Fady Jameel, Deputy Chairman and Vice Chairman of Abdul Latif Jameel, said: "FRV has made impressive progress in expanding its portfolio of renewable energy projects, not only in Spain, but around the world. This expansion is a testament to our commitment to delivering clean energy solutions in key global markets and we are proud to have the opportunity to bring clean energy to Extremadura while supporting Spain's broader decarbonization strategy." Fernando Salinas, Managing Director of FRV Iberia, said: "The financial closing of the Carmonita Norte cluster is great news for FRV, which continues to expand its clean energy portfolio in Spain and, thus, consolidate its role as a leading renewable energy company, as well as for Extremadura, which has unbeatable conditions to host projects that allow clean energy to continue growing, with the positive impact that this has both environmentally and on the local community, generating wealth and employment in the region." -TradeArabia News Service DKB 22.09.2022 LISTEN A Ghanaian standup comedian, actor and event host, DKB has expressed disappointment in the Akufo-Addo-led NPP administration. DKB revealed that he voted for President Akufo-Addo as he always does for winning Presidents, but he regrets voting for Akufo-Addo. He explained in an interview on Accra FM that he thought the Akufo-Addo government would make things better, not knowing they were even worse economic managers. He acknowledged that, though there are challenges around the globe, the price of fuel should have been a bit more affordable than it is today. I voted for Nana [Akufo-Addo]. I have always voted for a winning President. I feel extremely disappointed. I feel things should have been better. There are challenges but I am of the view government subsidies on fuel would have helped because we are doing our part, noting that Ghanaians are paying the necessary levies. He stressed, Uncle Jerry [John Rawlings] had fuel subsidies for so long. Our leaders say its going to be a burden on the government but it is an important burden. The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Hon Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has handed over a fully furnished three-unit classroom block for the ACM School at Sankor in Winneba. Speaking at the ceremony, Afenyo-Markin urge parents to focus on the upbringing of their children and crack the whip when they go wrong. "Social media may destroy the future of your children if you fail to discipline them but pamper them when they are wrong. The teacher cannot do much, hence, cannot be blamed if parents fail to play their role, therefore I plead with parents to remember that the adolescent stage is the most critical in their child's life hence there's the need to exert your authority to control your wards at this stage otherwise your efforts will be in vain," he stated. According to him, children between the ages of 11 and 19 years are in their formative stage and if care is not taken, they may go wayward. "These are the times the child may want to experiment because they have discovered themselves and have become more conscious of themselves," the MP stated. He reminded mothers of the pain they went through during pregnancy and childbirth calling on them not to shield their children when they go wayward. He noted that the commissioning of the classroom block is a reflection of the 'Effutu Dream' which is hinged on four pillars: security, education, health and private sector development. He encourages both political and religious leaders to contribute the little they can for the betterment of society. The Effutu Municipal Education Director, Mrs Mabel Judith Micah acknowledged the massive contribution of the MP towards education. She calls on parents to encourage their children to take their education seriously. According to her, the MP has made it a singular commitment to improve educational infrastructure in the municipality after supplying books, laptops and 13 full built and furnished libraries. She assured MP, Chiefs and people of the municipality resolve to practice a high maintenance culture to ensure the longevity of the building and all facilities. The Central Regional President of the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) and the General Secretary for the National Chapter, Abubakar Sadick Iddrisu has donated some mathematical sets, pens and jerseys to some basic schools and folks within the Cape Coast North Constituency. According to him, "This is a call to serve since leadership is about service and on my birthday, I've decided to give back a token to help my constituents. As part of activities to mark his birthday, the 2022 Youth in Politics Winner at this year's Ghana Youth Awards, Mr. Iddrisu took the opportunity to visit St. Anthony Anglican Basic School at Akotokyir where he is currently domiciled and gave them some mathematical sets and pens to the final year students. The Akotokyir New Town FC received a set of jerseys for both their home and away games. He again donated mathematical sets and pens to the final year students of Dehia Islamic Basic School and Hasaniya Islamic School at Nyinasin, all within the Cape Coast North Constituency. Speaking during the presentation of the donations, the Central Regional NASPA president underscored the fact that "Giving something back to the community that has given so much to me has always been a goal I have looked forward to achieving, and today, I could have a sigh of relief at its fulfilment and I thank Allah for that". He seized the opportunity to encourage the final-year students to put in their very best in the upcoming BECE and "It is my prayer all of you come out with amazing results." "The reactions on the faces of the beneficiaries pupils have indeed spurred me on to do more. This is a call I am ready to respond to," Mr. Iddrisu added. A rorqual - a species of baleen whale - refloated off the western French coast on Tuesday has returned to shallow water and is once again in difficulty.This as a pod of about 230 pilot whales was found stranded on the rugged west coast of Tasmania on Wednesday. Australian wildlife officials say only half of the stranded mammals appeared to be alive. Aerial images show dozens of whales strewn at the waterline on a long beach near Macquarie Harbour. Locals covered survivors with blankets and doused them with buckets of water in an effort to keep them alive. Other whales nearby tried to struggle back towards deeper water, and yet other lay dead. "It appears about half of the animals are alive," said a statement from Tasmania's Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Officials said marine conservation experts and staff with whale rescue gear were en route to the scene. They will try to refloat animals strong enough to survive and also tow the carcasses out to sea, to avoid attracting sharks to the area. Two years ago, Macquarie Harbour was the scene of the country's largest-ever mass stranding, involving almost 500 pilot whales. More than 300 pilot whales died during that stranding, despite the efforts of dozens of volunteers who toiled for days in Tasmania's freezing waters to free them. Strandings remain a tragic mystery The cause of mass strandings is still not fully understood. Scientists have suggested they could be caused by groups of animals going off track after feeding too close to shore. Pilot whales - which can grow to more than six metres long - - are highly sociable and can follow podmates who stray into danger. That sometimes occurs when old, sick or injured animals swim ashore and other pod members follow, trying to respond to the trapped whale's distress signals. Other researchers believe gently sloping beaches like those found in Tasmania confuse the whales' sonar making them think they are in open waters. The news of the stranding came just hours after a dozen young male sperm whales were reported dead in a separate incident on King Island -- between Tasmania and the Australian mainland. The young whales' deaths may be a case of "misadventure", wildlife biologist Kris Carlyon from the state government conservation agency told the local Mercury newspaper. "The most common reason for stranding events is misadventure, they might have been foraging close to shore, there might have been food and possibly they were caught on a low tide," Carlyon said. "That's the theory at the moment." Saved whale back in danger in Brittany An individual from another whale species, the rorqual, was refloated by volunteers on Tuesday in Finisterre in western France. According to the ONG Sea Shepherd, that creature is once again in difficulty, having returned to shallow water where it risks running aground near the town of Douarnenez. Earlier this year, a beluga whale died after becoming trapped in the River Seine, which runs through Paris to the Atlantic coast. 22.09.2022 LISTEN An aspirant for the Zongo Caucus Coordinator position of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Damongo constituency of the Savannah Region, Mahama Ibrahim Watara has said he is the best among his contenders to lead the Zongo wing of the party. He said his mission when given the nod to lead as the Zongo Caucus Coordinator is to harness the love of the Zongo communities for the NDC to win power for the party come election 2024. In a statement copied to Modern Ghana News, the popular social media activist of the NDC said the person needed by the party to lead the wing is no other person than himself. His reason is that he understands the dynamics in the Zongo communities better than any of his contenders. "As one who was born and raised up in the first ever Zongo community in Damongo, Canteen to be more precise, I understand the dynamics in the Zongo communities better than any of my contenders and for this reason, I would be the best candidate for the job of the Zongo in our beloved constituency," he stated. He indicated that when given the mandate, he shall be embarking on an "operation all out within the Zongo communities" to ensure that the party win both the presidential and parliamentary elections come 2024. He implored his contenders to go about their campaigns devoid of allegations and name calling just to court the support of the delegates. He urged the leadership of the party in the constituency to mend the rank and file of the party aftermath of the election to kick out the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in election 2024. According to him, the party's victory in 2024 is unstoppable but noted that it will not be delivered smoothly on the silver platter. "Therefore, with the task ahead, I would urge every member of the great NDC party in the Damongo constituency to unite and mend our ranks to wrestle for power and our parliamentary seat," he stated. Mr. Watara added that his vision is also to use networking to attract development from within and afar for the Zongo communities in Damongo. Watara is a popular social media activist of the NDC and a former Intisuria branch youth organizer. He also served the party as Organizer in 2019 in the Tamale Central constituency. He was also a senior member of TEIN of the Tamale Technical University from 2016 to 2019. 22.09.2022 LISTEN Mr. Ismeal Abdul Fatawu Kamara who is vying for the position of Organising Secretary for Graduate Students Association of Ghana, University of Education Winneba, has promised to focus on developing students research skills when given the mandate. According to him, the development of students' research skills is at the forefront of his resolve to serve graduate students. "The development of student research skills is at the core of my drive to serve the graduate students of our noble institution", Mr. Kamara asserted. Mr. Kamara believes he comes with vast experience having served in varied portfolios during his undergraduate studies. "The experience I have acquired over the years as a student activist, human rights advocate, student leadership, promoter of women empowerment and working in different facets of life makes me an ideal candidate", he added. He further pledged to collaborate with co-executives and other organizations to roll out programs tailored to improving the research ability and welfare of students. Mr. Ismeal Abdul Fatawu has served in the following portfolios in student leadership: President, National Association of Gonjaland Students(NAGS)-Ghana from 2019-2021. President, Students Legal Society-UEW from 2018-2019. Majority Leader, Political Science Students Association-UEW from 2018-2019. Member, Political Science Students Vetting committee-Department of Political Science, UEW from 2018-2019. Member, Disciplinary and Ethics Committee(Students Bar Association-UEW) from 2017-2019. Member, Student Local Assembly, UEW-SRC from 2018-2019. Chairman, Constitutional and Legal Affairs of POSA from 20 Chairman, Department of Political Science, 2017-2018. Member, Financial Committee - National Association of Gonjaland Students (NAGS) UEW from 2017-2018. Member, Constitutional Review Committee of POSA - Department of political science, 2018-2019 & Member, Constitutional Review Committee of the Economics Department of UEW, 2020-2021. Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has urged the Police to ensure that the killers of five people in Wa in the Upper West Region are brought to justice. He made the appeal at the 2022 International Peace Day press conference in Accra, which was organised by the National Peace Council (NPC) in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) in Ghana. As we celebrate this year's Peace Day, it is my hope that Ghana and the world will witness a lasting peace, Mr Dwumfour stated. This week alone, we all learnt with shock the dastardly killing of five persons in Wa. This has heightened tension in the Region which, if not handled well can disturb the peace we are all yearning for. He called on the Police to do everything within their powers to arrest the perpetrators of this heinous crime. He said the Police must intensify security in the northern sector of the country, particularly, in Wa and work towards crime prevention, since it was the only way peace could be guaranteed. The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the UN General Assembly to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. The Global theme for this year's commemoration is End Racism. Build Peace. The NPC, in seeking to harness Ghana's existing inter-ethnic and inter-religious ties and to promote tolerance, unity and a more inclusive society, has domesticated the theme: Managing Ethnic Diversity in Ghana for Sustainable Peace. Mr Dwumfour appealed to the Peace Council, the Police Service and institutions of peace to collaborate with the GJA in building the capacity of journalists on security issues, aimed at ensuring a lasting peace in our communities and country. He also called on the Interior Ministry to always update the media on the state of insecurity of the country to enable us the media and the citizenry to work towards creating the enabling environment for peace to reign. In achieving peace, we all need to put our shoulders to the wheel and commit to it. We need to walk the talk and not talk the talk, Mr Dwumfour said. He said the citizenry must also assist the Police with information to enable them fight crime which was a major threat to peace; saying peace is a collective responsibility. He reiterated the GJA's resolve and unwavering commitment to supporting the Peace Council to deliver on their mandate, which ultimately is ensuring peace in the country. Reverend Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman, Governing Board, NPC, said the local theme for the celebration was to allow them to address Ghana's peculiar challenge of ethnic and tribal sentiments that are gaining root in the country and gradually eroding the peace we have as a people. He called on Ghanaians, institutions of state and civil society to join forces to remove barriers to the realization of a just, fair, open, and inclusive society for all the peoples of Ghana. He appealed to the chiefs and people of the Bawku traditional area to cease fire; declaring that Nobody gains from protracted conflicts. I am not sure any body involved in the conflict is happy that children are not in school, the sick cannot access health service, movement of goods and people have been restricted and freedoms curtailed Mr Charles Abani, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana, said in terms of peace, Ghana was a crown of jewel in the sub-region; adding that Ghana's peace architecture was a model for other countries to emulate. Mrs Afi Azaratu Yakubu, Executive Secretary, National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, said small arms and light weapons continue to play a terrible role in robbing the nation of its peace; saying indeed, small arms and light weapons fuel a lot of our conflicts. For the sake of peace, she appealed to Ghanaians to use dialogue in resolving their differences. The event was attended by members of the Queen Mothers Foundation Ghana and students from Labone Senior High School and Accra High School. GNA 22.09.2022 LISTEN Members of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) who are yet to submit entries for this years awards have been given a grace period of two days. This follows an announcement by the GJA that the deadline date for the submission of entries has been extended to Friday, September 23. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) wishes to inform members that it has extended the deadline for the submission of Entries for the 26th GJA Awards to Friday, September 23, 2022, at 5PM, a statement signed by GJA president Albert Kwabena Dwumfour has said. The original entries submission deadline ends today, September 21, 2022, at 5PM. The extension of the deadline date according to the GJA has become necessary following calls by some members pleading for additional days to enable them to file their entries. The GJA is urging members who are yet to submit entries to do so before the new deadline as it will not be extended again. Find more in the GJA release below: September 21, 2022 PRESS RELEASE EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ENT RIES FOR THE 26TH GJA AWARDS TO FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) wishes to inform members that it has extended the deadline for the submission of Entries for the 26th GJA Awards to Friday, September 23, 2022 at 5PM. The original entries submission deadline ends today, September 21, 2022 at 5PM. The extension of the deadline has become necessary following calls by some members pleading for additional days to enable them file their entries. GJA is therefore urging members to use this extension period to file their entries before and on Friday, September 23, 2022 at 5PM. It is instructive for members to note that there will not be any further extension after the Friday deadline. Thank you. SIGNED Albert Kwabena Dwumfour President President Nana Akufo-Addo has delivered an address at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday September 21. Mr Akufo-Addo among other things, recounted the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on African economies including Ghana. He told the Assembly that just as Ghana and other African countries were trying to get out of the pandemic, the Russia invasion of Ukraine happened, compounding the situation. He said As we grappled with these economic challenges, Russia invasion of Ukraine burst upon us, aggravating an already difficult situation. It is not just the dismay that we feel at seeing such deliberate devastation of cities and towns in Europe in the year 2022, we are feeling this war directly in our lives in Africa. Every bullet, every bomb, every shell that hits a target in Ukraine, hit our pockets and our economies in Africa. ---3news.com President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has once again lamented the effects of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine on the growth of the country's economy. The President revealed that, even though the local economy suffered greatly as a result of COVID-19, things were improving until the war between Russia and Ukraine struck. He spoke at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States of America, on Wednesday, September 21, saying that each bullet fired in the two war zones had a significant negative impact on the economies of African countries. As we grappled with these economic challenges, Russia's invasion of Ukraine burst upon us, aggravating an already difficult situation. It is not just the dismay that we feel at seeing such deliberate devastation of cities and towns in Europe in the year 2022, we are feeling this war directly in our lives in Africa, he bemoaned. Adding that every bullet, every bomb, every shell that hits a target in Ukraine, hits our pockets and our economies in Africa. President Akufo-Addo further bemoans the slow development of the African economies since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming that the continent, particularly Ghana, is currently in bad shape due to countries' ballooning debts. Mr President, as we would say in Ghana, our world is currently not in a good place. The World Bank observed, last Thursday, that the global economy was enduring its steepest slowdown since 1970. By 2021, COVID-19 had pushed Africa into the worst recession for half a century. A slump in productivity and revenues, increased pressures on spending and spiralling public debts confronted us without relent, he said. Ethiopian Airlines and Italian interiors company Geven-SkyTecno have inaugurated a state-of-the-art facility for the manufacturing of insulation blankets for Boeing 737 MAX airplanes as part of an agreement with Boeing. The new joint venture company of Ethiopian Airlines and Geven-SkyTecno, named Ethiopian Sky Technologies, is based in Addis Ababa with primary manufacturing facility at Bole Airport. Ethiopian Airlines holds 51% and SkyTecno 49% of the stake of the newly established company. The parties as per their commitment are jointly manufacturing the products in Italy and Ethiopia as a supplier to The Boeing Company. Geven-SkyTecno has been contributing its process technology proficiency, manufacturing know-how as well as being responsible for speeding up the industrialization, qualification processes and training skills to the Joint Venture. Ethiopian Airlines and SkyTecno invested in the state-of-the-art blankets manufacturing equipment to provide unrivalled customer service and product access. The Joint Venture focuses on delivering tailor-made solutions for Boeing 737 MAX airplanes. Products are manufactured in a multicultural environment in synergy between the African and European continent, subject to strict quality control, in order to meet the most demanding expectations of the aircraft industry. "We are very pleased to announce this joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines, with whom we are looking forward to working together, said Alberto Veneruso, Managing Director of Geven-SkyTecno. "Our manufacturing excellence combined with our expertise in process technology, industrial efficiency and world-class distribution capabilities will provide our customers with best-in-class insulation solutions. Furthermore, Geven-SkyTecno provides the JV with a team of highly trained technical engineers with unparalleled experience meeting the demand for similar products from world airlines and OEMs. Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group said: We are glad to unveil a modern manufacturing facility of Ethiopian Sky Technologies at our home base, Addis Ababa. As part of our Vision to develop the Aerospace Manufacturing Industry in Ethiopia, the partnership with Geven-SkyTecno takes our capability to the next level. As we have a very well established MRO capability with an excellent track record of providing aircraft maintenance we can leverage this capability and experience to further develop our Aerospace Manufacturing capability and eventually make it one of the key Strategic Business Units of the Airline. We are happy that we have gone into this tri-partite relationship with Geven-SkyTecno and Boeing and that we started manufacturing and exporting the Aircraft Thermo-Acoustic Insulation Blankets for the 737 MAX. We are keen to expand the scope of activities to other aerospace products to the mutual benefit of all parties. Ethiopian Sky Technologies is manufacturing and delivering the aerospace products in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and the stringent requirements of the Aerospace Industry. In addition to building the aerospace manufacturing capability of Ethiopian Airlines, the partnership also enhances Ethiopias manufacturing infrastructure and international trade connections. TradeArabia News Service Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, a celebrated Ghanaian attorney and Pan-Africanist has praised the great vision of the country's first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah for the entire Africa. He wishes that his dreams of seeing Africa united and governed as one sovereign state come through. In a tweet on Wednesday, September 21, which happens to be the 113th birthday of Nkrumah, Gabby noted that he expects those dreams to be realized not only in Africa but in the entire world. Happy 113th birthday to the first president of and the foremost advocate for the unity of Africa, Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah. May your vision for the unity and prosperity of Africa be realised by this generation of Africans both home and abroad, Gabby wrote. The late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah fought for the total liberation of the African continent. He indicated that Ghana only gaining independence will be meaningless when delivered a speech on the day of Ghana's independence declaration (6th March 1957). He served as President of the Republic after Ghana was granted Republican status by the United Kingdom on July 1, 1960. He was deposed in a coup on February 24, 1961 while on a mission abroad. Kwame Nkrumah lived in Conakry, Guinea after his overthrow and was later diagnosed with prostate cancer. He flew to Romania for treatment in August 1971 but he died on April 27, 1972, in Bucharest, Romania, at the age of 62. Joyce Bawa Mogtari 22.09.2022 LISTEN The Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawa Mogtari has sent a simple note to judges in the trial of the Chinese Galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang. Deporting or repatriating her after the court must have found her guilty, as happened in 2018, according to the lawyer, must not happen this time around. She explained in a tweet seen by Modernghana News on Wednesday, September 21 that since the lady in question is just a foreigner without diplomatic status, the indigenous laws can try and convict her if found guilty. Reference the Aisha Huang trial, the law is clear and explicit, the foreigner, who commits a crime in Ghana, will be tried under the laws of the country and if found guilty will be convicted and sentenced, deportation and repatriation etc are not forms of punishment for crime, she tweeted. Repatriated in 2018, Aisha Huang has been in police custody for nearly three weeks after being apprehended in her hideout by National Security. She has since made two court appearances for charges of illegal mining and the sale and purchase of minerals without a license. On September 27, she and three others will reappear before Court. In the wake of an appeal to the United Nations by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for Moscow to be punished for its invasion, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will on Thursday face top Western diplomats, including US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in a special meeting convened by the UN Security Council at the request of France. In his address to the UN General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called no fewer than 15 times for the punishment of Russia. He received a standing ovation from world leaders assembled in New York. "Ukraine demands punishment for trying to steal our territory. Punishment for the murders of thousands of people. Punishment for tortures and humiliations of women and men," Zelensky said in English. Zelensky called for a special tribunal to hold Russia accountable, saying it would be a "signal to all would-be aggressors". He also demanded a compensation fund, saying Russia "should pay for this war with its own assets". His address came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin mobilised reservists and made a veiled threat to use nuclear weapons, signs that he is in no rush to end the war. Zelensky indicated that he saw no point in immediate peace talks, saying Russia used diplomacy only to buy time on the battlefield. "Russia is afraid of real negotiations and does not want to fulfil any fair international obligations. It lies to everyone -- as is typical for aggressors, for terrorists." Macron calls for maximum pressure On the sidelines of the UN gathering, French President Emmanuel Macron urged the world to "put maximum pressure" on Russian leader Vladimir Putin, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denounced the call-up of Russian army reserves announced by Moscow as "an act of desperation". British Prime Minister Liz Truss -- in her first trip since succeeding Boris Johnson -- vowed before the UN to keep up "our military support to Ukraine for as long as it takes". NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Putin's "dangerous and reckless nuclear rhetoric". Top European Union diplomats held an emergency meeting late Wednesday on the UN sidelines to discuss the extension of sanctions against Russia. "We will study, we will adopt new restrictive measures, both personal and sectoral," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said after that meeting, adding that a final decision needed to be made formally. Russia's "seizure and militarization" of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant -- Europe's largest -- also drew condemnation from several countries, including the United States, France, and Britain. The "risks of a nuclear incident will remain dangerously high as long as Russia is present on the site of the nuclear plant," they said in a joint statement calling for Moscow's withdrawal. Protests have spread across Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini after the young woman was arrested by the morality police for wearing her headscarf 'improperly'. A rights group said several more protesters had been killed in clashes overnight, raising the toll to nine. Public anger has flared since Iranian authorities on Friday announced the death of 22-year-old Amini, who had been held for allegedly wearing a hijab headscarf in an "improper" way. Activists said the woman, whose Kurdish name is Jhina, had suffered a fatal blow to the head, a claim denied by officials in the Islamic republic who said they had launched an investigation. Some women demonstrators have defiantly taken off their hijabs and burned them in bonfires or symbolically cut their hair, video footage spread virally on social media has shown. Nine people are now reported to have been killed during protests. Among those reported dead is a 16-year-old boy, shot when security forces opened fire on protesters. The unrest has spread to more than 20 major cities, including the capital Tehran. Police have used tear gas and made arrests in efforts to disperse crowds of up to 1,000 people. Demonstrators hurled stones at security forces, set fire to police vehicles and garbage bins, and chanted anti-government slogans, the official IRNA news agency said. In another despatch, Irna reported that Kazem Gharibabadi, Secretary of Iran's Human Rights Headquarters met with the Danish Ambassador in Iran, Jesper Vahr, and criticised the EU Foreign Service statement on the circumstances of Amini's death. Gharibabadi said that, following the "sorrowful event" involving "the Iranian girl," inspection teams started "working on various aspects of the event." Rights group Article 19 said it was "deeply concerned by reports of the unlawful use of force by Iranian police and security forces," including the firing of live ammunition. Overnight rallies were held in Tehran and other cities including Mashhad in the northeast, Tabriz in the northwest, Rasht in the north, Isfahan in the centre and Shiraz in the south, IRNA reported. "Death to the dictator" and "Woman, life, freedom", protesters could be heard shouting in video footage that spread beyond Iran, despite online restrictions reported by internet access monitor Netblocks. In Iran, the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke publicly on Wednesday, but without mentioning the spreading unrest. Iran's president brahim Raisi accused the West of hypocrisy in its criticism of Tehran. President Raisi struck a defiant note on a visit to the United Nations, with demonstrators also trailing him on the streets of New York and dissidents filing a human rights lawsuit against hardline cleric Khamenei. 'Enemy plot' Ismail Zarei Koosha, the governor of Kurdistan province, where Amini lived and where the protests started, said on Tuesday that three people had been killed during protests. He insisted they were "killed suspiciously" as part of "a plot by the enemy", Fars news agency reported. The Norway-based Kurdish human rights group Hengaw -- which had first reported those three deaths -- said Wednesday that two more protesters had been killed overnight. The two, aged 16 and 23, died in the towns of Piranshahr, where there were fierce clashes, and Urmia, both in West Azerbaijan province, Hengaw said. Another male protester who was wounded in Divandareh on 17 September died from his injuries in hospital, the rights group said. Video spread online showing security forces opening fire on protesters in the southern city of Shiraz, where disturbances continued into the early hours of the morning. Amini's death and Iran's response to the protests have sparked condemnation from the United Nations, United States, France and other countries. The protests are among the most serious in Iran since November 2019 unrest over fuel price rises. Foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani on Tuesday condemned what he called "foreign interventionist positions". (With agencies) 22.09.2022 LISTEN President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the Ghana School of Law, Wisdom Victor Kutor is facing removal following a recommendation for his impeachment for financial impropriety. The Legal Committee of the SRC has found him guilty of financial misappropriation, abuse of office, conflict of interest among other allegations, ahead of the full scope of the ruling. He was accused of buying a car for the SRC from his company, and another one for his personal use under questionable circumstances. Mr. Kutor was also accused of running an SRC-owned Mobile Money business with his company name and diverting proceeds from the business for his personal use. As if that was not enough, the SRC President was alleged to have taken the unilateral decision on foreign travels of the SRC and single-handedly selected those who traveled. Among all these allegations leveled against him, Mr. Kutor has however denied them. In evidence found to support the alleged financial impropriety by the committee set up by the Ghana School of Law concludes that Mr. Kutor put his personal interest above the duties of the Ghana School of Law SRC. The committee recommended the removal of Mr. Kutor as president of the SRC as a required statutory process and implore every necessary disciplinary sanction because of the breach of fiduciary duties and presidential oath. ---DGN online Galamsey kingpin Aisha Huang did not sneak into Ghana as the government is suggesting, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed. She has been making multiple trips to Togo and Ghana since February 2019 in the full glare of Ghanaian authorities, the Ghana Immigration Service, the opposition MP claimed. Aisha Huang was believed to have been deported in 2019 after she was arrested for galamsey. She was recently arrested again for the same crime she was allegedly deported for. Mr Ablakwa, however, said his investigation has proven that she did not sneak into the country but has been boldly walking through Ghana in the full glare of immigration authorities since 2019 when Ghanaians were told she had been deported. In a Facebook post, Mr Ablakwa noted that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government ought to have known about her multiple travels between Ghana and Togo at a time we were told she had been deported to China because expert forensic analysis we have conducted on Ghana Immigration Embarkation and Disembarkation Stamps in her Chinese passport using the latest version of the globally acclaimed Video Spectral Comparator (VSC 8000/HS) confirms that all the Ghana Immigration Embarkation/Disembarkation Stamps in her passport are genuine. Our irrefutable investigations reveal that Aisha Huang physically presented herself to Ghana Immigration officials at the Aflao border on February 27, 2019, and on April 28, 2019, he added. According to the lawmaker, despite changing her names and different dates of birth on her multiple passports, it is most bizarre that Aisha Huangs biometrics did not raise alarm at the Aflao border immigration post considering that her biometrics had previously been captured at numerous locations including at the Kotoka International Airport and the NIA. Mr Ablakwa is calling for a full independent Article 278 Commission of Enquiry which must be broadcast live to all Ghanaians with regards to the Aisha Huang case. Below is Mr Ablakwa's full post: Diligent, assiduous and industrious parliamentary oversight on the Aisha Huang scandal has produced more bombshell findings: 1. We can confirm that Aisha Huang has footprints of her physical presence in Ghana from as far back as February 27, 2019 yes, more than 3 years ago, and much longer than originally portrayed; 2. We now know that Aisha Huang has been living in Ghana and Togo for more than 3 years before obtaining her Ghana Card on February 27, 2022; 3. Our unimpeachable investigations reveal that even before Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo justified Aisha Huangs doubtful deportation in April 2019 and long before President Akufo-Addos statement on the dubious deportation in September 2019, Aisha Huang was in Ghana travelling on multiple occasions between Ghana and Togo; 4. We can state authoritatively that Aisha Huang uses at least 2 Chinese Passports for her travels (see evidence attached); 5. One passport bears the name Huang En with passport number: G39575625. It was issued on January 14, 2010. 6. Her other passport has the name Huang Ruixia. Its number is: EE9994609. This particular Chinese passport was issued on January 14, 2019; 7. Strangely, both passports have different dates of birth. In her En Huang passport (G39575625) she claims to have been born July 7, 1986 while in the Ruixia Huang passport (EE9994609) she claims to be much older having been born on November 7, 1975. 8. We have also secured her China Identity Card which indicates she was born on November 7, 1975; 9. Her Ghana Non-Citizen Identity Card has different information from her China Identity Card - she clearly told NIA officials she was born on July 7, 1986; 10. Curiously, her En Huang passport had not expired on its scheduled expiry date of January 13, 2020, when she secured her Ruixia Huang passport on January 14, 2019. 11. Its quite striking how she makes sure her Chinese passports are always issued on January 14; 12. Even though Aisha Huang deliberately damaged the electronic component of her Ruixia Huang passport before her latest arrest (see evidence attached), the Chinese government owes Ghana some urgent clarifications on the genuineness of both passports, and if they are genuine why Aisha Huang was issued a second passport when her earlier passport hadnt expired; 13. We now have it on authority that her multiple trips to Togo and back to Ghana since February 2019 were not on the blind side of Ghanaian authorities. In other words, she didnt sneak in and out through unapproved routes as the Ghanaian governments jumbled narrative suggests; 14. We come to the firm conclusion that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government ought to have known about her multiple travels between Ghana and Togo at a time we were told she had been deported to China because expert forensic analysis we have conducted on Ghana Immigration Embarkation and Disembarkation Stamps in her Chinese passport using the latest version of the globally acclaimed Video Spectral Comparator (VSC 8000/HS) confirms that all the Ghana Immigration Embarkation/Disembarkation Stamps in her passport are genuine; 15. Our irrefutable investigations reveal that Aisha Huang physically presented herself to Ghana Immigration officials at the Aflao border on February 27, 2019, and on April 28, 2019; 16. Despite her changing names and different dates of birth, it is most bizarre that Aisha Huangs biometrics didnt raise alarm at the Aflao border immigration post considering that her biometrics had previously been captured at numerous locations including at the Kotoka International Airport and the NIA; 17. Her well-stored details as contained in Ghanas PISCES (Personal Identification Secured Certified Evaluation System) should equally have raised alarm if she didnt have top collaborators within our security institutions; 18. It is also intriguing that the Ghanaian government didnt appear to share intelligence on the notorious Aisha Huang with governments of neighbouring countries as is standard practice, and which could have limited Aishas sinister movements in the sub-region; 19. From our extensive work, there is still no credible evidence that Aisha Huang was deported to China as the President and his Senior Minister originally claimed; 20. Based on what we now know, it is most inexplicable that many Ghanaian officials involved in this cruel and embarrassing conspiracy against our republic have not been fired and charged along with Aisha Huang in the current prosecution; 21. It remains a mockery of humongous proportions that all of Ghanas security ministers are still keeping their jobs; 22. When nobody in authority is punished for this international disgrace and for this grand scheme which has left our environment and water bodies destroyed, the only logical interpretation is that national leadership, right from the Presidency is complicit; 23. It is also clear to us from concrete facts we have discovered that Aisha Huangs charges are deliberately scanty, narrow and superficial with the obvious intention of protecting guilty accomplices in high places; 24. We believe as a responsible and patriotic opposition, we are now adequately armed to keep an eagle eye on a government that cannot be trusted on this and many matters; 25. We are stronger in our conviction that this astonishing Aisha Huang scandal requires a full independent Article 278 Commission of Enquiry which must be broadcast live to all Ghanaians. Source: Classfmonline.com The West African Examination Council (WAEC) engages the Ghana National Council for Private Schools [GNACOPS] over concerns about the examination body's continued relevance. The Private Schools are pushing for the abolishment of the examination council, arguing that it has failed to contribute positively to educational development in the country. But the Head of Legal at WAEC, Rev. Victor Brew, told Citi News that engaging GNACOPS would be a progressive mood. Mr. Gyetuah [the National Executive Director for GNACOPS] will help us when he submits inputs regarding how to better the assessment regime of this country. There are plans to engage Mr. Gyetuah's outfit for us to discuss and find common ground regarding the way forward, Rev. Brew said. GNACOPS has been critical of WAEC and called on the government to institute other examination bodies in a bid to break the monopoly of WAEC. The council believes such a move will aid in properly assessing candidates that sit for external examinations. This follows GNACOPS demand that WAEC must be scrapped because it has outlived its purpose. GNACOPS also feels the introduction of other examination bodies could help in resolving the issue of examination malpractice. By Citi Newsroom MTN Ghana today launched a brand campaign profiling MTN Business the ICT leader in Africa, which aims to be a trusted partner to businesses in their digital evolution and ultimately achieve #BusinessDoneBetter across the continent. We understand that growing a business is hard. Business leaders are juggling many priorities and often cannot attend to them all, said MTN Ghana, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Mr Samuel Addo. MTN Businesss role is to assist them do the things that make an impact and support their growth, helping them get it done better. MTN Business provides the tools to shift small, medium and large enterprises and multinational corporations and those in the public sector to being modern, connected and digital. These include Mobile as well as Fixed and ICT converged services i.e. managed network services; cloud services; unified communications; security solutions; and Internet of Things (IoT). Mr. Samuel Addo, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, said the plan was for MTN Business to become the empowering, leading ICT expert providing value to enterprise clients. Among our customer base, we already have more than Three thousand (3,000) enterprises who are instrumental in contributing to Ghanas economic growth. Mr Selorm Adadevoh said MTN Business also had a key role to play in realising the MTN Groups Ambition 2025: Leading digital solutions for Africas progress: Building the largest and most valuable platforms is one of Ambition 2025s four strategic priorities. Enterprise Services is one of MTNs five platform businesses and operates under the MTN Business brand. Ambition 2025 targets MTN Group enterprise revenue of more than R30 billion by 2025. This compares to R16.6 billion in 2021. In the first six months of 2022, enterprise revenue accelerated, increasing by 26.8%* in constant currency terms to R9.9 billion. This was driven largely by MTN Business growth in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Cote dIvoire. Ghanas Enterprise growth was 44.9% for H1 2022 and a revenue of R331m. African enterprises have a valuable role to play in addressing the continents most pressing challenges by providing much-needed jobs, products and services. World Bank data shows that SMEs contribute up to 60% of all employment and as much as 40% of the GDP in emerging economies. This makes them the cornerstone of most economies in Africa. We want to be the business enabler of choice in Ghana, meeting the communication and ICT demands of business clients throughout the country, said Mr Samuel Addo, Chief Enterprise Business officer. With a customer-centric approach to providing cutting-edge services, we are doing this by leveraging our brand and advanced network as well our strong customer base of top companies across sub-Saharan Africa. As part of the 2022 Global Appreciation Week, MTN Ghana embarked on a drive to appreciate its customers and reaffirm its commitment to deliver distinct customer service. Global appreciation week is a week that is set aside for MTN employees to show appreciation to each persons contribution to the companys performance. The first day was dedicated to the brand. Day two of the appreciation week was dedicated to customers and MTN staff took the SIM registration exercise to the doorsteps of customers in Ghana. Customers were registered in the comfort of their homes and offices. In addition to SIM registration, staff interacted with customers and addressed their concerns. The CEO of MTN also sent SMS messages to MTN customers. The rest of the days focused on appreciating exceptional team members and individuals whilst the final day was used to celebrate our communities. Commenting on this years customer appreciation week, the Chief Customer Services Officer, Jemima Kotei Walsh said, We want to thank all our customers for their support over the years. We appreciate your loyalty and we have you at heart. Therefore, we have dedicated our customer appreciation week to serve you in your comfort zone by bringing the SIM registration exercise to your doorsteps. We are undertaking this exercise across the country to ensure that every customer can conveniently register. She urged those who have not yet registered their sims with the Ghana card to do so immediately. She said, We are urging customers who have not yet started the process to link their Ghana card with USSD *404# or use the MTN web portal https://simregistrationportal.mtn.com.gh before they come to our touchpoints for the biometric capture. Customers can complete the registration by either visiting the nearest service centre for the biometric capture. Alternatively, customers can download the SIM Registration Self Service app on google play to complete the registration. The Customer appreciation week was marked in all 19 MTN operations. Russian security forces on Wednesday detained more than 1,300 people at protests denouncing the mobilisation of reservists hours after President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia's first military draft since World War Two. The independent OVD-Info protest monitoring group said that according to information it had collated from 38 Russian cities, more than 1,311 people had been held by late evening. It said those figures included at least 502 in Moscow and 524 in Saint Petersburg, Russia's second most populous city. Unsanctioned rallies are illegal under Russia's anti-protest laws. Spike in one-way flights out of Russia In a statement quoted by news agencies, Russian Interior Ministry official Irina Volk, said officers had "cut short" attempts to stage what it called small protests. "In a number of regions, there were attempts to stage unauthorised actions which brought together an extremely small number of participants," Volk was quoted as saying. "These were all stopped. And those persons who violated laws were detained and taken to police stations for investigation and establish their responsibility." One-way flights out of Russia were rocketing in price and selling out fast on Wednesday after Putin ordered the immediate call-up of 300,000 reservists. Rise in cross-border traffic in Finland Traffic arriving at Finland's eastern border with Russia reportedly "intensified" overnight, according to the Finnish Border Guard. Putin's announcement in a television address raised fears that some men of fighting age would not be allowed to leave the country and prompted one-way flights out of Russia to sell out fast. Almost 5000 Russians arrived in Finland via the eastern border on Wednesday, up from the a little over 3000 a week earlier. Belgrade still accepting flights from Russia Meanwhile, a plane landed in the Serbian capital Belgrade on Wednesday carrying mainly Russian passengers. Belgrade is the only European capital still accepting flights from Russia. One passenger Julia told RFI that said she fears for her family: "Many of [my] friends have already received their mobilisation papers, as have [my] colleagues. "My brother has been in the army for three months. They sent him there when he was barely 20 years old. He was in Izum and Kharkiv." KABUL, Sep 21 (UNI) Three people were killed and 13 others injured on Wednesday in a blast that rocked Dehmazang locality in Police District 3 of Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. "A blast took place around noon on Wednesday in PD3 of Kabul city, killing three people and wounding 13 others," local television channel Tolonews quoted Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran as saying. The report added that an investigation team had reached the site to determine the reason for the blast. However, an eyewitness on the condition of anonymity asserted that the number of casualties could be higher than reported. A similar blast claimed two lives and injured 10 others next to Russian Embassy in Kabul about two weeks ago. UNI/XINHUA GK Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has raised issues about the method of teaching and learning in schools in Ghana and in other parts of the African continent. He observed that pupils are taught in ways that do not allow them to think critically and ask questions. This situation, he said, cannot ensure the needed development in the 21st Century at a time others are thinking through innovative ideas to develop. Dr Adutwum said these when speaking at the Transforming Education Summit at 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday September 22. The Bosomtwe Member of Parliament said I go to schools upon schools and I speak with the students, when I finish speaking with them I will ask, do you have a question for me? And no hand goes up. A hand is yet to go up in all my encounters in Ghanaian classrooms. We have tamed the children, we just want them to write down what we tell them, at the day of exam they should put down what we have told them and say, you you are the best student the country has seen. That kind of education system will not transform Ghana that kind of education system is not going to give us the critical thinking individuals especially since we are in the 21st Century. He added You cant memorize your way out of poverty but you can critically think and innovate out of poverty. So Ghana schools, African schools have to begin to take serious look at what I will call assertive curriculum, a curriculum that empowers the African African child to ask questions and challenge the status quo. -3news.com Guinea's ruling military junta on Thursday slammed the "puppet" president of the West African regional bloc ECOWAS and accused him of "lies" over his call for sanctions on Conakry if it seeks a three-year transition back to civilian rule. The poor but mineral-rich nation has been ruled by the military since a coup in September 2021 that ousted president Alpha Conde, in power since 2010. Guinea's junta-appointed prime minister, Bernard Gomou, slammed Economic Community of West African States chief Umaro Sissoco Embalo, describing him as a "puppet wearing the mantle of a statesman" in a statement on Thursday. Gomou said Embalo, who is also president of Guinea-Bissau, was an "overexcited" man who "forced his way in" to the ECOWAS presidency. The prime minister also pointed to the two countries' geographical closeness and blood ties, but warned "no political upstart, let alone a badly briefed opportunist, will lead us to destroy this precious heritage". During a visit to Guinea, Embalo had said he had secured an agreement with the junta to give way to elected civilians after two years. Three years in power before a return to civilian rule is "unacceptable for ECOWAS", Embalo said on Wednesday. "Unacceptable and non-negotiable," he added, in an interview with France's RFI and France 24 broadcasters, a day before an ECOWAS summit on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Embalo said in the interview that if the junta maintained that timetable, there would be sanctions -- "heavy sanctions, even". Colonel Amara Camara, a senior junta figure, earlier on Thursday accused Embalo of "lies". "Crude lies and intimidation are backward steps that dishonour (Embalo) and at the same time tarnish ECOWAS' image," Camara said in a video received by AFP. Regional instability and coups The West Africa bloc has been struggling with a string of military coups in the region in the past two years. Camara accused Embalo, who took over the rotating presidency of the conference of West African heads of state a few weeks ago, of being "distinguished by his personal positions in defiance of his fellow presidents". He accused Embalo of "putting on a show" and of disregarding the ECOWAS presidency, of forcing his West African counterparts to hold a summit outside West Africa and of wanting to force through sanctions against Guinea. Mali's interim leader Colonel Assimi Goita (R) and Guinea's Mamady Doumbouya (L) are seen in Bamako during Mali's independence day military parade. By OUSMANE MAKAVELI (AFP) "We are not in... a reality TV relationship," Camara said, accusing Embalo of "bawdy" diplomacy. "By forcing his peers to hold this summit outside his geographical space, his leadership will have allowed an opportunity for others not to take us seriously." Mali underwent coups in August 2020 and May 2021, followed by Guinea in September 2021 and Burkina Faso in January. ECOWAS has lifted tough sanctions that had been imposed on Mali's military regime, accepting a March 2024 return to civilian rule. But Mali and Guinea remain suspended from ECOWAS bodies. 22.09.2022 LISTEN The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, has set the tone for a possible restoration of the symbolic celebration of 21st September in Ghanas history as Founders Day. It will be recalled that late President John Evans Atta Mills declared September 21 in 2009 as a statutory holiday in commemoration of the legacy and achievements of Ghanas first president. But President Akufo-Addo in 2017 presented legislation before Parliament setting aside August 4 as a day to celebrate Ghanas founders, including The Big Six, ditching September 21, the original date. It was then changed from Founder's Day to Founders' Day with an argument by the NPP that the country cannot continue to celebrate only Kwame Nkrumah. September 21 was then marked in Ghana's calender as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day. General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia at the time argued that it is an established fact that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah fought for the Independence of Ghana and not the Presidents father, Edward Akufo-Addo or his grandfather, J.B Danquah as he wanted all of us to believe. We wont allow Akufo-Addo to change our history so he should organised a funeral to honour his ancestry in his hometown. Despite the resistance by the opposition NDC and some groups, the Akufo-Addo-led NPP used its ultra-majority numbers in Parliament to have it done. Five years on, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, who is lacing his boots to contest the General Secretary position of the party has hinted that a future NDC will revert to the original date. He said this when he marked September 21, 2022, as Founders Day in celebrating the life and contributions of Ghanas first president Dr Kwame Nkrumah despite amendment. Dr. Otokunor noted that he will continue to observe the day as such until a future NDC government officially restores the commemoration through proper legislation. The YouStart commercial component is to offer a standardized loan product ranging from GHS100,000 to GHS500,000.00 from 11 Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), to help entrepreneurs gain access to capital to grow their businesses. The commercial programme will cover beneficiaries' working capital needs, business expansion needs and the purchase of equipment or machinery. Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister for Finance, stated at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the 11 Participating Financial Institutions for the YouStart commercial component that the government's YouStart programme is expected to create a million jobs for the Ghanaian youth over the next three years. He said YouStart has three models: the Commercial Programme, the District Entrepreneurship Programme, and the YouStart Grace Programme. Never in our history has there been a commitment of this size and scale toward strengthening the links between education and job market stakeholders, providing access to finance, skills, and markets for our young entrepreneurs and, growing the capacity of the private sector to create jobs, he added. Mr Ofori-Atta alluded to the PFIs' significant role, stating that the government could not "move forward" without their assistance, and expressed the ministrys desire for more such partnerships from both the public and private sectors to ensure a culture creation and mindset that would leave the young generation unafraid to challenge themselves. The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Association of Banks, Mr John Awuah, speaking on behalf of the banks, pledged their commitment to assist entrepreneurs with substantial capital to develop and grow the SME sector. He added that the signing of the agreement with the government was further proof that the private and public sectors could work together to create the value and entrepreneurship that the country has been longing for. As a community of banks, we helped the Ministry of Finance to design a product that we believe will help propel businesses forward particularly younger and smaller businesses to move them to the next level. I think is a positive development. We only have to make sure that what we have put on paper when it comes to the execution, we all come to the table in the manner in which the agreement had been signed, he added. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has warned that the destabilising conflict in the Sahel, which is perceived as a West African conflict would have a wider implication for the world if not tackled collectively. Speaking on Wednesday at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana, sees the terrorist and violent extremism differently and had watched in horror, as the unrest moves from the Sahel, inexorably, to the West African coastal countries. The President said all of Ghanas neighbours had suffered terrorist attacks, while some had lost territorial space to the invading forces. Addressing member countries on the theme: A Watershed Moment: Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges, President Akufo-Addo said the terrorist pressure has provided a pretext for the reappearance of military rule in the West African region. President Akufo-Addo said two of three military rule countries had borne the brunt of the terrorist outrages in the RegionMali and Burkina Faso: adding It is a development we are determined to reverse so that the ECOWAS space remains a democratic one. President Akufo-Addo said member countries had been forced to spend huge amounts of money on security, monies that could have been spent on educating and giving skills to young people; on building much-needed roads, bridges, hospitals and other such infrastructure. This is a global problem, deserving the attention of the world community for a global solution, the President stated. Mr President, I am contributing to this debate on a date that has special significance for us in Ghana. 21st September is the date we mark the birth of our first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. President Nkrumah, the Pan African Champion, would have been 113 years old today and it is worth recalling on this day the driving force of his political career, which was to contribute to the birth of a united Africa, i.e., a United States of Africa. President Akufo-Addo indicated that Africans recognise today, more than ever before, the importance of the strength in unity of Africa, and we are working to shed that image of a helpless, hapless continent. The President said there was a renewed commitment toward inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and economic integration of the continent. We, the current leaders of Africa, should be determined not to waste the crisis that confronts us, the President urged. Incidentally, President Akufo-Addo said 2022 had been billed as Africas Year to take action on food and nutrition development goals. We see the current geopolitical crisis as an opportunity to rely less on food imports from outside the continent and use better our 60 per cent global share of arable lands to increase food production. President Akufo-Addo said Africa had seen the devastating impact of relying on Russia and Ukraine for 70 per cent of its wheat consumption. We have enough land, enough water, enough gas and enough manpower to produce enough fertiliser, food and energy for ourselves and others, he stated. However, the President said Africans also recognised that they cannot do it all by themselves, adding: Our message to the global investor community is, therefore, this: Africa is ready for business. Africa needs you and you need Africa. You need Africa because Africa is busily building the worlds largest single market of 1.3 billion people. Soon, Africa would have a customs union and a continental payment system that would accelerate and facilitate trade amongst themselves. President Akufo-Addo said already, goods and services were flowing more freely across the continents artificial borders. See Africa for what it is: the new frontier for manufacturing, for technology, for food production. That is why six years ago, I launched in Ghana the successful policy of One District One Factory. A policy, with government incentives, that has directly seen, so far, some 125 factories being set up in various districts across the country, leveraging on each areas competitive advantage. In addition to Ghanas industrialisation drive, President Akufo-Addos government, six years ago, embarked on an aggressive policy of planting for food and jobs, which has helped the countrys farmers increase their yields in folds. Indeed, we are recognising that many of the things we import can be found or produced in Ghana, or other African countries, he stated. The African Continental Free Trade Area, whose Secretariat is located in Accra, Ghanas capital, is driving intra-Africa trade and creating an unparalleled momentum for the continents economic diversity and transformation. We know that industrialisation is the way to go, President Akufo-Addo indicated, and, with the single market as an added incentive, the government of Ghana had taken policy measures to add value to the countrys natural resources. For example, we are processing more of our cocoa, refining more of our gold and we are determined to exploit the entire value chain of our huge lithium deposits, he said. President Akufo-Addo said Ghana was busily building an integrated bauxite and aluminium industry and an integrated iron and steel industry, building new oil refineries. Ghana had, so far, attracted six of the worlds biggest automobile manufacturers to set up assembling plants in Ghana, before producing them in the country. In line with the African Unions Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Africas ambition is to transform its food systems over the next decade, anchored in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth. President Akufo-Addo said what the continent required now was support from the investor community for the rolling out of Africas lucrative agro-industry, and for investors to see agribusiness as much more an opportunity than the perceived, exaggerated risk which has been the false, but dominant narrative. The President said, history will judge us all harshly if we do not seize the opportunity to make the changes that will enable us to deal with the many problems we face. Ghanaian US-based broadcaster, Kevin Ekow Taylor has descended on President Akufo-Addo for always taking his 'presidential chair' along with him wherever he goes. He said any Akan chief who will welcome the President into his palace with the chair will be dethroned. According to him, the cost government incurs in moving the chair around in just a month can be used to support other relevant projects to boost the country's economy. In a Facebook post sighted by Modernghana News, the controversial broadcaster slammed Asante, Fante, and Akwapem natives who still identify themselves with the NPP seeing this "absurdity". Money spent in just a month for moving Akufo Addos Nkwasia chair can give you capital for your small business. Se Wo Ny3 Aboa (if you are not a fool), how do you still see this absurdity and say because you are an Akan (Asante, Fante, Akwapem etc) you were born into NPP? he quizzed. Any chief who welcomes Akufo-Addo in his palace with his chair, Kelvin Taylor says he will incite the youths of the area to dethrone that particular chief. Im gonna have to say this again. My father is a Paramount Chief, those who know him know him. If you are a Chief and you allow this crazy Akufo Addo guy to bring his madness of a chair into your Palace then you are a mad Chief. I will keep track of Akufo-Addo and any chief who allows him to bring his chair to his palace would be put on Loud Silence TV and we will direct your subjects to dethrone you! he warned. HURIWA, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, recently faulted the ruling of Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja that sentenced kingpin kidnapper Hamisu Bala of Taraba State, otherwise known as Wadume, to only seven years jail term. The association observed that Wadume and his brother-in-crime, Anambra-born kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans committed similar crimes. It then wondered why Wadume should be jailed for only 7 years while Evans was jailed for 21 years by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos State Special Offences Court which jail term HURIWA described as appropriate. The rights group demanded that police authority initiate a fresh prosecution against Wadume and his co-conspirators for the murder of some police officers. According to HURIWA chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the 21-year conviction of Evans, the Anambra kidnap kingpin, was salutary but when compared with Taraba states Wadumes 7 years jail term, the judgment from the Federal High Court looked like a mockery of the judiciary and the entire wheel of justice in Nigeria. Some sections of the judiciary, by their decisions, appeared to be abetting kidnapping because while Evans offences attracted far heavier sanctions which HURIWA was not particularly opposed to, Wadume, who was arraigned for exactly the same crime of kidnapping with arms got a lighter punishment after years of secrecy shrouding his trial. Given a situation where the same offences attracted different levels of punishment because of the individuals involved, HURIWA said it was forced to believe that Nigerias judiciary had been exposed to ridicule. There was no justification anywhere for the controversial justice done in the case of Wadume who was said to have killed police officers during some of his operations, it argued. To the organization, it was the case of the Jacob I love and the Esau I hate, even though the Jacob in this instance Wadume was treacherous even more the Esau in the scenario. HURIWA as a civil rights organization was fully aware of the public danger of kidnapping and was pleased with the handling of the case of Evans. The organization explained that the expectation of the people of Nigeria was that the judiciary should be dispassionate and no respecter of personalities. It said the Lady of Justice was supposed to be blindfolded not to reckon with religious sentiments, but it was unfortunate that certain actions of some judges had removed the blindfold on the Lady of Justice in Nigeria, serving their kinsmen lighter sentences and their configured foes, grave and unjustifiable jail terms or persistent adjournments and languishing in the dungeons of the law enforcement agencies. HURIWA said it didnt want to believe that Evans sentencing to prolonged imprisonment was probably because of his place of origin given that as human rights crusaders their members were in support of the application of the death penalty for armed kidnapping. But they also reasoned that the mere tender slap on the back of Wadume by the judiciary was a despicable and absolutely awkward act. HURIWA unequivocally called for the retrial of Wadumes case and asked that no self-respecting person should offer himself to enlist in the Nigeria Police Force since the lives of three policemen were allegedly wasted by Wadume. The organization said: And going by the skewed judgement of Justice Nyako, it is apparent that the loss of lives of three persons who may be the breadwinners of their families doesnt matter to the judiciary or rather the office of the Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice who should be the upholder of justice in the country. The organization believed that the verdict in Abuja on the Taraba kidnapping kingpin was absolutely treacherous and if the reason was because of the deliberately distorted charges with lesser sentence framed by the prosecutors, then President Muhammadu Buhari needed to let Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice, relinquish his office with immediate effect. HURIWA was of the opinion that the Nigeria Bar Association and other allied bodies must not look on or pretend not to be aware of this sham and the unacceptable verdict in the case of the Taraba kidnap kingpin being served in the courtrooms. Indeed, it was William Godwin who said: the law is made for man and not man for the law. Wherever we can be sure that the most valuable interests of a nation require that we should decide one way, that way we ought to decide. And when a law ceases to serve its purpose, it is either amended or changed. In some cases, a new law is enacted to keep up with the demands of the times. With these and some other cases of kidnapping that Nigerian judges have recently disposed of, the people of Nigeria ought to be worried and want to know if the judges are actually compromising or bending the law and for what reason? The two cases of Evans and Wadume recently disposed of by the judiciary definitely call the interpretation of the law by the third arm of government to grave question. Nigeria`s Criminal Code Act recognizes and criminalises armed robbery which is far less of a crime than kidnapping. Far less because both involve the use of dangerous weapons like guns, but while one steals commodities or property, the other steals human beings or human life. The Criminal Code Act makes ample provisions concerning armed robbery. Section 401 of the Criminal Code Act in defining robbery says: any person who steals anything and, at or immediately after the time of stealing it, uses or threatens to use actual violence to any person or property in order to obtain or retain the thing stolen or to prevent or overcome resistance to its being stolen or retained, is said to be guilty of robbery. Section 402 provides the punishment for robbery thus: any person who commits the offence of robbery shall upon conviction be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than twenty-one years. But if any offender mentioned in subsection (1) of this section is armed with any firearms or any offensive weapon or any obnoxious or chemical materials or is in company with any person so armed; or at or immediately after the time of robbery the said offender wounds any person, the offender shall upon conviction be sentenced to death. So, it is as clear as crystal that the law in Nigeria punishes armed robbery with death and no less than that. The law takes the issue of armed robbery and kidnapping very seriously in Nigeria. But recent turn arounds in the judiciary seem to give credence to that idea of many observers of Nigerias democratic evolution that the APC government of President Muhammadu Buhari often gives the impression to the international community that in Nigeria violence pays. It is no secret that Nigerian criminal law reserves its most punitive punishments for those crimes it considers most antisocial. In many ways we can say that its stiffest sanction is the capital punishment. The pain of death, the sentence of death is the ultimate sanction. Therefore, anyone who kills another under circumstances constitutive of culpable homicide deserves the punishment of death. Same goes for those armed during a robbery or kidnap operation. The sentence of death imposed under this section may be executed by hanging the offender by the neck till he be dead or by causing such offender to suffer death by firing squad as the Governor may direct. Perhaps, section 11 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act is critical to understanding the offence of armed robbery. It is the section that interprets the tenets of the law. It defines firearms to include any canon, gun, rifle, carbine, machine-gun, cap-gun, flint-lock gun, revolver, pistol, explosive or ammunition or other firearm, whether whole or in detached pieces. And offensive weapon means any article (apart from a firearm) made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person or intended by the person having it for such use by him and it includes an air gun, air pistol, bow and arrow, spear, cutlass, marchette, dagger, cudgel, or any piece of wood, metal, glass or stone capable of being used as an offensive weapon. So, for a robbery to be armed robbery, it must be done with an offensive weapon. This is the critical distinguishing factor between robbery and armed robbery. It is the very thin line between a twenty one year sentence and a sentence of death. But kidnapping attracts only the death sentence because the perpetrators are always armed with offensive weapons. So, why are both Evans and Wadume given jail sentences instead of the death sentence seeing that both were involved in the use of firearms, and both were involved in killing their victims. Could it be that the law has changed cause and the death penalty has been abolished without passing through the legislature? And why is the National Assembly not saying anything? Why is the National Assembly keeping so quiet while the judiciary appears to be giving criminals soft landings and creating the impression that impunity, violence and criminality pay in Nigeria? By Emeka Asinugo, KSC 22.09.2022 LISTEN When you ask a random young graduate job hunting what he/she would like to do, the likely answer you will get is Any decent job that I can survive on. Well, for many senior citizens, this answer may suggest as if the graduate has no knowledge of his or her worth or value in the job market or probably has no clear career path nor plan. Sadly, these senior citizens probably have no idea the number of applications that have been written yet hardly secure a slot for interviews. They certainly have no clue about the number of interviews attended yet never hear from the employers. The number of hours spent on job portals trying to find job offers. They are probably not aware of the five to ten years of working experience being demanded of young graduates. They certainly have no idea about the number of job offers that young ladies have been denied for refusing sexual offers from prospective employers. Sadly, they do not know that to even secure internship offers as a graduate, someone may have to hold your hands. This is the sad story of the average Ghanaian graduate in search of a job. If these graduates were asked of their career paths in basic schools some ten or twenty years ago, they would have given definite answers, such as dreams of becoming seasoned and accomplished journalists, politicians who will transform the fortunes of the country, academics who will grow and nurture the upcoming generation, health practitioners who will treat their patients with love and dignity, lawyers and judges who will ensure fairness and equity in the country, development practitioners and social workers who will implement solution-oriented interventions to improve the livelihoods of the vulnerable, commercial farmers who will feed the country and beyond, clerics who will be responsible for moral and spiritual uprightness in the country. When you dream, dream big! Big as the ocean for dreams come true. These words probably informed the ambitions and dreams of many Ghanaians in their formative years. Growing up, the youth of Ghana had big and wild dreams. Dreams of changing the narrative in Ghana and the continent. Dreams of putting the country on the world map. Those days as kids, the youth didnt need a Joseph to interpret these dreams for us. We were hopeful, optimistic and certain of an amazing and clear future. However, with the reality dawning on us, we probably need a Joseph to even determine if our dreams were actually valid dreams or hallucinations. Growing up, we were told education is the key to success, now we keep on wondering if the padlock has been changed or we have been given the wrong keys. The fundamental question that lingers on the mind of the average Ghanaian Youth is, should we even continue to dream of a better Ghana when the night is over and the day is staring at us in the faces? The dreams we had as children seem to have become a nightmare for many. The honest reality is that, we live in a country where securing a job after tertiary education is actually a miracle which calls for thanksgiving and sacrifices. We live in a country where the pressure on young female graduates to marry right after school appears to be exceedingly greater than the pressure on elected government functionaries to provide social and economic infrastructure. The reality of many graduates being underemployed and exploited by some employers due to the unavailability of jobs if luck shines on you with a job. These and many others are the realities facing the Ghanaian Youth. Indeed, Most Ghanaian graduates seem to be at a crossroads and urgent steps must be taken to restore hope and confidence in them. If we are not fast about this, all the youth will seek asylum and greener pastures outside the country and we will have no abled men and women to lead us on the battlefield when the time is due. It appears as though the world is crushing on the dreams of many youth. Rather interestingly, why will the dreams of these younger folks not become a nightmare when as a country we have not been able to collectively put up a decent accommodation where we can all sleep and dream peacefully? Have we for once thought of what binds us together as a country? What values are we proud of as a country in our quest to ensure a better Ghana? What unique trait identifies us as a people in our quest to put ourselves on the global map? What value does the average Ghanaian hold dear to his or her heart in nation-building? What legacy are we leaving for future generations? These and many other legitimate questions raise the fundamental issue if as a country, we have ever had a dream or vision for the youth. Fellow Ghanaians, fellow countrymen and women, my brothers and sisters, It would have been ideal to have a national dream, what we can call the Ghanaian dream. A dream that can keep us awake to work our hearts out as a people. A dream that can bind us together irrespective of which part of the country one hails from. A dream that generations yet unborn will surely and gladly follow. Do we really need a Ghanaian dream when the dreams of many Ghanaian graduates appear to be shuttered? How can the passenger (youth) arrive at his/her destination (dreams) when the bus (collectively as a country) is not fit for the journey yet we keep on blaming and changing only the drivers (politicians) though they hold the steering wheel?. Admitting these realities facing the Ghanaian Youth, it is worth mentioning that, even though all is not rosy, all hope is not yet lost on the dreams of the Ghanaian Youth. Over the past years, a lot of donor-funded Projects have specifically targeted youth employability and development aimed at offering employable and entrepreneurial skills to many. Governments on its side continue to initiate short-term and long-term interventions aimed at absorbing the youth and providing a platform for entrepreneurship. A number of successful adults continue to offer themselves to mentor the youth so as to help them make the right choices. A good number of the youth have defied all odds and progressing steadily in their career. A number of influential men and women are working hard through their foundations to correct the ills of society and make the country a better place for us all particularly the youth. Indeed we can dream of a better tomorrow as youth looking at these interventions and the zeal of our fellow compatriots. How then can we make life bearable and help actualize the dream of the Ghanaian Youth? In the past, successive governments have nurtured a dream of vision 2020, positive change, better Ghana and currently building a Ghana beyond Aid. These dreams have largely been associated with political parties and die when their tenure of office ends. Together let us work to build a country where anyone from anywhere can become somebody without having to necessarily know anybody. This must be the Ghanaian dream. This must be the call for action. And this will surely create a path of progress for the youth. This dream will surely offer opportunities to all without any fear or favour. It will urge the youth to strive harder and be assured of greatness. To actualize this dream, we all need to come out of our shelves. The media must offer responsible, accurate and informed reportage. Academics must not only train students to pass exams but train the minds, conscience and imbibe a sense of nationalism in their students. Clerics must not hide under the cassock to seek their parochial interest. Bureaucrats must always be mindful of their call to public service and not private service. We need a high sense and spirit of patriotism. And to the Political class, you have been vested with state power and resources to lead in the actualization of this dream. This is your duty to Mother Ghana. The charge is to create an enabling environment as you always say. Let this guide your conscience in every step you take. Indeed, the youth of Ghana can dream. A dream backed by actions and not mere rhetoric. Let us soldier on. Indeed, let us keep moving as young people, someday we will actualize this dream. Surely, the heavens will smile at our efforts one day. May God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong. Vincent Ohene-Ntow YALI Dream A Better Ghana A Brighter Africa Facebook; Kwame Ohene-Ntow Email: [email protected] Personal Blog; mirrorofafrica.blogspot.com The writer is a Development Practitioner and a Local Government Enthusiast. He holds a Masters degree in Development Policy and Planning from KNUST and a Bachelors degree in Public Administration from the University of Ghana Business School. He is an Alumnus of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI, RLC). The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has increased its commitments to the economy of the Republic of Cote DIvoire amounting to a total of FCFA 298.7 billion (equivalent of about USD 464 million) to finance projects in various areas including infrastructure, healthcare, industry, and agriculture. Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EBID, disclosed this in a release copied to the Ghana News Agency at a signing ceremony held at the headquarters of the Bank in Lome, the Republic of Togo. The Bank committed an amount of FCFA 4.7bn for the partial financing of the construction of a Coltan processing plant by BRI Coltan at Issia, Republic of Cote dIvoire. The ceremony was attended by the Managing Director of BRI Coltan SA, Mr. Youval COHEN. The President of EBID said that such projects are in line with the Government of Cote dIvoires efforts to improve the quality of exports by adding value and deriving higher returns. Mr. Cohen expressed appreciation to EBID for its willingness to assist BRI COLTAN in this venture and stated that the project was part of a larger aim of positioning Cote dIvoire as a key player in the international minerals market. The President of EBID affirmed the Banks commitment to promoting industrialisation and innovation in line with its 2021-2025 strategic plan, while calling for continued support to private sector initiatives to alleviate poverty in the sub-region. EBID is a leading regional investment and development bank, owned by the 15 ECOWAS Member States, namely, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote dIvoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. Based in Lome, Togolese Republic, the Bank is committed to financing developmental projects and programs covering diverse initiatives from infrastructure and basic amenities, rural development and environment, industry, and social services sectors, through its private and public sector windows. EBID intervenes through long, medium, and short-term loans, equity participation, lines of credit, refinancing, financial engineering operations and related services. 22.09.2022 LISTEN Tumivol Kaku Aka III, Awulae Annor Adjaye III, Awulae Amihyia Kpanyinli III, Awulae Agyevi Kwame II, Awulae Atiburukusu III, Awulae Angama Tu Agyan II, Nanam, Mr Chairman, Hon MPs and DCEs of Nzema, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, For the first time in my life, I'm excited to see a conference organized by Nzema people to talk about, and hopefully leave here with actionable steps for Nzema development. It is said that the first step in solving a problem is acknowledging that there is one. Yy b mo somaa. Ayekoo! Nzema is blessed. If Nzema was a country, we would be self sufficient. Look around you. We have Azule Tano (River Tano), Azule Siane (River Ankobra), Azule Amanzule (river Amanzule), Subile, Dwnye, countless lagoons and streams, the sea, a beautiful coastline, expansive arable land, we have oil, gas, and countless minerals under our land. We are blessed indeed!!! Nzema may not be the most highly educated, but man do we have some of the most acclaimed personalities - King Kaku Aka I who stood up to the white man when others dared not, and held Nzema together for as long as he could, Professor Wilhelm Anton Amoh, the first African to school in Europe, Paa Grant, the visionary who set Ghana on the path to Self Governance and Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's Founder and African of the Milennium. Did you know that the Chief Imam, his Eminence Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, Ghanas beloved symbol of religious harmony and peace, is an Nzema? Sadly, the wealth of our mineral and oil and gas resources have yet to be fully felt in the lives of many of our compatriots. Every year, Billions of dollars worth of Oil and Gas is taken offshore along our coast. Yet, these very communities contain some of the poorest people in Ghana today. There is ZERO earmarked funds from this resource that is taken off our coast from Cape Three Points (Andenrenle) to Newtown (Avolenu). Ironically, Jomoro which gave Ghana victory in its dispute with La Cote D'ivoire over the oil resource has some of the worst road networks in Ghana today. It is not right, and we must not be ok with it. As custodians of the land and as indigenes, best practice requires that some equity interest accrue to indigenous peoples. Our equity interest should take care of us and our most vulnerable. Not charity. This wrong must be rectified by the state of Ghana and all Companies operating in Nzema, especially the Jubilee Partners, Eni, Ghana Gas, Nguvu Holdings and the rest. Did you know that Adamus Resources has had four different owners in its existence, with the most recent change happening just last year? A one-year-old private company, Nguvu Holdings, now owns 90% of Adamus, whose concessions is almost a third of Ellembelle? Let me may ask: How much of this is owned by the Community? To make it easier, we have made the case for a West Coast Economic Development Fund . I entreat all of you here to take a read [1] , and let us start with it. It is in the same vein, ie the need to be represented as equity partners rather than as a charity case, that we have laid out Nzema Maanle Concerns and Recommendations for the proposed Petroleum Hub project in Jomoro [2] . We recommend action in four main areas: Land Size; Equitable Compensation & Opportunity; Environmental Protection and Infrastructure, Social & Skills Development. Again I entreat you all to please read. In the interest of equity, fairness, social justice, and best practices when it comes to indigenous peoples. The time of exploitation is over. Now to our mineral wealth. Look around you. Around Nkroful, Telekubokazo, Anwia, Akango, Ewereko. Look at the Ankobra, Subile, River Tano and the Juen Lagoon. Individuals and some companies have exploited these to the extent where communities along these rivers have become death traps. Mercury, Cyanide and Arsenic contamination is at alarming levels. The communities are at risk while these exploiters live in opulence. As I speak, we are in the middle of a missing excavator saga that is the envy of hollywood. This disaster must end, and it must end now. How can this mineral wealth be extracted in a way that benefits our communities? There are 2 main types of mining. Mining streams and riverbeds for gold deposits, also called Alluvial Mining and there is underground mining. Alluvial mining does not require any skills. With a few hours of training, some gear and nowadays, an excavator, mercury and cyanide, you can start doing alluvial mining in a swamp, along a stream or river or like we've seen here, even in the middle of town. This benefits the few people financing it. Not even those in the trenches benefit. Why? Because they mostly end up dead or chronically ill from mercury poisoning in a few years. But ask yourself. "who bears the greater risk of the environmental catastrophe they leave behind? In the year 2020 alone, an estimated 120 tonnes of Gold were mined in Ghana. 35,274 120 = 4.2m ounces = $7.6bn USD at $1800 per ounce. How much do you think went to the government of Ghana? Less than $200m. How much to communities like Jomoro, Ellembelle and Evalue Dwira? What about the environmental cost? 2 people I know died in Elllembelle falling into pits. 1 at Anwia and 1 at Telekubokazo. About four others have also died in relation to skirmiches between the community and a known mining company, with some injured and maimed for life. We have open pits filled with mercury and cyanide. Some have been around for more than two years. We see cocoa farms and palm tree plantations, results of many years of toils by our hardworking farmers torn down in one night. The destroyed Juen lagoon, Ankobra, Tano, Subile deprive fishermen and farmers of their livelihood. The lost forest cover resulting in flooding. The health impact of the heavy metals seeping to our underground water system and our food chain is going to be felt now and decades to come. Currently any mining going on in Nzema is Alluvial. From large companies like Adamus to the recent galamsey at NASS that landed the DCE of Ellembelle in prison. All of them. Now let's ask ourselves. How has this benefitted the people? Even with the so-called legal regime, can anyone in this room point to a single mined area that has been successfully reclaimed? Underground mining on the other hand, is more resource intensive and requires more planning and investment. It comes with good jobs, has less impact on the environment and can be better regulated. Heres my question to us all. Can we, a United Nzema, insist that we do not want any mining on our land UNLESS it is better regulated, underground mining with assured safeguards and benefits for our people and the environment? Of Course, we can. And we must. No, I dont mean the royalties focused ones like our siblings in Obuasi and Prestea are dealing with. The royalties focused mining regime in Ghana is a colonial relic that must change if we want our communities to be like Capetown in South Africa and other thriving, developed mining communities in the world. So, since Nzema has usually led the conversation and major developments in the country, what can we do to change the narrative? First we must tell the Government of Ghana that a. Nzema lands are not for alluvial mining. No mining can happen on our lands without Nananom allowing it. It means that, respectfully, if our Nzema lands get destroyed by alluvial mining, whether legal or illegal, Nananom are responsible for it. May I refer to the recent case of kwawblay, near Nuba, where our own Tumivole Kaku Aka III and the youth stood up, fought against it and sent the Galamsey / Communing Mining troops away. Similarly, the Effutu Traditional Council who came together to denounce any mining in the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar Site. They stood firm, and government yielded. We need to see the same. Nanam, with all due respect. b. Any investor who comes to do underground mining in Nzema or any kind of venture must ensure that irrespective of what government takes, the immediate community as well as Nzema Maanle must have an equity stake in it. It must be a take it or leave it affair. Trust me. If it makes economic sense, they will take it. Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR can be on top of equity interest. It can never replace the people's stake in their land. Again Equity not Charity. c. Our land has many uses and so we mustn't blindly agree to mining that doesn't benefit our people. The Tourism value of Nkroful and Half Assini as a result of Nkrumah alone can earn us billions. What it takes is proper planning, branding and infrastructure. But who will visit a mercury comtaminated land with open galamsey pits? Axim, Beyinli and Half Assini have castles and other relics that can attract a lot of tourists. We have a beautiful, mostly serene coastline. We have Amanzule that runs from Azulenloanu to Nzulezo and beyond, with several serene tributaries. Imagine the potential for tourism and recreation? Culturally we boast of a unique culture, a rich history that we can showcase with pride. We can develop large scale coconut, cassava and other crops, add value for local consumption and export. In short, we have everything it takes to give our people jobs in a clean, sustainable and safe manner. What we need are leaders with the right vision and grit to get us there. We have them in this room. Let's start today. For the past, present and future pride of Nzema. God bless Nzema Maanle, God bless our homeland Ghana! Thank you Mey b muala mo somaa. COPENHAGEN, Sep 21 (UNI) Queen Margrethe II of Denmark tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday evening, the Royal House announced on its website Wednesday. The Queen is now staying at Fredensborg Castle and her activities have been canceled for the week, said the official statement. 22.09.2022 LISTEN Former Secretary of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) Benard Mornah has accused the Akufo-Addo-led government of undermining the legacy of the first President of Ghana, Osayefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Mr Mornah bemoaned the inaccessibility of citizens to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park on a day set aside to commemorate his birthday. Speaking at an event, held by the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) to commemorate Memorial Day on Wednesday, 21 September 2022, Mr Mornah said: I went to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and when I got there this morning, it was difficult to go there because the contractor claims they have taken control of that site. Today, is the Founders Day, it is Kwame Nkrumahs day, it has been declared a public holiday, and people are working at the site of Kwame Nkrumah and where Kwame Nkrumah is lying and the government of Ghana is happy and preventing citizens from visiting the tomb of Kwame Nkrumah, he lamented. He noted that any attempt by the government to alter the initial plan of putting up the Memorial Park will be resisted. And their[government] attempt to impose other people that does not qualify to be at the Memorial Park, I sent a warning and let me repeat it here, if they make a mistake and put anything either than Kwame Nkrumah in the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, well bring that thing down, the former PNC Secretary stated. The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra was closed temporarily closed on Friday, 27 May 2022, for maintenance works. Contractors are working to upgrade the memorial park to a standard that befits the stature of the former president and boost the attractiveness of the park and the overall tourism performance of the country. Source: classfmonline.com MOGADISHU. SOMALIA. The extremist Alshabab group which ultimately and gradually morphed into brutal death squad, has unveiled brutal and callous tactics and strategy to blackmail and decapitate, dispossess and disempower but the savage genocide of Alshabab won't last. Ma'wisley are local and clan militias orchestrated voluntarily and is being described as the perfect antithesis of Alshabab in terms of assassinations,ambushes and guerrilla warfare. Ma'wisley are self-organized, self-trained, self-armed and self-funded local forces who revolted against the brutalities and atrocities committed by Alshabab insurgents to the local people. Historically Ma'wisley emerged out of necessity 15 years ago and has been engaging Alshabab extremist groups in low-intensity conflict in isolated and remote areas that are largely uncharted by the Somali media. They have demonstrated their effectiveness against Alshabab and ultimately flushing it out from areas it has been occupying and dominating for years. Ma'wisley initially came into existence or emerged following Alshabab's constant extortions and plundering of rural populations specifically in the provinces of Hiran, Galgadud and Middle Shabelle for years they have been mobilizing only when they perceive threats from Alshabab as such they do not have a permanent military bases, organized leadership, military chain of command, regular forces or external financial supporters Ma'wisleyhas been able to defeat Alshabab at their own game by employing same guerrilla warfare strategy, Alshabab has been utilizing against the federal government forces they have been successful at targeting safe havens, military outposts and remote hideouts deep within Alshabab territory, safe havens the group has been depending on ever since they were stamped out of urban areas by government forces, furthermore the Ma'wisley with their deep knowledge and experience of the terrain have been able to undermine the group's strength by sabotaging supply lines and have been successful at staging ambushes and raids. Ma'wisley lack much-needed resources, poorly organized, ill-prepared and ill-equipped they mainly comprise of livestock herders who were coerced to take up arms due to the Alshabab's siege and brutality, they operate in underlying and remote areas with no functioning hospitals, good roads and effective telecommunications without adequate government's military and financial support Ma'wisley will eventually get weary of fighting and could end up negotiating with Alshabab Due to their brewing fear of grassroot uprising Alshabab has always been reluctant to engage in a full-scale offensive against clans and now is desperately attempting to appease and reach some kind of compromising settlement with them, if Alshabab is successful by doing this and negotiating and resolving conflicts with the revolting clans. It will be a missed opportunity that might not easily come again. Ma'wisley who took up arms against Alshabab were grappling with their daily lives, such as herding their own livestock and farming their own farms in the middle of the ravaging drought. Every Ma'wisley is eager to resume their normal lives once they liberate their territory and free from the scourge of Alshabab. They don't pose any threat to Somalia's national security because they are merely defending themselves from a group out end their lives. Political and security analysts describe Ma'wisley Somalia's government-allied militia; indigenous heroes determined to eradicate Alshabab or more vigilantes with ulterior motives within the past few months, Alshabab has committed bold terrorist attacks and savage Massacres against the indigenous, decimated and wreak havoc their livelihoods and properties including water wells, boreholes and the local people have every legal and moral rights to defend themselves by any means necessary and available. Militia members in central Somalia have helped kill scores of Alshabab Militants in an ongoing operation against the Islamist extremist rebels that is gaining aerial surveillance and support from the United States, Somali authorities said suspected Alshabab fighters are being hunted in the Hiran region areas of Yasoman and Aborey and more than 100 had perished as of Sunday, the Ministry of information, culture and town said in the statement issued on Tuesday. The US Africa command center (AFRICOM) reported Wednesday that its airstrikes On Saturday near the town of Buloburte in Hiran province killed 27 Militants. It called the operation against Alshabab the largest of jointly launched by Somali forces and ATMIS peacekeepers in five years. The defensive aerial strikes allowed the Somali national army and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia forces to regain the initiative and continue the operation to disrupt and sabotage Alshabab in Hiran, US Africa command said in a statement. Ali Abdulle, a community leader in the town of Beledweyne told the ModernGhana by phone that Alshabab had made life for residential so miserable they had to fight back. " Alshabab has set blaze of our village, blow up and poisoned our wells and boreholes, vandalized telecommunications tower, planted IEDs and murdered innocent civilians indiscriminately " he said " so ther is no option left except to fight against them" After assuming office in May 15 after the perpetual and acrimonious wrangling associated with the long-delayed presidential polls which led several and bloody skirmishes within the security apparatus. President Mohamud has been re-elected He soon declared "all out war" and vowed to launch full-scale offensives against Alshabab to dislodge the bloodthirsty group and to liberate the large swathe of territory they have been dominating for years the president proclaimed "total war" against the Al-Qaeda affiliated rebels who pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda during the leadership of slain leader Osama bin Laden and the following deadly attack and the longest siege that lasted for over 30-hours on the Hayat hotel in Mogadishu last month. Alshabab spokesman Ali Mohamud Rageah alias (Ali Dhere) acknowledged the government's uncompromising stance in his comments during a ceremony to graduate batches of Militants who were trained as suicide bombers to carry out suicide bombing missions and death squads indoctrinated to assassinate the government officials as well as civil servants that ceremony was filmed and released on Saturday. And he insisted that Alshabab would remain undeterred. " stick to your oath and know that we will not back down, stand by your words, and we will stand by ours, and we shall see which one of us is left standing " he said " we ask the Almighty Allah by his grace and mercy to grant us swift victory over the agnostics, apostates, disbelievers and their allies" The government appears to be seeking, lobbying and gaining momentum from one notable and influential local militia mobilized voluntarily and ready to sacrifice their live. The clan-based group known as Ma'wisley has for years clashed with Alshabab. It's latest popular uprising was sparked by alleged Alshabab brutality, exploitation and double taxation ( contributions of Jihad) that includes the pillaging and plundering of their livestock. while the country is going through the worst drought caused by the four consecutive failure of rainfall and climate change which impacted 7 million Somalis almost half of Somali population and is on the brink of famine as said by Martin Griffith the Undersecretary General of the UN and humanitarian affairs and relief emergency coordinator and the head of UN OCHA in Somalia. Samira Gaid a security and intelligence analyst and the executive director of Hiraal Institute, a Mogadishu-based security Think-tank said. " it is always the people who bear the brunt of the excesses of rule under Alshabab that they don't enjoy popular support " she said " some populations who aren't as armed are not able sometimes to take up arms against the group, but others are better equipped and are stronger politically to stand up against Alshabab rule" Gaid warned that for an uprising by locals to be effective " government support logistically and financially is critical " Omar Abdi Jimale a Mogadishu based political analyst said the government supporting militias to fight Alshabab could be decisive after the authorities previous reluctance " clans were unable to carry on a protracted fighting because of the absence of official government support, as a result, their uprisings ultimately were ending up in signing a peace deal with Alshabab " he said " the previous administration had the chance of providing direct support to the revolting clan militias without directly equipping them but by not doing so gave Alshabab a chance to consolidate their grip of power and control over the revolting clans territories " Coerced to retreat from Mogadishu and vacate number of their bases in their stronghold in 2011 and remnants were also flushed out in late 2011, Alshabab has gradually regrouped and rearmed and made a come back from the rural areas to which it retreated, defying the presence of African Union peacekeepers as well as US drone strikes targeting Alshabab combatants. Alshabab insurgents which was established by the disgruntled members of the defunct union of Islamic courts in late 2006 vehemently opposed the federal government and deployment of the peacekeepers and other foreigners on Somali territory, has seized more territory in recent years during Farmajo's tenure in which no military offensive is being launched against Alshabab. As well as taking advantage of the rifts within the security apparatus and dissension between the federal authorities and regional leaders. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MOHAMED HUSSEIN MENTALIST; Author, blogger, prominent researcher, Horn of Africa Affairs analyst and senior lecturer at Mogadishu University. Author: Holds BA in English Language and literature at Mogadishu University and BA in Business administration at Simad University. Master of arts in applied Linguistics at Kisii University in Nairobi as well as Master of peace and conflict studies at Uppsala University in Sweden. 22.09.2022 LISTEN Brazzaville, 22 September 2022 In an accelerated effort to scale up response to the Ebola disease outbreak in Uganda, World Health Organization (WHO) is delivering medical supplies, providing logistics and deploying staff to support the national authorities in halting the spread of the virus. So far, seven cases, including one death, have been confirmed to have contracted the Sudan ebolavirus one of the six species of the Ebolavirus genus. Forty-three contacts have been identified and 10 people suspected to have caught the virus are receiving treatment at the regional referral hospital in Mubende, the district where the disease was confirmed this week, making it the first time Uganda has detected the Sudan ebolavirus since 2012. Mubende is in the central region of Uganda and is about a two-hour drive from the capital Kampala and sits along a busy road leading to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There are gold mines in the area, which attract people from different parts of Uganda, as well as other countries. The mobile nature of the population in Mubende increases the risk of a possible spread of the virus. WHO has deployed a technical team to Mubende district to support surveillance, infection prevention and control and the management of cases. The Organization is also assisting in the activation of surveillance structures in neighbouring districts and is repurposing its country-based staff to bolster the response. In addition, five international experts will be deployed, with numbers increasing if needed. We are acting quickly and decisively to draw the reins on this outbreak. Our experts are already on the ground working with Ugandas experienced Ebola control teams to reinforce surveillance, diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures, said Dr Abdou Salam Gueye, Regional Emergency Director with the WHO Regional Office for Africa. Africas stronger homegrown emergency readiness is proving ever more crucial in tackling outbreaks such as Ebola. Due to Ugandas previous outbreaks and the threat of importation of cases from neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo that has fought several outbreaks, WHO and the Ministry of Health have collaborated on many preparedness activities, the last such exercise was in August 2022, where nine Ugandan clinicians were trained on how to manage viral haemorrhagic fevers and are now working in the response. WHO already has six viral haemorrhagic fever kits in Uganda, and one has been delivered to Mubende. While there are no therapeutics that specifically treat Sudan ebolavirus species, early identification of cases and treatment of symptoms greatly increases the chances of survival. Current evidence shows that ERVEBO vaccine, which is highly effective against the Zaire ebolavirus, doesnt provide cross protection against the Sudan ebolavirus. There are at least six candidate vaccines against Sudan ebolavirus which are in different stages of development. Three of them have Phase1 data (safety and immunogenicity data in humans) and the remaining are in the preclinical evaluation phase. The WHO Research and Development Blueprint team is in contact with all developers and is leading a collaborative effort involving international experts to determine which vaccine(s) may be suitable for additional evaluation during this outbreak (and if doses with required standards are available) should more cases be confirmed. A CORE protocol for their evaluation exists and WHO will discuss the proposed next steps with the Ugandan authorities to seek their approval. WHO held a press conference today led by Dr Patrick Otim, Health Emergency Officer, Acute Events Management Unit, WHO Regional Office for Africa. He was joined by Dr Kyobe Henry Bbosa, Ebola Incident Commander, Ministry of Health of Uganda; Dr Ana Maria Henao-Restrepo, Co-Lead Research and Development Blueprint for epidemics, WHO Health Emergencies Programme; and Dr William A. Fischer II, Director of Emerging Pathogens at Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of North Carolina. The Sunyani zonal office of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) has indicated its readiness to collaborate with Nana Kwasi Bosomprah, Paramount Chief of the Goaso Traditional Area on his 'one trader, one SSNIT number' campaign. The idea of the Paramount Chief is to encourage every trader have a Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) number and contributed to the scheme. The collaboration became a reality when Mr David Tetteh-Amey Abbey, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the NPRA and staff of the Sunyani zonal office visited the Omanhene at his palace as part of activities to round up a stakeholder engagement in Goaso. Nana Bosomprah said he already started the campaign to ensure every trader in his traditional area registered and contributed to SSNIT for a comfortable retirement. He indicated ''as a trader there will be a time, you will not have the strength to trade and therefore it is essential to start a retirement plan which will sustain your future when you can no longer work". Nana Bosomprah added that most traders had the perception that "it is only public sector workers who should contribute to SSNIT or have a pension scheme. That is wrong because the new pension reforms captured both formal and informal workers". Nana Bosomprah indicated he would use his position to educate people about pension and retirement plans. Mr William Ohene-Adjei, the Sunyani Zonal Manager thanked the Goaso Omanhene for his effort and indicated his outfit's commitment to joining the campaign to educate and reach out to more people especially those in the informal sector. Illegal mining (Galamsey) is not only one of the greatest existential threats to our country but also the presence of foreigners in that enterprise gravely insults our dignity and conscience as citizens in a sovereign nation. The questions that most Ghanaians keep asking are: Is the political class complicit and does the class hold the solution to this problem? In this piece I intend to contribute to the discourse on the politics of Galamsey by applying principles and theories from marketing. To assist our understanding of this piece I conceptualize the relationship between a government and citizens as service provider-customer relationship. I argue that, fundamentally, trust and integrity underpin all forms of government-citizen relationships: leaders show integrity and that translates into citizens trust and confidence. The president of Ghana in 2017 made a promise to Ghanaians to eradicate illegal mining once and for all. Relevant comments attributable to the president in that direction have been; It will be a betrayal of the trust reposed in me if I fail to end this. I put my presidency on the line for Galamsey fight Essentially, the promise to put the presidency on the line for Galamsey fight had effectively created what is referred to in marketing as: SERVICE GUARANTEE A political policy/service guarantee is a statement explaining what citizens can expect (the promise) and what the president and his team will do if they (the president and his team) fail to deliver. The role of service guarantee in political marketing has been to help citizens form relatively accurate service expectations from the incumbent. The guarantee by the president had given Ghanaians the right to complain. The promise or guarantee to put the presidency on the line had two major political consequences: For the citizens to vote the president out of office if he fails to deliver on his promise For the president to honorably resign if he fails to deliver The POLITICAL MOMENT OF TRUTH are those times during which citizens expect their government to fulfil promises that have been made before, during or after national elections. I intimate that all too often, we have seen politicians pay lip service to the citizens while preparing their party/government for short-term payoffs (power and money). After five years in office the president and his team have passed through several moments of truth; enough time to demonstrate to their electors that they are capable and willing to deliver on the Galamsey promise. Illegal mining is a negative practice that socially and politically significant groups of people in Ghana believe to be caused by avoidable and blameworthy failures of the president and his team. The actions and inactions that give rise to political policy/ service failure are; The missing excavators: seized excavators purportedly looted by party supporters The death of Major Mahama: the wheel of INJUSTICE grinding slowly but painfully in the hearts of the deceased`s family The return of Aisah Huang: the state filed do not prosecute The president says I`m not still sure whethershe was deported or. The government needs money : abayn hiya sika attributable to a party officer What are the consequences of POLITICAL SERVICE FAILURE for the incumbent? I put my presidency on the line.: The questions that fair-minded Ghanaians ask are : HAS THE PRESIDENT GOT ANY MORAL REASONS TO CONTINUE TO BE IN OFFICE? Does the failure of the president to act (maybe resign) not provoke CONFIDENCE CRISIS? What exactly did he have in mind when he made the promise? It will be a betrayal of the trust: The questions are: WHAT IS THE HONORABLE THING FOR A LEADER TO DO WHEN HE BETRAYS CITIZENS` TRUST? Does the sense of betrayal Ghanaians now feel not provoke CREDIBILITY CRISIS? What are the POLICY/ SERVICE RECOVERY options for the president and his party? Apologize to Ghanaians and resign. Though the most honorable option I am unwilling to believe any leader in Africa will ever contemplate resigning his office. In the UK Boris Johnson was made to resign. Apologize to Ghanaians and admit that the government had underestimated the magnitude of the problem. We cannot end Galamsey once and for all. The former president J. A. Kuffour did this over his zero tolerance for corruption when he intimated that the canker started at the time of Adam. Apologize, admit failure and then commit the government to a new Galamsey fight strategy. Though the best strategy, option three will require sincere and genuine commitment from the presidency. I am not sure if this is possible because of the obvious complicity of the political class in the matter. This third approach will demand sincere and honest engagement of all stakeholders along the Galamsey value chain. More importantly, a bottom-up approach that empowers affected communities to support the new initiative will ensure policy success. Let those who peddle rhetoric know that their audiences are no longer morons The author Anas Sulemana FCIM Tamale Technical University [email protected] 22.09.2022 LISTEN Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South, has called on the Government to take the necessary steps to avert any more tragic deaths in the constituency. Her call follows the drowning of some six persons in a pit dug in the Keta Lagoon at the Viepe-Tokor Electoral Area within a spate of two months. The pit, residents allege, was dug by workers of Seven Sea Salt Limited, a salt mining company in the area. The latest tragedy involved Yawa Apenu, 41, who drowned last Saturday, September 17, in the pit with her three children while attempting to fish in the lagoon at Laklevikope. Madam Gomashie, therefore, sent a representative to visit the bereaved family and express her condolences. The company, however, denied the claim saying the dykes were outside its concessions and that it was possible some individuals dug them to enable them to fish during the dry season. In a communique copied to the Ghana News Agency, the MP said prior to Saturday's incident, she had received many complaints about the nefarious and environmentally hostile activities of the salt mining company. She said being the people's representative, she had engaged the stakeholders, including the company, and sought legal advice to address the concerns to prevent further deaths. While I commiserate with the affected communities, I also want to urge the Ministry in charge, the Minerals Commission and the Municipal Assembly to take the extremely urgent steps necessary to avert any more tragic deaths. Indeed, I demand a full-scale police investigation into the case and the publication of the report as well as the full disclosure of the efforts to ensure the lives and property of the people are protected. Seven Seas Salt Limited currently has in its possession three concessions including Adina Concession (currently developed) comprising Adina, Amutinu, Salakakope, Agbevekope and Kpedzakope. The rests are Agavedzi-Blekusu Concession (Agavedzi, Blekusu, Dogbekope, Sonuto, Taskcorner and Tsavanya) and White D'Or Concession (Hedzranawo, Adafienu, Tetekope and Agorko) from the Minerals Commission. GNA 22.09.2022 LISTEN Mr. Richard A. Quayson, Deputy Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has urged Ghanaians to translate their religious faith and zeal in God into helping to fight corruption in the country. Mr. Quayson said the norms and values Ghanaians acquire from their various religious associations must manifest in their day-to-day endeavours. Our faith is peculiar, its one of the strengths that we should have, and if your faith says dont engage in corrupt practice, if even you think you are breaking the law, youre more accountable to a higher authority so you wont do it, he said. Mr. Quayson stated at the 16th edition of the Monthly Stakeholders Engagement and Workers appreciation day seminar organized by the Ghana News Agency's Tema Regional Office as monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema. The GNA Tema event also aimed at providing a platform for both state and non-state organizations to address national issues to enhance development as well as serve as a motivational mechanism to recognize the editorial contribution of reporters toward national development in general, growth and promotion of the Tema GNA as the industrial news hub. Speaking on the topic: Public Service Integrity in the fight against corruption, Mr. Quayson noted that religion provided a system of moral principles which offers guidance on how individuals should live, and those beliefs were coded in the holy books. Mr. Quayson said ones religious beliefs must shape the way one thinks, and respond to issues, as well as foster the habits to deter them from engaging in activities that would affect the development of the country. You say you are Christians, you say you are a Muslim, your religion says dont engage in corruption, Sunday morning whether its raining or not, people will go to church, Friday afternoon, whether its raining or not, people will go to the mosque and yet engage in corrupt practices, he stressed. He called for attitudinal change among Ghanaians as according to him, corruption was an affront against God's commandments. The CHRAJ Deputy Commissioner also said continuous and deliberate collaborative effort from everyone was needed to wipe out the canker that was causing the country to retrogress. He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to change their mindset and make informed decisions in the corruption fight. We have to do more than we are doing, we have become comfortable in the midst of corruption; we have become so hospitable to corruption and when you raise these issues, they say its not practicable, he added. Mr. Quayson said CHRAJ was committed to helping Ghanaians to desist from engaging in corrupt practices, stressing that it would make things difficult for people to engage in such activities. Mr. Francis Ameyibor, Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Manager called for greater collaboration between the anti-corruption institutions and the media to ensure that corrupt officials are exposed. Other speakers include Mr. Kenneth Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Delax Finance, who spoke on navigating through the current economic crisis with or without the International Monitory Fund; and Dr. Amma Benin, Head of Paediatric Department, International Maritime Hospital (IMAH), who spoke on addressing the health needs of children, adolescents and women, a sure way to build a healthy society. Dr. Joseph Swanzy, a Medical Practitioner at IMAH, also spoke on adolescent health issues and how to address it. 22.09.2022 LISTEN Relatives and friends are grieving over the death of a 30-year-old phone dealer who was allegedly shot and killed in a suspected robbery at Ohwim in the Ashanti Region. The deceased, Ibrahim Abdul-Wahab, a mobile phone dealer, died at the hospital after some unknown armed men attacked him at his residence. The incident according to the family of the deceased happened at about 1:30 am on Thursday. The deceased according to reports was rushed to a private facility and was later referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where he died. A spokesperson of the family, Ali Musah is appealing to the police to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure the perpetrators are arrested. He also appealed to the police to expedite processes to release the body for burial. Friends who are trooping to the family house of the deceased described him as humble and calm. Police at Suame have begun investigations into the incident, while the bereaved family is waiting for the body to be released for burial according to Islamic rites. ---citinewsroom Mr. Samuel Otu Larbi, Managing Director of Solution Solve Limited has revealed that managing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) safety is knowledge-based and procedures should be revised periodically. He stressed that incidents and accidents are sources of case studies and very instructive which should be shared for the benefit of all stakeholders. The national and local authorities should take advantage of the expertise within the LP gas industry to ensure an informed and uniform approach to good safety practice, Mr Otu Larbi stated at the Bono East Regional training programme held in Techiman and organized by the Environmental Protection Agency on the topic: Environmental Safety and Best Practices. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) training seeks to empower LPG Station Attendants through coordinated educational and sensitization mechanisms aimed at reducing radically the hazards associated with the usage of LPG in Ghana. The EPA training forms the first part of the new licensing regime to be rolled out for LPG Pump Station Attendants, which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Techiman. Mr Otu Larbi who is an industrial expert said controlling risks guarantees the health and safety of people and safeguards property and environment, stressing that the danger is always present, only the risk is reduced by behaviour. The major players (the installer, the marketer and the consumer) have a major role to play in the safe handling of the gas. LPG is potentially hazardous from production until it has being used. So every uncontrolled release is a hazardous act and should receive urgent attention. Thus, even the smallest gas leak can be detected and should receive appropriate and immediate attention, Mr Otu Larbi stated. Mr William Hayfron-Acquah, EPA Acting Director, Field Operations explained that the agency seeks to raise awareness about the hazards of LPG and the preventive mechanism available. Mr Hayfron-Acquah noted that the training emanated from the background that there has been a series of gas explosions and fire outbreaks in the country for some time now, which had resulted in loss of lives and properties. He said as major player in charge of environmental protection we have identified education as a missing link, therefore we want to build the capacity of station attendants who plays a critical interface in the whole operations of selling LPG to end users. We believe that if the actors understand the products they are dealing with, such knowledge will help reduce the human factors thats errors which most often leads to fire outbreaks, he said. The EPA Acting Director Field Operations urged stakeholders to enrol their attendants to participate in the training; Dealers and Owners must also participate in the training as it will help you protect your investment through the best administered practices. Mr. Hyafron-Acquah said EPA seeks through the training to equip stakeholders with the requisite technical skills and knowledge and introduce professionalism into the Oil and Gas downstream industry. He said we also seek to certify all the operators along the supply chain including, the Investors, Drivers, Managers, Supervisors, Compliance Officers, and Pump Attendants with the best modern practices to operate. The current series is targeted at pump attendants across the country. It will therefore be organised in all the 16 regions. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu Constituency, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin has lamented the harm illegal mining [galamsey] is continually causing to the water bodies and forest reserves. Addressing a gathering in Effutu, the Deputy Majority Leader disclosed that people are dying from cancer because of galamsey. He stressed that with the harm galamsey is causing, it is important that Ghanaians collectively come together to fight the menace. President Akufo-Addo made me Board Chairman of Ghana Water Company Limited and I know how much it costs to treat water because we the politicians have made everything partisan, we are looking at the next elections, we are unable to boldly confront the challenges that face our nation. So galamsey is destroying us. People are dying of cancer, people are dying without knowing why they are dying, the water we drink, you think it is safe for you? Let us confront galamsey, let us confront the challenges that face our nation, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin shared. As a matter of urgency, the Effutu MP is calling on colleague politicians in the NDC, CPP, and all other political parties to join heads and find lasting solutions to all national issues. In his view, it is a sure way for Ghana to develop. I call on my colleague politicians CPP, NDC, NPP, let us come together, build a consensus on the key national issues that will benefit our people in the long term. That is what these Europeans and Americans have done and we all want to go there. If we continue with this type of parochial politics trust me, our country will go nowhere, Alexander Afenyo-Markin indicated. United Nations, Sep 22 (UNI) A Chinese envoy has rejected accusations by the US, Britain and the European Union that China commits human rights abuses against its ethnic minorities. China's permanent representative to the UN Zhang Jun called the accusations unfounded on Wednesday. Zhang said China's Xinjiang is home to 56 ethnic groups, including the Han, the Uyghur and the Kazak, adding that with the joint efforts of people from all ethnic groups, Xinjiang has enjoyed sustained economic growth, social harmony and stability, continuous livelihood improvements, cultural prosperity and religious harmony. These facts are there for all to see, he said. Unfortunately, representatives of the US, Britain and the EU, in total disregard of facts, are abusing the General Debate of the UN General Assembly and the high-level commemorative meeting to make unfounded accusations against China, which China categorically rejects, said Zhang. Speaking at a high-level meeting to mark the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, Zhang said that over the past three decades, progress has been made in implementing the declaration. However, minorities still face challenges like racism, discrimination, xenophobia, violence and hatred, he said, adding that the international community still has a long way to go to translate the commitments set out in the declaration into reality. He said countries must continue their relentless efforts to better protect the rights of minorities and take a multi-pronged approach involving policy, legislative and administrative measures to eliminate racism, discrimination and hatred. There is a need to incorporate equal development for minorities into overall national development, and combine it with achieving Sustainable Development Goals, said Zhang. "We must make targeted efforts to address the practical problems facing minorities, such as poverty, education and health care. And we must stay committed to dialogue and cooperation, and oppose the use of human rights issues to provoke division and confrontation for political self-interests. Together, we must truly create a peaceful and just environment for minorities to survive and thrive," he said. The US ought to face up to the genocide of Native Americans and ensure accountability and compensation, eradicate systematic racial discrimination against Asians and other ethnic minorities, eliminate social injustice, and allow ethnic minorities to breathe freely and develop equally, Zhang said. "We call on the Human Rights Council and the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues to continue to follow the infringement on minorities' rights by countries like the United States. We urge those few countries to stop the politicization of human rights issues, stop their double standards, stop their interference in other countries' internal affairs, and work earnestly to address their own human rights issues," said Zhang. UNI/XINHUA ING The Reverend Dr. Samuel Worlanyo Mensah, an Economist has urged the government to upscale steps to support industrialization and productivity by creating an enabling environment for the local people to be well established and be able to compete in the global market. He again said most of the small businesses have been left stranded because financial institutions that supported them had been dissolved. He said the lack of a strong national development plan module to develop the country contributed to the economic crisis the nation is experiencing recently in spite of COVID-19 and the touted Russian-Ukraine war. Rev. Dr. Mensah stated at the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Offices Industrial News Hub Boardroom Dialogue platform, which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema. The GNA Tema Industrial News Hub Boardroom Dialogue is a media think-tank platform for state and non-state and commercial and business operators to communicate to the world and address global issues with Ghanaian expertise. Rev. Dr. Mensah urged the government to plan in a way that, in the next ten to 15 years, it would raise solid entrepreneurs who could support the economy and reiterated that the banking and financial sector cleaning exercise was laudable at that time it was undertaken but unfortunately COVID-19 pandemic had revealed that the decision was not economically motivated. At the stage, we find ourselves now as a country, we need to have more banks that are purposely for industrialization, agriculture, pharmaceutical, building the technical development, building local technology and others in a national development plan, has stated. Rev. Dr. Mensah who is the Executive Director of the Centre for Greater Impact Africa said most of the local entrepreneurs and enterprises depend on the banks for startup capital and other financial assistance hence the need for specialized banks to support each sector. Rev. Dr. Mensah lamented that most banks in the country were running the normal universal banking activities and most were not ready to help local entrepreneurs to stand on their feet. Mr Francis Ameyibor, Tema Regional Manager of Ghana News Agency reiterated that the media landscape is going through rapid transformation, and the old system of institutions organizing face-to-face seat-in events at a big conference hall is passing away. He said, from now onwards dont expect more invitations to seat-in events, newsroom managers must adopt new means for news gathering, and dissemination. Mr. Ameyibor said due to global communication and information transformation, state and non-state institutions that used to organize conferences, meetings, seminars and invite journalists to cover are rapidly resorting to the use of Zoom, Skype, and other web-based platforms for meetings. "Now web-based meetings have come to stay and the old system of organizing a big conference is dead and gone, media practitioners should not be looking for event focus assignment again". Mr. Ameyibor said GNA-Tema have moved ahead to setup parameters to engage strategic stakeholders consistently to prepare the ground to be more active and profitable to society. The Board Chairman of MTN Ghana, Dr. Ishmael Yamson, has attributed the snail's pace of the country's development to greed and corruption on the part of political actors. Successive governments have taken steps to ensure various sectors of the country are developed, but the progress has not been satisfactory. Speaking at the Inter-Generational Dialogue organized by Pali Global in Accra, Dr. Ishmael Yamson believes that leaders should be responsible to the people that voted them into office. The issue arises when it comes to execution and implementation. And I can tell you that in our country, we have only two problems; greed and corruption. Dr. Ishmeal Yamson reiterated concerns of political actors failing woefully for not implementing their manifesto when they ascend into power. But I tell you, I take time to read manifestos but when it comes to implementing the manifesto it raises issues and this is because we are greedy and corrupt. Whether it is about galamsey, Free SHS or whatever, if we don't believe and behave like we are in the West, that we don't touch state money because the punishment is just there, with this, whether NPP or NDC is in government, the country will prosper. How long does it take to build the Western rail lines? It will never be built because of greed and corruption, he insisted. The Inter-Generational dialogue rallied young people across the country at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences to discuss issues of transformational leadership. ---citinewsroom Two suspects were on Thursday remanded by the Cape Coast District Magistrate's Court over the murder of Georgina Asor Botchwey, a 25-year-old nurse trainee at Mankessim in the Central Region. Christopher Ekow Clarke Quansah, 65, Tufohen of Mankessim Traditional Area, and Michael Darko, 48, a self-styled pastor, were charged with conspiracy to commit the crime, to wit murder and murder. Upon police interrogation, Darko allegedly admitted to the crime and said they wanted to use the deceased for money rituals. The pleas of the accused persons were not taken when they appeared before the court, presided over by Mrs Bernice Mensimah Ackon, and are to reappear on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. Prosecuting, DSP Daniel Gadzo said the complainant, Mr Duodu, a military officer stationed at Takoradi, is a brother of the deceased. He said Darko, who resided in Kumasi, was the boyfriend of the deceased's sister, while Quansah was a resident of Sikafoambantem at Mankessim. On Thursday, September 8, Georgina, who had come from Yeji in the Bono East Region for an interview at the Ankaful Psychiatric Nursing Training School in Cape Coast, as a student applicant, called Darko to inform him of her presence in the town. He said Darko promised to pick her up after the interview on Friday, September 9, 2022. As promised, the two accused persons went to pick Georgina up from Ankaful in a taxicab to Pedu in Cape Coast, where Quansah had parked his Benz, with registration number GT 8686 C and drove her to Akwakrom, a suburb of Mankessim. Quansah and Darko then took Georgina's iPhone, locked her in a room and left for Sikafoambantem, a suburb of Mankessim, where they dug a hole in an uncompleted storey building. They later took the lady to the uncompleted building and Quansah hit her neck with a club from behind while Darko held her neck till she died. They then cut her hair and buried her in the hole. The Central Regional Police Command picked intelligence, which led to the arrest of Darko at Anomabo but Quansah managed to escape. On Wednesday, September 21, Quansah was also picked up from his hideout upon a tip-off. Investigations were ongoing, DSP Gadzo told the court. GNA The Johannesburg High Court in South Africa recently declared a dishonest director of a non-profit company delinquent. This case shows how important it is for non-profit companies to be very careful about who they appoint to their board. The delinquency remedy is available under the country's Companies Act to directors and other stakeholders to hold directors accountable. The concept of a court declaring a director delinquent is a significant innovation of the Companies Act. This remedy was introduced when South Africa's corporate law regime was reviewed about ten years ago. It is designed to maintain high corporate standards and to protect stakeholders and the investing public against director misconduct. The delinquency remedy has been used increasingly by stakeholders over the past 10 years and has attracted a great deal of litigation and publicity in South Africa. For example, in a case that dominated news headlines for several months and involved vitriolic public attacks, the former CEO of Old Mutual Peter Moyo applied to court to declare the entire Old Mutual board delinquent for blocking him from returning to the company as the CEO. His application was not successful . A delinquency order bans a person from being a director for at least seven years. But a court can lengthen this period and even extend it to the director's lifetime . For example, in the case between Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse v Myeni the court declared Dudu Myeni, a former director and chairperson of South African Airways SOC Ltd , a delinquent director for life . It found that she had caused substantial harm to the airline and had knowingly taken it to the brink of disaster. And had grossly abused her position. For a court to declare directors delinquent, they must be guilty of serious misconduct. For example, they must grossly abuse their position, take personal advantage of information or an opportunity, harm the company intentionally, or be guilty of gross negligence, wilful misconduct, or breach of trust. Poor decision-making or ordinary commercial misjudgment is not enough for a delinquency order. Australia and the UK also allow stakeholders to apply to court to disqualify directors. But in my research I found that South Africa's delinquency remedy is much stricter. For example, a much wider group of stakeholders can apply to court declare directors delinquent. Courts in Australia and the UK have a choice whether or not to disqualify directors from holding office. South African courts do not have this choice and must declare directors delinquent if they breach any of the delinquency grounds. Non-profit companies The Companies Act has special rules for non-profit companies. Non-profit companies are formed for a public benefit object or an object relating to a cultural or social activity, or a communal or group interest. The law requires non-profit companies to use all their assets and income to further the company's objectives. They may not distribute their income and property to the directors, except in limited circumstances. For example, directors may get reasonable remuneration for services they render to the company. They may also get reimbursed for money they spend to further the company's objectives. A non-profit company can be formed with or without members, but it must have at least three directors. If it has members, they can choose the directors. If there are no members, the board or other persons choose the directors on the basis set out in the company's constitution. Non-profit companies usually rely on funding from donors or on grants. These donations cover their operational expenses and help the company to achieve its objectives. Non-profit companies can get a partial income tax exemption and an exemption on donations tax. Dishonest directors of non-profit companies A director of Breadline Africa RSA NPC, Farzeen Bhana, was recently declared delinquent by the court . The company forms part of an international public benefit organisation called Breadlines Africa . It is involved in many projects, including giving funding and practical assistance to address conditions of poverty. Bhana gave in a falsified CV during her interview for a position to the board of the company. She claimed to have degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand and the London School of Economics , and other postgraduate qualifications. None of this was true. She also submitted a false reference at her interview. Bhana went to international board meetings of the company while she was a director. There she made false presentations about the work she was doing to further the company's objectives. She also tried to defraud the company. One of the company's directors applied to court to have Bhana declared delinquent. If a non-profit company has members, a member can bring the delinquency application. If there are no members, many other stakeholders, including a director, the company secretary, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission and even a person acting in the public interest can bring the application. Approving of research I conducted on the potential abuse of the delinquency remedy , the court agreed that because a wide range of people can apply to court to declare a director delinquent, it is important to make sure that frivolous and vexatious applications are not lodged. It is especially important to guard against the abuse of the delinquency remedy in a non-profit company because the application can harm the company's reputation and thus its ability to attract funding. The court held that the director bringing the delinquency application against Bhana was not motivated by malice. It said that her application was also not frivolous or vexatious. The court said that Bhana breached her fiduciary duty in a serious way. It ruled that her conduct amounted to wilful misconduct and breach of trust. It also held that her actions in trying to benefit herself personally showed that she grossly abused the position of director. The court did not state how long its delinquency declaration will last. Presumably it will be for the minimum period of seven years. Even though Bhana did not cause monetary harm to the company, the court said that the reputational harm and risk was immense. Lessons to be learnt This case shows that if directors of non-profit companies are dishonest, courts will not hesitate to declare them delinquent. As the court said, the integrity of non-profit companies is their agency to ensure that funds are donated so that they can fulfil their objectives. Dishonest directors of non-profit companies may seriously harm the company's reputation locally and internationally. This can hamper its ability to attract funding. It can also hamper its ability to meet its objectives and serve the public good. Boards of directors of non-profit companies must be vigilant about who they appoint as directors. They must take steps to properly screen potential directors before they appoint them. Rehana Cassim 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. By Rehana Cassim, Professor in Company Law, University of South Africa 22.09.2022 LISTEN The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), with the funding of the European Union Trust Fund For Africa (EUTF) under the GrEEn project in Ghana, has entered a partnership with Grow For Me (GFM) an innovative Ghanaian company managing a digital agricultural financing platform. GFM enables anyone to participate in farming and commodities trading digitally. GFM connects investors to farmers and aggregators in need of financing through their web and USSD-based crowdfunding platform. Under the UNCDF partnership and its funding and technical assistance facility, GFM will leverage their business model to provide capacity building, access to finance and market, and channel diaspora investments to finance youth and women farmers in Ashanti and Western regions. The market potential By 2030, the Agricultural Industry in Africa will be valued at $ 1 trillion however, access to finance and markets remains a big challenge. The situation is no different in Ghana, where many farmers struggle to access financing because they are considered a substantial risk by financial institutions. Also, many farmers experience huge post-harvest losses due to a lack of ready markets to buy their harvest and storage facilities like warehouses. These challenges limit their capacity to grow, expand and become economically independent. UNCDF is working to address these problems through a partnership with Grow For Me, spearheading innovation through crowdfunding as mandated by the European Union. UNCDF Technical Specialist, Arianna Gasparri said the partnership with GFM forms part of UNCDFs mission to unlock capital for both individuals and MSMEs. GFM is bringing on board an innovative service that will unlock these opportunities and we look forward to seeing its success for thousands of young farmers and aggregators. Thanks to the EU funding through the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), GFM will have the opportunity to intentionally target youth and women in the Ashanti and Western regions in Ghana. "UNCDFs Digital Financial Service (DFS) Expert Skills and Innovation, Ophelia Ama Oni said GFMs innovative crowdfunding model offers to the Ghanaian diaspora the opportunity to invest in a farm or trade commodities while providing much-needed finance and capacity building for farmers. Grow For Me CEO (Chief Executive Officer), Nana Opoku Ware Ofori Agyeman-Prempeh said The partnership with the GrEEn Project is perfectly aligned with our core vision and mandate of making food affordable and accessible to all. "With over 30% post-harvest losses in Africa, there is a need to scale our platform into other regions in Ghana and take those learnings into new markets such as Kenya and Nigeria, to mention a few. This will enable our continent to deal with the food scarcity problem at the farm gate. Farmer Thanks to the EU and UNCDF, we will expand our operations to Ashanti and Western Region and enable farmers to find a ready market for their harvest through financing from Africans in the diaspora. "As a result of this intervention, processors and commodity exporters will have a consistent supply of high-quality commodities to their warehouses and factories, while sharing profit with financiers across the world. The partnership which officially kicked off in August aims to reach 2,000 farmers and unlock funding from key diaspora corridors. It falls under the strategic UNCDF approach of Inclusive Digital Economies that aims to leverage digital transformation and technology to leave no one behind. Thanks to the EU support, UNCDF can support private sector players in their innovation and growth trajectories contributing to the final development agenda of the country. The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has shut down operations in Tamale and its environs in the Northern Region over the spillage of the Bagre dam. The company has thus shut down parts of its treatment plant for the protection of its equipment and installations, a statement from the company announced. Management of the water company says it is following standard operating procedure because the in-take dam has exceeded its maximum level. Any operation beyond the maximum operating feet puts the water facility in jeopardy, which could lead to the entire collapse and destruction of its equipment and installations, the release further added. The GWCL intends to resume operations after the water level return to its appropriate limit. The spillage of the Bagre dam from neighbouring Burkina Faso is done annually to prevent any breakage of the dam's banks. This exercise results in flooding in low-lying communities, destruction to crops, livestock and sometimes loss of lives in Burkina Faso and Ghana. 35 communities along the White Volta in the Bawku Municipality, Bawku West, Garu, Binduri, Nabdam and Talensi districts are the hard-hit areas. Over the years, several homes, farmlands and properties have been destroyed by floods and rendered hundreds homeless. ---citinewsroom The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has handed over some managers of three facilities to the CID Unit of the Ghana Police Station for investigation into non-compliance with the country's tax law. The facilities are Champion Dishes, a Restaurant at Adabraka, Grace Has Found Us and Celeb's all at Dansoman were found not to be issuing the Commissioner-General's invoice. Mr Joseph Annan, Area Enforcement Manager of GRA in charge of Accra Central, told the Ghana News Agency that they had violated regulations of the Value Added Tax (VAT). He said the exercise or operations were part of an ongoing nationwide VAT Invigilation exercise by the authority to retrieve some taxes due the State. He said the Police would do their investigations, but for them as tax administrators, we will assess their books and then apply all the penalties and interest that are applicable. He said it was an offence not to issue the VAT invoice and the law would take its own course. Mr Annan said the GRA as part of a nationwide invigilation would continue to embark on mystery shopping exercises across the country to apprehend culprits evading tax. We will continue this exercise until our taxpayers do the needful, he added. He said the Authority in their auditing process would conduct a preemptive assessment, which meant that they would have to pay immediately, but then they would recommend a full audit to be conducted. Mr Annan said even though they would audit their books the legal aspect would be handled by the CID, where they would prepare their docket for possible prosecution. GNA China-ASEAN AI Computing Center to be launched in Nanning city, Guangxi People's Daily Online) 15:28, September 22, 2022 The Information Office of the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region holds a press conference in Nanning city, capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Wang Gongxiao) The China-ASEAN AI Computing Center will be launched at the 3rd China (Guangxi)-ASEAN AI Summit, which is scheduled to take place on September 23, 2022, according to a press conference recently held by the Information Office of the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Invested in and built by the city of Nanjing, the regional capital, the China-ASEAN AI Computing Center is powered by domestically developed AI technologies, and strives to become an AI platform which provides computing services for government organizations, enterprises and public institutions, and research institutes. The China-ASEAN AI Computing Center will also become a platform for innovation and incubation, integrated development of industries, sci-tech innovation, and talent cultivation, facilitating the development of Guangxi and even ASEAN members. The center will be located at the Zhenbang Industrial Park in Wuxiang New Area of Nanning, and will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will include construction of a 40P AI training system and a 1.4P AI reasoning system. The China-ASEAN AI Computing Center is set to become a key infrastructure project that serves Guangxi, south, central and southwest regions of China, and ASEAN members. It will also provide strong support for the exchanges and cooperation on digital economy between China and ASEAN members, and other regional countries. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) Wyoming Business Tips for Sept. 26-Oct. 2 A look at issues facing Wyoming business owners and entrepreneurs from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming. By Kayley Harrison, market researcher, Wyoming SBDC Network Ive performed in many marketing roles and, by far, the most difficult is social media management. Platforms change, and trends come and go. In the Wyoming SBDC Network Market Research Center, we often say the only constant is change, and one change Ive noticed recently is more entrepreneurs and business owners asking about TikTok. Specifically, Ive heard many ask the question, Is TikTok right for my business? Its easy to answer yes. You could probably create an account in the time it takes to read this. However, TikTok isnt a good fit for all businesses. It may not fit into your current social media strategy, and you may be wasting valuable time creating videos and finding the most popular sounds. Ive proposed a few questions to help you determine if TikTok is right for your business. Its up to you whether you download TikTok or not, but this question framework should help guide your decision: Do I have time to manage another social media account? Think of your typical day. Do you have time to manage your current social media account(s)? How about enough time to manage another? I often see business owners overextend themselves. Running a business is a job and a half. Sometimes, your daily and weekly schedules dont leave any time for writing captions, filming videos or snapping pictures. If your to-do list is already overflowing, it may not be the best time to add TikTok to the list. Instead, I recommend focusing on your current social media pages by attempting to post at least two to three times each week. Does TikTok match my target audience? If young women are your average customers, TikTok may be a good platform to reach more of them. Women represent a higher percentage of users at 57 percent of the total user base when compared to men, according to Hootsuite. Gen Z also encompasses the majority of the user base, while those over 55 years old are the least likely to join TikTok, according to Wallaroo. In short, TikTok can be a great platform for businesses to reach a younger female audience. The TikTok demographics may not match your ideal customer, and thats OK. Its better to pass on TikTok than to waste time building a page that doesnt add value to your business. Do I want to learn how to create engaging content? TikTok has many editing features you can access in the app. You can film a video, add captions and post it right on TikTok. This makes creating content easier since you dont need to download additional editing apps or software. However, I think the hardest part is learning and keeping up with the latest trends. A sound may be trending for a few days before falling out of popularity and use. You should be aware of the latest trends in transitions, sounds and video style. Staying current on trends requires continuous education and extra time, but the time and learning will pay off in better videos and higher views. Need more help on social media? The Wyoming SBDC Network can help you create a social media marketing plan and develop your social media skills. The Market Research Center also can provide a social media analysis for businesses. Through the social media analysis, the Wyoming SBDC Network reviews social media pages to see what a businesss strengths are and where improvements can be made. Reach out to your regional adviser today to get connected with resources and no-cost advising on social media topics. The Wyoming SBDC Network offers no-cost advising and technical assistance to help Wyoming entrepreneurs think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. In 2020 alone, the Wyoming SBDC Network helped Wyoming entrepreneurs start 95 new businesses; support 6,954 jobs; and bring a capital impact of $18 million to the state. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu, or write Dept. 3922, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071-3922. Holm said women can also be more prone to panic than their male counterparts in the face of market volatility, sometimes leading to disastrous results. I'm getting all these letters from people saying, oh, my KiwiSaver has gone down $10,000 or $50,000, what do I do? and the answer is nothing, she explained. Adding, When the markets go down, as they are right now do nothing. Just stay there and it'll come right. If you panic and move from the higher risk [fund] you're in now down to the lower risk [fund], then you're making that loss real you're making it a loss." "Holm told Bagust it can be disempowering for women who dont feel like they understand their finances but encourages them that it can actually be really simple." She said one good approach for those who default to a conservative approach because they dont feel confident managing their finances is to take a risky approach with a small amount of money. She suggests transferring 10-20% of your money into a higher-risk KiwiSaver fund and simply riding it out and watching as the market fluctuates. Hang in there, and in the long run it will grow more than the other money and then gradually move more that way. A woman takes photos of lamps with pictures of church people who fought President Ferdinand E. Marcoss martial regime law as they mark its 50th anniversary at the University of the Philippines in Metro Manila, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas arrives with his wife, Ginni Thomas, for a State Dinner at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 20, 2019. One day after Zelenskyy speech, US, Russia square off at UN View Photo UNITED NATIONS (AP) One day after Ukraines president laid out a forceful case against Russias invasion at the United Nations, the United States made its own assertions in front of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday about why Russia should face further censure and isolation. Minutes later, Russia came right back, calling the claims unfair and saying Ukraine is to blame. Antony Blinken, the United States top diplomat, spoke to Security Council members on Thursday, detailing allegations of what he called war crimes and other atrocities committed by Russia and urging them to send a clear message to the country to stop its nuclear threats. Russias foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, addressed the Security Council shortly afterward, repeating his countrys frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraines east one of the explanations Moscow has offered for the invasion. Ukraines Western allies have been covering up the crimes of the Kyiv regime, said Lavrov, who was not in the room when Blinken and some other U.S. allies spoke. He appeared just before his own speech and departed immediately afterward. The almost-exchange between the two top diplomats came on the heels of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys demands for world leaders to punish Russia in a video speech delivered Wednesday, just hours after Moscow made an extraordinary announcement that it would mobilize some reservists for the war effort. Buoyed by a counteroffensive that has retaken swaths of territory that the Russians seized, Zelenskyy vowed that his forces would not stop until they had reclaimed all of Ukraine. We can return the Ukrainian flag to our entire territory. We can do it with the force of arms, the president said in a speech delivered in English. But we need time. Video speeches by Zelenskyy in an olive green T-shirt have become almost commonplace. But this speech was one of the most keenly anticipated at the U.N. General Assembly, where the war has dominated over conflicts in other regions. On Thursday, Israels prime minister, Yair Lapid, delivered a speech focused on the Palestinians and included a call for the establishment of a Palestinian state. An agreement with the Palestinians, based on two states for two peoples, is the right thing for Israels security, for Israels economy and for the future of our children, Lapid said. The speech, coming ahead of Nov. 1 elections, appeared to be part of an effort by Lapid to portray himself both to voters and global leaders as a statesman and moderate alternative to his main rival, hardline former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But it was short on details, and there is virtually no chance Lapid, who has long supported a two-state solution, will get to push forward with his vision. Israels parliament is dominated by parties that oppose Palestinian independence, and opinion polls forecast a similar result after the upcoming elections. The Palestinians seek the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip territories captured by Israel in 1967 for an independent state, a position that enjoys wide international support. While Lapid and dozens of other world leaders sought airtime for issues plaguing their own nations including climate change, rising food costs, human rights and vaccine inequity Ukraine remained at the center of the U.N. General Assembly, popping up in speeches by leaders from all over the world decrying Russias invasion of a sovereign country. Its an attack on this very institution where we find ourselves today, said Moldovan President President Maia Sandu, whose country borders Ukraine. U.S. President Joe Bidens address, too, focused heavily on the war in Ukraine. This war is about extinguishing Ukraines right to exist as a state, plain and simple, and Ukraines right to exist as a people. Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever you believe, that should make your blood run cold, he said. If nations can pursue their imperial ambitions without consequences, then we put at risk everything this very institution stands for. Everything. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is not attending the General Assembly, has said he sent his armed forces into Ukraine because of risks to his countrys security from what he considers a hostile government in Kyiv; to liberate Russians living in Ukraine especially its eastern region of the Donbas from what he views as the Ukrainian governments oppression; and to restore what he considers to be Russias historical territorial claims on the country. Earlier this week, he warned that his nuclear-armed country will certainly use all means available to us if its territory is threatened and to defend the country and its people. Putins decree Wednesday about the mobilization was sparse on details but officials said as many as 300,000 reservists could be tapped. It was apparently an effort to seize momentum after the Ukrainian counteroffensive. But the first such call-up in Russia since World War II also brought the fighting home in a new way for Russians and risked fanning domestic anxiety and antipathy toward the war. Shortly after Putins announcement, flights out of the country rapidly filled up, and more than 1,000 people were arrested at rare antiwar demonstrations across the country. Zelenskky asserted that Moscow wants to spend the winter preparing its forces in Ukraine for a new offensive, or at least preparing fortifications while mobilizing more troops in the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II Russia wants war. Its true. But Russia will not be able to stop the course of history, he said, declaring that mankind and the international law are stronger than what he called a terrorist state. ___ Associated Press journalists Andrew Katell in New York and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report. For more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly By PIA SARKAR and JENNIFER PELTZ Associated Press Ukraines Mariupol defenders, Putin ally in prisoner swap View Photo KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukraine announced a high-profile prisoner swap early Thursday that was the culmination of months of efforts to free many of the Ukrainian fighters who defended a steel plant in Mariupol during a long Russian siege. In exchange, Ukraine gave up a prominent ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and 55 other prisoners. President Volodymr Zelenskyy said his government had won freedom from Russian custody for 215 Ukrainian and foreign citizens, with the help of Turkish and Saudi mediation efforts. He said many were soldiers and officers who had faced the death penalty in Russian-occupied territory. Russian officials confirmed what appeared to be the biggest prisoner swap of the nearly seven-month war. Of the total, 200 Ukrainians were exchanged for just one man pro-Russian opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk, who is Ukrainian. The 68-year-old oligarch escaped from house arrest in Ukraine several days before Russias invasion Feb. 24 but was recaptured in April. He faced up to life in prison on charges of treason and aiding and abetting a terrorist organization for mediating coal purchases for the separatist, Russia-backed Donetsk republic in eastern Ukraine. Medvedchuk came to know Putin while serving as chief of staff for former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma. The Russian leader is the godfather of Medvedchuks daughter. His detention sparked a heated exchange between officials in Moscow and Kyiv. Medvedchuk is the head of the political council of Ukraines pro-Russian Opposition Platform-For Life party, the largest opposition group in Ukraines parliament. The Ukrainian government has suspended the partys activity; Putin has repeatedly spoken about Medvedchuk as a victim of political repression. It is not a pity to give up Medvedchuk for real warriors, Zelenskyy said in his nightly video speech. He has passed all the investigative actions provided by law. Ukraine has received from him everything necessary to establish the truth in the framework of criminal proceedings. In another swap, Ukraine gained the release of five commanders who led Ukraines defense of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol in exchange for 55 Russian prisoners it was holding, Zelenskyy said. More than 2,000 defenders, many in the Azov Regiment, marched out of the Azovstal steel plants twisted wreckage into Russian captivity in mid-May, ending a nearly three-month siege of the port city of Mariupol. Ukraines military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, told reporters in Kyiv that most of the prisoners freed by Russia were more or less in an OK state physically, except for food malnutrition related to the bad detention conditions. He said some prisoners had been tortured but didnt give any details. Zelenskyy said the five leaders, including Azov Regiment commanders Denys Prokopenko and Svyatoslav Palamar, are in Turkey, where they will remain as part of the deal in complete safety until the end of the war, under the protection of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The complex prisoner swap also brought the release of 10 foreigners, including five British nationals and two U.S. military veterans, who had fought with Ukrainian forces. They were released by Russian-backed separatists as part of an exchange mediated by Saudi Arabia, U.S. and Saudi officials said. A video on the BBC news website Thursday showed two of the released British men, Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, speaking inside a plane. We just want to let everyone know that were now out of the danger zone and were on our way home to our families, Aslin said in the video, as Pinner added: By the skin of our teeth. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the exchanges, calling them no small feat, but adding that much more remains to be done to ease the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine, his spokesman said. The U.N. chief reiterates the need to respect international law on the treatment of prisoners and will continue to support further prisoner exchanges, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. The exchanges drew angry comments from some nationalist commentators in Russia. Igor Strelkov, a Russian officer who led the Moscow-backed separatists in the Donbas when a conflict there erupted in 2014, described the swap as an act of treason, saying that its worse than a crime, worsen than a mistake, its just sheer stupidity or sabotage. ___ Associated Press writer Sylvia Hui in London and Nicolae Dumitrache in Kyiv contributed to this report. By KARL RITTER Associated Press Trumps legal woes mount without protection of presidency View Photo WASHINGTON (AP) Stark repudiation by federal judges he appointed. Far-reaching fraud allegations by New Yorks attorney general. Its been a week of widening legal troubles for Donald Trump, laying bare the challenges piling up as the former president operates without the protections afforded by the White House. The bravado that served him well in the political arena is less handy in a legal realm dominated by verifiable evidence, where judges this week have looked askance at his claims and where a fraud investigation that took root when Trump was still president burst into public view in an allegation-filled 222-page state lawsuit. In politics, you can say what you want and if people like it, it works. In a legal realm, its different, said Chris Edelson, a presidential powers scholar and American University government professor. Its an arena where there are tangible consequences for missteps, misdeeds, false statements in a way that doesnt apply in politics. That distinction between politics and law was evident in a single 30-hour period this week. Trump insisted on Fox News in an interview that aired Wednesday that the highly classified government records he had at Mar-a-Lago actually had been declassified, that a president has the power to declassify information even by thinking about it. A day earlier, however, an independent arbiter his own lawyers had recommended appeared perplexed when the Trump team declined to present any information to support his claims that the documents had been declassified. The special master, Raymond Dearie, a veteran federal judge, said Trumps team was trying to have its cake and eat it too, and that, absent information to back up the claims, he was inclined to regard the records the way the government does: Classified. On Wednesday morning, Letitia James, the New York State attorney general, accused Trump in a lawsuit of padding his net worth by billions of dollars and habitually misleading banks about the value of prized assets. The lawsuit, the culmination of a three-year investigation that began when he was president, also names as defendants three of his adult children and seeks to bar them from ever again running a company in the state. Trump has denied any wrongdoing. Hours later, three judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit two of them Trump appointees handed him a startling loss in the Mar-a-Lago investigation. The court overwhelmingly rejected arguments that he was entitled to have the special master do an independent review of the roughly 100 classified documents taken during last months FBI search, and said it was not clear why Trump should have an interest in or need for those records. That ruling opened the way for the Justice Department to resume its use of the classified records in its probe. It lifted a hold placed by a lower court judge, Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee whose rulings in the Mar-a-Lago matter had to date been the sole bright spot for the former president. On Thursday, she responded by striking the parts of her order that had required the Justice Department to give Dearie, and Trumps lawyers, access to the classified records. Dearie followed up with his own order, giving the Justice Department until Sept. 26 to submit an affidavit asserting that the FBIs detailed inventory of items taken in the search is accurate. Trumps team will have until Sept. 30 to identity errors or mistakes in the inventory. Between Dearies position, and the appeals court ruling, I think that basically there may be a developing consensus, if not an already developed consensus, that the government has the stronger position in a lot of these issues and a lot of these controversies, said Richard Serafini, a Florida criminal defense lawyer and former Justice Department prosecutor. To be sure, Trump is hardly a stranger to courtroom dramas, having been deposed in numerous lawsuits throughout his decades-long business career, and he has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to survive situations that seemed dire. His lawyers did not immediately respond Thursday to a request seeking comment. In the White House, Trump faced a perilous investigation into whether he had obstructed a Justice Department probe of possible collusion between Russia and his 2016 campaign. Ultimately, he was protected at least in part by the power of the presidency, with special counsel Robert Mueller citing longstanding department policy prohibiting the indictment of a sitting president. He was twice impeached by a Democratic-led House of Representatives once over a phone call with Ukraines leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the second time over the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol but was acquitted by the Senate on both occasions thanks to political support from fellow Republicans. It remains unclear if any of the current investigations the Mar-a-Lago one or probes related to Jan. 6 or Georgia election interference will produce criminal charges. And the New York lawsuit is a civil matter. But theres no question Trump no longer enjoys the legal shield of the presidency, even though he has repeatedly leaned on an expansive view of executive power to defend his retention of records the government says are not his, no matter their classification. Notably, the Justice Department and the federal appeals court have paid little heed to his assertions that the records had been declassified. For all his claims on TV and social media, both have noted that Trump has presented no information to support the idea that he took any steps to declassify the records. The appeals court called the declassification question a red herring because even declassifying a record would not change its content or transform it from a government document into a personal one. And the statutes the Justice Department cites as the basis of its investigation do not explicitly mention classified information. Trumps lawyers also have stopped short of saying in court, or in legal briefs, that the records were declassified. They told Dearie they shouldnt be forced to disclose their stance on that issue now because it could be part of their defense in the event of an indictment. Even some legal experts who have otherwise sided with Trump in his legal fights are dubious of his assertions. Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor who testified as a Republican witness in the first impeachment proceedings in 2019, said he was struck by the lack of a coherent and consistent position from the former president on the classified documents. Its not clear, he added, what Jedi-like lawyers said that you could declassify things with a thought, but the courts are unlikely to embrace that claim. ___ More on Donald Trump-related investigations: https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump _____ Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP By ERIC TUCKER Associated Press Boeing pays $200 million to settle SEC charges over 737 Max View Photo Boeing Co. will pay $200 million to settle charges that the company and its former CEO misled investors about the safety of its 737 Max after two of the airliners crashed, killing 346 people. The Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday that it charged the aircraft maker and former CEO Dennis Muilenburg with making significant misleading public statements about the plane and an automated flight-control system that was implicated in the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Neither Boeing nor Muilenburg admitted wrongdoing, but they offered to settle and pay penalties, including $1 million to be paid by Muilenburg, who was ousted in December 2019, nine months after the second crash. The SEC said Boeing and Muilenburg knew that the flight system, known as MCAS, posed a safety issue but promised the public that the plane was safe. The SEC said they also falsely claimed that there had been no gaps in the process of certifying the plane in the first place. Boeing and Muilenburg put profits over people by misleading investors about the safety of the 737 Max all in an effort to rehabilitate Boeings image after the crashes, said Gurbir Grewal, director of the SECs enforcement division. Boeing said it has made broad and deep changes across our company in response to those accidents to improve safety and quality. Todays settlement is part of the companys broader effort to responsibly resolve outstanding legal matters related to the 737 Max accidents in a manner that serves the best interests of our shareholders, employees and other stakeholders, said the Arlington, Virginia-based company. A new Max operated by Indonesias Lion Air crashed into the Java Sea in October 2018, and another Max flown by Ethiopian Airlines nosedived into the ground near Addis Ababa in March 2019. In each crash, MCAS pushed the nose down after getting faulty readings from a single sensor, and pilots were unable to regain control. The crashes led regulators around the world to ground the plane for nearly two years until Boeing made fixes to the flight-control system, which was designed to help prevent aerodynamic stalls when the nose points up too sharply. Neither plane that crashed was in danger of stalling. The SEC accused Boeing of misleading investors in a press release after the Indonesia crash which said the plane was as safe as any airplane that has ever flown the skies. Boeing knew when it made that claim that MCAS would need to be fixed and was already designing changes, the SEC said. After the crash in Ethiopia, Muilenburg said on a call with investors and Wall Street analysts and during Boeings annual shareholder meeting that the company had followed the normal process for getting the plane certified by regulators. But by then Boeing in response to a subpoena from federal prosecutors had already found documents indicating that it didnt disclose key facts about MCAS to the Federal Aviation Administration, the SEC charged. Boeing reached a separate $2.5 billion settlement with the Justice Department last year. Most of that money went to airlines whose Max jets were grounded. By DAVID KOENIG AP Airlines Writer Yves here. This piece gives a wide ranging, historically based description of how free market ideology supported colonialist exploitation and often expropriation under the banner of trade. By Jag Bhalla, an entrepreneur and writer. His current project is Errors We Live By, a series of short exoteric essays exposing errors in the big ideas running our lives. Follow him: @hangingnoodles. Originally published at Evonomics What role should greed play in how we run the world? Should it rule us and shape all that we do? Id argue that we live under greedocracy disguised as a form of liberalism. Gussied-up as the only rational way, greed has become the guilt-free guiding star of global elites. But the grand narrative usually used to justify this world-shaping greed-is-good creed vigorously ignores salient history, and disingenuously suppresses data on greeds present-day harms. This essay will walk you through why the liberal world orders free markets are not really remotely in the business of maximizing flourishingto rightly judge their track record requires reckoning with the greedocracys glossed-over genocides and hushed-up holocausts. Consider how rational optimist Steven Pinker paints the history of trade in his billionaire-beloved good-news-bearing bible, The Better Angels of Our Nature (its the most inspiring book Ive ever read gushed Bill Gates, the prominent predatory philanthropist). In it Pinker preaches thinking like an economist using the theory of gentle commerce from classical liberalism, under which trade becomes more appealing than war. Rationally-enlightened leaders reasoned that your trading partner suddenly becomes more valuable to you alive than dead. Compare that glorified life-affirming tradeoff to the views of a frontline practitioner of that so-called gentle commerce: There can be no trade without war, declared Jan Pieterzoon Coen of the Dutch East India Company. Thats a quote from Amitav Ghoshs The Nutmegs Curse (an eloquently alarming book about gigantic ideological gaps in climate crisis discourse). Unlike Pinkers, Coens words werent abstract theorizing, and he concretely came to the opposite conclusion on the value of trading partner lives. He ordered a monopoly-securing massacre of the Banda Islanders. This involved 50 vessels, and 2,000 men (including 80 Japanese ronin, masterless samurai mercenaries) who displaced, killed, captured, or enslaved 90% of the 15,000 indigenous trading partners. This almost total annihilation of the population of the Banda Islands [was] clearly a genocidal act (concluded a 2012 paper in the Journal of Genocide Studies). The cursed spice of Ghoshs title was so valuable that a handful of nutmegs could buy a house or ship. which sadly meant Coens gentle-commerce genocide made greedy profits even at the cost of 5,000 slaves per year (labor didnt last long under gentle-commerce conditions). Pinker isnt wrong in reporting Enlightenment views. Economist Albert Hirschman, in The Passions and the Interests, an influential book on the long process of alchemizing the once-deadly vice of avarice into plainly-rational self-interest during the rise of early capitalism, confirms there was much talk about the douceur of commerce. Douceur translates to sweetness, softness, calm, and gentleness the antonym of violence. Hirschman and Pinker cite a long list of Enlightenment luminaries, for instance, Kant in 1795 wrote that The spirit of commerce can not exist side-by-side with war. Pinker concurs, commercial powers tended to favor trade over conquest. But this majestic myth-making of modernitythe Enlightenment as a triumph of rationality and humanismmust not be allowed to mask that the Age of Reason ran parallel to and often justified the vast violent plunder of imperial economics (now often euphemistically called free trade). One reason this hushed-up history matters is that even today economic rationality and plunder often remain partners in crime. For all of Pinkers elegant-stats-wielding elite-soothing sermons that in fact a free market puts a premium on empathy, there was little empathy, empirically evident, for the likes of the Banda Islanders. Or for many millions more lives ended or blighted by gentle commerce and free trade, which as well see could materialize at your border in the form of a genocidal corporate army bent on premium-empathy-ing your way of life into your own blood-soaked dust. Consider what classical-liberalisms gentle-commerce blessings brought to the basic business of staving off starvation. As presented in Pinkers brand of rigorous rationality, which seems to require boiling historys byzantine complexities down to whatever sort of weak grasp can be gained by glancing at the numbers. Dispositive data should preferably be plotted on a now rhetorically powerful sexy chart or failing that, one should squeeze hyper-complex histories into spreadsheet-like tables with columns for nifty swift numerical comparisons. For instance, the Deadliest Disasters of All Time table on page 195 of Pinkers Better Angels of Our Nature. This lethal league table of tribulations has just two entries explicitly called Famines. At number two Mao Zedong (mostly government-caused famine) with 40,000,000 deaths, and at number 12 British India (mostly preventable famine) at 17,000,000 deaths. Pinker also provides figures adjusted for relative population growth, which makes the adjusted British-in-India famine number 35,000,000. Thats deadlier than World War I (15,000,000) and many-times more murderous than the Nazi holocaust (6,000,000). Pinker blames Maos harebrained schemes which he feels illustrate how utopian leadership selects for monumental narcissism and ruthlessness. But nowhere does Pinker note that, as Ill show, those Brits-in-India famines were policy-driven and explicitly justified by liberal free market doctrine. These enlightened imperial policies were implemented by impeccably elegant elites selected for at least industrial-scale ruthlessness, if not also monumental statue-seeking narcissism. Surely such colossal crimes should weigh against gentle commerce in historys moral scale? Plus Pinkering (rationally optimistic number-narrowed thinking) too easily hides how imperial free market policies contributed to the series of revolutions that culminated in Mao, triggered by those paragon gentle-commerce programs known as the Opium Wars (1839-1860). Britains noble narco-capitalist armed forces wrecked Chinas multi-millenia old social fabric, which centrally featured famine prevention infrastructure. This vast opulence-enabling opium operation was run by the most successful narcotics gang in history (these Brit nobles were O.G. drug kingpins). These sorts of intricately entangled causal interconnections are easily lost in neatly labeled numbers (under a risible ruse of rigor). Historian Mike Davis reports Brit-ruled Indian famine deaths at 12 to 29 million, in his book Late Victorian Holocausts. He explicitly blames the imposition of free-trade, noting that these millions were killed in the golden age of Liberal Capitalism. The first public reports in February 1878 by journalist Robert Knight declared British officials were guilty of multitudenous murder. Applying Pinkers scaling factor To Daviss figures, we get the equivalent to 24 to 58 million 20th-century-scaled deaths (four to ten times the size of the Nazi holocaust). During all this the decorously dining Downton-Abbey set exported grain to world markets as millions starved. Market efficiency, then as now, means allocating resources to whomever pays most. But fear not, noble Brits acted quickly to protect what mattered most to them their beloved free market. They imposed the Anti-Charitable Contributions Act of 1877, outlawing private relief that might interfere with the market-fixing of grain prices. The only aid permitted was at horrifyingly harsh hard labor camps, such as in Madras, which offered fewer daily calories than Buchenwald. As Davis writes, while Asia was starving the United States was harvesting the greatest wheat crop in world history and in Californias Central valley worthless surplus wheat was burnedmalicious market morality in action. To understand the frame of mind of this enchanted circle of imperial overlords, consider that in 1874, those exemplary classical liberals at The Economistwrote that it was unwise to encourage indolent Indians to believe that it is the duty of the Government to keep them alive. Lord Salisbury, secretary of state for India, felt it was a mistake to spend money to save a lot of black fellows. Many Brits werent nearly as callous as the glamorous imperial ghouls of their governing elite. As Shashi Tharoor notes in his book Inglorious Empire, a piece in The Times of London lamented that the Viceroy had interposed to repress the impulses of charity. And relief fund of 820,000 was raised from millions of small contributions by individuals, schools, churches, and regiments throughout the British world. Viceroy Lord Lytton, whose main qualification for governing India was that he was Queen Victorias favorite poet, called the fund a complete nuisance. Tharoor concludes that the facts of British culpability even at the height of their civilizing mission are overwhelming but often still glossed over. Why, one wonders, arent these famines rightly called Imperial Holocausts? British Holocausts? Free Market Holocausts? Liberal Holocausts? Corporate Holocausts? Capitalist Holocausts? Readers repelled by linking that term to much-lauded much-laundered liberalism, should recall that holocaust means any mass destruction. It derives from the Greek for a wholly burnt sacrificial offering (hence many Jews use the term Shoah catastrophe which lacks godly links). In his history of the global food system, Animal, Vegetable, Junk, Mark Bittman notes that free-market loving classical liberals lorded it over a 3,000% increase in the Indian famine ratefrom less than one famine per century to one every three years. Explicitly invoking the name of rational free market efficiency, Brits violently disrupted ancient practices of storing local food reserves which had for centuries enabled Indian elites to discharge duties to feed their poor in times of famine. And ruthlessly increased British taxation had eviscerated the peasantries purchasing power (Tharoor calls this the culmination of two centuries of colonial cruelty). Of course, these stupendous century-spanning imperial sins had contemporary critics. For instance, Thomas Paine of American revolution-launching pamphlet fame, wrote that the naked and untutored Indian, is less Savage thanKing of Britain. His incendiary ink-fire inflamed the colonial settlers against the crowned ruffians of royalty that ruthlessly ruled such that every spot of the old world is overrun with oppression. Paine skewered the supposed divine right of kings, by calling William the Conqueror a French bastard landing with an armed banditti [to] establish himself king against the consent of the natives. Lets skip the ire-raising ironies of Paine promoting a genocidal invasion without securing the consent of American natives, to focus on his divine debunking of royal rights: he concludes that William the Conqueror was in plain terms a very paltry rascally original[whose claim to kingship] certainly hath no divinity in it. Paine was disgusted by the horrid cruelties exercised by Britain in the East Indies How thousands perished by artificial famine. His moral reflex here is laudable, but his numbers are a thousand times too small, and he got the guilty party slightly wrong: as Horace Walpole, son of a British Prime Minister wrote We have murdered, deposed, plundered, usurpednay, what think you of the famine in Bengal, in which three millions perished, being caused by a monopoly of the provisions by the servants of the East India Company). Dont forget Bostons totemic tea-tossing was of East India Company shipments. Sadly, Paines deep political desire that such decorous dastardliness should never, never be forgotten has failed to hold up. Did your schools teach this history? That the private army of a corporation (twice the size of the kings) killed millions to enforce free trade and gentle commerce? Readers tempted to shake their heads at all this monumental moral ignorance and nakedly nasty nonchalance, while feeling assured that our Pinker-reading elite would never allow anything like any of the above to happen today should consider the global Covid immunization situation. Our greed-is-rational elite are again putting profits above saving lives by not lifting vaccine patent restrictions (Pinkers pal Gates has played a leading far from philanthropic role in this). Millions of avoidable mostly-distant-dark-skinned deaths are again being offered for sacrifice on the altar of the almighty liberal god of greed. This horrific fiasco has been dubbed vaccine apartheid by many Global South advocates, including World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, because of how deeply under-protected non-white poor nations remain. To be fair, we should note that those jolly jodhpur-clad classy Brits werent quite being racist in todays sense. They were equally elegantly evil on an industrially deadly scale to their Irish neighbors. Davis writes India like Ireland before it had become a Utilitarian laboratory where millions of lives were wagered against dogmatic faith in omnipotent markets. Regarding the Irish famine, that cherished champion of classical liberalism John Stuart Mill wrote that The Irish are indolent, unenterprising, he feared it may require a hundred thousand armed men to make the Irish people submit to the common destiny of working in order to live (a position lately lampooned as: Let them eat liberty). Dont forget Mill was for decades employed by the looting-Lords of the East India Company before entering Parliament as a Liberal. In case you havent kept track of the Irish Famine details, a million perished, two million fled, and Irelands population took 170 years to recover (achieved pre-famine levels only in 2021). And, lest we forget, European elites also starved their own poor in the internal colonization process of enclosing the commons. Public lands used for collective benefit (enabling a Golden Age for European peasants) were privatized. This was part of the vast organized political effort to create and naturalize economic liberalism and emerging capitalism. As economic anthropologist Karl Polanyi writes in The Great Transformation the people of the countryside were pauperized in a revolution of the rich against the poor. From 1500 to 1700 real wages fell 70%, starvation became common, and life expectancy fell from 43 to the low 30s (hitting 25 in the urban squalor of Blakes dark Satanic Mills, he didnt but could just as well have meant John Stuart). Polanyi provides extensive evidence that There is nothing natural about laissez-faire free markets. Here we must re-examine a view dear to many Pinker-parroting pious liberals and greedocrats alike, who feel certain that their own unbridled greed is just inalienably at the very heart of human nature. Polanyi debunks this as an anthropologically and historically ignorant self-serving projection. Many cultures have been studied that are not organized around unbridled individual greed (and there is no evidence of any of them having extraterrestrial origins). In sharp contrast to Enlightened European liberalism, Polanyi says as a rule, the individual in primitive society is not threatened with starvation unless the community as a whole is. He cites three examples, South Africas Kaffirs (for whom destitution is impossible: whosoever needs assistance receives it unquestioningly), Canadas Kwakitul tribe (No Kwakitul ever ran the slightest risk of going hungry) and pre Brit-blighted India. Under almost every and any type of social organization up to about the beginning of 16th century Europe a principle for freedom from starvation prevailed. Sadly the logic of smashing up social structures in order to extract labor under threat of starvation became standard civilized liberal market practice (as violently imposed in Ireland and India and many places beyond). Importantly, Polanyi notes that this destruction of the material fabric of a peasantrys way of life, to force them into capitalist labor, was first done to white populations by white men before being exported globally to the benighted barbarians of distant dusky-maiden-laden lootable lands. The idea that letting the poor starve is just human nature took vast industrial-scale evil-evangelizing efforts to make the creed of liberalism feel like it was human nature itself. As Paine noted in his other smash-hit, The Rights of Man: a great portion of mankind, in what are called civilized countries, are in a state of poverty and wretchedness, far below the condition of an Indian. Classical liberal market-oriented civilization historically went hand-in-hand with making mass starvation amid plenty seem morally acceptable or like an unavoidable necessity. 1830s Britain saw an almost miraculous increase in production accompanied by a near starvation of the masses. Polayni calls Britains 1834 Poor Law Reform a scientific cruelty under which the prior right to live was abolished for the sake of the labor market. The threat of starvation was a psychological torture coolly advocated and smoothly put into practice as a means of oiling the wheels of the labor mills. Here, the concept of conscience management can illuminate. Thats just one of many important ideas in historian Priya Satias 2020 book Times Monster (on the role of historians in building the ethical scripts and elite-soothing grand narratives that enabled empires evil). Conscience management explains how for the most part, empire was not the work of villains, but of people who believed they acted conscientiously. Some (especially elites) were in it for loot and adventure but millions sincerely believed they were in the business of spreading liberty. Under that exquisitely engineered oxymoron liberal imperialism the vast violence of colonialism was justified to bring the blessings of civilization to the savage racestheyll thank us later. She rightly rejects todays moral-balance-sheet-minded defenders of British occupation benefits as akin to saying Hitler was horrible to Jews but, on the other hand, he built the autobahn. Speaking of Hitler, many post WWII intellectuals and artists, of many stripes, have cast the Nazi holocaust as a chasm in history, as exemplified by Adornos declaration that to write poetry after Auschwitz was barbaric. But this serene studious sophistication sails on an ocean of ill-informed ink, premised on ignoring the prior gentlemanly genocides noted above. To cast Nazi atrocities as history-remaking exceptions requires an act of mindbogglingly-monumental collective amnesia, of industriously suppressing the centuries-long carnage of liberal imperialism. Not to mention the role of liberal civilizations own artists and intellectuals in creating the ethical scripts of empire. As Ghosh points out, Alfred Lord Tennyson, his eras leading lyric poet, in 1849 wrote that natures red in tooth and claw battles would ensure the victory of a crowning race of European conquerors. That was a decade before Darwins The Descent of Man declared that the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate the savage races. Darwin was a liberal and abolitionist, but these sorts of race-ranking, death-to-the-lesser-losers ideas were in Ghoshs view mere common sense [for] a great number of liberal progressive Westerners. Such license to kill en-mass for profit goes back to another rational Enlightenment hero, Francis Bacon, who in An Advertisement Touching on Holy War, concludes it is both lawful and godly for any nation that is policed and civil [to].. cut from the face of the Earth those who are not. The point here isnt to judgmentally impose our moral norms retrospectively, rather it is to consider the magnificent ambient amnesia necessary for the educated today to feel that Nazi atrocities were unthinkable exceptions for civilized art-loving European elites, rather than a centuries-long pattern that was coming home to roost. A pattern long celebrated in civilized literature and the arts, for instance Rudyard Kiplings 1899 hymn to empire, exhorting imperialists to send forth the best ye breed to take up the White Mans burden and serve your captives need. Captives lyrically painted as your new-caught sullen people, half devil, half child. He was awarded one of his civilizations highest honors, the Nobel Prize in literature, in 1907 for the virility of such ideas. And dont forget that shortly before the allied intelligentsia exerted itself to express an inability to grasp Hitlers history-rupturing horrors, that lion of liberalism, Winston Churchill in 1943 enacted policies that starved another 3 million Indians. All this matters because as Satia rightly fears, the historical sensibility that enabled imperialism is still intact. Id add that that sensibilitys most dangerous disguise now goes under cover of the grand narrative of neoliberal globalizations free-market growth supposedly lifting the poor out of poverty. This is Pinker-approved, let-the-market-decide, free market economic doctrinewhereby elite greed is alchemized into awesomely being whats best for everyone, and especially the poor. Meanwhile, in reality, this form of greed-excusing economics systematically underweights the preferences, rights, and even lives of the planets poor. Consider what lurks in savvy-sounding jargon like economic rationality and efficiency. As a leaked memo signed by the sadly-still-influential former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers revealed: the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable. Since measurements of the costs of health impairing pollution depends on the foregone earnings a given amount of health impairing pollution should be done in the country with the lowest cost, which will be the country with the lowest wages. This sort of rational economics is riddled with systematic anti-poor biases. A view seconded by the spiciest Federal Reserve footnote ever, in 2021 long-time Fed economist Jeremy Rudd wrote of his deeper concern that the primary role of mainstream economics is to provide an apologetics for a criminally oppressive, unsustainable, and unjust social order. He noted that did not necessarily reflect the views of the Board of Governors or the staff of the Federal Reserve System. Scandalously few economists actually address poverty in their work (research from the International Monetary Fund found only 1.4% of papers in the top 10 economics journals focused on poverty). Unless this kind of impeccable economic rationality and efficiency is explicitly countered, it structurally adds to the burdens of the poorSummers-style standard economic logic sees the loss of earnings of one American as equivalent to the lost earnings of 265 Barundians (using the ratio of national gross domestic product per capita as a proxy for typical earnings in each economy). However rational and efficient that looks in your Pinker-approved think-like-an-economist [liberal-loot-orama] calculus, it is clearly contrary to basic morality and to any semblance of resource justice. The most seductive and super-poisonous flavor of this greed-washing is preached under liberal-beloved win-win rubric whereby elite-fattening market-greed is sold as lifting millions out of poverty. As Phillipe Alston, ex- UN Special Rapporteur on Poverty has written, this rhetoric has really been used to redefine the public good as helping the rich get richer. Far from being one of the greatest human achievements this win win narrative has been a convenient alibi for guilt-free greed. Why exactly should every gain for the poor require gains for the rich? I find it appalling that many greedy growth fans feel they are simply deferring to the objective facts while their data-driven Pinkering gospels hide how markets actually allocate the vast bulk of the global economys gains and resources to precisely the opposite of poverty-alleviation. Only 5% of global GDP growth gets to the poorest 60% of people (95% adds to the comforts of the unpoor, and even within that its heavily top-skewed to the Top 1-10%). Do those numbers pass a basic ethical sniff test? Should we celebrate a trickle-down pace so slow that it means 8 generations of sweatshop toil till your descendants rise above a disgustingly low poverty line? While for each of those generations the bulk of the planets resources are win-win-ed away into rich wallets? By the way many misunderstand what that disgustingly low official poverty line means. It is a P.P.P $1.90 a day, which means it is adjusted for purchasing power parity. So as best as can be estimated, like living on ~$700 a year in the US nowone nineteenth the official US poverty line. And surely countless sins lurk in data built on the idea that making 10 cents more, for a total of $2 per day ($730 per year) warrants being classified as having escaped extreme poverty. The data-driven discourse here is dominated by a diabolically bad framing of the main moral issue. Contrary to the Pinker-preached plutocrat-pampering perspective, the key question isnt Are things better now than before, but rather Is this the best we can do? Indeed, are we even making a minimally decent effort to minimize suffering? As economic anthropologist Jason Hickel has pointed out, viewed from that angle, global poverty has never been worse. The world is richer now than ever, but we still dont prioritize use of enough resources to end poverty. Only a small fraction of the worlds wealth would be needed to end extreme poverty (Hickel calculates 3.9% of global GDP, and Max Rosner of Our World in Data, in 2013 figure estimated $160 billion from a $70 trillion pie, or under 3%). Yet we let global markets decide to spend more each year on ice cream and face cream than that ($90 & $100 billion). How can it make ethical sense that markets decide to use 80% of arable land to fatten cattle while 150,000,000 kids are stunted by malnutrition and 1,900,000,000 humans (25% of everyone alive today) are more food insecure than rich-nation pets? The deep data-dazzled dumbness here is due to how GDP mixes luxuries and survival basics in the same monetary bucket, then rationally and efficiently sends resources to whoever pays most, thereby objectively prioritizing the whims of the wealthy. Whatever your political or moral leanings, if they dont help you condemn and counter this, they may need an upgrade. They are in no coherent sense humane or enlightened. The Pinker-preached faith that markets are in the business of maximizing flourishing often operates as fancy conscience management camouflage. As currently practiced, markets dont distribute flourishing (or much of anything else) in an ethically sound way. Surely, the right thing to do is to always prevent avoidable suffering, before further enhancing rich lifestyles. By what logic can we square squandering resources on rich toys when so many obvious gains in basic suffering reduction are within relatively easy reach? While this isnt quite as simple as redirecting financial resources from ice cream and face cream to poverty alleviation, its also not that much more difficult. Why are toys and trinkets for the worlds wealthy more important than food to prevent those 150,000,000 kids from being stunted? Surely much less flourishing arises from the incremental last 1% of billionaire bauble buying than would for example by educating the worlds hundreds of millions of kids who arent presently schooled. A 1% wealth tax on the $13 trillion of the worlds 3,000 billionaires (meaning they might have to make do with a smaller second superyacht) versus the vastly improved flourishing of 250,000,000 kids. Why is that a hard trade off if you really are interested in maximizing flourishing? By ignoring such noxious nightmares of distributional sins, neoliberalism operates like a nerdier form of imperialism (with extra-advanced emperors new-clothes tailoring courtesy of Pinkering pundits, in our eras version of Kiplings conscientious conquerorsThe Bright Mans Burdencognitive supremacy (assessed by flimsy tests like SAT scores) grants divine rights to hugely disproportionate share of global resources, and control of how horribly slowly the not-so-bright looser-layers can gain. To present a key puzzle pictorially, for the benefit of the the Pinker-reading data-driven rational optimist do-gooders: if globalization is really all about lifting billions out of poverty, why has the gap between the rich and poor nations basically never not been growing? In the deluge of dazzling data visualizations daily paraded, like that on the left below, why hasnt the data plotted on the right gotten any attention? The chart shows GDP per capita, with the upper line for rich nations accelerating away from the lower line for poor nations. It is almost as if there was a plot against sharing the worlds resources more equitably. These lines document not a triumph, but a decades-long disgusting record of misallocation of resources that should be unacceptable and morally shocking. As Olivier De Schutter, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights has written: Growth alone, without far more robust redistribution of wealth, would fail to effectively tackle poverty. Indeed based on historic trends it would take 200 years to eradicate poverty under a $5 a day line and would require a 173-fold increase in global GDP. The current global economy is already busting biosphere boundariesto ignore this and presume that the global economy can grow 170 times larger is plain science denial. There are remarkably twisted ironies in Pinkering rationalists choosing to ignore the basic facts of ecology and earth sciences. If you are sincere in your concern for the worlds poor and havent encountered these facts before, you might consider finding alternative sources of information. Your education and media has failed you. It is not hard to refute the rational-optimist plutocrat-pampering narrative (but that has been too much effort for far too many journalists and pundits who prefer to sell you self-flattering soothing conscience-management fairy tales). In the Global South phrases like the liberal world order and free trade evoke these evident evils. Irish diplomat Conor Cruise OBrien discovered that people in ex-colonies were often sickened by the word liberalism, as Pankaj Mishra notes in a London Review of Books essay On Liberalism and Colonialism. They saw it as an ingratiating moral mask which a toughly acquisitive society wears before the world it robs. Mishra notes that such contradictions haunted the rhetoric of liberalism from the beginning. He quotes the Samuel Johnson quip, How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of the negroes? Two-hearted two-faced tensions have lurked in the term liberal from its beginnings. As historian Alexander Zevin excavates in his book Liberalism at Large: The World According to the Economist, thinkers like John Locke didnt called themselves liberals. The first people to do so were Spanish activists focused on civil liberties in the aftermath of Napoleonic havoc. Later a uniquely British stream was added which centering economic liberties (typically deemed more important than minor details like democracy). Thats the laissez faire, free market, and free trade finance-focused ideology that The Economist magazine was founded in 1843 explicitly to promote, as it still does today (for a fast summary check out Zevin on a podcast called The Refined Sociopathy of The Economist). That British greed-driven component (aka greedocracy) has been central to both classical and neo-liberalism. But so far from universal are the norms of classical liberals that Mishra reports, Japanese and Chinese translators of Adam Smith and John Stuart Mill had difficulty finding words for phrases like legitimate self-interest that avoided the taint of morally reprehensible selfishness and dereliction of duty. Even the most liberal forms of Indian thought were impregnated with the ideas of sharing, generosity, and compassion dramatized by tropes from the Indian classics as Christopher Bayly wrote in Recovering Liberties: Indian Thought in the Age of Liberalism and Empire. The late nineteenth century Bengali thinker Bal Gangadhar Tilak saw liberalism as a system of duties in which ethical conduct, not rational self-interest, came first. Contrast that with Hannah Arendts assessment in The Origins of Totalitarianism: the European imperative to imperialize meant to organize the nation for the looting of foreign territories and the permanent degradation of alien peoples (extremely enlightening on lack on liberal enlightenment). As grand mufti Muhammad Abduh declared, we Egyptians believed once in English liberalism and English sympathy; but we believe no longer for facts are stronger than words. Your liberalness we see plain is only for yourselves and your sympathy is that of the wolf for the lamb which he designs to eat. Western psychologists have finally cottoned onto the gross anthropological and empirical errors of presuming that experiments on undergrads on an Anglosphere college campus can shed light on human nature. Theyve coined the acronym W.E.I.R.D. for western, European, industrialized, rich, and democratic. Any economics or politics that casts gentle-commerce greed as just human nature is making a historically and anthropologically ignorant W.E.I.R.D.o sampling error (as Polanyi previously noted). However glorious the glowing rhetoric of gentle-commerce growth gets, it is best understood as designed to protect and fatten the privileged. As American diplomat George Kennan put it in 1948, we have 50% of the worlds wealth, but only 6.3% of its population Our task is to maintain this position of disparity. Today the proportions differ and the ideology now engorges a grotesquely self-satisfied global elite, but neoliberalism enacts the continuation of Kennans greed-uber-alles priority. Beware whats behind the decorous designs of the two-hearted and two-faced beast of liberalism. Lets help free market fans and rational optimists avoid (even unwittingly) behaving as badly as those elegant imperial moral monsters of (classical or neo)liberalism. Especially those avuncular avatars of avarice who have usurped the term rational to mean something utterly self-servingtheir almighty and savage market god of greed isnt alleviating poverty at anything like a morally acceptable pace. Until the justice-hampering biases baked into free markets are countered by more equitable and just values, economics must not be our main guide on major moral issues (like global poverty, or the climate crisis). We must be ever vigilant against our own times monsters, like those elegant conscience-clearing doctrines that equate all progress with greedocrats graciously gobbling up more of the globes resources (strictly for the sake of the poor, of course). If you wish to see the good parts of liberalisms gifts rescued, youd better grasp and make amends for its ghastly track record. And best to pay much less heed to those accomplished plutocrat-pampering pundits that our corporate-courtier press loves to parade. Having been enlightened by all this, what role should greed play in how we run the world? Your humble blogger is overbusy, hence you are getting a short post today. But the commentariat made many insightful observations yesterday about Putins announcement of Russias partial mobilization and the scheduling of referenda in the liberated regions of Ukraine. These decisions to move ahead were made with signs of haste, which is not how the Kremlin normally operates. But the plans for partial mobilization and the referenda were likely already in place, but their launches were moved up. The most plausible explanation was a disconnect between military priorities and political needs. Russia has been coordinating different forces: its own military, which provides intel, artillery and missiles, air power and anti-missile protection, and some infantry, but mainly in Kherson. The main infantry muscle comes from the DPR and LPR militia, with the Chechens and the Wagner Group. Some Western commentators have taken some of Putins responses in Q&As to indicate that the military has very broad latitude to achieve its goals. And its regularly used mobility to its advantage, ceding ground and often succeeding in pulling Ukrainian troops into exposed position where they can be cut down or captured. In the attritional, grinding combat in Donbass, this sort of back and forth didnt have political implications. But the Kharviv pullback did. Russia had signaled it intended to hold ground there by starting to issue Russian passports (from what I can tell, it had not gone as far as it had in Kherson, where it was converting the banks to roubles. As reader Andrey Subbotin put it: After the Kharkov towns were thrown to the wolves, the pro-Russian administrations of 4 oblasts panicked and started pushing for referendum as a guarantee that the same would not happen to them. That put Russia into a put-up-or-shut-up position. Not taking them in could have been interpreted as a preparation for some kind of managed defeat. And, fairly or not, the perception that we are losing would have killed the recruiting. Taking them in is locking Russia into a win-or-lose war with no possibility of negotiated settlement in sight. This is consistent with the extreme quick trigger for holding the referenda (apparently September 23 to 27 per YouTubers I follow) and Putin playing up the partial mobilization via giving a big speech about it. That also paints it as a significant step domestically, which could cut both ways there. As reader Lex and others pointed out, the US engaged in partial mobilizations for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but never made a big deal about it. Another possible reason for the very tight time between the announcement of the referenda and the polling dates is to reduce the opportunity for Ukraine terrorism. As we mentioned yesterday, one more grounds for beefing up manpower would be to conduct a winter offensive. Not only are Russian forces better equipped to fight in those conditions, but a large scale operation then would also undermine the widely-rumored Ukraine plans to assemble and train new forces for a 2023 counter-offensive. And as readers pointed out, the referenda would be helpful in converting the militia to regular Russian soldiers and getting them into a unified command structure. Some commentators argued it would be at least three months for Russians to get the soldiers brought in via the partial mobilization up to fighting form. That would mean perhaps the partial mobilization wasnt moved up by that. But readers pointed out that Russia has been readying other forces. Per Brian Beijer: According to Mikes video on YouTube last night (I earlgrey), each oblast? or county? has been calling for at 1,000 volunteers from former servicemen for at least the past month or two. Mike said that the Leningrad regions volunteers seem ready to deploy now. He also said that if this call for voluteers is successful in every county(?), it would mean 83,000 volunteers joining the front. Im assuming that these volunteers are in addition to the 100,000 being mobilized today. Mike also mentioned that hes been seeing videos that show a mass deployment of troops already heading for Ukraine.although he wasnt sure if these videos were legit or just another feint by Russia. Dima of the Military Summary channel was exercised about the lack of any Western response to the announcement, save more verbal wet noodle lashings. He pointed out that the normal response is for at least some countries in the hood to announce similar measures. Nor is there any plan as of now for a special NATO meeting. Perhaps other shoes will drop in the next few days. Or perhaps the West has conclude this mobilization means nothing in practice because Russia has such a lousy, no good armed forces: Putin's announced mobilization of 300,000 "reservists" was jaw-dropping to me this morning, but not for the reason some might suspect. Why? Because know how Russian soldiers are trained, in basic training & in their units. A brief on some fun facts. 1/ Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) September 21, 2022 As Lambert wonders, So how come our brilliantly trained troops keep losing wars, and Russias hapless conscripts keep winning them? We know conscripts havent been sent to Ukraine (none were supposed to be; apparently 600 were dispatched by mistake and quickly pulled out when the error was discovered). So where is this persistent trash-talking of the Russian military coming from? Maybe those same dastardly Russian influencers who delivered 2016 to Trump are actually behind this campaign to make sure the West keeps badly underestimating Russias capabilities. But then again, theres always the Institute for Study of War: 16/ This all adds up to a likely gradual call-up and deployment of limited numbers of reservists over the coming months that will not change the battlefield dynamics this year. ISW (@TheStudyofWar) September 21, 2022 And we have the question of where this all goes. Recall Medvedevs provocative map, which among other things was to say Russia would support the dismemberment of Western Ukraine: Below are possible end games and what they mean for the protagonists. Lambert wanted readers to say which they thought was most likely. I think this map found on /pol/ is an accurate representation of both side's victory conditions (so far as domestic politics go, anyway). pic.twitter.com/uQkkh3f9q6 Anatoly Karlin (,) (@powerfultakes) April 6, 2022 My personal guess is that Russia will go beyond the landlocked scenario and take at least Kharkiv oblast too. If they take the Black Sea coast, their constraint on taking the territory between Donbass and the Dnieper is more political than military: how receptive the locals would be to Russian (or protostate) administration. Putin said at the start of the SMO that Russia wouldnt go where it wasnt wanted. And I doubt Russia wants the headache and resource cost of trying to control areas with significant local opposition. But Russia is a way aways from having to make choices like that. However, consider the latest assessment by the normally temperate Gilbert Doctorow: The merger of the Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories with the Russian Federation will mark the end of the special military operation. It marks the beginning of open war on Ukraine with the objective of the enemys unconditional capitulation. This will likely entail the removal of the civil and military leadership and, very likely, the dismemberment of Ukraine. After all, the Kremlin warned more than a year ago that the US-dictated course of NATO membership for Ukraine will result in its loss of statehood. However, these particular objectives were not declared up to now; the SMO was about defending the Donbas against genocide and about de-nazification of Ukraine, itself a rather vague concept Accordingly, as Russia moves from SMO to open war, we may expect massive destruction of Ukrainian civil as well as military infrastructure to fully block all movement of Western supplied arms from points of delivery in the Lvov region and other borders to the front lines. We may eventually expect bombing and destruction of Ukraines centers of decision-making in Kiev. If Doctorow is correct, the widespread assumption that Russia turning up the pain dial wont happen for at least a couple of months, until the newly mobilized forces are good to go, could be yet another underestimation of Russian planning and resolve. Well see in due course. What passes for the elite in this country is normally immune from prosecution or even career harm if they follow their monetary interests: curry favor with the right people, never cross anyone important unless the potential payoff is worth it. Morals be damned. We may have the gratifying spectacle of someone who openly, as in too openly, followed that creed having a day of reckoning. Regina Calcaterra, partner in the law firm Calcaterra Pollack and a notorious New York State fixer is charged with bid rigging. The New York Times published an investigative series about the Moreland Commission, an anti-corruption probe. Calcaterra was its executive director. The commission was disbanded early. The Times reported that Calcaterra harassed investigators, interfered repeatedly in the report drafting process, improperly blocked subpoenas and communicated with Governor Cuomo, with the aim of squashing any findings that might embarrass Cuomo. The New York Board of Elections sued Calcaterra several times for violating campaign finance laws. She was barred from running for office for lying about her residency. To the extent she knows anything about public pension funds, she learned it from her one-time boss, state controller Alan Hevesi, who went to prison in a pay-to-play scandal (note Calcaterra worked for him his earlier role as New York City controller; in that capacity Hevesi was also responsible for the pension investments). As you can see below, the tenacious legal team that originally represented the so-called Mayberry eight in Mayberry v. KKR has Calcaterra and an alleged co-conspirator at Kentucky Retirements Systems, its now general counsel Vicky Hale, in its cross-hairs for alleged violations of Kentucky procurement statutes, breach of trust and fiduciary duty, and conspiracy claims. A new group of so-called Tier 3 (defined contribution) plaintiffs are seeking to sue the KKR, Blackstone et al for selling overpriced, misrepresented customized hedge funds that underperformed stocks and even cash. The suit against Calcaterra, members of her firm, and Kentucky Retirement Systems Hale is a side but nevertheless revealing action. The filing below perfects allegations previously made against Calcaterra and her apparent partners in misconduct. The first time the Tier 3 attorneys, led by Michelle Lerach, covered much of the same ground in an early 2021 filing and asked for the so-called Calcaterra Report to be released. Judge Philip Shepherd reacted harshly, as if the point of the filing was primarily to dirty up Calcaterra. He also discounted the New York Times investigation, saying more or less than anyone who has held an important job has been on the receiving end of bad stories. But as we noted at the time of the earlier filing: By contrast, just about everything about this new investigation stinks. Recall that on July 20, the Kentucky Attorney General filed his unexpected intervention. On July 29, the plaintiffs attorneys filed a motion asking permission to file a Second Amended Complaint on behalf of a rejiggered Mayberry 8, this time including three Tier 3 beneficiaries in place of three of the original beneficiaries. On August 24, the Commonwealth of Kentucky solicited bids on a contract to ascertain if there are any improper or illegal activities on the part of the parties involved, meaning KRS and the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority, with a due date of September 14. Such a tight time frame that included the Labor Day weekend smacks of an intention to discourage submissions. We saw the same behavior when CalPERS was trying to hand its private equity investment program over to BlackRock, well, except that CalPERS provided for a four-week bid period, as opposed to three for the KRS. How could a bona fide investigation question if there were any improper/illegal behavior when an independent litigation committee, much closer to the date of the alleged frauds, had concluded there was enough to take the virtually unprecedented step of endorsing litigation? One has to wonder it the plan was to have the report minimize misconduct so as to pave the way for a lowball settlement. Since then, the Calcaterra Report and related documents have been made public, ironically via a public records filing that wound up before Judge Stephens. Stephens found that there was pretty much no reason not to make the report public. It was expensive and paid for by taxpayers. Kentucky Retirement Systems had said repeatedly in his court that it would be made public. From his in-camera review, it was a stretch to deem a very few sections as offering legal advice; a mere compilation of information is not subject to attorney-client privilege. And importantly, to the extent there was any privileged information, Kentucky Retirement Systems waived that by handing the document to the state Attorney General without obtaining any protections. The Kentucky Courier Journal has a good write up. Important sections: Following the recent release of the Kentucky public pension systems $1.2 million investigative report on alleged illegal actions involving its hedge fund investments, a new lawsuit claims there was an illegal bid-rigging conspiracy behind the hiring of the firm contracted to do the report. The 88-page complaint filed by California-based attorney Michelle Ciccarelli Lerach alleges not only that the law firm conspired with pension employees to violate the Kentucky Model Procurement Code and illegally secure the investigative contract, but also that the report itself served as a whitewash and cover up of wrongdoing by the pension authoritys leadership. The lawsuit seeks to hold the Calcaterra Pollack firm and its partners liable for damages, the voiding of the firms contract with the pension authority and the return of the $1.2 million it was paid. It also seeks a judicial order for the firing of the authoritys executive director, David Eager, and its general counsel, Victoria Hale. Lerachs complaint cited Shepherds order questioning the bidding process, which notes Calcaterra Pollack first submitted a proposal to investigate the allegations more than two months before the KPPA put out the initial request for proposals in 2020. Shepherd wrote that Calcaterra Pollacks second bid-winning proposal was substantially identical to its first one, adding that this and the reports final content raised questions about whether its purpose and intent was to fully expose all the relevant facts (and to determine if the KPPA and its employees made mistakes) or to cover up or minimize those mistakes in an effort to convince the (attorney general) to not pursue claims that could prove embarrassing to the current or former management of KPPA. The new complaint picks up from there, alleging Regina Calcaterra had long been friends with Hale, KPPAs general counsel It also alleges Hale was promoted to general counsel by Eager for pushing through the firm to win the contract, which produced what Lerach called a corrupt multi-million dollar investigation and report that served as a cover up. Calcaterra spoke to the Courier Journal and dismissed the filing as desperate. Michelle Lerach is a very savvy and tough-minded attorney. I am very much looking forward to her squaring off against Calcaterra. (Natural News) Zelenko Freedom Foundation (ZFF) Co-Chair Ann Vandersteel blasted President Joe Biden for signing an executive order (EO) pushing the transhumanist agenda under the guise of promoting biotechnology. Its out in the open, folks. The transhumanism plan has been laid out for everybody to see in an EO scripted and written by Biden, she said during the Sept. 13 episode of The Zelenko Report on Brighteon.TV. A fact sheet released by the White House elaborated on EO 14081, titled Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy. The initiative will accelerate biotechnology innovation and grow Americas bio-economy across multiple sectors in industries such as health, agriculture and energy. Moreover, the EO sought to improve food and energy security and promote agricultural innovation while mitigating the impacts of climate change. 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. Although the power of these technologies is most vivid at the moment in the context of human health, biotechnology and biomanufacturing can also be used to achieve our climate and energy goals, improve food security and sustainability, secure our supply chains and grow the economy across all of America, Biden stated in the EO. Vandersteel, however, revealed a more nefarious purpose for the edict. Hes letting us know that its time to get your brains rewired with circuitry. (Related: CHILLING: Biden signs new order to develop genetic engineering technologies to write circuitry for cells and predictably program biology.) To back up her argument, the ZFF co-chair pointed out that people are now aware of the dangers caused by the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines on the human body, thanks to whistleblowers such as the Health Ranger Mike Adams. Vandersteel praised the Natural News and Brighteon.com founder for looking into the fibrous clots, that are definitely not blood, that were coming out of vaccinated, dead people. Those are not human clots. These are actual self-assembling nanotechnology clots, and theyre looking to rewire you so that they can control you with their new central bank digital currency coming out, she said. They can limit the food you eat, where you eat, what you do, when you do and how you do it, through all these control mechanisms. Theyre putting it right out here in this executive order. NEJM study reveals COVID-19 vaccines destroy natural immunity While the president is strengthening his efforts on transhumanism, more and more studies are proving the COVID vaccines dangerous effects. The New England Journal of Medicine published a new study showing that the Pfizer COVID-19 mRNA vaccine destroys any protection from natural immunity that a person has. Moreover, it also revealed that the effectiveness of the Pfizer shot becomes negative after five months. Meaning, vaccinated individuals are more likely to be infected than the unvaccinated after that period. If the vaccine doesnt kill you from the word go, they want to destroy your immune system so that you succumb to any one of the major diseases, Vandersteel said. And if you talk to any of the doctors out there in the know, theyll tell you that HIV and cancer are on the rise, not to mention all the people who are dying from heart attacks and strokes. Vandersteel presented a chart showing children vaccinated in November and December 2021 and revealing that the lines go through zero into negative territory at a sharp gradient within five months of the first injection. Another chart was a representation of vaccinated children who have been previously infected and not previously infected. We are looking at an utter depopulation catastrophe genocide and this is how they plan on controlling us by reducing the amount of us, Vandersteel warned. This is what Joe Biden, the World Economic Forum and Klaus Schwab have planned for America. Watch the full September 13 episode of The Zelenko Report below. Catch new episodes of the program every weekday at 1:00 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: Reformulated Bivalent Spikevax covid injection from Moderna is made by company with ties to US intelligence agencies. As covid injections spread autoimmune disease and VAIDS, media pivots to incoming AIDS vaccine that will only accelerate the vaccine genocide. Microchip implanted in your hand? Why worry? Sources include: Brighteon.com WhiteHouse.gov DailySceptic.org (Natural News) President Joe Biden said American forces would be sent to Taiwan to defend the island if China decides to launch an invasion. During a 60 Minutes interview with CBS broadcast on Sunday, Sept. 18, correspondent Scott Pelley asked Biden about recent concerns that China could attack Taiwan. United States policy since 1979 has been to recognize Taiwan as part of China, but to remain ambiguous on whether the military would defend the islands democratic government. We agree with what we signed onto a long time ago, said Biden. And that theres one China policy, and Taiwan makes their own judgments about their independence. We are not moving were not encouraging their being independent. Thats their decision. But would U.S. forces defend the island? asked Pelley. Yes, if in fact there was an unprecedented attack, said Biden. (Related: Taiwan asserts its right to defend itself and to COUNTER-ATTACK if China invades.) When Pelley asked Biden to clarify if that means supporting Taiwan with American servicemen and women being sent to the island in the event of a Chinese invasion, Biden simply replied: Yes. Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its thanks to Biden for reaffirming the U.S. governments rock-solid security commitment to Taiwan. The ministry added that Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and deepen the already close security partnership that it has with the United States. Biden has had a reputation of willingness to go beyond long-standing stated U.S. policy on Taiwan, which is to remain ambiguous about what kind of support the country would give during a war. An analysis by Politico has found that this is the fourth time since Aug. 2021 that Biden has stated he would militarily defend Taiwan during a Chinese invasion attempt. White House claims Bidens words are not official policy Officially, the U.S. maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding whether it would commit to sending troops to Taiwan in the event of an invasion. The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 only obligates America to help equip Taiwan to defend itself during an invasion, and doing more would be at the discretion of the commander-in-chief. It is this strategic ambiguity in U.S. policy regarding Taiwan that made a White House official release a statement following the 60 Minutes interview to point out that Bidens words dont constitute official policy. The president has said this before, including in Tokyo earlier this year, said a White House spokesperson. He also made clear then that our Taiwan policy hasnt changed. That remains true. But Oriana Skylar Mastro, a center fellow at Stanford Universitys Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, believes this isnt just a slip-up on Bidens part if it has happened at least three other times. I think we can all be pretty certain at this point that it was not a gaffe four times in a row [means] whats happening is there are people in the administration who think that by demonstrating a greater willingness to defend Taiwan, thatll help reestablish deterrence, said Mastro. She added that the Biden administrations current challenge is to figure out how to balance its desire to deter an invasion of Taiwan while communicating clearly that it is willing to send American troops to the island to keep it out of the clutches of Beijing. Most people assume the U.S. will do something to defend Taiwan. The big question is, what are the costs were really willing to pay? said Mastro. Are we going to stick it out after 10,000, or 20,000, or 30,000 casualties? Theres nothing about Bidens statement that adds any clarity to the Chinese on that issue. Learn more about the possibility of the U.S. going to war at WWIII.news. Listen to the full clip of Biden committing U.S. forces to defend Taiwan should China invade. This video is from the Chinese Taking Down Evil CCP channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: World again on brink of war: Taiwan shoots down Chinese drone for first time amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific. David Wolfe and Mike Adams talk Taiwan, China, Ukraine and global freedom in a powerful new interview. China escalating military tension with Taiwan as exercises amount to de facto blockade of island nation. U.S. defense experts map out potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, reveal high cost of defending island. Experts say China convinced it must hit US in Pearl Harbor-like quick strike before attacking Taiwan. Sources include: News.Yahoo.com CBSNews.com Politico.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Electric vehicles are promoted as the solution for combating climate change. Governments are currently incentivizing the production of electric vehicles, while punishing the fossil fuel industry. However, lithium mining for electric vehicles is incredibly destructive to the environment, and is about as far from green as one could imagine. Not to mention, most of the lithium-ion batteries produced today come from China and require water-intensive mining operations that ravage natural environments throughout Australia, Argentina and Chile. The process depletes ground water, and leaves behind toxic wastewater that contaminates fields and harms wildlife. The mining process is not carbon dioxide free, either. The mining process releases 15,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions for every ton of lithium that is extracted. There are serious environmental risks to extracting lithium for the production of lithium-ion batteries When lithium is extracted from salt mines, the miners must drill into the salt flats and pump out a salty, mineral-rich brine. The brine is placed in large pools, so the water can evaporate out. When the brine evaporates, it leaves behind a sludge of potassium, manganese, borax and lithium salts that must be filtered out further. The process pollutes nearby aquifers and lowers the water table, interfering with water sources in the local environment. The lithium extraction process takes several months, displaces valuable water resources, and leaves behind a toxic trail of wastewater in the local environment. It takes approximately 500,000 gallons of water to produce one ton of lithium. When mining companies head into countries like Chile, they use up a majority of the regions water, unjustly affecting small communities. According to the Institute of Energy Research, Chiles Salar de Atacama is one of the driest places on Earth, yet the mining companies are allowed to use up 65% of the regions water. After the brine is removed from the salt flats, the water table automatically falls, disrupting the natural flow of water that is needed for wells and agriculture. These large-scale disruptions can always be blamed on climate change as the lithium mining industry plunges ahead, with no regard for the environmental damage wrought in its wake. Water quality, wildlife populations, and crops all adversely affected by lithium mining The toxic chemicals that are used to extract the brine are ultimately discarded into the local environment, where they contaminate streams, crops, wildlife and local ecosystems. The toxic chemicals, which include hydrochloric acid, leak from the evaporation pools and pollute the nearby water supply. Additionally, the large open pit mines displace arsenic into the nearby streams and rivers, where it will eventually deposit into agricultural land and be taken up by the crops. This downstream pollution is dangerous to wildlife, too. For example, in May of 2016, the Liqi River was polluted by the Gangizhou Rongda Lithium mine. The river turned up with dead fish, yak and cows. The lithium mining operation in Salar de Atacama displaces more than 1,700 liters of lithium-rich brine every second of operation. This causes the lakes to shrink, killing off local flamingo populations that depend on the basin to eat and breed. In Argentina, lithium mining caused noticeable contamination of nearby streams that were used to feed livestock and irrigate crops. The residents of Salar de Hombre Muerto noticed that the groundwater flow had changed, causing water resources to disappear. They also noticed that that freshwater was contaminated with salty brine, destabilizing the local ecosystems and negatively affecting bird migration and llama populations which the indigenous communities depend upon for economic survival. Like any mining process, it is invasive, it scars the landscape, it destroys the water table and it pollutes the earth and the local wells, said Guillermo Gonzales, who spoke about the issues with lithium from the University of Chile back in 2009. This isnt a green solution its not a solution at all. Sources include: Pubs.usgs.gov [PDF] ScienceDirect.com WashingtonPost.com EJAtlas.org TheNextWeb.com Wire.co.uk (Natural News) MARTHAS VINEYARD, Mass.While some locals have claimed that the illegal immigrants who arrived on this wealthy island should go elsewhere since there wouldnt be work for them with the summer rush gone, the local newspaper has listed 50 help wanted ads in a recent issue, and the local supermarket chain has been known to need help all year long. (Article by Alice Giordano republished from TheEpochTimes.com) The classified section of the Vineyard Gazette listed more than 50 jobs in the same issue that ran a story about the illegal aliens, referring to them as stranded migrants. The job ads included positions for laborers, custodians, landscapers, bakers, cooks, dishwashers, technicians, library assistant, and several retail positions. The local YMCA also listed several job openings, including housekeepers, ice arena workers, and a front desk administrator. The spacious Y, located near where the illegal immigrants spent the night at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, shares a complex with Marthas Vineyard Community Services (MVCS), which also ran a help wanted ad in the paper, including a job for administrative assistant, bilingual preferred. MVCS didnt respond to a request for comment by press time. The outreach center and the islands homeless shelter told the media that they didnt have room for the illegal aliens. In the afternoon of Sept. 17, a Saturday, the large MVCS complex had several doors to its buildings wide open, but no staff could be found. One of the open buildings consisted of two floors with several empty rooms, including rooms with full kitchens and couches. A group of friends enjoying an outdoor lunch at the Marthas Vineyard Airport told The Epoch Times that while the plume of summer jobs is over, there are still enough job opportunities on the island. The women, year-round residents who grew up on the island, pointed to Stop & Shop, a grocery store chain with three locations on the island. According to the women, the stores are always looking for help and they have worker dormitories, which they said are now empty with most of the summer help gone. Marthas Vineyard is a tale of two cities, said one of the women, who spoke on condition of anonymity. But Charles Rus, music director at St. Andrews, the episcopal church in Edgartown where the illegal immigrants were housed, told The Epoch Times there werent any jobs for them on the island. Theres space, but theres no job, he said. Rus had offered to put some of the illegal immigrants up in his two-bedroom apartment. If they had come four months earlier, every one of them would have had a $20 per hour job, he said. In response to criticism that the illegal aliens were forced off the island, Rus said the Venezuelans had to leave the island for practical reasons, including the need to attend scheduled court hearings. According to a Sept. 16 story in the Vineyard Gazette, the Island Counseling Center provided each of the 50 illegal immigrants with individual legal counseling by an immigration attorney. The Baker Call The seemingly ample availability of jobs on Marthas Vineyard isnt the only point of contradiction to the narrative spun by some locals and picked up by establishment media outlets. Some locals questioned whether local officials were unaware of the two planes of illegal aliens chartered by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and speculated about who had called on Republican Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker to remove the uninvited visitors. I dont think Baker woke up in the morning, said, Hey, I think Ill take those 50 immigrants off the hands of Marthas Vineyard, Richard Rooney, who lives and owns a real estate agency on the island, told The Epoch Times. Less than 24 hours after their arrival to Marthas Vineyard, a self-proclaimed sanctuary community, Baker approved the transfer of the illegal immigrants, mostly Venezuelans, off the island to a military base in Bourne, which is located within minutes of the ferry terminal to Marthas Vineyard. In Bourne, the group was given shelter, food, clothing, and other supplies. Baker committed 125 members of the Massachusetts National Guard as part of the transfer. Rooney, a Republican who has been active in local government on Marthas Vineyard for about 30 years, also joined others who pointed to the notification requirements by Marthas Vineyard Airport for unscheduled flights. Democrats have attacked DeSantis, a Republican, for sending the illegal aliens to Marthas Vineyard in what they have characterized as an ambush. We were given no notice, Massachusetts state Rep. Dylan Fernandes, a Democrat representing Marthas Vineyard, told a TV news outlet the day the illegal immigrants arrived on Marthas Vineyard. Massachusetts Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy, appointed by Baker in 2021, also called their arrival on Marthas Vineyard unexpected in a Sept. 16 press release announcing the Baker administrations plans to take the illegal immigrants. The island airports flight notification requirements state that 24-hour notification before takeoff is required for any plane with more than nine passengers, and suggest that a passenger list must also be provided in advance. Video footage from Fox News shows the illegal aliens disembarking from a plane shortly after arriving on Marthas Vineyard. Rooney wonders why someone was at the airport filming the debarkation, especially if the plane was secretly sent. On Sept. 18, a man answering the phone line for airport operations refused to provide general information about the airports notification requirements, initially telling The Epoch Times that there were no notification requirements. When The Epoch Times stated the 24-hour notice policy for flights with nine or more passengers, the man said he wasnt permitted to speak to the press. Marthas Vineyard Airport is funded with tax dollars and receives sizable state and federal subsidies. The airport received $1.2 million in federal COVID-19 aid in 2020. In 2019, Dukes County, the county-level government on Marthas Vineyard, gave the airport $1.2 million for improvements. Airport General Geoffrey Freeman couldnt be reached for comment. In response to the charge made by Democrats that DeSantis used the immigrants as political pawns, Rooney told The Epoch Times that he sees the move by DeSantis to fly the immigrants to the island as no different than Biden sneaking millions of illegal immigrants all over the country in the dark of night by bus and plane. At least DeSantis did it in the daylight, Rooney said. Speculation about who contacted Baker, a Republican, from this Democrat-dominated island is widespread. Amanda Orlando, campaign manager for Massachusetts Republican gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl, told The Epoch Times on Sept. 16 that Diehl, also curious about who made the call to Baker, has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to find out. Former President Barack Obama, who owns a 6,982-square foot mansion and a 29-acre farm on the island, came up routinely as a possibility. Within 12 hours after the arrival of the immigrants to the island, social media posts on Facebook and Twitter were riddled with criticism aimed at wealthy Democrats for not offering up their empty summer rentals. Rus, of St. Andrews, told The Epoch Times that there were locals who did derisively call for putting them in Obamas House. But they were in the minority, he said. Read more at: TheEpochTimes.com (Natural News) The city of New Orleans in Louisiana known for Cajun cuisine, the Mardi Gras and jazz music is now also known as Americas murder capital. An analysis by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) revealed that the Crescent City recorded the highest homicide rate of any major city so far in 2022, with 41 homicides per 100,000 residents. In contrast, Chicago only had 11.5, Los Angeles had 4.8 and New York City had 2.4 homicides per 100,000 people over the same period. Another analysis, this time by the nonprofit Metropolitan Crime Commission (MCC), bolstered the WSJs findings. MCC works on crime-reducing strategies in New Orleans. The nonprofit found that the homicide rate in the Big Easy went up by 141 percent compared with the same period in 2019. It also noticed an increase in other crimes. Carjackings increased by 210 percent, shootings rose by 100 percent and armed robberies went up by 25 percent. The homicide rate is on pace to surpass last years rate, which was the worst since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, noted the publication. City officials and residents point to the overwhelmed New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) as a major factor in the gargantuan increase in crime. According to Loyola University New Orleans criminal justice professor Ronal Serpas, the Crescent City has about 50 to 60 percent of the officers it needs to offer adequate protection for residents. However, New Orleans District Attorney (DA) Jason Williams a self-proclaimed progressive prosecutor is also to blame for the rising homicide rate. When he became the DA for the New Orleans metro area in early 2021, Williams promised a more selective approach when it comes to prosecuting criminals on the streets. Being more selective about prosecutions will allow us to focus on the crimes that matter most to all of us, the DA said at the time. Weve got to go beyond punishment and invest in our community. This approach, MCC pointed, has resulted in a drastic decline in accountability for violent felony offenders. Serpas, who served as NOPD superintendent from 2010 to 2014 before becoming a professor, warned: Were in a crisis of crime and a crisis of confidence in this city. (Related: USA has 3rd highest murder rate in the world, unless you subtract the five biggest Democrat-run metropolitan cities, and then were 189th out of 193.) New Orleanians moving away from crime-infested Big Easy Several New Orleans residents who spoke to the WSJ revealed plans to leave the crime-riddled city. Grocery cashier Nhu Vu, 40, shared that she is planning to move away from the city with her children. She recounted a daytime shooting incident in May 2022 that happened across her workplace, which left two dead and four wounded. A more recent incident she shared involved an angry homeless man throwing a beer can at her. Vu called law enforcement right after the incident, but an officer only showed up the next day. The only way you can really get police to come is if you say you are shot and bleeding, she commented. Auto shop owner Ibrahim Rabee, meanwhile, said he no longer feels safe at his own business. He recounted one instance when a man threatened one of his employees who would not put air in the customers tire. Rabee called 911 after someone walked in with a gun and threatened to shoot up the business, but a police officer only showed up the following day. Im thinking Im not going to work another year here, the auto shop owner remarked, adding that he is considering moving near his brother in New York state. Conway Herzog, who works for an automotive oil supplier, visited Rabees business to check on orders. He moved to Mississippi after living in New Orleans for more than 50 years, mainly to escape the Crescent Citys rampant crime. According to Herzog, he carries a gun whenever visiting the block where Rabees auto shop is located. He recounted seeing two shootings in the area in broad daylight. Records from the NOPD attested to this: At least seven people have been killed within blocks of the auto shop since the beginning of 2022. Man, am I glad to get out of here, remarked Herzog. I dont see it getting any better. Violence.news has more stories about rising crime rates in U.S. cities. Watch this video about New Orleans becoming Americas murder capital. This video is from THE LIGHT BULB INITIATIVE channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Liberal media blackout: Chicago hospital had to stop accepting patients as weekend shootings left over 50 dead or injured. Authorities, residents raise alarm: Crime-riddled New York City may be sliding back into its bloody past. Chicago has become a rotting, decaying, crime-ridden hellhole and the rest of America will soon follow. Perfect storm of issues resulted in surge of violent crime across New York City last month. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com WSJ.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Pope Francis has ordered the Holy See to transfer all of its financial assets into the Institute for Works of Religion, commonly known as the Vatican Bank, by Oct. 1. The Holy See is the central government of the Roman Catholic Church and falls under the episcopal jurisdiction of the pope in his capacity as the leader of the Catholic Church and the bishop of Rome. Ben Armstrong, commenting on this news on his program The Ben Armstrong Show, noted that the popes order to get all of the Vaticans financial holdings pooled together is a sign that an economic collapse is fast approaching. (Related: HOLY MONEY GRAB: Pope Francis imposes deadline for Holy See entities to deposit their assets with the Vatican Bank.) Folks, when the pope brings all the money in, it means he doesnt want to lose the money that they have because he thinks something is about to happen and why wouldnt he? said Armstrong. The pope is buds with a lot of these globalists. Hes locked in tight with them, hes friends with them. He knows exactly what the behind-the-scenes people are saying. The globalists want an economic collapse, Armstrong added. They want an economic Great Reset. New rules prevent Vatican offices from holding assets outside the bank In a document known as rescriptum or re-writing issued on Aug. 30, Pope Francis ordered the Holy Sees financial and liquid assets that are held in other banks to be moved to the Vatican Bank within 30 days of Sept. 1. The popes rescriptum also served as a legal document with the nature of an authentic interpretation of certain provisions in the constitution of the Roman Curia, the central and leading administrative body of the Holy See, which gives the pope the authority to do this. The rescriptum makes clear that all investments by all departments would have to go through the Vatican Bank under new rules. It also strips these departments of their ability to invest their funds independently of the bank. This rule has no exceptions. This ability to make investments without the approval of higher authorities is what led to the Vaticans former Cardinal Secretary of State making a direct investment into a building in London which is currently at the center of a corruption trial. The botched deal resulted in a loss of over 140 million euros ($138.8 million) for the Vatican. Before last months rescriptum, the Secretariat of State, the office the secretary oversees, was known to own accounts in Swiss financial institutions, including Credit Suisse. Due to the new rules, all assets in these accounts would have to be in the Vatican Bank by Oct. 1. Officially, this move is the latest action in the popes decade-long financial reform agenda. His allies within the Holy Sees financial institutions have spent the past decade cleaning up the Vaticans books and trying to rid itself of its reputation as an offshore tax haven. According to the Institute for the Works of Religions annual report, the Vatican currently has some 5.1 billion euros ($5.05 billion) worth of assets under management and it made 18 million euros ($17.84 million) in profits last year. This takes into account the 50 million euros ($49.56 million) in profits that the bank donates to the pope every year to pay for the Vaticans sprawling bureaucracy. The Vatican Banks profits have been falling since 2020 as the pope continues his reform agenda by slimming down the number of clients the bank deals with. The bank currently only has 14,047 clients, down from 14,519 in 2021. The pope wants the Vatican Bank to keep slimming down its client list until it only serves Vatican offices, employees, embassies and Catholic religious orders, congregations and other organizations. Learn more about the coming economic collapse at Collapse.news. Watch this episode of The Ben Armstrong Show as Ben Armstrong talks about the pope pooling together all of the Vaticans assets. This is from the channel The New American on Brighteon.com. More related articles: Vatican charges powerful cardinal, 9 associates for financial crimes. Catholic think tank publishes damning report: US Catholic group funneling church funds to rioters, radical groups. Pope Francis goes full fascist, pushes universal basic income, a strategy to enslave the world under government tyranny. Vatican caught up in money laundering scheme involving hospitals and charities. Why does Pope Francis condemn capitalism but not communism? Sources include: Brighteon.com CatholicNewsAgency.com USCCB.org VaticanNews.va Reuters.com If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit (Natural News) Gov. Gavin Newsom of California just signed into law new legislation allowing dead bodies throughout the state to be composted instead of buried or cremated. Up until now, the Golden State, like most states and the rest of the world, only allowed for the burial or burning of deceased human remains. Now, there is the option of turning dead people into fertilizer for soil. (Related: The state of Washington legalized human composting back in 2019.) Assembly Bill 351 explicitly allows for natural organic reduction (NOR), as they are calling it, beginning in 2027. Until then, dead bodies in California will still have to be either buried or cremated. The NOR process involves putting human remains into a reusable container and surrounding it with wood chips, allowing it to aerate for microbial and bacterial growth. After about a month, all that is left is soil. As usual, the excuse for needing to turn deceased humans into Soylent Green is that the planet, plagued by warming, we are told, is harmed by burial and cremation. Unlike cremation, the process avoids the burning of fossil fuels and emission of carbon monoxide, claims the San Francisco Gate. National Geographic estimates that cremations in the U.S. alone emit about 360,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year. Corrupt Assemblymember Cristina Garcia behind human composting legislation (among many other controversial bills) Another excuse is that the Covid-19 plandemic exposed problems with existing laws as funeral homes became overwhelmed with dead bodies needing one of the other two disposal options. AB 351 will provide an additional option for California residents that is more environmentally-friendly and gives them another choice for burial, said Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, who supports the idea that cremation and burial harm the climate. With climate change and sea-level rise as very real threats to our environment, this is an alternative method of final disposition that wont contribute emissions into our atmosphere. In a tweet, Garcia suggested that cremating or burying humans is contributing to [w]ildfires, extreme drought, (and) record heat waves. climate change is real and we must do everything we can to reduce methane & CO2 emissions, she added, pretending to know what she is talking about. Garcia has quite the reputation in California for pushing every flavor of bizarre, anti-science, anti-white, anti-decency legislation on society. She was behind Targets infamous non-binary aisle; she at least partially coined the phrase period poverty; and she is well known to be one of the most corrupt members of the California Assembly. After supposedly championing the whole #MeToo in the California Assembly in 2018, she was accused of sexual harassment, along with making racist comments, further reports Red State. Quite the package, and totally on brand for the face of the Democrat Supermajority. Garcia hails from Californias 58th District, located between South Gate and Santa Fe Springs in the Los Angeles area of Southern California. Red States Jennifer Oliver OConnell describes this particular area as being: part of the infamous corridor of corruption elected officials and bureaucrats within the public utilities make it an art form to rape the taxpayers while feathering their nests. So, bet you dollars to donuts that if we dig into the financial records of Recompense, or whatever company will be handling this new boondoggle, we will probably find Garcias dirty hands all over it, OConnell adds. In Colorado, human composted soil cannot legally be used to grow food for human consumption though it can still be used for animals. In California, AB 351 does not explicitly ban the sale of human composted soil for use in growing food for human consumption. More stories like this one can be found at Twisted.news. Sources for this article include: RedState.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Keep The Republic host Dr. Daniel Bobinski said Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, an ally of the World Economic Forum (WEF), wants to depopulate the world. He made this claim during the Sept. 15 episode of his Brighteon.TV program, adding that Gates is a big friend and advocate of the WEF. According to Bobinski, Gates original goal while at Microsoft was to have a computer in every store, home, university and government office. The Keep The Republic host said Gates has daddy issues, explaining that children of high achievers also want to be high achievers themselves in a bid to get their parents approval. He followed this up by saying that the Microsoft founders father was involved in Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood actually started with the term eugenics affixed to its name, which it later dropped. In a similar vein, Gates and his ex-wife Melinda established the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to push the population control agenda. Incidentally, the foundations original name was the Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population Control. (Related: The Bill Gates depopulation plan is succeeding at culling human populations: Fertility rates plummeting around the world.) Bobinski played a video clip about the institute, which featured a speaker stating its mission to help defend developing countries and create their own reproductive health policies and programs. The program host also cited a passage from The Real Anthony Fauci, a book by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., founder of Childrens Health Defense. It recounted a big party organized by Gates where Fauci was invited. The infectious disease expert had a personal talk with the Microsoft co-founder regarding the latters depopulation agenda during that time. Moreover, Bobinski mentioned that the Gates Foundations leadership council in 2010 had Fauci, former World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan and Anthony Lake, former executive director of the United Nations Childrens Fund. Gates wants to reduce global population by 10 to 15 percent The Brighteon.TV host also presented a video clip of Gates during his TED Talk in 2010. During the talk, the Microsoft founder explained his rationale for wanting to reduce the global population. The world today has 6.8 billion people. Thats heading up to about nine billion, he said at the time. Now, if we do a really great job on new vaccines, healthcare, reproductive health services, we could lower that by 10 or 15 percent. According to Bobinski, the Microsoft co-founder wanted to reduce the worlds population to supposedly help save the children. Were talking 10 percent or 700 million people, 15 percent over a billion people. This guy wants to save the children, but he wants 1.5 billion people to go away. Do you see what Im talking about here? This is a guy who wants to depopulate, Bobinski explained. Moreover, the Keep The Republic host added that Gates has been investing his money into the development of vaccines since 2015 back when people did not even have an idea what COVID-19 is about. Bobinski cited a 2015 article outlining how the Gates Foundation invested $52 million in developing and manufacturing of CureVac mRNA vaccines. Gates is also a good friend of Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the incumbent WHO director-general. Bobinski cited a November 2021 article that discussed how the technocrat developed his relationship with Tedros and others in the United Nations, eventually allowing him to buy control over the health agency. Follow PopulationControl.news for more news about the globalist depopulation agenda. Watch the Sept. 15 episode of Keep the Republic below. Keep the Republic with Dr. Daniel Bobinski airs every Thursday at 4-5 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: Bill Gates latest depopulation scheme? Pollute the skies, collapse the ecosystem and starve everybody to death. BUSTED: Bill Gates Institution for Population Control quietly changed its name. Bill Gates philanthropist or eugenicist? The Bill Gates globalist vaccine depopulation agenda as revealed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.. Bill Gates, WHO, World Economic Forum are part of a criminal network of COVID conspirators. Sources include: Brighteon.com UncoverDC.com (Natural News) Kari Lake, a Trump-backed gubernatorial candidate in Arizona who spent 30 years as a newscaster in Phoenix, ripped the authoritarian left over the issue of free speech during an appearance on Fox News Tucker Carlson Tonight. As he introduced the segment, Carlson complimented Lakes smart defenses of the First Amendments speech protections after she has been blasted by the election-stealing deep state and their Democrat lackeys for stating the obvious: Donald Trump was cheated out of another term. Carlsons point and the larger point Lake has been making is that whether such declarations are ultimately true or not (they are), the ability to offer up the possibility in the first place is speech that is supposedly protected by the U.S. Constitution. Youve described the lefts hypocrisy, and youve described that old saying, when theyve lost the debate, they resort to slander, and thats what were seeing right now, Lake said. Carlson responded by noting that he has been following Lakes campaign somewhat and that she has made several provocative and in my view true things to say about issues like immigration, but that her views are dismissed by the mainstream media because she has questioned several aspects of the 2020 election, such as ballot stuffing and using outdated voter registration rolls to pad Bidens turnout (which happened). He went on to note that the same outlets then smear Lake because they dont want her viewpoints to be heard by millions who would likely agree with her. If they are badmouthing me and running hit pieces on me, then they will have to talk about the issues, she said. And when you look at our policies our America First, Arizona First policies once they start covering that, its game over, we win in a landslide, and then theyre stuck with me for eight years two gubernatorial terms, provided she would win reelection in four. The pair then discussed the fact that Lakes Democratic opponent, Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, wont agree to debate Lake, citing media reports claiming that shes an election denier and therefore not to be taken seriously. Lake then dissected Hobbs political career in the state, including when she was in the Arizona legislature and voted against policies like a border wall and border security funding, but yet she did write legislation to start teaching sex education in kindergarten. Her priorities are whacked, and the people of Arizona are really turned off by the fact that she wont show up for a debate, Lake said. Its a job interview, the people of Arizona are the hiring manager, and were showing up for a job interview. You dont get the job if you dont show up for the interview. But she knows that she will get roasted on stage because of her background. Lake went on to say she gets a kick out of seeing red-state governors including the current Arizona chief executive, Doug Ducey, bus or fly migrants to blue cities including Washington, D.C., and Marthas Vineyard, where the Obamas have a huge mansion. However, she added shes not a fan of the practice because all it does is move people who do not have a legal right to be in the U.S. further into the interior. In a recent op-ed, Lake laid out her Day 1 plan to secure Arizonas border when she takes office. Under my Defend Arizona plan, Arizona will invoke its inherent authority under Article I of the U.S. Constitution to repel the invasion occurring on our border. The federal government has an obligation under Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution to guarantee protection to the states. However, if Washington refuses to live up to its obligations, Arizona is not bound to simply take the abuse, she wrote in The Western Journal. As governor, I will call for the creation of a compact of like-minded states to secure the border. This compact will establish an interstate commission overseeing joint border security operations comprised of law enforcement resources from member states, she added. The compact will provide for states to not only arrest illegal immigrants crossing into Arizona, but also to return them back across the border. We will keep Washington informed of our efforts, but Arizona will not seek permission to defend ourselves, Lake continued. Sources include: Brighteon.com WesternJournal.com (Natural News) A coroner in New Zealand ruled that myocarditis caused by Pfizers mRNA Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine led to the death of a plumber there. Coroner Sue Johnson released the findings of a six-day inquest over the death of plumber Rory Nairn, 26, on Sept. 20. He died on Nov. 17, 2021 just 12 days after getting vaccinated with the Pfizer mRNA vaccine. The cause of his death was myocarditis due to vaccination with the Comirnaty Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, she said. Johnson cited the expert findings by pathologist Noelyn Hung, who attributed Nairns death to acute myocarditis or inflammation of the heart muscle. According to the coroner, Hung saw that the myocarditis was not caused by [Nairn] having rheumatic fever or by infection as there was no sign of a bacteria, virus or fungi. The pathologist also excluded all other known potential causes of myocarditis for example, certain medicines such as the anti-psychotic medications clozapine and risperidone. Johnson accepted Hungs medical opinion that the COVID-19 shot caused Nairns myocarditis, given that any other causes were ruled out following numerous tests. On the night of Nov. 5 the day Nairn was injected with the vaccine he reported his chest feeling weird and having heart flutters in the days that followed. But the plumber dismissed the signs as simply caused by the stress of his forthcoming wedding and the purchase of a new home. Twelve days later, on the evening of Nov. 17, he collapsed in the bathroom soon after planning to go to a hospital. Emergency services were called, be he could not be revived. Ashleigh Wilson, Nairns partner, revealed during the inquest that he was initially hesitant about getting the vaccine. However, the draconian COVID-19 mandates put in place by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern became a cause of concern for him. She also found a screenshot of a website detailing the risk of post-vaccination myocarditis on her partners phone after he died. The screenshot was taken hours before his passing, according to Wilson. (Related: Pfizer vaccine linked to heart inflammation in young men, Israeli experts conclude.) Nairn was not warned about the risk of myocarditis Representatives of the drug store where Nairn was vaccinated, including its owner and the pharmacist who injected him, testified during the inquest albeit under anonymity. During the period when the plumber got his first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine dose, it was not standard practice for vaccinators at the drug store to warn patients about the risks of post-vaccination myocarditis. The pharmacist who gave Nairn the lethal shot said these practices changed immediately after his death. As soon as we were notified, all practices were changed. We were informing everyone that you must go to the doctor or the hospital as soon as anything happens, regardless of if youve had a vaccine or not, she testified while holding back tears. Its just unfortunate that [he] had to pass away for that to happen. Meanwhile, the drug store owner pointed her finger at the New Zealand Ministry of Health for putting myocarditis warnings in small bullet points. It issued a warning to medical professionals in August 2021 about the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis (heart lining inflammation), after a woman died of the former. The owner admitted missing the warning about cardiac inflammation due to the sheer volume of information they received. She added that had she known about the warning sooner, she would have told staff to warn patients about the risk of vaccine-induced myocarditis. Wilson remarked at the inquest that if the myocarditis warning came in sooner, it might have saved Nairns life. She ultimately condemned her late partners decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine as the worst decision of [their] lives. VaccineDeaths.com has more stories about people killed by Pfizers COVID-19 vaccines. Watch this video about Dawn Wooldridge, a mother of two who died of myocarditis triggered by the Pfizer COVID-19 shot. This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com. More related stories: New Zealand records its first Pfizer vaccine-linked death. Two teenagers drop dead days after getting vaccinated with Pfizer media silent. Autopsy confirms British mother died of acute MYOCARDITIS after receiving Pfizer COVID shot. Healthy 16-year-old boy in California DIES after receiving second dose of Pfizers coronavirus vaccine. College student reportedly DIES of Pfizer vaccine-related myocarditis after being forced to take it to go to school. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com RNZ.co.nz Brighteon.com (Natural News) At a recent campaign stop, Pennsylvania Republican and gubernatorial hopeful Sen. Doug Mastriano had evangelical leader Lance Wallnau lead his supporters in prayer. This prompted lawyer Tristan Snell, who regularly appears on both CNN and MSNBC, to make Hitler references on Twitter. Yes, this is a Nazi salute, at a Doug Mastriano campaign event in Pennsylvania. In 2022, Snell wrote, along with video footage showing Mastrianos supporters praying together with Wallnau. Democracy is literally on the ballot in November. What exactly happened during the prayer ceremony that triggered Snell in this manner? Well, the crowd was seen raising hands to the heavens, which apparently conjured up imagery for Snell of Hitler and his followers raising their arms to show allegiance. Praying to God, in other words, is the same thing as supporting Hitler, according to Snell. (Related: Remember when the corporate-controlled media published Nazi memes in support of Joe Biden?) CNN reporter blasts Snell for Nazi reference, says it was just people praying It appears as though Snell thought he would rack up a few more social acceptance points among the libtard crowd with his bizarre social media remarks, but that backfired. What Snell wrote was so cringeworthy that even CNN K-File reporter Andrew Kaczynski came to the defense of Mastriano and his supporters and what they did that day. [T]his is just people praying and it doesnt even resemble a Nazi salute, Kaczynski wrote. Former congressional candidate David Giglio echoed this sentiment in writing about Snell: One of the most dishonest posts in awhile [sic]. How can you listen to the video and then tell people this is a Nazi salute. These people have their hands up in prayer. Others mocked Snell for apparently having no clue what prayer looks like. One in particular emphasized that Christians praying is a common occurrence that is quite literally done in thousands of churches around the country every week. I know many lawyers are willing to lie to win an argument but I watched the video you claimed showed a Nazi salute and he asked people to raise their right arms, vow to take the same pledge the Union soldiers did at Gettysburg, and then went into a prayer, added another. You sir are a liar. Even outspoken opponents of Donald Trump and Republicanism at large blasted Snell for making a fool out of himself with his childish and pathetic remarks. Im no fan of Trump but can liberals stop claiming that every time a conservative raises his or her arm its a nazi salute? one of them wrote. Ever seen an Evangelical church service? The Lincoln Project, on the other hand, apparently loved Snells tweet so much that it incorporated his Nazi salute framework into an anti-Mastriano campaign ad. You can SMELL the desperation, wrote a commenter at Zero Hedge about Snells ridiculous comparison of prayer to a Nazi salute. November 8th looms very large for Congressional incumbents, wrote another. Many others pointed out that if Snell wants to see true Nazis in action, then he should visit Democrat-beloved Ukraine. Theyve called everybody they dont like Nazis and racists for so long it has ceased to mean anything, wrote someone else. Race-baiting is the only game plan and strategy the Democrats have to buy votes, responded another. There is an intrinsic hatred for Christianity being brought to light by those haters and servants of Satan for all to see, another wrote, adding that left-wing socialist Democrats are much more Nazi-like than Mastriano and his supporters. They keep trying to paste the epithet Nazi on the right, and when that fails they resort to throwing out the word fascists, which also does not fit. More related news about people like Tristan Snell can be found at Libtards.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) The city council in Denver just approved the disbursement of $1.68 million to 140 transgender and non-gender-conforming people who are living on the streets. Taxpayers in the far-left enclave will be forced to pay out $12,000 per homeless LGBT to supposedly help these vagrants find housing. It is just one component of Denvers new universal basic income (UBI) scheme. Denvers Department of Housing Stability (HOST) came up with the plan in an effort to address the citys overwhelming homelessness problem. Much like San Francisco, many of Denvers parks and sidewalks are smeared with human feces and saturated with human urine. The $1.68 million contract for the homeless transgenders still needs to be officially approved, which is expected to happen on October 3 following a 30-day review. Once ratified, the city of Denver will be required to provide direct cash assistance to the randomly selected applicants, none of whom are straight white men of course. In order to accomplish HOSTs goals, Denver will need to infuse $2 million of the citys nearly $200 million worth of uncommitted covid relief from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to the Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP). The pandemic has had a really big impact on the state of homelessness in our community [and] weve seen increased numbers of families seeking shelter, as well as [increased] numbers of women using our shelter system, says Angie Nelson, deputy director of HOST. Denver is the epitome of clown world Keep in mind that this is the same city of Denver that back in 2013 decided to start charging hard-working taxpayers for exercising or doing yoga in public parks as a group. In other words, homeless trannies who defecate on childrens playground equipment and pee on the slide while flashing their butchered trans body parts to kids will now be receiving free money from Denver. And regular people are still prohibited from using those same parks without paying a fee. People will be placed into three different groups, explained Mark Donovan, founder of DBIP, about how the new homeless tranny welfare program will work. One group will get $6,500 upfront and then $500 a month for 11 months. A second group will get a $1,000 a month for 12 months. Donovan further explained that a comparison group of 300 people will also receive $50 a month for 12 months, meaning another $180,000 of taxpayer money will go to even more homeless trannies for free. If that is all not enough, Denver is also planning to hand out free cell phones with a year of service to all of the homeless trannies. Both the money and the phones are unconditional with no strings attached, meaning nothing ever has to be paid back. There are also no requirements for how the money is actually spent. The homeless trannies could all collectively buy trailer loads of alcohol, drag queen outfits, and who even knows what else and they are free to do so, no questions asked. Direct payments are provided to program participants to help them more quickly achieve stability, DBIP says. Through such direct cash payments, basic income helps provide the stability needed for residents, including people experiencing homelessness, to more quickly get back into housing, reducing income volatility and providing an opportunity for stable employment. Similar programs are already in place or are in the process of being established in other cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Vancouver, Canada. In Chicago, some $30 million is being disbursed among 5,000 participants, who will receive $500 monthly installments just for living on the streets. Clown-world America is now beginning to enter the freefall stage of its ongoing collapse. To keep up with the latest, visit Collapse.news. Sources for this article include: TheNewAmerican.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Haarlem, a Dutch city located not far from Amsterdam towards the North Sea, is implementing new restrictions against meat advertising, claiming that animal foods contribute to global warming and climate change. The first city in the world to do such a thing, Haarlem has decided that residents should never be allowed to see billboards promoting hamburger, for instance, because then they will eat more of these things and harm the environment. Set to go into effect in 2024, Haarlems meat advertising ban was concocted by GroenLinks, a green political party in The Netherlands. Councilor Ziggy Klazes is credited with putting it together, and here is what he told the Dutch newspaper Trouw about it: Meat is very harmful to the environment. We cannot tell people that there is a climate crisis and encourage them to buy products that are part of it. One wonders who the we is, in this context. Last we checked, private companies that pay to advertise their own meat-based foods in public have nothing to do with any type of we, meaning the government, encouraging people to eat meat. Klazes makes it sound as though the freedom to advertise meat in public somehow constitutes an official government endorsement of meat. This same false and deceptive framing is often used by prohibitionists, by the way, to justify restricting peoples freedoms with controlled substances. Amsterdam, The Hague ban aviation and fossil fuel ads because of climate change We are told that advertisements for sustainably produced meat could still be allowed in Haarlem after 2024, though the city government there has yet to make a decision about the matter. Citing the United Nations, Groenlinks says meat is generating more than 14 percent of all manmade greenhouse gases in the world, including methane, aka cow flatulence. Not everyone in Haarlem is happy about the decision, perhaps most notably the meat industry. A spokesman from the Central Organization for the Meat Sector, which represents the meat industry, said this: The authorities are going too far in telling people whats best for them. The Belang van Nederland (Interest of the Netherlands) (BVNL) party added that the ban represents an unacceptable violation of entrepreneurial freedom, adding that it would be fatal for pig farmers. Banning commercials from politically born motives is almost dictatorial, chimed in Haarlem BVNL councilor Joey Rademaker about the matter. Herman Broring, a law professor at the University of Groningen, also said that prohibition of meat advertising could be a transgression of freedom of expression, and that many lawsuits are likely to be filed against the city of Haarlem for allowing this. The latest data shows that 95 percent of the Dutch population eats meat, showing how out of touch GroenLinks and the various politicians and political parties are that support its agenda. It should be noted that this is not the first time that The Netherlands has banned advertising for climate purposes. Both Amsterdam and The Hague have reportedly banned ads for aviation and the fossil fuel sectors, which supposedly, like meat, are warming the planet and scare the climate alarmists. Be aware that Europe is often a testing ground for tyranny that later gets exported to the United States. If such lunacy in Haarlem, Amsterdam, and The Hague goes unchallenged, you can be sure it will eventually spread abroad, including to America. Americans should be watching events taking place in the Old Continent with great interest, writes Jose Nino for Big League Politics. Europe is a testing ground for war on meat and the broader Great Reset agenda. Such experiences will give us an idea what to expect from the globalist ruling class once they start hatching ideas in the U.S. The latest news about the green insanity sweeping the world can be found at GreenTyranny.news. Sources for this article include: BigLeaguePolitics.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) BBC News (United Kingdom) is on a crusade to stamp out all online references to covid vaccines that are negative including those that use a carrot emoji to bypass social media censors. BBC is responsible for the removal of a more than 100,000-member Facebook group that routinely showed posts referencing Fauci Flu shots with the carrot emoji since Facebook does not allow the jabs to be mentioned by name. We are told that BBC flagged the group for review, prompting Facebook to pull it. Now, the groups 100,000-plus members will have to find a new home to discuss injuries and deaths caused by Chinese Virus injections. (Related: Remember when Facebook was caught cosponsoring an event with Pfizer to celebrate communist China?) Not only that group but several others were also axed by Facebook, though BBC is now complaining that those groups have since re-appeared in our searches. To see what we mean by the use of the carrot emoji, read the following example, which is a post from one of the now-deleted Facebook groups: My MIL was raised on a dairy farm. Shes healthy as a horse, doesnt smoke, drink and eats healthy. She did have a hip replacement, but thats as far as her health issues go. She got scared and got all the big [carrot] plus a small [carrot] a couple days before Mothers day. My hubby visited her on Mothers day and she had a full blown heart attack. Thank God he was there. The post goes on from there, but you get the point. Basically, Facebook users are bypassing the censors by referring to covid injections using the carrot emoji, presumably because a carrot looks somewhat like a syringe. Remember those nasty hall monitors in grade school? Theyre now human moderators who weed out unpermitted chatter about covid vaccines on social media An even larger group with more than a quarter million members similarly instructed users to avoid using words like covid, vaccine, and booster, and to instead refer to each of these terms respectively as c-word, v-word, and b-word. Normally, this would never have been detected because Facebooks censorship tools are mostly automated. But Marc Owen-Jones, an associated professor at Qatars Hamad Bin Khalifa University, along with a human moderator from BBC, identified the tactic and tattled on the group. Being the bright one that he is (that was sarcasm), Owen-Jones figured out that using the carrot emoji and terms like c-word to describe covid vaccines is presumably to evade censorship and Facebooks fake news algorithms. While it is not considered fake news to address the fact yes, fact that covid injections can harm and kill, it is the personal anecdotes people were telling in these now-deleted groups that BBC says represent unverified claims. And while not everything posted to Facebook has to be a verified claim, BBC insists that the information and claims circulating in these groups violate Facebooks harmful misinformation policy. We continue to work closely with public health experts and the UK government to further tackle Covid vaccine misinformation, Facebook announced following the deletions. BBCs Zoe Kleinman wrote in a piece that we will not link to here so as to avoid feeding traffic to the fake news giant that there is only a one in five million risk of dying from a covid vaccine. That data point, Kleinman insists, means that any talk on Facebook about jab injuries or deaths is automatically misinformation. The groups are being used to share unverified claims of people being either injured or killed by vaccines, Kleinman whines. More news about Big Tech censorship can be found at Censorship.news. Sources for this article include: ReclaimTheNet.org NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Within minutes of each other, financial platforms PayPal and Venmo both banned the anti-pedophilia group Gays Against Groomers (GAG) for trying to protect children against groomers. According to reports, GAG has been permanently deplatformed from the two payment platforms for violating their user agreements, which apparently contain special protections for kiddy diddlers. (Related: American public schools are a hotbed of pedophilic grooming.) When asked, both PayPal and Venmo indicated that GAGs activities violate the payment processors User Agreement(s), though there was no explanation as to which terms were violated. We have just been BANNED from Venmo and Paypal (within minutes of each other) for violating their user agreements, GAG tweeted. Right before the bans, GAG had publicly announced on Twitter that it is officially registered as a non-profit organization and can now accept tax-free donations. This apparently triggered both PayPal and Venmo, which do not want to process said donations. The LGBT wars have begun In case you are unfamiliar with it, GAG is an organization comprised of homosexuals who say they do not approve of child abuse, which is rapidly becoming the primary agenda of the Cult of LGBT. GAGs gays, lesbians and transgenders say they oppose grooming and do not want to be associated with it. As a result, they now face woke homophobia, as they call it, meaning there are now multiple denominations within the Cult of LGBT. GAG founder Jaimee Michell issued the following statement about how her organization is being treated by PayPal and Venmo: PayPal and Venmo have made it abundantly clear that they support the sexualization and mutilation of children. This would never happen to an organization of LGBT people that fell in line with this evil agenda that has hijacked our community. GAG is not the only group or person facing the ire of Big Tech when it comes to vocalizing opposition to LGBT child grooming. Biologist and journalist Colin Wright was banned from PayPal and Etsy back in August for this very thing. Back in March, political commenter Sydney Watson was permanently axed from Patreon, which accused her of hate speech. Watsons crime? Reporting the facts about how gender affirming care, aka genital mutilation, is destroying the lives of children and teenagers. Amazingly in Watsons case, she may not have even violated Patreons Terms of Service specifically. The company says it pulls accounts that violate its terms outside the platform, too. GAG recently announced that instead of using Patreon and risking a similar fate, it will instead use GiveSendGo, one of its competitors. Founded three months ago in response to the onslaught of family friendly drag events and other such perversions, GAG is shaking up the LGBT community. There are now multiple denominations within it that are at odds with one another. The more extremist denominations of LGBT are waging war back at GAG for exposing the transgender mutilation of children, as well as the lacing of public library materials with pornography and other indecency. GAG has been suspended from Twitter on four separate occasions, all for reasons that went unexplained by the tech platform. In each case, GAGs account was restored within 24 hours following termination. Despite all the pushback, Michell says that her group will not be going anywhere anytime soon and this will only serve as motivation because we are on the right track. In the comment section, someone emphasized that parents need to do everything possible to protect their children from LGBT groomers. This includes pulling them out of public school if necessary. The latest news about the fight against groomers can be found at CultureWars.news. Sources for this article include: ThePostMillennial.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and 17 other state attorneys general recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden demanding that the administration declare fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction. They called on the Biden administration to take decisive action in response to the record-breaking increase in overdose deaths related to fentanyl. That decisive action requires the Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to coordinate a unified response with other federal agencies against the influx of fentanyl. Knudsen even suggested that the Department of Defense may be necessary. (Related: Critical Disclosure with Jim White: Montana AG blames Bidens disastrous border policies for influx of illegal drugs Brighteon.TV.) Treating this solely as a narcotics control problem has failed to curb the proliferation of increasing quantities of chemicals that can cause a mass casualty event, read the letter. Your own DEA Administrator has called fentanyl the deadliest threat [the DEA] has ever seen. We should treat is as such thus bold action must be taken. The letter cited fentanyls low cost of production, lethality and vast availability as to why it has become an ideal weapon of choice for bad actors. Knudsen was joined by the attorneys general of Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. The attorney general of the territory of Guam also signed on to the letter. Of the attorneys general, 14 are Republicans and three are Democrats. The attorney general of Guam is a political independent. Montana experienced an overnight epidemic of fentanyl overdoses In an interview with Breitbart, Knudsen called fentanyl the biggest threat to Montana and probably the country. The rationale is that Montana has absolutely been flooded with this poison, he added. Our confirmed fentanyl deaths have absolutely skyrocketed, our investigations have absolutely skyrocketed. The Montana Department of Justice reported that from 2017 to 2021, the number of overdose deaths linked to fentanyl surged by 1,100 percent. By May this year, Montana already had 34 confirmed overdose deaths involving fentanyl and the figure is still on the rise. You can tell when a new bad shipment has hit the state or an area of the state because well have a rash of overdoses, said Knudsen, highlighting the strain the influx of fentanyl to the state has placed on emergency services and law enforcement. He added that opioid overdoses have become the leading cause of death for adults aged 18 to 45, and many of those overdoses are linked to fentanyl. Its the number one product that the cartels are pushing here, said Knudsen, noting that states like Montana have had to shoulder the burden of drug enforcement and immigration efforts due to Bidens refusal to take action on these issues. Look at a state like Texas that just appropriated $4 billion for its own border enforcement a job the federal government is supposed to be doing. Knudsen added that the problem with drugs is linked to illegal immigration and both should not be treated as separate issues. We know where 100 percent of these illicit drugs in the fentanyl trade are coming from, and [federal officials] are not doing their job. This is not long division, he said. A lot of us talk. This is not just a Montana thing by any stretch of the imagination. Learn more about the opioid epidemic at Opioids.news. Watch this episode of Critical Disclosure with Jim White as he talks to Attorney General Austin Knudsen about the influx of fentanyl in America. This video is from the BrighteonTV channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: WRECKED NATION: Rural Kentucky receiving vending machines full of drug supplies, compliments of Biden regime. DEA head: Mexican cartels are using FENTANYL to kill Americans in record numbers. Wisconsin airs warning over 97% rise in fentanyl deaths from 2019 to 2021 as southern border drug smuggling pipeline remains wide open. 1.6 Million fentanyl pills, 114 pounds of cocaine seized at the border. The most dangerous drug in the world is NOT cocaine, heroin, or crystal meth, but rather a drug commonly prescribed by doctors who get lavish bonuses for slinging it. Sources include: Breitbart.com DailyMontanan.com MontanaKaimin.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) PolitiFact, a left-wing propaganda outlet that publishes lies and promotes conspiracy theories, was crushed by Breitbart commenters after it published a lie in the comment section of a Breitbart Facebook post. (Article by John Nolte republished from Breitbart.com) On Tuesday, Breitbart News posted a meme ridiculing the anti-immigrant racists who populate the mostly-white Marthas Vineyard. Its time for rich Democrats to do their fair share by housing illegal aliens from Bidens border crisis, read the meme. So what did the trolls at PolitiFact do? Using their verified Facebook account, PolitiFacts desperate liars decided to troll our commenters by pushing the outrageous lie that Marthas Vineyard was justified in deporting 50 illegal aliens from their sanctuary community due to the elite islands housing crisis. The response from Breitbarts well-read and educated commenters was immediate and accurate Heres a taste [links are mine] Thats hilarious! You do realize that youre talking about a place where most of the homes have 10 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and a guest house. Those of us that live in the real-world call that a motel. [F]act? They have more than 50 rooms available RIGHT NOW in bnbs. So why are they a sanctuary city then??? I guess we just need to erect a tent city on the beaches like they do everywhere else! There problem solved. Obamas birthday tent alone could house them! Start building SECTION 8 homes in MV. Plenty of open space start building now. While building erect tents, kitchens, pavilions, bath houses, etc. CORRUPT liberals always screaming DIVERSITY.step up to the plate. Several commenters made the excellent point that the housing shortage is a national problem. But Americas housing shortage still hasnt stopped His Fraudulency Joe Biden from opening the border to millions of illegal aliens and then secretly flying them all over the country. So why is PolitiFact excusing Marthas Vineyard from its own sanctuary city policy with a housing shortage excuse? Well, PolitiFact knows that Americas border towns, which are constantly swarmed with thousands of illegal aliens, have a real housing crisis. But were PolitiFact to provide that kind of context, it would undermine the elite, hypocritical racists who populate Marthas Vineyard, who deport illegals within 24 hours. So why is PolitiFact so eager to lie and by extension whore out whatever might be left of its credibility? The first part of the answer is obvious The proven liars and propagandists at PolitiFact place status above facts. To retain your status, you must publicly disgrace yourself to cover for the anti-immigrant racists in Marthas Vineyard. Secondly, Democrats have never made a secret of wanting to replace Americans with more compliant immigrants. This is why Joe Biden opened the border. Millions are pouring in who will cancel out the votes of legal Americans. The corporate media are deliberately ignoring the crisis. However, when a Ron DeSantis does what Joe Bidens been doing for years transporting illegals into Americas interior but does so to a high-profile area like Marthas Vineyard to expose the lefts racism and hypocrisy, it not only brings attention to Bidens wide-open border, it might cause Democrats to pressure Biden to secure the border which would slow the wave of illegals meant to replace us. With so much on the line, the good dogs at PolitiFact will happily bend over. Read more at: Breitbart.com (Natural News) Russias recent partial mobilization will call up 300,000 military reservists who, over the next few months, will be trained and put into service in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. It is now well known although western nations continue to deny the obvious that Ukraines military offensives are being run by NATO troops, using NATO satellites, training and gear. In essence, Russia is already fighting NATO in a continental war, and Russia realizes that western nations will not be satisfied with anything less than the complete obliteration of Russia as a sovereign nation. Four Donbass region republics are reportedly voting on a referendum to officially become part of Russia. Ukraines government is threatening up to five year prison sentences for anyone who even votes in these elections, proving that Ukraine has zero interest in democracy or self-determination of the people. Nevertheless, these votes are taking place, and its highly likely that these republics will join Russia, making them part of Russian territory. Once that is established, Russia will consider that any attack against those newly-joined regions (which were of course once part of the Soviet Union, and where most of the people are ethnic Russians who speak Russian and who actually want to join Russia) is an attack on Russia itself. Such attacks could trigger defensive responses from Russia, and those defensive responses may include every type of weapon available to Russias national defense, including nuclear weapons, Putin recently reminded the world. Western media outlets and nations are trying to provoke a first strike nuclear holocaust Western media, which now lies even more vehemently than Pravda ever did, claims this is Putin threatening the first use of nuclear weapons. That is of course a lie, but it is a convenient lie thats being used by western media to call for a western preemptive nuclear strike against Russia in order to stop Russias aggression. This is a very dangerous development, because if Russia takes such threats seriously, then classical game theory would require Putin to strike first, in order to preempt the anticipated preemptive strike by the West. Thus, we find ourselves in a rapidly escalating feedback loop which could end in nuclear disaster, especially given that the Biden regime appears to be actively trying to start World War III before the mid-term elections, allowing him to declare a national war footing and try to postpone the ballot box lashing that Democrats are sure to endure if the elections take place. Even worse, while Putin appears to be acting rationally from his own national self-interest, western leaders are behaving like psychopaths who are utterly disconnected from reason and reality. They do not even acknowledge the fact that their own economic sanctions against Russia unleashed the catastrophic economic misery and energy crisis that Western Europe imminently faces (with mass famine and an industrial collapse soon to follow). There seems to be zero recognition among the leaders of Germany, the UK or the USA that provoking Russia into a nuclear exchange will go horribly wrong for the West (and would likely spell the end of Western civilization). In classical game theory, analysts talk of two scorpions in a jar, each capable of striking the other to death even if they are struck themselves. Yet the reality is that We the People are all trapped in that jar with a bunch of psychopathic scorpions who possess powerful weapons but no rationality, intelligence or ethical grounding for managing the use of such weapons. Its like were all wearing highly flammable clothing at the birthday party of a spoiled brat child, and the parents just give him a flamethrower. What do you suppose happens next? We all get burned. Translated into reality, were already suffering under the economic devastation of the wests attempted anti-Russian sanctions (known as suicide sanctions at this point), and now western media influencers are begging the Pentagon to authorize first-strike nuclear warfare with Russia, a nation that has 20-30 years more advanced anti-air defense systems and ICBMs with hyperglide vehicles that can evade every defensive system currently possessed by NATO nations, including the USA. Provoking Russia into a nuclear exchange while Russia has the best anti-ICBM missile systems is like getting into a gun fight with an opponent who is carrying the worlds best ballistic shield. Its another suicide wish, yet its exactly what western media outlets (and governments) are begging for. Prepare for nuclear war NOW At this point, every informed person should be preparing for nuclear war, understanding that it is being desperately provoked by the USA and NATO. Russia doesnt want nuclear war, and fortunately for humanity, Putin is a far more measured and patient man than any western leader, meaning he wont irrationally lash out with nuclear weapons for political purposes. The same cant be said of western nations and their insane, deranged leaders. They will provoke absolutely anything including nuclear terrorism or nuclear war to try to remain in power, even if it means the mass slaughter of millions of innocent people. John Moore (The Liberty Man) explains this in todays featured interview. See the full podcast below the interview: Heres todays full podcast, covering Russia, the Texas declaration of war against drug smugglers, the DOJs prosecution of 47 people for a massive food fraud operation mostly run by somalis in Minnesota, and much more: Brighteon.com/081433a6-ac61-4e33-a02e-ac8517cabef2 Discover more interviews and podcasts each day at: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/HRreport Follow me on: Brighteon.social: Brighteon.social/@HealthRanger (my breaking news gets posted here first) Telegram: t.me/RealHealthRanger (breaking news is posted here second) Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@healthranger Gettr: GETTR.com/user/healthranger Parler: Parler.com/user/HealthRanger Rumble: Rumble.com/c/HealthRangerReport BitChute: Bitchute.com/channel/9EB8glubb0Ns/ Clouthub: app.clouthub.com/#/users/u/naturalnews/posts Join the free NaturalNews.com email newsletter to stay alerted about breaking news each day. Download my current audio books including Ghost World, Survival Nutrition, The Global Reset Survival Guide and The Contagious Mind at: https://Audiobooks.NaturalNews.com/ Download my new audio book, Resilient Prepping at ResilientPrepping.com it teaches you how to survive the total collapse of civilization and the loss of both the power grid and combustion engines. (Natural News) A teenager in Texas fought off home intruders with a shotgun, killing two of the would-be invaders. Three men wearing ski masks attempted to enter a house in Channelview, Texas at around 10:40 p.m. on Sept. 9. Four individuals an adult female, two 17-year-old teenagers and a 12-year-old child were inside the residence at the time. The three perpetrators attempted to make force entry, according to the Harris County Sheriffs Office (HCSO). As the criminals attempted to break in, one of the teenagers grabbed a shotgun and fired at the intruders several times. Two of the suspects were killed, according to law enforcement who arrived at the scene. The third suspect, however, fled the scene in a dark-colored four-door sedan. (Related: Mom uses handgun to save her two children from violent home intruder.) None of the other occupants of the house were injured. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted about the incident, urging members of the public with knowledge of the third suspects whereabouts to come forward. An investigation is ongoing, and the sheriff said the case will be presented to a grand jury. Local Houston channel ABC 13 obtained surveillance footage that contradicted the sheriffs claim of only three suspects attempting to enter the house. The suspects arrived at the scene in the aforementioned sedan, parking their vehicle next door to the home they planned to enter. Nearly two minutes later and coinciding with the teenager firing at them with the shotgun the footage showed two suspects running back to the car before driving off. A neighbor in the area where the incident happened showed ABC 13 their house and car, which had been riddled with at least nine bullet holes. This appeared to imply that the suspects had victimized an earlier house, before moving on to the next one and being peppered with buckshot. Given the vast difference between bullet holes and something being peppered with shotgun blasts, it remains to be seen if the armed invaders returned fire at the teenager, wrote Mitch McKinley for Law Enforcement Today. 2A empowers the most vulnerable to fight back against crime The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, says the Second Amendment. This right comes with a good reason, as it empowers even the most vulnerable to fight back instead of being victims. A firearm in hand evens out the odds for any potential victim of crime be it man, woman or child. One clear example from October 2019 involved a pregnant woman who used an AR-15 to defend her injured husband and daughter. The woman, who was eight months pregnant at the time, used her rifle against a pair of violent intruders who broke into the familys home in Lithia, Florida. It became real violent, real fast, recounted Jeremy King, the womans husband. [The suspects] came in heavily hooded and masked. As soon as they had got the back door opened, they had a pistol on me and were grabbing my 11-year-old daughter. King recalled being pistol-whipped and kicked in the head. But the suspects did not expect that Kings wife would fight back. She retreated to her room, grabbed her husbands AR-15 and shot the intruders hitting one of them. Upon realizing that the owners of the home they broke into were also packing heat, the two suspects changed their plans and fled. One of the suspects managed to escape, while the other was found dead in a nearby ditch. The guys came in with two normal pistols, and my AR-15 stopped it, King remarked, adding that his wife evened the playing field and prevented the suspects from taking his life during that instance. SelfDefense.news has more stories about armed Americans stopping criminals in their tracks. Watch this surveillance footage of an elderly store owner from Norco, California shooting off a criminals arm with a shotgun. This video is from the Clown World channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Pregnant woman used AR-15 to drop armed robber attacking her 11-year-old daughter. Good guy with a gun stops a potential mass shooting at Springfield, Missouri Walmart. Second Amendment at work: Armed citizen Elisjsha Dicken STOPS Indiana mass shooter. FAMILY DEFENSE: Man shoots teenagers attempting to steal his SUV with his infant children still inside. Armed citizen in OKC stops mass shooting with a concealed weapon, proving once again that armed citizens HALT violence. Sources include: LawEnforcementToday.com Click2Houston.com ABC13.com WesternJournal.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) A Canadian doctor revealed that people injected with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are four times more likely to get infected. Dr. Chris Alan Shoemaker, a licensed physician in Ontario with 45 years of experience and a former member of Eastern Ontarios COVID Response Team, recently gave a speech to hundreds of people on Parliament Hill in Ottawa warning them about how dangerous the experimental mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are. (Related: COVID-19 vaccines are killing shocking numbers of doctors in Canada.) According to Shoemaker, the vaccine is a more toxic version of the virus more toxic, more damaging and more lethal, especially in the long-term as it damages your t-cells. He added that the deaths connected to the COVID-19 vaccines prove that they dont work. They make you four times more likely to get COVID. In the last eight months, 95 percent of the people in the ICU are fully vaccinated, he said in his speech. The vaccinated have been harmed. Their immune systems are being harmed. Stop harming your immune systems. You are only going to perpetuate the pandemic. Shoemaker also sounded the alarm on the number of children dying after getting the shot. He noted that fully vaccinated children are 5,200 percent more likely to die than their unvaccinated counterparts. Your 10 to 14-year-old is now, by proven statistics, more likely to die in the following six months than a non-vaccinated child, he warned. Canada to end vaccine requirement to enter country Thanks to the relentless efforts of Shoemaker and thousands of other people like him, the federal government of Canada is set to announce the lifting of COVID-19 vaccine travel requirements by the end of September. This means proof of vaccination, including the use of the ArriveCan App, a digital vaccine passport, will be optional. The end of the mandate will apply to all airports and all land and sea crossings into Canada. This also means random COVID-19 testing for air travelers arriving in Canada will end. I would be glad if they would lift it, said Sarah Baldwin, an American who likes to travel to Canada through the Thousand Islands Bridge border crossing. She noted how using the ArriveCan App can be a nuisance for travelers like her. It has been blamed for delays at border crossings and many people like Baldwin have called for the end of its mandatory use for months. Additionally, Baldwin is concerned about her digital privacy and the potential for hackers to steal peoples information through the ArriveCan App. I dont like putting my information into any database, public or private, she said. Canadian Jean Sawaya feels like the lifting of restrictions is long overdue. I think its peoples choice if they want to be vaccinated. Its up to them, said Sawaya. We might as well start crossing the border easier. The number of barriers being removed will result in more passenger traffic, said Jeanne Klodt, who remarked that dropping the vaccine mandate could help the Canadian economy recover and return to normal. The federal government of Canada noted that the ArriveCan App will transition into being used for things like the digitization of customs declaration forms. Learn more about the dangers of COVID-19 vaccines at Vaccines.news. Listen to Dr. Shoemakers full speech from the Sept. 17 Freedom Rally in Ottawa. This is from the channel GoodThoughtsGoodWordsGoodDeeds on Brighteon.com. More related articles: Romanian lawmaker GRILLS Big Pharma executives over lack of accountability for dangerous COVID-19 vaccines. Study confirms COVID-19 vaccines SHED and SPREAD via aerosols. Former congressional candidate Jane Adams experienced SEVERE side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine she was pressured to take. Military whistleblowers submit report claiming COVID-19 vaccine mandate is UNLAWFUL. Thai study: Nearly 3 in 10 children experience HEART COMPLICATIONS after getting vaccinated. Sources include: RAIRFoundation.com Ottawa.CTVNews.ca Brighteon.com (Natural News) A report revealed that the socialist nation of Venezuela has been emptying prisons and sending violent criminals to the U.S., with the prisoners blending in with illegals attempting to cross the border. The report by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), relayed to Border Patrol agents, warned that Caracas has been releasing many convicted inmates from its overcrowded prisons. An undisclosed source within Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shared details of the report with Breitbart, adding that the inmates were convicted of heinous crimes such as murder, rape and extortion. The prisoners reportedly joined migrant caravans traveling toward the border from Tapachula, Mexico. Border Patrol agents were instructed to try and look for these dangerous inmates among the illegal aliens who cross and apprehend them. However, Border Patrol itself cannot vet every illegal immigrant apprehended due to the sheer number arriving every day. A revelation by two Venezuelan immigrants highlighted this difficulty. According to the two men, they do not possess any documents to tell if they are criminals or not. Worse, Venezuela has no criminal database that Border Patrol agents can counter-check. The CBP source attested to this, telling Breitbart that agents cannot pick out criminals from the throngs of illegal immigrants. Unless we apprehend someone who voluntarily tells us they have committed a violent crime in Venezuela, we can only guess and that doesnt work well, said the source. They will more than likely be released. All these problems make keeping Venezuelan criminals out of the U.S. a difficult task. (Related: DHS report says Venezuela is emptying its prisons and sending criminals to Americas southern border.) Gangs from the socialist South American nation have been known to cause violent disruptions in neighboring countries, and Americans now fear that this violence will cross over the southern border with Mexico into major cities. Venezuelas move reminiscent of Fidel Castro freeing prisoners in the 1980s Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) shared his thoughts on the DHS report, tweeting: DHS confirms that Venezuela empties prisons and sends violent criminals to our southern border. [Former] President [Donald] Trump warned us about this years ago. The DHS report also acknowledged the role of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), the Venezuelan counterpart of the Central Intelligence Agency, in the deliberate release of violent prisoners. Caracas decision to free violent prisoners was reminiscent of former Cuban dictator Fidel Castros move in 1980, mixing prisoners with refugees in a mass migration known as Mariel boatlift. An August 1989 piece by the Los Angeles Times touched on the fates of some of the Cuban prisoners who blended in with refugees. According to the article, 169 Cuban men were held in custody at the U.S. Penitentiary in Lompoc, California albeit segregated from the rest of the general population. The Cubans were isolated at a three-level cell block called H-Unit due to having committed more heinous crimes than the rest of the penitentiarys population. Because they are Cubans who arrived in this country on the Mariel boatlift nine years ago, they are without the same constitutional protection as American prisoners, the Times reported. It added that after serving their sentences, they were transferred to the custody of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and placed in federal prisons. The legacy INS was later split into three entities: CBP, Citizenship and Immigration Services and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. InvasionUSA.news has more stories about illegal aliens crossing U.S. borders. Watch this video discussing the dangers of allowing illegals to enter the United States. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Feds knowingly releasing dangerous, violent gang-member migrants onto U.S. streets. Health Rangers vehicle violently rammed by illegal immigrant asleep at the wheel in Texas. Liberal media frets over the death of a migrant girl but says nothing about Americans being killed by violent illegals. Convicted murderers and terrorists are among the group of harmless, poor migrants in the caravan approaching the U.S. border. Sources include: 100PercentFedUp.com Breitbart.com LATimes.com Brighteon.com Palestinians visit the ancient cave of Tur Beddo, near the village of Idhna, west of the West Bank town of Hebron, on January 20, 2021. - The cave is considered one of the largest caves in the Palestinian territories, and is a testament to ancient civilisations and a historical and archaeological legacy spanning two thousand years, according to a local news agency. (Photo : Photo by HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images) Scientists and researchers in Israel have uncovered an extraordinary cave in which primitive civilizations concealed grave items and probably human graves 3,300 years ago; only meters away from the seashore south of Tel Aviv. 3300-Year-Old Ancient Cave The tunnel was used during the era of Ramesses II, which was often called Ramses and Rameses - who ruled from around 1279 B.C. until 1213 B.C. and controlled what is currently Israel, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), Live Science reported. Egypt ruled an imperial power that spanned from technologically advanced Sudan to Syria under the reign of Ramesses II. When a mechanized excavator able to operate at Palmahim Beach National Park suddenly breached the cave's ceiling, staff members found it. Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) professionals were immediately dispatched to the location. According to the remark, the crew ascended a ledge through into deep dungeon that looked to have preserved throughout the history, with beautifully laid-out pottery and copper objects - relics commonly linked with funeral rites. These items were supposed to have aided the departed in their spiritual realm. According to the CBS News release, the scientists discovered hundreds of clay items, comprising large and narrow basins, a few colored reds, along with chalices, which is known to be goblets with broad bottoms, cookery molds, storeroom containers, as well as lighting fixtures for illumination. A number of the bunker's artifacts were not indigenous. Furthermore, Flipboard covered the statement of Eli Yannai, a research scientist with the IAA in where Yannai claimed that a handful of the ceramic containers were made in Syria, Lebanon, as well as Cyprus. The crew intends to investigate each and every biological residue on the containers in order to understand further concerning what was within them. Also read: Disaster Expert Alarmed as Cameroon's 'Exploding Lakes' May Release Deadly Gas Again Extraordinary Cave in Israel The dungeon does not only contain those but as well as bronze bows and arrows which, judging on their alignment, were most certainly in a decomposing bow. In the release, Yannai remarked that the discovery is a once-in-a-lifetime finding. An 'Indiana Jones film set' - a cavern ground decked out with artifacts unchanged for 3,300 years, from the Delayed Bronze Period, at the reign of the mighty King Rameses II - is extraordinarily unique. Yannai also went on to say that simply owing to the fact that the cave was locked, wherein a significant portion had not been plundered as the cave might provide a clear overview of Late Bronze Age funeral traditions. As per to the IAA declaration, no human bones or plaques or items that may conceivably distinguish the member(s) that were discovered in the cavern. Ever since the unearthing, the IAA has enclosed and safeguarded the cave, however it only seems that it was subsequently robbed, the Time of Israel recently update. As of the moment, an independent inquiry from the AII is currently ongoing to determine who the thieves were. All whilst, researchers are preparing to investigate the cave's unusual continued existence. In an interview of Wionews, IAA directors-general Eli Eskosido and Raya Shurky disclosed in a release that the revelation of the bunker's finding circulated the same as bushfire in the world of academia, and researchers have immediately obtained applications from numerous researchers to participate in the upcoming historical dig, Related article: $1000 in Exchange for Collecting Used Cans From the Streets of New York - Would You Do It? The zebrafish is utilized by scientists all over the world as a model organism because it may be used to investigate crucial physiological processes that occur similarly in the human body. As a result, it is frequently employed in the search for potential therapeutic agents. Researchers have already provided a creative method for doing this. Finding medicines for MS with the help of fish Prof. Dr. Benjamin Odermatt from the Institute of Anatomy at the University Hospital Bonn stated that for instance, they are looking into how zebrafish heal damaged nerve tissue at the University of Bonn. Since many of the genes associated with this process are also present in humans in a similar manner, this is also something that interests us, as per ScienceDaily. Agents that increase those repair genes in fish may theoretically potentially increase their activity in humans. However, there are frequently large genetic disparities between humans and fish. They searched for the zebrafish equivalent of a human gene known to aid in nerve cell healing. The human equivalent was then implanted in place of this fish counterpart. The original zebrafish gene was replaced by the new genetic material. In their preliminary investigation of the so-called GPR17 receptor, the researchers showed that this replacement is effective. Its excessive activation in people can result in illnesses like multiple sclerosis (MS). Electrical signals are used by nerve cells to communicate. Myelin, a lipid-like material, acts as a sort of insulating coating around their expansions. It also considerably speeds up the transfer of impulses while preventing short circuits. Oligodendrocytes are specialist cells that create this protective coating. These have numerous long arms that protrude from their cell bodies, the majority of which are made of myelin, resembling a microscopic octopus. However, in multiple sclerosis, the myelin layer is destroyed by the body's own immune system. This system is broken in multiple sclerosis, leaving many cellular insulating tape donor cells in an immature stage. This seems to be mostly attributable to the GPR17 receptor, which delays oligodendrocyte formation when triggered by a chemical signal. Substances are first examined in cell cultures in the search for new active components. Even if they succeed, human testing can have depressing results. Benjamin Odermatt argues that humanized zebrafish larvae make it possible to screen a wide range of chemicals quickly and with a high possibility of success. Read More: Scientists Discover Four New Risk Genes Linked with Multiple Sclerosis Things to know about multiple sclerosis The central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, is impacted by the chronic condition known as multiple sclerosis. This can cause a variety of symptoms to manifest throughout the body, as per Medical News Today. Though scientists are unsure of the actual cause of MS, researchers do concur that it is an autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The immune system assaults healthy tissue whenever an individual has an autoimmune disease, just as it could attack a virus or bacteria. In MS, inflammation results from the immune system attacking the myelin sheath, which covers and shields the nerve fibers. The nerves' ability to swiftly and effectively conduct electrical signals is enabled by myelin. Sclerosis, or a scar, results from the myelin sheath disappearing or being damaged in several places. These regions are also referred to by doctors as plaques or lesions. Nerve fibers may rupture or suffer damage as more lesions appear. The electrical impulses from the brain don't really reach the target nerve smoothly as a result. This implies that the body is unable to do some tasks. Related Article: Toolkit to Modify Zebrafish Genome and Make Them Research-Ready Amphibians like frogs and salamanders are known for controlling the population of some animals within the food web, including mosquitoes that spread human diseases. These amphibians are crucial to the environment, as well as to their immediate neighboring human settlement. According to a new study, a declining amphibian population can get people sicker, especially from mosquito-borne diseases. The report is based on previous research which showed that ecologists first noticed in the 1980s a quiet and gradual decline of these small vertebrates due to a pathogen in Costa Rica and Panama. The infectious agent is also responsible for causing the deaths and wipe out of frogs in multiple continents worldwide, including the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. Scientific literature behind the killer fungus and its associated infectious disease called chytridiomycosis has relatively grown in recent decades. Its impact to other amphibian species in the hundreds were also recorded. The new research regarding the relationship between ecology and biology concerning human health was not clearly understood. Now, a paradigm shift is possible based on recent developments. Increased Malaria Incidence In a new paper published in the journal Environmental Research Letters on Tuesday, September 20, researchers concluded that amphibian collapses have led to increased malaria incidence in Central America. This comes after the pathogen led to localized extinction or decrease of amphibian population, including frogs and salamanders, in the sub-continent. The paper highlights the importance of biodiversity and its role in ecosystems, as well as supporting human welfare, including regulating infectious disease transmission. Yet, this notion is reportedly often overlooked and are not fully appreciated due to lack of data or complex environmental factors at play. With this, the research team proved that amphibians have direct impact to human health for the first time. Malaria is a potentially fatal disease caused by a parasite that latches into a mosquito that feeds on human, with related symptoms include flu-like illness, high fever, and shaking chills. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that there were 241 million recorded malaria cases in 2020, as cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also Read: Emerald and Gold Tree Frogs Found In Taiwan Killer Fungus The team focused on the fungal pathogen called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which is responsible for multicontinental amphibian decline. A number of scientists argue that Bd led to the greatest recorded loss of biodiversity, causing a population to decline to 501 amphibian species, including 90 extinctions, all the way from Asia to South America. Amphibian Die-Off The new study's authors acknowledged that their findings is the first causal evidence of amphibian losses affecting human health in a natural setting, Science Alert reports. To arrive at their conclusion, the team relied on multiple regression model to measure the causal impact of Bd-driven amphibian deaths on malaria incidence in Costa Rica and Panama. The research led by the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) said the "amphibian die-off" was the main cause of the spike in malaria cases, as cited by Earth.com. Related Article: German Scientists Develop a New Breathing Technique for Frogs The Greek island of Santorini, once known as Thera, had one of the greatest volcanic eruptions in the Holocene epoch, as measured by the amount of material expelled. It is regarded as a watershed moment in the Aegean and East Mediterranean prehistory, with the city of Akrotiri, buried some 1,600 years before Pompeii, becoming one of the most important archaeological sites of the second millennium BCE. Greek volcano mystery Archeologists in the early twentieth century proposed that the volcano erupted approximately 1500 BCE, during the Egyptian New Kingdom period, and built a history around this hypothesis, as per ScienceDaily. However, since the 1970s, breakthroughs in radiocarbon dating have thrown that timeframe into disarray, with many scientists claiming the eruption occurred up to 100 years earlier. Sturt Manning, Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences in Classical Archaeology at the College of Arts and Sciences, hopes to resolve one of contemporary archaeology's long-standing disagreements. By analyzing the available evidence and combining it with cutting-edge statistical research, he has narrowed the range of dates for the eruption to around 1609 to 1560 BCE, during Egypt's prior Second Intermediate Period, when the Hyksos (a Canaanite-origin dynasty) ruled Lower Egypt. While there is no specific date, to the year, for determining the right historical period, the discovery resolves many years of discussion. This has been the single most debated date in Mediterranean history for over 40 years, said Manning, director of the Cornell Tree-Ring Laboratory, to the point where people just say, there's an issue here, we can't fix it, let's go on. Manning compares the Thera eruption to climbing Mount Everest, a goal he has desired to take on since early in his career. With the increased sophistication of Bayesian statistical analysis, accurate dating of the event has become more feasible in recent years, enabling chronological modeling that can integrate massive amounts of data and archaeological observations to better define the probageological and archaeological studies. An often-expressed fear that volcanic carbon dioxide emissions might have tainted organic samples from Thege+ and produced inaccurate age estimations has been the missing piece of the jigsaw. Manning recognized last spring that he could address the problem by searching hundreds of kilometers away from Thera, to places in the Aegean Sea that had tsunami impacts as a result of the eruption. Manning used the dates from these incidents in his model to test for and dismiss the volcanic carbon dioxide caveat. On Thera itself, he also noticed the relevance of a brief but clearly observable gap in time between the abandonment of the settlement at Akrotiri and the major eruption, and he integrated this previously missed limitation into the models. The most plausible dates for the eruption were found as being between approximately 1609-1560 BCE (95.4% likelihood) or between about 1606-1589 BCE (68.3% probability). The new timeline seamlessly integrates the civilizations of the eastern Mediterranean even while ruling out many ancillary theories, such as the idea that the Thera eruption was responsible for the annihilation of Minoan palaces on the coast of Crete, as proposed by Spyridon Marinatos, the first excavator of Akrotiri, in 1939. Read more: Following 8.2 Earthquake, Alaskan Volcano Under Watch for Possible 'Explosive Activity' That doesn't appear to be the case, according to Manning. Because the devastation levels on Crete appear to be up to a century later when we date them. Ifestia Festival After a two-year break due to the pandemic, Santorini's "Ifestia Festival" or "Volcanoes Festival" returned on September 18, 2022, as per Greek Reporter. A stunning display of pyrotechnics and fires prompted the volcano to "erupt" once more in a recreation of the true volcanic explosion that produced Santorini, and the photographs obtained were more spectacular and captivating than ever. The re-enactment of the volcanic eruptions began at 8:00 p.m. around sunset. This was once again a one-of-a-kind sight for locals and tourists to Santorini and Thirasia. The Santorini volcano is one of the world's largest underwater active volcanoes, and it's possibly the only one whose caldera touches the sea. Its most powerful eruption happened some 3,600 years ago, during the Minoan Bronze Age. During the devastating volcanic eruption, the whole center of the circular island was buried in the water. The eruption caused a tidal surge that swept away the advanced civilization of Minoan Crete, which was approximately seventy miles south of Santorini. The massive amount of pumice produced during the volcanic eruption covered a significant portion of the sea's surface and washed ashore to higher heights by the tsunami created by the eruption. Pieces of pumice that appear to have floated to the sea's surface were discovered in most of the Aegean's surrounding locations. Related article: Philippines' Taal Volcano Erupts, Sends Thousands to Flee A huge earthquake struck western Mexico on Monday, prompting many people to believe that the date September 19 is a bad omen. The magnitude 7.6 earthquake killed two people and damaged over 200 houses in the Pacific coast state of Colima. Did Earthquake Hit Mexico on Same Date Three Times? Some analysts noted the comparable big earthquakes that struck Mexico on this day in 1985 and 2017. They further claimed that this is too strange to be a coincidence, as September 19 is said to be a cursed day in Mexico, as per Newsweek. The latter two quakes are claimed to have happened just minutes after a commemoration earthquake exercise in memory of those who died in the 1985 tragedy. All three earthquakes are thought to have happened at the same time in the early afternoon. In these three years, powerful earthquakes struck Mexico on September 19: an 8.0 magnitude quake on September 19, 1985; a 7.1 magnitude quake in 2017; and now this week's quake. In 2017, 370 individuals were killed, 228 of them were Mexican citizens, and 6,000 were wounded. Meanwhile, the 1985 earthquake killed over 5,000 people, wounded approximately 30,000, and displaced approximately 100,000. An analyst informed Bloomberg that this coincidence had just a 0.00075% probability of happening. Others thought that the chance was as low as 0.00000024%. However, this does not support superstitious or paranormal explanations or the identification of alleged patterns. In Mexico, earthquakes of this magnitude or greater are relatively common. The country is frequently impacted by seismic activity caused by the movement of the North American plate against the Cocos and Pacific plates, making it a seismically active zone. Mexico has seen eight earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 7.0 in the last ten years, the majority of which occurred in June, February, April, and March. In reality, just eight Mexican earthquakes have occurred in September since 1900. The three earthquakes on September 19 did not happen at the same time. The tremor this week occurred at 1:05 p.m. time zone It was 1:14 p.m. in 2017. time zone The 1985 earthquake struck at 7:17 a.m. time zone With ongoing earthquake activity all around the world, coincidences are unavoidable. For example, during a legislative discussion on earthquake insurance, an earthquake struck Liechtenstein, which is not known for its seismic activity. Despite recent and substantial breakthroughs in seismology, scientists are still unable to correctly forecast earthquakes. While three earthquakes rocked Mexico on September 19, only two of them had epicenters in the same city, Mexico City. Furthermore, only two happened at the same time of day. There is no scientific proof that the shared date is anything more than a coincidence. Also Read: 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Guam; Aftershocks are Likely in the Coming Hours A powerful earthquake hits Mexico on the fateful anniversary On the anniversary of two terrible earthquakes, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake slammed western Mexico on Monday, killing at least two people, destroying buildings, cutting out electricity, and sending Mexico City's inhabitants fleeing for protection, as per Reuters. Authorities claimed two people died in the Pacific city of Manzanillo, one crushed by the front of a department store and another discovered dead at a mall. As customers cried for aid, videos on social media showed the mall's roof collapsing into the top level, a gym. Authorities reportedly reported damage to many hospitals in the western state of Michoacan, which was close to the epicenter and in a sparsely populated area of Mexico. According to the administration, one person was hurt by falling glass at one of the hospitals. The earthquake struck just after 1 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Mexico's west coast and close to the border between Michoacan and the state of Colima - where the main port of Manzanillo is located - U.S. According to the US Geological Survey. The United States Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for coastal regions, predicting waves of 1 to 3 meters (3 to 9 feet) above the tide level. Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said there were no initial indications of serious damage in the city following the quake, which struck Mexico on the same day as devastating earthquakes in 1985 and 2017. Related article: Shaanxi Earthquake: The Most Devastating Earthquake That Took Lives of 800,000 People The hurricane was moving at Category 4 strength, and while it would not strike the East Coast, it may affect the Outer Banks and Bermuda on its approach to Canada. Fiona barrelling toward eastern Canada As Fiona loomed hundreds of miles away as a major hurricane Wednesday, Bermuda's tropical storm watches were elevated to tropical storm warnings, and a hurricane watch was established. Fiona, the first major hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic season, grew to a Category 4 hurricane Wednesday evening, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 k/mh). As of Wednesday evening, the storm was about 605 miles (970 km) southwest of the territory and traveling north at 9 mph. Fiona's trajectory has shifted westward since the weekend, which may be enough to keep the hurricane's deadly and devastating eye wall to the west of Bermuda later this week. However, based on the most recent projected trajectory, hurricane-force winds are expected to hit the islands late Thursday into early Friday. Bermuda is anticipated to be spared the worst of Fiona's wrath, but AccuWeather meteorologists are warning that Atlantic Canada will bear the full brunt of Fiona's effects this weekend. Even though the storm will not be a significant hurricane when it approaches the Gulf of St. Lawrence region, certain regions may face severe damage. Bermuda's building requirements are stringent, requiring structures to be built to withstand sustained winds of 110 mph and greater gusts. Still, some power outages are expected on the islands, and AccuWeather forecasts have assigned a 1 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes to Fiona, which was packing 125-mph sustained winds and heading north-northwest at 8 mph on Tuesday morning. From Wednesday to Thursday, rough waves will gather in the areas near Bermuda. Forecasters urge cruise ships and cargo boats to avoid the region as a precaution until Fiona has passed. Fiona's waves will propagate outward for hundreds of miles in the form of massive swells, potentially bringing deadly surf conditions to most of the United States Eastern Seaboard this week. According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert, visitors and residents of the Outer Banks and other coastal areas may face significant rip currents and beach erosion from Fiona throughout much of the week. Erosion might be severe on southeastern-facing beaches from Massachusetts to Florida. The Outer Banks of North Carolina will be especially vulnerable in locations where beach repair has not been finished following substantial concerns left behind by a spring storm - given the region's growing periods of erosion due to climate change. Fiona's hurricane-force winds stretch outward up to 45 miles (75 km), while tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 km (315 km). Hurricane hunters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), fresh off a one-of-a-kind expedition to the Cabo Verde Islands off the northwest point of Africa, are gathering data on Fiona and detected the storm's eye on Wednesday night. Also Read: Atlantic Canada Braces for Hurricane Fiona Preparing in Nova Scotia The provincial Emergency Management Office (NSEMO) is advising Nova Scotians to be prepared for possible severe weather this weekend in order to reduce the risk of property damage and personal harm, as per the Government of Nova Scotia Hurricane Fiona is expected to mix with another system as it approaches the province, bringing heavy rain beginning Friday. Strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges can cause power outages, floods, and serious damage in Nova Scotia. In a storm, being prepared is the greatest thing we can do, according to Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr, who is also the Minister in charge of the Emergency Management Office. Related article: Hurricane Fiona Slams Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic Causing Catastrophic Flooding Scientists have created mosquitoes that inhibit the development of malaria-causing parasites in their stomachs, therefore decreasing disease transmission to people. Mosquitoes that can't spread malaria The genetic change allows mosquitoes to create substances in their intestines that inhibit parasite development, making parasites less likely to reach the mosquitoes' salivary glands and be transmitted in a bite before the insects die, as per ScienceDaily. The Transmission: Zero team at Imperial College London developed the breakthrough so that it may be used with current "gene drive" technologies to distribute the alteration and substantially reduce malaria transmission. The team is planning field experiments, but first, they will rigorously verify the new modification's safety before merging it with a gene drive for real-world testing. Collaborators from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Institute for Disease Modeling also created a model that, for the first time, can analyze the impact of such changes in a range of African contexts. They discovered that the Transmission: Zero team's improvement might be a significant tool for reducing malaria cases even in areas where transmission is high. The Lethal Malaria Malaria is one of the world's most lethal illnesses, threatening almost half of the world's population. In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, it infected 241 million and killed 627,000 people in 2021, largely youngsters under the age of five. Dr. Tibebu Habtewold, the co-first author of the study from Imperial's Department of Life Sciences, stated that progress in combating malaria has halted since 2015. Mosquitoes and the parasites they transmit are increasingly resistant to existing interventions like pesticides and medicines, and financing has reached a halt. When a female mosquito bites someone infected with the malaria parasite, the sickness spreads between humans. The parasite then matures in the mosquito's intestines and goes to its salivary glands, ready to infect the next human bitten by the mosquito. Only around 10% of mosquitos live long enough for the parasite to mature to the point where it is infectious. The researchers wanted to increase the odds even more by prolonging the time it takes for the parasite to grow in the stomach. The Transmission: Zero team genetically engineered Anopheles gambiae, the predominant malaria-carrying mosquito species in Sub-Saharan Africa. They were able to modify the mosquito such that when it consumes blood, it creates two chemicals known as antimicrobial peptides in its stomach. These peptides, which were first obtained from honeybees and African clawed frogs, inhibit the growth of the malaria parasite. To apply genetic alteration to reduce malaria transmission in the real world, it must be transferred from lab-bred mosquitos to wild mosquitos. Normal interbreeding might disseminate it to some extent, but because the change has a "fitness cost" in the form of shorter longevity, natural selection would likely rapidly destroy it. Gene drive is a genetic technique that may be given to mosquitos to make the anti-parasite genetic mutation preferentially inherited, allowing it to spread more broadly within any natural population. Because this method is so novel, it would need exceedingly careful preparation before any field testing. As a result, the Transmission: Zero team is developing two distinct but compatible strains of modified mosquitos: one with the anti-parasite alteration and one with the gene drive. The team has established a laboratory in Tanzania with partners to create and handle genetically modified mosquitos, as well as conduct preliminary experiments. Among these are parasites collected from locally affected students to ensure that the alteration works against the parasites prevalent in relevant areas. They are also thoroughly risk-assessing any prospective releases of modified mosquitoes, taking into consideration any potential risks and ensuring community support. Also Read: Techniques on Dealing With Wildfires May Help Mosquito Problem Why Should We Invest in Malaria Control? Malaria control measures have demonstrated a positive return on investment. While much more needs to be done to eradicate this disease, we have made significant progress thanks to increased global attention, increased funding, and successful partnerships, as per Voices for a Malaria Free Future. More than a million African children's lives have been saved in the last decade, and more than 40 endemic countries have cut malaria cases or deaths in half in recent years. We may not only lose the profits we have achieved if we do not continue to invest, but the situation will worsen and cost us considerably more in the future. Malaria control is increasingly acknowledged as an essential component of national poverty reduction programs for malaria-endemic nations due to the disease's social and economic consequences. We must continue to take steps to ensure that malaria control investments are well spent and that Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LLINs), Artemisinin-Combination Therapies (ACTs), and other tools become more accessible to vulnerable populations by subsidizing production costs, making drugs more affordable, and lowering or eliminating anti-malarial taxes and tariffs. Related article: Chinese Scientists Develop Anti-Mosquito Technique Using Nuclear Technology Serbian president, Chinese FM meet on sidelines of UNGA session Xinhua) 16:12, September 22, 2022 NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Vucic asked Wang to convey his cordial greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying Serbia-China relations truly reflect mutual respect and mutual trust, and the practical economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has also developed rapidly. He once again thanked China for its vigorous support for and assistance with Serbia's economic and social development. Serbia, Vucic said, cherishes the friendship with China, firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and recognizes that there is only one China in the world and this position will never change. Wang conveyed Xi's cordial greetings to Vucic, saying China appreciates Serbia's solidarity in safeguarding national sovereignty, national dignity and legitimate rights and interests. Hailing the positive achievements in Serbia's construction, Wang said China and Serbia are each other's trusted and reliable partners. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Serbia relations have entered a new era of vigorous development, and the practical cooperation between the two sides is making leaps and bounds, contributing to Serbia's development and revitalization, said Wang. The China-Serbia friendship has been further strengthened in the joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and solidarity and mutual trust between the two sides have been consolidated, he said. China is willing to continue to provide assistance and support according to Serbia's needs and work with Serbia to build closer bilateral relations, Wang said. The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs). Wang said that since its inception 10 years ago, China-CEEC cooperation has been focused on practical cooperation and has stuck to openness, transparency and complementation of advantages, having yielded fruitful results with potential yet to be tapped. China looks forward to working with Serbia and other CEECs to continue to advance mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Chip powerhouse Broadcom recently announced its intention to acquire virtualization pioneer VMware for $61 billion. In light of Broadcoms less than stellar track record with prior acquisitions (CA Technologies in 2018, and Symantec in 2019), VMwares enterprise customers are understandably worried. Following the purchases of CA and Symantec, Broadcom raised prices, decreased support, and stopped investing in innovation, says Tracy Woo, senior analyst for Forrester. VMware customers would be wise to have an exit plan, she cautioned. IDC analyst Stephen Elliot sees it differently. Rather than advising VMware customers to identify the exits, Elliot believes customers should double down on their relationship with the vendor, moving towards a more strategic business partnership. Either way, the deal isnt expected to officially close until the end of 2023, so enterprises can take a wait-and-see approach before making any decisions. Broadcom tries to reassure VMware customers and employees Both Broadcom and VMware executives are aware of the concerns and have been saying all the right things, promising that it will be different this time. We are approaching the post-closing planning phase of the transaction process with an open mind, while drawing from the lessons learned from our previous acquisitions of CA and Symantec Enterprise, said Broadcom in a blog post. And in a recent town hall meeting, VMware President Sumit Dhawan tried to dispel the worries of VMwares 35,000+ employees. Lets not assume. . . that just because they have done what they have done with Symantec and CA is something that they intend to do with VMware because weve heard quite the opposite so far, Dhawan said. Broadcom insists that it values VMwares technologies as well as VMwares strong relationships with enterprise customers, hyperscalers, systems integrators and channel partners. We dont want to change any of that, and in fact, we want to embrace those relationships, says Broadcom. The company promises that the deal will ultimately be a boon to customers, giving them greater choice and flexibility to build, run, manage, connect and protect traditional and modern applications at scale across diversified, distributed environments. Will Broadcom stifle VMware innovation? One potential red flag is Broadcoms stated goal of increasing VMwares annual profits from $4.7 billion to $8.5 billion within three years. Broadcom contends that it can do this by eliminating duplicative general and administration functions across human resources, finance, legal, facilities and information technology. Forresters Woo is skeptical. Eliminating duplicative back-office functions doesnt add up to the nearly $4 billion in additional profits Broadcom seeks. What else will they need to cut? The worry is that Broadcom will take the scalpel to other areas, such as customer support and R&D. If Broadcoms vision of a full-stack, mainframe-to-edge computing powerhouse is to become a reality, the company will need to invest not just in high-value projects, as Broadcom has indicated it will focus on, but also VMware initiatives that are just gaining steam, such as its container management software, Tanzu. Perhaps, the extensive product portfolio, existing enterprise dependencies, and combined sales channels will enable the new VMware to achieve that rapid growth spurt without cuts to personnel, support, or innovation, but nearly doubling profits in three years is an aggressive goal. Plus, there is Broadcoms track record of hiking prices, trimming operating budgets, and cutting support after acquisitions, a track record which, according to a survey by 451 Research, already worries VMwares existing customers. The survey of more than 300 technology leaders, which was conducted after the acquisition was announced, found that while many tech leaders believe there could indeed be synergies between the two companies, 40% of respondents had negative feelings about the proposed deal. The top concern from respondents was the same one analysts have been voicing: that Broadcom would stifle innovation. Will Broadcom treat VMware differently that its other acquisitions? However, several factors point to a future that doesnt necessarily follow Broadcoms track record with previous acquisitions. The first is scale. With a purchase price of $61 billion, VMware is by far Broadcoms biggest acquisition to date, which puts intense pressure on Broadcom to make it a growing, sustainable operation, rather than milking it dry, as Broadcom has been accused of doing with its prior purchases. The next factor is the existence of VMwares strong partner ecosystem. Broadcom needs to build relationships with channel partners, or a big part of VMwares value could evaporate quickly. The timing of the deal also comes into play. VMware had been pivoting from being a server virtualization vendor into containers, multi-cloud offerings, and hyperscaler products, so a roadmap that integrates Broadcoms existing assets in networking, security and AIOps with VMwares portfolio builds on a transition already in the making. Finally, a major difference with this acquisition is that VMware products dont compete with Broadcoms. There is not a lot of overlap in these two companies portfolios, says Elliot. For Broadcom, everything that VMware brings to the table is additive. VMware technologies are already deeply entrenched in most enterprises, and the companys customer relations tend to be well regarded. VMware is very sticky, Elliot adds. Broadcom understands that, and they want to maintain or even expand on that stickiness. Elliot argues that VMwares unique position as a virtualization pioneer with a massive, loyal customer base makes this deal very different than previous Broadcom acquisitions, which had more overlap and were in more commodified market sectors. You do a deal like this to transform your business, to drive growth, to create a better relationship with customers, Elliot said. Broadcoms attitude is that they have a lot to learn from VMware. VMware has operating practices that are exceptional and could influence the future of Broadcom. Will a brain drain dampen the deal? At a VMware town hall shortly after the deal was announced, one of the first questions VMwares Chief People Officer Betsy Sutter fielded was from an employee who asked, Why should I stay? The implication is that if Broadcom strips VMware down for parts, world-class engineers, support specialists, and sales and marketing experts will leave. Sutter disputed the premise, pointing out that the acquisition could open up opportunities for both employees and customers. Yet, several of VMwares top execs have already left the company, recruiters from competing tech vendors have been circling, and there are plenty of rumors about an impending employee exodus at VMware. The acquisition is supposed to close by the end of 2023, so this is by no means a done deal. Internal turmoil at VMware could pose problems, Woo notes. Synergies could open up new business models One indication that Broadcom is serious about investing in VMware is that the chip maker has announced that the Broadcom Software Group will be rebranded as VMware after the deal closes. If Broadcom and VMware can combine strengths, not only will the integration of the portfolio benefit customers, but the synergies among these various products could unlock new business models, Elliot said. Broadcom has a vision of transforming itself into a software powerhouse that enterprise customers can rely on from mainframes to networking to security to virtualization to edge computing. VMware itself had been pursuing multi-cloud and container initiatives, such as Project Arctic and Tanzu Kubernetes, that align with the vision Broadcom has for the future of its enterprise software group. The idea is that Broadcoms existing software suite, which includes AIOps, cybersecurity, and enterprise automation solutions, will be tightly integrated with VMware solutions for cloud infrastructure and modern applications. Because these two portfolios are so large and important to enterprise production environments, the acquisition creates an opportunity (for Broadcom/VMware) to build stronger customer relationships, Elliot said. Theres value in the breadth of portfolio, especially if they can stitch these different products together into a coherent whole. What should VMware customers do? For many enterprise customers, their cloud and application infrastructures rely heavily on VMware products, so decoupling would not be easy. However, its probably not a bad idea to at least sketch out a potential exit strategy in the event that the worst fears of Broadcom skeptics come to pass. For most, however, taking a wait-and-see attitude is probably the prudent approach. The deal isnt slated to close until Q4 2023, which buys enterprises time to assess their options. Elliot recommends that VMware customers should focus on product planning, future road maps, and better communications to create a more strategic business partnership. That approach is probably applicable only to very large enterprises. After the previous CA and Symantec acquisitions, Broadcom left smaller accounts out in the cold. Even so, not only will Broadcom Software Group rebrand as VMware, but the chip maker is paying a premium for VMware. When the deal was announced, the $61 billion price tag represented a 44 percent premium over the closing price of VMware common stock. It would be an odd move for Broadcom to pay a premium for an asset it intends to strip down for parts. Whichever path Broadcom chooses for VMwaremilk it for short-term profit or invest in VMware like its the new crown jewelsexisting customers would be wise to keep their options open. In the short term, its probably a smart bet to take Elliots advice and see if youre able to create the strategic relationship that you want with VMware, but if that doesnt work out, youll have bought yourself the time to develop a thorough exit plan. (Jeff Vance is an IDG contributing writer and the founder of Startup50.com, a site that discovers, analyzes, and ranks tech startups. Follow him on Twitter, @JWVance, or connect with him on LinkedIn.) Film Critic Chuck Koplinski is The News-Gazette's film critic. His email is chuckkoplinski@gmail.com and you can follow him on Twitter (@ckoplinski). In Friday's Meeting Minutes & More special section: A look back at the 140 recipients of the Girl Scouts' Women of Distinction awards, a list that will grow by two next week when Jenette Jurczyk and Kerry Rossow are honored. Reporter Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). Our County Editor Dave Hinton is editor of The News-Gazette's Our County section and former editor of the Rantoul Press. He can be reached at dhinton@news-gazette.com. AP US urges world to tell Russia to stop its nuclear threats The United States is urging other nations to tell Russia to stop making nuclear threats and end the horror of its war in Ukraine In a recent study published in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, researchers described an unusual case of patient-to-healthcare worker (HCW) monkeypox virus (MPXV) transmission via a needlestick injury that occured in Brazil. Research Letter: Monkeypox Virus Transmission to Healthcare Worker through Needlestick Injury, Brazil. Image Credit: FOTOGRIN / Shutterstock Background A recent study reported only one case of MPXV transmission in healthcare facilities to an HCW, likely through contact with contaminated bedding. Earlier, nonendemic countries had only sporadic zoonotic or travel-associated monkeypox outbreaks. Human-to-human or animal-to-human MPXV transmission was rare even in Africa before 2022. However, during MaySeptember 2022, over 64,000 MPXV cases worldwide, mainly via sexual contact, were recorded. About the study In the present study, researchers described clinical features of MPXV infection in a 20-year-old female nurse after a needlestick injury she sustained on July 9, 2022. The nurse was collecting discardable materials wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when a needle perforated her glove; the puncture site was evident immediately. The researchers collected blood, skin lesion samples, and oropharyngeal samples from the infected nurse to test for MPXV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The source of MPXV infection was a 20-year-old male patient. Two weeks before the needlestick incident, he contracted a mild monkeypox infection. His clinical symptoms encompassed pain in the throat, cervical lymphadenopathy, and skin lesions on the face, torso, and groin. The authors received consent from both the patient and nurse for this report. Timeline of symptoms and testing in a case of MPXV transmission to healthcare worker through needlestick injury, Brazil. All collected specimens had RT-PCR detectable MPXV through hospital discharge. Numerals inside squares indicate RT-PCR cycle threshold values. MPXV, monkeypox virus; RT-PCR, reverse transcription PCR. Study findings All the specimens collected from the nurse had detectable MPXV DNA during the entire duration of hospitalization, yet, she was transferred into outpatient care before lesion resolution. This case gave a much-needed sneak peek into the natural progression of MPXV infection by enabling the researchers to study clinical and laboratory results of different disease stages. MPXV, in this case, had an incubation period of five days. First, the patient experienced pain and inflammation at the injury site and then developed a cutaneous lesion. General disease symptoms, including fever and lymphadenopathy, appeared later. Concerning the number of skin lesions, the nurse had seven lesions, with three on her face, one on the thumb (inoculation site), right-hand palm, left-hand dorsal side, and left thigh. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of her injury site on day 15 showed a neurovascular bundle and subcutaneous inflammation. Furthermore, the authors noted that the unusual needlestick MPXV transmission abrogated a prodromal phase in the HCW. It was similar to bite or scratch MPXV transmission from infected animals to humans. Most patients who acquire MPXV by sexual contact have severe anorectal pain. Likewise, the nurse experienced severe injury site pain, indicating that painful lesions and neural impairment begins at the primary MPXV inoculation site, as observed in the nurse's MR images. Moreover, the researchers detected MPXV DNA in the nurse's blood sample on day 8 of infection, before the appearance of skin lesions at distant sites, indicating hematogenous MPXV dissemination. Another retrospective study of MPXV antiviral therapy similarly detected MPXV DNA in a patient's blood after 14 days, after skin lesions had resolved. There is no explanation of how detectable MPXV DNA correlates with true viremia. However, persistent detection of MPXV DNA points to its bloodborne transmission via needlesticks, blood transfusions, and organ transplants. The authors also consistently detected viral DNA in the oropharyngeal samples of HCW, although the efficiency of the droplet or airborne transmission of MPXV remains unknown. Conclusions Due to a scarcity of documented cases of needlestick monkeypox transmission, the researchers could not comment on MPXV transmission risk. However, this case points out that instruments used on cutaneous lesions likely pose a high risk. Smallpox vaccination was discontinued in Brazil after 1979, and smallpox or monkeypox vaccines are unavailable in Brazil as yet. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis, including vaccination of HCWs on priority with a second or third-generation vaccine (when available). Notably, a vaccine against MPXV could be given even after four days of viral exposure. An estimated 8.4 million people were living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) across the globe in 2021, according to the results of a new modeling study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. This number is predicted to increase to 13.5-17.4 million people living with T1D by 2040. "Given that prevalence of people with T1D is projected to increase in all countries to up to 17.5 million cases in 2040, our results provide a warning for substantial negative implications for societies and healthcare systems. There is an opportunity to save millions of lives in the coming decades by raising the standard of care for T1D (including ensuring universal access to insulin and other essential supplies) and increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms of T1D to enable a 100% rate of diagnosis in all countries. Our model, which will be made available open-source, will make data on the burden of T1D widely accessible and serve as a platform for stakeholders to make improvements in T1D care and outcomes," says Prof. Graham Ogle, one of the authors of the study, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia. Data on T1D prevalence and mortality is rarely available in most countries - missing data usually relates to LMICs and adult populations, with most previous studies calculating T1D incidence based on European and North American data. The 2017 Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission on Diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa, WHO, and WHA have all stated an urgent need for worldwide data on T1D. This new study aims to answer these calls, providing modelling estimates that are highly comparable to observed data and estimating missing prevalence for the first time, providing a more meaningful basis for change in T1D care and policy. The results will be made publicly available in an open-source database as part of the T1D Index Project, aimed at assisting health planners, professionals, and advocates to improve care and health outcomes. Researchers modelled data on childhood, adolescent and adult T1D prevalence in 97 countries, along with incidence over time data from 65 countries and mortality data from 37 countries to predict T1D incidence, prevalence, and mortality in 2021 for 201 countries, with projections of future prevalence through 2040. The estimates were tested for accuracy against real world prevalence data from 15 countries. In 2021, the model estimated that 8.4 million individuals worldwide were living with T1D. Of these individuals, 18% were under 20 years old, 64% were between 20-59 years, and 19% were over 60 years. Although historically T1D has been a disease associated with onset in childhood, these results reveal that numerically more adults than children are diagnosed every year (316,000 vs 194,000 incident cases worldwide in 2021), with a mean diagnosis age of 32 years. "These findings have important implications for diagnosis, models of care, and peer support programs. Such programs, in countries where they exist, are almost exclusively designed, and delivered for children and youth with T1D. In addition, our findings emphasise the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and data collection on T1D incidence, prevalence, and mortality in adult populations - an area where data are especially scarce," says Prof. Dianna Magliano, one of the authors of the study, Monash University, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Melbourne Australia. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today The ten countries with the highest estimated T1D prevalence USA, India, Brazil, China, Germany, UK, Russia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Spain account for 5.08 million (60%) of global cases of T1D. Model estimates also suggest that 21% of individuals with T1D live in LICs and LMICs. Model estimates place global deaths due to T1D at 175,000 in 2021. Of these, 35,000 or 20% were attributed to non-diagnosis, of which 14,500 were in sub-Saharan Africa and 8,700 were in South Asia. The researchers estimate that an extra 3.1 million people would have been alive in 2021 if they hadn't died prematurely due to suboptimal care of T1D, and a further 700,000 people would still be alive if they hadn't died prematurely due to non-diagnosis. "Our findings indicate that the overall footprint of T1D is much larger than previous estimates have indicated, when missing prevalence due to excess mortality is accounted for. This is particularly true in low- and middle-income countries - for example in sub-Saharan Africa which accounts for 357,000 cases of T1D or 4% of global prevalence but 23% (40,000) of the lives lost each year - highlighting the urgent need to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of T1D in LMICs," says Prof. Kim Donaghue, one of the authors of the study, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia. The projected T1D prevalence in 2040 given by the model was is 13.5-17.5 million people, with largest relative increases predicted to occur in LICs and LMICs. Conservative estimates place the relative increase in the number of people living with T1D by 2040 compared to 2020 at 66%. We hope that these country-level modelling results will be used by policy makers, researchers, and healthcare professionals alike to build initiatives that improve surveillance of T1D worldwide and encourage Universal health coverage programs, so that T1D care is available and affordable to all, addressing the substantial global burden of this disease." Mr Tom Robinson, Study Author, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Australia The authors acknowledge some limitations with this study, including a lack of data to input into the model. Data is more limited for adult populations, in LMICs, and before 1975. Information obtained based on extrapolation from nearby countries may be less accurate depending on genetic and environmental factors. In addition, estimate of rates of death from non-diagnosis are based on clinician impressions and are likely to be higher or lower than the actual situation. For mortality rates in diagnosed cases, information is scarce before 1980. Writing in a linked Comment, Hui Shao, University of Florida, USA (who was not involved in the study), said: "The increasing global burden of Type 1 diabetes [] calls for worldwide actions to alleviate the insulin access and affordability issues. Potential solutions are multifaceted, many of which depend on the country's political and economic environment. In brief, countries need to strengthen the price regulation and reimbursement policy of insulin while building subsidy programs to ensure insulin access and cope with the growing demand for insulin." The prevalence, age of onset, and clinical symptoms for virtually all neuropsychiatric disorders differ between men and women. Among the disorders with pronounced sex bias are Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), where the ratio of males/females diagnosed is approximately 4 to 1. Whether this skewed ratio arises from roles played in brain development by sex-specific DNA sequences or hormones or reflects the way that biological mechanisms and environmental influences elicit behavioral patterns differently in males and females, remains an area of open investigation. Regardless of origin, altered behavior in these disorders signals a change in the function of key brain circuits wired up during development, refined throughout life, and coordinated through the actions of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. One vital neurotransmitter that plays a key role in the behaviors altered by both ADHD and ASD is dopamine, whose powerful actions support motor initiation and coordination, motivation, reward and social behavior, as well as attention and higher cognitive function. Although dopamine-sensitive brain circuits engaged in these processes have been under scrutiny for decades, and in the case of ADHD, are the target of medications such as Adderall and Ritalin, the intrinsic sex-dependent differences in these pathways that could guide more precise diagnoses and treatments have only recently begun to be elucidated. To better understand how dopamine levels at brain synapses are managed, neuroscientists from Florida Atlantic University, along with collaborators at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, have now added a significant piece to this puzzle by establishing key differences in the molecular dopamine disposal machinery in the brains of male and female mice. The new research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry and led by Randy Blakely, Ph.D., professor of biomedical science in FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine and executive director of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, provides new insight into how sex determines the mechanisms by which distinct synapses monitor and regulate dopamine signaling. Moreover, the impact the sex differences described is particularly pronounced when the mice express a human genetic variant found in boys with either ADHD or ASD. Often, due to assumptions that sex hormone variation will cloud data interpretations, and that use of one sex will cut animal use and costs in half without a loss of key insights, many researchers using animal models to study brain disorders work chiefly with males, even more reasonable when modeling disorders that exhibit male bias." Randy Blakely, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Science, FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine In a prior study, looking for genetic changes in dopamine regulatory genes in children with ADHD, Blakely and his team identified a gene variant that alters the function of the dopamine transporter (DAT) in a peculiar way. Normally DAT acts to remove dopamine from synapses, acting like a nanoscale dopamine vacuum cleaner. When the DAT variant was expressed in cells, however, it "ran backward," spitting out dopamine rather than efficiently removing it. After engineering the variant into the genome of mice, Blakely's team found changes in behavior and drug responses predicted by this anomalous DAT behavior, with an emphasis on traits linked to pathways related to locomotor activation, habitual behavior and impulsivity. Notably, these studies were performed exclusively with male mutant mice. Blakely and Adele Stewart, Ph.D., first author on the report, a research assistant professor of biomedical science in FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine and a member of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, recognized there was more to be done, particularly with respect to how females would handle the mutation. Would the DAT mutation impact the same brain regions and behaviors in females as it had done in males? The answer is a resounding no. Females show effects of the mutation in brain regions unaffected in males and vice versa. Further work revealed that this switch is due to a circuit flip in how brain pathways in males and females use a key DAT regulator protein to magnify the backwards activity of the transporter. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today The behavioral consequences of this region-specific, sex-biased pattern of DAT regulation are profound, with the mutant DAT altering behaviors in a pattern unique to each sex. For example, mutant females appeared more anxious and had issues with novelty recognition compared to wildtype females. Males on the other hand are less social and display increased perseverative behavior, changes not seen in females. "Our work clearly shows that the female mutant DAT mice are not 'protected' from the impact of the mutation, but rather, exhibit a unique set of behavioral changes linked to an ingrained, sex-biased architecture of the dopamine system," said Stewart. "The same variant also has been found in two unrelated boys with ASD, a disorder that often also displays comorbid ADHD." Interestingly, the only reported clinical occurrence of the DAT variant in a female involved a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BPD). Both the mania and depression associated with BPD have been suggested to be linked to altered dopamine signaling. Blakely's group also has reported high impulsivity traits in a female carrier of the same mutation studied in this latest paper, suggesting that overlap of traits linked to dopamine can also occur between the sexes, or perhaps the forms of impulsivity (e.g. waiting versus action) may be involved. A "resilience" framework often is used to explain discrepancies in the sex bias observed in neuropsychiatric disorders. However, recent evidence suggests that sex bias can be due, at least in part, to differences in symptomology and associated comorbidities and the resultant failure of current diagnostic instruments to assure identification of the same disorder in both sexes. "While we understand that there are biological differences between rodent and human brains, studies like ours provide an important opportunity to explore biological mechanisms that contribute to sex differences in risk for neuropsychiatric diseases," said Stewart. "What our study shows is that behavioral generalizations across the sexes may limit diagnosis of mental illness, particularly if one sex translates alterations into outward signs such as hyperactivity and aggression versus more internal manifestations such as learning, memory and mood, even when the same molecular pathology is at work. What is more, our work supports the idea that treatment strategies should be cognizant of the sex-dependence of neuronal signaling mechanisms rather than assuming treatment that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. In fact, such therapies may either not be good for the gander at all, or good for a completely different kind of disorder." The research provides a clear example of how genetic changes can have sex-dependent effects on physiology and behavior, depending on whether other co-regulatory genes are naturally expressed by the same cells. "Because the basis for the differential response to the DAT mutation is the presence or absence of DAT regulation in these two areas, the implications do not just apply to the few individuals with the genetic variant nor are limited to ADHD and ASD," said Blakely. "Investigators exploring other disorders linked to altered dopamine signaling should consider whether the mechanism we have uncovered could drive sex-dependent features of these diseases. By extension, we now need to consider whether the mechanism we have uncovered contributes to sex-dependent ways in which dopamine signaling drives normal behavior." An aggressive type of pediatric brain tumor, medulloblastoma, exists in a pre-malignant form at birth after initially developing during the first or second trimester of pregnancy, according to a new international study. As medulloblastomas typically present during childhood, around seven years of age, the team's discovery is the first indication there could be a window of several years during which a medulloblastoma could be prevented from ever occurring. Four leading research groups partnered to study the highly aggressive brain tumor, including groups at the Max Rady College of Medicine at the University of Manitoba, the National Cancer Center in Tokyo, Japan, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). The team's findings were published today in Nature. Brain tumors are the deadliest form of childhood cancer and account for 20 per cent of all new pediatric cancer cases. Treatment for medulloblastoma currently consists of aggressive surgery, high doses of chemotherapy, and/or radiation of the whole brain and spinal cord. Up to 40 per cent of patients still succumb to the disease, while survivors must deal with the long-term toxicities associated with chemotherapy and radiation. Medulloblastoma is comprised of multiple subgroups and the study focused on the most common and least well-understood subgroup, called Group 4. The study team's goal was to identify how and where Group 4 tumors arise during embryonic development in the hopes of accelerating discoveries of more effective treatments. The researchers collected medulloblastoma samples from children's hospitals around the world and used several sequencing technologies to successfully identify genetic variations that can cause Group 4 medulloblastomas. They found these genetic variations were effectively "stalling" normal cellular differentiation in a specific cell type only present during early fetal development of the human cerebellum. This "stalling" of normal cellular differentiation results in a pre-malignant form of the tumor that then resides in the brain after birth, a finding which may be generalizable to the other forms of medulloblastoma. The researchers note that the cell type they identified is far more common and is found in a region of the developing cerebellum that is more structurally complex in humans compared to other mammals. They say this could mean medulloblastoma is a direct consequence of the evolved complexity of the human cerebellum. Crucially, the team's findings show medulloblastomas originate much earlier in pregnancy than previously thought and that they could even be preventable. They say clinicians may have a window of opportunity between birth and symptom onset to detect medulloblastomas before they develop, and possibly to prevent them from ever turning into deadly brain tumors. This is thought to be the first time that medulloblastoma has been identified as potentially preventable. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Fonds de Recherche du Quebec Sante, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, National Cancer Center Research and Development Funds and SickKids Foundation. Quotes Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today "This project was a beautiful example of teamwork, where each lab contributed an important piece of the puzzle. Working as a team over the last 18 months has led us in exciting new directions. Now that we can pinpoint where these tumors come from, we can develop better models of the disease that will then be used for extensive drug testing. This may even allow for earlier detection, so this research is very exciting and opens a lot of new opportunities," says Dr. Tamra Werbowetski-Ogilvie, professor of biochemistry and medical genetics in the Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba and researcher with the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM). "The detailed mechanisms of how Group 4 medulloblastoma arises have been an enigma for a long time. Now, amazing progress has been made through our collaborative efforts. Our discovery couldn't have been achieved without big sequencing data and the cooperation of many institutes. We pay tribute to honor the many patients and their families who donated samples to our study. Their gift opens avenues for a new way to prevent this deadly childhood brain tumor," says Dr. Hiromichi Suzuki, chief and principal investigator in the Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research at National Cancer Center Japan. "Our success was only possible because of the amazing international team involving a wide range of clinical and basic scientific expertise. Central to the study were extensive comparisons of normal and tumor tissue to enable rapid identification of the genes and cells that go awry to cause these tumours. Studies in cultured cells were then essential to confirm our findings. We are excited to continue to work together to develop precision therapies for affected children," says Dr. Kathleen Millen, professor and principal investigator at the Center for Integrative Brain Research at the Seattle Children's Research Institute. "We wanted to see how we could speed up the development of more effective therapies, but what we discovered may be even better than what we imagined. Preventing cancer from happening in the first place instead of treating it after it happens is the best possible outcome for children. This paper makes great strides for children with medulloblastoma and could only have been possible through a remarkable international collaboration that involved 46 different hospitals across 17 countries," says Dr. Michael Taylor, pediatric neurosurgeon and senior scientist in the Developmental & Stem Cell Biology program at SickKids, and professor of surgery at the University of Toronto. Mount Sinai researchers have used novel artificial intelligence methods to examine structural and cellular features of human brain tissues to help determine the causes of Alzheimer's disease and other related disorders. The research team found that studying the causes of cognitive impairment by using an unbiased AI-based method-;as opposed to traditional markers such as amyloid plaques-;revealed unexpected microscopic abnormalities that can predict the presence of cognitive impairment. These findings were published in the journal Acta Neuropathologica Communications on September 20. AI represents an entirely new paradigm for studying dementia and will have a transformative effect on research into complex brain diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease. The deep learning approach was applied to the prediction of cognitive impairment, a challenging problem for which no current human-performed histopathologic diagnostic tool exists." John Crary, MD, PhD, Co-Corresponding Author, Professor of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Neuroscience, and Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai The Mount Sinai team identified and analyzed the underlying architecture and cellular features of two regions in the brain, the medial temporal lobe and frontal cortex. In an effort to improve the standard of postmortem brain assessment to identify signs of diseases, the researchers used a weakly supervised deep learning algorithm to examine slide images of human brain autopsy tissues from a group of more than 700 elderly donors to predict the presence or absence of cognitive impairment. The weakly supervised deep learning approach is able to handle noisy, limited, or imprecise sources to provide signals for labeling large amounts of training data in a supervised learning setting. This deep learning model was used to pinpoint a reduction in Luxol fast blue staining, which is used to quantify the amount of myelin, the protective layer around brain nerves. The machine learning models identified a signal for cognitive impairment that was associated with decreasing amounts of myelin staining; scattered in a non-uniform pattern across the tissue; and focused in the white matter, which affects learning and brain functions. The two sets of models trained and used by the researchers were able to predict the presence of cognitive impairment with an accuracy that was better than random guessing. In their analysis, the researchers believe the diminished staining intensity in particular areas of the brain identified by AI may serve as a scalable platform to evaluate the presence of brain impairment in other associated diseases. The methodology lays the groundwork for future studies, which could include deploying larger scale artificial intelligence models as well as further dissection of the algorithms to increase their predictive accuracy and reliability. The team said, ultimately, the goal of this neuropathologic research program is to develop better tools for diagnosis and treatment of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. "Leveraging AI allows us to look at exponentially more disease relevant features, a powerful approach when applied to a complex system like the human brain," said co-corresponding author Kurt W. Farrell, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Neuroscience, and Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, at Icahn Mount Sinai. "It is critical to perform further interpretability research in the areas of neuropathology and artificial intelligence, so that advances in deep learning can be translated to improve diagnostic and treatment approaches for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders in a safe and effective manner." Lead author Andrew McKenzie, MD, PhD, Co-Chief Resident for Research in the Department of Psychiatry at Icahn Mount Sinai, added: "Interpretation analysis was able to identify some, but not all, of the signals that the artificial intelligence models used to make predictions about cognitive impairment. As a result, additional challenges remain for deploying and interpreting these powerful deep learning models in the neuropathology domain." Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas, Newcastle University in Tyne, United Kingdom, Boston University School of Medicine in Boston, and UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas also contributed to this research. The study was supported by funding from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute on Aging, and the Tau Consortium by the Rainwater Charitable Foundation. Bronx county has the country's fifth-highest rate of HIV diagnosis-;but the lowest rate in New York State for use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), medications that are extremely effective in preventing HIV infection. Physician-researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System have received a five-year, $4.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to compare two strategies for improving PrEP access and use in the Bronx. "There are severe racial/ethnic, and socioeconomic inequities in HIV infection rates and PrEP use, with people who identify as Black or African American and Hispanic shouldering the greatest burden," said Uriel Felsen, M.D., M.S., a principal investigator on the grant, associate professor of medicine at Einstein, medical director for HIV testing at the Montefiore AIDS Center, and assistant director of the clinical and translational sciences core at the Einstein-Rockefeller-CUNY Center for AIDS Research (ERC CFAR). Rates of new infections among Black/African American people are more than eight times as high-;and among Hispanic/Latino people nearly four times as high-;as those of white people, according to the U.S. Department of Health. People in urban areas with high poverty rates are 10 times more likely to be living with HIV than those from more affluent areas. "Our goal," Dr. Felsen said "is to meet Bronx residents where they are in order to improve PrEP access and reduce HIV infection rates." Many people at risk for HIV seek care for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in emergency departments (EDs). But the traditional approach of focusing on acute illness in this setting is poorly suited for preventing HIV. While EDs can offer referrals to the appropriate services, "nationally, fewer than one-fourth of patients who are referred to sexual or HIV preventive care make appointments," said Viraj Patel, M.D., M.P.H., a principal investigator on the grant, associate professor of medicine at Einstein, co-director of the Montefiore Prevention Program (which focuses on HIV), and associate director of the behavioral and implementation sciences core at the ERC CFAR. "It's crucial to find more efficient ways to connect ED patients for whom PrEP is recommended to the clinicians who can provide this highly effective medicine." The two strategies supported by the grant will be evaluated at different Bronx EDs, which are among the busiest in the nation. Participants in both strategies, totaling 1,400 people, will receive the appropriate treatment for their STI during their ED visit. One strategy will assign a sexual health navigator to contact patients after the ED visit. The navigator will provide PrEP education and attempt to enroll these patients in ongoing sexual and HIV preventive care. The second approach, called Tele-PrEP, offers people a telehealth consultation with a sexual health specialist while they're still in the ED. This specialist can provide information on and prescribe PrEP at that time and set up appointments with a care provider or facility that offers ongoing HIV preventive care. We want to see whether the novel strategy of prescribing PrEP right in the ED can become a new national model for enrolling more people on this important tool to prevent HIV infection." Dr. Viraj Patel, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine The grant is titled "ED2PrEP - patient focused, low-burden strategies for PrEP uptake among emergency departments patients: a cross-over hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial." (1R01AI169636) Sarit Golub, Ph.D., professor of psychology, Hunter College and the City University of New York Graduate Center, is co-investigator on the grant. The first case of the human monkeypox virus (hMPXV) was confirmed by the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in an individual traveling back from Nigeria on 7th May 2022. This patient developed rashes a few days before traveling to the UK, while hospitalization took place on his arrival to the UK. hMPXV was confirmed with the help of a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using a vesicular swab sample. Following this, more than 1,500 cases were suspected or confirmed in 45 countries, causing the World Health Organization (WHO) to call an emergency meeting to curb the virus's rapid spread. MPXV is a double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus and Poxviridae family. It is a zoonotic virus present on WHO's list of viruses possessing pandemic or epidemic potential. It is a 200 to 250 nm large, enveloped, cytoplasmic virus that can enter the host cell through binding to glycosaminoglycans. However, limited studies are available on the origin of hMPXV, pathogenesis, and treatment. A new review in the Virus Research journal aims to provide an overview of the recent advances reported concerning hMPXV virology. Review: The Virology of Human Monkeypox Virus (hMPXV): A Brief Overview. Image Credit: Dotted Yeti / Shutterstock Origin of the virus The first isolation of the virus took place from smallpox-like vesiculopustular lesions that appeared on imported monkeys in Denmark. For the next few years, similar outbreaks in monkeys were observed elsewhere. A widespread outbreak took place at a zoo in Rotterdam in 1966. Assumptions were made that the virus first affected South American giant anteaters before spreading to different apes and monkeys. Initial human infections were identified in individuals from Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, which confirmed hMPXV as a distinct virus. After that, the virus was found to be endemic to western and central African counties from 1970 to 2003. The first report of an outbreak outside Africa was reported in the United States during the import of nine different mammalian species from Ghana in 2003. A spill-over event was identified when a 3-year-old girl was brought to the emergency following a prairie dog bite. Following this, sporadic outbreaks have been observed worldwide that can be traceable to the endemic regions of Africa. However, accurate detection of its natural reservoir is still under investigation. MPXV clades The Orthopoxvirus is genetically and antigenically similar and comprises open reading frames (ORFs) with more than 90% sequence similarity among its members. Evolutionary changes in the virus are reported to be due to gene loss at the terminal ends of the genome and variations in gene copy number. The hMPXV genome size is approximately 197 kb and comprises about 190 non-overlapping ORFs along with a central coding region sequence (CRS) whose ends are flanked by inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). The most described hMPXV clades are the West African (WA) and Central African/Congo Basin (CA) clades. The WA clade is found to cause milder infections with lower mortality rates, while the CA clade is found to cause more severe infections with a mortality of 10% among non-vaccinated people. Previous studies have indicated that the CA clade comprises 173 unique functional genes while the WA clade comprises 171. Moreover, 53 of the 56 virulence genes were observed in both clades. The virulence difference between both the clades was observed due to differences in COP-C3L, BR-209, and BR-203 gene orthologs. Additionally, the D14R gene was found to be another crucial anti-inflammatory factor that was absent from the WA clade and also contributed to the difference in virulence. A recent analysis of the hMPXV genome from the 2022 outbreak indicated mutations of bases Cytosine (C) to Thymine (T) and Guanine (G) to Adenine (A) that might be caused by enzyme APOBEC3. Also, a 30-T base long sequence has been observed in the middle of the genome from the 2022 isolates, whose role is yet to be determined. Pathogenesis hMPXV pathogenesis included the entry of the virus, fusion, replication, and release. Two infectious forms of the virus have been observed to be produced, intracellular mature virions (MV) and extracellular enveloped virions (EV). MVs are found to be single membrane-bound, while EVs comprise a distinct triple membrane. Antibodies and vaccines that are unable to target and produce EV antigens are found to provide lower protection. Furthermore, two multi-subunit complexes have been identified that are important for the completion of the viral infectious cycle, the Conserved Oligomeric Golgi (COG) and Golgi-Associated Retrograde Protein (GARP) complex. The GARP complex helps retrograde endosomal transport and comprises four vacuolar protein sorting (VPS) genes. The COG complex help in the maintenance of Golgi structure and intra-Golgi traffic regulation. It comprises two lobes, each consisting of 4 associated subunits. Through bioinformatic analysis, the identification of two distinct regions, ORF 17 to 32 (R1) and ORF 179 to 193 (R2). Deletion of one or both regions has been found to reduce mice morbidity and mortality as well as attenuate viral replication. Additionally, hMPXV has been observed to upregulate core histones and downregulate histone expression regulation factors and cell membrane ion channels associated with the host cell cycle. Cytokine storm Similar to COVID-19, a cytokine storm was observed in the case of hMPXV infection that led to high levels of interleukins IL-4, -5, -6, and -10 and low levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon alpha, and gamma, along with IL-2 and -12. hMPXV infections also induced a cascade of complementary B cell responses. In addition, six monoclonal antibodies were identified that targeted A33, B5, L1, D8, H3, and A27, which protected against orthopoxviral respiratory tract infection and systemic infection. Diagnostic Modalities for hMPXV Diagnosis of hMPXV can occur through viral culture and isolation, PCR, IgM/IgG serology testing, immunohistochemistry of specific antigens, and negative staining electron microscopy of the rash. Moreover, a sensitive diagnostic tool known as Antibody Immuno Column for Analytical Processes (AICAP) immunofiltration tool has been developed to detect all zoonotic orthopoxviruses. Recently, a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay has been developed that can detect the G2R gene of the virus in under 7 minutes. Metabolic activity, along with lymph node size, can also determine the presence of hMPXV infections. Also, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging with [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) has been found to accurately predict the course of hMPXV disease for non-human primate models. Treatment and Prophylaxis Antiviral treatment with cidofovir or some other associated acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analog has been observed to be more effective in treating lethal hMPXV in monkeys post-24 hours of exposure as compared to smallpox vaccination. However, a new antiviral known as PAV-164 has been developed to inhibit MPXV replication and overcome resistance to available antivirals. Revesterol, a natural polyphenol, has also been found to reduce in vitro hMPXV replication against both clades significantly. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended using the JYNNEOS vaccine as an alternative to the ACAM2000 vaccine in 2022. JYNNEOS has been developed from a replication-deficient modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and can be administered in a 2-dose regimen with 28 days between the doses. People with contact with more virulent orthopoxviruses are recommended to take a booster dose every two years, while those with contact with low virulent orthopoxviruses are advised to take a booster dose every ten years. Recently, a DNA vaccine known as 4pox has also been developed to inhibit viral shedding and prevent the adverse impact of infection. In addition, recombinant vaccinia virus immunoglobulin (rVIG) and two human-chimeric monoclonal antibodies, c8A and c7D11, have also been found to be effective against MPXV. Moreover, CRISPR/Cas9-based targeted antivirals have also been observed to reduce orthopoxvirus viral titer by approximately 90%. With the onset of ring vaccination in countries such as the UK, the US, and Canada, it is vital to develop safer, more potent, and easy-to-distribute vaccines that can reduce the severity and prevent hMPXV infections. The 2022 outbreak The 2022 global outbreak is interesting since it lacks links to western or central Africa. Moreover, the transmission of the virus mainly among men who have sex with men (MSM) community is quite intriguing. The WA clade has been associated with the 2022 outbreak known to cause mild infections and less transmission among humans. The increase in human-animal interactions and climate change are suggested to accelerate zoonotic spill-over events. Epidemiological institutions and public health officials must be conscious and alert to detect future zoonotic infections, provide treatment options, and guide the general population. Conclusion The human monkeypox virus is a neglected zoonotic pathogen detected many years ago. However, the recent 2022 outbreak highlights the need for constant monitoring of the virus and the development of new and effective therapies. In addition, further research must be done to manage and contain the rapid spread of hMPXV across the globe. In a recent study published in PNAS, researchers pursued evidence of all-cause mortality disparities during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the United States (US), its temporal evolution, and whether this disparity persists. Background Increases in all-cause mortality in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic were more in the Blacks and Hispanics than in White groups, or the indirect effects on mortality were higher in racially minor groups in 2020. Although these disparities may have reduced in 2021, there is a lack of data on how mortality disparities evolved and affected different racial and ethnic groups in the US and whether disparities have come back to pre-pandemic levels or established a new baseline. A comprehensive assessment of all-cause mortality disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic is important because if they vary over time, it indicates their malleability, responsiveness to fluctuations in the pandemic, and social response to the pandemic. It is also highly likely that the deep-rooted structural racism and preexisting disparities associated with mortality in the US worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, minoritized groups experienced financial hardships and housing instability. Moreover, they remained at higher risk of job loss and subsequently lost health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic. About the study In the present study, researchers estimated all-cause mortality in the US for seven ethnicities between January 2018 and February 2022, encompassing the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps, the pandemic altered racial and ethnic mortality disparities in the short term, and these disparities varied across groups. The researchers estimated the age-stratified death rate ratios of the White individuals and six other racial and ethnic groups in the US. These ethnicities were American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN), Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (NHOPI), Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics. In other words, they analyzed monthly dynamics of the all-cause relative mortality disparities between the White population, chosen as a reference because of the advantages they enjoy as a race in the US, and six other races and how it unfolded throughout the pandemic. The researchers used up to nine joint point regression models to estimate temporal trends in the death rate ratios. They extracted the death data stratified by age group (less than and more than 65 years) using the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) wide-ranging online data for epidemiologic research (WONDER) platform. Study findings Seasonal variations remained similar across groups, and their racial and ethnic mortality disparities were stable before the pandemic. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the 2020-2021 wave, all-cause mortality increased in all seven racial and ethnic groups examined in the study. Before the pandemic, Blacks of all ages had 1.19 times the mortality rate of White individuals. Their mortality rate ratio peaked at 1.77 in April 2020 and reached a transient dip of 1.10 in December 2021. The Black-White relative mortality disparity attained pre-pandemic levels by February 2022, indicating both Blacks and Whites had elevated absolute mortality during the pandemic. Before the pandemic, Hispanics of all ages had lower all-cause mortality than White people. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the age-standardized all-cause mortality rate of Hispanic people exceeded that of Whites in April 2020, July 2020, and January 2021, for a total of three months. Asian Americans of all ages had a reduced mortality advantage relative to Whites, with all-cause mortality rate ratios of 0.72 in April 2020 and 0.68 in January 2021. The largest surge of disparities relative to White people occurred among AIAN and NHOPIs under age 65. Notably, AIAN and NHOPIs had observed death rate ratios of up to 2.25 and 2.12 compared to pre-pandemic mean death rate ratios of 1.74 and 1.31, respectively. Conclusions The current study examined the mortality disparity trends relative to changing mortality rates in the White population. Thus, the observed reductions or surges in a few groups might be partially due to changes in the pattern of COVID-19-related mortalities in the White population. Nevertheless, the results showed that racial and ethnicity-related mortality disparities among Whites and six other groups worsened with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with most extremes occurring during the COVID-19 waves. Compared to the White population, mortality increased more for nearly all six racial groups. However, the researchers observed heterogeneity in the extent to which these evolved after the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, for AIAN and NHOPIs, mortality disparities remained exacerbated above pre-pandemic levels even after two years into the pandemic, especially among those under 65 years, while COVID-19 deaths in Hispanic and Asian populations remained stable. These mortality disparities were unprecedented but could be reduced with long-term interventions, such as assured basic income programs, giving subsidized childcare, healthcare, and housing facilities, as well as short-term interventions, such as targeted vaccination campaigns for racial and ethnic minority groups. Overall, the government needs to roll out new policies and community investments to address race and ethnicity-related mortality disparities in the US. Is SARS-CoV-2 hiding in your fat cells? A study by Stanford Medicine investigators shows that SARS-CoV-2 can infect human fat tissue. This phenomenon was seen in laboratory experiments conducted on fat tissue excised from patients undergoing bariatric and cardiac surgeries, and later infected in a laboratory dish with SARS-CoV-2. It was further confirmed in autopsy samples from deceased COVID-19 patients. Obesity is an established, independent risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as for the patients' progression, once infected, to severe disease and death. Reasons offered for this increased vulnerability range from impaired breathing resulting from the pressure of extra weight, to altered immune responsiveness in obese people. But the new study provides a more direct reason: SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can directly infect adipose tissue (which most of us refer to as just plain "fat"). That, in turn, cooks up a cycle of viral replication within resident fat cells, or adipocytes, and causes pronounced inflammation in immune cells that hang out in fat tissue. The inflammation converts even uninfected "bystander" cells within the tissue into an inflammatory state. With 2 of every 3 American adults overweight and more than 4 in 10 of them obese, this is a potential cause for concern." Tracey McLaughlin, MD, Professor of Endocrinology The findings are described in a study published online Sept. 22 in Science Translational Medicine. McLaughlin and Catherine Blish, MD, PhD, professor of infectious diseases, are the study's senior authors. Lead authorship is shared by former postdoctoral scholar Giovanny Martinez-Colon, PhD, and graduate student Kalani Ratnasiri. The fat-COVID-19 connection Obesity is defined medically as having a body mass index (weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) of 30 or greater. Someone with a BMI of 25 or greater is defined as being overweight. Obese individuals are up to 10 times as likely to die from COVID-19, McLaughlin said, but increased risk for poor outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection begins at BMIs as low as 24. "Fat tissue's susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection may be playing a role in making obesity a COVID-19 risk factor," said Blish, who is the George E. and Lucy Becker Professor in Medicine. "Infected fat tissue pumps out precisely the inflammatory chemicals you see in the blood of severe COVID patients. It's reasonable to infer that having a lot of infected fat could contribute to the overall inflammatory profile of severely ill COVID-19 patients." The scientists obtained samples of fat tissue from various locations in the bodies of 22 patients undergoing bariatric or cardiothoracic surgery at the Stanford Medicine Bariatric Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery clinic. Then, in a secure facility, the researchers infected the samples with a solution containing SARS-CoV-2 or, as a control, a SARS-CoV-2-free solution. Rigorous experiments showed that the virus could infect and replicate in fat cells, exit the cells and cause new infections in other cells. Fat tissue contains not only fat cells but also a wide variety of immune cells, including a type called macrophages. These cells (whose name derives from two Greek words meaning "big eaters") carry out a number of actions ranging from tissue repair and general garbage cleanup to fierce attacks on perceived pathogens -; sometimes producing substantial collateral damage to normal tissue in the process. The researchers identified a subset of macrophages in fat tissue that become infected by SARS-CoV-2, although only fleetingly. SARS-CoV-2 infection of these macrophages is abortive: It produces no viable viral progeny. But it does induce a major mood change in the macrophages. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today "Once infected, these macrophages not only become inflamed themselves but also secrete substances that call in more inflammatory immune cells, in addition to inducing inflammation in uninfected neighboring 'bystander cells,'" Blish said. Fat tissue surrounds our hearts, guts, kidneys and pancreases, which can be adversely affected by tissue inflammation. Ominously, the scientists found infection capable of driving inflammation in virtually every SARS-CoV-2-infected fat-tissue sample they collected and analyzed. Genetic material encoding SARS-CoV-2 was almost invariably present in fat tissue from various bodily regions of eight patients who'd died of COVID-19. Examining tissue from two other deceased COVID-19 patients, the team saw an infiltration of inflammatory immune cells adjacent to infected fat cells in epicardial fat. "This was of great concern to us, as epicardial fat lies right next to the heart muscle, with no physical barrier separating them," McLaughlin said. "So, any inflammation there may directly affect the heart muscle or coronary arteries." Missing ACE2 Oddly, ACE2 -; the cell surface molecule that's been implicated as the cardinal receptor for SARS-CoV-2 -; appeared to play little or no role in the ability of the virus to infect fat cells. The method by which SARS-CoV-2 gains entry to fat cells and macrophages in fat tissue remains mysterious. The established primary mode of entry occurs when the virus ties up with a protein called ACE2 that sits on cell surfaces in numerous bodily tissues. Although ACE2 carries out important, legitimate functions, the virus doesn't care what ACE2 does for a living -; it considers this cell-surface protein a mere docking station. This was the height of irony for McLaughlin and Blish, who initiated the study because they'd seen reports suggesting, although not proving, that ACE2 might be present in fat tissue. (Nobody had claimed to have sighted the protein itself, Blish added.) But the researchers found, to their surprise, that ACE2 was virtually nonexistent on cells present in fat tissue. "It's highly unlikely the virus is entering through ACE2, because we couldn't detect the functional protein in adipose tissue," said Blish. That means clearing SARS-CoV-2 from fat tissue could require new drugs. Monoclonal antibody therapies licensed for COVID-19, for instance, generally work by interfering with ACE2/SARS-CoV-2 interaction. Fat tissue's potential to serve as a reservoir where SARS-CoV-2 can hide out also raises the possibility that it could contribute to the enduring post-infection symptoms collectively called long COVID, a hypothesis that McLaughlin and Blish are beginning to explore. Researchers from the University of Tubingen, University of Basel, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and Cantonal Hospital Baselland in Liestal, Switzerland contributed to the work. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (grants R21AI159024, 5T32 AI007502 and T32 DK007217), the American Diabetes Association, the Stanford University Innovative Medicines Accelerator, the Botnar Research Centre for Child Health, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, the National Science Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Despite vaccine availability, vaccine hesitancy has inhibited public health officials' efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, which has killed more than 1 million people in the U.S. and nearly 6 million people worldwide. Researchers from University of California, Davis, looked at how the politically polarized nature of COVID-19 information, and misinformation, on social media has given rise to anxiety, sadness, anger and hostility that feed incivility. This information can help public health professionals tailor messages to address these underlying emotions, researchers suggest. The study, "Emotions and Incivility in Vaccine Mandate Discourse: Natural Language Processing Insights," was published earlier this month in the journal JMIR Infodemiology. "Although some elected officials have responded to the pandemic by issuing vaccine and mask mandates, particularly when accessing public places, others have amplified vaccine hesitancy by broadcasting messages that minimize vaccine efficacy," explained the study's lead author, Hannah Stevens, a doctoral student in the Department of Communication. Stevens and her co-authors investigated three psychological processes that predict incivility on social media -; namely, anxiety, anger and sadness. Specifically, anxiety was significantly associated with identity attack and profanity, and sadness was most associated with making threats or threatening remarks, researchers said. Filtering through more than 375,000 tweets online between Sept. 14 and Oct. 1 of last year, they identified 8,014 that contained vaccine mandate-related words. As expressed in tweets, anger predicted the odds of profanity, insult and severe toxicity to a greater extent than identity attacks and threats. For example, a user may post profane content because they are anxious, whereas a user might make an insulting comment because they are angry, illustrating that there were different dimensions of incivility expressed on the social media platform, Stevens said. Vaccines and 'freedom' The freedom to travel, remain employed, socialize in groups, eat in restaurants, go to the gym and more is increasingly determined by one's vaccination status. Thus, mandates that prohibit the unvaccinated from participating in the relationships and activities available to those who are vaccinated may exacerbate existing sadness and depression brought on by existing disruptions caused by the pandemic." Hannah Stevens, Lead Author Policies, then, that mandate the hesitant to get vaccinated inhibit the ability to escape the threat, and as a result, individuals may react with incivility, researchers said. Indeed, the added stress and anxiety have been demonstrated to predict a wealth of uncivil behaviors, including cyber aggression and bullying during COVID-19. The researchers used two tools, the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count computational tool and the Jigsaw Perspective application programming interface (formerly Google Ideals) to analyze the tweets. They suggest that platform managers use such tools. This could help the managers identify uncivil or misinforming tweets in real time and allow them to provide feedback to social media users. They also suggested that public health officials should take extra steps to combat such misinformation, and further that they should assess the emotions people are having to design persuasive appeals that target the fear, anxiety and even anger exhibited by vaccine-hesitant individuals. Two scientists at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA have been awarded nearly $10 million from the National Institutes of Health's Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative for research projects that aim to shed light on the developing brain's cellular infrastructure to better understand brain disorders. Chongyuan Luo, an assistant professor of human genetics, was awarded a grant totaling about $5.3 million over five years to systemically map the gene regulatory landscape across human brain development at a single-cell resolution for the first time. Aparna Bhaduri, an assistant professor of biological chemistry, will receive about $4.3 million over five years through a UCSF-led project to examine genetic activity and structure across stages of development and across species. The NIH grants were awarded through the agency's BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN), a large-scale effort to comprehensively catalogue cell types and molecular properties in the brain. Luo's grant: Scientists have hypothesized that many psychiatric disorders result from impaired brain development, which is supported by observations that genetic variants associated with a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders are enriched in genomic regions that are active during brain development. However, the causal brain structure or cell type for mental disorders is often unknown, making it challenging to develop treatments for psychiatric disorders. Through the use of two cutting-edge single-cell technologies, Luo's research team will map gene regulatory regions to understand how the associated genetic variants affect brain development. The first, sn-m3C-seq (PMID: 31501549), simultaneously profiles DNA methylation and three-dimensional chromatin architecture in the same cell. The second, snmCT-seq (PMID: 35419551), jointly profiles DNA methylation and gene expression from the same cell. The research team will also use a droplet-based single-cell chromatin accessibility assay developed by 10x Genomics to characterize gene regulatory regions. The effort will allow researchers to build a comprehensive catalog of cell types in the developing brain and identify gene regulatory regions at a cell-type specific level for hundreds of brain cell types. The database will significantly improve our study of genetic variants associated with psychiatric and neurological disorders. More specifically, the dataset can lead to the discovery of specific cell types and genomic regions that mediate the risk of brain diseases." Chongyuan Luo, Assistant Professor of Human Genetics Luo's team will collaborate with the research groups led by Jason Ernst at UCLA, Mercedes Paredes and Tomasz Nowakowski at UCSF, and Eran Mukamel at UCSD. The grant number for Luo's project is U01MH130995-01. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today Bhaduri's grant: Her project is part of a $36.4 million grant at UCSF to examine brain development in humans, macaques, and marmosets during 4 stages of development: peak neurogenesis before birth, immediately after birth, childhood, and adolescence. The project aims to establish what cell types exist in the human and non-human primate brain, how they change over time, and how they are spatially organized. Comparing across species will help researchers understand which brain cell types may be more unique in humans and therefore may be more vulnerable to disease. "With these answers we can then better understand how the brain is normally developed and how it is impacted in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders," Bhaduri said. Bhaduri compared the effort to generating a "parts list" of the developing human brain by using relatively new technology that allows researchers to effectively build a detailed map. The researchers will use single-cell RNA sequencing to study genes that are turned on by individual cells, and at the same time they will use single-cell ATAC-sequencing to look at genome architecture. This will help generate a crucial guide to cell types through development, and in parallel assays researchers will examine the cells across their spatial landscape on the brain. The project builds off of previous work from Bhaduri and colleagues examining the developing human cortex, which enables complex cognition, and several other brain structures in early development. The grant spans researchers at multiple institutions, including: Arnold Kriegstein, Tomasz Nowakowski and Alex Pollen of UCSF; Nenad Sestan and Rong Fan of Yale University; Huang Hao of the University of Pennsylvania; Jon Levine and Andre Sousa of the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Marcel Daadi of the Texas Biomedical Research Institute. The grant number is 1UM1MH130991-01. "With the announcement of the BICAN awards, we are making an exciting transition in the overall BRAIN Initiative cell census program, which began in 2014," said Dr. John Ngai, Director of the NIH BRAIN Initiative. "These awards will enable researchers to explore the multifaceted characteristics of the more than 200 billion neurons and non-neuronal cells in the human brain at unprecedented detail and scale -;a feat in advanced technologies and cross-team research collaboration that will reveal new paradigms for understanding how pathological changes in particular groups of brain cells could cause neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders." An innovative program between Boston University School of Medicine's (BUSM) department of family medicine and the Lesotho Ministry of Health is being honored today by the United Nations (UN) at the annual meeting of the Friends of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases. The program, the Lesotho-Boston Health Alliance (LeBoHA), is designed to allow students from Lesotho, South Africa, who complete medical school abroad, to return to their home country to complete their residency and remain there. The goal is to improve the physician-patient ratio for Lesotho and train leaders for public health infrastructure. The honor, the 2022 UN Interagency Task Force and the World Health Organization (WHO) Special Programme on Primary Health Care Award, is in recognition of LeBoHA's achievements on strengthening Lesotho's health system by providing context-specific primary health-care training for healthcare providers at the community level. The award is in recognition of the LeBoHA's role in providing an exemplary platform for primary health-care professionals to collaborate and jointly strengthen action across Europe, including advocating for ever stronger, fairer and equitable primary care. This year the Task Force is joining forces with the WHO Special Programme on Primary Health Care, with the Awards Scheme being expanded to recognize work in primary care for the prevention and control of Non-communicable Diseases. I are humbled by this honor. I would like to thank all of our members who made this award possible and who continue to work to make our program an example for health-care delivery in low-income countries." Brian Jack, MD, Professor of Family Medicine at BUSM and Director of the LeBoHA The partnership between BUSM's department of family medicine and Ministry of Health of Lesotho, South Africa, began in 2003 and has resulted in the development of an innovative family medicine residency program in Lesotho, which is now fully accredited, self-sustaining and directed by one of the program's graduates. This residency was designed to allow people from Lesotho, who must leave the country for medical school, to return for residency training and to stay in their community. All program graduates have remained in Lesotho to practice, which has improved the country's physician-patient ratio as well as training leaders and strengthening the public health infrastructure. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low near 35F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low near 35F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Staff Reporter A group of social workers are in their best efforts to support a housemaid who suffered a stroke and is presently undergoing treatment at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC). Indian national Selvanayaki Velu Perumal, 55, was admitted to SMC on July 12, 2022, after suffering hypertension and stroke, according to social workers. Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Senthilkumar GK, a social worker associated with Annai Tamil Mandram, said they have been in their best efforts to send Selvanayaki for more advanced treatment in India. She needs to return to India as soon as possible for further treatment. Since she is a stretcher-ridden patient, private airlines in Bahrain are charging around BD2,500, he said. At the moment, her son Shankar, who works as a labourer in Bahrain, is caring for her, and members of Annai Tamil Mandram visit her in the hospital on a daily basis, offering required support. According to the doctors, Selvanayakis medical condition could be cured if the right treatment is given at the right time, and her family in India is eagerly awaiting her arrival for further treatment. Also, we have informed her relatives that we, Annai Tamil Mandram, will handle all legal procedures and other formalities in the Kingdom until her trip to India, he added. Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Alagudurai, brother of Selvanayaki said, My sister has been living in Bahrain since 2012 and I was shocked to learn that she was admitted to SMC two months ago after fainting owing to high blood pressure. The doctors who examined her recommended that they have done their best and she is recovering slowly. She requires daily physiotherapy, which can be done at home, which is why we are attempting to bring her back to her hometown. When I enquired with the airlines, they told me that it would cost a huge amount of money for my sister to board a flight as she needs a stretcher support. We are all poor labourers and are not in a position to afford it, he lamented. We are also requesting assistance from the Indian Embassy in the Kingdom to facilitate the return of my sister home. Those who would like to know more on the situation, give a ring on 00973-33678877. Agencies | Washington The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com US President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday another $2.9 billion for a fund aimed at helping to resolve global food insecurity a result, in part, of the war in Ukraine. Biden will make the announcement in his speech to the UN General Assembly, the White House said; the money "builds on the $6.9 billion in US government assistance to support global food security already committed this year." The White House added that food supplies are being dangerously disrupted by "the compounding impacts of the pandemic, the deepening climate crisis, rising energy and fertiliser costs, and protracted conflicts including Russia's invasion of Ukraine." The turmoil has "disrupted global supply chains and dramatically increased global food prices." In particular, long-term droughts have left parts of Somalia at risk of famine, the White House said. "This new announcement of $2.9 billion will save lives through emergency interventions,", they added, "and will invest in medium to long term food security assistance in order to protect the world's most vulnerable populations from the escalating global food security crisis." Agencies | Riyadh The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Russia on Wednesday released 10 foreign prisoners of war captured in Ukraine, following a mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi foreign ministry said. The list includes American, British, Croatian, Moroccan and Swedish nationals, the ministry said in a statement, adding that a plane carrying the prisoners landed in the kingdom. "The relevant Saudi authorities received and transferred them from Russia to the kingdom and are facilitating procedures for their respective countries," the statement said. The ministry did not identify the prisoners. A Saudi official said they were five Britons, two Americans, a Croatian, a Morrocan and a Swedish national. Reuters could not immediately establish if the released group included Britons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner and Morocco-born Brahim Saadoun who were captured earlier this year. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have captured hundreds of enemy fighters since the start of the conflict, with a handful of prisoner exchanges having taken place. The head of the UN human rights mission in Ukraine said earlier this month that Russia was not allowing access to prisoners of war, adding that the UN had evidence that some had been subject to torture and ill-treatment which could amount to war crimes. US$0.02 GAAP Earnings Per Share and a Thirteenth Consecutive Quarter of Positive Free Cash Flow VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 21, 2022 /CNW/ - C21 Investments Inc. (CSE: CXXI) (OTCQX: CXXIF) ("C21" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated cannabis company, today announced its interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the second quarter ended July 31, 2022. The Company's Q2 financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP").. All currency is reported in U.S. dollars. Q2 Financial Highlights (May 1, 2022 to July 31, 2022): Revenue of $7.2 million down 4% sequentially, in line with the 5% decline in State of Nevada sales 1 down 4% sequentially, in line with the 5% decline in sales Earnings Per Share of $0.02 Gross Margin of 53.8% - up 40 basis points sequentially Adjusted EBITDA 2 of $2.2 million a 31% EBITDA Margin of a 31% EBITDA Margin Cash Flow from Operations of $1.8 million the 13 th consecutive quarter of positive Free Cash Flow the 13 consecutive quarter of positive Free Cash Flow Total Liabilities reduced by $1.6 million from Q1 Q2 Management and Operational Commentary: "I am pleased that again this quarter, C21 reported solid results, maintaining its strong margin and cash flow profile, despite the challenging market and macro conditions that persist," stated CEO and President, Sonny Newman. "Notwithstanding industry headwinds and state-level pricing pressures, the Nevada market appears to be showing signs of stabilizing. We believe the current industry environment will afford growth opportunities to those companies able to consistently generate positive free cash flow and that have strong balance sheets. Our strategy and focus has been to ensure C21 is well positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities that will produce long term benefits to stakeholders." C21's Q2 revenue of $7.2 million was down 4% sequentially, narrowly outperforming Nevada market sales which saw an overall decline of 5% in total sales over the same period1. Gross Margin was 53.8%, up 40 basis points from the previous quarter. The Company delivered $2.2 million of Adjusted EBITDA2 a 31% EBITDA Margin, consistent with the previous two quarters. C21 reported Net Income of $1.9 million, up $1.6 million from Q1, representing Earnings per Share of $0.02. This was driven by $1.5 million of Net Income from Continuing Operations and $0.3 million from Discontinued Operations in Oregon. Net Income results include a $0.6 million derivative gain. Cash Flow from Operations was $1.8 million, up 15% over Q1 the thirteenth consecutive quarter of positive Cash Flow from Operations. Cash at the end of Q2 was $2.3 million, down $0.2 million from Q1. The Company's senior secured note was reduced by $1.5 million in Q2 and Total Liabilities were reduced by $1.6 million during the quarter. Subsequent to the quarter, the Company has paid down its senior secured note by an additional $1.0 million, with $4.1 million outstanding as of September 1, 2022. Additionally, last week the city of Sparks, Nevada approved drive-thru windows at its licensed dispensaries. Silver State Relief intends to build out this sales channel in the coming months. __________________ 1 State of Nevada Cannabis Tax Revenue: https://tax.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/taxnvgov/Content/TaxLibrary/NV-Cannabis-Revenue-FY22(5).pdf?n=2150 2 See Non-GAAP Measures Non-GAAP Measures: "Adjusted EBITDA" is supplemental, non-GAAP financial measures. The Company defines EBITDA as earnings before depreciation and amortization, depreciation and interest in cost of sales, income taxes, and interest. Additionally, the Company's Adjusted EBITDA presented above excludes accretion, loss from discontinued operations, one-time transaction costs and all other non-cash items. The Company has presented "Adjusted EBITDA" because its management believes it is a useful measure for investors when assessing and considering the Company's continuing operations and prospects for the future. Furthermore, "Adjusted EBITDA" is a commonly used measurement in the financial community when evaluating the market value of similar companies. "Adjusted EBITDA" is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, and these metrics should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, the measurement of the Company's performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. "Adjusted EBITDA," as calculated and reconciled in the table above, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other issuers and is not necessarily a measure of the Company's ability to fund its cash needs. Figures have been restated to match current presentation. Adjusted EBITDA: Q2 Q1 July 31, 2022 April 30, 2022 Net Income (Loss) 1,857,043 $ 306,820 Interest expenses, net 133,455 164,049 Provision for Income Taxes 485,152 498,263 Depreciation and Amortization 341,286 341,286 Depreciation and Interest in COGS 203,091 203,092 EBITDA 3,020,027 1,513,510 Change in fair value of derivative liabilities (629,500) - Share based compensation 54,064 102,786 Loss from discontinued operations (344,554) 730,325 One-time special project costs 89,331 50,000 Other gain/loss 21,972 (4,146) Adjusted EBITDA $ 2,211,340 $ 2,392,475 Q2 Balance Sheet Summary: Q2 Q1 Q4 (US$) July 31, 2022 April 30, 2022 January 31, 2022 Assets Cash 2,341,411 2,501,758 3,067,983 Inventory 5,415,090 4,727,513 4,054,473 Other current 2,679,473 2,755,086 3,162,018 Current Assets 10,435,974 9,984,357 10,284,474 Fixed Assets / Goodwill / Intangibles 51,267,819 51,596,065 51,569,000 Total Assets 61,703,793 61,580,422 61,853,474 Liabilities Accounts payable 2,614,216 2,487,120 2,508,869 Promissory note current portion 5,066,667 6,080,000 6,080,000 Income taxes payable 5,182,133 4,431,808 3,658,162 Other notes, current lease etc. 2,396,363 2,665,427 2,481,519 Current Liabilities 15,259,379 15,664,355 14,728,550 Lease liabilities 8,760,577 8,858,201 8,953,425 Promissory note - 506,667 2,026,667 Derivative liability and other 366,500 1,155,581 1,161,640 Total Liabilities 24,616,275 26,184,804 26,870,282 Shareholders' Equity 37,087,518 35,395,618 34,983,192 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 61,703,793 61,580,422 61,853,474 Q2 Financial Summary: Q2 Q1 (US$) July 31, 2022 April 30, 2022 Revenue 7,175,493 $ 7,472,461 Cost of Sales 3,316,161 3,484,824 Gross Profit 3,859,332 3,987,637 Gross Margin% 53.8 % 53.4 % Total Expenses 2,335,764 2,292,326 Income (Loss) from Operations 1,512,489 1,695,311 Net Income (Loss) 1,857,043 306,820 GAAP Earnings Per Share 0.02 0.00 Adjusted EBITDA1 2,211,340 2,392,475 EBITDA Margin% 30.8 % 32.0 % For further inquiries, please contact: Investor contact: Company contact: Investor Relations Michael Kidd [email protected] Chief Financial Officer and Director +1 833 289-2994 [email protected] About C21 Investments Inc. C21 Investments Inc. is a vertically integrated cannabis company that cultivates, processes, and distributes quality cannabis and hemp-derived consumer products in the United States. The Company is focused on value creation through the disciplined acquisition and integration of core retail, manufacturing, and distribution assets in strategic markets, leveraging industry-leading retail revenues with high-growth potential multi-market branded consumer packaged goods. The Company owns Silver State Relief and Silver State Cultivation in Nevada, including legacy Oregon brands Phantom Farms, Hood Oil and Eco Firma Farms. These brands produce and distribute a broad range of THC and CBD products from cannabis flowers, pre-rolls, cannabis oil, vaporizer cartridges and edibles. Based in Vancouver, Canada, additional information on C21 can be found at www.sedar.com and www.cxxi.ca. Cautionary Statement: Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the stabilization of the Nevada cannabis market, the Company's intention to build out its drive-thru sales channel in Sparks, Nevada, the Company's continued focus on sustainable profitability and assessing strategic opportunities in its market and the Company's belief that it remains well positioned for future growth. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including, without limitation, the ability of the Company's management to execute its business strategy, objectives and plans. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based 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. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties arising from general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change after such date. 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, except as required under applicable securities regulations. 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 release. SOURCE C21 Investments Inc. OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 21, 2022 /CNW/ - The mistreatment of Indigenous children is a tragic and shameful part of Canada's story, whose impacts are still being felt today. The Government of Canada is committed to advancing reconciliation and healing for communities affected by Indian Residential Schools. Yesterday, Canada and the Gottfriedson Band Class plaintiffs advised the Federal Court that the parties had reached an agreement to resolve the litigation. The Federal Court has adjourned the trial to allow the parties to complete negotiations to finalize the settlement agreement. More information will be provided as the agreement is finalized. The final settlement agreement will need to be approved by the Federal Court, which will determine if the terms of the final settlement agreement are fair, reasonable and in the best interest of all class members. This settlement builds on the 2021 Gottfriedson Day Scholars settlement. The Day Scholars settlement provides individual compensation to Day Scholars who attended an Indian Residential School but did not reside at the institution. The settlement also created the Day Scholars Revitalization Society to fund healing, wellness, education, heritage, language, culture and commemoration activities for Day Scholars and their Descendants. In 2021, to ensure compensation could be received by an aging class of Survivors in their lifetime, Canada and the plaintiffs agreed to separate the Band class and focus on the Survivor and Descendant classes. The Band class trial was to move forward this month before being adjourned by the Court to allow the parties to negotiate the final settlement. The Government of Canada will continue to work collaboratively with the Band class to finalize the settlement agreement and seek approval from the Federal Court. Canada is deeply committed to addressing past wrongs, advancing reconciliation, and renewing the relationship with Indigenous Peoples across Canada. Quotes "Canada is committed to reaching a fair and reasonable settlement that is in the best interests of the Band members affected by Residential Schools. This agreement is an important step in this process." The Honourable Marc Miller Minister of CrownIndigenous Relations Quick facts The National Residential School Crisis Line offers emotional support and crisis referral services for residential school Survivors and their families. Call the toll-free crisis line at 1-866-925-4419. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Hope for Wellness Help Line also offers support to all Indigenous Peoples. Counsellors are available by phone or online chat. This service is available in English and French, and, upon request, in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut. Call the toll-free help line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca. Stay connected Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada: Twitter: @GCIndigenous Facebook: @GCIndigenous Instagram: @gcindigenous You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.cirnac.gc.ca/RSS SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada For further information: media may contact: Renelle Arsenault, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, [email protected]; Media Relations, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-934-2302, [email protected] OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 22, 2022 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada continues to increase the transparency of its institutions through its leadership within the international Open Government Partnership (OGP). Today, the Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board of Canada, released Canada's 202224 National Action Plan on Open Government. The 202224 Action Plan outlines a series of initiatives to give people access to the information and tools they need to better understand the impacts of climate change, to protect against misinformation and disinformation, to advance corporate transparency, to address their legal problems, and to encourage participation in fair, democratic processes. They include: expanding the federated open data search to include open data from all 13 jurisdictions facilitating data-sharing with Indigenous governments creating an online hub for GBA Plus data increasing collection of data on disabilities developing an RCMP open government strategy The plan reflects a commitment to making government more accessible and building public trust. Canada committed to developing the plan with inclusion from the start and throughout the plan's commitments. It adopted a Feminist and Inclusive Open Government lens, to better recognize and respond to the lived realities of women, girls, those across the gender spectrum, and others who face obstacles. It also reflects United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in its commitments and milestones. As well, it has sustained an open dialogue with civil society by engaging with the Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Open Government. Over the next 2 years, the Treasury Board Secretariat will work with its partners throughout the federal government, across Canada, and around the world to deliver on the commitments in this plan. Canadians will be able to monitor progress on the commitments and activities that matter most to them through an online tracker available on open.canada.ca. The 202224 National Action Plan builds on the successes of past plans, notably the 201820 Plan, which offered 10 open government commitments aimed at advancing government accountability and citizen participation. A total of 111 of 133 initiatives were implemented, and all were completed for the ''Healthy democracy'' and ''Corporate transparency'' themes. A roadmap for Open Science was also launched. Quote "Building and maintaining public trust in government institutions is fundamental to a healthy democracy. We are using the pillars of open governmentaccountability, transparency, participation, and inclusionto make information available to Canadians that helps them understand and see the outcomes of the work we do in government on their behalf." The Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board Quick Facts Canada has been a member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) since 2012, and is recognized as a global leader, particularly in the areas of citizen engagement, feminist and inclusive open government, and open data. has been a member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) since 2012, and is recognized as a global leader, particularly in the areas of citizen engagement, feminist and inclusive open government, and open data. Canada's national action plans on open government are developed on a 2-year cycle. To date, Canada has completed 4 plans. national action plans on open government are developed on a 2-year cycle. To date, has completed 4 plans. Between July 2021 and February 2022 , the Government of Canada consulted on the draft commitments for the 202224 plan and received hundreds of comments, ideas, and suggestions from Canadians. and , the Government of consulted on the draft commitments for the 202224 plan and received hundreds of comments, ideas, and suggestions from Canadians. Canada and the OGP launched the Feminist Open Government initiative in 2018, which focuses on ensuring underrepresented communities, such as women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, racialized communities, persons with disabilities, young Canadians, low-income Canadians and others who face obstacles are empowered, represented and enabled to participate meaningfully in government decision-making. and the OGP launched the Feminist Open Government initiative in 2018, which focuses on ensuring underrepresented communities, such as women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, racialized communities, persons with disabilities, young Canadians, low-income Canadians and others who face obstacles are empowered, represented and enabled to participate meaningfully in government decision-making. The Multi-stakeholder Forum (MSF) on Open Government supports ongoing dialogue between government and Canadian civil society on open government. The Treasury Board Secretariat worked closely with Canada's MSF to develop the five commitments detailed in the plan. Associated Links Stay connected Twitter: @TBS_Canada Facebook: www.facebook.com/YourGovernmentatWork/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tbs-sct/ SOURCE Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat For further information: Contacts (media), Scott Bardsley, Director of Parliamentary Affairs, Office of the President of the Treasury Board of Canada, Email: [email protected], 613-295-1761; Media Relations, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Telephone: 613-369-9400, Toll-free: 1-855-TBS-9-SCT (1-855-827-9728), Teletypewriter (TTY): 613-369-9371, Email: [email protected] OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 22, 2022 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada continues to work hard to resettle at least 40,000 Afghan nationals as quickly and safely as possible, which is one of the largest commitments of its kind in the world. Welcoming refugees to Canada is an integral part of our country's long-standing and proud humanitarian tradition. The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced that Canada welcomed its 20,000th Afghan refugee since August 2021. The latest newcomers arrived in Toronto, Ontario, on a charter flight from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Approximately 337 government-assisted refugees were on board, and will settle in communities across Canada, including Abbotsford (BC), Calgary (AB), and Windsor (ON). Resettling at least 40,000 Afghan nationals is a complex and unprecedented initiative that requires a whole-of-government approach, as well as strong domestic and international partnerships. This milestone would not be possible without the support of provinces and territories, resettlement service providers, and Canadians who have sponsored Afghan refugees, donated their goods and time, and helped newcomers settle in their communities. We also value the ongoing collaboration of key international partners including the United States (US), the UAE and Pakistan, and the tireless work of international organizations and referral partners including the International Organization for Migration, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Frontline Defenders and ProtectDefenders.eu. Despite the ongoing challenges, and the difficult work ahead of us, we remain on track to reach our commitment to resettle at least 40,000 vulnerable Afghans to Canada by the end of 2023. The Government of Canada, with the support of settlement service providers, is also working here at home to support Afghan newcomers as they build their new lives across Canada and they are already making meaningful contributions in their communities: Maryam Masoomi arrived in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan , in October 2021 . In Afghanistan , Maryam attended Marefat High School, a school that championed education for women. Since coming to Canada , she has won an award for her leadership skills, has met with His Majesty King Charles III, and began hosting a local radio show and working with newcomer youth. , in . In , Maryam attended Marefat High School, a school that championed education for women. Since coming to , she has won an award for her leadership skills, has met with His Majesty King Charles III, and began hosting a local radio show and working with newcomer youth. Najibullah Sorosh dedicated more than 20 years to educating children, including girls, and helped to establish two high schools that had close to gender parity. After fleeing Kabul , he landed in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan , in September 2021 , and works with refugees and immigrants. , he landed in , in , and works with refugees and immigrants. Sheila Qayumi advocated for peace and women's rights from her home in Afghanistan . Since settling in Calgary in September 2021 , she has found meaningful work as an interpreter and counselor helping other Afghan women integrate into Canadian society. advocated for peace and women's rights from her home in . Since settling in in , she has found meaningful work as an interpreter and counselor helping other Afghan women integrate into Canadian society. Ghousuddin Frotan , an Afghan journalist, arrived in Canada earlier this year with his family, leaving behind the English school and non-profit organization he founded in Kandahar . From their new home in Windsor, Ontario , the Frotan children have embraced their new school, and Ghousuddin resumed his journalism career, winning a fellowship from the University of Toronto . Together with our partners across the country and around the globe, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is making a difference in the lives of Afghan newcomers and their families, and providing support to those who need it most. Individuals and businesses looking to get involved through volunteering, donating, sponsoring or supporting the wider resettlement efforts can learn more about how Canadians can help. Photos of today's arrival are available in Dropbox for use by the media. You can also monitor Canada's progress on welcoming Afghan refugees to Canada. Quote "Today, I am proud to mark this important milestone as we pass the halfway mark in our commitment. While we are on the right track toward reaching our goal, there is still much to be done. Every one of the 20,000 Afghans welcomed to Canada is a life transformed. These newcomers will enrich the communities that have embraced them. The situation in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries remains very challenging, and we truly appreciate all that our partners at home and abroad have done to bring Afghan refugees to safety in Canada." The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship "The safe and dignified resettlement of refugees globally has been a central part of the work of the International Organization for Migration for decades. We continue to work closely with the Government of Canada and others to ensure thousands of vulnerable Afghans are provided the opportunity to restart their lives in a secure and welcoming environment." Antonio Vitorino, Director General, International Organization for Migration Quick facts Canada's resettlement capacity is distributed across more than 137 communities. Detailed information about the destination communities welcoming Afghans is available on our website. resettlement capacity is distributed across more than 137 communities. Detailed information about the destination communities welcoming Afghans is available on our website. While many newcomers arrive in Canada's largest cities, smaller communities offer welcoming, safe places with settlement services, employment opportunities, affordable housing options and a lower cost of living. Today's flight marks the largest contingent to date arriving in Southwestern Ontario . largest cities, smaller communities offer welcoming, safe places with settlement services, employment opportunities, affordable housing options and a lower cost of living. Today's flight marks the largest contingent to date arriving in . Afghan refugees become permanent residents upon arrival in Canada . They receive at least 12 months of income support under the Resettlement Assistance Program and will have access to settlement services, including language training and as well as the Interim Federal Health Program for medical coverage. We work closely with service provider organizations in Canada to deliver services to newcomers and make sure they can successfully integrate. . They receive at least 12 months of income support under the Resettlement Assistance Program and will have access to settlement services, including language training and as well as the Interim Federal Health Program for medical coverage. We work closely with service provider organizations in to deliver services to newcomers and make sure they can successfully integrate. Today's arrivals were referred to Canada by the US as part of our humanitarian program, and arrive as government-assisted refugees. The humanitarian program resettles vulnerable Afghans including women leaders, human rights defenders, persecuted religious or ethnic minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, journalists and those who supported Canadian journalists by the US as part of our humanitarian program, and arrive as government-assisted refugees. The humanitarian program resettles vulnerable Afghans including women leaders, human rights defenders, persecuted religious or ethnic minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, journalists and those who supported Canadian journalists The International Organization for Migration has conducted health assessments, presented pre-departure orientation sessions and secured transportation for thousands of Afghans seeking safety in Canada . Associated links Follow us: SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada For further information: Contacts for media only: Aidan Strickland, Press Secretary, Minister's Office, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, [email protected]; Media Relations: Communications Branch, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-952-1650, [email protected] NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2022 /CNW/ - Canada recognizes strong partnerships are key to addressing shared challenges and advancing the common objective of building a more peaceful, equitable and prosperous post-pandemic world. During Canada's tenure as chair of the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (MIRPS) Support Platform, Canada championed the protection, empowerment and meaningful participation of forcibly displaced women and girls in vulnerable situations. We also committed to working with countries on initiatives that support human rights, transparency, non-discrimination and responsibility sharing in Central America and Mexico. Building on this commitment, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, announced today, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, 3 new projects to bolster support for displaced persons and their host countries. Through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the first project will help respond to the protection needs of individuals in vulnerable situations in Panama and Costa Rica. This project will establish cross-border referral protocols, build the capacity of local stakeholders and authorities to identify and assist vulnerable migrants, and ensure proper access to basic services, information and dignified treatment. The second initiative will support the IOM's efforts to strengthen the capacity of governments and civil society organizations to develop and implement effective and humane migration policies and to promote well-managed migration in the Latin America and Caribbean region. Key areas of focus include supporting the socio-economic integration of migrants, combatting xenophobia, strengthening migration and border management processes, and raising awareness about the risks associated with irregular migration. Finally, the third project will strengthen the United Nations Refugee Agency's efforts to support asylum capacity development in Panama. This includes training and mentoring to help improve asylum application processing and reduce its existing application backlog. The capacity-building projects announced today reflect Canada's continued commitment to partnering with the global community to provide sustainable support to respond to human mobility crises. These projects will help foster solidarity amongst partner countries through comprehensive and coordinated approaches that respond to the regional situation of forced displacement in Central America and Mexico. Quotes "As we are nearing the end of our term as chair of the MIRPS Support Platform and are moving to a new role as past chair under its governance model, Canada will continue to be a strong voice and advocate for women and girls, while also working with countries to ensure sustainable support for refugees in Central America and Mexico. The projects announced today are a reflection of our continued commitment to strengthen responsibility sharing in the region and to help the world's most vulnerable have clear pathways to safety." The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship "Canada is deeply concerned with the forced displacement of more than one million people in and from countries in Central America and Mexico. Not only must they leave their homes against their will, they also face violence, inequality, poverty, and food insecurity. Through our work with the MIRPS Support Platform and projects such as these, we will help address the needs of the forcibly displaced and better support the communities who so generously host them." Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada Quick facts: The Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (MIRPS) is an initiative of the Global Compact on Refugees that encourages regional cooperation among countries of origin, transit and destination for greater responsibility sharing in matters of prevention, protection and durable solutions in the face of growing forced displacement in Central America . . The MIRPS Support Platform was launched in December 2019 to support the efforts of the MIRPS countries. Its current members include Argentina , Brazil , Canada , Colombia , the European Union, France , Spain , Switzerland , Uruguay , the United States , the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean , the Inter-American Development Bank, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations Refugee Agency. to support the efforts of the MIRPS countries. Its current members include , , , , the European Union, , , , , , the Economic Commission for and the , the Inter-American Development Bank, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations Refugee Agency. Over 1 million people have been forcibly displaced in and from countries in Central America and Mexico due to violence, inequality, poverty and food insecurity. Related products Associated links SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada For further information: Contacts for media only: Aidan Strickland, Press Secretary, Minister's Office, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, [email protected]; Media Relations: Communications Branch, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-952-1650, [email protected] CALGARY, AB, Sept. 22, 2022 /CNW/ - Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (TSXV: CHS) (the "Company" or "CHS"), an industry leading provider of Healthcare Benefits Administration software and services, today announced that it has entered into a material interest purchase agreement effective September 21, 2022 (the "Acquisition Agreement"), with Benefit Administrators West, LLC ("Benveo"), an Oklahoma limited liability company which is a provider of third party administrator services in the healthcare and benefits industry. Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, CHS, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (Delaware) ("CHS Delaware"), will acquire all of the issued and outstanding equity of Benveo (the "Acquisition"). CHS believes that together, the companies will be well positioned to deliver on CHS's Novus 360 platform for benefits administration and drive further digital transformation with automation and artificial intelligence. With extensive expertise in the claims processing spectrum, CHS believes the Acquisition will strengthen its position as the partner of choice for Taft-Hartley Unions and Employers who self-fund their health plans. CHS anticipates that the Acquisition will facilitate CHS's ability to generate revenue growth through an increased ability to sell to a wider client base and will also help to drive cost efficiencies and better resource utilization. "I'm pleased to welcome Benveo to the Comprehensive Healthcare family. With this Acquisition, we have the right people, technology, and culture of innovation to support our clients as they work to streamline how their members manage their healthcare," said Chris Cosgrove, chief executive officer of Comprehensive Healthcare. "I welcome Mark Lewandowski, the founder of Benveo, as Chief Innovation Officer of CHS, and look forward to working with him and the entire Benveo team as we endeavor to be trusted partners for our clients." "Employers and Unions continue to look for ways to simplify how they extend benefits to their employees and members," said Mark Lewandowski. "Through the Acquisition, the companies can now offer a complete range of benefit solutions, powered by CHS's Novus 360 digital platform. All are directly focused on solving our clients' benefits administration needs. The team is excited to be part of CHS." The Acquisition is an arm's length transaction and is expected to constitute an "Expedited Acquisition" pursuant to Policy 5.3 Acquisitions and Disposition of Non-Cash Assets ("Policy 5.3") of the Corporate Finance Manual of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and is subject to customary closing conditions including but not limited to, receipt of third party consents and approvals, approval of the TSXV under Policy 5.3, and other conditions set out in the Acquisition Agreement. Investor Relation Services CHS also announces that it has retained Paradox Public Relations Inc. ("Paradox") to provide investor relations services, effective from September 21, 2022. Paradox is a seasoned boutique investor relations firm based in Montreal, Quebec, with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Paradox has been engaged to assist with, among other matters, marketing to the investment community to increase awareness of CHS, marketing to their proprietary investment database and coordinating physical and online road shows and presentations with interested parties including brokers, funds, family offices and high net worth investors. As well, they will provide advice on the Company's marketing materials and investor relation strategies. Paradox will provide services for a term of thirty-six months and will be paid C$10,000 per month for its services. In addition, Paradox will be granted 500,000 Options (as defined below) with an exercise price of $0.075, that will vest quarterly in equal tranches over a period of 12 months. Paradox is an arm's length party to the Company and has no interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities. Option Grants The board of directors has approved the grant of 5.7M stock options of the Company (the "Options") to certain directors, officers, employees, and consultants; each Option is exercisable for one common share of the Company at a price of $0.075 and expire ranging from 3 to 10 years from the grant date (the "Option Grants"); the Option Grants are subject to the receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals required by the Company. About Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta and is the parent company of Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (Delaware). The Company is a vertically integrated software as a services (SaaS) company focused on digitizing healthcare with Telehealth and Healthcare Benefits Administration solutions, providing reliable and high-volume transaction capable systems. The Company's state-of-the-art Novus 360 Healthcare Welfare and Benefits Administration (HWBA) SaaS platform is used by clients for all aspects of healthcare benefits administration (including self-funded employers, hospitals, doctors, and labor unions, through various corporations in which the majority shareholder has controlling ownership), providing healthcare administrative software, licensing and maintenance services. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "budget," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "scheduled," "forecast," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "to be," "could,", "would," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include the: (i) closing of the Acquisition, (ii) the receipt of the necessary regulatory, (iii) the Company's believe that the companies together will be well positioned to deliver on CHS's Novus 360 platform and strength CHS's position as the partner of choice for Taft-Hartley Unions; (iv) CHS's ability to generate revenue growth, drive cost efficiencies, and better allocate resources through the Acquisition; (v) the belief that CHS has the right people, technology, and culture to streamline how members manager their healthcare; (vi) the appointment of Mark Lewandowski as Chief Innovation Officer of CHS; (vii) the offering of a complete range of benefits by the companies; (viii) and third party approvals, including the approval of the TSXV, with respect to the Acquisition; (ix) the various services to be provided by Paradox to the Company; and * the grant of the Options to certain directors, officers, and consultants. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as of the date they are provided, including assumptions that the transaction will be consummated, that the conditions of the Acquisition Agreement will be satisfied, that necessary regulatory approval will be obtained, the execution of CHS's management strategy, the integration of Beneveo with CHS, and that the business strategy of Beneveo will be executed. However, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors that could cause the Company's actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others: that regulatory approval, including that of the TSXV, is not obtained; that the closing conditions for completion of the Acquisition are not satisfied; general economic, market and business conditions in Canada and globally; market volatility; unanticipated operating delays or halts in business; unforeseen delays in the timelines for any of the transactions or events described in this press release; and the risk of regulatory changes that may impact the business of the Company or Benveo. All forward-looking information is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service 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 Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. For further information: COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS INC., Toni Haugh, Chief Marketing Officer, E-mail: [email protected], Phone: 914-573-8859 OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 22, 2022 /CNW/ - As Canadians play, work, and explore outdoors, search and rescue personnel stand ready to respond when someone goes missing or is in distress. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the search and rescue community by providing them with the tools and technology they need to best serve Canadians and ensure a seamless approach to operations across the country. Today, on behalf of the Honourable Bill Blair, President of the Queen's Privy Council and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, Parliamentary Secretary Yasir Naqvi announced $1.4 million in funding for Counter Crisis Technology Inc. The funding, available through Public Safety Canada's Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund, will support the development and implementation of a shared incident command system software solution for ground search and rescue volunteers and employees, including police services across the country. The new system will improve ground search and rescue, building on existing technology to enhance coordination between search and rescue organizations, by supporting information, data and knowledge sharing between jurisdictions. It will deliver and support an integrated solution to police services across Canada, fostering mutual aid, cooperation, and improving disaster response capabilities and outcomes for Canadians. Quotes "First responders and search and rescue volunteers work tirelessly to keep Canadians safe, and new technologies are critical to increasing their capacity to respond to emergencies. This project, supported by our Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund, will improve ground search and rescue delivery and coordination across the country, and I look forward to seeing its positive impact on operations across Canada. - The Honourable Bill Blair, President of the Queen's Privy Council and Minister of Emergency Preparedness "Canada is the most beautiful country in the world, and many of us spend our free time exploring everything it has to offer. However, in the rare instances where Canadians need help when they are enjoying the outdoors, it's vitally important that our first responders and rescue workers have the resources they need to provide timely and effective help. Today's announcement marks another important step in ensuring that ground search and rescue volunteers and employees have the tools they need to keep people safe." - Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen's Privy Council and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre Quick Facts This three-year project involves the design and adaptation of software that will improve search and rescue outcomes, enhance interoperability, and foster mutual aid. It includes custom search and rescue applications, a Windows platform adaptation and will be available for download on phones, tablets and laptops. Public Safety Canada is committed to preventing search and rescue incidents by empowering Canadians to plan ahead for safer outdoor adventures. To this end, the department supports AdventureSmart, a national prevention program focused on those who participate in outdoor recreational activities. Associated Links SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada For further information: Annie Cullinan, Director of Communications, Office of the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and, Minister of Emergency Preparedness, [email protected]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected] Organizations are invited to apply for funding through simplified application process OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 21, 2022 /CNW/ - Seniors make significant and valuable contributions to their families, communities and society. That is why the Government of Canada supports service organizations that help seniors stay active and engaged in their communities. This is key to enhancing their well-being and quality of life. It empowers them and enables them to expand their social network and explore new learning experiences. Today, Canada's Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera, launched the 20222023 call for proposals for community-based projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The Minister made the announcement while visiting the Olde Forge Community Resource Centre in Ottawa. NHSP funding creates opportunities for seniors to be more connected, supported and active members of their communities. This year's national priorities aim to do just that by focusing on projects that: support healthy aging; prevent elder abuse; celebrate diversity and promoting inclusion; and help seniors age in place. Through a simplified application process, organizations are invited to submit project proposals that help seniors move beyond the pandemic and continue to play important roles in their communities. The 20222023 NHSP community-based call for proposals is open until November 1, 2022. For details on how to apply, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/new-horizons-seniors.html. Senior-serving organizations can access support to prepare their application and manage their agreement. Quotes "Programs like the New Horizons for Seniors Program are essential in helping Canadian seniors stay active and share their knowledge, skills and experience with others. This not only nurtures their personal growth, but also fosters community prosperity. By investing in this important program, the Government is confirming its commitment to deliver positive change and improve the lives of seniors from coast to coast to coast." Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera "Every year, the New Horizons for Seniors Program makes a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors across Canada. When seniors can fully participate in society and lead a healthy life, everybody benefits. This program builds on our government's continued commitment to empower seniors and strengthen their connection within their communities." Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors, Darren Fisher Quick Facts Seniors are one of the fastest-growing age groups in Canada . By 2030, the number of seniors is expected to reach 9.4 million, representing close to one quarter of Canada's population. . By 2030, the number of seniors is expected to reach 9.4 million, representing close to one quarter of population. The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program whose goal is to support projects that help seniors stay active and engaged in the community. Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding. in grant funding. NHSP funding supports projects that engage seniors in their communities and address one or more of the program's five objectives: social participation, volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse and providing capital assistance. The call for proposals is open from September 21, 2022 , until November 1, 2022 . Organizations are invited to apply for funding through a simplified application process. , until . Organizations are invited to apply for funding through a simplified application process. Since its inception in 2004, the NHSP has funded more than 33,500 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada , with a total Government of Canada investment of more than $720 million . , with a total Government of investment of more than . Budget 2022 proposed an additional $20 million over two years, beginning in 20222023, to support more projects that improve the quality of life for seniors and help them continue to participate fully in their communities. Related Document Backgrounder: New Horizons for Seniors Program Associated Links Applicant guide: Community-based projects (up to $25,000) Programs and services for seniors New Horizons for Seniors Program: Engaging seniors, strengthening communities Backgrounder The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that funds projects that empower seniors in their communities and contribute to improving seniors' health and well-being. Seniors lead and inspire projects to make a difference in the lives of others and in their communities. The objectives of the NHSP are to: promote volunteerism among seniors and other generations; engage seniors in the community in mentoring through the mentoring of others; expand awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse; support the social participation and inclusion of seniors; and provide capital assistance for new and existing community projects and programs for seniors. The NHSP provides seniors access to important recreational and social programs and initiatives that reflect the current realities of seniors and senior-serving organizations. The program continues to empower and support seniors through specific program parameters, delivery and access to ensure their needs. Since 2004, the NHSP has funded more than 33,500 projects, including projects related to COVID-19, in hundreds of communities across Canada. The total Government of Canada investment has been more than $720 million. Program funding supports community-based projects and pan-Canadian projects. Community-based projects Community-based project funding supports activities in which seniors are engaged, connected and actively involved in their communities. Organizations are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding. As part of the 202223 NHSP community-based call for proposals, organizations were able to apply for funding that supports the NHSP national priorities for this cycle: Priority 1: Supporting healthy aging, including: addressing social isolation, including through supporting seniors' digital literacy; addressing ageism; supporting mental health and dementia; and developing and delivering virtual programming for the above. Priority 2: Preventing senior abuse, including: providing measures to reduce crimes and harm against seniors, including elder abuse; developing educational material to prevent unscrupulous practices, financial fraud and scams from happening to seniors; and supporting financial empowerment of seniors. Priority 3: Celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion, including: promoting intergenerational mentoring and engagement; advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and helping to secure a better quality of life for Indigenous seniors; collaborating with diverse communities (notably by serving members of the following vulnerable groups: low-income seniors, Indigenous peoples, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, members of official language minority communities, members of racialized and newcomer groups, persons with disabilities and veterans); and supporting seniors living in rural or remote areas. Priority 4: Helping seniors age in place, including: providing practical supports, tools and resources to seniors to help them remain in their homes longer; and helping seniors navigate and access government services and benefits and providing support to file their taxes. For more information, visit the New Horizons for Seniors Program Community-based projects website. Pan-Canadian projects Pan-Canadian projects test and share best practices across the country and replicate approaches that have worked well in addressing seniors' issues. Project partners work together to achieve measurable results to increase the social inclusion of seniors. The objectives of collective impact projects funded through this stream are to: build the collective capacity of organizations to recognize and address barriers to social inclusion faced by seniors; promote improved access to information, programs and services for seniors within their communities; support action research for increasing the level of social inclusion of seniors in their communities; develop innovative approaches to engage and retain senior volunteers; and address systemic barriers that contribute to the social exclusion of seniors. For more information, visit the Pan-Canadian projects under the New Horizons for Seniors Program website. Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada For further information: For media enquiries, please contact: Jasmeen Shergill, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera, [email protected]; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected] NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2022 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded his participation in the 77th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week, where he worked closely with our global partners to address the world's biggest challenges and make life better for people. He advanced action in key areas including health, food security, and climate action and worked with partners to continue standing up for Ukraine in the face of Putin's illegal and unjustifiable invasion and countering Russian false narratives and disinformation. On the margins of UNGA, Prime Minister Trudeau announced $1.21 billion in new funding at the pledging conference for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria's Seventh Replenishment, hosted by the President of the United States, Joe Biden. This funding, a 30 per cent increase from the last pledge, will fight these diseases and help meet the Global Fund's goal of saving 20 million lives over the next three years. The Prime Minister also allocated $100 million from previously announced funding to the Global Fund's COVID-19 Response Mechanism, to support countries in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria programs and initiate urgent improvements in health and community systems. He also announced $55 million has been allocated for partners to help mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and advance action on global health and sexual and reproductive health. Prime Minister Trudeau also participated in the Global Food Security Summit where he highlighted Canada's ongoing efforts to tackle the global food security crisis and announced the allocation of $245 million in humanitarian funding to UN, Canadian, and international organizations working to ensure no one goes hungry. With several countries already under threat of famine due to drought and other shocks to the food system, Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine has further jeopardized global food security. While we continue to support the Ukrainian people, we are also addressing the wide-ranging impacts on people around the world. On the margins of UNGA, the Prime Minister hosted a meeting with Caribbean and regional partners to continue to advance ways the international community can help support Haiti's stability and sustainable development. At the meeting, he announced $20 million to the UN Development Programme's Multi-Donor Trust Fund Contribution for Post-Earthquake Reconstruction Efforts in Haiti. To confront the rise of hate and violent extremism, the Prime Minister also participated in the Christchurch Call Leaders' Summit 2022, where he underscored Canada's pledge to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. He announced up to $1.9 million in new funding over three years to Tech Against Terrorism for Phase 2 of their Terrorist Content Analytics Platform, a secure online tool that helps small and medium-sized online platforms identify and counter terrorist content. During his visit, Prime Minister Trudeau highlighted Canada's strong leadership on climate action and the global biodiversity crisis ahead of the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity taking place in Montreal this December. He made a call to action for renewed commitments from leaders for an ambitious post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, in particular to address the financing gap for nature. While in New York, the Prime Minister announced $10 million in funding over four years for the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems initiative to improve emergency preparedness in developing countries, particularly the small island developing states. The Prime Minister also announced that Canada will join the Forests and Climate Leaders' Partnership (FCLP) to implement solutions that reduce forest loss and increase restoration. While in New York City, the Prime Minister, as Co-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocates group, underlined Canada's commitment to making life better for people, including by advancing gender equality. He announced a $10 million contribution over three years to Invest in Childcare to ensure access to quality and affordable childcare in low- and middle-income countries worldwide, which addresses a main barrier to women's participation in the economy. Quote "By working with our global partners, we are delivering real results for people: clean air, clean water, economic growth that works for everyone, and a healthy and strong middle class. At UNGA this week, we came together to address some of the most critical challenges of our time and make life better for Canadians and many around the world." The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada Quick Facts While in New York , the Prime Minister attended the opening of the High-Level General Debate of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly. He also attended a welcoming reception for heads of delegation hosted by the President of the United States of America , Joe Biden , and Dr. Jill Biden and an event with the Clinton Global Initiative - Executive Roundtable on Unlocking and Realizing the Benefits of Inclusive Job Growth hosted by Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton . , the Prime Minister attended the opening of the High-Level General Debate of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly. He also attended a welcoming reception for heads of delegation hosted by the President of , , and Dr. and an event with the Clinton Global Initiative - Executive Roundtable on Unlocking and Realizing the Benefits of Inclusive Job Growth hosted by Secretary . In New York City , Prime Minister Trudeau also held bilateral meetings with the the President of Moldova , Maia Sandu , the President of the Republic of Suriname, Chan Santokhi , the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres. , Prime Minister Trudeau also held bilateral meetings with the the President of , , the President of the Republic of Suriname, , the President of the European Commission, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres. Canada's pledge of $1.21 billion in new funding to the Global Fund is a 30 per cent increase over our last pledge. The Global Fund is at the centre of the collective fight against the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria epidemics, and a critical partner in advancing sexual reproductive health and rights. The Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, technical partners, the private sector and people affected by the diseases to support country-led prevention, treatment and care programs. pledge of in new funding to the Global Fund is a 30 per cent increase over our last pledge. The Global Fund is at the centre of the collective fight against the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria epidemics, and a critical partner in advancing sexual reproductive health and rights. The Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, technical partners, the private sector and people affected by the diseases to support country-led prevention, treatment and care programs. Canada's support to the UN Development Programme's Multi-Donor Trust Fund Contribution for Post-Earthquake Reconstruction Efforts in Haiti is part of Canada's efforts to address the impacts of the August 2021 earthquake affecting more than 800,000 people, including an estimated 300,000 children. Canada works alongside other leading international donors to ensure its aid is effective and aligned with Haiti's priorities. support to the UN Development Programme's Multi-Donor Trust Fund Contribution for Post-Earthquake Reconstruction Efforts in is part of efforts to address the impacts of the earthquake affecting more than 800,000 people, including an estimated 300,000 children. works alongside other leading international donors to ensure its aid is effective and aligned with priorities. The Christchurch Call to Eliminate Terrorist & Violent Extremist Content Online (Christchurch Call to Action) is a commitment by 120 governments, online service providers, and civil society organizations to coordinate and collaborate on efforts to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. In 2019, the Government of Canada provided up to $1 million in funding to create the Terrorist Content Analytics Platform (TCAP). This second tranche of funding will help expand the TCAP's capabilities to identify and assess increased content across a wider range of platforms, and help develop a content moderation tool to assist smaller tech companies in quickly removing terrorist content. provided up to in funding to create the Terrorist Content Analytics Platform (TCAP). This second tranche of funding will help expand the TCAP's capabilities to identify and assess increased content across a wider range of platforms, and help develop a content moderation tool to assist smaller tech companies in quickly removing terrorist content. In June 2022 , Canada announced $250 million in funding for 2022 and 2023 to help address the global food security crisis, building on the $514.5 million already allocated in 2022 for emergency food and nutrition assistance. This funding will help address increasing global food and nutrition needs especially for the most vulnerable, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. In June, $5 million was allocated for a matching fund with the Humanitarian Coalition. While in New York City , the Prime Minister announced that the $245 million in funding is being allocated as follows: , announced in funding for 2022 and 2023 to help address the global food security crisis, building on the already allocated in 2022 for emergency food and nutrition assistance. This funding will help address increasing global food and nutrition needs especially for the most vulnerable, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. In June, was allocated for a matching fund with the Humanitarian Coalition. While in , the Prime Minister announced that the in funding is being allocated as follows: $151 million to the World Food Programme; to the World Food Programme; $42 million to various Canadian and international NGOs; to various Canadian and international NGOs; $35 million to UNICEF; to UNICEF; $14 million to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and $3 million to the Food and Agriculture Organization. to the Food and Agriculture Organization. In May 2022 , during the second Global COVID-19 Summit, the Prime Minister announced $732 million in multilateral funding for the Access to COVID-19 Tools ( ACT ) Accelerator. While in New York City , the Prime Minister announced that $155 million in funding is being allocated as follows: , during the second Global COVID-19 Summit, the Prime Minister announced in multilateral funding for the Access to COVID-19 Tools ( ) Accelerator. While in , the Prime Minister announced that in funding is being allocated as follows: $100 million for the Global Fund's COVID-19 Response Mechanism to help support the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing important support to diagnostics, therapeutics, and health systems worldwide. for the Global Fund's COVID-19 Response Mechanism to help support the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing important support to diagnostics, therapeutics, and health systems worldwide. $25 million in funding to the World Health Organization to continue supporting 10 countries in their efforts to address ongoing needs in their health care systems. This includes strengthening the delivery of essential health services and equity-oriented primary health care in the context of COVID-19 response and recovery. in funding to the World Health Organization to continue supporting 10 countries in their efforts to address ongoing needs in their health care systems. This includes strengthening the delivery of essential health services and equity-oriented primary health care in the context of COVID-19 response and recovery. $25 million in funding to Unitaid in support of their medical oxygen response. This funding will aim to increase the supply of medical oxygen for both COVID-19 clinical care and future health emergencies in developing countries. in funding to Unitaid in support of their medical oxygen response. This funding will aim to increase the supply of medical oxygen for both COVID-19 clinical care and future health emergencies in developing countries. $5 million in funding to support the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics' efforts to develop new testing methods multiplex molecular platforms that can efficiently test for COVID-19 and other diseases, such as HPV screening for cervical cancer that will help advance women and adolescent health in developing countries. in funding to support the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics' efforts to develop new testing methods multiplex molecular platforms that can efficiently test for COVID-19 and other diseases, such as HPV screening for cervical cancer that will help advance women and adolescent health in developing countries. Invest in Childcare is an initiative of the World Bank Group. The initiative will generate at least US$180 million in new funding to ensure quality, affordable childcare in low- and middle-income countries worldwide. Associated Links This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca SOURCE Prime Minister's Office For further information: PMO Media Relations: [email protected] "We're continuing to see strong demand within the home improvement and DIY renovation space as Canadians look to enhance their property value and quality of living," said Niranjan Vivekanandan, Senior Vice-President, Loyalty & Merchant Solutions, RBC. "We're excited to collaborate with Lowe's Canada one of Canada's most prominent home improvement retailers to help Canadians realize savings and provide more ways to finance their renovation projects so they can turn their home improvement vision into reality." Starting today, shoppers can use their RBC debit or credit card to earn cash back in the form of statement credits at all Lowe's, RONA and Reno-Depot corporate stores across Canada and online to immediately access the following offers: Personal banking clients will receive 10% cash back on the first $250 of their total spend, followed by 5% cash back on their next $1,250 of total spend (a total value of $87.50 ). of their total spend, followed by 5% cash back on their next of total spend (a total value of ). Business banking clients will receive 5% cash back on the first $3,000 of their total spend (a value of $150 ). of their total spend (a value of ). Canadians who apply for a new RBC credit card through Lowe's, RONA and Reno-Depot corporate stores or online will receive 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 12 months at Lowe's Canada's banner locations, up to $1,000 in total spend (a total value of $100 ). Additionally, once clients have achieved their $1,000 in total spend, they will be eligible to receive a 1% cash back offer on all purchases. To start saving, clients can sign-in to RBC Online Banking, the RBC Mobile app or the Avion Rewards app to load their offers to their RBC debit or credit card before they shop. Once they make a purchase and pay with their RBC card, their cash back savings will be credited to their account. In the coming months, eligible customers will also have a more flexible payment option at checkout, both in-store and online with Lowe's, RONA and Reno-Depot. PayPlan by RBC will be available at participating stores, offering a wide range of transparent terms, no late fees and greater payment flexibility. Lowe's, RONA and Reno-Depot customers will soon have the option to use PayPlan by RBC to help them break down larger purchases and pay in installments. "Bringing great value to our customers is an everyday priority for our teams, especially in the current environment. We are thrilled to partner with RBC to help Canadians get even more bang for their buck, thanks to the strength of our combined networks. This partnership will not only make it easier for our customers to access financing for their projects, but it will also create savings for them, making families' dreams for their homes even more accessible," said Tony Cioffi, President of Lowe's Canada. For full offer details, please visit www.rbc.com/lowes, www.rbc.com/rona and www.rbc.com/renodepoten to learn more. About Lowe's Canada Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE 50 home improvement company serving approximately 19 million customer transactions a week in the United States and Canada. With fiscal year 2021 sales of over $96 billion, Lowe's and its related businesses operate or service nearly 2,200 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 300,000 associates. Based in Boucherville, Quebec, Lowe's Canadian business, together with its wholly owned subsidiary RONA inc., operates or services some 450 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners, which include Lowe's, RONA, Reno-Depot, and Dick's Lumber. In Canada, they have more than 26,000 associates, in addition to approximately 5,000 employees in the stores of independent affiliate dealers operating under the RONA banner. For more information, visit lowescanada.ca. 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. SOURCE RBC Royal Bank For further information: For media inquiries, please contact: Julia Miller, RBC Corporate Communications, [email protected]; Media Relations, Lowe's Canada, [email protected] OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 21, 2022 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day of Peace: "Today, on the International Day of Peace, we reflect on the efforts we have made to make peace a reality around the world. In the face of rising violence, authoritarianism, and threats to democracy globally, more work needs to be done to build a stable world for everyone. "According to the United Nations (UN), our planet is witnessing the largest number of violent conflicts in over 75 years. As of May of this year, the UN estimates a record 100 million people have been forcibly displaced around the world, fleeing conflict, violence, human rights violations, and persecution. This number will only increase as Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine continues a conflict that is having far-reaching impacts on the world's most vulnerable, including through food shortages, the rising cost of food and fuel, and conflict-related sexual violence. "Canada has long been a leader in international efforts to advance peace, and continues to be a strong voice for human rights. Along with liked-minded partners in the UN, we are working to promote the rule of law, build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, and provide access to justice as part of our ongoing commitment to fulfill the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). As Co-Chair of the UN SDG Advocates group, I will continue to work closely with our global partners to address the world's biggest challenges and help create a more peaceful and prosperous future for people in Canada and around the world. "Canada provides strong support to the UN to advance peace globally through investments in peacebuilding, including the UN Peacebuilding Fund, and continued support for UN peacekeeping. We have also taken a leading role to increase women's full, equal, and meaningful participation in formal peace processes and to support peacebuilding in many fragile and conflict-affected states. "This year, the Ukrainian people continue to defend their country against Russia's illegal and unjustifiable invasion one of the greatest threats to peace and stability in a generation. Canada continues to be a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, and we will keep providing financial, military, humanitarian, and development aid as needed. "On this International Day of Peace, we recommit to building a better, more stable world for all." This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca SOURCE Prime Minister's Office For further information: PMO Media Relations: [email protected] Haryana Governor Honours Rajya Sabha MP Kartik Sharma wit... The Champions of Change event was organized by the Intera... 2 October, 2022 Read more The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Wednesday said it will appeal the ruling of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which or... The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Wednesday said it will appeal the ruling of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which ordered the union to call off its ongoing nationwide strike and resume work. ASUU has been on strike since February 14 to press home demands for improved funding for universities and a review of salaries for lecturers, among other issues. Several meetings between ASUU and the Federal Government have ended in a deadlock. Consequently, the Federal Government went to court to challenge the strike. The government through its counsel, James Igwe prayed the court for an interlocutory injunction restraining ASUU from taking further steps as regards the strike, pending the determination of the substantive suit. Justice Polycarp Hamman held that the application was meritorious and deserved to be granted by the court. The balance of convenience tilts in favour of the applicant. I hold that this application is meritorious and this application is granted, Justice Hamman ruled. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said the government would order vice-chancellors to re-open universities based on the court order. The government would order the vice-chancellors to reopen the universities in compliance with the order of the court, he said in a statement. The minister added that the court ruling does not preclude the government from going on with further negotiation and consultations. Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday, National President, ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said the union will appeal the ruling, adding that the Federal government had denied Nigerian children their rights. Osodeke said, Our lawyer is filing an appeal and stay of execution of the ruling. Our members should remain calm and strong. A people united can never be defeated. If the FG believes that this is the best way to solve the problem, good for them. They have denied Nigerian children their rights. Nigeria has a country is going to be punished for what the FG has just done, he said. You can be sure that thousands of my colleagues will leave this country. The last time we had this kind of treatment was during the military era. The student's association NANS has also declared that it would disrupt political campaigns if the Federal Government fails to end the strike within two weeks. The students body gave the ultimatum at a press conference addressed by the Chairman of NANS National Taskforce on EndASUUStrikeNow, Ojo Raymond, on Wednesday in Abeokuta. Our blocking of access to public roads and ports is just a warning. If the government fails to conclude all the negotiations and agreements with ASUU within the frame of two weeks, they will witness more protests and rallies all over the country. Buba Galadima, a one-time president Buharis closest ally, has described Buharis government as the worst in Nigerias history. Galadima d... Buba Galadima, a one-time president Buharis closest ally, has described Buharis government as the worst in Nigerias history. Galadima dropped the bomb in a separate interview with newsmen shortly after a press briefing by the NNPPs presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in Birnin Kebbi, he said he has pity for Buhari because bad things are happening before him but he cant does anything to stop or change it. He noted that, in the first tenure of Buhari, they thought Nigerians misunderstood him, so they dusted him, clean him and made excuses for him, unfortunately, he proved them wrong and proved the oppressors right so my only prayer for him and asking Nigerians to pray for him to finish his government safely, for now, he is going out as the worst government ever in the history of Nigeria. On the possibility of Kwankwaso winning the 2023 polls, the NNPPs board of trustees secretary, stated that when they started six months ago, Nigerians thought they cant make it, to their chagrin NNPP is now the greatest threat to oppressors in the country, massive crowds heralded all their visits in north, south, west and east, particularly in Alaba Rago in Lagos state the home of Tinubu, he challenged APC and Tinubu in Lagos to gather such crowds in Lagos. He stressed that the people of Borno defied rain to welcome Kwankwaso, saying sealing off, of their secretariat in Borno nearly spark an unprecedented uprising, we were well received in Benue, Adamawa Atikus home, Delta, Edo, Sokoto, Zamfara and many states is the same story of massive turn out, in fact, our party will beat Atiku at Jada ward in Adamawa state. He assured Nigerians that, NNPP is the party to beat in 2023 and will reclaim Nigeria from the hands of oppressors. Olukayode Ariwoola, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), says he and his colleagues at the supreme court were embarrassed when a memo detailing... Olukayode Ariwoola, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), says he and his colleagues at the supreme court were embarrassed when a memo detailing their poor welfare leaked. In the memo issued in June, 14 justices of the apex court accused Ibrahim Muhammad, immediate past CJN, of abandoning his responsibilities as the leader of the court. Some of the issues raised by the justices include accommodation, vehicles, electricity tariff, supply of diesel, internet services to justices residences, training for justices and electricity supply to the court. Muhammad resigned not long after the memo became public knowledge. Appearing before the senate on Wednesday for a screening exercise, Ariwoola told the senators that it was a miracle to them when they saw their memo in the media. Justices of the supreme court didnt write a petition to or against Justice Mohammed Tanko as CJN few months back [it was a] memo where issues relating to welfare of each of the hustices and unconducive working environment of justices at the supreme court generally were raised, he said. We the justices were embarrassed when we read the content of our memo in the papers. It was never intended to be for public consumption since the motive behind the memo was not to fight or bring down anybody When the handwritten memo was signed by all the justices, we didnt allow anybody to see it, making its leakage to the media to be like a miracle to us. Ariwoola said the judiciary should be properly funded for it to carry out its responsibilities. The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has strongly condemned the assault on a female police officer, Inspector Teju Moses, by her p... The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has strongly condemned the assault on a female police officer, Inspector Teju Moses, by her principal, who is a legal practitioner and human rights activist, Prof. Zainab Duke, and her domestic staff, one Rebecca Enechido, as well as a male suspect currently at large. Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made this known on Thursday. He noted that Duke, an Mbaise born activist, grievously assaulted her orderly in company of some accomplices on Tuesday, September 29, 2022, at her residence in Garki, Abuja, due to the refusal of the orderly to breach professional ethics by carrying out menial and domestic chores at her house. The IGP has directed the express prosecution of the arrested suspects who are currently in Police custody, as the preliminary investigation shows overwhelming evidence of culpability on the part of the professor and her domestic staff. The IGP has equally tasked the investigative team to ensure that the fleeing suspect is arrested and made to face the wrath of the law, Adejobi said. He, however, noted that it was pertinent to clarify that the suspect, Zainab, who name-drops the IG, his family members, and other officers in the top hierarchy of the force, has no acquaintance with the police in any form as peddled on social media. The IG, who similarly ordered the withdrawal of all police personnel attached to the professor, expressed consternation at the fact that an individual who claims to be an advocate for human rights could stoop so low to violate the rights of another individual, a police officer tasked with ensuring her protection. He added. The former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, on Thursday met former President Olusegun Obasanjo behind closed doors. ... The former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, on Thursday met former President Olusegun Obasanjo behind closed doors. Modu Sheriff arrived at Obasanjos penthouse residence at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, and went straight into the meeting with the former President. Modu Sheriff, refused to disclose the details of his discussions with the former president to journalists. The former Borno governor informed that his visit to Obasanjo was private. He described the Balogun Owu as the Chairman and Chief Executive of Nigeria, whose wealth of knowledge in public administration, he said, would continue to be of benefit to other politicians. He stressed the need for young politicians to tap from the experience and knowledge of Obasanjo. Modu Sheriff said, It is purely a private visit; you know Baba (Obasanjo) is an elder statesman. If Nigeria is a company, Baba is the Chairman and Chief Executive of Nigeria. So, I came for consultation and had a private chat with Baba. If Nigeria is a company, Baba is the Chairman. Im the younger one, so from time to time, I must come and greet my father, discuss with him privately and go back. On whether his discussion with baba was on the Nigeria project, the former governor replied, I didnt say that, it is a private visit. When asked about his views on the 2023 elections, Modu-Sheriff said, Your view is my view, what is your view? What is my view? I want my party to win. Sheriff, a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Olukayode Ariwoola, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), says the constitution should be amended to stop some cases at the court of appeal. ... Olukayode Ariwoola, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), says the constitution should be amended to stop some cases at the court of appeal. Appearing before the senate on Wednesday for a screening exercise, Ariwoola told the senate that the workload on the Supreme Court is too much when compared to the number of justices on the bench. The number of Supreme Court justices has dropped to 13 as against the maximum requirement of 21. More justices need to be appointed as out of 21 needed in the Supreme Court, only 13 are left and for expeditious consideration of cases, some of the cases should be allowed to stop at the court of appeal through constitution amendment to that effect, he said. The national assembly should please help in this regard by carrying out required constitution amendments. Already, some cases that do not get to the apex court include matters from the national industrial court and court of appeal decisions from senatorial, House of Representatives or house of assembly election petitions. In April 2021, a bill seeking to reduce the category of appeals that get to the supreme court suffered a setback in the house of representatives. The bill, titled Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) Bill, 2020, seeks to make all appeals filed at the supreme court go through leave, that is, the court is to determine by way of application whether a particular case deserves its attention. Leading the debate during the plenary session, Onofiok Luke, lawmaker from Akwa Ibom and sponsor of the bill, said the supreme court is overburdened by a large number of cases. Luke, who is the chairman of the house committee on judiciary, said the constitution grants unlimited jurisdiction to the supreme court to handle all cases, adding that this gives litigants the unfettered right in most cases to approach the court on any issue. Some litigants and lawyers have exploited this loophole and filed all manner of undeserving and unmerited cases and interlocutory applications before the court, he said. It is in this vein that this constitutional alteration is proposed to limit appeals to the supreme court. The bill was, however, rejected by majority of the lawmakers after it was put to a voice vote by Idris Wase, deputy speaker of the house. The Niger State Police Command has urged successful candidates in the ongoing ninth regular course intake to the Nigeria Police Academy, Wud... The Niger State Police Command has urged successful candidates in the ongoing ninth regular course intake to the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil Kano, to prepare for screenings. The command said in a statement issued in Minna on Thursday that physical and credential screening would begin from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1 at Police Secondary School, Minna by 8a.m. daily. Mr Wasiu Abiodun, the Command spokesperson, said that all applicants would report to the screening centre in white T-shirts and short knickers. According to him, a national identification card/slip, original/photocopies of credentials/birth certificate or declaration of age, including the print-out results of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, are mandatory. Other mandatory requirements include print-out of the application profile page, invitation slip, indigene certificate signed by local government chairmen/secretary and medical certificates from a recognised government hospitals. Also required are certificates from village/district heads of the applicants, duly completed guarantors form; all which should be arranged in two office files with recent passport photographs, he said. Commissioner of Police Monday Kuryas congratulated the successful candidates and urged them to be of good behaviours during and after the screening. The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Ebonyi State, Mr. Stanley Okoro Emegha has vowed to do all within his capacity to ensu... The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Ebonyi State, Mr. Stanley Okoro Emegha has vowed to do all within his capacity to ensure that Governor David Umahi wins the Ebonyi south senatorial seat in 2023. Emegha disclosed this known while speaking with newsmen in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for uploading the name of the governor, David Umahi as the authentic senatorial candidate of the APC for Ebonyi south senatorial zone. He said, There was no time the excos of APC in Ebonyi were panicking about the releases of names of the candidates by INEC because we followed do processes. And as such, those that emerged were the people that the members of the party in their various wards, constituencies and senatorial districts voted for, to go and contest in the forthcoming general election, come 2023. Since due processes were followed, we were not panicking about the commitment of the national leadership of APC to upload the names of those that emerged or that it will go the other way. The governors name, David Umahi has finally been enlisted by INEC as the authentic senatorial candidate of APC in Ebonyi south zone. Some people said that the name of the governor was imputed through a Court order. Yes, what that simply means, is that the court mandated that the re-conduction of the Ebonyi south senatorial Primary election by APC that took place at Afikpo North LGA headquarters be obeyed, and thats why INEC, noted that it is by court order. Court ruled that the party should re-conduct that primary election, it was done and Umahi won. And so, we all can attest that such a ruling came, and we followed the due process. We obeyed that court order. We went back to the venue at the fixed date and re-conducted that election. Emegha also reacted to the allegation making the rounds in the state that, the party used a different delegate list to conduct, the re-conducted Ebonyi south senatorial primary election, which according to investigations, resulted in the edging out of some contestants. According to him: It is not the national leadership of the APC that approves the delegate list. The only thing that the national leadership of APC does is to give you forms. The delegates were 3 by wards and 5 per local government area. When the form is given to you, you pay it directly to the national leadership of APC. The delegates didnt purchase the form and then paid it to the state account, they paid it to the national account. The national constituted a committee that came to Ebonyi and conducted the delegates election, and then the committee reported back to the national, those delegates that won during the congresses, were the names of people that the committee gave to us. The allegation that we used a different delegate list, is false. Nobody can say that we used a different delegate list to conduct our primary election. The woman who is opposing the election, why didnt she come? She backed out from the primary election of the APC, even when she knew that the court has ordered that Ebonyi south senatorial primary election be re-conducted. She wanted to scuttle the Ebonyi south senatorial primary election by trying to get court injection but it didnt work for her. And now, she is coming back to say that a different delegate list was used. The court said that we should go and re-conducted the Ebonyi south senatorial primary election. It didnt say go and change the delegates list. It wasnt me that conducted the primary election, the national leadership of APC had to send the people that came and re-conducted the Ebonyi south senatorial zone primary election. The people that came to re-conduct the election, came with the delegates list he stressed. Chinese, Norwegian FMs meet on sidelines of UN General Assembly Xinhua) 16:19, September 22, 2022 NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met here on Wednesday with Foreign Minister of Norway Anniken Huitfeldt on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Wang said in recent years, the practical cooperation between the two countries has made positive progress, noting that bilateral trade last year increased by nearly 40 percent year-on-year, the FTA has entered the final stage, and a new version of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement is about to be signed. Facing transformations and chaos in the world, stability and confidence are more important than gold, he said, adding that the two sides should respect each other and treat each other as equals, enhance understanding, eliminate misunderstandings, maintain the sound momentum of healthy and stable development of China-Norway ties, strengthen exchanges at all levels, and stimulate practical cooperation for more results. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Norway in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, and jointly practice true multilateralism, Wang added. Huitfeldt said Norway is pleased that both sides have overcome the pandemic and have kept boosting bilateral relations. Norway and China enjoy great potential for cooperation in climate change, economic transformation, renewable energy and green development, she said, adding that Norway is looking forward to accelerating a free trade agreement with the Chinese side and continuing constructive cooperation. Wang said China has played an important role in facilitating the signing of the Paris Agreement, and will continue to play its role as a major country and shoulder its due responsibilities for the future of humanity. China is steadfast in following the path of green, low-carbon and sustainable development, and has set an ambitious goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060, which will achieve the biggest reduction in carbon emission intensity in the world, he said. He also said the Chinese side vigorously develops renewable energy, with electricity respectively generated by wind and solar power ranking the first worldwide, as well as the world's largest production and sales of new energy vehicles. Developed countries are expected to fulfill their commitments and provide financial, technological and capacity-building support to developing countries, Wang added. Huitfeldt said Europe is deeply worried about the current situation in Ukraine and hopes that China will play an important role. Wang expounded the principled position of the Chinese government, stressing that what Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be fully observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries must be taken seriously, and all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be supported is China's fundamental principle in handling the Ukraine issue. The international community should support all efforts conducive to peace and meet challenges brought about by the spillover of the crisis to the world economic recovery, he said, adding that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks in its own way. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Locally reported news and sports Stay Current with What's Happening Get the most of NNY360, register today! By providing your email address, you consent to receive emails and special offers from NNY360.com Thank you for using NNY360! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Our Lady Star of the Sea churches can be found in many coastal regions, including across Europe. New Orleans Our Lady Star of the Seas parish was founded in 1911 and has offered early morning Mass, meant to welcome fishermen before they boarded their boats. But New Orleans Star of the Sea has something that likely few if any other one has, says art conservator Elise Grenier. In the floor-to-ceiling mural titled Dance of Holy Innocence, theres a vibrant group of angels who resemble the diverse parish the church serves. There are eight angels flanking a depiction of a young Mary on the apse wall. When local artist Vernon Dobard created the mural in 2001, he painted the angels to represent the African, Creole, Latin, French, German and Italian-descended parishioners who attend the St. Roch church. That mural has been restored by Greiner, a conservator with extensive training and work experience in Florence, Italy, and in New Orleans, where she grew up. The murals blue waters and the white gowns and wings of the angels again have their original radiant look. Were saving (the mural) and making its life longer, Grenier says. The restoration was unveiled to parishioners on Mothers Day, but the altar will be rededicated on Sunday, Sept. 25, which is the Our Lady Star of the Seas official feast day. When the altar or sanctuary of a Catholic church is changed, it is customary for the church to rededicate them. New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond and past parish priests are scheduled to attend. Work on at Our Lady Star of the Sea lasted more than two years, and scaffolding hid the mural for much of that time. The Greek cruciform-style red brick church was built in 1931, and it has suffered damage from hurricanes Katrina and Ida. The restoration addressed significant damage to plaster and masonry at the church. The wall was repointed, and Grenier had to address significant lesions in the wall. During the course of her work, the church realized the stained glass window above the mural also was damaged. It was repaired by Emil Frei & Associates of St. Louis. The mural is painted on the masonry, which is not typical, Grenier says. Many churches feature work painted on canvas and attached to church walls. To restore the work, Grenier repaired damaged plaster. Dobards angels were not damaged by water, but Grenier had to retouch the image of Mary. Painting and retouching usually are very small parts of a restoration project. At Our Lady, Grenier spent much of her time repairing the plaster and cleaning the surface. But at the bottom left, the mural now has a shrimp boat, replacing a masted ship. On the lower right, the former New England-style lighthouse was replaced with one that resembles the lighthouse at West End on the Lakefront. Grenier was originally contacted to examine the mural and make recommendations. Options included restoring Dobards mural, restoring the original Gothic mural and starting over with a new mural. The parishioners chose to restore Dobards image. Repairs, including the stained glass, eventually totalled $122,000 says Anthony Carter, whos on the churchs financial board. The parishioners raised the funds themselves, he adds. The Dobard murals origins also coincide with efforts to rebuild a parish that had been in danger of being closed. Our Lady Star of the Sea churches date back to the early medieval period, Grenier says. They depict the young Virgin Mary as Star of the Sea, or stella maris in Latin. She is seen as a figure both providing spiritual guidance and as a protector of fishermen and seafarers. Grenier attended LSU and has undergraduate and masters degrees in art history. She also studied fine art. She then studied art restoration in Florence, which was the Renaissances art capital and since a massive flood in 1966, the leading center on the techniques and science of restoration. Grenier spent six years working on restoration of Florences cathedral. In New Orleans, shes worked on restoration of large frescos at Union Terminal, art at the Lakefront airport, restoration of Whitney Plantation and major projects at LSU facilities around the state. Engineers walk past an engine section of the Space Launch System being built in NASAOs Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans East, La. Friday, June 28, 2019. The engine section is being prepared for Artemis I, an unmanned mission planned for 2020 that will take a capsule 40,000 miles beyond the moon and back. The St. James Solar farm in Vacherie collects the rays of the sun and turns them into power for the New Orleans area on Thursday, July 7, 2022. The farm, owned by the hedge fund D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments, supplies power to Entergy New Orleans. The farm is located just north of La. 3127 and west of La. 20. The hedge fund, also known as DESRI, is seeking to expand around the 210-acre farm by 3,900 more acres in the area with different investors. Power from those farms would go to Entergy Louisiana, which supplies power to St. James, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and many other parts of the state. The state's near-total abortion ban rests temporarily on the ash heap of history after a Republican Owen County judge ruled Thursday the law likely violates Hoosier liberties protected by the Indiana Constitution. Judge Kelsey Hanlon said the apparent constitutional violation compelled her to issue a preliminary injunction halting enforcement of the new abortion restrictions and restoring to women and girls across the state the same abortion access they had before Senate Enrolled Act 1 took effect Sept. 15. The judge's 16-page decision largely centers on Article I, Section 1 of the Indiana Constitution and its declaration that all people have a right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," and that government exists for the "peace, safety and well-being" of the people. She said those provisions aren't mere throat clearing at the beginning of the Constitution, as the attorney general's office claimed during oral argument Monday, but judicially enforceable rights state courts previously have recognized, including the right to bodily autonomy. Hanlon said it remains an open question whether a specific right to privacy exists under the Indiana Constitution, along with a corresponding right to abortion access. But she noted Indiana courts have long recognized the state Constitution provides greater protection than the U.S. Constitution in some privacy-related circumstances, such as the right to consult counsel prior to consenting to a police search, and the national high court's Dobbs v. Jackson decision repealing the right to abortion established in 1973 by Roe v. Wade does not limit the enhanced privacy protections guaranteed to Hoosiers. "Regardless of whether the right is framed as a privacy right, a right to bodily autonomy, a right of self-determination, a bundle of liberty rights, or by some other appellation, there is a reasonable likelihood that decisions about family planning, including decisions about whether to carry a pregnancy to term are included in Article I, Section 1's protections," Hanlon said. As such, Hanlon said it's likely the abortion providers and other plaintiffs will prevail in their constitutional challenge to Indiana's near-total abortion ban, and it's necessary to restore abortion access in the state as it was before the law took effect while the courts weigh a final decision. "Senate Bill 1 ... materially burdens the bodily autonomy of Indianas women and girls by significantly and arbitrarily limiting their access to care. (It) does so by requiring women and girls to seek treatment at hospitals or ambulatory surgery centers that are majority hospital-owned. The huge majority of abortions are performed in the clinic setting. The evidence supports that the hospitalization requirement is likely to significantly limit the availability of the procedure (even for currently excepted rape and incest victims), will likely significantly increase the cost, and is unlikely to increase the safety of Hoosier women and girls," Hanlon said. "Because of these considerations, and the history of Indianas Constitution being interpreted to provide greater protection to individual citizens than its federal counterpart, there is a reasonable likelihood that this significant restriction of personal autonomy offends the liberty guarantees of the Indiana Constitution and the plaintiffs will prevail on the merits as to their claim that Senate Bill 1 violates Article I, Section 1 of the Indiana Constitution," she added. In response to the ruling, Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Munster native, immediately said he will seek review by a higher court in the hope of restoring the statute, which he sees as just the beginning of post-Dobbs abortion restrictions in the Hoosier State. "We plan to appeal and continue to make the case for life in Indiana. Our office remains determined to fight for the lives of the unborn, and this law provides a reasonable way to begin doing that," Rokita said. Similarly, Indiana Right to Life CEO Mike Fichter said he's optimistic Indiana's appellate courts will act quickly to reinstate the statute. "Todays blockage of Indianas new law means over 161 unborn children will continue to lose their lives to abortion every week this injunction stays in effect. We are encouraged by the judges acknowledgement of the states legitimate interest in protecting unborn babies and are hopeful the blockage will be brief," Fichter said. Meanwhile, the various abortion clinics and health care providers who challenged the law, all represented by the Indiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said they "are grateful that the court granted much needed relief for patients, clients, and providers," but acknowledged "this fight is far from over." "Indiana lawmakers have made it abundantly clear that this harm, this cruelty, is exactly the reality they had in mind when they passed Senate Bill 1. There are 1.5 million people of reproductive age in the state of Indiana, and every single one of them deserve the right to make their own decisions about their bodies, families and futures," the plaintiffs said. State Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, thanked the Indiana ACLU for its "tireless efforts" in the case and Hanlon "for taking the common sense step of granting a preliminary injunction." "Judge Hanlon rightly notes that Senate Bill 1 ended 50 years of precedent and that it is in the public interest to block the new law to allow the court to address the issue on its merits. However, this may only be a temporary outcome, so I will continue to support efforts to restore a womans right to choose," Pol said. Hannah Smith, spokeswoman for Indiana House Democrats, said she also expects the judge's ruling, unfortunately, will continue to be appealed even though it's the right decision. "The judges motion today temporarily restored dignity to Hoosier women. Indiana Republicans continue to waste Hoosier taxpayer dollars after a costly special session to ban abortion. The GOPs endless crusade to disenfranchise women and girls of personal choice and autonomy has already cost our state countless dollars, and this lawsuit will surely add to the tab of hard-working folks," Smith said. A separate lawsuit claiming the near-total abortion ban runs afoul of Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act is scheduled for review next month by an Indianapolis court. Indiana's Republican-controlled General Assembly was first in the country to legislatively impose new abortion restrictions following the U.S. Supreme Court's June 24 Dobbs ruling. As enacted by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, Senate Enrolled Act 1 prohibited all abortions in the state from the moment of conception, except within 10 weeks of fertilization for pregnancies caused by rape or incest, or 20 weeks if necessary to prevent serious physical impairment or the death of a pregnant woman, or because of a lethal fetal anomaly. It also attempted to shut down all abortion clinics in the state by requiring every abortion be completed in a hospital or hospital-owned surgical center, and put doctors at risk of losing their medical license if they failed to sufficiently justify the legal basis for an abortion. Among Northwest Indiana lawmakers, the 62-38 House in favor of the law vote split along party lines with the Region's Republican representatives all supporting the near-total abortion ban and the Region's Democratic representatives uniformly opposed. In the Senate, state Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, broke away from many of his fellow Republicans and joined all Region Democrats in voting no because he said the legislation does not address sexual assault involving disabled adults, including Hoosiers with Down syndrome. The proposal passed the Senate 28-19, with the support of Northwest Indiana state Sens. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, and Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell. University of Chicago Medicine announced the appointment of Blase Polite the chief physician for the forthcoming multispecialty micro-hospital in Crown Point. UChicago Medicine recently broke ground on the medical facility just off Interstate 65 that's expected to treat 110,000 patients a year. "We will need to expand our physician practices in Northwest Indiana to meet the demand," said Aytek Oto, chief physician, head of the Faculty Practice Plan and dean for Clinical Affairs at UChicago Medicine. "This will involve a combination of existing faculty establishing practices there, recruiting physicians who will spend most of their time in Crown Point, and partnering with physicians who currently practice in the area." A Northwest Indiana chief physician, is "charged with synchronizing the expansion of the Care Network in Northwest Indiana with the activities of the Medical Center and Biological Sciences Division in Hyde Park," Oto said. "Additionally, he will work closely with department chairs and section chiefs to develop the growth strategy for the new center while also partnering with local providers and healthcare systems to strengthen relationships and identify opportunities for future collaboration." Polite now serves as UChicago Medicine's professor of medicine, deputy section chief for Strategy and Network Development, and executive medical director for Cancer Accountable Care. "He has led the development of the UChicago Cancer Network, which now includes five practices and 16 oncologists, over the past five years," Oto said. "He is a national expert in cancer health policy, having served numerous leadership roles in the American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Cancer Society, and he is the Associate Editor of the Journal of Clinical Oncology: Oncology Practice." GARY The Gary Advocates for Responsible Development, or GARD, released a report Wednesday questioning the environmental impact and feasibility of Fulcrum BioEnergy LLC's proposed waste-to-jet-fuel plant in Gary, calling for more due diligence to be performed. The group of concerned citizens released the report "Why Fulcrum is a bad deal for Gary." It looks at the track record of gasification projects, the environmental effects of such a plant and "how Fulcrum's claims measure up against reality." California-based Fulcrum BioEnergy LLC wants to build a $600 million plant financed by Indiana Finance Authority-backed bonds on a 75-acre former cement factory in Buffington Harbor. The harbor on Lake Michigan is home to the Carmeuse limestone facility, a Praxair industrial gas site, the former Majestic Star Casino and the abandoned Gary Screw and Bolt Factory. The Fulcrum plant was first proposed in 2018. "Our group is concerned that locating a facility of this kind in our city, on our lakefront, will exacerbate the already existing burden of air, land and water pollution impacting the environmental justice community of Gary," organizer Dorreen Carey said. "Our volunteer community members have spent this past year raising public awareness to our objections to Fulcrum Centerpoint based on the company's unproven track record and the negative impact plant operations will have on resident health, our natural resources and our future as a sustainable community on the shore of Lake Michigan." Valerie Denny, a longtime Gary resident who runs Valerie Denney Communications and worked with the International Pollutants Elimination Network, researched the report that the group is mailing to Gary city officials, distributing to the public and publishing online. "Its findings make it crystal clear that the proposed Fulcrum plant is a bad deal for Gary," she said. "Most of the reporting about this plant and about gasification, in general, has been superficial. The claims the company makes are rarely well scrutinized. The reality is that waste-to-fuel schemes have been piloted and tried since the 1970s. And no one in the world has succeeded in producing fuel from garbage on an ongoing, commercial and profitable scale." The waste typically ends up going back to landfills or being burned in incinerators or cement kilns, Denny said. "Fulcrum's own plant, Sierra Biofuels, which it touts on its website, only began operating earlier this year," she said. "There has been no independent confirmation that it is, or will be, able to produce usable fuel on a commercial scale. There is no way their plant can produce anything that can honestly be called a 'net zero carbon fuel.' Enormous amounts of energy are required in every step of the gasification process." Fulcrum BioEnergy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. City spokesman Michael Gonzalez said the administration was not yet aware of the report. Gasification attempts have been attempted many times over the years, starting with Europe in the 1970s. "Europe found it impossible to get high-quality fuel using a mixed waste source, and the fuel it could produce was too costly to sell," she said. "So that abandoned the process. Gasification is now classified by the European Union as what it really is, incineration." She expressed concerns about toxic byproducts since much of Fulcrum's feedstock would likely come from plastics containing toxic chemicals "In addition, trucks will make an estimated 200 to 240 round trips to Gary every day to bring in the gasification feedstock from locations in Illinois and Indiana," she said. "These trucks wil emit particulate matter and other kinds of air pollution in communities that are already overburdened with pollution." The group urged city and state officials to do more due diligence before approving the project, particularly on its environmental impact and commercial viability. "Our question is why the city is choosing to go into business with companies that are questionable in the first place and promising pie in the sky," organizer Jennie Rudderham said. "Akyumen got the Genesis Center and Ivanhoe when five seconds on the internet would have revealed the company was not what it claimed. We need a responsible and thorough vetting of these companies coming to our doors." The United Steelworkers union is raising funds for the two union workers who died Wednesday as a result of injuries they sustained in a fire at the BP Husky Refinery just outside Toledo, Ohio. A fire Tuesday shut down the refinery in Oregon, Ohio one of three BP operates in the United States along with the BP Whiting Refinery and the BP Cherry Point Refinery in Washington state. Ben and Max Morrissey, who were brothers, died at a University of Michigan medical facility. Both were USW members. "It is with a heavy heart that I write this message about the BP Cenovus refinery fire and explosion in Toledo, Ohio, last night. The two brothers, both at home and in our union, succumbed to the injuries they sustained," USW National Oil Bargaining Program Chairman Mike Smith said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and brothers and sisters at Local 1-346." No one else was injured in the fire, which shut down the refinery. BP has been in the process of selling off its remaining 50% stake in the BP Husky Refinery to Calgary-based Cenovus Energy. U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, paid tribute to the late Morrissey brothers on the House floor. "While on the job at the BP Huskey Refinery in Oregon, Ohio, their lives were cut short," she said. "Responsible citizens, husbands and fathers who performed America's essential work that drives progress and our American way of life forward, these brave men will never again return home to their dear families. They leave behind their young children who will come to understand the gravity of their fathers' loss. My heart goes out to their precious families and to their brothers and sisters in USW Local 1-346 who lost two beloved friends. Today is a heartbreaking day." USW members have been asking how they can help after the tragic loss of life, Smith said. "I have fielded many calls and inquiries about support in a horrific explosion," he said. Anyone who's interested can send monetary donations to Ben & Max Morrissey Fund, Croghan Colonial Bank, 4157 Navarre Ave., Oregon, OH 43616, or USW Local 1-346, 2910 Consaul St., Toledo, OH 43605. HAMMOND Purdue University Northwest officials are seeking help in identifying a suspect who sexually assaulted a woman Wednesday morning in the Gyte Building of the Hammond campus. According to a release from the university, a female student entered an elevator alone when the male suspect forced his way into the elevator and committed sexual battery on the female. A witness saw the suspect running away from the elevator and the building. The suspect is a male 5 feet and 8 inches tall in his early 20s with a thin build and dark complexion. He wore a black T-shirt with white lettering, dark pants and a black mask over his face. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the PNW Police Department at 219-989-2140. EAST CHICAGO The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized two settlement agreements this week that will allow for a less comprehensive cleanup than originally planned at the site of the former West Calumet Housing Complex. EPA amended its record of decision for "modified zone 1" on May 24, 2020, to allow for commercial cleanup standards if the city rezoned the site. The property includes about 50 acres that was once occupied by the now-demolished public housing complex, Goodman Park and a utilities corridor. On May 26, 2020, the East Chicago Common Council voted 8-1 to rezone the former public housing site from residential to light industrial. EPA this week finalized a prospective purchaser agreement with Industrial Development Advantage LLC, which has been working with East Chicago since 2019 to develop a campus that includes plans for a 500,000-square-foot warehouse and logistics center. IDA purchased the property Aug. 25, EPA said. The agreement will require IDA to remove lead- and arsenic-contaminated soil to a depth of 1 foot, dispose of it off-site and backfill and cover excavated areas. The site will be cleaned to a lead standard of 800 parts per million. In zones 2 and 3 of the Superfund site, EPA remediated soils to a depth of at least 24 inches and a lead standard of 400 ppm. EPA and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management will oversee the cleanup and ensure it meets EPA requirements. EPA also finalized an agreement with five companies, all of which owned or operated lead-processing facilities in East Chicago. The companies agreed to provide $13.5 million in "financial assurance" to ensure sufficient funds to complete the cleanup by IDA and reimburse EPA $18 million for past cleanup costs in other areas of the Superfund site. EPA said IDA will be required to submit work plans for review and approval by EPA and IDEM. EPA will host a public meeting before cleanup work begins in spring 2023, the agency said. The West Calumet Housing Complex was built in the early 1970s atop the former Anaconda lead factory site at East 151st Street and McCook Avenue. Modified Zone 1 is within the U.S. Lead Superfund site, which is named after a different lead smelter that once operated nearby. In summer 2016, the East Chicago Housing Authority ordered the evacuation of up to 1,200 residents about two-thirds of them children after EPA discovered lead and arsenic contamination in the soil was far greater than expected. EPA said its decision to move forward with a less comprehensive, commercial cleanup plan will make the property safe for redevelopment and remove contaminated soils that pose a risk to human health and the environment. However, a number of comments submitted to EPA earlier this year raised questions about whether the selected cleanup plan would adequately protect residents' health. EPA issued a responsiveness summary in August, rejecting criticism that a commercial cleanup was the "minimum" that could be done to protect those still leaving nearby. "The additional cost of digging deeper is not justified by a corresponding increase in the effectiveness of the remedy," EPA said. The agency said IDA would be required to implement a soil management plan during construction and ensure workers and residents are protected from potential exposures. "Modified zone 1 will be used for commercial/industrial purposes, and the exposure pathways of ingestion, inhalation and direct contact will be protectively managed," EPA said. IDA also will be required to install a visual barrier, which will alert anyone digging in the area of potentially contaminated soils below. In response to comments that the cleanup plan would further devalue nearby residential properties, EPA said it does not make land use decisions. The East Chicago Common Council voted to rezone the property, EPA said. Questions about noise, traffic or truck exhaust as a result of the new logistics center would be best addressed with IDA or local officials, EPA said. The agency addressed criticism that its cleanup plan would "sanction the permanent destruction" of the West Calumet neighborhood by pointing out it cleaned up more than 800 properties in zones 2 and 3, improving conditions in those residential areas and creating opportunities to build new housing on clean lots. EPA said it was continuing to investigate possible exposure to contaminants through inhalation of dust that remains on a basement floor after contaminated groundwater intrudes into a basement and recedes or evaporates. "Sample results from shallow groundwater monitoring wells and from sump water, basement dust and soil (in the sump discharge zone) collected at certain residences in zone 3 have not indicated that intrusion of shallow groundwater into basements is causing an unacceptable threat to human health," EPA said. Residents living in the area receive drinking water through the city's municipal system, and no one uses private wells, EPA said. An ongoing remedial investigation and feasibility study address groundwater beneath the entire USS Lead Superfund site, the agency said. MERRILLVILLE After nearly 30 years with the Merrillville Police Department, Chief Wiley Luther Cuttino is ready to retire. He announced he will serve his last day with the department Jan. 2. He will remain on the town payroll through March 3 because of accrued time off. Its truly been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of Merrillville for the past 28 years, Cuttino said. Im extremely appreciative that the Merrillville Police Department gave me the opportunity to make my dreams of becoming a police officer come true. Cuttino was named Merrillvilles police chief in June 2020. He is the towns first African American chief. He said that hes thankful for the opportunity to serve as Merrillvilles top cop and that his decision to retire was a difficult one to make. Never throughout my career did I ever imagine walking away from this job that I love, Cuttino said. I truly have been blessed to have worked with some of the best men and women in law enforcement. Much has changed at the Merrillville Police Department while Cuttino has served as chief. The department started a K-9 unit, and it also formed the Merrillville Tactical Apprehension Squad. Prior to starting the squad, the town had been receiving tactical support from the Northwest Regional SWAT team. The department also expanded operations after it started using space at the Pruzin Community Center for training purposes and reopened the north station in Broadway Plaza, which is located at 5400 Broadway. Its been a very interesting learning experience, and Ive been working with an excellent team with the Merrillville Police Department, and Im confident we will continue moving forward in that direction, Cuttino said. Before joining the Police Department, Cuttino worked security for Methodist Hospitals. He started at the Northlake Campus in 1977 and moved to the Southlake Campus in 1986. Cuttino became a Merrillville officer in 1994. Its been a blessing, he said. Town Councilman Leonard White, D-7th, said Cuttinos experience made him stand out when the council was searching for a police chief in 2020. I thought that a person who had been out there that long had to definitely know a lot about what was going on, knew the community and the people. I think theyre appreciative of you, White said. Its unfortunate that youre leaving, but I can understand. A federal judge has dismissed a civil rights charge against a New Jersey police officer who was accused of using excessive force against a Black teenager during a January 2018 arrest. Justin Ubry, a police officer in Ewing, N.J., was charged last year with kicking snow in the face of a 16-year-old boy as he lay face down on the ground while being handcuffed. On Tuesday, Judge Michael A. Shipp of U.S. District Court in New Jersey dismissed the case against Officer Ubry, who had faced a misdemeanor charge that could have resulted in a year in prison and a fine of $100,000. The Jan. 5, 2018, incident began with a report of a stolen car in the 37,000-person township about four miles northwest of Trenton, N.J. And this is all political strategy. Walker for years claimed to have graduated from the University of Georgia in the top 1 percent of his class, although he didnt graduate from the school at all. But when he was there, The Times reported, he had a B average in criminal justice. Now hes framing himself as not at all smart. It is all an attempt to lower the bar of the debate so low that anyone, even Walker, can clear it. This is the same approach that George W. Bushs team used against Al Gore. As Karen Hughes, the Bush adviser overseeing his debate prep, told The New York Times in 2016: Keeping quiet was a way to keep expectations low for Governor Bush. In debates, you run against expectations almost as much as you run against your opponent. The debate was scored by many as a win by Bush, who came across as relatable, while the clearly more knowledgeable Gore was chastised for sighing during the debate and appearing exasperated with Bush, a dynamic that Politico magazine ranked as one of the eight biggest unforced errors in debate history. It is the same tactic Trump used against Hillary Clinton, clearly the more qualified of the two for the presidency. As The Atlantic wrote at the time: Through a combination of months of campaigning, leaks about his debate prep, and aggressive working of the referees, Trump has set expectations so low that its hard to imagine how he finishes the debate without getting positive reviews from mainstream commentators. And sure enough, thats what happened. As a Times article put it the day after the debate: By the standards Mr. Trump, his team and we in the news media seemed to have set for the Republican nominee, Mr. Trump cleared the bar. He stayed more or less in control, never directly insulted Mrs. Clinton and did not create new controversies over policy. Now its time for Walker to take a swing, playing the same game, and the media is playing into it in predictable ways. But in an interview that aired late Wednesday, Mr. Trump made the extraordinary claim not advanced by his own lawyers or supported by prior practice or legal precedent that he had the right as president to declassify documents by wordlessly willing it to be so. You can declassify just by saying its declassified, even by thinking about it, Mr. Trump told Sean Hannity on Fox News. In its initial filing to the appeals court, the Justice Department accepted the special masters broad review of the documents, narrowly tailoring its request to those bearing classification markings in hopes of restoring quick access to the material at the heart of its investigation. Prosecutors argued that Judge Cannons temporary ban on letting them use the classified materials would hinder a separate intelligence community assessment of the risks that Mr. Trumps hoarding of the records had on national security. The appeals court agreed with the Justice Departments argument that prosecutors needed access to the classified materials in order to assist the national security review. It also forcefully rebutted Mr. Trumps attempts to claim in public but not in court that he had declassified the sensitive records at issue. Mr. Trump suggests that he may have declassified these documents when he was president, the appeals court wrote. But the record contains no evidence that any of these records were declassified. The court went on to say, In any event, at least for these purposes, the declassification argument is a red herring because declassifying an official document would not change its content or render it personal. The ruling would significantly streamline the process now underway before the special master, Judge Raymond J. Dearie, whom Mr. Trumps lawyers had recommended for the role. If it stands, Judge Dearie will no longer have to assess the materials marked as classified, although he would still oversee vetting of the larger trove. WASHINGTON Virginia Thomas, the wife of Justice Clarence Thomas and a conservative activist who pushed to overturn the 2020 election, has agreed to sit for an interview with the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The development could represent a breakthrough for the committee, which for months has sought to interview Ms. Thomas, who goes by Ginni, about her communications with a conservative lawyer in close contact with former President Donald J. Trump. I can confirm that Ginni Thomas has agreed to participate in a voluntary interview with the committee, her lawyer, Mark Paoletta, said in a statement. As she has said from the outset, Mrs. Thomas is eager to answer the committees questions to clear up any misconceptions about her work relating to the 2020 election. She looks forward to that opportunity. Her cooperation was reported earlier by CNN. A spokesman for the committee declined to comment. The committee requested an interview with Ms. Thomas in June, after it emerged that she had exchanged text messages with Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, in which she urged on efforts to challenge Joseph R. Biden Jr.s victory in the 2020 election. She also pressed lawmakers in several states to fight the results of the election. Kenyas newly elected President William Ruto made his debut address to the United Nations General Assembly as a head of state on Wednesday, days after arriving from London where he attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. In New York, he nodded to President Bidens Build Back Better domestic plan, proposing a global effort toward building back better from the bottom upward. The goal, he said, should be including the marginalized, working majority in the economic mainstream. Mr. Ruto described the ever-bustling millions of working people of the developing world as an untapped resource that could drive growth and help create a more inclusive world order. Like other African leaders, he called on the U.N. Security Council to expand representation from the continent. To that end, Mr. Ruto invited development in Kenya and sought to give the impression of getting down to business. LONDON Making her first overseas visit since becoming Britains prime minister, Liz Truss used her speech at the United Nations on Wednesday to urge support for Ukraine, underscore her commitment to free-market economics and warn of the threat to global security posed by authoritarian states. Ms. Truss succeeded Boris Johnson as prime minister this month, but the death of Queen Elizabeth II took over the agenda in Britain just days after she took power, culminating in a state funeral on Monday. While she served as foreign secretary under Mr. Johnson, Ms. Trusss appearance at the United Nations was her first opportunity to outline her own policies on the international stage. She promised to lead a new Britain for the new era the country was entering under King Charles III, marked by a commitment to hope and progress. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia accelerated his war effort in Ukraine on Wednesday, announcing a call-up of roughly 300,000 reservists to the military, while also directly challenging the West over its support for Ukraine with a veiled threat of using nuclear weapons. In a rare address to the nation, Mr. Putin said he was prepared to declare four Ukrainian regions to be part of Russia as early as next week, even though some of that territory is still controlled by Ukrainian forces. And he framed the war he launched seven months ago in existential terms for Russia, insisting that the nation was merely defending itself against a mortal threat to its sovereignty and that the West was seeking to weaken, divide and ultimately destroy our country. If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people, he said. This is not a bluff. Taken together, Mr. Putins speech laid out the Kremlins strategy of continuing to raise the stakes in the war, despite the humiliating setbacks Russias military has suffered on the battlefield and a potential public backlash in Russia. Protests against the mobilization and arrests were reported in dozens of cities. KYIV, Ukraine When Ukrainians stayed up late to listen to a speech by President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Feb. 23, it was followed hours later by rockets crashing into towns and cities across their country as Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Seven months later, the fear and uncertainty of those early hours have been replaced by a steady confidence that was reflected in the dismissive and mocking reaction that ensued in Ukraine to Mr. Putins latest gambit to regain momentum in the war. His decision to call up hundreds of thousands of reservists was unlikely to have any immediate impact on the battlefield, Ukrainian officials said, and was more likely to further undermine Mr. Putins grip on power at home. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, said Mr. Putins remarks reflected the Russian leaders desperation on the 210th day of a war that he had vowed would be brief and limited. Antigovernment protests in Iran over the death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody are intensifying, and dozens of cities are embroiled in unrest that has been met with a crackdown by the authorities, according to witnesses, videos posted on social media and human rights groups. The protests appear to be one of the largest displays of defiance of the Islamic Republics rule in years and come as President Ebrahim Raisi is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. They erupted last weekend after the woman, Mahsa Amini, died following her arrest by Tehrans morality police on an accusation of violating the law on head scarves. At least seven protesters had been killed as of Wednesday, according to human rights groups. Protesters have been calling for an end to the Islamic Republic, chanting things like Mullahs get lost, We dont want an Islamic republic, and Death to the supreme leader. Women have also burned hijabs in protest against the law, which requires all women above the age of puberty to wear a head covering and loose clothing. Image A picture of Mahsa Amini provided to Iran Wire by her family. The authorities have said she died of heart failure; her family say she had been in good health. Credit... Iran Wire Mr. Raisis government has unleashed a massive deployment of security forces, including riot police officers and the plainclothes Basij militia, to crack down on the protesters. Internet and cell service has been disrupted in neighborhoods where there were protests. Access to Instagram, which has been widely used by the protesters, was also restricted on Wednesday. At the center of Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina, a revelatory exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, stands a majestic artifact: a stoneware storage jar that may qualify as one of 19th-century Americas great sculptures. It measures over two feet high, with a slightly rippling surface layered with drips of glaze in contrasting earth tones, from deep umber to ocher. Elegantly proportioned, it swells out and up from a sturdy foot and then angles inward to form a shoulder with four ear-like handles to indicate that lifting it could be a considered, cooperative effort. It is possible to think of the jar as a monument, or memorial. Unlike the bronze equestrian variety dedicated to kings, conquerors and colonels since the Renaissance, however, it does not narrate history as much as contain it. In this regard it is something of a sacred object. The jar, from the collection of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Ark., was created by a man now called David Drake, but who was known for decades only as Dave the Potter or Dave. A gifted enslaved artisan, Dave was admired during his lifetime for his skill and strength. He worked big, and his largest jars, like this one, started on the potters wheel but had to be completed by hand, using the coil method. When he signed and dated this particular jar, in 1858, he was working in the Stony Bluff Manufactory in the Old Edgefield district of South Carolina, where the ground was rich in stoneware clays. Sometime after the Emancipation Proclamation, he relocated to Texas, where he worked in potteries formed by other freedmen from Edgefield. He died in the 1870s. Marking Time drew more than 35,000 visitors at MoMA PS1 despite Covid restrictions and won critical raves, with Apokaluptein hailed as a carceral magnum opus by Holland Cotter in The New York Times. Marking Time was definitely pivotal in all of our careers and pretty much legitimized folks who come from this incarcerated background, said Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter, an artist in the exhibition who was imprisoned for eight months on charges that included felony conspiracy. She is now on staff at MoMA PS1 as a project manager for learning. She has received multiple fellowships, including a residency to examine adultification bias against Black girls how society tends to regard some children as older than they are, needing less protection as a root cause of incarceration. Baxter has just been commissioned to lead workshops with women incarcerated at Rikers Island, to culminate in a community mural. The art dealer Barry Malin has seen a huge shift in collector interest since he started representing Krimes. In 2016, the artist walked into the new Chelsea space opened by Malin, a former surgeon with a focus on social justice, and on the basis of their personal connection, the gallerist offered to show his prison works. Nothing sold from that first exhibition, but it led to a string of grants for Krimes. There was a challenge to getting people to appreciate it just as art, said Malin, who also represents Craig and Owens. He says he has seen a new receptivity since Marking Time; the 2020 national reckoning with race and justice; and shifting sympathies toward people ensnared by drugs, in the wake of the opioid crisis. The term formerly incarcerated artist has become a favorable designation, Malin said. Owenss first solo exhibition of paintings and assemblage work just opened at 515 West 29th Street, through Nov. 19, with prices starting at $26,000. BERLIN Visitors who wandered into the Slavs and Tatars installation in the Arsenale at the 2019 Venice Biennale found a serenely bubbling fountain, a PVC curtain printed with bold graphics and a working vending machine stocked with bottles of sauerkraut juice. Each custom bottle label sported a picture of a cabbage chained to a foot, like a ball and chain, and the words Brine & Punishment, a reference to Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment. The machine had to be restocked several times. This type of humor silly, playful, straddling the fine line between witty and corny runs through the work of this Berlin-based collective. Its sculptures, installations and interactive performances, marked by clean lines, bright colors and Pop Art references, have appeared at major European museums. But Slavs and Tatars do much more. The group publishes books; it puts on lecture-performances; it oversees a residency program for artists and curators; and it runs Pickle Bar, a Berlin space where artists and scholars stage events, and where guests can nibble on pickles and drink vodka. At least three rappers with ties to the booming New York drill scene which has risen in popularity in recent years, even as law enforcement officials and politicians like Mayor Eric Adams have questioned its relationship to local gun violence have been removed from the lineup of the traveling rap festival Rolling Loud, scheduled for this weekend at Citi Field in Queens, at the request of the New York Police Department, the artists representatives said. The rappers included Sha Ek, a 19-year-old from the Bronx; 22Gz, an influential figure in Brooklyns drill movement; and Ron Suno, a musician and comedian from the Bronx. Rolling Loud, which is scheduled to run from Friday to Sunday, and the New York Police Department did not respond to multiple requests for comment about the rappers removal this week. But the last-minute cancellations matched a similar scenario ahead of the festivals New York stop in 2019, when five artists, including 22Gz and Pop Smoke, had their performances scrapped. The rappers had been affiliated with recent acts of violence citywide, according to a letter sent by an assistant chief at the Police Department to the festival organizers at the time. The New York City Police Department believes if these individuals are allowed to perform, there will be a higher risk of violence. Boeing reached a $200 million settlement with U.S. securities regulators on Thursday to resolve an investigation into claims that the aircraft manufacturer and a former chief executive had deceived investors about problems with its 737 Max plane that led to two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019. The companys chief executive at the time, Dennis A. Muilenburg, agreed to pay a $1 million fine as part of a separate settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, although the facts of the case were largely the same. In the settlement agreement, the S.E.C. said Boeing and Mr. Muilenburg had misled investors after the first jet crashed in Indonesia in 2018 by suggesting that human error was to blame, and omitting the companys own concerns with the planes flight control system. Boeing made further misleading statements about the safety of the planes after a second plane crashed in Ethiopia a few months later, the S.E.C. said. In times of crisis and tragedy, it is especially important that public companies and executives provide full, fair and truthful disclosures to the markets, Gary Gensler, the S.E.C. chair, said in a statement. The Boeing Company and its former C.E.O., Dennis Muilenburg, failed in this most basic obligation. The concept got a boost in November 2020, when Virgin Hyperloop (then known as Hyperloop One) became the first company to move people using the technology. In its hyperloop test facility outside Las Vegas, two employees traveled in a full-scale vacuum tube at 107 miles per hour on a 500-meter (about 1,640-foot) test track. Though a far cry from the promise of 600 miles per hour, the test, company executives said at the time, proved that the system could work. This is the first new form of mass transportation in over 100 years, said Jay Walder, the companys chief executive at the time. The test passengers are real people. This test shows that we are a culture of safety. Yet barely a year later, the company retrenched and scaled back its ambitions. Walder departed in February 2021; Josh Giegel, his successor as chief executive and the companys co-founder, followed last October. And in January, Virgin Hyperloop fired half its staff (more than 100 employees), stopped development of a certification center in West Virginia, put on hold development of a route in India and pivoted its focus to cargo transport. (Virgin Hyperloop did not respond to multiple requests for comment.) The companys downsizing and shift in focus are emblematic of the difficulties facing the hyperloop industry, transportation analysts say. Time and again you see technological innovations attracting a lot of investment, and you can make a lot of money during the hype cycle, said Juan Matute, deputy director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. However, the technology doesnt anticipate the significant technical challenges associated with creating an entirely new infrastructure. Then interest wanes, Mr. Matute said. A federal watchdog investigating the distribution of pandemic relief funds has tripled its estimate of the amount of money paid out in unemployment insurance that can be attributed to certain forms of fraud. The watchdog, the office of the inspector general of the Labor Department, previously attributed about $16 billion to duplicate payments or payments made to dead people, individuals with suspicious email accounts or federal prisoners. The office now says the federal government probably made $45.6 billion in such payments. Investigations by the inspector generals office have led to criminal charges against more than 1,000 people accused of fraudulently receiving unemployment insurance benefits during the pandemic, the office said in a statement on Thursday. Hundreds of billions in pandemic funds attracted fraudsters seeking to exploit the U.I. program resulting in historic levels of fraud and other improper payments, Larry D. Turner, the inspector general, said in the statement. David Malpass catapulted onto the international stage three years ago when he was nominated by President Donald J. Trump to become president of the World Bank. He was charged with improving the economies of poor nations, many of which are being battered by extreme weather fueled by climate change. Yet Mr. Malpass barely spoke of global warming, careful not to rankle Mr. Trump, who famously called climate change a hoax and pulled the United States out of the Paris climate agreement. This week, Mr. Malpasss refusal to acknowledge that the burning of fossil fuels is rapidly warming the planet exposed a debate inside and outside of the institution about whether the bank is doing enough to help nations that are now struggling with devastating floods, heat, drought and other impacts, and whether its financing of new oil and gas projects is exacerbating the problem. Jochen Flasbarth, a senior economic official in Germany and one of the banks directors, said on Twitter We are concerned about this confusing signals about scientific evidence of #climatechange from the top of @WorldBank. The word tectonic has appeared in 75 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on Aug. 4 in Three Tourists Are Injured Near Volcanic Eruption in Iceland by Michael Levenson: The injuries, including a broken ankle, were not serious, but they underscored the risks that tourists face if they try to hike to the lava flowing from the Fagradalsfjall volcano in southwest Iceland, the spokeswoman, Hjordis Gudmundsdottir, said in an interview on Thursday. . There is a long history of volcanic activity in Iceland, which has more than 30 active volcanoes. The country straddles two tectonic plates, which are divided by an undersea mountain chain that oozes molten hot rock, or magma. Quakes occur when the magma pushes through the plates. Daily Word Challenge Can you correctly use the word tectonic in a sentence? Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using todays Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the words definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun. Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the Recommend button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you. If you want a better idea of how tectonic can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com. Athena begins in a state of maximum tension and escalates from there. An angry crowd has gathered outside a police station near a high-rise housing project in the suburbs of Paris. A video of the killing of a local teenage boy, apparently by uniformed officers, has gone viral, igniting long-smoldering resentments. Violence breaks out quickly, and before long, the talk on social networks and news broadcasts will be forecasting not civil unrest, but outright civil war. At the center of the maelstrom, spinning in different directions, are the slain teenagers three surviving brothers. Abdel (Dali Benssalah), the first one we encounter, is a soldier in the French Army, recently returned from combat in Mali. Hes inside the police station when the trouble (and the movie) begins, and his long walk to meet the demonstrators outside symbolizes his predicament. Hes pulled apart by conflicting loyalties, caught between the power of the state and the rage of the streets. His brother Karim (Sami Slimane) is a militant leader in the process of becoming a military commander as protest accelerates toward armed conflict. With guns and vehicles seized from the forces of law and order, Karim and his army of young men stage a small-scale revolution, taking control of the courtyards and corridors of Athena, the high-rise complex where they have grown up in poverty and alienation. Thanks to a lineage from Bizet to Beyonce, Carmen is a name associated with temptation. The new drama Carmen is not based on the famous opera and tells an original story, but its heroine calls her community toward earthly delights nonetheless. Carmen (Natascha McElhone) is the sister of a priest in rural Malta, the kind of holy man who chastises parishioners for singing too beautifully in church, and her joyless lot in life has been to act as his housekeeper. When her brother dies, Carmen is left without a home, money or a profession. But shes free to live without the imposition of church authority. When the phantasmagoric Petrovs Flu opens on a crowded bus a nightmare of jostling, babbling bodies it seems obvious that theres more troubling its hero than a typical seasonal malady. Sweaty and unsteady, he navigates through the other surging, grumbling passengers. Then a man yanks him off the bus, someone hands him a gun and Petrov is suddenly in a firing squad mowing down prisoners and then he gets back on the bus and rejoins the clamorous horde he never wholly escapes. Welcome to Russia! For the next two and a half hours in this droll, chaotic, fitfully dazzling movie (it was at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival), Petrov (Semyon Serzin) continues to sweat and stagger as he roams a derelict urban landscape. Feverish and often plastered, he is in bad shape, and so is his world, with its ominous faces, soupy gloom and rowdy human comedy. His reason for rambling isnt obvious. But as he wanders, he keeps slipping into outlandish reveries amid meeting friends, drinking and drinking some more. Its unclear at first whether hes seeking to escape reality or whether it is eluding him. Much of what happens in Petrovs Flu is intentionally and enjoyably destabilizing. It takes place over a fairly compressed period of a day or two (maybe!), but includes several long flashbacks that expand the overall time frame by decades. And while the story is relatively straightforward Petrov travels through a strange, at times hellish realm, evoking Odysseus and Leopold Bloom in their respective underworlds the filmmaking is richly imaginative and unbound by the usual time-and-space constraints. When Petrov enters one location, he sometimes exits someplace entirely different. In recent years, the director Kirill Serebrennikov has been best known abroad for his difficulties with the Russian government. In 2017, he was placed under house arrest, accused of embezzling around $2 million. The charges have been seen as retaliation from the Kremlin for both Serebrennikovs work and his expressed views on, among other issues, Russian censorship, the countrys aggression abroad and its persecution of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. He was put on trial and sentenced, but in March, after the remaining sentence was suspended, Serebrennikov fled to Germany, where he remains. In the early winter of 1968, the 26-year-old civilian Chickie Donohue arrived in Vietnam with a duffel bag of brewskis and an errand that could be reasonably called idiotic, patronizing, suicidal and, even, as this shaggily appealing comedy insists, The Greatest Beer Run Ever. Donohue (Zac Efron) has been double dog dared by his drinking buddies back home in Inwood, then a working-class Irish neighborhood in Manhattan, to hand-deliver a beer to four of their buddies serving in the war. A sudsy thank you card! Donohue exclaims, delighted by his own moxie. His farcical mission is mostly true and just the sort of crowd-pleaser about lunkhead enlightenment that intoxicates the director Peter Farrelly in the wake of his Oscar for Green Book. Farrelly and his co-writers, Brian Currie and Pete Jones, see the national id reflected in Donohues patriotic, ill-reasoned rationale for his quest, which is clearly a few cans short of a, you know. To this layabout slacker, his blustering pals and their jingoistic barkeep, the Colonel (Bill Murray, near-invisible under a gruff flattop), a pull-tab of domestic ale supports the troops by reminding the fighters abroad that America reigns supreme. For a while, Farrelly feigns to agree; the film starts like a Super Bowl commercial and ends like a hangover. When Donohue sets sail for Saigon, public opinion supports the conflict, an innocence Efron embodies by hitchhiking toward the front with a schmucky grin affixed like a shield. (Grunts one soldier, Every once in a while, you run into a guy whos too dumb to get killed.) But by the time Donohue returns home, the Tet offensive which he witnesses will have turned the majority of Americans against the war, including him. After all, if a dingbat like him is able to bluff his way past officers to get to the battlefield, things are not under control. New York Citys free universal prekindergarten program, widely regarded as Bill de Blasios signature policy achievement as mayor, proved so popular that he vowed to expand it quickly to include all 3-year-olds. But his successor, Mayor Eric Adams, is not nearly as committed to that goal. The Adams administration is now distancing itself from Mr. de Blasios target of expanding free preschool to 60,000 families with 3-year-old children by next school year, and the mayor is reassessing how the citys so-called 3-K for All program fits into his broader early childhood education strategy. Mr. Adams and his schools chancellor, David Banks, are more focused on making child care affordable for poor families with children under 3 a policy that he ran on during his campaign for mayor. Their position has raised concerns among early childhood experts who believe that 3-K must be universal to be successful and question Mr. Adamss commitment to it. Mr. Banks said in a recent interview that he would rather improve the quality of the 3-K program, which currently offers 55,000 spots, than simply hit a numerical target. Josh Stein, the attorney general of North Carolina, has plenty of detractors, but if you ask knowledgeable Democrats in the state to name their partys most likely nominee for governor in 2024, theyll probably say Stein. Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat in his second term, cant run for a third consecutive term, and no one in his party is better positioned to succeed him than Stein. If you ask those same Democrats to name the greatest threats to North Carolinas economic and political health, Mark Robinson will almost certainly come up. A far-right Republican popular with the MAGA crowd, hes the states lieutenant governor and hes presumed to be angling, like Stein, for the governors mansion. If he won his partys nomination and faced a wounded and diminished Democrat, he just might get there. Why, then, is a prominent Democratic prosecutor who does not seem to have her own immediate ambitions to become governor so intent on wounding and diminishing Stein? Its the great mystery of current North Carolina politics, an act of Democrat-on-Democrat sabotage thats as alarming as it is inscrutable. The office of Lorrin Freeman, the Wake County district attorney, is going after Stein on the basis of an obscure state libel statute from 1931. The crime he allegedly committed: disparaging a candidate for public office in a manner thats false or shows reckless disregard for the truth. His supposed victim is Jim ONeill, who was his Republican challenger when he ran successfully for re-election as attorney general in 2020. The idea of reducing that childrens book and its gentle cartoon penguins to pulp felt deeply personal, a reminder of how vulnerable we are to the cruel impulses of our fellow citizens. Singapore wasnt always so suffocating. The citys Bugis Street nightlife district was notorious in the 1950s and 1960s for the foreign visitors who cavorted with transgender prostitutes and attended bawdy cabarets. Most other expressions of queer desire were relegated to dark alleys and toilets, but law enforcement largely left people alone. But in the 1980s and 1990s, the state began actively policing homosexuality. Police lured gay men with handsome undercover officers and arrested them. Twelve men were arrested in a raid in 1993 and sentenced to jail time and strokes by the rattan cane. This has stopped, but that virulent homophobia lingers in our psyche. In the mid-2000s, I was active on a gay forum called SGBOY, where teenagers like me would flirt and gossip. One day, a private message from a stranger in his 40s warned me: Be careful. Its not safe to be so out. That seemed melodramatic. Only much later, when I learned about previous police raids, did I understand his message of care and wisdom. I often think about this man. Had he only ever known desire in the context of shame and danger? Had he lost friends, seen lovers brutalized? Singapore queers today are heirs to his shame, especially those who still hide their faces on apps, who dont meet my eyes when we hook up for sex. Many couples are still anxious about public displays of affection even after years of being together. Hope of greater acceptance has run up against a religious backlash. In parliamentary debates in 2007 about Section 377A, Thio Li-ann, a Christian member of parliament, likened sex between men to shoving a straw up your nose to drink. The comment drew cheers and the thumping of chairs. And, finally, Mr. Putins declaration of war allows him to draft up to half a million conscripts (in addition to the 300,000 reservists already called up) to overwhelm Ukraine, in a far stronger onslaught, which a divided West cannot stop. In short, Mr. Putin can win without using nuclear weapons. Will this happen? Nobody knows. But from everything Mr. Putin has and has not done so far, there is a strong possibility that something like this is his game plan. Western experts in government and academia, in Europe and America, would be wise to consider this a strong possibility, perhaps the strongest of all. Many already do. Fred Coleman Paris The writer is a former Moscow bureau chief for Newsweek. To the Editor: I have not spoken to one European acquaintance who is not acutely aware that allowing Vladimir Putin to make permanent territorial gains in Ukraine would lead to a whetting of Russias appetite for more land conquests in the future, and a near future at that. Too bad the West did not read the same implications into Mr. Putins invasion and annexing of Crimea in 2014. In Mr. Putins address to the Russian people he spoke of the West on a campaign to destroy Russia. This is no longer about Ukraine; its about the principle of national sovereignty, and Europe is on the front line and its citizens know it. President Biden knows it, too. Susan Girod Paris To the Editor: Re Putin Is Backed Into a Corner, and May Be More Dangerous Than Ever, by Roger Cohen (news analysis, Sept. 22): The story that Vladimir Putin recounts of his experience as a boy with a stick confronting a rat trapped in a corner is interesting and instructive. Russia during World War II, Vietnam, Afghanistan and now Ukraine are examples of countries whose people have a strong cultural identity and when backed into a corner, they have fought back ferociously. The Russian president, however, appears to have wrongly interpreted his own parable. He is not the rat; he continues to be the boy with the stick. The people he confronts will bare tooth and claw and fight for their lives, their families and their country. With overwhelming might, he may be able to destroy them, but he remains the boy with the stick, and not the hero of his country. Roy Funch Lencois, Brazil To the Editor: Ive always wondered exactly what we imagined the end game of the Ukraine invasion to be. Vladimir Putin cannot afford to be seen as losing, and thus will do anything and everything to prevent that. Of course, that requires us to ponder what everything might mean. And if he does resort to tactical nuclear weapons, what possible response can there be from us that isnt suicidal? Republican Party leaders fueled the shift to the right by promising results to their conservative base that they could not deliver: banning abortion, eliminating the deficit, slashing federal regulations, cracking down on L.G.B.T.Q. rights and greatly cutting taxes. Mr. Gingrichs Contract With America and the government shutdown it caused set the stage for decades of unkept promises and primed primary voters to turn against the moderate and liberal elected officials who had once been a critical component of the Republican coalition, especially in the Northeast, when those officials could be readily blamed for not sufficiently supporting the party line. As Republican voters and nominees adopted an increasingly extreme agenda, even a Republican Congress could not produce the results they had promised. While Republican officials delivered significant tax cuts for the very wealthy and, under George W. Bush, put numerous conservatives onto the federal bench, they failed to meaningfully relieve the tax burden for working- and middle-class people or to fully realize any of their culture-war goals, instead seeing same-sex marriage become the law of the land. These failures drove a further rightward shift that resulted in the rise of the Tea Party. And when the Tea Partyers failed to stop President Barack Obama and his Affordable Care Act, we arrived at the 2016 presidential primaries and the rise of Donald Trump. The base of the party had become angry and alienated because the Gingrich-era promises had not been delivered. During this period, some Republicans in the Northeast swam against the tide. Senator Jim Jeffords of Vermont, my predecessor in the U.S. House, became an independent before his retirement. In her last term, Senator Snowe cast a critical vote in committee to put the Affordable Care Act before the full Senate. She believed health care reform merited consideration by the full Senate, not a quiet death in committee. She favored governing over controlling. But even in New England, long a bastion of liberal and moderate Republicanism, moderates are now losing in Republican primaries. This year, a Trump-backed candidate won the nomination for governor of Massachusetts; candidates endorsed by Donald Trump or who deny the validity of the 2020 election won races in New Hampshire; and Vermont Republicans nominated a right-wing figure for Senate. Increasingly, moderate candidates without a deeply established electoral history are unable to win nomination for major offices. There have been a few moderate and liberal Republican success stories, but they are anomalies, peculiar to the person or the situation. In Vermont, Jim Douglas, governor from 2003 to 2011, and the current governor, Phil Scott, built long electoral careers and personal brands that made them more resistant to hard-right primary challengers. Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts developed a reputation as a competent administrator in the 1990s, long before he ran for office. But the refusal by Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire to run for Senate this year speaks volumes about the culture and philosophy that the national Republican Party and its elected officials are enforcing in primary elections and in Congress. That doctrine has made a national political career less achievable and enticing, even for an extremely popular right-of-center governor like Mr. Sununu. South Africa: Africa Aerospace and Defence expo opens in Tshwane The long-awaited Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (AAD) expo is now underway at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Tshwane. Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise, on Wednesday officially opened Africa's largest defence and aerospace exhibition, which takes place from 21 to 25 September. The exhibition, which happens every two years, returns after a long break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the exhibition and air show, Modise said the expo will showcase the capabilities of the armed forces from both South Africa and abroad. The format comprises three trade days and two air show days, which will consist of indoor and outdoor exhibitions, a hospitality chalet line, a static aircraft park, and capability demonstrations and displays. Over the years, AAD has become synonymous with South African excellence, world-class capability and, of course, our exceptional warmth and hospitality, the Minister said. She has described AAD as an event that carries a wealth of history, spanning over 20 years. WATCH | Opening of AAD 2022 Indeed, the story of AAD is a story of dedication, hard work and commitment to sheer excellence. Modise commended AAD partners for consistently staging one of the best exhibitions and air shows in the world. I am informed that AAD ranks amongst the top six defence exhibitions in the world in terms of its magnitude, scale and size. Turning her focus to the economy, Modise said the expo serves South Africa by contributing to job creation and the fiscus. She said the 2018 instalment generated a taxation revenue of R160 million. Modise hopes that this years show will exceed this target. This 11th edition of AAD will bring together the largest gathering of aerospace and defence industry decision makers and buyers from around the world, including many from Africa. Modise believes that the defence industry plays a key role in assisting the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to carry out its constitutional mandate of defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of South Africa and securing the nation. By ensuring security and stability, the SANDF, in turn, helps to create an enabling environment for economic growth and development. Through our peacekeeping missions, we are similarly contributing to peace, stability and prosperity on our continent. This year, she announced that Turkey was the biggest exhibitor, with 25 companies participating in the pavilion. The expo will also host parallel events with conferences, seminars and business-to-business meetings and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) demonstrations. Exhibitors and trade visitors will also have an opportunity to interact directly with various stakeholders, while the public will be able to witness the spectacular display of the air force and aviation sector. There are 200 exhibitors from 24 countries, with nine national pavilions, 70% of which are local. AAD 2022 also features two small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) pavilions, hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry and Competition and the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, of which 15 companies will be hosted. This is consistent with our understanding that small businesses are a catalyst for the much-needed economic growth and sustained development of our country. The AAD Youth Development Programme will be displaying advanced aviation, defence, and aerospace technologies to 10 000 learners and South African Air Force (SAAF) and United States Air Force (USAF) pilots will be holding motivational sessions with them. In addition, South African Airways (SAA) will be flying learners from Durban and Cape Town. These learners will be experiencing the joy of flying for the very first time. Our own South African Air Force members, using the Gautrain to get to Air Force Waterkloof, will then escort them, said Modise. The pupils will also be exposed to artificial intelligence-driven drone technology designed by students from Wits University School of Engineering. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-09-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Georgian PM meets Chinese FM on sidelines of UNGA session Xinhua) 16:30, September 22, 2022 NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met here with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Noting that Georgia and China are reliable friends and partners to each other, Garibashvili said Georgia appreciates China for its help in the country's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to adhere to the one-China principle and uphold justice on China-related issues. Georgia admires China for achieving impressive development achievements, which have greatly improved the people's well-being, supports and actively participates in the Belt and Road cooperation, and looks forward to fully utilizing its geographical advantages so as to develop regional cooperation corridors, he said. Noting the smooth implementation of the China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement, the prime minister said Georgia welcomes China's investment in the country, and will facilitate Chinese enterprises' doing business in Georgia. Garibashvili said Georgia pursues practical and constructive policies, is committed to safeguarding the long-term peace and stability of the region, and does not favor the arbitrary imposition of unilateral sanctions. For his part, Wang noted that the two countries celebrated together the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in June. The key to the successful bilateral relationship lies in the unwavering mutual trust and mutual assistance between the two countries, as well as the accommodation of each other's major concerns on multilateral occasions, he said. Wang said he hopes that both sides can work together to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, and bring bilateral relationship to a maturer, stabler, more practical and more efficient level. China supports Georgia's unique and important role in maintaining regional peace, and appreciates Georgia for actively promoting the Belt and Road cooperation, Wang said. China stands ready to strengthen the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the "Middle Corridor" vision in an effort to pool more global consensus, seize new opportunities to build a healthy Silk Road, a green Silk Road and a digital Silk Road, and create new growth drivers for mutually beneficial cooperation based upon the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, he said. Wang said China encourages competent and willing Chinese companies to invest in Georgia and participate in the construction of special economic zones or industrial parks in the country. China is willing to strengthen bilateral cooperation in such areas as ports, energy and 5G, and fully tap the potential of bilateral cooperation in such fields as education, culture, science, technology, and sports, so as to push for continuous new achievements in the development of bilateral relations, he added. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) But there is reason for hope. While Puerto Ricos Department of Justice, which is responsible for the enforcement of the local law, allows impunity to go unchecked, Washington has begun to pay attention. A 2019 investigation by the United States Department of Justice found that after Hurricane Maria, PREPA employees accepted or demanded bribes to restore power to residences and businesses before serving critical locations like San Juans Rio Piedras Medical Center. The power authority also mismanaged a warehouse where materials were stored that should have been available to help restore power on the island. And over six years, more than $300 million in public funds was spent on consultants related to PREPA. Last month the former governor Wanda Vazquez was arrested on corruption charges, and at least nine mayors have been accused of corruption. They include Eduardo Cintron-Suarez, the former mayor of the Municipality of Guayama, who in July was sentenced to 30 months in prison for receiving cash payments in exchange for executing municipal contracts and approving invoice payments for an asphalt and paving company. Many more are believed to be under investigation. Puerto Ricans shouldnt have to rely on the U.S. government to deliver justice on a local level. Our own justice system must root out the corruption that threatens to suck the island dry. It can do that by investigating and prosecuting corruption to prove, in part, that the island itself can take the reins of justice. It should demand that the federal government carry out a fiscal restructuring that puts safeguards in place that curb corruption. Hurricane Fiona was just a Category 1 storm, which is why the scale of destruction has taken so many of us by surprise. We knew things were bad, but we didnt realize just how agonizingly bad. In the years since Hurricane Maria, our battered infrastructure has only gotten worse. As of Wednesday night, my water service and power were restored. With other storms churning in the Atlantic Ocean, it remains to be seen for how long. At least 20 hospitals are still running on generators. What is most galling is that it is our own people who rob and abuse us. The betrayal is so insidious that I seethe with anger if I think about it too much. Were tired of being displaced by wealthy foreigners, who flock to the island to bask on our beaches and get the tax breaks that are not available to us. Were tired of politicians enriching themselves at our expense. Were fed up with the blackouts. After the hurricane passed, my neighbors and I checked on one another. I was moved to tears when my upstairs neighbor told me that our community spirit, the way we look out for one another, is what has helped us survive these past few years. No one is coming to save us. Weve proved ourselves capable of ousting one governor from office, and we wont stop until we have created a better, fairer Puerto Rico. The party of war has been very vocal since April, when it became clear that the Russian Army was unable to conquer Kyiv and overthrow the Zelensky government. Moscows more modest goal conquering the Donbas and securing a land bridge to annexed Crimea appeared to be an intolerable retrenchment. Throughout, Russias hawks have benefited from an unexpected sounding board: the many Telegram channels, some of which have up to one million followers, run by war journalists embedded with the Russian Army. In a stream of constant commentary, the channels criticize the governments indecisiveness and call for a full-scale conquest of Ukraine and the mass mobilization of the Russian population. Through the summer, the level of criticism was manageable for the regime. But things began to change in August, when Darya Dugina, the daughter of one of Russias best-known imperial ideologists, Alexander Dugin, was assassinated in Moscow. The perpetrators and purpose of the attack are unknown. But the effect was clear. By bringing the conflict into one of the capitals fanciest neighborhoods, the murder confirmed the hawks dim view of the war effort. Since Ms. Duginas death, the party of war has been using her martyrdom to renew calls for a full-scale war in overtly eschatological tones. The military reversal of recent weeks has played into their hands. The infamous Chechen head of state, Ramzan Kadyrov, has called for self-mobilization, inviting regional elites to recruit at least 1,000 citizens each, raising about 85,000 new troops in total. The Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, another key figure on the nationalist right, called for a maximum mobilization of forces and resources and for the Kremlin to refer to the conflict as a war, rather than a special operation. And Yevgeny Prigozhin, the de facto head of a shadowy mercenary outfit known as the Wagner Group, has been recruiting prisoners to be sent to the front. Their criticism has clearly cut through. While stopping short of mass conscription, Mr. Putins partial mobilization, as he put it, of some 300,000 troops is a major boost for the party of war. Likewise, plans to hold referendums in Ukraines occupied territories Donetsk and Luhansk in the east, Kherson and Zaporizka in the south are designed to redraw the terms of the conflict, in ways congenial to the presidents hawkish critics. There are signs too that Mr. Putin may escalate domestically, turning even more to repression. The administration, for example, is stepping up indoctrination for schoolchildren and has instituted new restrictions on supposedly pernicious content in art. The security services, for their part, are laser-focused on stamping out dissent, arresting and jailing any form of opposition. In universities, students and professors are under growing pressure to cut links with their Western counterparts. Already extensive, these efforts could be pursued yet more doggedly, dragging many more Russians into the dragnet. Right now, ants are scurrying around every continent except Antarctica, doing the hard work of engineering ecosystems. They spread seeds, churn up soil and speed up decomposition. They forage and hunt and get eaten. You may not know how much you rely on them. Ants are the movers and shakers of ecosystems, said Nate Sanders, an ecologist at the University of Michigan. Knowing anything about them helps us understand how ecosystems are put together and how they work. I would argue most ecosystems would simply collapse without ants, said Patrick Schultheiss, an ecologist at the University of Hong Kong. As some naturalists worry about an insect apocalypse, scientists are racing to keep track of whats at stake. But they didnt know how many ants there are or where they live. Dr. Schultheiss and colleagues have a new ant census count: 20 quadrillion 20 with 15 zeros following it. Ants outnumber humans at least 2.5 million to 1. Ant biomass is around 20 percent of human biomass, or the mass of carbon from the nearly 8 billion humans now living on Earth. The ant biomass also weighs around 12 megatons, which is about the equivalent of two Pyramids of Giza on a scale. Its also looking like Omicron has a remarkable capacity for more evolution. One of the newest subvariants, called BA.2.75.2, can evade immune responses better than all earlier forms of Omicron. For now, BA.2.75.2 is extremely rare, making up just .05 percent of the coronaviruses that have been sequenced worldwide in the past three months. But that was once true of other Omicron subvariants that later came to dominate the world. If BA.2.75.2 becomes widespread this winter, it may blunt the effectiveness of the newly authorized boosters from Moderna and Pfizer. Every time SARS-CoV-2 replicates inside of a cell, it might mutate. On rare occasions, a mutation might help SARS-CoV-2 replicate faster. Or it might help the virus evade antibodies from previous bouts of Covid. Such a beneficial mutation might become more common in a single country before fading away. Or it might take over the world. At first, SARS-CoV-2 followed the slow and steady course that scientists had expected based on other coronaviruses. Its evolutionary tree gradually split into branches, each gaining a few mutations. Evolutionary biologists kept track of them with codes that were useful but obscure. No one else paid much attention to the codes, because they made little difference to how sick the viruses made people. Residents of almost any city in North America know how frustratingly clever raccoons can be. They break into garages, pilfer supposedly unreachable bird feeders and ransack trash bins, even defeating lids specifically designed to thwart them. Despite their reputation, little is known about why raccoons are so good at urban living. Over the past few years, researchers have taken to the streets of Laramie, Wyo., to uncover the raccoons secrets, adapting a cognitive test designed for captive animals so that it can be deployed in the wild. Preliminary findings suggest that the most docile animals learned to use the testing devices more easily than bolder, more aggressive ones did, a result that has implications for our relationship with urban wildlife. The study was published on Thursday in the Journal of Experimental Biology. As the planet is increasingly urbanized, the questions of which animals will be able to cope with the sprawl and why are becoming more urgent. The answers could be key to mitigating the conflicts that interspecies proximity brings and may point to better ways to manage animals as they are forced to share more of their habitat with us. REIMAGINING A LEGENDARY interior by a Modernist icon is a test not only of vision but of courage: Are you confident enough to put your mark on a space where greatness once ran wild? That was the challenge for the Lebanese designer Nicolas Moussallem and his French Lebanese studio partner, David Raffoul, both in their early 30s, who were recently asked to recast and preserve what remained of a famed Milan apartment known as Casa di Fantasia, created near the Piazza Piemonte in 1952 for a married couple, Mario and Lisetta Lucano, by Giovanni Gio Ponti. Ponti, who created furniture and objects, as well as more than a hundred buildings over 60 years, was among the most prolific design talents ever, mastering styles that ranged from post-World War I-era neo-Classical ceramics and silverware for Christofle to the stark geometries of the 1960 Pirelli Tower in Milan and the 1971 Denver Art Museum; Casa di Fantasia was part of his midcentury exploration of French Surrealism and Italian metaphysics. The beloved Italian rainbow cookie isnt actually a cookie at all but rather moist layers of almond cake separated by smears of fruit jam and covered in a thin veneer of chocolate. It doesnt even look like a rainbow, hewing more closely to the red, white and green bands of the Italian flag. Also, its more likely to appear on a Jewish delis menu than a pizzerias. Yet the cookies are a New York classic and an object of deep nostalgia, which might explain their recent revival among pastry chefs and cooks. Everyone fought over the rainbow cookies because theyre the best ones, says Doron Petersan, who sells a dairy- and egg-free version at Sticky Fingers diner and Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats bakery, the vegan establishments she owns in Washington, D.C. At Ggiata Delicatessen, a Los Angeles sandwich shop opened by three friends who missed the New Jersey delis of their youth, the cookies made with tart raspberry jam are a staple of their otherwise rotating selection of baked goods. I didnt really like rainbow cookies before I started making them, says Georgia Wodder, the pastry chef at Mels, a wood-fired pizza spot in Manhattan, where she serves wafer-thin pieces atop a stracciatella gelato sundae. But theyre a real crowd-pleaser. Amiel Stanek Mini Market: Knits and Prints to Inspire a Sense of Wanderlust The Justice Department moved on Thursday to end the criminal prosecution of a Massachusetts judge and a court officer who had been charged with helping an undocumented immigrant escape from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer at a courthouse in 2018. The judge, Shelley M. Richmond Joseph, and the court officer, Wesley MacGregor, were indicted in 2019 on charges that they had prevented the ICE officer from taking the man into custody by allowing him to sneak out of Newton District Court in Newton, Mass. Prosecutors said in 2019 that Judge Joseph had ordered the man, an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic, to go to a basement facility, where he was let out of a back door rather than into the lobby, where she knew that an ICE officer was waiting for him. Under an agreement announced on Thursday, prosecutors said they would drop charges against the judge and Mr. MacGregor of obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstructing a federal proceeding. Prosecutors said they would also defer an additional perjury charge that Mr. MacGregor had faced. Linas case is rare. Most children who are reported missing are eventually found, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The few who remain missing are often categorized as runaways and, in some cases, they become victims of sex trafficking, experts said. The mystery surrounding Linas case has only added another element of turmoil to already traumatized emigres. Many come to America starting from zero, without a place to live, with limited English skills, if they speak it at all, and few job leads to support their families, said Amir Mohammad Amiri, an Afghan community leader. We come here looking for peace, stability, security for our children, Mr. Amiri said. Now, he is not so sure America is the safe haven he once believed it to be. San Antonio, after all, is an hour and a half away from Uvalde, where 19 children and two teachers were killed in May by a teenage gunman. News of the girls disappearance was all people could talk about at Aryana Halal Meat Market, a gathering spot for many Afghan refugees. Aminullah Amir, 38, stood next to the cashier and tried to explain that he has become paranoid every time he takes his children ages 2, 4, 6 and 9 to the park. I keep my eyes on them all the time. I am scared that they will disappear like Lina, Mr. Amir said. We always thought America was safe. Now, we are not too sure. There was a time when the future looked a lot brighter for the Sardars. They tried their best to acclimate to their new life in San Antonio, a Latino majority metropolitan area where hundreds of Afghan refugees resettled after the fall of Kabul, bringing the total population to more than 2,660, according to some estimates. Mr. Sardar soon found work as a truck driver, and Ms. Sardar made friends with close-knit Afghan women in her complex and with neighbors of diverse ethnicities. Their son Rayhan was born in San Antonio. The siblings made fast friends and practiced their English with other children at the playground. Lawyers familiar with the Brazilian asylum seekers case say the 23-year-old, Kesley Vial, killed himself in August after months of incarceration at Torrance, where he struggled to obtain basic information from officials about his case. It was the third death of a detainee in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in the past year. His death is still under agency review. We have been telling ICE and CoreCivic that Torrance is a horrible place, that something bad could happen, said Casey Mangan, a lawyer with an immigration advocacy organization who regularly works with detainees at Torrance. Unfortunately, that is what happened. ICE officials disputed the A.C.L.U.s characterization of the conditions at Torrance, saying the detention center meets the standards mandated by the federal government standards that immigration activists say are far too low. If those standards and requirements are not met, ICE will terminate the agreement for use of the facility, said Jason Houser, the agencys chief of staff. Torrance is run by the for-profit prison company, CoreCivic, which also said the facility meets federal standards. Immigration detention is just one piece of a larger debate about who should be allowed into the United States to seek refuge and work. The actions of Republican governors Greg Abbott of Texas, Doug Ducey of Arizona and Ron DeSantis of Florida to bus or fly migrants across the country, a political stunt to try to score points on immigration in the midterm elections, have drawn even more attention to the issue. WASHINGTON On the lawn outside the Capitol this week, the flags of two countries flew in protest: Americas and Afghanistans from before it fell to the Taliban. Beside them stood supporters of Afghans who had risked their lives to help Americans during the decades-long war in Afghanistan as translators, drivers and fixers and had to flee the country last year when U.S. forces withdrew. About 82,000 were evacuated to the United States, but since then most have been living in legal limbo, with no long-term authorization to remain. Military veterans and other supporters have been lobbying Congress for more than a year to provide Afghan evacuees with a pathway to permanent legal status in the United States. Many have only temporary authorization to stay, even though they will most likely never be able to safely return to their former homes. Now, they are pushing for legislation addressing the issue to be tacked onto a must-pass spending bill to keep government funded past the end of the month, when it is slated to lapse. But despite support from the White House, a bipartisan group of senators and military veterans, a direct path to legal status for Afghans has proved difficult to establish amid opposition from some Republicans, who argue that the evacuees pose security risks. The measure is unlikely to be included in the spending package this month because of those objections. WASHINGTON A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a Nazi sympathizer who had served in the Army reserves to four years in prison for storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, saying his racist and antisemitic motivation for trying to halt the election certification process set his case apart from dozens of other rioters who have been charged. The defendant, Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, 32, was working as a security guard at a naval station in New Jersey when he joined the pro-Trump mob that broke into the Capitol. At a trial in May in Federal District Court in Washington, Mr. Hale-Cusanelli was convicted of five criminal charges, including obstruction of the certification of the 2020 election results, which took place at a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6. Mr. Hale-Cusanelli, who held a secret security clearance at the time of the attack, tried to play down his role in the assault by telling the jury that he had no idea that Congress met at the Capitol. But just before issuing the sentence, Judge Trevor N. McFadden called Mr. Hale-Cusanellis testimony a risible lie and an obvious attempt to avoid responsibility. Prosecutors argued at a hearing on Thursday that Mr. Hale-Cusanelli, who often liked to dress as Adolf Hitler, was at the front of the mob as its members assaulted the police and smashed doors and windows to enter the Capitol. Mr. Hale-Cusanelli also urged those around him to advance on the building, prosecutors said. The role detailed in Mr. Majewskis military records contrasted sharply with his repeated claims on social media and right-wing podcasts that he was deployed to Afghanistan. In the immediate aftermath of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan last year, Mr. Majewski chided President Biden over the chaotic exit of forces there, saying in a tweet, Id gladly suit up and go back to Afghanistan tonight and give my best to save those Americans who were abandoned. He also mentioned Afghanistan during a February 2021 appearance on a podcast platform that has drawn scrutiny for promoting conspiracy theories and misinformation. I lost my grandmother when I was in Afghanistan, and I didnt get to see her funeral, he said. More revelations were detailed by Media Matters for America, a left-leaning media monitoring group. How Times reporters cover politics. We rely on our journalists to be independent observers. So while Times staff members may vote, they are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes. This includes participating in marches or rallies in support of a movement or giving money to, or raising money for, any political candidate or election cause. Learn more about our process. The head of a prominent veterans advocacy group criticized Mr. Majewski in an interview on Wednesday, saying that his embellishment of his military record dishonored veterans who did experience combat. To me, thats stolen valor, said Don Christensen, a retired Air Force colonel and president of Protect Our Defenders. I have so much respect for the people who were actually getting shot at, suffering from I.E.D.s, being wounded and killed. I just think you owe them that youre going to be honest in what you say and that youre not going to try to equate your service to their service. Mr. Christensen, 61, served for 23 years in the Air Force in a noncombat role. He said there was a clear distinction between Qatar and Afghanistan or Iraq. In a normal election year, races for secretary of state are sleepy affairs, and their campaigns struggle for media coverage amid the hurly-burly of more prominent Senate, governor and House contests. This year, however, is anything but normal. Democrats are pouring millions of dollars into races for secretary of state, buoyed by the nature of their Republican opponents and the stakes for American democracy. According to an analysis by my colleague Alyce McFadden, Democrats in Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota and Nevada have outraised their Republican opponents as of the most recent campaign finance reports. And overall, Democratic-aligned groups working on secretary of state races in those four states have outspent Republicans by nearly $18 million in this election cycle, according to the ad analytics firm AdImpact, with more spending on the way. The role of a secretary of state varies, but in those four states, as well as Arizona and Pennsylvania (where the governor appoints the secretary), they play a critical role in overseeing the mechanics of elections. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, for example, they often had to make judgment calls about how to ensure that voters had access to the polls when vaccines were not yet available, making elderly and immunocompromised Americans concerned about showing up in person. BUENOS AIRES Alan Garcia starts each work day on a cracked plastic stool, hunched over a small vanity mirror, caking on makeup to lighten his skin. He draws on sideburns. He pencils a cleft into his chin. And he pinches and lifts his nose with a thin strip of tape. After nearly three hours, his new face is instantly recognizable: Michael Jackson. Then Mr. Garcia trudges to work. Carrying a tattered suitcase stuffed with fedoras, a sequined jacket and one bedazzled glove, he boards a commuter train from his working-class suburb to downtown Buenos Aires, a two-hour trip. Five days a week, he dances for tips on a busy pedestrian intersection the same choreography to the same three songs. Smooth Criminal. Thriller. Billie Jean. Repeat. He takes home 3,000 pesos on a good day, or about $10. All of those problems were foreseeable, said Alexander Hinton, an anthropology professor at Rutgers University who has followed the tribunal and testified before it as an expert witness. Still, he said, it would have been unacceptable not to prosecute the perpetrators of what he called some of the worst crimes in history. I personally have always had very low expectations for what would happen, and those expectations have been met, Professor Hinton said in an interview. But he said the tribunal had shone a light on a time that many older Cambodians would have preferred to forget, and that many younger ones have found hard to believe. As much as three-quarters of Cambodias current population is under 30, and many survivors of the Khmer Rouge have said that their children and grandchildren had dismissed their stories about the time as exaggerated and impossible. The Khmer Rouge evacuated entire cities, including sick people in hospitals, marching hundreds of thousands into the countryside on foot; created a nationwide system of forced labor camps, torture houses and execution grounds, known as killing fields; banned religion and commerce; tore families apart; and executed people who were seen as part of the old order, in some cases simply because they wore glasses. Only in the last decade have Cambodian schools begun to teach students about the Khmer Rouge period, spurred in part by the existence of the tribunal. AHMEDABAD, India The two men were unlikely candidates to work in the news business. Neither had a background in journalism, but both were alarmed with the surge of misinformation in India that followed the rise of Narendra Modi as the Hindu nationalist prime minister. To take on this problem, the men, both engineers, started Alt News in 2017. Since then, Alt News has become a leading fact checker in India, debunking rumors on social media that often spiral onto television news, including those about child-kidnapping gangs and that Muslims were spreading Covid. Calling out hate speech has also become part of the sites work as it has taken aim at viral posts that inflame sectarian tensions and that sometimes spur violent mobs to attack innocent people. Led by its founders, Mohammed Zubair and Pratik Sinha, Alt News has criticized supporters and officials of Mr. Modis Bharatiya Janata Party for their statements targeting minorities. But in a reflection of the growing concerns about the independence and freedom of the news media in India, Mr. Zubair has landed in the authorities cross hairs. He has been arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiments and is being investigated by the police after anonymous critics and B.J.P. officials accused him of spreading communal unrest. SEOUL North Korea on Thursday denied an American intelligence report that it was selling millions of artillery shells and rockets to Russia, accusing the United States of spreading a reckless rumor. We have never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia before and we will not plan to export them, a senior official at the Norths Ministry of National Defense said in a statement carried by its official Korean Central News Agency. We warn the U.S. to stop making reckless remarks. The news agency identified the ministry official as a vice director of the General Bureau of Equipment, but did not release the officials name. Earlier this month, United States officials released newly declassified intelligence disclosing what it said were Russian efforts to buy North Korean weapons. The officials said that the sales were a sign that sanctions had severely restricted Russias supply chains and forced Moscow to turn to pariah states for military supplies to support its war in Ukraine. LONDON Rusted chunks of metal from an old pickup truck disintegrate in the sun. Its windows, tires and interior are long gone, and so are any operable parts. It sits against a collection of hollowed-out homes and derelict buildings, all ruins of Aceredo, a former village in northwest Spain that was submerged three decades ago when a hydropower dam flooded the valley. Now, because of a persistent drought, adventurers can tour this ghost village on foot. Across Europe, once-submerged villages, ships and bridges some dating back thousands of years have re-emerged this year as rivers and reservoirs have dried up. The steady stream of gripping photos has circulated while much of the continent faced a string of extreme heat waves and a devastating drought, two phenomena that scientists say are made more likely and more severe by human-caused climate change. LONDON For the first time, Catholics outnumber Protestants in Northern Ireland, census figures released on Thursday show confirmation of a long-anticipated but still striking shift with implications for the regions future. The result could intensify debate, at an already politically fraught moment, about the region seceding from the United Kingdom and reunifying Ireland, but experts have also cautioned against equating religion with political affiliation. With Catholics coming out now in the plurality, that really is quite significant because of the grounds on which Northern Ireland was created to begin with, said Katy Hayward, a professor of politics at Queens University, Belfast. But I would immediately point to the dangers of reading political opinions on top of that. According to the census numbers, some 45.7 percent of Northern Irelands population is or was raised Catholic, while 43.5 percent are Protestant or raised in another Christian religion. Since the formation of Northern Ireland which remained part of the United Kingdom when the island was partitioned in 1921, while the larger part of the island became an independent Irish state Protestants have outnumbered Catholics. ISTANBUL Since President Vladimir V. Putins announcement on Wednesday of a new troop call-up, Russian men who had previously thought they were safe from being forced to the front lines have realized they could not count on staying out of their countrys invasion of Ukraine. Some have left the country in a rush, paying rising prices to catch flights to countries such as Armenia, Georgia, Montenegro and Turkey that allow them to enter without visas. Mr. Putin officially called up only reservists, and only up to 300,000 of them, saying that only men with military experience would receive orders to report for duty. But many Russians worried that the government would impose new travel restrictions on conscription-aged men and wanted to make a quick escape just in case. Turkey already was among the countries that received a large exodus of Russians at the beginning of the Ukraine invasion. Many were fleeing the crackdown at home, including the criminalization of dissent, with speaking out against the invasion or even calling it a war now carrying serious penalties. Others worried about the impact of international sanctions and Russias growing isolation on the economy and their jobs. Protesters across Russia took to the streets to show their disapproval of the partial mobilization policy announced by President Vladimir V. Putin on Wednesday morning that would press 300,000 into military service. At least 1,252 people from 38 cities were detained, according to OVD-Info, a human rights watchdog that monitors police activity. In Moscow, hundreds of protesters gathered on the Old Arbat, a well-known pedestrian street in central Moscow. They screamed Send Putin to the trenches! and Let our children live! Footage showed riot police dragging people away. In Tomsk, a woman holding a sign that said Hug me if you are also scared smiled serenely as she was dragged away from a small protest by three police officers. In Novosibirsk, a man with a ponytail was taken away after he told police officers, I dont want to die for Putin and for you. Protest is effectively criminalized in Russia, where before this week almost 16,500 people had been detained for antiwar activity, according to OVD-Info including the simple act of an individual standing in a public place holding a blank piece of paper. Since March, it has been illegal to disseminate false information about the war and to discredit the Russian Army. Viktor Medvedchuk, the most prominent captive released by Ukraine in a prisoner swap with Russia, is a close friend of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia who had acted as the Kremlins primary agent of influence in Ukraine for years. Mr. Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian politician and oligarch, was handed over alongside Russian pilots and senior military officials, a top adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday, in exchange for more than 200 Ukrainian fighters including commanders of the Azov Battalion, who have been celebrated as heroes in Ukraine for their last-stand defense of Mariupol. It was the largest prisoner swap in the seven-month war. Russian officials had previously disavowed any claims to Mr. Medvedchuk, despite his long-known ties to Mr. Putin, who is the godfather of Mr. Medvedchuks daughter. A Kremlin spokesman in May had dismissed the idea of exchanging Mr. Medvedchuk for Ukrainian fighters, saying that he has nothing to do with Russia, according to Russian state media. Mr. Medvedchuk was captured by authorities in Ukraine in April after he fled house arrest while awaiting trial on treason charges in a case initiated last year. After his detention, officials in Ukraine also seized some of his vast wealth, amassed through energy deals with the Kremlin while working in support of Russian interests in Ukraine and beyond. A little more than 12 hours after he heard that Russian civilians could be pressed into military service in the Ukraine war, the tour guide said he bought a plane ticket and a laptop, changed money, wrapped up his business, kissed his crying mother goodbye and boarded a plane out of his country, with no idea when he might return. On Thursday morning, he walked into the cavernous arrival hall of the Istanbul International Airport carrying only a backpack and the address of a friend who had promised to put him up while he figured out what to do with his life. I was sitting and thinking about what I could die for, and I didnt see any reason to die for the country, said the tour guide, 23, who, like others interviewed for this article, declined to give his name for fear of reprisals. Since President Vladimir V. Putins announcement on Wednesday of a new troop call-up, some Russian men who had once thought they were safe from the front lines have fled the country. And they have done so in a rush, lining up at the borders and paying rising prices to catch flights to countries that allow them to enter without visas, such as Armenia, Georgia, Montenegro and Turkey. Insults, accusations and talk of war crimes and nuclear holocaust dominated the worlds premier diplomatic stage on Thursday, as the United Nations Security Council met to debate how and whether anyone would be held accountable for the war in Ukraine. Russias foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov called Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, a bastard, but was not around long enough to hear what many of his counterparts had to say. After arriving 90 minutes late to the meeting and missing the briefings given by Antonio Guterres, the U.N. secretary general, and Karim Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Mr. Lavrov left early. The U.S. secretary of state, Antony J. Blinken, denounced President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia for saying on Wednesday that he could use all arms available to him in the war, interpreted by officials in both Russia and the West as a veiled reference to nuclear weapons. Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately, Mr. Blinken told the Security Council, in some of his sharpest comments since the war began. Tell President Putin to stop the horror he started. KYIV, Ukraine Diana Pashko has spent many sleepless nights since her husband, a Ukrainian soldier who fought in the southern port city of Mariupol, was taken prisoner in May by Russian forces. But on Wednesday night, she said, it was impossible to sleep from the excitement. Her husband, Lev, was free and would soon be home. Two hours of travel and here he is, standing on crutches, smiling, and all these months of separation seem to have never happened, she said. Lev was one of 215 Ukrainian soldiers released on Wednesday in the largest prisoner exchange of the war, and Ms. Pashkos sentiment reflected the joy and relief that have rippled across the nation. Those released included 108 members of the Azov battalion, including five of its commanders, who have been vilified as Nazis by the Russian state news media but who are widely viewed across Ukraine as heroes for their defense of Mariupol. In return, the Ukrainians handed over Viktor Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian businessman and politician who is a close friend of Russias president, Vladimir V. Putin, along with 55 other Russian soldiers, including several high-ranking officers. BEIRUT, Lebanon A deadly cholera outbreak has been spreading in northern Syria over the past two weeks in areas where millions of people displaced by the countrys long civil war are suffering from a lack of clean water and health care, according to aid organizations that have warned of another potential humanitarian crisis. Save the Children said data provided by the Syrian government indicated there had been 23 cholera-related deaths this week. Health authorities in the autonomous region of northeast Syria, which broke away from Syrian government control in 2013, reported 16 additional deaths. Aid officials said thousands of others are believed to have contracted cholera in the countrys first major outbreak in years. The outbreak of cholera threatens more misery for hundreds of thousands of Syrians already at risk from hunger, conflict and the coming winter, said Tanya Evans, Syria director for the International Rescue Committee. A decade of conflict has left the health care system in Syria extremely fragile and severely under-resourced, making it much harder to mobilize a response to any potential epidemics. After 11 years of war, roughly seven million Syrians are internally displaced and dependent on humanitarian aid. The United Nations has said it expects almost two-thirds of the Syrian population to face food shortages this year, partly because of increased prices linked to the war in Ukraine and a drop in funding for Syrian aid operations. Why We Take Animal Voyages What Ive learned from a lifetime of voyaging with animals. By Sam Anderson. Photographs by Matthew Pillsbury. I have a ridiculous dog named Walnut. He is as domesticated as a beast can be: a purebred longhaired miniature dachshund with fur so thick it feels rich and creamy, like pudding. His tail is a huge spreading golden fan, a clutch of sunbeams. He looks less like a dog than like a tropical fish. People see him and gasp. Sometimes I tell Walnut right out loud that he is my precious little teddy bear pudding cup sweet boy snuggle-stinker. Read More In my daily life, Walnut is omnipresent. He shadows me all over the house. When I sit, he gallops up into my lap. When I go to bed, he stretches out his long warm body against my body or he tucks himself under my chin like a soft violin. Walnut is so relentlessly present that sometimes, paradoxically, he disappears. If I am stressed or tired, I can go a whole day without noticing him. I will pet him idly; I will yell at him absent-mindedly for barking at the mailman; I will nuzzle him with my foot. But I will not really see him. He will ask for my attention, but I will have no attention to give. Humans are notorious for this: for our ability to become blind to our surroundings even a fluffy little jewel of a mammal like Walnut. John Berger, the brilliant British artist-critic, could have been writing about all this when he lamented, 45 years ago, modern humanitys impoverished relationship to animals. In the last two centuries, he wrote, animals have gradually disappeared. Today we live without them. The snow leopards Malaya and Buck at the Brookfield Zoo outside Chicago. On its face, this claim is ridiculous. Animals are everywhere in modern life. More of us own pets than at any other time in human history. We can drive to zoos, cat cafes, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries. We can lie in bed and share viral TikToks of buffaloes grunting, puppies howling, parrots taunting hungry cats. We can watch live feeds on our tiny phones of eagles incubating eggs or drone footage of polar bears hunting seals on 50-foot IMAX screens. But Berger would argue that these things are all just symptoms of our lost intimacy with animals. None of them represent meaningful old-fashioned contact. Since the primordial beginnings of our species, he writes, animals have been integral to human life: Animals constituted the first circle of what surrounded man. Perhaps that already suggests too great a distance. They were with man at the center of his world. Animals were not only predators and prey they were myths, symbols, companions, peers, teachers, guides. The patterns of their movement defined the edges of the human world. Their shapes defined the stars. They made human life possible. A few ostrich eggs could sustain hunter-gatherers for days first as food, then as water carriers that enabled them to cross vast, parched distances. Listen to the Introduction To hear more audio stories from publishers like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android We all know what happened next: capitalism, industrialization, urbanization, the internal combustion engine, suburban sprawl, fast food, chicken nuggets, factory farms. Animals our sharp, loud, restless, dangerous, inconvenient planetary roommates were pushed to the margins. For Berger, this was a profound loss, not only for the subjugated animals but also for the humans who did the subjugating. The animal has secrets which, unlike the secrets of caves, mountains, seas, are specifically addressed to man, he writes. With their parallel lives, animals offer man a companionship which is different from any offered by human exchange. Different because it is a companionship offered to the loneliness of man as a species. Our lost closeness with animals ushered in a sharp existential pain a state of beastly alienation. Modern humans can try to rationalize that loss in infinite ways. (Is it such a bad thing that most of us no longer have to worry about wolf packs stealing our leftover caribou meat?) We can concoct all kinds of synthetic replacements: ant farms, sea monkeys, pet rocks, chia pets, Tamagotchis. (Growing up, I fell in love with a battery-powered robot owl named Hootbot.) We can sit at home with our pets in our laps, clicking on animal videos, laughing and crying and forwarding them to our friends. But none of these will fill the creaturely hole at the center of human life. Theyre not even close to the same shape. We will continue to feel that loss, to yearn for those parallel lives, for the ancient strangeness of animal familiarity. If necessary, we will search the world for it. And so, sometimes, we head out on an animal voyage. We take ourselves off to a place that is still wild, or where wildness has been carefully curated or simulated or reintroduced. We can visit squirrel monkeys, for instance, at an abandoned penal colony in French Guiana. We can watch strange hairy horses galloping around near Icelandic volcanoes. We can climb up into the lush tree canopies of Ghana to stare at the rosy bee-eaters. Wherever we go, our goal will be roughly the same: to put our own animal bodies near the bodies of the creatures we have pushed away. To effect an existential reunion. If that sounds mystical well, it is. Its hard to put into words exactly what we are looking for when we go out to meet a distant animal. The need, probably, goes deeper than language. On some level, I think we are looking to orient ourselves, to locate ourselves on an accurate map of the universe. Not using the coordinates weve been handed by human culture: the self-flattering, narcissistic, anthropocentric fantasies of a world made for us, in our image. Something in us yearns for accuracy, even if it comes at the price of a demotion. It is liberating to be decentered. And animals, always, are happy to perform this service. Yuki, whose name means snow in Japanese, at the Philadelphia Zoo. An animal voyage is special because it requires us to make many journeys all at once. To really connect with another creature, you have to cross multiple kinds of distance: physical, spiritual, temporal. You have to leave our daily sense of clock time and reach into something like evolutionary time. You have to stare across vast chasms of consciousness. Look into the eye of a bison, a marlin, a parrot, an iguana. What is the gulf between your mind and theirs? That space cant be measured in miles or light years or any other unit we can name. It will probably never be definitively crossed. What kind of bridge would ever even begin to work? And so an animal voyage is, on some level, always destined to fail. This, too, is part of its appeal. My favorite record of an animal voyage is a book thats fluent in failure. Peter Matthiessens nonfiction masterpiece, The Snow Leopard, chronicles a truly extreme animal quest. In 1973, Matthiessen spent two months trekking into the Himalayas with his biologist friend George Schaller. They were hoping to glimpse one of the worlds most impressive and elusive animals, a powerful cat so rare that Schaller knew of only one Westerner aside from himself who had seen one in the past quarter-century. According to Matthiessen, the snow leopard is a near-mythic beast that has the power to watch its watchers while remaining nearly invisible. One can stare straight at it from yards away, he writes, and fail to see it. Matthiessens journey is brutal, dangerous and disorienting emotionally and physically exhausting. He hikes along perilous ledges; his guides suffer bouts of snow blindness. Matthiessen weathers freezing temperatures in a tent so small he cant even sit up. All along, he has much more on his mind than wildlife. Early in the book, we learn that Matthiessens wife has recently died of cancer and that he has left his young son at home to make this pilgrimage. He later told an interviewer that he drafted the book by hand, on the trek itself, day by day, as a Zen practice of close observation. (Matthiessen and his wife were both serious students of Buddhism.) This gives the writing a strange, elevated, living quality that few books ever approach. Matthiessen was a devoted environmentalist, prone to raging at human excesses, and his voyage begins in a fallen world a region already devastated by overpopulation and pollution, where animals that used to be common (elephants, tigers, rhinos, cheetahs) have all been driven away. We have outsmarted ourselves like greedy monkeys, and now we are full of dread, he writes. He climbs higher and higher, away from civilization, toward an ancient Tibetan sacred site known as Crystal Mountain. Along the way, he sits and meditates; he stops at Buddhist shrines; he is overwhelmed by feelings. As the altitude rises, Matthiessens style burns itself down to stark poetry: There is no wisp of cloud clear, clear, clear, clear. He begins to merge with the landscape (I grow into these mountains like a moss) and to detach from linear time: Simultaneously, I am myself, the child I was, the old man I will be. He has visions, hallucinatory epiphanies. Sometimes when I meditate, he writes, the big rocks dance. On his voyage, Matthiessen encounters all kinds of animals: yaks, goats, lizards, frogs, roosters, horses. He sees a lone red panda and many clusters of blue sheep and even a pack of wolves. In a tiny village, he is attacked by a dog. He beats it off with a stick. To return home from an animal voyage is to become, yourself, a new animal living in your old habitat. But where is the snow leopard? Nowhere and everywhere. Up near Crystal Mountain, as time stretches toward eternity, Matthiessen sees tantalizing traces of the great creature: scat, scratch marks. The blue sheep huddle nervously, suggesting the presence of an apex predator. Matthiessen speaks with a lama who claims to see snow leopards frequently. He finds snow leopard paw prints fresh as petals on the trail. He strains his attention so hard that it inflects everything around him: It is wonderful how the presence of this creature draws the whole landscape to a point, from the glint of light on the old horns of a sheep to the ring of a pebble on the frozen ground. Toward the end of his trip, Matthiessen finds that a leopard has made its scrape right in my boot print, as if in sign that I am not to leave. In the wild, the elusive snow leopard has the power to watch its watchers while remaining nearly invisible. And yet he has to leave. Down below, his life waits for him. The great perfect shock of The Snow Leopard and look away if you have to, because here comes a spoiler is that Matthiessen never actually sees a snow leopard. The animal in the books title, the whole reason for the journey, refuses to put itself on display. This failure becomes a powerful lesson in loss, a chance to meditate on the tangled nature of visibility and invisibility. If the snow leopard should manifest itself, then I am ready to see the snow leopard, Matthiessen writes. If not, then somehow (and I dont understand this instinct, even now) I am not ready to perceive it, in the same way that I am not ready to resolve my koan; and in the not-seeing, I am content. I think I must be disappointed, having come so far, and yet I do not feel that way. I am disappointed, and also, I am not disappointed. That the snow leopard is, that it is here, that its frosty eyes watch us from the mountain that is enough. Even Schaller, the hardened scientist, summons a bit of poetry. You know something? he says to Matthiessen. Weve seen so much, maybe its better if there are some things that we dont see. Today, nearly 50 years later, if you are so inclined, you can go see a snow leopard at the zoo. According to the Snow Leopard Conservancy, approximately 600 of them live at accredited zoos worldwide. Biologically, it is the same animal that Matthiessen was seeking. And yet its hard to imagine a more different kind of encounter. Or one that Matthiessen, with his cynical tendencies, might have been less interested in. (I long to see the snow leopard, he wrote, yet to glimpse it by camera flash, at night, crouched on a bait, is not to see it.) John Berger, too, was dismissive of zoos. They were, for him, the apex of our alienation. (You are looking at something that has been rendered absolutely marginal; and all the concentration you can muster will never be enough to centralize it.) Zoo animals, Berger wrote, represented the living monument to their own disappearance. And its true that there is something uncanny about seeing a snow leopard sprawled behind glass, in an artificial habitat, in full view of families pushing strollers. But in a world where mass extinction is advancing exponentially, where the snow leopards natural habitat is being thawed and polluted in a world like that, where else are these animals supposed to survive? And how else are we supposed to see them? Or should we simply surrender ourselves, forever, to the fate of nonseeing? I have loved animals since I was a child. My first word was bird. I ate dog food out of solidarity with my first pet. I wanted to grow up to be a veterinarian or a zoologist. (Writing derailed me.) As an adult, I have been lucky to be able to take animal voyages all over the world. I have swum with manatees in Florida and sat on an Icelandic cliffside among thousands of puffins. I have watched the famous tree-climbing goats of Morocco have seen them perched, absurdly, 20 feet above the ground, in the branches, like huge hairy white fruit. I once got to spend a whole week with the last two northern white rhinos on earth. The best trips, like Peter Matthiessens search for the snow leopard, find a way to make themselves permanent. A northern white rhinoceros will not come home with you. But your awe at the rhinoceros, your amazement and respect and appreciation that is portable. You can apply it to your goldfish, to your children, to the chipmunk that lives under the stairs, to the citizens around you. To return home from an animal voyage is to become, yourself, a new animal living in your old habitat. It is to find yourself voyaging in your own home, waking up to the other creatures that were there all along, inching them from the margins back toward the center of your life, where they belong. It is to remind yourself that being with an animal any kind of animal, anywhere at all is its own kind of voyage. When I come home from a trip, Walnut gets very excited. He prances and hops and barks and sniffs me at the door. And the consciousnesses of all the wild creatures Ive seen the puffins, rhinos, manatees, ferrets, the weird hairy wet horses come to life for me inside of my domestic dog. He is, suddenly, one of these unfamiliar animals. I can pet him with my full attention, with a full union of our two attentions. He is new to me and I am new to him. We are new again together. Even when he is horrible. The most annoying thing Walnut does, even worse than barking at the mailman, is the ritual of his evening drink. Every night, when I am settled in bed, when I am on the brink of sleep, Walnut will suddenly get very thirsty. If I go to bed at 10:30, Walnut will get thirsty at 11. If I go to bed at midnight, hell wake me up at 1. Ive found that the only way I cannot be mad about this is to treat this ritual as its own special kind of voyage to try to experience it as if for the first time. If I am open to it, my upstairs hallway contains an astonishing amount of life. Maya getting a treat at the Philadelphia Zoo. The evening drink goes something like this: First, Walnut will stand on the edge of the bed, in a muscular, stout little stance, and he will wave his big ridiculous fan tail in my face, creating enough of a breeze that I cant ignore it. I will roll over and try to go back to sleep, but he wont let me: Hell stamp his hairy front paws and wag harder, then add expressive noises from his snout half-whine, half-breath, hardly audible except to me. And so I give up. I sit up and pivot and plant my feet on the floor I am hardly even awake yet and I make a little basket of my arms, like a running back preparing to take a handoff, and Walnut pops his body right into that pocket, entrusting the long length of his vulnerable spine (a hazard of the dachshund breed) to the stretch of my right arm, and then he hangs his furry front legs over my left. From this point on we function as a unit, a fusion of man and dog. As I lift my weight from the bed Walnut does a little hop, just to help me with gravity, and we set off down the narrow hall. We are Odysseus on the wine-dark sea. (Walnut is Odysseus; I am the ship.) All of evolution, all of the births and deaths since caveman times, since wolf times, that produced my ancestors and his all the firelight and sneak attacks and tenderly offered scraps of meat, the cages and houses, the secret stretchy coils of German DNA it has all come, finally, to this: a fully grown exhausted human man, a tiny panting goofy harmless dog, walking down the hall together. Even in the dark, Walnut will tilt his snout up at me, throw me a deep happy look from his big black eyes I can feel this happening even when I cant see it and he will snuffle the air until I say nice words to him (OK you fuzzy stinker, lets go get your evening drink), and then, always, I will lower my face and he will lick my nose, and his breath is so bad, his fetid snout-wind, it smells like a scoop of the primordial soup. It is not good in any way. And yet I love it. Walnut and I move down the hall together, step by bipedal step, one two three four, tired man and thirsty friend, and together we pass the wildlife of the hallway a moth, a spider on the ceiling, both of which my children will yell at me later to move outside, and of course each of these creatures could be its own voyage, its own portal to millions of years of history, but we cant stop to study them now; we are passing my sons room. We can hear him murmuring words to his friends in a voice that sounds disturbingly like my own voice, deep sound waves rumbling over deep mammalian cords and now we are passing my daughters room, my sweet nearly grown-up girl, who was so tiny when we brought Walnut home, as a golden puppy, but now she is moving off to college. In her room she has a hamster she calls Acorn, another consciousness, another portal to millions of years, to ancient ancestors in China, nighttime scampering over deserts. But we move on. Behind us, in the hallway, comes a sudden galumphing. It is yet another animal: our other dog, Pistachio, he is getting up to see whats happening; he was sleeping, too, but now he is following us. Pistachio is the opposite of Walnut, a huge mutt we adopted from a shelter, a gangly scraggly garbage muppet, his body welded together out of old mops and sandpaper, with legs like stilts and an enormous block head and a tail so long that when he whips it in joy, constantly, he beats himself in the face. Pistachio unfolds himself from his sleepy curl, stands, trots, huffs and stares after us with big human eyes. Walnut ignores him, because with every step he is sniffing the dark air ahead of us, like a car probing a night road with headlights, and he knows we are approaching his water dish now, he knows I am about to bend my body in half to set his four paws simultaneously down on the floor, he knows that he will slap the cool water with his tongue for 15 seconds before I pick him up again and we journey back down the hall. And I find myself wondering, although of course it doesnt matter, if Walnut was even thirsty, or if we are just playing out a mutual script. Or maybe, and who could blame him, he just felt like taking a trip. The St. Louis Economic Partnership is looking to hire a strategic communications firm to promote diversified economic growth to advance the quality of life in the county and city of St. Louis, which has a combined population of just over 1M people. Hemsworth Communications adds Honor Flight South Florida, a 100-percent-volunteer organization dedicated to honoring veterans in Broward, Dade and Monroe counties, to its service roster. Hemsworth is responsible for driving local PR and thought leadership efforts, elevating awareness around the organizations missiontransporting Americas veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices. The veterans are paired with a guardian to accompany them on the one-day mission, including round-trip airfare, deluxe bus transportation, meals, commemorative T-shirts, and other amenities. Special accommodations for disabled veterans are available. Hemsworths values and expertise align perfectly with our own goals, and we are excited to see the success that is to come as a result of their valuable media relationships, said Honor Flight South Florida chairman Mike Miskew. Current Global has been selected to provide strategic communications and influencer marketing services to Sonesta International Hotels. The agencys scope of work will include developing integrated storytelling across media channels and supporting new property openings, with the goal of helping Sonesta stand out in the market. Over the past three years, Sonesta has increased the number of its U.S.-managed hotels from 58 to more than 200 properties, including Royal Sonesta, Sonesta Hotels & Resorts, Sonesta Select, Sonesta ES Suites and Sonesta Simply Suites. . Current Globals unique expertise, creative muscle and approach to owning the moment was meaningful for Sonesta as we reimagine the business, said Sonesta brand communications leader Michelle King Savio. W Communications New York and London hubs have been appointed work on the launch of Italian gin brand ENGINE. W has already worked with the brand on the creation of a 15-second ad that ran on Times Square's iconic billboard. The agency will continue to collaborate with ENGINE on efforts set to run across earned and owned media, with support from W's creative services and talent & influencer divisions. The organic Piedmont-base London dry gin is distributed by Disaronno International B.V. which is responsible for all Illva Saronno brands, including Titos vodka and Lanson Champagne. W has a proven track record with some of the worlds leading spirits brands, said ENGINE founder Paolo Della Mora. Dr. Kerry O'Grady Focus on The Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting has mostly landed on the employee, but the overwhelmingly common thread is a boss that has created a negative experience, according to Dr. Kerry OGrady, Faculty Director and Associate Professor of Practice, Georgetown University. OGrady stressed that there is a profound difference between the terms boss and leader. A boss is more transactional, often too busy to listen and learn from employees and removed from day-to-day activities. A boss just wants to get things done. A leader, on the other hand, is someone ready to jump in, get their hands dirty and personally connect with employees. OGrady shared her thoughts Sep. 20 with more than 200 registered attendees of the second virtual webinar in a new series hosted by ODwyers and moderated by Researchscapes Tony Cheevers. The event has sparked conversations on Twitter and LinkedIn with more than 1,000 impressions tallied so far. Great leaders keep great people, but bosses perpetuate the great resignation, OGrady said. In 2021, 47 million Americans voluntarily quit their jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number one reason for resigning was toxic company culture, with poor management, low salary and a lack of a healthy work-life balance following closely behind, CNBC reported. Finally, and most shockingly, 36 percent quit without lining up another job, McKinsey & Company research shows. People are leaving their jobs without something else lined up, no safety net, what a risk, OGrady lamented. Change your seat OGrady presented the metaphor of changing seats on a train to show how leaders must force themselves to see things from a different perspective in their organizations in order to affect company culture. What happens after youve been on the train for a while? You know where the cafe car is, what end of the car has the bathroom, picked up on annoyances from fellow riders, etc. But if you were to move to a different car, youd have to relearn the logistics of the train and adjust your viewpoint. OGrady explained. Who do you need to change seats with right now in your organization? OGrady asked. Being a leader has taken a back seat to just achieving goals, OGrady stressed. In order to change, employees must be treated as more than just cogs in a wheel. OGrady recommends: listening to day-to-day employee issues communicating long-term strategies encouraging transparent salary talks being open about budgeting and providing honest rationale for decisions spreading around leadership roles like leading office meetings remembering to actually use new ideas and strategies you request Workplace empathy OGrady noted that leaders must not blame an individual for their personal feelings but adopt a new form of workplace empathy that entails an obligation to get to the root of problematic issues. In most cases employees are part of a symbiotic ecosystem in which a job cannot be done alone, OGrady explained. OGrady advises: tossing out individual blame except in most extreme cases asking employees questions instead of talking at them respecting different ways employees process information getting to know your employees as people creating an environment for open discussion of difficult topics pausing frequently for reactions in conversations sharing company information and developments as soon as you can acknowledging greatness right away In the end, people will stay in jobs where they see growth and opportunity and are being treated fairly, OGrady said. Good leaders know the people at the ground level keep the lights on, Grady concluded. A recording of the webinar is available where you can also view the slide presentation and transcript. Next up for the series on Oct. 18th at 2 p.m. EDT is "To Plan or Not to Plan: Strategic Planning in a Dynamic World." Panelists are Monique Waters, Founder at H20 Strategies and Tina Charpentier, Executive VP at Padilla. Followed by "Leading Through Challenging Times" Nov. 15th @ 3 p.m. EDT. Jean Serra, Founder of V2 Communications, will lead the discussion. Future topics under consideration are: Content Marketing and its intersection with PR Mental health and wellness at work Crisis communications Feel free to contact John O'Dwyer at [email protected] if you'd like to suggest a topic, be a panelist or are interested in sponsoring a webinar. A NUMBER of councillors in Offaly County Council are calling for the re-opening of Shannonbridge Power Station. The power station ceased production in December 2020 because of the government's decarbonisation programme, bringing to an end several decades of a lucrative peat harvesting industry in the West Offaly region. The closure was seen as a good move by many as we grappled with Climate Change, but the Ukraine war, a fuel crisis and escalating prices have changed things. Cllr Ken Smollen brought the following motion to Monday's monthly meeting of the Council: That Offaly County Council calls on the Government to introduce legislation that will allow for the reopening of the power plant at Shannonbridge, even on a temporary basis until the current energy crisis comes to an end. The motion was seconded and supported by several councillors. We are all very aware of the crisis afflicting energy, said Cllr Smollen. Some are predicting power cuts lasting from half an hour to four hours. The councillor questioned the rationale behind the closure of Shannonbridge. It was hard to understand the reasoning at the time behind the decision to close the station, he commented. The reason given was Climate Change which would have been fair enough but we didn't actually have an adequate power supply replacement in place. It's nonsensical to shut something down and not have a decent replacement. Cllr Eamon Dooley said if the station was re-opened it wouldn't be burning peat. That ship has sailed, he remarked. The Bord na Mona machinery has been sold, the bogs are being flooded, the rail tracks have been removed. Cllr Dooley pointed out that there's a live application for the dismantling of the station. We should write to the ESB seeking either a withdrawal of that live application or an extension. While the peat ship has sailed, there is in fact a fluidised bed in the station which means it could burn biomass or coal. So, there are options. Cllr Mark Hackett voiced his opposition to the re-opening of the station. What we need is renewable energy, he said, not going back to the past. If we start going backwards then we will be adversely judged by future generations. Cllr Neil Feighery said that was all very well but we need to be realistic. Renewables are very good and they are a very positive thing, but they also don't meet all our energy needs at the moment. To meet our energy needs during the current crisis we are compelled to look beyond them. I think the government realises this. For example, Edenderry Power Station I am told is consuming vast amounts of diesel to produce energy. We can't remain too resolute in our ideals. There has to be a spirit of compromise, or else we won't be able to cope with the current energy crisis and rising cost of living. He said there are massive diesel generators in Edenderry Power Station which were supposed to be only used occasionally (during peak consumption times) but are now being used 24/7. Artic trucks are transporting vast amounts of diesel from Dublin Port to the Station's generators, in order to meet Ireland's energy demands. Cllr Feighery also talked about the option of Liquified Natural Gas Facilities. Cllr John Clendennen pointed out that he has been on record since February 2020 as being someone trying to save Shannonbridge Power Station. I have called for the station to be saved many times, he said. When it comes to the station's future I have never been convinced that all the possible avenues have been explored fully by the powers that be. At the moment Heat Pumps are the only game in town for heating houses, but I think it is wrong to put all our eggs in one basket like this. Our tenants in our social houses should have solar panel options as well, but the government refuses to offer them this. Heat Pumps mean there is no need for solid fuel but they do rely on an electricity supply. Cllr Smollen said he totally agreed with Cllr Dooley. The peat ship has indeed sailed, but every effort should be made to keep the plants at Shannonbridge and Lanesboro open. They could be powered by biomass, as Edenderry Power Station is. A mother has appeared in court charged with the murder of her two children in the Midlands Lynn Egar, 48, with an address at Winetown, Rathowen, in Co Westmeath, was charged with two counts of murder during a special sitting of Mullingar District Court. She is charged with murdering five-year-old Thelma and two-year-old Michael (Mikey) Dennany on a rural road at Lackan, Multyfarnham, on September 9. Detective Sergeant David Donnelly told the court that Egar was charged with two counts of murder shortly before 8pm on Thursday. Det Sgt Donnelly said that she made no reply after she was charged. Dressed in a purple zipped hooded top and dark trousers, Egar sat with her head bowed during the five-minute court appearance and did not address the court. Solicitor Damien Coffey made an application for legal aid and handed a statement of her means in to court. District Judge Bernadette Owens granted the application for legal aid. Judge Owens said that any application for bail is a matter for the High Court. Egar was remanded to the Dochas Centre, the womens section at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin, and will appear before Athlone District Court next Wednesday via video link. If you find yourself foraging for a mid-week wine a value vino thats interesting and wont blow the budget own label lines are great, especially if youre stocking up to drink in the new season. Often offering the best value for money, while remaining faithful to the best of its style whether its grapes, region or both were big fans. Weve plucked these pukka labels to have on standby 1. Waitrose Dry German Riesling 2020, Mosel Valley, Germany, 7.99, Waitrose Stir-fry Thursday? This riesling really leads the way with its bright, floral aromas, hint of orange blossom and whisper of lime, boasting crisp, fruit-driven flavours with a fresh minerally edge and limey acidity. One for mild spicy dishes or Chinese takeaway. 2. Adnams Malbec San Juan 2019, Argentina, 7.99, Adnams Oh how we love the mighty malbec especially one like this, with a good blast of violet and blueberry aromas, intense flavours of juicy dark fruits and touch of blackberry jam, a smooth finish and fun, easy-drinking style. With everything melding seamlessly together, its a feel-good red for midweek meals and comfort food. 3. Asda Extra Special Gavi 2021 DOCG, Italy, 8, Asda For those who like a lemony lift and touch of honeydew melon in their Gavi, this reveals gentle tropical notes, with fresh citrus flavours adding depth, white peach notes enhanced by a lovely sense of freshness, and the faintest hint of almond on the crisp, minerally finish. Think risotto with seasonal mushrooms. 4. Morrisons The Best Cahors Malbec 2020, France, 8.25, Morrisons The malbec grape but in a different guise, this crowd-pleaser from southwest France was commended at the International Wine Challenge 2021. Savoury and rustic in style with attractive brambly energy, blueberry aromas are backed by waves of dark plums and prune accents, which follow through on the smooth, plush palate. Perfect with bangers and mash or sausage and tomato pie. Yummy. 5. Co-op Irresistible Prosecco DOC Rose, Italy, 9, Co-op stores In three words: quintessential joyous fizz. This ballet-slipper pink is one of the prettiest proseccos out there and dry and refreshing, with delicate red berry scents, creamy, fruity notes and delicious drink-me-now character, its a celebratory glass youll want to go back to again and again. Graceful enough for smoked salmon appetizers, or a cheeky bag of crisps. 6. M&S Found Mazuelo 2019, Rioja, Spain, 9, Marks & Spencer stores What a wine! Judges at Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 awarded this Spanish gem a silver medal proving great wine doesnt have to break the bank. With vivid bursts of cassis, black cherry and spice, the flavours unfold with blackberry compote notes coming into play, hints of wild herbs and sweet spice riding on the smooth, long finish. Pair it with patatas a lo pobre poor mans potatoes. 7. TTD Cotes du Ventoux 2020, Cotes du Rhone, France, currently 8.50 (was 10), Sainsburys Its rare to find a southern Rhone red with similar ripeness and intensity as a Chateauneuf-du-Pape at this price point. Look to its neighbouring appellation, Ventoux, for a deep-flavoured red with lots of enticing spice, beams of juicy, sun-kissed raspberry and black fruits, good structure and sweet spice guiding the long, silky finish. Gorgeous. EVERY day can be an uphill challenge for Jack and Jill families and, this October, the charity is urging people to climb or walk a local hill in solidarity with the Offaly families currently under its care as part of the eighth annual Up the Hill for Jack and Jill fundraising challenge, proudly supported by Abbott. This is a significant year for the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation, as it celebrates 25 years of funding and providing specialist in-home nursing care and respite support for children with severe to profound neurodevelopmental delay, up to the age of six. This includes children who may have a brain injury, cerebral palsy, a genetic diagnosis or other undiagnosed condition. Another key part of the service is end-of-life care at home for all children up to the age of six who require it, irrespective of diagnosis. The nationwide charity has reached its own summit in 2022 by providing support to 412 children, the highest number in its 25-year history. Indeed, Jack and Jill has provided support to 38 Offaly families since it was first established. To meet its steep care commitment, the charity is asking people across Offaly to support local families in their community by going Up the Hill for Jack and Jill. With Jack and Jill, there is no means test, no waiting list and no unnecessary red tape. The core nursing team devises a home nursing care plan that is tailored around the child and the familys needs, with the charity funding and providing up to 80 hours support each month. Jack and Jills funding model relies heavily on public donations to mobilise over 500 nurses and carers at community level and, in 2021, they delivered almost 110,000 hours of in-home nursing care and respite support. Jack and Jill Liaison Nurse Manager for Offaly, Mary Joe Guilfoyle, says every parent needs a break. Its a privilege to be a part of the lives of Jack and Jill families. These are ordinary parents facing the extraordinary care needs of a child with a complex medical condition; a child who may not be able to walk or talk, who may be tube-fed or oxygen-dependent, requiring intensive, around-the-clock care, at home. But everyone needs a break, and thats where we come in, literally, into the home, to give them relief and we are very proud to walk this care journey with them. For Carmel Doyle, CEO, Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation, charity really does begin at home with Jack and Jill. Every year, its an uphill challenge to raise the money we require to provide our service. But, like the families we support, we just keep going, with a gentle push from the people who donate in the knowledge that their support means so much to local children. With Jack and Jill, charity really does begin at home and our Up the Hill challenge is all about community. Every 18 raised funds one hour of in-home nursing support, allowing Jack and Jill parents to grab 40 winks, go for a walk with their other children, or get a coffee, knowing that their precious child is being well cared for at home, where they belong. That sense of community really matters, now more than ever. Sean Langan, Site Director from Abbott, explained why the global healthcare company is proud to be supporting Jack and Jill. At Abbott, we are passionate about helping people in Ireland, and around the world, to realise their full potential. This idea is at the core of our business and drives our commitment to support the communities in which we work. The Jack and Jill team embodies this same principle and has inspired us through their compassionate care for children and families across the country. We are delighted to be supporting this years Up the Hill campaign and hope that this enables more people to live better lives. 3 Simple Steps to Go Up the Hill for Jack and Jill Step 1 Register today for just 18 per person at JackandJill.ie, which will support one hour of specialist in-home nursing care for a local Jack and Jill family. Your pack will include a colourful, eco-friendly, Up the Hill banner Step 2 Choose your Hill. Theres a local hill around the corner to suit your fitness level and ability, and whether you go high or go low, its the taking part that keeps Jack and Jill on the go! Step 3 Grab some friends, family, neighbours or colleagues, pick a date that suits and make it a day out to remember. Bring a picnic to celebrate when you get to the top and remember to take a photo with your Up the Hill banner and tag Jack and Jill on social media with #UptheHill22 so everyone can see you! For more information on Up the Hill for Jack and Jill 2022, visit www.jackandjill.ie or telephone Jack and Jill at (045) 894538. Follow on social media at Facebook @jackandjillfoundation; Instagram @jackandjillcf; Twitter @jackandjillcf; Tik Tok @jackandjillcf; and LinkedIn @Jack and Jill Children's Foundation and use #UpTheHill22 Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of a much-loved young mother found dead at her home in west Belfast. Hollie Thomson, 28, died in the Greenan area of the city on Sunday September 11. A large crowd followed on foot behind the mother-of-ones hearse as it was taken from her home to St Michaels Church for a requiem mass at 12pm today (Tuesday September 20). Family friends said Ms Thomsons family has been left devastated by her loss, saying no one should have to endure this type of loss. Ms Thomsons partner, Chris Morelli, 31, appeared in court last week charged with her murder. An initial post-mortem examination found Ms Thomson died of suffocation with a fracture to cartilage in her neck, Belfast Magistrates Court was told. Morelli has been remanded in custody. Friends of Ms Thomsons family have set up an online fundraising page to support her daughter. It has raised more than 10,000. A message from Ruby and Lauren, who said they are Ms Thomsons sister Katies best friends, said Ms Thomsons life was taken very suddenly and unexpectedly. It added: Hollie was adored by all her family especially sister Katie & her young daughter Ayla. Hollie always wanted to have a support fund set up for her daughter and did not get a chance to do so. The message continued: Hollies family and circle of friends are devastated by her passing and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Hollie will know how wonderful she was. A death notice online described Hollie as much-loved mummy to Ayla, beloved daughter of Ray and Louise and a loving sister of Katie. It said Ms Thomson will be deeply loved and sadly missed by her loving family and friends. Mourners wiped away tears as Ms Thomsons coffin draped in flowers was brought out of the church following the mass. Renters need relief and runaway rents need to stop, the Dail has heard. Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty said an entire generation have been locked into an unaffordable rental market and locked out of ever being able to afford their own home. The Donegal TD described house prices as out of control, adding that thousands of people living in the private rental sector are frightened. He reiterated Sinn Feins call for the Government to introduce tax credits for renters along with a ban on rent price increases as part of its Budget measures. Mr Doherty said: Thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of people, working people in their late 40s and 50s, are living in the private rental sector sector. Theyre frightened that they have no way out of that rental market and face a future of pension poverty because of runaway rents. This housing failure is robbing our people of their hopes, of their dreams, for the future. He added: Renters need relief and, as you know, Sinn Fein have been calling on your government year after year to provide support for renters. We have proposed for years a refundable tax credit that would put one months rent back into renters pockets, reducing the rental costs and lifting some of the burden from them. He said the measures need to be accompanied by a ban on rent increases. Renters are being fleeced, runaway rents need to stop, renters can be supported and runaway rents can be tackled, but the choice is yours, he added. Tanaiste Leo Varadkar described the high cost of rent in Ireland as out of kilter and disproportionate when compared to our peer countries. He told TDs during Leaders Questions that he could not comment on budget proposals as discussions to finalise the measures were taking place and would continue throughout the weekend. He added that if there are any tax concessions introduced for landlords in the Budget then there should also be tax concessions for renters. Mr Varadkar also said the most important thing the Government can do to address the housing crisis is to provide more social homes and that they were probably going to break records in terms of the number of new social houses provided in Ireland this year getting up to the kind of figures we havent seen since the 1970s. He added the cost-rental scheme and the help to buy scheme were helping people get on the ladder. The Gormanston military camp in Co Meath will cease to be used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees from next month. The facility, which has been used since July as temporary shelter for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, is due to close in the first week of October, it is understood. It is currently housing about 190 people but the tented accommodation is not a suitable facility over the winter months. The Department of Children is in discussions with the Defence Forces to try to secure alternative, non-tented, refugee accommodation, the PA news agency understands. The army camp became a temporary shelter after it emerged that Ireland had run out of state accommodation for Ukrainians arriving in the country. The closure comes as the number of people arriving in Ireland from the war-torn country continues to increase. It is understood the number of Ukrainians arriving dropped to about 90 people per day in August, but that figure has now increased to about 126 people per day. It means about 800 additional beds for Ukrainian refugees are needed each week. To date almost 49,000 people have sought refuge in Ireland since the onset of the war at the end of February. It is expected up to 60,000 Ukrainians will have arrived in the country by the end of the year. Since the outbreak of the war about 38,000 Ukrainians have sought accommodation from the state since they arrived in Ireland. About 32,000 people are being housed in service accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, and commercial self-catering accommodation, 900 people are in emergency accommodation, such as Gormanston, and some 4,500 people are in private pledged accommodation. The Department of Children, which has responsibility for providing accommodation to Ukrainian refugees, has about 500 contracts with operators providing serviced accommodation. But it has emerged that about 165 of those contracts are due for renewal in the next few months. It is not known how many of these will be renewed. Government bodies are also working to find more longer-term housing solutions for refugees including refurbished buildings and modular housing. They are also examining over 4,000 pledges of accommodation for their suitability. It comes after 4,300 Ukrainians who were housed in student accommodation were moved to other places ahead of students returning to universities and colleges. Meanwhile, separate to Ukrainian refugees, the number of people seeking international protection in Ireland has also increased. Some 10,000 people have arrived in Ireland seeking asylum since the start of the year. It brings the total number of people being accommodated through the international protection system to 15,500, up from 7,500 at the same time last year. It is understood Government bodies are experiencing persistent difficulties finding accommodation for these refugees. A mother has appeared in court charged with the murder of her two children in Co Westmeath. Lynn Egar, 48, with an address at Winetown, Rathowen, in Co Westmeath, was charged with two counts of murder during a special sitting of Mullingar District Court. She is charged with murdering five-year-old Thelma and two-year-old Michael (Mikey) Dennany on a rural road at Lackan, Multyfarnham, on September 9. Detective Sergeant David Donnelly told the court that Egar was charged with two counts of murder shortly before 8pm on Thursday. Det Sgt Donnelly said that she made no reply after she was charged. Dressed in a purple zipped hooded top and dark trousers, Egar sat with her head bowed during the five-minute court appearance and did not address the court. Solicitor Damien Coffey made an application for legal aid and handed a statement of her means in to court. District Judge Bernadette Owens granted the application for legal aid. Judge Owens said that any application for bail is a matter for the High Court. Egar was remanded to the Dochas Centre, the womens section at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin, and will appear before Athlone District Court next Wednesday via video link. Eurasia Review 27 Sep 2022 By Kalpit A Mankikar In less than a month before the National Party Congress, which will decide the line-up of the.. The RCMP were "careless and calculated" in their decision to charge the partner of the Nova Scotia mass shooter through an investigation where police deceived her and violated her rights, her lawyer says. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. The Security Council meeting comes a day after Vladimir Putin ordered the mobilisation of hundreds of thousands of Russians to fight in Ukraine. A federal judge ruled that Rhode Island's truck tolling system that took effect in 2018 to fund repairs to the state's crumbling bridges is unconstitutional. Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war after a prisoner exchange was brokered by Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Among them were fighters from the Azovstal plant. Germany is now under even more pressure to deliver high-tech battle tanks to bolster the Ukrainian military advance. But Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his defense minister say its not that easy. Amid the UN General Assembly in New York, G7 foreign ministers came together for an emergency meeting to discuss the war in Ukraine. They also spoke about the food and energy crisis. Ukraine needs modern, Western tanks to continue retaking Russian-occupied territory, according to military experts. There are calls for Germany to forge a coalition in Europe to deliver them. A decision by Vladimir Putin to raise the stakes even higher over Ukraine is a sign that his war is going badly, but it is also signal that the Russian president cannot give up. A lawyer for the family of the last person killed in the Nova Scotia mass shooting says it seems the "petty feud" between RCMP and municipal forces impacted how the tragedy unfolded, and how many lives were lost. Watch VideoThe Justice Department said Monday that it was willing to accept one of Donald Trump's picks for an independent.. Newsy 13 Sep 2022 David Malpass refused to say if he believed in man-made climate change, the scientific consensus on the matter. Climate activists have urged US President Joe Biden to remove him. euronews (in English) 22 Sep 2022 "A crime has been committed against Ukraine and we demand just punishment," Zelenskyy told the UN General Assembly. Five Britons are among almost 300 people released in a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine overnight. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda aired their dispute over one of the armed groups causing instability along their borders to the world this week. The UN has conceded that its peacekeepers can't defeat the M23. The health secretary has pledged 500m to get healthy patients out of hospital to free up beds and ease the crisis in the NHS. Britain's Defense Ministry is skeptical Russia will be able to amass 300,000 reservists for the war against Ukraine. Elsewhere, Hungary wants sanctions against Russia lifted. DW has the latest. Watch VideoRussian missile strikes in the southern city of Zaporizhzha left one person dead and five others wounded, Ukrainian.. Newsy 22 Sep 2022 India, Brazil and South Africa have jointly voiced serious concern at the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, reiterating their call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and pursuing the path of diplomacy. India said on Thursday that it is regrettable that in the UN Security Council, when it comes to sanctioning some of the world's.. IndiaTimes 22 Sep 2022 Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan also warned their citizens of legal repercussions in case of involvement in the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky beamed into the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday afternoon, New York time, decrying Russia's "evil" invasion and calling the country a "terrorist state". "Russia wants war - it's... California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently gave a talk in which he argued that the reason so many people have left California in recent years is because of President Trump's visa policies. A federal appeals court grants the Justice Department's lawyers access to the classified documents that were seized from Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago during the August raid. President Volodymyr Zelensky demands that Russia get "just punishment" for its invasion of Ukraine via a special UN tribunal. Baikonur, Kazakhstan (AFP) Sept 21, 2022 A US astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts have arrived safely at the International Space Station (ISS), NASA said Wednesday, after blasting off on a Russian-operated flight in a rare instance of cooperation between Moscow and Washington. The Russian space agency Roscosmos and NASA both distributed live footage of the launch from Kazakhstan and commentators speaking over the feed said it was Rumble 28 Sep 2022 The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy struggled to find the right sheet of paper to make the.. United Nations, United States (AFP) Sept 22, 2022 The UN nuclear watchdog and Western powers voiced alarm Wednesday over the safety of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant as Kyiv accused Russia of new shelling. The strike by Russian "terrorists" damaged a power line at the facility, forcing a brief launch of emergency generators, Ukrainian nuclear operator Energoatom said on Telegram. But it said radiation levels remained normal. Paris, France (SPX) Sep 21, 2022 Commercial space leader Axiom Space and the government of Turkiye have signed a historic agreement to send the first Turkish astronaut to space. As part of a larger effort by Turkiye to expand its space exploration capabilities and establish a national human space program, a Turkish astronaut will be trained by Axiom Space for a future space research mission. Axiom Space will also enable Turkish The Foreign Secretary is to condemn Moscows atrocities in Ukraine when he meets his Russian counterpart for the first time. Hull Daily Mail 22 Sep 2022 Anti-monarchy were filmed burning the Union Jack while chanting 'always was, always will be Aboriginal land' Anti-monarchy were filmed burning the Union Jack while chanting 'always was, always will be Aboriginal land'. Eurasia Review 19 Sep 2022 By Alexander Brotman As the Ukraine conflict has now passed the six-month mark, fears of a brutal war of attrition.. BBC Local News: Coventry and Warwickshire -- Tom Marsh's family say they are "deeply concerned" after last hearing from him almost.. BBC Local News 22 Sep 2022 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that Russia's decision to mobilize some reservists shows that Moscow isn't serious about negotiating an end to its nearly seven-month-long war. Zelenskyy spoke by video to the U.N. General Assembly meeting of world leaders hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement. (Sept. 21) WORSE THAN MONKEYPOX. THIS IS GOING TO BE BAD! WE ARE SEEING A WORST CASE SCENARIO WITH RUSSIA. Rumble 20 Aug 2022 The war in Ukraine has been a major theme at this week's U.N. meetings, a new lawsuit accuses former President Donald Trump of fraud: 5 Things podcast Oneindia 23 Sep 2022 The President of Iran refused to give an interview to veteran CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour after she declined the demand that.. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded that Russia be punished and assured the world that his military could drive out the invaders. Updates. Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard called on the Islamic Republic's judiciary on Thursday to prosecute 'those who spread false news and rumours' about a young woman whose death in police custody has triggered nationwide protests. In a pre-recorded speech, Ukraine's President Zelenskyy called for peace while asking for Russia to be held accountable for "crimes of aggression." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged a probe into the "catalogue of cruelty" in Ukraine's war as he opened a Security Council meeting with the top Russian and US diplomats. (LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21, 2022) -Attorney Rodney Diggs Esq. receives the Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyers award for being one of the top trial attorneys in the United States. Attorney Diggs is a civil rights attorney and Director with Ivie McNeill Wyatt Purcell & Diggs, the largest Black-owned law firm. With over a decade of experience, Rodney Diggs, Esq. practices employment, civil rights, and wrongful death, and corporate law. He Chinese FM meets Russian counterpart Xinhua) 16:33, September 22, 2022 UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met here on Wednesday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Lavrov wished the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a full success, and believed China will make new and greater achievements in national construction. He said Russia is willing to make joint efforts with China to follow through on the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Samarkand summit, and continuously advance bilateral practical cooperation. The Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping are of great importance and will achieve international synergy in promoting peace, development, equality and justice for the world. Russia highly appreciates the initiatives and actively supports them, he said. Lavrov hoped Russia and China would strengthen coordination in international and regional bodies including the United Nations, the SCO and BRICS. For his part, Wang said the heads of state of the two countries held an important meeting and reached new common understandings in Samarkand, charting the course for the development of bilateral relations. China is willing to work with Russia to implement the important common understandings in a comprehensive and efficient manner. At present, the pandemic situation remains severe and the international landscape is undergoing complex changes. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and responsible major countries, China and Russia should play their due roles, Wang said. He said the two sides should deepen strategic cooperation, advance high-quality practical cooperation, take an active part in global governance, work together to meet global challenges, promote a fairer international order, oppose unilateralism and power politics, and uphold justice for developing countries as well as small and medium-sized countries. The two sides exchanged views on the Ukraine issue. Noting that China will continue to hold an objective and fair stance to promote peace talks, Wang said China hopes that the related parties will not give up dialogue, and will strive to address security concerns through peace talks. Lavrov expounded Russia's position on the issue, stressing that security is indivisible and that Russia is still willing to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation. Both sides also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Miss Denmark 2021 Top 10 finalist Clara Sofie Lund has officially been announced as Miss Intercontinental Denmark 2022. Miss Denmark 2021 Top 10 finalist Clara Sofie Lund has officially been announced as Miss Intercontinental Denmark 2022. The 22-year-old financial economics student and a former elite athlete in Taekwondo from Aarhus will represent her country at the 50th Miss Intercontinental pageant this October in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt. "While the sash and crown have become pop culture mainstays, the Miss Intercontinental event has grown to become an ultimate show an icon of female beauty and success," Miss Denmark Organization wrote in a statement on social media. The statement continued: "Titleholders have gone on to high-profile careers in government, business, finance, film, and fashion. These are women of power and grace, commitment and intelligence, style and substance." The new Miss Intercontinental Denmark describes herself as an open-minded, ambitious woman, who is also humble and empathic. She strives to inspire younger women, and believes, that true beauty comes from within, by believing in ourselves and being kind towards others. Apart from traveling and exploring new cultures, Clara also loves to spend time with animals. She volunteered in South Africa twice for 2 months in total, to work with animals and helped local shelters. "I am honored to finally be announcing that I am Miss Intercontinental Denmark 2022," she shared on social media. "A huge thank you to my national director [Lisa Lents] for giving me this opportunity and experience ... also, a huge thanks to my sponsors and to everyone else who has helped me prepare for this," she added. New York, US (PANA) - President William Ruto has called for urgent reform of the global decision-making system that will give Africa and the developing world a stronger voice Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The prime minister of the National Unity Government, Abdelhamid Al-Dbaiba, reaffirmed here Thursday his government's commitment to the option of elections to move Libya to the stage of stability Just when it felt like the stage was set for London Fashion Week's buzziest season in years, Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, just a week before the first show was to take place. Big draws like Burberry and Raf Simons canceled their shows, followed by London staple Roksanda (which personally I was most devastated by) and many editors-in-chief dropped out from attending altogether. The parties? Also axed, including the one I was most excited for: Kate Moss x Diet Coke. Still, after the initial shock and blow to the calendar, most designers carried on and many parties were rescheduled for London Frieze Week in October. The shows meant to take place on Monday (the day of the Queen's funeral) were moved to other days on the LFW schedule instead. (Shoutout to the British Fashion Council and larger London fashion community for adapting to such unusual circumstances.) I rather enjoyed the low-key nature of it all. The lack of street style, mega celebrities on the front row and infinite parties meant there were fewer distractions and more time to soak in the collections and the designers' resilient spirits. That Chopova Lowena, Christopher Kane and JW Anderson stayed was huge, and everyone was talking about newer names like never before (especially Dilara Findikoglu and Standing Ground). Below, the most noteworthy London fashion moments for Spring 2023. Queen Elizabeth II Tributes on the Runway Courtesy of JW Anderson There was no shortage for tributes to Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away just days before London Fashion Week. The British Fashion Council set up a station for showgoers to write letters in her memory at the main Fashion Week venue, while designers had their own odes for her on the runway. Some were more direct, like the finale look at JW Anderson: a black T-shirt dress with "Her Majesty The Queen" on the front. Others' tributes were a bit more subtle, like at Halpern, where the opening look came out to no music. It was a blue caped look with headscarf that paid homage to a 1957 ballgown the Queen wore to greet French president Charles de Gaulle. S.S. Daley had a candlelight vigil close the show and Richard Quinn's first half was an all-black, funeral-inspired lineup. London's Emerging Designers to Know Harri New designers shone more than ever this season amidst the circumstances. Harri, the Kerala-born menswear designer who founded his eponymous label in June 2020, had models bounce on trampolines while wearing his inflated latex creations with insane, bubbly proportions. The name I kept hearing most about in lines and in car rides was Dilara Findikoglu, the Turkish-British designer and Central Saint Martins grad with an eye for gothic romance see: her use of real human hair, blood red silks and sculpted feather tops. And Standing Ground, shown as part of design incubator Fashion East, went viral for designer Michael Stewart's simple dresses with sinuous rope details that molded around the body. Simone Rocha's Boys While Simone Rocha showed a few male models at her last show, this was the designer's first fully fledged menswear offering. The masses got a taste of it with her H&M collaboration, but now we can see menswear vision come to life. If you expected safe suits and traditional menswear tropes then the tiered tulle tops and pearl accessories put those inclinations to rest. Harris Reed's Campy Debutante Ball Harris Reed was carrying a big secret the day of his fashion show, as the industry later learned: he's to be the new creative director of Nina Ricci, the Parisian womenswear and fragrance brand with a long history. Ahead of London Fashion Week, he made a plea on Instagram to to support the small brands" on the schedule. His spectacle of a show, a fluid debutante ball, featured crinolines and supersize hats as well as a performance by Adam Lambert. UGG x KNWLS The KNWLS vibe apocalyptic, edgy, hyper-feminine seems at odds with the cozy softness of UGG, which made their collab reveal on the runway all the more surprising. There were two styles: the UGG Classic Tall II boot studded with bronze hoop piercing embellishments and a heeled square-toe ankle boot with UGG's Twinface. Chopova Lowena's Runway Debut Chopova Lowena has attracted a cult following since its founding in 2017 thanks to its patchwork pleated kilts and kaleidoscopic knits. This season marked its first runway outing, bringing its signature Bulgarian handcraft, garish '80s rock vibes, folkloric punkish energy to a live audience on streetcast group of friends and peers. Christopher Kane's IRL Comeback After a nationwide minute of silence, Christopher Kane, one of the cornerstones of London Fashion Week, held his show after years of presenting digitally. The massive Camden venue the Roundhouse was the setting for his IRL comeback, where he showed his biology-inspired collection of lace-y slips and human anatomy motifs (including dresses with hands covering (protecting?) the private areas. This JW Anderson Top A halterneck top made out of old computer keys because why not. Photo: (Photo : Pexel/ Matthis) The Hillsborough County School district unveiled and provided the parents of their students with a new cell phone app last Monday that enables parents to track the location of their kid's buses. An estimated 90,000 students in Hillsborough County schools ride the bus. Thus, parents cannot help but feel grateful that the school has provided them with a tool to be able to look into the current destination of their kids' buses, to know when the bus has left the school and when it will arrive, and see that they are well and safe. The new app is called "Here Comes The Bus." Parents need to sign up to utilize the app by using their kid's student identification number. Once signed up, the app can now send alerts as to when the bus leaves school and when it is within a designated radius of the student's home, Fox News reported. All for safety Hillsborough Superintendent Addison Davis expressed that the new app is all about safety and making it more convenient for their student's parents. It is ultimately taking care of their students along the way. He further explained that the app allows both school and parents to identify when the student gets on and off the bus, creating a "geofence" that will enable parents to estimate the distance of the bus from their house. With this, students would not have to sit and wait for long periods at the bus stop, putting their safety at risk, especially since there are current bus schedule delays due to a shortage of bus drivers. The student riding the bus will have to scan a "ridership ID card" when they get on and off the bus. This will allow their parents to see the location of the bus on the app. Greg Ross-Munro, Tampa tech expert, detailed the process to ABC Action News, "Within that process of getting on and off the bus is an internet-enabled device that speaks to a server in the cloud somewhere, and it says that this ID number just checked in on the bus and then the bus has a GPS tracker on it, which then a parent can follow." Read Also: North Carolina Mom Speaks Out After Son Gets Lost on School Bus on 1st Day of School Data privacy issues from parents Months before the app was released, a town hall meeting was held for all school management and parents of Hillsborough County Public Schools. One of the concerns parents raised is about the RFID chip technology being used for the app and the risks it entails to data privacy. Josephine Amato, one of the parents, expressed that they had valid questions regarding the data collection process and its safety. Yet, she felt like the district officials are being submissive, unsatisfactorily addressing their concerns. However, Davis assured us that the school could not track the students. Their goal is to create a safety mechanism and identify ridership. According to the Osprey Observer, Hillsborough County is not the first school district in Florida to use and offer the app. The Leon, Marion, Martin, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Sumner, and St. Lucie school districts are already utilizing the said app to deal with the bus delays and bus driver shortages that have caused frustration to the parents. Related Article: Bus Driver Shortage Prods Schools To Pay Parents $700 to $4,000 To Drive the Kids Photo: (Photo : PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)) A two-month-old baby showed up at an emergency room in Florida in August with a raised, red rash on its legs, arms, and trunk. Doctors were not sure what was going on with the infant. Their routine tests for viruses, including chickenpox, HIV, and herpes, as well as bacterial causes of the rash, all came back negative. When the baby returned two days later to the ER, that week-old rash had already developed into pox-like lesions all over the infant's body. Many of the bumps had a distinctive dot in the center, leading providers to think this must be molluscum contagiosum. It is a relatively common childhood infection transmitted via skin-to-skin contact, which does not typically require much treatment. However, the baby's bumps started to fill with pus over the next few days. Providers took ten days before arriving at monkeypox diagnosis The pox spread over the baby's back, face, eyelids, and the soles of their feet. The providers then decided to perform a different test, this time for monkeypox. Ten days after the rash initially surfaced, they confirmed that the baby had monkeypox. The case study was published in a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday, September 19. It provided vivid new details about how monkeypox can develop and present on the body of a newborn baby. CDC officials explained how the newborn contracted monkeypox, emphasizing that this is a rare event in the current outbreak. The infant, whose gender and name were not published to protect the kid's identity, received both an IV drip of disease-fighting antibodies (called immune globulin, or IVIG) and the antiviral drug tecovirimat (TPOXX). CDC disease investigators said in their new report on Monday that the child did not develop a fever. The baby managed to tolerate the treatments well and fully recovered. Pediatric infections like this have been exceedingly rare in the current monkeypox outbreak. Only 27 monkeypox infections have been diagnosed in children under 16 years old in the United States since the nationwide monkeypox outbreak began in the spring. Read Also: Mom Gets Arrested for Murder Charges in Deaths of 3 Kids Found on Coney Island Baby got monkeypox from caregiver That is a tiny fraction of the nearly 23,500 monkeypox cases that have been officially documented thus far. The baby, in this case, likely got monkeypox from very close, sustained, and daily contact with one of its four main caregivers. The man, identified only as "Caregiver B" in the new CDC report, had blood in his urine, developed a fever, and a rash visible on his body during the three weeks before the infant developed any symptoms, according to Insider. The baby, during that time, shared bed linens with Caregiver B and slept alongside him. The child had sustained skin-to-skin contact from being held and cared for every day by the infected caregiver. Caregiver B tested positive for an orthopox virus, which is likely also monkeypox, a couple of days after the baby tested positive. Related Article: Criminal Hackers Escalating Attacks on K-12 Schools and Institutions 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 Im not sure how it happened, but over time my web browser has amassed all kinds of bad auto-fill data. The great promise of auto-fill is that you can fill out online forms with one click, but too often Ive had to go back and fix mistakes that auto-fill made. Phone numbers would come out wrong because the browser tried to add an unnecessary country code. Company information would be filled out for personal transactions. And Id always have to choose between several formatting options for my mailing address. Even worse, auto-fill would sometimes swap in my real email address after Id already entered a masked email using Abine Blur. So, as a solution, I finally gave up and declared auto-fill bankruptcy. That is, I dug into my browsers settings, cleared out all the browsers form fill data, then started over from scratch. If youve ever been vexed by auto-fill annoyances in Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, or other web browsers, I highly recommend doing the same. Managing your browser auto-fill data Heres how to clear out auto-fill data for each major web browser: Google Chrome: You can clear addresses one at a time under Settings > Auto-fill > Addresses and more. Or, follow the steps below to clear them in bulk: Head to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data > Advanced. Select All Time Uncheck every field except Autofill form data, then hit Clear data. Re-enter fresh form info under Settings > Autofill. Microsoft Edge: Head to Settings > Privacy, search, and service Select Choose what to clear under the Clear browsing data heading. Choose All time in the drop-down menu. Uncheck all options except Autofill form data and hit Clear now. Re-enter your data under Settings > Profiles > Personal Info. Mozilla Firefox: Head to Options > Privacy & Security > Forms and Autofill > Saved Addresses Manually delete each option. Hit Add to re-enter your data. Safari: For the Mac users out there, Safaris auto-fill is always associated with your personal information in the Contacts app. To modify this info, head to Safari > Preferences > Autofill, then hit Edit under Using information from my contacts. In my case, I left the email field blank while re-entering new form info. That way, I can use Abine Blur to generate a forwarding email address while signing up for new services, keeping my actual email address private. How to manage auto-filled credit card info In addition to auto-filling your name, address, and other personal details, most web browsers can also keep credit card information on file for easier checkouts. But depending on which browser you use, this information may be exposed to anyone else who has access to your computer. I suggest taking a few minutes to make sure this info is up to date and secure. Google Chrome: Manage your payment methods under Settings > Autofill > Payment methods, but note that anyone else who uses your computer can view any credit card info that isnt stored with Google Pay. Head to the Google Pay website to set up payments that are stored online instead of locally in the browser. Microsoft Edge: Head to Settings > Profiles > Payment Info. Youll have to enter your Windows PIN to view stored cards or make payments. Firefox: Look under Preferences > Privacy & Security, then select Saved Credit Cards under Forms and Autofill. To keep this info safe from others who use your computer, check off the Require Windows/MacOS authentication box underneath. Safari: Head to Safari > Preferences > Autofill and hit Edit next to Credit Cards. Youll have to enter your Mac password to view or edit this data. Browser vs. password manager for auto-fill I began thinking about this whole issue after hearing from a reader who was struggling with the form fill features in Bitwarden, the password manager we recommended if youre looking for a powerful free password manager. While he was happy with Bitwardens core password management features, he had trouble getting Bitwarden to properly fill out other information, such as addresses. Personally, Im much happier separating these two functions, with the password manager handling passwords and the browser dealing with other types of information. In most browsers, I can fill out personal details through a pop-up that appears directly above the form. By contrast, Bitwarden requires you to click on the extension button, then click on your identity card, which feels slower and clunkier. Jared Newman / Foundry That said, password managers can store other kinds of personal info that your browser cant, such as social security numbers, drivers license numbers, and secondary phone numbers. If you need to fill out that information on a regular basis, grappling with your password managers form-filling features might be worthwhile. For credit card info, password managers can also fill out the verification code on the back of the card, whereas browsers avoid storing this information for security purposes. Setting up these little shortcuts does require some up-front effort, which is probably why I ignored my own auto-fill issues for so long. But like every other tiny annoyance in life, I eventually got fed up enough to do something about it. Perhaps this story will inspire you to do so as well. Get a tech tip in your inbox every week with my Advisorator newsletter, where this column first appeared. Occupy Ghana, a pressure group, has petitioned the Right to Information (RTI) Commission to order the Lands Commission to provide details on all public lands that the Commission had allegedly returned to owners. The petition dated September 20, 2022, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Commission, said the action had been necessitated due to the Lands Commissions conceivable trick to frustrate access to the documents. The Group has, therefore, asked the RTI Commission to make the Lands Commission provide it (the Group) with a list of all public lands over, which Governments ownership or control had been relinquished and the names of the persons to whom those lands had been released. They are also asking that the respective sizes and locations (suburbs, towns/cities, and regions) of all such lands, and the conditions of release, whether free, sale, lease or license be provided. OccupyGhana is also asking that the Lands Commission be made to tell the Group the amount of rent paid or payable, and any other amounts paid to or received by Government, if any, for the release of land. According to the Group, the Lands Commission had purportedly returned some public lands to the original owners in compliance with Article 20(5) and (6) of the Constitution. However, the Group said such action by the Commission was contrary to the Supreme Courts ruling that those provisions did not apply to lands acquired before the Constitution came into force. Checks with both the Lands Ministry and Lands Commission have confirmed that contrary to article 258(2), there is no government policy that authorizes these alleged returns of lands to purported original owners, the pressure group noted. The Group said it had between June 2 and September 15, 2022, engaged with the Commission to be given the needed information in line with the right to information and to be accounted to, as Ghanaians per constitutional provisions. It said reasons for, which the information had not been given included a demand to name an individual with whom the Commission would deal with, request for time to compile the information from the regions, and the calling for a meeting to discuss the Groups concerns. According to OccupyGhana, the Commission also said it needed the advice of the Attorney-General on the request in light of the provisions of the Data Protection Act and the Right to Information Act. At this stage, we are concerned that unless and until compelled by the Right to Information Commission to do so, the Lands Commission will keep coming up with one unsustainable excuse after another, the Group said, hence, the petition. 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 A Magistrates Court in the northern Nigerian city of Kano has remanded in custody a Chinese businessman who is accused of killing his Nigerian girlfriend. The suspect, Geng Quanrong, allegedly forced himself into the young womans family house, attacked her and slit her throat with a knife last weekend. The killing sparked public outrage across Nigeria - with social media users and the victims family calling for justice. Mr Geng, 47, was arraigned on Wednesday and government prosecutors accused him of murder. But they asked the court to grant them time to prepare proper charges. The suspect has not yet entered a plea. A spokesperson for the judiciary in Kano state told the BBC the case had been adjourned to 13 October. The victim, Ummukulthum Sani Buhari, 22, was taken to a local hospital after the stabbing. Doctors confirmed she was dead on arrival. The suspect was arrested as he attempted to flee the scene after residents raised the alarm. Since then he has been in police custody. It is unclear what exactly triggered the incident on Friday night, but residents and family sources say the estranged lovers had started having problems when the deceased indicated she was no longer interested in marrying the Chinese man. 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 A Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, has called for a united front if Ghana would ever win the war against illegal mining and other vices that plague the country. To him, Ghana would remain the ultimate loser if the citizenry did not come together to defeat the perpetrators of these anti-national conducts. How I wish that we would have given the President the fullest support to put an end to the galamsey issues that are bedeviling the nation currently. Personally, I find it difficult to understand why as a nation we cannot be united to fight evils that threaten the future of our dear country. It is very sad to see the rate of land degradation that is taking place in this country. How will generations yet unborn survive in this country? Obviously, we need to do something as a nation to curb this unwarranted destruction of our lands and treasured environment, Prof. Oduro said. He was speaking in Accra yesterday at the 75th anniversary lecture of the Ghana Cocoa Board on the theme COCOBOD @75: Sustaining our environment, wealth and health. In estimation, Prof. Oduro explained that the exploitation of minerals has left Ghanas environment destroyed and water bodies polluted; threatening sustainable agriculture. How long will it take us to reclaim the destroyed lands to secure the future of unborn generations? If we are not careful, we will soon lose all arable agricultural lands and make the nation over-dependent on food imports to sustain our food security concerns. He fears if the trend of the pollution was not stopped Ghana would not only import water for domestic use but for crop cultivation. Are we waiting for the time that as a nation we may have to import water for drinking and irrigation of agricultural crops? If we decide to continue behaving the way we are doing, I have no doubt that very soon large volumes of water will have to be imported for agricultural and domestic use, he predicted. Because of its importance to the economy of the country, Prof. Oduro said deliberate efforts must be made to improve upon the production of cocoa, including investing in cocoa research. The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, on his part, said the cocoa sector looked very attractive and promising, owing to the many interventions by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led Government. He disclosed that work on the COCOBOD cocoa Management System was nearing completion with some 664,529 farmers captured in six out of the seven cocoa growing regions in the country, adding that credible database on our farmers is surely a pre-requisite for the full implementation of the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme. Chief Executive of the Board, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, assured farmers that despite a difficult global market environment, his team would continue to put the farmer at the centre of cocoa issues to improve their living standards. 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 Former President of the Ghana Bar Association, Sam Okudzeto, has said that former John Dramani Mahama does not understand Ghanas judicial system. His comment comes on the back of Mahamas call for a new Chief Justice to restore the dwindling public confidence in the judiciary. In an interview on Upfront, a programme on Accra-based Joy News, Sam Okudzeto jumped to the defense of the judiciary stating that it should not be denigrated. According to him, a denigration of the highly respected arm of government will lead to a breakdown of law and order. He indicated that the constitution has made provisions for addressing myriad of grievances brought against the judiciary. Sam Okudzeto said the Chief Justice for instance has no hand in written judgments of judges adding that corruption tags against judges also had remedies in addressing it. I dont think he understands the judicial system. The Chief Justice does not tell the judges the kind of judgment he should write. If you have evidence of corruption, you are supposed to send it to the Chief Justice and he is mandated under the Constitution to have an inquiry made. He cannot brush it aside and forget about it. Against the Chief Justice, you send it to the president. A person of that high level should understand what the Constitutional process is and not just make a sweeping statement which will undermine confidence in the whole institution. Lack of confidence in the whole institution will mean people should take the law into their own hands, he said. Background Addressing lawyers of the National Democratic Congress last month, former President Mahama said public confidence in the judiciary had eroded. He said people mocked the phrase go to court as a result of the gradual bias that has been ascribed to the bench. Mahama said it will only take a new Chief Justice to charter a path of restoring public confidence in the third arm of government as it attempts to repair it broken image. There is therefore the urgent need for the Ghanaian Judiciary to work to win the trust and confidence of the citizenry, and erase the widely held perception of hostility and political bias in legal proceedings at the highest courts of the land. Unfortunately, we have no hope that the current leadership of our Judiciary can lead such a process of change. We can only hope, that a new Chief Justice will lead the process to repair the broken image that our Judiciary has acquired over the last few years, Mahama said. 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 National Service Secretariat (N.S.S.) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.) with the Kosmos Innovation Center (K.I.C.) to assist small enterprises under the mentorship of K.I.C. to scale up their capacity by supporting them with fresh Ghanaian graduates. The agreement to be executed under the Kosmos Innovation Center Incubation Hub will see graduates from universities across Ghana groomed by businesses under the K.I.C. Programmes by orienting them with skills and tools that will adequately prepare them for future opportunities. The initiative will also help imbibe the essence of entrepreneurship among these Graduates and potentially recruit them into the very prospective field. Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Executive Director of KIC, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, expressed his concern for the increasing rate of unemployment rate in the country and said it was essential for a structured programme involving public-private partnership to bridge the knowledge and skills gap among graduates. He disclosed that aside from enabling the startups under the mentorship of KIC to scale up by providing them labour, the initiative was also KIC's module to add value to graduates. He commended NSS for their commitment to the project. "I applaud the National Service Secretariat for considering this a viable venture to partner with. Their support to post National Service Personnel to use their service period to develop and grow businesses within the KIC landscape is highly plausible," the Executive Director of KIC said. Mr Gyan-Kesse added: "This partnership pumps heightened optimism and excitement that we hope to channel into breaking the chain of graduate unemployment by providing unparallel technical opportunities to graduates while supporting small businesses to thrive." Executive Director of the National Service Secretariat, Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi stated that his organization was committed to collaborating with key public and private agencies to provide employment opportunities for NSS personnel after their service period. "The deficit we are facing in the employment scene in Ghana could be curbed when we adequately equip the youth to venture into entrepreneurship, even better when it is Agripreneurship," Hon. Assibey Antwi said. "We are very thrilled to be on board this project." 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 William Ruto has called on rich countries and global lenders to review debt owed by poorer African nations while addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Kenyan president said the heavy burden of debt repayments risked wiping out development gains on the continent. He said that African countries were particularly burdened by conflict and climate change. Our home region of Eastern and Horn of Africa is, in particular, burdened by significant conflicts and changes with implications for the regions development, Mr Ruto told delegates. The call for debt relief comes at a time when several African countries have expressed concern over the weight of repayments. Last year, Kenya spent $6.5bn (5.8) to repay debts, according to the countrys national treasury, which is more than half of the revenue collected by the government. Debt repayments to rich countries and organisations like the IMF and the World Bank have been on the rise in many African countries, with experts now concerned that the payments could stall development. Recently, Zambia received a $1.3bn interest-free loan from the IMF as a bailout measure to enable the Southern African nation to renegotiate its debt. 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 NIGERIA: More details have emerged on the lawyer who died in an accident while chasing her husband and an alleged side chic in Calabar on Sunday, September 18. The deceased, Claret Opara Bassey, and Mr. Sunday Bassey have been married for over 10 years, with three kids. According to the Nation, on Sunday, September 18, she reportedly got a call from one of her friends that her husband was sighted in a shopping mall with the alleged side chic. She was said to have immediately driven to the mall in one of their cars. Getting there, she saw her husband about to leave the premises of the shopping mall and inside his car was the alleged side chic identified as Laticia. Upon sighting the wife, he hurriedly drove off with Laticia in the front seat. Mrs Bassey went after her husband's car and the more he accelerated, the more the wife tried to catch up with the car until they got to the highway. The husband was said to have decided to veer off from the highway to adjoining streets of the State Housing estate, forcing the wife to make a U-turn. She then lost control of the car and rammed into a tree, leaving her seriously injured and the car badly damaged. Eyewitnesses said immediately he saw from the back mirror that the wife was involved in an accident, the husband made a u-turn. The alleged side chick dropped off and fled the scene while the husband rallied to rescue his wife, the publication reports. The tearful husband was said to have apologised to his wife who was in the pool of her blood. "He was apologetic before the dying wife and pleaded that she should not die. He rushed the wife to Navy hospital in Calabar where she was reportedly confirmed dead," an eyewitness told The Nation. Friends of the couple said they started dating during their university days One of the deceased's friend named Queenofhearts Oyoyo wrote on the deceaseds Facebook page: "My friend is gone, Barr. Claret Bassey; you were intimidated, subdued and abused until you gave up. I told you to focus on yourself and your kids. What happened that you didnt call any of your bone friends as usual? I am broken to pieces." Source: LIB 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 NIGERIA:Oyo State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old suspect, Tosin Kolade, who raped and murdered a 17-year-old girl, Ifeoluwa Apanpa, inside a church at Olodo area of Ibadan, the state capital. The teenage girl was said to be on her way to church for service when the suspect under a false pretence sought her assistance in his own church that was close by. The suspect who was paraded before the newsmen at the State Police Headquarter, Eleyele, Ibadan on Tuesday, September 20, said his mother is a member of the sanitation department in the Church, hence his access to the key of the church. "On 17th September, 2022, I went back home from work around 1pm because we didnt have work that day. We were just sleeping at the shop. I told my boss that I wanted to go and ease myself, and he said I shouldnt stay long, he said. When I got home, i took the key of our church because my mum is the cleaner of the church and went to church. I packed all the chairs in the church together; I already knew the time Ifeoluwa will pass through our church to her own church. She eventually came and I asked her to assist me to carry some of the chairs I packed. I brought out the knife in my pocket and told her not to shout. I wanted to scare her to collect her phone but she dragged the knife with me and the knife fell to the floor. She also fell down and hit her head on the floor while trying to escape. She couldnt stand up because she was weak, I raped her and took her phone. I requested for her password but she gave me the wrong password. When I discovered, I strangulated her, the suspect explained. Briefing newsmen on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Williams, spokesperson of the command, Adewale Osifeso said operatives attached to Iyana-Offa Divisional Police Headquarters were intimated about the sudden disappearance of the teenager who had left for church at about 2pm and was yet to return home. "On Friday, 17/09/2022 at about 2030hrs, the Command through operatives attached to Iyana-Offa Divisional Police Headquarters were intimated about the sudden disappearance of a (17) seventeen-year-old female who according to the report left for church at about 1600hrs and was yet to return home," the PPRO stated. "A search party was immediately organised to demystify all possible angles to the disappearance, while this was ongoing as a call was placed to the Parents of the deceased by an unknown caller stating clearly the deceased had been abducted. Preliminary investigation reveals that the lifeless body of the deceased who was later found beside a Bible School at Olodo Area, with bloody genitalia, coupled with signs of struggling might have been manhandled before her eventual untimely death. In addition to the above, the Command has in its custody through diligent technological driven intelligence and investigation one Kolade Tosin m 20yrs who has voluntarily confessed to committing the sinister action. Investigation continues as the case is closely monitored by the State Criminal Investigation Department with the assurances of immediate updates as soon as we have them at the disposal." Source: LIB 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 of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association in Ghana, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, has shared little belief in the recent measures instituted by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to aid the fight against illegal mining. According to him, the decision which includes Operation Halt II is unlikely to produce any profitable outcome. In an interview with Don Kwabena Prah on Happy98.9 FMs Epa Hoa Daben socio-political talk show, Mr. Peprah reiterated that the governments approach to using brute force has never served any party right. In his view, digging out and having a comprehensive understanding of the root problems of galamsey mining is the way forward rather than brute force. The decision from the ministry I would say it would not yield any results not withstanding everything said. We have said that using the military approach will not solve this problem. "The government thinks its always best to use brute force because they think people involved in small scale mining are recalcitrant. Until we understand the root problem of galamsey, we can never solve this, he told Don Kwabena Prah. He further alleged that Chinese nationals have flooded the various sites with heavy machinery engaging in illegal mining. Therefore, dragging them out of hidden tunnels and prosecuting them would be the right step in the fight against galamsey. In 2012, Former President Atta-Mills together with John Mahama took a decision against mining. The current government need to finger out what happened both the positives and negatives. At that time the Galamsey threats reduced totally. That was the time the Chinese were being deported. "All these things that have led to us and Ghanaians talking about this is because everywhere our waters have been destroyed because of mining there are Chinese working. Ghanaians are fearful in nature and even as a result have redrawn their equipments because of the Ministers statements. "The problem is with the Chinese and its almost as if our politicians are afraid if them when we mention their names, he added. Mr. Peprahs comments come after the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor together with stakeholders reviewed some steps and strategies that have been implemented so far in the fight against the menace in a meeting on Friday. The aftermath of the meeting outlined new measures including, red zoning river bodies and forest reserves, Operation Halt II to ramp up support for the various measures being implemented to clamp down on illegal mining among several others. Source: happyfm 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 Captain (rtd) Nkrabea Effah-Dartey, lawyer for illegal small-scale mining, galamsey, queen, Aisha Huang, has protested the failure of the courts to grant his client bail. Effah-Dartey says he, however, remained undeterred in his bid to secure temporal freedom for Aisha because she is entitled to same under Ghana's laws. In a recent interview with Citi FM, he submitted: My client is entitled to bail and since this virtual hearing denied her bail, my colleague lawyers and I are debating the next move which is most likely to repeat the application and if it is turned down, we will head to the Court of Appeal. We will press on till we get the bail. The virtual hearing is in respect to four new charges the Attorney General proffered against Aisha last Friday in the High Court. Aisha Huang loves Ghana and wants to be in Ghana and continue doing business here. She has a family in Ghana. To say that she is a foreigner and is a flight risk is unfair, he added. Huang and three others are before a Circuit Court facing two charges relating to galamsey. They were denied bail after their last appearance. 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 World Bank has said it is OK with how the government of Ghana expended some $430 million the Bretton Woods institution advanced to the cocoa-producing West African country to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The Banks Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Mr Pierre Frank Laporte, told Accra-based TV3 in an interview: We know each and every dollar that is spent and accounted for. We have done audits, he added. He noted: There are always a few things here and there and some documentation that needs to be followed, but largely speaking, we are very satisfied that our resources were spent in line with the procurement requirements that existed. All the funds for COVID were not spent, Mr Laporte pointed out There were immediate things to be spent on, but there was also construction and procurement of equipment. We dont feel that our resources have not been properly spent, he explained. Apart from the $430 million, the World Bank also advanced an additional $130 million to Ghana for the purchase of vaccines. Source: class fm 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 Three people have been confirmed dead after a fuel tanker crashed with a passenger bus on Wednesday in Fumesua, on the Accra-Kumasi Highway. According to Asaaseradio.com about 32 people are receiving treatment after sustaining injury. Ejisu Municipal Chief Executive, Samuel Frimpong, who was at the scene said the accident occurred around 1 am with two people dying on the spot. According to the municipal police commander and fire operation officer, they had a call around 1am of an accident involving VIP bus and a gas tanker from Atuabo. The Gas tanker was going to offload gas at Sonic gas filling station when it collided with a VIP bus from Asante Mampong heading to Accra, and on the spot two people died. when I went there in the morning, another person was reported dead bringing the number to 3, he said. 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 Over sixty years after Ghana gained independence from British colonial rule, becoming the first in sub-Saharan Africa to be free, the African has not demonstrated the capability to manage his affairs. This is the observation of Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil. In a Facebook post on September 21 a day celebrated as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, he pointed to Ghana's decision to seek a programme from the International Monetary Fund as the basis for his assertion. He, however, expressed hope that the narrative would change in the next sixty years. "After over 60 years, The verdict so far is that the African is not yet capable of managing his own affairs. That's why we are with IMF today. We pray this verdict will change in the next 60 years," Kofi Bentil wrote on his page. The comment by the lawyer is in sharp contrast to a declaration in Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's 1957 Independence Day speech. An ecstatic Nkrumah said it would take hard work to prove to the colonial powers that the black man could steer his own affairs. "But also, as I pointed out, that also entails hard work. That new Africa is ready to fight her own battles and show that after all, the black man is capable of managing his own affairs," he said. Background Ghana's economy, according to the government, has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The situation has resulted in citizens reeling under economic pressure as they lament the increasing cost of living. Amidst the turmoil, Ghana's economy has suffered a downgrade by rating agencies such as S & P and Fitch a situation that has become an impediment to the government's ability to access the international capital market. Government has consequently turned to the International Monetary Fund for a programme. It is expecting $3 billion over a three-year period. 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 Executives of the National Democratic Congress in the Central Region have praised former finance minister and leading member of the party, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, for envisioning and sponsoring the AHOTOR business initiative whose purpose is to financially empower and strengthen the party grassroots as part of the main opposition partys reorganization efforts. This was during the presentation of the AHOTOR business collection of items to six (6) constituencies in the Central Region in the past week. Each of the beneficiary constituencies received four sets of canopies, 100 plastic chairs, and a complete public address system unit at the total cost of GHS 30,000.00 each. Assin North, Assin Central, Assin South, Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, Awutu-Senya East and Gomoa East constituencies are the first constituencies in the Central Region to receive the AHOTOR business collection of items. Each of the beneficiary constituencies from now will generate revenue through the rental of the items for social events such as funerals, outdoorings, weddings, and political rallies amongst others; and will use this revenue to finance party activities at the grassroots level of the NDC. Isaac Boadu, Branch Communications Officer at the Awutu Senya East Constituency expressed excitement about the AHOTOR project during the presentation ceremony. These items will help the party at our constituency level. We are happy that Dr. Kwabena Duffuor is thinking about us at the grassroots level. He continued, Whenever we want to organize party events, we usually worry about how to get money to rent a public address system but now we dont have to worry about it." NDC Women's Organizer at the Gomoa East Constituency, Lamin Aziz Wuru alias Mama G said she is happy because the project will bring relief to party members at the grassroots in terms of their social lives. These days, we usually delay our social events like marriages or outdoorings because it is too expensive to rent a public address system for such social events but now, with the AHOTOR sound system, chairs and canopies, we the party members can rent at lower costs so this is a big relief; may God bless Dr. Kwabena Duffuor." Constituency party executives called on other party leaders to emulate the generous example of Dr. Kwabena Duffuor. We have heard of the NDC AHOTOR project for a very long time but today, we received our share, said Rasta, a Deputy Youth Organizer of the Awutu Senya East Constituency. He added, "If all the party leaders can think about the party and help like Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, our party will move forward." Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, also a former governor of the bank of Ghana, has repeatedly assured the party grassroots that he has many more of such empowering projects in the pipeline for the NDC with his main goal being to empower the NDC party structures to be able to kick the NPP out of power in 2024. The party grassroots must be financially and logistically resourced for the battle ahead in 2024. This is what the AHOTOR project is all about. This is only the first of many other projects that we will be implementing for the benefit of the NDC grassroots, he has said. The NDC AHOTOR business project secretariat has said the initiative will reach all 275 constituencies throughout the country by the kind courtesy of Dr. Kwabena Duffuor. The leading NDC financier, who is widely tipped to challenge former President John Mahama in the leadership race for the NDC's 2024 presidential candidate, recently said no amount of criticisms or insults from anti-AHOTOR campaigners will stop him from helping to strengthen the NDC party grassroots with his AHOTOR business project as the party reorganizes towards the next general elections. 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 Mexico's foreign minister is facing backlash in his home country after he shared a selfie of himself and his wife prior to Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. Marcelo Ebrard posed alongside his wife, Rosalinda Bueso, as the couple smiled before he uploaded the picture to his Twitter account Monday evening, September 19. 'At the State Funeral of HM (Her Majesty) Queen Elizabeth II,' wrote Ebrard before he joined other world leaders at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, England. His tweet was labeled as tasteless and a lack of respect towards the Queen, who died September 8 after 70 years as the head of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. 'I find it disrespectful to take selfies at a funeral,' one person tweeted. Another user on the platform lashed out at Ebrard for not showing decency. 'I find it disrespectful to take selfies at a funeral,' the person wrote. 'You're not at a birthday party to be taking selfies, Marcelo. Act accordingly. You are representing Mexico.' One follower said he displayed behavior that some vacationers tend to display when visiting The Tower of London. 'Marcelo is the typical tourist who goes to bother the Beefeaters and the royal guards to see if they move,' the user wrote. 'He is the typical tourist who goes and wants to touch the Mona Lisa. He is the typical tourist who puts the name of Mexico in the sewer. Thank you, I am honored by your visit.' 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 Elections of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has praised the outgoing General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, for his service to the party and Ghana. In an interview on Radio Gold on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, Asiedu Nketia unequivocally declared that he will not seek re-election for his position which he has held since 2005. According to Asiedu Nketia, his options are now limited to two, which is to either retire from serving as a party official or elevate to the position of national chairman. I will not contest the general secretary position for the NDC. I have two other options at hand; either I go for the chairmanship or retire from politics, he said. In an audio message, which was sighted by GhanaWeb, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, who has stated his intention of replacing Asiedu Nketia, indicated that he hopes that he can emulate the veteran politician. He said that the NDC General Secretary will be remembered for his ability to calm nerves during very intense situations. I will like to congratulate the venerable Johnson Asiedu Nketia for 17 years of dedicated service to our great party the NDC. It takes a person of some exceptional qualities to be able to hold such a sensitive position for all these years. He has been at the forefront of the evolution of the NDC over all these years and so I will like on behalf of myself and the rest of us, who have worked with him for all these years, to commend him and congratulate him for all his services to our great party. He is a great personality and definitely an institution. We have learnt a lot from him May the good Lord strengthen him so that as some of us aspire to step in his shoes, we can continue to count on his wisdom, guidance and storehouse of knowledge, he said. 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 Artiste Tradition Man Wolo currently based in the USA has in an interview reaffirmed his quest to liberate the black man from the shackles of the westerners through his music. The avowed and bold declaration of this principle has led to the release of Reggae Man, a nine-tracked album aimed to educate and emancipate the black man from the whims and caprices of the colonial master who deviously on a daily, churn out hips of strategies to build slavery walls around the black indigene by way of augmented laws to cripple the elevation of the black man. He told Heavy Dee that this album will illuminate the mind of the black man into believing in his abilities. It tells the untold stories of black history in a melodic way. Reggae Man is a multi-themed album covering roots reggae and consciousness. I want people to embrace the breadth of the album and genre. This album was birthed during the incident of George Floyd, an innocent black man who was killed by a policeman even when he was unarmed. Fortunately, it received the attention it deserved because it happened during the covid-19 pandemic. We live in an era where people know slavery cant be practised and so they pass laws to jail potential black talents. They always succeed in tagging well-to-do black men as drug peddlers, painting a picture in the minds of many that, the black man is dangerous and shouldnt be entertained in peaceful environments and this needs to be stopped! he explained. Tradition Man Wolo, a former member of Club Tradition is an enlightened Pan-Africanist who had his secondary education in Achimota Senior High and later, Accra Academy for his six forms. He has been a musician since childhood although his father wasnt in total agreement until the release of his latest album. He left the shores of Ghana for the US and worked for corporate America for a couple of years. Currently, he is dedicating his attention to music which he believes lies in his calling. His album, reggae man has tracks like Book of Rules, Lady in Red, Come Home, Back Again, and Love amongst several others. He believes the black man until he is told, has what it takes to go the extra mile. He, is, however, pleasured to be amongst the conscious roots reggae musicians to enlighten his fellow Africans just as his predecessors did. His album is currently available on all download portals. https://youtu.be/bnuJv96VMGk 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 Ramon Abass commonly called Hushpuppi, who is one of the most notorious cyber-criminal, Has opened up about his fraudulent career which he claimed to have only made $300,000 from. Hushpuppi who has been in U.S prison since June 2020 following his extradition from Dubai awaits his final sentencing. Ahead of scheduled sentencing on Monday, Hushpuppi penned a handwritten apology to the preceding judge, Otis Wright, where he thanked the FBI for doing a great job to make the world safer from criminals like himself. In the note acquired by the Peoples Gazzette, Abbas hinted at how he became rich from hawking sneakers, and clothes from his car boot. He further added that masterminding cybercrimes only made him as much as $300,000 while pleading for a reduced sentence up to 65 percent. According to report, Hushpuppi registered Moneabbas Nigeria Ltd on August 4, 2016, with the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission. In April 2021, Mr Abbas pleaded guilty to multimillion-dollar fraud charges and entered a plea bargain with the U.S. authorities in July 2021. Intelligence agencies recorded multiple crimes, including money laundering, cyber fraud, hacking, criminal impersonation, scamming individuals, banking fraud and identity theft committed outside the United Arab Emirates. Mr Abbas has been in custody since his arrest in Dubai and transferred to the United States in June 2020. In the letter, Mr Abbas claimed he was tortured at the time of his arrest, and he has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to it. Mr Abbas apologised to the federal judge for his crimes, saying he would use his personal funds to pay the victims. Your honour, I totally recognise the seriousness of my offence, and no amount of sorry can write(sic) my wrong in the hearts of the victims, and this is why I have decided to use my personal money to offset all of the entire $1,700,000 restitution even though I only benefited a fraction of $300,000, Mr Abbas wrote. Lead prosecutor Khaldoun Shobaki argued that Mr Abbas should also be asked to pay $1.7 million in restitution, $500,000 in fines and $100 in administrative fees. On Friday, Mr Wright reversed an earlier decision and denied Mr Abbass requests to view case files of the Juma case, where disgraced police officer Abba Kyari was an accessory to the crimes committed. A request to reschedule the sentencing date from September 19 to November 3 was also denied. The Gazette had reported a deadlock between Louis Shapiro, Mr Abbass attorney, and federal prosecutors over the proposed delay in the trial ahead of sentencing on Monday. Mr Shapiro argued that Mr Abbas would be unable to prepare for his sentencing hearing without all the documents relating to the Juma case, where Mr Abbas and Kenyan national Abdulrahman Imraan Juma conned their victim into paying $330,000 to fund an investors account to facilitate a $15 million loan. The police officer Abba Kyari had been indicted in the Juma case by the governments investigation, named among five of Mr Abbas co-conspirators in a $1.1million fraud charge. Mr Abbas had hoped to reduce his impending jail sentence from 11 years as suggested by prosecutors. He had employed the services of Washington-based top criminal defence attorney John Iweanoge, but Mr Iweanoges application to practice across state lines was struck out from court records over inconsistencies in the filing. Source: dailyguidenetwork.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 A popular beauty influencer has been threatened with a six-year jail sentence for using Instagram in Russia. Veronika Loginova, 18, who runs a beauty and fashion account, has been accused of "extremist activity". According to the influencer, two state prosecutors called at her home claiming she "stands out too much". In a post to her followers, the influencer said: "This can now happen to anyone in Russia. "Any day prosecutors can come to your house. I never touched politics and now I face six years in jail for running an Instagram account." Beauty influencer, 18, facing six years in Russian jail because she Veronika was accused of "extremism" by "performing actions to attract users to social networks Facebook and Instagram". She said: "I am going to get to the bottom of it and to cover it here. Thankfully, I have the support from people who understand that this is not normal. "This is totally f****d up, and I want as many people as possible to know about this story. And while we dont speak about such things, I will still speak." A Moscow court banned Instagram and Facebook in March during a crackdown on western social media giants. Meta, the parent company which owns Facebook and Instagram, was classed as "extremist" in response to the companys relaxing of hate-speech towards Russian soldiers. Russia has now created its own version of the app called Rossgram, after the ban left influencers in tears. 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 Lawyer Jessica Zita, representing Lisa Banfield, addresses the Mass Casualty Commission inquiry into the mass murders in rural Nova Scotia on April 18/19, 2020, in Truro, N.S. on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. Gabriel Wortman, dressed as an RCMP officer and driving a replica police cruiser, murdered 22 people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan A train approaches Walkley Yard during an unveiling event in Ottawa, Ont. on Friday, July 15, 2022. Ontario's financial watchdog says the effects of climate change are projected to cost the province an extra $1.5 billion a year on average in the next few years just to maintain public transportation infrastructure. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby All clear at the top on our way from bike camp to Chao da Lagoa Marshals always get excited to meet legends such as Marcelo Gutierrez. SS1 is long and easy. A good test to kick off the week of racing with views above Funchal. Katy Curd on top of day one after winning 5 out of 7 stages Hmmm... feel the loam! SS2 was all about slip n' slide. Juan Vintimilla is back for revenge after not being able to finish it out in September 2021, currently 2nd place in MEN30 Back into the dust bowl with views above bike camp in Machico. We've been giving a chance to young local racers to compete in Trans Madeira. Here's 17 years old Matias Camacho, Enduro and Downhill national champion throwing shapes and managing a stag win. Machico has been the start of the event since 2018 and we always feel at home when we ride here. Birthday girl, Megan Tuttle, sending it blind to 3rd place. The mechanics have been pretty busy on day one but the mission is to take everyone to the finish line. Our friends from Brave Landers have worked with us since first edition, making sure marshals are on the right place. Not a bad place to start a special stage... Arthur Deblonde sitting in 8th place after day one. Goats didn't make Wyn Masters lose time as he got 42 seconds on Gutierrez after day one. Classic Boca do Risco has been a part of this event since the first edition. Phil's bike didn't arrive on time but we managed to find him a vintage Propain. He's running (literally) chainless... Beer, burgers and a swim in the ocean... can't beat that. Four more days to go as we cross Madeira on this wild journey. RESULTS AFTER DAY ONE MEN 1. Wyn Masters (NZL), 37:40:04 2. Marcelo Gutierrez (COL), 38:22:12 3. Gary Donaldson (IRL), 38:33:43 WOMEN 1. Katy Curd (GBR), 45:41:33 2. Simone Vogel (GER), 47:18:27 3. Megan Tuttle (USA), 47:41:26 MEN30 1. Will Ward (GBR), 40:05:01 2. Juan Vintimilla (ECU), 41:04:11 3. Alex Gammeter (SUI), 42:08:43 MEN40 1. Leo Kokkonen (FIN), 40:13:50 2. Toni Walbridge (USA), 42:42:11 3. Nijs Kurpershoek (NED), 43:07:22 Smiles all around as we get day two on the way. All aboard the party bus that only goes to where great trails start. No dust to be seen at the top. So much excitement and smiles to be seen at the bottom of the stages. Aston Tutt sitting in 5th place on the Women's field. Gary Donaldson on the move down SS11, holding into 3rd place. Local Paulo Sales managed to find time to race with us again. It was a hard pick on favorite stage of the day between SS12 and SS14. Finishing SS12 got this combination: tiredness and smiles. Lunch stop in Porto da Cruz before heading to 1500m for two last stages. Leo Kokkonen expanded his lead in the Men40 category. Two stages down to Funchal going from alpine to one of everyone's favorite trail. A mix of grease and dust where you never know what you'll get. Above the clouds and then into the clouds mid-stage. Phil's still on the rental and we're not sure how much longer it can hold... Wyn had another solid day and still holds first place. Download the timing chip and get a big Coral - you deserve it! What's better than swimming after a great day up in the mountains? Camp moved to Funchal before we hit day three and the big traverse to North. No massage needed for Mr. Angel Loron (64 years old) racing with his son, Adrien Loron. RESULTS AFTER DAY TWO MEN 1. Wyn Masters (NZL), 1:14:37 2. Marcelo Gutierrez (COL), 1:15:39 3. Gary Donaldson (IRL), 1:16:39 WOMEN 1. Katy Curd (GBR), 1:32:28 2. Simone Vogel (GER), 1:33:46 3. Megan Tuttle (USA), 1:35:12 MEN30 1. Will Ward (GBR), 1:19:12 2. Juan Vintimilla (ECU), 1:21:39 3. Alex Gammeter (SUI), 1:23:32 MEN40 1. Leo Kokkonen (FIN), 1:20:13 2. Toni Walbridge (USA), 1:24:48 3. Nijs Kurpershoek (NED), 1:25:34 Edition seven of Trans Madeira powered by Cannondale just got on the way in the 'Pearl of the Atlantic', welcoming 140 racers from 265nations to experience what the little dot in the Ocean is all about. Although the island is just 50km x 20km, riders have ahead of them 220km, and 30 special stages divided into 75km of trails where the clock is counting.Welcome to the land of diversity - the East side of Madeira is where the Enduro World Series Madeira took place back in 2017 and 2019. Its also known for having some of the most diverse terrain on Earth where youll feel like racing on five different countries all on the same day, making you question where the hell are you riding?! Day one of Trans Madeira went from wet at the top to bone-dry at the bottom and that's what makes it unique and special.Full results here As a dark cloud passes through bike camp early in the morning the feeling is that rain should hit us hard as soon as we reach the top. Madeira has so many micro-climates and you can't really make any predictions in terms of weather. Going up to the top we are treated to blue sky and some very slick stages in the morning. With seven stages on the menu, we go from pine loamy forest to alpine in a blink of an eye. Is there a better combination?Full results here Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Trump fraud in New York ran until 2020, which means that as Nicolle Wallace said, Trump was committing fraud while president. Video of Wallace: Nicolle Wallace says Trump was committing fraud while he was president. pic.twitter.com/Kd5N1kCkwt Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) September 21, 2022 NBCs Tom Winter said when asked what stood out to him about the lawsuit against Trump, A couple of different things. First off, the scope of this. That it continued up until 2020, when Trump, by that point, had to know that he was under investigation or at least questions were well swirling about what was going on in his world, and yet, according to the attorney general, didnt lay them to step off the gas, that they kept going with some of the valuations that she now questions. So, I think that thats interesting, number one. Number two Wallace said, That he was committing fraud while he was president. Donald Trump refused to divest or separate himself from his business interests while he was president. Trump left his business, but he maintained an active and controlling interest in the Trump Organization, which later turned out to mean that Trump was still running and involved in his business from the White House. Experts said that Trumps conflict of interest plan was meaningless, which turned out to be true. Nicolle Wallace was correct. While Trump was president, he was engaging in fraud in New York. When people referred to Trump as a criminal president during his time in office, they had no idea how correct they were. Donald Trump is easily the most criminal person ever to be in the Oval Office. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Trump started the day getting sued by the state of New York for fraud and, by the evening, had lost to the DOJ in appeals court in the case of the classified document. The Washington Post reported: For our part, we cannot discern why [Trump] would have an individual interest in or need for any of the one-hundred documents with classification markings, the court wrote, noting that the stay it issued is temporary and should not be considered a final decision on the merits of the case. The lower court abused its discretion in exercising jurisdiction as it concerns the classified documents, the panel wrote in a 29-page opinion. Two judges on the panel were appointed by Trump; the third was appointed by President Barack Obama. The lower court would be Judge Aileen Cannon, who Trump appointed, and handpicked to hear his case. Trump could request an appeal in front of the full 11th Circuit, but since two of the Trump-appointed judges have already ruled against him, he is certain to lose. Donald Trump could try to get the case before the Supreme Court, but as socially conservative as this court has proven to be, they are also strict on executive power, so Trumps claims that he declassified the documents arent or has executive privilege isnt likely to fly there either. September 21, 2022 is the worst legal day for any ex-president in US history. Donald Trump and his family are facing potential financial ruin as they have been accused of a fraud scheme for over a decade. Trumps business could be shut down in New York, and he could be facing the inability to borrow money, a permanent ban, and a $250 million penalty. By the evening, Trump found out that two judges that he nominated gave the DOJ the green light to move forward with an investigation into his mishandling of classified information. Things are bad for Trump and only getting worse with each passing day. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Former US Attorney Harry Litman said that the New York lawsuit strikes at the heart of Trumps brand and shows that his day of reckoning has begun. Video of Litman on Deadline: White House: Litman said on MSNBCs Deadline: White House: So, a lot of people are clamoring for Trump the person to be in an Orange jumpsuit. May or may not ever happen, even if he is convicted, but to the extent Trump the brand has been, you know, equated with him as hes wanted it to, this is an absolute cannon shot against Trump the brand and I think it is basically indefensible on their part. Yes, there are some difficulties burden of proof, and the like, but I dont see how you bring this case to a jury, just listen to what he said at the top of this segment here, a jury would loathe him, put on top of that the lower burden of proof and the wildly inflated valuations. This is really an existential threat to what is second only to his physical person, and that is the Trump brand. Now, in the past, and in history. This is I would argue, the future is now, as it were. Everyones waiting for things to I think given the kind of mortal threat this is to the brand itself, we are now in the period where a reckoning has begun. The New York AG civil lawsuit could spiral into a criminal case, but the civil case itself is a huge problem for the Trumps because it has the potential to destroy the Trump brand and cut off the familys access to cash. Trump is not wealthy in respect of having lots of money in the bank. The Trump business model is based on loans and real estate valuations. If New York bars Trump from getting a loan from any bank registered in the state, that cuts off his cash flow. If Trumps real estate assets are suddenly properly valued, his wealth goes out of the door. The reckoning for Donald Trump might not be prison time but total destruction of the brand that he built and financial ruin. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Several Republican Senators have broken with Trump and rejected his claims about the declassification of documents. Via CNN: Asked about Trumps claim on Fox News that he could simply declassify documents by thinking about it and theres no process for him to follow to do that, Senate GOP Whip John Thune told CNN theres a process for declassifying documents. And I think it ought to be adhered to and followed. And I think that should apply to anybody who has access to or deals with classified information, Thune said. Sen. Thom Tillis, a two-term Republican from North Carolina who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told CNN that he believes theres a process that must be followed by a President to declassify the records. I believe theres a formal process that needs to go through, that needs to be gone through and documented, Tillis said. Senate Republicans Reject Trumps Declassification Telepathy On one level, Trump has finally crossed a line that some Senate Republicans arent going to follow him on. The handling of US secrets is a national security issue, and some Senate Republicans in key positions still take national security seriously. From a political point of view, these Republicans appear to see how dangerous Trumps behavior could be to their party. The more significant point that could be motivating them is the traditional push-pull between the executive and legislative branches. Senators dont want a president to have unilateral declassification authority because it weakens executive branch oversight. Trumps argument is nothing more than a claim of unconstitutional unlimited executive power. If the failed former president thought that Senate Republicans would rush to his defense or work to keep him out of jail, he was very wrong, as some top Senate Republicans are showing that they have no problem with kicking Trump to the curb. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Sunny, along with a few afternoon clouds. High near 75F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy during the evening followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 57F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Caitlin Ashworth is a crime reporter for The Post and Courier in Columbia. She spent several years in Thailand before moving to South Carolina. GEORGETOWN While assessment scores for Georgetown County students improved in 2021-22, the results still fell short of pre-pandemic levels. The portion of Georgetown County School District students who met or exceeded expectations on the South Carolina College-and-Career-Ready Assessments (SC READY) and South Carolina Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (SCPASS) improved 7.6 percentage points in language arts to 37.8 percent, 3.9 percentage points in math to 29.5 percent and 5.4 percentage points in science to 33.2 percent, Cutina Barrineau, district director for accountability and assessment, told the school board Sept. 20. SC READY assesses South Carolina third through eighth graders in math and language arts. The SCPASS science assessment was administered to fourth, sixth and eighth graders in 2021-22. The social studies portion of the SCPASS exam was not administered in 2021-22. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2018-19, the students who met or exceeded expectations scored 40.1 percent in language arts, 37.5 percent in math and 39.8 percent in science. Board member Patti Hammel said the improvement from 2020-21 to 2021-22 showed the value of students attending school in-person and interacting with teachers face-to-face. "I saw that throughout," Hammel said. Georgetown County school board member Michael Cafaro made an impassioned speech in the midst of Barrineau's presentation noting the "astronomical" job faced by teachers. "We have public schools," Cafaro said. "We take anybody who comes in. Some students are ready to learn, as you know, some of them are not. And that's why when I look at these scores, I take them with not a grain of salt, but a ton of it, because I understand that a lot of these children come from very difficult backgrounds. A lot of people don't want to hear that stuff, but that's too bad." Cafaro served as principal of Georgetown High School from 2001 to 2011 and has also worked as an adjunct professor at The Citadel and Coastal Carolina University. In the seven years between the end of his tenure at Georgetown High and the beginning of his tenure on the board, he worked in various administrative roles for the district. "The challenges that (teachers) have in there are astronomical, I know," Cafaro said. "And it really, it hurts me so when I see this and then people who are on the street and they don't know any better, they look at these things, and say, 'Well, the public schools are failing, they're failing.' Well, you know something? If I'd have had a bunch of scholars, if I could go around to the public schools and just pull out those who are ready to learn, those who have been taught so much before they even enter pre-kindergarten or whatever, we'd have astronomical scores. But it doesn't work like that in public schools." Statewide, nearly 47 percent of students met or exceeded expectations on the SC READY language arts assessment in 2021-22, and 39 percent met or exceeded expectations in math. Forty-six percent of students statewide met or exceeded expectations on the SCPASS science assessment in 2021-22. HEMINGWAY Friends and family of longtime Georgetown County Sheriff A. Lane Cribb gathered near Hemingway Sept. 22 to honor his memory. A portion of Pleasant Hill Drive between County Line Road and North Fraser Street, about 15 miles long, is now the A. Lane Cribb Highway following a dedication ceremony. Cribb's family, friends and colleagues including Georgetown County representatives in the state legislature, members of the Georgetown County Council and officers from law enforcement agencies across the state were on hand at the intersection of County Line Road and Pleasant Hill Drive for the dedication ceremony. "We're going to dedicate a highway to number one, our sheriff; to number one, a resident of Pleasant Hill, a husband, a father and a friend to all," said Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver, who was hired by the agency as an assistant sheriff in 2001 during Cribb's third term in office. "That's who Sheriff Cribb was, and may we never forget the sacrifices that he gave to South Carolina and to Georgetown County. He's loved and he's missed." Georgetown County Council voted in April 2021 to dedicate the portion of Pleasant Hill Drive in Cribb's memory. The South Carolina State Senate adopted a resolution to approve the dedication a month later, and the state House of Representatives approved the resolution in March. Cribb, a Pleasant Hill native, was elected sheriff in 1992 and died in the middle of his seventh term on Sept. 19, 2019, at the age of 73 after suffering an allergic reaction to a cortisone injection. He began his law enforcement career in 1973 with South Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control and also worked with the Florence County Sheriff's Office before returning home to Georgetown County. Cribb was the 2016 county-level recipient of the Strom Thurmond Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement. State Sens. Ronnie Sabb, a Greeleyville Democrat, and Stephen Goldfinch, a Murrells Inlet Republican, sponsored the resolution in the legislature. Sabb, an attorney, was unable to attend the dedication ceremony due to his role in a jury trial, but Goldfinch spoke about Cribb's prowess in public speaking and dedication to community service. "Every single person that's sitting here he has touched the life of in some way, shape or form over the past 30 years," Goldfinch said. "And that's just an incredible tenure." R.L. Port, whom Weaver introduced as "Mr. Pleasant Hill," recalled memories from his longtime friendship with Cribb, noting that "whatever he told you it was low key, but he meant it and he stuck to it." "He would call me right after the midterm and he'd say, 'Now people are going to be calling you wanting to know if I'm running. So you tell them: until you see my arms like this, I'm running,'" Port said with his arms crossed over his chest to mime the pose of a man in a casket. "Even the last time when he was elected and his health was failing, he still called." GREENVILLE Two volunteers from the Upstate chapter of the American Red Cross have deployed to Puerto Rico to help in recovery efforts after Hurricane Fiona pummeled the island earlier this week. The storm hit on Sept. 18 and caused massive flooding, landslides, scarce clean water and island-wide power outages that have left hundreds of thousands people without electricity. The two Upstate volunteers, Dori Baumwart and Julienne Correa, are on the ground in Puerto Rico. Baumwart, who was part of the recovery effort when Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017, is leading a Disaster Spiritual Care team designed "to serve as a comforting presence" in the disaster's immediate aftermath. "This very similar situation happened just five years ago," Baumwart said in a Red Cross release. "Its impacted all these same people all over again. Were going to see a lot of confusion, and my role is to help them to process what theyve experienced, listen to their stories, and think about what they need to do. Correa, who speaks Spanish, will help with the government operations function. More than a thousand people have stayed in shelters that are powered by solar sources thanks to nearly $1.5 million the Red Cross contributed after Hurricane Maria. Solar power was delivered to 160 schools in that aftermath, and many of them served as shelters. If you'd like to help in the recovery effort, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. A hurricane warning was issued for the island of Bermuda as Fiona continued on its northwest path through the Atlantic Ocean. The National Weather Service issued advisories beginning 8 a.m. Sept. 22 for rip current risks and high surf along Charleston's shores as Fiona passed by out at sea. The advisories, warning of 6-foot swells, will remain in place through 8 p.m. Sept. 23. The "large and powerful" storm was about 280 miles west-southwest of Bermuda, according to the National Hurricane Center's update at 8 p.m. Sept. 22. Fiona picked up speed as it curved right, moving north-northeast at 20 mph. Fiona remained a Category 4 hurricane with wind speeds near 130 mph. The Meteorological Service of Bermuda issued a hurricane warning for the island, meaning hurricane conditions were expected there within 36 hours. The storm's outer bands had reached the island by the afternoon of Sept. 22. The Canadian Hurricane Centre issued a hurricane watch by 11 a.m. Sept. 22 for parts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland's northern coast. A tropical storm watch went into effect for other portions of coastal Canada. Fiona's eye was expected to pass just to the west of Bermuda the night of Sept. 22 before approaching Nova Scotia the next day. Forecasters predicted Fiona would slightly weaken overnight or into Sept. 23, though the storm would continue producing hurricane-force winds through Sept. 24. Residents of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic were still feeling Fiona's effects days after the storm ripped through both territories last weekend. Nearly 1 million Puerto Ricans remained without power Sept. 22 and hundreds of thousands were without water services, according to the government's emergency portal system. Forecasters were monitoring four other disturbances in the Atlantic. Tropical Storm Gaston was heading toward the central Azores islands, west off the coast of Portugal, bringing strong winds and dangerous surf and rip current conditions. A disturbance just north of Venezuela was forecast to move west-northwest across the eastern Caribbean Sea through the next day or two before it was expected to strengthen into a tropical depression. Two others are not expected to form into storm for days, if at all. Attorney General Alan Wilson calls on FCC to require more voice service providers to put in place anti-robocall protections NORTH MYRTLE BEACH The family of a Florida man killed last year while walking across U.S. 17 in the North Myrtle Beach area has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city, the police department and one of its officers, claiming they are jointly responsible for his injuries and death. Attorneys for the estate of Nicholas Shroyer filed a nine-page civil suit on Sept. 22 against the city of North Myrtle Beach, Department of Public Safety and Christopher Michael Fitzwater for an October 2021 incident when 32-year-old Shroyer was hit by a police car while walking eastbound across U.S. 17 near 29th Avenue South in Atlantic Beach. The city of North Myrtle Beach typically does not comment on pending litigation. Messages sent requesting a statement was not immediately returned. A media release by the S.C. Highway Patrol at the time of the incident said Shroyer was crossing the highway illegally, but the suit now alleges that Fitzwater was traveling too fast for conditions, speeding, failing to keep a proper lookout, and otherwise driving recklessly, when he reportedly violently struck the man, causing great bodily injury and death. Fitzwater had a duty to operate the vehicle in which he was traveling in a safe and prudent manner and to avoid injuring or killing pedestrians, the suit said. The city of North Myrtle Beach and the police department, according to the lawsuit, had a duty to hire and retain only well-trained and well-qualified individuals to drive its vehicles, and to adequately train, monitor, and supervise said individuals. Shroyers estate requests a jury trial and an unspecified monetary amount for conscious pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress and medical expenses. It has been nearly two decades since the family of Daniel Hiers Jr. has seen or heard from him. The former Charleston police officer accused of killing his wife and sexually molesting a child in 2005 is one of the nation's most-wanted fugitives or at least he had been. This summer, the U.S. Marshals Service removed Hiers from the list it maintains of the top-15 suspects they are pursuing. "Hiers is still a wanted fugitive," said Dave Oney, spokesman for the federal agency. "The case is no less important to the agency, but we wanted to make a vacancy for a case that could benefit from the attention the program affords." In July, the agency downgraded Hiers to a "major case" designation to make room for Michael Anthony Baltimore Jr., according to Oney. Baltimore is accused of shooting three people at a barbershop in Carlisle, Pa., on May 22, 2021. One of the victims a barber died, the service's wanted poster reads. But the death of one fugitive and the capture of another leave two spots vacant among the 15. In November, media outlets across the country reported that Frederick Cecil McLean sought for 16 years on charges of child molestation out of San Diego County was found dead in a home in the Upstate, where hed been living under an alias. This month, Raymond McLeod, a former Marine wanted in the 2016 death of his girlfriend in San Diego, was arrested in Central America, where he had been teaching, according to news reports. The Marshals service had planned to remove McLean from the list before his body was unexpectedly discovered, Oney said. There have been few leads in Hiers' case since 2005. The biggest development came about four years ago, when Charleston television station WCSC reported that Hiers had been apprehended in China. But Oney said the Marshals have not been able to confirm his arrest. Requests for information from the Chinese embassy, located in Washington, D.C., went unanswered. "As far as I know, there have been no new developments since that information was reported," Oney said. Linda Hiers was surprised by the news that her son was removed from the list. "Something's not right," she said when reached by phone at her Hampton home. "I'm at a loss for words." She declined to speak at length about the case or her son, but said the change in status with the Marshals gives her more reason to doubt the allegations against him. "He loved her," Linda Hiers said of Dan and his wife, Mila, whom she still spoke of with fondness. Linda Hiers changed her Facebook profile picture in August to one of the couple laughing on a couch together. Blurry, the photo appears to be from Christmas, an open present sits on Mila's lap. She's wearing black and red pajamas, looking at the camera with a wide smile. Dan has a hand on her shoulder, his eyes squinting and mouth open in laughter. It captured a special memory, Linda Hiers said. In the comments, she said: "I miss both of them so much." Ludimila "Mila" Araujo was 15 years old and on vacation with friends in Miami when she met Hiers, then 22, according to The Post and Courier's archives. In a 2005 interview with the newspaper, Milas sister Alassandra Cohe de Araujo said their father disapproved of the relationship because of the couples age difference, but he eventually relented and allowed the couple to be wed. She was 17. Allegations against the former lawman surfaced in November 2004, when North Charleston police charged him with sexually assaulting a girl he met in a karate class. Prior to the accusations, Hiers had 11 years of experience working for three different law enforcement agencies in South Carolina, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. That was one of the reasons the agency cited when adding him to the most-wanted list. Hiers left his job with the Charleston Police Department in January 2005 and worked construction jobs while Mila Hiers, rather than return to her native Brazil as her father wanted, worked in the shoe department at the Northwoods Mall Sears to help make ends meet. On March 9, 2005, the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office filed additional sexual assault charges against Hiers in connection with the same girl. When he didn't turn himself in to deputies on March 15 and Mila hadn't shown up to work, Linda Hiers drove to the couple's Goose Creek home. She called a neighbor, who found Mila's body inside the master bedroom. Mila Hiers had been shot in the back of the head at close range while she slept. Investigators believe the 24-year-old woman died between 7 a.m. and noon. Neighbors told police they saw Dan Hiers leave the home early that afternoon. The trail turned cold after authorities found his red 2005 Chevrolet Aveo in Texas, two miles from the Mexican border. NORTH CHARLESTON A plan to renovate the former Charleston Naval Hospital ended six years ago in bankruptcy and cost Charleston County more than $33 million, but the would-be developers have continued to sue health care providers who expected to be tenants. A lawsuit against nonprofit Fetter Health Care came back from the S.C. Court of Appeals with a ruling in Fetter's favor. A larger claim against state-affiliated Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center is ongoing. Both health providers had planned to move in following renovations and, like Charleston County, were sued when they decided the condition of the building was unacceptable. In 2012, Donald Trump Jr. once listed as a part owner of Chicora Life Center had pitched a redevelopment plan for the former 175-bed hospital in North Charleston to city and county officials, telling them it would attract top medical establishments such as the Cleveland Clinic or the Mayo Clinic. County Council jumped on board in mid-2014, agreeing to a 25-year lease for three floors of the building. Fetter Health Care and the Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center agreed to lease space all of which depended on the tallest building in North Charleston being extensively renovated. The process was expected to take six months or less, county officials were told at the time. The county backed out of the plan in March 2016 after repeated delays and controversy. It wound up paying $33 million to settle a lawsuit after the developers declared bankruptcy. Fetter and the mental health agency were then sued for breach of contract over unpaid rent and alleged renovation expenses. A key problem Charleston County faced in bankruptcy court and leading to the costly settlement was a judge's ruling that the county had "waived any right to assert any defaults or breaches" in the lease contract. At the end of 2014, as the developer's original deadline to complete renovations loomed, County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor signed an amended lease that removed all deadlines for completing the work, as The Post and Courier previously reported. After the county took ownership of the 10-story, 400,000-square-foot building at Rivers and McMillan avenues in 2017, officials determined it could cost another $66 million to complete necessary renovations. In 2019, the county planned to demolish the building, but instead sold it a year later for $15 million to developers who plan to renovate it with shops and more than 300 apartments. Instead of occupying space in the former hospital, County Council decided to construct a new building across the street and to name that building after Pryor. Like the county, Fetter had refused to move in to the former hospital in 2016 after finding the space "completely unfinished" and "a disaster," according to court filings. This month, the state Court of Appeals upheld an earlier ruling in Fetter's favor, which found that improvements promised in the lease signed with Chicora in 2014 had not been made. In the Court of Appeals ruling, the building's condition was described as follows: "Fetter executives inspected the premises and found what they described as 'a wreck,' 'a mess,' 'a disaster,' and 'Friday the 13th,' stating things were 'completely unfinished' and noting there were broken walls, unfinished ceilings, broken floors, missing doors, locks not on doors, missing sinks, missing toilets, leaks from the plumbing into exam rooms, a mildew smell, and inoperable elevators." In the unanimous three-judge ruling, the Court of Appeals wrote: "Nothing in the lease gave Chicora the right to make improvements unsatisfactory to Fetter, force Fetter to still move in, and restrict Fetter's remedy to a claim for damages." Armand Derfner, one of the lawyers representing Fetter, noted that the earlier court ruling which the Court of Appeals upheld awarded Fetter legal fees along with the return of a $17,000 deposit. Derfner otherwise declined to comment on the litigation and Fetter officials did not respond to phone messages. Chicora Life Center was seeking about $315,000 from Fetter for rent and renovation costs. In earlier bankruptcy court filings, the Chicora group was described as being owned by Utah lawyer Doug Durbano, family members of Charleston-area project manager Jeremy Blackburn and Trump, the former presidents eldest son. Ownership apparently changed after the settlement with Charleston County that concluded the bankruptcy case. When the lawsuit against the mental health agency was filed, Chicora was described as "a single member limited liability company" based in Layton, Utah, where Durbano's law firm is located. Durbano did not respond to an email seeking comment. John Massalon, Chicora's lawyer in both health provider lawsuits, did not respond to phone messages. The Chicora company could potentially ask the Court of Appeals to reconsider its Fetter ruling, or ask the state Supreme Court to hear an appeal. Meanwhile, Chicora is still pursuing a roughly $1.7 million lawsuit against the Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center. Like Fetter, the mental health center found the building unfinished and refused to move in. The health center is a facility of the S.C. Department of Mental Health. That case is still being defended by the Department of Mental Health and we are prepared to go to trial in December," lawyer Drew Butler said. Butler said the department's defense is similar to Fetter's in that both allege the building was not fit for use, despite North Charleston having issued a certificate of occupancy. He said depositions are ongoing, and he plans to seek summary judgement prior to trial. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. For months Democrat Annie Andrews failed to publicly disclose her personal finances as a South Carolina congressional candidate, only doing so this week after the S.C. Republican Party filed a complaint against her with the House Committee on Ethics. Andrews, a pediatrician at the Medical University of South Carolina, is running against Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in the coastal 1st Congressional District, the wealthiest in the state. In his five-sentence complaint emailed to the ethics panel Sept. 21, state GOP Chairman Drew McKissick highlighted the fast-approaching Nov. 8 elections and Andrews' missing financial disclosure report. "What is Democrat Annie Andrews hiding? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to file these reports, but even if they were challenging, are they too complicated for a doctor?" McKissick told The Post and Courier after sending the complaint. "Either Andrews can't figure out how to file them or ask for an extension, or she's hiding something," he added." We're not sure which reason is worse." The Ethics in Government Act requires congressional members and U.S. House candidates, along with officers and certain employees, to file annual financial disclosure statements. The document details personal investments, employment and side income, as well as debts, from mortgages to outstanding student loans. It must be filed shortly after a candidate raises or spends $5,000 in campaign cash, according to House ethics guidelines and federal law. Andrews jumped into Charleston's race for Congress on Nov. 8, 2021, and reported raising more than $200,000 in the first 24 hours of her campaign launch. When asked about the missing report, the Andrews campaign said it was an oversight and that they received "no communication or notice about this particular filing." "(We) only found out after you brought it to our attention," said Bri Carpenter, Andrews' campaign manager. The financial reporting requirement for U.S. House candidates is not new, and deadlines and forms are publicly listed on the committee's website, where it states: "The next annual Financial Disclosure Statement will cover 2021 and must be filed on or before May 16, 2022." The standard fine for a late personal financial disclosure filing is $200, payable to the U.S. Treasury. Mace filed her financial disclosure report on May 16, the deadline. In a statement, Carpenter said Andrews "immediately began the process of completing her full financial disclosure" after the newspaper asked about it, and said Andrews submitted her report Sept. 22. But in the same statement, the Andrews campaign also slammed Mace for failing to pay the thousands she still owes the state Ethics Commission from when she served in the S.C. Legislature. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! The fines, which now total $16,600 as of Sept. 12, are because Mace has been months-late in filing various campaign reports for her S.C. House campaign account that she hasn't closed. "Considering Nancy Mace has been slapped with fine after fine by ethics officials for years of missing deadlines to file standard paperwork, its pretty comical that her cronies at the SCGOP now want to make this a campaign issue," Carpenter said. As part of The Post and Courier's "Uncovered" investigation, the newspaper asked Mace about these unpaid fines in 2021 when Mace then had a $5,100 fine which must be paid out of pocket and not with campaign money. At the time, her spokeswoman said Mace would address the fine and close the account. "Its time for Nancy Mace to tell the people of South Carolina why she believes the rules should apply to everyone but her and why she chose to lie about paying her debts," Carpenter said. The Mace campaign responded by characterizing the attack as an attempt to shift the focus away from Andrews' mistake. The campaign also said they are in the process of addressing the outstanding fines and closing the Statehouse account. They did not directly state why the debt has not been addressed to date. "There's no changing the subject: Nancy Mace has never failed required disclosure of her personal finances, unlike her opponent who is hiding something. How much do taxpayers pay her to inject her politics into medical training at a children's hospital? Taxpayers deserve to know," said Austin McCubbin, Mace's campaign manager. A copy of the report, which was reviewed by The Post and Courier, shows Andrews made a combined $221,200 in earned income that came from a $19,000 salary from MUSC and a $206,200 salary from University Medical Associates, MUSC's doctors group. Mace's earned income lists her congressional salary: $174,000. It also shows Andrews' has a 30-year mortgage ranging from $250,001-$500,000 on a "vacation home," in addition to a 30-year mortgage on her principal residence in Mount Pleasant. The Charleston-anchored district hugs much of the southernmost part of the states coastline, from Hilton Head Island to parts of downtown Charleston, along with portions of Berkeley, Dorchester, Colleton and Jasper counties. The general election is set for Nov. 8. SPARTANBURG The official art agency for both the city and county of Spartanburg has received the largest donation of artwork in its history that has been appraised at more than $4 million. The Chapman Cultural Center has over 900 pieces of original work from late contemporary artist Carl Plansky. Two Spartanburg natives, Larry and Janice Elder, donated the artwork from their collection. For more than 18 years, the couple managed an art consultancy and gallery in Charlotte called the Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art. The Elders were friends with Plansky and collected his work. There are works on canvas and on paper, said Brant Bynum, immediate past chair of the Chapman Cultural Center board of trustees. Landscapes, florals and figurative works are the three main categories. The Chapman Cultural Center plans to debut some of Planskys work on Sept. 29. Plansky maintained studios in New York and Hungary. His work was influenced by the American abstract expressionist movement and his mentor Joan Mitchell. Planskys paintings were drawn from direct observation. He guided students at numerous colleges and universities including the New York Studio School. During the 1980s he began to make batches of handmade paints. Bynum is the chair of the Plansky Collection Committee. The committee was created so that people can become more familiar with Planskys work through events and exhibitions. There will be a rotating exhibition of the collection at the Chapman Cultural Center. Bynum hopes to debut pieces of Planskys work during shows in cities throughout South Carolina. He said the cost of the paintings depends on the size and subject matter. The largest painting from the collection is around $50,000, and there are smaller pieces that start at $975. Its unusual to have a collection where you can actually work behind the scenes in helping to catalog and pair the works with the descriptions, Bynum said. Bynum has spoken to an art history professor at Wofford College and wants to use the collection to work with students who are completing internships. Pieces from the collection will eventually be for sale, and all proceeds from the collection will go toward various programs at the Chapman Cultural Center. PACOLET A Pacolet Police Department officer is facing misconduct in office charges. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said Timothy Wayne Williams Jr., 30, of Pacolet, was arrested Sept. 21 and booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center. The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office requested the SLED investigation. According to warrants, between Nov. 17, 2021 and Jan. 26, 2022 Williams in his official capacity as a police officer with the Pacolet department improperly obtained information without a lawful reason from a Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office database and a South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles database. Williams also requested warrant searches through the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office database and provided the information to suspects of an active investigation in which one of the suspects was later charged with receiving stolen goods on Nov. 24, 2021. According to SLED, when the suspect was arrested in the stolen goods case, the sheriff's office executed a search warrant to forensically analyze his phone. On the phone, there were messages found between Williams and the suspect. The phone messages were exchanged between Nov. 16, 2021 and Nov. 18, 2021, according to the SLED report. The suspect requested Williams to find out through the sheriff's office database if they had any warrants on him. According to the SLED report, Williams allegedly used his South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles account to access a driver's license record and check a vehicle's identification number and informed the person making the request that the license had been suspended and the vehicle might have been stolen. Most of Pacolet's police department recently resigned, including the chief and three other full-time officers. That left just one full-time officer in the department. Town Councilman Daniel Hood told The Post and Courier on Sept. 22 that Williams was the remaining officer among those that resigned. SPARTANBURG Preconstruction work is set to begin on expanding Spartanburg County's trail network 15 miles along the Fairforest Creek Corridor. The project is funded by a $23.8 million grant through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding is part of a $1 billion infrastructure grant program that will fund 90 projects nationwide. County Council approved a $1.5 million request Sept. 19 from Laura Ringo, executive director of "Play, Advocate. Live Well," to fund the project's preconstruction needs. The county uses a "trail bank" using hospitality tax revenue to help fund trail construction projects with funding allocated each budget cycle depending on need. Ringo told The Post and Courier once the county and DOT select a contractor for the project, trail construction will begin within six to 12 months. Environmental assessments, land title searches, transportation planning and surveying of the properties will be part of the preconstruction work. "We are going to go ahead and start some preconstruction," Ringo said. "The county can't spend the money (federal grant) until the contract is executed so we wanted to set aside some money to go ahead and get started so we will be ready to spend the full amount and take full advantage of the grant." Fifty-six properties will be surveyed along the proposed trail expansion. The project is required to be completed by September 2029, according to Ringo. The project is among several planned to extend and better connect The Daniel Morgan Trail System. The system has 20 miles of trail and is projected to reach more than 55 miles of trail over the next seven years. "I think right now there are a number of projects under construction right now," Ringo said. "In five-to-seven years, we will double the amount of mileage we have now." Funding for construction of a new half-mile trail connecting the Lawsons Fork Creek Corridor to the Beaumont Community was also approved by County Council. The project's total cost is $475,000, of which $175,000 is provided through the Mary Black Foundation and $300,557 from the county's trail bank. Ringo said a retaining wall would be constructed as part of the plan because of the steep terrain along the route. The COVID-19 positivity rate on Guam continues to decrease along with many other places in the world, and while that is not a sign that the pandemic is close to being over, it's a good indicator that the island, and the world, is adjusting to living with COVID-19. What might be occurring is the move toward what they call 'endemicity,' which means it's becoming endemic and were just going to have to live with it, said Territorial Epidemiologist Ann Pobutsky. "It will be around, we will still track it, people can get treatment, they can get vaccinated, but right now the numbers are going down. We are following the pattern in the U.S., but in places like the Philippines, theres still a lot of cases." Guams seven-day rolling average of positive cases was fewer than 20 per day for the period from Aug. 24 to Sept. 20. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. We are looking really good, Pobutsky said. The overall and the local positivity rates have basically converged into one. A key indicator tracked by the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services and reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine the islands risk of transmission has been hospitals' COVID-19 patient occupancy, which has also declined. "Hospital is looking good. ... It's been decreasing. It has been below the surge level and the ICU has not gone above the surge level; deaths continue to be sporadic, Pobutsky said. On Thursday, the Joint Information Center reported the island's 401st COVID-19-related death, a 17-year-old male who tested positive Sept. 15. The teen had no record of vaccination, according to Guam Regional Medical City. Late reports There have been other recent reports of deaths related to COVID-19, but Pobutsky stressed those were late reports. We have had some recent reports, but those were late reports from death certificate review, Pobutsky said. "It sounds like it's a lot, that we are just over 400, but the last five cases were all late reports and they were all very elderly people." With deaths now exceeding the 400 mark, Pobutsky explained why there has been some late reporting of COVID-19-related deaths. Sometimes the hospitals dont report to us, and we get a late report and we find cases after death certificate review, she said. "Thats just it they are busy up there, they are doing other things and we get late reports. It's just the way it is." In fact, it's something theyve had to deal with since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Weve actually had this issue all along, where sometimes a case is not reported and we do find a death certificate where its one of the causes of death and then we adjust the count. Thats normal. Weve been doing this the whole time, Pobutsky said. Elderly populations are at high risk of mortality due to chronic conditions that make them more susceptible to the respiratory infection. The JIC reported 40 cases with variants of concern identified. The results were from virus samples collected on Guam from July 8 to July 21. The samples underwent genome sequencing by the CDC 32 were identified as the BA.5 omicron variant and eight identified as the BA.2 variant. Looking at the positivity rate by age groups, a convergence has occurred as anticipated by DPHSS despite the increase in symptomatic cases. The last couple of days we saw a lot of symptomatics (sic) but thats because this is after the weekend; we always see a bump, she said. It's the same as last week, we are looking really good. According to the CDC, Guams community level risk for COVID-19 is low. Health officials have attributed the decline to vaccinations. Robert Leon Guerrero, interim chief medical officer at DPHSS, continued to urge the community to vaccinate and noted that an annual COVID-19 immunization may be necessary in the future. We now have the bivalent booster and this is probably going to set the situation where we get annual COVID-19 shots, like the flu shots, Leon Guerrero said. "So this bivalent vaccine is probably going to be the last booster shot until next year." 'Scaling back operations' Patrick Luces, DPHSS incident commander, noted that as the positivity rate declines, operations also are being scaled down. As we hear the numbers going down, we are going to be scaling back operations," he said. "We did shut down the hotel testing sites over at PIC and Nikko on the 18th, so at the end of the month we will be closing the rest of our hotel testing sites." The vaccination center at the Agana Shopping Center will also be shutting its doors Sept. 30. That will be our last day; we encourage everyone to go and get vaccinated while we still have it open to the community or the public, he said. "After Sept. 30, you will be able to reach out to our northern and southern public health clinics." Until then, the Agana Shopping Center vaccination clinic is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. With positivity rates on the decline, weekly COVID-19 briefings will now be held every other week, with the next briefing set for Oct. 6. I wrote about the Alpha News/Trafalgar Groups poll of statewide races and issues in Minnesota here yesterday. Alpha News has posted the results here. Trafalgars Minnesota results should be encouraging to Republicans, as Trafalgars results are elsewhere. Today NROs Dan McLaughlin homes in on Trafalgars methodology. McLaughlin interviewed Trafalgars Robert Cahaly and summarized the key points in an excellent column that is unfortunately posted behind NROs paywall. However, Liz Collin also caught up with Cahaly by cellphone for an interview that Alpha News has posted in Rose Williamss story here. Williamss story and Lizs interview are both freely accessible at the link. I have embedded the video below. A hallmark of banana republics is that those who lose power are apt to wind up in prison, or on the wrong end of a firing squad. Even more advanced countries, like Israel, sometimes have a regrettable tendency to prosecute former political leaders. It is hard to think of anything more destructive to a democracy, and yet the Democrats are going down that path. It seems clear that they intend to bring criminal charges against President Trump over his keeping some White House documents at Mar-a-Lagoa trivial offense, as far as anyone knows. And thats not all. The Department of Justice has issued subpoenas to a large number of people who were associated in some way with the Trump campaign or administration. They generally seek information about efforts to challenge the reported election results in several states. A copy of one of the subpoenas, with the name of the person who was served redacted, is linked below. Take a look at the scope of the documents the subject of the subpoena is required to produce: 594129794-Redacted-Subpoena Nearly all of the documents relate to activities that are plainly lawful. Alleging or denying the existence of fraud in the 2020 election, offering evidence of such fraud or the absence of such fraud, planning to have someone serve as a Trump elector, arguing that the vice president has important constitutional powers in the context of certifying a presidential election, discussing strategies whereby Donald Trump might be found, legally, to have won the 2020 electionthese are all legal activities that have long been engaged in by members of both parties. There are also requests relating to the funding of efforts to contest the 2020 election and for the rally that occurred on January 6, 2021. These, too, were perfectly legal activities. On top of those subject matter categories, there are requests for copies of all communications with around 100 persons, a few of whom are my friends. Others are current or recently retired Republican politicians. In addition to these documents, the subpoenas recipients may be called for testimony. The documents are to be presented to a D.C. grand jury that is conducting an investigation of possible violations of federal criminal laws. What violations are those? Almost all of the evidence called for by the subpoena relates to plainly legal post-elections activities. Are the Democrats trying to criminalize criticism of loose voting practices, or questioning the accuracy of official voting results (as long as a Democrat was declared the winner)? It certainly looks that way. Then we have the case of Gavin Newsom, who has called for a Department of Justice investigation into Governor DeSantiss shipment of 50 illegal immigrants to Marthas Vineyard, which Newsom deems illegal for no particular reason. The real offense, no doubt, is punking the Democratic Party. Ironically, there unquestionably is illegality here: the illegality of 50 aliens crossing the border in violation of our immigration laws. But that actual illegality is not what Newsom is concerned with. And then there is Texas Sheriff Javier Salazar, who announced that he is opening a criminal investigation into the transport of illegals to Marthas Vineyard. The alleged crime? Who knows? Salazar said it was not clear whether any laws had been broken, but he said that 48 migrants appeared to have been lured under false pretenses into staying at a hotel for a couple of days before they were flown to Florida and Marthas Vineyard. *** Salazar said his offices organized crime investigators would handle the investigation. So far, of course, no criminal investigations have been launched into Joe Bidens shipping of illegal aliens to many points across the country, often in the dead of night, for the last year and a half. More examples could be multiplied. Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon likely will go to jail for contempt of Congress, the same offense that former Attorney General Eric Holder was held to have committed by a bipartisan 25567 vote of the House of Representatives. But unlike Bannon, Holder was not prosecuted. He now makes millions as a partner in a prominent Washington, D.C. law firm. Given the thorough corruption of the Department of Justice under Merrick Garland, there is a reasonable possibility that the Democrats will move to imprison both Donald Trump and other prominent Republicans. I suppose they think they are secure, because Republicans would never follow such a third-world precedent when they regain power. I dont know about that. In any event, there is a more fundamental question: are the Democrats trying to trigger a civil war, as they did in 1861? Judging from their actions, I think the question must be taken seriously. Politicos West Wing Playbook dubs Fox News reporter Bill Melugin a [Peter] Doocy on the border. Both Melugin and Doocy defy the White House yen for the love slathered on it approximately everywhere else in the media. I thought readers who havent seen this might find it of interest in a variety of respects. Yesterday the Playbook reporters added a footnote via a Democratic source who complained that they had left out the best part regarding Melugins former part-time job as an Abercrombie & Fitch employee. However, their source had it wrong. This is the best part. * * * * * Theres a tall Fox News reporter in his mid-30s with slicked back hair and an air of combative indignation who is getting under the skin of some people in JOE BIDENs administration. And hes not PETER DOOCY. BILL MELUGIN, a former local Los Angeles Emmy-winning reporter, has become a growing presence online and in broader political circles as Foxs go-to reporter at the U.S. southern border. Hes done hundreds of television hits since joining the network last year, largely from border states, where he often focuses on the historic flow of migrants that are overwhelming communities there. In recent days, several current and former White House and administration officials expressed to West Wing Playbook their increasing frustration with his on-air coverage, arguing that there is an alarmist quality to it, designed to feed political narratives rather than illuminate the actual issues feeding the migrant flow. Last week, he was the first to break the news that Florida Gov. RON DESANTIS chartered two planes to transport 50 Venezuelan migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard to make a political statement about immigration. He followed up that story with appearances on Fox News opinion primetime which some of Foxs straight news reporters notably avoid and a series of exclusives on DeSantis escalating fight with the Biden White House over migrants. Immigration has been a key issue that has filled many hours of programming for Fox News since its inception. The network regularly dispatches people to the border to cover illegal border crossings, stoking fears about caravans of immigrants. The coverage is often accompanied by stories of crimes committed, despite studies showing the immigrants have a lower propensity for committing such acts. But Melugin has helped usher in a new style of coverage of the issue by the network. He is part of a more technologically savvy generation of Fox reporters and producers whose work leans more heavily on on-the-ground reporting augmented by soaring aerial drone footage of migrants crossing the border. The technique gives the story a dramatic visual scale that Fox pundits use to bolster their arguments about the enormity of the problem (Fox has built up its flight team in recent years to incorporate aerial drone footage into the networks coverage.) Last year, Fox clashed with the Federal Aviation Administration over its use of drones to cover border migration in Texas after claiming the agency temporarily restricted drone use in the area. (The FAA said it first learned of drones being grounded from Fox reports claiming the agency was trying to keep Fox News from covering what is happening.) As Melugin has become an increasingly visible figure on the network, his coverage has caught the attention of the White House, which has become increasingly irritated by his reporting. During a press conference last week, press secretary KARINE JEAN-PIERRE noted that Fox News got the heads up on the Marthas Vineyard flight before local, state and federal agencies. The fact that Fox News and not the Department of Homeland Security, the city, or local NGOs were alerted about a plan to leave migrants, including children, on the side of a busy D.C. street makes clear that this is just a cruel, premeditated political stunt, she said. One administration official who used to work on immigration issues told West Wing Playbook that the Biden team has complained about the lack of nuance in the networks coverage of the topic, which focuses more on the number of migrants rather than explaining the root causes of the situation. Another administration official believes that the conservative network amps up border coverage whenever there are bad headlines for conservatives in the news. * * * * * Read the whole thing here. It is all worth reading. See if you can decipher the concluding sentence: Top White House officials like RON KLAIN, ANITA DUNN, and others have made it clear to staff that they are aware of the powerfulness of immigration as a wedge issue for Republicans. We have learned in recent weeks that there is such a thing as an Archivist of the United States at the head of the National Archives and Records Administration and that the position is not unimportant. President Biden has nominated one Colleen Shogan to fill the position and she appeared for a confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security Committee yesterday. C-SPAN has posted video of the hearing here. ABC News reports on the hearing here with some useful background. Senator Josh Hawley examined Shogan concerning her 2007 Perspectives on Politics article Anti-intellectualism in the Modern Presidency: Republican Populism. (Perspectives on Politics is the American Political Science Associations flagship journal.) In C-SPANs summary, Shogan says the article was about Republican presidents use of rhetoric and their success connecting with the American people. She also says that she is non-partisan and has a demonstrated record during her 15 years of service at the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress, and the White House Historical Association. Senator Hawley questioned Shogan closely about the article (video clip below). His examination of her is exemplary. It is amazing how disingenuous Shogan is and how Hawley is able to expose her evasions so quickly. I have your article. Dont dissemble in front of me, he told her. Nevertheless, she persisted. Quotable quote (Senator Hawley): Its not your view? Why did you write it? Flutterwave, Africas leading payments technology company, today announced Google Pay, a mobile payment service developed by Google, as a payment method on Flutterwave. As part of this collaboration, Google Pay will serve as an additional payment option for merchants on Flutterwave for business. This collaboration will offer safe and seamless payments, as well as convenient checkout experiences for customers. Google Pay is a safe, simple, and helpful way to make contactless payments in-store and also payments in apps and on the web. Users store their cards for Google Pay in Google Wallet, a digital wallet app that is available on supported Android smartphones, tablets or watches. With this collaboration, Google Pay users in supported countries across the world can pay businesses on Flutterwave across Africa. With an average transaction completion time of 3 minutes, this integration is slated to reduce cart abandonment rate for businesses on Flutterwave. How it Works 1. Get on a Flutterwave-supported website 2. Select what you want to pay for 3. Fill the order form 4. Select Pay with Google Pay as your payment method 5. Complete the payment with your Google Pay details. To get paid via Google Pay, Flutterwave merchants must manually opt-in on their dashboard. READ ALSO: Flutterwave enables eNaira collections for businesses in Nigeria Olugbenga GB Agboola, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, said, The continued and rapid growth of Flutterwave is due to our commitment to building a platform with simplified payments for everyone. The GooglePay payment option will attract more international customers and increase the current success rates for businesses on Flutterwave. Integrating with Google pay will allow users across the globe to participate in the booming e- commerce ecosystem in Africa. It will enable us to further fulfil our promise of creating endless possibilities for all. About Flutterwave Flutterwave is a leading African payments technology company that enables businesses across the world to expand their operations in Africa and other emerging markets through a platform that enables cross-border transactions via one API. Flutterwave has processed over 200M transactions worth over USD $16B to date and serves more than 900,000 businesses, including customers like Uber, Flywire, Booking.com, etc. The Companys key advantage is international payment processing in 150 currencies and multiple payment modes, including local and international cards, mobile wallets, bank transfers, Barter by Flutterwave etc. Flutterwave has an infrastructure reach in over 34 African countries, including Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa. For more information on Flutterwaves journey, please visit: www.flutterwave.com The payments, testimony showed, were made to secure the oil licenses of Ashland Inc., an American energy firm that had fallen into dispute with Nigerian authorities. Addax had also set up Swiss accounts for Mr Abachas two oldest sons, and used Swiss banks to funnel millions in illicit commissions to Nigerian officials, the case showed. Now, OCCRP has uncovered new evidence that executives at the Addax and Oryx Group (AOG), the investment firm that owned Addax, maintained secret financial ties with politicians in West and Central Africa as Addax prospered. Like the bribes, this money was also routed through the Swiss banking system. Among those to benefit were Umaru Ali Shinkafi, a former Nigerian spy chief whose ties to the company were not publicly reported. Mr Shinkafi also held a valuable stake in AOG by 2015, according to a share register obtained by OCCRP. Olanrewaju Suraju, a Nigerian anti-corruption activist and chairman of Human and Environmental Development Agenda, said that given Addaxs track record of bribery to people surrounding the Abacha government, it was possible the newly discovered accounts were also intended as payments for government officials. In total, four employees of Addax and AOG held five joint accounts with these politicians at Credit Suisse, starting as early as the mid-1990s according to the leaked Suisse Secrets data. Some remained open well into the last decade. The account-holders included one of Mr Shinkafis long-time associates, as well as multiple political figures in Senegal and the Republic of the Congo, countries where Addax and AOG also operated. The federal government says the economic blueprint recently unveiled by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, is a crude attempt at copying all that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has done. Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, told journalists in Abuja on Thursday that Atikus blueprint is a poor version of the present governments economic strides. Atiku had earlier in the month presented his economic blueprint at a private sector forum organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI). He said the blueprint unveiled by Atiku in Lagos the previous week did not offer anything new in job creation, infrastructure financing and relationship with the private sector. According to the minister, other areas poorly copied by Atiku in the blueprint were the rejuvenation of the power sector, poverty reduction, debt management and the overall management of the economy. It is shocking that an opposition that has condemned all that this administration has done will turn around to weave its so-called economic blueprint around the same things that are currently being done. This news conference is aimed at exposing the hypocrisy in an opposition that condemns an administration while showcasing a blueprint that is nothing, but a poor version of whats on the ground, he said. READ ALSO: Buttressing his point, Mr Mohammed said the position of Atiku in the blueprint that reducing infrastructure deficit will enhance economy, unleash growth and wealth creation, is not novel. No one understands this better than this sitting administration. Even our worst critics will agree that our record on infrastructure development is next to none in the history of this country. Across the country, we have constructed 8,352.94 kilometres of roads, rehabilitated 7,936.05 kilometres of roads, constructed 299 bridges, maintained 312 bridges and created 302,039 jobs in the process. We have also delivered houses in 34 states of the federation under the first phase of the National Housing Project. We were able to achieve these through a combination of budget increase and innovative infrastructure financing methods, the minister stressed. Mr Mohammed recalled that before the Buhari administration came to power, the budget for the roads component of the Federal Ministry of Works was a meagre N18.132 billion. He added that when Mr Buhari got into office in 2015, the budget for the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing increased exponentially to N260.082 billion in 2016. The budget also increased to N274.252 billion in 2017; to N356.773 billion in 2018; to N223.255 billion in 2019; to N227.963 billion in 2020 and N241.864 billion in 2021, he added. Therefore, for anyone using this as a campaign stunt without acknowledging what we have done so far is cheap and disingenuous. Let me say that I am not very surprised that His Excellency the former vice president only reeled out, in his so-called economic blueprint, what we have been doing in the past seven years plus. Thats what you get from someone who leaves the country after losing an election, only to parachute into town when another election is due, Mr Mohammed stressed. The minister commended Buharis government for engaging in massive infrastructure development despite the paucity of resources. (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday called on African countries and their Arab partners to work hard and be more united to realise common objectives. Speaking at a bilateral meeting with the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, in New York, President Buhari said the actualisation of the UN resolution which proposed a Two-State solution to the crisis between Israel and Palestine required a platform to think creatively on how to engage the rest of the world on the matter. The rest of the world need to be apprised on current state of things between Palestine and Israel in order to commit to the way forward. There should be a better collaboration between African countries on one side and our Arab bothers to get to the end of this matter, the president said. The Palestinian President had visited his Nigerian counterpart to thank him for being a consistent supporter of the Palestinian cause even as he reflected it in his (Buharis) address at the floor of the General Assembly and to solicit his support by rallying other African countries to their side. He regretted that the Palestinian issue had dragged for a long time without commensurate progress, adding that there is a daily loss of lives on the Palestinian side. Mr Abbas added that Palestinians had decided to pursue a peaceful path towards resolving the matter by relying on nations like Nigeria to help in a peaceful resolution of the Two-State solution as recommended by the United Nations Resolution. In another meeting with Mahamadou Issoufou, former President of Niger Republic and Special envoy of the UN and African Union on Joint Strategic Assessment and Governance Situation in the Sahel, President Buhari assured the Special Envoy of the support of Nigeria in the discharge of his assignment bordering on seeking political and economic solutions to issues confronting countries in the Sahel. President Buhari stressed the essence of a collaboration between the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Green Great Wall in order to combat the desertification spreading across some African states as well as finding practical solutions to the displacement of over 30 million persons whose means of livelihood depended on the shrunken Lake Chad. The president expressed optimism that with his wealth of experience and capacity, Mr Issoufou will get the job done. The former Nigerien leader had informed President Buhari that they required Nigerian support to raise funds for their activities especially as desertification is spreading across a number of African countries and most of the countries are severely challenged. He added that the committee needed to visit the countries involved to know their specific needs and would, at this instance, be in Nigeria in October this year. He requested President Buhari to convene a side event at the COP 27 meeting in November in Egypt so that it can come up with a rich outcome for the committee to use as a basis for its report. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) September 21, 2022 The Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it will consider a request for the supply of fuel to fishers in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State. The Regional Coordinator of NMDPRA, South-south, George Ene-Ita, said this when the Chairman of Bakassi local council, Iyadim Iyadim, led a delegation of fishers to his office. Mr Ene-Ita said he would write a proposal to the management of NMDPRA with a view of bringing concerned authorities and interested public to discuss the matter. According to him, the cross border smuggling had caused the government to prohibit fuel stations located 25km to the border from lifting petroleum products. The policy is a remedial measure to curb cross border smuggling. In the interim, approval will be given and the modalities of the approval will be worked out by the NMDPRA regional office. Such approval will be subjected to the condition of holding the communities representatives accountable for any breach of product, he said. Earlier, the council chairman told the NMDPRA coordinator that the activities of fishers had declined because of lack of fuel to power their boats. He added that their source of livelihood was mainly fishing. At this point, the only option available to us is to travel from Bakassi to Calabar to source for petroleum product and in most cases, our people usually have problems with security agents. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation floating station which was supposed to serve the coastal communities has not been operational for years now, he said. (NAN) Students of Set 17 of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development Centre (LSD) have called on Nigerians to vote in leaders who will address major issues such as poverty and insecurity in 2023. They said while Nigeria will not be able to tackle insecurity until it addresses poverty, candidates who are running for different offices must make infrastructure, education and healthcare their priority. The students of the group, who have been on a 12-month-long leadership course, made the call at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday. Addressing journalists at the conference, Ojoba Daniels, governor of the group, said many Nigerians are hungry and desperate, hence the reason they have taken to crime. He admonished Nigerians to take the above premise for choosing the right leader that will enthrone the right leadership and good governance come 2023. Mr Daniels said the group deemed it necessary to address candidates and Nigerians now, especially as the nation prepare for general elections. He noted the worsening state of insecurity across the country characterised by kidnappings, banditry, and assassinations, among others. Mr Daniels also decried the growing fear within the federal capital, arising from recent attacks in several parts of the city, as well as threats from unknown sources. Due to the challenge of leadership and bad governance, he explained, citizens, who are vital resources to the development of Nigeria, are willingly leaving the country in droves and putting up their skills, knowledge, and potential to be used by foreign countries to develop or grow their human capital index. I believe one of the ways to tackle this problem is to go down to the grassroots, Mr Daniels said. We have to take care of the grassroots because if there is poverty in the land, there is every tendency that it will lead to insecurity because anyone that wants to feed might do anything. They (the government) should focus on the grassroots and tell them that they can take care of them. If you dont take care of those who are hungry in the land, insecurity will be there. Aisha Mohammed, a member of the group, said Nigerians should do more in holding elected officials to account. She urged citizens to hold elected officers accountable. If a candidate comes and says they would do this and it is not done with people talking about it, they would be forced to do it, she said. We will get to a point that if you dont have the capacity to work, you wont run. The group also called on Nigerians to ensure they collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and vote at the various level of elections national and state. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for 25 February while the governorship and state assembly elections for 11 March, 2022. Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has called for a strategic partnership with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) towards the delivery of intervention projects in higher institutions in the state. Mr Soludo made the call during a visit to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, in Abuja on Tuesday. He said such collaboration would bring about a more robust impact with regard to TETFund intervention projects in the state. We have a big dream, a big agenda to partner with you and other critical stakeholders to ensure we achieve desired results when it comes to the TETFUND project. The federal government is a very critical player in this field of education; as we know, education is on the concurrent list. The federal and states work together. The only way we can make it work for ourselves is to work together through collaboration, coordination, and cooperation. I will like us to work together in a whole lot of areas we are interested in and in some years to come, we will be able to say with partnership with TETFund, we were able to deliver A,B,C, D, Mr Soludo said. The governor commended TETFund for its various intervention projects across the country. He said the three state-owned tertiary institutions in Anambra Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra Polytechnic, and College of Education were eager to welcome more intervention projects from TETFund. He, however, expressed concern over the growing number of tertiary institutions in the country, saying government might find it difficult to adequately fund them in the future. With the tertiary institutions going the way they are now, there are still questions and issues we are not asking. At some point, we are going to ask whether or how the government will be able to fund or adequately fund the number or the plethora of institutions. But in the interim, before we get there, TETFund has been filling the gap in terms of infrastructure in our tertiary institutions, the governor said. Mr Soludo said that TETFund had done a lot in view of the limited resources available to it, compared to the massive needs of the higher education sector. He said, Even if the federal government is to spend its entire capital budget on education, it will not be enough to address all the issues. Responding, Mr Echono said the fund had continued to do a lot both in terms of infrastructure and academic content development. He said that TETFund projects were everywhere in tertiary institutions in Anambra, especially at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, adding that the fund would do more in the state-owned institutions. In Anambra, you will see a lot of our presence but I admit at the level of state institutions, we need to do more. TETFund has put in place mechanisms through specialised training to ensure Nigerian graduates are easily employable. The fund has trained over 35,000 academic staff with the Centre of Excellence churning out cutting-edge research to meet Nigerias developmental needs, he said. Mr Echono said that in the last 11 years, 35,000 academic staff had been trained in Masters and PhDs, saying that a lot had been done in the research component of its intervention. He said that the fund was also working on the employability of graduates by linking the institutions with industries. (NAN) Suspected armed robbers broke into the Baptist Day School at Alaaguntan area of Ewekoro Local Government, Ogun State, on Monday and carted away valuable items. The robbers, who invaded the school at midnight, broke in through the ceiling and found their way to the classrooms. They stole chairs, tables, the school bell, a wall clock, and some books. The school, comprising three blocks of classrooms housing over 40 pupils in different classes ranging from primary one to five, is located between Elebute and Alaaguntan areas in the local government. A resident in the area who requested not to be named said that Lafarge Plc built the school and handed it over to the state government. There are good chairs and tables in those classrooms, it is modern chairs and tables. I dont know what those robbers want to use them for, the resident said. Abdulwaheed Onigbinde, the village head of Elebute community, confirmed the attack on the school. I was informed that some robbers invaded the school and carted away chairs. We will need to report the case to Lafarge before going to the police station because it was the company that built the school, Mr Onigbinde said. One of the teachers said they got to the school and discovered that the ceiling was broken and some of the school properties were missing. We were all surprised and wondered what could have happened. Till this moment, we have not gotten anybody in connection with it, we suspected that it will be robbers, the teacher, who requested to remain anonymous because she was not authorised to speak to the media about the incident, said. We have informed Lafarge and I think the management has started an investigation. The police spokesperson in the state, Opeyemi Abimbola, said the police are not aware of the attack but will begin investigation. The management of Queens College, Yaba, Lagos has praised 14 of its students who sat the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and scored 300 and above out 400 scores. The Principal of the school, Tokunbo Yakubu-Oyinloye, speaking on the phone with a PREMIUM TIMES reporter on Monday, said 14 of the students scored more than 300 in the examination. The examination, which is conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is an entrance exam into higher institutions in the country. Mrs Yakubu-Oyinloye about 470 of the students also sat the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO). She, however, could not tell how many of the figure sat the UTME examination since they were not registered by the school. The principal said most of the students from the school who sat the examination scored above 200, but only 14 stood out with 300 and above marks. She added that all the students who took part in the examination were in their final class in the school when they sat the examination, saying it was illegal for non-finalists of the college to sit such exams. She said; We have over 470 students that sat SSCE. I am not sure how many of them sat UTME but most of them scored above 200 while 14 of them scored 300 and above. The government does not allow SS2 to sit SSCE, it is illegal. Meanwhile, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) revealed in July that 378,639 of the 1,761,338 who sat the 2022 UTME scored 200 and above, while a total of 520,596 candidates scored 190 and above. It was disclosed by the Registrar of JAMB, Is-haq Oloyede, during the 2022 policy meeting. Mr Oloyede had noted that Adebayo Eyimofe, an Ekiti State indigene, attained the highest score in the examination with a total of 362 marks. Schools efforts Speaking further, the school principal highlighted the schools efforts in helping the students prepare for the examinations, including the installation of learning software and training on computer-based test (CBT) test system. She said: We helped our students prepare well for UTME, we have a CBT centre, and we equip our computers with software that can train them in doing that. We gave them a compact disc (CD) to practice during a mid-term break at home and we also have ICT staff that could also train them on how to do the CBT exam on our computers. We also gave them sample past questions to prepare them ahead for the type of questions they would see in the examination. Best students Of the 14 students, Oti Esther scored the highest mark with a total of 338, followed closely by Oziu Lohechukwu with 334 and Kalu Nneoma, with 324. Others are Amadi Busonma, 319; Sotomiwa Oluwatomisin, 318; Okwudiri Pamela, 315; Alabi Damilola, 310; Akin Damilola, 310; Kemi Oluwafunmike, 309; Ajuwon Flourish-May, 307; Abdulsalam Fathia, 305; Ubakaeze Ginikachi, 302; Eze Esther, 300; and Nwankwo Chidera, 300. In a message posted on social media, the Queens College management and the Queens College Parents and Teachers Association (QCPTA), said they are proud to be associated with the academic excellence displayed by our outstanding Queens during the 2022 UTME. We admonish your younger ones in this great citadel of learning to shun all forms of distraction and focus on achieving academic excellence. We congratulate the college management and our amiable teachers for continually producing global champions, the message further reads. Global leaders must act now to reverse cuts to vital health services for women, children and adolescents caused by COVID-19, conflict and climate change. Decades of global effort to improve the health of women, children and adolescents and reduce gender inequity are being rolled back by a triple threat from conflict, climate change and COVID-19. Taking place alongside the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, tomorrows annual PMNCH Accountability Breakfast will highlight the need for urgent, targeted investment in programmes and policies to tackle the devastating social and economic impact of these crises on the health and wellbeing of vulnerable women, children and adolescents. It is clearer now than ever that collaboration is key to improving accountability, said the Rt Hon Helen Clark, PMNCH Board Chair and former Prime Minister of New Zealand. It is essential for citizens to be heard at the highest levels of government and leadership. Leaders need to understand what people want, and to play their part as champions in creating robust and responsive health systems and communities. The Accountability Breakfast is organized by PMNCH, the worlds largest alliance for womens, childrens and adolescents health, and co-hosted by Every Woman Every Child Latin America and Caribbean (EWEC LAC), with a special focus this year on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), including adolescent health and wellbeing issues. The issues being explored and lessons to be learned apply across the world, however, including in West Africa. Delegates from governments, NGOs, civil society, health professionals and youth organisations will explore key issues affecting women, children and adolescents. EWEC LAC will share findings from its new report, No Time to Lose: Health Challenges for Adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean. The report focuses on adolescents as a population in transition and in need of timely support before they reach adulthood. Decisions made during this life stage, such as pregnancy, sexual health, substance use and school completion, will often determine the rest of their lives. Over the past two decades a concerted global effort has improved the lives of millions of women, children and adolescents. The proportion of girls being educated globally, for example, rose from 73 percent in 1995 to 89 percent by 2020; the number of child brides reduced by 15 percent over the last decade, averting an estimated 25 million marriages; and there were three million fewer teen births per year since 2000. These gains, and many more, are now being undermined by COVID-19, climate change and conflict. Data from WHO and UNICEF shows that in 2021 alone, 25 million children did not receive the basic vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, a marker for immunization coverage in general. This represents the largest sustained drop-in rates of routine childhood vaccinations in a generation, potentially wiping out 30 years of progress. In 2022, 274 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection. This number is a significant increase from 235 million people a year ago, which was already the highest figure in decades. West and Central Africa has one of Africas largest displaced populations, with some 5.6 million internally displaced, 1.3 million refugees, 1.4 million returnees who still need assistance, and 1.6 million Stateless. In the Sahel region, armed conflict and attacks on civilians have displaced nearly three million people, nearly one million since January 2019. Burkina Faso, for example, has experienced a convergence of crises, including inter-ethnic violence, armed conflict, poverty, inequalities, food insecurity, and environmental change. As a result, over 1.4 million people have fled their homes in search of safety leading to one of the fastest-growing displacement and protection crises globally. The instability has also created cross-border movements. Since January 2021, more than 17,500 people have fled to neighbouring countries (Niger, Mali, Benin, and Cote dIvoire), nearly doubling the total number of Burkinabe refugees and asylum-seekers in just six months. Despite this internal turmoil, the Government of Burkina Faso continues to host over 22,700 refugees and asylum-seekers, most of them coming from Mali. A systematic review found that refugee, migrant and internally displaced girls and young women in Africa commonly lack access to sexual and reproductive health information, while simultaneously facing high risk of gender-based violence (GBV) including sexual violence. COVID-19 has led to food price hikes and overall increased cost-of living in many countries in East, Central and West Africa and other regions have been limiting accessibility to food and other essentials (even if food is available at increased prices in local markets). Fragile regions with already high poverty rates and precarious economic structures have been hit much harder than others because of the pandemic. As a consequence of climate change, newborns in Mali are likely to witness 9.9 times more crop failures during their lifetime than what their elders experienced. While stunting rates in Mali have steadily decreased by 36 percent since 2000, the nutritional situation of populations and notably of newborns and young children is threatened by climate change. The EWEC-LAC report finds that while LAC countries have made great strides in recent decades to improve health systems, inequalities still exist. Despite the introduction of more progressive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) policies and gains in service delivery, 24 million women in LAC have an unmet need for modern contraception, while the adolescent birth rate is the second highest in the world, after sub-Saharan Africa. Collectively, the Americas are among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 7.1 million cases and 1.7 million deaths as of June 2022, representing 25 percent of total global infections but less than eight percent of the global population. LAC adolescents have also been disproportionately affected. The region has the worlds longest uninterrupted school closures due to COVID-19 mitigation measures, with over 165 million students out-of-school. Adolescents in LAC are incredibly vulnerable to violence and mental health issues. The region has the highest homicide rate in the world, with young men (15 to 29 years old) in Central America killed at four times the global average. A large proportion of homicides are linked to locally and transnationally organized crime and gangs which, combined with poverty, has led many families across the region to flee their homes and seek safety in other countries. Worldwide, there are now around 470,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from the Central American Northern Triangle of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras alone, an increase of 33 percent as compared to 2018. Early marriage is much more prevalent in the Northern Triangle than in other countries in LAC. In Guatemala, the rate is 30 percent and in Honduras 34 percent compared to 12 percent across the LAC region overall. LAC has been disproportionately affected by climate change and natural disasters. Over the past 50 years, Latin America has experienced 4,500 natural disasters that have led to the deaths of 600,000 people and injury to three million. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that, by 2050, there could be up to 17 million internal climate migrants in Latin America. Children and teens across our region are at risk of becoming the generation that missed out on the health, education and economic opportunities that they needed to reach their fullest potential, said Dr Carissa Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) It is clear that we must act now to protect the future of our region. And we know how. Latin America and the Caribbean have made remarkable progress in recent decades to reduce childhood mortality and to expand access to health services. We must therefore lean on these past experiences and re-focus our efforts as we rebuild from this pandemic. Delegates at the PMNCH Accountability Breakfast on 22 September will call on LAC governments to take immediate action. They will call for the rapid implementation of pandemic response and recovery plans to restore health services to pre-pandemic levels, and to invest in sustainable financing and comprehensive, evidence-based and equitable programmes, policies and services to improve health outcomes among adolescents and their families, particularly those most vulnerable. Increased investment in universal health coverage (UHC), linked with social protection services, will support more cohesive and peaceful societies. Latin America and the Caribbean is a region disproportionately affected by the impacts of COVID-19, in addition to new and ongoing conflict, persistent violence and ever-growing concerns around climate change. We must increase the funding of programs that are tailored to the people who need them most, particularly addressing the challenges adolescents are experiencing in the region including mental health, adolescent pregnancy and access to education. This is the urgent work we must commit to today, so that we can, in fact, celebrate progress in the future, said H.E. Kersti Kaljulaid, the UN Secretary Generals Global Advocate for Every Woman, Every Child, former President of Estonia. I am calling for more accountability, and more proof that women, children and adolescents are the priority of governments and organizations. President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday expressed delight that investments in improving security are yielding good dividends, lauding the Nigerian military for making significant progress in the fight against insecurity and building the momentum in reducing challenges to their barest minimum. Speaking at the Nigeria International Economic Partnership Forum held on the margins of the 77th UN General Assembly in New York, the President pledged that the Federal Government would do more to improve security, recognising that the sector is another critical element in the flow of investment, and overall economic and infrastructural development. We will continue to give all necessary support to our security outfits to ensure that they are able to tackle the challenge headlong, he said, stressing that the advantages and disadvantages of investing in Nigeria far outweigh the challenges. President Buhari also declared that in spite of the global crisis fuelled by the Ukraine-Russian war, the lingering COVID-19 pandemic and insurgency in some parts of the country, Nigeria is on course to take her rightful place in the global economy. He attributed the countrys success story to the implementation of reforms aimed at attracting foreign investments and sustained improvement in governance. He noted that the quarterly GDP growth in Q1 2022 has been mostly driven by the non-oil sector, giving credence to the revenue source diversification agenda of the government. The president, however, acknowledged that more still needs to be done to improve private capital flows into Nigeria through Foreign Direct Investment and financing for infrastructure, affirming that the administration is leveraging the Integrated National Financing Strategy to address this. On growth driven by the non-oil sector, the president said: The agricultural sector, our most important, has remained resilient in spite of security concerns, low irrigation, limited inputs, and legacy infrastructure challenges, with strong food demand bolstering growth. Growth in manufacturing reflected stronger household and business consumption on account of the reopening of economic activities and improvement in supply chains. The present growth in our service sector is promising. Further privatization, foreign investment, globalization and competition will serve to stimulate growth and competition in the service sector and the economy as a whole. On the domestic front, the Federal Government is taking some bold, decisive and urgent action to address revenue underperformance, and improve our operations to make investment in Nigeria very attractive. Overall, the Nigerian economy is ripe for increased investment. But on the contrary, private capital flows into Nigeria, consisting mainly of Foreign Direct Investment, have slowed, hindering the financing of much-needed infrastructure and natural resource access projects. Our Administration is already working on innovative ways to restore these flows. The president who was represented at the opening session by the Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, told the international economic forum attended by Akinwumi Adesina, president of African Development Bank, and Florie Liser of the Corporate Council on Africa, among others that a key strategy being adopted to improve infrastructure financing is the Integrated National Financing Strategy. He explained that the strategy seeks to identify ways to expand the financing envelope of the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria and enhance the sustainable development impact of financing by seeking to integrate and align public and private financial policies, regulatory frameworks, instruments, and business processes with sustainable development. He added that the private sector would play a significant role in the strategy. The president also mentioned other efforts by his administration to improve the nations economic and development outlook, such as Nigerias National Development Plan (2021 2025) and the Presidential Power Initiative. On Nigerias National Development Plan, the president stated that it was formulated against the backdrop of several subsisting development challenges in the country and the need to tackle them within the framework of medium and long-term plans. This all-encompassing plan, aims to generate 21 million full-time jobs and lift 35 million people out of poverty by 2025, thus setting the stage for achieving the governments commitment of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years. To attain the objectives of the National Development Plan (2021 2025), we estimate that we would require an investment commitment of about N348 trillion. Government capital expenditure during the period will be N49.7 trillion (14.3 per cent) while the balance of N298.3 trillion (85.7 per cent) is expected from the private sector. Of the 14.3 per cent government contribution, FGN capital expenditure will be N29.6 trillion (8.5 per cent) while the Sub-National Governments capital expenditure is estimated to be about N20.1 trillion (5.8 per cent). The successful implementation of this Plan will, therefore, be heavily dependent on strong partnerships between the private and public sector, both within and with development partners outside Nigeria. Regarding the power sector, President Buhari noted that his administration has recognised it as a major catalyst for Nigerias industrialization, adding that in July 2021, the 614-kilometre Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project was launched to enhance energy security. Our administration also provided the sovereign guarantee for this vital infrastructure project. When completed, this project will drive industrialization across the country. Furthermore, the first phase of the Presidential Power Initiative will provide over 40 million people with more reliable electricity supply, create 11,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians. This will be from power system engineers to electricians and contractors, and this will, in turn, improve the standard of living while providing homes and businesses with constant, reliable, and affordable electricity supply. The president recalled that at the commencement of his administration, N200 billion was paid for stranded power to service existing liabilities: Contract terms in Power Purchase Agreements were changed from Take or Pay to Take and Pay. Similarly, the Distribution Companies were made to use banks for bill collections prior to this, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was getting only 50 per cent of proceeds. Now, TCN is financially viable and can invest in its own infrastructure. Wishing the forum very successful deliberations, President Buhari assured them that the Federal Government of Nigeria is very keen to consider the outcome of the deliberations and recommendations to elevate the Nigeria project to its rightful place of magnitude. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it is waiting for its lawyers for professional advice, following the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) order restraining it from continuing with strike. The President of the Union, Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday. The union had embarked on the industrial action in February to press home improved academic environment and welfare of members. Some of the lecturers demands are funding of the Revitalisation of Public Universities, Earned Academic Allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) and promotion arrears. Others are the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FG Agreement and the inconsistency in Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System. The strike entered its seventh month before the federal government instituted a suit before the court to halt it to enable students resume. This followed the failure of government and the union to reach workable agreements. However, students through the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) have embarked on protests by blocking the entrance to the international airport, Lagos, and have threatened to block other major roads, if the demands were not met by government. The NICN granted the order pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court, at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, pursuant to his powers, as provided in Section 17 of the Trade Dispute Act, 2004, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. Ruling on the application brought by the federal government, the applicant/claimant, Justice Polycarp Hamman held that since the issues in dispute have been referred to the court, ASUU (the defendants) should not take part in any further strike, pending the determination of the substantive suit. According to Mr Hamman, the argument of Femi Falana, the counsel to the defendants, that the act of the applicants had been concluded is of no moment and flies in the face of Exhibit 2 dated August 29, 2022. Mr Hamman noted that as of the time of reading his ruling on Wednesday, the strike action embarked upon by the defendants on February 14 had not ended. He maintained that workers cannot go on strike when relevant sections of the TDA have been complied with by the Minister of Labour in conciliating a labour dispute. He praised the minister for acting in national interest by referring the matter to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. While noting that the balance of convenience is crucial to determining an application for interlocutory injunction, Mr Hamman stated that the balance of convenience tilts in favour of the claimants who own the universities and taken into consideration the interest of the students, whose parents cannot afford private universities in Nigeria or abroad. He insisted that the strike inflicted irreparable damage to public university education in the country, lamenting that university students have been out of school for eight months in a country where age is considered for employment and enrollment into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Nigerian Army, Air Force, Navy and and paramilitary organisations. Justice Hamman dismissed the claim by the defendants counsel that the strike was prompted by serial breach of agreement by the federal government, saying since the matter has been referred to the Industrial Court by the Minister of Labour and Employment, the defendants are mandated by the law not to engage in any further strike, pending the determination of the substantive matter. He said: Section 18 Subsection 1 of the TDA, 2004, connotes an obligation, which is mandatory and leaves no room for discretion. Section 18 (2) criminalises any contravention of 18(1) and imposes the fine of N100 or imprisonment for six months for an individual and N1000 for a corporate body. In this circumstance and on the strength of Section 254.6.(1) b of the constitution, Section 18(1) e of the TDA, Section 7(1) e, 16 and 19 b of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria Act 2006, I hold that this application is meritorious and same is hereby granted. Justice Hamman further held that the rephrase by Mr Falana that the court should grant accelerated hearing of the application in place of injunctive relief is of no moment, going by the rules of the court. He maintained that the applicants met the requirements for granting of an injunction, contrary fo the argument of Falana. Reacting inside the courtroom, lead counsel to the federal government, James Igwe, said: I thank his Lordship for the ruling, rendered with unparalleled erudition, scholarly analysis and research and which took into cognisance of education as being basic to education in Nigeria. (NAN) The former governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, had a private arrangement with the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, to shortchange Governor Nyesom Wike and other aspirants at the party presidential primary. Mr Jang, an ally of Mr Wike, stated this Wednesday after a meeting of PDP members led by Governor Wike in Port Harcourt. A video of Mr Jang making the statement was posted on Facebook by Channels television. Mr Tambuwal, who has been named as the director general of Atiku presidential campaign committee, was one of the partys presidential aspirants. He, however, made a last-minute withdrawal and urged his supporters to vote for the former vice president, Atiku, at the PDP convention. Buoyed by the withdrawal, Atiku defeated Governor Wike and other aspirants to emerge as the party presidential candidate. Hours after the convention, Mr Ayu visited the Sokoto governor at his Abujas residence, apparently to thank him for stepping down for Mr Atiku. Mr Ayus arrival at Mr Tabuwals residence was captured in a video clip. Thank you, thank you. You are the hero of the convention, Mr Ayu told his host. Speaking after the meeting of the Mr Wike-led group in Port Harcourt, Mr Jang described Mr Ayu as a referee who helped one of the sides to score a goal and blow the whistle afterwards. For the National Chairman, Ayu, to go and embrace Aminu Tambuwal, calling him the hero of the convention which means there was a private arrangement that was done with Tambuwal to shortchange other contestants, including Governor Nyesom Wike. Here was a referee who now helped one of the sides to score a goal and then blew a whistle that a goal had been scored. This is not what we formed the PDP to do for Nigerians and therefore we unequivocally ask that Ayu has to step down, Mr Jang said. The meeting, which was held at the private residence of Mr Wike in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, came less than a week after the party appointed some members of the group into Atikus campaign committee. Members of the group have, however, vowed not to participate in the campaign committee except Mr Ayu leaves office. The PDP has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis after its presidential primary in May. Mr Wikes group is demanding the resignation of the national chairman to achieve a regional balance since Messrs Ayu and Atiku are both from the north, but Mr Ayu has insisted he was elected for a four-year term. The Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Walid jibrin, who is also from the northern state of Nasarawa, resigned, and was replaced with the Deputy Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, a former senate president from Abia State in the south-east, apparently to placate Mr Wike and his group. However, Mr Wikes camp, not impressed with Mr Jibrins resignation, has insisted Mr Ayu must step down. PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately reach Messrs Ayu and Tambuwal for comments on the matter. Two police officers were injured on Wednesday night when gunmen attacked police officers at a checkpoint in Umuahia, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigerias South-east. The incident happened around 8 p.m. in front of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the police. The gunmen were said to have opened fire on the officers, causing two of them to sustain gunshot injuries. The police spokesperson in Abia State, Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the attack to PREMIUM TIMES, Thursday morning. He, however, debunked reports that the attack happened at the SCID headquarters. Mr Ogbonna said although the officers were supposed to be at the headquarters to beef up security, they were attacked outside the facility during a routine stop and search operation. Two of the officers were injured and their rifles taken away by the gunmen, he said. Mr Ogbonna, a superintendent of police, said the injured officers had been taken to a hospital for treatment. He said the police were investigating the attack and have launched an operation to track down the fleeing suspects. The police spokesperson urged residents of the state to provide the police with information that can help the investigation. Worsening insecurity Security has deteriorated in Nigerias South-east with frequent attacks by armed persons across the region. The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities. The latest incident came about one year after the SCID in Umuahia was attacked by gunmen. The Nigerian government has accused the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied their involvement in the attacks. The separatist group is leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria. The leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu, is being detained in Abuja where he is facing trial for terrorism. The Nigerian government says it hopes to raise electricity supply in the country to a minimum of 7,000 megawatts with the supply of new power equipment by Siemens. The managing director and chief executive officer of FGN Power Company, Kenny Anuwe, said this at the Nigerian Energy Conference and Exhibitions in Lagos, on Wednesday, according to The Cable. The first set of the equipment, which arrived Nigeria over a week ago, will be unveiled in Lagos in the third week of October, and a second set in Abuja at a later time, according to Mr Anuwe. The Nigerian government in 2019 signed the Electricity Road Map agreement with the German-based Siemens with the aim of modernising the countrys national grid, and achieving 7,000 megawatts by 2021, 11,000 megawatts by 2023 and 25,000 megawatts by 2025. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) allocated 62.9 million and $1.9 million in December 2021 for the Presidential Power Initiatives first phase (PPI) to drive the project. Mr Anuwe said equipment shipped to the country by Siemens include transformers and transportable substations. He said the equipment were specifically created to meet Nigerias power supply needs. With the rate of work being done into the project so far, I believe we will exceed 7,000 megawatts, Mr Anuwe said. But this is our first objective and we are not taking our eyes off that ball. We want to hit that target and to exceed it and that is a confirmation that improvement in electricity supply is doable. Calls for the return of stolen artefacts have been renewed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Britainss longest reigning monarch. Citizens of South Africa and India say their countries own some of the worlds most expensive treasures, used by the British monarch, and have asked the royal family to return them to their countries of origin. Upon the Queens death, South Africans started trending Great Star of Africa on Twitter with tweets asking that the biggest stone cut from the Cullinan diamond, discovered in a South African mine in 1905, be returned. A Twitter user, @KimataVedastus wrote, now its time to take back our Great Star of Africa :Cullinan I(Diamond) to South Africa. Thats the symbol of African greatness, the power of African God blessings. It shows how Africa is rich but you dont even get tired of stealing its resources. The Great Star of Africa or Cullinan I (diamond), is cut from a larger gem that was mined in South Africa in 1905 and handed over to the British royal family by South Africas colonial authorities. It is currently mounted on a royal sceptre belonging to the Queen. It was added to the royal sceptre with a cross, which dates back to the 1600s, and used during coronation ceremonies in 1910. It is also on public display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. It is the largest gem-quality uncut diamond ever found. Another diamond obtained from the source (the Cullinan) is set in the Imperial State Crown. Known as the Second Star of Africa, it was made for the coronation of King George VI in 1937 and worn by the monarch upon leaving Westminster Abbey after the coronation. The same crown was placed on Queen Elizabeths coffin as she lay in state at Westminster Hall. According to Britannica, the colourless stone was purchased by the Transvaal government and was presented in 1907 to the reigning British monarch, King Edward VII. It was cut into 9 large stones and about 100 smaller ones by I.J. Asscher and Company of Amsterdam, famed for their cutting of the Excelsior diamond, which until the discovery of the Cullinan had been the largest known diamond. The stones cut from the Cullinan diamond are now part of the British regalia. Over 7,000 people have signed a Change.org petition asking for the return of the Cullinan diamond to South Africa. Almost simultaneously, Indians on Twitter also started a campaign asking the monarch to return the Kohinoor. The 105.6-carat Kohinoor diamond was mined in India thousands of years ago and is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world. It was initially worn as a brooch by Queen Victoria and later mounted on the crowns of Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary. It is currently set in a crown that was created for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother for her coronation as queen consort in 1937. She wore it again at the coronation of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. It is on public display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London and will reportedly be worn by Camilla, Queen Consort, at King Charles IIIs coronation. READ ALSO: South African journalist criminally charged over report on former President Zuma The true origin of the Kohinoor is however in question as several countries including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India have laid claim to it demanding its return. In 2010, the then British Prime Minister, David Cameron, during a two-day visit to India, said the diamond was staying put in Britain amidst calls from India to return the diamond as atonement for the colonial past. Six years after (2016), the Indian Culture Ministry said it would make all possible efforts to have the diamond returned to India. Indian journalist Aditya Kaul said the best way for the British Royal Family to give farewell to Queen Elizabeth would be to do a historic course correction; apologize to South Africa, India and other former colonies where people were persecuted, looted and treated as slaves and return the stolen diamonds and Kohinoor. There has yet to be any official statement from the governments of India and South Africa on these calls. Chiamaka Okafor 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 Police have arrested a human rights activist, Zainab Duke, and her two domestic staff for allegedly assaulting and brutalising a female officer. Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday. He identified the policewoman as Teju Moses, an inspector, who was assigned to the activist as an orderly. A video of the brutality went viral on Wednesday where the incident was said to have occurred at the Area 11 axis of Abuja. The orderly was captured seated on a floor, with part of her face and uniform covered with blood stains. From the left side of her forehead flowed blood as she wept in excruciating pain while struggling to stay alive. All she kept asking was to be taken to the hospital to save her life. She told her boys to kill me, she said incoherently as she spoke to her direct superior on the phone to be allowed to be taken to the hospital. Nigerians on social media have since condemned the brutal act. Express prosecution Reacting to the incident, Mr Adejobi who also shared pictures of two persons in police custody said the activist and two of her domestic staff have been arrested while one other staff is on the run. He said the inspector General of police, Usman Alkali has ordered an immediate prosecution of the case and withdrawal of all police personnel attached to the activist. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc, has strongly condemned the grievous assault of a female Police Officer, Inspector Teju Moses, by her principal who is a Legal practitioner and human rights activist, Prof. Zainab Duke Abiola and her domestic staff comprising the house maid, one Rebecca Enechido and a male suspect currently at large. Zainab Duke, an Mbaise born activist, grievously assaulted her orderly in company of some accomplices on Tuesday 20th September, 2022 at her residence in Garki, Abuja, due to the refusal of the orderly to breach professional ethics by carrying out menial and domestic chores at her house. READ ALSO: Police launch investigation into family allegedly brutalised by officers The IGP has directed the express prosecution of the arrested suspects who are currently in Police custody, as the preliminary investigation shows overwhelming evidence of culpability on the part of the Professor and her domestic staff. The IGP has equally tasked the investigative team to ensure that the fleeing suspect is arrested and made to face the wrath of the law. It is pertinent to clarify that the suspect, Prof. Zainab, who name-drops the IGP, his family members, and other officers in the top hierarchy of the Force has no acquaintance with the Police in any form as erroneously peddled on social media. The Inspector-General of Police who similarly ordered the withdrawal of all Police personnel attached to the Professor, expressed consternation at the fact that an individual who claims to be an advocate for Human Rights could stoop so low to violate the rights of another individual, a police officer tasked with ensuring her protection, the statement said. A former Governor of Borno State and former national chairperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff, on Thursday, visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo behind closed doors. Mr Sheriff is now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The former Borno governor visited the former president at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Mr Sheriff did not disclose to reporters the details of his discussions with the former president. He said it was a private visit. He also described Mr Obasanjo as Chairman and Chief Executive of Nigeria, whose wealth of knowledge in public administration, would continue to be of benefit to other politicians. He further stressed the need for young politicians to tap from the experience and knowledge of the over 85- year old man tagging him as a bank of knowledge. It is purely a private visit, you know Baba (Obasanjo) is an elder statesman. If Nigeria is a company, Baba is the Chairman and Chief Executive of Nigeria. So, I came for a consultation and had a private chat with Baba. If Nigeria is a company, Baba is the Chairman. Im the younger one, so from time to time, I must come and greet my father, discuss with him, privately and go back. Mr Sheriff added. On whether his discussion with the ex-president was about Nigeria, the former governor replied, I didnt say that, it is a private visit. Asked to speak on the 2023 election he said: Your view is my view, what is your view? What is my view? I want my party to win. The South-west Forum of PDP Stakeholders for Justice has said Iyorchia Ayu, the partys National Chairman will become a hero if he voluntarily resigns in the interest of peace and electoral victory for the party. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the PDP was hit by crisis after Atiku Abubakar emerged as the partys presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections. Some PDP governors and leaders, particularly from southern Nigeria, were insistent that for fairness, northern Nigeria should not hold both the partys presidential ticket and national chairmanship position. Leading in the struggle for the resignation of Mr Ayu, who is from the North-central, is Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers and other leaders of the party from southern Nigeria. Mr Wike lost the partys presidential ticket to Atiku. Also, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and some South West PDP leaders on 17 September called for Mr Ayus resignation at the zones meeting with Atiku. On Thursday, a statement jointly signed by the Coordinators of the South-West Forum of PDP Stakeholders for Justice, Banji Okunomo and Gani Taofik, in Lagos said they are backing the calls for the resignation of the party chairman. According to it, the resignation of the chairman is the only panacea for peace in the party. We, the above-named forum of the PDP, wish to affirm our support for the position being canvassed by Makinde, corroborated by the doggedness of the Wikes and the wisdom of the Bode Georges, as a lasting panacea for peace and eventual victory of our party at the 2023 presidential election, the group said. The forum said that Mr Ayu should be able to sacrifice for Atiku to win the next election. It is our take, that Ayu should indeed go further to logically and wisely conclude the process that will guarantee the emergence of Abubakar as the next president of Nigeria, by making other possible sacrifices necessary to achieve that goal. Indeed, this is why and when Ayu himself will be more celebrated as PDPs hero of democracy rather than clogging the partys wheel of progress and creating avoidable crisis for the party, the group said. It urged Atiku to be wary of the ill and reactionary advice of some moles in the party. It said that the moles were insistent on offering opinions capable of jeopardising the partys chances in 2023. Nigerians are indeed awaiting the PDP as the actual potent alternative government, and God forbids, if this opportunity skips us, Nigerians may never again associate with the PDP. We call for immediate restoration of sanity, confidence, inclusiveness and oneness in the Party as a stitch in time saves nine, it said. NAN recalls that the crisis got deeper on Wednesday when loyalists to Mr Wikes caucus pulled out of the Atiku presidential campaign council after a meeting in Portharcourt, Rivers. The group said they would not participate in Atikus campaign activities unless the partys national chairman vacated his seat for a southerner to allow balance in the party. (NAN) The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, has said a gubernatorial aspirant of the party, Segun Sowunmi, did not take part in the partys primaries and should stop parading himself as a factional candidate. Mr Adebutu said Mr Sowunmi is misleading the public by claiming to have won the partys primaries. Messrs Adebutu and Sowunmi have been at loggerheads over the partys gubernatorial ticket. Mr Sowunmi is currently in court praying that the party executives be dissolved over alleged bias. The former House of Representatives member spoke at the partys inaugural meeting of the Ogun Central Campaign Council held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, Abeokuta, Ogun state. The PDP candidate said there is nothing like a factional candidate in an election, saying there can only be factional aspirants and a single candidate. According to him, once the National Working Committee (NWC) of a party forwards the name of its elected candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the name is accepted and published by the electoral umpire; no one else has the right to parade himself as the candidate. Sowunmi who knows he did not partake in the primary election is now making noise in the media, being addressed as the factional candidate, he said. I have never heard anything like a factional candidate in my life. Those two things are exclusive; you can be a factional aspirant, you cannot be a factional candidate. There can be only one candidate. You cannot be a factional candidate. The party said this is my candidate. The INEC published the same person as the candidate of the party, yet some people are still addressing Showunmi as the factional candidate. Are they doing that in the interest of the public? This is a big question. Also speaking at the event, Mr Adebutus running mate, Adekunle Akinlade, said the party in the state is ready for an issue-based campaign. Mr Akinlade further said the PDP had in the last couple of weeks engaged in thorough discussions about strategies with the partys technical teams, expressing confidence that the PDP would win the 2023 elections. In his words, the Coordinator of Inter-Party Affairs for the PDP Campaign in Ogun Central, Oladele Olaleye, stated that the party has created a means to receive support from members of the ruling APC, among others, who love the PDP or its candidates. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has vowed to acquire weapons for the states Security Network, known as Amotekun. He made this known on Thursday following reports that the federal government had approved sophisticated weapons for a similar security outfit operated by the Katsina State Government. Mr Akeredolu said he was going to procure the automatic weapons for Amotekun to protect the people. The governor bore his mind via his official Twitter handle, @RotimiAkeredolu, and chided the federal government for playing double standards with the nations security in a game he described as one country, two systems. Mr Akeredolu wondered why Amotekun, a South-west regional security outfit, could not bear sophisticated weapons despite continuous calls for such, but her counterpart in Katsina State, established to tame bandits and terrorists, are bearing AK-47s. We believe in one Nigeria, but we cannot have one country, two systems, he said. The video making the rounds showing the equivalent of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps) in Katsina, obtaining the approval of the Federal Government to bear arms is fraught with great dangers. Denying Amotekun the urgently needed rights, to legitimately bear arms is a repudiation of the basis of true federalism which we have been clamoring for. That Katsina was able to arm its state security force, with the display of AK47 means we are pursuing one country, two systems solution to the national question. If the Katsina situation conferring advantages on some, in the face of commonly faced existential threats, it means that our unitary policing system, which has failed, is a deliberate method of subjugation which must be challenged. The Independence agreement was based on a democratic arrangement to have a federal state and devolved internal security mechanics. We must go back to that agreement. Denying Amotekun the right to bear arms exposes the Southwest to life-threatening marauders and organized crime. It is also a deliberate destruction of our agricultural sector. It is an existential threat. We want to reiterate, that what is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander. Ondo State government under the doctrine of necessity have decided to fulfil its legal, constitutional and moral duty to the citizens of the State, by acquiring arms to protect them. This is more so, given that the bandits have an unchecked access to sophisticated weapons. The State government cannot look on while its citizens are being terrorized and murdered with impunity. We will defend our people. The Amotekun Corps was formally established by law on the 4th of March 2020 following the signing into law of its enabling Act. The rationale behind its formation followed the continued invasion of the southwest states by bandits and armed herdsmen who unleash mayhem on farmers and kidnap residents without any hindrance. Although the corps had made modest achievements so far, the commanders of the corps in the various southwest states have complained that their major setback was facing bandits with a Dane gun or a pump action that you have to cork and shoot in the face of automatic weapons used by the bandits. Mr Akeredolu has been at the forefront of calling for approval for the bearing of sophistical arms for the corps. Recently, he knocked the federal government for approving the protecting of crude oil pipeline contract to former militant, Government Ekpemupolo, saying granting such a permit to non-state actors who would need heavy machine guns and other sophistical weapons, was inappropriate. He argued that if the federal government could grant such permits to non-state actors and deny the states security outfit the privilege of bearing such arms to protect the people, it could as well indicate that the central government was not sincere about its commitment to fighting insecurity in the country. Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has defended the attack on some residents and the burning down of a market in two South-east communities by Nigerian troops. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the troops on Saturday invaded Orsu-Ihiteukwa Community in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State and Orsumugho, a community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State all in South-east Nigeria, killing about two persons and razing several shops. The troops were said to have invaded the communities at about 4 a.m. with numerous combatant vans, armoured tankers and military helicopters. Residents said the troops also fired shots and detonated bombs while the helicopters hovered over the communities. But Mr Uzodinma, while addressing reporters about the incident, on Wednesday, at the Government House, Owerri, claimed that no life was lost in the operation, according to a report by Vanguard newspaper. However, the governors claim was incorrect as PREMIUM TIMES had confirmed the deaths of one person from Orsu-Ihiteukwa Community in Anambra and one other person from Orsumugho, a neigbouring community. Mr Uzodinma also claimed that the troops raided and burnt some shops in Eke-Utu Market in Orsu-Ihiteukwa Community because materials used for manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were allegedly discovered in the market. The governor claimed that suspected bandits operating in the area use the IEDs to fight security operatives and that an army officer, on duty in Orsu Awo-idemili Community, died last month from an explosion from the device. Orsu Awo-idemili is another community in the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State. Last Saturday, a joint security force, which arrested a bandit, took him after his confession to guide them to where they operate from and manufacture the explosives. It turned out to be Eke-Ututu Market. They discovered four shops where fertilisers, ammonium sulphate and electrical gadgets used in manufacturing explosives were packed, the governor said. But PREMIUM TIMES learnt earlier from sources in the community that over 30 shops were razed by the troops during the operation. The operation, the governor confirmed, was carried out by a combined team of Nigerian troops, officers of the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Police Force. He said the captain, who led the operation, alongside another officer, was lying critical at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri. The troops recovered all the weapons and fertilisers used by the bandits to manufacture the IEDs, he said. In the process, they burnt down shops and this is consistent with our policy. They were able to destroy all the shops, where the items were stored, Mr Uzodinma said. He accused members of opposition political parties in the state of condemning the operation and also brazenly blackmailing the troops without understanding the true situation. The governor claimed that the traders in the market were forced to pay taxes to unknown gunmen before they would be allowed into the market. These are illegitimate taxes to enable people to open their shops. This is what we have been fighting all through, he said. He maintained that his administration would stop at nothing in the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the state. It is not politics. It is about the security of lives and property of our people, he said. Rebuilding market, compensating innocent traders The governor claimed that Eke-Ututu Market was destroyed to give Imo peace, and that the government would rebuild it. If in the process, there are innocent traders who lost their items, the government will work out compensation for them. But the government has a responsibility to fight crime, Mr Uzodinma said. The governor denied that members of Ebubeagu, a security outfit backed by the Imo State Government, were part of the operation. The invasion of the two South-east communities by the troops has attracted condemnations with some describing it as painful. The military is yet to comment on the incident. Mr Uzodinmas reaction comes about four days after the attack. Amnesty International Nigeria and other organisations have accused the military of extrajudicial killings in the South-east under the guise of fighting the outlawed Indigenous people of Biafra, which is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra. Members of the House of Representatives, on Thursday, rejected a plea to stop bills seeking the creation of tertiary institutions amidst a cash crunch, noting that they promised their constituents tertiary institutions during campaigns. Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila had during the debate on a bill to establish the University of Transportation, Daura, Katsina State, urged members of the House to agree to suspending all tertiary education establishment bills in-line with the recommendation of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Mr Gbajabiamilas plea followed the contribution of Ifeanyi Momoh, who opposed the establishment of the school. Mr Momoh argued that the federal government should instead upgrade the National Institute of Transportation Technology, Zaria, to a federal university. Im just thinking aloud because we have the NITT Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology in Zaria. When there is an institute of transport technology, which deals with the science of transportation itself why are we now looking at establishing a Federal University of Transportation? We can amend the enabling law the Act and upgrade the NITT to a federal university. Why Im saying this is that the constant proliferation of universities in our country is not helping us. That is the truth! We have so many universities here and there. We have so many university bills and at the end, when they are approved, we will be talking about funding no funding, he said Following the remarks by Mr Momoh, the speaker proposed suspending tertiary institution bills. He informed members that the request is imperative considering the financial situation of the country and the inability to meet existing obligations to ASUU. Do we continue to bring bills for university establishment at this very time when there is even no revenue? We have been meeting with ASUU. We had a four-hour meeting the other day. What they said, which was uniformly agreed, was that the NUC bill is before us, they pleaded that we put a curb to it, he said. Consequently, Mr Gbajabiamila proposed a motion for suspension of such bills. However, following the voice vote, it was obvious that members were against the proposal to stop the proliferation of universities as the nays had the vote. As a sequel to the rejection of the motion, Mr Gbajabiamila, therefore, allowed both the Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase and Majority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu to speak on the proposal. Mr Wase said to halt university bills would mean putting the political ambition of lawmakers in jeopardy because some have promised their constituents tertiary education. You know how politicians behave sir. When some people dont hear their community mentioned, whether the bill will be signed or not, it is also negative, politically. Those who have gotten the scores have gotten. Those who have not gotten, if you say dont do that, you may also be putting their opportunity in jeopardy. I am sorry to say it live. The issue is political, Mr Wase said. Also speaking against the proposal, Mr Elumelu said lawmakers are under pressure from constituents on the establishment of a university. He noted that there is an expectation from constituents regarding the establishment of universities. In my opinion, I think it is not wise to shut down every voice or every member on this floor as it relates to sponsoring a bill for the establishment of either college of education or polytechnic or university in their various communities. Mr Speaker, I said this because when you go home (constituency) and you are talking to your people (constituents), most often, the first thing they ask you is why are you not bringing any school to your constituency? And when you say it is not possible and they see your colleagues sponsoring the same bills for the establishment of universities, it becomes a negative for you as an individual who is representing them. So, whether it is signed (assented to by the President) or not, it is not the issue; the issue is that that member is able to show that he has the interest of his (or her) constituents at heart. Realising that the members were not ready to yield, Mr Gbajabiamila said there was a need to strike a balance between what they feel is right and the expectation of the constituents. Mr Gbajabiamila noted that the House will consider putting stringent conditions for the establishment of universities in the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) bill, to prevent the proliferation of schools. He stated that the effort is similar to the consolidation of banks done under Charles Soludo as CBN Governor. There is a balance between demands by constituents and what is goodwhen we know what is right. I get your (Mr Elumelu) point and the DS point. But for me, I think this matter will be resolved when we pass the NUC bill, where perhaps, we can make the establishment of universities more stringent, otherwise, you will run into a situation where a state government or whoever will just come, get a building or three buildings together and say they want a university, he said. He added that the stringent measures will be in place until such a time when the government is no longer funding universities, you can have 200 in your state. That is the business of the university, not the business of the government. PREMIUM TIMES had in an analysis, exposed how federal lawmakers use the establishment of tertiary institutions as campaign promises. Federal government-owned and some state universities are currently shut down due to the inability of the federal government to fulfil agreements with the ASUU. The schools have been shut down since 14 February. Although the National Industrial Court (NIC) ordered the lecturers on Wednesday to return to school, the union has already indicated plans to appeal the judgment. Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has said some saboteurs within the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari were responsible for the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Mr Bello stated this on Wednesday when he appeared as a guest on The Morning Show, a programme on Arise TV. The Nigerian public universities have been shut for more than seven months over unresolved issues around poor welfare and underfunding. ASUU and the government are yet to reach a deal despite a series of meetings. The governor accused saboteurs of instigating the strike and expressed confidence that the culprits would be known as soon as the crisis was resolved. READ ALSO: I am deeply concerned about our childrens future that is being toyed with. I tackled the issue of strikes in the education sector in Kogi State and there is nothing such as strikes. Unfortunately, this is part of the saboteurs within this administration and outside, he said. Mr Bello, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, said the industrial action has been politicised by some disgruntled elites. He said the government should have removed the political aspects from ASUU to solve the lingering industrial action. There are areas to be improved upon despite the efforts of saboteurs but the PMB administration is redressing these challenges. Also, we need to start scrutinising the statistics from organisations such as NBS because some of them engage in sabotage with their data. These elites also manipulate figures for their political aims, the governor stated. Following its inability to resolve the dispute with ASUU through negotiations, the Nigerian government, through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had taken the matter up at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, for resolution. The court on Wednesday ordered ASUU to suspend the seven-month-old strike. The union said it would appeal the ruling. Nigeria, not yet ready for subsidy removal The governor said he believes in petroleum subsidy removal, but that Nigeria was not yet ready for its removal at the moment. Today, removal of subsidy immediately in the manner that the public or some elites want us to remove the subsidy may not necessarily be very comfortable now, but in the end, the subsidy will have to be removed, he said. I am not in any way supporting subsidy. I support that the subsidy should be removed completely 100 per cent deregulation, but currently, I dont think the situation will give us that latitude to remove it now, Mr Bello added. The Nigerian government had in January suspended the planned removal of the subsidy after the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress threatened to embark on mass protests. The Minister of Finance and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, August, said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had given approval for a planned summit of the government, leadership of all political parties and relevant groups to discuss and agree on the removal of the petroleum subsidy. No date has been fixed yet for the summit. The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Hadin Kadin eliminated more than 36 terrorists and several others in air strikes across North-east in the last two weeks. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Musa Danmadami, a major general, said this at the bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Danmadami said two top commanders of Bolo Haram and the Islamic States in West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists, identified as Abu Asiya and Abu Ubaida (AQaid) were among those eliminated during the period. He said while Asiya was killed at Parisu, Ubaida was eliminated at Sheruri all in Sambisa forest general area on 13 September and 15 September respectively. Consequently, within the period under review, troops neutralised 36 terrorists, rescued 130 civilians and arrested 46 suspected Boko Haram terrorists as well as 12 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists/ISWAP logistic suppliers. READ ALSO: Furthermore, 21 AK47 rifles, 163 rounds of 7.62mm special, two RPG bombs, 25 Dane guns, four explosive ordnance stores, two bandoliers, 10 solar panels, 23 bicycles, 10 motorcycles and one tricycle were recovered. Other items recovered are 19 cell phones, 28 torch lights, bags of assorted grains, 122 rustled sheep, and the sum of N203,125 among other items. Equally, a total of 368 suspected terrorists and their families comprising 53 adult males, 116 adult females and 214 children surrendered to their own troops at different locations in the theatre. All recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended suspected terrorists were handed over to the relevant authority for further action while surrendered terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action, he said. The Defence spokesperson said the air component had on 9 September eliminated several terrorists at Somalia in Sambisa forest in an air bombardment. He said that a similar operation was carried out on terrorists enclaves at Abdallari, Mafa, Zanari and Tumbun Baba between 10 September and 14 September killing several terrorists and destroying their structures. (NAN) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation has debunked a claim by the federal government that its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, copied its version of the economic blueprint. Atiku had on 14 September presented his economic blueprint at a private sector forum organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI). In reaction to the presentation, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Thursday, described the blueprint as a poor version of the present governments economic strides. He said Atikus blueprint did not offer anything new in job creation, infrastructure financing and relationship with the private sector. However, the PDP campaign organisation, in a swift reaction on Thursday, said trying to associate the Atiku policy plans with the failed policies of the APC-led federal administration is the comical height of Mr Mohammeds aversion for the truth. Trying to associate the Atiku policy plans with the failed policies of the APC is the comical height of Minister Lai Mohammeds aversion for the truth, the organisation said. It is contempt not just against the PDP and our presidential candidate, but also to the whole nation. It said the current administration came into power without a single sheet of paper of what could be called a policy document. Nigerians, according to the organisation, are aware that in both 2015 and 2019, it took the APC six months and three months, respectively to constitute a cabinet, adding, perhaps the minister might be interested in telling Nigerians if it is also part of the APC manifesto to foot drag in forming a government. The PDP campaign organisation stated further, The poor records of the APC in the areas of economic management, jobs creation, education, security and in virtually all spheres of our national life is the reason why there is a lot of anxiety about the 2023 general election. Indeed, it needs to be stressed that next years election will be a referendum on the APC and it is not in doubt that the ruling party in Nigeria will present a global case study of how a political party can lose popular goodwill within a short period of time. The organisation asked Mr Mohammed to apologise to Nigerians for making the claim. Read the full statement below: PRESS RELEASE Lai Mohammed Lied Against Truth and Must Apologize to Nigerians The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation has observed with utmost dismay the very poor attempt by the Hon. Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to turn truth on its head. While the minister was making a barren attempt to catalogue perceived achievements of the current APC administration, he did the unbelievable by claiming that the policy documents and proposals espoused by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, our presidential candidate, are the version of the economic blueprint of the APC. That is a tsunami of a lie! To begin with, it has been openly acknowledged that this current administration came into power without a single sheet of paper of what could be called a policy document. Nigerians are aware that in both 2015 and 2019, it took the APC six months and three months, respectively to constitute a cabinet. Perhaps the Minister might be interested in telling Nigerians if it is also part of the APC manifesto to foot drag in forming a government. READ ALSO: It is on record that the first economic recession that the country experienced in 2016, which happens to be our worst economic decline in thirty years, happened primarily because the APC administration applied what can be called a catch-up strategy to the early signals of the recession. That is why to this day, Nigerians are more agreeable to the fact that the tenure of the APC has been nothing but a sheer waste of time, all thanks to the catch-up economic strategy of the ruling party that has left the people more malnourished, sick and disillusioned. The poor records of the APC in the areas of economic management, job creation, education, security and in virtually all spheres of our national life is the reason why there is a lot of anxiety about the 2023 general election. Indeed, it needs to be stressed that next years election will be a referendum on the APC and it is not in doubt that the ruling party in Nigeria will present a global case study of how a political party can lose popular goodwill within a short period of time. Nigerians of all hues, both the rich and those that are not; the educated and those who are not; the elderly and the young are all witnesses to the scandal that the APC has become in the art of governance. Nigerians are rallied in their frustration with the APC and the promise of a better future that our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar holds for the country after his victory in the 2023 presidential election. What Minister Lai Mohammed reeled out as achievements of the APC is a compilation of the reasons why Nigerians have roundly rejected the ruling party. Its nothing but a testimonial of failures. Conversely, what His Excellency Atiku Abubakar presented to the organised private sector in Lagos State last week represents the hopes of a new beginning, which Nigerians eagerly anticipate. Trying to associate the Atiku policy plans with the failed policies of the APC is the comical height of Minister Lai Mohammeds aversion to the truth. It is contempt not just against the PDP and our presidential candidate, but also for the whole nation. Lai Mohammed must apologize to Nigerians for such an insensitive onslaught against truth in broad daylight. PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation Abuja 22nd September, 2022. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said the Integrated Personnel Payment and Information System (IPPIS) failed the integrity test ordered by the federal government. Usman Abdulahi, the director of information infrastructure, disclosed this on Thursday during a meeting between the leadership of the House of Representatives and some agencies of the government on the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Those at the meeting held at the National Assembly complex were the Head of Service, Accountant Generali of the Federation, Director General of the National Income Salaries and Wages Commission and NITDA. The leadership of the House had called for the parley after an earlier one with the leadership of ASUU on Tuesday. READ ALSO: At the end of Tuesdays meeting, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said the House would present its outcome to President Muhammadu Buhari upon his return from the United States where he addressed the UN General Assembly. One of the demands by ASUU is the adoption of the University Tertiary and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as against IPPIS for payment of the salaries of lecturers. Integrity test Mr Abdulahi explained that UTAS failed the integrity on three occasions, while IPPIS failed the only test it was subjected to. In the first test, the system (UTAS) failed. The system could not meet the requirement. It was communicated to ASUU, full report was submitted directly to ASUU. The second report was submitted through the office of the Honourable Minister. ASUU went back, did the review that NITDA recommended. In the assessment, we did in March this year, we spent two weeks carrying out the assessment in the presence of observers. At the end of the exercise, UTAS failed the due diligence test. Of course, ASUU agreed to work on the solution and resubmit for assessment. Until when the Chief of Staff (Ibrahim Gambari) convened the tripartite committee when the third test was ordered. In the third round, we were asked to conduct the test on three payment systems UTAS 2020, U3PS by SSANU and NASU, and IPPIS. The report is the outcome of the assessment we did. In this report, we have criteria. None of the solutions met NITDA criteria, he said. Mr Abdulahi disclosed that NITDA did not conduct any test on IPPIS when it was launched because at the time IPPIS was introduced, the agency had no mandate to conduct integrity tests on solution platforms. Speaking on the IPPIS platform, the Head of Service, Folashade Esan, said IPPIS is not just a payment platform but also a human resources platform. She noted that the only reason the system failed the integrity is because NITDA only tested the payment component without the human resources component. The Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), said the IPPIS is a foreign platform while UTAS is a locally developed system, hence, the government should prioritise and appreciate local content. The universities that we have are supposed to be centre of excellence and intellectual development. If they can develop a system for usthat will save us moneyat a low cost, why are we fighting? Why are we quarrelling? They are saying they are doing this thing at free cost. If you find it worthy, why are you not using it? We need to have a rethink, he said. Reacting to the deputy speakers position, the acting Accountant General of the Federation, Sylva Okolieaboh, said the database of UTAS is probably not a Nigerian product but probably Oracle. He added that government will not hand over its payroll system to any university. We dont have a Nigerian database and when it comes to database, no one does it better than Oracle. I am not going to be surprised if UTAS is running on Oracle or SQS. None of them is a Nigerian product. We are all for Nigerian-made. If the argument is that UTAS is better than IPPIS, we can sit down on how to copy some things from UTAS to IPPIS. In the event that IPPIS is totally irredeemable, can we now take UTAS to replace IPPIS? This is totally different from ceding payroll system to any university. That ASUU is offering its system to the federal government, I am hearing that for the first time. Resolution Following the comments by all the agencies, Mr Gbajabiamila said there is a need to have an expanded meeting with ASUU next Thursday. There is a need for ASUU to be here because it is becoming your words against theirs. That test result put UTAS ahead of the curve compared to the others. ASUU is saying that no one is giving them results. We will need to sit down again with ASUU present. It is good to have both sides vent. Those invited for Thursdays meeting were representatives of ASUU, Minister of Labour & Employment, DG Budget Office, Accountant General of the Federation and the Auditor General for the Federation. Others are the DG of Salaries, Income & Wages Commission, DG of NITDA, the Head of Service and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. It is sad that our government has failed woefully to investigate the gruesome murders of Bagauda Kaltho, Dele Giwa, Chief Alfred Rewane, Chief Bola Ige, M.K.O. Abiola, Barnabas and Abigail Igwe, Dr Harry Marshall, Victor Nwankwo, Chief A. K. Dikibo, etc.,etc, It is sad indeed that reprobates like Mahdi Shehu are now encouraged to play games with the treasured memories of these victims. On 18 August, 1998, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Zakari Biu, who also headed the Task Force on Terrorist Activities, held a press conference at Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos. At the conference, he alleged that Bagauda Kaltho, our Kaduna State Senior Correspondent, died in a bomb blast at Durbar Hotel, Kaduna. Biu also made spurious and grave allegations against Independent Communications Network Limited, publishers of TheNEWS, PM NEWS, AM NEWS and TEMPO, saying that we were a terrorist organisation. ACP Biu alleged that Bagauda Kaltho was the unidentified person who had allegedly planted a bomb at Durbar Hotel on 18 January 1996, and who was killed in the process. At the press conference, he showed reporters a video tape of the scene of the blast and two photographs. One was of a dead person whose body was burnt and who, he claimed, was Kaltho. The other was that of Kaltho as we his colleagues and family members knew him. The second piece of evidence shown by Biu was that of a video tape of an interview by Bauchi Television Authority (BATV) with General Muhammadu Buhari in 1994. The tape was allegedly found at the scene of the blast. Biu said this same interview had been published in TheNEWS of 4 September 1995, five months before the blast. ACP Biu also alleged that his Task Force on Terrorist Activities strongly suspected the management of ICNL of having connection with the Durbar Hotel bombing or else Bagauda Kaltho was acting independently of his employers. We immediately called our own press conference to show that Biu was lying. In case youve forgotten, when Durbar Hotel was bombed on Thursday, 18 January, 1996, the police rapidly moved in to investigate the incident. Newspaper accounts of the blast and the ensuing tragedy indicated that the entire vicinity of the blast was terribly shattered, that the bomber was burnt beyond recognition. Umaru Suleiman, the acting Police Commissioner in Kaduna State at the time was quoted by The Guardian, among several other papers, as saying that the stomach of the victim was ripped open, legs shattered and face burnt beyond recognition. Suleiman was also quoted to have said the victims body could not be identified because the smoke of the bomb had darkened him. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) filed a similar report which was published in the A.M. News of 20 and 21 January 1996. In the A.M. News report, Suleiman was quoted to have said that a post-mortem would be carried out on the corpse. The Guardian report said the police gave the victims age as between 30 and 35. He said: We met a young man of about 30-35 years who was blasted by the bomb. The man was carrying the bomb in the banquet hall. The man went inside the toilet in order to put the bomb down. After placing it there, the bomb exploded before he got up. One 24 January, The Guardian, quoting the same police commissioner, reported: What we know so far as we in this command are concerned is that the management of Durbar Hotel could not identify the person. If somebody tells you this is the name of the person, the person must be a liar. We did not see anything, any exhibit along with him that can identify the dead man. The only thing we recovered is a book which he had just bought from Durbar Hotel and the title of the book is The Man Died written by Wole Soyinka. He wrote the name Y.Y. Yusuff on the book and the receipt. We took statement from those who sold the book to him at the Durbar Hotel bookshop and they could not identify the person that bought it from them. So, I think that it is very questionable for somebody to come and say this is the man that has done it. The receipt was found in a leather bag which contained the book, Suleiman said. Concerning the Bauchi Television tape containing an interview with General Muhammadu Buhari which Zakari Biu claimed it recovered at the scene, we admitted at our press conference that the interview was published in TheNEWS magazine of 4 September 1995. But the question we asked then was: Why did it take the police 32 months to link the interview with a video tape purportedly found at the scene of that bomb blast? We found it curious that the recognition coincided with the multi-faceted efforts by our organisation to locate the whereabouts of Bagauda Kaltho, which included an appeal to the then Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar. In the light of the obvious contradictions in the position of the police, we once again appealed to the military authorities to set up a commission of enquiry to investigate Bagauda Kalthos disappearance and the police statement on the matter. We were of the view that at least one of the Intelligence organisations must know where Bagaudas body was. To the best of our knowledge, during the 32-month investigation that Zakari Biu glibly talked about, the police did not ask Bagaudas wife, his relatives or our management to identify the now recognisable body. We then begged the Head of State, General Abubakar, to give police an order to produce the recognisable body for forensic and DNA tests. Concerning the Bauchi Television tape containing an interview with General Muhammadu Buhari which Zakari Biu claimed it recovered at the scene, we admitted at our press conference that the interview was published in TheNEWS magazine of 4 September 1995. But the question we asked then was: Why did it take the police 32 months to link the interview with a video tape purportedly found at the scene of that bomb blast? Why didnt the police in its earlier statement claim that the video tape was one of the items found at the scene of the blast? On Tuesday, 7 April, 1998 or thereabouts, the FCID detective arrested Mrs Martha Kaltho in Billiri, Gombe State, and brought her to Lagos with her child and brother-in-law. They tortured them. They cajoled them. They told Bagaudas wife and brother plainly that the ICNL management had killed Bagauda and used him for money ritual. If Biu was so sure that Bagauda had been used for money ritual by ICNL, how could the same Bagauda had been the alleged bomber in Kaduna? On Friday, 17 April, 1998, two policemen, posing as Bagaudas brothers, came with Bagaudas wife to our office. She, now cooperating fully with them, sought to know what new facts we had on her husbands whereabouts. After taking the brothers-in-law to our two major offices in Lagos, she left for home with the N3,000 given to her by ACP Biu and the N10,000 provided by ICNL as transport money. On Monday, 20 April and Wednesday, 22 April, 1998, ACP Biu led 50 policemen to invade our offices and arrest nine of our staff. Our offices were occupied by armed policemen for 41 days, during which Biu and his men had video shots of staff, seized company documents and account books, and our computers. Mrs Bagauda returned to our office on 6 August, 1998 and held a meeting with management. She apologised for her conduct and confessed how the police had tricked her into co-operating with them. We should say, in passing, that were in constant touch with Martha Bagauda to whom were grateful for the strength she has shown in raising Bagaudas children and his two lovely grandchildren. In Bius press statement, the police sought to link our organisation with terrorism. We did not take the matter lightly as we instructed our lawyer, Femi Falana, to take up the matter in the law court. Falana was about to file a suit when the government of Olusegun Obasanjo began to moot the idea of the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Panel. When the panel eventually took off, we appeared at its sittings in Lagos and Kano, where the lies against our organisation and Bagauda Kaltho by ACP Biu, were debunked. With the weight of the evidence provided, under a rigorous interrogation of Zakari Biu by Falana, the panel recommended in its comprehensive reports that the case of Bagauda Kaltho should be reopened and thoroughly investigated by the Federal Government. Unfortunately, the government of Olusegun Obasanjo did not act on any of the recommendations of the Oputa Panel. There is now a new twist to the case of Bagauda Kaltho. Twenty-seven years after Kaltho disappeared, Mahdi Shehu claimed in an interview on Arise TV that Russell J. Hanks, a Political Counsellor at the American Embassy, invited him for tea at Hamdala Hotel in Kaduna on 21 December 1995. At that meeting, according to him, Hanks said: Mahdi, we are worried. The American government is doing a bomb campaign against Abacha. We dont want him. We are promoting a regime change. This parcel is what I want you to do. See Durbar Hotel, just away there 600 metres. Go into the bookshop and drop this parcel small parcel. This is N500,000 for you and another N500,000 waiting for you. Once you drop the parcel, please come back to collect the second N500,000. I said, Russell, you have miscalculated. When I addressed Adamu Ciroma as the Minister for Agriculture in that seminar youre referring to, when I addressed Abubakar Rimi as the Communications Minister, when I addressed Ismaila Isa Funtua as the Chairman of Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, I did that as a citizen, not because I didnt like my country. I dressed him down. I abused him. He said, Mahdi, Mahdi, now I know youre a good citizen. Im just trying to test you. You are nationalistic. We look forward to working with you to stabilise Nigeria. Fact check: Durbar Hotel was bombed on 18 January 1996. Not 21 December 1995 as Mahdi claimed in his interview on Arise TV. Colonel Jafaru Isa has denied that Shehu was in his office to report the incident. If indeed General Sani Abacha had known of this story, would he not have asked the likes of Chief Tom Ikimi to weaponise it in their campaigns against America and the pro-democracy activists? According to him, Hanks then asked him to leave, but he did not. Shortly afterwards, he said, there was a knock on the door. The man at the door was Bagauda Kaltho. He said not long after that, precisely two hours later, there was a bomb explosion at Durbar Hotel at the bookshop. He said he rushed to meet the then Kaduna State Governor, Colonel Lawal Jafaru Isa, to report his encounter with Hanks. I drove straight to the government house to see the governor. For what reason? Urgent security reason. I was ushered into Lawal Jafaru Isas office, and I told him what happened. The following day, I was taken to Abuja. I was able to see Abacha in his residence, and I narrated the story to him. Before they could say Jack Robinson, four days later, Russell Hanks flew out of Nigeria. Ten days later, security operatives came to Kaduna to interview me. When I gave them the narrative, one of them took me aside and said, Mahdi, keep off. We are very jealous. Security agencies are very jealous institutions. Dont ever give any public comments on it. Dont give interviews, dont give anything because if you talk, our failure would have been seen very clearly.' Mahdi Shehu gave this interview in the wake of the arrest and detention by the Department of State Services (DSS), of his friend, Tukur Mamu, who has deep connections with different gangs of kidnappers in Kaduna. Fact check: Durbar Hotel was bombed on 18 January 1996. Not 21 December 1995 as Mahdi claimed in his interview on Arise TV. Colonel Jafaru Isa has denied that Shehu was in his office to report the incident. If indeed General Sani Abacha had known of this story, would he not have asked the likes of Chief Tom Ikimi to weaponise it in their campaigns against America and the pro-democracy activists? Remember that was not long after Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni activists were hung, leading to condemnation all over the world. Who were some of the security officers who told him not to talk about the incident? Could Hanks, as a secret service agent, have worked in a lousy manner the way this fellow has described his interaction with him? The truth is that this man is a liar. A shameless liar. Last year, Mahdi Shehu was arraigned in court in Katsina over corruption allegations that he sensationally levelled against Governor Aminu Masaris government. The video of the allegations is still being shared on social media. Many people believed his story, until a judge in Katsina asked him to appear in court. Mahdi Shehu suddenly developed cold feet, pleading ill-health. When the court insisted, he was brought to the court on a stretcher. Walking with the aid of crutches, it took him close to thirty minutes to get inside the court. He pretended that he was dying, that his pain was excruciating, that his political enemies were bent on killing him. Unknown to him, while he was in court, a secret camera had been installed in his cell in Katsina Prison. As soon he returned to the cell, the pretence was gone. The video showed that the man was hale and hearty after all. In fact, he led a muslim congregation in prayer that same day. The video subsequently went viral. Mahdi has been making frantic efforts since then to clean up his dented image. It is sad that our government has failed woefully to investigate the gruesome murders of Bagauda Kaltho, Dele Giwa, Chief Alfred Rewane, Chief Bola Ige, M.K.O. Abiola, Barnabas and Abigail Igwe, Dr Harry Marshall, Victor Nwankwo, Chief A. K. Dikibo, etc.,etc, It is sad indeed that reprobates like Mahdi Shehu are now encouraged to play games with the treasured memories of these victims. The management of Independent Communications Network Limited (ICNL) are publishers of TheNEWS and PM NEWS titles. We want to reiterate, that what is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander. Ondo State government, under the doctrine of necessity, has decided to fulfil its legal, constitutional and moral duty to citizens of the state, by acquiring arms to protect them. This is more so, given that the bandits have an unchecked access to sophisticated weapons. The state government cannot look on while its citizens are being terrorised and murdered with impunity. We will defend our people. The video making the rounds showing the equivalent of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps) in Katsina, obtaining the approval of the Federal Government to bear arms is fraught with great dangers. Denying Amotekun the urgently needed rights, to legitimately bear arms is a repudiation of the basis of true federalism, which we have been clamouring for. That Katsina was able to arm its state security force, with the display of AK47 means we are pursuing a one country, two systems solution to the national question. If the Katsina situation stands, conferring advantages on some in the face of commonly faced existential threats, it means that our unitary policing system, which has failed, is a deliberate method of subjugation, which must be challenged. The Independence agreement was based on a democratic arrangement to have a federal state and devolved internal security mechanics. We must go back to that agreement. Denying Amotekun the right to bear arms exposes the South-west to life-threatening marauders and organised crime. It is also a deliberate destruction of our agricultural sector. It is an existential threat. We want to reiterate, that what is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander. Ondo State government, under the doctrine of necessity, has decided to fulfil its legal, constitutional and moral duty to citizens of the state, by acquiring arms to protect them. This is more so, given that the bandits have an unchecked access to sophisticated weapons. The state government cannot look on while its citizens are being terrorised and murdered with impunity. We will defend our people. Rotimi Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is governor of Ondo State. But what does history teach, really? Is all the talk about issues-based campaigns wishful thinking? With all to play for, is it realistic to expect bloodless campaigns? And in any case, if winning often matters more than anything else in politics, do normal campaigns win? If this were a compulsory exam question, a number of politicians would simply answer: It depends. On what? On what is at stake. What the opponent does and how. And, of course, how far the resources of the one at the receiving end can go to exact revenge, sometimes in spite of the rules. As campaigns for the 2023 general elections in Nigeria begin, everything is at stake. From the office of representatives in state houses of assembly to the positions of 28 governors, 469 national lawmakers, and the president. In all, about 1,520 positions are up for election and for the first time, Muhammadu Buhari, who has been president for nearly eight years and a contestant in all elections in the last nearly 20, would not be on the ballot for what is perhaps the most consequential office. The stakes to play for are not only high, they are dangerously seductive for two contenders the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar two deep pockets who may well be taking their last shots at the nations top job. The real world is not a periodic exam hall. Nowhere is the ferocity of contest keener than in political campaigns, such as were about to commence. Its a grisly mess of interests, of wheeling and dealing, and continuous cloak and dagger entanglements worse than the binary choices often present in an examination. A 2018 report by Daily Trust quoted the INEC chairman, Professor Yakubu Mohmood, as saying that at N242 billion, the 2019 election was the most expensive ever. That is excluding expenses by candidates, parties and individuals. The next one might beat that record. If only it were possible to see the arsenal of Nigerias political parties especially the major ones on the eve of the commencement of campaigns for the 2023 general elections. I would not be surprised if they have stockpiled enough weapons to give either Russia or Ukraine a decisive advantage in the ongoing conflict in Europe. Its not a laughing matter. If morning shows the day, the pre-flag off skirmishes among not just supporters but even the campaign team members of the APC, the PDP, and the Labour Party (LP) show that we could be in for a season of blood sport. Recent exhibits, of course, include the feisty exchanges between APCs Femi Fani-Kayode and PDPs Dino Melaye. Anyone with the heart to read either of their recent messages to the end risked exposure to post-traumatic stress. With PDPs relentless Reno Omokri in the wings, the APC media team led by formidable warriors like Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga and Festus Keyamo, among others, and the LPs army of social media avatars at daggers drawn, well have to double down on luck to have a normal campaign season. The point is that the only US president who ruled for an unprecedented four terms ran largely issues-based campaigns and won, in spite of his disability. And to think that he had in his corner, the warmonger and one of Americas most notorious publishers, Williams Randolph Hearst, whom he could have pressed to dishonourable ends! But what does history teach, really? Is all the talk about issues-based campaigns wishful thinking? With all to play for, is it realistic to expect bloodless campaigns? And in any case, if winning often matters more than anything else in politics, do normal campaigns win? Normal campaigns may be desirable. They may even have worked at some point in Athens or Ancient Rome. Yet, Shakespeares Julius Caesar is a constant reminder of the worlds long and futile journey to political amity. Mass communication tools and their widespread adoption have fuelled the flames and compounded the misery of pacifists hoping for a day of decency in political campaigns. Also, we have seen from the 2015 performance of Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, that social media can be both a facilitator and a big danger to elections. But perhaps there are exceptions, however imperfect, from which our politicians could take a leaf in the days ahead? Despite his disability, for example, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the US ran what presidential historians consider some of the most successful campaigns. In spite of the daunting odds of the Great Depression, FDR ran a campaign in 1932 that ended four decades of Republican dominance, a feat that he sustained and repeated back-to-back in three subsequent terms. His theme song, Happy days are here again, became his partys anthem. How a man stricken with polio at 39 could have done it was in part a result of the genius of his message, which offered despairing voters a New Deal after the famished years of Republican rule, and partly also as a result of the understanding of the press not to highlight his disability, which frankly, would be a miracle today. The point is that the only US president who ruled for an unprecedented four terms ran largely issues-based campaigns and won, in spite of his disability. And to think that he had in his corner, the warmonger and one of Americas most notorious publishers, Williams Randolph Hearst, whom he could have pressed to dishonourable ends! US Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan also showed how even in the age of the TV, focusing on issues and connecting with people can make a difference in election campaigns. And perhaps the most electrifying in the recent history of US campaigns has been Barack Obama, an extraordinary mobiliser and charming politician whose wife, Michelle, said in spite of all the garbage thrown at Obama by Hillary Clintons bullies in 2016, when they go low, we go high. Newly elected Kenyan President William Ruto also provides an example of how to run a difficult campaign without always being nasty. In spite of his supporters getting trashed and the few he recommended as cabinet members being targets of Uhuru Kenyatta witch hunt, Ruto harped on how the governments anti-corruption war had lost its way. Yet, voters will have to decide whether or not to join them there. Voters who indulge the demagoguery of politicians, who choose to cheer them on as they kick the leg, instead of the ball, cannot blame anyone when charlatans run their lives for another four years. While his main opponent mocked and called him an irresponsible young man deceiving Kenyans with fake promises, Rutos campaign responded by providing a roadmap of how he would tackle the countrys 40% youth unemployment. He spun a legend that he was a hustler, just like the ordinary people, and not a member of the corrupt, grasping dynasty. MKO Abiolas Hope 93 was also, in many respects, exemplary and a number of the current actors played important roles in it. In comparison with the National Republican Convention (NRC), Abiolas Social Democratic Party (SDP) was imaginative, folksy and down-to-earth. Abiola showed a forlorn, divided country that it was possible to believe again. Since the military railroaded President Olusegun Obasanjo back to office in 1999, our political campaigns have been anything but inspiring. Obasanjo, both a creature and mastermind of this new era, poignantly described it as a do-or-die affair. As the blatant lies, fake promises and dark schemes of politicians have come back to haunt them, a number of them begotten of this season seem determined to return to their natural habitat the mud. Yet, voters will have to decide whether or not to join them there. Voters who indulge the demagoguery of politicians, who choose to cheer them on as they kick the leg, instead of the ball, cannot blame anyone when charlatans run their lives for another four years. President Muhammadu Buhari, like those before him, has repeatedly promised free and fair elections. But that, quite honestly, is not his job. It is the duty of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to see to it and the responsibility of citizens to hold the Commissions feet to the fire. Civil society and the press can also help with the most important question of any election campaign how? They can help not only to remind voters of what is important and insist that politicians play by the rules, but also by constantly demanding that the umpire, INEC, should monitor and enforce its own rules. Campaigns matter because they can help to activate voter interest and also underline the fundamental issues, which for Nigeria, includes security, the state of the economy or where partisan or group interests may lie. As Gary Jacobson said in his article, How do campaigns matter?, published in the May 2015 issue of the Annual Review of Political Science, The question is not whether campaigns matter, but where, when, for what and for whom they matter. The supply side has let us down badly, offering mostly transient amusement, vile abuse or downright bogus promises. Its time to demand something more than empty promissory notes. Something we can hold onto the morning after this seasonal charm offensive has gone. Azu Ishiekwene is Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP. Counting Falola worthy of occupying this important role sends a strong signal of certainty that the University of Pretoria, alongside its various intellectual communities, have identified with what his academic engagements have triggered in intellectual conversations. This appointment will provoke the highest level of delight in many others. The University of Pretoria Council South Africa has just appointed the eminent scholar, Toyin Falola, as an Extraordinary Professor in the Department of Political Sciences, from where he will be seconded to the African Centre for the Study of the United States, University of Pretoria (ACSUS-UP). He has accepted the offer with a promise to immediately commence the responsibilities associated with this thoughtful appointment. The conferment of this appointment on Falola reflects the deep-seated feeling of attachment that he, as an academic, and the University of Pretoria, have towards humanities generally, especially concerning the need to provide alternative perspectives to issues and emerging sociopolitical trends poised to shift erstwhile orientations widely held in the global knowledge economy. Counting Falola worthy of occupying this important role sends a strong signal of certainty that the University of Pretoria, alongside its various intellectual communities, have identified with what his academic engagements have triggered in intellectual conversations. This appointment will provoke the highest level of delight in many others. As expected, Falola has promised to be actively involved in the supervision of postgraduate students in the Department of Political Science and ACSUS-UP, whenever assigned. A significant part of his academic career has been dedicated to a lifelong productive relationship with postgraduates, who he has mentored, directed, guided and even aided their academic progression, through informed engagements and the systematic evaluation of issues. Therefore, being accorded an opportunity to continue in this trajectory, especially by the University of Pretoria, renews his spirit and would most certainly get the best of his attention and dedication to service. It was stated in the Letter of Appointment that Falola is expected to partake in the research agenda and projects of the University, for which he considers himself ready in the course of his career progression too as an academic, first, and secondly, as an African whose lifelong ambition is to be an active participant in engagements that would catapult the continent to its deserved height in global affairs. Since academia has offered Falola this dreamed opportunity, he cannot emphasise enough how instrumental he will be in this regard. The above would therefore facilitate the third possible responsibility that Pretoria has deemed fit for Falola as an Extraordinary Professor. Publication of research materials has always been an enduring desire of all academics so that their intellectual efforts would have a wider coverage of readership and, in the process, acceptability. In essence, research engagements that predominantly include Falolas participation would be seriously worked on to ensure their publications with the notable and international publishing industry. It is a fundamental development that would bring to the academic environment of South Africa as a whole, and the University of Pretoria in particular, the anticipated intellectual advancement that projects not only the findings of seasoned scholars there but also the ones from collaborative and transdisciplinary works. As also stated, Falola is open to participation in seminars and conferences; I believe strongly that this would substantially enhance knowledge transfers, were exchanging ideas would further refine our intellectual and moral principles as a community and then as individuals. Different conferences, I am aware, are held periodically at the University of Pretoria Future Africa campus to gather people together to deepen conversations around identified topics. Keeping this legacy would reinforce the amount of information we can share during Falolas service. His latest book published in 2022, Decolonizing African Studies: Knowledge Production, Agency, And Voice, offers a rough-hewn examination of African studies with its seemingly eternal glorification of its Eurocentric counterpart, apparently doing epistemic damage to the African identity. The thematic focus of the work is to break the bondage of inferiority that has compelled African intellectuals to underutilise their indigenous knowledge system and structure Toyin Falola needs no introduction. He has contributed substantially to our understanding of African politics since the precolonial times till date. Among his latest accomplishments are a series of Handbooks that give a good theoretical and practical evaluation of situations to reach an informed position. His latest book published in 2022, Decolonizing African Studies: Knowledge Production, Agency, And Voice, offers a rough-hewn examination of African studies with its seemingly eternal glorification of its Eurocentric counterpart, apparently doing epistemic damage to the African identity. The thematic focus of the work is to break the bondage of inferiority that has compelled African intellectuals to underutilise their indigenous knowledge system and structure, which are generally expected to engineer a resolute demographic of Africans who would challenge the domination of others who have held them in perpetual bondage. In ways completely interlinked with the South African political experience, the book x-rays the negative consequences of imperialism and how its effects have crawled into the mental department of the people, silently disparaging their thought processes for reasons that would never benefit Africans. The book argues that decolonisation is a promising way out for the people. In 2022, Falola coedited a Handbook titled The Oxford Handbook of Nigerian History, where contributors explored different themes about Nigerian history. The book features contributions from various scholars of history and politics, who provide a more robust academic engagement that highlights a timeline of historical experience that has been hitherto poorly organised, distorted or manipulated for purposes known best to the writers. The Nigerian history, they discovered, has always been painted in revisionist colour, where the tones of invading colonisers have been given superordinate preferences. Therefore, this has necessitated that many innocent Nigerians and, by implication, the global audience seeking a true history of the people, have been fed with distorted information that dictates their relationship with the people. To this extent, many sociopolitical and even academic involvements of the affected have been determined by the revisionist information with which their mental faculty has been programmed. In collaboration with the other scholar involved in the publication, they can situate the good Nigerian history within its deserved position in the intellectual space and filter out the over-saturated misinformation previously created and shared by those interested in Africa for financial and strictly exploitative gains. The Palgrave Handbook of African Education and Indigenous Knowledge, produced in 2020, follows a familiar trajectory of protest culture against the individuation of African epistemology. It reveals, first, that the education associated with African people in the contemporary time is designed to honour the structure of those inherited from colonial experiences. To that extent, the indigenous knowledge systems and their identified sociological responsibilities have been impaired by the new ones and handicapped by them. As such, the implantation of the Western ideas of humanity and personhood, aided, for example, by the application of Western epistemic legacies, has forced the African minds to conceive of themselves from the lens of their erstwhile predators, which among other things, contaminates the original sense of being to an irreparable degree. As such, the average African has reservations against nearly all African philosophies, ideologies and even perspectives on living. This book, therefore, traces indigenous African knowledge, its production and distribution methods and the sociocultural import linked with it. This, therefore, helps in reinforcing the assumption that African epistemic systems are not inferior, and neither are they inadequate. Their challenge has always come from the inferiorisation of their heritages for no particular reason. In 2019, Falola co-edited a book titled Oppression and Resistance in Africa and The Diaspora, and the material refracted the various experiences of oppression that the generality of African people witnessed in their recent history. Of particular interest is the suppressive and oppressive experience that the South African people were subjected to during the agonising years of apartheid. The pains and anguish people faced are best imagined as they witnessed the catastrophic collapse of their indigenous structures, both at the level of observable infrastructure and moral systems. To the extent that Black South Africans were forced to subdue their sense of self and, in exchange, embrace the irreconcilable ideas of the predatory civilisation, so much that they had their humanity downgraded and squashed with callous indignity. They could not have access to economic resources, and every of their potential is drained on the corridor of wastage. However, they stood up to these people and also challenged the superstructure. In essence, the book x-rays the various dehumanizing experiments and experiences that these people were subjected to, evaluating their various styles of protest against all these questionable moral behaviours. Their protest led to the actualisation of freedom and opened the door to identity reclamation, which gave them the anticipated respite. As such, the works are foregrounded for their political and historical importance. his coedited work, Africa and Globalization: Challenges of Governance and Creativity, produced in 2018, explored a different but thematically connected subject matter. It seems Africa is caught in the ebb of a restless yet rapid globalisation, so much that its leadership struggles to consider what it meant by development and how their conception of it would reflect what they face as a people. Meanwhile, his coedited work, Africa and Globalization: Challenges of Governance and Creativity, produced in 2018, explored a different but thematically connected subject matter. It seems Africa is caught in the ebb of a restless yet rapid globalisation, so much that its leadership struggles to consider what it meant by development and how their conception of it would reflect what they face as a people. It is observed, for example, that from the start of the Industrial Revolution to the technological development that introduced internet culture, Africans have always experienced one form of destabilisation. Consider, for example, that when Europe accomplished the Industrial Revolution, Africa was being ransacked by them, either for the enslavement of the people or for the planting of colonisation expeditions. This would eventually be overcome by the fast-moving globalisation project, which still meets the people at the spot of leadership quagmire. In essence, governance has been grossly ineffective as they have had many complications to deal with in their postcolonial time. This has affected their creativity in all ramifications, and the book offers an inciteful perspective to enrich the knowledge community. It is a success, given that it received wider acceptability from the reading public. Despite his exploration of the above topics, a book produced in 2018 titled Exploitation and Misrule in Colonial and Postcolonial Africa has been expository writing on the exploitation of Africa and Africans, this time not from the staple of predatory civilisations but the active participation of the African leaders. In all parts of the ex-colonised civilisations, Africa appears to be the most tormented with visionless leadership. That leaders beleaguer them without any business with leadership has increased their chances of underdevelopment, as they have no clear-cut roadmap or blueprint for their collective development. It, therefore, seems from their very attitudes that they consider, first, the accumulation of public resources for their provincial interests. This has inevitably led to the manoeuvring of their systems to assuage the leaders of the moral and ideological punishment they deserve for their unpatriotic engagement against their motherland. An example is that African leaders expend fortunes to scuttle the process in almost all political circles so they would be favoured in the long run. And the question comes clearly to mind: To what extent would an individual truly be ready to sacrifice when s/he is expected to offer selfless services? The irony in the idea that leaders are extravagant in Africa would therefore reveal reasons for continuing exploitation and misrule that is now characteristic of Africa. These are part of Professor Falolas pedigree, which he will be bringing to the University of Pretoria to advance the frontiers of knowledge, improve visibility and internationalisation for the African Centre for the Study of the United States, the Department of Political Sciences, the Faculty of Humanities and the University of Pretoria at large. Tinashe Nyamunda is an Associate Professor in the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies, ACSUS, University of Pretoria, South Africa. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained an ex parte order for the forfeiture of some properties owned by the Auditor-General Yobe State Local Government Audit, Yahaya Idris. The order was granted by Fadima Aminu, a judge of the Federal High Court Damaturu, in a motion ex parte brought by the Commission against Mr Idris. The EFCC alleged that the properties were acquired through questionable means. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that earlier this month the EFCC sealed off more than five properties allegedly owned by Mr Idris. On Thursday, 21 September, the commission approached the Federal High Court Damaturu through its counsel, Mukhtar Ahmed, with an ex parte motion for the forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The trial judge, Mr Aminu, granted the motion but gave a 14 days notice to allow any person with a counterclaim of ownership of the properties to show up at the court and prove why such a property should not be forfeited to the Federal Government. The EFCC lawyer, Mr Ahmed, explained, The implication of this ruling is that those properties sealed would be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria after 14 days if anyone does not come out to claim ownership of the properties in question. Residents of New Market of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State have accused Police officers attached to the C Division of killing a 16-year-old boy, Usman Bala, and injuring two others in the area. The residents called on the State Police Commissioner, Bartholomew Onyeka, to bring to book the officers who killed the boy, who was an artisan. Residents claimed at around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, a team of policemen opened fire at a crowd protesting police harassment of tricycle riders in the area. The police often come from C Division to station at New Market Junction. But in the last five days, the youths of the area complained about how they come to raid tricycle riders and seized their tricycles, said an eyewitness, Nazizu Nasale So, when they came yesterday, they seized a tricycle and the youth started shouting at them (police), to stop seizing the tricycle, and before you know, the police opened fire at people. They shot one on the stomach and two others on the legs, he added. Muhammad Bala, the father of the deceased, said the police authorities must bring the officers to book. Yesterday after we have observed the last prayer of the day (dusk), I was called that I should come to Bingham Hospital and I asked why? They said I should just come. On getting there, I was told that my child was shot dead by the police. No security personnel has so far come to my house with regard to the incident. I am not going to tolerate this extrajudicial killing. The police commissioner should come into this matter to unravel the circumstances behind the killing. My son was innocent. He is a leatherworker and he went to a shop around the area to buy water gum to make some bags, the father said. When reached for comments about the incident, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, said: based on the recent killing of two market security guards, in Kasuwan Dare and New Market, the police officers went out on suspicion of some boys. On getting there, the police were attacked by some Sara Suka boys who came in their numbers, stoned the police car and even wounded the driver. The police fire back to escape. We are on top of the situation. An Enugu-based Non-Governmental Organisation, New-Life Community Care Initiative, has decried the rate of violation of children and womens rights in the state. The organisations Director, Florence Ifeanyi-Aneke, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday. Mrs Ifeanyi-Aneke called for the implementation of the Child and Womens Rights in the state to strengthen their protection from sexual abuse and deprivation of rights. She described women and children in Enugu as vulnerable and seen as creatures without choice and voice in society. According to her, culture and society view women as people without choice and who should not talk when men are talking. Culture and society see women as those whose place is often in the kitchen. READ ALSO: So we are working to close the inequality gap and ensure there is equity and protection of their rights. Presently, we are engaging traditional rulers and leaders of two communities in Udi and Nkanu East Local Government Areas to end abuses and rights violations of children and women in their communities. We are also soliciting for womens inclusion in the traditional rulers cabinets and state in general and full implementation of Child Rights Law in Enugu State, Mrs Ifeanyi-Aneke said. She further said the group would set up a Community Child Right Committee to handle child abuse, rape and early marriage by ensuring the implementation of Child Right Laws in the state. Any case of violation of the childs right, the community will report to the committee and we are planning to set up the same committees in secondary schools in the state. She urged the public to report child and womens rights violations to the authorities. She said if the Child Rights Laws are fully implemented, no child would be seen hawking in the street when others are in the classroom. Mrs Ifeanyi-Aneke said the sensitisation was organised by her organisation in partnership with Agents for Citizens-driven Transformation, funded by the European Union and implemented by the British Council. (NAN) WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On the occasion of National Women's Business Day, Women Business Collaborative (WBC), Ascend, C200 and Catalyst have released the third annual report highlighting women CEOs in America! In Summer of 2022, 8.8% of CEOs are women and today women are 9% of CEOs in the Fortune 500. "The Women CEOs in America Report offers much more than just data related to women leading the country's major corporations," said Edie Fraser, CEO of WBC. "It goes beyond the numbers to provide insight into what's happening and why, adding depth and breadth to the data and helps to position the numbers in the context of not just corporate America but our society as a whole." While the numbers rise in the Fortune 500, the promotion of women of color lag across the indices which include the Fortune, S&P 500 and Private companies. There is still significant progress to be made to seat more diverse CEOs at the head of America's largest companies. " There is tremendous growth in the number of women starting businesses. Research estimates that women own 40% of all companies in America, with Black and Latina founders starting businesses in record numbers. We share this report to hold companies accountable for ensuring women, especially women of color, have equitable access to leadership opportunities and networks for advancement." --Kimber Maderazzo, Chair, C200 The five key takeaways from this year's report: Change is happening . While the numbers show slow progress in the C-Suite of the country's leading companies, key indicators of gender equity are moving in a positive direction. . While the numbers show slow progress in the C-Suite of the country's leading companies, key indicators of gender equity are moving in a positive direction. Tolerance and Inclusion . Younger workers are bringing a strong desire for greater tolerance and inclusion previously unseen. . Younger workers are bringing a strong desire for greater tolerance and inclusion previously unseen. Change must start at the top . CEOs and boards need to take more action to demonstrate that diversity and inclusion are a necessity, not a nicety. . CEOs and boards need to take more action to demonstrate that diversity and inclusion are a necessity, not a nicety. Mentors and Sponsors Matter . Women remain at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to mentors, networks, and sponsors. Corporate leaders, both male and female, must step up and serve as mentors and sponsors to early and mid-career women. . Women remain at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to mentors, networks, and sponsors. Corporate leaders, both male and female, must step up and serve as mentors and sponsors to early and mid-career women. Diverse leadership is linked to performance. Women CEOs and leaders in government tangibly demonstrate the talents, skills, and contributions that women bring to their companies and their communities. This report provides a comprehensive breakdown of women running Fortune 500, Fortune 1000, Russell 3000, S&P 500, Private Companies over $1 billion, and women entrepreneurs over $500 million. The report insights and analysis outline the 10 accelerators business and society can do to ensure that the number of women CEOs rise. We are more than ready and will bring to the positions not only multicultural and multi-faceted perspectives, experiences, and wisdom, but the fortitude and resilience from having had to forge through multiple barriers and glass ceilings along the way all strengths that will help our companies thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world!" states Anna Mok, President & Chair, Ascend "This year the numbers of CEOS hit a record high of 44 and this report highlights what we've long known about women's advancement to the top job in the C-suite: The progress is slow, but it is possible" states Lorraine Hariton, President and CEO, Catalyst The report was highlighted on Day Two of the WBC Action For Impact Annual Summit. For more information and to download a copy of the report, visit www.wbcollaborative.org. About Women Business Collaborative Women Business Collaborative (WBC) is an unprecedented alliance of 75+ women's business organizations and hundreds of business leaders building a movement to achieve equal position, pay, and power for all women in business. Through collaboration, advocacy, action, and accountability, we mobilize thousands of diverse professional women and men, business organizations, public and private companies to accelerate change. About Ascend Ascend is the largest Pan-Asian business professional membership organization in North America dedicated to driving workplace and societal impact by developing and elevating all Asian and Pacific Islander (API) business leaders and empowering them to become catalysts for change. About C200 C200 is a women's business leadership organization whose mission is to educate, inspire, support, and advance women in business. Its community includes the most successful women entrepreneurs and corporate business leaders who have joined together to change the face of business leadership About Catalyst Catalyst is a global nonprofit supported by many of the world's most powerful CEOs and leading companies to help build workplaces that work for women. Founded in 1962, Catalyst drives change with preeminent thought leadership, actionable solutions, and a galvanized community of multinational corporations to accelerate and advance women into leadershipbecause progress for women is progress for everyone. SOURCE Women Business Collaborative AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellantis hosts 23rd annual supplier diversity MatchMaker event Virtual event connects more than 200 diverse business owners with more than 100 Tier 1 supplier decision makers and 200 Stellantis buyers across commodity areas Launches program to foster growth and development of women-owned and certified companies in partnership with Great Lakes Women's Business Council Honors four companies for excellence in supplier diversity Continuing a tradition now in its 23rd year, Stellantis today virtually hosted its annual supplier diversity MatchMaker program, furthering the company's long-standing commitment to building a diverse supply base and growing wealth for diverse business owners and communities. This year's MatchMaker was attended by more than 1,000 participants. This included more than 200 diverse business owners, more than 100 Tier 1 supplier decision makers and about 200 Stellantis buyers across commodity areas.. The program offers diverse-owned companies the opportunity to host virtual exhibit spaces, network and learn about Stellantis' supplier diversity development initiatives, including participating in "matchmaking" meetings with key buyers and decision makers. The program hosted about 150 exhibitors this year. The opening ceremony kicked off with remarks from Stellantis executives and Julie Fream, president and CEO of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). "A key competitive differentiator of Stellantis' commitment to diversity continues to be our leadership in providing new opportunities to grow diverse suppliers, including certified minority-, women-, veteran-, LGBTQ+- and disability-owned businesses," said Mark Stewart, North America COO, Stellantis. "Stellantis is proud of this extraordinary record and our team's commitment to sustaining our position as a corporate leader promoting the best values of supplier diversity. And in effect, sharing our success to empower diverse communities." Since 1983, the company has purchased more than $100 billion from diverse suppliers. In 2021, its North America operations spent more than $7 billion with 200-plus diverse suppliers. MatchMaker itself has generated more than $4 billion in new business opportunities for minority-owned businesses since its inception in 1999, including women-, veteran-, LGBTQ- and disability-owned businesses, as well as small businesses. MentorWE: Women's Business Development Program Further expanding its support of initiatives to empower diverse suppliers, Stellantis during the event announced the launch of a new program in partnership with the Great Lakes Women's Business Council. The program, named MentorWE, will focus on the growth and development of women-owned and certified companies. The nine-month program will kick off in October with an initial group of 10 women-owned businesses and offer business development modules taught by Stellantis executives and leading women entrepreneurs, with support from the U.S. Small Business Administration. "MentorWE is the next generation of business development, elevating WBE businesses to new levels by combining peer group support, successful WBE and corporate group mentoring and executive business education and counseling," said Michelle Richards, founder and director, Great Lakes Women's Business Council. "Stellantis is a valuable partner in this initiative, which will assist WBE businesses to go from incremental to exponential growth as a result." Supplier Diversity Excellence During the MatchMaker event, Stellantis also recognized suppliers that have demonstrated leadership, passion and commitment in building robust supplier diversity programs. The winning companies in four award categories were: Indirect Services and Logistics: Giffin Direct Production: Mayco International Aftermarket: Kem Krest Tier 1 Supplier Diversity Champion: Cummins Inc. "Despite our team's many successes, we remain highly motivated to continue to find innovative ways to take our commitment to diverse suppliers to exciting new levels and recognize those partners who share in our mission," said Bashar Cholagh, head of supplier diversity development, Stellantis - North America. Other topics presented at MatchMaker included a review of projects underway in North America as part of the company's Dare Forward 2030 plan and efforts to improve the lives of customers today and in a digital and electrified future. Stellantis recently has earned the following recognition for its supplier diversity leadership: No. 3 ranking out of more than 2,000 companies in Diversity Inc's annual review of corporate supplier diversity programs in the U.S. President's Award from the National Veterans Business Development Council Corporation of the Year Award from the National Minority Supplier Development Council Benchmark Corporation of the Year from Rainbow Push Coalition Best-in-Class Award from the Great Lakes Women Business Council Top Corporation Gold Award from the Women's Business Enterprise National Council President's Award from the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council The virtual MatchMaker event was powered by OESA's meeting platform. For more information about Stellantis' supplier diversity programs, visit www.supplierdiversitystellantis.com. Stellantis North America Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) is one of the world's leading automakers and a mobility provider. In North America, it's best known for producing and selling vehicles in a portfolio of iconic and award-winning brands such as Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Alfa Romeo and Fiat. Powered by its diversity, Stellantis leads the way the region and the world move aspiring to become the greatest sustainable mobility tech company, not the biggest, while creating added value for all stakeholders as well as the communities in which it operates. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com. Follow company news and video on: Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com Company website: www.stellantis.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/Stellantis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StellantisNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellantisna Twitter: @StellantisNA YouTube: http://youtube.com/StellantisNA SOURCE Stellantis Add a Dirt Devil to the last-minute shopping list for under $100 CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A vacuum is one of the most forgotten items when going back to college, but Dirt Devil has students and parents covered this fall with a variety of cleaning products and options to fit any need and space. Fall semester is here and most students have moved into their dorms or off campus living; so, making sure THE packing list is checked off is essential for starting the semester off right. Add a Dirt Devil to the last-minute school shopping list for under $100 Tweet this "The last thing any sleep deprived student wants to worry about is cleaning," says Brian Doyle, General Manager for Dirt Devil at TTI Floor Care and Cleaning North America. "The Dirt Devil brand is designed to provide an easy-to-clean experience at an affordable price point," says Doyle. "Last minute college shopping after you moved in should not be stressful or expensive." With Dirt Devil comes a variety of products that are priced right and perfect for smaller spaces with minimal storage. The product lineup includes easy-to-use cordless hand vacuums, compact and easy-to-store stick vacuums, and powerful upright cleaners! All priced under $100. Several Back to Campus Dirt Devil favorites can be found at Dirtdevil.com. Below are a few recommendations to start off the new school year right! Affordable Dirt Devil Options for your last-minute shopping list: Cordless & Compact Hand Vacuums Compact cordless hand vacuums are perfect for apartments, dorms, and cars. They can even fit in your backpack! Score! Lightweight Corded Stick Vacuums Lightweight stick vacuums are perfect for those quick messes. Plus, compact enough to store in those smaller spaces! Just grab-in-go. Powerful Upright Vacuums These are great for those with pets or larger spaces with extra mess. The extra-large easy to empty dirt cups hold more, so that means more time hitting the books and less time emptying your vacuum. Versa Cordless 3-in-1 Stick Vacuum Stick vacuum with powerful performance on carpet and hardwoods. Use it for ALL messes it comes with a detachable hand vacuum for above the floor cleaning too! About Dirt Devil For more than 100 years, Dirt Devil has been one of the most iconic brands in the cleaning space. Dirt Devil products provide simple solutions at affordable price points. Dirt Devil offers a variety of versatile, effective tools that provide consumers a quick, powerful clean. The comprehensive line of products include easy-to-use cordless hand vacuums, compact and easy-to-store stick vacuums, and powerful upright cleaners. Dirt Devil is a brand of TTI Floor Care and Cleaning North America, whose portfolio of leading brands also includes Oreck, Hoover and Hoover Commercial. More at DirtDevil.com. SOURCE Dirt Devil Program incentives include premiering artworks in an online MakersPlace exhibition and display at a booth during Art Week Miami SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Osinachi, the self-taught Nigerian digital artist, establishes his own accelerator program on MakersPlace , the premier marketplace for rare and authentic digital fine art, to onboard African creators and establish an enriched community in the NFT art world. Artists of all levels currently residing in Africa are eligible to be accepted into the program, and if selected, their artwork will be featured in an online exhibit on MakersPlace that will be announced on November 3, timed to coincide with the opening of Art X Lagos. Six accelerator winners, curated by Osinachi, will also be invited to exhibit two additional artworks at the SCOPE art show during Art Week Miami in December. MakersPlace Osinachi, born Prince Jacon Osinachi Igwe, grew up in the commercial city of Aba, Nigeria, and has been meddling with computers and utilizing his personal experiences to create digital images since he was 13 years old. Since his first entrance into the crypto art scene in 2017, Osinachi's work has also been displayed in several exhibits around the world including Zurich, London, and New York. "I was born in Aba, Nigeria, with limited access to a computer, let alone any exposure to digital art. I feel so honored to have risen in the space so quickly, and I want to return the favor to leading digital artists in Africa. I know from personal experience how challenging it can be to be creative with limited resources, and I want to highlight these talented artists in Africa to show the world how gifted these designers truly are. MakersPlace is helping me provide the opportunity to shine a light on Africa's talent and raise awareness for my fellow gifted designers," said Osinachi. As the first African NFT artist to auction his work at Christie's Europe, Osinachi has been described as "Africa's foremost crypto artist." He has transformed the industry by utilizing Microsoft Word as his medium to illustrate beautiful, colorful, figurative portraits that consider masculinity, homophobia, gender roles, and other topics. Osinachi is looking to inspire other African designers and artistic creators to help cultivate an enriched crypto art scene and build awareness for arts in Africa with his newest accelerator program on MakersPlace. Whether they are emerging artists or premium-level designers, Osinachi is looking to promote these African digital creators to help accelerate their professional artistic careers. Applications are open for three weeks and the submission deadline for all participants is Oct. 12. After Osinachi selects the winners, MakersPlace will feature the six artists' pieces on its homepage. The MakersPlace Exhibit will launch Thursday, Nov. 3, to coincide with Art X Lagos, Africa's largest art fair. Osinachi will also launch his newest artwork on Nov. 10 on MakersPlace. Art Miami is America's leading contemporary and modern art fair. This year, the six creators will have the opportunity to exhibit a second and third mint at Art Miami, presented by Osinachi. "Osinachi is truly a gifted artist and we're honored to help him cultivate awareness for the emerging and premium-level artists in Africa. Our combined vision will help create a new appreciation for talented African artists and we're honored to help accelerate their professional careers," said Craig Palmer, CEO of MakersPlace. About Osinachi Osinachi (born Prince Jacon Osinachi Igwe) is a 30-year-old digital artist based in Lagos, Nigeria. The first crypto artist out of Africa, he has been in the NFT space for about five years now, making artworks that mirror his personal experiences through a unique visual language that he has perfected over 15 years. His practice has led to conversations around NFTs and how works produced in the space speak to a larger humanity. In addition to numerous collaborations with big players in the art world, Osinachi auctioned five unique NFTs last year in Europe. The project which was a three-way collaboration between him, Christie's Europe and 1-54 Art Fair marked the first time the auction house would present NFTs in Europe, the first exhibition of NFTs at the art fair, and made Osinachi the first African to achieve such a feat, among other milestones. More recently, he launched the widely successful pfp/avatar project Across the Face which marked the first time we would see two NFT platforms form a partnership for the launch of a singular project. About MakersPlace MakersPlace is the premier NFT marketplace for digital art. Launched in 2018, MakersPlace utilizes blockchain technology to facilitate the sale of authentic, original digital artwork, ensuring rarity and ownership for both creators and collectors. MakersPlace has emphasized accessibility since its inception, and has attracted a large mainstream audience as the first NFT marketplace to accept both cryptocurrency (ETH) and non-cryptocurrency (USD) payments, which it facilitates through crypto wallet and credit card transactions, respectively. MakersPlace helped catapult digital art and NFTs onto the global stage, with the historic sale of Beeple's Everydays: The First 5000 Days for $69.3 million in partnership with Christie's auction house in March 2021 the record price for any digital artwork. Our mission is simple: to enable a vibrant future for digital creativity. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE MakersPlace ORANGE, Calif., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) has received a $10 million donation from the Argyros Family Foundation in support of The Fetal Care Center of Southern California. A unique collaboration between CHOC and UCI Health, the Center brings together world-class experts in maternal-fetal medicine and pediatrics to care for families facing severe diagnoses in their unborn babies, and to care for these babies upon delivery. Since opening last year, the center has seen more than 700 patients, including babies with extremely rare conditions. The Argyros' transformational gift will enable CHOC to grow its fetal care program, including adding staff and becoming a hub for groundbreaking research on fetal disorders. "CHOC and UCI Health are committed to improving maternal and fetal health in Orange County and beyond. We are very grateful to the Argyros family for their extraordinary support, which will enable us to become one of the premier fetal programs in the United States," said Dr. Peter Yu, a pediatric general and thoracic surgeon at CHOC and medical director of The Fetal Care Center of Southern California. The Fetal Care Center was recently approved for membership in an international fetal research and oversight body whose hospitals have some of the most prestigious and well-established programs in the country. NAFTNet, for North American Fetal Therapy Network, is a voluntary association of medical centers in the U.S. and Canada with expertise in fetal surgery and other forms of multidisciplinary care for complex disorders of the fetus. CHOC's membership represents its commitment to advancing the highest standards of fetal care and promoting more research on fetal disorders. "The Fetal Care Center of Southern California gives expectant parents facing unexpected diagnoses access to the highest levels of expert care for them and their babies. We are truly proud to support the great work of CHOC," said Julia Argyros. George and Julia Argyros, and their daughter Stephanie, have been longtime CHOC supporters. The family's $5 million donation in 2012 was recognized by naming CHOC Hospital's emergency department in their honor. That gift was followed five years later with $2 million to grow neonatal services. In addition to their donations, Julia and Stephanie have volunteered at key signature events benefitting the pediatric healthcare system. Julia was an early cast member of the CHOC Follies, and Stephanie has served on the CHOC Foundation Board of Directors since 2011. She has also been an executive committee member, including serving as co-chair, for the CHOC Gala, helping raise more than $5 million for CHOC. "The Argyros family has been an integral part of CHOC's history for more than two decades. They never waver in their dedication to making our community a better place, especially for children and families. This most recent gift will help us ensure these babies have the best chance at a happy, healthy childhood," said CHOC President and CEO Kimberly Chavalas Cripe. The 2,200-square-foot Fetal Care Center, located on CHOC's Orange campus, features a spacious lobby, two echocardiogram rooms, one ultrasound room, two patient consultation rooms and a physician reading room, all set against soothing, spa-like aesthetics. In addition to certain fetal interventions, the center currently offers: Consultation Fetal diagnostics Treatment planning After-birth care A full complement of specialties, including cardiology, genetics, maternal-fetal medicine, neonatology, neurology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, orthopedic surgery, pediatric general and thoracic surgery, plastic surgery, urology and more. About CHOC CHOC, a pediatric healthcare system based in Orange County, California, is committed to being a leading destination for children's health by providing exceptional and innovative care. CHOC's growing community includes two state-of-the-art hospitals in Orange and Mission Viejo and a regional network of primary and specialty care clinics serving children and families in four counties. CHOC offers several clinical programs of excellence providing the highest levels of care for the most serious pediatric illnesses and injuries, physical and mental. CHOC's research and innovation institutes are focused on translating real patient needs into real-world treatments so every child can live the heathiest and happiest life possible. MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE CHOC CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Barchart, a leading provider of market data and technology services to the global financial, media, and commodity industries, is proud to announce their participation as a Gold Sponsor at the 2022 World Financial Information Conference ("WFIC"). WFIC is a one-of-a-kind event that brings together the global financial information industry including exchanges, data vendors and consumers. Barchart's CEO, Mark Haraburda and President, Eero Pikat, will be speaking at several sessions during the conference. For 2022, WFIC will take place in Prague from October 16-19, bringing together a mix of over 500 senior representatives from within the financial information industry. The event is centered around topics that are shaping the industry, including DeFi and NextGen data, technology trends like artificial intelligence and cloud-computing, data licensing, ESG data, regulation and much more. Barchart will participate in discussions on the financial information industry post-pandemic, alternative and non-exchange data sets and market data engineering. "We are looking forward to arriving in Prague next month and to represent Barchart at WFIC as a proud sponsor of the event," said Barchart CEO Mark Haraburda. "WFIC is the only global event of its kind that focuses on the market data industry, including new topics, challenges and opportunities impacting market data creation, distribution and consumption. Coming out of the pandemic, I expect the event to be especially meaningful." To learn more about Barchart and the solutions we offer to the financial information industry, please visit our website . About Barchart Barchart is a leading provider of market data and services to the global financial, media, and commodity industries. Our diversified client base trusts Barchart's innovative Solutions across data, software, and technology to power their operation from front to back office, while our Media brands enable financial and commodity professionals to make decisions through web content, news, and publications. For more information, please visit www.barchart.com/solutions . SOURCE Barchart Local Restaurateurs Bet Big on Recession-Resilience by Investing in Top Battery Retailer LONG ISLAND, N.Y., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Batteries Plus , the nation's leading franchise retailer for batteries, light bulbs, key fobs and phone repair services, recently welcomed their newest signed agreement for the development of 3 new units in Long Island, New York. This deal will not only expand the presence of the franchise within the region as a whole, but will establish the brand in a territory that's just become active for the company this year. Dominick and Joe Loccisano, brothers and business partners, invested in Batteries Plus after having spent 17-years working alongside one another in the restaurant industry. In that time, they've been able to establish a variety of local namesakes, including Villaggio Bistro, Sangrias Latin Restaurant, Sangaritas Tapas Restaurant, and more. As the pandemic cast a spotlight on the economic fragility of the restaurant sector, the brothers were compelled to rethink the diversity of their investments and long-term viability of the market. In search of business opportunities with a proven track record of recession-resilience and sustained year-over-year growth, they then discovered, researched, met with and signed on the dotted line to become a part of the fastest-growing battery supplies franchise in the country. "The restaurant business has the tendency to consume your entire life. Coupled with the skyrocketing cost of labor and overhead, it's just become a difficult beast to manage and constantly adapt with," said Dominick Loccisano. "That's largely why the blueprint of a franchise business model particularly Batteries Plus - appealed to us so much." As individuals and businesses become increasingly dependent on battery power, it's important to provide communities with ready access to the batteries they rely on. And that's the role the Loccisano's are looking to fill, providing for the energy needs of Long Island residents and businesses. "We're in the early stages of searching out the best real estate for our first location and are already envisioning what the brand's footprint in the area will look like over the next 5 years," said Joe Loccisano. "There's plenty of work ahead and lessons to be learned, but I feel this most recent deal is just the start of what our involvement with Batteries Plus will entail as we continue to move forward." Batteries Plus was ranked on Franchise Times Top 400 list, coming in at #130. And for the 29th year in a row, the brand made Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 list, climbing 69 spots over last year's rank. To learn more about Batteries Plus, including information on franchise opportunities or to 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: Conner Gossel, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 937-545-9812 SOURCE Batteries Plus General Flynn, Tom Homan, Roger Stone, Patrick Byrne, Joe Flynn and other leaders in the America First Movement come together in New York to highlight the crisis at the border NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The America Project, a 501c4 non-profit organization focused on promoting pro-Freedom, pro-Constitution and pro-Judeo Christian Values will be holding an event at The America First Warehouse at 90 13th Ave, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 on October 15th for a discussion focusing on the current illegal immigration crisis on the Southern Border. Border 911 Border 911 Speakers The all-day conference is set to feature investigative journalists, law enforcement officials, victims of crime and human trafficking, national security experts, advocacy and legislative experts who have been waiting for President Joe Biden to take meaningful action to secure America's border. The live in-person tour is also going to dive into how the Democratic Party plans to legalize voting for non-citizens, and expose how they are attempting to bait illegal migrants from Mexico, South America, and other countries to make the pilgrimage through our Southern Border in order to upend the voting population in the United States in an effort to insure the political establishment of the Democratic Party maintains control over elected officials in America. "Highlighting the depravity and violence brought to American soil by this unprecedented national security issue at our Southern Border is crucial to the preservation of our sovereignty and safety within the United States. Every state is now a border state and those 'sanctuary cities' are even more prone to the negative effects of mass illegal immigration which is not only allowed, but encouraged by the policies of the Biden administration," said TAP CEO Joe Flynn. Featured speakers include Thomas Homan, the former Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, former National Security Adviser General Michael Flynn, former Political Advisor to Donald J. Trump Roger Stone, former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne, TAP CEO Joe Flynn and others. "It is a disservice to the American people to constantly ignore or underplay what is happening on our Southern border. Events like "Border 911" are meant to educate fellow Americans and the world about the dangers of allowing open borders. This is not just a humanitarian crisis, but a national security threat that continues to cause communities across this nation to live in fear of what's next," said Tom Homan. For more information on TAP's "Border 911" Tour, and to get tickets please go to border911.com. SOURCE The America Project JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brooks Rehabilitation's first participant in the national stroke recovery trial, EMAGINE, has just completed study participation. The randomized, double-blind study tests whether a non-invasive, wearable device that delivers an electromagnetic field to brain networks can reduce disability and improve recovery following moderate to severe ischemic stroke. The study tests whether a non-invasive, wearable device can reduce disability following an ischemic stroke. Tweet this Brooks Rehabilitations first participant in the national stroke recovery trial, EMAGINE, has just completed study participation. The randomized, double-blind study tests whether a non-invasive, wearable device that delivers an electromagnetic field to brain networks can reduce disability and improve recovery following moderate to severe ischemic stroke. Brooks is one of up to 20 research and medical institutions in the United States who have been selected to participate in this pivotal study, with Clinical Research Scientist and Director of Neuromuscular Research, Emily Fox, PT, DPT, PhD, leading the charge as Site Principal Investigator at Brooks. The portable and user-friendly device, which received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation , is designed to accompany participants throughout their recovery journeys, beginning as early as acute hospitalization, and moving with them to the inpatient rehab facility and eventually home. The EMAGINE study allows participants to use the investigational therapy from their homes with the oversight of a trained caregiver. A study team member joins therapy sessions periodically using a remote computer platform. "It has been such a pleasure collaborating with Dr. Fox and the research team to determine how the stroke program in the hospital can support the EMAGINE research study. It is wonderful when research and operations can work together to ensure patients have access to opportunities like participating in this trial," said Amanda Osborne, PT, MBA, Vice President of Operations and Administrator for the Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital - University Campus. The technology utilizes explanatory machine learning to extract biological features found in brainwaves. These features are then used to target networks in the brain via a low-intensity, frequency-tuned electromagnetic field therapy with the goal of facilitating neuro-recovery. The therapy is intended to be used in combination with the current standard of care in physical or occupational therapy. "Working with industry partners to conduct research offers an outstanding opportunity for Brooks patients," explains Dr. Fox, Site Principal Investigator. "I have been particularly excited about this clinical trial because of the potential advancements in post-stroke rehabilitation. The focus on innovative technology and rehabilitation that transitions from the hospital to the home allows us to support patients and caregivers throughout their recovery." Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the US and around the world. Every year, one in four people will suffer from a stroke in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , creating a significant burden on their families and friends, and society as a whole. System Medical Chief Officer at Brooks, Trevor Paris, M.D., FAAPMR, is a great supporter of innovative solutions in rehabilitation. "Brooks has a long history of providing rehabilitation to patients with stroke and is always looking for cutting-edge technologies that can enhance our patients' outcomes. Participation in the EMAGINE trial is another step in that quest to enable our patients to achieve their highest potential. We see participation in this national trial as a way to not only help our community of stroke survivors, but potentially improve the lives of stroke patients across the country," he said. The study is funded by BrainQ, the technology company that developed the investigational device. "With their notable and innovative approach to stroke care and dedication to community outreach, Brooks is a true partner in furthering our mission to redesign what recovery looks for stroke victims," stated Yotam Drechsler, CEO of BrainQ. "We're honored to be working together." The EMAGINE stroke recovery trial will enroll 150 randomized subjects nationwide 4-21 days following a stroke. Trial participants will undergo 45 sessions over a total of 9 weeks, 5 times a week. Each session will last for 60 minutes. Eligible participants will be identified through Brooks Rehabilitation, and recruitment is now open. For more information, visit the EMAGINE website . More about Brooks Rehabilitation For more than 50 years, Brooks Rehabilitation, headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., has been a comprehensive source for physical rehabilitation services. As a nonprofit organization, Brooks operates one of the nation's largest inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the U.S. with 160 beds, a second 60-bed inpatient hospital that opened in April 2022, and a Center for Inpatient Rehabilitation in partnership with Halifax Health in Daytona Beach, Fla. Brooks also has one of the region's largest home healthcare agencies, more than 40 outpatient therapy clinics, the Brooks Rehabilitation Medical Group, two skilled nursing facilities, assisted living and memory care. Brooks will treat more than 60,000 patients through its system of care each year. In addition, Brooks operates the Clinical Research Center, which specializes in research to advance the science of rehabilitation. Brooks also provides many low- or no-cost community programs and services to improve the quality of life for people living with physical disabilities. For more information, visit BrooksRehab.org. About BrainQ BrainQ, the EMAGINE Stroke Recovery Trial sponsor, is a US and Israel-based company pioneering a novel therapy for reducing disability and maximizing the recovery potential for stroke and other neurodisorder victims. Their investigational device received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation. Their mission is to restore independence for the millions of people suffering from disability worldwide with a home-based accessible solution. Worldwide, the BrainQ technology is limited to investigational use only and is not approved or available for sale. BrainQ makes no guarantees regarding clinical trial outcomes or regulatory approval for its technology. Media contacts Brooks Rehabilitation: Jill Matejcek [email protected] BrainQ: Madeleine Truitt [email protected] SOURCE Brooks Rehabilitation NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the report "Digital Food Management Solutions Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026", the market will witness a YOY growth of 14.98% in 2022 and a CAGR of 15.55% during the forecast period. The report is segmented by application (food safety, marketing, and others) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Digital Food Management Solutions Market 2022-2026 Technavio provides a comprehensive report summary describing the market size and forecast along with research methodology. The FREE sample report is available in PDF format Key Segment Analysis The food safety segment will be the largest contributor to market growth during the forecast period. Digital food safety (DFS) is the concept of converting and converging manual food safety practices into a centralized software solution. The growth of the food safety market segment is attributed to factor such as the growing importance and stringency of food safety standards, an increase in the involvement of government agencies in food safety via regulations, and the rising demand for analytical instruments in the food and beverage industry. Find additional highlights and key points on various market segments and their impact in coming years. View our FREE PDF Sample Report Geographical Market Analysis North America will provide maximum growth opportunities in the digital food management solutions market during the forecast period. According to our research, the region will contribute 46% of the global market growth. The US and Canada are the two major markets for digital food management solutions in North America. The rapid urbanization and the rising disposable income of the population will drive the digital food management solutions market growth in North America during the forecast period. Vendor Insights The digital food management solutions market is fragmented. Vendors are deploying growth strategies such as acquiring regional or local vendors to compete in the market. The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including: Agilysys Inc. Apicbase NV Aptus Systems Ltd. Chetu Inc. Computrition Inc. Epicor Software Corp. eZee Technosys Pvt. Ltd. FlexiBake Ltd. GOFRUGAL iNECTA LLC JAMIX Oy KELLTON TECH Kitchen Brains Omega POS Inc. Oracle Corp. SmartSuite Holdings LLC SweetWARE The CBORD Group Inc. Toast Inc. Vision Software Technologies Inc. Technavio's reports provide key strategic initiatives used by vendors, along with key news and the latest developments. View our FREE PDF Sample Report Now Key Market Drivers and Challenges The growth of the foodservice industry is driving the growth of the market. Rapid urbanization has resulted in an increase in the disposable income of people globally. Hence, the demand for convenient and easy-to-prepare food products has increased. Foodservice establishments are focusing on maximizing profits, enhancing customer service, and reducing costs. The use of digital food management solutions helps in improving efficiency and reducing mismanagement of food delivery. The increasing operational costs will challenge the digital food management solutions market during the forecast period. Customers prefer online food vendors that provide higher discounts. However, the increasing cost of food products and ingredients is driving the prices of food items. Thus, the unpredictability in the pricing of food items will have a negative impact on the profit margins of online on-demand food delivery services vendors. Technavio has identified key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market, which will help vendors improve their strategies to stay ahead of their competitors. View our FREE PDF Sample Report Customize Your Report Don't miss out on the opportunity to speak to our analyst and learn more insights about this market report. Technavio can also help you customize this report according to your needs. Our analysts and industry experts will work directly with you to understand your requirements and provide you with customized data in a short amount of time. Related Reports Retail E-Commerce Software Market by Deployment and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The retail e-commerce software market share is expected to increase by USD 6.72 billion from 2020 to 2025. Cloud-based Contact Center Market by Component and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The cloud-based contact center market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 19.97% from 2021 to 2026. Digital Food Management Solutions Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 15.55% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 2.39 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 14.98 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 46% Key consumer countries US, Canada, Germany, France, and UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Agilysys Inc., Apicbase NV, Aptus Systems Ltd., Chetu Inc., Computrition Inc., Epicor Software Corp., eZee Technosys Pvt. Ltd., FlexiBake Ltd., GOFRUGAL, iNECTA LLC, JAMIX Oy, KELLTON TECH, Kitchen Brains, Omega POS Inc., Oracle Corp., SmartSuite Holdings LLC, SweetWARE, The CBORD Group Inc., Toast Inc., and Vision Software Technologies Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis 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 Information Technology 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 Application 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 Application 5.1 Market segments Exhibit 24: Chart on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 25: Data Table on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%) 5.2 Comparison by Application Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Application Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Application 5.3 Food safety - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 28: Chart on Food safety - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 29: Data Table on Food safety - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 30: Chart on Food safety - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Food safety - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.4 Marketing - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 32: Chart on Marketing - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 33: Data Table on Marketing - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 34: Chart on Marketing - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Marketing - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.5 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 36: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 38: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.6 Market opportunity by Application Exhibit 40: Market opportunity by Application ($ million) 6 Customer Landscape 6.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 41: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 7 Geographic Landscape 7.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 42: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) 7.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 44: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 45: Data Table on Geographic comparison 7.3 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 (%) 7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 51: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 52: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 55: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 56: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 57: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.6 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 (%) 7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 63: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 64: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 65: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 67: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 68: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 69: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.9 Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 71: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 72: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 73: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 75: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 77: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.11 France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 79: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 81: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.12 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 82: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 83: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 85: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 86: 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 87: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026 8.4 Market trends 9 Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 88: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 9.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 89: Overview on factors of disruption 9.4 Industry risks Exhibit 90: Impact of key risks on business 10 Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 91: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 92: Matrix on vendor position and classification 10.3 Agilysys Inc. Exhibit 93: Agilysys Inc. - Overview Exhibit 94: Agilysys Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 95: Agilysys Inc. - Key offerings 10.4 Aptus Systems Ltd. Exhibit 96: Aptus Systems Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 97: Aptus Systems Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 98: Aptus Systems Ltd. - Key offerings 10.5 Chetu Inc. Exhibit 99: Chetu Inc. - Overview Exhibit 100: Chetu Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 101: Chetu Inc. - Key offerings 10.6 Computrition Inc. Exhibit 102: Computrition Inc. - Overview Exhibit 103: Computrition Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 104: Computrition Inc. - Key offerings 10.7 Epicor Software Corp. Exhibit 105: Epicor Software Corp. - Overview Exhibit 106: Epicor Software Corp. - Product / Service Exhibit 107: Epicor Software Corp. - Key offerings 10.8 KELLTON TECH Exhibit 108: KELLTON TECH - Overview Exhibit 109: KELLTON TECH - Business segments Exhibit 110: KELLTON TECH - Key offerings Exhibit 111: KELLTON TECH - Segment focus 10.9 Kitchen Brains Exhibit 112: Kitchen Brains - Overview Exhibit 113: Kitchen Brains - Product / Service Exhibit 114: Kitchen Brains - Key offerings 10.10 Oracle Corp. Exhibit 115: Oracle Corp. - Overview Exhibit 116: Oracle Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 117: Oracle Corp. - Key news Exhibit 118: Oracle Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 119: Oracle Corp. - Segment focus 10.11 The CBORD Group Inc. Exhibit 120: The CBORD Group Inc. - Overview Exhibit 121: The CBORD Group Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 122: The CBORD Group Inc. - Key offerings 10.12 Vision Software Technologies Inc. Exhibit 123: Vision Software Technologies Inc. - Overview Exhibit 124: Vision Software Technologies Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 125: Vision Software Technologies Inc. - Key offerings 11 Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 126: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 127: Exclusions checklist 11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 128: Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.4 Research methodology Exhibit 129: Research methodology Exhibit 130: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 131: Information sources 11.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 132: 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 provides 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 AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR), a leading global provider of carrier and cloud-neutral data center, colocation and interconnection solutions, announced today that its operating partnership, Digital Realty Trust, L.P. (the "operating partnership"), has priced an underwritten public offering of $550 million of 5.550% notes due 2028. The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the operating partnership and will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. The notes were issued at 99.918% of par value, with a coupon of 5.550% and will mature on January 15, 2028. The company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the notes to temporarily repay borrowings outstanding under the operating partnership's global revolving credit facilities, acquire additional properties or businesses, fund development opportunities, invest in interest-bearing accounts and short-term, interest-bearing securities which are consistent with Digital Realty Trust, Inc.'s intention to qualify as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and to provide for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including potentially for the repayment of other debt, or the redemption, repurchase, repayment or retirement of outstanding equity and debt securities, or a combination of the foregoing. BofA Securities, Inc. and SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. are the joint book-running managers for the offering of the notes. The offering of the notes was made under an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A copy of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering of the notes will be filed with the SEC and will be available by visiting the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. A copy of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering of the notes may be obtained, when available, by contacting: BofA Securities, Inc. NC1-004-03-43 200 North College Street, 3rd floor Charlotte NC 28255-0001 Attn: Prospectus Department Toll Free: (800) 294-1322 [email protected] SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. 277 Park Avenue New York, NY 10172 Attn: Debt Capital Markets [email protected] This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase the notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Digital Realty Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data "meeting place" and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges. Digital Realty gives its customers access to the connected communities that matter to them with a global data center footprint of 300+ facilities in 50+ metros across 26 countries on six continents. For Additional Information Andrew P. Power Chief Financial Officer Digital Realty (727) 281-0101 Investor Relations Jordan Sadler / Jim Huseby Digital Realty (727) 281-0101 [email protected] Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially, including statements related to the offering of the notes and the expected use of the net proceeds therefrom. The company and the operating partnership can provide no assurances that they will be able to complete the offering on the anticipated terms, or at all. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports and other filings by the company and the operating partnership with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including their Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. The company and the operating partnership disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Digital Realty - New buildout of GLP lab space with access to adjacent cGMP-certified lab marks 3rd expansion for Company in 2 years - New facility allows ELEVAI to culture its proprietary exosomes for manufacture at scale - Company intends to further double its lab space and headcount by the end of 2023 to satisfy growing demand and meet the company's market share projections NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ELEVAI LABS, INC., a science-based, data-driven regenerative aesthetic skincare company is pleased to announce it has completed the expansion of their Davis, California laboratory and office space to accommodate the recent growth in sales and the near-term product line expansion. The Company's state-of-the-art lab and office space mark the 3rd expansion in 2 years, readying the company for further scalability to mass produce its first two SKUs under the E-Series umbrella; ELEVAI enfinity and ELEVAI empower. The expansion effectively increases the Company's production capabilities by approximately 500% and allows for continued R&D on the next wave of medical aesthetic products the company is developing. One section of the facility has been built and will operate under strict aseptic conditions following GLP (good laboratory practice) standards and is being used for cell culture and production of the company's proprietary stem cell exosomes for topical applications. The new facility also provides access to a cGMP (current good manufacturing practice) suite for ultra-pure, medical-grade research and development. This expansion will allow the company to expand upon its existing base of research and to further innovate as they aim to finish development and launch 3-4 new products in the next 6 months. Some of the key features of this facility include 24/7 security, advanced climate control, increased cold storage, and additional cell culture and R&D suites to perform more research in-house. The space contains multiple cell culture suites containing biosafety cabinets and cell culture incubators, this expansion effectively doubles its tissue culture capacity. Capabilities of the expanded lab include large-scale culture of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and mass production of stem cell-derived exosomes, cryopreservation, cryostorage, various forms of microscopy and cell analysis, as well as significantly more cold storage and processing space. The expanded lab space is managed by lab veteran, Matt DiBella, who has a background in biochemical engineering with over 5 years of experience as a lab manager with a focus on stem cell culture. Mr. DiBella will oversee the lab and is supported by a team of stem cell scientists mentored and trained by ELEVAI Lab's lead scientist and CEO, Dr. Jordan R. Plews. The Company has also recently partnered with UC Davis and CSUS to further grow its team and recruit some of the best and brightest minds the greater Sacramento area has to offer. Matt DiBella, Lab Manager commented: "After months of hard work, we are proud to have our new state-of-the-art lab up and running. With the increased lab space and the acquisition of new lab equipment, we're now able to increase our production by about 500%. We continue to hire and are growing our team to support the new, larger lab space, and we are excited to be part of a growing community of science-based companies here in the Greater Sacramento region." About ELEVAI LABS, INC. ELEVAI LABS, INC. is a biotechnology company developing cutting-edge regenerative skincare applications. The company solves the unmet needs in the regenerative aesthetics space through a combination of cutting-edge science and next-generation consumer applications. ELEVAI Labs develops state-of-the-art topical aesthetic and medical-grade skin care for the physician-dispensed market, with a focus on leveraging a proprietary stem cell exosome technology. To find an authorized ELEVAI Skincare Professional follow this link How to buy ELEVAI Skincare . For more information www.ElevaiLabs.com For further information: Kendra Ciardiello, Associate Director, [email protected] , 1-866-794-4940 CO: ELEVAI Labs Inc. SOURCE Elevai Labs Inc. The China environmental testing, inspection and certification market is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period from 2022-2032 followed by an increase rate in 2032 with U.S holding 19.8%. NEWARK, Del., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global environment testing, inspection, and certification market is anticipated to reach a value of US$ 33,237.9 Mn in 2032, with the market growing at a positive CAGR of 6.4% from the forecast period of 2022 to 2032. Scaling up from a value of US$ 15,648.6 Mn in 2021, the environment testing, inspection, and certification market is likely to reach an estimated US$ 17,873.8 Mn in 2022. The escalating environmental concerns from all over the world is propelling the demand for environment testing, inspection, and certification market during the forecast period. In the past few years, there's been a greater emphasis and focus on environmental preservation and sustainability. In order to maintain a sustainable growth, eco-friendly fiscal policies, eco-friendly marketplaces, better natural resource management, and effective waste management programs need to be implemented internationally. Governments all over the world are creating policies and regulations to control pollution and preserve the environment. Because of these regulations set by the governments of different nations, it is anticipated that the market for environment testing, inspection, and certification will expand at a rapid pace during this period of observation. Request [email protected] https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5602 In addition, increasing consumer awareness about the deterioration of natural resources, water and soil, sustainable living, and environmental preservation will fuel the market growth for environment testing, inspection, and certification. Again, with more and more businesses marketing goods with government-certified environment friendly labels, the target market will likely be presented with several lucrative opportunities. The expanding construction, healthcare, industrial, consumer electronics, and others are also generating opportunities for the environment testing, inspection, and certification market over the forecast period. "Growing environmental crisis coupled with rising preservation efforts by private and government organizations will presumably fuel the growth of the environment testing, inspection, and certification market over the forecast period," says an FMI analyst. Key Takeaways: Rising demand for infrastructure development to facilitate growth opportunities for the market. Heightened need for soil inspection will augment the market growth. The target market in China is expected to record a robust 7.2% CAGR. is expected to record a robust 7.2% CAGR. The U.S. will account for about 19.8% of the market share over the forecast period. In 2022, Germany will reach a market value of US$ 1,424.0 Mn . will reach a market value of . By product type, testing segment will hold about 57.2% of the market share. In terms of end-user, agriculture industry will maintain high demand. Talk with our [email protected] https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-5602 Competitive Landscape SGS SA, Intertek Group, Bureau Veritas, Yara International ASA, ALS Ltd, Assure Group Quality, Exova, SCS Global, RJ Hills Laboratories, APAL Agriculture, TUV Nord AG, Eurofins Scientific, GE Healthcare and Life sciences, Danaher, Agrolab Group, SAI Global Limited, Cawood Scientific, HRL Holdings Ltd, EnviroLab and SESL Australia among others are some of the major players in the environment testing, inspection, and certification market profiled in the full version of the report. Leading market players are focusing on product enhancements and improving their product offerings. Release of new products and services, partnerships and collaborations are certain strategies adopted by these businesses. More Insights into Environment Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market Report In its latest report, FMI offers an unbiased analysis of the global environment testing, inspection, and certification market, providing historical data from 2012 to 2021 and forecast statistics for 2022 to 2032. To understand the global market potential, growth, and scope, the market is segmented based on product type (testing, inspection, certification), end user (agriculture, construction, government institutes and R&D laboratories, industrial product manufacturers, other end users), sample type (water testing, air testing, soil testing, building materials, waste testing, fuel/ oil testing), test type (toxins, chemicals, pathogens, physical properties, metal, organic matter, nutrients/ elements/ minerals, inorganics, pH test, other types), and region. According to the latest FMI reports, based on region, the environment testing, inspection, and certification market in China is expected to display considerable growth over the forecast period. The market in this country is expected to register a 7.2% CAGR. This growth can be attributed to the implementation of strict environmental regulations, rising need of better product quality, and the strong presence of major market players. Aside from China, Germany and the U.S. are predicted to offer several lucrative opportunities to the environment testing, inspection, and certification market during the forecast period. Based on segmentation, by product type, the testing segment, and on the basis of end-user, the agriculture segment are projected to lead the market growth over the forecast period. Key Segments Covered in Environment Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market Analysis By Product Type: Testing Inspection Certification By End User: Agriculture Industry Construction Industry Government Institutes and R&D laboratories Industrial Product Manufacturers Other End Users By Sample Type: Water Testing Air Testing Soil Testing Building Materials Waste Testing Fuel/Oil Testing By Test Type: Toxins Chemicals Pathogens Physical Properties Metal Organic Matter Nutrients/Elements/Minerals Inorganics pH Test Other Types Request [email protected] https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-report-methodology/rep-gb-5602 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 Explore wide-ranging Coverage of FMI's Industrial Automation Market Insights Landscape: Testing, Inspection and Certification Market: The testing, inspection and certification market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 1.8% during the forecast period. The testing, inspection and certification market is valued at US$ 215.0 Bn in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 256.9 Bn by 2032. Non-destructive Testing (NDT) Inspection Services Market: Non-destructive testing (NDT) inspection services market to register a CAGR of over 6% between 2020 and 2030 Inspection Machines Market: Inspection Machine Market is anticipated to witness strong growth worldwide during the forecast period, 2016-2026 Inspection Lighting Fixture Market: The inspection lighting fixture market is projected to register a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period, up from US$ 6 Bn in 2021, to reach a valuation of US$ 11.8 Bn by 2032. Process Instrumentation Equipment Market: Process Instrumentation Equipment Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2016-2026 Overview. 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: 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] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1197648/FMI_Logo.jpg SOURCE Future Market Insights, Inc. NexCore and HATCHspaces announce the grand opening of HATCHlabs @ Irvine Spectrum DENVER & LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NexCore Group, a leading health care developer, and HATCHspaces, a real estate development platform focused on creating purpose-built life sciences facilities, have completed a full building transformation of an office building in Irvine, Calif. to a specialized, purpose-built life science facility. Located at 3 Burroughs, a premium location in Orange County, the new HATCHlabs @ Irvine Spectrum offers eight turnkey lab suites on the second floor, two of which are available for immediate occupancy with the others leased to Skye Biologics Holdings, LLC and Seegene Technologies, as well as first-floor lab-enabled shell space currently leased to Phase Scientific Americas. "We know it is a challenge for emerging life science companies to find space that functions at the highest technical level and delivers a quality creative environment," Todd Varney said, NexCore Chief Development Officer and Managing Partner. "With the recent increase in activity related to life sciences, driven in large part by the pandemic and vaccine development, delivering specialized and functioning facilities is more important than ever before. We were thrilled to work with HATCHspaces on this unique project in Orange County and look forward to continued, impactful collaborations." The facility features a two-story lobby with high-end finishes, exposed wood beam ceilings, concrete floors, glass roll-up doors, abundant parking, outdoor community spaces, conference rooms, shower room, mother's room, redundant fiber capacity and distribution and shared breakrooms. Specialized infrastructure includes heavy power upgrades, sub-metered for cost efficiencies and segmented for continuity within the labs, distributed backup power, water and sewer distribution for multi-tenant uses, high-capacity air handling systems allowing for filtration and balancing, shared lab amenity space and fully fit-out lab casework across the second floor. NexCore and HATCHspaces partnered with BAM Creative and general contractor HITT to overhaul more than 39,000 square feet delivering a unique infrastructure to accommodate the specialized technical needs of early-phase life science companies. "HATCHlabs @ Irvine Spectrum offers unparalleled direct access to Orange County's deep and talented science and manufacturing labor pool, world-class universities and incubation programs focused on the sciences, convenient proximity to the San Diego and growing Los Angeles life science clusters and adjacency to three major research and clinical hospitals," Allan Glass said, co-founder of HATCHspaces. "Our mission at HATCHspaces is to deliver the life sciences community state-of-the-art lab facilities at varying scales, allowing regions to retain early-stage bioscience and biotechnology start-ups emerging from research environments," Howard Kozloff said, co-founder of HATCHspaces. "Through a partnership with NexCore, we were able to complete the first post-incubation life science facility in Orange County which is a milestone for the community and will support scientific advancements into the future." Limited space is available. For leasing information, please contact Allan Glass at 213-952-9052 or [email protected]. About NexCore Group LLC NexCore Group is a national healthcare real estate investment and development company that focuses on acquiring, developing, owning, and managing healthcare facilities including medical office buildings, wellness facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, single and multi-specialty physician buildings, life sciences facilities, seniors housing communities and transitional rehabilitation centers. NexCore partners with top healthcare systems, hospitals, physician groups, and assisted living, memory care and post-acute care operators, and reputable institutional and high net worth investors to develop, acquire and own high quality assets that serve their communities through significant job creation and the provision of quality healthcare services. NexCore is unique in the healthcare development field, specifically with a regard to a singular focus on project strategy and planning. Since 2004, the NexCore team has completed $4.7 billion in healthcare real estate transactions throughout 29 states, developed and acquired over 14.3 million square feet of healthcare properties across the country and currently manages over $2.9 billion of healthcare facilities spanning 6.8 million square feet. The company has been recognized repeatedly as one of the Top Healthcare Real Estate Developers in the U.S. by Modern Healthcare and HREI. NexCore is headquartered in Denver, with regional offices in Bethesda, Md.; Charlotte N.C.; Dallas; Detroit; Houston; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Orlando, Fla.; Phoenix; and Seattle. About HATCHspaces, LLC HATCHspaces, LLC is a Los Angeles-based real estate development platform focused on simplifying the process of scientific innovation by creating purpose-built life sciences facilities for companies emerging from academic and incubator networks. With properties in various regional submarkets, HATCHspaces' mission is to deliver the life science community state-of-the-art lab facilities at varying scales, allowing regions to retain early-stage bioscience and biotechnology start-ups emerging from research environments. HATCHspaces owns and operates nearly 500,000 sf of specialized facilities throughout Southern California and Colorado, working with a full range of companies from start-ups to multi-billion-dollar public companies. News Media Contact: Kirstin Barbour 303.293.0693 [email protected] SOURCE NexCore Group SAN DIEGO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fluidra, the global leader in pool and wellness equipment and connected solutions, today announced the appointment of Lennie Rhoades as the next President of Fluidra North America. Rhoades succeeds Troy Franzen, who recently announced his retirement after a distinguished 12-year tenure with the company. Lennie Rhoades, New President of Fluidra North America A seasoned executive with more than 20 years of senior management experience and proven expertise in strategic development and plan execution in the home and industrial goods industries, Rhoades will assume full responsibility for the management of Fluidra's North American business, aligning regional strategies with global initiatives to deliver on growth targets across all product categories and segments. Previously, Rhoades served as CEO at Big Ass Fans where he helped drive top-line growth through product innovation and diversification, while significantly improving the company's bottom line by implementing strategic operational efficiencies. He has also held various senior leadership roles including Senior Vice President of JELD-WEN, Inc., Vice President and General Manager for the retail division of Husqvarna Group, and Director of Marketing for Electrolux. He will begin his new role with Fluidra this October. "Lennie has an extraordinary track record of success across a wide array of major brands in adjacent industries. He is a results-driven leader that puts focus on building a collaborative team culture and customer-centric innovation. This makes him the right choice to lead our North American organization in its next chapter," said Bruce Brooks, CEO of Fluidra. "We are excited to have him and look forward to the new heights to which he will take the company." "I am thrilled to be joining Fluidra at such an exciting time in the industry and am eager to begin working with the North American team," said Rhoades. "Fluidra is uniquely well-positioned to accelerate delivery of new technologies and solutionssmarter and more efficientand I look forward to working with our employees to expand those opportunities for our vast network of pool professionals across the country and in Canada. Together, we will build on Fluidra's longstanding legacy of success to drive further growth with our sights set on continually evolving the company for the future." About Fluidra Fluidra is a publicly listed company focused on developing innovative products, services and IoT solutions for the residential and commercial pool markets, globally. The company operates in over 45 countries and owns a portfolio of some of the industry's most recognized and trusted brands, including Jandy, Polaris, Zodiac, CMP and S.R. Smith . To learn more about Fluidra, visit fluidrausa.com or call 800-822-7933. SOURCE Fluidra Stock Market Symbols GIB.A (TSX) GIB (NYSE) cgi.com/newsroom MONTREAL, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) has been named by Forbes magazine as one of the World's Best Management Consulting Firms for 2022. The annual ranking helps business leaders evaluate management consulting companies as they seek expert guidance in navigating today's fast-changing business environment. CGI's inclusion among this year's top management consulting firms is based on its success in delivering insights-driven business and IT strategic consulting to clients worldwide. Through its range of business and technology consulting services, CGI helps clients set their future course, adapt quickly to change, and create competitive advantage as digital leaders. Forbes names CGI one of the Worlds Best Management Consulting Firms (CNW Group/CGI Inc.) "The strong and continuing investments in digitization by organizations around the world demands new strategic approaches for identifying market opportunities at speed and scale. Our consultants collaborate closely with CEOs and other executives to define and implement purpose-driven business strategies," said CGI President and CEO George D. Schindler. "CGI is proud to be recognized by Forbes as one of the world's top management consulting firms. We are committed to continuing to deliver insights our clients can act on." Over the past four decades, CGI has grown into one of the world's largest business and strategic IT consulting services companies. The company provides consulting services to clients across the commercial sector, including financial services, energy and utilities, retail, communications, health and life sciences, as well as within the public sector. These services help leaders drive sustainable outcomes in critical areas such as business strategy, business and operating model design, human-centered transformation, customer value and operational excellence, organizational change management, sustainability and digital transformation. CGI business consultants also provide specialized advisory services to help advance CIO and CFO agendas. CGI's end-to-end services portfolio, industry and technology consulting and collaborative approach have garnered recognition from several organizations. IDC MarketScape, for example, recognized CGI as a "Major Player" for digital strategy consulting services worldwide in 2021. Earlier this year, Forbes also recognized CGI as one of "America's Best Management Consulting Firms" for the second straight year. For more information on CGI's insights-driven business and strategic IT consulting services, visit cgi.com About CGI Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 88,500 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2021 reported revenue is C$12.13 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com. SOURCE CGI Inc. Visit Valencia announces winner of the 5th edition of World Paella Day, Eric Gil, the chef representing France VALENCIA, Spain, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 20, France won the World Paella Day Cup in Valenda, Spain, honoring the most iconic dish in Valencia's gastronomy. The World Paella Day Cup is a competition to find and crown the best paella chef from one of 10 chefs participating from around the world. This year, Eric Gil, the chef representing France, took the prize with a duck confit and mushroom paella. Eric Gil, the chef representing France, holds the World Paella Day Cup. The day started at 10:00 a.m. with the competitions, including Ecuador against Finland, France against Italy, Argentina against Mexico, Switzerland against Canada and Japan against the United Arab Emirates. Ultimately, Eric Gil from France, was recognized as this year's winner. Chef Gil grew up making paella every Sunday for his family in Valencia, where they lived for almost 20 years before returning to his native Avignon. New flavors and combinations came to light during this edition of the World Paella Day Cup, inspired by each chef's country of origin. Yuki Kawaguchi, the chef representing Japan, infused his paella with Chinese mitten crab, green onions, and fried sea anemones. At the same time, finalist Chef Jani Paasikoski from Finland, experimented with reindeer, boletus, onion, tomato, and blueberries to create an explosion of flavors, while showcasing his Paella cooking for influencers, the press, and the public. "The paella is a work of art and a staple dish that Valencia is proud to honor. It is the embodiment of what this city represents, which is culture, flavor, and our spirit of hospitality and livelihood," says Maximo Caletrio, promotions manager for Canada and the U.S, Visit Valencia Foundation. "I am sure Chef Gil will serve as inspiration to many aspiring food entrepreneurs and renowned chefs who are pushing the boundaries of Valencia's gastrotourism offering every day, helping the city further establish itself as Spain's culinary capital." To raise the stakes, this year, the finalist participated in the World Paella Day Stage Valencia experience: three days of immersion in the culture of paella, with formative excursions through the Huerta de Valencia, the rice fields of the Albufera Natural Park, the Central Market, a paella factory, and a Valencian winery, among others. This is the training phase ahead of the competition allowing the finalists to explore the birthplace of paella as well as attend different workshops with some of the most prominent paella chefs and producers in the industry. Experts giving tips and guidance on how to create the perfect dish include Santos Ruiz from D.O Arroz de Valencia, Toni Montoliu, owner, and chef of Barraca de Toni Montoliu, Rafa Margos, the Bairetes' chef and Chabe Soler, winner of the WPD Cup 2020. The event was a complete success, with many watching the competition and award ceremony live and through online stream. Paella is a source of pride for the Valencian people, and it is an important part of their contribution to the world. As Caletrio shares that "food brings people together and I'd like to think many connections have been made around the world over a good plate of paella." This year, World Paella Day evolved beyond just the flagship event in Valencia. Other events and promotions in support of World Paella Day took place in China, India, and Canada. Media contact: Edwin Unzalu [email protected] 305-532-7950 SOURCE Visit Valencia DCI Indonesia is a highly reputable data center provider that has earned the Frost & Sullivan Company of the Year Award for the third consecutive year. SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the data center services industry, Frost & Sullivan recognizes DCI Indonesia with the 2022 Indonesia Company of the Year Award for continually addressing the country's growing need with ongoing investments in physical facilities and technology solutions. DCI Indonesia's investment in critical information technology infrastructure supports the country's digital economy and facilitates operational excellence, allowing the company to boost efficiency and increase customer value. DCI Indonesia maintained local market dominance with a strong and varied customer base that spans many industries and encompasses both international and local companies. DCI maintained local market dominance with a strong and varied customer base that spans many industries and encompasses both international and local companies. In order to maintain a 100% uptime track record, achieve high quality operation, high customer service level, and avoid human error, the company has deployed Artificial Intelligence (AI) and predictive maintenance. This further enables the team to manage multiple data center locations through centralized and standardized operations. "DCI Indonesia is grateful for the trust from customers and Frost & Sullivan for this award. Entering DCI's 9th year of operation, we will continue to provide the operational excellence of data center services and continue to innovate in technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) to detect any potential incident in our equipment and achieve high quality of our operation", said Toto Sugiri, CEO of DCI Indonesia. "With its ongoing investment in critical information technology infrastructure, DCI Indonesia supports the country's digital economy and facilitates operational excellence to optimize efficiencies, increase customer value, and improve end-user interactions. It connects deep-seated domain knowledge with advanced capabilities to fulfill the growing demand requirements of hyperscale customers, providing scalability and best-in-class services," said Nishchal Khorana, Vice President and Global Program Leader, ICT at Frost & Sullivan. "The company's compelling value proposition underpins its sustained success with a legacy of data center services leadership." DCI Indonesia tackles this major unmet market need with a robust leadership approach that embodies customer-centric strategies and applies best industry practices. As a result, the company's clientele is steadily growing and includes world-class cloud service providers, eCommerce platforms, and telecommunications companies, among others. The company leads by example with its exceptional reputation for customer service, which attracts new clients from all over Indonesia and maintains an established base of loyal customers. This organizational culture has been key to the company's growth, which continues to expand and offer innovative and highly profitable products and services to its customers. "The company aligns well with customers' specific needs and develops tailored solutions with roadmaps for seamless execution. It leverages emerging technologies like AI capabilities and predictive maintenance for its electrical equipment to strengthen value," noted Riana Barnard, Best Practices Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "With its customer-centric corporate philosophy, DCI Indonesia operates on the central tenet that its success depends on customer satisfaction. This philosophy permeates the company's daily practices." This award is in line with DCI Indonesia's commitment to build and expand the DCI Platform which currently operates three world-class data center facilities with global operational standards. Having multiple presence will benefit customers who require redundant data center locations. DCI Indonesia aims to support the development of digital transformation for companies, organizations, governments, and other important sectors in Indonesia. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies and the resulting leadership in customer value and market penetration. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About Frost & Sullivan For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion . Contact: Kala Mani. S. Phone: +603-2023 2037 Email: [email protected] About DCI Indonesia PT DCI Indonesia Tbk (DCII) is the first Tier-IV data center in Southeast Asia and is able to provide reliable, safe and reliable data center infrastructure services by guaranteeing an SLA of 99.999% or only five minutes of downtime a year. As a carrier neutral data center, DCI has been supported by 40+ network service providers. Located in an exclusive industrial area, DCI's data center is 40 kilometers from Jakarta's central business district. With global operating procedures and standards and equipped with the equipment best data center, DCI is able to provide maximum availability to customers to access their mission critical assets. both from the financial institution industry, network service providers, e-commerce, cloud service providers and enterprises. DCI has maintained an impressive 100% uptime track record since it first served the market. This outstanding performance stems from the solid experience of the leadership team who have more than 25 years of experience in information technology, data center services, and infrastructure management. Currently the needs of the data center market in Indonesia continue to grow rapidly, DCI as a dynamic company responds to this with a commitment to build a new data center building in a sustainable manner in a data center area of 8.5 hectares with a total electricity capacity of 300 MW. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1903982/2022_Award_DCI_Indonesia.jpg SOURCE Frost & Sullivan DUBLIN, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Cannabis Beverages - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Global Cannabis Beverages Market to Reach US$2 Billion by the Year 2026 Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Cannabis Beverages estimated at US$1 Billion in the year 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of US$2 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 16.9% over the analysis period. Cannabis has been gaining considerable popularity globally. Its use for recreational purposes (factoring in the illegal usage) is much higher in comparison to its medicinal use. The market is anticipated to be on a growth path due to the growing cannabis demand in the mainstream market. The changing legal status of marijuana in a growing number of countries worldwide, including several US states, is attracting more and more food and drink companies to the vibrant cannabis beverages market. The continued deregulation of cannabis, escalating societal acceptance, growing awareness of CBD benefits, and availability in familiar/popular formats are some factors supporting growth in demand and sales of cannabis beverages. The CBD-infused beverages are gaining popularity in the US where they are becoming easily available through mainstream retail outlets. The growing interest in wellness drinks is also likely to drive gains in the market. Customers are increasingly demonstrating preference for wellness drinks over soft drinks, which is driving demand for cannabis beverages. The market is also benefitting from other factors such as better living standards, increasing disposable income levels, and legalization of recreational cannabis in several countries. Off-trade channels such as lounges, clubs, restaurants, cafes, and hotels are likely to augment the product`s visibility and popularity among customers. Non-Alcoholic, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 17.5% CAGR to reach US$1.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Alcoholic segment is readjusted to a revised 15.7% CAGR for the next 7-year period. Non-alcoholic cannabis beverages dominate the market and are also expected to register strong growth, mainly supported by growing demand from female and new customers, especially millennials, and also rising interest in wellness drinks among customers. Cannabis-infused alcoholic beverages are also gaining strong popularity, given their capability to offer the alcohol effect, but with health advantages and no calories. They are mainly used by people who consume cannabis as well as alcohol. The U.S. Market is Estimated at $752 Million in 2022, While Asia-Pacific is Forecast to Reach $146.7 Million by 2026 The Cannabis Beverages market in the U.S. is estimated at US$752 Million in the year 2022. The country currently accounts for a 70.9% share in the global market. Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$146.7 Million in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 14.2% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Canada and Europe, each forecast to grow at 16.7% and 16.1% respectively over the analysis period. North America is a dominant market, mainly driven by growth in the US market. Subsequent to the legalization of the use of hemp and its derived CBD products, sales of hCBD (hemp-cannabidiol) gained considerable impetus. Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, District of Colombia, and 33 States have granted approval to medical cannabis programs (publicly available), which led to the introduction of many cannabis drinks. Further, 13 states in the country permit the usage of high CBD and low THC products for medical uses, which has resulted in strong adoption of CBD infused cannabis drinks. Europe is another region that is likely to register surging demand, due to the growing interest in cannabis among consumers and the rising introduction of products. In developing regions such as Latin America, Oceania, and Asia, cannabis-based beverages have registered nominal growth due to the prohibition of THC products. By Component, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Segment to Reach 1.1 Billion by 2026 Demand for cannabis beverages infused with THC is being supported by the growing consumption among adult customers for recreational reasons. The euphoria they offer as well the therapeutic benefits are anticipated to foster their demand. 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 Pandemic Leads to Increased Focus on Health and Wellness Products Pandemic Drives Consumer Shift towards Organic Foods Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2022 (E) An Introduction to Cannabis Beverages Global Market Prospects & Outlook Key Trends Influencing the Market Analysis by Type Analysis by Component Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and Cannabidiol (CBD) Regional Analysis Cannabis Beverages to Take the US Market by Storm Low-dose Cannabis Emerge as Alcohol Alternatives in Canada Competitive Scenario: Major Players Eying a Pie of the Cannabis Market Recent Market Activity 2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS (Total 79 Featured) Alkaline88, LLC Aphria Inc. Aurora Cannabis Inc. CannTrust Holdings Inc. Canopy Growth Corporation Cronos Group Inc. Dixie Brands Inc. GW Pharmaceuticals plc HEXO Operations Inc. Keef Brands Organigram Holdings Inc. Tilray VCC Brands VIVO Cannabis Inc. 3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Cannabis-Infused Beverages to Reduce Alcohol Consumption among the Young Prevailing Trends Positively Influence the Market Alcoholic Beverage Companies Seek Role in the Market Growth Trend to Continue Legalisation & Decriminalization Augur Well Legalisation Drives Demand in North America A Note On Clean Label Cannabis A Review of Trends Influencing the Market Favorable Demographics Strengthen Market Prospects Urban Sprawl Encourages a Positive Tide Rising Health Awareness to Fuel Market Prospects Growing Adoption of Herbal Remedies Widens Prospects Fatalities by Heart Conditions: Estimated Percentage Breakdown for Cardiovascular Disease, Ischemic Heart Disease, Stroke, and Others Production Challenges Abound for Cannabis Beverage Producers Production Process of Cannabis Beverages - The Many Challenges Long-Term Studies on Stability of Products Essential Production Innovation Accelerates Market Growth Safety Challenges with Hemp-infused Products 4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE III. REGIONAL MARKET ANALYSIS IV. COMPETITION For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gol4c2 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 Leading window treatment franchise to provide premium window treatments, consultation services to Chattanooga residents CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has increased its presence in Tennessee with the opening of Gotcha Covered of Chattanooga. With the opening of the new center, the franchise has four locations in the state. Gotcha Covered of Chattanooga is owned and operated by Rachel Miller, pictured. The new center is owned and operated by Rachel Miller. With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, this business will provide the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Chattanooga, Cleveland and the surrounding areas while offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more. "At Gotcha Covered, we pride ourselves in providing the best customer experience to the consumer," said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. "The residents and businesses of Chattanooga are going to be thrilled with the window treatment solutions that are now available to them. This new center will truly be an asset to the community." Miller brings a diverse set of skills to the Gotcha Covered franchise with a background in education, hospitality, and mortgage and consumer lending. While searching for business opportunities, Miller came across Gotcha Covered with the help of her father Gary Miller, who is a franchise broker. After vetting several franchises, Gary helped guide Rachel to Gotcha Covered. "I decided to open my own business because I wanted to get out of the corporate America workforce," said Rachel. "I wanted to continue growing personally, professionally and have more flexibility with a work-life balance to pursue my overall life goals. Gotcha Covered stood out to me because of its flexible business model and excellent leadership team. "Overall, I want to become Chattanooga's go-to source for window treatments of all kinds based on a reputation of exceptional service to my clients. On a personal level, Gotcha Covered has provided me with a source of income that allows me to achieve my short- and long-term goals of flexibility and independence." Adding 27 new franchise locations in 2021, Gotcha Covered currently has over 145 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009. To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Chattanooga, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/chattanooga/. About Gotcha Covered Gotcha Covered is a leader in custom soft and hard window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada. Flying under their Gotcha Covered flag since 2009, they offer custom window treatments including blinds, draperies, shutters and much more. They offer end-to-end consultation with the customer's specific needs and goals in mind. The company currently has over 145 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Ripley PR 865-977-1973 [email protected] SOURCE Gotcha Covered NOIDA, India, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report published by UnivDatos Markets Insights, the Healthcare ERP Market was valued around USD 6.5 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 6% during 2021-2027. The analysis has been segmented into Offerings (Solutions {cloud-based and on-premise} and Services); Application (Inventory & Material Management, Supply Chain & Logistics Management, Patient Relationship Management, Finance & Billing, and Others); End-users (Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC), and Others); Region/Country. Click here to view the Report Description & TOC https://univdatos.com/report/healthcare-erp-market/ The Healthcare ERP market report has been aggregated by collecting informative data on various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the Healthcare ERP market. The Healthcare ERP market report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors in the market that are influencing the market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the Healthcare ERP market at the global and regional levels. Request for Sample Pages https://univdatos.com/get-a-free-sample-form-php/?product_id=20499 Market Overview Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are complete, integrated platforms, either on-premises or in the cloud, managing all aspects of a production-based or distribution business. Furthermore, ERP systems support all aspects of financial management, human resources, and supply chain management, among others. Additionally, the integration of the ERP systems with the healthcare systems provides transparency to the customer and patients about the processes. ERP knits the different segments of the healthcare facility together and presents them in one place, resulting in an improved pace of the treatment. Moreover, the rising utilization of the integrated systems among the different healthcare institutions is the driving factor for the market growth of the healthcare ERP industry. In addition, the increasing number of cases and the expenditure on healthcare facilities over the years raises the demand for a proper and transparent management system that contributes significantly to the growth of the healthcare ERP industry. Click here to view the Report Description & TOC https://univdatos.com/report/healthcare-erp-market/ The global Healthcare ERP market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated. Based on offerings, the market is bifurcated into solutions and services. The solution segment is expected to grow at a significant pace during the forecast period. The increasing demand for advanced software in the industry for efficient operations induces the demand for advanced solutions for the management of the hospitals such as patients' medical history and finances. On the basis of application, the market is categorized into inventory & material management, supply chain & logistics management, patient relationship management, finance & billing, and others. In 2020, finance & billing category held a significant share in the market. This is mainly attributed to the rapid adoption of ERP systems by healthcare organizations to optimize processes such as front-end revenue cycle management, claims management, tracking profits, and tax management, among others. Financial ERP modules allow organizations to monitor financials and related tasks in real-time, which is further expected to support the category's growth. Based on end-users, the healthcare ERP market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, ambulatory surgery centers (ASC), and others. Amongst them, the hospital & clinics is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the increasing investment by government and private hospitals in management software like ERP due to the rising need for transparency in the funds allocated, management of patient records, inventory of medical consumables and devices, cloud-based diagnostics reporting, and access. Furthermore, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and managing the patients act as the driver for the EPR software market. Have a Look at the Chapters - https://univdatos.com/report/healthcare-erp-market/ Healthcare ERP Market Geographical Segmentation Includes: North America ( United States , Canada , and Rest of North America ) ( , , and Rest of ) Europe ( Germany , United Kingdom , Spain , Italy , France , 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 Healthcare ERP Industry, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in the countries such as North America (United States, Canada, and the Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, and Rest of APAC), and Rest of World. During the forecast period, North America is expected to have a higher CAGR due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and the increasing geriatric population in the region, positively influencing the healthcare ERP industry landscape. Developed countries having better healthcare infrastructure such as U.S and Canada must deal with an increasing number of national as well as international patients undergoing various treatments and medical consultancy increases the need for software solutions for better management. Furthermore, in the attempt to make the healthcare system more efficient the need for an integrated system is rising which results in the development of the market of the healthcare ERP. The major players targeting the market include Microsoft Corporation Oracle Corporation SAP SE McKesson Corporation Sage Group plc Infor Inc. Odoo QAD Inc. Aptean. Epicor Software Corporation. Competitive Landscape The degree of competition among prominent global companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating worldwide. 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 Healthcare ERP Market. The major players have been analyzed by using research methodologies for getting insight views on global competition. Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include: What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the Healthcare ERP market? Which factors are influencing the Healthcare ERP market over the forecast period? What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the Healthcare ERP market? Which factors are propelling and restraining the Healthcare ERP market? What are the demanding global regions of the Healthcare ERP market? What will be the global market size in the upcoming years? What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by global companies? We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature and geography. Please let us know If you have any custom needs. Browse Other Related Research Reports from UnivDatos Market Insights Healthcare ERP Market Report Coverage Report Attribute Details Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2027 Growth momentum Accelerate at a CAGR of over 6% Market size 2020 USD 6.5 billion Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Rest of World Major contributing region North America to Dominate the Healthcare ERP Market Key countries covered United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, China, Japan, India, and South Korea Companies profiled Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation, SAP SE, McKesson Corporation, Sage Group plc, Infor, Inc., Odoo, QAD, Inc., Aptean, Epicor Software Corporation Report Scope Market Trends, Drivers, and Restraints; Revenue Estimation and Forecast; Segmentation Analysis; Impact of COVID-19; Demand and Supply Side Analysis; Competitive Landscape; Company Profiling Segments Covered By Offerings; By Application; By End-users; By Region/Country 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. NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Hearst Television received the 2022 Catalyst Award for their outstanding support of Ad Council public service campaigns over the past year. The Ad Council's Catalyst Award is awarded to the communications company that best advanced meaningful social change. In 2021, all 33 of Hearst TV stations across the country provided exceptional donated media support to Ad Council campaigns, with especially notable support of Project Roadblock, an annual local broadcast TV campaign designed to reduce drunk driving fatalities throughout the winter holiday season. The award was given at TVB's Forward Conference 2022, the Television Bureau of Advertising's (TVB) annual leadership conference. After two years of being held virtually, the Forward Conference has returned as both an in-person and virtual event in New York City. The Catalyst Award was presented to Hearst Television during the live Executive Summit. In 2021, 1,066 local broadcast television stations participated in Project Roadblock and generously supported the Ad Council in this campaign. The initiative gained national reach with participation across all 50 states. "Hearst's contributions to Project Roadblock last year have helped positively change the lives of Americans across the country," said Lisa Sherman, President and CEO of the Ad Council. "Their commitment to keeping our roads safe during the holiday season makes them highly deserving of this year's Catalyst Award." "For nearly two decades, Project Roadblock has successfully leveraged the power of local broadcasting to educate citizens about road safety," said Jordan Weitlieb, Hearst Television President. "Over this time, Project Roadblock has contributed to the reduction in deaths from alcohol-impaired driving. But there is more to do. Hearst Television is exceedingly proud to participate in this effort by NHTSA, the Ad Council and TVB and it's an honor to be recognized for our longstanding support." Since 2004, Project Roadblock has leveraged local TV stations' donated media during the period between Christmas and New Year's to raise awareness of the dangers of impaired driving. PSAs urge viewers to find a safe ride home instead of driving buzzed, with a focus on reaching adult men ages 21 - 34. The partnership between TVB, the Ad Council, NHTSA and local broadcast television stations is now entering its 19th year. In 2021, stations secured nearly 125 local business sponsors for Project Roadblock PSAs, amplifying the message from participating stations. The initiative garnered nearly 7,000 detections in local broadcast TV support, valued at an estimated $5.8 million in airtime over the six-day period. In 2021, detections were at its highest over the past four years. Since Project Roadblock's inception in 2004, local broadcast TV stations across the nation have donated more than $153 million in support. "TVB congratulates Hearst Television for the 2022 Catalyst Award and their ongoing commitment to enacting positive social change throughout the year. Local broadcasters inform and support their communities day in and day out; we are especially proud of their collaborative industry effort to make roads safer with the Project Roadblock campaign," said Steve Lanzano, President and CEO, TVB. About TVB TVB is the not-for-profit trade association representing America's local broadcast television industry. Its members include television stations, television broadcast groups, advertising sales reps, syndicators, international broadcasters and associate members. TVB actively promotes local media marketing solutions to the advertising community and works to develop advertising dollars for the medium's multiple platforms, including on-air, online and mobile. TVB provides a diverse variety of tools and resources, including its website, to support its members and to help advertisers make the best use of local ad dollars. About the Ad Council The Ad Council is where creativity and causes converge. The non-profit organization brings together the most creative minds in advertising, media, technology and marketing to address many of the nation's most important causes. The Ad Council has created many of the most iconic campaigns in advertising history. Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk. Smokey Bear. Love Has No Labels. Its innovative social good campaigns raise awareness, inspire action and save lives. To learn more, visit AdCouncil.org, follow the Ad Council's communities on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and view the creative on YouTube. About Hearst Television Hearst Television owns and operates 33 television and two radio stations serving 26 media markets across 39 states reaching over 22 million U.S. television households. Through its partnership with nearly all of the major networks, Hearst Television distributes national content over nearly 70 video channels including programming from ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, MY Net, MeTV, Estrella and more. The radio stations are leaders in Baltimore news/talk and rock music listenership. Its Hearst Media Production Group unit produces original programing across linear and streaming platforms for domestic and international distribution. Its Very Local app, free to download on household OTT devices and available across popular streaming services, offers 24/7 access to local news, weather and an array of local and regional programming. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry's premier companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst. SOURCE The Ad Council Hennessey Special Vehicles opens an authorized retailer in North Miami, Florida. The Warren Henry Auto Group portfolio includes nearly two dozen of the world's finest brands Hennessey Miami, with its trained product experts, will provide specialized sales and unparalleled service for the Venom F5 Coupe and Roadster hypercar Southeast U.S. location ensures a premier ownership experience SEALY, Texas, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hennessey Special Vehicles, the Texas-based hypercar manufacturer, is proud to announce its partnership with the Warren Henry Auto Group and the opening of its Hennessey showroom in North Miami, Florida. South Florida is home to some of the world's most discerning and renowned car collectors. The addition of a Hennessey authorized retailer in the southeast region of the United States will complement the company's Texas location and provide more convenience to Hennessey's customers. Hennessey Venom F5 Chassis 05 Miami Hennessey Hennessey Venom F5 Chassis 05 Hennessey Venom F5 Chassis 05 Hennessey Venom F5 Chassis 05 "Adding the Hennessey brand to our dealer group further expands our comprehensive automotive luxury and performance offerings with an iconic American hypercar manufacturer," remarked Erik Day, CFO & Partner, Warren Henry Auto Group. "Our customers are looking forward to experiencing the Venom F5, which is the world's most powerful hypercar." Hennessey Miami will offer the Hennessey Venom F5, an American-made hypercar. Mid-mounted in its carbon-fiber monocoque chassis is Hennessey's celebrated twin-turbocharged, 6.6-liter, 'Fury' V8 engine rated at an incredible 1,817 bhp. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a robust automated single-clutch gearbox. With a dry weight of under 3,100 pounds, the Venom F5 Roadster promises phenomenal performance and an engineered top speed exceeding 300 mph. "We are very pleased to announce our partnership with the Warren Henry Auto Group," said John Hennessey, company founder and CEO. "The company's portfolio includes some of the most prestigious brands in the world. We are honored to partner with a team that shares our family ideals, brand philosophies, and values strong customer relationships." About Warren Henry Auto Group Warren Henry Auto Group, founded in 1976, is one of the most longstanding automotive dealerships in Florida. Their reputation is built on quality, community support, and employee appreciation. Warren Henry Auto Group carries a variety of vehicle brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, INFINITI, Audi, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Hennessey, Koenigsegg, Toyota, Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Icon, and Vespa. Warren Henry Auto Group's corporate office is now located at 2300 NE 151st Street in North Miami. For more information, call (305) 690-6006 or visit warrenhenryauto.com About Hennessey Based in Sealy, Texas, the Hennessey business comprises Hennessey Special Vehicles, Hennessey Performance (HPE), Tuner School, and the Lonestar Motorsports Park. The company has re-engineered more than 12,000 vehicles for performance enthusiasts worldwide to deliver unparalleled driving thrills. Alongside modifying a diverse range of sports, and muscle cars since 1991, the company also applies its high-performance expertise to trucks and SUVs and boasts its own hypercars the Venom GT and the Venom F5. Every Hennessey product is dyno-proven, fully track-tested, street-legal, and warrantied. Customers can choose from road-ready performance-enhanced cars by Hennessey from a wide variety of brands, including Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, and Jeep, all benefitting from a host of high-performance upgrades. With its own test track, engineering curriculum for aspiring tuners, more than 85 team members, and capacity to work on 40-50 vehicles at a time, Hennessey Performance is one of the world's leading specialist vehicle engineering companies. The twin-turbocharged, 6.6-liter V8 Venom F5 hypercar sold out in 2021, with customer deliveries taking place from 2021-2023. Boasting 1,817 bhp and capable of speeds in excess of 300 mph, the company is delivering like never before on its mission of 'making fast cars faster.' HennesseySpecialVehicles.com | HennesseyPerformance.com Social media YouTube: HennesseyPerformanceF5 | Instagram: HennesseyPerformance | Facebook: @hennesseype | Twitter: @HennesseyPerf SOURCE Hennessey Performance DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hillphoenix, part of Dover Food Retail and Dover (NYSE: DOV) and a pioneer in designing environmentally sustainable refrigeration systems, has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) GreenChill 2021-2022 Store Certification Excellence recognition. This achievement recognizes the commercial refrigeration systems manufacturer that has installed more advanced refrigeration systems in GreenChill-certified stores than any other partner in the past year. Inclusive of the 2021-2022 cycle, Hillphoenix systems are installed in over 80% of GreenChill-certified stores. This is Hillphoenix's 11th consecutive GreenChill recognition since the Store Certification Excellence recognition was first created in 2011. "At Hillphoenix, we are guided by a purpose to invest in the future by developing sustainable technologies that make a positive impact," said Scott Martin, Senior Director of Development, Industry Relations, and Research. "We are proud to be a founding member of EPA's GreenChill program and are honored to be recognized for making an impact in the industry for our continuous efforts in developing future-focused sustainable products in partnership with customers who have the same commitment to low GWP, natural refrigerant solutions." "Earning any GreenChill recognition is an achievement, but being recognized for 11 consecutive years is an impressive feat," said Kersey Manliclic, GreenChill Program Manager. "EPA thanks Hillphoenix for their longstanding participation in GreenChill and for serving as a leader to other systems manufacturing Partners." Hillphoenix has a long history of consistently advancing sustainable refrigeration. Milestones include: In the mid-1990s, the company introduced 2Cool systems, one of the first cooling technologies designed to reduce global-warming emissions. In the early 2000s, Hillphoenix rebranded its growing portfolio to Second Nature and installed its first Second Nature low-temperature CO2 secondary system and CO2 Cascade systems. In 2012, Hillphoenix installed the first North American CO2 Transcritical Booster System, showcasing its capabilities to provide both low- and medium-temperature refrigeration to display cases and walk-ins without relying on any HFC refrigerants. Hillphoenix has shipped thousands of Second Nature systems utilizing low global warming potential and natural refrigerant solutions. About the GreenChill Partnership: EPA's GreenChill Program is a voluntary partnership with food retailers, refrigeration system manufacturers, and chemical manufacturers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change. GreenChill provides supermarkets and other industry stakeholders with information and assistance to transition to environmentally friendlier refrigerants, reduce the amount of refrigerant they use, eliminate refrigerant leaks, implement environmental best practices, and adopt green refrigeration technologies. There are nearly 13,000 GreenChill Partner stores throughout the nation. For more information on EPA's GreenChill Program, please visit www.epa.gov/greenchill. About Hillphoenix: Hillphoenix branded products and services deliver advanced design and manufacturing of commercial refrigerated display cases and specialty products along with commercial and industrial refrigeration systems and integrated power distribution systems. Training, design, energy and aftermarket services are available through the Hillphoenix Learning and Design Centers and The AMS Group. For more information, visit www.hillphoenix.com, or call 800-283-1109. About Dover Food Retail: Dover Food Retail, part of Dover Corporation with headquarters in Conyers, Georgia, is the partner to customers seeking to create unique food experiences. Employing the capabilities of our industry-leading brands, Anthony and Hillphoenix, we are able to provide insight and a comprehensive portfolio of innovative solutions that enables our customers to sell more food, more profitably. Our ability to evolve with the ever-changing market demands is driven by our passion for understanding our customers' business and providing them with the best quality products and services they need to succeed both today and in the future. Our focused, forward-thinking approach, combined with the strength of our brands, sets the stage for streamlined product development, a broader product portfolio, and cutting-edge technology resulting in redefining what is possible for customers in the food retail value chain. About Dover: Dover is a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of approximately $8 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Clean Energy & Fueling, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions and Climate & Sustainability Technologies. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 65 years, our team of over 25,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com . Hillphoenix/Dover Food Retail Contact: Kim Camp (804) 451-2420 [email protected] Dover Media Contact: Adrian Sakowicz, VP, Communications (630) 743-5039 [email protected] Dover Investor Contact: Jack Dickens, Senior Director, Investor Relations (630) 743-2566 [email protected] SOURCE Dover New Docuseries to Premiere in October at VRMA International Conference In Las Vegas; 750+ Property Managers & Industry Professionals Expected to Attend PONTE VEDRA, Fla., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The world premiere of the docuseries "Homerunners" will be held on Oct. 23, at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas as part of the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) International Conference. More than 750 property managers and industry professionals are expected to attend the event that will be sponsored in-part by VTrips and TravelNet Solutions and include red carpet interviews by Alex Husner and Annie Holcombe of "Alex & Annie" vacation rentals podcast fame. Matt Landau's HOMERUNNER Episode 1 Sizzle ft. VTrips Hosted by Vacation Rental Marketing Blog Founder Matt Landau, the "Homerunners" docuseries takes a behind-the-scenes look at the $78.6 billion vacation rental industry and the leaders paving the way for future growth. The industry is expected to expand at a compound annual rate of 5.3% until 2030, according to Grandview Research. The premiere episode will highlight the work of VTrips Founder and CEO Steve Milo, who discusses how he has scaled his growing company from a handful of properties to thousandsall to help vacationers create memories that last a lifetime. One of the industry's most dynamic leaders, Milo, with his team at VTrips, manages more than 5,000 vacation homes in resort destinations throughout the United States, making it the second largest vacation rental company in North America. "With travelers choosing vacation rentals over hotels more than ever before and with the rise of platforms like Airbnb and vrbo, one might assume hosting these travelers is easy as well as profitable," Landau says in the film's opening sequence. "But nobody knows if they can do it on a grand scale without losing the personal touches that make vacation rentals unique." Production agency Mangofish Studios, which also produces Landau's "Vacation Rental Show" YouTube channel with 1 million+ views, chose Milo and VTrips for the premiere episode to explore industry issues such as short-term rental regulation and advocacy. "Judging by the popularity of docuseries like 'Chef's Table' and 'Drive to Survive,' it's clear there is a growing demand for these kinds of stories," said Mangofish Studios Principal Stuart Hooper. "We believe that looking behind the scenes at a story like Steve's and VTrips' is riveting for a broader audience and further that the success of educational-oriented media like 'Homerunners' suggests audiences are ready for and interested in deeper looks at complex issues." Madeline List, senior research analyst at Phocuswright and the event's inaugural laureate, will open the Las Vegas premiere with observations from Phocuswright's Consumer Travel Report and 2022 Short Term Rental Market Sizing Study. The first "Homerunners" episode features vacation rental industry celebrities including Amy Hinote of VRMIntel, VRMA Executive Director Kimberly Miles, Vacasa Co-founder Cliff Johnson, Miriam Ramsey of Jackson Mountain Homes, David Angotti of SmokyMountains.com, and Ryan Bailey of TravelNet Solutions. Following the premiere, Phocuswright will interview some of the cast of the first episode along with Ryan Dame, co-owner of Casago, who will be featured in the second episode of "Homerunners." Attendees of the event will also be the first to publicly see a sneak preview of the second episode. The event will include a fundraiser for the VRMA advocacy fund and drinks sponsored in-part by BeHome 24/7, Redsky Travel Insurance, and Vacay Home Connect. Space is limited, so guests are encouraged to RSVP for the VRMA International Conference and the "Homerunners" World Premiere at https://pp.events/av9mkGOx. View a preview of the episode here: Matt Landau's HOMERUNNERS Episode 1 Sizzle ft. VTrips ABOUT VTRIPS: Founded in 2006 by visionary Steve Milo as a management solution for his own Florida rental properties, VTrips is one of the fastest-growing vacation rental management companies in the United States. Now with more than 15 brands and 5,000 private vacation villas, condominiums, and homes in resort destinations throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, VTrips believes in staffing its nationwide offices with local experts dedicated to exceeding the expectations of property owners and vacationers. More information at VTrips.com. Media Contact: Kristen Mcintosh [email protected] SOURCE VTrips Industry Leaders to Converge on October 20 in New York City at Third Annual McDermott Event for Engaging Programming, Networking Opportunities NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading health law firm McDermott Will & Emery is hosting its third annual Hospitals & Health Systems Innovation Summit at the InterContinental New York Barclay on Thursday, October 20, 2022. This one-day event will explore the emerging trends and cutting-edge partnerships across the hospital and health system segment of the industry that are transforming the business of healthcare. "The healthcare industry generally and hospitals and health systems specifically have undergone several years of extensive transformation, growth and innovation," said Kerrin Slattery, co-lead of McDermott's Hospitals & Health Systems practice. "This summit will provide health system executives and their business partners with the vital knowledge they need to make informed business decisions today and the insight required to strategically plan for the future." Attendees will learn from and connect with industry leaders, including C-suite executives, top strategists, investors, bankers and others, as they share insights on how to innovate, collaborate and grow in a dynamic healthcare landscape. The event will feature a keynote address from Dr. Ralph de la Torre, chairman and chief executive officer of Steward Health Care System, the largest private, physician-led healthcare network in the country. Additional speakers include Eric Berger, partner with Bain & Company; Andrew Devoe, chief financial officer of TriHealth; Feby Abraham, PhD., executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Memorial Hermann Health System; Rasu B. Shrestha, MD, MBA, executive vice president and chief strategy and transformation officer at Atrium Health; Sheri Shapiro, senior vice president and chief strategy officer with Trinity Health; and Brian Spendley, principal at The Chartis Group. "This year's speakers bring an incredible level of experience and expertise with respect to the healthcare industry and the trends impacting hospitals and health systems," said Charles Buck, co-lead of McDermott's Hospitals & Health Systems practice. "Attending our Innovation Summit is a unique opportunity to learn from and interact with these industry leaders." Program topics include: Health System Evolution: The Chief Strategy Officer Perspective on Today's Industry Success with Service Lines: Winning with Cutting-Edge Collaborations Transformative Value-Based Care Arrangements: Payor and Provider Collaborations Digital Demand, Health Tech Innovation and Making it Work in Your System State of Hospital M&A: Trends Behind the Surge and Risks to Getting Deals Done McDermott is the nation's leading health law firm and the only health practice to receive top national rankings from U.S. News Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms," Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US and Law360. The practice was also recognized by Chambers as "Healthcare Team of the Year" in 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019 and 2022. McDermott has also held the top spot in PitchBook's League Tables as the most active firm for healthcare private equity since 2017. Media are invited to attend the event under Chatham House Rules. To register as media, contact Erin West at [email protected]. Visit the conference web page for more information and to register for the event. ABOUT MCDERMOTT McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. Our team works seamlessly across practices and industries to deliver highly effective solutions that propel success. More than 1,200 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve. SOURCE McDermott Will & Emery After 11 months in the hospital, Aydin celebrates 1st birthday at home with family NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aydin Idris Martin, an infant with an extremely rare and serious birth defect, was saved at birth when a multidisciplinary team at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone performed a highly specialized procedure. A team of over 25 specialists performed the EXIT procedure to deliver the baby. Credit: Joe Carrotta / Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone The Martins with two members of their care team - Drs. Jason Fisher and Ashley Roman. Credit: Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone The procedure was the first step in his journey to survive congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS), a condition that inhibits the child's ability to breathe at birth. After 169 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) followed by more than five months in a rehab facility overcoming further challenges linked to CHAOS, Aydin is finally home with new parents Yadi and Jamaal Martin to celebrate his first birthday as a family of three. Multimedia Materials Available Multimedia materials, including photos, B-roll package, and interviews with clinical experts and family, are available for download. CHAOS Found in Aydin CHAOS is a syndrome that occurs when the trachea (windpipe) is blocked or not fully developed. The condition, the causes of which remain unknown, comes with a 100 percent mortality rate unless an intervention is performed. The Martins got the news in May 2021, 24 weeks into Yadi's pregnancy. A fetal echocardiogram that showed abnormalities led James C. Nielsen, MD, medical director of the Pediatric Congenital Heart Center at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital, to consult with Ashley S. Roman, MD, vice chair for clinical affairsobstetrics, co-director of the Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Program, and director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She instantly confirmed the diagnosis of CHAOS. "The ultrasound revealed large overinflated lungs, and I immediately knew what was wrong," says Dr. Roman, making this the second case of CHAOS she has seen in her over 20 year-career, and the 51st case publicly reported in the United States since 1989. "As a result of the airway blockage, the lung fluid cannot escape the fetal mouth, causing the lungs to fill up immensely and swell. The condition would make breathing impossible and fatal for the baby after a traditional delivery." After four prior miscarriages, this was not the happy news the couple hoped to hear almost halfway through their pregnancy. "This was our miracle baby," Yadi says. "We prayed and prayed for him." "As soon as we learned of the diagnosis, we initiated a multidisciplinary team to begin the months of preparation needed to ensure that everything went smoothly in the delivery room," says Jason C. Fisher, MD, pediatric surgeon, director of Children's Surgical Services for Hassenfeld Children's Hospital, and director of the Division of Pediatric Surgery. "When you have a case of such complexity, you can't do it alone. You need to have a medical center that offers all these subspecialists in one setting and that's Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone." Instead of a traditional birth, an innovative surgical approach, the Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment, or EXIT, was needed to deliver the baby. "The most important thing about CHAOS is early diagnosis, detailed fetal assessment and an adequate postnatal intervention for establishing an airway," says pediatric head and neck surgeon Scott M. Rickert, MD, director of the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology and co-director of the Pediatric Aerodigestive Center at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital. Understanding the risks and obstacles, the Martins were determined to become a family of three. About the EXIT Procedure On August 3, 2021, 38-year-old Yadi underwent an EXIT procedure, a high-risk, complex delivery for her and the baby. In the mother's womb, the fetus exchanges oxygen through the umbilical cord. "Once the umbilical cord is cut," says Dr. Roman, "the baby will no longer receive oxygen since it's not able to breathe independently due to the obstructed airway." During the EXIT procedure, the baby's head and shoulders are delivered by a cesarean section, leaving everything below the chest in utero and the umbilical cord and placenta intact to continue receiving oxygen from Yadi while pediatric surgeons work to establish an airway. "It's like pausing mid-birth," says Dr. Roman. "The minute this baby's head is out, there's a five-to-ten-minute window to establish an airway, requiring full coordination and months of practice and planning." Because of the complex nature of the case, the Martins had a team of over 25 providers within NYU Langone specially trained from maternal fetal medicine, neonatology, pediatric surgery, pediatric ENT, and pediatric anesthesiology working together to deliver their baby boy. The EXIT delivery team featured Dr. Roman, who led the surgery and delivery of the baby in order for the airway to be established; Dr. Rickert, who worked to evaluate Aydin's airway and complete a tracheostomy, a surgical procedure to create an opening through the neck into the trachea; and Dr. Fisher, who conducted further interventions on Aydin once fully delivered. "One of the biggest challenges for me prior to the birth was not fully understanding how blocked the airway was," says Dr. Rickert. "Upon evaluation, there was no opening to the airway whatsoever. So, we bypassed the blockage by placing a tracheotomy, successfully providing a quick intervention to then complete the delivery. But just because we had the airway secure and him safely breathing didn't mean that Aydin was fully in the clear." CHAOS syndrome comes with accompanying problems. Once Aydin was successfully delivered, the care team discovered more challenges ahead. Complex Care in the OR Since Aydin's lungs were inflated as a result of the airway obstruction, this put pressure on his heart, which affected its ability to function. Moments after the EXIT, neonatologists started to resuscitate Aydin but it was clear his heart was not recovering. Dr. Fisher made the quick decision to initiate ECMO support or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a treatment that takes over the work of the heart and lungs, allowing Aydin time to heal. "Once he was stable, we made a final discoveryAydin had another birth defect. An anorectal malformation, meaning his anus hadn't formed properly," explains Dr. Fisher. "We planned for every contingency imaginable, and he still threw us some curve balls." Aydin was transferred to the NICU in critical condition, but with an assisted airway established. Dedicated Care in the NICU Twenty-four hours after birth, the care team made the decision to wean Aydin off ECMO support. "Aydin's success in the discontinuation of ECMO therapy was a huge indication his health was starting to improve," says Dr. Fisher. Over the next 169 days in the NICU, Aydin miraculously got stronger, overcoming various obstacles and hitting important milestones along the way. On September 7, 2021, Yadi and Jamaal were finally able to hold Aydin for the first time, a huge moment for the grateful parents. "We're so lucky he's alive and in our arms," recall the Martins. Aydin underwent various other procedures, including a heart surgery to correct his congenital heart defect, performed by T.K. Susheel Kumar, MD, pediatric cardiac surgeon in the Pediatric Congenital Heart Program at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital; and a procedure to fix his anorectal malformation, performed by Dr. Fisher, who also runs the newly-established Pediatric Complex Colorectal Care Program. On Yadi's 39th birthday, January 19, 2022, Aydin was transferred from the NICU at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital to Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, a rehab facility that would help the Martin's prepare to take Aydin home. A Bright Future Ahead Aydin continued to improve and was brought home to Brooklyn for the first time six months later, celebrating his first birthday on August 3. The Martins are most looking forward to watching Aydin grow like a normal baby now that he's home and out of the hospital. "While Aydin is doing remarkably well, he has at least one more surgery necessary before he will be able to breathe completely on his own," says Dr. Rickert. "We plan to keep monitoring Aydin's airway and do a reconstruction in the next few years when he's grown a bit bigger." Aydin's care team is optimistic about his future. "The team at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital is now family to us," says Aydin's mother Yadi. "We were in the safest place we could be for us and for Aydin. I am forever grateful." Media Inquiries Katie Ullman Phone: 646-483-3984 [email protected] SOURCE Hassenfeld Childrens Hospital at NYU Langone DUBLIN, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Protein Engineering Market (2022-2027) by Product & Service, Protein Type, Technology, End User, Geography, Competitive Analysis, and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Protein Engineering Market is estimated to be USD 3.1 Bn in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 5.26 Bn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 11.16%. Market dynamics are forces that impact the prices and behaviors of the Global Protein Engineering Market stakeholders. These forces create pricing signals which result from the changes in the supply and demand curves for a given product or service. Forces of Market Dynamics may be related to macro-economic and micro-economic factors. There are dynamic market forces other than price, demand, and supply. Human emotions can also drive decisions, influence the market, and create price signals. As the market dynamics impact the supply and demand curves, decision-makers aim to determine the best way to use various financial tools to stem various strategies for speeding the growth and reducing the risks. Company Profiles The report provides a detailed analysis of the competitors in the market. It covers the financial performance analysis for the publicly listed companies in the market. The report also offers detailed information on the companies' recent development and competitive scenario. Some of the companies covered in this report are Abzena PLC, Agilent Technologies, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Bruker, Codexis, Creative Biolabs, Enantis, GE Healthcare, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waters Corporation, etc. Countries Studied America ( Argentina , Brazil , Canada , Chile , Colombia , Mexico , Peru , United States , Rest of Americas) , , , , , , , , Rest of Americas) Europe ( Austria , Belgium , Denmark , Finland , France , Germany , Italy , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Russia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , United Kingdom , Rest of Europe ) ( , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Rest of ) Middle-East and Africa ( Egypt , Israel , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , South Africa , United Arab Emirates , Rest of MEA) and ( , , , , , , Rest of MEA) Asia-Pacific ( Australia , Bangladesh , China , India , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Philippines , Singapore , South Korea , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Taiwan , Rest of Asia-Pacific ) Competitive Quadrant The report includes Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc. Ansoff Analysis The report presents a detailed Ansoff matrix analysis for the Global Protein Engineering Market. Ansoff Matrix, also known as Product/Market Expansion Grid, is a strategic tool used to design strategies for the growth of the company. The matrix can be used to evaluate approaches in four strategies viz. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development and Diversification. The matrix is also used for risk analysis to understand the risk involved with each approach. The report analyses the Global Protein Engineering Market using the Ansoff Matrix to provide the best approaches a company can take to improve its market position. Based on the SWOT analysis conducted on the industry and industry players, the analyst has devised suitable strategies for market growth. Why buy this report? The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Protein Engineering Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies. The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry. The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report. The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies. The report also contains the competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's Proprietary competitive positioning tool. Key Topics Covered: 1 Report Description 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Market Dynamics 4.1 Drivers 4.1.1 Increase in Preference for Protein Therapeutics over Non-Protein Drugs 4.1.2 Growing Prevalence of Lifestyle and Chronic Diseases 4.1.3 Increased Demand for Alternatives to Chemical Processes 4.2 Restraints 4.2.1 Lack of Trained Personnel to Strategize the Process 4.3 Opportunities 4.3.1 Increased Government Funding for Protein Engineering 4.3.2 Rapid Development in Biological Science for Protein Engineering 4.4 Challenges 4.4.1 Huge Maintenance of the Expensive Instruments in Protein Engineering 5 Market Analysis 5.1 Regulatory Scenario 5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5.3 Impact of COVID-19 5.4 Ansoff Matrix Analysis 6 Global Protein Engineering Market, By Product & Service 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Instruments 6.3 Consumables 6.4 Software & Services 7 Global Protein Engineering Market, By Protein Type 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Monoclonal Antibodies 7.3 Insulin 7.4 Erythropoietins 7.5 Interferons 7.6 Vaccines 7.7 Colony-Stimulating Factors 7.8 Growth Hormones 7.9 Coagulation Factors 8 Global Protein Engineering Market, By Technology 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Rational Protein Design 8.3 Irrational Protein Design/Directed Evolution 9 Global Protein Engineering Market, By End User 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Biopharmaceutical Companies 9.3 Contract Research Organizations 9.4 Academic Research Institutes 10 Americas' Protein Engineering Market 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Argentina 10.3 Brazil 10.4 Canada 10.5 Chile 10.6 Colombia 10.7 Mexico 10.8 Peru 10.9 United States 10.10 Rest of Americas 11 Europe's Protein Engineering Market 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Austria 11.3 Belgium 11.4 Denmark 11.5 Finland 11.6 France 11.7 Germany 11.8 Italy 11.9 Netherlands 11.10 Norway 11.11 Poland 11.12 Russia 11.13 Spain 11.14 Sweden 11.15 Switzerland 11.16 United Kingdom 11.17 Rest of Europe 12 Middle East and Africa's Protein Engineering Market 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Egypt 12.3 Israel 12.4 Qatar 12.5 Saudi Arabia 12.6 South Africa 12.7 United Arab Emirates 12.8 Rest of MEA 13 APAC's Protein Engineering Market 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Australia 13.3 Bangladesh 13.4 China 13.5 India 13.6 Indonesia 13.7 Japan 13.8 Malaysia 13.9 Philippines 13.10 Singapore 13.11 South Korea 13.12 Sri Lanka 13.13 Thailand 13.14 Taiwan 13.15 Rest of Asia-Pacific 14 Competitive Landscape 14.1 Competitive Quadrant 14.2 Market Share Analysis 14.3 Strategic Initiatives 14.3.1 M&A and Investments 14.3.2 Partnerships and Collaborations 14.3.3 Product Developments and Improvements 15 Company Profiles 15.1 Abzena PLC 15.2 Agilent Technologies 15.3 Bio-Rad Laboratories 15.4 Bruker 15.5 Codexis 15.6 Creative Biolabs 15.7 Enantis 15.8 GE Healthcare 15.9 Genscript Biotech 15.10 Innovagen 15.11 Perkinelmer 15.12 Phynexus 15.13 Promega 15.14 Proteogenix 15.15 Takara Bio 15.16 Thermo Fisher Scientific 15.17 Waters Corporation 16 Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/w62jdw 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 DUBLIN, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment Market 2022-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment market is anticipated to grow at a substantial CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period. The increasing technological advancement in TB leads to considerable growth in the market. Due to the various technological advancement, new diagnostics solutions are made available to diagnose these diseases which also provides accuracy and speed. The WHO-recommended molecular diagnostic tests are LPAs and Xpert MTB/RIF and the initial diagnosis of TB is made by rapid molecular tests (e.g. Xpert MTB/RIF) and not by conventional microscopy methods. Light-emitting diode fluorescence microscopy is the recommended method for microscopy at all levels of laboratory. Some of these WHO-endorsed tests can detect mycobacterial gene mutations associated with anti-TB drug resistance, allowing clinicians to tailor effective TB treatment and directly boosting the market. For instance in 2022, WHO announced a new class of tests to diagnose TB infection named Tuberculosis antigen-based skin tests (TBST).These tests represent an alternative to tuberculin skin test (TST) and Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs). The global tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment market is segmented based on technology, products, application and end-user. Based on technology the market is sub-divided into cell-based, and bead-based. Based on products the market is bifurcated into reagents and consumables, components, platforms, services, software, and accessories. Based on application the market is sub-segmented into research and clinical application, and diagnostic application. Based on end-user, the market is sub-segmented into hospitals, research institutes, clinical testing labs, and others. The hospital segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate, as hospitals assist the patients to take medical assistance under the observation of experienced surgeons. The increasing number of cancer patients along with growing awareness regarding the various benefits and facilities provided in hospitals is considered a prime factor that is supporting the growth of the hospital segment. Geographically market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America dominates the market and is expected to continue its presence over the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to the different factors such as different initiatives by governments and non-profit organizations. According to UNDPby 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases. So this will boost the market for the diagnostic market. The major companies serving the global tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment market are Cepheid Inc., Eiken Chemical Co. Ltd., Hain Lifescience GmbH and others. The market players are considerably contributing to the market growth by the adoption of various strategies including mergers & acquisitions, collaborations, funding, and new product launches, to stay competitive in the market. For instance, in 2021 Hain Lifescience GmbH innovated a direct test for the advanced TB laboratory named FluoroTypes based on the innovative Fluoro Type technology enabling the direct detection of M. tuberculosis complex from direct sample material such as decontaminated pulmonary and, depending on the test, extrapulmonary patient samples The Report Covers Comprehensive research methodology of the global tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment market. This report also includes a detailed and extensive market overview with key analyst insights. An exhaustive analysis of macro and micro factors influencing the market guided by key recommendations. Analysis of regional regulations and other government policies impacting the global tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment market. Insights about market determinants that are stimulating the global tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment market. Detailed and extensive market segments with the regional distribution of forecasted revenues. Extensive profiles and recent developments of market players. Key Topics Covered: 1. Report Summary 2. Market Overview and Insights 2.1. Scope of the Report 2.2. Analyst Insight & Current Market Trends 2.2.1. Key Findings 2.2.2. Recommendations 2.2.3. Conclusion 3. Competitive Landscape 3.1. Key Company Analysis 3.1.1. Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. 3.1.1.1. Overview 3.1.1.2. Financial Analysis 3.1.1.3. SWOT Analysis 3.1.1.4. Recent Developments 3.1.2. Johnson & Johnson Services Inc. 3.1.2.1. Overview 3.1.2.2. Financial Analysis 3.1.2.3. SWOT Analysis 3.1.2.4. Recent Developments 3.1.3. Abbott Laboratories, Inc. 3.1.3.1. Overview 3.1.3.2. Financial Analysis 3.1.3.3. SWOT Analysis 3.1.3.4. Recent Developments 3.1.4. Becton, Dickinson and Co. 3.1.4.1. Overview 3.1.4.2. Financial Analysis 3.1.4.3. SWOT Analysis 3.1.4.4. Recent Developments 3.1.5. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. 3.1.5.1. Overview 3.1.5.2. Financial Analysis 3.1.5.3. SWOT Analysis 3.1.5.4. Recent Developments 3.2. Key Strategy Analysis 3.3. Impact of Covid-19 on Key Players 4. Market Segmentation 4.1. Global Tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment Market, by Diagnosis 4.1.1. Laboratory Testing 4.1.2. Nucleic Acid Tests 4.1.3. Radiography 4.1.4. Drug Susceptibility Test 4.1.5. Other Tests 4.2. Global Tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment Market, by Drugs 4.2.1. First Line Drugs 4.2.2. Second Line Drugs 4.3. Global Tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment Market, by End-user 4.3.1. Hospitals& Clinics 4.3.2. Government & Non-Government Organizations 4.3.3. Others 5. Regional Analysis 5.1. North America 5.1.1. United States 5.1.2. Canada 5.2. Europe 5.2.1. UK 5.2.2. Germany 5.2.3. Italy 5.2.4. Spain 5.2.5. France 5.2.6. Rest of Europe 5.3. Asia-Pacific 5.3.1. China 5.3.2. India 5.3.3. Japan 5.3.4. South Korea 5.3.5. Rest of Asia-Pacific 5.4. Rest of the World 6. Company Profiles 6.1. Abbott Laboratories Inc. 6.2. Akonni Biosystems, Inc. 6.3. Becton Dickinson and Co. 6.4. Biochemical and Synthetic Products Pvt Ltd 6.5. Biomerieux SA 6.6. Cepheid Inc. 6.7. Eiken Chemical Co. Ltd. 6.8. EpistemLtd. 6.9. F. Hoffmann-LA Roche AG 6.10. GlaxoSmithKline PLC 6.11. Hain Lifescience GmbH 6.12. HologicInc. 6.13. Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. 6.14. LabatecPharma SA 6.15. Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. 6.16. Novartis AG 6.17. Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. 6.18. PerkinElmer Inc. 6.19. QiagenGmbH 6.20. Sanofi SA 6.21. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3ry4f 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 RESTON, Va., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos ( NYSE: LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science and technology leader, today announced the appointment of Vice Admiral David Lewis, U.S. Navy (Ret) as Senior Vice President, Maritime. Lewis will be responsible for enhancing the company's maritime capabilities and advancing strategic initiatives that drive organic growth across Leidos' maritime divisions. The organization includes subsidiary Gibbs & Cox and provides critical support for a broad range of Navy activities, including ship design & engineering, autonomous underwater and surface vehicle technology programs, as well as advanced undersea sensors and integration, for domestic and international customers. "Admiral Lewis brings a wealth of military and technology expertise following a distinguished career in the Navy," said Gerry Fasano, Leidos Defense Group President. "His experience is a tremendous asset and will enable Leidos to deliver formidable operational advantages for the fleet." Before joining Leidos, Lewis served as the Naval Postgraduate School Chair of Acquisition and in the United States Navy in operational, engineering, and acquisition related billets. Upon selection to flag rank in 2009, he served as vice commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command, followed by four years as Program Executive Officer (Ships), where he directed the delivery of 18 ships and procurement of an additional 51 ships. From 2014-2017, he served as commander of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, where he led a global workforce of 10,300 civilian and military personnel who designed, developed and deployed advanced communications and information capabilities for the Navy. His final assignment was Director for the Defense Contract Management Agency. Lewis graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1979 and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program. He also holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from the Naval Postgraduate School. About Leidos Leidos is a Fortune 500 technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company's 44,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $13.7 billion for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. For more information, visit www.leidos.com. Contact: Melissa Duenas (571) 526-6850 [email protected] Thomas Doheny (571) 474-4735 [email protected] Jalen Drummond (571) 992-5046 [email protected] SOURCE Leidos Holdings, Inc. MENDOTA, Ill., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Starved Rock Wood Products has been named a winner of the 7th Annual Kitchen & Bath Design Award contest. Its showroom in Glenview, IL won Gold in the Best Independent Showroom category. Based in Mendota IL, the company has been expanding rapidly into Chicagoland. The space contains thirteen full kitchens and vanities, in both traditional and modern styles, with over 500 finishes and colors on display. Starved Rock Cabinetry won Gold as the nation's Best Independent Showroom, 2022 The showroom is located next door to the Abt Electrical Appliances store in Glenview, IL Sponsored by Kitchen & Bath Design News magazine, the Kitchen & Bath Design Awards is a nationwide contest recognizing outstanding achievement in project design and construction in 11 categories. Nominees are kitchen and bath specialists from across the country and entries are judged on aesthetic appeal, handling of unusual situations/challenges, attention to detail, functionality of space, originality, selection of color and finishes, and overall impression of the project. Recently featured on WGNTV, the elegant and expansive showroom holds thirteen complete kitchens and vanities, and over 500 choices of color and finish. It also contains several interactive workstations, allowing customers to sit with a design specialist and work together on creating their initial design. Dana Nielsen, the showroom's General Manager, said, "Buying a kitchen is a big decision for customers and this space helps us remove some of the stress that often comes with that. We have the expertise and the technology to really help people see what's possible for their homes - even down to 'smart lighting' which allows us to adjust the ambient light to ensure colors in the showroom appear exactly as they would in the customer's own kitchen." Located in the Abt Design Center at 1170 Milwaukee Ave, Glenview, the new showroom has already attracted a large number of visitors from across the North and Northwest suburbs of Chicago. Based on its successful launch in Glenview the company is now planning a second showroom, close to its manufacturing base in Mendota, IL. Starved Rock Wood Products CEO Keith Miller was delighted to accept the award, saying, "We set out to create something new in the category for Chicagoland, so it's both remarkable and a real honor to be acknowledged like this on a national scale. Thanks to all the team involved in creating such a memorable space, and thanks especially to our design company Chyba and Partners for bring our vision to life so spectacularly." SR Cabinetry is the kitchen and bathroom cabinet brand for Starved Rock Wood Products, an independent wood manufacturing company based in Mendota, IL. The company has become one of the Midwest's fastest-growing, with its 'Forest to Kitchen' business model, meaning the company handles all aspects of a project, from design to manufacturing to installation and aftersales service; there are no middlemen or intermediaries - kitchens are delivered straight from the factory to the customer's home. This level of end-to-end accountability is supported by the company's deep commitment to customer service - for over twenty years Starved Rock Wood Products has grown simply through word of mouth and the testimonials of satisfied clients. Starved Rock Wood Products is part of the CL Enterprises Group, a family-owned investment company founded 12 years ago by Inga Carus and her husband Peter Limberger. Its focus is on investing in the economic potential of smaller towns and cities across the Midwest, creating jobs and other opportunities for local communities. Its portfolio includes agriculture, real estate development, hospitality, manufacturing, technology, and aviation. SOURCE Starved Rock Wood Products Gala Host is Katrina Kincade, News Reporter/Anchor for WBZ/CBS and Miss Massachusetts 2022 CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Senator Elizabeth Warren, Gilda Nogueira, President and CEO of East Cambridge Savings Bank, and Tim Rowe, Entrepreneur, and CEO of the CIC, will be the Honorees at the Margaret Fuller House 120th Anniversary Gala. "We are proud of our 120-year history and congratulate our deserving honorees." Elizabeth, Gilda, and Tim are excellent examples of dynamic leadership and community involvement in 2022," said Valerie Moore, Chair of the Margaret Fuller House Board of Directors. Left to right: Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senior United State Senator, Gilda Nogueira, President and CEO of East Cambridge Savings Bank, and Tim Rowe Founder, and CEO of CIC and CIC Health. WBZ/CBS NEWS BOSTON IS OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER OF THE MARGARET FULLER HOUSE 120TH GALA ANNIVERSARY WITH KATRINA KANCADE, WBZ NEWS REPORTER /ANCHOR AND MISS MASSACHUSETTS 2022 IS CELEBRITY HOST "Our Gala will commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Margaret Fuller Neighbor House (Margaret Fuller House). Built in 1807 as the childhood home of Sarah Margaret Fuller, a noted author, feminist, and Transcendentalist, our house on Cherry Street was reinvented in 1902 as one of the first Settlement Houses in the United States. The Margaret Fuller House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1984," added Marc Jacobs, Interim Executive Director of MFH. SENATOR WARREN AND MS. NOGUEIRA TO RECEIVE THE 2022 MARGARET FULLER AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a former Harvard law professor and senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, has served since 2013. Senator Warren has been a tireless advocate for the public interest, promoting equality and economic opportunity for all. Senator Warren's extraordinary work to champion the voiceless in our society and her remarkable accomplishments and outstanding advocacy record aptly showcases her embodiment of the values of journalist and activist Margaret Fuller. Elizabeth is one of the nation's leading progressive voices, fighting for significant structural change that would transform our economy and rebuild the lives of many working and middle-class people. Senator Warren consistently reaches across the aisle to deliver wins for Massachusetts, making her one of the most influential members of the Senate. She helped secure $750 million in debt relief for students cheated by predatory, for-profit colleges, including 4,500 Massachusetts students and more than 28,000 students across the country. Before becoming the first woman ever elected to the Senate from Massachusetts in 2012, Elizabeth served as Chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP)the oversight board set up in the aftermath of the financial crisis to protect taxpayers, hold Wall Street accountable, and help homeowners get back on their feet. As a law professor for more than 30 years, Elizabeth taught commercial law, contracts, and bankruptcy courses. She has written over a hundred articles and eleven books, including four national best-sellers, This Fight Is Our Fight, A Fighting Chance, The Two-Income Trap, and All Your Worth. Elizabeth and her husband, Bruce Mann, have been married for 41 years and live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with their golden retriever, Bailey. They have three grandchildren. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Houston and Rutgers School of Law. Gilda M. Nogueira is the President and Chief Executive Officer of East Cambridge Savings Bank, a $1.6 billion in assets mutually-held Bank headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Bank operates 11 full-service banking centers in Middlesex and Suffolk counties and a branch and educational training program at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. While in high school, Nogueira began her career with the Bank as a part-time teller. She has held numerous senior leadership roles at the Bank before being named President and CEO in 2012. A strong industry advocate, Nogueira believes it is the responsibility of business leaders to give back to the communities they serve. Nogueira currently serves as Chair of the Board of Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and on various committees addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Nogueira supports numerous causes and organizations focused on improving the quality of life in the communities served by the Bank. She is past president of the Somerville Rotary Club and continues her membership in the Rotary Club of Somerville. Nogueira serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including the Cambridge YMCA, The Cambridge Matignon School, and the Medford Public Library Foundation. Recognized by her colleagues and community organizations, Nogueira has received various awards and recognitions, including Bankers and Tradesman "Women of Fire" (2013); Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International (2014 & 2016); Girl Scouts "Lady Baden-Powell Award" (2015); five times named in Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts by The Commonwealth Institute and the Boston Globe Magazine (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021); Cambridge Family & Children's Service Avon Children's Friend Award (2019); the Cambridge Matignon School Green and Gold Award (2020), the Somerville Chamber of Commerce John W. Fitzgerald Lifetime Achievement Award (2021), and the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) Person of the Year (2022). Nogueira is a graduate of Lesley University, the National School of Banking America's Community Bankers at Fairfield University, and the New England School of Banking Massachusetts Bankers Association at Babson. Though modest about her professional accomplishments, she is quick to voice pride and appreciation for her family. Nogueira is a mother of four adult children and a grandmother of nine. TIM ROWE TO RECEIVE THE 2022 LT. KINNEY AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY Tim Rowe is the founder and CEO of CIC and CIC Health. He is a well-established leader in New England's evolving innovation ecosystem with over 40 years of experience in the entrepreneurial and startup landscape. Tim strongly believes that supporting innovators is the fastest and surest way to reach equitable and sustainable solutions to critical problems locally and worldwide. CIC is a global leader in building, and operating innovation campuses in the US, Europe, and Asia, focused on supporting the growth of entrepreneurs, startups, and young companies. Since 1999, Tim has grown the company to operate more than 1 million square feet of shared workspace, wet labs, and event space, including the world's largest commercial shared wet lab hub. In 2020, Tim and noted healthcare leader Dr. Atul Gawande launched CIC Health, quickly becoming New England's largest COVID-19 testing and mass vaccination company. The company greatly increased access for hard-hit populations through a mass-vaccination site at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, over 135 community-based vaccination sites in Massachusetts, and dozens of free public testing sites in the hearts of disadvantaged communities in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont. To date, CIC Health has facilitated more than 6. 5 million tests and over 1.2 million vaccine doses. It is also pursuing methods to address other pivotal public health gaps. Tim launched and served as the first president of the Kendall Square Association, which promotes and fosters the neighborhood near MIT, dubbed "the most innovative square mile on the planet." He currently serves as the chair of Venture Cafe Global Institute, an international network that connects innovators. He was the founding chair of LabCentral, Cambridge's groundbreaking nonprofit shared wet laboratory, and MassRobotics, the world's largest shared robotics innovation facility based in Boston's Seaport district. Before founding CIC, Tim served as a principal at Boston Consulting Group, working out of its offices on several continents. He co-founded New Atlantic Ventures, a venture capital fund in Cambridge. He served as a lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and an analyst with the Mitsubishi Research Institute in Tokyo. He is a past Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year winner, a Boston Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, and an inaugural honoree in The Boston Globe's Tech Power Players 50 list. Tim holds an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management and a BA from Amherst College and speaks fluent English, Spanish, Japanese, and basic Mandarin Chinese. "We are thrilled that Elizabeth, Gilda, and Tim accepted our invitation to be honored," stated Selvin Chambers, MFH Vice Chair, Board of Directors, and Gala Committee Member. "As we celebrate our illustrious past, we will look to our future--and this is a great opportunity for the community to celebrate Margaret Fuller's extraordinary past and be hopeful for a fantastic future." The Gala will be held at the Sheraton Hotel on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 6:00 PM. For sponsorship or ticket information, please visit margaretfullerhouse.org (click the "Join our Gala Festivities" button). Or contact: Sylvia Hampton at [email protected]. Media and Gala Inquiries Sylvia R. Hampton Hampton Bates Public Relations Mobile: 617-413-676 Email: [email protected] MARGARET FULLER HOUSE 120TH GALA ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION MEDIA PARTNER WBZ/CBS BOSTON SOURCE Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House Dr. Jonas Fontenot to Succeed Todd Stevens as CEO of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in January 2023 BATON ROUGE, La., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center announces that Jonas Fontenot, Ph.D., M.B.A, will begin serving as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in January 2023. Fontenot currently serves as chief operating officer and the Dr. Charles M. Smith chief of physics. The transition is the culmination of a succession plan adopted by the Board to succeed Todd Stevens, the Cancer Center's longtime CEO. Stevens will transition his time to concentrate on strategic business development and growth opportunities to advance Mary Bird Perkins' mission across its regional network. "Managing the largest cancer care organization in the state requires a thoughtful and orderly succession planning process," said Tom Meek, M.D., past Board chair, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. "We built the foundation of today's announcement almost a decade ago and I am certain that Dr. Fontenot is the absolute right choice to lead Mary Bird Perkins into the future." Dr. Jonas Fontenot will begin serving as Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center President and CEO in January. Tweet this Jonas Fontenot, Ph.D., M.B.A, will begin serving as Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center's President and Chief Executive Officer beginning January 2023. Fontenot is an accomplished scientist, clinician, educator and key member of executive leadership. His blend of clinical experience, scientific achievement, healthcare policy experience, and corporate management acumen are ideal to advance the organization's mission. Fontenot is a board-certified medical physicist who has held more than $4 million in funding from federal and industry sponsors. He is an author of more than 50 peer-reviewed research papers published in international journals, inventor of innovative cancer therapy technologies currently used in clinical practice, and mentored dozens of graduate students and residents. Nationally, he has served on the editorial board of major scientific journals, serves on research grant review panels for the National Institute of Health's cancer research programs and is active on several councils that review and advise Medicare on healthcare policy. Fontenot was the first medical physicist selected by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) to receive the ASTRO Health Policy Fellowship designation. Fontenot strongly values the Cancer Center's culture of philanthropy and has been instrumental in helping inspire philanthropic support as a champion for the Take the Fight Forward Initiative, Adaptive Radiation Therapy Program and Dr. Charles M. Smith Medical Physics Program, in addition to establishing key resources in support of innovative technology like the Gamma Knife Icon. All of these milestone gifts and many others have helped to advance cancer care in the communities Mary Bird Perkins serves. "It will be an honor and a privilege to lead Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center," said Fontenot. "I am excited to represent the most talented and dedicated cancer care staff and oncology physicians in the Gulf South. We are uniquely positioned to support cancer patients across our communities and I look forward to building on Todd's legacy to ensure Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center continues to live its mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer." "Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is well positioned for dynamic growth that will benefit cancer patients and communities throughout Louisiana," said Tom Adamek, current Board Chair. "Todd's experience and forward-looking leadership has built Mary Bird Perkins into a nationally recognized cancer care organization. The entire Board is thrilled for Dr. Fontenot to lead the organization into the future and continue to elevate the state of cancer care in Louisiana, and beyond." Fontenot succeeds Stevens, who transformed Mary Bird Perkins over his 23-year tenure, first envisioning and then building and assembling a team of talented professionals who have established programs focused on advancing patient care, research, education, and cancer outreach. Stevens' fundamental belief that everyone should have local access to high-quality cancer care has been the catalyst for Mary Bird Perkins realizing its vision to become Louisiana's leading cancer care organization. Stevens' focus on local access to quality cancer care has led to innovative partnerships that have established comprehensive cancer programs that are impacting every aspect of the cancer care continuum. These efforts have resulted in the provision of vital education, early detection and treatment services to communities across Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi. As the Cancer Center's footprint has expanded, its vision, mission, and services have also increased, now serving more than 5,800 new patients each year. Throughout his tenure, Stevens spearheaded the recruitment of expert physicians and care team talent and the investment in state-of-the-art facilities focused on patient-centered care and leading-edge technology. He also drove the organization's emphasis on early detection resulting in the establishment of Mary Bird Perkins' Prevention on the Go outreach program, which has provided more than 100,000 free cancer screenings and access to navigation services. During Stevens' tenure, the groundbreaking Mary Bird Perkins - LSU Medical Physics partnership was formed, opening up new and exciting areas of cancer research and educational opportunities in the highly-specialized field of medical physics. He was also instrumental in Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center's participation in two National Cancer Institute programs the NCI Community Cancer Center Program (NCCCP) which enhanced community cancer care across the country and NCI's Community Oncology Research Program, an initiative increasing access to clinical trials for Gulf Coast residents. "It has been a privilege to lead Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center for the past 23 years. I have had the opportunity to work with an incredible team of healthcare professionals and hundreds of stakeholders who share a passion to lessen the burden of cancer," said Stevens. "I am excited about the future of the organization under Dr. Fontenot's leadership and look forward to dedicating my time to building relationships with physicians and organizations to grow Mary Bird Perkins' network." Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is planning a series of events to celebrate Mary Bird Perkins' progress during Stevens tenure as CEO. About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a regional cancer care organization that has been fighting cancer for more than 50 years. The cancer care organization provides care at nine centers in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma, Gonzales, Slidell, and Natchez, Mississippi, and its service area encompasses southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi regions. Mary Bird Perkins has a strategic affiliation with OneOncology and the largest radiation and medical oncology groups from across the area including exclusive partnerships with Southeastern Louisiana Radiation Oncology Group, which provides radiation therapy throughout Mary Bird Perkins' service areas, Northshore Oncology Associates, serving St. Tammany and Washington Parishes, specifically the communities of Covington and Slidell and Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates, which services the Greater Baton Rouge area. For more information, please visit www.marybird.org. SOURCE Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center In a time of upheaval and change, German leadership is taking the initiative to create a better future for the global community. TBD Media Group introduces 50 German Leaders to a global audience LONDON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Germany has a hard-won reputation as a center of innovation, business excellence and thought leadership. In a world of splintered politics, Germany is pointing the way to a future that protects profit, people and the planet. 50 German Leaders, a campaign by acclaimed production company TBD Media Group is showcasing the ideas of Germany's most innovative business icons. Through a series of compelling documentaries, TBD Media examines their motivation and looks at the future they are creating. In a time of upheaval and change, German leadership is taking the initiative to create a better future for the global community. TBD Media Group introduces 50 German Leaders to a global audience The experience of these leaders will be brought together at a summit held in Berlin to allow an exchange of ideas. Paolo Zanini, Founder and CEO at TBD Media Group says: "Germany is at the heart of Europe, representing stability, innovation and a genuine desire to create a better future for the global community. In 50 German Leaders we have built a campaign around German business leaders who are tackling the hard challenges facing humanity at this time. We are providing an opportunity for these leaders to inspire each other at a live meeting as well as taking their stories out in the world to motivate others to take action." On Monday 26 September, a select group of German SMEs will meet at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Potsdamer Platz in Berlin to exchange ideas and discuss the future of the country's economy. Among other things, essential topics such as mobility, exports, sustainability, the lack of skilled workers and further ongoing challenges will be discussed. One goal is to jointly explore well-founded approaches to solving these issues. The 50 German Leaders documentary series will take viewers on a journey through a diverse collection of innovative and collaborative businesses that couple the latest technology with human ingenuity to create lasting, positive change. Companies featured in this launch: ACPS Automotive Kulzer Kaldewei Mestemacher SBB Cargo International Ratioform Medical Park Rud.Otto Meyer Technik GmbH & Co.KG Amedes Huesker Synthetic Schock Degewo More information on the 50 German Leaders Campaign may be found here: https://www.globalthoughtleaders.org/50-german-leaders 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/1905409/50_German_Leader_Trailer_3.mp4 SOURCE TBD Media Group Key Points: mu Space and SpaceBelt have agreed to enter into an MOU aimed to provide small satellites with the capability of traversing data from any location globally and securely leveraging SpaceBelt's own patented architecture, data cloud storage in space, signed on August 16, 2022 . The partnership's mission is to supply small satellites manufactured by mu Space as a turnkey end to end secure space communications and Data Center services as a kind of service to SpaceBelt. Integrating innovative technology and a high-powered Power System to provide optimal secure communications and data cloud storage in space. BANGKOK, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Satellite manufacturer and service provider mu Space Corp and space-based service with secure cloud data storage provider, SpaceBelt have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding entered on the 16 of August 2022. Both parties firmly believe they can bring their own expertise to the project in order for it to succeed and benefit from the collaboration, with plans to have a commercial agreement towards the latter half of 2023. mu Space, founded in 2017, is a fast-growing and leading aerospace manufacturer in Southeast Asia, with aims to better the lives of people in their region by producing High-Powered cube or small satellites with a high quality and efficient power system. mu Space and SpaceBelt have signed an MOU and together developing the proof of concept and constellation system for SpaceBelts Data-Security-as-a-Service. SpaceBelt Pte. Ltd. was established in 2020, Singapore, with headquarters in the US under the name, Cloud Constellation Corporation. The vision of SpaceBelt is to offer customer total autonomy of data in space with highly secure protection whether the data is in motion or at rest. SpaceBelt Data Security As A Service (DSaaS) is a unique space architecture that build on SpaceBelt's own filed patent and it enables global connection without touching on any terrestrial networks regardless where the customer is. The Memorandum of Understanding that was signed, will see mu Space take charge of providing missions developments, constellation concept development and demonstration mission services. On top of that mu Space will also supply services, small satellites, additional services on launch report and case service supervision. mu Space revealed its satellite production, the mu-B200, towards the end of last year at their facility. SpaceBelt will be the first customer to utilize mu Space's bus system, which promises to be high-powered and unique in its own way when compared to others in the market. Committed to using cutting-edge technology, mu Space, at this moment, is able to produce 10 satellites a year at their mu Space Factory 1 with an expansion plan that will see the number move to 100 satellites per year. The research and development put into the production of the satellite aims to improve its communication traits. With later versions of the satellite driving to attain high-power and communication capabilities. The two parties' alignment in the concept of space IDC and SpaceBelt's DSaaS was an integral part of the deal. mu Space CEO and CTO, James Yenbemroong states: "We are excited to work with SpaceBelt and appreciate their commitment and trust in our technology. We believe our high-powered satellites and unique bus system will be prominent in the global market in the near future. I would also like to thank the mu Space team for working tirelessly to achieve the success we have had with our satellite production." The MOU allows SpaceBelt to demonstrate the concept of Data Security as a Service (DSaaS), development of the first generation SpaceBelt's DSaaS constellation system and development of operations to demonstrate missions. SpaceBelt's Managing Director, Kok Rie Ooi says: "The collaboration is a win-win for SpaceBelt and mu Space in term of both parties combining the technical know-how for the design, build and operating capabilities to bring new innovative secure data communications and data cloud storage system to space. I look forward of the successful partnership and the launching of SpaceBelt's satellites in space and roll out our DSaaS to the market." Through this MOU both parties will gain a partnership in a satellite mission, with mu Space also gaining funds for demonstration missions and synergy in working on the Space edge computing concept. mu Space looks forward to a successful partnership with SpaceBelt, and also to providing small satellites for related missions. Together the two parties hope to make a positive impact towards the space economy and also the space industry as a whole. mu Space Corp mu Space is an aerospace manufacturer and satellite internet service provider in Southeast Asia. Founded in 2017 by James Yenbamroong, the company's mission is to solve the ever-diminishing natural resources problem on earth, by searching for alternative resources in space. mu Space manufactures satellite platforms focused on small satellites, which we develop and manufacture with cutting-edge technology. We provide end-to-end services, including full service of high-performance satellite building solutions and reliable access to satellite internet service. mu Space is a fully vertically integrated aerospace company with advanced factories to deliver products and services while reducing the additional costs of an extensive supply chain. SpaceBelt Pte. Ltd. SpaceBelt Data Security As A Service (DSaaS) is the world's first planned cloud infrastructure and data storage service based in space. SpaceBelt seeks to revolutionize the way data can be securely transferred and stored by using its patented SpaceBelt architecture utilizing GEO satellites between the customer's enterprise locations and the SpaceBelt LEO network. SpaceBelt's space infrastructure is totally separated from the terrestrial landlines and internet. This provides the strongest security possible by offering global isolation from the terrestrial infrastructure of an enterprise or government organization's high value, highly sensitive, mission-critical data assets. SOURCE mu Space Corp DUBLIN, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "MVNO Business Plan 2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) companies are launched for many different reasons, many of which have more to do with other businesses than the MVNO operation itself. It is important to consider the strategies an MVNO will employ to exploit market opportunities and include in an MVNO Business Plan. Regardless of the overall MVNO strategy, executing upon a vision requires careful planning. One thing that all successful MVNOs have in common is they started with a well-developed business plan. This must include insights regarding the impact of 5G on business operations. Accordingly, customers acquiring the MVNO Business Plan will also receive research evaluating 5G technology and its impact upon networks, apps, and services (see below for more information). The MVNO Business Plan This is a full business plan based on the launch of an illustrative MVNO known as Contendus. The plan covers all aspects of the company launch plan including market assessment, funding requirements, financial analysis, market segmentation, and product differentiation. Also included is a go-to-market plan, distribution and replenishment plans, comparison of MVNOs, and more. The major benefit of this report is to assist in the development of an MVNO launch and to help validate existing plans. Launching a MVNO involves a lot of careful planning and an understanding of the competitive threats and opportunities. Understanding the competitive issues and what type of MVNO to launch is key to success. A critical aspect to the success of any MVNO is its wholesale negotiations with the host mobile network operator (MNO). Accordingly, the MVNO Business Plan includes Modelling and Negotiation Strategies for Contracting with Host Mobile Network Operators. This includes rate structures of the retail minus and cost-plus models, the pros and cons of each, and how to implement them. The MVNO Business Plan also includes evaluation of wholesale incentives, the reconciliation process, and also what macro and micro environmental aspects to consider when defining your negotiation strategy. Also included is an example Service Level Agreement (SLA), modeled from real-life operational MVNO SLAs, which can be customized and built upon to meet the needs of their service management requirements. With 5G poised to impact virtually every part of the communication services value chain, the publisher believes it is extremely important for the MVNO ecosystem to be informed and understand the impacts on virtual network operations. Accordingly, the report 5G Technology Assessment, Market Outlook, and Forecasts 2022 to 2030 is also included with the MVNO Business Plan. Target Audience: MVNO start-ups Mobile network operators MVNE/MVNO service providers Investors and analysts in the mobile space Suppliers of MVNO equipment and software Consultants and systems integration companies Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Overview 2.1. The Business 2.2. The Strategy 2.3. The Market 2.4. The Management 2.5. The Financials 2.6. The Company Mission 2.7. MVNO Criteria 2.8. Exceptions 3. The Business 3.1. Requirements Analysis 3.2. Description of Services 3.3. Target Market 3.4. Initial Services: Primary Revenue Drivers 3.5. Potential Future Services: Additional Revenue Sources 3.6. Distribution, Purchasing, and Refills 3.7. Starter Package 3.8. Handsets and Hardware 3.9. LTE System and the SIM-card 3.10. Website and User Interface Strategies 3.11. LTE Enhancements, 5G, and Future Technologies 3.12. Back-Office and Customer Care 3.13. Mobile Network Operator Requirements 3.14. Regulatory Issues 3.15. Churn Considerations 4. The Opportunity 4.1. Opportunity 4.2. Strategy 4.3. Provisioning and Management 4.4. Infrastructure 4.5. Multi-IMSI Approach 4.6. Multi-network VPN 4.7. Security and Control 4.8. Forecast 5. The Market 5.1. US Wireless Market 5.2. Prepaid Services Market 5.3. Wholesale Communications Services 5.4. Essential Negotiation Factors 5.5. Setup Cost Analysis 5.6. Terminal Usage and Control 5.7. Network Usage and Control 6. Marketing Plan 6.1. Overview 6.2. Marketing Strategy 6.3. Initial Market Segments and Strategic Considerations 6.4. Partnering and Co-branding 6.5. Loyalty Program 6.6. Migration Strategy 7. Financial Overview 7.1. Revenue Streams and Cost Considerations 7.2. Revenue Growth 7.3. Financial Projections 7.4. Funding 7.5. Exit Strategy 8. Extensions and Upgrades 8.1. Selection Criteria 8.2. Technical Requirements 8.3. Other Factors 9. Potential Market Segments 10. The Management Team and Partners 10.1. Management 10.2. Board of Advisors 10.3. Operational Partners 11. Competition 11.1. Prepaid Players 11.2. Prepaid Market Assessment 12. MVNO Market Outlook 12.1. Overview 12.2. Global Outlook and Forecast 12.3. MVNO Drivers in Europe 12.4. MVNO Drivers in the United States 12.5. MVNO Drivers in Middle East 12.6. MVNO Drivers in Asia Pacific 13. MVNO Case Studies 14. Conclusions 15. Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hklgg 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 WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will hold a media teleconference at 12:30 p.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 23, to discuss the cryogenic demonstration test conducted Wednesday, Sept. 21, ahead of the next Artemis I launch attempt. Audio of the call will livestream on the agency's website at: https://www.nasa.gov/live After encountering a hydrogen leak early in the loading process during the test Wednesday, Sept. 21, engineers were able to troubleshoot the issue and complete the test objectives. Based on data from the test, teams are fine-tuning procedures for the next launch opportunity, targeted for no earlier than Sept. 27. The rocket remains in a safe and flight-ready configuration at the launch pad. Artemis I is a flight test to launch NASA's Space Launch System rocket and send an uncrewed Orion spacecraft around the Moon before future missions with crew. Briefing participants include: Tom Whitmeyer , deputy associate administrator, Common Exploration Systems Development, NASA Headquarters , deputy associate administrator, Common Exploration Systems Development, NASA Headquarters Brad McCain , vice president and general manager, Jacobs Space Operations Group , vice president and general manager, Jacobs Space Operations Group John Blevins , SLS chief engineer, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center To participate by telephone, media must RSVP two hours before the briefing to: [email protected]. The four main objectives met during the demonstration were assessing the repair to address the hydrogen leak identified on the previous launch attempt, loading propellants into the rocket's tanks using new procedures to transition changes in temperature and pressure more slowly to reduce the likelihood of leaks, conducting the kick-start bleed, and performing a pre-pressurization test. Managers waved off two previous launch attempts, one on Aug. 29 due to a faulty temperature sensor, and one on Sept. 3 due to a liquid hydrogen leak at an interface between the rocket and mobile launcher. Through Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term lunar presence, and serving as a steppingstone to send astronauts to Mars. For updates, follow along on NASA's Artemis blog at: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis SOURCE NASA According to a study released today by Texas Women's Foundation, Texas women rank last in the nation for health insurance, earn less, owe more in student debt and have greater housing instability. DALLAS, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study released today by Texas Women's Foundation examines the impact of Covid-19 on women in Texas. Many of Texas' 14.6 million women and girls face significant challenges when it comes to four key pillars of financial securityeducation, childcare, health insurance and housing. Miki Woodard, President/ CEO, TXWF & Dena L. Jackson, Chief Strategy Officer, TXWF The report incorporates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic downturn according to Texas Women's Foundation's fourth edition of Economic Issues for Women in Texas 2022. "Texas women face enormous economic barriers such as pay inequity, college loan debt, affordable childcare, lack of health insurance and housing cost burdens." Said Miki Woodard, president and CEO of Texas Women's Foundation. "Women of color and single mothers are even more greatly impacted by these economic hurdles. Texas needs policies in place to ensure the state is a more equitable place for all Texans. Texas Women's Foundation will be working hard to support all women facing these challenges but we cannot do this alone. We encourage all businesses to review the report and implement solutions that support women and their families to build a stronger Texas for all." She added. In addition to the key pillars of financial security, the report outlines new divides related to pay, digital access, cost of caregiving, remaining in the workforce and eviction. With women of color comprising 59 percent of Texas women, the study also examines the economic status of Texas women through a lens of gender, race and ethnicity, and identifies opportunities for change and policy recommendations. The study, which was first released in 2014, is produced by Texas Women's Foundation based on research conducted by Every Texan (formerly Center for Public Policy Priorities). Sources include U.S. Census Bureau data, federal and state agency data, studies by policy organizations and academic research. KEY FINDINGS: Texas Demographics: From the 2020 report, a typical Texas woman is: a Millennial (age 36) a woman of color living in a city earning $35,000 /year or less working to support her family Women are the face of poverty: About 15 percent of Texas women and girls, or 2.1 million, experienced poverty in 2019, compared to 12 percent of Texas men and boys. For a family of three, that equates to an annual income of less than $23,000 . Pay: Over 60 percent of Texas women were in households that had difficulty paying for their usual household expenses during the pandemic. women were in households that had difficulty paying for their usual household expenses during the pandemic. In 2021, one out of four women in Texas were in households that did not have their regular source of income from before the pandemic. Caregivers: In the U.S, six out of 10 unpaid family caregivers are women who provided $470 billion worth of care. Education: Highly educated but underpaid: 1.5 times as many women as men completed public college in 2021, but Texas women continue to often earn less. 1.5 times as many women as men completed public college in 2021, but women continue to often earn less. Student debt crisis: Women hold most of the outstanding student debt with a debt-to-income ratio 13 percentage points higher than men. A loan forgiveness of $30,000 can help eliminate student debt burden. Women hold most of the outstanding student debt with a debt-to-income ratio 13 percentage points higher than men. A loan forgiveness of can help eliminate student debt burden. Women of color: Black women and Latinas are closing the educational gap. Asian women and Latinas are now the fastest growing groups among women enrolling in and completing Texas public college educations. Black women and Latinas are closing the educational gap. Asian women and Latinas are now the fastest growing groups among women enrolling in and completing public college educations. Effects of the pandemic: Over three in five Texas women were in households where someone's post-secondary education plans changed due to the pandemic. Child Care: Child care is a critical work support: 2.2 million Texas mothers work and need some form of child care. 2.2 million mothers work and need some form of child care. Unaffordable for low wage workers: For a Texas woman making the median income, full-time infant care takes up 21 percent of earnings. For a woman making the median income, full-time infant care takes up 21 percent of earnings. The pandemic impacted child care availability: About a third of Texas women were in households where children under the age of five had disrupted child care due to closures, availability, affordability or safety. About a third of women were in households where children under the age of five had disrupted child care due to closures, availability, affordability or safety. From the 2020 report, full-time infant care is nearly as expensive as collegemore than $8,000 annually. Health Insurance: Higher amount uninsured: Texas women are twice as likely to be uninsured as women in the rest of the nation, with over 1 in 5 uninsured working-age women across the state. women are twice as likely to be uninsured as women in the rest of the nation, with over 1 in 5 uninsured working-age women across the state. Texas needs Medicaid expansion: 406,000 Texas women are below the poverty line and lack affordable coverage options. 406,000 women are below the poverty line and lack affordable coverage options. Women of color are the least likely to have health insurance, with over 1 in 4 Hispanic women uninsured, as compared to 1 in 10 white women. Housing: Texas women who rent are more likely to face housing instability than women in owner-occupied housing. Housing burden: 20% of Texas homeowners and 45% of Texas renters are housing cost burdened. homeowners and 45% of renters are housing cost burdened. Evictions: Now that the federal moratorium has ended, evictions in Dallas , Fort Worth and Houston have increased to almost pre-pandemic levels. , and have increased to almost pre-pandemic levels. Texans of color and Texas families up to $75,000 annual income are less likely to have access to digital devices and internet. About Texas Women's Foundation: Texas Women's Foundation www.txwf.org is Transforming Texas for Women and Girls, empowering them to build stronger, more equitable communities. One of the world's largest women's foundations, the Foundation raises funding from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support more than $7.1 million in investments that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through groundbreaking research, advocacy, grants and programs. SOURCE Texas Women's Foundation Nexans will deliver subsea export cables for Revolution Wind Farm, the second delivery of Nexans' framework agreement to supply rsted and Eversource in the US. This award follows the cable installation contract announced in March 2022 . rsted-Eversource is developing the Revolution Wind Farm that will generate clean energy to power more than 350,000 homes in Connecticut and Rhode Island . Local construction will begin in 2023 and the project is expected to be fully operational in 2025. The contract is signed while Nexans has organized a day of key conversations focused on sustainability for Climate Week in New York and this contract shows its commitment to developing electrification that serves the local community. PARIS, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexans, a global organization and key driver for the world's transition to a more connected and sustainable energy future, today announced the finalization of a second U.S.-based contract with rsted and Eversource to supply the export cable system for the Revolution Wind Farm. Located more than 15 miles south of the Rhode Island coast and 32 miles east of the Connecticut coast, the project will connect the wind farm to the onshore grid. The 704 MW Revolution Wind Farm will help both states achieve their ongoing commitments to develop offshore wind and address their energy needs, delivering electricity to more than 350,000 homes. By eliminating potential future emissions, the historic project will replace close to one million metric tons of carbon pollution the equivalent of taking more than 200,000 cars off the road annually. Revolution will be the 3rd project to be delivered from our continuously expanding Charleston, South Carolina facility confirming Nexans leadership in the US market. The agreement was signed in December 2019 to accelerate the energy transition in North America by bringing Nexans' industry-leading subsea cable technology to the U.S. Ragnhild Katteland, Nexans' Executive Vice President, Subsea & Land Systems, stated, "Establishing our footprint in the United States and furthering our commitment to the U.S. offshore wind industry is at the core of our business operations. We have made several investments to deliver subsea transmission cables that are manufactured and installed in America, and the partnership with rsted and Eversource is the first step in bolstering supply chains with strong, local partners. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible as innovation is crucial to meet the needs of a territory as large as the United States. Closely aligning with our mission to electrify the future, Nexans is proud to support this important work in the clean energy sector and expedite our journey to net zero." About NEXANS For more than a century, Nexans has played a crucial role in electrifying the planet and is committed to electrifying the future. With 25,000 staff in 42 countries, the Group is driving the change towards the new world of electrification a safer, more sustainable, renewable, carbon-free world, accessible to all. In 2021, Nexans generated 6.1 billion in standard sales. The Group is a leader in the design and manufacturing of cable systems and services in five main areas of activity: Energy Production & Transmission, Distribution, Uses, Industry & Solutions and Telecom & Data. Nexans was the first player in its industry to create a Corporate Foundation to support actions that promote access to energy for disadvantaged populations worldwide. The Group is committed to helping achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Nexans. Electrify the future. Nexans is listed on the Euronext Paris stock market, compartment A. For more information, visit www.nexans.com SOURCE Nexans New Montreal space will focus on treating depression, addiction and other common disorders Numinus announces sponsorship of East Forest North American tour Company also announces new PR and Marketing partners VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Numinus Wellness Inc. ("Numinus" or the "Company") (TSX: NUMI) (OTCQX: NUMIF), a mental health care company advancing innovative treatments and safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies, today announced the opening of a new clinic in Montreal that will replace an existing downtown clinic. The new site, in the Plateau neighbourhood, will have expanded capacity to offer ketamine treatments, including a wider assortment of ketamine-assisted therapy options. "There is significant research showing ketamine can be highly effective in treating depression, addiction, trauma and anxiety, and other common mental health disorders," said Jason Lapensee, Numinus SVP, Clinical Operations. "Numinus is taking this evidence into consideration as we continue to expand our clinic network and treatment programs across North America." Numinus continues to focus on the safe, evidence-based use of ketamine in combination with traditional therapy. Expanded services will include different administrations of ketamine, including Spravato, intramuscular, lozenge and nasal spray, along with options in treatment length and session type. Numinus currently offers a six-week ketamine-assisted therapy program for indications including depression, addiction, and trauma and anxiety. New services will include the option to access ketamine as a standalone treatment, allowing clients to complement prior ketamine-assisted therapy, use it as an emergency antidepressant, or use it in conjunction with therapy from an external health provider. This service flexibility will provide greater access to clients by accommodating differing needs and financial means. Additionally, Numinus will continue to support access for clients in need through the federal Special Access Program, with dedicated space appropriately designed for psilocybin- and MDMA-assisted therapies. "Numinus recognizes that people in Montreal can benefit from having more treatment options, including ketamine," said Payton Nyquvest, Numinus Founder and CEO. "Expanding our services here is another important step towards improving access to best-in-class and innovative mental healthcare in Quebec, while continuing to expand our clientele and market presence." Numinus currently operates 13 clinics across Canada and the US, including locations in British Columbia, Ontario, Arizona and Utah, with comprehensive services ranging from mental health therapy to neurologic care, and additionally supports clients in accessing psychedelic-assisted therapy through Canada's federal Special Access Program. More information about Numinus' Montreal locations can be found at: www.numinus.com/location/montreal. Numinus sponsors East Forest Ceremony North American tour Numinus is pleased to sponsor the North American 'Ceremony' tour by leading musician, East Forest. The tour will combine live music and guided meditation for an immersive concert-ritual experience across 15 cities, including Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver (BC). The collaboration offers an opportunity to drive cultural awareness around psychedelic-assisted therapy and mental health, while also driving increased brand awareness for Numinus. Update on PR, Marketing and Awareness service providers Numinus is pleased to announce that it has recently engaged Autumn Communications for public relations, executive communications, and media strategy, catering to the US market. Autumn Communications is a full-service public relations and marketing firm with offices in New York City and Los Angeles that specializes in developing compelling campaigns that amplify brand awareness, engage customers, and drive demand. Numinus has also engaged Native Ads, Inc. to provide digital media services, marketing and data analytics services to the Company. Native Ads is a full-service advertising agency, that owns and operates a proprietary ad exchange with over 80 integrated supply side platforms. Neither Native Ads nor any of its directors and officers own any securities of the Company. About Numinus Numinus Wellness (TSX: NUMI) helps people to heal and be well through the development and delivery of innovative mental health care and access to safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies. The Numinus model - including psychedelic production, research and clinic care - is at the forefront of a transformation aimed at healing rather than managing symptoms for depression, anxiety, trauma, pain and substance use. At Numinus, we are leading the integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies into mainstream clinical practice and building the foundation for a healthier society. Learn more at numinus.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Disclaimer Neither Numinus Wellness Inc., nor any of its subsidiaries is a professional corporation licensed to practice health services. In jurisdictions where health services may only be provided by a corporation if that corporation holds a valid permit to do so, Numinus and its subsidiaries operate in a management services function to affiliated professional corporations, who provide health services to patients. Numinus and its subsidiaries do provide health services directly to patients in those jurisdictions where authorized to do so. Forward-looking statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs regarding future performance are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expects", "does not expect", "is expected", "believes", "intends", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes" or variations of these words, expressions or statements, that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be" taken, will occur or will be realized. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual results, events or developments to differ materially from the results, events or developments expected and expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, dependence on obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals, including the acquisition and renewal of federal, provincial, municipal, local or other licenses, and any inability to obtain all necessary government authorizations, licenses and permits to operate and expand the Company's facilities; regulatory or policy changes such as changes in applicable laws and regulations, including federal and provincial legalization, due to fluctuations in public opinion, industry perception of integrative mental health, including the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy, delays or inefficiencies or any other reason; any other factor or development likely to hamper the growth of the market; the Company's limited operating and profitability track record; dependence on management; the Company's need for additional financing and the effects of financial market conditions and other factors on the availability of capital; competition, including that of more established and better funded competitors; the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the global economy; the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and the need to build and maintain alliances and partnerships, including with research and development companies, customers and suppliers. These factors should be carefully considered, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Despite the Company's efforts to identify the main risk factors that could cause actual measures, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, other risk factors may cause measures, events or developments to materially differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to revise forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new facts or any other reason, except as required by applicable laws. SOURCE Numinus Wellness Inc. COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- University Products LLC highlighted a new study by Ohio State University on the prevalence of Anaplasma marginale and associated risk factors in beef cattle from Ohio the first such study to report bovine anaplasmosis in Ohio herds. Results showed an estimated statewide molecular prevalence of 38.53% (95% CI, 33.26% to 43.81%), with some farms exhibiting higher prevalence than others (19.40% to 56.86%). Anaplasmosis is a blood disease carried by parasites that infects red blood cells and causes severe anemia and death resulting in an annual global cattle loss estimated between $14-$19 billion dollars. University Products LLC Louisiana-based University Products produces the only effective vaccine against anaplasmosis that is approved for experimental use and successfully deployed in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and South America for over two decades. Typical anaplasmosis treatments include a tetracycline antibiotic, or chlortetracycline supplied in feed and mineral supplements. All of these antibiotic treatments require a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) for oral use, with most veterinarians warning that cows may not eat enough for an effective treatment. And due to recent FDA antibiotic restrictions, producers must also have a confirmed case of anaplasmosis to get a VFD. Anaplasmosis is particularly dangerous because many ranchers and producers do not notice signs of infection until it is too late. Confirmed cases usually involve the appearance of dead cows. And by then, much of the herd is already infected. "In every case of anaplasmosis I saw last year, death was the first sign owners saw," said Dr. Bat Brantley*, Union Veterinary Clinic in Farmerville, La. "There are treatments available for anaplasmosis, but by the time cattle are recognized as having clinical signs, they may be so sick that treatment is too late to be effective." "We've seen a rise in these infections in Ohio and other states some farms are just naturally more at risk than others," said vaccine developer, Dr. Gene Luther, D.V.M., Ph.D. "We want ranchers to protect their herds, and to do so, they need treatments that are effective. Our vaccine will always remain the best, most cost effective, protection farmers can get to fight this disease." About University Products LLC The University Products vaccine does not prevent infection, but when properly used, significantly reduces clinical signs in at-risk animals. The vaccine requires only two doses in the first year, with one annual booster each year thereafter and is safe to use in any stage of bovine pregnancy. A detailed description of the vaccine and its method of administration is publicly available for PDF download. For more information on the University Products vaccine, with availability for farmers and producers, please instruct veterinarians to contact Dr. Luther directly by email at [email protected]. *https://www.farmprogress.com/beef/three-takeaways-lsu-beef-and-forage-field-day. Media Contact: Don Luther, Director 1-225-334-0851 [email protected] SOURCE University Products LLC Automotive manufacturers can now deploy the latest Android Automotive OS with drastically reduced integration effort BERLIN, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenSynergy has announced today the release of an enhanced version of their automotive reference platform for virtual Android (based on Trout) with Android 12 MVP 1.0 ready for series production. Containing technology from Google, the reference platform highlights the integration of the Virtual I/O (VIRTIO) framework into Android Automotive OS (AAOS). More importantly, the reference platform now offers a complete vehicle-ready solution due to the fact that OpenSynergy has specified and implemented devices necessary for automotive use cases. This allows Android to run fully virtualized on any solution containing the newest VIRTIO device implementation. Additionally, VIRTIO enables support for multiple System on Chip(SoC)s, and provides higher flexibility to change hardware. VIRTIO is an established virtualization standard maintained by the OASIS Open consortium. It provides a device-sharing framework for devices such as block, network, console, graphics processing unit (GPU), input, etc. OpenSynergy assumes the role of an automotive expert in the consortium specifying missing automotive-specific VIRTIO devices to expand the scope of the open standard in the automotive domain such as sound, video, Bluetooth, camera, GNSS, and more. Thanks to the OASIS consortium's active membership and expertise gathered in the open-source domain, OpenSynergy always provides a mature virtual platform equipped with the very latest VIRTIO devices already shipping in a large number of cars. OpenSynergy's latest COQOS Hypervisor SDK supports VIRTIO devices required for automotive use cases, allowing customers to fully leverage the virtualized AAOS reference platform. The cooperation between OpenSynergy and Google ensures that Android Automotive OS is fully compatible with the COQOS Hypervisor SDK. As Android Automotive OS can be deployed fully virtualized, customers enjoy the quick integration of Android onto their hardware, easy upgrade of Android versions, as well as easier CTS certification by using a pre-CTS tested Android (AOSP). Operating systems fully compliant with this open VIRTIO standard can be flexibly deployed and reused across any hardware and hypervisors adhering to the standard. As an example, OpenSynergy has successfully collaborated with several Tier1s to transition and upgrade their infotainment systems already in series production to newer hardware and the latest Android version in the span of only a few months. This maximum flexibility gives OEMs and Tier1s the freedom to choose any chipset vendor for their series projects, which is especially useful to accelerate the move to more powerful hardware, supporting the rapid introduction of additional features. At the same time, this flexibility is crucial in times of silicon shortage. OpenSynergy's reference platform showcases an Android Automotive OS-based Cockpit Domain Controller (CDC) architecture. Similar to other CDCs, the underlying hypervisor guarantees the secure coexistence of Android (typically a QM system) with systems of higher criticality, such as the real-time OS displaying the telltales on an Instrument Cluster (typically ASIL B). The reference platform software is available from OpenSynergy. It contains the VIRTIO-based COQOS Hypervisor SDK as well as links and tools to download and build AAOS. Google and Android are trademarks of Google LLC. About OpenSynergy OpenSynergy provides embedded software products for the next generation of vehicles. Its hypervisor and communication products pave the way for an integrated driving experience. The automotive virtual platform COQOS Hypervisor SDK integrates a mix of real-time applications and open source solutions on powerful domain controllers. It supports a large bundle of features corresponding to the virtualization standard VIRTIO, creating maximum flexibility: guest operating systems can be used and reused on different Systems on Chips. The automotive leading Bluetooth stack Blue SDK is one of OpenSynergy's communications platforms. It is the reference Bluetooth implementation for many OEMs around the world. OpenSynergy further provides complimentary Automotive-Grade software components tailored for the AndroidTM Open Source Project (AOSP) to boost Android's adoption in the automotive domain. OpenSynergy also provides engineering services to support the customization of its products. Read more on www.opensynergy.com Contact: OpenSynergy GmbH Sabine Mutumba Director of Marketing Rotherstr. 20 D-10245 Berlin Tel.: +49 (0)30.60 98 540-41 Email: [email protected] SOURCE OpenSynergy GmbH The JSI smart construction application now delivers a superior experience, providing unmatched value for customers in construction, oil and gas, mining and beyond. EDMONTON, AB, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - One year after Latium Technologies, a go-to Internet of Things (IoT) solutions provider, merged with Job Site Insights (JSI) from PCL Construction, we are excited to provide an update on the evolution of this partnership. Over the last year, PCL completed the integration of its Job Site Insights smart construction application with Latium's Yonder operating system (yOS), creating a more robust and powerful solution for both construction and industrial clients. Trans Mountain, Enbridge, DPR, Webcor, Consigli and Davis Construction are just a few companies that have taken advantage of JSI and its benefits. By using Latium's advanced IoT and analytics platform, JSI has helped clients adapt to changing conditions, reduce cost, enhance logistics, bolster safety, improve project quality and enhance operational efficiency. JSI allows site supervisors, project managers and executives to enable critical business insights and predictions based on real-time data. Now, JSI is about to deliver a suite of enhancements that will provide clients with even more value. In the coming months, the JSI product roadmap will see an improved Mobile App (iOS, Android) experience, featuring a simplified user interface, wizard-driven functions, voice recognition, and visual media via the mobile device's camera and video capabilities. Additionally, the JSI Web Portal will evolve with software-as-a-service (SaaS) updates that will incorporate feedback from the JSI user community. These improvements are part of a commitment from the JSI software and hardware development team to continue designing, building, and delivering solutions that provide operational value for Latium's clients and the industries it serves, such as oil and gas, construction, and mining. Now that the enhanced JSI product has been launched, Latium's chief executive officer, Mark Bryant, will hand over the company's day-to-day operations to Tony Pecorilli, Latium's founder and president, as part of a planned transition. This will allow Mark to support PCL's strategic initiatives as chief information officer which includes Latium, a PCL operating entity. "Latium has delivered on its product enhancements and marketing launch goals and the organization is well positioned to continue this strong momentum into 2023 under Tony's leadership," said PCL CIO, Mark Bryant. PCL is excited to continue supporting Latium's ongoing success, which holds a tremendous opportunity to enhance smart construction. About PCL Construction PCL is a group of independent construction companies that carries out work across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and in Australia. These diverse operations in the civil infrastructure, heavy industrial, and buildings markets are supported by a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers. Together, these companies have an annual construction volume of more than $8 billion, making PCL the largest contracting organization in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Watch us build at PCL.com . SOURCE PCL Construction The 20 different offices and branches of the historic Turin-based leading geoengineering company specializing in the design of underground works and in the hydroelectric sector will become part of Pini Group. Through this transaction, Pini Group accelerates its growth path by reinforcing its international presence as a reference company in design, construction management and consulting services for underground works. LUGANO, Switzerland, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With over 70 years of experience in the local and international market, the Swiss-born engineering company Pini Group has now acquired Geodata - a geoengineering company founded in Turin in 1984 and active in 20 countries, with subsidiaries in Italy, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Greece, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Portugal, Peru, and Turkey, which is mainly involved in underground and hydro-related works design. Geodata's insignia will soon give way to Pini Group's. With this strategic acquisition, Pini Group wants to benefit from the know-how of a company that in these 38 years of activity has planned and supervised the construction of more than 4,000 km of tunnels and more than 3,500 projects worldwide relating to subways, traditional and high-speed railways, roads and motorways, dams and hydroelectric plants, as well as geology and environment. "We recognize in Geodata an excellent player in the world of underground engineering and hydropower. Our intention is to enhance all the assets that have allowed this company to write the history of engineering: from its workers to its network of suppliers and its international partners. This acquisition is based on common values that characterize the two companies. Both Geodata and Pini started out as family businesses, which through hard work, dynamism and the pursuit of excellence have become global players in the engineering sector. Furthermore, the acquisition of Geodata allows Pini to access the renewable energy sector, with a particular focus on the hydroelectricity. In the fragile and transitional moment we are currently facing, we can make the experience and knowledge of a dynamic, international and innovative group available to the sector. We will join forces to build the future of engineering together." Andrea Galli, CEO of Pini Group Among the projects that have made Geodata an excellence in the world of underground engineering over the years it is worth mentioning the recent design of the 6 metro lines in the city of Istanbul, still under construction, the extension of the Sao Paulo metro line 5 in Brazil and the Maldonado River underground tunnel in Buenos Aires. The acquisition will give a strong acceleration to the development plans of Pini Group, which thus exceeds 700 employees, and strengthens its position as a leading company in design, construction management and consulting services. Pini Group Pini Group, a company founded in Switzerland and with more than 70 years of experience in the local and international market, currently operates in Italy, Austria, France, Portugal, Norway, Israel, Australia, Brazil, and the United States with approximately 500 employees engaged in design, construction management and consulting services. "Pini Smart Engineering" summarizes the peculiarities of our business. Speed of action, pragmatism, efficiency and a touch of elegance are the key aspects of our strategy. Faced with a fast-changing world and an increasing number of challenges, we are committed to developing sustainable solutions for a future society. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1902440/PG_Geodata_Panel.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1902439/PINI_Group_Logo.jpg Contact: Luca Cereghetti, [email protected], 0041 78 715 26 28 SOURCE Pini Group The 24/7 Automated Pizzeria Concept Expands to University of New Orleans, LSU Medical Center, and New Orleans VA Medical Center NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PizzaForno, one of North America's only automated pizzerias that bakes artisanal pizzas in less than three minutes, has announced its expansion to New Orleans with fully-operational locations at University of New Orleans (2101 Leon C Simon Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70122), LSU Medical Center (433 Bolivar St 3rd Floor Nola, LA 70112), and New Orleans VA Medical Center (2400 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119). Accessible 24/7 at the tap of a digital screen, this revolutionary brand with exclusive distribution rights offers a selection of innovative menu options, each made with top quality ingredients. With their first grand opening event set for Thursday, September 29th on the campus of University of New Orleans, serial entrepreneurs Miller Engelhardt, Andrew Herrington, and Robert Laurent will be expanding development across the South, and will be seeking spirited entrepreneurs looking to build their portfolios and add on a substantial income to their existing businesses. "PizzaForno units are designed to fit perfectly in prime high-foot traffic areas, maximizing use of space with only 65 square feet and zero on-site labor," stated master licensee, Miller Engelhardt. "As we continue to bring the future of pizza to New Orleans and expand across the state of Louisiana, potential licensees now have the chance to be one of the first to break into the registered U.S. markets." Kicking off the 'Pizza with a Purpose' initiative in New Orleans, the local entrepreneurs will donate a percentage of sales one day a week, from each location indefinitely, to Team Fleur de Que and Hogs for The Cause, an organization that works with hospitals nationwide to create partnerships, funds and housing to mitigate financial burdens for all pediatric brain cancer diagnoses. All three of the licensees have been on the fundraising Team Fleur de Que for the last 8 years. As Herrington's nephew passed away last year from pediatric brain cancer, Hogs for the Cause has special significance for the three founders. 'Pizza with a Purpose,' is the foundation for how PizzaForno selects licensees to join in on the development of their "Pizzaruption." In addition to staying focused on purpose driven initiatives, they work with each of their local owners to identify opportunities to help support non-profit organizations within their community. PizzaForno not only offers a high ROI but has the ability to operate 24/7 with zero on-site labor costs, limited waste and gives the option for licensees to scale quickly. 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. "Not only does the pizza taste great, but it comes with a healthy crust made from a pinsa flour-amaranth, rice, and a spelt combination. It also has 14 grams of protein," said Engelhardt. Now fully-operational on a total of 4 college campuses in the United States, PizzaForno is catching the eyes of investors who want to be a part of disrupting the pizza industry as we know it. "Taking QSR to the next level, there is endless growth potential with public access points in heavy pedestrian areas and private units in dorms, hospitals, and apartment complexes," stated Les Tomlin, Co-Founder and President of PizzaForno. 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 GARDNER, Mass., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. (OTCQB: PEYE) (the "Company") today announced that it has scheduled a conference call to discuss its fiscal year 2022 financial results on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 5:00pm ET. The Company intends to release its financial results and to file its 10-K after the close of the market on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, followed by the conference call. Conference Call Details Date and Time: Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 5:00pm ET Call-in Information: Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (844) 735-3662 or (412) 317-5705. Live Webcast Information: Interested parties can access the conference call via a live webcast, which is available at https://app.webinar.net/94M6mGLlvKa. Replay: A teleconference replay of the call will be available until October 4, 2022 at (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088, replay access code 4182019. A webcast replay will be available at https://app.webinar.net/94M6mGLlvKa. About Precision Optics Corporation Founded in 1982, Precision Optics is a vertically integrated optics company primarily focused on leveraging its proprietary micro-optics and 3D imaging technologies to the healthcare and defense/aerospace industries by providing services ranging from new product concept through mass manufacture. Utilizing its leading-edge in-house design, prototype, regulatory and fabrication capabilities as well as its Lighthouse Imaging division's electronic imaging expertise and its Ross Optical division's high volume world-wide sourcing, inspecting and production resources, the Company is able to design and manufacture next-generation product solutions to the most challenging customer requirements. Within healthcare, Precision Optics enables next generation medical device companies around the world to meet the increasing demands of the surgical community who require more enhanced and smaller imaging systems for minimally invasive surgery as well as 3D endoscopy systems to support the rapid proliferation of surgical robotic systems. In addition to these next generation applications, Precision Optics has supplied top tier medical device companies a wide variety of optical products for decades, including complex endocouplers and specialized endoscopes. The Company is also leveraging its technical proficiency in micro-optics to enable leading edge defense/aerospace applications which require the highest quality standards and the optimization of size, weight and power. For more information, please visit www.poci.com. About Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express the Company's intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements related to the Company's future activities or future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's business based, in part, on assumptions made by the Company's management. These statements are not guarantees of future performances and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those risks discussed in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and in other documents that we file from time to time with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report, except as required by law. Company Contact: PRECISION OPTICS CORPORATION 22 East Broadway Gardner, Massachusetts 01440-3338 Telephone: 978-630-1800 Investor Contact: LYTHAM PARTNERS, LLC Robert Blum Phoenix | New York Telephone: 602-889-9700 [email protected] SOURCE Precision Optics Corporation Company increases laboratory and clinical capacity to meet demand for fully integrated drug development capabilities NOTTINGHAM, England, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quotient Sciences, a drug development and manufacturing accelerator, has completed major investments and expansions at its Nottingham, UK and Reading, UK, facilities to support the delivery of fully integrated drug development programs through the Company's flagship platform, Translational Pharmaceutics. The new clinical pharmacology space and expanded development laboratories increase the Company's capacity to conduct integrated Translational Pharmaceutics programs for global pharma and biotech customers. Translational Pharmaceutics integrates drug substance, drug product, and clinical testing activities under a single outsourcing provider to accelerate development timelines and reduce costs. Developed in consultation with the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the platform employs rapid "make-test" cycles, where drug products are manufactured, released, and dosed in a clinical study in days rather than months. In Nottingham, UK, Quotient Sciences has opened a 17,000 sq ft, MHRA-inspected clinical pharmacology facility, which includes 40 beds with ancillary volunteer lounges, processing labs, a dispensary, and controlled storage. The new facility is located alongside their existing formulation development, manufacturing, and clinical operations facilities at the Company's Nottingham campus. At their Reading, UK site, the firm has completed a 1.5 million expansion of its early development and manufacturing facility, which has doubled its formulation development and analytical footprint at the facility, with increased office space also part of the expansion. "Quotient Sciences' mission is to help bring new medicines to patients faster by breaking down traditional industry silos," stated Mark Egerton, Ph.D., CEO of Quotient Sciences. "Our unique Translational Pharmaceutics platform was launched over 15 years ago and has accelerated the development of close to 1,000 molecules for our customers. These expansions are consistent with our overall growth strategy and in direct response to feedback from our customers and the increasing demand for our services." About Quotient Sciences Quotient Sciences is a drug development and manufacturing accelerator providing integrated programs and tailored services across the entire development pathway. Cutting through silos across a range of drug development capabilities, we save precious time and money in getting drugs to patients. Everything we do for our customers is driven by an unswerving belief that ideas need to become solutions, and molecules need to become cures, fast. Because humanity needs solutions, fast. SOURCE Quotient Sciences Global News ATLANTA, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global talent solutions provider Randstad Sourceright today announced that it has been recognized as a Leader in Everest Group's " Contingent Workforce Management (CWM) / Managed Services Provider (MSP) PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022 ," and a Leader and a Star Performer in Everest Group's " Services Procurement / Statement of Work (SOW) PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022 ." Everest Group Contingent Workforce Management (CWM) / Managed Service Provider (MSP) PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022 Everest Group Services Procurement / Statement of Work (SOW) PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022 In addition to being named a Leader which recognizes a provider's ability to successfully deliver MSP services for the ninth consecutive time, Randstad Sourceright achieved the highest rating in the Vision and Capability Category for managed service providers (MSP). "It is an honor to be recognized by Everest Group once again as a Leader in MSP," said Mike Smith, global CEO of Randstad Sourceright. "In a market characterized by higher demand for skilled workers, growing talent shortages and uncertainty about the future, it's more important than ever to leverage the full spectrum of contingent talent freelance, temporary, independent contractor, gig and SOW. Our goal is to empower companies with analytics-based, easy-to-use and scalable solutions that connect them with the people who will help them achieve their priorities, all while providing the agility to quickly react and adjust to changing business needs." As a Star Performer in the Services Procurement / Statement of Work (SOW) assessment, Randstad Sourceright has shown significant improvement over its 2021 performance in the Vision and Capability and Market Impact categories. Reflecting the company's commitment to enhancing SOW management, such as the introduction of Services Procurement 360, Randstad Sourceright offers robust and simple ways for companies to manage their SOW engagements for greater efficiency and transparency. "Over the past year, Randstad Sourceright greatly expanded our SOW capabilities to meet the needs of companies looking for effective ways to manage their third-party supplier engagements," said Paul Vincent, global head of Services Procurement at Randstad Sourceright. "Our Service Procurement 360 solution enables any company, no matter the level of maturity, to achieve greater value from their people-based services. We are honored that Everest Group has recognized how we're transforming the SOW process for businesses." Everest Group's PEAK Matrix is the most trusted and factual analysis of service provider capabilities, covering over 50 different market segments each year. The CWM Assessment segments 24 CWM/MSP providers into Leaders, Major Contenders, Aspirants and Star Performers categories, while the "Services Procurement / Statement of Work (SOW) assessment does the same for 18 SOW providers. Each provider is evaluated on seven dimensions market adoption, portfolio mix, value delivered, scope of services offered, innovation and investments, delivery footprint, and vision and strategy. "Randstad Sourceright remains a key player in contingent talent management, offering a breadth and depth of services to help businesses efficiently manage the MSP and SOW processes," said Krishna Charan, Practice Director, Everest Group. "The company's continued investment in expanding technical capabilities and growing focus on analytics, along with a high-touch delivery model, have all contributed to its positioning as a Leader." As more companies seek to shift a greater number of roles to contingent, project or contract work, Randstad Sourceright offers the combination of technology and human intelligence to help companies achieve the flexibility, workforce agility and business readiness. This approach includes the latest MSP 4.0 strategies, such as market intelligence; employer branding; talent marketing; direct sourcing; talent pooling; and diversity, equity and inclusion. Along with the growing use of contract work, companies are often challenged to manage the link between talent acquisition and the utilization of project-based expertise. Introduced in May 2022, the Services Procurement 360 SOW management solution offers a holistic procurement workflow, spanning defining business requirements, sourcing talent, monitoring contracted deliverables, and evaluating service provider performance. The result is a simple, customizable model to manage services procurement processes more effectively. Learn more about Randstad Sourceright's MSP solutions and Services Procurement 360 . About Randstad Sourceright Randstad Sourceright is a global talent solutions leader, driving the talent acquisition and human capital management strategies for the world's most successful employers. We empower companies by leveraging a Human Forward strategy that balances the use of innovative technologies with expert insights, supporting both organizations and people in realizing their true potential. As an operating company of Randstad N.V. the world's leading global provider of HR services with revenue of 24.6 billion Randstad Sourceright's subject matter experts and thought leaders around the world continuously build and evolve our solutions across recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), managed services programs (MSP) and total talent solutions. For more information, visit www.randstadsourceright.com . SOURCE Randstad Sourceright NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) between May 31, 2019 and July 8, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important October 17, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Uber securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Uber class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=7523 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 17, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Uber had defective disclosure controls and procedures; (2) Uber concealed and/or downplayed the full scope and severity of its prior misconduct, including, among other things, the extent to which it secretly lobbied government officials and politicians to bypass legal and regulatory requirements, as well as knowingly risked the safety of Uber drivers, to fuel the Company's global growth; (3) as a result, Uber's present global footprint and market share is in significant part the byproduct of previously undisclosed, unsustainable, and illegal business practices; (4) all the foregoing, once revealed, was likely to negatively impact Uber's reputation, as well as subject the Company to a heightened risk of governmental and regulatory scrutiny and enforcement action; and (5) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Uber class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=7523 mailto:or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. Meet Mike and John Morello, Co-Owners of Royal Printing BOCA RATON, Fla., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Newest thINK members and Royal Printing owners (and brothers) Mike and John Morello opened their print business in 1989 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Print was in their bloodnot only did they have many fond memories of working after school at their dad's print shop, but when their dad sold the business, both went on to work at different print companies through their high school years. Already astute businessmen with a hard work ethic, starting their own print business together after they graduated was a foregone conclusion. Mike and John purchased a 1-color AB Dick 360 and added a Heidelberg offset press and several toner devices over the next several years, and went on to enjoy success in the print business for over 30 years. Meet Mike and John Morello, Co-Owners of Royal Printing "I attribute our success to our focus on being a consistent, reliable print partner," Mike Morello said. "Being a print partner that our customers know they can count on is important to us. Reliability is our gold standard. That may sound simplebut if you're in the print business, you know it isn't." "It's much easier to maintain our gold standard of reliability now," Mike added. "We attribute that peace of mind to our new Canon varioPRINT iX. Since its install about five months ago, we haven't experienced one down day to speak of, and the quality and color consistency is outstanding; it never misses a beat." Royal Printing prints perfect bound books, high impact direct mail, and packaging for a customer base that spans the gamut from political to casino, print brokers to ad agencies. "We've been looking at inkjet for years, and it became the obvious choice for us with the dramatic improvements in color consistency and quality," Mike commented. "We knew inkjet was a significant growth opportunity for us, and we knew the right partner was Canon Solutions America. We are happy with our choice and with the results we are already seeing." Mike and John had the goal of phasing out their toner devices and, to date, much of the toner work has been moved to the varioPRINT iX as part of that replacement strategy. "Imagine our delight going from 30,000 impressions over 30 hours, at a lesser quality, to 30,000 high quality impressions on the iX in just one eight-hour shift," said Mike. In addition to phasing out toner devices to increase efficiencies and thereby profitability, their second strategy was to transition some offset work over to the iX press as well. This helped them to not only create efficiencies but, more importantly, to increase the value of the printed product. Mike commented, "With variable data capabilities, direct mail is an obvious choice to transition from offset to inkjet, not only to gain efficiencies but also as a way to add more value by printing the mailing address in one pass and creating highly targeted direct mail." The varioPRINT iX press also presented new business opportunities, including perfect bound books. Mike commented, "We increased our print service offerings and thereby our revenue with new print offerings like perfect bound books. The sheet size we can run on the iX enables us to trim, finish, and collate sheets and send them right to the perfect binder. We love that." "Our install wasn't flawless; we had some hiccups. That is when we got to test who we chose to partner with, and Canon Solutions America didn't disappoint. The Service team was fantastic, very helpful and friendly. We chose Canon Solutions America because of their reputation to partner for success and we wanted to be part of that family. Reliability is important to us to offer our own customers and it is something we expect from those we partner with. Canon Solutions America delivers that," Mike stated. As Royal Printing's Las Vegas facility is just two miles from the Las Vegas Convention Center, it is the perfect location for those attending PRINTING United Expo to tour the print facility, see the Canon varioPRINT iX in action, and network with Royal Printing and Canon executives. Therefore, Canon Solutions America and Royal Printing have teamed to host an invitation-only event on Thursday, October 20, 2022, from 5:307:00 pm. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served and transportation from the convention center will be provided. If you would like an invitation, please email [email protected] . "On behalf of Canon Solutions America, I want to thank Mike for throwing open his doors for the event reception," said Tonya Powers, director of Marketing, Production Printing Solutions, Canon Solutions America, Inc. "We look forward to hosting PRINTING United Expo attendees who are evaluating what inkjet can do for them at Royal Printing's beautiful print facility." Canon Solutions America inkjet customers have complimentary membership to thINK, an independent community of Canon Solutions America inkjet customers. thINK is led by a board of Canon Solutions America inkjet customers and offers tools, training, and educational resources designed to accelerate success with inkjet. Canon Solutions America inkjet customers can request membership by visiting thINKForum.com. thINK Board Director Todd Roth commented, "We welcome Mike and John Morello and their entire staff to the Canon Solutions America family and, by extension, to the thINK family. As a Canon Solutions America inkjet customer myself, I think you will be pleased to find the vast amount of people and resources available to you through thINK to help you on your journey to accelerate your success with inkjet." "We are excited about the Canon Solutions America inkjet user group, thINK. We have heard a lot about the annual conference, thINK Ahead, as well as the inkjet sales training, lead generation tools, and other educational resources available to us. We look forward to attending the conference next year and leveraging the resources, and appreciate the support we are seeing come from Canon Solutions America and the thINK community," Mike stated. "There are many benefits to inkjet, and we are happy to see Royal Printing accelerate their success by transitioning their toner work, moving offset work over to the Canon varioPRINT iX to add more value to the page, and increasing revenue with additional print offerings like perfect bound books," said Francis McMahon, executive vice president, Production Print Solutions, Canon Solutions America, Inc. "Our customer's success is success for Canon Solutions America. Together we all win." To request an invitation to the Royal Printing event on Thursday, October 20 in correlation with PRINTING United Expo, email [email protected] . thINK members can connect with Mike and John Morello and others at Royal Printing by using the thINK Member Directory on thINKForum.com. About thINK Forum thINK is an independent community of Canon Solutions America inkjet customers, solution partners, and print industry experts, and Canon Solutions America is a proud executive sponsor. Led by some of the most successful inkjet service providers in the country, it provides a forum for members to network, gain knowledge, discuss common challenges, and share best practices. For more information, visit thinkforum.com. *Customer results may vary. Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. in the United States and elsewhere. All other referenced product names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged. Testimonials are based on the actual experiences of voluntary participants. Customers' print speeds may vary depending on a number of factors, including numbers of copies selected and settings for size, type, and orientation of media. CONTACT: Nicole Esan, [email protected] SOURCE thINK SINGAPORE, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RVAC Medicines Pte. Ltd., a messenger RNA (mRNA) technology platform company incubated by CBC Group in 2021, announced today that a participant has been dosed in a Phase 1, first-in-human study evaluating the company's mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate, RVM-V001. The Phase 1 study is an open-label, dose escalation study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of RVM-V001 in approximately 54 healthy adults in Australia (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05420077). This study is part of a series of clinical trials aimed to evaluate RVAC's portfolio of COVID-19 vaccine candidates that include one against the ancestral strain, one against the Omicron strain and a bivalent vaccine candidate with components of both ancestral and Omicron strains. "Achieving first-in-human within 15 months of company inception is important to RVAC." commented by Dr. Sean Fu, Chief Executive Officer of RVAC, "It will demonstrate the value of the COVID vaccine assets and validate our mRNA technology platform. We are committed to provide innovative and impactful solutions to address unmet medical needs, especially to the underserved population." Since its founding in 2021, RVAC has recruited a team of 80 scientists and industry veterans,and established R&D centers in Boston and Shanghai. Beyond the COVID-19 vaccine candidates, RVAC is developing other mRNA-based vaccines, targeting infectious diseases such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). In April 2022, RVAC announced the completion of its Series B financing, bringing the company's total funds raised to US$ 170 million. Wei Fu, CBC Group Chief Executive Officer, shared his thoughts on RVAC's achievement: "I congratulate RVAC in initiating human clinical trial of its COVID vaccine project, which underscores our commitment to improve human health through innovation and services." RVAC has a strategic partnership with Vancouver-based Acuitas Therapeutics, whose proprietary lipid nanoparticle delivery system plays a critical role in Pfizer-BioNTech's BNT162b2 vaccine. RVAC has engaged world class scientific advisors including prominent leaders in mRNA biology, immunology, and drug delivery. Dr. Sean Cao, CBC Group Managing Director and RVAC Executive Director, is a key founding member of the company, and he commented, "I am proud of this significant achievement by RVAC. We will continue to work closely with partners and investors to advance COVID vaccines and other pipeline projects to drive next phase of growth." About RVAC RVAC Medicines is an mRNA platform company headquartered in Singapore with R&D centers in Boston and Shanghai. Leveraging its mRNA technology and strategic partnerships, the company is building a pipeline of novel mRNA vaccines and therapeutics to address unmet medical needs, particularly in emerging markets. The company is led by an experienced management team, supported by a world-renowned scientific advisory board. For more information, please visit www.rvacmed.com. About CBC CBC Group, Asia's largest healthcare-dedicated asset management firm, focuses on platform-building, buyout, credit/Royalty, and real estate across healthcare sectors, including pharmaceutical and biotech, medical technology and healthcare services. CBC is committed to creating lasting value by integrating global innovations and talents. Partnering with the world's top entrepreneurs and scientists, its unique "investor-operator" approach has empowered leading healthcare companies to widen access to affordable medical care, catalyze innovations, and improve efficiency in fulfilling unmet medical needs worldwide. Founded in 2014, CBC has built a world class team of investment, industry and portfolio management professionals, headquartered in Singapore with locations across Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, New York, London, and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cbridgecap.com. SOURCE RVAC Medicines The reading subscription service will provide free books to children in need across the Bay Area SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Reading subscription service Scribd today announced the launch of its CSR program, Scribd Gives, to support its mission to build the largest and most accessible library connecting storytellers with their audience. The company, which offers access to one of the world's largest digital libraries of ebooks, audiobooks, and more, is committed to inspiring curiosity, giving back, and highlighting diverse perspectives within the literary community. To kick off Scribd Gives, the brand has announced its inaugural partner, First Book , an organization that supports educational equity by providing millions of books and resources to its member network of over 550,000 educators from programs and schools serving children from low-income communities. "Reading is crucial to childhood development, and we look forward to working with First Book to bring to life our shared values of educational equality and encouraging cultural understanding, diversity, and inclusion through reading," said Trip Adler, Scribd Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "Our partnership with First Book is the latest step in continuing our mission to build the largest and most accessible library connecting storytellers with their audience by providing books to children with limited access to them." According to the U.S. Department of Education , up to 61% of low-income families do not have any books for their children at home. Together with First Book, Scribd will put books into the classrooms that serve children in under-resourced communities to help support their educational growth, comprehension, and awareness of diverse perspectives. "First Book is excited to refresh classroom libraries in schools in low-income, Bay-Area communities alongside Scribd," said Dana Bond, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategic Alliances. "It's clear our missions are aligned - to provide young people with the books they need to continue to grow, learn, and develop empathy, as well as a greater understanding of the world around them. We are grateful to Scribd's help to support not only our mission but educators in under-resourced communities and the kids we serve." To kick off the program, and just in time for the start of the new school year, Scribd has given First Book a $50,000 grant, which will support the donation of books for classroom libraries at Berkley Maynard Academy, a charter school in a low-income community in the Bay Area. The donation will consist of books that offer diverse topics and perspectives, encouraging cultural understanding and inclusion. To celebrate the classroom library refreshes, Scribd and First Book teamed up with authors Bonnie Tsui and Angela Dalton, who will participate in a live reading with Berkley Maynard Academy students. Scribd has also given funds to 100 additional Bay Area schools to purchase books for their classrooms or libraries. "At Berkley Maynard Academy, we want students to be able to read books that expose them to the beauty, history, and cultures of other people in their school, community, and the greater world. This inclusion goes beyond race: we want our students to read books that normalize gender inclusivity, reflect various family structures, and celebrate and affirm the LGBTQIA+ community," said Jason Stack Principal of Berkley Maynard Academy. "These new classroom libraries from Scribd and First Book will provide a fresh infusion of books to help center people and students that are often marginalized and not represented in mainstream culture." For more details about Scribd's offerings and partnership with First Book please visit: https://www.scribd.com/ . About Scribd Scribd is the reading subscription service that's building one of the largest and most accessible libraries connecting storytellers with their audience. For $11.99 a month, Scribd offers access to some of the best ebooks, audiobooks, documents, magazine articles, podcasts, and presentations. Scribd works directly with publishers to constantly add new content to the platform and provide its subscribers with high-quality and personalized reading recommendations. Scribd's goal is to inspire curiosity and learning through its diverse range of content, which amplifies important topics and underrepresented authors. The app is available on iOS and Android devices, as well as web browsers and Apple Watch. About First Book Founded in Washington, D.C., in 1992 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit social enterprise, First Book is a leader in the educational equity field. Over its 30-year history, First Book has distributed more than 225 million books and educational resources, with a retail value of more than $2 billion. First Book believes education offers children in need the best path out of poverty. First Book breaks down barriers to quality education by providing its Network of more than 550,000 registered teachers, librarians, after school program leaders, and others serving children in need with millions of free and affordable new, high-quality books, educational resources, and basic needs items through the award-winning First Book Marketplace nonprofit eCommerce site. The First Book Network comprises the largest and fastest-growing community of formal and informal educators serving children in need. First Book also expands the breadth and depth of the education field through a family of social enterprises, including First Book Research & Insights, its proprietary research initiative, and the First Book Accelerator, which brings best-in-class research-based strategies to the classroom via relevant, usable educator resources. First Book Impact Funds target support to areas of need, such as rural communities or increasing diversity in children's books. For more information about First Book, please visit www.firstbook.org. Contact: Ian Kenison 603-568-0558 iken[email protected] SOURCE First Book SHANGHAI, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 30 global professional services institutions signed contracts Tuesday to set up branches in Lujiazui, a finance zone in Shanghai, the Lujiazui Administration Bureau of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone announced Tuesday. On Tuesday, about 200 representatives from the world's top accounting firms, law firms, consulting firms, and other high-end professional services providers attended a meeting on promoting Lujiazui into a global hub of investment information and services. Signing of Residency Agreement between Lujiazui Financial City and Representatives of Professional Service Companies Signing of MOU between Lujiazui Financial City and Representatives of Professional Service Companies At the summit, professional services institutions such as DLA Piper, Mazars, and CBRE also signed strategic cooperation agreements with the bureau to promote investment. The Lujiazui Financial City is already home to many of the world's leading law, accounting, consulting, and human resources services providers. A development plan for global professional services providers released by the bureau on Tuesday seeks to attract more leading and intelligent professional services institutions and promote high-quality industry development, said Yuan Yefeng, deputy director of the Lujiazui Administration Bureau. Image Attachments Links: Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=430059 Caption: Signing of Residency Agreement between Lujiazui Financial City and Representatives of Professional Service Companies Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=430072 Caption: Signing of MOU between Lujiazui Financial City and Representatives of Professional Service Companies SOURCE The Lujiazui Administration Bureau of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Celebrity Chef and Influencer Max 'the Meat Guy' Greb helms new campaign from New Zealand's Premiere Meat Producer Silver Fern Farms Watch all spots here NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Silver Fern Farms, New Zealand's largest red meat producer and exporter, announces its first-ever US brand campaign, titled Delicious Starts Here. The spots, which will run on YouTube and social media, show how the farmers who work with Silver Fern Farms take incredible care of their animals and environment, and how that work doesn't just help make the world a better place it produces uniquely delicious meat. They also feature chef and influencer Max Greb, also known as Max The Meat Guy, whose cooking and passion for quality ingredients have attracted 5.1 million followers on TikTok, 3 million on YouTube, and 1.1 million on Instagram. Max the Meat Guy with Silver Fern Farms 100% Grass-Fed New Zealand Beef Animal welfare strategies have a well-established link to producing tastier meat. These traditionally include things like freedom to roam, grass-based farming, and helping cattle live a stress-free life. But the Delicious Starts Here campaign shows how Silver Fern Farmers take equal care of the land, planting native trees, encouraging biodiversity, and being mindful of their carbon footprint. All of this hard work taking equal care of the environment, their livestock, and preserving their land for future generations contributes to better, more flavorful meat. Everything Silver Fern Farmers do is done with care. "I know meat and this meat is great, it's from Silver Fern Farms in New Zealand" Max Greb says in the spots. Each features him seeking to find out just what makes Silver Fern Farms red meat so good, by speaking with four different Silver Fern Farmers, who show their dedication to craft and the natural beauty of their farming environment. The Delicious Starts Here campaign tells this story through a series of video and static formats, including a 4-minute video, 30 second and 10 second videos, as well as digital ads, activated across YouTube, social, and digital. There is real demand among consumers for more conscientiously raised livestock. According to a report from research agency Mintel, 60% of red meat eaters aged 18-34 are concerned about the environmental impact of raising cattle, with more than half of that group saying animal welfare concerns impact what products they buy. Finally, a full 83% of consumers would pick a product that is better for the environment, and 70% would pay more for a sustainable products. This campaign is aimed at these conscious consumers, who love meat but not the emotional baggage that comes with eating it. These consumers are trying to balance their love for food with the desire to do what's best for the planet and want to make better choices when it comes to food. "We want US consumers to see the commitment and passion of our farmers and the management and care they provide at every point of the process. This makes Silver Fern Farms the future of delicious grass-fed sustainable red meat," said Nicky Cummerfield, Head of Global Marketing for Silver Fern Farms. Silver Fern Farms has been a committed red meat exporter to the U.S. for 30 years providing New Zealand-farmed products to individuals, restaurants, distributors, and retailers alike with several product ranges including premium ground beef, beef steaks, lamb, and venison retail packs. In April 2022, Silver Fern Farms launched its USDA-approved Net Carbon Zero by Nature 100% Grass-Fed Angus Beef in 134 Jewel-Osco supermarkets across the Midwestern US, offering a delicious new selection of Net Carbon Zero 100% Grass-Fed Ground Beef, Tenderloin Steak, Top Sirloin Steak, Rib-Eye Steak, and New York Strip Steak. The product range also launched in selected New York City and Los Angeles supermarkets in March. Net Carbon Zero by Nature 100% Grass-Fed Angus Beef has been widely celebrated for its exacting environmental standards and industry-leading vision. At the product's launch event in New York City, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it "represents both New Zealand values but also our aspirations when it comes to climate change. Rather than this product being the exception, it will increasingly be the rule. It's great to see Silver Fern Farms leading the charge in that regard." Since its introduction, Silver Fern Farms has recorded record worldwide profits, and a 2021 annual revenue of NZ$2.7 billion. ABOUT SILVER FERN FARMS: Silver Fern Farms is New Zealand's largest grass-fed lamb, beef, and venison producer, supplying the United States from the rolling pastures in New Zealand and striving to set the world standard in red meat. Starting as a small farmer co-operative in 1948, they produce 30% of all New Zealand lamb, beef, and venison in partnership with 16,000 farmers, and exports to over 60 countries. Media Contact: Chris Chafin, SweeneyVesty New York M: +1 718.530.4135 [email protected] Martin Elder, SweeneyVesty New York M: +1 646.645.7108 [email protected] Retail and Business Contact: Matt Luxton, Country Manager USA/North America T: +64 3 474 6599 [email protected] SOURCE Silver Fern Farms International Attraction Owner And Operator's First Local-Centric Concept Invites Visitors To Toast Chicago's Neighborhood Makers And Artisans From High Above The Clouds CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Magnicity, the global operator and creator of innovative, experiential attractions high above notable cities, celebrates the grand opening of CloudBar on the 94th floor of the former John Hancock Center (875 N. Michigan Ave.). Situated over 1,000 feet above The Magnificent Mile at 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, the new concept bar unveiled reimagines how tourist destinations feature hyper-local artisans and food and beverage partnerships to magnify a city's authentic best. Magnicity, the global operator and creator of experiential attractions high above notable cities, has opened CloudBar over 1,000 feet above The Magnificent Mile at 360 CHICAGO. Located in the former John Hancock Center, the new concept bar reimagines how tourist destinations feature hyper-local artisans and food and beverage partnerships to magnify a citys authentic best. Photo credit: CloudBar Chicago "We want each Magnicity location to act as a true city ambassador for our guests encouraging exploration of the vibrant neighborhoods within our cities and forging new adventures and experiences. We are thrilled to introduce our brand-new bar concept with CloudBar," says Alexia Vettier, CEO of Magnicity, a Paris-based company that owns and operates 360 CHICAGO and other Magnicity experiences in landmark locations around the world. Expect sky-high style and an exclusive showcase of Chicago's makers and artisans curated from the diverse communities admired in the city's distinct neighborhoods. The $2M+ renovation and opening of CloudBar represents the most recent of a ten-year, $14M investment strategy at 360 CHICAGO, all with a goal of centering authentic Chicago stories and experiences in every aspect of the guest journey. The Vibe After a 42-second elevator ride whisks riders to breathtaking views from the 94th floor observation deck, guests often look down on the clouds from floor to ceiling windows. The Gettys Group Chicago design team purposefully extends this experience by giving guests a feeling of floating in the air. CloudBar interior design incorporates reflective surfaces as a tool to help create this immersive experience as a mirrored ceiling, smoked mirror drink rails, and a mirrored back wall at the 18-seat bar intensifies the grand views. A wall of windows is lined with cozy ledges and seating, plus modern European furniture and lighting style which gives a stylish nod to the Magnicity ownership brand. Toned down, soft green upholstery reflects the Chicago local sensibility while giving a nod to Magnicity's brand color according to Ji hyun Kim, Director Gettys Interiors. Local art is a crucial design element that not only sets the tone but also brings an authentic Chicago street experience to the space. A breeding ground for art and culture, Chicago is filled with phenomenal street art including that of Lauren Asta, a traveling muralist/artist based in Chicago. Specializing in freehand illustration, oddity art and street murals, she has created inspiring pieces in Chicago on over 40 walls such as gigantic murals in West Town, Pilsen, and the West Loop. For CloudBar, Asta was commissioned to create original graphics that appear on large-scale architectural fabric that runs throughout the bar, and also on custom room dividers to define private event space. Each incorporates representations of Chicago street culture ranging from local neighborhood personalities to world recognized architecture. The Food & Beverage To strengthen and celebrate the distinctive fabric of our city, 360 CHICAGO has forged partnerships with a curated list of local makers. Moody Tongue, the world's first two Michelin star brewery, is excited to introduce the Magnicity Pilsner, a brew created in partnership with 360 CHICAGO and solely available at CloudBar. Other important partners include Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club, Vosges Chocolate, Garrett Popcorn, Carol's Cookies, and Kikwetu Coffee Company. By providing a unique platform for these local businesses, CloudBar seeks to introduce guests to these true Chicago brands and inspire a personal connection by sharing their products and stories. In addition to featuring these dynamic partnerships, the menu at CloudBar is inspired by the culture and cocktails of many of the Chicago's neighborhoods. Guests will be able to both enjoy these true Chicago tastes while visiting 360 CHICAGO and also able to take home many of the city's best with a wide selection of thoughtfully packaged items for purchase. "We recognize that food and drink bring communities together and we want to reinforce and amplify everything visitors and locals love about our city, while exposing our guests to iconic Chicago tastes and undiscovered new and exclusive flavor experiences," says Jennifer Hesser, assistant general manager for 360 CHICAGO. CloudBar will soon offer pairings that speak specifically to neighborhoods one dessert and two-to-three cocktails delivered with a descriptive card that informs the visitor why it's significant, how it's made, and the neighborhood and vendor story, providing not only a delicious education but a keepsake. Up to 10 of the 77 neighborhoods will be rotated in this focus throughout the year. 3 of 77: The Soul Of The Midwest In addition to introducing CloudBar, 360 CHICAGO will also unveil the remarkable storytelling of local filmmaker Harvey Pullings II. Pulling's most recent work is a documentary entitled 3 of 77: The Soul Of The Midwest. This documentary exclusively commissioned by 360 CHICAGO is hosted by Jahmal Cole, founder of My Block My Hood My City, a nonprofit that also contributed to content coordination. The film introduces viewers to three diverse neighborhoods -- Bronzeville, Lakeview and Pilsen through the lens of small businesses that call the neighborhoods home. The small businesses and local cultural institutions use their own stories to share the distinct history and culture of each neighborhood. A photography exhibit entitled The Culture: 3 of 77 supports this film with portraits of notable residents who represent and impact each neighborhood's personality. "Both CloudBar and the exclusive documentary 3 of 77: The Soul Of The Midwest, represent a continuation and expansion of our 10-year commitment to sharing the stories of the people, communities and artisans that define our neighborhoods and the city of Chicago," says Nichole Benolken, managing director for 360 CHICAGO. "Our further investment will appeal not only to tourists but young professionals seeking a strong local experience, and at the same time it allows small businesses to gain exposure to the international guests we draw. It's a win-win." Located at 875 N. Michigan Avenue, 360 CHICAGO and CloudBar is open daily at 9 a.m. CloudBar is accessible with a general admission ticket and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. TILT ride tickets and timed-entry ticket packages are available at www.360chicago.com. Follow on social media through Twitter and Instagram: @360Chicago; Facebook: 360 Chicago. Follow CloudBar on Instagram and Facebook @CloudBarChicago. Contact: Kelly Wisecarver, Wisecarver Public Relations, [email protected] SOURCE 360 CHICAGO HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Susan G. Komen, the world's leading breast cancer organization, will hold an in-person MORE THAN PINK Walk to raise critical funds that improve outcomes and support breast cancer patients throughout Connecticut. The Walk will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, at Bushnell Park in Hartford. "We look forward to creating a community for anyone impacted by breast cancer as we gather, in person, for this year's Walk. Funds raised from the MORE THAN PINK Walk will continue funding groundbreaking breast cancer research throughout the state and provide financial and emotional support for anyone in need," said Meg Staubley, Development Manager, Connecticut, at Susan G. Komen. Komen is pleased to welcome the following sponsors this year: iHeartMedia, WFSB Channel 3, Pratt & Whitney, Premiere Partner, Arvinas, Jefferson Radiology, ShopRite, Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Force3 Pro Gear. Midstate Radiology Associates, LLC, is serving as the Care sponsor, supporting Komen's work to eliminate barriers to care and provide access to breast health services. "Promoting positive change through community outreach is part of who we are. We feel it's our distinct responsibility to actively develop partnerships and give back in an impactful way within our communities," said Tom Cappas, Chief Operating Officer, Midstate Radiology Associates, LLC. Participants can expect to enjoy the following at the Walk: Water, juice, yogurt and granola bars from ShopRite Hope Village, a place for survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer to gather On-site food trucks serving breakfast and other foods for purchase We Remember Area where attendees can hang a photo or message about the person they're remembering Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk Bushnell Park Hartford, Connecticut October 22, 2022 7:30 AM Event Opens 9:00 AM Opening Ceremony 9:30 AM Walk Begins Register Online http://www.komen.org/connecticutwalk About Susan G. Komen Susan G. Komen is the world's leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information. Founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life, Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow's cures. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at www.komen.org/contact-us/follow-us/. CONTACT: Amanda DeBard Susan G. Komen (972) 701-2131 [email protected] SOURCE Susan G. Komen for the Cure NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a call for applications which attracted over 230 submissions from young creatives across 52 countries worldwide, the Swarovski Foundation, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, announce the latest cohort and advocates for the second year of its Creatives for Our Future program during a special reception at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The Swarovski Foundation Creatives for Our Future Cohort for 2022 at the United Nations Headquarters (PRNewsfoto/Swarovski Foundation) The six successful grant recipients, whose areas of expertise span across sustainable fashion and textiles, engineering, product design and biotechnologies were chosen for their groundbreaking ideas and innovative approaches, which offer new methods for addressing today's challenges from social inequality, climate change and unsustainable consumption and production. Their commitment to driving progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations for a better world set them apart. The Swarovski Foundation Creatives for Our Future cohort for 2022 includes: Noemi Florea | Designer and Writer ( United States ) | Designer and Writer ( ) M. Hassamuddin | Engineer and Eco-Innovator ( Pakistan ) Engineer and Eco-Innovator ( ) Joshua Ichor | Geoscientist and Entrepreneur ( Nigeria ) Geoscientist and Entrepreneur ( ) Aradhita Parasrampuria | Design Textile and Sustainable Materials Researcher ( United States ) Design Textile and Sustainable Materials Researcher ( ) Florencia Valladares | Computer Engineer ( Chile ) Computer Engineer ( ) Charlotte Werth | Textile and Fashion Designer ( United Kingdom ) The successful recipients will each receive a 20,000 grant, paired with an educational program in collaboration with top institutions, tailored mentorship, and industry networking access with guidance from the Swarovski Foundation. The program advocates, leaders in their field, engage as master teachers and mentors for the cohort with the aim to empower their vision and develop their practices to contribute to positive change for public good, the environment and society. On Wednesday 14th September, the Swarovski Foundation celebrated the announcement of the Creatives for Our Future recipients and program advocates with a special reception at the United Nations Headquarters in New York during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. This high-level industry network engagement is the first of the program and offers a unique opportunity for the cohort to meet a community of like-minded individuals working within sustainable development who also create a positive impact in the world. For press inquiries, please contact: Charlotte Bancans [email protected] +44 78 0864 3470 DIGITAL PRESS KIT: https://bit.ly/3ajr9MN Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1905529/Swarovski_Foundation_UNH.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1905604/Swarovski_Foundation_Logo.jpg SOURCE Swarovski Foundation Rhonda George-Denniston elevated to Chief Learning and Development Officer and Monica Torres to Executive Director, Global Recruiting NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TBWA\Worldwide today announced the promotion of Rhonda George-Denniston to Chief Learning and Development Officer and Monica Torres to Executive Director, Global Recruiting. Both are new roles for the company and signal TBWA's commitment to attracting, growing and retaining the world's best creative talent by offering an unparalleled employee experience that places a premium on learning, development and growth. Rhonda George-Denniston and Monica Torres As Chief Learning and Development Officer, George-Dennison leads TBWA's talent development strategy, ensuring key talent is retained and thriving throughout their careers. Focusing on a systematic and interactive learning approach, she will advocate for individual growth plans, while leading TBWA's signature learning and development programs, which span the full career lifecycle from entry level to the C-suite. Since joining TBWA in 2001, George-Dennison has risen the ranks at TBWA, bringing years of experience and knowledge to TBWA and the people across the collective. In the last year, to create greater access to learning and development, she spearheaded the launch of TBWA\Uthe company's open-access learning platformwhich is open to all and enables anyone to take control of their own career journey. "Rhonda's mission is to help people be their best selves," said Amie Miller, Chief Talent Officer, TBWA\Worldwide. "Her energy, entrepreneurialism and ability to truly listen and foster a deep sense of connection have been invaluable to the people of our collective always, but especially over the past two and a half years. She continues to innovate and to tirelessly advocate for our people. At a time when people want different things out of their work experience and have changing aspirations, having Rhonda at the helm is even more critical." "I'm immensely proud and humbled to be TBWA's first Chief Learning and Development Officer," added George. "Over the years we have meticulously crafted a portfolio of development initiatives for our people. Today, it's a new frontier in preparing our pirates to be future-ready; it's challenging, it's exciting, and I'm looking forward to working with my team, our leadership team and members of our collective to continue the work of expanding growth opportunities for our people to be life-long learners, thriving personally and professionally at TBWA." Torres joined TBWA\Chiat\Day NY in 2017 to lead the agency's recruitment efforts. She has been integral in leading the agency's effort to make the recruitment processes more objective by conducting extensive interviewer training and changing the company's interview process to reduce bias in hiring. In her new global role, she will lead TBWA's high priority global searches, support global client talent needs, and lead the agency's strategy for global talent mobility, ensuring the best talent can grow in the collective by having access to open roles across markets, disciplines and geographies. "Monica understands the dynamics of an agency, clients and brands, and what makes for highly effective and fulfilled teams," added Miller. "One of her gifts is to look outside of the conventional path to find talent in a parallel but different industry who would thrive in our creative organization. She understands what motivates people, and her rigor, positivity and dedication is unparalleled. We're thrilled she is now working across our collective." Earlier this year, TBWA's proprietary Future of Creative Work research found that compared with the general employee benchmark, the industry's creative talent are significantly less likely to be satisfied with their work/life balance (55%, compared to a 64% global benchmark), and more likely to feel burned out or discouraged. George-Denniston and Torres will work with Miller, along with the collective's talent leads and executive leadership, to drive the company's employee experience agenda to meet the needs of modern talent. For more information about working with The Disruption Company, please see some of our open positions on TBWA's LinkedIn . About TBWA Worldwide TBWA is The Disruption Company. We use creativity to help businesses challenge the status quo and capture an unfair share of the future. Named one of the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company in 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, AdAge's 2022 Agency Network of the Year and Adweek's Global Agency of the Year in 2021, we are a creative company that uses trademarked Disruption methodologies to help businesses address their challenges and achieve transformative growth. Our collective has 10,000+ creative minds in 41 countries, and also includes brands such as Auditoire, Digital Arts Network (DAN), eg+ worldwide, GMR, TBWA\Media Arts Lab, TBWA\WorldHealth and TRO. Global clients include adidas, Apple, Gatorade, Henkel, Hilton Hotels, McDonald's, Nissan and Singapore Airlines. Follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter and Instagram . TBWA is part of Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC). About Omnicom Group Inc. Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) ( www.omnicomgroup.com ) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 70 countries. SOURCE TBWA\Worldwide WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The ESOP Association (TEA), the national trade association representing companies with Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and ESOP professionals, today exercised rights under the Administrative Procedure Act to petition the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to undertake a long-delayed rulemaking essential to the formation and ongoing operation of ESOPs. Since 1974, the Department of Labor has steadfastly refused to fulfill requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) in violation of Congressional direction and stakeholders' rights under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). "The Department of Labor has flouted Congress' mandate within ERISA for nearly five decades. On behalf of the millions of Americans with ownership in an ESOP, we have filed this petition to compel Secretary Walsh to undertake the rulemaking Congress directed in 1974, which was nearly completed in 1988 but has been mothballed ever since," said James Bonham, President and CEO of The ESOP Association. "The Labor Department has failed to follow Congress' requirements, and the regulatory vacuum has created a chilling effect on ESOP formation and operation that has effectively denied millions of Americans the opportunity for a better retirement and ownership in the place where they work." Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) were created by Congress to provide a vehicle by which a company's employees could obtain an ownership stake in their employer through a Qualified Retirement Plan (QRP). Today, more than 6,247 companies are fully or partially owned by more than 10 million employees through an ESOP1. However, because ESOPs are stuck in a regulatory no-man's land, countless businesses have turned away from an ESOP due to the DOL's failure to provide clear regulation and guidance as Congress directed. Instead, DOL has pursued a strategy of "regulation by litigation", undertaking thousands of investigations and filing lawsuits against ESOP trustees and founders. The APA was enacted to specifically prevent government agencies from regulatory abuses like the DOL's approach to regulating ESOPs. Accordingly, The ESOP Association has formally registered an APA petition with U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who is required to provide a formal, written response to the petition. Should the DOL respond that it will not enter a formal notice and comment rulemaking process, a court may force the Department to fulfill its responsibilities. In its petition, The ESOP Association stated "The Department's unchecked, ex post facto approach to regulation has been devastating: it has sown confusion, emboldened and expanded an opportunistic class action plaintiffs' bar, driven up insurance costs, and pushed insurers out of the market. At bottom, the Department's policies have discouraged companies from establishing new ESOPs, driven others to dissolve their ESOPs, and prevented innumerable American workers from building wealth through equity as Congress intended. Employers, ESOP fiduciaries, and, most importantly, current and future ESOP participants, need the Department to regulate as Congress directed 50 years agotransparently, prospectively, and with stakeholder inputso that American workers can reap the rewards that ESOPs provide." In a recent example of DOL's abusive regulatory tactics, DOL investigated Bowers + Kubota Consulting, Inc., an architectural and engineering firm based in Hawaii, alleging the ESOP acquired its employer's stock for more than fair market value. Bowers + Kubota's founders refused to cave to DOL pressure, and after several years prevailed on every argument advanced by DOL in federal court. In fact, the federal judge presiding over the bench trial resoundingly struck down each of the government's arguments and ruled that the defendants "did not violate any provision of ERISA with respect to the sale of the Company to the Company's ESOP." The ESOP Association has joined the company through an amicus brief seeking to recover defendant's legal fees from the government. "Governing by threats, harassment, and the arbitrary whim of bureaucrats should not be standard procedure," said Brian Bowers, President of Bowers + Kubota. "Although we won our case against the DOL, it took years of effort and millions of dollars in legal fees and the fight continues as we attempt to recover our costs based on the legal concept of loser pays. No business should endure what we did, especially when trying to secure employees' financial futures. We urge the Department to work with the ESOP community and develop appropriate regulations so ESOPs can go about their business of empowering and enriching employee owners' lives and not be subject to attack whenever the government decides to move the goalposts." As with all qualified employee benefit plans, ESOPs are governed by ERISA. Congress designed ERISA to allow ESOPs to buy employer stock using funds borrowed from the ESOP's sponsoring company itself employees almost never contribute any of their own funds for an ESOP's acquisition so long as the ESOP pays no more than "adequate consideration." Virtually all ESOPs are established via this legal standard, known as the "Adequate Consideration Exemption." When ERISA was passed in 1974, Congress directed the DOL to issue regulations outlining more specifically how parties to ESOP transactions could satisfy the Adequate Consideration Exemption. The Department itself has long recognized that such a regulation is crucial to eliminate confusion surrounding the vaguely written standard and to protect ESOPs and their participants from potential abuse. To issue a regulation, the Department would need to engage with interested stakeholders in the notice-and-comment rule-making process required by the APA. Unfortunately, the Department has ignored Congress's directive and circumvented the APA's requirements using a procedurally improper tactic of "regulation by litigation." Fleshing out the definition of the Adequate Consideration Exemption would create a uniform, transparent standard governing the process by which parties to ESOP transactions can establish a company's fair market value, which is crucial to ensure that ESOPs do not overpay for employer stock. Bonham added: "When Labor Secretary Marty Walsh was mayor of Boston, he was a champion of employee ownership and ESOPs. On behalf of more than 10 million employee owners, we stand ready to work with Secretary Walsh to help the Department formulate a clear and fair rule that will eliminate uncertainty and help more Americans realize the dream and benefits of employee ownership. Failure to issue a rule will continue the chilling effect on ESOP formation at a time when our government is trying to promote retirement security and address the massive wealth and income gap plaguing our economy." The ESOP Association's full petition to the DOL via the APA can be found here. For a Fact Sheet on the petition and issues, click here. For the amicus brief in support of Bowers + Kubota Consulting's appeal to receive reimbursement of its legal fees, click here. For more information on the APA, click here. About the ESOP Association The ESOP Association is the largest organization in the world supporting employee-owned companies, the more than 10 million U.S. employees who participate in an ESOP, and the professionals who provide services to them. Headquartered at the International Employee Ownership Center in Washington, DC and operating as a 501(c)6 organization with the affiliated Employee Ownership Foundation, The ESOP Association conducts and funds academic research, provides more than 160 annual conferences and events attended by nearly 15,000 individuals, and advocates on behalf of employee owners and their businesses to federal and state lawmakers. 1 According to publicly available data included in most recent U.S. Department of Labor form 5500 from 2019 SOURCE The ESOP Association LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The luxury perfume house The Harmonist has won Allure magazine's Best of Beauty Award 2022. The brand's Sacred Water fragrance was awarded in the Citrus Scent category. Since 1996, the Allure Best of Beauty Awards have been presented to the best and most innovative beauty products on the market, recognising efficacy, excellence, and integrity. Congratulating The Harmonist team, Allure Magazine said: "Every year, the Allure team spends months testing (and retesting) thousands of products to identify the absolute best. And long before that, we know that you spent monthsperhaps yearscreating a winning formula, delivery system, texture, scent. We're thrilled to honor that success with the beauty world's highest honor." Founded in 2016 by Lola Tillyaeva (Till), The Harmonist is a rising star in the fragrance industry and has been commended for its bespoke approach to crafting scents. The brand is inspired by the guiding principles of Feng Shui. Each fragrance is carefully crafted to help the wearer find harmony and wellbeing by balancing the five fundamental elements wood, fire, earth, water, and metal. "Sacred Water is composed of fruit, fresh spice and minerality, thus creating a fluid aroma that stimulates and settles the wearer, like the unfolding expanse of a tranquil sea," The Harmonist's CEO Samantha Fink said, describing the award-winning scent. "We believe that perfume is more than just a pleasant fragrance. The Harmonist is about captivating the planet's beauty and bringing a sense of balance to its wearers' everyday lives. This award is an acknowledgement of our team's tireless commitment to bringing The Harmonist's philosophy to life," the brand's founder Lola Tillyaeva (Till) added. The Harmonist has previously been nominated at the prestigious US Fragrance Foundation Awards for best luxury fragrances and best luxury packaging. Lola Tillyaeva (Lola Till) Lola Tillyaeva (Till) is the visionary behind The Harmonist. An inspiring voice within the wellness and beauty industry, Lola published her widely acclaimed self-care book "Be Your Own Harmonist: Awakening Your Inner Wisdom for Physical, Mental and Emotional Wellbeing" in September 2020. Originally from Uzbekistan, Lola also founded the Paris-based Maison de l'Ouzbekistan, a gallery that showcases Uzbekistan's rich cultural heritage. Lola is also a devoted philanthropist and founded the You Are Not Alone Foundation in 2002 to provide homes and education to severely underprivileged children in Uzbekistan. To learn more about Lola follow her on Instagram and visit her website. SOURCE Office of Lola Tillyaeva (Till) NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Juan Monteverde, founder and managing partner of the class action firm Monteverde & Associates PC (the "M&A Class Action Firm"), a national securities firm rated Top 50 in the 2018-2021 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report and headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City, is investigating Stonemor, Inc. (STON), relating to its proposed acquisition by a subsidiary of Axar Capital Management, LP. Under the terms of the agreement, STON shareholders will receive $3.50 in cash per share they own. Click here for more information: http://monteverdelaw.com/case/stonemor-inc. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. About Monteverde & Associates PC We are a national class action securities litigation law firm that has recovered millions of dollars and is committed to protecting shareholders from corporate wrongdoing. We were listed in the Top 50 in the 2018-2021 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. Our lawyers have significant experience litigating Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities Class Actions. Mr. Monteverde is recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Securities Litigation in 2013, 2017-2019, an award given to less than 2.5% of attorneys in a particular field. He has also been selected by Martindale-Hubbell as a 2017-2021 Top Rated Lawyer. Our firm's recent successes include changing the law in a significant victory that lowered the standard of liability under Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act in the Ninth Circuit. Thereafter, our firm successfully preserved this victory by obtaining dismissal of a writ of certiorari as improvidently granted at the United States Supreme Court. Emulex Corp. v. Varjabedian, 139 S. Ct. 1407 (2019). Also, in 2019 we recovered or secured six cash common funds for shareholders in mergers & acquisitions class action cases. If you own common stock in STON and wish to obtain additional information and protect your investments free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan E. Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 971-1341. Contact: Juan E. Monteverde, Esq. MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC The Empire State Building 350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4405 New York, NY 10118 United States of America [email protected] Tel: (212) 971-1341 Attorney Advertising. (C) 2022 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC ( www.monteverdelaw.com ). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. SOURCE Monteverde & Associates PC Extensive Search and Recruitment Process Led by Envision Consulting PASADENA, Calif., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After searching the cosmos for the right candidate, The Planetary Society recently announced that Jim Suh has been named as their new Chief Financial Officer. Suh brings to The Planetary Society over 20 years of finance and business administration experience in both the nonprofit and private sectors. He most recently worked in nonprofit as Controller for the Hollywood Community Housing Corporation, and prior to that he was the Director of Operations and Finance for Education Through Music Los Angeles. "I'm honored to work for The Planetary Society," said Suh, "and I am passionate about using my multi-faced background and broad skillset to serve this community." Founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Louis Friedman and Bruce Murray, and helmed today by famed science educator, Bill Nye, The Planetary Society aims to empower the world's citizens to advance space and science exploration. Chief Operating Officer of The Planetary Society, Jennifer Vaughn, said, "We are thrilled to have Jim join our team at The Planetary Society. His leadership and diverse business skills, coupled with his admirable integrity, make him exactly the candidate we were looking and hoping for when we began the search for a new CFO." The appointment of Suh comes after an extensive search and recruitment process led by Envision Consulting --a nonprofit consulting firm based in Los Angeles, specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration and executive leadership transitions. Envision's commitment to DEI is integrated into its practices, including inclusive surveys and stakeholder interviews, focus groups, structured hiring processes, a focus on anti-biased decision making and more. In 2021, Envision was named by the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy as a Top 10 Search Firm that Works for Women of Color. www.envisionnonprofit.com SOURCE Envision Consulting 10th Annual Remember Me Thursday Campaign Honored with Virtual Meeting Between Animal-Loving Countries Across the Globe RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Helen Woodward Animal Center invites animal-lovers everywhere to participate in the global event for Remember Me Thursday (RMT), a worldwide pet adoption awareness campaign now in its 10th year. In addition to the actions animal-lovers can take via social media, participants are invited to a virtual event uniting animal advocates from locations as far away as Poland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Panama, New York, North Carolina, and the United Kingdom, via video chat, to simultaneously light up the world for orphan pets. Helen Woodward Animal Center invites the public to join us on Remember Me Thursday, TODAY, September 22 at 9:00 a.m. PST to #SeeTheLight about pet adoption. Honored on the fourth Thursday of September, the campaign asks pet lovers and animal rescue groups to create an unstoppable voice for orphan pets. Tweet this This year for #RememberMeThursday on September 22, we remember the orphan pet lives lost to euthanasia and inspire others to #SeeTheLight for pet adoption. This event takes place every year on the fourth Thursday in September on social media and is celebrated by over 190 countries from all over the world! As our official spokesperson, Jasmine Tookes is helping us spread the message by sharing her history of pet adoption and her love for rescue pets Candle-lighting ceremonies and a global avalanche of social media buzz will shine a light on the millions of orphan animals still awaiting adoption and encourage communities to opt to adopt and reduce the over one million homeless pets euthanized each year. By uniting thousands of social media voices on one single day, we can make a larger impact and really affect change for orphan pets. RMT was established in 2013 by Helen Woodward Animal Center President and CEO Mike Arms. Moved by the staggering statistics that over a million homeless pets lose their lives each year in the U.S., Arms put out a call to rescue organizations in an attempt to create a social media global awareness campaign. As creator of the International Pet Adoptathon and the International Home 4 the Holidays program (placing over 19 million pets in homes since 1999), he was able to send out an expansive request and the response was significant. "We understand that not everyone is in the position to adopt a pet," explained Arms, "but we also know that anyone who loves animals and is tapped into social media has the ability to share a message of support. By uniting all of these social media voices on one day, we can make a larger impact and really affect change." Now in its tenth year, RMT has been supported by 190 countries with hundreds of thousands of individuals and more than 1,000 separate animal welfare organizations around the globe holding candle-lighting ceremonies of their own, spreading the message on social media, or lighting a virtual candle. The enormous swell of celebrity support includes this year's spokesperson Jasmine Tookes, as well as stars such as Kristin Chenoweth, Carrie Ann Inaba, Katherine Heigl, Rick Springfield, Wynonna Judd, Bethenny Frankel, George Lopez, along with dozens of athletes, designers, musicians, and social media influencers. With over 100 luminaries onboard, the star power behind the campaign has resulted in the topic trending each year on both Facebook and Twitter, garnering more than 2 billion social media impressions since its start. Today's Remember Me Thursday virtual event will unite representatives from rescue organizations across the globe to share the state of animal welfare in their area and highlight how they are commemorating the pet adoption awareness campaign. The ceremony will also include words from RMT founder and Center President and CEO Mike Arms, a reading of the official RMT poem and a presentation of the RMT Rescue Pet Hero award. The event will end with a heartfelt candle lighting in remembrance of the millions of orphan pets still waiting in shelters for their own forever homes. The very special international RMT Zoom call and ceremony will be available online for the animal-loving public to watch. Those who wish to watch can click here. The public can also get involved by tweeting, tagging, posting and sharing the beauty and life-saving significance of pet adoption using the hashtags #RememberMeThursday and #SeeTheLight and tagging @hwac. Animal-lovers can also win life-saving funds, toys and food for adoptable pets looking for forever families at their favorite non-profit, pet adoption organization. To enter the Remember Me Thursday Social Media Contest, simply upload your rescue pet's photo and story to the #RememberMeThursday Photo Wall for a chance to win!* (*Restrictions apply. Final selection remains at the sole discretion of Helen Woodward Animal Center). For more information on Remember Me Thursday and a full list of participating celebrities and animal welfare organizations, go to www.remembermethursday.org. SOURCE Helen Woodward Animal Center PRINCE GEORGE, Va., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Touchstone Bankshares, Inc. (the "Company") (OTC Pink: TSBA) announced today that its Board of Directors appointed Toni Lee-Andrews as Director of the Company. Toni will also serve as a Director to the Company's wholly owned subsidiary Touchstone Bank (the "Bank"). Lee-Andrews is the President of Andrews CPA Associates, P.C. located in Colonial Heights, Virginia. With over 22 years of experience in accounting, she has been a certified public accountant since 1996, working since 1990 with a diverse group of clients in several industries in the Tri-Cities region. The firm's services include business, personal, estate and trust tax planning and preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services, IRS representation, and QuickBooks accounting support. She is also Director of the Professional Ethics Division at the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). "I am excited to serve on the Board and look forward to supporting the bank's strategic objectives. My passion for community banking and what Touchstone stands for makes this a wonderful opportunity to help support their growth and our local communities," said Lee-Andrews. "We are honored to have Toni join our Company and Bank's Board of Directors. Her insight into the Tri-Cities community, strong business experience, and vast network will be a tremendous asset," Touchstone Bank President and CEO James Black said. He continued, "Toni's financial expertise coupled with her local presence fits well with our mission. It is also vital to add further diversity and experience to our Boards." Toni graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mount Olive College in Mount Olive, North Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She began her professional career at Petersburg CPA firm Gregory & Associates. In 1996 she founded Barwick & Lee CPAs which later joined forces with another Tri-Cities CPA, Francis Andrews and today she is President of Andrews CPA Associates. Lee-Andrews is member of the AICPA, Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA), North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NACPA), and Country Club of Petersburg, where she formerly served in the positions of President and Treasurer. Prior to becoming Director of the Professional Ethics Division, she also served on several committees of the AICPA. About Touchstone Bankshares, Inc. Touchstone Bankshares, Inc. is the bank holding company for Touchstone Bank. The Company, through the bank and affiliates, provides a wide range of financial services including retail and commercial banking, credit cards, and secondary market mortgage lending. Touchstone also provides investment and wealth management services. Visit www.touchstone.bank for more information. Forward-Looking Statements In addition to historical information, this press release may contain certain forward-looking statements. For this purpose, any statement that is not a statement of historical fact may be deemed to be a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from historical results or those anticipated by such statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; changes in interest rates and general economic conditions; the legislative/regulatory climate; monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government; the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios; demand for loan products; deposit flows; competition; demand for financial services in the Company's market area; mergers, acquisitions and dispositions; implementation of new technologies and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; and tax and accounting rules, principles, policies and guidelines. SOURCE Touchstone Bankshares, Inc. COLLEGE PARK, Md., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland (UMD) has joined Deloitte to launch the Deloitte Initiative for AI and Learning (DIAL), an artificial intelligence (AI) research initiative to help expand learning and development opportunities for faculty and students across the university's various colleges. UMD, Maryland's flagship educational institution, is a recognized leader in AI, data analytics and research. This new initiative leverages Deloitte's experience as a leader in AI-enabled services and solutions for private and public sector clients. DIAL will be based within UMD's Robert H. Smith School of Business and will build upon previous Deloitte and Smith collaborations, such as the Smith Analytics Consortium. Funding for DIAL was provided by the Deloitte AI Institute for Government. "The DIAL program enables Smith and Deloitte to continue their critical collaborations at the forefront of cutting-edge research and emerging technology," said Wedad Elmaghraby, Dean's Professor of Operations Management at UMD's Robert H. Smith School of Business. "This includes partnering with local industry and federal partners to drive innovation for the public good, creatively pushing our students to embrace analytics challenges in new and unexplored areas of importance and investing in our understanding of ethical, trustworthy artificial intelligence to further its potential promise." The Deloitte AI Institute for Government serves as Deloitte's hub for innovative perspectives, collaboration and research on AI and related technologies in the public sector. Through publications, events, workshops and collaborations like DIAL, the Institute helps government agencies use AI ethically to deliver better services, improve operations and facilitate economic growth. Recent research from the Deloitte AI Institute for Government found that while government agencies and public sector organizations are beginning to use AI, many still need to build suitable AI governance structures, confront evolving security challenges, and identify impactful applications for this new technology. Through DIAL, Deloitte and UMD will collaborate on various activities to dive deeper into these and other critical issues to help public sector leaders more effectively manage and realize AI's full potential. "As the volume of available data grows, so too does the government's need for technologies and policies that can generate valuable insights from it," said Darren Schneider, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP. "Alongside our longstanding work with the University of Maryland, DIAL will help provide policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and the broader public with a deeper understanding of artificial intelligence." The DIAL program will focus on: AI Ethics and Trustworthy AI: Furthering the adoption and development of ethical safeguards for privacy, fairness and transparency to protect against negative impacts of algorithmic bias and other AI risks. Furthering the adoption and development of ethical safeguards for privacy, fairness and transparency to protect against negative impacts of algorithmic bias and other AI risks. AI at Scale: Helping government agencies address and remove the barriers to implement AI and advance administration priorities with AI at the enterprise level. Helping government agencies address and remove the barriers to implement AI and advance administration priorities with AI at the enterprise level. AI for Equity: Supporting the government's use of ethical and trustworthy AI to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Supporting the government's use of ethical and trustworthy AI to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. AI-Human Interaction: Improving AI-human interaction and collaboration as well as human perceptions of AI, whether among organizational leadership and the workforce or end users and citizens. Additional information on DIAL is forthcoming via Smith's Centers and Initiatives homepage. About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master's, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia. About University of Maryland, College Park Founded in 1856 as the Maryland Agricultural College, the University of Maryland (UMD) is the state's flagship university and one of the original land-grant institutions in America. As a member of the Association of American Universities, the Big Ten Conference, the Coalition for College and the Common App, UMD is consistently recognized as one of the preeminent public research universities in the United States. Our students are fearless innovators, entrepreneurs, creators and doers. Our faculty includes Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars, making UMD a global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation. About Deloitte Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500 and more than 7,000 private companies. Our people come together for the greater good and work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today's marketplace delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthier society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Building on more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte's more than 345,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com. Contact: Greg Muraski at [email protected] SOURCE University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The " Robotics Market in Mining Industry by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 " report has been added to Technavio's offering. According to the report the market is fragmented and highly competitive. The vendors in the market are competing in terms of cost, product quality, reliability, and aftermarket service. They are focusing on enhancing their in-house manufacturing capabilities, product offerings, R&D investments, a global network, newer technologies, and a strong client base to gain an edge over competitors. Get deeper insights into the vendor landscape, strategies adopted by them, and other important factors. Buy Full Report Now Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Robotics Market in Mining Industry 2022-2026 Technavio expects the global robotics market in the mining industry to record an incremental growth of USD 2.04 billion, accelerating at a CAGR of 20.08% between 2021 and 2026. The report considers various factors such as investments related to CAPEX from the industrial sector, revenue generated by industrial machinery manufacturing companies, commodity price fluctuations, purchasing managers index (PMI), and other factors to estimate the size of the market. The report identifies ABB Ltd., Airobotics Ltd., Autonomous Solutions Inc., Caterpillar Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Clearpath Robotics Inc., Hexagon AB, Hitachi Ltd., Komatsu Mining Corp., Mine Site Technologies Pty Ltd., Nabors Industries Ltd., Percepto, Rockwell Automation Inc., Sandvik AB, Symboticware Inc., Trimble Inc., and Zyfra LLC as dominant vendors. Although the increase in technology investment by mining companies will offer immense growth opportunities, the high cost of deployment will challenge the growth of the market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Request Sample Report Here The global robotics market in the mining industry is segmented as below: Application Material Handling Surveying and Mapping Drilling Others The market growth in the material handling segment will be significant during the forecast period. The segment is driven by the increase in the adoption of robots to ensure the safety of miners. Also, the emergence of autonomous trucks for moving rocks and ore will positively influence the growth of the segment. Geography APAC North America Europe South America Middle East and Africa 48% of the market growth will originate from APAC during the forecast period. The increase in the adoption of robotics by the mining industry in countries such as Australia, China, and Japan is driving the growth of the regional market. Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our robotics market in the mining industry report covers the following areas: Robotics Market in Mining Industry 2022-2026: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the robotics market in the mining industry. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research report on the robotics market in the mining industry is designed to provide entry support, customer profile, and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. Robotics Market in Mining Industry 2022-2026: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026 Detailed information on factors that will assist robotics market growth in the mining industry during the next five years Estimation of the robotics market size in the mining industry and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the robotics market in the mining industry Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of robotics market vendors in the mining industry Related Reports: Robotics Market In Mining Industry Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 20.08% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 2.04 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 19.0 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 48% Key consumer countries US, China, Australia, India, and Russia Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled ABB Ltd., Airobotics Ltd., Autonomous Solutions Inc., Caterpillar Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Clearpath Robotics Inc., Hexagon AB, Hitachi Ltd., Komatsu Mining Corp., Mine Site Technologies Pty Ltd., Nabors Industries Ltd., Percepto, Rockwell Automation Inc., Sandvik AB, Symboticware Inc., Trimble Inc., and Zyfra 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. 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 Application 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 Application 5.1 Market segments Exhibit 24: Chart on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 25: Data Table on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%) 5.2 Comparison by Application Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Application Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Application 5.3 Material handling - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 28: Chart on Material handling - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 29: Data Table on Material handling - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 30: Chart on Material handling - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Material handling - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.4 Surveying and mapping - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 32: Chart on Surveying and mapping - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 33: Data Table on Surveying and mapping - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 34: Chart on Surveying and mapping - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Surveying and mapping - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.5 Drilling - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 36: Chart on Drilling - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Drilling - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 38: Chart on Drilling - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Drilling - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 40: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 42: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.7 Market opportunity by Application Exhibit 44: Market opportunity by Application ($ million) 6 Customer Landscape 6.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 45: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 7 Geographic Landscape 7.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 46: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 47: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) 7.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 48: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 49: Data Table on Geographic comparison 7.3 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 (%) 7.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 55: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 56: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 57: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 59: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 60: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 63: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 64: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 65: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 67: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 68: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 69: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.8 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 71: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 72: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 73: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.9 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 75: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 77: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.10 Australia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Australia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 79: Data Table on Australia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Chart on Australia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 81: Data Table on Australia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.11 Russia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 82: Chart on Russia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 83: Data Table on Russia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Chart on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 85: Data Table on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.12 India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 86: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 87: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 88: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 89: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 90: 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 91: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026 8.4 Market trends 9 Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 92: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 9.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 93: Overview on factors of disruption 9.4 Industry risks Exhibit 94: Impact of key risks on business 10 Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 95: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 96: Matrix on vendor position and classification 10.3 Autonomous Solutions Inc. Exhibit 97: Autonomous Solutions Inc. - Overview Exhibit 98: Autonomous Solutions Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 99: Autonomous Solutions Inc. - Key offerings 10.4 Caterpillar Inc. Exhibit 100: Caterpillar Inc. - Overview Exhibit 101: Caterpillar Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 102: Caterpillar Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 103: Caterpillar Inc. - Segment focus 10.5 Clearpath Robotics Inc. Exhibit 104: Clearpath Robotics Inc. - Overview Exhibit 105: Clearpath Robotics Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 106: Clearpath Robotics Inc. - Key offerings 10.6 Hexagon AB Exhibit 107: Hexagon AB - Overview Exhibit 108: Hexagon AB - Business segments Exhibit 109: Hexagon AB - Key news Exhibit 110: Hexagon AB - Key offerings Exhibit 111: Hexagon AB - Segment focus 10.7 Komatsu Mining Corp. Exhibit 112: Komatsu Mining Corp. - Overview Exhibit 113: Komatsu Mining Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 114: Komatsu Mining Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 115: Komatsu Mining Corp. - Segment focus 10.8 Mine Site Technologies Pty Ltd. Exhibit 116: Mine Site Technologies Pty Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 117: Mine Site Technologies Pty Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 118: Mine Site Technologies Pty Ltd. - Key offerings 10.9 Nabors Industries Ltd. Exhibit 119: Nabors Industries Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 120: Nabors Industries Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 121: Nabors Industries Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 122: Nabors Industries Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 123: Nabors Industries Ltd. - Segment focus 10.10 Rockwell Automation Inc. Exhibit 124: Rockwell Automation Inc. - Overview Exhibit 125: Rockwell Automation Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 126: Rockwell Automation Inc. - Key news Exhibit 127: Rockwell Automation Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 128: Rockwell Automation Inc. - Segment focus 10.11 Sandvik AB Exhibit 129: Sandvik AB - Overview Exhibit 130: Sandvik AB - Business segments Exhibit 131: Sandvik AB - Key news Exhibit 132: Sandvik AB - Key offerings Exhibit 133: Sandvik AB - Segment focus 10.12 Zyfra LLC Exhibit 134: Zyfra LLC - Overview Exhibit 135: Zyfra LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 136: Zyfra LLC - Key offerings 11 Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 137: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 138: Exclusions checklist 11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 139: Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.4 Research methodology Exhibit 140: Research methodology Exhibit 141: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 142: Information sources 11.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 143: List of abbreviations in manufacturing industry: Market dynamics in some major processes and discrete industries are changing drastically, and manufacturers are gradually feeling the brunt of excessive demand fluctuations. The fluctuating prices of oil and gas and metals in the global market and the shortage of a skilled workforce worldwide have directly affected the profitability of manufacturing companies. A sudden and unexpected shift in market dynamics can drastically impact manufacturing processes and investments in capital goods. slowdown in the automotive industry: High motorization rates in North America and Europe , the increase in tariffs on imported vehicles in the US and China , and the global economic slowdown are likely to reduce vehicle sales in the coming years. Anticipating a decline in vehicle sales, several vehicle manufacturers are halting their vehicle production. For instance, in March 2019 , Ford announced the shutdown of its three vehicle-manufacturing sites in Russia . Similarly, in August 2019 , Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. stopped vehicle production at its manufacturing units in India for 8-14 days. During the same month, Maruti Suzuki announced that it had cut its vehicle production for the sixth consecutive month in 2019. In August 2019 , Honda announced a halt in car production at its Argentina -based manufacturing plants. Such a slowdown in the automotive industry is expected to hamper the growth of the market during the forecast period. About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides 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 Female executives honored for excellence in leadership as company fosters diversity and opportunities for women SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vericast is celebrating its female leaders as multiple employees were recognized recently with coveted industry awards presented by top marketing technology organizations and publications. In addition, Vericast is doubling down on efforts to reach women applicants for technology positions and to expand its diversity recruiting in 2023 and beyond. (L to R) Julie Companey, Director of Client Strategy, Melanie Bauman, Vice President and Head of Industry Grocery, and Susan Rothwell, Chief Revenue Officer, are among the women leaders at Vericast recently recognized with awards presented by top marketing technology organizations and publications. The pandemic had and continues to have a disproportionate impact on women in the workforce, largely owing to caregiver responsibilities. Given this, Vericast continues its outreach to women looking for positions in technology. Over the past 12 months more than 50% of Vericast's employee hires were women and a recently launched hiring partnership with Tech Ladies, a global community focused on helping women in tech leadership, offers job opportunities in software and data engineering. At Vericast, women make up more than half of all employees and many hold management positions, including 45% at director level and 39% in Senior Vice President and Vice President roles across several business functions. These statistics are well above the industry average of 25%, according to a recent study. Three leaders were honored with industry awards for excellence in marketing, grocery and tech: Susan Rothwell , Chief Revenue Officer, was one of only two recipients named 'Individual of the Year' in the 2022 Sales and Marketing Technology Awards ("The Sammys"). The Sammys recognize the global leaders, technologies and organizations helping to solve the challenges companies have connecting and collaborating with prospects and customers. Rothwell was honored for driving constant evolution, despite obstacles, and building a culture in which technology, innovation and change are core to the business. , Chief Revenue Officer, was one of only two recipients named 'Individual of the Year' in the 2022 Sales and Marketing Technology Awards ("The Sammys"). The Sammys recognize the global leaders, technologies and organizations helping to solve the challenges companies have connecting and collaborating with prospects and customers. Rothwell was honored for driving constant evolution, despite obstacles, and building a culture in which technology, innovation and change are core to the business. Melanie Bauman, Vice President and Head of Industry Grocery, was named one of the Top Women in Grocery by Progressive Grocer . The award recognizes the integral role women play across all segments of the North American food retail and grocery industries. Bauman was recognized for growing Vericast's total business by 4% and driving 61% growth in emerging digital business despite ongoing pandemic and supply chain challenges. . The award recognizes the integral role women play across all segments of the North American food retail and grocery industries. Bauman was recognized for growing Vericast's total business by 4% and driving 61% growth in emerging digital business despite ongoing pandemic and supply chain challenges. Julie Companey , Director of Client Strategy for enterprise sales, grocery channel, was recognized as a Store Brands Leader in Tech for her work in helping to move the private brands industry forward. Through market education, Companey promotes how grocery retailers can leverage private brands more effectively. She leads Vericast's private label strategy, working with grocery retail clients on growing market share by promoting the quality, assortment and diversity of private brands. Adding to individual honors, Vericast has also earned these industry recognitions this year: Stevie American Business Awards: Vericast earned a Bronze award for Influencer Marketing Campaign of the Year. MarTech Breakthrough Award: Vericast won the 'Best Cookie-Less Marketing Solution' for Household Connect, an industry-first approach that targets geographies and consumers without relying heavily on cookies or device IDs. Transform Awards: Vericast was shortlisted in the 'Best Internal Communications During a Brand Development Project' category for its efforts around the rebrand from RetailMeNot Everyday to Save, a consumer lifestyle blog. "These well-deserved honors validate the significant contribution and ongoing commitment of our talented Vericast team," said Lee Ann Stevenson, EVP, General Counsel & Chief Administrative Officer at Vericast. "We are fortunate to have a deep bench of leaders paving the way for our company, employees, and industry. We are committed to building an inclusive culture for all employees through engaging programs, thoughtful hiring and retention practices." In addition to its hiring practices, Vericast offers several engaging programs including employee resource groups such as Women+, Family, GenNext, Pride, Military 6, Care, ConnEx, and Multicultural Organization Supporting an Inclusive Culture, or "MOSAIC." To learn more about Vericast, visit Vericast.com. For employment opportunities through Tech Ladies, click here. For all employment opportunities, visit the Vericast careers page. About Vericast Vericast is reimagining marketing solutions one business-to-human connection at a time. By influencing how over 120 million households eat, shop, buy, save and borrow, Vericast fuels commerce, drives economic growth and directly accelerates revenue potential for thousands of brands and businesses. While its award-winning portfolio of products, technology and solutions are part of the Vericast story, its people are the true differentiators; trailblazers in data intelligence, marketing services, transaction solutions, campaign management and media delivery. SOURCE Vericast On the morning of September 21, Anhui Forklift Group (Anhui Heli Co., Ltd) held the maiden voyage ceremony of "Heli" at Hefei Port. More than 100 forklift trucks worth about 3 million US dollars sold to the North American market were loaded and shipped. It is expected to arrive at the port of destination in 2 months. As the domestic industrial vehicle industry leader, Anhui Heli exported over 60,000 trucks in 2021 and planned to export more than 70,000 units this year. However, the complex foreign trade environment has made booking cargo space and ocean shipping the biggest problem for enterprises to export products. Through the efforts of Anhui Heli and the Anhui Provincial Port & Shipping Group, and with the strong support of the relevant government and customs departments, the "Heli" successfully made its maiden voyage in Hefei Port. "This is an important achievement of the strategic cooperation between the two provincial state-owned enterprises, and it is also a successful practice of 'Anhui's goods shipped out of Anhui's Port,' which will better promote the stability and quality of foreign trade." Zhou Jun, member of the party committee, deputy secretary of the party committee, and general manager of Anhui Heli Co., Ltd., said. Since 1991, Anhui Heli has maintained a leading position in the domestic industry in major economic indicators for 31 consecutive years. In 2016, Heli ranked among the top seven in the world's industrial vehicle industry. Heli has established an overseas agency network in more than 80 countries and regions, and its products are sold to more than 150 countries and regions worldwide. From January to August this year, Heli's export business continued to maintain rapid growth, with product sales up 20% yearly and sales revenue up 60% yearly. Landmark Acquisition Expands the 1Box Portfolio to 28 Self-Storage Facilities Across the Netherlands, With an Eye for Further Growth UTRECHT, Netherlands, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 1Box Self Storage, the Dutch affiliate of Volta Global's 1Box Group self-storage platform in Europe, has completed the acquisition of Kubox, another leading self-storage operator in the Netherlands. This acquisition brings the 1Box Self Storage portfolio to a total of 28 operational facilities in the Netherlands and cements 1Box as a leading brand in the industry. 1Box Tillburg Tillburg replacement "The Kubox acquisition is a major strategic milestone for 1Box that was years in the making", said Jeff Evans, President of Volta Global and the 1Box Group, "1Box now boasts nationwide coverage of the self-storage market and a core strategic presence in the key Rotterdam market, as well as the infrastructure for home delivery or storage-as-a-service that we look forward to making available to current and future 1Box customers in the coming months." The acquisition of Kubox coincides with Volta Global's continuing progress in consolidating the fragmented and high-growth European self-storage market, after significant experience as an owner and operator of self-storage in the United States, among other real estate asset classes. In addition to the Kubox acquisition, Volta Global has recently made new acquisitions in France and Italy, establishing itself as one of only a handful of Pan-European self-storage operators. "Marko Dimitrijevic, Volta Global Chairman, commented: We thank all parties involved in this acquisition and in particular our Dutch team members. We are proud to offer our self-storage services to more and more markets in the Netherlands and are very excited by the development of our European portfolio. The European self-storage industry is characterized by many of the same attributes that have made self-storage a very practical solution for so many U.S. households and become a highly desirable asset class in the United States. " Transaction Advisors TaylorWessing Amsterdam acted as 1Box outside legal counsel in this transaction. The seller was represented by JBR. About 1Box Group 1Box Group is a pan-European owner, developer, and operator of institutional class self-storage facilities. The group currently owns and operates over 30 facilities totaling over 800,000 square feet and over 10,000 units across the Netherlands, France, and Italy. www.1boxgroup.com About Volta Global Volta Global is a global real estate developer, operator and investor based in Miami, Florida. The firm focuses primarily on self-storage, hospitality, multi-family residential, and private credit in the U.S. and Europe. Volta Global operates with a permanent capital base, enabling the firm to be patient, flexible and long term focused when it comes to investment opportunities, partnerships and working with local communities. www.voltaglobal.com SOURCE VOLTA GLOBAL MIDDLETOWN, R.I., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On 15 September 2022, SEACORP, LLC. (SEACORP) of Middletown was awarded a $79 million, five-year contract by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Under this contract, SEACORP will design, develop, and integrate the Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW) Modular Suite (EMWMS) as a configurable, experimental, and operational unit. SEACORP's Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW) Modular Suite (EMWMS) on display at the Rim of Pacific (RIMPAC) 22 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. SEACORP is tasked with designing, developing, and integrating the EMWMS geared towards EMW specific capabilities and missions as defined by the government. Along with their team of subcontractors, SEACORP will support the design, assembly, integration, and testing of a complete EMWMS system using a certified CONEX box; Inorganic Receiver Units (IRUs); Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR); Counter ISR Capabilities; Communications Links; Signal/Data Processing; Remote Operator Sites; Information Assurance (IA); and Laboratory/At Sea Demonstrations. John Murphy, SEACORP's Vice President of Electronic Warfare (EW) commented, "SEACORP is excited to continue supporting the U.S. Navy through further development of the EMWMS program. We are excited to utilize our expertise to help the U.S. Navy maintain Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) dominance and are grateful to all of our hardworking personnel for their continued efforts in support of this tasking." Headquartered in Middletown, Rhode Island, SEACORP is an award-winning small business providing agile, innovative solutions for distributed maritime operations. SEACORP provides full-spectrum engineering capabilities for U.S. Navy's distributed maritime operations, with an increasing emphasis on systems prototyping and production. Extensive experience and strong work ethic have made SEACORP a technical leader and trusted partner. The company provides a wide variety of systems and engineering services primarily to Department of Defense (DoD) customers. The company employs over 500 professionals including engineers, scientists, technicians, and management support personnel, who are located across the company's facilities in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Florida, as well as on-site locations across the U.S. For additional information please visit https://www.seacorp.com/. Contact: Laura Trainer [email protected] SOURCE SEACORP This Groundbreaking Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Announcement Comes In Tandem With Committed Industry Partners Including JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, The U.S. Air Force and Boom Supersonic NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Company , the world's leading carbon technology company that creates carbon-negative alcohols and fuels from Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ), today announced the launch of its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) made from captured CO 2 . AIR COMPANY partners with global leaders in aviation to launch AIRMADE SAF, furthering the pathway towards global decarbonization. The importance of this novel climate technology, distributed under the name AIRMADE SAF, is underscored by commitments from global aviation partners to purchase over one billion gallons of AIRMADE SAF; including JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic and Boom Supersonic, among others. The United States Air Force has already kicked off their AIRMADE SAF partnership with the completion of a first-of-its-kind unmanned flight using Air Company's 100% unblended CO 2 -derived jet fuel. These commitments demonstrate not only the excitement and demand behind the company's technological advancement, but also the strength of Air Company's operation and future potential. This technology will be applied globally with significant future implications, especially as it pertains to the levels of fuel production and consumption that we see from the energy industry today. Air Company creates renewable fuels from CO 2 , directly addressing our fossil fuel dependency, the leading cause of climate change. Aviation as a whole represents 2-3% of global CO 2 emissions and is widely considered one of the most "hard to decarbonize" industries. With this announcement, Air Company and its partners aim to mitigate that impact in a meaningful way, enabling a circular process that has the potential to address over one billion metric tons of CO 2 emissions annually. Using the same proprietary technology that mimics photosynthesis to create its consumer ethanol, Air Company has developed and deployed its single-step process for CO 2 -derived fuel production using renewable electricity. Further technical details on the process can be found in a white paper published by the company in the journal ACS Energy Letters earlier this year. "Our goal as an organization has always been to expand into industries where our technology will have the largest impact and the most CO 2 reduction," explained Gregory Constantine, CEO and Co-Founder of Air Company. "We have been quietly working on this innovation, and we're proud to debut this SAF technology and commercialization in partnership with some of the most impactful and innovative companies in the world. The aviation industry is a leading contributor to excess CO 2 in our atmosphere, and with this announcement, we and our partners aim to create a direct pathway towards a seismic shift away from legacy fossil-fuel-based production in a cost-effective manner. We're excited about the future and anticipate seeing more partners commit to phasing out fossil fuel use and decarbonizing aviation altogether." Commercial Partnerships Each major aviation partner Air Company is working with demonstrates the global impact this technology will have, each one using the SAF for respective sustainable initiatives. JetBlue, the U.S. major airline, has signed an agreement with the intent to purchase 25 million gallons of AIRMADE SAF over 5 years. This agreement is in support of JetBlue Ventures' direct capital investment into Air Company's Series A funding round. "SAF is the most promising avenue of addressing aviation emissions currently available," said Sara Bogdan, JetBlue Director of Sustainability and ESG. "With creative thinking backed by science, Air Company's work to leverage captured carbon, a resource distinct from other SAF feedstock, represents the kind of innovation that can expand SAF availability and grow the market necessary to reach our industry goals. We're excited to build upon this partnership established by JetBlue Ventures as we continue on our own path to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040." Virgin Atlantic, the UK-based international airline, has partnered with Air Company by signing an agreement with the intent to purchase up to 100 million gallons of AIRMADE SAF over 10 years. The U.S. Air Force awarded Air Company a contract of over $1MM for which Air Company delivered 5 gallons of its AIRMADE SAF that met the U.S. Air Force's strict fuel performance parameters. It was successfully tested before flying the groundbreaking, first-ever carbon-neutral flight by a jet engine UAS, specifically on 100% unblended AIRMADE SAF. Boom Supersonic, the company building the world's fastest airliner, optimized for speed, safety, and sustainability, has entered into an agreement with Air Company with the intent to purchase up to 5 million gallons of AIRMADE SAF on an annual basis through the Overture flight test program. Air Company AIRMADE SAF will facilitate the net-zero carbon flight test of Overture, which carries 6580 passengers at twice the speed of traditional airliners while operating on 100% SAF. "Prior methods of producing synthetic fuel rely on natural gas or the Fischer-Tropsch process, which was developed in 1925 with few fundamental improvements since then," elaborates Air Company's Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, Dr. Stafford Sheehan. "Application of our new carbon conversion process has the potential to replace legacy Fischer-Tropsch systems by simplifying a multi-step conversion into single-step CO 2 hydrogenation to fuel-grade paraffin. Furthermore, with additional reactor modifications, we can produce a fuel composition that is able to be used in a jet engine without the need for any blending with fossil fuel, as demonstrated in our test flight with the U.S. Air Force. Our single-step process will make SAF more cost-effective, toward widespread use." CO 2 is a practically unlimited resource due to the carbon cycle in our atmosphere, making this feedstock renewable and abundant. Air Company's AIRMADE SAF shows the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 97% compared to traditional jet fuel, a significant reduction in carbon intensity due to the use of CO 2 as a direct feedstock with renewable energy, creating a more sustainable carbon life cycle. Follow @aircompany to stay up to date and visit AirCompany.com for more information. ABOUT AIR COMPANY Air Company is the world's leading carbon utilization company, creating consumer and industrial products from carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). The company's patented and proprietary Carbon Conversion Reactor mimics photosynthesis, using only air (CO 2 ), water and sun (renewable energy) to create carbon-negative alcohols and fuels from CO 2 . With three consumer products (AIR Vodka, AIR Hand Sanitizer, and AIR Eau de Parfum) brought to market thus far, Air Company is moving towards world-scale impact with its latest innovation CO 2 -derived sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The company's AIRMADE SAF will be certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC). Amongst a number of accomplishments, Air Company has received $40MM in venture capital funding to date and won an incredible amount of highly acclaimed awards: TIME Best Inventions, Fast Company World Changing Ideas, the NASA CO 2 Conversion Challenge, R&D World's R&D 100, and most recently, the Keeling Curve Prize, among others. Air Company is the future of carbon technologies. It is redefining what a regenerative future that works with nature, rather than against it, could look like. SOURCE Air Company SANTA ANA, Calif., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles / San Francisco Daily Journal has named prominent plaintiff lawyer Wylie Aitken one of 2022's Top 100 Lawyers in California out of the state's 266,000 practicing attorneys. The annual list, published Wednesday, recognizes Wylie for his outstanding success for his clients, leadership as the founding partner of Orange County-based law firm Aitken Aitken Cohn and his representation of numerous individuals and businesses who have suffered catastrophic injuries or huge losses. Most recently, Wylie and his co-leaders negotiated a substantial settlement in the OC oil spill class action, which will provide fair compensation for the hundreds of victims of the oil spill, including businesses, workers, and homeowners. As a lead co-counsel under appointment by Federal Judge David Carter, Wylie continues to work on finalizing the deal that will ensure the money is allocated fairly to all the plaintiffs and help prevent future oil spill disasters. "I'm honored and feel fortunate to receive this recognition for doing the work that I love," said Wylie Aitken. "Helping victims in my community, both individuals and businesses, obtain justice and recoup losses for their suffering, which is why I became a lawyer in the first place." On October 2, 2021, an underwater oil pipeline off the Huntington Beach coast ruptured, spilling an estimated 126,000 gallons of crude oil into the ocean. The rupture created a 13-square-mile slick, which deposited oil onto beaches and wetlands. A federal grand jury last year indicted Houston-based Amplify Energy Corp. and two of its subsidiaries on charges related to illegally discharging oil. From victims of catastrophic injuries brought by major auto injuries, unsafe amusement parks, dangerous products, business fraud, or bad faith acts by insurance companies, throughout Wylie's 40-year career, he has obtained many landmark verdicts and settlements. His impressive results include a $54 million verdict on behalf of a 9-year-old girl following a trial against the U.S. government due to an auto collision that occurred when a federal employee ran a red light and broadsided the car in which she was riding. In addition to his legal work and recognition, Wylie has an extraordinary record of service in the community as an advisor to many of our political leaders. Senator Diane Feinstein appointed Wylie as Chair of the committee that screens and recommends U.S. Attorneys and federal judges to the White House. He was also appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger and Governor Jerry Brown to serve on the Arts Council of the State of California (a four-year term) and became its Chair. Wylie served as Chapman University's Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2016-2020 and presided over many pressing issues, including the departure of John Eastman and the diversity of its student body. Wylie's community and philanthropic activities are extensive, including Chair of the National Council of The American Film Institute (AFI), Segerstrom Center for the Arts Trustee; South Coast Repertory, Past-Chair; Chair of Board of Advisors Chapman University Fowler School of Law; Chair of the Board for The Voice of Orange County; Mission San Juan Capistrano Preservation Foundation, Board Member; Santa Ana College Alumni Award; Cal State University Fullerton President's Circle; Marquette University Law School's President's Council, and Advisory Board and its outstanding law alumni award; and, CSUF Special GamesKathleen Faley Memorial,(Chair). He presently co-chairs the advisory committee for the Chapman University Performing Arts Center and is an advisor to the Bette Aitken Arts Center at the Chance Theater. Aitken * Aitken * Cohn is one of California's most respected personal injury law firms, dedicated to providing legal counsel to anyone who has been seriously injured at the hands of another. The personal injury attorneys at AAC have decades of valuable experience successfully advising people in many types of personal injury claims, including motor vehicle accidents, traumatic brain injuries, burn injuries, product liability accidents, medical malpractice, and insurance bad faith. CONTACT: Gina Fernandes, [email protected] SOURCE Aitken Aitken Cohn Senate introduction marks significant step forward in fight to ensure fair compensation for creators on AM/FM radio WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SoundExchange, the premier music tech organization powering the future of music, praised today's introduction of the American Music Fairness Act in the United States Senate as a significant step forward in ensuring economic justice for creators whose work is played on AM/FM radio. The bipartisan American Music Fairness Act, introduced by Senators Marcia Blackburn (R-TN) and Alex Padilla (D-CA), would require large broadcasters such as iHeartMedia, Audacy, and Cumulus Media to pay performance royalties for their use of sound recordings, while also providing relief for smaller stations or public stations via a modest annual flat fee. The House Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on a companion bill (H.R. 4130) this fall, setting the stage for Congressional action by year's end. "The American Music Fairness Act is a necessary and overdue step towards bringing the music industry into the 21st century," said Michael Huppe, President and CEO, SoundExchange. "It ends decades of injustice of denying music creators payment for their work on AM/FM radio and levels the playing field between traditional broadcasts and streaming platforms. This is a common-sense blueprint for a healthier and fairer music industry, and we strongly support its passage on behalf of our 570,000 creator community." Currently, the process for compensating music creators is disjointed and unfair. For example, recording artists and labels are paid when their music is played on streaming services such as SiriusXM, but not on one of iHeart's 860-plus over-the-air radio stations around the country. The legislation, which is supported by 70 percent of Americans according to an April survey conducted by Survey Monkey, strikes a balance by creating a level playing field among music services while ensuring the viability of true, locally owned and operated radio stations. It achieves this balance by requiring broadcast corporations whose gross annual revenue is greater than $1.5 million or stations owned by parent companies whose annual revenue tops $10 million to pay fair-market royalties, while minimizing the impact on public and college stations by instituting an annual flat fee ranging from $10 to $500 depending on the type of broadcaster. "Music creators spend years, even decades, perfecting their craft and inspiring their listeners. The very least we should do in return is pay them for their work. They are our family, our friends, our neighbors," added Huppe. "They are simply asking for a rightful share of the $10 billion broadcasters earn by playing their music on AM/FM radio." SoundExchange is a fierce advocate for the rights of music creators and has distributed more than $9 billion in streaming royalties to date. SoundExchange is a member of the musicFIRST coalition, which works to ensure music creators get fair pay for their work on all platforms; is a leader in the effort to secure royalties for creators both in the United States and abroad; and advocates before the Copyright Royalty Board over rate-setting on digital streaming services. SoundExchange regularly speaks before policymakers to highlight the challenges faced by creators in collecting fair compensation for their work. About SoundExchange: SoundExchange is the premier music tech organization on a mission to power the future of music. It was independently formed in 2003 to build a fairer, simpler, and more efficient music industry through technology, data, and advocacy. The only organization designated by the U.S. government to administer the Section 114 sound recording license, SoundExchange collects and distributes digital performance royalties on behalf of 570,000 music creators and growing. Through proprietary music tech solutions that turn data into accurate revenue, SoundExchange has paid more than $9 billion in distributions to date. For more information, visit soundexchange.com. SOURCE SoundExchange OPELOUSAS, La., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tender, juicy and smothered in a creamy Creole Dijon sauce, this is not your traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu. By combining the classic breaded chicken, ham and cheese with the flavors of Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning and herbs, this comfort food will soon be a new family favorite. CAJUN CHICKEN CORDON BLEU By: @flychefaldenb INGREDIENTS For the Chicken: Tender, juicy and smothered in a creamy Creole Dijon sauce, this is not your traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu. By combining the classic breaded chicken, ham and cheese with the flavors of Tony Chacheres Creole seasoning and herbs, @flychefaldenb says this comfort food will soon be a new family favorite. 4 Chicken Breasts, Boneless & Skinless Pound Ham, Sliced 16 Slices Swiss Cheese 1 Tablespoon Tony's Spice N' Herbs Seasoning Oil for Frying For the Batter: 1 Cup All Purpose Flour 2 Cups Italian Breadcrumbs 4 Eggs For the Sauce: 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter 2 Cloves Garlic, Minced 3 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour 2 Cups Heavy Cream Cup Dijon Mustard 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese Tony's Spice N' Herbs, to Taste PREPARATION Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes Serves: 2-4 Butterfly the chicken breasts by cutting them in half and opening them up. Place the chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound until the chicken is about 1/2 an inch thick. Season the chicken with Tony's Spice N' Herbs Seasoning. Evenly distribute the Swiss cheese and ham on the chicken and roll the chicken up. Wrap the chicken in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer while you prepare the sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and garlic. Saute until fragrant. Stir in the flour for 2 minutes, then add heavy cream and Dijon mustard and stir until thickened. Add in Parmesan cheese and season to taste with Tony's Spice N' Herbs. Heat 2 inches of oil to 325F. Remove chicken from the freezer and dip it into a bowl of flour. Then, dip it into a bowl of eggs and finally into a bowl of Italian breadcrumbs. Fry in oil for 5 minutes. Turn the chicken over and fry for an additional 5 minutes. If the internal temperature is not up to 165F, add the chicken to an oven at 325F until the chicken reaches its internal 165F temperature. Plate the chicken, slice it and top it with the cream sauce. Enjoy! About Tony Chachere's Tony Chachere's Famous Creole Cuisine is celebrating its 50th Anniversary! Established in 1972 by Tony Chachere, the "Ole Master" of Creole cooking, Tony's remains family-owned and operated in Opelousas, Louisiana. Employing more than 100 people, the family maintains a tradition of Creole authenticity in its comprehensive line of seasonings, dinner mixes, marinades, and sauces for both the pantry and the table. As part of Tony's 50th Anniversary Celebration, pick up your commemorative can of Tony's Original Creole Seasoning. Order it now at tonychachere.com. tonychachere.com #PassAGoodTime #50YearsOfFlavor @tonychacheres SOURCE Tony Chachere's NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The " Automotive Transmission Electronics Market Growth, Size, Trends, Analysis Report by Type, Application, Region and Segment Forecast 2022-2026 " report has been added to Technavio's offering. With ISO 9001:2015 certification, Technavio is proudly partnering with more than 100 Fortune 500 companies for over 16 years. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Automotive Transmission Electronics Market 2022-2026 The potential growth difference for the automotive transmission electronics market between 2021 and 2026 is USD 7.06 billion. The global automotive transmission electronics market is fragmented due to the presence of several established and emerging vendors. The leading vendors have the financial resources and technical expertise to carry out the R&D. They have strong brand recognition, established distribution networks, and an extensive product portfolio. Hence, small and medium-sized players find it difficult to compete with established players in terms of technological advances and access to distribution networks to expand their market presence. Thus, they adopt competitive pricing strategies to improve market penetration. Understand the scope of the full report on the global automotive transmission electronics market. Download PDF Sample Report Key Market Dynamics: Market Driver Market Challenges The increasing penetration of shift-by-wire technology and the use of advanced electronics in Tiptronic transmission systems are some of the key market drivers. However, the high cost and complexity of electric vehicle transmission will challenge market growth. Competitive Analysis The competitive scenario provided in the automotive transmission electronics market report analyzes, evaluates, and positions companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered for this analysis include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc. Market Segmentation by Application By application, the market is classified into passenger cars and commercial vehicles segment. The market growth in the passenger cars segment will be significant over the forecast period. The growth of the segment is driven by the increasing adoption of electronics in the transmission systems in passenger cars. Market Segmentation by Geography By Geography, the market is classified as APAC, Europe , North America , South America , and the Middle East and Africa . , , , and the and . APAC will have the largest share of the market. The market growth in APAC will be driven by the increasing purchasing power of consumers and increasing economic growth. Identify other potential segments to invest in over the forecast period. Request Sample Report Some Companies Mentioned with their Offerings BorgWarner Inc.: The company offers automotive transmission electronics such as commercial vehicle transmission control modules for combustion and hybrid technologies to provide a high-quality and cost-effective solution for any transmission needs. The company offers automotive transmission electronics such as commercial vehicle transmission control modules for combustion and hybrid technologies to provide a high-quality and cost-effective solution for any transmission needs. Continental AG: The company offers automotive transmission electronics such as sensors for transmission speed that allows full integration and configurable algorithms. The company offers automotive transmission electronics such as sensors for transmission speed that allows full integration and configurable algorithms. DENSO Corp.: The company offers automotive transmission electronics to offer an integrated electronics system suitable for any vehicle architecture. The company offers automotive transmission electronics to offer an integrated electronics system suitable for any vehicle architecture. Aisin Corp. AMETEK Inc. CK Birla Group Eaton Corp. Plc FEV Group GmbH Grupo KUO SAB de CV Hitachi Ltd. Infineon Technologies AG Keysight Technologies Inc. Magna International Inc. Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd. Mitsubishi Electric Corp. Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Oxford Instruments Plc Robert Bosch GmbH ZF Friedrichshafen AG Allison Transmission Holdings Inc. Related Reports: Automotive Transmission Electronics Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of over 6.32% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 7.06 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 6.14 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 71% Key consumer countries US, China, Japan, India, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Aisin Corp., AMETEK Inc., BorgWarner Inc., CK Birla Group, Continental AG, DENSO Corp., Eaton Corp. Plc, FEV Group GmbH, Grupo KUO SAB de CV, Hitachi Ltd., Infineon Technologies AG, Keysight Technologies Inc., Magna International Inc., Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., Oxford Instruments Plc, Robert Bosch GmbH, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, and Allison Transmission Holdings Inc. 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. 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 End-user 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 between2021 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 Application 5.1 Market segments The segments covered in this chapter are Passenger cars and Commercial vehicle. Exhibit 24: Chart on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 25: Data Table on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%) 5.2 Comparison by Application Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Application 5.3 Passenger cars - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 27: Chart on Passenger cars - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 28: Data Table on Passenger cars - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 29: Chart on Passenger cars - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 30: Data Table on Passenger cars - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.4 Commercial vehicle - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 31: Chart on Commercial vehicle - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 32: Data Table on Commercial vehicle - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 33: Chart on Commercial vehicle - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 34: Data Table on Commercial vehicle - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.5 Market opportunity by Application Exhibit 35: Market opportunity by Application ($ million) 6. Customer landscape Technavio's customer landscape matrix comparing Drivers or price sensitivity, Adoption lifecycle, importance in customer price basket, Adoption rate and Key purchase criteria 6.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 36: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 7 Geographic Landscape 7.1 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 37: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 38: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 40: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.2 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 41: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 42: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 44: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 45: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 46: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 47: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 48: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.4 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 49: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 50: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 51: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.5 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 52: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 54: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 55: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.6 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 56: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 57: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 58: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 59: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.7 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 60: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 61: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 62: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 63: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.8 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 64: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 65: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 66: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 67: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.9 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 68: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 69: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 70: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 71: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.10 India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 72: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 73: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 74: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 75: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.11 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 76: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 7.12 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 77: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 8. Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 8.1 Market drivers 8.1.1 Increasing penetration of shift-by-wire technology 8.1.2 Use of advanced electronics in Tiptronic transmission system 8.1.3 Rising demand for automatic transmission systems 8.2 Market challenges 8.2.1 High cost and complexity of electric vehicle transmission 8.2.2 Managing the increasing complexity of TCUs in vehicles 8.2.3 Stringent requirements in development of ECU software for dry system DCTs 8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 78: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026 8.4 Market trends 8.4.1 Growing adoption of power-split CVT systems 8.4.2 Development of auto-shift manual transmission system with adaptive transmission control 8.4.3 Integration of transmission with other systems to form electric drive units 9. Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 79: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 9.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 80: Overview on factors of disruption 9.4 Industry risks Exhibit 81: Impact of key risks on business 10. Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 82: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 83: Matrix on vendor position and classification 10.3 BorgWarner Inc. Exhibit 84: BorgWarner Inc. - Overview Exhibit 85: BorgWarner Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 86: BorgWarner Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 87: BorgWarner Inc. - Segment focus 10.4 Continental AG Exhibit 88: Continental AG - Overview Exhibit 89: Continental AG - Business segments Exhibit 90: Continental AG - Key offerings Exhibit 91: Continental AG - Segment focus 10.5 DENSO Corp. Exhibit 92: DENSO Corp. - Overview Exhibit 93: DENSO Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 94: DENSO Corp. - Key news Exhibit 95: DENSO Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 96: DENSO Corp. - Segment focus 10.6 Hitachi Ltd. Exhibit 97: Hitachi Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 98: Hitachi Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 99: Hitachi Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 100: Hitachi Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 101: Hitachi Ltd. - Segment focus 10.7 Infineon Technologies AG Exhibit 102: Infineon Technologies AG - Overview Exhibit 103: Infineon Technologies AG - Business segments Exhibit 104: Infineon Technologies AG - Key offerings Exhibit 105: Infineon Technologies AG - Segment focus 10.8 Magna International Inc. Exhibit 106: Magna International Inc. - Overview Exhibit 107: Magna International Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 108: Magna International Inc. - Key news Exhibit 109: Magna International Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 110: Magna International Inc. - Segment focus 10.9 Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd. Exhibit 111: Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 112: Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 113: Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd. - Key offerings 10.10 Mitsubishi Electric Corp. Exhibit 114: Mitsubishi Electric Corp. - Overview Exhibit 115: Mitsubishi Electric Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 116: Mitsubishi Electric Corp. - Key news Exhibit 117: Mitsubishi Electric Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 118: Mitsubishi Electric Corp. - Segment focus 10.11 Robert Bosch GmbH Exhibit 119: Robert Bosch GmbH - Overview Exhibit 120: Robert Bosch GmbH - Business segments Exhibit 121: Robert Bosch GmbH - Key news Exhibit 122: Robert Bosch GmbH - Key offerings Exhibit 123: Robert Bosch GmbH - Segment focus 10.12 ZF Friedrichshafen AG Exhibit 124: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Overview Exhibit 125: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Business segments Exhibit 126: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Key news Exhibit 127: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Key offerings About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides 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 PARIS, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Axiom Space, a U.S.-based space company currently building the world's first commercial space station, is working with the Saudi Space Commission (SSC) for a future flight opportunity no earlier than 2023. The partnership will bolster SSC's exploration program through the addition of a robust human spaceflight effort. Axiom Space will collaborate with SSC to train Saudi astronauts for human spaceflight and prepare them to conduct meaningful scientific research in space, while making use of cutting-edge space technologies and scientific innovations. Axiom Space and the Saudi Space Commission announced their partnership to fly two Saudi astronauts to space, including the first female Saudi astronaut. (Credit: Saudi Space Commission ) Axiom Space and SSC announced today their epoch-making partnership to fly two Saudi astronauts to space, including the first female Saudi astronaut. Saudi Arabia is celebrating its first national astronaut program dedicated to sending Saudi astronauts into space as a contribution to humanity's progress, and in line with the progressive goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. In an official press release outlining the new Saudi Astronaut Program, the Kingdom highlighted the scientific focus of the initiative, which will prioritize scientific experiments and research in areas such as health, sustainability, and space technology. The Saudi Astronaut program is part of the Kingdom's larger National Space Strategy. "Space belongs to all of humanity, which is one of the reasons Axiom Space is pleased to welcome our new partnership with the Saudi Space Commission to train and fly Saudi astronauts, including the first female Saudi astronaut" said Michael Suffredini, Axiom Space's President & CEO while attending the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Paris. "This partnership highlights Axiom Space's profound commitment to expand human spaceflight opportunities to a larger share of the international community, as well as to multiply scientific and technological development on Earth and in orbit." Axiom Space is the commercial space industry's only full-service orbital mission provider, conducting end-to-end crewed missions. Axiom's broad range of services includes training and flying private astronauts, access to training facilities and instructors, hardware and safety certification, and operational on-orbit management. Candidates for flight complete Axiom's rigorous training curriculum over many months in preparation to live and conduct meaningful work in space. The expert team at Axiom Space is helping nations and organizations build human spaceflight programs, develop astronaut selection programs, and provide the expertise needed to expand the international community of space explorers to a larger and more diverse representation of humanity. About Axiom Space Axiom Space is guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while privately building its successor, Axiom Station, the first permanent commercial destination in Earth's orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. SOURCE Axiom Space Award recognizes Lake Nona autonomous shuttle network, now in third year of operations LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Beep Inc., a provider of multi-passenger, autonomous electric mobility solutions, today announced its induction into the ITS World Congress Hall of Fame as the winner of the 2022 Industry Award for the Americas. The award, announced at the annual ITS World Congress event in Los Angeles on Wednesday, recognizes Beep's continued expansion of its autonomous mobility network in Lake Nona, a 17-square mile master-planned community and advanced district within the City of Orlando, Florida. The Lake Nona network is the longest-tenured autonomous shuttle deployment in the United States, with the first routes launched in September 2019. In 2022, Beep added new stops to key locations within the community, connecting residents, employees, students and visitors to their most-visited destinations. In May, the company integrated ride-hailing capabilities to its fixed routes to enhance shuttle availability and extend its existing transportation model. "Congratulations to Beep for its innovative approach to providing electric, autonomous mobility that embodies ITS America's vision of a safer, greener, smarter future for all," said Laura Chace, President and CEO for ITS America. "Beep is honored to be inducted into the ITS World Congress Hall of Fame," said Joe Moye, Chief Executive Officer for Beep. "We are proud to be recognized by this prestigious institution along with our partners and the developer of Lake Nona, Tavistock Group, whose vision for a modern, connected live-work-play community has been instrumental to our collective success. We're gratified to be considered an industry leader as we continue to work to extend our vision of mobility for all, with safe and sustainable autonomous transit solutions that reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion." The recognition from ITS World Congress comes as the company celebrates its three-year anniversary in Lake Nona. Leveraging its integrated service delivery and technology stack and working in close partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Beep has safely transported more than 46,000 passengers in Lake Nona alone since the project's inception. The Lake Nona project highlights the company's "first mile, last mile" approach to extending public transport access and enhancing mobility options in communities across the country. "Lake Nona's living lab environment is known for accelerating innovation and there's no better example than the success of our autonomous shuttle network operated by our partners at Beep," said Rasesh Thakkar, Senior Managing Director for Tavistock Group. "This recognition highlights the importance of pioneering new ideas to find tangible solutions that benefit people in their everyday lives. We're proud to be home to the country's longest-tenured autonomous shuttle deployment and look forward to new achievements that lie ahead as the innovation journey is never over." Beep's work in Lake Nona has served as a baseline for safely advancing the testing of autonomous shuttles and led to the expansion of deployments across the country for master-planned communities, public transportation agencies, and the first autonomous shuttle project in a U.S. National Park setting. At the company's state-of-the-art Lake Nona headquarters and operations command center, Beep actively monitors its complete portfolio of autonomous projects both locally and nationally to provide instant support to its service areas. "The innovative work by Beep in Lake Nona embodies the City's vision to be America's premier future-ready city and serves as a blueprint for other communities to follow," said Mayor Buddy Dyer, City of Orlando. "Meeting the needs of our residents today and in the future requires collaboration at the highest level from all partners to ensure we can address community challenges and remain one of the best places to live." In addition to expanding its autonomous programs in Lake Nona and around the country, Beep reached a number of milestones in 2022, including executing a Series A-1 funding round of $25 million in April. Earlier this year the company announced a partnership with Benteler Electric Vehicle Systems and Mobileye to develop and deploy next-generation, automotive-grade autonomous shuttles to the United States. In March, Beep was named lead AV contractor for the Ultimate Urban Circulator by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, the country's largest ever public sector autonomous shuttle project. Other sites served include the City of Peachtree Corners, Georgia; Tradition, a Mattamy Homes community in Port St. Lucie, Florida; and Pinellas County, Florida in partnership with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. About Beep Beep delivers the next generation of mobility services utilizing driverless, electric, multi-passenger vehicles. By specializing in planning, deploying and managing advanced autonomous shuttles for both private and public communities, Beep safely connects people, places and services in first-mile, last-mile mobility networks. Beep leverages the data and learnings from its public road deployments to produce vehicle-agnostic edge solutions to enhance the safety, access, artificial-intelligence and driverless operating capabilities of autonomous platforms and enable mobility for all. For more information visit www.ridebeep.com. Contact: Beep Corporate Communications 310.374.6177 [email protected] SOURCE Beep, Inc. RENO, Nev. and TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bendito Resources Inc. ("Bendito", the "Company", or "we") and 1289625 B.C. Ltd. ("ShellCo") are pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a non-binding letter of intent dated August 23, 2022 (the "Letter of Intent") in respect of a proposed business combination (the "Proposed Transaction") that would result in the reverse takeover of ShellCo by Bendito. The completion of the Proposed Transaction will be subject to, among other things, the common shares ("Resulting Issuer Common Shares") of the resulting entity (the "Resulting Issuer") being listed on a recognized Canadian stock exchange and the Resulting Issuer fulfilling all of the applicable regulatory and listing requirements. Following the completion of the Proposed Transaction, Bendito is expected to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of ShellCo or otherwise combine its corporate existence with that of ShellCo to form the Resulting Issuer, which will hold all the assets and projects and continue the business of Bendito. The final structure of Proposed Transaction is subject to receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice. Mr. John Antwi, President and CEO of Bendito, commented: "The Bendito team is very excited to have an expedited and efficient path to becoming a public company in Canada. One of the objectives of becoming a public company would be to provide us with additional financing options and tools to fund our development strategy and create value for our shareholders. As part of our July 2022 transaction to acquire Azure Minerals Limited, we are required to become a public entity by January 2024. Now, only two months after completing our inaugural transaction to acquire Azure Mineral's Mexican Portfolio of eight projects, I am happy to announce a path to becoming a public entity." Transaction Structure Overview The Letter of Intent provides that Bendito and ShellCo will negotiate and enter into a definitive agreement in respect of the Proposed Transaction (the "Definitive Agreement") on or before [Insert the date that is 75 calendar days after the Letter of Intent date], or such later date as may be mutually agreed upon. Bendito plans to complete a concurrent private placement financing at the time of closing the Proposed Transaction. The Proposed Transaction contemplates that each outstanding security of Bendito will be exchanged on a one-for-one basis for an equivalent security of the Resulting Issuer (for certainty, as constituted following the completion of the proposed consolidation described in the Letter of Intent). ShellCo shareholders are expected to receive an aggregate number of Resulting Issuer Common Shares with the value specified in the Letter of Intent at a deemed per share issue price equal to the share price of the concurrent private placement financing. It is anticipated that all the directors and officers of ShellCo will resign from their respective positions at the closing of the Proposed Transaction and that the members of the board and management of the Resulting Issuer shall consist of existing Bendito directors (or Bendito nominees) and officers. Entering into of the Definitive Agreement is conditional upon Bendito and ShellCo each being satisfied with the results of full financial, business, legal, environmental, social, and other due diligence investigations with respect to the other party. Additionally, the Proposed Transaction is subject to, among other things, the negotiation and execution of the Definitive Agreement, completion of a concurrent financing by Bendito, the Resulting Issuer Common Shares being listed on a recognized Canadian stock exchange and the Resulting Issuer fulfilling all of the applicable regulatory and listing requirements, and each of the parties obtaining all necessary board, shareholder and regulatory approvals, and other standard closing conditions. The foregoing description and summary of the Proposed Transaction does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text of the Letter of Intent. Further information ShellCo and Bendito will provide further details in respect of the Proposed Transaction in due course by way of press release. ShellCo and Bendito will make available all information as required by applicable regulatory authorities and will provide, in a press release to be disseminated at a later date, the required disclosure. All information contained in this press release with respect to ShellCo and Bendito was supplied by the parties respectively, for inclusion herein, without independent review by the other party, and each party and its directors and officers have relied on the other party for any information concerning the other party. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities to be issued in connection with the Proposed Transaction have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the listing application to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of ShellCo should be considered highly speculative. About Bendito Resources Inc. Bendito Resources Inc. is a private mineral resource company formed and led by experienced mining and exploration executives with headquarters in Reno, Nevada, USA and regional offices in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. The Company fully-owns a portfolio of diversified mineral projects in Mexico, which includes the Alacran and Oposura projects, both of which have previously reported mineral resources. The Mexican property portfolio comprises the Company's sole mineral interests. For additional information please visit the Company's website at www.benditoresources.com or contact the Company at the below: John Antwi Bendito Resources Jeff Stieber President & CEO 6490 S McCarran Blvd Chief Financial Officer [email protected] Building E, Suite 121 [email protected] (775) 340-2719 Reno, NV 89509 (775) 250-0300 1289625 B.C. Ltd. For further information: 1289625 B.C. Ltd. James Ward, Director Phone: (416) 897-2359 Email: [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes", and or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. This Press Release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of management concerning, among other things, the terms and conditions of the Proposed Transaction, the concurrent financing, the share exchange ratios for Proposed Transaction, the anticipated go-forward directors and management of the Resulting Issuer, the listing of the Resulting Issuer Common Shares, the receipt of director, shareholder and regulatory approvals, the performance and business of the Resulting Issuer, and other potential future events. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates, and forecasts, including but not limited to factors about the business and the industry and markets in which the Company operates and the risks related thereto or the delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law. The terms and conditions of the Proposed Transaction may change based on ShellCo's due diligence (which may be limited as ShellCo intends to rely upon the due diligence that may be conducted by the agents, if any, in connection with the concurrent financing) and the receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice for both ShellCo and the Company. SOURCE Bendito Resources Inc. NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pioneering alternative asset manager Bluerock announced today that it is commemorating its 20th year by partnering with The Nature Conservancy to fund the planting of 20,000 trees throughout the United States, in support of the Conservancy's tree planting campaign. The firm, which has grown to more than $15 billion in acquired and managed assets since its founding in October 2002, reports that the tree planting program is scheduled for completion within the year. "Bluerock has generated extremely strong growth on behalf of our investors during these first 20 years. We are making this contribution to celebrate this growth and to honor the large community of shareholders throughout the U.S. that have accompanied us on this journey," said Bluerock founder and CEO, Ramin Kamfar. "With this project, we wish to tell the investment community that we remain committed not only to leading investment strategies, but also to our role as responsible corporate citizens as we embark on our next 20 years." The plantings will help mitigate the effects of forest fires and deforestation. Bluerock has established a leading reputation for delivering innovative institutional investment strategies to banks, registered investment advisors (RIAs), independent broker-dealers (IBDs) and wirehouses. Through an expanding suite of investment products, Bluerock enables individuals to invest alongside institutional investors with low minimum investments and enhanced liquidity options. The company offers a complementary suite of public and private investment programs with both short and long-term goals, focusing on predictable income, capital growth and tax benefits. Bluerock was the first manager to deliver an actively managed real estate interval fund structure to IBDs and RIAs as well as one of the first to offer non-traded preferred stock on a publicly traded REIT platform. The company's flagship, Bluerock Total Income+ Real Estate Fund (Ticker: TIPRX), has delivered a 9.64% annualized return since its October 2012 inception (as of August 31, 2022), and Bluerock Residential Growth REIT (NYSE American: BRG) ranked first in total shareholder return among all REITs over the past one, two, three and four-year periods as of September 20221. Bluerock recently entered the institutional private credit sector with the launch of the Bluerock High Income Institutional Credit Fund (Ticker: IIMAX) which seeks to provide investors with access to income-producing senior secured loans through an actively managed portfolio of collateralized loan obligations. "From Bluerock's inception, we have aimed to deliver advisors and investors institutional strategies that were once unattainable at the individual investor level, and offer both income and attractive risk-adjusted returns," Mr. Kamfar said. "In these two decades we have deepened our market reach, expanded our investment platform and built a robust research team. Today, 20 years in, we continue to develop and launch investment programs that provide investors the opportunity to take advantage of asset classes which we believe have long-term secular tailwinds for growth, substantial income generation capability, non-correlation to the broader markets, and the ability to achieve higher risk-adjusted returns. We look forward to providing investors credible platforms for portfolio diversification and reduced volatility as we continue to grow." The company currently has approximately 150 seasoned professionals overseeing $15 billion in acquired and managed assets as of September 2022. For more information about Bluerock and its solutions, visit https://bluerock.com/. 1 Source: KeyBanc Capital Markets, as of September 2, 2022. About Bluerock Bluerock is a leading institutional alternative asset manager based in New York with regional offices across the U.S. Bluerock principals have a collective 100+ years of investing experience with more than $48 billion real estate and capital markets experience and manage multiple well-recognized real estate private and public company platforms. Today Bluerock has more than $15 billion in acquired and managed assets and offers a complementary suite of public and private investment programs, with both short and long-term goals, to individual investors seeking solutions aimed at providing predictable income, capital growth, and tax benefits. About Bluerock Residential Growth REIT Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. is a real estate investment trust that focuses on developing and acquiring a diversified portfolio of institutional quality highly amenitized live/work/play apartment communities in demographically attractive knowledge economy growth markets to appeal to the renter by choice. BRG's objective is to generate value through off-market/relationship-based transactions and, at the asset level, through value-add improvements to properties and operations. BRG reports assets of approximately $2.5 billion and approximately 20,000 apartment and single-family units. About Bluerock High Income Institutional Credit Fund The Bluerock High Income Institutional Credit Fund Investment offers individual investors access to a portfolio of senior secures loans acquired though collateral loan obligations (CLOs). The Fund seeks to generate high current income, while secondarily seeking attractive, long-term risk-adjusted returns, with low correlation to the broader markets. The Fund utilizes an exclusive partnership with WhiteStar Asset Management. WhiteStar is the CLO, structured products, and broadly syndicated credit arm of Clearlake Capital Group with over $75 billion in combined AUM. The WhiteStar management team has nearly two decades of successful experience in structuring, investing, and managing senior secured loan portfolios, and has overseen the issuance of over $40 billion in CLOs during their careers. About Bluerock Total Income+ Real Estate Fund The Bluerock Total Income+ Real Estate Fund offers individual investors access to a portfolio of institutional real estate securities managed by top-ranked fund managers. The Fund seeks to provide a comprehensive real estate holding designed to provide a combination of current income, capital preservation, long-term capital appreciation and enhanced portfolio diversification with low to moderate volatility and low correlation to the broader equity and fixed income markets. As of Q2 2022, the value of the underlying real estate held by the securities in which the Fund is invested is approximately $363 billion, including investments managed by Ares, Blackstone, Morgan Stanley, Principal, Prudential, Clarion Partners, Invesco and RREEF, among others. The Fund utilizes an exclusive partnership with Mercer Investment Management, Inc., the world's leading advisor to endowments, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and family offices globally, with over 3,300 clients worldwide, and over $17 trillion in assets under advisement. TI+ A-Share and I-Share Fund Net Performance Performance Through 6.30.2022 Performance through 8.31.2022 One Year Five Year Annualized Since Inception2 YTD through 8.31.2022 TI+ Fund Class A 30.43 % 10.89 % 9.64 % 15.98 % TI+ Fund Class A with Max Sales Charge3 22.93 % 9.58 % 8.97 % 9.30 % TI+ Fund Class I 30.74 % 11.16 % 9.67 % 16.20 % Returns presented are total net return: Expressed in percentage terms, the calculation of total return is determined by taking the change in price, reinvesting, if applicable, all income and capital gains distributions during the period, and dividing by the starting price. Returns greater than one year are annualized. 2 Inception date of the TI+ Fund Class A share is October 22, 2012 and Class I share is April 1, 2014. 3 The maximum sales charge for the Class A shares is 5.75%. Investors may be eligible for a waiver or a reduction in the sales charge. The performance data quoted here represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted above. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. For performance information current to the most recent month end, please call toll-free 1-888-459-1059 or visit bluerockfunds.com/performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The total annual fund operating expense ratio, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements, is 2.09% for Class A and 1.83% for Class I. The Fund's investment advisor has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or absorb expenses of the fund, at least until January 31, 2023 for Class A and Class I to ensure that the net annual fund operating expenses will not exceed 1.95% for Class A and 1.70% for Class I, per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A, and Class I, respectively, subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years. Please review the Fund's Prospectus for more detail on the expense waiver. A fund's performance, especially for very short periods of time, should not be the sole factor in making your investment decisions. Fund performance and distributions are presented net of fees. Not all investors are eligible to purchase I shares. Investing in the Bluerock Total Income+ Real Estate Fund involves risks, including the loss of principal. The Fund intends to make investments in multiple real estate securities that may subject the Fund to additional fees and expenses, including management and performance fees, which could negatively affect returns and could expose the Fund to additional risk, including lack of control, as further described in the prospectus. Investing in the Bluerock High Income Institutional Credit Fund (the "Fund") involves risks, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment, and that you may lose part or all of your investment. This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to purchase any security. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Bluerock Total Income+ Real Estate Fund and the Bluerock High Income Instatement Credit Fund. This and other important information about the Funds is contained in the prospectus, which can be obtained online at bluerockfunds.com. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing. Diversification is a strategy designed to manage risk. It cannot ensure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. The Bluerock Total Income+ Real Estate Fund and the Bluerock High Income Institutional Credit Fund are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc (ALPS). Bluerock Fund Advisor, LLC and Bluerock Credit Fund Advisor are not affiliated with ALPS. About The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, the Conservancy creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. The Nature Conservancy is tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 76 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 39 through partners, the Conservancy uses a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees campaign is a major forest restoration initiative that aims to plant 1 billion healthy trees across the globe, working to restore and protect the world's most critical forests. The program has and will continue to make a significant contribution to the global environment by helping improve important watersheds that provide clean drinking water to millions of people, clean air, and protection for thousands of species of native plants and animals. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter. Media Contact: Matthew Bono, JConnelly (973) 590-9110 [email protected] SOURCE Bluerock SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Breathe For Change , the leading certifier of educators as experts in social-emotional learning, mindfulness, wellness, and yoga, has partnered with Noggin, Nickelodeon's interactive learning platform, to co-create Yoga Friends, a series that pairs popular Noggin characters alongside educators to introduce kids to yoga and mindfulness practices. "Student well-being is a top concern for parents and educators across the country following the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are excited to partner with the team at Noggin to produce a series that brings together recognizable characters and research-backed practices that promote student well-being," said Ilana Nankin, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Breathe For Change. Yoga Friends will help young learners build gross motor skills by working on balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance while promoting self-care through mindfulness strategies. With each episode of Yoga Friends, students will practice breathing exercises and fun, creative poses with host Stephanie and sidekicks Skye (Paw Patrol), Gil (Bubble Guppies), and Santatio (Santiago of the Seas). The current set of Yoga Friends features six eleven-minute classes. Farm Friends Yoga with Skye! Rock N Roll Yoga with Lorelai! Mountain Yoga with Gil! Paw Patrol Yoga with Skye! Ocean Yoga with Lorelai! Space Yoga with Gil! The current set of Yoga Friends also includes seven short episodes that explore different facets of yoga along with short yoga moves entitled "Yoga on the Go-ga" Short Activity Videos: 5 Senses Countdown! Happy Hands Yoga DIY Peace Potion! Bite-size yoga classes starring Yoga Friends host Stephanie and Breathe 4 Change instructor Trinidad Ramkissoon. Best Friends Yoga! Night-time Yoga Butterfly Yoga! Jungle Yoga! "Learning mindfulness and new exercise skills are an important part of wellbeing for every young child," said Michael H. Levine, Ph.D., Noggin's Senior Vice President for Learning and Impact. We are pleased to partner with Breathe For Change to create Yoga Friends, a key part of Noggin's new connected learning approach, where kids learn new skills and knowledge on our platform that they can demonstrate in the real world." Designed for kids aged 2 to 7, Noggin is Nickelodeon's personalized, interactive learning platform developed by education experts and starring kids' favorite Nick Jr. characters. Kids learn important skills for school and life as they play on Noggin. Backed by research, Noggin's specialized educational approach is designed to build children's math, literacy, and wellness skills while developing their curiosity and social and emotional learning (SEL). Breathe For Change is one of the fastest growing programs to support teacher well-being, and runs the world's only 200-hour Wellness, SEL, and Yoga Teacher Training that's specifically for educators and community leaders who deeply care about using wellness as a vehicle for healing and social change. Breathe For Change alumni reach two million students each year. About Breathe For Change Breathe For Change is an equity-driven organization deeply committed to using wellness and social-emotional learning as vehicles for learning and healing. The organization was founded by Dr. Ilana Nankin, whose teaching experience and dissertation research revealed the critical connection between teacher well-being and effective teaching. Her findings inspired her to start the Breathe For Change movement in 2015. Since then, Breathe For Change has trained and certified 10,000 educators as Social-Emotional Learning Facilitators and Yoga Teachers through their 200-hour professional development training, and continues to partner with schools, districts, and organizations throughout the country to enhance educator and student well-being. About Noggin Designed for kids aged 2 to 7, Noggin is Nickelodeon's personalized, interactive learning platform developed by education experts and starring your child's favorite Nick Jr. characters. Kids learn important skills for school and life as they play on Noggin engaging with an ever-expanding library of books, learning games, activities, exclusive shorts, plus 1,000+ ad-free episodes of popular series, like PAW Patrol, Peppa Pig, and Blue's Clues & You! Backed by research, Noggin's specialized educational approach is designed to build your child's math, literacy, and wellness skills while developing their curiosity and social and emotional learning. Inspire your kids to learn, explore, and grow with Noggin! Join Noggin today by downloading the app or subscribe at www.noggin.com. SOURCE Breathe For Change Responsible for investments and operations in Atlanta, Savannah, and Memphis ATLANTA, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brennan Investment Group, a private real estate investment firm that acquires, develops, and operates industrial facilities throughout the United States, is pleased to announce that Victor Segrest has joined the company as Senior Vice President. Mr. Segrest will be responsible for acquisitions and developments in Atlanta, Savannah, and Memphis. Additionally, he will oversee all operational activities, including leasing and management. "I'm thrilled to join Brennan," said Segrest. "The Southeast is an area with strong demographics, significant population growth, low vacancy and hosts the Port of Savannah. Brennan Investment Group has a successful track record in industrial real estate, an entrepreneurial approach and the resources to capitalize on opportunities." Before joining Brennan, Mr. Segrest was a Senior Director in the industrial group for Franklin Street based in Atlanta. Prior to Franklin, Mr. Segrest worked for several leading industrial development and brokerage firms including Industrial Development International (IDI), M.D. Hodges, CBRE, and Lee & Associates. Over the course of his career, he has executed $1.1 billion in leasing, sales, and development transactions. Mr. Segrest earned his B.S. in Building Construction from the College of Architecture, Design and Construction at Auburn University and his M.B.A. in Real Estate from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. Mr. Segrest is active in NAIOP and the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors. About Brennan Investment Group Brennan Investment Group, a Chicago-based private real estate investment firm, acquires, develops, and operates industrial properties in select major metropolitan markets throughout the United States. Since 2010, Brennan Investment Group has acquired or developed $5 billion in industrial real estate in 30 states. The company's current portfolio spans 27 states and encompasses approximately 46 million square feet. Brennan Investment Group co-invests with private and institutional capital to achieve outstanding risk-adjusted returns. The company has 13 regional offices throughout the United States and the firm's management team is among the most accomplished in its industry, having invested in over 5,000 properties covering more than 60 cities throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. For more information on Brennan Investment Group, go to brennanllc.com. CONTACT: Ursula Walendzewicz, [email protected], 8476308722 SOURCE Brennan Investment Group, LLC New Certificate Empowers Company to Assist Islamic Finance and Crypto Clients Key Highlights Carbon Market Exchange Ltd. secured a Certificate of Shariah Compliance from Shariah Experts for XCO2. The year-long certificate endorses the company's XCO2 Token and indicates its alignment with Shariah principles. Carbon Market Exchange is now optimally positioned to assist Islamic finance and crypto clients. LANSING, Mich., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Carbon Market Exchange Ltd., a world leader in uniting climate action and the financial industry to make international climate targets more accessible, announced today it was awarded a certificate by Shariah Experts Ltd for its XCO2 token, which validates its alignment with Shariah principles. The year-long certificate endorses the company's unique XCO2 Token. The NFT Sharia Certification can be viewed here. "It's a true honor to be aligned with Shariah principles, and this vote of confidence from such a renowned advisory firm will help us make a big impact for many new clients in the region," said Carbon Market Exchange Chief Executive Officer Shenna Fortner. "The certificate endorses Carbon Market Exchange's XCO2 Token, confirming its alignment with Shariah principles." Tweet this Shariah Experts Ltd conducted groundbreaking research from the Islamic jurisprudential point of view in the field of carbon offsets and blockchain-based tokens. All the aspects of XCO2, including its nature, issuance, redemption, usage, and underlying source were thoroughly analyzed to ensure high quality standard. Upon positive results, Shariah Experts Ltd granted the certificate in the form of a non-fungible token (NFT). "Carbon Market Exchange is doing amazing things for the conservation of the environment, and we are pleased to grant this certificate to ensure more clients can benefit from the good they're doing," said Shariah Experts Co-Founder & Director Dr Farrukh Habib. "Islam forbids wasting of resources and destroying the environment. It strongly emphasizes on eco-friendly ideas and principles. The modern trends of sustainable environment and green economy are aligned with the teachings of Islam and shariah. Therefore, projects like Carbon Market Exchange should be welcomed by the Muslim fraternity." Carbon Market Exchange Ltd has partnered with WEB3 experts to reach its technology goals and meet the international climate targets. The development of the XCO2 and CMX tokens have taken place on the Ethereum blockchain and the secondary scaling solution, Polygon. With the recent merge from the energy consumptive Proof-of-Work model to the environmentally conscious Proof-of-Stake model, Ethereum now has a place in the conservation movement. The CMX NFT certificates can be purchased through the Carbon Market Exchange Marketplace and then be traded, held, or retired to meet the demands of the industry. About Carbon Market Exchange As the definitive market leader in nature-based offset credits, Carbon Market Exchange Ltd is dedicated to uniting the financial industry and climate action in a way that makes meeting international climate targets more accessible for companiesand more supportive for conservationists. Established in 2021 by an elite group of environmentalists and finance executives, the company now has operations in the United States, Belize, UAE, and Tanzania. In Q1 of 2022, Carbon Market Exchange launched its nature-based, carbon-backed crypto token XCO2, which can be accessed via Ethereum. In Q4 of 2022, Carbon Market Exchange will launch CMX, its non-fungible token (NFT), to provide a certificate of authenticity for carbon offsets purchased. The company's goal is to ensure 30 percent of the planet is conserved by 2030. For more information, visit https://www.carbonmarketexchange.com/. About Shariah Experts Ltd. Shariah Experts Ltd was established in 2020, as the world's first halal advisory firm dedicated to projects based on blockchain, crypto, Defi, NFTs, and metaverse, by the world class Shariah scholars with more than 15 years of collective experience. Shariah Experts Ltd is bridging the gap between the Web3 innovations and the Muslim world by primarily focusing on guiding innovative ideas and tech-driven projects to comply with the Islamic law (shariah). While eyeing on the latest tech-advancements in the halal economy, we have not lost sight of the traditional Islamic financial industry and Halal economy. We also cater the needs of our clients in various traditional sectors, including Islamic banking, capital markets, Sukuk, Takaful (Islamic insurance), fund management, Zakat, Waqf, will-writing and inheritance law. Visit us at: https://shariahexperts.com/ CONTACT: Lori Levin, 212-805-3013 [email protected] SOURCE Carbon Market Exchange Ltd. NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- When: New York, NY September 20, 2022 Where: CFA Society New York 1540 Broadway, #1010. New York, NY 10036 What: CFA Society New York, the local Society of the CFA Institute, was honored to host the African Heads of State and Asset Owners Forum in its office yesterday, September 20th. Background: The African continent is undergoing a massive change. ESG projects are growing. The continental trade agreement is fostering cooperation and market formalization. However, for foreign investors, due diligence issues and capacity issues remain. African ESG projects are valuable, but decarbonizing Africa is not. Africa has 20% of global population and only produces 3% of the world's carbon emissions is not. has 20% of global population and only produces 3% of the world's carbon emissions Asset owners generally welcome better information about African investments as they need data and insights. They would like to invest the time to know better about the continent. The policymakers said the time is right for greater partnerships among their countries and the world Event: African Heads of State and Asset Owners Forum In honor of the occasion, Thomas Brigandi, CFA, Chair of the Board of Directors of CFA Society New York and Founder of CFA Society New York's Asset Owner Series delivered the welcoming remarks at this African Heads of State Institutional Investor Climate Finance Dialogue during UN General Assembly Week 2022, where he formally welcomed African Presidents, Finance Ministers, corporate executives, senior global asset owners, asset managers and investment consultants. Opening ceremony included remarks by: Dr. Hubert Danso, CEO and Chairman, Africa investor, Ms. Cristina Duarte, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Africa, and H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission. African Heads of State Keynote Speakers introduced their priority regional and infrastructure investment projects that support Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the policies they are pursuing to stimulate and attract global and intra-African investment. Distinguished Heads of State included: H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud , President of the Federal Republic of Somalia , President of the Federal Republic of H.E. Wavel Ramkalawan , President of the Republic of Seychelles , President of the Republic of H.E. Adama Barrow , President of the Republic of The Gambia The Moderator of the panel was Dr. Hubert Danso, CEO and Chairman: Africa investor (Ai), Chairman: CFA New York Society Global Asset Owners' Advisory Council, AiSWPFF, Chairman, African Union Continental Business Network (CBN), African Green Infrastructure Investment Bank Advisory Board (AfGIIB). About CFA Society New York CFA Society New York has been a leading forum for the investment community since 1937. CFA Society New York's mission is to serve the needs of all members and investment professionals and to educate the investing public. CFA Society New York has spent years working on investments in the African continent. In years past, we simply helped make the risk-return profiles clear to analysts and portfolio managers who are CFA Society New York members. Later, we created educational programs to help assist asset owners understand the region. In 2019, we promoted a framework for infrastructure investments in the region. During the COVID lockdown, we brought all African CFA Societies together to discuss these investments. SOURCE CFA Society New York BEIJING, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is attending the general debate of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly from September 18 to 25. On the margins of the general debate, Wang is hosting meetings with various officials from other countries and leaders of the UN to discuss their relationships with China and the challenges the world is facing. Major-country diplomacy benefits the world-at-large In the second part of the 10-part series "The China Path: A Panoramic Decoding" published by CGTN, the article titled "Major-country diplomacy benefits the world-at-large" articulates how China could contribute to solving global issues. The article argues that multilateralism can help to moderate over the impact of difficult issues and is therefore an important vehicle for a new type of international relations featured by win-win cooperation. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres once said that "China has become the most important pillar of multilateralism and an indispensable, trustworthy force for world peace and development." Since the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), China has hosted a succession of diplomatic events. And China has embraced the outside world with unprecedented openness through programs including the BRI. In 2021, China's cross-border trade with countries among BRI member states has registered growth at 23.6 percent, 2.2 percentage points higher than the overall growth rate of China's foreign trade in the same period. Exports between China and BRI members have risen to an estimated 6.59 trillion yuan, up by 21.5 percent; while imports increased by 26.4 percent to 5.01 trillion yuan. China has signed more than 200 documents on BRI cooperation with 149 countries and 32 international organizations. As humanity faces a growing governance deficit, trust deficit, development deficit, and peace deficit, the world today is witnessing changes on a scale unseen in a century's time. The international community looks to China for more and better global public goods. In his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 21, 2021, President Xi proposed a Global Development Initiative to enhance all people's well-being and realize all-round human development. Development should be sustainable and shared by all. By renewing commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, revitalizing global partnerships, and reactivating international development cooperation, China has drawn up a roadmap for narrowing the North-South gap and addressing development imbalances in order to fulfill the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-09-21/Major-country-diplomacy-benefits-the-world-at-large-1dv0qVs6kjC/index.html SOURCE CGTN NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Chocolate Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025" has been added to Technavio's catalog. The growth momentum of the market will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.05% during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the increasing premiumization of chocolates. However, unstable cocoa prices and declining per capita consumption can hamper the growth of the market during the next few years. Use our analysis and insights for effective decision-making. Download a FREE PDF Sample Report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Chocolate Market 2021-2025 Key Vendors and their Offerings The chocolate market is fragmented. Vendors are deploying growth strategies such as focusing on manufacturing organic, premium chocolates across various geographic locations to compete in the market. Arcor Group, Barry Callebaut AG, Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli AG, Chocolaterie Guylian NV, Ferrero International SA, Mars Inc., Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd., Mondelez International Inc., Nestle Group, The Hershey Co., among others, are the main players in the market. The key offerings of some of these vendors are listed below: Arcor Group - The company provides different varieties and flavors of chocolate products under various brands, such as Arcor, Cofler, and Tofi. The company provides different varieties and flavors of chocolate products under various brands, such as Arcor, Cofler, and Tofi. Barry Callebaut AG - The company provides different varieties and flavors of chocolate products, such as ruby chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and caramel dore chocolate. The company provides different varieties and flavors of chocolate products, such as ruby chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and caramel dore chocolate. Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli AG - The company provides different varieties and flavors of chocolate products under various brands such as Lindt, Ghirardelli, Caffarel, and others. The company provides different varieties and flavors of chocolate products under various brands such as Lindt, Ghirardelli, Caffarel, and others. Chocolaterie Guylian NV - The company offers gift boxes, chocolate-covered fruits, and chocolate bars. The company offers gift boxes, chocolate-covered fruits, and chocolate bars. Ferrero International SA - The company offers chocolates such as Ferrero Rocher and Raffaello. This report provides a full list of key vendors, their strategies, and the latest developments. Buy Now to gain exclusive access to vendor information Parent Market Analysis Technavio categorizes the global chocolate market as a part of the global packaged foods and meats market under the global food products segment of the global food, beverage, and tobacco market. The global packaged foods and meats products market covers manufacturers or food processing vendors that are involved in food processing to eliminate microorganisms and extend shelf life. Growth of the global packaged foods and meats market will be driven by factors such as health benefits associated with intake of minimally processed food, increasing demand for processed vegetables, strong distribution network, private label marketplace, and increased offerings of packaged food under the halal category. However, the market also faces challenges such as threats from unorganized players and intense competition among vendors, lack of awareness of the difference between minimally and heavily processed vegetables, stringent food safety regulations, and increasing food allergies among consumers. Chocolate Market Product Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2020-2025) Milk chocolate - size and forecast 2020-2025 Dark chocolate - size and forecast 2020-2025 White chocolate - size and forecast 2020-2025 Chocolate Market Geography Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2020-2025) Europe - size and forecast 2020-2025 - size and forecast 2020-2025 North America - size and forecast 2020-2025 - size and forecast 2020-2025 APAC - size and forecast 2020-2025 South America - size and forecast 2020-2025 - size and forecast 2020-2025 MEA - size and forecast 2020-2025 Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View a FREE PDF Sample Report Related Reports Cakes, Pastries, and Sweet Pies Market Research by Product Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The cakes, pastries, and sweet pies market share is expected to increase by USD 34.94 billion from 2021 to 2026. Raw Coffee Beans Market by Distribution Channel and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The raw coffee beans market share is expected to increase by 73.44 metric tonnes from 2021 to 2026. Chocolate Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.05% Market growth 2020-2024 USD 41.15 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 4.52 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, MEA, and South America Performing market contribution Europe at 40% Key consumer countries US, Germany, Belgium, and China Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Arcor Group, Barry Callebaut AG, Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli AG, Chocolaterie Guylian NV, Ferrero International SA, Mars Inc., Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd. , Mondelez International Inc., Nestle Group, and The Hershey Co. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis 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 Consumer Staples Market Reports Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 01: Parent market Exhibit 02: Market characteristics 2.2 Value chain analysis Exhibit 03:Value Chain Analysis: Packaged foods and meats 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 04: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 05: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2020 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025 Exhibit 06: Global - Market size and forecast 2020 - 2025 ($ billion) Exhibit 07: Global market: Year-over-year growth 2020 - 2025 (%) 4 Five Forces Analysis 4.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 08: Five forces analysis 2020 & 2025 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 09: Bargaining power of buyers 4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 10: Bargaining power of suppliers 4.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 11: Threat of new entrants 4.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 12: Threat of substitutes 4.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 13: Threat of rivalry 4.7 Market condition Exhibit 14: Market condition - Five forces 2020 5 Market Segmentation by Product 5.1 Market segments Exhibit 15: Product - Market share 2020-2025 (%) 5.2 Comparison by Product Exhibit 16: Comparison by Product 5.3 Milk chocolate - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 17: Milk chocolate - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion) Exhibit 18: Milk chocolate - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 5.4 Dark chocolate - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 19: Dark chocolate - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion) Exhibit 20: Dark chocolate - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 5.5 White chocolate - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 21: White chocolate - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion) Exhibit 22: White chocolate - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 5.6 Market opportunity by Product Exhibit 23: Market opportunity by Product 6 Customer landscape 6.1 Overview Exhibit 24: Customer landscape 7 Geographic Landscape 7.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 25: Market share by geography 2020-2025 (%) 7.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 26: Geographic comparison 7.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 27: Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion) Exhibit 28: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 29: North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion) Exhibit 30: North America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 31: APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion) Exhibit 32: APAC - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 33: South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion) Exhibit 34: South America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.7 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 35: MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion) Exhibit 36: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.8 Key leading countries Exhibit 37: Key leading countries 7.9 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 38: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion) 8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 8.1 Market drivers 8.2 Market challenges Exhibit 39: Impact of drivers and challenges 8.3 Market trends 9 Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview Exhibit 40: Vendor landscape 9.2 Landscape disruption Exhibit 41: Landscape disruption Exhibit 42: Industry risks 9.3 Competitive scenario 10 Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 43: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 44: Market positioning of vendors 10.3 Arcor Group 10.4 Delfi Ltd. Exhibit 49: Delfi Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 50: Delfi Ltd. - Product and service Exhibit 51: Delfi Ltd. - Key offerings 10.5 Ferrero International SA Exhibit 52: Ferrero International SA - Overview Exhibit 53: Ferrero International SA - Product and service Exhibit 54: Ferrero International SA - Key offerings 10.6 Lindt and Sprungli Group Exhibit 55: Lindt and Sprungli Group - Overview Exhibit 56: Lindt and Sprungli Group - Business segments Exhibit 57: Lindt and Sprungli Group - Key offerings Exhibit 58: Lindt and Sprungli Group - Segment focus 10.7 Mars Inc. Exhibit 59: Mars Inc. - Overview Exhibit 60: Mars Inc. - Product and service Exhibit 61: Mars Inc. - Key offerings 10.8 Mondelez International Inc. Exhibit 62: Mondelez International Inc. - Overview Exhibit 63: Mondelez International Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 64: Mondelez International Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 65: Mondelez International Inc. - Segment focus 10.9 Nestle SA Exhibit 66: Nestle SA - Overview Exhibit 67: Nestle SA - Business segments Exhibit 68: Nestle SA Key news Exhibit 69: Nestle SA - Key offerings Exhibit 70: Nestle SA - Segment focus 10.10 The Australian Carob Co. Exhibit 71: The Australian Carob Co. - Overview Exhibit 72: The Australian Carob Co. - Product and service Exhibit 73: The Australian Carob Co. - Key offerings 10.11 The Hershey Co. Exhibit 74: The Hershey Co. - Overview Exhibit 75: The Hershey Co. - Business segments Exhibit 76: The Hershey Co. - Key customers Exhibit 77: The Hershey Co. - Segment focus 10.12 Yildiz Holding A.S . . Exhibit 78: Yildiz Holding A.S . - Overview . - Overview Exhibit 79: Yildiz Holding A.S . - Product and service . - Product and service Exhibit 80: Yildiz Holding A.S . - Key offerings 11 Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 81: Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.3 Research methodology Exhibit 82: Research Methodology Exhibit 83: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 84: Information sources 11.4 List of abbreviations Exhibit 85: List of abbreviations About Technavio 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. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ Newsroom: newsroom.technavio.org/news/chocolatemarket SOURCE Technavio Board Approves Cash Dividend on the Company's Common Stock of $0.2375 per Share ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH)one of the world's largest lodging franchisorsannounces that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend on the Company's common stock of $0.2375 per share. The dividend is payable on October 14, 2022, to stockholders of record on October 3, 2022. Choice Hotels International Board Approves Cash Dividend on the Company's Common Stock of $0.2375 per Share Tweet this Choice Hotels International. (PRNewsFoto/Choice Hotels International) (PRNewsfoto/CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL) About Choice Hotels Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. Choice recently acquired Radisson Hotels Americas, adding nine brands, more than 600 hotels, and approximately 67,000 rooms in the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada to its portfolio. With 22 brands, Choice Hotels has more than 7,500 hotels, and nearly 650,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories as of August 11, 2022. The Choice family of hotel brands provide business and leisure travelers with a broad range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upper upscale, upper mid-scale, midscale, extended-stay and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty program offers members a faster way to rewards, with personalized benefits starting on day one. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com. 2022 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc. SUMMIT, N.J., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Concord Health Partners ("Concord" or the "Firm"), a healthcare focused investment firm, today announced that Robert B. Schulz has joined as Managing Director. As Managing Director, Schulz will report directly to James Olsen, Founder and Managing Partner at Concord, and support the Firm's investment activities, including sourcing and executing on portfolio company acquisitions and supporting platform investments. Schulz joins Concord after 25 years in healthcare private equity including co-founding healthcare investment firms CB Health Ventures and Health Enterprise Partners. "Bob brings a wealth of experience in healthcare investing with deep industry knowledge and a long, successful track record. We are thrilled to add him to the Concord team," said Olsen. "His joining the Firm is another exciting step in our continued growth and evolution, and further strengthens our investment team to better identify and execute on compelling investment opportunities. We established Concord to create value through long-term strategic partnerships with LPs and portfolio companies, and adding Bob enhances our ability to execute on that strategy. I look forward to working with him and the rest of our team to drive adoption and growth of innovative technologies and solutions that reduce costs, increase access and improve quality of care." "Concord's unique approach and leading healthcare LP base have uniquely positioned the Firm as a value-add strategic partner to its portfolio companies," said Schulz. "In my more than two decades of investing in healthcare, the ability to work collaboratively with both portfolio companies and LPs has never been more critical. James and the Concord team have established an incredible track record of doing just that to drive growth across its portfolio, and I look forward to helping the firm continue its evolution as a leading investment platform in the healthcare space." Schulz joins Concord with over 25 years of healthcare private equity experience, in addition to 13 years in investment banking and general venture capital. Most recently, he served as co-founder of CB Health Ventures and Health Enterprise Partners, which were established in 1997 and 2006, respectively. Previously, Mr. Schulz served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Harris & Harris Group, a publicly traded investment firm, and spent 10 years as an investment banker at The First Boston Corporation (now Credit Suisse). He received a BS and MS in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Columbia Business School. As announced on September 19, the Firm recently closed the Concord Innovation Fund II with $150 million in committed capital, representing a 300% increase from the Firm's first investment fund. The recent fund closing follows the establishment of Concord's Nashville office, and the addition of Brian Gragnolati as Executive Partner and Derek Schmidt and Erik Larsen as Managing Directors. About Concord Health Partners Concord Health Partners ("Concord") is a healthcare focused investment firm with a strategic model that optimizes the alignment of interests between investors and portfolio companies. Concord has developed a broad network of strategic investors that contribute expertise and resources, and serve as potential commercial partners to portfolio companies. Concord is primarily focused on investing in healthcare companies that have the potential to enhance the value of care through products, services, technologies and solutions that lower costs, improve quality and expand access to care. For more information, visit www.concordhp.com. Media Contacts ASC Advisors Steve Bruce / Taylor Ingraham [email protected] / [email protected] 203.992.1230 SOURCE Concord Health Partners CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Connected Toys Market size is projected to grow from USD 8.0 billion in 2022 to USD 20.7 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 20.9% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=38031230 Browse in-depth TOC on "Connected Toys Market" 225 - Tables 46 - Figures 220 - Pages By age group, 9-12 years segment to have highest growth rate during forecast period Kids aged 912 years love to participate in fast-paced games, play musical instruments, use tablets, and listen to music. STEM toys and games that allow children to use complicated problem-solving skills to build robots are also popular. For instance, Osmo Genius Kit by Osmo helps kids to make great use of time. This award-winning toy turns the iPad into a fun, hands-on teaching machine and helps build skills in math, language and vocabulary, creative thinking, and drawing. It helps adjust the children's skill levels and keeps them challenged and entertained. The Osmo Genius Kit contains game pieces and a base that allows them to interact with the screen as they play and learn. By interfacing device, smartphone/tablet segment to grow at highest CAGR during forecast period The goal of the tablet is to help build core skills in mathematics, reading, science, music, problem-solving, logic, and creativity as kids go through the tutorials and learn independently. The demand for connected toys is rising due to its benefits for kids, working parents, and tutors, but it comes up with some privacy concerns. VTech, a company that produces tablets for children and develops smart connected toys for children, has faced the largest consumer data breach in which the personal information of almost approximately 5 million parents and more than 200,000 kids were hacked. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=38031230 Asia Pacific to have highest growth rate during forecast period China, South Korea, and India are the major revenue-contributing countries for the Asia Pacific Connected Toys Market. The ongoing digital transformation in various industries including retail, mining, defense, aviation, and transportation and logistics in this region, has dragged the attention of education industry specialists to design smart learning products for kids. Children and parents alike well receive toys that combine learning and fun. eSports games have witnessed rapid growth on the Chinese mainland in recent years, and their development has fuelled the growth of the electronic and connected toy market. Market Players The major players in the Connected Toys Market are Mattel (US), The key market players profiled in the Connected Toys Market report include Mattel (US), Hasbro (US), LEGO (Denmark), Sony (Japan), VTech (Hong Kong), UBTECH (China), DJI (China), iRobot (US), Sphero (US), Digital Dream Labs (US), Pillar Learning (US), Wonder Workshop (US), TOSY Robotics (Vietnam), Workinman Interactive (New York), WowWee Group (Hong Kong), KEYi Technology (China), Miko (India), Makeblock (China), Smart Teddy (US), Intelino (US), Fischertechnik (Germany), Potensic (China), Mainbot (France), ROYBI (US), PlayShifu (India). These players have adopted various growth strategies, such as partnerships, agreements and collaborations, new product launches and product enhancements, and acquisitions, to expand their footprint in the Connected Toys Market. Browse Adjacent Markets: Digitalization and Internet of Things (IoT) Market Research Reports & Consulting Browse Other Reports: Smart Learning Market by Component (Hardware, Software, and Services), Learning Type (Synchronous Learning and Asynchronous Learning), End User (Academic, Enterprises, and Government), and Region - Global Forecast to 2026 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/connected-toys-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/connected-toys.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Copper Mountain Mining Corporation (TSX: CMMC) (ASX: C6C) (the "Company" or "Copper Mountain") is pleased to announce it has received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Mine Reclamation in the Metal Mine category from the British Columbia Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation for its reclamation work on the Wolfe Creek Realignment and Fish Habitat Offsetting Plan ("FHOP"). In 2019, Copper Mountain initiated the Wolfe Creek Realignment Project. The project consisted of realigning a section of Wolfe Creek around the Copper Mountain Mine. The FHOP was developed to provide a new higher quality fish habitat to offset a portion of the creek that was fish-bearing. The Company consulted and worked with local First Nations Bands who were involved in the project. Reclamation work consisted of soil applications, seeding and planting trees and shrubs. In 2021, an initial effectiveness evaluation was conducted and indicated that the habitat suitability index values were above average to excellent and that the constructed ponds were providing a suitable rearing habitat for rainbow trout. "We are proud to receive this award, which recognizes Copper Mountain's environmental stewardship," stated Gil Clausen, Copper Mountain's President and CEO. "As part of our commitment to being a responsible neighbour, we are continuously advancing and scaling up our reclamation and biodiversity efforts. This project exemplifies how we streamline environmental initiatives throughout our operations, aligning with our corporate purpose to power a sustainable future." For more information about Copper Mountain's Environmental, Social and Governance initiatives, please visit the Company's website: https://cumtn.com/esg/overview/. About Copper Mountain Mining Corporation Copper Mountain's flagship asset is the 75% owned Copper Mountain Mine located in southern British Columbia near the town of Princeton. The Copper Mountain Mine currently produces approximately 100 million pounds of copper equivalent per year. Copper Mountain also has the 100% owned development-stage Eva Copper Project, which is expected add approximately 100 million pounds of copper annually, in Queensland, Australia and an extensive 2,100 km2 highly prospective land package in the Mount Isa area. Copper Mountain trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CMMC" and Australian Stock Exchange under the symbol "C6C". Additional information is available on the Company's web page at www.CuMtn.com. On behalf of the Board of COPPER MOUNTAIN MINING CORPORATION "Gil Clausen" Gil Clausen, P.Eng. President and Chief Executive Officer Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved". In this news release, certain forward-looking statements are identified, including the anticipated production at the Copper Mountain Mine and the Eva Copper Project. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance and opportunities to differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include the risks set out in Copper Mountain's public documents, including in each management's discussion and analysis, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Copper Mountain believes that the information and assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Copper Mountain disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Copper Mountain Mining Corporation VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Copper Mountain Mining Corporation (TSX: CMMC) (ASX: C6C) (the "Company" or "Copper Mountain") is pleased to announce the release of its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") Report entitled "Powering a Sustainable Future". The report formalizes Copper Mountain's sustainability initiatives dating back to the Company's inception, marking an important milestone in the formalization of Copper Mountain's ESG program and creating a baseline for future disclosure and reporting to relevant and evolving industry standards. "Our inaugural ESG Report demonstrates our commitment to transparency, open dialogue, and continuous improvement," stated Gil Clausen, Copper Mountain's President and CEO. "This report outlines how we have integrated ESG into our corporate strategy, our results thus far, and the path we are charting for the future. We will continue to pursue a leadership role in emissions reduction, strive for best-in-class industry performance, and amplify our ESG impact as we support the energy transition with the safe, sustainable production of copper." The ESG Report provides a comprehensive overview of the Company's approach to and performance in respect of key ESG components, including energy and greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions, reclamation and biodiversity, tailings management, water stewardship, and community support. Highlights Include: A commitment to reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions, targeting a 40% reduction in carbon intensity in 2024 as compared to 2019 levels. A goal of achieving net zero Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2035. Improved Total Injury Frequency (TIF) rate, decreasing 32% as compared to 2020. Decreased freshwater use by 35%, decreased water discharged by 94%, and increased net contact water collected by 91%, as compared to 2019 baseline levels. Increased global female employment and Indigenous representation by 51% and 33%, respectively, in the last six years through the Company's equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. Achieved 38% female board representation, surpassing the Company's commitment to have at least 30% female representation on its board by the end of 2022. Met or exceeded all sustainability targets, which were to achieve a "Yes" or at least an "A" rating on each of the Towards Sustainable Mining ("TSM") protocols. Copper Mountain has received industry recognition for its sustainability work. The British Columbia Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation awarded Copper Mountain with the Outstanding Achievement in Mine Reclamation award in the Metal Mine category for its reclamation work on the Wolfe Creek Realignment and Fish Habitat Offsetting Plan. Copper Mountain also received the 2022 TSM Environmental Excellence Award for its innovative Electric Trolley Assist project. The ESG Report and further information about Copper Mountain's ESG initiatives are available on the Company's website at www.CuMtn.com. About Copper Mountain Mining Corporation Copper Mountain's flagship asset is the 75% owned Copper Mountain Mine located in southern British Columbia near the town of Princeton. The Copper Mountain Mine currently produces approximately 100 million pounds of copper equivalent per year. Copper Mountain also has the 100% owned development-stage Eva Copper Project, which is expected add approximately 100 million pounds of copper annually, in Queensland, Australia and an extensive 2,100 km2 highly prospective land package in the Mount Isa area. Copper Mountain trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CMMC" and Australian Stock Exchange under the symbol "C6C". Additional information is available on the Company's web page at www.CuMtn.com. On behalf of the Board of COPPER MOUNTAIN MINING CORPORATION "Gil Clausen" Gil Clausen, P.Eng. President and Chief Executive Officer Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved". In this news release, certain forward-looking statements are identified, including the anticipated reduction of the Company's energy consumption and GHG emissions, the Company's goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2035, and anticipated production at the Copper Mountain Mine and Eva Copper Project. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance and opportunities to differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include the risks set out in Copper Mountain's public documents, including in each management's discussion and analysis, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Copper Mountain believes that the information and assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Copper Mountain disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Copper Mountain Mining Corporation 480 MW of FlexPOWER Bundle now under contract SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned electric and natural gas utility in the United States, has reached an agreement with Kenlov Ashtrom Renewable Energy LLC (KARE), a subsidiary of Kenlov Renewable Energy and Ashtrom Renewable Energy, for the purchase of 180 megawatts (MW) of solar energy. The project, developed and originated by KARE's U.S. development partner, OnPeak Power, will provide CPS Energy with 180 MW of the full 305 MW from the Tierra Bonita solar farm once completed. Tierra Bonita will be located in West Texas in Pecos County. From left: Ingmar Sterzing, OnPeak Power, Rudy Garza, CPS Energy, Janie Gonzalez, CPS Energy Board of Trustees, Ron Nirenberg, San Antonio Mayor, Doron Szportas, KARE As the second agreement tied to its FlexPOWER Bundle initiative, the KARE contract is part of the utility's goal to add up to 900 MW of clean, sustainable solar energy to its power generation mix. The agreement for the first 300 MW was signed in May 2022 with Consolidated Edison Development, Inc. "I am extremely proud of the work the CPS Energy team has done to secure another 180 MW of solar for our growing community," said Rudy D. Garza, CPS Energy President & CEO. "This is an extremely critical step as we look ahead to how we're going to power our Greater San Antonio community for the future and prepare to replace aging plants." "This represents a considerable achievement toward decarbonizing our power generation portfolio and advances our commitment to increase the quantity of clean, reliable solar energy in San Antonio," said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. "Diversifying our power generation strengthens our grid and ensures reliable power for our residents." The KARE agreement is a 20-year contract with construction anticipated to begin next year. "We are excited to partner with CPS Energy and start construction on the Tierra Bonita project in early 2023," said Yitsik Marmelshtein, CEO of Ashtrom Renewable Energy. "The agreement with CPS Energy is a landmark milestone for our development activities in the U.S. renewable energy sector, and it demonstrates our commitment to expand our renewable investments. We would like to thank CPS Energy for their commitment to the Tierra Bonita project and their trust in our group as a long-term business partner." "It's an honor to have CPS Energy as a partner on the Tierra Bonita project," said Yossi Gvura, CEO of Kenlov Renewable Energy. "This long-term partnership will be the cornerstone to a project that will deliver green power to thousands of people and reduce carbon emissions in the San Antonio metropolitan area. I thank Mayor Ron Nirenberg and President & CEO Rudy Garza and look forward to helping them achieve their vision for San Antonio and CPS Energy." "The FlexPower Bundle has been a great process for helping CPS Energy obtain competitive solutions to meet their growing and evolving energy needs," said Ingmar Sterzing, Managing Partner with OnPeak Power." As Texans with a long history of working with public power utilities, we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute and serve the community of San Antonio through the Tierra Bonita project." The FlexPOWER Bundle initiative aims to further diversify CPS Energy's power generation mix, adding up to 900 MW of solar, up to 50 MW of energy storage and up to 500 MW of firming capacity. The bundle is part of the utility's wider plan to replace older generation with newer and cleaner technologies. Launched in November 2020, a request for proposals for the FlexPOWER Bundle resulted in over 650 proposals from 100 companies across the U.S. and ten other nations, including Japan, England and South Korea. CPS Energy expects to finalize and award additional FlexPOWER Bundle contracts within the next few months. In addition to the capacity replaced by FlexPOWER Bundle, the utility is also working towards replacing other aging units. The discussion surrounding future power generation is taking place through the utility's Rate Advisory Committee (RAC) meetings. More information on the process can be found on the RAC website. About CPS Energy Established in 1860, CPS Energy is the nation's largest public power, natural gas, and electric company, providing safe, reliable, and competitively-priced service to more than 907,526 electric and 373,998 natural gas customers in San Antonio and portions of seven adjoining counties. Our customers' combined energy bills rank among the lowest of the nation's 20 largest cities while generating $8 billion in revenue for the City of San Antonio for 80 years. As a trusted and strong community partner, we continuously focus on job creation, economic development, and educational investment. We are powered by our skilled workforce, whose commitment to the community is demonstrated through our employees' volunteerism in giving back to our city and programs aimed at bringing value to our customers. CPS Energy is among the top public power wind energy buyers in the nation and number one in Texas for solar generation. About KARE KARE is a Texas based Independent Power Producer focused on the development, construction and long-term management of utility scale solar facilities in the US market. Our mission is to become a major renewable energy producer and to serve our stakeholders by providing solar energy at a competitive price, while preserving our shareholder's vision and values to reduce carbon emissions, to connect to our community by creating jobs and to enable a world of new opportunities as we build a better future together. About Ashtrom Renewable Energy Founded in 1963, the Ashtrom Group is the leading construction and real estate group in Israel, with operations in more than 20 countries around the globe, the Ashtrom group is a publicly traded company since 2014 and is among the TA-35 index (35 biggest public companies in Israel) with a market cap of approx. USD 2.5 Billion. The Ashtrom Group has a deeply ingrained tradition of entrepreneurship and innovation, reliability and professionalism, based on the highest uncompromising standards and high long-term financial robustness. Ashtrom Group is involved with development and construction of large-scale real-estate projects (commercial, industrial, residential etc.), infrastructure projects (roads, bridges, ports, etc.), concessions (PPP, BOT, PFI), and other large-scale projects. The chairman of Ashtrom Group is Rami Nussbaum and the group's CEO is Mr. Gil Gueron. Managed by Mr. Yitsik Marmelshtein, Ashtrom Renewable Energy is the renewable energy arm of the Ashtrom Group, which views the energy field as one of the Group's principal growth engines in the coming years. Ashtrom Renewable Energy is active in a number of geographical markets with the emphasis on the USA, Europe and Israel. About Kenlov Renewable Energy Kenlov Renewable Energy is an Independent Power Producer (IPP) focused on mature technologies such as onshore wind, solar and storage projects in Europe and the US. Kenlov Renewable Energy is the right partner of choice for developing early-stage renewable energy projects, creating better outcomes for developers, investors and the planet. Kenlov Renewable Energy takes a dynamic and hands-on approach to unearth early-stage projects and maximize their potential. We have a team of established in-country managers and a lean management structure that connects developers directly with decision-makers. Managed by Mr. Yossi Gvura, Kenlov leadership and teams throughout Europe and the United States, currently have 1.5GW of assets under development and a further pipeline of more than 2.5GW. About OnPeak Power OnPeak Power, LLC (OnPeak) is an industry leading privately held renewable energy company based in Austin, Texas. OnPeak specializes in renewable energy project development and asset optimization. OnPeak is a full cycle development company performing site identification, origination, and development through construction and into operations. OnPeak Power developed a 255MW project currently in operation and is actively developing over 1.6 GW of early to mid-stage solar projects for the North American Market. SOURCE CPS Energy JOHNSON CITY, Tenn., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Crown Laboratories ("Crown"), a privately held, fully integrated global skincare company, today announced that Jeff Bedard, President and CEO, and Nadeem Moiz, CFO and COO, will attend William Blair's Private Equity Conference on September 28-29, 2022, in Chicago, Illinois. Management will be available throughout the two-day conference for one-on-one meetings to provide an overview on the company and its strategic outlook. About the William Blair Private Equity Conference In its 25th year, the William Blair PE Conference is a dynamic event that connects leading private equity investors with exceptional growth companies across a broad range of industry sectors. For more information, email [email protected]. About Crown Laboratories, Inc. Crown, a privately held, fully integrated global skincare company, is committed to developing and providing a diverse portfolio of aesthetic, premium and therapeutic skincare products that improve the quality of life for its consumers throughout their skincare journey. An innovative company focused on skin science for life, Crown's unyielding pursuit of delivering therapeutic excellence and enhanced patient outcomes is why it has become a leader in Dermatology and Aesthetics. Crown has been listed on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies List for nine years and has expanded its distribution to over 41 countries. For more information, visit www.crownlaboratories.com. SOURCE Crown Laboratories, Inc. Suicide prevention strategy propelled a significant reduction in suicide attempts among adult members Goal inspired by American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Project 2025 initiative WOONSOCKET, R.I., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) announced its milestone progress against the goal set last year of reducing Aetna member suicide attempts 20% by 2025. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 34. It does not have to be. Nearly all people (90%) who die by suicide have an underlying, and potentially treatable, mental health condition. Image provided by CVS Health In 2017, Aetna, a CVS Health company, initiated its support for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) goal to reduce the suicide rate 20% by the year 2025, as part of AFSP's Project 2025 initiative. Inspired by this initiative, CVS Health launched its own goal to reduce suicide attempts 20% among Aetna members by the year 2025: Overall trend : CVS Health has seen a 15.7% reduction in suicide attempts amongst Aetna members through March 2022 compared to 2019 baselines. : CVS Health has seen a 15.7% reduction in suicide attempts amongst Aetna members through compared to 2019 baselines. Aetna members ages 18+: 17.5% decrease in suicide attempts in 2021 and a 34.1% decrease through March 2022 compared to the same 2019 baselines. 17.5% decrease in suicide attempts in 2021 and a 34.1% decrease through compared to the same 2019 baselines. Aetna members ages 13-17: 43% increase in suicide attempts in 2021 and 32% increase through March 2022 compared to the same 2019 baselines. While CVS Health has made significant progress in adult Aetna members (age 18+), improvement is still needed amongst adolescents (age 13-17). Earlier this year, three of the nation's top pediatric healthcare organizations declared a National State of Emergency in children's mental health, demonstrating the immediate need to address youth mental health. "Our members are not immune to the national suicide crisis reported by the CDC. Though we are on track lowering suicide attempts in adults, our goal will not be reached until we can say the same for adolescents," said Sree Chaguturu, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, CVS Health. "We are doubling down on efforts to prevent suicide in teens by identifying those most at-risk and in need of intervention, reaching out to those discharged from the ER after a suicide attempt with resources and supporting parents and loved ones in prioritizing the mental health of their kids." Reducing suicide among Aetna members To achieve its goal, CVS Health is focused on expanded resources and outreach to adolescents, including: Aetna's Adolescent Outreach Program uses self-harm risk modeling to proactively support families with children at the highest risk of suicide attempt. uses self-harm risk modeling to proactively support families with children at the highest risk of suicide attempt. Aetna's partnership with Vita Health and Oui Therapeutics provides access to Youth Nominated Support Teams and clinical outpatient programs with evidence-based therapies and interventions. provides access to Youth Nominated Support Teams and clinical outpatient programs with evidence-based therapies and interventions. Aetna's Caring Contacts program reaches out to adolescent members with comfort items after they are discharged from inpatient or emergency department care for suicide ideation or attempts to let them know they are valued and that support is available to them. Aetna also continues to work directly with health care providers to ensure they have the education and resources to identify and treat adolescents and young adults at risk of suicide. "We are implementing evidence-based therapies and outreach programs to prevent suicidal ideation before it starts and get adolescents the clinical care they need when they are at risk," said Cara McNulty, President, Behavioral Health and Mental Well-being, CVS Health. "Every suicide attempt prevented, life saved, and mental health resource sought is an important step to reducing death by suicide in the United States." For more details on CVS Health's suicide prevention efforts, please visit CVSHealth.com here. About CVS Health CVS Health is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000 dedicated colleagues including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system and their personal health care by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Follow @CVSHealth on social media. About Aetna Aetna, a CVS Health business, serves an estimated 34 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental and behavioral health plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers' compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna's customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, visit www.aetna.com and explore how Aetna is helping to build a healthier world. Media contacts Alex Kepnes [email protected] Doug Feingold [email protected] SOURCE CVS Health DUBLIN, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "5G NR Benchmark Test Volume 23: Apples to Apples The Benchmarking Game Of Crazy Comparisons! (3 Players) - Redux" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The publisher just completed its 23rd 5G NR benchmark study. They collaborated with Rohde & Schwarz to conduct a multi-operator benchmark study, based on ETSI TR 103 559. This study repeats an earlier study that was published in early 2021. Although the market where we tested and the operators involved remained the same, the results were completely different. Acknowledgements This study was conducted in collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz. R&S collected the performance data on our behalf while the publisher analyzed the data based primarily on the inherent capabilities of the R&S Smart Analytics tool. The publisher takes sole responsibility for the analysis and commentary provided in this report. Methodology Testing took place in early February in the Dallas - Fort Worth market using the AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon networks. The publisher used 3 smartphones per network (voice = 2; data = 1) and R&S scanners to collect the data. In total, there were 115 hours of testing, ~1,300 voice calls per network, and more than 60,000 data sessions. The publisher separately compared T-Mobile NSA versus T-Mobile SA performance. Results of the study leveraged ETSI TR 103 559 to provide an industry-accepted and repeatable set of results. The Results are in This study mirrors a similar study that we conducted in 2021, making it possible to provide comparative analysis on year-over-year network performance. In the publisher's 2021 study, AT&T came out on top, followed by Verizon with T-Mobile lagging well behind. In this most recent study, T-Mobile took top honors by a considerable margin. In both studies, the voice results were largely comparable across operators with meaningful differentiation only occurring with the data tests. Chalk it up to 5G All three networks exhibited meaningful increases in the use of 5G. For T-Mobile, there was a double-digit increase in 5G usage, plus a dramatic switch from Band n71 (2021) to Band n41 (2022). Interestingly, there was very little Band n77 present for AT&T and Verizon. The latter is most surprising given what we observed in our last Signals Ahead report, which involved testing in the Minneapolis area. NSA versus SA T-Mobile hadn't officially launched SA in this market but that didn't prevent us from separately testing the new architecture - we excluded these results when comparing performance with the other two networks. Suffice it to say, the SA performance wasn't as good as NSA, both in terms of throughput-related metrics and latency-related metrics. The ETSI framework focuses on the user experience, but there is still a throughput and/or latency/jitter component with most use cases under test. Video Rules All operators exhibited good performance gains with video, in particular increased use of higher resolution videos with YouTube streaming. In 2021, 720p was about as good as it got (360p on T-Mobile) while in 2022 there was a high percentage use of 1080p and up to 1440p/2160p in some cases. Key Topics Covered: 1.0 Executive Summary 2.0 Key Observations 3.0 Network Performance Score - Details by Test Type 3.1 Voice14 3.2 Data 3.2.1 HTTP Transfer18 3.2.2 HTTP Browsing 3.2.3 Social Media 3.2.4 Video 3.3 NSA Versus SA - T-Mobile Only 4.0 Data Results and Analysis 4.1 HTTP File Transfers 4.2 HTTP Capacity Tests 4.3 HTTP Browsing Tests 4.4 Video Tests 4.5 Interactivity Tests37 4.5 NSA Versus SA Tests 5.0 Network Analysis 6.0 Test Methodology 7.0 Final Thoughts Companies Mentioned T-Mobile AT&T Verizon For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/cdjhyq 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 Highlights significant expansion of programs and facilities ATLANTA, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- World Gorilla Day originated on Sept. 24, 2017, to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the work of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. It was on that day in 1967 that Dian Fossey set up her two tents and began groundbreaking mountain gorilla research in the forests of Rwanda. Dian Fossey's original tents in 1967 Rwanda Mountain gorillas today Now, on the Fossey Fund's 55th anniversary, mountain gorillas are rebounding from the brink of extinction. But the biodiversity of the planet is under threat like never before. Climate change is accelerating, forest loss is increasing, and we are witnessing the sixth great mass extinction of species. Since the first World Gorilla Day, the Fossey Fund has significantly stepped up efforts to protect and preserve gorillas and their forest habitats, and support the livelihoods of people in surrounding communities. It is also the world's oldest and largest continuously operating project focused on gorillas and has one of the largest scientific databases on any species. Today, the Fossey Fund protects almost 600,000 acres of some of the earth's most biodiverse forests, which contain an estimated quarter billion tons of carbon and are critical in fighting climate change. The Fossey Fund is proud to announce the following growth of its programs, facilities and impact since the organization's last milestone anniversary: Fossey Fund five-year highlights: Assisting with the direct protection that has led to the continued increase in the mountain gorilla population and an improvement of conservation status from critically endangered to endangered in 2018. Mountain gorillas are the only ape whose numbers are not declining. Doubling the number of staff in Africa , to nearly 300, two-thirds of whom are trackers and researchers protecting and studying gorillas and the surrounding biodiversity 365 days a year. , to nearly 300, two-thirds of whom are trackers and researchers protecting and studying gorillas and the surrounding biodiversity 365 days a year. Expanding the area of protection for Grauer's gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by 250%, to nearly 2,400 square kilometers. by 250%, to nearly 2,400 square kilometers. Opening the 12-acre Ellen DeGeneres Campus , the Fossey Fund's first purpose-built and permanent home in Rwanda , designed to accelerate scientific research, train the next generation of conservationists, and conduct on-the-ground conservation. Its innovative green campus has been featured in Architectural Digest and as one of Africa's "10 Most-Anticipated Architectural Projects" by CNN. , the Fossey Fund's first purpose-built and permanent home in , designed to accelerate scientific research, train the next generation of conservationists, and conduct on-the-ground conservation. Its innovative green campus has been featured in and as one of "10 Most-Anticipated Architectural Projects" by CNN. Addressing inequity in academic research by substantially increasing African leadership of scientific studies and publications and tripling the number of African researchers on staff. Investing in communities in Rwanda and DR Congo through education, food and water security, and livelihoods projects that impact more than 30,000 people. "The rapid growth of our programs reflects the reality that the need for conservation has never been greater the time is now," said Dr. Tara Stoinski, CEO and chief scientist of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. "The planet is showing us through record temperatures, super storms, droughts, floods and even pandemics that we do not have a moment to wait." Photo selection available at this link. Media contact Erika Archibald, Ph.D., [email protected], 678-612-9019. SOURCE Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund DALLAS, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DimeTyd, a fully automated FinOps platform for 1P Amazon Vendors, which offers seamless recuperation of profit leakage based on complex accounting errors, reveals that the complexity of Amazon's accounting practices accounts for 63% of all Amazon deductions, according to its recent analysis across varied customer segments. DimeTyd's research analyzed data from 70 diverse Amazon vendors totaling over $5B in net shipment annuallyvendor range from $500K to $1Bin net shipment. "Our findings show there is significant opportunity for vendors to decrease profit leakage through more advanced finance and operations technology," said Rohan Thambrahalli, founder and CEO of DimeTyd. "As e-commerce vendors conduct business through Amazon, they have a unique opportunity to define their brand and drive revenue. Yet, Amazon's accounting is complex, and vendor accounting teams face millions of data points requiring precise processing and classification to fully reconcile their transactions with precision." DimeTyd's technology is the first automated solution designed for Amazon vendors to manage voluminous transactions and align with the marketplace's layered and complex accounting system. The platform audits lost revenues dating back up to three to five years and processes millions of data points to recoup funds to vendors seamlessly. Once audited and reconciled, DimeTyd makes course corrections on recurring issues, enabling vendors to maximize all future profitability in the marketplace. DimeTyd's platform allows businesses to simplify multiple information streams, identify return discrepancies, and automatically reconcile accounting errors. These tools eliminate duplicate financial reports, correct deduction overages, and resolve billing disputes. DimeTyd has customers of all sizes and classificationsfrom small to multi-billion dollar corporations. Combined, these customers average approximately $2M in monthly revenue. Other studies from DimeTyd have shown that up to 90% of deductions are out of a vendor's line of sight, remain undetected, and are missed opportunities. DimeTyd's findings align with recent research from a top e-commerce analyst firm. The Cleveland Research Center (CRC) released a study in December of 2021 citing that 93% of online vendors receive supply chain-related chargebacks while conducting business on the Amazon platform. Additional fees that deteriorate vendor profitability originate from issues related to shipping notices, purchase orders, and transportation. "Even our largest vendors are unlikely to have the in-house capacity to manually process the large quantity of complex data encompassing numerous free-flowing transactions within the Amazon platform," continued Rohan. "Automation and advanced reconciliation are increasingly central to optimizing profits as the marketplace continues to become the go-to source for all types of consumers and B2B buyers." Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, DimeTyd's vision is to empower a fair, accountable, and transparent accounting for the world of e-commerce. For more information, www.DimeTyd.com or follow us at @DimeTyd. About DimeTyd DimeTyd is a fully automated FinOps platform for 1P Amazon Vendors offering seamless recuperation of profit leakage based on complex accounting errors. DimeTyd's technology is the first automated solution designed for Amazon vendors to manage high volumes of transactions and align with the marketplace's layered and complex accounting system. The platform audits lost revenues dating back up to three to five years and processes millions of data points to recoup funds to vendors seamlessly. Once audited and reconciled, DimeTyd makes course corrections on recurring issues, enabling vendors to maximize all future profitability in the marketplace. SOURCE DimeTyd RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation has committed $1,050,000 over the next three years for the new Promesa: Hispanic Higher Education Initiative, which will support Hispanic students at seven colleges and universities. George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Sampson Community College, The University of Connecticut at Stamford, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, The University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus, and Utah Valley University will each receive $50,000 per year for three years to support this effort. "As we begin Hispanic Heritage Month and honor the contributions that Latinos have made to our nation, we are so proud to announce the Promesa initiative," said Carter Reid, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff for Dominion Energy. "This investment supports Hispanic college students in achieving their professional and personal goals, while also exposing them to career paths in the energy industry." With Promesa, Dominion Energy builds on a history of investment in educational institutions serving under-represented communities as we did in 2020 with the HBCU PromiseSM, Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program and earlier this year with the Building the Hispanic Talent InitiativeSM. Through these programs Dominion Energy hopes to build a pipeline for diverse talent to enter the energy industry. At Utah Valley University, the funds will support the College of Science and the College of Engineering and Technology to offer tuition and faculty-mentored research scholarships to former UVU Latino Scientists of Tomorrow Summer Bridge participantsanother Dominion supported program investing in Hispanic high school students. "These scholarships will help retain students through degree completion by removing financial barriers and allowing students more time to study, learn, and participate in faculty-mentored research that provides valuable workforce skills," said Dr. Daniel Horns, Dean of the UVU College of Science. "The scholarship program is patterned after a successful project previously funded by the National Science Foundation. It increased participants' graduation to 87%." Collectively among the seven schools, Hispanic students represent approximately 22% of the student population and 27% of those students are first-generation in their family to attend a higher education institution. Funds will be spent to help underwrite a range of programs, including scholarships, emergency aid, re-enrollment aid, stipends for faculty-mentored research, and cohort models with wraparound supports. About the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation About 7 million customers in 15 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D). Through its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, as well as EnergyShare and other programs, Dominion Energy contributed nearly $50 million in 2021 to community causes. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education, and encourage community vitality. Please visit www.DominionEnergy.com to learn more. SOURCE Dominion Energy Senior executives from Bayer AG, Archer Daniel Midland, and ADM say that worldwide crop supplies are tight, according to the Wall Street Journal, causing many to rethink agriculture methodologies CORONA, Calif., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Container Technologies, Inc (Ticker: ACTX), announced that Doug Heldoorn, CEO, and Shannon Illingworth, the inventor of GrowPods, recently appeared on the popular podcast, Gamechangers LIVE discussing the future of farming in America and the world. ACTX is the exclusive U.S. distributor of GrowPods - self-contained, hydroponic "micro-farms." According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, the global food supply is in critical condition. Senior executives from Bayer AG, Archer Daniel Midland, and ADM said worldwide crop supplies remain tight, and persistent drought conditions in the U.S. and South America, along with uneven crop production in Ukraine, are making the situation worse, the Journal reported. High temperatures this summer exacerbated drought conditions in the U.S. Intense heat in Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma set in right when plants require the most water. Some crops were also planted late after a wet spring, causing yield loss, according to agriculture analysts. According to The Guardian, the world's population is expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, and will require a 70% increase in global food production. "But with agricultural land in short supply thanks to climate crisis and urbanization, it's clear today's food systems are not ready." But according to many, the answer to some of these problems can be in hydroponic or vertical farming, "and investors clearly agree," the Guardian stated. "Indoor farming raised over $1bn in 2021, exceeding the combined funding generated in 2018 and 2019, and the industry is expected to grow to $9.7bn worldwide by 2026," according to the publication. Fast Company reported controlled environment farms are "100 times more productive than traditional agriculture." The publication wrote, "technology can secure the future of food...you can grow almost anything hydroponicallyit's just a matter of determining which crops make sense, financially and otherwise." Heldoorn, CEO of ACTX, said one reason GrowPods are becoming more popular is that people want a healthier lifestyle and they care about the environment. "One GrowPod will grow about an acre of food with a third of the water compared to traditional farming," he stated. "With an automated and controlled environment, GrowPods can reduce or even eliminate most chemicals, pesticides, contaminants, and disease so the food is ultra-clean and even better than organic." "GrowPods can give traditional farmers a niche to grow high-quality produce year-round," Illingworth added. "Because GrowPods can be located virtually anywhere, food can quickly go from farm to the table, dramatically reducing transportation time, so food stays fresh, healthy, and nutritious." Learn more by viewing the full interview on Gamechangers Live. For more information, visit the company's website at: www.AdvancedContainerTechnologies.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of U.S. Securities Acts. Forward-Looking Statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and actual results can differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements All information is as of the date of this press release, and ACTX undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. Media Contact: The Innovation Agency www.inov8.us [email protected] SOURCE Advanced Container Technologies, Inc. Leading Medical Supply Company to Present EMS Caring Award During EMS World Expo in Orlando, Florida ORANGEBURG, N.Y., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynarex Corporation, a leading durable medical equipment and disposable medical products company, is proud to honor Lainey Volk as the 2022 recipient of the Dynarex EMS First Responder Caring Award. This nationally recognized award is given to EMS professionals who show outstanding dedication to their community. Dynarex will be presenting the award and showcasing its line of premium EMS medical products at the EMS World Expo, October 10-14, in Orlando, Florida. About the Dynarex EMS First Responder Caring Award For the past five years, the Dynarex EMS Caring Award has recognized an EMS professional or agency that has demonstrated exceptional caring through community service actions and/or programs designed to improve the health and safety of the community they serve. It honors and recognizes the entire EMS profession and all EMS professionals who provide quality emergency patient care to their communities every day. The award will be presented as part of the 2022 National EMS Awards of Excellence on Wednesday, October 12. About Lainey Volk Lainey Volk is director of outreach and education, AHA Training Center Coordinator, and EMT with the San Juan Island EMS, in Washington State. In 2021, Ms. Volk and her colleagues installed 25 car seats, provided nine helmets to children, and assisted more than 100 patients. In addition, she awarded more than 461 CPR, Basic Life Support, and First Aid certifications to members of the public, as well as teaching instructor-level courses, wilderness courses, and infectious disease prevention courses. "She has trained thousands of health care professionals and community members," says her nominator T.J. Bishop, assistant chief of operations and training for San Juan Island EMS. "She indirectly has contributed to saving countless lives in the San Juan Islands due to her love of community service and servant leadership." Meeting the Needs of the EMS Community Throughout the EMS World Expo, Dynarex will be showcasing a wide selection of premium EMS medical supplies at Booth #2319. Company representatives will be available to discuss the extensive EMS product line with this year's EMS professionals. For more information, please contact John Burns at [email protected]. About Dynarex Dynarex is a leading medical supply company providing premium medical products and durable medical equipment at exceptional value for an unparalleled one-stop shopping experience. Founded in 1967, Dynarex's guiding principle "We Care Like Family" exemplifies the outstanding customer service that sets the company apart in the marketplace. Today, Dynarex continues to expand its footprint with numerous warehouse locations throughout the United States and distributor partners in all 50 states as well as Canada, the Caribbean Islands, Central America, South America, and the Middle East. To learn more visit dynarex.com or call 1-888-DYNAREX (1-888-396-2739). Follow us on facebook.com/DynarexCorp, twitter.com/dynarexcorp, linkedin.com/company/dynarex-corporation, and instagram.com/dynarexcorp SOURCE Dynarex The business has successfully assisted over 5.12 million customers affected by airline and airport flight disruptions since the start of the pandemic. On average 6,000 eDreams ODIGEO customers per day receive a resolution to their flight disruptions Continued investment in customer service has resulted in increased capacity to support consumers, with phone calls now responded to 65% faster than pre-COVID The Company's enhanced operations are driving high satisfaction rates: 9 out of 10 consumers state they are satisfied or very satisfied with the service they received. BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- eDreams ODIGEO ("www.edreamsodigeo.com"), the largest flight retailer in the world -excluding China- and one of the largest European e-commerce businesses, today announces that it has successfully assisted over 5.12 million customers hit by airline and airport flight disruptions since the start of the pandemic. Whilst flights slowly began to resume throughout 2020, operational complications derived from the pandemic - including airline and airport shortages of staff, amongst others - have meant many travelers have continued to experience flight disruptions in the present day. During this time, the business has put in place the largest operational effort in the company's 22+ year history, to work unabatedly on behalf of their customers to re-book cancelled flights, retrieve refunds from airlines and re-organise travel plans for consumers. The unprecedented travel disruption caused by the pandemic caused a 240% increase in the number of travelers seeking assistance with their travel plans, compared to pre-pandemic levels. In response to this, eDreams ODIGEO increased its customer service and operational refunds team to further support its customers. This additional investment from the business has reduced the average wait time for customers by 65% since the pandemic, with the average speed to answer calls from customers now standing at 95 seconds, contributing to nine out of ten customers (87%) now stating they were satisfied or very satisfied with the service they received. Customer refunds This momentous effort has resulted in 97% of customer refunds reaching a resolution, with airline refunds needed to ensure 100% of all cases are resolved[1]. The company's role is as an intermediary between travel suppliers and travelers, and under its leading travel agency brands - eDreams, Opodo, Travellink and GO Voyages -, it supports customers with all their travel needs, including submitting refund requests to airlines on behalf of the customer. While many airlines have notably improved their refund processing times, the average time that airlines have taken to process refunds that the Company has placed on behalf of its customers has stood at 89 days since the beginning of the pandemic. In a move to further support its customers hit by airline disruptions, for a set of trusted airline partners the Company is advancing refunds to consumers even before receiving the funds from the carrier. The business has also strengthened its operations by heavily investing in developing the leading self-service platform for flights. The company has worked with customers over the past 2 years to ensure that their needs can be fully met in a simple, clear, intuitive and customer-friendly manner. This platform allows travelers to manage their bookings autonomously and perform a number of tasks including cancelling their booking, making modifications, performing check-in to their flights, managing flight disruptions, adding seat selection and bag allowance or downloading invoices, amongst other things. With this self-service tool, eDreams ODIGEO's customers can easily manage their bookings 24/7 from anywhere. As a result, over 85% of customer enquiries are now successfully resolved online, although the customer service phone number is available on the company's help pages and is also provided to anyone who asks to speak to an agent via the online live chat feature that is available on the site. 2022 travel disruptions Post-pandemic, the travel sector has continued to experience turbulence with staff shortages impacting airlines and airports across many countries, resulting in tens of thousands of additional flight cancellations. In the first eight months of 2022 alone, eDreams ODIGEO processed airline schedule changes that amounted to almost half (49%) of the total disruptions registered in the first three months of the pandemic, when travel was most restricted by national lockdowns. During this time, the business remains determined to continue to support customers, ensuring those affected by airline and airport disruptions continue to receive the necessary assistance. Dana Dunne, Chief Executive Officer at eDreams ODIGEO, said: "We have always strived to offer our customers the best possible service and have continued to make significant investments in our customer service offering to support consumers affected by airline and airport disruptions. We've responded to industry needs and have listened to our customers by strengthening our customer care with additional front-line agents. Also, as a travel tech company, our mission is to make travel easier and more convenient for consumers through the development of cutting-edge technology solutions. As part of this, we have heavily invested in developing the leading self-servicing technology in the travel industry, empowering our customers to manage their bookings at any point from anywhere, all without needing to contact us. We are proud to be the leading online travel agency in terms of customer experience." About eDreams ODIGEO eDreams ODIGEO is one of the world's largest online travel companies and one of the largest e-commerce businesses in Europe. The business is the largest player worldwide in flight revenues, excluding China, and the largest in Europe. Under its four leading online travel agency brands eDreams, GO Voyages, Opodo, Travellink, and the metasearch engine Liligo it serves more than 17 million customers per year across 44 markets. Listed on the Spanish Stock Market, eDreams ODIGEO works with over 690 airlines and +2.1 million hotels. The business conceptualised Prime, the first subscription product in the travel sector which has attracted 3.5 million members since launching in 2017. The brand offers the best quality products and the widest choice of regular flights, low-cost airlines, hotels, dynamic packages, cruises, car rental services and travel insurance products to make travel easier, more accessible, and better value for consumers across the globe. [1] Figure as of August 30th 2022 SOURCE eDreams ODIGEO Increases Carbon-Negative Support in ERCOT to 2,304 MW Passes Halfway Point to Goal of 4,000 MW by 2025 HOUSTON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- WattBridge Energy, LLC announced financial closing for 480 MW of firm dispatchable generation for ERCOT. The transaction includes the company's sixth installation in 32 monthsthe 288-MW Remy Jade facilityand a further 192 MW of incremental units at existing WattBridge sites. Furthermore, this new generation advances the company's 2025 goal to boost energy security in Texas by 4,000 MW. This financial close includes the companys sixth installation in 30 monthsthe 288-MW Remy Jade facilityand a further 192 MW of incremental units at existing WattBridge sites. When completed, these facilities will increase the WattBridge portfolio in the load-heavy ERCOT Houston zone to 2,304 MW, with another 1,696 MW in advanced development. The platform uses fast-start technology specifically engineered to support renewable installations when demand surpasses available supply, whether in routine or extreme weather conditions. "Following Winter Storm Uri, our State's leadership prioritized electric reliability to meet the everyday needs of Texas citizens," says State Senator Brandon Creighton, District 4. "I'm pleased to see a Texas-based company using American innovation and manufacturing to not only answer our call, but also deliver at a pace and cost that quickly realizes the reliable, affordable power Texans need." Anticipated to be online in January of 2024, the Remy Jade facility will operate in Harris County using six LM6000 gas-turbine packages while the merchant units will incorporate four LM6000 gas-turbine packages. Like all WattBridge plants, the new facilities will be delivered as turnkey solutions by PROENERGY. Leveraging standardized design, the company specializes in resilient power that serves as a backstop to renewable energy and addresses grid intermittency concerns. "Over the past year, the United States has seen record demand for fast-start power generation, and this trend is repeating all over the world," says Jeff Canon, PROENERGY CEO. "We believe that our technologydriven by passionate engineers and manufacturing teams in Sedalia, Missourioffers a responsible pathway to progress the energy transition and support a sustainable energy future." As one of the most prolific owners of LM6000 aeroderivative engines in the world, WattBridge offers a model that stabilizes grids while decarbonizing power generation, says the company's President Mike Alvarado. "By displacing inefficient, high-carbon assets, the WattBridge platform offers a carbon-negative addition to any market," he says. "With the financial backing of our investors, close relationships with governmental and regulatory bodies, and EPC capabilities of PROENERGY, we're demonstrating the relevance and repeatability of our platform for the energy transition in Texas and beyond." Key parties in the Remy Jade project are: Facility OwnerWattBridge Energy Plant Equipment, Engineering, Construction, and OperationPROENERGY FinancingMUFG Union Bank, N.A., CoBank ACB, ING Group, Landesbank Hessen-Thuringen Girozentrale (Helaba) Gas Transmission and Gas SupplierKinder Morgan Tejas Pipeline, LLC Transmission Service ProviderCenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC About WattBridge WattBridge Energy is a Houston, Texas-based global independent power producer. Serving as a bridge between emissions-intensive power generation and a fully renewable future, WattBridge operates under the vision of enabling wind and solar-energy growth. With 2,304 MW operating or under construction in ERCOT and a further 1,696 MW in advanced developmentall driven by reliable LM6000 enginesWattBridge is among the largest owners and operators of this technology in the world. For more on WattBridge, visit www.wattbridge.info. About PROENERGY Based in Sedalia, Missouri, PROENERGY is a global peaking-power solutions provider with operational experience on every continent. The company offers vertically integrated aeroderivative power services, including engineering, construction, operations, repair, maintenance, research, and true, turnkey power generation facilities that include the complete balance of plant. For more on PROENERGY, visit www.proenergyservices.com. SOURCE WattBridge CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EverGlade Consulting ("EverGlade"), a national consulting firm, with employees in locations across the country, will play a key supporting role at PharmSci 360, a conference convened by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists ("AAPS"). AAPS is the convener of the pharmaceutical science community, bringing together thousands of scientists from across the world and the drug development process. For them, PharmSci 360 combines all the energy of a large scientific conference with the intimacy of a small niche meeting because of its unique programming structure. Steve Morris and Andrew Stiles will both discuss how to successfully seek non-dilutive funding from the federal government. "This session brings the type of information to PharmSci 360 that scientists need to navigate the business and entrepreneurial landscape," AAPS Executive Director Tina Morris, Ph.D., said. "It's so important that scientists are equipped with an understanding of how markets and access to funding affect their work and their plans. AAPS' next president, Patrick Sinko, Ph.D., is thrilled to moderate this session and ensure we all walk out of the room with a better grasp of what is really happening in the economy right now." "In the wake of the pandemic, global capital markets are being transformed by a number of interrelated forces," commented Eric Jia-Sobota, Founder and National Leader of the Consulting Practice. "Steve and Andrew will explore the current markets and discuss considerations that innovators, founders, and partners need to be aware of when seeking funding through the federal government," he concluded. About EverGlade Consulting: EverGlade Consulting is a national consulting firm that helps clients navigate the federal landscape. We are inspired by technology-driven companies whose focus is to secure non-dilutive funding from the federal government. We offer services ranging from opportunity identification and proposal support through post-award contract management and the implementation of systems to comply with federal regulations at agencies including ASPR, BARDA, NIH, CDC, DHS, FEMA, JPEO, DTRA, DLA, and DARPA. Since its inception, EverGlade has quickly grown into one of the leading service providers for the life sciences industry, helping dozens of clients identify and secure federal funding. For additional information about EverGlade Consulting, visit: https://www.EverGlade.com For additional information about EverGlade's recent success, visit: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-infectious-diseases-15572a9fd4c4acbad8bad4d0afc223b2 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/everglade-consulting-plays-key-role-on-industrial-base-expansion-ibx-project-with-39-million-in-federal-funding-secured-301611526.html https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/everglade-consulting-assists-detect-inc-with-securing-22m-in-federal-funding-for-the-development-of-a-next-generation-molecular-test-for-covid-19-and-flu-301494116.html https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/everglade-consulting-assists-united-safety-technology-inc-in-securing-97-million-dod-award-301357974.html Contact: [email protected] SOURCE EverGlade Consulting MADISON, Wis., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Exact Sciences Corp., a leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, today awarded $525,000 in grants to eight federally qualified health centers focused on improving colorectal cancer screening rates in vulnerable populations. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is treatable in 90% of cases when detected earlyi, yet approximately 44 million average-risk Americans over age 45 remain unscreened.ii Half of premature colon cancer deaths are due to racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic inequalities.iii Black Americans are most likely to develop colorectal cancer, and most likely to die from it.iv Hispanic Americans have the second-highest death rate.iv "Exact Sciences is energized by the call to action within the Biden Administration's Cancer Moonshot plan and recognizes the important role our company can play in defeating cancer," said Dr. Durado Brooks, deputy chief medical officer, Screening at Exact Sciences. "Through our new national FOCUS program, we're committed to expanding equitable access to early detection and reducing barriers to cancer care within our communities." Exact Sciences' new health equity program, Funding Opportunities for CRC Screening Uptake Strategies (FOCUS), provides grant funding to community organizations focused on addressing these disparities. Awardees will utilize the funds to implement evidence-based and informed intervention strategies proven to increase colorectal cancer screening rates. These include supporting the screening recovery after COVID-19, improving clinic practices to assist patients with the screening process, working with pharmacists to increase access to screening options, and enhancing patient navigation efforts. Exact Sciences developed Cologuard, the first and only FDA-approved, non-invasive, multi-target, stool-based DNA screening test. Since making the test available in 2014, more than 9 million people have used Cologuard to screen for colon cancer at home. Exact Sciences reviewed submissions via its corporate grants process which is fully independent from sales and marketing activities. Funding decisions were solely based on the strength of the application and alignment to the FOCUS Program objectives, without regard to any actual or potential commercial relationship with potential grantees. Awardees Access Community Health Center Madison, WI Access Community Health Centers will use funding from the Exact Sciences 2022 FOCUS Program to increase colorectal cancer screening rates for our patients. Access serves a racially and ethnically diverse patient population with high rates of poverty, many of whom experience significant health disparities. This funding will provide culturally appropriate patient education materials; provide staff and provider education on effective screening best practices; outreach to patients who are overdue for colorectal cancer screening; and work with patients to decrease barriers to screening. AtlantiCare Health Services Atlantic City, NJ The funding will increase colorectal cancer screening to support vulnerable populations in Atlantic County. AtlantiCare will work to reducing barriers to follow-up colonoscopy adherence, promote and improve compliance for screening average risk adults, ages 45-75. Additionally, AtlantiCare will focus on building stronger communities through new and maintained collaboration with community stakeholders. Community HealthCare Network, Inc New York, NY Community Healthcare Network (CHN) will implement a comprehensive, integrated colorectal cancer Navigation program with a hyper-focus on the vulnerable and under screened patient populations, especially uninsured patients, ages 45-55. The program will be led by a Cancer Care Manager, whose role it will be to ensure colon cancer screening efficacy at all CHN health centers throughout New York City. By targeting individuals with the lowest screening rates CHN aims to lower the burden of advanced colon cancer within the communities it serves. Angeles Community Health Center Los Angeles, CA As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Angeles consistently screens for colorectal cancer. Using its already-in-place process for screening patients, Angeles will examine and report on colorectal cancer screenings specifically for low-income, Latino patients ages 45-75 of Angeles patient population. Mariposa Community Health Center Santa Cruze County, AZ MCHC is the largest primary care provider in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. As colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, MCHC aims to decrease death rates due to colon cancer and increase identification of early-stage colon cancer in the county by launching a pharmacist-led screening campaign. The MCHC Clinical Pharmacy Team, in collaboration with MCHC Community Health Workers, has led a successful program to serve its patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Because epidemiological data have demonstrated a significant association between the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the development of colorectal cancer, MCHC aims to focus on this population. Mount Sinai Internal Medicine Associations New York, NY The Cologuard stool DNA test is a cost-effective strategy to improve equity in colorectal cancer screening. At a large primary care clinic at The Mount Sinai Hospital serving a vulnerable urban population, orders have significantly increased but completion is limited by suboptimal rates of kit return. Based on our experience with tailored patient navigation, we propose a model in which patients receive tablet-based video instruction at point of order, and a patient navigator will reinforce instructions and overcome patient-specific barriers. We will also engage providers to improve model adherence, order growth, and overall screening. Mountain Park Health Center Phoenix, AZ Mountain Park Health Center will expand its Colorectal Cancer Screening and Referral Program (CCSR). The program will use a full-time cancer screening navigator and various evidence-based interventions to bring about system change and sustainability for years to come. Expected outcomes include increasing the percentage of adults who had appropriate colorectal cancer screening rates to 50% or more; and improving the number of timely referrals for follow-up care for patients with abnormal test results. San Joaquin Health Center Stockton, CA San Joaquin Health Centers, a FQHC Look-Alike serving California's San Joaquin County serves approximately 30,000 unique patients annually with over 9,000 of its patients aged 45-79. The percentage of patients ages 50 through 75 years of age who had appropriate screening for CRC at San Joaquin Health dropped from 2019 to 2021. To address this, San Joaquin Health will enact multicomponent interventions focused on increasing community/patient demand for colorectal cancer screening, improving community/patient access to CRC screening, and increasing provider delivery of screening. Through these sustainable interventions San Joaquin Health will promote and improve compliance for CRC screening of average risk patients. About Exact Sciences Corp. A leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, Exact Sciences relentlessly pursues smarter solutions providing the clarity to take life-changing action, earlier. Building on the success of Cologuard and Oncotype tests, Exact Sciences is investing in its product pipeline to support patients before and throughout their cancer diagnosis and treatment. Exact Sciences unites visionary collaborators to help advance the fight against cancer. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.exactsciences.com, follow Exact Sciences on Twitter @ExactSciences, or find Exact Sciences on Facebook and LinkedIn. About Cologuard The Cologuard test was approved by the FDA in August 2014, and results from Exact Sciences' prospective 90-site, point-in-time, 10,000-patient pivotal trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2014. The Cologuard test is included in the American Cancer Society's (2018) colorectal cancer screening guidelines and the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2021) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2016). The Cologuard test is indicated to screen adults 45 years of age and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer by detecting certain DNA markers and blood in the stool. Do not use the Cologuard test if you have had precancer, have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes, or have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. The Cologuard test is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high risk patients. The Cologuard test performance in adults ages 45-49 is estimated based on a large clinical study of patients 50 and older. The Cologuard test performance in repeat testing has not been evaluated. The Cologuard test result should be interpreted with caution. A positive test result does not confirm the presence of cancer. Patients with a positive test result should be referred for diagnostic colonoscopy. A negative test result does not confirm the absence of cancer. Patients with a negative test result should discuss with their doctor when they need to be tested again. Medicare and most major insurers cover the Cologuard test. For more information about the Cologuard test, visit cologuard.com. Rx only. Medicare and most major insurers cover Cologuard. For more information about Cologuard, visit www.cologuard.com. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning our expectations, anticipations, intentions, beliefs, or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that we have made as of the date hereof and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, conditions, and events to differ materially from those anticipated. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may affect our forward-looking statements are described in the Risk Factors sections of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. i American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2020-2022. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2020. ii Piscitello A, Edwards DK. Estimating the screening-eligible population size, aged 45 to 74, at average risk to develop colorectal cancer in the United States. Cancer Prev Res.2020;13(5):443-448. *Estimate based on the US population aged 45-74 as of 2018, adjusted for the reported rates of high-risk conditions and prior screening history for CRC. i[i][i] Jemal A, Siegel RL, Ma J, et al. Inequalities in premature death from colorectal cancer by state. J Clin Oncol. 2015;33(8):829-835. doi:10.1200/JCO.2014.58.7519. iv Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, Part I: National Cancer Statistics. Henley; 2021. Investor Contact: Megan Jones Exact Sciences Corp. [email protected] 608-535-8815 Media Contact: Stephanie Miller Exact Sciences Corp. [email protected] 920-470-4618 SOURCE EXACT SCIENCES CORP BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The European pension is now available to clients in Slovakia. It has a strict fee cap, is portable, and is bound by European legislation. Slovak fintech broker Finax is the first European company that became licensed to offer it. All residents of the European Union can open a pan-European Personal Pension Product (PEPP). It is not tied to employment or the place of work. Its goal is to provide the saver with an old-age income supplementing the state pension. Savers can transfer this voluntary savings scheme to another country when they change their place of residence. The maximum fee is 1% of the assets under management per annum. Banks, credit institutions, insurance companies, securities dealers, investment companies, asset management companies are among the institutions eligible to provide PEPP. To get authorized, they must use complex mathematical models to demonstrate the riskiness and potential appreciation of the client's savings. The first provider to complete that is Finax, a Slovak online securities dealer also operating in the Polish, Croatian, Czech and Hungarian markets. It founded its robo-advisory platform in 2018 as one of the first fintech start-ups in Central Europe and currently manages 350 million of assets for 40,000 clients. Finax provides registration via a mobile app using the latest facial biometrics technology. Since Slovakia adopted the legislation necessary to introduce PEPP in early 2022, Finax can now provide it to local clients. "Starting today, Slovaks are the first in Europe who can increase their pension savings through the new European pension product. We have something to be proud of a promising Slovak company that succeeded in bringing PEPP into practice and appreciating citizens' money in a safe way," says Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic Milan Krajniak. The national authorities and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) will supervise the PEPP, bringing a form of legislative certainty, as uniform rules make it independent from political decisions by individual governments. "We seek to offer PEPP primarily to multinational companies and young people with job mobility across the EU. Thanks to the associated tax and levy incentives, PEPP will become our key product in several countries, also helping us to settle in new markets", adds Juraj Hrbaty, CEO of Finax. Information: www.europeanpension.eu SOURCE Finax Award recognizes Houston-area private companies with the fastest revenue growth HOUSTON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FINBOA, Inc., a leading innovator in intelligent process automation software for financial institutions, is honored to be ranked #11 on the 2022 Houston Business Journal (HBJ) Fast 100 List, announced today. The HBJ Fast 100 award list recognizes Houston-area private companies with the fastest revenue growth over a two-year period. FINBOA secured the 11th place position based on over 300% revenue growth from 2019 through 2021. FINBOA attributes their continued success to offering a proven portfolio of SaaS automation solutions specifically designed for banks and credit unions. Created to transform back-office processing and the customer experience using RPA, FINBOA increases staff efficiency and accuracy, while reducing compliance costs, loss and risk. FINBOA's industry recognized software digitizes and modernizes the inefficient manual processes or systems commonly used to manage regulatory compliance processing for Payment Disputes, Treasury Onboarding, Exception Management and Loan Onboarding. FINBOA CEO and Founder, Raj Singal commented, "We are honored to be recognized for our business growth. Thank you to the HBJ and to our customers. I'm proud of what the FINBOA team has been able to accomplish. We plan to continue to grow organically, maintaining our current product and market focus. We have deep industry experience and there is a lot of market opportunity available to us. We are actively expanding the SaaS offerings available within our existing solution lines, while also looking to develop additional products to accelerate our growth." A bout HBJ Fast 100 The Fast 100 List is ranked by companywide revenue growth between fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 2021. To qualify, companies must be for-profit, privately held and have headquarters in the Houston area. They also must have been in operation for at least five fiscal years by Dec. 31, 2021. https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/ A bout FINBOA FINBOA provides intelligent process automation to banks and credit unions to simplify and improve regulatory compliance and the customer experience by eliminating manual systems. Leveraging RPA, extensive industry experience and a commitment to customer service, FINBOA delivers transformative SaaS proven to enable institutional growth by reducing operational costs and risk. Founded in 2016, FINBOA is headquartered in Houston. Learn more at www.finboa.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. SOURCE FINBOA HONG KONG, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The first World Design Cities Conference (WDCC) organized by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government was held at Huangpu Riverside from 15 to 18 September. As a partner of the WDCC and an innovation-driven consumer group rooted in China and founded in Shanghai, Fosun and Yuyuan, the flagship platform of Fosun's Happiness segment, fully showcased their innovative ideas and creative designs in terms of products, content, scenarios etc. at the WDCC, contributing to building Shanghai into a world-class "city of design." Demonstrating the Power of Original Design to Create a Happy Ecosystem Shanghai is a highland of domestic design and a center of brands. Thinking beyond products and brands, local enterprises are taking design as the foundation to connect history and the present and build originality. On 16 September, Li Qiang, Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, visited the main exhibition of Designing Innovative Cities themed around "Vision in Perspective" to conduct a field research on the 2022 WDCC. At the WDCC, Fosun and Yuyuan presented new products from Shede Spirits, Tom Tailor, WEI, St Hubert, Silver Cross, Dongjia, Wanbang Hanfang, Babytree and other brands, covering all aspects of life such as clothing, food, housing, transportation, demonstrating the robust capabilities of Fosun and Yuyuan to create happy lives for families worldwide. Over the past 30 years, Fosun and Yuyuan have dedicated to strengthening their business presence and designing innovative products to create a happy ecosystem centered around Health, Happiness, and Wealth for families worldwide. Standing at the new starting point, Fosun and Yuyuan will join hands with customers, partners, investors, governments and all parties in the society, and continue to spare no effort to explore boldly in design and brand building. While continuing to strengthen business development, they will also strive to realize the complementarity between Shanghai's urban development and the brands of Fosun and Yuyuan, thereby enhancing the soft power of Shanghai. Seizing Opportunities from the WDCC to Promote "Oriental Life Aesthetics" On the first day, Gong Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai Municipality inaugurated the opening ceremony. Xu Xiaolan, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Wu Qing, Executive Vice Mayor of Shanghai Municipality, and Qu Xing, Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) delivered speeches. Zhang Wei, Vice Mayor of Shanghai Municipality, attended the opening ceremony. A number of creative design projects and international cooperation projects, including the "Oriental Life Aesthetics Design Demonstration Hub" presented by Yuyuan, a subsidiary of Fosun, were officially launched at the opening ceremony to promote the construction of Shanghai into a world-class "city of design". As the birthplace of Shanghai folk culture and Shanghai-style culture hub, Yuyuan has continuously brought industries such as jewelry fashion, cultural commerce, cultural food and beverages, wine industry, national watches and cultural creative industry together in recent years, demonstrating the unique temperament of oriental life aesthetics and laying a foundation for the construction of the oriental life aesthetics design demonstration hub. As Yuyuan has become the primary developer of the precious land plot on Fuyou Road, Huangpu District, the "Grand Yuyuan" connecting to Yuyuan is about to launch. In the future, Yuyuan will leverage Fosun's global industrial resources to build an "Oriental Life Aesthetics Design Demonstration Hub," offering amazing experience to create happier lives for families and providing development momentum for the city. Gathering the Power of Design and Innovative and Creative Industries to Draw Up a Blueprint for the "Oriental Life Aesthetics Design Demonstration Hub" As an important component of the first WDCC, the thematic event "Design for Happiness - Oriental Life Aesthetics Night" was held at the Huangpu Riverside in Shanghai on the evening of 17 September 2022. Xu Xiaoliang, Co-CEO of Fosun International, who attended the event, said that as an enterprise founded and rooted in Shanghai, Fosun's development is inseparable to the support of Shanghai. We will respond positively, participate fully and contribute the "Power of Fosun" to building Shanghai into a world-class city of design. Not long ago, Yuyuan, a subsidiary of Fosun, joined hands with partners to become the primary developer of the land plot on Fuyou Road, and the future "Grand Yuyuan" will be positioned as a global fashion and cultural venue with the charm of oriental life aesthetics. At the thematic event, three oriental life aesthetic design concepts embodied in the Grand Yuyuan were further explained: The first concept is to demonstrate the beauty of the past and present based on the long history of Yuyuan. Since the Old City of Shanghai, where Grand Yuyuan is located, has many protected and preserved historical buildings, the design of the Grand Yuyuan will conform to the city's cultural heritage and historical buildings, creating a new relationship between people and architecture. The second concept is to use spatial configuration to highlight the beauty of function. Designers of Grand Yuyuan will explore ways to expand underground space and construct a footbridge to solve the thorny transportation issue of the Old City of Shanghai and create a public recreational space with open spaces and water features. The last concept is to bring out the inner beauty of the city. As an urban renewal project located in the core area of Shanghai, the Grand Yuyuan aims to consolidate the functions of the core area and promote industrial transformation and upgrading, so as to respond to Shanghai's goal of being a world-class city of design and an international fashion capital. At the same time, two major projects centered around the "Oriental Life Aesthetics Design Demonstration Hub", were announced, namely the "2023 Yuyuan New Year Folk Experience" and the first "Oriental Craftsman Ceremony"; in addition, Shanghai International Fashion United The conference also announced that the 11th Shanghai Haute Couture Week will be held at the Grand Yuyuan. Diverse design-focus content, such as folk culture, intangible cultural heritage, fashion trends, will jointly promote the formation of the "Grand Yuyuan, an Oriental Life Aesthetic Design Demonstration Hub." In the subsequent development and operation of the "Grand Yuyuan", Fosun will build an oriental life aesthetics ecosystem for the incubation, growth, exchange and symbiosis of global innovative and creative industries, such as introducing international fashion and creative academies, establishing a fashion capital resource center, building an international level fashion event service platform, to further promote the construction of Shanghai into a world-class city of design and enhance the soft power of Shanghai. SOURCE Fosun Healthtech startup to use fast-track award to build privacy-preserving, decentralized data platform facilitating research of rare genetic diseases HOUSTON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthtech company Geneial announces a multimillion dollar, non-dilutive award from the National Human Genome Research Institute to fund the development of their secure, decentralized platform. Geneial's platform will connect researchers of rare genetic diseases with relevant data while preserving patient privacy. Geneial's platform aims to help researchers leverage large datasets of rare disease populations, incentivizing custodians of biomedical data to grant researchers access to highly targeted biomedical data. Geneial will use $2.3M NIH award to build private, decentralized data platform facilitating research of genetic diseases Tweet this This unique new award is part of a highly selective "Small Business Transition Grant for Early Career Scientists" program with fewer than ten companies funded to date. In previous work , Geneial demonstrated a proof-of-concept for HIPAA-compliant privacy-preserving registry search using the Xia-Gibbs syndrome (XGS) registry at the Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center (HGSC) led by Richard A. Gibbs, AC Ph.D., a global leader in genetics. "We are honored to have the backing of the NIH and HGSC as we realize our mission of advancing genetic and personalized medicine," shared Adam Hansen, Ph.D., CEO of Geneial and Principal Investigator of this project. He continued, "Over 400 million individuals worldwide suffer from a rare disease, yet only 5% of these have an available treatment this is largely because data is highly fragmented across silos, which impedes the progress of research and therapeutic development. Accessing data across silos is necessary, but data privacy and ownership concerns prevent widespread data exchange. To solve this, we are building a decentralized, HIPAA-compliant platform for granular data exchange that safeguards individual privacy and protects data ownership." Dr. Gibbs shared of the collaboration, "At the HGSC we have been impressed with Geneial's nuanced understanding of the problems facing data interoperability and exchange and with how their products and roadmap are calibrated to address key issues. We are eager to continue our partnership through the course of this grant and beyond as their offerings expand." Sign up for our Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3UpiQkq Research reported in this publication is supported by the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R42HG012288. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. SOURCE Geneial DUBLIN, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 and 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 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/gvzzpn 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 Key Points Covered in the Employee Assistance Program Market Report: Am I engaging with the right suppliers? Which KPIs should I use to evaluate my incumbent suppliers? Which supplier selection criteria are relevant for ERP Software? What are the ERP Software category essentials in terms of SLAs and RFx? Key Global Suppliers in the Employee Assistance Program Market: Morneau Shepell Inc. Uprise Health CuraLinc Healthcare Read about other leading employee assistance program suppliers The Employee Assistance Program Market report evaluates suppliers based on provision for applicable insurance policy, real-time analysis, pipeline software solutions, and conduct pipeline surveys. In addition, suppliers are also shortlisted based on business needs, technical specifications, operational requirements, security compliance, regulatory mandates, legal requirements, quality control, change management procedures, pricing models, penalty clauses, SLA nuances, acceptance criteria, and evaluation criteria. Request a Report Sample to Gain Comprehensive Insights at Employee Assistance Program Market: https://www.spendedge.com/sample-report/employee-assistance-program-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report Related Trending Topics: Subscribe to our "Free Limited Period Starter Procurement Plan" to get the following: View 6 full reports View 800+ report samples Pre-order upcoming reports Dedicated account manager Signup for our subscription services now for FREE! About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. Contact SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us SOURCE SpendEdge NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The online corporate meeting services market size is expected to grow by USD 5.58 billion during the forecast period. The expansion of MNCs and implementation of cloud-based corporate meeting services is one of the major factors propelling market growth. However, factors such as the presence of offline meetings as an alternative, security constraints, and interoperability issues among disparate unified communications & collaboration (UC&C) solutions will hamper the market growth. Request Free Sample Report. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Online Corporate Meeting Services Market 2022-2026 Online Corporate Meeting Services Market Geographic Landscape North America will account for 40% of market growth. The main markets in North America for online corporate meeting services are the US and Canada. The market in this area will expand, although more slowly than the market in APAC. Over the course of the projected period, a solid corporate structure will support the expansion of the North American market for online corporate meeting services. Online Corporate Meeting Services Market Segmentation The corporate video conferencing services segment will significantly increase its market share in online corporate meeting services. The benefit of video conferencing is that in addition to hearing other people's words, you can also see their faces and their reactions. It can enable real-time collaboration, boost productivity, and save time, among other advantages. Customers have access to desktop video conferencing, events, and presentations that are entirely video-based, as well as room-based video conferencing equipment and integrated tools. During the projected period, these advantages will fuel the expansion of the online corporate meeting services market. Buy Sample Report. Online Corporate Meeting Services Market Vendors Global Online Corporate Meeting Services Market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. The growing competition in the market is compelling vendors to adopt various growth strategies such as promotional activities and spending on advertisements to improve the visibility of their services. Some vendors are also adopting inorganic growth strategies such as M&As to remain competitive in the market. Companies Covered: 8x8 Inc. Adobe Inc. Alphabet Inc. AT and T Inc. Avaya Holdings Corp. Cisco Systems Inc. ClickMeeting SP Z O O Digital Samba SL Express Virtual Meetings Pty Ltd. Internet MegaMeeting LLC Kaltura Inc. Microsoft Corp. NTT Corp. Onstream Media Corp. Find additional highlights on the growth strategies adopted by vendors and their product offerings, Download Free Sample Report. What our reports offer: Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments Strategic recommendations for the new entrants Market trends (drivers, opportunities, threats, challenges, investment opportunities, and recommendations) Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements Related Reports: Application Platform Market by Deployment and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The application platform market share is expected to increase by USD 3.49 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.75%. Zero Trust Security Market by Deployment and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The zero trust security market share is expected to increase by USD 2.87 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 16.15%. Online Corporate Meeting Services Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 14.78% Market growth 2022-2026 $ 5.58 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 23.67 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 40% Key consumer countries US, Canada, China, India, Germany, and the UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled 8x8 Inc., Adobe Inc., Alphabet Inc., AT and T Inc., Avaya Holdings Corp., Cisco Systems Inc., ClickMeeting SP Z O O, Digital Samba SL, Express Virtual Meetings Pty Ltd., Internet MegaMeeting LLC, Kaltura Inc., Microsoft Corp., NTT Corp., Onstream Media Corp., Orange SA, Pexip Holding ASA, Veeting AG, Verizon Communications Inc., Yirigaa, Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd., and Zoom Video Communications Inc. 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 for Technavio "Information Technology" Research 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 Application 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 Application 5.1 Market segments Exhibit 24: Chart on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 25: Data Table on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%) 5.2 Comparison by Application Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Application Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Application 5.3 Corporate video conferencing services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 28: Chart on Corporate video conferencing services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 29: Data Table on Corporate video conferencing services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 30: Chart on Corporate video conferencing services - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Corporate video conferencing services - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.4 Corporate web conferencing services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 32: Chart on Corporate web conferencing services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 33: Data Table on Corporate web conferencing services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 34: Chart on Corporate web conferencing services - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Corporate web conferencing services - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.5 Market opportunity by Application Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by Application ($ 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 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 42: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 44: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 46: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 47: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 48: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Europe - 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 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 55: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 56: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 57: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 59: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 60: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - 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 Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 71: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 72: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 73: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.11 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 75: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 77: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.12 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 79: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 81: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.13 India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 82: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 83: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 85: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.14 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 86: 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 87: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026 8.4 Market trends 9 Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 88: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 9.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 89: Overview on factors of disruption 9.4 Industry risks Exhibit 90: Impact of key risks on business 10 Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 91: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 92: Matrix on vendor position and classification 10.3 8x8 Inc. Exhibit 93: 8x8 Inc. - Overview Exhibit 94: 8x8 Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 95: 8x8 Inc. - Key offerings 10.4 Adobe Inc. Exhibit 96: Adobe Inc. - Overview Exhibit 97: Adobe Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 98: Adobe Inc. - Key news Exhibit 99: Adobe Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 100: Adobe Inc. - Segment focus 10.5 Alphabet Inc. Exhibit 101: Alphabet Inc. - Overview Exhibit 102: Alphabet Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 103: Alphabet Inc. - Key news Exhibit 104: Alphabet Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 105: Alphabet Inc. - Segment focus 10.6 AT and T Inc. Exhibit 106: AT and T Inc. - Overview Exhibit 107: AT and T Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 108: AT and T Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 109: AT and T Inc. - Segment focus 10.7 Avaya Holdings Corp. Exhibit 110: Avaya Holdings Corp. - Overview Exhibit 111: Avaya Holdings Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 112: Avaya Holdings Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 113: Avaya Holdings Corp. - Segment focus 10.8 Cisco Systems Inc. Exhibit 114: Cisco Systems Inc. - Overview Exhibit 115: Cisco Systems Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 116: Cisco Systems Inc. - Key news Exhibit 117: Cisco Systems Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 118: Cisco Systems Inc. - Segment focus 10.9 Microsoft Corp. Exhibit 119: Microsoft Corp. - Overview Exhibit 120: Microsoft Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 121: Microsoft Corp. - Key news Exhibit 122: Microsoft Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 123: Microsoft Corp. - Segment focus 10.10 Verizon Communications Inc. Exhibit 124: Verizon Communications Inc. - Overview Exhibit 125: Verizon Communications Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 126: Verizon Communications Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 127: Verizon Communications Inc. - Segment focus 10.11 Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 128: Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 129: Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 130: Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings 10.12 Zoom Video Communications Inc. Exhibit 131: Zoom Video Communications Inc. - Overview Exhibit 132: Zoom Video Communications Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 133: Zoom Video Communications Inc. - Key offerings 11 Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 134: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 135: Exclusions checklist 11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 136: Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.4 Research methodology Exhibit 137: Research methodology Exhibit 138: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 139: Information sources 11.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 140: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides 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 BEIJING, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 20, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Greece, the China-Greece event entitled "Dreams of Youth, Together to Growth" under Global Youth Multicultural Forum jointly sponsored by Guohua Energy Investment Co., Ltd of China Energy Investment and the Center for International Cultural Communication of China International Communications Group(CICG) was held in Beijing and Athens through a video link. Beijing Session (above) Athens Session (below) Real-time Video Link Honorable Guests from government institutions and businesses in China and Greece held a cloud-based dialogue via a video link with Greek youth representatives from China-invested businesses in Greece, Chinese youth representatives from enterprises and universities, and people from various sectors including internet celebrities in Greece. All participants enjoyed warm and friendly exchanges on topics such as traditional friendship, history and culture, and corporate stories between the two countries. Mr. Ioannis Smyrlis, Secretary General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Georgios Iliopoulos, Greek Ambassador to China, Mr. Xiao Junzheng, Chinese Ambassador to Greece, Lu Cairong, Vice President of CICG, and Yang Jiping, Vice Managing Director of China Energy Investment Corporation were invited to attend the event and delivered speeches. The event was held around multiple topics in two venues. In the youth dialogue session, representatives from Center for Green Energy and Architecture of Guohua Energy Investment Co, Ltd, Europe Renewable Energy and CNOOC Research Institute shared the development and practical application of global green energy, as well as the transformation and upgrading achievements of China's energy enterprises in the face of a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation. Representatives of Greek employees from the Bank of China, Huawei and ZTE shared their feelings about working in Chinese enterprises and their views on Chinese enterprise spirit. Representatives from Confucius Institute of the University of Thessaly, Athens Business Confucius Institute, and other institutions or corporations exchanged on the history and culture of China and Greece as well as language learning with the professor of the School of History of Capital Normal University, and the professor of the School of History and Culture of Shandong University. The warm, lively and friendly dialogue enabled the youth of both countries to have a better understanding with each other and a closer friendship, which is favorable for exchanges between the two civilizations. Witnessed by guests and youth representatives from China and Greece, the China-Greece Initiative on Sustainable Youth Development was officially launched. The Initiative proposes that the youth of the two countries should join hands in promoting the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and contribute to building a better planet. During the event, the Athens venue and Beijing sub-venue also put on the traditional dances and musical instrument performances of China and Greece respectively, which vividly showed the charm and harmonization of the two ancient civilizations. Qiyong Zhang +86-13581511962 [email protected] SOURCE Center for International Cultural Communication, China International Communications Group (CICC) Application to Loan Servicing 100% in Spanish Welcomes More People Into Home Ownership and Expands Upon Commitment to Best Serve the Latino Community CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Guaranteed Rate, a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services, today unveils an expanded Language Access Program (LAP). This program delivers every step and communication within the mortgage experience entirely in Spanish, leveraging both language and nuanced cultural references to deliver a superior user experience for people who only speak or prefer to interact in Spanish. Accessible to consumers in all 50 states, this launch is a major milestone in the company's constantly expanding commitment to the Hispanic community and the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) community at large. "The rapidly growing Latino population has faced language barriers in the mortgage application process for way too long," says Camilo Escalante, Executive Director of Diverse Segments at Guaranteed Rate. "We feel transparency is a right no matter what language you speak. Our solution has no geographic boundaries, as Latinos are integral parts of city, suburban, small town, and rural communities in all 50 states. Now, Spanish-speaking homebuyers and real estate agents have trusted mortgage resources wherever they are." "When it comes to one of the most significant financial decisions most people make in their lifetimes, details can have a big impact on homebuyers," said Arlyn Kalinski, Vice President, LEP Compliance for Guaranteed Rate. "Let's take loan disclosures as a prime example. These documents reveal critical details on loan terms, projected monthly payments, and how much the consumer will pay in fees and other costs to get their mortgage (closing costs). Guaranteed Rate walks customers through the loan estimates and closing disclosures in Spanish, with a real time digital version the customer can print/save as reference." Guaranteed Rate's LAP empowers people to transition from paying rent into real estate ownership investing in homes they live in, and for some, properties they can rent to others. The Hispanic community at large is expected to make up 70 percent of homeownership growth in the US over the next 20 years (*1). Currently there are more than 40 million Spanish-speaking consumers in the U.S., with 40 percent (16 million) considered LEP (*2). According to a 2020 CSA Research report (*3), product information that buyers can read is pivotal in the purchase decision. Given the choice between buying similar products, 76% of respondents will choose the one with information in their preferred language. For people least proficient in English, the preference hovers around 89%. To address this need, Guaranteed Rate ensured that every single contact point financial education, application technology, bilingual processing, customer service, automated communications, loan estimate and closing disclosures, and loan servicing was attuned to both the language and culture. "Misperceptions about mortgages everything from acceptable credit scores, good and bad debt, the need for Social Security numbers, and the best size of down payments keep many Latino consumers from even investigating the possibility of owning a home in the U.S.," said Kalinski. "Every Latino customer has a different story, whether they recently immigrated here or have U.S. roots dating generations. That's why listening comes first, followed by education. Most countries in South or Central America have unique or varying processes for buying property. Based upon where a potential borrower is from, and the questions they have, we can guide them forward into U.S. homeownership." LAP infrastructure allows Guaranteed Rate and its Language Certified Loan Originators in all 50 states to now market, advertise, and solicit business in Spanish. "We are changing how the entire mortgage industry will communicate with the Hispanic community from here forward," Escalante said. LAP includes many company initiatives to serve consumers who communicate in languages other than English, including a nationwide bilingual processing team and an over-the-phone interpretation service to translate more than 170 languages. Visit https://www.rate.com/resources/language-services for more information. About Guaranteed Rate Guaranteed Rate Companies is a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services. Headquartered in Chicago, the Guaranteed Rate Companies have more than 8,000 employees in over 850 branches across the U.S., serving all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Since its launch in 2000, Guaranteed Rate Companies have helped more than 1 million homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, with a total loan volume of more than $116 billion in 2021 alone. The company has cemented itself as an industry leader by introducing innovative technology, offering low rates and delivering unparalleled customer service. Honors and awards include: Top Lender for Online Service for 2018 by U.S. News & World Report; Best Mortgage Lender for Online Loans and Best Mortgage Lender for Refinancing by NerdWallet for 2021; HousingWire's 2020 Tech100 award for the company's industry-leading FlashClose technology; No. 3 ranking in Scotsman Guide's 2021 list of Top Retail Mortgage Lenders; Chicago Agent Magazine's Lender of the Year for six consecutive years; and Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces list for seven consecutive years. Visit rate.com for more information. *1 National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (March 2022), 2021 State of Hispanic Homeownership report *2 U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates , Table B16001: Language Spoken at Home by Ability to Speak English for the Population 5 Years and Over (2016), available at https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=B16001&tid=ACSDT5Y2016.B16001&vintage=2018 *3 Survey of 8,709 Consumers in 29 Countries Finds that 76% Prefer Purchasing Products with Information in their Own Language Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Guaranteed Rate One-Of-A-Kind Henry Rifle Sold at Auction for Over $25,000 RICE LAKE, Wis., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following an annual fundraising gala in Miami, Florida, and the conclusion of an online auction for a one-of-one rifle designed, built, and donated by Henry Repeating Arms, the company is pleased to announce a total figure raised in the amount of $52,175 to benefit Shadow Warriors Project. The non-profit organization is the only one of its kind providing post-engagement support for injured private military security contractors returning home from battle in some of the world's most hostile locations. A custom engraved 1-of-1 Henry Repeating Arms rifle sold at auction for $25,025 with all proceeds benefitting Shadow Warriors Project. Shadow Warriors Project co-founder Mark Oz Geist (L) and Henry Repeating Arms CEO and Founder Anthony Imperato (R) at the first annual Honor The Brave fundraising gala in Miami, Florida on September 11, 2022. Shadow Warriors Project was co-founded by Mark "Oz" Geist, a member of the CIA Annex Security Team that found itself the target of a terrorist attack on September 11, 2012, in Benghazi, Libya, where he is credited with saving the lives of more than 25 Americans. On the tenth anniversary of these attacks, Shadow Warriors Project held its first annual 'Honor The Brave' fundraising gala in Miami, Florida, where Henry Repeating Arms CEO and Founder Anthony Imperato presented Geist with a check for $25,000 to enhance their mission. Throughout the evening, three more donated Henry Repeating Arms rifles raised $2,150 from silent auctions. Recently, an online auction concluded for one of the most exclusive rifles ever built in Henry Repeating Arm's 25-year history. Based on the 1860 patent for the first successful and practical repeating rifle, Henry Repeating Arms' one-off rifle featured hand-chased engraving on a hardened brass receiver and a buttstock made from rare exhibition-grade American walnut wood. The engraving work included the Shadow Warriors Project logo on one side and the Seal of the President of the United States on the opposite. The virtual hammer dropped with a winning bid of $25,025, which goes to Shadow Warriors Project. "We are thrilled with the auction results, and to anyone that placed a bid or helped to spread the word, I thank you sincerely," said Imperato. "For sure, it's a feather in our cap to have a rifle sell for so much, but it's also a testament to Mark, his organization's great work, and the unsung, under-the-radar group of men and women that Shadow Warriors Project is so dedicated to supporting. Everyone involved should be proud of what has been accomplished so far." For more information about Henry Repeating Arms and its products, visit henryusa.com. About Henry Repeating Arms: Henry Repeating Arms is one of the leading rifle and shotgun manufacturers in the United States and a world leader in the lever action category. The company motto is "Made in America, or not made at all," and its firearms come with a lifetime guarantee backed by award-winning customer service. The company is also known for its Guns For Great Causes charitable program, which focuses on assisting the families of sick children, children's hospitals, military veteran organizations, Second Amendment advocacy groups, and wildlife conservation organizations. The company currently employs over 550 people and has over 330,000sf of manufacturing space in its Wisconsin and New Jersey facilities. The company is named in honor of Benjamin Tyler Henry, who invented and patented the Henry lever action rifle in 1860 the first practical repeating rifle and America's unique contribution to the international stage of firearms design. Visit Henry Repeating Arms online at henryusa.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/HenryRepeating, and @henry_rifles on Instagram. Contact: Dan Clayton-Luce [email protected] (919) 818-2052 SOURCE Henry Repeating Arms The far-reaching report details 350 recommendations across 15 federal agencies and includes actions for state and local governments, employers, and community organizations WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a broad national strategy that provides the roadmap needed for federal, state, and local governments, as well as businesses and communities, to better support family caregivers. The 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers identifies hundreds of actions that federal agencies will take to prioritize improving access to respite care, including family caregivers as part of a person's care team, strengthening the direct care workforce, and helping to ensure caregivers' financial security. The strategy includes corresponding actions for states and the private sector. The National Strategy was developed by two congressionally mandated councils supported by the Administration for Community Living, in partnership with The John A. Hartford Foundation and the National Academy for State Health Policy. "This first-ever national strategy gives us a whole-of-society approach to supporting the millions of family caregivers who desperately need assistance in this country," said Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, president of The John A. Hartford Foundation. "The federal government has boldly detailed nearly 350 actions that agencies overseeing Medicare and Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, housing, labor, and more will take over the next three years to support caregivers. Now is the time for all of us states, communities, business leaders, researchers, nonprofits, and philanthropies to take action so that caregivers of older adults get the help they need and deserve." The National Strategy includes federal government actions that address issues caregivers say are most important, including: Access to Respite Services : AmeriCorps Seniors will offer short-term care to help family caregivers take a break. : AmeriCorps Seniors will offer short-term care to help family caregivers take a break. Support with Day-to-Day and Complex Medical Tasks : Offices throughout the government will coordinate with states to grow and strengthen the direct care workforce to help with caregiving tasks. : Offices throughout the government will coordinate with states to grow and strengthen the direct care workforce to help with caregiving tasks. Inclusion of Caregivers in Care Teams : The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will update rules to include family caregivers in the hospital discharge planning process so transitions are smoother for all involved. : The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will update rules to include family caregivers in the hospital discharge planning process so transitions are smoother for all involved. Financial Education on Caregiving Costs : The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will increase the availability and use of financial education tools on the costs of long-term care so caregivers can better prepare. : The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will increase the availability and use of financial education tools on the costs of long-term care so caregivers can better prepare. Better Identification of Family Caregivers : Departments across the government will pilot identification of family caregivers in electronic health records and state information systems and conduct localized outreach to share information with family caregivers about the support available. : Departments across the government will pilot identification of family caregivers in electronic health records and state information systems and conduct localized outreach to share information with family caregivers about the support available. Research on the Needs of Family Caregivers: Interdepartmental efforts across the federal government will research family caregiving to inform evidence-based policies, including by providing grants to colleges and universities with gerontology and family service programs so support options meet family caregivers' needs. The report also includes state government actions in these key areas: Engaging Family Caregivers in Health Care Services and Systems : Engage family members as part of the care team, especially during care transitions and hospital discharges, assess family caregivers for their own needs, ensure that family members receive the information they need to care for the individual, and measure family caregiver engagement for quality improvement and payment. : Engage family members as part of the care team, especially during care transitions and hospital discharges, assess family caregivers for their own needs, ensure that family members receive the information they need to care for the individual, and measure family caregiver engagement for quality improvement and payment. Services and Supports for Family Caregivers : Blend and braid federal and state funding for services such as home and respite care which can give family caregivers a needed break , l everage new Medicaid funding and flexibility , rebalance toward more home and community-based services , and pay family caregivers through Medicaid self-direction options. : Blend and braid federal and state funding for services such as home and respite care which can give family caregivers a needed break everage new Medicaid funding and flexibility rebalance toward more home and community-based services and pay family caregivers through Medicaid self-direction options. The Direct Care Workforce : Coordinate workforce policy and resources across agencies , develop career pathways , improve and streamline training and working conditions , create registries to match workers with clients and credential portability for aides to work in various settings or as a career ladder, and collect data on turnover rates, tenure, full-time/part-time status, vacancy rates, wages, benefits, and recruitment and retention. : Coordinate workforce policy and resources across agencies develop career pathways improve and streamline training and working conditions create registries to match workers with clients and credential portability for aides to work in various settings or as a career ladder, and collect data on turnover rates, tenure, full-time/part-time status, vacancy rates, wages, benefits, and recruitment and retention. Financial and Workplace Security: Enhance family leave requirements, establish tax credits for caregiving expenses, establish protections against workplace discrimination based on family responsibilities, include family caregiving in unemployment insurance eligibility, and promote financial education and planning for family caregivers. "As the major public payer for long-term services and supports and regulator of providers, states are facing the challenges of helping families live in their homes and communities while grappling with the shortage and working conditions of direct care workers with increasingly aging populations," said Hemi Tewarson, executive director at the National Academy for State Health Policy. "The National Strategy provides a timely roadmap for states as well as federal, business, and community sectors to address these challenges." Each year, around 53 million people provide a broad range of assistance to support the health, quality of life, and independence of someone close to them. An estimated one in six individuals is a family caregiver, and more than two-thirds of people will need assistance with tasks as they age. Caregivers say providing support is rewarding but challenging mentally, physically, and financially. Family caregivers report poorer health outcomes because they often prioritize the needs of others before themselves and face chronic stress associated with their caregiving duties. Lost income due to family caregiving is estimated at $522 billion each year. Family caregivers, on average, spend one-quarter of their annual income on caregiving expenses. Three-quarters of caregivers spend an average of $7,200 annually on caregiving-related out-of-pocket expenses. Interested individuals and organizations can provide public comment on the National Strategy beginning on October 1. The Strategy will be updated biennially, informed in part by public feedback, ensuring it continues to meet the needs of family caregivers and those they care for as they evolve. The National Strategy was developed jointly by the RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage) Family Caregiving Advisory Council and The Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren both comprised of family caregivers, health care experts, advocates, and others with technical support from the Administration for Community Living. The John A. Hartford Foundation and the National Academy for State Health Policy provided support to the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council through resources, technical assistance, and policy analysis. About The John A. Hartford Foundation The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. The leader in the field of aging and health, the Foundation has three areas of emphasis: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. For more information, visit www.johnahartford.org. About the National Academy for State Health Policy The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) is a nonpartisan forum of policymakers throughout state governments, learning, leading, and implementing innovative solutions to health policy challenges. NASHP supports states as they reach across branches and agencies examining and creating solutions to critical health issues. For more information, visit www.nashp.org. About the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council The Family Caregiving Advisory Council (the Council) was established by the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act and convened for the first time in August 2019. The Council includes representation by federal agencies and 15 voting members, including family caregivers; older adults who need long-term services and supports; individuals with disabilities; health care and social service providers; providers of long-term services and supports; employers; paraprofessional workers; state local officials; accreditation bodies; veterans; and as appropriate, other experts and advocacy organizations engaged in family caregiving. The Council is charged with providing recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on effective models of both family caregiving and support to family caregivers, as well as improving coordination across federal government programs. For more information, visit www.acl.gov/RAISE. About the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Children The Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (SGRG) Act, (Public Law 115-196) authorized establishing an advisory council to identify, promote, coordinate, and disseminate information, resources, and best practices available to help grandparents and other older relatives meet the needs of children in their care while maintaining their own physical, mental, and emotional health. The council is composed of grandparents, professionals working in the field of supports and services to grandparents and the children they care for, and representatives of the federal agencies that serve these populations. For more information, visit www.acl.gov/SGRG. SOURCE National Academy for State Health Policy SYRACUSE, N.Y., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hofmann Sausage Company announces that Walmart has added distribution in Florida. Hofmann Natural Casing German Brand Franks and Natural Casing Snappy Grillers are now available in eighty-eight Florida stores located in central Florida including Tampa/St. Petersburg and Orlando markets. According to IRI (Information Resources, Inc.) data, Hofmann Sausage Company's Natural Casing German Franks product is the No.1 selling natural casing hot dog/frank in the U.S. Southeast (52-week timeframe ending 8/7/22). IRI provides data analytics and market research allowing clients insight into consumer behavior, shopping trends, and the retail market as well as analysis on packaged goods. "We are excited to add product availability in Walmart stores in the state of Florida where we already have a strong grocery retail presence," said Claire Spengler, Hofmann Retail Specialist, and sales representative for the Walmart account. "We have many fans in the southeast and especially in Florida where consumers know the Hofmann brand and grill year-round. Now, shoppers have more places to find our amazing products." Hofmann Sausage Company is one of the oldest hot dog and sausage manufacturers in the United States - dating back to a meat market in 1861and incorporation in 1879 in Syracuse, New York. Hofmann products are available in grocery, big box, convenience stores, restaurants, and stadiums in several states across the eastern United States and online at https://hofmannsausage.com. For more information on Hofmann Sausage Company, contact Rebecca Baker, Chief Marketing Officer, 315-437-7257. Contact: Rebecca Baker Hofmann Sausage Company C: (214) 616-9033 O: (315) 437-7257 [email protected] SOURCE Hofmann Sausage Company Nationwide Home-Flipping Rate Declines Following Year of Increases; Raw Profits on Home Flips Jump to New High; Typical Profit Margins on Flips Reverse Extended Downturn but Remain Low IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ATTOM, a leading curator of real estate data nationwide for land and property data, today released its second-quarter 2022 U.S. Home Flipping Report showing that 115,198 single-family houses and condominiums in the United States were flipped in the second quarter. Those transactions represented 8.2 percent of all home sales in the second quarter of 2022, or one in 12 transactions. The latest portion was down from 9.7 percent, or one in every 10 home sales, in the nation during the first quarter of 2022, but still up from 5.3 percent, or one in 19 sales, in the second quarter of last year. Despite the decline, the home-flipping rate during the second quarter of this year still stood at the third-highest level since 2000, below the high point registered in the first quarter of 2022. "The second quarter was another strong showing for fix-and-flip investors. The total number of properties flipped was the second-highest total we've recorded in the past 22 years, and the median sales price of a flipped property - $328,000 - was the highest ever," said Rick Sharga, executive vice president of market intelligence for ATTOM. "The big question is whether the fix-and-flip market will begin to lose steam as overall home sales have declined dramatically over the past few months, and the cost of financing has virtually doubled over the past year." Among all flips nationwide, the gross profit on typical transactions (the difference between the median purchase price paid by investors and the median resale price) hit $73,700 in the second quarter of 2022. That was up 10 percent from $67,000 in the first quarter of 2022 and up 10.1 percent from $66,944 in the second quarter of 2021. Typical profit margins, meanwhile, rose during the second quarter of this year after six straight periods when they had fallen or virtually stayed the same. The typical gross-flipping profit of $73,700 in the second quarter of 2022 translated into a 29 percent return on investment compared to the original acquisition price. While that remained down from 33 percent a year earlier and far below the peak of 53.1 percent this century, which hit in 2016 the latest margin was up from 25.8 percent in the first quarter of 2022. Profit margins improved in the second quarter of 2022 as median resale prices trends on flipped homes improved compared to what was happening when investors were buying homes. Specifically, in the second quarter of 2022, the typical resale price on flipped homes reached another all-time high of $328,000. That was up slightly from $327,000 in the first quarter of 2022 and 21.5 percent from $270,000 a year earlier. The quarterly gain, while tiny, was better than the 2 percent decline in prices that investors were seeing when they originally bought their properties. The price-change gap between buying and selling resulted in profit margins going up from the first to the second quarter of 2022. The latest trends reflect a segment of the housing market that remained busier than usual in the second quarter but also continued to earn relatively weak profits that fell well beneath the broader market's performance. Home flipping rates drop in 80 percent of local markets Home flips as a portion of all home sales decreased from the first quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2022 in 161 of the 202 metropolitan statistical areas around the U.S. analyzed for this report (80 percent). Rates mostly were down by less than percentages points. (Metro areas were included if they had a population of 200,000 or more and at least 50 home flips in the second quarter of 2022.) Among those metros, the largest flipping rates during the second quarter of 2022 were in Tucson, AZ (flips comprised 14.5 percent of all home sales); Phoenix, AZ (14.1 percent); Jacksonville, FL (13.8 percent); Atlanta, GA (13.6 percent) and Gainesville, GA (13.5 percent). Aside from Tucson, Phoenix, Jacksonville and Atlanta, three other metro areas with a population of more than 1 million ranked in the top 10 for highest flipping rates in the second quarter. They were Charlotte, NC (13.1 percent); Tampa, FL (12.2 percent) and San Antonio, TX (11.9 percent). The smallest home-flipping rates among metro areas analyzed in the second quarter were in Honolulu, HI (1.7 percent); Hilo, HI (3.1 percent); Wichita, KS (3.5 percent); Bremerton, WA (4 percent) and Seattle, WA (4.3 percent). "Fix-and-flip activity is mirroring overall housing market trends, with much of the activity, and the highest returns largely coming from the West and Southeast," Sharga noted. "In fact, even though the highest gross profits came from the most expensive states, 14 of the 18 states where flips accounted for a higher percentage of overall home sales than the national average were in the South, Southeast, and Western states." Typical home flipping returns rise in more than half of metro areas The median $328,000 resale price of homes flipped nationwide in the second quarter of 2022 generated a gross flipping profit of $73,700 above the median investor purchase price of $254,300. That resulted in a typical 29 percent profit margin. Profit margins increased from the first quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2022 in 122 of the 202 metro areas with enough data to analyze (60 percent), although they remained down since the second quarter of last year in 57 percent of the markets analyzed. The biggest quarterly increases in profit margins came in Huntsville, AL (ROI up from 18.2 percent in the first quarter of 2022 to 84.5 percent in the second quarter of 2022); Tallahassee, FL (up from 42.1 percent to 94.6 percent); Buffalo, NY (up from 88.2 percent to 133.3 percent); Canton, OH (up from 22.8 percent to 63.9 percent) and Fort Smith, AR (up from 38.7 percent to 76.6 percent). Markets with the largest returns on investment for typical home flips completed during the second quarter of 2022 were Buffalo, NY (133.3 percent return); Pittsburgh, PA (127.3 percent); Lake Charles, LA (125.5 percent); Scranton, PA (109.9 percent) and Harrisburg, PA (96 percent). Aside from Buffalo and Pittsburgh, the largest investment returns in the second quarter among metro areas with a population of at least 1 million were in Philadelphia, PA (82.1 percent); Detroit, MI (77.8 percent) and Baltimore, MD (73.5 percent). Metro areas with the smallest profit margins on typical home flips in the second quarter of 2022 were Tyler, TX (1.4 percent return); Jackson, MS (1.9 percent); Boise, ID (4.5 percent); Medford, OR (8.6 percent) and Lafayette, LA (9.7 percent). Raw profits remain highest in western and northeastern regions, lowest in the South and Midwest The highest raw profits on median-priced home flips in the second quarter of 2022, measured in dollars, remained concentrated in the West and Northeast. Sixteen of the top 20 were in those regions, led by San Jose, CA (typical gross profit of $292,500); San Francisco, CA ($250,000); Salinas, CA ($203,125); San Diego, CA ($177,000) and Seattle, WA ($174,999). At the opposite end of the range, 17 of the 20 lowest raw profits on typical home flips were spread across the South and Midwest. The smallest were in Tyler, TX ($4,000); Jackson, MS ($5,223); Lafayette, IN ($15,518); Boise, ID ($20,133) and Lexington, KY ($23,500). All-cash investing dips, but remains a majority of the flipping market Nationwide, 60.3 percent of homes flipped in the second quarter of 2022 had been purchased by investors with cash. That figure was down from 63.2 percent in the first quarter of 2022 and from 60.9 percent in the second quarter of 2021. Meanwhile, 39.7 percent of homes flipped in the second quarter of 2022 had been bought with financing. That was up from 36.8 percent in the prior quarter and from 39.1 percent a year earlier. Among metropolitan areas with a population of 1 million or more and sufficient data to analyze, those with the highest percentage of flips in the second quarter of 2022 that had been purchased with cash were in Buffalo, NY (80 percent), Detroit, MI (77.7 percent); Tucson AZ (76.4 percent); Cincinnati, OH (74.7 percent) and Cleveland, OH (74.5 percent). Average time to flip nationwide rises slightly again The average time it took from purchase to resale on home flips rose to 165 days in the second quarter, marking the third quarterly increase in a row. While the latest figure was less the historical averages, it was up from 162 days in the first quarter of 2022 and from 150 in the second quarter of 2021. Investor resales to FHA buyers drop to 15-year low Of the 115,198 U.S. homes flipped in the second quarter of 2022, only 7.5 percent were sold to buyers using loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). That was down from 7.9 percent in the prior quarter and from 7.6 percent in the second quarter of 2021, to the lowest quarterly mark since late 2007. Among the 202 metro areas with a population of at least 200,000 and at least 50 home flips in the second quarter of 2022, those with the highest percentage of flipped properties sold to FHA buyers typically first-time home purchasers were Modesto, CA (27.9 percent); Visalia, CA (25.9 percent); Lake Charles, LA (21.1 percent); Springfield, MA (19.9 percent) and Fort Smith, AR (18.1 percent). One in five counties have home-flipping rate of at least 10 percent Home flips accounted for at least 10 percent of all home sales in 256, or 22 percent, of the 1,168 counties around the U.S. with at least 10 flips in the second quarter of 2022. That was down from about a third of all counties with enough data to measure in the first quarter of 2021. The leaders in the second quarter of this year were Lumpkin County, GA (north of Atlanta) (21.5 percent); Douglas County, GA (outside Atlanta) (18.8 percent); McCurtain County, OK (north of Dallas, TX) (17.7 percent); Paulding County, GA (outside Marietta) (17.5 percent) and Screven County, GA (north of Savannah) (17.4 percent). Report methodology ATTOM analyzed sales deed data for this report. A single-family home or condo flip was any arms-length transaction that occurred in the quarter where a previous arms-length transaction on the same property had occurred within the last 12 months. The average gross flipping profit is the difference between the purchase price and the flipped price (not including rehab costs and other expenses incurred, which flipping veterans estimate typically run between 20 percent and 33 percent of the property's after-repair value). Gross flipping return on investment was calculated by dividing the gross flipping profit by the second sale (purchase) price. About ATTOM ATTOM provides premium property data to power products that improve transparency, innovation, efficiency and disruption in a data-driven economy. ATTOM multi-sources property tax, deed, mortgage, foreclosure, environmental risk, natural hazard, and neighborhood data for more than 155 million U.S. residential and commercial properties covering 99 percent of the nation's population. A rigorous data management process involving more than 20 steps validates, standardizes, and enhances the real estate data collected by ATTOM, assigning each property record with a persistent, unique ID the ATTOM ID. The 30TB ATTOM Data Warehouse fuels innovation in many industries including mortgage, real estate, insurance, marketing, government and more through flexible data delivery solutions that include bulk file licenses, property data APIs, real estate market trends, property reports and more. Also, introducing our newest innovative solution, that offers immediate access and streamlines data management ATTOM Cloud. Media Contact: Christine Stricker 949.748.8428 [email protected] Data and Report Licensing: 949.502.8313 [email protected] SOURCE ATTOM DUBLIN, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Water Purifier Market (2022-2027) by Technology, Component, Distribution, Geography, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Water Purifier Market is estimated to be USD 41.9 Bn in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 59.46 Bn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 7.25%. Market dynamics are forces that impact the prices and behaviors of the Global Water Purifier Market stakeholders. These forces create pricing signals which result from the changes in the supply and demand curves for a given product or service. Forces of Market Dynamics may be related to macro-economic and micro-economic factors. There are dynamic market forces other than price, demand, and supply. Human emotions can also drive decisions, influence the market, and create price signals. As the market dynamics impact the supply and demand curves, decision-makers aim to determine the best way to use various financial tools to stem various strategies for speeding the growth and reducing the risks. Company Profiles The report provides a detailed analysis of the competitors in the market. It covers the financial performance analysis for the publicly listed companies in the market. The report also offers detailed information on the companies' recent development and competitive scenario. Some of the companies covered in this report are A. O. Smith, Amway, Bajaj Electricals, Brita LP, etc. Countries Studied America ( Argentina , Brazil , Canada , Chile , Colombia , Mexico , Peru , United States , Rest of Americas) , , , , , , , , Rest of Americas) Europe ( Austria , Belgium , Denmark , Finland , France , Germany , Italy , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Russia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , United Kingdom , Rest of Europe ) ( , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Rest of ) Middle-East and Africa ( Egypt , Israel , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , South Africa , United Arab Emirates , Rest of MEA) and ( , , , , , , Rest of MEA) Asia-Pacific ( Australia , Bangladesh , China , India , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Philippines , Singapore , South Korea , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Taiwan , Rest of Asia-Pacific ) Competitive Quadrant The report includes Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc. Ansoff Analysis The report presents a detailed Ansoff matrix analysis for the Global Water Purifier Market. Ansoff Matrix, also known as Product/Market Expansion Grid, is a strategic tool used to design strategies for the growth of the company. The matrix can be used to evaluate approaches in four strategies viz. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development and Diversification. The matrix is also used for risk analysis to understand the risk involved with each approach. The analyst analyses the using the Ansoff Matrix to provide the best approaches a company can take to improve its market position. Based on the SWOT analysis conducted on the industry and industry players, the analyst has devised suitable strategies for market growth. Why buy this report? The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Water Purifier Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies. The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry. The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report. The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies. The report also contains the competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's Proprietary competitive positioning tool. Key Topics Covered: 1 Report Description 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Market Dynamics 4.1 Drivers 4.1.1 Multiple Benefits Associated with the Use of Water Filters 4.1.2 Government Initiatives to Support the Use of Pure Water 4.1.3 Growing Awareness of Water Borne Diseases 4.2 Restraints 4.2.1 High Maintenance Cost Associated with Water Purifier 4.3 Opportunities 4.3.1 Introduction of Smart Water Purifier with Advanced Technology 4.3.2 Surging Product Offering in Developing and Underdeveloped Countries 4.4 Challenges 4.4.1 Removal of Major Minerals from Water 5 Market Analysis 5.1 Regulatory Scenario 5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5.3 Impact of COVID-19 5.4 Ansoff Matrix Analysis 6 Global Water Purifier Market, By Technology 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Gravity Purifier 6.3 RO Purifier 6.4 Sediment Filtration 6.5 UF Purifier 6.6 UV Purifier 7 Global Water Purifier Market, By Component 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Membrane 7.3 Pump 7.4 Tap & Faucet 8 Global Water Purifier Market, By Distribution 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Aftermarket Supplier 8.3 OEM Manufacturer 9 Americas' Water Purifier Market 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Argentina 9.3 Brazil 9.4 Canada 9.5 Chile 9.6 Colombia 9.7 Mexico 9.8 Peru 9.9 United States 9.10 Rest of Americas 10 Europe's Water Purifier Market 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Austria 10.3 Belgium 10.4 Denmark 10.5 Finland 10.6 France 10.7 Germany 10.8 Italy 10.9 Netherlands 10.10 Norway 10.11 Poland 10.12 Russia 10.13 Spain 10.14 Sweden 10.15 Switzerland 10.16 United Kingdom 10.17 Rest of Europe 11 Middle East and Africa's Water Purifier Market 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Egypt 11.3 Israel 11.4 Qatar 11.5 Saudi Arabia 11.6 South Africa 11.7 United Arab Emirates 11.8 Rest of MEA 12 APAC's Water Purifier Market 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Australia 12.3 Bangladesh 12.4 China 12.5 India 12.6 Indonesia 12.7 Japan 12.8 Malaysia 12.9 Philippines 12.10 Singapore 12.11 South Korea 12.12 Sri Lanka 12.13 Thailand 12.14 Taiwan 12.15 Rest of Asia-Pacific 13 Competitive Landscape 13.1 Competitive Quadrant 13.2 Market Share Analysis 13.3 Strategic Initiatives 13.3.1 M&A and Investments 13.3.2 Partnerships and Collaborations 13.3.3 Product Developments and Improvements 14 Company Profiles 14.1 A. O. Smith 14.2 Amway 14.3 Bajaj Electricals 14.4 Brita LP 14.5 BWT Holding 14.6 Coway 14.7 Culligan International Company 14.8 Electrolux 14.9 Eureka Forbes 14.10 Helen of Troy 14.11 Hindustan Unilever 14.12 iSpring Water System 14.13 Kent Ro Systems 14.14 Koninklijke Philips 14.15 Livpure 14.16 Mitsubishi Chemical 14.17 Panasonic 14.18 Pentair 14.19 Strix 14.20 TATA CHEMICALS 14.21 The 3M Company 14.22 Toray Industries 14.23 Voltas 15 Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1zq3df 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 STOCKHOLM, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ASSA ABLOY invites investors, analysts and financial media to its Capital Markets Day (CMD) on 16 November 2022 in London, UK. The event will start at 08.30 GMT and is expected to finish around 16.00 GMT. During the CMD in London, there will be the opportunity to informally meet and talk with all participating representatives from ASSA ABLOY. We will also be displaying interesting products and solutions, including from Entrance Systems, HID and EMEIA. At the CMD, Nico Delvaux, President and CEO, and Erik Pieder, CFO, will provide an update on ASSA ABLOY's strategy and direction. Other speakers will include: - Lucas Boselli, Head of Americas division - Neil Vann, Head of EMEIA division - Massimo Grassi, Head of Entrance Systems - Bjorn Lidefelt, Head of HID - Stephanie Ordan, Head of Global Solutions - Markus Kast, Head of the Pedestrian Segment of Entrance Systems Dedicated breakout including Q&A sessions will also be arranged for those attending the event in London. We look forward to sharing this day with you. Nico Delvaux, President and CEO, and Erik Pieder, CFO Venue: Leonardo Royal Hotel St Paul's, 10 Godliman Street, London EC4V 5AJ Time: The CMD starts at 08.30am, with registration and coffee from 08.00am. Please register no later than 4 November 2022 to participate at the CMD: https://form.assaabloy.com/registration-capital-markets-day-2022 The number of attendees is limited. To follow the CMD online, please also register via the link above. For more information, please contact: Lina Bonnevier, ASSA ABLOY AB Phone: +46(0)850648551 Mobile: +46(0)730924205 [email protected] About ASSA ABLOY The ASSA ABLOY Group is the global leader in access solutions. The Group operates worldwide with 51,000 employees and sales of SEK 95 billion. The Group has leading positions in areas such as efficient door openings, trusted identities and entrance automation. ASSA ABLOY's innovations enable safe, secure and convenient access to physical and digital places. Every day, we help billions of people experience a more open world. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/assa-abloy/r/invitation-to-assa-abloy-s-capital-markets-day-on-16-november-2022-in-london,c3634572 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/7333/3634572/1629409.pdf Press release (PDF) SOURCE ASSA ABLOY IT Arena, one of Eastern Europe's largest professional tech conferences, is bringing together Ukraine's and international tech experts for a live event. The tech conference will be held in Lviv on September 30-October 1, 2022. LVIV, Ukraine, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite unprecedented challenges around the country, Ukraine's tech community has continued to thrive in 2022. In an act of bravery against the war, tech professionals will gather in person for the annual IT Arena conference that's scheduled at the end of September. This year, the event, themed 'Ukraine 3.0: Brave. Resilient. Digital', will be in-person (offline) to show the strength and resilience of Ukraine. The topics will focus largely on: how the tech industry can support the country in these turbulent times; the future of military technology; insights on modern cyber tactics, and much more. Political attendance at this year's IT Arena includes the Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Alex Bornyakov, as well as other top government officials. IT Arena will once again give tech professionals and journalists in Ukraine and around the globe the unique opportunity to come together in one place to network and learn about the latest in tech. Two days of insightful talks This year's IT Arena hosts keynote speakers, including names such as Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Turkey's premiere autonomous technology company Baykar, CEO of Dragonfly Cameron Chell, CEO of Atlas Aerospace Ivan Tolchynskyi, CEO of Prytula Charity Fund Serhiy Prytula, cybersecurity expert Kim Zetter. The popular Startup Competition is also back this year. The competition has become an excellent opportunity for new tech companies to showcase their projects and network with others in the industry. Participants will compete for a $85,000 prize fund as they validate their business models. Keeping you safe at our event IT Arena 2022 event organizers are working with local authorities to ensure the safety of all attendees, speakers, and guests. This year's event will be scaled down to facilitate increased security. "We're committed to creating the safest environment we can," said Stepan Veselovskyi, CEO of IT Arena and Lviv IT Cluster. "Despite unprecedented challenges around the country, Ukraine's tech community has continued to thrive in 2022. At the moment, the overwhelming sentiment from our members, partners, speakers and attendees is that we should go forward with our event. So we will gather in person to show the whole world how brave and resilient Ukraine is where we say life can and should go on." About IT Arena Since 2014, IT Arena has annually brought members of the Ukrainian and Eastern European tech communities together for one special event. The conference typically attracts more than 5,000 tech professionals from over 40 countries. These professionals come to IT Arena from all areas of tech from large companies like Google, F1, Spotify, Tesla to local startups like Liki24, Legal Nodes, AXDRAFT. IT Arena provides a plethora of opportunities for attendees to learn, network, and share ideas about the future of tech. The media accreditation for IT Arena 2022 is already open. Get your media pass here . SOURCE IT Arena Bryan-Michael Cox Awarded SESAC Icon Award for his Contributions to Popular Music Photos: https://bit.ly/3xEgFQb LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SESAC celebrated songwriters and music publishers behind this year's most-performed songs across a variety of genres at The London in West Hollywood last night, September 21, for the first in-person ceremony in several years. The event was attended by several top music industry executives, artists, songwriters, and publishers including, Jack Harlow, Robert Glasper, Bryan-Michael Cox, Dixson, and Kenyon Dixon, among others. Jack Harlow was once again this year's top honoree awarded with the title of Songwriter of the Year for the second consecutive year. Additionally, Song of the Year resulted in a tie Harlow was honored with this award for the second year in a row, this year for "Industry Baby," tying with "Heat Waves" recorded by Glass Animals for the Song of the Year title. Sony Music Publishing, publisher of "Industry Baby," was named Publisher of the Year. "Heat Waves" has become Glass Animals most successful single to date, spending five weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after spending 84 weeks on the chart. "Industry Baby" is Jack Harlow's first #1 hit and was nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. Both songs are massive viral hits, each accumulating billions of global streams across all platforms. Bryan-Michael Cox was awarded the SESAC Icon Award highlighting his incredible achievements in music as both songwriter and producer. His prolific career includes 35 number one hits, 20 top ten hits, 12 Grammy Award nominations, and nine wins. He has broken the record previously held by the Beatles for Billboard's most consecutive number one hits and received the SESAC Songwriter of the Year award six years in a row. Over the course of his decades-long career, he has worked with artists including Usher, Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, and many more. "We are thrilled to be celebrating together in person honoring our talented pop, R&B, rap, and hip-hop affiliates," shared Sam Kling, Chief Creative Officer, SESAC Performing Rights. "Our songwriters and producers have created amazing, record-breaking music and we're honored to represent their songs. We are excited to be honoring Bryan-Michael Cox with the SESAC Icon Award acknowledging his lasting contributions to mainstream music. With our awards now being hosted in Los Angeles, this is an exciting night highlighting an incredible group of songwriters and artists." Sponsors for the event include: Havianas, Aloono, Danger Coffee, Essentia Water, Ettitude, Flying Embers, I'm With The Band, Justin's, Movember, State Bags, Simply, and The Spa Dr. For event highlights, visit @SESAC on Instagram. A full list of winners will be available at www.sesac.com Media Contact: Jenna Smith SESAC Inc. [email protected] 615.932.7905 SOURCE SESAC Music Group IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Keller/Anderle LLP is pleased to announce that Jennifer Keller has again been named to "The Top 100 Lawyers in California" as selected by the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals. This is Keller's fifteenth appearance on the list. Jennifer Keller is one of America's most successful trial attorneys. She represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of high-stakes commercial litigation and white collar cases. Chambers USA and Chambers Global rank her among the top commercial litigators in the nation, quoting sources who describe Jennifer as "widely regarded as one of the best trial lawyers in California." "She has uncanny instincts, a wonderful courtroom demeanor and she's an extremely clear and effective communicator," and "is absolutely unflappable in court and builds a strong rapport and credibility with judges and decision makers." She is a Fellow of the invitation-only American College of Trial Lawyers, considered to be among the highest honors a North American trial attorney can receive. The Legal 500, among the most prestigious international legal directories, recommends Jennifer as one of just 63 "leading trial lawyers" in the entire United States. Jennifer is also a 2018 inductee into the California Lawyers Association Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, one of only 35 attorneys so honored throughout the years. Benchmark Litigation lists her as one of the "Top 100 Trial Attorneys in America" and among the "Top 20 Trial Lawyers in California," calling her a "National Litigation Star." In 2020 and in 2021, Super Lawyers ranked Jennifer #1 in Southern California. "Revered for her versatility and ease in front of a jury the go-to trial attorney for difficult cases" is how Jennifer is described by The Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals, ranking her as a "Top 100 Lawyer in California" for over 10 years in a row. In three separate years (2019, 2018 and 2012), in starkly different subjects, Jennifer's trial victories have led to California Lawyer Magazine Attorneys of the Year (CLAY) awards for extraordinary achievements in litigation. Keller/Anderle LLP is among the premier boutique trial law firms in California, handling highly complex litigation of all types. Contact: Kay Anderle Managing Partner Address: 18300 Von Karman Ave., Suite 930 Irvine, California 92612-1057 Ph. 949.476.8700 Fax 949.476.0900 [email protected] www.kelleranderle.com SOURCE Keller/Anderle LLP BOSTON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - The John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund (NYSE: HTY) (the "Fund"), advised by John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the "Adviser") and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today that the Board of Trustees (the "Board") has approved a change to the Fund's investment policies. This change provides additional flexibility with respect to investments in non-U.S. issuers, which the Fund believes is in the best interest of the Fund's shareholders. Under the new investment policies, under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 40% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers, unless the manager deems market conditions and/or company valuations to be less favorable to non-U.S. issuers, in which case, the fund will invest at least 30% of its total assets in non-U.S. issuers. The Fund's investments in securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers are expected to vary over time. The change announced today will become effective upon on October 1, 2022. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. About John Hancock Investment Management A company of Manulife Investment Management, we serve investors through a unique multimanager approach, complementing our extensive in-house capabilities with an unrivaled network of specialized asset managers, backed by some of the most rigorous investment oversight in the industry. The result is a diverse lineup of time-tested investments from a premier asset manager with a heritage of financial stewardship. About Manulife Investment Management Manulife Investment Management is the global brand for the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than a century of financial stewardship and the full resources of our parent company to serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto, our leading capabilities in public and private markets are strengthened by an investment footprint that spans 18 geographies. We complement these capabilities by providing access to a network of unaffiliated asset managers from around the world. We're committed to investing responsibly across our businesses. We develop innovative global frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with companies in our securities portfolios, and maintain a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets, and we believe in supporting financial well-being through our workplace retirement plans. Today, plan sponsors around the world rely on our retirement plan administration and investment expertise to help their employees plan for, save for, and live a better retirement. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulifeim.com. SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management MINEOLA, N.Y., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- John R. Durso is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Top Union President and in acknowledgment of his accomplishments at Local 338 and the Long Island Federation of Labor. John R. Durso Mr. Durso began his career as a deli clerk at Waldbaum's supermarkets. He provided exceptional service to Waldbaum's and Hills stores for over 15 years. In 1984, Mr. Durso was hired as an organizer for Local 338, Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU), and United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). The groups represent a collective of 15,000 members in a wide variety of locations and job roles, including supermarkets, drugstores, group homes, medical cannabis dispensaries, non-food retail, bus drivers, school monitors, and more. In 1999, Mr. Durso took on an executive role as the President of Local 338. Local 338 has staff of about 75 employees and manages 130 bargaining agreements with employers throughout New Jersey and New York. In 2005, he became the President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, one of the top four biggest labor councils in the United States. The Long Island Federation of Labor represents more than 250,000 employees across 180 union groups. He sits on many boards, including the Nassau Community College Board of Trustees, various New York State boards, and the NCC Foundation board, to represent the organization and its members. He is the Chair of pensions, health funds, welfare funds. Mr. Durso is an International Vice President of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Vice President of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) a Council within the UFCW, and Vice President of the New York City Central Labor Council. Actively involved in his community, he also holds positions on the Town of Hempstead Labor Advisory Board, the Nassau County Living Wage Advisory Board, the Town of Oyster Bay Workforce Investment Boards, and the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council. Mr. Durso also serves on the United Way of L.I. and the EAC Network Board of Directors. He is a member of the Hofstra University Long Island Hall of Fame, and was awarded the Ellis Island Award in 2001 for his support of immigration and diversity. Mr. Durso was honored with the Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award in 2009, the Excalibur Award from the American Cancer Society, and the Environmental Award from the Citizens Campaign for the Environment. These distinguished awards are some of the highlights of Mr. Durso's career. For more information, visit https://www.local338.org/. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who 30 shipping banks and 16 marine insurance providers and brokers announce today that the Poseidon Principles will add additional trajectories to report climate alignment with a 1.5C future. This new commitment will align the Poseidon Principles with the ambition of the UN and the latest available climate science. NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Poseidon Principles have committed to adopting an emissions reduction trajectory in line with net-zero commitments, as soon as such a trajectory or trajectories become available. The Poseidon Principles provide a framework for financial institutions and marine insurers to measure and publicly report the climate alignment of ship finance and marine insurance portfolios with global climate action goals. (PRNewsfoto/Global Maritime Forum) "The urgency is clear. Because of the role that shipping plays in the global economy, we must accelerate our ambition towards the Paris Agreement's 1.5C temperature goal. This new ambition will allow the Poseidon Principles to continue playing our role in incentivizing and supporting the decarbonization of shipping," said Michael Parker, Chairman, Global Shipping, Logistics & Offshore, Citi and Chair of the Poseidon Principles for Financial Institutions. The Poseidon Principles are already aligned with the International Maritime Organization's ambition to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 50% by 2050. The Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance also benchmark against an emissions reduction trajectory in line with a 100% reduction by 2050. The new commitment announced today means that, once a new trajectory based on credible and well-recognized sources is established and adopted by the members of the individual initiatives, Signatories will benchmark their portfolios against two trajectories: one aligned with the IMO's 50% reduction by 2050, and one aligned with net-zero by 2050 and a maximum temperature rise of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by 2100, to meet the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement. For the second trajectory to be consistent with a 1.5C future, the scope will be expanded to include all greenhouse gas species, and to account for well-to-wake emissions. "Access to real emissions data through the Poseidon Principles creates tangible impact in our business as well as in the real economy. Establishing common global decarbonization trajectories will help us make business decisions that reflect the latest available climate science. This is the right thing for us to do," said Patrizia Kern-Ferretti, Head Marine, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and Chair of the Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance. Learn more about the commitment in this Ambition Statement . About the Poseidon Principles The Poseidon Principles for Financial Institutions and the Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance are frameworks for measuring and reporting the alignment of financial institutions' shipping portfolios and marine insurers' hull and machinery portfolios with climate goals. Recognizing financial institutions' and insurers' role in promoting responsible environmental stewardship throughout the maritime value chain, the Poseidon Principles provide them with tools to foster collaboration with clients, gain insight to enhance strategic decision-making, and address the impacts of climate change. Both Poseidon Principles frameworks are built on four principles Assessment of climate alignment, Accountability, Enforcement, and Transparency which they share with the Sea Cargo Charter . Established under the auspices of the Global Maritime Forum , the three initiatives aim to increase the transparency of environmental impacts within global seaborne trade, promote industry-wide change, and support a better future for the industry and society. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1902874/Global_Maritime_Forum_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1902875/Global_Maritime_Forum_Logo.jpg SOURCE Global Maritime Forum CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Advisor Group (Liberty), a premier management consulting firm that helps clients tackle their toughest business and IT challenges, has been named one of the 2022 Best Places to Work in Chicago. Crain's Chicago Business partnered with Best Companies Group on this survey and awards program to identify companies that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for employees. Liberty is dedicated to firm culture and works hard to build a sense of family with team outings and activities. Tweet this Liberty is committed to the continuous learning and development of our people. We value providing our people with new opportunities to grow as a leader and achieve career aspirations by broadening their skill sets and experiences. Quarterly, Liberty brings all employees together to learn from each other, celebrate successes, and have fun. "It is an honor to be recognized as a Best Place to Work in Chicago by Crain's Chicago Business for the third year," said Chad Smith, CEO, Liberty Advisor Group. "This award is an incredible testament to our people and culture. We have created a strong culture that fosters a supportive work environment and empowers our people to deliver world-class results to our clients." Liberty is dedicated to firm culture and works hard to build a sense of family amongst everyone with team outings and activities. We are a flat organization with high-performing, self-motivated entrepreneurs that have fun while delivering client value. Most recently, Liberty was recognized as one of the Best Small and Medium Workplaces in Chicago by Fortune Magazine. Determining the Best Places to Work in Chicago involved a two-step process. The first step consisted of evaluating each participating company's workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of employee surveys aimed at assessing the experiences and attitudes of individual employees with respect to their workplace. This part was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the best companies and the final ranking. The full list of Best Places to Work in Chicago is featured in Crain's Chicago Business and is available online here. ABOUT LIBERTY ADVISOR GROUP Liberty Advisor Group is a goal-oriented, client-focused, and results-driven consulting firm. Founded in 2008, Liberty's world-class team has added an impressive $1 billion to our clients' operating incomes over the years, and has been involved in 1000+ mergers, acquisitions, and carve-out projects. The company aims to drive future growth by continuing to align with our clients on their toughest business and IT challenges; further strengthening our collaborative, problem-solving culture; and building genuine and trusting relationships both inside and outside of the firm. In short, we will continue to grow, evolve, and improve. About Crain's Chicago Business Crain's Chicago Business is the top source of news, analysis and information on business in metropolitan Chicago for decision-makers in the private and public sectors. Related Links https://www.libertyadvisorgroup.com SOURCE Liberty Advisor Group BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LongPath Technologies, Inc. has been invited by U.S. Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm to be part of this week's Global Clean Energy Action Forum, which is part of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) meeting happening in Pittsburgh, PA. "We are pleased to have been invited by the Secretary to play an active part in this first energy innovators forum. LongPath is eager to showcase the solutions our continuous methane measurement and monitoring technology is delivering to the energy industry, the federal government, states, and local communities," said Ian Dickinson, CEO of LongPath Technologies. "Our long-range system's continuous detection limits enable LongPath customers to identify methane emission sources as well as capture data at thresholds far below what other commercial continuous or intermittent monitoring systems can achieve. The LongPath system can identify emissions across the spectrum down to those in the 0.2 kg/hr range," said Dickinson. LongPath Technologies showcased at Global Clean Energy Action Forum by invitation of U.S. Secretary of Energy Granholm. Tweet this "LongPath appreciates the select opportunity to be part of the Clean Energy forum and the CEM. These events bring together a community of the world's largest and leading countries, companies, and international experts to advance clean energy technology, share lessons learned and best practices, and encourage coordinated actions and investments that enable clean energy economies. LongPath supports the CEM's objectives and stands ready to assist in collaborative plans to measure, mitigate and eventually reduce methane emissions into our environment," said Dickinson. "We are thrilled to take part in this event and to continue building collaborative efforts and partnerships aimed at deploying solutions for greenhouse gas emissions mitigation and monitoring in the private sector and at the public-private interface," said Caroline Alden, co-founder and VP of Product and Markets at LongPath, who is also attending the event. "Emissions monitoring and mitigation is just getting going, and we're excited to be a part of the exciting future that lies ahead." LongPath will take part in the ARPA-e showcase and other Forum events. About LongPath Technologies, Inc. Founded in 2017, LongPath Technologies leverages Nobel Prize-winning technology to engineer actionable laser systems that probe the adsorption "fingerprints" of methane, carbon dioxide, and other molecules across more than 50,000 wavelengths (colors) of light. After a decade of research and development, the company's foundational Frequency Comb Laser technology combines low system cost and field robustness with continuous long-distance emissions detection. LongPath Technologies is based in Boulder, Colorado. www.longpathtech.com SOURCE LongPath Technologies, Inc. MADRID, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to solidify the North American market as its main source of international tourism, Madrid City Council Tourism Department successfully executed a roadshow in the United States, visiting both Chicago and New York City from September 12 to September 14. Executives from Madrid Tourism Board hosted an extensive agenda of events and strategic meetings, most of which involved the presence of the Mayor of Madrid, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, who traveled to New York City to commemorate the 40th anniversary of their Sister Cities partnership, a formal and substantive collaboration between the cities. Madrid's Mayor, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida joined the tourism industry delegates for several events and meetings in New York City throughout the week, including a conference with the Broadway League and a meeting to strengthen strategic alliances with Virtuoso leaders. The roadshow kicked off in Chicago with a networking event for travel agents, tour operators, and travel writers to engage with 20 Spanish companies specializing in the premium tourism and MICE segments. These promotional efforts continued in New York City, where the Mayor of Madrid addressed over 100 North American companies to showcase the attractions that distinguish Madrid as one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. Mayor Martinez-Almeida held a meeting with representatives of Virtuoso, a prestigious North American consortium of high-impact tourism travel agents from various companies, with the purpose of positioning Madrid in the international premium market and promoting the destination's candidacy to host Virtuoso's annual symposium in 2024. Martinez-Almeida also met with representatives of The Broadway League, which consists of over 700 members from the commercial theater industry to establish channels for unity and collaboration with the theaters of the Gran Via, recognized as the "Broadway of Madrid" and as one of the destination's greatest cultural offerings. To conclude the destinations cultural initiatives, the Royal Theatre, sponsored and promoted by the Madrid City Council's Tourism Department, hosted a grand concert, filling Carnegie Hall with Spanish music. The Councilwoman for Tourism for the City of Madrid, Almudena Maillo, also traveled to New York City to host a meeting with the heads of NYC & Company, the city's official marketing, tourism, and partnership organization, to discuss a collaboration agreement between the two destinations. Since 2007, Madrid and New York City have developed various joint promotional activations to give visibility to both cities in their respective markets and are expecting to continue the alliance and launch new initiatives tailored to the current trends in the tourism sector. 360 Promotional Campaign Additionally, the Madrid City Council is developing a social media marketing campaign with American Airlines to promote visits to the city, as well as a media advertising campaign accompanied by a circuit of over 100 digital MUPIs featuring images of the Spanish capital in the most centric streets of New York City. The American Market The United States is Madrid's largest foreign visitor market and ranks first among the top ten most important markets for the capital. In 2019, the city welcomed 809,490 Americans who generated 1,877,376 overnight stays. Throughout 2022, the number of visitors has reached 411,459 visitors, surpassing the 189,335 visitors from France, 172,371 visitors from Italy and 144,107 visitors from the United Kingdom. All of the aforementioned efforts, along with various other promotional activities in the works, seek to increase the demand for premium luxury travel and encourage meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions in Madrid. Media contact: Camila Gonzalez [email protected] 305-532-7950 SOURCE City of Madrid Tourism Board Workers Excited to Affiliate with Union, Bargain First Contract BERKELEY, Calif., Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, September 22 at 1:00 PM PST, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin will sign an agreement between Spin Electric Scooters and Teamsters Local 665. The agreement will legally formalize the company's decision to voluntarily recognize the union as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for the Spin workers in the City of Berkeley. What: Signing and Recognition Ceremony for Spin Scooter Workers When: Thursday, September 22 at 1:00 PM PST Where: 2180 Milvia Street, 5th Floor Mayors Conference Room Please have ID ready for the City Hall security personnel. Attendees: Teamsters Local 665 Secretary-Treasurer Tony Delorio, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin, Spin Electric Scooter company representatives Visuals: Mayor Arreguin signing agreement, company and union officials shaking hands. Interviews: Mayor Arreguin will make remarks during and prior to the ceremony. Local 665 Secretary-Treasurer Tony Delorio is available for interviews upon request. Teamsters Local 665 represents over 5,000 members throughout the Bay Area in a wide variety of industries. For more information, go to https://www.teamsters665.org/. Contact: Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Local 665 The new state-of-the-art office in Chicago's River North neighborhood will support the local startup unicorn's growth as a global digital marketplace CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Cameo, the world's leading celebrity engagement platform, joined Chicago Mayor Lightfoot and World Business Chicago to announce the opening of its new global headquarters at 620 North LaSalle. Joining in the celebration of this news is Southpaw, an iconic Chicago character, with a @Cameo shout out. Celebrity startup Cameo is one of the most successful ever. Today it announced Chicago as its global headquarters. Tweet this City of Chicago Logo (PRNewsfoto/World Business Chicago) Founded in Chicago in 2017 by Steven Galanis, Devon Townsend, and Martin Blencowe, Cameo's mission is to create the most personalized and authentic fan experiences on Earth. The company invented the original celebrity shoutout video, now used for any and all occasions from birthday and pep talk messages to marriage proposals and gender reveals. In the last five years Cameo expanded its team to more than 200 full time employees and added new experience offerings like Cameo Live (video call for 1-10 fans), Cameo Direct Messages, Cameo Pass (a foray into Web3) and physical merch through an acquisition of Represent. The marketplace's B2B offering has also democratized access to celebrities for businesses of all sizes. The Cameo for Business team, launched in 2020, has already partnered with more than 12,000 unique brand customers from Portillos to LinkedIn. "Cameo represents one of Chicago's most successful startups ever, and I'm so proud to see their growing presence with a new global headquarters," said Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "I congratulate CEO Steven Galanis and his fast-growing team, who will continue to thrive right here in Chicago." In March 2021, Cameo announced a $100M Series C funding round, bringing the company's total funding to more than $165M at a valuation of just over $1 billion. The brand has enabled more than 4 million fan connections across over 200 countries and also raised more than $1.5 million for a wide range of charities through its Cameo Cares program. The Chicago area team of over 50 full time employees includes roles dedicated to talent acquisition and management, Cameo for Business, marketing, engineering, data and more. "Chicago has been our home since day one and we're incredibly proud to plant our flag right here in the top tier tech and innovation hub that's been fostering our growth for years," said Steven Galanis, CEO and Co-Founder of Cameo. "I'm inspired everyday by my peers in this city's thriving startup ecosystem and I'm excited for Cameo's continued role as a champion for technology and innovation in Chicago and the greater Midwest." Based in Chicago's River North neighborhood, Cameo's new global HQ is almost 10,000 square-feet of collaborative space equipped with workstations, stunning city views and the modern amenities required to compete for top-tier talent, with additional room to accommodate future needs. "I've known Steven for years during his early days at 1871, and it's been incredible to watch his entrepreneurial journey which launched right here in Chicago," said Mark Tebbe, Chair of World Business Chicago's Innovation and Venture Council. "Steven has shown our city's entire startup ecosystem how you can build a world-class unicorn right here in the Midwest." "Cameo's continued growth is a testament to Chicago's growing resonance as a tier one global tech hub," said Michael Fassnacht, President and CEO of World Business Chicago, and the first-ever Chief Marketing Officer for the City of Chicago. "We're proud to be home to some of the world's best startups and unicorns like Cameo, founded by leaders with big ideas like Steven Galanis, ideas that change the world." To learn more about Cameo, please visit: https://www.cameo.com/ SOURCE World Business Chicago Increase in prevalence of caner, surge in demand for cancer screening, and surge in number of medical imaging procedures have boosted the growth of the global medical radiation protection aprons market. PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Medical Radiation Protection Aprons Market By Type (Front Protection Aprons, Vest and Skirt Aprons, Other Aprons), By Material (Lead Aprons, Light Lead Composite Aprons, Lead Free Aprons), By Application (Hospitals, Clinics and Radiology Centers, Research Laboratories): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031". As per the report, the global medical radiation protection aprons industry was pegged at $116.3 million in 2019, and is expected to reach $187.3 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2021 to 2030. Download Free Sample Report (235 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/11626 Major determinants of the market growth Increase in prevalence of caner, surge in demand for cancer screening, and surge in number of medical imaging procedure have boosted the growth of the global medical radiation protection aprons market. Moreover, rise in number of orthopedic surgeries and increase in demand for radiation protection aprons supplemented the market growth. Surge in technologies advancements in healthcare sector would open new opportunities in the future. Covid-19 scenario: The Covid-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the growth of the market as majority of the radiosurgeries or radiotherapies were postposed or rescheduled. Due to ever-increasing number of Covid-19 patients, surgical centers were converted into Covid-19 centers and hospitals. The vest and skirt aprons segment to manifest the highest CAGR through 2031 By type, the vest and skirt aprons segment is estimated to portray the highest CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period, due to rise in expenditure by government organization to develop healthcare sector, increase in prevalence of radiation therapy. However, the front protection aprons segment held the largest share in 2019, accounting for nearly half of the global medical radiation protection aprons market, and is expected to continue its dominance throughout the forecast period. This is owing to increase in number of X-ray procedures and increase in number of key players that manufacture front protection aprons. The lead aprons segment dominated the market By material, the lead aprons segment held the largest share in 2019, contributing to more than half of the global medical radiation protection aprons market, and is expected to maintain leading position during the forecast period. This is due to increase in demand for light weight radiation protection aprons. However, the lead-free aprons segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period, owing to increase in prevalence of diagnostic medical imaging procedures and increase in demand for lead apron among wearers. The clinics and radiology centers segment to showcase the highest CAGR through 2031 By application, the clinics and radiology segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period. This is due to increase in demand for radiation protection aprons in radiology centers. However, the hospitals segment held the largest share in 2019, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global medical radiation protection aprons market, and is expected to continue its dominance by 2030. This is due to increase in demand for radiation therapy in hospitals, increase in number of hospitals, and initiatives taken by governments for development of advanced hospital facilities. Purchase Inquiry: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/11626 North America held the lion's share By region, the market across North America held the largest share in 2019 accounting for around one-third of the global medical radiation protection aprons market. This is due to rise in prevalence of cancer, increase in number of X-ray procedures, presence of key players, and development in R&D activities in the radiology sector in the region. However, the market across Asia-Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period, owing to increase in prevalence of diseases, which require medical imaging, rise in safety awareness among population working under radiation environment. Major market players AADCO Medical, Inc. AliMed Inc. Amray Radiation Protection barrier technologies BLOXR Solutions Burlington Medical infab corporation Kemper Medical Inc. Kiran Lite Tech, Inc. Protech Medical. Shielding Intl. Trivitron Healthcare Techo-Aide Velcro BVBA The report analyzes these key players of the global medical radiation protection aprons market. These players have adopted 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 determining the business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and developments by every market player. Trending Reports in Healthcare Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount): Telemedicine market Expected to Reach $431.82 Billion by 2030 Biomaterials Market Expected to Reach $212.40 Billion by 2030 | CAGR of 12.7% Electronic Health Records Market is Expected to Reach $63.8 Billion by 2030 Vaccines Market Expected to Reach $72,129.61 Million by 2031 | CAGR of 6.6% Digital Health Market Expected to Reach $767.718 Billion by 2030 About Us 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 domain. 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 USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022 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/reports-store/life-sciences Follow Us on Blog: https://www.globalhealthcareindustry.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research Innovative virtual mental health platform awarded $250,000 in grant to provide critical work for underserved populations SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) named Mindstrong , a leading virtual mental health platform that combines care, data, and technology to treat serious mental illness, a finalist in Mission Daybreak , a $20 million challenge designed to develop new suicide prevention strategies for Veterans. Of the 1,371 applicants, Mindstrong was recognized due to the design of its tech, which is found to have the ability to successfully serve the mental health needs of Veterans, especially those living with serious mental illness. The VA evaluated finalists across four key measures: innovation, evidence-based care, impact, and Veteran-centered design. "This award further highlights Mindstrong's innovative model, bringing together care, data, and technology. We are honored to be partnering with the VA and Mission Daybreak to develop innovative new solutions to provide mental health services to Veterans and ultimately, save lives," says Mindstrong CEO, Michelle Wagner. Mindstrong and 30 other finalists will each receive $250,000 in funding to complete the ongoing critical work required to continue the downward trend of Veteran suicide rates. Mindstrong's tech-enabled mental healthcare platform aims to drastically reduce Veteran suicide risk by increasing access to evidence-based treatments and providing personalized care to target Veterans, especially those living in rural America. Of the 20 million Veterans in the US, 4.7 million live in rural areas. Those in rural communities are less likely to have access to mental healthcare services, resulting in higher depression and suicide rates. Mindstrong's technology is helping to bridge this divide. With the funding, Mindstrong will build upon its current Veteran-focused platform by developing Data-Empowered Care Plants (DECP). Mindstrong will utilize active and passive data to personalize Veterans' mental healthcare and increase their engagement with mental health services in a way that's convenient. Mental health appointments for Veterans will be driven by patient self-reported symptom dynamics utilizing technology provided through the Mindstrong app. In November, Mission Daybreak finalists will present their findings to key stakeholders, and award winners will receive between $500,000 to $3 million. About Mindstrong Mindstrong is a healthcare innovation company dedicated to transforming mental health through innovations in digital measurement, data science, and virtual care models. Mindstrong's solution and health services help deliver preemptive care and improve outcomes. The company is based in Mountain View, California and is backed by ARCH Venture Partners, General Catalyst, Foresite Capital, Optum Ventures, 8VC, and others. To learn more about Mindstrong Health, visit www.mindstrong.com. Contact: KNB Communications Email: [email protected] SOURCE Mindstrong PARIS, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Maison Mumm revealed the final design of Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar, the first champagne bottle and tasting experience designed for space travel and human spaceflight. In a historic collaboration with Axiom Space, a leader in commercial human spaceflight, Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar will join Axiom's human spaceflight program and fly on future space missions. Maison Mumm & Axiom Space announce partnership with Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar, first Champagne to be tasted in Space Beyond the technological challenge, Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar participates in making our culture and its rituals a part of history wherever humankind explores new territories. Initiated in 2017, this ambitious project has now achieved full compliance with space cargo specifications and AOC Champagne regulations. Following on this achievement, Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar will join Axiom's upcoming crewed missions to low Earth orbit and extend the collaboration to Axiom Station, the world's first commercial space station, to test and discover the tasting ritual in the real conditions of space. To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/9088751-maison-mumm-announces-collaboration-axiom-space/ Compliance with space technical specifications and AOC Champagne regulations True to the avant-garde spirit that has been driving it since 1827, Maison Mumm has been pursuing a project since 2017 that is as ambitious as it is innovative. The first Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar model presented in 2018 set the framework for the project's different aspects culture, design-innovation, wine - and generated observations - technical and oenological - useful for the development of the second model to be certified. Surrounded by the best experts in their field, Maison Mumm continued the research and experimentation - in collaboration with Octave de Gaulle, founder of SPADE, an agency specialized in the design of objects for space application, and the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the national French space agency. Laurent Fresnet, Cellar Master at Mumm, also participated in a parabolic flight in order to understand the impact of zero-gravity conditions on the wine and guarantee its integrity in the finalization of the specific blend of the Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar cuvee. After four years of this new phase of research of development, Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar has now achieved full compliance with space requirements certified by the CNES, attesting to its readiness for future space flights. Furthermore, Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar respects AOC Champagne regulations, certifying the integrity of the wine. Maison Mumm and Axiom Space: Terrestrial culture at the outpost of humanity in space Maison Mumm is taking champagne into a new era of human history. Jean-Francois Clervoy, French European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut and veteran of three NASA space missions, collaborated on the project, and comments: "In space, it is essential to maintain a link with Earth and its culture. As a symbol of the art of living that has endured through time, champagne has this universal appeal." Space exploration allows us to have a better observation and understanding of our own world. It also generates technological innovations that help change our lives on Earth and research that creates progress in various fields. If the notion of progress is inscribed in the founding identity of Maison Mumm, the Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar project gives a definition that goes far beyond champagne. It is part of a much larger vision for humankind: a vision that the champagne House shares with Axiom Space and which has led them to announce their collaboration to establish terrestrial culture at the outpost of humanity in space. The Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar champagne will embark on an upcoming Axiom Space mission to test the tasting ritual in real space flight conditions. This will help finalize the development of the experience and make last-minute adjustments. The ultimate goal is for Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar to participate in the pursuit of space exploration by taking part in life on board the station currently being developed by Axiom Space. As a result, space travelers will be able to enjoy a product that comes from Earth's soil as well as the savoir-faire of humankind, a symbol of our culture. Champagne allows us to recreate an emblematic ritual of celebration and conviviality that brings us together on Earth: a real link that conveys common values. 100% French: demanding production and a high-tech design In order to comply with the dual space-AOC Champagne specifications, Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar had to meet a complex set of constraints (e.g. gaseous liquid in the absence of gravity, pressure contained in the bottle, food compatibility, material specifications, size, ergonomics and intuitive use). All technical questions related to the design were addressed by Octave de Gaulle, the founder of SPADE, with the active support of CNES and the Comat design office. Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar is designed in three parts: - Contained in a half glass bottle, the wine is secured by a perfectly reliable stainless steel opening-closing device. It only comes into contact with glass and stainless steel, identical to Mumm's blending vats in Reims - two materials that ideally ensure its preservation. This assembly fully meets the constraints dictated by the champagne. - A shell made of aeronautical-grade aluminum protects the glass bottle. - The upper part, known as the "service" part, is composed of a long neck topped by a cork and a ring (which allows the cork to be retained and locks the bottle's stainless steel mechanism). These two elements fully respond to the constraints dictated by space. With its futuristic appearance, Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar nevertheless has a shape that's similar to a traditional champagne bottle and reproduces as faithfully as possible the ritual of champagne tasting. "This project is, of course, very stimulating because of its highly technological nature and its 100% French identity, from design to manufacturing. But it is also very exciting because technology serves a greater purpose here: champagne condenses the memory of a terroir, a climate, an ancestral savoir-faire and tasting sensations for all those who will evolve far from Earth," comments Octave de Gaulle, founder of the SPADE agency. A blend of Mumm Cordon Rouge adapted to tasting in space The conditions of tasting champagne in space differ on the physiological level with an alteration of the sense of smell. The behavior of the champagne is also modified: the bubbles no longer rise to the surface, so they don't release the aroma molecules they contain. The sensory sequence is specific, creating new sensations. First, the sense of sight is solicited then the wine - in the form of foam - enters in contact with the lips and mouth and is inhaled through the mouth. Once inside the mouth, the foam coats the walls as capillary action takes place. The overall perception of the wine changes with the decrease in olfaction, which is a main feature of wine tasting. Certain notes are perceived more than others. Taking into account these specific parameters, Laurent Fresnet has selected a blend of Mumm Cordon Rouge made with grapes from the 2016 harvest, which includes a majority of Pinot Noir - the House's signature grape variety and is supplemented with reserve wines from the past five years (up to 36%). "My goal was to retain the freshness and power of Mumm Cordon Rouge, and to enhance the intensity of its aromas with more aging and a dosage liqueur made with wines aged in oak barrels," explains Laurent Fresnet, Maison Mumm's Cellar Master. With an aging on laths extended to five years, the champagne has developed notes of ripe yellow fruit and vine peach, but also dried fruit, hazelnut and praline. Aged in oak barrels, the dosage liqueur, elaborated from wines, brings a touch of vanilla and pastry notes. As a result, Laurent Fresnet has reinforced the characteristics of the Mumm style - freshness, intensity, complexity - in tasting conditions where the senses - olfactory and gustatory - are altered. Michael Suffredini, Axiom Space's President & CEO, says: "Axiom's collaboration with Mumm and the Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar recognizes that, to bring humanity to space we can't just bring humans, we need to bring human traditions. This philosophy of celebrating humankind empowers our goal for Axiom Station, a next generation destination that will serve as a thriving home in space to enable a diverse space economy, further exploration and enable more of humanity to access space." Cesar Giron, President of Maison Mumm, says: "Innovation has been part of Maison Mumm's identity since 1827 and Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar is a perfect illustration of this. This project brings together the French savoir-faire of excellence for the benefit of conviviality that is so dear to us here on Earth. As early as 1904, Mumm was present on board with Commander Jean-Baptiste Charcot to celebrate the first successful French expedition to Antarctica. Tomorrow, it will accompany the life of the pioneers of the 21st century in the same way in this new territory that is space". ABOUT Maison Mumm Mumm is part of Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouet, the prestige cognac and champagne business of Pernod Ricard, the world's n2 in wines and spirits. With its distinguished heritage dating back to 1827, Mumm is the Mumm is the leading super Premium champagne House in France and third worldwide*. Mumm Grand Cordon pays tribute to the iconic red sash indented in the glass as part of a whole series of innovations. The revolutionary bottle is the perfect embodiment of the spirit of the House associated with audacious challenges and groundbreaking endeavors. * IWSR 2019 CNES CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) is the public establishment responsible for proposing French space policy to the Government and implementing it in Europe. It designs and puts satellites in orbit and invents the space systems of tomorrow; it promotes the emergence of new services that are useful in everyday life. CNES, created in 1961, initiates major space projects, launchers and satellites and is the natural partner of industry for pushing innovation. CNES has nearly 2,400 employees, men and women who are passionate about space, which opens up infinite, innovative fields of application; it intervenes in five areas: the Ariane launcher, scientific research, observation, telecommunications and defence. CNES is a major player in technological innovation, economic development and industrial policy in France. It also establishes scientific partnerships and is involved in numerous international projects. France, represented by CNES, is one of the main contributors to the European Space Agency (ESA). Axiom Space Axiom Space Axiom Space is guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while privately building its successor, Axiom Station, the first permanent commercial destination in Earth's orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. PRESS CONTACTS Laurie Pierrin [email protected] Bastyen Vandrille [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1902925/Maison_Mumm_Axiom_Space.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1899915/GH_Mumm_Logo.jpg SOURCE Maison Mumm Nation's Largest Cooperative and Supplier Ratings Platform Partner to Measure Supplier Performance LEXINGTON, Ky. , Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, NASPO ValuePoint, the largest cooperative purchasing organization serving the state and local government and education market announced a pilot project with Procurated. Through this partnership, NASPO ValuePoint becomes the first national cooperative to leverage Procurated's ratings and review platform to develop a precise understanding of how its suppliers are performing. Sarah Hilderbrand, NASPO ValuePoint's Chief Operations Officer, said, "NASPO is partnering with Procurated to better understand how our suppliers are performing for the public procurement purchasers who utilize our contracts. Through this pilot project, NASPO staff will have access to dashboards providing real-time insights into performance for a select number of portfolios. These insights will empower our team with unprecedented visibility, helping us to maintain the highest level of supplier performance, as well as help inform the development of future ValuePoint solicitations." Procurated's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, David Yarkin, added, "As a former state chief procurement officer myself, I always saw NASPO as an organization that was determined to solve state government's procurement challenges. Through this partnership, we are excited to give the NASPO ValuePoint team information about how their suppliers are actually performing in trying to meet those challenges, through feedback we collect from the fifty states." In the first phase of the partnership, Procurated will provide NASPO ValuePoint with data about the performance of suppliers in four portfolios: Facilities MRO Copiers and Managed Print Services Public Safety Communications Ground Maintenance Equipment Modeled after consumer products like Yelp and TripAdvisor, Procurated is a modern technology tool that lets government buyers quickly and easily read candid reviews about suppliers from their peers across North America. Today, more than 40,000 reviews by verified government and educational employees have been written on the platform, helping buyers make more informed decisions. Jaime Schorr, Chief Procurement Officer of Maine and NASPO's President-Elect, said, "The State of Maine was proud to be one of the first states to partner with Procurated to allow every purchasing organization in the state to learn from one another about the suppliers we select. As I look ahead to my time as NASPO President in January, I am excited about the prospects of being able to connect every purchasing organization in the country, so we all can learn from each other's experiences and pick the right suppliers for our organizations." About NASPO and NASPO ValuePoint The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) is a non-profit association dedicated to advancing public procurement through leadership, excellence, and integrity. It is made up of the directors of the central purchasing offices in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States. NASPO is an organization that helps its members as public procurement leaders by promoting best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies. Learn more at www.naspo.org. NASPO ValuePoint is the cooperative purchasing division of the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), facilitating cooperative public procurement solicitations using a Lead State model. NASPO ValuePoint delivers high value, reliable, and competitively sourced cooperative contractsoffering public entities outstanding prices, favorable terms and conditions, and value-added services. Learn more at www.naspovaluepoint.org. NASPO Media Contact: Kelly McKown-King [email protected] About Procurated Procurated is the largest supplier ratings and reviews platform built for the public sector. It was founded in 2019 by the former Chief Procurement Officer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Procurated is a completely free tool for governmental and educational institutions. It allows them to easily find the highest rated suppliers and to read dozens or hundreds of reviews about specific companies. To date, 44,000 reviews have been written by public sector purchasers on the platform. Procurated Media Contact: Steve Isaac [email protected] SOURCE Procurated National Comprehensive Cancer Network Advisory Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis details clarified expert consensus to help guide providers on latest data and information, available at NCCN.org/covid-19. PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)an alliance of leading cancer centersreleased updated recommendations from the NCCN Advisory Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis. This latest evidence-based, expert consensus-formulated summary on cancer and COVID-19 vaccination and prevention is available for free at NCCN.org/covid-19. Significant revisions include new recommendations for the recently-approved bivalent vaccines and advice on protecting children with cancer. "There is a lot to keep track of when it comes to keeping people with cancer safe from poor outcomes related to COVID-19. Our committee of leading experts meets frequently to examine all of the latest research and organizes it into a clear, one-stop source for people with cancer, their loved ones, and their health teams," said Robert W. Carlson, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. "We've expanded our committee for this latest update to include a focus on pediatric patients. Some of the foremost authorities on children's health care joined multidisciplinary physicians from across NCCN's Member Institutions, which also included expertise in vaccine development and delivery, infectious diseases, cancer management, and medical ethics." The updated guidance features comprehensive explanations for who should be considered "immunocompromised" and what that means for booster eligibility and scheduling. The information is categorized by type of malignancy and/or treatment, and also by type of vaccine. Important new information includes: Immunosuppressed people who have previously received a three-dose primary series and boosting through prior recommendations are now eligible to receive one of the bivalent boosters if they are 12-years-old or older for Pfizer, or at least 18-years-old for Moderna. This has been shown to improve immune response against Omicron strains in people with full immune system capacity. The committee supports this recent approval but cautions they are still awaiting data on bivalent booster effectiveness in immunocompromised people. Moderna is the preferred mRNA vaccine for pediatric immunosuppressed patients age 6-months to 17-years. Preliminary data shows myocarditis cases are very rare, although relatively more frequent in adolescent and young adult males 16-and-older. Most patients fully recover. "Protecting kids from harm is one of the most important things we can do," said Tina Q. Tan, MD, Infectious Diseases physician at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern Medicine, who joined the NCCN committee as a Co-Leader. "That's why we recommend vaccination against COVID-19 for anyone over 6-months of age, especially infants, children, and adolescents who are immunocompromised. It is especially important for eligible household members and caregivers to make sure they are vaccinated as well, since immunocompromised children under age 12 or weighing less than 40kg are unable to receive monoclonal antibodies for protection." NCCN's recommendations point out that vaccine hesitancy in the general population impedes the development of herd (community) immunity, which leaves people with cancer at higher risk. Reducing community spread will help people with cancer who are at higher risk of COVID-19 complications and may have less protection from available vaccines. The committee also recommends that after vaccination, patients continue to wear masks, maintain social distancing, avoid crowds, and follow other non-pharmacologic recommendations for COVID-19 prevention. The updated guidance also includes previous recommendations and statements, such as: Not recommending antibody testing, outside of a research study. Recommending boosters for everyone with a hematologic malignancy regardless of whether they are in active treatment. Preferring mRNA vaccination in most situations. Endorsing the option of mix-and-matching the two mRNA vaccines. Re-vaccinating after a patient undergoes hematopoietic cell transplantation or engineered cellular therapy (e.g. chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T-cell therapy). Vaccines are considered safe for people undergoing immunotherapy. Vaccination status shouldn't impact participation in clinical trials. Using monoclonal antibodies (tixagevimab plus cilgavimab) as prophylaxis (in addition to vaccination) in selected immunocompromised patients at risk for COVID-19 complications. An existing section labeled "Societal Considerations," states: "It is imperative that all patients have equitable access to the vaccines." The section features recommendations for the incorporation of social vulnerability awareness to help address health disparities, including tracking racial/ethnic and socioeconomic data for vaccine distribution wherever possible. The guidance also continues to assert that the timing for COVID-19 vaccination will not interfere with most other vaccines, such as the annual flu shot, but different vaccines should be administered at separate injection sites. To view the full list of recommendations, explanations, and peer-reviewed research citations, visit NCCN.org/COVID-19. The committee plans to continue to update the clinical recommendations and the corresponding patient guide (featuring simplified questions-and-answers) as needed. About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to improving and facilitating quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care so all patients can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus recommendations for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers, through support from the NCCN Foundation. NCCN also advances continuing education, global initiatives, policy, and research collaboration and publication in oncology. Visit NCCN.org for more information and follow NCCN on Facebook @NCCNorg, Instagram @NCCNorg, and Twitter @NCCN. Media Contact: Rachel Darwin 267-622-6624 [email protected] SOURCE National Comprehensive Cancer Network Transact will offer leading eCommerce and eRetail services powered by Omni NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) today announced Transact, a dedicated practice focused on connected-commerce consulting and eRetail execution services. Transact will drive sales and grow market share on eRetail platforms, capitalizing on Omnicom's recently announced partnerships with Amazon, Instacart, Kroger and Walmart Connect. "eCommerce and eRetail are at the center of our clients' growth and transformation agendas. In scaling Transact, we are strengthening our leading capabilities for our clients, helping them convert every consumer touchpoint into a new opportunity for growth," said John Wren, Chairman and CEO, Omnicom. Transact is the group's most recent investment in eCommerce services and is on the heels of Omnicom receiving the highest possible scores for retail and commerce media in "The Forrester Wave: Global Media Management Services, Q3 2022" by Forrester Research, Inc. "Transact adds to our best-in-class eCommerce services in digital transformation and MarTech consulting, CRM and precision marketing, creative content and campaign activation, and media. Together, we provide clients a full funnel view of commerce to inspire, explore and execute marketing communications. We will continue to strategically invest and pursue acquisitions to further enhance our capabilities," added Wren. Leading Transact is CEO Frank Kochenash, a recognized industry leader and former executive at Amazon, McKinsey and prior President of Wunderman Thompson Commerce who joined Omnicom in March 2022. "Our clients demand eCommerce expertise, but they also realize eCommerce must be coordinated with their overall marketing and sales activities to be most effective. Our dedicated and experienced Transact team helps clients drive eCommerce share and sales and enables multi-platform and retail success," says Kochenash. Transact's eCommerce consulting and eRetail execution services include retail media and analytics, catalog management, content optimization, as well as account management and operations to meet the growing client demand for commerce services. Transact's services are powered and connected by OmniCommerce, part of Omnicom's industry-leading orchestration platform Omni, which provides a single view of the consumer journey and precise data-driven insights about where to invest to drive growth. About Transact Omnicom Transact (www.omctransact.com) an eCommerce practice focused on connected commerce consulting and eRetail execution services. Its core eRetail services include strategic account management and operations, catalog management, content strategy, creation, and optimization as well as retail media advanced analytics. Transact uses OmniCommerce, part of the Omni marketing orchestration platform, which provides a single view of the consumer journey and precise data-driven insights to deliver best-in-class performance and innovative new approaches to eCommerce. About Omnicom Group Inc. Omnicom Group (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms offer services in advertising, strategic media planning and buying, precision marketing, commerce and brand consulting, experiential, customer relationship marketing (CRM), public relations, healthcare marketing and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 70 countries. SOURCE Omnicom Group Inc. As trust remains a key business differentiator, OneTrust leads the market for the third consecutive year ATLANTA, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OneTrust, the market-defining leader for trust intelligence, "owns the market" for the third consecutive year according to IDC's Worldwide Data Privacy Compliance Software Market Shares report, released in August 2022.1 The report highlights OneTrust's continued category leadership, as OneTrust leads the market with 29.7% share, more than twice the share of the nearest competitor. OneTrust also grew 73% faster year-over-year than the rest of the market. According to IDC, "Trust continues to be a differentiator for business and an area of investment. Privacy is a key pillar of trust and the tailwinds of trust investment fuel this market." "Privacy is the central pillar of trust, and trust is increasingly a competitive differentiator for our customers." Tweet this "Leading the market for the third consecutive year is a testament to our incredible customers and team," said Ojas Rege, General Manager of the Privacy and Data Governance Cloud at OneTrust. "Privacy is the central pillar of trust, and trust is increasingly a competitive differentiator for our customers." According to IDC's report, the data privacy management software market saw soaring growth in 2021 (26.4% yoy) amid continued expansion of data privacy regulatory regimes worldwide. In 2023, privacy regulation will cover even more citizens as five United States state laws are set to go into effect: the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (CDPA), the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA), the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), and the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA). Soon, more organizations than ever will need to comply with stricter and wider-reaching requirements for collecting and processing personal data. Rege continued, "2023 will be a year of extensive regulatory expansion. At OneTrust, we will help our customers navigate this complex patchwork of laws and requirements through the innovation of our Trust Intelligence Platform and the unmatched domain expertise of our privacy professionals." "Privacy continues to shift, evolve, and mature as privacy regulations become universal. While the regulations can be cumbersome for enterprises, they are equally as unwieldy for regulators. Enforcement can only cover so much. Technology suppliers need to pay attention to regulatory focus and enable their clients to protect those most vulnerable areas," said Ryan O'Leary, research director, Privacy and Legal Technology at IDC. As more of the world adopts data privacy regulations and people demand greater control of their data, organizations have a critical opportunity to build trust and deliver more valuable experiences. The OneTrust Privacy and Data Governance Cloud is the single platform to operationalize compliance with privacy laws around the globe. In one place, OneTrust offers privacy and data governance automation to help organizations better understand their data across the business, meet regulatory requirements, operationalize risk mitigation, and provide transparency and choice to individuals. About OneTrust As society redefines risk and opportunity, OneTrust empowers tomorrow's leaders to succeed through trust and impact with the Trust Intelligence Platform. The market-defining Trust Intelligence Platform from OneTrust connects privacy, GRC, ethics, and ESG teams, data, and processes, so all companies can collaborate seamlessly and put trust at the center of their operations and culture by unlocking their value and potential to thrive by doing what's good for people and the planet. Learn more at OneTrust.com. 1 IDC, Worldwide Data Privacy Compliance Software Market Shares, 2021: OneTrust Still Owns the Market Despite Shift Left (doc. #US49519721, August 2022) Media Contact Ainslee Shea +1 (404) 855-0803 [email protected] SOURCE OneTrust DUBLIN, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 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. 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/ntjykw 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 ANKARA, Turkey, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- When artificial intelligence appears more and more in our lives, cars are no longer simply mobility tools, but has more interaction with users, and cars become the travel carriers that can accept more instructions from drivers and passengers When it comes to intelligent driving assistance, it always comes to ACC adaptive cruise. Cars can always automatically maintain a safe distance with the front car at the setting speed. Most of cars are equipped with the ACC function can effectively liberate the driver's feet during long-distance driving. However, there are some disadvantages of traditional ACC adaptive cruise control, such as the curve cannot be followed, and the congested road conditions cannot be used, so the drivers have to choose more configuration. Therefore, some companies take the lead in realizing that intelligent assistance driving should not be a single soldier, but to develop systematically. for example, Tech Chery Tiggo 8 Pro is the flagship product equipped with a new generation 4.0 ADAS system. With more than ten auxiliary driving functions, it covers the whole scenes. Except for ACC, Tiggo 8 Pro also equipped with LDW lane departure warning and LKA lane keeping assistance, when you are in a traffic jam or high speed, Tiggo 8 Pro can follow the front car with its own judgment and help to automatically control the accelerator and brake, so that the owner does not need to keep nervousness and attention all the time, and effectively reduce driving fatigue. More importantly, the Tiggo 8 Pro is also equipped with the RCW back collision warning. This function is usually available on a luxury brand car. It can detect possible rear-end collisions in the rear, turn on the alarm in advance to remind the driver of the rear car, and warn the seat belt to protect the occupants in the car. The humanized configurations such as the FCW collision warning system and AEB automatic emergency braking, DOW door -opening warning, ISLI intelligent speed limit reminder, and far -end light automatic switching are all equipped in Tiggo 8 Pro. Just like the tech Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, when intelligent assisted driving technology can cover all car usage scenarios, it will truly bring us a smarter, more efficient and safer travel life. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1904144/image_5011064_25708727.jpg SOURCE Chery Provides backpacks for 125 students, $10,000 gift and nutritious protein SALISBURY, Md., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a commitment to improve the quality of life in its communities, Perdue Farms delivered a little hope to youth ages 8-18 served at the non-profit SAY Detroit Play Center at Lipke Park, an innovative after-school program in northeast Detroit. The outreach is part of the company's Delivering Hope to Our Neighbors initiative focused on improving quality of life and building strong communities where our associates live and work, and beyond. Students at the SAY Detroit Play Center at Lipke Park check out their new backpacks filled with school supplies donated by Perdue Farms. Associates from the company's Alexander & Hornung specialty meats brand operation in nearby St. Clair Shores provided 125 students with backpacks filled with school supplies. Additionally, the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, provided a $10,000 gift to support the after-school programming as well as the company delivered 4,000 pounds of nutritious chicken for its meal program. "We know Perdue Farms strives to strengthen communities by focusing efforts on several areas that align with our goals at SAY Play like improving education and fighting hunger and poverty," said Mitch Albom, SAY Detroit founder and best-selling author and journalist. "We're grateful to have such a caring new corporate neighbor extend a helping hand with their wonderful generosity. "The Perdue grant will help us reach our goals by supporting our efforts to increase the number of low-income students we serve by growing our population; by helping to create new academic, computer and arts programming; and by helping us to provide real-world skills and job training initiatives to the community." Gary Malenke, senior vice president of the Perdue Premium Meats Company pork operations, praised the work of SAY Detroit. "After-school programming can be a real game changer for our youth," Malenke said. "We learned of SAY Detroit's wonderful track record of impacting young lives and are honored to provide funds and resources to support their Play Center at Lipke Park so they can continue to deliver the kinds of programs for our youth that really make a difference." As SAY Detroit Executive Director Richard Kelley, explains, "Compared to other communities, our students face obstacles that are mountains to climb. Their childhood experiences include poverty and food insecurity, exposure to violence, high levels of parental stress, and socioeconomic adversity. SAY Detroit Play Center's supportive programming seeks to help members become active, productive citizens for the betterment of themselves, their families, and their community. We're proud to have Perdue as a partner in that journey." About SAY Detroit SAY Detroit was founded in 2006 by best-selling author and journalist Mitch Albom to improve the lives of Detroit's neediest residents through shelter, food, medical care, volunteer efforts and education. It serves as the umbrella organization for major projects, such as SAY Play, Working Homes/Working Families, Better Together, and the SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic, serving a population from infants to senior citizens and veterans. To learn more, visit saydetroit.org About the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation , the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. As part of our belief in supporting the communities where and with whom we do business, the Foundation provides grants on behalf of Perdue Farms in communities where large numbers of our associates live and work. At Perdue Farms, we believe in responsible food and agriculture. About Perdue Farms We're a fourth-generation, family-owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers, and farmers through trusted choices in products and services. The premium protein portfolio within our Perdue Foods business, including our flagship PERDUE brand, Niman Ranch , Panorama Organic Grass-Fed Meats , Coleman Natural , and Yummy , as well as our pet brands, Spot Farms and Full Moon , is available through various channels including retail, foodservice, club stores and our direct-to-consumer website, PerdueFarms.com . Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company. Now in our company's second century, our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger. We never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever chicken, turkey, pork, beef, and lamb, and in USDA-certified organic chicken and beef. Learn more at Corporate.PerdueFarms.com . SOURCE Perdue Farms Honoring five outstanding young poets with $129,000 in prizes Read the full press release online. CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Poetry Foundation announces the 2022 Ruth Lilly & Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellows are: Tarik Dobbs, Diamond Forde, Tariq Luthun, Troy Osaki, and Alan Pelaez Lopez. Each poet receives a $25,800 prize, making the fellowships among the largest and most prestigious awards available for young poets in the United States. The fellowship program recognizes outstanding young poets, providing support early in their careers to encourage the further study and writing of poetry in the form of their choosing. The 2022 Ruth Lilly & Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellows are: Tarik Dobbs, Diamond Forde, Tariq Luthun, Troy Osaki, and Alan Pelaez Lopez. "It is a distinct pleasure to celebrate these talented young poets, who are already so committed to bringing poetry forward," said Michelle T. Boone, president of the Poetry Foundation. "Their dedication to poetry extends beyond their own writing, into their communities as editors, organizers, and peer mentors. Congratulations, one and all!" Introducing the 2022 Fellows Tarik Dobbs is a disabled, SWANA American writer and artist. Dobbs's debut collections NAZAR BOY and DEARBORNISTAN are forthcoming from Haymarket Books, and their chapbook, Dancing on the Tarmac, was selected by Gabrielle Calvocoressi as the 2020 Yemassee Chapbook Prize winner. Their poems are anthologized in Best New Poets 2021 and Best of the Net 2020, and they are an MFA fellow in Art, Theory, Practice at Northwestern University. The author of the 2019 Saturnalia Poetry Prize-winning collection Mother Body, Diamond Forde 's honors include a Margaret Walker Memorial Prize, a Furious Flower Poetry Prize, and a Pink Poetry Prize. Forde received her PhD in Creative Writing from Florida State University in 2022, and has received fellowships from Callaloo and Tin House, and her work has appeared in Ninth Letter, and Tupelo Quarterly, among others. She is the fiction editor at Nat. Brut, and serves as the interviews editor for Honey Literary. Tariq Luthun is a community organizer, data engineer, and Emmy Award-winning poet. The son of Palestinian Muslim immigrants from Gaza, he earned his MFA in Poetry from Warren Wilson College. He serves as a board member of The Offing, and collaborates with organizations like the Glia Project, Visualizing Palestine, and Detroit Disability Power. Luthun's work has been published in Crab Orchard Review, Literary Hub, Mizna, and Vinyl Poetry, among others. His honors include being named Best of the Net in 2018, and fellowships from Kundiman and the Kresge Foundation. Luthun's work was awarded Editors' Selection by Bull City Press, leading to the 2020 debut of his collection, How The Water Holds Me. The grandson of Filipino immigrants and the great-grandson of Japanese immigrants, Troy Osaki is a poet, organizer, and attorney. Osaki is a three-time grand slam poetry champion, and has earned fellowships from Hugo House, Jack Straw Cultural Center, and Kundiman. His poetry has appeared in Muzzle Magazine, Poetry Northwest, and Tinderbox Poetry Journal, among others. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Seattle University School of Law where he interned at Creative Justice, an arts-based alternative to incarceration for youth in King County. Alan Pelaez Lopez , PhD, is an AfroIndigenous poet, installation, and adornment artist from Oaxaca, Mexico. They are the author of Intergalactic Travels: poems from a fugitive alien and to love and mourn in the age of displacement. Pelaez Lopez's honors include nominations for a Pushcart Prize and "Best of the Net," as well as fellowships and/or residencies from the Museum of the African Diaspora and Brown University. Their work has been published in Best American Experimental Writing 2020, Poetry, and Teen Vogue, among others. The 2022 Fellowship finalists were Gabrielle Bates, Tianna Bratcher, torrin a. greathouse, Ae Hee Lee, Peter Mason, Cindy Juyoung Ok, and Julian Randall. 2022 Decision Process Each application to the 2022 Fellowships was first read by two of 28 members of an external readers pool. A group of five external judges read all of the top evaluated applications to select this group of 12 finalists, then discussed the finalists and selected the winning applicants. The Poetry Foundation would like to thank the following readers and judges for their time and careful consideration, and for being part of this new process. Diego Baez JoAnn Balingit Kay Ulanday Barrett Destiny O. Birdsong Kimberly Blaeser Paul Hlava Ceballos Dorothy Chan Marianne Chan Cathy Linh Che Michael Dowdy Renee Gladman Noor Hindi Richie Hofmann Ben Kline E.J. Koh Eugenia Leigh Rajiv Mohabir Marty McConnell Kristen Renee Miller Lupe Mendez Margaret Noodin Sasha Pimentel Oli Rodriguez Jacob Saenz Charif Shanahan Shook Nathan Spoon Jennifer Steele TC Tolbert Jacqueline Allen Trimble Vanessa Angelica Villarreal Donna Aza Weir-Soley Orlando White Questions and comments about the Fellowships can be directed to [email protected] . About the Poetry Foundation The Poetry Foundation recognizes the power of words to transform lives. We work to amplify poetry and celebrate poets by fostering spaces for all to create, experience, and share poetry. Follow the Poetry Foundation on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter , and Poetry at @PoetryMagazine . SOURCE Poetry Foundation During Unfinished Live, a select group of students will launch a new effort to engage future leaders in shaping a more equitable digital future. NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Project Liberty Student Assembly, a transatlantic convening of emerging young leaders passionate about building a more equitable digital future, will convene for the first time in New York City during Unfinished Live 2022. The participants include 30 student leaders 15 from Sciences Po in Paris and 15 from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. who were selected from more than 550 applicants. These students will participate in Unfinished Live and join forces to launch a new initiative to engage young people in creating a healthier internet and society. The students will work directly with Project Liberty, a nonprofit initiative to transform how the internet works in order to enable healthier digital communities and shift power from major platforms to people. During Unfinished Live, participants in the Project Liberty Student Assembly will explore ways for students to engage and empower their generation in shaping a more equitable and healthier web. "To realize the mission of Project Liberty, it is crucial that we engage with tomorrow's leaders and empower young people to contribute," said Frank McCourt, founder of Project Liberty. "These digital natives are intimately aware of the promise, as well as the perils, of technology and digital connectivity. We need their perspectives, recommendations and, above all, their enthusiasm." Following Unfinished Live, Student Assembly participants will continue to collaborate and exchange best practices for expanding their efforts across and beyond their academic communities. "By bringing together a diverse group of highly motivated students, Project Liberty is working to ensure the next generation plays its part in defining the next iteration of the web," said Alexandre Kleitman, Youth Engagement Lead for Project Liberty. "It's exciting to help provide these emerging leaders not only with a seat at the table, but also the tools and resources to turn their ideas into action." The Student Assembly includes undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students from 13 countries. In addition to the Student Assembly participants, more than 400 students, representing over 40 colleges and universities across North America and Europe, are attending Unfinished Live. About Project Liberty Project Liberty aims to create a new civic architecture for the digital world that returns the ownership and control of personal data to individuals, embeds ethical values into technology, and expands economic opportunities for web users and developers alike. The initiative seeks to accelerate the world's transition to an open, inclusive data economy that puts citizens in control a future in which all people can benefit from their participation and contributions. The success of this work depends on many people and organizations actively working together to shape a better future. Project Liberty is working to engage diverse voices and equip them with the critical infrastructure needed to catalyze change. The tech team behind Project Liberty has developed a groundbreaking open-source protocol called the Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP) to serve as a new infrastructure for the next generation of the web. Project Liberty is also bringing together networks of organizations that seek change, including the formation of McCourt Institute, to help ensure that digital governance is embedded and prioritized in the development of new technology. SOURCE Project Liberty CAMBRIDGE, England, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Darktrace, a global leader in cyber security artificial intelligence, today announced that RioCan, one of Canada's largest real estate investment trusts, has selected Darktrace to defend "The Well," Canada's most ambitious multi-use real estate project. Set to open in 2023, The Well will host approximately 11,000 people daily. Located in downtown Toronto, this expansive development will comprise more than 200 retail, commercial, and residential spaces across 7.7 acres of land. RioCan selected Darktrace's DETECT and RESPOND technologies in 2021 to defend Network and Cloud infrastructure across its commercial office spaces and retail property investments. The property investor is now deploying Darktrace's AI to defend this three-million-square-foot project in Toronto from sophisticated and disruptive cyber-threats. As cyber-crime proliferates, attackers continue to target real estate organizations both to exfiltrate confidential data, including the financial information of property buyers and sellers, and to disrupt operations and demand hefty ransoms from investors and agents. With AI-powered defenses, RioCan is able to protect its IT estate as well as its operational technology, including elevators, thermostats, and appliances. "Central to the success of The Well is a world-class tenant experience," commented George Ho, Vice President of Informational Technology at RioCan. "The experience we've created for our visitors and tenants relies on a significant technology infrastructure, from lights switches and thermostats to security systems, which is reliable and will work uninterrupted. The best thing about Darktrace's AI is that it learns every detail of both our information and operational technology so that we can minimize any disruptions to our normal business operations in the event of a cyber security incident. That is the future of security." "As operations and services at shopping malls and public projects become increasingly digitized, threat actors are poised to take advantage and the need for powerful, precise protection is amplified," said David Masson, Director of Enterprise Security at Darktrace. "By expanding Darktrace's coverage to include The Well, RioCan has complete visibility of emerging threats and can instantly contain these using AI-driven technology which understands the business." About Darktrace Darktrace (DARK.L), a global leader in cyber security AI, delivers complete AI-powered solutions in its mission to free the world of cyber disruption. We protect more than 7,400 customers from the world's most complex threats, including ransomware, cloud, and SaaS attacks. Darktrace is delivering the first-ever Cyber AI Loop, fueling a continuous security capability that can autonomously spot and respond to novel in-progress threats within seconds. Darktrace has 115+ patent applications filed. Darktrace was named one of TIME magazine's "Most Influential Companies" in 2021. Media contacts: Liz Scanlon CommStrat (USA) +1 (510) 295-7542 [email protected] Tom Bermingham Brands2Life (UK) +44 (0)7908 714331 [email protected] Vanessa Cohen FleishmanHillard HighRoad (Canada) +1 (647) 822-8540 [email protected] SOURCE Darktrace Provalus' Newest Operation Will Bring Over 200 New Tech Jobs to Cherokee County TAHLEQUAH, Okla., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Provalus announces the opening of its fourth technology innovation center in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the capitol city of the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. As the solutions & managed services brand of Optomi Professional Services, Provalus will bring new jobs to the area in the form of technology and support positions. The project is projected to have a multi-million dollar economic impact on the local community over the next five years. Provalus expansion Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. commented, "Provalus is focused on bringing jobs and opportunities to rural America and restoring downtown infrastructure, the same principles we value so greatly here at the Cherokee Nation. It's why we knew early on we had to ensure Provalus selected Tahlequah, our capital city, as their newest location. To be a valuable partner the Cherokee Nation is purchasing the 12,000 square-foot Foundry building downtown and leasing it back to the Tahlequah Development Authority for Provalus' use on a sustainable basis. We believe Provalus and this investment is good for Tahlequah, the region and our citizens. We look forward to seeing the many ways our capital city will prosper from this investment." Laura Chevalier, President of Provalus commented, "Oklahoma and the city of Tahlequah have really embraced technology and recognize what that can mean for creating a skilled population in the region. Between the local talent, students graduating from the career tech center programs and NSU, we feel as though we have a community and talent pool that recognize the career path and opportunity within the tech field." The entire Provalus team is grateful for the collaboration and hard work to secure the relationship with this community located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. When addressing why Provalus chose Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Provalus Vice President of Facilities, Will Ruzic said, "Tahlequah stood out because of the people. When we experienced just how strong the partnership is between all of the entities here, we just knew this would be a community we could call home. Our business is about collaboration and partnership and innovation. All of the attributes that make our business successful are present here. We're looking forward to partnering with the people of Tahlequah to influence revitalization in this community." Provalus is elevating under-employed individuals by providing technology, business and support positions to undiscovered talent in the U.S. By up-skilling local American talent, Provalus is able to provide Fortune-listed companies with the dependable, quality, and practical services they need. It specializes in professional services including Business Process Optimization, Infrastructure Operations (HD, IAM, NOC, SOC) and Application & ITO Support. Nathan Reed, President/CEO of the Tahlequah Regional Development Authority commented, "The Tahlequah Regional Development Authority is thrilled to welcome Provalus to our community. We could not be happier Provalus chose Tahlequah and thank them for considering and choosing our community for their investment. They will bring over 200 well paying, stable jobs to Downtown Tahlequah over the next several years. This influx of new jobs in the Downtown area will continue to strengthen the community and provide opportunities for local businesses. This is a huge win for Tahlequah and the surrounding area as we look to continue growing our community and providing opportunities to improve quality of place." Individuals interested in joining the Provalus team should visit provalus.com/apply. ABOUT THE PROVALUS BRAND OF OPTOMI PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: We hire and develop the best and brightest undiscovered talent in our small towns and rural communities to deliver a remarkable experience for our technology clients and end-users alike. Provalus specializes in professional services including Business Process Optimization, Infrastructure Operations (HD, IAM, NOC, SOC) and Application & ITO Support Services that compete head-on with offshore outsourcing. By creating opportunities where there were none; with companies that believe in America's future, Provalus is generating a superior workforce. We provide Fortune-listed companies the dependable, quality and practical services they need... straight from the heart of America. We are purposefully disruptive... PROVIDING OUTSOURCING VALUE FROM THE U.S. FURTHER INFORMATION Christen Black, CMO of Optomi Professional Services 844.874.8562 [email protected] www.provalus.com SOURCE Provalus Orlando-based firm will assume Rehmann brand, expanding services to clients TROY, Mich., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rehmann, a fully integrated professional advisory firm, continues its expansion into the Florida market with the announcement of a business combination with Orlando-based Vestal & Wiler, one of the most comprehensive CPA firms in Central Florida. The partnership will unify two firms with a deep understanding of the particular needs of middle-market clientele. Rehmann CEO Randy Rupp Vestal & Wiler Partner Steve Castino Rehmann COO and CEO-elect Stacie Kwaiser Vestal & Wiler has been serving the Orlando market since 1993, working primarily with middle market for-profit companies, specifically owner-managed, family-owned, and private equity backed entities. Offering several services across its tax, audit, and advisory departments, Vestal & Wiler currently numbers 57 associates, all of whom will remain with the combined company. The firm has an annual revenue of $13 million. "Vestal & Wiler not only provides business advisory services, but adds value by tailoring those services to its clients' purposes and goals," said Randy Rupp, CEO of Rehmann. "Their priorities also fit perfectly with Rehmann's commitment to putting people first, and our two firms enjoy a similar culture and passion for growth." Vestal & Wiler clients will benefit from the same exceptional resources while now having access to the array of additional services Rehmann provides, including research and development credit studies, technology and cyber consulting, international tax, and wealth management. "This combination presents a great opportunity for our clients, who will get the same attention from our team, but in addition, enables us to provide greater resources and expertise as clients continue to grow in sophistication," said Steve Castino, Partner at Vestal & Wiler. "Our associates will also benefit from exposure to Rehmann's comprehensive bench of disciplines. We look forward to beginning this new chapter with a firm that shares our values and will elevate our work environment to allow both clients and associates to thrive." Vestal & Wiler associates will continue to serve their clients at the firm's current office location in Orlando under the Rehmann brand. "I'm looking forward to beginning my tenure as CEO with the Vestal & Wiler team on board," added Stacie Kwaiser, current COO and CEO-elect of Rehmann. "Our firms share a commitment to client relationships and associate development that will only grow with the additional resources available to all." For more information, visit www.rehmann.com. About Rehmann Rehmann is a professional advisory firm that provides accounting and assurance, business solutions and outsourcing, specialized consulting, and wealth management services. For over 80 years, Rehmann has provided forward-thinking solutions to our clients. With nearly 900 associates in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida, we are the momentum behind what's possible. We focus on the business of business allowing companies and individuals to focus on what makes them extraordinary. We help you look to the future with confidence, thanks to our unrivaled expertise and integrity. Through our partnerships with our clients and communities, we drive impact that empowers our world. Find us online at rehmann.com. ### SOURCE Rehmann SAINT LOUIS, Mo., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Royal House Partners ("RHP") a leading provider of residential and commercial HVAC, plumbing and electrical services in Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma welcomes the addition of Sinak Plumbing based in Saint Louis, Missouri, to their family of businesses. RHP was founded in 2021 by CPS Capital, a Toronto-based investment firm, and 1801 Holdings, a Dallas-based group of seasoned home services professionals, who have spent a considerable amount of time developing a residential and light commercial HVAC, plumbing and electrical roll-up strategy. As a leadership team, we have been busy the last several months acquiring businesses in the HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical & Home Services space. The addition of Sinak allows Royal House Partners to further expand its footprint in Missouri. Sinak's service team consists of three experienced, licensed journeymen plumbers and licensed apprentice plumbers. Sinak has been caring for their loyal residential and light commercial clients for 90+ years. Paul Adams, Chief Growth Officer & Founder of RHP, notes "We are super excited to welcome the Sinak team. Bob and Jeannine Sinak have carried on the Sinak legacy and further built it to one of the most reputable plumbing operations in Missouri." Craig Denton, Regional Vice President Missouri, notes, "We are excited to add Sinak Plumbing to our Anton's Air Conditioning and Heating family. This addition will anchor our plumbing division and give us a stronger reach in the Saint Louis & Saint Charles area than ever before." HVAC businesses interested in joining the RHP team should contact Paul Adams [email protected] For more information about RHP, visit https://www.royalhousepartners.com/home About CPS Capital: CPS Capital is a lower middle market private equity firm, based in Toronto, founded by owner-operators who look to partner with business owners to realize their growth and transition goals. CPS Capital is focused on North American opportunities to invest in exceptional businesses in growing industries with attractive characteristics. We look to become value-added partners with every business we work with. We bring significant capability, expertise, and capital to provide business owners with an attractive option compared to traditional financial or strategic buyers. For more information, please visit us at https://cpscapital.com/ SOURCE Royal House Partners CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Saint Xavier University (SXU) celebrates the 200th birthday of Mother Agatha O'Brien this September. Though Mother Agatha, who died in 1854, lived a short life, her accomplishments were noteworthy, and the impact she left on the world is remarkable. Today, her rich legacy is nurtured through the purposeful leadership of Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D., president of SXU. Born Margaret O'Brien on September 22, 1822, in Carlow, Ireland, Mother Agatha was educated by the Presentation Sisters, who focused their energies on creating schools that would educate young people, a passion Mother Agatha would pursue in her later work. In 1843, she joined St. Leo's Convent of Mercy as a lay sister before traveling to the United States to minister to those in need at the request of Bishop Michael O'Conner. After getting to know Mother Agatha, he deemed her "capable of ruling a nation." She later received the religious name Agatha as the first postulant of the Sisters of Mercy before going to Chicago, where she became the first superior of the Order. Mother Agatha was courageous and resolute, even challenging a new bishop who demanded the deeds to the Sisters' land. She ultimately succeeded in securing the property rights of the Sisters of Mercy (and other religious orders of women) in the Chicago Diocese. Described as a woman of exceptional judgment, quick apprehension and piety, Mother Agatha helped establish St. Francis Xavier Academy (which would later become a college in 1915 and a university in 1992) only 19 days after arriving in Chicago and was soon charged as its first directress, or president. Another iconic foundation, Mercy Hospital, owes its establishment to her remarkable leadership. In 1854, a horrible cholera epidemic spread through the city. Sadly, Mother Agatha succumbed to her illness at just 31 years old. The able stewardship of the woman who led Saint Xavier from the beginning continues today in President Joyner, who is unwavering in bolstering the historic mission of preparing students for meaningful lives and successful careers. President Joyner has led SXU since 2017, becoming the University's 20th president. As a mission-focused, student-centered leader, she has positioned Saint Xavier for a brighter future by accomplishing a number of extraordinary achievements during the past five years, including: Enrolling four of the largest and most diverse classes in the University's 176-year history and improving first-to-second year retention three consecutive years. Launching more than a dozen new academic programs, expanding high-impact educational practices and advancing an equity and inclusion agenda across the University. Elevating the voices of faculty, staff and students through University-wide committees offering robust opportunities for effective shared governance. Reducing institutional debt by half ( $40M to $20M ); increasing cash on hand ( $12M to $32M ); and tripling the endowment ( $10M to $33M ) between FY17 and FY22. to ); increasing cash on hand ( to ); and tripling the endowment ( to ) between FY17 and FY22. Enhancing SXU's reputation through active local engagement on the Archdiocese of Chicago School Board and as a member of The Chicago Network as well as nationally through her work with the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) and the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). As we celebrate Mother Agatha's 200th birthday, we are grateful for her contributions and for the leadership of President Joyner and efforts of the SXU community to transform the lives of students who go on to change the world for the better. Saint Xavier University was founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy and is a private, Catholic, four-year, coeducational institution that provides a transformative educational experience to more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students who are prepared to become compassionate leaders in their field of study and their communities. As a mission-driven, student-centered institution, Saint Xavier educates for competence, character and career success, with program offerings through our College of Arts and Sciences , Graham School of Management and School of Nursing and Health Sciences . Recognizing Saint Xavier's excellence in education, U.S. News & World Report has ranked SXU consistently among the best colleges in the Midwest. MEDIA CONTACT: Deb Rapacz, Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications, [email protected] SOURCE Saint Xavier University COLUMBIA, S.C., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- State Treasurer Curtis Loftis recently informed Morningstar that his office would not participate in the annual review and rating process for the state's 529 plan due to concerning reports that the firm's subsidiary, Sustainalytics, is negatively rating companies connected to Israel. South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis threatens to suspend business with Morningstar based on anti-Israel allegations Tweet this SC State Treasurer Curtis Loftis "Our state does not support businesses that are involved in the boycott, divestment, or sanctions of Israel. As such, we are unwilling to do business with Morningstar until we can be assured their decisions are based on sound financial data and investment policies, and not a radical agenda that has nothing to do with my fiduciary responsibility to maximize returns at a prudent level of risk for the benefit of our citizens," said Treasurer Loftis. Last month, Treasurer Loftis joined 17 state treasurers and auditors in asking that Morningstar take corrective action to terminate all research and ratings products that treat Israel-connected companies differently than other firms operating in a free democracy. Additionally, 19 state attorneys general also expressed concerns regarding Sustainalytics and asked Morningstar for a response to the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) issues raised in their August 23 letter. If Morningstar fails to provide proof that their business follows the South Carolina law that prohibits a business from "the boycott of a person or an entity based in or doing business with a jurisdiction with who South Carolina can enjoy open trade," the Treasurer's Office will terminate use of Morningstar products and services. "The state constitution and code of laws make it clear that my responsibility is to the citizens of South Carolina, not to politically and financially motivated special interests. Elected officials from many states and both parties feel the same way, and it is time we begin a national conversation about resisting the powerful influences arrayed against the interests of our citizens," Loftis said. South Carolina's 529 plan is sponsored by the state and administered by the State Treasurer's Office. During Treasurer Loftis' term, the plan's diverse leadership team has grown assets to more than $5.2 billion with 214,000 accountholders. Media Contact: Karen Ingram [email protected] 803.734.2549 | 803.722.8602 SOURCE South Carolina State Treasurer's Office Global Program Expands its Community of Next-Generation Leaders to 22 New Countries NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Schmidt Futures , in partnership with the Rhodes Trust , announced the second cohort of 100 Rise Global Winners. Rise finds brilliant people who need opportunity and supports them for life as they work to serve others. It is the flagship program of Schmidt Futures and the anchor of a broader $1 billion philanthropic commitment from Eric and Wendy Schmidt to talent development across their initiatives. Founded in 2019, Rise works with dozens of global partnersfrom schools to businesses to local governmentsin identifying and supporting talented young people aged 15-17 in communities throughout the world. (PRNewsfoto/Schmidt Futures) Rhodes Trust Our 2022 Rise Global Winners include youth aiming to promote literacy among underprivileged children; predict the effect of Alzheimer's drugs using bioinformatics; create a sustainable gummy vitamin that combats anemia; educate communities on mental health stigmas and many more. With over 22 new countries represented this year, the global program continues to further expand its network with a broader range of talented young leaders from diverse backgrounds, including applicants from over 170 countries. Schmidt Futures' mission is to bet early on exceptional people making the world better. Betting on young people between the ages of 15-17 and potentially staying with them for life, Rise is both the earliest and the longest bet on talent in Schmidt Futures' portfolio. "We are looking for extraordinarily bright people everywhere because genius can have an outsized impact on improving the world when applied to its hardest problems," said Eric Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Futures. "Building a network of brilliant young people who want to make the world better is a key goal of Rise. Development in today's world depends on people working together." "Today's announcement of the Rise winners is not the conclusion of a process, but rather the starting point for the young people in the program. They will have continuing opportunities to change the world for the better as they continue their education and find ways to collaborate," said Wendy Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Futures and president of The Schmidt Family Foundation. "We are counting on them to become future leaders, using their collective gifts to help solve the world's most challenging problems." Rise remains intentionally broad both in the selection of talent and in their projects to help unveil hidden brilliance, in whatever form it takes, wherever it is in the world. The program further prides itself in recognizing brilliance with unique perspectives and across various focus areas, skills, and issues. Since its inception, Rise has welcomed over 150,000 people from over 170 countries to its community, and has selected 200 winners from 69 countries of origin. From over 120,000 registrants, the 2022 Winners were selected after a rigorous application process which included a peer and expert review of the service projects developed by each applicant, formal assessments of talent, and group interviews. The 2022 Global Winners stood out not only for their impactful projects spanning from medical innovation to mental health and education but also for their strength in overcoming adversity. As a result of global program growth in year 2, Schmidt Futures and The Rhodes Trust are proud to welcome the program's first Winners from Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Libya, Myanmar (Burma), Paraguay, Poland, Romania, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tunisia, and Vietnam. Examples of the 2022 Rise Global Winners include: Phuc (James) Chau Nguyen ( Vietnam ): Utilized microfluidics to prototype a cancer-detecting toothbrush, gaining a start-up's investment and bioinformatics to model Universal CAR-T cells, treating various cancers. Utilized microfluidics to prototype a cancer-detecting toothbrush, gaining a start-up's investment and bioinformatics to model Universal CAR-T cells, treating various cancers. Olga Kuzmich ( Belarus ): Predicted the effect of a potential drug against Alzheimer's disease using bioinformatics by calculating differential expression of genes and predicting alterations in cells. Predicted the effect of a potential drug against Alzheimer's disease using bioinformatics by calculating differential expression of genes and predicting alterations in cells. Kambire Cye Antonio Angelberg ( Burkina Faso ): Created an organization called CMath, leading a group of students to organize the national mathematics and physics olympiads in his country. Created an organization called CMath, leading a group of students to organize the national mathematics and physics olympiads in his country. Bouchra Geagea ( Lebanon ): Implemented green roofs to educate her community on the role of citizens in mitigating global warming and showcase how small actions can have a considerable impact. Implemented green roofs to educate her community on the role of citizens in mitigating global warming and showcase how small actions can have a considerable impact. Renee Wang ( USA ): Created RUBIX, a prefabricated, deconstructable modular tiny home unit for the unhoused that offers an independent, dignified, affordable, and sustainable alternative to shelters. The full list of winners can be found at www.risefortheworld.org/global-winners . "We believe that the answers to the world's toughest problems lie in the imagination of the world's brightest minds," said Eric Braverman, CEO of Schmidt Futures. "Rise is an integral part of our mission to create the best, largest, and most enduring pipeline of exceptional talent globally and match it to opportunities to serve others for life." "Selecting 100 Global Winners from such a deep pool of brilliant young people was quite a challenge, and we are very grateful to all of our partners who helped in the selection process," said Dr Elizabeth Kiss, Warden of Rhodes House in Oxford and Chief Executive of the Rhodes Trust. "Our newest Rise winners come from every corner of the globe, and we can't wait to bring them together and then invest in their lifelong journeys to serve their communities and build a better world. Everyone who applies to Rise joins a global community and gains access to opportunities from partners in at least 40 countries across the world. The latest Rise Global Winners receive additional personalized support including need-based scholarships, mentorship, career development opportunities, potential funding for future ventures, technology packages, and more, to empower them to achieve their goals as they work to serve others. Applications for the next class will open in October 2022. For more information about how to apply, visit https://www.risefortheworld.org/apply-to-rise . About Rise Rise is a program that finds brilliant people who need opportunity and supports them for life as they work to serve others. The program starts at ages 1517 and offers benefits including scholarships, mentorship, access to career development opportunities, funding and more as Global Winners work toward solving humanity's most pressing problems. For more information about Rise, visit www.risefortheworld.org About Schmidt Futures Schmidt Futures bets early on exceptional people making the world better. Founded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, Schmidt Futures is a philanthropic initiative that brings talented people together in networks to prove out their ideas and solve hard problems in science and society. To learn more about our method and the diverse types of capital and tools that we deploy, visit https://www.schmidtfutures.com CONTACT: Isis Ossebi, [email protected] SOURCE Schmidt Futures Celebrating SCI-Arc's First 50 Years, Supporting Students for the Next 50 The gala dinner and awards will honor architect Frank Gehry, visual artist Alison Saar, Walt Disney Imagineering, and the Herald Examiner Building / Georgetown Company. https://www.sciarc.edu/events/events/main-event-2022 LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For 50 years, SCI-Arc has been restless, bold, and optimistic. We celebrate the tenacity of the figures and forces that created a movement never before seen in architecture education, which embraces the audacity of ever-shifting visions ahead. This year marks SCI-Arc's 50th anniversary, which will be commemorated with a special scholarship fundraising gala as well as free and accessible events and programs taking place throughout 2022. On October 11th, friends and supporters of SCI-Arc are invited to gather for Main Event 2022, a scholarship fundraiser and celebration of the outrageous creativity that for 50 years has propelled our school's thought leadership in architecture and design. Main Event benefits the SCI-Arc Scholarship Endowment with net proceeds empowering more students to access the world-renowned school of innovation and architectural thinking. Our Main Event gala dinner and awards is SCI-Arc's primary fundraiser supporting student scholarships, allowing us to sustain our commitment to creating inclusive opportunities for students of all backgrounds, including those from communities underrepresented in architecture, to study at SCI-Arc. SCI-Arc celebrates 50th anniversary with spectacular Main Event Gala to support future generations of student innovators Tweet this At our gala dinner and awards presentation, we are thrilled to honor inimitable creative leaders including architect Frank Gehry, visual artist Alison Saar, Walt Disney Imagineering, and the Herald Examiner Building/ Georgetown Company, and recognize SCI-Arc's founding faculty. SCI-Arc's special 50th anniversary Main Event fundraiser is guaranteed to be remembered for years to come. SCI-Arc takes the lead in reimagining the limits of architecture, reflecting on our first 50 years to propel us into the future, and producing the next generation of risk-takers who will push us towards the potential of the next 50 years. We look forward to reconnecting with and expressing our gratitude to all who have played a role in making SCI-Arc the remarkable school it is today, while reveling in the accomplishments of SCI-Arc's first 50 years. Gala Program October 11, 2022 6:00 8:30 pm Gala dinner and awards honoring architect Frank Gehry, visual artist Alison Saar, Walt Disney Imagineering, and the Herald Examiner Building / Georgetown Company. Celebrating founding director Ray Kappe alongside founding faculty Thom Mayne, Jim Stafford, Glen Small, Ahde Lahti, Bill Simonian, and Shelly Kappe. For tickets and more information about the Main Event Gala, please visit the SCI-Arc website here Gala Committee Co-Chairs: Suzanne Boda and Tom Strickler Committee Members: Barbara Bestor (M.Arch 1 '92), Jerry Neuman, Abigail Scheuer (M.Arch '93) SCI-Arc Board of Trustees For more information, visit www.sciarc.edu Location The Vibiana 214 S Main St Los Angeles, CA 90012 SOURCE SCI-Arc Frank Pauli steps down as CEO and joins the supervisory board ZALTBOMMEL, the Netherlands, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After nine years at the helm Frank Pauli (63) is stepping down as CEO of Cyclomedia . The company has appointed Serge Lupas (55) as its new CEO. He will take over the reins from Frank Pauli per 1 October. Serge Lupas brings a wealth of experience to the table, which he acquired as CEO at information service providers all over the world, such as Kantar Media and Tiscali, and at consultancy firms AlixPartners and McKinsey. Serge Lupas Frank Pauli Over the course of Frank Pauli's tenure as CEO, Cyclomedia has become a world leader in the field of accurate 360 street-level environment visualization and data insights. In recent years, the company has acquired a strong competitive position and developed a sustainable business model, which is used to service clients across Europe and North America. With unrivalled technology and strong growth, the company is poised to be a key player in the digital reality field virtualizing the outside world into digital data and insights. Applications that enable this range from smart city / smart government to digital network planning, design and management for infrastructure providers in transportation, utilities and telecom. New role for Frank Pauli Frank Pauli will continue to support the organization by joining the supervisory board. "I have spent nine wonderful years at the head of Cyclomedia and the time has now come for someone else to take over. I am therefore pleased to hand over the company's reins to Serge Lupas. I look forward to my new role and hope to be a valuable addition to the board with my knowledge and experience." His successor Serge Lupas not only has extensive leadership experience, but also a great track record when it comes to developing technology products and services and realizing a business' growth potential. "Cyclomedia is a global leader in the fast-developing ecosystem of digital twins and has the potential to shape this emerging industry and its metaverse applications", says Lupas. "I look very much forward to becoming part of Cyclomedia's success story and helping the company realize its growth ambitions." Cyclomedia's supervisory board is pleased with Serge Lupas' appointment and believes that with his arrival, the company will accelerate its growth and successfully build out its market and technology leadership position. About Cyclomedia As a world leader in the digital visualization of outdoor spaces, Cyclomedia has been providing actionable insights for over thirty years using the most accurate 360 visualizations at street level. We use AI-controlled analyses to provide insights that are used today to build a better world for tomorrow. We design, develop and operate the world's most advanced mobile mapping systems, which are used to deliver high-definition 3D digital imaging of large-scale physical environments such as densely populated urban areas across Europe and North America. The insights we generate based on the wealth of up-to-date and accurate data we collect every year are utilized by professional users to assist governments and businesses with making urban environments greener, more accessible, smarter and safer. www.cyclomedia.com Image: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1903094/Serge_Lupas.jpg Image: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1903095/Frank_Pauli.jpg SOURCE CycloMedia STOCKHOLM, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has signed a contract with Marina Club Apartments LLC to build a mixed-use building in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA. The contract is worth USD 111M, about SEK 1 billion, which will be included in the US order bookings for the third quarter 2022. The multifamily-led project will consist of an 8-story pre-cast building overlooking Boca Ceiga Bay. The project includes construction of a new 400-unit apartment complex with a 2-story podium parking garage, amenities deck, mixed-use space, and first-floor retail space. Work began in August 2022 and is expected to reach completion in December 2024. For further information please contact: Peggy Cook, Communications Manager, Skanska USA, tel +1 (513) 222 5310 Jacob Birkeland, Head of Media Relations and Public Affairs, Skanska AB, tel +46 (0)10 449 19 57 Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99 This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/skanska/r/skanska-builds-mixed-use-development-in-st--petersburg--florida--usa--for-usd-111m--about-sek-1-bill,c3634570 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3634570/1629393.pdf 20220922 US mixed-use SOURCE Skanska STEPN has acquired over 4.72 million total registered users STEPN's decentralized exchange, DOOAR, is the #1 Solana DEX in daily active users since its June launch Launched the SMAC anti-cheating system to combat bad actors in the STEPN ecosystem SYDNEY, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- STEPN ("the Company"), a Web3 lifestyle app that leverages tokenized incentives based on blockchain networks to encourage people to be active outdoors, today celebrates its first anniversary amongst community members. Over the past year, the Company raised $5 million from investors, expanded to over 4.72 million users worldwide in over 200 countries and entered into numerous partnerships. Yawn Rong, Co-Founder of STEPN, commented on the news, "STEPN has experienced impressive growth since our launch in 2021. By integrating new blockchains onto the platform, dropping new NFT collections, and adding new industry-leading features, we are continuing to revolutionize the move and earn space. Our team is dedicated to delivering the best features in a transparent manner, while also keeping our platform secure. We are in constant communication with our community and are excited to continue working with them to grow STEPN and bring crypto to an expanding audience." Over the past year, STEPN has released several exciting features and enhancements to the platform that delivered more value to the user base. Highlights from the past year include: April 2022 - STEPN unveils its carbon neutrality plans and began monthly commitment to pay for carbon removal. - STEPN unveils its carbon neutrality plans and began monthly commitment to pay for carbon removal. April 2022 - STEPN collaborated with ASICS to launch an NFT sneaker collection on the Binance Chain (BNB) - STEPN collaborated with ASICS to launch an NFT sneaker collection on the Binance Chain (BNB) June 2022 - STEPN launches its decentralized exchange, DOOAR, which became the top Solana DEX in daily active users immediately after its launch. - STEPN launches its decentralized exchange, DOOAR, which became the top Solana DEX in daily active users immediately after its launch. June 2022 - STEPN launched SMAC anti-cheating system to detect users manipulating the STEPN mechanics to their advantage - STEPN launched SMAC anti-cheating system to detect users manipulating the STEPN mechanics to their advantage August 2022 - STEPN partnered with Atletico Madrid and WhaleFin to launch NFT sneaker collection - STEPN partnered with Atletico Madrid and WhaleFin to launch NFT sneaker collection September 2022 - Launched the STEPNEMBER celebration campaign, empowering the STEPN community to share their STEPN success stories and earn exclusive prizes Jerry Huang, STEPN Co-Founder, concluded, "Crypto's presence on the global stage has expanded exponentially since its inception, and new use cases for the asset class are continuing to present themselves. STEPN is continuing to bridge the world between web2 and web3 and by bringing crypto and NFTs to a wider audience we are able to do just that. Our platform enables users to experience the world of crypto in a simplistic and straightforward manner, while allowing them to earn rewards for simply moving. STEPN is dedicated to driving innovation in the web3 space, and we are poised to improve upon our existing offerings while also deploying new features in the coming months." Company highlights Integrated three different blockchains into the STEPN platform - Binance Smart Chain, Solana, and Ethereum Daily active users hit an all-time high of 1 million on June 2nd Users walked, jogged and ran a total of 108,017,738 km About STEPN STEPN is a Web3 lifestyle app with inbuilt Game-Fi and Social-Fi elements. STEPN is built around an essential daily activity for most people moving around. We are the first project to effectively bring to life a functioning move-to-earn concept. Users equip themselves with NFTs in the form of Sneakers. By walking, jogging, or running outdoors, users will earn in-game currency, which can either be used in-game or cashed out for profit. With Game-Fi, STEPN aims to nudge millions toward a healthier lifestyle, combat climate change, and connect the public to Web3, all while simultaneously hinging on its Social-Fi aspect to build a long-lasting platform fostering user-generated Web3 content. Media Contact Peter Padovano M Group Strategic Communications (On behalf of STEPN) 646.859.5953 [email protected] SOURCE STEPN DALLAS, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Susan G. Komen, the world's leading breast cancer organization, will hold an in-person Dallas North Texas MORE THAN PINK Walk to raise critical funds that support breast cancer patients and health equity programs, including Susan G. Komen's Stand for H.E.R a Health Equity Revolution a focused initiative to decrease breast cancer disparities in the Black community. The Walk will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at The Levy Event Plaza, in Irving. "We look forward to creating a community for anyone impacted by breast cancer as we gather, in person, for this year's Walk. Funds raised from the MORE THAN PINK Walk will further Komen's ability to meet the needs of patients and advance our health equity revolution to break down barriers to quality, timely care that create poor breast health outcomes," said Sofia Olivarez, Executive Director at Susan G. Komen. Komen is pleased to welcome returning presenting sponsor this year is Tom Thumb/Albertsons Foundation. Participants can expect to enjoy the following at the Walk: New, scenic route around Lake Carolyn Hope Village, a place for survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer to gather We Remember Tent to honor those we have lost VIP Team area for top fundraisers open before and during the Walk Sponsor booths with giveaways for participants Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk The Levy Event Plaza 501 E Las Colinas Blvd Irving, TX 75039 October 22, 2022 7 AM Event Opens 8 AM Opening Ceremony 8 AM Walk Register Online https://www.komen.org/dallaswalk About Susan G. Komen Susan G. Komen is the world's leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information. Founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life, Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow's cures. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at www.komen.org/contact-us/follow-us/. CONTACT: Amanda Skahan Susan G. Komen (972) 855-4388 [email protected] SOURCE Susan G. Komen for the Cure "Omega" is an '80s-inspired electropop love song with a touch of house music MIAMI, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising synth-pop musician Sasha Bonn released his debut single, "Omega," an '80s-inspired electropop love song with a touch of house music', on September 16. "When writing this track, I found my inspiration in retro synth-pop music," Bonn said. "The '80s music was a part of my life, although I grew up in the '90s. Sasha Bonn Sasha Bonn "See, I was born in Eastern Europe and American music was about five years late in that part of the world. So, I can claim that I am an '80s baby as well. "In recent years, I grew to love the sounds of Roland synthesizers, so I used a lot of them in this track. I featured the classic, iconic synthesizers Jupiter-8 and Juno-106 in hopes that they will bring you that retro feel, and you will experience the 1980s like you were alive then," Bonn said. Bonn immigrated to the United States from Eastern Europe in August 2007 and immediately became involved in musical projects in Orange County, California. One of his first projects was 7 Seconds to Heaven, an alternative music band with some European rock influences. Later, Bonn's acoustic pop duo Winter's Flight recorded an EP, "A Place Where Memories Fade," and shot a music video to the song "Chains." The duo played local festivals and coffee shops and gave a performance on KBOO in Portland, Oregon. In addition to joining bands and recording songs, some of which were played on college radio, Bonn wrote soundtracks for short films. In 2020, Bonn moved to Miami, Florida, where he began his electropop musical journey. With "Omega," Bonn's goal was to create a song that could be played in the clubs and that people could dance to. He used simple piano chords throughout to keep the song uncomplicated. Lyrically, Bonn said, "I try to play a little bit with the rhyme, switching the patterns in every quatrain. It does sound simple and easy, yet I wanted to add some kick to that simplicity. It is a love song, as you probably understood. However, since it's retro synth-pop, I had to add some 'space' feel to it. That's why I blend star metaphors into the mix." The song starts with the line, "We start at the end and move to beginning," which means that instead of walking the road together from start to finish, two people in the story do the opposite. They are already at some point in their relationships, yet they try to start from scratch, Bonn said. "Let's start at Alpha and get to Omega" pretty much means that instead of doing that, they should start and end the journey properly, he said. Bonn recorded "Omega" in his home studio using a Shure SM7B mic boosted with Cloudlifter, the same microphone that Michael Jackson used to record "Thriller," noted Bonn. To learn more about Bonn and hear his music, visit sashabonn.com . "Omega" can be downloaded for free at sashabonn.com/retro-synth-pop-omega . Bonn can also be followed on most social media channels. Contact: Sasha Bonn 9493900534 SOURCE Sasha Bonn SEATTLE, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Talking Rain Beverage Company, the maker of bestselling sparkling water brand, Sparkling Ice, announced the appointment of Luke Fisher as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. In this role, Luke will lead the company's sustainability initiatives and highly engaged finance, technology, and risk management teams, while continuing to fulfill Talking Rain's mission of "Creating Connections with Every Sip" for years to come. Luke Fisher CFO "Luke has played a prominent role in our organization for years," said Ken Sylvia, Chief Executive Officer at Talking Rain. "I'm excited for Luke as he and his team work to optimize our existing platforms, implement strategies to transform our business, and provide financial leadership to our organization." Since joining Talking Rain in 2013, Luke has led multiple operational improvement initiatives, resulting in enhanced levels of service to customers, operating efficiencies, and improved decision-making leveraging data and analytics. Prior to joining Talking Rain, Luke served as Corporate Controller at Icicle Seafoods, where he was responsible for leading the accounting function. Commenting on his appointment, Luke said, "I am grateful for this opportunity at Talking Rain and am ready to take on new responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer. My focus will continue to be driving sustainable growth at Talking Rain, along with overseeing our operating platform, ensuring we are putting forward the best approach to meet the needs of our customers." About Talking Rain Beverage Company Talking Rain is a Washington-based beverage company that has been an industry leader in the beverage space for 35 years. The company's portfolio of brands includes the bestselling sparkling water, Sparkling Ice, Sparkling Ice +Caffeine, Sparkling Ice Superfruit and Talking Rain AQA, all of which offer better-for-you beverage options in a variety of flavors. With a commitment to developing best-in-class brands and driving meaningful community engagement, Talking Rain is creating connections with every sip. Talking Rain is building a sustainable future in an ever-changing market space. The company is committed to connecting with like-minded partners who prioritize corporate, social, and environmental responsibility, so together, they can educate and inspire the continuous work that supports these efforts. Through innovative carbon reduction initiatives, positive social programs, and philanthropic support, Talking Rain aims to create a lasting impact in the community. To learn more about Talking Rain, please visit www.talkingrain.com. SOURCE Talking Rain Beverage Company LUGANO, Switzerland, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tether Operations Limited ("Tether"), the company operating the blockchain-enabled platform tether.to that powers the largest stablecoin by market capitalization of over US $67 billion, and the City of Lugano have announced that they will be giving away 1 Bitcoin to Plan B Forum ticket holders at the upcoming conference. Slated to take place from 28-29 October 2022, three lucky ticket holders at the Forum will have the opportunity to win up to 1 Bitcoin (BTC) blockchain ballot prize. (PRNewsfoto/Tether Operations Limited) "We are excited to introduce yet another way for attendees to experience the power and potential of Bitcoin while creating an engaging moment during the conference," said Paolo Ardoino, CTO of Tether. "By giving away one Bitcoin we hope to inspire more people to join the digital economy. Introduction and education are key pillars of participation and we believe that we can be a catalyst for the long term and mainstream adoption for cryptocurrency." Bitcoin blocks generated after noon CEST on the 29th October will be used to select the three winners. Only ticket holders that check in to the Plan B Forum will be eligible to receive their share of the Bitcoin ballot prize. The prize will be split as follows; two all-access/cyberpunk ticket holders are eligible to win 0.4 BTC each while the remaining 0.2 BTC will go to one general/student ticket holder. The Forum promises to bring together the foremost thought leaders and creators from the world of digital finance to discuss how Bitcoin is disrupting the world on a social and economical level through four different tracks: governmental, corporate, individual, and technological. It will promote deep conversation around freedom of communication and finance delving into topics including the disintermediation of finance, accessibility of financial services, unbanked persons, and regulation. Speakers at the forum will include some of the most influential global leaders such as Milena Mayorga, ambassador of El Salvador to the United States, Fadi Elsalameen, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, and Farida Bemba Nabourema, human rights activist and founder of the "Faure Must Go" movement in Togo, to discuss the true impact and potential of decentralized technologies. Other speakers to look forward to include Stella Assange, wife of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, Nick Szabo, Cypherpunk and Computer Scientist and Max Keiser, founder of El Zonte Capital to name a few. For the full speaker list, click here . To purchase tickets to the events please visit https://planb.lugano.ch/planb-forum/ About Tether Tether is the preeminent stablecoin and a pioneer for financial freedom and innovation. Created in October 2014, Tether has grown to become the most traded cryptocurrency, surpassing that of all rival offerings combined. Tether is disrupting the legacy financial system by offering a more modern approach to money By introducing fiat currency-digital cash to bitcoin, Ethereum, EOS, Liquid Network, Omni, Tron, Algorand, and Solana blockchains, as well as smart contract platform, Avalanche, Tether makes a significant contribution to a more connected ecosystem. Tether combines digital currency benefits, such as instant global transactions, with traditional currency benefits, such as price stability. With a commitment to transparency and compliance, Tether is a fast and low-cost way to transact with money. About the City of Lugano Lugano is the economic capital of Southern Switzerland, strategically located between the metropolitan areas of Milan and Zurich. Set in an exceptional natural context and landscape, Lugano is the ideal place for living and working. The city hosts an important financial center and vibrant pharmaceutical, commodity trading, and fashion hubs and remains a sought-after tourist destination. A university town since 1996, Lugano is home to world-class research institutes and infrastructure, including the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA) and the Swiss National Supercomputing Center (CSCS). Among the safest cities in the Country, Lugano offers business-friendly legislation, great infrastructure, and political stability typical of Switzerland, combined with a Mediterranean flair. About Plan B Lugano's Plan B is a joint initiative between the City of Lugano and Tether to accelerate the use of and leverage bitcoin technology as the foundation to transform the city's financial infrastructure. The plan will scale blockchain and Bitcoin throughout the city to positively impact all facets of daily life for the residents of Lugano. From small transactions with local merchants to larger efforts such as paying annual taxes blockchain will serve as the foundation for the city's financial exchanges. SOURCE Tether Operations Limited DUBLIN, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 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. 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 automobile industry Analysis on supply of and demand for automobiles in Thailand Competition in Thailand's automobile industry 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 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/fvv4j2 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 Latest deal expands California Footprint BOCA RATON, Fla., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pulte Family, known in USA Homebuilding for William "Bill" J. Pulte's experience in Pulte Homes and PulteGroup Inc, recently invested in Santa Rosa's leading home services company, Elevated Comfort. The Pulte Family's investments span from the East Coast to the West Coast of the United States. "Much like Bill Pulte and Pulte Homes, Matt McDonald, Founder of Elevated Comfort, started as one man in a truck and has built the company into a large machine capable of even more growth," said a spokesperson for The Pulte Family "Matt shares many qualities that my grandfather William J. "Bill" Pulte (1932-2018), Founder of PulteGroup and Patriarch of The Pulte Family had, so we look forward to implementing parts of his Pulte Plan to make Elevated Home Comfort even bigger!" said William J. Pulte, CEO of Pulte Capital and Former Director of PulteGroup Inc. "The Pulte Family and William J. Pulte are the perfect partners to take us to another level," said Matt McDonald, Founder & CEO of Elevated Comfort. The Pulte Family may or may not disclose its sale of these securities and reserves the right to acquire more or dispose of said securities without notification. The Pulte Family William J. "Bill" Pulte founded Pulte Homes, today PulteGroup Inc, in 1950 at age 18. Over the decades, Bill Pulte built Pulte Homes into The #1 USA Homebuilder. In 2016, after retiring the first time, William J. "Bill" Pulte (1932-2018) and William "Bill" J. Pulte (b. 1988), his grandson, successfully turned PulteGroup Inc around, even when unauthorized, non-business family members supported the failed Dugas Management Team versus the Pulte Homes Founder William J. Pulte. Mr. Pulte (b. 1988) was a PulteGroup Director from 2016-2020. Bill Pulte's Twitter Philanthropy became a giant success starting in June 2019, helping thousands of people and inspiring millions of people worldwide. Even after the passing of William J. Pulte (1932-2018), their work together continues through a collection of Pulte founded organizations, including The William J. Pulte/The Bill Pulte Foundation. The Pulte Family has multiple companies and investment vehicles. See disclaimers for affiliated and unaffiliated organizations: PulteDisclaimers.com SOURCE The Pulte Family For the Third Year, The Shade Store Provides Designers with the Opportunity to Perfect Their Spaces Through Custom Creations for the Window DALLAS, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Shade Store, the leader in custom window treatments, returns to the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas, Texas for the third year as the exclusive window treatment partner. In collaboration with 19 esteemed designers, The Shade Store demonstrates once again how window treatments can transform the look and feel of a space while working with the designers to execute their unique creative visions. "It's a privilege for us to be back at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas, working with these extraordinary designers on a project with such a positive impact on the community," said Ian Gibbs, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of The Shade Store. "This opportunity helps foster ingenuity while leveraging all that The Shade Store has to offer when it comes to transforming spaces and showcasing our custom capabilities, incorporating touches of luxury in a way that is as impactful as it is beautiful." The 2022 Show House boasts a distinctive display of custom window treatments ranging from a variety of Drapery and Roman Shade styles to elaborate Trims, Borders, Cornices and Valences. Using custom window treatments in materials from The Shade Store's in-stock collection of 1,300+ styles as well as designer-supplied C.O.M. fabrics, the rooms came together in an exhibit of expository details and luscious fabrics. "Over the last four decades, The Kips Bay Decorator Show House has continued to raise critical programming funds for youth who need it most thanks to generous returning sponsors like The Shade Store," said James Druckman, President and CEO of the New York Design Center, and President of the Board of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. "We are grateful for The Shade Store's longtime support and partnership as this year's group of talented designers highlight the brand's beautiful custom designs and artisanal craftmanship." With elements of maximalism evident in this year's Show House, decorative components like custom borders, trim and embroidered detailing as seen within the window treatments, help take the spaces to the next level. As a stage that gives way to the latest trends, The Kips Bay Show Houses provide a luxurious glimpse into what's next for the design industry. About The Shade Store The Shade Store is a premium custom window treatment company with a rich heritage in luxury textiles and interior design. Its exclusive collection of more than 1,300 in-stock fabrics and materials provides customers with an unparalleled amount of style and customization options. Every window treatment is proudly handcrafted in the USA, hung and tested for quality assurance and ships free in 10 days or less. With 110+ showrooms nationwide, The Shade Store offers a complete range of in-person and virtual design services for consumers and design-trade clientele, including swatches, complimentary professional window measurements and photo rendering. Additionally, the company is an advocate for environmental sustainability: For every purchase made, the company provides the 'Gift of Shade' by planting a tree in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. For more information about The Shade Store, please visit http://www.theshadestore.com. SOURCE The Shade Store $12 billion AUM bank can now provide BaaS offerings to its customers SAN FRANCISCO and NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Treasury Prime , a leading Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) company, today announced it is partnering with FB Financial Corp ( FirstBank ) to bring embedded finance offerings to its clients. The partnership with FirstBank brings Treasury Prime's bank network to well over a dozen, adding to their rapidly growing available deposit base within the bank network. "As a modern banking platform, one of our key differentiators, and something that our customers place a lot of value in, is our network of banks, as it provides fintechs the flexibility they want and the scalability they need. By adding FirstBank, we've partnered with a financial institution that meets all the key markers to thrive in our network and deliver for enterprises looking for embedded finance," said Chris Dean, co-founder and CEO of Treasury Prime. FirstBank is among the first financial institutions on a Jack Henry core to leverage Treasury Prime's embedded finance solutions. The Tennessee-based financial institution with more than $12.7 billion in assets is expanding its client base by delivering embedded finance to Fintech, Payments and InsureTech. "Treasury Prime's technology enables us to enhance what we offer our clients and expand our reach to enterprises looking for embedded finance partners. We think embedded banking solutions, like what Treasury Prime offers, are at the forefront of helping the banking industry be more accessible, inclusive and compliant," said Wade Peery, Chief Innovation Officer of FirstBank. The FirstBank partnership comes just months after Treasury Prime announced a similar relationship with Texas-based Third Coast Bank. The company expects to make additional announcements related to its bank network in the weeks ahead. For more information about Treasury Prime and to learn more about its BaaS network, visit https://www.treasuryprime.com/ . About Treasury Prime Treasury Prime is building the future of finance. Leveraging its award-winning APIs and versatile Banking as a Service (BaaS) products, Treasury Prime enables fintechs, banks and corporate partners to innovate, adapt, grow and scale to stay competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace. The company helps fintechs with a range of complex services including money transfer, risk mitigation and access to a chartered bank's infrastructure. Treasury Prime works with forward-thinking banks to extend their boundaries, helping to grow topline revenue and lower the cost of deposits. Treasury Prime was named Best Banking-as-a-Service Platform in the Tearsheet Embedded Awards 2021 and named to CB Insights' annual 2021 Fintech 250 list. About FirstBank Nashville-based FirstBank, a wholly owned subsidiary of FB Financial Corporation (NYSE: FBK), is the third largest Tennessee-headquartered bank, with 83 full-service branches across Tennessee, South Central Kentucky, Alabama and North Georgia, and a national mortgage business with offices across the Southeast. The bank serves five of the major metropolitan markets in Tennessee and, with approximately $12.7 billion in total assets, has the resources to provide a comprehensive variety of financial services and products. SOURCE Treasury Prime Results presented across UCB's generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) development program builds the body of evidence around the complexities of gMG Presentations to include data from the Phase 3 MycarinG study of rozanolixizumab as well as the Phase 3 RAISE and RAISE-XT studies of zilucoplan BRUSSELS, Belgium, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, announced today it is presenting results from across its portfolio in generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) at the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) annual meeting featuring the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) Scientific Session, September 21 24. Presentations include study results for its investigational treatments, zilucoplan, a self-administered, subcutaneous (SC) peptide inhibitor of complement component 5 (C5 inhibitor) and rozanolixizumab, an SC-infused monoclonal antibody targeting the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), in adults with gMG. In addition, the company is also presenting real-world findings into the burden of the disease for society and the potential role of a digital application in improving care. The safety and efficacy of rozanolixizumab and zilucoplan have not been established and neither treatment is approved for use in any indication by any regulatory authority worldwide. "Patients living with gMG experience high disease and treatment burden resulting in a significant impact on their daily lives. The data being presented at AANEM and the MG Scientific Session reinforce the potential of UCB's two investigational medicines with different mechanisms of action to provide targeted treatment options to patients," said Iris Loew-Friedrich, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at UCB. "We are committed to meeting patients' needs, regardless of antibody profile, including those with MuSK Ab+ gMG who have particularly limited treatment options. With our gMG pipeline, we hope to address both drivers of disease pathology and which account for approximately 95% of patients living with gMG." Rozanolixizumab MycarinG Phase 3 Results A subgroup analysis presented from the Phase 3 MycarinG study (Poster 16, MGFA Scientific Session) 1 analyzes the efficacy of rozanolixizumab in patients with muscle specific kinase antibody-positive (MuSK-Ab+) gMG, which is often more severe and harder to treat than acetylcholine receptor antibody positive (AChR-Ab+) gMG.2 In the overall population analysis, rozanolixizumab demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in MG-specific outcomes in patients with MuSK-Ab+ and AChR-Ab+ gMG, that were consistent with prior published results. Improvements in Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) score for the overall population (n=200), including MuSK-Ab+ patients, were -3.37 for 7mg/kg (n=66; 5 MuSK Ab+) and -3.40 for 10mg/kg (n=67) vs -0.78 (n=67) for placebo. In the MuSK-Ab+ specific subgroup, improvement in MG-ADL was 7.28 (7mg/kg; n=5), 4.16 (10mg/kg; n=8), and 2.28 (placebo; n=8). In the AChR-Ab+ specific subgroup, improvement in MG-ADL was 3.03 (7mg/kg; n=60), 3.36, (10mg/kg; n=60), and 1.10 (placebo; n=59).1 In a responder analysis from MycarinG (Poster 204, AANEM)3, results presented demonstrated that rozanolixizumab significantly reduced MG-ADL from baseline to Day 43. In the primary endpoint, rozanolixizumab showed an LS mean difference vs placebo of 2.59 points at the 7mg/kg dose and 2.62 points at the 10mg/kg dose. Furthermore, a greater percentage of patients in the rozanolixizumab 7mg/kg and 10mg/kg arms than the placebo arm achieved a 2.0-point or greater improvement in MG-ADL, a 3.0-point or greater improvement in Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) scores and a 3.0-point or greater improvement in Myasthenia Gravis Composite (MGC) scores. Rozanolixizumab had an acceptable safety profile and was generally well tolerated with similar occurrences of TEAEs between both doses.3 A further safety analysis of the MycarinG trial (Oral presentation, 'Clinical Trials 2' session, MGFA Scientific Session),4 showed that rozanolixizumab was generally well tolerated, with the majority of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) being mild to moderate in severity. A higher proportion of TEAEs occurred in the active treatment arms versus placebo (81.3% for 7 mg/kg, 82.6% for 10 mg/kg and 67.2% for placebo) and were comparable between the rozanolixizumab groups. The most frequently reported TEAEs were headache, diarrhea, pyrexia and nausea. A higher incidence of headache was reported in the rozanolixizumab groups versus placebo, with most cases mild to moderate and severe cases generally managed with non-opioid analgesics. There were no severe or serious infections in the rozanolixizumab groups. Treatment withdrawal due to TEAEs was low; the rate was similar in the rozanolixizumab 7 mg/kg and placebo groups and higher in the rozanolixizumab 10 mg/kg group.4 Zilucoplan Phase 3 RAISE and RAISE-XT Results An interim analysis from RAISE-XT (data cut off 18 February 2022), a Phase 3, multicenter, open-label extension study (Poster 14, MGFA Scientific Session) is also being presented.5 This ongoing study recruited patients with AChR-Ab+ gMG who participated in randomized Phase 2 (NCT03315130) and Phase 3 (NCT04115293) zilucoplan studies. Building on the data seen in the double-blind Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies, results demonstrated a favorable long-term safety profile for zilucoplan over 24 weeks with no major safety findings, with efficacy in patients who had previously received zilucoplan continuing to improve, and efficacy demonstrated as early as week 1 in patients who switched from placebo. At extension study Week 12, after 24 weeks, the zilucoplan group achieved an LS mean improvement in MG-ADL score from the double-blind study baseline of 6.30. MG-ADL improvement for the placebo-switch group, after 12 weeks of zilucoplan, was 6.32. A presentation on the quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes with zilucoplan from the Phase 3 RAISE study (NCT04115293) (Oral presentation, 'Clinical Trials 2' session, MGFA Scientific Session)6 demonstrated that zilucoplan clinically meaningfully and highly statistically significantly improved MG-ADL at week 12 (LS mean difference v placebo 2.09; p<0.001) and showed consistently greater improvement in fatigue vs placebo (LS mean difference vs placebo at Week 12, 3.06; nominal p=0.0069). An overall Work Impairment due to problem score with zilucoplan vs placebo (LS mean difference vs placebo 12.83; p=0.0912) was also observed. Zilucoplan demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with a similar rate of TEAEs between zilucoplan (76.7%) and placebo (70.5%), and good tolerability. The most common TEAEs were injection-site reactions (26.7% zilucoplan vs 14.8% placebo); all were non-serious, and mild in severity, except for one instance of injection-site pain of moderate severity in the zilucoplan group and no patients discontinued due to an injection-site reaction. All patients in the zilucoplan arm who completed the 12-week treatment period have entered the ongoing RAISE-XT extension study (NCT04225871). Additionally, in a detailed responder analysis from Phase 3 RAISE trial being presented (Poster 200, AANEM)7 significantly higher proportions of patients receiving zilucoplan achieved 3-point and 5-point improvements in MG-ADL and QMG without rescue therapy vs placebo, respectively Zilucoplan demonstrated a clinically meaningful placebo-corrected mean improvement of 2.09 points (p<0.001) in MG-ADL, with 73.1% (p<0.001) of patients receiving zilucoplan achieving a 3.0-point or greater reduction in MG-ADL compared to placebo (46.1%) and 58% (p=0.0012) of patients receiving zilucoplan achieving a 5.0-point or greater reduction in QMG compared to placebo (33.3%). Zilucoplan had a favorable safety profile with no major safety findings and good tolerability.7 Real-world costs of gMG and digital application supporting patients Data from a study exploring the health care utilization and societal costs of MG in Norway (Poster 9, MGFA Scientific Session)8 highlighted the burden on both patients and society. It showed that societal costs such as lost life years, QoL, and productivity are significant and greater than direct treatment-related costs (estimated to be only 11.5% of societal costs). A further study on the real-world assessment of patient perceptions on an MG symptom-tracking application9 showed the potential of the smartphone application to equip patients with information that would allow them to better communicate their individual disease experience to their healthcare professional while also making behavioral changes to better manage their disease. Further assessment of this application is underway. (Oral presentation, 'Outcomes' session, MGFA Scientific Session). "We are proudly and firmly committed to supporting the gMG community by increasing knowledge and understanding of the true burden of this disease to help improve outcomes," said Charl van Zyl, Executive Vice President Neurology & Head of Europe/International Markets at UCB. "By focusing on patients and reinforcing our gMG pipeline with a platform of support services and digital innovations, we aim to transform the lives of people living with this disease." UCB anticipates filing regulatory submissions in the European Union, Japan and the U.S. for both zilucoplan and rozanolixizumab later this year. For further information, contact UCB: Brand Communications, Rare Diseases Jim Baxter T+32.2.473.78.85.01 [email protected] U.S. Communications, Rare Diseases Daphne Teo T +1.770.880.7655 [email protected] Corporate Communications, Media Relations Laurent Schots T+32.2.559.92.64 [email protected] Investor Relations Antje Witte T +32.2.559.94.14 [email protected] About Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) Myasthenia gravis is a rare disease impacting almost 200,000 patients in the U.S., EU and Japan.10,11 People living with gMG can experience a variety of symptoms, including drooping eyelids, double vision and difficulty swallowing, chewing and talking, as well as severe muscular weakness that can result in life threatening weakness of the muscles of respiration.12 gMG is a chronic and unpredictable auto-immune disease in which pathogenic autoantibodies can inhibit synaptic transmission at the neuro-muscular junction by targeting specific proteins on the post-synaptic membrane. This disrupts the ability of the nerves to stimulate the muscle and results in a weaker contraction.13 gMG can occur at any age and in any race, although previous studies have shown that women are more often impacted than men.12 Most patients with gMG have pathogenic IgG antibodies that disrupt the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles in the NMJ and some activate the complement cascade. Complement-mediated destruction via MAC formation is a key mechanism causing damage at the NMJ and is the key driver of disease in AChR Ab+ gMG. About the zilucoplan RAISE study 14 The RAISE study (NCT04115293) is a multi-center, Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to confirm the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of zilucoplan in patients with gMG. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive daily subcutaneous (SC) doses of 0.3 mg/kg zilucoplan or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint for the RAISE study is change from baseline to Week 12 in the Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) score. Secondary endpoints include change in the Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) score, the Myasthenia Gravis Composite (MGC) and the Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life 15 revised (MG-QoL15r) score from baseline to Week 12, time to rescue therapy, the proportion with minimal symptom expression (MSE) (defined as MG-ADL of 0 or 1), the proportion with a 3-point reduction in MG-ADL and the proportion with a 5-point reduction in QMG, all measured at Week 12. Secondary safety endpoint is incidence of TEAEs. Patients who completed the RAISE trial had the possibility to enter the open label extension study, RAISE-XT (NCT04225871). For more information about the trial visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04115293. About the rozanolixizumab MycarinG study 15 The MycarinG study (NCT03971422) is a multi-center, Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of rozanolixizumab in adult patients with gMG, with an open-label extension. The primary endpoint for the MycarinG study is change in the Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) score, an eight-item patient-reported scale developed to assess MG symptoms and their effects on daily activities. Additional endpoints include response rates, changes in the Myasthenia Gravis composite (MGC) score, the Quantitative MG (QMG) score, patient-reported outcomes and adverse events (AEs). The majority of patients taking part in the MycarinG study opted to enroll in the open label extensions to this clinical trial. As a result, UCB is exploring the potential for further extension studies into this treatment. For more information about the trial, visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03971422. About Zilucoplan Zilucoplan is a once-daily self-administered SC peptide inhibitor of complement component 5 (C5 inhibitor) under clinical development by UCB in gMG. Results from the RAISE study, a multi-center, Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of zilucoplan in patients with gMG, and regulatory submissions are planned in 2022. In 2019, the US FDA granted orphan drug designation to zilucoplan for the treatment of myasthenia gravis.16 Orphan designation was granted in 2022 by the European Commission to zilucoplan for the treatment of myasthenia gravis.17 The safety and efficacy of zilucoplan have not been established and it is not currently approved for use in any indication by any regulatory authority worldwide. About Rozanolixizumab Rozanolixizumab is an SC administered, humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically binds, with high affinity, to human neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). It has been designed to block the interaction of FcRn and Immunoglobulin G (IgG), accelerating the catabolism of antibodies and reducing the concentration of pathogenic IgG autoantibodies.18,19 Rozanolixizumab is under clinical development with the aim of improving the lives of people with pathogenic IgG-autoantibody-driven autoimmune diseases. In 2019, the US FDA granted orphan drug designation to rozanolixizumab for the treatment of myasthenia gravis.20 Orphan designation was granted in 202021 by the European Commission for rozanolixizumab for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. The safety and efficacy of rozanolixizumab have not been established and it is not approved for use in any indication by any regulatory authority worldwide. About UCB in Rare Diseases At UCB, we don't just see patients or population sizes, we see people in need. Through decades of serving the neurology and immunology communities, we have improved lives with impactful medicines and by enhancing the social and emotional well-being of patients. As a continuation of our heritage, we are now expanding our efforts to tackle rare neurological and immunological diseases where current options offer little hope, including investigational treatments for gMG, MOG-AD and AIE. About UCB UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With more than 7,600 people in approximately 40 countries, UCB generated revenue of 5.3 billion in 2020. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCB_news Forward looking statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "seeks", "estimates", "may", "will", "continue" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial information, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions which might cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of UCB, or industry results, to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: the global spread and impact of COVID-19, changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms or within expected timing, costs associated with research and development, changes in the prospects for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations, safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for products or product candidates, competition from other products including biosimilars, changes in laws or regulations, exchange rate fluctuations, changes or uncertainties in tax laws or the administration of such laws, and hiring and retention of its employees. There is no guarantee that new product candidates will be discovered or identified in the pipeline, will progress to product approval or that new indications for existing products will be developed and approved. Movement from concept to commercial product is uncertain; preclinical results do not guarantee safety and efficacy of product candidates in humans. So far, the complexity of the human body cannot be reproduced in computer models, cell culture systems or animal models. The length of the timing to complete clinical trials and to get regulatory approval for product marketing has varied in the past and UCB expects similar unpredictability going forward. Products or potential products which are the subject of partnerships, joint ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to differences disputes between the partners or may prove to be not as safe, effective or commercially successful as UCB may have believed at the start of such partnership. UCB' efforts to acquire other products or companies and to integrate the operations of such acquired companies may not be as successful as UCB may have believed at the moment of acquisition. Also, UCB or others could discover safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products and/or devices after they are marketed. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of UCB's products that implicate an entire class of products may have a material adverse effect on sales of the entire class of affected products. Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic trends toward managed care and health care cost containment, including pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, and the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement activities and outcomes. Finally, a breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UCB's data and systems. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on any of such forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labelling in any market, or at any particular time, nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be or will continue to be commercially successful in the future. UCB is providing this information, including forward-looking statements, only as of the date of this press release and it does not reflect any potential impact from the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, unless indicated otherwise. UCB is following the worldwide developments diligently to assess the financial significance of this pandemic to UCB. UCB expressly disclaims any duty to update any information contained in this press release, either to confirm the actual results or to report or reflect any change in its forward-looking statements with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless such statement is required pursuant to applicable laws and regulations. Additionally, information contained in this document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. 1 Habib AA, et al. Efficacy of rozanolixizumab in muscle-specific kinase antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis: Outcomes from the randomized, Phase 3 MycarinG study. Poster 16, MGFA Scientific Session, AANEM 2022. 2 Rodolico C, et al. MuSK-Associated Myasthenia Gravis: Clinical Features and Management. Front Neurol. 2020;11:660 3 Bril V, et al. Rozanolixizumab in generalized myasthenia gravis: Responder analyses from the Phase 3 MycarinG study. Poster 204, AANEM 2022. 4 Vu T, et al. Safety and tolerability of rozanolixizumab in the randomized Phase 3 MycarinG study. Oral presentation, MGFA Scientific Session at AANEM 2022. 5 Genge A, et al. Safety and tolerability of zilucoplan in RAISE-XT: A multicenter, open-label extension study in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis. Poster 14, MGFA Scientific Session, AANEM 2022. 6 Weiss MD, et al, Quality of life outcomes in RAISE: A double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled study of zilucoplan in gMG. Oral presentation. MGFA Scientific Session, AANEM 2022. 7 Vu T, et al. Efficacy and safety of zilucoplan in myasthenia gravis: Responder analysis from the randomized Phase 3 RAISE trial. Poster 200, AANEM 2022. 8 Bugge C, et al. Burden of myasthenia gravis: Health care utilization and societal costs in Norway. Poster 9, MGFA Scientific Session, AANEM 2022. 9 Steels J-C, et al. Improving outcomes by tracking symptoms, triggers and quality of life. Real-world assessment and patient perceptions of a prototype myasthenia gravis tracking app. Oral presentation. MGFA Scientific Session, AANEM 2022. 10 Chen J, et al. Incidence, mortality, and economic burden of myasthenia gravis in China: A nationwide population-based study. Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2020;5:100063. 11 Gilhus N. Myasthenia Gravis. N Engl J Med. 2016;375:2570-2581. 12 Hansen JS, et al. Mortality in myasthenia gravis: A nationwide population-based follow-up study in Denmark. Muscle Nerve. 2016;53:73-77. 13 Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. Clinical Overview of MG. https://myasthenia.org/Professionals/Clinical-Overview-of-MG. Accessed August 2022. 14 ClinicalTrials.gov 'Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Zilucoplan in Subjects With Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (RAISE)': https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04115293. Accessed August 2022. 15 ClinicalTrials.gov 'A Study to Test Efficacy and Safety of Rozanolixizumab in Adult Patients With Generalized Myasthenia Gravis': https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03971422. Accessed August 2022. 16 US Food and Drug Administration.https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/opdlisting/oopd/detailedIndex.cfm?cfgridkey=699319. Accessed August 2022. 17 Data on file. 18 Kiessling P, et al. The FcRn inhibitor rozanolixizumab reduces human serum IgG concentration: A randomized phase 1 study. Sci Transl Med. 2017;9(414). 19 Smith B, et al. Generation and characterization of a high affinity anti-human FcRn antibody, rozanolixizumab, and the effects of different molecular formats on the reduction of plasma IgG concentration. MAbs.2018;10:1111-1113. 20 US Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/opdlisting/oopd/detailedIndex.cfm?cfgridkey=669918. Accessed August 2022 21 European Medicines Agency. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/orphan-designations/eu3202272. Accessed August 2022 SOURCE UCB, Inc. Mike Weinberger To Join Panel of Franchise Experts To Discuss Successful Mergers & Acquisitions, Sharing Best Practices From 20-Year Franchise Career and Growing the First True National U.S. Cannabis Dispensary Franchise PHOENIX, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Unity Rd., the leading national cannabis dispensary franchise in the U.S., announced today that it will be representing the cannabis space at the 2022 Springboard Event during a panel discussion on mergers and acquisitions. Taking place on Friday, September 30 at 10:45 a.m. ET, the company's Chief Franchise Officer Mike Weinberger will join panelists to discuss how to facilitate and navigate strategic partnerships that lead to successful mergers and acquisitions. Additional panelists include Satya Ponnuru, General Partner at NewSpring Franchise; Philip Piro, Principal at Princeton Equity Group and Scott Abbott, Managing Partner at Five Star Franchising. "Mergers and acquisitions have been a consistent and successful driving force for expansion behind the leading players in cannabis," said Weinberger. "As a franchisor in two highly regulated markets, we have both merged with another company and have acquired multiple businesses to expand the footprint of our dispensary franchise. Emerging franchisors seeking new growth strategies should attend our panel to learn if M&A is the right path forward." A 20-year franchise industry veteran, Weinberger founded Unity Rd. in 2018 and has developed the brand into three states with expansion underway in another five-plus markets. Prior to building the leader in the U.S. cannabis franchise space, he was the CEO of Maui Wowia global coffee and smoothie franchise with more than 500 unitsand led its successful sale to Kahala Brands. Upon acquisition, his role shifted to Brand President and VP of Franchise Development, overseeing Kahala Brands' nontraditional portfolio and growth strategies. With his professional experience focused on growing emerging concepts into nationally recognized brands, his skillset brings tremendous value to Springboard attendees Springboard is a three-day event uniquely geared toward emerging franchise brands. Attendees will learn from experienced franchise leaders about best industry practices to successfully cultivate and grow franchise systems, in addition to vital topics impacting the franchise industry. "Springboard sets the next generation of new and emerging franchises up for success," Weinberger continued. From pending international expansion with one of Canada's largest cannabis retail franchisors to local acquisitions for Unity Rd. franchise partners, M&A activity is positively fueling Unity Rd.'s growth to become a global franchise brand. Today, Unity Rd. has shops operating in Boulder, Colo.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Denver and Hartford, S.D., as well as multiple agreements signed with more than 20 entrepreneurial groups who are in various stages of development nationwide. In 2021, the marijuana franchise became the first member of its kind to join the International Franchise Association (IFA) , solidifying its position as an industry leader. Unity Rd. offers a direct route for cannabis entrepreneurs interested in staking their claim in an industry that is bursting with potential. The dispensary franchisor's time-tested Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and experienced team, with a combined 120-plus years of cannabis experience, guide franchise partners through every operational function of the business from securing a license to assisting with cash flow, product selection or changing regulations. Industry newcomers have deemed Unity Rd. the go-to franchise opportunity for entering and navigating the complex $25 billion cannabis industry. The dispensary franchise is actively seeking qualified partners across the U.S. who would benefit from the systems, processes and ongoing support its team provides. For more information about the Unity Rd. franchise opportunity, contact [email protected], call 720-923-5262 or visit unityrd.com. ABOUT UNITY RD. : Unity Rd. is bridging the two previously disconnected worlds of cannabis and franchising. The industry trailblazer is the first to bring the cannabis dispensary franchise model to the United Stateswith duality of prowess in both industries to back it up. Built up from a collective 200 years in the legal cannabis industry and franchising, the company helps eager operators enter the complex industry with ease. The marijuana franchise pioneer offers its partners the knowledge, resources and ongoing support needed to compliantly and successfully operate a dispensary. Launched in 2018, Unity Rd. has four shops open across the U.S. along with multiple agreements signed with 20 entrepreneurial groups who are developing the brand in 10-plus states. In 2021, Unity Rd. became the first member of its kind to join the International Franchise Association (IFA) , solidifying its position as the first true cannabis dispensary franchise in the U.S. The franchise was also named one of the "Best Cannabis Companies to Work For" in the dispensary category for Cannabis Business Times' 2022 and 2020 lists. For more information, visit unityrd. MEDIA CONTACT : Anna Pool, Fishman PR, [email protected], 847.945.1300 SOURCE Unity Rd. Organization recognized for encouraging high school girls to pursue STEM education and careers PHOENIX, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute (UTI) has been recognized for inspiring high school girls to consider technical training and a skilled trades career by its accrediting body. The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) presented the "Excellence in Community Service" award to UTI representatives at the ACCSC's annual Professional Development Conference on September 20th. The award recognizes the scope and impact of a school's contributions, as well as the school's commitment to its community. Over the last year, eight UTI campuses hosted a Women in STEM Skilled Trades Conference with IGNITE Worldwide, inviting students from around the region to attend. The conferences featured panel discussions with successful women paving the way in the transportation industries, and more than 1,000 high school girls participated. They were also treated to interactive tours featuring fabrication, engine teardown and other demonstrations. Additionally, UTI held a virtual conference for interested girls unable to attend an on-campus event. "Through the Excellence in Community Service award, ACCSC is delighted to recognize Universal Technical Institute's contributions to the communities in which the schools serve," said Karen R. Marcinski, director of commission affairs for ACCSC. "Through this collaborative effort to introduce girls to STEM, the schools touched the personal lives of school personnel, students, and community members." UTI-Rancho Cucamonga Campus President Migdalia Vazquez and NASCAR Technical Institute Campus President Jennifer Bergeron accepted the award on behalf of UTI. "It's been an honor to work alongside IGNITE Worldwide to help fulfill their mission of achieving gender equity in STEM education and careers," said Bergeron. "When we hosted local high school girls on our campus last fall, we watched their faces light up when they heard from women leading and growing their careers in the automotive and motorsports industries, and the students gave us a lot of positive feedback about their experience. We wanted to drive home the message that we cannot accept gender stereotypes that limit girls' participation in STEM education in high school and beyond, because they should have access to in-demand and stable jobs in high-tech trade careers." ACCSC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the designated accrediting body for more than 650 post-secondary, trade and technical schools that serve more than 150,000 students nationwide in a variety of vocational programs each year. 13 UTI and MIAT campuses across the country have been recognized by the ACCSC since 2014. UTI is planning several more Women in STEM conferences at its campuses nationwide in early 2023. About Universal Technical Institute, Inc. Founded in 1965 and headquartered in Phoenix, Universal Technical Institute's (NYSE: UTI) mission is to serve our students, partners, and communities by providing quality education and support services for in-demand careers. Approximately 250,000 students have graduated from one of UTI's 16 campuses located across Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Texas. UTI's campuses are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), while its employer-aligned technical training programs are offered under four brands: Universal Technical Institute, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute / Marine Mechanics Institute, NASCAR Technical Institute, and MIAT College of Technology. For more information and a complete list of all programs offered, please visit www.uti.edu or follow on LinkedIn @UniversalTechnicalInstitute and on Twitter @news_UTI. About ACCSC: Since 1967, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) has been recognized by the United States Department of Education as a reliable authority on educational quality. ACCSC is committed to supporting and enhancing the student educational experience at accredited member institutions, facilitating meaningful workforce development opportunities, and bridging the growing skills gap in the United States. More information on ACCSC is available online at www.accsc.org, @ACCSCAccredits, and facebook.com/accscaccreditation. About IGNITE Worldwide: IGNITE Worldwide is a nationally-recognized leader in promoting gender equity in STEM. IGNITE works directly with educators to connect girls* with STEM opportunities during the school day. Their award-winning Program offers a variety of interactive events featuring STEM professionals who represent participating students. This school-based, scalable model promotes accessibility among schools nationwide, allowing any educator to provide in-person or virtual IGNITE Programming to eligible students. By inspiring engagement in STEM classes and clubs and reaching students from under-resourced communities who may not otherwise have access to these opportunities, IGNITE encourages greater gender diversity in STEM education and careers. IGNITE Worldwide is recognized as a national best practice program and has been acclaimed by the U.S. State Department as an international model. *IGNITE Worldwide serves girls, young women, nonbinary, transgender, agender, and genderqueer students. More information about IGNITE Worldwide is available online at www.igniteworldwide.org, @IGNITEworldwide, and facebook.com/IGNITEworldwide. Media Contact Faye Shroff [email protected] 704.591.4353 SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc. Doubling the University of Maryland BioPark's lab space, the two-phase 4MLK development project will represent more than $320 million in total capital investment BALTIMORE, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and Wexford Science & Technology, LLC, announced today that 4MLK, the newest development project in the University of Maryland BioPark, is slated to move forward, with groundbreaking this fall (2022) and delivering in summer 2024. The 8-story, 250,000-square-foot building, Phase I of a two-phase project representing a $320 million total capital investment, will provide critical wet laboratory space in downtown Baltimore for researchers and companies, flexible lab and office/support space for start-ups, and Class A office space, along with areas for convening and a conference center. "For UMB, 4MLK is more than a building it is a symbol of our continued growth and dedication to advancing life sciences and driving economic investment in Baltimore," commented Bruce Jarrell, MD, FACS, President of UMB. "The BioPark is a highly sought-after location for companies seeking commercial wet lab space as well as connection to UMB and the vast resources we offer. We are proud that 4MLK will deliver a high volume of new lab space to Baltimore, helping fill the severe shortage in our region." Located at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Blvd. and Baltimore St., 4MLK will serve as a gateway between the BioPark, UMB, and the University of Maryland Medical Center, furthering the BioPark's mission of bringing together faculty researchers, entrepreneurs, seasoned life science leaders, and community-focused initiatives and programs for the advancement of human health innovation. "Since the inception of the UM BioPark, UMB has played a critical role in both the growth of the local life sciences industry and in fulfillment of the vision of the BioPark as a center of gravity and congregation for researchers, corporate innovators, entrepreneurs, and the community," said Jim Berens, Founder and Chairman of Wexford Science & Technology. "4MLK is the result of our strong, long-term partnership with UMB and critical focus on providing much needed world-class research space to private industry. Its advancement underscores the unique opportunity for life sciences companies looking to launch or expand in Baltimore." "Through the new 4MLK development, the UM BioPark will continue to have a transformational impact on the life sciences, not just in Baltimore but across Maryland," said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. "Our state remains a leader in this industry because of forward-thinking, innovative projects like this one that provide much-needed lab space and other critical resources for growing life sciences companies." "I am pleased to see that this collaboration between UMB and Wexford will bring such a high-quality project to Baltimore," said Brandon M. Scott, Mayor of Baltimore City. "It shows that investing in Baltimore is a wise and impactful move that benefits organizations while also reimagining and revitalizing the city." 4MLK will be the third multi-tenant building developed by Wexford Science & Technology in the UM BioPark, one of 16 Wexford-developed Knowledge Communities across the country. The company remains headquartered in the BioPark where it pioneered this concept. 4MLK's Spaces 160,000 square feet of Class A wet lab-capable space will be available to commercial partners for build-out. 40,000 square feet is planned for flexible lab, office, and lab support facilities specifically designed to meet the rigorous needs of growing life science companies. These flexible lab spaces are paired with full-service amenities such as shared lab equipment, weekly networking and educational programming, and flexible terms. A 16,000-square-foot space for community gathering and events will encourage networking and provide educational programming opportunities for tenants, UMB, and the greater Baltimore community. community. Along with the building, the project will deliver an adjacent public plaza and an activated streetscape with retail and food and beverage venues along Baltimore Street and MLK Blvd. Phase II will add a second 250,000-square-foot lab/office building. For additional information and leasing inquiries, please visit www.4MLK.com, or contact Gregory Herlong, Vice President and Market Executive, with Wexford Science & Technology at 410-649-5629. About University of Maryland BioPark The UM BioPark offers high-quality lab and office space solutions for companies of all sizes, especially high-growth companies seeking connection with its academic partner, University of Maryland, Baltimore. The 36 tenants include industry-leading global firms such as Pharmaron, Illumina, BD, and Catalent, next-gen ventures, university spinouts, distinguished research organizations, cutting-edge clinical care, and contemporary workforce training programs. For more information visit www.umbiopark.com. About Wexford Science & Technology, LLC Wexford Science & Technology, LLC, is a real estate company exclusively focused on partnering with universities, academic medical centers, and research institutions to develop vibrant, mixed-use, amenity-rich Knowledge Communities that are built on a foundation of research, discovery, innovation, entrepreneurial activity, corporate engagement, and community inclusion. These Knowledge Communities create visible outcomes in the form of substantial economic growth, new and diverse jobs, and community transformation. Wexford targets strategic opportunities with top-tier research universities that are seeking to create knowledge-led economic development impact for their campuses, cities, and regions. Presently Wexford has developed sixteen Knowledge Communities across North America. For more information about Wexford, visit www.wexfordscitech.com. SOURCE University of Maryland BioPark Construction activity, chemical and steel manufacturing end uses to support demand CLEVELAND, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- US lime demand is forecast to decline 1.3% yearly in volume terms through 2026, according to Lime: United States, a report recently released by Freedonia Focus Reports. Falling demand for flue gas desulphurization (FGD) due to declines in coal use, as well as falling paper and paperboard production, will trigger decreases. However, expanding construction activity, chemical output, and steel production will prevent faster retreats. Quicklime is expected to remain the leading form of lime used, owing to its versatility and low price. Sales in 2021 represented an above-trend year due to rising output of steel products, coal-generated electricity, and nondurable goods, as well as increasing water use. The strong performance across these sectors in 2021 was attributable to a strong economic rebound from the 2020 slump. Demand in 2022 is expected to see a slight decrease from 2021 as those pandemic-related rebound effects fade. Lime demand is projected to return to a trend of long-term structural decline due to ongoing decreases expected in paper output and coal-generated electricity. These and other key insights are featured in Lime: United States. This report forecasts to 2022 and 2026 US lime demand and production in metric tons, and lime demand in nominal US dollars at the manufacturer level. Total demand in volume and value terms is segmented by product in terms of: quicklime hydrated lime refractory lime Total demand in volume terms is also segmented by market as follows: metallurgical environmental construction industrial refractory To illustrate historical trends, total demand, total production, the various segments, and trade are provided in annual series from 2011 to 2021. The term "lime" comprises manufactured lime forms and excludes limestone and dolomite, which are used as feedstock. Agricultural limestone often referred to as agricultural lime represents ground limestone and is therefore excluded. Regenerated lime produced as a byproduct at paper mills, carbide plants, and water treatment facilities is excluded from the scope of this report. Re-exports of lime are excluded from demand and trade figures. More information about the report is available at: https://www.freedoniafocusreports.com/Lime-United-States-FF60030/?progid=91541 About Freedonia Focus Reports Each month, The Freedonia Group a division of MarketResearch.com publishes over 20 new or updated Freedonia Focus Reports, providing fresh, unbiased analysis on a wide variety of markets and industries. Published in 20-30 pages, Focus Report coverage ranges from raw materials to finished manufactured goods and related services such as freight and construction. Additional Energy & Resources reports can be purchased at Freedonia Focus Reports or MarketResearch.com. Analysis is intended to guide the busy reader through pertinent topics in rapid succession, including: total historical market size and industry output segmentation by products and markets identification of market drivers, constraints, and key indicators segment-by-segment outlook in five-year forecasts a survey of the supply base suggested resources for further study Press Contact: Corinne Gangloff +1 440.842.2400 [email protected] SOURCE The Freedonia Group Rankings recognize IT providers enabling the future of the worldwide financial services industry LONDON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Volante Technologies , the global leader in cloud payments and financial messaging, today announced that it has been named to The IDC FinTech Rankings Top 100 for the second year in a row. The IDC FinTech Rankings 2022 evaluates and categorizes the top IT vendors based on 2021 calendar year revenues and the percentage of revenues exclusively attributed to financial institutions. This accolade follows a number of other recent wins for Volante, including placing first in the IBS Intelligence (IBSi) Sales League Table (SLT) for wholesale banking payments , and receiving the 'Most Innovative Payment Solutions Provider' award at MEA Finance Banking Technology Awards (both for the second year running). Volante has also been recognized as a Leader in the Omdia Universe: Selecting a Payment Hub, 2021-22 global survey . According to Aaron Press, Research Director at IDC Financial Insights, "Volante's focus on payments has once again placed the company on the IDC Fintech Rankings Top 100. Volante continues to earn this position with innovative solutions that move their customers' payments capabilities forward. The IDC Fintech Rankings, now in its 19th year, is the global standard list of fintech providers to the industry, and we congratulate Volante for their placement among the 2022 winners." Since debuting in the IDC Fintech Rankings Top 100 in 2021, Volante has launched a number of new service offerings, including the Volante ISO 20022 Service, which simplifies the complexity of global ISO 20022 modernization, and a unified solution for processing FedNow Service and TCH RTP real-time payments in the U.S. Volante has also broadened its partner ecosystem, announcing strategic partnerships with Mambu, to bring SaaS real-time payments and core banking to market, and KPMG, to offer financial institutions comprehensive ISO 20022 and real-time payments readiness diagnostics. During this time, Volante has continued to maintain strong trusted-partner relationships with customers, securing strategic growth funding from Wells Fargo, BNY Mellon, and Poste Italiane, and expanding the scope of its cloud Payments as a Service (PaaS) offering with FIMBank. Volante has also grown its footprint in Latin America, announcing payments modernization deployments with Banca Afirme, S.A. (Afirme, a subsidiary of Afirme Grupo Financiero, S.A. de C.V.) and Banco del Bajio, two of the largest domestic banks in Mexico. "According to IDC, digital transformation spend in worldwide banking will reach $17 billion by 2025*. Driven by demand for always-on real-time digital services from consumers and businesses, financial businesses are under pressure to modernize rapidly. As new payment types proliferate, payments modernization is an essential pillar of any digital transformation strategy," said Vijay Oddiraju, CEO, Volante Technologies. "Our inclusion in the IDC Fintech 100 is a testament to the role that we are playing in accelerating payments modernization by providing our customers with compelling cloud Payments as a Service and low-code financial integration solutions. As a result, more and more financial businesses of all sizes are partnering and investing with Volante," he continued. Volante is exhibiting at Sibos 2022 in Amsterdam. To find out more about how we can help accelerate payments modernization, book a meeting with the Volante team . Source *"IDC WW Digital Transformation Spending Guide V1 2022 April 2022" For more information about the The IDC FinTech Rankings 2022, visit http://www.idc-fi.com and follow on Twitter @IDC and look for #IDCFinTechRankings. About Volante Technologies Volante Technologies is the leading global provider of cloud payments and financial messaging solutions to accelerate digital transformation. We serve as a trusted partner to over 100 banks, financial institutions, market infrastructures, clearing houses, and corporate treasuries in 35 countries. Our solutions and services process millions of transactions and trillions in value every day, powering four of the top five corporate banks, 40 percent of all U.S. commercial bank deposits, and 70 percent of worldwide card traffic. As a result, our customers can stay ahead of emerging trends, become more competitive, deliver superior client experiences, and grow their businesses through rapid innovation. To learn more, visit www.volantetech.com. Follow us at linkedin.com/company/volante-technologies and twitter.com/volantetech. SOURCE Volante Technologies, Inc. The Bronx native joins a distinguished list of celebrities including Alice Cooper and Telfar Clemens COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- White Castle, the family-owned fast-food hamburger chain and popular consumer-packaged goods business, welcomes hip-hop icon, entrepreneur and philanthropist Fat Joe as a member of the new class of the Cravers Hall of Fame, "Craver in Extremis." White Castle inducted hip-hop artist Fat Joe into its Cravers Hall of Fame. Tweet this Hip-hop artist Fat Joe (middle) was inducted into White Castle's Cravers Hall of Fame as a Craver in Extremis. White Castle VP of operations Chris Shaffery (left) and White Castle VP Jamie Richardson (right) presented Fat Joe with plaques, one honoring his induction into the Cravers Hall of Fame and one paying tribute to a booth -- the Fat Joe Lean Back Booth -- named in his honor. The ceremony occurred at the White Castle on 1677 Bruckner Blvd. in the Bronx, a borough of New York. The surprise came shortly after the guest of honor's arrival. The White Castle Town Crier, dressed in full regalia including a navy blue coat and breeches topped with a tricorn hat, declared now and henceforward, Fat Joe is a member of the Cravers Hall of Fame. Additionally, Fat Joe received word that a booth in the Castle is now known as the "Fat Joe Lean Back Booth," a nod to his 2004 classic song and in his honor. "The Cravers Hall of Fame honors our loyal fans who represent the best of White Castle, and Fat Joe embodies that lifelong dedication," said Richardson. "We share the same values, including family, humility and commitment to the community. We're grateful to have someone such as Fat Joe as an ambassador." Before Fat Joe was "all the way up," or "making it rain," or even "letting them know about a flow," he was a frequent visitor of White Castle, specifically the Bruckner Boulevard location. The Castle was the closest to the Grammy-nominated hip-hop star's childhood residence. The Cravers Hall of Fame is an exclusive club that White Castle created in 2001 to recognize its most zealous fans, who are affectionately referred to as Cravers. Each year, hundreds of Cravers submit their White Castle stories in hopes of being chosen for the Cravers Hall of Fame. While some of the stories are funny, some are poignant and some are remarkable, all of them are very personal, heartfelt testaments to the ways in which White Castle has touched lives and created lasting memories. "I've been everywhere in the world you can think of, but I still appreciate the love from White Castle," said Fat Joe at his induction. "If you're from the Bronx like I'm from the Bronx, the White Castle in my neighborhood was a flagship location. I've been coming to White Castle with my aunts, uncles, mother and father, wife and my kids, and that's what it is all about." Fat Joe says his go-to meal at White Castle is a Double Cheese Slider, onion rings and clam strips. Earlier this year, White Castle and Fat Joe teamed up to introduce the Spicy Joe Slider and Sloppy Fries to celebrate JOE-nuary as a month dedicated to all things Joe. Since the Hall of Fame's beginning in 2001, a total of 273 inductees have been honored with this distinguished award. In 2002, White Castle created a "Craver in Extremis" category to recognize public figures and pop icons, including Fat Joe, who have publicly expressed their love of White Castle. Others honored among the Cravers in Extremis include Alice Cooper, Telfar Clemens, Adam Richman, Kal Penn and John Cho, and the late Stan Lee. The deadline to submit nominations for the Cravers Hall of Fame Class of 2022 is Sept. 30. Nominations can be submitted through White Castle's website here. About White Castle White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain, has been making hot and tasty Sliders since 1921. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the family-owned business owns and operates more than 350 restaurants as well as a retail division providing its famous fare in freezer aisles of retail stores nationwide. As part of its commitment to offering the highest quality products, White Castle owns and operates its own Slider Provider meat plants, bakeries and frozen-Slider retail plants. White Castle has earned numerous accolades over the years including Time magazine's "Most Influential Burger of All Time" (2014, The Original Slider) and Thrillist's "Best Plant-Based Fast-Food Burger" (2019, Impossible Slider). In 2021, Fast Company named the fast-food pioneer one of the "10 Most Innovative Dining Companies." White Castle, which earned the Great Place to Work Certification in 2021 and 2022, is known for the legendary engagement of its team members, more than 1 in 4 of whom have worked for the business for at least 10 years. White Castle is beloved by its passionate fans ("Cravers"), many of whom compete each year for entry into the Cravers Hall of Fame. The official White Castle app makes it easy for Cravers to sign up for the Craver Nation loyalty program, access sweet deals and place pickup orders at any time. They can also have their orders delivered using one of White Castle's delivery partners. For more information on White Castle, visit whitecastle.com. SOURCE White Castle Cloudastructure VP of Sales recognized in international competition MIAMI, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business competition announced that Cloudastructure's Whitney Fraser has been named a finalist for Female Executive of the Year. You've given me a "work home" where women can be mentored, listened to, and advance based on merits and that's rare." Tweet this Whitney Fraser, VP of Sales Whitney's status as a finalist for an international award comes as no surprise to Cloudastructure senior management. Within months of joining the company, Whitney closed her first multi-million dollar enterprise deal, and within a week, closed another. Her deals ramped up Cloudastructure's revenue by 700% in Q1 and Q2 of 2022 alone, while the needs of her clients altered the course of engineering and design at the company, and may optimize crime deterrence to a level previously unattainable in enterprise security. Whitney was promoted to Vice President in June. CEO Rick Bentley commented, "We couldn't be prouder of Whitney and we welcome and support the business community recognizing her talents. Not only is she a model professional and executive, but she comes to work every day with a positive attitude and a level of energy that influences everyone around her." Currently on maternity leave, finalist and VP of Sales Whitney Fraser responded, "A heartfelt thanks to the judges for elevating my nomination, and another to everyone at Cloudastructure for believing in me! I'm deeply flattered and humbly grateful to have found you guys. Special shout out to our CRO Lauren O'Brien, thank you for hiring me, and CEO Rick Bentley for enabling what was needed to make this all possible. You've given me a "work home" where women can be mentored, listened to, and advance purely based on their merits and that's rare." Finalists were determined by the average scores of more than 200 business professionals around the world, working on seven juries. Their scores will also determine the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award placements that will be revealed at the 19th annual awards dinner and presentations in Las Vegas. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor women executives, entrepreneurs, employees and the companies they run worldwide. The Stevie Awards have been hailed as the world's premier business awards. Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners will be announced during a gala event at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Friday, November 11. Nominated women executives and entrepreneurs from the U.S.A and several other countries are expected to attend. The event will be broadcast on Livestream. The full list of finalists can be found here . Headquartered in Miami, Florida, with R&D in Silicon Valley, California, Cloudastructure's 21st century award-winning security platform utilizes a scalable cloud-based architecture that features cloud video surveillance with proprietary, state-of-the-art AI/ML analytics, a seamless remote guarding solution, IoT cybersecurity, and smart parking. The combination enables enterprise businesses to achieve proactive, end-to-end security, and pairs that platform with an attractive value proposition that eschews proprietary hardware and offers contract-free, month-to-month pricing and unlimited 24/7 support. With Cloudastructure, companies can achieve unparalleled situational awareness in real time and thereby stop crime as it is happening, while simultaneously achieving up to a 75% lower Total Cost of Ownership than other systems. For more information, visit www.cloudastructure.com . SOURCE Cloudastructure, Inc Seventy-six representatives of international organizations and foreign embassies in China hailed the new technologies and green development in infrastructure they got to see during a visit to a major Chinese State-owned enterprise on Wednesday. The group visited China State Construction Engineering Corp, the world's largest construction and investment group, where they toured the technical center and learned about achievements in digital intelligence and new materials. Mary Muthoni Gichohi, Kenya's ambassador to China, was impressed by the cutting-edge technologies applied in the infrastructure, saying that her country would like to deepen its engagement with China's companies to learn from their experience. "Over the past 40 years, a great amount of projects that CSCEC has built are just amazing, not just in the quantity, but also in quality," she said, adding that the company could deliver projects "very quickly and efficiently." Describing Beijing as a sound development partner, Moin ul Haque, Pakistan's ambassador to China, said Islamabad values its friendship with Beijing and expressed gratitude for China's help to his country. Through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the CSCEC has a huge presence in Pakistan, helping to build a number of highways, railways and energy projects, Haque said, adding that he hoped the company would lend a hand in Pakistan's construction of housing, much of which in his country has been destroyed by the recent flooding. "Everything is very impressive," he said after wrapping up the visit. "The CSCEC is a great company that has brought so much new technology and innovation in the construction industry, especially with its focus on green development and new technologies for smart cities." Marc Pierre Hubsch, Luxembourg's ambassador to China, said: "What is most interesting for me are the plans and strategies the company has in terms of green building and specifically green finance. I see a lot of potential for cooperation between my country and the company, one of the major Fortune Global 500". "Unique infrastructure projects of the company have been carried out not only here in China, but also in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and other partner countries," he said. "Each and every project from which company gains experiences brings it to an even better position to develop the next project," he added. David Ateti Teaabo, Kiribati's ambassador to China, also expressed willingness to work with the country to build infrastructure in his homeland. "Our country's needs right now are the conference center, stadium and hospital," he said, adding that he hoped Kiribati would have opportunities to work with CSCEC to explore cooperation on development and investment. The tour on Wednesday, sponsored by the Foreign Ministry and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, was one of a series of events inviting foreign diplomats to visit China's State-owned enterprises to introduce them to the country's achievements in implementing the new development philosophy. More than 100 leading wind energy companies call on Paris Signatories to streamline planning and permitting, upgrade grid infrastructure and evolve power markets to accelerate renewable energy deployment. NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A global coalition of 108 leading wind energy companies and associations, representing 81% of installed wind energy worldwide, has challenged governments to take dramatic action to scale up wind and renewable energy in this decade. If the world is to get on track for 1.5C-compliant pathway to net zero, annual global wind energy installations must quadruple by 2030 to around 390 GW per year, according to the International Energy Agency , and by 2050, wind energy must generate more than one-third of global electricity, up from 6% today. But urgent action must be taken to realise this goal and unleash the full potential of wind technology to provide secure, affordable and clean energy for communities across the world. The Global Wind Energy Manifesto for COP27 warns that while wind energy is one of the most competitive, mature and quickly deployable energy technologies we have today, to thrive it needs large, steady and visible volumes for deployment and a robust global supply chain. This can only be achieved through clear and practical actions set out in the manifesto, including: urgently streamline planning and permitting schemes for grid scale renewables projects; rapidly build out vital grid infrastructure for integration of clean energy and cross-sector decarbonisation; to evolve power markets to both incentivise investment in renewable generation and allow citizens to benefit from the affordable, secure generation provided. Making it clear that the wind industry stands ready to work together to achieve the required rapid scale-up of wind installations this decade, signatories of the manifesto include the largest companies in the sector such as Iberdrola, rsted, EDP Renewables, Vestas, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, as well as the wind industry associations in China, Brazil, South Africa, Europe, the UK, Australia and more. The wind industry is already delivering significant growth and benefits to the global energy system on security, cost and climate. In 2021 94 GW of wind energy capacity was added globally producing around 275 TWh of electricity per year more than the current annual electricity demand in Australia and enough to displace over one-third of the EU's imports of Russian gas prior to the invasion. But decisions at COP27 and in the next few years will determine whether the world can leverage wind and renewable energy to get on track for net zero and secure a livable, just and equitable energy transition. Find the manifesto and quotes at: https://gwec.net/cop27-coalition-manifesto-released/ Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1661794/GWEC_Logo.jpg SOURCE Global Wind Energy Council Made in the USA, the boot will exclusively be available on Huckberry.com ROCKFORD, Mich., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Wolverine, the 139-year-old boot and clothing brand, Buffalo Trace, the flagship bourbon from the world's most award-winning distillery, and Huckberry, the men's online retailer, are coming together to launch a special-edition Wolverine 1000 Mile boot exclusively available on Huckberry.com. Designed in Michigan and handmade in Arkansas, the tan leather boot celebrates American craftsmanship and three American-born brands. Wolverine, Buffalo Trace, and Huckberry collaborate to create a special-edition Wolverine 1000 Mile boot Wolverine, Buffalo Trace, and Huckberry collaborate to create a special-edition Wolverine 1000 Mile boot Wolverine, Buffalo Trace, and Huckberry collaborate to create a special-edition Wolverine 1000 Mile boot Wolverine, Buffalo Trace, and Huckberry collaborate to create a special-edition Wolverine 1000 Mile boot Wolverine, Buffalo Trace, and Huckberry collaborate to create a special-edition Wolverine 1000 Mile boot "These boots truly encapsulate the heritage and quality our brands are collectively known for," says Scott Schoessel, VP of Global Marketing at Wolverine. "Through the design process, our team thoughtfully added unique details of each brand. We couldn't be more excited to celebrate these boots with our consumers during National Bourbon Heritage Month." The Wolverine 1000 Mile x Buffalo Trace for Huckberry Wedge Plain-Toe Boot incorporates the classic features Wolverine is known for combined with elements that incorporate all brands into one stylish boot. The tongue of the boot is adorned with a gold foil Buffalo Trace logo while the back heel is stamped with the Huckberry tree icon. The boots are carefully crafted by hand and made to last for years of wear while providing the comfort you'd expect with a wedge outsole boot. "We are thrilled to collaborate with Wolverine and Huckberry for this truly one-of-a-kind boot," said Sara Saunders, Vice President of Global Marketing for Buffalo Trace. "Bourbon drinkers choose Buffalo Trace for its hand-crafted, uncompromised quality and consistency, all of the same equities that Wolverine poured into this product. We know our fans will love it." Beginning today, the Wolverine 1000 Mile x Buffalo Trace for Huckberry Wedge Plain-Toe Boot is available in limited quantities on Huckberry.com for $425. ABOUT WOLVERINE Wolverine, the 139-year-old boot and clothing company, is on a mission to honor the spirit and tenacity of the American worker and build the next generation of skilled trades people. Taking pride in crafting durable boots with unrivaled craftsmanship and the highest quality materials, Wolverine is dedicated to serving hardworking people all over the world. Through Project Bootstrap, Wolverine has contributed nearly $2 million over the last 5 years to organizations in support of the skilled trades. For more information, visit www.wolverine.com. Wolverine is a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) ABOUT BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery's rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com. To download images from Buffalo Trace Distillery visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/media ABOUT HUCKBERRY Huckberry is an award-winning men's retailer and digital magazine on a mission to inspire and equip adventures near and far. Millions of people look to Huckberry as a trusted resource for emerging brands, gear, and lifestyle inspiration. With top-notch products, unique collaborations, industry-leading content, and a die-hard customer baseHuckberry is building the most loved men's retailer in the world. Huckberry is headquartered in Austin, TX, with offices in San Francisco, CA, and Columbus, OH. Follow along at @huckberry on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Tiktok, and www.huckberry.com. SOURCE Wolverine Organised by myGwork on 19 October, #WorkFair 2022 is the largest global virtual careers fair featuring truly inclusive employers, where graduates and professionals can work with pride. LONDON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite more companies touting their commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging individuals to be authentic at work, most professionals still fear revealing their true selves. Recent research has revealed that as many as three in five professionals still hide something about themselves from their employers. Additionally, many studies show LGBTQ+ graduates and professionals go back into the closet when they start a new job, despite intentions of #WorkingWithPride. According to organisations like Stonewall, around two-thirds of graduates who were open about their sexual orientation or gender identity before starting their first job, went "back in the closet" when they started work. #WorkFair 2022: Job Opportunities with Inclusive Employers So Professionals & Graduates Dont Have to Return to the Closet To create awareness around this issue, myGwork the largest global business platform for LGBTQ+ professionals, will be launching a campaign at its upcoming event #WorkFair on 19 October 2022. The campaign, created in partnership with Enactus, will feature graduates sharing why #WorkingWithPride matters. The campaign reveals why bringing your whole and authentic self to work and #WorkingWithPride is hugely important for professionals and graduates, particularly for younger generations entering the workplace right now. LGBTQ+ professionals and graduates have confirmed that hiding a part of who they are and not being able to bring their authentic selves to work can negatively impact productivity and innovation, and really limits their potential. One way that LGBTQ+ professionals and graduates can ensure they can be their authentic selves and work with pride is by applying for jobs with inclusive companies. "However, with so many companies being called out for performative allyship or rainbow washing lately, it can be difficult to find out which companies are truly progressive and inclusive, and actually live up to their diversity and inclusion statements," stated myGwork's founders Adrien and Pierre Gaubert. "That's why we created #WorkFair." WorkFair 2022 is the largest global virtual careers fair for the LGBTQ+ community, helping jobseekers land their dream role at truly inclusive companies. "Focusing on #WorkingWithPride, WorkFair 2022 powered by Highered this year, is a great event for job seekers be they professionals or graduates to connect and apply for their dream roles in real-time with inclusive employers of choice, where they don't have to hide their real identity," added Adrien (CMO) and Pierre (CEO). #WorkFair will allow professionals to do just that, while raising awareness of the importance of #WorkingWithPride. "The event is completely free for job seekers, whether they are experienced professionals, students or graduates, to access global inclusive LGBTQ+-friendly organisations that are ready and waiting to hire, as well as workshops to help improve personal branding, CV writing and interviewing skills." Over the last three years, #WorkFair has helped thousands of job seekers engage, interact and apply for job opportunities with progressive employers across all industries. Confirmed booths at this year's #WorkFair include Unilever, Netflix, DAZN, Omnicom Media Group, Capgemini, Oracle, WPP, WTW, Taylor Wessing, Pfizer, AB inBev, London Stock Exchange Group, Warner Bros Discovery, HCA Healthcare, Thomas International, Raytheon UK, Pearson, Enterprise, HSBC, Reach, Swiss Re, UN, State Street, Kelloggs and many more. Paul Phillips, Strategy Director at OMD UK, part of Omnicom Media Group, highly recommends both job seekers and companies to attend #WorkFair: "myGwork's WorkFair is an invaluable event for the LGBTQ+ community. As community members are opting more and more to only work for companies that reflect their own value, WorkFair provides an easily accessible forum to engage directly with some of the world's most inclusive employers. It also provides a great platform for those employers to demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity, providing reassurance to the community and a call to arms to those companies that are falling short in balanced representation. I strongly recommend both companies and jobseekers to get involved." "As well as launching the #WorkingWithPride campaign, we will share the results of our inaugural student survey, revealing what LGBTQ+ graduates expect from inclusive workplaces at #WorkFair. It's a must-attend event for LGBTQ+ job seekers and inclusive employers committed to #WorkingWithPride," added Adrien and Pierre Gaubert. "We had over 80 companies attend last year's event, and many of them are returning to #WorkFair this year." Commenting on partnering with myGwork's #WorkFair this year, Enactus UK COO Amy Brereton said: "We are so excited to be partnering with myGwork, harnessing the power of the student voice across our network. The next generation of responsible leaders are sharing their own individual experiences of what it means to be '#WorkingWithPride'. By partnering with myGwork on this joint campaign, we are so proud to be collaborating with an organisation that, like Enactus, is passionate about creating a better, more sustainable world for us all." Highered's co-founder Erik Spade added: "Highered, the global career platform for graduates and early talent, is proud to support and partner with myGwork for WorkFair 2022." Graduates, students and professionals can register to attend #WorkFair2022 completely free of charge here. Further information For press enquiries, contact [email protected] About myGwork Award-winning company myGwork is the business community for LGBTQ+ professionals, graduates, inclusive employers and anyone who believes in workplace equality. It aims to empower the LGBTQ+ community by offering individual members a safe space where they can connect with inclusive employers, find jobs, mentors, professional events and news. The company's founders, Adrien and Pierre Gaubert, won the Attitude Young LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur of the Year Award and were also recently honoured as one of the Top 100 Global LGBT+ OUTstanding Executives. More recently, myGwork was shortlisted for The 2022 Digital Leaders Impact Awards as a finalist in the sixth Digital Leaders Impact Awards 2022 celebrating UK tech for good. The company also won this year's Bank of London's 2022 Rainbow Honours. Additionally, myGwork was listed in the Top Five Startups with Pride by Geek Times and it recently won the Diva Magazine Award of Corporate Allies. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1904510/WorkFair_2022.jpg SOURCE myGwork The Consumer Goods Forum's Forest Positive Coalition of Action, an initiative of 21 consumer goods companies, shares progress on removing commodity-driven deforestation from supply chains With increase in disclosure rates on performance metrics introduced in 2021, Coalition members are now collectively reporting on 62% of a complete set of Key Performance Indicators, demonstrating progress to report against and launch additional measures of impact Report shows how the world's leading initiative of consumer goods companies taking collective action on deforestation are taking individual and collective steps to transform palm oil, soy, paper packaging, and beef supply chains and production landscapes NEW YORK and PARIS, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consumer Goods Forum's (CGF) Forest Positive Coalition of Action has today released its second Annual Report , sharing the Coalition's progress on commitments to remove deforestation, forest degradation, and conversion from key commodity supply chains. Launched during an event at New York Climate Week, the report features new data to demonstrate collectively how all Coalition members are reporting on 62% of the Coalition's ambitious set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). As the world's leading initiative of consumer goods companies taking collective action for a forest positive future, representing a market value of more than USD 2 trillion, the report demonstrates the positive impact of continued collaboration to tackle deforestation, as well as encourages businesses and stakeholders to continue and accelerate efforts, particularly around supply chain transparency and public disclosure, towards a forest positive future. Highlights of this new publication, entitled "Driving Transformational Change Throughout the Value Chain," include: Building trust and transparency. The Coalition has advanced on its objective to create a stronger culture of transparency in the consumer goods industry by strengthening disclosure rates for the KPIs introduced in 2021 a critical part of increasing transparency and measuring progress and also introducing new metrics for evaluating progress across other areas of action. As a result, all Coalition members are now collectively reporting on 62% of the total deforestation metrics, with 10 companies reporting on at least 75% of the KPIs across commodities. This includes a 6% increase in collective disclosure rates between 2021 and 2022 on the original set of KPIs from 2021 for the 20 returning Coalition members. The Coalition has advanced on its objective to create a stronger culture of transparency in the consumer goods industry by strengthening disclosure rates for the KPIs introduced in 2021 a critical part of increasing transparency and measuring progress and also introducing new metrics for evaluating progress across other areas of action. As a result, all Coalition members are now collectively reporting on 62% of the total deforestation metrics, with 10 companies reporting on at least 75% of the KPIs across commodities. This includes a 6% increase in collective disclosure rates between 2021 and 2022 on the original set of KPIs from 2021 for the 20 returning Coalition members. Evaluating performance and aligning methodologies. Coalition members have started to share their performance reporting against important metrics such as the percentage of their supply from high-risk/high-priority for deforestation regions, and the performance of upstream suppliers' against the Coalition's Forest Positive Approach. Members also share their methodologies for reporting on each KPI, a critical step in aligning methodologies for calculating metrics so that the Coalition can accurately evaluate members' individual and collective performance. Coalition members have started to share their performance reporting against important metrics such as the percentage of their supply from high-risk/high-priority for deforestation regions, and the performance of upstream suppliers' against the Coalition's Forest Positive Approach. Members also share their methodologies for reporting on each KPI, a critical step in aligning methodologies for calculating metrics so that the Coalition can accurately evaluate members' individual and collective performance. Expanding commodity focus. After its conception, the Coalition decided to expand its commodity focus to include beef and other cattle-derived products. The Coalition launched its first version of the Beef Roadmap earlier in 2022, a major milestone built on collaboration and dialogue between Coalition members and Brazilian meatpackers and civil society organisations to align and accelerate actions in this sector which is at high-risk for deforestation and conversion. After its conception, the Coalition decided to expand its commodity focus to include beef and other cattle-derived products. The Coalition launched its first version of the Beef Roadmap earlier in 2022, a major milestone built on collaboration and dialogue between Coalition members and Brazilian meatpackers and civil society organisations to align and accelerate actions in this sector which is at high-risk for deforestation and conversion. Transforming production landscapes. At COP26 , the Coalition launched its ambitious strategy for transforming production landscapes to forest positive by 2030, in areas equivalent to the Coalition's collective production base footprint. This strategy includes a learning phase to introduce the concept of investing in production landscapes to some companies and strengthen others' existing knowledge; it also requires all members to invest annually in initiatives that drive people, climate, and nature positive outcomes. At , the Coalition launched its ambitious strategy for transforming production landscapes to forest positive by 2030, in areas equivalent to the Coalition's collective production base footprint. This strategy includes a learning phase to introduce the concept of investing in production landscapes to some companies and strengthen others' existing knowledge; it also requires all members to invest annually in initiatives that drive people, climate, and nature positive outcomes. Leading collective action. The Coalition has continued to work with more than 200 stakeholder organisations from civil society, across the supply chain, production landscapes, and multiple levels of government to build its strategies, evaluate performance, and create the enabling environments necessary for forest protection, conservation, and restoration. Furthermore, the ongoing collaboration between Coalition members and other CGF Coalitions has continued to be a source for learning, progress, and action. The publication of today's report follows the release of the Coalition's first-ever Annual Report in 2021, which provided a baseline analysis of members' disclosure rates against their new, ambitious Key Performance Indicators. The latest report includes a progress update on this initial analysis, demonstrating increased disclosure rates against existing KPIs, and providing a baseline measurement of disclosure rates for new KPIs. Wai-Chan Chan, Managing Director, The Consumer Goods Forum, said, "Our Coalition has made great progress in the past two years developing ambitious performance metrics, raising awareness of critical issues, and transforming business practices but there is still much more to do. We hope this report will inspire continued dialogue and accelerated action around the global challenge of deforestation, recognising both the positive steps our industry is taking as well as the road to forest positive that still lays before us. It's on all of us to keep going the future of our planet depends on it." The CGF members joining today's announcement are seven retailers Carrefour, Jeronimo Martins, , METRO AG, Sainsbury's, Sodexo, Tesco and Walmart and 14 manufacturers Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) Sinar Mas, Colgate-Palmolive Company, Danone, Essity, General Mills, Grupo Bimbo, Mars, Incorporated, Mondelez International, Neste, Nestle, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, Reckitt, and Unilever. The Coalition is supported by its strategic and technical partners, Proforest and the Tropical Forest Alliance. Grant F. Reid, CEO and Office of the President, Mars, Incorporated, the Coalition's manufacturer CEO Co-sponsor, said, "Creating a forest positive future means completely transforming how we do business at every step of the value chain, from CEOs to smallholder farmers. Transparency and accountability are key to this transformational change and this latest report reflects both progress made and gaps to fill. Delivery against key metrics will require engagement from everyone that is a part of that value chain." The full publication is available to view here . For more information, visit: www.tcgfforestpositive.com . About the Forest Positive Coalition The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Forest Positive Coalition of Action is a CEO-led initiative representing 21 CGF member companies who are committed to leveraging collective action and accelerating systemic efforts to remove deforestation, forest degradation and conversion from key commodity supply chains. Launched in 2020, the Coalition represents a dynamic shift in the industry's approach to stopping deforestation: by mobilising the leading position of member companies to build multi-stakeholder partnerships and develop effective implementation and engagement strategies, the Coalition brings together diverse stakeholders for sustainable impact. These efforts support the development of forest-positive businesses that drive transformational change in key landscapes and commodity supply chains, strengthening the resilience of communities and ecosystems worldwide. To learn more about the Forest Positive Coalition, visit www.tcgfforestpositive.com . About The Consumer Goods Forum The Consumer Goods Forum ("CGF") is a global, parity-based industry network that is driven by its members to encourage the global adoption of practices and standards that serves the consumer goods industry worldwide. It brings together the CEOs and senior management of some 400 retailers, manufacturers, service providers, and other stakeholders across 70 countries, and it reflects the diversity of the industry in geography, size, product category and format. Its member companies have combined sales of EUR 4.6 trillion and directly employ nearly 10 million people, with a further 90 million related jobs estimated along the value chain. It is governed by its Board of Directors, which comprises more than 55 manufacturer and retailer CEOs. For more information, please visit: www.theconsumergoodsforum.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1279200/The_Consumer_Goods_Forum_Logo.jpg SOURCE The Consumer Goods Forum EDISON, N.J., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- XDuce Inc., a global specialist services provider in the areas of Digital Transformation and Strategic Resourcing, is pleased to announce that it has expanded its global footprint by commencing its operations in London, UK. XDuce, has been providing services to clients within diverse verticals throughout the US since 2006. As a long-term business growth strategy, XDuce has been looking to expand its client base beyond North America. With this first step outside the continent, the XDuce UK entity provide both XDuce & SANS brands a massive growth opportunity with potential go further & deeper in the EU countries. Jay Dave, President and CEO, XDuce Group of Companies, said, "With the XDuce Group's highly credible services portfolio and now with the expanded global service delivery capabilities, our clients can now look forward to partnering with highly professional global support team with wealth of experience in major global markets and industry verticals. With the current challenging situation faced by industries across the globe, this expansion will help us meet our global customer's needs like never before. Our global clients require services of a global organization with a effective off-shore/on-shore delivery team and significant resources to service their needs internationally." The XDuce UK would be led by the newly appointed CEO XDuce UK, Ashwin Bedi. Ash, as he likes to be called, comes on board with many years commendable experience of successfully building businesses in the UK region. "The established robust building blocks of XDuce and SANS will help in creating an important impact in the UK & Europe. We are going to be laser focused on supporting our clients in their success through our excellent teams, both onshore and offshore. We are excited to look forward the challenges and excitements in the coming years," said Ash. About XDuce XDuce is an award-winning Technology Services Partner with proven expertise in Oracle, Microsoft & AWS services. XDuce is an established name in the mid-market segment providing Application Development, Mobility Services, Infrastructure management, Strategic IT consulting and Strategic Resourcing solutions. XDuce, through its acquisition of NY based SANS Consulting, in 2020, built its services to its clients beyond the US borders into Canada. SANS is a highly respected strategic resourcing brand within the tri-state servicing top clients in the BFSI vertical. SANS's technological approach to selecting the best personnel has consistently been recognized at over 300 leading Financial Institutions, Education, Insurance and Healthcare companies. SOURCE XDuce Corp Patna, Sep 22 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the government forces for freeing Buddha Pahad in Jharkhand after almost three decades from the domination of Maoists. The Maoist-dominated area has been freed under Operation 'Octopus' of Jharkhand police, Chhattisgarh police, Telangana police, CRPF Cobra battalion, Jaguar assault unit and IRB on Wednesday. "A historic milestone in the internal security of the country has been crossed. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi ji, the security forces have achieved unprecedented success in the decisive battle against Left Wing Extremism across the country. Congratulations to @crpfindia, security agencies and state police forces for this," Shah tweeted. "For the first time, permanent camps of security forces have been established by successfully removing Maoists from the inaccessible areas of Buddha Pahad, Chakrabandha and Bhimabandh. Under the leadership of @narendramodi ji, the policy of zero tolerance of the Ministry of Home Affairs against terrorism and LWE will continue and this fight will intensify further," he said in another tweet. The joint forces managed to free Buddha Pahad located in Jharkhand's Latehar district, about 150 km from state capital Ranchi. Buddha Pahad is spread in about 55 square km with one side connected with Chhattisgarh. It had turned out shelter of top naxal commanders of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Odhisha. The joint forces have learnt time to time about the presence of top Maoist commanders and strategists like Arvind Singh alias Dev Kumar, Sudhakaran, Mithilesh Mahto, Vivek Arya, Pramod Mishra, Vimal Yadav and many others. They held Buddha Pahad for 32 years and developed many combat training camps, bunkers, arms and ammunition depots there. Located on a mountain surrounded by deep and dense jungle of Latehar and Garhwa district of Jharkhand, Buddha Pahad turned out to be a safe heaven for Maoists due to its location. Maoist groups had placed land mines on every possible way going towards their camps established on the top of Buddha Pahad. Jharkhand DGP Neeraj Sinha went to Buddha Pahad by helicopter a couple of days ago and congratulated the joint forces. He appreciated the brave Jawans of different units who established their camps in the Maoist-dominated area. Operation Octopus was kicked off one and half months ago and it was completed on last Friday. The MI helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was also landed on the top of the Buddha Pahad. A.V. Homkar, the IGP (Operation) of Jharkhand police said: "The joint forces managed to capture Buddha Pahad and establish a camp there. It is a great achievement to fight with Maoists of the country." Jharkhand police is supplying food and ammunition to Jawans through helicopters. Many times in past as well, the security forces made plans to capture Buddha Pahad. However, serious efforts were started in 2018 under the leadership of D.K. Pandey - the then DGP of Jharkhand. During the tenure of D.K. Pandey, the security forces applied pressure on the families of Maoists and also worked on cutting the supply of food and ammunition from the villages in the foothills of Buddha Pahad in Latehar and Gadhwa district of Jharkhand and from Chhattisgarh. Police also worked on gaining the trust of villagers as well. On many occasions, security forces have distributed Sharis, clothes, food items and others to the villagers. "The surrender policy of security forces worked well when more than three dozens Maoists commanders laid down their arms before police and surrendered. Due to a cut of the supply chain, Arvind Singh, who was owing Rs 1 crore reward on his head died due to medical aids. He was ill for a long time and security forces cut the supply chain there. Following his demise, Sudhakaran and his wife were appointed as in-charge of Buddha Pahad. Two years later, Sudhakaran and his wife surrendered before the Telangana police," said an official of Jharkhand police. "After the surrender of Sudhakaran, over one dozen top Maoist commanders also surrendered before different security agencies," he said. "Jharkhand police received an input about top naxal commander Saurav alias Makrus Baba, regional committee members Navin Yadav and Chotu Khaiwar along with 50 other naxal were present in Buddha Pahad in July this year. Accordingly, the joint team decided to free Buddha Pahad from them forever. The joint assault team headed by Jharkhand police ADGP (Operation) Sanjay Anand Lathkar, STF DIG Anup Birthare started operation Octopus. The SP of Latehar and Garwa were also included in the team," the official added. "During the operation, the joint forces combated head on for more than six times during last one and half months. Eventually, our forces managed to capture a big bunker of Maoists. They also recovered 106 land mines, 350 live cartrides of SLR, 25 arrow bomb, 500 meters codex wire and a large amount of explosives. Following the capture of that bunker, the morale of other Maoists broke down and they fled from Buddha Pahad on September 5," he said. United Nations, Sep 22 : Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for punishing Russia for invading his country and making it compensate for the damages it has caused. Speaking to the UN General Assembly's high-level session through a video link on Wednesday, Zelensky said a special international tribunal should be set up for its aggression so that it "will become (a) signal to all 'would-be' aggressors, that they must value peace or be brought to (take) responsibility by the world". In the Assembly chamber full of formally dressed leaders and diplomats, Zelensky was projected on two giant screens dressed in an olive green T-shirt and spoke in Englsih while sitting informally at a desk. All participants are required to speak in person at the meeting, but he was given special permission through an Assembly resolution backed by India last week to speak remotely despite Russia's opposition. Zelensky accused Moscow of using oil and gas as "energy weapons" that are causing a cost-of-living crisis in several countries. Prices of Russia's energy exports should be capped to end its blackmail, he said. Zelensky's speech came after setbacks to Russia which lost about 3,700 square miles of seized territory to a counteroffensive and its President Vladimir Putin called up about 300,00 reservists to bolster its armed forces. "Ukraine showed strength on the battlefield, using its right to self-defence in accordance with the UN Charter," Zelensky said. He said that as long as the aggression continued, Russia must be stripped of its veto and voting rights. Zelensky backed restructuring the UN Security Council by expanding it to include "the representation of those who remained unheard". There is "an imbalance when Africa, Latin America, most of Asia, Central and Eastern Europe comply with the (outcomes of the) right of veto, that they themselves never had", he said. While Russia is a permanent member of the Council for "some reason", he asked, for what reason it is "not Japan or Brazil, not Turkey or India, not Germany or Ukraine" who are permanent members". Zelensky detailed the human rights violations and tortures and killings in gory details. He accused Russia of not being sincere in offers to negotiate because it only wanted to be able to stay on in territories that it holds and consolidate its offensive capabilities. As part of what he called his "peace plan", he asked for military support including offensive weapons, long-range systems and air defence. Earlier on Wednesday. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal who asked India to "join forces" to stop Russia's invasion. Shmyhal tweeted that he also thanked India for its humanitarian assistance. (Arul Louis can be contacted at aru.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Ottawa, Sep 22 : Canada has confirmed 1,379 cases of monkeypox, including 38 hospitalisations, the Public Health Agency of Canada said. Of the confirmed cases, 667 are from Ontario, 515 from Quebec, 150 from British Columbia, 39 from Alberta, three from Saskatchewan, two from the Yukon and one each from Nova Scotia, Manitoba and New Brunswick, the health agency was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. The provinces are waiting for the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to provide guidance on if and how to start a second-dose strategy which is expected in the coming weeks. Monkeypox is a viral disease that can spread from person to person through close contact with an infected person, including through hugs, kisses, massages or sexual intercourse, according to experts. Latest updates on Monkeypox Virus Outbreak Sambhal, Sep 22 : In a shocking incident, a seven-year-old girl was locked up in a school in Uttar Pradesh Sambhal district for more than 18 hours after the staff went home without checking if any child was left behind. The incident came to light only when the school opened on Wednesday. Block Education Officer (BEO) Pope Singh said the Class 1 student of primary school in Dhanari Patti of Gunnaur tehsil was left behind after school hours on Tuesday. "She was found this morning when the school opened. The girl is fine," the BEO said. The girl's maternal uncle said that when she did not return home after school on Tuesday, the girl's grandmother reached the school only to be told by the staff that there were no children left there. The family searched for her in the forested area but she was not found anywhere. When the school opened on Wednesday, it came to the light that the girl had remained locked in the school room overnight. The BEO said that after the school hours were over, the teachers and other staff members did not inspect the rooms. "It is a case of negligence and action will be taken against the entire staff," he added. Washington, Sep 22 : Former Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer Thomas Lane was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the death of African American man George Floyd. Lane pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in May. He was also found guilty in February, along with two other former Minneapolis officers, on a federal civil rights charge stemming from the killing of Floyd, Xinhua news agency reported. Lane is serving a sentence of two and half years at a federal prison in Littleton, Colorado. As part of his plea deal, he will serve his state sentence in federal prison at the same time as his federal sentence. Floyd, 46, died on May 25, 2020, after an encounter with Minneapolis police during which Lane's then colleague Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. Chauvin was sentenced in a federal court to 21 years in prison earlier this summer for violating Floyd's civil rights. The sentence is running concurrently with Chauvin's state sentence of 22.5 years after he was convicted for second and third-degree murder, as well as second-degree manslaughter. Floyd's death sparked outrage and protests across the US in the summer of 2020 against police brutality and systemic racism. Washington, Sep 22 : The US Park Police have said that a man had been charged for allegedly vandalising the outside base of the Washington Monument with paint in the US capital. Shaun Ray Deaton, 44, of Bloomington, Indiana, was arrested on Tuesday evening and charged with trespassing, tampering, and vandalism, Xinhua news agency reported. There may be additional charges as the investigation continues, according to the police. National Park Service (NPS) conservators are working to remove the paint. "The top layer of paint is coming off," the National Mall and Memorial Parks of the NPS tweeted on Wednesday. "The pigment that seeped into the stone will be treated with many rounds of cleaning product application." The Washington Monument, a 555-foot marble obelisk that towers over Washington, D.C., at the National Mall, was built to honour George Washington, the first president of the US. New Delhi, Sep 22 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) were conducting pan-India raids on Thursday at the premises of the Popular Front of India (PFI), including the private residence of chairman OMA Salam in Manjeri, Kerala Sources have claimed that more than 100 PFI leaders have been detained by the two probe agencies, but there has been no official confirmation by the ED and NIA. Meanwhile, PFI workers have taken to the streets in protest against the ongoing raids. While the ED is investigating a money laundering case, NIA is questioning PFI leaders in connection with a terror related case. Further details are awaited. New Delhi, Sep 22 : In a latest development in connection with pan-India raids at various premises of the Popular Front of India (PFI) on Thursday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has detained 105 activists of the front, and arrested its Delhi chief Pravez Ahmed. The raids were being conducted by the NIA and Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 11 states. PFI's Chairman OMA Salam in Manjeri, Malappuram district has also been searched. Sources have claimed that more than 100 leaders of the PFI have been detained by both the agencies. "20 persons were held in Karnataka, 10 persons were held in Tamil Nadu, three in Puducherry, two in Rajasthan, five were held from Andhra Pradesh, nine were held from Assam, 20 from Maharashtra, four from Madhya Pradesh, eight from Uttar Pradesh, three from Delhi and 22 from Kerala," said an NIA source. The PFI workers were also staging protests against the raids. As of now no official comment has been made by any agency. "There were multiple cases and it was found that they were running karate camps where they were allegedly giving terror training. They were allegedly running Ghazwa-e-Hind. We have learnt that PFI used to receive donations and other foregin funds, which were later used in suspicious activities," said a source. The people, who used to withdraw cash in small amounts, have been detained. The agencies knew that they could face hurdles and hence the whole operation was kept secret as per the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The local police were assisting the agencies in the raid. The agencies have recovered a few incriminating documents and digital evidence during the raid. The ED is investigating the money laundering case whereas the NIA is questioning the PFI leaders in connection with the terror related case. Further details are awaited. Chennai, Sep 22 : The Popular Front of India (PFI) and its political arm Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) cadres were protesting in Chennai, Dindigul, Salem, and other places of Tamil Nadu against the early morning raids by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at the offices of the PFI on Thursday. The raids were part of nationwide raids that the central agencies were conducting at the premises of the PFI, including New Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala and eight other states. More than 100 cadres of PFI and SDPI were present in front of the party offices in Chennai after the commencement of the raids. The central agencies are accompanied by the Central police forces and have avoided the state police. R. Nasser, a functionary of PFI at Mylapore, Chennai while speaking to IANS said, "This is the attack by the fascist forces against a social organisation. We strongly protest against the anti-democratic raids being carried out by the central agencies with the blessings of the fascist regime. We will not be cowed down by such cowardly acts and we don't have anything to hide from the agencies." The Popular Front of India (PFI) is an Islamist organisation and has been in the news for some financial transactions in its various accounts in New Delhi and Kerala. Some of the PFI office-bearers were earlier questioned by the central agencies. At Dindigul also the NIA and ED were conducting joint raids at the offices of the PFI as also the residences of some senior office-bearers of the organisation. PFI cadres in large numbers were present in front of the office of the organisation and were protesting against the raids. Suhail Khan, an office-bearer of the PFI at Dindigul while speaking to IANS said, "The early morning raids of the NIA is an indication of the fascist nature of the powers at the centre. They are trying to intimidate PFI, which is functioning for the welfare of the downtrodden in the society, including the Dalits and Muslims. These raids are being carried out to crush our morale but they are mistaken. We have the resilience as we are an organisation that is functioning under the pure ethos of democracy." New Delhi, Sep 22 : As India doubles down on local manufacturing of technology products, Apple is likely to move 5 per cent of its new iPhone 14 production to India by end of this year, and 25 per cent by 2025, according to a JP Morgan analysis. Analysts have earlier predicted that Apple has shortened the production period of its new iPhones in India this year, barely six weeks or so from the production cycle in China. Next year, Apple iPhone 15 may see its production at the Foxconn and Wistron manufacturing facilities in India at the same time with China. "India's iPhone supply chain has historically supplied only legacy models. Interestingly, Apple has requested that EMS vendors manufacture iPhone 14/14 Plus models in India in 4Q22, within two to three months of the start of production in Mainland China," according to the JP Morgan report. "The much shorter interval implies the increasing importance of India production and likely higher iPhone allocations to India manufacturing in the future," the report noted. "We believe Apple only produces iPhone 14/14 Plus models in India now due to the more complex camera module alignment of the iPhone Pro series (done by EMS vendors) and higher local market demand for the iPhone 14 series (tax savings)," it added. According to the report, Vietnam will contribute 20 per cent of all iPad and Apple Watch productions, 5 per cent of MacBook and 65 per cent of AirPods by 2025. Buoyed by the ease-of-doing business and friendly local manufacturing policies, Apple's 'Make in India' iPhones will potentially account for close to 85 per cent of its total iPhone production for the country this year. The import of iPhones to India is likely to come down to 15 per cent this year (from 50 per cent in 2019), while domestic manufacturing by the Cupertino-based tech giant is set to go up substantially to 85 per cent, according to market intelligence firm CyberMedia Research (CMR). With the iPhone 14 series, Apple's iPhone production in India is slated to jump from 7 million iPhones in 2021 to touch a new milestone of around 12 million iPhones in 2022, marking a significant growth of more than 71 per cent (year-on-year), said CMR. United Nations, Sep 22 : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Indian officials pursued New Delhi's global agenda at several multilateral and bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). On Wednesday, Jaishankar participated in the Global Crisis Response Group roundtable on food, energy and finance convened by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The Minister tweeted that at the meeting, he "emphasised that energy markets should not be put under further stress" and "urged that past prescriptions on climate action must be revisited". On climate change, globally there has been both backsliding, especially by some developed countries, and more urgent calls for stepped-up action by Guterres and activists citing what they say are dangerous portends. Jaishankar also hosted the 10th India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Trilateral Ministerial Commission Meeting at which Carlos Alberto Franco Franca from Brazil and Mondli Gungubele from South Africa participated. He tweeted that they reviewed IBSA's activities and appreciated the promotion of South-South cooperation. At the meeting, a report by four think-tanks from the IBSA countries was released. Jaishankar said that during a meeting with the UK's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, he shared his "concern about the security and welfare of the Indian community in UK" where there has been an attack on a Hindu place of worship. He said that he welcomed Cleverly's "assurances in that regard", adding that they also discussed taking forward Roadmap 2030, an ambitious programme for cooperation adopted last year that covers trade, strategic affairs, defence in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions, climate change and health. "Our conversation also covered global issues including Indo-Pacific, Ukraine and UNSC (Security Council) matters." Following a meeting with Bolivia's Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta, Jaishankar said they discussed "our development partnership and expanding our economic engagement". With Norway's Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, the topics of discussion were Nordic partnership, Afghanistan, Ukraine and climate action. Ukraine again figured in the talks with Estonia's Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu, according to a tweet by Jaishankar. They also discussed the "deepening of bilateral cooperation following opening of our Embassy" in the capital Tallinn, he said. Earlier on Wednesday, Jaishankar met Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who asked India to join forces in countering Russia's aggression against Kiev. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, addressed the UN on "The Future of Digital Cooperation". Meanwhile, External Affairs Ministry's Secretary West, Sanjay Verma spoke at the 12th Ministerial Global Counter-Terrorism Forum. Calling for zero-tolerance for terrorists, he said: "Threat of terrorism is grave and universal and can only be defeated by the collective efforts of the international community." Verma also represented India at the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, where, Verma said he "met some of our long-standing partners in NAM and raised issues of common concerns". Yet another meeting he attended was the high-level panel discussion hosted by Bangladesh and UN Habitat on Ensuring Safe and Affordable Housing for All. Verma tweeted that he shared information on Indiaas affordable housing programme and its assistance to countries in the region. External Affairs Ministry Joint Secretary Srinivas Gotru spoke at the UN's High-Level Meeting on the Rights of Minorities. (Arul Louis can be contacted at aru.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Chandigarh, Sep 22 : In an embarrassment for Punjab's ruling AAP government, Governor Banwarilal Purohit withdrew his decision to summon a special day-long Assembly session to bring a confidence motion on Thursday to "seek confidence of the people of state". The Governor withdrew the decision just a few hours before the session on the plea to seek legal opinion after the Congress and BJP approached him arguing that the House rules did not allow it. Meanwhile, to recall the session most probably by next week, the Cabinet called a hurried meeting here on Thursday. It is also learnt that all the 92 legislators will hold a protest march in Chandigarh from the Vidhan Sabha to the residence of the Punjab Governor. On September 19, the AAP government had decided to convene the special session. "The people of the state had given thumping majority to our government but some forces inimical to democratic values are trying to lure our MLAs with money. So we have decided to seek confidence from people of state in this special session," Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had said. He had unequivocally said that AAP MLAs were non-purchasable as they are committed to the ideology of the party, and "nefarious attempts to destabilise the government had failed in Punjab too as the party MLAs are loyal to the people of the state". Mann had said this special session will clear the mystery regarding conspiracy to topple the democratically-elected government in Punjab. Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal had asked Mann not to enact the drama of a confidence vote, saying bribery allegations could only be verified by an independent inquiry by the CBI or the high court and that no purpose could be achieved by calling a special session of the Vidhan Sabha. Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 22 : Protests broke out across Kerala after several top leaders of the Popular Front of India (PFI) were taken into custody following pan-India raids conducted jointly by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday. According to information received, around 100 PFI activists, including its top national leaders, from about 50 places in the state have been detained. The central agencies with the help of Central forces started the raids around 4 a.m. Surprisingly, the Kerala Police was kept in the dark. While the ED is investigating a money laundering case, NIA is questioning the PFI leaders in connection with a terror-related case. Among those who have been taken into custody are chairman OMA Salam, Nasarudhin Elamaram, P.Koya and several others. Protesting against the raids and the custody, angry PFI workers took to the streets at various places in the state. A.Abdul Sathar, a top PFI functionary, termed it a part of the "RSS agenda" of "annihilating" the Muslims. "We strongly object to this act of the Centre and we warn the authorities that if our detained leaders are not released, we will not sit idle. We will soon decide on the next course of action and it includes calling for a total 'Kerala shut down' on Friday," said Sathar. The raids were conducted at Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad. Salam's son, who objected to the arrest, was moved using force by the Central forces. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports indicate the top leaders in custody are being moved to a few places, including Delhi. Chennai, Sep 22 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken into custody Popular Front of India (PFI) national executive committee member A.S. Ismail during a raid at his residence in Coimbatore on Thursday. The action against Ismail was part of the ongoing raid being carried out in 11 states across the country since early morning, said sources. The NIA sleuths took Ismail in custody at Karumbakudi in Coimbatore. PFI cadres staged a protest outside his residence, and he was taken to an unknown destination. It is to be noted that this is the largest raid being carried out across the country against the Popular Front of India. It is learned that the All India President of the Popular Front of India, O.M.A Salam, and its National General Secretary, Elamaram Kareem have been taken into custody in Kozhikode, North Kerala. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was giving the necessary security to the NIA sleuths during the raids. A source in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Chennai told IANS that the raids were being undertaken as part of the national-level raids against the organisation. Sources also told IANS that after the murder of the RSS leader, Sreenivasan at Palakkad in Kerala, the police had seized some incriminating documents, including about the PFI conducting training to cadres and preparing list of RSS workers and leaders to be eliminated. San Francisco, Sep 22 : Automaker Hyundai and its subsidiary Kia have been sued in the US for a defect in their cars that was exposed in a trending TikTok challenge which resulted in vehicle thefts soaring across the country. A class-action lawsuit was filed in federal court in Orange County, California, alleging that Kias built between 2011 and 2021 and Hyundai cars built from 2015 to 2021 were "deliberately" built without "engine immobilisers", reports TechCrunch. These car models were equipped with traditional key engines, rather than keyless fobs. According to the lawsuit, Kia and Hyundai previously looked into the efficacy of building with engine immobilisers and decided against it, "blatantly valuing profits over the safety and security of their customers". It alleged that the automakers didn't make an effort to even warn customers of the risk of theft after a TikTok "Kia Challenge", that publicised a technique for stealing certain makes and models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles. The challenge arrived on TikTok first and then on YouTube in July, and police in several cities in the US reported a serious rise in car thefts. Kia and Hyundai did not comment on the lawsuit, "but did say that immobilisers became standard on their vehicles after November 1, 2021", according to the report. "With the massive rise in publicity of the defect, it is unlikely that the thefts will stop without active intervention by Kia or Hyundai," according to the lawsuit. "An entire criminal ecosystem has materialised; exacerbated by thefts only further fuelled by TikToks, videos and memes promoting the criminal behaviour," it read. New York, Sep 22 : On the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly in New York, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan came together for a meeting, the first between leaders of the two nations since 2008. In a statement issued on Wednesday by Lapid's office, the meeting was also the first since the announcement of the restoration of full diplomatic representation and the return of Ambassadors and Consuls-General to Israel and Turkey last month. According to the office, Lapid commended the increased level of representation as well as the appointment of a new Israeli Ambassador to Turkey, Irit Lillian. The two leaders also discussed the fight against terrorism in Israel, while Lapid thanked Erdogan for intelligence cooperation at the time of Iran's attempts to carry out terrorist attacks on Turkish soil. The Prime Minister also brought up the issue of missing and captive Israelis. Additionally, the two leaders discussed economic and energy cooperation, as well as regional developments. The Prime Minister also positively noted the restoration of Israeli flights to Turkey, and said this step will contribute greatly to strengthening tourism between the nations, the office statement added. Taking to Twitter, Lapid said the meeting was "productive", adding that "relations between Israel and Turkey are key for regional stability, and bring tangible benefits for both our countries". Tensions have simmered between the two sides since the 2008-2009 Gaza War and the death of nine Turkish civilians in a 2010 Israeli raid on the Turkish relief ship while trying to break the blockade on the besieged enclave. Seoul, Sep 22 : The South Korean government plans to lift the mask mandate for large outdoor gatherings, such as sporting events and concerts, as early as this week amid a steady decline in new Covid-19 cases, officials said on Thursday. The decision came after an experts' advisory committee on the government's infectious disease response policy recommended the lifting of the mandate in outdoor gatherings of over 50 people, reports Yonhap News Agency. Currently, people not wearing a mask at such large outdoor events are subject to a fine. In May, the government lifted the outdoor mask mandate for individuals but kept the mask rule for large outdoor group gatherings, such as sporting and concert events, and outdoor rallies. The government plans to announce the decision as early as this week. Rules for indoor mask wearing, however, remain in place for the time being, according to the officials. On Thursday, new Covid cases fell to the lowest number in nearly three months, as the virus wave is slowing down at a steady pace. In the last 24 hours, the country reported 33,009 new infections, including 255 from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 24,535,940, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. The latest tally is down by more than 8,200 from the previous day and the lowest for a Thursday figure since 18,494 recorded on July 7. The overall death toll currently stood at 28,009. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Gandhinagar, Sep 22 : The Congress MLAs on Thursday staged a walkout from the Gujarat Assembly while demanding compensation to the people who's cattle stock have been affected by the Lumpy virus. Earlier, the Congress MLAs had sought a discussion on the issue, which was denied. The Opposition bench's senior MLA Punja Vansh raised the Lumpy virus issue and demanded time to debate the issue in the House, which was denied by the Speaker. This opposition in protest staged a walkout. Vansh alleged that Lumpy virus broke out in May in the state, since then lakhs of cows have died, "the insensitive government has failed to show sensitivity even in disposing of the bodies." The Congress was demanding Rs four lakh compensation to the affected people who have suffered the loss, and also to compensate the pastoralists for the bovine deaths. "Nowadays a cow costs between Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh. Those families which are totally dependent on animal husbandry have been severely affected by the sudden deaths of cows. Their livelihood is affected and for their survival compensation should be given," said Vansh. Vav MLA Geniben Thakor alleged that till the Lumpy virus was not controlled, the government should act effectively to save the cattle. "The ruling party got elected on Cow votes, but it failed to show respect and sensitivity towards cows when lumpy struck," said Thakor. Seoul, Sep 22 : North Korea's military said on Thursday that it has never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia and does not plan to do so, rejecting accusations of arms trade between the two countries amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to its state media. Earlier this month, a US State Department spokesperson said Russia may be in the process of purchasing "millions of rockets and artillery shells" from North Korea, which would violate multiple UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Pyongyang, reports Yonhap News Agency. "We have never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia before and we will not plan to export them," the vice director general of the General Bureau of Equipment at the North's Defence Ministry said in an English-language statement carried by the Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The KCNA did not mention the name of the official. "We condemn the US for thoughtlessly circulating the rumour against the DPRK to pursue its base political and military aim," the official added. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The official also defended the North's right to develop arms and export them, and took aim at the UNSC resolutions against Pyongyang. Pyongyang has recently touted its friendly ties with Moscow despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine earlier this year. In July, the North officially recognised two pro-Russian separatist "people's republics" in eastern Ukraine -- Donetsk and Luhansk -- becoming the world's third nation to do so after Russia and Syria. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War New Delhi, Sep 22 : The Centre has released the draft of the Indian Telecommunication Bill 2022, which proposes to give exemption to press messages that are intended to be published in India of correspondents accredited to the Central or state governments from being intercepted. In another significant clause, the draft bill, released late Wednesday, proposes to waive off fees and penalty of telecom and internet service providers. The exemption for press messages though won't be given in case of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety, sovereignty, integrity or security of India, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, or to prevent incitement to an offence, the draft read. The draft bill was put up on social media by Minister for Telecomminication Ashwini Vaishnaw. Public comments have been sought on it. The last date for seeking comments on the draft legislation is October 20. It also proposes refund of fees if an internet or telecom service provider offers to surrender the license. The draft bill says that the Centre may "waive off in part or full any fee, including entry fees, license fees, registration fees or any other fees or charges, interest, additional charges or penalty" for any licence holder or registered entity under the telecom rules. Kolkata, Sep 22 : The West Bengal government on Thursday received a major jolt as a division bench of the Calcutta High Court dismissed its review petition to reconsider an earlier judgement of the same bench directing the state government to clear the pending dearness allowance (DA) arrears to the employees within three months. On May 20, Calcutta High Court's division bench of Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Rabindranath Samanta directed the state government to clear the pending DA arrears to the state government employees within the next three months. However, the state government filed a review petition at the same bench with the plea for reconsidering the judgement. On Thursday morning, the same division bench dismissed the review petition and upheld its earlier order on this count on May 22. Meanwhile, the Confederation of State Government Employees, the original petitioner in the matter, has filed a contempt of court petition at the Calcutta High Court against the state government for missing the deadline for the clear the DA arrears to the state government. The next hearing on that contempt of court petition will be on November 9. "After the earlier order on May 20, we gave a letter to the state government to cooperate with us and clear the pending DA arrears as directed by the court. However, the state government ignored our call. So now we will not go for such appeals or rather start a major agitation against the state government in support of our demands," said the confederation of president, Shyamal Kumar Mitra. Till the report was filed there was no reaction from the state government or whether they would accept the order of the Calcutta High Court or move to a higher court against the decision. In 2016, the state government employees had filed a petition at the SAT demanding 32 per cent dearness allowances as per the recommendations for the Fifth Pay Commission. The petition was filed by the Confederation of State Government Employees. After a prolonged legal battle, the SAT, in July 2020, had directed the state government to pay the dearness allowances to its employees at par with their counterparts in the Union government. The state government had challenged that order at the Calcutta High Court. New Delhi, Sep 22 : The Congress' central election authority on Thursday issued notification for the AICC president polls. According to the notification, while the nomination forms will be available from Thursday, the filing of nominations will be held between September 24 and 30. Scrutiny of nomination will take place on October 1, and the same day, a valid candidate list will be published. The last date of withdrawal is October 8 following which, a final list will be brought out. While the poll will be held on October 17, counting will take place on October 19. Amid hectic political lobbying, there is a likely contest between Ashok Gehlot and Shashi Tharoor while Suresh Pachauri also met Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday, besides Mukul Wasnik and Pawan Bansal. Ashok Gehlot had met Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi and the meeting lasted for two hours, after which he left for Kerala to join Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. Sources said that Sonia Gandhi has asserted that the poll will be fair and she will not endorse any candidate. Apparently, the issue of Rajasthan was also discussed in the meeting but there is no official word on it. Gehlot is tipped to be filing his nomination next week for the president's post. However, he is reluctant to leave the Chief Minister's chair in the state. The Rajasthan Chief Minister, who arrived in the national capital on Wednesday morning, had told the media ahead of the meeting that he will not back out from any responsibility. "I will not back out from any responsibility and will serve the party wherever and in whichever capacity I am required," he had said. Gehlot expressed his willingness in shouldering all the responsibilities given and hinted that he can manage the posts of both the party chief and chief minister simultaneously. He had said that he is not aspiring for any post but wants to work towards ousting the "fascist" (BJP) government. Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday visited the AICC office on Wednesday to check the delegates list ahead of the notification process. Chennai, Sep 22 : Shocked by early morning raids across the country, the Popular Front of India (PFI) is planning protest marches across Tamil Nadu on Thursday. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids in many places across Tamil Nadu. The raids are part of a nationwide search and raid operation against the PFI in various parts of the country. NIA sources told IANS that 106 Popular Front leaders were taken into custody since the early morning raids across the country. The National President of the organisation, O.M.A. Salam and its General secretary, Naseerudin Elamaram were among those who have been taken into custody. The raids, according to the NIA, is due to certain incriminating documents the agency has received while probing terror funding and the murders the organisation in Kerala and Karnataka is accused of. Three RSS leaders, Sanjith, Adv Ranjith, and Sreenivasan were killed by the Popular Front activists in Palakkad and Kollam districts of the state. A Hindu Munnani and Bajrang Dal activist Harsha was killed by alleged PFI activists in Shivamoga in Karnataka state. Several documents were seized during the raids conducted after the murders of these people and it was, according to certain sleuths of NIA, found that the Popular Front had prepared a list of RSS and other Hindu activists who were to be killed. The NIA and ED raids are due to these killings as also documents indicating funding. A Popular Front activist, Nasser was earlier taken into custody from Ernakulam in Kerala and he had, according to sleuths, revealed about the funding modus operandi of the Popular Front of India. The NIA and ED on Thursday morning conducted raids at Chennai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, Dindigul, Salem, Ramanathapuram, and Erode areas of Tamil Nadu. The raids at the PFI state committee office in Chennai were conducted at 3.30 a.m. and it lasted till 8 a.m. Sources in the NIA told IANS that some documents were seized from the office. The PFI, according to its leaders, will be conducting a protest march to the NIA Tamil Nadu head office in Chennai later in the day. Roads have been blocked in many parts of the state by the PFI and SDPI activists. A heavy contingent of CRPF and other central police agencies were providing security to the NIA and ED teams who conducted the raids at the PFI offices. Bengaluru, Sep 22 : Karnataka police have arrested five Congress workers in connection with PayCM posters row that has caused severe embarrassment to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and ruling BJP. Police sources stated that all arrested are attached to the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) social media wing. The arrested are identified as B. R. Naidu, KPCC social media former chairman and one Gagan Yadav, a resident of Devadandra in K. R. Puram in Bengaluru, Pavan, Sanjay and Vishwanath. High Grounds and Sadashivanagar police have carried out the operation and nabbed the accused following the instructions by the CM Bommai to initiate the investigation in this connection. The PayCM posters had come up on the streets of Bengaluru, with CM Bommai's QR code. If the QR code is scanned, it would lead to a page which contained corruption charges against the ruling. BJP. Bengaluru Police Commissioner Pratap Reddy has stated that the case regarding PayCM posters has been registered under the Public Post Disfigure Act. A case was registered in four police stations of Bengaluru. Ruling BJP and Congress had begun a war of QR Code posters over corruption charges against each other. Opposition Congress came with the idea first by releasing "PayCM" Posters, and BJP responded with QR code posters containing Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and State Congress President D. K. Shivakumar on Wednesday. The PayCM poster released by the Opposition Congress unofficially had a portrait of the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in the poster, if scanned it will lead to '40%sarkar.com' website. The authorities have pressed the services of BBMP personnel to take off the posters from walls, establishments in Bengaluru. BJP MLC M. Ravikumar stated that "Congress leaders have put up our CM to carry out campaigns, they should make their payments to Rahul Gandhi," he chided. Answering a question about the 'PayCM' campaign, CM Bommai maintained that he had ordered an inquiry into the issue to find out who is behind the propaganda. "Anyone can do this with basis. People will understand, they don't hold ground," he said. "It's not about my image, they are trying to dent the image of the state and that is why action would be taken against them," he said. New York, Sep 22 : Speaking at an event in New York on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari claimed that the "Hindutva ideology being promoted in India fuelled violence against its two billion Muslim minority in the country". He made the remarks during a high-level meeting on the effective promotion of the Declaration on Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, reports Geo News. When he started speaking about India, Bilawal said that "unfortunately, there is a state where the minority rights are being suppressed". He claimed that minorities are being suppressed in this state under its policy, adding: "India was once a secular state, but now it's becoming a Hindu-dominated country." "India's Muslim minority is the largest in the world and Muslims are killed by mobs over the issue of cows," Geo News quoted the Foreign Minister as saying. He also stressed that the protection of rights of minorities was the "basic tenet of the protection of human rights in Pakistan". "Kartarpur Corridor is a reflection of our efforts for interfaith harmony and it is a corridor of hope," Bilawal said, adding that Pakistan celebrates Minority Protection Day on August 11 every year. The Minister made similar comments at a separate event also in New York where he said that "today, one of the worst manifestations of such Islamophobia is in Hindutva-inspired India". "Driven by the ideology of hate against Muslims, the (ruling) BJP-RSS regime is executing its century-old plan to obliterate India's Islamic legacy and to transform India into an exclusive Hindu state." Patna, Sep 22 : A day after RJD National Vice-President Shivanand Tiwari suggested Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for "sanyas" (retirement from politics) after 2025, JD-U Parliamentary Board President Upendra Kushwaha has hit back at Tiwari and said that the JD-U supremo does not need a "sanyas", adding that Tiwari is free to search for an 'ashram' for himself. Tiwari while addressing RJD workers during Rajya Parishad meeting in presence of RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, party leader Sharad Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, among others on Wednesday quoted Nitish's statement, who had said that he would open an ashram, to provide political training to young leaders in the state and the country. During the speech, the RJD National Vice-President had said that the JD-U supremo should leave the Chief Minister's post after 2025 and hand it over to Tejashwi Yadav. "He will go to an ashram and I will also go there. We will give political training to the younger generation of leaders. When I would meet Nitish Kumar, I would remind him about opening the ashram after 2025," Tiwari added. "Nitish Kumar has so much work to do for the country. He has the wishes of crores of our countrymen to work for them. They want him to reach higher posts in the country," Kushwaha said. "I believe you (Shivanand Tiwari) need "sanyas" and you must search for the ashram in Bihar," he added. Bengaluru, Sep 22 : The Karnataka Congress on Thursday condemned the BJP government after its party workers were arrested over the 'PayCM' posters campaign. Congress state President D.K. Shivakumar said that from Friday all MLAs will post the PayCM posters at the government offices. "Where they will be posted, we will update you," Shivakumar maintained. "The BJP party leaders have put up QR code posters with our photos. When I went to inquire, the media had made posters of me to be behind bars, can I book a case on that? It is common for people to question and criticize those in power," he said. "The corruption by the ruling BJP is reported in the media. Contractors have made allegations. During the campaign by the Congress party, 8,000 people have told that they are victims of corruption. BJP party workers have created hundreds of posters like this on us. No action is being taken against them," he vented out his ire. He maintained that 7 to 8 Congress workers have been arrested. The police sources have stated that five Congress workers have been arrested so far. Opposition leader Siddaramaiah raised questions about their right to protest. "Should we not protest against corruption? Our workers have been arrested for raising their voice against corruption," he said. "Congress has taken up a campaign against 40 per cent commission... In continuation with our campaign against corruption, posters have been installed. BJP leaders have posted posters against us, why have they not been arrested?" Siddaramaiah said. Chennai, Sep 22 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is conducting nationwide raids at the offices of extremist organisation Popular Front of India (PFI), has taken senior leaders of the organisation into custody. The accused include PFI's Dindigul Zonal Secretary, Yassar Arafat (28); Cuddalore District Secretary, Fayaz Ahmad (36), and the organisation's National Executive member, A.S. Ismail from Coimbatore. Sources in the NIA told IANS that more people are in custody but refused to share the details. The premier investigating agency has arrested 106 people across the country after raids conducted in 11 states across the country at the office premises of the PFI and the residences of its leaders. The accused will be brought to the NIA Tamil Nadu head office in Chennai and conduct medical tests and will be produced before the court. It is not known whether the accused will be charged with The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act or other sections of the IPC. NIA sources told IANS that some of the PFI leaders may be taken to the national headquarters of the agency in New Delhi. The raids were conducted early Thursday morning with the support of the Central Police Force personnel without informing the respective state police units. Heavy police protection is provided at the NIA Tamil Nadu head office in Chennai as the PFI has announced a protest march towards the office. According to official information, the raids were following the inputs the NIA received on the alleged terror funding by the PFI as well as the list prepared by the cadres and local leaders of the organisation to eliminate Hindu group activists. The raid conducted after the murder of RSS leader Sreenivasan at Palakkad has given the NIA certain details regarding the modus operandi of the PFI. Mumbai, Sep 22 : Actress Madhuri Dixit Nene loves Gujarati culture and has some proficiency in Gujarati language as a lot of her friends were from the community. She shared with the media at the trailer launch of 'Maja Ma' that once she was told by someone that a particular airline has bad food on-board. Madhuri took a pile of theplas and sustained on them enroute her 16 hour flight to the US. The song, 'Boom Padi' from the film is the first song where she will be seen doing garba although she has performed dandiya with Anil Kapoor in the 1991 film 'Pratikar'. 'Maja Ma', which boasts of an ensemble cast including Gajraj Rao, Ritwik Bhowmik, Barkha Singh, Srishti Shrivastava, Rajit Kapur, Sheeba Chaddha, Simone Singh, Malhar Thakar and Ninad Kamat, will arrive on Prime Video on October 6. Director Anand Tiwari said that this is his second project with Prime Video after the success of 'Bandish Bandits'. 'Maja Ma' is Prime Video's first Indian Amazon Original movie, set against the celebratory backdrop of a traditional festival and a quintessential, colourful Indian wedding. Patna, Sep 22 : Ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's rallies in Bihar's Seemanchal region, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at the offices of the Popular Front of India (PFI) in Purnia, Aurangabad and Araria districts on Thursday. Shah's consecutive rallies are scheduled on Friday in Purnia and Saturday in Kishanganj districts. These two districts are considered as Muslim-dominated districts of Seemanchal region. Separate teams of NIA reached the PFI offices of Purnia and Araria on Thursday morning and investigated the documents available in them. Besides Bihar, NIA also conducted raids in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as well. Sources have said that 106 persons belonging to PFI were also arrested during the raid. NIA sources have said that this would be the biggest raids conducted in the country on the PFI. Following the raid, BJP's firebrand leader and MP Giriraj Singh slammed Janata Dal-United Chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for making the state as a shelter home for terrorists. He also blamed that both the leaders are trying to make PFI a cultural organisation in the state. "PFI is a terror organisation in the country. After the ban of Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), its leaders converted the organisation into PFI and formed sleeper cells in the state. Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav are responsible for it," Singh said. Meanwhile, Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) released a statement in Delhi and its National President M.K. Faizy condemned the raids by the NIA and the arrest of PFI leaders. "The craven fascist regime has completely failed in the development of the nation and created a shadow enemy of the country to cover up its failure of governance," the statement said. Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 22 : Almost three months after CPI-M headquarters here was attacked using a 'cracker', a Youth Congress worker was arrested by the Crime Branch police on Thursday. The Congress party pointed out that this was nothing but a ploy to divert attention from the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo yatra which is making waves after it entered the state on September 11. Jithin, a local Youth Congress worker attached to the Attipara party unit on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, is being questioned by the police probe team since Thursday morning. Soon after the so called 'bomb' attack as claimed by the CPI-M took place on June 24, the Left Democratic Front convenor and veteran CPI-M leader E.P. Jayarajan said this was done by the Congress party. This created a huge furore with the Congress party, which hit back at the allegation very strongly. Thereafter as several weeks passed, Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government came under fire for being unable to track down the person who did it. This 'attack' became the centre of attraction in the social media and numerous hilarious trolls also came out, putting the otherwise agile Kerala Police on the back foot. Shafi Parambil , a three-time Congress legislator and President of Youth Congress, on Thursday hit back at the CPI-M and the police for coming out with a drama over the arrest. "This arrest is nothing but a ploy to divert the attention that the Rahul yatra is getting every day in the state and the CPI-M has been rattled. This custody is nothing but a stage managed ploy undertaken by the CPI-M, who are known for engaging in such acts," said Parambil. Incidentally, soon after the incident took place in June, the police had taken Jithin into custody and after questioning for long let him away. According to sources in the know of things, in all likelihood, Jithin will be produced before a local court later in the day. Lucknow, Sep 22 : While a substantial number of men stayed away from the UP Assembly on Thursday, the women members celebrated the special 'Shakti Satra' earmarked for them. Women members -- even though most of them were apparently not well versed with the rules of the Assembly -- spoke extensively on women empowerment and one of them even sang a song while others recited poetry to prove their points. Earlier, at the beginning of the special day for women members, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that it was a historic day for the state legislature when a session had been set aside exclusively for women members. He said that such an initiative should have been taken earlier and urged Speaker Satish Mahan to relax rules and allow the women members to speak as much as they wished to. He spoke at length about "nari shakti" and the schemes that his government had started for women empowerment. Leader of opposition, Akhilesh Yadav, said that changes were becoming visible and the contribution of women in various fields could no longer be ignored. He said that Uttar Pradesh had given the first woman chief minister Sucheta Kriplani and today, women were holding important positions, including that of President and UP Governor. Expressing concern over crime against women, Akhilesh underlined the need for implementing zero tolerance policy on the issue so that the results are effective. Chennai, Sep 22 : The Tamil Nadu Waqf Board has claimed ownership of the 1500-year-old Manendiyavalli Chandrashekhara Swami temple land. The temple has 369 acres of property in and around Tiruchenthurai village in Tiruchi district of Tamil Nadu. The Waqf board's claim came to the fore after a local farmer tried to sell his agricultural land. When Rajagopal tried to sell his 1.2 acres of land at Tiruchenthurai village to another person, he was told by the registrar's office that the land does not belong to him but to the Tamil Nadu Waqf board. Rajagopal told media persons that the registrar told him that the land does not belong to him but to the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board and that he should get a no-objection certificate from the Waqf board office in Chennai. The farmer told the registrar that he had purchased the land in 1992 and asked him why he needs the no-objection certificate from the Waqf board. The registrar, according to Rajagopal, told him that the Tamil Nadu Waqf board has sent a 250-page letter to the Deeds Department stating that any land transaction in Tiruchendurai village must be done only with a no-objection certificate from it. The Tamil Nadu Waqf board also stated that the entire land property in the village belonged to it. The local people were shocked when they came to know about the directive from the Waqf board and almost everyone in the village has the land in his/ her name. BJP Tiruchi district secretary, Alur Prakash while speaking to IANS said, "The entire village is a Hindu-dominated area. How can Waqf board own this property." He further said, "The Chandrashekhara Swamy temple in the village has 389 acres of land and is a 1500-year-old temple. Is this land also Waqf property." Meanwhile, the Tiruchi district collector told Rajagopal and others who had apprised him of the issue that the matter would be investigated and further action would be taken in the days to come. True to his words the District collector of Tiruchi held a meeting with Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) representatives, Waqf board representatives, police, and revenue officials at Srirangam and decided that the title deeds at Tiruchendurai village can be carried out as usual. Tamil Nadu Inspector General of Registration has taken up the matter for further investigation and detailed inquiry is on into the claims made by the Waqf board. Los Angeles, Sep 22 : Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio and Gigi Hadid are "very into each other." The actor is reported to have been dating the 27-year-old supermodel since splitting from Camila Morrone back in the summer of 2022 after five years of dating. Now, an insider has claimed that the pair are "the real deal" and have been seeing a lot of each other, reports aceshowbiz.com. The source said: "Gigi and Leo are the real deal. They've been hanging out a lot and are very into each other." The insider went on to explain that things have been "going very well" between the "Titanic" star and Gigi, just weeks after they were both spotted attending New York Fashion Week together. The source told ETOnline, "Things are going well between them and they're both happy!" News that DiCaprio is reportedly dating Hadid, who has two-year-old son Khai with former One Direction star Zayn Malik, comes shortly after it was reported that he has been "hanging out" with his male friends since splitting from Camila. He has also been hanging out with his guy friends since his split from Cami. Meanwhile, it was recently claimed that the actor, who has also dated the likes of 'Gossip Girl' actress, Blake Lively as well as models Gisele Bundchen and Bar Refaeli, has been out "out every night" in Malibu with other girls while Camila has gone on vacation to St. Tropez with her mother. A source said: "Leo has been out every night partying... he's been hanging with his old crew and some girls. I thought that was a little weird when (Camilla) was in St. Tropez." Just days earlier, an insider confirmed that Leonardo and "Never Goin' Back" star Camila, 25, had ended their relationship after four years of dating. "Leo and Cami broke up. They've been spending a lot of time apart this summer and doing their own things," said the insider. Ernakulam, Sep 22 : Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hinted that the Congress will adhere to the 'one man one post' as per the Udaipur declaration. When asked, "I think we have made a commitment in Udaipur and hope that it will be fulfilled," he said. The statement comes as a big relief for Sachin Pilot, who is pitching for the Chief Ministership of Rajasthan. Gehlot is tipped to file nomination for the party president and it is likely that the party will appoint a new chief minister in Rajasthan if Gehlot gets elected. Amid hectic political lobbying, there is a likely contest between Ashok Gehlot and Shashi Tharoor while Suresh Pachauri also met Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday, besides Mukul Wasnik and Pawan Bansal. Ashok Gehlot is in Kerala to meet Rahul Gandhi. Before going to Kerala, he met Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday and the meeting lasted for two hours. Sources said that Sonia Gandhi has asserted that the poll will be fair and she will not endorse any candidate. Apparently, the issue of Rajasthan was also discussed in the meeting, but there is no official word on it. Gehlot is tipped to file his nomination next week for the president's post. However, he is reluctant to leave the Chief Minister's chair in the state. The Congress' central election authority on Thursday issued a notification for the Congress president polls. According to the notification, while the nomination forms will be available from Thursday, the filing will be held between September 24 and 30. Scrutiny of nomination will take place on October 1, and the same day, a valid candidate list will be published. The last date of withdrawal is October 8 following which, a final list will be brought out. While the poll will be held on October 17, counting will take place on October 19. Chennai, Sep 22 : The Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP will hold protest marches on September 26 to condemn the remarks made by DMK leader and former Union Minister A. Raja against the Hindus and Hinduism. In a statement on Thursday, BJP Tamil Nadu state president Annamalai said that the party would hold protest marches in a democratic manner and would fill the jails in the state in protest against the indiscriminate arrest of BJP workers. The Coimbatore District president of the BJP, Balaji Uthamarasami was arrested on Wednesday for his speech and defamatory remarks against the Dravidian ideologue, E.V.S. Ramasamy Naicker alias Periyar. Annamalai in the statement said that the Tamil Nadu Police have turned into a force serving the interests of the political masters. He charged that the police, instead of taking action against A. Raja over his remarks against Hindus and Hinduism, was arresting the BJP leaders and added that the party would oppose this tooth and nail. He said that more than 100 BJP leaders were arrested by the state police in various places, including Coimbatore Urban, Coimbatore South, Tuticorin North, Kallakurichi, Vellore, Erode North and Virudhunagar West. The BJP state president called for the workers to converge in large numbers to attend the protest marches on September 26. Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 22 : To protest against the manner in which their top leaders were arrested by a joint team of Enforcement Directorate and NIA officials in the wee hours of Thursday, the Kerala unit of the Popular Front of India (PFI) has called for a dawn to dusk Kerala shutdown on Friday. The call for a shutdown was given by PFI general secretary, Abdul Sathar and other leaders after around 22 top leaders were taken into custody and it included their chairman OMA Salam, Nasarudheen Elamaram, P. Koya and several others. The basic and essential services have been excluded from the shutdown. The raids were conducted with the help of Central forces and there are reports that the top brass of the Kerala Police was informed but was not told what exactly is the mission and a few battalions of the force was asked to be ready, if a need arises. While a few of the arrested have already been taken to Delhi, around a dozen is expected to be produced before the NIA court at Kochi, later in the day. "This is nothing but a blatant violation of basic human rights and dancing to the tunes of the RSS, the Central agencies have taken into custody several of our leaders. We are sure all democratic loving people will oppose this. To protest, this we have called for a state-wide dawn to dusk Kerala shutdown to be observed on Friday," said Sathar. All eyes are now on how intense would be the shutdown, as the normal practice in Kerala is any call for a shutdown means shops, offices, markets remain closed and public road transport vehicles do not operate. Bhopal, Sep 22 : The minister of Cultural and Religious Trusts in the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government, Usha Thakur has demanded a survey of madrasas operating across the state. The minister has written a letter to the school education department for this purpose, mentioning that unregistered madrasas should be closed. The development comes after Uttar Pradesh has ordered an investigation on Waqf Board's properties. "I have written to the school education department and have recommended a survey of all madrasas operating across Madhya Pradesh," Thakur said. However, before Thakur wrote a letter to the school education department for the survey, the same had been recommended by the National Commission for Minorities (MCM). During a visit to Bhopal in May this year, MCM member Syed Shahzadi had recommended a survey of madrasas to ascertain if they have proper infrastructures and facilities. According to the Madhya Pradesh government's record, there are around 2,650 registered madrasas in the state and each of them receives a yearly grant of Rs 25,000 from the state government. The official sources said the registration of new madrasas in Madhya Pradesh has been stopped since 2019. Registration of madrasas is renewed every three years, which is being done only for the registered ones. Though there is no official data on the number of unregistered madrasas in Madhya Pradesh, the officials believe that there may be around 500-550 madrasas operating illegally. Madhya Pradesh Child Rights Protection Committee has claimed that it has found at least four unregistered madrasas in Bhopal. Varanasi : , Sep 22 (IANS) A Varanasi court, on Thursday, rejected the Muslim side's plea for allowing 8 weeks' time before going ahead with the hearing in the Gyanvapi Shrinagar Gauri dispute case. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for September 29. The court also issued a notice to the Muslim side to file their objections on the application for carbon dating of the 'Shivling' by the Hindu side till September 29. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, said that they are filing an application to demand carbon dating of the Shivling. "We are demanding carbon dating. The Muslim side says it is a fountain, we say it is a Shivling. An independent body must investigate and ascertain this," Jain said. "The court issued a notice over our application for carbon dating and demanded objections from the Muslim side; disposal on September 29. The court rejected the 8 weeks' time sought by the mosque committee to prepare for the next hearing," he added. The Court further raised objections on dropping the 16 impleaders from the Hindu side, who had joined in over and above the 5 original litigants. The matter is set to be brought up during the next hearing on September 29. Bengaluru, Sep 22 : A report that was furnished by the Karnataka State Minorities Commission long ago had revealed that property worth Rs 2.35 lakh crore belonging to the Wakf Board in the state was plundered and looted by the politicians. Though the report was submitted in 2012, the successive state governments in Karnataka have not paid attention to the irregularities. Anwar Manippady, BJP's Karnataka unit joint spokesperson and former State Minorities Commission chairman, who had submitted the report, has urged incumbent Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to take necessary action based on the report. The 125-page report -- a 13-volume document, says that 29,000-acre among total 54,000 acre that is owned by the Wakf Board was looted by prominent Muslim leaders of the state. Anwar said that no action was taken on the report released by the state Minorities Commission during the tenure of former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. "Chief Minister Bommai can take the side of truth now," he said on Thursday. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal has said the Bommai-led government must hand over the Wakf land scam case to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a thorough probe. Along with Yatnal, BJP MLAs -- Raghupathy Bhat, Sanjeev Manthandoor and Vedavyasa Kamat -- demanded a discussion on the issue in the Assembly. The ruling BJP government has said that the complete report on the misuse of Wakf Board property would be presented in the state legislature. Sources in the know of things claimed that many commercial complexes, hotels, engineering and medical colleges have come up on the Wakf Board's land in Karnataka. Top Muslim leaders in the state such as Janata Dal-Secular president C.M. Ibrahim, late Congress leader Qamar-ul-Islam, Rajya Sabha Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Iqbal Ansari, former Union Ministers -- Jaffer Shariff, Rahman Khan and former Karnataka Minister Roshan Baig are allegedly involved in the racket, the former State Minorities Commission Chairman said. He said that he had approached the High Court and the Supreme Court to establish the validity of the report. "Now, the BJP government should initiate action on the report," he said. Sources in the BJP said the party is approaching the matter in a cautious manner as Assembly elections are also approaching. Bengaluru, Sep 22 : Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnendra stated on Thursday that the procedure to impose permanent ban on PFI and SDPI, that have been giving tacit support to terrorist organisations, has begun at the Central government level. These two organisations are found to be having connection with terror organisations not in Karnataka, but in other places of the country. Now, the procedure to ban them has begun, he reiterated. "Everyone knows about the misdeeds that SDPI and PFI organisations are indulging into. The world should know how they manage to get funds and who backs them. To clean the mess, that had been created by them, raids were very much necessary," the minister opined. These organisations have grown to this proportion only with the direct and indirect support of the Congress party all these years. If these organisations have to be cut to size, one should not look at the religion, caste, loss or profit. Everyone should cooperate, he said. Meanwhile, security has been tightened at the residence of Home Minister Araga Jnanendra in the backdrop of NIA raids on SDPI and PFI offices and their leaders. The NIA sleuths have taken Azeez Abdul Shukur Honnavar from Sirsi, PFI district President of Kalaburagi Ejaj Ali, Shahid Khan, President of SDPI in Shivamogga, Chitradurga, Chikkamgalur, former Mysuru president Maulana Mohammad Kaleemulla and Imamuddin from Davanagere and Abu Tahir from Harihara town. SDPI leader Ataullah Jokatte has maintained that three leaders have been arrested. Ashraf A.K., Mohiyuddin Haleyangadi and Nawaz Kavur have been detained by NIA, he explained. However, an official announcement is yet to be made in this regard. Chennai, Sep 22 : The Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Tamil Nadu police to grant permission to the RSS to conduct a state-wide march and musical procession on October 2. The single bench of the Madras High court represented by Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan orally directed the state police to grant permission to the RSS march by September 28. A group of RSS functionaries had approached court stating that the Tamil Nadu police was prejudiced against their organisation and was sitting on their request for granting permission to the march. The petitioners said that the RSS was planning to conduct marches accompanied by musical processions only in 50 spots across the state and that the RSS was a nationalist organisation. They also informed the court that the march has to be held on October 2 as it is a Sunday closest to the foundation day of the organisation, September 27. They also claimed that the date was also chosen as it was Mahatma Gandhi's birthday also and the RSS was conducting the programme nationally. The petitioners said that the march was intended for promoting communal and social harmony. The petitioners also stated that no participant will carry any arms and that no inconvenience would be caused to the general public due to the march. The state government in its argument said that the organisation had not given the exact details of the spots where the programme would be organised and hence the police was yet to grant a decision. The single bench of the Madras High Court orally directed the state police to grant permission before September 28 to the programme with reasonable restrictions. The court also said that it would give a detailed order on the petitions later. New Sep 22 : The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) deplored the Wednesday raids on PFI offices and crackdown on its leadership and offices by the NIA and ED. In a statement to the media, JIH President Sadaatullah Hussaini said: "Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is highly concerned over the raids conducted by the NIA and ED on the Popular Front of India (PFI) offices and their leaders. Agencies like NIA can investigate people against whom they have clear evidence, but such actions should appear unbiased and free from political motivation." Asking if the NIA and ED had followed standard operating procedure in the raids, he said that the way the NIA and the ED have made simultaneous raids across the country, targeting PFI, raises many questions for our society to answer. "The operation becomes suspicious, particularly against the backdrop of several actions by Central government agencies against opposition groups and leaders in the last few years through various state agencies like NIA, ED, CBI, and the police. This hurts our democratic ethos and endangers the rights of citizens to criticise and appraise those in power. "The action becomes questionable also because the action is not being taken against several groups openly indulging in hate-mongering and violence. Hence, these raids raise uncomfortable questions for society," he said. Hussaini asked if the raids meant to "appease a particular constituency", and "if that is the case, then is it not a kind of appeasement and vote-bank politics?" Jamaat-e-Islami Hind deplores all such raids and actions in which people are subject to harassment in an unjust manner, irrespective of whether they belong to the opposition, the minorities, or any social class of society, he added. "If the state agencies are taking coercive action against them in a biased manner without proof and justification, then it is not healthy for a vibrant and just society. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind never endorses hate and violence and condemns it unequivocally." Chennai, Sep 22 : The National-Award winning superstar Dhanush's big-budget period film 'Captain Miller' to be directed by Arun Matheswaran has been launched grandly with a pooja ceremony. Versatile actor Sundeep Kishan, who is playing a significant role, and the gorgeous Priyanka Mohan who will be seen opposite Dhanush also participated in the event. 'Captain Miller' had earlier grabbed attention with its spectacular first-look motion poster. The team is setting high expectations, before starting the project, with massive announcements. The movie also features many noted actors in important roles. The star cast combination, 'Captain Miller' will have the regional flavour that appeals to the taste of Telugu audiences as well. This is going to be the biggest budgeted film in Dhanush's career. The period drama film set against the backdrop of the 1930s-40s is presented by T.G. Thyagarajan of Sathya Jyothi Films and produced by Sendhil Thyagarajan and Arjun Thyagarajan. The film is co-produced by G. Saravanan and Sai Siddharth. Madhan Karky, who worked for films like Baahubali franchise, RRR, and Pushpa, has penned dialogues for the Tamil version of the movie. The other technicians include G.V. Prakash Kumar scoring music, Shreyaas Krishna handling cinematography, Nagooran taking care of editing, wherein T. Ramalingam is the art director. 'Captain Miller' will be released simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. New Delhi, Sep 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Japan on September 27 to attend the state funeral of assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. He will also separately meet his counterpart, Fumio Kishida during the visit, it said. Abe, Japan's longest-serving Prime Minister, was assassinated on July 8 after a gunman had opened fire at him from behind when he was delivering an election campaign speech in Nara prefecture. US Vice President Kamala Harris, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and several other world leaders would be attending Abe's funeral. According to reports, more than 6,000 people are expected to attend Abe's state funeral at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. New Delhi, Sep 22: Nepal exported electricity worth over 56 million U.S. dollars to India in nearly four months, the country's National Electricity Authority (NEA) said on Wednesday. Kulman Ghising, the executive director of the state-owned power utility, said that Nepal exported power valued at 7.19 billion Nepali rupees (56.19 million U.S. dollars) to India from early June to mid-September. Since June this year, Nepal started selling more electricity to India following consensus between the two governments. As per the current plan, Nepal hopes to earn more than 30 billion Nepali rupees (234 million dollars) in the fiscal year 2023-2024 by selling electricity to India, according to Ghising. The earning that Nepal has made from power export is contributing to maintain adequate foreign currency reserves and reduce trade deficit with India, authorities said here. Nepal had a power deficit for a long time, but it started generating surplus electricity after the country's largest 456 megawatts (MW) Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Project started to generate electricity in July last year. According to the negotiations between Nepal and India, the Indian government allowed Nepal to sell electricity in the Indian market through a competitive bidding in November 2021. Now, Nepal can export 364MW of power generated by six hydropower projects in the country. Electricity has emerged as a key export item of Nepal and it is cooperating with India for the same. Neighbouring India has been Nepal's only viable market for electricity trade so far. There have been a few rounds of talks between Nepal and Bangladesh for power trade in recent months, for which India is expected to help facilitate building cross-border transmission lines. Nepal-India energy sector cooperation has gained momentum in recent years. In mid-September, Nepal's foreign secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal and his Indian counterpart Vinay Mohan Kwatra held a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation and energy cooperation was high on the agenda of their talks. The export of surplus electricity from Nepal to India was also discussed during the meeting. Power sector cooperation has been one of the key areas that the two countries have given priorities in recent months. A major development during the Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's visit to New Delhi last April was the adoption of the Joint Vision Statement on Power Sector Cooperation between Nepal and India. As per the consensus reached at the highest level, Nepal Investment Board under the Nepali government had signed a pact with India's NHPC Limited to develop two hydroelectric projects- West Seti (750 megawatts) and Seti River-6 (450 megawatts) - in the far western region of Nepal in the third week of August. India has been Nepal's largest trade partner. The volume of bilateral trade reached over Nepali rupees 976.78 billion during the last eleven months of the fiscal year 2020-21 with imports from India amounting to Nepali rupees 886.59 billion and exports to India standing over Nepali rupees 90.19 billion, according to official figures. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative Panaji, Sep 22 : After a senior teacher refused to join duty in the remote village of Uguem in South Goa, Premanand Rekdo, a D.Ed (Diploma in Education) qualified youngster and ex-student has taken the onus of teaching in government schools students pro bono. With Rekdo teaching in the unattended and ignored government school for four days now, local villagers have hailed this good samaritan and his story has gone viral in Goa. The Education Department on Thursday ordered an inquiry about the teacher, who disobeyed the order to take charge of this primary school. Primary Government School in Valkini-Uguem, having Class 1 to 4 with 18 students, was without a teacher since September 1, 2022, after the retirement of the previous teacher on August 31. However, the Parents Teacher Association requested the retired teacher to take classes as the one who was deputed to replace her did not obey the order of the Education Department and failed to join duty. Santosh Rekdo, PTA Chairman, told IANS that on their request, the retired teacher took classes for around 16 days. Then they approached local youth Premanand Rekdo for the job. "We took up the issue with the Education Department and today one teacher was sent to the school," Santosh Rekdo said. Premanand Rekdo took up the task of helping the student community on request. "I took the classes for four days on request of the PTA," Premanand Rekdo, who studied in the same primary school, told. Rekdo said that despite having a D.Ed, he is jobless and is looking for one. Shailesh Zingade, Education Director, told IANS that an inquiry has been ordered into the case of a teacher who disobeyed the order. "Today, we had sent a teacher to that school and now in the afternoon, a fresh order has been sent to the same teacher (who disobeyed order) to join that school tomorrow," Zingade said. Zingade said that the Education Department will recruit 142 teachers in Primary schools to fill the backlog. Senior officer from the Education Department on condition of anonymity said that politician's interference in the area of education stops them from making certain decisions. "We have a backlog of teachers in Primary school, hence we decided to depute high school teachers in primary schools, but they hold the orders by coming with favours from politicians," he said. "Personal Assistants of politicians call us and asks to stop the transfer orders. If everyone starts doing this then how we will run schools?" he questioned. New Delhi, Sep 22 : In a major crackdown on the Popular Front of India (PFI), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday raided premises linked to PFI in 10 states across the country and arrested more than 100 top PFI leaders and functionaries. An official said that the agency had learnt that the PFI was indulging in terror funding besides imparting training to the youth in order to radicalise them. "We have seized incriminating documents, digital devices, cash to the tune of Rs 10 lakh along with weapons. We have learnt that camps were organised where conspiracies were hatched to carry out terror-related activities in the country," said a source. What is PFI? The Popular Front of India was established in 2006 in Kerala. E. Abubacker, the chairman of PFI, is also a resident of Kerala. The organisation established its headquarters in Kozhikode, which was later changed to Delhi. PFI national general secretary Nasaruddin Elamaram is also a founding member of the outfit. A number of radical groups, which were active in southern India, wanted to form a group. These highly-radicalised groups decided to come on a single platform. "The National Development Front of Kerala, Karnataka Forum for Dignity, and Manitha Neethi Pasari of Tamil Nadu came together to form the PFI after dismantling their individual outfits," the official said. According to sources, the PFI has now spread its network to two-dozen states across the country. The sources said that in the name of fighting for Muslim rights, the PFI won the trust of many Muslim youth who joined the outfit in different capacities. It rapidly started opening office in different states where further recruitments were made. The PFI has also spread its netwrok overseas. The agencies have learnt that PFI receives funds from Muslim countries in the name of donation. While the PFI members claim that they use these funds to fight for the rights of Muslims and Dalits, the agencies have found that they use these funds to carry out terror activities. The action of agencies Central agencies NIA and ED on Thursday conducted raids across 11 states, including Assam, Bihar, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, and arrested more than 100 suspected PFI activists for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country. "Twenty persons each were arrested from Karnataka and Maharashtra, followed by Tamil Nadu (10), Assam (9), Uttar Pradesh (8), Andhra Pradesh (5), Madhya Pradesh (4), Puddicherry (3), and Rajasthan (2)," said an NIA source. What next? Sources have claimed that the Centre has decided to ban PFI for its alleged involvement in terror activities. A high-level meeting was held between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and top agency officials on this count on Thursday. New Delhi, Sep 22 : The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain a plea seeking a direction to modify its 2017 order, for payment of final compensation of Rs 60 lakh to each of the families affected by the Sardar Sarovar project on the river Narmada. Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh, representing one of the ousted, contended before a bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud in terms of the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal, the applicant's entitlement should have been for 4.293 hectares of land. The top court said the final settlement package has been determined as Rs 60 lakh for each family, adding that it is difficult to modify the order, as it will be a substantive review of the order of this court. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, submitted that the 2017 order was passed under Article 142. Parikh contended that a careful reading of the apex court order would establish that the actual compensation would come to be Rs 1.28 crore, as the compensation would have to be Rs 30 lakh per hectare. Bhati said a modification or clarification of the apex court order cannot be passed as it would lead to a substantive review of its decision. The top court said the directions issued by it under Article 142 of the Constitution are not susceptible to clarification or modification in this application. It added: "We find no merit in this application... the application is dismissed." In February 2017, the top court passed directions for compensation to the oustees of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) on river Narmada in Madhya Pradesh. Then, it had ordered compensation of Rs 60 lakh for each of the families, which would be displaced. The top court also directed that an undertaking would have to be taken from the families to vacate the land within one month, and if they fail to vacate, then authorities would evict them. Mumbai, Sep 22 : The second season of the hit OTT series 'Reacher' has locked its casting with Alan Ritchson returning in the titular role of Jack Reacher. Casting announced on Thursday for the second season are series regulars Serinda Swan, Ferdinand Kingsley, Rory Cochrane with guest star Domenick Lombardozzi. Serinda Swan has been cast as Karla Dixon. Dixon, who served with Reacher in the Army's unit of Special Investigators, is an extremely intelligent private investigator who has no problem holding her own in a fight against men much larger than she is. Ferdinand Kingsley has been cast as A.M. He's what Homeland Security calls a "ghost" as he operates under a number of aliases and can pass for any nationality. Rory Cochrane will essay the role of Shane Langston. He's a streetwise former NYPD detective with a questionable track record who is now head of security for a private defence contractor. Domenick Lombardozzi has been cast as Guy Russo - a tough NYPD detective who's investigating a case that involves several of Reacher's former Army cohorts. Ty Victor Olsson has been cast as Saropian. A brutal professional hitman who is charged with following members of Reacher's old elite military squad. Josh Blacker has been cast as Hortense Fields. Lieutenant Colonel in the Army who oversees Reacher's Elite 110th - Special Investigator's Unit. Al Sapienza has been cast as Marsh. He's a formidable lieutenant with the NYPD. Rounding out the team of Reacher's former Special Investigator Task Force are Luke Bilyk as Calvin Franz, Dean McKenzie as Stan Lowery, Edsson Morales as Manuel Orozco, Andres Collantes as Jorge Sanchez, and Shannon Kook-Chun as Tony Swan. The second season, which is based on the 11th book in Lee Child's best-selling series, 'Bad Luck and Trouble', begins when the members of Reacher's old military unit start turning up dead. Reacher has just one thing on his mind-revenge. Season 2 of 'Reacher', produced by Amazon Studios, Skydance Television, and Paramount Television Studios, will soon be available to stream on Prime Video. Chandigarh, Sep 22 : Condemning the decision of Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit to withdraw his assent for holding a special Assembly session, state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday called it a "black day" in the history of Indian politics. Cheema told the media here that the way the Governor acted on the directions of the BJP and withdrew the permission for the special Assembly session indicated that the BJP "is trying to crush the country's Constitution and the institutions based on the beliefs of B.R. Ambedkar". Accusing Purohit of working at the behest of the BJP, he said the former sought permission from the Additional Solicitor General after ignoring the Punjab Attorney General's office to withdraw his earlier order. On the other hand, the Aaam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann "is following the constitution of India in letter and spirit," Cheema added. The Minister asserted that the AAP will not bend before the BJP as the Congress did. The AAP government has now convened an Assembly session on September 27 to protect democracy and the country's constitution, he said, adding that during this Assembly session, the issues of electricity and stubble burning will be discussed. Attacking the Congress for skipping Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh during its 'Bharat Jodo' campaign, Cheema said that the former have surrendered before the BJP and working as their spokespersons to avoid investigation by central probe agencies. Slamming the saffron party, the Punjab Minister said the BJP is afraid of the growing popularity of AAP and they have now accepted this fact that only Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP is going to defeat the Central government in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. "It is proved beyond doubt that today the BJP is only scared of the AAP. They somehow want to halt the progress of our party. But I want to reiterate that the BJP will never be successful in its divisive agenda and soldiers of Arvind Kejriwal will continue to work for the betterment of the country," Cheema added. Launching a scathing attack on the Opposition, the Punjab Minister said the Congress leaders, including Opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa, are working as a 'B-team' of the BJP. Instead of supporting the AAP government, which is fighting against their (BJP's) nefarious agenda of 'Operation Lotus', the Congress leadership "is relentlessly supporting the BJP on this issue and questioning the state government". New Delhi, Sep 22 : Delhi Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has ordered an internal inquiry into the alleged irregularities in engagement of guest teachers in Delhi government schools and embezzlement of funds as salary paid to non-existent or 'ghost' guest teachers. LG Secretariat has asked the Chief Secretary to advise Director (Education) to immediately verify the engagement, physical attendance, drawl of salaries of all guest teachers engaged by AAP Government in Delhi government schools. The LG Secretariat has also asked to submit the status report within 30 days. "LG has observed that the instances of non-existent guest teachers and embezzlement of funds are of 'serious concern' and cannot occur without 'connivance of the principals/vice principals/accounts staff," the note from the LG Secretariat to the Chief Secretary reads. "Such instance of fraudulent drawl of government funds should be met with exemplary and deterrent action. The mechanism of internal audit should be strengthened so that such instances do not go unnoticed and unpunished," the LG office note reads. The LG had earlier granted permission to the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) for conducting investigation against four serving and retired vice principals for fraudulently drawing guest teachers' salary in the name of 'non-existent guest teachers' in Govt. Boys Senior Secondary School (GBSSS-I) in Mansarovar Park, Delhi. The case pertains to the payment of Rs 4.21 lakh to three persons namely Samiksha Arya - Rs 1,35,900; Uma Shastri - Rs 1,42,078 and Chottey Lal- Rs 1,43,678, despite the fact that "neither of the three names were appointed in the school, a source said. Mumbai, Sep 22 : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday cancelled the licence of The Laxmi Co-operative Bank Ltd in Maharashtra's Solapur. Consequently, the bank ceases to carry on banking business, with effect from the close of business on September 22. The Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra has also been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank. Following are the reason the central bank stated for cancelling the licence: - The bank does not have adequate capital and earning prospects. As such, it does not comply with the provisions of Section 11(1) and Section 22 (3) (d) read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. - The bank has failed to comply with the requirements of Sections 22(3) (a), 22 (3) (b), 22(3)(c), 22(3) (d) and 22(3)(e) read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949; - The continuance of the bank is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors; - The bank with its present financial position would be unable to pay its present depositors in full; and - Public interest would be adversely affected if the bank is allowed to carry on its banking business any further. On liquidation, every depositor would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of his/her deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs 5 lakh only from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) subject to the provisions of DICGC Act, 1961. As per the data submitted by the bank, about 99 per cent of the depositors are entitled to receive full amount of their deposits from the DICGC. As on September 13, the DICGC has already paid Rs 193.68 crore of the total insured deposits under the provisions of Section 18A of the DICGC Act, 1961 based on the willingness received from the concerned depositors of the bank. New Delhi, Sep 22 : The Supreme Court on Thursday sentenced former Ranbaxy promoters Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh to 6 months imprisonment in a case connected with the sale of shares of Fortis to Malaysia-based IHH Healthcare. A bench, headed by Chief Justice U.U. Lalit, declined to lift its stay on the open offer by IHH Healthcare Berhad for a 26 percent stake in Fortis Healthcare. It asked the Delhi High Court to issue remand in the case and also ordered a forensic audit of the Fortis-IIH deal. "Everything goes back to the executing court," it said. The former promoters of Fortis Healthcare Ltd were embroiled in a court battle after Daiichi Sankyo, a Japanese firm, had challenged the Fortis-IHH share deal to recover the Rs 3,600 crore arbitration award that it had won before a Singapore tribunal against the Singh brothers. Due to a legal fight between Daiichi Sankyo and the former promoters of Fortis Healthcare, the IHH-Fortis deal is stuck. The top court also slapped the Singh brothers with a fine in the contempt case filed against them by the Japanese firm. Daiichi Sankyo moved the court to enforce the arbitral award passed by a Singapore tribunal in 2016. The Delhi High Court, in January 2018, ruled that the arbitration award won by Daiichi Sankyo against the Singh brothers for concealing information about the erstwhile Ranbaxy Laboratories, was enforceable in India. In 2018, IHH Healthcare had acquired a 31 percent controlling stake in Fortis, which triggered a mandatory open offer to acquire another 26 percent of Fortis shares from the market. However, the open offer could not move forward due to ongoing legal proceedings with respect to the transaction based on a plea filed by Daiichi Sankyo. Imphal, Sep 22 : Manipur's opposition Congress on Thursday vehemently criticised the BJP-led state government's decision for prior approval of all the books on the state's history, culture, tradition and geography by a government committee before their publications Various civil society organisations and writers also criticised the state government's decision. Manipur Pradesh Congress Vice-President Hareshwar Goshwami said that they are not surprised by such acts of BJP and "it is simply a clear manifestation of their true fascist nature". "Their message is loud and clear. Think, what I think, or face the consequence. The new system is to shut our mouths before we speak. To stop our pens before we write. It completely violates the right to freedom and expression granted by our Constitution," said Goshwami, also a renowned author. "How can I share my hard earned data and materials with others before I publish my book ? I am a writer and I will definitely defy this order and face any consequence," he added. State Congress spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei said that the decision is "deeply disturbing and of seriously concern to the future of intellectual freedom and academic rigour among the intellectual community and authors, readers and thinkers of Manipur". "It is cannot be accepted that the BJP government would decide what book to be published and what matters are to be read and thought about," Meitei said. Congress' Rajya Sabha member and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh tweeted : "This is Modi's India where a BJP state govt appointed committee will decide which book can be published and which cannot. This is worse than censorship if such a thing exists! Outrageous !" Announcing a 15-member committee, headed by Manipur Education Minister, the state's Higher and Technical Education Department, on September 15, issued an order, stating: "Any person or group desirous of publication of books on the history, culture, tradition and geography of the state may submit an application to the Director, University and Higher Education, Manipur along with a copy of the manuscript of the book who shall place the matter before the Committee for its approval. The Committee shall convene its meeting as and when required." "Any publication of a book in violation shall be liable to be punished under the relevant law," the order read. The order said that it has come to the knowledge of the state government that some books published on the history, culture, tradition and geography of the state contains material which may either distort facts or disturb the peaceful co-existence amongst the various communities in the state or both. "In order to ensure that books on the history, culture, tradition and geography of the state are published with accurate information, the Governor of Manipur do hereby constitute the committee ... to accord approval for publication of books," it said. Various Manipuri civil society organisations, authors and experts have also criticised the decision. Tehran, Sep 22 : There have been running battles between Iranian police and anti-government protesters in Tehran, reports say, in the worst unrest there for years, BBC reported. One person told BBC Persian that her neighbourhood resembled a battlefield. Protests, now in their seventh day, are also continuing in many other cities. Activists say eight protesters were shot dead overnight, while news outlets said two paramilitary personnel were killed. The unrest was sparked by the death of a woman detained by morality police. There are conflicting reports about the number of people who have been killed since the protests began. State media have reported the deaths of 11 people, including security personnel and protesters, but Kurdish human rights groups have said that 15 protesters have died in western Iran alone, BBC reported. Anger erupted after Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman from the north-western city of Saqez, died at a hospital in Tehran last Friday following three days in a coma. She was visiting the capital with her family on September 13 when she was arrested by morality police officers, who accused her of violating the law requiring women to cover their hair with a hijab, or headscarf, and their arms and legs with loose clothing. She collapsed after being taken to a detention centre. There are reports that officers hit Amini on the head with a baton and banged her head against one of their vehicles. The police have said there is no evidence of any mistreatment and that she suffered "sudden heart failure", BBC reported. In an interview with BBC Persian on Wednesday, Amini's father Amjad said he was not allowed by authorities to see all of her body before she was buried. He said he was only able to see her face, but not the back of her head, as well as her legs, both of which were bruised. Amjad Amini also insisted that his daughter did not have any pre-existing medical condition, as the interior minister has claimed. Many Iranians were enraged by Amini's death and the first protests took place after her funeral, when women were filmed waving their headscarves in the air and shouting 'death to the dictator' - a chant often directed at the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, BBC reported. Similar demonstrations were staged by students at several universities in Tehran, before the protests started spreading rapidly across the country. "Now, we have seen so many men joining in and it has moved on from a protest against the compulsory hijab. It's now against the whole existence of the Islamic Republic," BBC Persian's Rana Rahimpour said. She added: "This is most serious challenge to the Islamic leadership of Iran that we have seen here in recent years." Central and some northern parts of Tehran became thick with tear gas on Wednesday night as riot police, assisted by plainclothes security forces, attacked protesters in several neighbourhoods. The protesters set fire to big waste containers and blocked access to some streets, while shouting slogans against the Supreme Leader. Scores of protesters were reportedly arrested, as security forces went door-to-door at homes and shops where they had taken refuge, our correspondent says. There were also reports of police stations and other government buildings being overrun or set on fire, as protests took place in dozens of other cities, BBC reported. Videos posted on social media showed a crowd cheering as a billboard showing Ayatollah Khamenei was torn down , as well as women burning their headscarves on bonfires and cutting their hair in public. Internet-monitoring group NetBlocks meanwhile reported that Iran was now subject to the most severe internet restrictions since mass anti-government 2019. Mobile phone networks were largely shut down, internet service was disrupted during protests, and access to Instagram and WhatsApp were being restricted, it said. Chennai, Sep 22 : Shop keepers in Periya Manal town on Tamil Nadu's Namakkal district downed their shutters on Thursday after a recent clash between two Scheduled Caste students and the local traders association chief led to action against the latter. Local AIADMK leader and Periya Manali traders association chief Thangamani, 58, had a verbal spat with a truck driver over road rage. Thangamani, according to the police, used abusive words against the truck driver and the two Class 12 students intervened As they asked Thangamani not to use abusive words, it led to a spat between them and Thangamani's son Bhoobalan and relative Sekhar reached the spot and attacked the students. Bhoobalan asked the boys to kneel down before Thangamani and to apologise. Coming to know of this, a few activists of a local Dalit outfit reached the spot and admitted the children to a hospital. Thangamani was also admitted to the hospital. On receiving the complaint from the two boys, local police charged Thangamani, his son, and relative nder the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Police also filed a case against the two boys on a complaint from Thangamani, Bhoobalan, and Sekhar. The trader, his son, and the relative are absconding and Elachipalayam police told IANS that an investigation is on. The Periya Manal local traders shut their shops to protest the attack on Thangamani. Certain areas of Tamil Nadu have seen bloody clashes between caste Hindus and Dalits leading to the loss of lives and social disharmony. Jaipur, Sep 22 : Previously a child labourer and now a social activist, Kinsu Kumar, who is based out of Virat Nagar in Rajasthan, has appealed to world leaders at the United Nations that "elimination of child labour and exploitation of children will only be possible by educating children to provide them with better and more opportunities". He spoke as a child leader representative at the United Nations' "Transforming Education Summit" in New York. The summit is a key initiative of 'Our Common Agenda' launched by UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres in September 2021. On the sidelines of the summit, Kumar also highlighted the importance of education at the 4th "Laureates and Leaders for Children" summit. This is a brain-child of Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi as a first-of-its-kind platform bringing together Nobel laureates and global leaders to build a sense of urgency, collective responsibility and a strong moral voice to galvanise political will for making this world peaceful where all children are healthy, safe and educated. Nobel Peace laureate Leymah Gbowee, former Swedish Prime Minister Stephen Lofven and Human Rights activist Kerry Kennedy were also present at the "Laureates and Leaders for Children" summit. Kinsu worked as a child labourer in a motor garage at Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh when he was only 6-years-old. He was forced to drop out of school as his family could not afford his education and had to contribute to his family's income by working as a child labourer. His life reached a turning point when his father came in contact with 'Bachpan Bachao Andolan' founded by Kailash Satyarthi during the organisation's Education March in 2001. After his rescue, Kinsu was brought to the Bal Ashram Trust, where he received non-formal education and then was enrolled in the school nearby in class 4. Bal Ashram Trust, located at Virat Nagar near Jaipur, is an innovative and grassroots organisation that addresses deep-rooted and complex societal problems to ensure child protection and create a child-friendly world. It was founded by Kailash Satyarthi in 1998 as a long-term rehabilitation centre for children rescued from child labour, slavery and trafficking. The Trust has positively impacted 1,74,724 children's lives till date. After completing his higher education, Kinsu joined the Bal Ashram Trust as a programme officer. Throughout his journey, Kinsu's passion to protect child rights and the will power to stop child labour has never waned, making him a global ambassador for the rights of children. In this role, he has travelled all over the world, including the US, where he testified in a Congressional hearing and the European Union where he spoke at a high-level panel on education in the presence of the World Bank President and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other global leaders. He has also participated in The Hague Global Child Labour Conference as a representative of more than 60 million children, who are forced to work as child labourers to benefit their employers. The recent appeal by Satyarthi for a nationwide campaign against child marriage will provide a huge boost to our collective resolve to fight against the social evil and enable children like Kinsu Kumar not to fall victims to various forms of child exploitation like child labour and child marriage. New Delhi, Sep 22 : Minister for Skill Development Rajiv Chandrasekhar on Thursday while addressing a send-off function for participants of Worldskills Competition 2022, asked them to not only try and win medals but also keep the glory of the country shining. The minister asked scores of youngsters who are to participate in the competition, to give their best shot at Worldskills 2022, which is considered gold standard in the field of skill development. The event was to be held in Shanghai in October, after it had been postponed by a year due to the COVID pandemic. However with the Chinese city still under lockdown, it will now take place across Europe, North America, and East Asia from September to November 2022. The participants present at the send-off function were shortlisted winners of state level competitions in skilling and will be participating in wide ranging events like Artificial Intelligence, carpentry, graphic designing, baking, machine designing etc., at Worldskills 2022. Ministry officials as well as chairman of National Skill Development Corporation were also present during the send-off. India has been participating in Worldskills since 2007 and won its first medal in the 2011 event. Several past participants shared their experiences during the function and wished the participants for the forthcoming events. Guwahati, Sep 22 : The Assam government will distribute appointment letters to 11,202 people on Friday for various posts across 21 state government departments, officials said on Thursday. Out of these total appointments, the state government's Home and Political Department will give jobs to 5,335 candidates, followed by the School Education Department -- 3,811 positions, and the Higher and Technical Education Department will provide appointment to 927 candidates. Public Works Department (PWD), Health and Family Welfare Department, Panchayat and Rural Department, and Irrigation Department will also have a good number of fresh recruits. Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote: "We commit, we deliver - Major milestone in our drive to ensure one lakh jobs in Assam. Following 27,737 successful recruitments, GoA will now hand over appointment letters to 11,202 candidates in 21 govt depts on 23 September in a ceremonial function in Guwahati." It is to be mentioned that before the previous year's assembly election in Assam, Sarma promised to give jobs to one lakh youth in various state government departments. During polls, he also said that this promise would be fulfilled within one year of the formation of the new government. Recently, the opposition parties criticised Chief Minister Sarma and alleged that he has failed to keep his promise. Sarma's critic and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi also launched an attack on him on this issue. Gogoi also met Sarma a couple of days ago in Delhi to remind him about the one lakh jobs poll promise. Meanwhile, CM Sarma has been constantly saying that many candidates were already given jobs in the last one year since he took charge of the state. The recruitment process for other posts in various government departments are under process. United Nations, Sep 22 : Mexico formally proposed on Thursday the creation of a peace committee with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to find an end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said that to bolster the mediation efforts of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, a panel for dialogue and peace in Ukraine should be created with Modi, Pope Francis and other leaders. "The objective would be very clear, generating new mechanisms for dialogue and creating additional spaces for mediation, which foster trust, reduce tension and open the path towards lasting peace", Ebrard said at the Security Council's briefing on impunity in Ukraine. He presented to the Council the proposal made by Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday at his Independence Day speech. In that speech, Obrador said that the panel with Modi and Francis "should immediately seek a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and the start of direct talks" with Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. The Security Council - and the international community - have been unable to find a way to end the invasion given that Russia has a veto in the Security Council. India has maintained a sort of neutrality on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, abstaining on substantive votes in the Council and in the General Assembly condemning Moscow. But New Delhi, which has close historic ties with Moscow, has consistently called for an end to the war. Last week, Modi delivered a stern message in person to Putin against the invasion. "Today's era is not an era of war. We have discussed this with you on phone several times, that democracy, diplomacy and dialogue touch the entire world," Modi told him when they met in Samarkand. Speaking at the Council after Ebrard, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, reiterated New Delhi's call to end the conflict and return to dialogue. Pope Francis, on the other hand, has unequivocally condemned Russia. (Arul Louis can be contacted at aru.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War New Delhi, Sep 22 : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday directed Mahindra & Mahindra Services Ltd, Mumbai (MMFSL), to immediately cease carrying out any recovery or repossession activity through outsourcing arrangements, till further orders. In other words, the company was directed not to use services of any outside agency for loan recovery purpose. The RBI, however, said that MMFSL may continue to carry out recovery or repossession activities through its own employees. "The RBI in exercise of its powers under section 45L(1)(b) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, has directed Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd. (MMFSL), Mumbai, to immediately cease carrying out any recovery or repossession activity through outsourcing arrangements, till further orders. However, the said NBFC may continue to carry out recovery or repossession activities, through its own employees," it said. "This action is based on certain material supervisory concerns observed in the said NBFC, with regard to the management of its outsourcing activities," it said further. The direction from the central bank came after a pregnant woman in Jharkhand died after she was allegedly mowed down under the wheels of a tractor by a recovery agent of the finance company in the state's Hazaribagh district, according to media reports. As per reports, Hazaribagh police told media persons that the officials of the finance company did not inform the local police station before going to the residence of the victim for the recovery of the tractor. Mahindra Group, in a statement quoting its Managing Director and CEO Anish Shah, said that it will investigate the incident from all aspects. It further said that the company will also examine the practise of using third-party collection agencies. The company said that it stands with the deceased person's family in this moment of grief. Kolkata, Sep 22 : Students who are keen to take admission in post-graduation courses in two premier state-tun universities in West Bengal -- University of Calcutta and University of North Bengal -- are facing immense uncertainties. As per the order of the state higher education department, the admission process has to be completed by October 21 and the classes for the post-graduation courses need to commence from November 1. However, since both these state universities are 'headless' now, even the formal notification for admission in post-graduation courses is yet to be issued. North Bengal University vice-chancellor Subiresh Bhattacharya, who's the former chairman of West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC), is currently in CBI custody for his alleged involvement in the multi-crore WBSSC teacher recruitment scam. On the other hand, a division bench of Calcutta High Court recently dismissed a decision of the state government to reappoint Sonali Chakrabarti Banerjee as the vice-chancellor of Calcutta University. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court after Banerjee approached the apex court challenging the decision of the high court. The state higher education department is yet to make it clear as to when the replacements for Bhattacharya and Banerjee will be named. According to state Education Minister Bratya Basu, since the situation is 'extraordinary', any decision on this count will be taken only after consulting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. If the new vice-chancellors are not appointed to these two universities by the next weekend, the process will get delayed substantially because of the extended Durga Puja holiday starting October 1. Different teachers' associations in the state have already appealed to the state education department to expedite the appointment process. Meanwhile, CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty has said that the Education Minister cannot avoid his responsibility claiming this to be an extraordinary situation. "After all, the future of so many students are at stake," he said. New Delhi, Sep 22 : The deployment of staff and equipment in Delhi hospitals will be scaled down in a phase wise manner seeing the sustained decline in the Covid cases in the national capital, sources said on Thursday. The decision to be scale down in a calibrated and phased manner was taken in a DDMA meeting held on Thursday with Delhi Lt Governor V.K. Saxena and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, said a source. He also added that the Health Department will prepare a plan of action for future course of action. Among other decisions, surveillance of ILI-SARI cases will be be enhanced so as to detect any early warnings, and the percentage of precautionary dose of vaccination that stands at 24, is to be brought up to at least 40 to 50 per cent, the source said. Data from sewage surveillance and genome sequencing will continue to be analysed carefully to detect any surge of new variant, said the source, adding that all expert members emphasised on the need to not let the guard down. "Mask mandate may be relaxed with stress on masking in indoor settings, by elderly/ children/indisposed and people around them, people with symptoms of cough, cold and influenza," the source added. Washington, Sep 22 : The United States on Thursday announced sanctions on Irans morality police following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in their custody last week, media reports said. The US Treasury Department said in a statement that it is sanctioning the morality police "for abuse and violence against Iranian women and the violation of the rights of peaceful Iranian protestors", CNN reported. The administration's new sanctions come roughly a week after Amini was arrested for allegedly improperly wearing a hijab, or headscarf. "She was transferred to a hospital that same day in a state of coma and died two days later from internal injuries," the Treasury Department said. Iranian officials claimed she had a heart attack, but her family has said she had no pre-existing heart condition. Her death has sparked massive protests across Iran, CNN reported. The Treasury Department also sanctioned the head of the morality police, Mohammad Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi, and Haj Ahmad Mirzaei, who served as the head of its Tehran division during Amini's detention and death. In addition, the Treasury Department announced sanctions on senior leaders of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, Basij Resistance Forces, the Army's Ground Forces, and Law Enforcement Forces, CNN reported. "Mahsa Amini was a courageous woman whose death in Morality Police custody was yet another act of brutality by the Iranian regime's security forces against its own people," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. "We condemn this unconscionable act in the strongest terms and call on the Iranian government to end its violence against women and its ongoing violent crackdown on free expression and assembly," she said. "Today's action to sanction Iran's Morality Police and senior Iranian security officials responsible for this oppression demonstrates the Biden - Harris Administration's clear commitment to stand up for human rights, and the rights of women, in Iran and globally," Yellen said, CNN reported. Jaipur, Sep 22 : At a time when the nation is celebrating the release of eight cheetahs from Namibia in the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, wildlife lovers in Rajasthan are disappointed as they had hoped that the cheetahs would be coming to the desert state. It's Rajasthan's loss and MP's gain, said a senior official. Some forest officials feel that Rajasthan could have been the home for these cheetahs, but political leaders, bureaucrats and the forest department here did not show enough will. Had the leaders, who are just focused on tigers, paid attention to cheetahs, these big cats could have been brought in Rajasthan instead of Madhya Pradesh, they added. When efforts were being made to bring the cheetahs to India, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) had considered four places -- Rawatbhata-Gandhisagar and Shahgarh-Balj in Rajasthan and Kuno and Nauradehi in Madhya Pradesh -- as the most favorable spot for the big cats. WII teams also came to Rajasthan to inspect the spots -- Shahgarh (Jodhpur) in 2013-14, and Rawatbhata (Chittorgarh) in 2014-15. In fact, sources said the WII teams liked both the places, but Rajasthan lost the race to house the cheetahs due to politicisation of the issue, officials said. Meanwhile, Congress MLA Bharat Singh has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on the demand to release the cheetahs in the Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, asking: "Why did the cheetahs go to MP while coming to Rajasthan." In the letter, Singh directly accused Birla, saying that due to his 'disinterest', the cheetahs could not come to Mukundra, which falls under Birla's Lok Sabha constituency, and instead went to Madhya Pradesh. "People want to know why you remained silent on bringing the cheetahs to Rajasthan. Did you ever honesty try to bring the cheetahs to Rajasthan," Singh questioned Birla, as he accused the Speaker of leaving the people disappointed. He said the Rajasthan government tried to bring the cheetahs to the state, but the Centre along with Birla made these efforts futile after playing politics. New Delhi, Sep 22 : Toughening its stand against video communication and calling apps, the Centre has proposed to bring Meta-owned WhatsApp, Zoom, and Google Duo under the ambit of telecom licence, as written in the draft of the Indian Telecommunication Bill 2022. The government has, however, proposed to give exemption to press messages that are intended to be published in India of correspondents accredited to the Central or state governments from being intercepted. "For provision of Telecommunication Services and Telecommunication Networks, an entity shall have to obtain a license," according to the draft. The last date for public comment on the draft is October 20. In another significant clause, the draft bill, released late Wednesday, proposes to waive off fees and penalty of telecom and internet service providers. The exemption for press messages, though, won't be given in case of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety, sovereignty, integrity or security of India, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, or to prevent incitement to an offence, the draft read. The draft bill was put up on social media by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. It also proposes refund of fees if an internet or telecom service provider offers to surrender the license. The draft bill says that the Centre may "waive off in part or full any fee, including entry fees, license fees, registration fees or any other fees or charges, interest, additional charges or penalty" for any licence holder or registered entity under the telecom rules. Tinsukia : , Sep 22 (IANS) A Class 9 girl student went missing in Assam's Tinsukia town on Thursday after she was scolded by her school Principal and asked to bring her parents. However, the girl was later rescued safely, police said. The incident happened in Tinsukia's Don Bosco School. According to the Principal, the girl was resorting to unfair means in an examination at school. "The girl was caught with some chits inside a handkerchief during her English exam and the teacher on duty brought her to me. I allowed her to re-appear and told her to call her parents on Thursday for a meeting." However, the girl did not reach school on Thursday. When the school authority contacted the parents about her absence, they said that she had left for school in the morning as usual. A missing case was reported and police jumped into action to find the trace of the girl. "We immediately circulated her picture in all police stations, and a team was also sent in search of her. We found her near the Dhola-Sodiya bridge on Brahmaputra River," Superintendent of Police, Tinsukia, Debojit Deuri told IANS. He said that the girl was very frightened when the Principal asked her to bring her parents. That is why she could not acquire the courage to reach school and she even did not inform her parents about Wednesday's incident. "Timely intervention by the police probably averted any untoward incident today," he added. Meanwhile, parents and a section of people accused the school authority of behaving insensibly with the minor. Gurugram, Sep 22 : In a bid to tighten the noose around unauthorised constructions, the enforcement wing of the Manesar Municipal Corporation (MCM) has reportedly razed an illegal construction in Bar Gujjar village, said to be belonging to gangster Sube Gujjar. "Sube Gujjar of Bar Gujjar village is a notorious criminal, who is involved in 42 criminal cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and Arms Act which are registered against him in Gurugram, Mewat, Rewari, Palwal and Delhi which are under trial," Subhash Boken, spokesperson of Gurugram Police, said on Thursday. A source with the MCM said the construction in the village was illegal. The corporation had also served notice but when there was no compliance by the owner, they demolished it. "Police does not have the power to demolish. Police only provide protection to civil authorities for such drives," Kala Ramachandran, police commissioner, Gurugram told IANS. "The demolition drive continued for two hours from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Several police personnel were stationed on the spot at the time of the drive to deal with any resistance. The drive was conducted by an enforcement team of the MCM," Rajender Kumar, SHO of Kherki Daula police station told IANS. Meanwhile, the family members of Sube Gujjar alleged that the MCM team without any prior notice illegally demolished the boundary walls of their house. "It was our ancestor's property located in Bar Gujjar village. How the corporation can demolish it," a family member of Gujjar alleged during the drive. It was reported that the MCM team also faced some resistance from the villagers during the drive but despite the resistance, the team successfully razed the boundary walls and the main gate of the house. MCM officials have not made any comments yet. New Delhi, Sep 22 : The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is the key driving force behind the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is a prominent organisation which has ardent followers and staunch critics in equal proportion. However, the recent meeting of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat with Muslim intellectuals and his Tursday's meeting with the head of All India Imam Organisation at a mosque in Delhi, which was followed by a visit to a madrasa here, have drawn everyone's attention -- in the political as well as apolitical circles. Bhagwat on Thursday visited a madrasa in the old Delhi area where he interacted with the teachers and students. Earlier, he met the chief of the All India Imam Organisation, Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, at a mosque in Kasturba Gandhi Marg. On August 22, the RSS chief had met a group of Muslim intellectuals. The recent developments are being termed as RSS' attempt to strengthen the communal harmony in the country. Also, the meetings, interactions and the deliberations have been happening in the backdrop of allegations by the Opposition leaders, including former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, that the BJP and the RSS are trying to fan communal tension in the country. Several questions have been popping up of late following Bhagwat's hobnobbing with the key personalities of the Muslim community. The prominent among them are: Is RSS' stance towards Muslims changing? What could be the agenda of RSS behind these meeting? What exactly Mohan Bhagwat is trying to achieve? To get a deeper insight into the recent developments, IANS reached out to RSS Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar, who maintained that the Sangh has always opposed terrorism and separatism. He said: "Everyone should strive to create a spirit and environment of cordiality by opposing extremism. This is everyone's collective responsibility." "RSS never had any problems with anyone's ways of worship or offering prayers," he added. Responding to questions doing the rounds around Bhagwat's meeting with the Muslim intellectuals, Ambekar said: "The RSS is always ready for holding discussions for the betterment of the society and the nation. The Sangh has always kept its doors open for this purpose. Even on the Ayodhya issue, we had held discussions with everyone." "To promote cordiality, we always insist on holding discussions with various sections of the society. There is nothing new in this. It's part of a routine process," he said. RSS leader and patron of Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), Indresh Kumar, said that right from former RSS chief K.S. Sudarshan's tenure, the members of Muslim and Christian communities have been trying to understand the Sangh not through any religious or political leaders, but on their own. "That is why an organisation like MRM came into existence," he said. Meanwhile, sources in the know of things also said that in the coming days, the RSS chief may hold deliberations with the Christian religious leaders as well as intellectuals of the minority community. It is being said that to communicate seamlessly with the religious leaders and intellectuals of both Muslim and Christian communities, the RSS has set up a committee of four senior Sangh leaders. Besides Indresh Kumar, the panel comprises senior leaders Krishn Gopal, Manmohan Vaidya and Ram Lal. In fact, the RSS had initiated an effort to bring a change in the mindset of the Muslim community since the era of former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. However, the overall scenario was much different then as key issues such as Ram Janmabhoomi was yet to see any solution. Also, several matters were pushed into the cold storage since the government was functioning on the back-up of alliance parties. In fact, the MRM has held several functions wherein communications were established with the members of Muslim as well as Christian community. Sources said that those programmes have been mostly successful. New Delhi, Sep 22 : Plan for the entire action, in which investigative agencies NIA and ED conducted raids on Popular Front of India (PFI) premises and arrested more than 100 PFI leaders and functioneries from various states across the country, were discussed in details in two high-level meetings of MHA officials with the central agencies, if sources are to be believed. Sources related to NIA have informed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had held an important meeting with the officials of NIA, ED and IB on August 29. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla were also present in that meeting. Officials of all the agencies concerned were asked to prepare a report with evidence against the PFI. In the meeting, instructions were given to take action against the people associated with PFI. Thereafter, when all the central agencies completed the preparations, a meeting of the officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the officers of the investigating agencies was held on September 19. All the agencies were ordered to conduct raids in coordination. Thereafter, raids were conducted on the homes and offices of PFI cadres in about 11 states of the country between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. This was done at night so that the raiding teams do not face opposition. According to the information, more than 250 officers and staff of investigating agencies were involved in this entire proceedings. The NIA has also arrested PFI National Chairman OMS Salam and Delhi PFI Chief Parvez Ahmed. All these people have been accused of organising terrorist camps, terror funding and teaching bigotry to the people. In fact, the NIA and the MHA were keeping an eye on the activities of the PFI for a long time. In 2017, the NIA, in its detailed report submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, had demanded a ban on the PFI for its involvement in terrorist activities. Many states have also demanded the ban on the Front (PFI). According to sources, the NIA had filed a report in connection with the arrest of the four accused after raids in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on September 19. It was said in the report that PFI is trying to plot terrorist activities. At the same time, a conspiracy was being hatched through PFI to establish Ghazwa-e-Hind in Bihar's Phulwari Sharif, where the NIA had raided recently. Apart from this, NIA had recently arrested karate teacher Abdul Kader from Nizamabad in Telangana. His confession revealed that in the guise of teaching karate, people were being trained to make terrorists. The NIA was aware of many such locations of PFI. Controversies involving the PFI are not new. In recent past, its name has come up in many anti-national activities. Kisan Andolan: The agencies had come to know about the violence from the PFI side during the farmers' movement. After this, raids were conducted on the hideouts of PFI at many places including Meerut. Nupur Sharma controversy and violence: After the Nupur Sharma controversy, an attempt was made to spoil the atmosphere after Friday prayers in about eight cities in Uttar Pradesh. People associated with this organisation were arrested in a conspiracy to incite violence from Kanpur to Prayagraj. CAA-NRC: Even when there were violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Delhi and many states of the country, it was said that PFI was behind it. In UP, then the police had arrested many members of PFI. Hijab controversy: The name of the PFI also came up in the Hijab controversy in the schools of Karnataka. It was claimed on behalf of the government in the Karnataka High Court, that the CFI has created a ruckus for Hijab and it is a extremist organisation. The CFI is believed to be the student union of the PFI. RSS leader murder: In 2016, RSS leader Rudresh from Bengaluru was murdered by two unidentified bike riders. In this murder, the police had arrested four people and all four were associated with the PFI. New Delhi, Sep 22 : Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Choudhury, has expressed his dismay in a letter to Speaker Om Birla over the government's decision to withdraw the allocation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology (IT) from the largest opposition party in the Lower House. The Parliamentary panel, which is headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, is being reconstituted as its tenure ended on September 13. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has written to Choudhury, informing him that the chairmanship of the Standing Committee on IT is being taken away from the Congress. Referring to Joshi's letter, Choudhury has urged the Lok Sabha Speaker "to reconsider and reverse this ill-thought-out decision and to restore to the Congress the Chair of the Standing Committee on Information Technology". "I was dismayed to learn from Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Prahlad Joshi, that in a departure from existing conventions, which have been honoured by successive governments irrespective of which party is in power, a decision has been taken to withdraw the allocation of the role of Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, which, as you know, is chaired by Shashi Tharoor of the Congress," Choudhury wrote to Birla. There are 16 Parliamentary standing committees in the Lok Sabha and eight in the Rajya Sabha. Out of the 16 Lok Sabha committees, 10 are currently with the BJP, while the remaining six are with Congress (the one on IT), DMK, Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena, Biju Janata Dal and JD(U). All the 24 standing committees of both the Houses combined are being reconstituted this month as their tenures ended on September 13. While it is solely the ruling party's discretion to allot chairpersonship of these panels to opposition parties, it has been a political convention that opposition MPs, especially those from the principal opposition party, are given key panels to head, like on Home Affairs (a Rajya Sabha committee) and Finance (a Lok Sabha comittee). However, the Lok Sabha Standing Committee on Finance is headed by BJP MP Jayant Sinha, and even panels on key subjects like defence and external affairs are also headed by the ruling BJP members in the Lower House. Now with BJP not in a mood to give the lone panel on IT's chairpersonship to the Congress, there are apprehensions that it may not get even a single panel to head in the Lok Sabha. Sources informed that even Trinamool Congress, whose MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay heads the Lok Sabha panel on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, has been informed by the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry that his party would not be heading the panel after its reconstitution. The Lok Sabha Standing Committee on Energy headed by JD(U) MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan is also being reconstituted. Incidentally, with the JD(U) now no more an ally of the ruling NDA, there is a likelihood that the panel, which incidentally is looking at the controversial Electricity Amendment Bill, may go to the ruling BJP, sources said. It would be interesting to see whether the other three Lok Sabha committees which are headed by DMK (Chemicals and Fertilisers), Shiv Sena (Rural Development) and Biju Janata Dal (Labour, Textile and Skill Development), will remain with them. Even in the Rajya Sabha, leader of the House Piyush Goyal informed leader of the opposition Mallikarjun Kharge that due to Congress' depleting strength in the Upper House, it would not get the chairpersonship of the key panel on Home Affairs. Choudhury in his letter to Lok Sabha Speaker raised apprehensions at the ruling BJP's intentions, saying, "This is deeply troubling for a number of reasons. For one, while for a similar decision in the Rajya Sabha, the marginally reduced size of the Congress was the reason cited by the government, there has been no such change in the Lok Sabha, which raises ominous questions about the real intent behind such a decision. "As floor leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, I strongly protest this proposed decision to interfere with the distribution of chairpersonships in the middle of a Lok Sabha, which marks yet another instance of this government's scant regard for Parliamentary convention, as well as the well-established principles of consultative deliberation and legislative oversight that are the bedrock of any Parliamentary democracy." New Delhi, Sep 22 : The All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz (AIPMM) has critised the activities of Popular Front of India (PFI), saying that it supports the actions by the agencies against PFI members. In a major crackdown on the PFI, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday raided premises linked to PFI in 15 states across the country and arrested several of its top leaders and functionaries. "We welcome the move by the government. We deem that this action has been taken to safeguard the country. The views expressed by the PFI are dangerous. The rallies of PFI and its uniform remind us of Hezbollah, a terrorist organisation," said Muhammad Yunus, executive director, AIPMM. He said that every citizen of India has the right to express his views, but the way the PFI was carrying out its activities was highly condemable. Yunus said the PFI put every Muslim of this country under the lens of agencies due to its activities. He also said that PFI has insulted Isalam and its teachings with its activities. "PFI was fooling the poor and uneducated Muslim youth. We strongly condemn its acts," he said. Kohima, Sep 22 : Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said that the masses of the state are crying out for resolution of the Naga political problem, so that "our people too can strive towards progress along with the rest of the global community". Speaking on the concluding day of the two-day session of the Nagaland Assembly, the Chief Minister said that the leaders of today's Naga society cannot afford to let the present and future generations inherit the continuation of conflict and violence. "Nagas have been impacted for decades by the political conflict and the unresolved Naga political issue," he said, adding that "the generation of our youth have faced untold hurdles in striving towards their aspirations or have failed to achieve their ambitions, due to the challenges of the political movement". Noting that the Naga political imbroglio has been at the core of Naga society for several decades and remains central in our concerns even today, the Chief Minister said that the state government has given utmost importance to the Naga political issue and "we have made every possible effort to play the role of active facilitator in order to create a an atmosphere that is conducive to realisation of an early solution to the protracted Naga political issue". "An opposition-less United Democratic Front (UDA) government was formed (last year) with the sole motive to facilitate the peace process so that we realise the aspiration of achieving genuine peace though a negotiated political solution that is honourable, acceptable and inclusive." Rio, top leader of the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), said that all 60-members of Nagaland assembly rose above party affiliations by setting aside all differences and all came under one platform to extend positive support to the political negotiations. "We are grateful to the government of India for acknowledging the unique history of the Nagas and for recognising the Naga issue as a political issue. The signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 after over 80 rounds of talks in the presence of the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and other high officials and dignitaries of the Union Government was indeed a historic occasion and we continue to extend our support and appreciation towards honouring the agreement." The Chief Minister said that on October 15, 2020, the Naga Consultative Meeting on the Naga Political Issue unanimously resolved and also "appealed to the negotiating groups to come together under a spirit of oneness, mutual trust and understanding with sincerity and commitment towards achieving One Solution for One People as early as possible". Rio said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that on September 14 the national political groups signed the September Joint Accordant under the initiative of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. The NSCN-IM and the Naga National Political Group while acknowledging the Covenant of Reconciliation (CoR) signed on June 13, 2009 committed to move forward through dialogue and live together in peace. Clarifying that the state government is not a direct party to the negotiations and are only playing the role as facilitators, the Chief Minister said the ruling dispensation and the political parties in the UDA have made it clear in "our manifestoes that we will pave the way in the event of a solution that is honourable, acceptable and inclusive". The present state government and the Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue continues to make efforts, while appealing for early solution, to the extent of supporting such a development even before the elections to the Nagaland Assembly, which are due in early next year, the Naga leader said. He said that the present ceasefire and talks have been going on for more than two decades, and we feel that it is more than enough time for all sides to understand and appreciate each other in a manner that we are able to reach a desired conclusion by achieving a settlement. "We reiterate our appeal to the negotiating parties and the Government of India to address the contentious issues and undertake discussions on the competencies so that the talks can be expedited and a solution can be reached at the earliest possible," the Chief Minister stated. United Nations, Sep 22 : Highlighting China's stranglehold on the Security Council sanctioning Pakistan-based terrorists, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday denounced the politics giving them impunity. "Politics should never ever provide cover to evade accountability. Nor indeed to facilitate impunity," he said when the Security Council met on impunity for the crimes in Ukraine. "Regrettably, we have seen this of late in this very Chamber, when it comes to sanctioning some of the world's most dreaded terrorists", he said alluding to China blocking sanctions against Pakistan-based terrorists Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leader Sajid Mir, involved in the 2008 Mumbai attack, Jaish-e Mohammed (JEM) leader Abdul Rauf Azhar, and Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) leader Abdul Rehman Makki. "If egregious attacks committed in broad daylight are left unpunished, this Council must reflect on the signals we are sending on impunity. There must be consistency if we are to ensure credibility", he said alluding to the Pakistan-based terrorists escaping sanctions with China's support. Jaishankar did not name China, Pakistan or the terrorists. Speaking at another forum, Sanjay Verma, Secretary, West in the External Affairs Ministry, called for justice for victims of terrorism. At the Ministerial Meeting of Groups of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, Verma asked the international community to uphold the right to justice for the victims of cross-border terrorist attacks including 26/11 Mumbai attacks, by bringing the perpetrators to justice. On the topic of Ukraine under direct discussion at the Security Council, Jaishankar said: "Even in conflict situations, there can be no justification for violation of human rights or of international law (and) where any such acts occur, it is imperative that they are investigated in an objective and independent manner." He said that India backed independent investigations into the killings in Bucha, a city in Ukraine where more than 400 bodies were found in April after Russian troops withdrew from there. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Washington, Sep 23 : Former US President Donald Trump's efforts at making a comeback for the White House seems "derailed" and "snuffed out" with his legal perils becoming insurmountable, media reports said. New York Attorney General Letitia James has sued him for tax fraud and an appeals court in Atlanta has granted the Department of Justice resumed access to classified documents for FBI to further investigations in what's feared that documents may come under the purview of the espionage act. Trump's legal perils have become insurmountable and could snuff out the former US president's hopes of an election-winning comeback, according to political analysts and legal experts, says the Guardian. On Wednesday, Trump and three of his adult children were accused of lying to tax collectors, lenders and insurers in a "staggering" fraud scheme that routinely misstated the value of his properties to enrich themselves. In another case in Atlanta, the court of appeals granted permission to the DOJ to resume accessing the classified documents seized by the FBI at Mar-a-Lago in national security interests, overturning Judge Aileen Cannon's stay on DOJ until a special master Raymond Dearie reviewed all the files. The special master himself told Trump lawyers to show those files that were declassified by the ex-President. "You can't have the cake and it too," Judge Dearie said when the lawyers resisted saying it might open up the scene for fresh indictment against Trump. The civil lawsuit, filed by New York's attorney general, came as the FBI investigates Trump's holding of sensitive government documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and a special grand jury in Georgia considers whether he and others attempted to influence state election officials after his defeat there by Joe Biden. The former US president has repeatedly hinted that he intends to run for the White House again in 2024. But the cascade of criminal, civil and congressional investigations could yet derail that bid, the Guardian said. Trump has accused incumbent President Joe Biden of launching a "witch hunt" against him with the democrats. "He's done," said Allan Lichtman, a history professor at American University, in Washington, who has accurately predicted every presidential election since 1984. "He's got too many burdens, too much baggage to be able to run again even presuming he escapes jail, he escapes bankruptcy. I'm not sure he's going to escape jail." After a three-year investigation, Letitia James, the New York attorney general, alleged that Trump provided fraudulent statements of his net worth and false asset valuations to obtain and satisfy loans, get insurance benefits and pay lower taxes. Offspring Don Jr, Ivanka and Eric were also named as defendants. Meanwhile, Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen on Wednesday predicted New York Attorney General Letitia James's newly announced fraud investigation into former President Trump's business will culminate in the Trump Organization's downfall. "It's going to put an end to the entire company," Cohen said during an appearance on MSNBC's "All in with Chris Hayes" on Wednesday evening. "You think that?" Hayes followed up. "I believe so," Cohen responded. Washington, Sep 23 : The abrupt and unheralded change in India's stand on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as reflected in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "public rebuke" of Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week, has been heard in official Washington DC with some relief and satisfaction. Prime Minister Modi made it "clear to Putin's face that the invasion is wrong", said Ro Khanna, an Indian American lawmaker who has been critical of India's refusal to condemn the invasion. Speaking at a community event on Wednesday, he went on to suggest Modi could also help in a "peaceful resolution and a ceasefire". Earlier the same day in New York, a senior White House official pointed to the new Indian position as testimony to the Biden administration's strategy of just laying out the facts on Ukraine for other countries to see and judge for themselves instead of forcing them to change their stand. "The US strategy has borne fruit insofar as you are seeing increasing signs of countries that did abstain, to include countries like India speaking out in a different way, including directly in front of Putin," the official said. "And, you know, we'd like to see more than that, obviously, in the days ahead." India was among 34 countries that abstained in an UN general assembly vote in March that deplored Russia for invading Ukraine. China had also abstained. New Delhi came under significant pressure from the US and its western allies to condemn the invasion and either stop buying Russian oil or not ramp it up, as it would enable Moscow to withstand the economic sanctions imposed on it to force it to end the war and leave Ukraine. India did neither. Until last week. "Today's era is not of war," Prime Minister Modi told Putin in public remarks ahead of their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. That went much further than India's expression of 'grave concern' over the killing of civilians in Ukraine's Bucha, and call for respecting the UN charter that protects the sovereignty and integrity of all member nations. US frustration with India's refusal to condemn Russia and stop oil from it, had led to a rather unfortunate outburst from a senior White House official sent to New Delhi for these talks. He had warned India of "consequences". "I've been clear about India, and I think India ought to be condemning Putin and India ought not to be getting oil from Russia or China. We ought to rally the world to isolate Putin," Khanna said on Fox News in days after the UN general assembly vote. Khanna had gone on to say that it was time for India to choose between the US and Russia. "First, India should condemn Putin in the UN for the blatant human rights violations. Second, they need to realise, they have to pick sides," he said, adding, "We, the United States, were with them when China invaded India. Putin wasn't there. And it's time for them to buy weapons from the United States, not Russia. We've got to look at how we can facilitate that and make that easier. We need India as an ally ultimately to contain China." Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Moscow, Sep 23 : The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced that an additional 87 Canadian citizens have been indefinitely barred from entering the country in response to Ottawa's anti-Russian sanctions. The newly-blacklisted are Canada's regional leaders, senior military officers, heads of companies supplying Ukraine with weapons and dual-use technologies, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by the ministry. A total of 905 Canadians have been under Moscow's sanctions, including a travel ban, official data show. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Tehran, Sep 23 : Iranian armed forces held a military parade to mark the 42nd anniversary of the eight-year Iran-Iraq war beginning in 1980. During the military parade on Thursday in the capital Tehran, Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, said Iran favours a region free from threats and full of friendship and cooperation in West Asia, calling the US a threat to the security of the region, Xinhua news agency reported, citing IRNA. The parade comes at the beginning of Defense Week, the one-week Iranian commemoration of the Iraq-Iran war. Also on Thursday, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force unveiled for the first time a new prototype of its "Sevom-e Khordad" air defense missile system which has a range of 200 km. Patna, Sep 23 : Ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's rallies in Purnea and Kishanganj, former Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that Shah does not require a passport from Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav to come to Bihar. Shah will address a rally in Bihar's Purnea district on Friday and in Kishanganj district on Saturday. Both, the JD-U and the RJD, have claimed that Shah is coming to Bihar to disturb the communal harmony in the state. "The leaders of Mahagathbandhan are feeling uneasy. They are asking questions about why Amit Shah is coming to Bihar. Amit Shah does not require to give any clarification to the leaders of Mahagathbandhan. Bihar is an integral part of the country and any person including Union Home Minister does not require any permission or passport from any one to visit here," Prasad said. "Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad came together only for political benefits. They have compromised on corruption and cheated the mandate of the people of Bihar. Amit Shah is coming here to point out this issue. The people of the country will elect Narendra Modi again in 2024 and BJP will form the government in Bihar in 2025 on its own," the former Law Minister added. Reacting on Shah's rallies, deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said: "Everyone knows the motive of Amit Shah's visit in Bihar. He is coming here to create communal tension, and talk about useless and meaningless things." "The Narendra Modi government at Centre has not fulfilled any of its promises. He (Shah) is not coming to announce a special package for Bihar. The Narendra Modi government forgot its poll promise of two crore jobs every year. It has cheated people of the country and Amit Shah is coming here to mislead the people of Bihar," Tejashwi added. We are excited to have Daniel Mallett, DPM join this important study as the third investigator and the second podiatrist. It is important to evaluate the product and subungual topical procedure in patients visiting both podiatrists and dermatologists." ~ Mark Taylor, Hallux Inc. CEO Hallux Inc, a clinical stage pharmaceutical company, today announced that Front Range Foot and Ankle Clinic in Parker, Colorado has begun screening patients for enrollment into HSG-201, its 52-week clinical study evaluating Hallux Subungual Gel (HSG) for the treatment of onychomycosis (toenail fungus). Hallux CEO Mark Taylor said, We are excited to have Daniel Mallett, DPM join this important study. Dr. Mallet is the third investigator in our study, and the second podiatrist. It is important to evaluate the product and topical procedure in patients visiting both podiatrists and dermatologists, as their age, medical history, and disease severity can differ significantly. As the Sponsor, we are fortunate to have clinical experts like Dr. Mallet join dermatologist Terry Jones of J&S Studies in College Station, Texas and foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Lewis Freed of OrthoArizona in Mesa, Arizona to investigate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of HSG in the treatment of mycologically confirmed onychomycosis patients enrolled from their respective communities." About Hallux Hallux is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing a new terbinafine subungual dosage form and direct-to-nail bed topical route of administration for treating onychomycosis (toenail fungus). Halluxs goal is to provide high effectiveness and safety for chronic onychomycosis patients around the world. In the United States, Hallux is conducting the Phase 2a HSG-201 clinical study in podiatry clinics through site manager Physicians Research Group LLC, a specialist in podiatric and dermatologic clinical research. I am extremely excited to join the Chocxo team as we launch our astonishingly delicious, organic, and low in sugar chocolate portfolio. Our team is excited to partner with our customers to bring this superior consumer experience and help generate profitable volume growth. Chocxo, the astonishingly delicious, organic chocolate brand that is naturally low in real sugar, has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of Christian Quie as Vice President of Sales, effective this month. In this role, Quie will be responsible for strategic partnership building, leading the sales team to meet goals, and driving new sales opportunities for Chocxo within North America. Our goal is to rapidly scale to drive awareness and sales across North America with a targeted focus on the United States, says Christian Quie, Vice President of Sales at Chocxo. I am extremely excited to join the Chocxo team as we launch our astonishingly delicious, organic, and low in sugar chocolate portfolio. Chocxo products deliver incredible taste without compromising on real ingredients or high sugar levels. Our team is excited to partner with our customers to bring this superior consumer experience and help generate profitable volume growth. Quie joins the Chocxo executive team with more than 15 years of experience as an executive leader in consumer product sales. Prior to joining Chocxo, Quie launched BEAR Yoyos in the US, served as President of Maverick Snacks, and led Sales at HumanCo & Cosmic Bliss. He started his CPG career with almost ten years at General Mills working across multiple categories, channels, and customers. As a growing, on-trend better-for-you chocolate company with a goal to be available everywhere where chocolate lovers shop, we are excited to announce Christian Quie as our new sales leader who will implement a growth strategy to propel Chocxo into new regions and partnerships with top retailers, said Peter Higgins, President at Chocxo. Christians unparalleled drive and years of experience will drive our availability with new retail partner relationships and grow our business through forward-thinking strategy and fresh ideas. In addition to Quies new role at Chocxo, the brand will partner with IGNITE Sales Management at Acosta, a leading sales management partner, to help Chocxo further develop and penetrate the U.S. market. The IGNITE team is a natural fit for Chocxo with its nationwide reach in the specialty grocery, natural and organic retail categories, and unparalleled relationships with strategic retailers. Quie will oversee the integration of the IGNITE team with Chocxos internal sales team and will be responsible for the strategy implementation of the sales powerhouse. Chocxos mission is to deliver astonishingly delicious, organic, low-in-real-sugar chocolate creations that exceed the quality and purity expectations of both chocolate enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers. The brand currently has six core SKUs: Organic Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups, Organic Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Organic Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond Sea Salt Snaps, Organic Dark Chocolate Raspberry Quinoa Snaps, Organic Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond Butter Cups and Organic Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds. For more information about Chocxo please visit http://www.Chocxo.com or check out @ChocxoChocolatier on Instagram, and @ChocxoChocolatiers on Facebook. ### About Chocxo Chocxo, which was founded in 2014 as a bean-to-bar chocolate company in Irvine, CA recently scaled production by adding capacity in its Canadian chocolate factory. Chocxos seasoned chocolatiers span multiple generations, and they use only fine flavor cocoa beans that are naturally nutty, fruity, and less bitter than traditional bulk cocoa beans. Less bitterness means less need for additional sugar. Only a small amount of organic sugar is needed to underscore their chocolates already delightful taste, without any substitute sweeteners or natural flavor enhancers. Chocxo products have been recognized by Good Housekeeping as the Best Chocolate Nut Butter Cup for its Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup and Coconut Almond Butter Cup, by Cosmopolitan as the Best Chocolate Snack for its Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, and by Clean Eating as one of the Best Chocolates for its Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond Butter Cups. About Acosta Acosta's suite of progressive, commerce-centric solutions enables todays biggest brands, retailers, and foodservice providers to win in the modern marketplace. Since 1927, Acosta has developed trusted relationships and unmatched scale. In a complex and fast-evolving omnichannel world, Acostas network of companies allows us to connect with shoppers wherever they are. Through data-backed growth strategies and exceptional customer experiences, we are connecting tomorrows commerce today. Married duo tech innovators Chris and McKenzy Bowers have set out to create economic change within the film industry with their O.T.T. streaming platform Tivid TV. Tivid TV is the first self-distribution platform that allows filmmakers and content creators to receive 100% royalties from their projects hence their tagline slogan, "Your Movie, Your Money." The forum enables viewers to rent and purchase feature films, documentaries, series, seasons, and episodes directly on your home television or any mobile device, supporting small business owners across the U.S. The serial entrepreneurs started Tivid TV in 2019 in response to founder and film producer Christopher Michael finding a lack of distribution outlets to place or view his film without taking most of his royalties. With wife McKenzy Bowers' strong marketing and analytical background, they pushed forward to create a solution that would not only remedy the absence of the much-needed new self-distribution platform but also, in turn, create a supported system that will allow existing and freshly emerging filmmakers and content creators to assimilate, produce and distribute. Since 2019, Tivid TV has independently raised roughly $83,000 in funding towards continuous improvements, strengthening both the front end and back end of its user interface. The Bowers introduced Tivid TV Studios as a form of funding to support Tivid TV's technological improvements, Tivid TV Studios is among one of the highest-rated Florida production movie studios listed on Peerspace that boasts prefabricated sets, including the only private jet set in Florida. The studio is located in the heart of Central Florida near Full Sail University. Since its opening in January Tivid TV Studios has created critical solid partnerships and alliances with other community leaders, such as the Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology, to strengthen the film industry and provide internships and other services of enrichment. "We found that the film industry is essentially one that's seemingly overlooked when it comes to trades. You have trades such as barbering, cosmetology, and the likes that can be a very lucrative field due to extensive hands-on training that allows them to curate their clientele base immediately- sometimes even while they are in training; but most independent filmmakers often graduate with nowhere to go, or no way to break into the industry. Tivid TV is a 360 ecosystem structure, and we plan to be the intervention by connecting the dots that will allow them to learn the marketing end of film production and distribution and in turn, allow them to curate their fan base based on data and analytics. We plan to change the mindset that you need Hollywood to create a sustainable living off what you love to do by filling the gaps between independent film business and the community at the touch of a button," say owners Chris and McKenzy Bowers. Tivid TV is gearing up to invite the public to participate in its first Kickstarter campaign in the company's history. The campaign will allow the tech company to introduce a new cloud-based platform with enhanced U.I. designs, compatibility and add advanced Geolocation Technology that will give the viewer access to see what productions were filmed in their hometown so the community can support local film business.In January, the company will start the journey of identifying series funding investors and venture capitalists that will help sustainably scale, add value and expand the markets of Tivid TV's elevated business model. About Tivid TV Tivid TV is a 360 evolving ecosystem where people can learn, film, distribute, and more! It is the only self-distribution platform that offers 100% royalty-based options. It can be downloaded in Google Play, Apple Store and Roku T.V. with more platform integrations to come. Tivid TV allows young artists, filmmakers, and content creators alike to profit from projects without having to reach unattainable goals for distributor payouts. It is the intellectual property of Tivid TV Studios. About Tivid TV Studios Tivid TV Studios is Orlando, FL its first all-inclusive innovative, creative workspace where vision and passion meet to produce mass media production worldwide. Tivid TV Studios' services are designed to fit everyone's operational budgets from pre-production to distribution. The funding from Tivid TV Studios is recycled into the platform to provide more updates and user functionality. The second location is due to open in January in Austin, TX and will also further its partnership with F.I.R.S.T. Institute by inviting its virtual students to benefit the same as the flagship property in Orlando. As Tivid TV continues to grow, Tivid TV Studios will expand into each major city as a local film resource. Tivid TV Studios boasts all-inclusive prefabricated standing movie sets that are designed with a future hit blockbuster in mind! They are known to introduce fresh freestanding set ideas every three months to give creators the flexibility to create different scenarios year-round. It is a one-stop shop for comprehensive pre- and post-production services. Tivid TV Studios has been previously featured in Black Enterprise Magazine for housing Florida's first and only standing private jet set. "MindSpring has combined their deep experience in learning science with innovative technology and has demonstrated that they are poised for continued growth in the years ahead." MindSpring, a globally recognized digital learning agency, announced today the appointment of Tom Miller as the company's President. Tom joined the MindSpring team in July of this year as an executive consultant. During his time with MindSpring, he has demonstrated his industry experience is a good fit for the high-growth initiatives at MindSpring. Im extremely excited to join the MindSpring team as President, said Miller. To have a chance to use my experience in technology and services with such a talented team is highly energizing. By combining their deep experience in learning science with innovative technology, the company has demonstrated that they are poised for continued growth in the years ahead. Prior to joining MindSpring, Tom spent the last twenty years in the technology software and services industry, where he held various leadership positions. Most recently, he led Holland, MI-based IoT services firm SpinDance as their President. Dana Jacks, President of Century Technology Group, MindSprings parent company, said, We are very happy that Tom accepted the role in our rapidly expanding company and are convinced that his highly relevant experience will be invaluable during the continued growth of the business. We look forward to working with him and the team on this exciting venture. Earlier this year, Century Technology Group announced the combination of Inno-Versity and Th3rd Coast Digital Solutions under the MindSpring brand. Also announced was the relocation of MindSprings headquarters to a recently renovated technology and innovation center in Grand Rapids, MI. The new office space will serve as a showcase for clients and provide additional capacity for their expanding team. About MindSpring MindSpring is an award-winning agency focused on delivering engaging and transformative digital content. They create digital experiences using exceptional creativity, the best of learning science, and innovative technology. Their team works with the top global brands and specializes in eLearning, gamification, blended learning, video, animation, immersive technology, extended reality, and application development. For more information, visit http://www.gomindspring.com. About Century Technology Group Century Technology Group is a family office based in Grand Rapids, MI. The firm partners with proven operating leaders to provide growth capital, administrative resources, and managerial consulting to promising technology-led businesses with strong core products, services, or capabilities. Their portfolio companies also include Talent Strategy, a professional search and recruiting firm, and Mutually Human, a software development firm. For more information, please visit http://www.centurytechgroup.com. Together with Metro Edge, we will reshape the technology profile of the district and offer the local community access to connectivity and career opportunities that will make us competitive with other areas of Chicago. Metro Edge Development Partners, a commercial real estate investment firm and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), announced that the company has executed a 75-year ground lease on a 1.97-acre parcel in the Illinois Medical District (IMD) that includes exclusivity to build and operate a high-performance data center. Metro Edge has begun planning and permitting for a 21 Megawatt (MW), five-story data center comprising approximately 191,000 square feet. The greenfield data center will be located two miles west of the Loop in Chicago in the IMD, which represents the largest concentration of healthcare institutions, biotech hubs, and tech incubators in the state. The IMD is second largest medical district in the country serving over 80,000 visitors daily, including 29,000 employees. Metro Edge was founded with the intention of building data centers in underserved urban locations, said Craig Huffman, CEO of Metro Edge. These infill locations are typically overlooked by traditional institutional owners but offer a unique opportunity to facilitate meaningful change in a community with a thoughtful, integrated development. A healthcare-anchored data center in the IMD can positively impact low-income and medically vulnerable communities on the West Side of Chicago while addressing the urgent need for many of the IMDs anchor healthcare institutions to upgrade their outdated data center infrastructure. The Metro Edge site possesses robust access and low-latency proximity to the utilities, fiber, and power required for a world class data center. The Illinois Medical District offers a unique ecosystem of knowledge, collaboration and resources, plus the opportunity to positively impact the surrounding communities on the West and South Side of the city, said Allyson Hansen, CEO and Executive Director at the IMD. Together with Metro Edge, we will reshape the technology profile of the district and offer the local community access to connectivity and career opportunities that will make us competitive with other areas of Chicago. Metro Edge is currently fielding numerous pre-leasing requests from firms who see the new data center as an opportunity to gain access proximity to healthcare, technology, education, and life science organizations within the IMD and downtown Chicago. ## About Metro Edge Development Partners Metro Edge Development Partners is a Chicago-based commercial real estate investment firm and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). Our mission is to pursue institutional-quality investment opportunities that deliver exceptional results to our financial and community partners. Led by a team with decades of private equity real estate experience, Metro Edge targets data centers, life sciences and technology-oriented developments in primary urban locations around the country. Simply put, we create significant value in areas overlooked by our competitors. To learn more, please visit https://medp.io. Mass timber presents a unique opportunity to turn new buildings into effective carbon sinks. By issuing offsets for the biogenic carbon stored in a mass timber building, we can help accelerate the construction industrys transition to a low-carbon economy. Aureus Earth, the leading provider of carbon offsetting incentive programs for the construction industry, today announced its first transaction that values the long-term biogenic carbon storage in a mass timber building. The transaction was accomplished in partnership with the University of Washington (UW) Foster School of Business, using the newly completed Founders Hall mass timber building as a proof of concept. Aureus Earth offers developers financial incentives to utilize carbon-storing and low-carbon materials, turning buildings into carbon sinks and accelerating the decarbonization of the construction industry. The company has developed a carbon offset protocol for sustainably harvested mass timber that quantifies biogenic carbon stored in the building and issues carbon offsets based on carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The resulting carbon offsets can be sold to help reduce the cost of mass timber construction. Because building construction and modification are subject to documentation and permitting, offsets created on the basis of mass timber construction are easily monitored for episodes of carbon leakage. In addition, offsets are guaranteed by Aureus Earth for 100 years using an assurance fund that protects against early emissions release, making them transparent, long-lived, and superior in quality. As part of their service, Aureus Earth matches building owners with purchasers of high-quality carbon offsets, namely companies with ambitious net-zero or climate-positive carbon emissions goals. Alternatively, building owners may elect to apply the carbon offsets toward their own carbon reduction goals, a practice known as carbon insetting. Decarbonizing the built environment is a crucial component to effectively combating climate change, said Dr. Wil Srubar, co-founder of Aureus Earth. Mass timber presents an opportunity to turn new buildings into effective carbon sinks. By issuing offsets for the biogenic carbon stored in a mass timber building, we are helping developers offset the cost of mass timber construction, thereby accelerating the pace of the construction industrys transition to a low-carbon economy. The University of Washington has a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, with initiatives that extend beyond the enhancement of the environment to also include how it manages facilities and resources. Designed by LMN Architects, Founders Hall is a six-story mass timber building that provides instructional, academic, and administrative space for the business school. At 96,000 square feet, the building will store more than 1,000 tons of CO2 for decades, keeping carbon out of the atmosphere for the lifetime of the building, and likely beyond. Were delighted Founders Hall supports the University of Washingtons Climate Action Plan through decreasing greenhouse gasses, said Frank Hodge, Janet and Orin Smith Dean of the Foster School of Business. Our partnership with Aureus Earth provides a potential framework for other campus capital projects at the UW and for campuses across the country - to incentivize the use of environmentally friendly building materials. Its a demonstration of our commitment to climate leadership via business innovation. The carbon offsets were purchased by stakeholders interested in the decarbonization of the construction industry and gifted back to the University of Washington, where they remain. Total support for the project was $150,000. Global accounting firm Moss Adams provided advisory services on the Aureus Earth transaction process as part of the pilot. Moss Adams is a leader in sustainability services, which encompass ESG goal setting, assurance and reporting. Aureus Earth is currently engaged with more than 15 mass timber building projects in the United States at various stages in the design and construction process. Aureus Earths successful inaugural pilot will help the company scale its programs and accelerate the adoption of carbon-positive building practices. About Aureus Earth Aureus Earth is accelerating decarbonization in the construction industry by reducing the existing green premium between the cost of traditional building materials and low-carbon and carbon-storing alternatives. The company offers a groundbreaking portfolio of financial instruments that incentivizes the use of climate-positive building materials in large-scale commercial, institutional, and residential construction. Together with our industry partners, Aureus Earth creates and monetizes building-based carbon offsets for use in carbon offsetting or carbon insetting programs. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Aureus Earth is led by a multidisciplinary team of experts in engineering, materials science, resource development, and corporate strategy consulting. To learn more, visit https://aureusearth.com About UW Foster School of Business Founded in 1917, the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington Seattle offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees as well as executive education programs. Annual enrollment is approximately 3,500 students and the school has an alumni population of more than 60,000. The Foster School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. For more information, visit https://foster.uw.edu/. About Moss Adams With more than 3,800 professionals across 30-plus locations in the West and beyond, Moss Adams provides the worlds most innovative companies with specialized accounting, consulting and wealth management services to help them embrace emerging opportunities. To learn more, visit: https://mossadams.com Off Grid in Puerto Rico "It is exciting to be working with a company like Iron Edison that seeks to serve the people of Puerto Rico through continued engagement that allows us to best address the needs of our customers. Iron Edison Battery Companys owner has recently returned from the Energie Renouvelable conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The conference was attended by over ten thousand people looking to learn more about residential renewable energy. At the conference, Brandon Williams from Iron Edison was invited on stage to present information about solar and battery system design. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to share my experience in batteries and solar with the people of Puerto Rico. While attending the conference, I met with so many people who were genuinely interested about the benefits of solar and renewable energy. The electric utility in Puerto Rico has significant challenges in consistently serving power to their customers, and a solar battery system is the perfect solution to inconsistent power from the electrical grid. At Iron Edisons home office in Denver, Colorado we have furthered our Spanish language support by hiring Jon Marcantoni as a Technical Support Specialist. Iron Edison views Spanish language support as an integral part of growth on the island nation. Jon Marcantoni from Iron Edison explains, I am originally from Fajardo, PR and I am well-aware of the energy challenges the island has. It is exciting to be working with a company like Iron Edison that seeks to serve the people of Puerto Rico through continued engagement that allows us to best address the needs of our customers. Puerto Rico is particularly well suited for renewable energy projects that incorporate solar and batteries. There was significant damage to the electrical infrastructure following hurricane Maria in 2017. Further, an earthquake in 2020 in the city of Ponce damaged a power plant that was a major generating source for the entire island. Many Puerto Rico residents, especially those in rural areas, are still affected by challenges related to rebuilding the power grid. A solar and battery powered renewable energy system is able to provide consistent electricity to a home throughout the day and night. Unlike a grid-direct solar system, which will power down if the grid is interrupted, a battery-based system can operate completely independent of the electrical grid. With a battery-based inverter, solar power is given priority over external sources. Iron Edison specializes in supplying residential and off-grid batteries along with solar and inverter system design. For most projects, we recommend the advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack that is maintenance free and 48VDC compatible. Since 2019, Iron Edison has been selling batteries on the island and has been working with WEC (Wholesale Electric Caribe) to install and support our systems. Moving forward, we are looking to diversify our presence by increasing relationships with vendors, organizations, and individuals looking to make solar power accessible and affordable to the Puerto Rican people. For more information, contact Iron Edison via email mailto:info@ironedison.com [info@ironedison.com __title__ null] or call 720-432-6433. "Chad brings a wealth of knowledge, workflow capabilities, and office management to BuildMyHealth. His sales acumen, experience, and charisma will provide the escape velocity for our brand's growth at this critical juncture." - Dr. Jonathan Kaplan MD, MPH founder/CEO of BuildMyHealth BuildMyHealth, the developer of the No Surprises Act-compliant price transparency, and lead conversion platform announced the hiring of Chad Sawyer as the brand's first-ever Chief Revenue Officer. Chad, who brings eight years of sales experience within the medical marketing field, previously held national sales executive positions with Crystal Clear Digital Marketing and Patient Now. In those roles, he was responsible for helping hundreds of medical practices integrate the Crystal Clear and Patient Now products into their websites and daily workflow. In his position with BuildMyHealth, Chad will implement the price transparency and lead-generating platform in doctors' offices, medical labs, radiology facilities, ASCs, and hospitals. "Chad brings a wealth of knowledge, workflow capabilities, and office management to BuildMyHealth," said Dr. Jonathan Kaplan, founder/CEO of BuildMyHealth, and a board-certified plastic surgeon. "His sales acumen, experience, and charisma will provide the escape velocity for our brand's growth at this critical juncture. We are very excited to have Chad on board." While at Patient Now, Chad increased customer acquisition, technology adoption, and most importantly, customer retention, as the national sales executive. He also achieved recognition as a faculty member at some of the top medical association meetings in the country during his seven-year career at Crystal Clear Digital Marketing. As an early-stage investor as well as a top sales producer, Chad was rewarded for his efforts through the acquisition of Crystal Clear by two top-tier private equity firms. Dr. Kaplan believes Chad's new role within the company will allow BuildMyHealth to take full advantage of the new pro-transparency movement sweeping across the healthcare industry, including elective, medically necessary services, as well as the aesthetic space. His outreach to all providers and past connections will primarily involve education on the benefits of price transparency from a business perspective and also regulatory compliance standpoint. "With the No Surprises Act, the Federal government is outlawing surprise bills and emphasizing price transparency in urgent and elective aspects of healthcare. The focus of BuildMyHealth has always been price transparency, and now we have a mandate on the Federal level," Dr. Kaplan said. Chad will oversee the sales team and client success division at BuildMyHealth. In addition, he will attend major aesthetic and medical conferences, primarily as a speaker, rather than an exhibitor. "There were two things that intrigued me about this opportunity: selling a product that had the support of Federal law and Dr. Kaplan's encouragement to speak more on topics of practice management and regulatory compliance. I'm so happy to be here and a part of a great brand," Chad said. Chad graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2018 with a bachelors degree in Business Administration and Marketing. He is skilled in medical software, CRM, sales, and online marketing. ABOUT BUILDMYHEALTH: BuildMyHealth is a price transparency and lead conversion platform that allows consumers to check pricing from all types of providers, including doctors, outpatient lab and radiology facilities, surgery centers, and hospitals. By embedding the BuildMyHealth patented Price Estimator and chatbot on a providers website, the consumer can get a quote after entering their procedure or service of interest, along with their contact information. This provides the consumer with an instant total cost-of-care quote and the provider with the consumers contact info for follow-up and navigation through the healthcare process. The platform can also be used by providers to create No Surprises Act-compliant quotes and Good Faith Estimates. To learn more about BuildMyHealth's price transparency platform, visit http://www.buildmyhealth.co/physicians, or to learn more about the No Surprises Act, visit NoSurprisesAct.com AI-powered intelligence for Finance transformation Banking Labs Inc., an AI-powered financial intelligence company, announced today that it has joined the partner program at Anaplan, Inc., provider of a market-leading, cloud-native platform for data-driven planning and decision making. Together, Banking Labs and Anaplan can help Financial Institutions enhance business planning for stronger execution in sales, operations, and finance using advanced scenario modeling capabilities, data-driven insights, and intelligence-enabled solutions. With deep banking knowledge, exceptional data capabilities, cloud engineering, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning technologies, this strategic partnership will enable Banking Labs to bring best-in-class implementations of the Anaplan platform to the financial services industry in North America. By adopting Anaplans connected planning platform, Banks will be positioned to help clients better align their financial, sales, and operational realities with their long-term goals and priorities. Together, Banking Labs and Anaplan will help customers increase efficiency by optimizing planning, budgeting, and forecasting for greater accuracy and agility. Dr Ravi Gedela, CEO of Banking Labs stated: This is a strategic partnership with Anaplan which further strengthens our Finance transformation capabilities to offer sustainable and value-creation solutions to Canadian customers. In our view, Anaplans use of integrated AI and Machine Learning in product suite is revolutionary, and we are delighted to join their growing partner ecosystem. COVID-19 is fading away, but disintegration in supply chain, disturbance in the financial sector, and general market uncertainty will continue to compound as global stagflation worsens. As an Anaplan partner, we can deliver even more value to our clients during this dynamic time by combining Anaplans market-leading platform for forecasting, planning, and budgeting, with Banking Labs deep expertise in banking, S&OP, Supply Chain Planning, predictive and FinTech solutions. We look forward to helping our customers extend their financial planning and analysis (FP&A) implementations to support sales and other operational processes (S&OP), drive growth, and uncover new market opportunity. About Banking Labs Banking Labs, AI powered a financial intelligence company, offers innovative products and strategy and advisory services in banking domain and technologies. Our strategic partnerships with our clients allow us to produce business outcomes that automate, accelerate and derisk real-time financial transactions using our platform and strategic consulting. Banking Labs is actively engaged by CXO offices in the areas finance transformation, regulatory & compliance, Payments, channels, fraud, and risk management. To learn more, visit http://www.bankinglabs.com About Anaplan Anaplan is a transformative way to see, plan, and run your business. Using our proprietary Hyperblock technology, Anaplan lets you contextualize real-time performance, and forecast future outcomes for faster, confident decisions. Anaplan enables connected strategy and planning across your enterprise to move your business forward. Based in San Francisco, Anaplan has over 200 partners and more than 2,000 customers worldwide. To learn more, visit http://www.anaplan.com. Krenar Komoni, Tive CEO & Founder, says "We are excited to partner with FreightPOP to add another option of collaboration and operational efficiency for supply chain professionals that helps ensure customers receive the highest service levels. Leading in-transit visibility provider Tive and logistics management and freight tracking company FreightPOP have partnered to deliver an even more streamlined shipping experience for manufacturers, distributors, 3PLs, and logistics service partners. The two solutions combine to reduce friction by connecting traditionally-disparate systems for an optimized, end-to-end view of supply chain operations. Built by shippers for shippers, FreightPOP connects to existing business systems to make logistics planning, execution, and analysis workflows faster than ever before. Their one-click logistics model is the most innovative digital supply chain hub for high-volume shippers. FreightPOP helps customers meet their business goals by getting shipments where they need to go, on time, in full, and at the least possible cost. FreightPOP uses data from order systems to shop for carrier rates, configure shipping, and print documents, BOLs, and labels in one system that integrates with existing hardware and software. Customers can optimize shipping at the box, pallet, truck, and route level while tracking all inbound and outbound shipments, including 3PL/4PL and multi-leg shipments. And with FreightPOP's robust auditing tools, customers can analyze and report on shipping processes to identify and eliminate the root causes of extra charges and negotiate more confidently with carriers. Tives real-time, in-transit visibility solutions deliver hyper-accurate location, condition, and 24/7 live monitoring services that enable customers to track shipment status at all times. By combining data from Tives visibility solution via API into FreightPOPs smart supply chain hub, this partnership gives logistics professionals the powerful tools needed to deliver end-to-end visibility and collaboration. Tives team of logistics experts are available to augment customer success teams, helping exceed customer expectations. We put enterprise-level shipping tools in the hands of small to medium-size businesses at a cost they can afford, says Kurt Johnson, FreightPOP CEO & Co-founder. "Our solutions have always been aimed at simplifying and reducing the cost of shipping, which we will continually evaluate and improve upon. "In todays ever-changing and dynamic environment, it is nearly impossible to ensure that goods will arrive on time and in fullwithout the highest levels of visibility, says " Krenar Komoni, Tive CEO & Founder. "All parties benefit from transparency, and visibilityinfluencing stakeholders' ability to intervene and save shipments. We are excited to partner with FreightPOP to add another option of collaboration and operational efficiency for supply chain professionals that helps ensure customers receive the highest service levels. About FreightPOP Built on more than two decades of shipping & logistics experience, FreightPOP is a cloud-based software that makes logistics simple with one login for all transportation management, including inbound and outbound freight management across parcel, LTL, FTL, ocean, and international air. FreightPOP offers seamless integration into customers' tech stacks (ERP, WMS, CRM) and is highly configurable to existing workflows and processes. With connections to 300+ carriers, ERP, WMS, and rate marketplaces, getting the best rates and optimizing shipping processes is easily achieved. FreightPOP's value to shippers in receiving, updating, and tracking orders from external applications is continually highlighted in their Capterra reviews. To find out more, visit freightpop.com. About Tive Tive is a leading provider of real-time supply chain visibility insights that help logistics professionals actively manage their in-transit shipments' location and condition. Tive helps shippers and logistics service providers (LSP) eliminate preventable delays, damage, and shipment failures. Tive's solution provides data generated by its industry-leading trackers allowing clients to actively optimize their shipments, improve their customers' experience, and unlock supply chain insights in an actionable real-time manner. For more information, visit http://www.tive.com. Coast Appliances new showroom in Mississauga, ON Coast Appliances is proud to announce the opening of its 19th store, located in Mississaugas Heartland Town Centre at 5985 Rodeo Drive. Coast Appliances is proud to announce the opening of its 19th store, located in Mississaugas Heartland Town Centre at 5985 Rodeo Drive. The home appliance company has been helping Canadians shop for major home appliances at unbeatable prices for more than 40 years and has 18 other locations across Canada. The store in Mississauga is the 4th in Ontario, with other locations in Vaughan, Burlington, and Brampton. The large new store boasts 14 displays showcasing the latest innovations in home appliances by brands like LG, Samsung, Miele, Whirlpool, Fisher & Paykel, Bosch, KitchenAid, and more, while providing customers with additional options from more than 50 top brands. The impressive selection of ranges, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and smaller appliances allows customers to choose from a multitude of high-quality appliances at competitive prices. Tony Karaiwanoff, the store manager of the Mississauga store, leads a team of appliance experts committed to providing exceptional customer service to customers in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. To celebrate the opening of the new store, Coast Appliances is hosting a nationwide Grand Opening event, offering unbeatable prices on major home appliance brands. Visit the new Mississauga store at 5985 Rodeo Drive, or head to the website http://www.coastappliances.ca for details. Our goal as a cloud native MQTT broker is to give customers a reliable and scalable solution they can use to deploy business critical IoT systems. HiveMQ, a global leader in enterprise MQTT solutions, today announced the availability of the HiveMQ Enterprise Extension for Google Cloud Pub/Sub, a new feature that seamlessly integrates MQTT data into Google Cloud. Organizations can now benefit from HiveMQs flexible, standards-based platform to send IoT data reliably and securely to Google Cloud enterprise services such as monitoring, advanced analytics and machine learning. Our goal as a cloud native MQTT broker is to give customers a reliable and scalable solution they can use to deploy business critical IoT systems, said Christian Gotz, CEO and Co-founder of HiveMQ. We now provide the tight integration of IoT data with Google Cloud so customers can more easily adopt Google services like AI and machine learning and derive insights from their data. Google recently announced plans to retire Google IoT Core, leaving customers with less than a year to migrate their IoT applications to a new service. HiveMQ can replace IoT Cores MQTT data ingestion service to connect MQTT clients using HiveMQs MQTT broker and then map the MQTT message into Google Pub/Sub. With HiveMQ, customers can continue to benefit from advanced Google Cloud services while keeping their ecosystem agile with an open standards-based architecture, added Gotz. Were not only making MQTT data ingestion without Google IoT Core easy, were also helping customers create a more open architecture that can adapt to evolving IoT technologies and support a multi-cloud environment. The HiveMQ Enterprise Extension for Google Cloud Pub/Sub offers the following capabilities: Authenticate data using Google Cloud service accounts or WIF tokens, and integrate multiple Google Cloud projects Seamlessly transfer data between Google Cloud Pub/Sub and the HiveMQ broker with MQTT to Google Pub/Sub topic mapping Aggregate and distribute messages between the HiveMQ broker and Google Pub/Sub on a per-message basis Convert MQTT user properties to Pub/Sub attributes and vice-versa using a powerful configuration framework to seamlessly retain data between the HiveMQ broker and Google Cloud Automatically add MQTT-specific flags such as QoS and retained message to Pub/Sub messages ingested from Google Cloud Utilize a powerful transformer pipeline to perform additional manipulation of messages in either direction at runtime HiveMQ 4.9 includes the Enterprise Extension for Google Cloud Pub/Sub, available now for customer preview with general release at the end of September. For more information visit https://www.hivemq.com/blog/gcp_pubsub_rc1/. About HiveMQ HiveMQ helps companies connect devices to the Internet. Our HiveMQ MQTT platform makes it possible to move data from device to cloud in a secure, reliable and scalable manner. Over 130 customers, including many Fortune 500 companies, rely on HiveMQ in production for mission critical use cases like connected cars, transportation, logistics, Industry 4.0 and connected IoT products. Visit hivemq.com for more details. We are proud to acknowledge our own women supply chain leaders at SGS Maine Pointe, and it came as no surprise that Dorothea Grimes-Farrow received not just one, but two separate recognitions this month for her outstanding work and status as a supply chain and consulting leader Global supply chain and operations implementation consulting firm, SGS Maine Pointe, a member of the SGS Group, is pleased to announce that Senior Consultant Dorothea Grimes-Farrow has received two high-profile awards this month. Grimes-Farrow was named by Supply & Demand Chain Executive as a recipient of its 2022 Women in Supply Chain award, and also by Consulting Magazine as one of their Women Leaders in Consulting for 2022 in the category of Excellence in Client Service. We are proud to acknowledge our own women supply chain leaders at SGS Maine Pointe, and it came as no surprise that Dorothea received not just one, but two separate recognitions this month for her outstanding work and status as a supply chain and consulting leader, said Jeff Staub, SGS Maine Pointes CEO. Her accomplishments are often acknowledged by our clients as well, who appreciate the lasting value she brings to their organizations. Dorothea embodies the very ethos of SGS Maine Pointe, as well as the accomplishments and advancement of women in our field. As an honoree from Supply & Demand Chain Executives 2022 Women in Supply Chain award program, Grimes-Farrow is recognized alongside other female supply chain leaders who have illustrated excellence in helping clients meet many of the unique challenges of todays supply chain. The Women Leaders in Consulting Award from Consulting Magazine honors Grimes-Farrow for her deep knowledge and consulting expertise, strong results with measurable return on investment to clients, and achieving outstanding results in complex and challenging circumstances. It is such an honor to receive these two high-profile awards, said Grimes-Farrow. These recognitions also reflect on the mentorship and guidance of SGS-Maine Pointe, and the firms outstanding framework for success. The Total Value Optimization methodology has proven an essential component in helping me deliver consistently excellent results for my clients, and help guide them through even the most challenging of supply chain circumstances. The Supply & Demand Chain Executive 3rd Annual Women in Supply Chain Award includes many supply chain leaders and executives from across the supply chain community. Grimes-Farrow's acknowledgment from Consulting Magazines Women Leaders in Consulting for 2022 in the category of Excellence in Client Service will include an awards gala to be held in New York City on November 3, and a thought leadership program called The Consulting Collective. Grimes-Farrow is distinguished by her supply chain operations expertise, strong business acumen, product development knowledge and effective change management, and her ability to deliver sustainable results. In one example, she was able to take an organization which had been late to market 50 percent of the time, to seeing a 200% improvement in time-to-market while releasing cash for new product investments. In another example of client success, she took an organization which suffered from siloed functional operations and continuous churn in purchasing, logistics, and delivery schedules, and overcame challenges to exercise consensus decision making, achieve forecast and supply balance, and increased the reliability of demand forecasts. Much of my success, beyond being driven by my expertise and background, comes from authentically listening to my clients and colleagues, said Grimes-Farrow. Experience, filtered through the lens of a female leader, can also offer new perspectives. And finally, data is always your friend when analyzing complex problems and finding solutions. I am pleased to be acknowledged with these awards, and look forward to continuing to serve the needs of my clients at SGS Maine Pointe. About SGS Maine Pointe SGS Maine Pointe, a member of the SGS Group, is a global supply chain and operations consulting firm trusted by many chief executives and private equity firms to drive compelling economic returns for their companies. We achieve this by delivering accelerated, sustainable improvements in EBITDA, cash and growth across their operations, procurement and logistics. Our hands-on implementation experts work with executives and their teams to rapidly break through functional silos and transform the buy-make-move-fulfill supply chain to deliver the greatest value to customers and investors at the lowest cost and risk to business. We call this Total Value Optimization (TVO). SGS Maine Pointes engagements are results-driven and deliver between 4:1-8:1 ROI. We are so confident in our work and our processes that we provide a unique 100% guarantee of engagement fees based on annualized savings. https://www.mainepointe.com/ About SGS We are SGS the worlds leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 96,000 employees operate a network of 2,700 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world. SGS has been delivering ESG and sustainability solutions and services to clients for the past 25 years and has been a carbon neutral company for the past seven years. We scored these brokerages utilizing sophisticated, industry-first algorithms, and we applaud the winners demonstrated commitment to service, quality, and positive employer feedback. Mployer Advisor, the leading independent platform for employers to research, review, and evaluate insurance brokers is pleased to announce the winners of its Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mployer Advisor has named more than 600 winners in over 50 regions as part of its second annual 2022 awards. The class of 2022 winners account for less than 5% of all brokerages nationwide. Mployer Advisors Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards Program evaluates brokerages based on the breadth and depth of their experience across employer industries, sizes, insurance products, and employer reviews. We recognize esteemed brokers that demonstrate market-leading competencies and a proven track record of success among employers, insurance providers, and peers. The team at Mployer Advisor is proud to honor this group of top insurance consultants as part of the 2022 class for our second annual Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards, said Brian Freeman, the Founder and CEO of Mployer Advisor. Employer-sponsored healthcare and benefits cover over 150M Americans. Who an employer selects as their benefits advisor has more impact on cost and quality than who they choose as the insurance carrier. We scored these brokerages utilizing sophisticated, industry-first algorithms, and we applaud the winners demonstrated commitment to service, quality, and positive employer feedback. Mployer Advisor determined the winners of the second annual Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards by analyzing each brokerage based on historical data, online reviews, their M Score rating, and demonstrated business experience. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania job market is one of the most competitive in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region, employing over 683,000 people. Offering competitive employee benefits is a critical factor in hiring top talent for the regions employers. Finding and partnering with a highly rated insurance consultant is imperative to retaining talent in any market. The recipients of the 2022 Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are as follows: The above winners are a snapshot of Mployer Advisors matrices and proprietary M Score on June 1, 2022. To view a full list of consultants in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, visit MployerAdvisor.com. To view a complete list of the 2022 recipients of Mployer Advisors Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards, visit https://mployeradvisor.com/best-insurance-brokers. About Mployer Advisor: Mployer Advisor is changing the way employers search, evaluate, and select insurance advisors. The intuitive platform connects employers and employees to great benefits and insurance plans by providing employers with actionable data to easily evaluate and select the best advisor for a companys specific needs. Most brokerages have a profile on Mployer Advisor, which provides independent ratings of insurance advisors to support employers. Insurance brokers cannot pay to influence their Mployer Advisor rating. Only highly rated brokerages are allowed to advertise on the platform. To learn more about Mployer Advisor, visit https://mployeradvisor.com and follow us on LinkedIn. Disclaimer: Rankings are dynamic, and this report may not reflect the rankings currently listed on Mployer Advisors website. Because Mployer Advisors research is ongoing, interested companies that want to join next years list are encouraged to claim their free profile on Mployer Advisor. Media Contact: Abbey Dean (Director of Content) Abbey.dean@mployeradvisor.com ### Downtown Denver Partnership's President and CEO, Kourtny Garrett, addresses the audience at Denver Startup Week's kickoff event on September 19, 2022. "Funders don't question my decision because Colorado is at the top of the list as one of the most innovative and interesting states for entrepreneurs, VCs, and talent," says Lee Mayer, CEO and Founder of Havenly. Denver Startup Week kicked off its 11th annual weeklong event and a celebration of everything entrepreneurial in Colorado and beyond with a press conference featuring some of Colorado's most successful CEOs from high-growth companies including Havenly, Sondermind, Dispatch Health, Velocity Global, and AgentSync. The press conference started with an announcement from Governor Jared Polis, where in true Colorado pioneering fashion, the Governor announced that Colorado is the first state to accept cryptocurrency for tax payments, highlighting the state's commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation. Each year, in preparation for Denver Startup Week, the Downtown Denver Partnership releases its annual Startup Report, which provides a snapshot of Denver's current entrepreneurial ecosystem. This year's report showcases the growing opportunities for employers and job seekers, as Denver consistently ranks among the top cities in the US to start and grow a business. The report found that Denver funding soared to an all-time high of $1.9 billion in Q2 of 2022, totaling $6.7 billion of investment in 2021 and 2022. Denver Continues to be a growing hub for tech talent, with over 117,000 employees in 2021. Ranking 7th in the fastest-growing large labor markets in the U.S, Denver continues to attract young professionals in the tech industry. Prior to Denver Startup Weeks kickoff event, CEO and Founder of Havenly, Lee Mayer, joined by other "unicorn" CEOs at the front of the room, discussed with reporters how influential the startup culture in Colorado is and why they each chose Colorado to grow their businesses. Mayer remarked that in 2015 when she was raising her initial seed fund, she had not only to sell her company but also sell Colorado as Havenly's headquarters. "Now, funders and people don't question my decision because Colorado is at the top of the list as one of the most innovative and interesting states for entrepreneurs, VCs, and talent. People want to be here, including talent seeking a work-life balance that doesn't exist in other places. In addition, it is a strong community of people who care about each other and are mission forward," says Mayer. Jenn Knight, CTO of AgentSync, and her husband and co-Founder, Niji Sabharwal, moved their company from San Francisco in 2020. They saw Colorado's tremendous opportunity and talent beyond what the Bay Area could offer them. "During the pandemic, people stopped asking "Why Denver?" and instead "How is Denver? When considering scaling the company, we were passionate about keeping the whole team together, with Product, Engineering, Sales, Support, and Marketing working side-by-side. Denvers incredibly strong talent-pool made that dream possible and was not something we could have achieved in San Francisco. A major part of moving to Denver was about encouraging a diversity of background and building a deeply collaborative team from day one," says Knight. The largest free event of its kind, the 11th annual Denver Startup Week will welcome thousands of small business owners and entrepreneurs from around the globe to celebrate everything entrepreneurial until Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. The weeklong event unites the entrepreneurial community with educational sessions, presentations, panels, workshops, happy hours, a job fair, and more. "Supporting Denver Startup Week and sharing in the innovation and encouragement of incredible entrepreneurs and small business leaders throughout the region is at the core of Amazon's foundation. In Colorado alone, tens of thousands of small and medium business sellers grow their businesses daily with Amazon. This week we're excited to share many of their stories and other Amazon programs and accelerators that propel startups and entrepreneurs throughout the nation," says Brittany Morris Saunders, Amazon's Head of Community Affairs. Denver Startup Week's Presenting Sponsor is Amazon, and Title Sponsors include Capital One Cafe, Dell for Startups, and the Downtown Denver Partnership. For more information on Denver Startup Week, including headline events, registration, scheduling, and programming tracks, please visit https://www.denverstartupweek.org. #### About Denver Startup Week Denver Startup Week is a celebration of everything entrepreneurial in Denver and the largest free event of its kind. In 2021, the tenth annual event brought over 10,000 people together with over 200 programs and events to celebrate Denver's thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and build the center city's culture of innovation. The weeklong event unites the entrepreneurial community in Denver and beyond and celebrates great companies, innovations, ideas, and people. It includes sessions, presentations, panels, workshops, happy hours, celebratory events, job fairs, and more. The community and DSW's Organizing Committee organize events throughout the week. About the Downtown Denver Partnership For over 60 years, the Downtown Denver Partnership has convened, collaborated, and led a bold vision to build an economically powerful center city for the benefit of all. With a bias for action, we invest for tomorrow and execute for today, converging the right people at the right time to make an IMPACT. Guided by the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, we are a fast-moving, forward-thinking, non-profit business organization with the foundational belief that every day is our chance to improve the city. Together with our more than 700 Member organizations, we are the leading voice for private sector businesses in Downtown Denver. Salesforce estimates that 91% of CRM data is incomplete and 70% of that data becomes inaccurate annually Today, Loxo announced a patent-pending solution which allows organizations to enrich incomplete contact records and continuously keep their talent database up to date without any human involvement. Loxo is the #1 Talent Intelligence Platform and global leader in recruiting software. A Talent Intelligence Platform is a horizontally integrated suite of data-driven and AI-powered products designed to manage the full recruitment life cycle through a single system-of-record software platform. Loxo's Talent Intelligence Platform employs a patent-pending novel approach which utilizes Loxos proprietary products working together in one system to offer matchless capabilities. The Talent Intelligence Platform includes: Applicant Tracking System (Loxo ATS) Recruiting CRM (Loxo Recruiting CRM) Loxo Outreach - Outbound Recruiting ("Candidate Engagement") Loxo Source a People Search Engine of over 750M professionals and 25M+ organizations Loxo Connect Personal and work contact information People and Business Data (Contact Information, Social Profiles, websites, metadata) Loxo AI - Instant talent pipeline ranked by best match from Loxo Source, past applicants, talent community, or the talent pipeline of the top 20% of candidates who are being nurtured over long periods of time Loxo Knowledge Graph Loxo's Knowledge Graph is a self-learning system that makes connections and representation to other pieces of information across hundreds of billions of data points. This state-of-the-art artificial intelligence system allows Loxo to bridge connections, even with very limited amounts of information available on a given person or organization, thereby creating a more rich holistic professional profile that is continuously evolving. The novel approach utilizes all of Loxos proprietary products that are all native and horizontally integrated. Not only does the solution self-refresh, but it also cleans and repairs inaccurate data while also continuously expanding the people search engine. Loxo offers the only automatically updating recruiting software Applicant Tracking System / Recruiting CRM / Talent Intelligence Platform in the marketplace and will continue to be as the patent is pending, providing their customers with an extraordinary competitive advantage. The value for Loxo's Talent Intelligence Platform compounds for customers over time as they build their own private talent database which will drive record breaking recruitment performance. The larger the recruitment organization the greater the business ROI becomes. This is the holy grail for recruitment software and is why Loxo invested ten years bringing their vision to the market and went to such great lengths to get this patented. If a customer has access to this new service, as soon as they add a new contact into their talent database the record runs through Loxos ID verification system to detect and verify a match. If a match is found, machine learning then weights and scores billions of data points across hundreds of data sources in real-time, which allows the AI-driven system to dynamically decide on which data sources to use for each attribute that is either missing or is no longer accurate. That professional record is instantly enriched, cleaned and made accurate. For example, if there is a bad work email that is no longer active, it is automatically cleaned and removed to avoid bounce rates and damaging email deliverability. If there are missing attributes that Loxo has available, Loxo enriches the missing attributes. From that point forever thereafter, that record will then continuously be kept up to date as information changes. All of this happens completely on autopilot without any human involvement required. One of the biggest challenges a professional recruiting organization faces is attempting to keep their talent database up to date . Every 6 months 30-50% of their internal database becomes out of date. In fact, Salesforce estimates that 91% of CRM data is incomplete and 70% of that data becomes inaccurate annually. From a recruiting perspective as soon as an applicant applies or a candidate is added into an Applicant Tracking System, Recruiting CRM or Candidate Engagement solution that contact record starts to deteriorate. People receive internal promotions to new roles and change jobs dozens of times throughout their career. On average a person changes jobs 12 times in their lifetime, and that was before the Great Resignation and remote work exploded. Changing trends in the workforce suggest this will not reverse course any time soon. This makes keeping the information in an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), Recruiting CRM, or Candidate Engagement Solution up to date virtually impossible if it is required to be done manually. Despite those incredible challenges, the breadth and quality of the talent database and pipeline of talent is the single most important ingredient in the recruitment value chain. This is where organizations of all sizes are investing the majority of their time and capital. Candidates in the talent pipeline are the human capital "inventory" which recruiters have to move across the workflow conveyor belt in order to deliver the most qualified candidate to hiring managers as efficiently as possible. This means that data is the lifeblood and competitive differentiator for professional recruiting organizations and talent acquisition teams within large enterprise organizations. Without good accurate data, there is no talent intelligence. There is no recruitment automation. There is no just-in-time recruiting, which is all based around identifying the very best possible matches for a given role and organization at that exact moment in time. Professional recruiting organizations and talent acquisition teams are being asked to deliver talent faster and more cost effectively than ever before in a candidate driven marketplace, yet still find time to focus on more strategic efforts like DE&I, all while being pushed to maintain quality of hire. Recruiting organizations and talent acquisition leaders used to have to say meeting those objectives was impossible. Now, not only is it possible, but it is inevitable. About Loxo is the #1 Talent Intelligence Platform and global leader in recruiting software. Loxo is a horizontally integrated suite of data-driven and AI-powered products designed to manage the full recruitment life cycle through a single system-of-record software platform. The platform includes a best-in-class ATS, an AI-driven Recruiting CRM, talent search engine of over 750 million people, with contact information including verified mobile phone, personal and work emails. The instant AI sourcing, ranking and matching, and multi-channel outbound recruiting solution makes identifying, engaging and hiring the very best possible talent easier than ever before. More than 13,200 Executive Search, RPO, professional recruitment and talent acquisition teams across the globe are using Loxo to become hiring machines. Learn more at https://loxo.co/ S45 Baalam UAV Hydra unmanned I.S.R. solutions are a perfect match for requirements of capable and proven unmanned systems to the African Defense and security market. As part of this years exhibition in South Africa, the S45 Baalam unmanned aerial system, with its weaponized version and its traditional intelligence surveillance reconnaissance and targeting solutions, is part of the Hydra offer to the defense and security market in this important region. As a novelty, Hydra is also offering synthetic aperture radar (SAR) solutions on its platforms for special operations and coastal security and naval ISR. The S45 is a dual-engine, 70 mile or 120 km line of sight range tactical system with an operational ceiling of 17,000 feet and 12 hours of effective mission time. It is equipped with state-of-the-art gimbal camera systems that include medium wave infrared and visual spectrum high-definition sensors with up to 130X zoom. The S45 also offers multiple solutions to support ground forces through advanced on-board radio repeater systems and state of the art remote video terminals. The S-45 Baalam is part of Hydras reliable twin engine UAS family which include the S50 (16-hour endurance), the S55 ARES (22-hour endurance) and the G3 (STOL single engine 10-hour endurance). These systems have been deployed with success since 2016 to different military, national security, and law enforcement end users, achieving the highest indexes of reliability in the market. Hydra unmanned I.S.R. solutions are a perfect match for requirements of capable and proven unmanned systems to the African Defense and security market, said Ivan Vazquez, Hydra Marketing Executive for Africa at AAD. Hydra offers the African market competitive and proven world class ISTAR capabilities and also offers a complete ISR services catalogue in a contractor owned contractor operated mode for fast and proficient unmanned systems deployment, available to security forces in this important region of the world Hydra is also presenting new state of the art capabilities such as the HUUL-1, a loitering munition capable of deployment from the S45 and other UAS, as well as a ground-to-ground versions. Standing out is also the M40 Bluefish, an unmanned decoy drone/attack drone. Hydras presence in South Africa reflects the companys commitment in offering different defense markets with proven solutions and a strong experience record with more than 150,000 flight hours and a 15-year track record in the unmanned aerial systems industry. The mission of the AADI is very important to me as I recognize the importance of improving access to health care in our communities and advancing science to improve quality of life, and I am honored to serve as co-chair of this event, Ms. Yee said. CSOFT Health Sciences, leaders in medical translations, are pleased to announce a successful gathering for the 17th annual A Taste of Ginger on September 19th with CSOFT founder and CEO Shunee Yee as event Co-Chair, marking the events first return to in-person gathering following the pandemic. Hosted by Harvard Universitys Joslin Diabetes Center and the Asian American Diabetes Initiative (AADI), A Taste of Ginger is a culinary fundraising event dedicated to addressing the disproportionate impact of diabetes among Asian American demographics. Following two years that limited the event to remote attendance, this years gathering took place at the Cyclorama of the Boston Center for the Arts, featuring offerings from top Boston restaurants amid talks from Dr. George King, MD and the AADIs leadership committee, as well as remarks from Bostons Mayor, Michelle Wu. The mission of the AADI is very important to me as I recognize the importance of improving access to health care in our communities and advancing science to improve quality of life, and I am honored to serve as co-chair of this event. By making sure diverse community voices are incorporated into healthcare discussions, the AADI is improving outcomes for Asian American patients with diabetes, Ms. Yee said. A Taste of Ginger is an important opportunity to focus for the underrepresentation of Asian Americans in clinical trials for conditions that disproportionately affect this demographic. After adapting to surviving the pandemic, it is great and comforting to see this important event gathering in person once again, Dr. King said. Founded in 2000 to address disparities in health research, the AADIs mission has gained critical focus during the pandemic amid heightened health risks for individuals living with diabetes. As a patient-centric communication partner to Joslin Diabetes Center and sponsor of A Taste of Ginger, CSOFT has extended its resources throughout the pandemic to deliver crucial diabetes management information to patients accessing support across languages. Headquartered in Bostons Back Bay, CSOFT Health Sciences provides end-to-end medical translation services for all phases of the product lifecycle, from pre-clinical to post-launch, as well as specializing in market access consulting, medical writing, and CTD/eCTD submissions with the FDA, EMA, and NMPA. CSOFTs operations are certified in ISO 17100:2015, ISO 9001:2015, and ISO 13485:2016, ensuring customized solutions meet the rigorous regulatory requirements of global submissions. Providing our investors with access to potential secondary market liquidity in an historically illiquid asset is a game-changer Continuing their push to employ blockchain technology to reduce inefficiencies in traditional finance, Alpha Innovations and global financial service provider Apex Group today announced their collaboration supporting the launch of a tokenized fine art fund, Strada Digital Masterpieces. Its corresponding master fund (collectively, the Fund) has also been launched on the fund platform of DigitalArray, Alpha Innovations affiliate company. The Fund is advised by Artory/Winston, a joint venture between Winston Art Group, the leading independent art advisory and appraisal firm, and Artory, an art and technology firm led by the previous Vice Chairman of Sothebys. DigitalArrays turnkey fund and governance solution and Apex Groups ongoing fund administration services were selected by the Artory/Winston team to provide the institutional-quality infrastructure required for the Fund offering. The Fund will allow investors to obtain exposure to a carefully curated portfolio of physical artworks, constructed to provide both stability of investment as well as exposure to the strong upside potential of the fine art market. Credibility and expertise from our decades of experience are at the heart of Artory/Winstons work in the art market, says Elizabeth von Habsburg, Managing Director of Winston Art Group. Nanne Dekking, founder and CEO of Artory agrees, "Our partnership with Alpha Innovations and Apex Group has allowed us to further realize our mission by providing the quality infrastructure and market leadership needed to create this robust, first-of-its-kind art fund. Winston Art Group will lead the sourcing and diligence on the artwork considered and purchased for the Fund. Artorys technology will be used to capture the artworks due diligence data on the blockchain, providing investors with the confidence of investing in artworks with immutable records, verified provenance, and digital certification. Investors can purchase interests via either the traditional share structure of the master fund, or tokens representing ownership interests of the feeder fund. Today marks a milestone in Artory/Winstons mission to expand the art market, make it more accessible, and offer investors a smarter diversification strategy for investing in this opportune asset class, said Nanne Dekking, Founder and CEO of Artory. We bring the art expertise, market access, technology, and credibility to the art investment process that simply was not present until now. Winstons selection of artworks and the reliability that comes with Artorys blockchain-secured digital certificate aims to instill investor confidence in our strategy not just today, but for many years to come. Our motivation for partnering with Winston and Artory was the impeccable pedigree and exceptional sourcing capability of their respective teams, said Lawrence Newhook, President and CEO of Alpha Innovations. Providing our investors with access to potential secondary market liquidity in an historically illiquid asset is a game-changer, he continued. Bruce Jackson, Chief of Digital Asset Funds and Business at Apex Group, explained: The greatest impediment to widespread adoption of digital assets is a lack of quality tokenized products supported by institutional-quality infrastructure. Apex Group provides robust, scalable and flexible fund administration services to over $3 trillion of assets globally, and this appointment is yet further evidence of our innovative architecture enabling us to support managers who are pioneering new structures in this fast-evolving area of financial services. The launch of the Artory/Winston fund marks an important addition to the small number of quality investment products available in tokenized form, and we are pleased to support them in this effort. The Artory/Winston art fund is a diversified portfolio of investment-grade fine artworks by blue chip, mid-career and emerging artists. The investment strategy provides the stability of the blue chip art market with the high potential for returns generated by mid-career and emerging artists. Elizabeth von Habsburg, Founder and Managing Director of Winston Art Group added: The top performing artists have outpaced the S&P500 for over twenty years, with art widely regarded as a stable and resilient global market. But not every artwork retains value. It takes experienced advisors to understand which artworks have the highest potential to excel. We capture that potential by combining Winstons decades of due diligence experience, trusted appraisal process and depth of access to artworks with Artorys technology, digital certification, and art market experience. Further information about the Fund can be found on Alpha Innovations fund marketplace at https://app.aistrategies.io. About Apex Group Apex Group Ltd., established in Bermuda in 2003, is a global financial services provider. With over 80 offices in 40 countries worldwide and more than 10,000 employees upon the close of announced acquisitions, Apex Group delivers an expansive range of services to asset managers, financial institutions, private clients and family offices. The Group has continually improved and evolved its capabilities to offer a single-source solution through establishing the broadest range of services in the industry; including fund services, digital onboarding and bank accounts, depositary, custody, super ManCo services, corporate services including HR and Payroll and a pioneering ESG Ratings and Advisory solution. Apex Groups purpose is to be more than just a financial services provider and is committed to driving positive change to address three core areas; the Environment and Climate Change, Womens Empowerment and Economic Independence, Education and Social Mobility. About Alpha Innovations International Alpha Innovations International ISAC Ltd. (AI) is a global asset management firm engineered to provide institutional and ultra high net worth investors access to diverse sources of alpha from traditional and digital asset markets. The core team consists of talent from blue chip firms across the investment industry, including Goldman Sachs and Point72 Asset Management. AI and subsidiaries including DigitalArray ISAC Ltd. and AI Global Strategies ISA are headquartered in Bermuda. AI and DigitalArray ISAC Ltd. do not conduct 'digital asset business activities' as such term is defined under Bermuda's Digital Asset Business Act 2018 ("DABA") that would require them to be licensed under DABA and have therefore not applied for and are not licensed under DABA. For more information, visit https://AIStrategies.io and https://DigitalArray.io. About Artory/Winston Artory/Winston creates unique investment opportunities by sourcing the finest artworks with the greatest potential to grow in value and generate real returns. Combining Artorys industry-leading art registry technology with Winston Art Groups deep market expertise and broad access to the primary market, secondary market, and private sources around the world enables its experts to identify the right opportunities, determine valuation and verify provenance. Artory/Winston then provides a diversified set of investment vehicles that come with digital certification on the blockchain with the flexibility and liquidity of fractionalized ownership. For more information, please visit http://Artory-Winston.com, https://www.Artory.com, and http://WinstonArtGroup.com. The Kingdom Leaders Principles of Prayer: 54 Imparting Principles of A Kingdom Prayer Life: a helpful resource for those looking to deepen their understanding of prayer. The Kingdom Leaders Principles of Prayer: 54 Imparting Principles of A Kingdom Prayer Life is the creation of published author Anthony Fliggins, a husband, a father of four children, a son, and a friend. Fliggins is the Kingdom Leader and Pastor of The Court of Christ, which was established in 2010 and has brought forth a culture of love where God uses ordinary people to do the extraordinary. He is the author of the book The Kingdom Leaders Principles of Prayer and also holds the titles of executive producer, entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, and community activist. Fliggins shares, Our desire to call on someone greater than ourselves is a natural cause of life that began with our earliest cry at birth. If you ever get the opportunity to have a conversation with someone who joins the Christian faith, and is serious about their development within the faith, you may hear this question: Can you teach me how to pray? This question always brings to remembrance a familiar scripture in which the disciples request, Lord, teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples. This implies that prayer is directed to our Heavenly Father; it also has an active effect on those who may hear the prayer, which awakens their passion to pray as well. The beauty that exudes from ones confidence when they pray motivates others to do something theyve never thought they had the courage to do, which is an unselfish act of faith. When one prays aloud, the prayer is sent to the one above you, and encourages the ones who are around you. In this book, the Kingdom Leader uses matter of fact stories from his life and a few familiar observations that many can relate to. The author then decorates the stories with proverbial-like principles on the subject of prayer, so that the reader can first understand that great lessons come from lifes modest experiences and, secondly, understand the devotion, the feeling, the tone, and the intent of our prayer is as meaningful as the prayer itself. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Anthony Fligginss new book will encourage and challenge readers in their walk of faith. Fliggins draws from experiences in his personal and ministerial life to provide readers with an engaging opportunity to learn more about prayer. Consumers can purchase The Kingdom Leaders Principles of Prayer: 54 Imparting Principles of A Kingdom Prayer Life at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about The Kingdom Leaders Principles of Prayer: 54 Imparting Principles of A Kingdom Prayer Life, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Mother Elizabeth H. Travers has completed her new book My Walk with God: an affecting and expressive memoir that invites readers to follow along on the authors journey toward accepting Christ. She offers detailed insight into the ways she has seen Gods work in her life. Mother Elizabeth H. Travers writes, This book was written by the inspiration of The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit knows how to do all things because He knows all things. Two years later, I had a revelation of why I went alone. Truly, it was a great blessing. By the way, Bishop Jakes had all Christians on the boat. It was so inspiring and absolutely fantastic. I met so many beautiful people who love the Lord in the body of Christ and am still corresponding with them. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I am attempting to write this book for Gods glory. My prayer is that it will be a blessing to whoever should read it, especially the unsaved population, and, of course, my brothers and sisters in the Lord. We can do all things through Christ. For without Jesus, we are nothing, and we can do nothing without Him. Published by Page Publishing, Mother Elizabeth H. Traverss touching account allows readers to step into her shoes as she explains the joy that her acceptance of Christ has brought to her life. Readers who wish to experience this astonishing work can purchase My Walk with God online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708. About Page Publishing: Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com. Niall Gibbons has completed his new book The Lithium Caper: a gripping and potent work of international intrigue that keeps the pages turning until its dramatic conclusion. The force of lithium to power future electric vehicles and the renewable energy revolution ignites a race with China to control the worlds largest lithium deposit in the mountains of faraway Uzbekistan. Thanks to some considerable Boston Irish charm and his unique flair for languages, Mitch Nolan, a philandering divinity school dropout, leads Americas quest for the lithium resource. It's a journey in which Mitch meets the Russian mob, the CIA, the DEA, an Afghan warlord, and an exotic Uzbek princess. Join Mitch as he leads Americas quest for lithiumthe commodity that will pace the next industrial revolution. Published by Page Publishing, Niall Gibbonss engrossing book is a superb choice for avid geopolitical and crime fiction readers. Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase The Lithium Caper at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708. About Page Publishing: Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing understands that authors should be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com. Authors Karin Grace Wares and Steve Hildes have completed their new book Finally! A Decent Book about Sex for Teens & Twents: an engaging work designed to help teens navigate what can be a challenging and confusing time in their lives. Author Karin Grace Wares has dedicated her life to personal growth pivoting on sexual understanding, healing, and expression. She was a sex-positive entertainer for thirteen years, a guest lecturer for college human sexuality classes, and an assistant facilitator for psychotherapy workshops. Her blog, at HotBloodedStudies.com, discusses sexual issues with an emphasis on honesty and responsibility. She is also the author of Hot Blooded: A Sexual Resurrection, published in 2020. The authors write, This book is designed to give you, the young adult, the two things that you need most: information and strength. The information part is simple. At your age, you couldnt possibly know all there is to know about sex and sexuality and, mostly, whats going on in the minds and hearts of the older adults in your environment. Those adults keep all the important information away from you, and this book will make it very clear why they do that. Ill also give out relevant bits and pieces of data about sex and sexuality along the way. The second thing Ill try to give you is the strength to go out and experiment sexually. And Im going to do that by making the motivations of adults so transparent to you that you wont need to fear either how theyre feeling or what youre doing. So whether youre straight or gay; bisexual or biracial; transgender, transvestite, or transcendental; Japanese, Jewish, or just a junkie; or any other machination of a human being, understand that this book can only go to support you in your exploration of sexuality in the most uninhibited and enjoyable ways that you feel comfortable doing. Published by Page Publishing, Karin Grace Wares and Steve Hildess practical and entertaining work opens the conversation about sexuality, offering honest information and insightful perspectives. Readers who wish to experience this useful work can purchase Finally! A Decent Book about Sex for Teens & Twents at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708. About Page Publishing: Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com. "Sounder helps us find highly relevant podcast inventory we wouldnt have known about or been able to target previously, said Adam Muscott, SVP of BAM Media. BAM Strategy, a leading independent digital marketing agency with locations in Montreal and Brooklyn, today announced a new partnership with Sounder, an audio intelligence platform that builds powerful data solutions to unlock podcast monetization, brand safety, contextual targeting, and discoverability for audio content. Sounder will provide market intelligence tools and contextual insights to the agency, and they will leverage Sounders Audio Data Cloud to help BAM Strategys clients identify brand-safe, relevant audio placements for advertising campaigns. BAM Strategy plans to integrate Sounder data and technology into its customer journey, media planning and contextual targeting strategies, providing greater insight and transparency to its clients across a wider range of content than previously possible. As audio evolves from a digital perspective, it has more intelligent ways for us to target, and Sounders technology is a key part of that, said Adam Muscott, SVP of BAM Media. We see ourselves as extensions of our brand clients, and want to help our brands find the most relevant, brand-safe and brand-suitable content in which to place their message. Sounder helps us find highly relevant podcast inventory we wouldnt have known about or been able to target previously. Sounders Audio Data Cloud leverages proprietary speech recognition technology and powerful AI/ML models to provide auto-generated episode ratings, full transcripts, keywords, summaries, topics, and more across a vast catalog of content. This actionable data allows marketers to gain a deeper understanding of potentially relevant audio content to target. Sounders brand safety solution is based on both GARM and IAB industry standards. This partnership, our first with a leading advertising agency, creates a better outcome for marketers, audio publishers and listeners alike. By connecting brands with previously hard-to-discover content, we are opening up new opportunities for everyone involved, said Sounder CEO and Co-founder Kal Amin. We are proud to help power this new capability for BAM and its clients. About BAM Strategy BAM is a Digital Experience Agency made up of professionals who are dedicated to motivating consumer behavior through strategy, media, platforms, and creative initiatives that really convert. BAM Strategy lives by a one-word philosophy; CAREIOSITY. The act of caring and being curious at the same time, with the intention to create real, and valuable impact. For over 20 years, BAM has nurtured client-agency relationships into partnerships, as they strategically develop ideas that serve the business goals of their clients. For more information, visit https://bamstrategy.com/. About Sounder Sounder is an audio intelligence platform that builds powerful data solutions to unlock podcast monetization, brand safety, contextual targeting, and discoverability for audio content. Founded in 2019 by former Google and Spotify executives, Sounder builds advanced speech recognition technology and AI/ML models that enable media publishers to better monetize their content catalog. Learn more about Sounders data solutions and APIs at https://www.sounder.fm/. Pro-choice Catholics will learn to communicate more effectively with their communities and legislators about their pro-choice faith beliefs and refute the lies and misinformation of the anti-choice lobby. Today Catholics for Choice, which uplifts and amplifies the voices of the majority of Catholics who believe in reproductive freedom, announced the publication of the 166-page Advocates Bible: A Guide for Pro-Choice Catholics and Co-Conspirators." The Advocates Bible is a groundbreaking and comprehensive new resource for pro-choice Catholics and allies about the science and laws around abortion; the history of the Catholic churchs teaching on abortion; the theological and ethical underpinnings of pro-choice Catholicism; and the racist, sexist, white nationalist roots of the anti-choice movement. It will equip the nations pro-choice Catholic majority with the tools and language they need to reclaim the moral high ground from the anti-choice religious right. Catholics for Choice President Jamie L. Manson, M.Div., said: The Advocates Bible is a labor of love and justice that will help facilitate deep, informed conversations about abortion between pro-choice people of faith and their families, neighbors, and communities. For decades, the all-male Catholic hierarchy has viciously stigmatized abortion care and silenced the pro-choice majority in their pews. But now more than ever when 1 in 4 abortion patients identifies as Catholic, the Catholic church controls 1 of every 6 hospital beds in the United States, and an ideologically-driven, majority-Catholic Supreme Court has just rewritten the law of the land to end the constitutional right to abortion pro-choice Catholics need to make our voices heard and tell the extremists that they cannot attack fundamental civil rights in our name, or on behalf of our faith. The Advocates Bible will help pro-choice Catholics and co-conspirators do just that. Catholics for Choice is also announcing the launch of the Advocates Bible Study, an eight-week series designed to help users grapple with the material in a community-based learning setting. More than 560 supporters of Catholics for Choice have signed up for the Advocates Bible Study, which begins today Thursday, September 22. It will feature skills-based workshops, email resources, and community discussion centered around our belief that we can be pro-choice because of our faith, not in spite of it. Catholics for Choice Organizing Manager Steph Hanson-Quintana, M.Div., said: Through the Advocates Bible Study, pro-choice Catholics will learn to communicate more effectively with their communities and legislators about their pro-choice faith beliefs and refute the lies and misinformation of the anti-choice lobby. We look forward to grabbing our Advocates Bibles, gathering in community with our supporters, listening and learning together, and renewing our commitment to the struggle for liberation from reproductive oppression and every other intersecting form of systemic violence. The Advocates Bible will also be an invaluable resource to healthcare providers who serve Catholic patients, elected officials who represent majority-Catholic constituencies and/or are pro-choice Catholics themselves, and partners in the work for reproductive freedom who wish to better understand the views and uplift the voices of pro-choice Catholics. Catholics for Choice has already distributed nearly 850 copies of the Advocates Bible to pro-choice Catholics and our allies and partners across the country and around the world. Any interested parties can click here to request yours today. Catholics for Choice is making electronic or physical copies of the Advocates Bible available to the press at no cost. Please contact John Becker at jbecker@catholicsforchoice.org to request your copy. ### Catholics for Choice shapes and advances sexual and reproductive ethics that are based on justice, reflect a commitment to a persons well-being and respect, and affirm the capacity of all people to make moral decisions about their lives. City of Ellsworth joins the Kansas Purchasing Group by Bidnet Direct The City of Ellsworth invites all potential vendors to register online. The City of Ellsworth announced today that it has joined the Kansas Purchasing Group, an online eProcurement system that helps local governments post, distribute and manage RFPs, quotes, addendums and awards in a centralized location. Bidnet Directs Kansas Purchasing Group provides notification to registered vendors of new relevant solicitations, any addenda and award information from participating agencies across Kansas. The City of Ellsworth invites all vendors to register online at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/kansas/cityofellsworth. Before joining the Kansas Purchasing Group in September 2022, the City of Ellsworth was distributing bids and managing the procurement process manually. As the 3rd participating local government agency to join the system, they are now able to streamline their bid process, saving time, increasing competition and achieving cost savings over the traditional paper-based bid process. The City of Ellsworth is now able to distribute their open bids more effortlessly without increasing costs and have access to an extensive vendor pool, thereby enhancing competition. All vendors looking to respond to bids with local government agencies throughout the state can register online at: http://www.bidnetdirect.com/kansas/cityofellsworth. Registration is quick and easy and gives you instant access to matching bid opportunities in your industry. By joining many of our fellow local agencies as part of the Kansas Purchasing Group, we are part of a community that allows vendors to seek bid opportunities from agencies all over the state including, municipalities, special districts, schools and counties, states Dustin Stambaugh, City Administrator of the City of Ellsworth. By having one centralized location, distribution of bids has become so much easier and allows us to reach a large number of new vendors as well as our existing ones, which not only increases competition but provides our local vendors with more business opportunities to go after. Once registered, vendors can access bids, related documents, addendum and award information instantly. In addition, the Kansas Purchasing Group offers a value-added service to notify vendors of new bids targeted to their industry, all addenda associated with those bids and advance notice of term contract expiration. A robust NIGP code category list allows vendors registering to find the correct codes and receive matched bids. Vendors looking for assistance registering on the Kansas Purchasing Group: http://www.bidnetdirect.com/kansas/cityofellsworth, may contact Bidnet Directs vendor support team, who is available to answer any questions regarding the registration process or the bid system at 800-835-4603 option 2. Other local Kansas government agencies looking to switch from a manual bid process, please contact the Kansas Purchasing Group for a demonstration of the no-cost sourcing solution. About the City of Ellsworth: Ellsworth is a city in and the county seat of Ellsworth County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 3,066. Known as a cow town in the 1870s, when the Kansas Pacific Railroad operated a stockyard here for shipping cattle to eastern markets, in the 21st century, it serves as the trading center of the rural county. About Bidnet Direct: Bidnet Direct, powered by mdf commerce, is a sourcing solution of regional purchasing groups available at no cost to local government agencies throughout the country. Bidnet Direct runs regional purchasing groups, including the Kansas Purchasing Group, across all 50 states that are used by over 1,600 local governments. To learn more and have your government agency gain better transparency and efficiency in purchasing, please visit https://www.bidnetdirect.com/buyers Throughout this whitepaper, we examine the importance of designing and executing a Teams governance strategy to foster open collaboration across Teams and related services in a controlled way. Rencore, the provider of award-winning software for governing Microsoft 365, today published the free guide Microsoft Teams governance best practices. The whitepaper explores the central role Teams plays in the Microsoft collaboration ecosystem and offers best practices for implementing an effective Teams governance strategy that helps reduce clutter, control data access and sharing, and supports a better all-around collaboration experience. In Teams, Microsoft has created a central hub that is pivotal for modern business collaboration. Since its launch in 2017, uptake has been exponential, and during the COVID-19 lockdown, adoption rates soared as organizations and employees navigated remote and flexible working. However, the rapid adoption of Teams and the urgency at which solutions were deployed during the pandemic has caused massive growth in teams, channels, and chats, resulting in an increasingly cluttered Microsoft 365 environment. Furthermore, the lack of compliance and regulatory standards has led to some bad user habits. For many companies there has been no formal structure around which Teams should be managed and used. Effective Teams governance is necessary for protecting business data and documents, containing sprawl, and ensuring the platform works optimally for end users. Teams enabled millions of users to collaborate when they needed to the most. It stepped up during the pandemic as the most comprehensive collaboration solution, said Matthias Einig, Co-Founder and CEO at Rencore. Consequently, problems caused by a lack of governance have created a bottleneck for IT making it hard to manage platform use and allow end users to collaborate freely. Throughout this whitepaper, we examine the importance of designing and executing a Teams governance strategy to foster open collaboration across Teams and related services in a controlled way. A Teams governance strategy must account for the interdependence between the different services that are integrated and used within Teams such as SharePoint, OneDrive, Exchange, Yammer, and the Power Platform. At this point, most governance strategies fall short. The whitepaper provides all the details to implement such a strategy at scale and create a central place for governance where IT admins and platform owners have ownership over holistic data, policies, reporting, and actions. To download a copy of the free Microsoft 365 visibility whitepaper, click here. About Rencore: Rencore is a B2B software company providing award-winning solutions essential for staying in control of cloud collaboration technologies. Our customers rely on our tools to simplify, automate, and speed up their everyday governance, risk, and compliance challenges. Rencores diverse, global customer base ranges from mid-sized businesses to enterprises that use their products as SaaS or self-hosted tools. Consultancies and managed service providers build their cloud governance and operations services around Rencores powerful solutions. Learn more at https://rencore.com/products/governance/ Cybereason, the XDR company, today announced new advancements in Cybereason NGAV (Next-Generation Antivirus) that deliver nation-state level protection for organizations of all sizes from small businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises. With the addition of two new industry-first protection layers, Cybereason now provides nine distinct prevention layers that detect and block the most advanced attack techniques that circumvent conventional AV and NGAV tools. By adding these two sophisticated layers to Cybereason NGAV,Cybereason is redefining prevention by providing customers with more layers of protection than any other solution on the market, said Lior Div, Cybereason CEO and Co-founder. With protection capabilities that have already achieved the highest scores in the history of the four MITRE ATT&CK evaluations, our customers can be assured that we are continuing to innovate and empower them to defend forward by proactively ending the most sophisticated attacks as early as possible in the kill chain. The Payload Variant Prevention is a first-of-its-kind capability that defeats novel, polymorphic and re-packed malware variants associated with advanced attacker tooling like Cobalt-Strike and Emotet, while the Behavioral Execution Prevention feature detects and blocks attack techniques that abuse legitimate operating system tools. Each layer of Cybereason NGAV protection is purpose-built to prevent ransomware and other malware infections in unique ways to assure sophisticated attacker tools do not slip by an organizations defenses: --Variant Payload Prevention: Blocks novel and mutated malware and ransomware payloads --Behavioral Execution Prevention: Prevents abuse of legitimate services --Predictive Ransomware Protection: Prevents file encryption by ransomware and restores encrypted files --Fileless Attack Prevention: Blocks in-memory command line and script-based attacks --Exploit Prevention: Prevents exploitation of Windows vulnerabilities --AI-Powered Anti-Malware: Blocks novel and mutated malware variants --Anti-Malware: Blocks known and commoditized malware variants --Endpoint Controls: Blocks unauthorized device and network connections and ensures full disk encryption --Behavioral Document Prevention: Blocks malicious macros Earlier this year, Cybereason reaffirmed its industry-leading position in reversing the adversary advantage by posting the best results in the history of MITRE ATT&CK evaluations, including: --100% Prevention: Cybereason detected and prevented 100 percent of the nine attack sequences for both Windows and Linux --100% Visibility: Cybereason exposed 100 percent of the 109 attack behaviors for both Windows and Linux --100% Real-Time Protection: Cybereason had zero delayed detections --99% Analytic Coverage: Achieving the industry best for deeply contextualized detections About Cybereason Cybereason is the XDR company, partnering with Defenders to end attacks at the endpoint, in the cloud, and across the entire enterprise ecosystem. Only the AI-driven Cybereason Defense Platform provides predictive prevention, detection, and response that is undefeated against modern ransomware and advanced attack techniques. The Cybereason MalOp instantly delivers context-rich attack intelligence across every affected device, user, and system with unparalleled speed and accuracy. Cybereason turns threat data into actionable decisions at the speed of business. Cybereason is a privately held international company headquartered in Boston with customers in more than 40 countries. Learn more: https://www.cybereason.com/ Follow us: Blog | Twitter | Facebook Media Contact: Bill Keeler Senior Director, Global Public Relations Cybereason bill.keeler@cybereason.com (929) 259-3261 "We look forward to working with DuPont and their Pyralux technology to help eMPack become a global leader in EV power modules. said Karl-Heinz Gaubatz, CTO of Semikron DuPont (NYSE:DD) Interconnect Solutions, part of the Electronics & Industrial business, announced today a multiyear contract with European power module manufacturer Semikron-Danfoss who will integrate DuPont Pyralux AP all-polyimide double-sided copper clad laminate into its eMPack power modules to further enhance the capabilities of next-gen electric vehicles. Integrating Pyralux AP copper clad laminate into eMPack traction inverter designs will help EV automotive engineers address key requirements related to signal integrity and power transmission. The characteristics of Pyralux AP benefiting this application from Semikron-Danfoss include: Robust thermal resistance for temperature stability All-polyimide dielectric layer Extreme durability Excellent bond strength for automotive-grade reliability Excellent low dissipation loss characteristics Superior electrical performance Consistent signal integrity Further, Pyralux APs dielectric thickness tolerance and low coefficient of thermal expansion make it ideal for rigid flex or multiple layer flex applications. The adhesive-less flexible circuit material has a flammability rating of UL 94-V0, a maximum operating temperature of 200C, and is certified to IPC 4204A/11. "Pyralux AP emerged as our best-fit solution after extensive testing and because the product has demonstrated three decades of stable, reliable performance in a variety of industries where operating conditions, like ours, are severe, said Karl-Heinz Gaubatz, CTO of Semikron. eMPack is a perfect fit to SiC MOSFET power modules. We look forward to working with DuPont and their Pyralux technology to help eMPack become a global leader in EV power modules. Earlier this year, Semikron-Danfoss, headquartered in Nuremburg, Germany, won a billion-Euro contract beginning in 2025 to furnish patented eMPack power modules to a major German automotive manufacturer. Within silicon-carbide MOSFET or full silicon-carbide technology-based modules, traction inverters can be created which are extremely compact, scalable, and reliable because of a Semikron double side sintered assembly and connection technology called Direct Pressed Die (DPD). We are excited how this EV power module application of Pyralux AP copper clad laminate supports a sustainable and electrified future to help preserve our planet for generations to come, said Andy Kannurpatti, Global Business Director, Films & Laminates, DuPont Interconnect Solutions. The eMPack power module is expected to enable millions of next-gen electric vehicles by 2032. We look forward to contributing significantly to the much-anticipated success of eMPack and appreciate the collaboration with Semikron-Danfoss. About DuPont Electronics & Industrial DuPont Electronics & Industrial is a global supplier of new technologies and performance materials serving the semiconductor, circuit board, display, digital and flexographic printing, healthcare, aerospace, industrial and transportation industries. From advanced technology centers worldwide, teams of talented research scientists and application experts work closely with customers, providing solutions, products, and technical service to enable next-generation technologies. About DuPont DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare, and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at http://www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com. About Semikron-Danfoss Semikron Danfoss is a global technology leader in power electronics. Our product offerings include semiconductor devices, power modules, stacks and systems. In a world that is going electric, Semikron Danfoss technologies are more relevant than ever. With our innovative solutions for automotive, industrial and renewable applications we help the world utilize energy more efficiently and sustainable and thus to significantly reduce overall CO2 emissions facing one of the biggest challenges today. We take care of our employees and create value for our customers by investing significantly in innovation, technology, capacity and service to deliver best-in-industry performance and for a sustainable future. Semikron Danfoss is a family-owned business, merged by SEMIKRON and Danfoss Silicon Power in 2022. We employ more than 3,500 people in 28 locations across the world. Our global footprint with production sites in Germany, Brazil, China, France, India, Italy, Slovakia and the United States ensures an unmatched service for our customers and partners. We offer more than 90 years of combined expertise in power module packaging, innovation and customer applications making us the ultimate partner in power electronics. DuPont, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with , SM or are owned by affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. unless otherwise noted. Elevate K-12, the Chicago-based live-streaming education company, has announced the launch of Java and Python live-streaming classes. These courses will prepare high school students for college-level programming education and successful careers in computer science. The courses are structured as introductions to the Java and Python programming languages, and there are no prerequisites. Were excited to expand our course catalog with this widely requested material, said Betsy McKibbin, Elevate K-12s VP of brand marketing. We want students to experience this content and decide if they want to pursue the subject further in college or their careers. Studies suggest a positive correlation between economic growth and technological literacy. While many school districts are interested in establishing a programming curriculum, a staffing shortage impedes their ability to do so. Elevate K-12s mission is to solve the nations teacher shortage by providing high-quality education streaming to schools, irrespective of location. The result, showcased by the rapidly growing number of districts partnered with Elevate K-12, is unprecedented equity in education. It is challenging to find qualified teachers in each zip code to teach these courses, said Shaily Baranwal, CEO of Elevate K-12. In our commitment to elevating students' lives nationwide, we are excited to offer these opportunities to our school districts. Elevate K-12 aims to create universal computer science education and pave the way toward a more advanced, prosperous future. The company views introducing Java and Python courses as a critical next step. We truly believe in the value of these courses in creating long-term, positive student outcomes, said Baranwal. We expect to see more demand for programming classes moving forward, and we are prepared to meet that demand as it arises. Learn more about Elevate K-12 and its course offerings at ElevateK12.com. About Elevate K-12 Elevate K-12 is a Chicago-based instructional services company that brings high-quality live-streamed instruction into K-12 classrooms. Schools and districts partner with Elevate K-12s unique instructional solution to solve their teacher shortage challenges and overuse of long-term substitutes or low-quality teachers. Its tech-enabled service comprises Proprietary Live Instructional Management Technology, Live Instruction Service, Curriculum and Classroom Management to provide the necessary tools for collaborative teaching and learning that emulates the experience of a real, physical classroom. Elevate K-12 currently operates in 27 states and is rapidly expanding to new states across the U.S. in K-12 schools. For more information, visit http://www.elevatek12.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Creating a sustainable, diverse, and well-qualified workforce is imperative to ensuring that patients throughout the United States can obtain the quality testing services they need to enjoy optimal health. ASCP CEO Blair Holladay, PhD, MASCP, SCT(ASCP)CM The clinical laboratory workforce that underpins the U.S. healthcare system is under siege. Laboratory professionalsproviders of critical information to diagnose, treat, and manage diseaseare retiring or leaving the profession in droves. This mass exodus is disrupting delivery of healthcare services for patients and healthcare providers. This month, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is pleased to take action with the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), which convenes global leaders to create and implement solutions to the worlds most pressing challenges. ASCP is committed to expanding and strengthening the laboratory workforce to ensure that patients have access to quality care. Through the Societys alignment with the goals of the Clinton Global Initiative, ASCP has established a Commitment to Action, Developing the Next Generation of Laboratory Professionals: Resilient, Inclusive, and Visible, to develop the next generation of medical laboratory professionals, ensuring they are resilient, inclusive, and visible in all aspects of healthcare. ASCP believes that a focus on diversity in terms of gender, age, and race/ethnicity will help make the laboratory workforce more representative of the general population. Building awareness of the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce is a first step toward developing and implementing recruitment strategies that reach students and employees from underrepresented groups and encourage them to pursue careers in the laboratory profession. Recently, ASCP, in partnership with the University of Washington Center for Health Workforce Studies (UW CHWS), conducted groundbreaking research that produced innovative strategies to bolster recruitment and retention of laboratory professionals, while also working to build a more diverse and inclusive laboratory workforce. These strategies, known as the Clinical Laboratory Workforce: Understanding the Challenges to Meet Current and Future Needs Blueprint for Action, summarize the needs identified by the ASCP/UW CHWS report and recommend actions to address challenges and barriers associated with these needs. Recommendations are grouped under the following categories: strengthening recruitment and retention; enhancing focus on diversity and inclusion in the laboratory; and, improving visibility of clinical laboratory- occupations. ASCP is honored to take action with the Clinton Global Initiative, said ASCP CEO Blair Holladay, PhD, MASCP, SCT(ASCP)CM. Creating a sustainable, diverse, and well-qualified workforce is imperative to ensuring that patients throughout the United States can obtain the quality testing services they need to enjoy optimal health. The Society is developing a national coalition of organizational partners, representing a wide range of key groups and audiences, to assist with implementing the Blueprint for Action. These include laboratories, laboratory training programs, professional organizations, government institutions, academic community, and underserved community organizations. With ASCPs background in building collaborative global health initiatives, the Society has the experience necessary to establish a new coalition to focus on developing the medical laboratory workforce of the future in our country, Dr. Holladay added. ASCPs Commitment to Action with the Clinton Global Initiative will help ASCP and its participating partners raise the visibility of the laboratory and ensure the stability of the laboratory workforce for future generations through advocating for state and federal funding to support initiatives within the profession; identifying and collaborating with underserved community organizations; educating policy makers on the need and benefits of a diverse laboratory workforce, and more. Resources: ASCP Groundbreaking Research: https://ascpcdn.s3.amazonaws.com/static/ISTP/ASCP_UW_Clinical+Laboratory+Workforce_Report_2021.pdf ASCP Blueprint for Action https://ascpcdn.s3.amazonaws.com/static/ISTP/Siemens_Clinical+Laboratory+Workforce_Blueprint.pdf # # # About ASCP Founded in 1922 in Chicago, ASCP is the worlds largest professional membership organization for pathologists and laboratory professionals. ASCP provides excellence in education, certification, and advocacy on behalf of patients, anatomic and clinical pathologists, and medical laboratory professionals. To learn more, visit http://www.ascp.org. Follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ascp_chicago and connect with us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ASCP.Chicago. - About the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI): The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global and emerging leaders to create and implement solutions to the worlds most pressing challenges. CGI works with partners to drive action through its unique model. Rather than directly implementing projects, CGI facilitates action by helping members connect, collaborate, and develop Commitments to Action new, specific, and measurable plans that address global challenges. Through CGI, the community has made more than 3,700 Commitments to Action that have made a difference in the lives of more than 435 million people in more than 180 countries. More than 1,500 nominations were submitted this year by organizations and individuals for consideration in more than 100 categories including Executive of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, & more. Finalists were announced today in the 19th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the worlds top honors for women entrepreneurs, executives, employees, and the organizations they run. Finalists were announced today in the 19th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the worlds top honors for women entrepreneurs, executives, employees, and the organizations they run. Visit http://www.StevieAwards.com/Women for a complete list of Finalists by category. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are produced by the creators of the prestigious American Business Awards and International Business Awards, among other business awards programs. The Stevies are widely considered to be the worlds premier honors for achievement in the workplace. This years Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award placements from among the Finalists will be revealed during an awards banquet at Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday, November 11. More than 500 women and their guests from around the world are expected to attend the presentations, which will be broadcast via Livestream. More than 1,500 nominations were submitted this year by organizations and individuals for consideration in more than 100 categories including Executive of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Startup of the Year, Women Helping Women, and Women-Run Workplace of the Year. Nominations were submitted by organizations in 27 nations including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Kuwait, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States. Among the many extraordinary organizations and women who have been recognized as Finalists, the following stand out as those with four or more Finalist nominations: Advancing Women in Tech (Seattle, WA USA); Autism Mates (Sydney, Australia); Brandless (Lindon, UT USA); Caroline Kennedy Group (Melbourne, Australia); Consolidated Edison Company of NY, Inc. (New York, NY USA); C-Strategies (Chicago, IL USA); Everise (Plantation, FL USA); Hatch Inc. (Palo Alto, CA USA); Global Press Institute (Washington DC, USA); Harman International (Stamford, CT USA); Inspiring Vacations (Melbourne, Australia); IBM (Armonk, NY USA); Megaphone (Melbourne, Australia); Tavuun Welfare Association (Lahore, Pakistan); Sweet Peanuts (Queensland, Australia); The Tambellini Group, LLC (Irvington, VA USA); and Vanguard (Malvern, PA USA). Finalists were determined by the average scores of more than 200 professionals around the world, organized in seven juries. Their scores will also determine the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie placements from among the Finalists, to be announced on November 11. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business event will be complemented by the fifth edition of the Women|Future Conference, to be held virtually on November 8-10. The conference is for women professionals looking to gain unique perspectives from industry leaders, build resilience, network, and prepare for change. The conference addresses the most pressing business issues of tomorrow, from trends in social media marketing and workplace DEI to the next generation of technology, overcoming adversity, and the future of work. Conference registration is just $99 ($39 for students) and is available at http://www.WomenFutureConference.com. About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 nominations each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. HCL Technologies is sponsor of the Red Ladder Women in Technology Awards in the 2022 Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Pet Night on Capitol Hill shares the message that pets have a measurable impact on our health and well-being, and that there are tangible measures policymakers can take to support pets and their owners. The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), the Pet Food Institute (PFI) and the Pet Advocacy Network co-hosted Pet Night on Capitol Hill for the first time since the pandemic began, celebrating the important role pets play in our lives. Pet Night brought together Members of Congress and leaders in the pet care community to share programs, policies, and key data about how the human-animal bond positively impacts our mental, physical and social health. The pet care community is thrilled to be back in person to share the power of pets with Congress, said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. Pet Night on Capitol Hill shares the message that pets have a measurable impact on our health and well-being, and that there are tangible measures policymakers can take to support pets and their owners. Plenty of pets were in attendance, including Pet Partners therapy animal-handler teams; Trumpet the Westminster Best in Show Winner, provided by Purina; and Biscuit, the Washington Capitals service dog in training, provided by Mars Petcare. It was exciting to once again meet face-to-face with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advocate for positive pet policies, then finish the day with a celebration of all that pets bring to our lives, said Pet Advocacy Network President and CEO Mike Bober. We are committed today and every day to helping all Americans find and care for their ideal companions and experience the incredible benefits of pet ownership and animal-assisted interactions. The Animal Health Institute (AHI) honored the winners of the Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill contest, now in its fourteenth year, recognizing the most adorable animals owned by Members of Congress and their staff. Cutest Dog: Louis Owner: Alyssa Gulick Office of Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-6) Cutest Cat: Kit Owner: Jesse Ferguson Office of Rep. Mike Flood (NE-1) Cutest Exotic: Charlie (horse) Owner: Gray Maxwell Office of Senator Ben Cardin (MD) The human-animal bond keeps getting stronger and stronger, which is why we enjoy celebrating this connection with the Cutest Pets Contest, said Alex Mathews, President and CEO of AHI. The availability of medicines to keep animals healthy plays an important role in promoting this relationship. The animal health industry is proud to provide the medicines and therapies that enable pets to live healthy lives. Pet Night paid special tribute to Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-5) with the Human-Animal Bond Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize his dedication to animal health and the human-animal bond. Throughout his impressive career, Congressman Schrader, currently the only veterinarian in Congress, was instrumental in developing legislation to safeguard the integrated health of people and companion animals. Throughout my time in Congress, Ive always looked forward to Pet Night and the Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill Contest. Its opportunities like these that effectively spread the word to pet owners, the public and my colleagues about the important benefits pets bring to our lives, and the vital role veterinary medicine plays in safeguarding public health, said Representative Schrader. It was also my honor to receive the Human-Animal Bond Lifetime Achievement Award. I am so proud to have championed the human-animal bond throughout my time in Congress and hope to inspire my colleagues and others to continue to support policies and legislation that advance the health of people and their pets. Pet Night is now part of Pet Week on Capitol Hill, a week-long series of virtual programming and in-person visits. Sessions share key data about how pets are important for human health and quality of life and highlight the most pressing issues relating to pet ownership in America. All recorded discussions from Pet Week on Capitol Hill are now available to view on-demand at http://www.petnight.com, where people can also sign up to be invited to Pet Night on Capitol Hill 2023. Pet Night on Capitol Hill is an annual event sponsored by the pet care community. For more information, please visit http://www.petnight.com. Images available upon request. About HABRI HABRI is a not-for-profit organization that maintains the worlds largest online library of human-animal bond research and information; funds innovative research projects to scientifically document the health benefits of companion animals; and informs the public about human-animal bond research and the beneficial role of companion animals in society. For more information, please visit http://www.habri.org. About the Pet Food Institute Established in 1958, Pet Food Institute (PFI) is the trade association and the voice of U.S. cat and dog food manufacturers. Our members account for the vast majority of the dog and cat food made in the United States, with more than $50 billion in domestic annual dog and cat food sales and annual exports of more than $2 billion. PFI membership also includes companies that supply ingredients, equipment and services to dog and cat food makers. About Pet Advocacy Network The Pet Advocacy Network, formerly known as the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), connects the experience and expertise of the responsible pet care community to lawmakers and governing bodies, advocating for legislative and regulatory priorities at the local, state, federal and international levels. Since 1971, the organization has worked to promote animal well-being and responsible pet ownership, foster environmental stewardship, and ensure access to healthy pets, including small animals, cats, dogs, fish, reptiles and birds. Pet Advocacy Network members include retailers, companion animal suppliers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, manufacturers representatives, pet hobbyists, and other trade organizations. About the Animal Health Institute The Animal Health Institute (AHI) represents the companies that develop and produce animal medicines. Our industry is a global leader whose products improve the health of nearly 10 billion companion and food-producing animals in the U.S., which results in significant economic and social benefits for Americans. The Ultimate Purpose Of A New Immigrants Life: a reflective and nostalgic autobiographical work. The Ultimate Purpose Of A New Immigrants Life is the creation of published author Freda Belizaire Laurent, RN, MSN, MPA, a native of Haiti who moved to Massachusetts at a young age. Educated at Boston State College, she got her bachelors degree in nursing. She then furthered her studies, pursuing a masters degree in psychiatric nursing at Boston University. Laurent was promoted to the position of nursing administrator in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for fifteen years. She pursued a second masters degree in public administration at Harvard Kennedy School of the Government. She consolidated her foundation with a transfer to the state of Florida, working with the Health Care District of Palm Beach County for the last twenty years to be closer to her country of origin. Laurent shares, The Ultimate Purpose Of A New Immigrants Life is the autobiography of a Haitian teenagers way of life before emigration, when her familys equilibrium was suddenly disturbed by her fathers death. As the youngest of her family of eight, she was looking at all her siblings, trying to find in one of them the father she just lost. The memories Freda captured of all siblings, relatives, and neighbors speak of the culture and the resulting imbalance she livedrole changes that were taking place within the family. Each sibling rose to their best self but eventually immigrated to the states. She took along with her the childhood tunes of long bygone days referred to in Childhood Memories. We enjoy singing them while vacationing or at our family reunions. From early on in life, Freda chose to grab hold of the pearls of wisdom found in spirituality. This vital connection prayer has graced her with five life miracles during her life. She does not take for granted all the divergences and convergences of the actors in her life sceneries. She is thankful knowing they are part of the ultimate plan of God and for her own good. Career development and challenges were many through her immigrants lens. Divine intercession is clear in her struggle with marital life commitment within a generational shift in family relational values from Haitian old culture to a mix of many. It has been a long journey from her native land to Boston and to Florida as a transition of twenty-six years, rich in community activities, spirituality search, connection, and growth. Cultural longing fostered the creation of the citronelle tea, a reminiscence of homeland childhood enjoyment. To God be the glory. The return home is very tumultuous as years creep on and the neocolonial boycotting agenda for Haiti continues to chase patriots away from their dreamland since 1803. The first Black republic is being drowned by its former slave-keeping nations still in 2022. The collective journey continues. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Freda Belizaire Laurent, RN, MSN, MPAs new book brings readers a fresh and uplifting message of the challenges and blessings of growing up in Haiti and later moving to the United States. Consumers can purchase The Ultimate Purpose Of A New Immigrants Life at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about The Ultimate Purpose Of A New Immigrants Life, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. PayBito listed EOS, and Avalanche (AVAX) The crypto bear market has not affected the courage of crypto traders. New traders are joining and investing in popular cryptocurrencies at lower prices. Keeping them in mind, PayBito has introduced new coins to facilitate diverse trading opportunities. The global crypto exchange platform PayBito has expanded its crypto asset list by enlisting EOS, and Avalanche (AVAX) to its coin list. The recent addition will boost the trading possibilities for investors using PayBito. The US-based crypto exchange platform comprises trending cryptocurrencies and has been consistently upgrading its features over the years. PayBito consists of digital assets with predominant market share such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, HCX, Bitcoin SV, Ripple, Ethereum Classic, and many more. The addition of EOS and AVAX provides new options to the users, which is also anticipated to stimulate trading activities on the top-rated exchange. Blockchain maximalist, and PayBito chief Mr. Raj Chowdhury asserts, "The crypto bear market has not affected the courage of crypto traders. New traders are joining and investing in popular cryptocurrencies at lower prices. Keeping them in mind, PayBito has introduced new coins to facilitate diverse trading opportunities". He has previously highlighted the importance of blockchain analytics in the crypto industry. PayBito is globally recognized for its powerful blockchain-powered architecture. It offers seamless trading, scalability, and a pool of cutting-edge defense mechanisms against hackers. The platform is updated from time to time with a focus on investor asset protection. Digital assets added to the exchanges coin listing need to pass stringent eligibility criteria featuring compliance with global regulatory frameworks. The strategies are observed to deliver a favorable user experience on the platform with absolute trust and security, shielding investors from cybercriminals and deceitful transactions. PayBito has been a significant contributor to the global success of cryptocurrencies. The US-based firm has offered its innovative white-label crypto exchange solution to institutional investors venturing into crypto trading services in Japan, Canada, and various other countries. PayBito has recently launched its crypto broker program and announced discounts on its white-label solutions and products. About EOS: Launched in 2018, the EOS coin is the native token of the EOSIO network, which functions as an open-source operating system over a decentralized blockchain network.. The coin was launched by Dan Larimer who is the creator and founder of global platforms, Steem and Bitshares. The network's whitepaper was released in 2017, and the team ran it for a year-long ICO and secured more than $ 4 billion in undertakings. About AVAX: AVAX was developed by AVA labs, built upon Team Rocket's unique Snowflake consensus protocol. Ava Labs was established by Emin Guin, Kevin Sekniqi, and Maofan Ted Yin. AVAX is a native coin of the Avalanche blockchain system. Avalanche uses a PoS (Proof of Stake) algorithm. The innovative solutions and state-of-the-art underpinned technology, with advanced security features make PayBito the best choice for millennial traders. The latest crypto winter couldn't halt the enthusiasm of the traders and has only strengthened trades. About PayBito: PayBito is a leading cryptocurrency asset trading platform operating globally. The platform is designed and managed by a team with rich experience in Banking security systems, Cryptocurrency trading, and Blockchain technology. It is available in the web version as well as in iOS and Android stores. PayBito services include a white-label cryptocurrency exchange, white-label payment gateway, exchange affiliate, and coin listing. PayBito offers some of the best rates and top-notch security in the crypto world. We appreciate the trust Clenera placed in our legal counsel and look forward to working with them further, Chester and Eliason said. Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP helped client Clenera to close on construction and tax equity financing for the 105 MW DC Apex Solar project located in Beaverhead County, Montana. The transaction has been reported as one of the only large utility scale solar sale-leaseback in the market. Simultaneously Greenberg Traurig is representing Clenera in a construction loan from Bank of America and NORD/LB, a German bank active in renewable energy financing in Europe and the United States, to fund the project through a construction loan. Huntington National Bank will provide long-term financing via sale and leaseback tax equity financing for Apex Solar following commercial operations. The Greenberg Traurig deal team was led by Jeffrey A. Chester, co-head of the firms Energy Project Finance & Development Practice, and John Eliason, global co-head of the firms Energy Project Finance & Development Practice. We appreciate the trust Clenera placed in our legal counsel and look forward to working with them further, Chester and Eliason said. Clenera, an Enlight company, acquires, build, develops, and manages energy storage facilities and utility-scale solar farms throughout the United States. Clenera has developed and built over 1.6 GWdc of solar projects and provides long-term management of those projects. The Greenberg Traurig team also included Chicago Shareholder Alejandra Garcia Earley, Boston Shareholder Gregory K. Lawrence, Atlanta Shareholder Christine M. Steenman, Chicago Of Counsel Daniel D. Balys, Houston Associate Kristen E. Bollinger, Chicago Associate Keyon Brown, and Washington, D.C. Associate Braxton T. Roam. About Greenberg Traurigs Energy & Natural Resources Practice: Greenberg Traurigs Energy & Natural Resources Practice has broad transactional, regulatory, and litigation experience across most sectors of the energy industry, including oil and gas, LNG, electricity, coal, wind, solar and other renewable energy sources, and water. The firms exceptional multi-office platform, including key offices in major energy centers, enables us to serve and implement legal strategies for energy clients throughout the U.S. and internationally. 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. Greenberg Traurigs Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick Named Among Crains New Yorks Hispanic Leaders Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick, co-chair of Greenberg Traurig, LLPs Appeals & Legal Issues Group, was honored by Crains New York Business on its Notable 2022 Hispanic Leaders list. Honorees are selected for their professional accomplishments and their records of powering change. From primera(first) to influencer, as the first Hispanic woman to sit in a court of record in New York State in 1978, and later the first Hispanic on the Court of Appeals, Ciparick is unquestionably a trailblazer. Today, she works diligently to create a pipeline of opportunities for Latinos. Of Puerto Rican descent, Ciparick was born in New York City, grew up in Washington Heights, graduated from Hunter College, and received her J.D. from St. John's University School of Law. Her work, passion for New York, and ethnic background uniquely position her to impact Latinos access to justice. Ciparick advises clients on appellate matters, litigation strategy, and mentors Greenberg Traurig's junior lawyers. She is an active member of Greenberg Traurigs award-winning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative, including active participation in the firmwide SOMOS GT Latino Affinity Group, and of the Greenberg Traurig Womens Initiative, supporting the inclusion and advancement of women. Ciparick chairs the State Board of Law Examiners, which administers the bar examination for New York. She was honored by the Gender Fairness Committee of the New York County Supreme Court, Civil Branch in June. Honorees are selected annually for their accomplishments, leadership, and service on and off the bench and contributions to the New York State Unified Court System. Ciparick was named to City & States 2021 Latino Power 100 list, which recognizes the most influential Latinos serving in public office, running businesses, leading nonprofits, and advocating for policy changes in New York. Her prior positions and achievements paved the way for many Latinos in New York and beyond. Appointed judge of the Criminal Court of New York City in 1978 by Mayor Ed Koch and elected to the New York State Supreme Court in 1982, she was formerly senior associate judge, New York State Court of Appeals, appointed in 1993 by Gov. Cuomo; reappointed by Gov. Spitzer in 2007; staff attorney, Legal Aid Society, New York City ; assistant counsel, Judicial Conference, New York State; chief law assistant, Criminal Court, New York City; and counsel, Office of the New York City Administrative Judge. As co-chair of the Justice Task Force and Independent Monitor tasked with reporting on the implementation of recommendations set forth in the Report on Equal Justice in the New York Courts, she strives to secure the elimination of racial and ethnic disparity in the court system. A Latino Judges Association member, Ciparick helped establish a foundation to provide law student scholarships and her work under a previous New York City administration continues to be influential. Ciparick chaired the Mayor's Advisory Committee on the Judiciary and helped elevate a significant number of diverse New Yorkers to judgeships, recruiting as many Hispanics as she could. During her tenure on the Court of Appeals, she wrote some of the court's most significant decisions, breaking new ground on issues such as school funding, the separation of church and state, and the death penalty. Other noteworthy past experience includes serving as chair of the New York State/Federal Judicial Council (2009, 2010); on the Institute on Professionalism and the Law; and the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Ciparick serves on the New York State Indigent Legal Services Board, is a member of many bar associations, including the Puerto Rican Bar Association, and the permanent commission on Access to Justice. She also serves on the board of trustees of the New York Courts Historical Society. Among her many other memberships and affiliations, she is on the board of directors of the Office of the Appellate Defender and The Fund for Modern Courts. About Greenberg Traurigs Diversity Initiative: From its inception, Greenberg Traurig has been committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Greenberg Traurig is a uniquely empowering and diverse firm built on a foundation of fairness, equality, and authenticity. Through its Social, Racial, and Economic Justice Action Plan, the firm has committed $5 million over five years to help combat systemic racism and support impoverished communities. In addition, the firms efforts have been recognized through its Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certification Plus, administered by The Diversity Lab, and by local, national, and global publications and organizations including Chambers and Partners. Web: https://www.gtlaw.com/en/general/our-firm/diversity Twitter: @GT_Drives. About Greenberg Traurigs Appeals & Legal Issues Practice: Greenberg Traurigs Appeals & Legal Issues Group has been involved in some of the most important and consequential cases of our time. In recent years, GTs appellate lawyers have played key roles in cases addressing general commercial law, federal and state constitutional law, environmental law, labor law, white collar criminal law, tax law, First Amendment law, real estate law, civil rights law, class action law, oil and gas law, power law, intellectual property and patent law, health care law, products liability and medical device law, voting rights and election law, insurance law, tax law, and administrative and regulatory law. The GT Appeals & Legal Issues Groups philosophy is to combine forum-knowledgeable lawyers who have a comprehensive understanding of their jurisdictions with colleagues who have a proven record of substantive excellence in the legal issues involved in our clients appellate cases. 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. We are excited to work with the visionaries. Akasa Air's adoption of our cutting-edge technology will provide a complete solution to meet their objectives for digital transformation of the commercial, operational, and financial aspects of their air cargo business. - Olivier Houri, EVP SmartKargo Akasa Air and SmartKargo have announced today a partnership that will digitally enable the launch and growth of the airlines new cargo business. The Indian-based airline will deploy the SmartKargo solution across all functional areas of its cargo business, serving all its destinations throughout India. Akasa Air is Indias newest and most dependable airline, offering warm and efficient customer service, reliable operations, and affordable fares. The new state-of-the-art platform will allow Akasa Air to launch its Cargo business and meet its goals today and tomorrow with robust Cargo management solution capabilities and advanced technologies such as business intelligence, real-time information, and machine learning. The solution will interface seamlessly with the airline's other systems and third-party providers via APIs -- for fast integration and deployment. SmartKargos superior capabilities include 100% paperless e-AWBs; ease of booking; modern and flexible technology; single screen data entries; user-configurable Business Intelligence (BI) and reporting; powerful pricing and rate making, and real-time capacity management. This means that Akasa Air will now deliver fast, highly reliable, and extremely predictable air cargo shipments to support its growth. Mr. Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Akasa Air, said: SmartKargos platform will empower us to build and develop an innovative, dependable, and flexible air cargo business. The cutting-edge cloud platform is the best technology available and will boost Akasa Air forward by providing a full solution that includes great technology and deep expertise, so we can grow our cargo business to its full potential. Olivier Houri, CRO of SmartKargo, said: We are excited to work with the visionaries. Akasa Air's adoption of our cutting-edge technology will provide a complete solution to meet their objectives for digital transformation of the commercial, operational, and financial aspects of their air cargo business. About Akasa Air Akasa Air will be Indias newest and most dependable airline, offering warm and efficient customer service, reliable operations, and affordable fares - all in the Akasa Way. Akasas youthful personality, employee-centric philosophy, tech-led approach, and culture of service will make this commitment a reality for all Indians. The carrier launches its first commercial flight on 07 August 2022 to support the growing demand across India. With a commitment to being socially responsible, Akasa Air has placed a firm order of 72 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, powered by CFM fuel-efficient, LEAP-1B engines. The 737 MAX family aircraft deliver superior efficiency in reducing fuel use and carbon emissions, fulfilling the airline's promise of being an environmentally friendly company with the youngest and greenest fleet in the Indian skies. For more information visit http://www.akasaair.com or via Twitter: @AkasaAir LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/akasaair/ About SmartKargo SmartKargo delivers advanced digital technology to facilitate the efficient digital transformation of an airlines cargo business. With deep expertise in air cargo, technology, and e-commerce, SmartKargo empowers airlines to open new revenue streams through the digital transformation of their air cargo business units, as recently featured in Forbes. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts (in what The New York Times called the most innovative square mile on the planet), with key offices in India, the Philippines, Brazil, and Canada. Learn more at smartkargo.com. Media & Business Contact: Ed Burek, edward@smartkargo.com or Olivier Houri, olivier@smartKargo.com. "The strategy details more than 150 measures that state and local governments, public health departments, philanthropies, and community-based, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations can take immediately to support the nations 53 million family caregivers who make up 21% of the population." The National Alliance for Caregiving a coalition of 67 national organizations applauds the release of the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services but urges strong accountability and implementation efforts to turn the strategy into action. The strategy details more than 350 federal actions and 150 measures that state and local governments, public health departments, philanthropies, and community-based, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations can take immediately to support the nations 53 million family caregivers who make up 21% of the population. After spending many years advocating for a national strategy to support of Americas growing community of family caregivers, NAC welcomes the release of this comprehensive framework, said Jason Resendez, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving. At the same time, we recognize that a strategy alone wont improve the lives of family caregivers. We need a strong focus on marshalling the political will and resources needed to put the RAISE National Strategy into action. The release of this National Strategy comes at a significant time for family caregivers. According to research from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, there were 10 million more family caregivers in 2020 than there were in 2015 and the share of family caregivers who have difficulty coordinating care for their care partner increased from 19% in 2015 to 26% in 2020. More than one in five family caregivers say caregiving made their health worse. These issues are acutely impacting family caregivers of color, making family caregiving one of the most under addressed drivers of inequity in the US. The National Strategy includes potential government actions that address issues that family caregivers say are most important, including: 1) Access to Respite Services: AmeriCorps Seniors will offer professional short-term care to help family caregivers take a break; 2) Support with Day-to-Day and Complex Medical Tasks: Offices throughout the government will coordinate with states to grow and strengthen the direct care workforce to help more family caregivers with caregiving tasks; 3) Inclusion of Caregivers in Care Teams: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will update rules to include family caregivers in the hospital discharge planning process so transitions are smoother for all involved; 4) Financial Education on Caregiving Costs: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will increase the availability and use of financial education tools on the costs of long-term care so caregivers can better prepare; 5) Better Identification of Family Caregivers: Departments across the government will pilot identification of family caregivers in electronic health records and state information systems and conduct localized outreach to share information with family caregivers about the support available; 6) Research on the Needs of Family Caregivers: Interdepartmental efforts across the federal government will research family caregiving to inform evidence-based policies, including by providing grants to colleges and universities with gerontology and family service programs so support options meet family caregivers needs. NAC was integral to mobilizing the caregiving community in support of the RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage) Act, which established the council and process for developing the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. NAC also worked with The John A. Hartford Foundation and the National Academy for State Health Policy to ensure family caregivers were centered in the development of the recommendations and that the strategy reflected the lived experiences of this diverse community. We encourage individuals and organizations to provide public comment on the National Strategy beginning on Oct. 1. The Strategy will be updated biennially, informed in part by public feedback, ensuring it continues to meet the needs of family caregivers and those they care for as they evolve. ### About the National Alliance for Caregiving Established in 1996, the National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on building health, wealth, and equity for family caregivers through research, innovation, and advocacy. We envision a society that values, supports, and empowers family caregivers to thrive at home, work, and life. Learn more at http://www.caregiving.org. The design of the new website will help vendors, customers and new prospects access the information they need to make better financing decisions. Additionally, the site is built on current technology providing a better experience on mobile platforms. Keystone Equipment Finance Corp. (Keystone), an independent equipment finance company, has launched its new website at existing domain http://www.keystoneefc.com. In addition to a complete design makeover, enhanced imagery and new sitemap, the website also has a toggle so viewers can read the content in Spanish. Features of the new website include: Information on specific funding options new equipment, used equipment, and more Details about the industries Keystone serves Enhanced vendor section Online application Links to the Keystone client and payment portal Need-specific contact forms Todd Kaufman, President of Keystone, stated, The design of the new website will help vendors, customers and new prospects access the information they need to make better financing decisions. Additionally, the site is built on current technology providing a better experience on mobile platforms. About Keystone Equipment Finance Corp.: Keystone Equipment Finance Corp., a subsidiary of Commercial Credit, Inc., is a nationwide provider of small and mid-ticket equipment financing solutions, specializing in the transportation, construction, arbor, waste and related industries. Keystone has built long-standing relationships, withstanding many business cycles by a commitment to customer service, speed, and consistency. The company is headquartered in West Hartford, CT. For more information, please visit http://www.keystoneefc.com. Library of Congress 2022 Literacy Award Winner A literal badge of honor. We are humbled and thankful to be selected by The Library of Congress as one of just a few 2022 Successful Practice Honorees for our implementation of highly successful practices in literacy promotion. Each year the Library of Congress reviews hundreds of nominated nonprofit organizations working to improve literacy outcomes around the world. The selection advisory board has included reading advocates former First Lady Barbara Bush and author James Patterson. The review board looks for Innovation, Sustainability, Replicability, Measurable Results and Evidence-based Practices. Kids Read Now (KRN) exhibited these traits over each of its ten years in operation, leading to this prestigious win. KRNs core innovation is to mail self-selected books every week to K-5 students while building multi-modal, multi-lingual extensive student and parent engagement tools; offered as an affordable Title funding-eligible turnkey program, managed for school districts. The drive for low costs and easy implementation by rural, suburban and urban schools allows the program to cover costs and scale, having gifted almost 3 million books to 100,000 families in 38 states. Parents and educators send us hundreds of positive testimonials and stories each year, sharing the positive impact our program has on their kids. Learn how our in-home reading programs can benefit your students at kidsreadnow.org. #KidsDreamsDelivered #LiteracyMatters ABOUT KIDS READ NOW Kids Read Now (KRN) is an innovative, in-home summer reading program. We engage schools, parents and kids through a read-report-repeat-results strategy that builds excitement in readers and encourages them to keep reading all summer long. KRN focuses on prevention rather than interventionwe strive to keep kids reading so they dont lose reading/literacy skills when away from the classroom. School districts contract with KRN. The program begins in the spring with teacher training. Teachers help students select eight books they want to read and parents provide summer contact information and agree to help their child(ren) read (supported by weekly check-ins from KRN). Families attend an in-person or virtual Family Reading Event near the end of the school year to familiarize families withe the program and get them excited. We challenge students to read each week and challenge their parents to read with them and discuss the questions on the Discovery Sheets included in each book. As students finish a book, parents send KRN a text or report on the Kids Read Now app, telling us which book theyve read. Students who read all their books receive a completion certificate and reward. KRN serves over 100,000 PreK-5 students in 30+ states. Our program shows a 2.5 month learning gain; 86% of educators would recommend KRN; and 89% of parents report their child reads more after being part of the KRN summer program. Kids Read Now builds students literacy skills while building family literacy and a lifelong love of reading. As noted by Geoffrey D. Borman, Ph.D., University of Wisconsins Center for Education Research, KRN can more than eradicate the entire two months of summer learning loss experienced by low-income students. Fall vs. Spring 2019 Reading Achievement results (the latest available) for reading scores of 500+ participating youth in Ohio and Michigan comparing them to 310 non-participating youth showed full treatment students (youth who received nine books) had a gain of 2.5 months of learning; and even better, some cohorts showed 4 months of gains. This study meets ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Level II (strong evidence) standards for program efficacy. The addition of PayPal and Venmo to our platform illustrates our continued devotion to providing customers with a frictionless way to pay their bills across KUBRA supported channels. KUBRA, a leading provider of customer experience management solutions for some of the largest utility, government, and insurance organizations, continues to grow its extensive network of digital payments with PayPal. Customers of billers using KUBRA e-billing or on-demand payment platforms can now make secure and safe bill payments using any web browser or smartphone. The PayPal platform has more than 429 million active accounts globally, that enjoy being able to make safe and convenient payments. Expanding its digital payment options to include PayPal and Venmo allows existing and new KUBRA clients to offer their customers more convenient payment experiences, payment choice, flexibility, and speed when making bill payments. The addition of PayPal and Venmo to our platform illustrates our continued devotion to providing customers with a frictionless way to pay their bills across KUBRA supported channels, said Rick Watkin, President and CEO of KUBRA. Our focus at KUBRA continues to be the preservation of the highest standards in digital payments. To learn more about how innovative payments can transform customer experiences, click here to watch our on-demand webinar, Innovations in Payments: Amazon Alexa, Facebook, Text, and More. For more information about KUBRAs comprehensive payment platform, visit https://kubra.com/solutions/kubra-ez-pay/. About KUBRA KUBRA provides customer experience management solutions to some of the largest utility and government entities across North America. Our portfolio includes billing and payments, mapping, mobile apps, proactive communications, and artificial intelligence solutions for customers. With more than 1.5 billion customer interactions annually, KUBRA services reach over 40% of households in the U.S. and Canada. KUBRA is an operating subsidiary of the Hearst Corporation. Visit https://www.kubra.com for more information. Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys Recognized as 2022 Philanthropic Company of the Year Being recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as a 2022 Philanthropic Company of the Year is such an honor for our legal team. Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys announces that the Phoenix Business Journal recognizes its law firm as a 2022 Philanthropic Company of the Year from a field of 50 nominations. An in-person awards event will be held Thursday, October 20 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts to recognize the firm and other generous, community minded, and innovative Valley businesses for their commitment to give back to the community. Two of our main core philosophies are to put the needs of our clients first and to give back by paying forward our successes. Thats why being recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as a 2022 Philanthropic Company of the Year is such an honor for Glen, myself, and our legal team. We dont do what we do for recognition, but its always a pleasant surprise when we do, shared attorney Kevin Rowe. Visit bizjournals.com to learn more about the 2022 Corporate Philanthropy Awards and to purchase tickets online. More About Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys is a powerhouse law firm representing personal injury clients. Attorneys Glen Lerner and Kevin Rowe have grown their law firm into one of the largest personal injury firms in the country, with over 50 attorneys and nearly 400 support employees located in Arizona, Nevada, California, Illinois, Indiana, New Mexico, and Tennessee. The law firms continuous exalted levels of success can be attributed to the high levels of respect and dignity shown to victims and family members hurt in an accident. For those injured outside one of the previously listed states, Lerner and Rowe has an established network of attorneys across the country, ready to help. The firm takes pride in nourishing these relationships as they know a personal injury attorney can make all the difference in obtaining fair compensation for the pain and suffering inflicted upon the victims of tortious conduct. For more information about Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys in Mesa, please call 602-977-1900. To connect with the law firm socially, follow Lerner and Rowe on Twitter and Instagram, or become a fan of its Facebook page. Also, visit lernerandrowegivesback.com to learn more about the many other community services that the lawyers and legal support team of Lerner and Rowe actively support. ### NAVs continuous development strategy consistently adds performance and security enhancements to deliver more functionality, exceptional security, and expanded management and communication tools."Ravi GuptaNAV VP of Strategic Solutions NAV Fund Administration Group, a leading provider of administrative services to alternative asset managers, was announced as Best Administrator Technology at the With Intelligence HFM US Services Awards in New York City on September 13. The With Intelligence HFM US Services Awards recognize and reward hedge fund service providers who have demonstrated exceptional client service, innovative product development, and strong and sustainable business growth over the past 12 months. NAVs continuous development strategy consistently adds performance and security enhancements to deliver more functionality, exceptional security, and expanded management and communication tools, said NAV VP of Strategic Solutions Ravi Gupta. Recent releases to the NAV client and investor portals have featured biometric login options, a fund onboarding tool, and full-featured mobile apps for Android and iOS platforms. Its been a busy year and were honored that our efforts have been recognized by the industry. Kudos to our talented in-house IT team that goes above and beyond to ensure our clients access to best-in-class services and tools, Gupta said. NAV was named Best Administrator Technology by a judging panel composed of leading hedge fund COOs, CFOs, CCOs, GCs and CTOs charged with identifying service providers that drive up standards across the sector and stand out from the crowd. Specific evaluation criteria included: Commercial success and business growth Demonstration of product or service innovation Description of future product or service development possibilities Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials 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 -- while maintaining a 99% client retention rate. 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 $155 billion AUA. https://www.navconsulting.net/ About With Intelligence With Intelligence is an information exchange connecting allocators and fund managers, across multiple asset classes, to the people and insight-enriched data they need to raise and allocate assets. Its global team of industry insiders, data scientists, analysts, reporters, technologists and developers bring a fresh perspective on asset raising and allocation. Beginning in 1998 as a traditional B2B publisher, the integrated With Intelligence product portfolio of data, insight and events has grown to cover hedge funds, private equity, real estate, private debt, and traditional asset management, with more than 3,000 institutional customers worldwide. Misguided Revenge, D. M Bourgeois' second book, brings back some of the characters in her first novel and delves into tormented pasts and mistaken identities. Misguided Revenge was delightfully suspenseful. The vivid descriptions of the cemetery and Jean Lafitte create an immersive experience that heightens the sense of mystery throughout. -- Charisse Zanca D.M. Bourgeois is a proud local author who is chilling readers nationwide. The Crown Point native is celebrating the launch of her second novel, Misguided Revenge, on Saturday, September 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gattuso's Neighborhood Restaurant and Bar in Gretna, Louisiana. The new novel is her second book since the highly celebrated 2020 release, Slipping Into Darkness, which was a finalist for the 2021 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award. Misguided Revenge tells the gripping story of eerie events surrounding Fleming Cemetery in Lafitte, Louisiana. The main character, Evan "E.R." Cortez, is a game warden who finds himself caught in a meshwork of deception and distorted reality when his partner, Liam, calls him to Fleming Cemetery one night before suddenly disappearing. As he investigates his partner's disappearance, he realizes there may be some truth to the local cemetery's ghost tales. With the help of his grandfather, Griff, and Charley Ann, a girl holding the few clues to Liam's disappearance, the trio unveils a sinister plot of revenge while racing against time and battling the impending landfall of Hurricane Ida. Bourgeois will be celebrating the launch of Misguided Revenge on September 24 at Gattuso's Neighborhood Restaurant and Bar, located in Gretna's historic district at 435 Huey P. Long Avenue (five minutes from downtown New Orleans). The event starts at 11 a.m. and will last until 2 p.m. Her book launches have a distinct character that always reflects an aspect of her novels and the area she knows and loves. One book signing for 2020's Slipping Into Darkness offered walking sticks to the attendees, a nod to the novel's character Abby, whose adventure begins with a "magnetic attachment to a hundred-year-old walking stick." "Misguided Revenge was delightfully suspenseful," writes Charisse Zanca in her review, "The vivid descriptions of the cemetery and Jean Lafitte create an immersive experience that heightens the sense of mystery throughout." The novel revisits some characters from her previous work, Slipping Into Darkness, and Zanca notes that these recurring characters "reward readers while presenting a story which stands marvelously on its own." "The story's delivery is well-paced, evokes emotion at all the right times, and allows the reader to participate in the mystery as it unfolds in front of them," Zanca adds. Early readers have also praised her portrayal of dynamic characters that grow due to their strengths and use the bonds of family and friendship to overcome their trauma. Mystery and suspense lovers everywhere can experience the intrigue of Misguided Revenge in paperback or as an e-book through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other major booksellers. Her previous novel, Slipping Into Darkness, was a finalist for the 2021 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award. The award, and the Killer Nashville International Writers' Conference that sponsors it, seek to "discover and honor the best books [of the year] that incorporate the elements of mystery, thriller, and suspense in numerous genres." Bourgeois' work has been regarded as faithful to the area her stories take place in. Born and raised in New Orleans, Bourgeois now lives in Crown Point, LA, with her husband, Glenn. She's Louisiana-educated, a graduate of Nicholls State University in Thibodeaux. Unsurprisingly, she commands her prose with an intimate knowledge of the shadows and mysteries found in every corner of Southeast Louisiana. https://dmbourgeois.com/ Notley, the Austin-based catalyst for social innovation has launched Rising Tide, the latest of its initiatives powering social good in communities across the nation. Rising Tide gives nonprofit organizations access to a completely new financial growth channel, and the ability to better protect and grow their funds without relying solely on donations. In partnership with Broadway Bank and Texas Partners Bank, Notleys Rising Tide program offers an innovative new interest-earning opportunity for nonprofits through on-demand notes who have historically relied on traditional savings that offer minuscule financial growth opportunities or face greater risk. With Rising Tide, nonprofits can now reduce risk and create new avenues for liquid revenue growth, even as the economy remains uncertain. Rising Tide is an extension of Notleys commitment to generating momentum for social good and nonprofits have been seeking a solution like this for years, says Barbara Daniels, Chief Financial Officer at Notley. Traditional savings returns are unsatisfactory and long-term CDs are prohibitive to most organizations. Notleys Rising Tide provides a vehicle for predictable revenue growth in an unpredictable financial market and unlocks outsized returns that are reinvested in our communities. A rising tide, truly, lifts all boats. The program not only generates financial returns for nonprofits that will allow them to deliver on their missions but also enables Notley to continue reinvesting in a wide range of social impact causes and the Austin community. As the economy remains uncertain, this ensures nonprofits continue to have the resources they need. Organizations such as the Livestrong Foundation, Urban Roots, Child Poverty Action Lab, Dollar For, and Hemisfair Conservancy have already begun to make use of this new program. The team at Rising Tide combines years of experience in finance, law, non-profits, academia, and leading successful companies in the private sector. They all share a passion for equity, affordability, and a rising community. For more information about how nonprofit organizations can grow their revenue via Rising Tide, reach out to Barbara Daniels at barbara@notley.com. Learn more about Notley and its mission to power social innovation at http://www.notley.com. About Notley Notley is a catalyst for social innovation with a mission to scale and support businesses, nonprofits, individuals and programs making positive change. Since 2015, Notley has provided the creative space and resources necessary to make the most impact in local communities. Through the use of magnetic risk capital, Notley works to bridge the gap of collaboration between for-profits and nonprofits to solve problems quicker. Today, Notley challenges the status quo with new models never before thought possible in communities across the nation, including Austin, Columbus, Philadelphia, and San Antonio. Learn more at http://www.notley.com. "Customer service is the foundation of our business and the experience that our staff creates is integral. With self-pour technology, they can focus on storytelling and creating an awesome, inviting experience." Eastern Market Brewing Co., a community-focused craft brewery based in Detroit, is opening Michigan's first fully self-service taproom in Royal Oak next month. The new concept, Lincoln Tap, features a 30-tap self-pour draft system powered by iPourIt technology and will serve as an interactive showroom for craft beers brewed by Eastern Market Brewing Co., and its experimental arm, Ferndale Project. The self-serve tap wall system will offer a rotating selection of beers, plus wine and cold brew coffee. Guests can explore details for each product on touchscreens above the taps and pour as much or as little as they please. RFID-enabled wristbands are used to activate the system and track the ounces. Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed a bill allowing the use of self-pour tap wall technology for bars and restaurants in the state of Michigan. iPourIt aided in passing the legislation, which expands the self-pour market to 45 of the 50 U.S. states. This has been in the works for some time and were excited to be able to partner with business owners and entrepreneurs to bring the self-pour experience to Michigan, said Darren Nicholson, VP of Sales at iPourIt. The new legislation requires that patrons have their RFID token affixed to their bodies while using the tap wall so our systems built-in wristband solution is perfect for this market. Eastern Market Brewing Co. was first launched as a taproom-focused brewery in the heart of the Detroit open-air market in 2017. The production facility at the new Royal Oak location will triple the size of its brewing system to support expanded distribution. Over the last five years, the company has grown its footprint and experimented with other a variety of other ventures including direct-to-consumer beer delivery, coffee roasting, vegan donuts, and Detroit-style pizza. Initially reluctant about the self-serve model, the companys partners wound up at a self-pour taproom in Florida earlier this year and their experience inspired them to consider the technology for their own business. They started researching and discovered that the bill was being pushed forward in Michigan. Customer service is the foundation of our business and the experience that our staff creates is integral. With self-pour technology, they can focus on storytelling and creating an awesome, inviting experience, said Dayne Bartscht, co-founder and managing partner of Eastern Market Brewing Co. Being able to operate more efficiently is also a big benefit and we like to innovate so being one of the first is exciting. The grand opening will be held in October, with soft launches proceeding. Lincoln Tap is located at 330 E Lincoln Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48067. Visit http://www.lincolntap.com for more details. About Lincoln Tap Lincoln Tap is Michigans first fully self-serve taproom. Its located in Eastern Market Brewing Co.s Royal Oak production facility and serves as a showroom for flagship beers and other experimental offerings including Ferndale Project, Dooped Donuts, and ASHE Coffee. About iPourIt, Inc. iPourIt, Inc. is North Americas leading provider of self-pour beverage dispense technology with more than 8,800 taps installed, 290 million ounces poured, and 300 locations in operation. Were not for the thats-how-weve-always-done-it crowd. Our tap wall technology is designed for trailblazers looking to drive growth, outsmart the competition, and deliver a service experience thats greatwithout the wait. iPourIt systems help simplify staffing needs, increase revenue, and enhance customer experience using sophisticated technology, detailed analytics, and industry-best support. In every aspect of our self-pour business, we tap into tech to help your profits flow. Visit ipouritinc.com for more information. Follow iPourIt, Inc. on YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter OpenBOM Before, OpenBOM we didnt have a final BOM that was accurate or easy to share. We need a full product BOM. I absolutely love that now I can share accurate, complete BOMs with vendors, partners, customers and so many more. It is great for the team and great for the company - Lead Engineer, Tomcar. OpenBOM, a leading SaaS digital product data management, and collaboration platform announces a patent award for multi-member collaboration methods. OpenBOM develops SaaS PDM and PLM products to help manufacturing companies to solves the pervasive problems related to data management, data silos, and communication inside of a company and across supply chains. OpenBOM allows users to manage data, files, and related changes across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, contractors, and suppliers regardless of organizational and geographic boundaries. The Invention (US Patent No. 11,315,08) enables multi-member collaboration and data management is focusing on the activity of people performing a specific set of collaborative tasks related to product structure and associated information. The method is allowing to control of user rights and tasks related to the contextual set of information and applies rules to define a set of associated operations and data based on each person's (or company's) settings. Manufacturing is in the midst of digital transformation. The influx of data, the distributed character of work, and the need to make better decisions faster are putting new pressure on manufacturers says Oleg Shilovitsky, CEO of OpenBOM. Data silos and the absence of a single source of product records are killing companies and processes. Data is often siloed in different physical locations in engineering, procurement, supply chain management, customer-facing databases, legacy systems, and spreadsheets. This leads to miscommunication between engineers, contractors, and suppliers, causing mistakes, delays, excessive costs, lost orders, and other problems. Before, we didnt have a final BOM that was accurate or easy to share. We need a full product BOM. It was too much tribal knowledge. I absolutely love that now I can share accurate, complete BOMs with vendors, partners, customers and so many more. It is great for the team and great for the company - Lead Engineer, Tomcar. OpenBOM cloud-native PDM and PLM platforms allow data management across multiple sources and multiple companies, organizing and managing product data records, providing product data intelligence, and changing the way organizations work together. Multi-tenant data management provides a unique way to analyze data and connect people and processes. About OpenBOM OpenBOM is a provider of a cloud-native PDM and PLM platform that manages product data and connects manufacturers and their supply chain networks. OpenBOMs modern SaaS real-time collaboration and data management technology allows the creation and manages product data and its lifecycle ( Parts, Bill of Materials, Vendors, and Purchases) across networks of engineers, supply chain managers, and contract manufacturers. OpenBOM enables people to share and collaborate using an online collaborative tool from initial design through all stages of engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain. Headquartered in Boston, MA area, OpenBOM's website is at http://www.openbom.com. For more information or questions please contact oleg(at)OpenBOM(dot)com. OpenBOM is a wholly-owned and branded product of Newman Cloud, Inc The Peace Education Program is a workshop series that can help make every day a peace day by empowering participants to discover their inner strength and contentment. Peace resides in your heart. All that it takes is that you recognize who you are. The Peace Education Program tries to only achieve one simple thingits to put you in touch with yourself. In solidarity with the U.N. International Day of Peace on September 21, The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) released a new video inviting people to learn more about the Peace Education Program and other initiatives to help advance dignity, peace and prosperity. The Peace Education Program is a workshop series that can help make every day a peace day by empowering participants to discover their inner strength and contentment. More than 300,000 people in 80 countries have participated in the program. It has proven effective with diverse populations in a variety of settings including community centers, schools and universities, healthcare programs, homeless shelters, substance use rehabilitation facilities, correctional facilities and many more. A growing body of studies and independent reports show profound impacts for participants, including empowerment to make better choices, shape more hopeful outlooks, enhance self-reliance and enrich appreciation for life. The Peace Education Programs goal is to help people live more peaceful and fulfilling lives, which dovetails well with the purpose of Peace Day. Established by the United Nations in 1981, the annual occasion aims to bring all of humanity together to commit to peace above all differences. In the new Peace Day video, TPRF Founder and Peace Educator Prem Rawat emphasizes the innate human potential for peace. Peace resides in your heart. All that it takes is that you recognize who you are, he says. The Peace Education Program tries to only achieve one simple thingits to put you in touch with yourself. Prem Rawat and the Peace Education Program were also recently featured during the Global Peace Education Day Conference on September 20, which brought together leaders in the field to share perspectives and approaches to building a worldwide culture of peace. While peace advocates around the world are pleased that Peace Day is now a yearly event on September 21, an increasingly vocal number of them have been requesting that the U.N. take their efforts further by establishing a complementary Global Peace Education Day an event to expand initiatives in schools and other institutions around the world. The Peace Education Program is just one of the ways that TPRF works to accomplish its mission of addressing fundamental human needs. TPRFs Food for People (FFP) program takes an innovative approach to helping people emerge from poverty by providing nutritious meals, clean water and educational opportunities to disadvantaged communities in India, Nepal and Ghana. So far, FFP has served more than 4.7 million nutritious meals, resulting in improved health, school enrollment and achievement, and economic outlook. In addition, TPRF has given over 170 grants totaling over $5.6 million to a variety of partner organizations in 40 countries to help victims of natural disasters and other challenges, providing food, water, medical care and other humanitarian aid. For example, this year TPRF has provided vital necessities to people suffering from the war in Ukraine. Registered as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, TPRF has earned the highest rankings from independent evaluator Charity Navigator for fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency. Watch the Peace Day video and learn more about all of The Prem Rawat Foundations work here. Raybow PharmaScience Logo These privileged chiral spiro ligands can be applied to a number of chemical transformations including asymmetric hydrogenation, asymmetric carbonyl reductions, cross-coupling (C-C, C-N, C-B), hydroboration/diboration and nucleophilic addition reactions. Raybow PharmaScience (Raybow) is pleased to highlight the use of privileged chiral spiro ligands for asymmetric synthesis with successful application to a number of commercially marketed APls. The key is more than 200 privileged chiral ligands with high enantioselectivity, high turnover number, high stability, ease of handling and readily tunable that Raybow has licensed from a number of leading academic researchers, specifically Professors Qilin Zhou (Nankai University) and Wenjun Tang (Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry). It is important to note that these privileged chiral spiro ligands are free and clear of any Intellectual Property issues and their use will not require any royalty payments from Raybow's clients. These privileged chiral spiro ligands can be applied to a number of chemical transformations including asymmetric hydrogenation, asymmetric carbonyl reductions, cross-coupling (C-C, C-N, C-B), hydroboration/diboration and nucleophilic addition reactions. Raybow has applied these privileged chiral ligands to a number of client projects, ranging from Process R&D to metric tonne manufacturing campaigns. Examples include Crizotinib (asymmetric reduction of a carbonyl intermediate; 1 00's of Kg per annum), Ensartinib (asymmetric reduction of a carbonyl intermediate; MT per annum), Rivastigmine (asymmetric reduction of a carbonyl intermediate, 1 00's of Kg per annum) and Aleglitazar (asymmetric hydrogenation; clinical supplies to Phase III). For all these examples more concise and/or higher yielding manufacturing processes with lower costs were developed. Raybow has further demonstrated the viability of these privileged chiral spiro ligands by their application to a number of other commercially marketed APls at gram to kilo-gram scale. These APls include Montelukast (asymmetric reduction of a ketoester intermediate), Ezetimibe (asymmetric reduction of a ketoacid intermediate), Clopidogrel (asymmetric reduction of a ketoacid intermediate), Dapoxetine (asymmetric reduction of a beta-ketoester intermediate), Empagliflozin (asymmetric reduction of a lactone intermediate) and Silodosin (asymmetric hydrogenation of an olefin intermediate). We have included 2 examples that showcase our work on our website. View them in our news room. Raybow will be happy to discuss the potential applicability of these privileged chiral spiro ligands for your chemistry needs. For more information on our services you can visit our website. We showcase some of our R&D capabilities and expertise in Green Chemistry. Meet us at CPhI Europe (November 1-3, 2022, Frankfurt, Germany) and BioEurope (Oct 24 - 26, 2022, Leipzig, Germany). Students showcase custom-stamped cow tags they created while participating in a hands-on field trip experience at the historic Nicolaus Dairy. After piloting the Project AWE curriculum with elementary classes and youth programs in Elk Grove, we are excited to invite students from throughout the Sacramento region to experience Project AWE and the Nicolaus Dairy. The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (Regional San) in partnership with Sacramento Splash (Splash) has opened the doors of the historic Nicolaus Dairy to students throughout the Sacramento region. Following extensive renovations to much of the property, the Nicolaus Dairy is now home to Project AWE, the Sacramento regions latest immersive educational experience offering hands-on field trip experiences in the areas of Agriculture, Water, Energy, and the Environment (AWE). TWEET THIS: "Do your kids know where their food comes from? @RegionalSan and SacSplash offer an immersive, hands-on experience through Project AWE at the historic Nicolaus Dairy to teach age-appropriate lessons of life on the farm. Learn more at https://ctt.ec/_Ldu3+" After piloting the Project AWE curriculum with elementary classes and youth programs in Elk Grove, we are excited to invite students from throughout the Sacramento region to experience Project AWE and the Nicolaus Dairy, said Christoph Dobson, Regional Sans General Manager. The Splash team has helped us breathe new life into the historic property by administering a unique learning experience that highlights the importance of environmental stewardship and understanding where our food comes from. Project AWE preserves local history for the community, while promoting sustainable practices and environmental stewardship through grade-level specific education programs focused on next generation science standards. Nicolaus Dairy History + Activities: German immigrant John Henry Nicolaus purchased 500 acres of land in the Sacramento Valley in 1890, where he and his wife, Lena, established the dairy and raised their eight children. The family continued to own and operate the dairy until 1980, when Regional San purchased the property as part of its 2600-acre Bufferlands that surrounds the regional wastewater treatment plant. Recently, the Regional San Board of Directors decided to restore the property to its post-WWII appearance and offer community educational opportunities. Project AWE began as a collaboration between Regional San, Splash, and the Elk Grove Unified School District, designed to provide age-appropriate educational curricula in area classrooms and immersive learning experiences at the Nicolaus Dairy. Learn more on the Nicolaus Dairy Fact Sheet here. Mackenzie Wieser, Chief Executive Officer of Splash, said the aim of the Project AWE program and the Nicolaus Dairy field trip experience is to help students connect the dots between what they learn in the classroom and what they experience at home. Young people today have a lot of experience with digital technology, but not as much experience with the physical realities that shaped the lives of those before them, said Wieser. Its well worth our time to give them a more complete understanding of what its like to live and work on a farm, in a format that supports classroom curricula and educational standards with hands-on experience. Learn more about the hands-on opportunities available for students in the Project AWE video news release here. About Regional San Regional San owns and operates the regional wastewater conveyance system and the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is located near Elk Grove, California. We provide wastewater conveyance, treatment and disposal service to about 1.6 million people throughout the Sacramento region, and our treatment plant is the largest wastewater treatment plant of its kind west of the Mississippi River. Learn more at regionalsan.com. About Sacramento Splash Splash is an environmental education, non-profit organization dedicated to helping local children understand and value our natural world through hands-on science education and outdoor exploration. Learn more at sacsplash.org. About Project AWE Project AWE is a collaborative effort the offers robust educational opportunities at the historic Nicolaus Dairy, owned by Regional San and located at the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant near Elk Grove. Project AWE curricula is focused on the history of California dairies and farming in balance with nature. Learn more at projectawe.net. Report for the World today announced the selection of 11 new host newsrooms, an expansion of its global presence from three to eight countries. Report for the World is scaling to help independent media cover critical beats and meet the growing challenges faced by local newsrooms across the world, said Preethi Nallu, Global Director at Report for the World. Report for the World today announced the selection of 11 new host newsrooms, an expansion of its global presence to five new countries: Mexico, Peru, Hungary, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe. Report for the World will continue to deepen its presence in its inaugural countries, Brazil, Nigeria and India. Additionally, it is opening applications for journalists within those countries. With an ambitious goal of doubling the number of corps members, the expanded cohort reflects geographic and language diversity, as well as different sizes and approaches from community-focused, hyper-local media to cross-border outlets looking at regional links. Report for the World, an initiative of the award-winning nonprofit The GroundTruth Project, is made possible by founding partners the MacArthur Foundation and Google News Initiative, along with family foundations and individual donors around the world. The program will forge its first partnerships in Eastern Europe, specifically Ukraine and Hungary, thanks to essential support from Microsoft. Report for the World is an innovative and exciting initiative focused on rebuilding journalism capacity around the world. New hybrid models for journalism like the ones from the GroundTruth Project are vitally important to ensuring a healthy information ecosystem, a critical component of a healthy democracy, said Eric Prock, Senior Director of Journalism Initiatives for Microsoft. The announcement comes on the heels of a UNESCO report revealing that independent media across the world are facing a combination of pressures, from government repression to collapsing revenue models and rampant disinformation. Report for the World is scaling to help independent media cover critical beats and meet the growing challenges faced by local newsrooms across the world, said Preethi Nallu, Global Director at Report for the World. While the program expands to five new countries, we look forward to building even stronger partnerships in our inaugural countries. The newsrooms will cover under-reported areas such as climate change, environment, criminal and social justice, education, healthcare, and civil liberties. Report for the World will provide salary and training support; however, the newsrooms will remain editorially independent. They are: Brazil: Agencia Publica - Centro de Jornalismo Investigativo Brazil: Agencia Mural de Jornalismo Das Periferias Brazil: Associacao O Eco Hungary: Atlatszo India: News Minute Mexico: Conexion Migrante Mexico: Quinto Elemento Lab Nigeria: Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) Peru: Asociacion Convoca Ukraine: Ukrainska Pravda Zimbabwe: The Citizen Bulletin Report for the World is proud to partner with these leading, incredibly resilient newsrooms representing the highest editorial standards, said Kevin Grant, Co-Founder and Chief Partnerships Officer at The GroundTruth Project. We see this as a global movement to protect and grow independent media. The need for support is significant in countries like Zimbabwe, with deep socio-economic disparities between different regions, where locally based journalists provide vital and life-saving information to local communities. The Citizen Bulletin will cover public health and the environment. We are focusing on these beats not just because they are undercovered but because this is where we believe consistent local reporting could have the most impact. For most underserved communities, access to public health and how changes in the environment play out in their livelihoods this is everyday politics, said Divine Dube, CEO of the Citizen Bulletin. In India, the expansion will see more coverage in the southern parts of the country, with The News Minute, a renowned, women-led digital publication introducing three corps members to its newsroom. Caste and gender continue to be the greatest barriers to accessing civil liberties in India several decades after we achieved self-rule. We at The News Minute, in collaboration with GroundTruth, have resolved to address this anomaly head-on by appointing three journalists, each of whom will focus all their attention exclusively on these areas, explained Dhanya Rajendran, co-founder of the platform. With a close eye on the impact of the invasion of Ukraine on eastern Europe, Report for the World is introducing an established Ukrainian publication, Ukrainska Pravda to our global cohort. In recognition of its consistent, community-focused coverage of the war, Ukrainska Pravda (UP) shared the Free Media Pioneer Award, at the International Press Institute World Congress held this September in New York. GroundTruth Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Charles Sennott, who serves on the North American Committee of the International Press Institute, said, This award is much-deserved recognition for UPs history of courageous and independent reporting, challenging the tyranny and corruption of Russia and now reporting on the frontlines of the war. GroundTruth is proud to count UP as a partner in our Report for the World program and honored to support their work in the field and help them nurture a new generation of journalists who will take up the mission to serve Ukraine with reporting that is independent, fierce and fair. Report for the World plans to welcome 15 reporters to these host newsrooms in November, bringing the total number of reporters working worldwide to 30. Looking ahead, it will also concentrate on further building regional capacity. "Over 2023, we will expand to other countries in the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia that are setting high standards for public interest journalism and transforming into regional centers for media innovation, despite highly restrictive environments," Nallu said. To follow or support Report for the Worlds work, visit reportfortheworld.org. About Report for the World: Report for the World is an international journalism program that matches local newsrooms with talented journalists to report on undercovered issues around the globe. By creating a more sustainable and impactful media ecosystem, Report for the World informs, engages, and enables communities through public service journalism. Report for the World is an initiative of The GroundTruth Project, an award-winning nonprofit journalism organization dedicated to rebuilding journalism from the ground up. Net Zero + Green Grid = The Great Regret. Friends of Science Society's 19th Annual Event featuring Prof. Ian Plimer and Joanne Nova. These are the real causes of this state of energy insecurity: under-investment in oil and gas; alternatives not ready; and no back-up plan. But you would not know that from the response so far. On Sept. 20, 2022, at the Schlumberger Digital Forum, Amin H. Nassar, CEO of Saudi Aramco, spoke plainly about the global energy crisis saying that billions [of people] around the world now face the energy access and cost of living consequences that are likely to be severe and prolonged, and denouncing the shaming of oil and gas investors, says Friends of Science Society. Nasser said, These are the real causes of this state of energy insecurity: under-investment in oil and gas; alternatives not ready; and no back-up plan. But you would not know that from the response so far. Certainly, many organizations and high-profile individuals share the blame for the global energy crisis. The UNFCCC had posted a video with carbon tax advocate and climate scientist Johan Rockstrom who said, "Of all tasks, the phasing out of #FossilFuels is the easy one. There is no excuse to not do it." Climate scientist @jrockstrom at #COP26 . This was retweeted Feb. 9, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine just 2 weeks later. Now Germany is on its knees as Russia has pre-emptively phased out fossil fuel deliveries of natural gas by shutting down the Nord Stream pipeline. Most of the rest of the EU is similarly facing reduced gas supply meaning heat or eat poverty, blackouts, and an industrial massacre. Mark Carney, then Bank of England governor, subsequently appointed UN climate czar and World Economic Forum trustee famously threatened companies with bankruptcy on Oct. 13, 2019, as reported in The Guardian, if they did not toe the line on climate change. The Guardian reported on Dec. 30, 2019, that Carney further stated that firms would have to justify investment in fossil fuels. Greta Thunberg also demanded an immediate stop to fossil fuel investing at the DAVOS World Economic Forum, as reported by CBS, Jan. 22, 2020. She is associated with the carbon offset organization We Dont Have Time. Meantime, Russia has never bought into climate change hysteria. As far back as Kyoto, Russia rejected climate change policies as a threat to human civilization, as reported to the National Press Club in Washington, DC, in 2004. The ClimateWorks Foundation and its myriad of funded environmental, non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) has been pushing for cap-and-trade systems worldwide since 2005, as reported by Matthew Nisbet in this peer-reviewed paper. They have spent billions on ENGOs, agitating to shut down coal-fired power plants as well as oil and gas exploration. ClimateWorks funded ENGOs have harassed oil and gas companies, driving off their banks and insurers. As reported by the New York Times on Sept. 02, 2022, President Biden has just appointed John Podesta, the past chair of ClimateWorks Foundation, to oversee the rollout of $370 billion in clean energy funding. The costs of net zero electrification of the USA would be US$290 trillion, or 13.5 times the U.S.A. 2019 gross domestic product, as calculated by Ken Gregory, Professional Engineer, in a reanalysis of Thomas Tantons original findings. As physicist Pierre Kunsch shows in "Decarbonizing electricity in the European Union: A programmed failure demonstrated by the figures," people can look at the 20 year full-scale lab experiment on the energy transition and see that it has failed. "Net Zero + Green Grid = The Great Regret" is Friends of Science Society's 19th Annual Event with Prof. Ian Plimer, author of "Green Murder" and Joanne Nova which offers insights on climate and energy policies. 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 3,000-year-old canoe recovered from Lake Mendota in Madison, WI Finding an additional historically significant canoe in Lake Mendota is truly incredible and unlocks invaluable research and educational opportunities to explore the technological, cultural, and stylistic changes that occurred in dugout canoe design over 3,000 years, said Dr. James Skibo Wisconsin Historical Society maritime archaeologists, alongside partners from Wisconsins Native Nations, recovered a 3,000-year-old dugout canoe from Lake Mendota in Madison today, less than one year after their recovery of a 1,200-year-old canoe that drew international attention in November 2021. Radiocarbon dating performed on the latest canoe places it to 1000 B.C., making it the oldest ever discovered in the Great Lakes region by roughly 1,000 years. The 3,000-year-old dugout canoe is carved from a single piece of white oak and measures approximately 14.5 feet in length. It was initially located by Wisconsin Historical Society maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen during a recreational dive in May of this year. Discussions about recovering it from the lakebed began immediately following the discovery, in collaboration with Wisconsins Native Nations. It was found in the same area the first canoe was discovered, suggesting that the location of Lake Mendotas shoreline may have changed over time and could have once been much lower, according to Dr. James Skibo, Wisconsin Historical Society state archaeologist. Finding an additional historically significant canoe in Lake Mendota is truly incredible and unlocks invaluable research and educational opportunities to explore the technological, cultural, and stylistic changes that occurred in dugout canoe design over 3,000 years, said Skibo. Since it was located within 100 yards of where the first canoe was found at the bottom of a drop-off in the lakebed, the find has prompted us to research fluctuating water levels and ancient shorelines to explore the possibility that the canoes were near what is now submerged village sites. Although it is likely that water transportation dates back to the arrival of Native peoples in this region, this discovery provides the earliest direct evidence. The 3,000-year-old canoe helps to tell a more complete story of the continuum of Native life in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region. Members from the Ho-Chunk Nation and Bad River Tribe were present at the canoe recovery. The recovery of this canoe built by our ancestors gives further physical proof that Native people have occupied Teejop (Four Lakes) for millennia, that our ancestral lands are here and we had a developed society of transportation, trade and commerce, said Ho-Chunk President Marlon WhiteEagle. Every person that harvested and constructed this caasgegu (white oak) into a canoe put a piece of themselves into it. By preserving this canoe, we are honoring those that came before us. We appreciate our partnership with the Wisconsin Historical Society, working together to preserve part of not only our ancestors history but our states history. Wisconsin Historical Society archaeologists, along with skilled volunteers, conducted the excavation and recovery efforts. The canoe was hand-excavated in preparation for todays recovery mission and then securely transported to the State Archive Preservation Facility in Madison for preservation and storage. It will be cleaned and cared for by Tribal members and Society staff before being hand-lowered into a large preservation vat also containing the 1,200-year-old canoe discovered in 2021. Together the canoes will undergo a two-year preservation process that will conclude with freeze-drying to remove any remaining water. I was amazed when a 1,200-year-old canoe was uncovered last year, but this discovery of a canoe dating back to 1000 B.C. is just extraordinary, said Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers. This incredible finding provides an opportunity for us to work in concert with Tribal Nations to not only study but celebrate the history of the Indigenous people whove called this land home since long before Wisconsin became a state, and I look forward to learning more about this artifacts origins. For more information, visit https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/. Photography and video clips from todays recovery will be available for media use here: https://wihist.org/MendotaCanoe About the Wisconsin Historical Society The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit wisconsinhistory.org. About Ho-Chunk Nation The Ho-Chunk Nation is a federally-recognized tribal nation based in Wisconsin but whose Indigenous boundaries lie between the Twin Cities, St. Louis, Chicago and Green Bay. Previously known as the Wisconsin Winnebago Tribe, the Ho-Chunk, a word meaning People of the Big Voice, officially changed their name with the ratification of their new Constitution on November 1, 1994. Hoocak, the traditional language of the Ho-Chunk, is the parent language of numerous Siouan languages. The Ho-Chunk are not located on a single reservation but own parcels of land throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. The seat of tribal government is in Black River Falls, Wis., with branch offices throughout the state as well as in St. Paul, Minn., and Chicago, Ill. For more information, visit ho-chunknation.com. Theres a lot of talk about financial inclusion in fintech, but what Stratyfy is doing is truly differentiated and most importantly, mission-driven, said Shannan Herbert. Today Stratyfy is pleased to announce that Shannan Herbert has joined its leadership team as Executive Vice President of Inclusive Credit in Stratyfys mission to enable inclusive finance for all. Herbert was most recently the Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer for City First Bank, a $1Bn Community Development Financial Institution headquartered in Washington, DC. There, she helped lead the company through its first merger of equals with Broadway Financial Corp, ultimately creating one of the largest Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions in the country. Herbert is bringing 20+ years of banking experience to Stratyfy, with a focus on providing capital to under-resourced populations. Prior to City First Bank, she served as Senior Vice President and Director of Loan Review for United Bank, where she was responsible for the oversight of a $13B loan portfolio. At Stratyfy, Herbert will use her depth of experience to scale Stratyfy's solutions and products with a particular focus on financial institutions committed to eradicating structural racism. Creating a fairer, more inclusive credit system requires collaboration, creativity, and an understanding of the real challenges facing both consumers and institutions, said CEO and Co-Founder Laura Kornhauser. Shannan's leadership experience and demonstrated passion for shaping a more equitable financial system will be invaluable in furthering Stratyfys mission. We cant be more excited about everything she brings to the team. Herberts impact in Black and Brown communities extends to her work promoting inclusive underwriting programs in the Underwriting for Racial Justice National Working Group and the RMA Community Bank Council. She also serves as Board Chair of Beacon House, a nonprofit organization in Washington, DC, and as Board Vice Chair of Rochdale Capital, a non-profit community development loan fund located in Arlington, Virginia. Herbert will continue to develop impactful partnerships and community engagements with mission-aligned organizations in her role at Stratyfy. Theres a lot of talk about financial inclusion in fintech, but what Stratyfy is doing is truly differentiated and most importantly, mission-driven, said Herbert. Working with regulators and community organizations, Im excited to use my experience and learnings in the banking sector to continue to develop our lending offerings in an effort to drive real change and close the racial wealth gap. This announcement comes on the heels of momentous growth from Stratyfy. At this years FinovateFall, the company won Best in Show for its UnBias solution, which allows institutions to uncover, understand, and undo bias in complex financial decisions. Stratyfy is also part of Upstarts latest MoreThanFair initiative, which was announced last week. ABOUT STRATYFY Stratyfys transparent machine learning solutions empower financial institutions to automate smart lending decisions with more transparency, trust, and confidence. Stratyfys UnBias also helps companies proactively identify and remove hidden bias in data and models. With Stratyfy, institutions can seamlessly combine the precision of their data with the wisdom of their people to make better, faster decisions based on true risk and serve more customers. Follow Stratyfy on Twitter and LinkedIn. For more information, visit https://www.stratyfy.com. For media or other inquiries, please email luke@stratyfy.com. Slim.AI, the Boston-based software supply chain security company, is planning release of its Second Annual Public Containers Report and announced that Ayse Kaya, the companys senior director of strategic insights and analytics, will present the findings during a keynote presentation at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America next month. Slim.AI representatives will also be on hand at KubeCon in Booth SU64 to demonstrate recent product enhancements and celebrate the market momentum the company has achieved since the beginning of the year. The report will be available at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America. Anyone may sign up to receive the report by visiting the 2022 report landing page. The first report, released in 2021, is currently available for download. Kaya, a data scientist and container enthusiast, will present What We Learned Dissecting the Worlds Most Popular Containers from the keynote stage at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America in Detroit on Wednesday October 26. Her team analyzed more than 100 of the worlds most popular public container images using open source tools to better understand what developers encounter. They found a vast, varied and complex world that gives developers massive opportunities to scale but also presents risks to both security and productivity. Sharing data, visualizations and insights from the research, Kayas keynote will demonstrate the current paradox in software supply chain practices, especially the trade-offs teams make between developer experience and production readiness. Kaya will also present, A Day in the Life of a Base Image: The Evolution of Vulnerabilities in the Most Popular Containers, on Tuesday, October 25 at 2:30 p.m. EDT. Additionally, Mritunjay Sharma, member of the technical staff at Slim.AI will participate in a panel discussion on making Kubernetes workloads more secure titled Say Hi to the New Couple in Town - DockerSlim and Kyverno. This talk will take place virtually on Monday, October 24 at 11:45 a.m. EDT. *Slim.AI Momentum Milestones Include New Features and Industry Accolades* Slim.AI is best known for its container optimization capabilities, stemming from the popularity of the open source project, DockerSlim. Since this spring, the Slim.AI Continuous Supply Chain Security Solution, built to leverage the power of DockerSlim, has added new features, tooling and a better developer experience with a focus on teams and organizational use cases. Specifically, Slim.AI recently unveiled two new featuresAutomated Container Optimization and Multi-Scanner Vulnerability Reportsto help developers stay current with vulnerabilities uncovered by multiple scanners and then automatically optimize their containers to make them as safe as possible by removing unused code, binaries and files before shipping them to production. Additionally, Slim.AI has received numerous industry accolades attesting to the platforms innovative feature development. Slim.AI has been recognized as the Most Innovative Container Solution of 2022 by the Tech Ascension Awards, ranked in The 10 Hottest DevOps Startups of 2022" by CRN and named among Intellyx analyst Jason Bloombergs Seven Top Black Hat Innovators after the eponymous conference in August. Recent news highlights at Slim.AI include: A design partnership with Tel Aviv-based BigID to address supply chain security issues An expanded advisory board, with supply chain security experts Cory Scott and Trevor Rosen Launch of an early access program for enterprises seeking to continuously analyze and optimize containers, improve container security and minimize software supply chain risk Joining the Docker Extension Program Learn More About Slim.AI: *About Slim.AI* Slim.AI helps developers create, build, deploy and run their cloud-native applications more efficiently and securely. The unique approach used by Slim.AI moves the focus on container optimization upstream in the DevOps lifecycle, giving developers the tools they need to author, manage and ship production-ready containers efficiently and effectively. More information at https://slim.ai and @SlimDevOps. ### Diversity, equity and inclusion are built into the DNA of SPS. [These achievements] will further ensure we are serving the need of both our employees and our clients, while treating them with respect and appreciation. The North American division of SPS, a leading outsourcing provider for business process solutions and innovative services in document management, has been honored for its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion communications program as part of the 2022 Ragan Communications CSR & Diversity Awards. SPS North America was among the finalists in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Communications category and was recognized with Honorable Mention. SPS DE&I initiatives are led by an employee council, and the teams achievements that were celebrated include: Created DE&I Vision & Mission Statements Created a pronoun policy that was rolled out for all employees in North America, along with training on how to engage others about their preferred pronouns Rolled out DE&I training on general diversity & inclusion topics as well as more specialized topics such as unconscious biases. To date, more than 90+% of SPS NA employees have completed the training Created a slogan that is used in all DE&I communications: DE&I@SPS: VALUE Validate * Appreciate * Learn * Understand * Engage DE&I observances promoted throughout the year Executive communication confirming our commitment to DE&I in response to increased hate crimes in the country Ensured diverse and inclusive representation in images used in both internal and external communications Developed questions around DE&I topics for inclusion on our annual employee survey In response to the recognition, Dan Moscatiello, CEO North America at SPS, stated, diversity, equity and inclusion are built into the DNA of SPS. I applaud the achievements of the SPS DE&I Council, which will further ensure we are serving the need of both our employees and our clients, while treating them with respect and appreciation. We are grateful to Ragan Communications for this recognition. About SPS SPS is the leading outsourcing provider for business process solutions and innovative services in document management. A strong international client base relies on SPS ability to envision, design and build end-to-end solutions, and to be its trusted advisor for the key value drivers in BPO: location strategy, process optimization and technology, such as intelligent automation. Headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, SPS approximately 8,000 employees and specialized partners span the full range of the industry with a focus on banking, insurance, telecommunications and healthcare, addressing customer needs in more than 20 countries. About Ragan Communications Ragan Communications has been delivering trusted news, training and intelligence for more than 50 years to internal and external communicators, HR professionals and business executives via its conferences, webinars, training, awards, subscriptions and membership divisions. Its daily news sitesPRDaily.com and Ragan.comare read by more than 600,000 internal and external communicators monthly. Its Communications Leadership Council is one of the fastest-growing membership groups for communications executives and its PR Daily Leadership Network is the go-to membership group for PR, marketing and social media professionals. Ragan's Workplace Wellness Insider serves HR, wellness and communications professionals. Ragan is also the producer of Communications Week, which is held Nov. 15-19. Ragan is headquartered in Chicago, with team members spanning the country and loyal customers worldwide. Visit http://www.ragan.com. These new studies suggest strongly that SBIRT is an evidence-based approach to intervene that helps young people, said Project Director Kaitlin Sheedy, an Abt senior associate. Does SBIRT work for young people? SBIRT stands for screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment for drug misuse, and researchers have found SBIRT is effective for adults. Now Abt Associates has assembled a supplement for the Journal of Adolescent Health that compiles new research on whether SBIRT helps adolescents. The answer: it does. Understanding this research, funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, is critical for developing sound, evidence-based policies and effective support for young people at risk for substance use disorders (SUDs). Some of the main takeaways from the studies featured in the supplement include: In a randomized controlled trial, adjusting for patient characteristics, the SBIRT group had lower odds of substance use diagnoses and lower odds of inpatient hospitalization compared with usual care. And the beneficial effects on substance use and healthcare needs may persist into young adulthood. Community-based SBIRT is associated with positive outcomesboth reduced risky substance use and improved education and employmentthat relate to longer-term positive youth development. Fewer than half of the 225 pediatric endocrinologists and rheumatologists in a study routinely screened adolescent patients for substance use, though many have concerns about the impacts of alcohol and marijuana use on their patients. The doctors agreed that marijuana isnt standardized enough to use as a medication and disagreed on marijuanas pharmaceutical potential. Middle school students were satisfied with a school-based SBIRT model, and participation in the program resulted in increased student connection with adults at school. School-based health centers offer a good setting for screening and detecting adolescents at risk for SUDs. Those at risk need follow-up contact with a behavioral health care provider. Additional treatment may be warranted for females, adolescents with previous sexual activity, and those at risk for SUDs who are not at risk for depression or have a suicidal history. (Those at risk of depression or with a suicidal history already engage more with behavioral health care providers.) In addition to the findings, several recommendations emerged: Provide education and training to health professionals and other youth-serving providers to normalize conversations about substance use as part of overall adolescent health and well-being Include early intervention in the continuum of care for youth to address substance use before a crisis occurs Involve youth and peers in the development of programs to improve the likelihood that the approaches and models resonate and are culturally appropriate. These new studies suggest strongly that SBIRT is an evidence-based approach to intervene that helps young people, said Project Director Kaitlin Sheedy, an Abt senior associate. And it can work wherever we find young people, from schools to juvenile justice programs to doctors offices. Properly trained staff just need to catch them where they are. For more information about this topic, register for our October 18th webinar. Contributors to the volume are affiliated with the following institutions: Abt Associates; Audacia Consulting; Boston Childrens Hospital; Boston University School of Public Health; Brandeis University Institute for Behavioral Health; David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Friends Research Institute; Harvard Medical School; Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research; King County Department of Community and Human Services; Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation; Reclaiming Futures; Seattle and King County Department of Public Health; Seattle Childrens Research Institute; The Permanente Medical Group; University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center; and YouthBuild USA. ### About Abt Associates Abt Associates is a global consulting and research firm that combines data and bold thinking to improve the quality of people's lives. We partner with clients and communities to advance equity and innovationfrom creating scalable digital solutions and combatting infectious disease, to mitigating climate change and evaluating programs for measurable social impactand more. http://www.abtassociates.com The Charming Taste of Europe is pleased to announce they will be participating in the Wine Media Conference from September 29th through October 1st in Lake Garda in Lombardia, Northern Italy. The Wine Media Conference was founded in 2008 and is one of the largest gatherings of wine writers in the world. The annual conference attracts wine writers, bloggers, influencers and others in the wine industry. During the event The Charming Taste of Europe will have a table on both Friday and Saturday where the participants will be able to taste wines from Abruzzo and Bordeaux and learn all about the Charming Taste of Europe campaign. In addition, there will also be two Discovery Sessions one on Bordeaux late harvest wines and one specific to Abruzzo wines. The Wine Media Conference will also be an occasion to talk about the Charming Taste of Europe project as a whole and its other European products such as cherries from Rachi Pieria and kiwis from Kavala, both from Greece. To find out more about the Wine Media Conference and access the schedule please visit the following: http://www.winemediaconference.org. To learn more about The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign, visit charmingtasteofeurope.eu, which highlights the characteristics of the selected European products. Pages dedicated to The Charming Taste of Europe'' can be found on all main social networks, such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The participating Consortia invites everyone to join the social media campaign using the hashtag #charmeu. About the Charming Taste of Europe: Europe, a place with timeless charm, is the birthplace of some of the highest-quality products in the world. The Charming Taste of Europe is a special project that introduces exquisite specialties to the United States and Canada, such as Italian and French wines, and fresh fruits from Greece, that showcase Europes charm, beauty, culture, history, art, heritage and unmistakable tastes. The mission of the Charming Taste of Europe, co-funded by the European Union, is to increase awareness of the merits and quality standards of select European wines and fresh fruits with promotional activities in the competitive markets of the U.S. and Canada. The Charming Taste of Europe is promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Abruzzo, the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP), the Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi Pieria Agios Loukas and the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines. These European agricultural products, famous around the world for their outstanding qualities, will continue to be promoted with initiatives and events for consumers, journalists and trade professionals. For more information visit charmingtasteofeurope.eu To Follow The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign: Website: charmingtasteofeurope.eu Facebook: @CharmingTasteofEU Instagram: @charmeu_usa YouTube: The Charming Taste of Europe Hashtags: #thecharmingtasteofeu and #charmeu The content of this promotion campaign represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains Guests at Denver Zoo for Wild Fall For the entire month of October, Denver Zoo will transform into Colorados wildest destination for fall adventure and exploration. As guests wander around the Zoo throughout the day, theyll discover the creatures that inhabit their imaginations come to lifefrom mysterious beasts of lore like Bigfoot to dragons, sea monsters and more. The experience continues with roaming costumed characters, creature-carved pumpkins, festive food and drink, and special animal demos that connect these supernatural beings to the real-life natural world. All Wild Fall activities are part of regular daytime admission and take place throughout normal daytime hours starting at 8:30 a.m. for members and 10 a.m. for the general public. Tickets are available at DenverZoo.org/Events. And on select evening (Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28-31), trick-or-treating is back and better than ever with Trick-or-Treat Trail, a limited-admission event with spooky surprises and eight stations serving up wildlife-friendly candy from companies that have committed to using only sustainably-sourced palm oil in their products. An additional $20 ticket provides access to a reusable trick-or-treat bag and 3040 pieces of candy; a Monster Mash dance party; festive photo opportunities with characters and sets; special spooky cocktails and festive autumnal eats; and exclusive animal demos with creepy-crawly critters. Finally, for the 18 and up crowd, the Zoo is offering two fall-themed events as part of its popular Adulting with the Animals series. Oktoberfest (Thursday, Oct. 6), features Bavarian dishes, live music from the Polkanauts, a yodeling contest, and more; and Monster Masquerade (Thursday, Oct. 27) includes special Animal Ambassador appearances, a costume contest and a live DJ. Tickets for both events are $35 per person and only available in advance. Members and guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance due to the popularity of all fall events and likelihood that many days and timeslots will sell out. For more information about Wild Fall and Adulting with the Animals, and to purchase tickets, visit DenverZoo.org/Events. ABOUT DENVER ZOO Home to more than 3,000 animals representing more than 450 species, Denver Zoo is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and the citys oldest and most passionate advocate for the natural world. The Zoo is among the most visited cultural destination in Colorado, serving almost 2 million people per year, and accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which assures the highest standards of animal care. With the mission inspiring communities to save wildlife for future generations, Denver Zoo dedicates almost $2 million annually to Zoo-led programs aimed at protecting animals within their natural habitats around the world. For more information, visit DenverZoo.org. ### Water damage cleanup company TRX Restoration is pleased to announce that they are now offering water damage restoration and flood cleanup services. Their licensed general contractors promise to go above and beyond the call of duty to guarantee complete recovery of their customers homes or businesses after sustaining water damage. Water is the most typical cause of property damage. Thats because plumbing issues, pipe bursts, flooding, overflows, rain, appliance malfunctions, and much more can leave homes or businesses with extensive water damage. A homeowner or business owner must take quick action to mitigate the damage. TRX Restorations professionals specialize in restoring and repairing homes or businesses when water damage takes place. According to Gene Axelrod, a representative from TRX Restoration, Flooding, sewage backups, drain backups, and burst pipes all have risks associated with them. Its always important that water be treated as a hazard to prevent mold, drowning, electrical risks, and other injuries. Apart from its hazard to people, water damage presents a major risk to your property and its structural integrity. The longer you wait for complete water damage restoration and flood cleanup, the more likely youll need mold removal. But theres no need to worry. Our team will show up on your site within 30 minutes of your call. For many years, TRX Restoration has been recognized as a leader in the restoration industry, specializing in water remediation and water extraction. Their team of professionals works on all water damage-related services, including emergency water damage, water damage cleanups, water flood restoration, and more. They also work on businesses and homes all over New York and New Jersey. TRX Restoration tries to ensure that companies, families, and individuals whose properties or residences have been damaged may continue their lives as soon as possible after experiencing how awful it could be. They pride themselves on their dedicated team, who are not just skilled at what they do but enthusiastic too about seeing businesses and households return to their homes and regular routines. The company is also trained and well-equipped in its vocations and utilizes the most updated techniques and technology to guarantee a smooth, fast, and stress-free house repair. They also treat their customers possessions with utmost responsibility and care. TRX Restoration recognizes that its commitment to top-notch customer services sets them unique. Thats why theyre only a call away throughout the restoration process. They make themselves available not just during office hours but also after hours, whenever their customers need them. About TRX Restoration TRX Restoration is a company that specializes in water damage restoration, flood cleanups and mold inspections in New York and New Jersey. They are specialists in restoring all kinds of disasters, such as mold removal, disaster recovery, and water damage cleanup. To learn more about TRX Restoration and its services, call Gene Axelrod at (888) 502-7190 or email him o at trxwaterdamage@gmail.com. Visit their official website at https://trxrestoration.com to book a free consultation today for water damage restoration in New York and New Jersey. ### The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has named NeuroFlow as a finalist in Mission Daybreak a $20 million challenge designed to help VA develop new suicide prevention strategies for Veterans. As a finalist, NeuroFlow will receive $250,000 and advance to Phase 2 of the challenge. Co-founded by a U.S. Army Veteran, NeuroFlow supports organizations in their efforts to improve behavioral health access and support for Veterans. Partners, including The Wounded Warrior Project, Stop Soldier Suicide, BraveHearts, can utilize the company's technology to provide Veterans with 24/7 access to confidential, personalized resources to support their overall wellness. Properly supporting the behavioral health of our Veterans requires innovative, technology-driven solutions, notes Army Veteran and NeuroFlows VP of Clinical Operations Matt Miclette. The efforts of Mission Daybreak align directly with the DNA and mission of NeuroFlow; we're honored to be a part of this challenge and join a diverse group of organizations tackling the issue of Veteran suicide. During Phase 2 of the challenge, 30 finalists will join a virtual accelerator program designed to help the finalists develop ambitious, but achievable roadmaps for prototyping, iteration, testing, and evaluation. Technology partners supporting the accelerator include Amazon and Microsoft. In November 2022, finalists will present their solutions to key stakeholders, investors, and partners at Demo Day, a live pitch event. Phase 2 will award $11.5 million in prizes: Two first-place winners will each receive $3 million, Three second-place winners will each receive $1 million, Five third-place winners will each receive $500,000. Visit missiondaybreak.net for more information on the challenge. Subscribe to the Mission Daybreak newsletter to follow along with the finalists progress and receive updates on Demo Day. Reporters covering this issue can download VA's Safe Messaging Best Practices fact sheet or visit ReportingOnSuicide.org for important guidance on how to communicate about suicide. About NeuroFlow: NeuroFlow integrates behavioral health across the care continuum by assessing and triaging people to get them to the right level of care, providing high-tech and high-touch support for populations that would typically fall through the cracks in todays healthcare system. Proven to drive better clinical and financial outcomes for leading health systems, payors, and the Department of Defense covering 15 million lives, NeuroFlows platform combines consumer engagement with enterprise-level care management software and clinical support services to support integrated behavioral health at scale. To learn more, visit http://www.neuroflow.com. Wines of Chile USA heads back to Miami on November 17th for a one-of-a-kind event to spotlight the regions strive toward a greener future. Supported by ProChile, the event will highlight the regions sustainably-focused initiatives through a tourism seminar, exclusive Imagen de Chile documentary screening and grand reception that will showcase the best of Chile from sustainable wineries and eco-conscious businesses to premium wine and food products. Chile is the worlds fourth largest wine exporter and over 80% of said exports are certified sustainable, representing one of the most regionally diverse and eco-friendly wine selections on the planet. The country also has one of the worlds most extensive sustainability accreditation programs in the world with 80% of the exported wines certified by the Wines of Chile Sustainability Code, which launched in 2010. This code extends beyond the vineyards, protecting not only the vines but also the workers and guests who visit the region. Expanding on the Sustainability 365 Campaigninitiated in 2021Wines of Chile USA developed in tandem with Colangelo & Partners a new theme that sheds light on the entire regions initiatives to fight climate change, as it goes well beyond the code: Chiles Mosaic of Sustainability. Chile is a mosaic of surprises, and we are excited to come together and celebrate the regions commitment to sustainability, says Wines of Chile USAs North America Director Julio Alonso. Our wines are the reflection of the historical vocation and we look forward to sharing them with all attendees." Trade and media professionals are invited to join the celebration on Thursday, November 17th, 2022 at the Rubell Museum from 4:30PM - 10:00PM for the below schedule of events: (4:30 - 5:30PM) The night will begin with an educational seminar for trade, sponsored by Chiles Tourism Board Sernatur and LATAM, one of the largest airlines in Latin America. Titled Chile, Where the Impossible is Possible, the seminar aims to shed light on the regions tourism attractions, sustainable practices and top reasons to plan a trip to Chile. (5:30 - 6:30PM) A debut of Oscar Nominee Maite Alberdis documentary, Im the Earth. Stories from the Southern Edge of the World, will follow the seminar. This documentary tells the story of Chiles fight against climate change and the regions current and future plans. (6:30 - 10PM) The event will culminate with a grand reception that is supported by premium sponsors and wineries that will sample their foods and wines and shed more light on the relevant services they provide. During the grand reception, attendees will have the opportunity to taste over 40 premium and sustainable wines from Chile with a special highlight on the countrys largest wine region, Maule. The Maule Valley can claim some of the countrys oldest vines, planted over a century ago. Traditionally, Maule has been associated with easy drinking and great value wines, but there has been a recent surge toward making premium quality wines for export. The Maule Regional Government will host a dedicated table for the most versatile selections that exemplify the future of Maule. Additional wines from north to south of the country will highlight Chiles unique geographical situation and its assortment of micro-climates that make the region ideal for wine growing. Participating sustainable, organic and biodynamic wineries include: Balduzzi, Bodega y Vinedos Korta, Casa Silva, Concha y Toro, Emiliana, Garage, Haras de Pirque, J. Bouchon, Koyle, Lapostolle, Miguel Torres, Odjfell Vineyards, Santa Ema, Survalles, Terranoble, Ventisquero Wine Estates, VIA Wines, VIK, Vina Aromo, Vina Garces Silva, Vina Santa Carolina, Vina Los Vascos, Vinedos Veramonte, Vina Kunza, Vina Morande, Vina Santa Rita, VSPT Wine Group Eco-conscious sponsors and supporters include: BluGlacier: BluGlacier was founded in 2016 as a U.S. joint venture by two top sustainable salmon producers in Chile, Blumar and Ventisqueros. In 2020, BluGlacier launched Oshen by BluGlacier: salmon raised in the isolated, cold-water fjords of Chile. Today, the company remains dedicated to upgrading the lives of individuals and the general well-being of the planet through sustainable aquaculture. Bci: Banco de Credito e Inversiones is currently the largest bank in Chile by total assets, and its subsidiary, City National Bank (CNB), is the second-largest local bank in the state of Florida, United States. Bci promotes environmentally responsible investments with over $130 million USD in financing of green projects and issuing over $140 million USD in green bonds. ASOEX: The Association of Exporters of Chile strives to ensure the general interests of the export trade and defend basic economic and social principles that will benefit the country in general. 100% Cork: The mission of 100% CORK is to provide the wine industry and consumers with the latest information and research on the benefits of natural cork. Global Compact: United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. Imagen de Chile: Imagen de Chile is a private institution based in Santiago to promote Chiles image abroad through nation branding to help develop opportunities for Chile and its people while bolstering its recognition and appreciation abroad. They are also the sponsors of the documentary screening. The mission of Wines of Chile is to promote the quality and image of Chilean wines throughout the world. For more information, please contact Amanda Torres, atorres@colangelopr.com. Trade and media professionals with accreditation can register here. **This event was originally planned for September 28th, but was postponed due to the hurricane.** # # # About Wines of Chile Wines of Chile (WOC) is a non-profit, private organization of 100+ Chilean wine producers dedicated to promoting the quality and image of Chilean wines. It is the oldest organization of its kind, formed in 1949 through the merger of two groups. With offices in the United States, Canada, China, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Chile, WOC develops and offers promotional and educational programs for its members. Activities include lobbying, research and development, worker assistance, and serving as a network hub for associates. What determines how we feel about new technologies? Can an existential approach help us deal with apocalyptic fears about the climate crisis? And does having brothers or sisters influence our personality? New research in APS journals explores these questions and much more, including what makes a joke funny and how social support can prevent depression in breast-cancer survivors. In this episode of Under the Cortex, cognitive psychologist Ludmila Nunes and her colleague Amy Drew, APSs Director of Publications, discuss five of the most interesting new articles from the APS journals. APS members get advance notice of all new research through our This Week in Psychological Science newsletter and may access the complete archive of APS journal articles. Unedited transcript: [00:00:12.990] Ludmila Nunes Why do concerns about new and unfamiliar technologies cyclically repeat themselves? Can the acceptance of death help us prepare for an ecosystem? What makes a joke funny? And does growing up with a sister rather than a brother affect our personality? New research published in the Journal of APS explores these questions and much more. This is under the cortex. I am Ludmila Nunes with the Association for Psychological Science. To speak about five articles recently published in the journals of APS. I have with me Amy Drew, the director of publications at APS. Hi, Amy. Thanks for joining me today. [00:01:01.030] Amy Drew Thanks for having me, Ludmila. Its lovely to be here. [00:01:04.210] Ludmila Nunes So before we start today, I think its great if we have a quick introduction about your work, Amy. In this podcast, we discuss some of the most recent research published in the scientific journals of APS. We have six journals, and the articles published are peer reviewed. They go through a very rigorous process. Would you like to explain our listeners what this is and what you do specifically? [00:01:30.370] Amy Drew Sure, Id be happy to. So, as you mentioned, APS publishes six journals, which all differ somewhat in their scope and mission. Our journals publish empirical and theoretical work, and some publish unique article formats, like provocative opinion or philosophical Pieces and Perspectives on Psychological Science or PSPI Reports, which are state of the science articles solicited from top experts on a particular subject targeted to a public, policy focused audience. We have some journals like Clinical Psychological Science and Amps that are a bit more specialized but quite unique in their focus on integrative and interdisciplinary science. And Current Directions in Psychological Science gives readers highly accessible summaries of the latest findings on a particular topic or in a particular lab. [00:02:13.870] Ludmila Nunes You mentioned Amps thats advances in methods and practices in psychological science, right, which is actually open access. So any of our listeners have access to those articles that are very focused on methods and how to do things in research, right? [00:02:31.210] Amy Drew Yes, and theres a lot of great tutorials in Amps. And again, like you said, those are freely accessible to anybody. So those are a lot of great content in there about metascience and research design and things that can really help people improve their own research. And then, of course, we have our flagship journal of Psychological Science, which publishes the most innovative and game changing research in the field. So, although our journals vary in terms of content and format, they are all published with a really broad audience in mind, and they all have extremely high standards for acceptance. So we want to ensure that high quality and scientific rigor are a given for any article that we publish. And the way we achieve that is through peer review, which is a process in which experts on a particular subject critically assess and vet an article on that subject that has been submitted to one of our journals. So these experts are solicited by the journals editors to provide their input and constructive feedback to the authors. And the editor then combines that reviewer input with their own impressions of the article to render a decision about whether to accept the article for publication in the journal. [00:03:33.690] Amy Drew Reject it on the grounds that it didnt meet the journals criteria for acceptance. Or perhaps give the authors an opportunity to revise the paper and submit kind of a new and improved version that will start the review process. Again, it might have the same and or new expert reviewers weighing in. [00:03:50.050] Ludmila Nunes Thats great. I think that gives a lot of information, useful information about how we get these articles out and why theyre accepted, how theyre edited all of that. So what were going to be doing today is talking a little bit about five of these recent published articles. I believe we are talking mostly about articles from Psychological Science, but we also have one from perspectives. So now that we know more about how this research gets out, lets talk about the research itself. So I would like to start with this article published in Psychological Science. The authors are Adam Smiley and Matthew Fisher. The article is titled The Golden Age is Behind US how the Status Quo Impacts the Evaluation of Technology. What the authors here found was that independently of the actual risks posed by technology, people tend to have more positive attitudes toward technologies that were invented before their earliest memories. So Smiley and Fisher manipulated the reported age of an unfamiliar technology. They used Aerogel, which is a real technology. Its a synthetic, porous ultralight material derived from a gel in which the liquid component for the gel has been replaced with the gas without significant collapse of the gel structure. [00:05:25.150] Ludmila Nunes But although this is a real technology, its something that most people dont know. So they used this and manipulated the date of discovery of this technology. So they reported the age of technology and changed that for different participants. And what they found was that people evaluated this technology more favorably when it was described as originating before their birth. In another study, they actually used ten very well known technologies the cell phone, the electric car, laptop computer, Bluetooth, WiFi, email, drones, self driving cars, and blockchain, which an example of blockchain is Bitcoin and video games. And what they found here was that the participants age at the time of the invention predicted their attitudes towards these technologies. So if the technologies had been invented before they were born or they were really young, they showed more positive attitudes towards these inventions and they were not afraid of them. Now, if they are older, if they remember these technologies being invented, they showed more negative attitudes. The authors also found that a preference for states of the world remaining consistent. This is a status quo. Bias also had an effect on the evaluations of technology. So people who preferred for the state of the world to remain consistent tended to be more afraid of technology. [00:07:17.890] Ludmila Nunes And these results can help understand why cycles of concern over new technologies continually repeat. [00:07:28.030] Amy Drew Yeah, thats really interesting, because that is something that seems like it happens every time theres a new technology. Right. Like, I know even in the 1940s, parents were freaking out because they thought their kids were addicted to radio crime dramas. So this has been going on forever, and it is an interesting phenomenon that continues to persist. So insights like these into it are really sort of helpful to understand why it keeps happening. [00:07:51.570] Ludmila Nunes History always repeats itself, right? So you have another one for us? [00:07:56.830] Amy Drew Yeah. So I imagine the topic of this next article will really resonate with a lot of people, and thats eco anxiety or the chronic fear of environmental doom. And, you know, about 50% of American children fear that the world will be uninhabitable by the time they grow up, and almost the same percentage of Americans overall endorse the idea that humanity is doomed. So eco anxiety is certainly a widespread phenomenon. And the question that the author Devin Guthrie tries to answer in this Perspective on Psychological Science article is how exactly are we supposed to cope when faced with seemingly inevitable ecological and societal collapse? And perhaps fittingly, he turns to existential psychology to address these existential anxieties. So Guthrie makes a connection between eco anxiety and death anxiety, which is exactly what it sounds like. So it turns out we have a whole arsenal of psychological weapons that we deploy to deal or really not deal with the knowledge of our inevitable demise and to ward off reminders of it, even to our own detriment. So we generally try very hard not to think about our own deaths. And researchers have found that when prompted to do so, we hold more tightly to our world views and our in groups, and we even, paradoxically, are more eager to engage in dangerous behaviors that could increase the chance of dying, like driving fast or Skydiving. [00:09:16.390] Amy Drew And well do whatever we can to distract and soothe ourselves from this reality, be it substances, consumerism petty concerns, anything to avoid facing the terrifying truth that at some point, our life must end. So Guthrie explains that we tend to use these exact same tactics when faced with the prospect of the death of our entire species and possibly the planet. So he explains that these tactics are incredibly counterproductive, no matter when or why we use them. Basically, we expend so much energy keeping negative thoughts and feelings away that we end up suffering more in what is called the ironic process effect. And the classic example of that is me telling you not to think about a white bear, which makes it virtually impossible for you to think about anything except a white bear. So Gothri suggests an approach based largely on acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or act. And as the name suggests, act starts with acceptance, both cognitive and emotional. So we have to both look realistically at our situation and understand what we can and cannot change at the same time provide space to process the painful negative emotions that that kind of reality check can bring about. [00:10:23.250] Amy Drew So in the case of the climate crisis, this means understanding and accepting the painful truth that we are hurtling towards a future in which the Earth will be uninhabitable for most or all of humanity. So Gathering also points out that our current predicament does not in any way change the immutable fact that we as individuals are going to die. That has been and always will be true. And when we engage with the idea of death, either a person or a planet, in kind of an abstract and superficial way, our terror management defenses kind of take over. So we deny, deny, deny. We certainly dont talk about it. And this denial renders us unable to process our grief, which robs us up the opportunity to integrate and make meaning from that grief, which is a really crucial part of the grieving process. So on a personal level, this denial inhibits the productive post traumatic growth that can actually come out of grief, while the refusal to face our climate reality hinders what some have termed pretraumatic growth. But we also know from previous research that when faced with death in a deeper and more tangible sense, like receiving a diagnosis of a terminal illness, people actually tend to feel more grateful to be alive. [00:11:29.810] Amy Drew They prioritize intrinsic goals over external ones. They have more appreciation for the value of life because they are acutely aware of how scarce and fleeting it is. In fact, a lot of act workbooks actually start with a prompt to imagine your own funeral and to kind of consider your own death in this sustained and tangible way. So think of it this way end of life care is a natural place to look for strategies for coping with eco anxiety. Now, a lot of people might think of hospice care as kind of constantly looming with the specter of death and very depressing and sad. But the goal of hospice is really to give up the quest to live as long as possible so that you might live as meaningfully as possible with the time you have left. And as a result, people recognize and put more energy into the things that truly matter to them. And they also really enjoy and savor the current moment regardless of what may be coming. So we could all learn a lesson from palliative care. And Guthrie encourages readers to embrace those same values in their daily lives. He envisions a kind of hospice for humanity in which we as a society can all look at the climate crisis in the face and accept it. [00:12:34.010] Amy Drew And our lives can be all the more meaningful for that and I think thats about as positive a note as an article about coping with impending climate collapse can end on no. [00:12:44.210] Ludmila Nunes It is actually a very positive message because it teaches us that keep denying things and worrying and worrying but not doing anything meaningful about them. Its not going to change them and its just adding more to our own anxiety. And when we have to face these things, we get more scared and more depressed and thats less functional, right? [00:13:09.940] Amy Drew Exactly. [00:13:11.110] Ludmila Nunes Yeah. Okay, my next one is also not very uplifting, but somewhat uplifting because it shows that psychosocial resources, meaning social support, can help a lot with psychosocial resilience. So this article was published in Psychological Science by Andrew Manigolt and colleagues and its about psychosocial resilience to inflammation associated depression, a prospective study of breast cancer survivors. So many golden colleagues did a study with women with breast cancer and measured cancer related stress and psychosocial resources which included social support, optimism, positive effect mastery, self esteem, and mindfulness. And then two years starting after this diagnosis, they also measured depressive symptoms and inflammation. And we know that stress is very associated with inflammation and depressive symptoms. What the authors found here was that women who reported having more social support reported fewer associations between stress and depressive symptoms and between stress and inflammation related depressive symptoms. So they felt better than women who reported having fewer as these psychosocial resources or social support. So what these results show is that it is really important to have social support when one is trying to manage stress and inflammation associated depressive symptoms. So for any health outcomes, it is very positive to have a wide social support, a wide network and also feel optimistic about these symptoms. [00:15:22.510] Amy Drew Yeah, I know that thats something Ive known people who have gone through cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment and yeah, for them its certainly been a huge thing having social support and having that sort of network that can kind of lift you up and its interesting to see sort of the mechanisms of how that actually leads to better outcomes. [00:15:41.870] Ludmila Nunes And weve seen several articles that link stress and the lack of resources with poor health outcomes and this one is actually positive because it also shows the opposite. Its not just that bad social support or a lack of will have a negative impact, but by providing more social support we can actually improve health outcomes. [00:16:05.810] Amy Drew Yeah, that is nice to have some good news on that front. All right, well, I think for my next article we could get a little lighter here and I really love research that tries to make sense of something thats just so subjective like humor. And here is an article that tries to get at a really fundamental question of humor, which is what makes a joke funny? Its like the content of the joke itself, the audience or perceiver of the joke, or is it the match between the joke and the audience. So in this Psychological Science article, which was titled The Relative Importance of Joke and Audience Characteristics and Eliciting Amusement, Rosenbush, Evans and Zealonberg used a variance decomposition approach to test how predictive each of these three factors are in determining amusement level. So recent literature would suggest that the content of a joke is actually the least predictive factor with the thinking that people are just so varied in their tastes and senses of humor. Like, think of the jokes that you find funny versus the ones that your parents share on Facebook. And audience characteristics are thought to be more predictive than joke material, which Im sure is something that resonates with touring stand up comedians who tell the same joke and might get wildly different reactions in different parts of the country or maybe even between different audiences in the same town. [00:17:19.240] Amy Drew But the most predictive factor is thought to be the most nuanced, and thats the interaction between joke and audience. So the authors did four studies where they had MTurk workers and university students rate the funniness of a variety of humor stimuli. They had words, memes, videos, kind of all kinds of formats. And they also looked at visitors to a joke rating website, which I admit I did not know was a thing that exists, but apparently it does. And they found that the rater or audience differences were between 1.4 and 4.8 times more important than stimuli or joke differences. And so to assess the interaction between joke and perceiver, they needed to have multiple funniness ratings from participants. So they ran another study where they had participants recruited on the online research platform Prolific rate the funniness of humorous materials and then had them repeat those ratings three weeks later. So they found that material accounted for about 13% of funniness variance, perceiver accounted for about 20%, and the interaction between material and perceiver accounted for 35% of variance. So it was the most important factor by far. The authors explained that these results align with a lot of the latest research in this area. [00:18:32.610] Amy Drew There have historically been a lot of theories about what characteristics make for a quote unquote good joke. An example is whats called the Benign Violation Theory, which says that a joke is viewed as funny if it violates the perceivers expectations in a benign way. So of course, what qualifies as benign and as a violation of expectations is going to vary a great deal from person to person. So its really the interplay between the two that counts the most. So this study conforms with a lot of the current literature, and the authors hope that their results can be used to kind of further refine theories about how we experience humor. So that was just kind of a fun one. [00:19:07.370] Ludmila Nunes Yeah, this is a really fun one. And I have personal experience with this. Sometimes if Im watching a funny show with American friends, sometimes its not that I dont get the joke. I get it, I understand it. I just dont find it as funny as everybody else. And I believe it has a lot to do with cultural differences, even though there arent that many that makes a difference. So, yeah, definitely, I would have predicted those results. [00:19:35.370] Amy Drew Yes. Youve noticed the perceiver end of it? Yeah. [00:19:39.970] Ludmila Nunes Yeah. [00:19:40.470] Amy Drew Okay. [00:19:40.780] Ludmila Nunes So Im going to also end with a study that I find somewhat funny, but maybe other people want. Depends on the audience here. This study was also published in Psychological Science by Thomas Dudek and colleagues, and it shows that siblings gender does not appear to affect personality in several countries. So the idea that maybe growing up with a brother rather than a sister might affect our personality is a very ingrained idea. Like that siblings tend to behave according to the gender of their older or younger siblings. [00:20:26.050] Amy Drew Right. How many times do you hear people say, well, I grew up with brothers, so thats why Im like this? [00:20:29.740] Ludmila Nunes Yeah, exactly. So it seems that that might not be the case. So the authors here analyzed how siblings genders affect adult personalities. They used data from more than 850 people in twelve large representative surveys covering nine countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Mexico, China, and Indonesia. And across all of these countries with all these people, they surveyed the personality traits of risk tolerance, trust, patience, locus of control, which is if you tend to blame external factors or internal factors for the result of your actions, where is the control of your actions? And also the big five personality traits, which are openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. And they found no differences depending on whether the next younger or older sibling was a boy or a girl. So the siblings gender had no effect at all on personality. Its kind of sad when we see these articles that show, oh, theres no effect, but this one is a funny one because it really goes against this perception that people usually have that, oh, Ill be having a certain way because I was raised with sisters, or I behave in a certain way because I was raised with brothers. [00:22:11.890] Amy Drew Yeah, that is really interesting how we can easily tell those stories. This is why Im the way I am. Its because of the environment I grew up. And then when the evidence says, oh, thats probably not it, its kind of a reality check. And I believe the authors also mentioned in their article that it might be that there might be tiny kind of effects that over a large sample, kind of cancel each other out, or all the different kind of environmental factors that are also in play might make it so that theres no effect seen here. So there are potential other explanations, but the most sort of persimmonist one is that theres just no relation between the gender of your siblings and how you turn out as an adult. [00:22:58.150] Ludmila Nunes And its also true that they looked at adult personality traits, not how children behave. And they looked specifically at the gender of the next younger or older sibling. So maybe if youre a boy and grew up with four sisters, maybe that will have an effect. Or if youre a girl and grew up super protected because of gender roles by four brothers, that might have an effect, right? [00:23:23.980] Amy Drew Yeah. Important caveats. [00:23:25.390] Ludmila Nunes Yes. I think this was our selection for this week and it was great chatting with you, Amy. I hope you come back and talk to us. [00:23:35.770] Amy Drew Yes, thank you for having me. This is great. [00:23:38.860] Ludmila Nunes This is Ludmila Nunes with APS, and Ive been speaking to Amy Drew, the director of publications at the Association for Psychological Science. If anyone is interested in reading the studies we talked about or learning more about APS and this research, please visit our website psychologicalscience.org. Thank you for listening. Click here for old website Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexanders new novel The Door of No Return, the first in a planned trilogy, takes readers on an emotional journey best engaged with little to no prior knowledge. As Alexander states, There are twists in this book. You think one thing is happening then another thing happens. As I was writing it and discovering these things, and enjoying that process, part of my hope became that readers get to take a similar journey. I dont want them to find out in a review or article! At its core is the story of Kofi Offin, an 11-year-old who lives with his family in Upper Kwanta. Through succinct and emotionally rich passages, Alexander opens a world that encompasses the joy of childhood, richness of African culture, a contentious relationship with yams, and heartbreaking sadness. We spoke with Alexander about the importance of preserving culture, broadening the scope of Black history and representation, and the influence Ghana had on this novel. What was your inspiration for The Door of No Return? I wanted to write a story about Black history but I wanted to tell a more accurate or more human story than weve often heard. I think that we as Americans in general, or Black Americans in particular, tend to view Black history through the lens of 1619 and that being sort of the beginning. I posit that thats the middle and lets find out who we were before we were kidnapped and forced to come to this country. Lets look at who we were as just regular folks. So I wanted to write that story. Certainly, all of it is important, but I wanted to write about the true beginning as I saw it. What drew you to Ghana for this story? Ive gone to Ghana 11 times since 2012. I had so many eye-opening and revelatory experiences there. One was standing on the shore of the ocean where our people were taken from. I remember looking at the water and the blue sky and thinking there has to be some connection between this and what we call the Blues. It had to have started on that Middle Passage journey. We had no idea who these people were that were taking us, where we were going, and what was going to await us when we got there. The only thing we knew for certain was the sky and the ocean. The blues just seems like it comes out of that. I first had that realization in Ghana. Inspiration also came from interacting with children in Ghana, reading books to them, and seeing the hope and ambition in their eyes even in the midst of what I viewed through my Western eyes as impoverished conditions. More importantly, getting to know the people there. My first experience in Africa was going to Ghana and meeting people I fell in love with. That became my frame of reference for Africa because it was the first place and the place I visited the most. Ive since been back to other countries but this is where I felt the most comfortable. I didnt set out to do research but after 11 times visiting a place, you end up de facto doing research, so I had a lot to draw from. Did you base the lead character Kofi on any particular person or was he a composite of various figures? He wasnt based on any one person. More based on many different kids I met in Ghana. Based on my life as a kid, as a boy growing up. Based on just kids, because kids dont change. From time immemorial, kids want to play, kids have chores, they have responsibilities. Kids have friends. There are people they dont like who dont like them. There are just some things that are natural and normal for being a kid. I really wanted to showcase that because I know that so often when we think of a kid in Africa, we have these stereotypical perspectives and views that are fueled by television and oftentimes very badly researched books. I wanted to paint a picture to show that this kid is just like anybody else. Could you speak about the importance of language and how in the story it signifies a conflict between tradition and the resistance to an English teacher in the book? Language is the part of culture that functions as the map. Its our guide. Its how we speak, listen, read, write, and learn. Language is the thing that helps you know who you are. If your map is no longer yours, you are using someone elses map and being guided to a place that is alien to you. That is what has happened to many people around this world as theyve been colonized. I talk about this in this book to show that problem on a very micro level as it relates to Kofi, his teacher, and his family, and how this language dichotomy is viewed in his household and in his mind. The message is we lost a huge part of who we were. We lost a huge part of our identity. And thats a hard place to live. How do we get that back? I think for the most part Black people in America have been trying to get back to who they are since we got here. What is something that you want readers to take away from this work? I never have that specific goal in mind. My goal remains the same with each book. I want young readers to finish my book. Thats important. I want to write it in a way that they get through it. Im teaching a lot. I wanted to be a teacher but thats hard work. I envy teachers. In every book I write, there are lessons. Im hopeful that young readers get some of that from the reading, so that they want to go and read another book, whether its one of mine or someone elses. Im just hoping that they love reading. With older readers, Im really trying to change the world, man. Im really trying to impact, inspire, and empower them, in a way I think that I can do. In my own way. In many instances, that involves reminding people that we are all the same. It sounds cliched, but you should view everyone like you want everyone to view you. Thats ultimately my goal, to try to create this space where we value and understand each others worth and we acknowledge and appreciate it. In the book, Kofi has a contentious relationship with yams. Have you made peace with yams? I love yams! For me it was lima beans and green beans. I was sick of those as a kid [laughs.] The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander. Little, Brown, $17.99 Sept. 27 ISBN 978-0-316-44186-5 The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group continues to add more regional titles to its list, acquiring the adult division of Thomaston, Mainebased Tilbury House Publishers. The purchase includes 70 titles in the categories of how-to, literary nonfiction, maritime history, regional nonfiction about Maine and New England, and reference, as well as books on the environment and nature. Among Tilburys best-known titles are E.B. White on Dogs; Down East: A Maritime History of Maine; and In the Palm of Your Hand: A Poets Portable Workshop. Founded over 40 years ago as Harpswell Press, the publisher merged with the Dog Ear Press to become Tilbury House Publishers. In 2013, Tilbury House was acquired by WordSplice Studio. It sold its childrens division to Cherry Lake Publishing Group in May 2022. I am happy that our list will be with a publisher who knows our categories, knows Maine and New England publishing so well, said Jonathan Eaton, publisher of Tilbury House in a statement. Michael Steere, acquisitions editor at Rowman & Littlefields Down East Books imprint, will now oversee the adult list. Eaton continues as publisher of Tilbury House childrens division under Cherry Lake ownership. Effective immediately, Rowman & Littlefields NBN distribution division distribution has taken over distribution of the adult books from Norton, which will continue to distribute Tilburys childrens titles. Jon Yaged, who will officially succeed Don Weisberg as CEO of Macmillan Publishers US later this year, will take over day-to-day responsibilities for the company effective today. In an email to staff, Yaged also announced a handful of changes to Macmillan's executive staff and reporting structure across a number of departments, including sales and marketing teams, HR, and finance. Jenn Gonzalez will be promoted to president of sales and marketing, reporting to Yaged. Newly reporting to Gonzalez will be Cristina Gilbert, who will take on a new role as senior v-p of sales and marketing strategy. Melissa Campion, senior director of author events and services, and Kara Warschausky, marketing manager for trade sales, will newly report to Gilbert. Gracie Mercado is being promoted to executive v-p of people and culture, reporting to Yaged. Newly reporting to Mercado will be Erin Coffey, senior v-p of communications and events, and LaToya Rose, senior v-p of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Clare ORourke is being promoted to CFO, reporting to Yaged. Newly reporting to O'Rourke will be Cameron Ackroyd, senior v-p of trade finance and analytics; Debbie Derevjanik, v-p of inventory management; Hillary Scarbrough, v-p of business systems; Esther Kim, senior director of business planning; and Katie Kraska, director of finance projects. As part of these changes, current CFO for Macmillan Publishers US Dan Schwartz, who joined the publisher in 2009, will leave the company effective October 14. Going forward, senior v-p and general counsel Paul Sleven and publisher-at-large Sally Richardson will report to Yaged. Yaged also announced that Macmillan leadership has begun an external search for a new COO. Additionally, Yaged noted to staff that the company will provide updates on testing its previously announced "hybrid and remote-friendly model" next month. Wrapping up the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association fall trade show, which ran from Sept. 18-20 in Tacoma, exhibitors reported strong orders and newly forged connections. Publishers appreciated PNBAs effort to celebrate companies from massive to midsize to micro. Of some 80 authors signing or table-hopping, half came from the Big Five and the rest represented independent presses. IPG rep Julia Callahan set up new accounts and rebooted dormant ones at the show. Callahan offered discounts and deals for PNBA attendees and said IPGs 2021 hiring of an in-house field sales team had improved the ease of communication with booksellers. Jim Dassise, western region rep with Arcadia Publishing, also expanded his network. Arcadia, which focuses on place-based topics in series like Wicked cities, Spooky Stories, and the Hello! board books, offered a 50% discount and free freight, and promoted an educational middle-grade history of World War II enlistees and stateside solidarity, The Canteen. A British Columbia contingentincluding Greystone Books, Tidewater Press, Michelle Halket of Vancouver-based Central Avenue Publishing, and Jen Cameron of Orca Book Publishers (touting Indigenous author Monique Gray Smiths picture book in English, French, and Plains Cree, I Hope)got acquainted with booksellers to the south. Angela Engel of The Collective Book Studio praised PNBAs local vibe and warm welcome for lifestyle blogger Lauren Thomas, serving The Modern Hippie Table, and Bend, Ore., artist Isaac Peterson, signing his picture book Gray Fox in the Moonlight. Many companies specialized titles fly below the algorithmic radar. Propeller Books, whose Northwest Collection is dedicated to regional, historic reprints, recommended The Undaunted, a 1936 novel by transgender author and physician Alan Hart. Lone Pine Publishing, a Canadian company with a U.S. arm in Tukwila, Wash., provided the meticulously researched Pacific Salmon Field Guide. Basalt Books, a Washington State University Press imprint, touted Global Nomad, a travelogue/memoir by wheelchair-using Corvallis, Ore., author Tom Haig. Trade paper versus hardcover formats were on the minds of several publishers. Portland, Ore.s Tin House plans a hardcover edition of Elizabeth Brookss The House in the Orchard, yet intends to publish more trade paperbacks, says Nanci McCloskey, associate publisher and director of marketing and sales. McCloskey said paperback originals facilitate reprinting and sell well. At Blackstone Publishing, western regional rep Bryan Green said dual hardcover/paperback editions continue to be available, depending on bookstore preferences. Mountaineers Books publisher Tom Helleberg and sales and marketing director Darryl Booker said paperback originals, like climber Jeff Smoots All and Nothing: Inside Free Soloing, keep price points accessible and ensure portability during a readers wilderness adventures. Exceptions include artist Molly Hashimotos gift book Trees of the West, and Lynda Mapess Orca: Shared Waters, Shared Home (co-published by Mountaineers imprint Braided River and the Seattle Times), which on Sept. 13 won the Washington State Book Award for nonfiction. Booker notices bricks-and-mortar accounts normalizing, with splits evening out between bookstore and online requests for Mountaineers Books. Another exhibitor wondered whether changes at Amazon and Barnes & Noble mean opportunity for both independent presses and bookstores, since hardcovers, debuts, and hand-sold backlist favorites benefit from indie enthusiasm. Funds from a National Cancer Institute grant will be used to demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing a glioblastoma therapeutic created at the Purdue University College of Pharmacy. Monon Bioventures, which received the grant, will team with Purdue inventor Sandro Matosevic and Genezen on the project. (iStock.com photo) Monon Bioventures, Genezen and Purdue University pharmacy researcher form partnership to arm natural killer cells and prove manufacturability INDIANAPOLIS and WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Monon Bioventures LLC has received a one-year, $398,314 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR, grant from the National Cancer Institute to demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing a glioblastoma therapeutic created at the Purdue University College of Pharmacy. Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive cancers of the central nervous system. It grows, multiplies and spreads quickly, is almost always lethal, and there is no effective cure. New, effective therapies are desperately needed, said Sandro Matosevic, the assistant professor in the Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, who has developed a potential treatment that has been optioned to Monon Bioventures. Matosevics work demonstrates that human immune natural killer (NK) cells can be armed to specifically attack glioblastomas. Therapeutics for certain cancers have used related approaches with other immune cells, called T cells, which are obtained from the patient, Matosevic said. Natural killer cells can be accepted from multiple donors, however, not just the patient, which makes them much safer and which dramatically expands our ability to manufacture them in large doses to treat many patients. They are also very efficient at killing glioblastoma cells. Joe Trebley, president and CEO of Monon Bioventures, which is housed in the Indiana Center for Biomedical Innovation, said the federal funds for Matosevics work have the potential to bring hope to patients suffering from glioblastoma. His discovery provides a critical preclinical proof of concept of the disease, Trebley said. Our plans are to translate that discovery into the clinic by first working on the manufacturability of the novel therapeutic. Monon Bioventures will work on the treatment with Matosevics laboratory at Purdue and Genezen, a viral vector and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization, or CDMO. Arming the NK cells requires genetic modification of the cells through use of an appropriate viral vector as a tool, Trebley said. Genezen is a scientific leader in the production of lentiviral vectors and their use in cell transduction, which is delivering genes to cells. We are lucky to have them here with us in Indiana. Dave Wilhite, Genezens chief business officer, credited Monon Bioventures for its strong track record in translating innovative discoveries into clinical assets. Using natural killer cells as a therapy is on the cutting edge of innovation and has shown immense promise, Wilhite said. That is Monon Bioventures sweet spot, and we are excited to partner with them on this project. After the grant-sponsored work is complete, Monon Bioventures will discuss with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the companys plan to move the treatment to clinical studies. After receiving the FDAs feedback, the company will look to finance the project further. Trebley credited the NCI and its SBIR program for critical support of innovation and discovery in the early development phase of cancer research. The grants are highly competitive, yet critical to funding novel potential therapeutics that translate out of academic labs, he said. Matosevic disclosed his glioblastoma treatment to the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization, which has applied for a patent to protect the intellectual property. The Office has granted Monon Bioventures the option to negotiate a license to this intellectual property. About Monon Bioventures Monon Bioventures LLC (MBV) is a privately held company created to help world-class investigators navigate the early-stage challenges of translating their research into the clinic. MBV provides assistance to turn their ideas into assets recognized as valuable by follow-on capital providers like angel investors, venture capitalists and strategic corporate partners. About Genezen Founded in Indianapolis in 2014, Genezen is focused on supporting the demands of the current and future gene and cell therapy manufacturing market worldwide making viral vector production accessible to both early-stage, growth-oriented companies and established industry leaders. Genezen offers early-phase process development, GMP lentiviral vector production, retroviral vector production and analytical testing services, building on the company's expansive knowledge and experience in the industry and working with the nation's leading institutions. For more information or to learn more about services offered in Genezen's new cGMP facility, please visit www.genezen.com. About Purdue University Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu. About Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the universitys academic activities through commercializing, licensing and protecting Purdue intellectual property. The office is housed in the Convergence Center for Innovation and Collaboration in Discovery Park District at Purdue, adjacent to the Purdue campus. In fiscal year 2021, the office reported 159 deals finalized with 236 technologies signed, 394 disclosures received and 187 issued U.S. patents. The office is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2019 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Place from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. In 2020, IPWatchdog Institute ranked Purdue third nationally in startup creation and in the top 20 for patents. The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Contact otcip@prf.org for more information. Writer/Media contact: Steve Martin, sgmartin@prf.org Sources: Sandro Matosevic, sandro@purdue.edu Joe Trebley, joe@mononbioventures.com University moves up 3 spots to No. 3 in College Pulse/FIRE survey WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. When new students arrive at Purdue each fall for the universitys weeklong Boiler Gold Rush orientation program, they learn about traditions, expectations, campus life and ways to become involved. One topic, in particular, is intended to resonate with students well beyond graduation. Its the message of tolerance and free speech the cornerstones of civil discourse. Its a topic taken seriously at Purdue, which is widely known as a national leader in this area. The latest recognition: a No. 3 ranking for campus free speech from the College Pulse/FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression) survey. Purdues new ranking is three spots higher than last year and highlights the universitys ongoing emphasis on free speech concepts. Freedom of inquiry is at the core of the academic enterprise; knowledge advances only when ideas are free to collide and compete, Purdue President Mitch Daniels said. Free speech and tolerance are equally central to responsible citizenship and self-governance. Thats why we insist on these principles as fundamental in the Purdue experience. Purdue trails only the University of Chicago, which developed the Chicago Principles, and Kansas State University in the College Pulse/FIRE ranking. Mississippi State University and Oklahoma State University round out the top five. Purdue and the University of Chicago are the only Association of American Universities members in the top 10. Purdue is the highest-ranking member of the Big Ten (next is the University of Maryland at No. 20) and leads all Indiana-based schools (the University of Notre Dame is next at No. 31 on the overall listing). Purdue placed an emphasis on free speech in 2015, when it became the first public university to adopt the Chicago Principles, a landmark declaration of the importance of freedom of expression in any university community. In 2016 Purdue reinforced its commitment by incorporating a dedicated module on freedom of expression during Boiler Gold Rush. This fall, more than 8,000 incoming students heard the message about Purdues Commitment to Freedom of Expression, which guarantees all members of the university community the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn. FIRE has featured the BGR sessions. The College Pulse/FIRE rankings are based on surveys submitted by almost 45,000 students at more than 200 colleges. The survey, in particular, indicates strong administrative support at Purdue and a good speech climate. We challenge new students, as they join our community of scholars, to speak and to listen with integrity and conviction and humility, and to extend that same opportunity to others who may think differently than they do, said Patrick Kain, an associate professor of philosophy in the College of Liberal Arts. When we honestly engage with one another, even on matters of great controversy, we can learn from one another and begin to learn together how to push the boundaries of knowledge and grapple with the grand challenges of the day. This isnt always easy, and we cant just assume everyone already knows what free inquiry is. We need to learn how this works. When we state our commitment to free inquiry, and when we defend the right of others to say things we find misguided or offensive, and we empower people to respond to that speech with evidence and arguments rather than violence or censorship, we advance the discussion and build a culture of free inquiry for all. Steven Schultz, the universitys general counsel, said, As we tell our incoming students during Boiler Gold Rush, Purdue affirms and protects free speech not just because were obligated to as a public institution. We also do it as a matter of principle since its intrinsic to the mission of any university. Were a free speech campus at Purdue and proud of it. The FIRE report is the latest accolade for Purdue this year. U.S. News & World Reports annual rankings showed Purdue ranked for the fifth consecutive year in the top 10 of the nations Most Innovative schools. Several Purdue programs are ranked. Purdue was also named a Brand That Matters by Fast Company magazine and earned a No. 4 ranking as the most trusted public university in the country by Morning Consult. Purdue ranks No. 1 in the state and No. 11 in the nation in Campus Prides 2022 list of Best Colleges for LGBTQ+ Students. About Purdue University Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu. Writer: Matthew Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu, @mo_oates Media contact: Trevor Peters, peter237@purdue.edu Kanye West is apologizing to his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, for "any stress" he's caused since their split. ADVERTISEMENT The 45-year-old rapper and fashion designer discussed Kardashian, 41, and their children in an interview with ABC News that aired Thursday on "Good Morning America." West said he has "new respect" for Kardashian, who filed for divorce in February 2021 after nearly seven years of marriage. "This is the mother of my children, and I apologize for any stress that I have caused, even in my frustration, because God calls me to be stronger," the star said. "I need this person to be less stressed and of best sound mind and as calm as possible to be able to raise those children at the end of the day." West and Kardashian have four children, daughters North, 9, and Chicago, 4, and sons Saint, 6, and Psalm, 3. When asked if he feels he has a voice in co-parenting his kids, West said he does but had "to fight for it." "As a dad and as a Christian. And I have a right to have a voice on what my kids are wearing, what they're watching, what they're eating," he added. 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! "I have a platform where I get to say what so many dads can't say out loud." In addition, West said he "absolutely" wants his children to attend Donda Academy, the "gospel school" he created and named after his late mother, Donda West, and has "to fight" for it. "I'm their dad. It has to be co-parenting. It's not up to only the woman. Like, men have a choice also. Men's voices matter," he added. Donda Academy is located in Simi Valley, Calif. West said the school gives "kids practical tools that they need in a world post the iPhone being created" and presently has an enrollment of 82 students. Kardashian, her mom, Kris Jenner, and her sister Kylie Jenner appeared on Wednesday's episode of "The Late Late Show with James Corden," where they appeared in "The Targashians," a skit spoofing "House of the Dragon." NBC has released a new trailer for Season 2 of its sci-fi family drama, La Brea. ADVERTISEMENT The new season premieres on the network Tuesday and will be available for streaming on Peacock Wednesday. Starring Natalie Zea, Eoin Macken, Jon Seda, Nicholas Gonzalez, Chike Okonkwo, Zyra Gorecki, Jack Martin, Veronica St. Clair, Rohan Mirchandaney, Lily Santiago and Josh McKenzie, the show follows a family split up by time and space when a massive sinkhole opens in Los Angeles pulling people and buildings into a primeval land. "In Season 2, the Harris family remains separated as Eve is reeling from her son, Josh, having mistakenly gone through a portal to 1988," the network said in a synopsis. "What she doesn't know yet is that her estranged husband, Gavin, and their daughter, Izzy, have landed in prehistoric Seattle and now must brave the elements and animals to make their way to L.A." Wednesday's 90-second preview shows the challenges the time travelers are up against. "Since the day we got here, we have fought for our lives and we're not going to stop until we make it out of here," Zea's character Eve can be heard as scenes of giant mammoths, sloths and cats, dangerous humans and punishing weather play on the screen. The Chronicles of Narnia, The Royals and Medieval actor William Moseley says he leaped at the opportunity to play Edgar Allen Poe in Raven's Hollow because the film shows the American author as he's never been depicted before. ADVERTISEMENT Premiering Thursday on Shudder, the film introduces the 19th-century literary titan as a young, clean-cut West Point cadet who makes a gruesome discovery while on a training exercise in upstate New York. He and his men head to the titular town to investigate and find the locals guarding a secret that involves a terrifying, bird-like monster. Elements of some of Poe's best-known works, including The Raven, The Fall of the House of Usher and The Tell-Tale Heart, are woven into the story. Melanie Zanetti, David Hayman, Kate Dickie and Oberon K.A. Adjepong co-star. Moseley said he wasn't that familiar with Poe's biography or his work before he started the project. "I only knew the picture of him looking quite mad, which I think everyone knows and I had a rough idea that he had a fairly eccentric life and he was somewhat of a mad genius," the 35-year-old British actor told UPI in a Zoom interview Monday. "I read the script and realized that he was a gentleman, that he was very well-educated, very well-read, an incredibly good orator, a military man. I thought, 'Well, this is completely different than what I'd imagined him to be.' So, I jumped at the chance because I thought it would also change other people's perceptions of him." 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! Once he was cast, he said he dove into the author's disturbing romantic poems and tales. "I downloaded all of the audio books that I could get," Moseley recalled. "I listened to the story of his life and I learned as much as I could. I was fascinated by him. When you hear his poetry, it's so beautiful. It manages to find a rhythm in the words. ... He created imagery and atmosphere." While the central story of Raven's Hollow is a suspenseful, fictitious one, the cast and director did their best to root it in the recognizable, physical world. "It was important to everyone involved that Edgar feel like a real person, so they kept the story grounded in reality despite the supernatural aspects," Moseley said. "We didn't want him to feel like a larger-than-life character at this point. He was just a guy out with his cadets who came upon a dead body and wants to get to the bottom of it." Poe aficionados will see the writer's morbid curiosity in the film and be able to understand how that might have led to his famously macabre literature later in life, the actor noted. "Really, they could have left. Probably everyone would have been fine," Moseley said of Poe and the other cadets. "Seeing a corpse hanging [and] blood, there is an enjoyment he gets out of it that, obviously, leads to a precarious situation. That's the only place where we played with the little bit of madness in him." Poe also is starting to develop an opium habit in Raven's Hollow, which could make viewers question whether he is a reliable narrator. "Obviously, he is going through some kind of experience, so does he ever really see the raven? Does he not see the raven? Is the raven really there?" Moseley pondered. "It's all down to the audience's idea of who Poe is. I play it real, like this raven was really there, was really terrorizing the town, that it really did hurt his friends. I played it as grounded as I possibly could, but, of course, it is there for interpretation." Shooting the film during the coronavirus pandemic in Latvia helped the actors understand the isolation their characters were experiencing. "We were really out there on our own. The weather was not great. It was cold, then we were doing COVID [protocols,]" Moseley remembered. The production was not all gloom and doom, however. "We were young men, though. We were having fun. We were always chatting and laughing. We had a great time," the actor said, noting he and his co-stars got to ride horses, sword fight and handle old-fashioned, flint-lock guns. He was as curious as anyone else to see how the animated creature would look when it was finally fully revealed in the closing moments of the movie. "This is not, obviously, a big-budget film. I've worked on the Narnia films, which had hundreds of millions of dollars to make Aslan come to life and the beavers come to life," Moseley said. "When I worked on the film with a much less budget, I wondered how they were going to make this raven work because I know how expensive it can be," he added. "I thought it looked amazing. I thought the creation of the raven in a Gothic sense was quite eerie, and I think they drew from the Italian plague doctors when there was smallpox in the old days. It's quite a weird, haunting image. For me, the raven worked." Because the monster was added into the film later, Moseley had to react to literally nothing in scenes in which he confronts it. Luckily, he said, he is good at using his imagination -- expertise he developed while working on the Narnia fantasy films in his youth. "That was a key skill I learned as a child -- how to act with things that aren't there and how to make it feel as natural as possible," he said. Poe died under mysterious circumstances in 1849 after years of substance abuse. He was 40. The William has once again delayed move-in for its tenants, according to a statement posted Thursday evening on its website. This time around, no date was given for either a construction completion date or an expected move-in. Barbara Guerrero, a school librarian at Leland & Gray Union Middle and High School in Townshend, is going to be retiring, but before she does, she is working on scanning in pieces of ephemera relating to the history of the school. Fred Breunig of Brattleboro holds a candle while standing near a Black Lives Matter banner during a Protect the Results rally at the Common in Brattleboro on Nov. 4, 2020. He proposed that the town sign the Vermont Declaration of Inclusion. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 31F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 31F. Winds light and variable. Zhou Shifeng, who once headed the now-shuttered Fengrui law firm in Beijing, will be released in late September. Concerns are growing that a prominent Chinese rights lawyer -- due to be released at the end of a seven-year jail term for subversion -- will instead be placed under house arrest ahead of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) congress next month. Zhou Shifeng, 57, was the director of the now-shuttered Beijing Fengrui law firm, which took on sensitive political cases, defending dissidents, the banned and persecuted Falun Gong spiritual sect and others who challenged the authorities. The firm was the main target of a nationwide crackdown that saw more than 300 human rights lawyers and associates detained beginning on the night of July 9, 2015. Zhou is scheduled for release from the Tianjin No. 1 Prison, but a date has yet to be confirmed with the family, a person close to the family told RFA on Thursday. "The prison notified Zhou Shifeng's younger brother in their hometown of Anyang, Henan around the end of August, beginning of September, that he should get ready to pick him up [from prison] in late September," the person said. "It was very mysterious, because they refused to disclose the actual date, but said they would call in advance when the time came [to release Zhou]," the person said. "According to my calculations, it should be Sept. 24." At Zhou's 2016 trial, the prosecution alleged that the lawyer had been influenced by "anti-China forces over a long period of time," which allegedly gave him the idea to "overthrow" China's current political system. It accused him of "gathering in public to cause trouble, attacking China's legal system, and using public opinion to incite hatred of the government among people who didn't know any better." 'Conspiring to subvert state power' Zhou, alongside fellow rights activists Hu Shigen, Zhai Yanmin, and rights lawyer Li Heping, was also accused of "conspiring to subvert state power" and "seriously endangering national security and social stability," He pleaded guilty at the trial and was handed a seven-year jail term for "subversion of state power," as well as five years' deprivation of political rights following release. Zhou's associate said the lawyer will likely be forcibly returned to his hometown in Henan after his "release" from prison. "During the [five years] when he is deprived of his political rights, state security police will still be in frequent contact with him, and even have him under restrictions or surveillance," the person said. "If he tries to travel, he will be under very tight restrictions ... and they will prevent him from being in any contact with the outside world," they said, adding that the strict house arrest now being imposed on released political prisoners is against even China's laws. Zhou's jail term was likely shortened by his willingness to plead guilty, but his "crime" was to hire outspoken and fearless defense attorneys like Wang Yu and Wang Quanzhang, the person said. "That's why the government clamped down heavily on Fengrui." Time of tightening controls Zhou's release comes at a time when police across China are tightening controls on dissidents and critics of the CCP ahead of the CCP's 20th National Congress, which opens in Beijing on Oct. 16. Dissidents and rights activists have been informed they are to leave Beijing under police escort in the next few days, with similar measures reported in Tianjin, Hunan and Jiangxi provinces. "[Zhou] will be subject to very strict controls for at least the next six months, with people following him, and no contact with the outside world," Zhou's associate said. U.S.-based legal scholar Teng Biao said Zhou was "very enthusiastic" about public interest lawyering, and supported his colleagues both morally and financially. "His law firm became an important platform for rights lawyers and the rights protection movement," Teng said. "In the eyes of the authorities, he was a core figure in that movement, judging from the sentence he received." "His long jail sentence was an affirmation of his work ... we all regard this sentence as a badge of honor conferred on him by the CCP," he said. Zhou started practicing law in 1995. In 2008, he sued the Sanlu Group on behalf of the victims of the melamine infant formula scandal. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Taiwanese officials believe it is unlikely that the Taiwan Policy Act, which was passed by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week, will clear the U.S. Congress before the end of the current term, the official Central News Agency (CNA) reported. The bill, authored by Senators Bob Menendez and Lindsey Graham, received strong bipartisan support at the Senate committee and would see a boost in U.S. military aid to Taiwan amid Chinas increased aggression. Taiwanese analysts said, if and when it becomes law, the bill would be the biggest adjustment in U.S. policy toward Taiwan in the past forty years. The government-run CNA quoted an unnamed senior Taiwanese official with knowledge of the issue as saying that authorities there "had known the proposed bill would not clear the current U.S. Congress as early as June, even before it was introduced to the Senate. The Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 needs to pass both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as to receive approval from President Joe Biden before the conclusion of the 117th Congress on Jan. 3, 2023, to become law. The senior official was quoted by CNA as saying that the process is highly difficult. Washington maintains a so-called strategic ambiguity towards the democratic island that China considers one of its provinces. According to the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, the current bedrock of Americas Taiwan policy, the U.S. is obligated to help the island with the means to defend itself. Accelerated Arms Transfer to Taiwan Act Senator Bob Menendez, who led a Senate delegation to visit Taiwan and meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in April, said last week the primary focus of the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 co-sponsored by him has always been on deterrence and on enhancing Taiwans capabilities. It would require the departments of Defense and State, as well as defense manufacturers to prioritize and expedite foreign military sales to Taipei. 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-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Now with the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 at risk of not being passed in time, the Taiwanese government said a newly introduced bill at the U.S. Congress could still help speed up arms transfer to Taipei. Leaders meet in person in New York on sidelines of United Nations General Assembly. U.S. President Joe Biden takes part in a bilateral meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos in New York, Sept. 22, 2022. President Joe Biden on Thursday met face-to-face in New York for the first time with the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos, the new leader of Washingtons longtime Indo-Pacific ally, to discuss the disputed South China Sea, among other global issues. The two presidents met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, four months after Marcos, the son and namesake of the late Philippine dictator, swept to power in a landslide electoral victory. The Philippines and the United States are allies in a mutual defense treaty dating back to 1951, and Biden on Thursday said Washington and Manila were in a critical, critical relationship. For decades, the alliance has strengthened both of us, I believe, Biden said to Marcos before they started their bilateral meeting, according to a transcript released by the White House. [I] expect well discuss the South China Sea and disputes in a critical global throughway. Ive spent a lot of time with with not only the President of China but others about the international waters and how they have to be respected. During the meeting, according to a readout from the White House, the two leaders reflected on the importance of the US.-Philippine alliance and Biden reaffirmed the United States ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines. Apart from discussing the situation in the South China Sea, they talked about energy security, climate action, infrastructure, the impact of the Russian war in Ukraine on energy prices and food security, and the crisis in Myanmar, among other matters, the readout said. In the South China Sea, the Philippines and China have overlapping territorial claims. Beijing has never accepted a 2016 international arbitration tribunal that ruled in Manilas favor and said that Chinas claims had no legal basis. Beijing also consistently encroaches on Manilas waters in the Philippine exclusive economic zone. Before taking office on June 30, Marcos promised he would assert the 2016 arbitration court ruling, an issue that his immediate predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, was widely criticized for overlooking. On Thursday, the Philippine president said the role of the United States in maintaining the peace in our region is something that is much appreciated by all the countries in the regions and the Philippines especially. [I] hope that we will be able to discuss further the roles that our two countries will play together and individually as we continue down that road, maintaining peace despite all of the complexities that have arisen in the past few months, he added, according to the transcript from the White House. The U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty calls on both countries to aid each other in times of aggression by an external power. The Pentagon previously said it was prepared to assist Manila if it invoked the treaty amid threats from other nations. In March, the two nations conducted one of their largest-ever joint exercises with officials, saying they hoped it would convey a message of strong bilateral military ties in the face of maritime challenges from China. Additionally, Washington conducts regular freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, where several Southeast Asian nations have overlapping claims with that of Chinas. In his speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Marcos alluded to the South China Sea when he urged respect for an open, inclusive, and rules-based international order that is governed by international law and informed by the principles of equity and justice. He also said then that Manila would continue to be a friend to all, and enemy of none, implying it wouldnt take sides in a superpower rivalry. Human rights As they prepared to go into Thursdays bilateral meeting, Biden also said that he hoped to discuss human rights with his Philippine counterpart. According to a readout from their meeting, the two men also discussed the importance of respect for human rights. The U.S. presidents comment came a day after the 50th anniversary of Ferdinand E. Marcos martial law declaration, a painful memory for thousands of Filipinos who saw their rights trampled upon. Activists have documented thousands of cases of deaths and enforced disappearances that took place during 14 years of martial law. As thousands marked the anniversary in the Philippines, Marcos, issued no statement from New York. More recently, the Marcos administration said it was seeking to block efforts by the U.N.s International Criminal Court to investigate alleged abuses and thousands of officer-involved killings committed by his Rodrigo Duterte, in the Philippine war on drugs. Camille Elemia in Manila contributed to this report by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated news service. Officials want to ensure readiness, but bribes mean shoddy shelters can still pass inspection. North Korean officials are inspecting air-raid shelters in factories and other businesses to assess their wartime readiness, although some poorly maintained bunkers are winning approval due to bribes, sources said. The random inspections usually occur during times of increased tensions with the U.S. or South Korea, a company official in the eastern province of South Hamgyong told RFAs Korean Service on condition of anonymity for security reasons. This inspection is a project to complete war preparations so they can implement the partys civil defense policy to protect the homeland, said the source. The Civil Defense Department of the Central Committee issued a directive to each organization and company to be well-equipped for air-raids, following joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. conducted in August, he said. Tensions ratcheted higher on Sept. 8 when the countrys leader Kim Jong Un declared to the Supreme Peoples Assembly that North Korea would never give up nuclear weapons. Earlier that same day the assembly passed a law that lays out situations where Kim would be authorized to order a preemptive nuclear strike. Other sources told RFA that the inspections could be a reaction to the recently held high-level Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group meeting between South Korea and the U.S., and Washingtons deployment of B-1B strategic bombers and nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the Indo-Pacific region. The South Hamgyong source said the air-raid shelter inspections assess shelter capacity, interior lighting, durability and the functionality of loudspeakers. Most factories and companies already have air-raid protection. But not all employees are able to evacuate, and the shelters arent really all that safe, said the source. The Civil Defense Department is aware of this situation. They randomly inspect the air-raid shelters of institutions and companies to keep them on their toes for shelter maintenance, he said. If their company or organization receives a poor evaluation, managers and lower-level party secretaries will be scolded. But sometimes bribes can convince inspectors to overlook deficiencies. A factory in Unhung county in the northern province of Ryanggang passed its inspection, despite its poor condition, a source there told RFA. They call it a shelter, but all of the necessary preparations were not met at all, the second source said on condition of anonymity to speak freely. There are two air-raid shelters in our factory. They are so small that they can only protect half of our 120 workers. The factory had been putting off maintenance of the shelter for a long time, according to the second source, so they scrambled to get it ready for the inspection. It has been a while since the roof of the air-raid shelter collapsed and the entrance door fell off. However, it was left unattended until now. The factory mobilized workers to fix it and rebuilt it ahead of this inspection, he said. Since the air-raid shelter is dug out of the ground, during the rainy season, the rain collects inside, which causes its soil walls to collapse. Every time an inspection happens, the workers struggle to fix the air-raid shelters in a hurry, the second source said. The civil defense officials are aware that the shelter is not up to snuff, but they pass it anyway because factory officials bribe them, he said. They can get meals or packs of cigarettes to cover up any deficiencies if the condition of the air-raid shelter is not severe. It makes me laugh to hear that they have completed preparations for war after making a shelter that really is only a small crypt space, the source said. Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee and Leejin J. Chung. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Members of Laoss LGBTQ+ and youth communities saw the decision as out of step with modern attitudes. A Lao government order this month banning LGBTQ+ beauty pageants has sparked concern over rights violations among the community and supporters, who questioned the need for the measure, sources in the Southeast Asian country told RFA. While Laoss population appears to be moving towards acknowledging the rights of its LGBTQ+ community, many fear that authorities in the one-party Communist state will reject any legal changes. Those who run the country right now are mostly from an older generation, therefore their understanding of this issue is not up to date like people in the new generation, another local source told RFA. On social media, musicians, actors, and other prominent Laotians condemned the Sept. 9 order, asking why the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union issued it without making clear its context or aim. Historically, many pointed out, beauty pageants have not required government approval. While Laos does not have any maj0r LGBTQ+ beauty pageants planned, the order seems to be targeting smaller events and performances that occur at festivals, temple gatherings, nightclubs, or bars, said a source familiar with the scene. Most people go to Thailand for the larger contests, the source from Champassack, who declined to be named for safety reasons, told RFA. Behind the order is the governments dislike of people participating in these contests abroad, said a person who helps organize trips for Lao LGBTQ+ people to participate in pageants in Thailand and other countries Last year, there was one Lao LGBTQ+ person who entered the pageant without notifying the government, and she said something they deemed not suitable on stage, the source said. The new regulations issued by the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union restrict participation of individuals in contests to their assigned birth gender, effectively banning transgender people in Laos from taking part in pageants. Translated by Sidney Khotpanya. Written in English by Nawar Nemeh. National League for Democracy (NLD) MP Myo Kyaw has died due to torture during interrogation, according to family members and political colleagues. We have learned through a reliable source that Myo Kyaw, State MP from Mohnyin No. (2), who was arrested on August 24, at the 21-mile gate of Myitkyina township, died during interrogation due to the juntas torture, Win Naing, a member of the NLD party in Kachin State wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday morning. The body was not returned to the family, and we dont know which day he died and where he was buried. Therefore, we dont know the exact date of his death. Myo Kyaw was arrested on Aug. 24, at a Myitkyina township junta checkpoint, along with Sai Maung, the leader of Hpakant townships anti-regime protesters. Myitkyina is the capital of Kachin State in northern Myanmar and Hpakant is a township in Mohnyin district. When Myo Kyaw was arrested images of NUG treasury bonds and photos linked to Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) were found in his mobile phone. A political colleague, who is close to the family and declined to be named for safety reasons, told RFA they learned he had died during the interrogation after the family contacted the police and military authorities at various levels, as the family had not heard from the authorities since his arrest. I heard that Myo Kyaw died in the first week of September, the colleague said. Normally, if [someone is] arrested, we would get the information about where he has been interrogated. Now, no information at all and no one informed the family of where and when he died. Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, a military council spokesman, said at a press conference on September 20, that funding the NUG Committee Representing the Pyihtaungsu Hluttaw (parliament), which represents lawmakers ousted in the Feb. 1, 2021 coup, or funding Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs), or buying the NUGs bonds, lottery tickets or donating money online would be a political or terrorist crime. He said it would come with a maximum sentence of the death penalty. According to the Assistance Association for the Political Prisoners a total of 2,303 anti-regime activists have been killed and 12,456 have been arrested nationwide in more than 19 months since the military coup. Han Lay says the junta likely reported her to Interpol because she condemned military rule. Myanmar beauty queen Han Lay, who called on the international community to help her country regain democracy during last years Miss Grand International pageant in Thailand, has been detained by Thai authorities in Bangkok, she told RFA Burmese on Thursday. Han Lay was taken into custody on Wednesday night by immigration officials at Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport as she returned from a three-day trip to Vietnam, she said in a phone interview. She said she believes the military regime reported her to Interpol as being wanted for illegal activities in Myanmar, as retribution for her anti-junta activism at home and in Thailand. As I returned from Vietnam to Thailand, the system set off a red notice when my passport was processed, saying that my name is on the Interpol list, so Thai authorities denied my entry into Thailand, she said, adding that her passport was confiscated by Vietnamese airline officials and is now listed as lost. The normal procedure is to return the detainee to the country they left. But I refused to go back to Vietnam [for fear they would deport me to Myanmar]. So they have kept me in the airport. Thai immigration authorities released a statement saying that Han Lay was denied entry to Thailand because she lacked the required travel documents under Thai immigration law. The statement said immigration officials are negotiating with the airline authorities to deport her, but made no mention of her being under arrest. Han Lay said the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) is working with the Thai government on her case. I hope they will help me to secure the best option, whether it is re-entry to Thailand or entry to a third country, she said. Visa renewal Han Lay was a participant in the 2020 Miss Grand International pageant, held in Bangkok just a month after Myanmars military seized control of the country in a Feb. 1, 2021, coup. After using the stage to appeal to the international community for the release of Myanmars ousted leaders, Han Lay remained in Thailand on a tourist visa, knowing she would likely face persecution back home, where she has since been charged in absentia for high treason. After more than 18 months in Thailand, she had overstayed her visa and was unable to extend it any longer, so she traveled to Vietnam with the hope that she could reapply upon her return. It was easier to depart Thailand and apply for a new visa to return, she said. Before my departure, I tried to confirm whether I would have any trouble upon my return to Thailand. [The Thai authorities] told me it would be fine, so I left. But I guess the authorities in Myanmar spoke with their counterparts in Vietnam before I returned to Thailand. Han Lay told RFA that Thailand cannot deport her to Myanmar while her case is being reviewed by the UNHCR, but she is unsure of what will happen to her after that. Attempts by RFA to reach Thai immigration authorities for comment on Han Lays status went unanswered on Thursday. She noted that she could be sentenced to death by the junta if she were to return to Myanmar. I think an entire military division would be waiting for me upon my arrival at the airport [if I was deported home], she said, noting that the charges she faces are even more severe than those under the countrys anti-terrorism law that are more commonly used to prosecute opponents of military rule. They wanted me to show support for the coup, but I said otherwise, so they accused me of offending the state. Its pretty obvious what they are doing. I acted of my own free will But despite the uncertainty of her situation and the likelihood she will be unable to return to Myanmar while the junta controls the country, the beauty queen said she stands by her decision to condemn the military rule on the world stage. I believe what I did was the right thing to do nobody convinced me to do it I acted of my own free will. I got into this trouble not because of something I did wrong, but because I stood up for justice. I am hopeful that concerned organizations around the world will offer to help me out of this situation. Han Lay said that life for her in Thailand had been a struggle and expressed her appreciation to the Miss Grand Pageant organization for supporting her over the last 18 months. I am ready to start a new life if I get a chance to resettle in another country, she said. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung for RFA Burmese. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Those who donate as little as one kyat or like social media posts face stiff punishment. Myanmar's military spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun, shown in this 2021 file photo, told a news conference Tuesday that giving donations to anti-junta groups is punishable under Section 505 of the anti-terrorism law. Anyone in Myanmar found to have provided as little as one kyat in financial support to anti-junta groups or engaged with anti-junta content on social media now faces anywhere from two years in prison to execution, according to a spokesman for the military regime. Deputy Minister of Information Major General Zaw Min Tun told reporters at a press conference in the capital Naypyidaw on Tuesday that donating to or supporting Myanmars shadow National Unity Government (NUG), ousted lawmakers of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), or the anti-junta Peoples Defense Force (PDF) paramilitary group is punishable under Myanmars anti-terrorism law. Purchasing treasury bonds or lottery tickets for the groups is also subject to punishment, he said, adding that donating just a single kyat approximately one-five-hundredth of a U.S. cent could earn the offender a minimum of a decade behind bars. Whether you like or share [an anti-junta social media post], you are violating Section 124 (b) of the Penal Code [for incitement to destroy the state]. You can be sentenced anywhere from three years to 10 years in prison and you can also be charged a fine, Zaw Min Tun said. The reason you are subject to a 10-year prison sentence or a death sentence for donating just one kyat is because it is in violation of [the Anti-Terrorism Act]. You need to understand that. Even if you don't understand the law, the law will not forgive you. In addition to violating Myanmars anti-terrorism law and inciting the public against the state, Zaw Min Tun also said such actions are in breach of the countrys Electronic Communications Law. A conviction under the charges is punishable by a minimum sentence of two years in prison and a maximum sentence of death. A resident of the commercial capital Yangon, who declined to be named for security reasons, told RFA Burmese that the junta is trying to deter support for the opposition through threats. These tyrants will do anything in their power to stop people from supporting the opposition, but the people will do whatever they can to support them, she said. The more they make life difficult for us, the closer we will be to victory [against the regime]. It might be a bit challenging now [to support the opposition], but we will make sure that we can help them. A veteran high court lawyer told RFA on condition of anonymity that while providing support to anti-junta movements can be subject to prosecution, Myanmars law says nothing about jailing people for simply liking posts on social media. Giving Likes [online] is our right. Its already mentioned in the provisions of civil rights and the basic rights of citizens under the [military-drafted] 2008 Constitution, he said. Based on what [Zaw Min Tun] said, action can be taken against someone for the content of their comment or even the way the text is written. Facing a crisis A spokesman from the Dawei Ashaytaw PDF group in Tanintharyi region said the junta is threatening people with legal provisions because its leadership is afraid that the wider public will take up arms to challenge its rule. We have witnessed the rising number of deaths of military soldiers in Sagaing and Magwe regions, he said. We believe that there is a lack of unity within the army. And so, they are making threats to raise morale within the army as well as a deterrent to the people." The spokesman warned that such threats could lead to a drop in domestic contributions to the armed opposition. Political analyst Than Soe Naing called the junta's statements illegal and excessive. "They are talking too much about the law. But as usual, the law is whatever they say it is, he said. So if those laws are used as the basis for action, we must say that democracy in Myanmar has completely fallen into darkness. Kyaw Zaw, spokesman for the office of NUG President Duwa Lashi La, told RFA that the junta is becoming increasingly desperate in its actions. All they can do now is threaten and terrorize the public. And that is what they are doing, he said. Saying that people will be arrested and charged for donating a single kyat is because they are facing a crisis. They are afraid because they are in their last hour. They know they are going to lose and they know what is coming. According to Thai NGO Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), junta authorities have arrested nearly 15,600 civilians since the military seized power in a Feb. 1, 2021 coup, nearly 12,500 of whom have been sentenced or remain in detention. The group says authorities have killed more than 2,300 civilians over the last 20 months, mostly during peaceful anti-junta protests. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Vietnam has also caught two brokers who were allegedly tricking people into taking similar jobs. A total of 92 Vietnamese citizens who were tricked into going to Cambodia to work under the promise of light work with high wages have been sent back home in the latest of cross-border trafficking cases in Southeast Asia. Reports have emerged from Cambodia in recent months about migrants from neighboring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam being held against their will by criminal gangs and being forced to work. Large numbers of citizens of Taiwan have also fallen victim to scams that offer high-paying jobs at resorts in Cambodia but then sell the recruits to trafficking rings. They were received by the Tay Ninh Province Border Guard Command at Vietnams Moc Bai Border Gate on Wednesday. State-controlled media reported that 56 of them escaped from Casino Lucky 88 in Bavet City, Svay Rieng province on Sept. 17. The remaining people were said to have been discovered by the Cambodian Police who forced the owner of the establishment to hand them over to the local authorities. At 14.30 p.m. on Sept. 17, 60 Vietnamese nationals fled the casino in Bavet Kandal hamlet, and headed towards the Bavet border gate. Four people were caught by the casinos guards and taken back. A video spread on social media networks the same day showed the Vietnamese workers fleeing in the rain and heading for the border gate which is opposite Vietnams Moc Bai border gate in Tay Ninh province. The Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, asked local authorities to investigate and verify the case. The Vietnamese side also requested the Cambodian side to intervene and rescue the remaining Vietnamese citizens at the casino. At the end of the afternoon, Cambodian Police asked it to hand over 11 more Vietnamese nationals. Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that since the beginning of the year about 600 Vietnamese citizens went to Cambodia to work on the promise of "light work, high salary." They were then forced to work on online scams, mistreated, beaten or asked to call their relatives to receive ransom money in order to return home. The 92 received by the Border Guards of Tay Ninh province are currently having their identities verified by the authorities so they can return them to their registered residences in Vietnam. In a related development on Wednesday the Investigation Department of Dong Nai Province police said they had detained two people named Vuong Chi Thanh and Trinh Phu Quoc, living in Phu Loi commune, Dinh Quan for acting as brokers, sending Vietnamese to Cambodia to work illegally. Binh Dinh Provincial Police are also verifying a request to help from a family in Tuy Phuoc district about their son being tricked into working in Cambodia. He had reportedly informed his family that they must pay a ransom of VND 120 million (U.S.$ 5,000) to be returned home. Tran Dinh Son, 29, who has just over 10 followers, told RFA that the beatings caused bleeding and nausea. A Vietnamese YouTube content creator told RFA that local police in Ho Chi Minh City beat him twice and destroyed his camcorder, adding that he has been bleeding and experienced nausea and vomiting the day after the beating. Tran Dinh Son, a 29-year-old Vietnamese YouTuber from the citys Cu Chi district, runs the channel oi thuong TV, which has just over 10 followers. He told RFA that communal police in the Tran Phu Trung district attacked him while he was making a fishing video on Monday. Son said he went fishing at a lake that also grows lotuses at the Tan Phu Trang industrial park, hoping to capture content that he would later put on his YouTube channel. But Son says a security guard then came from the industrial park and asked him to stop fishing. After the two men argued for a while, Son says the guard called local police to come, who also asked him to leave. When he refused, Son says one of the police officers and the security guard took turns beating him. A police officer slapped me two or three times and then held me so that the security guard could beat me. The three cops were very big while I was small. They hit me on the head and threatened me. While beating me the guard screamed Give me your address, Ill come kill your parents! Son said, recounting the details of the incident. Son says the police then subdued him and took him to the commune headquarters, where they confiscated the GoPro5 that he uses to create YouTube content, two cellphones, and his motorcycle before leaving. When other officers were assigned to deal with his case, Son says they asked him to write a report about the incident, which he refused to do, and demanded to know why he was violently beaten while he had not committed a crime. At the police station, I was beaten again. They hit me a lot on my head and my arm with their bare hands. A police officer named Tai hit me and kicked me. Another strangled me and one who appeared to be the boss elbowed me in my face. Then they handcuffed me, knocked me down to the floor and dragged me to a room nearby and left me alone there. As Son shouted for help, a woman heard him and informed his mother, a local teacher. When Sons mother, Nguyen Thi Ty, arrived at the headquarters, he said police agreed to remove his handcuffs and then repeated their request for him to write a report about the incident, where he would admit to illegally fishing at the park. Son says the police added that they would return all his belongings on condition that he deleted the videos of them beating him. When police returned his belongings, they asked him to fill out a handover note. However, Son says some parts of his GoPro 5, which costs VND4 million (around USD $170), were destroyed. When the officers left for a break while he was filling out his paperwork and did not return, Son and his mother left the station. Another group of police officers, however, stopped him from going to the hospital to treat his injuries, he said. One of the officers, surnamed Hai, asked Son to return the handover note that he filled out at the police station, threatening him with charges of stealing state data if he refused. In a video filmed at Sons home, Hai, who was in uniform, denied having beaten Son. RFA contacted the Tan Phu Trung commune police office to verify the incident. However, the officers who answered the phone said they could not provide a response unless a reporter came directly to their office. Translated by Anna Vu. Written by Nawar Nemeh. Several Iranian government and state-owned websites have been taken down by Anonymous, the international activist hacker group says, in a move of support for nationwide protests that followed the death of a 22-year-old woman following her arrest by the morality police. The website of the Iranian presidency, the government-affiliated Fars news agency, and the forensic medical research center of Iran are among the hacked websites that are currently unavailable. On September 20, a Twitter account purported to belong to the Anonymous group posted a video message that vowed support for the protesters and for women's rights. "We are here and we are with you! #OpIran Engaged. Expect Us!" the message read. "This was the last straw," an altered voice on the video that claimed to be from Anonymous said of Mahsa Amini's death, "the Iranian people are not alone." Demonstrations erupted across Iran recently over the death of Amini and the Iranian government imposed a near-total Internet shutdown on September 21 as nationwide protests continued. NetBlocks, a London-based internet observatory group, says Iran is now subject to the most severe internet restrictions since violent November 2019 protests over the sudden rise in the price of gasoline. The recent wave of protests have expanded to as many as 80 cities in Iran, with at least nine deaths confirmed by various sources. Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda The scenes coming from Iran are striking. Women removing their head scarves and waving them defiantly in public while some are burning their veils and throwing them into bonfires to the cheers of men. Others are chopping off their hair in public to the chants of Death to the dictator. Men and women have also been standing up to security forces -- in some cases chasing them and forcing them into a retreat. Iran is in the middle of a popular revolt sparked by the death of a 22-year-old woman who died after being arrested by the capitals morality police, which enforces the Islamic dress code. Mahsa Aminis death plunged the nation into grief and outrage while her name became a rallying cry against four decades of state violence against women, lack of freedom, and other grievances, prompting some of the protesters to call for an end to the Islamic republic. Amini died on September 16 in a Tehran hospital three days after being arrested by the morality police and taken to a police station to be educated." The police have said that she had a sudden heart attack and denied allegations by activists that she suffered blows to the head. Aminis mother told RFE/RLs Radio Farda that her daughter was in full health. The government ordered an investigation while reaching out to Aminis family. WATCH: Iranian riot police appear to ignore a woman who calmly sits while not wearing a hijab: Analysts say the protests that started in Aminis hometown of Saghez in Irans Kurdistan region and quickly spread to dozens of cities and towns across the country, including Kish Island and the holy Shiite city of Qom, are among the greatest challenges the Islamic republic has faced in the past few years. We're witnessing the beginning of the greatest challenge to the Islamic republic since 2019, Hadi Ghaemi, the executive director of the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), told RFE/RL, referring to the violent 2019 protests over a sudden rise in the price of gasoline that quickly turned political amid calls for the downfall of the clerical establishment. WATCH: Iran has partially restricted access to the Internet and social media platforms as protests spread to at least 50 cities following the death of a 22-year old woman who was detained by the country's morality police. How it will evolve depends on the ferocity with which the government represses the protests and the extent to which the international community keeps a spotlight on Iran so mass human rights violations do not occur in darkness, Ghaemi added. In Iran, political activist and journalist Mohammad Sadegh Javadihessar told Radio Farda that Aminis death has plunged the country into grief and anger. A young woman who was visiting Tehran from another city, she was supposed to be kept safe by the police but she was detained by the police, and then she ended up in a hospital and died. This has affected Iranian society in an unprecedented way," Javadihessar said in a telephone interview from Mashhad. I had never witnessed such widespread unity regarding violence against women, and I think this could be a watershed moment in social behaviors in Iran, he added. Iran is not likely to drop the compulsory hijab rule, which constitutes one of the pillars of the Islamic republic. But Javadihessar says the morality police could review their tactics under intensified public pressure and calls for their abolition following Aminis tragic death. Its not expected that the current parliament moves to reform the compulsory hijab law, but it is possible that we wont see such measures by the morality police, he said. The establishment has deployed large numbers of security forces to stop the protests, which have turned violent at times, while also imposing a near-total Internet blackout. Amnesty International said on September 21 that it has recorded the deaths of eight people -- six men, one woman, and a child -- with four of them shot by security forces at close range with metal pellets. State-controlled television said on September 22 that 17 people have been killed in six straight nights of protests, including demonstrators and policemen. Some reports suggested that four members of the security forces had been killed. Several people in the Iranian capital told RFE/RL on September 21 that they could not access the Internet using their cell phones. Instagram, one of the few social media sites not blocked in Iran, was inaccessible, while users also said they could not access the popular WhatsApp. Protesters have been chanting, "Women, life, and freedom," and Justice, freedom, and optional hijab while targeting the hijab, the most visible symbol of the Islamic republic, which became compulsory following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Several actresses based in Iran have published photos of themselves on social media not wearing the compulsory veil at the risk of never being able to act in the country again. One even shaved her head to protest Aminis death. Prominent womens rights activist and researcher Mansoureh Shojaee says she believes the protests are a turning point. After 40 years under the rule of a misogynist establishment, this movement is chanting the most feminine and civilized slogan that has united women and men from Tehran to Kurdistan, Shojaeyi told Radio Farda. Ghaemi said the protests are the culmination of years and years -- especially the last five years -- of Irans protest movement, and its targeting the height of power. Paris-based analyst Reza Alijani said many Iranians have turned away from ballot boxes while taking increasingly to the streets to express their frustration and anger at the clerical establishment, which has in some cases responded with lethal force, including in 2019, when hundreds were reported killed. They could be moving toward strikes. Were not there yet, but it is moving in that direction," Alijani told RFE/RL, adding that the current situation is unsustainable. The ball in is the court of the establishment. It either has to retreat and submit [to the publics demands] or it will be changed by the people through a popular revolution. History has shown that [around the world], and the Islamic republic is not a different kettle of fish, he added. The protests over Aminis death followed near-daily street demonstrations over the poor state of the economy, which has been crushed by crippling U.S. sanctions, putting additional pressure on the government. They also come amid a deadlock in talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal and renewed rumors and reports about the health of Irans 83-year-old supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Speaking in Tehran on September 21 at an event commemorating veterans of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War, Khamenei made no mention of Aminis death and the protests rocking his country. Radio Farda broadcaster Sepideh Behkham contributed to this report. ASTANA -- The Kazakh parliament's upper chamber, the Senate, has approved a motion to annul a state holiday instituted in honor of the country's first president, Nursultan Nazarbaev. The bill to scrap the Day of the First President, observed on December 1, is the latest move by President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev in his apparent efforts to distance himself from his predecessor. The Day of the First President was first marked as a state holiday in 2012. The bill, which was approved by the lower chamber, the Mazhilis, in early September, will take effect after Toqaev signs it into law. The Senate's approval of the bill comes three days after Toqaev's decree to change the name of Kazakhstan's capital city back to Astana from Nur-Sultan came into force. Toqaev first changed the name of the capital from Astana to Nur-Sultan to honor Nazarbaev in 2019, one day after Nazarbaev, who had run the tightly controlled former Soviet republic with an iron fist for almost three decades, announced he was resigning and that Toqaev was his handpicked successor. Though he officially stepped down as president, Nazarbaev retained sweeping powers as the head of the country's powerful Security Council. He also enjoyed substantial powers by holding the title of "elbasy," or leader of the nation. Even after Nazarbaev stepped down, many Kazakhs remained bitter about the oppression felt during his reign. Those feelings came to a head in January when unprecedented, nationwide anti-government protests started over a fuel-price hike, and then exploded into deadly unrest over perceived corruption under the Nazarbaev regime and the cronyism that allowed his family and close friends to enrich themselves while ordinary citizens failed to enjoy any of the oil-rich Central Asian nation's wealth. Toqaev subsequently stripped Nazarbaev of his Security Council role, taking it over himself. Since then, several of Nazarbaev's relatives and allies have been pushed out of their positions or resigned. Some have been arrested on corruption charges. In June, a Toqaev-initiated referendum removed Nazarbaev's name from the constitution and annulled his status as elbasy. Kazakh critics say Toqaev's initiatives are mainly cosmetic and have not changed the nature of the autocratic system in a country that has been plagued for years by rampant corruption and nepotism. ASTANA -- Prosecutors at the high-profile trial of a nephew of Kazakhstan's former strongman president, Nursultan Nazarbaev, have asked a court in Astana to sentence the defendant to six years in prison on fraud and embezzlement charges. Prosecutors also asked the Baiqonyr district court on September 22 to deprive Qairat Satybaldy of the rank of major general in the Committee of National Security and of his state awards and medals, as well as to bar the defendant from occupying state posts for 10 years. Satybaldy, whose trial started earlier this week, pleaded guilty to all charges and said he regrets his misdeeds, adding that he agrees with the prosecutor's proposal. Satybaldy was arrested in early March while trying to board a plane heading to Turkey. The probe launched against him is one of a series of investigations targeting relatives and allies of Nazarbaev. Kazakhstans Anti-Corruption Agency said late last month that Satybaldy and four other unnamed individuals are suspected of embezzling an unspecified amount of money from Kazakhtelecom and Transport Service Center state companies. The agency also said at the time that $500 million had been returned to the state treasury and that 29 percent of Kazakhtelecom's shares that had been controlled by Satybaldy were put back under state control. Satybaldy's former wife, Gulmira, was also arrested in March on charges of embezzlement and the illegal takeover of a private business. After unprecedented anti-government protests in early January, the Kazakh regime began to quietly target Nazarbaev, his family, and other allies -- many of whom held powerful or influential posts in government, security agencies, and profitable energy companies. President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, whom Nazarbaev hand-picked as successor after stepping down in 2019, started distancing himself from the former leader after the January unrest, which was fueled by Kazakhs exasperation with cronyism and corruption. Toqaev stripped Nazarbaev of the sweeping powers he had retained as the head of the Security Council after resigning. Just days after the protests, two of Nazarbaevs sons-in-law were pushed out of top jobs at two major oil and gas companies. Another son-in-law, Timur Kulibaev, resigned as chairman of the countrys main business lobby group, while in late February, Nazarbaev's eldest daughter, Darigha, was apparently forced to give up her parliamentary seat. Authorities also launched probes against leaders of a company linked to Nazarbaev's youngest daughter, Aliya. In June, Toqaev said he had created a commission to "return cash illegally taken out of Kazakhstan" by "a narrow circle of people who had illegally taken over" a large portion of the countrys wealth. Exit polls and early results in Bulgaria suggest the center-right Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party of longtime leader Boyko Borisov has won snap parliamentary elections, the fourth such poll in 18 months. An exit poll conducted by the Gallup International pollster showed GERB with 24.6 percent, apparently edging out the reformist We Continue the Change (PP) party of former Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, which is expected to take 18.9 percent. Polling data from Alpha Research had GERB with 25.5 percent, followed by PP with 19.9 percent. Early preliminary results largely mirrored the exit polling data with GERB with more than 25 percent of the vote, followed by PP with 22 percent with 12 percent of the ballots counted. Voter turnout on October 2 was estimated at about 30 percent. Petkov and former Finance Minister Assen Vassilev, co-chairs of the PP party, later conceded and declared they will not participate in a coalition with GERB. "It is GERB's responsibility to form a government. We promised that we will never participate in a coalition with GERB and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms and we will keep our promise," Petkov said, referring to an ethnic-Turkish-backed party, the DPS. Vassilev added that GERB and the DPS were both a "symbol of corruption" in Bulgarian politics. The Southeast European country of nearly 7 million people has been plagued by political gridlock since 2020, when it was rocked by nationwide protests as public anger over years of corruption boiled over. Much of the ire was directed at longtime leader Borisov and GERB. The latest government, led by Petkov, collapsed in June after just six months when one of its coalition partners quit. Petkov has struggled to deliver on his pledge to stamp out corruption. He has also backed Ukraine in its fight against Russia in a country traditionally friendly toward Moscow and accuses the Kremlin of helping orchestrate the collapse of his government, which refused to pay for gas in rubles as demanded by Russia. After casting his vote, Borisov told reporters that Bulgaria needs to clearly position itself on Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. "With this, aggression, with this war with a clear aggressor in the face of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin -- [I have] nothing against the Russian people -- with this farce with the referendums, Bulgaria must be very clear, categorical, and precise about its place in the European Union and NATO," he said, adding that Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone should be the first and most important task. Petkov rejected recent polls as questionable and voiced confidence that the vote will yield positive results for his party. "After this election, we will make a coalition with the Bulgarian people," Petkov told reporters after casting his ballot. "Today's election is very important. The choice is between going back to the years of transition or to break with this period once and for all and heading to a new prosperous and reformed Bulgaria. I believe that all Bulgarians today will make the choice for Bulgaria to move forward," Petkov said. As many as eight parties may break the 4 percent threshold needed to gain entrance to parliament and take seats in the 240-member legislature. One of them, the far-right Revival party which has been polling at around 11 percent to 13 percent, has taken advantage of a wave of populism sweeping Europe -- as witnessed by recent gains by far-right parties in Italy and Sweden -- spurred by economic fears and uncertainty first stoked by the COVID-19 pandemic and now Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The Revival party has promised to take Bulgaria out of the EU and NATO, and advance policies friendly to the Kremlin. While many experts dismiss the anti-Western rhetoric of the Revival party as little more than campaign bluster, they do caution that the party is doing the bidding of the Kremlin. Alpha Research polling showed Revival securing 10 percent of the vote. Early results gave Revival more than 11 percent of ballots counted. The DPS had 9 percent as did the Bulgarian Socialist Party. With reporting by AP The Kremlins aim to mobilize up to 300,000 men to fight in Ukraine faces significant obstacles and -- even if achieved -- may not prevent Russia from losing more ground or losing the war, analysts said. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the partial mobilization, due to start immediately, in an address broadcast to the nation on September 21, nearly eight months after he launched a large-scale invasion that he apparently believed would bring Kyiv to its knees within a few days. Instead, the call-up effort comes as Ukrainian forces push ahead with a counteroffensive in the east that has laid bare Russias lack of manpower and other military shortcomings along a front that extends hundreds of kilometers. Mobilization may extend the Russian ability to sort of sustain this war but does not change the overall trajectory and outcome, Michael Kofman, a military analyst and head the Russia Studies Program at the U.S.-based think tank CNA, said in an online discussion on September 21. Rob Lee, a military expert and senior fellow at the U.S.-based Foreign Policy Research Institutes Eurasia Program, said that the mobilization might solve the manpower problem for a few months but that it is not a long-term solution. I still think Ukraine has a lot of advantages going forward, he said. WATCH: Long lines of vehicles have formed at a border crossing between Russia's North Ossetia region and Georgia after Moscow announced a partial military mobilization. Putin said the partial mobilization would be limited to members of the military reserves, especially those who have combat experience or special skill sets. In an interview later on September 21, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the military would seek to conscript up to 300,000 reservists in phases. Members of Russias military reserves began receiving notices on September 20 to appear for two-week training sessions starting later this month. A Notional Figure Analysts immediately cast doubt on Russias ability to conscript, train, feed, and equip such a large force anytime soon. Mark Hertling, the former commander of U.S. Army forces in Europe, said in a tweet that it would be extremely difficult to mobilize 300,000 people, while Kofman dismissed it as a notional figure. Dara Massicot, a military analyst at the RAND Corporation, a Washington-based think tank, said the Russian Defense Ministry had let its mobilization system fall apart for years because it did not expect to fight a large-scale land war again. They will not be able to do this [mobilization] well. The system structurally cannot handle it, she said in a tweet. Russia has more than 2 million former conscripts and contract servicemen in reserve on paper, according to the Institute for the Study of War. However, it said that few of them are actively trained or prepared for war. In the United States, members of the military reserves must take part in monthly drills and a two-week annual training. Meanwhile, Kofman said there is a natural limit to how many soldiers Russia can deploy to Ukraine at any one time. No matter how many personnel they mobilize -- whatever number you may imagine it to be -- the Russian military is actually quite constrained in the number of troops it can sustain and command in the theater of military operations, Kofman said. Botched Invasion Putin ordered some of Russia's best forces to invade Ukraine on February 24 under the apparent assumption they would be greeted as liberators one of several deeply misguided expectations that stemmed from bad intelligence and other factors. Ukrainian forces put up fierce resistance, inflicting serious losses on Russias military. In early August, before Ukraines counteroffensive in the east, a Pentagon official estimated that 70,000 to 80,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded. Russia tried to raise fresh forces this summer by offering volunteers who agreed to sign short-term contracts monthly salaries far above the national average. The campaign failed to attract a significant number of volunteers, demonstrating the lack of interest among Russians in fighting in Ukraine, and -- following Kyivs advances this month -- prompting Putin to launch a mobilization drive, albeit labeled a partial one, after months of hesitancy driven by political concerns. While the state has tightened the screws on dissent for years and clamped down even harder since the invasion, Russians in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and other cities protested in the streets following Putins announcement, some urging him to go fight himself. More than 1,300 people were detained. Many young Russians have left the country since the invasion and more sought to get out on September 21, with plane ticket prices soaring as demand increased. Thousands of Russian men -- our fathers, brothers and husbands -- will be thrown into the meat grinder of the war, said Vesna, an Russian opposition movement that called for protests. What will they be dying for? What will mothers and children be crying for? Low Morale While mobilization could help address Russias manpower problem in the coming months, its military also suffers from a lack of professional soldiers, leaders, and trainers, as well as low morale, experts said. When we talk about manpower, it's not just quantity that is important. It's about how well trained are these soldiers, how much unit cohesion do they have, what is the morale -- all these kinds of intangible things factor into how useful units are, Lee said. This war is going to be increasingly fought by volunteers on the Ukrainian side who are motivated and who have morale. On the Russian side we are going to see a larger and larger share of people who dont want to be there, he said. Ukrainian conscripts and volunteers are undergoing more professional training by British forces and that is only going to become more important over time, he said. Many Russian officers who train reservists were sent to the front earlier this year as replacements or to lead additional forces, raising questions about who will prepare and lead the newly mobilized men, analysts said. Massicot said it could take Russias military months to a year to create a well-trained armored unit that stands a chance in the largest war in Europe since World War II. At the Petergof cemetery in St. Petersburg, five fresh graves appeared this summer, away from the other graves: all of them the same, with wooden crosses, black plates with names in gold and the dates of birth and death, framed photographs behind glass with a black ribbon pulled over them. The graves are distinguished by the abundance of fresh flowers and wreaths, some of them in the colors of the Russian flag. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, Russian protests, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Five men are buried here: Sergei Shalunov died in the war with Ukraine on June 17 (his death was officially reported by Leningrad region Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko at the end of June), Private Aleksandr Gerasimov died on August 14 (his death was confirmed by St. Petersburg Governor Aleksandr Beglov at the end of August), another a portrait on a nearby cross is of a young man in an officer's uniform with lieutenant's epaulettes (RFE/RL could not find official condolences published in the media or on social media). As for the other two graves, one belongs to Aleksandr Romanovsky, who was convicted of murder with robbery and was a native of Chudov, in the Novgorod region. Romanovsky's grave was visited by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin who is believed to control the Vagner private paramilitary group, which has sent men to fight in Ukraine. A photo of Prigozhin was published by military commander Vladlen Tatarsky. Later, Prigozhin, through the press service of his Konkord company, said that he had come specially to visit Romanovsky's grave. "I laid flowers on the grave of a man who had recently been convicted, and died on August 1, defending the interests of our Motherland from the enemy," Prigozhin said. Next to Romanovsky's grave is that of another former inmate from St. Petersburg, 53-year-old Eduard Anisimov. Relatives and acquaintances of Anisimov confirmed to RFE/RL that he was serving a sentence in a St. Petersburg prison and died in Ukraine. Emptying The Prisons Reports began emerging of prisoners being recruited by Vagner to fight in Ukraine in July, and a video has also surfaced of what appears to be Prigozhin himself recruiting inmates to sign up. Relatives of inmates in prisons in the St. Petersburg area told journalists that Vagner representatives came to these facilities and offered inmates the chance to volunteer to go to war. In return, they were promised 200,000 rubles ($3,300) and freedom if they fought in the conflict for six months. On the night of July 6, according to Istories, the first group of about 40 inmates was taken out of Yablonevka, one of the prisons. On July 25, it reported the death of at least three of them. Prigozhin has rejected the reports, reiterating his long-held claims that he has nothing to do with the shadowy Vagner Group, which Western governments say the Kremlin has been using in conflicts in Ukraine, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Mozambique, and the Central African Republic. On September 18, six members of the president's Human Rights Council appealed to Prosecutor-General Igor Krasnov to clarify on what basis prisoners with unfinished terms are being sent to Ukraine to participate in the "special military operation," as the Kremlin insists on calling its invasion of Ukraine. The request says that information about sending prisoners into combat was even reported by state media, and that some of the prisoners recruited had been convicted of serious crimes. Human rights activists say that a prisoner who has not served his full term can be only released either on the basis of a presidential pardon, an amnesty announced by the State Duma, or a court decision on parole. 'Almost Free' Relatives and acquaintances of Anisimov confirmed to RFE/RL that he was in prison, and was sent to fight in Ukraine by a private military contractor (PMC). A close relative, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, learned that he was going to Ukraine from a telephone conversation that took place "on the day when they were going to send him there." "He said that PMC representatives came. They promised mountains of gold, they said that in six months he would be able to get out of there. They also promised financial assistance," the relative said. "The prisoners had an interview. He agreedsince he was a military man. And that's all, he left. "He didn't say if anyone had been sent before. Perhaps it was the first stage from there. Of course, he explained [why he agreed to go to war]: The conditions behind bars are terrible, who wants to stay in jail when they tell you that [youve got a chance to leave]? I tried to dissuade him, but you yourself understand, he was an adult," the relative said. Anisimov was born and raised in Siberia, but had lived in St. Petersburg for quite some time. For several years he worked as a driver for a German company. From the materials of the criminal case, published on the website of the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service, it appears that Anisimov was detained in November 2018 on charges of selling a large amount of drugs. Anisimov pleaded guilty. At the trial, he said that in 2017 he met people "involved in drug trafficking," who made him an offer to sell drugs. But Anisimov did not provide their names during the trial, fearing for his own life and the lives of his relatives. In court, he suggested that the people he met were related to law enforcement agencies. In the summer of 2020, a court in the Leningrad region sentenced Anisimov to nine years and 10 months in prison and a fine of 300,000 rubles ($4,900). In pronouncing the verdict, the court took into account the almost 20 months that he had already spent in pretrial detention, so he had a little more than eight years left to serve. After being released to fight in Ukraine, Anisimov managed to get through to his children. During a conversation with his daughter, he said that he was already "almost free." "He told me that they had to prepare for 14 days. He then got in touch, but I didn't have time to pick up the phone, the close relative recalled, saying that Anisimov also called his sister around July 5 and told her that he was almost free." Anisimov's sister was the first to receive news of her brother's death. The funeral took place at the cemetery in Petergof. According to another acquaintance of Anisimov, he died in the region of Ukraine's eastern Luhansk region, which is held by separatists, and was awarded two medals. Russian authorities have not officially reported the awarding of any medals to Anisimov, and no decrees have been published on the Kremlin website. A close relative of Anisimov confirmed that he was given awards posthumously, but the relative did not see these awards themselves and did not know any details. He also did not know whether the family of the deceased will be paid compensation for Anisimov's death fighting in Ukraine. Anisimov's ex-wife refused to talk to RFE/RL, accusing the correspondent of "spying for the SBU," the Ukrainian Security Service, and saying that she forbade any "collection and dissemination" of information about her family's personal life, "both current and former." The United Nations has warned that acute food insecurity is likely to "rise precipitously" by the end of the year in 19 "hunger hot spots" around the world in part due to Russia's war against Ukraine. The findings were made in a joint report issued on September 21 by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program, which listed the war in Ukraine and other conflicts, climate extremes, displacement of people, and economic instability as "key drivers" of global food insecurity. The report called for "urgent humanitarian action to save lives and livelihoods and prevent famine in hot-spot countries where acute food insecurity is expected to worsen" over the next three months. Drought in the Horn of Africa, where food shortages have been compounded by obstacles to the import of Ukrainian grain due to Russia's invasion in February, was singled out as factor in people being pushed to the "brink of starvation." The report also noted the impact of disastrous monsoon floods in Pakistan, which relies heavily on Russian and Ukrainian grain imports, and expected below-average rainfall and resulting water shortages in Afghanistan as major contributors to food insecurity in those countries. Syria, in the Middle East, and the Latin American countries of Guatemala, Honduras, and Haiti are also among the 19 "hunger hot spots." Overall, an all-time high of some 970,000 people are expected to face "catastrophic hunger" around the world if no action is taken. Afghanistan was listed among the five countries expected to face "catastrophic hunger," as opposed to only two countries placed in that category six years ago. The report also said that Afghanistan, along with Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen, remain at the "highest alert" as hunger hot spots. Up to 26 million people in the Horn of Africa, which is experiencing the worst drought in 40 years, are expected to face "crisis" levels of food insecurity. The report also citied high prices for food, fuel, and fertilizers as contributing factors that are leading many governments to enact austerity measures that can affect the purchasing power of the most vulnerable families. The expected increase in this trend, the UN warned, raises the risk of "civil unrest driven by increasing socioeconomic grievances." In July, the UN and Turkey brokered an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv to remove Russian blockades on grain exports from Ukraine, one of the world's top suppliers. Prior to the agreement, Russian warships involved in Russia's invasion of Ukraine had been enforcing a blockade that had help drive up global food prices. Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month hinted at backtracking on the deal, claiming that the Ukrainian grain exports were failing to reach poorer countries as intended, despite ample evidence to the contrary. Grain prices have tumbled since the deal was reached, easing economic pressures on poor countries. Putin has also said that Western sanctions imposed on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine were hindering the supply of Russian food and fertilizers to Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. DUSHANBE -- Tajikistan's Supreme Court has sentenced retired Major General Kholbash Kholbashov to life in prison for his alleged role in organizing deadly protests in the Gorno-Badakhshan region in May, a charge that human rights organizations have called "bogus." Kholbashov's friends and relatives told RFE/RL on September 22 that the verdict and sentence had been pronounced the day before. The trial was held behind closed doors at the State Committee for National Security's detention center in Dushanbe. Tajik officials said earlier that Kholbashov was charged with publicly calling for the violent change of the constitutional order, organizing a criminal group, murder, attempted murder, and terrorism. Kholbashov was arrested on May 18 along with his ex-wife, journalist and human rights activist Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva, who faced the same charges. Mamadshoeva is being tried separately. Shortly after their arrest, Kholbashov and Mamadshoeva were shown on the Tojikiston television channel saying that they, along with opposition politician Alim Sherzamonov and Mahmadboqir Mahmadboqirov, an informal leader in Gorno-Badakhshan, had planned and organized the protests. The day before her arrest, the 65-year-old Mamadshoeva told RFE/RL that she had nothing to do with the anti-government protests in the region's capital, Khorugh, and in the district of Rushon. Authorities say in the footage showing the purported confessions that an unnamed Western country was involved in organizing the unrest. A total of 78 residents from the Rushon district were arrested at the time. Mahmadboqirov was killed on May 22 in Khorugh. His relatives say law enforcement officers killed him, while the authorities insist he was killed "during score-settling by criminal groups." Sherzamonov told RFE/RL that he had nothing to do with the planning of the riots in Badakhshan and that he suspected Mamadshoeva and Kholbashov were forced to make their televised confessions. Tajik authorities have said 10 people were killed and 27 injured during the clashes between protesters and police. Residents of the Rushon district, however, have told RFE/RL that 21 bodies were found at the sites where the clashes took place. Deep tensions between the government and residents of the restive region have simmered ever since a five-year civil war broke out shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Still, protests are rare in the tightly controlled country of 9.5 million where President Emomali Rahmon has ruled for nearly three decades. The latest protests were sparked in mid-May by anger over the authorities' failure to investigate the death last year of an activist while in police custody and the refusal by regional authorities to consider the resignation of regional Governor Alisher Mirzonabot and of Rizo Nazarzoda, the mayor of Khorugh. The protests intensified after one of the participants, 29-year-old local resident Zamir Nazrishoev, was killed by police on May 16, prompting authorities to launch what they called a "counterterrorist operation." The escalating violence in the region has sparked a call for restraint from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Western diplomatic missions in Tajikistan, and human rights groups. Gorno-Badakhshan, a linguistically and ethnically distinct region, was home to rebels who fought government forces during the conflict in the 1990s. While it occupies almost half of the entire country, its population is a mere 250,000. The region is difficult to travel around because of the mountainous terrain, while its economy is wracked by unemployment, difficult living conditions, and high food prices. The head of the UN nuclear agency says he will not abandon a plan to create a protection zone around the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine and hopes to go to Ukraine and Russia soon to push for an agreement. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told reporters at the United Nations in New York on September 21 that the situation at the plant "is still getting worse and we can't wait for something regrettable to happen." Grossi said he was now entering "real negotiations" with both countries and wanted an agreement on a protection zone as soon as possible. "Even in the worst of conditions diplomacy should never stop. We can't throw our hands up and say look at what's being said, go away and hope that something will happen to solve this situation," Grossi said. "It's our responsibility to do it by proposing pragmatic, realistic, and physical proposals on the table." Grossi held separate talks in New York on September 21 with Ukrainian officials and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Issues being discussed include the radius of the protection zone and the role of two IAEA officials currently stationed at the plant. Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for shelling at Zaporizhzhya, Europe's biggest nuclear power plant. Shelling on September 21 damaged cables providing essential electricity to one of the reactors, temporarily forcing the unit to run on emergency diesel generators before external power was restored, the IAEA said. The power lines ensure that the plant can cool nuclear fuel rods and waste, which is essential to prevent a meltdown. Grossi has voiced alarm over shelling in the past that he said damaged buildings close to the plant's six reactors and risked nuclear catastrophe. He has noted that it is the first time in history that an active nuclear power plant has been caught in a war zone. Russian forces took over the plant soon after launching their invasion of Ukraine in February, but Ukrainian technicians operate the power station. The Ukrainian state agency in charge of the plant said earlier on September 21 that the power plant came under Russian fire overnight, causing a disruption of power at the facility. In a statement released on social media on September 21, Enerhoatom said the shelling had damaged equipment of the only working reactor -- Unit No. 6 -- at the plant. "Due to the loss of power, there was an emergency start-up of two diesel generators of the safety systems to ensure the operation of the fuel cooling pumps," Enerhoatom said in a post on Telegram. On September 20 in the nearby Russian-occupied city of Enerhodar, shelling damaged a cooling system, a dining hall for staff, and an unspecified "special building," the city administration said in a statement. There were no further details about the damage. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Russia and Ukraine carried out an unexpected prisoner swap involving almost 300 people on September 21, the largest since the beginning of the war. Ukraine said that Russia released 215 of its soldiers, including fighters who led the defense of Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks. In exchange, Kyiv turned over 55 prisoners to Russia, including Viktor Medvedchuk, a former Ukrainian lawmaker and ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Ukrainian president's chief of staff, the exchange of prisoners took place in several stages and in different locations. Ten prisoners of war including five Britons and two Americans, some of whom had been sentenced to death after being captured in Ukraine and accused of being mercenaries, were transferred from Russia to Saudi Arabia. Briton Aiden Aslin, captured earlier this year and charged by a separatist-administered court in Ukraine's Donetsk region, flew to the kingdom along with U.S. citizens Alexander Drueke and Andy Huynh, according to the Reuters news agency. The American pair, both from Alabama, were captured in June while fighting in eastern Ukraine where they went to support Ukrainian troops resisting Russias invasion. Russia is pushing ahead rapidly with plans to hold wartime votes in most of the parts of Ukraine its forces control -- as well as some areas they do not control -- in an apparent effort to claim sovereignty over these territories. Politicians imposed or backed by Moscow abruptly announced this week that referendums on joining Russia would be held in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya regions, all in southeastern Ukraine, on September 23-27. Nearly eight months after Russian President Vladimir Putin dramatically escalated the war in Ukraine by launching a large-scale invasion, Russian forces hold the Luhansk region in its entirety and parts of the Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya regions, including the cities of Donetsk and Kherson. The plans, endorsed by Putin in an address on September 21, have been roundly denounced by global leaders, as well as by Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borell said in a September 21 statement that Russias leaders and all those involved in these referenda and other violations of international law in Ukraine will be held accountable. RFE/RL spoke with former career French diplomat Marie Dumoulin, who now heads the Wider Europe Program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, about the pro-Russian referendums, their lack of legitimacy, and what the impact of the move might be. RFE/RL: What is your view of the proposed annexation referendums in the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine in terms of their legitimacy, and how do you respond to Moscows arguments that they are merely exercising their right to self-determination? Marie Dumoulin: Usually in such conflict situations where there is a claim of one country over the territory of another country and when it is done under international rules, such referendums can take years to be organized under international supervision. We have cases -- in Western Sahara, for example where since 1975 there has been no agreement about the conditions in which such a referendum could be organized. This is because it involves questions like who is going to take part and under which law will the referendum take place, who is going to supervise, etc. Here we are dealing with pseudo-referendums which will be organized in a conflict situation when thousands of people have left their homes and so wont be able to take part in the voting. We dont know under which legislation this vote will take place -- most likely, under Russian legislation, but it is Ukrainian territory, so it should take place under Ukrainian law. Basically, if Russia cant control these territories by military means, it intends to make them part of its own territory so that the West and Ukraine fear heavy consequences if Ukraine continues its counteroffensive. Should I continue? Because there are a number of other issues to which there is no answer. It is a situation of war, so you have soldiers who will be around to supervise the vote, which is not the way things should be done. And there is the question of the territory which this vote concerns, because some of the regions that are organizing these pseudo-referendums are only partially controlled by Russia, but the vote will be organized for the entirety of their territory. That is, part of the population of part of the territory will vote for the entire population of the entire territory of these regions. So there is basically no legitimacy whatsoever in these votes. RFE/RL: Moscow has recognized the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk -- two of the regions holding such annexation votes -- as independent countries. Does this have any bearing on the legitimacy of the voting? Dumoulin: Russia is the only country which has recognized them [Editors note: North Korea and Syria have also recognized the two Moscow-backed separatist entities.] According to international law, these are parts of Ukrainian territory. So I dont see what meaning you can give to the fact that Moscow has recognized these two entities as independent states. RFE/RL: Moscow has been talking about holding such votes for some time. Are you surprised that this is proceeding now and what might the Kremlin be thinking? Dumoulin: It has to do with the military situation. Moscow has experienced a difficult time since the beginning of September because of Ukraines successful counteroffensive. Basically, what Russia is trying to achieve is to consolidate its control over these territories -- not by military means, but by political ones -- by organizing these pseudo-referendums and then saying these are parts of Russian territory. What Russia intends to do is to deter further Ukrainian counteroffensives on these territories by saying: This is Russian territory, so if you attack these territories then the consequences will be extreme. And [Russian President Vladimir] Putin yesterday [September 21] very clearly mentioned this could go up to the use of nuclear weapons. Basically, if Russia cant control these territories by military means, it intends to make them part of its own territory so that the West and Ukraine fear heavy consequences if Ukraine continues its counteroffensive. RFE/RL: Some of the Baltic leaders have been comparing this move to the Soviet annexation of the Baltic states during World War II. What do you think of this analogy or are there others that come to mind that might shed light on the situation? Dumoulin: I am always careful with historical analogies because obviously we are in a different world order now than we were back in 1939 or 1940. I can see why the Baltic states feel that way because it reminds them of their own experience. But we should think in terms of what the international order is now and what consequences this annexation will have on the international order that we have. One of the core principles of this order is the respect for territorial integrity and the non-use of force -- which are core principles in the United Nations Charter. Now one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council is openly violating these principles, which, of course, cannot be good news for any country in the world. RFE/RL: The Council of Europe has said Russias abuse of the referendum process is an attempt to destroy democracy and the rule of law. Given the seriousness of that warning, how do you think the international community will or should react if Moscow proceeds with these referendums and with the annexation of even more Ukrainian territory? Dumoulin: There can be no recognition of these referendums. These are not referendums, so I wouldnt even comment about them in terms of democracy or the rule of law. It is not a referendum, and the international community should basically say that and say that they are null and void. We cannot consider that there has been any form of legitimate voting in these regions under the current conditions. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on UN Security Council members to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that the Kremlin leaders invasion of Ukraine and attempts to annex more of its territory was threatening to destroy the international order. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, Russian protests, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Putin is pushing four Kremlin-controlled territories of Ukraine to hold disputed votes for annexation into the Russian Federation beginning on September 23 amid the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. The very international order that we have gathered here to uphold is being shredded before our eyes. We cannot -- we will not -- allow President Putin to get away with it, Blinken said on September 22 in New York. Blinken said international support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is about protecting an international order, where no nation can redraw the borders of another by force. If we fail to defend this principle, when the Kremlin is so flagrantly violating it, we send a message to aggressors everywhere that they can ignore it, too. We put every country at risk, he said. He said Putin was violently uprooting thousands of Ukrainians and busing in Russian citizens to manipulate the results of this week's vote on annexation, calling it a diabolical strategy. The top U.S. diplomat also told the Security Council there is mounting proof of Russian war crimes in Ukraine and said he supported international efforts to collect and examine the evidence. He described the violence as a pattern of behavior by Russian soldiers and not isolated acts of rogue units. The UN must hold the perpetrators accountable for these crimes, he said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan were set to brief the 15-member Security Council on investigations into possible war crimes in Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and representatives from several EU states and Belarus were expected to speak. Ukraine's chief war crimes prosecutor is reportedly investigating nearly 26,000 suspected war crimes since Russia's invasion in February. Ukraine has charged 135 people with war crimes and officials have recently said they uncovered fresh mass graves containing bodies, some with their hands tied behind their backs, when Ukrainian forces retook the eastern Ukrainian city of Izyum during a major counteroffensive. Russia has denied targeting civilians during what it calls its "special military operation," describing accusations of human rights abuses as a smear campaign. The September 22 meeting marks the 20th time the Security Council has met to discuss the war in Ukraine this year. But despite Russia's unprovoked invasion and subsequent accusations that its forces have committed war crimes, the Security Council has been unable to take any meaningful action against Moscow because of Russia's veto powers as one of the five permanent members of the body. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy has called for Russia to be stripped of its veto rights. In a prerecorded message to the General Assembly on September 21, Zelenskiy demanded that a special United Nations tribunal impose "just punishment" on Russia for its invasion. Earlier the same day, U.S. President Joe Biden said Moscow "shamelessly violated the core tenets" of the UN Charter with its "brutal, needless war." China, which has friendly relations with Moscow and also holds veto powers as a permanent member of the Security Council, will also be represented at the September 22 meeting. During a discussion on the sidelines of the General Assembly on September 21, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Lavrov that his country would maintain an "objective" and "fair" position regarding the war in Ukraine, which is one of China's biggest trading partners. The same day, China called for a "cease-fire through dialogue" and for all countries' "territorial integrity" to be respected. The comments from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin came after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial military mobilization to bolster its forces in Ukraine. Putin's decree followed the September 20 announcement that Russian-occupied regions in eastern and southern Ukraine plan to hold votes on being incorporated into Russia. The move to hold the referendums, which contradict international law and the UN Charter and which Western countries have already refused to recognize, are to begin on September 23 in Ukraine's Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya regions. All of the regions are partially controlled by Russian forces and are areas where Moscow has recently lost territorial gains. Parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, which collectively make up Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, have been under Russian-imposed administration since Moscow-backed separatist forces began fighting against Kyiv in 2014. Putin has said his aim is to "liberate" Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, claiming without providing any proof that most people in the region did not want to return to what he called the "yoke" of Ukraine. With reporting by Reuters and AFP (marketscreener.com/Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange's (LME) controversial suspension of its nickel contract in March didn't just impact trading in London. In the immediate aftermath of the LME intervention, the Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) was forced to suspend its nickel contract for two days and has arguably suffered even greater damage. LME nickel volumes have unsurprisingly slumped since March with activity in August down 47% on the same month last year. But ShFE nickel volumes have fallen harder, collapsing 74% year-on-year in August and dropping by 70% over the first eight months of 2022. First batch of 5th CIIE inbound exhibits arrive in Shanghai From:english.eastday.com | 2022-09-22 17:01 The first batch of inbound exhibits of the 5th China International Import Expo (CIIE) arrived in Shanghai smoothly after being inspected and released by Shanghai Customs on September 20, according to Orient International (holdings) Co., Ltd. The 25 pieces of rare jewelry artworks worth 560 million yuan were made by renowned artist Wallace Chan, and include the "Stilled Life" Cicada Brooch and Sculpture, which is well known from the La Biennale Paris in 2012. It is not only the first batch of exhibits to arrive in Shanghai at the 5th CIIE, but also their first appearance at the CIIE. TruthFinder has several key features for background checks, but is TruthFinder legit? Check our detailed review! South Carolina Law, in conjunction with the College of Arts and Sciences, hosted Judge J. Michael Luttig Thursday, September 15 for Constitution Day. His talk focused on the necessity of reviving the Constitution and the Rule of Law from which he believes the country has strayed. Of note Judge Luttig, former judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit appointed by President George H.W. Bush, made headlines this year testifying before the U.S. House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, stating that the attack was a war on democracy. He also co-authored Lost Not Stolen: The Conservative Case that Trump Lost and Biden Won the 2020 Presidential Election, issued in July 2022. In his words To whom do we turn? The answer lies in the first seven words of the Constitution written by the prophets of our nations founding. We turn to ourselves, to We the People of the United States. We ourselves must come to the aid of our struggling America. Watch Judge Luttigs entire speech. Background Constitution Day was first recognized in 2004. It commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, recognizing all who are born in the United States or have become citizens by naturalization. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said that Wednesday's cryogenic tanking test for Space Launch System (SLS) was successful, providing evidence that a fixed hydrogen leak is functioning properly. In addition, Gizmodo said the space agency may be on schedule to carry out its third launch attempt of the SLS megarocket in only six days- a mission that would formally start the Artemis lunar program. A massive SLS rocket called Artemis 1 will use to launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft into lunar orbit. A liquid hydrogen propellant leak at a "quick disconnect" on the SLS core stage, an interface connecting the rocket with a fuel line from its mobile launch tower, prevented NASA from launching the mission on Sept. 3. On Sept. 9, the Artemis 1 crew changed two of the seals surrounding the quick disconnect. Next, a fuelling test was planned to see whether the correction was effective. Space.com said the mission received favorable results from that test, which took place on Wednesday on Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. How NASA Conducted the Successful Tanking Test of SLS Megarocket Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson issued the "go" to start fuelling at 7:30 a.m. EDT, roughly a half-hour behind the original schedule, after a brief delay because a human was in the explosion hazard zone. Fox Weather said the SLS core and higher stages must go through the slow fill, quick fill, and refill phases of fuelling during the test. When the crew transitioned to the liquid hydrogen's fast-fill stage, there was the first snag. Derrol Nail, a NASA communications official, stated a 7 percent leak was discovered, which is far more than the 4 percent safety limit. NASA experts could troubleshoot the leak, which occurred in the same way as it did on the Sept. 3 launch attempt, before mid-morning. The liquid hydrogen fuelling process proceeded after the propellant fill was stopped and the fuel line was warmed up; however, a slight leak developed that was well below the safety limit. Fueling carried on throughout the afternoon so it looked that the modification had been successful. Twitter Error ALSO READ: Artemis 1 Moon Mission: NASA's Next Launch Attempt Pushes Through, Only If the Leak Gets Fixed and the Agency Obtains Critical Waiver The launch crew received positive news when the core stage was 100 percent full of liquid oxygen and hydrogen and the prior leak had decreased to .5% around 1:30 p.m. EDT. The leak, according to Nail, was "manageable," and the seal that crews installed to address the problem seemed to be functioning as intended. Just after 2 p.m., the launch director gave the all-clear to load the rocket's upper stage. The Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS), which is the upper stage, gives Orion the lift it needs to depart Earth orbit and travel to the moon. It is made by United Launch Alliance. The liquid hydrogen tank was pressurized to pre-flight levels, just as it would be on a real launch day, and the rocket was completely fuelled just before 4 o'clock. Near the conclusion of the test, a second hydrogen leak was detected, this time in a different location from the one that had been identified earlier in the day, and it was over the conservative safety limit. It's uncertain if NASA will deem this test productive enough to proceed with a further launch attempt. The tanking test, according to Blackwell-Thompson, "went pretty well." RELATED ARTICLE: NASA Says a Dangerous Fuel Leak Would Cause Artemis 1's SLS Spacecraft to Explode if Not Fixed Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times. Yemen: Consultations Tomorrow morning (8 September), Security Council members will convene for closed consultations on Yemen. The expected briefers are Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, OCHA Director of Operations and Advocacy Reena Ghelani, and Head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) Major General Michael Beary. Given that this months regular Yemen meeting will be held in closed consultations, it may allow for a franker discussion between Grundberg and Council members about the Envoys efforts to secure an extension and expansion of the truce agreement. The truce, which went into effect on 2 April, has been extended every two months, producing the longest reduction in hostilities during Yemens more than seven-year war. The current arrangement expires on 2 October. As Grundberg noted in his last briefing to the Council on 15 August, he would like to expand the elements of the truce agreement by establishing the payment of civil servants salaries and pensions, adding more international flight destinations from Sanaa airport, facilitating the regular flow of fuel into Hodeidah port and opening roads in Taiz and elsewhere. He also seeks to renew the truce for a longer duration to provide more space to negotiate a formal ceasefire, conduct talks on economic and security issues and prepare to eventually resume political talks for a negotiated settlement to the war. During tomorrows meeting, Grundberg is likely to reference the Houthi attack near Taiz city on 28 August, which he strongly condemned in a 31 August statement. The Yemeni government said that ten government soldiers were killed and seven wounded in the fighting. The UN Envoy could observe tomorrow that the attack, in addition to demonstrating the truces fragility, took place as representatives of the parties to the Military Coordination Committee (MCC) convened in Amman to hold their fourth meeting. The MCC, which is overseen by the Special Envoys military adviser, manages the military aspects of the truce and facilitates dialogue. Because of the attack, the Yemeni government delegation did not participate in the meeting; instead, MCC members only met bilaterally with the Envoys military adviser. Grundberg is also likely to report on his recent regional engagements. On 31 August, he concluded a visit to Riyadh, after meeting with Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad BinMubarak and other Yemeni and Saudi officials. He then visited Tehran from 3 to 5 September, where he met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Yesterday (6 September) he concluded a two-day visit to Muscat, where he was expected to meet with Omani officials and Houthi chief negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam, followed by more meetings yesterday and today (7 September) in Riyadh. Council members hope that a longer truce extension can be secured beyond the customary two-month renewal so that mediation efforts can focus on broader issues that must be addressed to sustain the truce and the reduction in fighting. They are likely to be interested in hearing Grundbergs realistic assessment of the possibility of an extension and expansion of the agreement following his latest regional meetings. Members may have a keen interest in his impressions from Iran, particularly on whether Tehran could put pressure on the Houthis, who have thus far resisted making concessions over opening roads to the besieged city of Taiz. The deadlock in talks on opening the roads, even before the 28 August attack, has appeared to undermine confidence between the parties and the prospects for an expanded armistice framework. Another worrying sign, which General Beary is likely to address, is the Houthi military parade which took place on 1 September in Hodeidah. The parade displayed drones, mines, and land-based anti-ship missiles; according to some media reports, about 25,000 Houthi soldiers participated in the show of force. UNMHA described the parade as a violation of the December 2018 Hodeidah Agreement and reiterated its appeal to Houthi leadership to fully respect their obligations under the Agreement, particularly as it pertains to keeping the City free of military manifestations. Tomorrows consultations may also provide an opportunity for Council members to raise concerns about developments in southern Yemen, which have shown the fragility of Yemens eight-member Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) and the ability of anti-Houthi forces to maintain a united front against the group. The Giants Brigadeswhose commander, Abdulrahman Abu Zaraa, is a member of the PLCand the Shabwani Defense Forces drove security forces affiliated with Yemens Islamist party Islah from the southern Shabwa governorate during fighting from 8 to 11 August. Islahs representative on the PLC, Abdullah al-Alimi, initially resigned in response but was later persuaded to rescind his decision. This was followed by the 22 August announcement by Aidarous al-Zubaidi, a PLC member who leads the United Arab Emirates-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), of a military operation in Abyan governorate to cleanse [Abyan] of terrorist organisations. PLC chairman Rashad al-Alimi issued a notice to al-Zubaidi ordering a halt to the operation. Yesterday, the STC announced that Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants ambushed an STC checkpoint in Abyan, killing at least 20 soldiers. Council members may discuss and seek Grundbergs advice on how they can help preserve the unity of the PLC, which was only established in April. Ghelani may discuss during her briefing how Yemens depreciating currency, the rise in global fuel and food prices, and the severe humanitarian funding gap continue to drive Yemens humanitarian crisis, despite the benefits from reduced hostilities. OCHAs latest humanitarian update, dated 4 September, notes that food insecurity in Yemen has reached its highest point since the conflict escalated in 2015, with 19 million people estimated to be experiencing acute food insecurity. Among other issues, OCHA has been alerting Council members for months about threats against and intimidation of relief workers that are affecting aid operations. In February, five UN staffers were kidnapped in Abyan. Ghelani may mention that this weekend (3 September), AQAP released the first recorded video of one of the staffers, Bangladeshi national Akam Sofyol Anam, who is in need of urgent medical treatment, according to reports. The index was built on seven essential elements to build and operate a business based on integrity, including culture, comprising commitment from leader, manager, employee and training; behavior rules, control, communication, behavior, comprising employee and gender equality, community, society, environment and durable development; compliance and standard certification.The VBII was recommended for enterprises of all sizes, forms of ownership, sectors, and structures, regardless they are a listed company, a domestic or private company, foreign-invested enterprise or State-owned one.Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Vietnam Patrick Haverman shared that the Vietnam Business Integrity Index would contribute to promoting the position and brand name of Vietnam, creating belief based on databases and information, attracting investment, generating properties and improving residents life.It was built under the support of FairBiz, a UNDP regional initiative funded by the UK Government in the framework of the ASEAN Economic Reform Program aiming at promoting a fair business environment in six ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam By Minh Tam- Translated by Huyen Huong Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said on Wednesday that the country is creating one of the largest datasets programmes where anonymised non-personal data will be available for the entire AI ecosystem to boost the startup ecosystem. "The use of these data sets will be allowed only to Indian startups and companies," Chandrasekhar said during the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) here. In a fireside chat with Kunal Shah, CEO, CRED, the minister said that some of the dataset will be made available to foreign companies who want to come and create opportunities in India. "We are also creating joint partnerships between Indian and foreign companies, especially in the DeepTech area. The government will provide capital access including government contracts to these partnerships to bolster the entire Indian business sector," Chandrasekhar emphasised. On semiconductors, he said that the government will invest $200 million in design startups. "We are also going to launch a digital university soon," the minister informed. Commenting on the Data Protection Bill, Chandrasekhar said: "We withdrew the Data Protection Bill 2021 because it had become too complex. As per the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, consumer rights must be protected while also making things easy for startups and innovators." He added that the country will soon see a Digital Personal Data Protection Bill which will be a contemporary global standard framework of laws. "We will also bring in a Digital India Act that will replace the 22-year-old IT Act," he reiterated. Reliance Retail is in advanced talks to get the rights for beauty retailer Sephora in India, two people familiar with the development said. The move could see Sephora operations transfer from Arvind Fashions Ltd., its current partner, to Reliance Retail. Arvind Fashions holds Sephoras master franchise rights for India. Sephora is a French multi-brand beauty products chain owned by the worlds top luxury goods retailer LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Arvind Fashions Ltd. operates brands such as USPA, Tommy Hilfiger, Flying Machine, Arrow, Calvin Klein and Sephora in India. According to Arvind Fashions Ltds FY21 annual report, Sephora has 24 stores in India in 12 cities. Globally, the beauty retailer known for retailing premium cosmetics and perfumes such as Bobbi Brown, Benefit Cosmetics, Lancome, etc is present in 35 countries with over 2,700 stores. The move comes as Reliance Retail sets its eyes on the beauty and personal care market in India after dominating the apparel retail segment in the country. Indias beauty retail market is expected to reach a2 trillion by 2025 driven by a higher propensity to shop online owing to increased internet penetration as well as a large millennial and gen-Z populations with aspirations and growing disposable incomes, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited (MOFSL), said in a 2021 report. Reliance Retail is also inclined towards a multi-brand beauty retail concept for more mass market brands that will compete with the likes of omni-channel beauty retailer Nykaa. To be sure, Sephora has had a string of associations in India as it has tried to cement its position in the countrys beauty and personal care market. Prior to its 2015 tie-up with Arvind, Sephoras rights rested with DLF Brandsthe retail arm of real-state company DLF Ltd. Its operations were also managed by New Delhi-based Genesis Colours. The tie-up however was strained in 2013. In response to queries on Sephora, a spokesperson for Arvind Fashions said, As per company policy, we do not comment on market rumours and speculations," Those in the know of the development said that a transition to the new partner is underway" and will come about in a couple of months. The move could also signal the retailers attempt at understanding and managing the premium beauty market in India," said the person who did not wish to be quoted. Earlier this year, Reliance Retail Ltd also signed a long-term franchise agreement with American apparel major Gap Inc., after the latter terminated its franchise agreement with Arvind Lifestyle Brands in 2021. 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! The economic and social crisis thats driving support for Italys hard right ahead of the September 25 elections is making the eurozones third-largest economy vulnerable to even deeper infiltration by organised crime. In a speech in May, one of his last before the collapse of his government, now-caretaker Prime Minister Mario Draghi warned that organised crime had assumed new but equally fearful forms. Beyond violence and the threat of violence organised crime has insinuated itself into the boards of companies, he said. They pollute the economic fabric from the real estate sector to wholesale supply chains. In its search for profit and power, organised crime from the Cosa Nostra in Sicily, to the Camorra in Naples, and the Ndrangheta in Calabria has extended its tentacles from the south deep into Italys wealthy industrial north. Overall, Italys criminal groups control about 9 per cent of the economy, according to various estimates. No event since the Second World War has been quite as destructive as the global pandemic. There have been 6.9 million reported deaths from COVID-19. As to the economic cost, that too has been off the scale. In the UK alone, economic output shrunk 11 per cent; the cost to the public purse of the Governments various support packages was 376 billion ($639 billion), adding around 15 per cent to the national debt. A lack of cooperation from China with regards to COVID has added the global economic cost. Credit:Getty Despite the size of the damage, we still dont know its origins. In large measure, thats down to lack of cooperation from China, the epicentre of the initial outbreak. Beijing should not be surprised that relations with the West have sunk so low. The deterioration is not just about ideological differences, divergent forms of governance, and superpower rivalry; it is also to do with responsibility for countless lives lost and blighted, and for the lasting economic misery that COVIDs has inflicted on the West. Soon the people of the distant Mallee places will see the big, new, buff-colored caravan, the baby health centre on wheels, travelling along their dusty roads. Many of them attending the Royal Melbourne Show will probably see it before it reaches the Mallee, for it is to be on view in the show grounds. Yesterday in all its shining newness the huge, streamlined vehicle pulled up outside the mothercraft training school of the Victorian Baby Health Centres Association in Carlton, so that members of the committee, and Matron Sage and her staff could see it completed. It is a model of its kind, perfect in detail, and really fascinating to examine, and is sure to be of the greatest interest to the Mallee folk in fact, to everyone who sees it, for in a large medallion on the side appears a picture of a rosy cheeked baby in a circular scroll, with the name of the association in large letters. The color scheme of the interior is cream and green a cool, restful combination. The front part of the caravan, whose total length is 16 feet 8 inches, and width 6 feet 4 inches, is designed as a health centre, complete with baby scales, a collapsible seat for the mother, cupboards, wash basin, and secretarial corner for records, &c. The refrigerator in the nurses quarters. Credit:The Age Archives The rear of the van provides living quarters for the two sisters Miss K. Hughston and Miss M. Turner. This part is fitted with two bunks, one of them folding, with rubber mattresses; a wardrobe, lockers, stainless steel sink, petrol stove, refrigerator, and even small bath let into the floor, with portable shower. There are two water tanks to hold 55 gallons, and two petrol tanks to take 26 gallons, while there are even a wireless set, an electric fan and petrol radiator. The two seats for the drivers the sisters will do their own driving are comfortable easy chairs, covered with green leather, and mounted on casters so that they can be moved. The curtains are in attractive green and cream folk weave, while all windows and ventilators are covered with fly wire. Mr. F. W. Kerr, the city engineer of Box Hill, who designed the caravan, seems to have thought of every detail, and the caravan is a marvel of ingenuity. Many Generous Gifts Its been a curious past fortnight for many Blackfullas in this country. It began when we realised on September 9 that the Koori flag was flying at half-mast for a dead Queen who signified a system that violently dispossesses us of our lands and waters. It took some hours delay before the wider public really began to notice that discrepancy in reasoning. Today, we are asked to not only endure a public holiday for the deceased monarch termed a National Day of Mourning, no less but our freshly elected prime minister additionally requested that all Australians observe a minutes silence to pay respect to our faithful monarch for the past 70 years, her majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during the Queens national memorial service. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen I encourage all Australians to reflect on her remarkable life of dedication and service with one minutes silence at 11am, Albanese said earlier this week. I was otherwise occupied, but as our federal parliament commenced its national memorial service this morning, a few points that have occurred to me over the last 14 days took form. The term cognitive dissonance has been recurring through my head all this time, but particularly earlier this week when the mourn porn hit its peak with blanket media coverage of the royal funeral service. I managed to keep myself busy elsewhere covering our state premiers disgraceful decision to rename Maroondah Hospital in honour of the deceased monarch, as it happens but I did notice that it wasnt just Dan Andrews embarrassing himself with expressions lacking in tact and consideration. For millennia, the heart of modern-day Parramatta was a Dharug meeting place. It witnessed the 1797 battle of Parramatta, led by Aboriginal resistance fighter Pemulwuy, before the foundation stone for the citys first town hall was laid almost a century later, and it became home to council meetings while markets, cattle sales, and agricultural shows were held outside. In its most recent years, the historic site at Parramatta square has been a construction zone as the modern CBD rose around it. But from Friday, it will become Parramattas new living room. The councils new Parramatta Phive building integrates the original town hall, pairing design from French architect Manuelle Gautrand and Australian architecture firms DesignInc and Lacoste+Stevenson, with high-tech council chambers and community amenities that range from the local library to wellness studios and podcasting rooms. Phive - pronounced five - is a play on its address at 5 Parramatta Square and its function as a community and cultural hub near the railway station. With all the talk of pumpkins (C8), Carole Baxter of Woodgate Beach (Qld) wonders if anyone eats gramma pies anymore. Our Nan used to make delicious ones (when we lived in the Hunter area). My sister was in NSW some time ago and bought a large gramma and gave me half because we cant buy them in Queensland, so I have a one-litre container of mashed gramma in my freezer but no energy to make pastry. While living in Minnesota on teacher exchange, it was explained to Janice Creenaune of Austinmer that genetic modification created perfection for Halloween pumpkins (C8) in size and shape, however, it diminished the pumpkins flavour and nutritional goodness. We were warned to scoop out, throw away and then carve and display. Travelling often to India to visit family, Narayan Mukkavilli of Winston Hills plays a little game on every trip, scoring points for every safari suit (C8) I sight. I rarely come away without scoring. The natural habitat for these things seem to be airports, I have never seen a safari suit outside of an airport. Can someone please enlighten me as to why rocket science requires the most cerebral thought? asks Jeffrey Huang of Roseville. Surely there are other more time-consuming academic pursuits than sticking gelignite up a metal tube? Having searched the internet to no avail, Nola Scott of Wagga Wagga wonders if anyone else remembers a Wyn-lite windmill that produced electricity. There was one on Lenneldale, a property near where l lived as a child in the Riverina. My 102-year-old brother remembers the stack of batteries on the verandah, storing enough power for lighting the house. Matthewson argues Desic has been through enough. Hes a gentle chap, and if he can return to the northern beaches, he will have friends, work his stonemasonry skills are exceptional and rare and an apartment beneath Matthewsons home. His friend has done his penance. He hasnt had any kind of life for three decades. I just want to give him some years, says Matthewson. I want to see him a free man. After being sentenced last year, Desic was sent back to Grafton. He had little idea that his tale that of a man whod tried so hard for so long to go unnoticed had captured imaginations across the world. Scott Matthewson has built a flat for the friend he knows as Dougie beneath his Avalon home. Credit:Peter Rae Until Desic is free, Matthewson is the keeper of his friends story. He knows little of Desics early life, beyond that his mother died when he was young, and his father was a security guard on a prison island when Croatia was part of Europes communist bloc. Theyd been poor. He puts Desics skill with stone down to his years of building with rocks as a child. Those years gave him survival skills, too, which would prove useful. One Christmas a few years ago, when Matthewson gave Desic a new guitar hed taught himself to play on one hed picked up from a rubbish pile his lonely friends eyes filled with tears. Hed only ever been given one other present; a plastic Daffy Duck, when he was a kid. Hes a tough, tough man, and his eyes started to well, Matthewson said. Darko Desic, 64, was part way through his prison sentence when he escaped. Desic came to Australia in the 1980s, sponsored by a distant relative. After a brief marriage, he became a resident. He spent time on the northern beaches, then moved to Kempsey on the NSW north coast. It was there he was arrested for growing and possessing cannabis, and sentenced to three and a half years in the notorious Goulburn jail. Midway through his sentence, Desics thoughts turned to escape. It wasnt jail that bothered him, Matthewson said, but the thought of what might come after, if he was sent back to war-torn Croatia where men his age were dying on the front lines of battle. His plan involved escaping through the barred window. He practiced falling and rolling from the top bunk. He also ran around the yard, working on his endurance. Desic stole a hacksaw and bolt cutter, and, when the wind and rain were wild enough to drown out the sound, would hang by one arm at the top of his window, sawing the bar with the other. Eventually, he was able to pull the bar down and climb through. He shimmied along the window ledge and dropped two storeys, rolling as he hit the ground to avoid injury. He lived in the bushes, blackening his prison-green overalls with mud and charcoal to camouflage himself. After a few, freezing days, he stuck his thumb out next to the highway and the first car picked him up. It was going to Avalon. Thus began three decades of hiding out on the northern beaches. He worked as an odd jobs man, taking cash. He rented a room in a dilapidated house, where he lived like a monk. At one point, he was featured on Australias Most Wanted, but no one around him noticed. His food was cheap and plain, his habits fastidious. Dougie had his little bed, and everything was neat, Matthewson said. All his tools were in place. He had a few clothes. He was very, very frugal. Every cent counted. He never drank. He meditated, played guitar and taught himself to fix discarded computers. He pulled out several of his own teeth, including one of his foreteeth, with a pair of pliers. Ive never seen someone who can cop so much pain, Matthewson said. One of the Free Darko signs around the Northern Beaches Credit:Peter Rae Desic was popular with tradesmen across the peninsula for his skill and work ethic, but never worked for anyone long enough to raise questions. Hes a very intelligent stonemason, Matthewson said. Years ago, you could shake a tree and a stonemason would fall out of it. Now theres very few of us left. I get a call every week from one of them, saying, wheres Dougie? The real estate boom during the COVID-19 pandemic signalled the end of Desics 30-year run. The house in which he rented a room was sold, so he and his flatmates had to leave. Now he had nowhere to live. He said mate, this is really bad for me, said Matthewson, who offered his boat as a temporary berth until Desic came to a decision about what to do next. I knew the solution was for Dougie to go back into jail, do his time, whatever happens, happens, thats how you get on with your life. Loading So Matthewson drove Desic to the police station, hugged him, and, at his friends request, drove away. Desic didnt go inside. He spent one last night as a free man, sleeping in the sand dunes, before presenting himself to baffled police officers at Dee Why. Desic has strong supporters on the northern beaches, ranging from a local millionaire who organised his lawyers to the local builders, whose support is tinged with self-interest because they want him on their worksites. Across the peninsula, there are Free Dougie stickers on bumper bars and telegraph poles. A Go Fund Me page has raised more than $30,000. Doug was my next-door neighbour for many years, wrote one donor. He is a truly kind person and a great bloke. He taught me how to use computers and even taught me and my best friend karate after school sometimes. Another said, The 30 years agony is the heavy price he already paid. One of the Free Dougie bumper stickers around the northern beaches. Credit:Peter Rae Credit:Cathy Wilcox I agree with Margot Savilles assessment of the dangers inherent in our housing and rental affordability crises (Fair? No. Inequality may undo us, September 22). As a society, were sitting on a timebomb. How long will people put up with not being able to find an affordable place to live, whether to buy or rent? There needs to be a massive reset of the housing situation in this country. The Im alright Jack attitude will no longer do. Any government that refuses to make a genuine effort will pay the price. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill Margot Saville presents an interesting insight to the increasing problem of getting a roof over your head that you own. Living in the western suburbs of Sydney for most of my life I have watched the hectares of food-producing land transition to housing. Ive also watched the knock-down rebuild become a fashion, with the idea that houses were only built for 20 years. My biggest concern was the loss of sporting and recreational places as large unit blocks arrived in areas such as Rhodes and its surrounds. Developers are always crying poor at being able to provide a more aesthetically pleasing building and the area around that building. It is late in the mishandling of oversight of poorly constructed buildings, but it is the government that needs to seriously look at what is being built and how these buildings add value to the community. Large unit blocks provide the perfect place for the bottom floor to be a recreational facility a pool, an indoor sport facility, a leisure facility of some sort. The outside grounds can provide a pleasant area of green and recreation. This exists in some places but needs to be mandated by local government. Instead of chasing more properties that provide rates, local councils must improve the living areas of all residents. Robert Mulas, Corlette Credit:John Shakespeare On Wednesday, Ross Gittins detailed how government failure to act on home ownership is turning us into a nation of renters (Door shuts on owning a home, September 21), and how the favouring of homeowners disadvantages renters. Margot Saville continues the theme, in that this festering injustice will exacerbate our becoming an increasingly unequal society. The solutions are many but primarily involve the prevention of houses becoming investments rather than their prime purpose of providing shelter. The previous federal governments policies only encouraged our growing loss of egalitarianism. It is to be hoped that the current one will actually do something to address the problem. Peter Nash, Fairlight The Australian flag has been burnt as part of a rally in Brisbane to abolish the monarchy. Indigenous protesters set the Australian flag alight outside the British consulate in Brisbane on the day of mourning Elizabeth II. Credit:Twitter/Lilly McKenzie Footage and photographs posted online show some of the protesters, from the Warriors of Aboriginal Resistance, burning the Australian flag, reportedly outside the British consulate. Protesters gathered in the CBD about midday at Queen Elizabeth Park, before marching through to Eagle Street. The group said the rally was a demonstration against racist colonial imperialism, and a stance against the continued crimes committed against marginalised First Nations, black, brown and Asian communities, following the announcement of September 22 being made a public holiday for mourning Queen Elizabeth. Dr JOSEPH EPSTEIN AM FACEM June 21, 1941-June 20, 2022 In 1963, Joe Epstein was an undergraduate medical student at Footscray Hospital and within a few years he was working 36-hour shifts as a junior doctor. Within decades he was running the Western Hospitals emergency department, running critical care across Victoria and mentoring thousands of doctors and paramedics. When he finished his last emergency department shift at Footscray in 2016, hed transformed the work done there by doctors, nurses and paramedics. Along the way he tried to persuade, and was sacked by, various Victorian premiers. For my father, the extermination of most of his family in the Nazi Holocaust was a life-defining event. The injustice of never knowing his family and the truncation of their lives was the fuel for his belief in the social justice of emergency medicine. He is the reason we measure waiting times in emergency departments. He fought for years with his good friend Tom Hamilton to get the medical fraternity to accept a new College for Emergency Medicine that now trains and qualifies every ED doctor in Australia and New Zealand. The college designed the triage system used in emergency around the world. But none of the hard work meant he would not enjoy being in the world. As his son, I imagine his perfect day would go like this. He would spend the night delivering triplets, performing life-saving surgery and personally fixing the ventilators in the intensive care ward. Hed get home in time for breakfast and would walk the dog to the corner shop, for fresh crusty Italian bread, delightful fruit and fresh French cheese. Hed make breakfast and a packed lunch for my sister and I while waiting for my mum to wake up. Hed take a phone call from someone a premier or a radio host or both wanting to know why ambulances in Melbourne had once again been ramping outside hospitals or had been diverted past them. Restaurant owners looking forward to a buzzing post-COVID summer have been rattled by plans by the City of Melbourne to force them to pay to keep the outdoor dining areas they set up during the pandemic. Councillors will on Tuesday vote on a recommendation by City of Melbourne management to reintroduce fees from November for outdoor dining permits across the municipality except in Docklands. Restaurateur Jessi Singh set up Daughter In Laws outdoor dining area during COVID-19. Credit:Simon Schluter Hundreds of businesses signed up for free permits to establish outdoor dining on footpaths, in laneways and on street-side car parks after the council began waiving fees in October 2020 as part of its plan to reinvigorate the city after the first COVID-19 lockdown. According to the City of Melbourne, the number of outdoor dining permit holders doubled to 1300 and more than $2.3 million worth of fees were waived. Controversial legislation to replace Western Australias COVID-19 state of emergency powers passed the lower house after a marathon debate that lasted to midnight on Wednesday. The McGowan governments Emergency Management Amendment (Temporary COVID-19 Provisions) Bill 2022 will allow the government to stop using state of emergency powers to manage the pandemic. The new laws would allow the government to continue enforcing COVID-19 restrictions. Credit:WAtoday During the at times bitter debate, the opposition lashed the government for ramming the laws through parliament within 24 hours and giving its MPs less than a day to scrutinise the bill. Liberal leader David Honey accused the government of abusing the parliamentary process. Parliament returns on Friday for the first time since the Queens death on September 8 for a joint motion of condolence and a congratulatory message of accession for King Charles III. Following the day of mourning on Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Nationals Leader David Littleproud are all paying tribute. The rest of the day will be given over to individual condolence motions from MPs and Senators. You can watch speeches from MPs live below: Linda Burney, the minister for indigenous affairs, has defended the parliaments two-week suspension and two days of tributes against criticisms that the lengthy solemnities were inappropriate given colonialisms painful legacy for indigenous Australians. ClubsNSW, the lobby group which represents the states 1400 clubs, likes to say that its aim is to build stronger communities but it is hard to see that public spirit in its treatment of its former employee Troy Stolz. As the Herald reported on Thursday, Stolz is terminally ill with bone cancer but he will spend his last months defending a legal action ClubsNSW has launched against him. Stolzs transgression was that in 2020, after eight years as senior officer with responsibility for fighting money laundering, he leaked an internal ClubsNSW report which suggested that its members were flouting the law. The report handed to the Herald, the ABC and federal MP Andrew Wilkie showed that 90 to 95 per cent of clubs were not taking the most basic precautions against money laundering. Since then ClubsNSW has tried to silence him for breaching confidentiality agreements. Stolz has been forced to sell his family home to pay the mounting costs. This weekend, Italians go to the polls to elect a new government. Barring a massive turnaround, this will be a government of two major firsts. It will be the first majority far-right government in Western Europe since the end of Second World War. And it will be Italys first government headed by a woman, the leader of the Brothers of Italy party, Giorgia Meloni. How has this happened in a republic that was created from the ashes of Mussolinis long fascist regime? Not to mention in a country noted for its widespread sexism, as the adventures of its former notorious prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, have repeatedly demonstrated. Giorgia Meloni is on track to become Italys first female prime minister. Credit:AP In fact, the rise of the Italian far-right and Meloni can be traced back to Berlusconis entry into politics in 1994, when his centre-right Forza Italia movement teamed up with two smaller far-right parties, the northern regionalist League and the post-fascist National Alliance, to easily win that years general election. Todays right-wing coalition is the successor of Berlusconis original one, although the relative strengths of its three components are now very different. According to the latest surveys, Melonis Brothers of Italy (the heir of National Alliance), is running at over 25 per cent, while Matteo Salvinis League and Berlusconis Forza Italia combined amount to just 20 per cent. East-West clash On Wednesday Putin ordered Moscows first wartime mobilisation since World War II, with plans to immediately start conscripting some 300,000 troops to fight on the front line. Loading He cast the Ukraine invasion, that began in February and has left thousands dead, displaced millions and reduced towns to rubble, as a defining East-West clash. Russias mobilisation may be the riskiest domestic political move of Putins two decades in power, and followed months of Kremlin promises it would do no such thing and comes at a time when Russia has been facing a string of battlefield failures. Concern over being conscripted saw flights out of Russia quickly sell out, and jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny called for mass demonstrations against the mobilisation. Independent protest monitoring group OVD-Info said nearly 1400 people in 38 Russian cities had been detained in protests by Wednesday evening. Riot police detain a demonstrator during a protest against mobilisation in Moscow. Credit:AP Associated Press journalists in Moscow witnessed at least a dozen arrests in the first 15 minutes of a nighttime protest in the capital, with police in heavy body armour tackling demonstrators in front of shops, hauling some away as they chanted, No to war! Im not afraid of anything. The most valuable thing that they can take from us is the life of our children. I wont give them life of my child, said one Muscovite, who declined to give her name. Asked whether protesting would help, she said: It wont help, but its my civic duty to express my stance. No to war! In Yekaterinburg, Russias fourth-largest city, police hauled onto buses some of the 40 protesters who were detained at an anti-war rally. Riot police block a street during a protest against mobilisation in Moscow. Credit:AP One woman in a wheelchair shouted, referring to the Russian president: Goddamn bald-headed nut job. Hes going to drop a bomb on us, and were all still protecting him. Ive said enough. The Vesna opposition movement called for protests, saying: Thousands of Russian men our fathers, brothers and husbands will be thrown into the meat grinder of the war. What will they be dying for? What will mothers and children be crying for? The Moscow prosecutors office warned that organising or participating in protests could lead to up to 15 years in prison. Authorities have issued similar warnings ahead of other protests. Wednesdays were the first nationwide anti-war protests since the fighting began in late February. Loading Putin ordered the military draft in a televised address in which he also announced moves to annex four Ukrainian provinces and threatened to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia, declaring: Its not a bluff. Large numbers of Russians rushed to book one-way tickets out of the country while they still could on Wednesday, while traffic arriving at Finlands eastern border with Russia has intensified during the night. Pro-Russian figures announced referendums for September 23-27 in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces, representing about 15 per cent of Ukrainian territory. US President Joe Biden, in a speech to the UN General Assembly, responded: Again, just today, President Putin has made overt nuclear threats against Europe, in a reckless disregard for the responsibilities of the non-proliferation regime. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned Putins irresponsible escalation of the war, saying Putins behaviour only goes to show that his invasion is failing. European Union foreign ministers agreed on Wednesday to prepare new sanctions on Russia and increase weapons deliveries to Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the United Nations General Assembly by video. Credit:AP Its clear that Putin is trying to destroy Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters after ministers met to decide how to respond. Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies confirmed in a meeting in New York on Wednesday their cooperation in extending support for Ukraine, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said. Prison swap Russia and Ukraine carried out an unexpected prisoner swap on Wednesday, the largest since the war began and involving almost 300 people, including 10 foreigners and the commanders who led a prolonged Ukrainian defence of Mariupol earlier this year. Ukrainian soldiers released in a prisoner exchange arrive near Chernihiv late on Wednesday. Credit:AP The foreigners released included two Britons and a Moroccan who had been sentenced to death in June after being captured fighting for Ukraine. Also freed in the deal brokered by Saudi Arabia, according to a Saudi ministry, were three other Britons, two Americans, a Croatian, and a Swedish national. The released Ukrainians had been captured after a long battle for the port city of Mariupol earlier this year and included top military commanders, said Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelenskiys office. Loading Several Western military experts said drafting hundreds of thousands of new troops would take months, do little to slow Russias losses, and could even make matters worse by drawing resources away from the battlefield to train and equip recruits. In Moscows first update on casualty numbers in almost six months, Russias Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said 5937 Russian soldiers had been killed since the start of the conflict. The war has so far appeared to enjoy popular support in Russia where independent media have all been shut down and public criticism of the special military operation is banned. Loading If one were dropped on Britains parliament, for example, it would also wipe out Westminster Abbey, Westminster Bridge and parts of Whitehall. And it would spew deadly radiation over 10 Downing Street and the London Eye. A bigger missile such as the Iskander M could carry about 50kts, enough to take out an aircraft carrier group. An intercontinental ballistic version, designed to travel thousands of kilometres, could carry around 500kts and would flatten a small city such as Oxford which has about as many people as Cairns. The Russian Tsar Bomba, the most powerful nuclear weapon ever created, had a yield of 50,000kts. Russia has never used nuclear weapons in conflicts, so it is difficult to predict how such an attack might unfold. Lawrence Freedman, a war studies expert at Kings College London, has said that the potential targets for limited nuclear strikes [in Ukraine] are those already identified for conventional strikes critical infrastructure more than cities. He also pointed out that Snake Island, which is uninhabited, could be nuked as a demonstration of Russias power to sow fear in Ukraine and the West. Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting on Wednesday, the day he announced the countrys first mobilisation since World War II. Credit:AP Even a low-yield nuclear strike would cause immense destruction to a major population centre. Nuclear weapons analysts say a bomb dropped on Washington would kill up to 300,000 people, not including those harmed by nuclear radiation in the wider area. Would Putin really do it? There are some concerns that the Russian leader may have lost his grip on reality and could resort to such a nightmarish step if he continues to be humiliated by the war in Ukraine. Boris Johnson, the former British prime minister, once called Putin an irrational actor who was possibly thinking logically about his military goals. In terms of logistics, Putin has the power under Russian law to launch nuclear weapons in the event of an existential threat. He is said to always have at hand a cheget, or nuclear briefcase, which connects him to the command and control of Russias nuclear program. But the cheget does not contain a nuclear red button; instead it transmits the order to the Russian General Staff, or central military command. Loading This central command can either send codes to weapons commanders or use a backup system that bypasses all chains of command to launch land-based nuclear weapons. If Putin opened his cheget and gave the order, one can only speculate on whether the Russian central command would follow it. There have been rumours that the Russian leader is facing fierce internal criticism for the failures in the invasion of Ukraine so far. Perhaps an order to launch nuclear weapons on Ukraine or a NATO ally would be a step too far for even his closest generals. So it could be a bluff? Western leaders have largely dismissed Putins words as a bluff despite his explicit insistence to the contrary. Just a few days after the invasion, he put Russias nuclear deterrent on high alert. And Russian propaganda networks have also made repeated threats of nuclear annihilation against the West since the invasion began. Loading In perhaps the most alarming example, Russian state TV host Olga Skabeeva said Moscow should have nuked Britain on the day of the Queens funeral to cause maximum chaos. However, nuclear analysts pointed out a subtle shift in Putins address yesterday. Andrey Baklitskiy, an expert at the UN institute for disarmament research, noted that Mr Putin threatened nuclear war if the territorial integrity of our country is threatened. He added: Those statements go beyond the Russian nuclear doctrine, which only suggests Russian first use in conventional war when the very existence of the state is threatened. Putin adds territorial integrity and [the] very abstract protection of people, independence and freedom. Coming from the person who has sole decision-making power on nuclear weapons this will have to be taken seriously, he said. A protest in Belgrade, Serbia, against the mobilisation announced by Vladimir Putin. Credit:AP In other words, Putin could be laying a trap: if Ukraine continues its counter-offensive on occupied territory that Moscow declares Russian after sham referendums, then it could grant him a pretext for a nuclear strike. How would the West respond? Western leaders do not seem overly concerned about the prospect of nuclear armageddon. But if the unthinkable happened, and Russian nuclear weapons were launched at the West, then it would presumably respond in kind. British Prime Minister Liz Truss said during the Tory leadership contest she was ready to push the nuclear button even if, as her interviewer put it, this led to global annihilation. But the response to a smaller nuclear strike on Ukraine is less clear. It would most likely be led by US President Joe Biden, who refused to elaborate in detail on his response to a potential chemical or tactical nuclear strike in an interview last week. Theyll become more of a pariah in the world than they ever have been and the extent of what they do will determine what response would occur. What about Russias allies? Recent remarks from China and India, two allies who initially stayed neutral on Putins war, suggest the countries are now distancing themselves from the conflict. Beijing on Wednesday issued a statement urging a ceasefire through dialogue suggesting Beijing is opposed to Moscow taking any drastic steps, such as nuclear war. Loading Any move towards tactical nuclear or WMD [weapons of mass destruction] then Russia immediately loses China, their most valuable ally, said Dr Paul Dorfman, a nuclear safety expert who has advised the UK government, on Twitter. In fact, Putin loses everything. The Telegraph, London Anti-government protests in Iran over the death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody are intensifying, and dozens of cities are embroiled in unrest that has been met with a crackdown by authorities, according to witnesses, videos posted on social media and human rights groups. The protests appear to be one of the largest displays of defiance of the Islamic Republics rule in years and come as President Ebrahim Raisi is in New York for the UN General Assembly. They erupted last weekend after the woman, Mahsa Amini, died after her arrest by Tehrans morality police on an accusation of violating the law on headscarves. Protests in downtown Tehran on Wednesday. Credit:AP At least seven protesters had been killed as of Wednesday, according to human rights groups. Protesters have been calling for an end to the Islamic Republic, chanting things like Mullahs get lost, We dont want an Islamic republic and Death to the supreme leader. Women have also burnt hijabs in protest against the law, which requires all women above the age of puberty to wear a head covering and loose clothing. Raisis government has unleashed a massive deployment of security forces, including riot police officers and the plainclothes Basij militia, to crack down on the protesters. Internet and cell service has been disrupted in neighbourhoods where there were protests. Access to Instagram, which has been widely used by the protesters, was also restricted. Washington: Conservative activist Virginia Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, has agreed to participate in a voluntary interview with the House panel investigating the January 6 insurrection, her lawyer said on Wednesday. Attorney Mark Paoletta said Thomas was eager to answer the committees questions to clear up any misconceptions about her work relating to the 2020 election. Virginia Thomas and Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas arrive for a 2019 state dinner with Australias then-prime minister Scott Morrison and then-US president Donald Trump in 2019. Credit:AP The committee has sought an interview with Thomas in an effort to know more about her role in trying to help former president Donald Trump overturn his election defeat. She contacted politicians in Arizona and Wisconsin as part of that effort. The panel announced that it will reconvene for a hearing on September 28, likely the last in a series of hearings that began this summer. The hearing announcement comes as the committee is preparing to wrap up its work before the end of the year and is writing a final report laying out its findings about the US Capitol insurrection. New York: Russias top diplomat has walked out of a United Nations Security Council meeting as the US and its allies stepped up their condemnation of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of violating international law. Less than two days after Putin announced Russias biggest conscription since World War II, a diplomatic showdown erupted at the UN on Thursday (US time) where Russian and Western officials clashed over alleged war crimes committed by Moscow. Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during a high level Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine. Credit:AP Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived late to the Security Council meeting, delivered his speech and then left soon afterwards. While he was there, he used the global platform to once again accuse the West of forcing Russia to launch its so-called special military operation to protect itself, and claimed that Ukraine and its allies were attempting to impose on us a completely different narrative about Russian aggression. PHILIPSBURG:--- On the eve of the IPKO meeting in the Netherlands, MP Wescot is concerned about the local political rumbles and their effect on the image of the St. Maarten delegation and the seriousness of its participation. The MP explains that faction leaders are the ones who attend IPKO meetings on behalf of the parliament of St. Maarten, along with the chair of parliament. The way the agendas are made is an established process, where the proposals come from the host country and the presidiums of the other parliaments chime in until a mutually acceptable proposal is arrived at. I am on record for standing up for IPKO because I believe in diplomacy above confrontation, the MP clearly stated. But, the MP continues, the deliberations must be meaningful and with an objective in mind. Unfortunately, I get a distinct feeling that the IPKO drive is diminishing. A possible explanation is an experience with the dispute regulation, which now the Caribbean countries have the lead on and need to come up with a proposal, as we are back to square one. This time around, I am disappointed in the overall agenda for this IPKO, because the UN sustainable development goals are not mentioned as they have been for several years. In the context of the country packages, it is paramount that we are able to bring these measures back to sustainable reforms and development, and thus keeping the pressure on via the parliaments is one way to go. It is ironic that as one part of the government of St. Maarten proudly joins the kingdom partners at the United Nations General Assembly, the parliaments of the kingdoms agenda consist primarily of presentations on our colonial and slavery past, the MP opines. Earlier this year in IPKO we decided together to review -based on second and first chamber motions-, the charter of the kingdom, the division of responsibilities, the authorities of the countries. As a member of parliament, I asked the government about the execution of these recommendations, I asked about the agreements made in May of this year, to no avail. It would seem that we keep going around in circles on all levels, rather than taking the time out and once and for all deciding about our future in the Dutch kingdom. Twice a year we agree to better this relationship, but upon our return home, it is business as usual until the next time around, stated MP Wescot. And the coup de grace: we cant get our stuff together right here on this beautiful island, yet we are at the United Nations with the Kingdom partners, but fighting one of the partners at the same United Nations. Our people deserve better than this, MP Wescot concluded. BES Islands:--- On Wednesday, the 21st of September, in a pleasant gathering, the new Communications Advisor/spokesperson, Genesis Saragoza, of the Dutch Caribbean Police Force was introduced to the press. Genesis Saragoza is from Bonaire where she lived until 5 years ago when she moved to the Netherlands to study International Communication at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen. After her studies, she worked for over two years in the communication department at Simavi in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. She succeeds Miluska Hansen who held this position from the 1st of August 2017, for over 4 years. The opportunity was also taken to bid Miluska an official farewell. Genesis Saragoza, together with Caroll-Ann Soliano, who supports her as communications advisor from the SSO-CN, will handle all external and in internal communications for the force on the three islands. The communications team will soon be strengthened with a communications officer. KPCN Press Release. Traxpay lAdt zum Forum Corporate Banking Current market developments will be discussed at the \Forum Corporate Banking\ event. Traxpay is co-organizer of the forum and Managing Director Markus Wohlgeschaffen will speak about the topic \Supply Chain Finance: the future of corporate finance?\. The last two years have not been easy for corporate account managers either. Keeping customers digitally without personal customer contact and driving processes digitally within their own organization was also largely new territory for corporate customer advisors. They quickly got used to it, and little by little, everyday life returned. Due to supply bottlenecks, liquidity concerns and raw material shortages, the topic of supply chain is still high on the agenda of many companies, even in the current phase of the pandemic. Supply chain finance is thus on everyone\-s lips, and it has now become clear that this growth market belongs to platforms. Cooperations between banks and fintechs are beneficial for all parties involved here. If supply chain finance is designed to be transparent and flexible, it is possible to exploit the full potential with all the benefits for buyers, suppliers and financing partners. Where: DPE Deutsche Private Equity LudwigstraAe 7 80539 Munich Oosten MayfarthstraAe 4 60314 Frankfurt am Main When: September 2022 (Munich) Oktober 2022 (Frankfurt) Program Munich: 10:00 Welcome with coffee and sweet snacks. 10:30 Start of the presentations Andreas Becker, Senior Executive Advisor, Strategy&: Beyond strategy the real challenges in corporate banking Jessica TApper, Head of Corporate Treasury Sales, UniCredit: When product areas do sales themselves how we work with corporate account managers Daniel JArgenschellert, Managing Director, Helbling: Banking behavior in restructuring current impressions and expectations Markus Wohlgeschaffen, Managing Director, Traxpay: Supply Chain Finance: the future of corporate finance? Maxim Podolyan, Supervisor Corporates Munich, BTV Bank: Inside sales and field service: an innovative approach to corporate customer care 13:00 Networking lunch and farewell Program Frankfurt: 10:00 Welcome with coffee and sweet snacks. 10:30 Start of the presentations Dr. Carsten Esbach, COO Germany & Austria, BNP Paribas: The hard work behind the perfect presentation to the customer experiences of a COO Jan-Erik GArtner, Managing Director, Helbling: Is the wave coming? Typical crises in the German midmarket Dr. Johannes Schmittat, Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey: When everything is at stake: how we see banks in financial restructuring Steffen Rapp, Head of Structured Finance Germany, Deutsche Bank: Structured finance expertise nice extra or crowning glory of the client relationship? Markus Wohlgeschaffen, Managing Director, Traxpay: Supply Chain Finance: the future of corporate finance? 13:00 Networking lunch and farewell The event is exclusively for corporate account managers! If you are a corporate account manager and we have piqued your interest, please register here: https://finance-thinktank.de/event/forum-corporatebanking/ More Information: https://finance-thinktank.de/ About the Survey and the Corporate Banking Forum (FINANCE Think Tank) Corporate relationship managers are the interface in corporate banking. For their banks, they are the ear to the market: They are in constant contact with their customers and know their needs and moods. They are very well networked within their organization because all products and services pass across their desk. For customers, they are the bank\-s gateway, intermediary and mouthpiece. In short, corporate relationship managers are the ideal contact for detecting market moods and trends in corporate banking. In the \Survey Corporate Client Relationship Managers\, the FINANCE think tank collects market developments, opinions and perspectives. From this, the team of journalists around Bastian Frien creates a current snapshot of the corporate banking business twice a year. The results are shared with the community and discussed together with other exciting topics in the accompanying event series \Forum Corporate Customer Advisors\. Traxpay ist eine schnell wachsende Online-Plattform fAr Lieferantenfinanzierung, die mit einem Multibanken-Ansatz aus Europa heraus global agiert und schon heute Lieferanten in Aber 30 LAndern bedient. Mit der Mission, die aPlatform of Choicea fAr KAufer, Lieferanten und Banken zu werden, ermAglicht Traxpay Unternehmen ein einfaches, sicheres und nachhaltiges Working Capital Management mit allen gAngigen Instrumenten der Lieferkettenfinanzierung. Etablierte Finanzinstitute wie die Deutsche Bank, DZ Bank, Nord/LB, LBBW, Raiffeisen Bank International und die KfW IPEX-Bank vertrauen der FinanzierungslAsung von Traxpay und pflegen strategische Partnerschaften mit dem Unternehmen. Durch ein neues Sustainable-Supply-Chain-Finance-Programm kAnnen Plattformnutzer die Nachhaltigkeit ihrer Lieferketten finanziell incentivieren. First Tin Plc (\First Tin\ or \the Company\) Drilling Commenced at Taronga Tin Project, Australia First Tin Plc (aFirst Tina https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/first-tin-ltd/ ), a tin development company with focused on advancing its low capex projects in Germany and Australia, is pleased to announce that two drill rigs are now on site at the Taronga tin project in northern New South Wales, Australia, with the aim of improving the resource statements at the project. A reverse circulation (RC) drill rig arrived on site last week and commenced drilling on 13th September 2022. The rig has now completed three drill holes, two intersecting visible cassiterite (tin ore mineral), and has just commenced the fourth. The RC drilling is aimed at repeating some of the earlier Newmont drilling, as this was completed around 40 years ago between 1979 and 1982 and therefore it is considered prudent to confirm this historical data. First Tin is also drilling several areas that were not tested, or only poorly tested, by Newmont, with the aim of increasing the overall resource size. These holes are to the south of the Newmont drilling and in a gap between the drilling in Newmonta?s Northern Zone and Southern Zone deposits.A The current drilling programme commenced in the southern extension area and the identification of cassiterite in the drill cuttings supports First Tina?s concept that mineralisation continues to the south. Following completion of RC drilling at Taronga, it is planned to move the rig to the exciting Great Britain tin prospect located approximately 7km from Taronga.A More details on this project will be provided in the coming weeks. A diamond (DD) drill rig arrived on our Taronga site on 18th September and is due to commence drilling around the middle of the week starting 19th September. This drill rig will also twin (repeat) several of the Newmont holes to ensure their data is valid and to ensure there are no quality issues.A A second DD rig is due to arrive on site in early October to undertake geotechnical drilling designed to enable effective design of pit wall slopes. First Tin CEO Thomas Buenger said, aWe are delighted to confirm that we now have drill rigs turning at both our TellerhAuser (Germany) and Taronga (Australia) tin projects after a period of over 40 years of inactivity at each project.A Drilling is designed to both confirm previous drilling results and to extend mineralisation and hopefully increase resources. The early identification of visible cassiterite in the southern extension area at Taronga is an excellent start and assays are eagerly awaited. We look forward to updating all our shareholders with our first assay results, which are expected in early mid October.a Enquiries: First Tin Via SEC Newgate below Thomas Buenger Chief Executive Officer Arlington Group Asset Management Limited (Financial Advisor and Joint Broker) Simon Catt 020 7389 5016 WH Ireland Limited (Joint Broker) Harry Ansell 020 7220 1670 SEC Newgate (Financial Communications) Elisabeth Cowell / Axaule Shukanayeva / Molly Gretton Notes to Editors First Tin is an ethical, reliable, and sustainable tin production company led by a team of renowned tin specialists. The Company is focused on becoming a tin supplier in conflict-free, low political risk jurisdictions through the rapid development of high value, low capex tin assets in Germany and Australia. It is currently advancing fully-funded Feasibility studies at both assets, while also undertaking drill programmes to expand the resources across its portfolio. Tin is a critical metal, vital in any plan to decarbonise and electrify the world, yet Europe has very little supply. Rising demand, together with shortages, is expected to lead tin to experience sustained deficit markets for the foreseeable future. Its assets have been de-risked significantly, with extensive work undertaken to date. First Tin\-s goal is to use best-in-class environmental standards to bring two tin mines into production in three years, providing provenance of supply to support the current global clean energy and technological revolutions. A Venus, the second planet from the sun and Earth's nearest planetary neighbor is an oddity in many ways. The hot, hellish planet spins backward and might even host life in its impenetrable clouds. It is the sixth largest planet in the solar system and is sometimes referred to as 'Earth's twin' as the pair are similar in size and density. But don't be fooled, they are far from identical and are radically different in almost every other aspect. Here we explore this eccentric planet with 20 interesting facts about Venus. Related: Venera timeline: The Soviet Union's Venus missions in pictures Lee Cavendish Lee Cavendish holds a degree in Observational Astronomy from the University of South Wales, United Kingdom, where his research interests focused on studying the main types of eclipsing binary star systems: Algol, Beta Lyrae and W Ursae Majoris. 1. Venus has a rich history Venus was the Roman goddess of love and beauty. (Image credit: oversnap via Getty Images) (opens in new tab) Studies of Venus can be traced back to the ancient Babylonians in 1600 BCE. They tracked the movement of several planets and stars. The oldest astronomical document on record is a Babylonian diary of Venus's appearances over 21 years. Venus played a serious part in the mythology of ancient civilizations, including the Mayans and Greeks. The name 'Venus' comes from the Roman goddess of love and beauty. 2. The pressure's on! Venus experiences extreme pressures on the surface. (Image credit: MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images) (opens in new tab) Walking around Venus would be an unbearable experience for several reasons, but one of them is the extreme pressures on the surface. The atmosphere creates air pressure that is over 90 times the air pressure on Earth , which is similar to the pressure around 0.6 miles (one kilometer) deep in the ocean. It's just like Earth (well sort of) An artist's concept showing a super-Venus on the left and Earth on the right. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Ames) (opens in new tab) When looking purely at the physical parameters of Venus, it is remarkably similar to Earth. They are both almost the same in size and density, their compositions are similar and they both appear to have relatively young surfaces that are surrounded by an atmosphere with clouds. It's worth stating that Venus' clouds are primarily sulphuric acid though, which isn't something that you'd want raining down on you! 4. It has many phases Venus in crescent phase. (Image credit: Starry Night software) (opens in new tab) Venus experiences different phases, just like the moon . As Venus travels around the sun within the orbit of Earth, it changes between a ' morning star ' and an 'evening star' roughly every nine-and-a-half months. During this period it shifts between different percentages of illumination, a trait that everyone normally associates with the moon. 5. Transits are very rare NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this sequence of the 2012 transit of Venus from space. (Image credit: NASA) (opens in new tab) Venus is one of two planets that orbit the sun within the orbital path of Earth. Along with Mercury , these two planets can find themselves between Earth and the sun, sometimes creating a silhouette that moves across the sun over hours. These journeys are known as 'transits', and Venus is known to transit in pairs, with over a century separating the pairs, making it a very rare event. 6. It's hellishly hot Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system. (Image credit: Estt via Getty Images) (opens in new tab) Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system , even hotter than the dayside of Mercury, which has temperatures of 801 degrees Fahrenheit (427 degrees Celsius). Because of Venus' thick, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, the heat is efficiently retained, creating surface temperatures higher than 880 degrees F (470 degrees C). 7. Venusian volcanicity This elevation model shows Idunn Mons, a volcano on Venus. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ESA) (opens in new tab) To add to the hellish image of Venus, it also has the most volcanoes present on the surface of all planets in the solar system. On Earth, there are 1,500 known active volcanoes, and Mars is best known for the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons . However, Venus has over 1,600 known major volcanoes, and that's not including the smaller ones or any that haven't been detected yet. 8. No companion Venus, as seen here by the Magellan spacecraft and the Pioneer Venus Orbiter. (Image credit: NASA/JPL) (opens in new tab) Venus and Mercury are the only planets in our solar system that do not have a moon of their own. It's a bit more understandable as to why Mercury doesn't have a moon, because its close proximity to the sun has a negative effect on any contenders, and it is even smaller than some known moons such as Jupiter 's Ganymede and Saturn 's Titan. However, researchers have argued that the reason Venus doesn't have a moon isn't as simplistic. There are two theories: the first is that any moon that Venus had was stolen by the sun's gravity . The second is known as the 'double-impact theory', which states that a large celestial body hit Venus billions of years ago and created a moon, in a similar way to how Earth got its lunar companion. But several million years later, an even bigger object hit Venus, causing the retrograde rotation, weakening the tidal forces and sending the moon to sink into Venus, never to be seen again. 9. Life in the clouds? A false-colour image of cloud features seen on Venus by the Venus Monitoring Camera (VMC) on the European Space Agency's Venus Express probe captured on 8 December 2011. (Image credit: ESA/MPS/DLR/IDA) (opens in new tab) Contrary to what the previous facts have strongly suggested, researchers have proposed that life could be found on Venus just not on the surface. A study by Sanjay Limaye of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Space Science and Engineering Center suggested that microbial life could be present in the cloud tops. Microbial life on Earth has been found at altitudes of 25 miles (41 km), and these researchers have said that conditions on Venus that would be favorable for life could exist in the clouds at altitudes of 30 to 32 miles (48 to 51 km). Here, temperatures would be roughly 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) and pressures would be similar to Earth at sea level. 10. A day feels like a year Artist's illustration of planets orbiting the sun. (Image credit: Mark Garlick/Science Photo Library via Getty Images) (opens in new tab) On Venus, that is very much the case. One Venusian day, which is one complete rotation on its axis, takes 243 Earth days, making it the longest day of any other planet in the solar system. Even a year on Venus is shorter, as it takes 224.7 Earth days to complete one revolution around the sun. 11. 'Backwards' rotation Venus rotates in a retrograde motion. (Image credit: MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images.) (opens in new tab) Another trait that makes Venus different from most of the planets in the solar system is its rotation. The usual routine for planets is to spin anti-clockwise on their axis, but Venus is an oddball and flaunts a clockwise rotation. The leading theory as to why Venus and Uranus have what is known as a 'retrograde rotation' is that they were smacked by large objects early in their history. This collision left the planet seeing stars and spinning the wrong way. 12. What the future holds In the future, scientists may explore Venus with airships. (Image credit: MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images) (opens in new tab) Researchers want to understand every planet in the solar system. Efforts in the late 20th century showed that Venus is a difficult planet to observe remotely from the surface, but with new technologies and a better understanding comes innovative exploration ideas. A lot of these new ideas have a common theme, which is exploring Venus from within the clouds. As Venus has more favorable conditions in the clouds, with wind speeds that allow an object to travel around the planet much faster than it rotates, scientists are looking to introduce aircraft or airships. By utilizing solar and wind power, and the added help of buoyancy, robotic missions could become a feature of Venus in the foreseeable future. 13. Turning back the clock Venus could have harbored liquid water about 2 or 3 billion years ago. (Image credit: themotioncloud via Getty Images) (opens in new tab) Venus wasn't much different from Earth once upon a time and could have even supported life. 700 million years ago, Venus suffered dramatic changes in its climate that saw it bulk up its atmosphere in a process known as a 'runaway greenhouse effect'. Before the runaway greenhouse effect took over, it is believed that Venus had a reasonable atmosphere and could have harbored liquid water for about 2 or 3 billion years. Before carbon dioxide dominated the atmosphere and made it too hot and dense, it is possible that Venus once had an environment that could have supported life for billions of years. 14. Loss of a magnetic feeling Artist's illustration showing the internal structure of Venus. The layers of the planet are peeled back to reveal the internal structure of the hot, hellish planet. (Image credit: AlexLMX via Getty Images) (opens in new tab) Although it is often referred to as Earth's twin, something that differentiates the two planets deep down to their cores is that Venus creates a negligible magnetic field. Planetary scientists believe that Venus has an iron core that is similar in size to Earth's. However, due to the sluggish rotation of Venus, consequently reducing the motion of the planet's core, this weakens the planet's magnetic field or magnetosphere. 15. It has had many spacecraft visitors Launched between 1961 and 1983, the Venera (or "Venus" in Russian") missions were focused on studying the second planet from our sun. (Image credit: NASA) (opens in new tab) Before attention turned to the exploration of Mars and other planets in the solar system, Venus was the target that space agencies wanted to send their robotic missions to. This genesis of interplanetary exploration began with a lot of spacecraft and launch failures, starting with the Soviet Union's Tyazhely Sputnik in February 1961. The first craft to aim for Venus experienced a launch failure, and there have since been 41 other missions launched to explore the planet. Of these missions, over 20 have been successful, and the first of these to conduct a successful planetary encounter was NASA's Mariner 2 space probe on 14 December 1962. 16. Case of the missing lightning Researchers believe lightning could be present on Venus but it is more localized and rare than lightning on Earth. (Image credit: Zenobillis via Getty Images) (opens in new tab) Electrical pulses are bursting through the heavy atmosphere, but the missions that have gone to Venus to find them have made it an even more confusing endeavor. Ground-based telescopes and space probes including NASA's Cassini, the European Space Agency's Venus Express and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's ( JAXA ) Akatsuki missions have had nothing more than some subtle hints about the presence of Venusian lightning. Researchers believe it could still be present, but it is just much more localized and rare, which is why there has been no definitive evidence yet. Or it could be the case that there isn't lightning at all. 17. Soviet success at Venus Venera 7 was the first mission that saw a spacecraft land on a different planet. (Image credit: Roscosmos) (opens in new tab) 18. Shining bright Venus shines brightly over the Mitsuke Iwa Rock in Ishikawa Pref., Japan. (Image credit: Yuga Kurita via Getty Images ) (opens in new tab) Because Venus is in such proximity to Earth, it is the third-brightest celestial object in the night sky , sitting behind the sun and the moon. The Latin nickname for Venus, which is largely unused in modern days, is 'Lucifer', which translates to 'light bringer'. Lucifer is also a name for the Devil, which is quite a coincidence considering the hellish conditions on the surface of Venus. 19. A source of shadows Venus is so bright it can cast shadows on Earth. (Image credit: Freelanceimages via Getty Images) (opens in new tab) Because Venus is the third-brightest object in the night sky, it is bright enough to cast shadows on the surface of Earth. Only two other celestial objects are capable of this: the sun and the moon. However, very good eyesight is needed to see these Venusian shadows. 20. Weird winds Venus is blanketed by a thick veil of clouds. This image of Venus was captured by NASA's Mariner 10 on Feb. 5, 1974. (Image credit: NASA) (opens in new tab) Although the planet moves slowly, the clouds move across the atmosphere once every four Earth days; this is known as 'superrotation'. This generates speeds of 224 miles (360 km) per hour, which surpasses the speeds of the most dangerous hurricanes on Earth. The speeds decrease with cloud height, creating winds that are just a few miles per hour on the surface. Brussels (Belgium) 22 September 2022 (SPS)- Polisario Front, the legitimate representative of the Saharawi people, welcomed, on Tuesday, the decision of the French Council of State on agricultural imports from the territory of occupied Western Sahara. The Polisario Front has taken note of the decision of the Council of State of the French Republic of June 9, 2022 issued at the initiative of the Confederation paysanne regarding agricultural imports from the territory of Western Sahara and welcomes this very good decision, it said in a statement, thanking the Confederation paysanne which has referred this issue to the French Council of State. The Polisario Front warmly welcomes the action of the Confederation paysanne, a noble trade union which acts on the basis of solidarity between farmers, and which therefore cannot accept that fruits and vegetables from occupied territories, in violation of the rights of the Saharawi people, arrive on European territory as if they were from Morocco, the statement added. The Confederation paysanne had asked the French government to issue a decree banning the import of cherry tomatoes and melons harvested in occupied Saharawi territory, on the grounds that Western Sahara does not belong to the Kingdom of Morocco, as ruled by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in 2016 and 2018, stressing that presenting these products as originating from Morocco violates EU law and the rulings of the Court. The Council of State rejected the arguments of the French authorities and ruled, as requested by the Confederation paysanne, that this case be submitted to the CJEU to determine whether, according to European law, the Moroccan authorities are competent to issue the certificates of conformity allowing these agricultural products to access the European market, the Polisario Front said. According to the Saharawi authorities, products from Western Sahara but with labels that fraudulently state Origin: Morocco are unloaded en masse in Perpignan, and then distributed throughout the European territory, and it is therefore a responsibility of the French government. For the Polisario Fronts representative in Europe and to the EU, Oubi Bouchraya Bachir, the question posed is excellent, as it gives effective application to the 2016 CJEU ruling that Western Sahara and Morocco are two distinct and separate territories and that the European Union cannot accredit Moroccos powers over the territory, given its lack of sovereignty. With this action by the Confederation paysanne, we are entering into the concrete, and it is fortunate that the Council of State, rejecting the arguments of the French government, has transmitted the case to the CJEU, which will be able to rule following the 2016 ruling, and this by a decision that will be binding on the 27 member states of the European Union, he added. As a reminder, the Council of the European Union attempted, after the 2016 ruling, to conclude two agreements land and sea with Morocco allowing an express extension to the territory of Western Sahara. By two judgments in September 2021, the European Union Tribunal annulled these agreements. In December 2021, the European Commission and Council appealed, supported by several states including France. The CJEU will therefore have to rule in a general way on the legality of these agreements, and in a concrete way on these agricultural exports. We are cautious and very respectful of the independence of the judiciary. However, these current actions are based on the strongest principles of law, starting with the right to self-determination and the achievements of the 2016 ruling. So we will see how far we can advance before the CJEU, but we are confident that great progress is yet to come, concluded Oubi Bouchraya. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) New York (United Nations) 22 september 2022 (SPS)- he President of the Republic of Peru, Pedro Castillo, advocated the inalienable right to self-determination of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic at the United Nations General Assembly, in his speech on Tuesday. "Peru has re-established diplomatic relations with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic and strongly supports its right to self-determination. We give our fullest support to the actions to be taken by the representative of the Secretary General to re-establish the ceasefire in Western Sahara and to provide a negotiated and peaceful solution he said. The Peruvian President added that the construction of peace also implies fulfilling the mandate to resolve the still pending situation of colonial peoples and territories. Peru fought for its independence at the beginning of the 20th century on the basis of the principle of self-determination of peoples. That is why its diplomacy since 1947 has firmly supported and continues to support the access to independence and self-determination of the territories and peoples that are under UN mandate to gain their independence" he said. According to a tweet from the representative of Polisario Front at the United Nations, Ambasador Sidi Mohamed Omar, a meeting was held between the SADR and President Pedro Castillo at the side-lines of the United Nations 77th General Assembly. During this meeting H.E. President Pedro Castillo reiterated Perus firm and principled position regarding Western Sahara and its strong resolve to strenghten its bilateral relations with the Saharawi Republic. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) Chahid Elhafed (Saharawi Republic) 22 September 2022 (SPS)- The Saharawi cause is gaining unprecedented support which continues to grow throughout the world, including through the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with some countries showing their commitment to respect international law and the right to self-determination and sovereignty of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), and through the presence of the cause in debates and media worldwide. The new diplomatic victories achieved by the Polisario Front on the international scene are illustrated in particular in Africa by the announcement on Tuesday of the Permanent Mission of South Sudan to the United Nations in a declaration to restore diplomatic relations between Juba and SADR (suspended in 2018) after a meeting between the Vice-President of South Sudan, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, and the head of Sahrawi diplomacy, Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, on the sidelines of the work of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. A few days earlier, Kenya had assured in a statement that its position on the Sahrawi Republic is fully in line with the African Union (AU) Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 690, which claims the indisputable and inalienable right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination through the organisation of a free and fair referendum led by the UN and the AU. Kenya supports to the letter the implementation of this UN Security Council resolution, he insisted. In Latin America, Peru has repeatedly reaffirmed the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with SADR and its support for the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. The last of these, on Tuesday, through the voice of its president Pedro Castillo Terrones, in his speech to the UN General Assembly: Peru has re-established diplomatic relations with SADR and strongly supports its right to self-determination. We give our broad support to the actions undertaken by the representative of the UN Secretary General (Staffan de Mistura) to re-establish the cease-fire in Western Sahara and to promote a negotiated and peaceful solution, he affirmed. And last August, Colombia had taken the initiative of announcing the decision to resume diplomatic relations with the Saharawi Republic, in accordance with the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter and the agreement concluded between the two countries on 27 February 1985, following the audience granted by the Colombian President, Gustavo Petro, to the Saharawi Minister Ould Salek. Morocco suffers another setback On the legal front, the recent decision of the French Council of State, on the initiative of the Confederation paysanne, concerning agricultural imports from the territory of occupied Western Sahara, has further strengthened the position of the Polisario Front, which warmly welcomed it. The Confederation paysanne had asked the French government to issue a decree banning the import of cherry tomatoes and melons harvested in occupied Saharawi territory, on the grounds that Western Sahara does not belong to the Kingdom of Morocco, as ruled by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in 2016 and 2018, underlining that the presentation of these products as originating in Morocco violates EU law and the decisions of the Court. The Council of State rejected the arguments of the French authorities and decided, as requested by the Confederation paysanne, that this case should be referred to the CJEU to determine whether, according to European law, the Moroccan authorities are not competent to issue certificates of conformity allowing these agricultural products access to the European market, the Polisario Front said. It should also be recalled that the Makhzen reaction, following the participation of the Saharawi President Brahim Ghali at the 8th International Conference on African Development (TICAD8) held in Tunis, and the warm welcome he received, demonstrates the feeling of failure to achieve the objectives of its accession to the African Union (AU) in 2017. Indeed, Morocco, which had opted for the policy of the empty chair, intended, through its practices, to execute subversive external agendas aimed at peace and stability in the region, but also to undermine the cohesion and unity of the countries and peoples of the African Union. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) New York (United Nations) 22 September 2022 (SPS)- The President of the Republic of Namibia declared support of his country for the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination, stressing that the delay in implementing UN resolutions to settle the question of Western Sahara is an embarrassment to the forehead of the international community. Addressing the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Hage Geingob, in his speech, described the lack of action and the continuation of the conflict in Western Sahara as a collective shame. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) Dili (Timor-Leste) 22 September 2022 (SPS) - Timor-Lestes Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETILIN) Party, the biggest party in the actual government coalition in Timor-Leste has approved a resolution in its latest V Congress held recently in the Capital Dili supporting the right of the people of Western Sahara to Self-determination and Independence. The Full Resolution reads: FRETILIN Party is committed to the values and principles that guided our arduous and long process for national liberation, the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETILIN) party expresses its support and solidarity for the struggle of the people of Western Sahara to achieve their right to self-determination and independence through a referendum to be organized by United Nations. The Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) or Western Sahara has been recognized by more than 80 Countries, and it is a full member of the African Union. Despite the mentioned above Western Sahara remains a Non-Self-Governing Territory registered on the agenda of the IV Committee of the UN General Assembly as a decolonisation issue since 1963 in accordance with Chapter XI of the UN Charter. The UN and African Unity Organization (OAU) jointly brokered a ceasefire and elaborated a settlement plan, approved by the UN Security Council in its Resolutions 658 (1990) and 690 (1991). The latter resolution also established a United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to organize a referendum of the Saharawi people in order to allow them to determine their own future and to monitor the ceasefire. Despite that the UN General Assembly and the Security Council have adopted many resolutions that recognize the right of the people of Western Sahara to exercise their right to Self-determination still unable to exercise their right. The Saharawi Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Mr. Abba Malainin, has participated in FRETILIN Congress and has met with the Leadership and many Cadres of the Party. 062/SPS New York (United Nations), 22 September 2022 (SPS) - The Algerian delegation attending the 77th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York (20-23 September) exercised Thursday its right of reply to counter "the false and misleading allegations" of Morocco regarding the Western Sahara issue. In its statement, the Algerian delegation, which had asked to exercise its right of reply to refute the misleading and seasonal allegations of the Moroccan representative in a "desperate attempt to exploit at every opportunity the platforms to spread its propaganda and lies about the Western Sahara conflict", explained that "based on the legal nature of the conflict (in Western Sahara), this issue was, is and will remain a question of decolonization until the people of Western Sahara exercise their inalienable right to self-determination through a free and fair referendum. All UN resolutions have confirmed that this conflict is on the agenda of the United Nations in accordance with resolutions 1514 and 1541 of the General Assembly, recalled the Algerian delegation. "These resolutions also clearly designate the two parties to the conflict: Morocco and the Polisario Front, internationally recognized as the sole legitimate representative of the people of Western Sahara. As for the issue of the so-called autonomy solution imposed as the only solution, it threatens the foundations of international legitimacy and the UN Charter, and contradicts the well-established doctrine (of the United Nations) in the field of decolonization,'' said the source. As for ''the mechanism of the round tables, ineffective and unproductive, and as usual, Morocco, faithful to its colonial approach, has used this mechanism in a desperate attempt to introduce confusion to the nature of the conflict, to circumvent international legitimacy and transform the nature of this conflict from an issue of decolonization to a bilateral conflict. 'The reception by Algeria of Sahrawi refugees in the camps of Tindouf, from October 31, 1975, is the result of the illegal occupation of Western Sahara by Morocco, after the departure of the former colonial power. Algeria remains convinced that the issue of the refugee census is purely technical and is an integral part of a comprehensive political plan under the peace plan adopted by the United Nations in 1990. As for the census, it only makes sense if it is part of a fair and free referendum aimed at allowing the people of Western Sahara to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination, in accordance with international law," said the Algerian delegation in response to the lies of the Makhzen, which has illegally occupied this territory since 1975. Regarding the ''false allegations and slander that Morocco promotes on the alleged relations of Sahrawi refugees with terrorist groups, this is just a new episode in a miserable series aimed at distorting the struggle of the people of Western Sahara, who aspire to exercise their right to self-determination like all peoples of the world. 062/SPS/APS The interim President of the Senate, Alina Gorghiu, who is currently paying a visit to the Republic of Moldova, September 21-22, has had a meeting with the President of Parliament from our neighbouring country, Igor Grosu, discussing bilateral cooperation, the progress made by Moldova in meeting the criteria for joining the European Union, as well as the serious challenges generated by the invasion of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, in the context of the efforts undertaken by Romania to support the Republic of Moldova in this respect. At the same time, Alina Gorghiu participated in a round table entitled "Gender Equality and Domestic Violence," which aims to intensify the exchange of knowledge, experience and good practices between the two countries, in order to improve the legislation in this field. The acting president of the Romanian Senate discussed the opportunity to continue consultations with the civil society and the importance of maintaining close coordination between the two countries to combat domestic violence and ensure gender equality, reads a press release of the Senate sent to AGERPRES on Thursday. The meeting was attended by Doina Gherman, head of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Doina Cazacu, head of the "La Strada Moldova" Women's Programme, Mariana Buruiana, head of the Women's Law Center, Valentina Bodrug-Lungu, head of the Gender Centre, Veronica Teleuca, coordinator of the National Coalition "Life without Violence." The programme of the interim President of the Senate's visit to the Republic of Moldova also included a meeting with students from the Faculty of Political Sciences of the State University of Moldova, which theme was "Politics without Young People has no Future." The rector of the University, associate professor Igor Sarov, was also present at the event. On this occasion, the interim President of the Romanian Senate proposed the organisation of internships for Moldovan students at the Romanian Parliament, in partnership with the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova. The discussions focused on the importance of involving young people in politics, on the scholarship programme for pre-university and university education, especially designed for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, as well as on other projects of bilateral cooperation developed under the President Klaus Iohannis Programme, "Educated Romania," reads the mentioned press release. Alina Gorghiu also participated in the opening of the 8th edition of the traditional Romanian Film Days in Chisinau. The film festival takes place between September 22-25 and aims to bring together moviegoers from both banks of the Prut River with the aim of promoting Romanian language, culture and Romanian cinema. The event is financed by the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova and the Romanian Cultural Institute and has the mission of connecting Chisinau, through Romanian cinema, to the circuit of major festivals. In her intervention, the high-ranking Romanian dignitary highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy, stating that the Romanian Film Days in Chisinau has become an important tradition denoting strong bilateral cooperation in the cultural field between the two countries. At the same time, she emphasized the need for adequate financing of the cinematographic industry, showing that the active presence of the Romanian Government in the Republic of Moldova meets the expectations and needs from the other side of the Prut River. The Secretary of State with the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova, Adrian Dupu, the Deputy Director of ICR [Romanian Cultural Institute] Chisinau, Narcis Afrasinei, and the Romanian ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Cristian-Leon Turcanu, also participated in the events organized in Chisinau. Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu spoke on Thursday in New York about Romania's "full" trust in the independence and impartiality of the International Criminal Court (ICC), told Agerpres. He attended an informal ministerial meeting on the International Criminal Court hosted by the Foreign Minister of Lichtenstein, Dominique Hasler, on the sidelines the high-level segment of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. "In my country's immediate vicinity, we are witnessing violations of international law, acts of aggression and widespread atrocities. We see an illegal and unjustified war of aggression of Russia against Ukraine, a blatant case of violation of the UN Charter, by a country that bears primary responsibility in maintaining international peace and security, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council," Aurescu told the meeting. All these developments, he explained, have determined the international community to act with a sense of urgency and to grant renewed attention to international justice and accountability. Aurescu mentioned that an "unprecedented effort of mobilising resources has taken place, including on the international justice arena." He added that "we must further focus our political and diplomatic efforts to promote the International Criminal Court as an essential pillar in the international criminal justice system, which is ultimately fundamental for peace, stability and security." "I take this opportunity to reaffirm Romania's full trust in the independent and impartial ability of the ICC to bring justice in all situations under its consideration," said Aurescu. This is why, he added, Romania was among the 40 states which seized the court in March with regard to the situation in Ukraine. "We will continue to support its vital role in the fight against impunity and in providing assistance and reparations to victims of mass atrocities," said Aurescu, adding that the efficiency of the court is related to the available resources. "Therefore, states parties have to fulfill their financial commitments to the court by making contributions to the regular budget in full and on time, and avoiding arrears. " "This is particularly important at this juncture, when the Court is preparing for a very intense judicial activity in 2023," said Aurescu. The Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) started the Thursday session in decline on most indices, and BET, which shows the evolution of the 20 most liquid companies, recorded a 0.25% depreciation, after the first hour of trading. The BET-Plus index, which shows the evolution of the 37 most liquid stocks from BVB, recorded a decline of 0.32%, while the BET-FI index of SIFs was the only one on the plus side, with 0.23%. BET-NG, the index of 10 companies in the energy and utilities sector, registered a depreciation of 0.25%. At the same time, the extended blue-chip index BET-XT, of the 25 most liquid securities, showed a decline of 0.23%, and the performance benchmark of investment funds, BET-BK, lost 0.22% of its value. The BET AeRO index, which includes 20 representative companies on the AeRO market, fell by 1.04%. The total value of the exchanges amounted to 4.98 million RON (approximately one million euros). According to BVB, the biggest increases were registered by Turism Felix (+4.41%), Digi (+2.71%) and Rompetrol Well Services (+1.85%). On the other hand, the shares of Impact Developer&Contractor (-6.39%), Mecanica Fina (-3.23%) and Transilvania Investments Alliance (-2.52%) were in decline.AGERPRES The Chief of the Defense Staff, General Daniel Petrescu, received, in Chisinau, the "Consolidation of the Brotherhood of Arms" medal, during the visit he made to the Republic of Moldova on Wednesday and Thursday, informs the Defense Ministry (MapN). The "Consolidation of the Brotherhood in Arms" medal is one of the military awards of the National Army of the Republic of Moldova that can also be awarded to foreign citizens, being conferred also for the promotion of peace and democracy in the world, for the development of collaborative and friendly relations with partners National Army of the Republic of Moldova, told Agerpres. The program of Daniel Petrescu's visit included meetings with the Minister of Defense, Anatolie Nosatii, with the commander of the National Army, Brigadier General Eduard Ohladciuc, respectively, participation in the Day of Distinguished Visitors of the annual multinational exercise "Fire Shield". The agenda of the discussions dwelt on the analysis of the regional security situation, the evaluation of bilateral military cooperation, as well as the commitments of the two armies within international bodies. The officials appreciated the cooperative relations between the Romanian and Moldovan armed forces, especially in the field of training. The constant joint exercises and the participation of the military from the Republic of Moldova in training courses in Romania represent vectors of the intensification of the collaboration between the two institutions. In this context, General Petrescu mentioned that the Romanian Army will continue to support the modernization effort, raising the operational capacity and the level of interoperability of the National Army of the Republic of Moldova. "The training of the forces and the permanent dialogue at the level of the general staff are priorities for the command team of the General Staff of Defense. We have a strategic partnership that has excellent results. Together with our colleagues from the Republic of Moldova, we defend the same values, we have common objectives. Our plans will be carried out," stated General Petrescu. An important objective of the visit was the participation in the "Fire Shield" exercise on the Day of Distinguished Visitors. The major training event brought together servicemen from the Republic of Moldova, Romania and the United States. The multinational training aimed mainly at increasing the interoperability between the participating troops for carrying out military stability and peace support operations. A Dacian monetary treasure was discovered by the police in Alba County, in collaboration with the archaeologists of the National Museum of the Union in Alba Iulia, following an investigation started from an online post, the first estimates showing that the objects have a special patrimonial value. According to a press release sent by the Alba County Police Inspectorate, in September, police officers specialized in protecting cultural heritage identified an online post by a person who announced that in August he found 22 ancient silver coins in a forest in Alba County, which he handed over, according to the law, to the representatives of the local public administration. As a result, an investigation was opened regarding the possible discovery of a treasure. The cited source indicated that, on September 19, the police, together with archaeological experts from the National Museum of the Union in Alba Iulia and the person in question, "identified, in a forest in the town of Jidvei, an archaeological complex from the Dacian era, which includes a monetary treasure, deposited in a bronze vessel, including "Macedonia Prima" silver tetradrachm type coins (159-150 BC), "Radulesti-Hunedoara" type drachms, Dacian (III century - II BC.), denarii from the Roman era (Antoninians) and a Dacian iron fibula and a Roman iron flint." The 116 objects of heritage were deposited at the National Museum of the Union in Alba Iulia, and the first assessment of the experts show that the artefacts are part of the National Cultural Heritage, some of them belonging to the Treasure category. The treasure is being restored at the National Union Museum in Alba Iulia. The Alba County Police Inspectorate specified that the person who made the initial discovery is a 27-year-old man from Mures county, authorized owner of a metal detector, supported the police and archaeologists in discovering and documenting the treasure. AGERPRES The Environmental Fund Administration (AFM) has developed the Light Bulb Scrappage Guide, and the budget amendment for AFM, which will include the budget for Light Bulb Scrappage Scheme, will be debated in the Government meeting probably next week, Environment Minister Barna Tanczos announced on Thursday. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) head, Marcel Ciolacu, has recently stated that it is possible that LED bulbs will also be included in the "Household appliances scrappage" program. "According to the provisions of the Coalition and after discussions with the Prime Minister, AFM has developed the Light Bulb Scrappage Guide. I have prepared the budget amendment, which will be included in the Government meeting, probably next week. The amount I have proposed is 400 million lei, and the Guide will be probably posted in the next few days, for public consultation, on the ministry's website," said Barna Tanczos, after the conference "How to save the Romanian furniture and wood products industry,", organized by the Romanian Furniture Makers Association. He emphasized that the proposal he prepared is based on the home appliances scrappage scheme. "With the received voucher, one goes to the store that has signed up to the AFM program, in order to be an agent that sells the respective bulbs. We will strictly refer to LED bulbs, which reduce consumption by up to 70pct and, with that voucher and the old light bulb handed over, one can purchase new light bulbs that significantly reduce consumption in the household," explained the Environment Minister. AGERPRES The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, participated, on Wednesday, in New York, in the High-Level Meeting on the 30th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Declaration on Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, held on the sidelines of the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly. According to a press release of the MAE sent to AGERPRES, the Romanian minister presented Romania's model in terms of protecting the rights of persons belonging to national minorities along the ethnic, linguistic and religious dimensions, our country being a state that places interethnic and intercultural dialogue at the center of the policies developed in this field. Aurescu expressed Romania's availability to share its experience on the observance of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities with other interested UN member states. The furniture industry makes exemplary use of natural resources and creates added value, with exports amounting to 2.2 billion euros annually, the Minister of Economy, Florin Spataru, said on Thursday at the conference "How to save the Romanian furniture and wood products industry", organized by the Romanian Furniture Manufacturers Association. "But we have imports that have grown more than exports. We have 55,000 people working in this industry and, last year, as far as I understand, more than 50 companies closed their doors," the minister added. In his opinion, the wood industry needs technology, industrial revolution and process automation, to stabilize the supply chains in order to be able to deliver on time. The Minister of Economy emphasized that the furniture industry can benefit from the state aid scheme of 300 million euros, from investments in new technologies that can be implemented to increase the competitiveness of the sector. He considers that the furniture industry, in addition to the number of jobs it creates, horizontally generates between 4 and 8 additional jobs. 12 years ago, in Soroca, in the north of the Republic of Moldova, a step away from Ukraine, Sorin Huluta, a Romanian priest from eastern Bacau, took his family and went abroad to build a church. Ordained in the citadel of Soroca by Petru, the metropolitan of Bessarabia, he served in the chapel of the citadel for several months, every two Sundays, as he had been advised to do, and then he set up a chapel in the basement of a hotel in the city. There, the idea of erecting a small wooden church materialized, although there was a project for a stone church. Ever since he was a student in northwestern Oradea, Sorin Huluta wanted to serve in a wooden church, in the Maramures style. With financing obtained from Romania, he also contributed to the construction of the church, which is the only place of worship in the Maramures style on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. The more than six months it took to build the church were not without trials, tribulations, difficulties given by bureaucracy, interests, but he succeeded, just as he hopes to succeed in bringing the people together again in the church, after the difficult period in which the places of worship were closed. The place of worship belongs to the Romanian Patriarchate and is dedicated to the Holy Martyrs Brancoveni - ruler Constantin Brancoveanu, with his four sons: Constantin, Stefan, Radu and Matei, considering that no one in history has given proof of a greater spirit of sacrifice in the name of faith than this leader. As Father Sorin Huluta says, not only Bessarabian Romanians come to the church, but also those "who do not yet know that they are Romanians". "This is how I like to say, because there are two categories of Bessarabians, of Moldovans: some who found out that they are Romanians and some who are still struggling and are in the dark and have not come out yet, but we are helping them slowly, dripping them with certain words throughout Sunday, things that they must know, in order to know their origins and return with love to the Church of the Romanian nation, not the Church of the nation, as some say, but the Church of the Romanian nation. We try to do everything we can and, as a parish priest, I have close-hearted people with me. We always mark the day of December 1, the day of March 27 - the day of the union of Bessarabia with Romania," the priest says. The Holy Martyrs Brancoveni Church is not large and often becomes cramped not only for services, but also for certain activities the priest initiates. The parish priest was involved in many projects, knowing that the purpose of the Church is not only to take care of the salvation of the souls of its believers, but more is needed. Exhibitions, concerts, book launches were organized in the church, and important days in the history of Romanians are solemnly celebrated. "I put the church at the disposal of all those who wanted to benefit from a welcoming space and a non-secular but religious space. I think that every activity and every event reached its goal. In fact, the goal of every activity we do here is to support the Romanian Spirit, because beyond the fact that we are in the church and that we deal with the spiritual part, one of our goals is to keep the community of Romanians from Soroca together and help the promotion of the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Romanian culture in this space on the edge of the country, from here, as the great Eminescu said, Romanian spirit starts - from the Dniester to the Tisza," the father says. As the financial situation of many people in the area is precarious and because the good deed must not end, as the priest says, the Holy Martyrs Brancoveni Church also carries out social-philanthropic activities, being involved in supporting elderly people in need and disadvantaged families. "We continue the liturgy by offering social services for as many of our beneficiaries as possible. Right now we are running a project supported by Help Age International Moldova, a project dedicated to the elderly, which we are doing with senior volunteers. Beneficiaries are Moldovans and Ukrainians, as it is a project focused on supporting the elderly from the two ethnicities. We offer them a safe space, we have a social center, where once a week they come and participate in different activities. Thus they leave the house, socialize, become more open, get out of the monotony of life. Unfortunately, in Moldova as well, when a man retires, he enters a cone of shadow and stays somewhere in his house, no one is looking for him, no one wants him, no one needs him anymore. We want to overcome all these shortages and succeed in helping them to be together and have a place of their own, where they can drink tea, socialize, play board games,', the priest explains. He came to Soroca 12 years ago, only with his wife and the child they had then, because in the meantime two more babies were born. He didn't know anyone. He gathered around him people who had the same creed. When even he didn't think that his dream of building a church in Soroca would come true, he had support from a few kind-hearted people. One of them is teacher Ana Bejan, who put her whole life in the service of culture and the idea of unity, not only when she was a Prefect of Soroca county or Deputy in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. "An extraordinary religious community was formed in Soroca. People come here, many of them intellectuals, because a spiritual and moral environment is created and it is an extraordinary cultural center. The father was a good fisher of people, as the Holy Scripture also says, because at the beginning he did the service with four or five people, and now he has a very large community. We are proud to have this church, thanks to the father, thanks to the priestess. I never forget to introduce her everywhere and say that the power of the priest is the priestess. If the priest has a wise, understanding and big-hearted wife, then he can do a lot,', Ana Bejan believes. If it were according to his wish, father Sorin Huluta would not have taken Moldovan citizenship. He made a compromise and became a Moldovan citizen only to deal with the legislative hurdle he ran into when he started to erect the place of worship where he serves. He created, as he likes to say, next to his small family, the big family of Christians from Soroca, a family that he would not change for anything now. "If I had to start over, I would only want it to be here, and if I were to stop being a priest and go back across the Prut, I would not want to be a priest there. I did it, I say, so intensely here, that I could not exercise my priesthood anywhere else, but only here, with these people, with my dear Bessarabians. (...) I am both from there and from here, more from here. In Romania is also at home, but at home is more in Soroca, because here are the people I love and for whom Christ put me as a priest in their midst,'' the priest confesses.AGERPRES Citizens expect professionalism, seriousness, integrity and public decency from prosecutors, Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu said on Thursday, at the Public Ministry's 2021 stocktaking report. "I believe that this is what everyone expects from us and I think that it is the most important thing, self-assessment is beyond any parameter and assessment, in the mirror in which we look at ourselves every evening or morning, telling ourselves if we were able to do everything that needed to be done in a given context," Predoiu said. Regarding the amendment drafts of the justice laws, he mentioned that the Ministry didn't notify the Executive until the solutions of the draft were also "embraced" by the Public Ministry, in general, through its representatives. "These days, Parliament is debating the justice draft laws. (...) Despite the intention processes that were made to the ministry when this demarche was initiated, we never closed the dialogue with the Public Ministry, with the management of the prosecutor's offices, including the relevant prosecutor's offices. We didn't go to notifying the Government until making sure that, at least in the initial proposals, but I say we passed this margin of the essential proposals, the solutions in the draft were embraced by the Public Ministry, in general, through its representatives, without claiming that these solutions satisfy each of you. It's hard to develop this type of draft, I don't think it's possible, but when we drew up these drafts, we aimed and, I believe we reached our goals, to ensure the prosecutor's independence, to ensure the framework to continue the fight against corruption and against organised crime, to ensure the premises for an act of justice which has quality and efficiency, in general, to bring more coherence to the Public Ministry, more responsibility for the leadership of the Public Ministry, because additional tasks also mean additional responsibility, and why not, more discipline, procedural rigor, respect for guarantees and human rights must be - and I know it is - for the management of the Public Ministry, the prosecutor's offices and - I hope - for each prosecutor, a condition of functioning, of exercising the profession," Predoiu stated. AGERPRES The Centennial Caravan of the Coronation of King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie, initiated by the Artis Association in Iasi, arrives on 28 and 29 September 2022 in Brasov and Sinaia, with a series of events in the attendance of the project's ambassadors, the public being invited to discover history through films, photo exhibitions and discussions, told Agerpres. The programme starts in Brasov, where students of the "Andrei Saguna" National College will benefit from a history lesson about the Royal Family from the project's historians and experts, and will also arrive at the Astra Cinema with screenings. The events in Brasov are organised with the support of the Brasov City Hall and in partnership with the Brasov County School Inspectorate. The Coronation Centennial Caravan will arrive in Sinaia, at the Peles Castle, the summer residence of the kings of Romania, where the public will be able to see, for one month, the photography exhibition called "1922. The Year of the Coronation" - curator Nicolae Pepene, who is also the manager of the History Museum of Brasov County. "I am attending this project with great pleasure, because of the fact that I'm under the impression we are walking on the footsteps of our History. The coronation of the King and Queen of Great Romania in 1922 was a historic and symbolic moment, at the same time, and I believe it is my duty as a teacher to speak to as much people as possible about that episode of our past," said historian Adrian Cioroianu, one of the ambassadors of the project, according to a press release sent by the organisers. The RTPR law firm assisted the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in granting a loan of 25 million euro to Banca Transilvania, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Thursday. According to the same source, the loan is intended to support Banca Transilvania to further grant loans to Romanian companies affected by the war in Ukraine, as part of EBRD's 2 billion euro resilience package, which supports the companies and countries directly or indirectly affected by war, told Agerpres. The EBRD is a multilateral bank that promotes private sector development and entrepreneurial initiative in 36 economies on three continents. The bank is owned by 71 states, as well as by the EU and the EIB. EBRD investments aim to make the economies of its regions competitive, inclusive, well-governed, green, resilient and integrated. RTPR has one of the most experienced banking and financing law teams in Romania. The Minister of National Defense, Vasile Dincu, on an official visit to South Korea September 22 - 25, will have bilateral discussions with the South Korean counterpart, on which occasion a Letter of Intent will be signed that will establish the milestones of concluding a framework cooperation agreement in the field of defense between the two countries. "The two ministers will address topics related to the international security situation, the perspectives of strengthening cooperation within international organizations, a framework provided by the status of the Republic of Korea as a partner of the North Atlantic Alliance, and the support given to Ukraine," a press release from the Ministry of National Defense (MApN) sent on Thursday to AGERPRES, reads. Minister Dincu will also have meetings with the Minister of the Defense Procurement Programme Administration, with the President of the National Defense Committee and will visit the DefExpo Korea 2022 technology and armaments exhibition. The official agenda also includes a meeting with representatives of the Romanian community in the Republic of Korea and a visit to the War Memorial of Korea.AGERPRES The association "Sus inima" announced on Thursday, through a press release, the opening of the first school for refugee children from Ukraine in Romania, being a private school, where a single tuition of 200 lei for a year of study has to be paid. "We invite you on October 1 to the event 'Open Doors Day at the Ukrainian School in Sibiu', from 10.00 to 14.00, on No 5 Smardan Street in Sibiu. The daily school program will start on Monday, October 3, 2022. The curriculum is aligned with the educational program in Ukraine. Within the school there will be: 4 teachers, 1 Romanian language teacher, 1 English language teacher, 1 Ukrainian language teacher and 2 arts and technology teachers. Apart from the language teacher Romanian, the entire staff is made up of refugee teachers from Ukraine," the NGO's press release states, told Agerpres. The space where the activity will take place is made available by the Sibiu Evangelical Parish. "The school in this form will function for one year, being a 9-month project (October - June). During this year, the children will have the opportunity to learn the Romanian language, and next year they will be able to continue school, either in the educational system Romanian as a pupil, not a visitor as it was until now, either to return to Ukraine and re-enter the educational system there," the press release reads. The president of the "Sus inima" association, Carmen Chindris, stated that 234 children from Ukraine, being students from grades V-XI, have enrolled in this school so far. For each pupil, the family pays a fee of 200 lei at this school, announce the initiators of the project. The older children of the Furdui family are allowed to visit the family on weekends, on the dates set by the court, and in the dialogue held in September with the representatives of the embassy, the mother of the minors informed that the visits are carried out according to the established schedule, shows a response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) upon the request of AGERPRES. The MAE specifies that the situation of the seven minor Romanian citizens for whom the German authorities in the district of Heide, Lower Saxony, Federal Republic of Germany, ordered the measure of placement in custody, is under the attention of the Embassy of Romania in Berlin since April 29, 2021, when the diplomatic mission took notice, as a result of the information in the mass media regarding this case. The MAE presents a chronology of this case and mentions that the parents informed the embassy about the rendering, on February 17, 2022, by the German court, of a decision whereby the local authority for child protection was to exercise temporary custody of the minors, the decision being pronounced in absentia. The representatives of the embassy addressed to the Walsrode Court, in February 2022, a request to approve the presence of the consul in the courtroom in order to be able to watch, from among the public, the proceedings in the main case, but this was rejected based on the German legislation on judicial organization, further reads the answer sent by the ministry. Also in February 2022, a representative of the Romanian Embassy in Berlin visited the minor Romanian citizens, in the presence of the parents, at the recommendation of the German side, and also had a conversation with the lawyer representing the family. On March 21, the trial in the main case regarding the custody right of the minors took place at the Walsrode Court. According to the information obtained by the representatives of the embassy from the German media and later confirmed by the parents of the minors during a discussion with them, the court decided that of the four minor daughters of the Romanian citizens, two should return to the family, and the third minor (the youngest daughter) should stay with the foster family. At the court's decision, the fourth minor, together with the other three siblings, remain, temporarily, under the guardianship of the Jugendamt Heidekreis. At the end of June 2022, the parents contacted the diplomatic mission in order to obtain new travel documents for the minors who returned to the family, the requests being taken over urgently. The family picked up the passports on July 30, the cited source states. Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca hosted, on Thursday, at the Victoria Palace of Government, the Ministerial Meeting of the Energy ministers in the region, who were in Bucharest to participate in the RIGC - Romanian International Gas Conference, with emphasis being placed in context on the implementation of projects to strengthen cooperation between the participating countries, in order to ensure energy resources and find the best solutions for strengthening the energy security of all participating states. According to a press release from the Government, the main themes concerned the solutions that can be implemented at the regional level to ensure the necessary gas for citizens and the business environment. "Romania is among the European countries that have important gas and electricity production resources. This dialogue format is hosted by Romania in order to provide the countries in the region with the necessary natural gas, but also to generate solutions that provide support to the strong economies in Western Europe, on whose success the economy of our region also depends," said Prime Minister Ciuca, as quoted in the press release. "The new alternative routes for the transport of natural gas through ports in Turkey and Greece and the interconnection for the transport and transit of natural gas to Romania were pointed out and identified," the press release states. In this context, the need for the interconnection project through the underground electric power transmission cable on the route Azerbaijan - Georgia - Romania - Hungary was recalled. The Ministerial Meeting was attended by Virgil Popescu - Minister of Energy, Andrei Spinu - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development of the Republic of Moldova, Kostas Skrekas - Minister of Environment and Energy in Greece, Parviz Shahbazov - Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Rossen Hristov - Minister of Energy of Bulgaria, Alparslan Bayraktar - Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey, Mykola Kolisnyk - Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine, Peter Sztaray - Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and George Chikovani - General Director, JSC Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation - Georgia. AGERPRES The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, had a meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart, Nikolay Milkov, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, in New York, and the discussions focused on issues on the European agenda, with an emphasis on the efforts of Romania and Bulgaria regarding the accession to the Schengen area, respectively the coordination with the Bulgarian side to achieve this priority objective as soon as possible, informs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bogdan Aurescu reiterated Romania's interest in preparing the 6th meeting of the High Level Cooperation Council between the governments of the two countries, after the legislative elections in Bulgaria, scheduled for October 2, 2022, and the formation of a new Government. The two officials also addressed a series of files of bilateral interest, such as ensuring navigability on the Danube, building new bridges, respectively cooperation to ensure energy security. In this context, Minister Bogdan Aurescu welcomed the completion of the Bulgaria-Greece Gas Interconnector and congratulated the Bulgarian side for the announcement regarding its inauguration on October 1, 2022, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The discussions between the two ministers also provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on the security situation in the region, in the context of Russia's new actions to escalate the conflict in Ukraine. The two ministers reiterated their strong support for Ukraine and condemned in the strongest terms Russia's decision for partial mobilisation and organization of illegal referendums in the occupied regions of Ukraine, respectively the threat of using force through the use of nuclear weapons, these actions representing a violation of international law. They emphasized, at the same time, the importance of the unity of the European Union and a firm and unitary response from it, adds the cited source.AGERPRES As many as 1,331 new cases of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 were recorded in the last 24 hours in Romania, down 314 from the previous day, with 17,213 RT-PCR and rapid antigenic tests performed, the Health Ministry informed on Thursday. Of the new cases, 279 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 - 264, and Timis - 81. The highest 14-day notification rate is in Cluj County - 2.19, followed by Timis County - 2.13. So far, 3,259,328 cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus were confirmed in Romania. - Hospitalisations - As many as 1,435 people with COVID-19, down 44 from the previous reporting, including 134 minors, are hospitalised in Romania at specialist care facilities. Out of the total number of hospitalised patients, 123, down two from the previous day, are in intensive care. Of the 123 patients admitted to ICU, 112 are unvaccinated against COVID-19. - Deaths - According to the ministry, 12 Romanians, (2 men and 10 women) are reported dead in the last 24 hours, four in the 60-69 age group, two in the 70-79 age range and 5 in the age group over 80 years. All patients had comorbidities and five were vaccinated against COVID. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 66,962 people diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 infection have died in Romania. The Romanian Space Agency (ROSA) invites the public and media representatives to watch live, on September 26, the deflection of an asteroid as part of an international space mission, Romania is a part of. "On September 26, humanity deflects an asteroid. A spacecraft will collide an asteroid in a controlled manner, in the first international effort to deflect an asteroid's trajectory to test humanity's ability to protect itself from asteroids using this method. This step is part of the AIDA (Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment) international mission, with its two components: the American DART component that will impact the asteroid satellite on September 26, 2022 in conditions that do not present any risk to the Earth, and the European HERA component that will observe if we have succeeded or not in deflecting the asteroid, as well as changes in its surface," stated a ROSA press release, told Agerpres. According to the same source, Romania is one of the actors contributing to the European component of this mission. "Romanian technology will lead Europe's first planetary defence mission to the asteroid. Components made in our country will be the "eyes" of the Hera mission, without which the mission would not be able to guide itself and maneuver correctly. Basically, everything the mission's satellite will see and the way in which the data are interpreted to guide the mission to the destination will depend on the Romanian technology, which is currently being worked on by specialists from the GMV Romania company. (...) An instrument designed in Romania will measure the deflection of the asteroid. If the planetary defence mission was successful or not is a question that will be answered with the help of an instrument designed at the National Research and Development Institute for Optoelectronics - INOE 2000. Also, the main contractor of the altimeter, Efacec Portugalia, also involved Efacec Romania in the project," ROSA explained. The team from Romania participates in the management of the acquisition process and respectively the acquisition of all components, electronic or other, necessary for the success of this project. The brain of the Hera planetary defence mission is tested with equipment produced in Romania. The ATOS Romania team made the equipment with which the data management system is tested, including the mission's on-board computer. Thus, the Romanian Space Agency (ROSA) invites both the general public and media representatives to watch the asteroid impact live, and the event that will take place on September 26 is broadcast online according to the schedule: 5.30 pm EDT (September 27, 12.30 am, local time) live broadcast from NASA's DART probe 6.00 pm EDT (September 27, 1.00 am, local time) live broadcast begins, covering DART impact with asteroid Dimorphos 7.14 pm EDT (September 27, 2.14 am, local time) the time the actual impact is planned 8.00 pm EDT (September 27, 3.00 am, local time) press conference More information about the event is available at: https://www.rosa.ro/index.php/ro/noutati-rosa/stiri/6774-26-septembrie-omenirea-deviaza-un-asteroid-rolul-romaniei- in-the-first-planetary-defense-mission Secretary of State for European Affairs Daniela Gitman on Thursday participated in the official opening of the 63rd session of the Committee of Legal Advisers on Public International Law (CAHDI), according to a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to AGERPRES. The event was also attended by the president of the Foreign Policy Commission of the Romanian Senate, Titus Corlatean and the current president of this body, Alina Orosan, general director for Legal Affairs within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In her speech, Secretary of State Daniela Gitman reiterated the importance that Romania attaches to international law, the cornerstone of its foreign policy and the promotion of the rule of law worldwide. The Romanian official highlighted the vital importance of supporting the principles of international law - among which sovereign equality, territorial integrity and political independence of all states -, while never accepting the use of force or threats of force - which must remain the foundation on which the response of the international community is based to the war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. At the same time, she revealed the importance of CAHDI's activity in the complex efforts to identify the best solutions for repressing acts of aggression and other violations of peace and for holding those responsible for them accountable. In this sense, she highlighted the actions meant to reconfirm Romania's firm commitment to fight impunity for the most serious crimes and to strengthen observance of democratic values and of an international order based on rules. Also, Secretary of State Gitman recalled that Romania joined the common approach of some states party to the Rome Statute to refer the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court regarding the investigation of the crimes of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of Ukraine, including in the context of the war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. In this context, she referred to the recent submission by our country, to the Registry of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), of the request for intervention in favour of Ukraine, in the case brought by this state against the Russian Federation at the ECHR, regarding the serious human rights violations committed en masse by the Russian Federation in the framework of its military aggressive movements on the territory of Ukraine since February 24, 2022. The Secretary of State also identified CAHDI as the appropriate forum for clarifying to the highest possible degree all legal aspects supporting the Council of Europe in making fully informed political decisions. The 63rd session of the Committee of Legal Advisers on Public International Law (CAHDI) of the Council of Europe takes place on Thursday and Friday, at the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest. The Oncology Department of the Sf. Maria Children's Emergency Clinical Hospital of Iasi will be equipped with a device for mixing cytotoxic drugs, after the parents of a child who succumbed to cancer decided to donate the funds collected for his treatment, the Save the Children Romania organisation reported on Thursday, told Agerpres. The parents of Calin Mihai, a child who succumbed to an aggressive form of cancer, have decided to donate the funds raised for his treatment so that other sick children may get adequate treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis, and so the Sf. Maria Children's Hospital in Iasi, with support from Save the Children Romania, will get equipped with the first device in Romania to mix cytotoxic drugs, worth 120,000 euros. The hospital's manager, Alina Belu, is quoted as saying that this state-of-the-art device is unique in Romania and will be part of the equipment of the Oncology Department. With the aid of this device, the cytotoxic drugs that are part of the treatment of children hospitalised in this department, the only one Romania's Nord-Est region, can be mixed. "The equipment mixes cytotoxic solutions and all IV solutions; it has a capacity of 260 bags. There will be bags associated with a treatment that will be introduced and chosen by computer. The whole process will be conducted in a sterile environment, 0.01 ml/solution. Dose safety provides 100% safety. We are lucky to have been equipped with such a device because it helps us provide customised doses and a good treatment to pediatric cancer patients," said Belu. Special guests from the USA, UK, Italy, Greece, Japan, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan and Hungary will attend, October 1-9, the 7th edition of Bucharest Photofest, informs a press release sent to AGERPRES. "This year, the international photography festival that takes place in the Capital City is facing an unprecedented situation. By rescheduling for May 2022 an edition that was supposed to take place last year and organizing the current edition in parallel, we were determined to maintain all plans and look with confidence towards the future. This is also the key word of this year's edition: trust. A new beginning, an aspiration for better for all of us, but also courage. The concept of our project is to place most of the events of the programme under the same thematic umbrella, and the topics chosen, the stories and experiences of the invited artists authenticate our approach. Exhibitions, for example, can be a wake-up call, and lectures and presentations can be a reason for encouragement, inspiration. We invite you all to become part of a new, intense and captivating visual experience at Bucharest Photofest," said Ionut Trandafirescu, manager and founder of Bucharest Photofest. This year's edition of Bucharest Photofest takes place in several spaces in Bucharest and brings together in the nine days approximately 30 events grouped under one theme - "Trust/Incredere": exhibitions, film screenings, showcases, discussions and debates, workshops, video projections and installations, but also live concerts. All the events in the programme are free, and participation in the workshops is done by registration. The 7th edition of the festival insists a lot on interaction, like, for instance, through the practical workshops on photography, but also on videography, walks through the city for urban photography and, above all, on the first day of the festival, a special event will take place at the National University of Theatre and Cinematography "I.L. Caragiale" in Bucharest entitled "Perspectives and Images in Medium and Large Format," supported by university professors from the photography department. One of the famous guests of the festival is artist Sigurethur Olafur Sigurethsson (Iceland) who will give a presentation about his activity as a photojournalist and his rich experience in the field of documentary photography. Among the events on this year's agenda are the unmissable exhibitions The land of the sea - Irene Barlian (Indonesia), Rewired - Felicia Simion (Romania), Dispatches from Malawi - Danilo Arenas (Japan), Greece's Dirty Secret - Anna Pantelia (Greece), Emotions - Rares Besliu (Romania), as well as the presentations and stories signed by Radu Diaconescu, Adrian and Roxana Carmaciu or those of Alin Anghelovici. An important lecture is given by Italian specialists, curators and photographers Alessandra Capodacqua, Donata Pizzi, Steve Bisson with the title "Empowering the Female Gaze." Bucharest Photofest, reaching its 7th edition in 2022, is a festival-platform that has undertaken the mission of mediating the access of the general public to some of the most important, current and relevant landmarks in domestic and international photography. The Babes-Bolyai University (UBB) of Cluj-Napoca has become Romania's first university to conclude a partnership agreement with an Italian business consortium for the establishment of a centre of excellence in Romania. "UBB has entered a partnership agreement with leaders of the Italian business community for the creation of the first centre of excellence in Romania based on collaboration between Confindustria Italy and a Romanian university. The Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca (UBB) and the Italian consortium Confindustria Romania have signed, as a first for the Romanian university community, a partnership agreement which final objective is the creation in Romania of the first centre of excellence based on a collaboration between Italian Confindustria and a Romanian university," reads a press statement released by UBB on Thursday. Besides the general objective of establishing the centre of excellence, the agreement signed by UBB Rector Daniel David and Chairman of Confindustria Romania Giulio Bertola in the presence of execs of the main Italian companies operating in Romania - including Intesa SanPaolo Bank, Pirelli Tires Romania, Unicredit Bank, Technology Reply Romania, Ifis Finance, FSP Global Group e Studio Antico e Partners - provides for new master's and doctorate programmes, the expansion and intensification of collaboration projects between UBB and Italian universities, as well as scholarships for UBB students. The collaboration includes holding an annual debate on Romania's economic, social, educational and healthcare needs and challenges. "Italian Confindustria is a strong consortium of reference or dynamic companies in the social and business environments, naturally in relationship with many universities in the country and abroad. Beyond a series of specific commitments, often standard for the relationship with various universities, I am glad that Italian Confindustria Romania has understood the role of UBB in the national and international landscape and, consequently, along with these specific commitments, we will jointly establish the first centre of excellence involving Italian Confindustria Romania and a Romanian university in the country, namely UBB. The centre will be the framework for the coordination of specific commitments and the generation of new ones, and also an innovative hub of technologies and services. I want to thank the deputy rector responsible for social and economic affairs Christian Sacarea for organising and coordinating this effort," UBB Rector Daniel David is quoted as saying in the statement. Italian Confindustria Romania has been a constant presence in the Romanian business environment for 20 years, and it is the representative of the main companies in Romania running on partial or full Italian capital, providing over 30,000 jobs. AGERPRES Deputy Prime Minister Kelemen Hunor, leader of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR), says that household consumers cannot be forced to save energy in their own homes, they can only be recommended to do so, but he believes that most people are responsible. "The European announcement is currently an intention. (...) A binding decision regarding the member states has not been made. An extraordinary meeting of the energy ministers from each member state is announced at the end of September, as they did not reach a common conclusion at the recent meeting. You do realize though, that some things can be done, others cannot be done. You can give recommendations, but compulsoriness is hard to enforce, because who does the controlling? You have to establish the 'thermometer police', temperature in the house. What do you want to do?," Kelemen Hunor told Euronews Romania. The UDMR leader claims that a comparison cannot be made between electricity or gas consumers from different EU countries or between citizens who live in the city and those who live in the countryside. Consumptions are different, he says. "Who will enter my house to check if it's 19 degrees or 21 degrees? And what will the sanction be? Will they lock me in the house or cut off my gas? What will they do?" explained the deputy prime minister. He showed that from this point of view there will be recommendations, on the one hand, but "on the other hand, we must say very clearly that we are not doing this for the Commission, we are doing it for ourselves, for our budget". "It's a crisis, it's a hard time, we didn't create this crisis, but yes, it's true - we will all pay the price of the war, the price of President Putin's madness," Kelemen Hunor emphasized. On the other hand, the UDMR leader said that Romania produces gas for domestic consumption and hardly needs to import it at all, but, as for diesel, "huge quantities" are being imported, and this explains the price difference between the two types of fuels.AGERPRES In the 2023 proposed fiscal-year budget, President Joe Biden's administration is attempting to allocate about $14.8 billion to the Social Security Administration (SSA), which oversees the Social Security program for nearly 70 million Americans. That would be a $1.8 billion increase, or nearly 14%, from the SSA's budget in fiscal year 2022. But the president's budget proposal is really just the beginning of the budget process. Before the budget can get approved, both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives will need to review and approve their own versions of the budget and then merge them into one. Needless to say, a lot can change during this time, so how likely is Biden's proposed 14% increase for the SSA to get approved? What the extra money would go to The additional $1.8 billion for the SSA would be in discretionary funding and go toward improving the SSA's operations. Specifically, the majority of the funding increase ($1.6 billion) would go toward streamlining the SSA's services and helping the agency process various claims more efficiently. That involves spreading out the money among SSA field and telecommunications offices and investing in initiatives that would lower customer wait times, increase outreach, create an easier application process, implement better technology, and expand access to customer service both online and through phone service. The remaining $224 million of the $1.8 billion increase would be put toward creating better checks and balances at the SSA. That way, the agency will be better able to investigate fraud and ensure that qualified retirees who are actually eligible for Social Security are getting the right benefits. Where things are With no budget expected to be in place by the time fiscal year 2023 begins on Oct. 1, which is not an uncommon occurrence, Congress will have to pass what is called a continuing resolution to keep the government open. As explained in a blog post by Kathleen Romig, the director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, when there is a continuing resolution agencies are typically funded at the same level as the prior fiscal year. However, continuing resolutions can incorporate some "anomaly" provisions, and the Biden administration has actually included a provision in the proposed continuing resolution that would add about $800 million to the SSA's operating budget. This is $1 billion less than Biden's proposed increase, but perhaps the rest of the increase will be allotted if and when Congress passes a budget later on. This temporary increase could be enough to let the SSA address some of its more pressing needs. Customer service wait times have ballooned in recent years, and those seeking disability benefits sometimes face long delays before getting final decisions from the agency. Will the SSA eventually get its 14% increase? It's expected that Congress will pass a continuing resolution to fund the government through Dec. 16, which will kick full budget discussions down the road. But that would also give the SSA the additional $800 million of spending authority sooner rather than later unless there is a sudden change. However, it's coming down to the wire. Members of Congress could end up debating some potential unrelated attachments to the continuing resolution, so I'd keep an eye on this one until everything is final. The $18,984 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $18,984 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. WASHINGTON The heads of the nations largest banks faced pointed criticism on Thursday from Republicans complaining the firms are inappropriately taking liberal stances on social and cultural issues. Senator Pat Toomey, the senior Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, urged banks to stop embracing a liberal ESG agenda that harms America, as chief executives appeared before Congress for an oversight hearing. Toomey, frequently a bank ally who has opposed stricter industry rules, argued firms are out of bounds when they weigh in on non-banking issues like guns and abortion. I cant help but observe that when banks do weigh-in on highly charged social and political issues, they seem to always come down on the liberal side, he said in his opening statement. The increased scrutiny underscores the challenges the countrys largest lenders increasingly face as they try to balance commercial interests with pressure from policymakers, activists and investors to take stances on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Multiple Republicans argued banks are caving to liberal pressure to weigh in on such issues, and suggested conservatives will be quick to counterbalance with their own pushback. Sen. Kevin Cramer said banks were feeling pressure to be one of the cool crowd. Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, got the CEOs gathered to promise that a recently approved merchant code to record gun store transactions would not be used to limit firearms purchases. We do not intend to use the code to limit or restrict the purchase of firearms, said Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser, who added, We respect the Second Amendment. The line-up included CEOs of the four largest U.S. banks: JPMorgan Chase & Co.s Jamie Dimon, Wells Fargos Charles Scharf, Bank of Americas Brian Moynihan and Citis Fraser. They were joined by the CEOs of the countrys largest regional lenders, US Bancorp, PNC Financial and Truist. Zelle criticism For their part, Democrats continued their critical stance towards big banks, arguing they are enjoying large profits while mistreating consumers and workers. None of the CEOs in attendance affirmatively agreed with Chairman Sherrod Browns request that they remain neutral in any employee unionization efforts. Sen. Elizabeth Warren blasted banks for what she said were unacceptable levels of fraud on Zelle, the digital payments tool owned by several of the largest banks. She criticized firms for not providing complete data on the level of Zelle fraud seen at each bank, with several CEOs promising to provide the information by the end of the day. Warren sent a letter seeking such information in July. You tell people that it is safe, but when someone is defrauded, you claim thats the customers problem, she said. Brown said told reporters after the hearing Democrats will stay on them until full fraud figures are provided. PNC CEO William Demchek said banks are committed to solving any problems with Zelle, but urged policymakers to scrutinize other peer-to-peer payment programs, which he said had far higher levels of fraud. Well fix Zelle, he said. The CEOs said their banks cover any unauthorized transactions, but would not commit to repaying all fraud claims from customers. CEOs were in Washington for a second day of oversight hearings. On Wednesday, executives were pressed by lawmakers to take a tougher stance on doing business with China amid growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over Taiwans sovereignty and Chinas human rights record. Additional reporting by Hannah Lang. A respected St. Louis artist whose work was on display at New Yorks renowned Museum of Modern Art has filed a complaint against the hotel he was staying at there, saying a manager racially stereotyped him as a homeless intruder and tried to remove him from the room. Kahlil Robert Irving says he was traumatized when the manager harangued him to get out of the bed in which he was sleeping, according to a complaint filed with the New York State Division of Human Rights. The hotel manager was screaming at me that I needed to exit the hotel immediately, that the police had been or were being called, that I was not supposed to be here, that you have to get out and accusing me of being a homeless person who had broken into the room. He was unwilling to listen to my repeated indication that I was a registered guest, according to Irvings complaint. Irving, who was born in San Diego, graduated from Metro Academic and Classical High School and later earned his master of fine arts degree in 2017 from Washington University. He works in south St. Louis, creating mixed-media sculpture and using digital images in collages. In 2019, he was one of three artists to win the Great Rivers Biennial award, which included an exhibition at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis in the fall of 2020. The New York incident was Jan. 22, two days after Irving checked into the High Line Hotel in Manhattans tony Chelsea neighborhood. He had used his key card to enter the hotel, access the elevator and open the hotel room, he said. But the door to the room did not close automatically, Irving said. Early that morning, before yelling at him to get out, the hotel manager noticed the rooms door was ajar and asked him if things were all right. Irving, who is Black, confirmed he was OK and went back to sleep. The manager closed the door, but came back about 8 a.m. with a second man, and they entered the room with their own key and without knocking. Both men are white, the complaint says. It was like a nightmare, Irving, 30, said in an interview Wednesday. They could have given someone a (expletive) heart attack. He said he had told the hotel staff the day before about difficulty with the door. The complaint cites racial animus and racial stereotyping as the reason for the hotel staffs actions. Management from the hotel has refused to comment in several news reports. A hotel operations manager said Wednesday night he was unaware of the complaint. The room at the High Line Hotel, 180 10th Avenue, was booked for Irving by gallery Luhring Augustine. He had checked in on Jan. 20. Rooms this month were listed from $309 to $620 a night. A lawyer for Irving released information to the press after several months of messages to MCR Hotels, the group that owns the High Line. The attorney, Laurence J. Eisenstein, also released an email to MCR from April that indicated a desire for a financial settlement for Irving: There is no question that Mr. Irving should be entitled to substantial monetary compensation as a result of this incident, in an amount sufficient to serve as a deterrent and as a motivation to properly train hotel staff. In addition, we are asking for a full accounting of disciplinary action and training that the hotel is implementing as a result of this incident. This month, Eisenstein said, the human rights complaint was filed after the hotel casually dismissed the situation as only a serious misunderstanding. Irvings career has grown steadily. Along with his solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art this year (it closed in May), Irvings work was part of the New Museum Triennial in New York. One of Irvings sculptures is in the collection of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. Regarding the MOMA exhibition, a New York Times critic said of Irving: With the exception of Simone Leigh, there isnt another artist making more relevant and compelling clay-based work at the moment. Irving is preparing for a solo exhibition in February at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and this fall he will be exhibiting in a commercial gallery in Los Angeles. When COVID delayed his opening at the Contemporary Art Museum in St. Louis, he said in an interview that the COVID outbreak was difficult for him. My work is anchored in current events and thinking about history and contemporary lives all at the same time. Its kind of hard to think about a future when people are faced with life and death. He also said he wasnt thinking so much about his art but about people taking care of neighbors and staying healthy. ST. LOUIS Cancer researchers at the University of Missouri in Columbia and the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are joining forces to hasten scientific breakthroughs and improve access to cancer treatments across the state, the two universities announced this week. Washington University leads the way in research funding and conducting hundreds of studies each year on the latest cancer treatments, while Mizzou has state-of-the-art facilities and technology that few other institutions can match. They definitely have a lot of tools which we dont have, but we have tools which they dont have, said Dr. Gerhard Hildebrandt, director of the University of Missouri Health Cares Ellis Fischel Cancer Center. By bringing us together, we can hopefully build a really strong portfolio of research and by this, bring the next level of next-generation of treatments to Missouri. WashUs Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, is the only center in Missouri and Southern Illinois designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute, making it part of the nations backbone in studying and controlling cancer. To maintain the designation, centers must undergo a rigorous evaluation every five years. In 2015 and 2020, Siteman Cancer Center was among a handful given the NCIs highest exceptional rating because of its cutting-edge research and discoveries in treatments. The University of Missouri has a new four-story, 256,000-square-foot research facility that opened a year ago NextGen Precision Health which is equipped with unique technology including a high-resolution electron microscope and a massive MRI scanner that provides extraordinarily detailed images of the body. Mizzou also has the most powerful university research nuclear reactor in the United States, providing much of the countrys radioactive materials used in medical treatments and research, and complementing Siteman Cancer Centers breakthrough research using antibodies that deliver radioactive drugs directly to tumor cells. Combining their strengths and our strengths will allow us to place more patients in clinical trials, which will accelerate the pace of discovery and be better for patients here in the state of Missouri, said Sitemans director Dr. Timothy Eberlein. Hildebrandt said the partnership will help expand Sitemans pool of research participants for clinical trials, and give rural Missourians access to the latest promising cancer treatments only available in study settings. Clinical trial success depends on patient enrollment, and they also want to have a diverse enrollment. You dont want to have only the suburban or city population, he said. Mizzou also has one of the top veterinary medicine programs in the country with experience in treating animals with cancer, especially dogs. The findings in the animals can also help better inform human studies. I think there is really the opportunity to go beyond the mouse or the rat to really test clinical approaches and cancer drugs in larger animal models, which are a little more closer to the human system than the mouse, Hildebrandt said. What Eberlein said he is most excited about is the ability to expand prevention efforts across Missouri and reduce disparities in cancer deaths between rural and urban areas. Missouri, which records about 13,000 cancer deaths each year, has the 12th highest cancer death rate in the nation, according to the American Cancer Society. Between 2009 to 2019, rural Missouri saw 184 cancer deaths per 100,000 people vs. 168 in urban areas, according to a report by the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services. Out of the 20 counties with the highest cancer rates, 19 were rural. Lung cancer was by far the leading culprit, making up 30% of all cancer deaths. The collaboration will involve using the University of Missouri Extension, which has an office in every county, to expand access to Sitemans 8 Ways to Prevent Cancer campaign, tools to estimate an individuals risk of cancer, information on screening tests and unique smoking cessation programs. Theres a lot of these prevention strategies that Siteman has developed over the years, Eberlein said, and we can collaborate with the University of Missouri to reach more people, get more patients screened and get those that are diagnosed access to earlier cancer care. THURSDAY, Sept. 22, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- To keep up with demand for updated booster shots, U.S. health officials are shipping out more batches of the revamped Moderna vaccine to pharmacies across the country. While supplies of the updated Pfizer booster shot appear to be plentiful, some pharmacies have reported not having enough Moderna vaccine, CNN reported. Walgreens said its Moderna booster supply was limited, causing appointments to vary. It had Pfizer doses. "We have received limited supply of the Moderna COVID-19 booster and expect to receive additional supply in the coming weeks. We are actively working to increase inventory of COVID boosters and have sufficient supply of Pfizer updated boosters in all stores, Rite Aid said earlier this week, CNN reported. Both of the new boosters were authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier this month. However, at that time the FDA was inspecting one facility where the Moderna vaccine is made, so did not include this facility as an authorized manufacturing facility for the updated COVID-19 vaccine booster at that time, FDA spokesman Michael Felberbaum told CNN. As a result, only COVID vaccine shots from another Moderna facility were shipped out. More supplies will now be made available "following a careful review of information provided by Moderna about the manufacture of these batches. The agency has no concerns with the safety, effectiveness or quality of these batches," Felberbaum said. The new boosters target both the original coronavirus strain and Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. At the moment, BA.5 accounts for nearly 85% of all U.S. cases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although uptake of COVID-19 boosters was low prior to these revamped vaccines, its not clear whether the new booster shots will get more people to update their vaccinations, CNN reported. The U.S. government has not yet released data on the number of people who have received this version of the vaccine so far. Fewer than half of Americans who got their initial vaccines and are eligible for a booster had chosen to get a booster prior to this, CDC data shows. Public health officials are urging people to get both their COVID booster and their flu shot this fall. Despite the current shortage, Moderna said it still plans to deliver 70 million doses of its new vaccine by the end of this year. "We are working closely with [the] U.S. Government to deliver significant amounts of updated, bivalent booster doses as we continue to see high demand in certain areas of the country," the company told CNN. "We anticipate that these availability constraints will be resolved in the coming days." More information The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 boosters. SOURCE: CNN TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) Taiwan is considering an end to its quarantine requirement for all arrivals in mid-October, the Central Epidemic Command Center said Thursday. The island has been one of the few places in the world that has held on to a quarantine for all arrivals throughout the course of the pandemic. In recent months, it has steadily reduced the previously 2-week-long quarantine. Officials with the CECC in charge of the pandemic response announced they were planning to end quarantine and change it to seven days of self-health monitoring. But the change is dependent on the pandemic situation in Taiwan over the next week. The expected date for the end of quarantine is Oct. 13. Taiwan announced that starting Sept. 12, citizens from Canada, the U.S. and countries in Europe that previously had visa-free arrival could once again visit Taiwan without visas. Under the new scheme, arrivals are still required to stay in a place that has one separate bathroom per person, and will be provided rapid tests upon arrival. Currently, arrivals are allowed to quarantine at home, and have to do so for three days starting after the day they arrive. They must then follow up with four days of self-health management, which means they should continue to monitor their temperature and not go to restaurants. Elsewhere, local media has also reported that Hong Kong has plans to end mandatory hotel quarantine for arrivals in October, although authorities have yet to officially announce such measures. The city, which once had among the longest quarantines in the world at 21 days, has relaxed its measures and currently requires travelers to isolate in a hotel for three days. Hong Kong leader John Lee has repeatedly stressed the need to balance controlling the spread of COVID-19 while reducing travel inconvenience. China, which has a different quarantine requirement than Hong Kong, still requires 10 days of quarantine for arrivals. AP video journalist Johnson Lai in Taipei and AP writer Zen Soo in Hong Kong contributed to this report. Q: My 35-year-old son is divorced and dating a woman with two boys. I'm not sure how to handle the situation with his own two children. As their grandmother, how can I be polite to the new kids but still show my own grandchildren that they come first without causing bad feelings to my son, grandchildren and the woman's children? If he's serious about the woman, these kids could become my step-grandchildren and my grandchildren's step-brothers. From a reader My grandchildren became very upset when my daughter married a man with kids. The first time the new kids called me grandmother in front of them, jealousy ran deep, and it was difficult to try to be fair to both sets of grandkids, especially since I loved my own so much more but didn't want to shut out the new children in any way. Trying to do the right thing, I sat down with my own grandchildren and told them that I loved them very much and that I would always be their grandmother first. That was not the best idea because as soon as the kids had an argument, it was brought out in a not so polite way. Since that time I've spent many hours trying to rebuild the relationship I had begun with the new grandchildren. It's been extremely challenging. If your grandchildren are not showing any concerns, just leave things as they are. W. R. in Port Angeles, Washington From Jodie Lynn Kids take their cues from the adults in their lives, especially during stressful times. Divorce is an example of this as children are going to experience a lot of conflicting feelings. One day everyone is doing pretty well and the next, everything seems like a disaster. Depending on their ages, they may or may not be able to understand their sensitivity toward various situations. If one of their parents is seeing someone with children of their own, this can be quite confusing and can easily conjure up disorienting ideas and emotions. For now, your grandchildren should know that your love for them has never faltered and is as strong as ever by simply being yourself. As far as how to act with the children of the woman your son is dating, just treat them like you would any other kids that you're getting to know. It's not necessary to show them what a great grandmother you can be until the relationship turns more serious. It may be wise to keep things to yourself unless your grandchildren ask questions or all of a sudden begin acting out in unacceptable behavior. As the above tip illustrated, sometimes we provide children with too much information and instead of helping, we end up hindering what could have been a perfectly normal outcome. CAN YOU HELP? Why is my 10-year-old daughter constantly talking back? She was an amazing person just a few months ago but since school started, she argues about everything. Tips needed please. Just when you think you cant stand one more day of simmering on summers griddle, fall arrives. Ah, fall so welcome. Of course along with it come shorter days and cooler temperatures. Then before long, the trees abandon their summer greens for showier hues, and woods become tapestries of vibrant color Missouri is famous for. It may seem like Mother Natures alchemy, but science tells us that fewer daylight hours and longer, cooler nights work in concert to achieve the change, by slowing and eventually stopping production of the chlorophyll in leaves (its what keeps them green). The lack of chlorophyll allows other pigments to be revealed: carotinoids that display the yellow, orange and brown shades, and anthocyanins for the stunning reds and purples. Missouri is laced with interesting drives and many become technicolor tunnels in fall, so there are plenty to choose from for a scenic road trip. One of our favorites is Missouri Highway 79, which begins at Interstate 70 in St. Peters and, paralleling the Mississippi River, runs north 90 miles, ending at Highway 36/Interstate 72 in Hannibal. Our mid-September trip was too early for much fall color though the scenery along the route is spectacular any time of year. And within a few weeks, there will be color. For the most part its a rural landscape, the road bordered by seemingly endless fields of corn and beans and a handful of small towns. But historically important river towns Clarksville and Louisiana, in addition to Hannibal, are also on the route, and offer a variety of attractions. Along the way, rolling hills become near-mountains, and towering limestone bluffs line the road. Signs direct you to pull-offs for dramatic scenic overlooks. A few miles north of I-70, the road runs through quaint Winfield. Here, County Road N runs east to the river at Lock and Dam 25. In winter it becomes the areas most popular attraction, as eagle enthusiasts gather to watch the dozens of the birds that have fled the frozen north, and fish at the dam. Ahead on Highway 79, County Road M (north of Foley) leads three miles east to BK Leach Memorial Conservation Area, our first stop. The conservation area, 4,300-acres of wetlands, marshes and sloughs, is home to a variety of marsh birds and other wildlife, and also provides food for thousands of migrating waterfowl. In fall its richly decorated with acres of bright yellow black-eyed Susans on 6-foot stems (a small parking area amid the flowers offers fine views of distant blue hills to the north). Antique Clarksville, 20 miles ahead on Highway 79, is home to Lock and Dam 24. A viewing platform (handicap accessible) offers an excellent vantage of the dam, and placards provide information. One reads that storage space on one 15-barge tow is equal to that of 225 railroad hopper cars or 870 tractor trailers. Another states that although its nearly 28 miles north to tiny Saverton, and Lock and Dam 22, there is no Lock and Dam 23. One was planned years ago, but the pool created by Lock and Dam 24 made it unnecessary. Thus, Lock and Dam 23 has been lost to history, but the numbering stuck. The stretch of highway that strings together Clarksville, Louisiana and Hannibal is nicknamed Little Dixie Highway of the Great River Road, and is also a designated National Scenic Byway. As to a reason for the nickname, there is some debate. One source says its because early settlers were from Kentucky and Tennessee. Another, that the numerous Victorian and Italianate mansions in the towns give them a southern flavor. The road there has also been dubbed Fifty Miles of Art for the many artists, crafters and art galleries in the towns. By chance we met one of the artists in Louisiana. The town, also called Mural City, for its two dozen outdoor murals commemorating historic events, is a jewel in the crown of Missouri towns for a number of reasons. High on the limestone bluffs along the Mississippi, the historic town offers superb views of the river, such as those at Riverview Park. On this day, workers were building a memorial at the overlook, clearly under the direction of a distinguished-looking, white-haired gentleman. Nearby is a bronze bust of John Brooks Henderson (1826-1913), with a placard explaining he was a local teacher, lawyer, state legislator and a brigadier general in the Union Army. In 1862 he was appointed a U.S. senator, and within six weeks, was holding regular meetings with President Lincoln. As I was reading it, the white-haired gentleman walked over and asked if he could be of help. He introduced himself as John Stoeckley, 79, a local artist who said he had designed the bronze as part of the 2018 celebration of Louisianas bicentennial. He also designed the memorial in the works. Henderson, he said, had helped keep Missouri in the Union, and in 1864, wrote the immortal words of the constitutional amendment outlawing slavery that Congress approved a year later (the 13th Amendment). Other Louisiana attractions include two historic districts and numerous historic homes, many of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. Self-guided walking tours are available at the Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau. Wed planned to visit the Louisiana Area Historical Museum but found it closed for renovation. It will reopen, according to a sign on the door, for the 36th annual Louisiana Colorfest, Oct. 15-16. Wed read that the highest point on the Mississippi, 850 feet above sea level is the Pinnacle, at Louisiana. But we didnt know where it was, and the first three local people we asked didnt know anything about it. But the (closed) museum is in a historic area, and nearby Third Street is lined with elegant 19th century homes. There, walking, we passed a man carrying antiques to a table on the sidewalk. We wondered if he knew how to get to the Pinnacle. He did. Pinnacle is off Cemetery Road in Louisiana Cemetery, he said, and gave us directions. Nondescript Cemetery Road watch carefully or youll miss it runs north several blocks off the quarter-mile stretch where Highways 79 and 54 run together in town. Inside the gates of the cemetery, you see two narrow, symmetrical roads that arc steeply to the top (limited parking there). The view from that high-up vantage is one of the most spectacular anywhere. You can see virtually 360 degrees of the surrounding countryside, the town, the incredibly huge cemetery that blankets these grassy hills, and far below, the arcs of the deeply blue river appearing between lushly green banks. It was a pleasantly warm afternoon, a gentle breeze was wafting and oh, the view. If there is a more peaceful, beautiful place anywhere, I cant imagine what it would be. At the very top of Pinnacle, which you reach on foot, is a 10-foot obelisk marking the grave of Lloyd Crow Stark, Missouri governor from 1937 to 1941. His family founded Stark Brothers Nursery and Orchards Co. in Louisiana in 1816. Its been in business ever since. Starks monument reads: We gave the world the golden delicious apple. On to lovely Hannibal, a town rich with fine historic homes Victorian, Queen Anne, Italianate. Along thriving Main Street, just one block west of the river, ornate 19th century buildings now house dozens of inviting shops and eateries. (We chose at random and recommend Java & Jive, the first coffee shop west of the Mississippi. The menu is varied and features elegant pastries.) Nicknamed Americas Home Town, Hannibal was once a thriving port for steamboats, flat boats and pocket steamers. Today, its popular among tourists, with many of its attractions centered around favorite son, Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain. (Mark Twain Museum, Mark Twain Cave, Cave Hollow Winery, Mark Twain Riverboat, which offers cruises, Plantation Theater for performances by actor Richard Garey of Mark Twain Himself, and others.) Born in Florida, Missouri, in 1835, Twain lived in Hannibal from 1839 until 1853, and set two of the worlds favorite novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885) in fictional St. Petersburg, but based on Hannibal. Twain died in 1910, and two years later his boyhood home opened for tours. Nearby, Cardiff Hill towers over the north end of Main Street. A lighthouse high on the hill was built in 1935 to shine a beacon on festivities at the celebration of Twains 100th birthday. Bronze statues of two carefree-looking boys, Tom and Huck, stand at the foot of the hill. IF YOU GO Louisiana: For information about dining, lodging and attractions, visit Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau, 202 South Third Street, 573-754-5921, visitlouisianamo.com Hannibal: For information about dining, lodging and attractions, visit Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau, 925 Grand Avenue, 573-221-2477, visithannibal.com Other locations: visitmo.com ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY A man from Bonne Terre has died after police say he jumped from a moving SUV this week in St. Francois County. The Missouri Highway Patrol identified the victim as Kyler A. Mayerhoffer, 36. At about 9 p.m. Monday, Mayerhoffer was riding in the front seat of a 2017 Kia Sorento SUV, heading north on Raider Road and south of Boulder Road. "For an unknown reason, the front seat passenger jumped out of the vehicle and struck the asphalt roadway," the patrol said in an online crash report. Mayerhoffer was rushed by medical helicopter to Mercy Hospital St. Louis. On Wednesday, a doctor at Mercy pronounced him dead, the patrol said. A 37-year-old woman from Desloge, Missouri, was the Sorento's driver. She was uninjured, the patrol said. 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 Moline Acres Mayor Michele DeShay has nabbed the top spot with the Missouri Municipal League. DeShay, mayor of the north St. Louis County municipality for 14 years and an alderman for six years prior, was elected as president of the group last week. The league was formed in 1934 and now represents about 650 Missouri cities, lobbying on their behalf. A member of the league since 2010, DeShay has been on its board of directors since 2018. She also is chair of the Fannie Lou Hamer Democratic Coalition of St. Louis County. DeShay, who graduated from Normandy High in 1980, is a retired member of Teamsters Local 688 and still a member of the unions national Black and womens caucuses. Earlier this year, she received the North County Leadership Award from the NAACP of St. Louis County. BNSF Railway Co. has asked a federal court to require victims of a deadly Amtrak crash in Missouri to pursue settlements through arbitration, rather than lawsuits. BNSF owns the railroad tracks used by Amtrak when a Southwest Chief train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago collided with a pickup truck that was blocking an intersection near Mendon, Missouri. Three train passengers and the truck driver died and dozens more were injured in the June 27 collision. Multiple lawsuits have been filed since the collision against both railway companies. Missouri transportation officials, Chariton County leaders and areas residents had been pushing for safety upgrades at the crossing, which is steep and had no lights or other signals to warn about an approaching train. In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, BNSF asked for a preliminary injunction to require the victims to use arbitration rather than proceed with their lawsuits in court. The company also asked the judge to halt action on lawsuits pending in Missouri courts until the arbitration question is settled. BNSF, based in Fort Worth, Texas, argues that when passengers bought tickets from Amtrak, they checked a box agreeing to terms and conditions, which includes binding arbitration agreements. BNSF argues the terms apply to the company because it is the host railroad for Amtrak. Grant Davis, who was appointed as a lead attorney for a plaintiffs committee working to consolidate pre-trial matters in the numerous lawsuits, said BNSF is trying to take away his clients constitutional right to a jury trial. We believe they are wrong factually and legally on this issue, Davis said. The fact that BNSF was not a party to (Amtraks) poor attempt at an arbitration agreement is fatal to this effort. Its adding insult to injury for BNSF to file a case against the very people it injured. Among the defendants named in the lawsuit are relatives of the three passengers who died: Rochelle Cook, 58, and Kim Holsapple, 56, both of De Soto, Kansas; and Binh Pham, 82, of Kansas City, Missouri. Updated at 3:12 p.m. ST. LOUIS A Ballwin man pleaded guilty Thursday to distributing fentanyl to a man who ingested the drug and died of an overdose. Quinton J. O'Bryan-Adaway, 26, reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors that calls for a 10-year prison term. O'Bryan-Adaway admitted giving Michael A. Conley, 29, fentanyl at O'Bryan-Adaway's home in the 400 block of Terrace Court on July 11, 2020. Authorities said the men had known each other for several years and had struggled with substance abuse. O'Bryan-Adaway warned Conley about the potency of the fentanyl capsules he gave him, according to O'Bryan-Adaway's plea agreement. Conley overdosed and died in his vehicle. After discovering Conley's body July 13, O'Bryan-Adaway moved Conley to the back yard and surrounded him with trash bins and folding chairs. Sentencing for O'Bryan-Adaway is set for Jan. 12 before U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey. O'Bryan-Adaway was sentenced last year to four years in state prison after pleading guilty to abandoning a corpse. CHICAGO Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday called for the resignation of two Democratic state senators, one facing federal bribery charges and the other under a cloud of controversy over questions about his treatment of women. Pritzkers call for longtime Sens. Emil Jones III of Chicago and Michael Hastings of Frankfort to resign comes a day after the governor sought to portray political corruption and misconduct by elected officials as a bipartisan problem in Illinois. The call for Jones and Hastings to step down comes as Democrats seek to maintain their dominance in Springfield, including their 41-18 majority over Republicans in the Illinois Senate, in the November election. Jones is unopposed on the Nov. 8 ballot, but Hastings faces GOP challenger Patrick Sheehan of Lockport. Integrity is essential to public service, and corruption for personal gain and abuse in private or public is unacceptable, Pritzker said in a statement Thursday. Illinoisans deserve to have elected leaders who are focused on representing them not on holding office when facing serious and credible charges. Jones was charged Tuesday in a federal criminal information alleging that he accepted a $5,000 bribe from a red-light camera company executive to block unfavorable legislation, and then lied to the FBI. Hasting has not been charged with any wrongdoing, but his estranged wife accused him of domestic abuse, according to court documents. Police in Frankfort have denied the Tribunes request for documents related to the alleged incident, citing exemptions from releasing records in cases where no arrest was made and saying the release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Records from the Illinois comptrollers officers show that the state paid $100,000 earlier this year to settle a 2019 lawsuit brought by Hastings former chief of staff Cassandra Matz that alleged harassment and retaliation. Jones on Wednesday resigned his unpaid post as deputy leader for the Senate Democrats and his $11,098-per-year committee chair position. Hastings in August stepped down from an unpaid leadership position but retained the chairmanship of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, along with the associated stipend. Both legislators are paid a base salary of $72,906. Jones and Hastings should answer the charges and have their day in court, Pritzker said. But in the best interests of their constituents, these men must resign from their offices. Resigning only their leadership roles falls short of what the public should expect. I want to send a clear message to the people of Illinois: corruption and abuse have no place here. Hastings issued a defiant statement Thursday, calling the allegations in Pritzkers statement baseless and without merit. I look forward to continuing to serve the best interests of the hard-working men and women of the south suburbs, Hastings said, adding that it will be up to voters to decide whether he should remain in office. Jones, who did not respond immediately Thursday to a request for comment, is to be arraigned Friday and was charged in a criminal information rather than an indictment, an indication he may intend to plead guilty. A spokesman for Senate President Don Harmon said the Oak Park Democrat is not joining Pritzker in his call for Jones and Hastings to resign. The gravity of the accusations required immediate action and consequences, which is why the Senate president demanded and received resignations from their leadership posts, Harmon spokesman John Patterson said. Now it is up to these individuals and their constituents to determine their futures. Pritzkers opponent in the November election, Republican Sen. Darren Bailey of Xenia, criticized the governor Wednesday for not calling on Jones to resign. So did the state GOP, pointing to Harmons statement in response to the charges against Jones in which the Senate president said public officials must conduct themselves by a high ethical standard. What is this high ethical standard in todays Democrat-controlled Senate? Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy said in a statement. Is everything short of a federal indictment and conviction OK? Senate President Harmon should call on Sen. Hastings and Sen. Jones III to resign. Jones is the sixth state senator and fifth Senate Democrat to be hit with federal corruption charges since 2019. The Tribune has reported that a seventh senator and sixth Democrat state Sen. Elgie Sims of Chicago is under federal investigation. 2022 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com. STOCKTON, Mo. Abuse allegations against Agape Boarding School continue to intensify as a southwest Missouri judge again delayed a decision on whether it should close. After 14 court motions filed in two days and legal wranglings inside a Cedar County courtroom Wednesday, the saga being watched closely by child welfare advocates, Missouri lawmakers and former Agape students will carry on until at least Monday. Thats when Judge David Munton scheduled another hearing on a petition the Missouri Attorney General filed two weeks ago saying that the safety of the boys at the unlicensed school near Stockton was in jeopardy and the facility should immediately close. The AGs office filed that petition along with the Missouri Department of Social Services, which has substantiated 11 reports of abuse at the school since May. The delay Wednesday, in a case that has been riddled with them, no doubt frustrated many who say the 50 or so boys inside the school are in danger. Especially, they say, after a motion Monday in which the AGs office detailed abuse allegations from nearly a dozen current students who secretly approached DSS workers who have been stationed inside the school since Sept. 8. Any person with a sane, unbiased mind looking into this case can see this judge is not making decisions on whats best for the children involved, said James Griffey, who attended Agape from 1998 to 2001. Griffey, of southern California, testified at a legislative hearing last year on a proposed bill that would give the state some oversight of schools like Agape. That bill passed and is the basis for the attorney generals move to shut down the school. I dont know what his motives are for the decisions hes making, Griffey said of the judge, but its evident that making sure the children are safe isnt it. The attorney generals office again will have witnesses ready to testify Monday morning and evidence to present, which it was prepared to do Wednesday morning and on Sept. 12. But on both occasions, Munton delayed the case from going forward. Last week, the delay was to give Agapes attorney John Schultz time to depose a former student who lives in California who the AGs office planned to call as a witness. And on Wednesday, Schultz said he needed time to appeal Muntons rulings that denied his motion for a jury trial and his argument that the AGs office doesnt have legal standing in the case. Immediately after the hearing Wednesday, Schultz said he planned to file his appeal by the end of the day or Thursday morning. He said if the case goes forward, Agape deserves a jury trial. They are trying to take property rights away and close the school down, Schultz said. It goes beyond what a traditional injunction involves. Attorneys with the AGs Office and DSS officials left the courthouse before noon Wednesday to regroup and talk about Mondays upcoming hearing. The Attorney Generals office has been steadfast in our fight to protect the students at Agape Boarding School, said Chris Nuelle, press secretary for the AGs office. Today, the Attorney Generals Office yet again had witnesses, including victims of alleged abuse at Agape, ready to testify and the office was prepared to present evidence, but unfortunately the office was unable to do so. DSS workers will continue to be at the school 24/7 at least until Mondays hearing. Caitlin Whaley, DSS director of policy and communications, told The Star early Wednesday the child welfare agency has been actively engaged for years when it comes to unlicensed boarding schools. Missouri shouldnt be a haven for child abuse, Whaley said. ... We wouldnt be taking this action if we didnt think the kids are in danger. Many men who attended the school in their youth spanning a period of three decades have spoken with The Star over the past two years and said they were subjected to physical restraints, extreme workouts, long days of manual labor, and food and water withheld as punishment. They said students also suffered constant berating and mind games, and some were physically and sexually abused by staff and other youth. New abuse allegations Current students at Agape told Missouri child welfare workers in recent days about extensive ongoing abuse they said boys are enduring, according to a proposed petition included in a court motion filed Monday. One boy was handcuffed for two weeks, students told the Childrens Division employees. Another ended up with his arm in a sling, students said, from an overzealous restraint. And yet another lost so much weight after being demoted to Brown Town a designation given to the lowest level at Agape, where manual labor is required and meals are reduced that he reportedly resorted to stealing food to keep from starving. Those revelations were attached to Mondays motion by the Attorney Generals Office in its efforts to shut down the school. Much of the information in the proposed amended petition came from interviews with nearly a dozen current students who approached Childrens Division employees while they were at the school monitoring for safety. Munton on Wednesday denied the motion that would have allowed that amended petition to be filed. After Munton scheduled another hearing for Monday, Justin Smith, chief of staff for the AGs office, asked him to reconsider and take up the proposed amended petition at that time. The judge rejected that. On Sept. 7, Munton signed an order to immediately close Agape after the AG and DSS filed the initial petition saying the students there faced safety concerns. Child welfare officials had learned that a current staffer had just been placed on the Central Registry for child abuse and neglect, and state law doesnt allow anyone with a substantiated report to work at a residential facility. But the next morning, Munton put a hold on his order closing the school until he could confirm that the staffer was still there. He sent Cedar County Sheriff James Jim Bob McCrary to the school to find out, and Agape director Bryan Clemensen told McCrary that he had fired that staffer on Sept. 7 and the worker no longer lived on the schools property. Munton then scheduled a hearing for Sept. 12 on the petition to close the school and ordered that Childrens Division workers could stay on the Agape campus around the clock to ensure that students were safe. At the Sept. 12 hearing, the AGs Office called on a former student to testify. But Munton refused to let him because the teen left the school in July 2021. Munton said he needed to hear evidence of current abuse, not incidents from the past. Another former student, who left Agape in July of this year, was to testify by video conference from California, but Schultz objected, saying he needed to depose the witness in person. Munton then continued the hearing to Wednesday to give Schultz time to go to California and take the former students deposition. New bill filed in Jefferson City As Wednesdays hearing was underway, a Missouri lawmaker introduced a bill requiring all residential care facilities in the state to be licensed. The students have been left in a dangerous situation for weeks after Missouri filed a petition to remove the children from Agape, Rep. Sarah Unsicker, D-Shrewsbury, told The Star. Religion doesnt give anyone a right to abuse children. Agape should have the same expectations for how they treat children as all other places that care for children in Missouri. Unsicker filed the measure as legislators are in Jefferson City for a special session called by Gov. Mike Parson to deal with state income tax cuts and agricultural issues. The horrifying and persistent allegations of endemic abuse, neglect, sexual assault and even trafficking of children that has happened at these boarding schools for decades starkly illustrates the states need to supervise these facilities to a greater extent, Unsicker said in a news release. Missouri is currently powerless to prevent these atrocities from happening until after they have occurred, but licensure would give the Department of Social Services more power to ensure children remain protected. Attempts have been made over the years to require such facilities to be licensed, but those efforts have failed, with critics calling the measures a violation of religious freedom. The new law passed last year requires residential care facilities to notify the state of their existence, conduct employee background checks and undergo health and safety inspections but does not require them to be licensed. Under Unsickers proposal, the schools would have to apply for licensure, share information about their corporate structure and keep personnel records. Licensed facilities have to report dangerous incidents, such as death or serious injuries of a child, any conditions affecting the health and safety of a child for a period of longer than twelve hours, or any event that requires emergency responders, Unsicker said. If licensed, the schools cant use cruel and unusual punishment or excessive or inappropriate work as disciplinary tactics or allow one child to discipline another. They also are prohibited from using handcuffs, physical or emotional abuse or requiring students to remain silent for long periods. In addition, licensed residential facilities must provide an educational program that is appropriate to the childs needs, Unsicker said, and educators are required to meet certification criteria established by the Department of Education. Licensed facilities also have standards for their buildings and grounds. For far too long, bad actors have taken advantage of our lax licensure laws to commit horrible crimes against vulnerable children, she said. If thats not reason enough to change these laws, I dont know what is. 2022 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com. This story was updated Thursday with additional information. ST. LOUIS A 53-year-old man was shot and killed Tuesday night inside a home in the city's Tower Grove South neighborhood. Richard Lee Brock was discovered shot in the head about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday in the 3900 block of Chippewa Street. The scene was near the edge of the city's Dutchtown neighborhood. Prosecutors on Thursday charged 47-year-old Scipio M. Clark with shooting and killing Brock, his roommate, after an argument. Editor's note: This story was updated to correct the neighborhood. Police said Tony Martin was carrying a gun around the home in the 4500 block of Edgewood Boulevard on Wednesday when he and his mother began to argue while she was putting groceries away. When she touched his arm so he would turn around, he shot her once in the chest, according to the probable cause statement. ST. LOUIS The final hearing has been set that could vacate the guilty sentence of a man who prosecutors and civil rights groups say has innocently sat in jail for nearly 30 years. The freedom of Lamar Johnson will be based on whether Circuit Judge David Mason determines there is evidence of Johnsons innocence or if there was a constitutional error at trial during a hearing set for the week of Dec. 12. Johnson was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1995 after being found guilty of the murder of a man in Dutchtown in 1994. In 2019, Circuit Attorney Kim Gardners Force Investigative Unit outlined misconduct of the lead detective in Johnsons conviction in a 67-page report. Over the years, Johnsons case has since attracted nationwide support and debate from legal scholars. Judge Mason will preside over the hearing after a request to switch judges was granted earlier this month. Before the switch, the case would have been heard by Judge Elizabeth Hogan, who when Gardner filed a motion for a new trial to free Johnson in 2019 said she felt the circuit attorney had a conflict of interest because she accused a former assistant circuit attorney of misconduct in Johnsons case. Judge Hogan denied the motion, then appointed Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt to represent the state, who vigorously argued against Johnsons release, citing recanted testimonies of the men who testified against Johnson as incredible and contradictory. Ultimately, the Missouri Supreme Court denied in 2021 Gardners appeal to Hogans denial for a new trial, ruling the circuit attorney lacked the authority to file a motion for a new trial for Johnson. This, along with other cases similar to Johnsons, such as Christopher Dunn, prompted legislators to create a new law. Last year, after over 40 years in prison, Kevin Strickland was the first man freed through the law via the motion filed by a Kansas City prosecutor. Schmitt can also make his debut at the December hearing where hell be able to question witnesses and make arguments. Gardner filed the motion to free Johnson last month during the week of the one-year anniversary of when the law went into effect. ST. LOUIS A woman was hurt in a flurry of gunshots fired at Courtesy Diner early Thursday. Police said the shooting came minutes after an employee went outside to find customers who left without paying for their meal. Whoever fired the shots is still on the loose. Police released no detailed description. The shooting happened about 12:15 a.m. Thursday at the diner, 1121 Hampton Avenue. The injured woman was a customer who had nothing to do with the "dine and dash," police said. She was inside the diner and was hit in the thigh when one of the bullets fired into the building ricocheted. The woman, 63, was hit by the bullet as she walked to the bathroom inside the diner. She was treated at a hospital, where she was listed as stable, police said. At least six bullet holes were left in the diners side window, facing Crescent Avenue to the south. Police had put several evidence markers on the ground. Before the shooting, a diner employee went outside to find or confront customers who ate and left without paying, police said. The employees efforts were unsuccessful but police didnt elaborate. When the employee walked back into the store, someone outside fired several shots at the diner, police said. The suspects are three men and one woman, all in their 20s. Police did not release a detailed description or surveillance images of the suspects. Larry Rugg, owner of Courtesy Diner, said there was no confrontation between any employees and the "dine and dash" customers. "There was no argument or incident of any kind either inside or outside the restaurant, this group of 4 merely got up and ran out the side door," Rugg said in an email. "They were well off our property before one of our employees stepped outside to talk to another customer," Rugg said. "Also, we are not sure the diner was even the target. Theres a good possibility it was another customer." The diner has had previous issues with people dining and dashing and has posted on social media some surveillance images of past culprits, and sometimes a vehicle license plate. Theyve posted photos three times since October. In June, for example, the diner posted several surveillance photos on its Facebook page after two women ate all of their food but left without paying a $22.39 tab at the Hampton Avenue location. Anyone knowing these two women, please ask them to return and pay their bill, the diner said in its June 8 post. This is one reason the Kingshighway store is closed too many people trying to rip business owners off. The diners Facebook page had not posted anything about the shooting on Thursday morning. The Kingshighway location closed this year. Marji Rugg, the restaurants chief accountant, said at the time that staffing issues were the reason for the closure. The locations on Hampton and at 8000 South Laclede Station Road in Marlborough remain open. The Hampton restaurant was closed for the police investigation but hoped to reopen Friday. Asked if the St. Louis Police Department had any advice for employees dealing with such thefts, police department spokeswoman Evita Caldwell said they should notify police. While each business may have their own internal protocols for loss prevention, Caldwell said in an email, we would recommend businesses contact police for any instances of stealing or other crimes committed. UPDATED at 8:30 a.m. Monday to include comments from diner owner JEFFERSON CITY The Society of Professional Journalists has awarded St. Louis Post-Dispatch data reporter Josh Renaud with its Ethics in Journalism award after his discovery that teachers Social Security numbers could be exposed to the public due to flaws on a state website. Renaud was one of two winners of the national award. The other went to Hannah Dreyfus of ProPublica for her work on rape reports at a university. Renauds story broke last year. In October, he alerted the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education about the vulnerability, and agreed to hold the story until the department could fix the problem. After the state disabled the part of the website in question, the Post-Dispatch reported his findings: The Social Security numbers of more than 100,000 school teachers, administrators and counselors across Missouri were vulnerable to public exposure due to the websites flaws. The education department prepared to thank Renaud for discovering the problem. Instead, Gov. Mike Parson directed the Missouri State Highway Patrol to investigate Renaud and his reporting, describing the incident as a hack. Parson pledged at a news conference then that he would not let this crime against Missouri teachers go unpunished and vowed not to be a pawn in the news outlets political vendetta. After the Highway Patrol finished its investigation in which it estimated 576,000 Social Security numbers were actually exposed the agency forwarded its report to the Cole County prosecutor, who declined to press charges. Former Post-Dispatch Metro Editor Marcia Koenig nominated Renaud for the SPJ ethics award for his solid instincts in recognizing a problem, his professionalism in reporting on it and his perseverance through months of political attack. Post-Dispatch Executive Editor Alan Achkar lauded Renauds courage and grace in enduring a difficult situation. We have an obligation to serve the public and hold government bodies accountable, Achkar said this summer. Public officials can try to bully us, but we wont waver from our mission. Josh is a first-rate journalist, and he proves on a regular basis why public service journalism remains critical to our society. This is at least the third award for Renaud for this work. The Missouri National Education Association gave him the Horace Mann Friend of Education Award. And the National Press Club announced in July that he had won the 2022 Domestic John Aubuchon Award. Aubuchon was a former press club president who had a keen interest in issues of press freedom, the Press Club said. Dreyfus reporting for ProPublica centered on the culture of Liberty University, the largest private evangelical university in Virginia, and how it responded to students accusations of rape and sexual assault, according to the release from SPJ. University officials required students to sign paperwork saying they violated The Liberty Way, the moral code by the school that forbids fraternizing with the opposite sex. Further, students interviewed by university investigators told Dreyfus that they twisted testimony to smear women who reported cases of rape. Dreyfus corroborated the stories via more than 50 interviews with former students and staff at Liberty, as well as former and current police officers at the university. She also examined school, medical and police records, as well as methodical collections of photo evidence. The university did not respond to her questions. But, once the story was published, Senators called on the U.S. Department of Education to investigate Liberty, and the universitys board voted to open a review of the school office that was in charge of handling complaints of discrimination and abuse. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday said voters can decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana, overturning a state panels decision to block the measure from the November ballot. Justices granted a request by Responsible Growth Arkansas, the group behind the proposal, to certify the measure for the November ballot. The people will decide whether to approve the proposed amendment in November," the court said. The group behind the proposal had appealed to the court after the state Board of Election Commissioners blocked the initiative. Supporters submitted more than enough valid signatures from registered voters to qualify, but the proposal still needed approval from the board to appear on the ballot. Were extremely grateful to the Supreme Court that they agreed with us and felt like it was a complete validation of everything weve done," Steve Lancaster, an attorney for Responsible Growth Arkansas, said. Were excited and moving on to November." Because the deadline has passed to certify initiative titles, the court had allowed the measure on the general election ballot while it decided whether the votes will be counted. Arkansas voters in 2016 approved a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana. The proposed amendment would allow those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of cannabis and would allow state-licensed dispensaries to sell recreational marijuana. The Board of Election Commissioners rejected the measure after commissioners said they didnt believe the ballot title fully explained to voters the impact of the amendment. Supporters of the measure argued that the boards criticism went beyond what was required for ballot initiatives. Recreational marijuana is already legal in 19 states, and legalization proposals are on the ballot this fall in South Dakota, North Dakota, Missouri and Maryland. The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled a proposal in that state will not appear on the ballot in November. Of Missouris eight neighboring states, only Illinois has legalized the recreational use of marijuana. JEFFERSON CITY A new political action committee headed by a well-known Republican strategist is launching a campaign to oppose a question on the Nov. 8 ballot that would, if passed, legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Missouri. Former state Rep. Scott Dieckhaus, a Republican political strategist from Franklin County, said Thursday a broad-based coalition has joined forces in an effort to defeat Amendment 3. The Save Our State PAC was formed on Sept. 8 but hasnt so far reported any large contributions, according to state ethics commission records. The coalition brings together two groups that would normally be on opposite sides of the issue: Dieckhaus said the Save Our State PAC includes anti-legalization advocates and those who support legalization but oppose Amendment 3. We have people that are anti-legalization, Dieckhaus said. We also have people that are very pro-legalization but they feel that the current ballot initiative is not the right way to do it. He said pro-legalization advocates feel Missourians are enshrining corporatization of the market in the constitution, which is not the way that they would like to see this done. He said it was too early to release names of supporters, but Dieckhaus said law enforcement, banking, religious and medical organizations, as well as people within the cannabis industry opposed to the initiative, have joined the coalition. In regard to fundraising, Dieckhaus said, youll see some checks probably in the coming weeks. Legal Missouri, primarily funded by existing medical marijuana companies set to benefit from legalization, had spent nearly $6 million by the end of June, ending the most recent fundraising period with less than $50,000 on hand. The campaign has since reported numerous large contributions. Dieckhaus said Amendment 3 was not in a good position heading into the Nov. 8 election, citing a poll released Sept. 10 by Missouri Scout and Remington Research Group pegging support for the initiative at 43%. If I were to have a ballot initiative out there at this point in the election cycle, and no one has taken really any public shots at the initiative, I would hope to be polling at 60-plus percent before we have to take on any negative messaging, Dieckhaus said. A more recent poll by Survey USA placed support for legalization at 62%, but Dieckhaus expressed doubts about those results. I dont think theyre in a very good place at all, he said. He said a lot of people supported medical marijuana in 2018 because people knew people with ailments who couldve benefited from medical marijuana. I think there are a lot of people that are opposed to recreational marijuana just on principle, Dieckhaus said. I think there are a lot of people opposed to this particular ballot initiative and what it does. John Payne, campaign manager for Legal Missouri, was dismissive of Dieckhaus effort. It should come as no surprise that a Jefferson City insider is trying to prevent Missouri from becoming the 20th state to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana. Our grassroots support in every corner of this state has put us in a very strong position to pass the legalization and expungement measure in November, so that law enforcement can focus on fighting violent and serious crime, Payne said in an emailed statement. Grumbling over Amendment 3 hasnt stopped under the Capitol Dome. Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance, filed his Cannabis Freedom Act during the ongoing special session on tax relief, but Gov. Mike Parson said he wouldnt open up debate on the issue even though he called Amendment 3 a disaster. Criticism of the question has been bipartisan. The Missouri Democratic Party issued a press release this week saying its state committee wasnt endorsing or opposing Amendment 3, citing common complaints. Democrats have concerns about the expungement provisions laid out in the amendment, as well as making it difficult for those who do not currently have a license to enter the industry, the party said. UNITED NATIONS (AP) U.S. President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss declared themselves staunch allies Wednesday as they tried to patch up a divide over Brexits impact on peace in Northern Ireland. The leaders met at the United Nations two days after they attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London, and Britain hopes the global goodwill toward the late queen will help smooth out bumps in relations with the U.S. and other allies caused by the U.K.'s departure from the European Union. The U.S., in particular, is concerned that Brexit has rattled the foundations of the 1998 Good Friday peace accord that ended 30 years of sectarian violence. At the end of the 75-minute meeting, Truss' office said the prime minister and President Biden both agreed that the priority must be protecting the Good Friday Agreement and preserving the gains of peace in Northern Ireland. But there was no indication of agreement on how to do that after a conversation one senior U.S. administration official described as candid. Biden made clear the gains of the Good Friday Agreement is a matter of bipartisan importance in the United States and a matter of personal importance to him as president, said the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The proudly Irish-American Biden has taken a particular interest in the issue. He has warned that no side should do anything to undermine the Good Friday Agreement, which the U.S. played a key role in negotiating. There seems little chance the irritant to trans-Atlantic relations will be removed imminently. U.K. officials see April 2023, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday accord, as a potential deadline to reach a solution on Northern Ireland. Truss spokesman Max Blain said Northern Ireland took up a small part of the meeting at t he U.N. General Assembly in New York, which was dominated by the war in Ukraine and concern about the growing global clout of China. But Northern Ireland was the issue that Biden chose to emphasize during televised remarks at the start of the meeting, telling Truss: I am looking forward to hearing whats on your mind, Biden added. Analysts say there is some trepidation in the White House that undercutting the Northern Ireland protocol could plunge Europe into trade turmoil at a moment when Biden is working mightily to keep the West unified in confronting Russia over its aggression against Ukraine. Truss thanked the president and First Lady Jill Biden for coming to London for the queens funeral, and described the United States and Britain as steadfast allies. But she avoided referring to the trans-Atlantic partnership as a special relationship, shying away from the language her predecessors dating back to Winston Churchill have used. Biden said Britain was our closest ally in the world. Truss and Biden see eye to eye on Russias invasion of Ukraine, with Britain the biggest military contributor to Ukraine after the U.S. On China, Truss concerns about Beijings growing assertiveness echo Bidens views. And the two leaders share a concern that China is outflanking Western democracies in wooing the developing world. The U.K. government said Truss and Biden stressed the need to end over-reliance on authoritarian states in terms of our energy, technology and manufacturing supply chains and vowed to redouble efforts" to reduce energy dependence on Russia. But Truss, who took office Sept. 6, faces skepticism from many U.S. diplomats and politicians over Brexit. Truss served as trade minister and foreign secretary under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a Brexit champion who plunged relations with the 27-nation EU into a chilly new era. Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom that shares a land border with an EU member, and Brexit has brought new customs checks and paperwork for Northern Ireland trade. The issue has spiraled into a political crisis for the power-sharing government in Belfast, with British Unionist politicians refusing to form a government with Irish nationalists because they see the checks as undermining Northern Irelands place in the United Kingdom. Seeking to break the impasse, Britain has announced legislation to suspend the checks and rip up part of its legally binding Brexit treaty with the EU a move that angered the bloc and alarmed Washington. Many pro-Brexit British politicians had promised any loss of trade with the EU would be easily replaced with increased exchanges fostered by free trade agreements with other countries, such as the U.S. But Truss was forced to admit this week that a long-sought U.K.-U.S. free trade deal would not happen in the short to medium term, partially because of opposition in the Biden administration and Congress. Since Johnson announced in July that he would resign, Britain has tried to take some of the rancor out of the Brexit dispute, and has toned down its language toward the EU. Truss said this week that her preference is for a negotiated settlement, though she is hanging onto her threat to rewrite the Brexit divorce deal. Truss met Wednesday in New York with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, though there was no sign of a breakthrough. For more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly In June China revealed that a second squadron had been equipped with its J-20 stealth fighter and that they were satisfied with the performance of the Chinese made WS-10A engines, which replaced Russian AL-31F M2 engines used in J-20 development aircraft. China also revealed that it would soon equip its J-20s with a Chinese made engine that can enable more maneuverability with thrust vectoring engines. Currently only the American F-22 has that capability. Russia has engines with thrust vectoring for its most recent non-stealth fighters but has not been able to perfect a more powerful engine with that feature for the stealthy Su-57. If China gets there first with its new WS-15 engine it will definitely be ahead of Russia, but still behind the United States in terms of stealth fighters. When it comes to fifth-generation (stealthy) fighters Russia was always behind the United States and now is very much in third place behind the United States and China. There is an element of the aspirational even with that third-place status. The U.S. and China already have fifth-generation aircraft in service. Well at least the Americans do and the Chinese J-20 is a lot more operational than the Su-57 by equipping two squadrons using J-20s with less efficient WS-10 engines. WS-10A was successful at replacing AL-31F M2 used for development aircraft. China could have put J-20 into service powered by AL-31F M2, but decided to delay putting J-20 into service until it had a locally made engine available. That happened in 2020 when the first J-20 equipped squadron was announced One reason for all the optimism over the Su-57 becoming operational is that Russia needs export customers for their stealth aircraft to survive, while the Chinese dont. Finding Su-57 export customers has been difficult because the Su-57, as described on the spec sheet, wont be available until the mid-2020s at the earliest. The spec sheet Su-57 is a stealthy, single-seat, twin-engine multirole fifth-generation fighter aircraft developed for air superiority and attack operations. This is the first Russian aircraft in military service to use stealth technology. The Su-57 also has supercruise (going supersonic without the afterburner) capability and advanced avionics capable of dealing with older warplane electronics as well as ground and naval air defense systems. To achieve this performance the current Su-57 requires a more powerful and reliable engine. So far, the AL-41F1 is used in prototype aircraft and that engine it performed as designed, but was not reliable enough for regular use. China claims its equivalent of the AL-41F1, the WS-15 is closer to entering regular service and they are probably right. For several decades China has been playing catchup with Russian military tech and now China is moving ahead of Russia. Russia developed the Su-57 as a successor to its Cold War era MiG-29 and Su-27/30 fighters. Stealth was seen as essential but the Su-57 is so expensive, and the Russian Air Force budget so small, and shrinking, that Russia cannot afford many of these stealth fighters. Moreover, it is essential to obtain export sales to make mass production possible at all, not to mention profitable. The recent Russian claim that the manufacturer cut the price 20 percent is also aspirational because a growing number of Russian defense firms are sliding towards bankruptcy. Orders for new equipment have been scaled back since 2014 because of a contracting economy. Russia likes to describe its economic growth as stalled, but the reality is that entire categories of proposed (before 2014) new weapons purchases are being slowly eliminated. Efforts to hide all this, especially the continued decline of the Russian ability to develop and manufacture new weapons, has become less successful as the missed production and in service goals increase. The Su-57 is a prime example of how a system of constantly shifting goals and missed deadlines works. The Su-57 began development in 2002 and the first of ten flyable prototypes flew in 2010. Four non-flying prototypes were also built for ground tests and such. From the beginning, there were problems perfecting the high-performance engines. For example, the first two flight prototypes had to use a less capable variant of the AL-31 engine that was already used by the Su-27 aircraft. The other flyable prototypes used a more powerful AL-41F-1S engine, which was also used in the Su-35, the most advanced (so far) Su-27 variant. Flight testing soon made it clear that even the AL-41F-1S was not powerful enough for the spec sheet Su-57. This meant that the Izdeliye 30 variant of the Al-F41, originally designed for the Su-57, had to be perfected before the Su-57 could enter production as an exportable aircraft. The Izdeliye 30 possessed increased thrust and fuel efficiency as well as 3D thrust vectoring nozzles. At the end of 2017, the tenth flight prototype was equipped with Izdeliye 30 engines and demonstrated its superior performance, including supercruise. However, the Izdeliye 30 was still not reliable enough for sustained use, so mass production of this essential Su-57 engine was delayed. Russia proposed shipping production models of the Su-57 with an Al-F41 variant that enables the aircraft to get the most out of its stealth and high-performance electronics but without the promised supercruise and thrust vectoring maneuverability features. Potential customers, including the Russian Air Force, were not interested in purchasing a developmental aircraft because thats what the Su-57 was without the fully functional Izdeliye 30 engines. China has been copying and improving Russia weapons since the 1990s. The most difficult Russian technology to copy, much less improve on, was high-performance jet engines. The Chinese had more resources than post-1991 Russia and slowly caught up with Russian fighter-engine tech and is now poised to surpass it. While F-22 was designed to use a thrust-vectoring engine, the later F-35 does not and, in theory, would have problems in a dogfight with some aircraft, notably the Su-27/30/35/37 series. The F-35 was designed to spot the enemy first, get the first shot in, and stay out of range of an old-fashioned dogfight. The F-22 also had this long-range first shot capability but the F-35 is much better at it because it was designed to be. The F-35 was designed to rely on BVR (Beyond Visual Range) weapons and tactics at the expense of traditional close range air combat. BVR tactics are untried in large scale combat, while traditional close range dogfight has been around since 1914. But everyone agrees that BVR, using superior sensors and long-range missiles, tactics are the future. Not everyone agrees that the future is here yet. The 27-ton F-35 is armed with an internal 25mm cannon and four internal air-to-air missiles (or two missiles and two smart bombs). The F-35 can also carry four external smart bombs and two missiles but this degrades stealth. All sensors are carried internally, and max weapon load is 6.8 tons. The F-35 is based on the changes in air-to-air combat over the last few decades. The classic aerial dogfight has been on the way out and most journalists haven't really noticed. For the first half century of air-to-air combat, chasing enemy fighters, maneuvering to get a good shot with machine-guns or cannon was the most effective form of combat. This was the classic style of air warfare. But starting in the 1960s, missiles entered the picture. At first, most of the missiles were used much like the earlier weapons; get on the enemy's tail and put a missile up his butt. The first, and most successful, of these "tail chasing" missiles was the U.S. Sidewinder. After half a century of upgrades, the Sidewinder is still one of the most widely used and successful dogfight missiles. The modern Sidewinder is far more capable and is now capable of being very effective without the classic dogfight tactics. The missile of the future, the AIM-9 Sparrow appeared at the same time as the AIM-7 Sidewinder. The Sparrow was a longer-range missile that was radar controlled. The pilot picked up a target on his radar and fired the Sparrow in the general direction of the target, guiding it most of the way. When within a few thousand meters of the target, a sensor in the Sparrow took over, closing in for the kill. One shortcoming of this was the need for the attacking aircraft to keep the enemy aircraft on his radar screen until the Sparrow finally connected with the target. The Sparrow worked, but not as well nor as often as expected, at least initially. The first aircraft brought down by the Sparrow was over Vietnam in 1965. For the next two decades, long range missiles were unable to overcome its one major problem; pilots didn't trust their ability to identify an enemy aircraft at BVR distances. Fear of hitting a friendly aircraft caused pilots to prefer going in close, confirming the identity of the target and using autocannon or Sidewinders to attack. Pilot fears were finally addressed in the 1980s with the introduction of the AWACS aircraft. The large, four engine AWACS carried a radar that could keep an eye on all aircraft for several hundred kilometers around. While not perfect, it added enough clarity to the situation to make pilots confident that their BVR attacks were not going to bring down friendly aircraft. At this point Sparrow was much improved and there was a new generation of BVR missiles appearing. During the 1991 Gulf War the change was clearly underway. There were 39 U.S. air-to-air kills. The Sidewinder got 25 of them, the Sparrow 11. The traditional air-to-air weapon, machine-gun or autocannon, got none. The A-10 ground attack aircraft nailed two helicopters with its 30mm anti-tank cannon, and one Iraqi aircraft was maneuvered into the ground, not an unusual method over the history of air warfare. While only 12.6 percent of the Sidewinders fired scored a hit, 28 percent of the Sparrows did. After the Gulf War, the Sparrow was replaced by the AMRAAM, a missile that was essentially "fire and forget" as in during the final few kilometers the attacking aircraft did not have to keep a radar lock on the target. A new generation of pilots were flying who fully expected to do most of the air combat at BVR. This was becoming the U.S. Air Force doctrine. Despite that, the dogfight wasn't dead yet. Most modern fighters, including the new F-22 and F-35, still carry autocannon and Sidewinders. This is not the result of excessive caution, but knowledge of how hairy air combat can get. The Wild Blue Yonder is a big place and no radar is perfect. Enemy aircraft can sneak in from behind mountains, hills, forests or radar jamming. The chance of finding yourself within visual (and Sidewinder) range of enemy aircraft is still a very likely possibility. Moreover, short range missiles like the Sidewinder have acquired new abilities. Until the 1980s, you had to be in a narrow arc behind an enemy aircraft before the heat sensing seeker on the Sidewinder spotted the hot exhaust of the target aircraft. But that arc has gotten wider and wider as better heat sensors were developed. Now you can be flying past an enemy aircraft and your missile will pick up not just the jet exhaust, but the warmed-up surfaces on the aircraft. Launch your missile and it will do a 180 and take off after the target. New fire control equipment includes a helmet mounted sight that will let the missile know what you are looking at. Hit the fire button and your Sidewinder-on-Steroids goes wherever you were looking and chases after the target. Naturally, it's not as simple as that. As missiles became smarter and more capable, devices were developed to give the target a better chance of survival. For the short-range heat seekers, flares have been a popular, and often effective, antidote. If you are being chased by a Sidewinder, pop a few flares and the missile will go after the hotter heat source (the flare.) Some missiles now have microcomputers in them and a library of various heat sources. This will cause the missile to ignore most flares and continue after the aircraft. This, in turn, has produced more types of flares. Bottom line is that there is no perfect weapon, there are always countermeasures. Even without flares, pilots can sometimes outmaneuver a heat seeker. Electronic countermeasures are effective against BVR missiles, as is violent maneuvering. As with the heat seekers, there's a constant tug of war between the seeker technology and countermeasures. Victory will still go to the better trained, not the better armed pilots. Even BVR missiles require a pilot who knows how to best use his radar and get into a position to fire the most effective shot. This is even more the case with close range heat seekers. But well trained and well-equipped pilots have a tremendous edge. While not all air forces agree with the USAF on the dominance of BVR missiles, it takes skilled and lucky pilots to get close enough to American aircraft to dogfight. And the better trained American pilots still have an edge in that department. They simply spend more time in the air practicing, and this is an edge that can only be matched by equally diligent training. Dogfighting isn't quite dead yet and it probably never will be. But more and more, victory goes to the side that can reach out BVR and touch the enemy first with an AMRAAM. The F-35 was optimized for BVR combat because that has been the future of air-to-air warfare for some time now. The Russians and Chinese disagree and the less stealthy Su-57 is now described as a superior dogfighting aircraft with some stealth. Russia has offered a $16,000 bounty to anyone who can obtain and deliver an intact ThEMIS UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle) being used in Ukraine. ThEMIS is manufactured by an Estonian company and was introduced in 2015. It is a tracked 1.6-ton UGV with a remarkably effective sensor system that enables it to find its way through any terrain. It is a compact UGV measuring 2.4 meters (7.8 feet) long, two meters (6.6 feet) wide and 1.15 meters (3.75 feet) high. ThEMIS uses a diesel generator to supply electricity for its motors and sensors, and has a 1.2-ton payload, which can consist of cargo, more sensors or even weapons. At least ten NATO members have evaluated ThEMIS and most then purchased the UGV. Someone donated at least one of these UGVs to Ukraine where Russia considers it fair game. After all, Ukrainian forces have captured many advanced Russian systems intact and shared that booty with NATO. Thats one reason NATO nations are so generous in providing Ukrainian forces with weapons and equipment. For decades Russia has obtained advanced Western military tech from foreign combat zones where American aircraft and missiles crashed but were still largely intact. All this tech helped Russia develop similar weapons. In Ukraine Russia has been providing Ukrainian forces with enormous amounts of battlefield booty. The September Ukrainian offensive resulted in the capture of billions of dollars worth of intact Russian tanks and other armored vehicles as some major electronic systems. All this tech helped Russia develop similar weapons. Russia has not obtained any UGVs from battlefields and senses an opportunity in Ukraine. Russia has obtained some Western military tech in Ukraine but ThEMIS is seen as a rare opportunity that justifies announcing a bounty. The bounty is not offered by the Russian government but by a Russian think-tank that does most of its work for the Russian government. The Russian government has earned itself a reputation as a deadbeat in Ukraine, where many Russian troops are cheated out of their pay and bonuses by the government. Russia has had a difficult time developing effective UGV systems. For example, in 2021 Russia ordered four prototypes of a new armored UGV design; the Shturm (storm), which is based on the T-72B3 tank. This was part of a plan to organize heavy UGV companies which would contain up to ten vehicles, most of them UGVs, plus one or more similar vehicles manned by a crew of UGV operators and technicians to repair and maintain the unmanned vehicles. These UGVs would be armed and equipped for urban warfare. Weapons include short barrel 125mm and 152mm low velocity cannon as well as thermobaric (fuel air explosives) rockets and 30mm autocannon. All can be equipped with a dozer blade to remove debris blocking roads, or building rubble in general, to allow troops and manned combat vehicles to advance through a path cleared of obstacles as well as explosives in the form of mines, roadside bombs, explosive traps and explosive debris. The Shturm project was put on hold by the unexpectedly severe economic sanctions imposed on Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Storm UGVs were meant to replace manned engineer vehicles and small UGVs now used to deal with explosive obstacles. Even with the engineer vehicles and small UGVs, there are casualties among the engineers and nearby UGV operators. Storm UGVs were an intermediate design that would be replaced with UGVs based on the new Armata chassis that is better protected but a lot more expensive. The T-72B3 is currently the most widely used, popular and affordable Russian tank. The T-90 is similar but more expensive and popular with export customers. More T-90s were exported than the Russian army could afford to buy itself. T-90s are also an improved T-72 with a new name to attract more export customers. T-80s are an earlier effort to design a T-72 replacement but were not better enough to replace what already worked. The Storm UGV is building on what was learned with earlier tank-like UGVs. Russia has not fixed all those problems but at least knows what needs work. The earlier vehicle was the 12-ton Uran-9 UGV. Two were sent to Syria in 2016 for combat testing. Uran-9 looks like a small tank and is equipped with remotely controlled 30mm and 7.62mm machine-guns as well as various guided missiles and unguided thermobaric rockets. The Uran-9s sent to Syria for combat experience did not get much of that because the remote-control system functioned poorly under battlefield conditions. The main problem was that the wireless remote-control system, while encrypted, had insufficient bandwidth (amount of data sent and received in real time) to handle what was required to remotely operate the sensors, the vehicle itself and its weapons. As designed and tested in rather less demanding conditions, the wireless data link was supposed to operate at up to 2,800 meters. The controllers were in an armored 6x6 truck, safely out of the way as is the heavy truck that transports the Uran-9 to the battlefield. In Syria, the command truck found it had to remain within 400 meters of the Uran 9 to maintain the datalink to any useful degree of bandwidth. Even then the bandwidth was often insufficient because of obstacles or other electronic devices operating nearby. This meant the operators could not get all the real-time data the sensors were capable of providing. The thermal and vidcam sensors were capable of spotting people or vehicles out to 6,000 meters in daylight and half of that at night. But because of the bandwidth problems, the sensors were only effective out to about 2,000 meters in daylight and half that at night. And that was only when the data link was working at all. One problem should have been caught in testing; the sensors were not stabilized. That meant when the vehicle was moving the sensors and weapons were useless. Worse, when moving the data link was often lost because of equipment problems or new signal interference. The inability of the remote operator to see while the vehicle was moving often meant the Uran 9 hit obstacles a human operator would avoid. While tracked vehicles can travel over many obstacles, some of those obstacles (tree stumps, large chunks of rubble) put a lot of stress on the track laying system tanks rely on for greater mobility than tires. Tanks often have the driver and commander checking out the terrain ahead as the vehicle advances. A well-trained tank crew will quickly spot obstacles and know when to remind the driver to slow down or evade dangerous obstacles. By comparison, the Uran 9 driver not only had less detailed and unreliable vision of the way ahead, but would have blurred vision while moving and have to deal with the unpredictable loss of control or vision. While the Uran 9 was armored against bullets and shell fragments, it was much more vulnerable to crippling damage because it was often driving half (or completely) blind across the cluttered battlefield. The Uran 9 spent a lot of time getting its running gear (tracks, suspension and wheels) repaired because of avoidable collisions. The two machine-guns in the Uran 9 turret were rarely fired because the vehicle had to stop, confirm that it had a good datalink and then scan the terrain ahead for any targets. When the 30mm autocannon fired the vibrations rendered the remotely controlled sensors useless until the firing stopped. That brought out another unpredictable flaw; response delays. The remote operator would transmit a command and it would often not be received and acted on in real time. There were often delays of several seconds or up to a minute. Sometimes the command would seemingly be ignored by the Uran 9. This made use of the other weapons on the Uran 9 impossible. There were four ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles) mounted outside the turret that could hit targets 6,000 meters away. These Ataks missiles were laser guided and required some operator control. This could not be reliably supplied by remote control to the Uran 9. There were also a dozen unguided rockets and if you could get one of these to fire you didnt have to worry about guiding them. By the time details of Uran 9s battlefield performance got back to army headquarters in Russia, 22 of them had already been purchased and delivered. The manufacturer agreed to fix the flaws, or at least try to. At this point the Russians could understand why the Americans had tried using remotely controlled combat vehicles in a combat zone but never followed through. The Americans also encountered data link reliability and bandwidth problems. Even operators of UAVs, which fly over the battlefield, encounter unreliable communications. Satellite datalinks are more reliable but they are not possible for smaller UAVs which rely on flight control software that automatically switches to circle or return home when there are communications problems. Russian UGV developers have a lot to learn about all this and now better appreciate why small UGVs used for EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) often rely on a data cable rather than wireless control. The Estonians have apparently solved all these problems with the ThEMIS. Since 2016 Russian firms have developed several armed UGVs but only one of them entered service; the five-ton Uran-6, which was more successful than Uran 9 because it was based on the vast combat experience of numerous similar devices. Uran 6 saw action in Syria as an unarmed UGV for combat engineers dealing with landmines, roadside bombs and, most importantly, ensuring that a route was clear of explosives. To accomplish that Uran-6 was equipped with several accessories like a plow, flail (for setting off landmines) or robotic arms. The large size of the Uran-6 enabled it to survive nearby exploding mines or bombs and keep operating. The Uran-6 is powered by a 240 HP gasoline engine. Uran 6 could be remotely controlled from up to 1,500 meters away, but 800 meters was the most reliable distance. Use in Syria was apparently a validation effort because engineers were seen double checking for mines with more conventional mine detectors after the Uran-6 had declared the route clear. In late 2020 Uran 6 was used in Armenia for EOD work and was reported to be efficient and reliable. The year before the army had received twelve more of the latest Uran-6 models. There have been no export customers yet. Uran-6 has to compete in a mature market for EOD UGVs, a market the United States and Israel have dominated for two decades. Uran-6 is the largest EOD UGV and Russia hoped it would find a market niche in the EOD market after it proved successful in Syria. Armed UGVs are a more difficult sell but Russia is eager to avoid casualties among its own troops in Syria and armed UGVs are seen as a potential solution. Armed UGVs are nothing new and one armed with explosives was used by the Germans during World War II. This was the gasoline-powered Goliath that was not successful. Currently, armed UGVs are most often produced by Israel and South Korea for patrolling long borders that are threatened by armed intruders. American manufacturers offer some armed UGVs but find it more profitable to let the Israelis, South Koreans, Russians and Chinese have that market. UGVs have become more common since the late 1990s, and are usually unarmed, and useful mainly for recon and surveillance in very dangerous situations. Even though armed UGVs have been developed and remain under remote control by a human operator, many nations resist adopting them, just as they resist armed UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). Yet there has never been similar opposition to sea-based unmanned armed weapons or even those that are not even under remote control. An example of this is the naval torpedo, which first appeared in the late 19th century. A century later it became possible to add remote control to high-end torpedo models and these are regularly carried by many submarines. But for nations under constant threat of attack, the attitudes are different. Since 2001 Israel has developed several generations of armed UGVs. One of the more recent of these is Dogo, a smaller (12 kg/26 pounds), more aware (constant 360 degree camera coverage) and more lethal remotely controlled robot. Dogo showed up in 2016 and was designed with lots of input from soldiers and police who have been using UGVs for over a decade. Dogo is armed with a 9mm pistol loaded with 14 rounds and aimed by cameras dedicated to aiming the pistol accurately at ranges of up to 50 meters. Commandos and SWAT teams carry one or more battery operated Dogos with them on missions that can benefit from a very mobile (it can climb steps) UGV that has night vision, is quiet and can hear as well as broadcast whatever the operator has to say (like hostage negotiation or demanding surrender). Many of these features have been found in earlier UGVs but never one as small or as capable. Since 2006 the Israeli military has been moving its UGVs from guard duty to the battlefield. During that time Israeli infantry and several new generations of UGVs have been working together to see exactly what works and what doesnt. The basic idea here is to have UGVs with good enough sensors to successfully move across a battlefield in front of troops and look out for mines, roadside bombs, ambushes or any signs of the enemy at all. This gives the troops following close behind a better idea of what nasty surprises the enemy has for them and an opportunity to avoid lots of casualties and hit harder than the enemy expected. Dogo can do this as well as have its 9mm weapon replaced with pepper spray, a blinding flash or other non-lethal devices to deal with human threats. Both Israel and the United States have already discovered that armed UGVs are not very successful on their own. But Israel believes that new designs, operating in close cooperation (as an advanced guard while moving into hostile territory) with infantry and manned armored vehicles might work well enough to justify regular use. The new UGVs are similar to the armed four-wheeled vehicles Israel has been successfully using for guard duty along the Gaza and Lebanon borders. The eventual success of these UGVs encouraged trying to use them in combat. Previous use of armed UGVs in active combat zones showed that these systems were vulnerable to attack and interference, which are the main reasons for not using them. Unless the cameras and other sensors (sound, heat and seismic) can pick up hostiles far enough away, the remotely controlled weapon can be destroyed, along with many of the sensors, blinding the operators. By 2009 both the U.S. and Israel had developed smaller armed robots. The American systems are called Swords (Special Weapons Observation Reconnaissance Detection System). This was a 57 kg (125 pound) remotely controlled vehicle that looked like a miniature tank. These were armed with 5.56mm machine-guns and 350 rounds of ammo. Also known as Talon IIIB, the army spent over a year testing them in the United States before sending some to Iraq in 2008. There they found there were many ways to mess with Swords. Many tricks didn't even damage the equipment; like having a child or woman come out and throw a towel or sheet over it. Israel has a similar system called Viper that carries a 9mm machine pistol (an Uzi) and can carry explosives, along with the usual video camera and microphones. Both Swords and Viper do have their uses, like entering very dangerous situations such as caves or buildings believed occupied by fanatical gunmen. The droids can also be used for guard duty in dangerous locations, where the enemy might get a shot off, or toss a grenade. But no matter what you have the battle robots do, the mechanical grunts lack the same degree of situational awareness of a human soldier. This requires much better sensors that have been available so far. The sensors used on droids (mainly visual and acoustic) are getting better, as is the software that can quickly evaluate what the sensors see and hear. But humans can also smell, and feel (on their skin), as well as using superior vision and hearing. Until the sensors get better, the combat robots will always be at a disadvantage. But if used with those disadvantages kept in mind, the robots do have their uses. Dogo is the latest effort to expand that usefulness and more are on the way. Russia, on the other hand, prefers their traditional brute force approach. Thus you have Uran-6 and Uran-9. When used via remote control by nearby operators these can be effective. But only a lot of combat experience will let you know just how effective. So far, not much. Russia has found another export customer for its new Su-35 fighter. This Su-35 customer was unexpected because it is Iran, a country that has been unable to buy new jet fighters for decades because of economic sanctions. Any nation violating these sanctions risked having those sanctions imposed on them. When Russia was hit with heavy sanctions for invading Ukraine in 2022, Iran saw an opportunity and offered Russia weapons and other useful items if Russia paid for those items by providing Iran with the most modern Russian fighter; the Su-35. In early September Iran announced that the Su-35 barter deal was agreed to and that Iran would receive at least 65 Su-35s. When Su-35s will be delivered to Iran. The Russians only have about a hundred Su-35s in their air force and production has been halted by the sanctions. Too many key Su-35 components come from Western suppliers. Russia is unlikely to ship most of its own Su-35s to Iran, especially now that it knows that the Iranian UAVs supplied were not as effective as expected. Russia is also still building Su-35s for Egypt. Apparently less than a third of the 26 Su-35s Egypt ordered in 2018 have been delivered by 2022. Then there is the problem that Egypt and Iran are enemies. Egypt belongs to an anti-Iran coalition that includes Israel and Saudi Arabia. This is a problem in other ways. Israel and Iran are at war with each other in Syria and Iran is losing. Israeli F-35I fighters have encountered Russian Su-35s in Syria and have a good idea of what the Su-35 can and cannot do. One thing the Su-35 cannot do is defeat the F-35I. The F-35I can detect the Su-35 first and shoot it down with missiles. This is not a major concern for Iran, which wants the Su-35 so that it can more effectively threaten its Arab neighbors. There is yet another complication. Egypt is buying Su-35s only because Saudi Arabia is providing the cash. China ordered 24 of them in 2015 and received all of them by 2018. Indonesia bought eleven in 2017 and began receiving them in 2019. The sale of Su-35s to China was special. Because of frequent illegal copying of Russian technology this was expected to be the last Russian warplane exported to China. Currently Russia has 103 Su-35s in service and 30 on order. Russia received its first Su-35s in 2013 and four were sent to Syria in early 2016 for some combat experience. These were apparently successful, especially when delivering Russian built smart bombs. Russia then increased its own orders from 50 to over a hundred. On paper the Su-35 is impressive. It is a 34-ton fighter that is more maneuverable than the original, 33 ton, Su-27 it was based on, and has much better electronics. It can cruise at above the speed of sound. It also costs nearly twice as much as the Su-27. That would be some $80 million for a barebones model, about what a top-of-the-line F-16 costs. Export models go for about $100 million. The Su-27 was originally developed to match the F-15, which is larger than the single engine F-16. The larger size of the Su-27/30/35 allows designers to do a lot more with it in terms of modifications and enhancements. The Su-35 has some stealth capabilities (or at least be less detectable to most fighter aircraft radars). Russia claims the Su-35 has a useful life of 6,000 flight hours with engines good for 4,000 hours. That is longer than earlier Su-27/30 aircraft. Russia promises world-class avionics, plus a very pilot-friendly cockpit. The use of many thrusters along with fly-by-wire means the Su-35 is even more maneuverable than Su-30s, which were Su-27s tweaked to be extremely agile. The Su-35 was in development for two decades before it was declared ready for production in 2005. Even then there were problems with the new engines that gave it its superior performance. Russia says the engine problems are solved, but only time will tell if that is true. The Su-35 is not meant to be a direct rival for the F-22 because the Russian aircraft is not nearly as stealthy. The Su-35 carries a 30mm autocannon (with 150 rounds) and up to eight tons of munitions, hanging from 12 hard points. This reduces stealthiness, which the F-22 and F-35 get around by using an internal bay for bombs and missiles. But if the maneuverability and advanced electronics of the Su-35 live up to the promises, the aircraft would be more than a match for every fighter out there except the F-22 and possibly the F-35. Since each Su-35 sold for $100 million (or less) there were supposed to be a lot of buyers. There werent and Russia is eager to change that if only to improve the reputation of the Su-35. The Egyptian sale is more about diplomacy than air power. This purchase, financed by Saudi Arabia, increases diplomatic relations between Russia and the Middle Eastern Arab states. The two most important ones are Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Egyptian air force has nearly 400 combat aircraft in service (and a lot of older Russian stuff in storage). Most of the current combat aircraft are Western, including 210 F-16s, 40 Alpha Jets, 90 Mirages and 17 Rafales. There are 15 MiG-29s in service and another 32 on the way. When all the MiG-29s and Su-35s are delivered (by 2022) Egypt will have 66 modern Russian fighters, which will come to about 17 percent of the fighter force. Because of the Iran deal, the number of Russian aircraft in the Egyptian Air Force will be a lot less. Tutorial: Building a Remote AWS EC2 Server for Use With vMix Are you curious as to what the AWS EC2 server is all about and what it can do for you? Let's say that your current computer setup is subpar or perhaps you need a second unit for remote production using vMix. The EC2 is a viable answer. Page 1 Are you curious as to what the AWS EC2 server is all about and what it can do for you? Lets say that your current computer setup is subpar or perhaps you need a second unit for remote production using vMix. The EC2 (Elastic CloudCompute) is a viable answer. In a nutshell, an AWS EC2 Server is a computer that you build virtually through Amazon Web Services. You can make it as powerful as you need or run the very basic version for super-lightweight tasks. More on this here. Sometimes it's best to roll up our proverbial sleeves and jump right in. That is exactly what I did in 2021 for the North Texas Irish Festival, as described in Anthony Burokas June 2021 Streaming Media case study. I was brought in as a remote producer and was also tasked with building multiple instances of cloud computers running vMix. I had never done this before and still managed to pull it o?. Here is how. Step 1: Sign Up for and Log Into AWS First things first: You will need an Amazon Web Services account. Once you have signed up, sign in as a Root user (unrestricted access). This will bring you to the EC2 Dashboard. This is where youll build the first instance of your EC2 server. Step 2: Adjust Network and Security Settings Before you set up your first instance, youll need to adjust a couple of settings. This will help streamline the process. 1. On the left column of the EC2 Dashboard, click on Network and Security. 2. Then head down to Security Groups, as shown in Figure 1 (below). On the top-right of the page click the orange button Create Security Group. Figure 1. The Security Groups section of the EC2 Dashboard 3. For the purpose of getting your instance going and avoiding network issues, open this security group for all access. I strongly recommend that you change this once you are up and running. 4. After clicking Create Security Group, apply the following settings: Name: whatever you desire Description: All access Inbound rules: All Tra?c 0.0.0.0/0 Outbound rules: All Tra?c 0.0.0.0/0 5. Staying under that same area (Network & Security), scroll down to Key Pairs. This is where you will enter your instance for the first (and subsequent) times unless you change the password and user information. 6. Choose Key Pairs from the Network and Security tab drop-down, and then click the big orange button at the top right that says Create Key Pair. For Key Pair settings, apply the following: Name: whatever you like Key Pair type: RSA (Windows) Privet Key file format: PEM (open SSH) or PPK (Putty) (I use PEM files.) 7. You will then be prompted to download the file you have just created. Keep it in a safe place and remember where you put it! Step 3: Build Your Instance Now its time to build your instance. 1. Go to the top of the column on the left and click on EC2 Dashboard. This brings you to the same page you landed on when you initially logged into EC2. 2. Right in the middle of the page is a big orange button that says Launch Instance (Figure 2, below). Click it. Figure 2. Launching your Instance That will take you to the Launch an Instance page. There are a few options here. 3. First is Name Your Instance. This can be anything you desire! Make it a good one. 4. Next is Pick your AMI (Amazon Machine Image). What is an AMI? Basically, it is an image already built by a trusted third party. Within the image you will find the server, the drivers, and almost all of the things needed to get your cloud computer up and running. For this Instance, we are going to search for NVIDIA RTX WORKSTATION. This was previously listed as NVIDIA GRID. The Windows version which is called NVIDIA RTX Virtual Workstation - WinServer 2019. If you look at the details of this Image in Figure 3 (below), it will show you how much it will cost you to run it. This does vary based on location. It usually comes in at about $.71/hr using the lightest graphics package that is available for this AMI (g4dn.xlarge). Figure 3. Workstation usage pricing Note that you are charged by AWS only if the instance is running. You can still have it in a stopped state and you will only be charged for the amount of storage you have attached to it. Always remember to stop your instance at the end of a session! Next up is Instance Type. The AMI Vendor recommends the g4dn.xlarge (4vCPU/j16Gib) to start (vCPU=Virtual CPU). This being said, this is not based on using vMix. I was burned with this big time during the North Texas Irish Festival! We had many pre-recorded videos paired with 4-8 vMix simultaneous calls going. My instance crashed and I went to my backup plan, which was my home computer. That type of vMix load would be better suited with a 4xlarge version: 16vCU and 64GiB memory. It is possible to change during a show, but it takes time and is not guaranteed. Not that initially, you may not be able to start an instant type larger than a g4dn.xlarge until you notify support that you would like a service limit increase. See AWS support for further instructions. More settings youll need to address here (Figure 4, below): Figure 4. More instance settings to address before launch K ey Pair : Easy-peasy--we have already set this up! Just pick the Key Pair you have already configured. Easy-peasy--we have already set this up! Just pick the Key Pair you have already configured. N etwork Settings : Same scenario as above! Choose Select existing security group and then pick the setting you have previously set up. Same scenario as above! Choose Select existing security group and then pick the setting you have previously set up. Configure Storage: Your instance will come with 30gb storage of general-purpose storage (GP2). This is enough to get started but you will likely need more if you record to the hard drive. That can be done at a later time. Your instance will come with 30gb storage of general-purpose storage (GP2). This is enough to get started but you will likely need more if you record to the hard drive. That can be done at a later time. Advanced Settings: We will not venture into these at this time! Youre almost there nowtime to hit the Launch button! Step 4: Preparing an EC2 Instance for vMix Now a few more steps will get you into the instance so you can prepare your EC2 Instance for use with vMix. Go back to your EC2 Dashboard and click on Instances. Your instance should now be running. If not, right-click on Instance and then click Start Instance. Right-click once running and choose Connect. Choose RDP Client (Remote Desktop Protocol, Figure 5, below). Download the RDP desktop file. If youre working on a Mac, add the instance and then double-click on it. Then copy the Public DNS and paste it into the Computer name when prompted from RDP. If youre on Windows, just download the RDP file and double-click it. Next, click Get Password. (Note: Sometimes you have to wait 5-10 minutes after a new Instance is set up before you are allowed decrypt the password.) Find the Key Pair file that you saved earlier. Copy and Paste Key Pair and click Decrypt. Copy password into RDP. Click CONNECT. Figure 5. Choosing an RDP client A pop-up window opens ith your new Instance running. There are a few more things we should do before we download and install vMix. Step 5: Installing .NET Framework 3.5 To proceed from here, youll need to install .NET Framework 3.5.Here is how: Search for Server Manager in windows search. Open Server Manager. On the dashboard under Configure this Server, click on Add Roles and Features. In the left column, scroll down to Features. Click the first feature in the list, .NET Framework 3.5. Click Next. Click Install and let that run in the background until it's finished. Step 6: Enable Audio Now we need to enable the audio. Right-click on the speaker icon at the bottom right of the screen. Click on Sounds. A pop-up window opens. Just let that go and close the sounds box. You should now have audio available Step 7: Set Up a Second User The next thing youll need to do is set up a second user with a Name and Password you will remember. That way you will not have to go through the Key Pair process every time. Do a Windows search for user. Add user. Follow prompts. Additional Resources Here is a list of downloads that I keep updated in a file folder on my computer desktop that is hosting the remote session or dropbox for a new install. One of the first things I do when I create a new instance is to transfer the entire folder to the desktop of the instance. Chrome or Brave browser (Windows Explorer has too many pop-ups) (Windows Explorer has too many pop-ups) Parsec (free): https://parsec.app/ (I use Parsec for running my instances after the initial set up with RDP) https://parsec.app/ (I use Parsec for running my instances after the initial set up with RDP) VLC: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ Companion (free): https://bitfocus.io/companion/ https://bitfocus.io/companion/ Discord (free): https://discord.com/ (great for back channel chat) https://discord.com/ (great for back channel chat) Virtual Cable AB (free for the vfirst two): https://vb-audio.com/Cable/VirtualCables.htm https://vb-audio.com/Cable/VirtualCables.htm Zoom: https://zoom.us/ https://zoom.us/ NDI (free): https://ndi.tv/tools/ And there you have it! Many steps, but they do move much faster after you get though it the first time. Enjoy your new Cloud-based computer and up to 100Gbps of networking throughput! Page 1 EDMONTON, AB / ACCESSWIRE / September 22, 2022 / Australis Capital Inc. (CSE:AUSA)(OTCQB: AUSAF) ("AUSA", "AUDACIOUS", or the "Company"), today provides an update on the Company's operations. New York AUDACIOUS is currently developing two projects in New York state ("NYS"). The First project is located in Broome County and is being developed in collaboration with its partner Hempire. The second project, partnered with First Americans on the Saint Regis Mohawk Territory, is also underway. Both projects have been licensed by the respective regulatory authorities for the cultivation and manufacturing of cannabis products for the adult use market. the Broome County project will be able to sell statewide to licensed dispensaries, products from the First American project will be sold on the Mohawk Indigenous Reserve. New York state is currently in the process of awarding adult use retail licenses to applicants who qualify through the social equity program. With final regulations for the NYS adult use market still to be announced and implemented, both the AUDACIOUS projects in NYS provide the Company with a significant early mover advantage. With a population of around 20 million people, industry insiders project the state's adult use market to reach $4.2 billion by 2024. Through its early mover advantage, the Company is well positioned to establish its brand and capture decent market share in the state. The Company is pleased to provide the following update on its Broome County project The Company has commenced cultivating cannabis on its wholly owned Broome County property with its partners Hempire. To ensure swift availability of product and control production costs, AUDACIOUS planted outdoor cultivation for the initial crops. AUDACIOUS anticipates harvesting in October. The Company will freeze the harvested product, process into derivatives, which will then be made available for the manufacturing of vapes and edibles. Vapes and edibles will mark Audacious' first products introduced into the NYS adult usage retail market. Terry Booth, CEO commented "initially entering the derivative market in NYS is a smart plan and I applaud the team in executing this strategy. Storage of derivatives is obviously safer considering the time lag between first harvest and the time to first sales anticipated we are faced with. It will also allow for high quality products, eliminating the potential variables that come with outdoor grown cannabis flower. Audacious First NYS Audit The Hempire project received its first New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) Audit of our Broome cultivation property. The Audacious team had excellent results. With only one minor observation, addressed already, AUDACIOUS passed the audit with flying colors. The authorities commented on the Hempire project being among the very best of those audited to date in terms of operations, SOPs and compliance. This positions the Company well to continue developing its project and serve the NYS adult use market. Roger Sykes, COO commented, "We are very happy with the outcome of the audit, which is another validation of the high quality we deliver in terms of operations, products and compliance. The positive outcome means that we now have a clear runway towards getting our products on the NYS market. It also bodes well in developing a trusted relationship with the OCM. Social Equity Dispensaries - Educational Initiative with the Black Institute Group New York state will award 150 conditional adult use retail dispensary licenses that will be granted to justice involved applicants who meet certain social equity and business experience criteria. To help potential applicants secure a license, the Company has engaged in an educational initiative with its partner Bertha Lewis and the Black Institute. This will include three educational sessions, organized by the Black Institute Group and sponsored by AUDACIOUS. The first of these sessions took place on September 13th. AUDACIOUS is also supporting the efforts of potential dispensary applicants by offering to help write and/or provide strategic input on applications for the first dispensaries for no cost. Leah Bailey, Chief Business Development Officer for AUDACIOUS, stated, "the objective of the program is to provide an educational overview of the cannabis industry, ancillary opportunities and NY regulations for people interested in opportunities in the industry. Our Regulatory Affairs specialist is providing support at the regulatory webinars, while AUDACIOUS will also be addressing the abundance of other opportunities that exist to support the industry. The event also provides us with considerable networking opportunities to strengthen our ties with other current and future participants in the NY cannabis market." Bertha Lewis, founder of the Black Institute Group, added, "We are pleased with the inclusionary principals behind the current licensing opportunities for social equity applicants. However, this only creates the opportunity for people to be able to actually capitalize on the opportunity, a lot more support and education is needed, and that is why we are organizing these seminars. Education is at the heart of helping this new group of entrepreneurs be successful, and we are grateful to have found AUDACIOUS whose culture is closely aligned with helping further inclusion in the industry. What's more, AUDACIOUS not only provides financial support for our endeavors, they walk the walk and talk the talk by providing very valuable, actionable insights to our participating entrepreneurs, as well as by providing access to highly experienced operators who share their experiences. We are very pleased with how the program is going and we look forward to hosting a rapidly growing group of aspiring NY cannabis entrepreneurs to our seminars." New Jersey The Company recently announced it had met all requirements to apply for the conversion of its provisional into a final license. The Company is pleased to announce that it is progressing well with the administrative work required and anticipates submitting the final forms shortly. Massachusetts The Company continues to work with its partner Belle Fleur on the construction of a cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facility in Massachusetts. While the original plans included a full indoor grow facility, Belle Fleur has opted to initially focus on concentrate-based products, which allows for the cannabis to be grown in lower cost greenhouse facilities. To this end, an application was made to the municipality where the facility is located to amend the original permit. The amendment was accepted by the municipality and the project is now cleared to progress. Groundwork for the facility is materially complete. Rolandy Romelus, Belle Fleur CEO, commented, "With this amendment approved, we are now well positioned to progress with our project and bring high quality concentrates to the Massachusetts market. We look forward to continuing our partnership with AUDACIOUS, complete construction of our facility and serve our market with the high-quality products the Rapper Weed brand is synonymous with." Housekeeping Over the past months, the Company has made considerable strides towards reducing cash burn. Since March of 2021 SG&A at the company was reduced by close to 50%. At the same time we have managed to expand the Audacious footprint in the US Cannabis space significantly. About AUDACIOUS AUDACIOUS is a next-generation MSO growing the cannabis industry of tomorrow from the ground up, led by industry pioneer Terry Booth and an accomplished management team with proven industry track records. With operations that range from providing industry-leading sustainable cultivation design and optimization to retail storefronts, growing flower in-house, and manufacturing award-winning brands, AUDACIOUS has products and solutions for everyone. Quickly expanding through innovative partnerships and collaborations, AUDACIOUS is forging the inclusive cannabis community of tomorrow, today. Learn more about AUDACIOUS here. AUDACIOUS common shares trade on the CSE under the symbol "AUSA" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "AUSAF." Terry Booth, CEO [email protected] For further investor information, please contact: Marc Lakmaaker T: +1.647.289.6640 [email protected] [email protected] Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute "forward-looking information" withinthe meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company's continued ability to satisfy the information guidelines set out in NP 12-203, the duration of the MCTO and the completion and anticipated timing of the Company making the Annual Filings and Interim Filings. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including, without limitation, information based on the current state of the Annual Filings and Interim Filings; the Company's belief that its external auditor will complete its audit and release its audit opinion in a timely manner that will allow the Company to file the Annual Filings; that the unaudited financial statements prepared by management of the Company will not differ materially from audited financial statements once available; and the ability of the Company's management to execute its business strategy, objectives and plans. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based 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. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties arising from any delay in filing the Annual Filings and Interim Filings; the Company's ability to satisfy the requirements of NP 12-203; the revocation of the MCTO and replacement with a cease trade order; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change after such date. 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, except as required under applicable securities regulations. 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 release. SOURCE: Australis Capital Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: FILE PHOTO: The logo and trading informations for Kohl's is displayed on a screen on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., January 13, 2020. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid By Svea Herbst-Bayliss (Reuters) -Ancora Holdings, one of the hedge funds that spearheaded a board shake-up last year at Kohl's Corp, is now pushing for the removal of the U.S. retailer's chief executive and board chairman, according to a letter sent to the company on Thursday. The move marks the beginning of a new round of shareholder unrest for Kohl's after the company explored a sale and decided in July to remain independent, leading to a plunge in its shares and disappointing investors who had pushed for a deal. Ancora, which holds a 2.5% stake in Kohl's, asked for the replacement of CEO Michelle Gass and board chairman Peter Boneparth with business leaders who have operating expertise and experience in turning companies around. The letter, which was signed by Ancora CEO Frederick DiSanto and President James Chadwick, did not say who the successors should be. "Kohl's needs new leadership with demonstrated experience in cost containment, margin expansion, product catalog optimization and, most importantly, turnarounds," the letter said. A Kohl's representative did not respond to a request for comment. The Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based company, which operates more than 1,100 stores in the United States, has seen its stock tumble 48% in the last 52 weeks and reported a 63% drop in net income and 8% lower store sales in its most recent quarter that ended July 30. Kohl's rejected multiple offers to sell itself this year, telling bidders it believed its shares were worth more than $70 per share, Reuters previously reported. The stock ended trading on Wednesday at $27.90, giving it a market value of $3.3 billion. Ancora and two other investors reached a settlement with Kohl's in 2021 that led to three new directors joining the board. One of the directors was Thomas Kingsbury, who became the CEO of Burlington Stores in 2008 and led the retailer to a public offering in 2014. Ancora has since become frustrated with the company's unsuccessful attempt to sell itself. Ancora called Gass a "talented leader" in its letter, praising the partnership she developed with Sephora and for "holding the organization together during the pandemic". But the hedge fund blamed her for an "unsettling level of c-suite turnover" and picking "suboptimal personnel." Ancora also wrote that the nearly $60 million in total compensation that Gass was paid between 2017 and 2021 was too rich given the company's poor returns. Boneparth, who has been a Kohl's director since 2008 and became chairman this year, has helped create an environment in which Gass "is no longer well-positioned to lead," Ancora wrote. Private equity firm Oak Street Real Estate Capital LLC has made an offer to acquire as much as $2 billion of property from Kohl's and have it lease back its stores, Reuters reported earlier this month. Kohl's said in July after the deal negotiations fell through that it was looking at ways to cash out on its real estate. Kohl's shares were down about 1% on Thursday. (Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss in Boston and additional reporting by Uday Sampath in Bengaluru; Editing by Kim Coghill and Anil D'Silva) BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Tower Corporation (NYSE: AMT) today announced that its board of directors has declared its quarterly cash distribution of $1.47 per share on shares of the Companys common stock. The distribution is payable on October 26, 2022 to the stockholders of record at the close of business on October 11, 2022. About American Tower American Tower, one of the largest global REITs, is a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate with a portfolio of approximately 222,000 communications sites and a highly interconnected footprint of U.S. data center facilities. For more information about American Tower, please visit www.americantower.com. Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Companys goals, beliefs, expectations, strategies, objectives, plans, future operating results and underlying assumptions and other statements that are not necessarily based on historical facts. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the Companys forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those factors set forth in Item 1A of its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 under the caption Risk Factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005320/en/ Adam Smith Senior Vice President, Investor Relations Telephone: (617) 375-7500 Source: American Tower Corporation Schneider continues tribute for military veterans GREEN BAY, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Schneider (NYSE: SNDR), a premier multimodal provider of transportation, intermodal and logistics services, is pleased to announce company driver Jeff Waggoner, 24-year U.S. Army veteran, as the newest Ride of Pride driver. Ride of Pride is Schneiders specially decorated fleet of trucks, a time-honored tradition for veterans in the trucking industry. Over the years, Schneider has received 14 Ride of Pride trucks the most awarded to any carrier from Freightliner since the program began in 2001. I am honored beyond belief to be one of Schneiders Ride of Pride drivers and not only represent the company, but also represent veterans and those in active duty. It shows we appreciate the sacrifice people have made and continue to make, shares Waggoner. Schneider has been independently ranked as a top military-friendly employer in the trucking industry and almost 14% of current associates come from a military background. During his two-part Army tenure, Waggoner served tours in Iraq, Bosnia and Serbia, also spending time in the U.S. Virgin Islands after Hurricane Hugo to assist with natural disaster relief and humanitarian aid. After retiring from the Army, Waggoner earned his CDL and joined Schneider five years ago. Schneider stuck out to me because they offered an apprenticeship program sponsored by the VA, said Waggoner. They also credited my driving experience in the Army, and I was able to start with ten years of driving experience which increased my starting pay. Waggoner will participate in major events across the United States like Wreaths Across America. For more information on career opportunities with Schneider and the companys commitment to those who have served in the military, please visit https://schneiderjobs.com/company-drivers/military. About Schneider Schneider is a premier multimodal provider of transportation, intermodal and logistics services. Offering one of the broadest portfolios in the industry, Schneiders solutions include Regional and Long-Haul Truckload, Expedited, Dedicated, Bulk, Intermodal, Brokerage, Warehousing, Supply Chain Management, Port Logistics and Logistics Consulting. With nearly $5.6 billion in annual revenue, Schneider has been safely delivering superior customer experiences and investing in innovation for over 85 years. The companys digital marketplace, Schneider FreightPower, is revolutionizing the industry giving shippers access to an expanded, highly flexible capacity network and provides carriers with unmatched access to quality drop-and-hook freight Always Delivering, Always Ahead. For more information about Schneider, visit Schneider.com or follow the company socially on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter: @WeAreSchneider. Source: Schneider SNDR View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005793/en/ Kara Leiterman, Media Relations Manager M 920-370-7188 [email protected] schneider.com/news Source: Schneider SNDR - Public-Private Effort to Shift Traditional Model of Hepatitis Management to Primary Care and Help to Expand Care to More People in Need - FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. today announced a new public-private initiative with the Partnership for Health Advancement in Vietnam (HAIVN), a collaboration between Brigham and Womens Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. This multi-year initiative will have a phased approach to help address barriers that limit viral hepatitis diagnosis and care at primary healthcare facilities in Vietnam and the Philippines, two countries with high burdens of hepatitis B and C. Gilead and HAIVN will work together with a multi-stakeholder coalition, involving national ministries of health, academic stakeholders including the University of Philippines-Manila (UP Manila), provincial hospitals and primary healthcare centers to support this pilot program. The focus of the program will be on person-centered approaches in training non-specialist community-based healthcare providers in prevention and management of viral hepatitis, incorporating education, screening, diagnosis and linkage to care for hepatitis B and C into routine patient visits for at-risk populations. Gilead and HAIVN will also aim to strengthen primary healthcare systems including the referrals and counter-referral systems to enhance coordination between specialist and primary care. The two organizations will make the outcomes and learnings from the initiative public to contribute towards better understanding of adequate public health approaches to improve person-centered, community-based management of viral hepatitis. This collaboration will provide evidence to support a shift from the current dependence on scarce and overstretched specialists to a broader group of primary care clinicians while simultaneously strengthening primary health care systems and expanding countries capacity to diagnose, manage and treat viral hepatitis, said David Duong, MD, MPH, Director of the Harvard Medical School Program in Global Primary Care and Social Change and an internal medicine physician at Brigham and Womens Hospital. Through this innovative initiative with Gilead, we will apply new patient-centered, community-based models to hepatitis care and treatment, building on the foundation that HAIVN has built. The initiative will support national priorities for Vietnam and the Philippines: both governments are committed to strengthening primary healthcare and controlling hepatitis. The World Health Organization has set a global target to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health problem by 2030, calling for 90% of people with hepatitis B and C to be diagnosed, 80% of those eligible for treatment to be treated and a 65% reduction in mortality, in addition to developing preventative actions.1 However, despite the important gains in biomedical technology and management of viral hepatitis, implementation of best practices and access to diagnostics and treatment in both countries are still significantly limited and inconsistent. At the current pace, Vietnam and the Philippines are not expected to reach WHO targets before 2050. This approach has significant potential for application in many other disease areas and low- and middle-income countries where specialist providers are scarce, said Dr. Harald Nusser, Vice President, Head of Global Patient Solutions, Gilead Sciences. More than proof of concept for eliminating viral hepatitis and strengthening healthcare systems, this initiative demonstrates the potential for the meaningful impact that public, private and academic collaborations can make on improving global health equity and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 regarding good health and well-being. Hepatitis B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people globally and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths. An estimated 354 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C, and for most, testing and treatment remain beyond reach.2 In Vietnam, out of a population of 97 million, nearly 7.8 million people have hepatitis B and over 900,000 have hepatitis C. Based on 2020 estimates from the CDA Foundations Polaris database, only 30% of Vietnamese people with hepatitis B have been diagnosed and only 3% treated. For hepatitis C, only 14% of cases have been diagnosed and 7% have been treated.3 In the Philippines, over 10 million people are infected with hepatitis B and nearly 450,000 with hepatitis C, with the care cascade standing at 5% diagnosed and less than 1% treated for hepatitis B and 23% diagnosed and 1% treated for hepatitis C. 3 About Sustainable Development Goals The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) were adopted by the United Nations (UN) Member States in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They are call to actions by all countries to unite in a global partnership to ensure peace and prosperity for people and planet. SDG 3 Good Health and Wellbeing is one of the SDGs that Gilead supports to improve global health and sustainable development. SDG 3 consists of several targets, including fighting communicable diseases, achieving universal health coverage, increasing health financing and support for health workforce in developing countries. For more information on the SDGs that Gilead support, please visit www.gilead.com. About Gilead Sciences Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California. Gilead and the Gilead logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. For more information about Gilead, please visit the companys website at www.gilead.com , follow Gilead on Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000. 1 WHO Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis 2016-201: Towards Ending Viral Hepatitis https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/246177/WHO-HIV-2016.06-eng.pdf 2 https://www.who.int/health-topics/hepatitis#tab=tab_1 3 CDAF https://cdafound.org/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220921005778/en/ Jacquie Ross, Investors (408) 656-8793 Bahar Turkoglu, Media +44 7768 555517 Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc. Jaime Herrera Joins Hestan Team to Lead Customer Service ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hestan is proud to welcome Jaime Herrera as National Service Manager. With more than 26 years of experience, Herrera offers expertise in service management, sales-driven support, technical troubleshooting, product training and customer satisfaction. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005735/en/ Hestan is proud to announce Jaime Herrera has joined Hestan as the National Service Manager. (Photo: Business Wire) Prior to joining Hestan, Herrera most recently served Samsung and Dacor - its luxury appliance subsidiary - as Regional Technical Manager, where he worked directly with dealers and maintained customer satisfaction. With a hands-on approach, he managed customer service and technical support to effectively provide solutions for his customers. Herrera also provided training classes for service network providers and installation teams, as well as regularly collaborated with sales staff, marketing teams and dealers. Im excited to bring my passion and expertise in customer service and luxury home appliances to the Hestan team, said Herrera. Hestan is committed to setting a standard for quality service, and Im looking forward to leading that charge. Before his time at Samsung and Dacor, he founded and led Savior Appliance Repair, Inc. in Mission Viejo, Calif., where he specialized in high-end kitchen appliances for more 15 years. He collaborated with equipment managers to improve products and handle customer needs, as well as mentored and trained technicians to the highest standards of work with luxury appliances. At Hestan, we aim to provide a customer service experience that is as helpful and valuable as possible, said Eric Deng, president and co-founder of Hestan Commercial Corporation. With the addition of Jaime to our team, we can proudly offer customer service thats as premium as our products. We look forward to expanding our service offerings and providing the best experience we can for our customers. For more information about Hestan, please visit Home.Hestan.com. ABOUT HESTAN: Hestan is the award-winning culinary brand renowned for creating the market's most advanced, powerful and versatile commercial kitchen equipment, premium outdoor grills and purpose-built indoor appliances. Founded by culinary icons Stanley Cheng and Eric Deng, and backed by some of the industry's most inventive and forward-thinking chefs and engineers, Hestan is forging new ground with visionary technologies and products. Headquartered in the heart of Southern California in an over 190,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that includes a showroom, test kitchen and innovation lab, Hestan is led by a collaborative team of industry mavericks who bring together over 200 years of combined experience to create thoughtfully designed products that respond intelligently to the needs of the end user. Equipping the kitchens of acclaimed restaurateurs and Michelin-starred chefs such as Thomas Keller, as well as the legendary Culinary Institute of America, Hestan is setting the pace of the culinary evolution with products that provide the confidence and comfort of the highest-quality materials and top craftsmanship. For more information, visit Home.Hestan.com and Hestan.com for the full family of Hestan brands. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005735/en/ Caroline Downer [email protected] | 504-350-7818 Source: Hestan NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Global investors and business leaders discussed emerging investment opportunities in new economic sectors in the Middle East during a session organized by Investopia, the global investment platform, on 13 September during SALT New York 2022. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005771/en/ Photo during Investopia Talks at SALT New York 2022 (Photo: AETOSWire) Titled Investing in the Middle East: Investment Strategies and Sectors of the Future, the session discussed how the Middle East emerges as a stable region full of opportunities driven by its young and dynamic population, a strong focus on innovation and new economic sectors, and ambitious government projects and initiatives. It also discussed how global investors are going about investing in the Middle East, the key sectors to watch in the coming few years, as well as the role Investopia plays in creating global investment opportunities focused on new economies. Mr. Mohamed Naser Al Zaabi, CEO of Investopia, said: Investopia hosted a global talk in New York, after the talks it hosted in Mumbai, New Delhi, Rabat, and Geneva. Investopia aims to drive global investments in new economic sectors, hence its session during SALT is very important as it engages with a diverse spectrum of global investors and policy makers looking for opportunities in new economies. The Middle East is bursting with opportunities for investors in a range of industries, from tech to finance to renewable energy. IFC has been investing in the region for decades and weve seen firsthand the value that exists there. Even more importantly, weve witnessed how foreign investment can help supercharge economic growth and combat poverty across the Middle East and beyond, said Sufyan Al Issa, the head of IFCs office in the United Arab Emirates. Noor Sweid, Managing Partner of Global Ventures, said: I am thrilled to be participating at SALT this year, alongside Investopia, and sharing thoughts on the Middle East's burgeoning start-up ecosystem. Driven by a large, young and aspirational population, and supported by innovation-driven initiatives and regulation, MENA is emerging as a hub for cutting-edge technology for the region, and the world. *Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005771/en/ Wajd Breek [email protected] Source: Investopia MALVERN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Saint-Gobain has now obtained approvals from all relevant competition authorities for its acquisition of GCP Applied Technologies Inc., a major global player in construction chemicals, announced on December 6, 2021. The acquisition will close on September 27, 2022. GCP will delist from the New York Stock Exchange. With approximately $1.0bn revenues generated in 2021 by 1,800 employees working on 50 production sites in 38 countries, GCP Applied Technologies provides a global platform with established success in cement additives, concrete admixtures, infrastructure and commercial and residential building materials. This acquisition is a major milestone in establishing Saint-Gobains leading position worldwide in construction chemicals and furthers the Groups strategy as worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction. The specialty building materials business in North America (c. $250 million of sales) will be integrated into the CertainTeed business serving local customers in its Region. All other businesses, consisting of mainly concrete admixtures and cement additives (c. $750 million of sales) will be combined with the Chryso business and be part of the High Performance Solutions segment. The acquisition of GCP Applied Technologies follows several other growth investments in North America announced by Saint-Gobain in recent months: In August, Saint-Gobain completed its $928 Million acquisition of Kaycan, Ltd., a family-owned manufacturer and distributor of exterior building materials, becoming the top siding player in Canada. In May, Saint-Gobain announced a $100 Million expansion of its CertainTeed roofing facility in Peachtree City, Georgia, more than doubling the sites production capacity while also reducing its carbon dioxide emissions. Also in May, the company announced a $28 Million investment in its ADFORS technical textile products facility in Dublin, Georgia, creating 400 jobs over the next two years. In April, Saint-Gobain announced it was doubling the manufacturing footprint of its CertainTeed Architectural manufacturing site in Lakewood, Ohio by moving to a new, state-of-the-art location in nearby Strongsville, Ohio. Also in April, Saint-Gobain announced a $118 Million expansion of its CertainTeed roofing plant in Oxford, North Carolina, adding an additional 225,000 square feet of manufacturing space to what was already one of the largest roofing shingle manufacturing sites in North America. In February, the company invested $32 Million in its CertainTeed insulation manufacturing site in Chowchilla, California, increasing the locations production capacity by 13% while also reducing its carbon footprint. About CertainTeed Through the responsible development of innovative and sustainable building products, CertainTeed, headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, has helped shape the building products industry for more than 115 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, the firms slogan Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed, inspired the name CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed is a leading North American brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, solar, fence, railing, trim, insulation, drywall and ceilings. www.certainteed.com. About Saint-Gobain Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Groups commitment is guided by its purpose, MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME. 44.2 billion in sales in 2021 167,000 employees, located in 76 countries Committed to achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050 For more details on Saint-Gobain, visit http://www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on Twitter @saintgobain. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005603/en/ Media David Rosen Saint-Gobain Corporate Communications [email protected] Source: Saint-Gobain TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Square launches its first integration with Afterpay in Canada, providing Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) functionality to sellers using Squares e-commerce products across the country. The integration will enable Square sellers in Canada to offer Afterpays BNPL experience to their customers, helping them attract new shoppers and drive incremental revenue. Weve been using Square Online since we launched, and its been fantastic. Weve also seen that BNPL options typically lead to sales increasing 20 to 30 per cent, so when we learned that we could now offer Afterpay, we were eager to implement it, said Susan Pond, owner of Fab Finds Online, an e-commerce patio furniture and home goods marketplace headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario. Sometimes people are looking at high-ticket items, which they can afford, but would simply prefer to pay in manageable instalments to avoid any expensive fees and credit card interest. Afterpay allows people to break their payments down, and does so without the onus being on us. This is a huge benefit to our business. The buy now, pay later model has already taken off in Canada, fuelled by the accelerated shift to e-commerce during the pandemic. BNPL payments are projected to grow 63.5 per cent and reach $5.9 billion in Canada in 2022, according to data analytics company Research and Markets. Canadian gen Z and millennials aged 18-44 use BNPL the most of any other consumer segments, according to a recent pilot study by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. Since integration has taken place across the U.S and Australia, a combined Square and Afterpay has already proven to attract new shoppers and drive incremental revenue for sellers of all sizes. Sellers using Square Online are seeing the following impact on their businesses: Transaction sizes are up: Across both the U.S. and Australia, the average transaction size with Afterpay is 3x greater than non-BNPL purchases. Across both the U.S. and Australia, the average transaction size with Afterpay is 3x greater than non-BNPL purchases. Rapid growth in buyers: Globally, we observed a 180 per cent increase in new consumers leveraging Afterpay through Square sellers between February and March 2022. Globally, we observed a 180 per cent increase in new consumers leveraging Afterpay through Square sellers between February and March 2022. Meaningful growth among key merchant categories: In the U.S., retail businesses that offered Afterpay as a payments option on their website are seeing a meaningful lift in overall online sales, with mens and womens clothing stores growing 17 per cent; specialized apparel and accessories, 15 per cent; pet stores, 13 per cent; sporting goods stores, 12 per cent; and jewellery and watch shops, 10 per cent. In both countries, beauty and personal care businesses saw significant upticks in online sales, registering a 26 per cent increase in Australia and a 16 per cent increase in the U.S. From our earliest days, Square has focused on building flexible omnichannel commerce solutions to empower entrepreneurs and the launch of Afterpay in Canada one of our largest international markets is one more step in that direction, said Alyssa Henry, Head of Square. The integration with Afterpay helps us further our priority of global expansion while bringing even more businesses of all sizes into the Square ecosystem. In a short amount of time together, Square and Afterpay have already proven to attract new shoppers and drive significant incremental revenue for businesses, said Nick Molnar, Afterpay co-founder and Afterpay lead at Square. From large, well-established enterprises, to smaller companies just getting started and everyone else in between, we look forward to giving Canadian sellers the tools to attract young, engaged shoppers who prefer to use Afterpay to shop flexibly for their everyday essentials. Afterpay is available today to eligible sellers in Canada using Square Online store and Square Online Checkout links for e-commerce, who can try Afterpay for no extra cost until December 31. Sellers can access Afterpay from Account & Settings on their Square Dashboard and opt in to receive early access to Afterpay now, with automatic enablement rolling out to eligible Square e-commerce sellers over the following weeks. Afterpay can be easily toggled on or off via sellers Account & Settings on their Square Dashboard at any time. During the promotional period, Afterpay transactions are processed at sellers standard e-commerce processing rates. Square sellers receive their full earnings from each sale immediately (minus associated transaction fees and applicable taxes), while consumers pay over four instalments. For more information, merchants can contact Square sales or visit square.ca/buy-now-pay-later. About Square Square helps sellers more easily run and grow their businesses with its integrated ecosystem of commerce solutions. Square offers purpose-built software to run complex restaurant, retail and professional services operations, versatile e-commerce tools, embedded financial services, buy now, pay later functionality through Afterpay, staff management and payroll capabilities, and much more all of which work together to save sellers time and effort. Millions of sellers across the globe trust Square to power their business and help them thrive in the economy. Square is part of Block, Inc. (NYSE: SQ), a global technology company with a focus on financial services. For more information, visit www.square.ca. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005009/en/ Media: [email protected] Source: Block, Inc. TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In July 2022, iDA Singapore (iDASG), the Singapore branch of World Mode Holdings (WMH), a Japanese group that provides diverse solutions to the fashion and beauty industries, began to hire retail professionals and develop their skills through a unique training program to counter the human resource challenges facing ASEAN companies and job applicants in the retail industry. The Retail Ambassador Program was launched to connect professional retail staff with various companies in a flexible way that meets job requirements, such as length of employment, skill set and experience as a full-time employee. The target of our initial recruitment drive is 1000 workers, though we intend to expand the program as we diligently listen to feedback from companies and job applicants. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220824005802/en/ iDA'SG Retail Ambassador Program image (Graphic: Business Wire) Providing companies with efficient recruitment and job applicants with employment stability. The rise of e-commerce in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic and the return of foreign workers to their home countries have further exacerbated the shortage of talent in the retail industry. To mitigate the long established high turnover rate in the retail industry, companies have traditionally relied on short-term employees, which has resulted in a lack of training for sales professionals. For staff, this has meant being exposed to an unstable employment environment while also receiving good benefits. iDASG has launched the Retail Ambassador Program to address the issues that arise from these practices. Through this initiative, iDASG hires staff looking for work in the retail industry and develops their skills through a unique training program. By simply issuing a request to iDASG, companies can secure the most suitable human resources for their working environment, without needing to conduct their own recruitment processes. In addition, with agreement from both parties, staff can transfer to the company in question, thereby reducing unsuitable matches between staff and companies. In Japan, iDA has served more than 1,200 clients, including luxury brands, and 280,000 registered candidates over 20 years. Many customers and job applicants are already taking advantage of this program. Training professional retail staff through iDASGs unique skills development program iDASG believes in continuous learning and skills development and has developed a number of educational courses on topics such as beauty, personal development and visual merchandising to ensure our responsiveness to the ever-changing retail industry. These training programs develop the skills of professional retail staff, enabling them to be Retail Ambassadors who can be assets to their workplaces from day one and contribute to an improvement in customer service. For more information, please visit: http://rap.ida-sg.com/ About World Mode Holdings Group https://wmh.co.jp/english/ Established in 2012, World Mode Holdings Group is a one-stop consultancy for retailers in the fashion and luxury brand industry. It has a proven track record of enhancing businesses and footfall through tailored solutions for its impressive list of clients. It is also the established leader in job placements for retailers and retail staff in Japan. About iDA Singapore https://ida-sg.com/ iDA Singapore (iDASG) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of World Mode Holdings Group, and serves the Singapore market with the expertise from its parent company. It is World Mode Holding Groups first overseas office. iDASGs wide range of consultancy services include Learning Consulting, Retail Training, Train the Trainer Programs, Staff Recruitment, Career Guidance, Mystery Shopping Research, and Technology for Retail. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220824005802/en/ iDA Singapore General Inquiries: Kate Boh [email protected] Media Inquiries: Angeline Yap [email protected] Source: World Mode Holdings Co., Ltd. NUREMBERG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- VIA optronics AG (NYSE: VIAO) (VIA or the Company), a leading supplier of interactive display systems and solutions, today announced that it will report preliminary financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, on Thursday, September 29, 2022, before the market opens. In conjunction with this report, the Company will host a conference call at 2:30 p.m. Central European Time / 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on September 29, 2022, to review its performance and share the business outlook. The dial-in numbers for the call are 1-646-664-1960 (USA), 032-22109-8334 (Germany), 020-3936-2999 (United Kingdom), or +44 20-3936-2999 (Other). The access code for the call is 342730. Please ask to be connected to the VIA Optronics AG call when prompted by the operator. The live webcast of the call, along with the Companys earnings press release, can be accessed through the VIA Investor Relations website at https://investors.via-optronics.com. Following the conference call, an archived version of the webcast will also be available on the Investor Relations section of the Companys website shortly after the live call ends. About VIA VIA is a leading provider of interactive display solutions for multiple end markets in which superior functionality or durability is a critical differentiating factor. Its customizable technology is well-suited for high-end markets with unique specifications and demanding environments that pose technical and optical challenges for displays, such as bright ambient light, vibration and shock, extreme temperatures, and condensation. VIAs interactive display systems combine system design, interactive displays, software functionality, cameras, and other hardware components. VIAs intellectual property portfolio, process know-how, optical bonding, metal mesh touch sensor and camera module technologies provide enhanced display solutions built to meet the specific needs of its customers. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005890/en/ Investor Relations for VIA optronics: Lisa Fortuna Sam Cohen Alpha IR Group [email protected] Phone: +1 312-445-2870 Media: Alexandra Muller-Plotz [email protected] Phone: +49-911-597 575-302 Source: VIA optronics AG Continuing its recognition as a leading vertical solution, Weave named Leader in Optometry Software category 5th quarter in a row LEHI, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- G2, the world's largest and most trusted software marketplace, has released its Fall 2022 Reports on Optometry Software, Dental Practice Management, Patient Relationship Management (PRM) and Patient Engagement software. Weave (NYSE: WEAV), the all-in-one customer communication platform for small business, was named a Leader in all five categories. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005756/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) Weaves combined success within the market presence and satisfaction sections across the Optometry Software category further demonstrates the trust Weaves optometry customers have in them to help deliver the highest quality support for their patients. The G2 community ranked Weave as a Leader in several categories in their 2022 Fall reports, including: Patient Engagement Patient Relationship Management HIPAA Compliant Messaging Dental Practice Management Optometry Software Weaves extensive record as a product leader in both our verticals and our broad competitive space is only made more powerful by the fact real customer reviews power this ranking, says Brett White, Interim CEO of Weave. Customer experience is a top priority at Weave and our continual recognition as a Leader in these core categories is further proof we are delivering solutions and experiences our customers love. The above rankings propelled Weave to the #1 position in the overall G2 Fall 2022 Grid Report for Dental Practice Management Software as well. As more and more small healthcare businesses turn to technology to assist them with their day-to-day activities, platforms like Weave are becoming an integral part of an organizations success. To learn more about Weaves unified customer communications and engagement platform, visit getweave.com/demo. About Weave Weave is the all-in-one customer communications and engagement platform for small business. From the first phone call to the final invoice and every touchpoint in between, Weave connects the entire customer journey. Weaves software solutions transform how local businesses attract, communicate with and engage customers to grow their business. The first Utah company to join Y Combinator, Weave has set the bar for Utah startup achievement & work culture. In the past year, Weave has been included in the Forbes Cloud 100, Inc. 5000 fastest-growing companies in America, and Glassdoor Best Places to Work. To learn more, visit www.getweave.com/newsroom/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005756/en/ Kali Geldis Director of Communications, Weave [email protected] Source: Weave Winners with the best watch faces and apps will receive Zepps Amazfit smartwatches and cash awards CUPERTINO, Calif. & BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Zepp Health Corporation (Zepp Health) (NYSE: ZEPP), a global smart wearable and health technology leader, today announced that it is sponsoring Cal Hacks, the worlds largest collegiate hackathon whose mission is to empower others with technology to create solutions to better the world. Now in its 9th edition, Cal Hacks is back in-person for the first time in two years and will be held at the UC Berkeley campus from October 14-16, 2022. Zepp Health will give away cash prizes and its Zepp OS-enabled flagship Amazfit smartwatches to winners in the Watch Faces and Apps categories. The winning criteria will be based on the most innovative watch faces and apps using Zepp OS APIs. The company joins a growing list of past sponsors, including Microsoft, Google Cloud, Cisco, and Visa. Additionally, Zepp Health has assembled a talented pool of judges who have freely offered their time to be part of this program as a way to give back to students. Zepp Healths external judges include Jay Ryan Freeman, a renowned software engineer known for creating the Cydia software application and related software for jailbroken IOS a modified version of Apples iOS. Cal Hacks attracts talented and engaged students from around the world looking to build and create solutions to challenging problems. Its mission is closely aligned with Zepp Health, a company passionate about building the developer community, technology innovation, and inclusivity using its Zepp OS SDK tools and resources to help developers build Zepp Apps faster and easier across every Zepp OS Device. Cal Hacks is accepting applications through September 30, 2022, and is free for all accepted hackers. Currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students from any degree-granting institution are invited to participate. Applicants must be 18 years and older. There is no specific experience required to apply, go to: https://calhacks.io/. About Zepp Health Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP) is a global smart wearable and health technology leader, empowering users to live their healthiest lives by optimizing their health, fitness, and wellness journeys through its leading consumer brands, Amazfit, Zepp Clarity, and Zepp Aura. Powered by its proprietary Zepp Digital Management Platform, which includes the Zepp OS, AI chips, biometric sensors, and data algorithms, Zepp delivers cloud-based 24/7 actionable insights and guidance to help users attain their wellness goals. The company has also applied its AI expertise to emerging industrial medical imaging technologies and delivers big data and analytics capabilities to support medical and diagnostics care service providers. To date, Zepp has shipped over 200 million units, and its products are available in 90+ countries. Founded in 2013 as Huami Corp., the company became Zepp Health Corporation in February 2021. Zepp has 1,300+ team members and offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC regions. For more information, visit www.zepphealth.com. About Cal Hacks Cal Hacks is the first major collegiate hackathon to take place in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its a nonprofit organization composed of students passionate about fostering a culture of hacking, entrepreneurship, and social good via the empowerment of technology. Its mission is to empower others with technology to create solutions to better the world. For more information visit, calhacks.io. #hack #tech #sanfrancisco #berkeley #bayarea #hackathon #university #college #stem View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005889/en/ Media Contact Mary Placido SKC, Inc. on behalf of Zepp Health [email protected] Source: Zepp Health Corporation The Astora natural gas depot, which is the largest natural gas storage in Western Europe, is pictured in Rehden, Germany, March 16, 2022. Astora is part of the Gazprom Germania Group. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer By Huw Jones LONDON (Reuters) -A temporary brake on gas and electricity derivatives when prices spike could improve how energy markets operate, the European Union's securities watchdog proposed on Thursday, along with more fundamental changes over time. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) said the number of trading halts in energy derivatives has been very low in recent weeks despite rules on circuit breakers already in place and prices racing higher following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February. "It would, therefore, appear useful to consider implementing, on a temporary basis and for energy derivative markets only, a new type of trading halt mechanism," ESMA said in a statement. The parameters of such a mechanism should be set at the EU level to apply to all platforms that trade energy derivatives, it said - step that would override exchanges. "We would envisage these mechanisms to trigger halts for a limited period of time only and in exceptional circumstances, for instance, in case of extreme volatility spikes that may lead to disorderly trading conditions," ESMA said. Such a mechanism would need to be implemented as part of emergency measures tackling the current energy crisis, it added. ESMA was responding to a call for "concrete plans" from the EU's executive arm, the European Commission, to address issues raised in energy markets by high prices that are forcing governments to offer help to energy companies. Energy firms sell their output using derivatives markets, requiring them to post "margin" in the form of cash, in practice, to cover positions at clearing houses in case they turn sour. ESMA said on Thursday it could formally clarify that commercial paper and EU government bonds already qualify as collateral. But it rejected an industry suggestion that EU carbon emission allowances could also be used, given their "high volatility and limited legal protections". It also had concerns about making uncollateralised commercial bank guarantees eligible for use as collateral, and said strict conditions would need to apply. ESMA said such conditions include a time limit on their use, such as for the winter period when stresses in energy markets are expected to continue. "ESMA believes that prudential requirements should continue to underpin any such exposures and limit banks concentration risk, which would then have impact on the practical use of such type of collateral," the watchdog said, referring to banks' putting aside capital to cover risks from guarantees turning sour. Clearing houses should also set limit to ensure that a bank guarantee only represented a "small share" of total initial margin requirements. Such safeguards will be welcomed by banking regulators in the bloc, worried about a loosening of capital rules. A top European banking supervisor said lenders should not be encouraged to give guarantees that are not commercially priced and backed by appropriate capital. EU states hold a summit next week to decide on emergency measures to help energy companies. MORE TRANSPARENCY ESMA signalled a need for regulators to have a much broader grip on commodity markets to not just include exchanges, but also over-the-counter or off-exchange trading, and transactions in the physical market. It was "crucial" that national supervisors in EU states have increased visibility over OTC trades that cover the same market as those traded on exchanges, ESMA said. Furthermore, physically settled gas and electricity products should at least have to comply with minimum transaction and daily position reporting requirements to increase transparency, it said. Regulatory waivers to large non-financial firms that can trade in commodity derivatives should be scrapped so they require an investment firm licence, ESMA said. "This would ensure that such significant entities active in commodity derivatives markets conducting essentially the same business as investment firms would be subject to the stringent requirements established in financial regulation," ESMA said. (Additional reporting by Francesco Canepa in Frankfurt;Editing by Leslie Adler and Lisa Shumaker) Mobility solutions company, Beep Inc. today announced their induction into the ITS World Congress Hall of Fame. The award was received at the annual ITS World Congress event in Los Angeles on Wednesday and recognizes Beeps continued expansion of its autonomous mobility network in Lake Nona, a 17-square mile master-planned community and advanced district within the City of Orlando, Florida. "Congratulations to Beep for its innovative approach to providing electric, autonomous mobility that embodies ITS Americas vision of a safer, greener, smarter future for all, said Laura Chace, President and CEO for ITS America. Beep is honored to be inducted into the ITS World Congress Hall of Fame, said Joe Moye, Chief Executive Officer for Beep. We are proud to be recognized by this prestigious institution along with our partners and the developer of Lake Nona, Tavistock Group, whose vision for a modern, connected live-work-play community has been instrumental to our collective success. Were gratified to be considered an industry leader as we continue to work to extend our vision of mobility for all, with safe and sustainable autonomous transit solutions that reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion. The recognition from ITS World Congress comes as the company celebrates its three-year anniversary in Lake Nona. In those three years, Beep has leveraged its integrated service delivery and technology stack and close partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to transport more than 46,000 passengers in Lake Nona alone. Lake Nonas living lab environment is known for accelerating innovation and theres no better example than the success of our autonomous shuttle network operated by our partners at Beep, said Rasesh Thakkar, Senior Managing Director for Tavistock Group. This recognition highlights the importance of pioneering new ideas to find tangible solutions that benefit people in their everyday lives. Were proud to be home to the countrys longest-tenured autonomous shuttle deployment and look forward to new achievements that lie ahead as the innovation journey is never over. The innovative work by Beep in Lake Nona embodies the Citys vision to be Americas premier future-ready city and serves as a blueprint for other communities to follow, said Mayor Buddy Dyer, City of Orlando. Meeting the needs of our residents today and in the future requires collaboration at the highest level from all partners to ensure we can address community challenges and remain one of the best places to live. By Michael Elkins | [email protected] Paradigm Oral Health (Paradigm), a leading oral surgery and digital dentistry platform, today announced that BlackRock Long Term Private Capital (LTPC) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in the company from shareholders including InTandem Capital Partners. LTPC will partner with Paradigms executive leadership team, led by founder and CEO Dr. David Rallis, to support the companys continued expansion and strategic growth plans. Founded in 2018, Paradigm has developed an industry-leading model designed to attract and retain best-in-class surgeons focused on delivering the highest quality of oral health care and dental implant surgery while fostering a medically-driven, patient-friendly culture of excellence. The company partners with leading oral surgery groups in markets across the United States, allowing them to maintain their unique brand identity while operating on the same platform. Paradigms proprietary practice management technology, Paragon, utilizes cutting-edge technology and data analytics to provide and store proprietary information and intelligence generated by the business, leading to enhanced performance as well as increased patient and provider satisfaction. Today, Paradigm and its team of over 100 surgeon partners provide patient care in 75 state-of-the-art facilities throughout the United States. Colm Lanigan, Head of BlackRock LTPC, Americas, commented, We are pleased to invest in Paradigm, which has established itself as an industry defining platform for the development and delivery of next-generation oral health solutions. Through its focus on providing superior clinical care, advanced technology, and continued training and education to its surgeon partners, the company is well positioned for long-term growth. We look forward to partnering with Dr. David Rallis and the entire Paradigm team. David Rallis, DDS, MD, and CEO of Paradigm Oral Health, commented, Paradigm is advancing oral surgical outcomes and patient experience through a culture that places the needs of the patient first. At Paradigm, we validate our clinical performance through a proprietary data ecosystem and use data to reinforce our culture of excellence and accountability. Through innovation, and the rapid adoption of technology, we continue to set the standard for dental implant surgery. Aligning our company with world-class partners, first InTandem Capital and now BlackRock LTPC, has allowed Paradigm to emerge as a leader. We are humbled by the opportunity to partner with BlackRock LTPC, and excited to work with Colm Lanigan and his team as we continue to advance Paradigm as the global leader in oral surgery. Elliot Cooperstone, Managing Partner of InTandem Capital Partners, Paradigms financial sponsor since 2019, commented, InTandem Capital invests in healthcare companies that are local leaders with the ambition and potential to become a national powerhouse. Dr. David Rallis and the leadership team at Paradigm embraced our playbook for accelerated growth with amazing skill and dedication. Our deep trust in each other has allowed our partnership to flourish. My colleagues and I wish David and the Paradigm team the very best as they build on their well-deserved position as the countrys leading oral health company. Paradigm is BlackRock LTPCs sixth investment to date and its fourth investment in North America. Houlihan Lokey acted as financial advisor and Goodwin Procter acted as legal advisor to Paradigm. Simpson Thacher acted as legal advisor to Blackrock LTPC. About Paradigm Oral Health Paradigm Oral Health is the preeminent provider of oral surgery. Paradigms uniqueness comes from their ability to hire the most elite oral surgeons in the country and train them on their proprietary platform of excellence. Paradigm Oral Health continues to revolutionize and reinvent implant surgery through their ongoing technology and digital work-flow advancements. With a passion for excellence, Paradigm embraces every opportunity to meet the needs of their patients and referring dentists. To learn more about Paradigm Oral Health, visit www.ParadigmOralHealth.com. About BlackRock LTPC BlackRock LTPC is an innovative private equity strategy focused on investing in high-quality businesses and value creation through active collaboration with management teams. The strategy's flexible duration and prudent approach to leverage preserve optionality for growth and help enable compounded capital appreciation. LTPC's team of 23 professionals are based in New York and London and invest across North America and Western Europe. LTPC is backed by BlackRock, Inc., which manages $320 billion in alternative investments and commitments on behalf of clients worldwide as of June 30, 2022. For additional information on BlackRock LTPC, please visit https://www.blackrock.com/institutions/en-us/strategies/alternatives/long-term-private-capital. About InTandem Capital Partners InTandem Capital Partners is a private equity firm that invests in and helps accelerate the growth of select healthcare services companies. Its goal is to build excellent businesses of significant value working collaboratively with its management team partners. InTandem is comprised of former business executives and experienced investors, and is uniquely qualified to provide strategic, acquisition and operating expertise to help companies significantly increase their value over time. InTandem provides active support to the management of its portfolio companies directly and leverages its network of industry executives to augment its capabilities. For further information, please visit: www.intandemcapital.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005159/en/ Paradigm Oral Health Kirsten Smith +1 (308) 379-3319 [email protected] BlackRock Christopher Beattie +1 (646) 231-8518 [email protected] InTandem Capital Partners FGS Global +1 (212) 687-8080 [email protected] Source: BlackRock The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) and its former CEO, Dennis A. Muilenburg, with making materially misleading public statements following crashes of Boeing airplanes in 2018 and 2019. The crashes involved Boeings 737 MAX airplane and a flight control function called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). According to the SECs orders, after the first crash, Boeing and Muilenburg knew that MCAS posed an ongoing airplane safety issue, but nevertheless assured the public that the 737 MAX airplane was as safe as any that has ever flown the skies. Later, following the second crash, Boeing and Muilenburg assured the public that there were no slips or gaps in the certification process with respect to MCAS, despite being aware of contrary information. "There are no words to describe the tragic loss of life brought about by these two airplane crashes," said SEC Chair Gary Gensler. "In times of crisis and tragedy, it is especially important that public companies and executives provide full, fair, and truthful disclosures to the markets. The Boeing Company and its former CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, failed in this most basic obligation. They misled investors by providing assurances about the safety of the 737 MAX, despite knowing about serious safety concerns. The SEC remains committed to rooting out misconduct when public companies and their executives fail to fulfill their fundamental obligations to the investing public." According to the SECs order, one month after Lion Air Flight 610, a 737 MAX airplane, crashed in Indonesia in October 2018, Boeing issued a press release, edited and approved by Muilenburg, that selectively highlighted certain facts from an official report of the Indonesian government suggesting that pilot error and poor aircraft maintenance contributed to the crash. The press release also gave assurances of the airplanes safety, failing to disclose that an internal safety review had determined that MCAS posed an ongoing airplane safety issue and that Boeing had already begun redesigning MCAS to address that issue, according to the SECs orders. Approximately six weeks after the March 2019 crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, another 737 MAX, and the grounding by international regulators of the entire 737 MAX fleet, Muilenburg, though aware of information calling into question certain aspects of the certification process relating to MCAS, told analysts and reporters that there was no surprise or gap . . . that somehow slipped through [the] certification process for the 737 MAX and that Boeing had gone back and confirmed again . . . that we followed exactly the steps in our design and certification processes that consistently produce safe airplanes. "Boeing and Muilenburg put profits over people by misleading investors about the safety of the 737 MAX all in an effort to rehabilitate Boeing's image following two tragic accidents that resulted in the loss of 346 lives and incalculable grief to so many families," said Gurbir S. Grewal, Director of the SEC's Enforcement Division. "But public companies and their executives must provide accurate and complete information when they make disclosures to investors, no matter the circumstances. When they don't, we will hold them accountable, as we did here." The SECs orders against Boeing and Muilenburg find that they negligently violated the antifraud provisions of federal securities laws. Without admitting or denying the SECs findings, Boeing and Muilenburg consented to cease-and-desist orders that include penalties of $200 million and $1 million, respectively. A Fair Fund will be established for the benefit of harmed investors pursuant to Section 308(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The SECs investigation was conducted by Ibrahim Sajalieu Bah, Kenneth Gottlieb, Derek Schoenmann, Heather Shaffer, and Tian Wen of the New York Regional Office with assistance from Richard Hong of the Trial Unit. The case was supervised by Celeste Chase and Sanjay Wadhwa. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Fraud Section and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Ford Motor Company today is accelerating the Ford+ plan for growth and value creation with key leadership changes to support the development of breakthrough electric vehicles at scale, strengthen its internal combustion product line and transform the companys global supply chain management. Specifically: Doug Field is named chief advanced product development and technology officer. In this expanded role, Field will continue to oversee EV products, software and digital systems development, and advanced driver assistance, while also taking on design and vehicle hardware engineering Lisa Drake, vice president, EV industrialization, will now also be responsible for manufacturing engineering as Ford scales to a run rate of 2 million EVs per year by the end of 2026 Chuck Gray, who has been vice president, EV technology, is named vice president, vehicle hardware engineering Both Drake and Gray report to Field, as does Anthony Lo, Fords chief design officer. As we enter an intense period of execution for Ford Model e and our $50 billion investment in breakthrough electric and digital vehicles, Doug, Lisa and Chuck are taking on larger roles and building out very capable teams, said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. Developing and scaling the next generation of electric and software-defined vehicles requires a different focus and mix of talent from the accomplished Ford team and many exciting new colleagues joining our company. Among those new colleagues are four leaders with Silicon Valley credentials who will strengthen Fords push to develop fully connected, software-defined vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems. Roz Ho is appointed chief connected vehicle software officer. Ho joins Ford next month from HP, where she was vice president and global head of software. Previously, she served in several leadership roles during her 22-year tenure at Microsoft. Ho will work closely with Jae Park, who recently joined Ford as vice president, digital product design, after successful stints at Google and Amazon. They join Sammy Omari, executive director of advanced driver assist technologies (formerly of Motional, a joint venture of Hyundai and Aptiv) and Rob Bedichek, executive director of platform architecture (formerly of Intel and Apple). This leadership team, supporting outstanding talent at Ford, is setting the direction on technology platforms for Fords next-generation products. As Ford continues to build out a portfolio of both EVs from Ford Model e and iconic Ford Blue internal combustion vehicles, Jim Baumbick is taking on additional responsibility as well. He is appointed vice president, product development operations, cycle planning and internal combustion engine programs. Jim will oversee the development of all Ford Blue products, as well as lead cycle planning, vehicle development engineering and product development operations for all of Ford. He will report to Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Blue, and partner closely with Doug Field and his team on the broader development of all products at Ford. Jim Baumbick has been a driving force behind our incredible Ford Blue lineup built around icons like F-Series, Mustang, Ranger and Bronco, and new hits like Maverick that have driven significant demand and market share gains, Farley said. Were building on this rock-solid foundation with exciting new vehicles and derivatives that customers across the world will love. At the same time, Ford is transforming its global supply chain management capability to support efficient and reliable sourcing of components, internal development of key technologies and capabilities, and world-class cost and quality execution. John Lawler, Fords chief financial officer, will lead Fords global supply chain organization on an interim basis until a chief supply chain officer is selected. Jonathan Jennings, vice president, supply chain, will also take additional responsibility for supplier technical assistance and quality. He will report to Lawler. As previously announced, Hau Thai-Tang, chief industrial platform officer, will retire Oct. 1 after a more-than-34-year career with Ford. Ford also announced that Dave Filipe, vice president, vehicle hardware modules, will retire effective Dec. 1 after 28 years with Ford. Were grateful for Haus and Daves significant contributions to Ford and our Ford+ plan, which helped set the stage for our exciting future, Farley said. Signage for Humana Inc. is pictured at a health facility in Queens, New York City, U.S., November 30, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly By Anirban Sen, Greg Roumeliotis and David Carnevali (Reuters) -U.S. primary care provider Cano Health is exploring a sale and working with advisors after receiving acquisition interest, according to people familiar with the matter. Cano Health has received buyout interest from potential buyers including Humana Inc and CVS Health Corp, the sources said. Cano, which went public last year through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company backed by billionaire Barry Sternlicht, received buyout interest after their poor results last month, prompting them to explore a sale, one of the sources said. A deal could be finalised in the coming weeks, the sources said. Cano declined to comment, while Humana and CVS said they do not comment on rumours or speculation. Both CVS and Humana are among the companies talking to Cano about a deal, the sources said, and Humana has the right of first refusal in the event of a sale as part of an agreement between the two companies struck in 2019. Cano shares closed up 32% after paring some earlier gains, giving it a market capitalization of about $4.1 billion. The Wall Street Journal first reported Cano's talks with potential buyers earlier on Thursday. Bloomberg first reported Cano's talks with CVS. The sources, who requested anonymity as these discussions are confidential, cautioned that talks with buyers could fall apart and Cano could choose to stay independent. Healthcare companies have been expanding beyond managing health and pharmacy benefits with acquisitions of doctors groups and surgical centres in recent years. Cano operates primary-care centres in several U.S. states including California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Illinois and New York. Hedge fund Third Point LLC, which owns 6.4% of Cano, has been pushing the Miami-based company to put itself up for sale as its stock price has tumbled since it went public. (Additional reporting by Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Josie Kao) Carrollton, Texas, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allied Energy Corp (OTC Pink: AGYP), a producing oil and gas company focused on the leasing and reworking of oil and gas reserves in one of the most prolific hydrocarbon area in the United States, is pleased to announce a strategic joint venture alliance with River Energy Group, LLC, a private company formed to trade and invest in the oil and gas sectors. Collectively, the owners of River Energy Group, LLC have over 90 years of experience in the commodity, derivatives, and financial services industries. River Energy Group, LLC has entered into this joint venture agreement with Allied Energy Corporation for the purpose of locating, securing, and allocating stranded natural gas and flared natural gas resources for development into resilient and dependable stand-alone microgrids. River Energy Group Director Carl J. Boraiko explained: "With the provision of efficient, low-cost and clean energy, we will help reduce grid congestion and peak loads while reducing fuel use, line losses and carbon footprints within the industry. We look forward to working together to bring low-cost electricity to those industries not supported by their local power grid." Ownership of the River Energy Group is comprised by: Director Carl J. Boraiko Maher Nasri, Director Joseph R. Wilkins (Investor) Carl Boraiko brings over 45 years of experience and expertise in the Derivatives and Financial Services Industry with heavy emphasis on physical commodity trading and hedging in multiple sectors. In addition, Mr. Boraiko has been lead consultant and strategist in multiple global projects such as Oil, Gas, and Agriculture concerns in China, Middle East, and Northern Africa. Among other endeavors. He currently serves as Managing Director of Global Trading for Raven Trading Group, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Raven Resource Group, LLC. Maher Nasri has over 20 years of expertise in finance, accounting operations management, and fund management. He adds an in-depth insight into the core operations covered under the Finance Management Domain within the organization. Mr. Nasri was previously the Finance Manager for the Royal Group of Dubai, UAE, with full responsibility for the entire Finance Functions of the AL Shurfa Real Estate Investments, LLC portfolio of the Royal Group. He played a key role in providing funding, budgetary controls and effective decision making. Mr. Nasri's credentials are as follows:BSBA in AccountingCMA (Certified Management Accountant) CFM (Certified Finance Manager) CFC (Certified Financial Consultant)CFMS (Certified Financial modeling specialist)Certificate in Financial Control.Certificate in Business Valuation - CBV.Certified Project Financier (Project Finance).Implementation and Customizing HIS & ERP Financial Software. Data analysis with MS Excel BI.Manages monthly closing as well as maintenance of all Accounting Processes.Languages: English, Arabic, Russian Allied CEO George Montieth commented on the news: "By entering into the joint venture agreement with River Energy Group, LLC, Allied has vastly increased its scope of what the Company can achieve within the energy sector. My vision for Allied has always been to up-list to a higher exchange once our corporate assets and potential were equal to the tier requirements. It is my firm belief that this new relationship is in the best interest of our valued stakeholders, and I look forward to revealing our plans for this partnership in the near future." The Company invites any and all interested parties to check back regularly at https://alliedengycorp.com/ and the corporate Twitter account https://twitter.com/AlliedEnergyCo1 About AGYP: Allied Energy Corp. is an energy development and production company acquiring oil & gas reserves in some of the most prolific hydrocarbon bearing regions of the United States. The Company specializes in the business of reworking & re-completing 'existing' oil & gas wells located in the thousands of mature oil & gas producing fields across the United States. The Company applies its knowledge, experience, and effective well-remediation technologies to achieve higher production volumes, longer well life, and more efficient recovery of the proven and available oil and gas reserves in the fields/projects in which it has acquired an ownership interest. The Company will utilize updated technologies such as hydraulic fracturing ("fracking"), drilling of lateral ("horizontal") legs in productive zones, and utilizing new cased hole electric logging to locate bypassed pays, all to enhance daily rates and oil & gas recoveries. By acquiring interests in a growing number of selected projects in various regions, Allied Energy Corp. is diversifying its exposure and effectively minimizing risk as it pursues corporate growth, top line & bottom-line revenues to the benefit of all stakeholders. There are proven, recoverable reserves contained in the many aging oil & gas fields that have been bypassed by companies moving away from these fields in search of deeper, more plentiful, but more costly reserves. The Company plans to concentrate on bypassed oil and gas as there is less competition and, as mentioned above, the costs are considerably less. Additionally, the company will acquire interests in marginal wells that can be acquired at minimal cost, of which there are 420,000 wells in the U.S. Quoting Barry Russell, President of the Independent Petroleum Association of America ("IPAA") - "With approximately 20 percent of American oil production and 10 percent of American natural gas production coming from marginal wells, they are America's true strategic petroleum reserve. Safe Harbor Statement: This Press Release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "potential" and similar expressions. These statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or advise in the event of any change, addition or alteration to the information catered in this Press Release, including such forward-looking statements. Contact: Allied Energy CorporationPhone: 972-632-2393Email: [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlliedEnergyCo1 Source: Allied Energy Corporation VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aton Resources Inc. (AAN: TSX-V) ("Aton" or the "Corporation") announces that it has entered into an additional bridge loan (the "Loan") with OU Moonrider ("Moonrider"), a significant shareholder of the Corporation. The Loan The Corporation has borrowed C$2,000,000 from Moonrider, which Loan is repayable on the earlier of 12 months from closing, on the occurrence of various standard events of default, or on the closing of any debt or equity financing by the Corporation in an amount in excess of C$5.0 million. The Loan will bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum, payable when the Loan is due. In connection with the Loan, Moonrider will be issued bonus warrants upon each drawdown on the Loan entitling it to acquire common shares of the Corporation. The number of bonus warrants issuable upon each drawdown shall be determined by dividing the drawdown amount by the share price of the Corporations common shares on the date of the drawdown. The bonus warrants will be exercisable for a period of 12 months from each drawdown. The entire Loan has been drawn down, entitling Moonrider to 9,090,909 bonus warrants with an exercise price of $0.22 per share and an expiration date of September 21, 2023. The Loan and the issuance of the bonus warrants is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The proceeds of the Loan will be used by the Corporation for ongoing working capital expenses and continuing its drilling program at Rodruin. About Aton Resources Inc. Aton Resources Inc. (AAN: TSX-V) is focused on its 100% owned Abu Marawat Concession ("Abu Marawat"), located in Egypt's Arabian-Nubian Shield, approximately 200 km north of Centamin's world-class Sukari gold mine. Aton has identified numerous gold and base metal exploration targets at Abu Marawat, including the Hamama deposit in the west, the Abu Marawat deposit in the northeast, and the advanced Rodruin exploration prospect in the south of the Concession. Two historic British gold mines are also located on the Concession at Sir Bakis and Semna. Aton has identified several distinct geological trends within Abu Marawat, which display potential for the development of a variety of styles of precious and base metal mineralisation. Abu Marawat is 447.7 km2 in size and is located in an area of excellent infrastructure; a four-lane highway, a 220kV power line, and a water pipeline are in close proximity, as are the international airports at Hurghada and Luxor.For further information regarding Aton Resources Inc., please visit us at www.atonresources.com or contact:Tonno VahkInterim CEO Tel: +1 604 318 0390Email: [email protected] Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions; by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such 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: Aton Resources Inc. Speakers and attendees at this popular in-person CIO summit will also share recommendations for leading boldly and authentically to inspire trust and win in turbulent times WESTPORT, Conn., Sept. 22, 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 Philadelphia CIO Executive Leadership Summit on September 29 at the Philadelphia Country Club. 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 thought-provoking, in-person CIO summit will bring together the top CIOs, technology executives and industry experts from the Greater Philadelphia area who will share their insights on how best to position their leadership styles to attract and retain the best and brightest people. Make no mistake about it we are in a global war for talent, said Hunter Muller, President and CEO of HMG Strategy. World-class technology leaders have an incredible opportunity to strengthen their leadership acumen and promote their personal brands to retain and attract the type of talent needed to power the 21st century business forward. Distinguished CIOs, CISOs and industry leaders speaking at the 2022 Philadelphia CIO Executive Leadership Summit on September 29 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 Anthony M. Butler, Sr. , Placement Director, NPower Maryland , Placement Director, NPower Maryland Kate Cione , VP of Strategy, The OConnor Group , VP of Strategy, The OConnor Group 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 Jess Hilman , CIO, Tessco , CIO, Tessco Michael Iwanoff , SVP & CIO, iContectiv , SVP & CIO, iContectiv 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 Dara Meath , Divisional CIO, Conair , Divisional CIO, Conair 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. HMG Strategy will also be hosting its 2022 HMG Live! Global CISO Executive Leadership Summit on October 4. This highly interactive virtual event will bring together the worlds top CISOs, security leaders and industry experts who will share the factors that are shaping the evolving role of the CISO as well as the latest trends on enterprise risk and the current threat landscape. World-class CISOs and security leaders speaking at the 2022 HMG Live! Global CISO Executive Leadership Summit on October 4 will include: Yassir Abousselham , CISO, UiPath , CISO, UiPath Martin Bally , CISO, Stellantis , CISO, Stellantis Patrick Benoit , VP & Global Business Information Security Officer, CBRE , VP & Global Business Information Security Officer, CBRE Scott Daitzman , vCISO/Managing Partner, SJD Cyber, LLC , vCISO/Managing Partner, SJD Cyber, LLC Nicole Darden Ford , VP & CISO, Rockwell Automation , VP & CISO, Rockwell Automation Rocco Grillo , Managing Director Global Cyber Risk Services & Incident Response Investigation, Alvarez & Marsal , Managing Director Global Cyber Risk Services & Incident Response Investigation, Alvarez & Marsal Monique Hart , CISO/Executive Director of Information Security , CISO/Executive Director of Information Security Emily Heath , Board of Directors, Chair of Technology & Cyber Security Committee, Member of Audit Committee, Norton LifeLock , Board of Directors, Chair of Technology & Cyber Security Committee, Member of Audit Committee, Norton LifeLock Susan Koski , Head of Security & Enterprise Response, The PNC Financial Services Group , Head of Security & Enterprise Response, The PNC Financial Services Group Matthew Lagana , Managing Director, CTO & CISO, MBIA , Managing Director, CTO & CISO, MBIA 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 Bradley Schaufenbuel , VP & CISO, Paychex , VP & CISO, Paychex Dr. Garrett Smiley , CISO & VP of Information Security, Serco Group , CISO & VP of Information Security, Serco Group Gary Sorrentino , Global CIO, Zoom , Global CIO, Zoom Frank Yanan , SVP, GIS Business Information Security Officer (BISO), Bank of America , SVP, GIS Business Information Security Officer (BISO), Bank of America Michael Zanga, Managing Director, Global Head of Technology, Cyber, Data and Change Risk, Barclays Valued Partners for the 2022 HMG Live! Global CISO Executive Leadership Summit include 8x8, Akamai, BetterCloud, Darktrace, Delphix, Fortinet, LastPass, Nutanix, Palo Alto Networks, Ping Identity, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler. To learn more about the 2022 HMG Live! Global CISO Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here. HMG Strategy will also be hosting its 2022 St. Louis CIO Executive Leadership Summit on October 5 at The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis. Key topics to be explored at this popular in-person event will include the technology mega-trends that are evolving and use cases that technology leaders are applying for business and operational success. Premier technology executives and industry experts speaking at the 2022 St. Louis CIO Executive Leadership Summit will include: Bhavani Amirthalingam , SVP, Chief Digital Information Officer, Ameren , SVP, Chief Digital Information Officer, Ameren Mike Anderson , Chief Digital Information Officer, Netskope , Chief Digital Information Officer, Netskope Christy Barker , VP & CIO, Olin Corporation , VP & CIO, Olin Corporation Jennifer Buckner , SVP, Technology Risk Management, Risk Governance and Operations, Mastercard , SVP, Technology Risk Management, Risk Governance and Operations, Mastercard Andrea Butcher , CEO, HRD , CEO, HRD Dedric Carter , Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Chief Commercialization Officer, Washington University in St. Louis , Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Chief Commercialization Officer, Washington University in St. Louis Roftiel Constantine , Global CISO, Barry-Wehmiller , Global CISO, Barry-Wehmiller Ed Corno , Chief Technology Leader, IBM Corporation , Chief Technology Leader, IBM Corporation Michael Downs , CTO, Evolving Solutions , CTO, Evolving Solutions Eric Druker , Data Science Director Central Integrity, Meta , Data Science Director Central Integrity, Meta Luis Giraldo , RVP, Business Value Consulting, OutSystems , RVP, Business Value Consulting, OutSystems Emily Hemingway , Executive Director, TechSTL , Executive Director, TechSTL Peter Hogan , VP of IT, Vi-Jon , VP of IT, Vi-Jon Jennifer Hopper , CIO, Save-A-Lot , CIO, Save-A-Lot David Karandish , Founder & CEO, Capacity , Founder & CEO, Capacity Emily Lohse-Busch , Strategic Advisor, Greater St. Louis, Inc. , Strategic Advisor, Greater St. Louis, Inc. Kimberly Martin , EVP, Business Operations and Automation, Mastercard , EVP, Business Operations and Automation, Mastercard Matthew Modica , VP, CISO, BJC Healthcare , VP, CISO, BJC Healthcare Lisa Nichols , CEO, Technology Partners , CEO, Technology Partners Ryan Robson , Principal, Digital Product Management, Edward Jones , Principal, Digital Product Management, Edward Jones Teresa Sanzoterra , VP & CIO, Specialty Generics, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals , VP & CIO, Specialty Generics, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Michael Seals , SVP, Business Strategy and CIO, Hussmann Corporation , SVP, Business Strategy and CIO, Hussmann Corporation Tushar Shelar , CIO, Murphy Company , CIO, Murphy Company Mark Sparks , VP, Global Head of Digital Product and Engineering, Bayer Crop Science , VP, Global Head of Digital Product and Engineering, Bayer Crop Science Subbu Subramanian , SVP, CIO, Chief Process Officer, American Railcar Industries , SVP, CIO, Chief Process Officer, American Railcar Industries Haroon Taqui , VP, Digital Portfolio, Architecture and Governance, Ameren , VP, Digital Portfolio, Architecture and Governance, Ameren Gary VonderHaar , EVP, Operations & Technology Processing, Mastercard , EVP, Operations & Technology Processing, Mastercard Mike Williams , CEO & Founder, Software Design Partners , CEO & Founder, Software Design Partners Erica Wilson, VP, IT Security & Risk, Cass Information Systems, Inc. Valued Partners for the 2022 St. Louis CIO Executive Leadership Summit include 8x8, Akamai, BetterCloud, Darktrace, Delphix, Evolving Solutions, Fortinet, The Judge Group, LastPass, Moveworks, Netskope, Nutanix, OutSystems, Palo Alto Networks, Ping Identity, Reliaquest, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, ServiceNow, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler. To learn more about the 2022 St. Louis 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. To learn more about the 7 Pillars of Trust for HMG Strategy's unique business model, click here . Contact: Tom Hoffman, VP, Research, HMG Strategy: 203-221-2702 or at [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6a24e6df-7153-4d72-aeec-11160b66f5ee FREMONT, Calif., Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnerVenue, the first company to bring metal-hydrogen batteries capable of 30,000 cycles to the clean energy revolution, today announced a Master Supply Agreement with Green Energy Renewable Solutions. Under the terms of the deal, Green Energy will procure and deploy 250 MWh of EnerVenues storage solution over the next three years. Houston-based Green Energy is a recently launched company owned by Henrik Jensen and Jens Juul, both of whom own and operate Nicon Industries A/S, a leading manufacturer of steel and aluminum constructions in the wind, offshore and maritime industry. Green Energy will leverage EnerVenue battery vessels to support Nicons innovative renewable energy and storage projects. The Master Supply Agreement will deliver 50MWh in 2023, 100MWh in 2024, and 100MWh in 2025. Green Energy will package EnerVenue battery vessels into customized building blocks for projects across Nicons onshore and offshore project portfolio. Through Green Energy, Nicon has the ambitious goal of building 1 GW of storage projects within the three years of the initial EnerVenue agreement.EnerVenues energy storage technology will be a critical asset to Green Energy Renewable Solutions and, by association, to Nicon Industries A/S, said Henrik Jensen, CEO, Nicon Industries A/S. EnerVenues technology features exceptional longevity and durability with minimal maintenance required, and its fire-safe properties are especially critical in our expected applications. EnerVenues transformational technology will help Green Energy Renewable Solutions provide superior value to our global customer base.Initial projects are expected to be onshore but to support Nicons long-term goals, Green Energys energy storage solutions must meet particularly strict DNV certification and CE certification mandates for systems deployed in the offshore and maritime market. EnerVenues unique metal-hydrogen technology gives Green Energy exceptionally long battery life with low maintenance requirements and zero fire propagation riskan especially crucial safety and compliance factor in offshore locations such as oil rigs.By 2024, Nicon's forklifts will be converted from fossil fuel to electric power and will be charged with Green Energy battery containers, said Jens Juul, COO, Green Energy / Nicon Industries A/S. Additionally, the power needed for our sea fastenings jobs on wind installation vessels will be supplied from our own battery containers charged overnight with renewable energy coming from the windfarms.Green Energys maritime and offshore renewable energy applications offer use cases where the safety, flexibility, and maintenance-free durability of our battery vessels deliver compelling business opportunities and competitive differentiators, said Randy Selesky, CRO, EnerVenue. This industry has a particularly outsized and urgent opportunity to benefit from clean energy modernization, and were proud to now work with Green Energy to bring our technology into these applications for the first time.Many of Green Energys planned renewable energy projects are associated with a push by European Union countries to ramp up offshore wind power, decarbonize the maritime industry, move away from volatile gas imports, and more quickly and completely achieve climate goals.The Master Supply Agreement adds to EnerVenues recent supply deals, including agreements with Pine Gate Renewables and Sonnell Power Solutions.About EnerVenueEnerVenue builds simple, safe, and cost-efficient energy storage solutions for the clean energy revolution. Based on technology proven over decades under the most extreme conditions, EnerVenue batteries are refined and scaled for large renewable energy integration applications. The company is headquartered in Fremont, California. ContactKyle Peterson[email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2eded3bd-bb00-4b68-b9e2-91b5625dfa49 EnerVenue announces Master Supply Agreement with Green Energy Renewable Solutions Green Energy Renewable Solutions will use EnerVenue energy storage technology for on- and off-shore industrial projects. Source: EnerVenue Oxnard, CA, Sept. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Founded in 1903 by sugar magnate Henry Oxnard, the city that bears his name has grown to become one of Californias best-kept coastal secrets. From a thriving industry of Fortune 500 companies (Amazon, Haas, Bayer, Volkswagen) and military bases to a strong collection of independent Mom & Pop shops and tourist attractions, the city has become a worldwide destination for those looking to enjoy Southern California lifestyle at a little less hectic pace. And it was into this bustling community that Herzog Wine Cellars and Tierra Sur decided to make their homes in 2005. Since putting down roots in Oxnard, Herzog Wine Cellars has become the biggest winery in the area, producing several million bottles annually with international distribution. Tierra Sur restaurant and its Tasting Room have been recognized as one of the finest kosher restaurants in the world and attract tourists and foodies from across the globe on a daily basis. The Herzog family has also worked hard to integrate the company into the community in accordance with their familys philosophy of charity and strong roots. The company has provided wine, donations, and staff for countless local charities and charitable events. They established the Ventura County Wine Trail to draw attention, not just to themselves, but to the burgeoning wine industry that had begun to appear all over West Ventura County. They set up a mentorship program with Pacifica High School, having their top culinary students intern at the restaurant until graduation, with an option to work in the acclaimed Tierra Sur kitchen upon receipt of their diploma. And thats just for starters. And it is for this international attention and work in the community that Herzog Wine Cellars and Tierra Sur were awarded the Oxnard Award. Each year the Chamber of Commerce gives this prestigious award to a person or group or company that brings wide recognition to the city while also giving back and enriching the lives of the residents. Previous recipients include Grammy Award-winning rapper Anderson .Paak, the Dallas Cowboys, and Haas Automation. In addition, Herzog and Tierra Sur received official recognitions from the US Congress, the California State Senate and Assembly, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, and the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme in a beautiful ceremony held at the historic Heritage Square in downtown Oxnard, hosted by the West Ventura County Business Alliance. The intimate ceremony highlighted businesses and individuals who stood out by doing their part to make the community a better place for everyone and helping those most in need. And it was in these stories from these other winners that inspired the Herzogs to create new initiatives and outreach to the community for the near future. The Herzog family has big plans for Oxnard, and working to make the community that has so generously supported them even stronger plays a big part in those plans. In the immediate future, to say thank you and show appreciation for the community, locals are invited to stop by for $1 wine tasting flights in the Herzog Tasting Room. The futures of the Herzog family and the City of Oxnard and intimately connected, and that is an exciting prospect. ABOUT HERZOG WINE CELLARS California-based Herzog Wine Cellars is a division of Royal Wine Corporation, a family-owned company and one of the largest producers of kosher wines in North America. Specializing in sustainable viniculture, Herzog offers more than 25 grape varieties in its award-winning wines, including brands like Baron Herzog and Jeunesse. The craftsmanship of Herzog wines is attributed to a 150-year legacy of wine making, passed down for nine generations from Czechoslovakia to the United States and now led by Head of Winemaking Operations David Galzignato. Attachments Ed Blair Herzog Wine Cellars 8059831560 [email protected] Source: Herzog Wine Cellars LACROIX CONTINUES ITS STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT AND REINFORCE ITS MANAGEMENT TEAM Through its Leadership 2025 strategic plan, launched in April 2021, LACROIX intends to almost double in size. This ambition is driven by an expansion in strategic international markets, together with the strengthening of its technological and operational leadership. In order to support its strong development, LACROIX is reinforcing its management team, with the appointment of Stephane KLAJZYNGIER as President of LACROIX North America, Louis POURDIEU, as Executive General Manager of the Electronics activity in the EMEA zone, and finally Serge LAVERDURE, to manage LACROIX Design Center. Supporting the Groups strategic international deployment The acquisition of Firstronic in the United States at the end of December 2021, now allows the Electronics activity to address a new domestic market, which has significant commercial potential. By building up a strategic position in North America, LACROIX has reached an important milestone in the international development of its activities. To support this strategy, LACROIX is launching a new dedicated organisation, and appointing Stephane KLAJZYNGIER. Currently Executive Managing Director of the Electronics activity, Stephane now becomes President of LACROIX North America. He will be based in Michigan (United States), as of 1 October 2022 and will be responsible for supporting the integration of Firstronic into the Electronics activity as well as the local development of the Environment and City activities, notably through targeted acquisitions. He holds an MBA in Finance from Pace University in New York and has occupied several management positions with an international scope in the telecommunications world. In the 90s, his initial experience in the field of portable batteries led him to Japan where he worked for Saft. Later, Alcatel entrusted him with the implantation of its Mobile Phones division in China, from the implementation of R&D to marketing. A division of which he later became President. During this period, he also concluded a joint venture with TCL. In 2005, he became President and CEO of Radio Frequency Systems (RFS), a group specialised in mobile telecommunication and broadcast infrastructures, with a strong presence in Germany, United States, France, China, Brazil and Australia. He joined LACROIX on June 1st, 2015, as Managing Director of the Electronics activity, becoming Executive Managing Director in July 2018. Stephane KLAJZYNGIER said, After 7 years at the head of the Electronics activity, I am delighted to be given the opportunity of this new challenge. I am looking forward to working with the teams to carry on the integration process of Firstronic, now LACROIX Electronics North America and to accompany the Groups future developments in North America. Striving for operational excellence in the Electronics activity in EMEA LACROIX also announces the arrival of Louis POURDIEU to take over from Stephane KLAJZYNGIER as Executive Managing Director of LACROIX's Electronics activity in the EMEA zone - an operational position effective as of September 15th, 2022. As a member of LACROIX Executive Committee, Louis POURDIEU will be entitled with the execution of the activitys strategic plan, with ambitious objectives in terms of customer satisfaction and operational performance. As a graduate of Centrale Paris and holder of an MBA from INSEAD, Louis POURDIEU has more than 25 years of experience in operational departments of major groups in the automotive sector for companies such as Faurecia and Valeo where he held the position of CEO of the JV between Valeo and Siemens in the field of high voltage transmission components. In response to his appointment, Louis POURDIEU said: I am proud to join LACROIX and to accompany its development with these passionate teams. The positioning and expertise of the Electronics activity are indisputable assets to support our customers Strengthening LACROIX technological leadership in design Finally, as a major pillar of its strategic plan, the Group is strengthening the Electronics activity design offer management team, by appointing Serge LAVERDURE as its head, as of September 12th, 2022. Capitalizing on the technological platforms developed within the City and Environment activities, his main responsibility is to support the strategic evolution of the LACROIX design offer through the development of industrial IoT, Artificial Intelligence and the design of electronic and mechatronic equipment for critical applications in the industrial, home automation, automotive and medical sectors. Having started his career in R&D with the Safran group, Serge LAVERDURE subsequently specialised in the development of embedded software and systems for the automotive equipment manufacturer Magnetti-Marelli. He then worked for Ayrton Technology, a company he co-founded and developed internationally for 10 years. Finally, he worked for the software publisher ESI Group, where he was in charge of Control and Virtual Systems and Autonomous Driving activities for the last 10 years. R&D is clearly one of the Groups strategic drivers, particularly in relation to the development of products with a LACROIX design. I am particularly honoured to join the LACROIX teams, and to continue the efforts that have been made up until now., confirms Serge LAVERDURE. Upcoming events First Half of 2022 Revenue: 29 September 2022, after the market close Find more financial information in the Investors' Zone https://www.lacroix-group.com/investors/ About LACROIX Convinced that technology should contribute to making our living environments simpler, more sustainable and safer, LACROIX supports its customers in the construction and management of intelligent living ecosystems, thanks to connected equipment and technologies. As a publicly listed family-owned mid-cap, LACROIX combines the essential agility required to innovate in an ever-changing technological sector with the ability to industrialise robust and secure equipment, cutting-edge know-how in industrial IoT solutions and electronic equipment for critical applications and the long-term vision to invest and build for the future. LACROIX designs and manufactures electronic equipment for its customers' products, as well as IoT (hardware, software, and cloud) and AI solutions, particularly for the industrial, automotive, home automation, aeronautics, and healthcare sectors. The Group also provides safe, connected solutions for the management of critical infrastructure such as smart roads (street lighting, road signs, traffic management, V2X), and for the management and coordination of water and energy facilities. Drawing on its extensive experience and expertise, LACROIX works with its customers and partners to build the connection between the world of today and the world of tomorrow. It helps them to create the industry of the future and to make the most of the opportunities for innovation that surround them, supplying them with the equipment for a smarter world. Attachment TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadas largest-ever private land conservation project is receiving a major boost that will help protect some of the countrys most important natural lands and waters. An innovative carbon credit project investment between the non-profit Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and TD Securities (TDS) will see $10 million invested into NCCs Boreal Wildlands Carbon Project, located near Hearst, Ontario. This investment by TDS will directly fund on-the-ground conservation work. The investment represents a long-term commitment to protect critically important habitat and accelerates NCCs conservation mission to address the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change through land conservation. NCC, the countrys leading land conservation organization, has over a decade of experience in leading innovative conservation finance projects in Canada. Its Darkwoods Forest Carbon Project, located near Nelson, BC, was the first of its kind in Canada. Similarly, TDSs investment in Boreal Wildlands NCCs second and largest carbon project sets a new standard for how the private sector can support critical and tangible nature conservation work in Canada. NCCs certified carbon credits from Darkwoods are already being used internationally by organizations as part of their commitment to carbon reduction and sustainability. The Boreal Wildlands Carbon Project is being developed under the internationally leading Verra Verified Carbon Standard and certified for the co-benefits it provides, beyond carbon sequestration. The Boreal Wildlands is a massive natural carbon sink, storing 190 million tonnes of carbon, or the equivalent of the lifetime emissions of three million cars. Encompassing nearly 145,000 hectares, it is roughly twice the size of Toronto and three times that of Montreal. The project conserves more than 1,300 kilometres of rivers, streams and shoreline, as well as vast peatlands and forests. This NCC conservation area is a haven for biodiversity and provides many species with connected habitat. This agreement with TDS showcases how NCC is accelerating the pace of conservation in Canada. In the past two years alone, NCC has influenced the protection of more than 1 million hectares (almost twice the size of Prince Edward Island, coast to coast to coast. By mobilizing Canadians and delivering permanent, large-scale conservation, the organization will double its impact by 2030. In the face of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change, nature is our ally. There is no solution to either without nature conservation. When nature thrives, we all thrive. Quotes In the face of rapid biodiversity loss and the impacts of climate change, nature conservation provides real, measurable solutions. NCC is using the power of the voluntary carbon market to accelerate urgently needed, large-scale conservation across the country. We are proud that TDS has put its confidence in NCC and our Boreal Wildlands Carbon Project, as part of their Environment, Sustainability and Governance strategy. Together, we are contributing to a nature-positive, carbon-neutral future. Catherine Grenier, President and CEO, Nature Conservancy of Canada The need for conservation action has never been more urgent. It will take substantial amounts of private sector investment to ensure nature and people thrive now, and into the future. The Nature Conservancy of Canada is at the leading edge of developing high-quality carbon projects in Canada, offering carbon credits that support the many co-benefits associated with NCCs work, such as supporting biodiversity and habitat protection. These rigorously certified credits can play an important role in a companys comprehensive transition strategy to reach net-zero emissions. Craig Losos, Executive Director, Nature + Climate Projects, Nature Conservancy of Canada "We are proud to have played a role in the Nature Conservancy of Canada's efforts to protect and conserve the Boreal Wildlands. At TD, we are dedicated to a sustainable future and we are committed to helping our clients identify their role in the transition economy and navigating the evolving ESG landscape. We are able to use our knowledge across all aspects of the business to deliver holistic solutions and advice to our clients in this rapidly changing space." Amy West, Global Head, ESG Solutions, TD Securities "TD has a proud history of supporting the Nature Conservancy of Canada for over 30 years. Today's announcement demonstrates TD's commitment to finding new and innovative ways to contribute to a more sustainable future and supporting nature-based solutions to climate change." Janice Farrell Jones, Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship, TD Photo and video assets can be found here. Additional information about NCCs Boreal Wildlands project is in the backgrounder. About The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the countrys unifying force for nature. NCC seeks solutions to the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change through large-scale, permanent land conservation. As a trusted partner, NCC works with people, communities, businesses and government to protect and care for our countrys most important natural areas. Since 1962, NCC has brought Canadians together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca. The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group ("TD" or the "Bank"). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by assets and serves more than 27 million customers in three key businesses operating in a number of locations in financial centres around the globe: Canadian Retail, including TD Canada Trust, TD Auto Finance Canada, TD Wealth (Canada), TD Direct Investing, and TD Insurance; U.S. Retail, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, TD Auto Finance U.S., TD Wealth (U.S.), and an investment in The Charles Schwab Corporation; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with more than 15 million active online and mobile customers. TD had CDN$1.8 trillion in assets on July 31, 2022. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. Media contact Jensen Edwards National Media Relations Manager Nature Conservancy of Canada [email protected] Phone: (438) 885-9157 Source: Nature Conservancy of Canada VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osino Resources Corp. (TSXV:OSI) (FSE:RSR1) (OTCQX:OSIIF) ("Osino or the Company) is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated August 16, 2022, the Company has completed acquisitions of two remaining minority interests in the mineral properties comprising the Twin Hills Gold Project (the "Acquisitions"). Osino completed the acquisition of the remaining 10% of the shares in the capital of Osino Namibia Minerals Exploration (Proprietary) Limited ("ONME") for aggregate consideration of C$870,000 paid by issuance of 1,000,000 common shares of the Company to Ominda Mineral Resources Close Corporation ("Ominda"), who is arm's length to Osino (the "ONME Acquisition"). ONME was a 90% owned subsidiary of Osino and holds 8 EPLs covering a total of 86,409 hectares, including an EPL which hosts the gold mineralization at the Clouds deposit, forming part of Osinos overall Twin Hills gold mineral resource. As a result of the ONME Acquisition, Osino now owns 100% of ONME. The common shares of the Company issued under the ONME Acquisition are subject to a restriction from resale for a period of 24 months from the date of closing. In addition, Osino also acquired 20% of the shares in Richwing Exploration (Pty) Ltd ("Richwing) for aggregate consideration of C$137,931 (the "Richwing Acquisition"), paid through the issuance of 37,615 shares and a cash payment of C$96,552 to Richroad Investments Close Corporation ("Richroad") and South Wing Investments Close Corporation ("Southwing"), who are arm's length to Osino. Richwing was 80% owned by Osino and holds an EPL which hosts gold mineralization and industrial minerals south of the Twin Hills project area. Upon closing of the transaction Osino will own 100% of Richwing. As a result of the Richwing Acquisition, Osino now owns 100% of Richwing. The common shares of the Company issued under the Richwing Acquisition are subject to a restriction from resale for a period of 24 months from the date of closing. All common shares of the Company issued under the Acquisitions are also subject to a statutory four month hold from the date of issuance. No finders fees were payable in respect of the Acquisitions. Osino also expects to close an additional minority interest acquisition of 3% of the shares in the capital of Osino Gold Exploration and Mining (Proprietary) Limited ("Osino GEM") as previously announced by the Company on August 16, 2022. Upon completion of this acquisition, Osino will own 100% of Osino GEM. The Company expects to complete the acquisition of Osino GEM within a few weeks, as the acquisition is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Additionally, Osino is pleased to report that it has filed a technical report entitled, "Twin Hills Gold Project, Namibia, NI 43-101 Technical Report" dated effective July 26, 2022 and signed September 9, 2022 (the "MRE Technical Report") for its increased mineral resource announced in the Company's news release dated August 9, 2022. The MRE Technical Report was prepared and filed in accordance with National Instrument 43-101Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The technical report pertaining to the Companys latest pre-feasibility study, released on September 6, 2022 is expected to be filed in late September or early October. For additional information, please refer to the MRE Technical Report available on the Osino website and filed on SEDAR under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com which contains more comprehensive technical information, which was also summarized in the Company's news release dated August 9, 2022. Qualified Persons Statement David Underwood, BSc. (Hons) is Vice President Exploration of Osino Resources Corp. and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release and is a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (Pr. Sci. Nat. No.400323/11) and a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. About Osino Resources Osino is a Canadian gold exploration and development company focused on the fast-tracked development of our Twin Hills Gold Project (Twin Hills) in central Namibia. Twin Hills is at an advanced stage of exploration and development with more than 220,000m of drilling completed on the project since its grassroots discovery by Osino with various advanced development studies underway. Osino has a large ground position of approximately 6,900km2 located within Namibias prospective Damara sedimentary mineral belt, mostly in proximity to and along strike of the producing Navachab and Otjikoto Gold Mines. The Company is actively exploring a range of gold prospects and targets along the belt by utilizing a portfolio approach geared towards discovery, targeting gold mineralization that fits the broad orogenic gold model. Our core projects are favorably located north and north-west of Namibias capital city Windhoek. By virtue of their location, the projects benefit significantly from Namibias well-established infrastructure with paved highways, railway, power and water in close proximity. Namibia is mining-friendly and lauded as one of the continents most politically and socially stable jurisdictions. Osino continues to evaluate new ground with a view to expanding our Namibian portfolio. Further details are available on the Company's website at https://osinoresources.com/ On Behalf of The Board of Directors "Heye Daun" Heye DaunChief Executive Officer, President, and Director CONTACT INFORMATION Osino Resources Corp.Julia Becker: Investor Relations ManagerTel: +1 (604) 785 0850[email protected] Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's future plans or prospects of the Company, including prospects for economic recoverability of mineral resources. 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 state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company 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. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company does not undertake to update any forward- looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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 press release. Source: Osino Resources Corp. Set to grow B2B payments leader into new territory after North American Bancard acquisition SPOKANE, Washington, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PayTrace, a leader in B2B payments technology, is proud to welcome Greg Castro as its new president. Castro holds PayTraces founder and former CEO, Scott Judkins, in high regard and wishes him well on his next journey. Castro brings over 25 years of experience in the payments industry and comes to PayTrace from EVO Payments, where he led the B2B division. He also served as director for ISV and VAR channels at Mercury Payments, where he deepened his fintech roots. The B2B expertise built throughout his professional career translates perfectly for PayTraces future as a technology and payments leader. PayTrace is successful because of its strong foundation of people, technology, and processes, said Castro. You cant build a great house without a strong foundation. Our team is constantly seeking ways to improve on our current success. We want to be a leader in the B2B customer ecosystem; not only on the technology and processing side, but on the customer experience as well. North American Bancard acquired PayTrace at the end of 2021 and is building on an already strong foundation of B2B payments excellence. Now, with Castro at the helm, PayTrace aims to invest more in technology, enhance the companys presence in key market verticals, and grow its already stellar team. Greg brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in the B2B landscape, said Justin Goes, PayTrace Chief Operations Officer. PayTrace has traditionally been focused on B2B verticals, so we are well positioned to further penetrate this space under Gregs leadership. ABOUT PAYTRACE PayTrace Inc. is motivated by the challenge of delighting merchants. We empower sales partners by offering high value SaaS technology solutions to businesses. Processing over $45 billion in the past year, PayTrace is committed to making merchants happy with 5-star service while providing comprehsenive, easy-to-use payment solutions that lower processing costs through interchange optimizatio and increased security. For more information visit www.paytrace.net. ABOUT NORTH AMERICAN BANCARD North American Bancard is re-imagining the payment experience. As a leading payment technology innovator, NAB has a diversified product platform that provides a modern end-to-end infrastructure to enable globally-preferred payment types. NAB's superior solutions deliver seamless payments experiences in mobile, e-commerce, and in-store environments. Serving hundreds of thousands of businesses and with over $100 billion per year in electronic transaction volume, NAB delivers functional, feature-rich and frictionless solutions for the evolving merchant economy. For more information, please visit www.northamericanbancard.com. TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Psyence Group Inc. (CSE: PSYG | OTCQB: PSYGF) (Psyence or the Company) has successfully exported psilocybin mushrooms to Psilo Scientific Ltd. in Canada. Psilo Scientific, a wholly owned subsidiary of Filament Health Corp., is an exclusively natural psychedelic drug discovery and extraction company. Psyence received a Health Canada import permit obtained by Psilo Scientific in March 2022. The psilocybin mushrooms have now been received at Psilo Scientifics facility in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The mushrooms will be used by Psilo Scientific for analysis and extraction and then evaluated for compatibility in Filaments drug development process. This export is right on target with our goal of becoming a trusted, commercial supplier of psilocybin mushrooms for the legal, global medical market and medical research market, says Dr. Neil Maresky, Psyence Chief Executive Officer. Our team has spent a considerable amount of time ensuring that we meet all the stringent requirements for the export and import of psilocybin. Psyence operates one of the first federally licensed commercial psilocybin production facilities in the world. Its production facility, located in Southern Africa, is ISO22000 certified and is licensed to cultivate and export psilocybin mushrooms for the legal, global medical market and commercial medical research market. Psyences cultivation system is designed for continuous harvesting and an on-site laboratory was recently added to provide in-process analysis and extraction. We are incredibly proud of our production team and facility who have exceeded our expectations with regards to the construction, cultivation and certification of a world-class facility that has proven it is ready to supply raw materials into the legal psilocybin research arena globally, says Tony Budden, Psyence Chief Strategy Officer. ABOUT PSYENCE GROUP: www.psyence.com Psyence is a life science biotechnology company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE: PSYG) and quoted on the OTCQB (OTCQB: PSYGF), with a focus on natural psychedelics. Psyence works with natural psilocybin products for the healing of psychological trauma and its mental health consequences in the context of palliative care. Our name Psyence combines the words psychedelic and science to affirm our commitment to producing psychedelic medicines developed through evidence-based research. Informed by nature and guided by science, we built and operate one of the worlds first federally licensed commercial psilocybin mushroom cultivation and production facilities in Southern Africa. Our team brings international experience in both business and science and includes experts in mycology, neurology, palliative care, and drug development. We work to develop advanced natural psilocybin products for clinical research and development. Our key divisions, Psyence Production, Psyence Therapeutics and Psyence Function, anchor an international collaboration, with operations in Canada, the United Kingdom, Southern Africa, and a presence in the United States and Australia. ABOUT FILAMENT HEALTH (OTCQB: FLHLF) (NEO: FH) (FSE: 7QS) Filament Health is a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company. We believe that safe, standardized, naturally-derived psychedelic medicines can improve the lives of many, and our mission is to see them in the hands of everyone who needs them as soon as possible. Filaments platform of proprietary intellectual property enables the discovery, development, and delivery of natural psychedelic medicines for clinical development. We are paving the way with the first-ever natural psychedelic drug candidates. Learn more at www.filament.health and on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Contact Information Katherine Murphy, Investor RelationsEmail: [email protected]Media Inquiries: [email protected]General Information: [email protected] FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain statements in this news release related to Psyence Group Inc and its subsidiaries (collectively the Company) are forward-looking statements and are prospective in nature. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as may, should, could, intend, estimate, plan, anticipate, expect, believe or continue, or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the manner in which Psyence's raw mushroom materials are received and viewed internationally and the receipt of further regulatory approvals for the Companys import and export activities. These forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions, including the assumptions that the Companys applications for further exports of its raw materials will be successful, and that its raw materials will continue to meet international requirements. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and the Companys plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include demand for the Companys securities being less than anticipated, fluctuations in the price the Companys common shares, and the Company not raising the amount expected, or any funds at all. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. The Company makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about the Companys proposed products. The efficacy of psilocybin, psilocybin analogues, or other psychedelic compounds or nutraceutical products remains the subject of ongoing research. There is no assurance that the use of psilocybin, psilocybin analogues, or other psychedelic compounds or nutraceuticals can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Vigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. The Company has not conducted clinical trials for the use of its proposed products. Any references to quality, consistency, efficacy, and safety of potential products do not imply that the Company verified such in clinical trials or that the Company will complete such trials. If the Company cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on the Companys performance and operations. Source: Psyence Group Inc. BOCA RATON, Fla., Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities litigation law firm Saxena White P.A. is pleased to announce that Marisa N. DeMato has been appointed the firms first Chief Diversity Officer. Marisa DeMato, a Director at Saxena White, is one of the industrys leading advocates for institutional investing in women and minority-owned firms and chairs Saxena Whites Womens Alliance, which fosters women-centered development and leadership in the pension, investment, and legal communities. A sought-after speaker and advocate on womens issues and diversity planning, she has a record of commitment to DEI, including previous work co-chairing an annual womens initiative forum recognized by Euromoney and Chambers USA as a top diversity program. Marisa has nearly two decades of experience advising pension funds and other institutional investor clients on securities fraud and corporate governance issues in the U.S. capital markets. A senior member of legal teams that have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf for investors, she is widely recognized by the legal media for her professional achievements, including being named both a Plaintiffs Trailblazer by The National Law Journal and a Northeast Trailblazer by The American Lawyer. It is an honor to take on this role. Our diverse culture has made our firm not just stronger and more effective but simply a great place to work. said Marisa. I am proud of the firm and its unstinting support in these initiatives and look forward to continuing our work together leading the industry in advancing these values. We believe that Marisas position and this C-level focus on DEI demonstrates to the market our understanding of the importance of empowering women and minorities. The firms leadership and our team share this mission and this commitment, said firm Co-Founder Maya Saxena. About Saxena White Saxena White P.A., a nationally certified woman- and minority-owned law firm that focuses on securities litigation and shareholder rights, is committed to the advancement of women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. With offices in Florida, New York, California, and Delaware, Saxena White is one of the nations leaders in prosecuting securities class actions and litigating other complex securities and corporate governance matters, having recovered billions of dollars on behalf of injured investors. In its 16-year history, the firm has distinguished itself with its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and drawn praise from its clients and several federal courts. Its focus on building diverse trial teams has become a model for the legal industry, creating new professional mentoring and learning opportunities. In addition to its Womens Alliance, the firm empowers its Diversity and Social Responsibility Committee to cultivate policies, practices, and activities that advance the firms social responsibility mission. Remarkable for the legal industry, the firms employees are nearly 50% female, 40% of its leadership is female and 40% is minority. For more information about Marisa DeMato and the firm, please visit www.saxenawhite.com. Source: Saxena White P.A. Contact: Marisa N. DeMato, Esq.10 Bank Street8th FloorWhite Plains, NY 10606(561) 512-2031[email protected] Source: Saxena White P.A. Washington, Sept. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) launched Growing Globally, one of several training courses housed in the revamped Ascent online learning platform. Growing Globally specifically explores ways women entrepreneurs can expand their small businesses into new, international markets. Access to digital and online training platforms remains critical to supporting women entrepreneurs. As women are the fastest-growing entrepreneurial segment in the nation, Ascent helps the SBA reach more women where they are and when they need it. At the U.S. Small Business Administration, we are boldly dedicated to transforming our learning ecosystem to be timely and relevant to women-owned small businesses across the country, stated SBA Associate Administrator of the Office for Entrepreneurial Development Mark Madrid. Under the leadership of SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, we look forward to announcing more educational initiatives to empower our small business ecosystems. Women entrepreneurs start and own nearly half of all businesses in the United States, employ 9.4 million workers, generate $1.9 trillion in revenue, and represent all industries. Ascent offers several essential journeys to assist women business owners with strategies toward growth and success, including Disaster & Economic Recovery, Strategic Marketing, Your People, Your Business Financial Strategy, Access to Capital, Government Contracting, Partnerships, Entrepreneurial Leadership, and Managing Sales. Each journey contains content and tools needed to grow your business, with additional topics added over time. Growing Globally" highlights six modules that feature the tools you need to master the topic: The Value of Growing Globally Opportunities for Growing Globally Exploring International Markets Social Entrepreneurship in International Business Exporting to World Markets Importing from World Markets As the global marketplace becomes increasingly interconnected, Growing Globally helps entrepreneurs explore emerging opportunities abroad for growth. This journey will also guide entrepreneurs through the benefits and risks of expanding into international markets and introduce them to tools they need to succeed. Visit Ascent.SBA.gov and register for your free access today. For additional opportunities on how women entrepreneurs can start, grow and recover, visit SBA.gov or contact your local SBA District Office. ### About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. Press Office United States Small Business Administration [email protected] Source: United States Small Business Administration Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2022) - Dentists providers of Fastbraces Orthodontic Technology from the US and around the world are converging to Dallas, Texas for the Annual Global Business Conference and Awards Gala that will take place at theFastbracesuniversity.com Campus and the Hilton Anatole Hotel on September 23 & 24. The Founder of Fastbraces and Inventor of its Technologies, orthodontist Dr. Anthony Viazis and other highly-regarded speakers will address the participants of this meeting of highly skilled clinicians. Various business, financial, management and marketing topics will be discussed as well as the current state of affairs of the global orthodontic industry. The two-day event will culminate with the presentation of the Business Awards to over eighty (80) dentists who have demonstrated excellent clinical skills in the application of Fastbraces Technologies. These Awards will be presented by the inventor and his brother, orthodontic influencer, Dr. Evangelos Viazis, at the Black-Tie Gala given in honor of the providers. These Awards are the Mastership and Senior Mastership recognitions along with the Golden Athena Award, given to only one provider worldwide for his/her exceptional application of Fastbraces Technologies. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8621/137981_a0cb5053842f4b1c_001full.jpg About Fastbraces Technologies. Invented and founded by Dallas orthodontist, Dr. Anthony D. Viazis, Fastbraces Technologies is celebrating 30 years of providing products that help dentists and orthodontists straighten teeth safely, quickly, and easily. Fastbraces Technology is now globally known and used by doctors in over 50 countries where thousands of patients have been successfully treated. Tested in vitro and in vivo by universities, Fastbraces Technologies high performance bracket systems upright the roots of the teeth towards their final position (orthoeruption) from the beginning of treatment with a single square wire thereby reestablishing the natural alveolar bone morphology with the teeth straight. This proprietary technology is taught online (www.fastbraces.com) as well as at the Fastbracesuniversity.com Campus by Dallas, Texas and at seminars around the world. Company Details Name: Chris Denton Company Name: Orthoworld LLC Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.fastbraces.com City: Dallas State: Texas Country: United States To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/137981 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - Danavation Technologies Corp. (CSE: DVN) (OTCQB: DVNCF) ("Danavation" or the "Company"), a Canadian-based Internet of Things ("IoT") technology company and provider of micro e-paper displays, is pleased to announce that it has closed the third tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement through the issuance of 1,452,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.25 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $363,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.35 per Common Share for twenty-four (24) months from the closing of the Offering. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid a certain eligible person a cash commission of $25,350 and issued 101,400 broker warrants ("Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.25 per Common Share for twenty-four (24) months from the closing of the Offering. In addition, the Company issued 102,000 Broker Warrants in connection with the closing of the second tranche of the Offering. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a four month hold period from the date of issuance. Proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company for working capital and for other general and administrative costs. The Company may close additional tranches of the Offering subject to all required regulatory approvals. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Danavation Danavation Technologies Corp. is a Canadian-based, Internet of Things (IoT) technology company, providing micro e-paper displays to organizations across North America. The Company's Digital Smart Labels", powered by IoT automation technology and software Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), enables companies across various sectors to automate labelling, price, product, and promotions in real-time, enhancing data accuracy and improving performance by removing high labour costs and low productivity associated with traditional labour-intensive workflows. By empowering the adoption of smart retail, smart cities and industry 4.0, our goal is to create a sustainable and profitable business for shareholders while advancing sound environmental, social and governance practices, including by significantly reducing paper usage. Danavation has introduced its solution to retailers across North America, including big box and boutique grocers, while also targeting new markets including healthcare providers, manufacturing, and logistics companies. Learn more about the background of Danavation and our vision for the future on our website. As well, follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube for more updates on how we are transforming the retail landscape. For further information, please contact: John Ricci President & Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Cindy Gray 5 Quarters Investor Relations, Inc. Tel: 1-403-705-5076 |[email protected] Investor Relations - United States Trevor Brucato, Managing Director RBMG - RB Milestone Group LLC New York, NY & Stamford, CT [email protected] / www.rbmilestone.com For media relations / management interview requests: Mr. Nelson Hudes Hudes Communications International Tel: 1-905-660-9155 or [email protected] Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward 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 RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138110 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - ScreenPro Security Inc. (CSE: SCRN) (OTCQB: SCRSF) ("ScreenPro" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Concierge Medical Consultants Inc. ("Concierge"), launched personal home care services in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The Company plans to expand to the Vancouver area in the near future. The personal home care service is a new healthcare solution tailored for seniors or those who are looking for at home care. Our team of healthcare professionals believe that urgent medical care doesn't have to happen in the clinic, it can happen at home. This new service brings accessible care to the patient's home and helps improve the patient's overall healthcare experience. With the current state of the Canadian healthcare system and hospital wait times being at a record high, Canadian healthcare continues to be in crisis. Patient needs and healthcare services are in demand. Leveraging Concierge services to provide in-clinic and at home healthcare will help further expand the Company into the health care space, while providing solutions to patients who need timely care. (Source: https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/06/10/emergency-room-wait-times-toronto/) Home care services allow patients to receive care in the comfort of their home, enhancing quality of life and health. Our team of health care professionals will provide the following services for home care: Personal support IV Therapy Nursing care Dementia care Palliative Care Tracheostomy Care Colostomy Care Medication Assistance The Canadian home care market is expected to grow substantially as there is a rise of the elderly population and rising chronic diseases driving growth in home care. North America dominated the global home health care market in growth and is expected to increase by 8.4% to nearly $300 billion within the next four years. (Source: https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/post-acute/global-home-health-care-market-expected-increase-84-nearly-300b-within-4-years) Additionally, Home Care Ontario reports that home care services are increasingly popular with over 150,000 Ontario citizens purchasing an additional 20 million visits of home care services annually in order to get medical care in the comfort of their own home. (Source: https://www.closingthegap.ca/home-care-costs-in-ontario-a-complete-breakdown/) With the current demand in the healthcare system and rapid growth in the home care market, the Company is confident in the choice to expand Concierge's services. To learn more about Concierge's Personal Home Care services and to book, please visit: https://www.conciergemedical.ca/personalhomecare "The Company is proud to utilize Concierge Medical's capabilities in the development of home care services with our dedicated team of physicians, nurses, and personal support workers," said Andrew Ryu, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. "Our vision for Concierge is to create a strong patient-medical professional relationship, providing passionate, empathic, and timely care to patients for all health concerns. In these trying times, immediate access to a healthcare professional can be difficult, Concierge is here to make it simple," said Dr. Jibran Sharif, President of Concierge Medical and Chief Medical Officer of the Company. About Concierge Concierge Medical Consultants is a small group of board-certified practicing emergency physicians who think that urgent care does not just happen in an ER or your doctor's office, it can happen anywhere at any time. Dr Jibran Sharif, MD, CCFP EM, RDMS, is the founder and President of Concierge Medical Consultants, he is a passionate advocate of Concierge medicine and believes that all patients should have robust, timely and personalized access to health care professionals. He earned a degree in Economics at the University of British Columbia before graduating with a medical degree and residencies in Emergency Medicine and Ultrasound at the University of Sydney, University of Saskatchewan, and the University of Calgary, respectively. He is a full time Emergency physician in the GVRD and a Clinical lecturer with the faculty of Emergency Medicine at the University of British Columbia. For additional information, please visit Concierge's website at www.conciergemedical.ca About ScreenPro ScreenPro is a medical technology company that provides turnkey screening solutions with its proprietary medical alerting software. ScreenPro's unique access to multiple manufacturers of high-quality test kits and its strategic partnership with labs in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec allows ScreenPro to be a full-service nationwide provider of COVID testing and breast cancer screening solutions across Canada. In addition, ScreenPro's subsidiary, Concierge Medical, is a group of board-certified physicians who provide private, discreet, and personalized healthcare to Canadians. ScreenPro prides itself in having its own medical doctors and nursing professionals with on the ground support staff and transportation, with access to high quality PPEs to ensure that clients are protected in all aspects of their testing needs. ScreenPro also newly introduced Naturevan Nutrition Ltd., to its portfolio, providing vitamins and supplements that are proudly made in Canada and distributed for sale online. For additional information on ScreenPro and other corporate information, please visit the Company's website at www.screenprosecurity.com For more information about the Company, please refer to the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor it's Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information: Investor Relations & Communications Priya Monique Atwal, Director of Communications Tel: (416) 901-5611 x 204 Email: [email protected] Andrew Ryu, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Tel: 416-901-5611 x 201 Email: [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forwardlooking information, including statements relating to the future development of ScreenPro's business. Forwardlooking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forwardlooking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forwardlooking information. The actual results of ScreenPro could differ materially from those anticipated in this forwardlooking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which ScreenPro operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to ScreenPro's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of ScreenPro. Management of ScreenPro believes that the expectations reflected in the forwardlooking information herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forwardlooking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forwardlooking information contained in this news release represents ScreenPro's expectations as of the date hereof and is subject to change after such date. ScreenPro disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation. ### To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138001 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2022) - Tudor Gold Corp. (TSXV: TUD) (the "Company" or "Tudor Gold") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced brokered private placement offering (the "Offering"), with a non-brokered portion of the offering (the "Non-Brokered Portion"), for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $7.75 million. The Offering was led by Research Capital Corporation, as lead agent and sole bookrunner, on behalf of a syndicate of agents, including Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Roth Canada Inc. (collectively, the "Agents"). In connection with the Offering and the Non-Brokered Portion, the Company issued the following combination of securities (the "Offered Securities"): a) 1,150,500 conventional units (each, a "Conventional Unit") at a price of $1.25 per Conventional Unit. Each Conventional Unit will consist of (i) a special warrant (a "Special Warrant") which will entitle the holder thereof, without payment of any additional consideration and without further action on the part of the holder, to receive one common share of the Company (a "Common Share"), and (ii) one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"); b) 2,401,500 flow-through units (each, an "FT Unit") at a price of $1.45 per FT Unit. Each FT Unit will consist of (i) a Special Warrant, and (ii) one-half of one Warrant. The Special Warrants and Warrants comprising the FT Units will each qualify as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"); and c) 1,600,000 charity flow-through units (each a "Charity FT Unit") at a price of $1.77 per Charity FT Unit. Each Charity FT Unit will consist of (i) a Special Warrant, and (ii) one-half of one Warrant. The Special Warrants and Warrants compromising the Charity FT Units will each qualify as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Tax Act and will be issued as part of a charity arrangement. Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $1.75 per Warrant Share at any time during the period commencing at the time the Special Warrants are exercised (as described below) and ending 24 months after the date of closing of the Offering (the "Closing"). Eric Sprott, through 2176423 Ontario Ltd, a corporation beneficially owned by him, subscribed for $2,000,000 in the Offering. Mr. Sprott is an insider of the company and as such, his participation in connection with the private placement is a related-party transaction under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. The company is relying on exemptions from the minority shareholder approval and formal valuation requirements applicable to the related-party transactions under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the shares to be purchased on behalf of Mr. Sprott nor the consideration to be paid by him exceeds 25 per cent of the Company's market capitalization. The net proceeds from the sale of Conventional Units (net of the Agents' cash commission on the Offering and the Agents' expenses) will be used for the Company's ongoing exploration drilling program, working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes. The entire gross proceeds from the issue and sale of the FT Units and Charity FT Units will be used for Canadian Exploration Expenses as defined in paragraph (f) of the definition of "Canadian exploration expense" in subsection 66.1(6) of the Tax Act and "flow through mining expenditures" as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Tax Act that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" (the "Qualifying Expenditures"), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2023 and renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2022 to the initial purchasers of FT Units and Charity FT Units. The Company is seeking to spin out its interest in its subsidiary Goldstorm Metals Corp. ("Goldstorm") (which holds six contiguous Golden Triangle Area mineral properties, being the Mackie East, Mackie West, Fairweather, High North, Delta and Orion and Electrum properties) to the current shareholders of the Company through a plan of arrangement (the "Spin-Out Arrangement"). In accordance with the terms of the arrangement agreement between the Company and Goldstorm for the Spin-Out Arrangement, the Offered Securities will not entitle the holders or transferees of the Offered Securities to : (i) vote on the Spin-Out Arrangement, or (ii) receive common shares of Goldstorm (the "Goldstorm Shares") in connection with the Spin-Out Arrangement. The Special Warrants will be automatically exchanged for Common Shares on the first business day following the earlier of (i) completion of the Spin-Out Arrangement and (ii) if applicable, the date the Company disseminates a press release announcing that it has determined to not proceed with the Spin-Out Arrangement (provided that the Company will be obligated to so determine and announce if the Spin-Out Arrangement has not been completed on or before December 31, 2022). The Units, FT Units, Charity FT Units and securities underlying the Compensation Warrants (as defined below) to be issued under the Offering will have a hold period of four months and one day from the Closing Date. The Closing of the Offering is subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. In connection with the Offering, the Agents received an aggregate cash fee of $306,018. In addition, the Company granted the Agents 205,120 non-transferable compensation warrants (the "Compensation Warrants"). Each Compensation Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $1.45 per Common Share for a period of 24 months following the Closing. In addition, the Agents received an aggregate advisory fee of $30,000 and 24,000 advisory broker warrants on the same terms as the Compensation Warrants. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. About Tudor Gold Corp. Tudor Gold Corp. is a precious and base metals exploration and development company with properties in British Columbia's Golden Triangle (Canada), an area that hosts producing and past-producing mines and several large deposits that are approaching potential development. The 17,913 hectare Treaty Creek project (in which TUDOR GOLD has a 60% interest) borders Seabridge Gold Inc.'s KSM property to the southwest and borders Pretium Resources Inc.'s Brucejack property to the southeast. In April 2021 Tudor published their 43-101 technical report, "Technical Report and Initial Mineral Resource Estimate of the Treaty Creek Gold Property, Skeena Mining Division, British Columbia Canada" dated March 1, 2021 on the Company's SEDAR profile. The Company also has a 100% interest in the Crown project and a 100% interest in the Eskay North project, all located in the Golden Triangle area. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TUDOR GOLD CORP. "Ken Konkin" Ken Konkin President and Chief Executive Officer For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.tudor-gold.com or contact: Chris Curran Head of Corporate Development and Communications Phone: (604) 559 8092 E-Mail: [email protected] or Carsten Ringler Head of Investor Relations and Communications Phone: +49 151 55362000 E-Mail: [email protected] Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information 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. This news 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 activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including expectations regarding the Company's use of the net proceeds from the sale of the Conventional Units, expectations relating to the Company's ability to incur and/or renounce Canadian Exploration Expenses within the timeframes anticipated by management or at all, expectations that the Spin-Out Arrangement will close in the timeframe and on the terms as anticipated by management, and expectations regarding the receipt of the requisite regulatory approvals for the Offering. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connation thereof. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the Company will be able to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Conventional Units as anticipated by management, that the Company will be able to incur and renounce Canadian Exploration Expenses within the timeframes anticipated by management, that the Spin-Out Arrangement will close in the timeframe and on the terms as anticipated by management, and that the Company will receive the requisite regulatory approvals for the Offering. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions 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 the Company's plans or expectations include risks that the Company is not able to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Conventional Units as anticipated by management, risks that the Company is not able to incur and renounce Canadian Exploration Expenses within the timeframes anticipated by management or at all, 2022, risks that the Spin-Out Arrangement does not close in the timeframe and on the terms as anticipated by management or at all, and risks that the Company does not receive the requisite regulatory approvals for the Offering. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138083 FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken makes his remarks at the Ministerial Meeting on Food Security during the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2022. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/Pool WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on Friday in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, the State Department said on Thursday. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Susan Heavey) Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. As ongoing research published in the National Library of Medicine supports the effectiveness of EMDR, Grigore Counselling announces Total Immersion EMDR therapy in Surrey, BC. Grigore Counselling has announced that its accelerated Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is now available for patients suffering from addictive disorders, including alcohol and drug addiction. More details can be found at https://www.thecelebritysaviour.com The new treatment is designed to help patients develop coping mechanisms to overcome addiction and prevent relapse. Therapy sessions are led by practice founder and creator of Total Immersion EMDR, Robert Grigore. EMDR is a psychotherapeutic treatment which accelerates the brains natural ability to heal itself, utilizing a process called Bilateral Stimulation, explains Robert Grigore. EMDR has over 30 years of research and clinical trials, and is endorsed by leading health authorities around the world, including the World Health Organization. Grigore Counsellings novel approach, Total Immersion EMDR is an accelerated form of the traditional EMDR treatment and aims to provide lasting results in 3 to 5 days. This interactive psychotherapy method is used to relieve psychological stress that has built up over the years, allowing the brain to work through overwhelming experiences which were not properly processed. During the new addiction therapy sessions, Grigore directs eye movements while guiding the patient through traumatic memories or thoughts. The distraction caused by this bilateral stimulation makes processing stressful events less emotionally painful, helping patients properly process traumatic memories and eventually move past them. EMDR has been proven effective for anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, relationship issues, procrastination, perfectionism, shame, and grief, says Robert Grigore. His new service is designed to help patients confront the negative emotions associated with addiction, while establishing healthy coping mechanisms and lowering the risks of relapse. Utilizing the brains natural healing abilities, EMDR therapy aims to limit negative thinking and behaviours for lasting results. With the latest announcement, Grigore Counselling makes its innovative Total Immersive EMDR therapy available in form of five-day retreats, three-day weekend sessions, and single sessions. Founder Robert Grigore is renowned for his work with celebrities, who have publicly endorsed EMDR. Interested parties can learn more by visiting https://www.thecelebritysaviour.com/testimonials Contact Info: Name: Robert A. Grigore Email: Send Email Organization: Grigore Counselling Address: 19567 Fraser Hwy. 469, Surrey, British Columbia V3S 6K7, Canada Phone: +1-778-883-4819 Website: https://www.thecelebritysaviour.com Release ID: 89081985 If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours. Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. Trademark Building Company Inc. (+1-248-632-1091) has updated its design-build services, offering to construct one-of-a-kind homes in the modern farmhouse style in Troy, MI and the surrounding communities. This Troy MI home building company can now design and construct fully-customized modern farmhouse properties, partnering with clients to satisfy their unique lifestyle needs, accessibility requirements, and interior tastes. More information is available at https://trademarkbuildingmichigan.com/troy-custom-houses/ For its modern farmhouse projects, Trademark can leverage the latest advances in home construction technology, such as virtual design studios that enable clients to remotely preview the property while it is being built. The home-building partner works alongside a team of award-winning designers and the states top architects who will oversee constructions inspired by the latest trends in residential interiors and exteriors. Its modern farmhouse constructions blend the simplicity of modern design with classic architectural details, such as reclaimed wood and rustic furnishings. The open-plan, modern farmhouse style can also be customized for unique accessibility needs. Moreover, the architectural classic can be augmented with luxury details, such as spa-style master bathrooms, under-cabinet lighting, and mudrooms. Alongside modern farmhouse designs, Trademark can build homes showcasing current architectural trends such as prairie and contemporary styles. Having worked on multi-million dollar constructions, the home-building partner brings its experience and resources to custom home projects https://trademarkbuildingmichigan.com/custom-homes/. The design-build company is fully licensed and insured to operate in Birmingham, Ferndale, Royal Oak, Bloomfield, Beverly Hills, and Troy. On the Trademark site, there is a complete photo gallery of their past custom construction projects available to browse. The company is committed to superior craftsmanship and fully vets each member of staff to maintain a high-quality service. Design-build clients are provided with continuous project status updates during the construction of their homes. A satisfied client said, We worked with Trademark to build our new house, and the entire process was great. Tony and his team took the time to make sure they understood what we were looking for in all aspects of the project, and our new home turned out better than we could have imagined. Id strongly recommend considering Trademark for any project. More information can be found by visiting https://www.trademarkbuildingmichigan.com or by calling +1-248-632-1091. About Us: Trademark Building Company is the newest addition to the McGuckin familys portfolio of businesses. They founded G&M Gutter in 1951, and it continues to provide high-quality exterior services to builders and homeowners throughout Southeast Michigan. Contact Info: Name: Tony McGuckin Email: Send Email Organization: Trademark Building Company Inc. Address: 1236 Rankin St, Troy, MI 48083 Phone: (248) 941-5178 Website: https://www.trademarkbuildingmichigan.com/ Video URL: https://youtu.be/vJ9dA887vzg Release ID: 89082035 If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours. LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) September 22, 2022 In solidarity with the U.N. International Day of Peace on September 21, The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) released a new video inviting people to learn more about the Peace Education Program and other initiatives to help advance dignity, peace and prosperity. The Peace Education Program is a workshop series that can help make every day a peace day by empowering participants to discover their inner strength and contentment. More than 300,000 people in 80 countries have participated in the program. It has proven effective with diverse populations in a variety of settings including community centers, schools and universities, healthcare programs, homeless shelters, substance use rehabilitation facilities, correctional facilities and many more. A growing body of studies and independent reports show profound impacts for participants, including empowerment to make better choices, shape more hopeful outlooks, enhance self-reliance and enrich appreciation for life. The Peace Education Program's goal is to help people live more peaceful and fulfilling lives, which dovetails well with the purpose of Peace Day. Established by the United Nations in 1981, the annual occasion aims to bring all of humanity together to commit to peace above all differences. In the new Peace Day video, TPRF Founder and Peace Educator Prem Rawat emphasizes the innate human potential for peace. "Peace resides in your heart. All that it takes is that you recognize who you are," he says. "The Peace Education Program tries to only achieve one simple thing--it's to put you in touch with yourself." Prem Rawat and the Peace Education Program were also recently featured during the Global Peace Education Day Conference on September 20, which brought together leaders in the field to share perspectives and approaches to building a worldwide culture of peace. While peace advocates around the world are pleased that Peace Day is now a yearly event on September 21, an increasingly vocal number of them have been requesting that the U.N. take their efforts further by establishing a complementary Global Peace Education Day an event to expand initiatives in schools and other institutions around the world. The Peace Education Program is just one of the ways that TPRF works to accomplish its mission of addressing fundamental human needs. TPRF's Food for People (FFP) program takes an innovative approach to helping people emerge from poverty by providing nutritious meals, clean water and educational opportunities to disadvantaged communities in India, Nepal and Ghana. So far, FFP has served more than 4.7 million nutritious meals, resulting in improved health, school enrollment and achievement, and economic outlook. In addition, TPRF has given over 170 grants totaling over $5.6 million to a variety of partner organizations in 40 countries to help victims of natural disasters and other challenges, providing food, water, medical care and other humanitarian aid. For example, this year TPRF has provided vital necessities to people suffering from the war in Ukraine. Registered as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, TPRF has earned the highest rankings from independent evaluator Charity Navigator for fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency. Watch the Peace Day video and learn more about all of The Prem Rawat Foundation's work here. Read the full story at https://www.prweb.com/releases/prem_rawat_foundation_marks_peace_day_2022_with_initiatives_to_make_peace_possible/prweb18915561.htm OPELOUSAS, La., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tender, juicy and smothered in a creamy Creole Dijon sauce, this is not your traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu. By combining the classic breaded chicken, ham and cheese with the flavors of Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning and herbs, this comfort food will soon be a new family favorite. CAJUN CHICKEN CORDON BLEUBy: @flychefaldenbINGREDIENTSFor the Chicken: 4 Chicken Breasts, Boneless & Skinless Pound Ham, Sliced 16 Slices Swiss Cheese 1 Tablespoon Tony's Spice N' Herbs Seasoning Oil for Frying For the Batter: 1 Cup All Purpose Flour 2 Cups Italian Breadcrumbs 4 Eggs For the Sauce: 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter 2 Cloves Garlic, Minced 3 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour 2 Cups Heavy Cream Cup Dijon Mustard 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese Tony's Spice N' Herbs, to Taste PREPARATIONPrep Time: 30 MinutesCook Time: 10 MinutesServes: 2-4 Butterfly the chicken breasts by cutting them in half and opening them up. Place the chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound until the chicken is about 1/2 an inch thick. Season the chicken with Tony's Spice N' Herbs Seasoning. Evenly distribute the Swiss cheese and ham on the chicken and roll the chicken up. Wrap the chicken in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer while you prepare the sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and garlic. Saute until fragrant. Stir in the flour for 2 minutes, then add heavy cream and Dijon mustard and stir until thickened. Add in Parmesan cheese and season to taste with Tony's Spice N' Herbs. Heat 2 inches of oil to 325F. Remove chicken from the freezer and dip it into a bowl of flour. Then, dip it into a bowl of eggs and finally into a bowl of Italian breadcrumbs. Fry in oil for 5 minutes. Turn the chicken over and fry for an additional 5 minutes. If the internal temperature is not up to 165F, add the chicken to an oven at 325F until the chicken reaches its internal 165F temperature. Plate the chicken, slice it and top it with the cream sauce. Enjoy! About Tony Chachere's Tony Chachere's Famous Creole Cuisine is celebrating its 50th Anniversary! Established in 1972 by Tony Chachere, the "Ole Master" of Creole cooking, Tony's remains family-owned and operated in Opelousas, Louisiana. Employing more than 100 people, the family maintains a tradition of Creole authenticity in its comprehensive line of seasonings, dinner mixes, marinades, and sauces for both the pantry and the table. As part of Tony's 50th Anniversary Celebration, pick up your commemorative can of Tony's Original Creole Seasoning. Order it now at tonychachere.com. tonychachere.com#PassAGoodTime#[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amp-up-the-flavor-of-your-favorite-cordon-bleu-with-tonys-301631501.html SOURCE Tony Chachere's NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- When: New York, NY September 20, 2022 Where: CFA Society New York 1540 Broadway, #1010. New York, NY 10036 What: CFA Society New York, the local Society of the CFA Institute, was honored to host the African Heads of State and Asset Owners Forum in its office yesterday, September 20th. Background: The African continent is undergoing a massive change. ESG projects are growing. The continental trade agreement is fostering cooperation and market formalization. However, for foreign investors, due diligence issues and capacity issues remain. African ESG projects are valuable, but decarbonizing Africa is not. Africa has 20% of global population and only produces 3% of the world's carbon emissions Asset owners generally welcome better information about African investments as they need data and insights. They would like to invest the time to know better about the continent. The policymakers said the time is right for greater partnerships among their countries and the world Event: African Heads of State and Asset Owners Forum In honor of the occasion, Thomas Brigandi, CFA, Chair of the Board of Directors of CFA Society New York and Founder of CFA Society New York's Asset Owner Series delivered the welcoming remarks at this African Heads of State Institutional Investor Climate Finance Dialogue during UN General Assembly Week 2022, where he formally welcomed African Presidents, Finance Ministers, corporate executives, senior global asset owners, asset managers and investment consultants. Opening ceremony included remarks by: Dr. Hubert Danso, CEO and Chairman, Africa investor, Ms. Cristina Duarte, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Africa, and H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission. African Heads of State Keynote Speakers introduced their priority regional and infrastructure investment projects that support Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the policies they are pursuing to stimulate and attract global and intra-African investment. Distinguished Heads of State included: H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E. Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles H.E. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia The Moderator of the panel was Dr. Hubert Danso, CEO and Chairman: Africa investor (Ai), Chairman: CFA New York Society Global Asset Owners' Advisory Council, AiSWPFF, Chairman, African Union Continental Business Network (CBN), African Green Infrastructure Investment Bank Advisory Board (AfGIIB). About CFA Society New York CFA Society New York has been a leading forum for the investment community since 1937. CFA Society New York's mission is to serve the needs of all members and investment professionals and to educate the investing public. CFA Society New York has spent years working on investments in the African continent. In years past, we simply helped make the risk-return profiles clear to analysts and portfolio managers who are CFA Society New York members. Later, we created educational programs to help assist asset owners understand the region. In 2019, we promoted a framework for infrastructure investments in the region. During the COVID lockdown, we brought all African CFA Societies together to discuss these investments. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cfa-society-new-york---african-heads-of-state-and-asset-owners-forum-301630418.html SOURCE CFA Society New York Chaos theory, developed by Hokkaido University and Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, improves understanding of Arctic narwhal behavior, with the aim of helping efforts to protect this vulnerable species. SAPPORO, Japan, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Joint release by Hokkaido University and Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. Researchers have used the mathematical equations of chaos theory to analyse the data from long-term monitoring of an electronically tagged narwhal. They have extracted previously undetected diurnal patterns within what initially appeared to be irregular diving and surface resting behavior, using records extending across 83 days. "While animal-borne ocean sensors continue to advance and collect more data, there is a lack of adequate methods to analyse records of irregular behavior," says Hokkaido University geophysicist Evgeny A. Podolskiy, first author of the research published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology. Podolskiy developed the procedure to find behavioral patterns in seemingly intractable complexity with Mads Peter HeideJrgensen at the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are relatively small whales found in Arctic seas, famous for their long single tusks and called the unicorns of the sea. They are one of the most endangered Arctic species due to climate change, human activity, and predation by such invasive species as killer whales. The narwhals are notable for undertaking dives to extreme depths of more than 1,800 metres. Their life cycle is tightly coupled with sea ice, which is rapidly declining. Podolskiy and HeideJrgensen combined their expertises in signal processing and biologging to understand the full diversity of behaviors of a satellite-tagged narwhal. Mathematical techniques developed as part of chaos theory can interpret complicated and seemingly chaotic behavior in dynamic systems to reveal states called 'attractors', which the systems tend to develop towards. In essence, the approach identifies significant patterns that would otherwise be difficult to detect. The analysis of the behavior of the electronically tagged narwhal, inspired by Podolskiy's previous work on turbulence, revealed a daily pattern of activity and how it was affected by changing seasons, features of narwhal behavior that were previously unrecognised. The animal rested nearer to the surface around noon, but when they did dive at that time the dives were very deep. During twilight and at night the dives became more shallow but also more intense, possibly due to hunting for squid, which is known for diurnal vertical migration. It was also found that increased sea ice constrains the narwhal's surface activity, and is correlated with more intense diving. "Our approach is relatively simple to implement and can map and label long term data, identifying differences between the behavior of individual animals and different species, and also detecting perturbations in behavior caused by changing influences," the authors suggest. The researchers expect that their new method may be especially useful for assessing the challenges to narwhals and other Arctic animals posed by climate change and the loss of sea ice. Such information may prove vital in adopting policies to protect endangered species in the face of natural change and increased human activity. Contacts: Associate Professor Evgeny A. PodolskiyArctic Research CenterHokkaido UniversityTel: +81-11-706-9626Email: [email protected] Professor Mads Peter Heide-JrgensenGreenland Institute of Natural ResourcesTel: +299-361200Email: [email protected] Sohail Keegan Pinto (International Public Relations Specialist)Public Relations DivisionHokkaido UniversityTel: +81-11-706-2185Email: [email protected] Fernando Ugarte (Head of Department of Birds and Mammals)Greenland Institute of Natural ResourcesTel: +299 361242Email: [email protected] Research paper: Evgeny A. Podolskiy, Mads Peter Heide-Jrgensen. Strange attractor of a narwhal (Monodon monoceros). PLOS Computational Biology. September 22, 2022. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010432 Funding: This work was supported by the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources; the Danish Cooperation for the Environment in the Arctic (2013_01_0289); the Carlsberg Foundation (CF14-0169); the Hokkaido University Support Program for Frontier Research (Fundamentals of Active Matter across Scales for Novel Materials); and the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II research project (JPMXD142031886) funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT). Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1904429/Attaching_a_satellite.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clarifying-the-chaos-of-narwhal-behavior-301630126.html SOURCE Hokkaido University LOVELAND, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cold Jet, the global leader in dry ice technology, has signed a letter of intent to acquire Aquila Triventek's dry ice activities, a Danish company that specializes in developing innovative dry ice cleaning, production and CO2 recovery systems. Along with new product offerings and business opportunities, Cold Jet will also welcome Triventek employees, partners and customers with over 40 years of experience in the industry and a shared view of sustainability. "This acquisition, at its core, will integrate dry ice technologies, innovations and staff from Triventek with the Cold Jet family and product portfolio," said Eugene Cooke, President & CEO of Cold Jet. Cold Jet is pleased to add small volume pelletizers and CO2 recovery units from Triventek to round out their portfolio with low- and high-volume pelletizers paired with CO2 recovery systems. The CO2 recovery units pair perfectly with Cold Jet dry ice production systems, helping customers achieve even greater efficiencies with their dry ice operations. "Triventek's advanced CO2 recovery systems made this opportunity especially unique in our effort to build a more sustainable carbon footprint for dry ice production," said Dennis Hjort, Senior Vice President Global DIMS & IBS of Cold Jet. Cold Jet is headquartered in Loveland, Ohio, USA with international operations in Europe, Asia, Canada and Mexico. Triventek will bring new business and opportunities in Europe, Scandinavia, South Pacific, Japan, South Africa, Brazil, Canada and Australia. "The technology within the CO2 recovery system from Triventek will enable our customers to effectively double the output of solid CO2 (dry ice) with the same input volume of liquid CO2, therefore driving much more efficiency and sustainability in all aspects of their operations with dry ice manufacturing solutions from Cold Jet," concluded Cooke. About Cold Jet Cold Jet has two distinct lines of business centered on the use of dry ice. The company provides environmental cleaning, surface preparation, and parts finishing systems to global manufacturing industries. Secondly, the company produces systems for the production, metering and packaging of dry ice. About Aquila Triventek Aquila Triventek A/S is a medium-sized production company that produces specialized high-pressure cleaners and dry ice machines. We are headquartered in Nrre Aaby on Funen, but sell to a wide range of industries throughout the world. For media inquiries, please contact Rachael Barnes, Marketing and Communications Generalist Global Marketing, Cold Jet at [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cold-jet-expands-global-footprint-with-acquisition-of-aquila-triventeks-dry-ice-product-line-301631423.html SOURCE Cold Jet Company ranked in a total of 54 reports across 11 categories, including Account-Based Advertising, Account-Based Analytics, Account-Based Orchestration Platforms, and Attribution SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Demandbase, the Smarter GTM company for B2B brands, announced today it has been recognized in 54 reports, including 42 grids across 11 different categories in the G2 fall 2022 reports. Recognition includes 39 as a leader, 13 as a high performer, and two in best relationship. The G2 Grid Reports are a result of real user ratings and reveal which solutions have the most satisfied customers and largest market presence. "Being recognized as a leader and improving our rankings across so many different categories is proof that Demandbase is the top choice for B2B companies," says Jon Miller, chief marketing officer at Demandbase. "We are constantly looking to improve and provide the best solutions for our customers. Our success really comes from customer accomplishments and it is always gratifying to see our customers using our platform to drive growth and telling their peers about their success." In today's economic climate, Smarter GTM is not only the fastest path to growth, it is essential for survival. Companies need to be able to do more with less and that means they need to work smarter, not harder. The fall G2 rankings solidify Demandbase as the Smarter GTM solution for companies and once again showcase Demandbase as a leader in the B2B GTM industry. Demandbase received highest rankings in the following reports: Enterprise Relationship Index for Account-Based Advertising Enterprise Relationship Index for Account-Based Analytics Enterprise Grid Report for Account-Based Advertising Enterprise Grid Report for Account-Based Analytics Enterprise Grid Report for Account-Based Orchestration Platforms Enterprise Grid Report for Attribution Mid-Market Grid Report for Attribution In all, Demandbase was recognized in the following 11 categories; Account Data Management, Account-Based Advertising, Account-Based Analytics, Account-Based Orchestration Platform, Account-Based Web and Content Experiences, Attribution, Buyer Intent Data Tools, Demand Side Platform (DSP), Market Intelligence, Marketing Account Intelligence, and Sales Intelligence. To read current reviews, write your own review, and hear from active Demandbase users, visit G2's review page, https://www.g2.com/products/demandbase-abm-platform/reviews. About Demandbase Demandbase is Smarter GTM for B2B brands. We help marketing and sales teams spot the juiciest opportunities earlier and progress them faster by injecting Account Intelligence into every step of the buyer journey and orchestrating every action. For more information about Demandbase, visit www.demandbase.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/demandbase-recognized-as-a-g2-fall-2022-leader-in-a-remarkable-39-reports-301631509.html SOURCE Demandbase HWPL Film Screening Attracts 500 Locals and Leaders NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A documentary was released and screened in the Philippines about the peacebuilding efforts in Mindanao. The film explores one of the world's longest conflicts that resulted in more than 120,000 deaths and left millions of people displaced. In celebration of National Peace Consciousness Month, "Great Legacy" premiered in a cinema in Davao City on September 6. Around 500 representatives attended the event, including government officials, members of the education sector, media, civil society leaders, religious leaders and peace advocates. The documentary was produced by SMV Media Group, a broadcast company based in Seoul, South Korea, in collaboration with Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a non-governmental organization advocating for global peace affiliated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications and the Economic and Social Council. HWPL's peace movement in the Philippines started when Chairman Lee Man-hee, a Korean war veteran and peace activist, visited Mindanao several times beginning in 2013. He mediated a civilian peace agreement signed by Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla and Maguindanao Governor Esmael "Toto" G. Mangudadatu on January 14, 2014 in General Santos City. Before an audience of 300 people, the representatives promised to cooperate in ceasing conflict and building peace. The peace agreement became the starting point for HWPL in raising awareness about peace throughout the Philippines based on universal principles of mutual understanding, respect, and harmony. HWPL peace initiatives include developing an international law for peace, interfaith dialogues and peace education. In the documentary, Martin Lee Hojian, former chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, praised HWPL and the Filipino people who had a keen passion for peace. Nabil Tirmage, Asia Pacific Broadcasting Development Organization program manager, said the peace agreement signed in 2014 is an "amazing case of realization of peace that the world should study." "The establishment of peace in Mindanao was a global task and required constructive intervention from the international community," said an HWPL official. "In particular, it will be possible to understand through this documentary film that the efforts at the private sector, like HWPL in Mindanao, are the foundation for peace." The documentary will also be screened in New York. For details, email [email protected]. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/documentary-on-international-cooperation-for-peace-in-mindanao-premieres-in-the-philippines-301630542.html SOURCE HWPL RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation has committed $1,050,000 over the next three years for the new Promesa: Hispanic Higher Education Initiative, which will support Hispanic students at seven colleges and universities. George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Sampson Community College, The University of Connecticut at Stamford, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, The University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus, and Utah Valley University will each receive $50,000 per year for three years to support this effort. "As we begin Hispanic Heritage Month and honor the contributions that Latinos have made to our nation, we are so proud to announce the Promesa initiative," said Carter Reid, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff for Dominion Energy. "This investment supports Hispanic college students in achieving their professional and personal goals, while also exposing them to career paths in the energy industry." With Promesa, Dominion Energy builds on a history of investment in educational institutions serving under-represented communities as we did in 2020 with the HBCU PromiseSM, Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program and earlier this year with the Building the Hispanic Talent InitiativeSM. Through these programs Dominion Energy hopes to build a pipeline for diverse talent to enter the energy industry. At Utah Valley University, the funds will support the College of Science and the College of Engineering and Technology to offer tuition and faculty-mentored research scholarships to former UVU Latino Scientists of Tomorrow Summer Bridge participantsanother Dominion supported program investing in Hispanic high school students. "These scholarships will help retain students through degree completion by removing financial barriers and allowing students more time to study, learn, and participate in faculty-mentored research that provides valuable workforce skills," said Dr. Daniel Horns, Dean of the UVU College of Science. "The scholarship program is patterned after a successful project previously funded by the National Science Foundation. It increased participants' graduation to 87%." Collectively among the seven schools, Hispanic students represent approximately 22% of the student population and 27% of those students are first-generation in their family to attend a higher education institution. Funds will be spent to help underwrite a range of programs, including scholarships, emergency aid, re-enrollment aid, stipends for faculty-mentored research, and cohort models with wraparound supports. About the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation About 7 million customers in 15 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D). Through its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, as well as EnergyShare and other programs, Dominion Energy contributed nearly $50 million in 2021 to community causes. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education, and encourage community vitality. Please visit www.DominionEnergy.com to learn more. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dominion-energy-charitable-foundation-commits-over-1-million-to-7-universities-to-support-promesa-hispanic-higher-education-initiative-301631155.html SOURCE Dominion Energy DALLAS, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NexPoint Capital, Inc. (the "Company"), a non-traded publicly registered business development company sponsored and managed by NexPoint Advisors, L.P., today announced the expiration and final results for its tender offer (the "Tender Offer") for up to 2.5% of its outstanding common stock ("Shares") at a price of $5.94 per Share (an amount approved by the Company's board of directors on September 22, 2022), plus any unpaid dividends accrued through the expiration date of the Tender Offer. The Fund's Tender Offer expired on September 19, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. 194,372.274 shares of the Company were tendered for repurchase in the Tender Offer. Any questions regarding the Tender Offer can be directed to the Company's Tender Agent, DST Systems, Inc., at (844) 485-9167. The Company's current offering price for its Shares, as well as other information, including information about management and the healthcare-focused investment strategy, are available at nexpoint.com. The information on or accessible through nexpoint.com is not incorporated by reference herein. About NexPoint Capital, Inc. NexPoint Capital, Inc. is a non-traded, publicly registered business development company sponsored and managed by NexPoint Advisors, L.P. About NexPoint Advisors, L.P. NexPoint Advisors, L.P. ("NexPoint Advisors") is an SEC-registered adviser on the NexPoint alternative investment platform ("NexPoint"). NexPoint Advisors serves as the adviser to a suite of funds and investment vehicles, including a closed-end fund, interval fund, business development company ("BDC"), and various real estate vehicles. For more information visit www.nexpoint.com. Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements may involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the performance of financial markets, the investment performance of NexPoint Advisors, L.P.'s sponsored investment products, general economic conditions, future acquisitions, competitive conditions and government regulations, including changes in tax laws. Readers should carefully consider such factors. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only on the date at which such statements are made. NexPoint Advisors, L.P. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statement. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Neither the Company, nor the Company's Board of Directors, nor NexPoint Advisors, L.P., makes any recommendation as to whether to tender or not to tender any Shares in the Tender Offer. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. For Information on the Tender Offer:Financial Advisors: (855) 498-1580Shareholders: (844) 485-9167 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nexpoint-capital-inc-announces-tender-offer-for-common-stock-301631669.html SOURCE NexPoint Capital, Inc. The 24/7 Automated Pizzeria Concept Expands to University of New Orleans, LSU Medical Center, and New Orleans VA Medical Center NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PizzaForno, one of North America's only automated pizzerias that bakes artisanal pizzas in less than three minutes, has announced its expansion to New Orleans with fully-operational locations at University of New Orleans (2101 Leon C Simon Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70122), LSU Medical Center (433 Bolivar St 3rd Floor Nola, LA 70112), and New Orleans VA Medical Center (2400 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119). Accessible 24/7 at the tap of a digital screen, this revolutionary brand with exclusive distribution rights offers a selection of innovative menu options, each made with top quality ingredients. With their first grand opening event set for Thursday, September 29th on the campus of University of New Orleans, serial entrepreneurs Miller Engelhardt, Andrew Herrington, and Robert Laurent will be expanding development across the South, and will be seeking spirited entrepreneurs looking to build their portfolios and add on a substantial income to their existing businesses. "PizzaForno units are designed to fit perfectly in prime high-foot traffic areas, maximizing use of space with only 65 square feet and zero on-site labor," stated master licensee, Miller Engelhardt. "As we continue to bring the future of pizza to New Orleans and expand across the state of Louisiana, potential licensees now have the chance to be one of the first to break into the registered U.S. markets." Kicking off the 'Pizza with a Purpose' initiative in New Orleans, the local entrepreneurs will donate a percentage of sales one day a week, from each location indefinitely, to Team Fleur de Que and Hogs for The Cause, an organization that works with hospitals nationwide to create partnerships, funds and housing to mitigate financial burdens for all pediatric brain cancer diagnoses. All three of the licensees have been on the fundraising Team Fleur de Que for the last 8 years. As Herrington's nephew passed away last year from pediatric brain cancer, Hogs for the Cause has special significance for the three founders. 'Pizza with a Purpose,' is the foundation for how PizzaForno selects licensees to join in on the development of their "Pizzaruption." In addition to staying focused on purpose driven initiatives, they work with each of their local owners to identify opportunities to help support non-profit organizations within their community. PizzaForno not only offers a high ROI but has the ability to operate 24/7 with zero on-site labor costs, limited waste and gives the option for licensees to scale quickly. 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. "Not only does the pizza taste great, but it comes with a healthy crust made from a pinsa flour-amaranth, rice, and a spelt combination. It also has 14 grams of protein," said Engelhardt. Now fully-operational on a total of 4 college campuses in the United States, PizzaForno is catching the eyes of investors who want to be a part of disrupting the pizza industry as we know it. "Taking QSR to the next level, there is endless growth potential with public access points in heavy pedestrian areas and private units in dorms, hospitals, and apartment complexes," stated Les Tomlin, Co-Founder and President of PizzaForno. 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/. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pizzaforno-becomes-first-to-market-in-new-orleans-with-three-new-automated-pizzerias-and-more-to-come-301631513.html SOURCE PizzaForno GARDNER, Mass., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. (OTCQB: PEYE) (the "Company") today announced that it has scheduled a conference call to discuss its fiscal year 2022 financial results on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 5:00pm ET. The Company intends to release its financial results and to file its 10-K after the close of the market on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, followed by the conference call. Conference Call Details Date and Time: Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 5:00pm ET Call-in Information: Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (844) 735-3662 or (412) 317-5705. Live Webcast Information: Interested parties can access the conference call via a live webcast, which is available at https://app.webinar.net/94M6mGLlvKa. Replay: A teleconference replay of the call will be available until October 4, 2022 at (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088, replay access code 4182019. A webcast replay will be available at https://app.webinar.net/94M6mGLlvKa. About Precision Optics CorporationFounded in 1982, Precision Optics is a vertically integrated optics company primarily focused on leveraging its proprietary micro-optics and 3D imaging technologies to the healthcare and defense/aerospace industries by providing services ranging from new product concept through mass manufacture. Utilizing its leading-edge in-house design, prototype, regulatory and fabrication capabilities as well as its Lighthouse Imaging division's electronic imaging expertise and its Ross Optical division's high volume world-wide sourcing, inspecting and production resources, the Company is able to design and manufacture next-generation product solutions to the most challenging customer requirements. Within healthcare, Precision Optics enables next generation medical device companies around the world to meet the increasing demands of the surgical community who require more enhanced and smaller imaging systems for minimally invasive surgery as well as 3D endoscopy systems to support the rapid proliferation of surgical robotic systems. In addition to these next generation applications, Precision Optics has supplied top tier medical device companies a wide variety of optical products for decades, including complex endocouplers and specialized endoscopes. The Company is also leveraging its technical proficiency in micro-optics to enable leading edge defense/aerospace applications which require the highest quality standards and the optimization of size, weight and power. For more information, please visit www.poci.com. About Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express the Company's intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements related to the Company's future activities or future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's business based, in part, on assumptions made by the Company's management. These statements are not guarantees of future performances and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those risks discussed in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and in other documents that we file from time to time with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report, except as required by law. Company Contact: PRECISION OPTICS CORPORATION22 East BroadwayGardner, Massachusetts 01440-3338Telephone: 978-630-1800 Investor Contact:LYTHAM PARTNERS, LLCRobert BlumPhoenix | New YorkTelephone: 602-889-9700[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/precision-optics-corporation-schedules-fiscal-year-2022-conference-call-for-tuesday-september-27-2022-301631525.html SOURCE Precision Optics Corporation CLEVELAND, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Contact centers were forced to become more agile in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating timelines for technology adoption, remote work, and omnichannel customer engagement, according to an industry report released by the Business Services investment banking team at Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL). Read the Business Services Insider The Mid-Game Pivot: Contact Center Industry Adjusts Rapidly to Market Forces: https://bit.ly/BusServInsider COVID-19 has forced contact centers to become more agile as demand for technology adoption and remote work increases. The report examines developing trends as well as the current state of the contact center M&A market, where consolidation is continuing across a fragmented landscape. Technology is transforming customer care. Cloud migration has made artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and predictive analytics more practical and achievable. Organizations are investing in AI capabilities contributing directly to improved customer experience (CX), cost savings, and operational efficiencies. Customer needs and expectations are continually evolving, and interaction levels are increasing rapidly, with an omnichannel service approach now expected to deliver a frictionless, cohesive, and personalized customer experience. By focusing on providing ever-improving levels of customer service, the contact center is now viewed as a critical component to maintaining and increasing brand loyalty versus being a necessary cost of doing business. Work-from-home is a permanent shift in service delivery, promoting higher employee and customer satisfaction while reducing operating costs. As technology transforms CX solutions, it is also influencing M&A activity, with digital-first service platforms in high demand. Acquisitions remain a primary lever in value creation as buyers look to augment digital capabilities and diversify industry verticals and geographic markets. The proposed merger of Sitel Group and Majorel and acquisitions by WNS (Vuram) and Teleperformance (Senture) are examples of recently announced strategic transactions. Bain Capital (VXI Global Solutions) and ChrysCapital (ResultsCX) are among the private equity sponsors to establish growth platforms in the contact center space. ### About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructurings, business valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and New York, and real estate offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and San Antonio. The firm is also a founding member of Global M&A Partners, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 30 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, Inc., an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-bgl-business-services-insider--the-mid-game-pivot-contact-center-industry-adjusts-rapidly-to-market-forces-301631703.html SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & Company The Pentagon is seen from the air in Washington, U.S., March 3, 2022, more than a week after Russia invaded Ukraine. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts By Mike Stone WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Pentagon on Thursday said it awarded Raytheon Technologies a $985 million dollar contract to develop prototypes for a hypersonic attack cruise missile, putting the firm well ahead of rivals in the race to become lead developer of the strategic weapons. Raytheon beat out Boeing and Lockheed Martin to continue its development of the weapon. The award is a significant advance in the development of hypersonic weapons for the United States, and puts Raytheon in an early lead for a series of related, and high-value, contract awards in the years ahead. Hypersonic weapons travel in the upper atmosphere at speeds of about 6,200 km per hour (3,853 mph), more than five times the speed of sound. The hypersonic attack cruise missile (HACM) is an air launched hypersonic weapon being developed in cooperation with the Australian government. "With advanced threats emerging around the globe, the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile will provide our warfighters a much-needed capability," said Wes Kremer, president of Raytheon Missiles & Defense. The Air Force expects delivery in fiscal 2027. The United States and China are engaged in an arms race to develop the most lethal hypersonic weapons, a top Air Force official acknowledged late last year, as Beijing and Washington build and test more and more of the high-speed next-generation arms. (Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Richard Pullin) false 0000039368 0000039368 2022-09-21 2022-09-21 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 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): H.B. Fuller Company (Exact Name of Company as Specified in Charter) Minnesota 001-09225 41-0268370 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 1200 Willow Lake Boulevard , P.O. Box 64683 , St. Paul , Minnesota 55164-0683 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Companys telephone number, including area code: ( 651 ) 236-5900 (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock , par value $1.00 FUL NYSE 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 DFR 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)) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in 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 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. Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On September 21, 2022, H.B. Fuller Company (the Company) announced its operating results for the third quarter ended August 27, 2022. A copy of the press release that discusses this matter is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to, and incorporated by reference in, this report. The information in this Item 2.02 shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing. Item9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits. 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) 2 SIGNATURE 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. Date: September 22, 2022 H.B. FULLER COMPANY By: /s/ Timothy J. Keenan Timothy J. Keenan Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary 3 ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS EXHIBIT 99.1 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE IDEA: R1.htm IDEA: ful20220921_8k_htm.xml IDEA: Financial_Report.xlsx IDEA: FilingSummary.xml IDEA: MetaLinks.json 0001661039 false 0001661039 2022-09-19 2022-09-19 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report: TPT Global Tech, Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Florida 333-222094 81-3903357 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification Number) 501 West Broadway , Suite 800 , San Diego , CA 92101 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) ( 619 ) 301-4200 Registrant's telephone number, including area code ___________________________________________________ (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: None Title of each Class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered N/A N/A N/A 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 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. Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders. The information set forth in Item 5.03 below regarding the reverse stock split described therein is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03. Item 5.03 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws On September 19, 2022, a majority of the Shareholders and the Board of Directors considered that it is in the best interest of the shareholders to restructure the common capital of the TPT Global Tech, Inc. (the Company), and so the Board has determined to Amend the Articles of Incorporation to amend the capital structure of the Company by a reverse split. Each share of issued and outstanding Common Stock as of a record date of September 29, 2022, will be reverse split on a one-for-one thousand basis on September 30, 2022, at 4 PM EDT, such that each old share represents 1/1,000 of a new share. A surrender of the old share certificate will not be required to be made by each shareholder, and the stockholder records will be automatically adjusted to reflect the reverse split. Fractional Shares shall be rounded up to the next whole share at the beneficial owner level. (The effective dates may be amended and extended by Board action in the event of delays in approval by FINRA.) This action requires the approval of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The reverse split in the market is pending FINRA approval and may be delayed while waiting for approval. The Articles of Amendment are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.39, containing the above amendment to the Articles which shall be filed with the Secretary of State of Florida. Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure. Press Release The information in this Item 7.01 of this Current Report is furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and shall not be deemed "filed" for any purpose, including for the purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing. On September 1, 2022, the Company issued a press release entitled TPT Global Tech Inc: TPT Global Tech, Inc. Recieves A Teaming Memorandum From The Director Of The Macon County Economic Development Authority For The Development Of Smart City Projects Througout The County. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. On September 12, 2022, the Company issued a press release entitled TPT Global Tech: TPT Globals CEO and Management Prepares for National Conference Call Monday September 12, 2022. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2. Item 9.01 Exhibits The following exhibits are filed with this report on Form 8-K. 2 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. TPT GLOBAL TECH, INC. By: /s/ Stephen J. Thomas III Stephen J. Thomas III, Title: Chief Executive Officer Date: September 22, 2022 3 ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION CALCULATION LINKBASE XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE IDEA: R1.htm IDEA: tptw_8k_htm.xml IDEA: Financial_Report.xlsx IDEA: FilingSummary.xml IDEA: MetaLinks.json SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Tribune News Service) A 19-year-old San Diego sailor was so unhappy with his life as a deck seaman after failing to become a Navy SEAL that, in the summer of 2020, he snuck into a vehicle storage area on the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard and ignited a spark, according to Navy prosecutors. That spark turned into a blaze that, over the next four days, burned and destroyed the $1.2 billion dollar warship, they said. Thats the story Navy Cmdr. Leah OBrien told a judge during opening statements in the court-martial of Seaman Recruit Ryan Mays that kicked off this week. Over the past two days, prosecutors have begun to lay the foundation of their case for arson a charge that could send the sailor to prison for life if found guilty. Mays, now 21, is charged with aggravated arson and the willful hazarding of a vessel. He denies the charges and officially entered a plea of not guilty Monday morning at the start of the proceedings at Naval Base San Diego. The sailor waived his right to a trial by military jury. The case is being heard by the military judge, Navy Capt. Derek Butler, who will be tasked with rendering a verdict and sentencing Mays should he be convicted. OBrien said Mays found himself working essentially as a janitor on the Bonhomme Richard, a duty far beneath what the sailor envisioned for himself when he enlisted to become a SEAL. That did not happen, OBrien said. Mays rung the bell or quit the Navys Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL school in Coronado on his second day. When sailors fail to complete BUD/S they are sent to the fleet Navy as so-called undesignated sailors meaning they do not receive specialty job training or follow-on schools before reporting to their first duty stations. (It) was not the glory he envisioned, OBrien said of Mays job as an undesignated seaman on a Navy warship. He absolutely hated his job. The Bonhomme Richard was nearing the end of a prolonged maintenance period during the summer of 2020, and its crew was not living aboard. When Mays was informed hed be moving back onto the ship that Monday, July 13, he texted his division officer the ship was hazardous as (expletive) because contractors could catch his rack on fire, OBrien said. One sailor on watch that morning told Navy investigators he saw Mays in a mask walk into the ships lower vehicle storage area carrying a bucket minutes before he saw smoke coming up the vehicle ramp. The fire Mays lit on board was a mischievous act of defiance gone wrong, OBrien told the court. Navy Lt. Tayler Haggerty, one of Mays three active-duty military judge advocates, said Navy and federal investigators were quick to blame the fire on arson and hasty to zero-in on Mays as their prime suspect. Haggerty said cognitive bias led law enforcement astray when they eliminated another Bonhomme Richard sailor as a suspect even though hed searched heat scales on Google less than an hour before the fire began. Haggerty said Mays was determined to get back into an elite program, be it the SEALS or Explosive Ordinance Disposal, and had not given up on the Navy. He still had hope, Haggerty told the judge. Eight former Bonhomme Richard sailors on the ship that morning testified Monday, including three who were the first to venture into the so-called lower V area and see the fires origin. Three of the eight testified that the sailor who allegedly saw Mays head down into the area just minutes before never told them someone might be down there. Special Agent Matthew Beals, a certified fire investigator with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, testified Tuesday that there was no doubt that the fire was deliberately set. Beals, an investigator based in San Diego, led the team that pored over the vessel in the days and weeks after the blaze. The investigation concluded that the fire was caused by a person who applied an open flame to a triple-thick cardboard box, known as a tri-wall, in the lower V using a liquid accelerant, such as lighter fluid or paint thinner, Beals said. Lt. Cmdr. Jordi Torres, Mays lead defense attorney, questioned Beals for more than three hours in a somewhat combative cross-examination. Torres questioned Beals conclusion of arson despite the discovery of lithium-ion batteries which Beals conceded have been known to start fires among the debris near the burned boxes in the lower V. Beals said after the battery issue was raised by the defense at a hearing in December, he took the batteries to a Maryland fire research lab to test whether their failure could have set a tri-wall on fire. Beals said he approaches his work scientifically and is willing to test possibilities. However, he came away from the battery tests even more convinced they were not the fires cause. It remains incendiary, he told Torres of his conclusion, meaning the fire was intentionally set. Capt. Jay Jones, the Navys lead prosecutor, told the judge Tuesday he expects the governments key witness Petty Officer Kenji Velasco will take the stand Wednesday afternoon. Velasco, who was on watch near the upper vehicle storage area the morning of the fire, testified in a previous hearing that he saw Mays walk down the ramp from the upper V to the lower V just minutes before he saw smoke drifting up the ramp. Prosecutors said they expect to rest their case Friday. The trial is scheduled through Sept. 29. 2022 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan Dozens of white flowers were carefully placed at a memorial service here Thursday as guests recalled the sailors who lost their lives this year and in destroyer collisions in 2017. Around 50 sailors and civilians, including three Gold Star families, gathered inside an auditorium on Command Hill at Yokosuka to take part in the memorial, part of the Navy Gold Star Programs Bells Across America for Fallen Service Members. Following a prayer and remarks from base commander Capt. Les Sobol, sailors in dress whites read out the names of more than 180 sailors who died this year across the Navy. At the end of the ceremony, the sailors and other guests were encouraged to place flowers in front of a list of the names and bow, mirroring a Japanese funerary practice called kenko. I think in our day in and day out, its easy to get lost in whats urgent versus whats important, Yokosukas chaplain, Cmdr. David Kim, told Stars and Stripes after the ceremony. Its times like this where we can pause and remember and just remind each other as a community that were here for each other. This year marks the seventh annual Bells Across America memorial worldwide, but just the second commemoration at Yokosuka, which started the practice last year. The ceremony also remembered the 17 sailors who died aboard the USS Fitzgerald and the USS John S. McCain in 2017. In June of that year, the Fitzgerald collided in Japanese waters with a Philippine-flagged container vessel, killing seven sailors. Just two months later, 10 sailors died aboard the McCain after the ship collided with a Liberian-flagged tanker near Singapore. Riho Findley, the wife of Chief Petty Officer Charles Findley, who died aboard the McCain, told Stars and Stripes that the years following the collisions were extremely difficult for her and the other families. After the Fitzgerald and McCain shifted their homeports in the United States, it was even easier to feel forgotten, she said. But today, I felt that people were actually taking the opportunity to remind everybody that family members of the ships sailors are still here, she said. Sobol said service members and their families will never be forgotten. Its my sincere hope that this serves as a reminder that theyre still part of our team and that we care for them deeply and well never forget the sacrifice of their family members, he told Stars and Stripes after the ceremony. Makiko Walker, wife of Chief Petty Officer Demond Walker, and Kaori Thomas, wife of Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Thomas, expressed thanks that their husbands memories were also being honored. Adam Thomas died last year following a motorcycle accident; Demond Walker died while on overnight duty in 2015. Today means a lot to me because my husband passed away seven years ago; in daily life, it sometimes feels like everyone else has moved on and Im the only one remembering him, Walker said. So, today, this is like were remembering our fallen heroes and were keeping their memories alive. I absolutely love food from all around the Mediterranean, whether it be Turkish, Italian, Greek or North African. The characteristic flavor of the dishes is a source of bliss for me. So naturally, I was drawn to Trattoria da Balbi in central Wiesbaden. Despite the rain during a visit I made with a companion, the two of us decided to join other customers outside on the spacious patio. Trattoria da Balbis menu included varying takes on classic dishes. The pastas included the tagliatelle popular in the north of the country and ravioli with gorgonzola, as well some of the dishes like spaghetti bolognese which they dont serve in Bologna but which are on any Italian menu in Germany by popular demand. There also are vegan and vegetarian options. Wines are featured on the decent-sized beverage list. We ordered the house wine, which I thought it was a little watery, but my companion loved it. I decided to switch to Lambrusco, which isnt the most highbrow selection, but so what. I dont usually say this about wines, but it was delicious. For an appetizer, we ordered the bruschetta, a toasted slice of baguette with diced tomato, onions, garlic and a drizzle of olive oil. It was well-seasoned and the portion was big enough for us to share. Because our meal was a late one and I didnt want to wait for too long, I decided on pizza Calabrese for my main course. Topped with American pepperoni, olives and a spicy sauce, it was good but nothing to write home about. My companion ordered the piccata alla Milanese, a pork cutlet with egg and parmesan breading served with root vegetables, which I sampled. The parmesan was muted but the meat was well-seasoned and came through nicely. The vegetables also proved enjoyable. For dessert, we had tiramisu, which was served with macerated fruit and fresh whipped cream. It was light and fluffy, with the taste hitting all the right notes expected from this sweet treat. My one critique was with the espresso flavor, which I thought could have been stronger. In summary, Trattoria da Balbi provided us with overall good food and attentive servers who spoke English and were very polite. The menu offered a good selection of dishes at reasonable prices. Although the menu is in German, that was not a problem, as the waitstaff provided expert guidance that contributed to a terrific experience. Information: +49 611 840303; info@da-balbi.de; Online: da-balbi.de Decade after decade, the voices of the American people, Western politicians and the international community swell into a chorus promising that never again will they stand by during inhumane conflict. Never again will they idle by while autocrats stifle and oppress democracy. Never again will they watch from the sidelines while human rights are abused and war crimes go unaddressed. Well, never again is here again. The human cost of war is, for many, unimaginable. Even when media images pull at heartstrings, the reality of war remains a distant, abstract concept. This distance makes it all too easy for our leaders, who have been down this road before, to simply condemn atrocities, do the bare minimum and move on to confronting the challenges presented by the next news cycle. Yet for a group of political, civil society and military leaders participating in the McCain Institutes McCain Global Leaders program, this cycle of complacency is now intolerable. The leaders, following Sen. John McCains penchant for being on the front lines, recently traveled to Poland to examine the response to Vladimir Putins lawless invasion of Ukraine and to witness and provide relief to the human toll this invasion has caused the Ukrainian people. Set against the backdrop of the now infamous Polish railway stations that serve as the first point of refuge for thousands of Ukrainians crossing the border daily, the McCain Global Leaders witnessed that it is not the United Nations or the numerous, other well-equipped humanitarian relief agencies providing support to Ukrainian refugees. Instead it is local leaders and ordinary citizens from around the world, such as those volunteering with the World Central Kitchen, fulfilling our shared duty to provide relief to the over 3.5 million who have sought safety in Poland, the largest European refugee crisis since World War II. As women and children emerged from the train station after leaving family members and much of their lives behind, it became clear to our group that as an international community we were hurtling toward yet another historical never again moment. In the station, it is impossible not to be moved by the devastation inflicted on the Ukrainian people. Stacks of luggage, containing the most prized possessions, cluttered hallways only to be met with rows of temporary cots for mothers and young children seeking a brief reprieve from their journey. While the United States military was stationed at an airfield nearby to provide air defense to its ally and fellow NATO member, Poland, it was clear that the real heroes in this battle for democracy, the Ukrainian people, are left to fend for themselves. There was not a single United Nations staff person or agency visibly represented at the train station. Nor were there representatives from the European Union, NATO or the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. As we have seen time and time again, the international community and Western governments are failing to do what is necessary. Fearful of crossing imaginary lines controlled by autocratic governments and dictators who are often given far too much autonomy and influence in international organizations, Western leaders seem to prefer to stay home behind their enlightened pulpits from which they can pontificate about the blessings of democracy, international order, and peaceful transitions. For the people of Ukraine, these pretty words offer a stark contrast to the reality with which they exist. For the McCain Global Leaders and McCain Institute staff who were present at that train station, this is simply unconscionable. We can and must do more to support Ukrainian citizens. We must not continue to abandon them on the frontline in our global battle for democracy and human rights. We must instead be inspired and led by the fearless examples set by Ukrainian and Polish citizens alike to ensure that this moment is the one where the international community chooses to make good on its pledge of never again. The United States and international community need to establish and fund a systematic approach to the refugee crisis. This duty must not be left to a handful of privately funded relief organizations and local governments to provide relief to the millions of Ukrainians fleeing the war. The United Nations, European Union, NATO member nations and the United States all have the resources and capacity to lead a comprehensive response, as they have done for similar refugee crises around the world. This approach should include a stronger, organized presence of UNHCR, the World Food Programme and other agencies. While there has been strong and measurable military support, we must also recognize the human cost of war and provide as much support as possible to those seeking refuge in and outside of Ukraine. Caitlin Battey is special projects manager and Scott Nemeth is senior program manager for global leadership programs at the McCain Institute at Arizona State University. A U.S. airstrike killed 27 militants in Somalia, the military said this week. The strike was launched over the weekend against al-Shabab terrorists who were attacking Somali troops near Buulobarde, in the central part of the country, U.S. Africa Command said in a statement Wednesday. The strike Sunday came in support of the Somali army and an African Union force involved in an operation to regain the initiative against the militants in central Somalia. AFRICOM said those troops are taking part in the largest combined Somali and African Union offensive operation in five years. For two decades, militants linked to al-Qaida have been waging a campaign against the Somali central government. In recent years, AFRICOM has stepped up its military support in Somalia, where it routinely carries out airstrikes. SEOUL, South Korea North Korea says it hasnt exported any weapons to Russia during the war in Ukraine and has no plans to do so, and said U.S. intelligence reports of weapons transfers were an attempt to tarnish North Koreas image. In a state media report Thursday, an unnamed North Korean defense official told the U.S. to stop making reckless remarks and to keep its mouth shut. Biden administration officials earlier this month confirmed a declassified U.S. intelligence assessment that Russia was in the process of purchasing arms from North Korea, including millions of artillery shells and rockets, as Moscow attempts to ease severe supply shortages in Ukraine worsened by U.S.-led export controls and sanctions. The North Korean statement came weeks after Moscow described the U.S. intelligence finding as fake. North Korean arms exports to Russia would violate United Nations resolutions banning the country from importing or exporting weapons. The North Korean official stressed that Pyongyang has never recognized the unlawful U.N. Security Council sanctions against the country cooked up by the U.S. and its vassal forces. The official said the export and import of military equipment is a lawful right peculiar to a sovereign state, according to an English translation of the statement published by the Norths official Korean Central News Agency. But we take this opportunity to make clear one thing. We have never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia before and we will not plan to export them, said the official, who was described as a vice director general of the National Defense Ministrys general equipment bureau. It is not sure from where the rumor originated which the U.S. is spreading, but it is aimed at tarnishing the DPRKs image, the official said, referring to the countrys formal name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. Facing sanctions and export controls, Russia in August bought Iranian-made drones that U.S. officials said had technical problems. Experts say North Korea, if willing, could become a major source of small arms, artillery and other ammunition for Russia, considering the compatibility of their defense systems based on Soviet roots. North Korea has sought to tighten relations with Russia even as most of Europe and the West has pulled away, blaming the U.S. for the crisis and decrying the Wests hegemonic policy as justifying military action by Russia in Ukraine to protect itself. North Korea also has used the war as a window to accelerate its own arms development, testing dozens of weapons including its first long-range missiles since 2017, exploiting a divide in the U.N. Security Council, where Russia and China have blocked U.S. attempts to tighten sanctions on Pyongyang. The North Korean government has also hinted it is interested in sending construction workers to help rebuild pro-Russia breakaway regions in Ukraines east. In July, North Korea became the only nation aside from Russia and Syria to recognize the independence of the territories, Donetsk and Luhansk. SEOUL, South Korea The leaders of South Korea and Japan agreed to accelerate efforts to mend ties frayed over Japan's past colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula as they held their countries' first summit talks in nearly three years on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, both governments announced Thursday. The meeting occurred after Tokyo denied Seoul's earlier announcement they had agreed on the summit, in a sign of the delicate nature of their current relations. During their 30-minute meeting in New York on Wednesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shared the need to improve bilateral ties and agreed to instruct their respective diplomats to step up talks for that, Yoon's office said in a statement. Kishida's office confirmed the hotel meeting. A separate Japanese Foreign Ministry statement said the two leaders agreed to promote cooperation between the two countries as well as with the United States. It said the leaders shared the need to restore sound relations. Yoon's office said the two leaders also jointly expressed serious concerns about North Korea's recent legislation authorizing the preemptive use of nuclear weapons in certain conditions and the North's reported moves to conduct its first nuclear test in five years. The Japanese Foreign Ministry said Kishida and Yoon agreed to further cooperate in their response to North Korea. Both South Korean and Japanese governments said Yoon and Kishida agreed to continue communications between them. But it wasn't immediately known how meaningful conversation the two leaders could have to address major sticking points in bilateral ties that suffered their biggest setback in recent years when the two countries were governed by Yoon and Kishida's predecessors. In 2018, South Korea's top court ruled that two Japanese companies Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries must compensate Koreans who had been forced to work during Japan's 1910-45 colonial occupation. The companies and the Japanese government have dismissed the rulings, arguing that all compensation issues were already settled under a 1965 treaty that normalized bilateral ties and included Tokyo's provision of millions of dollars to Seoul in economic assistance and loans. The dispute prompted the two governments to downgrade each other's trade status and Seoul to threaten to abandon an intelligence-sharing deal. The former Korean forced laborers and their supporters, for their part, pushed for the forced sales of the Japanese companies' assets in South Korea. It's unclear if Wednesday's summit would yield progress on the matter since participants in the court cases maintain the Japanese companies must first consent to the South Korean court rulings if they want to resolve the legal disputes. The strained ties have complicated a U.S. push to bolster its trilateral security alliance with Seoul and Tokyo two of its key regional allies where it deploys a total of 80,000 troops to better deal with a rising Chinese influence and North Korean nuclear threats. South Korea and Japan have been seeking better ties since the May inauguration of Yoon, who publicly calls for improve ties with Tokyo and a strengthened Seoul-Tokyo-Washington security cooperation in the face of a growing North Korean nuclear arsenal. But when the Yoon's government last week announced what it called a planned summit between Yoon and Kishida in New York, Tokyo officials responded there had been no agreement to hold that summit. The Yoon-Kishida meeting was the first summit between the countries since December 2019, when then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met in China on the sidelines of a South Korea-Japan-China summit. Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report. CAMP ZAMA, Japan Troops of the Army Aviation Battalion at the headquarters of U.S. Army Japan walked nearly 5 miles Thursday carrying weight on their backs to remember 174 soldiers throughout the Army who took their own lives in the past year. The ruck walk by about 25 battalion soldiers, spouses and some energetic canines marked an opportunity to remember and reflect as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month comes to a close. The group gathered in the cool air at 6 a.m. on Kastner Army Airfield for a briefing before hoisting rucksacks holding a minimum of 35 pounds and set out on the course. Company commander and event organizer Capt. Savannah Baker went over the numbers before the walk. The number of Army suicides over the past year nearly equaled the number of soldiers who have succumbed to COVID-19, Baker said. The Army counted 176 confirmed or pending suicide deaths last year, according to a report released in April by the Defense Suicide Prevention Office. Thats up from 174 suicides in 2020 and 145 in 2019. The battalion commander encouraged the group as the event got underway. Its OK not to be OK, said Lt. Col. Courtney Kiluk. We want you guys to thrive, we want your spouses to thrive, we want your kids to thrive, we are a safe space, we are here for you, and we know how to get the resources you need. Its OK Not to be OK is a worldwide theme for suicide awareness month. Baker added her own touch, adding a name that carried dual purpose for the event. I coined the Ruck for Resilience name to incorporate an Army training event to continue to develop our basic warrior tasks and drills while also giving us an opportunity to reflect with family and friends, Baker told Stars and Stripes in an email Wednesday. The reason we carry the weight is to simulate the heavy invisible weight people often carry when they are dealing with suicidal thoughts. Members of the group walked their own pace over hilly terrain on the perimeter of the installation. The Armys model for suicide prevention and awareness, using the acronym ACE, which means to act, care and escort, Baker explained. ACE is the Armys approved suicide prevention and awareness training model. Its purpose is to help soldiers and junior leaders become more aware of steps that they can take to prevent suicides and be confident in their ability to do so, she said. A soldier from Seattle said he understood the importance of team building events like this one. I think its really good that we do events like this, just to show that were not pretending it doesnt exist or were aware that its a problem throughout the Army, Sgt. Michael Karpstein, 31, told Stars and Stripes at the event Thursday. You know everyone gets sick physically, people get sick mentally, as well, and its important that we bring awareness to that so that people feel safe and feel comfortable to go get help when they need it. VILNIUS, Lithuania The three Baltic states say they are not prepared to automatically offer asylum to Russians fleeing mobilization into the military, hoping that discontent with the Russian authorities will grow at home instead. Large numbers of Russians rushed Wednesday to book one-way tickets out of the country after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of military reservists for the war in Ukraine. There was little sign of any pressure at the borders of the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania after those countries closed their borders to most Russians earlier in the week. In Latvia, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said Thursday that Latvia would not issue humanitarian or other visas to Russians seeking to avoid mobilization, citing security reasons. "We must not give in to his (Putin's) blackmail and must support Ukraine as much as we can. Russia today is as dangerous to Europe and world peace as Nazi Germany was in the last century," said Rinkevics, according to the Baltic News Service. Meanwhile Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said Thursday that "being drafted into the army is not enough" of a reason for Russians to get asylum in his country, which borders the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. "Political asylum is granted to those who are persecuted for their beliefs" or other similar reasons, Anusauskas told The Associated Press. On Wednesday, Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Laanemets called Russia's invasion of Ukraine "the collective responsibility of Russian citizens" and argued that allowing in those fleeing possible army service would violate European Union sanctions aimed at Moscow. "Putin's latest move in some ways reinforces the sanctions we have imposed to date, because it will hopefully increase discontent among the population," Laanemets was quoted by BNS as saying. "It is no longer just professional soldiers, people from remote regions or convicts who are being sent to the front, but the desire is for everyone to be relegated to cannon fodder," he said. Russians seeking to avoid being called up to fight are primarily flying to countries which still have direct plane connections, such as Serbia, Turkey, Georgia and Armenia flights that quickly sold out after Putin's announcement of a partial mobilization. Authorities in Finland, which has a land border with Russia, have not seen increased activity at their borders, despite some information on social media suggesting otherwise. The Finnish border guards wrote on Twitter that "incorrect and misleading information circulates in social media." The Norwegian news agency NTB said that there is no increased activity at Storskog, the sole crossing point between Norway and Russia, located in the Arctic. Vanessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report. ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine Russia escalated its military and political campaign Thursday to capture Ukrainian territory, rounding up Russian army reservists to fight, preparing votes on annexing occupied areas and launching new deadly attacks. A day after President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilization to bolster his troops in Ukraine, dramatic scenes of tearful families bidding farewell to men departing from military mobilization centers in Russia appeared on social media. Video on Twitter from the eastern Siberian city of Neryungri showed men emerging from a stadium. Before boarding buses, the men hugged family members waiting outside, many crying and some covering their mouths with their hands in grief. A man held a child up to the window of one bus for a last look. In Moscow, women hugged, cried and made the sign of the cross on men at another mobilization point. A 25-year-old who gave only his first name, Dmitry, received a hug from his father, who told him Be careful, as they parted. Dmitry told Russian media company Ostorozhno Novosti he did not expect to be called up and shipped out so quickly, especially since he still is a student. No one told me anything in the morning. They gave me the draft notice that I should come here at 3 p.m. We waited 1.5 hours, then the enlistment officer came and said that we are leaving now, he said. I was like, Oh great! I went outside and started calling my parents, brother, all friends of mine to tell that they take me. Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy, in some of his harshest comments so far in the nearly 7-month-old war, lashed out at Russians succumbing to the pressure to serve in their countrys armed forces and those who havent spoken out against the war. In his nightly video address, he switched from his usual Ukrainian language into Russian to directly tell Russian citizens they are being thrown to their deaths. You are already accomplices in all these crimes, murders and torture of Ukrainians, Zelenskyy said, wearing a black T-shirt that said in English: We Stand with Ukraine, instead of his signature olive drab T-shirt. He said Russians options to survive are to protest, fight back, run away or surrender to Ukrainian captivity. Western leaders derided Putins mobilization order as an act of weakness and desperation. More than 1,300 Russians were arrested in antiwar demonstrations Wednesday after he issued it, according to the independent Russian human rights group OVD-Info. Organizers said more protests were planned for Saturday. Putins partial call-up of 300,000 reservists was short on details, so much so that the Russian military announced Thursday it had set up a call center to answer questions. In Washington, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons press secretary, said the U.S. believes that it will take Russia time to train and equip the new troops and that doing so may not solve command and control, logistics and morale issues. Concerns about a potentially wider draft sent some Russians scrambling to buy plane tickets t o flee the country, and Zelenskyy claimed Thursday that the Russian military is preparing to draft up to a million men. A Kremlin spokesman earlier denied such claims. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser offered concrete support to potential deserters. She told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung that anyone who courageously opposes Putins regime and therefore puts himself in the greatest danger can apply for asylum in Germany. In the Kremlins territory annexation campaign, pro-Moscow authorities in four Russian-held regions of Ukraine plan voter referendums starting Friday on becoming part of Russia a move that could expand the war and follows the Kremlins playbook from when it annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula after a similar referendum. Most of the world considers the 2014 annexation of Crimea to have been illegal. Voting on the referendums in Ukraines Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions is scheduled to last through Tuesday. Foreign leaders have called the votes illegitimate and nonbinding. In Luhansk, billboards reading With Russia Forever and Our Choice-Russia appeared on the streets, while volunteers distributed ribbons in the colors of the Russian national flag and posters reading, Russia is the future. Participate in the referendum! On the battlefield, Russian and Ukrainian forces exchanged missile and artillery barrages as both sides refused to concede ground. Russian missile strikes in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia left one person dead and five wounded, Ukrainian officials said. Officials in the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk said Ukrainian shelling killed at least six people. Kyrylo Tymoshenko, a deputy in the Ukrainian presidents office, said a hotel in Zaporizhzhia was struck and rescuers were trying to free people trapped in rubble. The governor of the mostly Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia region, Oleksandr Starukh, said Russian forces had targeted infrastructure and damaged apartment buildings in the city, which remains in Ukrainian hands. The mayor of the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk, Alexei Kulemzin, said Ukrainian shelling hit a covered market and a minibus. Overnight, one person was killed during Russian shelling in Nikopol, across the river from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, according to the Dnipropetrovsk regional governor. While the hostilities continued, the two sides managed to agree on a major prisoner swap. Ukrainian officials announced the exchange of 215 Ukrainian and foreign fighters 200 of them for a single person, an ally of Putins. Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic, confirmed that pro-Russian Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk, was part of the swap. Putin has repeatedly spoken about Medvedchuk as a victim of political repression. Media reports alleged that before Russias invasion, Medvedchuk was a top candidate for leading a puppet government the Kremlin hoped to install in Ukraine. Among the freed fighters were Ukrainian defenders of a steel plant in Mariupol during a long Russian siege, along with 10 foreigners, including five British citizens and two U.S. military veterans, who had fought with Ukrainian forces. Some of those freed had faced death sentences in Russian-occupied areas. A video on the BBC news website Thursday showed two of the released British men, Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, speaking inside a plane while en route home. We just want to let everyone know that were now out of the danger zone and were on our way home to our families, Aslin said in the video, as Pinner added: By the skin of our teeth. The non-profit Presidium Network, which is helping provide aid to Kyiv, said Aslin, Pinner and three other Britons were safely home and reunited with their families Thursday. The continuation of Russian missile attacks and beginning of a partial mobilization of Russians into the armed forces suggested the Kremlin was seeking to dispel any notion of weakness or waning determination to achieve its wartime aims in light of recent battlefield losses and other setbacks. Ratcheting up tensions, a senior Kremlin official on Thursday repeated Putins threat to use nuclear weapons if Russian territory comes under attack. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russias Security Council, said strategic nuclear weapons are one of the options to safeguard Russian-controlled territories in eastern and southern Ukraine. The remark appeared to serve as a warning that Moscow could also target Ukraines Western allies. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken responded Thursday, calling on every U.N. Security Council member to send a clear message to Russia that it must stop its nuclear threats. Russias neighbors have been on edge about a possible threat from Russia. Estonia said training exercises started Thursday for nearly 2,900 reservists and volunteers, in an apparent counter to Moscows announcement of a partial military mobilization. Andrew Katell contributed from New York. KYIV, Ukraine Ukraine announced a high-profile prisoner swap early Thursday that was the culmination of months of efforts to free many of the Ukrainian fighters who defended a steel plant in Mariupol during a long Russian siege. In exchange, Ukraine gave up a prominent ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and 55 other prisoners. President Volodymr Zelenskyy said his government had won freedom from Russian custody for 215 Ukrainian and foreign citizens, with the help of Turkish and Saudi mediation efforts. He said many were soldiers and officers who had faced the death penalty in Russian-occupied territory. Russian officials confirmed what appeared to be the biggest prisoner swap of the nearly seven-month war. Of the total, 200 Ukrainians were exchanged for just one man pro-Russian opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk, who is Ukrainian. The 68-year-old oligarch escaped from house arrest in Ukraine several days before Russia's invasion Feb. 24 but was recaptured in April. He faced up to life in prison on charges of treason and aiding and abetting a terrorist organization for mediating coal purchases for the separatist, Russia-backed Donetsk republic in eastern Ukraine. Medvedchuk came to know Putin while serving as chief of staff for former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma. The Russian leader is the godfather of Medvedchuks daughter. His detention sparked a heated exchange between officials in Moscow and Kyiv. Medvedchuk is the head of the political council of Ukraines pro-Russian Opposition Platform-For Life party, the largest opposition group in Ukraine's parliament. The Ukrainian government has suspended the party's activity; Putin has repeatedly spoken about Medvedchuk as a victim of political repression. It is not a pity to give up Medvedchuk for real warriors," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video speech. "He has passed all the investigative actions provided by law. Ukraine has received from him everything necessary to establish the truth in the framework of criminal proceedings. In another swap, Ukraine gained the release of five commanders who led Ukraine's defense of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol in exchange for 55 Russian prisoners it was holding, Zelenskyy said. More than 2,000 defenders, many in the Azov Regiment, marched out of the Azovstal steel plants twisted wreckage into Russian captivity in mid-May, ending a nearly three-month siege of the port city of Mariupol. Ukraines military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, told reporters in Kyiv that most of the prisoners freed by Russia were more or less in an OK state physically, except for food malnutrition related to the bad detention conditions. He said some prisoners had been tortured but didnt give any details. Zelenskyy said the five leaders, including Azov Regiment commanders Denys Prokopenko and Svyatoslav Palamar, are in Turkey, where they will remain as part of the deal in complete safety until the end of the war, under the protection of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The complex prisoner swap also brought the release of 10 foreigners, including five British nationals and two U.S. military veterans, who had fought with Ukrainian forces. They were released by Russian-backed separatists as part of an exchange mediated by Saudi Arabia, U.S. and Saudi officials said. A video on the BBC news website Thursday showed two of the released British men, Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, speaking inside a plane. We just want to let everyone know that were now out of the danger zone and were on our way home to our families, Aslin said in the video, as Pinner added: By the skin of our teeth. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the exchanges, calling them no small feat, but adding that much more remains to be done to ease the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine, his spokesman said. The U.N. chief reiterates the need to respect international law on the treatment of prisoners and will continue to support further prisoner exchanges, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. The exchanges drew angry comments from some nationalist commentators in Russia. Igor Strelkov, a Russian officer who led the Moscow-backed separatists in the Donbas when a conflict there erupted in 2014, described the swap as an act of treason, saying that its worse than a crime, worsen than a mistake, its just sheer stupidity or sabotage. Associated Press writer Sylvia Hui in London and Nicolae Dumitrache in Kyiv contributed to this report. UNITED NATIONS One day after Ukraine's president laid out a forceful case against Russia's invasion at the United Nations, the United States made its own assertions in front of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday about why Russia should face further censure and isolation. Minutes later, Russia came right back, calling the claims unfair and saying Ukraine is to blame. Antony Blinken, the United States' top diplomat, spoke to Security Council members on Thursday, detailing allegations of what he called war crimes and other atrocities committed by Russia and urging them to "send a clear message" to the country to stop its nuclear threats. Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, addressed the Security Council shortly afterward, repeating his country's frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraine's east one of the explanations Moscow has offered for the invasion. Ukraine's Western allies "have been covering up the crimes of the Kyiv regime," said Lavrov, who was not in the room when Blinken and some other U.S. allies spoke. He appeared just before his own speech and departed immediately afterward. The almost-exchange between the two top diplomats came on the heels of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's demands for world leaders to punish Russia in a video speech delivered Wednesday, just hours after Moscow made an extraordinary announcement that it would mobilize some reservists for the war effort. Buoyed by a counteroffensive that has retaken swaths of territory that the Russians seized, Zelenskyy vowed that his forces would not stop until they had reclaimed all of Ukraine. "We can return the Ukrainian flag to our entire territory. We can do it with the force of arms," the president said in a speech delivered in English. "But we need time." Video speeches by Zelenskyy in an olive green T-shirt have become almost commonplace. But this speech was one of the most keenly anticipated at the U.N. General Assembly, where the war has dominated over conflicts in other regions. On Thursday, Israel's prime minister, Yair Lapid, delivered a speech focused on the Palestinians and included a call for the establishment of a Palestinian state. "An agreement with the Palestinians, based on two states for two peoples, is the right thing for Israel's security, for Israel's economy and for the future of our children," Lapid said. The speech, coming ahead of Nov. 1 elections, appeared to be part of an effort by Lapid to portray himself both to voters and global leaders as a statesman and moderate alternative to his main rival, hardline former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But it was short on details, and there is virtually no chance Lapid, who has long supported a two-state solution, will get to push forward with his vision. Israel's parliament is dominated by parties that oppose Palestinian independence, and opinion polls forecast a similar result after the upcoming elections. The Palestinians seek the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip territories captured by Israel in 1967 for an independent state, a position that enjoys wide international support. While Lapid and dozens of other world leaders sought airtime for issues plaguing their own nations including climate change, rising food costs, human rights and vaccine inequity Ukraine remained at the center of the U.N. General Assembly, popping up in speeches by leaders from all over the world decrying Russia's invasion of a sovereign country. "It's an attack on this very institution where we find ourselves today," said Moldovan President President Maia Sandu, whose country borders Ukraine. U.S. President Joe Biden's address, too, focused heavily on the war in Ukraine. "This war is about extinguishing Ukraine's right to exist as a state, plain and simple, and Ukraine's right to exist as a people. Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever you believe, that should make your blood run cold," he said. "If nations can pursue their imperial ambitions without consequences, then we put at risk everything this very institution stands for. Everything." Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is not attending the General Assembly, has said he sent his armed forces into Ukraine because of risks to his country's security from what he considers a hostile government in Kyiv; to liberate Russians living in Ukraine especially its eastern region of the Donbas from what he views as the Ukrainian government's oppression; and to restore what he considers to be Russia's historical territorial claims on the country. Earlier this week, he warned that his nuclear-armed country will "certainly use all means available to us" if its territory is threatened and to defend the country and its people. Putin's decree Wednesday about the mobilization was sparse on details but officials said as many as 300,000 reservists could be tapped. It was apparently an effort to seize momentum after the Ukrainian counteroffensive. But the first such call-up in Russia since World War II also brought the fighting home in a new way for Russians and risked fanning domestic anxiety and antipathy toward the war. Shortly after Putin's announcement, flights out of the country rapidly filled up, and more than 1,000 people were arrested at rare antiwar demonstrations across the country. Zelenskky asserted that Moscow wants to spend the winter preparing its forces in Ukraine for a new offensive, or at least preparing fortifications while mobilizing more troops in the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II "Russia wants war. It's true. But Russia will not be able to stop the course of history," he said, declaring that "mankind and the international law are stronger" than what he called a "terrorist state." Associated Press journalists Andrew Katell in New York and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report. UNITED NATIONS The United States called on other nations to tell Russia to stop making nuclear threats and end "the horror" of its war in Ukraine as all three countries' top diplomats spoke but didn't quite meet at a high-profile U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday. Held alongside the annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders, the session followed a striking development in the war this week: Russia called up a portion of its reserves for the first time since World War II. At the same time, President Vladimir Putin said his nuclear-armed country will "use all means available to us" to defend itself if its territory is threatened. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken saw Putin's remark as particularly menacing given plans for referendums in Russian-controlled parts of eastern and southern Ukraine on whether to become part of Russia. Western nations have condemned those votes as illegitimate and nonbinding. But, in their wake, Moscow might then see any Ukrainian attempt to retake those areas as an attack on "Russian territory," Blinken warned. "Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately," he said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov didn't mention his country's nuclear capacity or the new troop mobilization during his own remarks at the council meeting, which France called to discuss accountability for alleged abuses and atrocities during the nearly seven-month-long war. Instead, Lavrov repeated his country's frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraine's east one of the explanations Moscow has offered for the invasion and that Western support for Ukraine is a menace to Russia. "What's particularly cynical is the position of states that are pumping Ukraine full of weapons and training their soldiers," he said, maintaining that their goal is to prolong fighting "to wear down and weaken Russia." "That policy means the direct involvement of the West in the conflict," said Lavrov. He added that Ukraine had become "an anti-Russia staging ground to create threats against Russian security" and his country wouldn't accept it. The Security Council has held dozens of contentious meetings on Ukraine since the war began in February, but Thursday's session had special stature. "That President Putin picked this week, as most of the world gathers at the United Nations, to add fuel to the fire he started shows his utter contempt and disdain for the U.N. Charter, the U.N. General Assembly and this council," Blinken told foreign ministers around the council's famous horseshoe-shaped table. "Tell President Putin to stop the horror he started. Tell President Putin to stop the horror he started," Blinken added. Regardless, no one expects the council to act against Russia, since Moscow has veto power as a permanent member. But the meeting was still a rare moment for top diplomats from Ukraine and Russia to appear in the same room made all the more extraordinary for the fact that Lavrov is under U.S. sanctions. In a sign of the charged atmosphere, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba apparently objected as council staffers prepared to put a placard marking Ukraine's seat next to Russia's. The placard was ultimately moved to another spot. Ahead of the meeting, Kuleba wryly told reporters that he planned to keep a "social distance" from Lavrov. But it turned out he didn't have to: The Russian appeared only just before speaking and left right after, prompting Kuleba to quip later in his own speech that "Russian diplomats flee almost as quickly as Russian soldiers." British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he thought Lavrov didn't care to hear "the collective condemnation of this council." In another undiplomatic exchange, Lavrov accused the U.S. and allies of covering up alleged misdeeds by Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy's government on the rationale that "he's a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch." Kuleba later chided Russia for the "inappropriate slang." Blinken argued that Russia should face further censure and isolation for its invasion, pressing other countries to join in Washington's forceful condemnations of the conflict. He cited the discovery of mass graves in Ukraine and repeated allegations from Ukrainians that they were tortured by Russian soldiers, while suggesting that more could come. The International Criminal Court opened an investigation in March into possible crimes amid the war and sent teams to gather evidence. Prosecutor Karim Khan told the council Thursday that he's dispatching more ICC staffers next week to look into allegations emerging from eastern Ukraine. Khan hasn't yet announced any charges linked to the conflict, but he reiterated to the council that he believes there are reasonable grounds to think that crimes have been committed. "The picture that I've seen so far is troubling indeed," he said. Ukraine also wants a special tribunal to be created to prosecute alleged war crimes. The meeting came less than a week after Ukraine's Zelenskyy said Friday announced the discovery of a mass burial site near a northeastern city, Izium, that had recently been recaptured from Russian forces. Zelenskyy said investigators found evidence that some of the dead were tortured. The discovery prompted France to send more investigators to join others who have been in Ukraine since hundreds of civilians were found dead in another city, Bucha, after a Russian withdrawal in late March, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told the council. There are "so many violations of the laws of war and so many actions for which Russia must be held accountable," she said. Other council members also called for accountability, but in varying tones. "Investigations into violations of international humanitarian law should be objective and fair, based on fair facts, rather than an assumption of guilt, and without being politicized," said Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China, which has maintained strong ties with Russia. Associated Press photographer Mary Altaffer contributed. JERUSALEM The Palestinian militant group Hamas on Thursday threatened hostile actions against Israel over what it called "violations against Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque" ahead of the upcoming Jewish High Holidays. Hamas's threats came just ahead of Sunday's Jewish new year, and a day after a group of Jewish religious extremists visited a contested holy site revered by both Jews and Muslims and blew the shofar a ram's horn that's trumpeted in the run-up to and during the Jewish High Holidays. The Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah, begins at sundown on Sunday, and in the succeeding weeks thousands of Israelis are expected to visit Jerusalem. Omer Barlev, Israel's minister in charge of police, told Kan public radio on Wednesday that Israeli authorities would not limit Jewish visits to the contested Jerusalem holy site known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Visitations and prayers by hard-line Jewish radicals at the site have triggered previous rounds of violence between Israel and the Palestinians. For Jews, the site is the holiest on earth, the location of two ancient Temples. For Muslims, it is the home of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the third holiest place after Mecca and Medina. The shrine is the emotional epicenter of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Officially, under a loose set of rules known as the "status quo," Jews are allowed to visit, but not pray at the site, which is managed by a Jordanian-run trust. But in recent years, the number of Jewish visitors to the site has steadily grown, and some hold Jewish prayer at the site under police protection. Addressing reporters in the city of Gaza, Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar decried what he called a "blatant attack on the religious and Islamic status of the city and the mosque," saying Israel bore full responsibility for "the possibility of dragging the entire region into an open religious war." He said the militant group, which rules the Gaza Strip, would "defend the rights and sanctities of our people by all possible means." Israel and Hamas have fought four wars in the Gaza Strip since the Islamist militant group seized power in 2007. The most recent battle, in May 2021, began when Hamas fired rockets at Jerusalem as Israeli nationalists planned to march through Jerusalem's historic Old City, which is home to holy sites to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Israel captured east Jerusalem, along with the Old City and its holy sites, in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it in a move unrecognized by most of the international community. The Palestinians seek it as capital of a future independent state. NABLUS, West Bank Nablus was a battered city. Shops gaped open to the street, their windows smashed. Street signs were overturned. Ash stained the roads. Armored vehicles roamed the city center, still pockmarked and splattered with paint from a day of protests. The destruction resembled the aftermath of firefights between Palestinian youths and the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank's second-largest city, where posters of killed Palestinians paper the old city's limestone walls. But this time, Israel was not involved. The violent chaos on Tuesday that left a 53-year-old man dead erupted between Palestinians and their own security forces, who coordinate with Israel in an uneasy alliance against Islamic militants. The rare outburst, coming amid the deadliest violence in the West Bank since 2016, underscored the internal divisions tearing at Palestinian society and cast a spotlight on the growing ranks of disillusioned, impoverished young men taking up arms. Many have spent their entire lives in a territory occupied by Israel, scarred by infighting and segmented by checkpoints. They have not known a national election since 2006. They have no hope in the long-stalemated peace process. Their aging president, Mahmoud Abbas, is in his 18th year of what was supposed to be a four-year term. They see his Palestinian Authority as a vehicle for corruption and collaboration with Israel. The clashes erupted after Palestinian forces arrested two men, including Musab Ishtayyeh, a popular local militant wanted by Israel. A 26-year-old man who lives in the area said that although the sides reached a truce, further violence was likely unless Ishtayyeh is released. "I do not recognize the presidency of Abu Mazen," he said, voicing a popular sentiment in the neighborhood. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared arrest. "There is no difference between Israel and the Palestinian Authority," he added, saying the Palestinian security forces "want to burn the resistance and kill those who fight." The latest violence stems from a series of deadly Palestinian attacks inside Israel last spring, which triggered a surge in nightly Israeli arrest raids across the territory. Some 90 Palestinians have been killed in the crackdown. Israel says many were militants or local youths who hurled stones and firebombs at troops, though several civilians have also died. Experts say the escalation has deeper roots in a power struggle, as Palestinian leaders vie over the succession of the 87-year-old Abbas. "The leadership vacuum is trickling down from the top all the way down. High-level members are trying to rally their supporters for doomsday," said Tahani Mustafa, an analyst at the International Crisis Group. "In these sorts of contexts, radicalism really thrives." A lack of opportunity and political horizon has also fueled the unrest. Israel captured the West Bank in 1967, and its military occupation shows no signs of ending. The last round of substantive peace talks broke down in 2009, and Israel has steadily consolidated its control of the territory with ever expanding construction of settlements that are now home to some 500,000 Jews. The Palestinians seek all of the West Bank, along with Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, for a future state. Widely disenchanted with the PA, young Palestinians are flocking to an array of militant groups to get weapons. Palestinian security has struggled to assert control in flashpoint cities in the northern West Bank, like Nablus and Jenin. The instability has consequences for Israel, which depends on cooperation with Palestinian security, and for the United States and other countries that have relied on the PA to establish order in the West Bank and serve as a partner in stalled peace negotiations. "We need the PA to operate as a buffer between us and all the (Palestinian) organizations," said Michael Milstein, a former head of the Palestinian department in Israeli military intelligence. "The test has only just begun." Palestinian security officials declined to comment on this week's violence or the reasons for their unpopularity. In recent months, the Israeli military has grown frustrated with what it describes as the PA's reluctance to maintain order in flashpoint cities under its control. "The PA has the manpower, the ammunition and the arms," said one Israeli military official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity in line with military guidelines. "In certain places, we feel they don't have the will." The official said the army has seized 300 guns since Israel began its West Bank raids. He said the arms come mainly from small factories that make improvised pistols, or are smuggled from Jordan, Egypt or Lebanon. Some guns stolen from the military also make their way to the West Bank. Wednesday's truce temporarily halted the fighting, but the streets still bristled with tension and an armed group vowed to continue the battle on behalf of their arrested comrades. "We will not abandon our brother who is wanted by the occupation forces and is currently kidnapped," the militant group, named the Den of Lions, wrote to the AP. The group, based in the stone warren of the old city, is tied to Ibrahim al-Nabulsi, a prominent militant who was killed in an Israeli raid last month. His photo is on coffee stands, graffiti, posters and necklaces worn by children in Nablus. The Palestinian security services identified him as the son of one of their own colonels a schism that illustrates how younger Palestinians, who grew up during the searing violence of the second Palestinian intifada, have lost faith in their leaders. Many Palestinians see their security forces as protecting Israel against Palestinian protests, not Palestinians from Israeli assaults. The forces also have faced widespread criticism over brutal tactics, like last year when riots erupted over an anti-corruption activist's death in custody. Gangs of young Palestinian men are increasingly firing at Israeli forces during raids or shooting at soldiers manning checkpoints. The gangs operate without the backing of traditional political factions and militant groups. Last week, two Palestinian gunmen killed an Israeli soldier at a military checkpoint in the northern West Bank before they were shot dead. One of the attackers was a Palestinian security officer. Ghassan Khatib, a former Palestinian peace negotiator and Cabinet minister, acknowledged there is little public faith in the Palestinian leadership. He blamed a lack of hope and repeated Israeli measures that have weakened the Palestinian Authority. "If everybody would maintain the same attitude and practices," he warned, "we are going gradually toward the collapse of the Palestinian Authority, and chaos in Palestinian society." AP writers Tia Goldenberg and Eleanor Reich in Jerusalem contributed to this story. WASHINGTON The Pentagon should harness the power of social media and influencers to change young peoples perception of the military and entice them to enlist amid a challenging recruiting environment, defense officials told a Senate panel on Wednesday. The officials partly blamed negative news coverage for hurting enlistment goals and said members of Generation Z must be galvanized to see the value of serving their country and the benefits of the military. Despite assessing more than 170,000 potential enlistees, the military anticipates collectively missing its recruiting goals when the fiscal year ends Sept. 30. The portrayal of the mission and what service looks like for military members and their families is often skewed in the media and in the minds of the current youth generation, said Stephanie Miller, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel and policy. The next generation of Americans to serve should know that there has never been a better time for them. Miller and the personnel leaders of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps described an exceptionally tough recruitment year and told members of a Senate Armed Services Committee subpanel that investment in more targeted advertising and marketing would help address the growing problem. Current recruitment efforts rely too much on an outdated, telephone book-era method to recruit youth through high school directories rather than focusing on social media, said Michael Strobl, the acting deputy commander for manpower and reserve affairs for the Marine Corps. What we really want to be able to do here is to be able to provide more personalized and tailored content, Miller said. What we are really right now is a blunt force instrument and we want to be more strategic. We want to be able to kind of package our messaging so that it can resonate with greatest effect to a generation where we count seconds in terms of being able to capture their attention. The youth market is increasingly disconnected and unfamiliar with the military, with only 1 in 11 eligible individuals between the ages of 17 and 24 showing a propensity to serve, said Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller, the deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services for the Air Force. Only 23% of young people are fully qualified to enlist while the rest are disqualified for obesity, addiction, medical and behavioral health conditions, and other issues. We anticipate the recruiting environment to be even more challenging in 2023 and beyond, Lt. Gen. Miller said. A historically low level of interest among young people as well as a strong labor market and intense competition with the private sector are all expected to continue contributing to recruitment woes, officials said. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said the public is misled by disproportionately negative and often inaccurate portrayals of military service and young people are particularly susceptible to incorrect narratives. Surveys of potential recruits show young people mainly pass on military service due to the possibility of becoming injured or dying or suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or other psychological issues, he said. The truth of course is that the vast majority of those who join the military come out much better for their service, Tillis said. While there are some jobs in the military that can be dangerous, most people serve without being exposed to any more danger than the average American does on a worksite. While recruitment lags, retention is at a record high across all the military branches, said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. She attributed the paradox to the benefits of service: more education, a higher household income, greater levels of civic engagement and a lower level of unemployment among veterans than the general population. Decades of hard-fought conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan have created a perception that service in the military leaves people broken, damaged or disadvantaged in society, Gillibrand said. In reality, I know from my many interactions with our service members and veterans, the majority report positive experiences in the military, positive post-military outcomes and are proud of their service. Defense officials told senators that they want to sell that narrative to young people and create a national dialogue on service through high-tech tools. Chief among them is targeted advertising for potential applicants that would allow the Marine Corps, for example, to track what users of its website click on. Utilizing that technology requires action from Congress, which would need to expand the Pentagons current authorities for marketing and advertising to match the capabilities of the commercial advertising industry. The move would undoubtedly prompt discussions about data privacy, Tillis said. Strobl said he welcomed working with the committee to figure out how to leverage modern technology while balancing privacy. Today's youth are on social media "all the time" but the military lacks the ability to do effective outreach to them, he said. We must work together to change the narrative, to promote the value so that our nations youth do not miss out on the benefits of service and our country does not miss out on them, Strobl said. The Defense Department and service branches are hiring 2,000 civilians to serve as training experts and special-victim advocates, replacing the previous standard of assigning service members to do the job, military leaders told lawmakers on Wednesday. Reaction from members of the House Armed Services Committee subpanel on military personnel were split to this change, which is one of 82 recommendations the military is implementing after an independent review of its handling of sexual assault and harassment within the ranks. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., chairwoman of the subpanel, praised the move to hire professionals from outside the military. But Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, the ranking Republican on the subcommittee, said it was troubling to hire people without a coherent plan for a new prevention program. The hearing Wednesday focused on whether progress has been made by military leaders to implement the recommendations of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military, which submitted its report in July 2021 to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. He established the commission shortly after becoming secretary and in September 2021, he laid out the plan for implementing the recommendations. Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Gilbert Cisneros told the committee that defense officials hope to hire the 2,000 civilians by the end of fiscal 2027. We've assigned people tasks as a collateral duty in order to do this, he said. Our goal is to professionalize that workforce. It's going to be a civilian workforce. The prevention workforce is going to do the training, and it's not just on sexual assault and sexual harassment. They're going to cover child abuse. They're going to cover suicide prevention. They'll cover other subjects as well. Defense officials said earlier this month that they were speeding up the hiring efforts of the 2,000 personnel after an annual report on the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment in the military showed a 13% increase in 2021. Speier called the report catastrophic news. Sexual assault and harassment in our military is a readiness issue. It makes our force less lethal. It makes recruiting a challenge. It makes young men and women scared to serve, she said. Speier cited a July memo from the Army on the reasons why young people are less likely to enlist that showed 28% fear sexual harassment and sexual assault. With the most recent report, I know we still have a long way to go. But I also know the department is working hard to implement new prevention strategies, she said. I feel confident that if the Department of Defense keeps their foot on the pedal, and Congress doesn't turn a blind eye, this is the beginning of the end for those who wish to harm their brothers and sisters in arms. The undersecretary from each of the military services also testified at the hearing and said each branch is on track to meet the timelines established to implement the recommendations. The most impactful reform the creation of a special prosecutors office in each military service is on track to be operational in each by December 2023, the deadline mandated by Congress. Each service already has at least a dozen attorneys certified as special victim counsel to work in these offices, the officials told lawmakers. The Air Force will conduct a six-month pilot program to locate its new civilian workers in facilities with other victim services, said Undersecretary Gina Ortiz Jones. The service plans to have 223 prevention officers in place by the end of 2023. This pilot aims to improve the response to and outcomes for personnel who experienced harm and violence such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic violence, stalking and cyber harassment, she said. The Army will first direct its new hires, about 81, to five bases, Undersecretary Gabe Camarillo said. Those bases are Fort Hood in Texas, Fort Sill in Oklahoma, Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, Camp Humphreys in Korea and Fort Riley in Kansas. They were chosen because of the risk factors identified at those bases, the variety of the units, and the different mission sets. The Navy is in the process of hiring 82 new prevention personnel, Undersecretary Erik Raven said. The priority is Norfolk in Virginia, San Diego in California, and Hawaii. Cisneros and the branch leaders stressed that passing a defense budget through Congress as soon as possible will help them meet their hiring goals. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, told Cisneros that she fears the military isnt moving fast enough on any of the recommendations and pushed him to implement stricter deadlines. There was a minute there that I was encouraged, she said. But I'm beginning to lose that encouragement because I keep hearing of more cases. I would strongly urge you to make sure that all the branches have the resources, the people power, the facilities, the training, the education and the skill set [to] get it done as quickly as possible. WASHINGTON Campaigning for a northwestern Ohio congressional seat, Republican J.R. Majewski presents himself as an Air Force combat veteran who deployed to Afghanistan after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, once describing "tough" conditions including a lack of running water that forced him to go more than 40 days without a shower. Military documents obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request tell a different story. They indicate Majewski never deployed to Afghanistan but instead completed a six-month stint helping to load planes at an air base in Qatar, a longtime U.S. ally that is a safe distance from the fighting. Majewski's account of his time in the military is just one aspect of his biography that is suspect. His post-military career has been defined by exaggerations, conspiracy theories, talk of violent action against the U.S. government and occasional financial duress. Still, thanks to an unflinching allegiance to former President Donald Trump Majewski once painted a massive Trump mural on his lawn he also stands a chance of defeating longtime Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur in a district recently redrawn to favor Republicans. Majewski is among a cluster of GOP candidates, most running for office for the first time, whose unvarnished life stories and hard-right politics could diminish the chances of a Republican "red wave" on Election Day in November. He is also a vivid representation of a new breed of politicians who reject facts as they try to emulate Trump. "It bothers me when people trade on their military service to get elected to office when what they are doing is misleading the people they want to vote for them," Don Christensen, a retired colonel and former chief prosecutor for the Air Force, said of Majewski. "Veterans have done so much for this country and when you claim to have done what your brothers and sisters in arms actually did to build up your reputation, it is a disservice." Majewski's campaign declined to make him available for an interview and, in a lengthy statement issued to the AP, did not directly address questions about his claim of deploying to Afghanistan. A spokeswoman declined to provide additional comment when the AP followed up with additional questions. "I am proud to have served my country," Majewski said in the statement. "My accomplishments and record are under attack, meanwhile, career politician Marcy Kaptur has a forty-year record of failure for my Toledo community, which is why I'm running for Congress." With no previous political experience, Majewski is perhaps an unlikely person to be the Republican nominee taking on Kaptur, who has represented the Toledo area since 1983. But two state legislators who were also on the ballot in the August GOP primary split the establishment vote. That cleared a path for Majewski, who previously worked in the nuclear power industry and dabbled in politics as a pro-Trump hip-hop performer and promoter of the QAnon conspiracy theory. He was also at the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. Throughout his campaign Majewski has offered his Air Force service as a valuable credential. The tagline "veteran for Congress" appears on campaign merchandise. He ran a Facebook ad promoting himself as "combat veteran." And in a campaign video released this year, Majewski marauds through a vacant factory with a rifle while pledging to restore an America that is "independent and strong like the country I fought for." More recently, the House Republican campaign committee released a biography that describes Majewski as a veteran whose "squadron was one of the first on the ground in Afghanistan after 9/11." A campaign ad posted online Tuesday by Majewski supporters flashed the words "Afghanistan War Veteran" across the screen alongside a picture of a younger Majewski in his dress uniform. A biography posted on his campaign website does not mention Afghanistan, but in an August 2021 tweet criticizing the U.S. withdraw from the country, Majewski said he would "gladly suit up and go back to Afghanistan." He's been far less forthcoming when asked about the specifics of his service. "I don't like talking about my military experience," he said in a 2021 interview on the One American Podcast after volunteering that he served one tour of duty in Afghanistan. "It was a tough time in life. You know, the military wasn't easy." A review of his service records, which the AP obtained from the National Archives through a public records request, as well as an accounting provided by the Air Force, offers a possible explanation for his hesitancy. Rather than deploying to Afghanistan, as he has claimed, the records state that Majewski was based at Kadena Air Base in Japan for much of his active-duty service. He later deployed for six months to Qatar in May 2002, where he helped load and unload planes while serving as a "passenger operations specialist," the records show. While based in Qatar, Majewski would land at other air bases to transfer military passengers, medics, supplies, his campaign said. The campaign did not answer a direct question about whether he was ever in Afghanistan. Experts argue Majewski's description of himself as a "combat veteran" is also misleading. The term can evoke images of soldiers storming a beachhead or finding refuge during a firefight. But under the laws and regulations of the U.S. government, facing live fire has little to do with someone earning the title. During the Persian Gulf War, then-President George H.W. Bush designated, for the first time, countries used as combat support areas as combat zones despite the low-risk of American service members ever facing hostilities. That helped veterans receive a favorable tax status. Qatar, which is now home to the largest U.S. air base in the Middle East, was among the countries that received the designation under Bush's executive order a status that remains in effect today. Regardless, it rankles some when those seeking office offer their status as a combat veteran as a credential to voters without explaining that it does not mean that they came under hostile fire. "As somebody who was in Qatar, I do not consider myself a combat veteran," said Christensen, the retired Air Force colonel who now runs Protect Our Defenders, a military watchdog organization. "I think that would be offensive to those who were actually engaged in combat and Iraq and Afghanistan." Majewski's campaign said that he calls himself a combat veteran because the area he deployed to Qatar is considered a combat zone. Majewski also lacks many of the medals that are typically awarded to those who served in Afghanistan. Though he once said that he went more than 40 days without a shower during his time in the landlocked country, he does not have an Afghanistan campaign medal, which was issued to those who served "30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days" in the country. He also did not receive a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, which was issued to service members before the creation of the Afghanistan campaign medal if they deployed overseas in "direct service to the War on Terror." Matthew Borie, an Air Force veteran who worked in intelligence and reviewed Majewski's records at AP's request said it's "odd" that Majewski lacks many of the "medals you would expect to see for someone who deployed to Afghanistan." There's also the matter of Majewski's final rank and reenlistment code when he left active duty after four years of service. Most leave the service after four years having received several promotions that are generally awarded for time served. Majewski exited at a rank that was one notch above where he started. His enlistment code also indicated that he could not sign up with the Air Force again. Majewski's campaign said he received what's called a nonjudicial punishment in 2001 after getting into a "brawl" in his dormitory, which resulted in a demotion. Nonjudicial punishments are designed to hold service members accountable for bad behavior that does not rise to the level of a court-martial. Majewski's resume exaggeration isn't limited to his military service, reverberating throughout his professional life, as well as a nascent political career that took shape in an online world of conspiracy theories. Since gaining traction in his campaign for Congress, Majewski has denied that he is a follower of the QAnon conspiracy theory while playing down his participation in Capitol riot. The baseless and apocalyptic QAnon belief is based on cryptic online postings by the anonymous "Q," who is purportedly a government insider. It posits that Trump is fighting entrenched enemies in the government and also involves satanism and child sex trafficking. "Let me be clear, I denounce QAnon. I do not support Q, and I do not subscribe to their conspiracy theories," Majewski said in his statement to the AP. But in the past Majewski repeatedly posted QAnon references and memes to social media, wore a QAnon shirt during a TV interview and has described Zak Paine, a QAnon influencer and online personality who goes by the nom de guerre Redpill78, as a "good friend." During a February 2021 appearance on a YouTube stream, Majewsk stated, "I believe in everything that's been put out from Q," while characterizing the false posts as "military-level intelligence, in my opinion." He also posted to the defunct right wing social media platform, Parler, a photo of the "Trump 2020" mural he painted on his lawn that was modified to change the zeros into "Q's," as first reported by CNN. Then there's Majewski's participation in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Majewski has said that he raised about $25,000 to help dozens of people attend the "Stop the Steal" rally that preceded the attack on the Capitol. He also traveled to the event with his friend Paine, the QAnon influencer, and the two later appeared in social media postings near the Capitol. Majewski acknowledged he was outside the Capitol, but denies entering the building. Still, he lamented the decision on a QAnon livestream a week after the attack, stating that he was "pissed off at myself" for not going in to the building. "It was a struggle, because I really wanted to go in," Majewski said on the livestream, which was first unearthed by the liberal group Media Matters. Majewski has not been charged in connection with the attack. But he has falsely stated that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump and said that the insurrection "felt like a setup" by police who were targeting Trump supporters. In his statement, Majewski said, "I deeply regret being at the Capitol that day" and "did not break the law," while calling for those who did to be "punished to the fullest extent of the law." The mischaracterizations extend to his professional career, in which he has repeatedly described himself as an "executive in the nuclear power industry," including in a campaign ad last spring. But a review of his now-deleted resume on the website LinkedIn and a survey of his former employers do not support the claim. He most recently worked for Holtec International, a Florida-based energy conglomerate that specializes in handling spent nuclear fuel. But he is not listed among the executives and members of the corporate leadership teams in current or archived versions of the company's website. A spokesman confirmed Majewski was a former Holtec employee, but declined to offer details on his position or role, which Majewski's LinkedIn page described as "senior director, client relations." Majewski's campaign declined to address his claim of being an executive, but said he participated in weekly conference calls with executives. Majewski also described himself on LinkedIn as "project manager - senior consultant" for First Energy, an Ohio based power company, a position that he stated he held since shortly after leaving the military. The company, Majewski explained in a biography posted to his website, quickly recognized him for his "intellect and leadership capabilities" Yet records from his 2009 bankruptcy raise questions about his seniority. They show he was an "outage manager" who earned about $51,000 a year. In the bankruptcy, Majewski and his wife gave up their home, two cars and a Jet Ski to settle the case, court records show. Still, in a nationalized political environment, some Republicans suggest none of this will matter to voters. "At the end of the day, this will be a question of whether they want Nancy Pelosi leading the House or Kevin McCarthy," said Tom Davis, a former congressman who led the House Republican campaign arm during George W. Bush's presidency. "These elections have become less about the person. I wouldn't say candidates don't matter, but they don't matter like they used to." LaPorta reported from Wilmington, North Carolina. AP investigative researcher Randy Herschaft in New York contributed to this report. UNITED NATIONS This week, the United Nations is the world's premier venue for current events which, one could say, is the forte of the U.S. Coast Guard. So naturally the military branch's boats are a familiar presence during the U.N. General Assembly, guarding the aquatic border of the United Nations alongside New York City police boats. While three sides of the perimeter around the U.N. headquarters are lined with barricades, the United Nations' adjacency to the East River requires a different security arrangement. The U.N. General Assembly makes for "the largest maritime security operation in the nation," said U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Kyle Weist, the emergency management chief for the New York sector. In addition to patrolling the stretch between the United Nations and the Long Island City section of Queens, the Coast Guard also has teams boarding ships that arrive in the ports of New York and New Jersey. "The entire operation lasts two weeks and consists of 20 small boats and crews, four Coast Guard ships, two helicopters and 12 law enforcement boarding teams." Weist said via email. "These assets and crews are mobilized from units throughout the nation and deploy to NYC to support this critical maritime safety and security mission." While it's mostly a sheer drop from the U.N. grounds to the water, there's a Coast Guard cutter capable of breaking ice that's moored at a makeshift dock. That cutter, the Penobscot Bay, serves as a platform from which to oversee the Coast Guard operations on the East River. The land barriers are notoriously disruptive to New Yorkers, and the summit similarly rocks the boat on water. Several NYC Ferry routes were delayed or suspended altogether Wednesday, with a service advisory in place for the duration of the General Assembly. SAN DIEGO Since escaping two weeks ago, officials say the fugitive Malaysian defense contractor nicknamed Fat Leonard who orchestrated one of the U.S. Navys largest bribery scandals zipped between countries to find a place where he could become virtually untouchable for American authorities. It almost worked. After cutting off an ankle monitor and slipping away from house arrest in San Diego on Sept. 4, U.S. and Venezuelan officials say Leonard Glenn Francis went across the border into Mexico, then traveled to Cuba and Venezuela, where he was arrested Tuesday at Simon Bolivar International Airport outside Caracas. Francis was planning to travel to Russia, according to Interpol Venezuela Director General Carlos Garate Rondon, who disclosed the arrest in a statement posted Wednesday on Instagram. He said Francis would be handed over to the countrys judicial authorities to begin extradition proceedings. Greg Rinckey, a former Army lawyer who is now in private practice, said he believes Francis was trying to play the angle of using some countries to get outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. Marshals Service. It looks like they caught him just in time, Rinckey said. If he made it to Russia, I dont believe the Russians would have turned him over to us. And while Venezuela and the United States have an extradition agreement, the U.S. government could face an uphill challenge returning the fugitive to American soil. The Biden administration doesnt officially recognize President Nicolas Maduros socialist government, has no embassy in Venezuela and has imposed crushing sanctions on the country that have further embittered relations. Law enforcement cooperation between the two countries is rare. There was no immediate word on when Francis might be extradited to the U.S. The arrest came on the eve of his scheduled sentencing in a federal court in California for a bribery scheme that lasted years. Francis pleaded guilty in 2015 and had been allowed to remain in home confinement to receive medical care while he cooperated with the prosecution. With his help, prosecutors secured convictions of 33 of 34 defendants, including more than two dozen Navy officers. The towering man with a wide girth and gregarious personality wielded incredible influence as a main point of contact for U.S. Navy ships at ports across Asia. His familys ship servicing business, Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd. or GDMA, supplied food, water and fuel to vessels for decades. He plied officers with Kobe beef, expensive cigars, concert tickets and wild sex parties at luxury hotels from Thailand to the Philippines. In exchange, commanders passed him classified information and steered their ships, mostly from the Navys 7th Fleet, to ports he controlled so he could cover up as much as $35 million in fake charges. Among those he befriended was a Russian diplomat, Francis told podcaster Tom Wright, who created a nine-part series on the case. In an episode posted last October, Francis said he lived only a stones throw from the Russian Embassy in Singapore, and the Russian diplomat would stop by his home uninvited to drop off vodka and other gifts. It's unknown if Francis turned to his Russian friends for help while on the lam. A law enforcement official familiar with the case told The Associated Press that authorities tracked down Francis using a cellphone number they were provided. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly, said Francis was located Tuesday in a Caracas neighborhood. Venezuelan authorities deployed a team of officers at the airport after a cab driver tipped them off that Francis was leaving a hotel and headed there. The official said Francis intended to board a plane to the Venezuelan Caribbean Island of Margarita, which Venezuela wants to turn into a popular destination for Russian tourists because of its pristine beaches accessible by ferry or flights from the mainland. The government said last month it plans to offer five flights a week between Margarita and Moscow starting Oct. 1. Signs in Russian can already be seen at the island. The official said Francis later told authorities his final destination was Russia. It's unclear if Francis had contacts in Russia offering to help, and if he did, what they wanted in return. Francis bragged about still holding compromising photos and videos of Navy officials. What really worried the United States the most was these officers being corrupted by me, that they would be corruptible by the foreign powers, Francis said in one of the podcasts episodes. His sentencing hearing was still held Thursday to deal with the changing situation. When he returns, Francis will need new attorneys. His defense attorney, Devin Burstein, told the judge he plans to file a motion severing their ties due to an irreparable breakdown in the attorney-client relationship. Burstein did not mention his client's arrest in Venezuela. And when Francis does return, prosecutors indicated he will face an even longer sentence, asking the court to note his failure to appear at his sentencing hearing as ordered. That could add five years to his potential sentence of 25 years, if he is ultimately charged for not showing up. U.S. District Court Judge Janis Sammartino set a Dec. 14 status hearing for Francis with the caveat that all parties could meet sooner depending on how events unfold. This turn of events raises several issues, and obviously will have an impact on other cases," she said. Sentencing hearings are scheduled in October for four Navy officers who went to trial and were convicted in the case. Garcia Cano reported from Caracas, Venezuela. AP writer Joshua Goodman in Miami contributed to this report. (Tribune News Service) Two people charged with killing a 20-year-old U.S. Army soldier in Sussex County, N.J., after a disagreement over a vehicle trade two years ago will stand trial on kidnapping and murder charges this fall, prosecutors said Tuesday. Army Spc. Jamaal Mellish, 24, and Hannan Aiken, 17, both of Brooklyn, N.Y., are accused in the 2020 shooting death of 20-year-old Cpl. Hayden Harris, according to First Assistant Prosecutor Greg Mueller. Mellish and Harris, who were both stationed in Fort Drum in Jefferson County, N.Y., exchanged vehicles the summer before Harris was killed, according to prosecutors. According to the New Jersey Herald, Harris traded his Mustang for Mellishs Chevy Silverado pickup in July 2020. Harris wasnt happy with the trade and wanted his Mustang back, according to the report. Mellish is accused of enlisting the help of Aiken his girlfriends brother to allegedly kidnap Harris from a parking lot in Glen Park, New York, and drive him 275 miles to Byram Township, where he was killed. The victim had been lured to the parking lot after being told he could get his Mustang back, prosecutors said. Mueller said Tuesday the trial will begin in late October or early November after Judge Michael Gaus concludes presiding over the murder trial of former police Lt. John Formisano, who is accused of killing his wife in Morris County. As soon as Judge Gaus comes back, were scheduled to start the Mellish trial, Mueller said. Mellish and Aiken who is charged as an adult are set to be tried together. An earlier motion to sever the cases and try the suspects separately was denied. However, Mueller said a new issue that came up recently may lead to separate trials. Mueller did not disclose the new issue. 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit nj.com . NEW YORK Russian and Western diplomats clashed over alleged war crimes in Ukraine on Thursday during a heated meeting of the U.N. Security Council. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russias withdrawal from the Ukrainian cities of Izium and Bucha revealed gruesome torture and murder of Ukrainian civilians that could not be dismissed as the actions of a few bad actors. Wherever the Russian tide recedes, we discover the horror thats left in its wake, Blinken said. We cannot, we will not allow President Putin to get away with it. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied the charges and accused Ukrainian forces of killing civilians in the eastern Donbas region with impunity. He accused the United States, France and Germany of not holding Ukraine accountable for alleged atrocities. The Kyiv regime owes its impunity to its Western sponsors, he said. The meeting marked only the second encounter between Blinken and Lavrov since Russias Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. Moscows decision to attend the meeting surprised some U.S. officials who expected Russia to recoil at a topic designed to expose and condemn its plans to stage a referendum and annex occupied territory in Ukraine. In singling out Russia for blame, Blinken was joined by top diplomats representing France, Britain, Norway, Albania and Ireland, as well as U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who accused the Kremlin of violating international law. The meeting was attended by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, who said his team was deploying to Ukraine in the coming days to investigate allegations in the countrys east, where residents of territory previously occupied by Russia have accused Russian forces of torture, forced disappearances and rape. Without explicitly blaming Russia, Khan made clear the atrocities he has investigated during visits to war-scorched areas of Ukraine including the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and the northeastern city of Kharkiv were real and shocking. The bodies I saw were not fake, he said. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said that Russia has committed unspeakable crimes and that officials who committed, ordered or planned them must be held accountable. Guterres called Moscows plan to stage referendums on joining Russia in occupied areas of Ukraine a violation of the U.N. charter and of international law and precedent. The worlds top diplomat also blamed Russian bombardments of urban areas for killing thousands of Ukrainian civilians, including hundreds of children. Almost every child in Ukraine has been scarred by the nightmare of war, he said. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged restraint on both sides and emphasized the importance of the United Nations remaining impartial in the conflict. Indias top diplomat, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, also avoided placing blame on either Russia or Ukraine, simply endorsing investigations of war crimes. (Tribune News Service) Two Alabama men released from Russian custody Wednesday didnt realize immediately they had been freed. Thats according to a family member who spoke with one of the men Thursday. Andy Tai Huynh and Alexander Drueke, both veterans from Alabama, were captured in Ukraine during a fight in the Kharkiv area in June. On Wednesday, the two were released as part of a 10-person exchange brokered by the Saudi government. The two men were reported yesterday in the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, awaiting an eventual trip home. Dianna Shaw, Druekes aunt, told AL.com that Druekes mother, Lois Bunny Drueke, spoke with him this morning. According to her, both men have been released from the hospital and are awaiting travel arrangements. Drueke told his family that the two men were staying in an apartment, with a doctor checking their vitals routinely as both men are being treated for dehydration. Alex told Bunny when they first were told they were going somewhere, they werent told why or where, so they spent several hours not realizing they were being freed, Shaw said. Huynh, 27, of Lawrence County, left the U.S. in early April to fight with Ukrainian forces. The son of Vietnamese immigrants, he had served as a U.S. Marine for four years and, before his departure, was a student at Calhoun Community College. Huynh moved to north Alabama two years ago from his native California and lives about 120 miles from Drueke. Before leaving for Europe, Huynh told his local newspaper, The Decatur Daily, he couldnt stop thinking about Russias invasion. Drueke, a 39-year old from Tuscaloosa, is an Iraq War veteran who told his family he had been teaching Ukrainian troops how to use American-made weapons. The two men bonded over their home state and were together when their unit came under heavy fire. Relatives spoke with Drueke several times by phone while the two were being held. 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit al.com . WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) Just as the wheels left the tarmac for flight SY 8651, the 94 veterans on board were already made to feel special. Martin Anderson, the pilot on the early Wednesday morning trip out of Waterloo Regional Airport, wanted to honor those on board as they began their day-long trek to the nations capital. As Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA blared on the cabin speakers, the 28th Sullivan-Hartogh-Davis Cedar Valley Honor Flight was on its way. On one of the three buses was volunteer Bob Alexander, who gave riders a guided tour of the Washington, D.C., area. For him, the motivation to volunteer to greet veterans at the airport and give tours is twofold. After spending 27 years in the Air Force, Alexander hoped to honor his father, who flew on a B-17 bomber crew in World War II, and the troops that he led as a squadron commander. The first stop was the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and then the Air Force Memorial, the newest of the armed forces memorial sites. The crowd stood attentively and solemnly as they watched one rifleman be relieved by another, as is done every half hour at the top and bottom of the hour. All day long, the veterans were thanked by passing tourists, by employees at the airports or active service men and women whom they bumped into at the memorials. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. David Cole, a Waterloo native, stood at the World War II Memorial in the uniform he wore at his retirement ceremony in 1991 alongside his wife, Connie. He was ready to greet the veterans, just as he has for all 27 previous Cedar Valley honor flights. My wife and I have met all 28 honor flights. I get rejuvenated every time I come down and meet these fine veterans, Cole said. Especially veterans from Waterloo. From there, the convey headed to the longest stop of the day, toward the Lincoln Memorial and the nearby Vietnam and Korean War memorials. Veterans in their commemorative red shirts and white hats walked by the Reflecting Pool at the Washington Monument toward the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where more than 58,000 names are etched into the wall. Many veterans searched for familiar names. One such man was David Will, a Vietnam Army veteran. A teacher at Columbus Catholic High School in Waterloo, Will was looking for the name Michael OConner. OConner is the only Columbus graduate to have been killed in Vietnam, Will said. I took the day off from work to come, so I figured Id better come check on Michael, he said. Not having known any other veterans on this Honor Flight didnt matter to Will, who said he made some new friends after the days events. It was a fantastic experience, he said. Everybody should do it. (c)2022 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) Visit at www.wcfcourier.com Derek Geraghty (53) allegedly told gardai he just lost the head Derek Geraghty (53) allegedly told gardai he just lost the head, Blanchardstown District Court heard. Judge Gerard Jones ordered the disclosure of any statements in relation to the allegation and adjourned the case to a date in December. The defendant, of Kilcronan Crescent in Clondalkin, is charged with seriously assaulting his wife at the same home on August 3, 2022. The court heard the DPP had directed summary trial in the district court. Garda Sergeant Walter Sweeney said it will be alleged Mr Geraghty became angry with his wife and followed her up the stairs. Sgt Sweeney said it will be alleged that Mr Geraghty pulled her and squashed her against the wall, leaving her hair and forehead sore. Sgt Sweeney alleged that gardai spoke to Mr Geraghty, who told them that he just lost the head. Judge Jones said he would accept jurisdiction of the matter, meaning the case remains in the district court. Mr Geraghty has not yet indicated a plea to the charge. Robert Hamilton launched the sick and brazen attack on the woman as she bought groceries and then chased her out of the shop making more disgusting comments as she fled. This is the seedy supermarket sex pest who grabbed a terrified woman by her breasts and told her she had quare tits for her age. Castlederg creep Robert Hamilton launched the sick and brazen attack on the woman as she bought groceries and then chased her out of the shop making more disgusting comments as she fled. The 71-year-old, from the Learmore Road area of Killen in Tyrone, shouted at the woman, Ill see what kind of shag you are in bed. But the pervert pensioner deemed an ongoing risk of similar-type behaviour in a report - managed to avoid going to jail because he told the court hes a carer for a vulnerable relative. Instead the remorseless sex offender was handed a suspended prison term by the judge who called out the OAP for being a liar and for trying to blacken the name of his victim in a previous hearing. Astonishingly when we called at his home to ask what possessed him to behave so appallingly, he tried to blacken her name again. Robert Hamilton (71) left a woman shaking with fear after grabbing her breast and making salacious comments as she was shopping has avoided prison this week.Hamilton speaks to reporter Steven Moore The sleazy groper said he would only tell us his version of events if we named and shamed his sex attack victim. When we told him we would never do that to a victim of sexual abuse he told us he would get our story stopped which we told him he couldnt do. He did however claim the woman he subjected to the attack had completely made it up despite admitting they had never met before. I didnt do it, she completely made it up, I will tell you exactly what happened but only if you are able to put her name in the paper, said Hamilton, who must sign the sex offenders register for seven years. Theres a whole story but I only want to tell it if she was to get named in the paper. I have never been convicted of anything before except for a couple of traffic offences. It was horrendous being brought to court for sexually assaulting a woman especially when I did no such thing. Pensioner Hamilton (71) put his hands under his victims upper clothing, grabbed her breasts, stating Youve quare tits for your age.Hamilton speaks to reporter Steven Moore Ive to speak to my solicitor about whether I should appeal which is something Id like to do. I dont want to say anything to you that would annoy the judge. He took our number and called us on Thursday afternoon to tell us hed been advised not to speak to us at all. Despite his protestations Robert Hamilton was convicted of sexually assaulting the woman who told Strabane Magistrates Court she felt humiliated by the ordeal Hamilton put her through. During sentencing the Deputy District Judge Trevor Browne commented on the woman had been put through the further ordeal of giving evidence in the witness box by Hamiltons refusal to admit his guilt. Hamilton denied sexually assaulting the victim on 30 August 2021 but was found guilty after a contested hearing. The court was told the victim was in a shop when Hamilton entered and after putting his hands under her upper clothing, grabbed her breasts, stating Youve quare tits for your age. Reporter Steven Moore caught up with sex offender at his Killen home this week. The victim was disgusted, and after paying for her goods, left the shop, however Hamilton shouted after her, Ill see what kind of shag you are in bed. CCTV captured Hamilton effectively chasing her out of the shop. On being convicted last month, the case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports in which Hamilton maintains his innocence. The defence pointed out his client is a carer for a vulnerable relative with significant learning disabilities and, Social Services have been involved with him in that role and they express no concerns around sexual offending or anything of that nature. He has nothing of this type of offending on record. That may create a concern as to how a man who never showed this sort of conduct in the past could come before the court for such a serious offence. It was conceded Hamilton has been assessed as presenting an ongoing risk of similar-type behaviour but urging the imposition of probation or community service, the defence added, I accept there are aggravating features. This incident is difficult to explain but could be viewed as an isolated incident. Deputy District Judge Trevor Browne rejected any question of a community disposal stating, The facts of this case were particularly disturbing, and I am no less disturbed now by the attitude of the defendant. He humiliated this woman, verbally and physically, forcing his hands under her clothing and up to her breasts then making further salacious comments. CCTV evidence showed him effectively chasing her out of the shop, compounding the horror of what hed done. The judge noted Hamilton, Attempted to blacken the victims name with comments during the contest and I am gravely concerned about his ability to reflect on his actions. I see no merit in a probation order or community service because that would require him to accept what he did. I cant see how a probation officer could work with someone who has adopted the stance taken by the defendant, not only repeating the lies he told this court, but persisting with them, despite being given the opportunity to explain his behaviour. I cannot get past the fact he inflicted the incident on an entirely innocent woman going about her business. Judge Browne said the facts of the case and Hamiltons attitude meant imprisonment was the only option. He imposed a sentence of four months custody, however agreed to suspend this for 18 months, Due only to the defendants commitments as a carer. Hamilton will also be subject to sex offender registration for seven years. Steven.moore@sundayworld.com Judge Gerard Jones said he would give defendant Eric McElroy (21) a chance, if he remained out of trouble Eric McElroy, of Dromheath Drive in Mulhuddart, was very surprised to find gardai at his door A young man who shared an image on Snapchat intimidating a potential witness in a trial was very surprised when gardai called to his door, a court heard. Eric McElroy (21) posted the image, which had already been circulating on the social media platform. Judge Gerard Jones adjourned sentencing to December, saying he would give the defendant a chance, if he remained out of trouble. The defendant, of Dromheath Drive in Mulhuddart, admitted intimidating another person who is a witness in other proceedings with the intention of perverting the course of justice . The incident took place on a date unknown about two weeks before March 18, 2021 and took place over Snapchat. Sergeant Walter Sweeney told Blanchardstown District Court that Mr McElroy sent emojis and shared an image on Snapchat. The image was not revealed in open court. The defence said there was no suggestion Mr McElroy created the image, which was already circulating on social media. The defence said Mr McElroy, who had no previous convictions, did not know the injured party. He said that no one was more surprised than the defendant when gardai called to his home. The defence also said Mr McElroy wished to apologise for his behaviour, which was foolish, and not as sinister as the facts suggested. Mr McElroys sharing of the image had not delayed the trial, the court heard. The lavish spending of Johnny Cash brought him to the attention of the IRA, even before gardai had built up their own dossier on him Jailed gangland fixer Johnny Morrissey (62), who was arrested on money laundering charges in Spain last week, paid tens of thousands of pounds to the Provisional IRA in protection money during the 1990s.. A senior IRA figure who has been named as one of the organisers of the Birmingham pub bombings of 1974 was the man who collected the cash from the suspected cartel money launderer, sources said. The pair were monitored during their meetings by undercover gardai. At the time, Morrissey ran an upmarket restaurant named Annalise in the seaside town of Kinsale after moving from his Manchester base with millions of pounds to spend and invest from his involvement in organised crime in the UK. Johnny Morrissey He became known locally as Johnny Cash as he paid for everything with wads of banknotes, including the estimated 600,000 to refurbish his property. His lavish spending and rumours that he was a British gangland hitman before his move to Ireland quickly brought him to the attention of the IRA, even before gardai had built up their own dossier on him. Murray would travel to meet Morrissey every few months, and on each occasion 10 grand or so would be donated to the cause. In the mid-1990s, when Morrissey operated in Kinsale, the IRA was a feared force to be reckoned with in Irelands criminal underworld. This was the era before the Good Friday Agreement, and the Troubles were still claiming lives. Any drug trafficker of substance such as Morrissey faced either being killed, seriously harmed, driven out of the country by the Provos or as in his case forced to pay protection money. A source who investigated the situation at the time said Morrissey was often seen with IRA bomber Mick Murray during the years he operated in the West Cork culinary capital of Ireland. The aftermath of one of the Birmingham pub bombings Getty Images Murray was originally from Donnycarney, north Dublin, and served 12 years in a British prison for terrorist offences. He died in 1999, but at an inquest in Birmingham 20 years later, he was named by an anonymous IRA volunteer as one of four men involved in the Birmingham pub bombings that resulted in the deaths of 21 mostly young people. A botched police investigation led to six innocent men the Birmingham Six being convicted of the bombings. Murray was never charged with murder and, after serving his 12-year sentence for possessing explosives in a separate case, he returned to Ireland where he continued to be heavily involved in IRA fundraising and other activities. Morrissey never had any hassle from anti-drug republican movements who were marching on drug dealers homes at the time When gangland fixer Morrissey became a target for the IRA, it was Murray one of the Provos most feared volunteers who collected the protection money from him. A source said: Murray would travel to meet Morrissey every few months, and on each occasion 10 grand or so would be donated by Morrissey to the cause. This money then often ended up in a prison welfare fund. This ensured that Morrissey never had any hassle from the various anti-drug republican movements who were marching on drug dealers homes at the time and sometimes attacking them. Guardia Civil officers arrest Kinahan associate Johnny Morrissey and seize money found on the property While Irish passport holder Morrissey had built up a relatively cosy relationship with the terrorists, this made him even more of a target for gardai, who were building their own case against him. The Englishman became one of the first targets of the newly formed Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) after it discovered he had a significant criminal background outside Ireland. Cab officers seized 130,000 in cash from him, while property worth 500,000 was seized as well. Morrissey no longer felt safe in Ireland and left for Spain, where he continued to be involved in money laundering for a large number of international crime gangs including, allegedly, the Kinahan cartel. Packages containing over 5kgs of cannabis were on the way to an address in Dublin from the US. The drugs were concealed inside an air cargo shipment from the US and were destined for an address in Dublin. The packages were marked as samples but did not get past Revenue Officers who uncovered the illegal drugs as part of routine searches. Around 5.8kgs of cannabis was hidden in the parcels. Investigations are ongoing. A Revenue spokesperson said: This seizure is part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the importation of drugs. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295. It comes just two months after Dublin Airport made its biggest drugs bust in 4 years after 16kg of cocaine was seized in July. It was the first time since 2018 that drugs worth an estimated 1 million were caught by Revenue Officers. In 2018, 1.1 million of heroin was seized on its way into the country via Dublin Airport. Both men are currently being questioned in the serious crime suite in Musgrave police station in Belfast A 41-year-old man was arrested in Belfast yesterday on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A and class C controlled drugs. Meanwhile, a 22-year-old man was arrested in Bradford on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A controlled drugs. Both men are currently being questioned in the serious crime suite in Musgrave police station in Belfast. The original seizure took place on Friday, December 17, when cocaine, ketamine and cannabis with a combined street value of approximately 1m was seized by officers from the Organised Crime Task Force at Larne Port. At that time, a 60-year-old man was charged with possession of class A and B drugs with intent to supply. The Organised Crime Task Force includes detectives from the Police Service of Northern Irelands Organised Crime Unit, the local policing team and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Detective Inspector Conor Sweeney said, We remain totally committed to combating the importation of such dangerous substances into Northern Ireland. These arrests, some ten months after the initial drug seizure, shows that we will pursue all viable lines of enquiry to identify and put those members of organised crime gangs before the courts. We are grateful to our colleagues in Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit who have greatly assisted with this investigation. This operation was conducted as part of the polices ongoing activity under Op DealBreaker to take drugs off the streets of Northern Ireland. Detective Inspector Sweeney added: The criminals involved in the supply of drugs in Northern Ireland make money from the misery they inflict on the most vulnerable members of our society and they must be stopped. The Organised Crime Unit, alongside our partner agencies, remains determined to halt the flow of drugs into Northern Ireland and to dismantle the organised criminal groups responsible. I again appeal to anyone with information about illegal drug use or supply, to call police the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the Polices non-emergency reporting form: www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can provide information via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/ For information on local support services that can help with issues like drug addiction, please visit www.drugsandalcoholni.info There is also a range of services available if you are affected by someone elses drinking and/or drug misuse. Information on these services is also available on this website. These services are available to you regardless of whether or not your loved one is receiving help for their addiction. The vile sex offender was behind the infamous 'C Case' which saw the State pitched against the parents of his 13-year-old victim Simon McGinley is released from Arbor Hill prison He is Irelands most notorious rapist whose first attack sparked the controversial 'C Case' which saw the State pitched against the parents of his 13-year-old victim, who the courts ruled could travel to the UK for an abortion such was the suicide risk. Andrew Gurney and Keith Davies were arrested after the National Crime Agency raided what it described as one of the largest amphetamine factories ever found in the UK Two men who were busted producing amphetamines worth 10 million-a-month have had their unduly lenient jail sentences extended. Andrew Gurney (51) from Birmingham, and Keith Davies (56) from Buckinghamshire, were jailed in June for their involvement in an 'industrial scale lab that manufactured tons of the class B drug. They were both arrested after the National Crime Agency (NCA) raided what it described as one of the largest amphetamine factories ever found in the UK. Investigators who had infiltrated the encrypted messaging platform, EncroChat, which has since been shut down, established that the communication service was being used to run a drugs laboratory in Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire. Following a trial at Kingston Crown Court in London Earlier this year, Gurney, who was dubbed 'The Geek' of the drugs operation by the NCA due to his expertise, was jailed for six years and three months. Davis received a total sentence of five years and three months. However, both men's prison sentences were increased to an overall sentence of 10 years after they were referred to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General's office under the unduly lenient sentence scheme. During a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, senior judges said that the original sentences were not only lenient but unduly so. According to a written reference from the Attorney General's office, Gurney and Davis conspired with others in the construction and operation of the rural lab to manufacture amphetamine on an industrial scale. The Warwickshire site was capable of producing 136kg of amphetamine sulphate a week. According to the NCA, the lab was capable of producing 400 kilos of amphetamine per month - worth 2 million at wholesale and up to 10 million at street level. The drugs were then distributed to dealers in the West Midlands, London and Kent. To get the lab up and running, Gurney and Davis were trained in the chemical process for producing amphetamine sulphate. During the 12-day trial, David argued he had been vulnerable due to his poor mental health, which led him to be coerced and exploited by other conspirators who supplied him with medication they threatened to withhold, the Attorney General's reference said. Gurney accepted building the lab and working there but denied knowing amphetamine was being manufactured at the site and claimed he was told it was producing vape oil for e-cigarettes. David Wood, who represented Gurney, said he was a world away from the kind of professional organised drug dealer who chooses to involve themselves in a massive conspiracy like this for profit. But a jury found him guilty of two counts of conspiracy to supply a Class B drug, one count of conspiracy to produce a Class B drug and a charge of conspiracy to convert, conceal or transfer criminal property. Victoria Meads, representing Davis, argued that his involvement at the laboratory was limited and that his overall sentence was in keeping with the spirit of the judge's sentencing remarks. Jonathan Polnay, representing the Attorney General Michael Ellis, challenged how the sentencing judge had calculated the jail terms. Lady Justice Carr, sitting with Mr Justice Griffiths and Mr Justice Hilliard, said both offenders were 'middle-aged family men with no relevant previous convictions' and highlighted that the 'quantities involved in the amphetamine conspiracy were massive'. She said there had been an ongoing, large scale operation' that featured 'sophisticated methods to avoid or impede detection. Speaking after the hearing, Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson said: The illegal and dangerous drugs produced and supplied by both Davis and Gurney will have ruined lives, and so I am satisfied with the decision of the court to order both offenders to serve longer prison terms. The new sentences are a better reflection of the seriousness of the crime of drug dealing and supplying at this level. Police say Fr Richard Murphy "personally benefitted" from funds stolen from parishioners at Holy Cross Catholic Church in the US state A Wexford priest and his secretary who once described him as "a fantastic leader," have been accused of stealing $1.5 million from a church in Florida. Police allege that Fr Richard Murphy "personally benefitted" from funds donated by parishioners at Holy Cross Catholic Church in the US state. Fr Murphy, who passed away in 2020, and his associate Deborah True are accused of fraudulently depositing nearly $1.5 million of parishioners donations into a bank account over a five-year period. The Vero Beach Police Department in Florida said it had recently concluded a nine-month fraud investigation after being contacted by the Diocese of Palm Beach in December 2021 in regard to a fraudulent bank account and possible misappropriation of funds. As Fr Murphy had passed away, no criminal investigation was opened against him, but the investigation has resulted in the arrest of Holy Cross Catholic Churchs former parish administrator, Deborah True. According to Fr Murphy's 2020 obituary, True was Fr Murphy's long-time secretary who later became his caregiver. I will miss everything about him," True told VeroNews after Fr Murphy's death in March 2020. Fr Murphy, who was ordained in Co Wexford, had been pastor at Holy Cross for nearly 23 years. Deborah True "He was such a fantastic leader," True said. "He cared about the parishioners and they cared about him. He believed we needed to reach out to people in the community whenever there was a need. She added: He really cared about Vero Beach. He was a private person who didnt like accolades or awards. He did stuff from the heart. Vero Beach Police say their investigation revealed that in 2012, True and Fr Murphy opened a bank account in the name of Holy Cross Catholic Church, which was hidden from the Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach. Bank records show that nearly $1.5 million of parishioners donations were fraudulently deposited into the account since 2015, police said. Police say True used over $500,000 of those funds to pay off personal lines of credit from 2015 until 2020, and an additional $147,000 was withdrawn from the account and deposited into her personal checking account. The investigation claims that Fr Murphy also personally benefited from the funds in the account before he passed away. True turned herself in at the Indian River County Jail on Monday on one count of organised fraud. She has since been bonded out of jail and is awaiting trial. Ireland, January 1996, the note said: Death seals very ancient bonds and brings the departed into an even greater human community Sophie Toscan du Plantier was killed outside her holiday home in Toormore, Co Cork in December 1996. Photo: Patrick Zimmerman A newly discovered note written in Ireland by murder victim Sophie Toscan du Plantier will be presented to a concert in her memory on Friday. The French film maker was killed outside her holiday home in Toormore, near Schull, Co Cork in December 1996. Now her brother, Bertrand Bouniol, has found a note she wrote and signed while living in Ireland. Written in French and dated Ireland, January 1996, the note said: Death seals very ancient bonds and brings the departed into an even greater human community. "They are those whom we remember and who never leave us. It is signed with her maiden name, Sophie Bouniol. It will be printed in the programme for the Remember Me concert in Schull on Friday to mark what would have been Ms Toscan du Plantiers 65th birthday this year. The sell-out concert, at the Harbour View Hotel, will feature selections of Sophies favourite music, played by local and national musicians, and is organised on a not-for-profit basis by the local community. Bertrand sent this message in recent days, and I found it an extraordinary document. It somehow applies to our concert, said organiser Bill Hogan, a retired cheesemaker who knew Ms Toscan du Plantier well. Bertrand was going through her papers and told me, look what I found. He sent it to me right away and said it might be relevant to Remember Me. I was in contact with him again today and it relates to the death of their grandfather who passed away back then. It still seems hauntingly meaningful today. Ms Toscan du Plantiers son, Pierre-Louis Baudey, who has been ill, will send a message to the audience, as will her elderly parents. Ms Toscan du Plantiers aunt has also pulled out of the special commemoration for health reasons. Marie-Madeleine Opalka has been advised not to fly because of leg problems. The family will be represented by Ms Toscan du Plantiers uncle, Jean-Pierre Gazeau, who is expected to speak at the event to thank the community for their solidarity since the murder. Ms Toscan du Plantier was killed outside her holiday home in west Cork on the night of December 22, 1996. No one has ever been charged or convicted in Ireland of the killing. She was 39 when she died, having sustained around 50 blows to the head from a rock and concrete block. The Taoiseach earlier this year called her death a stain on Irish society. Mr Hogan said: We have been astonished at the number of people from all around the country who are buying tickets to express their solidarity. The Remember Me concert in memory of Sophie Toscan du Plantier will be held in the Harbour View Hotel in Schull on Friday at 8pm. Shocking CCTV captures moment customer just feet away from being struck by police vehicle in Lisburn The shocking collision happened shortly after 11.35am on Longstone Street. Three PSNI vehicles were reportedly responding to an emergency call at the time.. One swerved to avoid hitting another car driven by a member of the public which appeared to be indicating to go into the car park of a local Spar store. The police car crashed through the front door of the Spar shop as a result, also driving through flower displays and a bollard placed outside the premises. CCTV footage shows a relieved young woman who had just walked into the building just moments before the incident. Many onlookers and nearby business owners have said the woman was lucky to get out of the way of the car just in time, as boxes of stock tumbled round her. She is understood to be a volunteer of an organisation nearby, which told the Belfast Telegraph: Weve been made aware of the incident and were very glad that no one was harmed. "Were offering our volunteer support following the incident. No one else was seriously injured. More CCTV footage taken by the Titanic Vapour e-cigarette shop across the street shows the moment the police vehicle swerved and crashed into the building from the outside. "It was really scary we've seen a lot of accidents out there but that's the worst, said one of its staff members. "I still don't feel right, but it's good the girl wasn't hurt that's the main thing and we're thinking of her at the minute. In a statement, a Spar spokesperson said: Responding to the incident, all staff and shoppers were safely vacated from the store via an emergency exit. "The store has now reopened after a brief closure earlier today. The store reopened at around 3pm. The car is removed from the scene (Kevin Scott) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Anne Troughton, who works at the Cards and Gifts shop across the road from the Spar, said its a wonder no one was killed. It really is an absolute miracle. That shop never stops, day and night. Its always busy. I just cant take it in, she continued. "You've elderly people standing out there, you usually have dogs tied up and theres always people walking into it or walking past it. Police cars are always flying out that road at terrible speeds. "When you hear the alarms it can be disorientating. Another woman who works in a nearby cafe said that she didnt see the crash, but heard it. She initially thought it was a bomb and made her feel sick. She added that it was lucky the collision didnt occur on the opposite side of the road, as many of the businesses there had customers sitting beside the front windows, and someone definitely could have been seriously hurt. A PSNI car crashed into the shop in Lisburn. Credit: Kevin Scott One onlooker said the policeman driving the vehicle appeared visibly distressed when he got out of the car. Police also gave out multiple penalties to motorists passing the scene yesterday, who were trying to film the aftermath of the crash on their mobile phones while driving. Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them. A PSNI spokesperson later confirmed that shortly after 11.35am yesterday a police vehicle was involved in a road traffic collision on Longstone Street, Lisburn. The driver of the police vehicle was responding to an emergency when they had to take evasive action to avoid a collision with a vehicle driven by a member of the public, the spokesperson said. Damage was caused to commercial premises but thankfully no injuries have been reported at this time. The PSNI also appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have captured it on dash cam, to contact them on 101. The Guardian has reported that this is part of a push to combat the capitals reputation as the European centre for money laundering Westminster city council is reportedly targeting homes in the richest parts of London in a bid to crack down on oligarchs using Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Mayfair to rinse their money. The Guardian has reported that this is part of a push to combat the capitals reputation as the European centre for money laundering. Despite obstacles including a lack of transparency over property ownership and a shortage of checks on the registration of companies, the council is threatening to use seized homes to help reduce the waiting list for affordable housing of 4,000 households. The number of properties in Westminster registered to owners in Jersey and Russia has risen by 300% and 1,200% respectively since 2010, the Guardian reports. And according to researchers at Transparency International UK (TIUK), Russians accused of corruption or of links to the Kremlin have bought property worth nearly 430m in Westminster since 2016 more than in any other UK area. It is believed that property worth about 283m has been purchased in neighbouring Kensington and Chelsea. The leader of Westminster council Adam Hug has been quoted as saying: Westminsters dirty secret has been known for many years, but those in power looked the other way for too long as money of questionable origin flooded into London and investors took advantage of our relatively lax laws. It took the war in Ukraine to refocus attention on oligarch investments and what London has become in terms of a European laundromat for dirty money. He said the problem went further than [Vladimir] Putin and his henchmen, and that it damages Londons reputation by supporting authoritarianism abroad. Hug added that it drains the vitality of areas with empty or underused homes. Rose Zussman, policy manager at TIUK, said it was no secret that kleptocrats and those with money to hide have invested vast sums into the Westminster property market over the years. It is promising to see the council seeking to help expose and recover these illicit assets, he said. But she said any funds reclaimed that are linked to corruption should go back to victims in the origin state to ensure justice is served. Hug is also convening a meeting of property owners, experts and officials in the capital to join the Westminster against dirty money campaign and is calling on the government to restrict the artificial use of tax havens, and increase funding for the National Crime Agency and HMRC to fight money laundering. They touched down in Cape Town last week to kick off their honeymoon plans and will be travelling for the next month. The couple tied the knot back in March at a civil ceremony in Dublin before holding a second wedding ceremony in May in the Italian village of La Machi. They touched down in Cape Town last week to kick off their honeymoon plans and will be travelling for the next month. And Bonnie has brought her Instagram followers along for the romantic holiday, sharing some of the pairs best moments so far. While in Cape Town, the makeup artist and her beau stayed in the affluent suburb of Mouille Point and tried some steak and sea bass at a luxurious restaurant where they caught an amazing view of the sunset. Bonnie has been keeping her Instagram followers updated on her honeymoon antics The newlyweds caught up with a host of animals as they hopped on a tour of the capes peninsula, coming face to face with penguins, seals, baboons, and whales. They then headed out to Spier Vineyard in Stellenbosch for a wine tasting and overnight stay, with Bonnie gushing that the wine farm was one of the most amazing places Ive been. A safari experience was on the cards next, and the couple ventured out to the Aquila Private Game Reserve to see lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, and zebras in the wild and ride quad bikes on the reserve. They enjoyed some downtime after their busy day, spending a romantic evening together toasting marshmallows under the stars. We have been having the most incredible time on safari, Bonnie told her Instagram followers on Thursday morning. This was definitely up there with like one of the things that Ive been most excited for... Its just mind-blowing. Bonnie previously told of how she had never been away from home for more than three weeks before jetting off on her honeymoon. Speaking to Georgie Crawford on the Good Glow podcast, the 29-year-old explained: We are going to go away for just over six weeks. That is going to be our honeymoon, actually. I have never travelled. The longest I have been away for is three weeks on a family holiday. I never did inter-railing or went on a J1, I always worked for the summers at home here. We were just like "Why not?" Now is the time to just go away the two of us. Do a big trip and see places we have never seen before. I am so excited; I am really excited. Aotearoa New Zealand continues to strengthen global emergency management capability with a new agreement between New Zealand and Australia, says Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty. The Government is committed to improving our global and national emergency management system, and the Memorandum of Cooperation signed is another positive step towards this." As our closest neighbour, New Zealand has had strong relationships with Australias emergency management agencies for many years. This new agreement reinforces the relationship between the New Zealand National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the newly established Australian National Emergency Management Agency. Australia and New Zealand face similar natural hazards, and so theres a lot our countries can learn from each other. Each response gives us the opportunity to improve our systems, and the more information we have, the better prepared we can be. With the rate and scale of emergencies increasing globally, its important, now more than ever, that countries work together to build resilience and reduce risk. The agreement was signed on the side-lines of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Brisbane this week. This conference gives us the chance to get together and figure out how we can help each other prepare for an event, and respond when it comes. The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with the Australian National Emergency Management Agency follows the recent signing of another Memorandum of Cooperation between NEMA and the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency. Todays agreement is part of NEMAs wider with a specific focus on the Pacific and our commitments under the United Nations and regional frameworks. At 18 years old, Gunner Reagen Powell from Matamata is not only the youngest in his regiment, he was the youngest member of the New Zealand Defence Force contingent to march in the Queens funeral procession on Monday. On Monday, Gunner Powell was in the main body of the Commonwealth Contingent marching in the Queens funeral procession down the Mall in London. He was among 24 New Zealanders, 64 Canadians and 28 Australians. The New Zealanders were on the left side of the contingent group and those watching the broadcast again may spot Gunner Powell, 11th down, wearing NZ Army service dress and his lemon squeezer hat with a red band. It was pretty amazing being there, he says. Death is something that affects all of us at some point. But to see so many people feeling that, all at the same time, was pretty sombre. After farewelling the Queen at Wellington Arch, the contingent marched back to Wellington Barracks at St Jamess Park. On the way back, the crowd clapped us. Gunner Powell is used to commemorations despite his short military career so far. He joined the Army this year after leaving Matamata College and looking for a job that offered something out of the ordinary. He found that niche serving as a Gunner with 161 Battery, 16th Field Regiment, based in Linton. His Battery handles the light field guns that 16th Field Regiment use for Royal salutes in New Zealand. He was part of the firing party for the 96-round death salute for Queen, and the accession salute for His Majesty King Charles III, both in Wellington. His deployment to England came out of the blue. I was expecting a normal day at work. I was in the shower when my mates found me and said Headquarters wants you. I went to Regiment Headquarters and was told, get your stuff, youre going to England. The contingent arrived in London a week before the funeral and rehearsed at Pirbright Army Camp in Surrey. A highlight of the week was the visit to Pirbright by the Prince and Princess of Wales on Friday, to thank the Commonwealth contingents for coming this far. The New Zealand contingent returned the thanks by performing the Defence Force haka. It was to show respect to the Prince and Princess, and because the personnel were thinking about the Queen, he says. Its for the people of New Zealand, for anyone watching. Its for everyone. He (Prince William) asked me how my drill was. I said I was a bit rusty. He said the Queen would always notice the little things in drill. The Prince of Wales reacts to Gunner Powells admission that his drill is still a bit rusty. Gunner Powell says he took that as a hint hed better perfect it for the day. He was impressed at how quickly such an enormous event came together. I never thought I would come somewhere as far as this, and Im very proud to be involved. My Aunt and Uncle, who raised me, know Im representing New Zealand and are proud for me as well. An ambitious free trade agreement has been concluded between the EU and New Zealand, and bilateral trade is expected to grow by around 30 percent. This agreement will make it easier for the companies in both countries, write trade experts at the Confederation for Swedish Enterprise. Many believe that the new agreement between the EU and New Zealand comes at an important time from a geopolitical perspective. Democracies, such as the EU and New Zealand, need to work together and strengthen relationships in light of what is currently happening in the world. Many believe that the new agreement between the EU and New Zealand comes at an important time from a geopolitical perspective. Democracies, such as the EU and New Zealand, need to work together and strengthen relationships in light of what is currently happening in the world. Photo : Mostphotos The EU and New Zealand has concluded talks for a free trade agreement following four years of negotiations. It will mean new economic opportunities for companies and consumers on both sides. The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise is positive about this, and believes that it shows that the EU is capable of negotiating ambitious free trade agreements with market access for goods, services and public procurement. Now, it is important that the agreement goes through the remaining steps as quickly as possible in order for it to enter into force as soon as possible. The agreement now means that duties are removed or reduced for both industrial goods as for consumer and agricultural products such as foods. The agreement will also make it simpler for companies to trade in services and facilitate digital trade, and includes - among other things - a ban on requirements for data localisation. In addition, access to the New Zealand procurement market for goods, services, construction contracts and building concessions has been improved. EU exports receive a genuine boost The European Commission, which negotiated the agreement on behalf of the EU, believes that the agreement will give exports to New Zealand a genuine boost. It expects bilateral trade to grow by up to 30% as a result of the agreement. EU investments in New Zealand are also expected to increase by up to 80 percent. One novelty in the EUs free trade agreement is how the commitments in the area of sustainability will be handled. For the first time, the EU has agreed that the agreements sustainability chapter should be subject to sanctions in the event of any breach of the agreement. This means that if a party does not respect its commitments in the climate field (the Paris Agreement) or in labour law (ILO Conventions), sanctions the withdrawal of market access can be introduced as a last resort. In recent years, the EU has had some difficulties with free trade agreements. Sweden, together with several like-minded countries within the Union, has pushed for the EU to negotiate more agreements and approve those that have already been negotiated in order to facilitate trade for companies. Many also believe that this new agreement between the EU and New Zealand comes at an important time from a geopolitical perspective. Democracies, such as the EU and New Zealand, need to work together and strengthen relationships in light of what is currently happening in the world. The next step is for the text of the agreement to be published and then undergo legal review before being translated into all official EU languages. Both the European Council and the European Parliament, as well as the New Zealand Parliament, must ratify the agreement before it can enter into force. 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. Aframax tanker disabled by fire, anchored, Java sea Fire erupted in engine room of Aframax tanker SEABORNE PETRO then tanker drifted dead ahead until she anchored north of Ciwandan, Java. Fire erupted in engine room of Aframax tanker SEABORNE PETRO at around 2000 LT (UTC +7) Sep 15, some 9 nm SW of tankers destination, Cinta Oil Terminal, Java sea, NW of Jakarta. Tanker drifted or moved dead ahead until 1830 LT Sep 16, when she anchored 18 nm north of Ciwandan, Java, Sunda Strait. Maersk Product Tankers names Claus Gronborg new CEO Claus Gronborg has been appointed CEO of Maersk Product Tankers one of the largest product tanker owners in the world. Gronborg takes over the leadership of Maersk Product Tankers on October 1 from Christian M. Ingerslev. Gronborg will remain Chief Investment Officer of Maersk Tankers and a member of the executive team. Ingerslev will continue as CEO of Maersk Tankers and become a member of the Maersk Product Tankers board of directors. As CEO of Maersk Product Tankers, Gronborg will be responsible for delivering the companys fleet strategy, which has vessel safety, reliability and efficiency at its core, and optimising value for owners A.P. Moller Holding and Mitsui & Co. I am passionate about the dynamics of the tanker market and the industry plays an important role in global trade and the world economy. I am looking forward to providing Maersk Product Tankers customers with reliable transportation solutions for their cargoes and optimising value for owners, says Gronborg, who has more than two decades of experience in the shipping industry. Gronborgs appointment comes at a time when the tanker market is experiencing disruption to trade flows as supply and demand patterns change. Tankers help to keep the global energy system functioning, and product tanker rates and asset prices have climbed to extraordinarily high levels this year. Maersk Product Tankers predicts that rates will remain high over the coming years due to strong demand from changing trade flows and the limited number of new tanker vessels on order. Gronborg has deep expertise of the volatile tanker market, having worked both with vessel ownership and management. He is also spearheading Maersk Tankers new investment, with a particular focus on creating solutions that help shipowners boost earnings and cut the industrys carbon emissions. Claus has many years of solid experience in the tanker market and has a strong understanding of the investment cycles within shipping. I am very much looking forward to working with him in his new capacity, says Martin Larsen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Maersk Product Tankers. The Maersk Product Tankers fleet consists of 52 vessels and is commercially managed by Maersk Tankers, while Synergy Group undertakes the technical management. The three parties work together to ensure that vessels are deployed and operated optimally to boost economic and environmental performance. For the past three years, Claus Gronborg has been managing the Maersk Product Tankers fleet. Previously, he held executive positions, including Chief Commercial Officer and Vice President of Business Development, at Maersk Tankers. Gronborg holds a bachelors degree in Chinese from Beijing Language and Culture University and an Executive MBA from Columbia Business School/London Business School. From 1 October 2022, the Maersk Product Tankers Board of Directors will consist of Chairman Martin Larsen, A.P. Moller Holding; Christian M. Ingerslev, Maersk Tankers; Birgitte Schou, A.P. Moller Holding; and Tatsuya Okamoto, Mitsui & Co. RTHK: Cambodian court upholds final Khmer Rouge conviction Cambodia's UN-backed Khmer Rouge war crimes court gave its final verdict on Thursday, upholding the genocide conviction and life sentence imposed on the regime's last surviving leader. The tribunal was ruling on an appeal by Khieu Samphan, head of state for the murderous communist regime, which wiped out a quarter of the Cambodian population in less than four years in the 1970s. Survivors welcomed the verdict, the last that will be issued by the tribunal, which has cost more than $330 million and prosecuted only five Khmer Rouge leaders, two of whom died during proceedings. "The Supreme Court chamber finds no merit in Khieu Samphan's arguments regarding genocide and rejects them," Chief Judge Kong Srim said in the lengthy ruling. The court also upheld the 2018 convictions against the 91-year-old for multiple crimes against humanity including murder, torture and enslavement on the basis of a "joint criminal enterprise", even if he did not personally take part in all crimes. It backed the earlier ruling that Khieu Samphan had "direct contemporaneous knowledge of the commission of crimes and shared the intent for their commission". But it reversed convictions on murder and persecution charges relating to two specific locations. Around 500 people packed into the courtroom to hear the verdict, including Buddhist monks, diplomats, government officials and Khmer Rouge survivors. The hybrid court, with both Cambodian and international judges, was set up to try the senior leaders of the genocidal regime, which wiped out about two million people through starvation, torture, forced labour and mass executions during its 1975-79 rule. Regime chief Pol Pot, known as "Brother Number One", never faced justice, dying in 1998 before the court was set up. Khieu Samphan's genocide conviction relates to the persecution of ethnic-minority Vietnamese, seen by the Khmer Rouge as treacherous enemies within. The frail Khieu Samphan sat hunched in a wheelchair in the dock, listening intently to the lengthy ruling through headphones. His argument that the Khmer Rouge was simply a political movement, aimed at improving the lives of Cambodians, was rejected by the court. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2022-09-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 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. kvsneela BHPian Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Pondicherry Posts: 40 Thanked: 104 Times 3 temples of Kulithalai The Three Temples of Kulithalai Prelude-1: After my Srisailam trip ( Prelude -2: I had finished my college in 1986 and lost touch with college friends as I was working all over India at places like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bokaro, Ranchi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore etc., When we moved to Chennai , met one of such friends who is my wifes office colleague and through him I joined in their WhatsApp group in 2020( after my VR retirement). Due to the onset of Covid and subsequent Omicron pandemic , the meeting proposals were blocked, mostly by me, as I used to write a lengthy explanation why such meetings to be avoided time being ( it was not that other people were interested in such meetings) . Since the Covid threat has subdued now and everything has been back to normal slowly, the meeting mood was slowly popping up. One of the friends had his sons wedding arranged in Trichy on 1st September and invited everybody (mostly in person) and booked rooms at Guru Inn service apartments (wedding was at Hotel Ajanta). So now another chance had come for my wife to continue the temple visits since that area is heaven for temple visitors. The Plan: Initially I thought Srirangam (Thiruvaranganathar) temple would be automatic choice but she had other plans. The Legend: Once upon a time Vayu Bhagavan (Lord of winds) and Adisesha (Bed of Lord Vishnu) had a dispute to find out who was superior, to prove the superiority Adisesha encircled the Mount Kailash and Vayu tried to remove this encircle by creating Twister. Because of the force, 8 parts fell from Kailash in 8 different places which are Thirukonamalai(SriLanka), Thirukalahasti, Thiruchimalai,Thiruengoimalai, Rajathagiri, Neerthagiri, Ratnagiri, and Thirupangeeli. (Note: Malai in Tamil means Hill). I dont know how much of the above legend was true and how come all the parts fell only in Southern part of India (may be due to centrifugal force or something) even though they all started from Himalayas. Out of the above places, Ratnagiri (called as Ayyar or Ayvar Malai) and Thirugonamalai are near Kuliththalai (Trichy Karur Road). Along with Kadambavaneswarar temple in Kuliththalai, the 3 temples are for Lord Siva and as per the protocol, one should visit Kadambavaneswarar (Morning), Rathnagereeswarar (Noon) and Maragadhachaleswarar in Thiruengoi Malai (evening). Our plan was to visit the 3 temples of Kuliththalai and Musiri (legend above) on 31st August and then attend the reception. Next day visit Thirivaanaikaaval temple in Srirangam (opening around 6 AM) and return for breakfast and Muhurtham (9 to 10.30 AM). Return to Pondy after lunch. She has few relative in Trichy (in fact at the time of our marriage, her family was in Trichy only) but none of them was available at the time at Trichy. The Journey: As was my practice, car tank was full already and things were packed including umbrellas (which turned out to be a masterstroke) and kept ready on 29th night itself. But when I woke up at 3.45 in the morning, I saw Varuna Bhagavan (Lord of Rains) had other ideas as it was raining heavily. But a quick look at weather forecast (as if all their predictions come true but no other way to go) showed that it was a surprise rain. On the other hand, wife was coolly getting ready to leave (why not, as I had to drive). Fortunately, at 5 AM when we were about to start the car, rains stopped (only to help us open the gate without getting drenched). There are many routes to reach Kulithalai. Most of them are via Trichy (to reach Trichy many routes again). But decided to take Villupuram, Perambalur, Thuraiyur route for a change (also it is the shortest). After we left our apartments, rains started again and continued up to Villupuram. ( video). But driving was problematic not because of the rain but due to road widening work but mostly smooth as the traffic was thin. After Villupuram rains completely stopped and stayed dry up to Kuliththalai. Took the Perambalur bypass to reach Kuliththalai at around 9.30 AM. Perambalur Turn Perambalur Bypass Thuraiyur Musiri turn towards bridge Kaveri Bridge approaching Kaveri Bridge Temple 1 Kadambavaneswarar at Kuliththalai: When we approached the Kaveri River bridge, wife suddenly wanted to touch Kaveri water and also, if possible, a Pillayaar temple (as it was Vinaayagar Chaturthi day). We found a place where both her wishes fulfilled. From the bridge needed to take left on a dirt road to reach the bypass road and then turned right to go under the bridge to reach the river. (River had good flow of water as it was 3rd time Mettur dam was opened I heard). From the banks of the river, the road went directly to the Kadambavaneswarar temple (first in the list). As I was in my bermuda, I did not go into the temple. Wife went inside and came back after 30 minutes or so (1nd surprise). Then finished breakfast near the temple in a small tiffin centre in a house (only 60/- for stomach full of Idlies, vadais and Dosais) (2nd surprise as she (so Me-too) normally skips breakfast on such visits). Joining Karur-Trichy Bypass Kaveri River Closeup Kadambavaneswarar Temple Temple 2- Rathnagereeswarar at Ayyar( Ayvar) Malai: Started towards Ayyar( Ayvar) Malai at 10.30 which is about 5 kms on Manapparai road. Unlike the 1st temple, this one was on a hillock and had about 1100 steep steps. I changed to pants (wore on bermuda) and tried to accompany her. When I reached 250 steps(marked), I decided not to take further risk as I needed to drive also. (I had one office friend who collapsed and died while running after a local bus in Chennai which made me to realise not to take unnecessary risks as had nothing to prove to anybody at my age). Wife returned at around 1 PM and as per request drove around the hill before starting towards Kuliththalai town. (Latter she herself was surprised that she came back in one piece as many young people also struggled to keep up during the steep climb). Cable car was almost ready and under testing now. Manaparai Road turn towards Ay(y)var malai On the way to Ay(y)var malai Ay(y)var malai Ay(y)var malai entrance Cable car ready not yet ready Steep Steps( 1100 ) From the top of Ay(y)var Malai Temple 3 Maragadachaleswarar at Thiruengoi malai : On the way rains started again and we decided to finish lunch here and decided to move to Thirivaanaikaaval temple (as this temple opens at 3 PM and we had time to finish which was planned for next day morning) as the 3rd temple had 500 steps (not covered and) , steep and may be slippery. And also, as per my information, the priest comes in the evening at 4 PM only so we could not wait more than an hr for opening of the temple in the rains. Finished lunch at Cafe Srinivasa (which we enquired at the breakfast centre in the morning itself and recommend) and then wife half-heartedly agreed to change of plans but wanted to at least drive around the hills (since I had mentioned driving in the rains was not a problem). So, we crossed the Kaveri River bridge again and reached Thiruengoi Hill at around 2.45 PM. There we got the information that the priest was already in the temple( It seems he is available from 10 to 5 all days) and many people had already climbed. Immediately wife took a spot decision to climb. I gave her 1 hr time (15+30+15) she surprisingly agreed and went up while I waited down in the rains (we had brought the umbrellas which was bought during the Srisailam trip). Even though our plans changed again, I was actually happy that she could complete the target in this trip itself and, if not, she would definitely try to come back in future to finish the temples again (meaning we had to start from the first temple again). As promised, she came down around 4 PM and after finishing the compulsory drive around the hills we headed towards Trichy. Temple entry road Thiruengoimalai Ay(y)var Malai from top of Thirueongoi Malai Checked in Guru Inn at around 5.30 PM and reached Hotel Ajanta at 6.15 for reception. Since it was a meeting of friends after many years, many stayed late but as I had another temple trip in the morning ( and also teetotaller -not even tea) so excused myself and went to sleep early. Guru Inn Hotel Ajanta Temple 4 Thiruvaanaikaaval at Thiruva(Sri)rangam : Since the we needed to be at marriage hall for breakfast , reached the temple by 6.30 AM and finished by 8 AM.( no rush and so I also went inside). (did not take the bypass road as it was early morning and drove via Mainguard Gate- Chathram bus stand both directions). Thiruvaanaikaaval temple Return : Attended the marriage and after lunch left for Pondy. This time I tried Veppur, Vridhdhachalam , Cuddalore route as the Villupuram -Pondy road was under construction. Started around 2.30 PM ( on the way dropped a friend in Srirangam )and reached Pondy at 7.30 PM. Trichy Kaveri Bridge under repair now. Kollidam Bridge Padalur Toll Veppur Turn Vridhdhachalam ByPass Summary: Road Conditions: Pondy to VillupuramConstruction going on in many places but drivable. (40 km) Villupuram to Perambalur GST road no problem(108km) Perambalur to Kulithalai - Mostly drivable . Perambalur bypass was good. In Musiri need to take bus stand road to reach the Kaveri Bridge. (70km) Kulithalai to Trichy Tolled 2 lane but wide road in very good condition. (40km) Trichy Veppur : GST road No problem.(100km) Veppur to Pondy: Drivable mostly. In-between has tolled road also. Only constrain was the traffic between Cuddalore to Pondy. (106km) Accommodation: Guru Inn: Good Service apartment near to Busstand and Railway station with ample car parking.recommend Hotel Ajanta: Famous hotel ( from 1966) in Trichy for Veg food next to Central Busstand with ample parking Our Spresso (only 4500 Km) behaved beautifully over the full trip. AC was a chiller (but it was raining mostly). Mileage was round 19 Km/l. Average. Except one or 2 places, I did not drive in 3 digits speed. PostScript : Since our Spresso Completed 6 months( also nearly 5000Kms) , gave for 2nd free service which was only washing and checking. Bill came to 14/- (only windscreen washer) and I purchased the cabin(A/C) filter for Rs 230/- (including GST) from service centre itself. Good Bye all until next time and take care. After my Srisailam trip ( https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...travelled.html (Drive from Pondicherry to Kalahasthi, Tirupati and Srisailam via the roads less travelled) ), I wanted to install dashcam in our Spresso. Since options are very much limited in Pondy, I ordered DDPAI Mini (Rs 3699/-) along with Samsung EVO Plus (64GB) mSD card (Rs 598/-) from Amazon after reading reviews in various forums. It was a simple DIY with the camera was fixed between IRVM and Fastag (in fact on the Fastag) using 3M double tap and cable was routed through roof liner and left A pillar cover. I tested the action during a small drive for attending a function and found to be working well. (Since there are so much information available regarding this DIY, did not post in separate thread)I had finished my college in 1986 and lost touch with college friends as I was working all over India at places like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bokaro, Ranchi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore etc., When we moved to Chennai , met one of such friends who is my wifes office colleague and through him I joined in their WhatsApp group in 2020( after my VR retirement). Due to the onset of Covid and subsequent Omicron pandemic , the meeting proposals were blocked, mostly by me, as I used to write a lengthy explanation why such meetings to be avoided time being ( it was not that other people were interested in such meetings) . Since the Covid threat has subdued now and everything has been back to normal slowly, the meeting mood was slowly popping up. One of the friends had his sons wedding arranged in Trichy on 1st September and invited everybody (mostly in person) and booked rooms at Guru Inn service apartments (wedding was at Hotel Ajanta). So now another chance had come for my wife to continue the temple visits since that area is heaven for temple visitors.Initially I thought Srirangam (Thiruvaranganathar) temple would be automatic choice but she had other plans.The Legend:(Note: Malai in Tamil means Hill).I dont know how much of the above legend was true and how come all the parts fell only in Southern part of India (may be due to centrifugal force or something) even though they all started from Himalayas.Out of the above places, Ratnagiri (called as Ayyar or Ayvar Malai) and Thirugonamalai are near Kuliththalai (Trichy Karur Road). Along with Kadambavaneswarar temple in Kuliththalai, the 3 temples are for Lord Siva and as per the protocol, one should visit Kadambavaneswarar (Morning), Rathnagereeswarar (Noon) and Maragadhachaleswarar in Thiruengoi Malai (evening).Our plan was to visit the 3 temples of Kuliththalai and Musiri (legend above) on 31st August and then attend the reception. Next day visit Thirivaanaikaaval temple in Srirangam (opening around 6 AM) and return for breakfast and Muhurtham (9 to 10.30 AM). Return to Pondy after lunch. She has few relative in Trichy (in fact at the time of our marriage, her family was in Trichy only) but none of them was available at the time at Trichy.As was my practice, car tank was full already and things were packed including umbrellas (which turned out to be a masterstroke) and kept ready on 29th night itself. But when I woke up at 3.45 in the morning, I saw Varuna Bhagavan (Lord of Rains) had other ideas as it was raining heavily. But a quick look at weather forecast (as if all their predictions come true but no other way to go) showed that it was a surprise rain. On the other hand, wife was coolly getting ready to leave (why not, as I had to drive). Fortunately, at 5 AM when we were about to start the car, rains stopped (only to help us open the gate without getting drenched).There are many routes to reach Kulithalai. Most of them are via Trichy (to reach Trichy many routes again). But decided to take Villupuram, Perambalur, Thuraiyur route for a change (also it is the shortest). After we left our apartments, rains started again and continued up to Villupuram. ( video). But driving was problematic not because of the rain but due to road widening work but mostly smooth as the traffic was thin. After Villupuram rains completely stopped and stayed dry up to Kuliththalai. Took the Perambalur bypass to reach Kuliththalai at around 9.30 AM.Perambalur TurnPerambalur BypassThuraiyurMusiri turn towards bridgeKaveri Bridge approachingKaveri BridgeWhen we approached the Kaveri River bridge, wife suddenly wanted to touch Kaveri water and also, if possible, a Pillayaar temple (as it was Vinaayagar Chaturthi day). We found a place where both her wishes fulfilled. From the bridge needed to take left on a dirt road to reach the bypass road and then turned right to go under the bridge to reach the river. (River had good flow of water as it was 3rd time Mettur dam was opened I heard). From the banks of the river, the road went directly to the Kadambavaneswarar temple (first in the list). As I was in my bermuda, I did not go into the temple. Wife went inside and came back after 30 minutes or so (1nd surprise). Then finished breakfast near the temple in a small tiffin centre in a house (only 60/- for stomach full of Idlies, vadais and Dosais) (2nd surprise as she (so Me-too) normally skips breakfast on such visits).Joining Karur-Trichy BypassKaveri River CloseupKadambavaneswarar TempleStarted towards Ayyar( Ayvar) Malai at 10.30 which is about 5 kms on Manapparai road. Unlike the 1st temple, this one was on a hillock and had about 1100 steep steps. I changed to pants (wore on bermuda) and tried to accompany her. When I reached 250 steps(marked), I decided not to take further risk as I needed to drive also. (I had one office friend who collapsed and died while running after a local bus in Chennai which made me to realise not to take unnecessary risks as had nothing to prove to anybody at my age). Wife returned at around 1 PM and as per request drove around the hill before starting towards Kuliththalai town. (Latter she herself was surprised that she came back in one piece as many young people also struggled to keep up during the steep climb). Cable car was almost ready and under testing now.Manaparai Road turn towards Ay(y)var malaiOn the way to Ay(y)var malaiAy(y)var malaiAy(y)var malai entranceCable car ready not yet readySteep Steps( 1100 )From the top of Ay(y)var MalaiOn the way rains started again and we decided to finish lunch here and decided to move to Thirivaanaikaaval temple (as this temple opens at 3 PM and we had time to finish which was planned for next day morning) as the 3rd temple had 500 steps (not covered and) , steep and may be slippery. And also, as per my information, the priest comes in the evening at 4 PM only so we could not wait more than an hr for opening of the temple in the rains. Finished lunch at Cafe Srinivasa (which we enquired at the breakfast centre in the morning itself and recommend) and then wife half-heartedly agreed to change of plans but wanted to at least drive around the hills (since I had mentioned driving in the rains was not a problem). So, we crossed the Kaveri River bridge again and reached Thiruengoi Hill at around 2.45 PM. There we got the information that the priest was already in the temple( It seems he is available from 10 to 5 all days) and many people had already climbed. Immediately wife took a spot decision to climb. I gave her 1 hr time (15+30+15) she surprisingly agreed and went up while I waited down in the rains (we had brought the umbrellas which was bought during the Srisailam trip). Even though our plans changed again, I was actually happy that she could complete the target in this trip itself and, if not, she would definitely try to come back in future to finish the temples again (meaning we had to start from the first temple again). As promised, she came down around 4 PM and after finishing the compulsory drive around the hills we headed towards Trichy.Temple entry roadThiruengoimalaiAy(y)var Malai from top of Thirueongoi MalaiChecked in Guru Inn at around 5.30 PM and reached Hotel Ajanta at 6.15 for reception. Since it was a meeting of friends after many years, many stayed late but as I had another temple trip in the morning ( and also teetotaller -not even tea) so excused myself and went to sleep early.Guru InnHotel AjantaSince the we needed to be at marriage hall for breakfast , reached the temple by 6.30 AM and finished by 8 AM.( no rush and so I also went inside). (did not take the bypass road as it was early morning and drove via Mainguard Gate- Chathram bus stand both directions).Thiruvaanaikaaval templeAttended the marriage and after lunch left for Pondy.This time I tried Veppur, Vridhdhachalam , Cuddalore route as the Villupuram -Pondy road was under construction. Started around 2.30 PM ( on the way dropped a friend in Srirangam )and reached Pondy at 7.30 PM.Trichy Kaveri Bridge under repair now.Kollidam BridgePadalur TollVeppur TurnVridhdhachalam ByPassRoad Conditions:Pondy to VillupuramConstruction going on in many places but drivable. (40 km)Villupuram to Perambalur GST road no problem(108km)Perambalur to Kulithalai - Mostly drivable . Perambalur bypass was good. In Musiri need to take bus stand road to reach the Kaveri Bridge. (70km)Kulithalai to Trichy Tolled 2 lane but wide road in very good condition. (40km)Trichy Veppur : GST road No problem.(100km)Veppur to Pondy: Drivable mostly. In-between has tolled road also. Only constrain was the traffic between Cuddalore to Pondy. (106km)Accommodation:Guru Inn: Good Service apartment near to Busstand and Railway station with ample car parking.recommendHotel Ajanta: Famous hotel ( from 1966) in Trichy for Veg food next to Central Busstand with ample parkingOur Spresso (only 4500 Km) behaved beautifully over the full trip. AC was a chiller (but it was raining mostly). Mileage was round 19 Km/l. Average. Except one or 2 places, I did not drive in 3 digits speed.Since our Spresso Completed 6 months( also nearly 5000Kms) , gave for 2nd free service which was only washing and checking. Bill came to 14/- (only windscreen washer) and I purchased the cabin(A/C) filter for Rs 230/- (including GST) from service centre itself.Good Bye all until next time and take care. Last edited by kvsneela : 19th September 2022 at 12:10 . Something to look forward to: As the new Ryzen 7000 series processors reach store shelves, with RDNA 3 right behind it, AMD has fully adopted 5nm processors for their products. However, the company doesn't plan on staying at 5nm for long. Team Red intends to meet with TSMC to negotiate future 2nm and 3nm chip supplies. Recently, AMD unveiled its new Ryzen 7000 series processors and the upcoming RDNA 3 graphics card architecture. Team Red is notably shrinking the process node size to an impressive 5nm, compared to the 7nm found in the last two Ryzen and the first two RDNA generations. These reductions allow for more performance to be stuffed into a single chip. Boost clocks for AMD's new flagship Ryzen 9 7950X can reach up to 5.7 GHz, compared to the Ryzen 9 5950X's 4.9 GHz. The roadmap for RDNA claims that 5nm processors can increase performance per watt by upwards of 50 percent. Despite these significant boosts in performance, AMD does not intend to stay on the 5nm process for very long. DigiTimes notes that CEO Lisa Su and other executives plan to meet with many companies across Taiwan over the next few months. One of the companies they plan on meeting with is TSMC, which produces chips for AMD. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is one of the leading developers of processors and semiconductors for computer hardware, producing processing chips for many popular tech brands such as Apple, Nvidia, and AMD. Team Red's relationship with TSMC has been very healthy since moving its chip production from GlobalFoundries to TSMC in 2018. Lisa Su intends to meet with TSMC to negotiate production plans for process chips with 3nm and even 2nm nodes, the latter of which is still in the testing phases at TSMC. The company plans to release its Zen 4 architecture in 2024, and some should feature a 3nm process node. Mass production of 2nm process nodes won't begin until 2025 at the earliest, according to TSMC projections. That schedule lines up with the beginning of AMD's planned end of support for the AM5 socket in "2025+." Whether 2nm processors arrive late in AM5's lifespan, or potentially break the seal on a new AM6 socket, obviously remains to be seen. As tourism goes back to business, hoteliers will need a reliable hotel PMS to deal with the real-time demand and performance of all hotel operations, which is essential to keep the guests satisfied. This solution guarantees improved client service during check-in and check-out and well-managed reservations, inventory, staff performance, administrative tasks, and other activities that usually occupy too much time and work. Through our top 5 best hotel PMS systems, you can keep up with the soaring number of tourists, vacationers, and other guests. What Is a PMS in Hotels? A hotel property management system, or simply hotel PMS, is a software solution that hoteliers leverage to easily manage reservations, administrative tasks, front-desk operations, channel management, payment processing, and other responsibilities included in running hotels. Besides that, hotel PMS systems can cover all the work needed to satisfy consumers' travel trips. This involves but is not limited to all processes included in pre-stay booking contacts, on-property management, in-room experience, post-stay reviews, and so forth. Simply said, it provides a single application for performing, scheduling, and organizing everyday business activities and transactions. It integrates multiple front and back office activities to give you consolidated software. How Does PMS Help the Hotel? Executing all the work needed at once is too much labor, and one mishap might jeopardize the guests' whole stay like a domino effect. Fortunately, Hotel PMS systems allow hoteliers to give the experience their clients require while efficiently managing their business. In short, they are helping hotels run smoothly and successfully. Why Does the Hotel Industry Require PMS? Hotel PMS provides a software platform that has replaced time-consuming, paper-intensive, and spreadsheet-heavy activities. Therefore, it is a must-have for hotel managers. To ensure you have the best hotel system at your disposal, we have listed the top 5 best of them below: #1 eviivo eviivo leads the race as the best hotel management software in the market. Since 2011, eviivo has proudly offered its simple, user-friendly booking and property management software to assist hotels, hosts, and owners in increasing income and occupancy. Thus, they are improving the guest experience and future-proofing businesses. eviivo is globally recognized as the leading platform in the industry every year, such as the recent accolade of Hospitality Management Software of The Year at Travel & Hospitality Awards 2022 By leveraging its powerful technology, eviivo provides hotels, innkeepers, vacation renters, and independent property owners with a straightforward method to handle guests, bookings, and online travel agencies such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Tripadvisor, and Vrbo. It was also the first in its industry to release full content APIs in 2016 at Expedia's Las Vegas event and the first to introduce card decline APIs a year later, with Booking.com. Key Features eviivo Mobile: To further optimize its services, eviivo debuted eviivo Mobile, a first-of-its-kind mobile app that duplicates eviivo Suite, in May 2022. Over 75% of customers have downloaded it since its release, making a genuine tribute to its forward-thinking innovation. This innovation allows users to oversee and run their business from anywhere in the globe in a few clicks. eviivo Mobile is a first-of-its-kind feature and toolset for the hospitality industry, mirroring eviivo's award-winning booking and administration platform. This gives hotels more convenience, independence, and mobility, enabling them to manage and operate their business anywhere, anytime. Users can manage multi-unit properties, receive instant push notifications, and connect with housekeeping via its simple cleaning dashboard. Plus, get access to numerous benefits such as organizing and modifying reservations and booking rates on the go and connecting to all online travel agencies (OTAs) with rate changes instantly updated. Integration with OTAs and 150+ Partners: Hoteliers and owners gain from having one-click access to all major OTAs such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Tripadvisor, Vrbo, Google Hotel Ads, and others. The OTAs are connected directly to the platform via Channel Manager, which helps avoid double or overbookings and provides full 2-way synchronization of pricing, availability, policies, photographs, and more, all of which are updated quickly in real-time. In addition, eviivo collaborates well with over 150 world-class partners and enterprises that are effortlessly integrated into their platform. Whether you need automatic self-check-in solutions, or you want to connect your listing with a local tourism promotion group for free, eviivo's broad partnership program can assist. Fully-advanced Automation: eviivo's innovative automation allows you to achieve more with less. You gain access to the hotel channel manager to easily manage customer data, inventory, rates, etc. The extensive automation capabilities significantly increase the quality of life by replying to a booking inquiry, communicating with a staff member, handling payments, and completing month-end reports. At the same time, you can focus on building your business. Booking Engine: eviivo's booking engine simply connects with your existing website or brand, allowing you to enhance profits by offering extras and targeting unique promotions, as well as direct reservations. Best of all, whether you manage one or 200 properties, the booking engine is free of charge. Payment Manager: Payment Manager is an entirely automated, contactless payment collecting program that operates in the background while hotels, hosts, and owners manage their operations. It is fully native Degree 1 PCI compliant, with the highest level of security. Finally, with Payment Manager, you have total control over your income while cutting costs on card transactions, thanks to our pre-negotiated agreements with major merchant banks. Free Websites for All Properties: You can develop and configure your own modern, attractively designed website with eviivo Property Manager, which is linked to all OTAs and supports over 12,000 booking situations. This is why it is the chosen PMS system for hotels ranging from tiny boutiques to multi-unit businesses such as resorts, B&Bs, holiday rentals, inns, cabins, pubs with rooms, and even castles, cottages, and yurts. Furthermore, eviivo Suite is a prominent SaaS platform in the property management and hotel market, offering a one-stop solution for handling bookings, guests, and travel agents. Known for its cloud-based hotel booking management platform, eviivo Suite, dubbed "the original all-in-one booking suite," there's no wonder why it has garnered multiple accolades over the years. eviivo Suite provides eight essential management channels that are convenient, inexpensive, and completely synchronized. Property Manager is one of the three core modules with an organized planner and a multimedia collection that can be managed on any device. Website manager is another core module that allows you to promote your properties. You get access to booking pages that are mobile and SEO friendly. Website Manager, Booking Engine, and Multi-Property are all included. Channel Manager is the third core module with completely automatic updates to all major travel sites: pricing, availability, promotions, facilities, extras, and policies. Promo Manager is where you get exclusive bundles, early bird and late availability, discount coupons, and dynamic price regulations. You also get to customize them with ultimate flexibility. Guest Manager automates individual visitor messages through a simple drag-and-drop mail designer. It gathers feedback to improve services and preferences to keep guests satisfied. Performance Manager lets you access business data at your fingertips with simple visuals, valuable photos, and an interactive housekeeping dashboard. Payment Manager allows secure card processing with Level 1 PCI Compliance. There's an automated collection of fees and a contactless check-in/out so guests wouldn't feel hassled. Owner Manager includes trust accounting and automated aggregation of reservations, charges, and booking fees to pass on to owners. With this hotel PMS system, eviivo is an all-in-one solution that can swiftly address your staff's changing business needs to manage your visitors better. The objective of eviivo is to enable hoteliers, hosts, managers, and owners in the travel and hospitality industry to accomplish what they love: to deliver outstanding experiences for their guests. Benefits All-in-one solution for convenience: It's a multi-property, multi-channel platform that consists of booking channels, advertising channels, communications channels, and payment channels with APIs completely integrated and invisible to become the industry standard. It also comes with native integration, allowing accommodation providers to automate key repetitive workflow. An affordable synchronized suite of tools: It's a single all-in-one platform that effortlessly delivers all essential and advanced tools that are budget-friendly, therefore, gaining the trust and reliability of hotel managers. Close-knit relationship with hoteliers, hosts, and owners: eviivo goes beyond for its partners, which often includes getting them press exposure on their behalf. They are pleased to have featured several of our homes in prominent media such as the Daily Mail, CNBC, Business Insider, and others. Travel and tourism ambassador: eviivo is a remarkable spokesperson for the travel and tourism business, recognized for its dedication to helping independent accommodations. It showcases and honors the hotels, hosts, and their properties through yearly events and campaigns, such as the eviivo Awards (or "the Oscars of independent accommodations") and Stays for Heroes during the pandemic. Now in the Mobile app: eviivo just launched a game-changing mobile app that allows Airbnb hosts, property owners, and boutique hotels to run their businesses from anywhere, anytime, using their devices. eviivo Mobile delivers first-of-its-kind capabilities that redefine hospitality tech for the independent accommodation and short-term rental sectors while improving quality of life. Hoteliers and owners are searching for stronger back office connectivity with accounting packages now more than ever, both of which eviivo just released. But eviivo wants to go a step farther. Larger property management firms and hotels desperately need new all-in-one solutions for their front-of-house workers, with deep interfaces with the back office. Because no user or manager wants to gaze at an outdated, obsolete system while simultaneously inputting bookings and modifying prices in numerous systems, eviivo has become a favored option. Don't pass up the opportunity to manage your hotels and other businesses as simple and as cost-effectively as possible. Sign up now for a short demonstration from eviivo-friendly experts to get started. #2 Oracle Oracle is a cloud-based property management system that offers PMS hotel solutions to properly manage hotels and point-of-sale (POS) systems enabling employees to work to their full potential. These solutions also provide new development options, allowing you to integrate other technology quickly. With this hotel PMS software, you may handle a wide range of hotel operations. Speed up check-in and checkout, improve housekeeping and maintenance management, and employ mobile devices to improve hospitality anywhere, anytime. Give your sales team access to critical information, like inventory, catering, and room blocks, even when they're on the move. You can improve your customer's experience by offering to increase their accommodation or service level. To make rapid and informed choices, gain insights from data recorded across the organization, including hotel operations, revenue management, sales, marketing, and catering. You can receive an accurate picture of your property's availability to every travel agent and online travel site once you get the hang of managing room inventory and pricing across all distribution channels from Oracle. This will enhance service, entice locals, and maintain food and beverage revenues rolling. Key Features and Benefits Hotel property management for guests and staff Hospitality software to increase revenue Offers data-based insights so you can improve operations Easily integrates with other systems to streamline hotel operations #3 TravelClick TravelClick simplifies the guest acquisition process by providing hotel PMS systems with different distribution channels and a powerful digital marketing package that increases demand. TravelClick's channel manager links to over 600 channels and partners in over 170 countries, ensuring that your most recent pricing, availability, and limitations are updated across all channels. TravelClick's integrations include revenue and property management systems, allowing you to quickly distribute real-time data to applications that can help you improve your pricing and administer your property well. There's also iHotelier GDS, which boosts exposure and visibility among travel agencies, and Demand Services, which links to metasearch channels. Managing your bookings should not be difficult. You can be confident that your newest availability and reservations will sync with your channel manager if you integrate the iHotelier CRS into your distribution platform. This can reduce overbookings and boost direct reservations. Moreover, TravelClick Media Solutions is solely dedicated to marketing your property through a range of digital media platforms, including travel agents. These tailored media campaigns will increase earnings by getting your property in front of the appropriate prospect at the right moment. Nonetheless, this hotel PMS system aims to boost conversion, direct bookings, net income, and returns on ad spend (ROAS). Key Features and Benefits Channel manager that connects to over 600 channels A centralized reservation system Optimized booking system for your guests and staff Offers digital marketing services to promote your hotel services #4 Guestlines Guestlines has created a complete suite of hotel PMS systems to assist you in streamlining every area of your hospitality operation. From cloud-based technology to sophisticated point-of-sale software, all solutions are created from the roots up. Considering you and your guests, it guarantees that these solutions are as durable, scalable, and intuitive as possible. Its innovative property management systems address all areas of running a hotel business, from managing reservations and payments to optimizing event planning. Guestline's automated Check-in is a Rezlynx tablet-based application that enables electronic check-in while ensuring that all data are immediately kept in the guest profile/reservation. It also generates a digital registration card. You can also control your rates and inventory better, remove time-consuming activities, and acquire the skills and knowledge to market even to the last unit. Not only that, but Guestline's cutting-edge straight eCommerce solutions intend to enhance operations, generate direct business, and boost your bottom line. With its Websuite, you'll not only have a completely optimized, conversion-driven website but also effective marketing tools to generate high-quality traffic to your site. Key Features and Benefits Easy to use for beginners Property management that covers all operations necessary Intuitive, yet you get full control of your rates and inventory Guest engagement solutions to keep them coming With marketing features to promote your properties #5 DerbySoft DerbySoft's objective is to simplify the travel industry by providing industry-leading technology to the hotel and travel sectors. The firm offers technologies for Connectivity Services, mostly at the CRS and PMS levels, Marketing Services that leverage cutting-edge technology and ML algorithms to power high-performing marketing strategies, and a content platform that collects, maintains, and publishes premium hotel content. Regardless of the size of your hotel, you will want to optimize all aspects of your operations. This hotel PMS system provides several solutions to enhance your bookings and income, ranging from distribution to digital marketing. It also provides solutions that enable a broader selection of hotel listings, giving your consumers a positive experience and trust in the booking process. DerbySoft provides a centralized interconnection solution to make your PMS more reliable with every hotel operation you are working on. This includes but is not limited to giving you a higher ARI accuracy rate. This allows you to manage all your distribution channels through a single connection. Therefore, it eliminates the hassle of handling various channel managers and conserves time and effort through cohesive system implementation. Key Features and Benefits Offers hotel PMS systems and CRS Uses marketing to ensure your hotel's success Suitable for hotels of all sizes Gives your customers a comprehensive view of hotels One-stop property management system solutions Final Thoughts Technology and tourism meet halfway as post-pandemic travelers explore the world. But with a sophisticated modern system, the hotel industry is starting to reap the benefits. Hotel management systems like eviivo, Oracle, TravelClick, and others have gone a long way in assisting hoteliers in improving how their businesses function, and their revolutionary influence is undeniable. Whether you wish to manage your time well or see an increase in direct reservations, our top 5 best hotel PMS systems would fill the role of providing a solid guest experience. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tesla aims to install solar roofs and Powerwall in a Texan community following its goal to build the first solar neighborhood in the world. This game-changing project will target brand-new houses that are seeking development when it comes to energy-reduction measures. Tesla Solar Neighborhood (Photo : Hannah Peters/Getty Images) Tesla aims to install solar roofs and power walls in 12,000 homes in Easton Park. Before Tesla started the deployment of its solar roof and battery system to a community in Austin, it penned a deal stating a "large scale" installment of these technologies. According to a report by Electrek, the automaker has collaborated with Dacra and Brookfield Asset Management to make this project possible. The company says they are currently reaching out to households in Easton Park that need Tesla Solar Roofs and Powerwall packages for their needs. Back in October, Tesla shared its plans to accelerate the installation of solar roofs for US-based users. At the time, the company said customers could submit their application for the service regardless of location. The dream of establishing an urban community full of solar roofs is finally settling in. This time, Tesla is now ready to penetrate a bigger market for its business. Related Article: Tesla Solar Roof: Can It Power Your Home During the Cold Winter Season? Tesla Solar Packages in Easton Park Homes Two months ago, the company faced difficulties with its solar roof projects because it could not meet its schedule. However, this does not discourage Tesla from stopping the current roll-out of installations for the houses. When you visit Brookfield Asset Management, you will notice that some houses in Easton Park come with a "Tesla Solar Package." Electrek asked one resident named Mario from Easton Park regarding this service. "I did a cost-benefit analysis: I went to the Tesla site and put in the same characteristics of the house we're buying and what it would cost to add a Tesla Roof. There's a big cost saving for at getting it at install," Mario said. He added that by availing of this service, he could generate a long-term passive income thanks to the "energy-saving habits" he has been using. The Tesla solar roof houses are already coming to Texas yet. It's still not the end game for the company. Actually, the carmaker is currently building a virtual power plant in the state. In other news, Teslarati reported that the Tesla Megapacks now support 31-megawatt-hour expansion in Watertown, New York. The Controversy About Tesla Solar Roofs Tech Times reported last year that the company increased the price of the Tesla solar roof. Apparently, many users found it unsatisfying, especially those who have signed contracts for the service. For more than a year, some customers complained that they haven't yet received the Solar roof. Because of this, a group of Tesla roof owners had planned to file a lawsuit against the company if the legally binding contract is bypassed. Read Also: Tesla Solar Needs Powerwall: Elon Musk Explains How to Generate Electricity with Company Products This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) issued a warning against the viral NyQuil TikTok challenge. (Photo : LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images) A picture taken on January 21, 2021 in Nantes, western France shows a smartphone with the logo of Chinese social network Tik Tok. Ever since this trend began, many health experts, as well as parents, have become concerned for children's safety. If you have no idea what this challenge is, it's a TikTok trend that requires participants to cook chicken in NyQuil; a common over-the-counter medication to treat common colds, allergies, and other similar illnesses. It started as a cursed meme on the 4chan website back in 2017. Back then, it was called "sleepy chicken." But, as TikTok became more and more popular, users decided to make that idea an actual challenge. FDA Warns About NyQuil TikTok Challenge According to CNN Health's latest report, FDA described the viral NyQuil TikTok challenge as "a recipe for danger." (Photo : Scott Olson/Getty Images) Vicks NyQuil, which contains acetaminophen, sits on the shelf at Costco Wholesale store December 27, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois. Acetaminophen which is an ingredient in a variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications. Also Read: FDA Now Allows Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids for Mild to Moderate Hearing Impairment The U.S. health agency said that adolescents and young adults are still susceptible to social media challenges, such as the NyQuil trend. "One social media trend relying on peer pressure is online video clips of people misusing nonprescription medications and encouraging viewers to do so too," said FDA via its official post. The health organization warned that challenges like this could harm people and even cause their deaths. FDA further explained that eating the chicken marinated in NyQuil can lead to hallucinations. In its latest report, the agency confirmed that some of the teens who participated in the challenge were hospitalized. Protecting Children From TikTok NyQuil Challenge FDA said that parents should keep both OTC and prescription drugs, such as NyQuil, away from their children. They need to ensure that these medications are in storage that can't easily be accessed by their kids. The health department also suggested parents educate their children regarding the dangers of misusing NyQuil and other similar medicines. They need to keep reminding their kids that social media trends can sometimes lead to serious emergencies. Aside from this, FDA also encouraged parents to call 911 if ever their children already have troubling breathing, have collapsed, or experiencing other signs of NyQuil misuse. You can click this link to see more suggestions from FDA. In other stories, FDA temporarily paused the Juul ban in the U.S. market. Recently, FDA approved Pfizer COVID-19 pharmacist prescriptions. For more news updates about FDA and its warnings regarding social media trends, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: TikTok Ghost Filter Prank: Parents Participating in the Trend Now Criticized! Here's Why This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Jaguar Land Rover has started converting its Halewood plant, as reported by Electrek. The move will support the company as it transitions to Electric Vehicles (EVs). (Photo : Jacob King - Pool/Getty Images) SOLIHULL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Liz Truss during a visit to Jaguar Land Rover in Solihull as part of her leadership campaign on August 23, 2022 in Solihull, England. Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss and former Chancellor Rishi Sunak are vying to become the new leader of the Conservative Party and the UK's next Prime Minister. The Halewood Plant Located on the outskirts of Liverpool, the Halewood plant was originally opened by Ford in 1963. It was used to produce many well-known Ford models. In 2000, Land Rover was sold to Ford, which reunited it with Jaguar. By 2008, Ford sold Land Rover and Jaguar to Tata Motors. Tata Motors then combined the two brands to establish Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). Since then, the Halewood facility has continued building JLR models ever since. Now, the transformation of the Halewood facility is in preparation for Land Rover to introduce its first fully electric vehicle, according to Autocar UK. Prior to this, the company underwent several layoffs to fund the transition to EVs. Today, employees can now breathe with the plans already put in place. The auto manufacturer will build EVs on their new Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA), which is fully-designed for EVs. To add to that, the EMA is designed to fit any battery. However, JLR's EMA platform is still undergoing engineering approval. The body shop of the plant also needs an upgrade to increase the production capacity for their new models. Jaguar is on a mission to be an all-electric brand by 2025, and Land Rover will release six EVs by 2030. We will also see the first electric Land Rover in 2024. Also Read: Jaguar Land Rover To Test Fleet Of Autonomous Cars In UK By 2020 The Future of Electrification With the further expansion of electro-mobility, the industry is shifting the way it makes and sells cars. In order to cut costs, manufacturers are making assembly lines that are modular. This will allow them to switch from producing internal combustion engines to EVs easily. It will also allow manufacturers to produce as many EVs as they want. In addition to that, moving to EVs means car companies are rethinking their factories. They are now focusing on bringing down the size of factories to accommodate these new ideas. The factories are now becoming more compact and flexible. This change will not only make the process easier, but it will also streamline the process and encourage further innovation. The future of the automotive industry looks incredibly bright, especially for electric vehicles. There are so many benefits to EVs and the industry has done an incredible job with them. With the shift to electric, the industry is becoming more efficient and forward-thinking. The next decade will be a fascinating time to see the evolution of the industry and all its changes. As the future becomes clearer, so will our transportation. Related Article: Jaguar Land Rover Launches New Startup, Expected To Develop Car-Sharing Service This article is owned by Tech Times Written by April Fowell 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tesla's Gigafactory Texas will soon get an expansion that will transform the factory into a whole new experience, with Elon Musk teasing the plant to offer amenities as a future tourist spot in the area. The expansion focuses on an additional 500,000 square feet of land towards the river behind it, soon open to the public. It will only happen if the plant becomes financially stable and can sustain itself soon. Elon Musk: Tesla Giga Texas Expansion Coming Soon (Photo : SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images) Elon Musk now reveals additional information to the public for the Tesla Giga Texas' future expansion plans, and it will add a massive piece of land to its revised site plans for utilization. It will extend from south of the current gigafactory down to the river behind it, teasing that it will be "next-level" and open to the public. It is an entirely new venture for Musk and Tesla as no other gigafactories were seeing an expansion that would transform the place and open it to all people wanting to visit. The Giga Texas' expansion would open a boardwalk that would extend up to downtown Austin, and it will be more accessible to the public soon. Long-term goal is a boardwalk with amenities that goes all the way to downtown Austin, so you can walk, bike or kayak Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 21, 2022 Musk claims many activities like walking, biking, or kayaking in this future expansion. Read Also: Tesla Autopilot Team to Work For Optimus Humanoid Robot Project, Says Elon Musk Giga Texas: Tourist Spot with Electric Boats Being open to the public in the future means that it would be available as a tourist spot as well, and different people wanting to visit the manufacturing plant would also have a place to unwind. Additionally, the top billionaire teased making future electric boats from Tesla, focusing on a retro-futuristic design, mainly centering on a Victorian theme for the water vehicles. Maybe little electric Tesla boats with a retro-futuristic Victorian design Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 21, 2022 Tesla Giga Texas and its Future Plans Tesla first unveiled the Giga Texas in the previous years, and it is the latest location of the company's massive manufacturing plants that will center on delivering remarkable numbers of EVs. Musk previously invited members of the public to join its "Grand Opening Party" which took place in April, with the tech CEO busting some moves during the event. As August went by, Musk and Tesla were able to attain their goals to produce one thousand electric vehicles per week, with its supply chain centering on the Model Y EVs for its public availability. The plant aims to widen its production rate in the future, especially with state-of-the-art casting machines which will deliver on the EV's unibody shell. Giga Texas is also the site where the future Cybertrucks would arrive to the public for its upcoming release speculated for next year. Apart from its focus on electric vehicles and other Tesla tech, Gigafactory Texas would also serve as a future tourist hub that is open to the public for leisure, gatherings, and more. The company would utilize the river behind it for a boardwalk, with users able to rent out electric boats and cruise around it in retro-futuristic Victorian style. Related Article: Tesla Giga Texas Delivers its 10,000th Model Y-Is This a Good Sign for the Cybertruck? This article is owned by TechTimes Written by Isaiah Richard 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The US Air Force's sixth-generation fighter, the B-21 Raider, will be rolled out to the public for the first time in December, according to Interesting Engineering. It was in 2015 when the contract for the B-21 Raider was awarded to Northrop Grumman. (Photo : CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images) An F15 jet of the US Air Force flies during the 'Dynamic Front 22', the US Army led NATO and Partner integrated annual artillery exercise in Europe, in Grafenwoehr, near Eschenbach, southern Germany, on July 20, 2022. A 'Secret' Development Since the contract was awarded, the development was so private that nobody knew any details about it... until now. Northrop Grumman established a team to test, design, and build the aircraft using the most advanced manufacturing techniques and breakthrough stealth technology. The B-21 Raider is dual-capable, which means it can deliver conventional and nuclear munitions. According to Doug Young, the sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman, "The B-21 is the most advanced military aircraft ever built and is a product of pioneering innovation and technological excellence. The Raider showcases the dedication and skills of the thousands of people working every day to deliver this aircraft." In March, the assembly of the first aircraft was completed and moved to the calibration testing phase. That was when the aircraft's structure was tested to determine if it meets the design expectations and needs of the users. According to a press release by Northrop Grumman, there are now six aircraft in various stages of final assembly at their Palmdale facility in California. After this, they will need to undergo tests. After these tests, the first flight will take place. The manufacturer is looking at 2023 for its very first flight test. However, the timing will be based on the results of the ground tests. The rollout of the B-21 Raider will be at the Palmdale site and is an invitation-only event. The US Air Force has several aircraft today, including fighters and bombers. The US Air Force, along with the other service branches (Army, Navy, and the Marines) are in dire need for more modern aircrafts. The B-21 Raider will help enhance the country's long-range strike capability. Because of this, it will be a significant component of the service's future multi-role bomber force. Also Read: US Navy's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Will Serve as a Game-Changing 'Digital Quarterback' Aircraft for Military Missions The Need for Better Aircraft As the aerospace industry continues to develop, more breakthroughs are being made. Because of this, the possibility of new aircrafts being built is very high. The US Air Force will have to design and build the new aircraft to make it one of the best air forces in the world. It will serve as a deterrent for the country's adversaries. It will also be a symbol of United States' power to the rest of the world. It will serve as a force multiplier. Related Article: US Military Satellite Constellation: Northrop Grumman Partners With Airbus To Roll Out Arrow 450! This article is owned by Tech Times Written by April Fowell 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. AI might lead to nuclear war-like catastrophic events, based on a new study. (Photo : Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) An AI robot with a humanistic face, entitled Alter 3: Offloaded Agency, is pictured during a photocall to promote the forthcoming exhibition entitled "AI: More than Human", at the Barbican Centre in London on May 15, 2019. In the latest research titled "What Do NLP Researchers Believe? Results of the NLP Community Metasurvey," around 36% of the respondents believe this could happen. Currently, various technologies rely on artificial intelligence to perform better. Because of positive results, many companies and organizations use AI systems. However, some experts believe that the decisions made by machine learning systems can do more harm than good to the world. AI Might Cause Nuclear War-Like Catastrophe Events? According to IFL Science's latest report, a non-trivial 36% of respondents said that AI could produce catastrophic outcomes. (Photo : Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images) Ai-Da Robot, an ultra-realistic humanoid robot artist, paints during a press call at The British Library on April 4, 2022 in London, England. Ai-Da will open her solo exhibition LEAPING INTO THE METAVERSE at the Venice Biennale this year curated by Aidan Meller. Also Read: Super Intelligent AI is Almost 'Uncontrollable' Says Scientists-Will They Still Develop It? They believe that these events could be comparable to an all-out nuclear war. "It is plausible that decisions made by AI or machine learning systems could cause a catastrophe this century that is at least as bad as an all-out nuclear war," explained researchers behind the new study via their official document. However, people who conducted the study clarified that 36% are seriously concerned regarding the negative impacts of artificial intelligence systems. They added that if AI can lead to negative outcomes, they are less extreme than nuclear war-like catastrophic events. Will AI Really Cause Catastrophic Events? Previously, a Google DeepMind expert clarified that artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies might not cause catastrophic events. The researcher added that it is not possible but is still likely to happen. "Our conclusion is much stronger than that of any previous publication-an existential catastrophe is not just possible, but likely," said Michael Cohen. He further explained that there's a three out of 15 chance that AI can create catastrophic events. If you want to learn more about the findings of Cohen and his team, you can visit this link. In other stories, Germany employs AI to save endangered eagles from flying to wind turbines. We also reported that an AI architect used imagery programs to design future cities. For more news updates about AIs and other related technologies, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Google DeepMind Scientists Claim That AI Could Destroy Humanity This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Nvidia is currently focused on the upcoming RTX 4090, but there's a lot of stuff going on inside the company. This graphics card is scheduled for its Oct. 12 release, yet there's a more intriguing GPU that's waiting to be discovered. According to TechRadar's latest report, the chipmaker might have unintentionally tipped some information about another powerful graphics card on the way, the RTX 4090 Ti. Why is Everyone Excited About the RTX 4090? (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Nvidia might have already the unannounced specifications of the upcoming RTX 4090 Ti. Before we discuss a lot of leaked specs about the RTX 4090 Ti, let's first talk about the RTX 4090 GPU, which will be launched next month. So far, many testers have revealed that this will be a top-notch gaming card for all users. It will reportedly feature DLSS 3 frame-rate booster for select games. Aside from that, this powerful computer hardware is something that everyone should watch out for. Its impressive computing ability will make your heart race in an instant - a feature no one has ever seen before. You can stream 8K video running at 60Hz for your gameplay. If you want a more adjustable setting, there's a 4K 120Hz option that you can switch on. Compared to RTX 4080's 9728 CUDA cores, it has 16384 CUDA cores. It also excels in its clock speed, running at 2.52GHz. Other than that, its memory bandwidth sits at 1018GB/s while sporting a 384-bit memory interface, per Eurogamer. Speaking of its price in the US, you can score it from Amazon US, Newegg, Best Buy, and B&H Photo for a starting value of $1499. For UK buyers, the RTX 4090 will be more expensive at $2,000. Related Article: How to Watch NVIDIA GTC 2022 Keynote Live Online: RTX 40 Series Announcement? The Darkhorse Graphics Card: Nvidia RTX 4090 Ti Everyone is pumped up for the arrival of the RTX 4090, yet they might have missed something that's "bigger" than that. If the above-mentioned GPU is insanely powerful, you might not have to find the right words to describe the next one. The RTX 4090 Ti could surpass its predecessor in terms of performance and specs. The leaked specs about this graphics card could highlight its 12.5% improvement in performance just by looking at the GPU. As a reference, the RTX 3090 Ti boasts up to 15% enhanced performance compared to the standard 3090 model. With that, we could surmise that it will be the same thing with RTX 4090 Ti and RTX 4090. Assuming that RTX 4090 has AD102, the 4090 Ti could have a more enhanced clock speed if Nvidia has a hidden trick on its sleeve. Possibly, the chipmaker might be planning to release an AD101 chip to beat the upcoming GPU to a pulp. Still, no one could confirm this, so it's best to wait for its launch, which remains TBA at the moment. Meanwhile, the company's boss Jensen Huang said that the prices of Nvidia graphics cards are expected to increase soon. Read Also: GALAX GeForce RTX 4090 SG Graphics Card Will Boast Quad-Slot Coolers - Here's More This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The facilities, which are part of the Colombian subsidiary of the Petrochemical company of Venezuela (PequiVen), were left in rubble, Minister El Aissami pointed out. On Thursday, Venezuela's Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami denounced the destruction of the Barranquilla-based facilities owned by Moneros, a fertilizer company that President Ivan Duque (2018-2022) handed over to a director board controlled by the Venezuelan opposition. Those facilities, which are part of the Colombian subsidiary of the Petrochemical company of Venezuela (PequiVen), were left in rubble, El Aissami said, and announced legal action. Assets valued at millions of dollars were lost due to the actions of the board of directors installed by former opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido, opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez, and then-President Duque. El Aissami also denounced that the facilities' deterioration is such that it does not even allow the unloading of raw materials from a ship that arrived from Venezuela. During a program broadcast on television, the Bolivarian minister showed images of the manufacturing company, which was acquired by the Venezuelan State in 2006 and became one of its main suppliers of agricultural inputs. The Trump State Department published a document boasting that destroying Venezuela's economy was a "key outcome" of its sanctions regime. The Biden State Dept is continuing the economic collective punishment. Both are responsible for the migrant crisis. https://t.co/TfFadrS8BP Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) September 18, 2022 El Aissami also announced that the Venezuelan authorities will show evidence of false contracts and other forms of corruption that prevailed in Monomeros during the time in which it was arbitrarily occupied by the U.S.-backed politicians. On Monday, the administration of President Nicolas Maduro regained control of Monomeros, which is considered Venezuela's second largest asset abroad, after the oil company CITGO. The Colombian Companies Superintendent Billy Escobar indicated that the delivery of Moneros ratifies that the Colombian state acts legally in relation to "the owners of a company who have the possibility of choosing their directives." The delirious series of Theo James in which he goes out naked almost all the time and of which (almost) nobody talks Russian President Vladimir Putin's schedule does not yet include a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This was reported to RIA Novosti by the press secretary of the Russian leader Dmitry Peskov. Not on the schedule yet, the Kremlin spokesman said. At the same time, a diplomatic source in Ankara told RIA Novosti that Erdogan would talk to Putin by phone in the coming days. As Erdogan himself stated, after returning from the United States, he intends to continue telephone conversations with his Russian counterpart and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. Land is being cleared across the street from Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center to make room for a drive-thru coffee shop. 7 Brew coffee plans to open a location at 5131 Essen Lane in the next few months. The fast-growing Arkansas chain is looking at building between 20 and 40 locations across south Louisiana, said Judah Vedros, of Kurz & Hebert. 7 Brew locations are in small modular buildings and feature double drive-thru lanes. Is there a building under construction or renovation in your neighborhood and you want to know what it is? Send an email with a picture or the location to tboone@theadvocate.com. After years of losses and underwhelming performance, the movie studio Paramount Pictures has delivered its best box-office results in a decade. The first five movies it released in theaters this year all opened in the top spot, culminating with Top Gun: Maverick, the highest-grossing film of the year so far. But not everyone is celebrating. Many of the stars and producers of these movies, including Tom Cruise, Sandra Bullock and the creators of Jackass, believe they are going to miss out on millions of dollars because of a deal involving Paramount, its Paramount+ streaming service and the cable channel Epix, which is owned by Amazon.com Inc. Stars including Tom Cruise noticed the difference between Universal and Sony pay cheques and their Paramount pay cheques. Movie stars, producers and filmmakers often get a cut of the profits from their movies, including a share of digital sales and licensing to third parties. Those paydays can amount to tens of millions of dollars on a big movie like Top Gun: Maverick, starring Cruise, or millions on a smaller-scale hit like The Lost City, starring Bullock. Profit participants in Paramount movies believe their earnings are below what they should be because the studio is receiving less from Epix than other studios are getting in similar deals, according to several people familiar with the conversations. Representatives for the talent have met with Paramount to ask for extra money, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are ongoing. A mega-alliance of local food industry associations have warned Australians to expect empty supermarket shelves, higher prices and difficulty booking reservations this Christmas unless the crippling labour shortage across the food supply chain is remedied. The Food Supply Chain Alliance, comprised of peak bodies in farmers, grocers, meat, seafood, vegetables, food distributors and hospitality industries, says the federal government needs to go further than its current commitments to lift the cap on permanent migration, and fast-track visa-processing times for foreign workers. Leaders in the food and hospitality sectors have warned that the labour crisis will come to a head at Christmas. Credit:Peter Rae We cant wait six months for that to happen ... We need it within the next month or two, said Richard Forbes, chief of Independent Food Distributors Australia (IFDA) and Alliance member. The increase of the permanent migration intake by 35,000 was a key outcome of Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses Jobs and Skills Summit held earlier this month, which invited top brass from 130-odd organisations. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Its fair to say that Andrew Dominiks Blonde, a project 14 years in the making, emerges into a very different world from the one in which it was conceived. To be precise, it arrives into a world in which the established certainties of Roe v Wade have been overturned by the US Supreme Court, which makes its use of fetus cam and its heroines overarching regret about babies-that-never-were seem even more heavily charged than they might otherwise have been. Theres nothing I can do about that, the New Zealand-born, Melbourne-raised Dominik says via Zoom from Los Angeles. If people are looking at Blonde as having a position on abortion, it does have a position and its position is that, if youre an unwanted child, pregnancy is going to be deeply ambivalent. Blonde tells the story of Marilyn Monroe from her early childhood in the 1920s and 30s as Norma Jeane Mortenson, later Norma Jeane Baker, to her death in 1962 from a drug overdose. Like Joyce Carol Oates sprawling 738-page novel on which it is based, the movie is both roughly biographical and broadly metaphorical, seeing in Monroes act of self-creation something mythic, and in her exploitation by the studio system and the men who run it something political and tragic. It is simultaneously a portrait of an individual and a critique of a system. Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe in Andrew Dominiks film Blonde. Credit:Netflix Best known locally until now for Chopper, Dominik isnt afraid to shock. He says delightedly that two people fainted at screenings of his 22-year-old debut feature at the Melbourne International Film Festival a few weeks ago. I was very proud of that, he says. I thought, Wow, Choppers still got it. With its intrusions into Marilyns body, Blonde is certain to make viewers squirm too. But its biggest challenge is less visceral than psychological; it wants to take us inside Norma Jeanes mind. It is a dream film, more concerned with the meaning of Marilyn Monroe, if you like, than with the biographical facts, Dominik says. Advertisement Thats not to say he was cavalier with the vast history of Monroe, by any means. Ive read everything about her, Ive read everything about people that were in her life as well, so I feel like I pretty much understand where its true and where it isnt, he says. But I feel like everything thats written about Marilyn Monroe whether its written by Gloria Steinem or whether its written by Norman Mailer is essentially a kind of rescue fantasy. Its this sense that the artist has this special relationship to her, they can see her and, had they been around, disaster could have been avoided. Not that his film is any different, he readily concedes. The relationship is between the viewer and her, and nobody else in the story understands her, and it creates an uncommon feeling of connection or protectiveness towards her. And then you just have to watch her make all these self-destructive choices like shes in a car with no brakes and you cant avoid disaster. Thats the idea of the movie, but it is rendered in a kind of Freudian, Lacanian fever dream. Crucial to this reclaiming and reframing of what Monroe means is the co-opting of so much of the well-known imagery of the most photographed woman alive, as she was described at the height of her fame and stardom in the late 1950s. Dominiks cinematographer, Chayse Irvin, was tasked with recreating many of those images. Andrew wanted the film to feel like a seance, he has said. So we would recreate certain images of Marilyn exactly. We would put the exact same lens on and put the camera in the exact same position, and we were in the exact same place where she stood and took that image. If that was in colour, we would do it in colour and if it was in black and white, black and white. Advertisement The famous subway grate scene from Seven-Year Itch, one of many iconic images recreated in the film. Credit:Matt Kennedy/Netflix It was, Dominik tells me, all about trying to change the meaning of those images according to her own internal drama. In other words, the film aims to bring the context of what Monroe is experiencing as those images are being framed to the recreation of those images. Perhaps the best example is the famous subway scene from The Seven Year Itch, in which Marilyns skirt billows up to reveal her white underwear beneath, a titillating and somewhat scandalous image at the time. Except now we see not just the scene being created, but the faces of the people, almost all male, gathered to watch (or, rather, to leer). We see, too, her new husband Joe DiMaggio (Bobby Cannavale) looking on furiously, a precursor to the beating he will soon dish out as a mark of his disapproval (the marriage between the pair lasted just four months). The film is constantly taking these familiar images and saying, This is not how it was, Dominik says. Its changing the meanings. It would be very difficult to do that with somebody whose life you dont already carry inside you in terms of images. For all the craft and intellect at play here, Blonde would be nothing without its star, the Cuban actress Ana de Armas, who is in almost every scene. Though the internet was quick to pounce on the traces of her accent in early footage from the movie (and its true that it is occasionally noticeable), hers is a stunning performance in which jagged emotion sits just below flawless skin, intellect jostles with ambition and submission, desire battles with shame. A sometimes gleesome threesome: Marilyn enjoys the company of Cass Chaplin (Xavier Samuel) and Eddie Robinson Jr (Evan Williams). Credit:Matt Kennedy/Netflix It just couldnt work without her, Dominik says of his leading lady. The whole movie is her face, pretty much. Advertisement Finding the right actor for the role was a big part of why it took so long to make, he says. Everyone would read it and go, Well whos gonna play Marilyn Monroe? You watch [the real] Marilyn Monroe and you feel like its a person on a tightrope, and part of the drama of watching her is feeling she could fall at any minute, you know. And I was looking for somebody who could do that, and thank God I found her. The men in Monroes life come and go, some of them outright abusers (the studio boss who rapes her before giving her her first break), some of them casually exploitative (her bisexual lovers, Cass Chaplin and Eddie Robinson, played by Xavier Samuel and Evan Williams respectively), some of them able to see her only in the roles they had created for her (DiMaggios fantasy domestic goddess, playwright Arthur Miller played by Adrien Brody seeing her as a reincarnation of his first love, risen from the ashes of the Holocaust). In Blondes telling, though, the relationship that really defined her was with her mother, Gladys (Julianne Nicholson), who saw the young Norma Jeane not as a gift but as a curse, the only thing that stood between her and a happy-ever-after with the unnamed actor who fathered this unwanted child. Adrien Brody as The Playwright (aka Arthur Miller), with Marilyn in a rare moment of contentment. Credit:Netflix I think the real villain is the mother, Dominik says. But certainly the industrial Hollywood meat grinder didnt help. The absence of a baby hangs over the narrative like a shroud because having a child would have been for Norma Jeane an opportunity to reparent herself to repair the trauma that was done to her, Dominik says. In the context of whats going on around womens rights in the States, he can see how that might be a little triggering. But, he adds, Im not sure the film is saying, Oh, if she just had a baby, and had given up on her career, she would have been happy. Advertisement More than 40 flights have been cancelled at Sydney Airport due to poor weather conditions, creating chaos for hundreds of travellers who were hoping to take advantage of the public holiday. Air traffic controllers on Wednesday night warned airlines the airport could be forced to reduce to single runway operations on Thursday after strong winds of more than 20 knots (almost 40km/h) were forecast. As a result, multiple airlines chose to cancel services ahead of the poor weather forecast to prevent thousands of travellers arriving to potentially cancelled flights at Sydney Airport on Thursday. In anticipation of bad weather today, domestic airlines advised overnight that some services would be affected, the airport said in a statement. As 30 corgis and their owners sat quietly in Melbournes Botanic Gardens to mark Queen Elizabeth IIs death on Thursday, one errant bark broke their minutes silence. Bianca Julicher, who attended with her corgi Barbie, said she was impressed with the canines impeccable behaviour. Corgis gather at the Shrine of Remembrance to commemorate the Queen. Credit:Aaron Francis I think that [moments silence] was important and special to do with them all, she said. I am so proud that they all managed to hold in their barks for that moment. That was unreal. Barbie was dressed in a pink crown for the special occasion and Julicher said it was just one of several outfit changes she had brought with her for the dog. Industrial action should be allowed in multi-employer bargaining, say academics consulting on the governments promised legislation who also suggest union involvement in enterprise agreements be made compulsory. University of Sydney professor Shae McCrystal and RMIT professor Anthony Forsyth, who both spoke at the governments jobs summit this month, said any functional model of industry-level bargaining requires union involvement, with agreement outcomes covering all workers unionised or not. Experts consulting with the government on its industrial reforms say industrial action should be allowed in multi-employer bargaining. Credit:Paul Jones Unionisation of workplaces across industries has been vehemently opposed by the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, the first peak industry body to sign a memorandum of understanding with the ACTU supporting the concept of multi-employer wage deals. While ACTU secretary Sally McManus celebrated the controversial deal as a win for unions, small business council board member Jos de Bruin, who also runs the industry group that looks after IGA supermarkets and Mitre 10 hardware stores, said after the summit that unions should have nothing to do with any deals between employers and staff. Press Release September 21, 2022 Is wearing PPE a travel requirement for certain OFWs? Privilege speech of Senator Pia Cayetano Madam President, I have two photos to show. One I just grabbed from the Instagram account of Sam YG [shows photo from Sam YG's IG post]. It's a better photo than mine, which is why I showed it first. And I'll just share my photo as well. That's mine [shows another photo of OFWs wearing personal protective equipment, taken at NAIA 3 on August 23, 2022]. Siguro mas maaga ang dating ko, or not the same day, actually, because my photo was taken a few weeks ago. But I was not able to deliver a speech on this as there were other matters on the floor at that time. Anyway, your honors, [these photos were taken] in our airports, and I was shocked to see groups of Filipinos in complete PPEs. So I asked around, and I was also rushing to line up and get to my gate on time. So I was not able to converse with them. Sometimes we have time to take pictures, chat with them. But unfortunately, that wasn't one of those days. So I just asked around and was told later on that they are OFWs. Your honor, I'd like to point out that they are in complete PPE, including the footsies [shoe covers] that you only see in operating rooms. It's like the height of ridiculousness that you have to wear those footsies because they are walking around the whole airport where thousands of people enter, walk around every day, so there is nothing hygienic about being in footsies, as opposed to being in their regular rubber shoes or walking shoes. So the first thing that came to my mind was to inform Sec. Toots Ople [Department of Migrant Workers]. She's a friend and so I messaged her and asked her if she is aware of any requirement for our departing OFWs to be in PPE. Sabi niya parang wala naman, but she will check and I sent her these photos. Tingnan niyo naman, Madam President, may gloves pa. Nakakaiyak. And then may face shield pa. You know, your honors, I'd like to put context here. I attended my very first conference since the pandemic started, when I represented the Senate in November [2021] in the IPU that was held in Spain. And if I am not mistaken, I hope I'm not confusing the dates, but on my way back, the airline was handing out face shields to me and all other passengers, and I had to tell the airline attendant, this was November, your honor, so I hope my dates are right, I am happy to be corrected if I am wrong. There is no longer any face shield requirement, if I am not mistaken, that was November of last year. And they were not properly informed. Kaya they were handing the passengers, including me, anyone returning to the Philippines. So hindi maganda ang communication sa kanila na wala nang face shield requirement. In fairness to the airline, they were I guess kind enough to provide us with face shields, thinking it is a requirement. Madam President, that was at the end of last year [shows another photo of OFWs in PPE from 2021], mag-iisang taon na, and here we have our OFWs naka-full PPE, with face shields, footsies, and gloves. It's ridiculous, your honors. I feel so bad for them because it is not comfortable wearing those. And that's why tayo, hangang-hanga tayo sa mga doktor, they had to wear those and I am not sure what the protocols are now, but our OFWs are wearing it when they travel. Ang hirap kaya magbanyo na ganyan ang suot mo. isipin na lang natin yun, dun pa lang. And I wonder how much they were charged to comply with whoever's requirement this is. So, I move on. I'd like to put on record some information that I've gathered on the requirements in different countries. In the UAE, the requirement is as follows: vaccination certificate containing a QR code. They are not required to present a negative result of an RT-PCR test for COVID. Wala na ngang PCR test na required ipakita, tapos may PPE papunta doon. To be clear, hindi po ako 100 percent sure kung saan sila papunta, but I am sure most of our OFWs go to these areas. So you know, we can kind of assume that some of these pictures I have shown, their [OFWs] destination, is one of these areas. For Kuwait, travelers are no longer required to get tested for COVID-19 before traveling to Kuwait. The pre-departure testing requirement has been removed. And then, for Riyadh, all non-Saudis who have not been vaccinated against COVID must abide by the following institutional quarantine procedures for 7 days. So there's quarantine. All non-Saudis who are immunized are allowed to enter Saudi without the need for a quarantine period, provided that they present an official vaccination certificate and submit a negative PCR. Wala akong nakikitang nakalista dito na naka-full PPE sila, your honor. Meron din akong Hong Kong. I am just assuming because my photos at least were taken in the evening, so usually ang palabas noon were the countries I've mentioned. But in Hong Kong, there are quarantine measures, negative PCR, confirmation of a room reservation. Kasi as you know sa HK, may quarantine requirement, although I just read in the papers that they are planning to make it home-based. Again, there is no PPE requirement, your honors. So just to complete the information. Not just information but I'd just like to spread into the record one more thing, bear with me, your honors, I am going through these lengthy notes that I have. The record will reflect, your honors, that I've had the opportunity to interpellate when our colleague, Sen. Tulfo, had a privilege speech on migrant workers. And at that point, I mentioned the United Nations Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and their Families. I'd like to include in this speech Article 7 of the said convention, which states: "States Parties undertake, in accordance with the international instruments concerning human rights, to respect and to ensure to all migrant workers and members of their families within their territory or subject to their jurisdiction the rights provided for in the present Convention without distinction of any kind such as to sex, race, colour, language, religion or conviction, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, nationality, age, economic position, property, marital status, birth or other status." I believe, your honor, that this is discrimination, if in fact there is such a requirement. I am not saying there is a requirement, but I am just putting on record that we are protected by this convention. That if based on the rules for entering the countries that I mentioned as I gathered from the websites are correct, I didn't see anything about Filipinos, OFWs, or any other nationality entering their countries [are required] to be in full PPEs. So, either there is discrimination against our own nationals or may rumaraket, merong nakikinabang, may nagte-take advantage ng COVID situation na pinipilit ang ating mga OFWs na maghirap. Kasi hindi ho madali na magsuot ng ganyan, at malamang magbayad. Wala na ata akong idadagdag. Actually, let me put on record, Article 16 of the International Labor Organization, on Occupational Safety and Health Convention, states: "Employers have duties concerning the provision and use of PPE at work; PPEs should only be used as a last resort; If PPE is still needed after implementing other controls, employers must provide this for their workers free of charge." So, I am just putting all of this on record para kung may marinig akong mga palusot at dahilan, requirement yan, ng kahit anong bansa, o kahit anong kumpanya na nag-recruit ng ating mga OFWs, nilalagay ko na po yan sa record para klaro. Finally, I think that is what I have for today, your honor. So I leave this to our better, more in depth scrutiny. I hope we can help out our OFWs so that they won't have to pay extra to travel for work, and they don't have to travel in this kind of discomfort. Thank you. ****** Link to Sam YG's post https://www.instagram.com/reel/Citul3vhc-k/?igshid=MDE2OWE1N2Q= Forty-one prominent Wyoming attorneys have sent a letter to Wyoming Congressional Candidate Harriet Hageman (R-WY) calling on her to stop lying about the 2022 Presidential election being rigged. The 8-page letter refers to coverage of an event in Casper by the Casper Star Tribune. The newspaper quoted Hageman as saying "Absolutely the election was rigged. It was rigged to make sure that President Trump could not get reelected. What happened in 2020 is a travesty. It should never happen again. We need to make sure our elections are free and fair." The lawyers said Hageman's comments were false and incendiary. They said Hageman's position violated her oath as a member of the Wyoming Bar. "They were also contrary to at least the spirit, if not the letter, of the oath you and the rest of us swore upon our admission to the Wyoming bar, as well as other ethical duties and responsibilities owed by all of us as Wyoming lawyers." The letter said "Donald Trump Lost The Election. Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election. The facts are that Joe Biden received over 81 million votes and he defeated Mr. Trump by more than seven million votes. Joe Biden received 306 certified electoral college votes and Donald Trump received 232." The letter hinted that Hageman's comments might violate the law. "We want you to know that we believe your comments about a rigged election were not supportive of the Rule of Law, have contributed to destabilizing our democratic institutions, and were inconsistent with our collective duties as members of the Wyoming bar." Hageman issued a statement saying that she interpreted the letter as a threat to her because "I hold a different political opinion one that is shared by a majority of Wyoming voters." Hageman said the letter was an effort by leftists to target Republican lawyers. "The letter appears to be part of a larger national collusive effort by leftists and political insiders to target Republican lawyers who have concerns about the 2020 election." The full text of the letter from the Wyoming attorneys is below. September 12, 2022 Dear Ms. Hageman: Like you, and our deceased colleague, Gerald R. Mason, we are all "proud to be Wyoming lawyers." We are grateful to be part of a profession that, since the founding of our nation, has done more than any other to shape, nurture and improve our constitutional democracy. Fundamental to this, and what makes our country so special, is our collective commitment to upholding the Rule of Law. Unlike most of the world, after almost 250 years of struggle we can still make the legitimate claim that we are a country ruled by laws, not men. As lawyers, perhaps more than most citizens, we understand that the Rule of Law is the bedrock of most everything good that our nation has achieved and is essential to the future well being of our children and grandchildren. We thus admire and feel encouraged when a member of our honorable profession, who is trained and committed to the Rule of Law, hears the call and endures the hardship of the election process to serve in public office. As your professional colleagues, we wish you the best as you head into the November election and whatever challenges and responsibilities that may follow. Having said that, we feel compelled to express our deep concern and disappointment that in recent weeks you have chosen to lend your credibility as a Wyoming lawyer to the myth that the 2020 Presidential election was stolen. According to the Casper Star Tribune, on August 3, 2022, while addressing a crowd of people at Casper's televised "Politics in the Park," you stated as a matter of fact-not opinion-that: Absolutely the election was rigged. It was rigged to make sure that President Trump could not get reelected. What happened in 2020 is a travesty. It should never happen again. We need to make sure our elections are free and fair. Surely you know that these statements were both false and incendiary. They received wide publication, both in Wyoming and nationally. Not only did they serve to undermine public confidence in the outcome of our last presidential election, but they were also contrary to at least the spirit, if not the letter, of the oath you and the rest of us swore upon our admission to the Wyoming bar, as well as other ethical duties and responsibilities owed by all of us as Wyoming lawyers. Let us explain how we have reached this conclusion. Donald Trump Lost The Election. Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election. The facts are that Joe Biden received over 81 million votes and he defeated Mr. Trump by more than seven million votes. Joe Biden received 306 certified electoral college votes and Donald Trump received 232. According to a joint statement published by the Election Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council made up of numerous federal agencies and NGOs involved in election security and oversight matters, "[t]he November 3rd election was the most secure in American history.... There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes or changed votes or was in any way compromised. " William Barr, Mr. Trump's Attorney General, declared early on that the Department of Justice did not find fraud that could have caused a different outcome. More recently, after resigning his office, Barr was more candid, testifying in a deposition that allegations of the election being somehow stolen were "completely bogus and silly" without "substance" "idiotic... with absolutely zero basis" "crazy stuff'' and, in sum, "bullshit." Moreover, he concluded that the former president himself "was detached from reality" in making such claims. The presidential election results were challenged in over 60 lawsuits, numerous administrative review proceedings, and post-election audits. None of those efforts produced any evidence that the election was rigged against Mr. Trump so that he could not win. Despite this clear proof that the election was not "rigged" and that no fraud occurred or in any way impacted the election results, Mr. Trump and his allies have continued to propagate the myth that the election was "stolen" from him and that President Biden was not legitimately elected. Regretfully, this fiction has been lent credence by too many lawyers, in at least potential violation of their ethical duties owed under the codes of conduct in many states. Recently, in connection with the suspension of Mr. Giuliani's license to practice law, a New York appellate court aptly described the fundamentally destabilizing consequences of election denialism furthered by lawyers: The seriousness of respondent's uncontroverted misconduct cannot be overstated. This country is being torn apart by continued attacks on the legitimacy of the 2020 election and of our current president, Joseph R. Biden. The hallmark of our democracy is predicated on free and fair elections. False statements intended to foment a loss of confidence in our elections and resulting loss of confidence in government generally damage the proper functioning of a free society. When those false statements are made by an attorney, it also erodes the public's confidence in the integrity of attorneys admitted to our bar and damages the profession's role as a crucial source of reliable information. It tarnishes the reputation of the entire legal profession and its mandate to act as a trusted and essential part of the machinery of justice. Where, as here, the false statements are being made by [an attorney], acting with the authority of being an attorney, and using his large megaphone, the harm is magnified. One only has to look at the ongoing present public discord over the 2020 election, which erupted into violence, insurrection and death on January 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol, to understand the extent of the damage that can be done when the public is misled by false information about the elections We need not decide any issue of "causal nexus" to understand that the falsehoods themselves cause harm. This event only emphasizes the larger point that the broad dissemination of false statements, casting doubt on the legitimacy of thousands of validly cast votes, is corrosive to the public's trust in our most important democratic institutions. In Wyoming, we have seen for ourselves the passions stirred by untruthful statements about the election. Indeed, your primary opponent believed she was personally unsafe campaigning in Wyoming. Plainly, her vocal opposition to Mr. Trump's persistent election denialism was at the root of the safety concerns that so dramatically impacted her campaign activity. Sadly, more than any other factor, her rejection of Mr. Trump's "stolen election" narrative spelled her defeat. Moreover, the outcome of the Wyoming Secretary of State race was based on the same false claims about the Presidential election - the eventual victor, by parroting Mr. Trump's election conspiracy narrative, won his coveted endorsement and, as a consequence, will be our next Secretary of State. This should be highly disturbing to every Wyoming lawyer. We want you to know that we believe your comments about a rigged election were not supportive of the Rule of Law, have contributed to destabilizing our democratic institutions, and were inconsistent with our collective duties as members of the Wyoming bar. Responsibilities of Wyoming Lawyers Before we were admitted to the bar each of us needed to demonstrate that we had the good moral character needed to engage in the practice of law, the purpose of which was to "to assure the protection of the public and safeguard the justice system." We were required to show that our character included "the qualities of honesty, candor, trustworthiness, observance of fiduciary responsibilities, adherence to the law, and a respect for the rights of other persons and the judicial process," as well as "the ability to conduct [ourselves] in a manner that engenders respect for the law and adheres to the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct. " Then, after we managed to fulfill that requirement, as required by Wyoming statute 33-5- 112, all of us took an oath upon our admission to the bar. In its current form that oath is as follows: I, , do solemnly swear that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Wyoming, and that I will faithfully and honestly and to the best of my ability discharge the duties of an Attorney and Counselor at Law. As we are sure you know, those "duties" that we have collectively sworn to discharge include "faithfully" and "honestly" abiding by the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct. Specifically, our rules of conduct state that a lawyer, as an "officer of the legal system" and "public citizen" has a "special responsibility for the quality of justice." W.R.P.C. at Preamble 1. As such, all of us are duty bound to: (i) exhibit "respect for the legal system and for those who serve it, including judges, other lawyers and public officials," (ii) "further the public's understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system because legal institutions in a constitutional democracy depend on popular participation and support to maintain their authority.,'' and (iii) "aid the legal profession in pursuing these objectives and... help the bar regulate itself in the public interest." Id. at 5 & 6 (emphasis added). In keeping with these aspirations, Rule 8.4(c), W.R.P.C., states that it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to "engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation." "[T]he prohibition against false statements is broad and includes misleading statements as well as affirmatively false statements." Matter of Giuliani, 146 N.Y.S.3d 266, 269 (N.Y.S. 2021); see also W.R.P.C. 4.1 at CMT. 1 ("Misrepresentations can also occur by partially true, but misleading statements or omissions that are the equivalent of affirmative false statements."). Further, the Rules concern conduct and statements both inside and outside of the courtroom. Matter of Giuliani, 146 N.Y.S.3d at 269-70; see also Matter of Discipline of Arabia, 495 P.3d 1103, 1114 (Nev. 2021) (Rule 8.4(d) applies to conduct occurring inside or outside of a courtroom). With respect to your remarks about the election, we do not suggest that your membership in the Wyoming bar results in the loss of your rights to freely express your ideas and opinions under the 1st Amendment. We recognize that the free exercise of speech-especially political speech-is fundamental to our constitutional form of government and any permissible restraint on such speech must be carefully balanced against the interest of the bar in regulating itself for the benefit of the public. Indeed, whether a lawyer's demonstrably false statements of fact about an election made in the public square are subject to bar discipline consistent with the pt Amendment is an interesting issue that does not yet appear to have been settled. But, as noted by the United States Supreme Court in Goldfarb v. Virginia State Bar, 421 U.S. 773, 792 (1975), "[t]he interest of the States in regulating lawyers is especially great since lawyers are essential to the primary governmental function of administering justice, and have historically been 'officers of the courts.' " And for that reason, in a variety of contexts, courts have approved bar regulations placing limitations on lawyer's speech when necessary to protect the public.14 We also bring to your attention Rule 8.4(d), W.R.P.C., which provides that as lawyers we should not engage in "conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice." In Bd. of Pro. Resp., Wyoming State Barv. Hinckley, the Wyoming Supreme Court held, " [o]ur cases demonstrate Rule 8.4(d) does not prohibit an attorney from making a mistake, or even from committing malpractice. It focuses on conduct which interferes with the legal process." 503 P.3d 584, 611 (Wyo. 2022) (emphasis added) (citing Bd. of Pro. Responsibility v. Fulton, 2006 WY 51, 133 P.3d 514,518 (Wyo. 2006)). Statements of fact by lawyers to the effect that the legal process followed in every state in the land to elect President Biden-necessarily including the judicial and administrative review upholding that process-was "rigged" would seem to us to not only "interfere with the legal process" but to foment the outright rejection of that process. Finally, we wish to point out Rule 8.2(a), W.R.P.C., which prohibits a lawyer from making false or reckless statements concerning the "qualifications or integrity of a judge, adjudicatory officer or public legal officer, or of a candidate for election or appointment to judicial or legal office." Although your comments did not directly impugn anyone by name, we heard your words as implicitly impugning the integrity of the legions of state officials who oversaw the 2020 election, the many judges who reviewed and upheld that work, and even President Biden himself, who is now responsible as the head of the executive branch of our government for upholding the Rule of Law. It will not help President Biden to perform that critical function if the public believes he gained his office dishonestly through a rigged election. Only a few days ago, he addressed the nation to point out the growing risks presented by election denialism. And we have all heard too much about the safety of our hard-working election workers being threatened by people who think those election workers were somehow part of the "rigged" election. Many members of the public most certainly believe that your status as a long-standing Wyoming trial lawyer with professed expertise in constitutional law has granted you access to information and knowledge of the election process unavailable to them. That is why statements coming from you, as opposed to a non-lawyer, about our election being rigged carry great weight and make them especially volatile and destabilizing. Simply put, we do not think your recent statements upheld "respect for our legal system" or furthered "the public's understanding of and confidence in the rule of law" as directed by our Rules of Conduct that we are all committed to uphold. Nor do they seem consistent with the professional oath we took all those years ago when we committed to becoming Wyoming lawyers. Again, we wish you the best in your likely status as Wyoming's newest representative in the U.S. Congress. We hope that you will take our concerns to heart, and that all of your actions in the days ahead will serve to uphold the Rule of Law and its cousin-Fact-based Truth-in accordance with the very highest standards of a Wyoming lawyer. Needless to say, we ask that you not make any further statements denying the lawfulness of the 2020 election, or of the legitimacy of President Biden's authority. Beyond that, we also hope that you challenge, or at least distance yourself from, those that continue to perpetuate the dangerous myth of the "stolen election." Thank you for your consideration. We would welcome any comments or information that you may wish to share. [Names listed in alphabetical order} Ken Barbe, Casper Brad Booke, Jackson Kim Cannon, Sheridan Brent Cohen, Denver Pat Crank, Cheyenne Tim Day, Jackson Jean Day, Jackson Stuart Day, Casper Pat Dixon, Peoria, AZ Rolf Engh, Jackson Amanda Esch Scott Garland, Jackson Mike Golden, Cheyenne Nick Haderlie, Sheridan Chris Hawks, Jackson Frank Hess, Jackson Pat Holscher, Casper Skip Jacobsen, Laramie Kevin Kessner, Sheridan Dennis Kirven, Sheridan Nicole Krieger, Jackson Becky Lewis, Steamboat Springs Jim Lubing, Alpine Doug McCalla, Wyarno Joe Moore, Jackson Craig Newman, Casper Devon O'Connell, Laramie Anna Reeves Olson, Casper Mel Orchard, Jackson Catherine Reeves, Cheyenne Wes Reeves, Casper John Robinson, Casper Ben Rowland, Cheyenne Ian Sandefer, Casper Darin Scheer, Farson Bill Schwartz, Jackson Cheryl Schwartz, Jackson Judy Studer, Casper Peter Timbers, Casper Cam Walker, Casper Rhonda Woodard, Cheyenne Here is the full text of Hageman's response to the letter. Hageman fires back after receiving threatening letter from Wyoming lawyers A group of Wyoming lawyers has sent a threatening letter to Harriet Hageman, Republican nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in Wyoming, because she holds a different opinion of the 2020 election than they do. The lawyers barely disguised their threat to file a bar complaint against Hageman if she does not stop exercising her 1st Amendment right to free speech. The letter, dated September 12, 2022, was delivered to Hagemans home, her law office, and her campaign for Congress, and can be found here. Hageman today issued the following statement: Make no mistake, this letter is meant as a threat against me simply because I hold a different political opinion one that is shared by a majority of Wyoming voters. And this is exactly what Liz Cheneys allies and the left do to Trump supporters and conservatives at every turn attempt to threaten, intimidate, and cancel anyone who doesnt see the world the way they do. The letter appears to be part of a larger national collusive effort by leftists and political insiders to target Republican lawyers who have concerns about the 2020 election, with the65project.com possibly providing the template for the letter sent to me. There remain serious questions about that election, including hundreds of millions of dollars spent by Mark Zuckerberg to commandeer local elections offices in Democrat precincts, and the fact that a Pennsylvania court ruled that their states mail-in voting law is unconstitutional. As a constitutional attorney, I have spent my career fighting for the rights of others, and now a group of my fellow lawyers is trying to squelch my own 1st Amendment rights because they disagree with me. And lets be clear this is not just an attack on me, its also aimed at conservative Wyomingites and anyone who supports President Trump. Id like to say Im surprised by this behavior, but its just what elites and those who consider themselves elites do. 15:14 | New York (U.S.), Sep. 22. In this regard, the diplomat noted that at a time of global instability and as the economy trends downward, it was imperative that Peru and other countries clearly set out their foreign policy and view of the international situation, which is the most sensitive since the Second World War. "The President has given a message of certainty and stability in the course of Peru's international integration, in strategic areas of international balances, regarding the great armed conflicts, international economy, the situation in Latin America, and Perus interests to promote the economic recovery, to stabilize the society, and to seek a strengthened democratic governance," he said in statements to RPP. Likewise, the Permanent Representative explained that Peru provided certainty to the world about a foreign policy based on the interpretation and specification of national interests, linked to the essential principles of the UN Charter, such as non-intervention and the defense of the territorial integrity of States. Escazu Agreement Regarding the Escazu Agreement, he noted that its approval depends on how Congress addresses the issue and if it moves towards seeking approval, so that the Executive Branch can ratify it. The Ambassador remarked that this agreement aims to make progress in the protection of the Amazonian environment and to protect human rights of native populations and environmental defenders. "This agreement defends national sovereignty over natural resources that are located in the Amazonia and all protected areas in Peru, Rodriguez Cuadros stated. "Additionally, it provides stability because people are protected in terms of human rights and, therefore, it opposes to organized crime," he concluded. (END) JCC/VVS/RMB/MVB The President of the Republic Pedro Castillo has given a message of certainty and stability in the course of Peru's international integration into the United Nations (UN), Permanent Representative of Peru to UN Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros affirmed on Thursday.Publicado: 22/9/2022 President Joe Biden speaks about the American Rescue Plan and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for small businesses in response to COVID-19 in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington on Feb. 22, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) 15 People Arrested for Allegedly Using Paycheck Protection Program Loans to Bail Themselves Out of Jail Illinois police have arrested 15 people after an investigation found they allegedly applied for and received multiple Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, which they then used to bail themselves out of jail. In total, 25 people were discovered to have been part of the alleged fraud, according to Fox 32 Chicago. At the time of the crime, they were facing felony charges and incarcerated. In order to qualify for a PPP loan, an individual cannot be charged with a felony. Some of the inmates bonded out of jail after receiving the PPP loan. Police arrested 15 of the suspected perpetrators, charging the individuals with crimes such as theft and wire fraud. Law enforcement is looking for the remaining 10 individuals. State and federal law enforcement took part in the investigation, dubbed Operation Triple P. In November 2021, detectives from the Joliet Police Department in Joliet, Illinois, began comparing names on PPP loans to the names of prison inmates facing felony charges. The majority of PPP loans included home addresses. The police checked the residences and discovered the fraud. Maria Beach and Adrian Clarkwho were both locked up during COVID-19 from charges related to gun offenseswere among the arrested individuals. The duo applied for PPP loans from cell phones. Both Beach and Clark claimed to run a barbershop. Clark is said to have received two PPP loans totaling $42,000 while Beach received almost $21,000. These triple-P loans that theyre obtaining fraudulently, they are taking that money out of the businesses in our local area that actually need them, R. Sean Fitzgerald, the acting special agent in charge of the Chicago Office of Homeland Security Investigations, told Fox 32 Chicago. Rampant Fraud, Inefficient Distribution As much as $80 billion of the $800 billion PPP program is estimated to have been stolen, according to an NBC report. Speaking to the media outlet, Matthew Schneider, a former U.S. attorney from Michigan, called it the biggest fraud in a generation. In addition, fraudsters are believed to have stolen as much as $400 billion from the $900 billion COVID-19 unemployment relief program. PPP loans were aimed at helping small businesses keep their employees and hire back any laid-off workers. However, it has been inefficiently implemented, according to some experts. The PPP program was poorly targeted, as almost three-quarters of its benefits went to unintended recipients, including business owners, creditors, and suppliers, rather than to workers, a study by two economists from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis states. To fund every $1 of wages and benefits supported by the program, taxpayers spent $4. In addition, $3 out of every $4 that went to small businesses ended up being shared with banks, suppliers, and other lenders. Citing an analysis by the American Economic Association (AEA), the economists pointed out that 72 percent of PPP funds went to the top 20 percent of households in terms of income. This undated file aerial view shows the Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, N.M. (The Albuquerque Journal via AP) 162 Researchers From Top US Nuclear Facility Now Working for China: Report More than 150 scientists who worked in a top U.S. national security laboratory were hired by the Chinese regime to do research, according to a new report. Much of that research has directly advanced Chinese military technology, which now threatens U.S. national security. The report (pdf), published by strategic intelligence firm Strider Technologies, claims that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) conducted a systemic effort to recruit leading scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to work on its military programs. Located in New Mexico, LANL is a key part of U.S. defense and security research and is where nuclear weapons were first developed. It is one of the largest scientific and technological institutions in the world, and its scientists conduct research in the fields of national security, space exploration, nuclear fusion, nanotechnology, and supercomputing. At least 162 LANL researchers have been hired by the CCP over the last 35 years, according to the report. Of those, many went on to conduct military research for China, at least one of which previously held Top Secret security clearance at the U.S. Department of Energy. Former Los Alamos scientists have made, and continue to make, considerable contributions to [Chinas] hypersonic, missile, and submarine programs that present an array of security risks for the United States and the entire free world, the report said. Better protection is needed for the institutions, research programs, and scientists advancing innovation in this era of strategic competition without harming open scientific collaboration. A Talent Superpower Strategy According to the report, the CCP leveraged a Talent Superpower Strategy wherein it incentivized academics, researchers, and scientists to go abroad, deepen their expertise, and return to China to advance the nations strategic interests. Many of the researchers who came to the United States to be trained and work in areas critical to national security were involved in the CCPs talent programs. At least 59 of those who worked at the LANL and subsequently returned to China to do research were part of the regimes Thousand Talents Program or its youth branch. The report said that the program and others like it were essentially designed to operate as an exploitation of the Wests commitment to global scientific collaboration. Moreover, it said, such programs often required participants to host and train other Chinese researchers, frequently without notifying their host institution of the requirement. In this way, talent programs allowed Chinese researchers who earned jobs in the United States to serve as a bridgehead through which more could receive training. In effect, [Chinese] talent programs are ever-expanding recruitment networks, the report said. Once inducted, participants are incentivized and obligated to identify top talent for placement in desirable research positions at their host institution and for eventual recruitment back to [China]. Chinas Military Paid for by US Tax Dollars Of 113 LANL postdoctoral researchers and permanent staff members who returned to China, more than 79 percent were selected to participate in the CCPs government talent programs, the report said. These researchers went on to contribute to the development of the CCPs hypersonics program, jet engines, warheads, unmanned vehicles, and stealth submarines. The report highlighted key examples of how this process worked through an exploration of the careers of a number of associated researchers who worked at LANL and later were hired by China. One such figure is Chen Shiyi. Chen is an expert in fluid dynamics and turbulence who spent a number of years in the 1990s at the LANL as an Oppenheimer Fellow. After returning to China in 2005, Chen served as vice president for research at Peking University and later president of the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, where he began recruiting scientists with deep links to LANL. Among those Chen recruited was Zhao Yusheng, a scientist who worked at LANL for more than 18 years. During that time Zhaos projects received more than $19.8 million in grant funding from the U.S. government. Among the research those grants funded was work on deep-earth penetrating warheads, the report revealed. Zhao, in turn, on his own supervised and sponsored at least 25 postdoctoral researchers, at least eight of whom were from China and later returned to do work there. Further, one of the postdoctoral researchers whom Zhao trained and who returned to China soon after filed a national defense patent for a similar technology based on his own work on deep-earth penetrating warheads. That researcher is now affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, which is the CCPs primary organization for conducting the research, development, and testing of nuclear weapons, according to the report. It is through this network approach of sprawling and intertwined research relationships that the CCP has garnered for itself a cadre of highly respected military researchers, all of whom received training and employment in the United States at U.S. taxpayer expense. Indeed, so widespread were connections from LANL in Chinas own military research scene, that a 2017 story in the South China Morning Post found that many of the scientists who had returned to China to work on military research referred to themselves as the Los Alamos Club. The Strider report raises the question of whether this threat to national security might be more widespread, and notes that the LANL is just one institution out of hundreds employing participants in Chinas talent programs. General Secretary Xi Jinping and other top CCP leaders, suggest that similar recruitment efforts may be widespread among U.S. governmentfunded laboratories, academic research institutions, and major centers of innovation, the report said. These programs are leveraging taxpayer-funded research to advance [Chinas] economic development and military modernization. Ten prisoners of war (five British citizens, one Moroccan, one Swedish, one Croatian, and two Americans) are seen arriving in King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sept. 21, 2022. (Saudi Press Agency/Handout via Reuters) 5 British Nationals Among Hundreds Freed in UkraineRussia Prisoner Swap Five British nationals held by Russian-backed forces in Ukraine have returned to the UK after being released as part of a prisoner swap. The unexpected prisoner swap on Sept. 21 involved almost 300 people with 10 foreigners among them, including five British nationals, two U.S. nationals, and a Croatian, a Moroccan, and a Swedish national. As part of a deal brokered by Saudi Arabia, British nationals Aiden Aslin, John Harding, Dylan Healy, Andrew Hill, and Shaun Pinner have returned home and reunited with their families, non-profit organisation the Presidium Network confirmed on Thursday. Prisoners of war (five British citizens, one Moroccan, one Swede, one Croat, and two Americans) are seen on the tarmac after arriving at the King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sept. 21, 2022. (Saudi Press Agency/Handout via Reuters) UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, who is visiting New York for a United Nations summit, called it hugely welcome news. She thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Saudi Arabia for their efforts in securing the release of the prisoners. Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends, she added. Russia released 215 Ukrainians, which included a large number of Azov fighters who sought to defend a besieged steel plant in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol for months, before the group evacuated from the city in May in surrender to pro-Russia forces. In return, Ukraine released 55 Russians and Ukrainians sympathetic to Russia, as well as Viktor Medvedchuk, a pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch facing treason charges. Out of the Danger Zone A video later emerged of Aslin and Pinner sitting inside an airliner, in which Aslin said, We just want to let everyone know that were now out of the danger zone and were on our way home to our families. Pinner interjected, By the skin of our teeth, as Aslin continued: We just want everyone to know the good news etc., so thanks to everyone thats been supporting us and whatnot, so its really muchly appreciated. Aslin and Pinner were both sentenced to death in July by a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic. Harding, Hill, and Healy also went on trial last month in the city of Donetsk. The three, along with Swede Matthias Gustafsson and Croat Vjekoslav Prebeg, all pleaded not guilty to charges of mercenarism and undergoing training to seize power by force, according to Russian media. UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly welcomed the safe return of the British nationals, but said, Tragically that was not the case for one of those detained and our thoughts remain with the family of Paul Urey. Urey, 45, is reported to have died in detention in July after being captured by pro-Russian separatists. The Ukrainian government said in early September that Ureys body, which had been returned, had signs of possible unspeakable torture. Mimi Nguyen Ly and PA Media contributed to this report. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference CPAC held at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas on July 9, 2021. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Alabama Lawmakers Call DOJs Subpoena of Conservative Nonprofit Political Harassment Alabama lawmakers are alleging that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has engaged in political harassment after its subpoena of a conservative nonprofit that assisted in the writing of a bill prohibiting puberty blockers and transgender surgery on people under 19 years of age. In a Sept. 20 letter (pdf) addressed to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, Congressman Gary Palmer called the subpoena an attack on the nonprofits First Amendment right to advocate for change in public policy. However, through the DOJs subpoena you are seeking to limit those rights, by either intimidating Eagle Forum of Alabama from advocacy, or bankrupting or delaying the organization from doing additional good work through a burdensome document request, Palmer said in the letter, which was signed by Republican Reps. Robert Aderholt, Barry Moore, Mo Brooks, Jerry Carl, and Mike Rogers. Palmer called the subpoena arbitrary and capricious. Kris Ullman, president of the D.C. office of the Eagle Forum that oversees the state chapters, told The Epoch Times, Its unprecedented that a 501(c)(4) group that was created in order to lobby legislators would have all of their records subpoenaed on an issue that went before the state legislature. Though the Eagle Forum Chapter of Alabama had been consulting with legislators since 2019 on writing the Alabama Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, the DOJs August subpoena is calling for more than five years of records related to the organizations work on the bill, despite the nonprofit not being a party in the legal action. The new legislation was met with lawsuits, one of which was Eknes-Tucker et al. v. Marshall et al. (pdf) filed in U.S. District Court on April 19, which challenged the constitutionality of the bill, claiming that the law violated the 14th Amendment right to equal protection, Ullman said. Ten days later, on April 29, the DOJ filed a motion to join as an intervenor party to the lawsuit. In May, Liles Burke, a U.S. judge for the Northern District of Alabama, issued a preliminary injunction to stop the state from enforcing the law until the challenge is resolved. Warning From the White House The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT-advocate organization, and the White House have criticized the legislation, calling it discriminatory and antagonistic toward transgendered youth. In April, then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that lawmakers who are contemplating these discriminatory bills have been put on notice by the DOJ and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that laws and policies preventing care that health care professionals recommend for transgender minors may violate the Constitution and federal law. On March 31, the DHHS Office of Population Affairs released a document titled Gender-Affirming Care and Young People, which endorses gender-reassignment surgery and hormone treatment for minors. Freedom of Speech Squelched On Sept. 7, Eagle Forum of Alabama filed a motion to quash the DOJs subpoena. At stake here is the ability of all private citizen advocates and nonprofit advocacy organizations to engage in the legislative process regardless of their viewpoint, Ullman said. If the DOJ can weaponize a subpoena, any American can be unduly burdened and prevented from engaging in our democratic republic form of government, freedom of speech, and freedom of association will be squelched. On Sept. 21, several conservative public interest law firms, special interest foundations, and legislators signed off on an amicus brief filed in the U.S. District Court in support of Eagle Forum of Alabamas motion to quash the DOJs subpoena. The subpoena follows a pattern of what Republicans have viewed as a double standard in how the DOJ treats Republicans as opposed to Democrats, such as with the Mar-a-Lago raid of former President Donald Trumps home while downplaying the significance of Hunter Bidens laptop and any investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons handling of an email server. The DOJ didnt respond to The Epoch Times request for comment. Right to Assemble and Petition at Stake In the letter, Palmer requests that the DOJ demonstrate that the DOJ isnt acting politically by providing evidence that it has issued subpoenas to liberal organizations, other third-party organizations not involved in underlying cases, the reasoning for the subpoena, and a clear explanation of the constitutional authority you believe you possess to intimidate and harass individuals and organizations exercising their First Amendment rights. The case isnt only about freedom of speechthe right of Eagle Forum of Alabama to speak out on an issue of public policy, Ullman said, but its also about the right to assemble, which for the Eagle Forum takes place with their mailing list, among other methods. We believe once the DOJ has that mailing list, we think the subpoena could be read in such a way that it could be used to harass our members, Ullman said. The right to petition is also at stake, as the organization petitioned legislators to examine a trend they believe is dangerous for children, Ullman said, leading to the formulation of the bill, a process that has until this time been deemed legal and constitutional. If this subpoena is enforced and we have to turn over all of our records on this issue, then it wont be just Eagle Forum, but all citizens and nonprofit groups that will be hurt. Alan Dershowitz: New York AG Should Be Removed From Trump Family Investigation Legal scholar Alan Dershowitz suggested that former President Donald Trump should move to have New York Attorney General Letitia James recused and disqualified from the investigation into Trumps business. I like Letitia James. Shes a very nice person, but she campaigned on the promise to get Trump before seeing any evidence, and so she is just fulfilling a campaign promise, he told Newsmax on Thursday. You cant have prosecutors even civilly prosecuting a defendant if they made a campaign promise that they have to fulfill. They are not neutral and objective. A Harvard Law professor emeritus, Dershowitz was making note of James 2018 campaign proclamation that she would prosecute Trump when in office. He should be charged with obstructing justice, James said in a video released at the time. I believe that the president of these United States can be indicted for criminal offenses. And we would join with law enforcement and other attorneys general across this nation in removing this president from office. James has been investigating the Trump Organization, the former president, and his children. Her office filed a civil lawsuit against the Trumps and their company on Wednesday, which the former president decried as a politically motivated attack. Dershowitz, a longtime criminal defense attorney, wondered why James and the attorney generals office are involved. Look, who are the people who were defrauded here, they claim? The biggest banks in the world. Why cant the biggest banks sue him and take care of themselves? he asked on Thursday. Why does Letitia James have to be out there protecting and defending the biggest banks in that country who havent sued him at all? So this doesnt pass the test of a legitimate civil complaint, and I think they should challenge this vigorously. Dershowitz added that he doesnt believe James, a Democrat who is up for reelection in November, cares as much about losing as having brought the lawsuit, which is not the way the criminal justice system or the civil justice system should work. Civil Lawsuit On Wednesday, James announced the filing of a mammoth, $250 million lawsuit against Trumps family and company for allegedly engaging in fraud by over-inflating the value of their properties. These acts of fraud and misrepresentation were similar in nature, were committed by upper management at the Trump Organization as part of a common endeavor for each annual Statement, and were approved at the highest levels of the Trump Organizationincluding by Mr. Trump himself, according to the suit. Other than the 45th president, his children Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump are also named as defendants in the suit. Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer for the Trump Organization, and Jeff McConney, another executive, also were named in the complaint. In response, Trump wrote on social media that he never thought this case would be brought but believes that her really bad poll numbers might be a contributing factor. An Oil Company Shows Wall Street How to Do ESG Commentary In his essential book, How the World Really Works, scientist Vaclav Smil writes of modern urbanites profound ignorance about the energy and material requirements of the modern world. We are a fossil-fueled civilization, Smil writes. We cannot simply walk away from this essential determinant of our future in a few decades, never mind years. Smil ascribes the delusive belief that society can forsake fossil fuels to a commingling of fact and fiction, making gullible minds susceptible to cult-like visions. Based on her speech earlier this month in Dearborn, Michigan, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen falls squarely in Smils gullible-minds category. We will rid ourselves from our current dependence on fossil fuels, Yellen declared. Instead, America would come to depend on the wind and the sun. Smil describes such beliefs as borderline or actual delusion. Some might be inclined to use stronger language. Ultimately, its the governments job to keep the lights on; if they go out, elected politicians get the blame and voters pick up the bill. But its different for Wall Street. Financiers dont have to fall prey to other peoples delusions to profit from them. They can make money out of the beliefs of others, however ill-foundedand Wall Streets embrace of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment can be seen in this light. ESG was conceived two decades ago by a small group working in the United National Environment Programme Finance Initiative. According to Paul Clements-Hunt, who led the team, the turning point for ESG was the 200708 financial crisis. Public trust in bankers collapsed and ESG offered them a path to redemption. The finance sector globally needed to rebuild trust, Clements-Hunt said. They needed a social license to operate. And I think ESG provided part of the answer. Financiers seized on ESG to rinse away the stain of causing the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Even better, it gave them a chance to charge premium fees for ESG over plain-vanilla investment products; to adapt Wall Streets cynical ESG sales patter, financiers doing well by appearing to do good. Thus, Wall Streets path to redemption would be by parading its green virtue; the collateral damage to the real economy and to living standards from the greening of Wall Street was of little concern, except for the growing political blowback in red states. That backlash is already working. The Investor Agendas 2022 Global Investor Statement to Governments issued ahead of this years U.N. climate conferencea demand that all companies adopt binding net zero targetsis signed by 532 investors with close to $39 trillion of assets under management. But the most significant development is the omission of the three largest institutional investors. BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street are not signatories. Writing in the Wall Street Journal, former BlackRock senior executive Terrence Keeley, notes two academic studies that show investors losses from the under-performance of ESG funds are not compensated by wider societal gains. Is anyone surprised? In competitive markets, profit is a measure of the value corporations add to the resources they use and non-ESG investors search for profit helps allocate capital to companies likely to use it most efficiently. Keeley argues that all ESG funds should provide reports on the wider positive impacts they generate. Denver-based Liberty Energy Inc., a leading oilfield services company, has adopted such an approach with its 2022 sustainability report, Bettering Human Lives. The report is a 99-page answer to the question that the 532 signatories of The Investor Agendas climate crisis statement presume to have answered without a scintilla of analysis: Would the world be better off without fossil fuels? All energy sources, Libertys ESG report notes, have positive and negative impacts on humans and their environment. Since the birth of the oil and gas industry in the second half of the 19th century, global life expectancy has doubled, extreme poverty plummeted, and human liberty expanded. The timing here is no coincidence, Liberty says. The surge in plentiful, affordable energy from oil, gas, and coal enabled this progress in the human condition. The transformations that brought about the modern world could not have occurred without fossil fuels. No current industry could exist in recognizable form without the energy and materials from hydrocarbons, including electricity production from hydroelectric, nuclear, wind and solar sources. Neither could the world feed eight billion mouths without hydrocarbons. Natural gas accounts for 80 percent or more of the cost of producing nitrogen-based fertilizer. A major focus is the alleviation of energy poverty. Over the last twenty years, one billion people around the world gained access to electricity for the first time, but nearly one billion still have no access to electricity and another one billion have only intermittent access. More than two billion people cook their food and heat their homes by burning wood, animal dung, or other forms of biomass, creating indoor pollution that the World Health Organization reckons kills three million people a year from breathing PM2.5 particulate matter. Using propane cooking stoves means clean indoor air. Thanks to the shale revolution, the United States now supplies nearly 50 percent of global propane exports. Liberty fractures wells supplying propane to around 100 million people. By any measure, that is positive impact. Unlike the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its 1.5 degree Special Report, which views global economic growth solely through the negative prism of climate change and environmental impactThe spread of fossil-fuel-based material consumption and changing lifestyle is a major driver of global resource use, and the main contributor to rising greenhouse gas emissions, it declaredLibertys ESG report analyzes the negatives, as well as the positives, of modern civilizations reliance on hydrocarbons. At the current observed rate of warming of 0.17 degrees Celsius per decade, global temperature will be 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in 2080. The report also notes that deaths from severe weather declined by over 90 percent since 1920 because wealthier societies with abundant access to energy have become safer places to live. A large majority of deaths caused by severe weather are concentrated in poorer nations blighted by energy poverty. Under-investment in hydrocarbons and associated infrastructure driven by political, regulatory, and investor pressure, says Liberty chairman and chief executive Chris Wright, has brought about the greatest threat in decades to energy security, reliability, and affordability, a crisis exploited to the full by Vladimir Putin. In continuing to pursue their campaign against fossil fuels, ESG investors posing as planetary saviors are objectively, as Marxists are wont to say, doing Putins work. In her deluded remarks on ridding America of fossil fuels, Secretary Yellen boasted that President Bidens decision to release one million barrels of oil a day from the nations Strategic Petroleum Reserve had cut the price of gas by 17 to 42 cents a gallon. How does she think the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is going to be replenished? Without pumping oil from new wells, those price reductions are likely to reverse. The Treasury secretary saying the government wants to be rid of the oil and gas sector is evidence not just of gullibility and ignorance, but of extreme folly. From RealClearWire Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. #PeruEnONU | El Presidente Pedro Castillo y el Secretario de Estado de la Santa Sede, Pietro Parolin, evaluaron las relaciones entre el Peru y el Vaticano; y ultimaron detalles de la visita del presidente Castillo al Papa Francisco I, prevista para el mes de octubre. #UNGA pic.twitter.com/7O7jWt1fZ4 In late July 2016, FBI director James Comey notified certain members of the Obama White House, along with director of National Intelligence James Clapper, of the FBIs opening of their Crossfire Hurricane investigation into the Trump campaign. CIA director John Brennan was already aware as he was the one who had been providing the FBI with information regarding the Trump campaign. As Brennan testified to Congress in May 2017, I was aware of intelligence and information about contacts between Russian officials and U.S. persons that raised concerns in my mind about whether or not those individuals were cooperating with the Russians, either in a witting or unwitting fashion, and it served as the basis for the FBI investigation to determine whether such collusioncooperation occurred. Welcome to Truth over News with Jeff Carlson and Hans Mahncke. BUY Jan 6 DVD: https://www.epochtv.shop/product-page/dvd-the-real-story-of-january-6, Promo Code Jeff&Hans for 20% off. Follow EpochTV on Facebook and Twitter * Click the Save button below the video to access it later on My List. 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 Former U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home after FBI agents raided it, in Palm Beach, Fla., on Aug. 15, 2022. (Marco Bello/Reuters) Appeals Court Allows DOJ to Regain Access to Classified Documents Seized From Mar-a-Lago A federal appeals court on Wednesday granted the Department of Justice (DOJ) permission to regain access to around 100 documents marked classified seized by the FBI from former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate last month. Judges Robin Rosenbaum, Britt Grant, and Andrew Brasher of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit unanimously agreed the lower court likely erred in its order, which blocked the U.S. governments use of the documents marked classified in its criminal investigation and required a special master to review the documents. The judges also said theres no evidence thats been presented that Trump declassified the documents when they were removed from the Oval Office, which Trump has said he did. The government is trying to shield the documents marked classified from Trumps lawyers, who say they absolutely need to see them to address issues surrounding Trumps lawsuit against the government. Over 11,000 non-classified documents were also seized from Mar-a-Lago in the raid. Documents seized during the Aug. 8 raid by the FBI of former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., in a photo released on Aug. 30, 2022. (FBI via The Epoch Times) In a 29-page ruling, the judges determined that none of the roughly one-hundred classified documents at issue fall under Trumps claim of having individual interest in them or need for their return. And the district court made no mention in its analysis of this factor as to why or how [Trump] might have an individual interest in or need for the classified documents, the judges wrote. For our part, we cannot discern why [Trump] would have an individual interest in or need for any of the one-hundred documents with classification markings. The judges explained that any classified documents are owned by, produced by or for, or are under the control of the U.S. government and include information that could cause damage to national security if disclosed. Only those who need-to-know the information they contain may have access to such documents, which they said include former presidents, unless the current administration waives that requirement. Trump Maintains Documents Declassified, Judges Say No Evidence Trump has maintained that he declassified the documents under standing orders before they were removed from the Oval Office. In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday night, Trump said that, as president, he could declassify the documents at his discretion. If youre the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying, its declassified. Even by thinking about it, he said. Youre the president. You make that decision, he added. Trump also noted that his lawyers dont know what the FBI found when it raided Mar-a-Lago because they werent allowed inside to supervise. Were not dealing with a lot of trust here and the public isnt either. The American public is really angry about this, Trump added. But the three-judge panel called Trumps argument a red-herring, saying that declassifying the documents wouldnt mean the former president has a personal interest in them. [Trump] has not even attempted to show that he has a need to know the information contained in the classified documents. Nor has he established that the current administration has waived that requirement for these documents, the judges wrote. And even if he had, that, in and of itself, would not explain why [Trump] has an individual interest in the classified documents. Former President Donald Trump speaks to supporters at a rally to support local candidates at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on Sept. 3, 2022. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) The judges also said theres no evidence Trump declassified the roughly 100 documents at issue, and noted that Trump has resisted providing any evidence that he had done so. In any event, at least for these purposes, the declassification argument is a red herring because declassifying an official document would not change its content or render it personal, the judges wrote. So even if we assumed that [Trump] did declassify some or all of the documents, that would not explain why he has a personal interest in them. The appeals court judges said they cannot conclude that [Trump] would be irreparably injured by a stay of the documents marked classified. They expressed doubt about Trumps claim that he may be harmed by the disclosure of any sensitive information, saying that allowing the government to retain those documents doesnt mean they will be released. Any improper disclosures, they added, would risk criminal liability. The appeals courts ruling comes after the DOJ asked for the partial stay of U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannons order, which, in addition to appointing U.S. District Judge Raymond Dearie as special master, cut off the DOJs criminal investigation into the classified documents. Cannons ruling crippled the governments efforts to determine any possible unauthorized disclosures of top secret or classified materials that posed a national security risk, the DOJ argued in court filings. Trump and other Republicans have accused the FBI of targeting him for political reasons as he mulls running for president again in 2024. Location of the MoyenChari region in Chad in 2022. (Google Maps/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) At Least 19 Killed in South Chad in Clashes Between Farmers, Herders NDJAMENAAt least 19 people were killed in a flare-up of fighting between nomadic herders and sedentary farmers in south Chad last week, authorities said. Deadly inter-communal conflicts are relatively frequent in Chad, mainly between herders and local farmers who accuse them of grazing animals on their farmland. Chad, a regional power and ally of the West against Islamist militants in West Africa, has been in turmoil since ex-president Idriss Deby was killed on the frontline against rebels in the north last year. The latest violence broke out in the southern rural region of MoyenChari, more than 480 kilometers (298 miles) from the Central African countrys capital NDjamena. We regret this conflict that caused dozens of deaths and around 20 wounded, government spokesman Abderamane Koulamallah said. MoyenChari governor Ali Ahmat Akhabache said earlier that at least 19 people were killed and 22 wounded in three days of clashes in five villages last week. The fighting started after farmers belonging to the Sara Kaba ethnic group accused herders of destroying their sorghum crops, according to witnesses. Villages and fields were set on fire as terrified residents fled into the surrounding bush. Koulamallah said the army was deployed to restore order. We fear for our lives at every moment There is no security in isolated villages, farmer Gossassou Njaha told Reuters. Similar inter-communal clashes in MoyenChari in February left around a dozen people dead. By Mahamat Ramadane Protesters chant slogans during a protest over the death of a woman who was detained by the morality police, in downtown Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 21, 2022. (Obtained by AP) At Least 9 Killed as Iran Protests Spread Over Womans Death DUBAI, United Arab EmiratesClashes between Iranian security forces and protesters angry over the death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody have killed at least nine people since protests erupted over the weekend, according to a tally Thursday by The Associated Press. The scope of the protests still remains unclear as demonstrators in at least a dozen citiesventing anger over social repressioncontinue to encounter security and paramilitary forces. An anchor on Irans state television suggested the death toll from the mass protests could be as high as 17 on Thursday, but did not elaborate or say how he reached that figure. Widespread outages of Instagram and WhatsApp, which protesters use to share information about the governments rolling suppression of dissent, continued on Thursday. Authorities also appeared to disrupt internet access to the outside world, a tactic that rights activists say the government often employs in times of unrest. WhatsApp wrote on Twitter that it was working to keep our Iranian friends connected and will do anything within our technical capacity to keep our service up and running. In a country where radio and television stations already are state-controlled and journalists regularly face the threat of arrest, the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard urged the judiciary on Thursday to prosecute anyone who spreads fake news and rumors on social media about the unrest. The demonstrations in Iran began as an emotional outpouring over the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman held by the countrys morality police for allegedly violating its strictly enforced dress code. Her death has sparked sharp condemnation from the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations. The U.S. government imposed sanctions on the morality police and leaders of other Iranian security agencies, saying they routinely employ violence to suppress peaceful protesters. Iranian police say she died of a heart attack and was not mistreated, but her family rejects that account. Independent experts affiliated with the U.N. said Thursday that reports suggested she was severely beaten by the morality police, without offering evidence. They called for an impartial investigation to hold perpetrators accountable. Challenge to the Government The protests have grown in the last four days into an open challenge to the government, with women removing and burning their state-mandated headscarves in the streets and Iranians setting trash bins ablaze and calling for the downfall of the Islamic Republic itself. Death to the dictator! has been a common cry in the protests. Demonstrations have rocked university campuses in Tehran and far flung western cities such as Kermanshah. Although widespread, the unrest appears distinct from earlier rounds of nationwide protests triggered by pocketbook issues as Irans economy staggers. The unrest that erupted in 2019 over the governments abrupt gasoline price hike mobilized working class masses in small towns. Hundreds were killed as security forces cracked down, according to human rights groups. Irans state-run media this week reported demonstrations of hundreds of people in at least 13 cities, including the capital, Tehran. Videos online show security forces firing tear gas and water canons to disperse the protests. London-based Amnesty International reported that officers also fired birdshot and metal pellets and beat protesters with batons. Footage on social media from the northern city of Tabriz shows a young man allegedly shot by security forces bleeding out in the street as protesters shouted for help. At least nine people have died in the confrontations, according to an AP count based on statements from Irans state-run and semiofficial media. In a statement on Thursday, the Guard blamed the unrest on Irans enemies, saying their sedition will fail. In Aminis home province in the northwest, Kurdistan, the provincial police chief said four protesters were killed by live fire. In Kermanshah, the prosecutor said two protesters were killed by opposition groups, insisting that the bullets were not fired by Irans security forces. Some demonstrators appear to have targeted security forces. Three men affiliated with the Basij, a volunteer force under the Guard, were killed in clashes in the cities of Shiraz, Tabriz, and Mashhad, semiofficial media reported, bringing the death toll acknowledged by officials to at least nine on both sides. In Mashhad, the state-run IRNA agency reported that a policeman was hospitalized with severe burns after protesters tried to set him on fire. The independent experts with the U.N. said the clashes have killed at least eight people by their count, including a woman and 16-year-old boy, with dozens more injured and arrested. In the province of Mazandaran, along the coast of the Caspian Sea, angry crowds damaged or set fire to over 40 government properties and injured 76 security officers, Rouhollah Solgi, the deputy governor, said Thursday. Children lay flowers outside Government House following the passing of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 10, 2022. (William West/AFP via Getty Images) Australia to Remember Queen on National Day of Mourning Australians are waking to a national day of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, a monarch who declared her constant, sure and true love for the country. The late Queen will be remembered in a service at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday during a one-off Australian public holiday. It will be broadcast live across the nation from 11 a.m. (AEST) and will begin with a minutes silence. Up to six Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II jets from No.77 Squadron will fly past parliament at midday. The Queen, when visiting the country in 2002, thanked all Australians. I declare again that my admiration, affection and regard for the people of Australia will remain, as it has been constant, sure and true, she said at the time. A 10-year-old boy places flowers at the base of a statue of Queen Elizabeth II after her passing at Government House in Adelaide, Australia, on Sept. 9, 2022. (Brenton Edwards/AFP via Getty Images) The Queen visited the country 16 times during her reign and was the patron of more than 20 Australian charities and associations. She consulted with 16 prime ministers, and 16 governors-general served in her name. Former prime ministers Paul Keating and Scott Morrison have both confirmed they will attend the memorial service. A 1954 painting of the Queen by eight-time Archibald Prize winner Sir William Dargie will be the centrepiece of the service. The painting will be surrounded by Australias floral emblem, the golden wattle, and some of her favourite flowers, sweet peas and dahlias. Queen Elizabeth ll smiles amongst Australian flags being waved by the crowd after the Commonwealth Day Service in Sydney, Australia, on March 13, 2006. (Rob Griffith-Pool/Getty Images) The Queen opened parliament in May 1988. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the service would allow the nation to reflect upon the Queens life of service and dedication. Former Australian Idol contestant Anthony Callea will perform at the service. The prime minister and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will give short tributes to the late monarch. The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereigns orb and sceptre, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, London, on Sept. 17, 2022. (James Manning/PA Media) A Forensic Analyst prepares DNA samples to be placed in a genetic analyzer at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab June 4, 2003 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Mario Villafuerte/Getty Images) Australian Forensic Staff Stood Down Amid Inquiry Swift action has been taken against two senior staff members at Queenslands forensic lab as work continues to retest thousands of DNA samples that were initially overlooked. An interim report handed down on Tuesday exposed serious shortfalls that centre on a failure to test samples under a certain DNA threshold. Some samples could provide partial or complete DNA profiles, and Queensland police are reviewing criminal cases potentially affected between 2018 and June 2022. It is still unclear why the threshold limits were changed. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed the staff members had been stood down pending the full results of an inquiry. This is perhaps one of the most concerning reports that our state has seen, and we need to get to the bottom of it, she told reporters on Wednesday. Palaszczuk did not say why the staff members stood down or their positions. All I know is that the Director-General has stood two people down in the forensic unit pending the outcome of the inquiry, she said. The premier said there was no advice or evidence of ministerial involvement in decisions about threshold limits. We want to get to the bottom of this, we want to know who was responsible, we want justice for victims. That is paramount, Palaszczuk said. Opposition leader David Crisafulli called for an apology to be issued to all Queenslanders. I dont think we as a state can comprehend just how big this report is and the ramifications of it. It will stretch for many years to come, he warned. I have no doubt as a result of these failings, victims were denied justice and criminals are walking the street, and every Queenslander is owed an apology for the failings that the state government has overseen. Experts fear the findings may erode community trust in the science of DNA as a reliable source of evidence. DNA has the power to exonerate as well as convict. When the science is not practised correctly, when the expert makes a statement which is beyond their expertise, lives can be destroyed, said forensic scientist Dr. Richard Matthews. The innocent will be imprisoned, and the guilty will walk free. Resources of the state will be wasted. The findings highlight the need for greater scrutiny and overarching regulation of expert witness evidence in Australia, he said. The science must be practised correctly with correct quality assurance measures in place. Laboratories should be independently accredited, Matthews said. A meeting between the premiers Director-General Rachel Hunter, the police commissioner and the heads of the Justice and Health department will be held on Wednesday to act on findings in the interim report. The Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing in Queensland will hold public hearings from next Monday. The full report is due in December. Tour boats had been watching the young whale for days as it slowly moved through the bay, appearing sicker and slower with more shark bites over its body day after day. The scene was visceral. While making its annual migration north along Ningaloo Reef off Australias northwest coast, the fledgling-adult humpback, maimed and ailing, inched toward the natural terminus of its lifes journey. Ashlee Jansen, a budding marine photographer from Western Australia, was there. That day in July 2021, she captured a profound visual allegory of life and deathone that would garner ample renown. Friends had spotted an oil slick on the surface caused by the fallen whale, Jansen stated in a press release. As they got closer, they were hit by the distinct smell and knew that they had found the location of the carcass resting on the ocean floor. Excited to share their find, I rushed out to their location and jumped in the water to find the skeleton of the young humpback whale [lying] still on the ocean floor. Surrounding the bare bones were several different species of well-fed sharks. She added, We spent a few hours floating above the whale carcass, watching the sharks come closer and closer, unfazed by our presence as they searched the area for any remaining food. Her palpably stirring photo, a faithful testament to the circle of life, won Jansen the distinction of becoming the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year 2022. Overall Winner Still a novice in the art of underwater photography, having taken up the pursuit in 2017, Jansen shared how proud she felt to be crowned the top prize. This competition is such a prestigious award and being named overall winner is something I had never even considered happening, especially so early in my photography career, she said. I have always looked at this competition and award so highly, so to be selected as the winner out of so many talented photographers, some of whom I have looked up to and have inspired me over my career, is absolutely incredible. The judges were unified in choosing Jansens image among the 2,443 entries submittedthe most the competitions ever received. The considerable aesthetic appeal in Jansens compelling portrait involves its artful circular composition, the judges stated. The curve of the whales skeletal ribs mirror the patterns of the sand and waves, keeping the viewers eyes within the frame moving between the living and the dead. Along with the title, Jansen received a $10,000 cash prize and a travel prize from Coral Expeditions. The contest was a joint venture between Australian Geographic and Adelaides South Australian Museum. This years winning image by Ashlee Jansen is a powerful statement about the circle of life and the interdependence of species, stated Australian Geographic Editor-in-Chief Ms. Chrissie Goldrick. Animals in Nature Winner Night Light Dining by Jannico Kelk. (Courtesy of South Australian Museum) Not to be outshone too brightly, a host of other awe-inspiring nature photography comprised the rest of the competition winners in several categories. Those categories included Animals in Nature, Urban Animals, Botanical Landscape, the newly minted Astrophotography category, and others. Featured is one dramatically-lit seahorse in the pitch deep, as well as the gaping jaws of a great white confronting the camera lens, an acrobatic cave-dwelling bat dining on fireflies in flight, aerial scenes of lush jungle with mist and white water to take ones breath away, and much more. Astrophotography Winner Each year I am amazed by the quality of entries we receive for this competition, with entrants capturing incredible moments in time that inspire us to deepen our relationship with the natural world, whilst also challenging us to reflect on our impact, stated Brian Oldman, director of the South Australian Museum. Added our winner, This unforgettable experience is a reminder of how harsh nature and the food chain can be, yet such an important part of the natural ecosystem. One animals sacrifice can provide so many nutrients to so many other species of wildlife for years to come. These top selections will be staged at the South Australian Museum until Sunday, October 30, and at the Australian Museum in Sydney until Sunday, December 11, 2022. Animals in Nature Runner-Up Urban Animals Winner The Tunnel of Eerie Blue Light by Zichen Wang. (Courtesy of South Australian Museum) Urban Animals Runner-Up Botanical Winner A pink tomb by James Dorey. (Courtesy of South Australian Museum) Botanical Runner-Up Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest by Justin Gilligan. (Courtesy of South Australian Museum) Landscape Winner Landscape Runner-Up Forces of Nature by Ellie Morris. (Courtesy of South Australian Museum) Threatened Species Winner Threatened Species Runner-Up Monochrome Winner Fish Rock Cave by Matt Krumins. Shot in South West Rocks, NSW, Australia. (Courtesy of South Australian Museum) Monochrome Runner-Up Crackle and Pop by Jarrod Koh. Single frame capturing a downpour and lightning strike. (Courtesy of South Australian Museum) Our Impact Winner Astrophotography Runner-Up Flinders Rise by William Godward. (Courtesy of South Australian Museum) Portfolio Winner Junior Winner Junior Runner-Up Abstraction of an Icon by Cian OHagan. (Courtesy of South Australian 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 A sign reading 'Go straight home and Isolate' in Australia. (Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images) Australian Lockdowns Hit Happiness More Than Cases More stringent lockdowns throughout the pandemic impacted the mental health of Australians more than surging case numbers, research has revealed. While higher case numbers and deaths associated with COVID-19 impacted peoples wellbeing, it was to a lesser extent than strict lockdowns. Stringent lockdowns implemented around Australia throughout the pandemic impacted the mental health of Australians more than surging COVID-19 case numbers research has revealed. People walk along Hobart Mall in Tasmania, Australia, on Oct. 16, 2021. (Steve Bell/Getty Images) The studys co-author, Professor Nicholas Biddle from the Australian National University, said it remained to be seen whether there would be a long-lasting effect as restrictions became a thing of the past. There is no doubt lockdowns were essential to helping stop the spread of COVID-19 and limit case numbers and potential deaths, he said. Our findings also show that measures designed to help protect people from COVID-19 also have a clear impact on mental health and wellbeing. The study which analysed more than 6500 adults for over two and a half years found men were more severely impacted by the stricter lockdowns. Police tackle demonstrators during a rally protesting the states strict lockdown laws in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 5, 2020. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images) But the study found a split between the genders, with males being more severely impacted by stricter lockdowns while higher case numbers weighed heavily on females. The study analysed the experiences of more than 6500 adults over two and a half years. A large crowd gathered to protest lockdown restrictions at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 23, 2020. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) Booster Shots To be Approved for Children Meanwhile, health regulators are in the final stages of approving the use of the Pfizer booster shot for children aged five to 11. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has given the booster provisional approval ahead of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) giving it the nod. Children aged five to 11 years are currently recommended to have a primary course two doses for most people of a COVID-19 vaccine. Elsewhere, Victoria will join all other jurisdictions except the ACT in doing away with mask mandates on public transport from midnight on Thursday. Authorities Should Back Pets Over Coyotes Commentary One of the odd stories Ive covered over the years is coyotes in urban Southern California. Ive always backed trapping and killing them. Too bad for them and the animal rights crowd. The predators are making the news again. This month, Manhattan Beachs City Council voted against trapping and killing them. And the Los Angeles Times just ran a story, Inside the war against Southern Californias urban coyotes. Horrific or misunderstood? I have personal reasons for saying horrific. The coyotes have attacked countless peoples pets, including my own. One day in the afternoon around 2015 I heard my cat Tinkerbell screeching outside my apartment window in Huntington Beach. I picked up a cane I sometimes used when my knee arthritis kicked up, rushed down the single fight of stairs, and saw her huddled under a parked car, still screeching. A coyote was in the middle street about to pounce should Tinkerbell come out. I charged at the coyote, hoping to clobber him. But he backed off. I used my cell phone to call the Huntington Beach police, but the officer on duty only said, Ill make a note of it. I waited an hour until the coyote finally departed and Tinkerbell raced up the stairs. My roommate and I tried to make Tinkerbell an indoor cat, but she wouldnt cooperate. Soon she disappeared. We put up posters, but nothing. The same thing happened about the same time to a neighbor, a nice young lady. She put up posters. After a couple of weeks, she hired a pet detective, who found her cats DNA in coyote feces. A Papillon named Casper. A year or two later, a friend was walking her dog, Casper, in Costa Mesa. He was a fun, goofy Papillon. A coyote came out of nowhere at night and grabbed Casper, trying to carry him away. But by then he was old and too fat to carry. The coyote dropped him and fled. My friend took Casper to the vet. He had two puncture wounds on one side. His rabies shots were up to date. The vet gave my friend some antibiotics to administer just in case. He lived a couple more years and died at a regular age. A couple years after that my friend was walking another dog, Ollie, this time in Huntington Beach, when a coyote grabbed him and ran with him, yanking the leash out of my friends hand. Ollie is a Pomeranian weighing only nine pounds. My friend ran yelling at the coyote, who eventually dropped Ollie. He also had puncture wounds. The rabies record was good and the vet gave my friend antibiotics to administer. A Pomeranian named Ollie. I own Ollie now, and Im happy to report hes well at age 11 and as cute as ever. The duty of government is to protect our lives and property. Pets are our property, and government needs to protect them. Thats why they tax us at high levels. Sometimes coyotes do attack humans. The Associated Press reported in May, DNA from a coyote that bit a girl on Southern Californias Huntington Beach last week matched samples from one of two coyotes shot and killed following the attack, authorities said Monday. The 2-year-old child was hospitalized with bites to her head and face that were not considered life-threatening after she was attacked near the Huntington Beach Pier. The Pier area is densely populated with businesses and tourists. That shows how brazen these coyotes are. There are two cases of a coyote actually killing people. One was Kelly Keen, a 3-year-old girl, in 1981 in Los Angeles. Another was Taylor Mitchell, 19, in 2009 in Canada. Desert USA, an educational website, explained whats going on: As humans expand their living areas and coyotes expand their range as well, contact is inevitable. Most of the time, coyotes go out of their way to avoid humans, but theyre discovering that humans are a good source for food. Resourceful and adaptable as coyotes are, they will take advantage of this when they can. In urban areas and in some national parks, coyotes are changing their behavior. The most serious problem is that the animals may become habituated to people. As they lose their fear of people, they will become bolder in approaching people and may put themselves in hazardous situations they would normally avoid. Another good source is the study Coyote Attacks: An Increasing Suburban Problem, by Robert M. Timm, et al (pdf). Its just as relevant today as when published in 2004. From the abstract: Coyote attacks on humans and pets have increased within the past 5 years in California Attack incidents are typically preceded by a sequence of increasingly bold coyote behaviors, including: nighttime coyote attacks on pets; sightings of coyotes in neighborhoods at night; sightings of coyotes in morning and evening; attacks on pets during daylight hours; attacks on pets on leashes and chasing of joggers and bicyclists; and finally, mid-day sightings of coyotes in and around childrens play areas. Thats obviously still happening. Here are the reasons why: In suburban areas, coyotes can lose their fear of humans as a result of coming to rely on ample food resources including increased numbers of rabbits and rodents, household refuse, pet food, available water from ponds and landscape irrigation run-off, and even intentional feeding of coyotes by residents. Their remedy: Corrective action can be effective if implemented before coyote attacks on pets become common. However, if environmental modification and changes in human behavior toward coyotes are delayed, then removal of offending predators by traps or shooting is required in order to resolve the threat to human safety. But the animal rights group PETA has a whole section on its website dedicated to Coyote Rights. They have fought against getting rid of the coyotes in many localities. Sorry, PETA, but when it comes to coyotes vs. Ollie, Im with Ollie. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Security officers walk past a banner at the entrance of a conference hall during the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting at the Diamniadio in Dakar, Senegal, on Nov. 29, 2021. (Seyllou/AFP via Getty Images) Beijings Waiver of African Loans Reveals Its Deceptive Nature in Foreign Lending: Experts Recently, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) made an attention-grabbing announcement that it plans to waive 23 interest-free loans, made to 17 African countries, and that matured at the end of 2021. However, experts pointed out that the announcement was made to downplay the economically destructive consequences of the deceptive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as the waived loans would, at most, amount to a minuscule portion of Beijings loans to African countries, according to research institutes. The announcement was made by CCP Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation on Aug. 18. It is noteworthy that he did not specify the total amount of the 23 loans or name the 17 countries involved. However, according to an estimate made by the Boston University Global Development Policy Center using its Chinese Loans to Africa (CLA) Database, the forgiveness to Africa could amount to $45 million to $610 million, overall constituting a small portion of Chinas lending to Africa. The research center also noted that the highest estimation of $609.57 million is only 1 percent of the $53.79 billion [due at the end of 2021] in overall loan commitments between 2000 and 2012. In a Sept. 14 interview with The Epoch Times, Frank Tian Xie, John M. Olin Palmetto Professor in Business at the University of South Carolina Aiken, believes that the announcement is just another of the many deceptive practices the CCP has used in the past. The practice of the Belt and Road Initiative was certainly unethical, and as the Western world criticizes the CCP for knowingly lending to countries that cannot repay the debt, the CCP decides to undertake some actions of kindness, such as debt relief, to counteract the criticism. However, the fact is that the amount waived was extremely small, and those loans were the ones with basically no hope of repayment, said Professor Xie. According to the research paper titled, How China Lends: A Rare Look into 100 Debt Contracts with Foreign Governments (pdf), co-published in March 2021 by AidData and three other prominent research institutes, Beijing had committed an estimated total direct lending of $560 billion to countries in Asia, South America, and Africa between 2000 and 2017. The research was based on 100 of the more than 2000 loan agreements that Chinas state-owned lenders have signed with developing countries since the early 2000s. In particular, despite the image in which the CCP advocates itself to be a promoter of friendship and economic prosperity, the research paper highlighted three common types of clauses in the CCP loan agreements that Beijing could use to exert influence in developing nations. The three types of clauses highlighted in the research paper, in simple terms, include the following: confidentiality clauses that bar borrowers from revealing the terms and existence of the loan; clauses prohibiting borrowers from seeking assistance from other international organizations; clauses that allow Beijing to retain the right to cancel the loan and demand immediate repayment under a wide range of circumstances. Additionally, the CCP requires a portion of the borrowers to open and maintain a special bank account to secure repayment. However, these accounts, usually located in China, would withhold all revenues from the project financed by the lender and all other cash flows funded by the loan, and require the borrower to maintain a minimum account balance set by the lender. For example, in the contract between the borrower, the Venezuelan Economic and Social Development Bank (BANDES), and the lender, China Development Bank (CDB), CDB is entitled at any time and without notice to BANDES to use all or part of the balance in the special account for repayment. However, any withdrawal by BANDES, that would violate the minimum balance or any other terms, was prohibited. Furthermore, 90 percent of the contracts collected contained clauses that would allow the CCP to terminate the agreement and demand repayment if the borrowers government policy changed. The research paper also found that 50 percent of the contracts with the CDB contained clauses that would allow the lender to demand repayment if the borrowers actions harmed the interests of the CCP. Additionally, about 75 percent of the contracts collected contained No Paris Club clauses, which means that the borrower cannot seek restructuring initiatives from creditors, like the Paris Club, or other institutions, in case of payment difficulties. In particular, the Paris Club is a key international platform for helping to find sustainable solutions to payment difficulties experienced by debtor countries. Lending With Deceptive Purposes According to the research paper co-published by AidData and other research institutes, the CBD lent $1 billion to Ecuador in 2010 for the country to finance infrastructure and purchase goods and services from Chinese contractors. However, the clauses within the contract required Ecuador to sell at least 380,000 barrels of fuel oil per month and 15,000 barrels of crude oil per day to the CCP over the entire validity period of the agreement. Furthermore, the payments made by the CCP for such purchases would be deposited in the special bank account opened in China under the CBD, and Ecuador was not allowed to withdraw any amount except to the extent permitted by another unknown agreement. The research paper also mentioned that almost 40 percent of the arrangements for these special bank accounts required funding from, for example, sources unrelated to the financed projects, such as Ecuadors and Venezuelas export revenues from oil; Ghanas bauxite; and revenue from Costa Ricas financial assets, such as bank deposits, stocks, bonds, or loans. In extreme cases, such as the upgrade and expansion of Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the research paper found that the contract included pledges of shares and unknown physical assets from Sierra Leone in case of financial difficulties. Other examples, such as the leasing of the Hambantota International Port to the CCP for 99 years by the Sri Lankan government, also indicated the existence of asset pledges in the Chinese loan agreements. The research paper also reported that the China Export-Import Bank and CDB provided approximately 94 percent of the 1,046 loans Beijing made to 130 countries between 2000 and 2014, citing a study from the Center for Global Analysis. According to another study titled, Grading Chinas Belt and Road (pdf), published by the Center for a New American Security, many of the BRI projects completed have been unable to generate enough revenue to justify the initial investment, arguably leaving the recipient country in worse financial shape than before. John Lee, one of the foremost experts on economic and national security issues, said at a Hudson Institute conference hosted on Sept. 9 that the strategic purpose of the BRI is to build a regional Sino-centric infrastructure in which Beijing, playing a dominating role, could put itself in a powerful position to negotiate the conditions for any deal or economic arrangement using its economic and political leverage. The grander strategic purpose is to ensure that all roads, rail, ports, cables, digital networks, infrastructure begin and end in Chinese provinces, and importantly, operate on terms favorable to Chinese interests, he said at the conference. Professor Xie also believes that the BRI was politically motivated to bind those countries in support of the CCP in the UN and other international human rights organizations. The fact that those countries owe huge debts to the CCP means these [BRI] werent genuine investments meant to foster economic prosperity, he told The Epoch Times. Anne Zhang Follow Anne Zhang is a writer for The Epoch Times with a focus on China-related topics. She began writing for the Chinese-language edition in 2014. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Economist, cultural expert, engineer and many other specialists from different areas have gathered around one goal today, to participate in shooting trainings, first aid courses and to study how to use weapons. The latest large-scale military aggression of Azerbaijan against Armenia made many people think about special preparedness. Hayk Melkumyan is an economist by profession and is working in telecommunications sector. By using the first opportunity, he rushed to the shooting range of Azatazen military-educational NGO. Taking into account the situation in the country, I decided to participate, maybe we will need it one day. Its a very important initiative. If there is a necessity to participate in combat operations, we need to be prepared. I am planning to make my visits to the shooting range continuous, he told Armenpress. Safety equipment engineer Alexei Hovhannisyan said he fired last time 22 years ago. But as he says, the situation on the borders of Armenia, the security issues brought him and many of his colleagues to this shooting range. The initiative to participate in these courses belongs to our senior colleague. Both shooting and first aid courses are being organized. I am very impressed, they are good specialists and teach well. I would like everyone to participate in such courses and be prepared, he said. The courses are being held at the initiative of Azatazen by their specialists. The idea is the following to shoot down, not to be shot down. The specialists of the initiative conduct consistent daily works for preparing the citizens. Co-founder of Azatazen Spartak Kyureghyan said that when a person knows how to use a weapon, is capable to shoot correctly, has the first aid skills, he is confident both on himself and his friend. The number of people has significantly increased following the latest incidents. We have transitioned to a busier work schedule. Many citizens apply to us, and we are trying to engage all. People visit both in organizations, groups or individually, he said. The number of female representatives visiting the shooting range of Azatazen has greatly increased recently. According to cultural expert Sona Azizyan, the activity of this organization, which provides an opportunity to participate in shooting courses, is highly necessary. In our country we all need to be always ready. Homeland is not for one day, it is the most precious heritage. It is above all else. We are responsible to our ancestors and generations to protect our Homeland, Sona Azizyan said. Despite the active flow of visitors, no one has been left without a course. Azatazen has concentrated all its resources on the process of properly working with applicants. The organization is planning to expand its activity. Currently, the proposals on establishing similar shooting ranges in other provinces are being discussed. Photos by Gevorg Perkuperkyan Interview by Anna Gziryan Cameraman Hayk Barseghyan Photos by Gevorg Perkuperkyan U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during an event in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Sept. 15, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Biden Says the Pandemic Is Overbut No End to the Spending Commentary If the pandemic is over, the spending should stop. During a 60 Minutes interview on Sept. 18, President Joe Biden said that the pandemic is over. Yet back in mid-July, he extended the COVID-19 public health emergency, along with its spending, until the middle of October, at which point the Department of Health and Human Services expects it will be extended again. Each time the president extends the public health emergency, he also extends the period of emergency spending, as well as justification for restrictions and measures that ultimately cost taxpayers money while benefiting private companies. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the U.S. government has approved at least $4.8 trillion in new borrowing. For example, the government passed legislation that mandated vaccines and provided billions of dollars of funding to companies producing the vaccines. The government authorized the vaccines for emergency use. And ultimately, the government decides which companies can or cannot make vaccines, thus protecting the favored vaccine-makers from the competition. Vaccine mandates are still in place for the military, government contractors, and healthcare workers in facilities that receive payments from Medicare and Medicaid. Most public- and private-sector employees in New York are still required to prove vaccination. Medical workers and state employees must be vaccinated in California, while in Connecticut, they must also have a booster. Delaware requires full vaccination for state and healthcare workers, as well as for school employees. Moreover, they must submit to weekly testing. In Washington, D.C., healthcare workers, school employees, government employees, contractors, and interns, must all be vaccinated. Similar rules exist in Democrat-led states across the nation. A protester holds a sign and a flag as he participates in a rally against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, in Santa Monica, Calif., on Aug. 29, 2021. (Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images) Vaccine mandates create a ready market for vaccines. These two factsthat people are coerced to take them and that they are paid for by the government (albeit from future tax revenues)remove the normal price mechanism that regulates the supply and demand logic of a free market. There is no impetus for the handful of government-protected drug companies to improve their efficiency, augment the quality of their drugs, or lower their prices. Masks function in a similar way. In January 2021, Biden signed an act requiring federal workers to wear masks. Shortly after, a mask requirement was implemented for domestic and international air travel. Government money was distributed to mask manufacturers, including 3M, Hollingsworth & Vose, Corning, and Lydall. COVID testing has been yet another opportunity for the government to enrich private companies. Between January and August this year, the White House distributed 600 million free test kits through its website, in addition to those distributed by other methods and test kits purchased by government agencies. Frequent testing was required for most employment and participation in public life. Meanwhile, government money was allocated to testing companies and manufacturers of over-the-counter tests, such as Abbott Rapid Dx North America and iHealth Labs. Vaccines, masks, test kits, and other pandemic supplies made by private companies were also purchased by the federal government and donated to developing countries. For example, on June 10, 2021, Biden announced that the United States would buy and donate half a billion Pfizer vaccines to 92 low- and lower-middle-income countries and the African Union. In this case, the government was not only using public money to enrich private companies, but the U.S. taxpayers who will ultimately have to repay this debt did not benefit. Furthermore, many of those taxpayers were not even permitted to work on June 10, 2021, when the government was giving away their future earnings. A healthcare worker prepares a dose of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Dec. 9, 2021. (Sumaya Hisham/Reuters) On May 8, 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the jobless rate had reached the highest point since the Great Depression14.7 percent. In December 2020, CNBC reported that as many as 60 percent of small businesses were closed. By spring 2021, the number of business bankruptcies in the United States was 200,000 higher than in 2020. Certain industries were hit harder than others. As of August 2021, 22 percent of gyms nationwide had been forced into permanent closure. In some parts of the United States, as many as one-third of local small businesses were driven out of business. Meanwhile, other workers and companies were being shielded and funded by the government. The lockdowns were one more government-imposed measure that hurt ordinary people while making the rich richer. Lockdown rules forced small entrepreneurs to close but allowed large box stores and Amazon to capture 100 percent of demand. In 2021, Amazons profits rose 220 percent. Amazon then pushed for Bidens $15 minimum wage. Advocating for a higher minimum wage served Amazon in two ways. First, it ingratiated Amazon to the ruling party. Second, it ensured competitors could not afford to reenter the market, even after Amazons COVID protections expired. The lockdowns protected big box stores, while the vaccine companies, mask companies, and COVID test companies were funded by the government, allowing them to earn guaranteed profits. And those who refused to use these products, or those who attempted to work or engage in commerce in violation of the rules, were punished by the authorities. By definition, this is state capitalism or fascism. In his 1936 book, Under the Axe of Fascism, author Gaetano Salvemini calls fascism a corporate state that controls all economic activity, allowing owners of large corporations to become rich at the expense of the small entrepreneurs and workers. Until the pandemic is declared officially over, the coercion and spending will not stop. Even now, drugmakers are petitioning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve new booster and COVID-flu-booster combos. It seems the drug companies do not expect the pandemic to officially end any time soon. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks about last years Huntington Beach oilsill investigation At the district attorney building in Santa Ana, Calif., on Sept. 8, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) California Attorney General Takes Over LA Sheriffs Probe of County Supervisor Kuehl, Metro The California Attorney Generals Office has taken over a Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department investigation into allegations of political corruption against the L.A. Metropolitan Transportation Authority and county Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. The move by Attorney General Rob Bonta was confirmed in a letter (pdf) sent to the sheriffs department Sept. 20. The investigation was launched after a Metro whistleblower alleged that Kuehl contributed to awarding lucrative contracts to Peace Over Violence, a nonprofit organization run by her close friend Patricia Giggans. The series of no-bid contracts worth more than $800,000 was for the nonprofit to operate a sex-harassment hotline for Metro riders and employees between 2014 and 2020. Last week, sheriffs investigators searched Kuehls home and office, along with offices at Metro, the Metro Office of Inspector General, and Gigganss home and office. After the Sept. 14 raid, Kuehl said a county attorney had contacted her the night before and told her about the search. LA County Board of Supervisors Sheila Kuehl speaks onstage at The 44th Annual Peace Over Violence Humanitarian Awards at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles on Oct. 16, 2015. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Peace Over Violence) Although the search warrant noted that Sheriff Alex Villanueva recused himself from any involvement in the investigation to avoid any appearance of conflict, he sent a letter later that day to the Attorney Generals Office asking it to look into whether county Inspector General Max Huntsman and the county counsels office had violated the law by notifying Kuehl of the search ahead of time. The illegal acts committed by Mr. Huntsman and county counsel have potentially compromised the integrity of this criminal investigation including, but not limited to, the concealment or destruction of evidence, the sheriff wrote. In the Sept. 20 letter responding to that request, Bonta wrote that his office would look into those allegations, but he said since that matter is directly tied to the underlying corruption probe into Kuehl, Metro, Giggans, and Gigganss nonprofit, he would take that over as well. Given that Sheriff Villanueva has recused himself from the underlying investigation of Peace Over Violence and Patricia Giggans, and by seeking our assistance he recognizes that he should be recused from any related matters, I believe that the handling of all these matters by [Department of Justice] will be in the public interest, Bonta wrote. Therefore, we will assume all responsibility for the underlying investigation of Peace Over Violence, Patricia Giggans, et al. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva speaks at a news conference in Los Angeles on Sept. 10, 2020. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo) Kuehl has strongly denied the allegation, saying she had no involvement in the contracts and did not vote on them as a member of the Metro Board of Directors. Jennifer Loew, the whistleblower and a former Metro employee, has also alleged that former Metro CEO Phillip Washington ignored alleged billing improprieties involving the nonprofit because he wanted to remain in good graces with Kuehl. Kuehl has blasted the probe as a retaliatory action by Villaneuva, who has repeatedly clashed with the Board of Supervisors over budget and policy issues and has rebuffed subpoenas to appear before the countys Civilian Oversight Commission, of which Giggans is a member. The commission is in the midst of a series of hearings investigating the activities of alleged deputy gangs within the department. Villanueva defended the probe, saying it originated with a legitimate allegation of criminal activity. Shortly before Bontas assuming control of the investigation became public, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge issued a ruling blocking sheriffs investigators from searching computers seized from Kuehl or Metro during the raids. The ruling by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Ryan mirrored one he issued last week blocking any search of computers taken from Metros Office of Inspector General. An LA Metro bus transports passengers in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 8, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Ryan declined to reverse the warrants or order the return of seized equipment, but he ordered the sheriffs department to refrain from copying any information on any of the seized computers, and disclose if any such copies have already been made. Attorneys for the Metros Office of Inspector General and Kuehl challenged the legality of the warrants. Metro attorneys argued that a separate judge had previously determined that a special master should be appointed to review materials seized from the transit agency in any investigation. Ryan scheduled another hearing for Sept. 22, asking a series of questionsincluding why the sheriff ignored the previous ruling and went to a different judge to get the search warrants signed after the initial judge reviewing the matter called for a special master in the case. Canada Ending Requirements for COVID-19 Vaccines, ArriveCan App at Border Sept. 30: CP Sources Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has agreed to let a cabinet order enforcing mandatory COVID19 vaccination requirements at the Canadian border expire at the end of this month. The decision was confirmed by two senior government sources, who spoke to The Canadian Press on the condition they not be named because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The change will also bring an end to COVID19 border testing, which is currently mandatory for unvaccinated international travellers and random for those who are vaccinated. Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault would not confirm the decision Thursday afternoon, but he said if the order is allowed to expire, that would also eliminate the only mandatory component for the ArriveCan app. So the mandatory piece is the vaccine piece, and because thats how people prove it through the ArriveCan, thats how the order is written, from what I remember, he said on his way into a cabinet meeting. ArriveCan began as a way for travellers to report their vaccination status and provide pre-departure test results to the Canada BorderServices Agency. But it has morphed into a digitized border arrival tool, and now people flying into certain airports can use it to fill out their customs and immigration form instead of the paper version. Cabinet first ordered international travellers to be vaccinated against COVID19 a year ago, and has renewed that order about every three months. The latest version will expire Sept. 30 and will not be renewed. The sources say the full cabinet does not need to sign off on a decision to let an existing order expire. One of them confirmed Trudeau has signed off on the plan. The federal government is still deciding whether to maintain the requirement for passengers to wear face masks on trains and airplanes. That rule is not contained in the same cabinet order as the border vaccine requirement, but rather is a ministerial order given by the minister of Transport. By Mia Rabson and Laura Osman LAPD Reports Troubling Increase in Armed Robberies Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Michel Moore reported Sept. 20 a troubling 52 percent increase in robberies with a firearm compared to 2019. Robberies overall are up 17 percent compared to the same time last year, according to the LAPD. Robberies are consistently a challenge for the department, Moore said in a meeting with the Los Angeles Police Commission. Earlier this month, LAPD encountered two separate incidents involving a suspect with a firearm, Moore said. On Sept. 20, officers attempted to stop a suspect who they believed was driving a stolen vehicle when the suspect purposely drove off Harbor Freeway and into a homeless encampment. The suspect fired in the direction of officers before being detained successfully without officers firing back. Moore said officers are now searching the area to recover the firearm used by the suspect. The day before, he said, officers came upon a shooting incident in progress between Broadway Street and Olympic Boulevard. Four individuals were arrested and one handgun was recovered. The incidences of officers rolling into or coming upon instances of gun violence have increased. [T]here are many more guns in the streets today than in years past, Moore said. Homicide rates have remained consistent with that of 2021, according to the LAPD. In August, 35 homicides were recorded, compared to 34 last September. The number of shooting victims has decreased slightly, according to Moore. There have been 106 shooting victims within the past four weeks, from late August to mid-September. The same time last year had 118. PnB Rock attends the 31st Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on June 21, 2018. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ASCAP) On Sept. 12, rapper PnB Rock was gunned down during a robbery at a restaurant in South Los Angeles. The suspect is still at large, officials said. Before his death, the rapper said during a podcast interview that robberies in Los Angeles had become so common that its essentially become acceptable. The Philadelphia native also revealed he had never been robbed before. A person is injected with Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine in Dallas in this undated file photo. (LM Otero/AP Photo) CDC Says Omicron Booster Shots Could Be Available for Children by Mid-October The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) anticipates COVID-19 vaccine booster shots that are said to target Omicron subvariants of the virus will be available for children aged 5 to 11 years within a month. The CDC said in a vaccination planning guide released Sept. 20 that the shots, if they are authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), may be available by the middle of October (pdf). It is expected that if bivalent boosters are authorized for individuals aged 5 years and older as a booster, monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may no longer be authorized as booster doses, the agency said. COVID-19 vaccines have come under intense scrutiny following a string of studies pointing to adverse effects such as myocarditis, pericarditis, severe allergic reactions, and in some cases, deaths. A study published in August found that nearly 3 in 10 children who received Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine experienced adverse cardiac side effects afterward. A separate study published earlier in September found that age played a major factor in the risk of death following a COVID-19 shot, with individuals over 80 at higher risk. Demand for new booster shots has dropped, with just over 109 million people in the United States having received their first booster shot, according to CDC data. Lack of Data to Support Boosters Pfizer-BioNTech is developing a bivalent vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years, while Modernas bivalent vaccine would be eligible for those aged 6 to 17 years, pending FDA authorization. The shots, which contain the mRNA components of both the spike genes of SARS-CoV-2 virus ancestral strain and the BA.4/5 subvariants, will be available to those who have already received their primary vaccine series. Both BA.4 and BA.5 currently appear to be the most vaccine-evasive strains of the virus and also largely bypass immunity from a previous infection. Pfizers updated booster shot is currently authorized for use as a single booster dose in those aged 12 years and older, while Modernas is authorized for adults 18 and older. The FDA authorized the updated boosters in August. The CDC formally recommended the booster shots soon after, claiming they help to restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination by targeting variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading. But there is no human clinical data to support the claim. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has ordered over 170 million doses of the updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine ahead of this fall and winter as part of its plan to manage the virus across the nation. According to a statement from The White House on Sept. 8, the administration hopes the updated vaccine rollout will ensure that the nation continues to effectively manage COVID-19 and minimize its disruptions, and to stay prepared for whatever may come. The plan includes free and easy access to new, updated COVID-19 vaccines for Americans, and empowering people with facts and answers to their questions regarding the shots and the virus. Reuters contributed to this report. Public relations (PR) people around the world are always thinking up clever ideas to help magazine and newspaper writersalthough the main reason is that such articles will help the promoters sell the products theyre hired to hawk. This year, the PR folks who are hardest at work know that the end-of-year holidays are imminent, so the pitches Iand most writerssee are for gifts, including chocolate, cars, jewelry, and (yes, you guessed it!) wine. I know, I get a lot of suggestions. Some are for dark red wines to match with winter dinners of beef, game, and lamb. And yes, there are lots of good wines we can share with any wine lovers at any time of the year. However, most of the wine suggestions I get for major family gatherings, such as Mothers Day, graduations, weddings, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve, are celebratory, which leads us to thinking of bubblesa sound idea! Real French Champagne typically is the most authentic way to celebrate special occasions, but unless the participants really are experienced at understanding the subtleties of great Champagne, the exalted prices were asked to pay for it ($40 is about as low as you can find) can be wasted. Less expensive alternatives would be any decent sparkling wine, and the level of sweetness that you choose should be determined by how sweet or dry the participants want their drinks to be. The term brut (pronounced broot) is supposed to refer to a very dry wine. But these days, it really refers to wines that are only relatively dry. And curiously enough, the phrase extra dry on a bottle of bubbly actually refers to wines that are a little bit sweeter than brut! The most popular Italian alternative sparkling wine, prosecco, isnt quite as dry as most bruts. Prosecco can come either as a white or a light rose. Prices range from $9 to about $17. Slightly drier than that would be Spanish cava, which can be extremely appealing when paired with typical appetizers. Most are lower than $18. (See Wine of the Week.) California sparkling wines also have great application with meals, and although prices tend to be a bit higher ($17 to roughly $35), the higher quality is obvious. An important pointmany people like to make mimosas for toasting at festive brunches. But it makes no sense to use an expensive sparkling wine when youre mixing it with orange juice (OJ). OJ merely wipes out most of the flavors in a high-quality bubbly. Mimosas dont rely on the wine quality to impart character. More important is the quality of the orange juice (i.e., fresh versus canned), so choose an inexpensive sparkling wine with which to make mimosas. For my own celebrations, I prefer California sparkling wines, usually at the upper echelons of quality. This could well mean spending $25 to $45 for a bottle, but at that level of quality, I really understand why this most difficult-to-produce wine carries such a price tag. Inexpensive bubblies often are made with lesser grapes and a far more rapid creation of the bubbles. To mask some of the simplicity imparted by low-flavor grapes, such cheaper sparkling wines usually are sweeter than I prefer. Wine of the Week NV Los Dos Brut Cava, Penedes ($12): This lovely bubbly comes from Spains Penedes, a cool wine district just outside Barcelona thats famed for its moderately priced sparkling cuvees. Unlike Champagne, which is made from chardonnay and pinot noir, this fine wine is a blend of local varieties Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada. The fresh, brisk aroma of blossoms and a hint of brioche are supported in the aftertaste with a bit of citrus. It is dry but not austere. A Florida Chick-fil-A employee came to the rescue when a woman with a baby had her car keys stolen in the restaurant parking lot. He took down the thief, helping foil the attempted carjacking, and has since been recognized for his bravery with a community service citizens award. On Sept. 14, Mykel Gordon was working a shift in the afternoon at a Chick-fil-A restaurant on Beal Parkway in Fort Walton Beach when he heard screaming in the parking lot. Running to investigate, he found a woman with a baby in her arms. (Courtesy of Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office) The woman was lifting her baby out of her car when she was approached by a man holding a stick, who demanded her keys, according to an Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office news release. The man, whos since been identified as 43-year-old William Branch of DeFuniak Springs, snatched the keys from the womans waistband and got inside the vehicle. When Gordon arrived at the scene, he pulled Branch from the vehicle and wrestled him to the ground, sustaining a punch to the face. Yet he was able to keep Branch subdued until police arrived on the scene. The suspect, 43-year-old William Branch. (Courtesy of Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office) Bystander Molly Kelner filmed the incident and later shared the footage with the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office, who posted it on Twitter with praise for Gordon: A major shout-out to this young man for his courage! Chick-fil-A also praised their worker on Facebook, amassing thousands of comments from grateful members of the community. This is the hero! they posted. At Chick-fil-A our mission is to Serve and today Mykel took it further to Save.' A Florida Chick-fil-A employee, Mykel Gordan, is presented with an Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office Community Service Award. (Courtesy of Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office) On Sept. 15, Gordon was presented with an Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office community service award, a special coin, and a personal thanks for his quick thinking. Sheriff Eric Aden told Gordon, What we say a lot of times is, Service is in our DNA. Thats our mantra. You clearly have service in your DNA. Branch was allegedly involved in another similar incident in the parking lot shortly before the carjacking attempt. According to an investigation by the deputies, Gordan had intervened during the first encounter and had chased the suspect away from the first victims vehicle. It is also known that an unidentified male also assisted in pursuing the suspect. The investigation also revealed that Branch had broken into a local home and tried to steal a purse earlier that same day. (Courtesy of Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office) Branch was charged with carjacking with a weapon, and battery. Due to Gordans heroic action, no innocent patron was injured during this incident. Sheriff Aden offered to sponsor Gordon as a cadet, should he ever wish to leave his day job and pursue a career in law enforcement. 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 People visit Tencent's booth at the World 5G Exhibition in Beijing on Nov. 22, 2019. The Chinese internet giant is complying with Chinese leader Xi Jinpings edict to redistribute the wealth in China. It is the largest holding in BMOs Chinese ESG-focused ETF. (Jason Lee/Reuters) Chinas Brand of ESG Another Hurdle in Sustainable Investment Movement Regulators warnings to investors on greenwashing does not address Beijings co-opting News Analysis With the explosive global growth in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) investing, also known as sustainable investing, its no exception in China where ESG funds are proliferating and there are even Canadian offerings. One of ESGs confounding aspects, however, remains that those three criteria mean different things to different people and that China in particular has its own self-serving views on what qualifies, analysts say. Financial securities regulators are trying to warn investors and educate them on what constitutes ESG, but they are silent on Beijing using the sustainable investment movement to push capital toward companies that assist the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in achieving its objectives. Bloomberg, in a Sept. 6 article on Chinas ESG growth, called it ESG with Chinese characteristicsthe CCP designs the rules to suit itself. The [Chinese] government is bound to generate its own interpretation of ESG, because they want to make sure it will not conflict with the countrys national economic strategies, Boya Wang, an ESG analyst at Morningstar Inc., says in the article. The typical North American attempt at ESG qualification would be, for example, a company taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint or increase the diversity of its senior management. The Chinese Communist Party has made it clear that environmental and social policy fall under the purview of the government, not the countrys corporations, wrote Bradford Cornell, a UCLA professor emeritus and senior advisor with Reliant Global Advisors, and Jason C. Hsu, founder and chairman of Reliant, in a paper comparing ESG investing in China with that in the United States. Cornell and Hsu explain that it pays for firms in China to go green, but those firms are not empowered to set policy. The authors call ESG a strange brew and discuss how ESG scoring agencies often disagree on whether or not a company is green. In the case of a Chinese company that rates highly on social factors, it could be rated very poorly on those metrics by U.S. definitions, they say. Canadian ESG investment offerings take their cues from these international dictates and norms. GreenwashingJust No Word on China Financial securities regulators have their hands full trying to crack down on greenwashingmisleading information about the green credentials of an investment product. Investors currently lack a consistent and comparable framework to enable their understanding of sustainable finance products, according to the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) in an August 2022 report. But the organization is not warning about Chinese ESG in particular. IOSCO has no comment on China. However, we encourage asset managers globally to consider our recommendations, spokesperson Carlta Vitzhum told The Epoch Times. The Canadian Securities Administrators and Ontario Securities Commission published guidance in January about ESG greenwashing but did not respond to The Epoch Times specifically regarding the nature of Beijings co-opting of ESG. A couple of Canadian ESG-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are focused on China. BMOs ZCH ETF is designed to replicate the MSCI China ESG Leaders Index. As of Sept. 16, more than 56 percent of the fund was invested in Tencent, Alibaba, Meituan, and China Construction Bankessentially a whos who of large Chinese firms, which tend to be known for following the directives of the CCP. The index deems a company eligible if its been assigned higher ESG ratings by MSCI relative to its Chinese peers. Desjardins DRFE ETF, described as a responsible investing emerging markets low carbon dioxide fund, is a well-rated ETF by Morningstar that invests over 22 percent in Chinese companies including Baidu and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. Sustainable investing is also a big priority for Canadas pension funds such as the Canada Pension Plan and Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (OTPP). These two are the largest Canadian pension funds and have been very bullish on China. Jo Taylor, president and CEO of OTPP, told BNN Bloomberg on Sept. 8 that it wants to help businesses decarbonize and that while investing in China has been challenged recently, the Chinese market remains an important market in the long term. Dark Side of Chinese ESG China dominates the clean energy supply chain. Its aiming for carbon neutrality by 206010 years later than over 120 countries, including Canada. Bloomberg reported that Chinese ESG fund launches surged in 2021 to address both environmental objectives and ones relating to common prosperity. Among more than 170 ESG funds domiciled in China, about 15 percent are invested in coal companies, Bloomberg noted. Also, it pointed out that the CSI 300 ESG Leaders Index, Chinas main ESG benchmark, may invest in firms with alleged ties to atrocities in Xinjiang. For example, Bloomberg reported that about 10 percent of Chinese ESG funds hold Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd., a company that creates video surveillance technology and that has been blacklisted by the U.S. entity list due to alleged human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims. Republicans have raised the alarm about funding slave labour in China to buy solar panels. Its illegal for the US to import material made with Uyghur slave labor. If the Biden admin is intent on expanding solar capacity in the energy grid, the least we should do is not finance one of our biggest geopolitical rivals using slave labor, Ohio Republican congressman Bob Gibbs tweeted on Sept. 8. Bill Flaig, co-founder of the American Conservative Values ETF, ACVF, in a recent commentary, said a companys brand is damaged by the hypocrisy of greenwashing, pandering to political issues, and ignoring inconvenient human rights and censorship issues. His fund doesnt invest in companies that are hostile to conservative values and that support the liberal agenda. Look no further than the leaders at Coca-Cola and Nike, two companies that have both made shows of posturing against discrimination in the United States while remaining silent on the lengthy record of human rights abuses by the Chinese government. Its an obvious discrepancy and everyone knows it, and its done nothing to endear either company to anyone outside of the activist class, Flaig wrote. He told The Epoch Times: When we do have an international ETF, you can rest assured that we will not hold Chinese companies. (Someday, I hope things change and this wont be the case.) The IOSCO said that assets under management by sustainable mutual funds and ESG-focused ETFs rose by more than 50 percent in 2021 to US$2.7 trillion globally, citing news and industry reports. Green assets are set to grow to $50 trillion by 2025 from about $35 trillion currently, according to one estimate noted by the IOSCO. However, the average investor does not have a consistent framework to analyze these investments, let alone the added hurdle of the CCPs brand of greenwashing. It should be noted that there is no common or generally accepted definition of sustainable finance or ESG, and not even a single definition or characterization of environmental, social, or governance factors, according to the IOSCO report. Richard Qiangdong Liu, founder, chairman, and CEO of JD.com, speaks to employees as JD.com has its initial public offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq exchange in New York City on May 22, 2014. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images) Chinas JD.com Founder Wears an Invisible Shackle: Analyst Liu Qiangdong, or Richard Liu, founder and chairman of JD.com, recently transferred his ownership of equity shares at two subsidiary companies after stepping down as CEO in April. One Chinese affairs analyst believes Liu made the move in response to the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) campaign to target the business elite. The Powerful Economic Players JD.com, a Beijing-based online retailer and Chinas largest e-commerce business by revenue, has more than 580.8 million active customers and a revenue of 951.6 billion yuan (about $148 billion) in 2021, according to its 2022 report. Liu established the company in 2004. He was among Fortune Magazines Worlds 50 Greatest Leaders in 2015. According to Forbes, he has a net worth of $12.3 billion as of Sept. 21. Since the CCP tightened its antitrust regulation, Chinese e-commerce and tech companiesincluding Alibaba, Tencent, and JD.comhave faced a series of disciplinary warnings and fines. In April 2021, Beijings market regulator summoned more than 30 Chinese internet companies, including JD.com, and warned them of severe punishment if they didnt comply with competition rules. The warning came after Beijing released its new anti-monopoly guidelines in February 2021. The rules targeted the big internet platforms; for example, e-commerce giant Alibaba was fined $2.75 billion in April 2021. Then Liu stepped down from his post as executive director in September 2021 and as CEO in April 2022. He remained the chairman of the board. On Sept.16, JD.coms subsidiaries, JD Health and JD Logistics, announced on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that Liu agreed to transfer his 45 percent shares to JD Group Vice President Miao Qin. Richard Liu, CEO and founder of JD.com, attend a France-Chinese forum on artificial intelligence at SOHO 3Q in Beijing on Jan. 9, 2018. (Jason Lee/Reuters) The Invisible Shackles Chinese affairs analyst Wang He told the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times on Sept. 19 that Beijing is eliminating all of Chinas prominent figures by tightening regulationsfor fear of their dominance in the economy and in politicsto secure its one-party rule. In recent years, Chinas top business leaderssuch as Alibabas Jack Ma, ByteDances Zhang Yiming, and Pinduoduos Chang Huangzhenghave taken early retirements. Wang said, The many Chinese Liu Qiangdongs are all wearing invisible shackles under the CCPs ruling. Between 2019 and June 30, 2021, Liu resigned from at least 298 companies as president, chairman, and shareholder. In six years, Liu has cashed out a total of $10 billion starting in 2016, according to Chinese media. Wang said that Lius actions showed that he was trying to protect his interests, but he couldnt stop the CCP. Beyond the limit, the regime will hit him as hard as it dealt with Didi. Didi, the Chinese ride-hailing company, received a fine of $1.2 billion for allegedly breaking data security laws after a year-long probe, which forced the company to delist from the United States in July. Wang said CCP leader Xi Jinping is tightening his grip on power and reining in political rivals and business leaders ahead of the Partys 20th National Congress. The dictatorship will never allow uncontrolled development of private enterprises such as the internet giants. Through pressure, negotiation, reorganization, and control, the regime will remove its targets economic and political influence. Cheng Jing contributed to this report. China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee Chairman Li Zhanshu (L) attends with South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo (R) during a joint news conference in Seoul, South Korea, on Sept. 16, 2022. (Kim Hong-Ji/Pool/Getty Images) Chinas No.3 Official Visits South Korea Amid Intensified US-China Strategic Rivalry Beijing seeks to put pressure on Seoul's foreign policy direction South Korea is a technological powerhouse and a key part of the global supply chain. Its now also caught in the intensified strategic rivalry between the United States and China. Both superpowers are wanting the East Asian nation to pick a side. Following many visits from top U.S. officials, Beijing last week sent Li Zhanshu, Chinas third-highest-ranking Chinese Communist Party (CCP) official, to South Korea, to put pressure on Seouls foreign policy direction. Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, arrived in Seoul accompanied by a 66-member delegation on Sept. 15. During his three-day visit, he met with President Yoon Suk-yeol, his South Korean counterpart Kim Jin-pyo, and other top Korean officials. Chinas National Peoples Congress Standing Committee Chairman Li Zhanshu speaks during a joint news conference with South Koreas National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo at the National Assembly on Sept. 16, 2022, in Seoul, South Korea. (Kim Hong-Ji/Pool/Getty Images) It has been seven years since such a high-profile meeting took place. Lis predecessor Zhang Dejiang visited South Korea in 2015. Li met with Yoon and South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo on Sept.16, in a public meeting where South Korea and China agreed to expand cooperation, strengthen strategic communications to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, and maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula. However, in private talks, Li reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction toward South Korea in a number of areas, notably the deployment of THAAD anti-missile systems and South Koreas military cooperation with the United States and Japan, and its potentially joining the U.S.-led semiconductor quadrilateral (Chip 4) alliance. The THAAD Issue THAAD is a U.S.-designed and manufactured anti-missile system that was installed in South Korea between 2016 and 2017 as a bulwark against a potential North Korean missile attack. But Beijing has insisted that the deployment of THAAD affects Chinas security and has since adopted a series of countermeasures against South Korea. A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) is seen firing an interceptor missile in a Department of Defense photo. (DoD photo) In response to the THAAD issue, Yoon reportedly told Li during the meeting that the U.S.-led anti-missile system should not hinder bilateral relations. [The two sides need to communicate closely] to make sure that THAAD does not become an obstacle to South Korea-China relations, Yoon said, according to the presidential office. However, Li reportedly expressed the CCPs unilateral position without hesitation in the private meeting with Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo. Li told Kim that Beijings opposition to THAADs deployment was not directed at South Korea but because the United States has impure intentions to undermine Chinas strategic and security interests, Korea JoongAng Daily reported. To Lis comment, Kim replied that the THAAD system is a means of self-defense to protect our people from North Koreas serious nuclear and missile threats, and it is not a means of threatening a third country. He added that if the North Korean nuclear issue is resolved, the THAAD issue will be resolved naturally and requested Chinas cooperation so that North Korea can take the path of dialogue and diplomacy. US-Led Alliances The United States has pushed South Korea to join its many alliances, which China strongly opposes. The U.S.-led Chip 4 alliance aims to strengthen cooperation in the semiconductors industry among the United States and the East Asian powerhouses of Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan to build a secure supply chain that excludes China. U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hands with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol as they visit the Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek campus in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on May 20, 2022. (Kim Min-Hee /Pool /Getty Images) Taiwan and Japan have already agreed to participate in the alliance in March. Although South Korea has remained non-committal due to mounting pressure from Beijing, the country recently announced it would attend the preliminary meeting of Chip 4. During the private meeting, Li told Kim that a U.S.-centered semiconductor alliance is not in the interests of China, JoongAng reported. In response to Li, Kim denied that the alliance would exclude China, adding that in order to stabilize the supply chain between South Korea and China, it is necessary to further develop multi-level economic cooperation, such as the South Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Likewise, South Koreas participation in the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) in May has also concerned Beijing. During the talks, Li said such a move would suppress Chinas economic influence. However, Kim explained that the framework is guided by the principles of openness, transparency, and inclusiveness. A platform for stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. IPEF is another U.S.-led move that aims to counter China. It restricts member countries from importing and exporting strategic commodities to China, referencing minerals including uranium, raw materials for batteries such as lithium and cobalt, and electrical and electronic products including semiconductors and telecommunications. Critical Minerals Supply Shortly after South Koreas decision in May to participate in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), the country joined the U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) to cut its heavy reliance on Chinese raw materials and mineral imports. South Koreas foreign ministry said on June 15 that the countrys decision to join the MSP is a follow-up measure to the U.S.-South Korea summit in May and to pave the way for supply chain diversification. South Koreas Second Vice Foreign Minister Lee Do-hoon (L) and Ryu Peob-min (2nd from L), a trade ministry director, attend an inaugural meeting of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) in Toronto, Canada, on June 14, 2022. (Courtesy of the South Korean trade ministry) The MSP is an international alliance with aims to secure a stable and diverse mineral supply chain. Member countries include the United States, South Korea, Canada, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Commission, Finland, France, Australia, and Norway. The partnership is widely seen as an effort to curb Chinese dominance in the critical minerals market. Critical metals include cobalt, copper, precious metals, nickel, uranium, lithium, magnesium, and many others. They are raw materials used in critical industries such as semiconductors, telecommunications, computing, aerospace, defense, and electric car batteries. Since China controls over two-thirds of the global production of rare earth elements crucial to modern technologies, a cutoff of those supplies will significantly harm other economies. In many instances, Beijing has weaponized its dominance in the minerals market by threatening to cut off supplies to other nations. For example, in 2010, Beijing blocked its rare earth product exports to Japan over the long-standing dispute about control of unpopulated islands in the East China Sea, after an incident between ships from Japans naval self-defense force and Chinese fishing vessels. Japan did not relinquish its claims to the islands amid the tension but actively warned other nations of Chinas unreliable trading practices, including recent warnings from Japans Ambassador to Australia, Yamagami Shingo, as Beijing employed similar tactics by imposing quotas and large tariffs on Australian goods coming into China. Beijings move came after Australias call for an investigation into the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. To reduce reliance on China, U.S. President Joe Biden in March invoked the Defense Production Act to spur greater domestic output of key minerals in the United States. Strategic Dilemma Although the Yoon administration has made a clear shift in cementing relations with the United States and joined several U.S.-proposed alliances since taking office in May, it is also trying to maintain economic ties with China. Unlike Japan and Taiwan, South Korea still has China as its biggest trading partner. South Korean exports to China accounted for 25.3 percent of its exports through 2021, about 10 percent higher than to the United States, according to The Korea Herald. Last year, South Koreas semiconductor exports amassed $128 billionthose to China accounted for 39 percent of the total, and those to China and Hong Kong accounted for 60 percent, Business Korea reported. In addition, South Korean tech conglomerates Samsung Electronics and S.K. Hynix both have major memory chip production plants in China. Samsungs only NAND flash plant is located in Xian, which accounts for more than 40 percent of its NAND flash output. S.K. Hynix produces DRAM chips in Wuxi, accounting for 45 percent of its total DRAM chip production and about 15 percent of the worlds DRAM output. Furthermore, according to the World Bank, more than 21 percent of South Koreas imports come from China. The high level of dependence entails that any disruption in the Chinese supply chain could immediately impact the South Korean economy. For example, just last year, a shortage of urea supplied by China threatened to cripple economic activity in South Korea. Among other uses, urea is used to cut emissions in diesel vehicles and make fertilizer. In mid-October last year, China reduced its urea exports due to a coal shortage, putting South Korea in a deep crisis as the countrys nearly 4 million diesel vehicles cannot operate without urea, sending its logistics industry into chaos. The incident highlighted the resource-poor countrys heavy reliance on China for the essential items it needs to maintain business as usual. Since then, major South Korean industries have begun accelerating plans to build diversified production bases worldwide. Wiser to Pick a Side Instead of Playing Tightrope Diplomacy The Chinese state-run Global Times published an editorial titled South Korea Should Have the Courage to Say No to U.S. Coercion on July 20, criticizing the Chip 4 alliance and threatening South Korea that joining it could lead to significant losses. The article noted that 60 percent of South Koreas $128 billion in semiconductor exports last year were exported to China and Hong Kong, and to leave such a market would be equivalent to commercial suicide. Under mounting pressure from Beijing, South Korea has yet to announce its decision on whether to participate in the Chip 4 alliance. The country repeatedly stated that it does not wish to provoke China and hence has taken a non-committal approach to certain U.S.-led initiatives. On the other hand, South Korean public opinion believes that the country is more dependent on the United States in regional security and advanced chip technology and equipment, according to a JoongAng Daily report. In an interview with The Epoch Times, Wen Rui, a current events commentator and China expert, said, If South Korea insists on trying to find a balance between [the U.S. and China], it would likely end up offending both sides. It would be a wiser move for [South Korea] to pick a side and stand with it, Wen said, adding that the United States would be the clear choice as it aligns with public opinion and the countrys long-term interests. He explained that even if South Korea becomes diplomatically estranged from China, its top memory chips can still be exported to China. For example, Taiwans chips continue to be exported to China despite the stalemate with the CCP, Wen added. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. On September 21, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with Foreign Minister of Sweden Ann Linde in New York, the foreign ministry reports. Presenting the details of military aggression of Azerbaijan against the territorial integrity of Armenia since September 13, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia particularly emphasized the need of eliminating its consequences and the international community's targeted and adequate response to the aggressor country, as well as the necessity of restraining the maximalist and aggressive policy pursued by Azerbaijan. The urgency of an appropriate assessment to the war crimes committed by the armed forces of Azerbaijan, in particular, the cases of inhumane treatment of servicewomen, was also emphasized. The parties touched upon the agenda of Armenian-Swedish bilateral relations, expressing readiness to undertake active steps towards further expansion and development of cooperation. The deepening of collaboration in the sphere of strengthening democratic institutions in Armenia was highlighted. Thoughts were also exchanged on cooperation on international platforms and Armenia-EU partnership. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Col.) speaks during the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit held at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida, on July 23, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Colorado Sheriff Faces Campaign Finance Complaint Over Support of Rep. Boebert A Colorado sheriff has until Oct. 4 to cure a complaint alleging campaign finance violations over emails and videos that appear to support Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) filed by a political operative accused of harassing the congresswoman. The Enforcement Team of the Elections Division in the office of the Colorado Secretary of State (SOS), Jena Griswold, is currently reviewing the complaint against Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario. The complaint was filed by David Wheeler, the president of American Muckrakers PAC, who leads efforts to fire Boebert and is touted as spearheading a similar campaign targeting former Republican North Carolina congressman Madison Cawthorn. Wheeler accuses Vallario of using his official email account to send a political message supporting Lauren Boebert for Congress and deriding her opponent. Vallario is also accused of referring to Wheeler as a loon in an email to staff, among other things. In a statement to The Epoch Times, Vallario confirmed that he had until Oct. 4 to cure Wheelers one-sided complaint. There is currently an investigation where the SOS has stated that there may be one or more violations as a result of the one-sided information provided so far, Vallario said. There are three or four emails he has provided as evidence of his claims. I will be addressing those in my response to the SOS, he added. Complaints brought to the SOSs office are initially reviewed by the Enforcement Team of the Elections Division independently to determine whether to pursue it, according to the SOSs office. Griswold and her deputy are walled off from the investigative phase of all complaints. The Epoch Times understands the complaint against Vallario is in the notice of initial review and opportunity to cure phase. After an initial review of the complaint, the Elections Division found that if the allegations are proven they may constitute campaign finance violations under Colorado law. Opportunity to Cure The Elections Division determined after its initial review that one or more of the allegations may be curable, according to filings. Vallario can also dispute the complaint. Under Colorado law, if a respondent is offered the opportunity to cure, or resolve, an alleged violation, the respondent will have 10 business days to submit their evidence. This is the first step before an investigation is launched. To determine compliance with the law, the Elections Division will look at the extent of Vallarios alleged noncompliance, the purpose of the provision violated, and whether the purpose was substantially achieved despite the noncompliance. It also looks into whether the noncompliance can properly be viewed as an intentional attempt to mislead the electorate or election officials. Among its initial findings, the Elections Division noted that Colorado law doesnt prohibit an elected official from expressing a personal opinion on any issue. Boeberts Office Accuses Wheeler of Harassment Boeberts office has accused Wheeler of harassment, according to a trove of emails Wheeler published on a website his PAC runs calling for the Republican congresswoman to be fired. In an email on June 20, Jay Misany, the field director for Lauren Boebert for Congress, informed Vallario that Wheeler has been harassing the congresswoman in Garfield County. He included photos and links to Twitter posts of Wheelers efforts to track down Boeberts physical location at certain times. Misany said Wheeler posted a photo of himself standing in front of a sign leading to Boeberts house and some other pictures close to her house. In a follow up email on June 21, Jeff Small, Boeberts chief of staff, informed Vallario that Wheeler showed up at locations where the Republican congresswoman dined or attended church to protest her. He included a June 19 post on Twitter as evidence the political action committee president, who says he is paid by the PAC to run a campaign against Boebert, planned to crash her church on June 26. In his complaint, Wheeler disputed the claim of harassment, writing, Wheeler was not harassing Boebert nor were there any police reports or complaints filed against Wheeler that week. In a further statement to The Epoch Times, Wheeler said: This political stunt case was dismissed by the Judge. I never harassed anyone and she knows it. Boebert filed that case as retaliation and Ive filed an ethics complaint with the U.S. House. American Muckraker PACs campaign to have Boebert fired has seen a significant drop in donations since June, when it received over $25,000, its highest figure this year. The PAC received no donations in July and less than $5,000 in August, according to a plea for support Wheeler posted on Twitter. This report was updated to include Wheelers comments. This video frame grab taken from footage recorded in mid-June 2020 and released by China Central Television (CCTV) on Feb. 20, 2021, shows Chinese (foreground) and Indian soldiers (R, background) during an incident where troops from both countries clashed in the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley, in the Karakoram Mountains in the Himalayas. (AFP Photo/China Central Television) Complete De-escalation Yet to Occur on India-China Border; News Reports False: Satellite Imagery Expert NEW DELHIRecent media reports of a complete de-escalation on the India-China border in Eastern Ladakh are false as Chinese troops have not retreated from the friction points last created post May 2020, when the conflict between the two armies escalated, according to an Indian satellite imagery expert. Latest images do not indicate any significant troop or equipment reduction by CCP Chinas PLA [Peoples Liberation Army], retired Col. Vinayak Bhat, a satellite imagery expert and an Indian military intelligence veteran, told The Epoch Times in an email. The media hype on reduced threats or de-escalation by PLA are incorrect. It was widely reported across the media on Sept. 13 that the last remaining friction points on the Line of Actual control (LAC) or the de-facto disputed border between India and China, which fall under the purview of Chinas Western Theatre Command, are resolved, as troops from both countries pulled back from their respective positions in the Gogra Heights-Hot Springs area. But Col. Bhat said that, while disengagement has happened at various points, de-escalation is yet to happen. Disengagement ensures that troops, which were in eyeball to eyeball confrontational positions, move back thus avoiding a sudden eruption of conflict due to tense situations, he said. Whereas de-escalation involves troops returning to their barracks and resuming peacetime activities. Disengagement, Not De-escalation Bhat cited satellite imagery from Sept. 16 that showed no change in the military buildup at patrolling point 15 (PP-15) at Gogra-Hot springs and opposite PP-17A, which is known as Gogra post. After the PLA incursion into Indian territory in 2020, when things started to escalate, PP-15 was among the five friction points between the two armiesthe others were PP-14 in the Galwan valley where things turned bloody on June 15, the nearby PP-17A, and another two on the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso (high grassland) lake. Pangong Tso lake is seen near the India China border in Indias Ladakh area, on Sept. 14, 2017. Indian Defense Minister, Rajnath Singh said on Feb. 1, 2021 that India and China will disengage from a ten-month-old military standoff at the Pangong Tso. (Manish Swarup/AP Photo) Post May 2020, PLA troops were thus occupying Indian land. The PLA pushed a heavy build-up of troops and weapons into the region, creating eye-to-eye confrontation between the two sides, which is why the disengagement has been so significant. In February last year, the two armies completed disengagement in the Pongong Tso region, while a few months later in August, forward deployments ended at PP-17A. After the recent military commander-level talks between the two sides, the two militaries said in a joint statement that disengagement has started at PP-15 as well. On 8 September 2022, according to the consensus reached in the 16th round of India China Corps Commander level meeting, the Indian and Chinese troops in the area of Gogra-Hot springs (PP-15) have begun to disengage in a coordinated and planned way, which is conducive to the peace and tranquility in the border areas, read the statement. However, Bhat said in a post on Twitter on Sept. 18 that the latest satellite imagery of PP-15 and the Gogra Heights-Hot Springs area shows no reduction of force, which means that while disengagement has happened, de-escalation is yet to occur and the border situation remains sensitive. CCP Chinas PLA in occupied Eastern Ladakh has NOT de-escalated. Satellite image of temporary post is 42km from both own PP15 & Gogra. Illegally constructed road 15km beyond LAC still exists, he wrote. CCP Are Pathological Liars Bhat told The Epoch Times that he doesnt believe the PLA is being true to the spirit of what its claiming to do in the border region. CCP Chinas government and PLA have always been pathological liars, he said. They probably have claimed troop pullback by 2km in one particular location indicated in my first satellite image. The vacation of one temporary battalion-sized post in the same valley does not have any significance strategically or even tactically. If they really wanted to do something worthwhile in this area, then PLA should have obliterated the 15km of illegally constructed road even beyond the Chinese perceived LAC, he said. Keeping troops in such close proximity to borders creates a tense environment that can flare up quickly, Bhat said. Since China is not a trustworthy neighbour, complete de-escalation needs to be achieved through talks at the earliest. It also has economic ramifications for both India and China, when both countries are aspiring to reach stable economic growth. As The Epoch Times previously reported, the decades-long border dispute has roots in the Chinese regimes first leader, Mao Zedong, and his conquest designs for the western regions of Xinjiang and Tibet. The Epoch Times has also obtained a booklet published in 1963 by the government of India entitled Chinese Aggression in Maps. Its a cartographic documentation of how, without provocation, the CCP entered the uninhabited Indian territories in northern Ladakh after it came to power and unilaterally continued to shift Chinese claim lines from 1956 onwards. The Indian administration in its booklet said the Chinese regime were claiming boundary lines in Ladakh due to their bargaining convenience and progressively increasing extent of occupation of Indian territory through force. Chinese PLA activities in this area have always been suspicious since late 1950s, Bhat said. They built roads and other infrastructure, surreptitiously requesting for research permissions in Eastern Ladakh in 1950/60s. The same salami slicing strategy with buns of lies are being propagated now by the Chinese side. India and the Indian Army needs to be extremely cautious of Chinese intentions in this area. The retired colonel said that India should request China return Eastern Ladakh, along with the Tibetan Kailash Mansarovar areas where India used to collect taxes until the late 1950s. Mansarovar is the origin of four major Asian rivers, including the Indus and is a pilgrimage spot for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and the Bons of Tibet. A row of De Havilland Dash-8 airplanes sit outside the Downsview plant in Toronto on Aug. 24, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov) De Havilland Canada to Build Airline Manufacturing Plant East of Calgary De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. announced plans Wednesday to build a new aircraft manufacturing plant east of Calgary that could eventually employ up to 1,500 people. The company said the facility, dubbed De Havilland Field, is to be located in Wheatland County between the communities of Chestermere and Strathmore. De Havilland said it has acquired about 600 hectares of land in the area. It said construction could begin as early as next year, with its first buildings operational by 2025though the projects full buildout could take years. This is a huge day for our company and for our customers past, present and future who rely on us to keep our airplanes flying, CEO Brian Chafe said at a news conference in Calgary. De Havilland Field will be a full aerospace campus, from aircraft manufacturing, assembly, delivery, research and development, educational facilities and distribution. The plant is to be the site of final assembly for the DHC-515 Firefighter aircraft, DHC Twin Otter and the Dash 8-400 aircraft. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney called it a banner day for Albertas economy, for diversification in this province, for manufacturing and most importantly for the aviation sector. He said aviation will be a major part of Albertas future. Today, that dream comes through in technicolor with De Havilland Field, a cutting edge, world-leading aerospace campus that over the years to come could employ up to 1,500 Albertans in high-paying jobs. Tanya Fir, the provinces minister of jobs, economy and innovation, added that it was a huge win for the province. We wanted to find ways to leverage Albertas strengths, like our available land close to logistical hubs and our young, skilled and motivated workforce, to find a path back to our position as Canadas economic engine, she said in a statement. De Havillands investment in Alberta, to help carry forward its aircraft into its second century of operations, proves that our plan is working. Amber Link, reeve of Wheatland County, said she couldnt be more excited to have De Havilland make its permanent home in the rural area. Today is pivotal, she said. The decision to build De Havilland Field in Wheatland is revolutionary in the diversification of our economy. The employment opportunities being created are significant and will capitalize on the long-standing strong work ethic that built Wheatland County. That same work ethic that built Wheatland County and Alberta will now build legendary planes. Company co-owner Sherry Brydson said the full project will take a long time to complete and will depend on the growth trajectory of the business. De Havilland Field, like RomeI have to warn youwont be built in a day, she said. We anticipate the full buildout will take somewhere between 10 and 15 years. Were planning to take it slowly and seriously and were going to make sure it works. Company co-owner Rob McDonald said De Havilland doesnt need government handouts and aims to be self-sufficient. We need people to buy our planes. We dont really need or want support from the government. By Colette Derworiz A small crowd remained on the east side of the U.S. Capitol the evening of Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. Department of Justice/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Democrats Jan. 6 Falsehood Sparks a Donnybrook with GOP in US House Judiciary Committee What was supposed to be a hearing about provocateur Ray Epps before the House Committee on the Judiciary on Sept. 21 quickly devolved into a shouting match between Democrat lawmakers pushing a Jan. 6 falsehood and Republicans who insisted that being labeled conspiracy theorists wont stop efforts to learn the truth. If the goal of the committee was to find the truth, the hearing fell short. It did succeed, however, at showcasing the expanding divide between political camps over Jan. 6, the 2020 election, former President Donald Trump, and the future of the country. All falling under the backdrop of crucial midterm elections. The hearing was rife with barbs and insults. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), at times shouting, asserted that Trump is a cult leader and a compulsive liar. He ripped the GOP committee members for pushing some utterly frivolous rabbit-hole conspiracy theory to try to pull a smokescreen over the eyes of the public. Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) repeatedly referred to Trump as Orange Jesus, a term he said he heard from a Republican colleague. This loyalty to Orange Jesus is going to ruin our democracy. And more innocent lives are going to be lost in the process if you guys keep this up, he said. It is not too late to join House Democrats in honoring our oath to the Constitution. Ray Epps encourages protesters to go into the Capitol the night before the siege of Jan. 6, 2021. (Villain Report/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) The committee was debating a resolution that would have directed the Biden administration and the Department of Justice to turn over all records it has on Epps, who incited protesters to enter the Capitol on Jan. 6 but was never arrested or charged. The resolution ultimately failed on a party-line vote. An alternative seeking information on all agents provocateur working for the government was also rejected. Epps, a former Oath Keepers leader who was seen all over the Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, was treated to a stout defense by Democrat lawmakers. Raskin urged his Republican colleagues, leave that guy alone, referring to Epps as a poor schmuck. NY Rep Sparks Firestorm What initially drove the hearing off the rails were comments from Jones, who insisted that a U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officer was murdered during the protests and subsequent rioting on Jan. 6. At the direction of Donald Trump, a violent mob stormed the Capitol in an attempt to change the results of a free and fair presidential election, Jones said. In the process, 138 capitol and DC police officers were injured, a Capitol police officer was bludgeoned to death and two more Capitol police officers died by suicide in the days that followed. The comment drew quizzical looks among some committee members. Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), asked Jones to whom he referred. I can get that information for you in a few minutes, Jones said. Are you denying that at least one Capitol Police officer was murdered in the midst of what happened on Jan. 6? Bishop and other lawmakers attempted to set the record straight. No police officers were killed on Jan. 6. Officer Brian Sicknick died on Jan. 7. An early, widely repeated story claimed that rioters smashed Sicknick in the head with a fire extinguisher. That was false. The District of Columbias chief medical examiner ruled the death from natural causes. Death was caused by a stroke and not a result of injury. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) explains why his resolution seeking information on Ray Epps is too important to be memory-holed. (House Judiciary Committee/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Four people died on Jan. 6. All were Trump supporters. Ashli Babbitt was shot and killed by U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd. Rosanne Boyland died after becoming trapped under a human pile and later being beaten by a police officer wielding a wooden walking stick. Kevin Greeson and Benjamin Phillips died of cardiac events, although both were in close proximity to the detonation of police incendiary munitions. Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) read a media story dated Jan. 7, 2021, that said Sicknick passed away due to injury sustained while on duty. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said the bad information was ultimately due to the House Jan. 6 Select Committees mission failure. The Jan. 6 Committee got its authority to like set the historical record, to deliver the truth to the American people. And they couldnt even deliver the truth to the gentleman from New York, Gaetz said. We have this entire committee process that was supposed to inform the country as to what happened, and on this basic question, it seems as though my colleague fell for an urban legend. A shouting match broke out between Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) and Bishop when she turned to him and other GOP members and said, You bring shame on this body for discussing Sicknicks cause of death. That led to Bishop asking that Deans remarks be stricken under parliamentary rules of decorum. Later in the hearing, Bishop dismissed the attitude of some on the committee that the details of Sicknicks death were not important. I dont think well make any progress in this country if we have our own sets of facts, he said. No one was bludgeoned to death at the Capitol that day. No one. Not For The Memory Hole Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) played a video compilation of Epps telling protesters to not just go to the Capitol but in the building. Massie said his resolution was an important effort to wrest details from the government on whether Epps worked for any federal agency. This is the only person that we have on video before the events on Jan. 6 saying, Go into the Capitol, go into the Capitol. He says, Ill probably go to jail for this. Ill probably be arrested. He knew what he was saying. Massie cited reporting from The Epoch Times on Epps two interviews with the FBI, in which Epps said he was expecting there could be a bomb set off on a side street on Jan. 6. Why dont we have that interview? Massie asked. Why have none of us heard that interview? Massie said if Ray Epps is just a conspiracy theory, that will come out when all of the records about him are released to Congress. This resolution is important. Youre not going to memory hole this, Massie said. There were cameras everywhere. You can create your own thesis for what happened. But if your thesis is in contradiction with things that hundreds of millions of Americans can observeand nobody disputesyou have to resolve that. And the only way we can do that is by getting to the truth. Deported Immigrants Say They Want to Return to Beautiful Marthas Vineyard Some of the roughly 50 illegal immigrants who flew to Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts last week only to be deported, said they would like to return to the beautiful elite island home of wealthy families in the summer. Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Fall River told the National Catholic Reporter newspaper that three out of the dozens said they wouldnt mind returning to Marthas Vineyard given how beautiful the island is, after being bussed away to a nearby emergency shelter in Barnstable County last Friday. But everybody else said, We dont have a preference of where we go. All we want to do is work, have a home, and live peacefully. That was the universal message with all of these migrants who came to us, said the head of the Catholic Charities, Susan Mazzarella, whose team is involved in work to help immigrants transition to life in America. The remarks came as left-wing civil rights attorneys noted claims of infuriating stories of newly-arrived immigrants being sent to Marthas Vineyard. The two planeloads of illegal aliens landed on the Massachusetts island from Texas on Sept. 14, charted by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as part of his $12 million state relocation program transporting illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations. Being the enclave of wealthy and political elites, including former President Barack Obama, the Massachusetts resort area previously served as an alternative medical care site during the COVID-19 pandemic and sheltered displaced Louisiana residents after Hurricane Katrina. The Venezuela asylum-seekers were on the move again two days after their arrival, however. In a Sept. 16 statement, the local government announced the state was sending the immigrants to temporary accommodations at Joint Base Cape Cod in the neighboring Barnstable County, where individuals and families will receive humanitarian support and dormitory-style shelter spaces. It claimed the island communities are not equipped to provide sustainable accommodation, according to the Friday press release. Although just five Marthas Vineyard homes could be enough to accommodate the 50 illegal alien arrivals, Breitbart News reported on Wednesday that no residents opened their homes to the arrivals. One local resident told the New York Post that Obama should open his $12 million estate as a processing center. Our administration has been working across state government to develop a plan to ensure these individuals will have access to the services they need going forward, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said. Illegal immigrants from Venezuela at the Marthas Vineyard Regional High School, Mass., on Sept. 14, 2022. (Ray Ewing/Vineyard Gazette/Handout via Reuters) Despite the White House and Democrats calling the transport of asylum seekers to Democrat-controlled sanctuary destinations a political stunt, Republican governors who made similar moves in border states including Florida said the actions were partially to protest inadequate federal efforts on the southern border security under President Joe Biden. Communications Director Taryn Fenske from DeSantis office said last Friday: 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. Unidentified immigrants filed a lawsuit on Sept. 20 against DeSantis, claiming they were subject to a fraudulent and illegal scheme. The governor said the recent move was clearly voluntary as all the illegal immigrants had to sign consent forms and were given maps and numbers for services in the area. Illegal aliens from countries including Venezuela are driving the recent increase in arrivals at the U.S. southern border. Out of the about 158,000 illegal immigrants who crossed at least once in August, over 55,000 came from Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaraguaa jump of 175 percent from August 2021. Former Honduran First Lady Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo leaves court after her conviction on corruption charges in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on Aug. 20, 2019. (Elmer Martinez/AP Photo) Ex-Honduras First Lady Sentenced to Prison for Embezzlement TEGUCIGALPA, HondurasA judge sentenced former Honduran First Lady Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo to 14 years in prison Wednesday on corruption charges, the second time Bonilla had been sentenced. Bonilla will be allowed to appeal the sentence within 20 days, court spokesman Carlos Silva said. The first time Bonilla was convicted and sentenced to 58 years in prison, but the conviction was tossed out due to inconsistencies in the process. She was re-tried in March and convicted of fraud and embezzlement. She embezzled more than $1 million in government funds between 2010 and 2014, when her husband Porfirio Lobo was president. Last year, the U.S. government barred former president Lobo from entering the country due to allegations of drug trafficking. In July, Bonilla and Lobos 23-year-old son Said Omar Lobo Bonilla was killed along with three others when they were ambushed by gunmen leaving a club in the capital. Bonillas private secretary Saul Escobar was also sentenced Wednesday to seven years and three months in prison for fraud. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with the Canadian media at Canada House, in London on Sept. 18, 2022. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press) Feds Will Commit up to $1.9 Million in Funding to Combat Online Terrorist Content The federal government announced that it would be committing up to $1.9 million in funding to combat online terrorist and violent extremist content, according to an announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sept. 20. We need to confront the rise of hate and violent extremism, said Trudeau in a tweet. At the Christchurch Call Summit, I announced that Canada will fund a new tool that helps small and medium-size online platforms better identify and counter content related to terrorism and violent extremism. Trudeau made the announcement from New York City, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly. With information so easy to access, the Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that social media and other online platforms are not used as tools to incite, publish, and promote terrorism, violence, and hatred, read a Sept. 20 public safety department news release. The funding is in response to New Zealands Christchurch Call to Action, which was a commitment made by a number of governments in 2019 to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online following the terrorist mosque attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand. The $1.9 million in funds will be committed over a three-year period to Tech Against Terrorism, an initiative launched by the United Nations Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate with a mandate to tackle terrorist use of the internet whilst respecting human rights. The federal funding will go toward the second phase of the initiatives Terrorist Content Analytics Platform (TCAP), which the government describes as a secure online tool that automates the detection, notification, and analysis of verified terrorist content. Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino called TCAP real tools that can make the Internet a safer place for Canada, Canadians, and the world and said that extremist views and content do not belong anywhere online where they can influence others and incite violence, according to his departments news release. The government says the development of TCAPs second phase will allow it to monitor a wider range of platforms across which it will be able to identify and assess more types of content. In turn, the government says TCAPs development will help develop a content moderation tool to assist smaller tech companies in quickly removing this terrorist content. Mendicino also said during an Aug. 29 press conference that the Liberal government is making progress on and will soon present its pending online harms legislation, which aims to regulate and censor any internet content deemed harmful or hateful. He did not specify when exactly the Liberals aim to propose the new legislation nor how similar it would be to Bill C-36, the Liberals online harms legislation that lapsed when the last Parliament ended. However, Mendicino said the bill will set some clear boundaries on what is not acceptable and added, I think that includes hate speech, that includes criminal threats. Florida Asks Supreme Court to Rule on Its Power to Regulate Social Media Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court that asks the court to decide if states have the power to regulate how social media companies moderate content on their platforms. Given the growing public interest in the issue of social media censorship, the Supreme Court may have difficulty refusing to hear the case. The case pits the right of individual Americans to freely express themselves online against the right of social media platforms to make editorial decisions about content. Republicans and conservatives have complained for years about being censored by the platforms. They were furious when platforms banned then-President Donald Trump in January 2021, blocked a New York Post article about Hunter Bidens laptop, and silenced dissenting opinions on the origins of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus and on treatments for the disease it causes. Democrats and liberals say the platforms dont do enough to suppress so-called hate speech and alleged misinformation. The petition in the case, known as Attorney General, State of Florida v. NetChoice LLC, was filed on Sept. 21. NetChoice is a coalition of trade associations representing social media companies and e-commerce businesses. The filing comes as a majority of U.S. states are looking at legislation that would regulate social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook in the public interest. Florida and Texas have enacted laws that impose limitations on the ability of social media companies to moderate speech on platforms and mandate that the companies provide disclosure to the public. The social media businesses say the Florida and Texas laws, which would limit their ability to ban the political speech they consider objectionable, violate the First Amendment. Supporters of the laws counter that, saying that because the Biden administration, including the FBI, has been pressuring the platforms to censor speech, the platforms should lose their First Amendment protection because they have become agents of the government. Appellate courts disagree on the constitutionality of the two state laws. On May 23, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit struck down much of the Florida law (SB 7072). When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed the measure, he said its purpose was to fight the biased silencing of the freedom of speech [of] conservatives by the big tech oligarchs in Silicon Valley. The 11th Circuit stated in its ruling that with minor exceptions, the government cant tell a private person or entity what to say or how to say it. We hold that it is substantially likely that social-media companieseven the biggest onesare private actors whose rights the First Amendment protects [and] that their so-called content-moderation decisions constitute protected exercises of editorial judgment, and that the provisions of the new Florida law that restrict large platforms ability to engage in content moderation unconstitutionally burden that prerogative, the ruling reads. The 11th Circuit left undisturbed a portion of the law requiring companies to provide more transparency about their moderation policies. On Sept. 16, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled that Texas HB 20 was constitutional, rejecting, in its words, the idea that corporations have a freewheeling First Amendment right to censor what people say. The Texas law does not chill speech; if anything, it chills censorship, the ruling states. Citing the decisions of both appellate courts, Moody, a Republican, wrote in her petition that the irreconcilable divide between courts warrants this Courts review. Social media has become the modern public square, Moody wrote, citing a report saying that in the United States 240 million people use social media and almost half of American adults use social media to get their news. Social media is also where Americans engage about politicsabout one-third of the posts on Twitter are political in nature, she wrote, quoting another report. SB 7072 is Floridas effort at preventing social-media platforms from abusing their power over the public square, Moody added. NetChoice also wants the Supreme Court to hear the case in order to clarify the applicable law. We agree with Florida that the U.S. Supreme Court should hear this case, and were confident that the First Amendment rights of websites will be upheld, NetChoice Vice President Carl Szabo said in a statement. We have the Constitution and over a century of precedent on our side. Florida authorities shut down a fentanyl operation and seized an amount of fentanyl enough to kill more than 4 million people, the Florida state attorney general's office announced on Sept. 21, 2022. (Clay County Sheriff's Office) Florida Officials Seize Enough Fentanyl to Kill 4 Million People Drug trafficking operation shut down Florida authorities shut down a fentanyl trafficking operation and confiscated more than eight kilograms (about 17.6 pounds) of the illicit synthetic opioidenough to kill more than 4 million peoplethe state attorney generals office said on Sept. 21. According to Attorney General Ashley Moodys office, the alleged traffickers used the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to order the fentanyl from California. The investigation of the trafficking operation, dubbed Operation Lucky 777s, began in July, after narcotics investigators received a tip about large amounts of narcotics being sold in Clay County. Moodys Office of Statewide Prosecution and Clay Countys Sheriffs Office cooperated in the operation, which culminated in the arrests of Alvin AJ Mercado and Jason Setzer on Sept. 10. The investigation, which also involved the USPS and Florida Highway Patrol, resulted in the confiscation of 8.35 kilograms of fentanyl, 1.36 kilograms (about 3 pounds) of cocaine, and 2.38 kilograms (just over 5 pounds) of methamphetamine. Thirty firearms, among them assault rifles, handguns, and so-called ghost guns, also were seized as well as $183,000 in cash. These dangerous, illegal drugs originated in the state of California. They were being shipped and delivered to various Northeast Florida locations, the Clay County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. Sheriffs Office Arrest 2 The Clay County Sheriffs Office arrested the two county residents, who are alleged to have ordered and distributed large quantities of the fentanyl to other dealers in Clay and Duval counties. The two men sent U.S. currency to a supplier and received shipments of blue and purple fentanyl bricks in return, Moodys office said in a statement. Items seized from a drug trafficking operation in Florida, including 30 firearms and $183,000 in cash. (Clay County Sheriffs Office) Mercado is alleged to have coordinated drug orders and shipments, and Setzer allegedly divided the orders at his home into smaller quantities for distribution. These drug traffickers compiled enough of this deadly synthetic opioid to kill everyone within 28 counties of their criminal operation, Moodys office said in its statement. Just two milligrams of fentanyl is considered to be a lethal dose. Setzer is charged with trafficking in fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as possession of more than 20 grams of cannabis, conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl in excess of 2,000 grams, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, he faces up to 140 years in prison with a 25-year mandatory minimum. Mercado is charged with trafficking in fentanyl, and conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl in excess of 2,000 grams. He faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted, with a 25-year mandatory minimum. The men are being held in Clay County Jail on bonds of $17 million and $10 million, respectively. Thankfully, working with the Clay County Sheriffs Office, we were able to take these deadly drugs off the streets before they could kill Floridians, Moody said in the statement. Former law professor and prosecutor David Clements talks about election integrity and voting anomalies found in the 2020 presidential election during a presentation given in Haverford, Pa., on Sept. 16, 2022. (William Huang/The Epoch Times) Former Professor Urges Citizens to Ensure Their Local Elections Have Integrity HAVERFORD, Pa.Former law professor from New Mexico State University and prosecutor David Clements is touring across the United States to speak about election integrity and voting anomalies found in the 2020 presidential election. Clements came to Haverford, Pa., on Sept. 16, and gave a 2-hour speech that presented evidence of irregularities that he collected from the 2020 presidential election. People dont trust elections. They dont trust the election system, he told The Epoch Times before his presentation. So what were trying to do is to highlight where the vulnerabilities are, and educate people on them on how to minimize those vulnerabilities. So people will have trust going forward. He has traveled to over 40 states in the last year. Its a very controversial topic because again, the mainstream media has a narrative that this was the safest and most secure election in history. And we just know thats not the case, Clements said. Former law professor and prosecutor David Clements gives a presentation about election integrity and voting anomalies found in the 2020 presidential election in Haverford, Pa., on Sept. 16, 2022. (William Huang/The Epoch Times) American people have a high degree of intuition and common sense. The latest Rasmussen poll has 59 percent of all voters believe that there was widespread cheating in the 2020 election. So theres a clear majority that aligns with what Im saying, Clements said referring to a Rasmussen poll released on Dec. 23, 2021. And then theres a very vocal minority, usually occupied by the mainstream media, that are the cynics and critics, he said. Everywhere I go, its to try to empower local citizens to look at their elections locally. Because we cant fix all of it at once, the election system didnt become this vulnerable overnight. So what were trying to do is to educate people on what the power is behind local officials that either certifies local elections or administer local elections. Truth is an Absolute Defense Clements presentation shows different deviations in the election, statistical anomalies, or behavioral anomalies, including legal deviations, where states did not follow their State Constitutions. Deviations from rules that are on the books with election codes, included election workers rescanning the same ballots in the dark of night when Republican observers were sent home. There were also deviations from the cast vote record, where there is a large number of record tabulations on the machines themselves that are statistically improbable according to the law of large numbers theorem. Former law professor and prosecutor David Clements said that he will keep going until there is an election system in place that everyday Americans trust. (William Huang/The Epoch Times) During his speech, Clements talked about the opposition and pressure that he has faced for what he is doing. It looks like Ive got people stalking me, that are coming after me everywhere I go now because theyre so afraid to actually report the truth that they have to destroy the messenger, he said. I get threatened with lawsuits quite often. The method of attack for me was to go after my law license. In the past one year and two months, Ive had five complaints, and five investigations opened to disbar me for asking these questions and presenting evidence. He believes truth is an absolute defense. Despite having faced such challenges, Clements said he will keep going until there is an election system in place that everyday Americans trust. French Have a Good System About 50 people came to Clements presentation. Some audience members shared their thoughts on the election irregularities presented at the event. Roy Timpe, an engineer, said he agreed with Clements. We should ultimately go to a paper system. How we get from here to there is probably going to be difficult, Timpe said. Roy Timpe, an engineer, attended David Clements presentation in Haverford, Pa., on Sept. 16, 2022. (William Huang/The Epoch Times) Clements mentioned during his speech that President Trump himself said the French have a good system. France doesnt use machines for elections. They do it manually and do it by paper. Erik Kocher, a system safety engineer, also agreed. Were trying to get our Delaware County Council to reject the machines. Then we no longer have to deal with it, and to get back to hand ballots. He suggested that people need to become poll watchers or poll workers, need to go to the county council and keep track of these things in order to get the feel for what our elections are really like. Erik Kocher, a system safety engineer, attended David Clements presentation in Haverford, Pa., on Sept. 16, 2022. (William Huang/The Epoch Times) David Clark, a member of Delaware County Conservatives, thinks its important to have transparency in U.S. elections. The kind of research that were talking about with Dr. David Clements, is very serious information. The more we know about transparency, the better, Clark said. We really have to have accuracy in our elections, and its not contaminated. And that is the big struggle were going through right nowhaving accurate, complete elections. David Clark, a member of Delaware County Conservatives, attended David Clements presentation, in Haverford, Pa., on Sept. 16, 2022. (William Huang/The Epoch Times) Clark emphasized that Americans really need to have legal, constitutional elections. Its very serious. We dont want to lose what our forefathers shed their blood for people who gave up their lives, he said. The events organizer Joy Schwartz says events like this are important in order to inform and educate people about how the current voting system works. As citizens, we feel its our responsibility to learn as much as possible, Schwartz said. And if we see issues, we need to have them fixed and we need to address our governments so that they will be responsive to the people and have fair elections. Event organizer Joy Schwartz gives a short speech during the presentations Q&A session on Sept. 16, 2022. (William Huang/The Epoch Times) Schwartz thinks Clements presentation was very convincing. He gave us a lot of very granular details about the machines, about how votes are reported, she said. [He] talked about different states and how they do things there. And so I think that well be able to take a lot of what he spoke about and apply it to our situation here. Authors Harassed In attendance at Fridays event in Haverford, Leah Hoopes and Gregory Stenstrom, co-authors of the book The Parallel Election, told The Epoch Times that they faced intimidation, defamation, and harassment for presenting evidence of voter fraud in Pennsylvania. Their book, The Parallel Electionwhich documents alleged large-scale election irregularities in the 2020 general election in Delaware County, Pawas published last month. Co-authors of the book The Parallel Election Leah Hoopes and Gregory Stenstrom, attend David Clements presentation in Haverford, Pa., on Sept. 16, 2022. (William Huang/The Epoch Times) Our businesses have been attacked; our character has been attacked; our families have been attacked. Weve had physical threats, Stenstrom said. People show up at our homes. Special agents from the federal government and special agents from the state government show up at our homes. Its been very uncomfortable, he said. And obviously, we were not intimidated because we published the book, despite all of the issues that weve come across, Hoopes said. So we wanted to give other people the courage to do what we did. And we wanted to get our evidence out, thats been suppressed in all the courts. A big reason they wrote the book was to educate people, So they understood the election process and how things worked. They werent accurately portrayed in many cases in the news. And this is a remedy to that, Stenstrom added. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Greek politician representing Syriza party Markos Bolaris has expressed his support to Armenia and the Armenian people, condemning the aggression of Azerbaijan, the Embassy of Armenia in Greece said. The Greek politician issued a statement on social media. Respect to Armenia! Armenians are a brotherly nation, a nation with whom we stand for centuries, both in favorable conditions and during storms. Its a nation whose roots we meet in the initial myths of the Greek mythology. Yes, I am talking about Armenians, whose pride I honor, whose broad horizons I respect, whose patience and determination I appreciate, I bow before their sufferings and the memory of the Genocide, whose struggle for freedom running for years I applause. Yes, I am talking about Armenians, a nation who were the first to build a Christian state, Markos Bolaris said. He said that he considers his duty to support the Armenian people at any difficult moment. I consider my duty to support this people at any difficult moment, not because they need my modest support, but because this support is louder and stronger when Armenia and Armenians are subjected to unfair, aggressive and militaristic provocations by neighbor Azerbaijan with the help and support of Turkey, just like yesterday. The message of Greece, the European Union and the United States to Azerbaijanis must be clear: do not try to take advantage of the international energy situation! Its temporary! Respect the international agreements and the recognized borders. Respect the neighboring nations, respect Armenia! he stated. The logo of Schneider Electric outside a company building in Nantes, France, on Sept. 20, 2022. (Stephane Mahe/Reuters) Frances Schneider to Buy Rest of Aveva in $11 Billion Deal PARIS/LONDONFrench industrial group Schneider Electric said it would proceed with a full takeover of British software company Aveva Plc, offering 31 pounds per share in a deal valuing the whole of Aveva at around 9.48 billion pounds ($10.8 billion). Schneider said its offer represented a premium of around 41 percent to Avevas closing share price of 21.92 pounds on Aug. 23, before Schneider first stated its intentions to consider a full buyout. Shares in Aveva rose 2.2 percent in early deals in London, while Schneider Electric was down 1 percent. Schneider already owns nearly 60 percent of Aveva. It took majority control in 2017 in a reverse takeover that enabled the British company to retain its London listing. The French group paid 3 billion pounds at that time. It said Avevas software would remain fully agnostic, meaning it will work with or without Schneider Electric hardware, and it would continue to be an autonomous business, with its workers not integrated into Schneiders teams. The French company said this approach would keep Avevas specific culture as a software company. Avevas products are used to design and manage oil rigs, ships and chemical plants, while the French multinational spans electrical components, energy management, and industrial automation systems. Analysts at Jefferies and Credit Suisse said the plan to keep the company agnostic and independent raised questions. Jefferies said while it could see the industrial logic in areas such as the acceleration of software as a service and cost efficiencies, we find the valuation expensive and need answers (as to) why its not pursuing greater hardware integration. Schneider added that any interim dividend of up to 13 pence would still be paid to Aveva shareholders without any reductions. ($1 = 0.8809 pounds) By Benoit Van Overstraeten and Paul Sandle Trees burning as a wildfire broke out in Mugla Province, Turkey, on July 13, 2022. (Adem Altan/AFP via Getty Images) Helicopter Crashes En Route to Turkish Wildfire; 2 Killed ISTANBUL A firefighting helicopter crashed Wednesday as it headed to the Turkish port of Marmaris to combat a wildfire, killing two Russian crew members, Turkeys minister of agriculture and forestry said. The minister, Vahit Kirsci, said two Turkish citizens and three others Russians on the helicopter were injured but were not in critical condition. The deceased were a flight engineer and a flight technician. An official at the General Directorate of Forestry told journalists the helicopter had flown in from the northern province of Kastamonu to join others at Marmaris, a resort town on the Aegean Sea. There was no immediate explanation of why the helicopter, a Russian Kamov KA-32, crashed into a field. The governor of Denizli said a crash investigation has been opened. One person suspected of causing the wildfire was detained, according to a statement by the Mugla province public prosecutors office. The wildfire erupted in forests around the Yalancibogaz area of Marmaris. Images showed heavy smoke behind lush hills that bordered the sea. Strong winds fueled the blaze. Twenty-three helicopters and fourteen planes have dumped water on the fire, while more than 700 forestry personnel, 83 water trucks, and police water cannons worked on the ground. Last summer, blazes fed by strong winds and scorching temperatures tore through forests in Turkeys Mediterranean and Aegean regions, including in Marmaris, killing at least eight people and countless animals. The Turkish government at the time came under criticism for its inadequate response and preparedness to fight large-scale wildfires, including a lack of modern firefighting planes. Ginni Thomas, center, speaks to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas during an event in Washington on Oct. 21, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) House Jan. 6 Committee Reaches Agreement to Interview Wife of Supreme Court Justice, Ginni Thomas Virginia Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, will appear before the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capital in the coming weeks. Her attorney, Mark Paoletta, confirmed in a statement that his client and committee members had come to an agreement regarding her appearance. I can confirm that Ginni Thomas has agreed to participate in a voluntary interview with the Committee, Paoletta said. As she has said from the outset, Mrs. Thomas is eager to answer the Committees questions to clear up any misconceptions about her work relating to the 2020 election. She looks forward to that opportunity. CNN was the first to report on the agreement. Thomass planned appearance was announced shortly after the committee confirmed that it would hold its next public hearing next week on Sept. 28. That hearing is likely to be the final hearing on the matter unless new developments are made, Chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) told reporters on Tuesday. Thomas has previously drawn scrutiny over her communication with former White House chief of Staff Mark Meadows and legal expert John Eastman. CNN reports that the panel obtained email communications between Thomas and Eastman, as well as text messages between her and Meadows that were sent prior to the Capitol breach. In one such message to Meadows, she wrote: Help This Great President stand firm, Mark!!! You are the leader, with him, who is standing for Americas constitutional governance at the precipice. The majority knows Biden and the Left is attempting the greatest Heist of our History. Supporters Point to Political Bias After her communications with Eastman and Meadows came to light, Thomas was widely criticized by Democrats who claimed that she had attempted to overturn the 2020 election. A number of Republican leaders have voiced their support for Ginni Thomas, including Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) who wrote on Twitter back in March: The lefts vicious and dishonest attacks on Justice Thomas and his wife Ginni prove how important they are to the conservative movement. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) also took to Twitter where he accused Democrats of attacking the wife of the Supreme Court Justice while referencing the scandal surrounding President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden. The Left will attack Ginni Thomas for exercising her political beliefs, but let Hunter Biden off the hook for his influence peddling, Jordan wrote. Ginni Thomas had previously said in June that she would be happy to answer questions from the Jan. 6 panel, telling The Daily Caller that she was looking forward to clearing up misconceptions. However, her lawyer said in a letter to the committee shortly after that he did not understand the need for his client to speak to the panel and asked them to provide further justification regarding her appearance before them. I do not understand the need to speak with Mrs. Thomas, Paoletta wrote in a letter to the committee. Before I can recommend that she meet with you, I am asking the Committee to provide a better justification for why Mrs. Thomass testimony is relevant to the Committees legislative purpose. The U.S. Capitol in Washington is shown in an undated file photo. (Shutterstock) House Passes Package of Policing Bills After Democrat Infighting The House of Representatives on Sept. 22 passed a Democrat-sponsored package of policing bills amid intraparty divisions on the issue due to some progressives objections. The billswhich observers have pegged as a last-minute attempt by Democrats to beef up their public safety credentials amid GOP accusations of being soft-on-crimefaced drawn out negotiations between moderates and progressives. Moderate Democrats hope that the package will help them fight off GOP criticism of violent crime rates rising across the United States. But some progressive Democrats have been hesitant to accept the package without stricter regulations on local police departments. Such regulations, in turn, ran the risk of souring GOP lawmakers on the proposals. The final bill package consists of four elements. One of the four bills, sponsored by moderate Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), furnishes federal grants to local police departments with fewer than 125 officers. Another, sponsored by Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), provides targeted grants to communities with unusually high rates of criminal violence. The third bill in the package, this one sponsored by Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), achieves a longtime Democrat goal of incentivizing the use of mental health officials to respond to situations instead of police officers, whenever feasible. The final bill of the bunch, put forward by Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.), provides funding for enhanced investigative technologies to solve unsolved cases with a focus on gun violence cases. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), who heads the Congressional Black Caucus and led negotiations between the disparate elements of the party, applauded the final package. The American people have been asking for mental healthwere giving them that. The American people have been asking for training and making sure that were looking at the victimswere giving them that. Theyve been asking us to break this cycle of violencewere giving them that, Beatty told reporters. They have been asking us in small communities, or rural communities, to make sure we do something to get good police officers. The package is the culmination of months of negotiations between Gottheimer and prominent progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who leads the 96-strong Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). In a joint statement, Jayapal and Omar also applauded the final package. With this package, House Democrats have the opportunity to model a holistic, inclusive approach to public safety, and keep our promise to families across the country to address this issue at the federal level, the duo wrote. The deal to secure passage was reportedly agreed to on the evening of Sept. 21, but doubts still lingered as to its prospects. As the House gathered on Sept. 22 for a procedural vote on the debate rules, the fate of the package remained uncertain, as progressives in the party continued to threaten to oppose it without further concessions. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) went ahead with the vote despite the uncertainty, and the tense procedural vote ended in a success for the majority party, setting the stage for the bills ultimate passage. All but one of the chambers 212 RepublicansRep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who was absentvoted against the adoption of the debate rules. In addition, four progressivesReps. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)also voted against the bill. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) voted present. Republicans, who have long been pro-police, tied their opposition to the fear that the package would federalize the police and lower local policing standards. They dont want to fund the policethey want to addict the police to the federal dollar, said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) in a speech on the House floor condemning the bill. Republicans also accused the majority party of political pandering and hypocrisy with the bill. In the past, particularly in the wake of the death of George Floyd in 2020, many Democrats adopted overtly anti-police rhetoric and flirted with the idea of defunding the police, which had been a fringe progressive position before. Republicans devoted much of their comments on the floor to pointing out the proximity of the November midterms and accusing Democrats of being disingenuous and hypocritical with the presentation of the bills now. Why now? House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) asked in a comment indicative of this perspective. Weve had over 20 markups in the Judiciary Committee, so why now? Still, each piece of the package of bills received differing levels of partisan support. One of the bills meant to furnish better access to mental health resources to local law enforcement was generally well-received by Republicans, and passed along substantially bipartisan lines. By contrast, another piece of the package that would seek to replace police officer response with mental health expert response in some situations passed along mostly partly lines, with only a small handful of Republican votes in favor of the measure. Republicans also broadly opposed a measure that would fund violence intervention programs. Another bill, the one that grants additional funding for solving unsolved cases, received substantially more GOP support, with about 30 Republican members voting in favor of the measure. With the passage of the bills through the House, they will now go to the Senate, where they may face steeper odds over GOP opposition. The votes on Sept. 22 demonstrated overwhelming GOP opposition to the package as a whole, and it remains unclear whether the bills will be able to garner the support of at least 10 Republican senators to overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold. If the Senate does pass the bills, it is likely that President Joe Biden will sign them. Housing Affordability, One Key Issue for Irvine City Council Candidate For some Irvine parents, the thought of their children returning home from college to start their adult life back in their hometown, seems an impossibility, due to the areas high cost of living. One Irvine father hopes to change that if he is elected to the Irvine City Council in the upcoming Nov. 8 election. Scott Hansen is an intellectual property attorney, member of the citys transportation commission, and president of his homeowners association. After seeing no other candidates advocating for solutions that concern him, he announced his candidacy at the beginning of the year. Irvine City Council Candidate Scott Hansen in Irvine, Calif., on Sept. 12, 2022. (Hau Nguyen/The Epoch Times) His daughter is a college student in Illinois who will most likely struggle to return to the city without parental help. She grew up in Irvine; she was born in Irvine but coming back for her and probably thousands of kids like her really isnt an option financially unless they live at home, Hansen said. We are putting hundreds of thousands per kid into schooling, into their activities, into everything and then we wind up exporting them to the rest of the country Id like to see them stay here more. With the state now requiring 24,000 new single-family homes or apartments to be zoned in Irvine by 2029, Hansen said its a great opportunity to produce more affordable housing. We have a big opportunity in Irvine now because the city is under state mandate to plan for tens of thousands more housing units, he said. Hansen would also like to bring more art into the city and would like to make the town more colorful. Irvine is the city of beige. You could paint your house any color you want, as long as its a shade of beige, he said. He said he would like to see the city create an arts district, which he said, could help attract businesses and residents and change the dynamic of the city. Really creative, edgy professionals like to be in more of a vibrant, art-centered city. Something much different than the city of beige, Hansen said. A public-private partnership with the city and investors for such is a proposal, Hansen said, he would be willing to recommend if elected. He said Coronado, a small town across the bay from San Diego is a good example of what he would like to bring to Irvine. They have a lot of public art. The businesses provide most of the money, the city helps with right of way, aid, and maintenance. So, Id like to see that come here, he said. Hansen also has experience serving the community through volunteering in school foundations. As a five-year board member of Team Kids Incorporated, which teaches children social entrepreneurship, through a service and leadership-directed program, he said he has helped coordinate and implement strategies for the organizations success. In one instance, he said, children in the program helped produce a carnival where the proceeds went to Ukrainian refugees living in Orange County. Hansen has also served as a board member on the Irvine Unified Finance Committee where he helped advocate for funding for kids in need. He now serves on the citys transportation commission which helps advise the city council on traffic, transit, and transportation-related issues. As a 20-year resident, Hansen has raised two children in Irvine with his wife Genee, who is a long-time Spanish teacher in the city. According to the citys most recent filings, he has raised about $2,400 in campaign contributions through the end of June, and has made a $7000 personal loan to his campaign. Does aluminum, a toxic metal that has become so common it can found in things we eat and use everyday, have an impact on sperm count? Does it contribute to low sperm production among other ailments? Falling sperm counts and rising infertility are phenomena that have been observed for decades in the developed world. Today, researchers estimate that up to twenty per cent of young men have a low sperm count defined as fewer than 20 million sperm per millilitre and it is the main problem for about one in five couples having trouble conceiving and a contributing factor to an additional one in four cases. Most research has pointed to environmental factors that disrupt hormones such as BPA in plastics and birth control in drinking water as possible causes underlying climbing male infertility. Smoking, pesticides and psychotropic drugs have all been implicated too. But a new study suggests that the ubiquitous household metal aluminum may be a leading culprit for dropping sperm counts. At the Eleventh bi-annual Keele Meeting on aluminium, a gathering of about 75 aluminum researchers from all over the world held in Lille, France this month, French researcher Jean-Philippe Klein presented his findings on the impact of aluminum on sperm, published recently in the journal Reproductive Toxicology. Klein and his colleagues at the University of Lyon and leading British aluminum researcher Christopher Exley at Keele University in England analyzed the aluminum content of semen samples from 62 men who were seeking help for fertility issues and found high concentrations of the metal especially in semen of men with low sperm counts. Whats more, fluorescently-stained aluminum was clearly visible microscopically; settled in the DNA-rich heads of the sperm, raising questions about its impact on the ability of sperm to fertilize an egg and the effect of that aluminum on newly developing embryos. Aluminum is the third most abundant element on the earth (behind silicon and oxygen) and is extremely bio-reactive, but bound up in the earths crust it is biologically inert and harmless. However, in the past 125 years the metal has been unleashed through industrial processing and increasingly used in everything from food packaging to architecture. As a result, human beings have been exponentially exposed in ways they have never been in history. Presentations over the four-day conference discussed the impact of this freed aluminum on living organisms from fungi to human beings, and without exception, they all described the metal as unequivocally detrimental. Aluminums toxicity is well documented. It is an experimentally demonstrated neurotoxin, able to penetrate the blood brain barrier. It has been implicated in the development of the amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimers patients and studies have linked it to autism and other poorly understood neurological diseases such as Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis. It has been linked to chronic immune system dysregulation and a wide array of autoimmune diseases from type 1 diabetes to multiple sclerosis. Researchers at the Keele Meeting were discussing its role in autism, Alzheimers and breast cancer. New research presented at the conference demonstrated that, experimentally, it can cross and damage the intestinal barrier and therefore may play a significant role in leaky gut syndrome underlying many allergies and autoimmune diseases. According to Kleins study, it is a known pro-oxidative, excitotoxic, immunogenic, pro-inflammatory and mutagenic agent. In previous studies it has been detected in various biological fluids including urine, cerebrospinal fluid, sweat and semen, and it was in this light that Klein and his colleagues set out to discover if the metal could be implicated in the mysterious modern decline of sperm. Using semen samples from 62 patients (average age 34 years) who were seeking consultation for fertility problems in France, the researchers evaluated their sperm based on generally accepted parameters: sperm count, motility, vitality and morphology. Thirty-three of the patients were classified as having normal sperm and 29 exhibited at least one pathological sign: 12 had low sperm counts (oligozoospermia), 14 had sluggish sperm with reduced motility (asthenozoospermia), 5 had dead or immobile sperm (necrozoospermia) and 15 had abnormal sperm (teratozoospermia). Seven patients had sperm counts too low to allow the researchers to assess vitality and morphology The researchers at Keele University then used high-tech spectroscopic imaging to analyze the aluminum content of semen samples. On average, they contained 339g of aluminum/L. There is a lot of aluminum in human sperm, Klein told the conference at least of those samples in the study, but analysis revealed it was statistically higher in those with low sperm count compared to those whose sperm was found to be normal. Interestingly, there was no correlation between smoking and semen quality, he reported, despite the high exposure to the metal in regular smokers. A Ubiquitous Toxin Toxic as it is, aluminum is now practically ubiquitous: its in the air we breathe, many of the foods we eat, a wide range of cosmetics and toiletries including antiperspirants and toothpastes. It is in medicines people consume on a daily basis and most disturbingly, it is a common ingredient in many vaccines injected into healthy individuals including newborn babies. Due to the industrial processing of aluminum, you may be exposed to it just by breathing depending on where you live you may inhale as little as 1.4 g/day or up to a thousand times as much in polluted areas or if you smoke. In food, aluminum is present in preservatives, colorants, caking agents, baking powders, self-rising flour and salt. It is a contaminant from packaging such as foils, cans, pouches and from cooking with aluminum foil and pots and pans. It is present in baby formula. Because of its dangers, the World Health Organization revised its recommended food intake of aluminum in 2008 from 7mg/kg/day to 1mg/kg/day but very few people are measuring their aluminum consumption, especially when it is rarely an itemized ingredient on food labels. Add to that the problem that some municipalities add aluminum to drinking water in the treatment process. Aluminum is a common ingredient in womens makeup and most people are still unaware of its presence in their antiperspirants; its absorption through skin into the bloodstream (particularly following shaving) has been demonstrated in research and a number of studies have linked this source of aluminum to breast cancer and its migration (metastasis) to other parts of the body. In 2011, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety recommended that antiperspirants contain no more than two percent aluminum chloride but Americas Food and Drug Administration has dismissed the aluminum evidence as inconclusive and therefore many US antiperspirants contain up to 10 times as much as the French limit. Perhaps the most significant source of exposure of humans to aluminum is medication. Antacids, anti-diarrheals and analgesics such as aspirin all contain the toxic metal and their consumption can raise [aluminum] ingestion to several grams on a daily basis, say the researchers. Aluminum is also a common ingredient in a wide range of vaccines from Hepatitis A and B, Hib, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), meningitis C, pneumococcal vaccine, Gardasil (HPV) and more. It is also used in injectable allergy treatments. These injections each contain up to a mg of aluminum each as adjuvants united to antigens and allergens to stimulate the immune system. Scientists are only beginning to understand this stimulatory or adjuvant action of aluminum in the bloodstream but it is complex and numerous recent experimental findings of injected aluminum demonstrate that it can migrate within or attached to components of the immune system to distant body organs including spleen, lymph nodes, muscles and brain and may persist in the body for years, triggering chronic inflammation. Earlier studies of aluminum in animal models have shown it to impact all parameters of sperm health from motility and vitality to count and morphology. Some findings suggest the type of aluminum and the mode of delivery may be significant: a 2011 study of rats ingesting aluminum daily for 10 weeks in doses up to 36.3mg/kg/day showed no toxic impact on sperm parameters, but another 2014 study showed that a single intra peritoneal injection of aluminum acetate in mice decreased sperm count and increased the number of abnormal sperm. The images of the aluminum-laden sperm in Klein and Exleys research shows that the metal is especially attracted to certain molecules. Scientists at the Keele Conference speculated that it may be aluminums affinity for phosphate groups that attracts it to phosphate-dense DNA. Just what the impact of this concentration of aluminum around genetic material and in the heads of sperm means in terms of sperm motility, fertilizing capacity and resulting embryo quality will be the subject of Kleins continuing research. How to Detoxify Aluminum Clearly, it would make sense to take steps to avoid aluminum exposure from as many sources as possible to minimize the toxic body burden, though eliminating exposure would be virtually impossible. Chris Exley, the host of the Keele Meeting on Aluminum, has focused his research on finding ways to assist the body to excrete the metal. His research published in 2013 found that Alzheimers patients who drank mineral waters such as Fiji or Volvic and Spritzer, which have high aqueous silica content, increased urine excretion of aluminum without compromising the levels of other essential metals including iron and copper. As well, three of the 15 subjects showed cognitive improvements in just three months after consuming the water. Whats more, according to new research from Exleys lab, subjects sweat aluminum after 30 minutes of exercise (a five-minute burst followed by 20 minutes of moderate exercise, followed by a five-minute burst). But drinking 1.5 L of silica-rich mineral water an hour before intense workouts, increase aluminum excretion in sweat up to 10-fold, according to the researchers. These findings confirm the hundreds of studies attesting to the benefits of exercise and add one more possible explanation for the overall benefit of exercise. Other research has shown the benefit of sweating saunas can detoxify metals as well, which may include aluminum. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid during their meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 20, 2022. (Turkish Presidency via AP) Israeli PM Meets Turkish President, First Time in 14 Years JERUSALEMIsraels prime minister has met with Turkeys president for the first time in 14 years, the latest sign of warming ties between the two regional powers after a long and bitter rift. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the largest annual gathering of world leaders now underway in New York. In his meeting with Erdogan, Lapid said he commended the recent restoration of full diplomatic ties between the countries and the appointment this week of a new Israeli ambassador to Turkey. The scene of Lapid, the Israeli caretaker prime minister until new elections in November, warmly greeting Erdogan could serve to bolster his diplomatic credentials as an alternative to Israels longtime former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has billed himself as a world-class statesman, but relations with Turkey deteriorated during his more than a decade in power. Erdogan has shown a willingness for warmer ties since Netanyahu left office last year. Over years of strained relations, Erodgan has been an outspoken critic of Israeli policy toward the Palestinians. Israel, in turn, has objected to Turkeys embrace of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. The once-close regional allies withdrew their respective ambassadors in 2010, after Israeli forces stormed a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying humanitarian aid for Palestinians that broke an Israeli blockade. The incident resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish activists. But following Israeli President Isaac Herzogs state visit to Turkey in March and other signs of a thaw, the two countries agreed to exchange ambassadors. The countries still share various strategic interests, including containing Iran. During their meeting in New York, Lapid thanked Erdogan for intelligence cooperation against Iranian attempts to carry out attacks in Turkey and brought up the issue of missing and captive Israelis, his office said. The leaders also discussed energy cooperation, the statement added. Erdogan has expressed an interest in Turkey tapping into Israels offshore natural gas fields in the Mediterranean. Judge in Trump Records Case Blocks Special Master From Viewing Materials With Classified Markings The U.S. judge in charge of the dispute over records seized from former President Donald Trumps Florida home on Sept. 22 blocked the special master she appointed from viewing documents with classified markings that were taken from Mar-a-Lago. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, removed about 100 documents marked as classified from her earlier orders definition of seized material. Cannon also struck two paragraphs from the earlier order. One such paragraph stated that the government would have to make available for inspection by Plaintiffs counsel, with controlled access conditions (including necessary clearance requirements) and under the supervision of the Special Master, the documents marked as classified and the papers attached to such document. The other stated that the Special Master and the parties shall prioritize, as a matter of timing, the documents marked as classified, and the Special Master shall submit interim reports and recommendations as appropriate. Upon receipt and resolution of any interim reports and recommendations, the Court will consider prompt adjustments to the Courts orders as necessary. Cannon is a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The changes were outlined in an order handed down the morning after a panel of judges on the appeals court overseeing the district court said Cannon likely erred in her order when she blocked the U.S. Department of Justice from using the records with classification markings for its investigation into Trump and when she ordered the government to let U.S. District Judge Raymond Dearie, the special master, and Trump lawyers access the materials, which Trump says he declassified but the government claims are still classified. Cannon sided with Trump on Sept. 15 and inserted Dearie into the process, finding that it was important to not accept the Governments conclusions on the records in question. She also said it wasnt appropriate at that time to accept the governments assertion that Trump has no plausible claim of privilege to any of the documents. However, the appeals court panel, responding to a motion for a partial stay from the government, said that we cannot discern why Plaintiff would have an individual interest in or need for any of the one-hundred documents with classification marking. Plaintiff has not even attempted to show that he has a need to know the information contained in the classified documents. Nor has he established that the current administration has waived that requirement for these documents. And even if he had, that, in and of itself, would not explain why Plaintiff has an individual interest in the classified documents, the court stated. Plaintiff suggests that he may have declassified these documents when he was President. But the record contains no evidence that any of these records were declassified. And before the special master, Plaintiff resisted providing any evidence that he had declassified any of these documents. Even if Trump had declassified the materials, that wouldnt explain a personal interest in them, the panel also noted. They ordered a halt to Cannons order with respect to the materials marked classified. Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti responds to a question during a news conference on Nov. 26, 2021 in Ottawa. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld) Justice Minister Defends Bill Removing Mandatory Minimum Sentences Under Senate Review Defending his governments bill to remove mandatory minimum sentences before a Senate committee, Attorney General and Justice Minister David Lametti said individuals in dire financial circumstances who are arrested for dealing small amounts of illegal drugs shouldnt be incarcerated. Testifying before the Senate legal committee on Sept. 21, Lametti said that minimum mandatory penalties were having a negative impact on black and indigenous communities. You couldnt have a conditional sentence order for an indigenous mother who was caught in very low level of trafficking in order to put bread on the table, Lametti said, as first reported by Blacklocks Reporter. Thats the kind of social problem that needs to be attacked at its root and were trying to do that here. The Senate committee is reviewing Bill C-5, which aims to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in order to repeal 20 mandatory minimum sentencesmostly for certain drug and gun offencesand allow judges to grant more conditional sentences. Some senators expressed concern that the legislation would allow serious offenders to get off without any jail time. Lametti said in response that serious crimes will always face serious sentencing. Youre presuming that the minimum will always be the sentence imposed, Lametti said, before adding that the bill aims to remove certain minimum sentences only to provide flexibility. Conservative MP and justice critic Rob Moore said in a post on Twitter on Aug. 30 that C-5 is a soft-on-crime bill that would allow repeat offenders to be put back in our communities instead of serving mandatory jail time. Conservative MP Michael Cooper said in the House of Commons in December last year that Bill C-5 would roll back sentences for some very serious drug offences. It would roll back mandatory sentencing for drug trafficking and it would roll back sentencing for the serious crime of importing and exporting drugs, he said. Bill C-5 would repeal a minimum one-year sentence for cocaine trafficking. Typical sentences for drug trafficking range from 14 months to six years. I agree that Canadians struggling with addiction should have access to treatment and not just to prison but this bill does nothing to address that, said Senator Denise Batters (Sask.) at the committee hearing. The mandatory minimums this bill actually seeks to eradicate only target serious criminals who prey on those with addictions. Isaac Teo contributed to this report. The JPMorgan Chase headquarters in New York on April 17, 2019. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images) Lawmakers Grill Big Banks China Ties Amid Concerns About Taiwan Invasion Leaders of the nations largest banks came under scrutiny Wednesday as lawmakers sought to assert a tougher posture towards Chinas communist government. The continued independence of Taiwan and the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) alleged genocide in Xinjiang were key issues discussed. During the hearing of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) asked bank executives how their organizations would respond to an invasion of Taiwan by the CCP. We will follow the governments guidance, which has been for decades to work with China, said Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan. If they change that position, we will immediately change it, as we did in Russia. CEOs from JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup agreed with Moynihans statement and said that their organizations would follow government direction should it change. The heightened scrutiny underscored the challenges facing the nations largest financial institutions in an era characterized by great power competition and increased activist pressure to address societal woes. It also underscored the longstanding business interests that the banks had in China and the fragility of their presence there. Both Citigroup and JPMorgan have operated in China for longer than the CCP has existed, with Citigroup establishing a presence there in 1902 and JPMorgan in 1921. The CCP, formed in 1921, did not secure power over the nation until 1949. Since then, relations between China and Taiwan have been fraught, as both sides claim to be the legitimate heirs to the the island. Recent antagonisms between the CCP, Taiwan, and the United States over the continued de facto independence of Taiwan have only increased this tension, and raised fears that the CCP could launch a military invasion of the island. Such would present an enormous problem to the Wall Street giants which, in recent years, have sought to expand their businesses in China even as CCP leadership has sought to assert an unprecedented control over the economy. To that end, Luetkemeyer asked Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser what Citigroup would do if a war over Taiwan broke out. Its a hypothetical question, Fraser said. Its highly likely that we will have a reduced presence. Asked later by Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) if she would condemn the myriad ongoing human rights abuses in China, Fraser hesitated, perhaps indicating the trepidation of so many corporations to anger the CCP. Condemn is a strong word, she said. We certainly are very distressed to see it. Reuters contributed to this report YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met on September 21 with President and CEO of the International Crisis Group Comfort Ero in New York, the Foreign Ministry said. A number of issues relating to regional and international security were discussed during the meeting. FM Mirzoyan presented the position of the Armenian side on the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The FM drew the attention of the President of the International Crisis Group to the latest aggression unleashed by the Azerbaijani armed forces against Armenias sovereign territory. He said that Azerbaijan is attempting to achieve its expansionist demands and aspirations with the use of force and the threat of using force, which, he stated, torpedoes the stability and security of the region. The importance of an impartial and addressed response by the international organizations was emphasized. Living with Eczema: Treatment Options and Mental Health Impacts The common skin condition, eczema is not as easy to handle as one may think, as it can severely impact the daily life and mental health of those suffering; however, there are treatments that can help people manage the condition. A study published in the National Library of Medicine has found that eczema affects 31.6 million people in the United States, with 10.7 percent of the population reporting the suffer from verified eczema. According to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), the condition affects 20 percent of children below the age of two and can cause itchiness, redness, and, in some cases, infections. Eczema is a condition where the skin does not retain moisture, causing it to dry out easily. The dry skin is more accessible to allergens and irritants, which can trigger the skin to release chemicals that make the skin feel itchy. However, scratching the skin only causes more chemicals to be released, which makes the skin become even itchier. Moisture Is the Key to Treating Eczema So what can sufferers do? In an email to The Epoch Times, Dr. Li-Chuen Wong from the Australasian College of Dermatologists and the Sydney Skin Clinic said that to treat eczema, its important to moisturise all over regularly. Wong said that people suffering from eczema should moisturise at least two times a day, using a fragrance-free emollient medical moisturiserwhich is free of anti-ageing additives and specific to the treatment of eczema. Then, to the eczematous patches, topical steroid creams/ointments should be used intensively till there is complete resolution. The strength of the topical steroid used depends on where the eczema is. If the condition is more severe, there are now new wonderful medications called biologics that target specific defects in the molecular pathway that causes eczema. These medications have minimal side effects and are game changers in how we now treat patients severely affected. However, treatments for the young who often suffer the most is limited. This is despite recent research developing a safe test suitable for newborns that can offer an eczema diagnosis that predicts the onset and severity of the skin condition during the first two years of the patients life. In an email to The Epoch Times, the President of the Eczema Association of Australasia, Cheryl Talent, said that treatment options for the management of eczema in babies are quite restricted. Topical steroids, moisturisers, bleach baths and wet wrapping are the mainstays of treatmentfor older children and adults, we have other systemic treatments which can be accessed for successful management. Many parents visit a specialist to have allergy testing, which can be helpful in managing their skin problem but unfortunately does not always clear it completely. Also, accessing a specialist such as a dermatologist or an immunologist can be problematicthere are just not enough available. Talent said that one of the things that the association talks to parents about daily are the application of topical steroids. She said that when topical steroids are used correctly, they have a high rate of helping to manage eczema. However, correct information about how to use them is seldom offered. Parents of babies are often too scared to use a topical steroid, and this can really impact on the quality of life for the baby plus add to the stress felt by the parents who are caring for them. The Side Effects Of Eczema Eczema sufferers are more likely to catch other peoples infections, so care must be taken when they are around someone who is unwell, Talent said. For children and adults with eczema, even when they are on systemic treatments for management, there is a lot of time taken visiting their specialist, receiving the treatment and all with not much support. Some treatments are subsidised, but all the over-the-counter specialised products and others such as bandages for wet wrapping are very expensive but necessary. Talent said that eczema also affects the patients parents, who may experience emotional and mental anguish because of the very tangible helplessness they can feel when trying to manage their childs eczema. She said that there is a need for health professionals that give better information to parents and treat the condition more seriously, rather than saying, just a rashput some cream on. Unfortunately, parents caring for babies/children always have that guilt feeling that it is something they have caused. People try to help with advice which actually can put even more pressure on the sufferers/carers. When you are a parent with a new baby, you want to celebrate and show them off to the worldwith the exception of those babies covered in eczema. Their parents often are too embarrassed to take them out because of the unwanted advice they can receive. Talent said that she will often say to parents: If your baby has not been hospitalized due to infection, you are doing a great job managing their eczemalets just see if we can tweak a few things to get better results. She said that no one ever tells them this, and when they hear it, she can feel their stress levels disappear instantly. Suffering From Severe Eczema Talent said that severe eczema could make life very challenging. Having eczema can, in itself, be stressful, and that can set up a vicious spiral, she said. Eczema makes you uncomfortable, you feel stressed, you scratch, your eczema gets worse, and you feel even more stressed! Looking after someone with eczema is no picnic, either. Often the mental anguish of suffering from eczema can lead to feelings of unworthiness and sometimes even suicide. Talent said that looking and feeling different from everyone else and being unable to comfortably socially interact, even with family, can lead to depression. She said that the association often advises those who are struggling with their mental health to seek professional help to deal with the mental anguish that comes with this condition. Prime Minister Liz Truss meets with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid at the UN building in New York on Sep. 21, 2022. (PA) UK Weighs Relocating Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Truss Says British Prime Minister Liz Truss has told Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid that she is considering moving the British embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. Truss met with Lapid on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 21, telling him she was reviewing the possibility of following the United States lead on relocating its embassy. Since the creation of Israel in 1948, Britain has had its embassy in Tel Aviv, even as Jerusalem has been designated as the official capital. Shortly after he arrived in the White House in 2017, President Donald Trump promised to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. He followed through with that pledge, despite widespread criticism, opening the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem in May 2018. Eternal and Indivisible Capital While Palestinians seek to claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a state they want to establish in the West Bank, Israel regards the entire city, including the eastern sector it annexed in the 1967 Six-Day War, as its eternal and indivisible capital. A Downing Street spokeswoman told PA that Truss told Lapid about her review of the current location of the British Embassy in Israel. Palestinian protestors walk around during clashes with Israeli security forces at Temple Mount, in Jerusalems Old City, on April 22, 2022. (Ammar Awad/Reuters) During the recent Tory leadership contest, Truss, who was then Foreign Secretary under Boris Johnson, wrote a letter to the Conservative Friends of Israel, in which she promised to move the British embassy to Jerusalem. I understand the importance and sensitivity of the location of the British embassy in Israel, she said in the letter. Ive had many conversations with my good friend Lapid on this topic. Acknowledging that, I will review a move to ensure we are operating on the strongest footing within Israel. When Trump announced his plan to move the U.S. embassy, Palestinian general delegate to the UK Manuel Hassassian told the BBC it would be like declaring war on the Middle East but there was muted opposition from Arab states. In September 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain normalised relations with Israel. In October 2020, Sudan normalised relations with Israel, and following that in December 2020, Morocco normalised relations with Israel. PA Media contributed to this report. By Chris Riemenschneider From Star Tribune MINNEAPOLISTraveling in 2022 presents a dilemma. Most of us are pining for far-flung adventures after close-knit quarantining. But that pent-up demand has been met with jacked-up prices for just about everything, especially gas. Airlines, airports, hotels, and car rental companies are often understaffed, undersupplied, and overbooked. Everything is just so weird right now, Linda Snyder, vice president of AAA Minneapolis travel agency, succinctly put it. But its not impossible. A little extra searching, planning, andespecially important right nowpivoting in your travel plans can go a long way. Here are tips from Snyder and other travel experts on creating an affordable vacation. Stay in Close to Home Obviously, we think thats a smart option all the time, but especially now, said Amy Barrett, communications manager of Explore Minnesota. As airfare and gas prices spike, Barretts team emphasizes itineraries for road trips on a single tank of gas. Minnesota and other states in the Midwest have beautiful campgrounds, hiking trails, and paved bike trails. Start With Your Airfare Before you book anything else or ask for certain days off from work, always look at airfare first, because right now you really dont know what youre going to get, advises Kyle Potter of the Minneapolis-based website and newsletter ThriftyTraveler.com. He strongly recommends the Google Flights search engine for finding good travel dates, where flights one day or week might be $200 to $300 cheaper than another. That could put some people over budget even before they get there, especially families. Avoid Peak Travel Times Summer is over, but weekends and certain busy weeks can be costly through fall and winter. Late October and early November is a great window, she adds, singling out Mexican and Caribbean destinations. Flying midweek is also a good way to saveand thats true when not flying, too. Speaking of Minnesotas in-demand North Shore resorts, Barrett said, If you can go Sunday through Thursday, you can still find good deals. Consider Vacation Rentals Now More Than Ever Besides the fact that youre often paying more for less at many hotel chains, theres another big reason to look for privately owned homes or apartments with favorable reviews on Airbnb, VRBO, and other rental sites: Dining has gotten pricier, too. If youre not a foodie and dont care about going out to eat a lot, think of how much money you can save by getting a place with a kitchen where you can cook for yourself, Snyder said. Vacation rentals often make sense for bigger families or groups over multiple hotel roomsas long as everyone can get along. Europe Is a (Relatively) Good Deal With the euro dropping to nearly equal value with the U.S. dollar (around a 12 percent decline), your money can go a lot further across the Atlantic. A nice dinner in Paris right now might cost you $70 instead of $100, which adds up over a week, Potter said. Some U.S. travelers are still worried about COVID-19 restrictions, but things are wide open, at least at the time of publication. Go Off the Beaten Paths Instead of Italy or Ireland, maybe look at Portugal or Switzerland for better airfare, Snyder said. Potter points out South Africa and Iceland as good travel deals in recent months. For destinations on this continent, he suggests looking anywhere budget airlines such as Sun Country, Spirit, Frontier, and now Allegiant fly. Even if youd never fly one of those airlines, they bring down the prices of the other airlines, Potter said. Use Those Miles and Points Hey, at least your higher credit-card bills can add up to more air miles. Minneapolis-based frequent travelers John Eichten and Colleen ODell saved enough miles on their Chase Sapphire Visa in a years time to cover the cost of one ticket to London this past summer. Essentially we saved $1,450, raves John, who also cashed in Marriott Bonvoy points for a four-star hotel in the typically pricey area around the Tower of London. Public Transportation Is Not Just for Locals and Rick Steves Car rental prices, too, have gone through the sunroof. Using trains and buses can save you $100 to $200 per day, especially in Europe and big American cities. Eichten said of their trip around England: Petrol is very expensive there, but trains, buses, and the Tube prices havent changed. For those who insist on their own wheels, Potter points to the universal search engine Auto Slash to find deals from rental companies, and to carsharing sites/apps such as Turo (think: Airbnb for vehicles). Get Your Sea Legs Far and away the best travel deals right now are on cruises. The cruise lines were hit hard by COVID-19 and are desperately trying to bring customers back with steep deals while also staying strict on COVID-19 tests and vaccine requirements. Obviously, this has to be based around your comfort level, Snyder said, but if you ever thought of taking a cruise, now is the time. Plan Ahead for Next Year Yes, already. While gas and other travel costs have gone down slightly since midsummer, travel experts agree things wont level off anytime soon. Booking ahead can help you avoid whatever the inflated costs might be next summer. Look for things that are fully refundable, or close to it, Potter advises. This is a good tip for Minnesota destinations, too: A lot of resorts are filling up already for next summer, Barrett said. Copyright 2022 StarTribune. Visit at StarTribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Louisiana Repeals Shot Mandate for Schools Commentary BATON ROUGE, LAThis year, parents and guardians stood together in opposition to the COVID-19 shot being required for their children to attend school. As a result of their coming together, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) decided to rescind the mandate for Louisiana students. As of Tuesday, Sept. 20, it has officially been repealed. In light of this victory for parents and their children, Attorney General Jeff Landry has filed a motion to dismiss the Crews v. Edwards case, wherein he sought to have the vaccine mandate enjoined and issued the following statement: Today is the culmination of hard work by so many concerned parents throughout Louisiana. This is the direct result of moms, dads, grandparents, and guardians fighting for what is right. I thank Representative Raymond Crews, Health Freedom Louisiana, the Bayou Mama Bears, Town Hall Baton Rouge, Childrens Health Defense, and all those from across Louisiana that stood with us for parental choice. Child medical decisions should be made by their guardians, not the government. I hope this health freedom victory reminds everyone what can happen when we all work together. When citizens are engaged and get involved, their government will listen.Attorney General, Jeff Landry, Sept. 21, 2022 Some history on this historic event: December 2021I went down to Baton Rouge Louisiana with the Childrens Health Defense team on short notice to help Health Freedom Louisiana, the physician and nurses advocacy group Louisiana for Medical Freedom, Representative Kathy Edmonston, and Attorney General Jeff Landry by supporting testimony opposing the Louisiana Department of Health move to mandate the unlicensed and still experimental Pfizer vaccine be taken by Louisiana school children. I wrote about that trip here. Then last April, Health Freedom Louisiana wrote about their continuing fight to stop the mandates, with a plea for everyone to reach out to state legislators. I went back down to Baton Rouge in early May 2022 to testify in front of a Senate Committee hearing about vaccine mandates for children, in support of HCR 3, which would stop the governors mandated COVID vaccinationthe only one left in the country. At that time, the bill did pass. But the Governor of that state continued pushing the mandates through the Louisiana Department of Health until finally they didnt. I think we can all take this as a win. A BIG WIN! It took a huge effort on the part of AG Jeff Landry, who never gave up. Louisiana for Medical Freedom and Representative Kathy Edmonston who has continued in this fight to stop the mandates and frankly, so many of us. Childrens Health Defense and Robert F Kennedy, Jr. who has also been there working behind the scenes to make this happen. Thank you everyone. One step, one state, one nationmedical freedom. Medical Freedom is just part of being free. Freedom for all was what this great nation was founded on. Never forget. 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. Police put the man (C) who played songs on a harmonica into police van, outside the British Consulate in Hong Kong, on Sept. 19, 2022, in this image made from video. (Patreon @Boomhead via AP) Man Arrested in Hong Kong After Paying Tribute to Queen HONG KONGA man who paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II near the British Consulate in Hong Kong was arrested for alleged sedition. Police said the 43-year-old man was detained late Monday near the consulate, where dozens of people had gathered to remember the late monarch. Elizabeth was sovereign in the city when it was a British colony before its handover to Chinese rule in 1997. Local media reports said the detained man had stood outside the consulate playing songs on a harmonica including Glory to Hong Kong, the anthem of pro-democracy protests that rocked the city in 2019. Video shared on social media showed the crowd singing along as the man played. People wait in line to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II outside the British Consulate in Hong Kong, on Sept. 16, 2022. (Anthony Kwan/AP Photo) Police said Tuesday the man was arrested for investigation on suspicion of committing an act with seditious intent. They did not provide further details. Thousands of Hong Kong residents have lined up in recent days in front of the British Consulate and left floral tributes to the queen, known affectionately as boss lady by many in the city who still remember colonial rule. Until the arrest, Hong Kong authorities had allowed the orderly, somber outpouring of grief to continue. Man Who Admitted to Striking Conservative Teenager With Car After Political Dispute Released on Bond A man who has admitted to running his vehicle into a teenager who he claimed was an extremist Republican was released on bond in North Dakota this week even though the teen passed away. Shannon Brandt, the man, posted $50,000 bond on Sept. 20, according to Foster County jail records and a bond receipt. Brandt was charged with criminal vehicular homicide and driving while under the influence-involving death/injury after striking Cayler Ellingson, the teenager, in McHenry on Sept. 18, according to court records obtained by The Epoch Times. Brandt admitted that he hit the pedestrian and that the pedestrian was part of a Republican extremist group, according to a probable cause declaration penned by a North Dakota state trooper. North Dakota Highway Patrol Captain Bryan Niewind said in an interview with Fox News Digital on Sept. 22 theres no evidence supporting Brandts claim. There is no evidence to support the claim Brandt made about Ellingson, he said. This remains an active investigation and as evidence is gathered and reviewed, we will consult with the Foster County States Attorney to determine if Brandts current charges will remain as currently charged or if additional charges will be brought against him. Brandt called 9-1-1 after initially leaving the scene of the crime. At Brandts home, the man admitted to a trooper that he had drunk alcohol prior to the incident. Results from a chemical breath test returned above the legal limit. Brandt admitted to striking the pedestrian with his car because he had a political argument with the pedestrian and believed the pedestrian was calling people to come get him, according to the declaration. Christopher Allen, a state trooper, told the North Dakota District Court that a 2003 Ford Explorer at Brandts residence has damage at the front end. Ellingson was pronounced dead at the Carrington Hospital. Cayler Ellingson in a file image. (Cayler Ellingson/GoFundMe) Bail Brandt was charged with a Class A felony and a Class B felony. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted. North Dakota Judge James Hovey decided to grant $50,000 bail to Brandt. The defendant was not pleased, claiming he was not a flight risk. I have a job, a life and a house and things I dont want to see go by the waysidefamily that are very important to me, Brandt told the judge, WDAZ-TV reported. Foster County States Attorney Kara Brinster declined to comment beyond a Wednesday press release in which she said that the case is still being investigated and that Hovey set the bail. Hovey also ordered Brandt to wear an ankle monitor, not to leave the state, and not to make contact with Ellingsons family. The next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 11. North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley has indicated he is not involved in the case. Fundraiser Nicole Geiszler, who says she is a family friend of the Ellingsons, launched a fundraiser for them following the death of their son. Geiszler called Ellingson a young man with his whole adult life ahead of himself. So much stripped away from himself and from his family. hey now have to endure a path no parent wants, no parent should have to endure, she wrote on GoFundMe. His innocent life he had yet to look forward to and live for. His parents will never see their young son graduate college, get married or have grandchildren. Its all come down to thee (sic) worst nightmare or call any of us parents want or should ever have to go through. According to the declaration, Ellingsons mother met with state troopers and said she was going to pick up her son from McHenry when he called her and said that he or they were chasing him. After that, she could not reach her son. An undated image of New Scotland Yard, the home of the Metropolitan Police, in central London. (James Manning/PA) Metropolitan Polices Response to Public Inadequate, Says Inspectorate The Metropolitan Polices response to the public in general is inadequate, according to a report published on Thursday by His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). The so-called PEEL report found the Met was answering 63.9 percent of 999 calls within 10 secondswell below the national target of 90 percentand found callers gave up trying to get through to the non-emergency 101 number in 36.6 percent of cases, compared to a target of less than 10 percent. The damning report comes less than three months after the HMICFRS effectively put the Met into special measures over a series of failures, including gaps in training, response to 999 calls, and a backlog of online child abuse investigations. Retired Met officer Chris Hobbs told The Epoch Times at the time that was a colossal slap in the face for rank-and-file officers. The HMICFRSs latest report said the Met required improvement in several crucial areas: investigating crime, protecting vulnerable people, managing offenders, developing a positive workplace, and making good use of resources. The Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Matt Parr, said the PEEL report raises serious concerns about how the force responds to the public and the level of understanding the force has about its demand and its workforce. The Met Must Get Better He said: The Met must get better at how it responds to the publiccurrently, its call handling teams are unable to answer calls quickly enough. In addition, it isnt correctly documenting the decisions of victims to withdraw from an investigation or to accept an out-of-court disposal. Recording victims wishes is vital to support the criminal justice process and to understand what is stopping victims from being able to complete the investigation process. The Met must improve in this area, added Parr. Parr, a former Royal Navy officer and submarine commander, said: Investigations are not always reviewed or overseen properly. Theres an unfair allocation of work, which puts undue pressure on some staff. The force needs to properly understand demand to ensure it is allocating its staff and resources effectively. He did praise the polices massive security operation following the Queens death and he said the Met is good at preventing crime and anti-social behaviour. The latest criticism from the HMICFRS comes only days after the new Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, started work. When he was appointed the then-Home Secretary Priti Patel ordered him to erase the appalling mistakes of the past. Rowley took over after Dame Cressida Dick quit in February after losing the confidence of the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. A public attitude survey from the London Mayors Office for Policing and Crime showed trust in the force had fallen from 83 percent in March 2020 to 73 percent two years later. In response to the report, the Metropolitan Police said: As well as identifying areas for improvement, the Inspectorate also details the Mets successes and areas of innovative practice, noting the intense levels of scrutiny under which we operate. We will fix our problems and build on these positives as part of our wider journey to improve. The Deputy Commissioner, Dame Lynne Owens, said: Our new Commissioner, Sir Mark, has returned to policing with a clear plan for change at the Met. We are both determined to renew policing by consent, working with communities to deliver the kind of police service Londoners need and deserve. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell waits outside the West Wing of the White House before entering in Washington, on Jan. 15, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Mike Lindells FBI Phone Seizure Warrant Reveals Why DOJ Investigating MyPillow CEO MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell is being investigated by the Justice Department (DOJ) over alleged identity theft and damage to a protected computer relating to an alleged breach of voting machines in Colorado, court documents show. Lindell filed a lawsuit earlier this week against the DOJ and the FBI after agents seized his mobile phone while he was at a Hardees drive-through in Mankato, Minnesota, earlier this month. His lawyers have argued that the phone seizure violated his First, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights. According to the lawsuit, the search and seizure warrant was issued by Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung on Sept. 7, 2022. The warrant states that Lindell is being probed by the DOJ over alleged identity theft, intentional damage to a protected computer, and conspiracy to commit identity theft or intentionally damage a protected computer. It states that all records and information on Lindells phone that constitute fruits, evidence, or instrumentalities of violations of the alleged acts should be searched. Mesa County, Colo., clerk Tina Peters, talks at a rally in Denver, Colo., on April 5, 2022. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo) Erode Political Support It further states that Lindell is among several other individuals, including Mesa County, Colorado, election clerk Tina Peters, who are part of an investigation into the alleged security breach of voting equipment in Mesa County. Peters was indicted by a grand jury in March, accused of being part of a deceptive scheme to breach voting system technology that is used across the country. Specifically, they accused her of aiding an outsider to copy sensitive data from the countys elections systems in May 2021. Peters has maintained her innocence and that the charges against her were designed to erode political support from her as she was running for secretary of state. Progressives in Colorado, in both political parties, continued tactics of personal destruction against Peters, in an attempt to get her to suspend her campaign and let moderate Republican candidate, Pam Anderson, win the primary, a statement issued through her campaign read. All the while, the public evidence proves Tina Peters was correct to follow Colorados election code and preserve access logs and other vital records required to conduct a valid election audit for the Mesa County election, the statement added. Leungs warrant does not provide specific details as to whether or not the FBI believes Lindell himself violated federal law or if he is a direct target in the probe and no charges have so far been levied against him. We cant have the FBI weaponized against our people in the United States, Lindell told The Epoch Times on Monday, adding that he will continue advocating for replacing voting machines with paper ballots. This has to happen. Im not going to ever let up. A voting sign sits outside the Union Station polling center in Denver, Colo., on June 30, 2020. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) Targeted by FBI Meanwhile, Lindell has said that FBI agents targeted him because he has been vocal about allegations of election fraud and voting irregularities during the November 2020 general election. His lawsuit against the DOJ and FBI claims that agents questioned him about a number of subjects relating to Dominion Voting Systems, Tina Peters, Colorado incidents, Doug Frank, information posted on Plaintiffs media platform, FrankSpeech.com, Dominions Trusted Build software update that destroyed election records, his travel on his airplane throughout the Country and to Colorado, and other matters. His lawyers also allege that FBI agents initially refused his request for an attorney. At no point did they read Mr. Lindell his Miranda rights or advise him that he had a right to have a lawyer present while being questioned, the lawsuit states. Furthermore, Lindell claims that he was not allowed to back up the contents of his phone, which is connected to his hearing aids, on a cloud service before FBI agents seized it from him. Mr. Lindell has no ready access without his cell phone to passwords that are necessary for his access to essential computer programs, and financial transactions through the company banks, the lawsuit states. The cell phone is also programmed to operate Mr. Lindells hearing aids. A member of the U.S. Air Force receives the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, on Dec. 29, 2020. (U.S. Air Force/Jordan Garner) Militarys Recruitment Shortfall a Direct Result of Vaccine Mandate: GOP Lawmakers Forty-seven Republican lawmakers recently expressed grave concerns about military readiness as a result of the Pentagons mandate in a letter (pdf) dated Sept. 15. The Epoch Times spoke to four of the lawmakers who signed the letter, which called on Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the Department of Defense to withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for service members. As a result of [the vaccine] mandate, eight percent of the Armys approximately 1 million soldiers face expulsion the letter stated. The Army has only met 52 percent of its fiscal year 2022 recruiting goal, the letter added. While we are primarily addressing the Armys recruitment problem, Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) said, this issue is a problem across the board for all our uniformed services. With no lack of respect for the other branches of service, he said, the Army is the cornerstone of our military presence in the world. Higgins and other GOP lawmakers agreed that the Armys failure to reach its recruiting goal is directly related to the militarys vaccine mandate that was put into effect by Austin in August 2021. This is clearly the case because 40 percent of men aged 18 to 24 have not taken the vaccine, Higgins explained. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) emphasized that the mandate clearly disincentivizes 40 percent of recruits. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) noted that In the southeast, which is the area which has the most enlisted persons, that number is over 50 percent. What that means is that the Department of Defense has disqualified nearly half of their recruitment pool right off the top, he added. In the history of the Army, Higgins said, the country has never fallen so short on its recruiting goals. With growing threats from countries like China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea, Johnson said, we are in a very dangerous time in terms of our national defense, and we cant afford to have shortfalls like this. And according to Higgins, the readiness and deployability of our Army is the most significant factor in the discussion about the effectiveness of our Army around the world. Stauber agreed with the others, saying that the Pentagons mandate is tyrannical and absolutely harms military readiness and national security. With the violent, uncertain, and complex world that we live in, we as a nation have to be in a position to project military strength around the worldand losing thousands of soldiers isnt going to help that, he said. Necessity Questioned For the Department of Defense to continue the vaccine mandate is very suspect, Johnson said. We have a responsibility in Congress to provide oversight and to ask important questions and thats what we did with this letterand were going to get answers one way or the other. Johnson recognizes that theres a tendency with any federal agency or department to drag their feet on responding to a Congressional inquiry, but he said he is anticipating that Republicans will be the new majority in the House after the midterms in November. Come January, I cant think of a matter of oversight that is more important than our nations defense, Johnson said. We will be pressing, and we will be very aggressive. Stauber said that constituents have been pressing his office to help fight the militarys vaccine mandate. The facts about the unlawfulness and ineffectiveness of the vaccine are indisputable, and informed service members and their families are calling my office, asking that Congress do something to stop [Austins] tyrannical mandate, he said. Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) said, these families are crying out for the people who have devoted their lives to the military and defending the country. And as a result, she said, I had to be part of letting Lloyd Austin know this is unacceptable. Johnson and others called into question the necessity of the mandate given questions surrounding the vaccines effectiveness. As mentioned in the letter, the efficacy of the vaccine is in real question now, Johnson said. Service members under the age of 40 have almost no risk and theres nearly zero chance of death from the virus, Johnson said, adding that its irrefutable that natural immunity is better protection against virus when data is showing that COVID vaccinations arent effective against the most recent strain anyway. Higgins said, the Department of Defense refuses to recognize natural immunity, but instead, they keep pushing a vaccine thats incredibly dangers with virtually no benefit. According to Harshbarger, when Biden said the pandemic was over [in a 60 Minutes interview on Sept. 18], it demands the immediate reversal and withdrawal of the mandate. But instead of ending the mandate, she said, theyre willing to lower recruiting standards, which is only going to make things worse and create a bigger problem in the end. To that end, Higgins said, even if you had a one million strong standing army, it does you no good if you cant deploy them to fight or they are not capable of fighting. Its also incumbent upon our Army and our military leaders to protect our soldiers so they can maintain and grow their health in a fashion that keeps them deployable, Higgins said. Harshbarger said, the bottom line is this: our service members didnt volunteer to fight for our freedom just to have their own freedoms taken away, adding that they must be kept strong so they can be strong for all of us. The Epoch Times has reached out to the Department of Defense for comment. NASA holds a briefing ahead of testing its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), a mission to demonstrate the worlds first planetary defense system designed to deflect an asteroid from a potential doomsday collision with Earth. * Click the Save button below the video to access it later on My List. 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 Press Release September 22, 2022 Dela Rosa sees 'death' of CPP-NPA problem if NTF-ELCAC is institutionalized, gets NSA Carlos' backing SENATOR Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa sees the end of the communist insurgency problem in the country if the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) will be institutionalized. This developed as Dela Rosa pushed anew on Tuesday for the immediate approval of his Senate Bill No. 200, or the ELCAC Act, which seeks to institutionalize the NTF-ELCAC by establishing the National Council to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, at the hearing of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation. "Nakita ko itong glimmer of hope nang ginawa itong task force na ito, itong ELCAC na ito, nakita ko napakaganda pala nito. Ito na ang hinihintay namin noon," Dela Rosa said. "Sabi nga namin nu'ng teniyente pa kami, 'What kind of war is this? Tayo lang pinabayaan ng gobyerno makipaggiyera, makipagpatayan sa mga NPA...they're sitting in their chair, inside their office, nagpapalamig lang sa opisina. Kami do'n sa field, kami ang nakipagpatayan. Kami ang nasasaktan, kami ang nahihirapan,'" the senator continued. The NTF-ELCAC, created in December 2018 under Executive Order 70 (EO70) of then President Duterte, has successfully provided social services in the countryside through effective coordination of task force member agencies. "Areas formerly known to be communist-infested are now thriving and enjoying their peaceful communities. With the accomplishments of the NTF-ELCAC, many problems in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas were resolved, which greatly helped in neutralizing the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army," Dela Rosa said. During the hearing, National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos initially expressed her opposition to SBN200 by saying that the institutionalization "may not be in order." But Dela Rosa argued that the purpose of institutionalizing the NTF-ELCAC would be to ensure continuity of its program, given its success in discharging its mandate under EO70 and that SBN200 has a sunset clause. "Ang purpose lang naman dito that's why I would like to institutionalize the task force, para sigurado talaga na ang focus ay and'yan... I have fought these communists for a long time. I have lost a lot of my men in my war and in my battle against the NPA kaya alam ko kung gaano kahirap na problema ito," he said. The former top cop also explained, "'Yung life ng task force as said by Sec. Carlos na anytime pwede itong ma-dissolve, the same is true with this council because nakalagay naman dito pagka wala nang problema sa insurgency, then, hindi na kailangan itong council na ito, so, i-dissolve natin." After hearing Dela Rosa's justification for his bill, Carlos responded, "Yes, thank you very much, Sen. Dela Rosa. You have made very compelling arguments about why it should be made into a council. And because I'm a scholar, I'm willing to change my mind. I forgot there is a sunset clause there, yes. It would render itself obsolescent when the reason for its being would have been obliterated. So, I'm willing to change my mind for the record. I'm now withdrawing what I earlier articulated." Dela Rosa, an ex-military and former chief of the Philippine National Police, said he wanted to honor the men who sacrificed their lives in the decades long fight against insurgency. "Ngayong senador na ako, I want to give back what is due to the people na mga namatay, na binuwis 'yung buhay dito sa problema ng insurgency. Gusto ko silang tulungan na mawala na talaga ito just to honor them," Dela Rosa said. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Chief of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri said Iran will not tolerate any change in the borders in the region, IRNA reports. Mohammad Bagheri said they call on Azerbaijan and Armenia to solve the issues between them peacefully, through dialogue. We do not seek conflicts and wars, but we do not remain silent when it is necessary to resist them, he said. New York City in Grip of Organized Street Crime Crime in New York City has exploded this year. The last time the Big Apple saw more theft rotting its core, Frank Sinatra was still alive. After a surge in shootings over the previous two years, murders have somehow subsided. Instead, nearly all other forms of crime have mushroomed. The citys police department, the NYPD, has been arresting people at numbers not seen for decades, but with limited effectthe criminals are often quickly back on the street. In what appears to be a new trend, street crime has become more brazen and systematic. Just as in many other major cities across the country, New York City is scourged by unscrupulous shoplifters who fill up their bags with merchandise and walk out of the store in plain view. Petty theft is up some 43 percent so far this year, with more than 82,000 reported incidents. Thats the most since at least 1995, according to the NYPD crime data portal, CompStat. Grand theft, which usually refers to pickpocketing or theft of more than $1,000 in value, went up by more than 44 percent, with more than 36,000 incidentsthe most since 1998. Robberies, meanwhile, are up more than 38 percent. The NYPD has identified a new pattern where criminals appear to be more organized and systematic. We have seen multiple robberies committed in a short time span and in close proximity to each other, said NYPD chief of detectives James Essig during a Sept. 7 press briefing. The criminals will steal a vehicle and then use it for a quick crime spree. They use numerous stolen cars, motorcycles, or scooters, and they change the plates during the commission of their crime, Essig said. All involve a large number of individuals who break into smaller groups to commit these violent robberies. In one such incident on Aug. 29, several young men stole a Honda Civic around 4 a.m. in the posh Park Slope neighborhood in Brooklyn. Less than an hour later, they pulled up on Union Turnpike in Queens and robbed a 7-Eleven at gunpoint. They hit another 7-Eleven half an hour later and two more stores an hour after that. The police arrested several suspects, including one minor and one 18-year-old with 78 prior arrests, including seven for robberies. Hes 18 years old. Hes been arrested 78 times. How many hundreds of New Yorkers has he victimized, and yet he keeps being released only to go back and victimize others, said NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth Corey during the briefing, noting that robbery recidivism has been sky high. Progressive DA, Bail Reform The street crime boom coincides with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg taking office in January after winning his race with significant financial backing from progressive billionaire George Soros. Just two days after assuming office, Bragg issued a memo constraining prosecutions for lower-level offenses, including some armed robberies and some burglaries (pdf). Also, in 2019, the New York state legislature passed a bail reform that bars judges from setting cash bail in many nonviolent and some violent offenses, including most second-degree burglaries and some second-degree robberies (pdf). Some NYPD officers previously told The Epoch Times that the reform had undermined officer morale, as seeing criminals back on the street shortly after being arrested made the officers work seem pointless. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD officer who campaigned last year partially on a law-and-order platform, called for changes to the bail reform law. He noted that the state is the only one in the country that blocks judges from considering the danger an offender poses when deciding whether or not to set bail, according to an Aug. 3 statement from Adamss office. Race Question The push for more lenient treatment of lower-level crime has usually been justified by the fact that the share of black arrestees is greater than the black percentage of a given jurisdictions population. In New York City last year, for example, nearly 60 percent of robbery arrestees were black (pdf). But the citys population is less than 24 percent black. By contrast, more than 40 percent of the city is white, but only about 6 percent of robbery arrestees were white. The argument thus assumes that police single out black people for arrests, and district attorneys should show leniency to robbery suspects to lower incarceration rates among blacks. The problem with that argument is twofold. First, nearly 65 percent of robbery suspects were identified as black, while less than 5 percent as white. That means that black suspects were more than 60 percent likely to be identified as suspects than they were to be arrested for the offense. White people, by contrast, were slightly more likely to be arrested than they were to be marked a robbery suspect. Second, while there has been no dispute over helping black youth to avoid prison and stay on the right track, simply not arresting them neglects the second part of the equationthe victims. I think we do ourselves a little bit of a disservice when we just say bail reform. Criminal justice reform is the total package, and these laws were meant to address disproportionality in the criminal justice system. But a disproportionate number of our victims are people of color as well, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said during the briefing. Police Under Pressure The states lawmakers and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul agreed in April to tweak the rules to allow bail for a somewhat wider range of crimes, such as gun-related crimes, hate crimes, and repeat theft offenses. But police officers have complained about other issues, such as a general disrespect toward the profession, as well as the citys change in use-of-force rules a few years ago that outlawed some martial arts techniques used to safely subdue resisting suspects. A 2020 city law says that no person shall restrain an individual in a manner that restricts the flow of air or blood by sitting, kneeling, or standing on the chest or back in a manner that compresses the diaphragm, in the course of effecting or attempting to effect an arrest. Such positions are virtually unavoidable in arresting a resisting subject without using a baton, taser, or a gun, according to Rener Gracie, a martial arts instructor whos been teaching law enforcement defensive techniques from Brazilian jiujitsu for more than 20 years. Every single one of them [arrests] in which the police is successful included momentary, at the very least, pressure on the diaphragm of the subject, Gracie previously told The Epoch Times. Arrests that fail or escalate to higher levels of violence are usually those where the officers failed to pin the subject down, he said. The law is worded so broadly as to make it illegal even when an officer ends up in one of the forbidden positions accidentally and the suspect suffers no injury. Its now going to make it impossible for police officers to overpower somebody without hurting them, said Robert Brown, former NYPD captain and now a criminal lawyer, in an earlier phone call with The Epoch Times. Several current and former NYPD officers previously told The Epoch Times that many officers are looking for early retirement due to the increasing difficulty of doing their jobs. Since 2019, the city has lost more than 2,000 police officers, with retirements slated to be the highest on record, the New York Post reported in June. In a win for the Justice Department, it regains access to documents marked classified from Mar-a-Lagoallowing it to resume its criminal probe into former President Donald Trump. Is the Federal Reserve going to roll out a system of digital currency? The White House says it is exploring the risks and benefits of such a system. In light of Texas designating cartels as terrorist organizations, a former DEA agent is calling for an Operation Warp Speed to crack down on them. He cites Floridas attorney general calling fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction and compares Mexican cartels to ISIS. * Click the Save button below the video to access it later on My List. 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 NYC to Open Humanitarian Emergency Centers to Serve Illegal Immigrants Bused From Border States In his latest move to handle illegal immigrants transported from the nations southern border, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he will open new humanitarian emergency centers to make sure the new arrivals meet their needs. This is not an everyday homelessness crisis, but a humanitarian crisis that requires a different approach, Adams said Thursday in a statement announcing the plan. He compared the recent influx of asylum seekers to the immigration wave that came through Ellis Island some 100 years ago, accusing leaders of border states of neglecting their moral duty to support them. Its clear that we are again dealing with a humanitarian crisis created by human hands. While other leaders have abdicated their moral duty to support arriving asylum seekers, New York City refuses to do so, Adams said. Adams was referring to the Governors of Texas and Arizona, who have spent millions of dollars sending busloads of migrants apprehended at the border to Washington D.C., as well as self-proclaimed sanctuary cities of New York and Chicago. According to Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts office, more than 10,000 illegal immigrants have so far voluntarily accepted the one-way bus tickets to Democrat-run sanctuary cities. As of Sept. 16, Texas has sent an estimated 2,500 illegal immigrants to give the Big Apple a taste of what Texas border towns are having to deal with. With the opening of new humanitarian emergency response and relief centers, the buses will either arrive directly at those facilities or be directed there from Manhattans Port Authority bus terminal, according to Adamss plan. Once arriving, all asylum seekers who want them will be provided with settlement options, as well as immediate health, safety, and legal information. Asylum seekers who do not or cannot find immediate housing will stay at humanitarian relief centers for approximately 24 to 96 hours. The additional assessment time will ensure asylum seekers understand their options and can get to their desired destination quickly and smoothly, it added. Thursdays announcement comes after Adams confirmed the death by suicide of a female asylum seeker who was housed in a city-operated shelter in Queens. Adams claimed it was Abbotts fault that the young Colombian took her own life, even though the bus rides are voluntary. I think the governor of Texas and others are at fault for creating this man-made humanitarian crisis, he said on Monday at a press conference. We didnt fail in this city. This city is helping people. In response, Abbotts office said Adams should ask President Joe Biden to fix his border policies that are continuing to cause tragedies like this. Mayor Adams should call on President Biden to take immediate action to secure the bordersomething the President continues failing to do, Abbotts press secretary, Renae Eze, said in a statement. The death of every migrant, including the 53 migrants who died in a tractor trailer in San Antonio, is on President Biden and his reckless open border policies. Migrants on Texas buses willingly chose to go to New York, having signed a voluntary consent waiver available in multiple languages upon boarding that they agreed on the destination. Each bus is stocked with food and water and makes stops along the trip to refuel and switch drivers, Eze added, noting that passengers can actually disembark the bus at any of the stops if their cases were processed by the federal government and resulted in their release. Hungarian-born investor and left-wing financier George Soros looks on after having delivered a speech on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 23, 2020. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images) Organization Suing DeSantis Over Flights to Marthas Vineyard Received Over $1 Million From George Soros The nonprofit organization that filed a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Sept. 20 on behalf of illegal immigrants who were flown to Marthas Vineyard on his orders has received nearly $1.4 million from left-wing billionaire George Soross Open Society network in the past. The organization Lawyers for Civil Rights filed the suit in the District of Massachusetts on behalf of the illegal immigrants and Alianza Americas. The lawsuit accuses DeSantis and other state officials of targeting the illegal aliens and inducing them to board airplanes and cross state lines under false pretenses. In a press release announcing the lawsuit, Lawyers for Civil Rights described Alianza Americas as a network of migrant-led organizations supporting immigrants across the United States. According to official information posted on the Open Society Foundations website, Open Society awarded nearly $1.4 million to Alianza Americas between 2016 and 2020. The grants, which were first reported by Fox News, came from three of Soross nonprofits, Open Society Institute, Open Society Policy Center, and Foundation to Promote Open Society, according to the publication. The first grant awarded in 2016 amounted to $200,000 to support a transition phase of the Global Coalition on Migration, of which the Grantee is a member, according to official data. Another larger grant of $240,000 was awarded in 2018 to sustain and strengthen the institutional development and effectiveness of the Global Coalition on Migration. Grants to Combat Voter Suppression The latest grant of $100,000 was awarded in 2020 to monitor the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration and related mechanisms. In total, eight grants were awarded to Alianza Americas over a four-year period. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has also awarded a string of grants to Alianza Americas between 2008 and 2020 amounting to $1.26 million. According to its website, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. The MacArthur Foundation in September 2020 awarded $25 million in grants to address anti-Black racism, support Native Americans impacted by COVID-19, strengthen voter education and mobilization, and combat voter suppression. Fox News, citing tax forms, reported that Lawyers for Civil Rights, the law firm that filed the suit against Florida officials, also received $50,000 from the Borealis Philanthropy in 2019. Borealis was founded in 2015 and describes itself as a social justice philanthropic intermediary working to resource grassroots movements for transformative change. Fox News reported that Borealis is a left-wing donor-advised fund that acts as an intermediary steering Democratic money to organizations. Blood Is on His Hands In an August Twitter post, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani took aim at Soros over an opinion piece Soros wrote for The Wall Street Journal on July 31 in which he stated that he would continue to back progressive district attorneys despite the city battling with a drastic spike in crime. If there is one single person responsible for the record increases in murder and violence in Americas cities its George Soros, Giuliani wrote, adding that Soros is a major contributor to Black Lives Matter, Antifa, the Democrat Party, and dozens of progressive district attorneys. The blood is on his hands, Giuliani said. The 35-page lawsuit filed by Lawyers for Civil Rights on Sept. 20 states that in order to gain the Plaintiffs trust, and to induce unwitting cooperation with Defendants scheme, the Doe Defendants provided items such as $10 McDonalds gift certificates to class members suffering from chronic food insecurity. After luring Plaintiffs by exploiting their most basic needs, the Doe Defendants then made false promises and false representations that if Plaintiffs and class members were willing to board airplanes to other states, they would receive employment, housing, educational opportunities, and other like assistance upon their arrival. The illegal immigrants, who arent identified by name, state that they were told they would be flown to Boston or Washington but were instead transported to Marthas Vineyard, according to the suit. DeSantis has said the flights were voluntary and that immigrants signed consent forms before being flown to Marthas Vineyard. His office accused activists who filed the lawsuit of taking advantage of illegal immigrants. A COVID-19 information poster is pictured on the fence of an empty children's play park in Manchester, northern England, on February 15, 2021. (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images) PayPal Demonetises Parents Campaign Group UsForThem That Took on School COVID-19 Closures PayPal has closed the account of UsForThem, a British organisation that advocated for children to be prioritised during the COVID-19 pandemic. The online payment system closed UsForThems account due to the nature of their activities, with co-founder Molly Kingsley saying they have been unable to access thousands of pounds in donations. Set up in May 2020, UsForThem campaigned for the UK government to discontinue the use of masks for children and adults in school settings and evidenced the harm of lockdowns on kids. As a volunteer-led organisation, the impact of PayPals action is considerable as they have been also cut off from all recurring donations. It comes as PayPal faced a backlash on Wednesday over its decision to shut down the accounts of the columnist Toby Youngs Free Speech Union and his news and opinion website, The Daily Sceptic. Kingsley told The Epoch Times that there had been no news from PayPal since they were cut off this week without warning. She believes it was for an ideological reason rather than technical. Its pure speculation. But it does seem a little bit odd that they have gone after all of us, she said. Its really sinister and this is where it becomes part of a bigger story, said Kingsley. What weve seen throughout is that the organisations that have tried to install some kind of accountability into proceedings have been really targeted, smeared, abused, and trolled. And it gets you down, she added. Pupils wearing masks as a precaution against the transmission of the CCP virus arrive to attend Moor End Academy in Huddersfield, northern England, on Sept. 11, 2020. (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images) This year, Kingsley and UsForThem co-founder Liz Cole wrote the book The Childrens Inquiry: How the state and society failed the young during the COVID-19 pandemic. It featured testimony from academics, politicians, scientists, educators, and parents, as well as former government childrens commissioners, and is described as an unfettered account of the problems at the heart of policymaking which led to the systemic and ongoing betrayal of children. Kingsley said that the group had applied for core participant status in the official inquiry about the British governments response to COVID-19, but the group was rounded on by hostile media and scientists who campaigned for them to be blackballed from playing a key role. Is this where we are as a society? Where those with dissenting views, instead of being listening to and reasoned with, the answer seems to be to shut them out and cancel them? she said. And I think the PayPal thing is part of that. Even if you dont agree with what organisations say, surely its a pretty fundamental tenet of liberal democracy that you let people have their view? added Kingsley. UsForThem and the Free Speech Unions case was raised in Parliament on Thursday by Conservative MP Danny Kruger, who said: As we move towards a cashless economy, these companies form part of the central infrastructure or ordinary life. Will the government take steps to ensure that they cannot discriminate against individuals or organisations on the basis of perfectly legal legitimate views? Leader of the House of Commons, MP Penny Mordaunt, replied that she understood that such organisations are still in the dark about why they have had their service removed from them despite making great efforts to find out and that it was a very good topic for a debate. Toby Young attends the Love At First Sight reception and auction at Bonhams in London on Jan. 23, 2006. (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Social Credit Style Mike Fairclough, headmaster at West Rise Junior School, told The Epoch Times that UsForThem was transparent to its core about its views on mask wearing in secondary schools and the disproportionate amount of restrictions that have been put on children. Fairclough is one of the very few voices in education to express concern over the response to COVID-19 and its impact on children. They didnt support closures because of the many harms that have been proven, he said. Its not even a fringe opinion to consider school closures to have been a national and international disaster. Its a chilling step in the direction of a technocratic top-down censorship-driven social credit style approach, added Fairclough. In April, a report from Britains education watchdog Ofsted warned that COVID-19 restrictions delayed the development of young childrens social and language skills, leaving some babies struggling to understand basic facial expressions. Its an ideological stance that [PayPal] has taken. I just feel its dangerous, that its going in the direction of a social credit system. Its essentially a bank account, where people have their donations, or subscriptions paid into it, but if they consider the ideological stance of the recipient to be not aligned to their values, then they will demonetise it, Fairclough added. On Wednesday, Free Speech Union founder Young told The Epoch Times that he will be campaigning for a new law in Britain to make it illegal for financial companies to withdraw services from customers for purely political reasons. Provided you havent said anything unlawful, your political views should be a matter of complete indifference to financial services companies, said Young. PayPal did not respond to The Epoch Times request for comment. Alexander Zhang contributed to this report. Pediatric Doctor Says Transgender Surgery Big Moneymaker, Tennessee Governor Calls for Investigation A pediatric clinic at Tennessees Vanderbilt University has come under fire for purportedly describing transgender surgery for children as a big moneymaker. Matt Walsh, a podcast host and commentator at The Daily Wire, on Tuesday shared a series of videos and archived webpages about the so-called gender-affirming care being offered by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). He said the Nashville-based facility was offering drugs, chemically castrates, and performs double mastectomies on minors. One of the videos shown features a 2018 lecture given by Dr. Shayne Taylor who helped launch VUMCs Pediatric Transgender Clinics that year. In her speech, Taylor explained that transgender treatment became a highly profitable business because of Obamacare, under which insurance providers had to cover medical expenses for trans folks. For example, Taylor said that each girl looking to undergo top surgery or chest reconstruction can bring in $40,000 for the university hospital. A bottom surgery, or vaginoplasty, can bring in $20,000, and that doesnt include costs such as the hospital stay, post-operation care, and anesthesia. A patient receiving routine hormonal treatment, who is only attending a few times a year, can bring in several thousand dollars, she said. The female-to-male bottom surgeries, these are huge moneymakers, Taylor continued, adding that she knew a clinic that was able to fund itself entirely by performing phalloplasties, the construction of a penis-like flesh structure on a biological woman. Another video showed Dr. Ellen Clayton, a Vanderbilt health law expert, telling staff that conscientious objections to transgender surgeries are problematic, and that such staff would face consequences for refusing to be involved in those surgeries due to their religious beliefs. I just want you to take home that saying that youre not going to do something because of your conscientiousbecause of your religious beliefsis not without consequences, and should not be without consequences, Clayton said. If you dont want to do this kind of work, dont work at Vanderbilt. Shortly after Walshs report, the VUMC, as well as Monroe Carell Jr. Childrens Hospital at Vanderbilt, updated their websites to hide materials and services promoting transgender treatment to potential child clients. That included a Trans Buddy Program, which pairs young patients with transgender activists with the stated goal of empowering the patient to make informed healthcare decisions. The page to Trans Buddy Program now directs to VUMCs homepage. Calls for Investigation The report has prompted prompted Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee and Sen. Martha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) to call for an investigation into the matter. The pediatric transgender clinic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center raises serious moral, ethical, and legal concerns, Lee said in a statement to The Daily Wire. We should not allow permanent, life-altering decisions that hurt children or policies that suppress religious liberties, all for the purpose of financial gain. We have to protect Tennessee children, and this warrants a thorough investigation. We are shocked by what we have seen in these videos. We would hope that VUMC would make better decisions, Blackburn wrote on Twitter. There is nothing healthy about mutilating the bodies of minor children. We need an investigation into VUMC putting profits ahead of children immediately. Hospitals Response In the wake of the social media outrage, VUMC didnt question the authenticity of the videos obtained by Walsh, but claimed that they misrepresent facts about the services it offers. VUMC requires parental consent to treat a minor patient who is to be seen for issues related to transgender care, and never refuses parental involvement in the care of transgender youth who are under age 18, the hospital stated. Our policies allow employees to decline to participate in care they find morally objectionable, and do not permit discrimination against employees who choose to do so. This includes employees whose personal or religious beliefs do not support gender-affirming care for transgender persons, it continued. When it comes to Trans Buddy, the hospital said the program has received national acclaim and is meant to support vulnerable people seeking highly personal care in an unfamiliar environment. It didnt explain, however, why a decision was made to remove the program from the hospitals website. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at a meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, on June 16, 2022. (Valeria Mongelli/AFP via Getty Images) Pentagons Blanket Denial of Religious Exemption Requests to Vaccine Prompts GOP Lawmakers to Demand Answers More than a dozen Republican lawmakers have called on Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to answer questions following the circulation earlier this month of a leaked memo by the Pentagons watchdog that found potential noncompliance with the law in the review and denial process of religious accommodation requests to the vaccine mandate. The June 2 memo by Acting Inspector General (IG) Sean W. ODonnell states that after reviewing dozens of denials of religious accommodation requests, the IGs office found a trend of generalized assessments rather than the individualized assessment that is required by Federal law and DoD and Military Service policies. In a Sept. 19 letter to Austin, 15 lawmakers pointed to the extremely low approval rates of religious exemption requests to the Department of Defences (DoD) vaccine mandate. According to the most recent publicly-available data, only 196 religious accommodation requests have been approved out of more than 26,000 requests across the armed services. Lawmakers wrote that it was especially concerning that most of the approved religious accommodation requests were granted to service members slated for retirement, and that all branches have approved non-religious vaccine exemption requests at a far higher rate than religious exemptions. This suggests the DoD is applying different policies towards servicemembers applications based on their religious beliefs and expected employment status, the letter stated. Referring to the memo, the lawmakers wrote that the blanket denial of religious accommodation requests violates DoD Instruction 1300.17 (pdf), which requires each religious accommodation request to be reviewed individually. In summary, according to the DoD IGs memo, the Department has engaged in unlawful religious discrimination, the lawmakers wrote. The findings of the IG memo did not astonish Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), who signed the letter. The fact that the Department of Defense didnt seriously consider religious exemptions is no surprise, Higgins told The Epoch Times. We expected that the Biden administration had passed down some guidance to force compliance with the vaccine mandate, and that was reflected by the almost universal rate of denial. Another signatory Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Co.) described the findings as extremely concerning. The fact that religious exemption cases were not reviewed individually and were only assessed for a maximum of 12 minutes on average is a clear violation of our service members Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) rights, Lamborn told The Epoch Times in an email. The Colorado congressman said that he will continue to work tirelessly with my colleagues in Congress to ensure DoD upholds the First Amendment rights of our men and women in the military above an unlawful vaccine mandate. The Congress members, in the letter, requested various records to be provided no later than Sept. 30. These include a complete copy of the IGs memo dated June 2, all records associated with Navy, Air Force, and Army religious accommodation requests for COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as any of the DoD internal policy directives associated with the review of religious accommodation requests for the vaccines. The COVID vaccine mandate has been detrimental to recruitment efforts and military readiness. It has also been proven completely unnecessary, Higgins said. All federal COVID mandates should be terminated, especially the absurd vaccine mandate on our Armed Forces, he added. Army Chief Warrant Officer Danny Erickson (a pseudonym), who initially published parts of the leaked memo on his website, said that the document proves the Pentagons leadership is aware of the issue. It can no longer be said that the [secretary of defense] didnt know, [because] hes been aware since at least June 2, Erickson told The Epoch Times. For Erickson, the most concerning thing about the IG letter to Austin, and the subsequent silence from the DOD in response to it going public, is the blatant disregard for law. Congress has confronted [Austin], and now well wait to see if hell respond or if hell ignore the letter as hes done with so many others sent in the past from members of Congress, he added. Erikson emphasized that his views dont reflect those of the Department of Defense or the Department of the Army. The DoD did not respond to requests for comment. G | 2h 17min | Drama | 1956 Gary Coopers High Noon (1952) merely touched on themes of Quakerism, pacifism, and fatalism, and how they relate to state-sanctioned attack or defense. Another of his movies, Friendly Persuasion (1956), explores these more deeply, more light-heartedly and, uniquely, from a Quakers perspective. Jess Birdwell (Cooper) heads a Midwestern farming family of Quakers. His wife Eliza (Dorothy McGuire), adult daughter Mattie (Phyllis Love), adult son Josh (Anthony Perkins) and pre-teen son Little Jess (Richard Eyer) want nothing more than to continue the Indiana peace and quiet theyve enjoyed all their lives. But Americas 19th-century Civil War has other ideas. As the war affects their home, it challenges in different ways how each family member responds to violence, not just the idea of it. It also tests and clarifies their understanding of courage and care. The Birdwell family gathers around the organ: (LR) Richard Eyer as Little Jess, Phyllis Love as Birdwell daughter Mattie, Gary Cooper as family patriarch Jess Birdwell, Dorothy McGuire as Birdwell matriarch Eliza, and Anthony Perkins as oldest son, Josh in Friendly Persuasion. (Movie StillsDB) Elizas the sternest Quaker of the lot. Although her family teases her about her rectitude, they abide by her austerity: no fighting (let alone killing), no singing, no dancing, and no music. Not that shes incapable of fun. She relishes dancing, but she suppresses those desires the most, while the other family members, shall we say, suppress them less. Jess cant wait to shoot a rifle, sing a hymn, play the organ, race horse-carriages. Mattie cant wait to be courted by a young man; as if in response, Union officer Gard Jordan (Peter Mark Richman) obliges. Josh cant wait to test his beliefs, if only to discover what they are. Little Jess cant wait to grow up and be a man wholl protect and provide for his family, just as he sees grown men do. The family does all it can to avoid violence, but when it comes around, they surprise themselves, and each other. Eliza whacks a rowdy rebel soldier who fancies her pet goose as a roast dinner. Jess hauls a forbidden organ home. Timid Josh enlists. Mattie doesnt shun her suitor whos riding to war; she kisses him goodbye. Little Jess is a noisy witness to these transformations, while Gards father, their Methodist neighbor, Sam (Robert Middleton), teases Jess over his fun-loving ways and awkwardness around some Quaker-ish ways. Both Sides Now William Wyler took Jessamyn Wests book The Friendly Persuasion seriously enough to both produce and direct the movie adaptation, but thankfully, not too literally. Sadly, some critics accuse his film of justifying or glorifying righteous violence. It probably does the opposite. Gary Cooper as Jess Birdwell and Dorothy McGuire as his wife Eliza in Friendly Persuasion about a Quaker family during the civil War. (MovieStillsDB) Yes, theres a bit of Wyler spoofing Quakers whenever the impish Little Jess lightens the seriousness that surrounds him. But Wylers message remains profound. Some Quakers struggle to stick to a path theyve chosen or one chosen for them by elders, some happily, others less so, and still others veer from it now and then. Yes, some stand by, while others die to protect them. One Union officer, limping from war wounds, scolds a sullen Quaker church congregation: How many of you are hiding behind your church to save your skins? But Wyler isnt out to prove Quakers wrong and everyone else right. Hes showing how both sides have their merits (and faults). Its just that each side sees too much of the others faults (and too little of their merits). Both sides show resolve, restraint, even regret. The rebels gate-crashing the Birdwell farm dont exploit Elizas hospitality beyond a point; history tells us what ransacking men are capable of doing in real-life to helpless women and children. Sam takes up arms so Jess wont have to, but longs for a time when arms will be redundant. Josh impulsively volunteers to fight, but its Gard who counsels him to talk it over with his folks before deciding. Anthony Perkins as oldest son of the Birdwell family, Josh (lying), is feared injured by Gary Cooper as Jess Birdwell, his father, in Friendly Persuasion about a Quaker family during the Civil War. (MovieStillsDB) Jess and his Quaker family arent perfect, theyre human: failing, but trying all the same to live their ideals and help those who fall short. Backed to a wall, many are capable of defending themselves, or those they care about. And they acknowledge that, in an imperfect world with imperfect humans, you must fight to win peace, or stay fighting-fit to maintain it. Yet, theyre proud that they raise their fighting hands hesitatingly, rather than hurriedly. In one poignant shot, a single camera frame portrays the entire family caught in the wake of violence. In the background, Jess rides out in search of a missing Josh; Little Jess is excitedly seeing him off. In the foreground, Elizas face contorts in fear of losing both men; Mattie comforts Eliza while worrying about Gard leading men in battle. McGuire sensitively shows how Elizas faith is born of conviction, not cussedness; she genuinely feels for her husband and children. But her overprotectiveness struggles to distinguish an adolescent from an adult. Its awhile before she realizes, with prompting from Jess, that adults must make, then face the consequences of, their decisions. Eliza emotionally blackmails Josh, hinting that if he turns his back on her rule against fighting, he turns his back on her. She pleads with Jess to use his patriarchal power to prevail over Josh, but Jess refuses, Im just his father Eliza, Im not his conscience. This movie marks Perkinss debut in a major Hollywood role. Hes perfect here as a tortured Josh, torn between love for his family and a duty to protect families like his from fighting alone. Some battles, he figures, arent offensive. They protect peace-loving folk from looting, attack, or killing. His desperate words to his mother capture that dilemma; he hates fighting and doesnt have a death wish: I dont know if I could kill anyone if I tried. But I have to try, as long as other people have to. Cooper, as Jess, comically mediates between his childrens desire to enjoy life beyond Quaker country, while respecting Elizas rejection of anything that isnt seemly. Like others who must manage balancing acts, he falters but, unlike many others, hes soon back at it, not fretting about the outcome, just enjoying the process. More seriously, Jess provokes us with questions: If courage to defend the defenseless can feel superhuman, isnt fatalism subhuman if it presumes that adults have no agency to take charge of their lives, or to adapt or to change their minds? If violence begets violence, what do you think non-violence begets? Do happy endings happen if you dont stand up for yourself, or if you dont pay a price by losing something or someone? As Jess walks to his horse, gun in hand, heading to the war-torn zone, he affectionately tells Little Jess that hes the man about the house now. The boy shouts Kill a Johnny reb for me, papa! Jess turns from his horse, bends down, looks him in the eye and, without raising his voice, says, Son, never talk that way about a mans life. Scenes played for laughs dont come off as funnily as intended. But if Wylers touch is too farcical or idealistic in this movie, he offers sufficient hints that things are about to get serious. This laid-back film about a farming family has as many as three horse-carriage races; watching them, if you suspect that Wylers onto something bigger, youd be right, for three years after this movie, he stunned the world with the biggest horse-carriage race of all, in his masterpiece, Ben Hur. Promotional ad for Friendly Persuasion about a Quaker family during the civil War. (MovieStillsDB) Friendly Persuasion Director: William Wyler Starring: Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire, Phyllis Love, Anthony Perkins MPAA Rating: G Running Time: 2 hours, 17 minutes Release Date: Nov. 25, 1956 Rated: 3.5 stars out of 5 Port Jervis Major Trafficker Commits New Crime in Jail, Sentencing Postponed Port Jervis major drug trafficker Richard McInturff, while awaiting his sentencing in jail, committed a new crime, according to a court hearing at Orange County Courthouse on Sept. 22. At the request of prosecutors, his sentencing date is postponed to Oct. 18. According to a police source, McInturff committed an assault in jail. McInturff is one of the largest fentanyl traffickers ever arrested by Port Jervis police, according to the lead detective on the case, Mike Decker. In March 2021, when Decker and his team executed the search warrant at McInturffs residence in Port Jervis, New York, they found nearly 8,000 two-inches-by-one-inch bags of fentanyl, he told The Epoch Times. McInturff obtained the drugs from sources in Paterson, New Jersey; each bag can be sold for about $10 on the street, Decker said. While in custody at the Port Jervis Police Department, McInturff tried to escape, but police caught him before he was able to run out of the station, Decker said. In December 2021, a grand jury indicted McInturff on one major count of operating as a major trafficker, along with four other counts, including criminal drug possession, criminal drug use, escape, and tampering with physical evidence, according to the Orange County District Attorneys Office. McInturff pleaded guilty to two charges, operating as a major drug trafficker and escape in the first degree, in July. Prosecutors recommend that on the charge of operating as a major drug trafficker, McInturff serves 12 years in state prison, followed by five years of supervision; on the charge of escape, he serves two to four years in state prison, according to the Orange County District Attorneys Office. His sentencing was originally scheduled on Sept. 22. McInturffs father, Larry McInturff, was indicted by a grand jury on one count of tampering with physical evidence last year. Larry McInturff pleaded guilty in July, admitting that he, at the request of McInturff, concealed a keyring with keys to an apartment, which belonged to McInturff, while knowing it would be used as evidence against his son. Prosecutors recommend that Larry McInturff serve a split sentence of six months in county Jail, followed by five years of probation, according to the Orange County District Attorneys Office. Larry McInturff will be sentenced on the same day as his son, on Oct. 18. The rise of fentanyl is fueling the overdose deaths in Orange County, New York, according to a previous interview with Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. In 2022, nine out of 10 overdose deaths in the county were caused by fentanyl, whereas three years ago, only half were linked to fentanyl. A Thai AirAsia aircraft engine is covered, after not being used during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, on the tarmac of Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport on Oct. 27, 2021. (Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters) Prices of Airline Tickets Stay High as Upkeep Woes Crimp Fleets SINGAPORE Labour shortages and supply chain snarls are making it harder for airlines and lessors to return airplanes grounded during the pandemic to the skies as quickly as they would like, operators and maintenance providers say. A global squeeze on maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capacity is one of the factors contributing to higher airfares for travelers, as demand has rebounded faster than aircraft can be made available and costs are rising. Some suppliers are coming out with double-digit escalations and surcharges, said Mahesh Kumar, chief executive of Asia Digital Engineering, the maintenance arm of Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia. The airlines keep increasing their fares but that is not a sustainable business, he added at the MRO Asia-Pacific conference in Singapore. Complications of that kind mean that just about 110 of AirAsias fleet of 200 planes have returned to service, he added. Yet getting the rest back in the air is challenging because of the scarcity of MRO slots that also drives up their prices. The bottlenecks at MROs have been compounded because airlines returned planes to lessors at a much higher rate than usual during the pandemic, which crushed travel demand. Painted Into a Corner Aircraft switching to a new airline need maintenance checks, cabin interior changes, and livery repainting at MROs that are often short-staffed after pandemic lay-offs of workers while facing delays at parts suppliers struggling with similar woes. Weve had real issues with the number of paint shops that can take aircraft and in addition to that, the inability of some of the paint shops to get some of the specialist paint, said Robert Martin, chief executive of aircraft lessor BOC Aviation Ltd. If youve got some logo on the back of the aircraft with multiple colors, if you are missing one color, thats a bit of a problem. Now it takes about three months to make the changes required to shift a narrowbody plane from one customer to another, up from one before the pandemic, Martin added. Hangar capacity and workers were not sufficient to meet customer demand, said Jeffrey Lam, commercial aerospace president of Singapore Technologies (ST) Engineering Ltd. The ST Engineering network, we are full and so customers are always asking for more slots, he said. We have operations in the United States, Europe, China, and Singapore. Apart from China, all of our operations are facing labor challenges. The strong demand is driving up labor costs as MROs compete for staff and available workers are being asked to do more overtime, Lam said. We dont want to too much overtime, because you have concerns around safety and quality, he said. We wish we could add more labor and take on more work. So we are worried about schedules, redelivery schedules, costs, and all that. Lessor BBAM has not had much success getting MRO slots this winter, leaving out in the cold some airline customers who sought planes quickly to meet demand in next years summer peak, said Patrick Low, its vice president for technical matters. The speed of recovery is really determined about whether we can get MRO slots, he said. I think the earliest an MRO is telling us is, come back June next year, possibly we have slots for you. By Jamie Freed YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. On September 21, within the framework of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with USAID Administrator Samantha Power. The interlocutors commended the consistent development of the Armenian-U.S. relations based on common democratic values, which enriches the bilateral agenda with a new content. Minister Mirzoyan reiterated the commitment of the Government of Armenia to democracy and the protection of human rights and its readiness to continue the reform agenda. Minister Mirzoyan and Samantha Power touched upon the projects implemented by USAID in Armenia, and exchanged views on the prospects of implementing new joint programs. The importance of the joint work carried out for the reform agenda of the Government of Armenia, the institutional capacity building in Armenia, as well as the further deepening and expansion of cooperation in these directions was highlighted. During the meeting, the Foreign Minister briefed upon the recent aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and the subsequent situation. In the context of countering the maximalist and aggressive behavior of Azerbaijan, the role of targeted condemnation of Azerbaijani aggression by the international community as well as the importance of taking efficient steps towards preventing potential aggressions in the future were emphasized. Ararat Mirzoyan also stressed that Armenia will continue to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. With a scramble for flight tickets, mass arrests, and condemnation from global leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin raises the stakes with a military mobilization order that was issued on Sept. 21. The Justice Department is regaining access to classified documents in its criminal investigation of former President Donald Trump. A federal court reversed a stay on the documents in question on Sept. 21. With fentanyl deaths nearing 80,000 in the United States in the past year, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has come up with a new classification for Mexican drug cartels. Topics in this episode include: 1. Biden Condemns Putins Dangerous Rhetoric 2. Flights Out of Russia Sell Out 3. Putin Orders Russias First Military Draft Since WWII 4. Putin Escalates War in Ukraine: Expert 5. DOJ Allowed to Resume Classified Records Review 6. NY AG Files Civil Fraud Lawsuit Against Trump 7. Former US Attorney General Bill Barr Criticizes NY AG 8. Hurricane Fiona Dumps Heavy Rain in the Bahamas 9. TX Gov. Designates Mexican Cartels as Terrorists 10. Fed: Housing Market Heading For Correction 11. Suspended NBA/WNBA Team Owner Wants to Sell Teams 12. Kia, Hyundai Cars Vulnerable to Theft 13. NASA Dart Spacecraft Launches in Attempt to Alter Asteroids Path 14. Highway Beer Spill 15. Captain America Helps Repair Roofs in New Orleans 16. 2022 Comedy Pet Photography Award Winners * Click the Save button below the video to access it later on My List. 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 Protesters demanding the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions sit atop a truck in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Feb. 5, 2022. (Noe Chartier/The Epoch Times) RCMP Sharing of Private Info With Banks to Freeze Freedom Convoy Accounts Was Haphazard: Tory MP Conservative MP Adam Chambers is criticizing the way the RCMP shared information with financial institutions to freeze the accounts of Freedom Convoy supporters during the invocation of the Emergencies Act in February. Chambers filed an Inquiry of Ministry with the RCMP in June to find out the details about the operation, which was first reported on by Blacklocks Reporter on Sept. 22. The Epoch Times has independently verified the information. In the RCMPs response on June 14, it said the information was disclosed to up to 50 financial institutions by unencrypted e-mail and classified as Protected A. The Canadian government refers to Protected A as information or assets that, if compromised, could cause injury to an individual, organization or government. The federal police force said the information provided to financial entities included but was not limited to name, date of birth, addresses, associated vehicles, businesses, and phone numbers. The disclosures were shared with specific points of contacts within the corporate security and/or anti-money laundering teams within the recipient institutions. This ensured the safeguarding of personal information, says the RCMP. Chambers argued that the way RCMP shared the information about individuals involved in the demonstrations was haphazard, sparking privacy and security concerns. Haphazard would be an understatement, Chambers said in reacting to the RCMPs disclosure, according to Blacklocks. That there were no instructions or guard rails provided to entities that received this information should concern people, he added. Even the Privacy Commissioner has confirmed his office is investigating how information was handled. Emergencies Act The Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act on Feb. 14 to deal with cross-country blockades and protests demanding the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. One of the measures used to crack down on protesters was the freezing of their financial accounts without a court order. In February, Conservative MP Mark Strahl said that one of his constiuents who donated $50 to the Freedom Convoy had had her bank account frozen. In responding to the claim, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said the RCMP had given very limited information to financial institutions. The RCMP has given to the financial institutions names of leaders and organizers of the protests and of people whose trucks were part of occupations and blockades. That is the only information given, according to the RCMP, that the RCMP has given to financial institutions, she said on Feb. 21. The Inquiry of Ministry indicates the RCMP made 57 separate disclosures on different entities, including 62 individuals and 17 businesses. That information was provided to the financial institutions, including banks, the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA), the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Canadian Securities Administration, Credit Unions, and the Mutual Fund Dealers Association. Banks froze accounts beyond the list provided by the RCMP, according to a bank association executive who testified before the House of Commons finance committee in March. Angelina Mason, general counsel and vice-president of the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA), said banks froze a small number of accounts using their own risk-based approach. Mason said banks froze 180 accounts based on RCMP disclosures. The RCMP told the same committee in March financial institutions froze at least 257 accounts. The Department of Finance told the Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency (DEDC) on May 3 that it did not verify if its freezing measure was applied properly by financial institutions, instead relying on their good faith. The accounts were unfrozen when the public order emergency was revoked on Feb. 23. Mason said that a mark would remain on the files of entities who were affected by the measure. I suspect the government is embarrassed about how haphazard their approach was and are hoping we will all forget about it, Chambers said on Sept. 21. They are not interested in transparency and they dont respect Parliament. Following the invocation of the Emergencies Act, the law requires a review by the establishment of a special joint committee and a commission of inquiry. The DEDC committee has been meeting since mid-March, whereas the commission will begin hearings on Oct. 13. A medical worker is preparing herbs according to a prescription of traditional Chinese medicine at a hospital in Shenyang, China on Feb. 20, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Researchers Find Korean Herbal Medicine UCW Can Help Prevent Stroke Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. In the absence of effective treatment, prevention is considered the best measure to deal with this affliction. Researchers have recently shown that traditional Korean medicine Uwhangchungsimwon (UCW), a multi-component herbal product, is effective in helping prevent strokes. But first, lets look at what UCW is. Similar to Niuhuang Qingxin Wan (bovine bezoar heart-clearing pill) in traditional Chinese medicine, UCW also originates in effective classical prescriptions handed down from ancient times. It is composed of various herbs, including bezoar (gallstones of bovine gallbladder) and musk (dried secretion from mature male musks glands). Since bezoar and musk are extremely rare and expensive, they were only used in the imperial court in ancient times. After hundreds of years of clinical application, however, UCW has now become a highly used medicine in Korean medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, and many families use it as regular medicine. The quality of Korean pharmaceutical products is relatively high due to the focus on the refinement of herbs. Although the price of UCW is higher than Niuhuang Qingxin Wan made in China, the active ingredients and adverse reactions are clearly labeled, and the quality is more guaranteed. Before the pandemic, UCW was even a popular product purchased by many Chinese tourists returning to China. From the perspective of Korean medicine, UCW has the effect of clearing away heart fire, detoxification, relieving rheumatic pains, and reducing phlegm, and can be taken regardless of ones physique. Widely Used in Clinical Practice Modern pharmacological research has found that UCW has the effect of sedation, antipyrexia, hypoxia resistance, and lowering blood pressure and can improve symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia. It is widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of dizziness, neurasthenia, stroke aura, cerebral thrombosis sequelae, hypertension, and mental depression. The research group of Hong Jin-young, a senior researcher at the Institute of Spine and Joint Research, Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine evaluated the effect of UCW in preventing stroke by injecting it into the nerve cells of experimental rats at three concentrations (2, 10, and 50 micrograms/mL) and then inducing a state of ischemic stroke caused by blood vessel blockage. The results showed that the higher the concentration of bovine bezoar heart-clearing pill, the higher the survival rate of nerve cells in a stroke state. In another cell experiment conducted by the research team, the effect of UCW on inhibiting oxidative stress in nerve cells and activating growth factors involved in the protection and regeneration of nerve tissues was also confirmed. Hong emphasized that the excellent effect of UCW on preventing stroke has been objectively proved through experimental studies, which is of great significance. He also planned to explore the use of UCW in treating various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The research results were published in the international academic journal Antioxidants on July 18. Other than preventing stroke, the research team from the Korean Hospital affiliated with Daejeon University in South Korea earlier analyzed the anti-depression effect of UCW and the changes it caused in brain tissue through animal experiments, successfully confirming the mechanism of UCW in treating depression. That research was published on Jan. 31, 2020 in Frontiers in Pharmacology, a SCI (E) level journal. A U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion maneuvers near the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, anchored in the northern Israeli port of Haifa, on March 15, 2018. (JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images) Rise of Indian Tycoon Adani Tied to Booming Indian Economy World's Second Richest Man and Second Most Populous Nation Counter CCP Influence The rise of Indian tycoon Gautam Adani in the past few years has been coupled with Indias rapid growth and influence, against the backdrop of global economic downturn. As the United States shifts its global strategic focus to the Indo-Pacific region in response to the Chinese Communist threat, Indias strategic position is rapidly coming to the fore. According to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Adani is the worlds second richest man, with a net worth of $143 billion, behind Tesla founder Elon Musk. He made headlines on Sept. 16 when he edged out Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who now occupies the number three spot on the index. While many of the worlds top billionaires have seen their wealth shrink dramatically over the past year, Adanis fortune has nearly doubled, with a $71.6 billion jump. In fact, of the worlds top 10 billionaires, he is the only one whose wealth has not diminished. Adani, India Rise Together Some analysts believe that Adanis 10-fold rise in wealth is closely tied to his support for the infrastructure and green energy development programs promoted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which led to Indias rapid economic growth last year amid the global economic slowdown. At the same time, Adani has played an important role in helping to strengthen Indias global strategic importance. This includes his $1.18 billion bid in July to privatize Israels most important port, Haifa, halting Chinas plans to take full control of the port. In 2021, the Chinese-controlled Shanghai International Port Group built a container terminal across the bay from the Haifa port. The Haifa Bayport terminal was intended to serve as a key Belt and Road node for the CCP and a strategic presence in the Mediterranean. Speaking of his port investment, Adani did not hide that there are strategic considerations for India. In a July 15 tweet, he wrote, Delighted to win the tender for privatization of the Port of Haifa in Israel with our partner Gadot. Immense strategic and historical significance for both nations! Adanis Companies Soar, Helped by Oil Crisis Over the past year, all of Adanis companies have seen their wealth soar, especially those in the energy sector, which benefited from the sharp rise in global oil and gas prices. Moreover, his energy companies outperformed the MSCI World Energy Index 2022s total return of 36 percent. Among them, Adani Green Energy and Adani Total Gas are both trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of over 750, while Adani Enterprises and Adani Transmission, the main Adani Group companies, are trading at P/E ratios of over 400. This rapid growth in wealth has not only made Adani the first Asian to enter the top three list of the worlds richest people, but also made him the richest person in Asia, edging out Indias former richest man Mukesh Ambani and Chinas richest man Zhong Shanshan. Adanis net worth grew by $50 billion in 2021, while Ambanis wealth grew by $21.8 billion. Ambani had been the only Asian to enter the top 10 of the worlds richest people for many years. Investing in Indias Growth as Global Economy Falters Both Adani and Ambani support Prime Minister Modis new energy development strategy, with Adani planning to invest $70 billion and Ambanis investment reaching $75 billion. The two tycoons conglomerates, which control Indias key sectors such as power, coal, natural gas, ports, digital technology services, oil exploration, finance, biotechnology, and telecommunications, are crucial to Indias rapid economic development. The Indian government estimates that the countrys economy is expected to grow by 7 percent or more this year, more than double the global growth forecast. According to the World Banks latest forecast, global growth will be as little as 2.9 percent this year, dragged down by the RussiaUkraine war, rising global energy prices, and Chinas strict pandemic lockdowns. In China, the latest wave of the pandemic has placed 20 percent of the population under lockdown. Nomura Securities has recently lowered its forecast for Chinas GDP growth again this year, to 2.7 percent. Goldman Sachs earlier lowered its growth forecast for China from 3.3 percent to 3.0 percent. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Chinas GDP grew by merely 2.5 percent in the first half of the year, well below the official 5.5 percent growth target. Haifa Port Purchase Blocks CCP in the Middle East In late July, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), together with Israels Gadot Group, beat out contenders with a $1.18 billion bid to privatize the Israeli port of Haifa, in which Adani now has a 70 percent stake. The Haifa port handles nearly half of Israels container cargo, and straddles the exit of a nearby Israeli naval base. It is also a frequent stop for the U.S. Sixth Fleet, making it an important port for both Israel and the United States. Chinas Bayport Terminal across the bay from the Haifa port opened in September of 2021. The regime sees it as one of the key pivot ports on the Mediterranean coast for its Belt and Road Initiative, and has invested $1.7 billion in the project. Adanis acquisition also follows an initiative to jointly produce weapons for Israel in India, with Adani being an initial partner in the manufacture of small arms, and later expanding to missiles and drones. India, I2U2 Partners Counter Belt and Road The deal came just days after U.S. President Joe Bidens visit to the Middle East for the I2U2 online summit with India, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates. The quadrilateral economic forum is considered part of the U.S. strategy to counter the CCPs Belt and Road Initiative in the Middle East. The I2U2 bloc is considered a complement to U.S. influence in the Middle East and is in line with Indias strategic interest. In February, India and the United Arab Emirates signed a free trade agreement. India is currently negotiating a free trade agreement with Israel. US Urges India to Decouple from China Jonathan Schanzer is senior vice president for research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a Washington, D.C.-based research institute. Quoted in the Jewish News Syndicate, Schanzer says the United States has been urging Israel to decouple from China over the last two years. The United States is concerned because the high-end tech Israel produces is so attractive to China, Schanzer said. While Israels trade with China is lucrativeit currently stands at $17 billionhe added that Israel increasingly must look toward India as an alternative because of pressure from the United States. U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday, speaking at a Heritage Foundation seminar in Washington on Aug. 25, said that India could be a strategic partner for the United States by playing an important role in countering the CCP. You just cant think of China through the lens of the Indo-Pacific. You have to look at the Indian Ocean, you have to look at their Belt and Road, their economic connective tissue, which is now global, Gilday said. Indias Importance in IndoPacific Strategy India is already playing an important role in deterring the CCP in the Indo-Pacific region. For example, in early August, the Chinese military aerospace survey vessel Yuan Wang 5widely thought to be a spy shipwas allowed to dock in Sri Lankas Hambantota port. Due to concerns that it might collect Indian military intelligence, the Indian government delayed the docking for several days. Since April this year, Sri Lanka has been in an economic and political crisis, which some attribute to Chinas debt trap diplomacy. India has provided nearly $4 billion in aid to Sri Lanka in recent months to help the country out of its difficulties. India has been supporting Bangladesh as well to reduce its dependence on the CCP. Bangladesh, Indias southeastern neighbor, owes China about $4 billion due to its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative. Indias strategic position has come to the fore after the United States shifted its strategic focus to the Indo-Pacific region, targeting mainly the CCP, Frank Xie, professor of business at the University of South Carolina Aiken, told The Epoch Times. India also plays a very important role in the quadrilateral alliance between the United States, Japan, India, and Australia. Chinas military expansion and aggressive move in the South China Sea has posed a threat to all neighboring countries in the area. Xie said that India is also actively expanding its naval and strategic missile forces to counter this threat. The country has complete sets of strategic missiles and nuclear weapons, and recently commissioned its first home-built aircraft carrier. Xie believes that India can play a significant role in controlling the Indian Ocean and part of the South China Sea, echoing the United States. Additionally, Indias population has reached 1.4 billion and is expected to soon overtake Chinas population. Coupled with population growth, its economy is growing so fast that it has attracted a large number of companies in the industrial chain to relocate their factories or industrial chains to India, which will deal a very big blow to the CCP economically, Xie said. India is also more wary of the CCPs infiltration compared to other democracies. Last year, the Indian government banned 59 Chinese mobile applications. Both countries have been on alert since a small but deadly clash between India and China erupted along the border two years ago. Epoch Times reporter Ellen Wan contributed to this report. Ten prisoners of war (five British citizens, one Moroccan, one Swedish, one Croatian, and two Americans) are seen arriving, following successful mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, from Russia to King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sept. 21, 2022. (Saudi Press Agency/Handout via Reuters) Russia, Ukraine Exchange Almost 300 Prisoners in Major Surprise Swap Russia and Ukraine conducted a major and unexpected prisoner swap on Sept. 21 involving almost 300 people, including 10 foreigners as well as Ukrainian commanders who defended Mariupol in early 2022, marking the largest exchange between the two sides since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. The Sept. 21 deal was reached with the assistance of Saudi Arabia and Turkey. In the exchange, Russia released 215 Ukrainians, which included a large number of Azov fighters who sought to defend a besieged steel plant in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol for months, before the group evacuated from the city in May in surrender to pro-Russia forces. In return, Ukraine released 55 Russians and Ukrainians sympathetic to Russia, as well as Ukrainian Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of a banned Ukrainian pro-Russian opposition party who was facing treason charges. The move comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier on Sept. 21 announced a partial troop mobilization, saying he would use all means available in the event of a threat against Russia and its people. Putins announcement came amid recent defeats dealt to Russian troops as a result of a Ukrainian counteroffensive. The head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that 10 foreigners were among the 215 released by Russia. They comprise five British nationals, two U.S. nationals, a Croatian, a Moroccan, and a Swedish national. Saudi Arabia had brokered an arrangement that involved flying the 10 foreigners to Saudi Arabia. The mediation involved Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Prisoners of war (five British citizens, one Moroccan, one Swede, one Croat, and two Americans) are seen on the tarmac after arriving, following successful mediation efforts by Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, from Russia to King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sept. 21, 2022. (Saudi Press Agency/Handout via Reuters) Two of the British nationalsAiden Aslin and Shaun Pinnerand the MoroccanBrahim Saadounhad been sentenced to death by a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic in June after they were captured fighting for Ukraine. The two U.S. nationals who were released by Russia are both military veterans from Alabama. They were captured in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine near the Russian border on June 9. The twoAlex Drueke, 40, and Andy Huynh, 27had traveled to Ukraine on their own. In August, the head of the administration in Donetsk had said that a trial of captured Azov fighters would take place by the end of the summer. There was no immediate comment from Russia about the prisoner exchange deal, including about why it had released some of the Azov fighters who were set to go on trial. Zelenskyy said the prisoner swap involved intense negotiations and had been under preparation for quite a long time. This is clearly a victory for our country, for our entire society, he said in a video address. And the main thing is that 215 families can see their loved ones safe and at home. Zelenskyy Praises Released Ukrainian Commanders Zelenskyy thanked Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for his help and said that five senior Ukrainian commanders would stay in Turkey until the end of the war. They include Lt. Colonel Denys Prokopenko, commander of the Azov battalion; his deputy, Svyatoslav Palamar; and Serhiy Volynsky, the commander of the 36th Marine Brigade. The three had helped mount resistance from the bunkers and tunnels below Mariupols giant steel works for weeks, before they and hundreds of Azov fighters withdrew in May amid attacks from Russian-backed forces. Zelenskyy told the five in a video call released by his office, Were proud of what youve done for our nation, proud of each and every one of you. The Azov battalion, a volunteer paramilitary organization, was formed in 2014 during the Donbas War in eastern Ukraine between pro-Russian forces and pro-Ukrainian forces, following a coup in February 2014, when anti-Russia, pro-EU factions overthrew then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovychs government, which wasnt against Russia. Both Luhansk and Donetsk in the Donbas region had declared independence from Ukraine in April 2014 in response to the February coup. The Azov battalion was later formally incorporated as a regiment in the National Guard of Ukraine, but not without controversy over the groups neo-Nazi ties and the use of the wolfsangel symbol, which was also used by Nazi forces in Germany during World War II. Putin has cited the Azov battalions neo-Nazi elements in his justification for invading Ukraine, calling for the denazification of the region. The Azov battalion denies being fascist, and Ukraine says it has been reformed from its radical nationalist origins. Days prior to the start of the RussiaUkraine war, Putin had announced that Russia recognized the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk regions in eastern Ukraine. Soon after that, Putin signed a decree issued by the Kremlin that said the Russian Defense Ministry was authorized to send troops into the Luhansk and Donetsk regions to maintain peace. Katabella Roberts, Reuters, and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and deputy security council chief Dmitry Medvedev attend a meeting with members of the government in Moscow, Russia, on Jan. 15, 2020. (Sputnik/Dmitry Astakhov/Pool via Reuters/File Photo) Russian Nuclear Weapons Can Be Used to Defend Captured Ukraine Regions, Kremlin Warns A top Russian official on Thursday warned that nuclear weapons could be used to defend annexed Ukrainian regions, days after Russian President Vladimir Putins speech announcing the partial mobilization of national forces. The Donbas republics and other territories will be accepted into Russia, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the current deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, wrote on Telegram. He was referring to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that were taken by Russia in 2014. While Putin did not specifically mention nuclear weapons during his speech, he suggested that Moscow will certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people before adding that its not a bluff. Following that same address, the Russian leader issued a decree that stipulates that the amount of people called to active duty will be determined by the Defense Ministry. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a televised interview that 300,000 reservists with relevant combat and service experience initially would be mobilized. But Medvedevs post was more explicit and did mention nuclear weapons. Russia has announced that not only mobilization capabilities but also any Russian weapons, including strategic nuclear weapons and weapons based on new principles, could be used for such protection, he posted on Telegram, according to a translation. Biden Speech President Joe Biden made reference to Putins speech during Wednesdays United Nations General Assembly speech in New York City, saying that the United States does not seek a cold war with Russia. Ukraines right to exist as a state, plain and simple, Ukraines right to exist as a people. Wherever you are, whatever you believe, that should make your blood run cold, the president said. President Joe Biden addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 21, 2022. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images) It comes as pro-Moscow authorities in four Russian-held regions of Ukraine plan voter referendums starting Friday on becoming part of Russiaa move that could expand the war and follows the Kremlins playbook from when it annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula after a similar referendum. On the battlefield in Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian forces exchanged missile and artillery barrages as both sides refused to concede ground despite recent military setbacks for Moscow and the toll on the invaded country after almost seven months of war. Some analysts said that Putins speech was more about posturing in a bid to prevent NATO and Ukraine from escalating the conflict. I think it signals that he wants people to think he would risk nuclear war, Phillips OBrien, a professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, told NBC News this week. I dont think it means he is any more likely to do it than he was yesterday. OBrien added that if Putin says that any attack on soil that he calls Russia is going to be a nuclear tripwire, Ukraines already broken that in Crimea. The Associated Press contributed to this report. San Francisco Erases Millions in Traffic Citation Late Fees A court in San Francisco announced that it has erased $50 million in traffic violation late fees, known as civil assessments, that were issued in the city. The city treasurers office announced the move in a statement on Sept. 14. According to the statement, the action is part of a statewide reform effort to lower unfair and unnecessary fines and fees. California is known for having some of the steepest traffic fines and fees in the country. A civil assessment is a $300 fee issued when a person doesnt pay a traffic court fine on time or fails to appear in court. San Francisco eliminated 180,000 of these fees. The action was enacted by Assembly Bill 199, which also changes the civil assessment from $300 to being capped at $100. Revenue from these fees will now be collected into Californias general fund instead of into local courts. This change aims to shift any incentive courts might have to issue more fines or fees. California should not fund our local courts by asking the courts to impose fees that they benefit from. Courts should be funded separate and apart from these fees, said Anne Stuhldreher, director of the Financial Justice Project in the Office of San Francisco Treasurer Jose Cisneros. Eliminating the debt from this unfair and unnecessary fee and lowering it is a commonsense reform and an important step forward. It will bring relief to hundreds of thousands of Californians. Elimination of this debt provides critical relief to tens of thousands of San Franciscans and is a significant step in the right direction, said Zal Shroff, Senior Staff Attorney at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area. All civil assessments issued before July 1, 2022 are now erased. Fees that were issued after that have been capped at $100. About one third of traffic fines in the city were not paid on time and were issued the fee, according to the San Francisco Treasurers Office. Police and investigators gather at the scene where stabbing suspect Myles Sanderson was arrested in Rosthern, Saskatchewan, on Sept. 7, 2022. (Heywood Yu/The Canadian Press via AP) Saskatchewan Mass Stabbing Tragedy to be Reviewed by House Committee, Says Tory MP The House of Commons public safety committee will undertake a study of the mass killing which took place on James Smith Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan earlier this month, says Conservative MP Raquel Dancho. Many questions surrounding this horrific tragedy remain unanswered, wrote Dancho in a Sept. 22 statement. Our goal is to examine the decisions of the courts, the parole board, and Corrections Canada to repeatedly release the perpetrator from custody despite his 59 previous criminal convictions, including assault, assault with a weapon, uttering threats, assaulting a police officer, and robbery. Dancho is her partys public safety critic and a member of the House Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security. The committee held a meeting in camera on the morning of Sept. 22 and proceedings were not available to the public. Dancho also said the committee will seek to find out why suspect Myles Sanderson had been unlawfully at large for three months after he stopped meeting with his case worker. Ten people were killed and 18 others wounded in the stabbing rampage that occurred on Sept. 4 northeast of Saskatoon. Sandersons brother, Damien Sanderson, who was also a murder suspect, was also found dead on the First Nation. Saskatchewans Chief Coroner Clive Weighill said two public inquests would be held, one focusing on the victims and the other on the death of Myles Sanderson in police custody a few days after the manhunt. The RCMP says Sanderson went into medical distress after having been taken into custody on Sept. 7 and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Weighill said preliminary autopsy results showed no sign of blunt force trauma on Sanderson. Parliamentary committee studies typically involve calling stakeholders to testify. In this case, officials may be called from the Justice Department, the Parole board of Canada and its parent department Public Safety, and the RCMP. After testimonies are collected, committee members draft a report and offer recommendations to the government. House rules state the government needs to provide a response within 120 days. The Canadian Press contributed to this report. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's seal in Washington on Sept. 18, 2008. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) SEC Charges Two Chinese Executives With Insider Trading The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged executives of Cheetah Mobile Inc. with insider trading for selling Cheetah Mobiles securities through a trading plan that withheld a material negative revenue trend. According to the SEC order on Sept. 21, Sheng Fu, the companys CEO, and Ming Xu, its then-president and chief technology officer, jointly established a purported 10b5-1 trading plan after becoming aware of a significant drop in advertising revenues from the companys largest advertising partner. The company earned up to one-third of its revenues by placing within its applications third-party advertisements provided by its largest advertising partner, said the order. Between the establishment of the trading plan on March 29, 2016, and the May announcement, Sheng Fu and Ming Xu sold 96,000 Cheetah Mobile American Depository Shares (ADS) under the trading plan, and avoided their personal losses of approximately $203,290 and $100,127, respectively. Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York on Aug. 10, 2022. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo) Violation of Anti-fraud Provisions Joseph G. Sansone, Chief of the SEC Enforcement Divisions Market Abuse Unit, commented, While trading pursuant to 10b5-1 plans can shield employees from insider trading liability under certain circumstances, these executives plan did not comply with the securities laws because they were in possession of material nonpublic information when they entered into it. The SEC order also stated Sheng Fus role in the misleading statements and disclosure failures. Despite this known negative trend in late 2015 and early 2016, during its quarterly conference call with analysts and investors in March 2016, Sheng Fu ascribed the softness in Cheetah Mobiles first-quarter 2016 revenue guidance primarily to greater-than-expected seasonality, the SEC order stated. Without admitting or denying the SECs findings, Sheng Fu and Ming Xu agreed to cease-and-desist orders in undertakings relating to their future securities trading, and to pay civil penalties of $556,580 and $200,254, respectively, said the SEC press release. Cheetah Mobile was founded in November 2010 by Fu Sheng. According to its official website, the company is committed to Using technology to improve peoples lives in a world where humans and machines coexist. It was listed on the New York Stock Exchange on May 8, 2014. In 2015 and 2016, Cheetah Mobile was focused on developing mobile and computer applications, mobile games, and other content-driven products, stated the SEC order. Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) look on during a hearing on "Protecting Americas Children From Gun Violence" with the Senate Judiciary Committee at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 15, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Senate Committee Advances MediaBig Tech Cartel Bill The Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 22 advanced a proposal that would allow media outlets to form cartels to negotiate with Big Tech platforms. The bill, dubbed the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA), has as many opponents as it has supporters among media outlets and media advocacy groups. Specifically, the complicated measure would supersede some existing antitrust laws and allow media companies to negotiate collectively with Big Tech platforms such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter. The JCPA states: A news content creator may not be held liable under the antitrust laws for engaging in negotiations with any other news content creator during the 4-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act to collectively withhold content from, or negotiate with, an online content distributor regarding the terms on which the news content of the news content creator may be distributed by the online content distributor. That means those online and print media outlets, including some of the largest and longest-established names in the industry, could band together in a kind of media union to demand concessions from tech companies in order for the coalition to continue to allow their content on the platform. Under existing antitrust laws, such cartelswhich describe a collusion of firms in an industry that have joined together for a common financial or industry outcomeare decidedly illegal. Proponents of the JCPA have presented it as a much-needed panacea to address the dwindling number of dedicated local media companies that, proponents say, are often left behind in the umbrella of Big Tech algorithms and advertising capacity. However, critics of the cartel bill have warned that the measures in the JCPA could serve to further the interests of legacy and mainstream media outlets against independent and anti-establish outlets. Specifically, opponents point to a section of an updated draft of the JCPA that could effectively permit legacy media cartels to demand that tech platforms censor newer or less-established media outlets, or outright refuse to allow them on the platform. Under the text of the legislation, media cartels negotiations with tech platforms must go beyond mere monetary concessions. In practice, critics fear that this could allow legacy media outlets to demand that smaller outlets disseminating misinformation or fake newswhich many on the right see as a thinly veiled catch-all term intended to delegitimize conservative media outletsbe barred from publishing content on tech platforms. Technically, the legislation ensures that this wont happen. Under the terms of the measure, coalitions of media outlets banding together to collectively bargain cant exclude outlets from the cartel on grounds related to the size of an eligible digital journalism provider or the views expressed by its content. In other words, the cartels cant exclude members from the negotiating table because theyre considered too small or because their expressed beliefs go outside of the political mainstream. But critics say that the grounds that are permissible to exclude an outletincluding an outlets trustworthiness, extremism, misinformation, hate speech, conspiracy, expertise, authoritativeness, and otherscould allow media cartels to bar newer or anti-establishment media outlets from negotiations, given the relatively subjective nature of such criteria. With its passage by the Senate Judiciary Committee, the bill is now primed for consideration by the larger Senate, where it seems on track to pass. Republicans Split on the Issue The bills advancement through the Judiciary Committee was helped in part by the support of several Republicans, including Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas). Republicans have been divided on the bill in the past. Though Graham and Kennedy were among the sponsors of the JCPA, the legislation has been blasted as the antithesis of conservatism by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). Attempts by big media and Democrats in Congress to collude and monopolize economic models poses a tremendous threat to free speech and a free press, McCarthy told Breitbart News. Never before has the opportunity been as open for startup news outlets as it is today. Americans now have more choices to get information and make decisions for their communities and elected leaders. That makes Democracy stronger and creates a whole new class of entrepreneurs that will also drive job growth. As we have seen in other industries, disrupters make legacy players uneasy and those legacy players are often willing to do whatever it takes to hold onto their market share and power. This is the antithesis of conservatism, and House conservatives will fight for an open and free marketespecially one that advances free speech and a free press. In a statement following the Judiciary Committees passage of the legislation, Kennedy presented the bill as a win for conservative and independent media outlets against Big Tech. Tech Goliaths like Facebook and Google are strangling smaller conservative publications by keeping them from making a profit on online platforms, Kennedy argued. The manipulation is squashing free speech. This bill bars Big Tech firms from throttling, filtering, suppressing or curating online content while providing local news outlets with a fair playing field to negotiate against these censorship giants. Ultimately, the bill passed the Judiciary Committee with the support of most of the committees membersincluding most committee Republicansvoting in favor of the legislation. Despite condemning the bill as essentially useless, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) joined 10 of his Republican colleagues in voting for the legislation to advance. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) was the sole Republican on the committee to vote against the bill. Cruz Caves After Initial Opposition In a surprise switch, Cruz voted in favor of the legislation after initially opposing it on grounds that it could further enable censorship of independent and conservative outlets. During a Sept. 8 meeting of the Judiciary Committee, Cruz put forward an amendment that he claimed would force negotiations to center purely on fair market value ad revenue. Proponents have long cited that element as grounds for their support of the legislation, as there have long been concerns that Big Tech platforms are profiting from the published content of small and local media groups without fair compensation. Still, concerns have persisted over the potential for collusion between Big Tech and legacy media to the detriment of independent publications. On Sept. 8, Cruz cited these concerns as grounds for his opposition to the bill and put forward an amendment that he said would ensure that such issues didnt arise. If youre negotiating, you ought to be negotiating on the ostensible harm that this bill is directed at, which is the inability to get revenues from your content, Cruz said at the time. You should not be negotiating on content moderation and how you are going to censor substantive content. This bill simply says the topic of discussion, when these two sides get together, cant be censorship. It should be ad revenues, which is what all of the discussion of this markup has focused on. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the proposals main sponsor, countered Cruzs claim with her own contention that the bills intent was never to keep some viewpoints and outlets away from the negotiating table or censored further by Big Tech. This is simply about negotiating prices, Klobuchar said on Sept. 8. This was never the intent of the legislation, to get at content. The goal of the bill is to allow local news organizations to get compensation when major titans like Facebook and Google access their content. It wasnt about facilitating negotiations about content. Klobuchar ultimately offered Cruz an amended draft of the bill that satisfied Cruzs concerns, and on Sept. 22, he joined his colleagues in advancing the measure. Nevertheless, concerns remain that the subjective nature of the grounds permitted to exclude an outlet from a cartel could harm independent outlets with views outside of the political mainstream, to the benefit of establishment and mainstream outlets. Whats Next Now that Cruzs objections have been addressed, the measure will advance to the full Senate for consideration sometime in the coming days and weeks. Because the bill won the support of 11 committee Republicans, its likely that it will have little trouble in overcoming the 60-vote filibuster threshold. If approved by the Senate, the measure then goes to the House, where it will face committee scrutiny before a likely House floor vote. Approval in the House, where Democrats hold a narrow majority, also appears likely, with the measure then going to President Joe Bidens desk for final approval. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met on September 21 with President of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer in New York on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly, the ministry said in a news release. Presenting the consequences of the latest aggression of Azerbaijan against Armenias sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Foreign Minister said that Azerbaijans criminal acts were accompanied by cases of deliberate targeting of civilian population and infrastructure and gross violations of international and humanitarian law. The FM specifically emphasized the necessity of strongly condemning the cases of ill treatment against the Armenian servicemen and prisoners of war, including the tortures against servicewomen and other military crimes. In this context it was stated that not condemning in an addressed way and leaving unpunished the Azerbaijani war crimes and militaristic rhetoric by the international community make the aggressor side more reckless, by opening a path for new crimes. The Armenian FM highly valued the activity of ICRC aimed at responding to the issues relating to the return of Armenian POWs and hostages held in Azerbaijan, the search operations for missing persons and other humanitarian matters. Students at the College of International Business and Economics of Wuhan Textile University gathered on campus to protest against a power outage and COVID lockdown, in China's Wuhan city, on Sept. 19, 2022. (Courtesy of interviewee) Students Protest Power Outage at College in Chinas Wuhan, Discontent Grows Over COVID Lockdown A large group of students gathered at a college campus in Chinas Wuhan city on Sept. 19 to protest against the school administrations handling of a power outage. Moreover, the campus has been locked down for weeks, and students are frustrated over strict COVID measures. The blackout affected multiple dormitory buildings, including Building 15 for freshmen and Building 16 for sophomores, according to students of the College of International Business and Economics (CIBE) of Wuhan Textile University. The college is in the southeastern suburb of Wuhan, the capital of central Hubei Province, where COVID-19 first broke out in 2019. The CIBE has 13,000 students, and they have been under lockdown since last month amid the recent flare-up of COVID. The power outage occurred at 9:40 p.m. on Monday, after students finished their military training. Angry students gathered in open spaces, and some attempted to flee but were stopped by security personnel. The protesting students chanted Give back money! and Lift the lockdown! and demanded to meet the college administrators. There have been several protests in China this year against lockdowns, including students protesting in Beijing and Tianjin. Screenshot from Chinese social media of students at Beijing Normal University protesting against COVID-19 lockdowns, in Beijing, on May 24, 2022. (The Epoch Times) The electricity supply was cut off because the CIBE allegedly breached its contract with the local power company and stole electricity, according to an online notice issued by the power company. Power Outage Some dormitories had no power for over a week, Lin Xiaoya (pseudonym), a student at the CIBE, told the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times on Sept. 20. It has been a very hot summer; there is no air conditioning due to the power outage. But the college told us to sleep outside at night, Lin said. Chinas southern provinces, including Hubei and Sichuan, were hit by heatwaves and drought in July and August, and this summer was hotter than in previous years. Another student, Xiao Yong (pseudonym), told the publication: The two dormitory buildingsNo. 15 and No. 16had a sudden blackout last night [Sept. 19]. We all dashed to the college gate and wanted to leave the campus. Some of us demanded the college to resume power supply. According to the online notice posted by Canglongdao Power Station, in April, the CIBE applied to increase its power capacity in order to supply electricity to four new dormitory buildings and a cafeteria. But the college began using the newly added transformer before the power company approved the application, and the college hasnt paid for the electricity, the notice reads. The company cut off the power supply and notified the college on Sept. 17, according to the notice. The Epoch Times reached out to Canglongdao Power Station for comment. Students Angry at Prolonged Lockdown The power outage is not the only issue that has angered students at the CIBE. The students have been contained strictly within the campus for such a long time. The price of food and fruits on campus has risen, but no one cares, Lin Xiaoya said. Students are not allowed to go out, even when we are sick. Students are just fighting for their rights. The college wont listen at all. Ding Li, a student from another college, said that the CIBE treats its students unfairly. Students have been strictly kept within the campus, but the staff members and their families can go in and out of the campus freely, he said. Suppression The college officials immediately suppressed the protest. Posts were banned and removed from Chinese social media platforms. The administrators were allegedly investigating and retaliating against students who have participated in the protest. According to a screenshot circulating online, a political instructor sent a notice to a student chat group on the eve of the rally: If the school finds out that you have participated in the protest, you will be reported and expelled. Political instructors in Chinese universities are in charge of the political indoctrination of students, mainly communist and socialist ideologies. The instructors communicate with students regularly to ensure they abide by the Chinese Communist Partys political doctrine. Zhang Yan (pseudonym), a student from another university in Wuhan, told the publication on Sept. 20 that she was appalled at the notice. She said she supports the students at the CIBE. The students have communicated with the college administration several times about the power outage, but it was in vain. Thats why they began to protest. In the past, students were repressed by guns, but now students are threatened by expulsion, Zhang said, comparing the students protest with the peaceful pro-democracy student-led demonstrations in Beijing in 1989, which the CCP quashed with military tanks and soldiers. The Epoch Times reached out to the CIBE for comment. Zhao Fenghua and Gu Xiaohua contributed to this report. Study Reignites Debate on the Chemical Imbalance Theory of Depression Researchers Review Evidence, Reject Longstanding Theory Based on a systematic review of 17 medical studies, a recently published paper has raised questions and sparked debate about the chemical imbalance theory of depression. Although the study did not perform additional research, after synthesizing and evaluating evidence in the principal relevant areas, the authors conclude the longstanding theory is unproven. Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter, a chemical that regulates mood, sleep, appetite, and sexual desire. The chemical imbalance theory suggests that depression is caused by lowered serotonin levels in the brain. The paper, published July 20 in the journal Molecular Psychiatry by a multi-national team of researchers, is entitled The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence. The paper questions the chemical imbalance theory that began in the 1960s, based on the premise that reduced serotonin activity causes depression. This hypothesis was derived from the fact that the first two specifically antidepressant drugs, discovered in the 1950s, were both shown to increase brain levels of serotonin. Therefore, early experiments assumed a causal relationship between serotonin and depression. Subsequently, a variety of antidepressants often referred to as happy pills were developed, promoted around, and reinforced this theory. Although many professionals and the public still accept the serotonin theory of depression, the authors of the paper said they found no conclusive evidence that depression is associated with, or caused by, reduced serotonin concentration or activity in the brain. The study also calls into question whether raising serotonin levels via antidepressants is a reliable treatment for depression. Although clinical experts have determined that antidepressants help in the treatment of severe depression, their mechanism is not entirely understood. Reaction to the Study Expert reaction to the study was immediate and vigorous. The day the paper was published, Britains Science Media Centre published a round-up of various experts and their responses. Among them was Michael Bloomfield, Ph.D., psychiatrist and researcher at University College, London. While Bloomfield said that the hypothesis that depression was caused by a chemical imbalance in serotonin was a really important step forward in the middle of the 20th century, he called the review unsurprising. He noted, I dont think Ive met any serious scientists or psychiatrists who think that all causes of depression are caused by a simple chemical imbalance in serotonin. Phil Cowen, a professor of psychopharmacology at Oxford University, has studied the effects of serotonin on depressed patients for 30 years. He believes no mental health professional today would support the view that a complex disorder like depression stems from a deficiency in a single neurotransmitter. Professor Gitte Moos Knudsen, head of the Department of Neurology and Neurobiology Research Unit at Denmarks University Hospital of Copenhagen, said the study is based on a misconception, namely that depression is a single disease with a single biochemical deficit. Today, Knudsen notes, it is largely accepted that depression is a heterogeneous disorder with potentially multiple underlying causes. Rethinking How Anti-Depressants Work Although the July 20 paper did not focus on the pros and cons of using antidepressants, their mechanism of action in treating depression has become the focus of discussion. This is because most of the antidepressants used today have roots in the questionable chemical imbalance theory. In response to the study, Frederick Sundram, deputy head of psychological medicine at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, wrote that the mechanism of action for antidepressants is not yet fully understood. He believes there may be other mechanisms at work, such as neuroplasticity. In addition, he wrote, 30 to 40 percent of the efficacy of antidepressants is due to a placebo effect. Sundram claimed the brain chemical imbalance theory takes a simplified approach to a very complex human condition, an approach that is not shared by most psychiatrists. For example, he said, if someone has a history of personal trauma and lives under the constant stress of social isolation, unemployment, economic problems, leading to depression, antidepressants are unlikely to solve the problem. In March, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a report that mirrors Sundrams view. The report noted that the global prevalence of anxiety and depression rose 25 percent in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO said that peoples anxiety and depression were exacerbated by feelings of isolation under lockdowns, financial worries, and fear of illness or death for themselves and their loved ones. All of these are issues for which an antidepressant alone may be insufficient. The Royal College of Psychiatrists, a British mental health authority, responded to the study by citing its position paper on antidepressants (pdf), which states that although the idea of using antidepressants to correct a chemical imbalance in the brain is too simplistic, they do have early physiological and psychological effects. The Royal College suggests that antidepressants treat the symptoms of depression but do not directly address any underlying psychosocial causes, so medication is often combined with psychotherapy that can improve the patients ability to cope with difficult life situations. An Integrative Medicine Perspective Dr. Jing-Duan Yang is a psychiatrist and founder of the Yang Institute of Integrative Medicine. In a video presentation on Aug. 20, Yang explained why the chemical imbalance theory has become so prevalent. Yang said that once a theory developed by science becomes tied to a product, its promotion and subsequent researchers tend to exaggerate or embellish the original scientific evidence. Drawing from his 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Jing-Duan Yang believes antidepressants do work for some patients. However, it remains to be seen if [they work] in the way that was originally hypothesized, he said. Dr. Yang believes antidepressant drugs have helped to reduce inflammation in the brain, and some studies suggest depression is related to the inflammatory response in the brain. Therefore these drugs may improve serotonin function but by some other mechanism. Antidepressant Side Effects Should Prompt Caution Yang said although antidepressants are clinically proven and effective for many people, most have a variety of side effects, so patients should be cautious when using them. Yang gave the example of a patient he treated for nearly twenty years. The patient used the common drug Cymbalta for about ten years to improve her serotonin and norepinephrine function against anxiety and depression. The patient reported side effects such as weight gain and increased blood pressure. After switching the patient to Lexapro, a drug that simply improves serotonin function, her anxiety and depression improved once again. But it wasnt long before she started gaining weight again. She began having other disturbing side effects such as decreased libido, blurred vision, and a feeling that ants and bugs were crawling over her body. Yang said the most serious concern about this and other common antidepressants is their black box warning, which warns that teens and young adults are prone to more suicidal thoughts and tendencies in the first few weeks of taking the drug. In addition, for some people, anti-depressants increase symptoms of depression. Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Depression Dr. Dong Shidao, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor living in New Zealand, told The Epoch Times that TCM believes depression is strongly linked to the liver and its response to human emotions. Chinese medicine believes the liver plays a key role in controlling the flow of qiusually translated as vital energy through the body. When the liver is free of emotional turmoil, qi flows smoothly, and depression is avoided. Depression occurs when negative emotions disrupt the livers functioning, and the flow of qi becomes stagnant or blocked. Dong believes people become prone to liver qi stagnation when they allow worries and anxiety to remain unchecked. Instead of learning to care for themselves by developing support systems and good relationships, people today spend too much time on their cell phones and computers, says Dong. They dont know how to calm their worries in a healthy way, in order to avoid liver-related depression. Dong believes the stress of modern society only makes depression worse. To make his point, he uses a famous Chinese saying: If the righteousness exists within, the evil will not enter. He predicts that the more society devolves, the more vulnerable people will be to depression. Chinese medicine also has medication to treat liver qi stagnation, said Dong. But medication and acupuncture focus on unblocking and adjusting the whole body. TCM frequently uses a botanical formulation called Xiao Chi Hu Tang. The seven-herb formula was developed 1,800 years ago in China by Dr. Zhang Zhongjing and is still relied upon today to treat liver and gastrointestinal disorders. Groups of asylum seeking illegal immigrants wait outside the Migrant Resource Center to receive food from the San Antonio Catholic Charities in San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 19, 2022. (Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images) Texas Shelter CEO Says Illegal Immigrants Bused to New York Actually Want to Go Open letter asks Biden administration for federal aid amid reports of overwhelmed shelters The head of a homeless shelter in the Texas border city of El Paso said that illegal immigrants who are being bused to New York are voluntarily going there, disputing Democrats claims of human trafficking. Blake Barrow, the CEO of the El Paso Rescue Mission in Texas, published a letter on Sept. 21 asking the Biden administration for assistance in dealing with the illegal immigration crisis. The surge has overwhelmed homeless shelters in El Paso, a border city that sits across the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. We have all heard press reports about busing migrants to different parts of the country. Here are the facts as I have seen them: Almost all of the migrants arrive with an idea of an ultimate destination, Barrow wrote in the letter. In his letter, he said a significant number of illegal aliens actually want to go to New York. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been busing them to the Democrat-led cities of Chicago, New York, and Washington in recent months. About 20 percent of them want to go to New York. The city (of El Paso) has been chartering buses to New York to assist those desiring that destination. I am not aware of anyone being placed on a bus to New York who did not want to go there, Barrow wrote, disputing allegations made by Democrats that illegal aliens are being transported against their will. New York Mayor Eric Adams and other top city officials have alleged, without evidence, that illegal aliens are being forced onto buses to the city. 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, Adams said in August. Our goal is to immediately find out each familys needs and give them the assistance they want. However, Abbott has long contended that the busing plan is voluntary and said the individuals are willing participants. Several days ago, the City of El Paso confirmed that it has its own illegal immigrant busing programseparate from what Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are doing. Several illegal aliens who were transported to Marthas Vineyard at DeSantiss behest have filed a lawsuit against the governor, although his office has disputed key claims in the suit. Mario DAgostino, El Pasos deputy health manager, told Fox News that many of the aliens who enter the United States via Mexico want to go to New York. By far, the vast majority of them have requested to go to New York City, DAgostino told Fox News. Weve also had several large groups that are asking to go to Chicago. In the open letter, Barrow wrote that his El Paso shelter has recently received roughly 500 illegal aliens from Venezuela who need food, water, and clothing. Obviously, we need a well-coordinated, federal solution to this problem, but, so far, no one from Washington has asked our opinions. The Constitution Is the Answer Commentary Sept. 17 is the day that we reserve for honoring our Constitution. The day was codified in 1917 when many people rightly feared that the country was losing its appreciation for its merits. Did you celebrate the day? Im afraid that many people didnt. This surely isnt something thats taught in schools today. Just like civics classes have long been absent from our nations schools, education about our Constitution is also sorely lacking. Yet, it should be the paramount thing that we are teaching our youth. Why? Because the freedom protected by the Constitution is the key to a free and happy life. I will explain. We need to step back in time to about 250 years ago, which was a much simpler time in many ways. There were no cars, no paved roads, no computers, no internet, and certainly no cellphonesin fact, there were no telephones at all. Communication mainly happened by people meeting face-to-face and talking to one another. Some people say that our Founding Fathers predicted it all that they knew the government would one day spin out of control and become dictatorial. I say, it wasnt a prediction, but a result of infliction. The founding generation came from tyranny. They knew exactly what it was like to suffer under a monarch, one-man rule with an obedient, aristocratic Parliament, where edicts and whims of one person or a select few would upturn lives, cause pain and suffering, and in some cases, result in death. They knew what it was like to petition the king and have their requests fall on deaf ears. They knew what it was like to work hard to provide for their families, have to pay taxes on their goods and lands, and then watch the authorities squander their hard-earned earnings on things that would never benefit them and in some cases would outright hurt them. Their famous cry became, No taxation without representation! And so, they broke free. They fought a bloody revolutionary war; it was gruesome and all-encompassing. Ultimately, they won their freedom, and their historic stand against tyranny was enshrined in our Declaration of Independence. The Articles of Confederation came next and it left government almost entirely to the colonies. Later, some among them crafted the Constitution, and they structured it such that, if followed, it would protect generations to come from authoritarian rule. It included a Bill of Rights to make the point perfectly clear what government could not do. The Constitution Was Written to Keep the Government in Check Something that I often explain when I am giving a speech or a presentation is that our Founding Fathers wrote our Constitution to enshrine our rights and then built the government to protect those rights. The government isnt supposed to control us. We are supposed to control the government. We do that through suffrage (i.e. voting). It was supposed to make the government always responsive to the people. In New York, suffrage is so sacred, our state constitution lists it second only to our Bill of Rights. There are a few other key points to recognize: The states created the federal government. The federal government didnt create the states. Any power not specifically endowed upon the federal government in the Constitution is reserved for the people or the states. The Constitution lays out our three co-equal branches of government and their enumerated powers (legislative branch, judicial branch, and executive branch). The checks and balances set forth in our Constitution are there to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. This is the separation of powers doctrine. When one branch goes astray, its up to the other branches to put that branch back in its place. Thats exactly what we did with our recent win in our quarantine camp lawsuit here in New York. The executive branch (Gov. Kathy Hochul and her Department of Health) severely breached the separation of powers doctrine and made a regulation that conflicted with a New York state law and the Constitution. So I sued Hochul and her DOH for their unconstitutional isolation and quarantine procedures regulation that allowed the DOH lock up or lock down New Yorkers for an indefinite amount of time, without any proof of actual sickness, with no way to get out once locked up. Here we are, almost 250 years later, and in many ways, we are living under tyranny. We have executive branches across the nation (and at the federal level) consistently breaching separation of powers (the cornerstone of our free society). When one branch of government usurps the power of the other branches, that is tyranny. And it is We the People who suffer under tyranny. Its usurpation of power. Also known as breach of separation of powers. Some call it government overreach. Whichever tag you use, it gets us to the same place: Our Constitution is under attack. As a result, attorneys like me have to then bring lawsuits against the executive branches to get the judicial branches to put the executives back into their lane. A few examples of late: Our quarantine camp lawsuit was victorious against Hochuls illegal quarantine regulation, which was struck down as unconstitutional. Bidens EPA (power plant emissions limitations) regulation was struck down as unconstitutional. Bidens OSHA (vaccination or mask/test) regulation was struck down as unconstitutional. Bidens CDC (eviction moratorium) was struck down as unconstitutional. The list goes on. These are cases in which the Constitution won; which is wonderful, of course. However, this model isnt sustainable. We cant just keep bringing lawsuits to put the overreaching, totalitarian executives back in their lanes. Lawsuits take time. They take money. They take resources. They require lawyers willing to go against the grain to take up the fight. The lawsuits arent easy because all of the above-noted ingredients are rare commodities, especially funding. I am handling our quarantine camp lawsuit (which Hochul plans to appeal) pro bono, which means I am doing it for free. But that isnt sustainable either. Our Constitution Is Only as Good as the People It Protects If the politicians dont uphold the Constitution, then it becomes useless. If the people dont require the politicians to follow the Constitution, its useless. The Constitution must be upheld. Public servants are supposed to swear an oath to uphold the Constitution when they take office. Ask yourself this: Are my representatives (state and federal), upholding the Constitution? Or are they violating my rights and freedoms, and making my life more difficult and less pleasurable? Originally published on the authors Substack, reposted 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. After the fast spread of the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from China to the Western world, several large pharmaceutical companies quickly invented and manufactured COVID-19 vaccines, which were then made available to the public through emergency use authorization (EUA). And in late 2020, people around the world started to receive these vaccines. According to Our World in Data, to date, 67.9 percent of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. While only 22.5 percent of people in low-income countries have received a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the vaccination rates of developed countries are generally hightypically around 80 percent. For instance, the COVID-19 vaccination rates of the G7 countries are: 79.19 percent in the United States, 86.96 percent in Canada, 80.92 percent in France, 77.66 percent in Germany, 85.82 percent in Italy, 83.60 percent in Japan, and 79.97 percent in the UK. However, in all countries and regions around the world, there are people who elect not to receive the COVID-19 vaccines for various reasons. They are a naturally occurring control group, as opposed to the vaccinated population (i.e. the experimental group). Indeed, the whole COVID-19 vaccine campaigns can be regarded as the unprecedented largest human clinical trials on vaccine safety, by design or not, as the vaccines long term safety data was not available when they were provided to people under EUA. Then, the unvaccinated population in different parts of the world are very unique large control groups in such a global clinical trial. Due to the highly valuable health data of this unvaccinated population, between October 2021 and February 2022, a UK-based organization called Control Group Cooperative (CGC) independently collected their self-reported data on their health status, reasons for declining to receive the COVID-19 vaccines, whether they have been infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the severity of their symptoms for the ones that did get infected, and whether theyve been subject to discrimination or victimization. These data have then been analyzed by a team of researchers, who are entirely independent of the CGC and have received no funding for interpreting the findings of the CGC survey. Their recent report on their findings has been published on the International Journal of Vaccine Theory, Practice, and Research, which is a peer-reviewed scholarly open access journal. What Is the Control Group Cooperative? The Control Group Cooperative was founded in July 2021 to defend peoples inalienable rights to freedom of choice and bodily integrity. Actually, one of the core principles in public health is the respect of autonomy. The group is particularly concerned with the marginalization and stigmatization of COVID-19 unvaccinated communities around the world. The stakeholders of the cooperative believe that they are making a positive contribution to society by collecting health data from both the SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated and the unvaccinated to facilitate a truly comparative analysis. Their rationale is that there is no existing official control group designated by the governments or health authorities. However, since all the existing COVID-19 vaccines are experimental, and a true scientific experiment (i.e. a controlled experiment) requires at least one group (i.e. the control group) that doesnt receive the experimental treatment, then the COVID-19 vaccine treatments must have a control group as well in order to properly evaluate their long-term efficacy and safety. As of now, over 305,000 participants who have voluntarily elected to not be inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines, from over 175 countries have signed up to become part of the control group. By joining the control group, the participants receive an ID card, which indicates that they must not be vaccinated due to their participation. The CGC stated on its website that this ID card is not an official or legal exemption in any country. Although these ID cards arent recognized by any authorities, many participants have reported that they had helped them avoid vaccination without informed consent, supported their position, and facilitated discussion with others. Some governments and media personnel have tried to discredit the CGC by calling it a potential scam. For instance, upon discovering several ID cards issued by the CGC, the provincial government of Manitoba in Canada posted on its Twitter account that data collected through the platform could not be used in an official trial to compare vaccinated and unvaccinated people, as per a UK health body. However, the UKs Medicines and Health Care products Regulatory Agency stated that the collection of health data from the public does not need its approval. To be fair, it is very hard to evaluate the accuracy of the survey results from such a large scale global survey. It is also very challenging to evaluate whether the volunteers in this study are heavily biased or not. But, there is no clinical trial that could be designed at such a global scale, and the world needs the health data regarding this population. Therefore, even though the results from this study cannot be as well-designed as a regular clinical trial, the merit of this study cannot be simply denied for providing such valuable data from unique angles. Findings of an Independent Analysis of the CGC Survey When joining the CGCs control group, the participants agree to fill out a monthly survey about their health status. The aforementioned analysis was performed by a multinational team of independent researchers on the data collected from a cohort over a five month period from October 2021 to February 2022. This cohort of 18,497 people is a sub-group of all participants (297,618 people as of late February 2022), and they had been carefully selected to be representative of the full dataset. Geographic Distribution of the Unvaccinated Communities In the cohort, the largest unvaccinated populations are from Europe (40 percent), Oceania (Australia and New Zealand; 27 percent), and North America (United States and Canada; 25 percent). The respondents are from a total of 68 countries and six continents. Age Group and Gender Among the 96.3 percent of the survey participants who disclosed their gender, 57 percent were female, and 43 percent were male. The largest numbers of respondents were found in the 50 to 69 age group, who are considered by the health authorities as at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection and severe illness/death after infection than the general public. The number of participants between the ages of 40 and 49 was also relatively large. Top Reasons for Not Receiving COVID-19 Vaccines According to the survey, the five leading reasons behind the cohorts decision to not receive COVID-19 vaccines include preference for natural medicine interventions, distrust of pharmaceutical interventions, distrust of government information on the vaccines, poor or limited trial study data, and fear of long-term side effects. They were of nearly equal importance. Each respondent could select more than one reason that he/she considered equally important. From the results, we can see that the participants were not refusing medical treatment, nor were they not caring of their own health, as sometimes portrayed by the media and/or authorities. To these unvaccinated people, they just did not think that there is only one way (the vaccine way) to help them medically, and they have been reasonably conservative in taking new vaccine products. No scientist in the world can claim that we understand every aspect of the new vaccine products. Furthermore, since vaccine development in the past took 10 to 15 years on average to complete, many people are skeptical of the COVID-19 vaccines, which were invented so quickly by several major pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson) after receiving hefty funding from the U.S., German, and other governments. Moreover, the messenger RNA (mRNA) platform, based on which the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines were invented, is a new technology, which hadnt been used to produce vaccines previously. Even before the vaccines were implemented, people knew that RNA molecules were unstable in the human body. However, the mRNA generated in the new vaccines have been modified to keep them more stable. Therefore, we dont know whether any side effects from these modified mRNA molecules would be immediate, delayed, transient, or long term. Therefore, its reasonable for some people to want to wait and see the long-term effects of these new mRNA vaccines and to not trust their limited trial data. Physical and Mental Health Status of the Unvaccinated Cohort 1) COVID-19 infection before survey Prior to taking the survey, less than 20 percent of the participants had been infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with the majority of the people aging from 20 to 69 years old. 2) COVID-19 infection during five month period During the five month period from October 2021 through February 2022, in most parts of the world, the highly transmissible Omicron variant became the most prevalent strain, replacing the previously dominant Delta variant. As a result, many people became infected. Most respondents reporting suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection on the survey questionnaire were between 20 to 69 years old, which is consistent with the infection situation prior to the survey. Specifically, the age group from 20 to 49 years old accounted for 10.7 percent of the respondents; and the age group from 50 to 69 years old accounted for 12.3 percent. 3) Severe illness situation of the infected respondents Given that society had found no way to stop the spread of the Omicron variant, many were infected during this time periodthis included many asymptomatic infections. Therefore, our main concern is with the respondents of the cohort who were seriously ill and/or hospitalized. Fortunately, in the vast majority of the cases, the patients symptoms were mild and moderate. The rate of severe illness appeared to be very low (around 2 percent of all respondents). Only 74 individuals among the 5,196 (1.4 percent) confirmed or suspected infected respondents reported that they were hospitalized. This percentage might not be very accurate, as people who are very sick or hospitalized might not be healthy enough or willing to participate in this kind of survey. So, objectively, this kind of survey will have data skewing towards more healthy targets. Nevertheless, the data here still indicates that this group of unvaccinated people were not more prone to the infection by Omicron, even though they were not protected by the vaccines. Otherwise, the percentage of infection and hospitalization rates among this group of people would be much higher. Therefore, this is a very important piece of data, as well as the core observation in this study. However, in the above graph, there are no data on the number of deaths, as the deceased wouldnt be able to self-report their cases. Since its simply impossible to know the number of deaths with the survey design, some may criticize the findings as not authoritative, because these cases were not confirmed by doctors. Nevertheless, judging from the small portion of patients with severe illness among the infected cohorts in this group, it is fair to estimate that disease progression upon Omicron infection does not correlate with the vaccination status. Also, among the infected respondents, the leading symptoms include fatigue, cough, muscle or body aches, fever, and loss of taste, with most of them being reported by participants in the 50 to 69 years old age group. Most likely, age and underlying medical conditions would be the main factors leading to disease progression. Self-administration of Vitamins and Medicines Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and health authorities in some other countries havent approved the use of ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine, some respondents believed that there were significant volume of medical study data to suggest that these drugs were effective at treating COVID-19 disease, and some clinicians said that from their own experience that they had helped many of their patients with these drugs. As a result, some did use these drugs to combat their COVID-19 infection. Also, most people took vitamins, as they can be very helpful in boosting the immune system. So it is clear that they had been taking an active approach to prevention and treatment, not simply ignoring the threats of COVID. Mask-wearing Situation of Infected Respondents The fact that these participants were not vaccinated doesnt imply that they were not concerned about their own health or others health. In reality, many of them were very conscious of their health and personal hygiene practices to stop the spread of COVID-19. Many people stereotype the unvaccinated people as a group who doesnt care about their lives or health, as they do not wear masks nor take any precautions to avoid infecting others. However, the data on the graph clearly showed that many of these unvaccinated people also wore masks for long periods in a day. And the data here do not imply any causal relationship between mask wearing and COVID-19 incidence. Discrimination Faced by Unvaccinated Control Group Some media personnel, authority figures, and government agencies have asserted that the unvaccinated pose a risk to the vaccinated individuals. In November 2021, Professor Gunter Kampf explained in his article published in The Lancet that even vaccinated individuals would continue to spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Therefore, the stigmatization of the unvaccinated people cannot be justified scientifically. However, several countries had imposed a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on their adult populations. Many other countries, such as the U.S., Canada, and France, require federal workers, healthcare workers, and/or employees of certain professions to receive COVID-19 vaccines. The ones who still declined to get jabbed would lose their jobs. The survey also asked the respondents to indicate whether or not they felt discriminated against by their authorities or other people. Between 20 and almost 50 percent of respondents reported being victimized. The regions with the highest rates of reported discrimination were Southern Europe, South America, Western Europe, Oceania, and Southern Africa. These participants have been discriminated against by policy or by other people in all aspects of life, including work, study, and travel. Job Losses for Participants of Working Age For the purpose of the survey, people aged 20 to 69 years old were considered of the working age. The highest rates of job losses were reported in Oceania (29 percent of working-age respondents), North America (13 percent), Southern Europe (13 percent), and Southeast Asia (12 percent). Although the report didnt indicate whether the job losses could be entirely attributed to the vaccine mandates, its quite possible that some people would lose jobs due to their refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. Mental Health Status of the Unvaccinated Cohort Also, although the majority of the unvaccinated respondents didnt suffer from infection/severe illness, would the stress from vaccine mandates/requirements hurt them psychologically? Their mental health status was self-assessed. Only 12 percent of the participants believed life is great during the 5-month period, while around 20 percent of respondents in all age groups were suffering from sustained discouragement and feeling that theres no hope. Therefore, based on the statistics, a significant proportion of the participants were suffering from emotional distress. This is also a very noteworthy issue, although the study did not show that mental stress was only caused by discrimination. Anyone who has been subjected to restrictions from all aspects of life, discrimination, and/or even hostility from others for a long period of time can suffer a great deal of mental stress. In summary, this study provides the unique data about the unvaccinated control group under the global gigantic experiment to mass vaccinate the population with newly developed vaccines with new technologies. It also provides an important reference for public health practitioners to evaluate the policy decision making process in terms of the impacts of certain policies to different communities. For instance, in public health emergencies, there are often dilemmas in terms of public health ethics considerations. But we still need to ask: Are we sticking to do no harm ethical standards? 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. CHICAGOEnthralling, spellbinding, exceptional, extraordinary, remarkable, breathtaking! There arent enough adjectives to describe this incredible revival of Fiddler on the Roof. Based on Sholem Aleichems stories about Jewish life in the Pale of Settlement of Imperial Russia around 1905, Fiddler on the Roof was initially not well received by investors who were discouraged by the show because they believed that it would only appeal to Jewish audiences. Fortunately, Joseph Stein who wrote the book, Sheldon Harnick who wrote the lyrics, and Jerry Bock who wrote the music disagreed, believing that Fiddler would appeal to everyone. They were right. The story about Tevye, the milkman who tries to hold on to his traditions, his religion, and his family hit a chord with everyone around the world. What the naysayers didnt realize is that the show wasnt just a tale about Jews. The clash between tradition and contemporary values, the clash between family and the outside world, and the clash between death and survival are universal, and are to be found in all religions, cultures, and societies. The original 1964 Fiddler had an exuberant musical score, but it was played with such flamboyance that its tale was overwhelmed by its brash Broadway style. The Lyric Opera presentation, though, which was first directed by Barrie Kosky in 2017 at Germanys Komische Oper Berlin, focuses much more on the emotional core of the tale and the humanity of its characters. The cast sings in the Lyric Operas production of Fiddler on the Roof. (Todd Rosenberg) Violinist on a Scooter The musical begins, not with a fiddler balancing on a rooftop, but on a young boy (Drake Wunderlich) who, sporting headphones and riding a scooter, rolls onto the Lyric stage. He arrives in front of a closet whose doors open to reveal a violin case. He takes the violin out and beings to play music when characters from within the closet spill out onto the stage, taking us back into the Jewish world of yesteryear. Among the differences between this new production and the old is the scenic design and the costuming. This time, instead of a colorful and quaint village backdrop, set designer Rufus Didwiszus has set the Jewish community in muted colors of grays and browns, and furnished it with towering used cabinets from which characters emerge in the first act, and an icy landscape of forest and snow for the second act. Lauren Marcus as Tzeitel and Drew Redington as Motel are feted at their wedding in the Lyric Operas production of Fiddler on the Roof. (Todd Rosenberg) In addition, the characters are dressed in drab rags which, designed by Klaus Bruns, gives one a palpable feel for the impoverished condition of their lives. While the new incarnation of Fiddler emphasizes the hard reality of Jewish life in Russia, the musicals charm, wisdom, and enchantment still come through. Here, we have the most glorious musical score embellished by terrific performances. A courageous and witty Tevye is played to compelling perfection by Steven Skybell, whose powerful voice and passionate depth makes his character come alive on stage. We understand the importance of tradition for him when he explains that it is necessary so that everyone knows who he is and what God expects of him. And we appreciate his grinding poverty when he asks God Would it destroy some grand eternal plan if I were a rich man? Debbie Gravitte as Golde and Steven Skybell as Tevye sing in the Lyric Operas production of Fiddler on the Roof. (Todd Rosenberg) Riveting Production There are so many more fantastic moments and performances in this riveting production. The choreography by Otto Pichler, in which dancers dressed in black sweep on stage in Russian style with bottles on their heads as they drink To Life. Theres the moment in which Tevye tells his wife Golde (Debbie Gravitte) about his dream and asks her Do You Love Me? And then theres the scene in which Motel (Drew Redington), the poor tailor, sings about Gods miracle in gifting him his bride, Tzeitel (Lauren Marcus). But the moment that will really bring a lump to ones throat is that in which we hear the haunting, melodic strains of Sunrise, Sunset. With Kimberly Grigsby masterfully conducting the terrific Lyric Orchestra, and the company of 24 actors, 40 in the chorus, and 12 dancers, this production is of a scale that a regular theater cannot match. But the triumph of this show is not just about its epic grandeur. Rather it engages profound empathy because it is the poignant story of the people of a lost world. (LR) Two of Tevyes daughter in the wagon with Steven Skybell as Tevye and Debbie Gravitte as Golde sing Anatevka in the Lyric Operas production of Fiddler on the Roof. (Todd Rosenberg) As the show comes to its end, and we hear the melodic sadness of Anatevka, its difficult to hold back tears: We watch the wretched multitude thrown out of their homes and out into an unknown future in a frightening search for a new life. A once-in-a-lifetime production, this is a show that one may never see again. If you only see one show this year, make it this heartfelt Fiddler on the Roof. Fiddler on the Roof The Lyric Opera of Chicago 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago Tickets: 312-827-5600 or LyricOpera.org Runs: 3 hours, 15 minutes Closes: Oct. 7, 2022 Jenny Hong, wife of Toronto Police Const. Andrew Hong, and her children Mia and Alex bow at his casket during his funeral service in Toronto on Sept. 21, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn) Thousands Honour Slain Toronto Police Officer Andrew Hong at Funeral Deceased Toronto police constable Andrew Hong was honoured during a day-long funeral ceremony held on Sept. 21. Thousands were in attendance at the Toronto Congress Centre (TCC) at 12:10 p.m., where Hongs funeral was held. It was closed to the public but viewable by others live-streamed on the internet. People lined up over different Highway 407 overpasses along the route to watch the hearse pass by on its way to the TCC from the funeral home. The event was attended by members of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) and various other police forces, as well as Premier Doug Ford, Mayor John Tory, Ontario Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness and former Toronto police chief Bill Blair, and federal Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino. Heart of Gold Ford mentioned how Hong lit up the room with his personality. Andrew was made of steel on the outside but had a heart of gold on the inside, Ford said in a speech at the funeral. Toronto police officer Const. Andrew Hong. (Courtesy Toronto Police) To do these jobs, to commit your life protecting others is the highest calling, Ford continued. The sacrifices these families make are more than most of us could ever know, and sometimes these heroes make the ultimate sacrifice as Andrew did. Hong was 48 years old and a 22-year veteran with the Toronto Police. He was the first slain during a shooting rampage where 40-year-old Sean Petrie allegedly waited in Tim Hortons for over two hours before shooting Hong at close range in an ambush attack. Police believe that Petrie was waiting for an officer to shoot. Hong was on a lunch break from a training exercise, getting his colleagues a round of coffee. Police say the shooter fled to a parking lot across the street, where he allegedly shot another victim and stole his car. He then took the stolen car and drove it to an autobody shop, where he allegedly shot and killed two other people and injured one more. The shooter was later shot and died of his injuries during a skirmish with police trying to take him into custody, according to the police press briefings. Family Reflects on the Tragedy Multiple speakers at the funeral mentioned how Hongs nickname was the Honger and how he was such a big, gentle, and friendly person. He was remembered for his hugs and sense of humour. His wife said he loved food, video games, fishing, motorcycles and airplanes. It would have been their 21st wedding anniversary on Sept. 22. She said he loved being on the motorcycle unit with traffic services and getting to be a trainer. I cant believe they pay me to ride a motorcycle, he would tell his wife after he came home from work. In his early years, it was a lot of lifting and hitting the gym, but as he got older, his love for his muscles and cars turned into his love for his wife and kids, his daughter Mia said at the funeral. He went from a stick shift Volkswagen GTI to an 8-seater minivan. Police Officers Oath Toronto Police Chief James Ramer said the attack on Hong was an attack on the entire police community. As police officers, we have all taken this same oath to answer the call, to put the safety of others before our own, he said. The circumstances of Andrews death illustrate that to do so, in our profession, can come at a terrible cost. And indeed today, we also pay tribute to the other innocent victims of this senseless tragedy. During the ceremony, the Korean traditional folk song My Beloved One, which speaks to having courage in the face of hardship, was performed by the Korean Traditional Music Association of Canada at the funeral. A TPS press release says, nearly 300 motorcycle officers from about 25 Canadian and American police services took part in the procession. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Unite and Win Rally in support of Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano at the Wyndham Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Aug. 19, 2022. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images) Top Florida Democrat Endorses Ron DeSantis, Says Too Much Is on the Line A top Democrat in Palm Beach County, Florida, endorsed Gov. Ron DeSantis for governor by saying there is too much on the line during the 2022 midterms. Endorsing Gov. @RonDeSantisFL was the obvious choice this election cycle. Gov. DeSantis Dem opponent has called for reallocation of resources away from law enforcement. FL cannot afford people like Charlie Crist who wants to defund the police & make our communities less safe, Dave Kerner, the commissioner of Palm Beach County as well as its former mayor, wrote on Twitter this week. DeSantis is running against Democrat Charlie Crist, the former governor of Florida, in the states gubernatorial race. Kerner further stated that his endorsement was, in part, driven by Crists comments that he plans to reallocate funds to instead deploy mental health professionals to assist police on domestic violence calls. Republicans say that such a move would be akin to defunding the policea common refrain that was used during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests and riots. He included a video of a press conference in which he spoke alongside DeSantis, giving the Republican governor his endorsement. Every day until Nov. 8th, I will campaign for Gov. DeSantis, and on Nov. 8th, I will vote for Gov. DeSantis, Kerner said at the Police Benevolent Association in West Palm Beach. I will not remain silent. There is too much on the line in this election, he added. DeSantis also spoke at the event and targeted the Democrats anti-police movement. We are focused on protecting victims and not coddling criminals, and no one knows that better than Dave, who served Floridas communities. Commissioner Kerner knows first-hand the threat of the defund the police movement and understands the important role that our local law enforcement officers play in keeping Florida safe, he said. Palm Beach County is the third-most-populous county in Florida. In 2020, President Joe Biden won about 56 percent of the votes in the county, according to election data. Crist, who was the governor of Florida between 2007 and 2011, was a member of the Republican Party before he became an independent in 2010. He later switched to the Democratic Party in 2012 before he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat in 2016. In late August, Crist resigned from his House seat to focus on his 2022 gubernatorial campaign. Floridas now-vacant 13th District will remain without a representative until the November election. Former President Donald Trump-backed Republican candidate Anna Paulina Luna and former Obama administration official Eric Lynn, a Democrat, are vying for the seat. Top ICE Official Admits Biden Administration Detaining, Removing Fewer Illegal Immigrants A top U.S. immigration enforcement official has acknowledged that President Joe Bidens administration is detaining and removing fewer illegal immigrants than earlier administrations. Since President Biden became president on January 20, 2021, ERO is removing less aliens, correct? Florida Chief Deputy Attorney General John Guard asked Corey Price, executive associate director for Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), which is part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Thats correct, Price responded. Director, ICE currently is removing less aliens from the United States than it has in the last decade, right? Guard asked. I do not have the last 10 years data available. But it is less than at least the last four years that I have here, Price said. ICE only detained 45,680 illegal immigrants in 2021, about half as many as it did in 2020. And in 2022, the agency has only detained about 48,200 illegal immigrants. Price was speaking during a deposition for a case filed against the Biden administration by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. Price was later shown an email sent soon after Biden took office to top immigration officials, including acting ICE Director Tae Johnson, by Henry Lucero, the executive associate director of ERO. Lucero informed the officials that the Biden administrations change in immigration enforcement policies would likely reduce detention numbers by half. And given the data that we just looked at Lucero [and other officials] were almost right on the money on their predictions, correct? Guard asked. That appears correct, Price said. ICE, its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, and the White House did not respond to requests for comment. Our deposition provides even more proof that the Biden administration is intentionally underenforcing federal immigration law in a way that has never been seen. At every phase of the process, Biden is purposely failing to enforce the law and detain and remove inadmissible immigrants, Moody, a Republican, said in a statement. Career ICE officials warned the administration that their reckless policies would drastically cut enforcement and still Biden continued to implement themproving yet again, we only have Biden to blame for the border crisis and the surge in American deaths from Mexican fentanyl, she added. Numbers Under Biden, illegal immigration has skyrocketed while enforcement, such as deportations, has plummeted. For instance, in fiscal year 2021, during which Biden took office, just 59,011 deportations were executed. That was down from 185,884 illegal aliens removed in fiscal year 2020former President Donald Trumps last full fiscal year in officeand 267,258 in fiscal year 2019, the last full fiscal year that did not include the COVID-19 pandemic. Arrests were also down, dropping from 143,099 in fiscal year 2019 to just 74,082 in fiscal year 2021, according to end-of-year reports that were previously made public by ICE. The numbers for fiscal year 2022 are not yet available. There is one month remaining in the fiscal year. ICE typically releases the figures about six months after a fiscal year ends. ICE is in charge of enforcing immigration law in the U.S. interior, and ERO is an arm of the agency. Raul Ortiz, the chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, tasked with manning the U.S. borders, said in a deposition obtained as part of the same suit that the spike in illegal immigration was due to a lack of consequences for many illegal aliens. The case, which argues that the Biden administration is violating federal law by not detaining illegal aliens until a final decision is made regarding their presence in the United States, is set to go on trial in January 2023. An Air Canada plane prepares to land at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Dec. 26, 2021. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press) Travel Mandate Hearing: Right to Leave Country Is Inalienable, Says Lawyer In court on Sept. 21, a lawyer from Quebec representing himself tried to fend off an attempt by the attorney general to declare moot his lawsuit against the travel vaccine mandate, saying Canadians have the inalienable right to leave the country. I live with the daily worry to be again confined to Canada without being able to leave, and without the issue being assessed by a tribunal, said Quebec lawyer Nabil Belkacem in federal court in Ottawa. He said if the case is not allowed to go forward, it would send the message the government is untouchable. The mandate imposed by the Liberal government from October 2021 to June 2022 meant that unvaccinated Canadians were not allowed to board a plane, train, and some ships from within Canada. Adding the U.S. border rules preventing unvaccinated foreigners from entering, millions of Canadians were technically trapped inside the country. Belkacem, along with applicants in three other lawsuits being jointly processed, attempted to convince Justice Jocelyne Gagne to dismiss the attorney generals motion to have their suits declared moot. The Justice Department brought the motion forward after the federal government let the vaccine mandate interim order expire on June 20. Belkacem told the judge that Canadians who were not affected by the segregation have trouble grasping the significance of the issue. Never again I want to be jailed in the country, said the lawyer. Crown counsel J. Sanderson Graham argued that the vaccine mandate no longer exists as law. Attorney Keith Wilson with the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedom (JCCF), who is representing former Newfoundland premier Brian Peckford and his co-applicants, said they are not challenging the law, but rather the executive orders that put in place the mandates. The orders were issued pursuant to sections of the Aeronautics Act and Railway Safety Act, which allow the government to issue directives to entities in order to mitigate a threat, in this case COVID-19. The challengers also argued that even though the interim order has expired, government strategy and messaging have indicated the mandates could be brought back if deemed necessary. Lawyer Sam Presvelos, who is representing businessmen Shaun Rickard and Karl Harrison, told the judge there was no evidence the mandates will not be brought back. Crown counsel Robert Drummond countered there is also no evidence that they will. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sept. 1 that increasing COVID-19 booster uptake was important to avoid the problematic restrictions of the past years. Official documents revealed during the legal proceedings show the government used the mandates to drive vaccine uptake. Among other arguments brought by the Crown, Graham said the court should not rule on the constitutionality of mandates to not have a deleterious effect on future cases, that applicants have already received the only proper remedy available by now being allowed to travel, and that scarce judicial resources should not be expended on the issue. Peoples Party Leader Maxime Bernier, who is also part of the legal action and who attended the court hearing, said the mandates were unethical, unconstitutional, and unscientific in a video posted on social media after the hearing. We need to make sure these restrictions will never be reimposed on any Canadian, he said. One of Berniers arguments in his case is that he was prevented from exercising his duties as a political leader during the mandate, being unable to travel across Canada to carry out activities. Public health measures became a gag of activities meant to criticize the public health measures, Berniers lawyer Samuel Bachand told the court. Its a vicious cycle. Justice Gagne did not say at the end of the hearing when she would give her decision. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. On September 21, on the margins of the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with Foreign Minister of Finland Pekka Haavisto, the Armenian MFA said in a news release. Ararat Mirzoyan briefed upon the situation resulting from the military aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia. He drew his colleague's attention to the targeting of civilian population and infrastructure by the Azerbaijani armed forces, gross violations of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and international humanitarian law. In the context of maintaining the ceasefire regime and excluding new aggression, Minister Mirzoyan emphasized the importance of clear and targeted condemnation of Azerbaijani aggression by the international community and the implementation of effective preventive measures. The sides have also touched upon the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. During the meeting the sides exchanged views on the development of cooperation between Armenia and Finland on bilateral and multilateral platforms. Former President Donald Trump (Left) at CPAC in Dallas, Texas, on Aug. 6, 2022, and the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 11, 2022. (Brandon Bell, Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Trump Says He Could Declassify Documents By Thinking About It Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that he did declassify documents at the center of the FBI raid targeting Mar-a-Lago last month. In an interview with Fox News, the former president said, Different people say different things but as I understand it, if youre the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying its declassified, even by thinking about it. Because youre sending it to Mar-a-Lago or wherever youre sending it. There doesnt have to be a process. There can be a process, but there doesnt have to be, Trump said. Youre the president you make that decision on whether to declassify, he said. Prosecutors have said in court filings that some 100 documents that were found at Trumps Florida home and resort were marked as classified or top secret. The FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago estate after a search earlier this year uncovered the documents. The former president, meanwhile, said that FBI agents took a number of personal documents such as tax records, his medical file, old passports, and his will. They Were Declassified Since the raid, Trump has often said that he declassified the materials, pointing to a memorandum that he issued on his final day in office. That memo called for the declassification of documents pertaining to the FBI Crossfire Hurricane investigation, while a former aide, Kash Patel, said in an interview last month that the FBI likely seized Trump-Russia materials. Documents seized during the Aug. 8 raid by the FBI of former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla, in a photo released on Aug. 30, 2022. (FBI via The Epoch Times) In other words, when I left the White House, they were declassified, Trump told Fox News on Wednesday, adding that he did not pack any of the boxes himself. Toward the end of his presidential term, the General Services Administration and other White House staff were involved in packing up the boxes, he said. That included newspaper articles, pictures, and other materials. The GSA also works with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), as necessary, to provide support to the former Presidents in the establishment and maintenance of their libraries, GSA says on its website. These services are only provided in the event of a change of Administration. The comment to Fox comes as a federal appeals court ruled earlier Wednesday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) could resume its review of the classified documents. A federal judge in Florida had previously ordered the DOJ to halt the review as a special master was being considered. In a ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit wrote (pdf) that Trumps lawyers have not attempted to show that he has a need to know the information contained in the classified documents. Nor has he established that the current administration has waived that requirement for these documents, wrote the judges. They said that there is a possibility that he declassified the documents but there is no record of him doing so. U.S. District Judge Raymond Dearie presides over his first public hearing since his appointment as special master to review documents seized last month by the FBI from former President Donald Trump's Florida home, at a courtroom in New York on Sept. 20, 2022. (Jane Rosenberg/Reuters) Trump Special Master Reveals New Plan After Appeals Court Ruling The judge designated as the special master in former President Donald Trumps records case has proposed that a government official swear that the government properly listed items taken from Trumps home in August. U.S. District Judge Raymond Dearie, the special master, also left open the possibility of recommending the government be ordered to return some of the seized materials. Dearie outlined the plan on Sept. 22, following an order that blocks him and Trumps lawyers from accessing materials with classified markings that were taken from Trumps home in Palm Beach, Florida. Dearie, a Reagan appointee, was chosen by Trump attorneys and Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyers and put into place by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee. Trump and the DOJ can object to components of the plan; Cannon would adjudicate any objections. Declaration Dearies case management plan starts with having a government official with sufficient knowledge of the matter submitting a declaration or affidavit regarding an inventory list DOJ officials have released. The official would attest that the list represents the full and accurate extent of the property seized from from Mar-a-Lago, Trumps Florida residence. If the plan is put into place, Trump would then respond with a list of any items listed by the government that were not seized from Mar-a-Lago. Trump would also detail items that were seized but not included in the inventory. This submission shall be Plaintiffs final opportunity to raise any factual dispute as to the completeness and accuracy of the Detailed Property Inventory, Dearie said. The government would then be allowed to respond to Trump. Seized Materials Based on an appeals court order, Cannon earlier Tuesday blocked Dearie and Trump lawyers from viewing the roughly 100 materials that were marked classified and seized from Mar-a-Lago. Dearie and the Trump attorneys are still poised to review each page of non-classified materials taken from the resort. Dearie wants the government to list each document and say whether the government filter team identified the document as potentially covered by a form of privilege, such as attorney-client privilege. Trumps team has already received an initial set of potentially privileged documents, according to Dearie. After Trumps team reviews the materials, they would specify any privilege claims, including any claims for documents that were not deemed potentially privileged by the government. Dearie will resolve any disputes on privilege. The final log of privilege designations is due to Dearie on or before Oct. 21. Delay on Ruling The special master will not decide whether Trump shall receive any of the seized materials back until after Cannon rules on any objections to his plan. Trump has already motioned for the return of property. Trump must submit a brief in support of the motion no less than seven days after Cannon finishes ruling on the case management plan and any objections. The government will then respond, and Trump can respond to the governments response. Either party can request an oral argument. Dearie said that he will promptly issue a report and recommendation after briefing and oral argument has been completed. Cannon has the final say on the motion. Request for Help Dearie wants permission to bring on a retired judge for assistance. Former U.S. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein has experience with complex case management, privilege review, warrant procedures, and other matters that may arise in the course of the Special Masters duties, Dearie wrote. Magistrate judges are appointed by other judges. Orenstein has worked with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance CourtDearie served on that court for yearsand holds top secret clearance. Orenstein should be compensated at $500 an hour, Dearie said. Trump is paying for all of the costs associated with the special masters work. Correction: A previous version of this article inaccurately stated which president appointed Judge Dearie. It was Ronald Reagan. The Epoch Times regrets the error. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders' summit in Samarkand on Sept. 16, 2022. (Sergei Bobylov/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images) Ukraine Crisis Looms Large at Eurasia Summit Leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states met in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 15 and Sept. 16 to discuss Eurasias current political, economic, and security trajectory. Russia plays a prominent role in the SCO, which was originally founded by Moscow and Beijing in hopes of counterbalancing U.S. global influence. The conflict in Ukraine, which has aggravated the fault lines between East and West, came up several times in talks between the leaders. There were several discussions on Ukraine, but this didnt detract from the aims of the summit, which seeks Eurasian economic, cultural, and political cooperation, professor Cem Karadeli, head adviser to the Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies, told The Epoch Times. Along with Russia and China, the SCOs current membership includes India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Iran. Together, these states account for roughly 40 percent of the worlds population, 60 percent of the Eurasian land mass, and a third of the global gross domestic product. Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) leaders summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 16, 2022. (Alexandr Demyanchuk/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images) Indias Modi: We Can Discuss This Speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: Todays era is not an era of war. We have discussed this with you on the phone several times. The remark was widely cited in the Western press, which portrayed it as a rebuke of sorts by the Indian prime minister to the Russian leader. What Prime Minister Modi saida statement of principle on behalf of what he believes is right and justwas very much welcomed by the United States, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Sept. 21. However, the meeting in Samarkand appeared amicable, with Modi telling Putin: It is necessary to achieve peace in the future, and I am sure that we can discuss this. I welcome the opportunity to better understand your point of view. Putin, for his part, told Modi: I know your stand on the conflict in Ukraine and the concerns that you have repeatedly voiced. We will do all we can to end it as quickly as possible. Despite Indias purported misgivings, New Delhi has held back from condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine, nor does it support Western-led sanctions on Moscow. On the contrary, India has remained one of Russias top customers, especially in terms of energy. Russia is currently Indias second-largest supplier of oil, after Iraq. According to Karadeli, Modi clearly asked for an early cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and the use of dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis. But I dont believe these requests are enough to create major tensions between Russia and India, he said. The Western media is mostly committed to the Ukrainianor Americancause in this matter. Its looking for points of friction between Russia and any country that doesnt directly condemn Russian operations in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) leaders summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 16, 2022. (Sergei Bobylov/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images) Chinas Xi: Support for Core Interests In talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the summit, Putin voiced appreciation for what he described as Beijings balanced approach to the conflict in Ukraine. In another remark amplified in the Western media, Putin vowed to address Beijings concernswhich he didnt specifyregarding the crisis. Xi, for his part, steered clear of the issue, at least in public. The fact that Xi didnt mention Ukraine at the meetings could indicate some sort of strain, Karadeli said. But as China is buying more energy from Russia these days, and Putin supported the Chinese view on Taiwan, it appears these concerns havent affected their relationship. China has also refrained from condemning what Russia has called a special military operation in Ukraine and remains a vocal critic of Western-led sanctions on Moscow. Russia is currently Chinas largest oil supplier, having recently wrested the title from Saudi Arabia. Following the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was quoted as saying that Russian and Chinese perspectives on current events fully coincide. A Chinese government statement issued after the meeting promised strong support for Russias core interests. Washington continues to voice concern about the apparent meeting of minds between Moscow and Beijing. Weve made clear our concerns about the depth of Chinas alignment and ties with Russia, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Sept. 16. She went on to cite the PutinXi meeting in Samarkand as an example of that alignment. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) leaders summit in Samarkand on Sept. 16, 2022. (Alexandr Demyanchuk/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images) Turkeys Erdogan: Tilting Toward Moscow? One of the most closely watched meetings in Samarkand was between Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Although Turkey isnt a full member of the SCO, it participated in last weeks summit as a dialogue partner. Despite its longstanding NATO membership, Turkey has maintained relatively good relations with Russia, with which it shares a maritime border in the Black Sea. From the outset, Ankara condemned Russias invasion and supplied Ukraine with advanced Bayraktar drones. But like India and China, Turkey, too, has refrained from supporting Western-led sanctions on Moscow. Turkey is a major consumer of Russian natural gas, which accounts for almost half of its total gas imports, and hopes to obtain substantial price discounts from Russian suppliers. In August, a friendly meeting between Putin and Erdogan in the Russian city of Sochi stoked Western fears of a Turkish tilt toward Moscow. In early September, Erdogan went so far as to chide the collective West for its provocation-based policies vis-a-vis Russia. Speaking to his Turkish counterpart in Samarkand, Putin praised Ankaras significant contribution to mediation efforts between Russia and Ukraine. On Sept. 21, Turkey helped negotiate a prisoner swap between the two countries. In July, it helped broker a deal between the warring sides that allowed the resumption of Ukrainian grain shipments through the Black Sea. At the meeting, Putin told Erdogan: After our telephone calls, after our face-to-face discussion in Sochi the situation is developing very quickly at the bilateral level, as well as at the multilateral level. Possibly playing to Turkeys hopes of someday becoming a regional energy hub, Putin went on to describe the country as one of the most reliable supply routes for our energy resources. The next day, Erdogan voiced his intention to bring Turkey into the SCO as a full member. Such a step would mean our relations with [SCO member states] will be moved to a much different position, he was quoted as saying by Reuters. According to Karadeli, such a move by Turkey wouldnt necessarily mean severing its ties with the Western world. Turkey isnt shifting its foreign policy axis, he said. Its only moving toward finding new spheres of cooperation in a globalized world. Only days after the summits conclusion, separatist leaders in four Russian-held provinces of Ukraine announced plans to hold referendums on joining Russia. Shortly afterward, Putin ordered the partial mobilization of the Russian military. The twin moves were roundly condemned by Kyiv, along with most Western capitals. Reactions from New Delhi, Beijing, and Ankara, by contrast, were muted. US Sanctions Iranian Morality Police After Womans Death WASHINGTONThe U.S. government on Thursday imposed sanctions on Irans morality police and leaders of other government agencies after the death of a woman whod been detained over an accusation she violated the countrys dress code by wearing her Islamic headgear too loosely. The sanctions come after at least nine protesters have been killed in clashes with Iranian security forces since protests erupted over the weekend because of 22-year-old Mahsa Aminis death. The Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control also designated the leaders of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security, the Armys Ground Forces, the Basij Resistance Forces, and other law enforcement agencies for the sanctions, which deny them access of their properties and bank accounts held in the United States. These officials oversee organizations that routinely employ violence to suppress peaceful protesters and members of Iranian civil society, political dissidents, womens rights activists, and members of the Iranian Bahai community, the Treasury said in a news release. The morality police detained Amini last week, saying she didnt properly cover her hair with the Islamic headscarf, known as the hijab, which is mandatory for Iranian women. Amini collapsed at a police station and died three days later. Exile Iranians of the National Council of Resistance of Iran gather in front of the embassy of Iran in Berlin, Germany, on Sept. 20, 2022, after the death of Mahsa Amini. (Michael Sohn/AP Photo) Police say that she died of a heart attack and deny that she was mistreated. The government released video footage purporting to show the moment she collapsed. Her family says she had no history of heart trouble, and her death in police custody has triggered daring displays of defiance from protesters, in the face of beatings and possible arrest. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the United States calls on the Iranian government to end its violence against women and its ongoing violent crackdown on free expression and assembly. Mahsa Amini was a courageous woman whose death in morality police custody was yet another act of brutality by the Iranian regimes security forces against its own people, Yellen said. Aminis death has prompted Iranians to take to the streets of Tehran and other parts of the country. Many Iranians, particularly the young, have come to see her death as part of the Islamic Republics heavy-handed policing of dissent and the morality polices increasingly violent treatment of young women. Protesters chant slogans during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini, in downtown Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 21, 2022. (Obtained by AP) An anchor on Irans state television suggested the death toll from the mass protests could be as high as 17, but he did not say how he reached that figure. Iran has faced global condemnation over Aminis death, with the U.N. human rights office calling for an investigation. By Fatima Hussein A model of the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd. (Comac) C919 aircraft sits on display at the Singapore Airshow held at the Changi Exhibition Center in Singapore, on Feb. 6, 2018. The state-owned Chinese company seeks to chase markets in Asia and Africa. (Seong Joon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images) USA: Stop Helping Chinas High-Tech Industries Commentary Its a source of constant puzzlement and even growing anger that the United Statesboth the federal government and industrycontinues to help the Chinese regime build up its high-tech sectors. The United States knows full well that China treats it as an adversary. Yet we continue to sell the rope with which to hang ourselves. Case in point: As China struggles to build a globally competitive commercial airliner industryand struggles is the operative word herethe United States (and other Western countries) have been happy to help out. The Chinese currently have two passenger jets under development: the 100-seat ARJ21 and the 170-seat C919. Both of these planes rely overwhelmingly on Western systems, subsystems, and technologies. General Electric supplies the engines, Rockwell Collins the avionics, and Goodrich and Liebherr (a German-Swiss company) the landing gear. In fact, its estimated that only 25 percent of the overall value of C919 is actually Chinese, mostly in the manufacture of the fuselage and wings, as well as final assembly. So why is the West, particularly the United States, helping to create an industry that could undercut U.S. passenger jet sales? Its a mystery. The same is happening in the semiconductor business. There exists a huge gap between current Chinese chip technology and global state-of-the-art chips. In particular, China has been unable to design and fabricate high-end microchips, particularly when it comes to breaking the seven-nanometer wall, that is, producing semiconductors with process nodes below seven nanometers. Taiwan, meanwhile, already builds chips as small as five nanometers, and South Korea will soon be producing three-nanometer chips. China aims to produce 70 percent of its own chips by 2025, but its unlikely to meet that target. In fact, China can barely supply more than 15 percent of the semiconductors it needs. Employees make chips at a factory of Jiejie Semiconductor Company in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China, on March 17, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) As a result, Beijing depends heavily on foreign sources for its microchips and chip-manufacturing technology. In 2020 alone, China imported more than $300 billion worth of semiconductors, more than it spent on buying foreign oil. Most of Chinas indigenous chipmaking technology is old and getting older. Chinas top-down, state-led development model has been unable to deliver on Chinese leader Xi Jinpings ambition of creating a high-end national semiconductor industry. SMIC, Chinas leading semiconductor foundry, has only recently begun producing seven-nanometer chips. Beijings inability to manufacture high-end chips threatens to leave it unable to participate in the so-called fourth industrial revolution. According to Mathieu Duchatel, director of the Asia Program at Institut Montaigne, without an advanced semiconductor sector, China will find it difficult to dominate the digital revolution enabled by artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, 5G wireless infrastructures, and quantum computing. So China faces another hurdle in its effort to become a technological superpower, perhaps an insurmountable one. Again, however, the United States isperplexinglyhelping China close the gap. A recent report in The Wall Street Journal shows that the U.S. Commerce Department has approved almost all requests for U.S. tech exports to China. These included semiconductors, aerospace components, and technology related to artificial intelligence, among other items. The Journal noted that less than half of all U.S. exports to China, totaling roughly $125 billion, even required an export license. Moreover, when a license was required, the Commerce Department approved the vast majority of requests. In 2020, 94 percent of all applications were approved, and in 2021, this dipped only slightly to 88 percent. This is despite the fact that the United States has supposedly clamped down on high-tech exports to China in recent years. The Trump administration, for example, placed trade restrictions on several high-tech Chinese companies, including Huawei and ZTE. The Biden administration has expanded on this hardline approach, blacklisting seven Chinese companies, in part to keep companies from exporting advanced semiconductors to China. Technicians build LEAP engines for jetliners at a new, highly automated General Electric (GE) factory in Lafayette, Ind., on March 29, 2017. (Alwyn Scott/Reuters) Therefore, its maddening that the export of advanced technologies and high-tech components to China keeps finding exceptions. For example, despite apparent export controls, U.S. exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment rose from $2.5 billion in 2017 to almost $7 billion in 2021. Even former President Donald Trump seemed to waver at times when it came to being tough on high-tech exports to China, denouncing his own administrations efforts to restrict the sale of high-performance jet engines (for use in the Chinese C919 airliner) and other items, such as semiconductors. He called such constraints a fake term of national security and later wrote on Twitter that he wanted to make it easier to do business with the United States, not [more] difficult. As a result, the United States continues to send an array of advanced technologies to China that could help the country modernize its armed forces. More than ever, cutting-edge technologiesparticularly those in the information, telecommunications, and computing sectorshave the potential to significantly upscale military capabilities for tasks such as surveillance, intelligence, targeting, and even empowering autonomous systems (such as armed drones). Moreover, these technologies are mostly embedded in the commercial sector: semiconductors, advanced computing and software, and the like. Artificial intelligenceincreasingly seen as a potential game-changer in future warfareis almost entirely being developed in the civilian research and development base. As a result, these technologies tend to flow more freely than strictly military technologies. Yet the impact of such technologies could be profoundeven apocalypticfor the United States, should its adversaries perfect military uses. And through the use of military-civil fusion, China is well on the way toward doing just that. Therefore, it makes no sense that the United States would be aiding in undermining its security. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Vatican Secretary of State: Holy See Seeks to Move HK Office to Beijing Commentator: A first step in the complete annihilation of HK's remaining freedom of belief Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said the Holy See has plans to relocate its Hong Kong office to Beijing, amid a recent report that the CCP authorities had earlier refused Pope Francis suggestion to meet CCP leader Xi Jinping. Frank Xie, an expert on China issues and a tenured professor at the University of South Carolinas Aiken School of Business, said that the CCPs refusal to see the Pope is its way of showing it has the upper hand (in dealing with the Holy See). From the office relocation plan, two things become apparent. First, it is one more sign that the Vatican is trying to appease the CCP; and second, it is a prelude to the complete annihilation of the last free beliefs that Hong Kong people still enjoy. The widely circulated Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported on Sept. 16 that Parolin mentioned in a media interview during a visit to Kazakhstan recently, that the Holy See had always proposed to move its office in Hong Kong to Beijing and did not agree that it was a new idea. It is not yet realized only because there has been no response from Beijing to date about the proposal. If the Hong Kong office were to move to Beijing, it would be the first time a quasi-diplomatic channel for dialogue was re-established by the Vatican after the CCP severed diplomatic relations in 1951. Professor Xie criticized the Vaticans plan to move the Hong Kong office to Beijing as outrageous, believing that it is further appeasing the CCP and succumbing to the CCPs rude demands. It is also a prelude to a complete annihilation of what remains as the last freedom of belief and its trust in God. The Catholic News Agency (CNA) reported on Sept. 19 that the delegation, as of today, is not an embassy, which brings less of a burden to the Vatican. If the Vatican wants to set up an embassy in mainland China, it must close the embassy in Taipei and cut off diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The Vatican maintains diplomatic relations with the government of the Republic of China in Taiwan. The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera quoted an anonymous senior Vatican diplomat as saying in October 2021 that the CCP asked the Holy See to first cut off exchanges with Taiwan in order to establish diplomatic relations with China. The Holy See demanded to set up an embassy in Beijing before talking about the Taiwan-Vatican relationship. The CCP did not agree to the demand and failure to reach an agreement on the issue brought the situation to a standstill. Prediction: Religious Freedom Will Not Exist in HK for Long The Vatican has been sending unofficial envoys to Hong Kong. The current representative to Hong Kong, Jose Luis Diaz Mariblanca Sanchez, took office in July 2022. The Vatican is still seeking closer ties with the CCP and is eager to relocate its Hong Kong office to Beijing, a move quite different from the views of the previous Charge dAffaires in Hong Kong. Reuters reported on July 5, 2022, that Monsignor Javier Herrera-Corona, the former Vatican Charge dAffaires in Hong Kong, warned before leaving office in March that the Catholic Church in Hong Kong would, in the future, be subject to restrictions similar to those imposed on religious groups in mainland China and that the years of freedom they had enjoyed are over. He said, Change is coming, and youd better be prepared, Hong Kong is not the great Catholic beachhead it was, reported Reuters. The source said that at the time, Herreras concerns went beyond the authorities crackdown in the name of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and warned that Hong Kongs integration with the mainland would lead to mainland-style restrictions on religious groups. On the other hand, the report also mentioned that before the NSL was implemented in 2020, Herrera and other envoys had begun to transfer more than half a ton of files from Hong Kong to Rome in 2019, partly through friendly diplomatic connections. The files contain details of private correspondence with underground clergy in mainland China, missionary activities, and the persecution of Catholics from the mid-1980s onwards. The report quoted a Catholic cleric familiar with the situation as saying that the Vatican envoy first feared that this mission would be closely scrutinized and uncovered by the Chinese state security agencies, but in the end, the files were successfully moved. CCP Refuses Meeting Between Pope and Xi Jinping Recently, Pope Francis and CCP leader Xi Jinping were both in Kazakhstan for different activities. The Pope sought to meet with Xi while there, but the Chinese authorities refused the request, saying Xi did not have time. According to Xies analysis, the CCPs rudeness and indifference shown by refusing to meet with Pope Francis are probably due to the fact that it is not satisfied with the Vaticans concessions on the appointment of bishops, and continues to ask for more control. The landmark event of the relationship between the CCP and the Vatican in recent years can be traced to a secret agreement signed by the two parties at the end of September 2018a two-year provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops. The details of the agreement are secret, but it is generally known that it was an agreement to allow the co-appointment of bishops by the CCP and the Holy See in mainland China. The agreement is renewed every two years. When it was renewed in 2020, Parolin proclaimed that the agreement helps Chinese believers to have a normal religious life. He also clarified that he refused to interpret the agreement in a political light and said that Chinas human rights and religious freedom issues could not be dealt with in haste. Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, bishop emeritus of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong, publicly accused Parolin of controlling the Pope at the time. In an exclusive interview with The Epoch Times, he said, The upper echelon in the Holy See pushed this compromise policy, adding that Parolin is not for faith at all, but maybe just for vanity. I dont know if there are other secret deals with the CCP, I dont know about this. Zen also said that Parolin may have his own agenda as he defends the agreement even though he knows the CCP is evil. Zen published a lengthy article in English on Oct. 9 in 2020, blasting Secretary of State Parolins speech as sickening, and pointed out that Parolin was by no means stupid or ignorant, but was just lying through his teeth, accusing him of being not just a shameless liar but also daring. Zen: Parolin Controls the Pope and Compromises With the CCP Zen also pointed out at the time that in the two years since the agreement was reached, Chinas persecution of believers has intensified, including the disappearance of underground churches and the prohibition of minors under the age of 18 from entering churches and participating in religious activities. The so-called Sinicization of Catholicism has turned Catholicism into the religion of the Communist Party, with the state and the Party as the leader. Since the signing of the provisional agreement, the Pope has participated in the appointment of six bishops from the mainland; but at the same time, seven illegal bishops who had been appointed before the signing of the provisional agreement were legalized after the agreement. In an exclusive interview with Reuters on July 2, 2022, the Pope said he hoped to renew the provisional agreement in October, saying that the agreement was well implemented, and he described it as a diplomatic achievement. Cardinal Zen was born in Shanghai in 1932, before the establishment of communist-ruled China, and fled to Hong Kong at the age of 16. In 2006, he was promoted to a Roman Catholic priest-level cardinal, the second person in the Hong Kong Diocese to receive this honour. On May 11, 2022, he was arrested by the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police for his involvement in the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund. Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun went to the Vatican to seek a meeting with the Pope in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He waited for four days to no avail. (Profile picture/Zen Ze-kiun Facebook) Pope Wants to Renew Provisional Agreement After Illegal Bishops Legalized Professor Xie said that under Pope Francis, the Vatican continuously communicated with the CCP in secret, which is deviating from the teachings of Catholicism and the expectations of the Catholics in the world. He also criticized the CCP as an anti-human, anti-religious, and anti-God tyranny. As the spiritual leader of all Catholics in the world, how can he join the CCP and allow CCP officials and a group of atheist gangsters to participate in and appoint bishops at all levels? He believes that the Vatican ignores the CCPs suppression of true believers in God in mainland China and the blasphemy of Catholic teachings by the false Catholic Church controlled by the CCP. The constant contacts and negotiation with the CCP are really shocking, he said. Xie also compared the Popes attitudes toward Xi Jinping and Cardinal Zen: The Vatican refused to see Bishop Joseph Zen of Hong Kong, leaving the elderly Cardinal Zen to wait for days without seeing the Pope, while at the same time it stooped to the level of the Chinese Communist Party leader to ask for an audience. It is really saddening. For reference, in 2020, Cardinal Zen went to the Vatican alone on Sept. 23 to ask to see the Pope during the prime of the pandemic, but he waited for four days to no avail. Zen said the idea of the Holy See renewing the bishop appointment agreement with the CCP is crazy, like dancing with the devil. Many Italian media also joined in and spoke for him. As for the possibility of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Vatican, Xie said that during the term of Pope Francis, there is a growing possibility that it will happen. If it happens, it will be a tragedy for Catholicism, a day when the freedom of belief in Hong Kong will be buried, and Catholicism in Taiwan will suffer grave consequences. The Catholic Church in Hong Kong has also been suspected of being influenced by the CCP in recent years. On Jan. 3, 2019, Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong passed away, and the post of bishop was left vacant for 28 months. During this period, the Vatican appointed Emeritus Cardinal John Tong Hon as the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese. At that time, it was known that the Holy See originally proposed Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing to take over as bishop. But as Ha was known to have repeatedly shown his support of the anti-extradition movement, it was believed that the Holy See had come under political pressure to appoint the Beijing-favoured Reverend Choy Wai Man, the vice bishop of the Hong Kong diocese, as the Ordinary Bishop. In the end, however, the Pope appointed a Jesuit priest, Father Stephen Chow Sau-yan to succeed the post of Bishop of Hong Kong. Professor Frank Xie Tian, an expert on China, says that the Holy Sees plan to relocate its office from Hong Kong to Beijing is an indication that the Vatican is trying to further appease the CCP. (Sun-Mingguo/The Epoch Times) The scene of a collision between a school bus and a truck in Bacchus Marsh, Greater Melbourne, Wednesday, September 21, 2022. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) Victorian School Remains Open After Crash A college in regional Victoria will remain open in the wake of a serious bus crash involving 27 of its students to support others left traumatised by the ordeal. Ballarats Loreto College will keep its doors open on Thursday despite the day of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, so students, families and carers can come in to access counselling, principal Michelle Brodrick confirmed. The college was plunged into shock after a school bus carrying 27 pupils in years nine to 11 crashed down an embankment after it was hit from behind by a truck in the early hours of Wednesday. Police called their escape from the vehicle, on what was meant to be an excursion, miraculous. I think it was fairly harrowing for everyone involvedhow anyone wasnt more seriously injured is incredible, Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Jason Templar told reporters on Wednesday afternoon. Two teenage girls were flown to the Royal Childrens Hospital in serious but stable condition following the collision. The truck driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries, police said, and the bus driveraged in his 50ssustained minor injuries in the crash. Kangaroo Transport Industries (KTI) CEO Steve Buck said in a statement that one of their B-doubles was involved, and the 60-year-old driver was a sub-contractor who has been safely driving road trains for more than 30 years. He was trapped in the cab and was among those taken to hospital and is undergoing surgery. The other 25 students on the bus and four adults were taken to the hospital for observation, police said. Speed limits at the time of the Western Highway crash at Bacchus Marsh at about 3.15 a.m. on Wednesday were reduced because of another collision the previous night. The students were on their way to the airport at the time of the crash. Along with the school, Premier Daniel Andrews offered up his support on Wednesday, saying the images and reports of the crash were shocking. Ive spoken with Loreto Colleges Principal, and well give the school community all the support they need, he wrote on Twitter. Grampians Health also said on Wednesday that with many requiring ongoing support, it would continue to work with the school where appropriate. Grampians Healths Ballarat Base Hospital took on 16 patients from the crash 13 of whom were discharged by Wednesday afternoon. Melbourne-bound lanes of the Western Freeway between Ballan and Bacchus Marsh remained close on Wednesday evening. Major collision unit detectives were investigating the exact circumstances of the crash. A election worker shows ballots to representatives for President Donald Trump during the presidential recount vote for Dane County, in Madison, Wisconsin, on Nov. 20, 2020. (Andy Manis/Getty Images) Wisconsin Voter Roll Contains 350,000 Errors, Watchdog Group Alleges More than 350,000 informational data points on Wisconsins state voter roll are alleged to be inaccurate, according to a citizen activist. Justin Gavery is one of about 500 volunteers who banded together nearly two years ago to work to improve voter confidence in Wisconsin elections. Cleaning up sloppy voter registration information is one of the groups stated priorities. Computer experts from the group produced a presentation on the states 72 counties. For illustration, they focused on information from Dane and Milwaukee counties as representative of what is going on across the state. In Dane and Milwaukee counties, the group claims to have discovered 60,000 issues they say warrant either an explanation or correction. The data show that in Milwaukee County, 12,555 registered voters addresses are listed as vacant by the U.S. Postal Service. The groups analysis states that nearly 29,000 people in the two counties who filled out U.S. Postal Service change of address forms, saying they moved out of state, are still on the active voter list years later. The group found 22,500 address errors in the two counties. The mistakes included missing and invalid numbers and major apartment complexes with only a main address and partial apartment numbers or none at all. The group also found nearly 1,000 voter registrations on the Milwaukee County voter roll that appear to be duplicates. Both people are listed on the active voter roll with two different voter ID numbers. Some of these might be father and son that did not use the Sr. and Jr. designations, Peter Bernegger, a cyber expert, told The Epoch Times. Another issue the group discovered with the lists is that 48 people in Milwaukee County and 28 people in Dane County registered to vote years ago, some as long as 30 years ago, yet they remain on the active voter list even though they have never voted. There are thousands of these statewide, Bernegger said. The groups analysis also found that dozens of voters in Milwaukee and Dane counties have used commercial buildings, UPS storefronts, and U.S. post office boxes as their address in violation of Wisconsin law, which requires a voter to be registered at his or her legal place of abode. In the case of other questionable voter registrations, Post Office records plainly show 875 purported residences in Milwaukee County and 383 in Dane County that are officially listed as Not a Valid Address, yet they are still on the voter rolls, Bernegger said. The volunteers examined data from the Wisconsin Elections Commissions registered voter list, the verified database of the U.S. Postal Service, and several other databases. Gavery recently presented the groups data to state Rep. Janel Brandtjen, the Republican chairperson of the State Assemblys Campaigns and Elections Committee. Brandtjen told The Epoch Times that her staff reviewed Gaverys data and posted it on her legislative website on Sept. 20 for people to see. People want fairness and accuracy. They want to understand their states election process beyond just showing up on Election Day. This includes voters, poll workers, observers, and chief inspectors. Wisconsin Assemblywoman Janel Brandtjen. (Courtesy of Janel Brandtjen) Transparency is the only way people will have confidence that their voices are actually being heard, Brandtjen said. Acknowledging that some of the errors found on the rolls may have logical explanations or have resulted from human error or technical problems, she said, The sheer number of the errors makes people question the competency of Wisconsins election system. Brandtjen said Wisconsin law puts the responsibility for keeping accurate voter registration rolls and running honest absentee ballot and early voting programs on the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC). When asked about WECs contract with the Washington-based Electronic Registration and Information Center (ERIC) to maintain its voter rolls, Brandtjen replied, From what we see, ERIC is either unqualified or unwilling to do the job properly. One volunteer with the watchdog group, who didnt want to be identified for fear of retaliation, told The Epoch Times: For too long, WEC has ignored these issues. They show no interest. They say a review of the data we present to them is unnecessary or its too much work. Then they resort to attacking anyone asking questions or requesting a review. WEC and ERIC didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. Bernegger told The Epoch Times that the multiple classes of errors could have impacted as much as 10 percent of the active voter roll. This is significant because Wisconsin elections are historically won by extremely small margins. For example, Joe Biden won the state by just 300 votes per county, Bernegger said. He said census data show that there are 4.5 million voting-age adults in Wisconsin, yet according to WECs own records, there are 7.2 million voters registered on the states active and inactive voter rolls. Build in the fact that there are only 3.5 million voters on the active list, then ask yourself What can possibly go wrong with that? Brandtjen said the work of the grassroots citizen activists is significant because it revealed the extent of the errors and inconsistencies on Wisconsins voter rolls. I suggest the state hire a competent professional database expert to perform regular maintenance on the rolls, she said. A quaint little apartment in the heart of Panaji is home to two veteran embroidery artists, Bhaskar (70) and Sudhir Kheredia (65). Originally from Rajkot, Gujarat, the brothers were born and brought up in Zanzibar, Tanzania, a place their father had migrated to in search of greener pastures. However, during the 1964 Zanzibar revolution, the family of 9 brothers had to leave everything behind and return to India. Back in Gujarat, the Kheredia brothers couldn't adjust to schooling due to their poor Gujarati and Sanskrit. Their father, who was a skilled tailor himself, urged them to take up the art of manual machine embroidery as a means of livelihood. Thus began their humble journey in the world of tailoring and embroidery, in India. Back then we would charge 1 anna for fall and beading work for sarees. Today, the same costs around 100 rupees, remarked Bhaskar. Somehow, they managed to sustain themselves until the situation in Gujarat got tense due to the Hindu-Muslim conflicts and riots. During this time, it was dangerous to step into the marketplaces. Sudden curfews were imposed and we couldnt get back home until the next day. Movement of people became difficult and unsafe, he added. As a result, their youngest brother moved out and eventually reached Goa, where he started a tailoring shop. Sudhir and Bhaskar migrated to Goa soon after. Today, they make impeccable embroidery designs on their manual machine. They cater to many 5-star hotels in Goa, Goa Police, Indian Navy, schools, government offices, IFFI, Kala Academy and many cultural events and institutions. They also cater to temples, mosques as well as Christian artworks for events like weddings, communions and see many priests visiting them and commissioning beautiful, one-of-a-kind embroidery work to adorn their church altars and religious attires. In all these years, they have not made elaborate efforts to advertise their work, but receive all their orders through word of mouth. Some of our younger clients suggest we build an online presence, but we are not tech savvy and do not have anyone that can guide us to the online world, said Bhaskar. Once, during an art festival near their apartment in Fontainhas, someone discovered their artwork and spread the word. We had an influx of foreigners in our house that day and they were so fascinated by everything, recalled Sudhir. One person from Switzerland immediately got a metre of fabric and commissioned them to embroider certain Hindu gods, deities and scriptures for him. This was followed by many orders from foreigners as well. While creating logos on uniforms, which forms a big bulk of their livelihood, they manage to finish up to 28 pieces a day, only after working continuously from early morning till late evening. Some artworks even take 25 days to a month to be completed. They sometimes never sketched beforehand while creating some of their best pieces. We move our hands and the needle wherever our hearts and mind guide us, and it leads us to a beautiful artwork, the duo recounted in chorus. With great art also comes plagiarism. The fact that in this day and age everything can be replicated and printed through computers, worries them. The duo revealed how even deceiving photocopies of artworks are sold at a price higher than the original artworks value itself. Bhaskar also recounted incidents of clients who shifted to computerised work due to the attractive pricing. But, they came right back to the Kheredia brothers after realising that their quality of handwork can never be produced by a computer. We work very painstakingly, but we do it to perfection and that is our only satisfaction, he said joyfully. Earlier there was value for an artist which is lost now, expressed Sudhir. He further opined that only a diamond merchant can recognise the value of a true diamond. Likewise, only a true art enthusiast will recognise the intricacies of an artists hard work and not encourage cheap, unoriginal art. The duo enthusiastically showcased their works to The Goan. Many pieces dated back twenty to thirty years and were in a pristine, spotless condition with not a thread hanging out, despite being stored quite casually. Thus proving the quality of their work. Holding an embroidered piece of the Taj Mahal, Sudhir chuckled and said, Shah Jahan made Taj Mahal in Agra, I embroidered a Taj Mahal in Panaji. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. In only 9 months since its launch, the number of transported passengers by FLYONE ARMENIA airline surpassed 250,000. FLYONE Armenia prepared a surprise welcome for the 250,000th passenger Lusine Ghazaryan, who was arriving to Yerevan from Moscow. FLYONE Armenia Chairman of the Board Aram Ananyan personally welcomed the passenger and gifted a certifying voucher to her. Ghazaryan revealed that she got married only 5 days ago and that she will use the gifted air tickets to travel somewhere with her husband. I wasnt expecting this at all, I couldnt understand what was going on, this was such a surprise, thank you so much, Lusine Ghazaryan said. We are grateful to all our passengers for their trust. In the past 9 months, we transported 250,000 passengers. In the winter season FLYONE ARMENIA plans to expand the geography of flights and include new destinations in Russia, Europe and the Middle East, such as Yekaterinburg, Mineralnie Vody, Milan and many others. This is in line with our goal: to have a truly competitive national airline which will contribute to the strengthening of statehood and economic development, Ananyan told reporters. Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo is seeking partnership with Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund to help the state's tertiary institutions on delivery of critical intervention infrastructures. This was the crux of the matter when the Governor paid a courtesy call on the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono in Abuja. According to the Governor, synergy between Anambra state and TETFund will be highly impactful. TETFund is a scheme established by the Federal Government in 2011 to disburse, manage and monitor education tax to government-owned tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Governor Soludo who expressed his administration's dream of working with stakeholders at all level, especially the federal government who is major player. The Governor said that when all efforts are disjointed and unharmonious, the deliverables will not be achieved, synergy and coordination are imperative. Said Soludo, I will like us to work together in a lot of areas we are interested in; and in a few years to come, we will be able to say that we delivered something tangible with the TETFund partnership. He applauded TETFund for its intervention projects within the Country, stressing that the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra Polytechnic Mgbakwu and College of Educatio, Nsugbe are desirous of such partnership. Mr. Echono assured that the will continue to deliver on their core mandate of filling in the gaps, infrastructure-wise, in the tertiary institutions. Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo was in the Presidential Villa (Aso Rock) on a visit to the number two citizen of Nigeria, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo The Vice President who expressed delight on receiving the Governor of Anambra State, commended Governor Soludo for the transformational agenda he is bringing to bear in Anambra State The duo later entered into a closed door meeting for further private discussions Before leaving the Vice President's office, Governor Soludo fielded questions from members of the press who sought to know the purpose of his visit. The Governor maintained his visit to the number two citizen was private. The Governor also explained the security situation in Anambra, saying the State is now comparatively safer and peaceful with the security architecture being put in place. He again commended the various security agencies in the State and the people of Anambra for the cooperation and partnership in the fight against insecurity in the State Governor Soludo also used the occasion to speak to the press on his six months in office and the massive programmes especially in the areas of road, health, education, power and other critical sectors, that are being aggressively executed in the state, assuring that in few months time Anambra will be one big construction site for massive development! Alimodu Sheriff, a former Governor of Borno State and one time National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, had a closed-door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The All Progressive Congress stalwart, who arrived at Obasanjos Presidential Library at around 9.45am, disclosed to newsmen that his visit was private. Speaking with journalists after his meeting, Sheriff described Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria. He said: This is purely a private visit, you know Baba (Obasanjo) is an elder state man. If Nigeria is a company, Baba Obasanjo is the Chairman and Chief Executive of Nigeria. So, I came for consultation and have a private chat with baba. If Nigeria is a company, baba is the Chairman, Im the younger one, so from time to time, I must come and greet my father, discuss with him, privately and go back. Asked if his discussion with the former President was on the Nigeria project, the APC chieftain said I didnt say that, it is a private visit. On his view on the 2023, Sheriff jokingly told the journalists, Your view is my view, what is your view? What is my view? I want my party (APC) to win apparently drumming support for the presidential bid of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. No strict COVID controls from Oct 1 BANGKOK: Visitors will not be required to show their COVID-19 vaccination or test certificates and infected people with mild or no symptoms will not need to enter isolation from Oct 1. COVID-19healthtourism By Bangkok Post Thursday 22 September 2022, 01:41PM Travellers head for antigen tests for Covid-19 at Suvarnabhumi airport. Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb / Bangkok Post The changes were announced by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Thursday (sept 22) after a meeting of the National Communicable Disease Committee on Wednesday, reports the Bangkok Post. He said the committee resolved to redefine COVID-19 as a communicable disease under surveillance, and relevant measures would change accordingly for visitors, locals and infected people. From Oct 1 visitors would not need to show the results of antigen tests for COVID-19, or any evidence of COVID-19 vaccination. Infected people who had no or mild symptoms would not be isolated, but would be advised to strictly follow measures to help control the disease including the use of face masks, social distancing and hand washing for five days. Mr Anutin said that the National Communicable Disease Committee also agreed to redefine COVID-19 as a communicable disease under surveillance, instead of as a dangerous communicable disease, from Oct 1 to September next year. Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, said on Thursday that disease control measures would be relaxed because COVID-19 symptoms were currently not severe and were similar to those of a common cold. Infected people were advised to take strict precautions to prevent disease transmission for five days, especially by wearing face masks, but they would not have to be isolated, he said. Infected people might have to follow different disease control policies at their workplaces, Dr Sophon said. Infected people who worked closely with elderly people should stay away from them, and other vulnerable people, he said. After following disease control measures strictly for five days, COVID-19 cases would not have to take an antigen test, he said. Officials targeted in helmet use, safe crosswalks campaign PHUKET: Local officials have launched yet another road safety campaign, this one called Safe crosswalks, good discipline and is coupled with a campaign to encourage people to observe 100% helmet use. transportaccidentsSafety By The Phuket News Thursday 22 September 2022, 03:53PM As part of the campaign launch, helmets were handed out to local members of the community, and students, and the finishing touches of paint were applied to a pedestrian crossing across Chao Fa West Rd in Wichit, in front of Dibuk Hospital. The campaign is being organised by the Phuket Provincial office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket), and the launch event yesterday was presided over by Phuket Vice Governor Anupap Rodkwan Yodrabam. Joining the event to present a united front for the campaign were heads of local government agencies and senior-ranking police officers on the island. DDPM-Phuket Deputy Chief Pornthep Prekham explained that the campaign is a nationwide effort by the DDPM head office in Bangkok, which together with the Road Safety Administration Center is coordinating identical activities in every province throughout the country Provincial DDPM offices are to carry out their campaign efforts in their respective provinces, he said. Mr Pornthep noted that the campaign is aimed at all government agencies, educational institutions, medical institutions and local administrative organisations as well as child development centres and industrial estates enforcing the helmet use law. He also warned that the use technology was to be used in enforcing the helmet use law, which requires people to wear a helmet while operating a motorbike and even when riding as a passenger on a motorbike. These are 100% helmet-wearing areas, and technology will be used to support rigorous law enforcement against those who do not wear helmets while driving, he said. The campaign aims to have all government officials, employees, officers from all departments, organisation leaders and community leaders act as role models for observing traffic rules, especially wearing a helmet every time you drive a motorcycle, he said. Officials are to ramp up public relations campaigns to inform people that the requirement will be enforced, he added. Results of the campaign will be reported each month to the Provincial Road Safety Administration Center, Mr Pornthep said. Vice Governor Anupap highlighted the loss of life and property resulting from road accidents in Phuket. In particular, by people driving without discipline and not obeying traffic rules, and a lack of consciousness and awareness of the loss and the large number of deaths and injuries, he said. Most of the accidents are caused by driving behaviour and from motorbikes hitting pedestrians crossing the road, causing deaths at crossings, he added. Todays campaign to raise awareness of Safe crosswalks, good discipline and wearing a helmet 100% will inspire drivers to realise and focus, and especially to slow down at crosswalks in community areas, near educational institutions and medical institutions or where traffic is congested in order to reduce losses that may occur from undisciplined driving and non-compliance with traffic rules, he continued. We ask all sectors [of the community] to join together to drive the campaign to raise awareness, Vice Governor Anupap said. Putin calls up reservists, warns Russia will use all means for defence MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial military mobilisation and vowed yesterday (Sept 21) to use all available means to protect Russian territory, after Moscow-held regions of Ukraine suddenly announced annexation referendums. RussianUkraineviolencemilitarydeathpolitics By AFP Thursday 22 September 2022, 08:52AM Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of trying to destroy his country as he announced a partial mobilisation. Photo: AFP The votes, already denounced by Kyiv and the West as a sham, will dramatically up the stakes in the seven-month old conflict in Ukraine by giving Moscow the ability to accuse Ukrainian forces of attacking its own territory. Four Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine - Donetsk and Lugansk in the east and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the south - said on Tuesday that they would hold the votes over five days beginning tomorrow. In a pre-recorded address to the nation early yesterday, Putin accused the West of trying to destroy his country through its backing of Kyiv, and said Russia needed to support those in Ukraine who wanted to determine their own future. The Russian leader announced a partial military mobilisation, with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu telling state television that some 300,000 reservists would be called up. Not a bluff When the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people. This is not a bluff, Putin said. Those who are trying to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the wind can also turn in their direction, he added. Putin said that through its support for Ukraine the West was trying to weaken, divide and ultimately destroy our country, while Shoigu said Moscow was fighting not so much Ukraine as the collective West in Ukraine. The sudden flurry of moves by Moscow this week came with Russian forces in Ukraine facing their biggest challenge since the start of the conflict. In a rare admission of military losses from Moscow, Shoigu said yesterday 5,937 Russian soldiers had died in Ukraine since the launch of the military intervention in February. A sweeping Ukrainian counter-offensive in recent weeks has seen Kyivs forces retake hundreds of towns and villages that had been controlled by Russia for months. The referendums follow a pattern first established in 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine after a similar vote. Like in 2014, Washington, Berlin and Paris denounced the latest referendums and said the international community would never recognise the results. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said they were a sham, French President Emmanuel Macron called them a travesty, and White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said they were an affront to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sham referenda and mobilisation are signs of weakness, of Russian failure, the US ambassador in Ukraine, Bridget Brink, said on Twitter. I thank all the friends and partners of Ukraine for their massive and firm condemnation of Russias intentions to organise yet more pseudo-referendums, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in response. Strike at nuclear plant Kyiv said the referendums were meaningless and vowed to eliminate threats posed by Russia, saying its forces would keep retaking territory regardless of what Moscow or its proxies announced. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said the vote announcements were a direct result of the success of Ukraines eastern counter-offensive. Putin does not want to win this war on the battlefield. Putin wants to force Kyiv to surrender without a fight, she said. The Ukrainian nuclear operator Energoatom meanwhile yesterday accused Russia of again striking the Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant in southern Ukraine. The strike damaged a power line causing the stoppage of several transformers of the number six reactor of the plant and forcing a brief start of emergency generators, Energoatom said. Even the presence of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) does not stop the Russians, it said, calling on the agency to more resolute actions against Moscow. Europes largest nuclear facility, located in Russian-held territory, has become a hot spot for concerns after tit-for-tat claims of attacks there. Russian man killed in motorbike collision with van PHUKET: A 22-year-old Russian man died after the motorbike he was riding crashed head-on into a passenger van at the northern end of Karon on Tuesday afternoon (Sept 20). tourismtransportaccidentsdeathRussianSafetypolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Thursday 22 September 2022, 09:00AM Phuket has now recorded the same number of road deaths as recognised by officials for all of last year. Screenshot: ThaiRSC The remains of the front end of the Russian mans motorbike scattered across the road. Photo: Supplied Lt Pirawat Yodta of the Karon Police reported that police were called to the scene, on the steep hill on Patak Rd just north of the Karon Beach area, at 12:45pm. At the scene officers found the Russian man on the northbound side of the road, as was the Honda Click motorbike he was riding and a large amount of debris scattered across the road. The Russian man, unconscious and unresponsive, was rushed to Patong Hospital but later pronounced dead. Stopped on the northbound side of the road was a white Foton passenger van registered in Surat Thani. The driver of the van, Amnuay Kaewnak, 57, a resident of Surat Thani province, was waiting at the scene. The van was registered as a commercial passenger vehicle, police noted. From their initial investigation, officers determined that the Russian man was at fault in the accident. He was riding southbound down the steep hill when he lost control of the motorbike and drove head-on into the passenger van. The van driver, Mr Amnuay, had no way of avoiding the collision, police surmised. In order to settle the matter of B65,000 in damages to the vehicles, police were prepared to posthumously charge the Russian man with reckless driving causing damage to property. That procedure was avoided by the relatives of the Russian man confirming yesterday they were willing to pay the amount in full, Karon Police reported. Of the total damages claimed, B40,000 was for the motorbike. The death of the Russian man on Tuesday marked Phuket already recording the same number of road deaths as recognised by officials for all of last year: 71. Also according to the Thailand Road Safety Committee (ThaiRSC) yesterday, so far this year 11,984 people in Phuket have suffered injuries requiring hospital treatment. Last year, 13,076 people were injured in road accidents on the island. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Lawmakers from the Armenia-Belgium Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Armenian Parliament held a meeting with their counterparts from the Belgium-Armenia Friendship Group of the Belgian Parliament. The Belgian delegation was led by the Head of the Friendship Group Mark Demesmaeker, the parliaments press service said in a press release. I am grateful for your pro-Armenian activity. We appreciate your visit in this period: Armenia is going through quite difficult times. After the 44-day war most of you carried out pro-Armenian activity: remaining faithful to universal values of human rights you made statements and adopted resolutions, The Head of the Armenia-Belgium Friendship Group Armen Rustamyan said. The meeting was held on September 22, where members of the Friendship Group Seyran Ohanyan, Artur Hovhannisyan, Artsvik Minasyan, Babken Tunyan, Tsovinar Vardanyan, Aleksey Sandikov, Shirak Torosyan, Tatdevos Avetisyan took part. Armen Rustamyan informed his colleague that the Friendship Group Armenia-Belgium is one of the biggest Friendship Groups of Parliament, which has 24 members: the representatives of the parliamentary three factions are involved in it. Mark Demesmaeker thanked his colleague for warm reception and giving an opportunity for the meeting in such format. He noted that the Armenian community of Belgium shows great support in the Armenian-Belgian cooperation. We try to raise the issues presented by you and defend them on all platforms. The problems of humanitarian aid are of key importance for us. We have been in Artsakh, we are rather well-informed, we are in control of situation, Mark Demesmaeker said. The Head of Hayastan Faction Seyran Ohanyan welcomed the visit of the members of the Friendship Group in such complicated military-political situation for Armenia. He presented the provocations being continued by Azerbaijan, noting that banned weapons were used, the tortures and degradations towards people were combined with destroying the historical-cultural values. Seyran Ohanyan highlighted the condemnation of not only those actions, but also the use of relevant punitive measures. The Secretary of the Civil Contract Faction Artur Hovhannisyan expressed his conviction that the delegation best understands the challenges facing Armenia and Artsakh. According to him, it is no secret that there is a dictatorial regime in the neighboring countries, Turkey and Azerbaijan, and the aggressive actions by Azerbaijan are not only due to territorial ambitions towards the Republic of Armenia, but also due to the fact that the growing pace of democracy in the Republic of Armenia in recent years greatly worries the dictatorial regime. We record that this is an attack not only on the internationally recognized borders and territories of the Republic of Armenia, but also on universal values, democracy. In this context, we expect the support of the EU countries, also in terms of the protection of democracy, Artur Hovhannisyan said, adding: We see targeted assessments of the situation and condemning statements by a number of countries, in which it is clearly stated that the aggressor is Azerbaijan, and it is clearly recorded that the Azerbaijani troops is currently in the internationally recognized territories of the Republic of Armenia. We expect that apart from the addressed protocols, statements, condemnations, there will also be practical steps, and as a result of international pressure, we will be able to restore the territorial integrity of our country and get the aggressor out of the occupied territories. Summarizing, Artur Hovhannisyan emphasized the importance of the Armenian-Belgian relations, expressing readiness to deepen the cooperation in all possible fields. The members of the Friendship Group Armenia-Belgium noted in their speeches that the Armenian people are facing an existential threat, stressing that the genocidal policy continues, and international war crimes are being committed. The immediate return of prisoners of war, hostages and other persons being held in Azerbaijan, in accordance with international humanitarian law, was emphasized. A number of other issues of mutual interest were also discussed. Patriot Place offers an open container program to help boost businesses in the plaza. Eric J. Topol is a professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research and author of the newsletter Ground Truths. This was first published in The Los Angeles Times. Greek politician representing Syriza party Markos Bolaris has expressed his support to Armenia and the Armenian people, condemning the aggression of Azerbaijan, the Embassy of Armenia in Greece said. September 22, 2022, 09:16 Greek politician expresses support to Armenia, condemns Azerbaijans aggression STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 22, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: The Greek politician issued a statement on social media. Respect to Armenia! Armenians are a brotherly nation, a nation with whom we stand for centuries, both in favorable conditions and during storms. Its a nation whose roots we meet in the initial myths of the Greek mythology. Yes, I am talking about Armenians, whose pride I honor, whose broad horizons I respect, whose patience and determination I appreciate, I bow before their sufferings and the memory of the Genocide, whose struggle for freedom running for years I applause. Yes, I am talking about Armenians, a nation who were the first to build a Christian state, Markos Bolaris said. He said that he considers his duty to support the Armenian people at any difficult moment. I consider my duty to support this people at any difficult moment, not because they need my modest support, but because this support is louder and stronger when Armenia and Armenians are subjected to unfair, aggressive and militaristic provocations by neighbor Azerbaijan with the help and support of Turkey, just like yesterday. The message of Greece, the European Union and the United States to Azerbaijanis must be clear: do not try to take advantage of the international energy situation! Its temporary! Respect the international agreements and the recognized borders. Respect the neighboring nations, respect Armenia! he stated. ABBY BUTREMOVIC, Wheeler Volleyball, Sophomore; Butremovic had 23 digs as Wheeler beat Montville in three sets for its second victory of the season. KATIE ANBARI, Stonington, Field Hockey, Sophomore; Anbari scored with 57 seconds remaining for the games only goal, lifting the Bears past East Lyme. Anbari leads the team in goals with four this season. RACHEL FEDERICO, Westerly, Volleyball, Senior; Federico had nine kills, six digs and served for two aces in a win over Mt. Hope. Westerly was unbeaten in Division II through Sept. 24. MYLES PRICE, Chariho Football, Senior, Price returned a lateral from teammate Collin Fitts on a punt return for the winning touchdown on the games final play to lift the Chargers over Coventry. Price ran about 25 yards across the width of the field after receiving the ball from Fitts. Vote View Results A new damning report from consumer watchdog Which? has outlined the need for 'urgent improvements' to electric car charging infrastructure if ministers are to convince more motorists to go green. Almost half (48 per cent) of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle owners it polled said they struggle to find a public charging point that is in good working order. In fact, three out of four electric electrified car owners said they are unhappy with UK's public charging system. Which? says the government needs to 'quickly address' a sundry of issues, namely poor reliability, difficulties making payments and poor availability in some parts of the country, else jeopardise the nation's transition to low-emission vehicles. Plugging-in problems: Half of EV drivers polled by Which? said they struggle to find a public charging point that's in good working order. Watchdog says 'urgent improvements' needed A survey of almost 1,500 Which? members who own a fully-electric or plug-in hybrid car found that 74 per cent are dissatisfied with the current state of the public charging infrastructure. Two in five said they have experienced driving up to a device only to discover it's not working, while 43 per cent claim to have faced 'technical issues' that have prevented them from being able to charge as they had planned. As well as encountering faulty chargers, three in five of the panel (61 per cent) said they've face difficulties when trying to make payments - and this is putting many off accessing the network at all. One in six (18 per cent) who told Which? that they now exclusively charge their cars at home or their workplace do so because of a lack of convenient payment options from the public network. This is despite Government rules dictating that all newly-installed public charging points must accept contactless card payments. Another major issue highlighted by EV owners in the study is the disproportionate availability of the 32,000 public devices across the country. As official government records show, for every 100,000 people living in London there are 116 charging points. This compares to just 17 per 100,000 population in Northern Ireland, 27 in the North East and 29 in Yorkshire and the Humber, according to Department for Transport figures for the end of July. While there are over 32,000 public charging devices across the UK, they are not evenly spread regionally, as this table shows The survey found that almost half of electric and plug-in hybrid car owners claimed that their closest public charging device was more than a 20-minute walk from their home Half of the plug-in car owners polled by Which? said there is inadequate access to devices where they live, with 45 per cent estimating that the nearest charger was more than a 20-minute walk away their home. This is a major issue for those without off-street parking - the case for around a third of UK properties - and therefore no access to a homecharger, which leaves them little choice but to rely on the public infrastructure. A charger 20 minutes from their residence could also have implications for insurance if they are leaving their cars away from home overnight to charge. Charging must be easy, reliable and seamless to support people making the move to an electric car Sue Davies, Which? A fifth of the drivers polled said a lack of devices where they need them is the biggest reason for avoiding the public charging network entirely and - if possible - charging predominantly at home. One in five also said they have never used the public networks because they don't think there are enough devices available, and they don't want to queue to access them. The report comes a day after charging operators joined forces to send a letter to the Chancellor calling for VAT to be slashed for the public network, with taxation four times higher than what it is for domestic charging. This, in turn with escalating wholesale electricity prices, means recharging using the public network is becoming increasingly more expensive - and in some cases makes running an EV pricier than a petrol car. FairCharge, which has been campaigning for VAT to be cut from 20 to 5 per cent says the Government's failure to act swiftly to reduce charging costs could strangle demand for low-emission vehicles. As well as reliability problems, three in five EV owners said they've face difficulties when trying to make payments at public devices - and this is putting many off using the network A separate Which? survey of general car owners found that a fifth (39 per cent) said they won't be considering an EV because there aren't enough charging points. The watchdog is calling on government to extend the planned 'reliability standard' set for the fast-charging rapid devices to cover all public charge points of different speeds. This standard require that 'rapid' charge point networks need to be in working order for an average of 99 per cent of the time, though Which? wants this to go further and become the standard for devices of slower charging speeds. Which? is also urging ministers to ensure its proposals for payment roaming will mean consumers no longer need to navigate multiple apps and cards to pay for charging. Sue Davies, Which? Head of Consumer Protection Policy, said: 'Our research shows that the public EV charging infrastructure is falling short as many drivers struggle to find reliable charging points in good working order, have to navigate confusing payment systems, or are unable to rely on adequate charging points close to their homes or to get them through a long journey. 'The government must move quickly to implement its plans to improve the consumer experience of using the public charging networks by extending reliability standards across the full network and ensuring proposals for payment roaming make paying to charge much simpler. 'Charging must be easy, reliable and seamless to support people making the move to an electric car.' Commenting on the Which? report, RAC spokesman Simon Williams said a quality charging infrastructure will be a 'key factor' in helping more people switch from conventional vehicles to electric ones. 'Its vitally important that chargers are reliable, easy to use and accessible, so we must quickly move from the era where its common to find an out-of-use charger to one where its a rarity,' he added. Scott Steedman, director-general at the National Standards Body, BSI, said it is 'working with industry, government and consumer groups' to make sure the experience of using the public charging network is a positive one for all users, and as a result is due to launch a new standard to ensure those with disabilities can access infrastructure. 'Disabled and less mobile users of EV chargers can find it challenging to lift heavy charging cables and struggle with the height of kerbs around chargepoints, meaning many chargepoints are simply not usable for many UK drivers. 'The new standard, PAS1899, will launch imminently and is designed to correct this oversight and make sure that the 1.35million people that are expected to require access to public EV chargepoints by 2035 can charge their EVs at any chargepoint.' Defence giant BAE Systems was one of the biggest risers as Vladimir Putins latest escalation of military tensions in Ukraine sparked predictions of more military spending. The FTSE 100 firm jumped 4.3 per cent, or 33.2p, to 805p after Russia announced plans to mobilise army reservists to support the invasion following a rapid advance of Ukrainian forces that has left the Kremlin on the back foot. Around 300,000 soldiers are expected to be called up initially, a fraction of what is thought to be a total of 2m. Putin also plans referendums to annex Ukrainian territories, which, alongside a veiled threat to use nuclear weapons, rattled global investors. Russia fears: BAE Systems jumped after Russia announced plans to mobilise army reservists to support the invasion following a rapid advance of Ukrainian forces There are growing expectations that there will be heightened demand for military hardware to counter Russias aggression, with Nato member countries having already pledged significant increases in spending on defence, said Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Susannah Streeter. Even so, Londons blue-chip index managed to eke out a gain and was up 0.63 per cent, or 44.98 points, to 7237.64 while the FTSE 250 added 1.01 per cent, or 186.53 points, to 18,714.67. The Footsie was supported by the oil giants, which rose on talk the price of Brent crude could rocket over fears the energy crisis will escalate. Shell added 1.4 per cent, or 32.5p, to 2335p while BP climbed 0.7 per cent, or 3.05p, to 455.5p and North Sea-focused Harbour Energy rose 2.4 per cent, or 11.1p, to 482p. But Moscows rhetoric weighed on travel stocks. British Airways owner IAG dropped 3.3 per cent, or 3.54p, to 104.8p, Easyjet fell 3.3 per cent, or 11.7p, to 340.9p, Wizz Air slipped 4.1 per cent, or 83.5p, to 1962.5p, Tui lost 3.4 per cent, or 4.65p, to 134.2p and Jet2 sank by 3.2 per cent, or 27.6p, to 843.4p. Meanwhile, blue-chip firms that earn a large part of their money in overseas currency were boosted by a weakening pound, which dropped to its lowest level against the US dollar since 1985. Stock Watch - WANdisco Software firm WANdisco surged to its highest level in over a year after landing its largest-ever contract. The group, which provides services to help firms move and analyse data, has signed a 22m deal with a top ten global communications firm the fourth between the two and takes the cumulative total value to nearly 35m. As a result, it expects bookings for 2022 to be at a record level and significantly ahead of expectations. It jumped 20.8pc, or 83.75p, up to 487p. Miners benefited, with Glencore climbing 1.1 per cent, or 5.1p, to 486p, Fresnillo rising 0.9 per cent, or 6.6p, to 747.4p, Anglo American adding 1.3 per cent, or 36.5p, to 2814.5p and Rio Tinto up 0.5 per cent, or 24p, to 4720p. Housebuilders were also up after reports the Chancellor will cut stamp duty in Fridays mini budget to boost growth. Shares in Persimmon surged 4.7 per cent, or 63p, to 1400p while Barratt climbed 3.5pc, or 14.1p, to 418.9p, Taylor Wimpey added 3.8 per cent, or 3.9p, to 106.95p and Berkeley edged up 1.4 per cent, or 48p, to 3555p. There was more good news for pharma giant AstraZeneca after EU regulators backed one of its asthma drugs. It rose 0.1 per cent, or 14p, to 10,090p. Computer game maker Frontier Developments surged 7.7 per cent, or 92p, to 1284p after it reported revenues of 114million for the year to May 31, up 26 per cent on 2021, thanks to strong performances from its new releases including dinosaur theme park simulator Jurassic World Evolution 2. Profits were down at 1.5million from 19.9million due to a one-off charge. Meanwhile, Keywords Studios, which provides support services to the gaming industry, snapped up Vancouver studio Smoking Gun Interactive in a 26million deal as it reported a pre-tax profit of 34million for the first half, up 78 per cent year-on-year amid high demand. It fell 1.6 per cent, or 38p, to 2312p. Games Workshop, the maker of Warhammer battle figures, fell 9.4 per cent, or 660p, to 6400p after reporting, for the three months to August 28, pre-tax profit of 39million, down from 45million a year ago. Sales rose to 106million from 98million. And property investor LXI rose 1.9 per cent, or 2.6p, to 141p. It is in talks to buy 18 stores from Sainsburys (up 0.3 per cent or 0.6p, to 194.8p) in a deal worth up to 500million. A French billionaire has snapped up a 2.5 per cent stake in Vodafone, worth 750million. Xavier Niel is the second French tycoon to swoop on a British telecoms company after Patrick Drahi built an 18 per cent stake in BT. Niel, 55, is renowned for his ruthless activism in France and his foray onto Vodafones share register paves the way for a shake-up at the underperforming telecoms giant. Renowned: Telecoms French tycoon Xavier Niel (pictured with partner Delphine Arnault) has paid 750m for has snapped up a 2.5% stake in Vodafone The Frenchman is best known for owning Iliad, a smaller European competitor. But he built up his Vodafone stake through his investment vehicle Atlas. Niel said he was supportive of Vodafones strategy and its publicly stated intention to pursue consolidation opportunities in selected geographies, as well as its efforts in infrastructure separation. But analysts warned his strategy was not yet known and it remains to be seen if the billionaire will add to his stake and ask for representation on the board. Under chief executive Nick Read, Vodafone has struggled to grow and failed to complete meaningful merger and acquisitions transactions. As a result, it has become a target for activist investors with Swedish hedge fund Cevian, run by Christer Gardell, taking a stake in January and Coast Capital building a position in February. Cevian has called for Read to shed poorly performing parts of the business. Niel becomes the third activist investor this year, and Reads position now looks increasingly vulnerable. Two years ago Niel helped oust the boss of a French property firm, change the groups strategy and join the board. One City analyst said: Hes a disrupter. Hell try and shake things up. To be honest, it is much needed at Vodafone. Niel made a fortune from pornography and peep shows, and is worth an estimated 7billion. He is renowned in French social circles and his partner is Delphine Arnault, daughter of Frances richest man, Bernard Arnault, and heiress to luxury conglomerate LVMH. The UKs telecoms sector has become a magnet for French billionaires with Drahi building an 18 per cent stake in BT last year, causing alarm bells to ring in Westminster amid fears that key infrastructure could fall into foreign hands. Shares in Vodafone rose 2.3 per cent, or 2.4p, to 108.78p. On September 21, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with Foreign Minister of Sweden Ann Linde in New York, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reports. September 22, 2022, 09:20 Armenia expects international communitys targeted, adequate response to Azerbaijani war crimes STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 22, ARTSAKHPRESS: Presenting the details of military aggression of Azerbaijan against the territorial integrity of Armenia since September 13, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia particularly emphasized the need of eliminating its consequences and the international community's targeted and adequate response to the aggressor country, as well as the necessity of restraining the maximalist and aggressive policy pursued by Azerbaijan. The urgency of an appropriate assessment to the war crimes committed by the armed forces of Azerbaijan, in particular, the cases of inhumane treatment of servicewomen, was also emphasized. The parties touched upon the agenda of Armenian-Swedish bilateral relations, expressing readiness to undertake active steps towards further expansion and development of cooperation. The deepening of collaboration in the sphere of strengthening democratic institutions in Armenia was highlighted. Thoughts were also exchanged on cooperation on international platforms and Armenia-EU partnership. The firm that oversaw Neil Woodfords doomed flagship fund is set to be fined 50million by City regulators. Link Fund Solutions faces the penalty on top of an order to hand up to 306million of redress to victims. The fine, by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), is the latest sign that a long-running probe into the collapse of the Woodford investment empire could be nearing a close. Frozen: Link - the firm responsible for supervising Woodford's management of his funds - decided to suspend the 3.7bn Woodford Equity Income Fund in 2019 More than 300,000 savers who entrusted the stock-picker with money have been waiting for answers since they were blocked from accessing it in 2019. The first hint that Link would be penalised came last week. Dye & Durham, a Canadian firm which was planning to buy Links parent Link Group revealed the FCAs demands for a redress scheme had thrown a spanner in the works. The FCA confirmed it was likely to force Link to pay up to 306million to victims, and yesterday added that a 50million fine would also be forthcoming. Link has 14 days to respond to the draft warning notice. It could challenge the fine or agree to settle the matter. Link said it would explore all options. Dzmitry Lipski, head of funds research at Interactive Investor, said: The drip, drip, drip of information is a curious way to conduct a major investigation after three years of silence. Many questions remain unanswered, the issue of redress is far from certain, and wider investigations are still ongoing. He said investors deserved better than a potential deal. Hundreds of thousands of savers were left out of pocket when Link, the firm responsible for supervising Woodfords management of his funds, decided to suspend the 3.7billion Woodford Equity Income fund in 2019 and eventually close it, after a flood of investors tried to pull their money out, following a run of poor performance. Woodford invested in risky early-stage and unlisted stocks, and was unable to sell them fast enough to return the money. When Link realised the extent of the problem, it decided to close the fund, selling the stocks and returning the money to investors. But several sales were at a knockdown price, and savers have lost around 1billion since the fund was frozen. Link is also facing lawsuits from RGL Management, Leigh Day and Harcus Parker acting on behalf of savers. While the FCA redress scheme will not cover investors losses, the lawyers hope to wring more money out of Link through the courts. The FCA said multiple parties other than Link were still under investigation. It was thought to be examining Woodford, 62, senior staff, Hargreaves Lansdown, the investment platform which recommended the fund right up until its suspension, and Northern Trust, the depository charged with keeping an eye on Link. Ryan Hughes, head of investment partnerships at AJ Bell, said: Investors will be increasingly hopeful that this sorry episode is closer to completion. 'Investors have waited patiently for the FCA to unearth what went wrong and put in place some form of compensation. It now seems like they might finally be getting somewhere. Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg is facing a key test as one of Britains leading technology firms looks set to be snapped up by a French rival. FTSE 100 software group Aveva is on the verge of disappearing from the London Stock Exchange (LSE) after Schneider Electric struck a deal to buy the 41 per cent of the company it does not already own for 3100p per share in cash. The offer values Aveva at nearly 9.5billion and is a 41 per cent premium to its closing price on August 23, the last trading day before Schneider confirmed it was mulling a bid for the group. Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured) is reportedly looking at reversing the controversial takeover of British computer chip maker Newport Wafer Fab But it is below the 4420p Aveva shares were trading at a year ago, raising fears it is being bought on the cheap. The swoop is a major test for Rees-Mogg, who was appointed Business Secretary this month. While Schneider already holds a controlling stake in Aveva, the takeover has fuelled concerns the UKs tech sector is being hollowed out by overseas buyers and private equity sharks. Russ Shaw, of Tech London Advocates, an organisation that promotes London as a global tech hub, said it was disappointing whenever a British tech firm was acquired and called on the Government to work much harder to encourage UK companies to list and remain on the LSE. He said: This is a good reminder that even though we have a lot of good British-grown tech businesses, they can disappear from the public market. 'Therefore, we need to make sure that we continue to build a really strong pipeline of tech unicorns to list on the public market, ideally the LSE. Alasdair Young, at investment bank Panmure Gordon, said the UK was never going to have an international tech juggernaut if firms kept being sold, saying: Aveva is one of the biggest tech companies on the LSE. It would be a big shame to see it go. Founded in 1967 as the CADCentre, a research institute spun out of the University of Cambridge, Aveva became a private company in 1983 following a management buyout before listing on the London market in 1996. It provides computer software to help engineers design major industrial projects as well as products that help run factories. Schneiders swoop is the latest in a flurry of bids for London-listed tech firms that will test the mettle of Rees-Mogg amid growing concerns it is too easy for foreign predators to buy key UK firms. The buyout falls within the scope of the National Security & Investment Act, which gives the Government powers to block takeovers. Rees-Mogg will have discretion on whether to call the deal in for an in-depth review. Schneider Chinese link fears Schneider Electric is a French industrial giant providing software and automation systems to improve energy efficiency in buildings and factories. Founded in 1836, it is one of the biggest companies in Europe with a market cap of nearly 59billion. It employs around 166,000 people. Originally focused on steel-making and manufactured weapons in the 19th century, it divested its steel and shipbuilding businesses in the 1980s and 1990s to focus on electricals. There are concerns about some of its international activities, notably its joint venture with Chinese conglomerate Delixi Electric since 2007. Schneider took a controlling stake in Aveva in 2017 in a 3bn reverse takeover. In 2013, it bought London-based Invensys, a maker of computer systems for refineries, in a 3.4billion takeover. At the time, Invensys was chaired by Sir Nigel Rudd, who became chairman of defence group Meggitt, which was bought by US rival Parker Hannifin for 6.3billion this year. Three years later, Schneider took control of British retail brand Tower Electric, which provides fixings and fastenings such as cable clips to construction and electrical firms. A key area of concern is likely to be Schneiders joint venture with Chinese firm Delixi Group. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the Government should intervene in takeovers to stop Chinese companies from taking over the UKs high-tech and strategic industries. Last week, it was reported that Rees-Mogg could reverse the controversial takeover of British computer chip maker Newport Wafer Fab by Dutch firm Nexperia, which is owned by Chinese group Wingtech. A decision is due by October 3 and its former owner is said to be orchestrating a bid to buy Newport Wafer Fab back. Schneider may need to raise its offer to shareholders. Mark Kelly, at investment bank Cowen, said: This realistically now all comes down to whether or not this is a good enough price. On September 21, within the framework of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting in New York with Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the Special Advisor of the UN Secretary-General on Genocide Prevention, the Armenian Foreign Ministry stated. September 22, 2022, 10:07 Armenian Foreign Minister held a meeting with the Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 22, ARTSAKHPRESS: Ararat Mirzoyan and Alice Wairimu Nderitu commended the close cooperation with regards to the promotion of the genocide prevention agenda and the fight against xenophobia and discrimination. Minister Mirzoyan emphasized the importance of the special adviser's mandate and expressed readiness to continue effective cooperation under it. The interlocutors exchanged views on the role of high technologies in the prevention of genocides and crimes against humanity. Touching upon the situation resulting from the military aggression unleashed by the Azerbaijani armed forces against the sovereign territory of Armenia, Minister Mirzoyan drew the interlocutor's attention to the continuous gross violations of international and humanitarian law by Azerbaijan. The Minister stressed the importance of the international community's targeted response to these crimes and the strengthening of prevention mechanisms. European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrel said at a press conference that EU countries will impose new sanctions against Russia as soon as possible because of the referendums in the Donbass republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. September 22, 2022, 11:39 Borrell announces new sanctions on Russia because of referendums STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 22, ARTSAKHPRESS: Additional restrictive measures against Russia will be introduced immediately, as soon as possible in coordination with our partners, he said. Borrell noted that the sanctions would be both personal and sectoral. He added that EU countries would continue to support Ukraine by supplying military equipment and weapons. The authorities of the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions, decided on September 20 to hold referendums on becoming part of the Russian Federation after a public appeal. Iranian authorities said three people had been killed on Tuesday as anger at the death of a woman detained by the morality police fuelled protests for a fifth day and fresh restrictions were placed on social media. Official sources now say a total of seven people have been killed since protests erupted on Saturday over the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old from Iranian Kurdistan who died last week after being arrested in Tehran for unsuitable attire. Reports from Kurdish rights group Hengaw said seven protesters had been killed by security forces, three of them on Tuesday, in or near the Kurdish areas in the northwest where unrest has been particularly intense. Officials have denied that security forces have killed protesters. With the protests spreading to over 50 cities and towns, authorities restricted access to the internet, according to accounts from Hengaw, residents, and internet shutdown observatory NetBlocks. NetBlocks and residents said access had been restricted to Instagram the only major social media platform that Iran usually allows and which has millions of users. WhatsApp users said they could only send text, not pictures, while Hengaw said access to the internet had been cut in Kurdistan province a move that would hinder videos being shared from a region where the authorities have previously suppressed unrest by the Kurdish minority. Meta Platforms (META.O), the owner of Instagram and WhatsApp, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Aminis death has unleashed anger over issues including freedoms in the Islamic Republic and an economy reeling from sanctions. Women have waved and burnt their veils during protests, with some cutting their hair in public. After beginning on Saturday at Aminis funeral in the Kurdish region, protests have engulfed much of the country, prompting confrontations as security forces have sought to suppress them. A top aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei paid condolences to Aminis family this week, promising to follow up on the case and saying Khamenei was pained by her death. The official IRNA news agency said a police assistant died from injuries on Tuesday in the southern city of Shiraz after some people clashed with police officers. An official quoted by IRNA said 15 protesters were arrested in Shiraz. In Kermanshah, the city prosecutor said two people had been killed on Tuesday in riots, blaming armed dissidents because the victims were killed by weapons not used by the security apparatus, the semi-official Fars news agency cited prosecutor Shahram Karami as saying. The Kurdistan police chief, in comments to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, confirmed four deaths earlier this week in the province. He said they were shot with a type of bullet not used by the security forces, saying gangs wanted to blame police and security officials. Hengaw said 450 people had been injured in addition to the seven Kurdish protesters it said had died as a result of direct fire from government forces in the last four days. Reuters could not independently confirm the casualty reports. Amini fell into a coma and died while waiting with other women held by the morality police, who enforce strict rules in Iran requiring women to cover their hair and wear loose-fitting clothes in public. Her father said she had no health problems and that she suffered bruises to her legs in custody. He holds the police responsible for her death. The police have denied harming her. The U.N. Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an impartial investigation into her death and allegations of torture and ill-treatment. DEATH TO THE DICTATOR A senior security official told Reuters that security forces have been ordered to curb the protests. An activist in Irans Kurdistan province said we are getting warnings from the security organisations to end the protests or face jail. Videos shared on social media have shown demonstrators damaging symbols of the Islamic Republic and confronting security forces. One showed a man scaling the facade of the town hall in the northern city of Sari and tearing down an image of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who founded the Islamic Republic after the 1979 revolution. On Wednesday in Tehran, hundreds shouted death to the dictator at Tehran University, a video shared by 1500tasvir showed. Reuters could not verify the authenticity of the videos. State media and officials have depicted the unrest as riots by anti-revolutionary elements. Members of the Basij, a militia under the umbrella of Irans Revolutionary Guards, held their own rallies in Tehran on Wednesday. The morality police is just an excuse, what they target is the regime itself, they chanted in a video posted on 1500tasvir. SOURCE: REUTERS Ukraine demanded the United Nations punish Russia for its invasion and strip it of its security council veto as a showdown loomed on Thursday when the U.N. Security Council meets over atrocities committed in Ukraine. The Security Council meeting comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the mobilisation of hundreds of thousands of Russians to fight in Ukraine, moved to annex swaths of Ukrainian territory and threatened to use nuclear weapons. A crime has been committed against Ukraine, and we demand just punishment, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday. Zelenskiy called for a special United Nations tribunal to impose just punishment on Russia and for Moscow to be stripped of its Security Council veto. The council has been unable to take any meaningful action on Ukraine because Russia is a permanent veto-wielding member along with the United States, France, Britain and China. The meeting on Thursday will be at least the 20th time the Security Council has met on Ukraine this year. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will face off his Ukrainian and Western counterparts, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, when U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan brief the 15-member Security Council. Ukraine, the United States and others have accused Russia of war crimes in Ukraine. Russia denies targeting civilians during what it calls its special military operation, describing accusations of human rights abuses as a smear campaign. EAST-WEST CLASH On Wednesday Putin ordered Moscows first wartime mobilisation since World War Two, with plans to immediately start conscripting some 300,000 troops to fight on the frontline. He cast the Ukraine invasion, that began in February and has left thousands dead, displaced millions and reduced towns to rubble, as a defining East-West clash Russias mobilisation may be the riskiest domestic political move of Putins two decades in power, and followed months of Kremlin promises it would do no such thing and comes at a time when Russia has been facing a string of battlefield failures. Concern over being conscripted saw flights out of Russia quickly sell out, and jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny called for mass demonstrations against the mobilisation. Independent protest monitoring group OVD-Info said nearly 1,400 people in 38 Russian cities had been detained in protests by Wednesday evening. Putin ordered the military draft in a televised address in which he also announced moves to annex four Ukrainian provinces and threatened to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia, declaring: Its not a bluff. Pro-Russian figures announced referendums for Sept. 23-27 in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces, representing around 15% of Ukrainian territory. U.S. President Joe Biden, in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly, responded: Again, just today, President Putin has made overt nuclear threats against Europe, in a reckless disregard for the responsibilities of the non-proliferation regime. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned Putins irresponsible escalation of the war, saying Putins behaviour only goes to show that his invasion is failing. European Union foreign ministers agreed on Wednesday to prepare new sanctions on Russia and increase weapons deliveries to Kyiv. Its clear that Putin is trying to destroy Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters after ministers met to decide how to respond. Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies confirmed in a meeting in New York on Wednesday their cooperation in extending support for Ukraine, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said. PRISON SWAP Russia and Ukraine carried out an unexpected prisoner swap on Wednesday, the largest since the war began and involving almost 300 people, including 10 foreigners and the commanders who led a prolonged Ukrainian defence of Mariupol earlier this year. The foreigners released included two Britons and a Moroccan who had been sentenced to death in June after being captured fighting for Ukraine. Also freed in the deal brokered by Saudi Arabia, according to a Saudi ministry, were three other Britons, two Americans, a Croatian, and a Swedish national. The released Ukrainians had been captured after a long battle for the port city of Mariupol earlier this year and included top military commanders, said Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelenskiys office. Several Western military experts said drafting hundreds of thousands of new troops would take months, do little to slow Russias losses, and could even make matters worse by drawing resources away from the battlefield to train and equip recruits. In Moscows first update on casualty numbers in almost six months, Russias Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said 5,937 Russian soldiers had been killed since the start of the conflict. The war has so far appeared to enjoy popular support in Russia where independent media have all been shut down and public criticism of the special military operation is banned. But for many ordinary Russians, especially in the urban middle classes, the prospect of being sent to fight would be the first hint of the war affecting them personally. On the Moscow metro, men could be seen studying call-up papers. You always feel worried at moments like these. Because you have a wife and kids and you think about it, one resident told Reuters. SOURCE: REUTERS Hontiveros calls for probe into incidents of violence, land-grabbing in Masungi Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 231 calling for the Senate to conduct an inquiry into incidents of violence, land-grabbing, illegal logging, and quarrying, which affect the Masungi Georeserve and the rest of the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL). "Nakakabahala na ang paulit-ulit na iba't-ibang uri ng karahasan na nararanasan ng mga tagapangalaga ng Masungi. We, in government, have a duty to defend the interest of this conservation site as it is a protected area established under Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded Integrated Protected Area Systems Law. We cannot take our environmental defenders for granted," Hontiveros said. On Sept. 19, 2022, it was reported that over 30 armed men apparently employed by "Sinagtala Security Agency Services" were encamped along the Marikina-Infanta Highway, within the vicinity of the conservation area. The volunteers and employees of Masungi Georeserve Foundation Inc. have also reportedly been threatened and harassed by groups allegedly engaged in illegal quarrying, logging, and land-grabbing in the UMRBPL, culminating in the shooting of two park rangers in 2021. The violence against these forest guards impelled Hontiveros to file Proposed Senate Resolution 806, which sought a Senate investigation into this particular incident. "Bukod sa usapin ng peace and order, ito'y usapin din ng pagpapahalaga sa likas-yaman ng ating bansa. The biodiversity and integrity of the area's natural environment, including the 400 species of flora and fauna as well as 60-million-year-old limestone formations, should be saved and secured. Nakapunta na ako sa Masungi mismo at nakita ko ang sukat at lawak na dapat nating protektahan at pangalagaan," Hontiveros said. "We know that our natural resources help us curb the effects of climate change. Sa katunayan, noong 2020, naging usapin din sa pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, na ang mga land-grabbing at deforestation activities sa Masungi ay maaaring naging sanhi ng matinding pagbaha pagkatapos ng hagupit ng Typhoons Rolly at Ulysses. Lahat tayo ay katiwala ng ating kapaligiran. Let's not wait for another tragedy before we seriously take care of our environment, our only home," Hontiveros concluded. ### ****** *Note: Please see attached PSR No. 231 Chief of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri said Iran will not tolerate any change in the borders in the region, IRNA reports. September 22, 2022, 12:20 Iran wont tolerate any border change in region Chief of General Staff STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 22, ARTSAKHPRESS: Mohammad Bagheri said they call on Azerbaijan and Armenia to solve the issues between them peacefully, through dialogue. We do not seek conflicts and wars, but we do not remain silent when it is necessary to resist them, he said. Paid domestic violence leave should be based on an honour system, rather than forcing victims to prove they are entitled to leave through a doctors sick note, an Oireachtas committee has been told. Dr Laura Bambrick, head of Social Policy and Employment Affairs at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), said that victims of domestic violence should be taken for their word when requesting time off from work. Legislation has been tabled by by Sinn Feins Louise OReilly which would give domestic violence survivors a statutory entitlement to 10 days paid leave. The Organisation of Working Time (Domestic Violence Leave) Bill is due to go before committee again in the coming weeks. The Cabinet has also approved a draft Bill by the Minister for Children, Roderic OGorman, that would entitle those who have experienced domestic violence to 10 days leave. It forms part of the proposed Word Life Balance Bill, and is part of the Governments plan to bring the EUs work-life balance directive into Irish law. Dr Bambrick told the Joint Committee on Gender Equality that where there is no cost to an employer, it should be based on an honour system. Its been reported that while the employer will pay for your leave for domestic violence, there will be a clawback and government will pay that, she added. The reason why employers will be asked to pay for it is so that you get that payment in your next payroll, and that doesnt become a barrier for you to take leave. If theres no actual out of pocket cost to the employer, we think it should be based on an honour system, that I go to my employer and I say I need to exercise my right for domestic leave, whether its a half day to see my solicitor or see about alternative accommodation. It should be an honour system, that Im taken from for my word. Theres going to be systems in place with this Bill, where we look back after a year to see how it works so there will be an opportunity (to review it). I think going forward in the first instance, especially where there isnt going to be an out of pocket cost for employers, lets move on and start with an honour system and we can look back a year. David Joyce, equality officer at ICTU, said that paid domestic violence leave is an important issue. He said under the International Labour Organisation convention, member states are required to take action to recognise the effects of domestic violence. The (Childrens) department is currently involved in a consultation on ratification of that convention and we will be doing a submission and we welcome the signals that they intend to ratify before the end of this year, Mr Joyce said. The issue of the 10days leave is really welcome. I agree that in insofar as is practical, providing proof in this instance is not really the way to go. Meanwhile, Dr Bambrick also said that the so-called living wage should be set at 66% of the median wage. In June, the Government unveiled plans to introduce a living wage at 60% of the median wage in any given year. This will bring the national minimum wage of 10.50 euro per hour up to 12.17 euro per hour. It will be phased in from next year and continue until 2026. However, Dr Bambrick said that 60% of the median wage is hitting the poverty line, whereas 66% is at the low income line. If you are earning below two-thirds of the median wage, you are considered by all of the research and statistician agencies, both national and international, to be a low income worker, she added. If our goal is to eradicate low pay from the economy, the living wage should be at 66% median wage. The benefit of that is at 66% median wage, it is very close to what the level is for the basket of goods. Well be pegging it to a fixed threshold approach, and we know at that level, it will be both high enough to eradicate low pay from the Irish economy and in turn the EU, and will also be sufficient to provide that minimum essential standard of living. A recent press release from 12th & Oak offers hope for po'folk and a warning to property owners. But who cares about basic economics??? Check this free rent advocacy that's clearly making an impact for better and worse. Sure, nobody wants po'folk forced out into the street but there's really not a workable plan for the impact of this public policy that'll eventually cause affordable housing to become even more scarce. And none of these political power moves seem to plan for a time when public largess runs out . . . To be fair, that'll likely happen AFTER the midterms. For now we merely quote the hopeful news that works to help shift the basic tenants of capitalism in service of a local tenant advocacy group that demands free housing . . . Hundreds of Kansas Citians are experiencing positive change thanks to the Citys new Right to Counsel Program. Implemented on June 1, 2022, the program offers free legal services to those on the verge of eviction. This summer, lawyers successfully completed 75 cases resulting in agreements with landlords, dismissals, or the opportunity for a judge to hear their case. Between June 1 to September 1, 2022 372 Cases Received, 243 Cases in Process, 75 Cases Resolved The program is a partnership with Legal Aid of Western Missouri, Heartland Center for Jobs, and Freedom and the UMKC School of Law. Assistance is offered to all Kansas City residents no matter what county they live in. The City is also working with Community Care Link to review and refer applicants to the appropriate organization. This is the 13th program of its kind in the nation. Prior to the pandemic, 99% of cases filed in Jackson County resulted in evictions. In the first three months of the Right to Counsel Program the City is seeing a drastic change. Initial data indicates having a lawyer paired with rental assistance shows an eviction rate less than 20%. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Ann Westren-Doll with her daughter rings the bell at the hospital when she finished her second stem cell transplant. - Ann Westren-Doll Photo "It will come out the truth and you dont want to be on that side of the fence when you have killed or actually murdered innocent people," Ladislas Kenderesi said at an anti-lockdown protest in 2020. Toronto police said officers responded to a stabbing at an Etobicoke home at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. - Paige Taylor White/Toronto Star file photo Toronto police ID boy, 17, allegedly shot and killed in Scarborough Toronto police said Zaybion Lawrence, 17, was allegedly shot in the area of Eglinton Avenue and Gilder Drive Toronto police constables who served in military kick off veteran wellness program 'They recognized an urgent need to help veterans,' says Toronto police Chief James Ramer US Congressman Adam Schiff made a Twitter post on the occasion of Armenia's Independence Day anniversary. September 22, 2022, 17:13 US Congressman Schiff: These atrocities will continue until international community condemns Aliyev STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 22, ARTSAKHPRESS: This Armenian Independence Day, we mourn the Armenian soldiers murdered last week by Azeri forces, and seek justice for the displaced and terrorized. These atrocities will continue until the international community condemns [Azerbaijani president Ilham] Aliyev, unequivocally. The U.S. must lead the way," Schiff wrote on Twitter. In preparation for the so-called "referenda" in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia regions, Russias special services are urgently recruiting so-called "international observers" among foreign citizens. Thats according to Oleksandr V. Danylyuk, head of the Center for Defense Reforms, coordinator of the interdepartmental platform for countering hybrid threats, operating within the framework of Ukraine-NATO cooperation, who spoke with Guildhall, citing a source in Ukrainian intelligence. As part of preparations for referenda in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, Russian special services are urgently searching for foreign citizens who could be involved as international observers, he said. Today, negotiations are being held with about a hundred foreigners, most of whom are sitting officials in their countries. Areg Gareginovich Aganesyan, First Deputy of the Council of Young Diplomats with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, was appointed to organize the visit of foreigners. At the moment, three citizens of Germany, three citizens of Serbia, four citizens of Italy, and about 10 citizens of African countries have already allegedly provided confirmation of their participation, said the expert. According to the instructions issued by the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, during the period of the so-called referendum in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the presence of at least 15 international observers is required, and in the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions 10 each, summed up Oleksandr V. Danylyuk. It is worth noting that such referenda are a crime and participation in them, both for residents of the occupied territories and for foreigners, entails criminal liability, added the head of the Center for Defense Reforms. Recall that on September 19, proteges of the Kremlin demanded an immediate referendum on joining the Russian Federation against the backdrop of a counter-offensive by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the said region. On September 20, collaborators in Kherson and Zaporizhia regions also called for an urgent "referendum." According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Kremlin, in a panic over the counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, is trying to hold "referenda" as it has exhausted all available tools to stop Ukraine's advance. Five Ukrainian commanders released from Russian captivity, including the commander of the Azov regiment, Denys Prokopenko, his deputy, Sviatoslav Palamar, and the commander of the 36th Marine Brigade, Serhii Volynskyi, are currently in Turkey under the personal protection of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Andriy Yermak, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said this at a meeting aired during a national telethon, Ukrinform reports. "According to the agreements reached earlier with Turkish President Erdogan, five of our commanders are in Turkey under his personal protection and security guarantees," Yermak said. He also noted that 215 Ukrainian defenders had been released from Russian captivity on Wednesday. It was also possible to return ten foreigners who defended Ukrainian land from the Russian army. Late on September 21, it emerged that Kyiv had exchanged prisoners of war with the Russian side. Among them are the commander of the Azov Regiment, Denys Prokopenko, his deputy Sviatoslav Palamar, the commander of the 36th Marine Brigade, Serhii Volynskyi, a senior sergeant of the 36th Marine Brigade, Mykhailo Dianov, a press officer of the Azov Regiment, Dmytro Kozatskyi, head of the Mariupol patrol police Mykhailo Vershynin, paramedic Kateryna Polishchuk and others. Also on Wednesday, an official representative of Saudi Arabia announced that an agreement had been reached with Russia in talks regarding the release of foreign nationals from Russian captivity. This made it possible to return ten prisoners of war captured during hostilities in Ukraine, among them citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Croatia and Morocco. Russian President Putin's order for a partial military mobilization and threats to use nuclear weapons show that his invasion of Ukraine is failing. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told this to journalists in New York, Ukrinform reports, citing Reuters. "Canada condemns Putin's irresponsible escalation of the war, his partial military mobilization, his nuclear threats, as well as Russia's rushed referendums to try to annex parts of Ukraine are unacceptable. [...] Putin's behavior only goes to show that his invasion is failing," he said. Trudeau also added that Putin's conscription order was "a step closer to admitting what he has not wanted to admit to Russians ... an example of things not going to his plan." Trudeau said the threats of nuclear weapons need to be taken seriously and Western allies need to "stand very firmly against" them. Putin's latest "initiatives" result in even greater support for Ukraine on the part of Europe, including through the supply of military equipment. This was stated by Germanys Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht, who spoke at a joint press conference in Berlin with her French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "Our response is really consistent and, most importantly, resolute and joint: there will be no deviations, we will continue to support Ukraine in its courageous struggle in the future," the German minister said. She noted that thanks to the "ring swap" with a number of countries, Ukraine can quickly receive tanks that can be immediately employed on the battlefield. The politician also recalled of the increase in supplies by Germany of Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled guns and anti-aircraft missiles, and mentioned the upcoming deliveries of air defense systems. Its air defense and artillery, which Ukraine needs most, she noted. Lambrecht noted the "huge successes" of the Armed Forces in recent days and weeks, including thanks to the assistance from Germany and France, and how "desperate" Moscow's response was, when partial mobilization was declared and sham "referenda" were announced. "For us, these referenda will be of no significance as this is the territory of Ukraine and will remain so," the head of the Bundeswehr said. The minister emphasized that the goal of the allies is to help Ukraine, including with military equipment, in the long term as well. "It's good that we are sending a clear signal: this Putin reaction to Ukraine's successes only encourages us to continue supporting Ukraine," the head of the German Ministry of Defense emphasized. "Well-trained and well-armed Armed Forces are the best guarantee of security for Ukraine, but also for us," Lambrecht said, mentioning in this context the projects for the training of Ukrainian soldiers, in which both countries are involved. The heads of the defense ministries also discussed bilateral cooperation projects, in particular, regarding the German-French brigade, as well as missions in Africa. In Mykolaiv region, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed four Iranian-made Shahed-136 kamikaze drones at once this evening. The Air Force Command said in a Telegram post, Ukrinform reports. "On September 22, around 20:00 in Mykolaiv region, warriors of the Odesa anti-aircraft missile brigade of the Air Command South downed four Russian Shahed-136 kamikaze drones, manufactured by Iran, at once with two medium-range anti-aircraft guided missiles," the report reads. Read also: Russians using Iranian kamikaze drones in southern Ukraine As Ukrinform reported, in the south of Ukraine, Russian troops intensified air attacks using Iranian kamikaze drones of the Shahed-136 type. In particular, with the use of such drones, the enemy once again attacked the port infrastructure of Ochakiv city, Mykolaiv region. One of the two drones was shot down by Ukrainian units, the other hit a port tug. iy Estonia is the undisputed leader in the information technology development in Europe. To date, the country has managed to digitise 99% of its public services. Stable tax legislation and a wide range of electronic services allowed the state to attract multi-million investments and create one of the best environments for doing business in Europe. In this context, Ukraine sees Estonia as a partner in developing its own digital tools. Kristjan Jarvan, Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology of Estonia, recently visited Ukraine. Ukrinform took an opportunity to ask Mr. Jarvan several questions about the areas in which Estonia and Ukraine are already cooperating, as well as what our country should learn from the Estonian experience in order to take a worthy place among the EU countries in terms of the level of digitalization of public services. - Estonia is one of the smallest EU countries but you are the leaders in digitalization. How did you achieve this? How come that your country became the world's digital leader and which issues on its way to the digital state should Ukraine take into account? - Estonia was a young country without essential resources after restoring its independence in 1991. To provide public services all over the country and to all citizens and residents, digital was the only option. Estonia couldnt offer traditional bureaucratic structures because of a lack of money and manpower. At least equally important was that Tallinn had been the home of the cybernetics institute since the 1960s, so some of the required IT talent was already in place. All of this came together in 1994 when the parliament signed the first draft policy on digitalisation. These developments were based on bare necessity as much as a forward-thinking mindset. Of course, there were also challenges. When Estonia started building its information society about two and a half decades ago, there was no digital data being collected about its citizens. The general population did not have an internet connection, let alone devices with which to use it. It took great courage to invest in IT solutions and take the information technology route. A turning point came with our law on digital signature in 2002, which established full legal equivalency between paper and digital signatures and led to the widespread adoption of digital signing in both public and private services. Ukraine is well on its way to becoming a digital state. At this point, you have the architecture and foundation in place, and the challenge is one of executing on the plans you already have for digital transformations across every area of public services at national, regional and local level. - Does the Estonian e-government save the state's budget and how many? What does this system consist of? It is understood that going from analogue paper-based services to digital services there is an opportunity to increase the efficiency of service delivery as well as raise the overall level of service provision. It has not been calculated precisely how much of financial resources are being saved, as there is no alternative to compare it to, however over the years some estimates have been made. For example, it has been estimated that using digital signatures saves around 2% of national GDP every year. In addition, as data is being exchanged via X-Road data exchange layer (like Trembita in UA) and 3% of requests on X-Road are submitted by citizen, and assuming that every request saves 15 minutes - those requests have saved 2,391 working years during the previous calendar year. Or in other words one years working time of 2,391 people. It has been a great benefit to implement important building blocks, like the eID and the data exchange layer in order to move towards a more lean and efficient government. - What difficulties Estonia had on its way to becoming a digital state? Your experience on overcoming it. The main challenges revolve around people, not technology. Having the right mindset in political leadership as well as amongst civil servants is crucial. Secondly it is important that the legislation, as the foundation, is solid, clear and straightforward. Thirdly it is important to have transparency as this generates trust amongst the wider population, or the individuals that would be using the benefits of digital services and society. Estonia had a general push for digitalisation in the 1990s due to limited resources and the will to provide government services for everybody on similar terms, meaning that people living further away from urban areas would also have the possibility to use government services without delays. We have amended our legislation accordingly to tackle modern challenges and make the government more efficient with once only principle and digital by default. In addition we have based our digital state on shared platforms which make it easier to integrate various services and registries as well as provide access (like x-Road and eID). Last but not least, in order to grow trust and provide quality services, it is important to focus on service design and be citizen/customer-focused. - In countries with a low level of rule of law, total digitalization can lead to the so-called Big Brother situation, when the state knows everything about citizens and there is no privacy at all. What countries should do to prevent such risks? Maybe you can give some advice. - e-Governance is a strategic choice for Estonia that aims to improve the competitiveness of the country and increase the well-being of its people. Our aim is to keep the government working seamlessly 24/7. This is supported by digital identity, secure data exchange, and high-quality databases. The development of the Estonian e-Governance ecosystem has been supported by strategic vision, trust of citizens and cooperation with the ICT sector. Personal data protection and transparency are the cornerstones of building trust towards e-Government. Citizens have the right to know who is using their personal data. Enforcement of once-only principle means that citizens only have to submit their data once to the government to be used and re-used. Estonia is striving for provision of proactive and invisible services by relying on the efficient use of data which the state already has. In Estonia the citizen owns his or her personal data and the government authorities only handle the data and have to ask for the explicit consent of the owner to share the data with other authorities. We are constantly looking for ways to improve the oversight and transparency individuals have over how their data is being used in public services. - Tell us please about implementation of e-elections in Estonia? Is it possible to implement something similar in Ukraine? What should our government take into account before starting the process? - In 2005, Estonia became the first nation in history to offer internet voting in a nationwide election. The groundbreaking i-Vote system allows citizens to vote at their convenience, no matter how far they are from a polling station. i-Vote has been made possible only thanks to the fact that the vast majority of people in Estonia have access to secure digital authentication and signatures. Estonia decided to introduce i-Voting in order to make participation in elections more convenient for people, so that voting would not depend on time and place. This decision was supported by the technological base and the readiness of the society. i-Voting has become one of the most popular services in Estonia and also one of the hallmarks for which Estonia is known abroad. Estonians can vote online in municipal, national and European Parliament elections online using their electronic ID card or alternatively the Mobile-ID SIM card. In the most recent election in 2019, 46.7% of votes were cast online. The Estonian i-voting system is based on the fact that the Estonian ID-card has been an official document for establishing the identity of a person for more than a decade. Most countries do not have such an extensively used digital system for identification and verification. Besides technological solutions, it is also necessary to have a legislative basis and political will. We have generally been very conservative about recommending to other countries that they pursue online voting, as insecure i-voting is worse than no i-voting. Ukraine is one of the (few) countries where the basic pre-conditions for successfully conducting online voting are in place today. There is also clear value to doing so, given the size of the Ukrainian diaspora and now refugee numbers abroad. We would be privileged to work with you on the topic. - Estonia and Ukraine signed a memorandum of cooperation. Please, tell us some details. How will our countries cooperate and help each other? - Estonia and Ukraine renewed their Memorandum of Understanding on Digital Transformation, signed by Estonian Minister of Entrepreneurship and IT Kristjan Jarvan and Ukrainian deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Areas of further collaboration will include: Mobile and user-centric digital government. Estonia will launch a beta of its citizen app based on Ukraines award winning Diia application, developed in collaboration between the Estonian and Ukrainian digital government agencies. Cyber security. Supporting the continuity of digital government services and resilience against cyber attacks. Collaborating on Ukraines participation in the Digital Single Market, including through the mutual recognition of digital identity and signatures, as part of Ukraines European course. - Please tell us more about the development of Estonian app based on Diia. Will it be this totally different new app or Estonia has just bought a Ukrainian product and plan to launch its copy? - Estonia will launch a beta of its citizen app based on Ukraines award winning Diia application, developed in collaboration between the Estonian and Ukrainian digital government agencies. We are looking at Diia on multiple levels - the actual software, but also the use cases, design and the approach to how new services are developed. Exactly how much we copy directly vs re-implementing what you have done will depend on technical deep dives between our agencies in coming weeks. The more we can copy from Ukraines approach - and avoid duplicating your efforts - the better. One thing that makes us hopeful is that Ukraine uses the Trembita data exchange layer on the backend of many Diia services, which is based on the X-road used in Estonia. As a result, we are hopeful that many technical choices can be solved in Estonia using the same approach as in Ukraine. For the time being, at least, we will not be adopting your technical infrastructure for e-ID, as this is already quite mature and developed in Estonia. Nevertheless, what you have done with biometrics and facial recognition as part of Diia ID is impressive and we hope to learn from that for the future. -What innovative digital projects Ukraine and Estonia are already implementing? - Ukraine has very well executed the mobile first initiative and developed a government app for smart devices that countries around the world would like to replicate. Similarly Estonia is looking into developing a mobile app based on the Ukraines Diia app. Additionally Estonia is working on a government virtual assistant called #burokratt, which would allow a person to get everything they need regarding a service from one device and through a virtual assistant in one communication session. Also, this is aligned with another Estonian initiative which is looking to develop services designed around individuals life events, with the first two life event services being launched already this year. - Almost 99% of government services in Estonia are digital. How long will it take to have the same digitalization level for Ukraine? In your opinion, what instruments should our government implement first? - Estonians trust e-solutions and use them every day. Virtually all state-related operations are completed digitally prescriptions, tax return claims or starting a business. In Estonia, 99% of public services are available online 24 hours a day. Only in the case of marriages and divorce do we require you to meet with an official or a notary - but even in this case, the transactions themselves are fully digital and we are working to improve the user-experience of related services (e.g. new identity documents and change of address after getting married). For the public sector, seamlessly connected digital services lead to bigger potential for economic growth and a healthier, better living society. For businesses, smart e-solutions are key to save money and to build profitable growth. Safe, convenient and flexible digital ecosystem helps to increase efficiency in many different areas. For example: Innovative e-solutions are the core of the Estonian healthcare system. Patients and doctors, not to mention hospitals and the government, benefit from the convenient access and savings that e-services have delivered. Today 99% of data stored by hospitals and family doctors is digital and 99% of prescriptions are done online. The Estonian school is mostly in the cloud. Todays technology has greatly increased opportunities to use data and analytics to improve teaching. Moreover, our digital solutions ensure the involvement of all social groups in a digital society. Estonia's Digital Agenda for 2030 aims to build an AI-powered government, where all major public sector services are powered by AI and all government decisions are based on data. To achieve this, we are currently developing and implementing Burokratt, which is the governments virtual AI assistant. Burokratt aims to enable the use of public services via voice using any commonly used device. We similarly work on introducing data-driven decision-making within Estonia's government. The aim is to make all the decisions of the state using high quality data and to support it via analytics. In order to achieve this we are introducing data stewards within the government - who are responsible for areas such as metadata, data quality and once-only principle. We are also working on Governments data strategy for 2023-2027. Our experience has shown that having shared platforms and building blocks (such as eID and data exchange layer X-Road) used by both private and public sectors increase uptake and launching new services. It has also been understood that the legal framework acts like a foundation to build a digital society on, meaning that it needs to support and enable digital transformation and innovation. Each country has its own pace and strategy to implement digital transformation and the exact time of achieving certain levels is different, however in case of Ukraine, it can be seen that many steps have already been taken and some of the steps that for example Estonia had to take can be skipped due to the advancement of technology as well as cooperating with others. How long it takes Ukraine to reach the same level is up to Ukraine, but in our experience you are well underway. Given the pace of progress, you could well reach our level (and overtake us) in a few years. - Right now in Estonia, there are a lot of Ukrainian refugees due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Some of them have already got temporary protection. Does Estonia plan to implement new e-mechanisms/ tools, which will help them in everyday life (for example Poland already integrated some documents from Diia to Polish app mObywatel and developed electronic resident permit Diia pl)? - The Estonian state supports Ukrainian war refugees so that they could adapt here quickly and cope on their own until they can return home. Estonia has granted temporary protected status to over 33,000 Ukrainians, who have been issued Estonian digital identities and access to Estonian e-services. - Please tell us more about -Residency in Estonia. At what stage is this project right now? How many Ukrainians are registered as e-residents already? Did the full-scale war in Ukraine affect this tendency somehow? - Estonia currently has nearly 100 000 e-residents from 176 countries, who have established nearly 23 000 digitally-run companies in Estonia. Estonia is well-known for its start-up scene almost every third start-up here has been established by an e-resident, so these communities have intertwined into an ecosystem of their own. The e-Residency programme itself has in its 8 years outgrown the so-called start-up phase and is looking at substantial growth opportunities during the coming years. One of the key goals here is to shorten the customer journey, i.e. to reduce the time it takes for a new e-resident from submitting their application to receiving their ID card ready to set up their Estonian company online, which only takes about 15 minutes. It is a privilege we as a digital country proudly provide to entrepreneurial talents around the world, as it empowers our own economic environment as well. Of course, the more the process becomes streamlined, attracting growing numbers of new e-residents, the more work goes into ensuring security and oversight. E-Residency is a tight government cooperation programme and no shortcuts are taken around thorough background checks, meaning only people with honest intentions are welcome to become Estonian e-residents. The outbreak of war has significantly intensified the interest of Ukrainians in Estonias e-Residency programme. The latest data trend shows that almost 1 in 10 new e-residents is a Ukrainian citizen, with Ukraine lately adding an average of up to 100 e-residents per month. Overall, Ukraine has the highest number of e-residents in Estonia, around 6000 people, making up almost 6% of the whole e-resident community. Almost a third of them have set up a company in Estonia, making Ukraine number one country with regard to company formation by e-residents, with leading fields being computer programming, online retail sale and business consultancy. Another effect of the war was stopping accepting first-time e-resident applications submitted by Russian and Belarusian citizens. - Earlier governmental project -Residency launched initiative, which helps Ukrainian entrepreneurs to receive refund of registration fee (130 euro). How many Ukrainians already used this opportunity? As the first and only country in the world that offers foreign nationals a special programme for setting up and running their businesses fully online, we decided that it is our duty to help the Ukrainians any way we can. The reimbursement plan was devised in collaboration with a group of official e-Residency service providers. We decided to jointly compensate Ukrainian citizens for state fees payable upon applying for e-Residency in order to enable them to continue their business activities that were cut off when the war broke out or even set up new businesses, regardless of where they have ended up fleeing. The Estonian e-Residency programme will reimburse the application fees, amounting to a maximum of 130 euros, to all Ukrainians who have applied for e-Residency since 24 February 2022, and also to those who apply for the remainder of this year. In addition, if they decide to set up a company in Estonia through one of the service providers listed here, the new e-residents will have their company establishment fees, in the amount of 265 euros, paid by the chosen service provider. As the reimbursement campaign is run through the e-Residency service providers and the campaign is still ongoing, then we will have a complete overview of all the campaign applicants by the end of the year. - Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia has launched countless cyberattacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure. How does Estonia respond to similar attacks? How does your country help Ukraine to fight in this cyber war? - Estonia understands that the risk of cyber attacks will always be part of the information society a risk that must be taken seriously. Being a digital society means exposure to cyber threats. Whats important, is to be aware of the risks and mitigate them. You can never be 100% safe from cyber attacks, but you can minimize their effect on your services. The overall cyber-image has deteriorated significantly over the last few years as cyber-attacks have increased in frequency and impact. Russia's military action in Ukraine has also worsened the cyber security situation in our region even more. We have seen a rapid increase in the intensity of cyber attacks against Estonia, but Estonia has not been uniquely targeted - similar attacks have taken place across Europe, especially against other Central and Eastern European countries that strongly support Ukraine. Estonia has managed well thanks to the additional investments in cyber security. Cybersecurity should not be limited to talking, but should be accompanied by real activities such as investment, raising the basic level of cyber hygiene and preparing for possible incidents. The dependence of the Estonian digital society on communication and information systems and electronic services is high, and therefore we must pay increased attention to cyber security. Since 24.02.2022, collaboration between Estonia and Ukraine has significantly increased. The Estonian government has been amongst the most active providers of operational support to Ukrainian authorities in defending against Russian cyber attacks. Additionally, Estonia has supported the continuity of operation of Ukrainian digital services in cloud and from outside Ukraine. The Estonian government and tech companies have also provided material support to Ukraine, including in the form of donated ICT equipment. - In your opinion, how do sanctions affect Russias economy? Are they enough? - The impact of the sanctions hasnt reached its full potential yet, since there is a transition period for some already imposed sanctions. Over time, however, it becomes more and more difficult for Russia and its economy. Estonias position is that as long as the war in Ukraine lasts, the free world must continue isolating Russia and strengthening sanctions. In the European Union, we must also move forward quickly with the next even stronger sanctions package. The flow of tourists from Russia must decrease significantly. We will continue to work together to reach a pan-European solution in this matter, and we are waiting for recommendations from the European Commission. - What is the capacity of trade between Ukraine and Estonia? What goods/services are in priority? How does the war affect trade between our countries? - In 7 months of this year, Estonia exported goods worth 64 million euros to Ukraine, and goods worth 57 million euros were imported. These numbers are 5-8% below the level of the same time last year, but here it must be taken into account that both export and import prices have increased significantly. This means that in reality, the volume of goods has decreased significantly. Due to the war, mainly imports have decreased, while export has increased by about half in May and June, for example - a large part of it is medical equipment. The main Estonian export products were animal products (frozen fish), medical and other products, vehicles, prefabricated buildings. Estonia imported larger quantities of wood and wood products, metal products and oils from Ukraine. - Ukrainian Ministry of infrastructure announced the project of implementing e-transport documents with Estonia. When will it start? What are your prognoses for its realization? - Ukraine is doing a lot of work in terms of increasing the capacity of border crossing points. This is related to the implementation of electronic border crossing control and I am very happy that Estonian company GoSwift is launching a pilot project of an electronic queue at two border points in the Transcarpathian region. In the vision of the Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure, in the future, booking a border crossing queue would be done through a smartphone application, which links all border crossing points. The user chooses in which direction, at what time and at what cost he wants to cross the border. When will the solution be fully used and reach its potential is too early to say. Valentyn Marchuk, Kyiv Photos: Press service of Ukraines Ministry of Digital Transformation Latvian President Egils Levits, who addressed the United Nations General Assembly on September 21, has called for establishing a special tribunal to investigate the responsibility of the Russian state in the crime of aggression and creating a mechanism of reparation payments to Ukraine. Thats according to Ukrinforms own correspondent in New York. Impunity means an invitation to further crimes, therefore, the aggressor must be held accountable, Levits said, adding that the ICC and ICJ have already started considering cases regarding the separate aspects of Russias war on Ukraine, and so has the ECHR. At the same time, the president of Latvia noted that a legal loophole remained as no international court has jurisdiction as to the main question, which is the unleashing of a war of aggression, a serious violation of the UN Charter and international law. Read also: Czech Republic calls for immediate special tribunal for Russian war criminals Special tribunal could be established on the basis of a resolution of the General Assembly by another international organization or a group of like-minded states, he suggested. The president added that after the war, Russia will have to pay reparations to Ukraine for damages. The special tribunal could be part of an international reparations mechanism. On the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, EU High Representative Josep Borrell convened an ad-hoc meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, following which a declaration on Russias war of aggression against Ukraine was adopted. The full text of the document was published on the website of the European Council. In line with the UN Charter and international law, Ukraine is exercising its legitimate right to defend itself against the Russian aggression to regain full control of its territory and has the right to liberate occupied territories within its internationally recognised borders. We salute the courage and successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces during the current counter-offensive. We will continue supporting its efforts through provision of military equipment as long as necessary, the document says. In the declaration, the European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest escalation by Russia of its illegal, unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine. In spite of numerous calls by the international community on Russia to immediately stop its military aggression against Ukraine, the Russian leadership has regrettably decided otherwise. On 21 September, Russia chose a path of confrontation by announcing a partial mobilisation in Russia, by supporting the organisation of illegal referenda in the Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russia and by threatening again with the use of weapons of mass destruction. The EU reiterates its strongest condemnation of the plans to organise illegal referenda which aim at the annexation by Russia parts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions areas of Ukraine currently occupied by Russia. These illegal referenda are another blatant violation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and a serious violation of the UN Charter, the document says. The EU ministers stressed that Russias actions in Ukraine continue threatening peace and security in Europe and worldwide and have severe global consequences in the form of increased food insecurity and rising energy prices. The EU reiterates its calls on Russia to respect the principles of the UN Charter and to reverse these illegal plans. Russia, its political leadership, and all those involved in organising these referenda as well as in other violations of international law and international humanitarian law in Ukraine will be held accountable, and additional restrictive measures against Russia will be brought forward as soon as possible in coordination with our partners. The EU and its Member States will never recognise these areas as anything but a part of Ukraine and will continue to support Ukraines effort to restore its territorial integrity as long as necessary," the document says. It is noted that in addition to the immense suffering brought by the Russian aggression upon the Ukrainian people, Russia has chosen to further extend the cost of its war also for the Russian population through the partial mobilisation. The references to nuclear weapons do not shake our determination, resolve and unity to stand by Ukraine and our comprehensive support to Ukraines ability to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty as long as it takes. Moreover, the EU reaffirms its commitment to further support the resilience of the Eastern Partners and Western Balkans. The EU remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and demands that Russia immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, the document says. The ministers of Foreign Affairs of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and senior officials from the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the United States of America, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have issued a joint statement regarding the threats posed to the safety and security of nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes in Ukraine. The relevant document was released on the website of the European External Action Service (EEAS), an Ukrinform correspondent reports. We recall that the heightened risks of a nuclear incident will remain dangerously high as long as Russia remains present on the site of ZNPP. The Russian Federation must immediately withdraw its troops from within Ukraines internationally recognized borders and respect Ukraines territorial integrity and sovereignty. Should the Russian Federation conduct any sham referenda within occupied territories of Ukraine, we reiterate that these would have no legal and political effect, including on the status of the ZNPP, the report states. The ministers noted the 2009 IAEA General Conference unanimous decision GC(53)/DEC/13 entitled Prohibition of armed attack or threat of attack against nuclear installations, during operation or under construction, which recognised the importance attached to safety, security and physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. They also emphasized the importance of the IAEA Director Generals Seven Indispensable Pillars of Nuclear Safety and Security, outlined in his statement to the IAEA Board of Governors meeting on March 2-3, 2022. In their joint statement, the ministers mentioned the said seven principles: - the physical integrity of the nuclear facilities, whether it is reactors, fuel ponds, or radioactive waste stores, must be maintained; - all safety and security systems and equipment must be fully functional at all times; - the operating staff must be able to fulfil their respective safety and security duties, and have the capacity to make decisions free of undue pressure; - there must be secure off-site power supply from the grid for all nuclear sites; - there must be uninterrupted logistical supply chains and transportation to and from the sites; - there must be effective on-site and off-site radiation monitoring systems and emergency preparedness and response measures; - and finally, there must be reliable communications with the regulator and others. The ministers expressed their intent to continue to support the IAEA action in helping facilitate the implementation of these principles in Ukraine while fully respecting Ukraines sovereignty, including through the IAEA nuclear safety and security assistance plan for Ukraine. We welcome the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) and commend the Director General and his team for their courage and determination in performing this important mission. We support efforts to maintain a continued IAEA presence at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in order to support Ukraine, and stand ready to support the nuclear safety, security and safeguards objectives of the IAEA mission, as needed, the statement reads. A reminder that Russian troops seized Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) on March 4, 2022. Since then, Russian invaders have been deploying military equipment and ammunition within the industrial site of the plant and shelling the adjacent territory. mk Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, Tony, Golden Globe and Peabody award winner Barbra Streisand has become an ambassador for the UNITED24 fundraising platform, in the field of medical aid. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky wrote this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports. During an online call, I discussed the details of our cooperation with Barbra Streisand, who became the ambassador of the UNITED24 fundraising platform in the Medical aid direction, Zelensky wrote. He noted that the world may get a little tired of thinking about Ukraine every day, but the communities in the US and European countries continue to support and help Ukraine. It is very important for us that such talented and famous people in the world support the UNITED24 platform. Mrs. Streisand, thank you for supporting Ukraine! Zelensky wrote. According to United24, Streisands grandparents emigrated to the United States from Ukraine. Streisand told she has a strong connection with Ukrainian: As I am of Jewish origin with Ukrainian roots, I am especially moved by the struggle of Ukrainians for freedom. The resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people have become a real inspiration for everyone who works to preserve democracy and fight against authoritarianism. You and your country have my full support." It is noted that the first project - which Streisand will support as part of her ambassadorship - is 24 000 Friends of Ukraine, which aims to get 24,000 subscribers to commit to monthly donations of $24 towards Medical Aid for Ukrainians directly affected by the war. Regular donations provide constant support to Ukrainian doctors, who have been heroically saving the lives of war victims for almost 7 months. Everyone who signs up for a charitable monthly donation will receive a thank-you email, signed by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, United24 said. As reported, in May, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on the initiative to create the United24 national brand to unite the efforts of international partners in support of Ukraine. Photo: Presidents Office iy Shoppers in Belfast in June 2020 (Getty Images) Census figures show that Catholics (45.7%) outnumber Protestants (43.5%) within the Northern Ireland population for the first time since the partition of the island of Ireland. The shift could drive support for the region to split away from Britain and join a united Ireland, with the majority of Catholics, supporting reunification. Just 31.9% of those in Northern Ireland identified as British-only. The Census 2021 figures, published on Thursday, show that 45.7% of the population said they were either Catholic or brought up as a Catholic. The figures for Protestants (and other Christian faiths) was 43.5% while 1.5% were from other non-Christian religions. There has been a 63.5% increase in the number of people in Northern Ireland who hold an Irish passport. There has been a surge in applications for Irish passports (Getty) The number of people who held an Irish passport rose from 375,800 in 2011 to 614,300 in 2021. Brexit will undoubtedly have been one factor in that surge, with people seeking an Irish passport to retain EU rights lost when the UK left the bloc. The 2011 Census recorded 48% of the population as being either Protestant or brought up Protestant, down five percentage points on 2001. The Catholic population stood at 45% in the last census, up one percentage point on 2001. The 2021 Census showed 9.3% of the population as belonging to no religion this figure is up from 5.6% in 2011. The census also included a question on peoples sense of national identity. Census 2021 showed that 31.9% said they were British-only and 8% deemed themselves British and Northern Irish. The proportion of the population that said they were Irish only was 29.1% while those identifying as Northern Irish only was 19.8%. In Census 2011, 40% said they had a British-only national identity, 25% said they had an Irish-only identity and 21% viewed their identity as being only Northern Irish. From left to right Filippo Grandi (UN High Commissioner for Refugees), Uzra Zeya (Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights of the United States of America), Harjit Sajjan (Minister of International Development of Canada), Carlos Antonio Garcia (Under Secretary of State for Consular and Migratory Affairs of Honduras), Betilde Munoz-Pogossian (Director of the Department of Social Inclusion of the OAS). UNHCR/Monique Jaques NEW YORK The international community today reaffirmed its solidarity with forcibly displaced populations and host communities in Central America and Mexico during a Solidarity Event on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The event was co-hosted by the Governments of Canada and the United States, in partnership with the Government of Honduras. It included the participation of the seven countries that make up the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (MIRPS), and MIRPS Support Platform Members, as well as other international agencies and financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society. Consistent with commitments under the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, participants discussed ways to enhance protection and to promote lasting and complementary solutions for displaced people and those at risk of being displaced. Gabriela Perez Guerra, a Nicaraguan refugee in Mexico, told participants via video link how important the support refugees receive is for successful integration into their host communities. Listening to the challenges faced by those who need international protection leads us to understand that the process of integration includes the active and creative search for solutions, she said. Perez Guerra now leads a programme that promotes education as a tool for successful integration at Programa Casa Refugiados, a refugee-led organization in Mexico City. Members of the MIRPS Support Platform -- which helps mobilise resources for MIRPS countries made new commitments of political, technical, and financial support which totalled more than USD 210 million, in addition to in-kind contributions to further strengthen the regional response and country National Action Plans in 2022 and 2023. In addition, the World Bank announced its intention to join the Support Platform. Against the backdrop of compounding global crises, we cannot lose sight of the more than 1 million people forcibly displaced in Central America and Mexico. While Canadas term as Chair of the MIRPS Support Platform comes to an end, we will continue to advocate for the needs of refugees and forcibly displaced persons in the region and pledge our support to the MIRPS countries and the host communities who generously support them, said Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development of Canada. The International Solidarity Event marked the culmination of Canadas tenure as Chair of the MIRPS Support Platform and the transition to the United States as the incoming chair. Uzra Zeya, the United States Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, said: Collaboration is imperative to meeting our shared goals, and forums such as the MIRPS and the event today are critical as they provide the opportunity for us to tangibly express our support and seek solutions together Today, as an expression of the United States commitment to addressing forced displacement, I am pleased that the United States will take over the Chair of the MIRPS Support Platform. Carlos Antonio Garcia, Under Secretary of State for Consular and Migratory Affairs of Honduras, underscored the progress made by MIRPS countries in strengthening asylum systems and protection mechanisms. These results encourage us to look toward the future with optimism. It gives us hope to know that through the joint commitment of our region and international solidarity, we can multiply these achievements, he said. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, who has closely followed the MIRPS since its inception in 2017, applauded the progress made by MIRPS States but underscored that much remains to be achieved. We must recognise that the situation for millions of people remains grave. They and the countries of the region cannot be left alone to address the challenges Humanitarian and development actors must therefore work together to enhance protection and integration, he said. "It is crucial that multilateral organizations, civil society, and the private sector continue to join forces with the member states of the MIRPS that still require additional investments to strengthen access to health, education, social protection, employment, and livelihoods for displaced populations or at risk of displacement", said Betilde Munoz-Pogossian, Director of the Department of Social Inclusion of the Organization of American States (OAS). About the MIRPS: The Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (MIRPS) includes Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Panama. The MIRPS is a pioneering mechanism for the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees to encourage regional cooperation among countries of origin, transit, and destination for greater responsibility sharing in matters of prevention, protection, and durable solutions in the face of growing forced displacement in Central America and Mexico. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Organization of American States (OAS) provide support as the MIRPS Technical Secretariat. About the MIRPS Support Platform: The MIRPS Support Platform was launched in December 2019 to support the efforts of the MIRPS countries. It aims to leverage support from the broadest possible range of stakeholders. Its current members include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the European Union (EU), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), France, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay, the United States, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and the Organization of American States (OAS), while UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency serves as the Secretariat. For more information contact: A $14.4 million cancer treatment center project for Auburn Community Hospital has cleared a significant financial hurdle with the approval this week of a tax break package sought by the developer. The Cayuga County Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors unanimously approved more than $4 million in sales, mortgage and property tax relief proposed by Rochester-based Rochester-based Park Grove Realty LLC. The IDA held a public hearing on the project Monday morning, and then voted on the application for financial assistance at its regular meeting Tuesday afternoon. The city of Auburn Planning Board has approved the site plan for the new 12,000-square-foot building, which would be constructed at the corner of North and Lansing streets where an employee parking lot is now located. The hospital is partnering with Rochester-based Park Grove as well as Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse on the project. The 1.14-acre lot is being acquired by Park Grove and leased back by the hospital. Hospital officials have said ACH does not have the financial resources to develop the project on its own. Although no one from the public spoke at Monday's public hearing, some board members did express concern about what would happen if the hospital were to default on the terms of a lease it will have with Park Grove. At Tuesday's meeting, attorney Justin Miller, the IDA's transaction counsel, assured the board that the language in the agreement with Park Grove would not allow the property tax break package to continue should the hospital not be able to operate the cancer in the future. "The IDA project description involves leasing that building to the hospital for a cancer center," Miller said. "There really isn't any way to convert the IDA project or assign the (payments in lieu of taxes) for any other purpose." The financial assistance approved by the IDA includes an exemption on sales taxes for construction materials valued at an estimated $360,000, and mortgage recording tax that would provide $82,500 in relief. Property taxes, which would be paid by the hospital under the terms of its lease with Park Grove, would be exempted on a gradual basis over 15 years, with a total value estimated at $3.79 million. Park Grove co-founder Andy Bodewes reminded the IDA board at Tuesday's meeting that the parcel that hospital is selling to the developer currently is fully tax exempt, so the payments in lieu of taxes under the project will be new revenue for the city, county and Auburn Enlarged City School District. "And at the end of the day, through this PILOT, it's going to create the opportunity for a great asset to be in the community, a health care specialty service that is not currently available," Bodewes said. The cancer center would add 19 jobs over its first three years, with additional payroll totaling $1.7 million by the third year, according to the application filed with the IDA. The new treatment center would allow the hospital to add radiation oncology services to its cancer treatment offerings, which it launched in early 2020 in partnership with Upstate cancer physicians. The state Department of Health has provided contingent approval for the project. In its application to the state for a certificate of need to build the cancer treatment center, the hospital said the facility will feature seven exam rooms, a consultation room, CT scanner room, a linear accelerator treatment vault, controls rooms, patient treatment planning/dosimetry space, eight infusion rooms and staff office space. According to the state health department's project review summary, construction is anticipated to start in January with completion taking one year. Empire State Development's tourism office is posting weekly fall foliage reports. Below is the report posted Sept. 21, 2022: This is the second 2022 I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report for New York State. Reports are obtained from volunteer field observers and reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend. Reports are issued every Wednesday afternoon. Beautiful fall foliage continues to appear across New York State, with some significant early color changes expected in the higher elevations of the Adirondacks and Catskills, according to field reports from volunteer observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourisms I LOVE NY program. In the Adirondacks, Franklin County foliage spotters in the Mt. Arab and Tupper Lake areas note that color change there is underway with vigor and intensity, with as much as 35-40% leaf transition expected this weekend, and featuring fantastic hues of rhubarb, cerise, maize, saffron, russet, and tangerine. Spotters in Saranac Lake expect 25-30% color change with muted hues of yellow and red emerging. In the northern portion of the county, spotters from Malone predict 15% color change this weekend with muted red and orange leaves appearing over the mostly green backdrop. In Essex County, Wilmington spotters at Whiteface Mountain Ski Area predict 15-20% or more color change this weekend, with some bright red leaves beginning to appear. Lake Placid spotters expect about 15% change, with touches of oranges and reds of average brilliance. While some leaves are changing quickly, the majority are still green. Spotters reporting from Newcomb expect up to 15% transition with increasing shades of orange and red. In Crown Point, spotters are predicting more than 10% color change with a sprinkling of muted golds and rusts, along with occasional bright shades of yellow. Reports from Ticonderoga are predicting 10% color change with average shades of yellow, red, and orange beginning to peak. Herkimer County spotters in Old Forge are predicting at least 30% foliage change with muted shades of yellow and burgundy, along with some early reds. After some early color, leaf change has become more gradual, with shades of rust and dark red emerging. Look for some brilliant pops of reds and deep reds along Adirondack waterways. In Hamilton County, Long Lake spotters expect 30% foliage change with touches of orange and purple, along with muted reds. Reporters from Lake Pleasant are predicting 20% foliage change, with average to bright shades of yellow and orange starting to pop. In Warren County, Lake George foliage spotters are predicting 15% color change, highlighted by vivid oranges, sunny yellows, and the occasional deep reds scattered amongst lush green foliage. Queensbury observers are also expecting 15% color change with muted purple, red, and orange leaves. In Clinton County, reports from Plattsburgh predict 10% color change with some muted yellow leaves. In the Catskills, Delaware County spotters reporting from the Delhi area are expecting up to 25% foliage change by the weekend, with varying shades of red and yellow, along with some bright pops of vibrant leaves. Spotters reporting from Bloomville and Walton predict 15% color change with muted yellow leaves. In Greene County, spotters reporting from the upper elevations of the towns of Hunter and Windham predict up to 35% color change, with green, yellow, and red leaves of average brilliance. Spotters in Catskill expect 15% foliage change featuring orange and red leaves of average brilliance. In Sullivan County, foliage spotters in Liberty are expecting 15% change with muted green, yellow, and brown leaves, while spotters to the south in Forestburgh expect about 10% color change. Ulster County spotters at Belleayre Mountain Ski Area in Highmount are predicting at least 10% color change this weekend, with red and orange leaves of average brilliance appearing over the mostly green backdrop. In New Paltz, spotters expect foliage to be just about 5% changed with some yellow shades beginning to appear. In the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, Jefferson County spotters in Alexandria Bay are predicting at least 30% color change this weekend, especially inland from the St. Lawrence River where the countryside and wetlands have some vibrant pops of color. Overall, look for yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance, along with pockets of red. St. Lawrence County spotters reporting from Southville State Forest along the St. Regis River in Stockholm predict 10% color change, with average shades of yellow and orange beginning to appear. Spotters reporting from Red Sandstone Trail in Potsdam predict 10% transition, with mostly muted oranges as sugar maples begin their changes. Foliage change will still be minimal in Oswego County, according to spotters in Oswego who predict about 5% color transition and mostly green leaves. In the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, Chautauqua County spotters predict up to 25% foliage color change this weekend, with red, yellow, and orange dotting the landscape around Chautauqua Lake and Jamestown. Northern Chautauqua County along Lake Erie has been slower to change, but observers expect the colors there to accelerate with cooler temperatures. In Cattaraugus County, Little Valley spotters are predicting up to 15% foliage change with a sporadic spots of red leaves and hints of yellow, all of average brilliance. Foliage spotters at Allegany State Park also anticipate around 15% foliage change, with maples starting to show a little muted color. In Central New York, Oneida County spotters in Utica are predicting 20% foliage change with average to bright shades of yellow, red, and orange. In Broome County, foliage spotters in Binghamton predict 10% color change this weekend with bright pops of red and orange. Herkimer County spotters in Mohawk predict 10% color change and shades of rust, red, and yellow. In Montgomery County, around the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Fort Hunter, reports predict 10% color change and mostly green leaves. Otsego County foliage spotters in Cooperstown predict about 10% color change and mostly muted yellow leaves. Schoharie County spotters in Sharon Springs spotters are also expecting at least 10% transition with subdued shades of red and some green-yellow leaves. Chenango County spotters reporting from Norwich expect around 5% foliage change with muted yellow leaves. Madison County spotters in Hamilton also predict up to 5% foliage change with hints of orange beginning to appear. In the Capital-Saratoga region, reports predict 10% color change in Saratoga County around Saratoga Springs, where yellows, ambers and some bright reds are beginning to appear. In Albany County, reports from Thacher State Park in Voorheesville predict up to 10% color change with some reds and yellows mostly orange leaves. Spotters at Cohoes Falls in Cohoes predict up to 10% transition with muted to average burnt orange, green-yellow, and yellow leaves. In Downtown Albany, reports predict 5% color change with mostly green leaves, highlighted by some muted to average shades of yellow and red. In Fulton County, spotters reporting from Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center in Northville expect just about 10% color change this weekend, as muted fall shades begin to emerge from the predominantly green landscape. Rensselaer County observers reporting from the Troy-Waterford Bridge in Troy predict nearly 10% color change with average shades of burnt orange, green-yellow, and yellow, while spotters in East Greenbush expect just a little more than 5% color change this weekend, with some of the mostly green leaves changing to yellow and joined by some pops of bright red leaves. In the Finger Lakes, spotters reporting from the Rochester suburb of Brighton in Monroe County are expecting more than 15% color change with yellow leaves beginning to appear, along with touches of red, orange, and dark red. Spotters reporting from Greece expect a little less than 10% foliage change this weekend. Yellow and yellow-green leaves are appearing on a small number of trees, and a small amount of red is showing on a few higher branches. In Chemung County, Elmira spotters are calling for 5-10% leaf change with a mix of fall shades just beginning to appear. Onondaga County spotters reporting from Onondaga Lake predict up to 10% color change this weekend, with some average shades of red and yellow beginning to appear. Several areas are expecting 5% or less transition, including the City of Syracuse, and the Cayuga County communities of Auburn and Fair Haven. Cortland County spotters in downtown Cortland report 5% change, with some muted fall shades emerging. Ontario County spotters in Farmington and Canandaigua expect up to 15% color change with some yellow leaves of average brilliance, while spotters in Rushville are predicting less than 5% change and mostly green leaves. Fall colors are just beginning to appear in Steuben County, according to spotters in Corning who expect about 10% color change this weekend. Seneca County spotters from Seneca Falls are seeing 5-10% change and some muted fall hues just beginning to appear. In Schuyler County, spotters reporting from Watkins Glen, Burdett, and Rock Stream expect about 5% color change . In Tioga County, reports from Owego expect about 5% foliage change with emerging red and yellow leaves of average brilliance. Color change will also be around 5% in Tompkins County, with muted to average red and yellow leaves in Ithaca. Other spotters in Tompkins County reporting from Buttermilk Falls State Park and Taughannock Falls State Park are predicting 5% transition. In Wayne County, spotters in Lyons are predicting a little more than 5% leaf change by the weekend with yellow and red leaves of average brilliance emerging. In the Greater Niagara region, Erie County spotters in East Aurora predict almost 10% color change this weekend, with emerging touches of yellow and orange. Genesee County spotters in Batavia expect nearly 10% change and a mix of fall colors of average brilliance. In Niagara County, spotters in Niagara Falls expect about 10% foliage change, with average to bright touches of yellow and red leaves. In Wyoming County, spotters in Warsaw predict about 10% color change, with red, orange, and yellow leaves appearing. In the Hudson Valley, Columbia County foliage spotters in Hudson expect just about 10% change this weekend and mostly yellow leaves, while Dutchess County spotters reporting from Hopewell Junction expect up to 10-15% color change and red leaves of average brilliance. Spotters in Beacon are predicting up to 10% transition with some yellow leaves of average brilliance appearing. In Orange County, spotters reporting from Middletown and Goshen expect up to 15% color change by the weekend, with yellow leaves of average brilliance emerging. Newburgh spotters expect about 10% change with muted shades of orange, yellow, and brown, while spotters in Cornwall are predicting less than 5% change and some burnt brown leaves among mostly green shades. No significant color change is expected in Putnam County, according to observers in Cold Spring. Color change in Westchester County is expected to be less than 10% this weekend, according to spotters in White Plains, with a mix of brown and mostly green leaves. In Rockland County, color changes is hovering around 5% at Bear Mountain State Park. On Long Island, in Nassau County, foliage at Hempstead Lake State Park in West Hempstead may be as much as 15% changed by the weekend. Visitors can look for Kelly green leaves with spots of rust, cranberry, mustard, and chocolate brown. In Suffolk County, spotters at The Nature Conservancy in Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island expect 5-10% color change, with some dogwoods starting to show their purple foliage, and a few spots of yellow leaves beginning to appear. Spotters along the North Shore in Nassau County predict about 5% color change this weekend with yellow beginning to appear on sycamore trees, while the oak and maple trees remain green. Spotters at Montauk Point predict about 5% color change with a few emerging fall hues. Color change is expected to be minimal this weekend in New York City. In the southern portion of Brooklyn, spotters reporting from Owls Head Park predict little change in color, while observers in Crown Heights predict a little more than 5% color change with some green leaves changing to yellow, along with occasional reds. Spotters on the Upper East Side of Manhattan predict little foliage change, with 5% or less color transition and hints of red and gold leaves. September 22 2022 Bellway Homes have launched a consultation to determine the delivery of hundreds of new homes on the outskirts of Penicuik, Midlothian. Pre-application discussions for The Brae at Auchendinny include provision for a possible primary school on 28ha of fallow land bounded by established woodland. The masterplan by Stantec (formerly Barton Willmore), calls for 395 homes to be built (including 98 affordable) around the Glencorse Centre, a function hall and meeting space north of the village. In a statement, Bellway said: "Our design response will be the creation of a series of open spaces that will link the site with the wider green network. Retention of a large area of open space within the southern half of the site will help maintain the landscape setting closest to the nearby Old Woodhouselee Castle and the valley of the North Esk River. "The proposal will establish a positive frontage to The Brae and Oatslie Road while retaining a buffer of space between existing buildings and the remainder of the proposed housing." Existing power lines will be rerouted to accommodate the work, with a new loop road offering direct access to The Brae. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2022) The United States Treasury has made more than $8.28 billion of investments in 162 community financial institutions to facilitate loans, grants, and other forms of assistance to small and minority-owned businesses in low-income communities following the COVID-19 pandemic, the White House said on Wednesday. "Today, Vice President (Kamala) Harris and Secretary (Janet) Yellen announced that the Department of the Treasury has made over $8.28 billion of investments in 162 community financial institutions across the country through the Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP). These funds will support the efforts of community financial institutions to provide loans, grants, and other assistance to small and minority-owned businesses and consumers, especially in low-income and financially underserved communities that struggled during the COVID-19 crisis," the White House said in a press release. Among the US states receiving the most investment assistance are Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, California, and Texas, the release added. Banks, holding companies, and credit unions are among the recipients of financial support in such communities that are designated as community development financial institutions or minority depository institutions, according to the release. United Nations, United States, Sept 21 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2022 ) :US President Joe Biden told Britain's new prime minister, Liz Truss, in their first official talks Wednesday that they are both "committed" to maintaining the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland. "We are both committed to protecting the gains" of the pact, Biden told Truss at their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Truss, attending her first UN session as British leader, said she was "looking forward to discussing the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, and how we make sure that's upheld into the future." Truss has expressed hope she can negotiate a resolution to a dispute between Britain and the European Union over post-Brexit trade in Northern Ireland. The dispute centers on where to establish a customs border now that Britain is cut from the European single market -- either between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland or between Northern Ireland and EU member Republic of Ireland. Pro-UK unionist parties object to having their home region isolated from the mainland. However, putting a hard border instead between the British portion of Ireland and the independent Republic of Ireland would go against a key provision of the 1998 Good Friday peace deal, which stipulated removing border infrastructure as part of a bargain that ended 30 years of violent opposition to London's rule. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Thursday met Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to discuss the recent devastation caused by flooding in Pakistan, which has displaced 33 million people, as well as polio eradication and primary health services in the country NEW YORK, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2022 ) :Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Thursday met Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to discuss the recent devastation caused by flooding in Pakistan, which has displaced 33 million people, as well as polio eradication and Primary health services in the country. The prime minister updated Mr Gates on the impact of the floods on the people's lives and livelihoods, and public health in Pakistan, and the work the government was urgently undertaking to alleviate their sufferings. Bill Gates expressed his concern for the people of Pakistan following the floods and reiterated the Foundation's continuous support and partnership with Pakistan during the challenging time. He affirmed that the Gates Foundation would continue its current support including the disaster relief efforts in flood-affected areas of Balochistan and Sindh. The prime minister and Mr Gates discussed the impact of the floods on immunization and maternal health services, and polio eradication in particular. The prime minister acknowledged the need to prioritize maternal and newborn care in the flood-affected areas and thanked Mr Gates for the Foundation's support to Pakistan's relief efforts thus far. On the polio eradication, the prime minister and Mr Gates discussed that eradication efforts were facing a challenging situation because of the floods, especially after a recent rise in the number of wild polio cases. The prime minister reaffirmed the government's resolve to pursue the campaign relentlessly. They agreed to continue their collaboration with polio partners to urgently reach vulnerable children with polio vaccines through the remainder of 2022 and prevent the disease re-establishing itself in Pakistan's major cities. Mr Gates thanked the prime minister for his continued prioritization of the polio eradication. They also spoke of how the polio programme was using its robust infrastructure to support the acute phase of the flood response, including deploying its surveillance system to monitor for malaria, dengue, and water-borne disease outbreaks as well as helping to deliver other life-saving vaccines to the children. The polio programme, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is currently conducting 1,200 health camps in the worst flood-affected districts across Pakistan. They exchanged views on the need to continue their close partnership together to ensure Pakistan make progress on health and development, including for enhancing agricultural resilience and rebuilding sustainable infrastructure that can withstand future climate shocks. (@ChaudhryMAli88) KHIPRO, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2022 ) :The Ambassador Designate of Denmark to Pakistan Jakob Linulf on Thursday visited Khipro town of district Sanghar and inspected the site of operation established by Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) aimed at providing clean drinking water to the rain/flood hit people of Sindh. Jacob Linulf was given detailed briefing by DEMA officials regarding water purification system and introduced the salient features of the program. The Ambassador was informed that stagnant rain water is being purified through the state of the art machinery and then provided to the rain hit people through containers. One hundred thousand liters of purified water is being supplied to the people living on road sides and the camps so that they could be saved from water borne diseases such as Cholera, Gastro, diarrhea, skin ailments and other diseases. While talking to APP, the Ambassador Designate Jakob Linulf said that Denmark government was providing a lot of funding to the United Nations, European Union and through international NGOs and it also installed water purification plant at Khipro for provision of clean drinking water to the flood affected people. He said that this water purification plant was being implemented by DEMA which purifies one hundred thousand liters water in the area and the same is being distributed among the local population of Sindh province. In reply to a question, the Ambassador Jakob said that DEMA had installed such kind of purification plant in Sindh while other assistance was also provided to the people through UN and European Union. He expressed condolence to the families of those who had lost their lives due to rains and flash floods in Pakistan and hope Denmark Government will always provide assistance to the people of Pakistan in the hour of difficulty. The floods and the rains have wreaked havoc in Pakistan as a result of which infrastructure was badly damaged, the Ambassador said. Earlier, he inspected the purification plant installed at the water supply pond of Khipro town and DEMA representatives briefed him about its functioning. Later, Jakob Linulf visited roadside camp and distributed bottles of purified water along with biscuits, chocolates and other edible items among children. Ms. Maria, Erik, CEO Maersk Wajehuddin Ahmed, Assistant Director PDMA Naeem Soomro were present on the occasion. Pakistan Muslim League-N, Senator Irfan Siddiqui on Thursday said that government was ready to talk with opposition for resolving public interest matters ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2022 ) :Pakistan Muslim League-N, Senator Irfan Siddiqui on Thursday said that government was ready to talk with opposition for resolving public interest matters. The doors for dialogue are always open for opposition parties, he said while talking to a private television channel. Commenting on huge number of cabinet members, he said that most of the special assistants in the coalition government were not drawing salaries. Replying a question about free tool tax facility for parliamentarians, he said, the government didn't grant any Toll Tax exemption to any member of the parliament. Every citizen should pay toll tax. He made it clear that there was no such exemption to any person. He, however said they could raise the matter of exemption at the forum of assembly session. Ford India has said that one additional one-time lump sum of 1.50 lakh will also be included in the final settlement. Ford India on Thursday announced that it has arrived at a settlement on the severance package with the employees union following its decision to shut its Tamil Nadu plant as part of a restructuring exercise. The company announced that it would revise the final severance settlement to an average equivalent of 140 days of gross wages per completed year of service from the ongoing offer of 130 days. The company said that one additional one-time lump sum of 1.50 lakh will also be included in the final settlement. Thus, a cumulative severance package for each employee of Ford India would range from 34.50 lakh up to 86.50 lakh whereas the revised settlement would translate to an average of about 5.1 years or 62 months salary for each employee. (Also read | Smartphone tech prowess may help Ford cars detect hidden pedestrians) The formal revised settlement of severance has been planned to be executed before the end of this month and employees would soon be notified on the next steps towards completing the exit formalities. Further, the company said that it will continue paying wages to employees until September 30 to support the exit formalities. FOLLOW US:Stay Updated with latest content - Subscribe us on FOLLOW US:Stay Updated with latest content - Subscribe us on Ford India, in its statement, also said that it remains grateful to the employee union, the Tamil Nadu government and labour officials for their support. In September last year, the company had announced the shutting down of its operations here and had said that it would sell only imported vehicles in the Indian market. The automaker has already stopped producing vehicles like EcoSport, Figo and Aspire for the Indian market. In July this year, the company rolled out its last production car from the assembly lines at the Maraimalai Nagar facility about 45 kms from Chennai. The Ford India factory has been shut since August 31 and so far, there are no employees present at the unit now. (with inputs from PTI) First Published Date: RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2022 ) :Japanese Ambassador Wada Mitsuhiro called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa here on Thursday at the General Headquarters (GHQ) and expressed his grief over the devastation caused by ongoing floods in Pakistan and offered full support to the people of Pakistan. The Japanese envoy also offered sincere condolence to the families of the victims during the meeting whereas matters of mutual interest, regional security situation and collaboration and partnership in humanitarian measures were discussed, an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said. He also appreciated Pakistan Army's efforts for assisting civil administration in rescue and relief efforts in flood affected areas. The COAS said that Pakistan valued Japan's role in global and regional affairs and looked forward to enhance its bilateral relationship. The COAS thanked for Japan's support and reiterated that assistance from our global partners would be vital in rescue and rehabilitation of the victims. Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar on Thursday rejected the criticism on Transgender bill and negated the misconception that the law was repugnant to Islamic injunctions ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2022 ) :Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar on Thursday rejected the criticism on Transgender bill and negated the misconception that the law was repugnant to Islamic injunctions. Addressing a press conference alongside Adviser to PM for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira, Tarar clarified that the bill was passed by the Senate and National Assembly in the presence of religious and political leaders. He said that after reaching the age of 18 years, transgender persons could declare their genders on their identity cards. He said that the Transgender Act was passed in 2018 while Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed brought amendments in parliament to prevent misuse of this law and the government supported these amendments. The entire process of the Transgender Law included the opinion of the Council of Islamic Ideology, he added. He said that the government would accept the decision of the Shariah court regarding this matter and the guidance of the Shariah court was also needed regarding the medical of the transgender. The rights of the transgender had been protected by this law, he added. The Minister said that there was always a chance of weakness or misuse of it whenever a law was passed. He said that complaints started coming after two years on a provision that there was a possibility that sections 3 and 4 could be misused. He said that according to the aforementioned sections, after reaching the age of 18 years, transgender persons could declare their genders on their identity cards. He said that it should be suitably amended and made subject to the decision of the Medical board. This matter was still under consideration in the Parliament and two petitions were filed in the Federal Sharia Court. But if the amendment was necessary, it should be done through the Parliament, he added. He said that there were also two provisions regarding recognition and identity. But, the matter would only be changed after the verdict of the shariah court, he added. He said that the prime responsibility of the shariah court was to see whether a law was against the shariah and the principles of islam. The government had submitted its responses on the pleas as well, he added. He said that some friends twisted this matter and claimed that the law was encouraging homosexuality. It was also being perceived that entire law was completely negative, he added. Tarar said that the law talked about discrimination, sexual harassment, the right to inheritance, the right to education, the right to health, and the right to employment for transgender persons. He said that the reason for interacting with media today was that this was not about those arguments, this was about Constitution, law, shariah and human rights. He requested media to spread this message further. "I expect the Pakistani people to understand that transgender persons were Pakistanis, they were a part of the society. He said that the provisions of the law, starting off with the definition of a transgender person and contending that the law nowhere stated that any person could be a transgender themselves. He said that the Ministry of Human Rights was working on the rights of transgenders, establishment of separate cells in prisons and other issues. He said that the powers of the federal government were determined in the constitution. The issue of relieving an officer was going on, the appointment and deployment of a federal officer was the authority of the federal government and if there was a provincial officer, the federation could not ask for him, he added. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2022 ) :The third special plane carrying 30 tons of relief goods for flood victims arrived in Karachi on Wednesday night from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The plane carrying tents, food packages, blankets, dates and NFI kits was received by the Saudi consul general Karachi, along with KSrelief Director Pakistan and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) representative, said a statement on Thursday. The relief goods would be distributed among the affected people as per requirement of each region in collaboration with the NDMA. It is pertinent to mention here that the series of relief goods flights would continue till September 27, this month. (@FahadShabbir) The members of Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association (PSMA) and Indonesian Ambassador Dr June Kuncoro Hadiningrat discussed opportunities to enhance bilateral trade improvement opportunities between the friendly country ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2022 ) :The members of Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association (PSMA) and Indonesian Ambassador Dr June Kuncoro Hadiningrat discussed opportunities to enhance bilateral trade improvement opportunities between the friendly country. The PSMA hosted the Indonesian envoy as chief guest at its annual dinner and held discussions on multifaceted issues including bilateral trade and collaboration. Speaking on the occasion, Consul General Republic of Indonesia Dr June Kuncoro Hadiningrat highlighted in the Flood relief efforts made by the Indonesian Government in Pakistan. He shared the latest statistics of palm oil and its fraction import by Pakistan. He also invited the members to the Single Country Pakistan Expo to be held in Jakarta. He hoped relations between Indonesia and Pakistan would grow positively, as both the governments were agreed to elevate the level of economic cooperation and Indonesia Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement (IP PTA) signed in 2012, into Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or Indonesia Pakistan Trade in Goods Agreement (IP TIGA) with the target of the completion this year. Chairman, PSMA Shahzad Paracha thanked the chief guest and guest of honour Chairman PEORA, Rasheed Jan Muhammad and PSMA members across the country for their presence at Annual Dinner of the Association. Presenting brief introduction of PSMA, Paracha said the Association was an old one working since 1968. "This is 55th Annual Dinner of this Association. There are more than 150 member companies including multinational companies which contribute to around Rs70 billion in taxes and employ some 700,000 people from the country's workforce." Shahzad Paracha then brought the details as to how the association has lobbied with the customs officials in bringing the Customs valuation of Palm Oil and its bye product in line with the International Market prices by linking the products with their respective International Journals. PSMA Chairman Shahzad Paracha thanked the chief guest with a hope that he would provide his best assistance to the member of PSMA. Former Chairman and current Convener PSMA Customs Committee & CEO Gamalux Oleochemicals Limited, Usman Ahmed presented detailed overview of economic environment in Pakistan and highlighted the PSMA contribution in flood relief efforts. He also offered Fatiha for Pakistani brothers and sisters who lost their lives and livelihood during recent floods in Pakistan which posed a serious humanitarian crisis. The Guest of Honor Chief Executive Pakistan Edible Oil Conference (PEOC) Rasheed Jan Mohammed commend the Association's services for the country and economic development and its proactive approach in resolution of industry problems. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The Syrian authorities found the bodies of 15 migrants in waters off the port city of Tartus Thursday, the government said, adding that at least eight others had been rescued Damascus, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2022 ) :The Syrian authorities found the bodies of 15 migrants in waters off the port city of Tartus Thursday, the government said, adding that at least eight others had been rescued. "Fifteen people were found dead, (and) eight survivors were taken to Al-Basel hospital in Tartus," the head of Syrian ports Samer Kbrasli said in a statement released by the ministry of transport. "According to survivors, their boat left Lebanon days ago," Kbrasli said, adding that the migrants were from various nations. Rescue teams were at work in several areas off Tartus, including around the island of Arwad, he added. Efforts, supported by local fishermen, were ongoing to retrieve the boat, he said, but did not provide further details on what caused the incident. Tartus is the southernmost of Syria's main ports and lies little more than 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of the northern Lebanese port city of Tripoli. The statement published by the Syrian transport ministry said information gathered from survivors suggested the boat set off from Miniyeh, a town just north of Tripoli. Lebanon last year saw a spike in the number of would-be migrants using its shores to attempt the perilous crossing in overcrowded boats to reach Europe. Most of the boats head for European Union member Cyprus, an island 175 kilometres (110 miles) away. Many of those departing from Lebanon are Syrians, but an ever-worsening economic crisis has pushed growing numbers of Lebanese to also attempt the crossing. At least 34 migrants died when the boat they were travelling in sank off Syria's coast after departing from neighbouring Lebanon, the government in Damascus said on Thursday Damascus, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2022 ) :At least 34 migrants died when the boat they were travelling in sank off Syria's coast after departing from neighbouring Lebanon, the government in Damascus said on Thursday. Lebanon, a country which hosts more than a million refugees from Syria's civil war, has been mired in economic crisis for the past three years, prompting a rise in clandestine attempts to leave for the European Union. "The number of people found dead has risen to 34," Syria's health ministry said in a statement, adding that 20 survivors were being treated in Basel hospital in Tartus. Syrian authorities initially reported 15 dead, before revising that figure to 28 and, shortly afterwards, revising up by a further six. The country's SANA news agency and the health ministry reported that the migrant boat sank. "According to survivors, their boat left Lebanon days ago," the head of Syrian ports Samer Kbrasli said in the initial statement released by the ministry of transport. Local fishermen were supporting ongoing efforts to retrieve the boat, he said. Tartus is the southernmost of Syria's main ports, and lies little more than 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of the northern Lebanese port city of Tripoli. The statement published by the Syrian transport ministry said information gathered from survivors suggested the boat set off from Miniyeh, a town just north of Tripoli. Lebanon last year saw a spike in the number of would-be migrants using its shores to attempt the perilous crossing in overcrowded boats to reach Europe. In April, the sinking of an overcrowded migrant boat pursued by the Lebanese navy off the northern coast of Tripoli killed six people and angered the country. The circumstances of that incident were not entirely clear, with some on board claiming the navy rammed their boat, while officials have insisted the smugglers attempted reckless escape manoeuvres. The government in Beirut ordered an investigation. On September 13, Turkey's coastguard announced the death of six migrants, including two babies, and rescued 73 people trying to reach Europe, off the coast of the southwestern province of Mugla. They had reportedly boarded from Tripoli in Lebanon in a bid to reach Italy. Most of the boats setting off from Lebanon head for European Union member Cyprus, an island 175 kilometres (110 miles) away. Many of those departing from Lebanon are Syrians, but the ever-worsening economic crisis has pushed growing numbers of Lebanese to also attempt the crossing. (@ChaudhryMAli88) US President Joe Biden at the beginning of his bilateral meeting with his Philippine counterpart Bongbong Marcos expressed hope they would discuss the situation in the South China Sea along with a number of other pressing issues, the White House press pool reported on Thursday WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2022) US President Joe Biden at the beginning of his bilateral meeting with his Philippine counterpart Bongbong Marcos expressed hope they would discuss the situation in the South China Sea along with a number of other pressing issues, the White House press pool reported on Thursday. Biden said he expected to "discuss the South China Sea" and thanked Marcos his "position on the war against Ukraine," the report said. The two leaders are meeting amid the ongoing UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York. "The role of the United States in maintaining the peace in our region is something that is much appreciated by all the countries in the region and the Philippines especially," the report cited Marcos as saying during his remarks before the meeting started. Marcos added that the Philippines will continue to look to the United States for leadership in the region and noted that the two countries are partners, allies and friends, the report said. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2022) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, the State Department said. "As part of our ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and manage competition responsibly, the Secretary will discuss a range of bilateral and global issues with the PRC State Councilor and Foreign Minister," the release stated. (@FahadShabbir) Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi purportedly demanded CNN show host Christiane Amanpour wear a headscarf during an interview scheduled for Wednesday evening, leading the chief international anchor to cancel the discussion after refusing to comply with the condition, Amanpour said on Thursday WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2022) Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi purportedly demanded CNN show host Christiane Amanpour wear a headscarf during an interview scheduled for Wednesday evening, leading the chief international anchor to cancel the discussion after refusing to comply with the condition, Amanpour said on Thursday. "This was going to be President Raisi's first ever interview on US soil... 40 minutes after the interview had been due to start, an aide came over. The president, he said, was suggesting I wear a headscarf, because it's the holy months of Muharram and Safar," Amanpour said via social media. "I politely declined. We are in New York, where there is no law or tradition regarding headscarves ... And so we walked away. The interview didn't happen." Raisi's aide alluded to protests in Iran - sparked by the death of 22-year old woman Mahsa Amini in police custody - and claimed wearing a headscarf was "a matter of respect," Amanpour also said. Amanpour claims she planned to ask Raisi about Amini's death during the interview, which was set to take place while the leader was in New York for the UN General Assembly. Amini died in the custody of Iran's so-called "morality police," the Guidance Patrol, earlier this month, leading to anti-government protests throughout the country. Several deaths and dozens of injuries have been reported among protestors, according to Iranian media. However, an official forensic examination of Amini's body shows no signs of injuries consistent with claims she was beaten to death, Iranian lawmaker Mohammad Saleh said on Wednesday. Raisi last week ordered a special investigation into Amini's death and expressed condolences to her family. Officials assert Amini had a heart attack after being detained by the Guidance Patrol for improperly wearing a hijab. Amini was purportedly transferred from the military intelligence center where she was detained to a hospital where she later died, they assert. The transit of Russians with Schengen visas through Finland must be stopped, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Thursday, adding that the Finnish government was already working on a legal justification for such restrictions HELSINKI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2022) The transit of Russians with Schengen visas through Finland must be stopped, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Thursday, adding that the Finnish government was already working on a legal justification for such restrictions. "The government's goal is very clear. We believe that Russian tourism and the transit (of Russian) through Finland must be stopped," Marin told a press briefing, as broadcast by Finnish media. According to the prime minister, Thursday's meeting of the Finnish government once again heard a statement by Finland's Justice Chancellor Tuomas Poysti about the legal side of such measures. On February 24, Russia began a military operation in Ukraine, responding to calls for help from the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. In response, the West and its allies have rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow. A number of EU countries have reduced the issuance of tourist visas to Russians, while also calling for a total ban on granting Schengen visas to the country's citizens. Moscow has said that it considers the idea a manifestation of chauvinism and that such a decision will invite retaliatory measures. On September 6, the European Union adopted a proposal to fully suspend a visa facilitation agreement with Russia. The measure entered into effect on September 12. The decision complicated visa application process for Russian citizens and imposed more restrictions for multiple entry visas. Beijing (Gasgoo)- FAW Groups premium auto brand, Hongqi, officially put its first MPV model, the HQ9, onto the market on September 21. Coming with five trim levels, the HQ9 features a price range of 358,800-538,800 yuan ($50,600-$76,000). Photo credit: Hongqi The HQ9 inherits Hongqis signature design with a waterfall-typed grille and a red flag symbol in the front. The automaker gives the MPV an innovative seating layout that connects the second-and third-row spaces, with a long rail for seat adjustments, so that the passengers in the second row are able to lay flat. Designed beyond the 2021 National Standard C-NCAP, 68% of the HQ9 is composed of ultra-high or high strength steel. The model also holds AEB, nighttime pedestrian recognition, and two-wheeled vehicle recognition capabilities. Photo credit: Hongqi In terms of intelligence, the HQ9 is installed with the automakers proprietary Hongqi Connect 3.0 system, realizing real-time location sharing service between vehicles and mobile phones. The MPV is compatible with OTA functional upgrades and performance improvement. The HD central control screen allows smooth and quick-response experience. Notably, the second-row seats are newly equipped with intelligent armrest screens that can adjust the seat, air conditioning, lighting, and other common functions with one click. The new Hongqi HQ9 is equipped with the brands self-developed high-efficiency 2.0T engine + 48V mild hybrid system and an 8-speed integrated transmission, offering a maximum power of 185kW and a peak torque of 380Nm. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2022) Russia welcomes US President Joe Biden's proposal to increase the number of UN Security Council members, and there are candidates worthy of becoming permanent council members, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on Thursday. During his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, Biden called for the United Nations to become "more inclusive," lending US support for increasing the number of seats on the UN Security Council. He added that UN Security Council members have to consistently uphold the UN charter and "refrain from the use of the veto except in rare, extraordinary situations to ensure the council remains credible and effective. " "We have long advocated the expansion of the Security Council in both categories. It is commendable that finally the American representative announced what Russia has been talking about for a long time and in favor of which it speaks. We believe that there are candidates who are quite worthy of becoming permanent members," Ryabkov told reporters. H.E. the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, held on 20 September 2022, on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, Mr. Mevlut Cavusoglu New York (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22st Sep, 2022) H.E. the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, held on 20 September 2022, on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, Mr. Mevlut Cavusoglu. During the meeting, the two sides discussed several issues on the agenda of the OIC including ways to combat Islamophobia and issues of common interest. UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2022) The current food insecurity was not caused by Russia's special military operation in Ukraine but is an issue that has continuously existed over the years, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) President Francesco Rocca told Sputnik. "Food insecurity is not because of the war in Europe, it's something that happened before, and unfortunately it's happening again," Rocca said. Rocca pointed out that countries around the world should work together to address climate change because it is exacerbating global food insecurity issues. The countries of the collective West has repeatedly blamed Russia's special military operation in Ukraine for the current global shortage of food, however, several countries have claimed that Western sanctions may have complicated transactions critical in food supply chains. US President Joe Biden will convene with several world leaders at the United Nations this week to address issues pertaining to food insecurity. A recent United Nations-brokered agreement has resulted in Ukraine shipping grain out of the country through the Black Sea as part of an effort to help curb the food shortage that stemmed from the conflict. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2022) Russia gave agrement on the appointment of Lynne Tracy as the US ambassador in Moscow, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Thursday. "Yes, we gave an agrement. The fact is that they requested an agrement for her already a certain time ago," Ryabkov told reporters, adding that the US Senate should also approve Tracy's appointment. The United States will provide almost $376 million in new humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people in Venezuela as well as to Venezuelan refugees and migrants, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2022) The United States will provide almost $376 million in new humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people in Venezuela as well as to Venezuelan refugees and migrants, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday. "The United States announced today nearly $376 million in new humanitarian assistance to respond to the needs of vulnerable Venezuelans in Venezuela, Venezuelan refugees and migrants, and their generous host communities across the region," Blinken said in a statement, adding that the US took this commitment under the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. The new humanitarian assistance includes more than $181 million through the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and over $194 million through the US Agency for International Development, he added. Blinken noted that the US is sending this aid to 7 million Venezuelans with critical needs inside Venezuela and to nearly 6.8 million refugees in 17 countries across the region, as well as those who host them. (@FahadShabbir) The United States has sanctioned Iran's Morality Police and seven senior security officials for the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in detention and the subsequent violence toward Iranians participating in protests against her death, the Treasury Department said in a release on Thursday WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2022) The United States has sanctioned Iran's Morality Police and seven senior security officials for the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in detention and the subsequent violence toward Iranians participating in protests against her death, the Treasury Department said in a release on Thursday. "Mahsa Amini was a courageous woman whose death in Morality Police custody was yet another act of brutality by the Iranian regime's security forces against its own people," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in the release. "We condemn this unconscionable act in the strongest terms and call on the Iranian government to end its violence against women and its ongoing violent crackdown on free expression and assembly." On September 14, the Law Enforcement Forces' (LEF) Morality Police arrested Amini for allegedly improperly wearing a hijab and sent her to a re-education class at police headquarters. Amini was transferred to a hospital the same day in a coma and died two days later from internal injuries. Eyewitnesses have said that Amini died due to injuries sustained while in Morality Police custody while the authorities attributed her death to a heart ailment that her family said she did not suffer from, according to reports. The sanctioned security officials include Morality Police Chief Mohammad Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi; Morality Police Tehran Division Chief Haj Ahmad Mirzaei; Ministry of Intelligence and Security head Esmail Khatib; LEF Deputy Commander Qasem Rezaei; Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province LEF Commander Manouchehr Amanollahi; Iranian Army ground forces Commander Kiyumars Heidari; and Basij Resistance Forces Deputy Commander Salar Abnoush. The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of steel nails from India, Oman, and Turkey that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized. The Commission further found that the imports of these products from Sri Lanka that Commerce has determined are subsidized are negligible and voted to terminate the countervailing duty investigation concerning Sri Lanka. Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the negative with respect to the countervailing duty investigations for India, Oman, and Turkey. They made a finding of negligibility with respect to the countervailing duty investigation involving Sri Lanka. As a result of the Commissions negative determinations, no countervailing duty orders will be imposed on imports for India, Oman, and Turkey. As a result of the finding of negligibility, the countervailing duty investigation regarding imports from Sri Lanka will be terminated. The Commissions public report Steel Nails from India, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Turkey (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-673-675 and 677 (Final), USITC Publication 5370, September 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations. The report will be available by October 14, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp. With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. XPeng to launch at least one new model each quarter According to Gu Hongdi, president of XPeng Inc., with the G9 hitting the market, the automaker intends to roll out at least one new product every quarter in the next few quarters, in an effort to boost sales. Photo credit: XPeng Shaanxi Province issues first batch autonomous driving licenses On September 22, China's Shaanxi province issued its first five road test licenses for autonomous driving vehicles. Companies that received the licenses are Shaanxi Heavy-duty Automobile with one license for autonomous driving tractor for logistics purposes, Shaanxi Automobile Group with one license for closed-park autonomous mini bus, and Xian SenseTime with three licenses for autonomous driving shuttle buses. New HAVAL H6 PHEV to hit market on Sept. 26 The all-new HAVAL H6 PHEV will be officially put onto the market on September 26. With presale already started, the new PHEV features a pre-sale price range of 168,800-176,800 yuan. The new model adopts a fresh design language with a different front grille and headlights from the previous versions. Continental AG inaugurates new R&D facility at Changchun technology center On September 21, the world's leading automotive supplier Continental AG, announced that a new R&D office building at its technology center in Changchun city ("CCTC"), the capital of China's Jilin province, started operation, indicating the CCTC will attach more importance to the development of automotive safety technologies in the future. Bosch invests in Chinese autonomous driving chip developer Cambricon Singo Bosch-affiliated venture capital, Robert Bosch Venture Capital (RBVC), has completed its investment in Chinas autonomous driving chip supplier, Cambricon Singo, the latter announced on September 22. CATL to supply FlexGen with energy storage equipment CATL on Sept. 21 announced its cooperation with FlexGen Power Systems, Inc. ("FlexGen"), an U.S.-based energy storage technology platform and energy storage solution provider, to supply the latter with 10GWh of its energy storage equipment over a three-year period. SAIC Motor announces incorporation of battery swapping joint venture SAIC Motor announced on Sept. 22 via its WeChat account that a battery swapping business-focused subsidiary it jointly built with Sinopec Group, PetroChina Company Limited, CATL, and Shanghai International Automobile City has been incorporated already, marking the Shanghai-based auto giant's foray into the battery swapping domain. Hongqis first MPV model HQ9 hits market, starting at 358,800 yuan FAW Groups premium auto brand, Hongqi, officially put its first MPV model, the HQ9, onto the market on September 21. Coming with five trim levels, the HQ9 features a price range of 358,800-538,800 yuan ($50,600-$76,000). Pony.ai, Cao Cao Mobility, Geely Intelligent Driving Center to build Robotaxi fleet in Suzhou Autonomous driving tech company Pony.ai announced on September 22 the strategic cooperation with Geelys ride-hailing platform, Cao Cao Mobility, and Geely Automobile Research Institute Intelligent Driving Center. For the Gasgoo Awards 2022, LinearX has applied for the 2022 Annual Most Growth Value Award. Photo credit: LinearX Enterprise Name: LinearX Main Business in Auto Industry LinearX CarOS, the platform software for Autonomous Driving Founder Background Co-founder & CEO Zhuliang KE: B.S. in Communication Engineering from Xidian University in China; M.S. in Computer Science from RWTH Aachen University. Spent over 15 years in Huawei, Volkswagen and TTTech Auto, as software engineer, architect, technical leader, and platform leader. Since 2018, Zhuliang oversaw the ADAS/AD software platform at the joint venture of SAIC Group and TTTech, and deployed the product with SAIC R brand, IM Motor, and other Chinese OEMs. Co-founder & President Dong HAN: B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science from Max Planck Institute of Informatics. MBA from INSEAD. EU Marie Curie Fellow. Author of AI Commercialization Practicepublished by Tsinghua University Press. Worked as CEO of AITC founded by Professor Hans Uszkoreit, a leading German AI scientist; as GM of Strategic Investment at a public company. Dong also worked at Deutsche Bank, Rocket Internet, and advised many AI companies on their China market-entry and business development, including Cognata, an Israeli autonomous driving company. Co-founder & COO Liang ZHOU: B.S. in Software Engineering and B.A. in Business Administration from Southeast University in China. Worked as VP of Operations at Thundersoft. Oversaw Thundersofts European business including Rightware, a global leader in UI technology of intelligent vehicles. Prior to Thundersoft, Liang worked at Ericsson (China and Sweden), as COO of management service business of Northeast Asia, and led Ericsson's first Internet of Vehicles project in China as project director. Overall Corporate Strength 1. R&D capabilities: LinearX provides real-time, reliable and functional-safety CarOS solutions for autonomous driving and beyond. The team has mature experience in platform software development from varied AD and ADAS projects for OEMs in Europe and China. Moreover, LinearX is the only team in China with SOP and mass production experience in SOA-compliant driving systems. LinearX CarOS is a safe, reliable, SOA-compliant platform solution provider for automobile industries. The platform breaks theData Islandand provides communication between MCU and multi-SOC, realizing the decoupling between software and hardware. LinearXs solution foster collaboration with customers to speed up commercialization, enhance safety level and reimagine the future vehicles. 2. Core technical team profile The core R&D team consists of 5 experienced engineers with proven track record in the automotive, software, and internet industry. They are alumni from top tier companies and have decades of experience in designing real-time automotive software with fail-operational performance. 3. Supporting and Cooperation: LinearX has proactively cooperated with market players in the automobile indusdry. The company has signed a cooperation agreement with QNX and successfully joined the NVDIA Inception Program. Recently, LinearX has accelerated the R&D process of simulation with Cognata. LinearX is also actively adapting the software and tool chain to domestic-developed chips. The company has started cooperation with SemiDrive. 4. Patents or other credentials: Patents and software copyright are in the application process. Core Products/Technologies 1. Product Name: LinearX CarOS. LinearX has started the first POC project. 2. Technical Description: Besides the compliance with AUTOSAR standard, our product design is focusing on the Chinese customers' requirements and migrated with the understanding of real-time system. LinearX CarOS is a safe and reliable real-time system with the feature of scheduling. It can simultaneously provides safe real-time communication and dual protocol based on SOA service. LinearX CarOS Solution supports multi-core and heterogeneous architecture and can quickly respond to the development of intelligent vehicles in China. The supporting LinearX Toolchain builds an efficient agile development loop and revolutionizes the efficiency of DCU development. Through building an efficient agile development loop, both the development period and cost will be reduced 80%. 3. Unique advantages In addition to ensuring safety and real-time requirements, LinearX has made improvements and innovations in response to Adaptive AUTOSAR SOA and the needs of Chinese customers. At the same time, it has developed its own tool chain to generate customized platform software automatically by zero manual code. - Adaptive AUTOSAR SOA: LinearX CarOS is suitable for multi-core operating systems, and supports parallel processing of massive data, including diagnostics, Log & Trace, state management, communication management, time synchronization, cryptography and platform health. - Chinese customer needs: In response to the high speed of development of AD/ADAS in the Chinese market and the pursuit of computing power, LinearX's self-developed CarOS and solution supports extensive multi-core and heterogeneous architecture and realizes cross-domain communication. - Tool chain: LinearX provides users with a simple user interface to configure each software module; customers will get all the code for their generated platform software and own the IP rights. They can independently conduct testing and subsequent development. 4. Application Scenarios Autonomous driving domain, chassis domain, AD/ADAS, etc. Enterprise Future Development Prospect LinearX provides a safe operating system for autonomous driving and beyond, which enables real-time interaction among MCU and multiple SoC, within and across domains. We empower players in the automotive market to unleash the full potential of future vehicles. We break through the data barriers between MCU and multi-SOC, between underlying data and application platform. We make smooth interconnection within and across domain come true. Reliable, scalable, and customizable, LinearXs solution foster collaboration with customers to speed up commercialization, enhance safety level and reimagine the future vehicles. A young Kenyan conservationist shares her work with bamboo restoration at the Economy of Francis, where she hopes to find ways to collaborate and create sustainable housing around her country. By Francesca Merlo Attending the Economy of Francesco is Wendy Omanga, who works in environment conservation. As a bamboo ambassador in Kenya, she works in land restoration by replanting bamboo, especially by her country's rivers. She notes that most people do not understand the technical knowledge that many environmentalists use, and for this reason the bamboo they plant is used in nature trails which, mainly tourists, undertake. Tourism is relevant in this case also because hotels and lodges are built along the rivers and wetlands in Kenya, and these are the stakeholders that they have chosen to use as their partners in their restoration projects. In their search for a sustainable solution for houseing, along with Kenya's Ministry of Housing, Wendy's organisation is bringing a new technology through bamboo, which can be used to produce sustainable housing in Kenya. There is a lot of land in Africa, but it is hard to raise capita. The Economy of Francesco opens a channel of collaboration and partnership whislt still having things to offer to Europe through any potential collaborations. New figures from Kenya's National Bureau of Statistics show the United States has overtaken Uganda as the largest buyer of Kenyan goods. The numbers from Kenya's National Bureau of Statistics show that between January and June 2022, Kenya's exports to the United States totaled 38.8 billion Kenyan shillings the equivalent of about $321 million. Uganda's imports from Kenya dipped to about $300 million. According to the report, the jump was caused mainly by increased sales of Kenyan clothing apparel to the U.S. Economists such as Ken Gichinga say the figures are a sign of Kenyas deepening bilateral relationship with the U.S., including increased direct flights to New York. "Americans have a bigger purchasing power for products in Kenya," Gichinga said. "You find that American investors will find it a very good time to be able to purchase assets and buy things in Kenya because now, the market is in their favor." Uganda has been the biggest buyer of Kenyan exports for over a decade. But a Kenyan publication, Business Daily, reports that Uganda's imports from Kenya have dropped as investors set up Ugandan factories to manufacture goods previously imported from Kenya, such as edible oils and cement. Wangari Muikia, a Kenyan economist, said the country's strong relations with the U.S., backed by the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), will likely continue to thrive as the new government of President William Ruto is keen on more American partnerships. In his visit to the United Nations General Assembly this week, Ruto met with U.S. State Department officials and pitched for increased business between the two nations. "The new government is signaling pushing for greater trade with the U.S., with President Ruto meeting with the U.S. trade officials this week," Muikia said. "Most excitingly in tech, where Kenya's Silicon Savannah is excelling now, a market like the U.S. will open up business for Kenya and the region." Kenya is among African nations benefiting from a U.S. shift in foreign policy as it scales up its presence on the continent. The U.S. trade office said the two countries are developing a road map of engagement in agriculture, digital trade, customs procedure and other areas. Syrian authorities have found 34 dead and rescued 14 survivors from a migrant boat near the coastal city of Tartous that survivors said had left from northern Lebanon, Samer Qubrusli, the director-general of ports, told Reuters. Qubrusli cited survivors as saying that the boat left from Minyeh in north Lebanon days ago and added that those on board were of several nationalities. He said search operations were ongoing in rough seas and high winds. Lebanon has seen a spike in migration driven by one of the world's deepest economic crises since the 1850s. In addition to Lebanese, many of those leaving aboard migrant boats are themselves refugees from Syria and Palestine. Dozens of people in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli protested earlier Thursday to alert authorities that they had lost contact with a migrant boat with dozens on board. Reuters could not immediately confirm if it was the same boat found by the Syrian authorities. The Lebanese army on Wednesday said it had rescued 55 people on board one malfunctioning boat in the country's territorial waters that it towed back to shore. In April, a migrant boat that set off from near Tripoli sank during an interception by the Lebanese navy off the country's coast. About 80 Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian migrants were on board, of whom some 40 were rescued, seven were confirmed dead and around 30 officially remain missing. The number of people who left or tried to leave Lebanon by sea nearly doubled in 2021 from 2020 and rose again by more than 70% in 2022 compared with the same period last year, the United Nations refugee agency told Reuters earlier this month. The main reasons cited include an "inability to survive in Lebanon due to the deteriorating economic situation" and the "lack of access to basic services and limited job opportunities," it said. TRANSCRIPT: The Inside Story: A World in Conflict Episode 58 September 22, 2022 Show Open: Unidentified Narrator: While global leaders meet at the U.N. --- War and its threat hang over many of their nations. From Ukraine and Taiwan --- To the Mediterranean and the Caucasus --- Find out why they are fighting --- And what's at stake --- Now, in The Inside Story--- A World in Conflict The Inside Story: CAROLYN PRESUTTI, VOA Senior Washington Correspondent: Hi. Im Carolyn Presutti, VOA Senior Washington Correspondent, in New York today as the United Nations opens its annual General Assembly. Leaders from the 193 member nations will descend on New York City to address the General Assembly about the important issues facing their nations. It is the 77th time the General Assembly has met since the U.N.s birth after World War Two. This year is like every prior year --- war, conflict and human suffering can be found all over the world. So, we will go inside several of the worlds conflicts to explain who is fighting, why they are fighting and whats at stake. Lets start at the U.N. and VOA United Nations Correspondent Margaret Besheer: MARGARET BESHEER, VOA United Nations correspondent: Queen Elizabeths funeral on September 19 has presented logistical challenges for leaders attending the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Some speeches and meetings may have to be shuffled as they dash from London to New York. This years meeting takes place at a time of great peril, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General: Our world is blighted by war, battered by climate chaos, scarred by hate and shamed by poverty, hunger and inequality. MARGARET BESHEER: Russias war in Ukraine, which may be at a militarily decisive moment, is certain to dominate the annual meetings. The U.N. Security Council will meet at the foreign ministers' level to discuss developments. The situation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is of particular concern. Rafael Mariano Grossi, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General: We are playing with fire. We cannot continue in a situation where we are one step away from a nuclear accident. The safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is hanging by a thread. MARGARET BESHEER: Western officials, meanwhile, want to firm up support from some countries that may be wavering as the war grinds on. Richard Gowan, International Crisis Group UN Director: Many African and Asian countries have security relationships with Russia or economic relationships with Russia. And while they were willing to criticize the invasion back in March, they don't want to keep on picking fights with Moscow at the U.N. MARGARET BESHEER: But with Russian President Vladimir Putin not attending the annual gathering he rarely does and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's sending a video address, no breakthrough is expected. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General: But I have no illusions that at the present moment, the chances of a peace deal are minimal. MARGARET BESHEER: Russia and Ukraine are important food producers, and their war has worsened a global food crisis. Supply chain disruptions and rising food prices are exacerbating the situation in the Horn of Africa, which is suffering its worst drought in 40 years. As many as 20 million people are at risk of severe hunger, and famine is looming for nearly 8 million people in Somalia. Abdirahman Abdishakur, Somali Special Envoy for Drought Response: The famine, it is real, and it is happening. MARGARET BESHEER: President Joe Biden is expected to lead a high-level meeting on global food security, one of several sessions to tackle the issue. The secretary-general just returned from Pakistan, where deadly floods have submerged one-third of the country. He would like to see climate action high on leaders agendas. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General: 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. MARGARET BESHEER: This is the first time that leaders will participate fully in person at the General Assembly since 2020, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has moved from the spotlight as leaders grapple with more pressing issues. Margaret Besheer, VOA News, the United Nations. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: Among the world leaders who will not attend the UN General Assembly --- Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Russias president, Vladimir Putin. Putin is sending Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to speak on his behalf. Zelenskyy delivered a recorded address to the assembly. 141 of the 193 General Assembly nations voted for a resolution in March, condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine and demanded it withdraw its forces. That war enters its seventh month this week. In that March resolution approved by the General Assembly is a paragraph confirming the involvement of Belarus in Russias unlawful attack on Ukraine. Russian troops were allowed to perform military drills inside Belarus before the war started. And Belarus allowed Russia to stage attacks on Ukraine from Belarus. Its opposition leader is in New York for the General Assembly and told VOA in an exclusiuve interview that Belarus should not be seen as an appendix to Russia. More from VOA New York Bureau Chief Igor Tsikhanenka: IGOR TSIKHANENKA, VOA New York Bureau Chief: Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is no stranger to the global political stage. But this is her first in-person visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Exiled Belarus Opposition Leader: I am representing here the Belarusians who are fighting against the dictator in our country. IGOR TSIKHANENKA: Tsikhanouskaya doesn't want the democratic world to think badly of her countrymen because of the actions of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, after he allowed Russian forces to use Belarus territory to attack Ukraine. And experts believe she is succeeding at that. Pavel Slunkin, European Council on Foreign Relations: Alexander Lukashenko has no right in representing the Belarusian society. The Belarusian society didn't vote for him in 2020. The society remains its victim and hostage of that regime. And she was able to articulate that. IGOR TSIKHANENKA: With Russia suffering stunning losses in Ukraine's east, analysts believe her trip to the UNGA is timely. David Kramer, George W. Bush Presidential Center: I think the situation in Ukraine does not bode well for Alexander Lukashenko. I think he could be in big trouble. Because it means Russia might not be able to maintain the support in propping him up. IGOR TSIKHANENKA: Tsikhanouskaya shares a similar viewpoint. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Exiled Belarus Opposition Leader: When Ukrainians win, it means that Putin is weak; hence, Lukashenko is weak. IGOR TSIKHANENKA: Tsikhanouskaya had to leave Belarus with two young children in August 2020, following a brutal post-election crackdown by the Lukashenko regime on peaceful protesters. Most Western observers consider her a legitimate winner of that year's presidential campaign, which she entered, replacing her husband, a popular blogger, who was arrested and later jailed for 18 years by the authorities. Despite all that, she remains an advocate of a peaceful movement. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Exiled Belarus Opposition Leader: I still believe in the peaceful decision (resolution) of the Belarusian crisis. IGOR TSIKHANENKA: Experts say, however, the members of the protest movement in Belarus are disillusioned by the failures of peaceful demonstrations and demand more forceful actions from their leaders. Pavel Slunkin, European Council on Foreign Relations: The vast majority of protesters today support the use of force to achieve change in the country, IGOR TSIKHANENKA: ButTsikhanouskaya says she hopes to focus global leaders on Belarusian issues, in hopes of resolving the political crisis in her country in a nonviolent manner. Igor Tsikhanenka, VOA News, New York. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: Elsewhere in the former Soviet Union, Azerbaijan and Armenia have renewed their long simmering conflict, prompting calls for restraint from both the U.S. and Russia. More than 150 people have been killed in recent clashes along the border --- Fresh wounds in the decades-long dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh --- an ethnically Armenian region within Azerbaijan's territory. Heres VOA Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine: CINDY SAINE, VOA Senior Diplomatic Correspondent: Relatives of Armenian servicemen, wounded in night clashes with Azerbaijan, gathered outside a military hospital in Yerevan. Yerevan says 105 of its troops have been killed. Baku says about 49 of its troops have been killed. At the State Department, spokesperson Ned Price said the U.S. is particularly concerned by reports of civilians hurt inside Armenia, and that Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Ned Price, State Department Spokesperson: He urged President [Ilham] 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. CINDY SAINE: Armenian residents of the village of Sotk, near the border with Azerbaijan, told reporters homes were hit by Azeri shelling and burned down. On Tuesday, Blinken said he had spoken to the leaders of both countries. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State: Spoke to both, urged them to do everything possible to pull back from any conflict and get back to talking about building a lasting peace between their countries. CINDY SAINE: The Armenian Ministry of Defense released a video Tuesday that it says shows Azerbaijani forces advancing on its territory. One expert told VOA he is surprised at this surge in hostilities in light of all the negotiations that had been going on. Richard Kauzlarich, Former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan: And now, suddenly, we're in the middle of what I consider to be a major step backward in that process. CINDY SAINE: Russia operates a military base in Armenia and in the past has been seen as an ally of Yerevan and a key power broker in the region. But experts say with Russia immersed in its invasion of Ukraine, it is uncertain what role Moscow will play in this conflict. Cindy Saine, VOA News. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: Go west from Armenia, and you hit Turkey. On Turkeys western frontier --- across the Aegan Sea --- is Greece. Tensions are escalating over Greeces militarizing the islands in the sea between the two NATO allies. Our Dorian Jones explains from Istanbul. DORIAN JONES, Reporting for VOA: Touring the country, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is banging the nationalist drum, warning Turkey may occupy Greek islands, which he claims Greece has militarized in violation of an international agreement. Mesut Casin, Turkish Presidential Adviser: Greece has to stop its adventurous stance, which is not in accordance with its NATO membership, and should give up its nondiplomatic discourse because this is creating a big worry in Turkish society and raising the question, is Greece at war with Turkey? Moreover, this is bringing out ultranationalist sentiments in Turkey. DORIAN JONES: Athens insists the militarization of its islands is in response to Turkish military threats. With Greece engaged in a significant rearmament program, buying weapons from the United States and France, along with military cooperation agreements, Athens says it's ready to stand up to its powerful neighbor. Cengiz Aktar, University of Athens: Two major agreements, one with the United States and the other one with France, of course, enhanced tremendously both the capabilities and the morale of the Greek armed forces. So, they remain very confident. DORIAN JONES: Domestic politics could be exacerbating the current Turkish Greek tensions with both leaders facing reelection next year. Turkey and Greece are no strangers to tensions. In 1996 the two countries went to the verge of war over a small, uninhabited island. Washington's intervention averted that crisis. But analysts warn such mediation efforts are absent given Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Erdogan's strained ties with his Western allies. Asli Aydintasbas, Brookings Institution: The current environment is very scary because the international community is focused on the war in Ukraine. And already, both the EU and Washington have huge challenges in how they're dealing with Ankara and Erdogan. So, they don't want one more problem on their plate. DORIAN JONES: This month, Turkey and Greece blamed each other for the recent drowning of refugees in the Aegean Sea. With neither leader appearing ready to back down and the absence of mediation, the fear is these latest deaths in the Aegean may not be the last. Dorian Jones, for VOA News, Istanbul. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: Irans president is attending the General Assembly for the first time. He says there will be no reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal unless the U.S. guarantees it will not withdraw from the agreement again. But his presence in New York has many talking about the possibilities. More from VOA Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine. CINDY SAINE, VOA Senior Diplomatic Correspondent: In an interview with VOA at the White House, National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby said the U.S. and Iran are now farther away from an agreement, but he still believes it is better for the Iran nuclear deal known as the JCPOA to be revived. John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator: the United States is still committed to getting back into the JCPOA, getting it back implemented, because again, we believe the deal was working before the previous administration pulled out. Iran is closer now to break-out capability, now, today, as you and I sit here, than they were anywhere near when the deal was put in place back in 2015. CINDY SAINE: On Capitol Hill, Republican lawmakers oppose efforts by the Biden administration to get the deal implemented again. Representative Tim Burchett told VOA he believes Iran is not going to deal in good faith. Rep. Tim Burchett, Republican: Theyre making some pretty unreasonable, unrealistic demands. They want the full economic benefits of the 2015 deal, and they want to end the United Nations probe into some of that undeclared nuclear material in Iran. CINDY SAINE: If the Iran nuclear deal is revived, the ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Service Committee Michael McCaul told VOA he is worried about what Tehran would do if sanctions were eased. Rep. Michael McCaul, Republican: what I worry about is if we are going to lift the sanctions and you have billions of dollars going into Iran, we have the same experience we had last time, and that is funding terror operations in Syria and Iraq, you know in Lebanon and with Hamas and also in Yemen, with the Houthi rebels. CINDY SAINE: At UNGA, Frances Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called on Iran to accept the proposal on the table to revive a nuclear deal, warning that it will not get a better offer. Cindy Saine, VOA News. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: Elsewhere in the Middle East, Israel is again bringing thousands of Jews out of Ethiopia to reunite with family members already living in Israel. The airlift comes as war escalates in Ethiopias Tigray region. Details from Linda Gradstein in Tel Aviv. LINDA GRADSTEIN, VOA Correspondent: Last year, the Israeli government promised to reunite families and rescue Ethiopian Jews from Ethiopias civil war. But the escalating war is just one reason for this mission, according to some Israeli analysts. Steve Kaplan, Hebrew University Professor of African Studies: I think it has to do, as so many things do, with internal Israeli politics and the coming election. I think thats more relevant than anything thats happened in Ethiopia recently. LINDA GRADSTEIN: Ethiopias civil war is centered in the northern Tigray region. Most of the Ethiopian Jews are from Gondar, in the nearby region of Amhara. Officials say they are not directly threatened by the war, but it does have an indirect effect. Shai Felber, Jewish Agency Deputy Director-General: We see the cost of living increasing because of the war, and the financial problems that the olim (immigrants) are facing in Gondar and in Ethiopia. We are more and more challenged in these cases. LINDA GRADSTEIN: But some Ethiopian-Israeli activists say that Israel has an obligation to rescue thousands of Jews remaining in the Tigray war zone, even if they are not on the lists of those recognized for family reunification. Elsa Baruch Yaso, Ethiopian-Israeli Activist: Look at Ukraine. The state of Israel has rescued not only Jews from the war there, but refugees too. I support that as a moral person. But why arent they bringing the Jews from Tigray to Israel? LINDA GRADSTEIN: Israeli officials say they see their mission as helping any Jew in distress and they will continue these flights from Ethiopia for the next few months. Linda Gradstein for VOA News, Tel Aviv. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: When asked if U.S. troops would defend Taiwan if it is invaded by China, President Biden told CBS News, Yes. The candid assessment is the latest flashpoint in the growing tension between the U.S. and China over Taiwan. Recently a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers met with Taiwans president to reaffirm economic and security assistance to the island republic --- which China claims as its territory. VOAs Congressional Correspondent Katherine Gypson spoke with members of the delegation about the U.S. show of support KATHERINE GYPSON, VOA Congressional Correspondent: Renewed support for Taiwan as yet another bipartisan Congressional delegation calls for deeper ties in the face of threats from China. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, Democrat: Our delegation as with every congressional delegation that has visited is a symbol of Congress's rock-solid commitment to Taiwan. KATHERINE GYPSON: This latest visit follows Nancy Pelosis historic trip last month the first by a U.S. Speaker of the House in 25 years. A member of the latest delegation told VOA it is time for a change in the U.S. approach. Rep. Claudia Tenney, Republican: 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. KATHERINE GYPSON: The Biden administration approved $1.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan last week a move that drew swift condemnation from China. Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson: The U.S. arms sale to Taiwan blatantly violates the one-China principle KATHERINE GYPSON: But there is bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress for even more support of Taiwan including closer ties in agriculture and trade. Rep. Claudia Tenney, Republican: We'd like to see them trading more with us and, and sort of balance the trade. KATHERINE GYPSON: A U.S. House panel 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. Bonnie Glaser, German Marshall Fund: Taiwan is at the frontline of this rivalry as Beijing intensifies political, military and economic coercion - 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. A U.S. Taiwan BTA would serve that goal. KATHERINE GYPSON: A key U.S. Senate committee also approved the Taiwan Security Act this week if passed it would provide $6.5 billion in security funding over the next five years. Katherine Gypson, VOA News, Washington. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: The schedule for the UN General Assembly had to be shuffled to accommodate the number of world leaders attending the funeral for Britains Queen Elizabeth. While many lauded the Queens 70-year reign, not everyone sees it the same way --- especially in Kenya, which gained its independence from Britain in 1963. Juma Majanoa explains from Nairobi: JUMA MAJANGA, VOA Africa News Center: She became a queen while on a visit to Kenya and went on to be the last colonial monarch for Africa. Her ascension to the throne came at a time when the British colonial empire was under threat from the growing clamour for independence by African colonies. Queen Elizabeth had to supervise the elimination of the empire. Prof. Macharia Munene, Lecturer, United States International University: She was able to adjust to the reality of the imperial decline and then transform that imperial decline to a good thing, something common that people can be part of, that is the commonwealth. JUMA MAJANGA: The British colonial rule was synonymous with and exploitation. Some have laid the atrocities of that period at the door-step of the queen as the representative of British interests during colonial time. Gitu wa Kahengeri, Secretary General, Mau Mau War Veterans Association: I personally will not forget that I was incarcerated for seven years. I cannot forget I was put together with my father, I cannot forget I left my children for seven years without food, without education. That, I will never forget. JUMA MAJANGA: And with the territorial colonialism now decades gone, attachments to the wrongs of the British rule in Africa have largely eroded. Prof. Macharia Munene, Lecturer, United States International University: She was many things to many people. To the colonial subjects at the time of colonialism, she was the symbol of the evil that was colonialism. With independence, she was able to transform herself to a likeable person. And as a person she was likeable. JUMA MAJANGA: Queen Elizabeth was widely admired and seen as a role model by many in the continent. Benedict Yartey, Ghana: The legacy she has left will keep her name deeply rooted in the hearts of generations to come. Sophia Emmanuelle, South Africa: For me its just sad. I cant really say I take it personally but I mean its sad for people around the world and especially for England. Tunde Kamali, Nigeria: I have never known any other ruler that lasted that long.. So for this now to have happened, it only means that every man has an end.' JUMA MAJANGA: Analysts say Queen Elizabeths biggest legacy is the creation of the common wealth. And with the death of the queen, the future of that legacy now lies with the new king, King Charles III. Juma Majanga, VOA Africa News Center, Nairobi. CAROLYN PRESUTTI: Thats all for now. Keep up with the UN General Assembly at VOANews.com. Follow VOA News on Instagram and Facebook and follow me on Twitter at CarolynVOA And watch previous episodes on our free streaming service, VOA plus. Thanks for being with us. See you next week for The Inside Story. Australia held a national day of mourning for Britains Queen Elizabeth II Thursday as Indigenous protesters rallied against the monarch and the impact of British colonization. Australia is a constitutional monarchy and at an official ceremony in Canberra Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Elizabeths dedication and service. However, crowds have gathered across the country for 'abolish the monarchy' protests. To many Australians, the Queen was a symbol of constancy and dedication, but to indigenous Australians she represented a brutal colonization that stole their land when British settlers arrived in 1788. Hundreds of anti-monarchists have expressed their opinions on the streets of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. The Crown has blood on their hands," a demonstrator said. "Our people are still dying in this country every single day! Protesters burned Australian and British flags as they rallied against racist colonial imperialism." We dont get time off for our mourning whereas they have set a public holiday for the Queen. I think that the government could consider more about what goes on in Aboriginal communities, said a protester. Governor-general David Hurley, the British monarchs official representative in Australia, has acknowledged the pain and anguish felt by Indigenous people. In considering the unifying role that Her Majesty played, I acknowledge that her passing has prompted different reactions from some of our community. I'm conscious and respect that the response of many First Nations Australians is shaped by our colonial history and broader reconciliation journey. That is a journey we as a nation must complete, he said. But many Australians have celebrated Elizabeths long service as their head of state at events, large and small, across the country. Speaking at a national day of mourning ceremony in Canberra, Prime minister Anthony Albanese, praised Elizabeth's dedication. This national day of mourning salutes a sovereign who served our whole nation and sought to know it, too. It is fitting that todays commemorations in our national capital will be mirrored in communities across our country as Australians express their own affection and respect and celebrate the Queens part in their own stories, he said. Albanese has ruled out holding another referendum on Australia becoming a republic until at least 2025, preferring instead to focus on enshrining indigenous rights in the constitution. Australias rejected severing their constitutional ties to the British monarchy in a referendum in 1999. Australian officials say nearly 200 pilot whales are dead Thursday after stranding themselves on a beach in the island state of Tasmania south of the mainland. Reports from the scene say rescue teams were still working to save at least 32 other animals that were part of the same group or pod of whales that stranded themselves on Tasmanias Ocean Beach Wednesday. State wildlife officials say rescue crews worked most of the day to push the animals which can weigh up to a metric ton back out to sea. But Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service officials say pounding surf on the beach overnight was too much for many of the stranded animals. Tasmanian environment department marine biologists Sam Thalman told the French news agency AFP that Ocean Beach and nearby Macquarie Harbor are global hotspots for mass whale strandings. The same beach exactly two years ago was the scene of the largest mass whale stranding in the nations history, when 470 pilot whales stranded themselves, with rescue teams able to save just more than 100 of them. Earlier this week, about 14 young sperm whales died on a beach on nearby King Island. Pilot whales are a large species of dolphin and grow to about 7 meters and can weigh up to three tons. They are social animals, traveling in pods of 10 to 20 animals but those groups can swell in size to hundreds. The species is prone to mass strandings, and no one knows for sure what causes them. Some scientists believe pilot whales strong social connections and persistence to remain together in a crisis drive them to follow one another into shallow waters. Some information for this report was provided by the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Tolentino supports bills declaring February 1 as National Hijab Day MANILA - Thursday, 22 September 2022, Sen. Francis Tolentino, during the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs stated his strong support for the bills establishing a National Hijab Day in the Philippines. Senate Bill No. 1272 and Senate Bill No. 805, presented before the Committee, both seek to declare the first day of February of every year as National Hijab Day. A hijab is a veil worn by Muslim women that covers the head and chest. This is worn in the presence of adult males outside of the women's immediate family. This piece of clothing is said to be an expression of the Islamic faith and had been a source of discrimination and prejudice against Muslim women. In the international sphere, the World Hijab Day was launched in 2013 with the aim "to raise awareness and normalize the wearing of hijab." In Cotabato City, the Bangsamoro Women Commission led the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's celebration of the World Hijab Day themed "Hijab is our Crown, Not a Crime." Tolentino again lauded the initiative to recognize and celebrate with the Muslim community. The official dedication and united celebration of the Islamic faith is a symbol of the Philippine's continued commitment towards a united nation. "Patuloy po yung pag-suporta ko doon sa dalawang nakahaing panukalang batas dito po sa inyong komite, maging yung National Hijab Day. Alam ko po ang inyong saloobin at ako po ay kasama ninyo," Tolentino said to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. Beijing (Gasgoo)- Autonomous driving tech company Pony.ai announced on September 22 the strategic cooperation with Geelys ride-hailing platform, Cao Cao Mobility, and Geely Automobile Research Institute Intelligent Driving Center. Photo credit: Pony.ai Per the agreement, leveraging Pony.ais proprietary L4 autonomous driving technology and experience accumulation in Robotaxi operations, the trio will jointly build a open operation platform for intelligent driving and conduct Robotaxi service in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. Earlier in August, Pony.ai has already carried out its Robotaxi service onto Cao Cao Mobilitys ride-hailing platform. The cooperation this time allows the three parties to synergize their technologies, applications, and data. Based on Pony.ai's leading autonomous driving software/hardware technology, Cao Cao Mobilitys ride-hailing platform, and Geely Intelligent Driving Centers software R&D and underlying platform construction ability, the partners plan to build their own Robotaxi fleet in 2022, and facilitate the fleet operation in Suzhou. Since its launch in 2018, PonyPilot, Pony.ais autonomous driving service in China, has gradually covered the four first-tier Chinese cities, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, providing more than 1 million trips of autonomous driving service to the public. Commenters in Chinas tightly controlled online communities are raising an angry howl at what they see as the latest outrage stemming from President Xi Jinpings draconian zero-COVID policy. After at least 27 people died when a bus in southwest Chinas Guizhou Province crashed while transporting them to a coronavirus quarantine facility, online comments revealed the magnitude of frustration of ordinary citizens enduring a policy that forces them into lengthy lockdowns and daily testing in the effort to contain COVID. 27 people, who did not die in the coronavirus, but died in the bus accident [on the way to] quarantine? Even if they are positive, the death rate of the virus is extremely low, who made such a tragedy? No ordinary people are against epidemic prevention. What the ordinary people oppose is ... harassment of people. So many people concentrated in a bus transport for quarantine. If there was a positive case, how likely would all the people in the bus get infected? I don't understand the current policy. We are all on the bus leading to death." Censors quickly scrubbed the comments saved by FreeWeibo, a website that tracks comments blocked on Chinas Twitter-like platform, Weibo. According to Lin Gang, Guiyangs deputy mayor, the bus was carrying 47 people who were under medical observation from Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province, to a remote county, Libo, when it overturned on a highway around 170 kilometers from its destination about 2:40 a.m. Sunday. In addition to the deaths, 20 people were taken to the hospital. As of Wednesday, there was no word on their condition. It remains unclear why people were being bused to quarantine centers in the middle of night, which violates Chinas prohibition on the operation of long-distance commercial buses between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Although the city of Guiyang and Guizhou province have experienced a recent increase in COVID cases, Guiyang officials announced Sept. 16 that the city would achieve societal zero-COVID by Sept. 19, according to a report by Caixin, a Chinese business news outlet. On Sept. 17, Guizhou authorities said on their official WeChat account that they were sending people who had tested positive elsewhere for quarantine because of limited resources in Guiyang, according to the official news site China Daily. At the time, 7,396 people had been transferred from the city, and 2,900 people were scheduled for transfer. After the bus crash on Sept. 18, one of the passengers said officials identified all residents of her building for quarantine even though there were no reported cases, reported Caixin. Unverified photos of the bus began circulating on Chinese social media showing the driver wearing a full hazmat suit with only his eyes uncovered. The photos generated a new round of anger and criticism of the zero-COVID policy. When will it stop? was a slogan repeated on Weibo. Trending topic China continues to assume some of the strictest COVID-19 measures in the world, attempting to record zero cases by isolating those with confirmed infections and quarantining anyone who may have been exposed. China says the policy is necessary to keep its health system from being overwhelmed. However, restrictions across the country have weighed heavily on the countrys economy and even led to food and medical shortages in Shanghai and other areas. Response to the bus crash soared to be Weibos top trending topic Sunday afternoon, until it disappeared from the top 50 slots. Elsewhere online, authorities removed widely shared angry blog posts on the crash. Municipal instructions on how to ride a bus safely, posted to Weibo by Guizhou police and fire departments, only drew more sharp criticism. [This is a] classic blurring of focus and shifting of responsibility, said one comment retrieved from FreeWeibo by VOA Mandarin. Just don't drive me around for quarantine, said another. A day after the crash, Guizhou Province officials announced on WeChat that an investigation is ongoing and three local officials had been suspended. Guizhou recorded 188 new confirmed cases Tuesday, accounting for about 25% of all new cases in China, according to the National Health Commission of the Peoples Republic of China. The province has been on high alert since the end of August when one new case was reported. But since the beginning of the pandemic, official data show only two people have died of COVID in Guizhou, a province of 38 million people. Worldwide, as of Sept. 21, there have been more than 6.5 million deaths attributed to COVID-19, with 15,149 of them in China and just over 1 million in the U.S., according to the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 tracker. Across China, local officials are under intense pressure to contain any outbreaks ahead of the Communist Partys congress next month, when President Xi is poised to secure his third term as Chinas top leader. Nine local officials in Guiyang were suspended earlier this month for failing to implement COVID policies properly. At this time, to strengthen the lockdown with the zero-COVID policy is to ensure stability and to ensure that there is no social unrest, Kuan-Ting Chen, chief executive officer of Taiwan Nextgen Foundation, told VOA Mandarin. So, in the future, at least until Party Congress begins, I think it will become more and more strict. Some information in this report came from Reuters. The U.S. National Hurricane Center on Thursday issued a hurricane warning for Bermuda through Friday as Hurricane Fiona continues moving north. In its latest forecast, the hurricane center reports Fiona remains a powerful Category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers. According to the last report, the storm was 735 km southwest of Bermuda. Its current path and speed would take it just to the west of Bermuda late Thursday. While Fiona will spare the island a direct hit, the acting chief of the hurricane center in Miami, Eric Blake, told the Reuters news agency that Bermuda will see high surf, storm surges, heavy rainfall and powerful winds by late Thursday. By late Friday and early Saturday, the storm is likely to pass over Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and western Newfoundland in northeastern Canada, where forecasters say seven to 15 centimeters of rain are expected, with a local maximum of 25 cms. Fiona cut a deadly path through the tropical islands of Puerto Rico and Turks and Caicos earlier this week. In the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, eight people were killed, and a large portion of the Island remains without water or power after the storm hit the island Sunday and Monday. Officials say the storm dumped 90 centimeters of rain on the island, causing mudslides and extensive flooding. The island had yet to fully recover from the effects of Hurricane Maria in 2017 that killed thousands. After Puerto Rico, Fiona struck the Dominican Republic, where two people were reported killed. In British-controlled Turks and Caico, officials reported widespread power outages and damage, but reported no deaths or serious injuries. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters. Antonio Luis Durao is a member of a small minority in Brazil: Hes an undecided voter with mere weeks until presidential elections. Had the vote taken place a year ago, the 61-year-old fruit farmer would have supported Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the leftist former president who governed between 2003 and 2010. During that period, da Silvas government granted Durao some rights to farm a 26-hectare (64-acre) piece of land in Porangatu in the heartland state of Goias. But last month, Durao finally received a title for that same plot, giving him full ownership with the right to sell though after 10 years. It also will allow him to apply for a loan from a state-run bank, and he hopes to finance a tractor. Hes also considering rewarding incumbent Jair Bolsonaro with his vote. I got in here during the Lula years, and Im grateful, but there was nothing in place. I think this document will make things better for me now, he told The Associated Press in a phone interview. One gave me access 14 years ago, and the other is opening my path to the future. Duraos grant is part of the presidents Title Brazil program, which aims to give ownership rights to some 340,000 people who now live on lands that are either state owned or were privately held but unused. The far-right leader, who is trailing in the polls, is also hoping it will help boost his odds of reelection. Bolsonaro has often touted the program as a means of settling old disputes, creating legal certainty and weakening the leftist Landless Workers Movement, a key ally of da Silvas that has long staged occupations of what it considers vacant or unused lands though there have been far fewer seizures in recent years. Its a partial, free-market approach to land reform in a vast nation that since colonial times has seen great inequalities in the distribution of land, with a few farmers and corporations holding enormous expanses while millions toil on small plots to which they hold little if any legal claim. Title Brazil proceedings usually start with rural mayors who reach out to the federal government on behalf of local farmers. Local officials and farmers sit on regional commissions to evaluate the claims. Only those who had already registered for earlier land reform programs are eligible. The governments National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform says 733 of Brazils more than 5,500 municipalities so far have reached agreements to work with the land titles program, though many have yet to distribute any new titles. The AP reached out to 17 municipalities listed by Incra as participants of the program, but only two had the program up and running and offered contacts of beneficiaries. Bolsonaros adversaries claim that the program is a gimmick that will fade as soon as the election is over. While it was announced shortly after he took office in 2019, most of the activity appears to have come in recent months. They also note that full ownership wont come until a final review in 10 years and question whether it will solve the problem of unequal land distribution. saying the small plots are likely to wind up being sold to big landholders eventually. These are provisional land titles, said Alexandre Conceicao, one of the leaders of the Landless Workers Movement. He said the administration wants to destabilize any attempts to lead a land reform in Brazil, now and in the future. The president argues his opponents challenge the policy because they fear it will weaken the Landless Workers Movement that he labels as a terrorist organization. Bolsonaro is a staunch agribusiness advocate and frequently invokes individuals right to own property. With the (land) title, you have access to credit, you increase the value of your property, you become real citizens, Bolsonaro told a crowd in April in Goias state. You are no longer in the hands of those who used you as a body of troops to invade property. A Datafolha poll on Sept. 1 found that 46% of rural respondents intended to vote for da Silva, while 33% were on the presidents side. Four years ago, going into a runoff against leftist Fernando Haddad, Bolsonaro had 36% in the same poll versus 24% for his opponent. The margin of error in both polls was two percentage points. Rodrigo Sa Motta, a history professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, said the governments policy helps provide access to credit, but it doesnt move the ball forward in land regularization and distribution, which is the essence of land reform. Thats because so far it does not expand land distribution to poor farmers, but only broadens the legal rights of people who already occupy small farms. It is more of rhetoric to say they are doing something, that the administration isnt standing still, he added. Brazils Landless Workers Movement says about 90,000 families are still seeking lands to grow crops, and very few of those will gain anything from Title Brazil. But the program is showing signs of resonating with rural voters. Another beneficiary told the AP she waited for years before finally receiving rights to farm a piece of land during the administration of Dilma Rousseff, da Silvas ally and successor. Shes receiving a title under Bolsonaro and plans to vote for him, though she spoke on condition of anonymity, because she believes her family would not support her views. I dont like much of what Bolsonaro did, I dont like the way he expresses himself, but it is true that I see a better future for me and my family because of his support to agriculture, she said by phone. I think it is important to be grateful. Iranian and international media rights organizations are calling on Tehran to release a photojournalist who reported on her own arrest while covering protests. Yalda Moaiery, who has covered conflict and natural disasters in countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan, was detained while documenting unrest in the Iranian capital on Monday. If anything happens to me, the regime is responsible, Moaiery posted on social media. Mass protests are taking place across Iran over the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman accused of not wearing a hijab properly. Several protesters have been killed and hundreds more injured as security agents beat protesters, or fired birdshot and metal pellets to disperse crowds, according to the rights organization Amnesty International. Access to the internet, including social media and messaging platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp are now largely blocked across Iran. The Associated Press cited the Iranian telecommunications minister saying restrictions may be imposed due to security issues. Security agents detained photojournalist Moaiery in downtown Tehran on Monday. The journalist posted a video to Instagram Stories from what she said was the back of a police van. In the video, viewed by the media rights group Committee to Protect Journalists before it automatically expired, the journalist said she was beaten and forced into a van with other women from the protests. The journalists family was cited in reports as saying that Moaiery is still detained. The Iranian mission to the United Nations did not respond to VOAs email requesting comment. The U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control said Thursday it will sanction members of Irans police and senior officials over the death of Amini and for the suppression of protesters and opposition voices. Mahsa Amini was a courageous woman whose death in Morality Police custody was yet another act of brutality by the Iranian regimes security forces against its own people, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. We condemn this unconscionable act in the strongest terms and call on the Iranian government to end its violence against women and its ongoing violent crackdown on free expression and assembly, the statement added. Detained International rights organizations have called on Tehran to immediately free photojournalist Moaiery. Iranian authorities must understand that they cant hide the countrys nationwide anti-state protests by jailing journalists, said CPJs Middle East program coordinator Sherif Mansour. The advocacy organization, the Coalition for Women in Journalism or CFWIJ, expressed concern for Moaierys safety in custody and the situation across Iran. We urge authorities to let journalists do their jobs, the CFWIJ said in a statement, adding that Iran should stop harassing journalists and detaining women over moral laws. The CFWIJ says Iran is one of the worst jailers of female journalists. The country has a dire media freedom record, ranking 178 out of 180 on the World Press Freedom Index, where 1 has the optimum conditions for journalism Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, which compiles the index, describes Iran as one of the most repressive [countries] for journalists with media nearly entirely under control of the regime. Independent journalists risk arbitrary arrest and lengthy prison terms, and media safety is a core concern, RSF states. Since the 1979 revolution, RSF estimates 1,000 journalists have been arrested or killed, and those in exile risk harassment or their relatives are pressured or detained in retaliation for media coverage. The Tehran Province Journalists Association issued a statement in support of Moaiery, saying she was arrested while staunchly defending the rights of journalists to cover newsworthy events. In a statement, cited by the diaspora news website Iran Wire, the Iranian association reminded authorities of the medias role in covering daily events. The presence of journalists and news crews cannot be used as a pretext for their arrest, the statement said. Moaierys 20-year career has taken her around the world but her work also focuses on life in Iran, including mass protests in 2019 over rising prices. | The journalists portfolio includes photo essays on women serving in the Iranian military and the legacy of Irans Supreme Leader Imam Khomeini. The harsh COVID-19 containment restrictions China is imposing across Tibet are leading to public resentment in the capital of Lhasa, where residents who have tested positive are being quarantined in empty stadiums, schools, warehouses and unfinished buildings. Beijing's actions in Tibet reflect the draconian "zero-covid" policy of President Xi Jinping that has caused discontent and even protests in major cities such as Shanghai and Chengdu. Social media videos from Lhasa show people waiting to be bused at night to an estimated 20 makeshift quarantine camps. For Lhasa residents the "midnight bus" represents their fears of what they may find once they arrive at crowded and locked quarantine sites. In one social media video shot in the Muslim Wobaling neighborhood, passengers are seen boarding buses parked in front of one of the city's two mosques. VOA Tibetan made repeated calls to the Chinese Embassy in Washington for comment but received no response. Xi has made "zero covid" his signature policy for containing the virus with stringent lockdowns and restricted movement, and required testing, tracking and quarantining. Tibetans, in a rare outburst of open despair, have gone online to Weibo, Douyin and other Chinese social media platforms to draw attention to the situation in the camps that lack adequate hygiene, food and medical care. Their appeals are remarkable because while the expression of complaints or critical views is risky anywhere in the Chinese state, Tibetans are monitored more heavily and face harsher repercussions than people elsewhere because of the political sensitivity of the region. In one post, a Tibetan woman said people were being treated like criminals instead of patients. If the authorities are incapable of properly managing these quarantine camps, she said, then they should allow those who test positive to isolate in their homes. "Even if they die, they can at least die in their homes," she said. Another Tibetan woman said her husband and her three young children were taken to the Lhasa Beijing Middle School Quarantine Center after her COVID-19 test was inconclusive. Authorities required the entire family to quarantine with 800 people. She said her children developed fevers in the school facility where there were no doctors, medicine or medical treatments. In a viral audio recording, a Tibetan father pleads with a government official at one of the Lhasa quarantine centers to not separate him from his year-old child. "We were first brought to this quarantine camp even though we tested negative for COVID. Now we have tested positive, and you want to take away our child. If we need to move again, we want [to] move together as a family," he said. "If you separate us from our child, I am willing to die right here." The man then says to listeners, "Please come collect my body after I die." In Lhasa, the restrictions have been especially difficult for the many people who come from rural areas for low-paying service jobs in the city. One young woman took to Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, to appeal to the government to let migrant workers return to their villages. She posted she is running out of hard-earned money and food. If allowed to return home to her village, she said she would not have to pay rent and she would at least have enough to eat. Other posts describe how authorities are conducting mandatory COVID-19 tests on people once a day under lockdown. In certain areas, people are required to undergo testing twice a day. Results via phone Test results are delivered via cellphone, leaving people anxiously checking their cellphones throughout the day. A "red" color notification indicates a positive result, which means the recipient is likely to end up in one of the quarantine camps with his or her entire family. People who have tested positive report online that since receiving results their only human contact has come from authorities in white hazmat suits conducting further tests. Last weekend, some social media posts on some platforms were deleted, and an official warning was issued that accounts sharing these posts would be shut down. A young Tibetan woman then went online to Douyin to tell her followers that she had been receiving threatening calls from the police. "If I disappear, you know what has happened to me," she said. On Saturday, a Lhasa municipal spokesperson apologized online for conditions at the camps, saying authorities had been unable to meet people's needs due to the size of the camps. This is the first time a state official has apologized to people since China seized Tibet more than six decades ago. Even though the overwhelming majority of those in quarantine camps are Tibetan, and most of the complaints being made on social media are in the Tibetan language, the municipal official apologized in Chinese. On Sunday, Lhasa public security announced that three people had been arrested for posting untruthful information related to the pandemic. The announcement said the "internet is not a lawless land." European Union foreign ministers have agreed to bolster their military support for Ukraine and study a new package of sanctions targeting Russian individuals and certain sectors of the Russian economy. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters late Wednesday after convening a special ministerial meeting in New York that the details of the sanctions package still need to be determined by EU officials, but that he is sure there will be unanimous support. Borrell said it was important for the ministers to meet and send a powerful message on the same day that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the partial mobilization of his countrys military reserves, a call-up of 300,000 fighters. Borrell said Putin was trying to destroy Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that the mobilization was necessary because Russia was "de facto facing all of NATO, the U.S.-led Western military alliance that has shipped billions of dollars of armaments to Ukraine to help fend off Russias invasion of Ukraine The EU foreign ministers meeting came as Russia and Ukraine agreed to what appeared to be their largest prisoner swap since the war began in late February, with 215 Ukrainians freed from Russian captivity, 55 Russians and pro-Russia Ukrainians sent to Russia and 10 foreign nationals released, including two U.S. military veterans who had fought alongside Ukrainian soldiers. Despite the prisoner exchange, fighting raged on, with at least six people killed Thursday, one in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia and the five others in the Russian separatist-controlled city of Donetsk. Pro-Moscow authorities in Ukraine's Russian-controlled regions are preparing to hold referendums starting Friday on becoming part of Russia, which then could allow Moscow to escalate the war in defense of the annexed territory. The votes are planned in the Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions, although Ukraine and its Western allies have called them sham referendums and have no plans to recognize the outcome as legitimate. Borrell said that in addition to the immense suffering brought by the Russian aggression upon the Ukrainian people, Russia has chosen to further extend the cost of war also for their own Russian population. He said Putins apparent reference to Russias willingness to use nuclear weapons if necessary to protect itself represented an irresponsible and cynical attempt to undermine our steadfast support to Ukraine. These threats jeopardize in an unprecedented scale international peace and security, Borrell said. But they will not shake our determination. They will not shake our resolve, our unity to stand by Ukraine and our comprehensive support to Ukraines ability to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty as long as it takes. Putin said in a televised address Wednesday the mobilization of reserves, which followed Ukrainian gains in a counteroffensive in northeastern Ukraine, is necessary to protect Russias homeland and sovereignty. Putin said the West is trying to weaken and destroy Russia, and that his country will use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people. "In its aggressive anti-Russian policy, the West has crossed every line," he said. "This is not a bluff. And those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the weathervane can turn and point towards them." Britains defense ministry said Thursday that Russias mobilization is likely to be highly unpopular with parts of the Russian population and that Putin is taking considerable political risk in the hope of generating much needed combat power. Street protests against the mobilization erupted in Moscow and other Russian cities, with police arresting 1,300 demonstrators. Prisoner exchange Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that most of the freed Ukrainian fighters in the prisoner swap had defended a steel plant during Russias siege of Mariupol early in the conflict. Zelenskyy also said five of the 10 foreign nationals released were from Britain, with the others from Croatia, Morocco and Sweden, along with the two former U.S. service members. The most prominent of the 55 Russians and pro-Russia Ukrainians sent to Russia was Viktor Medvedchuk, a Putin ally who had escaped house arrest days before Russias invasion only to be recaptured in April. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Two years into the repression of Belarusian media, independent broadcaster Belsat TV combats disinformation and propaganda, even as its own journalists are jailed. For VOA, Tommy Walker has the story from Warsaw, Poland. 1 In this Sept. 21, 2022, photo taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran, demonstrators block a street during a protest over the death of a woman who was detained by the country's morality police, in downtown Tehran. Iran is responding with a violent, deadly crackdown to nationwide protests triggered by last weeks death in police custody of a young woman accused of not wearing her hijab properly, with authorities acknowledging at least six people have been killed in several days of unrest. In comments published Wednesday, Iranian officials said four people were killed in violent incidents in the northwestern province of Kurdistan while two more were killed in rioting in neighboring Kermanshah province. Iranian authorities blamed the violence on counter-revolutionary agents. But London-based rights group Amnesty International said Wednesday it has evidence that Iranian security forces have dispersed mostly peaceful protesters using unlawful methods, such as firing birdshot and other metal pellets, teargas and water cannons, and beating people with batons. The Amnesty International report said the group recorded the killings of eight protesters by security forces on Monday and Tuesday, including four in Kurdistan, two in Kermanshah and two in West Azerbaijan province. It said the dead include six men, one woman and one child. The rights group said hundreds more people, including children, have been violently arrested and sustained painful injuries from birdshot and other munitions. "In some places, some protesters engaged in stone-throwing and damaged police vehicles. This in no way justifies the use of metal pellets, which is prohibited under all circumstances, Amnesty International added. Kurdistan province had been the home of 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, who died in Tehran on September 16, three days after morality police arrested her for allegedly exposing too much of her hair in public as she visited the Iranian capital. Amini fell into a coma shortly after being detained with other women at a Tehran police station and later died at a hospital, according to her family and the hospital. Her family accused authorities of physically assaulting her, but police denied mistreatment and said without sharing evidence that she had suffered a heart attack. Relatives said Amini had no history of serious medical problems. Public protests against Aminis death began last Friday in several parts of Iran and spread rapidly to other areas this week, reaching 23 of Irans 31 provinces as of Wednesday, according to social media videos posted by Iranian citizen journalists and compiled by VOA Persian. Those provinces include Alborz, East Azerbaijan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamedan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Isfahan, Kerman, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Razavi Khorasan, Semnan, South Khorasan, Tehran, West Azerbaijan, Yazd and Zanjan. VOA cannot independently verify the circumstances of the protests seen in the videos because it is barred from reporting inside Iran. Some of the social media videos contained footage of apparent anti-government protests by Iranian students in five universities on Wednesday, four of them in Tehran. They include the Iranian capitals Allameh Tabataba'i University, Alzahra University, Islamic Azad Universitys Science and Research Branch and University of Tehran, and Semnan University. The sharing of such images via social media became harder for Iranians on Wednesday, as access to the popular American app Instagram was disrupted. London-based internet monitoring group NetBlocks tweeted that Instagram access has been restricted on all major internet providers in Iran. It noted that the app, owned by U.S. company Meta, was one of the last available social media platforms in the country. Iranian authorities repeatedly have cut off internet access in certain parts of the country or nationwide to try to quell previous waves of anti-government protests in recent years. There was no immediate Iranian government comment on Wednesdays blockage of Instagram. Exiled Iranians rallied in New York and Istanbul for a second consecutive day on Wednesday in solidarity with the protesters in Iran. About 150 people joined a rally in New Yorks Dag Hammarskjold Plaza adjacent to the United Nations to denounce Irans Islamic rulers, including President Ebrahim Raisi, who addressed the world bodys General Assembly earlier in the day. A VOA reporter at the rally held by the Organization of Iranian American Communities observed participants holding up pictures of Mahsa Amini and chanting her name. Raisi did not mention the protests outside the U.N. building or in his home country in his speech. Instead, he said Irans Islamist leadership upholds human rights and rejects double standards of some governments whom he said focus on one side and not on all [sides] equally. Another reporter in Istanbul saw a crowd of about 250 people rallying outside the Iranian consulate. The participants included exiled Iranian womens rights activist Nasiba Shamsaei, who cut her hair in memory of Mahsa Amini and in support of other women in Iran who have been doing the same in public and in social media videos posted in recent days. Raisi has promised an investigation into her death. This report was produced in collaboration with VOAs Persian and Turkish Services. Tina Trinh reported from New York and Hilmi Hacaloglu and Umut Colak reported from Istanbul. Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards called on the Islamic Republic's judiciary on Thursday to prosecute "those who spread false news and rumors" about a young woman whose death in police custody has triggered nationwide protests. Protesters in Tehran and other Iranian cities torched police stations and vehicles earlier on Thursday as public outrage over the death showed no signs of easing, with reports of security forces coming under attack. Mahsa Amini, 22, died last week after being arrested in Tehran for wearing "unsuitable attire." She fell into a coma while in detention. The authorities have said they would launch an investigation into the cause of her death. In a statement, the Guards expressed sympathy with the family and relatives of Amini. "We have requested the judiciary to identify those who spread false news and rumors on social media as well as on the street and who endanger the psychological safety of society and to deal with them decisively," the Guards, who have cracked down on protests in the past, said. Pro-government protests are planned for Friday, Iranian media said. "The will of the Iranian people is this: do not spare the criminals," said an editorial in the influential hardline Kayhan newspaper. The protests over Amini's death are the biggest in the Islamic Republic since 2019. Most have been concentrated in Iran's Kurdish-populated northwest but have spread to the capital and at least 50 cities and towns nationwide, with police using force to disperse protesters. A member of an Iranian pro-government paramilitary organization, the Basij, was stabbed to death in the northeastern city of Mashhad on Wednesday, two semi-official Iranian news agencies reported on Thursday. The Tasnim and Fars news agencies reports of the stabbing appeared on Telegram as both their websites were not functioning on Thursday. There was no official confirmation of the death. Tasnim also said another member of the Basij was killed on Wednesday in the city of Qazvin as a result of a gunshot wound inflicted by "rioters and gangs," bringing the total reported number of security force members killed in the unrest to four. In the northeast, protesters shouted "We will die, we will die but we'll get Iran back" near a police station which was set on fire, a video posted on Twitter account 1500tasvir showed. The account focuses on protests in Iran and has around 100,000 followers. Reuters could not verify the footage. Another police station was set ablaze in Tehran as the unrest spread from Kurdistan, the home province of Amini and where she was buried on Saturday. Personal freedoms Amini's death has reignited anger over issues including restrictions on personal freedoms in Iran - including strict dress codes for women - and an economy reeling from sanctions. Iran's clerical rulers fear a revival of the 2019 protests that erupted over gasoline price rises, the bloodiest in the Islamic Republic's history. Reuters reported 1,500 were killed. Protesters this week also expressed anger at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "Mojtaba, may you die and not become Supreme Leader," a crowd was seen chanting in Tehran, referring to Khamenei's son, who some believe could succeed his father at the top of Iran's political establishment. Reuters could not verify the video. Reports by Kurdish rights group Hengaw, which Reuters could not verify, said the death toll in Kurdish areas had climbed to 15. Iranian officials have denied that security forces have killed protesters, suggesting they may have been shot by armed dissidents. With no sign of the protests easing, authorities restricted access to the internet, according to accounts from Hengaw, residents, and internet shutdown observatory NetBlocks. Women have played a prominent role in the protests, waving and burning their veils, with some cutting their hair in public. In northern Iran, crowds armed with batons and rocks attacked two members of the security forces on a motorbike as a crowd cheered, as seen on a video, which Reuters was unable to verify. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Guangzhou, the capital of China's Guangdong province, plans to deploy over 50 hydrogen-refueling stations across the city by the end of 2025, at least 45 of which are scheduled to be added between 2022 and 2025, according to a document issued by the Guangzhou Municipal Development and Reform Commission on Sept. 20. The document is about a ten-year (2021-2030) plan on the development of Guangzhou's hydrogen infrastructures. AION LX Fuel Cell; photo credit: GAC Group During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period, Guangzhou plans to newly build one hydrogen-making station, resulting in a cumulative volume of three by the end of 2025, according to the plan. Meanwhile, local authorities will work on the construction of 1-2 stations that integrate hydrogen making and refueling functions, and 1-2 energy storage stations. Besides, in the 2021-2025 period, the city expects to form the capability of producing 35,000 kilograms fuel cell-used hydrogen per day (13,000 tonnes per year) and supplying vehicles with no fewer than 40,000 kilograms of hydrogen per day (15,000 tonnes per year), which can meet the hydrogen usage demands of over 6,000 fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). For a longer-term plan, Guangzhou aims to build another 50 hydrogen filling stations from 2026 to 2030, so as to lift the citys cumulative volume to over 100 stations as of 2030. In addition, the metropolis wishes to fulfill a deployment of 5 plus hydrogen-making/refueling stations and 3-4 hydrogen storage stations by 2030. Moreover, Guangzhou's authorities expect over 100,000 sets of fuel cell power systems to be installed into automobiles, rail transit facilities, vessels, aerocrafts, etc. by 2030. Gasgoo not only offers timely news and profound insight about China auto industry, but also help with business connection and expansion for suppliers and purchasers via multiple channels and methods. Buyer service: buyer-support@gasgoo.com Seller Service: seller-support@gasgoo.com All Rights Reserved. Do not reproduce, copy and use the editorial content without permission. Contact us: autonews@gasgoo.com. Hollywood star Angelina Jolie on Wednesday joined Pakistan in pushing the international community to step up aid for victims of the countrys historic flooding, which has affected roughly 33 million people. I've never seen anything like this. I am overwhelmed, said Jolie, a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a day after visiting flood-ravaged areas in Pakistans southern Sindh province. The United Nations says the catastrophic deluges triggered by erratic rainfall have killed nearly 1,600 people, including 560 children, since mid-June when seasonal monsoon rains began. An estimated 3.4 million children have been uprooted from their homes and are grappling to survive. Jolie warned that too many children are malnourished and people are in need of urgent aid. If enough aid doesn't come, they won't be here in the next few weeks, she warned during her visit to the National Flood Response Coordination Center in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. I am absolutely with you in pushing the international community to do more. Pakistani and U.N. officials say monsoon rainfall, made worse by global climate change, led to flash floods in the mountainous parts of the country and widespread flooding in the plains, submerging one-third of Pakistan under water. Officials have warned that floodwaters could take months to recede. The catastrophic flooding has prompted calls for the international community to come together and work toward climate change mitigation. I think this is a real wake-up call to the world about where we are at, and that climate change is not only real and it's not only coming, it's very much here, Jolie emphasized. On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden, while discussing climate change in his address to the U.N. General Assembly, highlighted Pakistans floods. We all know were already living in a climate crisis. No one seems to doubt it after this past year. As we meet, much of Pakistan is still underwater; it needs help, Biden said. Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global carbon emissions, but it is listed as one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis. Islamabad has urged rich countries to pay climate reparations. In the meantime, cargo planes from dozens of countries have brought relief supplies and medicines to Pakistan over the past month. The United Nations has warned that outbreaks of diarrhea, typhoid and malaria are increasing rapidly as millions of flood victims sleep in temporary shelters or in the open near stagnating water. More than 134,000 cases of diarrhea and 44,000 cases of malaria were reported in the hardest-hit area of Sindh this past week, a U.N. statement said Wednesday. "A second disaster is looming in sight health, nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene are of critical concern, it warned. U.N. officials say large parts of Pakistan's flood-affected areas are still submerged and thousands of families in the 82 affected districts are still cut off and have yet to receive any form of aid. Pakistan estimates the flooding has cost it more than $30 billion in damage, as homes, roads and entire communities have been washed away. The flooding has destroyed more than 3.5 million acres of arable land, raising fears it will exacerbate food insecurity issues across the country of about 220 million people. France will host an international conference later this year on climate-resilient reconstruction of Pakistans flood-ravaged areas, the foreign ministry in Islamabad said Wednesday after a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the 77th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Paused by a recent court ruling, the Justice Department investigation into whether former president Donald Trump illegally kept classified government documents at his Florida residence is back on track. In a victory for the Justice Department, a federal appeals court in Atlanta ruled on Wednesday that investigators could resume examining roughly 100 classified documents seized during an FBI search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago property on August 8. The investigation, one of several dogging the former president, ground to a halt earlier this month after a federal judge ordered the appointment of a special master to review the seized records, barring the Justice Department from using the documents and requiring it to turn them over to the independent reviewer. The Justice Department appealed the judge's order. The appellate court's ruling means that both the criminal investigation and a separate intelligence community assessment of the risk of storing the documents at Mar-a-Lago can now proceed again, said Jordan Strauss, a former federal prosecutor now with Kroll, a risk and technology firm. The ruling also means that the recently appointed special master, Judge Raymond Dearie, can review only the unclassified documents taken from Mar-a-Lago to determine whether any are protected by attorney-client privilege or executive privilege. "With respect to what it means for the FBI, it means that one, the FBI will be able to continue playing the role it normally plays in national security damage assessments, and number two, that prosecutors can continue to try to use at least the classified documents," Strauss said. During its search of Trump's Florida residence, the FBI removed about 11,000 documents and 1,800 other items. About 100 of the documents are classified, some bearing the highest classification markings. The FBI is investigating at least three potential federal crimes in connection with Trump's retention of the documents: removal or destruction of government records, illegal retention of national defense information and obstruction of justice. The inquiry is one of several bedeviling the former president. On Wednesday, New York state's top prosecutor announced a civil lawsuit against Trump and his three children, alleging "persistent and repeated business fraud." Separately, the Justice Department and a local prosecutor in the southern state of Georgia are examining efforts by Trump and his associates to overturn the outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Trump has dismissed the investigations as politically motivated. Whether the investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents will lead to criminal charges against the former president or any of his aides remains uncertain. "The ruling removes part of a delay but it shouldn't alter the outcome of the investigation," Strauss said. "The outcome of that investigation will presumably be that the Justice Department will go where the facts lead it and then make, as it normally would, a decision on whether or not to charge someone with a crime." The subjects of the seized documents have not been revealed, but the Justice Department says some of the records are so secret that even some members of its own investigative team have not been cleared to view them. The Trump legal team nevertheless persuaded a federal judge, Aileen Cannon of the Southern District of Florida, to prevent the Justice Department from accessing them while the special master completes his review. In appealing Cannon's order, the Justice Department argued that she "likely erred" in prohibiting it from using the documents. The three-judge panel of the appeals wrote that they agreed with the Justice Department's assessment. A court order "delaying (or perhaps preventing) the United States's criminal investigation from using classified materials risks imposing real and significant harm on the United States and the public," the judges wrote. Like Cannon, two of the judges on the panel Andrew Brasher and Britt Grant were nominated to the bench by Trump. The third, Robin Rosenbaum, was appointed by former President Barack Obama. In another blow to the Trump legal team, the appellate court panel also questioned his claim that he had "declassified" the documents when he was president, writing that Trump had presented no evidence that any of the records were declassified. But even if Trump "did declassify some or all of the documents, that would not explain why he has a personal interest in them," the panel wrote. Trump took to Fox News to repeat his claim about his expansive declassification powers, saying as president, he could declassify any documents "with a thought." "If you're the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying it's declassified. Even by thinking about it. ... You're the president, you make that decision," Trump said in response to a question by conservative host Sean Hannity. Although American presidents do have the power to declassify secret documents, Trump's latest claim about his presidential powers was met with skepticism. In the wake of the latest court ruling, some legal experts suggested the former president's claim could come back to haunt him. "It is a position likely to further alienate both the Special Master and the appellate court, which have already expressed frustration with the lack of support offered for declassification claims," Jonathan Turley, a conservative law professor at the George Washington University Law School, wrote in his personal blog. A Senegalese fishermans collective is suing the owners of a fish meal factory, which they say has polluted their village and destroyed their livelihoods. The lawsuit is the first of its kind and could set a precedent for other communities fighting against fish factories. Some 40 people assembled outside the courthouse in Thies, Senegal, on Thursday chanting protest slogans and holding banners that called for the closure of the factory in the town of Cayar. The event marked what they had hoped would be the first day of legal proceedings between the Touba Proteine Marine fish meal factory and the fishermens Taxawu Cayar Collective. However, the case was postponed to October 6. For any outsider who comes to Cayar, all theyd have to do is breathe to understand the difficulties were facing, said Alle Sy, a member of the fishermans collective. People have fallen ill, seriously ill. Our life is too hard now. We know we wont be alone in this fight. The factory has also significantly decreased the value of their land, he added. The Touba Proteine Marine factory, formerly known as Barna Senegal, is one of at least a half dozen fish meal factories that operate in the West African country. Fish meal is dried, ground-up fish that is used as fertilizer or animal feed. According to the environmental group Greenpeace, the Touba factory has dumped increasing and illegal levels of heavy metals into Cayars land and water. Critics say fish meal factories have contributed to rising food insecurity throughout the region. They say the factories take fish that would otherwise be consumed locally and export them as fish meal to European and Asian markets, where its used to feed farm animals. But Talla Gueye, the communications officer for the Touba factory, said the factory was established at a time when there was a surplus of fish being left on the beach. He also refuted claims that the factory had polluted Cayars water. The director and many of the workers live next to the factory, and no one has been diagnosed with illnesses due to the impacts of the factory, he said. The people of Cayar want this factory to stay because it creates a lot of employment. Demba Bathily is the lawyer for the fishermans collective. He said the factory has been operating under the guise of bringing jobs and development to Cayar, when in reality, it only brings illness. Today, it is social and economic rights that are being violated. It is the right to a clean environment that is being violated, Bathily said. And we want this to set an example we want communities to understand that it is possible to stand up and fight for their rights. Members of Cayars fishermen collective said they plan to gather even more supporters and return to the courthouse in full force for next months meeting. For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. The latest developments in Russias war on Ukraine. All times EDT. 10 p.m.: Turkey is weighing whether to stop processing transactions made using Russia's Mir payments system after receiving repeated warnings from the United States, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying Thursday, Agence France-Presse reported. Washington has increased pressure on Turkish banks and businesses to comply with Western sanctions against Russia, warning that Turkish entities risked being exposed to secondary sanction themselves. Two of the five Turkish banks processing Mir payments have heeded Washington's warnings and suspended the transactions, seeking further guidance about how sanctions could potentially be applied. Erdogan signaled that he was not happy about possibly stopping the Russian payments, which help support Turkey's tourism industry. 9:08 p.m.: 8:15 p.m.: Ukrainian tycoon Viktor Medvedchuk, one of 56 prisoners handed over to Russia on Wednesday in exchange for 215 imprisoned soldiers, Agence France-Presse reported, was seen as President Vladimir Putin's top ally in Kyiv and defended the Kremlin's interests for years. "In exchange for the life and freedom of our defenders, Ukraine gave Medvedchuk away," Ukrainian chief prosecutor Andriy Kostin said in a Facebook message on Thursday. Denis Pushilin, a leader of Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, confirmed Medvedchuk's release to Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti. Medvedchuk, a 68-year-old former Ukrainian lawmaker, was captured in April by Ukraine's special services after fleeing home arrest when Russia invaded. 7:27 p.m.: Israel said Thursday that immigration to the country over the past 12 months hit a two-decade high, with influxes from Russia and war-torn Ukraine accounting for nearly three-quarters of new arrivals, Agence France-Presse reported. In a statement issued days before the start of the Jewish New Year holiday, Rosh Hashana, Israel's immigration ministry said 60,000 Jews had moved to the country during the last Jewish calendar year, more than double the 28,000 recorded the previous year. Russians accounted for 47% while 25% were people who came from Ukraine. Under Israel's law of return, anyone with at least one Jewish grandparent is entitled to Israeli citizenship. 6:48 p.m.: U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a Security Council meeting on Ukraine on Thursday that talk of a nuclear conflict is "totally unacceptable" and effectively warned that so-called referenda in areas under Russian control would be annexation, Reuters reported. Referendums on Ukrainian areas joining Russia are to take place from Friday until Tuesday in several largely Russian-held regions in eastern and southern Ukraine, which comprise around 15% of the country's territory. "Any annexation of a state's territory by another state resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the U.N. Charter and of international law," Guterres said. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday threatened to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia. 5:56 p.m.: At the U.N. General Assembly in New York, VOAs Persian service interviewed U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price about Russias war in Ukraine. Price said, Secretary [of State Antony Blinken] delivered a very simple message today, and in some ways, you can distill it down to one sentence. He said, If Russia were to stop fighting today, the war would end. If Ukraine were to stop fighting today, Ukraine would end. This is a war of territorial aggression that Russia has been waging against its peaceful neighbor. And what's most important, and one of the core objectives of some of today, was to continue to galvanize the rest of the world to speak clearly, to speak consistently and to speak with one voice about the need for Russia to end this brutal war, about the need to stand against this aggression, and to stand with our Ukrainian partners. We and dozens of other countries around the world are doing that. We are providing them with billions of dollars in security assistance, more than $15 billion since the start of this Russian aggression, as are other countries. And we're providing, we're holding Russia to account. We, just as we said we would, have enacted massive costs and consequences on key Russian leaders, on key Russian institutions responsible for this war. We're going to continue to provide support to our Ukrainian partners and to increase pressure on Russia for as long as it takes. 5:10 p.m.: 4:15 p.m.: NATO on Thursday condemned Moscow's plans to hold referendums in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine and called on all states to reject what it called "Russia's blatant attempts at territorial conquest, Reuters reported. "Sham referenda in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions of Ukraine have no legitimacy and will be a blatant violation of the UN Charter," the North Atlantic Council, grouping the member states of the alliance, said in a statement. "NATO allies will not recognize their illegal and illegitimate annexation. These lands are Ukraine," it added. Referendums on joining Russia are due to take place from Friday until Tuesday in several largely Russian-held regions in eastern and southern Ukraine, which comprise around 15% of the country's territory. 3:22 p.m.: The European Union appears determined to respond to new Russian attempts to annex parts of Ukraine with more sanctions but finding a consensus among member countries is becoming increasingly difficult as measures meant to punish Moscow bite into their own economies, The Associated Press reported. The 27-nation bloc has imposed six rounds of sanctions on Russia since President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine on Feb. 24. Banks, companies and markets have been hit even parts of the sensitive energy sector and more than 1,200 officials have been targeted with travel bans nd having their assets frozen. What could have taken years to agree on in the past was achieved in just over three months relative light speed for the EU. But European economies already battered by the COVID-19 pandemic are now fighting high inflation, with skyrocketing electricity and natural gas prices. The spur for the EU to act again was the announcement that Russian-controlled regions in eastern and southern Ukraine plan to hold referendums on becoming part of Russia. This could allow Moscow to escalate the war, especially after Putins decision to call up 300,000 military reservists. 2:30 p.m.: 2:10 p.m.: World leaders at the United Nations on Thursday called for Moscow to be held accountable for human rights violations in Ukraine as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov defended Moscow's war and accused its neighbor of committing atrocities. Addressing a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on atrocities committed in Ukraine since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion, Lavrov accused Ukraine of creating threats against Russian security and "brazenly trampling" the rights of Russians and Russian-speakers in Ukraine. "I can assure you that we will never accept this," said Lavrov, who came to the council chamber to speak and then left. "Everything I've said today simply confirms that the decision to conduct the special military operation was inevitable." He said countries supplying weapons to Ukraine and training its soldiers were parties to the conflict, adding that "the intentional fomenting of this conflict by the collective West remained unpunished." The Security Council meeting on Thursday took place during the annual gathering of world leaders for the U.N. General Assembly. The council has been unable to take any meaningful action on Ukraine because Russia is a permanent veto-wielding member along with the United States, France, Britain and China. Thursday's meeting is at least the 20th time the Security Council has met on Ukraine this year. 1:45 p.m.: 1:20 p.m.: Finland said on Thursday it was considering barring most Russians from entering the country as traffic across the border from its eastern neighbor intensified following President Vladimir Putins order for a partial military mobilization, Reuters reported. Finnish land border crossings have remained among the few entry points into Europe for Russians after a string of Western countries shut both physical frontiers and their air space to Russian planes in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine. Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Thursday the government was assessing risks posed by individuals travelling through Finland, and was considering ways to sharply reduce Russian transit. The governments will is very clear, we believe Russian tourism (to Finland) must be stopped, as well as transit through Finland, Marin told reporters. I believe the situation needs to be reassessed after yesterdays news, she added, referring to Putins partial mobilization order. 1:05 p.m.: The three Baltic states say they are not prepared to automatically offer asylum to Russians fleeing mobilization into the military, hoping that discontent with the Russian authorities will grow at home instead, The Associated Press reported. Large numbers of Russians rushed Wednesday to book one-way tickets out of the country after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of military reservists for the war in Ukraine. There was little sign of any pressure at the borders of the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania after those countries closed their borders to most Russians earlier in the week. On Wednesday, Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Laanemets called Russias invasion of Ukraine the collective responsibility of Russian citizens and argued that allowing in those fleeing possible army service would violate European Union sanctions aimed at Moscow. Putins latest move in some ways reinforces the sanctions we have imposed to date, because it will hopefully increase discontent among the population, Laanemets was quoted by BNS as saying. It is no longer just professional soldiers, people from remote regions or convicts who are being sent to the front, but the desire is for everyone to be relegated to cannon fodder, he said. 12:30 p.m.: The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) on Thursday tweeted a link to its Ukraine humanitarian tracking tool graphic, the Data Explorer. 12 p.m.: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on UN Security Council members to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that the Kremlin leaders invasion of Ukraine and attempts to annex more of its territory was threatening to destroy the international order, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. Putin is pushing four Kremlin-controlled territories of Ukraine to hold disputed votes for annexation into the Russian Federation beginning on September 23 amid the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. The very international order that we have gathered here to uphold is being shredded before our eyes. We cannot -- we will not -- allow President Putin to get away with it, Blinken said on Thursday in New York. Blinken said international support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is about protecting an international order, where no nation can redraw the borders of another by force. If we fail to defend this principle, when the Kremlin is so flagrantly violating it, we send a message to aggressors everywhere that they can ignore it, too. We put every country at risk, he said. He said Putin was violently uprooting thousands of Ukrainians and busing in Russian citizens to manipulate the results of this week's vote on annexation, calling it a diabolical strategy. The top U.S. diplomat also told the Security Council there is mounting proof of Russian war crimes in Ukraine and said he supported international efforts to collect and examine the evidence. He described the violence as a pattern of behavior by Russian soldiers and not isolated acts of rogue units. 11:50 a.m.: 11:35 a.m.: Yaryna Herashchenko had not heard from her boyfriend since he surrendered in May when the steelworks he was defending in southeast Ukraine fell to Russian forces - but on Thursday she finally got the message she had so longed to hear, Reuters reported. "Good morning once again, my darling! At the moment everything is good here," Ihor, 32, said in an audio message to Herashchenko after his release along with more than 200 other Ukrainians in a prisoner swap on Wednesday with Russia. Asked how she felt on getting news about the swap, Herashchenko said: "Happiness, shock, tears, joy a whole spectrum of emotions ..." The 29-year-old has not seen Ihor since August 2021. He serves in the Azov Regiment and had been holed up for months in the besieged steelworks in the port city of Mariupol. She asked that his surname not be used in this article. Herashchenko, speaking to Reuters in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, said she had last heard from Ihor on May 17 when he messaged her to say he was leaving the Azovstal steel plant and would not be reachable. Wednesday's prisoner swap, the largest since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, involved almost 300 people in total, including 55 Russians and pro-Moscow Ukrainians, 10 foreigners and the commanders who led the defense of Mariupol. 11:15 a.m.: The U.N. Secretary General on Thursday thanked Turkey and Saudi Arabia for their roles in securing the recent prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, VOAs U.N. correspondent Margaret Besheer reported. Also, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday tweeted that he had thanked Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his role in facilitating the exchange. 11:05 a.m.: Russian and Ukrainian forces exchanged missile and artillery barrages on Thursday as both sides refused to concede ground despite recent military setbacks for Moscow and the toll on the invaded country after almost seven months of war, The Associated Press reported. Russian missile strikes in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia left one person dead and five wounded, Ukrainian officials said. Officials in the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk said Ukrainian shelling killed at least six people. While the hostilities continued, the two sides did manage to agree on a major prisoner swap. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin began calling up reserve troops to supplement his forces in Ukraine. The continuation of Russian missile attacks and beginning of a partial mobilization of Russians into the armed forces suggested the Kremlin was seeking to dispel any notion of weakness or waning determination to achieve its wartime aims in light of recent battlefield losses and other setbacks that undercut the aura of Russian military might. Putins order Wednesday of a partial mobilization of reservists to bolster his forces in Ukraine sparked rare protests in dozens of Russian cities and was derided in the West as an act of weakness and desperation. More than 1,300 Russians were arrested in the anti-war demonstrations, according to the independent Russian human rights group OVD-Info. Putins partial call-up was short on details, raising concerns of a wider draft that sent some Russians scrambling to buy plane tickets to flee the country. One Russian man who arrived in the Armenian capitals airport with his 17-year-old son said he had made plans for such a scenario. 10:50 a.m.: 10:35 a.m.: Ukraine's energy minister German Galushchenko discussed the possibility of sanctions on Russia's nuclear power supplier Rosatom with U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm at talks in the United States, Ukraine's energy ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters. "German Galushchenko emphasized that the Russian state corporation Rosatom takes direct part in the aggression against Ukraine and covers up acts of nuclear terrorism," the ministry wrote on its website. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last month it was "not normal" that Western countries have not yet imposed sanctions on Rosatom. 10:20 a.m.: 10 a.m.: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Western counterparts are preparing to face off with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over alleged Russian atrocities committed in Ukraine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. The officials, as well as Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, are expected to meet at a session of the UN Security Council on the sidelines of the General Assembly in New York on Thursday. Lavrov walked out of a meeting of the Group of 20 foreign ministers in July when Russia came under criticism for its war against Ukraine. It is expected that Lavrov will fill Russia's seat on the council during the Thursday meeting. Ukraine, the United States, and other countries have accused Russia of committing numerous war crimes on Ukrainian soil since its unprovoked invasion in February. In a prerecorded message to the General Assembly on September 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded that a special United Nations tribunal impose "just punishment" on Russia for its invasion. Earlier the same day, U.S. President Joe Biden said Moscow "shamelessly violated the core tenets" of the UN Charter with its "brutal, needless war." Ukraine's chief war crimes prosecutor is reportedly investigating nearly 26,000 suspected war crimes since Russia's invasion in February. 9:45 a.m.: 9:30 a.m.: A ship carrying 30,000 tons of wheat destined for Afghanistan has left the Ukrainian port of Odesa, the Kyiv Independent reported Thursday. In total, Ukraine has exported 4.4 million metric tons of agricultural products since it signed the UN-backed grain deal with Russia in July, it said, quoting the Infrastructure Ministry. 9:15 a.m.: The Kremlin on Thursday said reports of an exodus of draft-age men from Russia after President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a partial mobilization were "exaggerated," Reuters reported. In a call with reporters, Peskov said: "The information about the hype at airports and so on is very much exaggerated ... There is a lot of fake information about this. We need to be very careful about this so as not to become a victim of false information on this matter." Since President Putin declared a partial mobilization of reservists on Wednesday, flights for the coming days from Russia to nearby countries including Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Serbia have sold out entirely. Lengthy tailbacks were reported at Russia's borders with Georgia, Finland, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Prices for air tickets out of Moscow soared above $5,000 for one-way flights to the nearest foreign locations, with most sold out for coming days. Traffic also surged at border crossings with Finland and Georgia. One Russian man arriving at Istanbul Airport said he left partly over the Kremlin's decision. "It can lead to lots of problems for lots of Russians," said Alex, grabbing his suitcase at a baggage carousel. Social media groups popped up with advice on how to get out of Russia while one news site in Russian gave a list of "where to run away right now from Russia." 9:05 a.m.: 8:55 a.m.: At least six civilians including a teenager were killed in a missile strike on the center of the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk on Thursday, Russian-backed authorities said, according to Reuters. Russian-installed separatists blamed Ukrainian forces for the strike on a covered market in the center of the city, capital of the Russian-backed self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), which is about to hold a referendum on joining Russia. "Ukraine's military are firing on the centre of Donetsk," the military headquarters of the DPR said in a post on social media. A Reuters journalist at the scene saw the body of a teenager and four others, along with several wounded citizens. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv. 8:40 a.m.: 8:10 a.m.: A blast hit a crowded market in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Melitopol on Thursday, Ukrainian and Russian-installed officials said, on the eve of referendums that could see four regions effectively annexed by Russia, Reuters reported. Melitopol was one of the first cities to fall into Russian hands after Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February. It is in the Zaporizhzhia region, one of the four where a referendum will be held on joining Russia. Ukrainian and Russian-installed officials traded blame for the explosion. Melitopol's exiled mayor Ivan Fedorov said the attack had been deliberately staged by the occupying Russian forces in order to accuse Ukraine of terrorism. Fedorov said it had killed three soldiers, while the number of civilian casualties was not clear. Reuters could not independently verify the claim. Vladimir Rogov, a member of the Russian-installed local administration, said the attack had been carried out by Ukrainian special services to intimidate civilians ahead of the referendums. 7:50 a.m.: The U.K. government confirmed Thursday that its lifting a ban on fracking in England, arguing that the move will help boost the countrys energy security amid Russias war in Ukraine, The Associated Press reported. Prime Minister Liz Truss announced within days of taking office earlier this month that she would reverse a 2019 ban on hydraulic fracturing, a controversial technique used to extract oil and gas from shale rock. Truss said she will not be going ahead with anything that carries a risk, but stressed that energy security is vital. Britain needs to explore all avenues available to us through solar, wind, oil and gas production - so its right that weve lifted the pause to realize any potential sources of domestic gas, business and energy secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said Thursday. Fracking involves injecting high-pressure water deep underground to extract oil or gas from rock. Environmental groups have long opposed the practice, saying it can pollute groundwater and contributes to climate change. 7:35 a.m.: The European Commission on Thursday tweeted about its REPowerEU plan, which aims to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030, in light of Russias invasion of Ukraine. 7:20 a.m.: President Emmanuel Macron was set to unveil a plan on Thursday to boost renewable energy in France, including offshore wind farms and solar power, as the country is lagging behind most of its European neighbors, The Associated Press reported. The move comes amid a major energy crisis in Europe, aggravated by Russias war in Ukraine, as Macron wants the country to gain more independence in terms of electricity production. Macron went on a boat Thursday to visit Frances first offshore wind farm off the port of Saint-Nazaire in western France. He was scheduled to detail in a speech later Thursday a range of measures meant to facilitate and accelerate renewable energy projects, according to the French presidency. A bill will be presented next week at a Cabinet meeting. Frances energy strategy has long relied on developing nuclear power based on imported uranium which provides about 67% of French electricity, more than any other country. But relieving Frances dependence on global gas and oil producers also involves boosting renewable energy, he said. 7:05 a.m.: Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday that any weapons in Moscow's arsenal, including strategic nuclear weapons, could be used to defend territories incorporated in Russia from Ukraine, Reuters reported. Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said that referendums being organized by Russian-installed and separatist authorities in large swathes of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory will take place, and that "there is no going back." "The Donbas (Donetsk and Luhansk) republics and other territories will be accepted into Russia." Medvedev said the protection of all the territories would be significantly strengthened by the Russian armed forces, adding: "Russia has announced that not only mobilization capabilities, but also any Russian weapons, including strategic nuclear weapons and weapons based on new principles, could be used for such protection." 6:55 a.m.: 6:40 a.m.: The head of the UN nuclear agency says he will not abandon a plan to create a protection zone around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine and hopes to go to Ukraine and Russia soon to push for an agreement, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported Thursday. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told reporters at the United Nations in New York on September 21 that the situation at the plant "is still getting worse and we can't wait for something regrettable to happen." Grossi said he was now entering "real negotiations" with both countries and wanted an agreement on a protection zone as soon as possible. "Even in the worst of conditions diplomacy should never stop. We can't throw our hands up and say look at what's being said, go away and hope that something will happen to solve this situation," Grossi said. "It's our responsibility to do it by proposing pragmatic, realistic, and physical proposals on the table." 6:20 a.m.: U.N. agencies working in Ukraine have provided over 13 million people with humanitarian assistance, and are now beginning to reach thousands more in newly accessible areas that were previously occupied by Russian forces. 6:05 a.m.: The Associated Press reported Thursday that after two years of discourse dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, this years U.N. General Assembly has a new occupant of center stage: the war in Ukraine. The pleas made by leaders from around the world for peace were both an altruistic amplification of besieged Ukrainians plight as well as born from self-interest. As several speeches made clear, the repercussions of the Russian invasion have been felt even thousands of miles away. On the first day alone, Ukraine drew more than 150 mentions across speeches from leaders, including the U.N. secretary-general. Antonio Guterres opened the General Assembly by touting Ukraine and Russias deal with the help of Turkey over grain shipments as an example of successful multilateral diplomacy. The war was threaded throughout his speech, as he turned to its gloomier yields. The fighting has claimed thousands of lives. Millions have been displaced. Billions across the world are affected, he said. The theme of territorial sovereignty resonated in other speeches, as countries who have faced infringements invoked their own traumas or cited the fate of Ukraine as a fear. 5:50 a.m.: Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has demanded that a special United Nations tribunal impose "just punishment" on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in a video address to the UN General Assembly just hours after U.S. President Joe Biden said Moscow "shamelessly violated the core tenets" of the UN Charter with its "brutal, needless war," Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. In his prerecorded address to world leaders on September 21, the Ukrainian president demanded Russia be punished "for trying to steal our territory" and "for the murders of thousands of people." He said there also should be financial penalties and Moscow should be stripped of its veto power in the Security Council. "A crime has been committed against Ukraine, and we demand just punishment," said Zelenskyy, who is the only world leader permitted to address the General Assembly in a video message. "A special tribunal should be created to punish Russia for the crime of aggression against our state.... Russia should pay for this war with its assets," he said. Zelenskyy, wearing his signature olive-green military T-shirt, said a special tribunal would hold Russia accountable and provide a "signal to all would-be aggressors." The General Assembly responded with a rare standing ovation. 5:40 a.m.: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed as "superheroes" the senior Ukrainian commanders, including those who led the dogged defense of Mariupol, who were freed by Russia as part of an unexpected prisoner swap involving almost 300 people, including foreigners, Reuters reported Thursday. Under the terms of the deal, which Turkey helped to broker, 215 Ukrainians - most of whom were captured after the fall of the port city - were released on Wednesday. In exchange, Ukraine sent back 55 Russians and pro-Moscow Ukrainians. "Five superheroes have been exchanged for 55 of those who deserve neither compassion nor pity," Zelenskyy said in a night-time address that welcomed the broader release as "a victory for the country." There was no immediate comment from Moscow about the deal. Ukrainians cheered the swap. "We live for the soldiers. They are our pride, our glory, our joy our boys. I only hope everyone can be freed. And that our mother-Ukraine is freed too," 55-year-old Kyiv resident Tamara Herasymenko said. 5:35 a.m.: 5:27 a.m.: The latest intelligence update from the U.K. defense ministry said that Russia's plan to mobilize additional troops is problematic. Russia is likely to struggle with the logistical and administrative challenges of even mustering the 300,000 personnel, the update said, and the move is effectively an admission that Russia has exhausted its supply of willing volunteers to fight in Ukraine. 4:28 a.m.: North Korea on Thursday denied sending weapons to Russia, accusing the United States of spreading rumors about such a sale to tarnish Pyongyangs image. U.S. officials earlier this month said Russia was in the process of purchasing millions of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea for use on the battlefield in Ukraine. In a statement posted in the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a North Korean defense ministry official rejected the U.S. accusation. 3:31 a.m.: The latest Ukraine assessment from the Institute for the Study of War, a U.S. think tank, said Ukrainian forces conducted strikes north and east of Kherson City as part of an operational-level interdiction campaign against Russian logistics, military, and transportation assets in Kherson Oblast. Ukrainian forces also likely continued offensive operations around Lyman. 2:27 a.m.: In Moscow's first update on casualty numbers in almost six months, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said 5,937 Russian soldiers had been killed since the start of the conflict. Shoigu dismissed assertions by Kyiv and the West that Russia has suffered heavy losses in its seven-month campaign and said 90% of wounded Russian soldiers had returned to the front line. It was the first time Russia had given an official death toll since March 25, when it said 1,351 servicemen had died. The U.S. Pentagon said in August that it believed between 70,000 and 80,000 Russian personnel had been killed or wounded, and in July estimated Russia's death toll at around 15,000. 1:25 a.m.: Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been killed in the worst fighting in Europe in decades, Agence France-Presse reported. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said it has recorded 5,916 deaths, including 379 children, with 8,616 injured by Sept. 18. But the real toll is believed to be several times that. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in April he believed that "tens of thousands" of people had been killed in the destroyed port city of Mariupol alone. 12:02 a.m.: The war in Ukraine has sparked the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II, Agence France-Presse reported. The U.N. High Commission for Refugees said 7.4 million Ukrainians had fled abroad by Sept. 20, with Russia itself taking 2.6 million, followed by Poland (1.4 million) and Germany (1 million). The figure does not take account of the number of Ukrainians who have returned to areas that have been liberated from Russian control. The UNHCR said 5.9 million people had crossed land borders into Ukraine since February, without estimating how many were returnees. Some information in this report came from Agence France-Presse. North Korea on Thursday denied sending weapons to Russia, accusing the United States of spreading rumors about such a sale to tarnish Pyongyangs image. U.S. officials earlier this month said Russia was in the process of purchasing millions of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea for use on the battlefield in Ukraine. In a statement posted in the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a North Korean defense ministry official rejected the U.S. accusation. We have never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia before and we will not plan to export them, said the vice director general of the North Korean defense ministry's General Bureau of Equipment, according to KCNA. We warn the U.S. to stop making reckless remarks pulling up the DPRK and to keep its mouth shut, he added, using an abbreviation for North Koreas official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. Earlier this month, a senior Russian diplomat also rejected the allegation as fake. U.S. officials did not provide any evidence of the arms sale and did not confirm whether the transaction was ever completed. However, many Western analysts said such a transaction would make sense. Not only does Russia likely need to replenish its reserve weapons stockpiles following six months of fighting, Moscow is also searching for more international support for its invasion of Ukraine. According to U.S. officials, Russias alleged weapons purchase indicates Moscow suffers from severe supply shortages because of international sanctions put in place following Russias invasion. Russia is also struggling to hold territory, after Western-backed Ukrainian forces launched a counter-offensive earlier this month. Over the past several months, Russia has touted closer ties with North Korea. Earlier this month, Russian state media reported that Moscow-backed separatists in Ukraine are in negotiations to bring North Korean builders to the Donetsk Peoples Republic. Such a deal would violate United Nations Security Council resolutions related to hiring North Korean workers overseas. U.N. sanctions also prohibit the export of North Korean weapons. The sanctions were passed in response to North Koreas development of a nuclear weapons program. If Russia were to move ahead with either the weapons or labor deal, it would likely reflect a major shift in Moscows approach to North Korea sanctions, signaling an effective end to the U.N. sanctions regime against Pyongyang, analysts have warned. In its statement Thursday, North Koreas defense ministry reiterated that Pyongyang does not acknowledge the U.N. resolutions. Every country, it said, has the right to develop and export its own weapons. Two private banks in Turkey suspended their use of Russian payment system Mir earlier this week following warning signals from the United States. The system, a rival to the Belgium-based SWIFT network, is not directly targeted by sanctions. But U.S. officials say there is a worry that Russia is expanding its use of Mir to try to evade sanctions. Experts say banks that allow the expanded use of Mir could trigger secondary sanctions. Reuters news agency reports the issue is expected to be discussed Friday at a meeting of top officials including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey's largest private lender, Is Bankasi, said on Monday that it halted the use of the Russian payment system while it assessed the new guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Denizbank, another private lender in Turkey, said on the same day that it was no longer able to provide service for the Russian payment system Mir. Denizbank, currently owned by Emirates NBD, was controlled by Russian Sberbank until 2019. 'Heightened risk' The decision by two banks announced within hours of each other follows additional sanctions and further guidance by the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, known as OFAC. Responsible for enforcing economic sanctions designated by the U.S., OFAC said in a statement earlier this month that Russia is trying to find new ways to process payments in response to crippling western financial sanctions. "Directly and indirectly, Russia's financial technocrats have supported the Kremlin's unprovoked war. Today's designations target those efforts," the statement said. Although the two Russian financial systems themselves are not currently blocked entities under the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations, Treasury has warned banks that expanded agreements with them risk supporting Russia's efforts to evade U.S. sanctions. Sanctions evasion concern The Mir payment system was developed by Russia in 2014 as an alternative to the rival SWIFT payments messaging service that supports payments in more than 200 countries. Mir further expanded after two credit card giants, Mastercard and Visa, blocked services to Russian financial institutions in compliance with Western sanctions. When asked about their reaction to the Turkish bank's suspension, a senior administration official said in a statement to VOA that the steps these Turkish banks took "make a lot of sense." "Cutting off Mir is one of the best ways to protect a bank from the sanctions risk that comes from doing business with Russia," the senior official said Tuesday. U.S. officials say they expect more banks to cut off Mir, "because they don't want to risk being on the wrong side of the coalition's sanctions." Experts speaking to VOA say the OFAC guidance aims to prevent the systems from being used to evade U.S. sanctions. They say the recent move by Turkey's two banks to suspend Mir reflects their effort to avoid any possible sanctions risk as the West ramps up economic measures against Russia. State Department's former coordinator for sanctions policy, Daniel Fried, who crafted U.S. sanctions against Russia following its aggression in Ukraine in 2014, told VOA that the two Turkish banks were "acting rationally in an abundance of caution." Fried, who is also the former U.S. Ambassador to Poland and currently a senior fellow with the Washington-based Atlantic Council, said the OFAC guidance indicates "there is a degree of risk" for dealing with Mir. Timothy Ash, an emerging market analyst with London-based Bluebay Asset Management, thinks that the two banks have realized that the business might not be worth the risk of getting caught in possible secondary sanctions. Three other lenders in Turkey Halkbank, Vakf Bank and Ziraat Bank, which are all state owned are also using Mir. Halkbank is already tied up in a case where U.S. prosecutors accuse the bank of evading sanctions against Iran. The case has been one of the issues straining U.S.-Turkish relations. "The state-owned banks will take the lead from the government," Ash said in the comments he sent to VOA on Wednesday. "Maybe the Turkish government will just limit Mir transactions through that institution to limit broader risks and damage to the Turkish banking system." Steve Hanke, professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University, who served on former President Ronald Reagan's Council of Economic Advisors, said it's hard to predict whether the three Turkish state banks will also drop the system. He told VOA that cutting off Mir completely might indirectly impede Russian visitors at a time when Turkey needs the revenue. System popular with Russian visitors Russian President Vladimir Putin's order to call-up 300,000 reservists on Wednesday has sparked an exodus of thousands from the country. According to Russia's popular flight booking platform, Aviasales, direct flights from Moscow to Turkey's Istanbul and Armenian capital Yerevan were sold out on Wednesday. Russian payment system Mir is frequently used by Russian tourists in Turkey. The Moscow Times reported earlier this week that the Russian association of tour operators, ATOR, recommended Russians travel to Turkey with cash in hand due to "shrinking card payment options." Pressure expected to grow According to a Financial Times report last week, Brussels is also preparing to express its concerns about Russian-sanctions evasion risks for Turkish officials. EU's financial services commissioner, Mairead McGuinnes, is expected to visit Turkey next month. Former U.S. sanctions coordinator Fried predicts the United States is going to devote a lot of sources to "drying up the channels of Russians." "I think the pressure from the U.S. to go after sanctions evaders will grow. The countries in Central Asia and South Caucuses will start to pay more attention to what their banks are doing to avoid falling afoul of sanctions," he told VOA. This story originated in VOA's Turkish Service. Ukraine's president demanded Wednesday that Russia be punished for its illegal war against his people, telling world leaders that Moscow will be forced to end the war it started. "A crime has been committed against Ukraine, and we demand just punishment," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a prerecorded video address. Member states had voted to allow him to send his speech to the U.N. General Assembly because he could not travel there in person. He said Moscow must pay for its February 24 invasion and the subsequent bombings and reported atrocities it has carried out against his people, of whom thousands have been killed and millions displaced. "A special tribunal should be created to punish Russia for the crime of aggression against our state," he said. Zelenskyy spoke passionately in English throughout his nearly half-hour-long remarks. His wife, first lady Olena Zelenska, was at Ukraine's table in the General Assembly Hall, accompanied by the country's prime minister, foreign minister and U.N. ambassador. Russia sent a deputy ambassador and another junior diplomat to observe the proceedings. Preconditions for peace Zelenskyy laid out what he said were his five preconditions for peace. "Punishment for aggression, protection of life, restoration of security and territorial integrity, security guarantees, and determination to defend oneself," he said. "This is the formula of crime and punishment." That includes monetary reparations from Moscow, he said, "one of the most terrible punishments for Russian officials who value money above everything else." He said that Ukraine wants peace, and only one country Russia does not. "We are ready for peace, but true, honest and fair peace," he said. Russia, he said, is afraid of "real negotiations" and suggests them only to slow its retreat from Ukraine. "They talk about the talks but announce military mobilization," he noted. President Vladimir Putin of Russia said earlier Wednesday he was calling up 300,000 more soldiers to fight in the war. He also announced referenda in four occupied areas of Ukraine in the coming days. Countries can no longer stay on the sidelines, Zelenskyy said. "Those who speak of neutrality, when human values and peace are under attack, mean something else. They talk about indifference everyone for themselves," he said. He said his country had exercised its right to self-defense under the U.N. Charter and called on nations to support its fight. "For us, this is a war for life," he declared. "That is why we need defense support weapons, military equipment and shells; offensive weapons, a long-range one is enough to liberate our land; and defensive systems, above all, air defense." He promised that with adequate arms, his people could return the Ukrainian flag to all its territories. "But we need time," he said. He ended his address with what has become Ukraine's familiar rallying cry: "Slava Ukraini" "Glory to Ukraine" and was met with nearly a minute of applause from the crowded assembly hall, some delegates rising to their feet. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will deliver his address in person on Saturday. He is also likely to have strong words for Kyiv at a ministerial-level U.N. Security Council meeting on Thursday. The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court will brief members at that meeting. Numerous Russians have rushed to reserve one-way tickets out of the country after President Vladimir Putin decreed a partial mobilization of military reservists for the war in Ukraine. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a televised interview that 300,000 reservists with relevant combat and service experience would initially be mobilized. Ticket prices skyrocketed amid apparent fears that Russia's borders could soon close or that Putin might announce a general mobilization. Large numbers of Russians have already left the country since Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine almost seven months ago. Air Serbia, the only European carrier besides Turkish Airlines to maintain flights to Russia despite a European Union flight embargo, saw tickets for the Moscow-Belgrade flight quickly sell out for the next several days, while the price for flights from Moscow to Istanbul or Dubai reached as much as $9,119 for a one-way, economy-class fare. A Belgrade-based group called Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Serbs Together Against War tweeted that there were no available flights to Belgrade from Russia until mid-October. It said flights to Turkey, Georgia, and Armenia also sold out. Russians can enter Serbia without a visa. Belgrade has not joined Western sanctions against Russia for its aggression in Ukraine. Allies such as Belarus and China also have not imposed sanctions on Russia. Some social media postings alleged people already had been turned back from Russia's land border with Georgia and that the website of the state Russian railway company had collapsed because too many people were checking for ways out of the country. Some information in this report came from Agence France-Presse, The Associated Press and Reuters. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. South Africa's largest retailers are reducing their reliance on China for goods, favoring locally sourced clothing products instead. It's part of a wider trend to reinvigorate local textile manufacturing but retailers wonder if the domestic industry can meet new demands. Linda Givetash reports from Johannesburg. Here's a look at what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top diplomats have been doing this week. USRussia The United States slapped Russian President Vladimir Putin's move to hold referendums on four occupied Ukrainian regions to join Russia, which has been widely seen as a prelude to annexation of those territories. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined diplomats from other countries to call out Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations. Blinken wrote in a tweet: "Any Russian sham 'referenda' in Ukraine would be illegitimate and an affront to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that are the foundation of the @UN Charter just as world leaders are gathering at #UNGA." The top U.S. diplomat said Russia's aggression is worrying "countries and people across the entire planet." "I think it increases the pressure on Russia to end the aggression," Blinken said, after being asked to comment on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Uzbekistan, during which Modi had told Putin now "is not an era for war." USUkraine The United States said reports of a mass grave containing more than 440 bodies in the eastern Ukrainian city of Izium are horrifying. The bodies were discovered after the city was recaptured from Russian forces. "This is part, horrifically, of the continuing and ongoing story," Blinken said Friday. While the U.S. believes Russia is committing war crimes in Ukraine, Blinken explained why Washington had decided not to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. "There are problems in using this particular vehicle, state sponsorship of terrorism designation, that may have unintended consequences that are not only not helpful, they may even be harmful," Blinken said during a press conference Friday. The State Department is working with Congress to find an alternative means to hold Russia accountable for its atrocities in Ukraine. Ukraine Says 'Torture Centers' Found in Recaptured Territory; UN Wants to Investigate Mass Graves US-Food Security Global food prices have dramatically increased because of supply chain disruptions and rising energy and fertilizer costs caused by the pandemic and exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In response to this growing global crisis, the United States, the European Union, the African Union and Spain co-chaired the Global Food Security Summit on Tuesday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. Additional co-hosts included Germany, Colombia, Nigeria, the European Commission and Indonesia. This week, the U.S. announced more than $2.9 billion would be used to address global food insecurity, in addition to the $6.9 billion already committed by the Biden administration this year. US-Armenia-Azerbaijan The United States is encouraged that fighting has stopped along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and that no additional military actions have occurred this week. Blinken met with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on the margins of U.N. General Assembly on Monday. "There is no military solution to the differences between Armenia and Azerbaijan," and the U.S. is prepared to support diplomatic efforts for a "durable peace," Blinken said. US-China-Taiwan The United States seeks peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and continues to "oppose unilateral changes in the status quo by either side," U.S. President Joe Biden told the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday. The remarks are the first time a sitting U.S. president has explicitly laid out U.S. policy toward China and Taiwan in an UNGA speech since 1971, the year that the U.N. granted the seat occupied by the Republic of China (Taiwans formal name) in the General Assembly and the Security Council to the Peoples Republic of China. Stability in the Taiwan Strait is in the spotlight ahead of the first U.S.-Pacific Island Country Summit, scheduled for September 28-29. The U.S. has been increasing its military activities in Palau in recent months amid rising tensions with China. Palau urged countries to find alternative Pacific shipping routes in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan that would make the Taiwan Strait an unsafe international shipping lane. Blinken is also meeting with his counterparts from a group called "Partners in the Blue Pacific" on Thursday amid geopolitical competition with China in the Indo-Pacific region. US Opposes Unilateral Changes in Taiwan Strait Status Quo, Biden Says Stability in Taiwan Strait in Spotlight Ahead of US-Pacific Summit In August 2022, Chinese NEV startup Li Auto recorded monthly registrations of 4,713 units, including 4,339 Li ONEs and 374 Li L9s, according to the data compiled by Gasgoo Auto Research Institute ("GARI"). Li Auto saw its Aug. registrations plummet 49.9% compared to the same span of last year, while also tumbling 57.41% from the previous month. Due to the sliding performance, Li Auto only ranked 20th among all auto brands by Aug. registrations of new energy vehicle (NEV) registrations on the Chinese mainland. For the first eight months of 2022, Li Auto recorded a cumulative registration volume of 76,633 vehicles (+57.07% YoY), including 75,511 Li ONEs and 1,122 L9s. In August, Hangzhou was honored the No.1 city by monthly registrations of the Li ONE and was also the only city with registrations exceeding 300 units. There were six provincial capitals among the top 10 cities by Aug. Li ONE registrations, namely, Hangzhou (1st), Zhengzhou (4th), Xi'an (5th), Chengdu (6th), Wuhan (9th), and Harbin (10th). However, neither Beijing nor Guangzhou entered the top 10 rankings. Shenzhen registered the most Li L9s in August, outselling the runner-up city, Chengdu, by 42 units. Suspected jihadis have shot dead 11 farmers, nine from Niger and two Nigerians, in southeastern Niger, a local official said on Wednesday. "Eleven farmers have been executed by shooting [Tuesday] morning by elements of Boko Haram, seven kilometers from Toummour," Issa Bonga, Toummour's mayor, told AFP. The town is in the Diffa region close to the Lake Chad basin, a strategic area where the borders of four countries converge: Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria. Boko Haram and its rival, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), have established bases on the many small islands in the vast, swampy Lake Chad basin. The 11 victims had set off to cut wood in the bush, the mayor said. The nine from Niger, who came from Bosso, a neighboring town to Toummour, were scheduled to be buried early Wednesday, the mayor added. "Thirteen woodcutters [who] left to look for wood have been intercepted by elements of ISWAP. Eleven have been executed," a local group called Jeunesse Diffa (Diffa Youth), which has closely reported on the security problems in southeast Niger, said on Facebook. "In addition, the terrorists sent a message through the channel of one of the released woodcutters to warn residents to no longer frequent" the area where they operate, the group's posting said. Jihadis killed several fishermen from Niger and Nigeria at the start of the month for having disobeyed an order to leave the Lake Chad area. At the end of August, they had ordered locals to leave the islands and killed some people who did not comply, according to a local official. Niger, the world's poorest country by the benchmark of the U.N.'s Human Development Index, has been hit hard by the jihadi insurgency that began in northern Mali in 2012. Niger is also facing an insurgency on its southeastern frontier with Nigeria, a campaign launched by Boko Haram. Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad revived the Multinational Joint Task Force in 2015 to fight the extremists. Uganda has confirmed seven cases of Ebola including that of a 24-year-old man who died earlier this week, and an additional seven deaths are being investigated as suspected Ebola cases, a health ministry official said on Thursday. The man who died had developed a high fever, diarrhea and abdominal pains, and was vomiting blood. After initially being treated for malaria, he was diagnosed as having contracted the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus. "As of today, we have seven confirmed cases, of whom we have one confirmed death," Dr Kyobe Henry Bbosa, Ebola Incident Commander at the Ugandan Ministry of Health, told a briefing. "But also we have seven probable cases that died before the confirmation of the outbreak." Uganda last reported an outbreak of Ebola Sudan strain in 2012. In 2019, the country experienced an outbreak of Ebola Zaire. The virus was imported from neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo which was battling a large epidemic in its north-eastern region. In August, a new case of Ebola virus was confirmed in the city of Beni in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. An Ebola vaccination campaign was launched last month in the Congolese city of Beni last month. Russias war in Ukraine took on new urgency Wednesday at the gathering of the U.N. General Assembly, following a major escalation from President Vladimir Putin. If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will without doubt use all available means to protect Russia and our people this is not a bluff, Putin said in a televised address to the nation early Wednesday. In New York, President Joe Biden said such overt nuclear threats show a reckless disregard for Moscows responsibilities under nonproliferation rules. Biden also criticized Putins plans to mobilize 300,000 military reservists and to hold referenda in four Ukrainian regions where his troops hold some territory. This world should see these outrageous acts for what they are, Biden told a packed assembly hall. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called an urgent meeting of the blocs foreign ministers Wednesday night in New York, following what he said is a major escalation by Putin. By the threat of using nuclear weapons, he is trying to intimidate Ukraine and all countries that support Ukraine, Borrell told reporters on the sidelines of the General Assembly. But he will fail, he has failed, and he will fail again. He said the international community cannot accept such a threat and that leaders gathered at the U.N. this week must react. Borrell told reporters after the foreign ministers meeting that there was unanimous support for continuing the blocs military support for Ukraine and that he is sure there will be agreement on a new package of sanctions targeting Russian individuals and sectors of the countrys economy. New sanctions? Borrell said he had no plans to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who has arrived in New York. Lavrov will attend a ministerial meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday, where he is likely to clash with his Western counterparts. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was allowed to address the assembly in a prerecorded video. He told the international community that a crime has been committed against his nation and Russia must be punished for it. He laid out five preconditions for peace, which include financial reparations from Moscow. "Punishment for aggression, protection of life, restoration of security and territorial integrity, security guarantees and determination to defend oneself, he said in English. This is the formula of crime and punishment. His wife, first lady Olena Zelenska, was at Ukraines table in the General Assembly. We are ready for peace, but true, honest and fair peace, he emphasized. Zelenskyys speech was met with lengthy applause, with some delegates rising to their feet. Nuclear safety Meanwhile, international concerns continue around nuclear safety in Ukraine. There was fresh shelling around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on Wednesday and a few days earlier around another nuclear station, the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant. International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi said he has met separately in New York with both the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia to discuss the parameters for a safety and security protection zone around the Zaporizhzhia plant. There is, I would say above differences that do exist, there is a conviction that the establishment of this zone is indispensable, Grossi told reporters. Lets be clear: This nuclear power plant is being shelled, so you need to protect it in some way. We have the means, the technical knowledge as the IAEA, to know what needs to be done and how to do it. He said he is working with Ukraine and Russia on the very concrete aspects of what is required to establish the zone, and each side will focus on what is feasible for them. The nuclear watchdog chief said he hopes to travel to both countries soon to continue discussions. Given the urgency of the situation, and the gravity of whats going on in the field, we have to move fast, he said. Prisoner exchange U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the exchange of more than 250 prisoners of war between Ukraine and Russia on Wednesday. This is no small feat, but much more remains to be done to ease the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine, his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said. He added that Guterres will continue to support any additional efforts that may be undertaken, including further exchanges under an 'all for all formula' approach. U.N. investigators are accusing the Ethiopian government of committing serious violations in the Tigray region which could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia submitted its first report Thursday to the U.N. Human Rights Council. The three-member Commission says widespread, horrific acts of violence have been committed since fighting in Ethiopia's northern Tigray province broke out in November 2020. It finds neither the government nor the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front has clean hands. However, it notes the government is responsible for most of the atrocities documented in the report, adding that some of these crimes are ongoing. The investigators blame the government for the dire humanitarian situation in Tigray. The Commission chair, Kaari Betty Murungi, said the federal government and its allies have looted and destroyed goods indispensable for the survival of the civilian population. She added these and other tactics have left 90 percent of the population in desperate need of assistance. "We have reasonable grounds to believe that the widespread denial and obstruction of access to basic services, food, health care, and humanitarian assistance amounts to the crime against humanity of persecution and inhumane acts," Murungi said. "We also have reasonable grounds to believe that the federal government is committing the war crime of using starvation as a method of warfare." Murungi noted the Commission also has received information indicating that Tigrayan forces have looted or otherwise misappropriated humanitarian aid. She said there are reasonable grounds to believe the Ethiopian Air Force has committed war crimes, including intentional attacks against civilians and the use of armed drones against civilian targets, causing many civilian deaths and injuries. "The Commission also found that rape and crimes of sexual violence have been perpetrated on a staggering scale since the conflict began, with Ethiopian and Eritrean forces and regional militias targeting Tigrayan women and girls with particular violence and brutality," Murungi said. "At times their attackers used dehumanizing language that suggested an intent to destroy Tigrayan ethnicity." The Commission said the Tigrayan forces also have committed serious human rights abuses, some of which amount to war crimes. It accused the forces of large-scale killings of Amhara civilians, rape and sexual violence, and widespread looting and destruction of property. The Ethiopian Ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Zenebe Kebede, said the allegations in the report were unsubstantiated, selective, discriminatory, and politically motivated. He said Ethiopia is committed to peacefully resolving the conflict in Tigray under the auspices of the African Union. He called on members of the Human Rights Council to reject the report and not to extend the mandate of the Commission. A human rights expert blasted the international community in a report released Thursday for failing to protect and uphold the rights of the people of Myanmar in the face of mass atrocities allegedly committed by the countrys military rulers. In his report, U.N. Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews presented a scorching picture of the military juntas relentless cruelty towards Myanmars people. He said conditions have gone from bad to worse since the military launched a disastrous coup last year. He said millions of people are subject to an endless spiral of abuse and violations of their human rights. Andrews cited a list of horrific violations, including the destruction of more than 28,000 homes and the burning of entire villages. He said more than 12,000 people, including hundreds of children, are arbitrarily detained in deplorable conditions, and the country has been plunged into a state of economic distress. The Myanmar military is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity on a daily basis, including sexual violence, torture, the deliberate targeting of civilians, and murder, he said. Myanmars military government has not responded to the report. Andrews noted the people of Myanmar are deeply disappointed by the response of the international community to this humanitarian crisis, which, he says, has become a humanitarian catastrophe. They are frustrated, and they are angered by U.N. Member States that are actually working to prop up this illegal and brutal military junta with funding, with trade, with weapons, and with the veneer of legitimacy, said Andrews. But they are also disappointed by those nations that voice support for them, but then fail to back up their words with action. The report said conflict is spreading throughout the country as more and more civilians take up arms against the junta. Andrews warned escalating conflict between the military and armed ethnic groups could lead to another mass exodus of refugees like that which occurred five years ago. Persecution and massive violence against the Rohingya Muslims sent more than 700,000 fleeing for safety to Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh in August 2017. The Special Rapporteur said the discrimination, repression, and human rights that triggered that exodus persist to this day. Andrews said many people in Myanmar believe the world has forgotten them, or simply does not care. He appealed to the UN human rights council to prove them wrong. He urged U.N. member states to stand with these courageous people who are fighting for their lives, their children, and their future. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Thursday the United States has allocated more than $170 million in additional humanitarian assistance for ethnic Rohingyas living both inside and outside of Myanmar. In a statement, Blinken said the latest assistance package includes more than $93 million administered through the State Department and more than $77 million through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He said that $138 million is for programs specifically for host communities in Bangladesh. The secretary of state said the latest allocation brings the total humanitarian aid to the Rohingya refugee crisis to nearly $1.9 billion since August 2017. "It provides life-sustaining support to the over 940,000 Rohingya refugees, many of whom are survivors of a campaign of genocide and crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing," Blinken said. Earlier this year, the U.S. government declared Myanmar's campaign against the Rohingya to be genocide. In Thursday's release, the top U.S. diplomat said the last package of aid will provide more than 940,000 Rohingya refugees and 540,000 host community members in Bangladesh food, safe drinking water, health care, protection, education, shelter and psychosocial support. Blinken urged other donors to contribute robustly to the humanitarian response and increase support to those driven from Myanmar and affected by violence there. He said the United States applauds the generosity of the people and government of Bangladesh as well as other Rohingya hosting nations. Recognizing that conditions in Myanmar do not currently allow for the safe, sustainable return and reintegration of displaced Rohingya, the secretary said the U.S. is working with Bangladesh, the Rohingya and those within Myanmar to resolve the crisis. Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been gripped by violence since Feb. 1, 2021, when the military overthrew an elected government in a coup. The latest U.S. assistance comes as violence continues in the Southeast Asian country. "We're deeply frustrated by the regime's escalating violence against the people of Burma," State Department counselor Derek Chollet told VOA on Thursday, citing this week's incidence in which Myanmar army helicopters fired at a school and killed 13 people, including children. He said the United States has a "rigorous process" to ensure the aid does not get into the wrong hands. This week, Chollet met with Myanmar's pro-democracy representatives from National Unity Government and Ethnic Armed Organizations on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. "We're considering a number of avenues to ramp up support for the pro-democracy movement," Chollet said, adding the U.S. does not support the "sham elections" that Myanmar junta plans to conduct next year. The U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions against seven Iranian security and morality police officials on Thursday, accusing them of violating the rights of women, civil society activists and peaceful protesters. The new sanctions target the head of Iran's notorious morality police, Mohammad Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi, and the force's director for Tehran, Haj Ahmad Mirzaei. Mirzaei has reportedly been suspended from his post following protests to the death of a young Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, under his watch. Amini, 22, was pronounced dead at a hospital on September 16 after spending three nights at a morality detention center in Tehran where she was allegedly tortured for not properly wearing a headscarf. The U.S. sanctions also target Esmail Khatib, Iran's Minister of Intelligence, Salar Abnoush, deputy commander of the Basij forces, Qasem Rezaei, deputy commander of Law Enforcement Forces (LEF), Manouchehr Amanollahi, an LEF provincial commander, and Kiyumars Heidari, the commander of the Iranian army's ground forces. "These officials oversee organizations that routinely employ violence to suppress peaceful protesters and members of Iranian civil society, political dissidents, women's rights activists, and members of the Iranian Baha'i community," the Treasury said in a statement on Thursday. Under the sanctions, all properties and assets of these Iranian officials in the United States will be blocked and any financial dealings with them, in the U.S. and abroad, are prohibited. "The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior," the Treasury statement added. Dozens of other Iranian officials, entities and other individuals are already under U.S. sanctions for various reasons such as alleged support for terrorism, nuclear weapons, and human rights violations. Widespread protests Amini's death has sparked widespread protests throughout Iran and in several cities around the world. Multiple protesters have reportedly died in Iran over the last few days and dozens of women's rights activists have been arrested. Chanting slogans "down to dictatorship" and "freedom for women" some protesters are seen removing their headscarf as an act of defiance to the obligatory veiling laws in Iran. Iranian officials have called the protesters "insurrectionists" and supported by "the enemies of Iran," a tacit reference to the U.S. and Israel which have major differences with Iranian government on security and nuclear issues. "The Iranian government needs to end its systemic persecution of women and allow peaceful protest," U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement Thursday. "The United States will continue to voice our support for human rights in Iran and hold those who violate them to account." Iran has seen similar protests in the past. In 2019, thousands of Iranians went on strike across the country protesting their economic hardships and demanding greater social and political liberties. When Tracie Revis climbs the Great Temple Mound, rising nine stories above the Ocmulgee River in the center of present-day Georgia, she walks in the steps of her Muscogean ancestors who were forcibly removed to Oklahoma 200 years ago. "This is lush, gorgeous land. The rivers are gorgeous here," Revis said recently as she gazed over the forest canopy to a distant green horizon, broken only by Macon's skyline, just across the water. "We believe that those ancestors are still here, their songs are still here, their words are still here, their tears are still here. And so we speak to them. You know, we still honor those that have passed on." If approved by Congress after a three-year federal review wraps up this fall, the mounds in Macon would serve as the gateway to a new Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve, protecting 54 river-miles of floodplain where nearly 900 more sites of cultural or historic significance have been identified. Efforts to expand an existing historical park at the mounds site are in keeping with Interior Secretary Deb Haaland's "Tribal Homelands Initiative," which supports fundraising to buy land and requires federal managers to seek out indigenous knowledge about resources. "This kind of land acquisition represents the best of what our conservation efforts should look like: collaborative, inclusive, locally led, and in support of the priorities of our country's tribal nations," Haaland said at last weekend's 30th Annual Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration. In an era when some culture warriors see government as the enemy, years of coalition-building have eliminated any significant opposition to federal management in the reliably Republican center of a long-red state. Hunting will still be allowed, even encouraged to keep feral hogs from destroying the ecosystem. Georgia's congressional delegation is on board, and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation has been welcomed as an essential partner. "Our voice, our say has been all over this whole process for a while now," said Revis, a Muscogee and Yuchi lawyer. She moved to Georgia this year to join Seth Clark, mayor pro-tem of Macon, in advocating to give the National Park Service primary authority over the heart of her people's ancestral land, which once stretched across Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama. Unifying a patchwork of state and federally managed lands could help draw a million more visitors each year, spending a collective $187 million while hiking, canoeing, hunting, fishing and learning about Native American history, and generating $30 million in taxes while sustaining 3,000 more jobs, an economic impact study found. "It's a game changer for this region," Clark said. "Reimagining our economic vitality through a sense of ecotourism is something that I just think is huge for this community." Gliding over the surface of the Ocmulgee, kayakers can see nothing but woodlands and wildlife, interrupted very occasionally by a bridge. Few know that 14 more ceremonial mounds, unexplored and vulnerable, rise from the swamps nearby. Plans call for leaving the wilderness as untouched as possible while also building trails and access ramps. No land would be taken through eminent domain. Instead, park service oversight would facilitate raising money to expand the boundaries and increase public hunting areas by purchasing private wetlands from willing sellers. The tribal government in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, also bought 130 acres (52.6 hectares) of bottomland to be surrounded by the park. Principal Chief David Hill said there are no plans to develop it they want it preserved so that their 97,000 citizens always have a place of their own in the cradle of their culture. "Our history is here. Our ancestors are here. Our stories started here. And we are committed to ensuring that this cherished site is protected," Hill said. Muscogean people say that history is fraught with trauma, but also pride at how they're thriving now after surviving the Road to Misery, their phrase for the Trail of Tears. The forced march ordered by Congress removed 80,000 Native Americans from the eastern United States. Many died of illness, starvation or abuse as the federal government broke its promises to care for them in exchange for their lands. White settlers had made their lives unbearable through relentless campaigns of "expulsion or extermination" in the 1820s and 1830s. And as soon as the Muscogee, Seminole, Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw and other natives were gone from the Deep South, they were replaced by hundreds of thousands of slaves, sold down rivers by their northern owners to clear the land for cotton. Settlers kept the place names, not knowing what they meant in Native languages. Desecrations swiftly followed at the Ocmulgee Mounds, the spiritual, legislative and economic heart of the Creek Confederacy. Old growth trees were cleared for a slave labor camp. A massive funeral mound was blasted open for a railroad to ship cotton. Civil War battlements later carved up its fields. About 700 acres (283 hectares) surrounding seven mounds were declared a national monument in 1936. But that did not stop archeologists from removing 2.5 million artifacts reflecting 17,000 years of continuous human habitation. Most remain unexamined in Smithsonian, park service and university archives. For decades, the park was promoted with postcards featuring an exposed skeleton. It turned out to be the skull of one person and the bones of another, said Raelynn Butler, the tribal nation's manager of historic and cultural preservation. "They didn't treat us like people," she said. The facts about genocide and survival began to resurface in the 1970s when Revis' aunt Addie and other tribal elders traveled back to Georgia to lead cultural discussions. "That was really where the first idea of the celebration came from that we have got to change the narrative," Revis said. Twenty years of painstaking collaboration enabled the tribal nation to reunite and rebury the remains of 114 people at the mounds in 2017. And this February, an adjoining 1,000 acres (404 hectares) of sacred land were protected, purchased by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund at no cost to the taxpayers, Haaland said. Expanding this to a park and preserve could protect another 85,000 acres (34,400 hectares) downriver. "We get questioned all the time, 'this is such a beautiful place, why'd you all leave?' We weren't asked to - we were forced to," Hill said. "And that's what we want to prevent in the future the things we do now, it's for our future generations. I don't want them to go through that. So Oklahoma is home, but this is still our original home." The U.S. Senate Thursday approved President Joe Bidens nominee to head the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the federal agency that oversees Voice of America and other international broadcasting entities. On a 60-36 vote, the narrowly-Democratic-controlled Senate approved Amanda Bennett, the former director of VOA, to head USAGM for a three-year term. Following the vote, acting USAGM CEO Kelu Chao praised her experience and vision and said Bennett can help equip the agency to confront threats to independent media and reach audiences in need. Now more than ever, people across the world are depending on USAGMs fact-based news to triumph over increasing misinformation, disinformation, and censorship. I join our entire agency in welcoming Amanda back to serve during this crucial moment for freedom and democracy, Chao said. An estimated 394 million people access USAGM programming each week. The federally funded agency overseen by the U.S. Congress has two federal entities, the Voice of America and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting and four nonprofits - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and the Open Technology Fund. Bennett served as executive editor at Bloomberg News and was managing editor of The Oregonian newspaper. She also was a reporter for The Wall Street Journal for more than two decades, including in Beijing. She is the author of six nonfiction books and has twice shared the Pulitzer Prize with her colleagues, in 1997 at The Wall Street Journal and again in 2001 at The Oregonian. She served as VOA director from 2016 before resigning in June 2020, ahead of Michael Pack taking over as USAGM CEO. Pack was appointed by then-U.S. President Donald Trump. Pack appointed Robert Reilly in December 2020 to succeed her. Minutes after Biden was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 2021, he requested and received Packs resignation and appointed then-VOA programming director Kelu Chao as acting USAGM CEO. Chao removed Reilly as VOA director a day later. Bennett has faced criticism from some Republicans since her June 7 confirmation hearing, when she told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that she would advance USAGM's mission of objectivity and balanced reporting at a time when disinformation is on the rise globally. America First Legal Foundation, a right-of-center nonprofit organization founded by former senior Trump administration officials, asked Biden to withdraw Bennetts nomination, citing alleged national security and related failures when she was VOA director. The group's main complaint is that Bennett ran USAGM's biggest network, VOA, at a time when other government departments warned USAGM leaders of "deficiencies" in security clearances of agency employees, some with sensitive positions. A July 2020 report by the Office of Personnel Management found that 1,527 USAGM employees, or about 40% of the total workforce, had been improperly vetted over the previous 10 years, prompting OPM to revoke USAGM's authority to conduct its own background investigations of employees. Following the vote approving her nomination in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Republican Senator Marco Rubio told VOA, "I had some questions about the way (VOA) handled the interview with the well-known Chinese dissident while she was there the first time. Rubio was referring to Bennetts 2017 decision to cut short a planned live interview by VOAs Mandarin service with exiled Chinese billionaire and prominent Beijing critic Guo Wengui, and to fire then-Mandarin service chief Sasha Gong and other staffers who had defied instructions regarding the length and handling of the interview. Bennetts critics accused her of succumbing to Chinese government pressure to silence Guo. But VOAs public relations office said third-party reviews of the incident concluded that the decision to curtail the live interview was based solely on and consistent with journalistic best practices. Bennetts nomination was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee en bloc this June, meaning she was passed along with other nominees without a recorded vote. Her leadership is essential at a time of resurgent authoritarianism around the world to ensure that people living under repressive regimes not only have access to accurate information, but also can see models of excellent journalism in practice, U.S. Ambassador Karen Kornbluh, a former member of USAGMs governing board, told VOA earlier this year. A group of Iranians living in Istanbul and Turkish citizens gathered Wednesday in front of the Iranian Consulate in Istanbul to protest the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in Tehran. Istanbul police, who on Tuesday repeatedly dispersed groups that gathered in Taksim Square, watched the action from afar. During the demonstration, at least three women cut their hair to protest the treatment of Amini, who was detained by Iran's morality police because she didn't wear her headscarf correctly and therefore her hair was showing. She later died while in custody. Protesters shouted slogans in Persian, Turkish and Kurdish. The Turkish chants included, "We do not keep silent, we do not fear, we do not obey," and "My body, my decision." The Persian and Kurdish slogans included, "Women live freely" and "We do not want a mullah regime." Banners carried by the group of about 300 people included harsh criticism against Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and the Iranian regime. Mahdi Saglar, one of the Iranians who participated in the protest, has been living and working in Turkey for 20 years. "They beat a girl to death because her hair was showing," Saglar told VOA Turkish. "Their own children dress as they want in Europe and America, they behave as they want, but in Iran, they arrested her because her hair is out, and they killed her by causing a brain hemorrhage with a blow to the brain at the police station. We are here to protest this. Our citizens in Iran are protesting here on the street as well.'' Gelare Abdi, another Iranian protester, said that although she loves her homeland very much, she can't live in her country due to heavy pressure. "I need freedom," she said. "But I have no freedom in Iran. I have been here in Turkey for two years out of necessity. They killed Mahsa because her hair was showing a small forelock. She was just 22 years old. I am also a woman and I want freedom.'' This story originated with VOA's Turkish Service. Monica and her husband moved to Flagstaff this spring, and though they had planned to live here for the long term, they are already planning a move to Salt Lake City in October. The cost of living is too high here, said Monica, who asked that her last name not be used in this story. And their jobs pay less. We just knew we werent going to be able to get a house here. Its too competitive, she said. Its really disheartening, because I think its a really cool area and I would love to stay here. The couple first visited Flagstaff in the summer of 2020. On a whim we decided to come out, Monica said. ... We stayed for a week and fell in love with the city and the little town and all the outdoor activities, the climate and how its a local feel. As soon as they returned home from their Flagstaff trip, they planned a longer stay for the following summer -- and after that trip, they knew they wanted to try to make Flagstaff their home. So they started making plans. We knew that the housing market was a little crazy, but we thought, 'OK, well just get to an apartment and itll calm down, well be able to find something, Monica said. Which I don't believe is the case at all. One of their first steps was meeting with a realtor, who said their budget, already about twice as much as the couples previous house in Georgia had sold for, wouldnt be enough to buy a house in Flagstaff. Monica is a paralegal and her husband is a traveling nurse who recently took board exams to become a nurse practitioner. Both work, the husband locally and Monica remotely for her Georgia firm. She said both had earned more in similar-level jobs in Georgia than in positions in Flagstaff, and that they expected to find higher-paying work in Salt Lake City. You cannot live off of $17 per hour in this town, she said. You just cant do it, unless you live with your parents or you have five roommates in a [expletive] apartment. Even groceries are higher. The taxes inside the city are higher. I dont know why the wages are so low. She said open jobs for nurse practitioners were often filled by people with connections, or kept reopening the same positions. Quotes shes seen for paralegal work here are about $10 an hour less than what she made in Georgia. It could just be that its a small town, but regardless ... it doesnt keep up with how much it costs to live here. I dont know what people are doing to afford to live here, she said. The couple moved into an apartment in Flagstaff in mid-March, with a plan to begin more thoroughly looking for a house to purchase once they arrived. Finding the apartment wasnt difficult, Monica said, but only because her husbands work as a traveling nurse meant they had a higher budget than usual. She said their current rent -- around $2,200 a month for a 1,000-square-foot loft -- is more than I have ever paid in my entire life for rent. [Its] only because of the travel nurse per diem and stipend that we can even afford the rent here." Their search for a house in Flagstaff was even more shocking. If it was a single-family home, it may be 1,000 to 1,200 square feet and it would be something you would see on "Fixer Upper." They want half a million dollars for it; it was built in the 1960s and it hasnt been touched since the 1960s. No upgrades -- you would have to go in and totally redo the insides, she said of the homes they were seeing. ... Every single listing we saw, it always said great investment opportunity, great for an Airbnb, no HOA, cash buyers only, thank you. The couples realtor told them to expect to pay at least 10% over the listed price, plus closing costs, with at least a $20,000 down payment. Monica said shed also spoken to people who told her the way to get into a decent, affordable house in Flagstaff was to know someone whos getting ready to leave. A 'completely different direction' She said they were getting more downtrodden about the search around the beginning of May. Between meeting people and talking to them about the housing market and then seeing ... I would get paid more for a job in Augusta, Georgia, than I would living in Flagstaff, but the cost of living in Flagstaff is probably three to four times higher. It doesn't even make sense, she said. She added: "Thats why we ultimately decided to leave, because its a great area and we would love to lay down roots here. Im seeing now, it seems like a more retirement or getaway town. ... I think the Airbnb situation is what has just driven this market and has ruined it for people. Were millennials, so we can set roots here and help cultivate the community and get involved, bring a younger perspective, but I think the town is going in a completely different direction. Her husbands travel contract was recently renewed, but its possible expiration is what led to their decision to move away from Flagstaff. They began looking at other areas of the western United States and a job in Salt Lake City fell in [her husbands] lap. At that point, it was like, 'OK, well this seems good, the housing market is better and Utah still has outdoor activities .... and it still provides all of that with better housing, better economic opportunities,' Monica said. ... It just provides more opportunities for us. According to Realtor.com, the median listing price for a house in the couples former town in Georgia was $210,000 in June 2022, an increase of 23.6% year over year. The site lists Flagstaffs median listing price as $725,000 for the same month and Salt Lake City's as $579,000. The couples house in Georgia, in which they had lived for about 10 years, was about 1,800 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and was located on a quarter-acre lot in a cute little subdivision. It sold for $286,000, which was over the asking price -- and, Monica said, the highest price a home in the neighborhood had ever sold for, despite also being the smallest house. We made a pretty good profit off of that, but that doesnt even compare to anything out West, she said. We knew we were already going to be at a disadvantage. Their budget to buy a house in Flagstaff was about $500,000. Monica said the houses and townhomes they looked at in that price range usually had two bedrooms, one bath, were about 1,000 square feet and could be described as dilapidated. It would just need a lot more [work], because a lot of people are putting their homes on the market in Flagstaff and not doing a thing to get it ready to sell, she said. They are now looking to buy in Salt Lake City. From the early stages of their search there, Monica said, she expects they will be able to find a three-bedroom, two-bath town house on the same $500,000 budget. In Flagstaff, all they were looking for was a home in their price range, but in Salt Lake City, Monica has a wish list -- updated kitchen, nice area, and an HOA to avoid Airbnb neighbors. In Flagstaff, I couldn't be picky, and I was like, 'OK, we can settle for that,' but now we're moving somewhere else, I get to be a little picky, she said. Before leaving the city, Monica said, they hope to try all the local restaurants and coffee shops downtown, run as much as possible and hike Humphreys at least one more time. I feel like when we moved, it was like, 'This is where were meant to be,' she said. You know, you meditate or pray about it or just think about it, trying to make the right decision and we really thought we feel like Flagstaffs where were meant to be. After being here since April, its like, well, maybe this was just supposed to be our transition time or a very costly mistake. Its been an interesting summer. Ive really enjoyed our time here and Im sad we cant stay here longer, figure out how to make it work, but just financially, it doesnt make sense for us to try and stay here. ... In a way, its a little sad, but Im glad we tried it just to see if we could make it work, but its clear that we cant. Its like were breaking up with Flagstaff. Malawi has become the first country in southern Africa to eliminate trachoma, the leading infectious cause of blindness, the World Health Organization announced. It is the fourth country in Africa to stamp out the bacterial infection, after Ghana, Gambia and Togo. The WHO said in a statement that Malawi has been known to be endemic for trachoma since the 1980s. The disease received due attention in 2008 following a survey conducted in support of the WHO and Sightsavers, a nongovernmental organization. The findings spurred the country to step up efforts against trachoma by establishing a national taskforce which implemented the WHO-recommended strategy known as SAFE to control the spread of the disease. The SAFE strategy comprises provision of surgery, antibiotics to clear the infection, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement through access to water and sanitation. Bright Chiwaula, country director for Sightsavers in Malawi, said besides the SAFE strategy, the achievement is also a result of several elements, including training of surgeons and the promotion of good hygiene education. "Another element is where we assured that we had a monitoring mechanism in place that was effective and efficient, making sure that we were able to track what was happening in the country as regards trachoma elimination," Chiwaula said. Trachoma is one of a number of neglected tropical diseases, or NTDs, and is endemic in nearly half the countries in Africa. In a statement Wednesday, Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera paid special tribute to community health workers, many of them women, whom he said played an instrumental role in freeing millions of citizens from the misery caused by these diseases. Chakwera said he hopes such an achievement would be replicated in the fight against other NTDs like scabies, schistosomiasis and river blindness. Caroline Harper, CEO of Sightsavers, told VOA Thursday that her organization is working towards that. "The great news is that Malawi is very close to eliminating river blindness," she said. "Sightsavers in Malawi are helping the ministry to do that. We are actually working in 30 countries on NTDs across the whole of Africa." Harper said Sightsavers made a commitment at a global summit in Rwanda in June to invest at least $20 million in the fight against neglected tropical diseases, but added the organization is hoping to raise far more than that in the future. There was a festive mood with music, food and decorations at Zimbabwes State House last Friday as Chinese investors signed a deal to build a $2.8 billion battery metals industrial park. Zimbabwean authorities say the lithium, platinum and nickel production will be used to make solar batteries. President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the project, about an hours drive northwest of Harare, would help turn around the decline of Zimbabwes economy. The mines-to-energy park will augment my governments thrust of value addition and beneficiation of minerals, as well as bolster the crucial role that minerals value chain plays in the national industrialization agenda," he said. "It is set to mark the inception of a lithium ion battery chain in Zimbabwe. It is set to place Zimbabwe among the worlds producers of lithium ion batteries. Zimbabwes government plans to provide the land and minerals for the park, while the two Chinese companies investing will bring in machinery and needed funds. Mnangagwa is aiming for a $12 billion mining industry in Zimbabwe by next year. Lionel Mhlanga, director at Hong Kong Eagle International Holdings, one of the Chinese investors, said the project "will revolutionize the mining and energy sector of Zimbabwe, ensuring optimum value addition for all minerals extracted locally. Zimbabwe is endowed with most if not all minerals needed in this clean energy drive. Eagle International Investment Holdings and Pacific Goal Investment are partnering with the government of Zimbabwe to set up this industrial park. This multibillion-dollar project, on completion, will have a turnover exceeding $13 billion annually. But critics note Zimbabwe has announced several multibillion-dollar projects in recent years that fell apart, include mining by Russian investors for platinum and Chinese for diamonds. The projects that do go forward rarely benefit ordinary Zimbabweans, said opposition lawmaker and rights activist Daniel Molokele. "The mining model that we have, which favors countries such as China, is a big disadvantage for the poor people of Zimbabwe because the investment method is called extractive mining," he said. "Its to the advantage of the investor [rather] than to local communities. So Zimbabwe is not benefiting at least at common citizen level until and unless we come up with a mining model that favors local communities, that allows for shareholding and profiting for local communities in all mining investments. Zimbabwe is home to valuable minerals such as gold, iron, diamonds, lithium, platinum and chrome. But the World Bank says half of Zimbabweans live on less than $1 per day. Farai Maguwu, the director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance, a group working to improve governance of Zimbabwes natural resources, said the metals park deal needs to be transparent and aimed at helping locals, or else Zimbabwe will remain a resource-cursed country. If the government is merely looking at creating jobs, then thats a very minimal expectation that we can have out of this project," he said. "What we see with the Chinese in Zimbabwe is that everything they are getting, they are taking to China. Thats why the influx of Chinese investors in Zimbabwe is not contributing anything, even to liquidity, in our financial sector, simply because the Zimbabweans are not involved in these projects. We are simply giving them access to our resources without any plan. The battery metals park is expected to be up to 50 square kilometers in size when completed in about three years. Zimbabwe has been added to the CIVICUS Monitor's international Human Rights Watchlist following a crackdown on non-governmental organization, the arrest and detention of opposition members and the intensification smear campaigns against diplomatic missions. In a statement CIVICUS, a global alliance of over 10,000 civil society organisations and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society throughout the world, said the southern African nation is among 50 nations that have a depressed rating. CIVICUS said concerning developments include President Emmerson Mnangagwa targeting NGOs and members of the opposition ahead of next year's election. The Watchlist is released by the CIVICUS Monitor every quarter and highlights 4-6 countries, where there have been significant increases in attacks against the right to free speech, the right to protest and the right to freedom of association. The other countries to be included on the latest Watchlist are Guatemala, Serbia, Sri Lanka, and Guinea. In Zimbabwe, the CIVICUS Monitor is particularly concerned about governments suspension of the registrations of various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), smear campaigns being used against civil society organisations and diplomatic missions and the introduction of legislation to further restrict the work of civil society. The Monitor methodology rates the state of civic freedoms for all countries. Zimbabwe is currently rated REPRESSED. There are a total of 50 countries in the world with this rating. It is the second-worst rating a country can receive. CIVICUS is an online platform that tracks the latest developments to civic freedoms, including freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, across 197 countries and territories. Presidential spokesperson, George Charamba, was unreachable for comment as he was not responding to calls on his mobile phone. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said EU foreign ministers have agreed to continue and increase their military support for Ukraine and to study a new package of sanctions targeting Russian individuals and certain sectors of the Russian economy. Borrell told reporters late Wednesday after convening a special ministerial meeting in New York that the details of the sanctions package still need to be determined by EU representatives, but that he is sure there will be unanimous support. He said it was important for the ministers to meet and send a powerful message on the same day that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the partial mobilization of his countrys military reserves, and that Putin is trying to destroy Ukraine. Borrell said that in addition to the immense suffering brought by the Russian aggression upon the Ukrainian people, Russia has chosen to further extend the cost of war also for their own Russian population. He said Putins apparent reference to Russias willingness to use nuclear weapons if necessary to protect itself represented an irresponsible and cynical attempt to undermine our steadfast support to Ukraine. These threats jeopardize in an unprecedented scale international peace and security, Borrell said. But they will not shake our determination. They will not shake our resolve, our unity to stand by Ukraine and our comprehensive support to Ukraines ability to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty as long as it takes. Putin said in a televised address Wednesday the mobilization of reserves, which followed Ukrainian gains in a counteroffensive in northeastern Ukraine, is necessary to protect Russias homeland and sovereignty. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the military would be calling up 300,000 reservists. Putin said the West is trying to weaken and destroy Russia, and that his country will "use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people." "In its aggressive anti-Russian policy, the West has crossed every line," he said. "This is not a bluff. And those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the weathervane can turn and point towards them." Britains defense ministry said Thursday that Russias mobilization is likely to be highly unpopular with parts of the Russian population and that Putin is taking considerable political risk in the hope of generating much needed combat power. Prisoner exchange Russia and Ukraine carried out what appeared to be their biggest prisoner swap since the war began in late February. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday the deal included 215 Ukrainians freed from Russian captivity, most of them fighters who defended a steel plant during Russias siege of Mariupol. Zelenskyy also said 10 foreign citizens were freed, five of them from the United Kingdom, two from the United States and others from Morocco, Sweden and Croatia. Going back to Russia were 55 Russians and pro-Russia Ukrainians. The most prominent among the group was Viktor Medvedchuk, a Putin ally who had escaped house arrest days before Russias invasion only to be recaptured in April. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens. User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale Contribute: Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it. Flag as inappropriate. Mark as helpful or interesting. Send your own user report! Translate Paekakariki / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / vibration and rolling / 15-20 s : Dog was thrown, jumped out of chair.and stood Complex of thump then rolling No books fell House is on a dune | 3 users found this interesting. Richmond nelson (104.9 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / very short : Sitting on the porch, birds were flying away | 3 users found this interesting. Pirinoa / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Heard it coming while lying in bed then felt weak shaking and creaking in brick house with concrete floor | 2 users found this interesting. Hawera Waihi Road, New Zealand (136.1 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 30-60 s : I was sitting watching Television, the couch was shaking, ceiling light fitting swaying, bookshelf creaking, and crockery rattling our dog was alarmed | One user found this interesting. Piopio (263.2 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Heard the tumble for a couple of seconds before the shaking started. Shaking continued for between 20-30 seconds. Motueka (105.8 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s : Was watching a movie inside our campervan. Suddenly the campervan started to shake like someone was pushing the van Palmerston North North Island New Zealand (133.3 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : At home sitting in chair. Slight shake of chair a couple of times, looked up at pendant lights which were shaking slightly. Richmond Nelson 7020 (103.7 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 5-10 s : Creaking and house noise as if someone was coming into house then a jolt a bit more noise then it stopped New plymouth (201.3 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Just went to bed, quake hit with a strong jolt then continued strong for about 5 seconds then eased and lasted about 25 seconds easing off slowly Huntly Pukemiro (361.4 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s : Sitting on couch in lounge and felt the rolling sensation very very light to light , intensified as it went on , was waiting for nxt one Takaka (115.7 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Sitting at my computer both the screen and my TV shook for a few seconds followed by a second about the same length. Afterwards the water in the fish tank was significantly moving side to side for about 30 seconds New Plymouth New Zealand (198.1 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Dog went crazy, animals outside started making noise. I was on couch and clearly starting moving, for approx 5-7 seconds. Paraparaumu (53.7 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s : light to moderate no damage approx 10 seconds | One user found this interesting. New Plymouth (194.9 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Sitting in the car and it was shaking and the buildings around us were shaking | One user found this interesting. Greytown (109.6 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Greytown. Everything started shaking | One user found this interesting. Murchison, State Highway 6 / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : We were sitting in our campervan when the campervan started to shake back and forth. We thought it was the wind, but there was no wind outside. It was weak shaking. After 20 seconds the shaking stopped. Stratford / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 30-60 s : I was standing and at first thought I had vertigo until the sliding door started rattling and I felt the floor shaking a little. Palmerston North / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I was in bed and felt the bed shaking for a few seconds. Got out of bed and saw the chains on my coo coo clock swinging... thats when I realized we had just had an earthquake quake. Home in Paraparaumu / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe : Only the second shake I've experienced since shifting to Wellington 9 months ago. I was warned, and the first one was just novel and kind of cool, this one felt a little scarier, went on for longer. Pakawau / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : I heard loud rumbling at first which went on for a while then fairly strong shaking from side to side. I was surprised noting fell off the shelves but lights were swinging significantly. Halcombe, Manawatu / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Soft swaying at beginning got stronger objects rattling but nothing falling soft shaking at tail end. Seemed to go for long time Francis street ,Blenheim / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s : I felt a light tremmer and told mybpartner did you feel that or was that just me.. then i nearly fell over after the house shook i got a really big fright Castlecliff, Whanganui / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : At first I thought it was the cat jumping off the bed causing the bed to shake. I turned on light to see cat still sitting on the bed. He wasn't bothered by the shaking. It felt like a light lorry vibrating as it drives past. but it wasn't of Course. I normally reside in Auckland so haven't experienced that amount of shaking before or as strongly as that. Hawera / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Heard the building making a cracking sound and then my bed started shaking. It lasted quite while and I eventually stood up to see if it would stop. waikanae / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vibration and rolling / 10-15 s : Heard a loud bang, quite a pause, then a rolling motion with objects in the room doing a steady rolling motion. Over quickly. Port hills Nelson / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Heard a bang then then obvious horizontal shaking strongish then tailing off with a very small shake at the end enough to make me sit forward on the couch and begin to think about what to do if it continued - thankfully it didnt Opaku road Patea / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 30-60 s : Slow shaking increased in intensity slowed the started again quite strong lights swinging water in containers moving new plymouth Central / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : The room started moving and standing up could feel its effect on my walking,heading to stand in door frame.went from light to heavy movement in 3-4 seconds..then held few moments then faded away.Jan in kitchen heard the drinking glasses rattling together we had put on bench stand. Whanganui / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : A resonance akin to thunder or heavy traffic, followed by the upstairs floor where I was standing shaking Foxton Beach / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 20-30 s : On holiday, our motorhome just started to gently bounce, shake and wobble. Caused some rousting birds to squark and fly off. Exciting stuff! Motueka township / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : We live in an upstairs flat. The widows shook and the sliding doors!! The light fittings are still swaying! In momentum days of pageantry and high emotions, thousands lined to see late Queen Elizabeth lie in state after a grand, solemn procession through London. The lineup stretched for miles as tearful mourners, exercising epic patience, waited in a lengthy winding queue for a final glimpse of their beloved queen; often at capacity, the queue reached a 24-hour wait. On Monday, hundreds of dignitaries and heads of states attended the funeral as London came to a standstill. The Palace reported that King Charles and the royal family were deeply moved by the global response and affection, but as millions continued to pay tribute to the late queen, and as millions continued to mourn her death, others around the world found it difficult to reciprocate the same emotions believing that the queen, as head of state, should be held accountable for her countrys colonial actions. It is unfortunate that with the queens passing, bitter sentiments resurfaced, and many saw her death as a time to renew calls for reparations for Britains repressive colonization and the suffering of citizens around the world. In fact, Queen Elizabeths death ignited a wide spectrum of antagonistic feelings about her legacy, the monarchy, and colonialism in general. When she took the throne in 1952, more than a quarter of the world was under the British imperial rule. Those victimized under that rule are finding it difficult to disassociate the late queen from what their countries endured. Uju Anya, Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, USA, sent a tweet to her 84,000 followers after hearing about the Queen's deteriorating condition, I heard the chief monarch of a thieving raping genocidal empire is finally dying. May her pain be excruciating. Boot Riley, the American film director and producer said, The matriarch of a royal family legacy of slave-trading, imperialism, colonialism, theft, symbol of opulence and mascot for the ruling class is dead. Richard Stengel, who served as undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs under President Barack Obama, said that the queens family legacy of colonialism had a terrible effect on much of the world. CNN international correspondent, Larry Madowo, reported from Kenya, that the queen was not universally loved, saying Across the African continent, there have been people who are saying, We will not mourn for Queen Elizabeth because my ancestors suffered great atrocities under her people. The death of any human being, let alone a monarch of the queens calibre, is neither the time nor the place to voice ones fury, spew venom, or call for retribution. And yet, setting the queens passing aside, reparation should be an ongoing demand and a vital discussion so as to attain closure for the atrocities that ensued during colonialism. The British Empire was the largest in history, and, like other empires, it ruled with an iron fist. Africans, Asians, Caribbeans, Irish, Australians and Middle Easterners have all suffered colonization. A terse sample of the atrocities follow. In Kenya, a rebellious group against the British, known as Mau Mau, was suppressed through detention camps, torture, rape, castration and thousands of massacres. At that point, over a million Kenyans were put in some form of concentration camp as the Mau Mau were considered murderous criminals. In 2013, however, the British government acknowledged the torture with a historic apology and an out-of-court settlement. India has its own horror stories. One such story occurred in 1919, a massacre in Jallianwala Bagh, where British troops killed hundreds of Indians. In 2019, then Prime Minister Theresa May apologized for, The shameful scar in our history. As well, much of the goods of Indian were exploited; in fact, Indian treasures and jewels, were drained only to be handed over to the British as The total value of everything taken out of India during the war [World War I], was 8 billion pounds in todays money, says Shashi Tharoor, a renowned Indian politician. Tharoor argues long and hard for why Britain owes reparations for its colonization of India. During the British rule, Tharoor says, 15 million to 29 million Indians died of starvation, as they were oppressed, enslaved, killed, tortured, and maimed for 200 years. These are horrific statistics. Nigeria was targeted for its resources and the exploitation of its wealth. A course outline at Ohio University, USA, cites The tax system and transportation system deepened the Britishs plunder and control over the economy in Nigeria. But more important is the role the British played in the civil war in Nigeria known as the Biafran War when Biafra tried to secede from Nigeria. Many in Nigeria are still haunted by how the British crushed the resistance and starved millions. Over two million enslaved Africans were taken to the British colonies in the Caribbean. The British, amongst other Europeans, went to the Caribbean to seek wealth and prosperity. Affluent planters enslaved workers brought over from Africa to plant sugarcane, a very profitable commodity. Indigenous peoples all over the world suffered as they were considered inferior. Black and brown folks were placed at the bottom of the totem pole. It was a carte blanche for the colonialists to expropriate lands, effect genocidal massacres, segregate indigenous peoples, and plunder wealths. Under the British occupation Egypt fared slightly better since there were no massacres of the same magnitude as seen in other countries, but it suffered martial law, deportation of leaders such as Saad Zaghlul, exploitation, the usurping of wealth, loss of freedom, and exemplary punishment as seen in the Dinshaway crisis. Britain should confront its colonialist past and atone for the failures that colonialism caused. The discourse must be started and continued until a form of reparation is fulfilled. Again, the passing of Queen Elizabeth should not get entangled in the discourse. It is as Edward Said, the Palestinian-American professor at Columbia University, USA, says, Every empire, however, tells itself and the world that it is unlike all other empires, that its mission is not to plunder and control but to educate and liberate. The British empire was no exception. Lower Columbia College has announced that Author Alan Rose will be featured at the September 28-29 Northwest Voices event in Longview. The event features the author's latest work, As if Death Summoned. Set in 1995, the novel chronicles one man's journey through the AIDS epidemic. On September 28, the author will present a writing workshop at 2:30 p.m. in the Health & Science Building, Room 101 (HSB 101) on the Lower Columbia College campus. On September 29 beginning at 7:00 p.m., he will hold a reading at the Longview Public Library auditorium. Both events are free and open to the public. Alan Rose worked with Cascade AIDS Project in Portland, Oregon, from 1993 to 1999, and prior to that was a volunteer with the Victorian AIDS Council (now Thorne Harbour Health) in Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of three previous novels; The Legacy of Emily Hargraves, Tales of Tokyo, and The Unforgiven. He coordinates the monthly WordFest events in southwest Washington state, hosts the KLTV program Book Chat, and reviews books for The Columbia River Reader. Globe Theatre in Villa Borghese hosts Shakespearean festival. A timber staircase at Rome's Globe Theatre, in the central Villa Borghese park, partially collapsed at lunchtime on Thursday at the end of a show for schools. Around 10 people were left injured, none of them seriously, and taken to hospitals in Rome after being rescued by fire fighters, according to news reports. #Roma, crollo parziale di una scalinata del Globe Theatre a Villa Borghese durante lesodo a fine spettacolo. Coinvolti lievemente alcuni ragazzi soccorsi dai #vigilidelfuoco. In corso le operazioni di messa in sicurezza dellarea [#22settembre 13:50] pic.twitter.com/nJKqLN8UOu Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) September 22, 2022 An investigation is underway into the incident which occurred as students were leaving the theatre after attending a show. Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri said that the staircase had undergone maintenance this summer and that the theatre would now remain closed indefinitely as a result of the incident. Rome's Globe Theatre was named after Gigi Proietti last year. Rome's annual Shakespearean festival is underway at the theatre which is a full-scale timber reproduction of Shakespeares Globe, copied from the original oak and thatch designs, and almost identical to the one that stands on Londons South Bank. Built in just three months, the theatre was the result of an idea by the late Rome actor and comedian Gigi Proietti who directed and performed in the Shakespearean festival every year until his death in 2020 aged 80. Last year the Globe Theatre was renamed after Proietti who was succeeded as artistic director by the Oscar-winning Italian composer Nicola Piovani Photo Vigili del Fuoco Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share From the outset of Russias war on Ukraine, the crucial question hasnt changed: Can Vladimir Putin be defeated at an acceptable cost? Despite all we now know about Russias military incompetence and the courage and skill of Ukraines forces, the answer is still uncertain. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight This leads to an uncomfortable conclusion, one that President Joe Biden showed no trace of understanding in his speech at the United Nations on Wednesday: Planning for the end of this conflict needs to weigh outcomes that are disappointing, even disgraceful, for the sake of avoiding those that are catastrophic. The idea of an off-ramp for Putin strikes many as repugnant and now, for good measure, entirely unnecessary. Ukraine is winning! Why help Russia snatch so much as a partial victory from the jaws of defeat? The Ukraine must win chorus never clearly sets out what Russias defeat really involves. Perhaps it means that Russia is pushed back behind its pre-2014 borders and then just comes to terms with it. Or maybe Putins humiliation causes domestic opposition to explode and hes removed; his successor is someone the West can do business with; Russias claims to superpower status collapse; and its demotion to second-tier status is acknowledged and accepted. Advertisement All good stuff, to be sure, and nothing is impossible. But, to put it mildly, these futures arent assured. As governments gathered for the UN meeting, Putin announced his intention to prolong the war with a partial mobilization that in due course will field another 300,000 soldiers. And he underlined his threat to use nuclear weapons: Russia will use all the instruments at its disposal to counter a threat against its territorial integrity. This is not a bluff. Soon that notion of territorial integrity might include areas Russia currently occupies and intends to annex. I keep reading that one should be aware of Putins nuclear threats but not intimidated by them. Call me a coward, but I find it difficult to think about Armageddon without being a little intimidated and I ask the same of my political leaders. If at all possible, its better to avoid than invite mass death and destruction. Of course, simply surrendering in the face of such threats would assure defeat but one can be rationally intimidated, and respond accordingly, without surrendering. Thats what mutually assured destruction is supposed to mean. Advertisement Am I exaggerating the danger? Wont Putin be deterred from using nuclear weapons if hes threatened with a proportionately drastic response? Again, maybe but whats the deterrent, exactly? Its hard to see how sanctions could be made much tougher, not least because theyre already causing great damage beyond Russia. Having gone to such lengths to support Ukraine without putting any of its own forces at risk, can the US credibly threaten (as some advise) to attack Russia in response to a tactical nuclear strike let alone credibly threaten a nuclear response? Supposing the threats and counter-threats evolve in that direction, note a worrisome dissonance in much of the analysis of Putins calculations. His attack on Ukraine was judged to be not just deplorable but also reckless. Yet he is expected to parse the pros and cons of escalating to de-escalate as prudence demands. What could possibly go wrong? Ukraines remarkable battlefield successes create an opening to bring the war to a close without running these extraordinary risks. Whats needed now is a settlement that lets Putin claim a victory that everybody else understands to be a defeat. This could emerge from negotiations in a variety of different forms. But imagine, to begin with, a ceasefire that set borders according to current battle lines, with a longer-term outcome that ceded some territory to Russia while admitting most of todays Ukraine to NATO. Advertisement Until recently, Putin would have deemed this unacceptable. Now it might not look so bad. Of course, Ukraine and its most ardent supporters would hate it too. Rewarding Russias hostility with territory and sustaining Putin in power seem unconscionable. But it has been a grave mistake throughout for the US and its friends to defer as much as they have to Ukraines judgment of whats at stake and how much risk to run. Ukraines interests and calculations of warranted sacrifice are aligned with those of the West, but not identical to them. Most of the world would see a negotiated outcome not as Ukraine might, but as a salutary defeat for Russia. The suggestion that Putin would simply pause, gather strength, and then renew his wars of expansion in pursuit of Greater Russia is a stretch. The course of the war has underlined the limits of Russias power, tested the patience of its allies, and cemented the capacity of the West to challenge its actions. The total humiliation of Putin, or his removal from power, isnt necessary to drive this home. Advertisement Accepting this deeply unsatisfying result would lessen the risk of a catastrophic wider conflict. Its a price worth paying. More From Bloomberg Opinion: If Putin Goes Nuclear, Biden Faces a Decision Tree: Andreas Kluth Why Putin Cant Tap Fascisms Greatest Resource: Leonid Bershidsky Bidens Sharp Rebuke of Putin Came Up Short: Bobby Ghosh This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Clive Crook is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and member of the editorial board covering economics. Previously, he was deputy editor of the Economist and chief Washington commentator for 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 If there was ever a time for a no-stone-unturned policy to secure the energy supply, this is it. Wholesale gas prices had already quadrupled in the six months before the invasion of Ukraine. This week, the new UK government is announcing huge public borrowing to help protect homes and businesses against soaring energy costs. Its no wonder then that even fracking, barred in the UK since 2019, is back on the table. In her first week in office, Prime Minister Liz Truss announced plans to lift the ban, and the government is also considering raising the limits on seismic activity to give the industry more room for exploration. The fracking announcement is part of a push to show the government is deregulating in its all-out drive for growth. And its another example of Truss pushing against the grain of public opinion as she has on removing the cap on banker bonuses. But, it must be asked, to what end? Advertisement Any payoff, if it comes, will be far in the future and not the domestic energy bonanza many had hoped. A lot depends on the UK having commercially viable reserves and sufficient public support for extracting them. The first is a hard maybe and the second runs up against a wall of local opposition that will be hard to displace. The founder and former public affairs director of Cuadrilla Resources Ltd. the oil and gas exploration company that has been the UK leader in fracking even say Trusss move makes little sense under current conditions. Hopes for fracking in the UK have long been stoked by the US shale experience, of course. As the American Petroleum Institute put it, without fracking, thered be no American energy renaissance or the array of benefits it is providing to our economy, to individual households, US manufacturers and other businesses. With its own gas-rich shale formations, its tempting to think this could be Britain, too. Domestic production from North Sea reserves peaked in 2000, and UK dependency on imported gas is expected to rise sharply between now and 2050, to 85%. Proponents have argued that shale gas could provide a secure, stable source of energy and help diversify supply as Britain moves toward net zero by expanding a resource whose extraction is less carbon intensive. It would create jobs and could also have a positive impact on the UKs balance of payments since it would mean less money going out to foreign suppliers. Advertisement Estimates of total gas in place in the north of England are significant, but they dont tell us what part of the resource is commercially recoverable. In 2018, Cuadrilla Resources Ltd. noted that testing in its Lancashire site brought results indicating excellent shale gas reserves. Sand injected into the fractures stayed in place during the flowback phase, and the natural gas that came to the surface had a high methane content, suggesting less processing would be required to deliver it to the local grid. That sounded promising. But the company found thats a long way to building a viable industry in the UK. One big obstacle is public support or the lack of it. On a densely populated island where environmental awareness runs high, fracking is highly controversial. A moratorium was imposed in 2011 after two tremors with magnitudes of 2.3 and 1.5 around Cuadrillas Lancashire site. That moratorium was lifted, but by 2019 the Conservative government suspended all fracking permissions after more tremors near two wells operated by Cuadrilla in Lancashire. Labour, once an enthusiastic supporter, U-turned a few years earlier. Cuadrilla likened the tremors to a large bag of shopping dropping to the floor, but the backlash was enough to send the government into defense mode. The risks got exaggerated in the furor, but if Truss wants to revisit fracking, shell first have to redefine earthquake in the publics mind. Advertisement Most people prefer zero seismicity in their neighborhood, thank you very much. The UK isnt prone to noticeable earthquakes, so people are more likely to find them alarming and official limits are lower than other countries, notes Ian Stimpson, senior lecturer in geophysics at Keele University. But fracking works by generating tiny quakes of magnitudes of minus 1 or minus 2 on the Richter scale to cause small fractures in rocks that release gas. (Every two notches up on the scale represent a thousand-times increase in energy.) The current magnitude 0.5 limit still cant be felt at the surface, but a limit that low effectively stops all exploration since operators cant guarantee they wont exceed it. Because of its different geological profile to the US, there are pre-existing geological faults that make earthquakes of magnitudes 2 or 3 more likely, Stimson says. Those faults are too small to be accurately imaged without seismic monitoring systems. But that technology adds a considerable cost to drilling, as do other necessities such as modern wastewater management and finding ways to get community buy-in. And those costs would need to be piled on top of the other costs of doing business in the UK, which are considerable. An operation that in the US, Canada and even Argentina is a rapid piece of keyhole surgery is in the UK a ponderous, slow-moving and costly operation, wrote Cuadrilla founder and geologist Chris Cornelius and former public affairs director Mark Linder, who are no longer involved in the company. Advertisement If shale-gas extraction does go ahead in the UK, it will probably be limited to certain small areas. The Vale of Pickering in Yorkshire, for example, has potential because conventional gas wells in operation are already there. Boreholes just need to be deeper from the same site to penetrate the Bowland Shale. The lower infrastructure costs might make this more viable, Keeles Stimpson says. The government is holding a report from the British Geological Survey, which is expected to offer scientific support to the new plans. Theres nothing wrong with reopening those wells under the right circumstances. But none of the regulatory changes would get UK shale through the many-step process from estimated reserves to a mature industry overnight. Nor is the shale debate a replacement for other measures such as increasing investment in renewables, exploring the potential for geothermal heating and reducing demand through better insulation in famously drafty British homes. If anything, it will bring a modest bump in the UKs energy landscape, but not the once-hoped-for big bang. Advertisement More From Bloomberg Opinion: Truss Goes the Wrong Way on UK Energy Bailout: Javier Blas Windfall Profit Taxes Are Pure Economic Populism: Andreas Kluth A Renewable Energy Bubble Is Hit by the Perfect Storm: Chris Bryant This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Therese Raphael is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion covering health care and British politics. Previously, she was editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal Europe. 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 Gautam Adanis rise to the No. 2 spot in global wealth rankings, crafted chiefly from shares traded in the local market, deserves to be in the spotlight as much as a poster child of Narendra Modis Make in India self-reliance as an opportunity for some much-needed transparency about the tycoons investors. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight In the Indian prime ministers eight years in power, the first-generation entrepreneur from his home state of Gujarat came out of relative obscurity and eclipsed Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com Inc. No other Asian businessman has ever risen this high not when Japan Inc. was buying up everything in the 1980s, nor when Chinas meteoric rise held the world spellbound 20 years later. The four Japanese who took the top positions in the inaugural 1987 Forbes list of international billionaires the rich Americans were counted separately back then had a combined wealth of about $50 billion, or $130 billion in todays money. Adani is worth nearly $145 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Surely thats a good reason for the market to know the major shareholders behind such a large fortune? Advertisement To that end, a felicitation ceremony by the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the market regulator, for the offshore funds that have backed the billionaire would be an apt tribute. It would also be a great motivator for the lay investing public. They would get to meet the savvy investors who helped make Adanis commodities, energy and transportation empire the $255 billion stock-market juggernaut it is today, even when the combined annual net income of its seven publicly traded firms is less than $2 billion. Everyone ought to hear from the managers of the Elara India Opportunities Fund, which has amassed $4.2 billion practically all of its assets under management from three stocks: Adani Transmission Ltd., Adani Enterprises Ltd., and Adani Total Gas Ltd. APMS Investment Fund Ltd., whose $3.6 billion portfolio also includes Adani Power Ltd., has done it with four. There are three more of these Mauritius-based entities among major shareholders: Cresta Fund Ltd., LTS Investment Fund and Vespera Fund Ltd. A sixth, Albula Investment Fund Ltd., has exited Adani firms, with its portfolio shrinking to about $240 million from $1.6 billion in December, according to Bloomberg data. Between them, these publicity-shy investors own a combined $12 billion of Adani stock. Advertisement One can understand these funds reluctance to be in the public glare: Before they lucked out with Adani, four of them Elara, Cresta, Albula and APMS held significant stakes in two companies whose founders fled India and have since been probed for money laundering; another went bankrupt; and a fourth was liquidated after sparring with the Ethiopian government, Bloomberg News reported in July last year. The Indian market wobbled last summer on a media report that three out of the six offshore funds had seen their accounts frozen by the countrys national share depository. Adani called the report blatantly erroneous, the depository issued a clarification, and in a reply to a lawmakers question in parliament, Indias Junior Finance Minister Pankaj Chaudhary said neither the funds nor Adani firms were being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate, the agency that probes serious financial crimes such as money laundering and round-tripping. As Jugeshinder Singh, the groups chief financial officer, explained back then, Adani firms are new entrants to public markets. They ended up with a similar bunch of shareholders when they were spun off from Adani Enterprises, the flagship. As to who they are and the source of their funds, those questions should be asked of the offshore managers themselves, he said. Advertisement Trouble is, Bloomberg News couldnt find contact details for Markus Beat Dangel, Anna Luzia Von Senger Burger, and Alastair Guggenbuchi-Even and Yonca Even Guggenbuehl, the names Chaudhary gave in parliament as persons responsible for Cresta, Albula and APMS, respectively. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Offshore Leaks Database lists Beat Dangel as a judicial representative and director at Malta-based Lascaris Capital Fund and Prime Pan-Asia Investment Fund. The ICIJ website has a Swiss address for Beat Dangel. Guggenbuchi-Even is the chief executive and partner at Zurich-based Monterosa Group, according to his LinkedIn profile. When Indian opposition lawmaker Mahua Moitra asked in parliament if people at Monterosa are under investigation by Indian agencies, the minister said no. As part of its job of ensuring the integrity of Indian stock markets, the regulator must have full knowledge of these fund bosses. So it should go ahead and invite them over. Raj Bhatt, the London-based chairman and CEO at Elara Capital, should be easy to get: He hosted an investment event in Mumbai recently, attended virtually by Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. These smart investors must have known early what analysts are starting to recognize now: Adanis is not just any conglomerate. The coal he mines, moves through his ports, and burns at his power stations provides electricity to Indians. Adani supplies families with piped gas when theyre sitting down to dinner, in which the cooking oil is also his, and the wheat probably stored at his warehouses. Advertisement The new structures that will adorn the landscape of an underbuilt India over the next couple of decades will take construction materials from Adani, who just acquired 70 million tons of cement capacity and now wants to double it in five years. The businessman will collect toll on roads in the states of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, and host Indians data when theyre browsing the internet, waiting for a flight to take off from one of his airports. Hell also help book the airplane tickets. And before you complain about the impact of coal, cement, palm oil and data centers on the environment, Adani says hell invest $70 billion into cooling the planet down with green hydrogen, wind turbines and solar panels. Throw in forays into media and money-lending to small businesses, and Adani may soon command a bigger share of an average Indians life than Amazon will ever garner from a typical Americans wallet. The investors who backed this grand vision should realize that their reticence is robbing retail shareholders of solid wealth-creation advice, and leaving them at the mercy of pundits who peddle the virtues of diversification. The lack of publicity for the equity success story shares of Adani Green Energy Ltd. have jumped 4,500% over the past three years is also bringing too much attention to debt. The groups bonds are doing nowhere as well as stocks. Fitch Ratings unit CreditSights wasnt exactly revealing a secret when it wrote last month that Adani enjoys a strong relationship with the ruling Modi administration and that policy tailwinds are supporting the development of infrastructure assets. While Adani, 60, has said he doesnt receive or expect special treatment from the government, that alignment has definitely served him well. However, it was CreditSights characterization of the conglomerate as deeply overleveraged that the Adani Group contested strenuously, asserting that gross debt wasnt the 2.3 trillion rupees ($29 billion) estimated by the research firms analysts, but less than 1.9 trillion rupees. Advertisement Subtract the cash in hand and include the full profit-generation potential of projects that havent yet run for a whole year, and net debt is a little over three times earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, down from 7.6 times in 2013, the year before Modi came to power. Besides, to CreditSights point that it sees little evidence of promoter equity capital injections into the group companies, Adani said in its 15-page rebuttal that it has raised $16 billion in the last three years from marquee investors, including Frances TotalEnergies SE, Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Co., Qatar Investment Authority and Warburg Pincus LLC. All thats fine, but what about the non-marquee investors? Once again, the contribution of the Mauritius-based funds to the empire got ignored. This wont do. The silent soldiers behind the worlds second-biggest personal fortune are overdue their recognition. They also deserve some scrutiny. More From Bloomberg Opinion: Advertisement In India, Its Old Money Versus Adani Billions: Andy Mukherjee Indias Billionaire Race Sees One Pulling Away: Andy Mukherjee Indias Inward Turn Could Stymie Its Rise: Andy Mukherjee This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Andy Mukherjee is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies and financial services in Asia. Previously, he worked for Reuters, the Straits Times and Bloomberg News. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Plans are in motion to bring high-speed broadband service to residents of rural Gage County. The County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday approved an agreement with NextLink Internet for the rural broadband project. Project plans date back to around a year ago, and are the result of Gage County receiving just over $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds last year that are earmarked for water, sewer or broadband projects. This all started over a year ago when we received $4.2 million in ARPA funds and decided to invest it in broadband because it would affect the most people, from farmers in the field, people working at home, kids being able to do their homework and more, said board member Emily Haxby. The impact would be far reaching. Medicine, agriculture, businesses and the list goes on. The broadband service is expected to be available to customers in two years, with prices starting at $49.95 for 100 Mbps service. Haxby said there will be no speed throttling and it will be available to 950 homes in northern Gage County. Haxby said fiber lines will be buried throughout the county, and potential customers will be able to sign up for the service at a later date. Initial plans called for wireless internet service to eventually be available in southern Gage County, though thats not included in the agreement. Board member Don Schuller, who represents the general southeastern area of Gage County, was discouraged that more than $4 million in ARPA funds are being invested into a project that will not impact most of his constituents. Its news to me today that this isnt happening and my constituents are looking forward to getting service improvements in the next two years, he said. Now it isnt going to happen. Thats what was discussed at this meeting. Claude Aiken, NextLinks Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Legal Officer, said much of the southern areas in Gage County are rocky, and it would be difficult to bury fiber lines. The project is focused on the portion of the county north of Beatrice, he said. Well likely start just north of Beatrice and work our way northward from there. Youll likely see some NextLink vehicles driving around Gage County as we walk the project. Under the agreement all of the funds awarded to Gage County would be put toward the project, with the company awarded the project picking up the remainder of the cost over time. The total project was previously estimated to be up to a $12 million investment in Gage County. Loel Brooks, President of Universal Broadband Consulting out of Lincoln, attended Wednesdays meeting and said the agreement is a milestone for Gage County that others in Nebraska are watching closely. This project is, I think, one of the most important projects that the state has seen, he said. Broadband connectivity is probably the most important economic and community development tool we have in our state, and its probably the most important tool that weve had in our respective lifetimes. Its no longer a luxury to have great broadband, reliable broadband and speedy broadband, its a necessity. Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share Nobody does dynasty better than the British royal family. The recent days of pomp and circumstance have not only been a celebration of a life well lived. They have been a celebration of the power of the family to transcend death and to link the past to the present and thence to the future. Individual monarchs may die. The institution lives on because of the fusion of biological and social inheritance. The Queen is dead. Long live the King! It is easy, particularly after watching days of soldiers in red jackets and bearskins, marching bands and union flags, to see the Windsors as an expression of the peculiarities of the British. To a man and a woman, social theorists have predicted that modernity would mean the end of the dynastic principle in the face of democracy and meritocracy. And they have been able to point to the demise of great royal dynasties such as the Romanovs and the Habsburgs. Queen Victorias funeral resembled a gathering of crowned heads of state, many of them her relations. At Elizabeth IIs funeral, most of the heads of state were commoners. Yet dynasty remains a surprisingly powerful force. Dynastic families keep popping up in countries that were founded in revolt against the British monarchy: Think of the Kennedys and the Bushes in America and the Gandhis in India. The Philippines is run by a Marcos and Canada by a Trudeau. The stans of Central Asia are virtually family fiefs. China is a land of princelings, the children of senior Communist Party leaders, starting with Xi Jinping, who is about to become president for life. North Korea is on its third Kim in a row, with a fourth on the launching pad. Advertisement The dynastic principle can be found at its strongest in business. Its not just that small and medium businesses are family affairs. Giant companies in almost every area of business are either owned or controlled by families: car-making (Ford Motor Co. and BMW AG), media (News Corp. and Bertelsmann SE), tech (Samsung Electronics Co. and Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.), fashion (LVMH and Estee Lauder Cos.), pharmaceuticals (Johnson & Johnson and Merck & Co.) and supermarkets (Walmart Inc and Aldi Stores Ltd). A third of S&P 500 companies and 40% of the 250 largest companies in France and Germany can be defined as family companies in the sense that a family owns a significant share of the company and can influence the appointment of the CEO or chairman. The dynastic principle injects a collection of problems into the heart of business that are all too familiar from the history of royal dynasties, not least that of the Windsors, or indeed TV soap operas about families. The HBO series Succession has rightly won two best-drama Emmys for its portrayal of an aging company founder who refuses to hand over power and plays off his children against each other. Anybody who thinks that this portrait is exaggerated should look at the history of family patriarchs. Henry Ford terrorized his son and grandson, Edsel and Henry Ford II. Arnold Maersk Mc-Kinney Moeller, the boss of AP Moeller-Maersk, retired at 80 but cast a long shadow over the shipping giant until he died in 2012, aged 98. Sir Run Run Shaw, the chairman of Television Broadcasts Limited, waited until he was 104 to announce his retirement and then handed his position to his 79-year-old wife. Cyrus Mistry (who tragically died on September 4th in a car accident) found it hard to establish his control over the Tata Group because his predecessor, Ratan Tata, kept second-guessing him and was eventually ousted by the board. Albert Darboven, a coffee tycoon, pushed his son, Arthur, out of J.J. Darboven and tried to adopt a friend as his heir and successor. Advertisement Sibling rivalry and family feuds can convulse every family. They are even more poisonous when they are linked to great wealth and great responsibilities. Two of the worlds leading shoe companies, Adidas and Puma, were founded by two warring brothers who set up rival factories in their German hometown of Herzogenaurach. Mukesh and Anil Ambani were at each others throats for years after their father, Dhirubhai, died without a will. Koch Industries Inc., the Wichita-based oil, gas and commodities giant, was plagued by a feud between Charles, the CEO and David, his right-hand man, and two other brothers, Bill and Fred, who felt that they were marginalized. If the history of mankind is a history of crimes, follies and misfortunes, as Gibbon said, then the history of family companies is a history of slights, resentments and feuds. Family feuds are even more poisonous when patriarchs have several wives and/or mistresses. Stanley Hos gambling empire in Macao has repeatedly been convulsed by fights over inheritance between the children of his four wives. Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden, the founder of the Saudi Binladin Group and father of Osama bin Laden, had 52 children by 11 wives, turning the family business into a genealogical nightmare. Dynasty prepared the way for a follow-up by suggesting that the patriarch was preparing to have more children because he didnt think the ones he already had were up to it. Given the tangle of emotional problems that family companies can often entail, their survival might seem to be remarkable. Yet they are not only surviving but thiving. I would venture that in the future, family companies will account for an even bigger proportion of the capitalist system than they do today. Advertisement Family companies have all sorts of upsides that make up for their downsides. By their very nature they overcome two of the biggest problems of modern capitalism: the agency problem and short-termism. Family members keep a vigilant eye on the performance of professional managers. They also habitually take a longer-term view of the good of the company. What do quarterly results matter if you have been in business since 1385 (like the Antinoris) or 1526 (like the Berettas)? In the rich world, family companies excel at curating high-quality products that require a lot of patience. The worlds best newspapers such as the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal are owned by families. In the emerging world, they excel at making bets on new technologies. Family companies are repositories of family traditions and family loyalties. Companies of all sorts have taken to telling stories about themselves and their products in order to differentiate themselves from their rivals. Most family companies can tell stories that are far more compelling than the ersatz products of corporate public relations departments. Companies work hard to create loyalty among their employees. Family companies often extend their sense of family to their employees and even their communities: When Michele Ferrero, the founder of the company that gave us Nutella, died, people lined the streets of his hometown, Alba, in their thousands, many of them weeping. Family companies frequently have better political connections than other types of companies, most notably in the emerging world. Tata was an engine of nation-building during the British Raj. Samsung and the other chaebol were responsible for the miracle on the Han River that transformed a war-torn backwater into an industrial powerhouse. Advertisement They also have two important things on their side. The first is that they are particularly common in the most fast-growing areas of the global economy such as India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Families with names like Rothschild and Baring played a leading role in creating modern capitalism during the era of Western dominance. Families with names like Godrej and Lee will play an equally prominent role in recreating it in the age of Easternization. The second is that they are developing ways of minimizing their weaknesses (particularly the clogs to clogs in three generations curse) and capitalizing on their strengths. Arguably, family companies are undergoing a revolution in their management capacities similar in size and scope to the revolution that regular public companies went through a hundred years ago. Here are some of the emerging rules of successful business families and family companies: Advertisement + Decide what they want out of their businesses rather than dithering about between various contradictory models. The Boston Consulting Group argues that families can adopt three approaches toward their businesses. They can be owner-managers who occupy executive roles. They can be activist investors who provide broad strategic guidance and selective intervention. Or they can be passive owners living off dividends and nominating professional managers who are left to run the company free from interference. The 680 members of the Haniel clan (who once owned Metro supermarkets) have even adopted a self-denying ordinance which stipulates that no member of the family can work for the company, not even as an intern. The correct approach may change over the years: First-and second-generation family members may demand to be owner-managers whereas third- and fourth-generation members may prefer a more distant relationship. + Establish specialized institutions to manage functions that were once bundled together within the family company: for example, family offices to manage the family fortune and family foundations to manage charitable activities. Family philanthropic activities can be crucial to preserving family values and keeping family members involved in the family project. Advertisement + Adopt formal measures that can deal with potential conflicts of interest and clashes of personality. They have family constitutions that lay down the rules of engagement, shareholder agreements that regulate what shares they can sell, family assemblies that provide forums for the family at large and family councils that oversee the running of the business, and even family codes of conduct which prescribe how family members should behave (the Trumpf family has specific rules governing religious tolerance, modesty and respect for others). Getting these constitutional arrangements right is particularly important for big, sprawling families that have lots of branches and lots of different generations, all of which might have diverse interests and differing perspectives. + Reinforce hard measures with plenty of soft ones. Some families put aside a house for family reunions, often the home of the family founder, or organize regular holiday camps where their children mingle. Some families employ chief emotional officers, or ombudsmen, or external councilors to address soft issues. Others bring in psychologists or even psychiatrists to untangle some of the most difficult emotional tangles. In Boston, a group called SOBs (sons of bosses) has come together to discuss their daddy issues. Even the hard-bitten Rupert Murdoch has organized a group therapy session for his children and their spouses, presided over by a counselor who specializes in dynastic families. + Embrace meritocracy to the extent that you can in a dynastic world, insisting that family members meet demanding standards if they are to ensure their position in the firm and, if youre cursed with sub-optimal heirs, bringing in professional managers. Some companies restrict family members from working under the direct supervision of other family members. Others provide their children with seed funding to start a new venture in order to gain entrepreneurial experience. The ROI group, an Australian investment business that embraces four generations of the Owens family, demands that all family members work in non-family companies at the start of their career, and that they can only be given jobs in the company if they are approved by the owners board, which represents the family, and the advisory board, which represents outside advisers. Advertisement Elizabeth II liked to refer to her family as The Firm because it went about the business of majesty in such a business-like way. There are millions of other firms out there that try to combine rational demands of business with the emotional ties of family life. The Windsors are undoubtedly unique born to immense privilege but also condemned to live their lives in a gilded cage but they also sit on the top of a pyramid of dynastic families that have inherited their positions because of the luck of their genes the lucky sperm club as Warren Buffett once dubbed it but who nevertheless play a vital role in keeping the modern economy rolling ahead. More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion: Real Change at Credit Suisse? Dont Hold Your Breath: Paul J. Davies CEOs WantedBut Not the Usual Suspects: Chris Hughes Advertisement Covid-19 Is Casting Conglomerates in a New Light: Brooke Sutherland This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Adrian Wooldridge is the global business columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. A former writer at the Economist, he is author, most recently, of The Aristocracy of Talent: How Meritocracy Made the Modern World. 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 The crushingly complex, high-stakes business of making semiconductors has always been a battle between global giants. Now its also a race among governments. These critical bits of technology also known as integrated circuits or, more commonly, just chips may be the tiniest yet most exacting products ever manufactured. And because theyre so difficult and costly to produce, theres a worldwide reliance on just a handful of companies. That dependence has been brought into stark relief by shortages during the pandemic and by a ratcheting up of US restrictions on chip exports to China amid rising tensions around trade and security. Tens of billions of dollars will be spent in the coming years in a dash to expand production, with geopolitical as well as economic fallout. 1. Why the war over chips? Chipmaking has become an increasingly precarious business. New plants have a price tag of up to $20 billion, take years to build and need to be run flat-out for 24 hours a day to turn a profit. The scale required has reduced the number of companies with leading-edge technology to just three Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), South Koreas Samsung Electronics Co. and Intel Corp. of the US. Chipmakers are under increasing scrutiny over what they sell to China, the largest market for chips. Shifts in the global supply chain and recent shortages has governments rushing to subsidize new factories and equipment, from the US and Europe to China and Japan. Advertisement 2. Why are chips so critical? Theyre the thing that makes electronic items smart. Made from materials deposited on disks of silicon, chips can perform a variety of functions. Memory chips, which store data, are relatively simple and are traded like commodities. Logic chips, which run programs and act as the brains of a device, are more complex and expensive. And as the technology running devices from space hardware to refrigerators is getting smarter and more connected, semiconductors are more pervasive in the modern world. That explosion has some analysts forecasting that the industry will double in value to become a trillion-dollar market this decade. 3. Is the world short of computer chips? Pandemic lockdowns and supply-chain shortages made many types of chips scarce for a period of about two years. That event helped usher in this new era, with an increasing realization of their strategic importance. Now that PC and phone demand is cooling off post-pandemic and much of the world is falling into a recession the cycle has turned. Chipmakers are warning of a glut in certain areas, though some customers including carmakers are still struggling to get enough. Yet for political reasons chipmakers are still poised to add capacity at a time of shaky demand which could further upend the industry. Advertisement 4. Hows the competition going? TSMC is unveiling bigger budgets, while Samsung is introducing cutting-edge technology ahead of its rivals. TSMCs revenue is expected to surge 40% this year. In 2021, Samsung overtook Intel to become the worlds largest chipmaker; this year, TSMC is on course to overtake Intel. China is pushing hard to catch up but is facing more US moves to restrict access to American gear for designing and manufacturing chips. The US is also targeting technology that it has determined could be misused for military purposes. Notably, Chinas Huawei Technologies Co., which once led the market for mobile phone infrastructure and rivaled Samsung as one of the biggest smartphone makers, was cut off from its primary suppliers. In any case, China has a long way to go and its task is getting harder. Advertisement US politicians have decided that they need to do more than just hold back China. The Chips and Science Act, signed into law Aug. 9, will provide $50 billion of federal money to support US production of semiconductors and foster a skilled workforce needed by the industry. European Union officials are exploring ways to build an advanced semiconductor factory in Europe, possibly with assistance from TSMC and Samsung, as part of its goal to double chip production to 20% of the global market by 2030. 5. How does Taiwan fit into all this? The island democracy emerged as the dominant player in outsourced chipmaking partly because of a government decision in the 1970s to promote the electronics industry. TSMC almost single-handedly created the business of building chips for others, one that was embraced as the cost of building plants skyrocketed. Large-scale customers like Apple Inc. gave it the massive volume to build industry-leading expertise and now the world now relies on it. Matching its scale and skills would take years and cost a fortune. Politics have made the race about more than money, though, with the US signaling that it will continue efforts to restrict Chinas access to American technology used in Taiwans foundries. China has long claimed the island, just 100 miles off its coast, as a renegade province and threatened to invade to prevent its independence. Recent military exercises by China have reignited concerns about the worlds dependence on Taiwan for chips. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia said Thursday it will launch a training program with the goal of sending its own astronauts, including a woman, into space next year. The kingdom is actively promoting science and technology as part of its wide-ranging Vision 2030 plan to overhaul its economy and reduce its dependency on oil. The plan, championed by Saudi Arabias powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also calls for greater integration of women into the workforce of the conservative Muslim country. Saudi Arabia lifted a long-standing ban on women driving in 2018. The Saudi Astronaut Program, which is an integral part of the Kingdoms ambitious Vision 2030, will send Saudi astronauts into space to help better serve humanity, the Saudi Space Commission said in a statement. One of the astronauts will be a Saudi woman, whose mission to space will represent a historical first for the Kingdom. Advertisement The first Arab or Muslim to travel to space was Saudi Arabias Prince Sultan bin Salman, a half-brother of the crown prince and an air force pilot who was part of the seven-member crew of NASAs Discovery mission in 1985. He later served as head of the Saudi Space Commission from 2018 until last year, when he was appointed an adviser to King Salman. The neighboring United Arab Emirates has the Arab worlds leading space program, having launched a probe into Mars' orbit in February 2021. The UAE plans to launch its first lunar rover in November. If the moon mission succeeds, the UAE and Japan, which is providing the lander, would join the ranks of only the U.S., Russia and China as nations that have put a spacecraft on the lunar surface. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share California governor Gavin Newsom signed a landmark bill into law last week, forcing large internet companies like Facebook to make their sites safer for children. Aside from sparking irritation in tech circles, it has put a spotlight on an area where states are making greater headway than Congress: passing laws to regulate the free-wheeling dominance of Big Tech firms. Rallying against Big Tech is that rare issue both Republicans and Democrats can agree on, yet several federal proposals with bipartisan support have stalled in Washington, including a comprehensive privacy bill and an antitrust package that will probably be mothballed next year amid a likely GOP majority in the House. When it comes to policing Big Tech, Congress is essentially gridlocked. The real action is happening at the state level. Texas and Florida have been trying to push through new social media laws, currently tangled up in the courts with the possibility now of a Supreme Court ruling. Both seek to stop companies such as Facebook and Twitter Inc. from blocking certain types of political speech which will likely do more to appeal to their Republican bases than to adequately clean up harmful online content. Even so, like Californias new rules, they underscore the growing importance of state-level firepower in regulating tech. With Congress doing so little, more state legislators should try to pick up the slack and pass sorely needed legislation that addresses infringements of privacy, online harms and market abuse by these firms. Advertisement Doing so would take a cue from Big Techs own playbook. For years, industry lobbyists have targeted state lawmakers to quietly push for watered-down privacy laws, shrewdly preempting tougher policies that might threaten their business models by forcing changes to their ad or data-collection practices. Privacy laws recently passed in Virginia, Utah and Colorado, along with similar bills under consideration in another 22 states, lack any real enforcement power. Thats because technology firms themselves have been instigating or advising on the legislation. Amazon.com Inc., for instance, fed Virginia lawmakers the initial text of a bill that became that states privacy law. Amazon gave us the first cut of a draft to look at, Democratic Virginia state Senator David Marsden told Protocol recently. Advertisement A powerful tech industry group known as the State Privacy and Security Coalition (SPSC), whose members include Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc., Alphabet Inc. and Amazon, has also offered state lawmakers substantive expertise and advice on privacy legislation. One lobbyist with the group helped Utah Republican state Senator Kirk Cullimore add substitute language to his states privacy bill, according to the minutes of a February 2022 hearing.(1) Bizarrely, the current best effort at protecting consumer privacy has come from a large tech company. Apple Inc.s App Tracking Transparency pop-up, introduced to iPhones globally last year, has done more than any law to curb targeted advertisers on our phones, knocking an estimated $14 billion off Facebooks ad sales this year alone (and improving Apples business in the process). Highly profitable tech companies shouldnt be our ultimate data protectors, neither should they dictate the direction of privacy policy. That is the job of democratically elected lawmakers. Advertisement California offers a helpful template. Its own privacy law, which was rolled out in 2020,(2)became a de facto US standard because tech companies realized it would be easier to follow its rules universally rather than weed out California users. The same could happen with the states new Age Appropriate Design Code. It forces internet firms to redesign their websites or algorithms if they infringe on the privacy of under 18s or expose them to harmful content, and is tougher than the British rules it is based on. Facebook, for instance, has been accused of continuing to surveil teens for ad targeting even after saying it wouldnt under the new UK rules protecting kids. Itll be harder to get away with that under Californias law. The states attorney general can pursue penalties of as much as $7,500 for every minor affected by a company that breaks the legislation. Advertisement Tougher state rules aimed at the tech industry wouldnt just create national momentum for finally passing federal laws; they might also compel tech companies to be more accepting of federal regulation, seeing it as a more palatable alternative to a confusing patchwork of state directives. And once Congress eventually standardizes something, even if its a few years down the line, there would be less risk that certain regulations could be watered down. The federal laws would be more powerful. Oddly, groups campaigning for better privacy or online protections havent been lobbying state houses at anywhere near the same level as tech companies, according to Jesse Lehrich, co-founder of Accountable Tech, a civic group pushing for stronger regulation of social media firms. Ive been a little bit surprised because I havent heard many of our allies getting serious about mapping out where there may be opportunities, he said. That could be a missed chance for advocacy groups. California has shown that states can accomplish far more than Congress at tackling Big Techs dominance. Federal laws trying to do the same look near-impossible next year. States could make a necessary difference, and they should. Advertisement More From Bloomberg Opinion: You, Too, Could Be a Huge, Viral Star on LinkedIn: Trung Phan Apollo Ventures In Where Amazon Fears to Tread: Andy Mukherjee Microsoft Deal Is a Tough Target for Trustbusters: Chris Hughes (1) Anton van Seventer, a lobbyist for the State Privacy and Security Coalition, was cited in the minutes as having helped pass the bill. (2) Californias privacy law had initially passed in 2018, but was strengthened after a ballot initiative that made it such that the legislature couldnt roll it back. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. A former reporter for the Wall Street Journal and Forbes, she is author of We Are Anonymous. 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 The governors of Texas, Florida and Arizona have escalated a showdown with the administration of President Joe Biden over its immigration policies along the southern US border by sending thousands of undocumented people north and dropping them off without advance notice in so-called sanctuary states. Critics say the Republican governors have gone too far to score political points, particularly after Floridas Ron DeSantis took credit for flying about 50 Venezuelans to the island of Marthas Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts. That episode has spurred a criminal investigation and a class-action lawsuit that will determine whether laws were broken and migrants rights were violated. 1. Who are these migrants? They are people who entered the US without permission, applied for asylum and were released pending a hearing. In the meantime, they are free to travel within the US and to apply for a work permit after 150 days. Advertisement 2. Whats the criminal investigation? Javier Salazar, the sheriff of Texass Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, said he had opened a probe into who had lured and transported migrants from Texas to Florida and then to Marthas Vineyard, best known as a summer resort for wealthy vacationers. He said his office was investigating whether the migrants had been hoodwinked into boarding flights, but he didnt specify any possible charges or who the suspects might be. Some Democrats have suggested DeSantis could be prosecuted for trafficking -- the transportation of people through force, fraud or deception. But under federal and state laws, trafficking is typically associated with forced labor or participation in commercial sex acts. 3. Whats the lawsuit? In the suit filed in Massachusetts federal court, DeSantis and Floridas transportation secretary are accused of duping the migrants into boarding flights with false promises of employment and housing at their destination. No arrangements had been made for the migrants upon their arrival on Marthas Vineyard. Once they boarded the flights, they werent free to leave, according to the complaint, which includes claims of violations of constitutional and civil rights, as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress over the use of the migrants as political pawns. Advertisement 4. What are the legal issues posed by the relocations? Consent is critical, whether immigrants are loaded onto planes or buses and wherever they are sent. In the rudimentary release forms that DeSantiss team said were used for the Marthas Vineyard flights, the migrants agreed to be transported to locations in sanctuary states. While theres no official legal definition of a sanctuary destination, the label generally applies to states, counties or cities that declare they wont assist in immigration enforcement and deportation. If its true the migrants accepted transportation offers voluntarily and intended to go to sanctuary destinations under the belief that anywhere is better than Texas, lawsuits face steeper odds. But it will be harder for the southern officials to defend their actions in court if evidence comes to light that the migrants were coerced or tricked into being transported far from where they applied for asylum and where they must return to complete the process. If the migrants can prove that they were promised places to live and work on Marthas Vineyard, they might be able to argue that they were defrauded. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share A distinctive feature of Russian military policy is an express willingness to introduce nuclear weapons into an otherwise conventional war. That helps explain why President Vladimir Putins saber-rattling about his nuclear arsenal since launching war on Ukraine in February has been so worrisome: The use of nuclear arms had been considered practically unthinkable for the 77 years since the US proved their destructive power. Whats of particular concern with Russia is its posture on so-called tactical, or nonstrategic, nuclear weapons. 1. What has Russia done to raise concern? In a speech laying out Russias reasons for invading Ukraine, Putin warned that any nation that interfered would suffer consequences that you have never experienced in your history. That was widely seen as threatening a nuclear strike. On Sept. 21, in the wake of a Ukrainian counteroffensive helped by US intelligence and weapons donated by the West, Putin portrayed the war as a fight to the death with the US and its allies and vowed to use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people. This is not a bluff. Rhetoric aside, Russia regularly holds drills to test its strategic weapon delivery systems, including practice launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles and shorter-range cruise missiles; one was held just days before the invasion. Military experts have considered how Russia might use a tactical weapon in a conventional conflict, like the one in Ukraine. Advertisement 2. Whats a tactical nuclear weapon? Tactical is an inexact term for a nuclear weapon that could be used within a theater of war. Generally speaking, that means it has a less powerful warhead (the explosive head of a missile, rocket or torpedo) and is delivered at a shorter range -- by mines, artillery, cruise missiles or bombs dropped by aircraft -- than the strategic nuclear weapons the US and Russia could launch at each others homeland using ICBMs. Arms control accords between the US and the Soviet Union (and, later, between the US and Russia) starting in the 1970s generally focused on reducing the number of strategic nuclear weapons, not tactical ones. 3. How powerful can a tactical nuclear weapon be? Where todays most powerful strategic warheads are measured in the many hundreds of kilotons, tactical nuclear weapons can have explosive yields of less than 1 kiloton; many are in the tens of kilotons. For some perspective, the atomic bombs dropped by the US on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 had explosive yields of about 15 kilotons and 20 kilotons, respectively. Advertisement 4. How does a nuclear strike fit into Russias military doctrine? Since 2000, Russias publicly shared military doctrine has allowed for nuclear weapons use in response to large-scale aggression utilizing conventional weapons in situations critical to the national security of the Russian Federation. The Russian strategy known as escalate to de-escalate contemplates using a tactical nuclear weapon on the battlefield to change the course of a conventional conflict that Russian forces are at risk of losing. John Hyten, who served as the top US nuclear weapons military official, says a more accurate translation of the Russian strategy is escalate to win. 5. Whats in Russias arsenal? The US Department of Defense reported in 2018 that Russia had significant advantages over the US and its allies in tactical nuclear forces and was improving delivery capabilities. Researchers at the Federation of American Scientists estimated that entering 2022, Russia had 4,477 nuclear warheads, of which 1,525 -- roughly one-third -- could be considered tactical. Advertisement 6. What would a tactical nuclear strike look like? Nina Tannenwald, author of The Nuclear Taboo: The United States and the Non-Use of Nuclear Weapons Since 1945, paints a scenario of even a small nuclear weapon, one with an explosive yield of 0.3 kiloton, producing damage far beyond that of a conventional explosive. It could, she wrote in Scientific American in March, cause all the horrors of Hiroshima, albeit on a smaller scale. Its possible, however, that if detonated at the right altitude, a small-yield warhead might wipe out opposing forces beneath without leaving behind long-term radiation damage that leaves the battlefield off-limits to all. 7. How would the world respond? Because Ukraine isnt a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization -- Putin has demanded that it never be allowed to join -- the US and its allies are not obliged to come to its defense. But the West would be under great pressure to respond to a nuclear attack, perhaps even with a tactical weapon of its own. The US is thought to have about 150 B-61 nuclear gravity bombs -- ones dropped from aircraft, with variable yields that can be as low as 0.3 kiloton -- stationed in five NATO countries: Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Turkey. Two other NATO members, the UK and France, are known to have nuclear weapons of their own. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share VILNIUS, Lithuania The three Baltic states say they are not prepared to automatically offer asylum to Russians fleeing mobilization into the military, hoping that discontent with the Russian authorities will grow at home instead. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. ArrowRight Large numbers of Russians rushed Wednesday to book one-way tickets out of the country after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of military reservists for the war in Ukraine. There was little sign of any pressure at the borders of the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania after those countries closed their borders to most Russians earlier in the week. In Latvia, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said Thursday that Latvia would not issue humanitarian or other visas to Russians seeking to avoid mobilization, citing security reasons. Advertisement We must not give in to his (Putins) blackmail and must support Ukraine as much as we can. Russia today is as dangerous to Europe and world peace as Nazi Germany was in the last century, said Rinkevics, according to the Baltic News Service. Meanwhile Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said Thursday that being drafted into the army is not enough of a reason for Russians to get asylum in his country, which borders the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Political asylum is granted to those who are persecuted for their beliefs or other similar reasons, Anusauskas told The Associated Press. On Wednesday, Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Laanemets called Russias invasion of Ukraine the collective responsibility of Russian citizens and argued that allowing in those fleeing possible army service would violate European Union sanctions aimed at Moscow. Advertisement Putins latest move in some ways reinforces the sanctions we have imposed to date, because it will hopefully increase discontent among the population, Laanemets was quoted by BNS as saying. It is no longer just professional soldiers, people from remote regions or convicts who are being sent to the front, but the desire is for everyone to be relegated to cannon fodder, he said. Russians seeking to avoid being called up to fight are primarily flying to countries which still have direct plane connections, such as Serbia, Turkey, Georgia and Armenia flights that quickly sold out after Putins announcement of a partial mobilization. Authorities in Finland, which has a land border with Russia, have not seen increased activity at their borders, despite some information on social media suggesting otherwise. The Finnish border guards wrote on Twitter that incorrect and misleading information circulates in social media. The Norwegian news agency NTB said that there is no increased activity at Storskog, the sole crossing point between Norway and Russia, located in the Arctic. ___ Vanessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share UNITED NATIONS Inside the grand hall of the United Nations, the worlds leaders are convening this week, each taking a turn to speak at the high-level leaders meeting at the U.N. General Assembly. Its a practice rooted in diplomatic decorum and strict protocol. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. ArrowRight But walk a few blocks past the metal detectors and through the maze of police barricades and another tradition unfolds: protests. Out here, fewer rules apply. And plenty of shouting is welcome. With the worlds attention focused on the General Assembly and the leaders gathered there, disparate groups with far-ranging grievances congregate in the hopes of catching some of the limelight in Midtown. Heres what some of that looks like: People wearing placards and stopping pedestrians with questions like: Do you want to live in a world where nuclear arsenals are growing? Advertisement Marchers holding signs for the rights of Indigenous people in the Amazon. A truck moving through traffic carrying a large sign calling for Irans president to be prosecuted. Supporters of the Falun Gong spiritual movement decrying the Chinese governments treatment of the group. These causes may not make it to the U.N. podium. But the protests and placards blaring their messages ensure theyre heard, too. ___ For more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share UNITED NATIONS The Latest on the U.N. General Assembly: Mexico has proposed that India and the Vatican lead a U.N.-backed dialogue to seek a peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine, an effort that has not been well received by Kyiv. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. ArrowRight Mexico has condemned Russias invasion of its neighbor, but also maintained that the sanctions against Moscow and arms shipments to Ukraine have only made the conflict worse. Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard cited the U.N. Security Council on Thursday for a failure to avoid the conflict and to stop it. We cannot close the door on political dialogue or diplomatic negotiation, Ebrard said. Current international tensions will not be resolved through force. Mexico has said it will do whatever necessary to help organize talks but thinks the U.N. and others should take the lead on them. Advertisement Even before the formal presentation at the U.N. on Thursday, Mexicos proposal had been criticized by Ukraine. Last week, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accused Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of putting forward a Russian plan and using the war for his own public relations. Is your plan to keep millions under occupation, increase the number of mass burials and give Russia time to renew reserves before the next offensive? Podolyak wrote. ___ Botswanas President Mokgweetsi Masisi says vaccine equity must remain a priority for developing countries since many have failed to meet World Health Organization targets for COVID-19 vaccinations. This underscores the urgent need to continue promoting vaccine equity through international solidarity, as well as addressing vaccine hesitancy by countering disinformation and raising awareness about the science regarding the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines, Masisi told the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday. Advertisement The WHO had called for countries to fully vaccinate 70% of their populations by mid-2022. While Masisi said that Botswana has enough shots to vaccinate all eligible people, only 61% are fully vaccinated in the southern African nation. ___ Nigers president is warning that climate change is helping to fuel Islamic extremism in Africas Sahel region. Mohamed Bazoum said prolonged droughts brought on by global warming are threatening the practice of pastoral farming in West Africa. Thats causing many young shepherds to turn instead to extremist groups. Terrorism operating the Sahel today is linked to the living conditions for certain communities where the environment has been significantly affected by climate change, Bazoum told the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday. While thanking France, the United States and Germany for their help in fighting the insurgency, Nigers leader also decried a persistent lack of international funding. Advertisement Niger has seen scores of deadly attacks on civilians over the past year near its border with Mali, where extremists have long been active. France recently relocated its troops from Mali to Niger following a deterioration in relations with Malis leader, Col. Assimi Goita, who took power in a coup two years ago. ___ For more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share MEXICO CITY An explosion occurred outside Mexicos Attorney Generals Office on Thursday, injuring police as protesters demonstrating ahead of the anniversary of the 2014 disappearance of 43 students clashed with officers clad in riot gear. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. ArrowRight Those injured by the explosion were loaded onto ambulances. Broken glass and blood were visible. Members of a bomb squad cordoned off the area. One undetonated object that an explosives technician recovered appeared to be a small pipe bomb a tube with two capped ends. Mexico Citys police department said that 11 police officers were injured by shrapnel from fireworks and some suffered bruises. They were all taken to hospitals and the injuries were not considered life threatening. The protest was just one of a host of activities planned in advance of Mondays 8th anniversary of the students disappearances. Protests that includes relatives of the disappeared students have usually remained peaceful. Advertisement Thursdays demonstration started that way too, with chants and speeches. Most of the protesters boarded buses and left before a small group that stayed behind clashed with police. Some masked protesters threw rocks and launched bottle rockets into police lines. Others spray painted areas around the building with demands for the missing students safe return. The police bunched together, crouching below their plastic shields and were engulfed in smoke. I was in the entrance to my store when four bombs went off like bottle rockets which is what they launched at the Attorney Generals Office, toward the windows, said 19-year-old Jose Rivera Cruz, who sells clothing to one side of the office. There was smoke and they closed the metro bus station (across the street). And most of the police were running and trying to get to the patrol cars and the ambulances. Advertisement As more police arrived to help the injured and secure the area, the protesters left, he said. On Sept. 26, 2014, local police in Iguala, Guerrero abducted 43 students from a radical teachers college. They were allegedly turned over to a drug gang and never seen again. Three victims were later identified by burned bone fragments. Last month, Interior Undersecretary Alejandro Encinas, who leads a truth commission investigating the case, called it a state crime and directly implicated the military, among other state actors including local and state police. Former Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam, who oversaw the original investigation into the disappearances, was arrested last month on charges of torture, official misconduct and forced disappearance. Last week, Mexico arrested a retired general, who had been in charge of the local army base in Iguala when the abductions occurred. Advertisement Dozens of student protesters arrived at the Attorney Generals Office aboard buses Thursday morning. Police with helmets and riot shields formed several lines of defense in front the entrances. On Wednesday, activists had vandalized the exterior of Israels embassy in Mexico City. Mexico is seeking the extradition from Israel of another key figure in the investigation of the students disappearances. GiftOutline Gift Article A Wyoming woman pleaded not guilty Thursday to accusations of lighting fires that damaged a downtown Billings church and pre-release center. Jodi Laurette Loftus, 43, has been charged in Yellowstone County District Court with two counts of arson and one count of criminal mischief, all felonies. Loftus, who also goes by Jodi Moore, was arrested Tuesday after fire crews responded to alarms at St. Lukes Episcopal Church and Alpha House. Officers with the Billings Police Department launched an arson investigation into the church fire after arriving at the scene. Flames had scorched the custom-built wooden front doors and caused smoke damage to the churchs interior. Investigators also found rocks had shattered some of the buildings stained glass windows, according to charging documents. While investigating the damage to St. Lukes, police received a call of fire alarms triggered at Alpha House about a block away. Surveillance footage allegedly showed Loftus lighting paper on fire inside the dormitory, then setting a trash bin on fire. There were 19 people asleep inside the dormitory when the fire alarms went off, court documents said. The damage was limited to some smoke stains to the buildings walls. Officers found Loftus walking near Third Avenue North. She was allegedly carrying a lighter, and was booked into Yellowstone County Detention Facility the same morning. Standing Master Brad Kneeland set Loftus bond at $100,000 during her arraignment Thursday. If convicted of arson, Loftus could be sentenced up to 20 years in prison and fined up to $50,000. A criminal mischief conviction with damages exceeding $1,500 also comes with a fine of up to $50,000 and as long as 10 years in prison. Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share KYIV, Ukraine Ukraine announced a high-profile prisoner swap early Thursday that culminated months of efforts to free many of the Ukrainian fighters who defended a steel plant in Mariupol during a long Russian siege. In exchange, Ukraine gave up an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. ArrowRight President Volodymr Zelenskky said his government had won freedom from Russian custody for 215 Ukrainian and foreign citizens. He said many were soldiers and officers who had faced the death penalty in Russian-occupied territory. Russia officials didnt immediately confirm or otherwise comment on the swap. Of the total, 200 Ukrainians were exchanged for just one man pro-Russian opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk, who is Ukrainian. The 68-year-old oligarch escaped from house arrest in Ukraine several days before Russias invasion Feb. 24 but was recaptured in April. He faced up to life in prison on charges of treason and aiding and abetting a terrorist organization for mediating coal purchases for the separatist, Russia-backed Donetsk republic in eastern Ukraine. Advertisement Putin is believed to be the godfather of Medvedchuks youngest daughter. His detention sparked a heated exchange between officials in Moscow and Kyiv. Medvedchuk is the head of the political council of Ukraines pro-Russian Opposition Platform-For Life party, the largest opposition group in Ukraines parliament. The government has suspended the partys activity. It is not a pity to give up Medvedchuk for real warriors, Zelenskyy said in a post on his website. He has passed all the investigative actions provided by law. Ukraine has received from him everything necessary to establish the truth in the framework of criminal proceedings. In another swap, Ukraine gained the release of five more citizens in exchange for 55 Russian prisoners it was holding, Zelenskyy said. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the exchanges, calling them no small feat, but adding that much more remains to be done to ease the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine, his spokesman said. The U.N. chief reiterates the need to respect international law on the treatment of prisoners and will continue to support further prisoner exchanges, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Advertisement According to Zelenskyy, many of those freed belonged to Ukraines Azov regiment, whom he called heroes. More than 2,000 defenders, many in the Azov unit, marched out of the Azovstal steel plants twisted wreckage into Russian captivity in mid-May, ending a nearly three-month siege of the port city of Mariupol. Five of the released Azov commanders are now living in Turkey, according to a post on Zelenskyys website. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share UNITED NATIONS The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said Wednesday he met with Ukraines and Russias foreign ministers in a bid to establish a safety and security zone around a nuclear plant in southeastern Ukraine that is Europes largest. The Zaporizhzhia power plant has faced almost daily shelling and bombardment, raising fears of a nuclear accident. Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said that as a result of the separate meetings with Ukraines Dmytro Kuleba and Russias Sergey Lavrov, work has already begun on establishing and shaping the zone. He said he hopes to visit Kyiv soon, and perhaps later on go to Russia. Given the urgency of the situation and the gravity of whats going on in the field we have to move fast, Grossi said. Both nations, he said, share a conviction that the establishment of the zone is indispensable. Advertisement The mere fact that the two foreign ministers are sitting down with me and are listening to our ideas, I think its a good indicator that there is a very strong solid base for this thing to happen, he said. Grossi said negotiating a safety zone is complex, and issues that need to be addressed include protecting the plant, how the zone would be implemented and how an agreement would be enforced. The IAEA chief said the Zaporizhzhia plant was shelled and attacked earlier Wednesday, and a projectile hit a pipeline in a pool where spent nuclear fuel is cooled, and it stopped working. Technical experts were able to use other available capacities to continue pumping water into the pool, he said, stressing that this is just one example of the serious issues at the facility which has also seen external power repeatedly restored and interrupted. Advertisement Over the past weeks, Ukraine and Russia have traded blame over shelling at and near the plant. No one would ever run a plant like this in normal circumstances with all these problems, Grossi said. We are playing with fire and continue to play with fire. Russian troops seized the Zaporizhzhia plant in the southeastern city of Enerhodar, in early March, soon after their Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, but its nuclear operations continue to be run by its Ukrainian staff. Grossi led an IAEA team that visited Zaporizhzhia in late August and proposed the establishment of a safety zone soon after. He left two IAEA experts at the plant to monitor the situation and said the IAEA is in constant contact with them trying to ensure that their working conditions are the best possible, but stressed again we are in a situation which is not normal. Advertisement The Russian capture of Zaporizhzhia renewed fears that the largest of Ukraines 15 nuclear reactors could be damaged, setting off another emergency like the 1986 Chernobyl accident, the worlds worst nuclear disaster, which happened about 110 kilometers (65 miles) north of Kyiv. Grossi was also asked about the IAEAs dealings with Iran and its latest report earlier this month which said it believes Iran has further increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to one short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. The nuclear agency voiced increasing concerns over Tehrans lack of engagement with a probe into man-made uranium particles found at three undeclared sites in the country that has become a sticking point in efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers. Advertisement Grossi said there are many things that Iran has observed, but there are these three big question marks that have to be answered and are not going to be wished away. I hope in the next few days to be able to re-establish some contacts so that we can continue with this process which has been lingering for a long time, he said. Asked why he hadnt met with Iranian leader who are attending U.N. events this week, he replied, Well, perhaps you should ask them. Speaking at the General Assemblys leaders meeting, Irans president insisted Wednesday that his country is serious about reviving a deal meant to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear bomb. But Ebrahim Raisi questioned whether Tehran could trust Americas commitment to any eventual accord. The United States pulled out of a previous deal in 2018 under President Donald Trump. ____ Edith M. Lederer is chief U.N. correspondent for The Associated Press and has been covering international affairs for more than half a century. For more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly GiftOutline Gift Article Online news outlet Crikey has confirmed it will deploy a new public interest defence in its defamation battle with Lachlan Murdoch, in what is likely to be the first test of the law in Australia. Private Media, Crikeys publisher, will also dispute that the article at the centre of the Federal Court case inflicted serious harm on the reputation of the News Corp co-chairman. Private Media chairman Eric Beecher, Trump supporters outside the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and Lachlan Murdoch. Credit:Thom Rigney, AP, Getty Images Murdoch, chief executive of Fox Corporation and elder son of media baron Rupert, filed defamation proceedings against Crikey last month over a June 29 article naming his family as unindicted co-conspirators of former US president Donald Trump following the deadly 2021 US Capitol riots. He alleges the article conveys a range of false and defamatory meanings, including that he illegally conspired with ... Trump to incite an armed mob to march on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Im writing this on Wangal land and Id like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay my respect to their elders, past and present. Im defined by many identities, and one is that Im the granddaughter of migrants who settled on stolen land. Its never lost on me that both my maternal and paternal grandparents chose to begin a new life in a place with a 40,000-year history of oral storytelling. I come from a family of storytellers and thats how Looking for Alibrandi came to be. In my family, stories about the past were a given: at Sunday lunch with the extended family; whilst travelling to the Burdekin where my mum grew up; or with my sisters on our parents bed every night, talking over each others voices. I wasnt always an attentive listener. My greatest regret is ignoring my maternal grandfathers stories because by the time I wanted to write about a girl discovering what life was like for her grandfather in an Australian internment camp during World War Two, my Nonno had been diagnosed with Alzheimers and it seemed as if we had lost a library. Volumes of stories about arriving in this country as a young man in the 1920s, buying a horse, getting a tattoo, and being interned, even though he was a British subject. So, I wrote about my Nonna instead, and thats why Looking for Alibrandi is about three women. I often wonder about that other book. Melina Marchetta in 1994, two years after Looking for Alibrandi was published. Credit:Sahlan Hayes This year marks the novels 30th anniversary and Ive spent a large chunk of it searching for manuscripts and articles and interviews. Its made me feel incredibly nostalgic. Its made me miss my dad and my grandparents. Its made me remember how suffocated I felt when I was a teenager, yet there was never a moment when I felt unloved and that has counted for so much. And I remember shame because shame lives very close under the thin skin of memory. I started writing because I was a lover of books from the age of seven, but never found myself in the pages of a novel. When you dont have an identity outside your extended family then you question your worth a lot more than someone who is constantly reassured by positive and warm representations of themselves in books, films, TV, mainstream media and national legends and heroes. Id like to say that cultural representation has become a bit better, but we are in the year 2022, so I have a problem with a bit better. I want to say we need to do better. And thats where the memory of shame comes from. Back then I didnt resent those people who left us out or who called us names. I resented myself. Theres an element of self-loathing that comes with being omitted from the narrative of your own society. At the time of writing Alibrandi, I belonged to a community of extended family. Our world was defined by culture and religion and we spent our weekends going to weddings and christenings and, of course, visiting my paternal grandparents. We called their home Nonnas because, despite everything, my paternal grandmother dominated and no one overshadowed her. I was a wallflower with a very outspoken inner voice that I allowed no one to hear. Back then, I knew three things in life: what it was like to belong to an Italian family, Catholic schooling and Sydney, particularly the inner-west. So, its no surprise that I wrote about a girl from an Italian family who lived in Sydney and went to a Catholic school. Josie Alibrandi was a combination of my two clever, vibrant sisters and me. She spoke words out loud that I had stored in my head forever. I understood every fibre of her being. She was my mouthpiece to the world and I will be forever grateful that she came calling. Australian author Melina Marchettas debut novel, Looking for Alibrandi, was made into an award-winning Australian film. I wrote the novel in my bedroom in my family home. Its the home where Im writing now as my daughter and I have lived with my mum for the past two years. So, the memories are rife. Of my first computer, after spending years on an electric typewriter. Of floppy discs that lost chapters of work. I remember looking up the yellow pages and ringing publishers. What did I have to do to submit a manuscript? The response was always the same. Typed, double-spaced, with a synopsis. Oh, and by the way, We receive 2000 unsolicited manuscripts a year and we accept about one or two of them. To be honest, I had never excelled at anything except a sprinting career in kindy and year 2. I had finished high school at the end of year 10 with nothing significant said about who I was going to be. I was a typist in a bank. What chance did I have of getting a novel published in the 80s? Advertisement Back then there wasnt really a genre called YA and, of course, there were few novels about a teenager from a non-Anglo/Celtic background. The manuscript was rejected about six or seven times during a four-year period. By the time I received any good news about it, I was working in a low-paying travel job and taking advantage of $25 plane tickets to travel the world any time I could. Those journeys, mostly on my own, were my greatest lessons in life and an escape from the smallness of my world. Im not sure who that girl was running through Red Square in the former Soviet Union, but she sort of impresses me these days. Pia Miranda, Elena Cotta and Greta Scacchi in a still from the film Looking for Albrandi. The week Looking for Alibrandi came out in September 1992, I was in my second year of university studying teaching. I failed a King Lear essay that week. I also remember a Korean cult declaring the end of the world on the very same day as the novels release, so I went into the experience with a sense of doom. Ive said often that Alibrandi is bigger than I am, and Ive spent the past 30 years trying to deal with, escape, reconcile, and embrace its great importance to me. I havent read it since I was forced to teach it for the HSC, because in the world of English teaching, theres nothing worse than marking 100 essays about your novel. Ive tried often to work out what it is about Josie Alibrandi that has stood the test of time. In a novel where theres no social media or mobile phones, set before the #MeToo movement and 9/11, how has she managed to find an audience in the past three decades? Perhaps its because many of us, regardless of culture and socio-economic status, grapple with our identity, with wanting to be accepted, and with being the underdog. Josie bucked the system whilst desperately wanting to be part of it. And of course, she didnt have it all, which made her relatable. It meant that readers were willing to go on the journey with her. Chanella Macri and Lucia Mastrantone in Looking For Alibrandi on the stage. Credit:Jeff Busby In the 2000 feature film, Pia Miranda brought something magical to her different to my Josie, but just as engaging and passionate. It became a very personal project for me, with my Nonnas house being used as Katias and my sister and parents in various scenes. Many of the students from the school where I was teaching at the time were extras and I loved that Sydney was shown as a functional city, and part of everyday life. More than anything, Ive always loved that Josie was the first female lead in an Australian film in the 21st century. Im not sure what Alibrandis legacy will be, but I love that women of colour, and those from non-English-speaking backgrounds, have expressed to me how important the novel was to them and how it inspired their own writing journey. Not because I was writing directly about their cultural experience, but because I was writing about the other. And much like the telling of their own stories, it was my story to tell. Advertisement Ive asked myself often, would readers have felt the same way about the novel if it wasnt written by me - an Australian girl at the time, whose father was born in Sicily and whose maternal grandparents were born in Sicily? What if it was written today? The same book with everything youve loved about it, except for one not-so-tiny detail. What if it was written by an Anglo or Celtic Australian? Yet, when theatre director, Stephen Nicolazzo, who identifies as queer Italo-Australian, introduced me to Vidya Rajan, a young Australian writer who identifies as Indian/Tamil, the vibrancy and the humour in her words shone. When Stephen cast Chanella Macri, an Australian Samoan-Italian actress, she asked him if he was sure, because she wasnt the Josie everyone knows. His response was that in 2022 she definitely was and I knew they were the right people to guide the story into this part of the century This week, my daughter is doing a speech about travelling back in time. If it was possible, I know Id travel back to September 1992. Id tell that girl whos awaiting the release of her novel that failing King Lear isnt such a big deal, that the world is always going to feel as if its going to end, so learn to deal with it. Id tell her that shes smart and worthy and beautiful and that her words will bring solace to others. That she will teach her own novel, that she will watch Alibrandi in Taormina with her parents, in the town where her dad was born, and that it will still be studied three decades on and that more than anything, no one is ever going to confuse her about where she belongs. Melina Marchetta at her Sydney home. Credit:Wolter Peeters And soon Ill be ready to open those pages again with my daughter, because I want us to read it together, in the way I know its been shared between many young people and their parents. Bs growing up in a different world now, one where our names arent anglicised (although still mispronounced) and sadly, where some of those who were called names, are the name-callers. My daughter will understand Josie because shes lived in a three-generational household herself and because there are complexities in her own life and identity. But for now, well watch the stage play together at Belvoir Street Theatre. Three generations of Marchetta women, as well as my sisters, nephews, brother-in-law, cousins and friends. I belong to a larger community now, one defined by so much more than the one I grew up in. Forever grateful, on Wangal land. Loading Looking for Alibrandi is at Belvoir St Theatre from October 1 to November 6. To read more from Spectrum, visit our page here. The assistant treasurer has flagged further stress for household budgets following a spike in US interest rates. In case you missed it earlier today, the US Federal Reserve announced a 0.75 per cent increase in official rates to a target range of 3 to 3.25 per cent. Thats the highest levels in almost 15 years. Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen It comes off the back of higher-than-anticipated inflation figures, which have sent shockwaves through share markets. Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has warned that Australias economy isnt immune to international pressures, including from the US. Loading Theres no doubt that anything that happens in the US has an impact on us, this is the biggest economy in the world, he told ABC Radio. When they start moving their rates it has an impact on ours, it has an impact on our currency. While Australians are expected to face higher interest rates, the alternative path of rampant inflation would be worse for households and businesses, the assistant treasurer said. Nothing is going to hurt households and businesses more than galloping inflation. This is pain, we know its painful, but its necessary. AAP A former Australian special forces soldier who allegedly confessed to executing an Afghan prisoner in October 2012 is now the target of a major war crimes inquiry, and was stopped at an airport where his phone was seized on return from an overseas trip in April. The ex-commando faces interrogation by the Office of the Special Investigator, an agency set up to examine war crimes allegations. The fact investigators are targeting him casts rare light on the direction and progress of one of Australias most secretive inquiries. Australian special forces soldiers in Afghanistan. Credit:ADF The commandos confession to a Victorian priest in 2013 was uncovered by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald in 2019, and later became part of investigations by the military inspector-general into allegations of Afghan war crimes, known as the Brereton inquiry. However, that inquiry did not recommend that the Office of the Special Investigator, headed by senior judge Mark Weinberg, should investigate the commando his execution confession was inadmissible, according to the inquirys senior judge, Paul Brereton. St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings has been named the 2022 Best Place to Work in the large hospital category by the Montana Hospital Association. For the past two years, the hospital has been named the Top Place to Work in Billings, however this is the first time that they have won this award specific to their industry. St. Vincent Healthcare stood out for the ways they invested the overall health and wellbeing of their team members, including the development of a peer-to-peer support group, coordination of child care services to reduce the burden of school and child care center closures during the pandemic, and a financial assistance program for employee families in need. "St. Vincents also developed a Caring for our Caregivers campaign which has been recognized nationally as a model for mental health and well-being support for employees, says Katy Peterson, Vice President of Communications and Member Engagement for the Montana Hospitals Association. St. Vincent Hospital President Jen Alderfer said, When we heard the news we were thrilled. This award is the culmination of the last couple of years, where we really came together to support our caregivers, Alderfer says. Nurse and house supervisor B. Joan McCoy, RN, CEN, a 30-year employee of the hospital said the culture of the hospital is something intangible at St. Vincent. We take care of our patients like we take care of our own. McCoy adds, Time and again I am blessed to be here, and I am grateful to be here. I am proud of the impact we have on the Billings community. St. Vincent Healthcare, Intermountain Healthcare goes the extra mile to attract and retain high-quality healthcare talent, says Montana Hospital Association President and CEO Rich Rasmussen. "...The pandemic has demonstrated the importance of supporting our healthcare workforce and St. Vincent Healthcare is a leader as a great place to work, he said. Radical Socialist [September 22, 2022] The latest public statements coming out of Moscow are very worrying and must be forthrightly condemned. Putin is talking of a referendum in the Russian held parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, on whether the populace in their majority want to be a part of Russia. The voting is likely to be held between September 23 to 27. The reason behind this shift in strategy is that, given the strong and unexpected resistance of the Ukrainian people, Putin is no longer confident that he can swallow the whole of Ukraine. So he wants to try and legitimise in some way the part that he now controls. Area wise it is a substantial part of the country, has much of the industry, oil and gas reserves, quite considerable deposits of different valuable minerals as well as the larger proportion of the countrys coal deposits. Of course, any such referendum must be deemed illegitimate and unacceptable because it would---like in Crimea---be carried out under military occupation. Crimea is the only part of Ukraine that has a majority ethnic-Russian population. Although Donetsk and Luhansk are majority Russian speaking regions (most everybody in Ukraine understand both Russian, the main market language, and Ukrainian, the language of governance) the majority in these two regions are ethnic-Ukrainian with a very large portion of ethnic-Russians being opposed to the Russian invasion. Any such referendum will obviously be rigged to show results favouring absorption by Russia. After such a referendum whereby Russia officially has extended its territorial boundaries, Moscow can then claim that continued Ukrainian military efforts to retrieve lost territories, is a violation of the integrity and sovereignty of Russia and allows it to use whatever means necessary to defend itself. This is where the latest veiled nuclear threats by Putin and Sergey Lavrov, his Foreign Affairs Minister, come in. These hints at possible escalation to the nuclear level is really a political message directed at the West, especially the US. Washington, Putin is indicating, should understand what is at stake. If not before, then certainly after the Russian absorption of these new territories, the West and the US must stop arming Ukraine and put decisive pressure on it to accept the new political-territorial status quo, i.e., a final settlement that means a Ukraine accepting its own truncation while Russia gets a victory more partially than it earlier hoped for but none the less a victory! Ukraine has only conventional military might. Would this deter Russia from using nuclear weapons if this war carries on and on? Putin knows that any such first use against a nuclearly unarmed Ukraine would alienate most, if not all of Russias current supporters home and abroad, and simply shock and horrify the world comity of nations. The most rational evaluation of what Moscow is up to is that it is, in a deeply immoral and obscene way, creating the fearful spectre of what it might do---a kind of bluff if you like---so as to achieve more immediate and lower level politico-territorial gains. The danger, however, is that an escalation dynamic can set in. The West continues to provide arms; Ukraine keeps fighting and even gains further ground over time. It is then that a Russian leadership, which did not initially intend to use nuclear weapons, begins to more and more seriously consider their actual use, albeit at a smaller scale on Ukraine only---a repeat of 1945 in Japanwhich will have to be accepted by outside nuclear powers for fear of a wider holocaust breaking out. In spite of these manoeuvres and nuclear threats the Indian government and the bourgeois opposition parties continue to take the immoral and reactionary line of claiming neutrality and refusing to condemn the invasion. This is only to be expected. But the mainstream Indian left, namely the CPM and CPI, instead of holding high the banner of international solidarity and justice---which has historically been the proud legacy of the left worldwide---has continued to rationalise and in effect justify the invasion and Russian behaviour thereafter. Will they now at least condemn forthrightly this farce of a referendum under military occupation as well as the shameful and deeply disturbing nuclear threats? We call on every party claiming to be communist, internationalist to take a forthright stance condemning this behaviour. Shortly after two wildfires occurred in late August in the Helena area, federal, state and local officials sent out a news release touting that fuel-reduction work in the wildland area helped lay the groundwork for the swift suppression of the blazes. Local officials said this preparation was years in the making and the work continues. The Grizzly Gulch fire started Aug. 26 and was kept to about 25 acres and the Mount Helena fire, on the cusp of Last Chance Gulch, started Aug. 28 and was kept to about 18 acres. Management to reduce fuel accumulations in this area worked exactly as it should, officials said. With reduced fire intensity a direct result of active management staff have more options to safely manage wildfires. Since 2004, we have been conducting regular prescribed burning in the South Hills to help prevent high intensity wildfires that pose risks to our community and fire personnel, Helena District Ranger Kathy Bushnell with the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest said in a news release. Good Neighbor Authority, part of the 2018 Farm Bill, allows federal land managers to enter into agreements with state and local land management agencies to create healthier forests, a stronger local economy, and a reduction in the risk of severe wildfires in the wildland urban interface. Additionally, the Montana Forest Action Plan and Forest Service 10-Year Fire Reduction Strategy are both aimed at working across jurisdictional lines and increasing the pace and scale of fuels and forest health treatments to address the severity of wildfires, according to the news release from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). Managing fuels across jurisdictional boundaries is especially important in areas like Helena where national forest, state, local and private lands are intermingled, officials said. Brad Langsather, open lands manager for the Helena Parks, Recreation and Open Lands Department, said the city has been working diligently the last 15-20 years to reduce forest field in the citys open space system and has made progress in meeting that goal. He said several projects have been done on the north face of Mount Helena, and involved the city working with the U.S. Forest Service, DNRC and Lewis and Clark County. Langsather said that involved fuel-reduction projects that did lessen fire intensity, reduce fuels and lessen the likelihood of a crown fire in the forest. Officials said fuels-reduction work in the Helena area is an ongoing process and will continue to require coordination between the city, DNRC, Tri-County FireSafe Working Group, Bureau of Land Management, National Resources Conservation Service, the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and other partners and private landowners across local, state and federal jurisdictional lines. Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins said one of the fantastic things about Helena is its proximity to open lands. But the threat of wildfire is real, he said. We cant always predict where and when fires will happen, but we can prepare. He said the citys participation in mutual aid agreements and fuel reduction projects with local, state and federal partners over the years proved critical in the citys ability to respond to the fires in August. Langsather said there is more work to do. He said the city still needs to burn some of the hand-piled material in the area. We have a backlog of burning we need to do this winter, he said, adding there needs to be snow cover on the landscape to do such burns. Hoyt Richards, DNRC area manager for the central land office in Helena, said contractors have been thinning and piling branches this summer that will be burned in the fall and winter. He said work that is planned for later this year includes fuels reduction work and prescribed burning on the north end of the Rodney Ridge Trail, and piles remain on the north side of Mount Helena, Grizzly Gulch, Wakina Sky, and the Unionville area. Helena Fire Chief Jon Campbell said any time you reduce the quantity of fuel, you reduce the severity of fire behavior. "This is an ongoing effort," he said. Langsather said there has been initial forest field treatment on 95% of the forested acres in the citys trail system. He said the areas treated need to be revisited about every 10 years to reduce fuel on the landscape. Langsather said they have been able to increase the space between trees and increase the height from the forest floor to the canopy. Our suppression tactics are effective because we need to be diligent about managing fuels, he said. Langsather said he has been concerned all summer about fires. He said Helena, which has 1,800 forested acres and 2,000 acres of open space, has one of the smallest footprints of forest land ownership. But it has to be intensively managed, he said. Langsather said when forests around Helena were initially evaluated, most fell into the high intensity category as many of the trees were victims of beetle kill. He said that was much of the reason for the city initiating an aggressive fuel-management program. Langsather said the goal is to have fewer trees, bigger trees and stronger trees and to selectively remove unhealthy trees. He said there was some resistance from the public. But I think we have gained the publics trust over time in how minimal the amount of disturbance has been to recreation and wildlife, he said. The public has become more used to seeing the work on the landscape. Gov. Greg Gianforte said the fuel-reduction projects in the Helena area helped firefighters to effectively respond to the fires, protecting lives and property. Active forest management is critical to reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and were committed to working with our partners to bring more private, state, tribal, and federal acres under management," he said in the news release. This story is based on a news release from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and reporting by the Independent Record's Phil Drake, who can be reached at philip.drake@helenair.com or 406-231-9021. In a unique move to protect 634 acres from subdivision near Henrys Lake on the western edge of Yellowstone National Park, The Nature Conservancy and Beartooth Group collaborated on a recent purchase. To move quickly, the Bozeman-based conservation investment group bought the 1,072-acre Slash E Ranch in May, breaking off the portion that went to The Nature Conservancy in a September sale. Because the Conservancy only wanted part of the property, and the landowner wanted to sell all of it, Beartooth Group founder Robert Keith stepped in to acquire the additional acreage. Variety The area is well-known to fishing guides who called the Howard Creek Ranch in one corner of the property a home for wayward fishing guides. Its location is why: 15 miles from the Madison and Henrys Fork rivers as well as Hebgen Lake. The Audubon Society calls it a keystone landscape in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, noting its importance to a variety of wildlife, waterfowl and birds. The Bureau of Land Management has designated its public lands near Henrys Lake an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Snowmobilers ride a myriad of trails in the region, making it a popular destination in the winter. Listed at $8.75 million The property was owned by Tom and Sue Cole and the Cole Family Trust. It was initially listed by Fay Ranches for $8.75 million and includes four log buildings. Neither group would disclose the final sale price. We dont buy property that often, said Tess OSullivan, land conservation strategy lead for TNCs Idaho staff. Consequently, the group hopes to resell its portion of the ranch once it has been protected by a conservation easement. Theres a lot of appeal to property in this area, OSullivan said. For better or worse theres a lot more awareness of Idaho and people wanting to have land in the West. The conservation easement will take away some of the value of the land for resale, she added. In a similar acquisition, TNC bought property in the Pioneer Mountains near Craters of the Moon National Park in Idaho and sold it to a rancher in about two years. A portion of the newly acquired TNC property is leased to a local rancher for seasonal grazing, which will continue. Im just so happy to see this property not getting developed, local resident John Spencer said in a TNC press release. And, it is staying in agriculture. I cant think of a better outcome. Conservation The land the Conservancy bought from Beartooth Group is located at the intersection of Highways 87 and 20 along Howard Creek, not far from the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The land had been approved for subdivision by Fremont County and could be divided into 80 tracts for 20-acre home sites, along with an RV park. This is really a critical crossroads, or critical pinch point for the wildlife coming out of Yellowstone moving up and down the Madison Valley and heading west to the Centennial (Mountains), Keith said. OSullivan agreed, noting, A lot of us realize that national parks dont support wildlife year-round, nor does public land support wildlife and their needs year-round. So we have this important ecosystem of the Greater Yellowstone Area, and private lands are a critical part of wildlifes life-cycle throughout the year. In a press release, The Nature Conservancy described the areas native sagebrush steppe, open grasslands and wetlands as valuable habitat for a diversity of wildlife, including at-risk species like peregrine falcons, gray wolves, bald eagles, grizzly bears and trumpeter swans. Pronghorn rely heavily on the property seasonally and during migration. The property also encompasses portions of Howard Creek, which is a critical spawning stream for Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Values The purchase by Beartooth Group is different than what it originally set out to do when Keith formed the investment firm in 2005 with Carl Palmer. Back then, the company was Beartooth Capital, and the goal was to buy ranches and fix them up, while also providing investors an opportunity to use the lands for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Eventually, sometimes with conservation easements in place, the ranches were sold at a return to investors. Keith said about two years ago Beartooth Group created a different pool of capital to make purchases, like the Slash E Ranch, that werent necessarily going to see a financial return on investment. Really, the returnis far more than financial, Keith said. Its ecosystem services. Its climate change. Its elk migration. It is antelope movement. Its grizzly bears. Its small scale local agriculture. There are all of these other elements of return beyond the almighty dollar. He noted the Slash E Ranch was a very complicated transaction with a lot of moving parts because of the secondary sale to The Nature Conservancy. As the challenges to conservation continue to rise and the need to do our work, we just want to be creative and bring as many partners into the work as we can, OSullivan said. Those challenges can be a lack of money or a landowner unwilling to bargain, she added. Its really cause for celebration when all of the pieces come together. Amid the gaggle of tourists pulling over to photograph bears, bison and bugling bull elk there is a different hum in the cool air of northern Yellowstone National Park this fall. Two construction companies are working feverishly to temporarily repair sections of roadway following damage caused by June flooding. Consequently, there was a continual circuit of semi tractor-trailer trucks loaded with dirt and rock cruising from washed-out stretches of roadway along Soda Butte Creek and in Lamar Canyon earlier this month. The trucks make roundtrips from the closed stretch of highway to a gravel pit in the park known as the Frog Pond, located between Tower Junction and Mammoth Hot Springs. Oftedal Construction based in Casper, Wyoming, and Miles City is performing the work. At the same time, HK Contractors of Idaho Falls is rebuilding the winding Old Gardiner Road, previously a two-track dirt road, between Mammoth and Gardiner at the North Entrance. Access via this road is being granted to park employees and some concession companies, such as wildlife tours, but entry is strictly regulated to lessen construction disruption. Deadlines Officials hope both projects will be completed by mid-October, allowing the roadway between Gardiner (the North Entrance) and Silver Gate/Cooke City (the Northeast Entrance) to then be reopened to the public. Phone calls to the contractors for more details on how the work is going were not returned in time for this story. However, one construction worker said the Oftedal crews were working 14 hour days, six days a week to meet the Park Services October deadline. The hours and days could be extended, the worker added, as the target date nears. The crews are contending with unusual factors, such as bison walking through the construction site and the semis negotiating narrow park roads crowded by erratic tourists swerving to the roadside to view wildlife. Oftedal has also run into some dense rock in the canyon, dulling drill bits and prompting speculation about the need for blasting. Meanwhile at the North Entrance, stickers or park-approved authorization is necessary to be allowed on the Old Gardiner Road. There are specific times designated for entry and exit. At 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. a line of vehicles begins forming in Gardiner and Mammoth. Should drivers miss the window, the only other option is to wait until the next day or drive hundreds of miles to the nearest open exit near West Yellowstone or Cody, Wyoming. Entry Nathan Varley, who co-owns Yellowstone Wolf Tracker tours with his wife Linda Thurston, is thankful park officials have made restricted access available to businesses like his in Gardiner. Otherwise, it was a three-and-a-half hour drive, one way, to take clients in via the West Entrance at West Yellowstone. It feels like theyve done a superb job of being innovative, Varley said, even though officials may be taking heat for allowing guides in but not the general public. When the North Entrance was closed following the washout of the road between Gardiner and Mammoth, Varley said his company lost every booking for June and July. It was the second year in three years that weve wiped a whole season almost entirely clean and rebuilt that in the moment, he said, referring to the park being closed and implementing restrictions during the COVID-19 outbreak three years ago. Although tour guides like Varley are allowed to take customers into the park, he said there are few people visiting the gateway town of Gardiner because of the access restrictions. Consequently, he saw business drop by 60% to 70%. Some hotels were hit even harder, he added, while restaurants seem to be a bit more resilient considering they were already having trouble finding staff. One daily commuter from Gardiner to Mammoth bemoaned that she used to be able to commute in 15 minutes before flooding wiped out the road. She doesnt plan to stick around. Because of the lack of affordable housing in Gardiner, she and her husband are seeking a different mountain town to reside in. Drop The closure of the North and Northeast entrances has been apparent in Yellowstones visitation statistics. Due to the loss of access, June, July and August visitation the three busiest months in the park was down from previous years. Last July, the North and Northeast entrances accounted for about 270,000 visitors. Overall August visitation this year was down 37% from August 2021, a record-setting year with 4.86 million visits recorded. The visitation this August was pegged at around 582,000. To find an August visitation with less people requires going back to 1988 the year of the parks historic fires. Except for 1988, the park has seen more than 600,000 visitors every August since 1986. Visitation was down in June and July as well. If Yellowstone recorded the same visitation for the last four months of the year as in 2021, it would tally around 3.1 million visitors, an annual figure that hasnt been seen in 14 years. This is an unexpected turn around from what may have been another record year for visitation since Yellowstone is celebrating its 150th anniversary. What changes? Despite the lull and closed entrances, park visitors said they were unaware there was anything different about Yellowstone. Las Vegas tourist Jeff Mann said his family was pleased to see so many bears during their three-day trip that started at the parks West Entrance. But it was his first visit in about 20 years. Since then, park visitation has almost doubled. Jan Bach flew into Cody, Wyoming, from her home in Jasper, Texas, to see the elk rut at Mammoth. It was her eighth visit to Yellowstone, this time bringing her daughter and granddaughter for a six-day outing that included Grand Teton National Park to the south. She, too, hadnt visited in a long time, about 15 years. The only difference Bach noted was that things didnt seem to be in the same places as she remembered. Varley said in his tours around Yellowstone, the park seemed normally busy this summer except around the closed North Entrance. He added the decline in visitation probably hasnt affected wildlife since the majority of park visitors stick to roadways, leaving the rest of the park relatively untrammeled. The lack of visitation is more visible outside the park in the town of Gardiner where Varley lives. We have Gardiner all to ourselves or its lightly visited, he said. To have that in the middle of summer seems really odd. Walking the dog around in the evening, I know most of the people I see. Perspective Varley first moved to the area as a youngster in 1972 when his father, John Varley, was hired as a fisheries biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the park. It feels like Ive been here my whole life, he said. He officially launched his guiding business in 2006, but before that he worked with the Yellowstone Association. Because of his long history in Yellowstone, Varley said hes had a front-row seat to some of the defining moments in the parks recent history, including the torrential 1988 fires and the 1995 reintroduction of wolves. I feel enriched having lived through another one of Yellowstones top 10 events, he said, adding the June floods to the ever-growing list. Today Overcast, breezy, and cool with a bit of rain lingering, especially to the south. Tonight Overcast, breezy, and cool with a bit of rain lingering, especially to the south. Tomorrow Mostly cloudy, still cool, and breezy. We can't entirely rule out a stray shower, but pretty much all of that rain should remain south of the area. Bird flu has been confirmed in Ward County, triggering a ban on poultry events in six north central North Dakota counties. The move comes under a new state strategy for dealing with the nationwide outbreak of avian influenza, focusing on a county-level approach rather than statewide. Poultry events are now suspended in Ward County and the adjoining counties of Renville, McHenry, McLean, Mountrail and Burke. Counties still under suspension due to a Cass County bird flu case documented in August include Cass, Traill, Steele, Barnes, Ransom and Richland. All shows, public sales, swaps and exhibitions of poultry and other birds are banned in the 12 impacted counties. Producers in those counties also are barred from taking birds to or from poultry events in nonrestricted counties. Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000. Restrictions will be lifted in the two zones if no new bird flu cases emerge within 30 days of the implementation of the bans. North Dakota's State Board of Animal Health in March canceled all poultry events within the state amid the bird flu outbreak around the country. The board earlier this month changed to the county-level approach to balance commerce with the need to protect poultry producers. North Dakota has nine turkey farms that produce about 1 million birds annually, along with numerous backyard flocks. The North Dakota Turkey Federation backs the state's change in tactic, according to Vice President David Rude. Bird flu has infected 18 flocks in 12 North Dakota counties, according to state data. Most of the documented infections have been in small backyard flocks -- including the new case in Ward County -- though four commercial flocks have been impacted. It's standard practice to destroy infected flocks so the birds don't enter the food chain. Federal data shows that more than 167,000 birds in North Dakota have been destroyed, mostly in the commercial flocks. More than 45 million birds have been destroyed nationwide. There also have been 279 confirmed cases of avian influenza in numerous types of wild birds throughout the state, including in Burleigh and Morton counties, according to federal data. That's the most in the nation. Bird flu infection in people is rare, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More information about bird flu and biosecurity is available at www.nd.gov/ndda/disease/avian-influenza, https://bit.ly/3L7FzMV and usgs.gov/centers/nwhc. Sick or dead wild birds can be reported at https://gf.nd.gov/wildlife/diseases/mortality-report. READING, Pa. People attending the Berks Cultural Diversity Festival at City Park in Reading on Saturday are going to be encouraged to contribute to those impacted by Hurricane Fiona. Patricia Vasquez, president of the Dominican Association of Pennsylvania, said attendees may be able to donate privately or through an organization. She said organizers also have been having conversations about fundraisers outside the event. "We're definitely going to have a moment of silence to remember all those struggling right now without some of the utilities and some basic needs not being taken care of," Vasquez said. In its third year, the event will feature live performances, an international cultural display and music from around the world, as it aims to bring the community together. "I think what's most important about this year is that many more cultures are jumping into the equation," Vasquez said. Organizers said the event will include a learning portion, so everyone leaves with some new information. "I feel like sometimes there's a little bit of holdback when you don't know of a certain culture," Vasquez said, "and this is an opportunity for you to get to know what everyone's about and see that our purpose it's pretty much the same." It is an event Vasquez said is for everyone. "It doesn't have a particular label," she said. "It is about diversity and inclusiveness." The festival will go from noon until 7 p.m. at City Park. PHILADELPHIA A New York City man is now facing federal charges in the kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl from her home in Reading last month. United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced Thursday that Duane Taylor was charged by an indictment that could have him spend the rest of his life behind bars if he's convicted. Taylor, 47, drove to his ex-girlfriend's home in Reading's Glenside neighborhood on Aug. 31, abducted the woman's daughter from her second-floor bedroom, and drove her to his home in Brooklyn, authorities said. "Imagine one morning finding your home's door broken open and your child's bed empty," said Jacqueline Maguire, special agent in charge of the FBI's Philadelphia division. "It's a parent's worst nightmare come true." The abduction, which was captured by surveillance cameras both inside and outside the family's home, prompted a statewide Amber Alert. RPD investigators eventually identified Taylor as the suspect and got in touch with the New York City police. NYPD officers found Taylor at his apartment, but the girl was not there. She was eventually found on a nearby street, where she told someone she needed help because she had been kidnapped from Pennsylvania. "Thanks to the hard work of investigators in Pennsylvania and New York City, the alleged kidnapper was swiftly tracked down and the child was found and reunited with her mother," Romero said. "As any parent can understand, this was a terrifying situation for this family, and this defendant will now appear in federal court to answer to these charges." "We're so thankful that this young victim was recovered safely, and for the great collaboration by law enforcement partners in locating and arresting her alleged abductor," Maguire continued. "Anyone who would harm a child like this is simply depraved and must be held accountable." If convicted, Taylor faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison, authorities said. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Lehigh County is taking new steps to combat the opioid epidemic, thanks to a big cash infusion. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Thursday that Lehigh County is receiving $17.6 million from a $1 billion settlement previously reached with opioid makers. He made the announcement at the Allentown Center for Recovery. Shapiro said more than 5200 Pennsylvanians died from overdoses last year. Nearly 200 of them were in Lehigh County. Shapiro said the county has already gotten more than $1.7 million of the funds. The money will go toward adding more resources and expanding existing programs to help opioid users get into treatment. "We can make an impact. We can bend this curve in a positive way. And most importantly, we can save lives together," Shapiro said. Shapiro says a second payment of the settlement will be given to Lehigh County before the end of the year. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Questions and confusion have been swirling around ever since three Allentown schools went into lockdown last week, ending with a juvenile with a loaded gun taken into custody. The Lehigh County District Attorney on Wednesday evening, in an attempt to clear some of this up, explained that the juvenile was actually a student at Allen High School. District Attorney Jim Martin also said the student, a 14-year-old, was not apprehended outside the school, as many originally thought, but inside the school, with his loaded weapon. Still, this news leaves many parents with a lot more questions. Students inside William Allen High last Thursday morning described the scene as chaotic and uncertain. "It created a lot of more panic," a William Allen student asking to remain anonymous told 69 News. "Because all we hear in the intercom is, 'everybody get to your classrooms. As soon as you get in there, everybody lock the doors, we're going on lockdown.' So, obviously, I was most scared, heart is beating, I was like, 'What is going on?'" "I didn't know what was happening," another student, Mahina Depeine, told 69 News last Thursday. "They're just saying for them to stay in their rooms locked." Now those students and parents are learning more precisely the details of that day. District Attorney Jim Martin released a statement Wednesday afternoon. The statement explained the student taken into custody last Thursday had been inside Allen High School with a loaded gun. Last Thursday, a release sent by police had many believing the juvenile was apprehended at nearby West Park. The police statement read in part: "On Thursday September 15, at approximately 8:49 AM Officers with the Allentown Police Department responded to the area of West Park (1515 Linden St) for a report of a person with a weapon. Based on the subsequent response and investigation a juvenile involved in the incident was located by Officers. The juvenile was found to be in possession of a loaded semi-automatic handgun and was taken into custody. As a result of this incident nearby schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution. Allen High School, Raub Middle School and Union Terrace Elementary all initiated lock down protocols. Currently, the schools are in the process of lifting those lock downs." Mark Radio was picking up his daughter from Union Terrace Elementary School last Thursday, and said he wasn't very worried, based on the information given. "Just because I knew it was more as a precautionary," he said. "Just because it was in the area. I wasn't overly concerned. Knowing that it was more of up the road at the park, a little bit of a different park." District Attorney Martin says the initial release could have been worded better. "I'm not going to criticize the police," he said. "It may have been unartfully drawn, you can draw your own impressions on that. Obviously for some people it was not clear enough." Parents tell 69 News they feel misled by the information. "I don't know what parents feel was misleading," Martin said. "I understand that there was some confusion on the part of some some students and school administrators, teachers and whatnot." Still, Martin says the school district was aware that the student was inside the building at the time. "Certainly the people within Allen High School knew about it," he said. "They helped, they assisted the police in locating the boy. So they obviously knew that the police were looking for a boy who was in the school building. And I'm quite confident they knew that that boy had a pistol on him." 69 News reached out to the school district to ask whether it was aware the student with the gun was inside the school at the time. The school district said it cannot comment on the investigation or rumors about what happened, and directed 69 News to the DA's statement. WASHINGTON TWP., Pa. - Pennsylvania State Police are looking for a motorcyclist they say led troopers on a pursuit earlier this week. The man fled from troopers on Route 873 in Washington Township, Lehigh County Tuesday and led troopers on a pursuit into East Penn Township, Carbon County, according to a news release from state police. The man successfully eluded troopers by entering the D&L Trail on Lehigh Drive in East Penn Township, state police said. Anyone with information is asked to call Tpr. Buccigrossi at 610-861-2026 or anonymously contact the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477) or online. All callers to Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest, the solving of a crime/cold case or the location of a wanted person/fugitive or missing person. Jersey Central Power & Light has installed devices on electrical equipment in Sussex County to protect America's national symbol. In areas near bald eagle nests in Hamburg Township and near Culver Lake, the power company has added guards to prevent birds from buildings nests on top of poles and on the crossarms that support electrical equipment. In addition, insulated caps are in place to protect birds from touching equipment, and reflective tags were installed on power lines to increase their visibility. "We are committed to protecting wildlife, especially endangered and threatened species like the bald eagle," Amy Ruszala, an avian expert with FirstEnergy Corp., said in a statement. FirstEnergy is the parent company of JCP&L. The bald eagle is an Endangered Species Act success story, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 1940, Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act, which prohibited killing, selling or owning bald eagles. The population had declined because of loss of habitat and because some farmers shot the birds, which they considered a threat to poultry and livestock. The eagles mostly eat fish and carrion, according to FWS. Later, the insecticide DDT almost wiped out bald eagles. FWS said DDT was washed into waterways and absorbed by fish, which the eagles ate. The DDT resulted in thin eggshells that often broke. Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring" brought attention to the effects of DDT, which was banned in 1972. That move, along with additional federal protection, helped bring the eagles back from the brink. In 1978, they were listed by the federal government as endangered or threatened in the lower 48 states (they do not live in Hawaii and the eagles of Alaska were never endangered). Bald Eagles were removed from the list of threatened and endangered species in 2007, though they are still protected by federal law. New Jersey still lists bald eagles as an endangered species during breeding season, and a threatened species outside of breeding seasons. FirstEnergy said its staff inspect power equipment for bird nests and works with wildlife officials to move nests that are in immediate danger. FirstEnergy, based in Akron, Ohio, also uses drones to inspect nests. New Jersey's bald eagle population has increased, with nests in all 21 counties, according to FirstEnergy. WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania Pat Toomey says he supports a Senate bill reforming how a presidential election is certified. The House passed its version Wednesday. It makes clear a vice president cannot throw out electoral college votes. The bill also requires states to certify one, and only one, set of electors. While these provisions are in both versions, the Senate bill has some differences that legislators will need to hash out. According to the New York Times, the Senate does not expect to vote on its version of the bill until at least November. EASTON, Pa. - Some are worried paying for parking could deter future fishing events from happening in Phillipsburg. The town-owned lot on Riverside Way has continued to stir controversy since kiosks were added a few months ago. It's a way the town is making money, since before, many people were parking there for free and then walking over to Easton. But local fishermen say they've been the primary users of the lot for decades, and now it's costing them. "It's definitely an issue," said Mike Hinkel, a local fisherman. Hinkel, who has been fishing in the Delaware River since he was a boy, says he's one of many upset the lot is no longer free of charge. "It's just the amount of money that's involved," said Hinkel. "I mean, you're expecting the fisherman to come down here and pay $10 at a time. You can see nobody's here today." It's $1 an hour for cars, and $10 a day for boats and trailers. "Here we are, at this stage, trying to get at least a permit process for the fishermen back," said Hinkel. Warren County Commissioner James Kern wrote a letter to the mayor expressing concern about the future of the Delaware River Sojourn. "It came to our attention that this site would no longer potentially be acceptable for them because of the costs of the parking," said Kern. "We don't know that for sure," said Phillipsburg Mayor Todd Tersigni. The Sojourn had no comment. Tersigni says he's willing to compromise. "I will make sure the fishermen stay and make sure that everyone's happy. But in the meantime, we will be charging the park and we have seen revenue for our town for our tax base to help our residents and businesses," said Tersigni. The mayor told 69 News those who fish knew this was coming, and seemed okay with it. He added the town as a whole benefits from the profit. "We need to maintain that lot. We were getting nothing. We have to plow that. We had to pay our DPW," said Tersigni. "It's exactly what they're doing in Easton. They charge you to park and what we're doing is not unreasonable." "Our fishermen are the people who actually protect the river, and I feel like they're being unfairly targeted," said Kern. "I think that there could be more collaboration with Warren County as opposed to what event they want to charge for parking in Easton." The mayor says the potential compromise may be done via an ordinance. Federal, state and local investigators in northwest North Dakota are looking into the cause of an oil rig explosion and fire that sent three workers to the hospital. The crew members were taken to a burn center in St. Paul, Minnesota. The well site in Mountrail County is owned by Chord Energy, which said the three contract workers are in stable condition. The blast and fire happened Friday night near Stanley. According to authorities, the fire was contained to the site location. Emergency crews from Stanley and New Town were among those responding to the scene. PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) The international court convened in Cambodia to judge the Khmer Rouge for its brutal 1970s rule ended its work Thursday after spending $337 million and 16 years to convict just three men of crimes after the regime caused the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people. In its final session, the U.N.-assisted tribunal rejected an appeal by Khieu Samphan, the last surviving leader of the Khmer Rouge government that ruled Cambodia from 1975-79. It reaffirmed the life sentence he received after being convicted in 2018 of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Busloads of ordinary Cambodians turned up to watch the final proceedings of a tribunal that had sought to bring justice, accountability and explanations for the crimes. Many of those attending Thursday's session lived through the Khmer Rouge terror, including survivors Bou Meng and Chum Mey, who had given evidence at the tribunal over the years. Khieu Samphan, sitting in a wheelchair and wearing a white windbreaker and a face mask, listened to the proceedings on headphones. He was the groups nominal head of state but, in his trial defense, denied having real decision-making powers when the Khmer Rouge carried out a reign of terror to establish a utopian agrarian society, causing Cambodians deaths from execution, starvation and inadequate medical care. It was ousted from power in 1979 by an invasion from neighboring communist state Vietnam. No matter what you decide, I will die in prison, Khieu Samphan said in his final statement of appeal to the court last year. I will die always remembering the suffering of my Cambodian people. I will die seeing that I am alone in front of you. I am judged symbolically rather than by my actual deeds as an individual. His appeal alleged the court made errors in legal procedures and interpretation and acted unfairly, making objections to more than 1,800 points. But the court noted Thursday that his appeal did not directly question the facts of the case as presented in court. It rejected almost all arguments raised by Khieu Samphan, acknowledging an error and reversing its ruling on one minor count. The court said it found the vast majority of Khieu Samphan's arguments unfounded, and that many were alternative interpretations of the evidence. Thursdays ruling makes little practical difference. Khieu Samphan is 91 and already serving another life sentence for his 2014 conviction for crimes against humanity connected with forced transfers and disappearances of masses of people. The court ordered that Khieu Samphan, who was arrested in 2007, be returned to the specially constructed jail where he has been kept. His co-defendant Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouges No. 2 leader and chief ideologist, was convicted twice and received the same life sentence. Nuon Chea died in 2019 at age 93. The tribunals only other conviction was that of Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, who was commandant of Tuol Sleng prison, where roughly 16,000 people were tortured before being taken away to be killed. Duch was convicted in 2010 of crimes against humanity, murder, and torture and died in 2020 at age 77 while serving a life sentence. The Khmer Rouges real chief, Pol Pot, escaped justice. He died in the jungle in 1998 at age 72 while the remnants of his movement were fighting their last battles in the guerrilla war they launched after losing power. The trials of the only other two defendants were not completed. The former foreign minister of the Khmer Rouge, Ieng Sary, died in 2013, and his wife, former Social Affairs Minister Ieng Thirith, was deemed unfit to stand trial due to dementia in 2011 and died in 2015. Four other suspects, middle-ranking Khmer Rouge leaders, escaped prosecution because of a split among the tribunals jurists. In a hybrid arrangement, Cambodian and international jurists were paired at every stage, and a majority had to assent for a case to go forward. Under the French-style procedures the court used, the international investigators recommended the four go to trial, but the Cambodian partners would not agree after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen declared there would be no more prosecutions, claiming they could cause unrest. Hun Sen himself was a middle-ranking commander with the Khmer Rouge before defecting, and several senior members of his ruling Cambodian Peoples Party share similar backgrounds. He helped cement his political control by making alliances with other former Khmer Rouge commanders. With its active work done, the tribunal, formally called the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, now enters a three-year residual period, focusing on getting its archives in order and disseminating information about its work for educational purposes. Experts who took part in the courts work or monitored its proceedings are now pondering its legacy. Heather Ryan, who spent 15 years following the tribunal for the Open Society Justice Initiative, said the court was successful in providing some level of accountability. The amount of time and money and effort thats expended to get to this rather limited goal may be disproportionate to the goal, she said in a video interview from her home in Boulder, Colorado. But she praised having the trials in the country where the atrocities occurred and where people were able to pay a level of attention and gather information about what was happening in the court to a much greater extent than if the court had been in The Hague or some other place. The Hague in the Netherlands hosts the World Court and the International Criminal Court. Michael Karnavas, an American lawyer who served on Ieng Sarys defense team, said his personal expectations had been limited to the quality of justice his clients would receive. In other words, irrespective of the results, substantively and procedurally, were their fair trial rights guaranteed by the Cambodian Constitution and established law afforded to them at the highest international level? he said in an email interview. The answer is somewhat mixed. The trial stage was less than what I consider fair. There was far too much improvisation by the judges, and despite the length of the proceedings, the defense was not always treated fairly, said Karnavas, who has also appeared before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. On the substantive and procedural law, there are numerous examples where the ECCC not only got it right, but further contributed to the development of international criminal law. There is a consensus that the tribunals legacy goes beyond the law books. The court successfully attacked the long-standing impunity of the Khmer Rouge, and showed that though it might take a long time, the law can catch up with those who commit crimes against humanity, said Craig Etcheson, who has studied and written about the Khmer Rouge and was chief of investigations for the office of the prosecution at the ECCC from 2006 to 2012. The tribunal also created an extraordinary record of those crimes, comprising documentation that will be studied by scholars for decades to come, that will educate Cambodias youth about the history of their country, and that will deeply frustrate any attempt to deny the crimes of the Khmer Rouge. The bedrock issue of whether justice was served by the courts convictions of only three men was addressed by Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, which holds a huge trove of evidence of atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. Justice sometimes is made of satisfaction, recognition, rather than the number of people you prosecute, he told The Associated Press. It is a broad definition of the word justice itself, but when people are satisfied, when people are happy with the process or benefit from the process, I think we can conceptualize it as justice. Peck reported from Bangkok. AP journalist Jerry Harmer contributed to this report. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea says it hasnt exported any weapons to Russia during the war in Ukraine and has no plans to do so, and said U.S. intelligence reports of weapons transfers were an attempt to tarnish North Korea's image. In a state media report Thursday, an unnamed North Korean defense official told the U.S. to stop making reckless remarks and to keep its mouth shut. Biden administration officials earlier this month confirmed a declassified U.S. intelligence assessment that Russia was in the process of purchasing arms from North Korea, including millions of artillery shells and rockets, as Moscow attempts to ease severe supply shortages in Ukraine worsened by U.S.-led export controls and sanctions. The North Korean statement came weeks after Moscow described the U.S. intelligence finding as fake. North Korean arms exports to Russia would violate United Nations resolutions banning the country from importing or exporting weapons. The North Korean official stressed that Pyongyang has never recognized the unlawful U.N. Security Council sanctions against the country cooked up by the U.S. and its vassal forces. The official said the export and import of military equipment is a lawful right peculiar to a sovereign state, according to an English translation of the statement published by the Norths official Korean Central News Agency. But we take this opportunity to make clear one thing. We have never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia before and we will not plan to export them, said the official, who was described as a vice director general of the National Defense Ministrys general equipment bureau. It is not sure from where the rumor originated which the U.S. is spreading, but it is aimed at tarnishing the DPRKs image, the official said, referring to the countrys formal name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. Facing sanctions and export controls, Russia in August bought Iranian-made drones that U.S. officials said had technical problems. Experts say North Korea, if willing, could become a major source of small arms, artillery and other ammunition for Russia, considering the compatibility of their defense systems based on Soviet roots. North Korea has sought to tighten relations with Russia even as most of Europe and the West has pulled away, blaming the U.S. for the crisis and decrying the Wests hegemonic policy as justifying military action by Russia in Ukraine to protect itself. The North Korean government has even hinted it is interested in sending construction workers to help rebuild pro-Russia breakaway regions in Ukraines east. In July, North Korea became the only nation aside from Russia and Syria to recognize the independence of the territories, Donetsk and Luhansk. North Korea also has used the war as a window to accelerate its own arms development, testing dozens of weapons including its first long-range missiles since 2017, exploiting a divide in the U.N. Security Council, where Russia and China have blocked U.S. attempts to tighten sanctions on Pyongyang. The North has punctuated its testing activity with repeated threats of nuclear conflict with Seoul and Washington. The latest was a law passed by Pyongyangs rubber-stamp parliament this month that further enshrined the countrys status as a nuclear power and authorized the preemptive use of nuclear weapons over a broad range of scenarios where its leadership comes under threat. Sung Kim, the Biden administrations special representative for North Korea, met with South Korean counterpart Kim Gunn in Seoul on Thursday where they expressed serious concern over the Norths escalating nuclear doctrine spelled out in the new law, South Koreas Foreign Ministry said. The diplomats reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defend South Korea in the event of a nuclear war with the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear. The allies also maintained their months-old assessment that North Korea is gearing up to conduct its first nuclear test since 2017 and discussed stern countermeasures to such an action, the ministry said. UNITED NATIONS (AP) The United States urged other nations to tell Russia to stop making nuclear threats and end the horror of its war in Ukraine as all three countries' top diplomats spoke but didn't quite meet at a high-profile U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday. Held alongside the annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders, the session followed a striking development in the war this week: Russia called up a portion of its reserves for the first time since World War II. At the same time, President Vladimir Putin said his nuclear-armed country would use all means available to us to defend itself if its territory is threatened. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken saw Putin's remark as particularly menacing given plans for referendums in Russian-controlled parts of eastern and southern Ukraine on whether to become part of Russia. Western nations have condemned those votes as illegitimate and nonbinding. But, in their wake, Moscow might see any Ukrainian attempt to retake those areas as an attack on Russian territory, Blinken warned. Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately, he said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov didn't mention his country's nuclear capacity or the new troop mobilization during his own remarks at the council meeting, which France called to discuss accountability for alleged abuses and atrocities during the nearly 7-month-long war. Instead, Lavrov repeated his countrys frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraines east one of the explanations Moscow has offered for the invasion and that Western support for Ukraine is a menace to Russia. What's particularly cynical is the position of states that are pumping Ukraine full of weapons and training their soldiers," he said, maintaining that their goal is to prolong fighting to wear down and weaken Russia. That policy means the direct involvement of the West in the conflict, said Lavrov. He added that Ukraine had become an anti-Russia staging ground to create threats against Russian security and his country wouldn't accept it. The Security Council has held dozens of contentious meetings on Ukraine since the war began in February, but Thursdays session had special stature. That President Putin picked this week, as most of the world gathers at the United Nations, to add fuel to the fire he started shows his utter contempt and disdain for the U.N. Charter, the U.N. General Assembly and this council," Blinken told foreign ministers around the group's famous horseshoe-shaped table. Tell President Putin to stop the horror he started. Tell him to stop putting his interests above the interests of the rest of the world, including his own people, Blinken added. Regardless, no one expects the council to act against Russia, since Moscow has veto power as a permanent member. But the meeting was still a rare moment for top diplomats from Ukraine and Russia to appear in the same room made all the more extraordinary for the fact that Lavrov is under U.S. sanctions. In a sign of the charged atmosphere, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba apparently objected as council staffers prepared to put a placard marking Ukraines seat next to Russias. The placard was ultimately moved to another spot. Ahead of the meeting, Kuleba wryly told reporters that he planned to keep a social distance from Lavrov. But it turned out he didn't have to: The Russian appeared only just before speaking and left right after, prompting Kuleba to quip later in his own speech that "Russian diplomats flee almost as quickly as Russian soldiers. British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he thought Lavrov didn't care to hear the collective condemnation of this council. And in an interview with The Associated Press, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre called Lavrov's decision not to hear other speakers in person "a sign of insecurity." In an undiplomatic exchange, Lavrov accused the U.S. and its allies of covering up alleged misdeeds by Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyys government on the rationale that hes a son of a bitch, but hes our son of a bitch. Kuleba later chided Russia for the inappropriate slang. Blinken argued that Russia should face further censure and isolation for its invasion, pressing other countries to join in Washington's forceful condemnations of the conflict. He cited the discovery of mass graves in Ukraine and repeated allegations from Ukrainians that they were tortured by Russian soldiers. The International Criminal Court opened an investigation in March into possible crimes amid the war and sent teams to gather evidence. Prosecutor Karim Khan told the council Thursday that hes dispatching more ICC staffers next week to look into allegations emerging from eastern Ukraine. Khan hasnt yet announced any charges linked to the conflict, but he reiterated that he believes there are reasonable grounds to think that crimes have been committed. The picture that Ive seen so far is troubling indeed, he said. The meeting came less than a week after Ukraine's Zelenskyy announced the discovery of a mass burial site near a northeastern city, Izium, that had recently been recaptured from Russian forces. Zelenskyy said investigators found evidence that some of the dead were tortured. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told the council that the discovery prompted her country to send more investigators to join others who have been in Ukraine since hundreds of civilians were found dead in another city, Bucha, after a Russian withdrawal in late March. There are so many violations of the laws of war and so many actions for which Russia must be held accountable," she said. Other council members also called for accountability, but in varying tones. Investigations into violations of international humanitarian law should be objective and fair, based on fair facts, rather than an assumption of guilt, and without being politicized, said Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China, which has maintained strong ties with Russia. Associated Press journalists Edith M. Lederer and Mary Altaffer contributed. For more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly UNITED NATIONS (AP) Ukraines president implored the world Wednesday to punish Russia for its invasion, even as the leader vowed his forces would win back every inch of territory despite Moscows decision to redouble its war effort. In a much-anticipated video address to the U.N. General Assembly hours after Russia announced it would mobilize some reservists, Volodymyr Zelenskyy portrayed the declaration as evidence the Kremlin wasn't ready to negotiate an end to the war but insisted his country would prevail anyway. We can return the Ukrainian flag to our entire territory. We can do it with the force of arms, the president said. But we need time. Putins decree Wednesday about the mobilization was sparse on details. Officials said as many as 300,000 reservists could be tapped. It was apparently an effort to seize momentum after a Ukrainian counteroffensive this month retook swaths of territory that Russians had held. But the first such call-up in Russia since World War II also brought the fighting home in a new way for Russians and risked fanning domestic anxiety and antipathy toward the war. Shortly after Putins announcement, flights out of the country rapidly filled up, and more than 1,000 people were arrested at rare antiwar demonstrations across the country. A day earlier, Russian-controlled parts of eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans for referendums on becoming parts of Russia. Ukrainian leaders and their Western allies consider the votes illegitimate. Zelenskyy didnt discuss the developments in detail. But he suggested that any Russian talk of negotiations was only a delaying tactic, and that Moscows actions speak louder than its words. They talk about the talks but announce military mobilization. They talk about the talks but announce pseudo-referendums in the occupied territories of Ukraine, he said. Russia hasnt yet had its turn to speak at the gathering. Putin, who is not attending the event, has said he sent his armed forces into Ukraine because of risks to his countrys security from what he considers a hostile government in Kyiv; to liberate Russians living in Ukraine especially its eastern Donbas region from what he views as the Ukrainian governments oppression; and to restore what he considers to be Russias historical territorial claims on the country. Zelenskyys speech was striking not only for its contents but also its context. It took place after the extraordinary mobilization announcement. It was the first time he addressed the worlds leaders gathered together since Russia invaded in February. It wasn't delivered at the august rostrum where other presidents, prime ministers and monarchs speak but instead by video from a nation at war after Zelenskyy was granted special permission to not come in person. He appeared as he has in many previous video appearances in an olive green T-shirt. He sat at a table with a Ukrainian flag behind his right shoulder and large image of the U.N. flag and Ukraine's behind his left shoulder. Zelenskyys speech was one of the most keenly anticipated at international diplomacys most prominent annual gathering, which has dwelled this year on the war in his country. Officials from many countries are trying to prevent the conflict from spreading and to restore peace in Europe though diplomats do not expect any breakthroughs this week. Still, the topic popped up in speeches by leaders from all over the world. Overwhelmingly, the sentiment was similar: Russia's invasion was not consistent with the cornerstone principles of the United Nations including peace, dialogue and respect for sovereignty. "Its an attack on this very institution where we find ourselves today, said Moldovan President President Maia Sandu, whose country borders Ukraine. U.S. President Joe Bidens address, too, focused heavily on the war in Ukraine. This war is about extinguishing Ukraines right to exist as a state, plain and simple, and Ukraines right to exist as a people. Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever you believe, that should make your blood run cold, he said. If nations can pursue their imperial ambitions without consequences, then we put at risk everything this very institution stands for. Everything. Zelenskky opined that Moscow wants to spend the winter preparing its forces in Ukraine for a new offensive, or at least preparing fortifications while mobilizing more troops in the largest military conflict in Europe since the Second World War. Russia wants war. Its true. But Russia will not be able to stop the course of history, he said, declaring that mankind and the international law are stronger than what he called a terrorist state. Laying out various preconditions for peace in Ukraine that sometimes reached into broader prescriptions for improving the global order, he urged world leaders to strip Russia of its vote in international institutions and U.N. Security Council veto, saying that aggressors need to be punished and isolated. The fighting has already prompted some moves against Russia in U.N. bodies, particularly after Moscow vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have demanded a stop to its attack on Ukraine days after it began. The veto galled a number of other countries and led to action in the broader General Assembly, where resolutions arent binding but there are no vetoes. The assembly voted overwhelmingly in March to deplore Russias aggression against Ukraine, call for an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of all Russian forces, and urge protection for millions of civilians. The next month, members agreed by a smaller margin to suspend Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council. Despite the attention he drew, Zelenskyy was just one of dozens of leaders speaking Wednesday among them Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Kenyas newly elected president, William Ruto. Nearly 150 heads of state and government are set to appear during six days of speeches. It also wasnt the first time the Ukrainian leader has been in the spotlight at the assemblys annual meeting. His 2019 debut speech came as Zelenskyy suddenly found himself embroiled in a political scandal that was absorbing the U.S. then-President Donald Trumps effort to get the Ukrainian to investigate his eventual rival Biden and his son Hunter. Zelenskyy steered clear of the affair in his speech that year, but he was barraged with questions about it at a news conference with Trump. The episode ultimately led to Trumps first impeachment. At last years General Assembly, Zelenskyy memorably compared the U.N. to a retired superhero whos long forgotten how great they once were as he repeated appeals for action to confront Russia over its 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimean peninsula and its support for the separatists. Associated Press journalist Andrew Katell contributed from New York. For more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly The cast of Sister Act aren't the only nuns having fun this autumn casting has been revealed for new murder mystery drag spectacular Death Drop: Back in the Habit. Appearing on tour and in the West End, the show sees a variety of drag performers star in a thrilling new play. Joining the cast and announced today are RuPaul's Drag Race USA's Willam as well as RuPaul's Drag Race UK's Cheryl Hole, together with Drag King LoUis CYfer and a full drag supporting cast. The tour will commence on 27 October in Bromley before visiting Dartford, London's West End, Wycombe, Cardiff, Crewe, Brighton, Blackpool, Sheffield, Leicester, Aberdeen, Nottingham, Liverpool, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham until 18 March 2023. Willam is set to appear up to and including the Cardiff dates. They said today: "I'm excited this West End thing is becoming a habit for me with Death Drop 2: Back In The Habit. Let's get to bible pumping n humping!" Tickets for select dates are on sale now. Bismarck School Board member Emily Eckroth is due in court next month after allegedly interfering with a traffic stop involving her husband earlier this month. She was cited Sept. 3 for physical obstruction of a government function and summoned to appear Oct. 25 in state district court. The case was forwarded to the Burleigh County State's Attorney's Office, according to Sheriff's Maj. Jim Hulm. A formal charge had not yet been filed Wednesday afternoon. An incident investigation report, complaint and summons state that Burleigh County Deputy Joe Citta pulled over Eckroth's husband, Ryan Eckroth, for failing to maintain his lane near mile marker 158 on westbound Interstate 94 in Bismarck at about 12:15 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3. Emily Eckroth, a family physician who was elected in June to the Bismarck School Board, which oversees North Dakota's largest school district, was a passenger in the vehicle. Citta's officer notes said Emily Eckroth "was immediately disrespectful" toward him and her husband. While Citta was administering standardized field sobriety tests to her husband, Emily Eckroth "began to yell 'This is bulls--t' towards deputies and began to record deputies," according to the notes. The deputies "gave several warnings to Emily to stay by the vehicle as to not interfere with the DUI investigation. It got to a point where Ryan was so flustered by Emily and the situation that he couldn't provide an adequate breath sample for the on-site breath screening test," Citta wrote. A narrative in the report states that Emily Eckroth yelled over deputies and that she "was given several commands to stay by the vehicle and record them if she so chose to do so." Emily Eckroth "refused commands and began to walk towards Citta's patrol vehicle," according to his notes. Citta "detained" her for obstruction of government function "based on the totality of the circumstances." She was released on a promise to appear in court. Emily Eckroth hung up twice on a Tribune reporter seeking comment Wednesday. She said, "I was videotaping. There you go. That's it." Hulm said Ryan Eckroth "was extremely cooperative with law enforcement." He was not arrested for DUI. He called for a ride to leave, and the couple left with the ride. Ryan Eckroth was an unsuccessful Bismarck-area legislative candidate in the June Republican primary election. The traffic stop lasted about 45 minutes, according to Hulm. The North Dakota National Guards 81st Civil Support Team will conduct a joint training exercise with staff at the Bismarck Water Treatment Plant on Friday. Soldiers and officials will practice responding to a hazardous materials event. The exercise is to start around 9 a.m. and conclude by 3 p.m. Participants will be wearing hazmat suits at the plant on River Road. The 29th annual Fall Art Tour opens the studios of local artisans in Mineral Point, Spring Green, Dodgeville, and Baraboo, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Oct. 14-16. The Fall Art Tour began when a group of artists in southwest Wisconsin created an alternative to art fairs and festivals, and opened their own private studios to art enthusiasts for three days. This self-guided tour provides an up close experience watching art being created including, painters, jewelers, sculptors, furniture makers, quilters, photographers, and more than 60 artists. For more tour information including artist details, maps, lodging, and dining, visit fallarttour.com. JUNEAU A 36-year-old Beaver Dam woman made her initial appearance in court on Wednesday charged with her fifth offense of drunken driving following sideswiping another vehicle on Highway 151 earlier in the day. Jenna Rabehl is also charged with two felony counts of bail jumping and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. She could face up to five years in prison and five years of extended supervision for the OWI conviction alone. Rabehl appeared before Dodge County Court Commissioner Steven Seim who placed her on a $10,000 cash bond. As conditions of her bond, she may not use, possess or control any controlled substances without a prescription or drug paraphernalia nor be in the presence of anyone who does, maintain absolute sobriety, and not go upon the premises of any establishment whose primary business involves the sale of alcohol. In addition, she may not operate a motor vehicle without the permission of the court. According to the criminal complaint: Rabehl was traveling south on Highway 151, north of Highway C, around 4:40 a.m. on Wednesday when her car allegedly sideswiped a truck. The operator of the truck pulled over and called 911 after suspecting that Rabehl was impaired. When officers arrived, they saw damage on the passenger side of Rabehls car that appeared to be consistent with striking a tire. There was also white paint transfer near the rear bumper. The victim said he was traveling south on Highway 151 in the outside lane when Rabehl came behind him and started to pass him. The car swerved into his lane and made contact with his truck. The car then pulled in front of him before pulling over on the side of the road. Rabehl denied drinking and said that her speech was slurred due to dentures. However, the deputy saw a case of beer in the back seat. She said she was returning from getting something to eat and misjudged when she was trying to change back into another lane. Rabehl submitted to a Breathalyzer test which resulted in a .13 reading. Rabehl had previously been convicted of OWI in 2003, 2009, 2010, 2013. She is also currently out on bond in Dodge County charged with 5th OWI. A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Sept. 29. Todd Nelson and his family are continuing their support for African art and clean water in the continents communities. The Kalahari Resorts and Conventions owners foundation, the Nelson Family Life Foundation, is currently holding its second annual Sculpting the Future initiative. A sale of 100 sculptures by 100 African artists from the Shona Sculpture Gallery in Harare, Zimbabwe with interpretations of the word Love in stone are available for sale either at Kalahari locations or on the initiatives website. Sculpting the Future aligns with our foundations 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, in the release announcing the initiative. 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. All proceeds from the Sculpting the Future initiative will go toward the Nelson Family Life Foundations Water Colors Life Project, an initiative dedicated to providing clean water to African communities while also highlighting African artwork and its creators. The project has already funded the drilling of numerous boreholes in Zimbabwe, helping nearby residents gain access to a cleaner water supply. Kalahari donating to African artists, for clean water in Africa The Water Colors Life Project is designed to clear barriers to clean water access in African communities and support African artists. The Nelson Family Life Foundation started the Sculpting the Future initiative last year, when it began supporting a community of sculptors living outside of Harare. The family has been investing in African art since the mid-1990s and has now invested over $5.5 million to support artists and craftsmen. Art from these investments are on display throughout Kalahari resort locations. The first Sculpting the Future initiative raised just under $107,000, according to Nelson Family Life Foundation Executive Director Brad Bensman. Bensman said that the Water Colors Life Project has another stage of borehole drilling underway and that the foundation is exploring additional areas of Zimbabwe as well as rural areas of South Africa. Some of the aspects taken into consideration are villages in need, villages with school children and medical clinics, said Bensman in a statement. Former President Donald Trump and his allies seized on the drawn-out vote processing and counting in Pennsylvania during the 2020 election to fuel his false claims that fraud cost him victory in the battleground state and election officials worry that a replay could be on the horizon in Novembers crucial Senate and governors races. And its not just Pennsylvania. Wisconsin and Michigan are other crucial swing states that allow no-excuse mail-in ballots but give local election offices no time before Election Day to process them. Election workers inability to do that work ahead of time means many of the mailed ballots may not get counted on Election Day, delaying results in tight races and leaving a gaping hole for misinformation and lies to flood the public space. That time between the polls closing on election night and the last vote being counted is really being exploited by people who want to undermine confidence in the process, said Al Schmidt, a Philadelphia election commissioner during the 2020 presidential election who is now president and CEO of the good-government group Committee of Seventy. The first step in processing mailed ballots, or pre-canvassing, is a routine but crucial administrative task that allows election workers to verify voters signatures and addresses, or spot problems that could be fixed by voters. Once ballots are deemed valid, they are removed from their envelopes another time-consuming task so they are ready to be counted on Election Day. Not in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, though. Thirty-eight other states including Republican-controlled ones such as Florida, Georgia and Texas allow mailed ballots to be processed before Election Day, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, even brags about producing results on election night a pointed criticism he made during a recent stop in Pennsylvania. For the three critical battleground states, such objections fall flat. Efforts since 2020 to give local election workers more time before Election Day to process mailed ballots have died in Republican-controlled legislatures. Instead, Republicans in those states have sought to tighten restrictions on voting by mail provisions vetoed by Democratic governors. Counting the ballots should be driven by security, not speed, Wisconsin state Rep. Janel Brandtjen, a Republican from Menomonee Falls, said earlier this year as lawmakers were considering legislation on the issue. Why would we want to give bad actors the chance to see ballots prior to Election Day? Republicans helped kill a bipartisan bill that would have allowed more time for processing mailed ballots in Wisconsin amid claims that it would give partisans more time to cheat or leak vote counts early another unfounded conspiracy theory promoted as a way to explain Trumps loss. Like Pennsylvania, election workers in Michigan and Wisconsin must wait until Election Day to start the pre-canvassing of mailed ballots. For now, in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, requests for absentee ballots are running below 2020s rate, relieving some of the burden on local election offices. Still, Claire Woodall-Vogg, executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, said its a total guess when counting will finish in Wisconsins most populous county. She hopes it will wrap up by 11 p.m. on election night. A late rush of dropped-off ballots as happened in 2020 isnt expected this year, she said, because courts banned the use of drop boxes. In Michigan in 2020, lawmakers agreed to give clerks in more populous cities and towns 10 hours on the day before Election Day to process mailed ballots. Clerks unsuccessfully sought a similar provision for this year. The Michigan Secretary of States Office said it was too early to estimate how many absentee ballots might be cast or how long it will take to process them. Processing ballots The Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Legislature have refused to allow early processing of mailed ballots unless it comes packaged with provisions Democrats oppose, such as putting limits on drop boxes and expanding voter identification requirements. County election officials say they are grateful the state approved $45 million in election administration grants to help them buy ballot processing equipment and pay for workers to help. But they still face the work of processing well over 1 million mailed ballots just as they are running the November election. A number of them do not expect to finish processing mailed ballots until at least the day after the election even after working through the night. The Pennsylvania House Republicans lead lawmaker on election legislation said allowing counties to process ballots before Election Day must be combined with election integrity measures. Once a ballot is opened, you remove the outside envelope from the ballot, you remove any ability to question anything in that election system, said Republican state Rep. Seth Grove. So you have to guard the front end of it a lot better. Those who advocate for earlier processing say observers can watch the pre-canvassing of mailed ballots, increasing transparency, and note that it is allowed by many other states. If people want to observe the process, said Lee Soltysiak, the chief operating officer of Montgomery County in Pennsylvania, theyre more likely to do it at 3 p.m. and not 3 a.m. Conspiracy theories All three states flipped to support Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election and are still being buffeted by conspiracy theories about Trumps loss. Among those is that election workers falsified ballots in the middle of the night in Philadelphia, Detroit, Milwaukee and other Democratic-leaning cities across battleground states lost by Trump, despite no such evidence emerging for nearly two years since the election. Death threats to election officials followed the arguing, as did a flurry of litigation designed to keep Trump in office. In the middle of the counting, two men inspired by Trumps election lies and armed with guns drove from Virginia to where ballots were being tallied in Philadelphia. Trump continues to peddle the conspiracy theories, repeating this month during a rally in Wilkes-Barre that Pennsylvanias vote in 2020 was a rigged election. Fearing a repeat of the false claims from two years ago, Democrats in the Pennsylvania Legislature continued to push Republicans to bring up a pre-canvassing bill without any poison pills for a vote. That bill will not run, said Democratic state Rep. Scott Conklin. Why wont it run? Because if it runs, it takes away the conspiracy theories. It takes away the fact that what theyre saying is nonsense and not true. Joey Cappelletti, a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, contributed to this report. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is facing a lawsuit after her office refused to release expense records on five out-of-state trips this year to a liberal watchdog group. American Oversight, an organization that files open records requests and litigation against Republican officials, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Noem, who is in the midst of a reelection campaign and eyeing a bid for the GOP's 2024 presidential ticket. It alleges that the governor's office did not follow the state's open records law by claiming that releasing the records would create a threat to the governor's safety. In May, the organization had requested expense records, including lodging and travel, for 2022 trips Noem had taken to a Las Vegas hunting convention, a pair of Republican Party events in Wyoming and New York, the Conservative Political Action Conference and a campaign event for Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Lee in Utah. American Oversight also said that South Dakota's Department of Labor and Regulation has not responded to its records request for legal expenses associated with negotiating a $200,000 settlement agreement with a former state employee, Sherry Bren. She had filed an age discrimination complaint after she was pressured to retire by Marcia Hultman, Noem's Labor Secretary. Hultman began asking for Bren's retirement in the weeks after Noem's daughter, Kassidy Peters, completed her real estate appraiser licensure a process in which Noem took a hands-on role. We have asked Governor Noem to disclose what certain high-profile matters have cost South Dakota, specifically for her travel expenses and costs related to her involvement in her daughters real estate licensing, said Heather Sawyer, executive director of American Oversight. South Dakota law requires disclosure of public spending and the public has a right to see how Governor Noem is spending their money. As Noem has reached national prominence in the GOP and traveled the country to speak at events, she has faced scrutiny for the costs of her travel, including inquiries of what it costs taxpayers to provide her security during out-of-state campaign events. Noem's office has declined to release those costs, saying it would threaten her security. She is also facing an investigation into whether using a state-owned airplane to travel to 2019 events hosted by political organizations was a legal use of the aircraft. Noem has defended those trips as part of her job being an ambassador for the state. She did not use a state-owned airplane on the 2022 trips. The governors office and the Department of Labor and Regulation did not immediately comment on the lawsuit. Ian Fury, Noem's campaign spokesman, said in a statement, This is a baseless political attack by an activist liberal organization. They have no interest in the truth. Their tactics are typical election year propaganda. He did not respond to a question on whether Noem's political funds paid for expenses such as lodging when she traveled to political events. A harvester operates in the highland barley field in Rasog Township of Gyangze County, Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2022. [Xinhua/Jigme Dorje] BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) The fifth Chinese farmers' harvest festival will fall on Friday as the country is poised to embrace another bumper grain harvest in a challenging year for global food security. With some 9 percent of the world's arable land, China needs to feed nearly one-fifth of the global population. For President Xi Jinping, food security is among the country's most fundamental interests. Over the past decade, food security has remained high on the agenda of Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. 'Eating Matters Most' Xi has on multiple occasions emphasized the importance of securing adequate food for the people. While meeting national political advisors in March, he said that of all things, eating matters most and food is the most basic necessity of the people. He has called on the country to be well-prepared and remain vigilant concerning food security, and adhere to the principle of self-sufficiency based on domestic grain production, guaranteed production capacity, moderate food imports, and technological support. China has incorporated the implementation of the food security strategy into its outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035. The outline calls for efforts to ensure absolute security of grain and the supply of important sideline agricultural products, and to promote legislation concerning food security. The country, in this regard, passed an anti-food waste law in 2021, with the goal of establishing a long-term framework for preventing food waste, which is vital for ensuring national food security. It has also announced that a food security law will be formulated this year. Seeds and Soil Xi has also highlighted the importance of seeds and farmland on multiple occasions. During an April visit to a seed laboratory in Sanya, Hainan Province, Xi said seed resources must be "firmly held in our own hands" to ensure food security. He stressed efforts to achieve self-reliance in seed technology and ensure that China's seed resources are self-supporting and under better control. In this year's "No. 1 Central Document" released in February, the development of the seed industry is outlined as one of the country's policy priorities, with specific moves such as implementing an action plan concerning the seed industry, promoting germplasm collection and enhancing intellectual property protection in the sector. So far, the number of national seed breeding and production bases in China has increased to 216, official data showed. These hubs breed or produce seeds for grain, cotton, oil and sugar, among others. Regarding farmland protection, Xi once emphasized that farmland is the lifeline of grain production and the foundation for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation. Farmland is for farming and can only be used to grow crops, especially grain crops, he has said. Under Xi's leadership, China adheres to the strictest farmland protection system, striving to ensure its farmland area remains above the red line of 120 million hectares. China has also pledged to expedite the formulation of a farmland protection law, a further step to safeguard farmland. At the end of 2019, China had a total of 128 million hectares of farmland, according to a national land survey. The country plans to develop 6.67 million hectares of high-standard farmland this year. (Source: Xinhua) Students at the newly opened Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) attend a team-building exercise at the university in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, last month. [Xinhua/Liu Dawei] The Chinese mainland remains the most favored education destination for Hong Kong and Macao students, and more Taiwan students have come to the mainland to study, the Ministry of Education said on Tuesday. Liu Jin, director of the ministry's Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, said a total of 79,000 students from the three regions had enrolled as freshmen at mainland universities over the past decade. There were 38,200 students from the three regions studying at mainland universities last year at all grade levels, up 51 percent from 2012, Liu said at a news conference on achievements made in education exchanges and cooperation between the mainland and the regions since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012. There are 2,593 pairs of sister schools between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, while nearly 100,000 university students and teachers from the special administrative regions have participated in exchange programs with the mainland, she said. Furthermore, the ministry has launched more than 1,300 exchange programs with Taiwan, and more than 60,000 Taiwan students and teachers have visited the mainland through these programs over the past decade, Liu said. The ministry will continue to promote education cooperation and exchange between the mainland and the three regions to help their young people better contribute to national development, she added. Hong Kong Education Secretary Christine Choi Yuk-lin said Hong Kong universities have actively cooperated with universities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, including the United International College set up by Hong Kong Baptist University and Beijing Normal University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen jointly run by CUHK and Shenzhen University. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), operated by Guangzhou University and the HKUST opened this month, she said via video link. The student mainland exchange program was participated in by more than 70,000 Hong Kong students in the 2018-19 academic year, up by more than 20,000 in the 2012-13 academic year, she added. Kong Chi Meng, director of the Macao Education and Youth Development Bureau, said the region has engaged in a wide range of education exchange activities with the mainland, helping Macao schools, students, teachers and parents to gain a better understanding of the national history and the state of the nation today. Many top mainland universities have welcomed Macao students, and 37 percent of Macao high school graduates chose to study at mainland universities in the 2020-21 academic year, up from 16 percent in the 2015-16 academic year, he said. Lin Heping, director of the Fujian Education Department, said as a close neighbor of Taiwan, education cooperation between Fujian and Taiwan has a long history and has produced fruitful results. In the past 10 years, more than 8,000 Taiwan students have studied at universities in the province and Fujian universities have signed cooperation agreements with 118 Taiwan universities, he said. By setting up employment, entrepreneurship and internship bases for young people from Taiwan, the province has attracted 36,000 Taiwan students to work and start their business in the province, he added. (Source: China Daily) Former Woonsocket Mayor Susan D. Menard, pictured here during one of her campaigns for the citys top leadership post, has died. She was one of two people found dead inside her Marian Lane home this week, according to authorities. San Jose is a large city situated in Santa Clara County in the west-central portion of the US State of California. It is the state's third-most populous city and forms a part of an extended metropolitan area around the San Francisco Bay that incorporates San Francisco and Oakland. The city serves as the hub of the Silicon Valley, a region that includes many of the world's largest high-tech and computer-related industries. San Jose State University and the San Jose City College are located in the city, fuelling the tech industry. San Jose is also a city of culture and the arts, with several institutions such as the Museum of Art and Tech Museum of Innovation located here. Geography And Climate Of San Jose Drone photo of sunset over downtown San Jose, California. San Jose is situated about 80 km southeast of San Francisco, in the Santa Clara Valley, stretching northwest to southeast with mountain ranges on both sides. Both Coyote Creek and the Guadalupe River flow through the city. San Jose lies on a floodplain, with the land gradually sloping upwards towards the east. San Jose covers a total area of 469.72 sq. km, of which 461.63 sq. km is occupied by land, and 8.09 sq. km is covered by water. The city experiences a Mediterranean climate, as per the Koppen Climate Classification. The city has warm, dry summers, while the winters are short but cool and typically wet, with some cloudy skies, in contrast to the typically sunny skies most of the year. Annual rainfall averages about 12 inches from 2000 to 2022, with four years during that period with less than 9 inches. Average daily high temperatures range from about 15 C in December and January to about 28 C in July and August. Brief History Of San Jose Beautiful architecture of the City Hall in San Jose, California. The abundance of food along the coast, including mussels, salmon, seaweed, rabbits, and more, drew the indigenous people to the San Jose area thousands of years ago.When European settlers arrived in the west central area of California in the mid-18th century, it was inhabited by the Costanoan Indian tribes. The Costanoans lived in a series of independent villages from San Francisco Bay to Point Sur, California. The Spanish colonizers renamed them in groups; the Soledad, San Juan Bautista, Santa Clara, etc. The Santa Clara tribe lived in the immediate San Jose area. Despite the dismantling of their traditional culture, there were about 4,500 descendants of the original inhabitants living in the area by the early 21st century. The first civic settlement in California was established by Jose Joaquin Moraga in 1777. It began its existence as a farming community and went by the moniker Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe for St. Joseph. The fertile valley produced vegetables, cattle and wheat for the military stationed in San Francisco. American forces occupied California in 1846, and San Jose became the new state's first capital for a brief period after the end of the Mexican-American War. The first California state legislative assembly convened in San Jose in 1849. The city began to grow almost immediately throughout the late 19th century. It was the influx of first large industries, and then soldiers and vets returning from WWII, that led to its largest and most rapid period of growth. As the city became known as a key part of the Silicon Valley, more and more key companies started establishing in San Jose and surrounding areas, fueling the influx of tech workers and their families. Population Of San Jose In 1870, the city's population was already at 9,089 by reason of its location. By 1900, it had climbed to 21,500, and by 1930, 57,651. The city's population growth through the latter half of the 20th century is remarkable. The city's area more than tripled between 1960 and 2000, and its population more than quadrupled during the same period. In 2010, the city's population was measured at 945,942, with the combined San JoseSunnyvaleSanta Clara Metro Area at 1,836,911. In 2020, the city had jumped to 1,013,240, and the San JoseSunnyvaleSanta Clara Metro Area to 2,000,468. San Jose's Asian and Hispanic communities together make up about 60% of the modern city's population. Economy Of San Jose San Jose skyline as seen from the nearby freeway, Silicon Valley, California. Mining was a major activity in the region, introduced to the Spaniards by the Ohlone. From its beginnings as a farm center, San Jose quickly developed into a trade depot for the burgeoning gold fields that were located just east of Sacramento. The railroad came to San Jose in 1864, making it the natural depot for transporting produce to San Francisco and beyond. Fruit and other food processing industries dominated the city's economy into the mid-20th century. With the advent of the Second World War, large manufacturing plants for the aerospace and other equipment-related industries were established nearby, and the city grew exponentially with the new economy. This marked the beginning of its status as the hub of Silicon Valley. Through the 20th century, San Jose became the epicenter for high tech industries, including computer hardware and software, and Internet, along with production of semiconductors, scientific instrumentation, and more. The agricultural sector is still a strong force in the local economy, with a specialization in several crops, including greenhouse plants and cut flowers, wine grapes, cherries, and beef cattle. Attractions In San Jose Rosicrucian Park Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in Rosicrucian Park, San Jose, California. Editorial credit: Mariusz S. Jurgielewicz / Shutterstock.com San Jose's vibrant cultural life can be experienced via professional arts companies such as ballet and opera, along with major museums and places like Rosicrucian Park, with a museum of Egyptian artifacts and a planetarium. Winchester Mystery House Winchester Mystery House Museum in San Jose, California. Editorial credit: Uladzik Kryhin / Shutterstock.com San Jose's history can be witnessed in places like the Winchester Mystery House, the fabled 160-room Victorian mansion built by the heiress to the gun manufacturer of the same name. With its urban sophistication set in the middle of a fertile agricultural area, San Jose is known for its classic California cuisine and farm-to-table dining scene. More AboutWinchester Mystery House MCHENRY A driver charged with fatally striking a teenager in North Dakota allegedly told investigators he purposely hit the teen with his SUV after they had a political argument, according to court documents. Cayler Ellingson, 18, was struck and killed following a street dance in McHenry early Sunday. The driver accused of striking Ellingson in an alley, Shannon Brandt, 41, is charged in Foster County with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death. Jail records from Stutsman County, where Brandt was being held, show he posted $50,000 bond Tuesday and was released. His attorney did not immediately return a call for comment. Brandt told investigators he left the scene after striking Ellingson, returned briefly, called 911 and then left again, according to a probable cause affidavit. The court document said Brandt told investigators he had been drinking alcohol before striking Ellingson and thought the teen was calling people to do him harm after they argued and that he felt threatened. Ellingson was rushed to a hospital in Carrington, where he was pronounced dead. Investigators arrested Brandt at his home in Glenfield later Sunday. Officials said he consented to a chemical breath test which showed his blood alcohol content was above 0.08%, the legal limit to drive. Capt. Bryan Niewind of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, which helped investigate the death, said the political argument claim by Brandt has not been substantiated because the investigation is still ongoing and more witnesses need to be interviewed. The specific details of the alleged argument were not released. Ellingsons parents later told police they knew Brandt, but they did not believe their son did, the affidavit said. Ellingsons mother described how she was on her way to pick up her son from McHenry when he called her about 2:40 a.m. and asked if she knew Brandt. Ellingson called again a short time later and said that he or they were chasing him. She could no longer reach him after that, the document said. First minister rejects call for new structure of North Wales health board Wales first minister has ruled out a restructure of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. There have been growing calls in recent months for action to be taken to either remodel the north Wales health board or return it to special measures after a series of damning interventions. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board was removed from special measures with immediate effect in November 2020 by the then Health Minister, Vaughan Gething. However eyebrows were raised at the timing of the announcement and whether the health board had done enough to return to targeted intervention. Calls for further action to be taken against Betsi Cadwaladr have continued this year after it was announced in March 2022 that complex cases requiring vascular services were being moved to Liverpool after two concerning safety incidents were identified. A similar announcement to send some patients over the border to either the Royal Liverpool University Hospital or the Royal Stoke University Hospital for treatment was made last month. It came after a series of meetings between Betsi Cadwaladr University Health, Welsh Government officials and the national leadership team in NHS England to develop options for alternative vascular service provision with English provider trust. Vascular services in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd have been under Targeted Intervention Measures since the start of June amid ongoing concerns about vascular services and the hospitals emergency department. In August Wrexham.com reported that Welsh Government have been accused of continuing to fail patients across North Wales following the release of a damning report into the emergency department at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW) carried out an unannounced inspection of the emergency department on three consecutive days in May 2022. This inspection was undertaken to follow up on the significant concerns HIW identified during a previous quality check undertaken in March 2022. The inspectorate highlighted concerns in relation to the management of aortic patients following the completion of a review of 11 patients notes. Opposition parties have called previously for a restructure of the health board, stating that the position is unacceptable and needs serious work and effort to correct it. Speaking in the Senedd on Tuesday (20 September), Plaid Cymru MS Member Mabon ap Gwynfor challenged the First Minister on the topic of health in North Wales, noting a recent annual report for the Health Board. He said: The annual report is damning, and its clear that the board is failing. Its clear that everything that you as a Government have tried to do to solve the problems of the board have failed. Do you now accept that its time to look at a new structure for the provision of healthcare in North Wales? However First Minister Mark Drakeford rejected the call, stating: As Ive explained many times on the floor of the Chamber, we as a Government dont believe that the best way of helping people in North Wales is to put the board in a position where they dont know whether the board will continue. That isnt going to help people focus on the work that needs to be done, and that is work that we, as a Government, are eager to help the board with in undertaking the hard work that they are facing. HMO companies fined 114,000 after successful prosecution Two Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) companies have been handed a hefty fine after it was convicted of 17 charges of failing to maintain and properly manage three of his licensed Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The charges were brought by Wrexham Councils Environmental Health and Housing standards team (part of the Public Protection service). Pritchard Property (Paragon) Limited, Pritchard Property (Lloyds) Limited and Pritchard Accommodation Limited were fined 114,000 in total for the offences and costs of 16,599. The controlling Director of the Companies, Mr Arran Pritchard, who is resident in Thailand, indicated that he had employed a manager to look after the properties who failed to adequately maintain or inspect the three properties. The judge found that Mr Pritchard, as sole director of the properties, was not able to property manage them on a day to day basis whilst based abroad. He found there was a systemic failure to monitor maintenance and supervise staff, resulting in properties which did not meet acceptable standards and presented a clear risk of harm. He relied on his lettings manager who was unable to sufficiently supervise his staff and had failed to provide any evidence of any inspections taking place. Cllr Terry Evans, Lead Member for Planning and Public Protection, said, Many landlords throughout Wrexham are acting in a responsible way and regularly inspect and maintain their properties. This prosecution and fine should act as a deterrent to those landlords who are neglecting their duty to ensure tenants are provided with a safe, warm and properly maintained property. Plaid Cymru councillor for Offa Katie Wilkinson said: I welcome the news that Arron Pritchard of Pritchards Accommodation has rightfully been fined with the mismanagement of a number of his properties. The challenges we face locally with HMOs are difficult enough without the addition of rogue landlords who are not only taking advantage of the housing crisis, but profiteering off our most vulnerable members of society. I hope this sends a strong message to the company and landlords as a whole, and that we see some much needed improvements to the properties he manages in Offa and across Wrexham. You can contact the Environmental Health and Housing Standards team by e-mail at HealthandHousing@wrexham.gov.uk or on 01978 292040 if you have concerns about the HMO you are living in. How many crises does it take for American politicians to do their jobs? Today, the United States of America, once considered the most civilized country in the history of the world, is disgraced in the eyes of people both at home and abroad. We are playing with the lives of real, living and breathing human beings, women, men and children, for political gain. Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis was successful last week in focusing attention on Americas long-standing immigration policy. He did it by using Florida taxpayers money to fly Venezuelan immigrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard, where they were unceremoniously dumped in a liberal community. The point was to rub the immigration crises in the faces of sanctuary cities, where residents view immigration differently than DeSantis does. It was shameful, as are the bus convoys that border states are sending to more liberal places, because they are creating more fear and uncertainty in the lives of real people who already are in crisis. There was no loving your neighbor in this. But there is plenty of shame to go around. For decades our civilized country has failed to address a humanitarian crisis on the border. President Biden has thus far failed to follow through on his campaign promise of meaningful immigration reform. Before him, President Trump likewise failed. And before him, President Obama. And President Bush the younger. The reason theyve all failed is because members of Congress have been unwilling and unable to take the bold and courageous step of putting civility and humanity ahead of politics. To be sure, many have tried. To be equally sure, all have failed. The result is that this latest immigration crisis is going down as one more footnote in a decades-long history of crises. Theres no doubt that immigration reform is challenging. Really challenging. Republicans and Democrats are far apart in their beliefs of how it should be done. There even are significant inter-party disagreements. Add to that mix the divergent views of dozens of special interest groups, and governors of border states, and it becomes easier to do nothing than to solve problems. So we ignore the problems for a while, until someone becomes so frustrated that they pull political stunts to pull the rug back from the crisis thats been swept under it. Immigration has been an issue in the United States since shortly after the Revolution. Our first Naturalization Act was approved in 1790. There have been many and varied steps to recognize the changing characteristics of immigration trends, but no comprehensive reform has happened since 1986. Republican President George W. Bush tried in 2006, forging a coalition with top Senate Democrats, but the effort died a political death in 2007. In 2013 a gang of eight, four top Republican senators and four top Democrat senators, introduced comprehensive reform and shepherded it through approval in the Senate. It never got a vote in the House. Since then, all weve done has been through executive order and presidential policy. Regardless of which party holds the White House, administration action is doomed to the reality of oppositional politics. Obama ordered a system that permitted young adults who had been brought to the country illegally to stay and work in the U.S. He later expanded the program to benefit illegal immigrants who had children in the U.S. That policy is on hold after 26 states sued to prevent it. Trump attempted to build border walls to slow the stream of illegal immigrants from Central America. Biden promised immigration reform and introduced a bill that has stalled over vast disagreements. And so our civilized nation does nothing, except yelling and screaming at one another while people desperate for a livable life pack up their families and walk hundreds of miles through hot jungles and cartel-controlled territory in hopes that theyll somehow find some kind of normalcy. This is another untenable situation that we allow to happen because no one is willing to do the hard work of finding common ground. The work can be done if there is resolve to do the right thing rather than the political thing. After all, this is America, where we can do anything if we care deeply enough. Over 40,000 rail workers to take to picket line as further date of strike action announced More than 40,000 rail staff will take to the picket line on October 8 after another date of industrial action was announced. Rail union RMT confirmed today that railway workers will walkout across in the ongoing fight over jobs, pay and working conditions. Over 40,000 RMT members from Network Rail and 15 train operating companies will take to picket lines, effectively shutting down the railway network. Strike action will take place at Network Rail and 15 train operating companies: Chiltern Railways, Cross Country Trains, Greater Anglia, LNER, East Midlands Railway, c2c, Great Western Railway, Hull Trains Northern Trains, South Eastern South Western Railway Transpennine Express, Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains GTR (including Gatwick Express) Industrial action by RMT union members is already scheduled to take place for 24 hours October 1. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that it was encouraging that the new Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP had met with the union. He said: We welcome this more positive approach from the government to engage with us as a first step to finding a suitable settlement. However, as no new offer has been tabled, our members have no choice but to continue this strike action We will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the employers and government need to understand our industrial campaign will continue for as long as it takes. ASLEF has also announced its train drivers will walk out for two further days of strike action Saturday 1 and Wednesday 5 October. Union members at 12 companies Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; Greater Anglia; Great Western Railway; Hull Trains; LNER; London Overground; Northern Trains; Southeastern; TransPennine Express; and West Midlands Trains will strike across the two days. Politicians call for Welsh Government to get a grip on Wales NHS ahead of the winter The Welsh Government has come under fire after new NHS stats revealed a further deterioration in waiting times for emergency departments. North Wales recorded some of the worst waiting times last month, with 61.7 per cent of people who visited A&E seen within the target time of four hours. In Wrexham just 1,879 (40 per cent) out of the 4,701 patients at the emergency department at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital were dealt with within the target time during August. Ysbyty Glan Clwyd recorded the second worst waiting times in Wales with 43.7 per cent of patients spending less than four hours in A&E. Figures locally for those who were seen within eight hours increased to 60.9 per cent, rising to 74.2 per cent for 12 hours. Commenting on the A&E waiting times for the region, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for North Wales Darren Millar MS said: These statistics are very worrying for people across North Wales who rely on their local hospitals in the event of an emergency. Patients and NHS staff in North Wales deserve a healthcare system at least as good as elsewhere in the UK but that clearly isnt the case. No-one should be spending more than 12 hours in an emergency department and it is unacceptable that more than one in four people in North Wales, more than 3,500 in August, are experiencing these sorts of delays. Wales is suffering a cost-of-pain crisis that the Welsh Labour Government must get to grips with and North Wales is suffering more pain than anywhere else. Along with demand on emergency departments, the Welsh Ambulance Service recorded one of its lowest ever response times with 50.7 per cent of red calls received an emergency response within 8 minutes. This 1.2 percentage points lower than the previous month and close to the lowest on record. In August there were 3,495 red (life threatening) calls to the ambulance service, 9.6 per cent of all calls. This was a fall in red calls compared with July, but on average there were still more than 100 immediately life-threatening calls made each day. Throughout July there was an average of 3,670 referrals for first outpatient appointments were made per day in July. This is a decrease of 4.4% (170 fewer referrals per day on average) compared to June. Latest Welsh NHS data for July showed the highest ever number of patients waiting for treatment with 743,229 on patient pathways up from 644,463 the same time in 2021 leaving well over a fifth of the Welsh people on the waiting list. In North Wales there are 169,301 patients waiting to start treatment 91,835 have been waiting up to 26 weeks, 13,602 between 26 and 36 weeks and 63,864 over 36 weeks. Opposition parties have condemned the Welsh Government over todays figures, stating that there is more than seasonality to blame for the demand on Wales health service. Plaid Cymrus spokesperson for health and social care, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: Weve reached a stage and its been clear to me that weve been here for some time that the pressures being faced by our NHS are not just simply about seasonality. Were at the end of the summer, waiting lists are as long as ever with many important metrics getting worse and this isnt just about clearing the backlog from winter pressure. In fact, the problems being faced by our NHS pre-date the pandemic. Clearly, we need to see action taken now to increase capacity and to improve patient flow, but the Labour government has to ensure that things are sustainable for the long term. That has to include a dramatic change in attitudes and Government funding towards preventative health measures. We need a prevention revolution to help release the pressure on our NHS. Welsh Conservative and Shadow Health Minister Russell George MS said, renewed the parties calls to create surgical hubs to help cut waiting times. Time and time again we see these extraordinary waits in the Labour-run NHS but little strategy to tackle them the statement on winter pressures from the Minister this week contained no plan with two-year waits at over 60,000 compared to less than 3,000 in both England and Scotland. Not only that, but we can then look at England and see surgical hubs, a modernised and technologically efficient system, and a new plan to ensure people can see GPs within a fortnight, with poor performers named and shamed using league tables. Patients and NHS staff in Wales deserve a healthcare system at least as good as elsewhere in the UK but, instead, Labour insist on us putting up with what were given as they plunder public funds to stuff Cardiff Bay with 36 new politicians and impose the dreaded tourism tax on our nation. Labour need to get a grip on the NHS and stop breaking all the wrong records. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: We urgently need to see an action plan for winter. The service is clearly struggling to cope even now before the winter season begins. While we understand there are huge backlogs from COVID, that is not an excuse for Wales to consistently rank below England and Scotland. None of this is due to our amazing NHS staff who work hard to keep things going. Looking after our NHS staff will play a key role in reducing waiting times. Significant delays in ambulance response times are due to backlogs at A&E departments resulting in patients having to wait in ambulances outside. What we need to see is real investment in primary health services in local communities, including our GPs to prevent these build-ups at emergency departments and to prevent people falling into such ill-health they require more advanced treatment. A Welsh Government spokesperson said: We continue to see improvements and a high number of people receiving treatment, with over 358 thousand consultations taking place in the latest month. The number of pathways waiting more than two years decreased for the fourth consecutive month, falling by 14% since the peak in March. July also saw just over 87,000 patient pathways closed, a significant increase from the early stages of the pandemic and 10% higher than for the same month in 2021. Performance against targets for diagnostic and therapies services continues to improve despite a general increase in demand for both services. Within diagnostics the number of patient pathways waiting longer than 8 weeks went down and for therapies the number waiting longer than fourteen weeks also decreased to just over 12,500. Emergency care staff and services remain under pressure and performance is not where we, health boards nor the public want it to be. However, it is encouraging to see a 16% reduction in emergency admissions to hospitals in Wales when compared to August 2021. Our investment into Same Day Emergency Care services is helping to support this reduction and improve outcomes for patients. We also saw performance marginally improve against the four hour target, and the average (median) time spent in emergency departments shortened in August. We also saw improvement in average (median) amber call response times which were almost 23 minutes quicker than in July. Amber calls include responding to heart attacks and strokes. We continue to prioritise improving discharge planning and an increase in community capacity ahead of the winter period. The Seattle Education Association (SEA) announced Tuesday morning that its proposed contract, formally three separate tentative agreements for classified, paraprofessional and certificated educators, had been ratified. The union SEA reported that 4,143 of its members voted and that the agreements passed by 82 percent (classified), 66 percent (parapros) and 71 percent (certified teachers). While the SEA presents the results as an expression of the unity of educators under union leadership, at most only about half voted for the contract, with just under a third abstaining from the whole process out of digust. SEA officials shut down the powerful week-long strike by 6,000 educators on September 14 and sent teachers back to the classrooms days before the ratification vote. By breaking the momentum of their struggle, the SEA executives knew it would be more difficult for teachers to resume the strike, which is what a rejection of the TA would have meant. Seattle teachers on the picket line before officials of the Seattle Education Association ordered it shut down. [Photo: WSWS] The SEAs action was in open defiance of a resolution proposed and passed by the rank-and-file to stay on strike until a TA was ratified. In fact, the SEA ended the strike through antidemocratic maneuvers, including a pressured vote to suspend the strike that had no oversight from the membership. At the same time, the union itself admitted that the TA had not been finalized and only presented the full text to teachers three days later. Teachers then had only a single weekend to review the contract before being told to vote on it. The deal did nothing to address educators central demandsmore special education staff to support the myriad and multilingual needs of the districts estimated 49,000 students. Educators also wanted sharp increases in wages amid skyrocketing costs of living in Seattle, particularly for paraprofessionals and classified staff who often make less than $20 an hour. There was also no mention in any of the contracts or during any union meetings of the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds die from the deadly yet preventable disease and thousands fall victim to Long COVID every day and the pathogen remains a major concern of educators the world over as schools are a prominent vector of viral transmission. Yet the matter has been dropped wholesale as unions enforce the Biden administrations policy of compelling workers to live with the virus. The attitude of the mega-corporations that are based in Seattle and Washington stateincluding Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazonwas summed up in an article published last week in the Seattle Times, which asked of the tentative agreement, Can the district afford it? The article notes that the now ratified agreement will cost $228 million and claims that it will add $92 million to the districts budget shortfall over the next three years. It then laments that more than 80 [percent] of the districts budget goes toward salaries, a less than subtle assertion that even the meager wages paid to teachers are too much. The possibility that the aforementioned big businesses and their multimillionaire and multibillionaire executives should be taxed is never considered. Nor is any mention made of the tens of billions of dollars being made available to Ukraine as part of the US/NATO proxy war against Russia. No doubt money will be shifted around to maintain the contract by cutting social programs elsewhere and will be used provocatively in attempts to divide and isolate educators from the broader working class. But Seattle teachers drew wide support during their strike and over the course of their struggle. Parents and students stood on picket lines and expressed their support in person and on social media for the fight being waged, recognizing that the demands raised by teachers reflect the demands of the working class as a whole. Moreover, the strike occurred alongside an escalating surge of the class struggle, including several concurrent strikes and contract fights of educators across Washington state, New York City, as well as Canada and Australia. West coast dockworkers have been without a contract for months and their fellows in British Columbia, Quebec and the United Kingdom have gone on strike. And even now a strike of 100,000 railroad workers looms, despite the efforts of the unions, the rail corporations and the Biden administration to prevent railroad workers from making their might felt. And while their TA has been ratified, the fight by Seattle teachers is far from over. The full consequences of the deal that was forced on them have yet to be felt, and educators will respond. They will rejoin the unfolding arena of the class struggle throughout the United States and internationally. The most pressing need is a conscious assimilation of the lessons of their strike. The suppression of the strike is above all the result of the systematic treachery of the trade unions, locally by the SEA and coordinated by the National Education Association (NEA). From the beginning, the orientation of the unions was to avoid a real fight at all costs and to end a strike, if it came about, as soon as possible. The amendment demanding a vote on the TA before ending the strike was only allowed because the union had every intention of running roughshod over the rights of its members in order to contain the struggle. In contrast, educators were determined to regain lost ground after successive sellout contracts, particularly since the strike in 2015, which was also suppressed by the union and resulted in a similar sellout contract. There has been particular push back against the inclusion model by Seattle Public Schools for children in special education, which places such students among the broader population. While such integration can have positive benefits, every student ultimately suffers when schools arent sufficiently staffed to attend to students individual needs, the real situation in Seattle schools. In effect, classroom sizes are increased, staff are cut and the quality of education for every student is degraded. That the SEA produced a contract that at best maintained the existing, and dreadful, state of affairs speaks to the objective function of the corporatist unions. They do not serve the working class but are in reality agents of the corporations and the capitalist state, particularly the Democratic Party. The NEA and its counterpart, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), recently took part in a town hall meeting hosted by the Biden administration to reassure the administration and Wall Street that schools will open this autumn and remain open even as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage, no matter how many teachers and children die. Unions are opposed to teachers uniting with other teachersas evinced by the isolation of Seattle teachers from their striking brothers and sisters in Kent, Eatonville, Ridgefield and elsewherelet along fighting alongside workers in other industries in the US and internationally. Yet the strike by Seattle teachers is one manifestation of the trajectory of the global class struggle. Workers are increasingly coming into direct conflict with the pro-capitalist and nationalist trade unions, the mainstream media, major corporations, the Republicans and Democrats, and ultimately capitalism itself. All these forces are aligned in defending the existing social order. The NEA, AFT and other organizations are unions in name only. In reality they divide the working classs and function as a labor police force for the corporations and their political servants. The only way forward for workers has been demonstrated by the World Socialist Web Site through its call for the formation of rank-and-file committees to unite teachers and the entire working class. In Seattle, the formation of these committees is critical to prepare to fight back against the ongoing assaults on wages and working conditions. They must be unified with factory and workplace committees internationally under the banner of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees to wage a combined struggle against the political apparatus arrayed against workers and against the capitalist system itself. The high point of this campaign today is the struggle being waged by Mack Trucks autoworker Will Lehman, who is running for president of the UAW. Lehman is running not to reform the bureaucracy, but to overthrow it and to establish full rank-and-file control over contracts and safety. He is running as a socialist, explaining to autoworkers and every section of the working class that socialism means a society based on equality, where production is controlled democratically and not on behalf of a tiny ruling elite. Educators in Seattle must follow Lehmans example. A new leadership must be forged by the rank-and-file, one which will establish the independent initiative and organization of workers, raise their political and social consciousness and clarify the fundamental class issues faced by every worker. Teachers must join the growing mass movement of the working class against capitalism and for socialism, in this country and in all others. The World Socialist Web Site received the following letter from a public school teacher in Ontario explaining why she decided to join the recently established Ontario Education Workers Rank-and-File Committee (OEWRFC). Some 200,000 Ontario teachers joined a powerful one-day province-wide strike against the Ford government's budget cuts and concessionary contract demands, Feb. 21, 2020. However, just weeks later the unions used the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic as the pretext to suspend all further job action and impose sell-out contracts. [Photo: WSWS] The OEWRFC was created last month by teachers, caretakers and education assistants to mobilize all education workers in the province in a political struggle independently of the trade unions for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic and in defence of public education. You can read the OEWRFCs founding statementhere and contact the committee at ontedrfc@gmail.com. *** Dear workers, I write this letter at a time when elementary and secondary schools across Ontario have returned to another year of in-person learning despite the abandonment of all COVID-19 mitigations, and while cases, hospitalizations and deaths remain unjustifiably high. While I was overcome with the usual feelings of anxiety and excitement as summer wound down and preparations had begun for the new school year, there was also a looming cloud of fear and uncertainty that was unfamiliar to me, despite being a teacher for almost 10 years. When Premier Doug Ford abandoned the mask mandate across much of Ontario in March of 2022, it was a huge disappointment to educators like myself who were resisting infection and disease at every corner of our personal and professional lives. Sadly, it was a sign of things to come. As someone with an immunocompromised partner and family members, going into a workplace that I love but that could endanger me or a loved one was an unfair dilemma. Nobody should ever have to be put in such a situation. I was thankful to have worked virtually from home during the 202021 school year, taking on the role of virtual school teacher at a time when school boards were rapidly reconfiguring their traditional learning plans in light of evolving public health guidance. However, the role was not extended for the following year; instead, a hybrid learning model was implemented to facilitate in-person and at-home students. The Ford government touted the hybrid model as a way for students to flexibly access an education in the event of in-person disruptions, but completely downplayed the added burdens to teachers workloads and the negative outcomes associated with student achievement and engagement. The model was unsustainable, poorly implemented and drew the ire of parents, teachers, students and medical professionals. We all breathed a collective sigh of relief when the board decided to terminate the model for 202223, but it did not negate the hardships of what workers have to endure. While our public schools have been poorly funded for decades, not even the spectre of mass infection and disability were enough of a catalyst to adequately invest in our schools to render them safe for staff and students. Education unions such as ETFO (Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario), OECTA (Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association), OSSTF (Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation) and AEFO (Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens), voiced their concerns in the press and through joint letters submitted to Premier Ford, and to Minister Christine Elliotts and Minister Stephen Lecces offices in December of 2021. The unions acknowledged that school-based and community measures, such as increasing access to and heavily promoting booster shots, improving ventilation and air filtration in classrooms, providing staff with high-quality N95 masks and Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs), and a mandatory paid sick leave for workers, would require considerable political will to implement, but were necessary to ensure a safe return to school after the winter break. It was no surprise that cases and hospitalization rates soared during this period due to the Omicron variants high transmissibility. Following a return to school, reports on social media spoke of an unequal distribution of resources, with some schools, such as my own, receiving a limited supply of improved masks and rationed RATs. We were (and still are) operating with dirty air, poor masking compliance and unvaccinated staff and students permitted to attend without consequence. Given the established science of SARS-CoV-2 aerosol transmission, the virus classification as a level 3 biohazard according to the Public Health Agency of Canada and the unions very own Health and Safety committees acknowledging the airborne and asymptomatic nature of the virus, it stands to reason that the unions should have called a strike due to these dangerous factors. But they simply refused to do so. As a result, tens of thousands of education workers and students were needlessly infected, many died and countless more continue to suffer in silence from Long COVID or other post-infection conditions. After the unions failed to mount a strike campaign, the Ford government felt entitled to begin dismantling necessary protections in 2022the lifting of mandatory vaccination among staff, the abandonment of contact tracing and reporting of close contacts in schools, and of course, the gradual unmasking of the population. The unions messaging had also made an obvious shift at this point; communication from the local barely mentioned COVID-19 mitigations in schools and simply reiterated government messaging about optional masking in the workplace. Local meetings once held via Zoom were now being held in-person again (with dining provided), as venues were now mask optional. Despite forwarding my complaints to the local about this logistical change, indoor meetings continued as scheduled. At this point, it became very clear to me that my union was no longer interested in being a strong voice for common sense measures and the leadership was more than happy to parrot the new propaganda moving forward. That fact would become even more crystal clear to me as ETFOs Annual General Meeting (AGM) resumed in-person this year for the first time since 2019. Unmasked executive members and delegates in attendance began to gleefully share footage of the event online, while touting the importance of fighting for health and safety in schools. As I turned to independent news outlets for pandemic information, the WSWS coverage and analysis deeply resonated with me. There were education workers and people in other industries who were dealing with pervasive gaslighting and misinformation from their employers, union leaders and elected officials. Knowing that there were already rank-and-file committees established across communities in Canada, the US and Europe, I felt that there was a place for workers like me who have felt abandoned and disheartened by their unions. As Ontario education workers enter another year of bargaining for a new Collective Agreement, there is much more at stake than ever before. Pay, benefits, working conditions are all part of the struggle, but where does the pandemic fall? Not even at the bottom of the list. Updated and improved vaccines will emerge, but that will take time and outcomes are to be determined. One thing is for surefor as long as newer variants emerge without any meaningful steps taken to stop transmission, more lives will be in danger. Education workers in Ontario, and across Canada, must mobilize together to fight for necessary protections to make our schools safe and help end the pandemic once and for all. On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the partial mobilization of the Russian military, calling up some 300,000 reservists, marking a new and dangerous phase in the seven-month-old US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine. Referring to statements made by some high-ranking representatives of the leading NATO countries on the possibility and admissibility of using weapons of mass destructionnuclear weaponsagainst Russia, Putin said: I would like to remind those who make such statements regarding Russia that our country has different types of weapons as well, and some of them are more modern than the weapons NATO countries have. In the event of a threat to the territorial integrity of our country and to defend Russia and our people, we will certainly make use of all weapon systems available to us. This is not a bluff. The reference to all weapon systems available to us was unmistakable. Putin was threatening nuclear war. The Russian Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile blasts off during a test launch Friday from the Plesetsk launch pad in northwestern Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP, File) In his speech, Putin said, The goal of that part of the West is to weaken, divide and ultimately destroy our country. They are saying openly now that in 1991 they managed to split up the Soviet Union and now is the time to do the same to Russia, which must be divided into numerous regions that would be at deadly feud with each other. He asserted that NATO turned the Ukrainian people into cannon fodder and pushed them into a war with Russia. He said the Ukrainian military was being trained according to NATO standards and receiving orders from Western advisers, adding, Today our armed forces are fighting against the entire military machine of the collective West. Putins account of the aims of the US and its NATO allies are, on the whole, correct. The Ukrainian military has been transformed into a wholly-owned subsidiary of NATO. The United States is directly training, leading and arming it with the aim of the destabilization and ultimate breakup of Russia. Putin was likely responding to the New York Times article on the debate within the US political establishment over the provision to Ukraine of long-range missiles that would be capable of striking within Russian territory. With regard to aiming to weaken, divide and ultimately destroy our country, this much was acknowledged by former US Army Europe Commander Ben Hodges, who said last week, We may be looking at the beginning of the collapse of the Russian Federation. His statement comes in the aftermath of the military disaster suffered by Russia in Northern Ukraine, in which Ukrainian forces captured dozens of miles of territory in the span of just several days. In the aftermath of the Kharkiv debacle, the WSWS wrote: It is not ruled out that the Kremlin will conclude from this military catastrophe that it is necessary to wage a massive military escalation, which would itself only lead to an escalation by NATO. Paradoxically, the desperate efforts by the Kremlin to reach an accommodation with imperialism do not preclude a series of actions that could trigger a thermonuclear war. This is now what is happening. In response to the warning from Putin that the present conflict threatens a nuclear conflagration, Biden responded hours after Putin gave his speech by throwing fuel on the fire. Speaking at the United Nations, Biden declared that the largest land war in Europe since the Second World War was a war chosen by one man, asserting that Putins concerns are imaginary. Putin claims he had to act because Russia was threatened, Biden said. But no one threatened Russia, and no one other than Russia sought conflict. Biden obviously does not believe these statements, which are contradicted by innumerable statements from US civilian and military officials. In his speech, Biden combined a lying presentation of the origins of the war with the brazen hypocrisy that is a permanent characteristic of American imperialism. He denounced Russia for shamelessly violating the core tenets of the United Nations Charternone more important than the clear prohibition against countries taking the territory of their neighbor by force. Biden would have the world forget that the US has repeatedly and flagrantly violated the UN Charter, which bans the use of war to achieve political aims. The most egregious of many examples was the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said was not in conformity with the UN charter and illegal. But this was only one of many countries destroyed by the American military, including Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria, to which one must add the US-backed war of Saudi Arabia against Yemen and Israel against Palestine. Bidens hypocritical moralizing was an attempt to cover up the fact that, confronted with an explicit statement that a major international crisis was leading toward nuclear war, he had absolutely no proposal for how to avert this catastrophe. At the height of the Cold War in the 1960s, US President John F. Kennedy declared, Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate. When the Cuban Missile Crisis erupted, both Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev made concerted efforts to step back from the brink and barely managed to avoid a nuclear war. By contrast, faced with what is arguably a more overt and explicit threat of the use of nuclear weapons than at any time during the Cold War, the US and its allies have completely rejected any outcome of the war short of the achievement of Ukraines military objectives. This can only be explained by the crisis and desperation confronting the ruling class. Putin, as a representative of the Russian ruling class, is advancing the historically bankrupt policies of Russian nationalism. Confronted with the disastrous consequences of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, while pursuing the illusion that Russia would be welcomed into the community of nations, the Russian oligarchy is now facing the reality of imperialism. The imperialist powers are, in their own way, no less desperate. The ruling class in the US and the European powers are sitting on a social powder keg, ruling over working classes whose standards of living have been collapsing for decades and who are growing increasingly dissatisfied with the capitalist order that promises only exploitation and misery. The White House and NATO, smelling blood in the water after Russias military debacle, are becoming increasingly unrestrained in their actions, taking massive risks. The triumphalist tone in the media was expressed by The Economist, which proclaimed that victory in Ukraine could be secured if the United States provided even more weapons to the country, such as the longer-range ATACMS missile. Either they are convinced that the threat of nuclear war is fictitious, or the prospect of thermonuclear war is not something that unduly concerns them. Having walked up to the edge of the abyss, the response of the American ruling class is: Forward to victory! The imperialists desperation is mixed with self-delusion, to the point where its impossible to tell where one ends and the other begins. On the one hand, they claim Putin is a monster and a madman who would use weapons of mass destruction in a heartbeat. On the other hand, they dismiss the danger of nuclear war, summed up in the response of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who declared that Putins rhetoric on nuclear weapons leaves us cold. Even if the worst is averted, and the situation does not descend into nuclear war, the escalatory spiral threatens death for hundreds of thousands of people, and poverty and dislocation for millions, including the workers of Ukraine, who are viewed by the imperialist powers as entirely expendable in their conflict with Russia. No one in the media has bothered to ask Biden how many lives he is prepared to sacrifice in the pursuit of the geostrategic imperatives of American imperialism. However, the answer is evident in the response of the ruling class to the COVID-19 pandemic, in which the deaths of over 1 million people in the United States were viewed as an acceptable cost in ensuring that there is no disruption of the profit-making operations of American corporations. The only way out of this disastrous escalatory spiral is through the intervention of the masses into the crisis. There exists a powerful social force that is capable of opposing imperialist war: the international working class. The war is being accompanied by a sweeping attack on the living standards of workers around the world, with wages plummeting in real terms. The crisis created by the collapse in living standards has led to a global surge of the class struggle, which is powerfully demonstrated in the movement among rail workers in the US, as well as the eruption of strikes throughout Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. The working class must reject both the warmongering of the imperialist powers and the reactionary response of the Putin regime and the Russian oligarchy. As they enter into struggle, workers all over the world must raise the demand for an end to the war. To the ruling classs policy of world war, workers must counterpose the strategy of class war and the struggle for the socialist transformation of society. By Trend Lithuania will assist Azerbaijan improve the compulsory healthcare insurance (CHI) system, Vice Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania Ausra Bilotien? Motiej?nien?, paying a visit to Azerbaijan, said in an exclusive interview with Trend. The major purpose of the visit is to identify healthcare cooperation areas and explore ways to help each other in the mentioned sector. During the business trip, we have met with Azerbaijani Minister of Health of Azerbaijan Teymur Musayev, Rector of the Azerbaijan Medical University Garay Garaybeyli, and talked about the application of the Erasmus student exchange program, she said. As the vice minister noted, the meeting addressed collaboration issues in specific healthcare areas. There are two medical universities in Lithuania that offer English programs for international students. During the meeting, we discussed student exchange issues and defined the interaction frames for the development of rehabilitation and public health sectors. In addition, the ministry reviewed cooperation issues with individual clusters. Lithuanian representatives also viewed the activities of the Azerbaijani Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB), said Ausra Bilotien? Motiej?nien?. Director of the National Health Insurance Fund under the Lithuanian Ministry of Health Gintaras Kacevi?ius detailed the joint CHI project, implemented by Lithuania and Azerbaijan. Three months ago, we launched a twinning project with the joint support of the National Health Insurance Fund of Lithuania and the State Agency for Compulsory Health Insurance of Azerbaijan. The two-year project is aimed to improve the country's CHI system. As a result, Azerbaijani healthcare specialists' visits to Lithuania will be organized in two stages, where they will have a chance to undergo training. This is the second joint healthcare project of the two countries, while the first project was successfully completed in 2018. Compulsory health insurance is rapidly developing in Azerbaijan, and we would like to make our contribution to this process as well, he stated. According to Kacevi?ius, the compulsory healthcare insurance of Azerbaijan is currently being assessed and the relevant report based on the results will be provided soon. We will plan further steps following the analysis' outcome. The project covers the development of the legal framework in the CHI sector, the development of ties between the State Agency for Compulsory Health Insurance and healthcare providers, the improvement of reporting, the upgrade of payment system for medical care, the information system advancement. This is an extensive project, which will be worked on by a group of 25 experts from the EU, including Estonia, Italy, France, he added. Kacevi?ius outlined the existence of great prospects for cooperation in the field of rehabilitation. Lithuania has a long tradition in the rehabilitation field. After the healthcare system's reformation, rehabilitation was also included in the package, compensated by compulsory health insurance. The mentioned area has undergone several important changes. So, we replaced sanatorium treatment with rehabilitation, ensured the development of outpatient rehabilitation, he said. Kacevi?ius expressed admiration for the healthcare system of Azerbaijan. The employees are fully aware of their responsibility and are eager to enhance the system of compulsory health insurance. Having such partners are very motivating for us. The future of Azerbaijan's healthcare is in good hands, he emphasized. In August of 1790, President George Washington visited Rhode Island, which a few months earlier had ratified the U.S. Constitution. Among those who welcomed the new president was the Hebrew Congregation of Rhode Island, founded in 1763. Now known as the Touro Synagogue, it is the oldest standing synagogue in the nation. The synagogue's representative wrote to the president, expressing gratitude that Jews in Rhode Island, in the newly formed United States of America, lived, in contrast to their co-religionists in other parts of the world, with "invaluable rights as free citizens." Washington wrote to the congregation, "May the Children of the stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid." A little more than a year later, the guarantee of religious freedom would be formally enshrined in the Constitution with the ratification of the Bill of Rights, including the First Amendment saying, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Now, in a sad stroke of irony, the religious freedom of observant Jews is being threatened not by "other inhabitants" but by their own co-religionists. Yeshiva University, the nation's only orthodox Jewish university, has been sued by Yeshiva University gay students for refusing to sanction an LGBTQ club. A New York State court ruled in favor of the students, and now Yeshiva University has been dealt another setback by the Supreme Court. The Supremes, to whom Yeshiva University appealed, refused to block the state court decision requiring that the university allow the LGBTQ club to operate. The position of Yeshiva University is clear. The Torah -- the five books of Moses -- explicitly prohibits homosexual behavior. To officially accept the LGBTQ club as part of the university would be to negate and undermine the very mission and identity of the university. Religious freedom is an integral part of American identity. Historically, religious persecution came from those of other religions. But today we have a new phenomenon. The threat to religion is not coming from those who worship other gods. The threat is coming from those who worship no god and refuse to accept Christians and Jews to practice their religion as taught in their scripture. An interview with one of the gay students makes clear what is happening. She challenges that Judaism actually prohibits homosexuality. But the prohibition in the Torah is absolutely clear and explicit. To accept her and her argument is to ask that Yeshiva University negate its very existence. How did Yeshiva University get to this situation? As I googled for background information on this story, it became clear that the issue with gays on the campus at Yeshiva University has been going on for years. The LGBTQ club that now seeks official sanction has been operating informally. Can it be that Yeshiva University has been not clear and aggressive enough on where they stand on this issue, and this lack of clarity has led to this destructive situation? I think it is time for religious organizations to stop being intimidated by threats from those whose real agenda is to destroy what they stand for. Certainly, America must stand strong as a free society. Anyone should be able to live as they choose. But Americans of faith should be proud and clear about the precepts of their religion and aggressively push back against those who use the headline of tolerance as a pretext to undermine and destroy the precepts of scripture. Let's wake up that religious freedom means nothing if religion means nothing. We are already seeing our nation implode as our sacred principles so essential to life go out the window. Those who still live by these principles should stand strong and unbending toward those who want to destroy them. New York state Attorney General Letitia James announced a civil suit Wednesday accusing former President Donald Trump, three of his adult children and the Trump Organization, his main business operation, of insurance fraud, tax fraud and other violations of state and federal law. Former President Donald Trump departs Trump Tower, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, in New York, on his way to the New York attorney general's office for a deposition in a civil investigation. [AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson] James asked the New York state Supreme Court to award damages of $250 million, appoint an independent monitor to oversee the Trump Organization and bar Trump and his family from engaging in any real estate operations in the state for the next five years. The pattern of fraud that was used by Mr. Trump and the Trump organization was astounding, James told reporters. She noted that, for ordinary people, its illegal to lie to banks to secure loans, whether its for mortgages or to send their children to college. There cannot be different rules for different people in this country or in this state, she said. She also filed criminal referrals with federal prosecutors in New York City, calling for charges to be brought against Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump. The attorney general has no jurisdiction to file criminal charges in this case. It should surprise no one that Trump is charged with being a swindler and a crook. But the 220-page lawsuit provides the most detailed account of the systematic efforts of Trump and his subordinates to overvalue business estates, mostly real estate holdings, when using them as collateral for bank loans and taking out insurance policies, while undervaluing them when paying state and federal taxes. In many cases, the overvaluation was absurdly high and dependent on obviously fictitious estimates not only of the worth, but even the size. Trumps apartment in 40 Wall Street in Manhattan, for instance, was listed as more than 30,000 square feet and valued at $327 million, when it was actually just over 10,000 square feet and worthbased on prices of other units in the same buildingabout $45 million, or less than one-seventh of its purported value. Trumps country club in Westchester County had a valuation based on the high membership fees charged to those who joined it, but these fees were never collected. Rent-controlled apartments in buildings Trump had acquired in Manhattan were valued as though they could be sold or rented out on the open market. Perhaps the biggest fraud was Trumps valuation of the Mar-a-Lago estate, which came in at more than $700 million, based on what it would be worth if sold off in individual parcels for building condominiums, even though such a sale was barred under various ordinances in Palm Beach. It is not clear from the suit whether Trumps claim to be a billionaire was actually fraudulent, but he is certainly accused of having grossly inflated his wealth, initially for financial reasons, and later as part of his campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination and then the White House. The New York Times wrote: Ms. Jamess lawsuit strikes at the foundation of his public image and his sense of self. Its detailed dissection of Mr. Trumps financial statements suggests that the success he has attributed to financial savvy and business acumen is instead the product of fraud and chicanery. The investigation by the state attorney generals office has reviewed more than 1 million documents and taken testimony from 65 witnesses, James said. This included Trump and his children, who took the Fifth Amendment more than a thousand times in an effort to avoid testifying about their financial manipulations. Trump himself took the Fifth more than 400 times during a deposition last month after he lost a long legal battle to avoid testifying. In April, the state attorney generals office won an initial legal test when a state judge imposed a $110,000 penalty on the Trump Organization for Trumps refusal to turn over financial documents. After paying the penalty, the Trump Organization eventually delivered the materials subpoenaed by James. At a press briefing Wednesday, James outlined the case against the Trumps. Mr. Trump and the Trump Organization repeatedly and persistently manipulated the value of assets to induce banks to lend money to the Trump Organization on more favorable terms than would otherwise have been available to the company, she said, to pay lower taxes, to satisfy continuing loan agreements and to induce insurance companies to provide insurance coverage for higher limits and at lower premiums. The response of the Trumps so far has been to scream political witch hunt by a Democratic officeholder who is up for reelection in November. A statement from the Trump Organization called the suit an abhorrent abuse of power, waste of valuable resources and tens of millions of taxpayer dollars. Second Joint Statement by the Heads of FAO, IMF, WBG, WFP, and WTO on the Global Food Security and Nutrition Crisis Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Director General Qu Dongyu, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank Group (WBG) President David Malpass, World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director David Beasley and World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala issued the following second joint statement calling for urgent action to address the global food security crisis. The war in Ukraine continues to exacerbate the global food security and nutrition crisis, with high and volatile energy, food and fertilizer prices, restrictive trade policies, and supply chain disruptions. Despite the reprieve in global food prices and the resumption of grain exports from the Black Sea, food remains beyond reach for many due to high prices and weather shocks. The number of people facing acute food insecurity worldwide is expected to continue to rise. Fertilizer markets remain volatile, especially in Europe, where tight natural gas supplies and high prices have caused many producers of urea and ammonia to stop operations. This may reduce fertilizer application rates for the next crop season, prolonging and deepening the impact of the crisis. There has been considerable progress in four key areas we had highlighted in our first joint statement. Announced or implemented social assistance measures across all economies quadrupled from 37 to 148 between April and September 2022. We welcome the efforts of the Global Crisis Response Group and the Black Sea Grain Initiative: through the Joint Coordination Centre, over 3 million metric tons of grain and foodstuffs have already been exported from Ukraine. We are encouraged by the downward trend of trade restrictive measures implemented by countries and hope that the trend continues. International financial support to the most vulnerable countries is increasing from various initiatives. The World Bank is implementing its $30 billion program to respond to the food security crisis and frontloading resources from the IDA20 Crisis Response Window. The IMF is proposing a new food shock window within the IMF emergency lending instruments. The FAO has proposed a series of policy recommendations and launched detail soil nutrition maps at country level to increase efficiencies in the use of fertilizers. Maintaining momentum on these fronts and building resilience for the future will require a continued comprehensive and coordinated effort to support efficient production and trade, improve transparency, accelerate innovation and joint planning and invest in food systems transformation: Support efficient production and trade: Governments in all countries need to urgently re-examine their agricultural trade and market interventions, such as subsidies and export restrictions, to identify and minimize distortions. Shorter interventions cause less harm than indefinite ones. Promoting the production of nutritious foods and repurposing the US$639 billion support per year provided to agriculture by governments can transform food systems and improve food security and nutrition. Preserving open trade in food, agriculture, and energy can reduce price distortions that dilute incentives for efficient production. Countries should follow through on commitments made at the WTOs 12th Ministerial Conference to restrain export restrictions on food and fertilizers and put in place trade facilitation measures. We also welcome clarifications of relevant regulations to allow critical agricultural inputs such as fertilizers to move swiftly to countries in need. Improve transparency: Food market monitoring serves as an important and efficient early warning mechanism and must be supplemented with transparent tracking of financing by the international community to respond to the food crisis. Governments should provide necessary data and resources to support Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), which enhances transparency in food markets through monitoring the prices and availability of major food crops and promoting policy responses. In addition, the Global Alliance for Food Security (GAFS) is harmonizing existing tracking systems in a dashboard to enable governments and country teams to identify needs and channel financing to respond to the crisis. Accelerate innovation and joint planning: Agricultural research and development is a chronically underinvested sector, while it has one of the highest returns on public spending. Innovation is crucial for meeting the long-term challenges to global food security and nutrition posed by climate change, land and ecosystem degradation, pests, and transboundary plant and animal diseases. Disseminating best practices from FAO and supporting the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (OneCGIAR) are important actions to address these challenges. Such efforts should also lead to more systematic coordination and joint planning to connect short-, medium- and long-term opportunities and deliver support in a timely manner. Invest in food systems transformation: Strengthening the resilience of food systems to risks, including conflict, extreme weather events, economic shocks and diseases is key for the longer-term response. Addressing both infrastructure bottlenecks and input supply bottlenecks (e.g., fertilizers and seeds) are critical to an efficient food supply system. Effective and sustainable support to smallholder farmers will be vital to ensure they are part of the solution and to localize supply chains. The private sector has a critical role to play, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) will establish a Global Food Security Platform that will provide working capital and longer-term financing for sustainable agribusinesses and related sectors in the food supply chain. Deeper integration of markets can also help avoid price spikes of essential goods and drive economic diversification and job creation to build overall resilience. We remain committed to working together to address immediate food security and nutrition needs, tackle structural market issues that may exacerbate adverse impacts, and build countries resilience to prevent and mitigate the impacts of future crises. Today, ransomware threats are so common that they account for 10% of all security breaches. This white paper gives a brief overview of ransomware, analyzing its growing danger. Integrity360 advocates for educating employees in order to prevent cybercriminals from using social engineering as an entry point for ransomware attacks. Download the paper now to learn more about how you can bolster your organizations defense against ransomware. Eight fraternities recently disaffiliated from the University of Southern California following the universitys response to allegations of horrible sexual assaults on campus in 2021. During the fall semester of 2021, there were several reports of girls being drugged and sexually assaulted at fraternity events. USC delayed taking action and informing the student body of the reports. (According to the LAPD via ABC News: as of August no suspects have been identified and there are no arrests.) When the allegations were finally revealed, however, USC students understandably protested. This past summer, the university issued a new set of strict party guidelines and gave fraternities until August 22 to make their decisions about compliance. According to the Seattle Times, the new rules included A working group of fraternity and sorority leaders, faculty, administrators and staff subsequently drew up an action plan to strengthen safety measures. They include posting security guards at parties, including stairwells and hallways leading to bedrooms; using scanners to screen for fake IDs; distributing wristbands to those older than 21; banning kegs; and requiring risk review meetings before and after events. Tau Kappa Epsilon, Beta Theta Pi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha, Lambda Chi Alpha, Sigma Chi, Zeta Beta Tau, and Sigma Alpha Mu all decided to disaffiliate from the university instead of complying with the new regulations. Disaffiliation means that these fraternities are no longer recognized as student organizations by the university, are not allowed to participate in any on-campus student-life activities, will lose access to campus facilities for any of their activities, and must remove the university logo from all their marketing. Finally, the university will have no oversight or jurisdiction over these now-unaffiliated organizations, so if there are any problems in the future, the university has no standing to issue directives of any kind to these fraternities. In my view, the fraternity disaffiliations make sense and represent the rational consequences of the universitys misstep. The imposition of overly harsh rules squandered an opportunity to appeal to moral virtue to inspire and habituate a new culture on campus. These fraternities will now likely be viewed as communities of young men who resisted following rules for the sake of others safety, especially womens safety. But thats neither true nor the point. The problem with the rules is that they imply that these men are incapable of moral virtue without coercion and threat of punishment. Introducing more punitive measures to prevent misbehavior will neither build nor sustain the moral virtue the university seeks for its students in fraternities. If you want men in college to do the right thing, the threat of punishment usually provokes more rule breaking, not less. By contrast, what makes moral excellence an aspiration is the direct invitation and encouragement to these students to be men of outstanding virtue. It seems that the university merely wants these men to be less bad. This communicates, in part, that the university does not believe the men in fraternities are redeemable and that their character is such that nothing but formal restraint and punishment can prove effective in moderating their behavior. Assuming these young men will make better life choices simply to avoid punishment is not the same thing as forming virtue. The Acton Institute believes that humans are by nature acting persons, that is, through human action, the person can actualize his potentiality by freely choosing the moral goods that fulfill his nature. This takes the capacity for moral actions seriously and respects the inherent dignity of every human being. The irony is that USC would have achieved much better results in encouraging virtue in its fraternity community had it invited fraternity members to choose moral goods and make the sacrifices necessary to be men who live above reproach. Is it because USC has no moral foundation for inspiring human action toward the good that it is in no position to invite fraternity men to devote themselves to a life of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance? If USC had believed in the moral potential of fraternity men, appealing to moral goods could have created the conditions for pro-social aspirations. Instead, they chose a punitive approach and overregulation, and so rejected the opportunity to develop their students. What could have been a moment for the university itself to take a step back and look at what resources it had to form character in its male students became instead an opportunity to overreact based on blowback from the student body. A moral-goods approach could have focused on helping fraternities conduct their events in such a way that facilitates human flourishing. Fun and flourishing would have been a great way to invite these students to think differently about their eventsand their lives. Instead of a punitive approach, the focus should have been on formation. If producing moral goods is the universitys priority for fraternities, its officers should want only what is truly good for those who live in fraternities and for those who attend fraternity events. The question is, does the university believe these young men are capable of rising to the occasion? The pursuit of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance changes the way alcohol is consumed and the way women are treated, as well as the intersection of the two. In the end, it is growing in virtue that sustains a culture of moral excellence on college campuses, not the threat of punishment and overregulation. In the next decade, NASA is counting on private space stations to replace the International Space Station. One of those in development (with $160 in early-stage NASA funding so far) is called Starlab, a partnership between Lockheed Martin, Nanoracks, Voyager Space, and, now, Hilton hotels. Hilton has been named as designers of the astronaut living areas aboard the orbiting space station. "Hilton will bring the company's renowned hospitality expertise and experience to support the design and development of crew suites aboard Starlab, helping to reimagine the human experience in space, making extended stays more comfortable," according to a joint press release: The research and design work being dedicated to Starlab could also lead to advancements driving sustainability and greater design efficiencies for future hotel owners in space and on Earth. Voyager and Hilton will partner in the areas of architecture and design, leveraging Hilton's word-class creative design and innovation experts, to develop Space Hospitality crew headquarters aboard Starlab, including communal areas, hospitality suites, and sleeping arrangements for the astronauts. Additionally, the teams will seek to explore opportunities together for longer-term efforts including the ground-to-space astronaut experience, global co-marketing and branding, and other tourism, educational, and commercial efforts. I can't wait for Motel 6 to get into the space hotel game! (via Space.com) Recognized with 3-Star culinary acclaim by the Michelin Guide since 2006, The French Laundry is one of the rarest of gastronomic gems with a genesis story that extends back to the rustic beginning of Napa Valley's ascendency. Sally and Don Schmitt were instrumental in helping not just the fledgling community erupting around them, but it was their investment into Thomas Keller in 1994 that allowed Keller to refine The French Laundry into his first 3-Star accolade a full Chinese Zodiac later, from Rat to Pig. "He intends to keep the name," Sally continues. "He wants to build on what is here. Sure, he'll take the mom and pop out of it, but he'll continue the country style cooking. We're thrilled to turn it over to him." Hearing Sally Schmitt talk about balance, made me think of David Sedaris' Melbourne friend Pat who said, sometimes you have to turn off two burners to be really successful, only in Sally's case, turning off the work burner enabled the Schmitt's to enjoy what they had worked so hard to achieve. Sally and Don Schmitt would go on to enjoy retirement together for another 20 plus years, with Don Schmitt passing February 6, 2017 and Sally Schmitt following on March 5, 2022. Happy Thursday, readers. Jordan Parker Erb here, reporting from New York and counting down the seconds until it's Friday. Today, we're kicking things off with my colleague Eugene Kim's look at a (secret) new team at Amazon. Plus, to get us in the (luxury, extremely expensive, utterly unattainable) pre-weekend spirit: We're taking you inside late Microsoft founder Paul Allen's $90 million yacht. Shall we? If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here. Kara Swisher and Amazon President and CEO Andy Jassy speak onstage during Vox Media's 2022 Code Conference. Kara Swisher and Amazon President and CEO Andy Jassy speak onstage during Vox Media's 2022 Code Conference.Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Vox Media 1. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is trying to fix the company's crumbling engineering culture. After internal complaints about a slowing engineering culture, Amazon has created a new unit that tackles "foundational pain points" raised by the company's frustrated developers. According to leaked documents, Amazon formed the "Amazon Software Builder Experience" group to "focus on improving the experience of software builders across Amazon." To achieve that end, the team has six guiding principles. Concern over Amazon losing its innovative "building" edge has come to a head in recent years, with many longtime executives responsible for the early growth of the company leaving for smaller startups or competitors. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the existence of the ASBX team, saying it's part of an effort to maintain its speedy and entrepreneurial or "Day 1" culture. Some Amazon engineers have expressed that they're "overwhelmed" by mundane software upgrade work, manual testing and deployment, and hard-to-use developer tools. Inside the new ASBX team. In other news: Errol Musk, Elon's father. Errol Musk, Elon's father.Cyrus McCrimmon/Getty Images 2. Elon Musk's father, Errol, says the Tesla founder should have more children. During a recent call with Insider, Errol said his son "officially" has 10 children and is supportive of Elon continuing to grow his family. If money's no object, Errol said, "why shouldn't you?" Read our exclusive interview here. Story continues 3. Speaking of children: Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan are expecting their third child. The Meta CEO announced on Instagram: "Happy to share that Max and August are getting a new baby sister next year!" More here. 4. And speaking of Meta: The company is reportedly putting some workers onto a "30-day list" that gives them a month to find a new role within Meta or leave. As per the Wall Street Journal, instead of terminating employees outright, Meta is giving some workers whose roles have been eliminated a month-long purgatory period to apply to different jobs. Check out the full report. 5. The FTC rejected Amazon's bid to quash subpoenas ordering founder Jeff Bezos and CEO Andy Jassy to testify in a Prime investigation. The investigation centers around Amazon's allegedly misleading tactics around its sign-up and cancellation process for Prime and other subscription services. Read the full story here. 6. This commerce startup was born out of Apple's 2020 privacy changes and raised a $12 million supergiant seed round. Fermat allows brands to embed shopping experiences directly in influencer content. Here's its 10-slide pitch deck. Plus, check out our searchable pitch deck database to see how other companies raised millions. 7. VCs share their picks for the most promising proptech startups of 2022. We asked top investors to name real-estate startups both in their portfolios and companies they have no financial ties to that they think are poised to succeed despite a housing market downturn. See their list of 21 nominees here. 8. Tech companies are worried an aging Congress can't meet or even understand their demands. Making laws that affect tech can be complicated and the sector has grown increasingly concerned about legislators who cling to their flip phones. Get the scoop here. Odds and ends: Fraser Yachts, Tatoosh Fraser Yachts, Tatoosh 9. Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen's superyacht is on sale for $90 million. The boat, Tatoosh, will be featured at The Monaco Yacht show later this month. With two helicopter pads, a swimming pool, and a movie theater, the yacht can fit 19 guests in 11 rooms. See photos of Allen's ship and others here. 10. These iOS 16 features can help you enhance your privacy and security. Using iOS 16, iPhone owners can now lock private photos and notes with Face ID biometric security, as well as implement a Safety Check to audit who has access to their data. Here are five other privacy settings in iOS 16. What we're watching today: Keep updated with the latest tech news throughout your day by checking out The Refresh from Insider, a dynamic audio news brief from the Insider newsroom. Listen here. Curated by Jordan Parker Erb in New York. (Feedback or tips? Email jerb@insider.com or tweet @jordanparkererb.) Edited by Lisa Ryan (tweet @lisarya) in New York and Hallam Bullock (tweet @hallam_bullock) in London. Read the original article on Business Insider The high-stakes labor talks at Kaleida Health aren't the only contract negotiations ongoing in Western New York's health care scene. Here's another one that just got rolling: Erie County Medical Center started bargaining Thursday with the New York State Nurses Association on a new contract for more than 1,300 registered nurses at the Buffalo medical complex. The current contract expires Dec. 31. Improving staffing and efforts to recruit and retain nurses are expected to play a major role in the talks. "We really want them to give us the tools to do our job, with adequate staffing and a safe work environment," said Steve Bailey, a registered nurse at ECMC's Terrace View Long-Term Care Facility and Western New York regional director of the Nurses Association. Bailey, who has been a nurse for 30 years, including 10 at ECMC, and in the medical profession for more than 40 years, said staffing improved a little bit during previous impact bargaining with ECMC that occurred because of how much the job had changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But more improvements are needed, Bailey said. Kaleida Health union workers vote to authorize strike amid wave of labor action nationally. Is more on the way? Cornell University researchers documented 180 strikes across the country, involving 78,000 workers, through the first half of 2022, up from 102 walkouts with 26,500 employees through the first six months of last year. ECMC said in a statement that it is "looking forward to productive discussions with NYSNA as we have had in the past." "We agree that staffing has been a concern for hospitals locally and nationally," the statement said. "That's why this year, we developed an agreed upon staffing plan with NYSNA and approved a mid-contract 7.75% increase in wages for our RNs to be more competitive in the market and support recruitment. This year, ECMC has successfully recruited 230 RNs and 51 LPNs. "We are hopeful that our union partners will also work with us to garner necessary resources from government and private payors, so we can adequately serve the most vulnerable in our community in the midst of unprecedented financial uncertainty." Like the ongoing talks at Kaleida, negotiations at ECMC also will pit a financially bruised health system ECMC had a loss of $79 million in 2020, followed by a loss of about $22 million last year against exhausted health care workers who want to see major improvements in staffing so more of their colleagues don't leave for another field, retirement or high-paying travel work. If anything, Bailey noted, the travel nurses have showed staff nurses what the job is truly worth. While health systems have been affected financially, he noted that, somehow, the money always seems to be there to secure travel workers. What's at stake as contract talks for 6,300 Kaleida workers enter next phase About 6,300 Kaleida union workers will vote Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on whether to give their bargaining committee the authority to call a strike if negotiations stall or tensions escalate. If health systems are struggling to find workers, Bailey said, they are not paying them enough or they are asking them to do too much. "If we don't take these steps and this opportunity in time to transform the profession, then it will never happen," he said. "We're going to come out of this crisis new and improved." The negotiations involve about one-third of ECMC's employees. The organization reached contracts that were ratified earlier this year by union members represented by CSEA and AFSCME. Nurses at ECMC are just some of the 30,000 New York State Nurses Association members who will soon be bargaining contracts for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The post Bjork Honors Her Late Mother on New Single Ancestress: Stream appeared first on Consequence. Bjork has shared another single from her upcoming album Fossora before its September 30th release. This one, Ancestress, is one of two songs on the album the Icelandic artist wrote about her late mother. This song is a letter to my mother, her story seen from my point of view, Bjork wrote on Instagram. It is written in chronological order, the first verse is my childhood and so on. The track arrives with a mystical music video directed by Andrew Thomas Huang that seems to depict a memorial ceremony of sorts: When I was a girl, she sang for me/ In falsetto lullabies, with sincerity, Bjork sings as she marches through a mountain range in an elaborate red gown and veil. As the song progresses, Bjork offers a poignant recollection of what its like to watch someone you love begin to die: The machine of her breathed all night/ While she rested/ Revealed her resilience/ And then it didnt. Backed by majestic strings and grandiose gong, Ancestress feels incredibly ceremonial. On the topic of family, Bjork also discussed in a recent interview her choice to move back to Iceland full-time after nearly two decades of splitting her time between her native country and New York: The violence in the USA is on a scale I cant even fathom, she said in a new cover story for Pitchfork. And having a daughter thats half-American in school [in New York], 40 minutes away from Sandy Hook When we are here, I absorb all of Iceland. If one person is killed in the north, we all hurt. Its an island mentality. In the States, just being a simple islander, all the violence was just too much for me. Aside from mass shootings and an epidemic of police brutality, she also recalled feeling ruined when Trump resigned from the Paris Climate Accord in 2017: Its the only time something happened on the news where I actually just broke down and cried, she added, though she does see light at the end of the tunnel. Everybody looks at [President Bidens plans to lessen emissions], like, No fucking way. But thats how survival mechanisms work when everything is broken! We have to come up with some utopian shit, and if half of it comes true, great. Story continues As you can see from the Ancestress video, Icelands geography also looks pretty tempting right now. Listen to Bjorks latest single below. Bjork has also teased Fossoras release with Atopos and Ovule, and shes also been hosting a podcast series about her discography. Shes set to play Primavera Sounds new Latin American festivals later this year. Bjork Honors Her Late Mother on New Single Ancestress: Stream Abby Jones Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. This image provided by the Pasadena Fire Department showing firefighters pose with a Cesar a blind dog that was rescued from a hold in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. Pasadena Fire Department A 13-year-old blind dog from California is safe after falling into a hole at a construction site near his home. Pasadena firefighters rescued Cesar after he stumbled into the 15-foot-deep by 3-foot-wide hole on Tuesday. "The dog was blind," Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin told ABC7. "This is a construction zone. Confined space rescues are low-frequency and high-risk. There are a lot of steps we need to do to make it as safe as possible. For not just the dog, but also our rescuers." According to the outlet, a search and rescue team member was lowered into the hole with ropes and pulleys. After about 12 minutes, Cesar was secured to a harness and brought to the surface. A video posted by the Pasadena Fire Department shows the final moments of Cesar's rescue. RELATED: Four Puppies Found on the Side of the Road in a Zipped Suitcase Saved by 'Good Samaritans' Last night our personnel performed a Technical Rescue of a blind canine who fell approximately 15-feet into a hole at a construction site. The canine was extricated in roughly 13 minutes and uninjured. Special thanks to Arcadia, South Pasadena and Glendale Fire who assisted. pic.twitter.com/Jrg6MHaoKa Pasadena Fire Dept. (@PasadenaFD) September 21, 2022 Cesar's owner, a woman named Mary who declined to give her last name, said she was alerted to her dog's accident when her other dog began barking. After she heard the barking and realized Cesar was not in her yard, which is adjacent to the construction site, she called for help. RELATED: Emaciated Hairless Puppy Found Alone on Busy Road Adopted After Stunning Recovery According to the Pasadena Fire Department's Twitter, once rescuers arrived at the construction site, it took "roughly 13 minutes" to free Cesar from the hole. The dog returned to ground level with no injuries from his fall. Augustin and his team welcomed the happy outcome. "It always makes us feel good," he said. "At the end of the day, all of us are pet lovers. I have a dog of my own. We want to make sure we take care of not just our residents but also our furry friends." Charlize Theron - Harpers Bazaar Josh Olins Charlize Theron for Harper's Bazaar Charlize Theron's career isn't the driving force in her life these days. Speaking with Harper's Bazaar for the October 2022 Process Issue for which she appears on the cover the actress shared that she is neither fulfilled nor challenged by acting the same way she is by being a mom to daughters August, 7, and Jackson, 10. "When my kids say, 'Mom, nobody makes pasta better than you,' nothing gets close to that," she shared. "I don't ever need them to be like, 'Oh, you're in that movie.'" "I am still carrying such a grudge that there's a mom in our circle who makes French toast that my kid raves about. And she's given me the recipe and I've tried it," she added. Noting that her daughter still feels like the other mom's French toast is better, she added, "I am way more driven by that stuff." 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. Charlize Theron - Harpers Bazaar Josh Olins Charlize Theron on the cover of Harper's Bazaar's Process Issue RELATED: Charlize Theron Says She's a Dance Mom, Shares Kids' Latest Milestones: 'They're Just So Tall' The Oscar winner also praised her mom friends for helping her navigate the unfamiliar territories of her kids' education, which bears great difference to how Theron grew up in South Africa. "I didn't grow up in America, so I always find myself kind of trying to keep my head above water with the school system and exams, because it's not familiar to me," she explained. "My education was just so different than what my kids are having in America. And so there are a lot of bells and whistles that come with being a parent that I didn't grow up with." Theron went on to shout out one mom friend who texts her reminders about things like dress-up days at school. "I'm so lucky that I have this amazing village of women taking me in under their wing," she added. "I know it's not just a single-mom thing. We just look after each other." Story continues Jackson and August Theron Charlize Theron Instagram Theron said she wants her kids to be able to enjoy her work, which was part of her motivation for her recent role in the Netflix film The School for Good and Evil. "The biggest driver for me was that it potentially could be something that my kids would enjoy," she said, later sharing that her kids' friends are starting to recognize her from her role as Dr. Strange's ex-wife, Clea, in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Through what she does on and off screen, Theron wants her kids to understand hard work is at the heart of it all. "I think that's more important than fame or anything like that," she noted. "I saw my mom work hard, and I remember just my whole life thinking, nothing is going to get handed. You have to work harder than anybody else in the room." Celebrity chef Mario Batali has long been known for the bright orange Crocs that he once wore everywhere, and for the celebrities, such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jimmy Fallon, who often flocked to his side. But to the employees who worked inside his restaurant empire, he was known for something else. "He would hug you or kiss you or put his hands around your waist or touch your hips," Trish Nelson, a former server at now-shuttered New York City restaurant the Spotted Pig, in which Batali was the primary investor, says in Discovery+'s new documentary, Batali: The Fall of a Superstar Chef, which is available now. "We called him the red menace." Nelson is one of several former employees of Batali's eateries who alleges in the doc that the restaurateur, once behind dozens of venues, a co-host on TV's The Chew, the face of Eataly and, really, the creator of an entire food empire, had engaged in sexual misconduct over the years. They described instances in which he had said sexually suggestive things to them or become as one of his former restaurant partners, Steve Crane, put it, "touchy feely" or worse. Chef Mario Batali attends the afterparty for the premiere of 2009 movie Fantastic Mr. Fox, in which he voiced a character, with co-stars Bill Murray, Meryl Streep and Willem Dafoe, and director Wes Anderson. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) They described a man with two distinct sides: one who was charming and gregarious and another that came out after he drank too much. That guy, who surfaced as the night progressed, was lewd and sleazy. Workers said they felt trapped and unheard, because the restaurant industry wasn't equipped to deal with their reports of sexual misconduct. Nelson, for instance, recalled a night when she was bringing drinks to Batali's table of seven. She could only carry six drinks, so she assured the seventh person that she would come right back with his. In front of everyone, she said, Batali told her that, if she sat on the man's face, she would "come again and again." Other women recounted that Batali had grabbed their breasts or behinds on multiple occasions. Mario Batali attends an event hosted by Chrissy Teigen in Oct. 2016 in New York City. (Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for NYCWFF) There were also fans, like Sharelle Klaus, the co-founder of Dry Soda Co., who alleged that Batali had inappropriately touched them in brief encounters. Story continues "He asked me if I wanted a picture with him," Klaus said. "And as they were taking the picture, he reached his hands down into my pants underneath my underwear and grabbed my ass." Eva DeVirgilis, a former hostess at Batali's New York City restaurant Babbo, revealed herself publicly as one of Batali's accusers in the documentary. She told her story in an interview with 60 Minutes in 2018, but her face was obscured then. Not this time. DeVirgilis alleged that, in 2005, she agreed to go with Batali to the Spotted Pig after her shift, expecting other people would go, too. But her boss ended up picking her up in a limo and whisking her to a candle-lit banquette, where she drank wine and blacked out. "And then I have a moment, a flash, where I'm being kissed by him very, like, hard. And then I have another flash where I'm throwing up in a toilet. I sense that he's behind me," DeVirgilis said. "And then there was nothing. And then I woke up on a floor, hardwood floor. I had no idea where I was." Immediately, DeVirgilis said, she thought she had been drugged, because she usually didn't end up sick or blacked out while drinking. She also said that she found scratches on the insides of her legs and something that could have been semen on her skirt. So she went to Mount Sinai Hospital and had a rape kit done, but declined to go to the police, because she was worried about her potential to get a job in the industry if she told her story. She gave notice and left Babbo. Batali issued a controversial apology for past behavior in Dec. 2017, as Eater published four women's accusations against him, but he also has denied all allegations of sexual assault. He declined to be part of Discovery+'s new documentary, and Yahoo was unable to reach him for comment. But Batali: The Fall of a Superstar Chef explains that he was only part of the problem in an industry that long allowed bad behavior by many to go unchecked. As several journalists who covered alleged sexual misconduct by Batali Julia Moskin and Kim Severson, of the New York Times, and freelancer Irene Plagianos, who wrote about the celebrity chef for Eater explained in the documentary, their reporting on him came about in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the #MeToo Movement. After their reports emerged in 2017, Batali's deals vanished. Mario Batali leaves a Boston courtroom on May 24, 2019, after his arraignment on charges of indecent assault and battery. (Photo: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images) New York Attorney General Letitia James eventually investigated the Spotted Pig and the restaurant group co-owned by Batali, where she found wrongdoing. While Batali was not charged with a crime in New York, he was charged with indecent assault and battery in Boston for forcibly grabbing and kissing Natali Tene at a local bar in 2017. "Ive never been touched before like that, Tene had testified, "like squeezing in between my legs, squeezing my vagina to pull me closer to him, as if that's a normal way to grab someone." The judge found that Tene had "significant credibility issues," because of text messages she had sent about the encounter with Batali and because of her behavior as a juror in another case, and Batali was found not guilty in May. He also has settled multiple civil lawsuits related to sexual misconduct in the past few years. Batali: The Fall of a Superstar Chef is currently streaming on Discovery+. Welcome to Pilgrimage week, Pick readers! The two-day Franklin festival returns this weekend with an overflowing slate of country, rock, R&B and Americana favorites. We'll be on the ground covering this year. Stay glued to the Tennessean website Saturday and Sunday for coverage! But for now, music reporter Matt Leimkuehler here with a take on six can't-miss artists on the bill. The headliners, of course: A pair of vocal powerhouses and once-in-a-world songwriters top this year's bill. Brandi Carlile and her rock 'n' rollin' band headline Saturday night; Chris Stapleton brings a shot of "Tennessee Whiskey" to close down Sunday. A must-see support act: Jon Batiste , this year's Grammy Awards darling, brings songs from his Album of the Year-winning effort "We Are" to Pilgrimage on Saturday night. The best of the rest: Fast-pickin' bluegrass singer-songwriter Molly Tuttle (Sunday); Country Music Hall of Fame entertainer Marty Stuart (Sunday) and rock producer extraordinaire Butch Walker (Saturday). More from Pilgrimage: Guitar giant Gibson committed this week to a $1 million drug overdose prevention campaign, beginning with training music industry professionals at Pilgrimage. Brandi Carlile performs "You and Me on the Rock" during the Americana Music Honors and Awards show at the Ryman Auditorium Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Artists are *already* eliminated from Music City Survivor League Two weeks into the Music City Survivor League, three artists already got the boot (tough look, considering it's a double-elimination league). This week, with nearly the entire league facing elimination with one more loss, five pickers put faith in Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to win big against the struggling Indianapolis Colts. A few more highlights for Week 3: Kane Brown buys stock in the Buffalo Bills, picking Josh Allen and company against the rising Miami Dolphins. Jelly Roll and Scotty McCreery believe Justin Herbert's ribs will hold up enough (how's that for a phrase I never thought I'd write as a music reporter?) for the Chargers to beat the Jaguars. Read on for a full look at this week's picks. Story continues Chattin' with a Foo Fighter Foo Fighters guitarist Chis Shiflett swung by Tennessean headquarters to discuss making solo music in Nashville, playing the Grand Ole Opry and paying tribute to the band's late drummer Taylor Hawkins at the star-studded London concert earlier this month. My favorite quote came when Shiflett discussed his 2019 Opry debut: "You get out on that stage, your mind is flying. I'm looking around the room as I'm singing the song. It's a room full of people who don't know who [I am]. Don't know who the Foo Fighters are. I'm scanning the room, and I finally see a lady in a Foo Fighters t-shirt. I'm like, 'I got one!'" Tennessean subscribers will find this story tomorrow. If you aren't already one, join today to unlock exclusive content and get unlimited access to all The Tennessean has to offer. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Here's who we're seeing at Pilgrimage this weekend | The Pick Jake Tapper, Laura Coates and Alisyn Camerota will take on temporary assignments on CNNs primetime schedule as the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed network prepares to cover the run-up to the 2022 midterm elections. Tapper, CNNs chief Washington correspondent, will host the networks 9 p.m. from Washington, while Camerota and Laura Coates will share anchor responsibilities between 10 p.m. and midnight. Tapper is the first anchor to get a semi-regular perch at 9 since the much-scrutinized departure of the time slots previous occupant, Chris Cuomo. Camerota. who has held down slots in both the morning and the afternoon, and Coates, a legal analyst who has in the past been under consideration for a primetime assignment, will take over a time period that has been led by Don Lemon, who is moving soon to work on a new CNN morning program. More from Variety Lemon, who will co-anchor a new morning show with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, will cede his primetime duties after October 7. Harlow will cease her mid-morning broadcast after that date as well. The moves are the latest being orchestrated by CNN CEO Chris Licht as he seeks to steer the large news outlet to a less fervent pitch than the one it has had during the Trump administration. Licht, a longtime TV producer who has helped move the needle for MSNBC and CBS, has worked since his arrival earlier this year to tamp down some of the more passionate commentary for which CNN became known under its previous leader, Jeff Zucker. The primetime moves will showcase Jakes tough reporting, smart analysis and consequential interviews as we ramp up our coverage of the midterms; and the insights, experience and strong voices of Alisyn and Laura will advance and expand on that coverage, Licht said in a memo to staffers Thursday. Story continues The anchors performance will no doubt be scrutinized by staffers and rivals to see if they can generate better ratings for CNN. The network has grappled with the natural downturn in cable-news audiences following a major election year, but CNNs viewership has tumbled significantly. According to Nielsen, CNNs primetime schedule saw viewers between 25 and 54, the demographic most coveted by advertisers, dip 31% in the second quarter. Fox News primetime anchors saw viewership in that category fall 2%, while MSNBCs slumped by 40%. If any of the trio can give CNN a better stake in the evening, there would presumably be some chance their temporary assignments might become permanent. CNN has long tested anchors ability to draw viewers with on-air tryouts. The new assignments will have others shift some duties as well. John Berman and Brianna Keilar, who will move off morning duties after a new A.M. show launches later this fall, will trade off on Tappers 4 p.m. show, The Lead, while Wolf Blitzer anchors The Situation Room from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., recapturing an hour that was ceded to Tappers afternoon program, The Lead. CNN is making some changes behind the camera as well. Izzy Povich, a veteran of MSNBC who has in recent years produced both morning and primetime hours for CNN, is being promoted to senior vice president of programming. She will help programming chief Michael Bass with day to day planning, Licht said, but will also have an immediate focus on primetime. Povich, said Licht, has a long and successful track record as a producer and development executive. We are lucky to have her working in this role. 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. Celebrity chef Danny Bowien hands a a signed book to a fan during a signing event at Lee's Sandwiches in Oklahoma City Over the weekend, celebrity chef Danny Bowien stood before his hometown of Oklahoma City, light a few Mission Chinese restaurants but flanked by a new cookbook. He was a little nervous before the event but received a familial welcome home somewhere between conquering hero and weary prodigal. Flanked by stacks of his new book, "Mission Vegan (Ecco), the Westmoore graduate greeted a steady stream of fans Saturday afternoon at Lee's Sandwiches, clad in white Crocs, loose denim pants, and a Batman t-shirt in honor of National Batman Day. Just more than a decade ago, Bowien swooped into Gotham by way of San Francisco to expand Mission Chinese coast-to-coast. Mission grew into three restaurants and his first cookbook, "The Mission Chinese Cookbook." He became a familiar face on the late-night talk show circuit and a star on season six of Netflix's "The Mind of a Chef." But today, the New York restaurants have closed, and Bowien at the age of 40, is at a crossroads. During the pandemic the Mission world began to crack and fissures grew as Bowien spent less time in the kitchen and the fall reached rock bottom. The original Mission in San Francisco still operates, but he isn't affiliated with it. Bowien swears his days as a restaurant operator are over, but he's bullish on the future. He embraces changes to the food-service industry and the evolution and expansion of opportunities for creatives who choose the culinary arts as their path. Saturday's event wasn't his first at Lee's Sandwiches. Over the years, he's hosted pop-ups there and at Ludivine and Chick N Beer. Each time, lines reached out the door and the food sold out in a blink. On Saturday, Lee's made a special combo box of their food with sauces made from Danny's book. Danny Bowien poses for a picture with a fan during a book-signing at Lee's Sandwiches in Oklahoma City The weekend book-signing was less chaotic than previous visits. Instead of rushing through a clamoring crowd, Bowien had time to swap hugs and stories with high school friends and pose for pictures with a throng less desperate and a little more adoring than usual. Story continues On Sunday, Bowien met with local chefs Kevin Lee and Jeff Chanchaleune, who are balancing restaurant ownership with brands breathing helium. Seated in the heart of an Asian District borne out of the fall of Saigon, two Korean kids and another from Laos met over cold brew for hot takes. From left: chefs Jeff Chancheleune, Danny Bowien and Kevin Lee gathered Sunday at Lee's Sandwiches in Oklahoma City. While Bowien, 40, is only three years older than Lee and Chanchaleune, his career has been a whirlwind reaching the highest peaks of the culinary world. Chanchaleune hosted Bowien Saturday night for dinner at his Ma Der Lao Kitchen, which has taken the national food scene by storm or at least the East Coast. On Monday, The New York Times released its list of the Top 50 restaurants in the United States and it, like the Bon Appetit Top 50 from last week, included Ma Der. Chanchaleune earned a Best Chef Southwest nomination from the James Beard Foundation back in 2019 for his work at Goro Ramen and Izakaya. The 2020 Award Show was canceled by the pandemic, but Chanchaleune has got to hope Ma Der landing on two lists that prestigious will garner another. On Sunday, he and Lee, who turned victories on Food Network into Birdies Fried Chicken earlier this year, lapped up Bowien's every syllable. That included an oath his days as a restaurateur are over. "I"m not good at it," he laughed. "It took me owning a few to figure that out. Look, I'm still pretty good at making food taste good, and I like to talk about food, travel places to talk about food or cook food for people. I'm just no good at PNLs and stuff like that." Bowien represents the ongoing evolution of the landscape where culinary creatives ply their trade. Like local chef Gabriel Lewis, Bowien is finding ways to make a living without a restaurant. That means freedom for Bowien. Freedom to travel and freedom to share different culinary points of view. "I'll never own a restaurant again," he assured Lee and Chanchaleune with a wry smile. "But I'm completely down to do collaborations or even consult under the right circumstances. I'm always looking for excuses to travel to Oklahoma." Lee was relieved to hear someone with so much success had weaknesses. "I'll admit it, owning a restaurant is even harder than I thought it was going to be," said Lee, who opened Birdies in the spring. "And I thought it was gonna be the hardest thing I ever did. Just hearing you talk about the struggle and being able to laugh about it, that really helps." Bowien asked Lee what it was like living in Korea as a little boy. They talked about Korean pizza and its propensity to be sweet thanks to the addition of sweet potato to the dough crust. So they like, make pizza dough and they'll like, take sweet potato puree and pipe it on in the middle so you get like this second crust on top and its sweet, Bowien explained. And there's like corn on it." All Korean food is sweet, Lee laughed. We put sugar in everything. While Bowien and Lee share Korean heritage, cooking on TV and a connection to Oklahoma City, their upbringings were nothing alike. Lee was born in Oklahoma City but raised here, there and everywhere, including Korea and the Pacific Northwest. Bowien was adopted by an Anglo family from Oklahoma City and raised on white bread sandwiches and Tex-Mex on the weekends. While that journey gave him a truly unique narrative to follow as a young chef (who was more interested in beating drums than egg yolks), it also led to some of his greatest professional fears. Thats the the scary thing about doing Korean food, he said. "My biggest fear is fear of rejection, you know. Not growing up in a Korean household or really even with much Korean community, I just wanted to know if an old Korean grandmother would feel like what I was doing is OK. I'm still just terrified that Koreans wont like what I make. That led Bowien to ask Chanchaleune about his Lao heritage and how it affects his cooking. Chanchaleune, who was born to Laotian parents, hasn't yet ventured to Laos, which he said gives him similar anxiety. I have the same feeling, like is it gonna be good enough for Laotians, he said of cooking at Ma Der. Am I gonna make the community proud? Like, this place (Ma Der) reminds me of my grandmother, you know. That more than anything is why I wanted it to work out. But yeah, you know, we've had people come in from outside the market because they can't get this food in their the city. It's been nice. By the end of the couple-hour conversation, the congregation of talented culinary minds felt more like a launch party than polite praise and admiration. "This feels like the start of something," Bowien said with a broad smile, which Lee and Chanchaleune affirmed with laughter and handshakes. Whether the trio delivers on the promise of the afternoon's confab is up to fate now, but on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Oklahoma City, three of its sons dreamed big and dreamed delicious on its behalf. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Celebrity chef Danny Bowien spends weekend at home in OKC Love it or hate it, it's coming up: Daylight saving time. This time, get ready to "fall back." At 2 a.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 6, Georgia residents will have to set their clocks back by one hour. The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bill called the "Sunshine Protection Act," which was introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida. But the measure has not yet been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, nor has it been signed into law by President Biden. According to the Athens Banner Herald, legislation the General Assembly passed last March adopting year-round daylight saving time wont take effect unless and until Congress makes the change at the national level. Georgia lawmakers approved the permanent daylight saving time bill on the final day of this years legislative session. The state Senate showed a preference for standard time in February by passing a bill putting Georgia on standard time permanently. The Georgia House of Representatives sided with daylight saving time, passing its bill toward the end of its 2021 session. The Senate then went with that version on final passage. While the House and Senate initially disagreed over standard versus daylight time, lawmakers in both chambers were united in their desire to stop forcing Georgians to switch back and forth twice a year. Up to Congress: Georgia law to keep daylight saving time all year won't stop switch In March 2021, Georgia lawmakers chose permanent daylight saving time Here are some things to know about daylight saving time, fall back and spring forward. What is daylight saving time? According to timeanddate.com, "daylight saving time is the practice of setting the clocks one hour ahead of standard time to make use of more sunlight in the spring, summer, and fall evenings. Daylight Saving Time (DST) is used to save energy and make better use of daylight. It was first used in 1908 in Thunder Bay, Canada." Daylight saving time became a national standard in 1966 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act, which was established as a way to continue to conserve energy. The thinking was, if it's light out longer, that's less time you'll need to use lights in your home. Story continues Is it daylight savings time, daylight saving's time or daylight saving time? It's daylight saving time. No hyphen, no apostrophe and no extra S in the phrase. Also, no capitalization. However, for people searching the term online, these results come up: "Daylight Saving Time," "daylight savings" and "daylight savings time." Who's in charge of daylight saving time? The U.S. Department of Transportation oversees the nation's time zones and the uniform observance of daylight saving time, according to transportation.gov. The oversight of time zones was assigned to the DOT to help keep track of transportation. When is daylight saving time 2022? Daylight saving time is at 2 a.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 6. Georgia residents will need to "fall back" or set their clock back one hour. When is daylight saving time 2023? Daylight saving time for 2023 will be at 2 a.m. EST Sunday, March 12, for "spring forward" and 2 a.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 5, for "fall back." What is the Sunshine Protection Act? The Sunshine Protection Act would permanently extend daylight saving time from eight months of the year to the full 12 months. The bill was first introduced in January 2021 and reintroduced by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and seven other bipartisan members of Congress in March 2022. The bill would make daylight saving time permanent across the U.S. Click here to read the Sunshine Protection Act bill from congress.gov. What is the Standard Time Act? The Standard Time Act of 1918 was the first federal law that implemented standard time and daylight saving time. The U.S. Department of Transportation states, "federal oversight of time zones began in 1918 with the enactment of the Standard Time Act, which vested the Interstate Commerce Commission with the responsibility for establishing boundaries between the standard time zones in the U.S. This responsibility was transferred from the Interstate Commerce Commission to DOT when Congress created DOT in 1966." What is the Uniform Time Act? In 1966 when the U.S. Department of Transportation was created, the Uniform Time Act established a system of uniform daylight saving time across the U.S. It simplified when and where daylight saving time would take effect. Which states don't observe daylight saving time? Arizona and Hawaii do not recognize DST. There's also no no need to change the clocks in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas. Which states don't want to observe daylight saving time? More than 30 states are considering legislation related to the practice of changing clocks twice a year, and seven states Alabama, Arkansas, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington and Florida have already approved the legislation. However, these states still need the OK from Congress to enact the change. Which countries observe daylight saving time? Daylight saving time is used in more than 70 countries worldwide and affects more than a billion people each year. The beginning and end dates vary from one country to another. What are the pros of daylight saving time? If permanent daylight saving time takes effect, the biggest pro by far would be no sleep disruption. No need to change your clock twice a year before, at or after 2 a.m. on a Sunday in the fall and spring. Other perks would be more time during the day to be out and about, and experts say it's better for your health no sleep disruption. No preparing-for-bed or waking-up habits to change. Contributing: Dave Williams, Athens Banner Herald; Mike Snider, USA TODAY; Ginny Beagan, USA TODAY Network-Florida This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Daylight savings, fall back in Georgia: What is Sunshine Protection Act? Actor Ryan Grantham was sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of his mother. Grantham, known for his role in Diary of a Wimpy Kid and appearance in Riverdale, pled guilty to second-degree murder in March 2020 for killing his mother, Barbara Waite. The 24-year-old was handed a life sentence in the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver on Wednesday. He will not be eligible for parole for 14 years, Canada's CBC reports. Per the outlet, Justice Kathleen Ker said gripping statements from the victim's loved ones, such as Grantham's sister, showed the "life-shattering" impact of the tragedy. She added that the actor's "saving grace" was that he was aware enough of what he did and he didn't go on a spree. RELATED: 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' Actor Who Pleaded Guilty to Murdering Mom Allegedly Plotted to Kill Justin Trudeau Speaking about Grantham's mental health issues, Ker noted that he had been having difficulties weeks before the actor pulled the trigger and had been viewing violent footage on the dark web. For more on this story, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day. He is getting psychiatric treatment while in jail and appears to be showing improvement, said Ker according to CBC. Ryan Grantham Netflix Ryan Grantham in an episode of Riverdale The child actor's lawyer Chris Johnson said, according to CTV, that Grantham is not shocked at the sentencing. RELATED: Elizabeth Chambers Rep Responds After Armie Hammer Accuser Slams 'Healing' Comments: She Was 'Sensitive' "I think he anticipated what the judge gave him as a sentence," Johnson said. "I think he's pretty apprehensive about the whole thing. He's a fairly tiny person, and to go to the prison system, I'm sure it's a daunting and scary thought for him." Ker also made reference to Grantham's "diminutive" size and said she wouldn't recommend for him to go to a maximum security prison. Grantham was 21 when he shot his mother in the head as she played piano. RELATED VIDEO: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Actor Who Pleaded Guilty to Murdering Mom Allegedly Plotted to Kill Justin Trudeau After the March 31, 2020, murder, Grantham allegedly planned to kill Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He loaded his car with three guns, ammunition, 12 Molotov cocktails, camping supplies and a map with directions to Rideau Cottage, where Trudeau lived with his family, CBC reported at the time. Story continues Grantham never made it to Trudeau's residence, and instead went to Vancouver police headquarters to turn himself in. Crown prosecutor Michaela Donnelly referenced two psychiatric reports that showed the actor had been going through an "intense period of clinical depression" in the months leading up to the crime, CBC reported. 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. The reports also showed, according to CBC, that Grantham was "experiencing urges to commit violence and kill himself." CBC added that the reports said Grantham made the decision to kill his mother "to spare her from seeing the violence he intended to commit." Complex reported that Grantham's sister Lisa Grantham found their mother on April 1. Lisa shared a victim impact statement with the court and said her mother, who was battling cancer, was her "best friend." "She was vulnerable and Ryan gave her no chance to defend herself. It pains me to know he was a danger to her life," she said, according to Complex. Both she and her mother's sister told the court they "fear his release from prison." If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. Yameiry Infante Honoret, known in show business as La Materialista, throws a ceremonial first pitch before the Milwaukee Brewers game against the New York Mets Wednesday at American Family Field in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Brewers weren't the only stars at Wednesday's game. Iconic Dominican artist La Materialista threw out the first pitch at American Family Field, the Brewers shared in an Instagram post. La Materialista has been making us dance for more than a decade, a Los 40 report said. She became a benchmark of the urban scene in 2014 with the song "La Chapa Que Vibran. The performer paved the way for a generation of women who began to rule the urban music scene, which until then had been dominated by men, per the Los 40 report. Outside the dugout Wednesday, La Materialista posed for a pic with Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta and shortstop Willy Adames, who are also from the Dominican Republic. It was Adames solo homer his 31st of the year in the sixth inning that brought the team's offense to life. The next inning, Milwaukee tallied five more runs against the New York Mets. The Brew Crew would go on to win, 6-0, avoiding a sweep and keeping their postseason hopes alive. If you missed the first pitch, La Materialista shared a video of it with her 4.1 million Instagram followers. Her post had more than 16,100 likes within hours. At this year's Heat Latin Music Awards, La Materialista was nominated for Best Dominican Artist, and was also a presenter. Curt Hogg of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report. Contact Hannah Kirby at hannah.kirby@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HannahHopeKirby. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Dominican star La Materialista throws pitch at Milwaukee Brewers game More than 300 workers at a Dunkirk ice cream manufacturing plant will lose their jobs at the end of the year. Wells Enterprises will lay off 319 employees at the company's Dunkirk plant, at 1 Ice Cream Drive, according to a notification the company sent to New York State. The company will scale back operations at the Dunkirk plant to five production lines beginning in 2023, according to a statement from Wells Enterprises. Operations will continue as normal in Dunkirk the rest of the year and layoffs will begin at the end of December or early January. The company cited "economic" reasons for the layoffs. Wells Enterprises is "always evaluating and evolving our business strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of our organization and to meet consumer demand for our products," the company said in a statement. "As market trends shift in our industry, we adapt and optimize our operations to ensure continued success of our business," according to the statement. "We recently completed a comprehensive review of our manufacturing footprint and our needs to support our overall business strategy." A company spokesperson said employees were told in July of Wells Enterprises' plans to scale back operations in Dunkirk. The company will provide transitional benefits to affected employees and assist them with finding new jobs. Employees at the Dunkirk plant are represented by the Teamsters Local 264 union. A call to the union was not immediately returned Wednesday. Wells Enterprises said Dunkirk "remains strategically important for our organization." Last year, Wells Enterprises received a $750,000 grant from National Grid to support an $87 million expansion project at the Dunkirk plant. The project called for adding more manufacturing lines and hiring 70 new employees. The plant had about 750 employees as of January 2021, according to reporting from The Buffalo News. Dunkirk ice cream maker gets $750,000 grant backing expansion Wells Enterprises' ice cream manufacturing plant in Dunkirk is receiving a $750,000 economic development grant from National Grid. In 2019, Wells Enterprises acquired Dunkirk-based ice cream maker Fieldbrook Foods, formerly known as Dunkirk Ice Cream. Wells Enterprises is based in Iowa and has been in business for more than 100 years. The company makes popular ice cream brands such as Blue Bunny, Blue Ribbon Classics, Halo Top and Bomb Pops. Uvalde, Texas; Parkland, Florida; Sandy Hook, Connecticut; Columbine, Colorado, all communities where children and educators lost their lives to school shooters, striking terror in the hearts of parents everywhere. As unthinkable as a school shooting is, from Portsmouth to Dover, Hampton to Exeter, police in the Seacoast area have been planning and training for incidents they pray will never occur. Following the confusion at Uvalde, Texas on May 24, when officers waited more than an hour before engaging the active shooter, police in the Seacoast say they received calls from parents concerning local response procedures. Across the local area, law enforcement leaders say they believe an active shooter incident demands an instant response to engage and stop those intent on inflicting harm. The bottom line is we dont wait; we go in immediately and stop the shooter, said Rye Police Chief Kevin Walsh. We learned that from what happened in Columbine (in 1999). We dont wait to set up a perimeter. If we have to break our way in, we break our way in. That is the methodology, confirmed Portsmouth Police Capt. Mike Maloney. The definition of an active shooter is a homicide in progress. Is there anything you need to respond to quicker? The answer is no. Two dozen police officers from Exeter, Kensington and Hampton Falls recently took part in a day-long active shooter training exercise at Exeter High School. The current policy, according to Hampton Police Chief David Hobbs and Seabrook Chief Brett Walker, is to move immediately and do whatever is necessary to keep our citizens safe, sentiments echoed by all law enforcement in the region. In communities with private schools as well as public, they also fall under that response umbrella. Fire aftermath: Cinnamon Rainbows, North Beach Bar and Secret Spot 'in limbo Its our job to treat your kids as if they were our own by doing everything and anything possible to keep kids safe, Maloney said. If it means hanging it out on the line, thats what we do. Police train for active shooter incidents Law enforcement has specific programs to train officers for active shooter scenarios, according to Exeter Chief Stephan Poulin, like Solo Officer Rapid Deployment, Tactical School Resource Officer Training and Critical Incident Training. Story continues Officers are sent for training and learn what to do even if they are the first at the scene, Maloney said. Solo-officer response programs educate on how a single officer should enter a building alone when an active shooting is in progress, he said. For officers who have participated in active shooter training in the past, the recent training at Exeter High School was a chance for them to learn some new skills that may prove vital in a real emergency. In preparation, the regions police departments also take steps to provide responders the information they need to address life-threatening situations. For example, in Portsmouth as in other communities, police and fire vehicles are equipped with schematics of every school building within their towns borders. Additionally, Maloney said, cruisers have other strategic assets that assist in emergency responses, such as established plans for evacuation sites, setting up trauma areas and providing treatment in the hot zones. "Kids have grown up with active shooter drills": Masks off, normal lunches: Anxiety, hope as students go back to school in NH and Maine In Rye, Walsh received a grant from the states Homeland Security office to purchase and implement software for each cruiser that pulls up vital information on the towns buildings at the tap of an icon on a computer screen. Responding officers from other agencies responding can access that information from a Rye cruisers computer as well, he added. Two dozen police officers from Exeter, Kensington and Hampton Falls recently took part in a day-long active shooter training exercise at Exeter High School. Recently, dozens of police officers from Exeter, Kensington and Hampton Falls, along with members of the Exeter Fire Department, took part in the annual day-long active shooter training exercise at Exeter High School, according to the Exeter Police Lt. Steven Bolduc. An explosive find: A Hampton family found a Civil War artifact in an Exeter river According to Zach McLaughlin, the new superintendent at Portsmouths SAU 52, similar training took place at one of the citys elementary schools in late July. In Seabrook, except for the year of the pandemic, active shooter exercises at its elementary-middle school campus usually take place in August, Walker said. Further, in communities across the region, residents have supported funding security measures for their school campuses, such as voters in SAU 16's six school districts of Exeter, Newfields, Stratham, East Kingston, Brentwood and Kensington, according to Associate Superintendent Esther Asbell. Small agencies benefit from close-knit police community In a crisis, no community is alone in the Granite State, according to police leadership in the region. Smaller town police chiefs commented on the willingness of other agencies to come to their aid, including the New Hampshire State Police. In New Hampshire, they said, police departments are close-knit. There are formal police mutual aid agreements between communities just like fire departments, they said, but officers monitor their radios constantly, showing up when needed, with or without a formal request. Experts: Active shooter drills are traumatizing students Often, Walsh said, Ive come out of responding to an incident here and found a State Police cruiser or someone from the county or a neighboring police department who came to help. We have resources available to us, often before we even ask. Thats absolutely true, Hampton Falls Police Chief Ryan Veno said. Recently, Exeter had an active shooting training and extended an invitation for Hampton Falls officers to join in. South Hampton Police Lt. Robert Roy said state lines melt away in emergencies. South Hamptons mutual aid agreements extend to neighboring Amesbury and Salisbury, Massachusetts, as well as Granite State towns, he said. Man pleads not guilty to kidnapping, car theft charges in Hampton Beach carjacking We all just know were going to be helping each other, Hobbs said. Its all about relationships and we have great relationships with the other communities and agencies. The region also has a valuable asset in SERT, the Seacoast Emergency Response Team, a regional tactical group of dozens of officers from 13 police departments, said Walsh, this years SERT board president. Members train frequently on various crises, he said, and include negotiators, a psychiatrist and medical personnel, in addition to those providing SWAT-type operations. Cooperation a key to school safety Hampton Chief David Hobbs, a former school resource officer, said the cooperation between police and school officials is vital for school security, a comment repeated by other chiefs interviewed, as well as school superintendents. The coordination includes methodologies and equipment that physically secure school buildings and grounds, to communications, training school personnel on defensive techniques, working with the states School Safety Readiness officials at Homeland Security, to school resource officers, parents and students. Two dozen police officers from Exeter, Kensington and Hampton Falls recently took part in a day-long active shooter training exercise at Exeter High School. The attention given to school security statewide isnt haphazard, Hobbs said, every school must complete a school assessment every three years, conducted in conjunction with state Homeland Security school safety experts. Following those reviews, recommendations are sent out to local school officials for action, he said. Just such a tri-annual assessment is planned for SAU 21 in the fall, according to Superintendent Meredith Nadeau. Also planned for October is a tabletop exercise of our plans with our school teams and local emergency responders, according to Nadeau. SAU 21 includes North Hampton, Hampton Falls, Seabrook, South Hampton and Winnacunnet High School. Nadeau added staff will also be completing their annual ALICE training. No more 'interim' for Academy principal: Kenneth Hawkins to lead middle school A program developed for on-site school personnel brought to the region's school systems, the initials represent actions to take if confronted with a threat, according to Seabrook Police Chief Brett Walker. ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate, he said. Other SAUs also include the ALICE format, according to those interviewed. ALICE training is vital for all school personnel, even though its upsetting to contemplate, Walker said. Its the reality of the times. The role of school resource officers Assigned to local schools to provide a police presence, school resource officers do much more than check halls and entranceways, according to area police chiefs and superintendents. They interact with students and school personnel and allow them to feel safe. Our SROs are great people, said SAU 90 Superintendent Lois Costa. They make a real connection with kids and it puts everyones mind at ease. Students enjoy talking with the school resource officers. That goes a long way toward setting a tone. NH to launch Choose Love conference in effort to tackle behavior leading to school shootings Hobbs said Hamptons SROs meet regularly with teachers and police staff. Theyre able to help out in any number of ways, he said, including picking up the early warning signs of potential problems. Our SROs are part of a team, Hobbs said. We want our kids to feel safe, and parents to feel their kids are safe. Police officials throughout the region confirmed Costas and Hobbs evaluation of the multitude of ways school resource officers make a difference and play positive roles in schools and violence prevention. Making 'connections' key part of school safety According to North Hampton Police Chief Kathryn Mone, maintaining and building trust is everyones responsibility, during the school year and it's vital in preventing the horrors of school shootings. Our department and the North Hampton School are committed to preparedness for the unthinkable, Mone said. We make a daily commitment to prevention through communication and relationship building. We want everyone, from the youngest learners to every resident to speak up when they have a concern, or something doesnt seem quite right. According to Costa, a common link found among those who have carried out school shootings is that they had no connection, but feel alone, disenfranchised, and often disgruntled with the school, their communities and lives. Police departments through their SROs, as well as schools, are working to establish programs offering students opportunities to connect. Examples of that are programs offered that foster social and emotional learning in the region, such as those at SAUs 90, 16, 21 and 52. If a child has at least one adult he or she can make a connection with, they can have a successful educational career, Asbell said. This year, Hampton Academy is introducing advisory periods each day, Costa said, a time when small groups of students meet with an adult who checks in and helps them navigate through their days. An eye for crime: Exeter author Lara Bricker releases new Piper Greene murder mystery book Similar programs during the school day have and will exist in Exeters SAU, Asbell said, and both school systems have procedures in place for referrals should worries develop about individuals. In SAU 21, Nadeau said programs like Responsive Classroom, Open Circle, and advisories support efforts to help students be part of our school communities, with behavioral interventions and response teams in place when concerns arise. According to McLaughlin, at SAU 52, social and emotional programs already exist in the elementary schools, and hes hoping to expand that to the upper levels. Social/emotional health, mental health, and whole child health is a focus of our School Board right now, McLaughlin said. We arent just looking at education from an academic point of view. Were trying to produce happy whole human beings. Its not just about being able to do the math; its about being a good human being. NH responds to need for safe schools The 2018 tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida led to the formation of the New Hampshire School Safety Preparedness Task Force, which reviewed school security measures. Exeters Asbell was on the team and helped write its recommendations. All SAU officials across the state received copies of the report, Costa said, and after the recent attack at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, another review was undertaken and sent out. In July, for example, Hampton public and private school officials, as well as police and fire met to go over the recommendations, Costa said. This year, as in previous years, the state made available funds to enhance local security. SAU 21, 90, 16 and 52 applied for portions of those funds, requesting hundreds of thousands of dollars between them for use with school security upgrades. According to the Department of Safety, more than $10 million in funding is available in this round, to augment the $30-plus million previously available. The state Safety and Education departments also released a Back to School Safety video last week to districts to enhance familiarity with emergency operations plans. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast NH police, schools train for active shooter threats Virginia Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, has agreed to a voluntary interview with the Jan. 6 select committee, her attorney said Wednesday. I can confirm that Ginni Thomas has agreed to participate in a voluntary interview with the Committee, her attorney Mark Paoletta said in a statement. As she has said from the outset, Mrs. Thomas is eager to answer the Committees questions to clear up any misconceptions about her work relating to the 2020 election. She looks forward to that opportunity. Her attorney had previously cast doubt on the prospect of her testimony, telling select panel lawmakers in a letter at the end of June he didnt understand the need to talk with Thomas and said there were serious concerns about a potential interview with the select panel. A spokesperson for the Jan. 6 committee declined to comment. CNN first reported the agreement for testimony. Thomas, also known as Ginni, has been a target of the select panels inquiry for months after evidence emerged of her involvement in efforts to subvert the 2020 election. Shed invited John Eastman, the legal architect of former President Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the election, to speak to an activist group in the aftermath of the election. Her lawyer has previously denied any impropriety on Thomas part and has said she did not discuss election litigation with Clarence Thomas. She first emerged as a target of the select panels inquiry after the Washington Post and CBS published text messages from her to top Trump allies urging them to fight harder to contest the 2020 election results. Photo credit: Netflix - Netflix Jeffrey Dahmer, the focus of Netflix's new miniseries Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, horrifically murdered 17 people. The new show, which dropped on Sept. 21, walks viewers through the serial killer's crimes between 1978 and 1991 that went undetected for over a decade, according to Biography. Jeffrey Dahmer murdered teenage boys and men, mainly of racial minority groups and who identified as homosexual, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. While living with his grandmother, Catherine Dahmer, in Wisconsin, Jeffrey Dahmer is thought to have killed four men in gruesome ways that involved cannibalism and necrophilia, per Encyclopedia Britannica. He killed three people and dismembered an additional body in his grandma's home. Dahmer lived in Catherine's home through much of his killing spree. And she didn't know about the violent acts being committed in her basement. But she eventually threw him out in 1990 after about nine years of living together. While there are never-ending questions about Jeffrey Dahmer, his horrific crimes, and his victims, you may also be curious about the relationship he had with his grandmother. Here's everything there is to know about Catherine Dahmer, including if she was Jeffrey Dahmer's accomplice or one of his victims. Where did Jeffrey Dahmer's grandmother live? The address of his grandmother's home is 2357 S. 57th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, according to Morbid Tourism. Who plays Catherine, Dahmer's grandma, in Monster? Michael Learned portrays Catherine Dahmer in Ryan Murphy's series, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. The 83-year-old actress has won four Emmy Awards and is most commonly known for her role as Olivia Walton in the CBS drama series The Waltons, per Distractify. When discussing her work in Monster, Michael said "I have admired everything Ryan Murphy has produced so far," when talking to Fox News in March. She added that she feels "very privileged to have worked with him In fact, I feel privileged to work at all, at my age." Story continues How long did Dahmer live with his grandma? After Jeffrey Dahmer was discharged from the military in 1981, he returned to Ohio to live with his father and his stepmother. During that time, he continued to drink heavily and got arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct, per Biography. Dahmer's family sent him to live with his grandmother in Wisconsin shortly after his arrest in the hopes that she'd provide a positive influence. While living with Catherine, Dahmer attended church with his grandma and helped with chores around the house, per Distractify. But Dahmer was arrested again in 1982 for indecent exposure at a Wisconsin State Fair, per Biography. He was also charged with disorderly conduct in 1986 after masturbating in front of two boys. Catherine told Dahmer to move out in 1988. However, he returned just months later and continued his crimes in her basement. He officially moved out in 1990, after living with his grandmother for around nine years, per Distractify. Jeffrey Dahmer committed crimes in his grandmother's basement. After killing his first victim at his parents' house in Ohio in 1978, Dahmer returned to his homicidal ways in 1987, Biography reported. Although he killed his second victim, Steven Tuomi, in a hotel room, he later brought the body back to his grandmother's home where he dismembered it, according to Biography. He then went on to lure and murder three more people in his grandma's basement, per Distractify. Did his grandma know what was going on? Catherine Dahmer was not aware of the murders occurring in her own home, but the show suggests she had some suspicions. On the show, she complains about the foul odors coming from her basement. In the series, Dahmer would tell her that the gross smells were just "taxidermy stuff. IRL, Dahmer's late night antics and the unpleasant stench coming from her basement were why Catherine asked him to move out, per Distractify. Did Jeffrey Dahmer kill his grandmother? No. Dahmer did not kill his grandmother, and it's been said that Catherine was the only family member that he showed affection toward. Additionally, criminal psychologists believe that because his crimes were sexually motivated due to his repressed homosexuality, he didn't have a reason to kill her, per Distractify. Catherine Dahmer died on December 25, 1992, at the age of 88, according to Ancient Faces. Her cause of death is unknown. You Might Also Like Johnny Depp has a new woman in his life. The actor is dating attorney Joelle Rich, who previously represented him during his U.K. libel case, a source confirms to PEOPLE. "They are dating but it's not serious," the source says. The two originally worked together during his 2020 U.K. libel trial, when the actor sued The Sun for calling him a "wife-beater." The court upheld the outlet's claims as being "substantially true" (and his ex-wife Amber Heard testified to back up the claims). In March 2021, his attempt to overturn the decision was overruled. Rich was not on Depp's legal team for his subsequent Virginia defamation trial against Heard. From her background as a lawyer to how she has supported Depp since his 2020 trial, here's everything to know about Joelle Rich. RELATED: Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's Defamation Trial to Be the Subject of Upcoming Movie Johnny Depp ;Joelle Rich Getty; Shutterstock She's married but estranged from her husband A source confirms to PEOPLE that while Depp's new girlfriend is married, she is currently estranged from her husband. She's a mom Additionally, Us Weekly (who first broke the story) reports that Rich is a mom, sharing two children with her estranged husband. She shares that in common with Depp, who has two children of his own, daughter Lily-Rose Depp and son Jack Depp, whom he shares with ex Vanessa Paradis. Attorney Joelle Rich hugs attorney Camille Vasquez, back to camera, as attorney Ben Chew (R) looks on, at the end of the daily proceedings at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, May 16, 2022 STEVE HELBER/POOL/AFP via Getty Joelle Rich hugs Camille Vasquez on May 16, 2022. She showed up to support Johnny Depp during his recent trial Though Rich was not on Depp's legal team for the Virginia defamation trial against Heard earlier this year, she did show up to support him, attending several proceedings inside the courtroom. Rich was also spotted hugging Depp's attorney Camille Vasquez inside the courtroom on May 16 and later was seen exiting the courthouse with Depp and his team on May 19. RELATED: Amber Heard Hires New Lawyers for Johnny Depp Appeal: 'Different Court Warrants Different Representation' Story continues She's based in the U.K. Rich is based in London, where she is a partner at the international law firm Schillings, per her LinkedIn. According to her bio on the company website, Rich "helps individuals and families in the public eye protect their privacy and reputations" and has "expertise in libel, privacy and copyright disputes." She "works to defend [clients'] reputations against false and defamatory allegations in print, online and on social media." Johnny Depp look at his smartphone with his UK legal Counsel Joelle Rich during an afternoon recess outside court during the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard civil trial at Fairfax County Circuit Court on May 3, 2022 i Ron Sachs/Consolidated News Pictures/Getty Joelle Rich and Johnny Depp on May 3, 2022. She graduated from the University of Birmingham Before working at Schillings, Rich studied at the University of Birmingham in Birmingham, England from 2003 to 2006, earning a degree in law. She later went BPP Law School in London from 2006 to 2007, where she studied legal practice course, per her LinkedIn. She previously represented Meghan Markle Depp isn't the only big name Rich has represented. Her firm previously represented Meghan Markle in a case against the publishers of the Mail on Sunday in 2021. NEW YORK Aaron Judge disappointed fans by staying stuck at 60 homers but doubled twice and scored on Oswaldo Cabreras first-inning grand slam that started the New York Yankees to a 14-2 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night. A day after hitting home run No. 60 to spark a stunning five-run, ninth-inning rally capped by Giancarlo Stantons game-ending slam, Judge doubled on the first pitch to him in the first and fifth innings. Given another time up during an eight-run eighth inning, Judge walked on four pitches from rookie Eric Stout as the sellout crowd of 46,175 booed loudly. Judge went 2 for 4 and with 14 games left and remained one home run shy of tying the American League record set by the Yankees Roger Maris in 1961. Judge leads the AL in average (.317), home runs and RBIs (128), in position to become the first Triple Crown winner in a decade. Cabrera and Gleyber Torres had five RBIs each. Torres homered twice in the eighth inning, raising his season total to 23. Applause started whenever Judge walked onto the on-deck circle, and fans stood and snapped photos. Maris sons and Judges family were in the stands. He started the first against rookie Roasny Contreras (5-5) with a liner to left and began the fifth with a one-hopper over the left-field wall. New York (90-58) closed in on its sixth straight postseason berth and 24th in 28 years. The Yankees began the night 5 1/2 games ahead of second-place Toronto in the AL East. Cabrera made the Yankees the first team in major league history to end a game with a slam and hit another in the first inning of its next game, according to STATS. The only previous teams to hit slams in the last inning of a game and the first of the next were the 1955 Boston Red Sox and the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers. Cabrera has three homers and 14 RBIs in 30 games since his debut on Aug. 17. With the bases loaded on Judges double and a pair of walks by Contreras, Cabrera drove a hanging slider into the right-field bleachers. Story continues New York has four slams in four games against the Pirates this season, including in consecutive innings on July 6. The Yankees 10 slams this season are their most since 2012. Harrison Bader had a two-run double in the big eighth and has five RBIs in his first two games with the Yankees. Luis Severino (6-3) returned from a strained right lat muscle that had sidelined him since July 13 and allowed one run and two hits in five innings with six strikeouts. He reached 98.9 mph. Contreras struck out a career-high 10, allowing six runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings. Ke'Bryan Hayes had a sacrifice fly and RBI single for Pittsburgh (55-94). SLAMMIN Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre won 4-3 at Lehigh Valley on Tuesday night as Ronald Guzman hit a seventh-inning slam. TWO-FERS Torres joined Joe DiMaggio, Joe Pepitone, Cliff Johnson and Alex Rodriguez (twice) as Yankees to hit two homers in an inning. EYEBALLS New Yorks win Tuesday averaged 539,000 on the Yankees YES Network, its most prime-time viewers for a game other than against the Mets since 557,000 for an 11-inning game against Atlanta on Aug. 2, 2018. YES is averaing 352,000, up 23% from last year and its highest since 2011. CRUZ CONTROL Pittburghs Oneil Cruz was given a Paul ONeill No. 21 jersey and spoke with ONeill whom he is named after by video chat. ONeill is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and broadcasts Yankees games from home in Ohio. TRAINERS ROOM Yankees: RHP Scott Effross (shoulder strain) will be activated Thursday. LHP Zack Britton finished his minor league rehab assignment following Tommy John surgery and hopes to be actived in a few days. INF-OF Matt Carpenter (broken left foot) had an X-ray Tuesday and was cleared for more weight-bearing work. Hell have another X-ray in nine or 10 days. New York is trying to pick the right time to activate INF DJ LeMahieu (right second toe), who likely will not be 100%. OF Aaron Hicks was feeling ill and left the ballpark before the game. UP NEXT Pirates: RHP Mitch Keller (5-11, 4.03) opens a four-game series at home on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs RHP Hayden Wesneski (1-1, 2.30). Yankees: RHP Jameson Taillon (13-5, 4.04) starts Thursdays opener of a four-game series against Boston and RHP Michael Wacha (11-1, 2.61), who is 8-0 in his last 12 starts. Judge stuck at 60 HRs as Yankees rout Pirates 14-2 originally appeared on NBCSports.com Gov. Greg Abbott formally asked President Joe Biden on Wednesday to declare several Mexican drug cartels as "terrorist organizations," citing what he says is the growing threat of the deadly drug fentanyl coming across the border. Flanked by several law enforcement officials at a news conference in Midland, Abbott directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to establish a Mexican cartel division aimed at dismantling the cartels' infrastructure. In an official proclamation, Abbott said the new unit's mission will be to "target, seize, and dismantle the infrastructure, assets, vehicles and buildings used by foreign terrorist organizations to smuggle drugs and people into and throughout Texas." "Rainbow fentanyl" pills found at the Nogales Port of Entry in Arizona. Abbott, as part of his ongoing criticism of Biden's border and immigration policies, has said the president should take more forceful action to stem the flow of illegal fentanyl into the United States. "Their latest weapons of choice are the millions of tiny pills laced with fentanyl that they pour across our southern border," Abbott's letter said. "As a result, it is necessary, now more than ever, for you to designate the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and any similarly situated Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations." Fentanyl, often laced on to other drugs, is considered 100 times as powerful as morphine, and more than 100,000 fentanyl-related deaths were reported in the United States in 2021. Abbott said that at least 1,600 of them were in Texas. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has been on the administration's radar screen for several months. In his State of the Union address in March, Biden promised measures to "help curb the dramatic spike in drug overdose deaths." But he made no mention of going after the source of the drug. Rahul Gupta, the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, has said combatting the supply of fentanyl is among the Biden administration's top priorities for public health. Story continues We are laser-focused on immediate actions that will save American lives quickly, Gupta said in a statement Sunday to the Washington Post. Were taking decisive steps to reduce the supply of illicit fentanyl, increase prevention efforts, and provide law enforcement and public health officials on the front lines with the resources they need. Abbott's actions on Wednesday came one day after he sent a letter to the heads of several state agencies, including the Texas Education Agency and the Department of Family Protective Services, directing them to initiate public service campaigns warning of the dangers of fentanyl use. "Fentanyls potency and deceptiveness, combined with the federal governments unwillingness to takeborder security seriously, pose a grave threat to Texans," Abbott wrote to the agency heads. "We must take all appropriate actions to inform Texans of this danger and prevent additional deaths." More:Visual explainer: How to use Narcan to treat a fentanyl overdose Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was among 18 state attorneys general to ask Biden to declare fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction because of the alarmingly high number of deaths traced to the synthetic opioid. More:Fentanyl blamed for three more deaths in Wichita Falls "For so many individuals and families across this country, fentanyl has already caused mass destruction," Paxton said in a statement released by his office. "To treat it as anything less is more than just dangerous its a serious dereliction of duty that will only lead to more deaths and tragedy." John C. Moritz covers Texas government and politics for the USA Today Network in Austin. Contact him at jmoritz@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @JohnnieMo. This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Mexican fentanyl cartels should be called terrorists, Abbott says desantis-abandons-migrants.jpg Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to supporters at a campaign - Credit: Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images A second group of Texas migrants have been left scrambling to find resources after allegedly being offered transportation by the Florida government. In what was set to be a repeat of last weeks potentially illegal stunt that left 50 migrants stranded in Marthas Vineyard, asylum seekers who were told they would be flown to Delaware were held for days in a San Antonio motel before being told their flight was ultimately canceled, the Miami Herald reported on Wednesday. Despite Florida Governor Ron DeSantis office claiming the media fell for disinformation about the flights existence, preparations for it were well under way before a last minute cancellation once again left migrants in dire straits, according to the Herald. More from Rolling Stone Migrants abandoned at la La Quinta motel near downtown San Antonio describe similar experiences to that of the migrants flown to Marthas Vineyard by DeSantis, namely in that they were approached outside the San Antonio Migrants Resource Center, where staff has urged caution about offers of transportation and jobs, by an unidentified women offering them spots on free flights and promising more resources and support in other communities. The migrants who accepted the flights were reportedly held in the motel for several days while organizers recruited more passengers, and experience that echoes that of those take to Marthas Vineyard. They were told the night before the scheduled flight that they were being sent to Delaware, until a last minute notice was given that the flight would not be taking place. In accepting the proposition from DeSantis operatives, many migrants had given up their place at the Migrant Resource Center, where shelter stays are limited to three days, and were now effectively homeless. Story continues She said there would be work, migrant Pedro Escalona told the Herald. She said that they would get us there and then there would be help. Escalona indicated that he had an immigration hearing scheduled in October in Washington, D.C., and accepted the offer of a flight with a last minute destination hoping it would get him closer to D.C. When the flight was ultimately canceled, a bus was brought to transport them back to the Migrant Resource Center, where it was unclear if returning residents would be granted shelter. Organizers of the flights did not notify the migrants the bus would be coming and were not clear about its destination, resulting in several migrants being left stranded at the motel. The parallels between the experiences of the migrants left in San Antonio, and those who were transported to Marthas Vineyard, reinforce how migrants are being used as pawns in an inhumane stunt by Florida Governor Ron Desantis. We were out in the street and they offered us the opportunity to sleep in a bed, a migrant told the Herald. We thought they were offering to help us. Christina Pushaw, DeSantis rapid response director, accused reporters who arrived in Delaware after media reports of the flight of falling for disinformation, however a source tells NBC News that the governors office intentionally kept statements and comments about the flight vague despite preparations taking place, refusing to confirm a destination so technically the media, the Democrats, everyone got punked who decided to heed some s on Twitter instead of waiting for confirmation from the governors office. The jet that had been chartered for the flight was allegedly redirected to Tennessee, then New Jersey, with no migrants on board. New reports indicate that the company chartering the flights on behalf of the Florida government, Vertol Systems, Inc., was paid $615,000 to fly nearly 50 migrants to Marthas Vineyard. Additionally, public records indicate that Vertol Systems has donated exclusively to Republican politicians and candidates, including State Rep. Jay Trumbull Jr., who serves as the Florida state legislatures appropriations committee chair and helped design the budget that allocated $12 million dollars for the relocation of migrants from Florida to other states. DeSantis and the Florida government have encountered intense backlash and legal scrutiny over the practices implemented to convince the migrants to sign onto the flights. On Tuesday, Lawyers for Civil Rights filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of three migrants who were potentially fraudulently lured into traveling to Marthas Vineyard. Bexar County, Texas, Sheriff Javier Salazar has launched a criminal probe into the tactics used to lure the migrants onto the flight, and lawmakers in Massachusetts and across the U.S. are calling for Department of Justice investigations into the scheme. DeSantis would like to play off this made you look stunt as a ploy to troll the media, but the flights cancelation may also been the result of a governor balking in the face of a political and legal hellstorm after allegedly misleading migrants in order to transport them to Marthas Vineyard. DeSantis may not have punked the media so much as played himself. Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. The pain and anger a lot of people felt in January when Florida Power & Light substantially increased the power bills of many Northwest Floridians has not subsided. Now, with rate new increases on the horizon, folks have begun gathering again to voice their displeasure. FPL has asked the Florida Public Service Commission to consider increasing fuel charges and other fees. It is a request many already consider a done deal when the board votes Nov. 1, as many critics believe the Public Service Commission to be more an FPL ally than the oversight board it was created to be. On Tuesday, at A Little Madness Brewing Co. on North Davis Highway, about 25 people gathered to hear about what is driving the latest cost increases and discuss ways to blunt the pending increases. Being noticed: Charlie Crist stops in Pensacola, hits DeSantis and FPL on power rate increases Proposed increases: FPL has proposed rate increases. Pensacola town hall will discuss customers' options. Benjamin Rockwell, left, and Molly Rockwell hold signs as they and others protests FPL and the higher power bills in front of City Hall prior to a city council meeting in Pensacola on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. "It was a great chance to get reconnected with the public," said event organizer Christian Wagley. "It was a good chance to take the pulse of the community again and let them vent." Among those who spoke was Brandi Johnson, who in January organized a Facebook group called FP&L Price Gouging that has recruited 10,500 members. She's also circulated a social media petition seeking to rebuke FPL for its "extreme rate increase." The petition has generated more than 20,000 signatures. Johnson, of Pensacola, said the January rate hikes impacted so many Escambia County residents that not only did members of the public voice their concerns to the PSC, but so did the Board of County Commissioners and elected officials representing nearly every local city. The complaints fell on deaf ears, she said. "So many people wrote to the PSC asking them to reconsider the rate increases, and there was no response," Johnson said. "Now you're looking at another increase. At this point, when our complaints still haven't been sufficiently addressed, it's like a spit in the face." Story continues Under a fee schedule presented in 2021, based on customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours of power per month, Northwest Florida FPL customers were supposed to have seen their bills go from $132.41 in January 2021 to $133.21 in January 2022. Then, bills were supposed to gradually decrease to $132.39 in January 2023; $129.79 in January 2024; and $126.50 in January 2025. However, under a new schedule that in passed in November and will go into effect Jan. 1, 2023, Northwest Florida areas formerly served by Gulf Power will see their bills increase from 155.61 to $160.43. Johnson said she's been hard pressed to find evidence the PSC has denied any rate hike request sought by FPL. She said calls to the PSC to complain about FPL are usually returned by a representative of the power company rather than the state agency. "Everything they do is rubber stamped by the PSC," she said. "It's not right and people across the state and in Northwest Florida deserve better." Wagley said many local residents accepted the FPL increase in 2021 with an understanding that their power bills would be coming down moving forward. George Cavros, a representative of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, was present Tuesday to explain why that isn't the case. "He explained to the people that while their rates will go down, your bill will go up, a lot of which is driven by the rising costs of gas and oil," Wagley said. "The rates will go down and the bills will go up for using the same amount of electricity. You'll pay more for electricity this January than you did last January. That's really contradictory to what many people think." Energy costs have risen worldwide, and the price of the fuels that utilities across the country use to generate electricity remain elevated, FPL's Sarah Gatewood said in an email. "Natural gas prices have increased more than 75% in just the last year and are now at their highest point since 2008," Gatewood said. "These high natural gas prices are part of whats increasing FPL customer bills in 2023." Another issue Wagley said is keeping Florida power bills high is the state's, and FPL's, status as being among the worst in the country at helping customers obtain energy savings through energy efficiency programs. These programs, which utilities are by law called upon to offer and lead, help people to conserve so that the need for new energy infrastructure can be diminished. "Utility investment in energy efficiency can help get customers off of the high bill treadmill in two ways," Cavros wrote in a Sept. 8 blog post. "First, energy efficiency helps reduce customer power demand, which leads to less fossil gas burned to generate electricity lowering bills for all customers. "Secondly, energy efficiency programs help customers reduce energy use and save money on bills this is particularly critical to energy-burdened customers." Gatewood said FPL remains committed to making the cost of energy to its Northwest Florida customers more affordable over time and the company "remain(s) committed to helping customers find ways to save energy and money on their electric bills, while connecting those in financial need with available resources." This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: FPL rate increases frustrate Pensacola customers One of the biggest additions to the Elmwood Village in many years is nearing the finish line, with 41 new condominiums offering residents a prominent new home within footsteps of shopping, food and the city's art museums. After three years years of work, crews are wrapping up construction on the "core-and-shell" of the Eleven-Eleven Elmwood project over the next 45 days. The first five owners will be moving into their new condos by Thanksgiving. Several other units are in various stages of signing purchase contracts. And developer Mark Chason couldn't be happier. "We're getting to the end, finally," said the owner and CEO of Chason Affinity Cos, the developer behind the four-story building on Elmwood just south of Forest Avenue. "It's been a bit of a journey." The Chason project is also at the higher-end of the market locally, with prices ranging from $568,000 to just shy of $1.5 million. And three of the five homes already purchased went for over $1 million. The building, constructed up to the sidewalk in accordance with the Green Code, presents an entirely new look for the northern-most stretch of the Elmwood Village, just below SUNY Buffalo State College, the Burchfield-Penney Art Center and the new Buffalo Albright-Knox-Gundlach Art Museum. Instead of several smaller and separate structures that used to exist, the new building features two distinct sections one with a more traditional and classic all-brick design with a mansard roof and double-hung windows, while the other offers a contemporary appearance with a rougher tumbled brick, composite panels and modern windows. They're separated by a glass-curtain-wall connector with a pocket park, and the driveway to the underground parking. "When people see it, theyre kind of surprised in a way," Chason said. Construction by RP Oak Hill Building Co. is expected to finish by late October or early November, although each unit still has to be built out individually upon signing of a sales contract. The $34 million project is the latest example of the growing interest among consumers in condominium ownership in Buffalo, instead of either renting an apartment or buying a single-family home. Those buyers want to live in the city and own their property, but they don't want the hassles of homeownership and lawn maintenance. And developers have found that demand increasing, after years of little appetite for condos in Buffalo. Jake Schneider's Schneider Development converted the Historic Warehouse Lofts at 210 Ellicott St. into condos six years ago, and Paul Kolkmeyer's Priam Enterprises is pursuing a similar move with The Glenny and the Marin on lower Main Street in downtown Buffalo. Ciminelli Real Estate Corp. is planning to undertake a conversion of its Bethune Lofts at 2917 Main St. And Uniland Development Co. - which kicked off the upscale condo boom more than a decade ago with its luxury Avant Building on Delaware Avenue - is now busy selling its new Gates Circle townhomes, on the former Park Lane Restaurant site at 33 Gates Circle, where it built 12 units priced from $850,000 to $1.5 million. All have now either sold or are in the process of being acquired. "Weve kind of had to hold people back. The interest has remained high among the people waiting," Chason Affinity President Jeff Birtch said. "We'd like to get to the point where we can close on the first bunch of units." The building features 34 one- and two-story interior condos and seven walk-up townhomes with front doors facing the street five along Elmwood and two on Forest. All are build-to-suit for each owner, with either standard options or customized finishes and features. Most have either large balconies or terraces, while seven have Juliet balconies. "Theres such a wide variety, that were going to appeal to empty nesters, to young business people, to all kinds of people," Birtch said. The condos range in size from 1,071 square feet to 2,805 square feet, not including the wood-deck balconies or porches, some of which have nearly 1,000 square feet extending along the building facade and even wrapping around corners. Adding those, the total square footage ranges from 1,191 to 3,794. Standard features include engineered white oak hardwood floors, quartz kitchen countertops, stainless-steel appliances including a Bertazzoni commercial-grade gas stovetop with an electric oven made in Italy, a built-in microwave with a power door, a marble fireplace with a working gas insert inside and a television monitor mounted on the wall above. Walk-in closets include built-in wood shelves and metal hooks. Bathrooms include Calacatta Viola or heated Opal White marble bathroom floors, a towel warmer, walk-in showers, a deep soaking bathtub, large mirrors, multiple sinks, and West Elm vanities. Light fixtures are American-made, from Rejuvenation. And upgrades are available, if the customer wants to spend up. "We're giving a budget, a build-out allowance that includes most of the finishes and a few upgrades," said Brittany Brennan, Chason's sales and marketing coordinator for the building. "You can use it however you want to use it. If you want to go bananas and change everything, we're not limiting anything." Each unit gets two parking spaces in the underground garage, which also has electric-vehicle charging stations. The building also has super-high-speed Internet and cable. And the building is staffed 24 hours a day, with a concierge available in the wood-paneled lobby from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily - an uncommon feature in Buffalo. "It's definitely a little bit of a New York flair," Brennan said. Outside, the pocket park will feature turf and exposed aggregate concrete with little tables and benches, five trees and some lighting, behind a brick knee-wall with a decorative black-metal railing in front, next to the driveway into the parking. "Its been really positive," Brennan said of the reactions from prospective tenants and the community, despite the prices. "A lot of people have asked for more like this in the city of Buffalo, just a building thats newer." So far, the company has been marketing the units quietly, without actively putting them on the region's multiple-listing service. "With all the delays in supply and so on, we weren't really sure. We couldn't guarantee completion dates until recently," Chason said. Now, though, officials plan to "step that up," he added, saying sales are "kind of on track." "Weve always thought this would be a couple of years to sell it out, and what were seeing is that there are a number of people who have looked and are really waiting to see it more complete," Chason said. "Theres good interest, and were comfortable with the pace." Meanwhile, Chason Affinity has deliberately not started to market the first-floor retail spaces, although officials have some ideas of potential users. "We wanted to get the building more complete," Chason said. "We think that there's some retail tenants that are kind of missing in the Elmwood Village that would be nice additions, but we really haven't focused on it yet." Maha Hajs drama Mediterranean Fever, which world premiered in Cannes Un Certain Regard sidebar this year, has been selected as Palestines official entry in the best international film category. A committee consisting of Palestinian film professionals, overseen by the countrys Ministry of Culture, made their choice this week. More from Deadline The Haifa-set drama co-stars Amer Hiehel as Waleed, an aspiring writer suffering from chronic depression who cultivates a relationship with a petty criminal neighbor (Ashraf Fara), but with a sinister ulterior motive. The film is Hajs second feature after Personal Affairs, which also debuted in Un Certain Regard in 2016. The filmmaker has explained that the character of Waleed is a reflection of her own dark side and the frustrations of Palestinians living in Israel. One-third of the population of the port city of Haifa, which has been part of Israel since 1948, is Palestinian. Producers on Mediterranean Fever are Baher Aghbariya at Haifa-based Majdal Films; Germanys Thanassis Karathanos and Martin Hampel at Pallas Film; Frances Juliette Lepoutre and Pierre Menahem at Still Moving, and Marios Piperides, Janine Teerling at Cyprus-based Amp Filmworks. Key backers include Germanys Metteldeutsche Medienforderung film fund , Eurimages, the Cypriot Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth, La Region Ile-de-France, Doha Film Institute, Arab Fund for Arts and Culture and Frances lAide aux cinemas du monde fund. Paris-based Luxbox handles international sales. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences first recognized Palestine as a territory in 2003 and since then there have been 15 Palestinian submissions including Mediterranean Fever. Story continues To date, Palestine has scored two nominations for Hany Abu Assads Omar and Paradise Now in 2005 and 2013 respectively. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. John Gibbs, a Republican running for a House seat in Michigan in November, has been condemned online after he was revealed to have complained about women having the right to vote while a student at Stanford. On Wednesday, the 43-year-old was accused of saying that Americans had suffered since women achieved the right to vote in 1920. He apparently made the remark during part of a think tank he established while a student at Stanford University in the early 2000s, CNN first reported. Writing for a group called the Society for the Critique of Feminism, Mr Gibbs argued that women did not posess the characteristics necessary to govern, and said men were smarter than women because they applied logic over emotion, according to archieved version of the website. He added that the United States has suffered as a result of womens suffrage, which he blamed on government overspending and a larger state. It goes without saying that larger government is clearly counter to the basic principle of our free and democratic society, which is that the smallest government is the best government, Mr Gibbs wrote on the page, which includes his name and contact info. He continued: Thus, we conclude that increasing the size and scope of government is unequivocally bad. And since womens suffrage has caused this to occur on a larger scale than any other cause in history, we conclude that the United States has suffered as a result of womens suffrage. Anne Marie Schieber, a spokesperson for Mr Gibbs campaign, told CNN on Wednesday that he did believe women should have a right to vote, in contrast to his earlier views. He is running for Michigans 3rd congressional district. This is the MAGA-mindset. A womans body and mind should be controlled by men. We arent going back. Thats why we have to elect @HillaryScholten. https://t.co/lzx7Id9cEC Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) September 21, 2022 John made the site to provoke the left on campus and to draw attention to the hypocrisy of some modern-day feminists, Ms Schieber was reported as saying. It was nothing more than a college kid being over the top,. Story continues She continued: Of course, John does not believe that women shouldnt vote or shouldnt work, and his mother worked for thirty-three years for the Michigan Department of Transportation! On Twitter, many women and Democrats expressed outrage at Mr Gibbs comments on womens suffrage, with many writing: Oh hell no. Ladies and gentlemen, todays @GOP. The assault on womens rights is in full force. Not on my watch. https://t.co/E0zrAf1nwp Hillary Scholten (@HillaryScholten) September 21, 2022 Catherine The Great, Angela Merkel, Margaret Thatcher. Theresa May, Jacinda Ardern and a long list of current and former female leaders would like a word with him, argued another user, in reference to Mr Gibbs comments on the ability of women to govern. Eric Swalwell, a Republican who famously sued Donald Trump for his role in January 6, meanwhile tweeted: This is the MAGA-mindset. A womans body and mind should be controlled by men. We arent going back. Thats why we have to elect Hillary Scholten (Mr Gibbs Democratic opponent). Ms Scholten herself wrote: Ladies and gentlemen, todays GOP. The assault on womens rights is in full force. Not on my watch. Republicans have increasingly come under attack for rolling-back abortion rights following the decision by the conservative-weighted Supreme Court to overturn abortion righs enshrined in Roe v Wade, with the issue set to be a major deciding fator in Novembers midterm elections. The Independent has approached Mr Gibbs campaign for comment. Ryan Reynolds' Aviation American Gin has opened a Visitor Center where tourists might get a very intimate view of the distilling process. Co-owner Reynolds, 45, made a video introducing the tour, which takes place at the distillery in Portland, Oregon. In typical Reynolds fashion, it contains layers of jokes. "Other distillery tours keep their visitors behind glass, but at Aviation, we know that people truly learn by doing," deadpans the Deadpool actor as he conscripts tourists into doing manual labor throughout the distillery, offering them safety equipment as he sends them to their tasks. RELATED: Ryan Reynolds Gets Polyps Removed After 'Potentially Life-Saving' Preventative Colonoscopy Ryan Reynolds Distillery Aviation Gin Reynolds also says in the video that he expects guests to be more knowledgeable than his employees by the end of the tour. The hilarious video ends with the disclaimer: "No labor actually required." The tour also gives visitors full access to the actor's office, which doubles as an escape room that requires guests to solve a series of puzzles and identify various Easter eggs to get out. "About three years ago, we set out to create a one-of-a-kind distillery and tasting experience to give people the opportunity to get a look at how we make the world's greatest spirit Aviation American Gin, that is. We're thrilled to announce that the Aviation American Gin Distillery is officially open for business in Portland, Oregon and everyone (21 years and older) is welcome," said Reynolds in a media release. "If a grown-up theme park and a bartender fell in love and produced offspring, it would be this gin factory." RELATED: Blake Lively Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby No. 4 with Ryan Reynolds See Her Baby Bump! Ryan Reynolds Distillery Aviation Gin The state-of-the-art, nearly 33,000 sq. ft. facility helmed by industry veteran and Distillery Director, Hollie Stephenson, features an intimate tasting room, exceptional draft cocktail bar and gift shop. The tours will be held in intimate groups of no more than 12 visitors and will cost $28 per person, which includes a guided tasting. Story continues 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. Guests are invited to enjoy the distillery at their leisure and those who are visiting the bar can sip on cocktails and tasting flights (limited to 2.5 oz per day) without participating in the full tour. The distillery will be serving six draft cocktails that will rotate seasonally, starting with Ryan's Nitro Negroni, Fizzy Bees Knees, Grapefruit Collins, Aviation G&T, Saturn, and the Flora Dora. A straight tasting of Aviation American Gin will also be available to purchase for $5. Guests must be 21+ with a valid ID to sample or purchase cocktails. Reynolds is known to insert his humor into his Aviation Gin commercials. In March, he spoofed an airline safety video to celebrate the news that British Airways travelers can now enjoy Aviation Gin cocktails while in-flight and in their lounges in the U.S. and U.K. For Mother's Day, he poked some good old-fashioned fun at his mom, Tammy Reynolds, in a video as the two made a "Mother's Ruin Punch." Shakira Singer Shakira gave a new cover story interview to Elle this week, in which she stridently fired back at charges of tax evasion that have been levied against her by the Spanish government, which is threatening her with up to 8 years in prison. Shakirabacked up by the unimpeachable testimony of her hips, which, wed like to remind readers, do not liederided these claims as fictional, claiming that the nations government is attempting to use her celebrity as a way to coerce other, non-Shakira people into settling in their own tax cases. Read more As weve reported before, the crux of the whole issue comes down to Spains assertion that, between 2012 and 2014, Shakira didnt pay them any taxesdespite taking up residence in Barcelona at least part-time while married to soccer player Gerard Pique. (She also talks about her divorce from Pique in the Elle story; its dramatic times in The World Of Shakira of late.) The Shakira camp, meanwhile, contends that the Colombia-born singer maintained her primary residence in The Bahamas during that period, and, due to international touring, couldnt really be said to have resided in Spain, instead going whenever, wherever the whims of her career took her. (Get it? We spent like 5 minutes trying to get that one to work.) Rather than settling, Shakira is taking the case to trial, telling Elle, Even without evidence to support these fictional claims, as they usually do, theyve resorted to a salacious press campaign to try to sway people, and apply pressure in the media along with the threat of reputational damage in order to coerce settlement agreementsIts just their style. But Im confident that I have enough proof to support my case and that justice will prevail in my favor. In other news that is not related to the bizarre spectacle of Shakira being possibly jailed for the better part of a decade: She also says shes working on new music. Shakira hasnt released a new album since El Dorado in 2017. [via Variety] EXCLUSIVE: Sunset Lane Media has pre-emptively optioned William Neumans non-fiction book Things Are Never So Bad That They Cant Get Worse: Inside the Collapse of Venezuela which they plan to develop into a TV series. The St Martins Press book explores the rich backdrop of a country in turmoil; once a gem of South America with its rich natural resources, it is now far from it. David Beaubaire, CEO & Founder of Sunset Lane Media, will be producing with Kip Azzoni who first approached him about the project. More from Deadline Said Neuman, Im excited to work with David and Kip on a project that will shine a light on the tragic crisis in Venezuela and the suffering of ordinary people there. In my book, I show the human cost as the country went from a bonanza of oil riches to crushing poverty, thanks to populist politics, corruption, and catastrophic mismanagement. Venezuela is a cautionary tale for showing how extreme political polarization can be used to gain and hold onto power, while tearing down the institutions that make democracy work. David Vigliano of AGI Vigilano Literary negotiated the deal on behalf of the author. When I picked up Neumans book, I knew that his stories and backdrop would bring tremendous color, context, and depth to an important story yet to be told on screen. He captures the incongruence of such high highs and low lows, uber wealth and abject poverty, the glorious and the grotesque, as well as the moral code those who blow that bridge to pave their own roads in the gold, they rob from the country they call home, said Azzoni. I am so thrilled Kip brought this amazing project to my attention and for William to entrust us with his extraordinary reporting. Both recount countless unbelievable stories and paint an incredibly vivid picture of a country and its people that I have no doubt will resonate widely and have audiences riveted, said Beaubaire. Story continues Author, producer and documentarian Azzoni wrote her first book, Blood In the Water: Americas Assault on Innovation and is finishing up her most recent documentary Veteran which tells the intimate stories of a group of men and women and their families as they navigate the profound passage from service to civilian life following their tours of duty and finding returning home the hardest part of their journey. Neuman is an author and journalist who reported for The New York Times for more than fifteen years. He served as the Times Andes Region bureau chief from 2012 to 2016 while based in Caracas, Venezuela. He previously reported for the New York Post, and his work has also been featured by the San Francisco Chronicle, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and The Independent, among others. Beaubaire recently produced the Netflix hit Fatherhood with Kevin Hart and the upcoming Netflix series The Night Agent. As a studio exec, Beaubaire was pivotal in a number of prolific movies including The Big Short, Flight, All the Money in the World, Baby Driver, Dreamgirls and Up In the Air among many others. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The post How to Get Tickets to Michelle Obamas 2022 Book Tour appeared first on Consequence. Former First Lady Michelle Obama has announced a 2022 US tour in support of her latest book, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times, and fans will soon be able to grab tickets for the 6-city speaking event, which launches the same day the book arrives, November 15th. I am so excited to share that I will be heading across the country soon to talk with you all about my new book, Mrs. Obama shared in a statement. This book means so much to me its a collection of perspectives and practices Ive used to keep me afloat amid uncertainty. On this tour, Ill be sharing some personal stories and lessons that have helped me along my path, and I cant wait to tell you more. Get tickets here, and read on for more details including pre-sale dates. What Is Michelle Obamas Next Tour? The speaking tour for The Light We Carry kicks off in where else but the Nations Capital, Washington D.C., at Warner Theatre on November 15th. Shell then head to The Cradle of Liberty itself, Philadelphia, for an engagement at The Met on November 18th. After Thanksgiving, the former First Lady resumes her trek at Atlantas Fox Theatre on December 3rd, then heads to Chicago for a hometown show at the Chicago Theatre on December 5th. Shell take the tour to the West Coast for stops in San Francisco on December 10th and the closing event at Los Angeles YouTube Theater on December 13th. Who Is Appearing with Michelle Obama on Tour?The Light We Carry Tour It wouldnt be a total surprise to see some A-list talent joining Obama on her latest book tour. After all, she regularly shared the stage with the Leader of the Free World, joined Oprah for her 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus event, presented at the Grammys with Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys, and invited entertainers like Conan OBrien, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Kimmel to moderate her 2019 arena tour for her last book, Becoming. Story continues How Can I Get Tickets for Michelle Obamas 2022 Tour? Michelle Obama book tour tickets will be available through a Ticketmaster Verified Fan pre-sale that will begin on Wednesday, September 28th at 10:00 a.m. local time. Pre-registration is ongoing and will be open until Monday, September 26th at 3:00 p.m. ET. The general public on-sale will see the release of any remaining tickets on Friday, September 30th at 10:00 a.m. local time. Get tickets via Ticketmaster. What Are Michelle Obamas 2022 Tour Dates? See Michelle Obamas full list of tour dates below, and get tickets to all of her upcoming shows here. Michelle Obama 2022 Tour Dates: 11/15 Washington, D.C. @ Warner Theatre 11/18 Philadelphia, PA @ The Met 12/03 Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre 12/05 Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre 12/10 San Francisco, CA @ Masonic 12/13 Los Angeles, CA @ YouTube Theater How to Get Tickets to Michelle Obamas 2022 Book Tour Bryan Kress Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. Southeast New Mexico College in Carlsbad, New Mexico, which transitioned out of the New Mexico State University system to become an independent community college, installed Dr. Andrew Nwanne as interim president in February as it searched for its new president. Nwanne is among six final candidate for the position, which include administrators from New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs and San Juan College in Farmington. Larry Sanderson, vice president of institutional research and accreditation at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs and Lorenzo Reyes Jr, associate vice president of Workforce, Economic, and Resource Development at San Juan College in Farmington are the only other New Mexicans to make the list. Final candidates for president of Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) include Billy Adams who is vice president of Instruction at Panola College in Carthage, Texas, and Kathy Cecil-Sanchez who is vice president of Instruction at Lone Star College-University Park in Houston. Southeast New Mexico College President Andrew Nwanne speaks during a ceremony celebrating the college's independence, April 11, 2022 in Carlsbad. Vice President of Student Affairs at Owensboro Community and Technical College Kevin Beardmore is also a finalist. Owensboro is located in Kentucky. More:Southeast New Mexico College board selects Dr. Andrew Nwanne as interim president The college announced public forums scheduled for Sept. 26, Sept. 27 and Sept. 28 in which the community can learn more about the final candidates. Questions will be taken from student, faculty, staff and the public for review by a Trustee before being posed to the candidates attending the forums. Those who cannot attend the forum in person may watch live via Zoom. The Board of Trustees of SENMC is expected to announce its decision at a public meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at the college. Candidate selection speaks to college's goal of building vocation, technical reputation Reyes was named director of workforce development at San Juan College in 2016, having been previously employed at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, according to his LinkedIn account. Story continues He became a vice president at the college in 2021, and his time there saw the opening of the Farmington Workforce Connections Center on the college's campus in 2022 and the establishment of the Big Idea Makerspace in 2022, a collaborative space for entrepreneurs and creators in the Farmington community. According to Sanderson's LinkedIn profile, he became vice president for development at the Hobbs college in 2008, advancing to Institution Research and Accreditation Vice President in 2021. Prior to that he was employed by Capella University, an online education institution, and was director of community affairs at the University of New Mexico. Both men have led in colleges serving communities similar to Carlsbad, where technical and vocational education are in high demand among an economy focused on oil and gas, mining and manufacturing. Adam's credentials boast degrees from Tarleton State University, Regis University and Cisco College, according to his Panola College profile. A 2018 article by the Panola Watchman cites Adam's prior 20-year career in the natural gas industry. Panola College is known for its professional and technical education programs and like SENMC boasts a nursing program. Cecil-Sanchez's LinkedIn profile boasts a 20 years career at community colleges, including administration of Lone star College-Tomball and Lone Star College-University Park. Cecil-Sanchez is the only woman in the field of six candidates, Cecil-Sanchez was also a finalist in 2021 for the president position at Northeast Junior College in Colorado, but was not ultimately selected. Cecil-Sanchez has a doctorate in higher education administration from Texas A&M University and taught English, technical communication and literature and served as the English department chair at Lone Star College before taking a vice presidents role in 2015. Beardmore's LinkedIn profile shows he joined Owensboro Community and Technical College in 1999, becoming vice president of student affairs in 2007. Owensboro offers students degree pathways for career and workforce development, according to its website. More information on the candidates is expected to be released by SENMC this week, and the biographies of each candidate are expected to be posted to https://senmc.edu/president-search/presidential-search.html. Transition of SENMC continues Selection of president is a critical step for the college which has been transitioning under the direction of its Board of Trustees and Nwanne for several months. More:SENMC discusses plans for $4 million GO Bond for vocational center, college transition Nwanne was first named interim president in 2020 when the college was still a branch of New Mexico State University following the departure of Dr. The colleges independence was codified into New Mexico state law during last years legislative session in Santa Fe, with the passage of House Bill 212, sponsored by local lawmakers Reps. Cathrynn Brown (R-55) of Carlsbad and Jim Townsend (R-54) of Artesia. More:NMSU Board of Regents discuss property transfer to SENMC The bill passed the House 62 to 7, and the Senate unanimously and it was signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham following the session. Among the recent transition changes were the selection of a college mascot - a mountain lion that students dubbed Eddy. The college also saw the placement of branded signs at the college to replace those that once announced the complex as a branch of NMSU after its official renaming in April. A website with the college's new name and logo was launch earlier this year as well. It is expected that the college will seek approval of a several million dollar general obligation bond in the November general election which officials said would be used for the construction of a technical and vocational facility, a project to be overseen by the new president. Jessica Onsurez can be reached at jonsurez@currentargus.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JussGREAT. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: VPs of Hobbs, Farmington colleges candidates for top position at SENMC While Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was holding up Gen. Qassim Soleimani's photo on Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly podium grieving over his killing by the U.S., Soleimani's picture was being torn down in his home city of Kerman and set on fire by protestors. PHOTO: President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi holds up a photo of slain Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani as he addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 at U.N. headquarters. (Mary Altaffer/AP) Protests against the Iranian regime started across the country last Friday following the suspicious death of a young woman was arrested and detained for allegedly wearing a hijab improperly by hijab police three days earlier. Mahsa Amini, 22, was on a trip to Tehran with her 16-year-old brother when the hijab police, also called the "morality police," arrested her for not wearing the outfit that fully matched the Sharia-based hijab laws of the country. Despite her brothers resistance, she was taken into custody only to be announced dead at a hospital three days later, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency. MORE: As Iranian women are arrested for protesting against hijabs, some make 'forced confessions,' activist says The head of the Forensic Medicine of Tehran said Amini was suffering from a background condition. Her father denied those claims in an interview with the BBC. With the news of Amini's arrest going viral, criticism against hijab laws and the confrontation of the morality police against women intensified on social media. PHOTO: Iranian demonstrators taking to the streets of the capital Tehran during a protest for Mahsa Amini, days after she died in police custody in a photo obtained on Sept. 21, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images) Protests soon developed beyond the morality police after her death and addressed a long list of the Islamic Republics actions over the past four decades. The first big protests broke out on Sept. 17 during Amini's funeral in Saqqez, her home city in northwest Iran. Pictures of the burial protests went viral. The hashtag #MahsaAmini and her name in Farsi got 18 million mentions on Twitter and about 150 million on TikTok, making it the biggest trend on Persian Twitter, BBC Persian reported Thursday. MORE: Iranian official says Salman Rushdie and his fans are to blame for attack Amjad Amini, Mahsa Amini's father, said Tuesday in an interview with Iranian news website Emtedad that the police did not let the family see Mahsa Amini's body. He could only could briefly check her daughters legs and saw they were bruised. Story continues "The person who hit my daughter should be put on trial in a public court," Amjad Amini told the outlet. PHOTO: Iranian demonstrators burning a rubbish bin in the capital Tehran during a protest for Mahsa Amini, days after she died in police custody, in a photo obtained on Sept. 21, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images) While the news program of Iran's state-run TV announced Thursday that 17 people had been killed in the protests, the Iran Human Rights group, IRH, reported that at least 31 people had been killed through Thursday. Videos shared on social media from the protestors show many women burning their headscarves on the streets. Many celebrities have removed their hijab and shared the clips on social media. In an act of solidarity, many men and women from different countries have also shared videos of themselves cutting their hair short and expressing their anger over Mahsa Amini's death. MORE: US airstrikes target Iran-backed militias in eastern Syria President Joe Biden said America supports the growing protests in his address to the U.N. on Wednesday. "Today we stand with the brave citizens and women in Iran who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights," Biden said. The U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Irans morality police "for abuse and violence against Iranian women and the violation of the rights of peaceful Iranian protestors. "Mahsa Amini was a courageous woman whose death in Morality Police custody was yet another act of brutality by the Iranian regimes security forces against its own people," Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen said in a statement Thursday. "We condemn this unconscionable act in the strongest terms and call on the Iranian government to end its violence against women and its ongoing violent crackdown on free expression and assembly." PHOTO: Iranian demonstrators taketo the streets of the capital Tehran during a protest for Mahsa Amini, days after she died in police custody, in a photo obtained on Sept. 21, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images) However, to many Iranians, western countries who negotiate with the Islamic Republic over the nuclear deal are giving the country a chance to buy time and continue its oppression, such words and moves are too little, too late. "I have given up hope from the West. They have proved they only care about the nuclear program not the human rights, Nina, a 35-year-old protestor, told ABC News. Nina did not want her real name mentioned for safety reasons. "All I want from people in the West is not to forget us, especially now that the internet is either cut or very slow," Nina added. "Seeing the people in the world hear and celebrities help us to be heard makes up keep up our spirit." Sarah, 39, a protester from Tehran, said there is a huge "mix of anger, hope and fear" in the protests. "But no matter what, we will stay on the streets," she said. MORE: US response suggests progress in renewing Iran nuclear deal Referring to the main slogans of the protests in different cities, "woman, life, freedom," and "death to dictator," Sarah, who is also not using her real name over fears for her safety, said the movement does not merely address restrictions on women. "Slogans target the very bases of the regime. They address the leader himself calling him a 'shame' to the country," she said. "What matters the most is that these slogans are heard by the world." While the Internet was throttled from the beginning of the protests, it was cut or severely slowed down in the country on Wednesday, according to NetBlocks. In addition, WhatsApp and Instagram --the last social media outlets that were still accessible in Iran-- were filtered in an attempt by the regime to restrict the circulation of information even more severely. "Our anger is definitely overgrowing their power," Sarah said. "I hope people in different countries recognize this anger and their government joins them and stop negotiating with this regime." Iranian women drive protests targeting regime after suspicious death of Mahsa Amini originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Blinken says UN must tell Putin to stop 'reckless nuclear threats' over Ukraine Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday called on the United Nations to send a clear message to Russia's Vladimir Putin demanding an end to his "reckless nuclear threats." Blinken, addressing a U.N. Security Council meeting, said Putin has "doubled down" on the conflict despite concerns from the international community about the months-long invasion of Ukraine. "That President Putin picked this week, as most of the world gathers at the United Nations, to add fuel to the fire he started shows his utter contempt for the U.N. charter, for the general assembly and for this council," Blinken said. "The very international order that we have gathered here to uphold is being shredded before our eyes," he continued. "We cannot, we will not allow President Putin to get away with it." PHOTO: Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a high level meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the situation amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Sept. 22, 2022. (ary Altaffer/AP) Putin on Wednesday announced a partial mobilization expected to conscript 300,000 Russian reservists to the fight after Ukraine recaptured parts of the Kharkiv region earlier this month, making a potential turning point in the conflict. MORE: Has the war in Ukraine reached a turning point? The Kremlin is also moving this week to hold "sham referendums" in Russian-backed regions of Ukraine for people to vote on whether to join Russia. Blinken urged all U.N. members to reject these referendums and declare that all Ukrainian territory will remain part of the Eastern European nation. Blinken said Putin's war was a distraction from other pressing global issues the security council should address, including climate change, famine and international health security. Blinken's Russian counterpart -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov -- was not in the room when the secretary of state spoke. MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates: Antiwar protests erupt across Russia over mobilization Blinken also discussed the mass graves uncovered in the recently recaptured Izium, stating the actions of Russian forces in the northeastern city are not acts of rogue units but fit a "clear pattern." Story continues PHOTO: Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a high level meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the situation amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Sept. 22, 2022. (Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy implored world leaders to punish Russia in his virtual address to the U.N. General Assembly, in which he said Russia wants to prepare another offensive that would include "new Iziums." "Russia wants war," Zelenskyy said. "It's true. But Russia will not be able to stop the course of history. Mankind and the international law are stronger than one terrorist state. Russia will be forced to end this war. Blinken's remarks came one day after President Joe Biden, in his own address to the U.N. General Assembly, rebuked Putin for having "shamelessly violated the core tenants" of the group's charter. Biden called for the U.N. to continue supporting Ukraine as he announced a U.S. commitment of $2.9 billion in global food aid as the war has disrupted supply chains and increased prices. Blinken says UN must tell Putin to stop 'reckless nuclear threats' over Ukraine originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Conservatory, founded by Brian Bolke, will officially open its fourth outpost Friday in Houstons River Oaks District, a 3,300-square-foot natural light-filled space in the outdoor shopping destination. The brand debuted in March 2019 with a gallery in New Yorks Hudson Yards and also has an outpost at Dallas Highland Park Village and The Conservatory on Two in Highland Park Village. Its Napa Valley, California pop-up store closed last December, as planned. More from WWD The Conservatorys Houston store and its website, theconservatorynyc.com, features more than 175 brands and 2,000 products. Categories include womens and mens clothing and accessories, jewelry, well-being (beauty and treatment, bath and body, and candles and fragrances), as well as living (decor and objects, books and paper, and gifts). A view of the The Conservatorys womens area. We are bringing new brands, many with a focus on sustainability and unexpected edits to Houston a discerning city where we are looking forward to becoming a part of the community, Bolke said. In 2014, Bolke sold Forty Five Ten, the Dallas-based specialty store he cofounded in 2000 to Headington Cos., and stayed on as president until August 2017. He then launched an independent consultancy, and spent the next months months formulating his concept for The Conservatory. Built on what it calls considered luxury, key labels include Gabriela Hearst, Maison Margiela and Courreges, all exclusive to Houston, as well as Mugler, Lapointe, Philosophy, Michael Kors Collection, and Texas native, Brandon Maxwell. In accessories and jewelry, featured brands are Metier, Paul Andrew, Neous, Sidney Garber, Mallary Marks, Tabayer, Shihara and Lisa Eisner. Mens brands will include Maison Margiela, NN07, Aspesi and Ron Dorff. Living brands will include Georg Jensen, Saved Cashmere, and Phaidon Books, while well-being includes Perfumer H, DS and Durga, The Harmonist, Costa Brazil, Susanne Kaufmann and Frama. Story continues Fragrances at The Conservatory. The one-level shop features custom American walnut furniture and a matte black metal leopard carpet. Black velvet upholstered deco chairs are mixed with vintage Frank Gehry chairs from the 80s. Custom curtains have The Conservatory logo. A mens display at The Conservatory. The opening will feature an art exhibition, including a large-format abstract painting by Dallas artist William Atkinson, courtesy of the Erin Cluley Gallery. Best of WWD Click here to read the full article. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) New Mexico is bracing for a rapid exodus of up to 100,000 people from subsidized Medicaid health care next year as the federal government phases out special pandemic-era spending and eligibility for the program, the state's top health official told lawmakers Wednesday. State health and welfare officials say the federal government appears likely but not certain to declare an end to its COVID-19 public health emergency in January, curtailing enrollment in Medicaid and leaving a $167 million annual gap in state general fund finances. A legislative panel on Wednesday met to weigh the consequences. The Biden administration plans to give states 60-days notice before making the move. At that point, Health and Human Services Secretary David Scrase said between 85,000 and 100,000 residents are no longer likely to qualify for Medicaid because of increased earnings as they rejoin the workforce. He said a reduction in supplemental assistance for food may also drive people back into the workforce and off Medicaid. We knew this would be coming some day and now it is becoming a part of our budget, Scrase said. State insurance regulators are preparing to help residents make the transition to insurance policies on the state's health insurance exchange with a plan to waive the first monthly charge, according to a policy briefing from the Legislatures accountability and budget office. The state has a new stream of tax dollars dedicated to underwriting health-exchange insurance offerings for low- and moderate-income individuals, along with employees at small businesses. It comes from a new 2.75% tax on health insurance premiums the upfront payments made on behalf of an individual or family to keep insurance active. New Mexico residents flocked to Medicaid insurance for people living in poverty or on the cusp during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the federal government temporarily boosted reimbursements to medical providers and extended eligibility for patients. New Mexico officials say the state has the nation's highest rate of enrollment in Medicaid, and its companion Childrens Health Insurance Program, with a June 2022 caseload of roughly 970,000 people out of 2.1 million state residents. New Mexico is among the states around the country that have made it easier for new moms to keep Medicaid in the year after childbirth, a time when depression and other health problems can develop. Scrase said the state hopes to soon provide continuous Medicaid enrollment for qualified children, to avoid intermittent lapses in enrollment that can interfere with regular medical checkups and immunizations. He said New Mexico would be the second state to adopt the practice. By Michelle Nichols and Elizabeth Piper UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Britain wants to reach an agreement with the European Union to solve post-Brexit trade to Northern Ireland issues quickly, foreign minister James Cleverly said on Thursday, suggesting a softer approach to what has been an intractable dispute. The stand-off over part of the Brexit agreement which governs trade with Northern Ireland is by far the biggest strain between the EU and Britain, which became the first country to leave the bloc on Jan. 31, 2020. A major irritant is Britain's so-called Northern Ireland Protocol bill, which effectively tears up parts of the Brexit divorce deal. It was introduced by Britain's now Prime Minister Liz Truss when she was foreign minister. Cleverly said while the government would pursue that bill and press its passage through parliament, it was simply a "safety net" and his first preference was for a negotiated settlement. Referring to discussions with EU, U.S. and Irish ministers, Cleverly told Reuters: "What I have seen is a collective desire to get this resolved." "I detect a real atmosphere of goodwill," he added. "Our preferred option is, and has always been, a negotiated settlement. That's the tone we will take into the talks." Both sides agreed to the Northern Ireland protocol as a way to avoid reinstating border controls between the British-run province of Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland after Britain left the EU, seen as key to protecting peace on the island. But Britain has since accused Brussels of a heavy-handed approach to moving goods between Britain and Northern Ireland, with pro-British communities in the province saying it erodes their place in the United Kingdom. London wants parts of the agreement to be changed but the EU maintains the protocol is a legally binding treaty freely entered into by London. Its executive, the European Commission, has launched a series of legal proceedings against Britain for breaches of the agreement. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols and Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Josie Kao) World leaders address the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City PRAGUE (Reuters) - The Czech Republic will not issue humanitarian visas to Russian citizens fleeing mobilisation orders, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said on Thursday. Many Russians are trying to leave their country after President Vladimir Putin announced partial mobilisation on Wednesday as Russian forces fighting in Ukraine have suffered heavy losses. "I understand that Russians are fleeing from ever more desperate decisions by Putin. But those running because they don't want to fulfill a duty imposed by their own government, they don't meet the criteria for humanitarian visa," Lipavsky told Reuters. His stance was in line with that of fellow European Union members Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, which border Russia, who said on Wednesday that they would not offer refuge to any Russians fleeing Moscow's mobilisation of troops. One-way flights out of Russia were rocketing in price and selling out fast after Putin ordered the immediate call-up of 300,000 reservists. Finland said on Thursday it was considering barring most Russians from entering the country as traffic across the border from its eastern neighbour "intensified" following Putin's mobilisation order. (Reporting by Robert Muller; Editing by Alistair Bell) There's no season more stunning than fall. The world truly begins to change color in autumn, and the crisp temperatures are a welcome break from the summer heat. Depending on where you live, there are actually ideal windows to see changing leavesand it's not always when you'd expect. We've consulted travel experts to determine the peak leaf peeping timeframes for each region of the U.S., including the Northeast, Southwest, West, Southeast, and Midwest, so that you you can be informed in case you want to take a picturesque road trip close to home. Read on to find out when fall foliage will be best and brightest in your area. READ THIS NEXT: 10 Secret Places in the U.S. to See Fall Foliage. The Northeast The Northeast region of the U.S. is one of the more well-known spots for fall foliage, and if you live in one of the 10 states in the area, you should already be seeing the most vibrant leaves. According to SmokyMountain.com's Fall Foliage Prediction Map, in this region, you'll see the leaves start to change this week, and the foliage will peak before the middle of October. The timing of peak foliage will change year to year, depending on weather, Jason Dempsey, CEO and co-founder of Home City Living explains. As he notes, this region, and New England in particular, is famed for "the magnificent explosion of colors each fall." In 2022, thanks to a drier season, those in the Northeast may see red and orange leaves earlier, but there's always a pattern here. "The fall colors are at their best earlier in the fall the further north you are in the region, and this effect then ripples southwards over the following weeks," Dempsey says. Adrian Todd of the outdoor hiking travel blog Great Minds Think Hike recommends heading up to Acadia National Park in Maine for some spectacular views of expansive foliage. You'll want to visit sooner rather than later, as Maine will see the boldest colors between now and mid-October, per Dempsey's estimates. For those who don't want to go that far north, there are also great spots in New York, including the famed Niagara Falls. Story continues "Anywhere along the Niagara Gorge is spectacular for fall foliage, with peak generally hitting about a week after Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day," Angela Berti, marketing and public affairs manager at Niagara Falls State Park, says, noting that park visitors can head to the southern end of Trail 4 for views of foliage and waterfalls. "For the more adventurous, the view of the changing leaves in the gorge from below is breathtaking, and I recommend the Whirlpool Trail," she says. The Southwest When you think of the Southwest, images of fall foliage probably don't rush to mind. That being said, this region is not without its autumnal displays. "In much of the region, the peak of the fall foliage arrives later than in most of the rest of the country, around mid-late November," Dempsey explains. "However, the farther north you go in the region, and perhaps most importantly, how high you go, can make a big difference." Dempsey suggests checking out elevated areas of northern Arizona between late October and early November. Foliage in the Southwestern portions of the Rocky Mountains will be the prettiest in mid-October. According to the Fall Foliage Prediction Map, in this region, you won't see too many leaves changing before October. READ THIS NEXT: The 6 Best U.S. National Parks to See Fall Foliage. The West If you live out West, fall foliage is best observed in the last few weeks of September through the first few weeks of October, Todd tells Best Life. According to the 2022 Fall Foliage Map, by Halloween on Oct. 31, most of the region will be at its peak or already past peak foliage. Todd recommends going to visit San Juan National Forest in Colorado, where the quaking aspen trees are truly a site to behold. According to the forest's website, this year, you'll first see colors near the Silverton area of the park, and at the tail-end of the foliage season, the best views will be near Pagosa Springs, Purgatory, and Dolores. "The alpine trees begin to glow a golden color this time of year," Todd explains. "Combine that with a sunrise or sunset, and be ready for your jaw to drop." For those in the Pacific Northwest, you can count on colors peaking around the same time as they do in the Northeast, in mid-October, Dempsey says. "Broadly speaking, the same pattern applies here as it does in the Northeast; the further south you go, the later the best of the fall colors will be visible," he explains. Those in the southern part of the region, near the High Sierras of California, will see colors between the middle and end of September. "Here, as well as in northern parts of the state, the fall foliage peak arrives in mid-October, with the rest of the state a little later, in late October and early November," Dempsey says. The Southeast Paying a visit to the Southeast in the fall will offer a nice reprieve from its typically warmer climate, with temperatures hovering between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, Todd says. This region generally changes color later in the year, but again, different areas will see the boldest colors at different times. "As in other regions, two main rules apply: The higher you are, and the further north you are, the earlier the leaves turn," Dempsey tells Best Life. "That's why in the Appalachians of West Virginia, southwards through parts of Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina, the peak of the fall foliage can arrive as early as late September or early October. In lowland Virginia and North Carolina, expect the peak from around the middle of October onwards through to the middle of the following month." Parts of Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama, on the other hand, will see the best colors between the end of October and early November, and can stay vibrant through the end of November. If you want to travel within this region, Todd recommends heading out to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. "The Appalachians along this area are absolutely stunning," he says. For those looking for the perfect time to visit, Alicia Phelps, executive director of the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association, suggests booking a trip during the week of Oct. 17, pointing to data from the Fall Foliage Map. For more travel advice delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. The Midwest After the Northeast starts to change from green to red, yellow, and orange, the Midwest really starts to shine. According to Dempsey, colors in this region also peak at a faster pace. "Here, you'll find the best of the fall foliage in the most northerly states of Michigan and Minnesota in early October," he says. "In mid-October, Iowa, most of Illinois and Indiana and Ohio are the places to go, whereas, by the end of the month, the fall colors are at their most aesthetic in Missouri." Todd recommends taking a trip to the Ozark Mountains in autumn, specifically in the southwest areas of Missouri. "This area is loaded with beautiful lakes such as Table Rock, Stockton, and Bull Shoals," he says. "The forestry makes for beautiful scenery as well." Joshua Haley, founder of the travel blog Moving Astute, also suggests visiting other national parks in the region, specifically Indiana Dunes National Park and Yellowstone National Park. College students across the country are reckoning with the overturn of Roe v. Wade in both liberal and conservative cities. (Photo: Yahoo Life/ Getty Images) This story was originally published on Sept. 22, 2022 at 10:39 a.m. ET, before an Indiana judge blocked the enforcement of the state's abortion ban. Lucy Rath, a 22-year-old rising junior at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., has returned to campus this fall with something new to consider on top of her workload: the overturn of Roe v. Wade. While abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania so far, the state's 1982 Abortion Control Act, now in effect once again because of Roes reversal, requires counseling and a 24-hour waiting period, and abortion government funding is limited (though its all subject to change in the upcoming election). So the potential consequences of Rath traveling to Pennsylvania from her home state of Montana, where the right to abortion is currently protected by the states constitution, are alarming. When deciding whether or not to enroll at F&M, I did take politics into consideration, Rath tells Yahoo Life. "I knew that I wanted to attend a progressive institution located in a forward-thinking community. I felt that F&M, as well as Lancaster city, was a good fit for me in this manner. Now shes not so sure. And shes far from alone. Last year, people werent going in and saying, If I need an abortion, what would be my plan? It wasnt part of the planning process, says Bari Norman, head counselor at Expert Admissions, a concierge service that helps prospective college students identify their best university fit. Now, she adds, students are going to have some conversations that certainly didnt happen previously. An outlier of the Northeast Because of its old Abortion Control Act, Pennsylvania is one of a few Northeast region states with limitations, causing concern for Raths parents. I know that they worry about how difficult it would be to access care since myself and many of my peers do not have access to reliable transportation the nearest Planned Parenthood is 30 minutes from F&M [or] family nearby or the ability to miss multiple days of school to receive this care if needed, she says. Story continues For now, Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, has both signed an executive order to allow out-of-state residents to come to Pennsylvania for reproductive health care services and filed a lawsuit to block restrictions and ensure that abortions remain legal. But with state elections on Nov. 8, those measures hang in the balance despite a recent poll showing that a majority of Pennsylvanians want abortion to remain legal, at least in some cases. Meanwhile, Rath has been concerned with what she sees as the schools lack of communication on the situation. While F&M does not address reproductive health on its website, the colleges office of communications provided a statement to Yahoo Life, noting, in part, that it will continue to support the health of its students through on-campus resources, and that anyone concerned about how the Supreme Court decision may impact them or their loved ones should speak with human resources or their medical provider about resources available to them. For students in Pennsylvania, access to abortion care has become extremely limited. (Collage: Yahoo Life/ Getty Images) Rath plans to remain vigilant when it comes to putting her own safeguards in place. I have talked to many close friends and we are all concerned about the logistics of abortion access in the state, and how we can support one another if need be, she says, noting that theyd strongly consider crossing the border into Maryland to access abortion care, which is available same-day, without any waiting period. Ultimately, she says, I hope that my peers will make informed decisions about their reproductive health. A threat to the Midwest The future of abortion care throughout the Midwest is still in flux for many states, including Michigan. I was heartbroken, Jess DAgostino, 21, a returning senior at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, tells Yahoo Life about the Roe decision. In the matter of moments, I felt like women everywhere were back at square one. We already had so much work left to be done on the road to equality, says DAgostino, a political science major and senior editor for the student-run Michigan Daily newspaper. While she was initially interested in attending college in a blue wall state like Michigan where theres a divide among rural and urban voters political leanings, so she could gain exposure to different perspectives shes now questioning that decision. Originally from New Jersey, DAgostino is among University of Michigans 48% of undergraduates from out of state. And this, she explains, is just a piece of her privilege when it comes to the possibility of abortion bans in Michigan. I am a white woman from a financially stable family, and I am very thankful that if I were in a complicated situation regarding abortion, I would have the means or accessibility to travel, she says. I know that I am supported and protected by my entire family if I am ever in a harmful situation. While abortions remain legal in Michigan following a judges Sept. 7 ruling that the states 1931 ban was unconstitutional, the states Supreme Court has put the question of whether or not to cement abortion rights in the state constitution to a Nov. 8 ballot vote. The Michigan ruling was certainly a positive announcement, DAgostino says. I think this does not indicate that this issue is at all moot. However, I am very thankful there is still time and room to debate and work on the fight for abortion rights in Michigan. And at the University of Michigan, at least, students have been told by the administration that high-quality, safe reproductive care will remain a top priority. Over the state border in Wisconsin, Kelsey Space, a 21-year-old student at University of Wisconsin-Madison, wishes that she had a similar sense of security, telling Yahoo Life that nobody knew how [the overturn] would affect us while returning to campus. And a statement published by the universitys then-interim Chancellor John Karl Scholz reflects that concern. We know this uncertainty may affect some members of our community more than others, the statement reads in part. We will continue to work to understand the full impact of the Supreme Courts decision and assess its implications for the campus community. University Health Services for the school has provided a list of abortion resources and other types of assistance for pregnant students in neighboring states, as physicians within the state are largely operating as if the ban is in place. Statewide, Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, has filed a lawsuit to block a pre-Roe ban, pointing to a pair of inconsistent abortion laws on the books. Space finds a bit of solace in knowing that the liberal city of Madison will continue to lead the charge on pushing progressive laws and advocating for reproductive rights. And DAgostino has pledged to do her part by covering the evolving conversation around Roe v. Wade for The Michigan Daily at every chance I get, she says. Meanwhile, those returning to the nearby state of Indiana face not only uncertainty, but up until Thursday, an outright ban. The state was the first to have lawmakers sign a near-total abortion ban post-Roe, as opposed to others that had trigger laws ready to become activated. On Thursday, a judge blocked the enforcement of Indiana's abortion ban, according to the state ACLU. BREAKING: A judge has granted our request to block enforcement of Indiana's abortion ban. Abortion is once again legal in the state of Indiana. ACLU of Indiana (@ACLUIndiana) September 22, 2022 Matisse Laufgraben, a sophomore at Indiana University in Bloomington, tells Yahoo Life that she was immediately terrified" of the ban. I have never felt so small and so powerless.Matisse Laufgraben Its so difficult to put into words the way I felt when I found out Roe v. Wade had been overturned, she says. I have never felt so small and so powerless. More than anything, I was terrified of the fact that millions of people with the capacity to become pregnant were probably feeling the exact same way I was feeling. The 19-year-old, who is the director of sexual well-being for the universitys student-led Culture of Care, conducts conversations about sex positivity and provides condoms and resources for sexual health care. Aside from the inevitable alarm regarding students lack of access to abortion care within the state, Laufgraben believes the ban will also create a bigger stigma around the existing hook-up culture on campus. I do expect these laws to increase fear and shame, especially for the people who have the capacity to become pregnant. It is put all onto the person who could obtain pregnancy to resist sex and be ashamed of their sexual nature, she says. Indiana University hasnt made any public statements in response to the Supreme Court decision or the states implemented ban, and the school did not respond to Yahoo Lifes request for comment. IU-Bloomingtons health center has removed information about abortion care and resources from its website, while sections for gynecological health and contraception remain. Laufgraben says that the Indiana University Student Government announced plans to provide free emergency contraceptives, including Plan B, to students while funding and supplies last. Laufgraben has taken action herself by co-founding Hoosiers for Choice alongside a fellow classmate. We created this because it was a way to make us feel like we werent powerless. Like our voices mattered, Laufgraben says of the platform built to both inform about and fundraise for resources, and to encourage people to register to vote in the state. In a time like this, yes, we need to feel our emotions and cry our tears. But we also need to fight. That work is behind her decision to stay in Indiana despite being from New Jersey, where her reproductive rights are protected. I see myself continuing my education at IU because I have so much work to do and so many messages I still need to spread through campus, she says. However, I do now urge high schoolers to take into consideration these laws when applying to school. I think it wouldve been something I would have considered when applying. Some students, of course, are facing even more imminent threats. Down South... After we all heard the news [about the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade], a friend called me, Carrington Blair, a junior at Jackson State University, in Jackson, Miss., tells Yahoo Life. She actually found out that she was pregnant. Now, she says, the new abortion restrictions in Mississippi will heavily affect her friends decision-making process. Jackson State is an HBCU, part of the system of Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are widely regarded as meccas of inclusion, advancement and opportunity for Black students. However, roughly 90% of all HBCUs are located in the largely conservative South, complicating the current reproductive-rights situation. As a young Black female, my first thoughts were, like, This is just scary. The world is already scary, but it just keeps getting scarier, says Blair, who now resides in a state where a ready-and-waiting trigger ban prohibits all abortions except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. Blair, who was born and raised in Houston and attended Louisiana State University her freshman year of college, is very familiar with the conservative politics deeply enmeshed with the South. But now, with her friends predicament, its beyond hypotheticals. Students in the South face the strictest abortion laws in the nation. (Collage: Yahoo Life/ Getty Images) Now [my friend] has to decipher whether she wants to keep [the pregnancy] or not ... She didnt tell her mom or dad, but she called the doctors and the clinics, and they are actually telling her on the phone, We do not carry those procedures anymore, we cant help you, she says. Still, Blair, like Laufgraben, has no intention of packing up any time soon. Leaving never crossed my mind, she says. Instead, Blair has found renewed purpose in pursuing her criminal justice degree in a region that could use her help. But over in Texas, which has some of the strictest abortion restrictions in the country, being brave on campus can feel even more difficult. Michelle Udalor, a freshman at Texas Tech in Lubbock, was apprehensive even before the Roe reversal. That was definitely a big hesitation, [the school] being a small town, very conservative. I heard stories about people being [racially] profiled and stuff, Udalor, who is Black, tells Yahoo Life. Coming from Houston, a bigger city, I knew [there were] not going to be as many people that looked like me [in Lubbock]. Further, in 2021, 61% of Lubbock voters backed an ordinance to make it a sanctuary city for the unborn outlawing abortions in the citys limits. The ordinance went into effect in May 2021 a little over a year before Roe was officially overturned. I felt like I wouldn't be accepted for what I believe in.Michelle Udalor As a prospective student with two older siblings who already attended Texas Tech, Udalor had ample opportunity to ponder the possible effects of the move. I felt like I wouldnt be accepted for what I believe in, she says, explaining that the schools reputable nursing program won her over in the end. In Houston, I could easily tell people my beliefs on Roe v. Wade, because a lot of people have the same belief as me. But here its a little bit harder to do that, and you have to be a little bit more hush-hush about it. While shes accepted there will be inevitable differences of opinions over the next four years, she finds solace in knowing that this phase of her life is only temporary, as she has no intentions of making Lubbock her permanent home. Its definitely a place, like, once Im done, I want to leave, Udalor says. Im really just here for the school, which, according to its health centers website, does offer various birth control and reproductive wellness services. Not everyone wants to move away, though. Paxton Smith, who is a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin, doesnt feel that the repeal of Roe v. Wade is a reason to leave her home state. Smith, 19, grew up in Dallas and ignited nationwide pro-choice conversations with her viral 2021 high-school graduation speech. She tells Yahoo Life that even with a strong opposition to the overturning of the landmark abortion case, she has no plans on leaving Texas because of restrictions on abortion rights. I love Texas. I love the culture here. I love being in this place. I love the people, she tells Yahoo Life. Im very fortunate that I do have the resources, if I need them, to be able to travel out of the state [to get an abortion] if push really comes to shove. So for me, I dont think Roe would be a triggering point for me to move out. Texass trigger law, which went into effect on Aug. 25, makes all abortions illegal, from the point of fertilization, with the exception of a life-threatening physical condition aggravated by, caused by, or arising from a pregnancy. There are no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. Further, termination of pregnancy by medical providers is now a felony offense, leaving doctors to face fines of $100,000 or life in prison. The whole situation is really scary to me, because Texas passed the abortion ban when that was an unconstitutional ban ... and got away with it. And now Roe has been overturned, but they still let that [state law] stand when it was in place, Smith says, referring to the Texas Heartbeat Act, banning abortion after six weeks, well before many women even know they are pregnant. Still, politics did play a role in her decision to attend college in a famously liberal Texas city. I did want to go to a school that was not conservative, where a lot of the students werent conservative, she explains. As for what her future holds, Smith says motherhood may change her stance. I do want children, but I dont know if Texas is the safest place to be pregnant, she explains. Moving out of the state might be the best choice for me if I choose to start a family, not just for my health and the health of my future baby, but also for their basic rights. What options are open to them when they need them? Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here. An Australian court heard an account of an unusually complicated robbery last week: Prosecutors have alleged that two home invaders were confronted by a knife-wielding man who was upset they interrupted his cooking of a cheesecake. The situation then spiraled into a police pursuit that involved something hidden in clenched buttocks. Read on to find out how it all went down. 1 Robbers Forced Their Way Through the Garage Australia's ABC News reports that James Gregory Elliott and Jackson Cory Aldred are charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, and damage to property in the 2020 home invasion. On Tuesday, prosecutors presented their case to the country's highest court, saying the two men forced their way into a home through the garage around 10 p.m. on July 7 of that year. 2 They Brought Gun and Machete One of the men allegedly pointed a gun at the homeowner, who was in the garage, and demanded his car keys and money, while the other man hit him on the shoulder with a machete. Prosecutors said the men proceeded into the house, where the fateful encounter with the frustrated baker occurred. 3 They've Ruined His Cheesecake Once they were inside the home, Elliott and Aldred were confronted by a man who was visiting the victim and was cooking a cheesecake. Prosecutor Beth Morrisroe said the man was holding a large carving knife and told the pair: "Well you've [messed up] my cheesecake, game on!" 4 Numerous Items Stolen It was then that an already complicated burglary got even more elaborate. "I was just really flustered about what was going on because I was really scared," the man told police. "I was putting a lot of my thought onto [the man with the gun] because I thought he was going to shoot my feet. He had it pointed at my feet." ABC News reports that the pair of burglars stole a portable safe, then came back, kicked down the front door, stole a handbag belonging to the homeowner's mother, then fled. But more wacky developments were still to come. Story continues 5 Police Tailed Suspects to Nearby Home A witness saw the duo leave the scene in a white car with a damaged tailgate and missing grill. Police said they located the car parked outside another home nearby about an hour later. The two thieves were inside, they added, and one was holding the keys to the car "between his clenched buttocks." And it is here that the case came to a swift conclusion: Searching the car, the police found all the stolen loot and robbery paraphernaliathe handbag, safe, a fake handgun, and a machete, which contained the victim's DNA. According to Riotact, the prosecution is expected to continue presenting evidence through next week. A national group said it filed a complaint Wednesday against Attorney General Derek Schmidt, arguing he should be sanctioned for signing onto a 2020 lawsuit seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election. A national group said it filed a complaint Wednesday against Attorney General Derek Schmidt, arguing he should be sanctioned for signing onto a 2020 lawsuit seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election. The complaint is the latest in what Schmidt's office said are a series of objections filed with Kansas Office of the Disciplinary Administrator, the office housed within the Kansas Judicial System that handles attorney discipline, in 2021. "All were dismissed, and we expect this election-year retread will be, too," John Milburn, a spokesperson for Schmidt, said in an email. The most recent complaint was lodged by the group The 65 Project, which describes itself as "a bipartisan, nonprofit effort to protect democracy," though it appears to almost exclusively target conservative elected officials and attorneys. More:'There's just more politics today': Derek Schmidt's gubernatorial bid and a flurry of lawsuits underscore new era The group filed complaints Wednesday against 15 current or former attorneys general who filed a brief in support the 2020 lawsuit, launched by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, attempting to invalidate election results in four swing states that supported President Joe Biden and instead swing their support to Trump. The suit attempted to stop Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin from certifying their election results, arguing those states changed election law via non-legislative means. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case a week later, saying Texas did not have standing to challenge the results in another state. Schmidt has defended the decision to sign onto the suit but also acknowledged the high court's decision not to take up the case, saying at the time that it is time to put this election behind us." Schmidt is currently running as the Republican nominee for governor, challenging incumbent Democrat Gov. Laura Kelly. Complaint says signing onto Texas lawsuit violated rules barring frivolous, dishonest conduct In the complaint, Michael Teter, the 65 Project's managing director, argued Schmidt violated four rules of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct, saying the Texas lawsuit was frivolous, burdened other parties, was dishonest and that Schmidt signing the brief amounted to helping other attorneys violate rules of professional conduct. Story continues The text of the complaints largely mirrors those filed against the other Republican attorneys general. "Mr. Schmidt chose to offer his professional license and public trust to Mr. Trumps arsenal during the latters assault on our democracy," Teter wrote. "He cannot be shielded from the consequences of that decision simply because he holds high public office." A letter from Kate Baird, a deputy disciplinary administrator for the ODA, responding to a 2021 complaint rejected many of the claims made by Teter. Baird said their analysis centered on claims that Schmidt's conduct supported a "frivolous" lawsuit but ultimately dismissed the idea. Multiple U.S. Supreme Court justices dissented from the high court's decision not to hear the case, adding weight to the effort, and "this office should not substitute our judgement for that of the Attorney General," Baird wrote. "Even though the case did not result in substantive success, this office cannot conclude that the attorney's decision to join other jurisdictions in submitting a brief asserting a claim that he perceived as implicating a Kansas state interest was baseless or frivolous," she said. The 65 Project filing also criticizes Schmidt's involvement with the Republican Attorney Generals Association and its political arm, the Rule of Law Defense Fund, which produced robocalls encouraging people to march to the U.S. Capitol the day before the Jan. 6 insurrection. Schmidt has distanced himself from the robocalls, with a spokesperson saying at the time that he resigned from the group's board in August 2020 and had no engagement with the group since. More:Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt distances himself from robocalls encouraging rally attendance A staffer for the ODA said the agency could not confirm whether a complaint had been lodged, only if an attorney has been disciplined or a hearing has been scheduled in the matter. Schmidt's law license is currently active and in good standing. The law licenses of attorneys more actively involved in the effort to challenge the 2020 election have been implicated in other states, though this has generally been initiated by state bar associations themselves, rather than as a response to outside complaints. The State Bar of California announced in March it is reviewing the law license of John Eastman, a Trump attorney, and Rudy Giuliani has been suspended from practicing law in both New York and Washington D.C. And a disciplinary committee for the State Bar of Texas filed a misconduct lawsuit against Paxton in May, arguing he made "dishonest" representations about evidence of election fraud in 2020 and should be sanctioned. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Group files complaint against Derek Schmidt over 2020 election lawsuit Wales penultimate game before the World Cup ended in a 2-1 Nations League defeat by Belgium in Brussels. Kevin De Bruyne and Michy Batshuayi rewarded Belgiums first-half dominance with well-worked goals and Wales looked as if they may suffer a hiding. But Kieffer Moore halved the deficit five minutes after the interval, and Robert Pages side produced a much-improved second-half performance to offer encouragement two months before the World Cup in Qatar. Wales will head into their final Nations League game at home to Poland on Sunday with their survival hopes intact. Polands 2-0 home defeat to Holland means that bottom-placed Wales can leapfrog them with a Cardiff victory and remain in the top tier of European football. Wales had been disrupted by injuries with Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies, Harry Wilson and Joe Allen all missing out. Skipper Gareth Bale was among the substitutes following his late arrival into camp from the United States on Tuesday. Bale, who has been slowly building up his fitness stateside ahead of the World Cup, had played for Los Angeles FC in the early hours of Monday morning UK time. This was the ninth meeting between the two countries over the last decade, with Wales having held their own with two wins, two defeats and four draws in that time. De Bruyne had said before the game he was bored of playing Wales so much, but the Manchester City midfielder did not show it as he produced a masterful performance. Brennan Johnson had scored a late equaliser when the sides met in Cardiff three months ago, and the Nottingham Forest winger formed a three-pronged attack alongside Moore and Daniel James. Story continues Wales Gareth Bale, left, and Belgiums Kevin De Bruyne in discussion during the match in Brussels (Tim Goode/PA) Belgium had seven starters in the side that lost to Wales in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, including De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and skipper Eden Hazard. Wales started in confident fashion but fell behind after 10 minutes when Batshuayis cross found De Bruyne and he casually guided it past Wayne Hennessey, who got a hand to the shot. Youri Tielemans and Hazard were within inches of doubling the lead and De Bruyne, revelling in the generous space afforded to him, thudded a shot against a post. De Bruyne soon set up Belgiums second after 37 minutes, rolling a defender superbly and crossing for Batshuayi to convert the simplest of tap-ins. There was brief respite for Wales as Joe Rodon went close and Courtois parried Ethan Ampadus follow-up header. But Wales were only spared falling further behind when Hennesseys outstretched leg pushed another De Bruyne effort around a post. Wales got back in the contest with a goal out of nothing. Wales Kieffer Moore and Belgiums Axel Witsel wait for a free-kick to come in (Tim Goode/PA) Johnson twisted and turned his way towards the Belgium box with a mazy 40-yard run, and Moore rose at the far post to head home his cross in style. Wales sent on Bale just after the hour mark and he was soon in the action, meeting a James cross that was deflected over. Belgium were awarded a penalty for a foul on De Bruyne. But replays showed that Joe Morrell had made contact with the ball and the decision was overturned on VAR review. LONDON (AP) Amnesty International accused Egypt on Wednesday of attempting to cover up a decade of unrelenting violations of human rights" in order to improve its international standing ahead of hosting the world climate summit. Egypts human rights record has come under intensified scrutiny ahead of the November global COP27 summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Dozens of international rights groups have called on Egypt to end its crackdown on civil society and protect freedom of expression. Wednesday's 48-page report by Amnesty urged the Egyptian government to implement changes and stop abuses, citing a relentless clampdown on dissent, rollback of personal freedoms and mass incarcerations after President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi came to power in 2013. Rights groups estimate that thousands of political prisoners are held in Egyptian jails. The international community must ... pressure the Egyptian authorities to take meaningful steps to end the cycle of abuse and impunity, the report said. Amnesty recommended the government act to advance workers rights, end arbitrary detention and outlaw censorship of independent media. The London-based group said its findings were based on interviews with victims of human rights violations and lawyers, as well as other documentation and Amnesty publications compiled over the past decade. The Egypt government, which has sought to rectify its international image over the past year, did not immediately comment on Amnesty's latest report. Egyptian officials have not responded to The Associated Press' request for comment. El-Sissi's government has recently released dozens of high-profile detainees under presidential pardons and established a new strategy" to upgrade human rights conditions. Amnesty described the strategy as a shiny cover-up" used to broker favor with foreign governments and financial institutions. El-Sissi has also announced a national dialogue that will include voices of the opposition for later this year. But there is scepticism over how that will translate into reality as some of the most prominent activists and former political figures remain in jail. Story continues Egypt security forces rearrested Sherif el-Roubi, a co-founder of the pro-democracy April 6 movement, just three months after his release from detention, according to rights lawyer Negad el-Borai. El-Roubi, a father of three, was arrested over the weekend after speaking out about the hardships he and other released activists face as former political prisoners in a phone interview with Al-Jazeera satellite television channel. On Tuesday, Egypts presidential pardon committee said prosecutors ordered the release of 23 pre-trial detainees, days after 46 others were reported freed. It remains unclear how many from both groups have actually walked free. U.S. government officials told The Associated Press last week that the Biden administration would give Egypt $170 million of annual military aid from a tranche of $300 million, an amount withheld on condition of the countrys improvement in human rights. The release of 500 political detainees and Egypts efforts on fostering national dialogue were cited as an improvement. 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. Human Rights Watch estimated in 2019 that as many as 60,000 political prisoners are incarcerated in Egyptian prisons. El-Sissi has said in the past that the country has no political prisoners and justified detentions on grounds of national security. In this episode of Intelligence Matters, host Michael Morell speaks with senior fellow at the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Karim Sadjadpour about a potential new nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran. Sadjadpour says the Iranians don't believe the Biden administration has a plan B to for the deal, leading Iran not to feel any real urgency about reaching a compromise. Sadjadpour also discusses what a Iran deal would mean for the Biden administration in a domestic political context ahead of the midterm elections. HIGHLIGHTS: Iran and compromise: "In my view, there's a clear formula when you look at the instances in which Iran has compromised over the last four decades, most recently being the nuclear deal of 2015. I think three boxes need to be checked. One, they need to be faced with significant multilateral pressure. So not just unilateral U.S. pressure, but they need to feel that they don't have an out card with Beijing and Moscow and Europe. Number two, it requires direct U.S. engagement, U.S. resolve. And number three, I think you have to articulate to Iran a concrete, limited endgame."Iranian government's view of Biden administration: "I think from the vantage point of the Iranian government, they at the moment believe that the Biden administration has telegraphed that they're totally committed to reviving this deal and that they haven't articulated any Plan B. And so from the Iranian vantage point, they feel like, they don't feel a sense of urgency to compromise. Even though, as I said this, a lack of a deal, the sanctions which Iran is experiencing have caused the country, the people of Iran, they've caused enormous hardship across the country, an enormous amount of money. But the economic well-being of the people of Iran has never been the first or even secondary concern, a driving force, a decision-making factor of the Islamic Republic."Potential Iran deal and U.S. domestic politics: "I think for the president, he realizes that this deal is probably going to be, if the deal is revived, the impact is probably net negative for him in a domestic political context. Meaning every single Republican, with the exception of Rand Paul, will probably oppose the deal's revival and some key Democratic allies like Senator Robert Menendez, Chuck Schumer, who both voted against the deal in 2015, are not enthusiastic about it this time. So you never win points in the context of domestic American politics by appearing to ease pressure against the regime whose official slogan is Death to America." Download, rate and subscribe here: iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher. INTELLIGENCE MATTERS: KARIM SADJADPOUR PRODUCER: PAULINA SMOLINSKI MICHAEL MORELL: Karim, let's jump right in here. In mid-August, it looked like we were close, perhaps, very close to a deal that would return the United States and Iran to the 2015 nuclear deal, the so-called JCPOA, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. But at the last minute, the Iranians made additional demands. And it now looks like, the talks are stalled yet again. I'm wondering why the back and forth with the Iranians, why did they appear in August to accept the deal? Was that just the negotiators? Why did they flip flop? What's your sense of what's going on in Tehran as they think about the deal? KARIM SADJADPOUR: Michael, I'm always reminded of Warren Buffett's famous investment advice. He says, 'be greedy when others are fearful and be fearful when others are greedy.' And in the Iranian context, I often think, be pessimistic when others are overly optimistic and be optimistic when others are overly pessimistic. The reason I say this is I think that when we in the West, the United States or our European partners appear and we say publicly, we think a deal is imminent. I think that the Iranians probably feel, 'okay, we can try to extract more concessions because they really badly want this deal, and we can try to get some more in return in exchange.' And so on one hand, I think when we're overly optimistic that it kind of makes them get a little more greedy. At the same time, I think history has proven, we have a 43 year case study of the Islamic Republic, and the instances in which they've compromised, you can really count them on one hand. It's when they've been under very significant duress. And they feel that perhaps the window for a deal is closing. If they feel that the JCPOA, the nuclear deal, is in their back pocket, it's on the table, they can get that whenever they want to. They have no fear that that opportunity is closing. I think that they have a sense of complacency, perhaps no sense of urgency, and they can continue to try to extract more concessions. So in many ways, Michael, I think that although this is a negotiation about a very large nuclear program, what is driving these negotiations, in my view, from certainly the Iranian end, it's not driven by economic imperatives. It's not really driven by defense imperatives. I think this negotiation is much better understood through the prism of psychology and politics. In my view, there's a clear formula when you look at the instances in which Iran has compromised over the last four decades, most recently being the nuclear deal of 2015. I think three boxes need to be checked. One, they need to be faced with significant multilateral pressure. So not just unilateral U.S. pressure, but they need to feel that they don't have an out card with Beijing and Moscow and Europe. Number two, it requires direct U.S. engagement, U.S. resolve. And number three, I think you have to articulate to Iran a concrete, limited endgame. What that means is that if you aspire for a maximalist endgame, you want to totally eliminate their nuclear program. You have ten out of ten goals. You're going to get zero out of ten. And so I would say right now, we have articulated to them that our endgame is simply a revival of the nuclear deal, nothing more, nothing less. I think there has been direct US engagement, although the Iranians have refused to meet directly with with U.S. officials after the assassination of Qasem Soleimani. The supreme leader outlawed direct contacts with the United States. And we essentially accepted that, which I'm not sure was the right approach. But I would argue that they don't feel a sense of economic urgency for various reasons. Number one, I think the sanctions against them are pretty onerous, but they haven't really been enforced. Iran's oil exports have gone up quite significantly. They're exporting a lot to China. But the broader geopolitical context in 2022 is different than it was in 2015 when the JCPOA was signed. It is more difficult for the United States to work with China and Russia toward a common end. But I would argue that certainly it is in the interests of China and our European partners to have this deal revived. In the case of Russia, I think that they perhaps have different interests. I don't think it behooves Russia to see Iran emerge from economic isolation and start to compete with Russia in global oil and gas markets. MICHAEL MORELL: Karim, you also said something really interesting when you said this is really not about the nuclear deal. This is about psychology. Does the psychology point go beyond just a negotiating strategy? Is it deeper than that? KARIM SADJADPOUR: I definitely think that psychology and politics are important prisms through which to understand these negotiations. So in the political context, you're dealing with an Iranian government that is likely in the coming years going to be undergoing a leadership transition. The current supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is 83 years old. He's one of the longest serving autocrats in the world. There's constant rumors about his poor health, including as we speak there's rumors about it. I'm not arguing that he's on his deathbed. But I do think that the system in Iran is already covertly anticipating what is going to be the impact of this transition. And yet powerful forces that Khamenei himself has appointed over the years, senior Revolutionary Guard commanders who believe that it's in their interests and the interests of these hardliners to preserve this atmosphere of hostility with the United States. Security forces tend to benefit from an atmosphere of insecurity. And so they don't want to be entangled into diplomatic agreements with the West, with the United States. And so those forces have certainly played a role in trying to prevent these negotiations from succeeding, even though that's cost the country an enormous amount of money. According to even rough calculations, if you look at both the sunk costs of Iran's nuclear program and the lost economic opportunities in the form of sanctions, even a conservative estimate is that it's cost the country over $200 billion for a nuclear program that provides less than 1% or around 1% of Iran's energy needs. So the politics of it is very important. In terms of the psychology of it, I think it's a challenge for the United States to have a positive sum negotiation with an adversary that really has a zero sum worldview. I think from the vantage point of the Iranian government, they at the moment believe that the Biden administration has telegraphed that they're totally committed to reviving this deal and that they haven't articulated any Plan B. And so from the Iranian vantage point, they feel like, they don't feel a sense of urgency to compromise, Even though, as I said this, a lack of a deal, the sanctions which Iran is experiencing have caused the country, the people of Iran, they've caused enormous hardship across the country, an enormous amount of money. But the economic well-being of the people of Iran has never been the first or even secondary concern, a driving force, a decision making factor of the Islamic Republic. MICHAEL MORELL: You talked about the supreme leader and his age and rumors about his health. It reminds me that ever since 2003, when Iran stepped back from an actual nuclear weapons program, as opposed to an uranium enrichment program, which you're talking about now, that he's been risk averse, quite risk averse regarding actually building a weapon. The assessment of all these analysts in the world is that they're not interested in getting a weapon. They're interested in getting to the threshold of a weapon. And I'm wondering, is your sense that- is there any debate on that in Iran? And what's the risk when he dies that Iranian policy with regard to an actual weapon could change? KARIM SADJADPOUR: As you said, Mike, my friend, CIA Director Bill Burns has said even somewhat recently that the CIA's assessment hasn't changed. They don't see any evidence that Iran is actually going to make a mad dash towards weaponizing their nuclear program. The the the model often referred to Iran's ambitions is the Japan model to have a nuclear weapons capability to eventually kind of inch towards being a screwdriver, turn away from having a nuclear weapon, but to not actually cross that threshold like North Korea and detonate a bomb. At age 83, Ayatollah Khamenei is perhaps not going to change tack. That's the strategy that he's employed over the last two decades. Perhaps he's unlikely to make a rash move. But as you said, there's no guarantees that the next Iranian leader is going to have the same calculations. When you look at that history over the last two decades, you could see how an Iranian military commander could make an argument that it perhaps behooves the regime to actually change strategies and start to weaponize the program. You look at the example of Iraq. Saddam Hussein gave up his nuclear program, making them vulnerable to a U.S. invasion. Likewise, Moammar Gadhafi in Libya, gave up his nuclear program, making them vulnerable to to NATO's invasion. Ukraine gave up the nuclear program after the collapse of the Soviet Union, making it vulnerable to a Russian invasion. Whereas North Korea, despite being one of the most repressive regimes on earth, has continued to stay around. And you know how? Because in part they have a nuclear weapon. So it's easy to see how an Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander could argue for weaponizing their program. But I also think that the Iranians are probably mindful of the fact that their program has been pretty heavily penetrated by US intelligence, by Israeli intelligence, and there's been remarkable amount of sabotage operations, whether that's explosions happening in Iran's nuclear facilities or the assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientists. So I don't think it's as simple as Iran simply making that decision that they're going to weaponize and getting easily from point A to point B. I think if they do decide one day, if a future Iranian leader decides they do want to pursue nuclear weapons, I don't think it's going to be easy. And it could well trigger either a US or Israeli military attack. MICHAEL MORELL: Karim, I want to shift to the U.S. side of things. You said earlier that the Iranians believe that we are desperate for a deal. I'm wondering if it's your assessment that that is the case. And I ask that because this isn't the greatest deal on the planet. This deal is not as good as the 2015 deal. The politics aren't great here for the president. And he's got you got 14 senators in his own party that are opposed to the deal. He's got Iranian attempts to assassinate a former senior Trump administration official in retaliation for the killing, the U.S. killing of Qasem Soleimani, the head of the IRGC Quds Force. There are not a lot of positive things here. So are the Iranians right when they think we're desperate for this deal? KARIM SADJADPOUR: Michael, I wouldn't use the word desperate. I would use the word committed. There's a perception in Tehran that the United States is absolutely committed to reviving the JCPOA. And I think that so far has proven to be an accurate assessment. We've continued to say that there's no good alternative to reviving the deal. We have been reluctant to articulate any Plan B. Every month we've said to the Iranians that time is running out, this is the last chance. But when you say that for a year and a half, the Iranians perhaps don't take it to heart because they feel like, as I said, that the JCPOA is always on the table for them and they can just continue to try to hold out for more concessions and hope that we will cave. But you are right that the political context in 2022, I say the geopolitical context is different now than it was in 2015 when the nuclear deal was signed. And also the domestic political context is different. And one of the things that's different now compared to 2015 is that the Biden administration has zero illusions that a nuclear deal with Iran may strengthen moderate forces in Tehran or may help lead to a US-Iran rapprochement. In 2015 the Obama administration did have hopes that this could bring about a different US-Iran relationship, almost perhaps lead to a Nixon to China type rapprochement. Secretary Kerry, I think, held out hope for that. And I think to some extent President Obama did as well. And I don't think that there's any allegiance now that the Biden administration has. And as you mentioned, I think for the president, he realizes that this deal is probably going to be, if the deal is revived, the impact is probably net negative for him in a domestic political context. Meaning every single Republican, with the exception of Rand Paul, will probably oppose the deal's revival and some key Democratic allies like Senator Robert Menendez, Chuck Schumer, who both voted against the deal in 2015, are not enthusiastic about it this time. So you never win points in the context of domestic American politics by appearing to ease pressure against the regime whose official slogan is Death to America. MICHAEL MORELL: I want to come back to this point about the Iranians trying to get revenge for the death of Qasem Soleimani. It's absolutely clear that they have their eyes on former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former national security adviser John Bolton and some others. The Iranians are clearly able to separate the nuclear deal from getting that revenge. How do you think we should think about that? KARIM SADJADPOUR: I know it's a major concern right now for the Biden administration, how to deter Iranian plots to assassinate former Trump administration officials like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former national security adviser John Bolton. There also has been ongoing plots to assassinate Iranian human rights activists in the United States. A close friend of mine, Masih Alinejad, she's one of Iran's top women's rights activists. There's been attempts on her life. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. And I'm told that so far, U.S. attempts to privately relay to Iran that there will be a major penalty for this has not deterred Iran and that these plots are ongoing. In the event that Iran succeeds in either killing a former senior U.S. official or killing an Iranian American civil rights activist on U.S. soil, this is going to probably trigger a major debate in the Biden administration. How do you react to that? You have to do something. If you simply sit on your hands and don't react, Iran will probably feel like they can do it again. They feel emboldened that they can act with impunity. We've witnessed this with Vladimir Putin over the last decade. He waltzed into and to Georgia and to Crimea and to Syria without penalty and that led them to think that he could attack Ukraine with impunity. Iran has done this in the regional context as well. So they feel they've prevailed in Syria and Iraq and Lebanon and Yemen. So at the moment,, both regionally and vis a vis adversaries in terms of these plots to avenge the life of Qasem Soleimani, there's a danger that Iran feels like it can act with impunity. And so obviously we want to do everything in our power to deter them. So far, that hasn't worked. And so the question is, if indeed they succeed, how do we react? There's not a whole lot of precedent for that. MICHAEL MORELL: I'm going to ask a question about the bigger context here around Iran's malign behavior in the region. It was my sense in 2015 that once the Obama administration signed the deal that they sort of closed the Iran file. They felt they were done with Iran rather than pushing back against what the Iranians were doing in the region, which our allies wanted us to do. I remember the president giving a speech where he was defending the Iran deal by saying, 'look, we made arms control agreements with the Soviet Union throughout the Cold War. And we did it because that was in our interests.' And what struck me was that's absolutely true. But at the same time, we were making arms control agreements we were pushing back against Soviet aggression all over the world. And so I'm wondering if the Biden administration really understands that if they make a nuclear deal, there is still an Iran issue to be dealt with? KARIM SADJADPOUR: It's a great question, Michael. And I recommend to people the great work of the Yale historian John Gaddis about America's Cold War strategy. In his book Strategies of Containment he talks about the three pronged approach that worked vis a vis the Soviet Union. As you mentioned, arms control is one element of it. Countering their external ambitions is another element. And there's a third element, which is trying to support the forces of change. In the case of Ronald Reagan, it was within Russia and in the case of Iran, obviously supporting those inside Iran who want to see a different form of government. And and so that's why even though the Obama administration said this is only a nonproliferation agreement, the reality is that you have to have a broader strategy, because what ends up happening is that in the context of doing a nonproliferation deal with Iran, you unencumbered them financially. You are giving them a major cash injection, perhaps tens if not even hundreds of billions of dollars if they're able to sell their oil freely on the open market. And some of that money obviously goes to Iran's regional proxies, whether that's, Houthis in Yemen, Shia militias in Iraq, Lebanese Hezbollah, Bashar Assad. And if you talk to U.S. partners in the Middle East, whether it's Israel or Gulf countries, what they'll tell you is that they're less worried about being nuked by Iran and they're more worried about the drones, the missiles, the increasing precision rockets which Iran and its proxies are using on a daily basis. If we're able to revive the nuclear deal, that's not the finish line. It needs to be embedded in a broader strategy vis a vis Iran. I think that like any administration, there are different views within it. There are some who believe that the Middle East and Iran are not really a priority, and the only priority is to revive the nuclear deal. And then the focus needs to be on Russia and China. But as you know better than myself, you don't have the luxury of just focusing on one or two regions when you're the US government. The worldview of the Iranian government is not going to change. It's been consistent for 43 years. I would argue they've had a more consistent and enduring ground strategy than any governments in the world over the last four decades. One of those strategies is to help bring down the US led world order. They're willing to partner with anyone, whether that's China, Russia, Venezuela or North Korea in order to do that. We've seen Iran openly side with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. As much as we would like to de-escalate with Iran and not have an adversarial relationship with Iran, you can't make amends with a regime which needs you as an adversary for its own internal legitimacy. MICHAEL MORELL: You mentioned our allies and partners in the Middle East. Is there a uniformity of views there about the deal or are there some important differences? KARIM SADJADPOUR: I think there's a difference between our Middle East partners and our European partners. I think there's virtually unanimity among the Europeans that a revival of the nuclear deal is in their national security interest, and the Europeans believe it's in the interests of stability in the Middle East, although there's differences among some of the partners in terms of how you best reach a deal. Now, when it comes to our regional partners, here we're talking about Israel and Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar. I would say that the Israelis are much more sensitive about the nuclear file in particular. Iran is something like 20 times larger than Israel. And given that Israel is a nation born out of the Holocaust. So they feel you can't take a chance with an adversary that believes your existence is illegitimate. There's no margin of error. You can't allow an adversary that believes that to acquire a nuclear weapon. Whereas I think the Gulf countries are less focused on Iran's nuclear ambitions and much more focused on the proxies. And again, the precision rockets, missiles and drones, which Iran's proxies have been using to target civilian outposts in the UAE and Saudi Arabia and Iraq as well. MICHAEL MORELL: Does Israel have a plan B? If it's arguing against the deal, what would their plan B be? KARIM SADJADPOUR: When I had to prepare to testified before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee a couple of months ago. And in preparation for that, I really tried to talk to a lot of people from the left and right end of the spectrum about what is a prudent strategy, what are alternative strategies that I may be missing. And I found this is a frustrating policy issue because like many issues, there's no silver bullet, there's no solution. And it's a challenge which you have to manage. The Israelis and folks on the right in the United States would say it just requires more pressure. You need another maximum pressure campaign to either force the Iranian government to capitulate or implode. Those on the left end of the spectrum would say, no, you just have to be more solicitous towards them, take a softer approach, offer more incentives. But really, neither approach has worked. The only thing that's really worked over the last four decades is actually the combination of the two, which is significant multilateral pressure coupled with very rigorous diplomacy. I think that part of the challenge here, Michael, is that that denouncing a nuclear deal with Iran, it makes for good politics in both Israel and the United States for understandable reasons. Because Iran's leadership often behave like Disney cartoon characters, caricatures of villains. Like the way they say the things, Holocaust denial, death to America, the repression of women, of ethnic minorities, religious minorities. It's a tough argument. It's a tough political argument to say we should be easing pressure on Iran and lifting sanctions against them. It's a much easier political argument to say we should be tougher on this regime whose identity is premised on death to Israel and death to America. But this is where you see differences between the politicians and the security establishments who say, you know what, as much as we are concerned about lifting sanctions against Iran. And yes, this deal has its shortcomings. But what is the viable alternative? I haven't really seen any viable alternative that you can hang your hat on to a diplomatic agreement with Iran. Now, I'm not trying to argue that I think the way the Biden administration has pursued this revival of this deal has been flawless. My critiques of it are like many others. But I think there's no good alternative to a diplomatic agreement with Iran that hopefully buys us some time. MICHAEL MORELL: Karim, what happens, do you think, if there's a breakdown in the talks and there is no deal? What's your guess? KARIM SADJADPOUR: It's interesting because I think that both the United States and Iran have an interest in making it appear that they're not going to walk away from the negotiating table. Iran, again, unless Iran's end state, its end game changes and they actually have made the decision to make a mad dash for a nuclear weapon. It really behooves Iran to revive this agreement because they can't reverse their economic decline absent removal of sanctions. And this agreement is much more favorable to them than it was in 2015, because all of the sunset clauses are going to be soon expiring. So it makes eminent sense for Iran if their goal is still to have a nuclear weapons capability to revive this deal and get the sanctions relief. And then in a few years, many of these sunset clauses will be lifted and they will be able to have that nuclear weapons capability. But I think at the moment, the Iranians feel like they can continue to get more. From the United States vantage point as well, I think if you're President Biden and the goal is to shift away from the Middle East, certainly to not start another conflict in the Middle East and to keep the price of oil low, you don't want to escalate vis a vis Iran. So even if it appears there's an impasse, you don't want to walk away from the negotiations because you want to try to avoid an escalation. I think, one, to the extent there is any benefit and the commitment to diplomacy is that you are very much proven, in the court of international public opinion, it's clear to many that the obstacle here is not the United States, it's the obstacle here is Tehran. And that should renew a little more goodwill when it comes to enforcing sanctions against Iran. But as I said, I think we probably could be doing a better job of enforcing those sanctions. MICHAEL MORELL:So it sounds like your guess is that once we get beyond the midterms and do some more negotiating, that there will be a deal at the end of the day here. Sounds like you think that. KARIM SADJADPOUR: This is such a pendulum, Michael, that the people who watch this, you go from optimism and the deal is imminent to extreme pessimism and it's never going to happen. And my view from the beginning is that it makes sense for both. I mean, as I said, the Biden administration has shown their commitment to reviving it. And for Iran, it makes a lot of sense to do this. As I said, they don't have a sense of urgency at the moment because they probably are thinking that they can continue to get more out of it. I would say that as long as this current supreme leader is in power and Iran's endgame hasn't shifted, meaning they haven't made the decision to pursue the North Korea route and weaponize, they are still in pursuit of the Japan route, that it makes eminent sense for them to revive. So I would argue that it's more likely than not at some point the deal is revived, although I'm not arguing that it's imminent. And I think it will require a change of US strategy or change of U.S. tactics to get the deal revived. MICHAEL MORELL: Does the outcome of the war in Ukraine affects Iranian behavior in any way? Does it matter? KARIM SADJADPOUR: The outcome of the Ukraine war is important in several ways. Number one, I think if Russia prevails, it simply further emboldens Iran and the belief that the US led world order is coming down and further emboldens Iran to be defiant and partner with Russia and China and all other countries that don't like U.S. led world order. Second, the geoeconomics of it are complicated because a Russia which is faced with international isolation starts to compete with Iran in global oil and gas markets, in particular oil sales to China. And so Russia is eating into Iran's oil exports to China because they've offered discounted oil to China, which is Iran's main source of exports. And so I actually think that although Russia and China are often lumped together when it comes to their views on Iran, I would argue Russia and China have diametrically opposed interests vis a vis Iran and that China benefits from a nuclear deal with it with Iran. An Iran which is able to produce and export much more oil. That's very much in Beijing's interests, whereas I would argue that's inimical to Russia's interests. They don't want to see an Iran that's emerged from international isolation. And they like the idea of Iran continuing to remain a thorn in the side of the United States. MICHAEL MORELL: Karim, thank you so much for joining us. KARIM SADJADPOUR: It's always my pleasure, Michael. Biden set to address U.N.: CBS News Flash Sept. 21, 2022 President Biden addresses migrant influx at U.S.-Mexico border Iran faces global criticism over woman's death while in police custody LONG BRANCH - The body of a swimmer who went missing Sunday evening in Long Branch was found, according to authorities. Two swimmers fell into distress at 6:21 p.m. on Sunday, and a third person went in the water to try to help get them out, according to Domingos Saldida, Long Branch public safety director. Lifeguards showed up and were able to rescue two of the three people. They were unable to recover the other swimmer, despite efforts from the U.S. Coast Guard, Long Branch police, a New York Police Department helicopter unit and others. The body of the man whose name has not yet been released due to an ongoing investigation washed up on the shore by Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant on Ocean Avenue around 9:21 p.m., Saldida said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Recent drownings:Middletown man, 46, drowns while swimming off Ortley Beach in Toms River Long Branch police contacted the Akron, Ohio, police department to notify the swimmer's family of the incident. Saldida said that at the time of the drowning, no lifeguards were stationed in front of the area where the swimmers fel into distress, but there were roaming lifeguards on SUVs on the beach. The two swimmers who were rescued were taken to the hospital, according the Saldida. No other injuries were reported. Recent drownings:Swimmer drowns in LBI's Loveladies on day of high rip current risk Jenna Calderon covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Long Branch NJ drowning: Body of missing swimmer found Kleinhans Music Hall, the home of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, has become a regional destination for music but also for much more. Most people probably know of Kleinhans because of the high school and college graduations held there, said Daniel Hart, executive director of the Kleinhans Music Hall Board. Sometimes theres 10 or 12 a year here, and when you think about that, thats ... 24,000 to 30,000 people come to these graduations, and thats more than come to the classical series for the BPO, Hart said. To make sure the historic building lasts for future generations, officials from Kleinhans, the City of Buffalo, Erie County and New York State announced $14 million has been raised to begin infrastructure improvements for the national historic landmark, which opened in 1940. The $14 million will be used for a new roof, new boiler systems, HVAC upgrades, energy efficient improvements and maintenance work, including window replacements, painting, plastering and repairs to the reflecting pool, said State Sen. Tim Kennedy. The funding is part of a capital campaign to raise $21 million, which includes $18 million in all for infrastructure improvements and $3 million to build an endowment, so that we dont have to come back to the government every year to ask for money, Hart said. That speaks to the future stewardship of the hall and our intent to be proactive in management both programmatically and from a maintenance standpoint. We can be proactive about maintenance and to make the hall more accessible to community groups who want to use the building and to give us some flexibility in saying, 'We want to do this program, maybe cant afford it,' but the endowment will give us the ability to actually do that and make it even more accessible to the community, Hart said. Kleinhans, a city-owned building, was built in a public/private partnership with the Kleinhans family and the federal government, Hart said. Kleinhans Music Management Corp. manages and markets the building for the city. Of the $14 million, Buffalo provided about $2.2 million for the infrastructure project to safeguard this magnificent facility for future generations to come, said Mayor Byron W. Brown. As the owner of Kleinhans for the past 82 years, the City of Buffalo is committed to the structures physical integrity, Brown said. "This is a city-wide cultural asset, a region-wide cultural asset that draws people to Buffalo, attention to Buffalo from all across the world." New York State provided $8 million to the project. The governor recognizes the vital contributions that art makes to our communitys education, economic development and basically our quality of life, said Joan Kesner, Western New York director for Gov. Kathy Hochul. Its a jewel by itself. Now it is time to lift it up. It is time to do all the necessary repairs to keep it going for generations to come. With this commitment from Gov. Hochul, we are able to move forward with lightning speed to get this work done over the next few years, Hart said. State Assembly Member Jon Rivera secured $100,000 grant in this years state budget. About $3 million of the $14 million came from private sector donations, and Erie County allocated $650,000 from its capital budget. Were lucky if you think about it, said County Executive Mark Poloncarz. If you look at ... similar size cities in the United States, they do not have institutions like the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. ... And thats because of the forethought of our forefathers and our foremothers over a hundred years ago, who understood that to truly be this great city, this world-class city as the mayor talked about, you have to have world-class institutions and they invested in them then. And thats what were doing now. Were investing in not just the BPO like we do annually, but in Kleinhans, this world-class facility thats known worldwide. We have an obligation to the people not only of today but those who havent been born yet ... to ensure this structure is still there for them. The capital campaign to reach $21 million is ongoing. Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to double down in his invasion of Ukraine with the Wednesday announcement to mobilize 300,000 military reservists and an added threat of a nuclear conflict. Well break down his latest message to the Western world and how its leaders are responding, plus more on President Bidens speech to the United Nations General Assembly and demands for answers over failures to protect students enrolled in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps from abuse. This is Defense & National Security, your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. For The Hill, Im Ellen Mitchell. A friend forward this newsletter to you? Subscribe here. Putin takes big risk by mobilizing greater force Putins decision to mobilize 300,000 military reservists marks a major gamble in the Russian presidents war in Ukraine, which could be reaching a make-or-break stage as he faces rare and intense criticism at home and abroad. His announcement comes as the Ukrainian armed forces have succeeded in ousting the Russian military from key areas in the east of the country, while the U.S. and allies have maintained unity in their military and economic support for Kyiv. The military failures have sparked rare pushback from Russian lawmakers, allies in Chechnya and talking heads on state television, where the Kremlins narrative on the war is typically strictly enforced. Silencing critics: Putins televised address early Wednesday morning therefore appeared as an effort to silence those critics, railing against Ukraine, the U.S. and NATO for forcing his decision to invade, while also issuing blunt threats to use nuclear weapons. When the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we, of course, will use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people, Putin said in his translated remarks. This is not a bluff. And those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the weathervane can turn and point towards them. Story continues Cracks: There are early signs that Russian citizens increasingly view the price of Putins war in Ukraine as too high. Civilian flights leaving Russia reportedly jumped in price and sold out quickly following Putins address, as Russian citizens already feeling the squeeze of sanctions and visa restrictions faced the grim prospect of potentially being forced to join the fight. Hundreds of Russians were arrested on Wednesday at anti-war protests across the country. I think what Russians are fearing is that they see this as a sign of weakness, said Evelyn Farkas, the executive director of the McCain Institute at Arizona State University who previously served as deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Russia, Eastern Europe and conventional arms control in the Obama administration. A gamble: Regional watchers say the mobilization, and signs that Putin is likely to formally annex occupied Ukrainian territory, is a signal that the Russian leader is doubling down to project a victory in Ukraine, but is risking key political capital that could trigger wider backlash in his own country. Read the full story here More from The Hill: Five takeaways from Putins speech ramping up the Ukraine war What Putins war mobilization decree says and doesnt say NATO chief says Putin has made big miscalculation following troop announcement Biden hammers Russias war in UN address President Biden warned that Moscows war in Ukraine is a threat to the foundations of the United Nations in an address Wednesday to its General Assembly, hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin dramatically escalated his aggression toward Ukraine. Let us speak plainly: A permanent member of the United Nations Security Council invaded its neighbor, attempted to erase a sovereign state from its map. Russia has shamelessly violated the core tenets of the United Nations charter, Biden said in his address. This war is about extinguishing Ukraines right to exist as a state, plain and simple. And Ukraines right to exist as a people, he added. Highlights: The president highlighted steadfast U.S. support for Ukraine in recent months through billions of dollars of military aide and sought to rally global support against Russia, arguing it was a matter of sovereignty and international order. Biden pointed to attacks on schools, railway stations and hospitals from Russias military and mentioned the mass graves uncovered in Izyum with bodies showing signs of torture. Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever you believe that should make your blood run cold, the president said. Promises: Biden announced that the U.S. will provide another $2.9 billion for humanitarian and food security assistance, accusing Putin of driving global food insecurity with his war. Russia, in the meantime, has been pumping out lies, trying to pin the blame for the food crisis on the sanctions imposed by many in the world for the aggression against Ukraine. So let me be perfectly clear about something: our sanctions explicitly allow, explicitly allow Russia the ability to export food and fertilizer, Biden said. Read that story here Dems demand answers for JROTC abuse allegations Senate Democrats are demanding answers from the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Education regarding failures to protect students enrolled in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) from abuse. The probe led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) comes after an investigation published in The New York Times found that at least 33 JROTC instructors have been criminally charged with sexual misconduct involving students, and many others have been accused of misconduct but never charged. A call for answers: In letters to Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Gilbert Cisneros and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, the senators asked for answers about the safety of JROTC programs and any failures that leave students vulnerable to sexual assault. Each act of misconduct by the instructors, particularly those negative acts related to a vulnerable and extremely impressionable population, leaves a stain on the military, the senators wrote. Furthermore, the DoD has stated that its goal is a culture free of sexual assault, through an environment of prevention, education and training, response capability victim support, reporting procedures, and appropriate accountability that enhances the safety and well-being of all persons who fall under its rules and regulations, they added. More on the program: The Army JROTC program was established under the National Defense Act of 1916, but later expanded to all military services in 1964. About 500,000 students are participating in the program, according to the RAND Corporation. Most instructors under the program are either retired or reserve officers, as well as enlisted noncommission officers who are employees of the school district. Earlier findings: The Times investigation, published in July, found that at least seven instructors who were criminally charged with sexual misconduct were flagged, but allowed to stay on the job. It also found that some instructors operate with little oversight and training, and that schools often struggle to monitor and investigate complaints, as students often report instances of harassment with little action taken. Read the rest of the story here ON TAP FOR TOMORROW The Defense Strategies Institute will hold its 11th Military Tactical Communications Summit at 8:45 a.m. The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies will host a discussion on Space Force training, education and doctrine and STARCOMs contributions to space warfighting, with Maj. Gen. Shawn Bratton, commander, Space Training and Readiness Command, at 10 a.m. The Hudson Institute will hold a virtual talk on Learning to Win: Using Operational Innovation to Regain the Advantage at Sea against China, at 10 a.m. GovExec and HP with Intel will host an event on Securing the Air Force, at 1 p.m. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration will hold a briefing on the Double Asteroid Redirection Tests (DART) final activities ahead of its impact with the asteroid Dimorphos, at 3 p.m. WHAT WERE READING Thats it for today! Check out The Hills Defense and National Security pages for the latest coverage. See you tomorrow! VIEW FULL VERSION HERE For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Photo Illustration by Erin OFlynn/The Daily Beast/Getty Last week, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina introduced proposed federal legislation that would criminalize any abortion in America after 15 weeks of pregnancy. In explaining his decision, Graham told reporters that he picked that number because the science tells usthe nerve endings of the baby are pretty well developed and the child feels pain. In reality, there is no scientific consensus on when a fetus feels pain, but Grahams explanation is telling. It is yet another example of how for Republicans, when it comes to abortion, the woman who is carrying a child is an afterthought. She is, in effect, the crunchy outer shell of a fetus. The reality is that very few abortions in America occur after 15 weeks. More than 90 percent of terminated pregnancies occur before 13 weeks, more than 7 percent happen between 14 and 20 weeks, and just around 1 percent take place after 20 weeks. But whats important to understandand notably absent from Grahams proposalis a recognition that most post-15-week abortions occur with women and families who want nothing more in the world than to be parents. The GOPs Response to the FBI Searching Trumps Home: Destroy Faith in Rule of Law Early in the mid-trimester is when doctors can detect fetal or genetic abnormalities, and usually, that tragic diagnosis is what leads women to get late-term abortions. Republicans like to portray Democrats as heartless and cruel for supporting late-term abortions, as if women and their doctors are not acting out of malice or some prurient desire to inflict pain. Indeed, Grahams gambit is part of a larger Republican effort to refocus the abortion debate by attacking Democrats for supporting abortions so close to the end of a pregnancy. (Although, since a typical pregnancy is 40 weeks, math tells us that 15 weeks is less than half of a full pregnancy, so its hard to see how that can be classified as a late-term abortion.) The sad reality is that a second or third-trimester abortion is, more often than not, an act of love and a response to a unimaginable tragedy. Story continues Indeed, I can relate from my own experience as a father. When my oldest child was in utero, the results of a final blood testknown as a quad screen (which is usually done after 15 weeks)showed a higher than normal likelihood of trisomy 13 or 18, both serious genetic disorders. We were told to immediately get an amniocentesis because if there was a serious problem, thered only be a week or two to schedule a legal abortion. The news was devastating. We were desperate to have a baby. But a child born with a profound genetic disorder (like trisomy 13 or 18) is unlikely to live more than a year, and would have significant and debilitating physical and mental defects. We could not, in good conscience, bring a child into the world who would quite possibly spend most of her days in pain and suffering. By that point in the pregnancy wed already decided on a name. Wed picked out a stroller and crib. Friends had even scheduled a baby shower for a date after wed received the news of the results. Terminating the pregnancy would have been an excruciating decisionand it usually is for the small number of women who have late-term abortions. In the end, we were lucky. The results of the amniocentesis showed no serious genetic disorder, and today, my daughter is a creative, whip-smart, and headstrong sixth grader. Herschel Walker Is the Saddest Senate Candidate Ive Ever Seen But not every parent is so lucky. When I first wrote about this issue nearly five years ago, I spoke to multiple parents who were forced to end a pregnancy because of a serious fetal abnormality. One woman, Jeni Putalavage-Ross, lived in Texas and found out from her doctor, after a fetal scan, that her baby would not survive. She and her husband had also picked out a name. But because of the states then-mandatory waiting period for an abortion, she could not abort the fetus immediately. We had to go home and wait and agonize about our decision while I could feel the baby still moving inside of me. It was torturous, Putalavage-Ross told me. Today, her situation would be far worse. Under Grahams proposed legislation, the only exceptions for post-15 week abortions are rape, incest, and if the life of the mother is at risk. Putalavage-Ross, along with thousands of other women, would be forced to carry that baby to termagainst their will. For all of the focus of Graham and other Republicans on the pain experienced by fetuses, virtually no attention is paid to the unimaginable physical and emotional pain this would inflict on a woman. In addition, there is no thought to the pain experienced by a non-viable fetus or a child afflicted by a horrible genetic disorder. Their only concern, it seems, is the fetusnot the child it might end up being and certainly not the woman who must give birth to it. Lindsey Grahams Abortion Ban Bill Is Bad Policy and Dumb Politics Graham argued on Tuesday that a 15-week ban is consistent with international standards. And while its true that many European states limit abortion after 15 weeks, they generally provide broad exceptions and for precisely the unexpected circumstances that may arrive from a mid-pregnancy diagnosis. Lawmakers in these countries actually take into account the science of childbirth and treat women and babies as human beings, not as afterthoughts. Grahams proposal is not as toxic as some of the laws now in place in red state America that effectively ban all abortions. His measure is a compromise between what he terms the Democrats support for abortion on demand, and a total ban. Though Grahams proposal would almost exclusively apply to blue states that have few abortion restrictions. It would not supersede the far more restrictive prohibitions across red state America. But 15 weeks is not a useful or humane middle ground. It treats women like bystanders when it comes to their reproductive and mental health. Its not based on science or the patterns of pregnancy, And above all, it would only enhance the tragedy of women and families forced to make the unimaginable decision to terminate a late-term abortion. For Graham and his fellow Republicans, a womans pain is of no concern. 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. Russia's partial military mobilization aimed at slowing Ukraine's high-octane counteroffensive was in full swing Thursday: Conscripts answered summonses, schools were commandeered for recruit intake and there was plenty of controversy. In the mountainous Siberian republic of Buryatia, 11 schools began doubling as administration buildings for draftees, the local arigus-tv reported. Medical exams were waived unless the recruit raised an issue. "Buryatia survived one of the scariest nights in its history today," resident and activist Alexandra Garmazhapova said in a Facebook post. "People are fleeing to Mongolia." President Vladimir Putin, in a speech to his people Wednesday, said the mobilization was necessary because his country is fighting not just Ukraine but the entire Western world. The announcement set off protests resulting in hundreds of arrests around the country and a run on plane tickets out of it. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the military is adding 300,000 soldiers from the ranks of 25 million reservists primarily gunners, artillerymen, tank drivers and signal corps veterans. But some draftees said they had no military experience. The British Defense Ministry said the new troops "are unlikely to be combat-effective for months.'' A spinoff from the shuttered independent Russian website Novaya Gazeta, Novaya Gazeta Europe, said the prices for tickets to countries not requiring visas jumped significantly and were "completely gone" by Wednesday night. And it noted that statements by authorities on how partial mobilization will take place in practice were "very contradictory and sometimes did not coincide with reality." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the outlet's report that a hidden article of Russias mobilization order allows for drafting up to 1 million reservists into the army. Other major developments: Russia has given its formal diplomatic approval to Lynne Tracys appointment as the new U.S. ambassador to Moscow, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Thursday. President Joe Biden announced her nomination Tuesday; she will need Senate approval. Story continues Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania said they won't offer asylum to Russians fleeing mobilization into the military, hoping discontent with the Russian authorities grows at home. The three Baltic countries closed their borders to most Russians earlier in the week. Voting begins Friday on referendums in four Russian-controlled regions of eastern and southern Ukraine -- Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia -- a precursor to Russian annexation. Foreign leaders have called the votes a nonbinding sham. In the Donetsk province, one of the areas where referendums are scheduled, city Mayor Alexei Kulemzin said at least five people were killed Thursday when Ukrainian shelling hit a covered market and a passenger minibus. A volunteer of Luhansk regional election commission distributes newspapers to local citizens prior to a referendum in Luhansk People's Republic controlled by Russia-backed separatists on, Sept. 22, 2022. 'Send a clear message' for Russia to stop nuclear threats, Blinken says at UN U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the U.N. Security Council on Thursday to condemn the nuclear saber-rattling of council member Russia, repeating President Joe Biden's description of those threats as "reckless.'' The day before, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country will certainly use all means available to us to defend the country and its people, his latest veiled reference to Russia's nuclear arsenal since ordering the invasion of Ukraine in February. Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately, Blinken said. On Wednesday night, new British Prime Minister Liz Truss accused Putin of desperately trying to justify his catastrophic failures with more bogus claims and saber-rattling threats. Thursday's Security Council meeting focused on demanding accountability for the abuses and atrocities the West accuses Russia of committing in Ukraine, but no concrete action is expected because Russia has veto power. Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, said Ukraine's allies have been covering up the crimes of the Kyiv regime. BIDEN SAYS PUTIN WAS 'RECKLESS': Putin's veiled nuclear threat; 2 Americans captured in war freed: Updates 'They take me': Russian lives suddenly overturned by mobilization For many Russians the war in Ukraine had seemed like a distant endeavor, a conflict that didn't affect their daily lives as state propaganda made it seem like the pursuit was going according to plan. The realization of the war's impact finally struck home for thousands of families Thursday when legions were called for duty a day after President Vladimir Putin announced the mobilization of 300,000 reservists. That resulted in numerous dramatic scenes playing out on social media of tearful families saying goodbye to loved ones who might wind up in combat. A 25-year-old man in Moscow who gave only his first name, Dmitry, told Russian media company Ostorozhno Novosti he did not expect to be called up and shipped out so quickly, especially since he's still a student. "They gave me the draft notice that I should come here at 3 p.m. We waited one-and-a- half hours, then the enlistment officer came and said that we are leaving now, Dmitry said. "I went outside and started calling my parents, brother, all friends of mine to tell that they take me. Riot police detain a demonstrator during a protest against mobilization, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a partial mobilization of reservists in Russia, effective immediately. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) ORG XMIT: XAZ130 Ukraine economy teeters under strain of war A top Ukrainian government economist says the war has created a severe financial burden requiring help from other countries. Prewar forecasts of 3% to 4% economic growth in 2022 have been dashed, and gross domestic product is expected to shrink by 30% to 40% this year. Ukraine was the poorest country in Europe by most measures even before the war. Oleg Ustenko, chief economic adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also said the speed of victory in the war will depend on the pressure Ukraines allies place on Russia. Ustenko told The Associated Press that it was ridiculous for European countries to keep paying for Russian fossil fuels. He called for an EU oil embargo to be brought forward and a price cap imposed on Russian gas. G7 nations blast Putin for 'escalatory steps' The Group of Seven (G7) nations will not recognize the referendums Russia is preparing in the occupied territories of Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Thursday. The G7 members will also "pursue further targeted sanctions" on Russia if the referendums take place, she said. G7 ministers representing the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom said in a statement that the voting can't be "free and fair" with Russian soldiers present. The ministers deplored "deliberate Russian escalatory steps, including the partial mobilization of reservists and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric." Zelenskyy demands punishment for Russia, draws ovation at UN Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded that Russia be punished for attacking his country and assured the world that his military could drive out the invaders in a passionate address that drew a standing ovation from the U.N. General Assembly. Zelenskyy, speaking remotely and in English on Wednesday, said Russia committed crimes against the "values that make you and me a community" in the U.N. He described grisly scenes at hundreds of gravesites of men, women and children, some bound and tortured. He dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim of a willingness to negotiate an end to the 7-month-old war, saying the military mobilization and "pseudo referendums" make clear he won't compromise. "Russia will never be able to stop the course of history," he said. "Mankind and international law are stronger than one terrorist state. Russia will be forced to end this war." BIDEN SAYS PUTIN WAS 'RECKLESS': Putin's veiled nuclear threat; 2 Americans captured in war freed: Updates Captured Americans released in prisoner exchange Two Americans fighting for Ukraine have been freed in a prisoner exchange after being captured in June in the Kharkiv region, but high-profile Americans Brittney Griner and businessman Paul Whelan remain in Russian custody. Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh, 27, and fellow Alabaman Alexander Drueke, 39, were released to Saudi Arabia, which brokered a swap with Russian-backed separatists that included the release of eight other prisoners from four countries. The deal was part of a larger swap included in the release of 200 Ukrainian fighters. Russia gained the freedom of 55 prisoners, among them prominent Putin ally and opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk. Huynhs fiance, Joy Black, told USA TODAY she got a surprise call from the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia while at work Wednesday alerting her that Huynh was there. She got to speak with Huynh, who told her he'll go through medical checks before flying home. He said that hes OK and hes safe and healthy, said Black, adding she was very thankful and happy for the first time in, like, four months. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine live updates: Russians protest, flee as mobilization begins DeFUNIAK SPRINGS A 32-year-old man will spend the rest of his life in prison for molesting three young children who were left in his care. Jacob Ramirez of DeFuniak Springs was sentenced by Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells Tuesday to two consecutive life sentences followed by another 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, according to the State Attorney's Office. The court also designated Ramirez as a sexual predator. A jury found him guilty of three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation in June. The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Walton County Sheriff's Office. Related coverage: Two DeFuniak Springs men separately charged with child sex abuse In case you missed it: Pamela Gilmore named WCSO Deputy of the Year for 'tireless' efforts investigating child abuse Sheriffs deputies first received a report of possible child sexual abuse in July of last year, according to the Sheriffs Office. Three children between the ages of 7 and 12 were interviewed by the Emerald Coast Childrens Advocacy Center. The children were sexually abused by Ramirez after being left in his care, the Sheriffs Office said. Ramirez was arrested the same day that another man was taken into custody for allegations of child molestation. In a statement following the arrests, Sheriff Michael Adkinson said the investigations were a part of our relentless pursuit of charging sexual predators who prey on children and getting them out of our community and behind bars. This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: DeFuniak Springs man gets two life sentences for molesting children A Minnesota judge on Wednesday sentenced former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane to three years in state prison after he was found guilty earlier this year of violating George Floyds civil rights. Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill sentenced Lane after he reached a plea agreement with state prosecutors for a 36-month sentence. Lane, 39, is already serving a 2 year federal sentence for violating Floyds rights when he pinned the 46-year-old Black man down by holding his legs while the officer in charge, Derek Chauvin, kneeled on Floyds neck for more than nine minutes in May 2020. Floyds death set off worldwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality. Chauvin is serving more than 22 years in prison on state charges and more than 20 years on federal charges. Two other officers, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, have also been found guilty of violating Floyds civil rights, with Kueng serving three years and Thao serving 3 years, both on federal charges. They have yet to be sentenced on state charges but have been found guilty. Lane pleaded guilty in May to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. The Associated Press contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BRUSSELS (AP) Hungary needs time and is urging its European Union partners to be tolerant, the country's justice minister said Tuesday, after the bloc's executive branch recommended suspending billions of euros in funding over concerns about democratic backsliding and the possible mismanagement of EU money. Justice Minister Judit Varga said that Hungary has proposed 17 measures which are capable of remedying all the concerns expressed by European Commission. EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn recommended over the weekend that 7.5 billion euros (dollars) from Hungarys EU funds be frozen. Time is needed, because even if there are accelerated procedures to adopt laws and amend legislation, you need to set up new institutions. For that, you have to hire new personnel, Varga told reporters in Brussels. She said she expects Hungary to have until mid-November to show its on the right track. The commission on Sunday took the unprecedented action of recommending that Hungarys 26 EU partners vote to suspend the payments to ensure the protection of the EU budget and the financial interests of the EU against breaches of the principles of the rule of law in Hungary. The commissions fears focus on public procurement purchases by the state of goods and services or for the execution of projects using EU funds in particular that around half of the tender procedures have only involved one bidder. Critics say the awarding of such contracts have allowed Prime Minister Viktor Orbans nationalist government to channel large sums of EU money into the businesses of politically connected insiders. The commission also has serious concerns regarding the detection, prevention and correction of conflicts of interest, and is reluctant to see EU money put into some public interest trusts which manage significant funds, notably in the area of education. Despite the concerns, Hahn welcomed Hungarys offer to fix the problem, saying that its proposed remedial action goes in the right direction. EU member countries have one month to decide whether to freeze the funds, but can in exceptional circumstances extend that period to two months. Story continues Varga called on Hungarys EU partners to be tolerant, to be positive, to be constructive and forward-looking because ultimately the main aim of the commissions so-called rule of law action is prevention not sanctioning. There is no danger, she said. EU lawmakers see it differently. It is fatal that Viktor Orban can still avert these sanctions before the end of the year with a few pseudo-reforms, said German Green Daniel Freund, a lead lawmaker on the rule of law. A decisive stance is needed, not just a few improvements in Hungarian public procurement law. In contrast, officials in Orbans government have depicted the commissions decision as a victory, and emphasized their commitment to carrying out reforms they believe will unlock the funds. In a tweet Sunday, the premiers political director, Balazs Orban, called the decision good news. He wrote that Budapest will fulfill 100% of its commitments & submit the necessary bills to Parliament, so there will be no obstacles to close the discussions in 3 months and to receive EU funds. ___ Justin Spike contributed to this report from Budapest, Hungary. Jared Kushner said he was very troubled by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis flying migrants from the US-Mexico border to Marthas Vineyard. Mr Kushner, Donald Trumps son-in-law and a former White House adviser, appeared on Fox News Outnumbered in the aftermath of Mr DeSantiss actions, which were also compounded by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey sending migrants who crossed the border to cities like Washington DC and New York, Newsweek reported. I personally watch what's happening, and it's very hard to see at the southern border, I alsowe have to remember that these are human beings, they're people, so seeing them being used as political pawns one way or the other is very troubling to me, Mr Kushner said. Mr DeSantiss administration announced it had sent two planes with migrants from Venezuela last week on the premise they would be given aid and jobs. Mr DeSantiss administration was reportedly preparing to send another round of migrants to President Joe Bidens home state of Delaware but the actions appear to be delayed. Mr DeSantis and Republican governors have defended their actions by saying that border states are overrun by migrants, and they have blamed the Biden administrations policies. Mr Kushner also faulted the Biden administration in his interview on Fox. The policies that President Trump was trying to put forwardon figuring out how to create a secure border, a merit-based immigration system, having rule and law and orderwere very important policies that unfortunately, was just totally disregarded and reversed on day one [of the Biden administration], he said. And now we're seeing the unfortunate humanitarian catastrophe that comes because of that. Mr DeSantiss growing popularity after keeping his state open during the Covid-19 pandemic and his passage of staunch social conservative legislation have made him a favourite among conservative activists and he is weighing whether to challenge Mr Kushners father-in-law in 2024. On Tuesday, Lawyers for Civil Rights filed a lawsuit against the Florida governor for his flying of nearly 50 migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard. A bipartisan group of 17 House lawmakers want the Pentagon to send advanced drones to Ukraine to help in its fight with Russia, arguing the technology could help Kyiv keep the territory it has recently gained. In a letter sent to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday, the members of Congress urged him to speed up a security review of Ukraines request for larger, armed drones, The Wall Street Journal first reported. The lawmakers argued that Ukraine could better confront Russian threats with drones such as the MQ-1C Gray Eagle or MQ-9A Reaper, which could also help them better hold the territory they fought so hard to reclaim. Ukraine has long called for the Biden administration to send the country more advanced drones, but Washington has been hesitant to send such weapons over fears Moscow could view such lethal aid as an escalation of the conflict. The administration this past spring initially planned to sell Gray Eagles to Ukraine, but the sale was delayed because U.S. officials were afraid that closely guarded technology within the drones could be exploited by Russia if the aircraft was shot down in the wrong place, according to Reuters. The lawmakers, however, argue that thorough risk assessments mitigation should not come at the expense of Ukrainian lives. These advanced [Unmanned Aerial Systems], which could be staged far from the wars front lines, would provide the continuous surveillance and long-range precision tracking and targeting needed to counter Russian rockets and missiles, the lawmakers wrote. Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder on Thursday told reporters that the Defense Department is aware of Ukraines request for Gray Eagle drones but declined to comment about the letter. In terms of congressional correspondence, you know, itd be inappropriate for me to talk about that from the podium, and well certainly respond to Congress accordingly, Ryder said. He added that no decisions have been made on giving Kyiv the advanced drones. Ryder also noted that the United States has already provided Ukraine with smaller, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drones, including Pumas and ScanEagles, as well as explosive unmanned aerial systems, including Switchblades and Phoenix Ghosts. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad The launch of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) will allow Romania to import gas from Azerbaijan through the Vertical Gas Corridor, Romanian Energy Minister Virgil-Daniel Popescu said, Azernews reports. We are invited to the opening of the IGB, which will enable the introduction of the Vertical Gas Corridor and access to Azerbaijani gas," the minister said. He stressed that agreements between the countries of the region are also needed to ensure the transit of this gas. "We have been working on getting gas from non-Russian sources for a very long time. In order to import gas or LNG from somewhere else, like from Azerbaijan, we need a transit agreement, and we're working on that, he said. Earlier, the minister stated that Romania is one of the countries least dependent on Russian fossil fuels. He stated that the total consumption in the country is 11 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year, 9 of which Romania is producing by itself, noting that the country wants to import the last 2 billion cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan. He added that negotiations are currently underway with Azerbaijan to reach an agreement. Azerbaijan and Romania are cooperating in various spheres of the economy. The two countries established diplomatic relations on June 19, 1992. The Embassy of Romania in Azerbaijan was opened on November 3, 1998, and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Romania on May 19, 2001. SOCAR operates in Romania through SOCAR Petroleum SA, established in 2011, and owns SOCAR-branded petrol stations in 26 regions of Romania. The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $215.5 million in 2021, with exports amounting to $120.5 million, and imports to $94.9 million Erie County Sheriff's deputies located a missing kayaker on Cattaraugus Creek early Thursday morning after hearing the kayaker whistle. At about 11 p.m. Wednesday, a person reported an overdue kayaker at the Sheriff's Office's Springville substation, the agency said in a news release. Deputies were told the kayaker, a 45-year-old woman, should be somewhere between Hake Road and Randall Drive. Sheriff's deputies tried to locate the woman by pinging her cellphone, but were unable to get a location. They found her vehicle in a public parking lot near Hake Road shortly before midnight, the Sheriff's Office said. Two deputies entered the woods to search for her one from Hake heading west, and the other from near Randall and heading east. A short time later, the deputy coming from Hake Road heard a whistle. About 12:30 a.m., the deputy found the missing kayaker. Because of the risk of flash flooding, they could not make their way back along the creek bed. They began heading out through the woods. At about 2:53 a.m., the other deputy located them and all three got out of the woods at 3:07 a.m. The kayaker was evaluated by an EMS crew and was released, the Sheriff's Office said. The Springville Fire Department helped with the search, and water rescue resources from Hamburg Fire Department were alerted to the incident. SEABROOK A local man who shot and killed a man last year but was not charged in his murder is now facing federal charges in connection with the same incident for allegedly being a felon in possession of a weapon. Garrito Tony Fort, 38, formerly of Seabrook, was arraigned Tuesday on one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. He pleaded not guilty but is being held in custody pending a bail hearing on Friday, according to the office of U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire Jane E. Young. Fort, a convicted felon, is charged with the unlawful possession of a Taurus 9mm caliber pistol and assorted 9mm ammunition on November 1, 2021, when he shot and injured Richard Janvrin, Jr., 50, and fatally shot 35-year-old Christopher Coletti, both of Seabrook, during an altercation that took place at Forts home on Boynton Lane. Garrito Fort is now facing federal charges in connection with a shooting that occurred in Seabrook in November 2021. He is seen in this file photo in Rockingham Superior Court for a bail hearing. He was indicted on the charge by a federal grand jury in August and was taken into custody in Rhode Island on Sept. 19 by U.S. Marshals. If convicted, Fort faces a possible sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison. Fort had previously been in custody in New Hampshire for three charges, but was released in March on personal recognizance bail by Judge David Ruoff after the New Hampshire Attorney Generals decision not to bring murder charges against him. This is not justice: Seabrook mom outraged man who shot son wont face murder charge Why murder charges were never brought against Garrito Fort Fort claimed he shot Janvrin and Coletti in self-defense following a dispute the night before the altercation over damage Coletti allegedly caused to Forts vehicle. According to court documents, Forts attorney, Brett Newkirk, claimed they threatened Fort with metal bars and clubs. According to the Attorney Generals Office, despite video surveillance footage of the shooting incident, state prosecutors felt they did not have sufficient evidence to disprove Forts claim of self-defense. As a result, the AGs office dropped the homicide charge. Story continues Fort was still charged in New Hampshire for being a felon in possession of a firearm and two unrelated charges to the November 2021 incident. He faces trial on the charges later this year. However, after the AGs decision, Newkirk filed a motion to allow Fort to be released from custody on bail. Although the bail motion was opposed by the Rockingham County Attorneys Office, Ruoff ruled Forts pre-trial detention was no longer warranted, releasing him on personal recognizance. The two unrelated state charges, assault and battery and criminal threatening, were filed against him after the shooting. My daughter has grit': Hampton Beach lifeguard recovering after serious moped crash The first two were on Oct. 7, when he allegedly threatened a homeless couple sleeping in their car near his Boynton Lane home. According to court documents, Fort allegedly stuck a gun to the side of the head of the woman in the car, saying get the (expletive) out of here. He allegedly then pistol-whipped the man in the car, causing a broken finger and lacerations to his face, injuries allegedly requiring an emergency room visit. The third incident occurred later in October when Fort allegedly threatened a man walking his dog near Forts property, saying get the (expletive) out of here, and again alleging holding a gun at the time. We dont wait: How Seacoast police train for active school shooter threats At his bail hearing in March, Rockingham County Deputy Attorney Melissa Fales argued Fort should remain in custody since his behavior hadnt changed and he still presents a danger due to that behavior and has a significant criminal history that includes kidnapping and assault and battery charges from Massachusetts. Newkirk argued bail should be "perceived in a different light," given the attorney general's decision not to move forward with the homicide charge. He also challenged the reliability of the testimony of those involved in the felony charges. More: Brentwood man reaches plea deal to drop attempted murder charge According to court documents, Ruoff ruled, "... the fact that the attorney general's office has announced that it will not be filing homicide charges against the defendant is a significant factor in the court's 'dangerousness' and 'risk of flight' assessment." In his ruling, Ruoff also wrote: "To be clear, the Court is not finding that the pending charges are not serious or that, if convicted, the defendant would not be significantly punished for his behavior. However, bail is not supposed to be penal in nature it is not for punishment." As part of Forts bail conditions, he was prohibited from remaining in New Hampshire. Initially ordered to stay at his fathers home in Randolph, Massachusetts, after his father moved the location requirement in Forts bail conditions was altered. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seabrook NH man charged in federal court after shooting death STANISLAV POHORILOV WEDNESDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2022, 14:39 Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, has urged Russians not to consider Ukrainians their enemies amidst the partial mobilisation announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin for the war against Ukraine. Source: Kremlin-aligned news outlet RIA Novosti Quote from Kirill: "We know what danger looms over the Ukrainian people, whom they are trying to transform, to turn them from part of the holy united Rus into a state hostile to this very Rus, hostile to Russia." Details: Patriarch Kirill added that despite this, "it is very important that our hearts do not develop the feeling that there is an enemy there [in Ukraine]." Background: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the partial mobilisation of the country's citizens in an address to Russians on the morning of 21 September. Putin noted that only citizens who are in the military reserve will be called up for conscription, and they will undergo additional training taking into consideration the war against Ukraine. The Russian Presidents decree states that mobilisation will begin on 21 September. Russia has long been engaged in covert mobilisation. The authorities of the aggressor state continue to avoid calling the full-scale war against Ukraine an actual war. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Become our patron, support our work! North Korea on Thursday denied a U.S. intelligence report that it exported rockets and artillery shells to Russia, claiming the assessment was intended to tarnish North Koreas image. We have never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia before and we will not plan to export them, the statement by an unnamed North Korean official read. It is not sure from where the rumor originated which the U.S. is spreading, but it is aimed at tarnishing the DPRKs image. The statement identified the official as a vice director general of North Koreas General Bureau of Equipment within the countrys defense ministry and was published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency. The U.S. intelligence assessment, which was revealed earlier this month, indicated Russias defense ministry was in the process of purchasing millions of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea. We condemn the U.S. for thoughtlessly circulating the rumor against the DPRK to pursue its base political and military aim, and we warn the U.S. to stop making reckless remarks pulling up the DPRK and to keep its mouth shut, the North Korean official said. The potential purchases come as Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches the end of its seventh month. The invasion was met with heavy sanctions from the United States and much of Europe, hindering Moscows ability to obtain military supplies and other key exports. We dont have any indication that the purchase has actually occurred yet so its difficult to say what its actually going to end up looking like, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters earlier this month. North Korea has strengthened its relationship with Moscow since Russias invasion in February, and the official on Thursday reiterated Pyongyangs belief that the United States and its Western allies are cooking up the crisis. North Korea has also hinted interest in sending construction workers to Ukraines Donbas region in the countrys east to help rebuild Russian-occupied territories. A Ukrainian counteroffensive in recent days has claimed back some of that territory, pushing back Russian forces to the border in some areas. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. CAGUAS, Puerto Rico (AP) More than a half million people in Puerto Rico remained without water service three days after Hurricane Fiona slammed into the U.S. territory, and many spent hours in lines Wednesday to fill jugs from water trucks while others scooped water from mountain runoff. Sweat rolled down the faces of people in a long line of cars in the northern mountain town of Caguas, where the government had sent a water truck, one of at least 18 so-called oases set up across the island. The situation was maddening for many people across an island once again left without basic services following a storm. We thought we had a bad experience with Maria, but this was worse, Gerardo Rodriguez said in the southern coastal town of Salinas, referring to the 2017 hurricane that caused nearly 3,000 deaths and demolished the islands power grid. Fiona dumped roughly two feet of rain on parts of Puerto Rico before blasting across the eastern Dominican Republic and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Swelled to Category 4 force, the storm was on a track to pass close by Bermuda early Friday and then hit easternmost Canada early Saturay, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. The storm played havoc with Puerto Ricos electrical grid, which had been patched but never fully rebuilt after Maria caused a blackout that lasted 11 months in some places. A man points to a home that was collapsed by Hurricane Fiona at Villa Esperanza in Salinas, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, September 21, 2022. (Photo: Alejandro Granadillo via Associated Press) A man points to a home that was collapsed by Hurricane Fiona at Villa Esperanza in Salinas, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, September 21, 2022. (Photo: Alejandro Granadillo via Associated Press) As of Wednesday afternoon, roughly 70% of Puerto Rican customers lacked electricity, according to government figures. In Caguas, the air conditioning of Emayra Veguillas car wasnt working, so the bus driver propped up a small fan in the passenger seat. Earlier, she had blasted the song Hijos del Canaveral (Sons of the Sugarcane Field), written by Puerto Rican hip-hop star Rene Perez as an ode to Puerto Rico and its peoples bravery. Story continues I needed a shot of patriotism, she said. I needed strength to do this once again. Veguilla had waited in line Tuesday, only to be told that the water had run out and that another truck would not be available until Wednesday. Some people ahead of Veguilla gave up and drove away, with tensions running high the longer people waited. Move! yelled one driver, fearful of people trying to cut in. Some who saw the line opted instead to drive to a nearby highway where fresh water trickled down the mountainside via a bamboo pipe that someone had installed. Greg Reyes, an English teacher, stood in line in muddy flip-flops to collect water for himself, his girlfriend and their cat. He had brought a large bag holding all the empty containers he could find in their house, including more than a dozen small water bottles. Reyes said he and his partner had been buying water since Fiona hit, but couldnt afford to do so any longer. Standing behind him was retiree William Rodriguez, surrounded by three large buckets and four gallon containers. He had been living in Massachusetts and decided to return to Puerto Rico about six months ago. But I think Im leaving again, he said as he shook his head. Those in the line grumbled about the slow pace of recovery and accused the government of not helping them as people on social media and even a gym said their doors were open to anyone who needed water or a shower. This hasnt been easy, said Juan Santos, a retiree who held the hand of his 5-year-old grandson. We are suffering. None of those in line had power either, and many wondered if it would take as long to restore as it did with Hurricane Maria. Power company officials initially said it would take a few days for electricity to be restored, but then appeared to backtrack Tuesday night, saying they faced numerous obstacles. Hurricane Fiona has severely impacted electrical infrastructure and generation facilities throughout the island. We want to make it very clear that efforts to restore and reenergize continue and are being affected by severe flooding, impassable roads, downed trees, deteriorating equipment, and downed lines, said Luma, the company that operates power transmission and distribution. Officials said crews found several substations underwater and inaccessible. But Luma said it expected to restore power Wednesday to much of Puerto Ricos north coast, which Fiona largely spared. The hum of generators could be heard across the territory as people became increasingly exasperated. I continue to hope that by the end of today, a large part of the population will have these services, said Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi. The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency traveled to Puerto Rico on Tuesday and the agency announced it was sending hundreds of additional personnel to boost local response efforts. On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration, which would allow for more federal assistance. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency in Puerto Rico and deployed a couple of teams to the island. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, officials reported relatively light damage and no deaths, though the eye of the Category 4 storm passed close to Grand Turk, the small British territorys capital island, on Tuesday. Turks and Caicos had a phenomenal experience over the past 24 hours, said Deputy Gov. Anya Williams. It certainly came with its share of challenges. Officials said school on Grand Turk would reopen next week. The Hurricane Center said Fiona had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 kph) late Wednesday. It was centered about 550 miles (885 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda, heading north at 10 mph (17 kph). Fiona killed a man in the French overseas department of Guadeloupe and two others in Puerto Rico swept away by swollen rivers. Two died in the Dominican Republic: one killed by a falling tree and the other by a falling electric post. Two additional deaths were reported in Puerto Rico as a result of the blackout: A 70-year-old man burned to death after he tried to fill his running generator with gasoline and a 78-year-old man police say inhaled toxic gases from his generator. ___ Associated Press journalists Maricarmen Rivera Sanchez and Alejandro Granadillo contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Oleg Vyugin, former Russian finance ministry and Bank of Russia official, said "sanctions work." Maxim Shemetov/Reuters Sanctions against Russia will hit tech goods, former finance official Oleg Vyugin told Reuters. Russia's tech industry relies on imports, so it will have to recreate those goods domestically. Russia's tech development will decline if the situation doesn't improve, said Vyugin. Russia could be in for years of decline in technology development due to sweeping sanctions over the Ukraine war, Oleg Vyugin, a former high-level finance ministry and central bank official, told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. That's because when it comes to tech, Russia relies on imports, and imports have been hit by sanctions and boycotts. As a result, the country will have to develop its own products to substitute those imports. "The world will move forward, but Russia will only use some second-grade technology and spend huge resources to recreate what there already is in the world, but can't be imported," said Vyugin, who was a deputy finance minister and deputy governor at the Bank of Russia. He retired from the Moscow Exchange this year. Vyugin also told Reuters "sanctions work," as Russia's economic growth has been impacted negatively. Vyugin's comments stand in contrast to President Vladimir Putin's positive assessments of the economy. In early September, Putin said the country's economy was coping with Western sanctions. Almost seven months into the war, Russia's economy does continue to appear resilient. The energy giant's economy has been bolstered by energy exports on the back of high prices, which were on the rise even before the war. But imports into Russia have been severely crimped, which shows up in a record high current account surplus of $70.1 billion for the second half of 2022. Current account surplus is a key gauge of trade and investment flows, and trade is a big component of the measure. Russia has tried to counter the sanctions by substituting imports with those from non-sanctioning countries or with home-grown options. But success has been limited, analysts at Bruegel, a Brussels-based think tank, wrote in late March. Story continues "High-tech products are developed using inputs from many countries, but few of them can function without inputs from the European Union or the United States," wrote the analysts. "As a result, a single economy cannot replicate the capabilities of the global network." Semiconductor chips, aviation parts, and medical goods are among the heavily impacted imports, the Bruegel analysts noted. Russian state-owned carrier Aeroflot has already started stripping spare parts from working aircraft due to sanctions-induced supply shortages, Reuters reported in August. "If the situation doesn't change, Russia will see a gradual decline in the level of technological development," said Vyugin. Read the original article on Business Insider The American publics views of former President Donald Trump have remained remarkably stable across a number of different measures in recent months, even as he faces multiple investigations and as he remains a central figure in the midterm elections, according to the most recent New York Times/Siena College poll. Voters held nearly identical views from those earlier in the summer, on whether they had a favorable view of Trump, whether they thought he had committed serious federal crimes, and whom they would support in a hypothetical 2024 Trump-Biden matchup, Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Overall, 44% of voters viewed Trump favorably, and 53% viewed him unfavorably. The recent poll was fielded early this month, after news of the Justice Departments inquiry into Trumps handling of confidential documents but before the New York attorney general announced she was suing Trump and his family business. That level of Trump support has effectively been unchanged since the last Times/Siena poll, which was fielded in July amid televised hearings by the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol. It was also fundamentally similar to levels of support Times/Siena polls and other surveys found in recent years. The publics view of Trumps fight against the election results also remained largely unchanged, with 54% in the most recent survey saying his actions posed a threat to democracy and 38% saying he had just exercised his right to contest the election. And roughly half of voters said they thought Trump had committed serious federal crimes, while 38% thought he had not. That was similar to the responses from July, when respondents were asked more specifically about Trumps actions in the aftermath of the 2020 election. Trump has often boasted about the loyalty of his supporters. That loyalty has long been clear in his favorability ratings, which remained stable throughout his time in office, even during moments of peak turmoil, such as his first impeachment trial. His approval ratings rose briefly as COVID-19 started to spread in the United States in spring of 2020, but by May his support had returned to previous levels. Story continues Many of Trumps signature policy proposals have remained fairly popular among the public, the September poll found. Half of all respondents favored a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, including more than 15% of those who said they would vote for Biden in 2024. And a majority said they agreed more with the Republican Party than with the Democratic Party when it came to illegal immigration. Trump has signaled another run for president. In a hypothetical rematch in 2024 with President Joe Biden, 45% said they would support Biden, while 42% said they would support Trump. (Bidens margin of victory in the 2020 election was 4.4 percentage points.) In 2020, Trump made gains among Hispanic voters, a group that has historically favored Democrats. The recent poll found that Republicans continue to maintain a similar level of support among Hispanic voters, particularly young Hispanic men. Antonio Chavez, a 34-year-old delivery driver from Amarillo, Texas, said that he had voted for a mix of Democrats and Republicans over the years but that he would probably vote for Trump in 2024 if he ran again. I dont know too much, he said. When the race starts getting closer, Ill start paying attention, but right now hes just at the forefront for me. I have a few reservations about supporting him because of the document issue, but I like to see what the other side is going with. There were signs in the poll that views on Trump were more complex than they are sometimes made out to be. Across all measures asked, 30% of voters consistently held views that could be considered pro-Trump, such as planning to support him if he runs in 2024 and saying that his actions after the 2020 election were justified. Thirty-nine percent of voters consistently held a series of views that could be described as anti-Trump. However, nearly 30% appeared to hold seemingly conflicting views about him and his actions either by expressing a mix of sentiments or by declining to respond to one of the questions. For instance, 14% of respondents said that they both planned to support him and believed his actions after the 2020 election went so far as to be a threat to democracy. 2022 The New York Times Company Peiter Zatko (left) and Elon Musk. Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images/The Washington Post via Getty Images Zatko accused Twitter of lax security and other missteps during his time as a top executive. He also sided with Elon Musk in claiming "bots" are improperly quantified on the platform. Twitter now wants to know if Zatko has had prior dealings with Musk or those on his side of the deal. A former Twitter executive recently became a whistleblower, calling out the company's allegedly lax security and professing that it indeed has a problem with the way it quantifies fake or spam accounts, just like Elon Musk has said. Now, Twitter wants to know if the executive has any link to the billionaire. As part of the ongoing lawsuit Twitter filed against Musk, to force him to acquire the platform for a previously agreed upon $44 billion, it recently asked Musk and his lawyers to produce any communications between them, as well as the various parties that have agreed to finance his takeover, and Pieter "Mudge" Zatko. Zatko worked for about a year as Twitter's chief information security officer and in July submitted to Congress a whistleblower disclosure against the company. Judge Kathleen McCormick, who is overseeing the lawsuit in Delaware, on Thursday ordered Musk's side to provide at least some of the documents being requested by Twitter regarding Zatko as a condition of his lawyers being able to amend their own complaint against Twitter for the second time. "Plaintiff's request that the court allow the amendment subject to conditions relating to discovery concerning the amendment is reasonable," Judge McCormick said. The additional discovery Twitter is requesting related to Zatko includes "all communications" and "any documents reflecting, referring to, or summarizing such communications" from December 2021 through August 2022 between Musk, his representatives, advisors, lenders, or co-investors, and Zatko. It is also asking for the same scope of communications by the same parties and during the same time frame that "relate" to Zatko and his whistleblower disclosure, as well as a response to a form asking the parties if Musk or anyone working for him did work for Zatko or "obtained information" from him between November 2020 through August 2022. Story continues Judge McCormick said she will decide exactly how much of this discovery should be handed over after a hearing on the issue set for next week. The case is set to go to trial the week of October 17. Representatives for Twitter and Musk could not be immediately reached for comment. In his whistleblower disclosure and then a public appearance before Congress, Zatko claimed that Twitter's engineering and security protocols were lacking to such a degree that agents of foreign countries were employed there and that he was stopped from presenting his findings in full to the company's board. He also openly sided with Musk and his claims that Twitter hosts more "bots" or fake accounts that it publicly discloses. A section of Zatko's disclosure is titled "Lying about Bots to Elon Musk" and accuses Twitter of misrepresenting how it counts and combats spam accounts, saying "Elon Musk is correct." Lawyers for Zatko previously told CNN he had not been in contact with Musk. Twitter has denied Zatko's claims and said he was fired over performance issues. The company now appears to be curious whether Zatko had any sort of prior relationship with Musk, his lawyers, or the nearly 20 parties that agreed to finance his acquisition. Outside financiers of the acquisition include Oracle founder Larry Ellison, Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, among others. Lawyers for Musk have opposed providing such communications, Judge McCormick said. First, they argued the request was coming too late, then objected to the inclusion of Morgan Stanley, Musk's personal lender for the deal, then said they had "no reason to think" such documents existed, then said the request was "unduly burdensome." The judge asked that Musk's lawyers clarify what, if anything, they are willing to produce regarding Zatko before next week's hearing. Are you a Twitter employee or someone with insight to share? Contact Kali Hays at khays@insider.com, on secure messaging app Signal at 949-280-0267, or through Twitter DM at @hayskali. Reach out using a non-work device. Read the original article on Business Insider Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough is making it clear who has the final say in deciding whether veterans in states with abortion bans can still access abortion care. He does, not Republican state attorneys general. During a Wednesday hearing before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) praised McDonough for changing VA rules this month, for the first time, to provide abortion care to veterans in cases involving rape, incest or when the life of the patient is at risk. There are currently about 300,000 female veterans of childbearing age who receive their health care under the VA health system, and many live in states where abortion is no longer available. Hirono noted that Alabama GOP Attorney General Steve Marshall is already threatening to prosecute any VA doctor who provides abortion services in his state, where abortion is now entirely banned. I would expect other Republican attorney generals, in the states where abortion is now provided, to follow suit, Hirono told McDonough. Mr. Secretary, what legal protections do federal employees at VA have under the interim final rule? The VA has full legal authority to provide abortion services to veterans in states with abortion bans, says VA Secretary Denis McDonough. (Photo: Tom Williams via Getty Images) The VA has full legal authority to provide abortion services to veterans in states with abortion bans, says VA Secretary Denis McDonough. (Photo: Tom Williams via Getty Images) McDonough said the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel had just released an opinion hours earlier, one that he requested, that concluded it is entirely a lawful exercise of VAs authority to provide veterans with access to reproductive health care. The Justice Department opinion also concluded that states may not impose criminal or civil liability on VA employees including doctors, nurses, administrative staff who provide or facilitate abortions or related services in a manner authorized by federal law, he said. The supremacy clause of the Constitution bars state officials from penalizing VA employees for performing their federal functions, whether through criminal prosecution, license revocation proceedings, or civil litigation. Story continues This [Office of Legal Counsel] opinion makes very clear the protections that are afforded VA providers, McDonough added. A Marshall spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. Heres a copy of the Justice Departments legal opinion laying out why the VA has the authority to provide abortion care. Unlike the Department of Health and Human Services, the VA is not bound by the Hyde Amendment, the legislative provision that bars the use of federal funds for abortion except in cases where a pregnancy is caused by rape, incest or when the womans life is at risk. But VA leaders chose to put Hyde-like restrictions in place despite the agency not being required to do so. HuffPost asked the VA earlier this month why McDonough decided to limit the VAs abortion services to cases of rape, incest or the patients life being at risk. A department spokesman said, At this time, VA is responding to the emergency need to protect the life and health of our nations Veterans. McDonough said Wednesday that the decision to provide abortion services to veterans at all was in response to safety concerns. Id just reiterate the principle that led us to take this step is veteran patient safety, he said. We take that very, very seriously. Every health decision we make flows from that principle. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Story at a glance Around 90 percent of the expected relief will go to Americans earning less than $75,000 per year. States with relatively large populations, like California and Texas, have the most borrowers who meet the criteria for forgiveness. The Education Department advises applying prior to Nov. 15 for relief to occur before restarting federal loan repayments in January. The White House on Tuesday released a state-by-state breakdown of borrowers affected by President Bidens student debt forgiveness plan, which could eliminate student debt entirely for 20 million borrowers. About 90 percent of the expected relief will go to Americans earning less than $75,000 per year, according to a White House fact sheet. The Biden administration in August rolled out plans to forgive up to $10,000 for federal borrowers earning less than $125,000 and up to $20,000 for borrowers who meet the income criteria and received a Pell Grant during college. Bidens plan could affect more than 40 million total borrowers in all 50 states if all eligible applicants apply for relief beginning online in early October. The Education Department advises applying prior to Nov. 15 for relief to kick in before restarting federal loan repayments in January. States with relatively large populations, like California and Texas, have the most borrowers who meet the criteria for forgiveness. More than 3.5 million student debt holders in California are eligible for up to $10,000 each in loan forgiveness more than 2.3 million received Pell Grants. In Texas, more than 3.3 million borrowers could see up to $10,000 removed from their balances, while slightly more than 2.3 million former Pell Grant recipients are eligible for up to $20,000. Wyoming has the fewest borrowers eligible for student debt forgiveness, where more than 31,000 out of about 50,000 debt holders could receive up to $20,000. Mississippi has the highest percentage of Pell Grant recipients set to benefit among its borrowers at 76 percent 316,400 out of 417,200. Meanwhile, approximately 74 percent of borrowers in New Mexico could see up to $20,000 of their loans eliminated. Story continues Arkansas, Utah, and Idaho round out the top five states with the highest percentage of their eligible borrowers potentially seeing up to $20,000 wiped off their student debt balances. America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news. The administration said its increased forgiveness for Pell Grant recipients could work toward narrowing the racial wealth gap as nearly 71 percent of Black and 65 percent of Latino undergraduate borrowers are Pell Grant recipients. Pell Grants, which have a maximum allowance of $6,895 per academic year, are typically awarded to undergraduate students in serious financial need. The number increased in March for the current academic year. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said on social media Tuesday said that the $400 Pell Grant increase reduces the college cost by 70 percent for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Tyler James Williams and Janelle James I am just so happy to be back! Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) squeals in the opening scene of Abbott Elementarys second season. Janine is excited to get into the classroom again and prove she has it all together this year (and for her colleagues to notice she parted her hair on the other side), but I imagine Brunson is also thrilled to be back: After an historic three Emmy nominations, she nabbed her first win (Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the pilot), while the show picked up two more statues. Its well-established that a sitcom takes time to find its footing. Go back and rewatch the first seasons of Parks And Recreation or The Office and youll see that things feel a little off compared to the comedic timings and dynamic chemistries they became known for. Thanks to Brunsons clear vision and specificity as a Philly local, though, Abbott Elementary showed a rare confidence in its first outing. And its exciting to think that with time and development, the show is going to become even funnier and deeper as it goes on. The good news: The laughs came more frequently in the back half of season one, and this season-two premiere doesnt skip a beat. Read more We pick up with the gang on the titular Development Day, with the teachers returning from summer break to prepare their classrooms before the students arrive. Janine assures the audience and her colleagues that she fast-tracked her breakup with Tariq (Zach Fox), which is basically Chekhovs Janine is going to have a meltdown for the episode. This year is going to be different! But when she gets to school and tries to park, she finds that Ava (Janelle James) has commandeered the parking lot to charge Eagles fans to tailgate. Sonot that different. Story continues We get a quick rundown of what everyone did for the summer: Jacob (Chris Perfetti) taught abroad in Peru and took an ASL class (I wasnt inspired by CODA, per se, but); Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralphalso an Emmy winner) lost her shoes on an all-inclusive cruise while extremely inebriated (Sea Barbara is different than Land Barbara); Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) was down on the Jersey shore with Gary the vending machine guy; and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) dove into the first-grade curriculum since hes now a full-time teacher. During her morning address in the gym, Ava throws a few summer thirst traps of herself up on the screen for Gregorys benefit before sharing the agenda for the day. Janine has planned a teachers mixer, and when she mentions her wisdom swap idea, Barbara and Melissa are quick to tell her it wont work. She starts to argue but then stops herselfI dont have to change your minds, because its mandatory in a show of confidence that impresses the veteran teachers. Between that and the reveal that shes snagged the only celebrity that matters to surprise the kids on the first day of school (Gritty, the terrifying Flyers mascot), Janine is stepping up. Looks like somebody got it together this year, Barbara mutters to Melissa. The team is quickly bogged down in the administrative nightmares of the public-school system. Although Barbara succeeded in getting a ramp installed at the school, shes getting the runaround from the district about an accessible desk for her upcoming student who uses a wheelchair. Melissa, poor soul, is now a combined second and third grade teacher with ten extra students because there werent enough kids to justify another class. Sheryl Lee Ralph But no one is freaking out like Gregory, who cant believe how much material the school-board-mandated curriculum expects first graders to learn in a year. He maps out everything in a very detailed schedule on his white board, with headshots of each of his kids fixed to their desks. His classroom isnt as bad as John Nashs office in A Beautiful Mind, but it has similar vibes. And as for sweet Janine, the preordained meltdown comes to mess up her hot streak, right on schedule. As she and Jacob brainstorm an icebreaker for her mixer, he sees threatening emails from her landlord because shes three months behind on rent now that Tariq is out of the picture. Janine brushes off Jacobs concern, but right in the middle of her mixer, Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis) comes to inform the group that her car is getting a boot for unpaid parking tickets. (They were Tariqs, and she used to pay them, but in an act of maturity, I havent since we split.) And of course, as she fails to plead her way out of that mess, Gritty shows up because she accidentally told him to come on development day instead of the first day of school. Oops. Her image of having it all together shattered, Janine gets some heart-to-heart advice from Barbara and Melissa: You have to go through a breakup, not over it. Healing is part of the process. Janine ruminates on this as we see the teachers welcoming students for the first day. Its a beautiful sequence that reinforces Abbott Elementarys beating heart. Forget the jokes about Jacobs try-hard obsession with ASL. Seeing him sign with a deaf student is genuinely moving. Barbara wheels her new student into her classroom only to discover that Gregory found an ADA-compliant desk in storage. Threading the needle between heart and humor isnt easy, but Abbott Elementary is at the top of the class. Stray observations A 42-year-old man was fatally shot early Thursday morning in a driveway on Tremont Avenue in Kenmore, police said. The shooting happened at about 1:30 a.m. at 157 Tremont, between Elmwood and Delaware avenues, Kenmore police said in a news release. Kenmore Police Chief Thomas Phillips said in a news release Friday that police have identified a suspect in the shooting but declined to release a name of the individual. The victim, who was declared dead at the scene from apparent gunshot wounds, was identified as David L. Pierce of the Town of Tonawanda. Police described the homicide as "an isolated incident" and said there was "no hazard to the public." Police did not release any further information. Neighbors contacted by The Buffalo News said they knew very little about the shooting on what they described as a normally quiet block. One resident on the street said he was awakened by what he said sounded like a gunshot, followed by the sound of a vehicle peeling away from the scene. Hours later, various motorists could be seen driving down the street to stop and gawk at the yellow, two-story, single-family home, where an empty, black infant's stroller was left out front on the sidewalk. Neighbors described the occupants as a friendly but quiet couple who mostly kept to themselves, with two young children and a pet dog. Investigators ask anyone with information to call the department at 716-875-1234. Newcastles record signing Alexander Isak has withdrawn from the Sweden squad through injury to leave head coach Eddie Howe sweating on his fitness. The 58million summer arrival from Real Sociedad missed training on Wednesday ahead of the Nations League B4 fixtures against Serbia and Slovenia, his 23rd birthday, and is heading back to Tyneside. A statement on the Swedish Football Associations official website said: Alexander Isak missed Wednesdays training due to a feeling. Krya pa dig, Alex Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) September 22, 2022 On Wednesday evening, Alexander was examined by, among others, our medical team and it was established that he will not be available for games against either Serbia or Slovenia. Alexander will therefore leave the squad. Manger Janne Andersson added: It is of course sad, mainly for Alex, but also for us as a team. But after speaking with both our medical team and Alex, it is the right decision for him to leave. I hope he is back as soon as possible. Isak, who started three of his countrys four games in June, was disappointed at having to pull out. He said: It feels very sad to have to leave the team. I had longed to play in the blue and yellow shirt again. I wish the boys the best of luck on Saturday and Tuesday. Alexander Isak levels for Newcastle from the penalty spot against Bournemouth (Owen Humphreys/PA) The news will come as a blow too to Magpies boss Howe, who completed his swoop for Isak as the summer transfer window drew to a close with Callum Wilson nursing the hamstring injury which has sidelined him since the 3-3 draw with champions Manchester City on August 21. Wilson is close to a return, but Newcastle face an anxious wait to discover the extent of their big-money buys injury ahead of next Saturdays trip to promoted Fulham. Isak scored on his debut at Liverpool and converted a penalty to secure a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at the weekend, but is yet to finish on the winning side in his three appearances to date for the club, who have not won a Premier League game since the opening day of the season. Spanish is the language of my family and culture. It hurts not knowing it. I was finally having my Selena moment. No, it wasnt me performing in front of tens of thousands of fans or about to win a Grammy Award. It was me, in a crowd full of people I identify with culturally, unable to speak Spanish to those who would expect me to. Of all the iconic scenes from the hit 1997 biopic of Selena Quintanilla Perez, there are two that stick out to me: when there is concern of her performing in Mexico because she doesnt speak Spanish, and when her father, played by Edward James Olmos, explains why it feels risky for them to go. "Down there, you got to speak perfectly, or the press will eat you up and spit you out alive," he says. "We got to prove to the Mexicans how Mexican we are, and we got to prove to the Americans how American we are. We got to be more Mexican than the Mexicans, and more American than the Americans, both at the same time. It's exhausting." I normally love going to cover in-person events, but this was the first one I felt nervous about. It was a press conference for the Mexico National Football Team, where players and managers would be speaking Spanish. Luckily, English interpretation was offered for the media, and some players even answered in English, but I felt embarrassed. I felt like a fraud in an area where most people looked like me. My name is Jordan Mendoza, a trending news reporter at USA TODAY, and one of the few nearly full-Hispanic people that don't know how to speak Spanish. Race and justice news we're reading Feeling like an outsider As I got older, I started to realize I was missing out. I couldnt be involved in conversations. I couldnt understand Mexican pop culture and jokes that everyone found funny left me confused. I avoided all conversations that could be in Spanish because I wanted to avoid looking like a fool. Story continues This is something that has plagued me most of my life. Ive always known I wouldnt be fully accepted into American culture because of my background, but Ive always felt like an outsider among people from the same background as me because I cant speak Spanish. I even took Spanish all of high school in hopes of getting better, but I still struggled. I have fears of learning Spanish now because I think it'll only make things worse since I won't sound as natural as someone who grew up learning it. However, I know I am not alone. A Pew Research Center analysis from 2015 found 97% of Latinx immigrant parents speak to their children in Spanish, but that drops to 71% among U.S. born second-generation Latinx parents. My grandma, born in Mexico, taught my dad and his four siblings Spanish, but my dad didnt teach me. My mom was never taught Spanish by her grandparents. The most exposure I got was my grandma speaking some Spanglish to me, and me responding in English. Its a tough thing to figure out; how can I say Im Mexican and proud of it when I cant even speak the language my family, friends and colleagues do? Taking pride in heritage, culture My dad didn't teach any of his three boys Spanish, but he still instilled that we should be proud of our Mexican heritage and never forget our family roots. Even though I still struggle with my imposter syndrome, I try not to let my language deficiencies define who I am. I still observe Mexican holidays, and I make it a point to have my Hispanic culture be included in USA TODAY coverage, from Dia de la Independencia to Nochebuena. Hispanic families are known to be massive, and I make sure to stay involved and see as much of my family as I can. And if there is something, or someone, bringing our culture to mainstream media, you best believe I won't shut up about it. While I try not to let this define who I am, what I do ask from my community is to be more sympathetic toward those like me. I can't count the number of times I've been met with negative reactions from others for saying "no hablo espanol" or responding in English. Sadly, there are derogatory terms for people like me. I know I'm not as Mexican or Hispanic as I could be, and I'm trying to teach myself to be okay with it; what I lack in language, I make up in pride and knowledge. Sure, my dad didn't teach me Spanish, but the most valuable thing he taught me was to be proud of my heritage and to never forget my roots. It'll never be easy to accept, but I feel lucky to be Mexican-American and have such a rich culture for me to share with everyone, and I encourage everyone to immerse themselves in it. I am proud of my background, proud of my culture and proud I am able to showcase it here at USA TODAY as I continue to learn more about myself, while celebrating all the fantastic work of Hispanic Heritage Month. As Selena, played by Jennifer Lopez, said at her press conference in Monterrey: "Me siento muy... excited!" Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5. -- This is America is a weekly take on current events from a rotating panel of USA TODAY Network journalists with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. If you're seeing this newsletter online or someone forwarded it to you, you can subscribe here. If you have feedback for us, we'd love for you to drop it here. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Some Hispanic people don't speak Spanish. I am one of them. Lizards come in all shapes and sizes, most of them of the smaller nature. What Joycelyn Penson encountered while visiting her son's home in Orland was not small. Penson spotted (and nabbed video of) a gigantic, human-sized lizard big enough to take on an alligator. In the video initially shared to her Facebook page, Penson wrote: "OMG! LOOK AT THIS! My son lives in Orlando, Fla. Really, its Apopka, Fla. Look at what came to pay him a visit today! Its a Tegu lizard!" The lizard, most likely a monitor lizard, is seen in the 40-second video trying to literally knock at the home's door and scratch at it by finding a way to get into the house while standing on a windowsill. U.S. smuggler: California man pleads guilty to smuggling over 1,700 animals worth more than $739K Monitor lizards are among the largest on the planet and sport long necks, powerful tails and claws, and well-developed limbs. The adult length of extant species ranges from 8 inches in some species, to over 10 feet in others. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Huge lizard claws at, climbs window at Florida home US$0.02 GAAP Earnings Per Share and a Thirteenth Consecutive Quarter of Positive Free Cash Flow VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 21, 2022 /CNW/ - C21 Investments Inc. (CSE: CXXI) (OTCQX: CXXIF) ("C21" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated cannabis company, today announced its interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the second quarter ended July 31, 2022. The Company's Q2 financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP").. All currency is reported in U.S. dollars. C21 Investments Inc. Logo (CNW Group/C21 Investments Inc.) Q2 Financial Highlights (May 1, 2022 to July 31, 2022): Revenue of $7.2 million down 4% sequentially, in line with the 5% decline in State of Nevada sales 1 Earnings Per Share of $0.02 Gross Margin of 53.8% - up 40 basis points sequentially Adjusted EBITDA 2 of $2.2 million a 31% EBITDA Margin Cash Flow from Operations of $1.8 million the 13 th consecutive quarter of positive Free Cash Flow Total Liabilities reduced by $1.6 million from Q1 Q2 Management and Operational Commentary: "I am pleased that again this quarter, C21 reported solid results, maintaining its strong margin and cash flow profile, despite the challenging market and macro conditions that persist," stated CEO and President, Sonny Newman. "Notwithstanding industry headwinds and state-level pricing pressures, the Nevada market appears to be showing signs of stabilizing. We believe the current industry environment will afford growth opportunities to those companies able to consistently generate positive free cash flow and that have strong balance sheets. Our strategy and focus has been to ensure C21 is well positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities that will produce long term benefits to stakeholders." C21's Q2 revenue of $7.2 million was down 4% sequentially, narrowly outperforming Nevada market sales which saw an overall decline of 5% in total sales over the same period1. Gross Margin was 53.8%, up 40 basis points from the previous quarter. The Company delivered $2.2 million of Adjusted EBITDA2 a 31% EBITDA Margin, consistent with the previous two quarters. Story continues C21 reported Net Income of $1.9 million, up $1.6 million from Q1, representing Earnings per Share of $0.02. This was driven by $1.5 million of Net Income from Continuing Operations and $0.3 million from Discontinued Operations in Oregon. Net Income results include a $0.6 million derivative gain. Cash Flow from Operations was $1.8 million, up 15% over Q1 the thirteenth consecutive quarter of positive Cash Flow from Operations. Cash at the end of Q2 was $2.3 million, down $0.2 million from Q1. The Company's senior secured note was reduced by $1.5 million in Q2 and Total Liabilities were reduced by $1.6 million during the quarter. Subsequent to the quarter, the Company has paid down its senior secured note by an additional $1.0 million, with $4.1 million outstanding as of September 1, 2022. Additionally, last week the city of Sparks, Nevada approved drive-thru windows at its licensed dispensaries. Silver State Relief intends to build out this sales channel in the coming months. __________________ 1 State of Nevada Cannabis Tax Revenue: https://tax.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/taxnvgov/Content/TaxLibrary/NV-Cannabis-Revenue-FY22(5).pdf?n=2150 2 See Non-GAAP Measures Non-GAAP Measures: "Adjusted EBITDA" is supplemental, non-GAAP financial measures. The Company defines EBITDA as earnings before depreciation and amortization, depreciation and interest in cost of sales, income taxes, and interest. Additionally, the Company's Adjusted EBITDA presented above excludes accretion, loss from discontinued operations, one-time transaction costs and all other non-cash items. The Company has presented "Adjusted EBITDA" because its management believes it is a useful measure for investors when assessing and considering the Company's continuing operations and prospects for the future. Furthermore, "Adjusted EBITDA" is a commonly used measurement in the financial community when evaluating the market value of similar companies. "Adjusted EBITDA" is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, and these metrics should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, the measurement of the Company's performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. "Adjusted EBITDA," as calculated and reconciled in the table above, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other issuers and is not necessarily a measure of the Company's ability to fund its cash needs. Figures have been restated to match current presentation. Adjusted EBITDA: Q2 Q1 July 31, 2022 April 30, 2022 Net Income (Loss) 1,857,043 $ 306,820 Interest expenses, net 133,455 164,049 Provision for Income Taxes 485,152 498,263 Depreciation and Amortization 341,286 341,286 Depreciation and Interest in COGS 203,091 203,092 EBITDA 3,020,027 1,513,510 Change in fair value of derivative liabilities (629,500) - Share based compensation 54,064 102,786 Loss from discontinued operations (344,554) 730,325 One-time special project costs 89,331 50,000 Other gain/loss 21,972 (4,146) Adjusted EBITDA $ 2,211,340 $ 2,392,475 Q2 Balance Sheet Summary: Q2 Q1 Q4 (US$) July 31, 2022 April 30, 2022 January 31, 2022 Assets Cash 2,341,411 2,501,758 3,067,983 Inventory 5,415,090 4,727,513 4,054,473 Other current 2,679,473 2,755,086 3,162,018 Current Assets 10,435,974 9,984,357 10,284,474 Fixed Assets / Goodwill / Intangibles 51,267,819 51,596,065 51,569,000 Total Assets 61,703,793 61,580,422 61,853,474 Liabilities Accounts payable 2,614,216 2,487,120 2,508,869 Promissory note current portion 5,066,667 6,080,000 6,080,000 Income taxes payable 5,182,133 4,431,808 3,658,162 Other notes, current lease etc. 2,396,363 2,665,427 2,481,519 Current Liabilities 15,259,379 15,664,355 14,728,550 Lease liabilities 8,760,577 8,858,201 8,953,425 Promissory note - 506,667 2,026,667 Derivative liability and other 366,500 1,155,581 1,161,640 Total Liabilities 24,616,275 26,184,804 26,870,282 Shareholders' Equity 37,087,518 35,395,618 34,983,192 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 61,703,793 61,580,422 61,853,474 Q2 Financial Summary: Q2 Q1 (US$) July 31, 2022 April 30, 2022 Revenue 7,175,493 $ 7,472,461 Cost of Sales 3,316,161 3,484,824 Gross Profit 3,859,332 3,987,637 Gross Margin% 53.8 % 53.4 % Total Expenses 2,335,764 2,292,326 Income (Loss) from Operations 1,512,489 1,695,311 Net Income (Loss) 1,857,043 306,820 GAAP Earnings Per Share 0.02 0.00 Adjusted EBITDA1 2,211,340 2,392,475 EBITDA Margin% 30.8 % 32.0 % For further inquiries, please contact: Investor contact: Company contact: Investor Relations Michael Kidd info@cxxi.ca Chief Financial Officer and Director +1 833 289-2994 Michael.Kidd@cxxi.ca About C21 Investments Inc. C21 Investments Inc. is a vertically integrated cannabis company that cultivates, processes, and distributes quality cannabis and hemp-derived consumer products in the United States. The Company is focused on value creation through the disciplined acquisition and integration of core retail, manufacturing, and distribution assets in strategic markets, leveraging industry-leading retail revenues with high-growth potential multi-market branded consumer packaged goods. The Company owns Silver State Relief and Silver State Cultivation in Nevada, including legacy Oregon brands Phantom Farms, Hood Oil and Eco Firma Farms. These brands produce and distribute a broad range of THC and CBD products from cannabis flowers, pre-rolls, cannabis oil, vaporizer cartridges and edibles. Based in Vancouver, Canada, additional information on C21 can be found at www.sedar.com and www.cxxi.ca. Cautionary Statement: Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the stabilization of the Nevada cannabis market, the Company's intention to build out its drive-thru sales channel in Sparks, Nevada, the Company's continued focus on sustainable profitability and assessing strategic opportunities in its market and the Company's belief that it remains well positioned for future growth. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including, without limitation, the ability of the Company's management to execute its business strategy, objectives and plans. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based 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. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties arising from general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change after such date. 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, except as required under applicable securities regulations. 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 release. SOURCE C21 Investments Inc. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2022/21/c1152.html Europe relied on cheap Russian energy for decades. And Russia was happy to supply low-cost oil and gas to gain political influence over the European Union. That relationship has now imploded. The EU has finally woken up to the national security risks of relying on an authoritarian neighbor for energy. Read more But as Europe scrambles to cut its dependence on Russia, it risks further entrenching its reliance on another authoritarian countryChinafor solar panels, in its push to tap alternative energy sources. Chinese exports of solar panels to Europe are surging Chinese customs data show a steep rise in exports of solar panels to Europe. The value of solar panels sold to the EU from January to August this year totals over $16 billion, more than double the $7.2 billion over the same period last year. datawrapper-chart-2fz0z In part, the increase in export value is driven by the rising costs of producing solar panels. Polysilicon, a key raw material for makings solar panels, hit record prices in China this year, for example, in turn forcing manufacturers to raise prices. But measuring Chinese solar panel sales to Europe by power generation capacity similarly shows a marked increase. According to InfoLink, a Taiwan-based renewable energy consulting firm, Europe imported 42.4 gigawatts of Chinese photovoltaic modules in the first half of 2022, a 137% year-on-year increase. One gigawatt is equivalent to about 3.125 million solar panels, according to the US Department of Energy. The EU is swapping out one autocracy for another The EU already depends on China for the bulk of its solar panels. In 2021, China accounted for 75% of global solar panel production, versus 2.8% for Europe, according to the International Energy Agency. And China has an even tighter grip on the components and materials required to make solar panels, such as solar cells, silicon wafers, and polysilicon. Story continues datawrapper-chart-YDvET As Europe pivots from Russian fossil fuels, the Chinese solar industry stands to gainpotentially at the expense of the EUs energy security. Indeed, in May, when the bloc announced its 210-billion-euro ($208-billion) plan to wean itself off Russian energy, the stocks of major Chinese solar manufacturers rallied. With Europe importing 80% of its solar panels from China, dependencies would merely shift from imported oil or gas to imported solar equipment, leaving much to be desired when it comes to the solar sector as a genuine source of energy security and strategic autonomy, Kjeld van Wieringen and Julia Huntemann of the European Parliamentary Research Service wrote recently (pdf). Just as Russia has proven willing to weaponize economic relations for political goals, China has shown itself to be capable of doing the same. Look, for instance, at Beijings economic boycott of Lithuania after it showed support for Taiwan. Or as Mark Widmar, CEO of US manufacturer First Solar, put it in a July op-ed: Solar is freedom energy unless we depend on autocracies for the technology. This undated photograph provided by Dianna Shaw shows U.S. military veteran Alexander Drueke of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and his mother, Lois "Bunny" Drueke. (Lois "Bunny" Drueke/Dianna Shaw via AP) Two Alabama men have been freed from captivity by Russians in Ukraine, according to a family member of one of the men. Dianna Shaw, the aunt of Alex Drueke of Tuscaloosa released a statement Wednesday saying Drueke and Andy Huynh of Hartselle have been released from imprisonment. Drueke and Huynh traveled to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia. More:Russias invasion of Ukraine should `make your blood run cold, Biden tells other nations as Putin scales up "We are thrilled to announce that Alex and Andy are free," Shaw said in the statement. "They are safely in the custody of the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia and after medical checks and debriefing they will return to the (United) States. We deeply appreciate everyone's prayers and especially the close communication and support of our elected officials, Ukrainian Ambassador Markarova, and our members of the U.S. embassies in Ukraine and Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Department of State," Shaw said. Drueke and Huynh didn't return to a meeting spot after their group came under heavy fire in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine near the Russian border on June 9. The two traveled separately to help Ukraine and became buddies there in part because of their shared Alabama background, relatives have said. According to the U.S. Department of State, Drueke and Hunyh were being held as prisoners of war by Russian-controlled forces in an unspecified location. Drueke's family members have had contact with Drueke by phone since he was taken captive. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, said Wednesday that she had spoken with Shaw and Alex Drueke's mother, Lois Bunny Drueke, as news of Alex Drueke's release broke. Words cannot express my joy and relief at this wonderful news," Sewell said. "I have been deeply inspired by the strength and resilience of Bunny Drueke and Dianna Shaw as we work to bring these two veterans home. We are all so grateful that Alex and Andy will soon be back on American soil and reunited with their families. Story continues According to the Associated Press, Druekes mother received a call from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning and an embassy worker handed the phone to the man, Shaw said. He got on the phone and said, Hi mom, its your favorite child, she said. Huynh moved to north Alabama two years ago from his native California and lives about 120 miles from Drueke. Before leaving for Europe, Huynh told his local newspaper, The Decatur Daily, he couldnt stop thinking about Russias invasion. I know it wasnt my problem, but there was that gut feeling that I felt I had to do something, Huynh told the paper. Two weeks after the war began, it kept eating me up inside and it just felt wrong. I was losing sleep. ... All I could think about was the situation in Ukraine. Huynh told his fiancee he wants a meal from McDonalds and a Pepsi-Cola when he returns home, Shaw said. Material from The Associated Press was used in this report. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Family says two Alabama men freed from captivity in Ukraine Norse Atlantic Airways' Mega Seat Sale must be booked by Sept. 26. Courtesy of Norse Atlantic Airways Brand-new budget airline Norse Atlantic Airways is putting 30,000 seats on sale just in time for fall vacations with flights to Europe starting at just $115. The airlines Mega Seat Sale must be booked by Sept. 26 for travel before March 25, 2023, according to Norse. Travel dates for the sale vary based on the destination. Travelers can fly to Europe from the United States starting at just $115, or fly to the U.S. from the United Kingdom from just over $300 roundtrip. There has never been a better time to book a long weekend city break or to plan the holiday of [a] lifetime thanks to the Norse Atlantic Airways sale, Andrew Hodges, the chief commercial officer for Norse Atlantic Airways, said in a statement. Passengers can enjoy direct flights onboard state of the art Boeing 787 Dreamliners and explore further for less with Norse Atlantic. Each ticket must be booked at least three days before traveling and blackout dates from Dec. 14 through Jan. 9, 2023, apply. The sale includes all taxes and fees, but the airline charges extra for things like baggage and seating. Travelers can snag deals between major cities like Oslo and Los Angeles starting at $189 one-way and Oslo and New York starting at just $125 one-way. Or fly between Berlin and New York starting at just $157 one-way and between London and New York starting at just $307 roundtrip. Norse Atlantic Airways, which was formed in an effort to fill a space left by low cost carriers Norwegian Air and WOW Air, purchased several of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft from Norwegian after the carrier announced the end of its transatlantic service. Now, Norse has a fleet of 15 Dreamliners. Norse first took off from Oslo to New York on June 14, according to the company, followed by flights to Fort Lauderdale. The company offers two cabin choices: economy and premium. Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty The day after Colorados primary elections, when Pam Andersons victory was clear, the candidate called both of her primary opponents to congratulate them on a well-fought race. Neither responded, Anderson says. Thats not usual, Anderson, who has run three previous campaigns, told The Daily Beast. I think it is symptomatic of this undercutting of some of our institutional norms. Anderson is the Republican nominee for secretary of state in Colorado. She faces off against incumbent Sec. Jena Griswold (D) in November. But while Anderson prepares for her upcoming race, some Colorado Republicans are still re-litigating the primary. One of Andersons primary opponents, Tina Peters, has baselessly blamed her loss on election fraud. And Peters isnt alone. From Colorado to Florida, a new cohort of Republican primary candidates have adopted a local version of Donald Trumps election denial, refusing to accept their losses, even if it means accusing their own party of election tampering ahead of the general election. MAGA Clerk Attends Event that Calls for Hangings After Arrest Peters, the clerk for Colorados Mesa County, became a prominent personality in Stop The Steal circles after she allegedly breached voting machines in her office and leaked their data to conspiracy theorists, incorrectly claiming that the machines showed evidence of vote tampering in the 2020 election. Peters has pleaded not guilty to 10 criminal charges stemming from the breach. Peters and another 2020 denier, Mike ODonnell, later ran for Colorado Secretary of State, a role that would place them in charge of the states elections. Peters and ODonnell lost by a significant margin, with Anderson netting 43 percent of the vote. Nevertheless, as the results rolled in on election night, Peters called foul, accusing state election officials of cheating, the Associated Press reported. Looking at the results, its just so obvious that it should be flipped, Peters told supporters. Story continues Peters raised $256,000 (mostly from out-of-state donors) for a recount, which confirmed Andersons victory. She then challenged the recount in a lawsuit, which a judge dismissed this month. ODonnell, for his part, has spent the post-primary months sharing pictures of houses in which he believes a suspicious number of voters are registered. (Neither the Peters nor the ODonnell campaign returned requests for comment.) Anderson said she wasnt surprised by Peters refusal to accept the primary results. As a former executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, Anderson has previously worked with Peters, including when Peters office forgot to count hundreds of ballots in a 2019 election. So I was pretty familiar with Tinas style and approach, Anderson said. And I certainly saw a lot of the rhetoric that was coming out of Mesa County. I read all the reports that were coming in, and it was one of the reasons that I decided to run. Across the country, other Republican candidates have also become familiar with election-denying opponents within their own party. Rep. Daniel Webster, a U.S. representative from Florida, was among 147 Republicans who voted against certifying Joe Bidens presidential victory on Jan. 6, 2021. Although he did not explicitly allege voter fraud, Websters office issued a statement citing serious allegations of fraud and irregularities and stating that we share these grave concerns. That statement was not enough to prevent conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer from running against Webster and labeling him as an enabler of Democrats. Dan doesnt believe the 2020 election was stolen, Loomers website reads, next to a large, red X. Loomer, who has previously described herself as a proud Islamophobe and pro-white nationalism, lost to Webster during their August primary. But she did not concede defeat, instead delivering a tearful address baselessly accusing the Republican Party of fraud. I DO NOT CONCEDE, Loomer wrote in a blog post on her campaign site. And I encourage all of my supporters and all of my voters to NOT support Daniel Webster and the corrupt ESTABLISHMENT RNC and Big Tech voter fraud machine that is propping his feeble body up and depriving my constituents of the representation they deserve and need. I am calling for Daniel Webster to RESIGN because everyone knows he is beyond unfit to serve. He didnt campaign. He refused to debate me, and its because his health is worse than Joe Bidens [...] I DO NOT CONCEDE! BECAUSE YOU DO NOT CONCEDE WHEN THERE IS THEFT INVOLVED! Websters campaign dismissed the allegations, noting that Loomer had previously cried fraud in her longshot campaign against Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel in 2020. She likes to claim everyone else is a RINO meanwhile she is the one engaging in RINO behavior as she calls on her followers to support Democrat candidates and oppose the most conservative Governor in the country as he runs for re-election, Websters campaign told The Daily Beast in a statement. This behavior is right out of the Democrats playbook and exemplified by President Bidenattack conservatives and refuse to accept responsibility and the facts. Loomers campaign did not return a request for comment. Websters solidly red district will almost certainly reelect him in November, regardless of Loomers calls for his resignation. But a growing trend of election-denying local candidates threatens to shake public confidence in the general election. Anti-Muslim Bigot Laura Loomer Ambushes Republican Retreat At least a dozen primary candidates this year have lost their election and then immediately cried fraud, 538 reported in August. Some, like Peters and failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Kandiss Taylor, have backing from Big Lie celebrities like MyPillow CEO Mike Lindellwho, in turn, have supported bogus election audits and encouraged followers to barrage local election officials with record requests. Now, as they head into the general election, Republican nominees will vie for votes from people who may have backed primary rivals who still refuse to concede. Websters campaign has cut against Loomers fraud allegations by accusing her of aligning herself with the likes of Liz Cheney by opposing Republicans. Meanwhile Anderson, who does not deny President Bidens 2020 win, cautioned that fear-based election rhetoric might actually alienate voters, especially in states like Colorado, which has a large independent voting bloc. Its important to me to be able to stand up in this campaign and say, this sort of polarizing rhetoric just throws fuel on the fire and undercuts that larger group of people that can be influenced by false rhetoric, she said. We need to restore that more professional, ethical approach to these offices. As it turns out, her primary opponent ODonnell has already been the subject of election-fraud blowback. After Andersons victory, supporters of Tina Peters baselessly suggested that Colorado officials had transferred some of her votes to ODonnell, causing her to lose. ODonnell took issue with one of those claims, which appeared in a blog post from an anchor on Mike Lindells web show. What I find crazy, post primary election, ODonnell wrote on Facebook, is the assertion that because I got any votes AT ALL, the elections in Colorado must be absolutely rigged and I must have cheated. He soon resumed posting pictures of Colorado homes that he thought had suspicious voter registration records. 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. Parents who drive their children to school in Buffalo might begin reaping a financial benefit. The Buffalo Board of Education on Wednesday night approved a key step in the Parent Transportation Reimbursement Pilot Program that would allow 1,500 parents to be paid for the mileage required to drive their children to school. The move is one strategy in an attempt to overcome a nationwide bus shortage being felt locally. Buffalo would be the first large school district in the state to attempt reimbursing parents. At the monthly board meeting at Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, the board approved spending $856,332 to finance an initiative presented by Office of Family and Parent Engagement Director Ramona Reynolds, who also served on the district's Operation Sunrise Transportation Committee this summer. While about 90% of the district's annual transportation funding is reimbursed by the state, it is uncertain if the state will subsidize all or part of this new program, Board President Louis Petrucci said. The pilot program in which participating parents would opt out of yellow busing would be orchestrated by 22nd Century Technologies, a national IT and management company that already works with BPS. A Buffalo Public Schools employee would likely be required to monitor the program regularly to ensure accountability of parents and their children's school attendance, Reynolds said. Buffalo parents practice patience, flexibility to deal with school bus woes One Buffalo mother said the Buffalo Public Schools' transportation issues, a local example stemming from the nationwide shortage of bus drivers, were a continuation from last school year. Participating parents have not been selected yet, and Reynolds said her team is still gathering information regarding program specifics before opening enrollment. Her proposal said parents would be paid 62.5 cents per mile, with an average round trip of 6 miles. The overall goal would be to eliminate bus routes or consolidate existing yellow bus routes as a result of significantly fewer students relying on school-provided transportation. All but one School Board member approved the motion, with an overwhelming sentiment that an outside-the-box solution must be attempted with some urgency. "To not address the problem is unacceptable. Not to try new things is not acceptable. And to allow children to stand out in the cold for their buses not to appear is not acceptable," said Sharon Belton-Cottman, the Ferry District representative, who was echoed by Paulette Woods and Kathy Evans-Brown in a lively 40-minute discussion. Belton-Cottman painted a bleak picture of transportation woes last year, estimating that 3,000 kids were not picked up on a given day, with some students getting to school as late as 10:30 a.m. and others arriving at home at 7 or 8 p.m. "We have to start somewhere," Evans-Brown said. Jennifer Mecozzi, Terrance Heard and Louis Petrucci initially sought more information from Reynolds, with Heard suggesting a presentation describing the program at a committee meeting next month. But the trio said a vote Wednesday was crucial since preliminary plans are to launch the pilot program Nov. 14. Mecozzi expressed concern the approach would not be equitable, as students who did not have a parent with a vehicle would still be left waiting in the cold for the bus. With few solutions to bus driver crisis, BPS parents, students should 'prepare for delays' "I do wish they would hurry up and stop just talking about it and do something about it," said Anita Jones, mother of three Bennett Park Montessori students. Ultimately, only one board member did not approve the motion. "We need to think outside the box to rectify this, but I cannot stomach just throwing money at something that is not proven and is costly," said Larry Scott, an at-large board member who shared on social media earlier in the day his opposition to the agenda item. On Twitter, Scott criticized the district's longtime private transportation partner for falling short in its commitment amid a nationwide bus shortage. According to the Buffalo Schools' budget, the district will pay its private transportation partner $41.7 million for this school year after paying $49.3 million in 2021. "We have agreed to driver raises and sign on bonuses and cut well over a hundred routes, as remedies," Scott wrote. "I know that this is a national crisis, but, perhaps First Student, a large national company, should share SOME of this responsibility for not fulfilling their commitment to this costly contract." BUS DRIVER SHORTAGE! I will not throw more money at unproven remedies when it will not help those that need it most. My thoughts on paying parents to drive kids to school: pic.twitter.com/fxodtGBiz7 Larry Scott (@Larry_Scott19) September 21, 2022 Rob Galbraith, a Buffalo Public School parent, quote tweeted Scott with a screenshot of First Student's public financial report. First Student in North America, part of international transportation business FirstGroup, profited $123 million in the year prior to March 2022 on an 18% profit margin. Scott said at Wednesday's meeting that $9 million of First Student's profit came directly from the BPS contract. Rob Hummel, the Buffalo representative for First Student, could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon. During an August news conference with district officials regarding the transportation crisis, Hummel touted the pay increase, with drivers starting between $25 and $28 per hour, as well as signing and retention bonuses as ways the international transportation provider was working to overcome the nationwide shortage felt locally, with as many as 100 bus drivers needed at the time. Superintendent Tonja Williams said Wednesday the district was short about 20 to 30 bus drivers. He added that several prospective bus drivers were trying to navigate the process to earn a commercial drivers license (CDL) required to drive a bus. The district operated more than 700 bus routes before the pandemic, but started this year with just over 400, officials said. With 100 too few bus drivers, Buffalo explores paying parents to drive their kids to school Reimbursing parents 58.5 cents per mile is one of several solutions under consideration by Buffalo to address a severe driver shortage that is impacting schools across the nation. The strategy to reimburse parents the federal mileage rate for a predetermined route was one of several solutions considered by the Operation Sunrise, a group of administrators, stakeholders and community leaders who brainstormed ways over the summer to overcome the nationwide shortage of bus drivers. Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images Just days after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flew nearly 50 migrants to Marthas Vineyard in a sick political stunt that left officials scrambling, another group of asylum-seekers in Texas that were promised a better lifethis time in Delawarewere stranded at a motel Tuesday after their flight was abruptly canceled. Instead of boarding a plane, a bus was sent on Tuesday to the La Quinta where Florida operatives tied to DeSantis had stuck the group from Venezuela as they waited for their flight that never was. The bus arrived without warning, whisking some of the asylum-seekers back to a San Antonio migrant resource center that they were shadily recruited from just days before. There was no message that the bus was coming, however, and a handful of migrants found themselves not only stranded in Texas, but stranded at the motel itself, which is 10 miles away from the migrant center and the aid they desperately needed, the Herald reported. Confusion Swirls as DeSantis Migrant Flight Fails to Show in Bidens Home State With no money and soon no shelter, 39-year-old Luis Oswaldo felt abandoned. He said he knew the flight was canceled, but no one told him a bus would be sent, so he went to track down lunch and returned to find most of his fellow asylum-seekers gone. They left me here alone, Oswaldo told the Herald. They left and that was it. They didnt give out more food. I have water from the lobby. Im eating water now. That feeling of hopelessness permeated throughout the group, which had its dreams of landing a secure job and new life in America squashed as quickly as it was promised. Just days prior, an unnamed woman with straight hair had approached the migrants outside the San Antonio center, dangling clandestine flights to other cities with jobs and more resources for them, the Herald reported. I want to cry because I feel hopeless, Deiker Jose told the Herald. I have nothing. How do I work? How do I survive? The series of interviews sheds light on what really happened Tuesday, when Delaware officials were sent scrambling to prepare for a surprise migrant flight that was reportedly headed their way. It also uncovered that both groups were recruited by an unidentified woman with black hair. Also involved with the Delaware-bound group was the shady operative, known only as Perla, who cops told the Herald had her name on the groups reservation at the La Quinta. Perla had previously been identified as the woman who allegedly convinced migrants to fly to Marthas Vineyard, telling them theyd get jobs and government assistance in their new cities. Story continues The flights followed a similar flight plan: Leave Texas, then stopover in Florida before heading to the northeast. The only significant difference was their final destination, which had last weeks flight touching down in Marthas Vineyard, while Tuesdays flight was scheduled to land in Georgetown, Delaware, around lunch time. The ordeal dominated national news coverage. Public flight plans showed a plane from Ultimate JetCharters, the same charter used to send migrants to a posh Massachusetts island last week, was scheduled to depart from Texas on Tuesday for Georgetown, Delaware, near where President Joe Biden has a vacation home. There was also a payment of $950,000 from Florida to Vertol Systems Company, the same contractor it paid $615,000 to for last weeks flight. The GOP-Friendly Jet Company Making Big Bucks Off DeSantis Migrant Stunts Critics questioned whether DeSantis was bold enough to again use vulnerable migrants for a political stunt, despite being under criminal investigation in Texas for allegedly luring migrants onto the Massachusetts-bound flight last week under false pretenses. As the flight was called off, DeSantis claimed no credit for the ordeal. He refused to comment when asked at a press conference Tuesday about it, and has since gone radio-silent to all questions posed by media, including The Daily Beast, about the incident. Christina Pushaw, an official on DeSantis campaign team, has acknowledged the speculation, however. She wrote on Twitter that news of the Delaware flight was disinformation. But while the Delaware flight was called off for unspecified reasons, those who eagerly awaited its departure were left hurting the most. Gavin Rogers, a pastor at a San Antonio church that helps migrants, told the Herald that stunts like that of DeSantis are making the jobs of nonprofits, who actually want to help, even harder. When you have this kind of malicious interference, it can be destructive to peoples lives that are seeking asylum, he said. This is politically motivated human trafficking. Its tragic. The burden falls on the people doing good, not the political actors. 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. KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine The Community Gourmet has been making big strides since it began earlier this year and now has picked up a prestigious award along the way. The nonprofit organization, operated by Traci Anello, of Kennebunk, and Debbie Hall, of Arundel, received the Daily Point of Light Award on Tuesday, Sept. 13, in recognition of their ongoing efforts to help the hungry in York County and beyond. Instituted and inspired by the late President George H. W. Bush, Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies, the organization stated in a news release. Traci Anello, left, and Debbie Hall, of The Community Gourmet, are seen here on Friday, Sept. 2, with the cookies they recently made to help them raise funds for the meal kits they assemble to help the hungry. Their organization is a recipient of the Daily Points of Light Award, a recognition started by President George H. W. Bush. According to Points of Light, Bush was the first president in American history to institute a daily presidential recognition program from the White House. He conferred 1,020 Daily Point of Light Awards on citizens and organizations, and Points of Light has continued that mission, with more than 7,000 honorees to date. Previous story: The Community Gourmet is feeding the hungry, one meal kit at a time The Daily Point of Light Award recognizes those who saw something they wanted to improve in the world, then, through their time, talent and efforts, began making those improvements, said Diane Quest, the chief external affairs officer at Points of Light. Anello and Hall fit that bill. Were pleased to honor Traci Anello and Debbie Hall for their amazing work, the organization said. During a recent interview at her home, Hall said she was blown away when she learned she and Anello would be receiving the award. Someone had nominated them for the distinction, and then they needed to submit materials to Points of Light for its further consideration. Did you know John Barclay?: Colorado woman wants to solve family mystery Story continues Anello said the news was hard to believe at first the idea that she and Hall, who are new at what theyre doing, would be recognized with an award established by a president and presented to them by Neil Bush, one of his sons. What an honor, she said. Were really honored by this. Not bad for a local nonprofit thats not even a year old. Anello and Hall established Community Gourmet in January. Recently, they got their food license from the state and officially became a 501c3 organization. Lost and found: Woman reunited with wedding ring lost at sea thanks to Kennebunk man The mission of Community Gourmet The Community Gourmet supplies as many meal kits as it can to those in need but pays particular attention to helping those who may not be eligible or are unable to be assisted by other agencies and organizations. Anello and Hall work with neighboring agencies to help these individuals. What Anello and Hall do goes beyond the usual assembly of meal boxes. They put together whole kits, complete with nutritious food, yes, but also recipes, cooking supplies, and a personal card from them to those they help. Since January 2022, The Community Gourmet has connected with more than 1,000 people experiencing food insecurity. And the duo, who are friends and colleagues in the medical field, raise funds for kits in a tasty way. They bake cookies heart-shaped, sugar-sprinkled, fruit-filled shortbread ones are their specialty and sell them in batches during special occasions, such as Mothers Day and Fathers Day, and at events throughout the region. Weve definitely made over 3,000 cookies since we started, Anello said. The Community Gourmet will host its first-ever tea party fundraiser at The Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. Anyone who is interested in attending can learn more online at Eventbrite.com. Wiggly Bridge: Father and son plan big expansion of whiskey distillery in York 'Cool growing pains' at Community Gourmet In the meantime, there is the organizations search for a larger space about 500 square feet, to be exact. Currently, Anello and Hall are operating out of their homes. They have volunteers who are ready to go and pantries that are ready for us, they said, but first more space is needed. We have some cool growing pains going on, Anello said. Anyone who wishes to volunteer for the organization or wants to alert Anello and Hall to available space, can reach them at the communitygourmet@gmail.com or at (207) 216-7717. The Community Gourmet has assembled and distributed more than 325 boxes. To date, The Community Gourmet has assembled and distributed more than 325 boxes, according to Anello and Hall. And while they primarily are focusing on York County, they definitely want to help as many people beyond as they can. That would be fabulous, Hall said. These days, Anello and Hall are packing their kits with Ramen noodles and fried rice, with soy sauce and other seasonings to boot. You can do anything with it, Hall said. Honeymooners again: Couple returns to York Beach for 60th anniversary A love and a desire to give back Hall said she is inspired in her work with The Community Gourmet by a desire to give back to communities. Anello said she is inspired by love, which Hall agreed has been the organizations driving purpose since the beginning. There are so many things that a kit from The Community Gourmet can do, according to Anello. It can teach, she said. It can nourish. It can support. It can hug you, in a way, because we do put our little cards in there. And it can be there for people who get turned away for help from other organizations and agencies, Anello added. Its OK, she said. Weve got you. Were going to help you. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Kennebunk-based Community Gourmet receives 'Points of Light' Award A judge in Indiana has blocked a newly enacted state law banning most abortions in the state, the first to draft a new anti-abortion law in the wake of the US Supreme Courts decision to strike down the constitutional right to abortion care. Three days after hearing arguments in a case stemming from a lawsuit to challenge the law, Monroe Circuit Court Judge Kelsey Hanlon granted a preliminary injunction on 22 September that blocks the state from enforcing it. The judges ruling determines that the states constitution does provide a right to bodily autonomy, and that a ban unconstitutionally burdens Indiana residents rights by making that autonomy largely contingent upon first experiencing extreme sexual violence or significant loss of physical health or death. Abortion care in Indiana faced international scrutiny highlighting the fragility of care throughout the midwest and across the US after an Indianapolis-area obstetrician-gynecologist provided abortion care to a 10-year-old rape survivor from neighbouring Ohio. That doctor, Dr Caitlin Bernard, urged Indiana lawmakers to reject the bill. Her employer, Indiana University Health, the states largest health system and the only academic medical centre in the state, said in a statement that the bill will negatively impact its ability to provide safe and effective patient care and could deter physicians seeking to live and practice healthcare in the state. Vice President Kamala Harris also traveled to the state as lawmakers convened in July. The law took effect on 15 September. It outlaws abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with exceptions only in cases of rape or incest, lethal fetal anomaly or to prevent the permanent impairment of the life or physical health of the pregnant woman. The judges ruling temporarily allows abortion providers to provide legal care for anyone up to 20 weeks of pregnancy, though a host of restrictions in the state including requirements for multiple trips to clinics and mandatory ultrasounds, among other barriers to care are still in place. Story continues The state is likely to appeal The case is among several playing out across the US in the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling on 24 June in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned landmark decisions affirming abortion rights in Roe v Wade and Planned Parenthood v Casey. More than a dozen states have effectively banned all abortions, with limited exceptions, in recent months, while several recent court decisions have reversed abortion bans as their legal challenges play out in state courts. The governor of West Virginia, the second state to advance a new anti-abortion legislation in the months after the Supreme Court ruling, recently signed that measure into law. This is a developing story The search for a missing South Carolina mother Bessie Durham had a tragic end this week after she was found inside a department store bathroom four days after she died. The 63-year-old was found dead inside a bathroom at a Belk Department Store in Columbiana Center on Monday, Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher said in a statement to PEOPLE. Durham was last seen on surveillance footage entering the bathroom four days earlier. "The family is heartbroken with the loss of Bessie Durham," her son, Bobby Johnson, wrote on Facebook Thursday. "We are still in shock and asking God to provide peace during this unforeseen circumstance." "As we grieve our loved one, we ask for your prayers and that you respect our privacy during this time," he continued. Fisher added that an autopsy on Sept. 22 found that Durham died of natural causes, and the results showed no indication of foul play. The office will continue to investigate Durham's death along with Columbia Police. The police department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. RELATED: 3 Americans Mysteriously Found Dead at Sandals Resort in the Bahamas, Another Woman Hospitalized Bessie Durham Bessie Durham Durham was employed by KBS, a facility services company, and cleaned stores all throughout the shopping center, according to NBC affiliate WIS-TV, "KBS extends our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Bessie Durham," a company spokesperson told PEOPLE. "We have reached out to law enforcement to support their investigation and cooperate in any way we can. KBS is providing assistance and services to our other team members. We will have no further comment pending the results of any investigation in this matter." In a statement, Belk said it is looking into the "details" of the situation. "First and foremost, we send our deepest condolences to the family of the housekeeping associate who was employed by KBS, which provides cleaning services at our Columbiana Centre location," a spokesperson for the company said when reached by PEOPLE. Story continues RELATED: 22 Teenagers Found Dead Inside South African Bar. No One Knows How They Died "At this time, we are working with KBS to determine the details around what happened," the statement continued. "We have also made counselors available to Belk and KBS associates seeking support." Columbia Police Deputy Chief Melron Kelly told WIS-TV that Durham's family filed a missing person's report before she was found. RELATED VIDEO: Missing Teens Are Found Shot to Death Along North Carolina Hiking Trail: 'The Loss Is Devastating' "She was a loving person," neighbor Theresa Boston told the outlet. "I hate that happened. She loved her kids, real bad. She got along with everybody, everybody loved her, everybody called her mama." Added friend Tiffany Thorpe on Facebook: "She was so sweet and will most definitely be missed." Sep. 22Mead Hall Episcopal School students and staff celebrated See You at the Pole on Wednesday. See You at the Pole is a yearly event where students gather at the flagpole at their schools to meet for prayers on the fourth Wednesday in September. While observing the event a week early, the students and staff at the St. Thaddeus campus also celebrated International Day of Peace, which was Wednesday, Sept. 21. Joanne Morton, the head of the lower school, talked to the students about the purpose of See You at the Pole, which is to celebrate two of the freedoms listed in the First Amendment. "We want to celebrate our country's freedom of speech, meaning we're allowed to say things in this country without fear of having to go to jail or to be persecuted in any way," Morton said. "The second reason we're out here is for freedom of religion and that means we're allowed to pray to our God and not be worried about having to go to jail. So living in the United States is a wonderful place because we have freedom of speech and we have freedom of religion. And that is what we are out here to celebrate for See You at the Pole." At the Aiken campus, the students gathered at the flagpole and sang songs and said prayers, including the Lord's Prayer. "We come out for See You at the Pole to celebrate our freedom of religion here in the United States and our ability to pray as we are as Christians and we come out because we want to gather and honor this and celebrate outside as a community as well in God's beautiful creation," said Dr. Frank Sawyer, the head of school for Mead Hall. To celebrate International Day of Peace, the students on the St. Thaddeus campus made pinwheels for peace. Morton said pinwheels for peace was started by teachers in Florida who wanted to do something to help students think about peace and its importance. "We need peace in our families and we also need peace in our own hearts," Morton said. "So pinwheels for peace is an opportunity here for students all over the world to make pinwheels and then put them on display." The pinwheels were put on display on the fence along one of the sidewalks on the St. Thaddeus campus. Captain Moeen Ali led the way with a rampant half-century as England piled on 199 for five in the second Twenty20 against Pakistan in Karachi. Having chased down 159 in Tuesdays opener, the tourists left a much stiffer chase for their opponents as Moeen clubbed four sixes and four fours in a middle-order assault that brought him 55 not out in 23 balls. He was building on good work from Ben Duckett, who made 43 at a strike-rate of almost 200 at number four to make good on his recall for this series. England made a positive start after winning the toss, Phil Salt and Alex Hales pumping 42 off the first five overs. Salt hit his fourth delivery for six over long-off and Hales saw a thick edge off Mohammad Hasnain clear deep third, with four boundaries keeping the score moving. Shahnawaz Dahani made a serious dent in their progress in the sixth over, rattling the stumps with successive balls. Hales, fresh off a half-century in his comeback match, was foxed by an in-cutter as his bails were clipped on 26 and new batter Dawid Malan was bowled round his legs for a golden duck as he shuffled across. The hat-trick ball was well directed by Dahani but well defended by Duckett, who backed himself to go through the gears. He showed off his range with a couple of deft scoops over the keeper, nailed his reverse sweeps and at one stage took four boundaries in eight balls as England accelerated. Salt had slowed down, though, and he was skittled by Haris Rauf for 30. Pakistans Haris Rauf celebrates the dismissal of Englands Harry Brook (Anium Naveed/AP) Duckett followed in the next over, bowled attempting a flick to fine-leg as Mohammad Nawaz ended a costly spell with something to show for his efforts. Pakistans success backfired as the middle-order duo of Harry Brook and Moeen upped the ante with a flurry of four sixes. The skipper attacked the spin, launching Usman Qadir twice in a row, while Brook took on pace as Rauf and Hasnain went the distance. Brook paid the price for an ill-judged ramp, falling for 31 in 19, but Moeen was badly dropped by Khushdil Shad and made the fielder pay as he ended the innings with two more sweet hits for six. https://www.gofundme.com/f/funerals-for-my-sister-3-beautiful-children?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer hed: Mother and 3 Children Identified After Fatal House Fire: She Loved with Her Whole Heart' gofundme A Pennsylvania community is mourning the loss of a mother and her three children after they died in a house fire last week. Mercer County Coroner John Libonati identified four of the five victims as Elizabeth Seltzer, 33, and her children: son Jordan, 1, and daughters Ainsley, 3, and Paisley, 6, per NBC affiliate WFMJ, The Herald and KDKA. Libonati identified the four victims with medical, dental and x-ray records, per WFMJ. Emergency responders recovered one of the children, who was initially reported missing, after digging through the debris. RELATED: Woman Dies After Falling 30 Feet Down Cliff a Day Before Her 55th Birthday While on Vacation in Maine Another victim, an adult male, was also found. He has not been identified as medical records from another state are pending, according to WFMJ and KDKA. The Herald reports that the male is believed to be the father of the children. The two adults were divorced at the time of the blaze, Libonati told the publication. The family's cause of death will be confirmed in roughly three weeks, WFMJ reports. The State Fire Marshal has not been able to confirm what caused the fire. RELATED: Boy, 10, Dies from Injuries After Getting Hit by Car While Riding Scooter: 'He Was My Best Friend,' Says Dad The Mercer County Coroner did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. A GoFundMe is raising money for Elizabeth and her children's funeral expenses. Sharing a photo of the four smiling together, the campaign said the mother of three "was an amazing human being who loved with her whole heart, and thought nothing of dropping everything she was doing to help her family when they needed her, even when they didn't know they needed her." RELATED VIDEO: Palm Trees Near the Hollywood Bowl Catch Fire Following 'Sound of Music' Sing-along The campaign has surpassed its $36,000 goal. Fredonia Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dan McBride told The Herald that firefighters were called to a farmhouse in Delaware Township around midnight last Thursday. Story continues 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. A dozen fire departments arrived on the scene along with Pennsylvania State Police and Life Force ambulances, McBride told The Herald. It took nearly four hours to put out the flames, and the street was closed until Friday evening. Nova Husarivka, Kharkiv region, Ukraine Protests broke out across Russian cities after President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of his military. The mobilization will see military reserves sent to the front lines of Putin's war on neighboring Ukraine the same front line that recently fell apart in the face of a Ukrainian counteroffensive. After humiliating losses on the battlefields around Ukraine's second largest city of Kharkiv, CBS News correspondent Debora Patta got a rare look at just how Putin's demoralized troops are performing on the ground. Even the Russians' most heavily fortified base in the occupied northeast region of Kharkiv collapsed in a matter of hours as Ukraine's troops laid siege. Evidence of atrocities as Ukraine towns emerge from Russian occupation Senior Lieutenant Taras Berezovets, of Ukraine's Bohun Special Forces Brigade, led the six-day assault in the area, which he says was a breaking point. "If the Ukrainian army failed here, I think the whole offensive was endangered," he told CBS News. In their line of fire, a Russian base called "Muskva," or Moscow, in the small village of Nova Husarivka. It's where Russian troops had set up their regional headquarters, but looking around the base now, Patta said they appeared to have fled in such a hurry that it resembled a museum of panic. Cards from a game of poker interrupted by the Ukrainian offensive still lay on a table where they were abandoned. Military rations, gas masks, musical instruments all left in situ. It appears that the commanders were among the first to flee, abandoning their troops at a nearby camp. Senior Lieutenant Taras Berezovets, of Ukraine's Bohun Special Forces Brigade, looks at items abandoned by Russian soldiers in a trench as they fled a front-line position in the Kharkiv region in September 2022. / Credit: CBS News Patta walked down the long line of a Russian trench dug near the base, where Putin's forces had settled down and held their ground for more than six months. They left it perfectly preserved. A pot of food, a fur coat, religious icons and an ancient typewriter were all abandoned as the soldiers fled. "Ukrainian forces effectively attacked the Russians," Berezovets told Patta. "Not from the front they've been outflanked." Story continues "They were fleeing from here just like rats," he boasted. The Russians who held the ground in the area were supposed to be one of their country's elite units, including many paratroopers. The men Putin is now drafting to the front lines are far less inexperienced soldiers, some of whom have never fought in a war. With his partial mobilization of Russia's military, Putin could see 300,000 men summoned to join the fight. Some Russians have already received summons to report for military duty, and any reservists with medical expertise have been told to report immediately. It has proven a deeply unpopular move, sparking nationwide protests that saw more than 1,300 people arrested in the hours immediately after Putin made the announcement, according to independent Russian monitoring group OVD-Info. Russian police detain protesters during an unsanctioned protest rally against President Vladimir Putin's partial national military mobilization amid the war in Ukraine, September 21, 2022, in Moscow, Russia. / Credit: Getty CBS News has been told that Ukraine captured hundreds of Russian soldiers during the offensive around Kharkiv. They will no doubt be used in prisoner swaps like the most recent one, which secured the release of more than 200 people who had fought for Ukraine, including two American men. Shooting hoaxes disrupt schools across United States Exclusive discounts on outdoor items from "CBS Mornings Deals" Astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson discusses new book Starry Messenger Russian President Vladimir Putin Contributor/Getty Images A secret clause in Putin's mobilization decree allows one million to be called up, a new report says. The Kremlin denied the report, maintaining that 300,000 reservists will be drafted. The West says Putin's partial mobilization shows he's failing in Ukraine. A hidden clause in Russian President Vladimir Putin's partial mobilization decree permits the country's defense ministry to draft one million reservists, according to a report from Novaya Gazeta Europe, which cited a source in the presidential administration. The Novaya Gazeta is an independent newspaper that's been banned in Russia amid Putin's crackdown on freedom of information and the free press, but continues to publish out of Riga, Latvia. The seventh paragraph of the decree is redacted and designated "for official use," according to the report. The Kremlin denied the report, maintaining that 300,000 reservists would be called up. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the report "a lie," per the state-owned news agency RIA, but declined to disclose the contents of the seventh paragraph of the decree. Russia has suffered major troop losses in Ukraine over the course of the war, which began in late February. The Pentagon in August said the US estimates the Russian military has seen up to 80,000 casualties in the war so far. Some experts believe the decree is vague enough to draft those with little to no military training, as some Russians are now maintaining they lack. Western leaders and officials said Putin's decision to announce a partial mobilization stood as an acknowledge that Russia is "losing" or "failing" in Ukraine. In the days leading up to the announcement, Ukrainian forces made significant gains in a blistering counteroffensive in the north and south of the country. "President Putin's call to partially mobilize Russian citizens, directing them to fight in Ukraine, reflects the Kremlin's struggles on the battlefield, the unpopularity of the war, and Russians' unwillingness to fight in it. President Putin is not operating from a position of strength; rather, this is another sign of his failing mission," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in an interview with Reuters said that the Russian leader's speech "demonstrates that the war is not going according to President Putin's plans," adding that "he has made a big miscalculation." Read the original article on Business Insider The Santa Rosa Sherriff's Office arrested a Pensacola man on Tuesday and charged him with child molestation. SRSO deputies charged 32-year-old Kevin Douglas with lewd and lascivious molestation of a child between 12 and 16 years old. At the time of the arrest, Douglas was already serving probation after pleading no contest to aggravated child abuse, according to his arrest report. Pensacola child crimes: Pensacola mother arrested for allegedly overdosing child so they could 'go to heaven' Jamaican man arrested: FDLE: Man accused of traveling from Jamaica to meet Pensacola 'minor' for sex He was arrested on the aggravated child abuse charge in 2020 and was scheduled for trial Sept. 15. Douglas ultimately entered the no contest plea in lieu of going to trial and was sentenced to 96 months probation. He received a 20-month jail sentence for violating an injunction of sexual abuse, however he received 20 months of credit for time served and was released, according to his court records. The offenses that led to Douglas' arrest this week allegedly began in December 2019 and ended in July 2020, according to the report. He was booked into Santa Rosa County Jail on Tuesday and charged with lewd and lascivious molestation and contempt of court. Douglas is currently held in Santa Rosa County Jail without bond for the contempt of court charge. After his jailtime for contempt is resolved, he will be held on $50,000 bond for the molestation charge. Benjamin Johnson can be reached at bjohnson@pnj.com or 850-435-8578 This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola man charged with molesting child in Santa Rosa County Prime Minister Liz Truss holds a bilateral meeting with the President of France Emmanuel Macron (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire) Liz Truss did not discuss issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol or unauthorised migrant crossings of the Channel during her meeting with French president Emmanuel Macron. The Prime Minister had a constructive conversation lasting around half-an-hour, Downing Street said, but it focused on energy security rather than the two major points of contention. The pair held their first bilateral meeting at the fringes of the United Nations summit in New York after Ms Truss caused controversy by failing to say whether the ally was friend or foe. Mr Macron reportedly welcomed their conversations on Ukraine and other European issues, saying: I now believe in proof, in results. There is a will to re-engage, to move on and to show that we are allies and friends in a complex world. Ms Trusss official spokesman confirmed they did not discuss the post-Brexit agreement on Northern Ireland or migrant crossings in small boats, which have not abated. He said the Government intends to resolve protocol issues with the EU, adding: This is not an issue that necessarily we believe can be solved through one single EU country. But the spokesman would not say whether she will raise the protocol with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday. That is one of the issues that we need to work with France in a constructive way on Liz Truss on illegal Channel crossings The White House has said that Joe Biden will raise it in his meeting with Ms Truss. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the US president will encourage the UK and the European Union to work out a practical outcome that ensures there is no threat to the fundamental principles of the Good Friday agreement. Ahead of her meeting with Mr Macron, Ms Truss had stressed that tackling migrant crossings in small boats was one of the issues the two nations must work together on. Provisional figures suggest more than 29,700 people have made the perilous journey this year exceeding last years total of 28,526. Story continues That is one of the issues that we need to work with France in a constructive way on, Ms Truss told reporters. However, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said that the stalled Rwanda policy is the long term solution to crossings after confirming the pair did not discuss the issue. Ahead of the meeting, Ms Truss sought to strike a conciliatory tone, stressing the need to work together on small boats and against Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine. She had sparked a diplomatic row during the Tory leadership contest when she declined to give a clear answer when asked if the president of the allied nation was a friend or foe. Instead, the then-foreign secretary said last month that the jurys out. One thing Mr Macron did raise, according to No 10, was his idea of forming a European Political Community to include non-EU states such as the UK. He did not invite Britain to a meeting about the grouping to be held in Prague in October, the spokesman said. With less than seven weeks to go before the midterm elections, Vice President Kamala Harris swept into Milwaukee Thursday for a quick visit focused on meeting with Democratic attorneys general, Hispanic leaders and young voters. Political activity has picked up substantially this month in battleground Wisconsin, kicked off by President Joe Biden's appearance at Milwaukee's Laborfest and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis rallying Republicans in Green Bay. The vice president delivered remarks at the Democratic Attorneys General Association Conference at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. She then headed to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Subscribe to our On Wisconsin Politics newsletter for the week's political news explained. For Harris, formerly the California attorney general, it was a homecoming. But she came with a tough message as she blasted the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that gave a constitutional right to abortion access. "At this moment in our nation some of our most fundamental rights are at assault," Harris said. "Could you have ever imagined in your lifetime that would happen, such a fundamental right?" Harris claimed that after the decision, "extremists, so-called leaders across our nation began to pass and enforce laws to criminalize doctors, nurses, health care providers." She praised Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul for his legal move to fight the state's 1849 abortion ban. Vice President Kamala Harris gives remarks regarding voting rights, the bans on reproductive rights and other issues ahead of the midterm elections Thursday during the Democratic Attorneys General Association Conference at Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. "Somebody is trying to push the legitimacy of that law and somebody has to fight against it," she said. "Josh, our administration has your back." Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Kaul filed the lawsuit arguing that a 1985 law allowing abortions up to the point of a fetus' viability supersedes Wisconsin's 1849 ban on nearly all abortions. "And we all know this is the beginning," Harris said of the opinion of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Association. When the Supreme Court removed the constitutional right to abortion that was established in 1973 with Roe v. Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas took a broader view when writing his concurring opinion. Story continues Thomas referred specifically to three cases that he considered to be on the same shaky constitutional footing as Roe, including Obergefell v. Hodges, which established the right to same-sex marriage in 2015. "In the Dobbs decision, a justice of the United States Supreme Court says the quiet part out loud, that marriage equality may be on the line," Harris said. More: Sen. Tammy Baldwin is leading a push for GOP votes on same-sex marriage bill. Here's how she's doing it At UW-Milwaukee, Harris met with 13 Hispanic leaders, including Milwaukee Common Council President Jose G. Perez, Darryl Morin of Forward Latino and Christine Neumann-Ortiz of Voces de la Frontera. "I have that honor to welcome you and let you know you are among some of the hardest working people in this community. They represent Latinos that make our region, our state better," Perez said. "And we're there with you." Vice President Kamala Harris places her hand over her heart while engaging with Milwaukee Common Council President Jose G. Perez and other local Latino leaders ahead of the midterm elections Thursday at UW-Milwaukee. "I am here to listen more than I am to talk," Harris said. "You look like you could be my prima (cousin)" Perez said. Harris smiled, clasped hands with Perez and said, "I feel you." Morin said he talked to Harris about his group's efforts on immigration reform, gun violence prevention and COVID-19. "It was great to have the opportunity to meet with her and talk about our priorities," Morin said. "I was impressed with her knowledge and her empathy." She then visited with 13 students in an American Government and Politics class and spoke of the need for leadership, especially on the issue of what she called the climate crisis. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks with students in the American Government and Politics 1 class at UW-Milwaukee Thursday. "Part of your leadership that I'm asking of you is to remind people about communities, about the whole, that we are all in this together," she said. "You guys will pay the price for what we do or what we have not done." As she arrived in downtown Milwaukee there were small crowds watching as the vice president's motorcade passed. U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, accompanied Harris aboard Air Force Two. They were met on the tarmac by U.S. Air Force Air National Guard Col. Dan Aber and Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Fredrickson. Vice President Kamala Harris meets Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Fredrickson as she arrives Thursday at 128th Air Refueling Wing near Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. She was here to meet young Americans and local Latino Leaders ahead of the midterm elections. Republicans continue 'soft on crime' message regarding Dems Before Harris' arrival, Republican Party of Wisconsin Chair Paul Farrow and Republican Attorney General candidate Eric Toney held a news conference accusing the Biden administration and Democrats of failing on crime. "I would rather have her get down to the (U.S./Mexico) border and find out what's going on," Farrow said. "Because what is happening at the southern border right now is impacting us here in Wisconsin." Toney, who is challenging Kaul, echoed Farrow saying Harris has failed to secure the southern border and Kaul hasn't stood up to her. "Unfortunately, Josh Kaul doesn't have the guts to stand up to his own party and demand policy changes that will make our communities safer," Toney said. "Kaul and Harris are both dangerous when it comes to issues of public safety, and they represent the kind of soft-on-crime woke criminal justice policies that contributed to riots and looting in Kenosha, Madison and Milwaukee." Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kamala Harris visits Milwaukee as midterm elections heat up A DeFuniak Springs woman is suing McDonald's for $13 million after she says she was served a "chemical-laced coffee" that permanently scarred her throat. Sherry Head was in the drive-thru line at the McDonald's in Dothan, Alabama, just across the Florida state line, on Dec. 21, 2020 when she ordered a caramel macchiato, according to a lawsuit filed on Sept. 19 in the Circuit Court of Houston County, Alabama. Lawsuit filed against AJ's: Lawsuit: AJ's Oyster Shanty waitress says she was fired after reporting manager's assault In other news: Alabama and Florida Panhandle McDonalds to award $18K in school grants An employee told her they couldn't make coffee because the machine was being cleaned out, the complaint states. Then the lawsuit says she heard someone in the background say "no, it's ready to go." 'My mouth and throat went numb' After tasting the drink, Head said she knew something was wrong. "I took a sip, and immediately my mouth and throat went numb, then started burning. Now I have permanent scarring in my throat and may need corrective surgery," Head said in a news release from her attorneys with Baxley Maniscalco Attorneys at Law. After taking off the lid, Head saw that the liquid was not coffee, but appeared to be some type of chemical, the compliant states. She pulled back through the drive-thru line and told employees what had happened. According to the lawsuit, she heard the manager yell to employees inside the restaurant "I told y'all you have to be more careful about that." The manager then turned back to Head and told her it was "fine," the complaint said. Okaloosa County: 81-year-old Texas visitor found floating face down in water in Destin dies at hospital More: Driver of SUV taken to hospital after crash involving Okaloosa County school bus in Baker She asked to see the bottle of the chemical and requested that McDonald's call 911 or poison control, but the complaint says the manager refused and "slammed the drive-through window." Story continues Head then called 911 herself. When first responders arrived, the complaint says McDonald's again refused to provide access to the bottle so that poison treatment protocol could be initiated. "It was terrifying," Head said in the release. "I drank a liquid chemical and it seemed like no one cared." Head's lawyers say her doctors have diagnosed her with scarring and narrowing in her throat, difficulty swallowing, chronic gastritis, acid reflux and abdominal pain caused by inflammation and erosion of the stomach. She may have to have surgery in the future to repair the damage done to her throat and preserve her ability to swallow, the release said. Head's lawyers say McDonald's has repeatedly ignored her requests for the business to "make this right" without litigation. NWFL: Allegiant Air, Okaloosa County celebrate new concourse at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport This is not the first time, lawsuit says The incident is the 10th publicly reported case since 2013 of a McDonald's patron being served a chemical in their beverage, according to the lawsuit. A teen in Muncie, Indiana, was served cleaning solution in what he believed to be iced tea in 2013. And in 2016, a father and his 4-year-old son were hospitalized after drinking hot chocolate contaminated with disinfectant, the complaint states. In response to each incident, McDonald's said it had taken appropriate action to investigate and remedy its cleaning procedures. "For nearly a decade, McDonald's has been promising to improve safety standards to prevent its customers from being poisoned by chemical cleaning solutions; and for nearly a decade, McDonald's has failed to do so it is time for McDonald's to change its ways," the complaint states. Head is asking for $3 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages for "the harm and injuries she has suffered," the lawsuit states. She is also requesting a jury trial. In a statement Tuesday, Gerry Murphy, owner and operator of the McDonald's in Dothan, said the restaurant is aware of the complaint and is conducting an internal investigation. "The health and safety of our customers and employees is always a top priority," he said. "Immediately upon learning of this concern, we are conducting a thorough investigation to understand the facts." This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: DeFuniak Springs woman sues McDonald's over 'chemical-laced coffee' An LGBTQ student club came to an agreement with Yeshiva University on Thursday to delay its recognition as the school seeks an appeal. The YU Pride Alliance told the Manhattan-based Orthodox Jewish university on Wednesday that it would be willing to put on hold a New York Supreme Court order to recognize the club while Yeshiva appeals. This was a painful and difficult decision, YU Pride Alliance said in a statement. We are agreeing to this stay while the case moves through the New York courts because we do not want YU to punish our fellow [students] by ending all student activities while it circumvents its responsibilities. Yeshiva halted all student club activities last week after the United States Supreme Court declined to overturn the New York Supreme Court ruling, noting that the university still had other avenues it could pursue at the state level first. We appreciate the gesture offered by the YU Pride Alliance of a stay, and we look forward to it as an opportunity to resume the discussions we had begun, and which were halted by the lawsuit, a Yeshiva University spokesperson said in a statement. The universitys law firm said in a press release that the agreement would allow it to conduct its appeals without being forced to violate its religious identity. Yeshiva now plans to resume club activities after students return from the Jewish holidays, according to a spokesperson. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. You are the owner of this article. Rep. Lee Zeldin was one of 147 Republicans who voted against certifying presidential election results after a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He brought up some lesser-known history in a recent news conference. In the past few decades, there have been Democratic objections to counting a states electors in the House of Representatives every time a Republican was elected president, said Zeldin, who is campaigning to unseat Gov. Kathy Hochul. Do you know that every Jan. 6, every four years, whenever any Republican has been elected president over the course of the last few decades, same date, same time, same place, we have had Democrats on the floor of the House of Representatives, objecting and debating? Zeldin said Sept. 6. All sorts of different objections, thats been our process. Zeldin voted against certifying the results in Arizona and Pennsylvania, which showed that Joseph R. Biden beat Donald J. Trump. He is among the 139 House members and eight senators who voted against certifying results from one or two states. There has been no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election in any state. We wondered if Zeldins claim about Democrats past objections to certifying election results is correct. Federal law calls for the U.S. Congress to meet at 1 p.m. on Jan. 6 following the meeting of electors to certify the election results. The electoral votes of each state are read in alphabetical order of the state. During that meeting, the president of the Senate shall call for objections, if any. Each objection must be made in writing, with the signature of at least one member of the House and one senator. Attempts to object to election results have been made in some fashion by House Democrats in 2001, 2005 and 2017, following the successful campaigns of George W. Bush and Trump, both Republicans. One senator supported the objection in 2005, though the Senate and the House ultimately did not uphold that objection. Unlike Republican objections in 2021, Democratic objections in the 2000s happened after the losing candidate had conceded. In 2021, Trump did not concede until the evening of Jan. 7, and he had been plotting to remain in the White House. A group of House Republicans had met with Trump in the Oval Office in December 2020 to plan for Jan. 6, 2021, and to discuss how Trump could stay in office. In prior years, the losing candidate didnt support any of these objections, said Norman Eisen, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who has testified about reforming the Electoral Count Act and was active in efforts to impeach Trump. Here, Trump drove those objections. In 2001, in the aftermath of a contested ballot counting process in Florida, House members said Black voters in that state had been disenfranchised. No senator joined in the objections, and Vice President Al Gore who lost the presidential election gaveled them down. In 2005, Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio, along with 30 other House members, and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., objected to the Ohio electoral votes. The joint session of Congress paused while each chamber considered the objection, according to the Congressional Research Service. The House and the Senate each rejected the objection, and when the joint session resumed, Ohios electoral votes were counted. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who gave a concession speech on Nov. 3, 2004, said he would not take part in the protest. In 2017, Biden gaveled down House Democrats who objected to Trumps win because they did not have support from a senator. The history of Democrats objecting to Republican presidential winners was documented by Derek T. Muller, a professor at the University of Iowa College of Law, in an essay published Jan. 6, 2021, in the New York Times. Then as now, each member of Congress was within his or her rights to make an objection, Muller wrote. But the objections were naive at best, shameless at worst. Either way, the readiness of members of Congress to disenfranchise millions of Americans was disconcerting. Muller told PolitiFact that legally speaking, there was no difference between Democratic objections in prior years and Republican objections in 2021, though circumstances around those votes were different. In June, PolitiFact ruled Mostly True on the House Republican Conferences Twitter post that House Jan. 6 Committee chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., voted to object to Ohios slate in 2005, when the electoral votes from the 2004 election were officially counted in a joint session of Congress. Our ruling Zeldin said House Democrats have objected to certifying election results after every election in the last few decades when Republicans have won. Some Democrats filed objections in 2001, 2005 and in 2017, following the elections that Republicans won. But the circumstances were different from those in 2021. In the earlier years, the losing candidate had already conceded. After the 2020 election, Trump was trying to overturn the election, and he had met with some House Republicans to further that goal. In the previous years, not even the losing candidates were seeking to overturn the results. The objections were more symbolic than the 2021 effort to block the election results. In 2021, the objections could have overturned the presidential election. Because the statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information, we rate this Mostly True. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. NEW YORK (AP) There are few places in the U.S. with a more deeply ingrained reputation as a refuge for immigrants than New York City, where the Statue of Liberty rises from the harbor as a symbol of welcome for the worn and weary. But for Mayor Eric Adams, reconciling that image with an influx of migrants landing in the city, including thousands being bused there by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, is proving difficult. The city is struggling to accommodate what Adams says has totaled more than 13,000 asylum seekers, leading him to explore whether New York can ease its practices for sheltering the homeless or even temporarily house migrants on cruise ships. Both ideas have drawn blowback from liberal advocates who are influential in the citys politics. Adams is one of several leaders of Democratic-leaning jurisdictions facing a sudden test of their commitment to being "sanctuary cities or states. The designation, in which local officials pledge to limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities, has long proved popular among progressives pressing to ensure the government treats migrants humanely. But officials say the policy is being exploited by leaders hoping to make a political point. We are not telling anyone that New York can accommodate every migrant in the city. Were not encouraging people to send eight, nine buses a day. That is not what were doing, Adams said this week about his request for Abbott to coordinate with the city about the buses of migrants he's sending. Were saying that as a sanctuary and a city with right to shelter, were going to fulfill our obligation. The GOP effort began in the spring when Abbott and Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona put migrants on buses to Washington and later New York. The move was intended to draw attention to what the GOP governors deemed failed border and immigration policies under Democrats and the Biden administration. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis intensified the tactic, chartering a flight last week to Marthas Vineyard, an elite Massachusetts vacation spot. The unpredictability that Adams referenced is precisely what the governors say they're trying to accomplish. If you believe in open borders, then its the sanctuary jurisdictions that should have to bear the brunt of the open borders, DeSantis said at a news conference Tuesday. Abbotts office has dismissed complaints and says Democratic officials should call for President Joe Biden to secure the border instead of complaining about fulfilling their sanctuary city promises. Sanctuary cities or states are not legal terms but have come to symbolize a pledge to protect and support immigrant communities and decline to voluntarily supply information to immigration enforcement officials. Advocates say they are havens for immigrants to feel safe and be able to report crime without fear of deportation. Adams isn't the only leader struggling to navigate the challenge. In Washington, D.C., where Abbott has sent about 8,000 migrants this year, Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared a limited state of emergency. She sought help from the National Guard, which the Pentagon has denied. The D.C. Council on Tuesday voted to create an Office of Migrant Services to help asylum seekers. Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois brought in the Illinois National Guard to assist more than 750 migrants who have arrived in Chicago since late August, but officials in some Chicago-area suburbs have complained that they got no notice when dozens of asylum-seekers were put up in local hotels for emergency housing. Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, a Republican, said both Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot apologized for not giving him advance notice, echoing complaints by Democrats that the Republican governors had not provided a warning the migrants were coming. But Grasso's town has not been asked to provide any resources to help with the migrants, and all the hotel rooms are being paid for by the state, county and city of Chicago, according to Pritzkers office. Laura Mendoza, an immigration organizer for advocacy organization The Resurrection Project, said putting migrants in suburban hotels has helped relieve some pressure but finding everyone a place to stay has been a challenge. Mendoza said she has lost count of how many buses she has helped welcome at Chicagos Union Station as they arrive from Texas. After a 24-hour bus ride with minimal breaks, she said, some of the people disembark dehydrated and with swollen legs from sitting so long. Others have bruises and scars from their journey, Mendoza said. Unfortunately, she said, we dont have a lot of answers other than: Youre going to have a safe place to sleep tonight. Tens of thousands of migrants who cross the border illegally are released in the United States each month to pursue their immigration cases, a practice that accelerated during Donald Trumps presidency and has reached new levels during the Biden administration. To avoid the time-consuming task of scheduling court appearances, the Border Patrol has sharply expanded use of humanitarian parole. Migrants are released with an order to appear at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. In New York City, Adams said he is considering legal action against the GOP governors. He said Monday that the city had opened an investigation after one woman seeking asylum died by an apparent suicide over the weekend at a New York City shelter. His administration has been strained by a long-standing court-ordered right to shelter law requiring the citys homeless services to provide shelter to anyone without a roof over their head. Adams has recently suggested reassessing how the city complies with the law, but he said Tuesday he would not consider trying to send the migrants back to border states. It would be the wrong thing to do, and it would send the wrong message, he said. When I look at the large number of other communities that have come from other places to experience the American dream, what wouldve happened if we wouldve sent them back? That is not who we are as a country. New York City opened a resource center last week to connect migrants with services like legal help, housing and medical care. Adams is exploring whether New York can get the migrants permits to work, perhaps in the citys short-staffed restaurants. Sandro Hidalgo, a Venezuelan construction worker who arrived last week on a bus sent from El Paso, is among those being sheltered in New York and said hes looking for work. I feel like there is an intention to help, but there is no organization, he said. There are no beds to sleep. I slept on the floor last night, inside, but on the floor. I am trying to get out of the shelter, but the city is very expensive. Associated Press writers Bobby Caina Calvan and Claudia Torrens in New York, Elliot Spagat in San Diego, Claire Savage in Chicago and Anthony Izaguirre in Tallahassee, Fla., contributed to this report. WASHINGTON, D.C. The International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the worlds largest professional association for economic developers, has selected York County Development Corporation as a recipient of its 2022 Excellence Awards. During the IEDC annual conference, the awards honor organizations for exemplary economic development marketing campaigns, projects and programs. York County Development Corporation was selected as the Bronze Recipient for the General Purpose Website category in honor of its efforts in creating positive change within the community. Communities need our profession now more than ever. This years awardees exemplify the ingenuity, leadership, and determination needed to meet the challenges of today and the future. The winners of IEDCs Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the best of economic development and demonstrate the level of leadership that our profession strives for every day, shared IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle. This years awards selection process was especially competitive. We are honored to recognize the more than 100 communities whose marketing submissions, projects, and partnerships have improved regional quality of life, added IEDC Awards Advisory Committee Chair Christina Winn. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers worldwide. IEDC received over 500 submissions from the United States and four other countries worldwide. The General Purpose Website award presentation has brought recognition and acclaim to the York County community as the event was attended by economic development professionals and site consultants worldwide. The York County Development Corporation website designed by Golden Shovel Agency, an economic development communications firm provides resources to the business community to promote business stability and growth while also providing useful information for the workforce. I am incredibly honored for YCDC to be selected for this award, said York County Development Corporation Director Lisa Hurley. Our team has worked hard to continue to add tools, such as Size Up York County that will benefit all business sizes in our county. We are thrilled to once again receive recognition from IEDC for our continued vision and innovation. YORK Property owners in the York School District have received bright pink postcards in the mail informing them of an upcoming hearing regarding the districts more-than-2% increase in tax asking. But there is an issue with the figures presented on the postcards as it appears the increase for individual properties will be much higher than is the reality. The requirement for the post cards and the announcement of a special public hearing (because the tax asking is over 2%) was created by the Property Tax Request Act that was passed by the Nebraska Legislature in 2021 and took effect this year. The Act requires postcards to be sent to each parcel owner (in a taxing sub-district) that includes details about the proposed increases and location information for a special hearing, where the increase had to be explained and the members of the public can speak. If the tax asking goes over 2%, it is now required for these postcards to be sent out, according to the new law. The issue with the information on the cards is that they indicate individual parcels taxes will be going up at a greater rate than they actually are. York Superintendent Mitch Bartholomew explained, The information is inconsistent and therefore inaccurate. The school districts levy will remain exactly the same as it was last year at $1.19. However, the 2021 taxes listed on the postcards for each individual parcel in the district were calculated based on a levy of $1.07. This was the levy with the bond levy excluded. The 2022 taxes listed on the postcards for each individual parcel in the district were calculated based on a levy of $1.19. This is the levy with the bond levy included. Therefore, the estimated increase looks much higher than it will actually be, Bartholomew said. York County Assessor Tami Norquest said her office and the school district were given different sets of information from the state as to whether or not the bond levies were to be included in these calculations. So when the state sent out the postcards, they provided two sets of information based on different data which created much higher comparisons that what is reality. Again, the estimated tax increases are wrong because the levy for the school district has not changed, Bartholomew said. In essence, with different data provided for the 2021 taxes and the 2022 estimated taxes it is literally comparing apples with oranges. What happened was that two different entities came together with information and there were no checks or balances, Norquest said. We are all in this together and we want to explain the discrepancy people are seeing, and explain that the estimated increases are higher on the postcards than what they really actually will be, Bartholomew said. Norquest also pointed out that this information pertains to the school district taxes these postcards did not pertain to other taxing entities in the county. So the good news is that the school districts tax levy did not increase. And there is a way to see what a property owners real tax increase is. If someone received a postcard, because they own property in the York School District, they can follow this formula to see a true comparable ($1.19 tax levy) number for the 2021 taxes that can then be compared with the 2022 figures: take your 2021 assessed value figure x $1.19; then divide that number by 100. That figure can then be compared to the 2022 figure for a true, real comparison. As property owners will see, the newly calculated figure will be much lower (as far as the estimated increase) than what they see on the postcard. The impact of international politics on the aviation industry is often visible immediately. In the most recent update, a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin heated international politics with the call for mobilization, the one-way international flight tickets out of Russia quickly sold out, and the prices of tickets have increased significantly since then. Based on multiple media reports, the Russians fear that the president might impose martial law in the country and, as an implication, youngsters of fighting age will be barred from leaving the country. The probable fear has created panic resulting in the sale of flight tickets. The recent uptick in the number of flights out of Russia was recorded by FlightRadar24. According to Reuters, Google Trends data revealed a rise in searches for Aviasales, the most widely used website in Russia for booking flights. Flights departing Moscow and St. Petersburg today. The @AP is reporting international flights departing Russia have either sold out or skyrocketed in price after Putin announced a mobilization of reservists. Search SVO, VKO, DME for Moscow airports and LED for St. Petersburg. pic.twitter.com/LV2PrkwPD9 Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) September 21, 2022 AFP reported on Wednesday that data from airlines and travel agencies indicated that flights out of Russia were almost completely booked this week. Since Putin launched Moscow's "special military action" in Ukraine, flights between Russia and the EU have been halted. In a significant escalation of his invasion of Ukraine, Putin had yesterday authorised a "partial mobilization," calling up 300,000 reservists. Also read: Ryanair flight takes passengers to Spain instead of Portugal, Twitter user tells WHY? Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, declared on Wednesday a partial mobilization in his country as the Ukraine conflict has lasted close to seven months and Moscow is losing momentum there. Putin also issued a warning to the West, saying that "it's not a bluff" and that Russia will employ all available methods to defend its borders. 300,000 reserve members were drafted in total during the partial mobilization, according to officials. A day after Russian-controlled regions in eastern and southern Ukraine declared preparations to hold elections on joining Russia, the Russian president delivered a televised address to the country. The Kremlin-backed initiatives to engulf four districts may pave the way for Moscow to intensify the conflict after Ukraine achieves its goals. How would you feel when you leave your house to travel, and instead, your plans need to change because you land somewhere far away from your desired destination? You will surely be annoyed and frustrated once you notice this new development. Something similar happened to passengers who booked a Ryanair flight. The passengers left the airport after boarding the right plane. However, they landed in a completely different country from what was supposed to be their initial destination. The incident came to light after a passenger who was on the journey shared the details of the incident on the micro-blogging site Twitter. The Ryanair flight in the incident took off from Dublin and was supposed to land in Faro, Portugal. Instead, the flight landed over 300 kilometers away from the destination in Spain, to be exact, in Malaga. When the passengers found out, they criticized the airline for these "changes of plans." Morale is low, some people are only just realising we're in Spain Flight staff are trying to calm the crowd with the promise of the mystery box of answers that someone else will provide when we get in the airport Barry Masterson (@BarryMasterson) September 17, 2022 One of the Ryanair passengers on the flight narrated the whole incident on Twitter. He said, "Got on a Ryanair flight to Faro, and I'm in Malaga, lads; you couldn't make this up." He further added, "Morale is low; some people are only just realising we're in Spain." He said, "Flight staff are trying to calm the crowd with the promise of the mystery box of answers that someone else will provide when we get to the airport." Also read: Alliance Air to relaunch Delhi-Shimla-Delhi flights from September 26, details here The reason for landing in another country is that the flight missed the curfew at Faro Airport because of the air traffic control (ATC) strike. Ryanair has apologised to customers after diverting their flights from Portugal to Spain due to issues attributed to the French air traffic control strike. Based on reports explaining the situation, one of the airline's spokesperson said the circumstances were "entirely beyond our control" and forced the landing destination to be changed. The situation was handled by the budget airline. The airline arranged a bus to transport the travellers from Malaga Airport to help the flyers. The plane had 157 passengers who had to travel from Spain to Portugal via bus. The Twitter user informed about this development via his account. New Delhi: The head of WhatsApp's India payment business, Manesh Mahatme, has quit after more than a year with the Meta Platforms-owned company to join Amazon India, a source told Reuters on Thursday. Mahatme's exit comes at a critical time for Whatsapp, which is seeking to ramp up its payments service in a highly competitive market and lock horns with more established payers such as Alphabet Inc's Google Pay, Ant Group-backed Paytm and Walmart's PhonePe. ALSO READ | Swiggy, Zomato are among top 10 global online Food delivery platforms: Report During his stint at WhatsApp Pay, the company won regulatory approval to more than double its payments offering to 100 million users in India, its biggest market with more than half a billion users overall. Mahatme has joined as director of product in the e-commerce division of Amazon.com Inc in India, the source said. He joined WhatsApp Pay in April 2021. Mahatme was previously on the board of Amazon Pay India between 2014 and 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile. WhatsApp in a statement said Mahatme played an important role in expanding access to WhatsApp payments in India, adding the payments service was a "a priority for Meta and we will continue to innovate and drive momentum as part of our broader efforts." Amazon did not respond to a request for comment. WhatsApp rolled out cashback rewards this year to lure more Indians to its peer-to-peer payments service, even though the regulatory caps on number of users that can use its service meant it continues to face stiff competition from rivals. Chandigarh: Stopped by the Governor from holding a special sitting of the Assembly to seek a confidence vote, Punjab's AAP government on Thursday decided to summon a session on September 27 and will also approach the Supreme Court over the Raj Bhavan move. Aam Aadmi Party MLAs took out a protest march over the cancellation of the special session that was earlier scheduled for Thursday. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said issues like stubble burning and electricity will be discussed in the September 27 session, likely to last a day. But it's speculated that the state government could also bring a motion to "prove" that it enjoys a majority in the House, despite the alleged attempts by the BJP to "poach" AAP MLAs. When Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema asked about it, he evaded a direct reply but said the business advisory committee of the House will decide which business is to be taken up on that day. Cheema also asked why the Governor preferred the additional solicitor general of India over the state advocate general for legal opinion on the matter. "It was a black day when the Governor passed this order. He passed this order on the advice of the additional solicitor general of India, who is a former BJP MP," said Cheema. Earlier in the day, AAP legislators carried placards that said "stop murder of democracy" and "operation lotus murdabad". They slammed the Congress and the BJP for allegedly being hand in glove. They were stopped from going towards the Governor's residence as police had put up barricades about one km from the Vidhan Sabha complex from where they began their march. Also Read: 'Death of democracy': Arvind Kejriwal slams Punjab Governor for calling off Assembly session On the other hand, the BJP held a protest against the Mann government. Though they had planned to "gherao" the official residence of Mann here, police prevented them from heading towards it and used a water cannon to disperse them when they tried to force their way through barricades. Police briefly detained some of the BJP leaders, including state unit chief Ashwani Sharma and Sunil Jakhar. The BJP accused the AAP government of failing on all fronts and indulging in "theatrics" to divert attention of people from burning issues. Earlier, the state Cabinet decided that the government will move the Supreme Court against the cancellation of the session by the Governor, which it said was "arbitrary and anti-democratic". Before holding the Cabinet meeting, Mann also held a meeting with all AAP legislators at the Vidhan Sabha complex here to decide the party's strategy. After the Cabinet meeting, Mann in a video message said, "It was unanimously decided that the Vidhan Sabha session will be summoned on September 27." Issues like electricity and stubble burning will be discussed in the session, added Mann. Later, he in a statement said the state government will approach the Supreme Court against the "arbitrary and anti-democratic" decision of the Governor to safeguard the democratic rights of people and federal rights of states. The CM slammed the Congress while accusing it of supporting the "Operation Lotus" of the BJP. "It is ironic that the Congress, which is the biggest victim of this undemocratic operation, is standing by the side of the saffron party," said Mann. He said the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP are "hand in glove" for this "sinister" move, aimed at toppling the democratically elected government. The Congress and the BJP have marginalised regional parties, alleged Mann, adding that now they want that power should remain confined to them only. Mann said they will not be threatened by pressure tactics. Punjab will send a message to the entire country that in democracy people are supreme, he said. Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia urged the Punjab Governor to mark an inquiry by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court into the allegations of money offered to the AAP MLAs. The inquiry should specify whether any BJP leader or any middleman offered Rs 25 crore each to AAP legislators to switch sides, he said. "If this is so, action should be taken in the case," said the former minister. He said if the allegations are found to be false then, action should be taken against its leaders for befooling people and insulting their mandate. WASHINGTON (AP) On the same day the Federal Reserve gave a sobering report on the U.S. economy's trajectory, administration officials highlighted how they have kept some of the nation's smallest businesses afloat through the pandemic. Roughly $8.28 billion in relief funds have been disbursed to 162 community financial institutions across the country, through Treasurys Emergency Capitol Investment Program, officials said Wednesday. Those financial institutions in turn offer loans to micro and small businesses. The funding regime, abbreviated ECIP, is one of several pandemic relief programs meant to support community financial institutions which provide loans, grants, and other assistance to small and minority-owned businesses that have difficulty getting funding from traditional banks. There is almost $9 billion on the ground right now" for community banks and lenders, Vice President Kamala Harris said on a call with reporters. Roughly 96 percent of Black-owned businesses are sole proprietorships and single employee companies. They have the hardest time finding funding and are often the first type of businesses impacted during economic downturns. On the call with reporters, Harris and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen highlighted some of the program recipients, including Native American Bank, which recently got a $10 million loan to finance an opioid addiction treatment facility in North Dakota, and a Georgia bank that recently gave a $650,000 working capital loan to an Atlanta-based, Black-owned affordable housing developer. Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, California, and Texas have received some of the biggest contributions. We've long known that too many Americans face significant barriers to participation in our financial system, Yellen said. I'm pleased that we've reached a milestone in our work to increase capital to these underserved communities." There were a record 5.4 million applications for new businesses filed in 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, surpassing the previous peak in 2020 of 4.4 million. Of that number, a growing share are sole proprietors and businesses without other employees. Frankly, a lot of businesses are just recovering from Covid, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said on the call. He said that community banks really do incredible work in reaching small businesses." Associated Press reporter Mae Anderson contributed to this report. New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday (September 22, 2022) held a meeting wherein the ongoing searches at premises linked to the Popular Front of India and action against terror suspects, were believed to have been discussed, officials said. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) Dinkar Gupta were among the top officials who attended the high-level meeting. Amit Shah is said to have taken stock of the action taken against the terror suspects and activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI) across the country, an official told Press Trust of India. In near simultaneous raids across the length and breadth of the country, a multi-agency operation spearheaded by the NIA today led to the arrest of 106 activists of the Popular Front of India in 11 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country. The maximum number of arrests were made in Kerala (22) followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka (20 each), Tamil Nadu (10), Assam (9), Uttar Pradesh (8), Andhra Pradesh (5), Madhya Pradesh (4), Puducherry and Delhi (3 each) and Rajasthan (2). According to the officials, the arrests were made during the raids which have been termed as the "largest-ever investigation process till date". AP EAMCET 2022: Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education, APSCHE, is scheduled to release the AP EAMCET 2022 Counselling seat allotment result today on cets.apsche.ap.gov.in. Although the exact time of release has not yet been announced, it is expected to be available by evening. The official website will activate the result link as soon as it is made available. Candidates should be aware that the seat allocation will be made using the web options they were required to submit. Between September 13 to September 17, 2022, web options were invited. Candidates will have to proceed with self-joining and reporting from September 23 to 27, 2022, following the release of the seat allocation outcome. Students who don't arrive by September 27 won't be taken into consideration for the next step. AP EAMCET 2022: Heres how to check Go to the official site of APSCHE at cets.apsche.ap.gov.in. On the homepage, click on AP EAMCET 2022 link After being redirected to another page, click on AP EAMCET 2022 seat allotment result link Then they should enter the login details and click on submit. The seat allotment result will be displayed on the screen. Check the result and download the page. Candidates should keep a hard copy of the same for further need. Candidates need to be informed that the Engineering stream of the AP EAMCET 2022 Exam was held from July 4 to 8, 2022. On July 11 and 12, 2022, the exam for the Agriculture and Medical stream was given. After July 26, 2022, candidates were eligible to access the AP EAMCET. Only those individuals qualified to apply for the counselling process after passing the admission exam. AP SBTET 2022: Andhra Pradesh State Board of Technical Education and Training or AP SBTET Diploma Results 2022 declared announcement has been made today, September 22, 2022. Candidates may now check their SBTET AP C20 Diploma results online at sbtet.ap.gov.in and manabadi. Below are the instructions and a direct link to download these diploma results. The 2022 diploma results link on sbtet.ap.gov.in went live at about noon today. The announcement of the AP SBTET diploma results for various semesters was awaited by thousands of applicants. AP SBTET Diploma Results 2022 released: Heres how to check Candidates must visit the official website of Andhra Pradesh State Board of Technical Education and Training - sbtet.ap.gov.in. On the homepage, click on the link that reads, 'AP SBTET C20 Diploma Results' and then click on the relevant semester. A new page would open where you have to enter your login credentials, as asked. Your AP SBTET diploma results, and scorecards will be displayed. Download and print a copy of the results for future reference. Due to high usage, the AP SBTET Diploma Results 2022 link may be unavailable. Candidates need not worry in the situation. They might just wait, refresh, and then look at the results. They can also look at the link to the AP SBTET Diploma Results 2022 on manabadi.co.in. Kochi: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who is considered very close to the Gandhi family, has reportedly confirmed that he will file his nomination for the Congress presidential poll. Gehlot, however, is not too keen on staying away from his home state and insists that he will continue to work in the best interest of the people of Rajasthan. Replying to a question on his likely successor, Gehlot said, I dont want to make a comment on anyone in particular. Let us see what situation unfolds in Rajasthan, what decision Congress High Command takes, and what Rajasthan MLAs think. It all depends on this. Gehlot, who is considered a top contender for the Congress presidents post, met party leader Rahul Gandhi at Kochi on Thursday. The closed-door meeting between the two leaders lasted for almost two hours. Gehlot also marched with Rahul Gandhi in his `Bharat Jodo Yatra. Gehlot arrived in Kochi in the afternoon and was present at the Adlux Convention Centre where Rahul Gandhi held a press conference. Significantly, at the press conference, Rahul Gandhi asserted that the one-person, one-post resolution of the party should be maintained with regard to the Congress president`s post as well. The comment also has an important implication for Gehlot in case he contests the party presidential poll. A victory would mean that he would have to give up the chief ministership. In that case, there is also a possibility that Sachin Pilot could be elevated in Rajasthan. Giving an indication of his willingness to contest the presidential election, Ashok Gehlot, who is considered to be a staunch Nehru-Gandhi family loyalist, said on Wednesday that he is willing to accept any responsibility given to him by the party. Gehlot had met the party`s interim chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday. Stressing on the "one person, one post" norm, Rahul Gandhi said he believes the commitment of the party`s Udaipur declaration would be maintained in the election for the party`s topmost post. Describing the post of Congress president as an "ideological post", Rahul Gandhi said the position "represents a set of ideas and belief system and vision of India." The Congress had decided on a set of organisational reforms during the Udaipur Chintan Shivir held earlier this year. The declaration said that the principle of "one person, one post" should be followed. Rahul Gandhi is not likely to run for the presidential poll scheduled to be held on October 17. The results will be announced on October 19. Taking a veiled jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party, Gandhi today said that Congress is fighting a "machine" that has "captured the institutional framework" of the country. "We are fighting a machine that has captured the institutional framework of this country and has unlimited money, unlimited ability to pressurise, buy and threaten people. The yatra is designed to tell the people of India that they need to be united and need to go back to an India that was loving and affectionate," he said. Sources said Rahul Gandhi will now come back to Delhi tonight. The nomination process for the post of Congress president will begin on September 24 and conclude on September 30. Meanwhile, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has already made known his intention to enter the fray while some other names are also doing the rounds. There are reports that other senior Congress leaders like Digvijaya Singh and Manish Tewari may also contest the presidential poll. (With Agency Inputs) New Delhi: At the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Thursday (September 22, 2022) hit out at China for putting a hold on the listing of Pakistan-based terrorists. Pointing out that "politics should never ever provide cover to evade accountability", Jaishankar said the Security Council "must send an unambiguous and unequivocal message". Without taking China's name, he said, "Regrettably, we have seen this of late in this very Chamber, when it comes to sanctioning some of the world's most dreaded terrorists." It is notable that China earlier this month put a hold on the listing of the key mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks Sajid Mir on the UNSC's international terror list -- the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions committee. ALSO READ | Russia-Ukraine War: India expresses 'profound concerns', calls for immediate end to military conflict Sajid Mir, who is reportedly based in Pakistan, has a reward of up to $5 million by the FBI for information leading to his arrest and conviction. Mir allegedly conspired to commit a terrorist attack against a newspaper and its employees in Denmark between 2008 and 2009. "If egregious attacks committed in broad daylight are left unpunished, this Council must reflect on the signals we are sending on impunity. There must be consistency if we are to ensure credibility," the EAM said. Spoke at the UNSC briefing on Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/LZ7m8ERPmM September 22, 2022 This is the third time this year that Beijing has put a hold on the listing of a Pakistan-based terrorist as an international terrorist under UN Sanctions regime. China, which is a permanent member of the security council and member of the committee that lists international terrorists, had earlier blocked the listing of Abdul Rehman Makki and Abdul Rauf. Abdul Rehman Makki is 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed's brother-in-law and has been involved in raising funds, recruiting, and radicalizing youth to plan attacks in India, particularly in Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Abdul Rauf, on the other hand, is the younger brother of Masood Azhar, the founder of the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed. Bengaluru: The decision of the ruling BJP in Karnataka to include teachings of the Bhagavad Gita in schools and colleges from December has triggered a debate. Announcing it in the Assembly on Monday, Education Minister B.C. Nagesh stated that the teachings of the holy Hindu scripture would form a part of the `Moral Education` syllabus. "There is no proposal before the government to teach `Bhagavad Gita` to students along with the present syllabus as a special subject," he said. However, Professor, activist, and educational expert Niranjan Aradhya V.P told IANS on Wednesday that the decision to make an announcement in this regard before the committee`s report is "premature" and "hasty`. "The decision of the government is incorrect. Whether it helps students or not is a different matter. In the academic quarter, bodies will prepare the syllabus for students. Principles of every religion should be inculcated in the book," he said. Once the committee is formed and its recommendations are out, then the discussion could be held. Without a committee making any decision, how can the minister announce that the Bhagavad Gita would be taught in December? Niranjan Aradhya questioned. During the Legislative Council session, M.K. Pranesh, and M Ravi Kumar, both BJP MLCs raised the question in the Legislative Council pressing for commencing the teachings of Bhagavad Gita to students. "The government says there is no proposal to implement teachings of Bhagavad Gita to students in Karnataka in the present syllabus. There is no opposition to teaching Bhagavad Gita, Why is the government hesitant to teach Bhagavad Gita? Where has the interest shown by the government earlier while issuing statements evaporated? BJP MLC Pranesh had asked. Clarifying the question, the Minister had said he stated in the written answer that there is no proposal to teach Bhagavad Gita with the present syllabus this year. But, Bhagavad Gita would be included with the Moral Science subject. For the same purpose, a committee has been formed and as per the recommendations of the committee from December, Bhagavad Gita will be included there as per everyone`s demand, Minister Nagesh stated. He also said that many mistakes in the school syllabus have been rectified so far regarding historical facts and the exercise would continue in the future. However, the issue is likely to stir controversy with various minority groups and individuals opposing it when the announcement was made earlier. Minister Nagesh had earlier stated that as per the National Education Policy (NEP), on the lines of Gujarat state, Bhagavad Gita will be introduced in the state after consulting educational experts. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had stated that it is the government`s stand to include Bhagavad Gita, the holy scripture of Hindus, into the syllabus as a part of the moral science subject. Asked whether Bhagavad Gita would teach moral lessons, CM Bommai had angrily asked that if not for Bhagavad Gita, which other scripture can teach morals to children? In this competitive age, children need moral education, said CM Bommai and asked not to create unnecessary confusion in this regard. If Bhagavad Gita is made part of the syllabus, it will help children with Intelligence, he maintained. In this country, all tall leaders, and elders who have thought about the nation have talked highly about Bhagavad Gita, Minister Nagesh stated. Minister for Large and Medium Industries Murugesh Nirani stated that Bhagavad Gita has human values and children need to learn about those values. The government of Gujarat has taken a decision to add Bhagavad Gita to the syllabus and a decision should be taken in Karnataka also to introduce Bhagavad Gita to children, he had said. Senior Congress leader and former minister from Mysuru, Tanveer Sait had stirred up a controversy by stating that introducing Bhagavad Gita in the syllabus of school children is dangerous. "It is more dangerous than the Covid pandemic," he stated. Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy asked the ruling BJP whether the teachings of Bhagavad Gita will fill empty stomachs. The state is facing thousands of problems and the teachings of Bhagavad Gita won`t provide food for people, he reiterated. Emotional matters are gaining importance in the country. The innocents are being misled. "There is an end to this trend and we will wait until then," he said. Opposition leader Siddaramaiah stated, "We believe in the Hindu religion and give equal respect to other religions. We do not have any objection to teaching Bhagavad Gita, Bible, or Quran to children. But, children should be given quality education," he said. New Delhi: Light to moderate rain lashed Delhi for the second consecutive day on Thursday, September 22, and has brought huge relief to the citizens from a huge spell of humidity and heat. The unexpected rains have also caused waterlogging in several regions and hampered traffic movement on critical roads across the city. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert and cautioned the citizens of moderate rains for the next 2-3 days. The fresh spells of rains just before the withdrawal of monsoon from the National Capital Region will help cover the large deficit (46 per cent till September 22 morning) to some extent. It would also keep the air clean and the temperature in check. The city recorded a minimum temperature of 23.8 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, seven notches below normal. The 24-hour average air quality index settled at 66 (satisfactory category) at 4 pm, improving from 109 on Wednesday. Rainfall across the city The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi's primary weather station, gauged 31.2 mm of rainfall between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm. The weather stations at Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge and Ayanagar received 56.5 mm, 27.4 mm, 16.8 mm and 45.8 mm of precipitation during this period. It had recorded 41.6 mm rainfall in August, the lowest in at least 14 years, due to the absence of any favourable weather system in northwest India. The Delhi University area, Jafarpur, Najafgarh, Pusa and Mayur Vihar recorded 16.5 mm, 18 mm, 29 mm, 24.5 mm and 25.5 mm of rainfall, respectively. The Safdarjung Observatory has recorded 58.5 mm rainfall against a normal of 108.5 mm in September so far (till Thursday morning). Traffic Advisory amid rainfall As heavy rains persisted in the national capital region, the Delhi Traffic Police issued a traffic alert informing residents of the city's traffic disruptions. "As per IMD report "Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain would occur over Delhi and adjoining areas". Commuters are advised to plan their journey accordingly," Delhi Traffic Police tweeted. Traffic Alert As per IMD report "Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain would occur over Delhi and adjoining areas". Commuters are advised to plan their journey accordingly. Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) September 22, 2022 Airlines travel advisory Following the rains in Delhi, several airlines issued travel advisories. Many airlines warned travellers about air traffic congestion and reduced visibility caused by adverse weather, which might disrupt arrivals and departures. Flight departures and arrivals might get impacted at #Delhi due to weather conditions. Please keep enough travel time to ensure a smooth journey. Keep a tab on your flight status by visiting https://bit.ly/3DNYJqj. For any assistance, we are just a DM away, Indigo airlines said. #6ETravelAdvisory: Flight departures and arrivals might get impacted at #Delhi due to weather conditions. Please keep enough travel time to ensure a smooth journey. Keep a tab on your flight status by visiting https://t.co/rpnOvAP5FT. For any assistance, we are just a DM away. IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) September 22, 2022 #TravelUpdate: Due to heavy rains in Delhi, traffic congestion is expected. Customers travelling from Delhi are advised to allow more time for their journey to the airport. Thank you!, tweeted Vistara airlines. #TravelUpdate: Due to heavy rains in Delhi, traffic congestion is expected. Customers traveling from Delhi are advised to allow more time for their journey to the airport. Thank you! September 22, 2022 Overall, Delhi has recorded 405.3 mm of rainfall against a normal of 621.7 mm since June 1, when the monsoon season historically sets in. (With PTI Inputs) Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday made a scathing attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for not speaking to Prime Minister Modi after the multi-billion Vedanta-Foxconn semiconductor plant deal went to Gujarat. His remarks come after Vedanta-Foxconn has chosen Gujarat as the destination for their semiconductor plant. Uddhav Thackeray Thackeray takes a swipe at Shinde, saying, CM Eknath Shinde has gone again to perform Mujra in Delhi today Why do Maharashtra projects go to other states? Why doesnt he speak to the PM about this? Doesnt he have the courage to speak on it? A memorandum of understanding was signed with the state government for setting up the semiconductor plant costing around Rs 1.54 lakh crore. Thackeray, who was addressing party workers, said that the Maharashtra government should bring back the Foxconn-Vedanta semiconductor project rather than hurling allegations adding that both ruling and Opposition should come together for the larger interest of the state and bring back the project. Thackeray also launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for not speaking on the issue. The Shiv Sena chief also challenged Home Minister Amit Shah to conduct Mumbai civic polls and assembly elections within a month. I challenge Union HM Amit Shah to hold BMC election along with state assembly elections, we will show Shiv Senas strength. Earlier too many Nizams and Shahs tried to capture Mumbai but failed in their nefarious attempt, he added. However, Shinde hit back at Thackeray saying that the Vedanta will come to Maharashtra. Our government is two months old and we have taken decisions that were not taken in two years. Vedanta will come to Maharashtra. I have spoken with PM Modi and HM Amit Shah and have been assured. A lot of industries went out of the state because of the previous government, said Maharashtra Chief Minister. History gets made! Happy to announce that the new Vedanta-Foxconn semiconductor plant will be set up in #Gujarat. Vedantas landmark investment of Rs 1.54 lakh crores will help make Indias #Atmanirbhar Silicon Valley a reality, Vedanta group chairman Anil Agarwal said in a series of tweets. This project, which is expected to reduce Indias electronic imports besides providing 1 lakh direct skilled jobs, will help the countrys manufacturing sector, he said in another tweet. My deep gratitude to the Gujarat Govt and the Union IT Minister, who have helped Vedanta tie things up so quickly. Indias tech ecosystem will thrive, with every state benefiting via the new electronics manufacturing hubs. Indias own Silicon Valley is a step closer now, the Vedanta Chairman tweeted. India will fulfil the digital needs of not just her people, but also those from across the seas. The journey from being a Chip Taker to a Chip Maker has officially begunJai Hind!, he tweeted. New Delhi: In the Gangotri Glacier, the average retreat rate from 1935 to 1996 was 20 metres per year, but it has since increased to up to 38 metres per year. The retreat has accelerated, with Gangotri retreating by about 300 metres in the last decade or so, as per different studies on the Gangotri glacier. This glacier is in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, where the Ganga river originates. It receded by 1,700 metres between 1935 and 2022, according to a study conducted by the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology in Dehradun, owing to decreased snowfall and increased rain, as well as rising temperatures in the Himalayas' upper reaches. Worryingly, the study discovered that the rate of retreat is accelerating. The Gangotri glacier in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, from where the Ganga river originates, retreated by 1,700 metres between 1935 and 2022, a study by Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun has found, attributing it to reduced snowfall and more rain, apart from the rising temperature in the upper reaches of the Himalayas. Worryingly, the study has also found that the rate of retreat is increasing. Rakesh Bhambri, a scientist at the Central government-run institute and lead author of the yet-to-be-published study, stated that their new estimate of the retreat is based on a comparison of the Geological Survey of India's (GSI) 1935 map with the current situation in the region. "Our most recent estimate shows that the glacier has retreated by 1700 metres, and the rate of retreat is increasing," he said. He added that the rate of retreat has been increasing with each decade and that if the current rate of retreat continues, it will take approximately 1,500 years for the entire Gangotri glacier to melt. But this cant be accurate as we dont know how contributing factors like temperature and rainfall and snowfall will change in the coming years. The decline in the glacial mass, which we are studying currently, will give us a more accurate estimation in the coming time. Gangotri is the largest glacier in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, with a length of about 30 kilometres, a width of about 0.5 to 2.5 kilometres, and an area of about 143 square kilometres. The melt water from this glacier, which emerges at its snout at Gaumukh at a height of 3,950 metres, forms the Bhagirathi River, which later joins the Alaknanda River to form the Ganga at Devprayag. As per the report published in HT. According to Bhambri, glacier retreat and other associated changes in the area are also causing morphological changes in the region. The Centre informed Rajya Sabha in March that the Gangotri glacier had lost nearly 0.23 square kilometres in 15 years (2001-2016). According to Bhambri, the majority of these changes are the result of changes in the area's snowfall and rainfall patterns, as well as other factors such as global warming. The overall pattern is that rainfall has increased in the area and snowfall has decreased. Where earlier major snowfall would protect the glacier, the increasing rainfall is now leading to faster melting of the glacier. Local people also attest to the fact that earlier there used to be heavy snowfall, which is no more the case, Bhambri said, He also stated that glacial retreat in the Himalayan region is expected to accelerate due to climate change, which will result in debris flow activities in glaciated regions from surrounding moraines shortly. Against this backdrop, our efforts are to focus on studying stability, structure and strength of moraines near the glacier to mitigate the risk of glacial debris flow and glacial lake outbursts in the region. In 2021, a glacial burst in Chamoli district caused a flash flood in the Dhauliganga, destroying Raini village and two hydropower plants and killing approximately 170 people. Kireet Kumar, a scientist at Almora's G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development who has also studied the Gangotri glacier area, stated that the average rate of retreat of the Gangotri glacier over the last decade has been around 12 to 13 metres per year. The average temperature change in higher reaches of the Himalayas is more compared to the global average. This coupled with changes in rainfall and snowfall pattern is contributing to the glacial retreat and decline in the overall mass of the Gangotri glacier, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology director Kalachand Sen stated that scientists at the institute are studying the Gangotri glacier area because it is the source of the Ganga and a large number of people visit the area. In the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy, a moraine-dammed glacial lake outburst created havoc downstream of Mandakini and its tributary river valleys in the region. The Gangotri area is frequently visited by pilgrims and mountaineers especially Tapovan, Sundervan and Kalindi Pass. Given the risk factors involved, investigation of such events is important for future planning and mitigation of hazards such as glacial lake outbursts in the region, in the interest of the public and the sacred region as a whole, Sen quotes. The Indian Himalayas have 9,575 glaciers, 968 of which are in Uttarakhand. Currently, less than a dozen glaciers in the state are being monitored, including Gangotri, Chorabari, Dunagiri, Dokriyani, and Pindari. NEW YORK (AP) New Yorks attorney general says her three-year investigation of former President Donald Trump uncovered potential crimes in the way he ran his real estate empire, including allegations of bank and insurance fraud. So why isnt Trump being prosecuted? Attorney General Letitia James didnt seek to slap handcuffs on the Republican this week, as some of his critics hoped. Instead, she announced a civil lawsuit seeking $250 million and his permanent banishment from doing business in the state. Like many things involving the law and Trump, the reasons James, a Democrat, opted for a lawsuit rather than a prosecution are complicated. For one, even if she did want to prosecute Trump, she doesnt have jurisdiction under state law to bring a criminal case against him or any of the lawsuit's other defendants, including the Trump Organization and his three eldest children, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric Trump. In New York, the state attorney generals office is only allowed to prosecute a limited range of offenses on its own, like bid rigging and payroll violations. Otherwise, the office must partner with a county district attorney on a prosecution as James' office did with the Manhattan district attorney's office in a case against Trump's longtime finance chief or obtain whats known as a criminal referral from the governor or a state agency that has jurisdiction over the alleged wrongdoing. Even then, mounting a criminal fraud case is far more challenging than a civil lawsuit. In a criminal case, prosecutors would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump intended to commit a crime. In the lawsuit if it goes to trial jurors would only need to be persuaded it was more likely than not that wrongdoing occurred. Filing a civil lawsuit while letting others sort out potential criminal violations is a sound strategy, legal experts said, allowing James to seek remedies other than prison time. It allows the attorney general to avoid the kind of internal debate about criminal charges that fractured the Manhattan district attorney's parallel investigation into Trump earlier this year. No former U.S. president has ever been charged with a crime. The prospect of Trump, 76, behind bars as a result of a criminal prosecution could give juries pause, make judges more careful and make winning more difficult, said University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias. Even for Trump, people dont like him, but do they want to put him away? Tobias said. What would it take? What kind of punishment would be appropriate? So its just all around more difficult. A civil case, given its lower burden of proof standard, is a lot easier to assemble ... and probably win," Tobias said. Trump, a Republican who's laying the groundwork for another presidential run in 2024, has derided James as a fraud who campaigned on a get Trump platform.' In an interview Wednesday night with Fox News Channels Sean Hannity, Trump suggested that his company had protected itself against possible fraud allegations by warning banks and potential business partners not to trust the information in its financial disclosures. We have a disclaimer right on the front, Trump said. "'Youre at your own risk. ... Be careful because it may not be accurate. It may be way off. ... Get your own people. Use your own appraisers. Use your own lawyers. Dont rely on us. James said at a news conference Wednesday that her office was referring its findings to the U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan and the Internal Revenue Service, and would share evidence of possible state law violations with the Manhattan district attorneys office, if requested. The U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan said it was aware of James referral of potential criminal violations, but otherwise declined comment. The Internal Revenue Services criminal investigation division said it doesnt confirm the existence of investigations until court documents are publicly available. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said his probe of Trump was active and ongoing. The former prosecutor who had been leading Bragg's investigation, Mark Pomerantz, resigned in February because he felt the office should be moving more quickly to bring criminal charges against Trump. In a resignation letter, Pomerantz wrote that he believes the former president is guilty of numerous felony violations." He said he had told Bragg there was evidence sufficient to establish Mr. Trumps guilt beyond a reasonable doubt of many of the same allegations that now appear in James' lawsuit including that Trump falsified financial statements to secure loans and burnish his image as a wealthy businessman. If theres no settlement agreement, James' lawsuit against Trump could take years to play out and might not be resolved before the 2024 presidential election. A fraud lawsuit James filed against the National Rifle Association recently entered its third year, slowed by legal wrangling and the powerful gun advocacy groups attempts to get the case thrown out. No trial date has been set. Drawn out legal proceedings could hurt Trump's business by making lenders and potential partners reluctant to cut deals. But, if history is any guide, its not likely to be a crushing blow. Against the odds, and despite no shortage of legal battles in recent years, the company has been able to get new loans and raise money. In February, the Trump Organization got a $100 million from a California bank to refinance commercial and retail space in its Trump Tower headquarters. That deal was struck just three days after Trumps long-time accountants, Mazurs, disavowed a decade of financial statements it had helped prepare a serious blow to his business reputation. That big loan also came after the Trump Organization had already been indicted on fraud charges by the Manhattan district attorneys office for allegedly helping executives evade taxes. That case is scheduled to go to trial next month. Another recent victory for Trump as his legal troubles mount: Selling his Washington D.C. hotel for $375 million, far more than expected. Several lending experts said the new loan show why much of Trumps business is insulated from his political and legal storms: What matters most in real estate is the cash thrown off by rent and the collateral of the buildings -- not the reputation of the owner. Associated Press reporters Larry Neumeister, Bobby Caina Calvan and Jill Colvin in New York and Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report. On Twitter, follow Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak and Bernard Condon at twitter.com/bernardfcondon On August 5, Future World launched a new store in Gurugram popular Global Foyer Mall in Palam Vihar. The Future World store offers the best Apple shopping experience. With the love & support of Apple Lovers, Future World has come up with a new store for Gurugram folks to make their Apple Experience better and easier. The new Future World store at Global Foyer Mall, Palam Vihar Sector 1, is bound to appeal to the masses with its prime location and intriguing in-store experience. With commendable expertise in technology, our certified Apple sales experts at stores help you in recommending the right device for you. Furthermore, Future World also offers to customise your Machines / MacBooks as per your needs, be it gaming, business, or designing. The store currently provides some exciting offers: iPhone 13 Pro with free AirTag worth Rs. 3,190 + SkullCandy Wireless Earbuds worth Rs. 7,499 iPad 9th Generation with free accessories worth Rs. 5,598. Get DJI RoboMaster worth Rs. 75,000 & Mac essential accessories worth Rs.10,489 with every purchase of MacBook Pro 14 and 16. Flat 6% Off on Apple Watch Series 7 and SE. Get a Flat Discount worth Rs. 1,000 on HomePod Mini. Get a Flat 10% Off on Marshall Speaker models. AirPods Pro with Free Apple Care+ @23700/- Flat Rs. 6,000 off on iPhone 12 Future World is a subsidiary of Thakral Group, which has grown to become one of Singapores largest independent businesses since its inception in 1905. Future World has now further expanded its reach in India. They have made sure that Apple products receive prominent publicity and are easily available to Indian customers through their Website and their Apple Premium & Authorised Stores. Future World Apple stores are much beloved by Apple users and tech fanatics. Along with their user-friendly website, they cater to all the needs and queries of Apple lovers PAN-India. On their website, you will find some exclusive offers on your favourite Apple products, such as: iPad Air & AirTag Combo / iPad Mini & AirTag Combo iPhone 13 Pro with free 20w Power Adapter AirPods Pro at Rs. 19,725 Get flat 10% off on Apple Pencil Get up to Rs. 2,699 off on Apple Watch Series 7 Get Flat Rs. 3,000 off on Marshall Emberton Speaker Get a free shopping voucher worth Rs. 2,000 with every purchase of iPhone 13. FutureWorld also offers a wide range of options to make your purchase easier and affordable, such as: Consumer Loans Buy Now Pay Later Easy EMI Exchange Bonus Student Offers Customised Apple Machines Bundle Offers Apple Care+ Bank Offers Store Address: GF-02, Sector 1, Global Foyer Mall, Palam Vihar, Gurugram, Haryana 122017 (Click for Directions) Contact Number: T: 0124-490-9320 / 9717-517-660 Shop Online, and get free delivery PAN-India to visit now https://www.futureworldindia.in/ (Disclaimer: Above mentioned article is a Consumer connect initiative. This article does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever.) There is a possibility that no one will get permission to hold Dussehara Mela this year at Shivaji Park grounds. Thackeray Group and Shinde Group have applied to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to hold Dussehra Mela. But BMC has taken the position of not allowing anyone from the Thackeray Group and Shinde Group to hold Dussehra Mela. Who is the real Shiv Sena? The dispute is pending in court. The municipality cannot decide whose application is official, therefore they have decided that no group should be allowed. Shiv Sena has moved the court against this. The Shiv Sena Thackeray group says that the Municipal Corporation has refused permission even after seeking proper permission. The decision of the Dussehra Mela at Shivaji Park will be taken tomorrow in the High Court. Big Statement on Dussehra Gathering Meanwhile, Shiv Sena has decided that the Dussehra gathering will be held at Shivtirtha. Shiv Sena leader Kishori Pednekar has tweeted a picture of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray. This is a photo of Balasaheb Thackeray standing on the top of a car and giving a speech. He has given a caption under this photo. It was written, " Looking forward to the Dussehra gathering. It will be repeated." Due to this photo, it seems that Shiv Sena is aggressive about holding a Dussehra gathering at Shivaji Park itself. Such a discussion has started to take shape. BMC Denied Permission The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had sought feedback from the Mumbai Police. According to this, there was a fight between Shiv Sainiks and Shinde groups a few days ago in Dadar and Prabhadevi during the Ganapati Visarjan procession. MLA Sada Sarvankar from the Shinde group was accused by the Shiv Sena of firing in the air. Against this backdrop, the police say that a law and order situation could arise even from the Dussehra gathering. It has been mentioned in the letter that permission was denied because of this. Also Read: TUG OF WAR: BJP reacts strongly to Uddhav Thackeray's 'VULTURE' remark, says 'Amit Shah is an EAGLE..' Uddhav Thackeray Attacks Amit Shah Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting in Mumbai yesterday ahead of Dussehra Mela. Speaking on this occasion, he has criticized the BJP along with CM Eknath Shinde. "Heard of a gang abducting children, but now we see those abducting fathers." Such criticism has been made by Uddhav Thackeray. He further added, "They want to capture Mumbai. The vultures have started to roam over Mumbai. We know the history of Shivaji Maharaj. At that time, Adil Shah and many others came. Now Amit Shah has also come and left recently." Also Read: 'You tried for two and a half years to FINISH me, BUT...': Devendra Fadnavis ATTACKS Uddhav Thackeray in his SIGNATURE style BJP Hits Back BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye has responded to Uddhav Thackeray's criticism and has said that Amit Shah is an eagle. Keshav Upadhyay replied to Uddhav Thackeray by tweeting. "The Penguins chief displayed the same ferocious fervour yesterday. As their eyesight is also now corrupted, they do not know the difference between a vulture and an eagle. Amit Shah is an eagle. At least look at that great difference." Islamabad: Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan has once again lauded India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi while comparing with Pakistan Muslim League (N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on the issue of corruption. In a video that has now gone viral, Khan was seen talking about the properties that Nawaz Sharif owns outside Pakistan (foreign countries). He then made a scathing attack on Nawaz, saying, "no other leader except Nawaz in the world has properties worth billions." "Tell me about one country whose Premier or leader has billions worth of properties outside the country. Even in our neighbouring country, how many properties does PM Modi has outside India?" he said while addressing the public gathering. "No one can imagine how many assets and properties Nawaz possesses abroad," Imran Khan added. This is not the first time when Imran Khan praised India. Earlier, he lauded India for buying the discounted oil from Russia and said that his government was also working on the same thing with the help of an independent foreign policy and slammed Pakistan Muslim League (N)-led government for "running around like a headless chicken with the economy in a tailspin". "Despite being part of the Quad, India sustained pressure from the US and bought discounted Russian oil to provide relief to the masses. This is what our govt was working to achieve with the help of an independent foreign policy," Imran Khan tweeted while retweeting a piece of information about the reduction of petrol and diesel prices in India. Former Pak PM Imran Khan plays out video clip of India's foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar during his mega Lahore Rally on Saturday, pointing out his remarks how India is buying Russian oil despite western pressure. Says, 'yeh hoti hai Azad Haqumat' pic.twitter.com/tsSiFLteIv August 14, 2022 In April also, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief lauded India as "khuddar quam" (very self-respecting people) and said that no superpower can dictate terms to the neighbouring country, admitting that both New Delhi and Islamabad do not share a good relationship. "Indians are khuddar quam (very self-respecting people). No superpower can dictate terms to India," he had said during his national address ahead of his no-confidence vote. New Delhi: JNU Vice Chancellor Santishree D Pandit met UGC chairman M Jagadesh Kumar and discussed a slew of issues, including the release of grants and faculty increment, the varsity has said. The meeting took place on Tuesday to expedite several pending issues pertaining to the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Meanwhile, the UGC chairman has assured to positively look into the pending matters of JNU at the earliest, the varsity said. Santishree D. Pandit, Vice Chancellor, JNU along with the Registrar met Prof M Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, UGC on 20th September 2022, the varsity said in a statement on Wednesday. During the meeting, various matters about the faculty, staff, and students of the university were discussed. The issues related to the extension of the deadline for CAS (Career advancement Scheme) application, duration of various fellowship grants, five non-compounded increments to faculty for Ph.D., long pending cases of release of pensionary benefits, the release of grants under different heads, among others, were discussed in detail. The Chairman has assured to positively look into the pending matters of JNU at the earliest. The University looks forward to engaging with the higher authorities like the University Grants Commission (UGC) more closely for an effective resolution of the pending issues," the varsity added. Patna: Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the government forces for freeing Buddha Pahad in Jharkhand after almost three decades of the domination of Maoists. The Maoist-dominated area has been freed under Operation `Octopus` of Jharkhand police, Chhattisgarh police, Telangana police, CRPF Cobra battalion, Jaguar assault unit and IRB on Wednesday. "A historic milestone in the internal security of the country has been crossed. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi ji, the security forces have achieved unprecedented success in the decisive battle against Left Wing Extremism across the country. Congratulations to @crpfindia, security agencies and state police forces for this," Shah tweeted. "For the first time, permanent camps of security forces have been established by successfully removing Maoists from the inaccessible areas of Buddha Pahad, Chakrabandha and Bhimabandh. Under the leadership of @narendramodi ji, the policy of zero tolerance of the Ministry of Home Affairs against terrorism and LWE will continue and this fight will intensify further," he said in another tweet. The joint forces managed to free Buddha Pahad located in Jharkhand`s Latehar district, about 150 km from the state capital Ranchi. Buddha Pahad is spread in about 55 square km with one side connected with Chhattisgarh. It had turned out to shelter top Naxal commanders of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Odhisha. Also read: Tell people that Congress-TRS are: Amit Shah motivates BJP core team to keep the fight alive The joint forces have learnt time to time about the presence of top Maoist commanders and strategists like Arvind Singh alias Dev Kumar, Sudhakaran, Mithilesh Mahto, Vivek Arya, Pramod Mishra, Vimal Yadav and many others. They held Buddha Pahad for 32 years and developed many combat training camps, bunkers, arms and ammunition depots there. Also read: Will end N-E border issues by 2024: Amit Shah calls peace accord with Assam tribal outfits milestone Located on a mountain surrounded by the deep and dense jungle of Latehar and Garhwa district of Jharkhand, Buddha Pahad turned out to be a safe haven for Maoists due to its location. Maoist groups had placed land mines in every possible way going towards their camps established on the top of Buddha Pahad. Jharkhand DGP Neeraj Sinha went to Buddha Pahad by helicopter a couple of days ago and congratulated the joint forces. He appreciated the brave Jawans of different units who established their camps in the Maoist-dominated area. Operation Octopus was kicked off one and a half months ago and it was completed on last Friday. The MI helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) also landed on the top of the Buddha Pahad. AV Homkar, the IGP (Operation) of Jharkhand police said: "The joint forces managed to capture Buddha Pahad and establish a camp there. It is a great achievement to fight with Maoists of the country." Jharkhand police is supplying food and ammunition to Jawans through helicopters. Many times in past as well, the security forces made plans to capture Buddha Pahad. However, serious efforts were started in 2018 under the leadership of DK Pandey - the then DGP of Jharkhand. During the tenure of D.K. Pandey, the security forces applied pressure on the families of Maoists and also worked on cutting the supply of food and ammunition from the villages in the foothills of Buddha Pahad in Latehar and Gadhwa district of Jharkhand and from Chhattisgarh. Police also worked on gaining the trust of villagers as well. On many occasions, security forces have distributed Sharis, clothes, food items and others to the villagers. "The surrender policy of security forces worked well when more than three dozen Maoists commanders laid down their arms before police and surrendered. Due to a cut in the supply chain, Arvind Singh, who was owing Rs 1 crore reward on his head died due to medical aids. He was ill for a long time and security forces cut the supply chain there. Following his demise, Sudhakaran and his wife were appointed as in-charge of Buddha Pahad. Two years later, Sudhakaran and his wife surrendered before the Telangana police," said an official of Jharkhand police. "After the surrender of Sudhakaran, over one dozen top Maoist commanders also surrendered before different security agencies," he said. "Jharkhand police received an input about top Naxal commander Saurav alias Makrus Baba, regional committee members Navin Yadav and Chotu Khaiwar along with 50 other Naxal were present in Buddha Pahad in July this year. Accordingly, the joint team decided to free Buddha Pahad from them forever. The joint assault team headed by Jharkhand police ADGP (Operation) Sanjay Anand Lathkar, STF DIG Anup Birthare started operation Octopus. The SP of Latehar and Garwa were also included in the team," the official added. "During the operation, the joint forces combated head on for more than six times during last one and half months. Eventually, our forces managed to capture a big bunker of Maoists. They also recovered 106 land mines, 350 live cartridges of SLR, 25 arrow bomb, 500 meters of codex wire and a large number of explosives. Following the capture of that bunker, the morale of other Maoists broke down and they fled from Buddha Pahad on September 5," he said. New Delhi: SDPI workers on Thursday (September 22, 2022) raised slogans of "NIA Go Back" to protest against the NIA raid at the residence of an SDPI leader in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The Popular Front of India (PFI) office in Hyderabad was seized and sealed today morning by National Investigation Agency (NIA). #WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: SDPI workers raise slogans of "NIA Go Back" to protest against the NIA raid at the residence of an SDPI leader in Kurnool district. pic.twitter.com/VTTKdZk2th ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2022 The National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and local police today launched multiple raids across 11 states - including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam - to crackdown on suspected terror-funding activities. The agency had then conducted searches at 38 locations in Telangana (23 in Nizamabad, four in Hyderabad, seven in Jagityal, two in Nirmal, one each in Adilabad and Karimnagar districts). The NIA and ED raids began around 3.30 am today. The central agencies have, so far, arrested more than 100 leaders of the Popular Front of India. The Popular Front of India (PFI) called the raids an example of the government 'using agencies to silence dissenting voices'. "The nationwide raids in the residences of the leaders are the affirmative sign of the efforts to stifle the dissenting voices. In the past few years in which the mainstream political parties have become mute about the fascist atrocities in the country, it has been the Popular Front of India and the Social Democratic Party of India that have taken up the role of the opposition in challenging the undemocratic, divisive politics of the Hindutva fascists that leads the country into peril," said SDPI in a press release. The PFI and SDPI workers staged a protest in Karnatakas Mangaluru against the raids, following which they were detained by the state police. NIA raids in Tamil Nadu In a major crackdown on the Popular Front of India (PFI), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at eight places in Tamil Nadu in the early hours on Thursday. NIA conducted searches at in the Madurai city area including Villapuram, Gomatipuram, and Kulamangalam. More than 50 members of the PFI are protesting against the raids outside the party office in the Dindigul district. These searches are being conducted at the residential and official premises of persons involved in funding terrorism, organising training camps and radicalising people to join proscribed organisations. In a major action across 10 states, NIA, ED and state police have arrested more than 100 cadres of PFI, sources told ANI. New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency raided several locations in Karnataka's Bengaluru, Mangalore and Shivamogga. Their raids were done in search of people supporting terrorist organisations in our country. The Social Democratic Party (SDPI) and Popular Front of India(PFI) offices were searched. These offices were on the Nellikal road in Bengaluru. The NIA has also detained about 100 PFI workers. They are alleged to be supporting terrorists. As the information on the raids and the PFI workers' detention spread, SDPI and PFI activists protested the raid in front of their offices, urging NIA officials to leave. To increase security, CRPF personnel have been stationed on Nellikai Road. CRPF officers have completely closed the road. Karnataka Police detained PFI and SDPI workers protesting against NIA raid in Mangaluru https://t.co/UB1PMTkP82 pic.twitter.com/70Fy4BQZOc ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2022 The NIA is searching Mohammad Sakib's home in Richmond Town, the national secretary of the PFI. Searches are also being conducted at the homes of PFI secretary Afsar Pasha and Karnataka state president Nasir Pasha in Padarayanapura and Tannery Road, Bengaluru. These raids are taking place mainly in Southern India, and are termed the largest ever investigation process to date by the National Investigation Agency. The searches are taking place at the homes of those suspected of funding terrorism, organising training camps, and radicalising people to join proscribed organisations, according to officials quoted by the news agency PTI. The investigating agency also conducted a raid on the home of Abdul Khader Kulai, the brother of SDPI district president Abubakar Kulai, which is located near Surathkal's Kulai. Search operations were also underway at the homes of SDPI and PFI leaders in Bajpe, Jokatte, Kavoor, and Kulai, according to TV9 Kannada. The PFI stated in a statement that "Raids are being conducted on the homes of the country's national, state, and local leaders. The office of the state committee is also being searched ". "We strongly condemn the fascist regime's efforts to silence dissenting voices," the group said. A large contingent of police officers was on hand to provide security for the various raids. The NIA is also looking into the July 26 murder of BJP youth wing leader Praveen Nettar in Bellare, Dakshina Kannada district. Purnia: The National Investigation Agency has been conducting searches at the office of the Popular Front of India in Bihars, Purnia district on Thursday. In a first-ever largest action, a joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and state police forces have arrested over 100 Popular Front of India (PFI) leaders during raids across the 10 states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Assam. As per the sources, these searches are being conducted at the residential and official premises of persons involved in funding terrorism, organising training camps and radicalising people to join proscribed organisations. NIA earlier this month also raided 40 places in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh in a PFI case and detained four persons. The agency had then conducted searches at 38 locations in Telangana (23 in Nizamabad, four in Hyderabad, seven in Jagityal, two in Nirmal, one each in Adilabad and Karimnagar districts) and at two locations in Andhra Pradesh (one each in Kurnool and Nellore districts) in the case relating to Abdul Khader of Nizamabad district in Telangana and 26 other persons. In the operation, the NIA seized incriminating materials, including digital devices, documents, two daggers, and recovered Rs 8,31,500 cash. As per NIA, the accused were organizing camps for imparting training to commit terrorist acts and to promote enmity between different groups on the basis of religion. The PFI was launched in Kerala in 2006 after merging three Muslim organizations floated after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992 the National Development Front of Kerala, Karnataka Forum for Dignity and Manitha Neethi Pasari of Tamil Nadu. After the demolition of the Babri mosque, many fringe outfits surfaced in south India and the PFI was formed after merging some of them. Now, PFI claims to have its units in 22 states. Its growth is phenomenal, admits intelligence agencies, saying it successfully exploited a growing vacuum in the community by donning the role of a savior. The successful portrayal of the image helps PFI to mobilize funds, especially from the rich middle-eastern countries. The PFI had its headquarters in Kozhikode earlier, but after its base broadened, it was shifted to Delhi. PFIs state president of Kerala Nasaruddin Elamarom is one of the founding leaders of the outfit. Its all-India president E Abubaker also hails from Kerala. The PFI describes itself as a neo-social movement committed to empowering people belonging to minority communities, Dalits and other weaker sections of society. New Delhi: In early morning raids by multi-agencies led by the National Investigation Agency, covering around 11 states, the maximum number of arrests were made in Kerala (22) for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country. The other states where similar arrests were made include Maharashtra and Karnataka (20 each), Andhra Pradesh (5), Assam (9), Delhi (3), Madhya Pradesh (4), Puducherry (3), Tamil Nadu (10), Uttar Pradesh (8) and Rajasthan (2), said a PTI report. The officials told PTI that the searches are taking place at the premises of persons involved in terror funding, organising training camps, and radicalising people to join proscribed organisations. The Popular Front of India (PFI) issued a statement saying "The raids are taking place at the homes of national, state and local leaders of PFI. The state committee office is also being raided. We strongly protest the fascist regime's move to use agencies to silence dissenting voices." Also read: NIA, ED carry out raids against terror funding suspects in 11 states As many as 106 activists of the Popular Front of India were reportedly arrested on Thursday in early morning raids by multi-agencies led by the National Investigation Agency, covering around 11 states, for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country. Protests in Kerala as top PFI leaders detained in NIA, ED raids Meanwhile, protests broke out across Kerala after several top leaders of the Popular Front of India were taken into custody following pan-India raids conducted jointly by the ED and NIA on Thursday. While the ED is investigating a money laundering case, NIA is questioning the PFI leaders in connection with a terror-related case. Among those who have been taken into custody are chairman OMA Salam, Nasarudhin Elamaram, P Koya and several others. Also read: 'NIA go back' slogans raised in Andhra as agency conducts multiple raids Notably, the central agencies with the help of Central forces started the raids around 4 am. Surprisingly, the Kerala Police was kept in the dark. Protesting against the raids and the custody, angry PFI workers took to the streets at various places in the state. A top PFI functionary, A Abdul Sathar, termed it a part of the "RSS agenda" of "annihilating" the Muslims. Also read: NIA raids PFI, SDPI offices; activists stage protests ask officials to go back Kerala Police detained PFI workers in Kannur after they tried to block a road in order to protest against the NIA raids NIA raids are underway at several locations linked to PFI in several states pic.twitter.com/53zRJ7TYo4 September 22, 2022 A Abdul Sathar told IANS, "We strongly object to this act of the Centre and we warn the authorities that if our detained leaders are not released, we will not sit idle. We will soon decide on the next course of action and it includes calling for a total `Kerala shut down` on Friday." The raids were conducted at Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad. Salam`s son, who objected to the arrest, was moved using force by the Central forces. According to reports, the National Investigation Agency has also taken into custody PFI national executive committee member AS Ismail during the raid conducted at his residence in Coimbatore on Thursday. The NIA sleuths took Ismail in custody at Karumbakudi in Coimbatore. PFI cadres staged a protest outside his residence, and he was taken to an unknown destination. Sources told IANS that after the murder of the RSS leader, Sreenivasan at Palakkad in Kerala, the police had seized some incriminating documents, including about the PFI conducting training to cadres and preparing a list of RSS workers and leaders to be eliminated. (With PTI/IANS Inputs) Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Thursday said that he would prefer to breathe his last surrounded by the genuine and loving people of India, a free and open democracy, rather than among "artificial" Chinese officials. He made these remarks during a two-day dialogue with youth leaders at his residence in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh at an interaction organised by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). "I told former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, I will live another 15-20 years, there is no question. At the time when I die, I prefer dying in India. India is surrounded by people who show love, not artificial something. If I die surrounded by Chinese officials...too much artificial. I prefer dying in this country with free democracy," Dalai Lama said. "At the time of death...one must be surrounded by trusted friends who really show you genuine feelings," he added in a video posted on Facebook. Dalai Lama, who is revered across the world for his enlightened spiritual teachings and also sagacious political views is generally viewed with suspicion by Chinese authorities. The Chinese authorities often regard him as a controversial and separatist figure. In the 1950s, when China illegally occupied Tibet, the Tibetan Spiritual leader had to take shelter in India. The Dalai Lama tried to advocate for a mid-way negotiation with China to peacefully resolve the issue of Tibet. The Indian government`s position on Dalai Lama has been clear and consistent. He is a revered religious leader and is deeply respected by the people of India. He is accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities in India. Dalai Lama last month visited New Delhi after a gap of over three years. He visited the national capital after a month-long sojourn in Ladakh. Dalai Lama is an icon who advocates democracy and freedom not only for his country but also for the world. Dalai Lama relinquished his role as the spiritual leader of more than 7 million Tibetan Buddhists because of the Chinese aggression and has lived in exile for decades. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A proposed state question on whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Oklahoma won't appear on the November ballot, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, dealing a blow to Democrats who hoped the question would energize liberal voters. The high court rejected a request by supporters of State Question 820 to require the State Election Board to print the question on the general election ballot. There is no way to mandate the inclusion of SQ820 on the November 2022 general election ballot," Justice Douglas Combs wrote in the majority opinion. SQ820 will be voted upon by the people of Oklahoma, albeit either at the next general election following November 8, 2022, or at a special election set by the Governor or the Legislature." Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws gathered enough signatures to qualify the question for a statewide vote, but because it took longer than usual to count the signatures and for the courts to consider several legal challenges to the proposal, there wasn't enough time to print the ballots ahead of the November election. Officials with the Oklahoma Election Board said earlier this year the statutory deadline to call a state question election for November was Aug. 29. It is disappointing that a few people with their own political interests were able to use the process to prevent voters from voting on this in November," campaign director Michelle Tilley said in a statement. However, we cannot lose sight of how far we have come. This is a big deal. Now the petition phase is finished, and Oklahomans will be voting to legalize recreational marijuana here, and we can soon realize all the benefits it will bring to our state." If approved by voters, the question would legalize the use of marijuana for any adult over the age of 21. Marijuana sales would be subjected to a 15% excise tax on top of the standard sales tax, and the revenue it generates would be used to help fund local municipalities, the court system, public schools, substance abuse treatment and the states general revenue fund. The proposal also outlines a judicial process for people to seek expungement or dismissal of prior marijuana-related convictions. Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt said he opposes the proposal and that the country's patchwork of state laws on marijuana has become problematic. Do I wish that the feds would pass legalized marijuana? Yes. I think that would solve a lot of issues from all these different states," Stitt said during a recent interview with The Associated Press. But in our state, just trying to protect our state right now, I don't think it would be good for Oklahoma." Follow Sean Murphy at www.twitter.com/apseanmurphy United Nations: India on Thursday told the UN Security Council that the need of the hour is to end the conflict in Ukraine and return to dialogue and said the nuclear issue is a particular anxiety, underlining Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion to Russian President Vladimir Putin that this cannot be an era of war. "The trajectory of the Ukraine conflict is a matter of profound concern for the entire international community. The future outlook appears even more disturbing. The nuclear issue is a particular anxiety," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the 15-nation UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine's Fight against impunity.' #WATCH | "India is strongly reiterating the need for an immediate cessation of all hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy," says EAM Dr S Jaishankar at UNSC briefing on Ukraine pic.twitter.com/99QvAgsl9r ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2022 The briefing, chaired by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, was held Thursday as world leaders gathered in the UN headquarters for the high-level 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Addressing the Council briefing were UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly and Foreign Ministers of other UNSC members. Jaishankar told the Council that in a globalised world, the impact of the conflict is being felt even in distant regions. "We have all experienced its consequences in terms of SURGING costs and actual shortages of food grains, fertilizers and fuel." On this core too, there are good grounds to be worried about what awaits us," the EAM said. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. On Wednesday, Jaishankar met Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at the UN headquarters here and apprised him of India's principled position that emphasises cessation of all hostilities and return to dialogue and diplomacy. New Delhi: A bevy of opposition leaders, including NCP's Sharad Pawar, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray and DMK's Kanimozhi, will be attending the Indian National Lok Dal's rally in Haryana's Fatehabad on September 25. JD(U) chief spokesperson K C Tyagi said RJD leader and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury and BJP leader Birender Singh have also given their consent to attend the rally to mark the birth anniversary of former deputy prime minister and INLD founder Devi Lal. The coming together of so many regional satraps is being seen as an effort towards opposition unity, and Kumar and RJD president Lalu Prasad are also likely to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi after the rally to take the process forward. "It will be a historic meeting that will mark the consolidation of like-minded forces against the ruling BJP in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls," Tyagi said. The presence of so many opposition leaders, all heavyweights in their states, on one platform will be a fillip to the efforts for unity among the non-BJP forces. Birender Singh's equation with the BJP leadership has soured for some time even though his son Brijendra Singh is a Lok Sabha member of the party from Hisar. Tyagi, a veteran socialist leader, has been working actively to ensure the participation of most opposition leaders in what is being seen as a show of strength by the INLD, which is itself fighting for survival in Haryana following a split in its ranks after its patriarch Om Prakash Chautala's elder son Ajay Chautala formed Jannayak Janata Party, a BJP ally. The JJP had managed to secure most of the traditional INLD votes in the last assembly polls. Lok Sabha member and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party's Hanuman Beniwal, a former BJP ally from Rajasthan, will also attend the rally besides former Haryana minister Venod Sharma, he said. INLD leader and former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala has also sent invitations to several other regional bigwigs, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, and TDP's Chandrababu Naidu, for attending the public meeting. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has also been invited. Nitish Kumar has been stressing on the need for such unity among the non-BJP parties, including the Congress, since he broke ties with the saffron party last month and came to Delhi to hold talks with a number of key leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Pawar and AAP's Arvind Kejriwal. Though, the absence of the Congress, which has been a staunch adversary of the INLD in Haryana, and some regional bigwigs like Banerjee and Rao yet to confirm their participation also means that a grand opposition unity remains a work in progress. New Delhi: The Jammu and Kashmir Police claimed to have apprehended two active hybrid terrorists, as well as arms and ammunition, in the Sopore area of the Baramulla district of North Kashmir on Wednesday. In an official handout police spokesman said that a joint team of police, Armys 22 RR and CRPFs 179 BN during a cordon and search operation arrested two active hybrid terrorists in Botingoo village of Sopore. He said that they recovered incriminating materials including 1 pistol, magazine, 08 pistol rounds and a grenade from their possession. Police have identified them as Imtiyaz Ahmad Ganai and Waseem Ahmad Lone both residents of Botingoo village of sopore. Jammu and Kashmir with other security forces have also managed now to arrest 74 active terrorists mostly hybrid terrorists this year since January and have also arrested 208 terrorist supporters this year in Kashmir. Besides this year security force has managed to kill 151 terrorists also till now out of those who killed terrorists 38 were Pakistani, however, 20 security personnel and 21 civilians too have lost their lives. New Delhi: The department of higher education in Himahal Pradesh has issued a warning to employees and teachers who allegedly run news portals on social media websites and oppose government decisions. According to a memo sent to all college principals and deputy directors of education by the director of higher education, Amarjeet K Sharma, it was discovered that a few teachers/employees were running news channels on social media without the permission of the competent authority and disseminating false information about various government decisions and policies. In the memo, Sharma stated that such news disseminated on social media was causing confusion and mistrust among employees and the general public and that it was a violation of the Central Civil Services Conduct Rules. According to a report published in HT. Also Read: 'Bhagavad GITA is not a religious book, but QURAN...', says Karnataka Education minister According to Sharma, as a result of such news, employees and people in need are unable to make informed decisions about government decisions and policies. In this regard, you are hereby directed to issue necessary instructions to the entire establishment working under your supervision that no teachers or employees shall run any unauthorised news channel on social media or directly interact with media for public release without the permission of the competent authority," he quoted. He directed that if any employee repeats such behaviour, disciplinary action will be taken against the defaulter. New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday (September 22, 2022) said that whoever becomes the new party president should remember that he "represents a set of ideas, a belief system and a vision of India". "Congress president is not just an organisational post, it is an ideological post and a belief system," the former party chief said. Another piece of advice Gandhi had for the contestants in the party's presidential polls was that "you are taking a historic position. A position that defines and has defined a particular view of India." On one-man, one-post decision taken at the Congress Chintan Shivir in Udaipur this year, he said, "What we had decided in Udaipur is a commitment of the Congress and I expect that commitment will be maintained." It was an apparent reference to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who is considered one of the frontrunners for the Congress chief post, that he may not get to play a double role. Gehlot is said to be Gandhis' first choice for the Congress president. He, however, reportedly does not want to leave the Chief Minister's chair. During the three-day Chintan Shivir held in Rajasthan's Udaipur in May this year, the grand old party had adopted the "one man, one post" rule. LIVE: Media Interaction | Bharat Jodo Yatra | Kerala https://t.co/eQIgycono1 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 22, 2022 Meanwhile, the fight for the Congress president's post has intensified with Gehlot on Wednesday giving a clear indication that he could enter the poll fray, while another senior leader Shashi Tharoor meeting the party's poll panel chief to enquire about the nomination formalities. The Congress is set to see a contest for the post of party chief after over two decades. The upcoming polls are significant as the new president would replace Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving party chief who has been at the helm since 1998, barring the two years between 2017 and 2019 when Rahul Gandhi took over. The party last saw a contest for the post in November 2000 when Jitendra Prasada had lost to Sonia Gandhi. Prior to that, Sitaram Kesri had defeated Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot in 1997. With Rahul likely to stick to his stance of not taking on the mantle of party president again, it seems the party will have its first non-Gandhi chief in over two decades. Earlier in the day, the Congress' central election authority issued a notification for the AICC president polls. According to the notification, the process for filing nominations for the election will be held from September 24 to 30. The date of scrutiny of the nomination papers would be on October 1, while the last date of withdrawal of nominations would be October 8. The election, if there is more than one candidate, will take place on October 17. The counting of votes and the declaration of results would be on October 19. (With agency inputs) Mumbai: The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena on Thursday said the Mumbai civic body's decision to deny permission to it for the Dussehra rally at the Shivaji Park here was expected and claimed it was "very bad script of the BJP". Former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar, the spokesperson of the Thackeray-led Sena, also accused the BJP of trying to corner her party with the denial of permission for the rally on October 5. Ajay Choudhary, leader of the Thackeray-led faction in the Maharashtra Assembly, asserted that the party's annual congregation will be held at at the iconic ground in central Mumbai irrespective of permission from the civic body. He claimed the party will resort to "guerrilla warfare tactics" to hold its rally. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has denied permission to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena and rival party faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for the Dussehra rally at the Shivaji Park. Both the factions claim to be the "real Shiv Sena" and had applied for permission to hold their annual rally at the Shivaji Park. Last week, the Shinde faction got permission to hold a rally at the MMRDA ground at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. Pednekar said the BMC's move to deny permission to the Thackeray-led faction was expected. It is a "very bad script of the BJP" of putting everyone in trouble to do its politics, she claimed. "The rally has been taking place at the Shivaji Park for 56 years. It could not happen for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They want to corner Uddhav ji and the Shiv Sena. They have got more strength due to some traitors who betrayed us," Pednekar said. She said this is a matter of loyalty and tradition. Notably, Shinde had led a revolt against the Shiv Sena leadership in June this year, which resulted in the fall of the Thackeray-led state government, which comprised the Sena, NCP and Congress. Shinde was later sworn in as the chief minister with BJP's Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy. At a Shiv Sena event on Wednesday, Thackeray had asserted that the annual Dussehra rally will take place at the Shivaji Park. Thackeray faction leader Ajay Choudhary also said the rally will take place at the same venue. "When (Thackeray) saheb said Dussehra rally will take place at Shivtirth (a term used by the party for Shivaji Park), then it should take place at Shivtirth. If you grant permission or deny it, it will happen at Shivtirth," he said. Mumbai: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Thursday paid homage to comedian-actor Raju Srivastava and remembered him for his everyday humour. Srivastava, who died on Wednesday after 41 days of hospitalisation at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), was an ardent fan of Bachchan since his teens. He got his first major break courtesy his resemblance to the cinema icon and his impersonations of him. "Another colleague, friend and creative artist leaves us. A sudden ailment and gone before time, before his creativity time completion... His sense of timing and the colloquial humour of his birth shall remain with us. It was unique, open, frank and filled with humour. He smiles from the heavens now and will be the reason for mirth with God," Bachchan wrote on his blog. Srivastava, 58, was taken to the AIIMS on August 10 after suffering a heart attack while working out at a Delhi hotel. He underwent angioplasty and was on a ventilator since then. In the post, Bachchan shared that he had sent a voice note to Srivastava's family to help them with the stand-up artiste's treatment. "Each day in the morning with him in spirit and information from nearby ones, they got advised to send a voice to awaken his condition. I did, they played it for him in his state in his ears. On one instance he did open his eye a bit and then went away," the veteran actor said. Srivastava, a popular name in India's stand-up comedy circuit, first came to Mumbai when Bachchan sustained a near-fatal injury while shooting for the film "Coolie". The attachment with Bachchan continued through years and a photo of the star is a permanent fixture at Srivastava's house even today. Raju Srivastavas mortal remains were cremated on Thursday morning at Nigam Bodh ghat in the presence of friends and family. New Delhi: Noted comedian Raju Srivastava was cremated at Nigambodh Ghat in the capital this morning. Amid heavy rains, the comedian was bid a tearful adieu by his family members, friends and fans, who gathered to pay their last respects. Raju Srivastava died on Wednesday (September 21) after his battle in the ICU for over 40 days at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the Capital. He was 58. Raju Srivastava suffered a heart attack on August 10 while working out at a hotel. He was rushed to AIIMS and underwent angioplasty. Since then, he was on a ventilator and never gained consciousness. The nation mourned his death with fans, friends and politicians including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, and Arvind Kejriwal among others extending condolences on social media. Fellow comedian Sunil Pal and Ahsaan Qureshi arrived in Delhi to pay their tributes and last respects. Veteran comedian Surendra Sharma was also spotted at the crematorium. Sunil Pal told ANI, "Raju Srivastava was today's, Charlie Chaplin. He was a very hardworking person and use to perform on stage for 2-3 hours continuously. The audience loved to see him perform on stage and he also loved his work. For his entire life, he has already made everyone laugh. If people consider us star performers, then Raju Srivastava was the entire sky. He was our teacher but never made us feel that. Raju Ji was very down-to-earth and a great person. He will always be remembered." Late comedian Raju Srivastava's daughter Antara replied to condolences messages. She reposted some messages and condolences on her Instagram stories with tributes to her father. The late comedian-actor is survived by his wife Shikha Srivastava and two children - daughter Antara and son Aayushmaan. May his soul rest in peace! New Delhi: 7th Pay Commission Latest update-- Government might announce the much awaited update on Dearness Allowance (DA) nexxt week . As per media reports, the government's big announcement on Dearness Allowance (DA) could be made during auspicious occassion of the Navratris . Media reports have been constantly saying that the employees may hear the good news by this month itself, with a few reports particularly highlighting that the big announcement on Dearness Allowance might be made during Navratri, i.e September 28. The government has however not made any official announcement regarding the probable date as yet. If latest media reports are to be believed, Dearness Allowance of the employees could by hiked by 4 percent. This means the total DA could reach upo 38 percent. The All-India CPI-IW for the month of June has hinted at a hike in DA this month. Along with the Dearness allowance hike, employees may also get arrears for the months of July and August. The Dearness Allowance of central government employees is revised twice a year. The first is given from January to June, while the second comes from July to December. The All-India CPI-IW for April, 2022 increased by 1.7 points and stood at 127.7 (one hundred twenty seven point seven). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 1.35 per cent with respect to previous month compared to an increase of 0.42 per cent recorded between corresponding months a year ago, showed a Ministry of Labour & Employment data. As per latest ministry reports, the AICPI figures for May is at 129. Meanwhile, the AICP Index for the month of June is hinting at certainity that the DA would be higher. The AICPI figures for June is at 129. The first increase in dearness allowance for the year 2022 was announced in March. In December 2021, the AICPI figure stood at 125.4. But, in January 2022, it declined by 0.3 points and fell to 125.1. The All-India CPI-IW for February, 2022 decreased by 0.1 points and stood at 125.0 (one hundred twenty five). On 1-month percentage change, it decreased by 0.08 per cent with respect to previous month compared to increase of 0.68 per cent recorded between corresponding months a year ago. For the month of March, there was a jump of 1 point. The AICPI index figures for March stood at 126. It may be recalled that the Union Cabinet had on March 30 hiked Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) by 3 per cent to 34 per cent to compensate for the price rise, benefitting over 1.16 crore central government employees and pensioners. The additional instalment is effective from January 1, 2022. The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission. Democrat Kathy Hochul and Republican Lee Zeldin don't agree on much these days, including when, where and how often to debate issues in the contest for governor of New York. Though a number of news organizations and other entities have proposed debates at a variety of venues before the Nov. 8 election, incumbent Hochul's campaign insisted Thursday it will participate in only one event on Oct. 25 at Pace University in New York City, sponsored by NY1/Spectrum TV. Governor Hochul looks forward to debating on October 25 and highlighting the clear contrast between her strong record of delivering results and Lee Zeldins extreme agenda, campaign spokesman Jerrel Harvey said. Hochul's rejection of several debate invitations may reflect her lofty position in statewide polls and the traditional reluctance of front-runners to engage their challenger. Her predecessor, former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, limited his debate appearances to a single event throughout his three elections, despite offers from across the state. The governor, meanwhile, participated in two debates against her Democratic primary challengers earlier in the year. But Zeldin has been pushing for a series of face-offs, including at least one upstate affair. One of those is proposed by The Buffalo News and Buffalo Toronto Public Media for late October, to which neither campaign has responded. The proposal called for the debate to take place in Buffalo and be broadcast across the PBS network in New York State. The Zeldin campaign did not return a request for comment on Thursday. But it said earlier in the week it had accepted proposals from two New York City television stations WCBS and WPIX and that Zeldin was planning to show up at the events with or without Hochul. In the meantime, St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in the Town of Tonawanda has also invited Hochul and Zeldin to participate in its annual debate moderated by students and government teacher Ted Lina. The event has become a staple of the Western New York political scene since its introduction in 1984, and St. Joe's students now seek Buffalo resident Hochul and Long Islander Zeldin to participate in its first gubernatorial debate. "We believe that St. Joe's can offer you the perfect venue. We are a neutral location for both candidates with over 30 years of experience in running high-profile debates," St. Joe's President Christopher M. Fulco said in a letter to the candidates. "All media will be invited to the event, and all major networks typically attend. Also, this is a unique debate since it is moderated by a diverse group of St. Joe's students from our Equity and Justice Club and AP Government class." Katie Kinder Potenza, marketing director for the Catholic high school for boys, said two high profile St. Joe's graduates Democratic State Sen. Timothy M. Kennedy of Buffalo and Republican Senate Minority Leader Robert G. Ortt were attempting to make the case for the candidates to participate. New Delhi: Rupee Co-operative Bank Ltd, headquartered in Pune in Maharashtra will cease to carry on banking business from today (September 22, 2022) The shutting down of Rupee Co-operative Bank Ltd comes six weeks after the Reserve Bank of India cancelled its licence. On August 10, the RBI had cancelled the licence of Rupee Co-operative Bank Ltd as the lender did not have adequate capital and earning prospects. However, the RBI said that in compliance to an order of the High Court of Bombay, its direction will become effective after six weeks i.e, from August 10 onwards. "Consequently, the bank will cease to carry on banking business, with effect from September 22, 2022," RBI had said. Consequent to the cancellation of its licence, 'Rupee Co-operative Bank Ltd, Pune' stands prohibited from conducting the business of banking which includes, among other things, acceptance of deposits and repayment of deposits with effect from September 22, 2022, it said. What will happen to Rupee Co-operative Bank Ltd depositors money? As per the data submitted by the cooperative bank, more than 99 per cent of the depositors are entitled to receive full amount of their deposits from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). On liquidation, every depositor would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of his/her deposits up to Rs 5 lakh from DICGC. As of May 18, 2022, DICGC has already paid Rs 700.44 crore of the total insured deposits. The Reserve Bank further said the Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra has also been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank. Why was Rupee Co-operative Bank Ltd licence cancelled? The licence has been cancelled because the bank does not have adequate capital and earning prospects and as such, it does not comply with certain provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. "The bank with its present financial position would be unable to pay its present depositors in full," the RBI said, and added the continuance of the bank is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors. With PTI Inputs Indian Railways Update: If you are setting out for your train journey, then this is the news for you. Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has decided to cancel a total of 303 trains today on September 22, due to multiple reasons including maintenance and operational concerns. 223 trains were fully cancelled, while 80 trains were partially cancelled. This comes a day after IRCTC cancelled over 189 trains on September 21. Additionally, it has decided to divert 21 trains and reschedule 18 trains due to various reasons varying from operational work on tracks to natural disasters. Furthermore, chances are multiple trains can be cancelled on September 23 as well, based on the information on the NTES website. Numerous states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Rajasthan, are impacted by the cancellation and other modifications to the railroads. Check IRCTC's full list of cancelled trains on Sept 22: Also read: Indian Railways plans to run 75 Vande Bharat trains by August 15, 2023 Indian Railways tend to cancel train operations every day due to various reasons. Hence, passengers are requested to check the status of their trains travelling today before setting out for their journeys. Full list can also be checked by going to the option of the exceptional train in the upper right corner on NTES website. Indian Railways is the most preferred mode of transport as it is economical and make passengers reach their destination on time with utmost comfort. As India will soon be adorned like a bride due to the upcoming festivities in the country, Indian Railways has announced the commencement of special trains to accomodate passengers with ease and comfort of travelling. On the auspicious occassions of Durga Puja 2022 and Navratri 2022, IRCTC will run special trains to and from Kolkata, Ajmer, and Mata Vaishno Devi. New Delhi: Garena Free Fire releases redeem codes on an 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. 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, and Twitter IDs to access the Free Fire redemption page. (Also read: WhatsApp entering film-making biz, movie to premiere on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube) Check out the Garena Free Fire Redeem Codes for September 20, 2022 ZRJAPH294KV5 Y6ACLK7KUD1N SARG886AV5GR FF10GCGXRNHY YXY3EGTLHGJX WLSGJXS5KFYR FF119MB3PFA5 FF10617KGUF9 X99TK56XDJ4X FF11HHGCGK3B B6IYCTNH4PV3 FF11DAKX4WHV 8F3QZKNTLWBZ FF11WFMPP956 FF1164XNJZ2V FF11NJN5YS3E WOJJAFV3TU5E MCPTFNXZF4TA (Also read: OMG! An 18-year boy hacks Uber, employees' thoughts someone is joking) How to Redeem Garena Free Fire codes for today, September 20, 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) Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday issued a big warning to state officials that there should be no inconvenience to anyone and directed them to ensure smooth conduct of the Durga Puja celebrations. The firebrand Bengal Chief Minister said that Durga Puja committees in the state must take measures to ensure that pedestrian and vehicular traffic movement are regulated well without anyone having to encounter much hassle. Inaugurating Sribhumi Sporting Club Puja in the Lake Town area, along VIP road, the CM told her ministerial colleague Sujit Bose that she won't hesitate to act if the crowd-puller pandal inconveniences common people, be it revellers or the airport-borne public. Our Hon'ble Chairperson Smt @MamataOfficial inaugurated the Salt Lake FD Block Durga Pujo. Few special moments from the program pic.twitter.com/I9WnearPdF All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) September 22, 2022 "Puja committees must ensure that vehicular and pedestrian movements do not face too many obstructions or hassles," the CM said. Last year, curtains had to be drawn on Sribhumi Puja on the day of Ashtami, as the place went choc-a-bloc for days with revellers from far and wide turning up to take a look at the Burj Khalifa-themed Durga puja marquee. "I will be monitoring the situation from home. Hence, my action will be prompt and swift. Being the minister, I am sure you will certainly see to it that celebrations don't inconvenience other people," the CM told Bose, as the fire minister nodded in agreement. Banerjee, accompanied by Bose, then left for Salt Lake, where she inaugurated Salt Lake FD block Durga puja pandal. That was followed by Tala Park Pratyay, another award-winning puja in the city. Hon'ble Chairperson Smt @MamataOfficial inaugurated the Tala Pratyay Durga Pujo today. Few glimpses pic.twitter.com/qxz5apBWDW All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) September 22, 2022 The CM had last year unveiled around 100 puja pandals in the city. Meanwhile, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board has made it mandatory for all Durga Puja committees in the state to give written undertakings to the administration about adopting anti-sound pollution measures during the Durga Puja festival. Police stations have been asked to cross-check with the electricians contracted by the puja committees concerned as to whether loudspeakers and sound boxes are fitted with sound limiters before they are installed near the puja pandals, WBPCB Member Secretary Rajesh Kumar was quoted as saying by PTI. WBPCB Chairman Kalyan Rudra said the board is doing everything possible to stop the playing of loud music during immersions and puja days by the organisers. New Delhi: On the national day of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, numerous citizens, mostly from the indigenous community, took to the streets in major cities around Australia for the "abolish monarchy" protest. The Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) and Fighting In Solidarity Towards Treaties organised the gathering to protest "past atrocities and the ongoing impact of British colonisation in Australia." Protests are being held on a national holiday in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra. "This is a position against the ongoing crimes against marginalised First Nations, black, brown, and Asian populations. We do not favour benefactors or the 'Stolenwealth' (a combination of stole and commonwealth) rather instead want justice, truth, and accountability for everyone. Justice for everyone," WAR posted on Facebook. "This is an anti-racist colonial imperialism demonstration." Protesters called for the restoration of land "to the true sovereign owners," an end to indigenous deaths in detention, and truth, accountability, and justice. "While they grieve the Queen, we mourn what her tyranny stole from us: our children, our land, the lives of our loved ones, sacred locations, and our heritage," stated WAR. According to AFP, thousands gathered under a statue of Queen Victoria in Sydney before marching through the streets. "I think the monarchy needs to be aware that there's unfinished business here in Australia," Gwenda Stanley, a 49-year-old Gomeroi activist, was quoted as saying. "The monarch is nothing to be sad about; if anything, it is something for our people to celebrate over," she continued. Meanwhile, the monarchy's representative in Australia, Governor-General David Hurley, has stated that he understands the concerns of the island continent's initial residents. "Given her majesty's uniting role, I understand that her demise has elicited differing sentiments for people in our community," Hurley said in Canberra. "I'm aware of, and appreciate, the fact that many First Nations Australians' reactions are affected by our colonial history and the larger reconciliation path. That is a path that we as a country must complete." Previously, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised a referendum within the first three years of his term to allow indigenous peoples the opportunity to be consulted by parliamentarians on issues affecting them. New Delhi: Indonesia's Ambassador Ina Krisnamurthi to India has said that the G20 grouping should remain relevant, key comments even as the country are set to host the summit in November of this year. The grouping of the 20 most powerful economies has seen a divide with western members on one side, and Russia on the other side in the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict. Speaking to our Diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Krisnamurthi said, "the most important thing is that we have to make sure that G20 is relevant, the challenges that happen globally and it delivers.". Concerns remain even for a basic family photo of G20 member countries due to the West and Russia divide. India will be the next chair of the grouping and will host the summit in September of next year. Sidhant Sibal: What will be the focus of Indonesia under its presidency of the G20 grouping... Ina Krishnamurthi: We maintain our 3 priorities, which are strengthening global health, digital economy enhancement and energy security. We will maintain the priorities until we pass the baton to India in November. Sidhant Sibal: Bali has been chosen for the summit, why Bali? Ina Krishnamurthi: Bali is famous for its peace and tranquillity and people coming to the place, are happy and feel safe at home. In experience, we had many engagements at the level of leaders with very positive contributory outcomes. We hope that the next G20 summit also will produce very concrete deliverables as well as will not be a place where people get angry very quickly. Sidhant Sibal: Bali means peace but the summit happening in the backdrop of Russia Ukraine conflict, and the Taiwan strait crisis. Do you think this year's summit will see family photos, because we have seen occasions when all sides have issues... Ina Krishnamurthi: Well, happen or not, the most important thing is that we have to make sure that G20 is relevant, the challenges that happen globally and it delivers. So that people will not ask what the G20 is doing as prime economic engagement. So I think a Photo opportunity is the best way to give the message for, maybe, nice things, and more importantly to have a G20 that is relevant nowadays. Sidhant Sibal: All leaders confirmed the presence? Ina Krishnamurthi: I haven't heard anything else. Sidhant Sibal: How do you see the bilateral relations between India and Indonesia? The foreign ministers of the 2 countries met on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York. Ina Krishnamurthi: I think, the engagement between minister Retno Marsudi and minister Jaishankar is very close, especially this year because of the global dynamics and because we are back-to-back presidency of the G20, bilateral relationship between the 2 countries needs more strengthening in other areas. We need to also focus on people-to-people contact because I think the connection between our foundation of history is not enough as a way to move forward in future. We need more trade, investment, defence cooperation or other cooperation, we need more engagement with India. Sidhant Sibal: Will Indonesia be keen to be part of the BRICS? Another I in the BRICS. Ina Krishnamurthi: Well, I think Indonesia is always keen on engaging with countries, friendly countries in whatever format. We are not closing the doors on any kind of framework of engagement including BRICS, we are not also closing any possibility of engaging with other frameworks. So, I think this is not about a yes or no answer, it's about what we can benefit from the framework of engagement. Islamabad: Minorities in Pakistan protested against an alleged assault on a Hindu woman over a false accusation of theft, local media reported. A large number of people gathered outside the District police office and Deputy Commissioner`s office in Bahawalpur on Monday to protest against the atrocities against the minorities in Pakistan.The protestors said that a Hindu woman was falsely accused of theft and was assaulted on the pretext of it. The victim is a resident of the Yazman Mandi area and was working as a housemaid. It was alleged that a group of people attacked her house and assaulted her, local media reported. She was taken to a local rural health centre where the doctor refused to treat her and did not give her a medical certificate, the protestors said. The rally was addressed by some minority leaders, who demanded a fair investigation into the matter. They demanded action against the accused and the doctor. Notably, the deplorable condition of minorities in Pakistan, including abductions, murder, rapes and forced conversions have been an alarming concern. The cases of violence against women and minorities in Pakistan have been on a rise. The misuse of the draconian blasphemy laws against minorities and even members of the Muslim community to settle personal grudges is rampant in the country. The minorities are constantly being murdered and subjected to inhuman brutalities in the name of blasphemy, conversion to Islam and other sectarian differences. The situation faced by the Hindu and Christian groups in Pakistan is bad in general, but women from these communities are the worst victims of discriminatory attitudes of the authorities, political groups, religious parties, the feudal structure and the Muslim majority. The dilemma of forced conversions and marriages put minority women at risk and the issue of securing rights for minority women has become particularly complex in Pakistan. Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's address to the nation on Wednesday regarding plans to announce the mobilisation of reservists and martial law for the Ukraine War, Google search trends in Russia surged with questions like 'how to avoid the mobilization', 'how to break an arm at home' or 'how to leave the country'. During the early morning address to the nation, president Putin announced the partial mobilisation of reservists, he also issued a veiled nuclear threat to Russia's enemies in the West. According to a Washington Post report, Men reservists under 35 who have served in the army before and posses military skills, were reportedly handed over notices at their offices or in their homes. While some got their IDs checked on the street or received oreders on Telephone. Reports of panic spreading among Russians soon flooded social networks. Anti-war groups said the limited airplane tickets out of Russia reached enormous prices due to high demand and swiftly became unavailable. Some postings alleged people already had been turned back from Russia's land border with Georgia and that the website of the state Russian railway company collapsed because too many people were checking for ways out of the country. Also Read: 'It's not a bluff': President Putin threatens the WEST, sets partial mobilisation in Russia after losing ground in Ukraine war Flight tickets out of country sold out Large numbers of Russians rushed to book one-way tickets out of the country while they still could on Wednesday after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of military reservists for the war in Ukraine. Flights filled up quickly and the prices of tickets for remaining connections sky-rocketed, apparently driven by fears that Russia's borders could soon close or of a broader call-up that might send many Russian men of fighting age to the war's front lines. Tickets for the Moscow-Belgrade flights operated by Air Serbia, the only European carrier besides Turkish Airlines to maintain flights to Russia despite a European Union flight embargo, sold out for the next several days. The price for flights from Moscow to Istanbul or Dubai increased within minutes before jumping again, reaching as high as 9,200 euros (USD 9,119) for a one-way economy class fare. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: The Ministers attending the India-Brazil-South Africa Trilateral Cooperative Forum (IBSA) discussed a variety of global and regional issues, including multilateral cooperation, climate change, UNSC reform, and the Ukraine situation. India hosted the 10th Ministerial Commission of Foreign Ministers of the IBSA on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly. S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, met with his Brazilian counterpart Carlos Franca and South African Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla. The trio reaffirmed India, Brazil, and South Africa's cooperation. Global issues such as multilateral cooperation, South-South cooperation, UNSC Reform, 2030 Agenda & Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Change, counter-terrorism, financing for development, WTO, and G20 were discussed, according to the Ministry of External Affairs statement. The meeting covered topics such as the African Union, the Middle East Peace Process, and the situation in Ukraine. On September 21, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar presided over the meeting. According to the ministry, the Ministers reviewed the entire scope of IBSA collaboration. They welcomed new initiatives within IBSA, such as the launch of cooperation among Development Cooperation Agencies in the form of the IBSA Working Group on International/Trilateral Development Partnerships and the inaugural IBSA Senior Officials Meeting on Traditional Medicines. The spirit of South-South cooperation is exemplified by IBSA. The IBSA Fund is a unique aspect of the IBSA collaboration. Since its inception, it has allocated over USD44 million to 39 South-South cooperation development projects in 35 partner countries, the vast majority of which are Least Developed Countries. The Ministers also discussed India's and Brazil's upcoming G20 Presidency in 2023 and 2024 as opportunities to collaborate, steer the G20 agenda, and work with a developmental perspective, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Meanwhile, Jaishankar met with counterparts from four countries on Day 3. He met with Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu, Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, Bolivian Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta, and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. On Saturday, Jaishankar will be addressing world leaders at the General Assembly before departing for Washington and a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. New York: Iran president Ebrahim Raisi, who is currently in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, cancelled an interview with veteran CNN news anchor Christiane Amanpour after she refused to wear a headscarf(hijab). The interview was going to be Raisi's first ever interview in the United States. CNN Journalist Amanpour said that she was asked to wear a headscarf as a matter of respect given 'the situation in Iran'. Violent clashes have erupted between Iranian security forces and protesters angry over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody over the weekend. The police crackdown has so far claimed at least 31 lives. In a series of tweets, CNN anchor Amanpour described the entire story behind the cancellation of the interview. She tweeted, "This was going to be President Raisis first ever interview on US soil, during his visit to NY for UNGA. After weeks of planning and eight hours of setting up translation equipment, lights and cameras, we were ready. But no sign of President Raisi." This was going to be President Raisis first ever interview on US soil, during his visit to NY for UNGA. After weeks of planning and eight hours of setting up translation equipment, lights and cameras, we were ready. But no sign of President Raisi. 2/7 Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) September 22, 2022 In a different tweet Amanpour said, "40 minutes after the interview had been due to start, an aide came over. The president, he said, was suggesting I wear a headscarf because its the holy months of Muharram and Safar." Also Read: Over 31 killed in Iran after crackdown on protestors against 'morality police' custody death She said, "The aide made it clear that the interview would not happen if I did not wear a headscarf. He said it was a matter of respect, and referred to the situation in Iran - alluding to the protests sweeping the country." And so we walked away. The interview didnt happen. As protests continue in Iran and people are being killed, it would have been an important moment to speak with President Raisi. 7/7 pic.twitter.com/kMFyQY99Zh Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) September 22, 2022 She further tweeted, "And so we walked away. The interview didnt happen. As protests continue in Iran and people are being killed, it would have been an important moment to speak with President Raisi." By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijan and Israel have discussed the importance of effective cooperation between the two countries in the oil and gas sector, Azernews reports. The discussion took place during the meeting between Azerbaijan's State Oil Company (SOCAR) President Rovshan Najaf with Israel's Ambassador George Deek. During the meeting, the parties emphasized the successful development of Azerbaijani-Israeli economic relations. They exchanged views on crude oil and petroleum products trade, as well as other issues of mutual interest. Azerbaijan and Israel have been expanding bilateral cooperation over years. Cooperation between the two countries is based not only on economic partnership but also on traditional historical and cultural roots, as well as mutual respect and trust. During the 44-day Second Karabakh War, Israel was among the first countries to express support for Azerbaijan's just position and territorial integrity. In addition, Israeli companies are involved in the restoration and reconstruction process in Azerbaijan's liberated territories. In 2021, the two countries' trade turnover totaled $928.4 million. The fight to save the Great Northern grain elevator has gone on for over 40 years. Despite sporadic alarm over the obvious deterioration of the building, little has been done to preserve it or to find a viable reuse for it. Its preservation would have cost upward of $100 million for a use which has yet to be found. The building itself is huge, but not exciting. It is just a place to store grain. Not many persons would visit a hard-to-find, remote building where nothing happens. The significance of the grain trade to Buffalos economic growth is indisputable yet little has been done to capitalize on it. Preserving the Great Northern would not have done much to change that. Yet, hiding in the shadow (literally) of that building is something that does matter. Two marine legs, on rails, separate the building from the waters edge. These tall towers are the true symbol of Buffalos grain trade. Invented by Joseph Dart, the first of these was erected at the northern edge of Canalside, a few feet from todays Naval Park. Over time, untold numbers lined the banks of the citys many waterways. The towers helped transform the unloading of western grain from days of backbreaking manual labor to a process of speedy conveyor belts taking grain from the bowels of grain ships to the tops of storage bins such as those in the Great Northern. The towers themselves are mechanical marvels, complex yet efficient, monumental in their height yet compact. Many can still be seen today, largely unused, supplanted by still more efficient self-unloading lake ships. Relocation and reuse of the two marine legs alongside the Great Northern would be a way of snatching victory from the defeat symbolized by the loss of the Great Northern. One of these towers could be located to the northern edge of Canalside along Erie Street, where it would become an attraction which would soon be found on the cover of the citys tourism brochures. It would be relatively easy to make the tower operable, perhaps with a center section of a grain ship alongside the pier demonstrating how the tower takes grain from the hold of the ship and lifts it to the top of an elevator. The second tower could be located on the waters edge in the Outer Harbor Park, facing the lake. A silent sentinel, it would highlight the destination of all the grain ships that have visited the Port of Buffalo over the past 200 years. It would also provide a vertical landmark, equaling if not supplanting the lakeside windmills that now dominate the viewscape. Buffalo has done much to protect and preserve our historic legacy, yet there is still room for improvement. We need to show what can happen rather than oppose what is happening. James Carr is a retired urban planner. Neither the religious nor the lecherous should determine how women should dress. Let women decide how they want to be attired, tweeted Sadhguru, Founder-Isha Foundation, referring to the ongoing anti-Hijab protests in Iran. Protests in Iran erupted after 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini died while being held by the morality police for wearing the hijab too loosely. May this retributive culture of punishing someone for what they wear be put to an end, religious or otherwise, added Sadhguru voicing his support for the rights of women. Neither the religious nor the lecherous should determine how women should dress. Let women decide how they want to be attired. May this retributive culture of punishing someone for what they wear be put to an end, religious or otherwise. - Sg#MahsaAmini #Iran #Hijab Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) September 21, 2022 The post has garnered thousands of retweets since published and people are appreciating Sadhgurus wisdom and guidance on this issue of global significance. Mahsa Amini was visiting the capital city Tehran when she was detained by the morality police accusing her of violating the law requiring women to cover their hair with a hijab and their arms and legs with loose clothing. She was allegedly hit on her head, after which she slipped into a coma, causing her death. Protests since her death continue to intensify and have now spread to 20 Iranian cities including the capital city Tehran. Videos have surfaced online showing women waving their headscarves in the air or burning them. Nine people are now reported to have been killed at protests in what now appears to be the largest displays of defiance of the Islamic Republics rule in years. The country has curbed access to social media networks Instagram and WhatsApp in an effort to quell the protests. It is not the first time the Indian Yogi has strongly opined over matters of critical importance related to freedom of choice. In the past, concerned over women's rights after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, Sadhguru had urged action from the major powers of the world in safeguarding their rights. It is heartbreaking even to think what will happen to the women & girl children of #Afghanistan. The World cannot just be onlookers. It is important that major Powers in the World must exert their influence & power in ensuring their sufferings are minimized. -Sg August 16, 2021 It is heartbreaking even to think what will happen to the women & girl children of #Afghanistan. The World cannot just be onlookers. It is important that major Powers in the World must exert their influence & power in ensuring their sufferings are minimized, Sadhguru had tweeted. Tehran: At least 31 civilians have been killed in a crackdown by the Iranian security forces on protests that erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini who had been arrested by the morality police, according to the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights NGO. Violent clashes erupted between Iranian security forces and protesters angry over the death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody over the weekend, according to The Associated Press. The scope of Iran's ongoing unrest, the worst in several years, still remains unclear as protesters in at least a dozen cities venting anger over social repression and the country's mounting crises continue to encounter security and paramilitary forces. Widespread outages of Instagram and WhatsApp, which protesters use to share information about the government's rolling crackdown on dissent, continued on Thursday. Authorities also appeared to disrupt internet access to the outside world, a tactic that rights activists say the government often employs in times of unrest. In a country where radio and television stations already are state-controlled and journalists regularly face the threat of arrest, the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard urged the judiciary on Thursday to prosecute anyone who spreads fake news and rumours" on social media about the unrest. Also Read: Iranian women protest against death of Mahsa Amini, chop off their hair and burns hijabs The demonstrations in Iran began as an emotional outpouring over the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman held by the country's morality police for allegedly violating its strictly enforced dress code. Her death has sparked sharp condemnation from the United States, the European Union and the United Nations. The police say she died of a heart attack and was not mistreated, but her family has cast doubt on that account. Independent experts affiliated with the U.N. Said Thursday that reports suggested she was severely beaten by the morality police, without offering evidence. They called for an impartial investigation to hold perpetrators accountable. The protests have grown in the last four days into an open challenge to the government, with women removing and burning their state-mandated headscarves in the streets and Iranians setting trash bins ablaze and calling for the downfall of the Islamic Republic itself. United Nations: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested Wednesday that Russia's decision to mobilize some reservists showed that Moscow isn't serious about negotiating an end to its nearly seven-month-long war. Speaking by video to the UN General Assembly meeting of world leaders hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement, Zelenskyy insisted his country would prevail in repelling Russia's attack and forcing its troops out. "We can return the Ukrainian flag to our entire territory. We can do it with the force of arms," the president said. "But we need time." Putin's decree Wednesday about the mobilization was sparse on details. Officials said as many as 3,00,000 reservists could be tapped. It was apparently an effort to seize momentum after a Ukrainian counteroffensive this month retook swaths of territory that Russians had held. But the first such call-up in Russia since World War II also brings the fighting home in a new way for Russians and risks fanning domestic anxiety and antipathy toward the war. Shortly after Putin's announcement, flights out of the country rapidly filled up, and hundreds of people were arrested at antiwar demonstrations across the country. A day earlier, Russian-controlled parts of eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans for referendums on becoming parts of Russia. Ukrainian leaders and their Western allies consider the votes illegitimate. Zelenskyy didn't discuss the developments in detail. But he suggested any Russian talk of negotiations is only a delaying tactic, and that Moscow's actions speak louder than its words. "They talk about the talks but announce military mobilization. They talk about the talks but announce pseudo-referendums in the occupied territories of Ukraine,? he said. Russia hasn't yet had its turn to speak at the gathering. Putin, who is not attending the event, has said he sent his armed forces into Ukraine because of risks to his country's security from what he considers a hostile government in Kyiv; to liberate Russians living in Ukraine ? especially its eastern Donbas region ? from what he views as the Ukrainian government's oppression; and to restore what he considers to be Russia's historical territorial claims on the country. Zelenskyy's speech was striking not only for its contents but also its context. It took place after the extraordinary mobilization announcement. It was the first time he addressed the world's leaders gathered together since Russia invaded in February. It wasn't delivered at the august rostrum where other presidents, prime ministers and monarchs speak ? but instead by video from a nation at war after Zelenskyy was granted special permission to not come in person. He appeared as he has in many previous video appearances ? in an olive green T-shirt. He sat at a table with a Ukrainian flag behind his right shoulder and large image of the UN flag and Ukraine's behind his left shoulder. The leader opined that Moscow wants to spend the winter preparing its forces in Ukraine for a new offensive, or at least preparing fortifications while mobilizing more troops in the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. "Russia wants war. It's true. But Russia will not be able to stop the course of history," he said, declaring that "mankind and the international law are stronger" than what he called a "terrorist state". Laying out various "preconditions for peace" in Ukraine that sometimes reached into broader prescriptions for improving the global order, he urged world leaders to strip Russia of its vote in international institutions and UN Security Council veto, saying that aggressors need to be punished and isolated. The fighting has already prompted some moves against Russia in UN bodies, after Moscow was able to veto a demand that to stop its attack on Ukraine days after it began. The veto particularly galled a number of other countries and led to action in the broader General Assembly, where resolutions aren't binding but there are no vetoes. The assembly voted overwhelmingly in March to deplore Russia's aggression against Ukraine, call for an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of all Russian forces, and urge protection for millions of civilians. The next month, a smaller but still commanding number of members voted to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council. Zelenskyy's speech was one of the most keenly anticipated at a gathering that has dwelled this year on the war in his country. But it wasn't the first time the first-term president has found himself in the spotlight at the assembly's annual meeting. At last year's General Assembly, Zelenskyy memorably compared the UN to "a retired superhero who's long forgotten how great they once were" as he repeated appeals for action to confront Russia over its 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and its support for the separatists. New York: US President Joe Biden met with the newly elected UK Prime Minister Liz Truss on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly and committed to continue close coordination between both countries on global challenges, including support for Ukraine. "The leaders committed to continuing their governments` close coordination on global challenges, including support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression, addressing challenges posed by China, and securing sustainable and affordable energy supplies," the White House said in a statement about the meeting on Wednesday. US President, who is in New York to attend the UNGA session, expressed his condolences for the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and his appreciation for the opportunity to pay his respects at the State Funeral. "The leaders discussed the importance of continued support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. They also affirmed their shared commitment to protecting the gains of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement," the statement reads. Ahead of the meeting with UK PM, Biden said, "we both are committed to protecting the gains of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland. And I`m looking forward to hearing what`s on your mind and how we can continue to cooperate." Truss responded, "And, of course, I`m looking forward to discussing the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and how we make sure that`s upheld into the future." Truss also thanked US first lady Jill Biden for coming to the UK for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth-II, who took her last breath on September 8. "She was the rock on which modern Britain was built. And I have seen a huge outpouring of affection for her in the United Kingdom and here in the United States," Truss added. Also read: Biden tears into Putin, accuses him of 'reckless' and 'irresponsible' nuclear threats "And as you say, President, we are steadfast allies. And I`ve enjoyed working with Tony Blinken very closely in our response on Russia`s appalling war in Ukraine and making sure that we are supporting the Ukrainians in their fight for freedom. But we face huge challenges as autocracies seek to cement and increase their assertiveness around the world," UK PM said. Biden, UN Chief discuss Ukraine war, black sea grain deal US President Joe Biden held discussions with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on issues including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Black Sea grain deal. "President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the UN General Assembly in New York. The leaders reaffirmed the strong partnership between the United States and the United Nations," the White House said in a statement about the meeting at UN headquarters during the General Assembly in New York. The statement issued on Wednesday added that both the leaders discussed the issues facing the UN, including Russia`s special military operation in Ukraine, which is a clear threat to the core tenets of the UN Charter and its impact on the broader international community. "The President thanked Secretary-General Guterres for his leadership in working to establish the Black Sea Grain Initiative. They also reaffirmed the continued need for global action to address the global climate and food security crises," the statement reads. Also read: PM Modi was right when he said time is not for war, not for revenge...: French President Macron After meeting UN Secretary-General, Biden updated his Twitter account and wrote, "I joined UN Secretary-General @AntonioGuterres to reaffirm the partnership between the U.S. and the United Nations. We discussed the threat of Russia`s war in Ukraine to the UN Charter and global community and the need for swift action to address climate and food insecurity." Before the bilateral meeting with Guterres, Biden said, "(In progress) ...really positive, particularly you stepping in to access grain out of Ukraine and Russia. And -- but there`s so much more we can do, I think. We`re -- we`re prepared. And it wasn`t hyperbole what I was suggesting when I spoke. There are -- I think that, you know, the great polluting nations of the world like ours owe an obligation to the nations suffering the consequences of global warming." While recalling the G7 meeting, Biden suggested setting up a Build Back Better initiative worldwide where one doesn`t have to go to countries to help, "but we`re looking for USD 600 billion among us to be able to have them build the infrastructure they need to protect their physical capacity to survive. And I think we can do it. That`s going to take some real focus." "And Senator Kerry is still continuing to try to generate some cooperation with China, which was started. I hope we can get that back on track in a major way. There`s just a whole lot of things that I -- I think we have the capacity to do. And -- but -- then again, there`s one friend of mine who is a neurosurgeon who said my problem is I`m a congenital optimist. But I am optimistic. I think we can make things better," Biden said as quoted in the statement. It now looks as though the Canadian government is willing to remove a final bureaucratic obstacle to crossing the border, according to anonymous reports. A bilateral meeting of U.S. lawmakers and members of the Canadian parliament on Sept. 14 has reached consensus on the issue. Its about time. The ArriveCan requirements no longer even make sense, as Rep. Brian Higgins observed. As of June, if you came into Canada on a plane or train, you werent required to be vaccinated. ... If youre in a car, you are. Why does the mode of transportation determine who should and shouldnt be vaccinated? asked Higgins, a stalwart advocate for resuming normal border access. Of the countless burdens that came with the pandemic, having a tough time getting across the U.S.-Canada border was certainly not the worst, but the problems it caused shouldnt be underestimated. It was most serious for those separated from families and loved ones by the Covid-19 restrictions of 2020-21. Even the vaccinated were unable to cross then. Slowly much too slowly the barriers eroded. While, eventually, those with family and property on the other side of the border were able to cross, it took two years for semi-normal vehicular traffic to resume (in April 2022), and even that concession had its downside: The ArriveCan app, an annoying digital report that many couldnt bother to complete, or even locate. Possibly irreparable harm has already been done by the border closure, including the loss of tourism revenue on both sides. This may have been sadly necessary in the beginning, but, for many months, increased vaccination rates in both countries have made such economic harm more a senseless punishment than an unfortunate side effect. As Higgins notes, people have adjusted their economic behavior to avoid the bridge altogether, to avoid going over to Canada, and Canadians into the United States. That is not sustainable economic news for either country and its a trend that must be reversed. In Western New York, Niagara Falls, already missing its large contingent of international travelers the ones who spend the most money there didnt need the additional blow to its tourism revenues caused by ArriveCan. A casual spontaneous trip across the border, which many travelers to Niagara Falls, N.Y., like to include, was no longer easily possible. Regular visitors to such destinations as Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake report that even with ArriveCan they have been subjected to random testing. A recent CBC report details the ordeal of a Lancaster woman, Cathy Pudlewski, who was given a test at the border and had to take it in the lobby of a Shaw Festival theater. According to the report, The 73-year-old from Lancaster, New York said she was crossing the border to nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. to see a play in mid-August when she was told she would need to complete a test and was handed a testing kit. These tests are not rapid tests, so Pudlewski would not have known her results until after returning to the United States, rendering unlikely the idea that this somehow protected Canadians. These absurdities are not helping anyone in either country. Its time to return to the normal border identification and security requirements. Maybe then, both Americans and Canadians can get back to the regular trips, for either business or pleasure, that have made the relationship between our two countries so amicable and profitable. 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. Sunday, Sept. 25 is Gold Star Mothers Day. Every year, as the last Sunday in September approaches, I stop and reflect on mothers in our country who have lost sons or daughters who were serving in the military. The mothers are known as gold star mothers. Their losses may have occurred in war or in peace time anywhere in the world. They may also have occurred from accidents while on duty serving our country. I first learned about gold star mothers 22 years ago. I decided their stories needed to be told. I began my research in 2000. I located seven gold star mothers from Western New York and asked if they would share their stories. I was overwhelmed at the responses and even more, their experiences. Other gold star mothers heard about my research and wanted to share their memories. I traveled to New Jersey, Indiana, Florida and the Navajo Indian reservation in Arizona. These mothers also related their stories. They shared pictures and their sons letters from a places far away and a time long ago, in Vietnam. The mothers had silently endured a huge loss in an unpopular war. I was touched by their desire to share heartfelt memories after three decades of silence. Their deepest wish was that our country would never forget the sacrifice their sons made for our country. I thanked them for their stories and had promised them that their sons wouldnt be forgotten. I published their stories. Most mothers I met had joined local chapters of the national American Gold Star Mother Organization in Washington, D.C. Members are referred to as an American Gold Star Mother (ASGM). It is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, nondenominational service organization founded in 1928 after World War I. The purpose is to perpetuate the memories of sons and daughters, assist veterans and promote peace and good will for the United States and all other nations. It also extends assistance to all gold star mothers. The mothers attend veterans events, volunteer at Veterans Hospitals and fundraise for homeless veterans or those in need. These women are essential threads woven into the fabric of our countrys history. They survived their darkest hours with courage. They inspire me. They are women of all colors, cultures and backgrounds. But when I see them dressed in their white uniforms and hats, one tiny pin on their lapel unites them. It is the pin only a gold star mother can wear. She didnt ask for this pin. But she wears it with pride. An AGSM once told me, Our organization is not one that any mother aspires to join. These women have given back to our country in ways many have seldom seen. They do so because they love America. They honor their fallen children. They know what they stand for when the flag flies. Our country has ended another war. We now have a new generation of gold star mothers. There will be ceremonies in Washington, D.C., the weekend of Sept, 23-25. Ive attended local church services and ceremonies on Gold Star Mothers Sunday. I hope there will be local events honoring them this year. The mothers have always thanked me with warm smiles and gentle hugs for attending. I am humbled. On Sept. 25, I will pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by all mothers of our nations fallen heroes. The founder and CEO will take the stage at one of tech's most prominent events to talk Web3 trends, sustainability, and how ShelterZoom is building a Single Source Of Truth sustainable Web3 through its blockchain-based SaaS solutions NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 22, 2022 / ShelterZoom , a leading blockchain-based SaaS provider serving enterprises, businesses, governments, non-profits, and individuals, announces its CEO Chao Cheng-Shorland received an invitation to speak at this year's Web Summit conference in Lisbon, Portugal. The ShelterZoom founder and CEO will take the stage at one of tech's most prominent events to demonstrate how Web3 is more sustainable than Web2 using ShelterZoom's Single Source Of Truth technology and how it can improve cost-savings, as well as digital security and privacy while also mitigating environmental impacts. Web Summit is one of the largest and most prestigious conferences in the tech world, featuring many of the industry's most influential leaders and biggest companies. Web Summit 2022 will be held in Lisbon, Portugal between November 1-4, and is expecting over 70,000 attendees, including 1,000 investors and 2,500 media personnel. This massive industry event brings together founders, CEOs, fast-growing startups, policymakers, and heads of state for networking, lead generation, learning and development, and to discover where the vast future of technology is heading. The announcement of Cheng-Shorland's participation in the Web Summit conference follows ShelterZoom's recent placement in two Gartner's Web3 Hype Cycle reports. The startup was recognized in the categories "Enhanced Blockchain as a Service" and "Tokenization". ShelterZoom's product suite, including their latest Document GPS launch, empowers individuals and businesses to manage, track, and customize access to sensitive documents, creating a solid infrastructure foundation for industrial Web3 via its market-ready, document-tokenization SaaS. Their latest release, Document GPS, joins ShelterZoom's other Web3 tools, including DocuWalk and 1REport, that combine to provide end-to-end solutions for businesses and individuals to carry out their entire workflow in a secure, fully remote, and digital manner. Story continues Cheng-Shorland has invented several major business solutions and brings a wealth of executive experience. She is internationally recognized for her achievements in designing business invention methods and Web3 solutions to create real value for organizations and enterprises. Under her leadership, ShelterZoom successfully delivered the industry's first next-generation blockchain-based document, contract, and transaction management platform, capable of disrupting countless industries. As a result, ShelterZoom has won multiple global awards including "Top 50 Startup" in 2021 at WorldFestival and SIIA CODiE's "Best Emerging Technology" in 2018. Cheng-Shorland was selected as Female Innovator of the Year by Women World Awards. "It's an honor to have been selected to speak at such an important industry event, and even more so to represent ShelterZoom on the stage," says Chao Cheng-Shorland, CEO and Co-Founder of ShelterZoom. "If Web3 is to become the future of the Internet, like many are anticipating, then there needs to be an investment in creating a sustainable infrastructure for it. ShelterZoom is playing an important role in making this possible through our unique Single Source Of Truth enterprise solutions that help make Web3 safer and more secure." Gartner and Hype Cycle are registered trademarks and service marks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. 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. About ShelterZoom: ShelterZoom is a leading provider of enterprise-level blockchain-based smart documents, smart contracts, and blockchain API integration services using their Single Source Of Truth technology. The blockchain-based SaaS company was founded in 2017, serving large enterprises, government agencies, law firms, non-profits, the publishing industry, academic institutions, real estate, and small businesses with fully supported blockchain smart document applications, tokenization, and digital asset solutions. Press Contact: PR@shelterzoom.com Anastasia Perlukhin +9720559613280 ShelterZoom.com SOURCE: ShelterZoom Corp. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/717135/ShelterZoom-CEO-Chao-Cheng-Shorland-to-speak-at-Web-Summit-2022-in-Lisbon A Royal Saudi Air Force K-3 tanker and F-15Cs fly with US Air Force F-15Cs in June 2019. Royal Saudi Air Force Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been investing heavily in new military hardware in order to Iran. They have continued their buildup even as President Joe Biden has tried to reassure them of US support. Iran's military moves in recent weeks have captured worldwide attention, stoking concern among rivals in the US and across the Middle East. On September 1, Iran's navy briefly seized two US Navy unmanned surface vessels in the Red Sea, succeeding on its second attempt capture a US drone within a week. On September 4, Iran's air force commander, Brig. Gen. Hamid Vahedi, said the country hoped to acquire Russian Su-35 fighter jets in what would be Tehran's largest fighter purchase since 1990. The following day, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy showed off a new catamaran-style "patrol-combat vessel" equipped with vertical launch missiles a first for any Iranian naval vessel. Those actions come amid a longer-term military buildup by Iran's neighbors, who seek to counter Tehran's asymmetric capabilities by improving their air and naval forces. Their buildup has continued despite President Joe Biden's efforts to assure them of US support and improve relations in the face of increasing geopolitical competition. Dominant airpower A UAE F-16 prepares to connect with a US Air Force KC-10 tanker in August 2019. US Air Force/Staff Sgt. Chris Drzazgowski Saudi Arabia's and the UAE's vast oil wealth has allowed them to be the top two defense spenders in the Middle East and North Africa, and their relations with the US and Europe give them access to the best combat aircraft on the market. The Royal Saudi Air Force's core strength are its 232 F-15 Eagles, at least 84 of which are F-15SA variants designed specifically for Saudi Arabia. The RSAF also operates 71 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters and 66 Panavia Tornado attack aircraft. Saudi Arabia is upgrading its F-15s, and in November, the US State Department approved the sale of 280 AIM-120C air-to-air missiles for $650 million to Riyadh. A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 at King Faisal Air Base in Saudi Arabia in February 2021. US Air Force/Staff Sgt. Katherine Walters Saudi aircraft continue to play a major role in Riyadh's campaign in Yemen. Their operations have kept Houthi forces from taking important territory and prevented Houthi drones and missiles from striking Saudi Arabia, but Saudi airstrikes, often conducted with US support, continue to kill civilians. Story continues The UAE's air fleet is smaller but also powerful, made up of 78 F-16s and 49 Mirage 2000s used for both fighter and ground-attack operations. Over the past year, the UAE has said it would purchase 80 French-made Dassault Rafales and 12 Chinese-made Hongdu L-15 jet trainers, with an option for 36 more. The UAE also received 20 Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkish firm Baykar this month, and Saudi Arabia is also in talks with the firm to buy the drones, which a Western source told Reuters are better than the Iranian drones that Russia is using in Ukraine. Modern fleets Royal Saudi Naval Force corvette HMS Badr in the Persian Gulf in December 2020. US Navy/MCS3 Louis Thompson Staats IV The Saudi navy's primary combat ships are three Al Riyadh-class frigates, four Al Madinah-class frigates, four Badr-class corvettes, and nine Al Siddiq-class patrol vessels. The UAE's battlefleet is made up of smaller vessels: six Baynunah-class and one Abu Dhabi-class corvettes and 36 patrol vessels. Both navies plan to expand and modernize. In 2017, Riyadh signed a contract with Lockheed Martin for four multi-mission surface combatant warships, a variant of the US Navy's Freedom-class littoral combat ship. The Saudis have also received two of the five Spanish-built Al Jubail-class corvettes they ordered in 2018. The final three are expected to be delivered by 2024. The Kingdom has also ordered 39 HSI32 Interceptor vessels from French shipbuilder CMN Group. The UAE, meanwhile, ordered two Gowind 2500-class corvettes from France's Marine Group in 2019. The first corvette was launched in December and the second in May. In addition to securing their own waters, the Saudi and Emirati navies have both sent vessels to support a blockade of Yemen. Evolving threats, priorities, and procurement The first Baynunah-class corvette ordered by the UAE sails out for the first time at Cherbourg in France in June 2009. JEAN-PAUL BARBIER/AFP via Getty Images Despite showing off its new warships and announcing plans to buy more fighter jets, Tehran has recalibrated its defense structure in recent years. "Ten years ago, you could see the Iranians were still thinking in a somewhat conventional way about doing things," said Michael Knights, an expert in the military and security affairs of Persian Gulf countries at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Handicapped by sanctions and a limited industrial base, Iran has mostly been unable to build and field advanced military hardware. It has shifted from trying to match the conventional capabilities of its adversaries to focusing on things like missile and drone development. "They've leapfrogged over a bunch of stuff that they weren't good at and they've focused on stuff that they are reasonably good at now," Knights told Insider. Iran's missile arsenal is the largest in the Middle East and quite capable, as is its drone fleet. US soldiers and reporters inspect damage to the Al Asad base in Iraq after it was hit by Iranian missiles. AP Photo/Qassim Abdul-Zahra Hundreds of missile and drone attacks using Iranian-made hardware have been launched against Saudi Arabia and UAE from Yemen and Iran since 2015. In January 2020, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles at US military bases in Iraq following the US's assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Iran has been supplying drones to Moscow as the Russian military struggles in Ukraine. In mid-September, Ukraine said it had for the first time destroyed an Iranian drone in use by Russian forces. Iran has also developed air defenses that likely could effectively defend its home territory. But the advanced weapons now fielded by Iran and its neighbors, along with the tight confines of the Gulf region, mean that any conflict would see heavy losses on both sides. "The Gulf states and the Iranians would probably be able to do each other a lot of damage very early in a war. Both sides would lose their navies very quickly," Knights said. Consequently, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been putting more emphasis on developing anti-air and missile-defense systems. Both are also investing in unmanned systems. The two countries are working to integrate and network their drones and systems with each other, which the US has supported, and have participated in or hosted multiple military exercises involving drones, including this year's US-led International Maritime Exercise, the largest exercise of unmanned systems in the world. US and Bahraini officials in front of unmanned naval vessels at at Naval Support Activity Bahrain in Manama in January. US Navy/MCS1 Mark Thomas Mahmod IMX 2022 was also the first time Israel and Saudi Arabia, which don't have diplomatic relations, officially took part in an exercise together. The Saudis and the UAE have turned to their burgeoning defense industries to build that weaponry, but the Biden administration which froze arms sales to Saudi Arabia upon entering office over human-rights concerns related to the war in Yemen now seems open to replenishing Saudi and Emirati arsenals as part of its efforts to improve relations. Just weeks after his visit to the Middle East in July 2021, Biden approved a $5 billion arms sale that included up to 300 Patriot missile interceptors for Saudi Arabia and two Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems with 96 interceptor missiles for the UAE. Iran is "in a game of mutually assured destruction" with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia and the UAE, "when it comes to the loss of critical infrastructure," Knights said. "But if trends in counter-missile and counter-drone continue moving in the direction they are moving now, the GCC might be better prepared to defend themselves from the Iranians, and that's an interesting trend break," he added. Read the original article on Business Insider A voter arrives at a polling station at Trinity Pre-School in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. (Photo: Danny Lawson via PA Wire/PA Images) A voter arrives at a polling station at Trinity Pre-School in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. (Photo: Danny Lawson via PA Wire/PA Images) A majority of voters want to change the way MPs are elected, according to a new study. The British Social Attitudes survey found that for the first time, most people want proportional representation instead of first past the post. Support for PR now stands at 51 per cent, compared to 44 per cent who want to retain the present system. In 1983, when the survey was first carried out, support for ditching first past the post stood at 39 per cent. The survey also found that for the first time, a clear majority of Labour supporters - 61 per cent - now back PR, up from just 27 per cent in 2011. The findings put pressure on Keir Starmer ahead of next weeks Labour conference, where delegates are expected to vote in favour of calls for the party to dump its support for first past the post. More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of Lib Dems back PR, which is their partys official policy. Elsewhere, the survey also found that support for Scottish independence has more than doubled in the past 10 years, with 52 per cent of Scots now wanting to leave the United Kingdom, compared to 23 per cent in 2012. And for the first time, fewer than half - 49 per cent - of people in Northern Ireland supporting remaining in the UK. The survey, which was carried out by the National Centre for Social Research, also found that support for breaking up the UK had risen among those who voted Remain in the Brexit referendum. Sir John Curtice, senior research fellow at NatCen, said: More people than ever want to change the voting system in Westminster, support for leaving the UK has also grown in Northern Ireland, and supporters of the major parties in Scotland and England are more polarised than ever over the question of how Scotland should be governed. Not least of the reasons for this is Brexit, which seems to have helped fuel partisan disagreement about the countrys constitution. Story continues Some Remain voters appear to have reacted to being on the losing side in the EU referendum by now wanting to change the rules under which the UK is governed. This article originally appeared on HuffPost UK and has been updated. Related... Getty The Kremlin wants you to know theres absolutely no panic in Russia a day after Vladimir Putin called up hundreds of thousands to go fight in Ukrainejust ignore the burning military recruitment offices, protests shutting down highways, and college students being snatched from their classes to go kill or be killed. Its also absolutely normal for protesters to be pulled from jail and sent to the front, and reports of men flocking to airports to get the hell out of the country are fake, according to Putins spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Information about some kind of fuss at airports is greatly exaggerated. There is a lot of fake information appearing about this, Peskov was quoted saying by the Interfax news agency. He went on to defend the distribution of draft notices to protesters who took to the streets to condemn the new war effort, deferred other questions about the supposedly partial mobilization to the defense ministry, and said a new bombshell report about Putins decree allowing for up to 1 million citizens to be drafted is a lie. The report, by Novaya Gazeta Europe, cited a source in the presidential administration who said the one redacted clause in Putins mobilization order contained a provision for up to 1 million people to be called up for service. The figure was changed several times, and in the end, they settled on a million, the unnamed source said, adding that defense officials initially wanted to keep the whole document classified before deciding to keep only the seventh clause secret. The fallout from the mobilization has only intensified during day two, as footage has emerged in local media showing the first draftees being boarded on planes, trains, and buses. What are we going for? Fuck knows where were all going! Fuck! one newly drafted man in Buryatia yelled as he filmed a crowd of clearly drunk men waiting to board their bus. Meanwhile, it only took a few hours for another group of mobilised Russians to get dead drunk. "What are we going for? Where are going? F*ck knows!", one concludes. pic.twitter.com/8XUP4UNbFP Tadeusz Giczan (@TadeuszGiczan) September 22, 2022 In St. Petersburg, a military recruitment office was set ablaze overnight, with two other less successful arson attacks carried out in Orenburg and Zabaykalsy Krai, according to Mediazona. Story continues While defense officials have claimed they will only call up men with prior military service, myriad reports have emerged from various Russian regions suggesting the mobilization is absolutely indiscriminate. - , . , . , . pic.twitter.com/QD2T7m2XUk (@vottak_tv) September 22, 2022 In Buryatia, reports emerged of local schools literally being turned into mobilization centers and of men being rounded up by the dozens in villages. A draft notice came for my father this evening. He never served, he has no military education, no military ticket, and he falls into the category [of health exceptions], read one plea for help shared by the advocacy group Free Buryatia Foundation. Leave for Mongolia, everyone who can. If you dont have an international passporthide! People are being taken away by buses, the group warned. In Ulan-Ude, several college students were pulled straight out of their classrooms and sent off, accompanied by police officers, to begin their service, The Village reported. Fights also reportedly broke out at some military recruitment offices where men showed up to protest, including in Dagestan, where protesters in the Babayurtovsky District temporarily shut down a highway. In Derbent, a staffer at the local military recruitment office was confronted by protesters condemning the mobilization. When she urged a crowd of angry men to show their patriotism and go fight for their future, one shot back to say the special military operation has nothing to do with defending the motherland and is just politics. We dont even have a present, what future are you talking about, another protester yelled. Meanwhile, defense officials appeared to only crack down more brutally than ever on dissenters. In Chechnya, after dozens of women were detained for protesting the mobilization in Grozny on Wednesday, their sons and husbands were rounded up and sent to serve on the front, according to local human rights activists. The womens family members were summoned while the women themselves were still being interrogated, and some of the men were then forced to sign documents that theyre going to Ukraine as volunteers, activist Ibragim Yangulbayev was quoted telling The Insider. Any men hoping to avoid the mobilization may also find its too late to simply flee the countryThe Moscow Times reported Thursday that authorities have begun questioning departing passengers at Moscow airports, with men taken aside and asked for details on their military status. Belarusian security services have also reportedly been tasked with monitoring any Russian men who arrive so they can send back any draft dodgers. But some are reportedly considering drastic measures. Nikita, a 29-year-old from Moscow who told Meduza he was given a draft notice late Wednesday after being detained at a protest against mobilization, said he will definitely not go and fight. As a last resort, I will cut off my finger, but I will not shoot. The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, is hailing the mobilization as a great success, telling Zvezda on Thursday that nearly 10,000 people turned up at military recruitment offices in the past day voluntarily, without waiting for draft notices. 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 Warwickshire professor has gone missing during a research trip in South America, police say. Prof Tom Marsh, a University of Warwick academic from Rugby, had been visiting La Silla Observatory in Chile. He was last spoken to on Friday evening. Warwickshire Police said it was liaising with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Interpol, and Chilean authorities. The 60-year-old's family said they were "deeply concerned". In a statement issued through the Warwickshire force, relatives said: "We are deeply concerned for Tom and miss him, and would ask anyone who may have information on his whereabouts to please help." Specialist police officers were supporting the family, police said. Prof Marsh is described as white, approximately 6ft 3ins, with balding grey hair and a beard. He was likely to have been wearing a blue rain jacket, walking boots and a grey woollen hat. In a post on social media, his daughter Tabitha said the family was "desperate" to find the professor of astronomy and astrophysics. "He was out on an observing run at the La Silla Observatory in Chile when he went missing. "The closest town is La Serena. If anyone has any information or thinks they can help in any way, please contact the police.... Thank you. "My family, and my dad's friends and colleagues, would be beyond grateful for any help or information." Provost of the University of Warwick, Prof Chris Ennew, said the founding professor of its astronomy and astrophysics group was reported as missing from the observatory. He had recently been working there as a visiting astronomer at the European Southern Observatory, Prof Ennew added. He stated the "local emergency services are undertaking a thorough and extensive search", adding: "we continue to hope for a successful outcome". Prof Ennew said the university was in regular contact with the family and had offered them support, along with his colleagues, students and friends in the Warwick community. An FCDO spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British man missing in Chile and are in contact with the local authorities." Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne on Thursday charged a state agent in the Feb. 3 shooting of Quadren Wilson, an unarmed Black man who was wanted by authorities in a drug investigation. Mark Wagner, a Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation special agent, made an initial appearance in Dane County Circuit Court on Thursday on a charge of second-degree recklessly endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon, according to court records. Wagner, 49, of Milwaukee, was released on a $500 signature bond with his next court appearance set for Oct. 28. Defense attorney Michael J. Steinle argued for dismissal of the complaint, but that motion was rejected by Court Commissioner Julie Genovese. DOJ will not be weighing in on the facts of this case as it moves through the judicial system in order to avoid having any possible impact on the outcome, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement. DOJ is evaluating this matter internally and will continue to do so to the extent possible without interfering with the ongoing case. Ozanne said last week that he was likely to release a charging decision this week on the shooting of Wilson by state agents Wagner and Nathan Peskie. There are no charges in the case for Peskie listed in court records. 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 DCI, the Drug Enforcement Agency, Madison police, the State Patrol and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The family of Wilson 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 Sept. 14 Ozanne said he had 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. 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. Two people were killed after their vehicle was hit from behind and pushed into the path of a third vehicle near Marshal Wednesday night, according to the Dane County Sheriff's Office. A preliminary investigation determined the vehicle was heading west on Highway 19 and attempting to turn south on Highway TT when it was rear-ended, Sheriff's Office spokesperson Elise Schaffer said. The collision pushed the first vehicle into the eastbound lane of Highway 19, where it was struck by by an eastbound vehicle. The driver and passenger in the first vehicle died at the scene, Schaffer said. The drivers of the other two vehicles were taken to local hospitals with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. The names of the victims will be released later by the Dane County Medical Examiners Office, Schaffer said. By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita will pay a visit to Azerbaijan to discuss gas supplies, Azernews reports, citing foreign media sources. The prime minister will visit Baku to attend the meeting of the Moldova-Azerbaijan intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation, which will take place on October 10-12. Among the issues to be discussed is the possibility of importing natural gas from Azerbaijan, the Moldovan governments press service reported. Earlier, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu said that Moldova is considering the possibility of signing a long-term gas supply contract with Azerbaijan. He noted that Moldova consumes about 3 billion cubic meters of gas a year, and would like to sign a contract to receive gas in the range of 1 to 3 billion cubic meters per year. 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. Ouster Selects Benchmark as its Supply and Manufacturing Partner of the Year Published: 22 September 2022 by Mike Buetow by Mike Buetow TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE), a global provider of engineering, design, and manufacturing services, today announced it has been selected by Ouster, Inc. ("Ouster"), a leading provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors for the automotive, industrial, robotics, and smart infrastructure industries, as its Supply and Manufacturing Partner of the Year. Ouster has outsourced manufacturing to Benchmark's Thailand facility since 2017. "We're proud to select Benchmark as our Supply and Manufacturing Partner of the Year," said Darien Spencer, EVP of Global Operations, Ouster. "Their team has been critical to our success as we've worked closely and collaboratively to ship over 14,000 sensors for use around the world across a diverse set of industries. The quality of their work has met or exceeded our expectations across our key quality and performance criteria." Benchmark was selected for this award out of 20 eligible suppliers due to proven performance in the following criteria outlined by Ouster: performance to schedule, quality excursions, environmental controls, response to issues, NPI performance, and process improvement proactiveness. The company supports high volume production of Ouster sensors while meeting major industrial quality requirements and future automotive-grade qualifications. The Benchmark campus in Thailand is made up of two buildings totaling 420,000 square feet where Ouster maintains a local team across engineering and manufacturing, in addition to Benchmark staff. The manufacturing process for Ouster's digital lidar sensors leverages a highly automated and mature CMOS SPAD array imager manufacturing process, which allowed Ouster and Benchmark to ramp production in a short period of time. With Benchmark's custom microelectronics line, full-sensor assembly line, and end-of-line test room within a single facility, Benchmark's capabilities accelerate production capacity to over thousands of units per month while maintaining quality and containing costs. "Benchmark strives for excellence in everything that we do and it's great when our customers recognize our teams for their results," said Jeff Benck, president and CEO, Benchmark. "It is an honor to be named Ouster's Supply and Manufacturing Partner of the Year as we work together to meet the growing demand for next generation sensor technology to be used in applications that span from automotive to industrial sector and beyond." To learn more about Benchmark, please visit the website at www.bench.com. About Benchmark Electronics, Inc. Benchmark provides comprehensive solutions across the entire product life cycle; leading through its innovative technology and engineering design services; leveraging its optimized global supply chain; and delivering world-class manufacturing services in the following industries: commercial aerospace, defense, advanced computing, next-generation telecommunications, medical, complex industrials, and semiconductor capital equipment. Benchmark's global operations include facilities in seven countries and its common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BHE. About Ouster Ouster (NYSE: OUST) is building a safer and more sustainable future through its high-resolution digital lidar sensors for the automotive, industrial, smart infrastructure, and robotics industries. Ouster's sensors offer an excellent combination of price and performance with the flexibility to span hundreds of use-cases and enable revolutionary autonomy across industries. With a global team and high-volume manufacturing, Ouster supports approximately 600 customers in over 50 countries. Ouster is headquartered in San Francisco, CA with offices in the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.ouster.com, or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn. Most Eco-Friendly Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2022 Disclaimer: The Industry Talk section features insights by crypto industry players and is not a part of the editorial content of Cryptonews.com. Global warming has become one of the most pressing issues in todays world, prompting many companies to implement sustainability practices. This is no different in the crypto market, with an abundance of eco-friendly projects springing up that look to reduce their energy consumption and make a positive impact on the environment. In this guide, well discuss 10 of the most eco-friendly cryptocurrencies on the market, exploring the technology that enables them to operate sustainably, before highlighting several strategies investors can use to identify eco-friendly crypto projects. The 10 Most Environmentally-Friendly Cryptocurrency Projects in 2022 Listed below are 10 of the most sustainable cryptocurrency projects this year, each thoroughly vetted to ensure they positively impact the environment. We'll explore these eco-friendly cryptocurrencies in detail in the following section, covering their underlying technologies and future roadmaps. Tezos (XTZ) The Most Eco-Friendly Crypto in 2022 Ethereum (ETH) Environmentally Friendly Crypto with Low Energy Requirement Solana (SOL) The Most Environmentally-Friendly Crypto in the Blockchain Sector IOTA (MIOTA) Eco-Friendly Network in the Internet of Things Space Hedera (HBAR) Environmentally-Friendly Alternative to Blockchain Technology Chia (XCH) Green Blockchain with Unique Consensus Protocol SolarCoin (SLR) Innovative Platform Incentivizing Solar Power Generation Polkadot (DOT) Eco-Friendly Protocol Designed for Interoperability Flow (FLOW) New Low-Energy Blockchain for NFT Creators Algorand (ALGO) Carbon-Negative Blockchain with Environmentally-Conscious Founder Buy Eco-Friendly Cryptos with eToro Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. A Closer Look at the Most Eco-Friendly Cryptos to Invest When looking for the most energy-efficient cryptocurrency, investors must ensure that the development team places sustainability on their list of priorities. Projects where this is the case will often employ leading technologies to reduce their energy requirements or even offset their carbon footprint completely. With that in mind, lets dive in and explore the most eco-friendly cryptocurrency projects on the market right now: 1. Tezos (XTZ) The Most Eco-Friendly Crypto in 2022 Our pick for the most eco-friendly crypto in 2022 is the super-fast blockchain, Tezos. Tezos has made a name for itself in the past year through high-profile partnerships with Manchester United and McLaren Racing, helping raise awareness of this exciting project. This awareness has helped Tezos team expand the network and make it more eco-friendly. Tezos recent TezDev Conference saw the development team highlight plans to make the network capable of handling an incredible one million transactions per second (TPS) in the coming years. This will be achieved with sustainability in mind since the Tezos network uses the same amount of energy per year as just 17 global citizens. These elements have made Tezos one of the most searched crypto projects on the market, with investors also appealed by the development team's assertion that the network will use less power as it grows. Finally, Tezos' team even provides accurate emissions data for the blockchain every month with emissions clearly trending lower as the years have gone on. Buy XTZ with eToro Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 2. Ethereum (ETH) Environmentally Friendly Crypto with Low Energy Requirement Another of the most eco-friendly cryptocurrencies to be aware of is Ethereum. For the longest time, Ethereum used the Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism, which relies on energy-intensive mining to secure the network. However, Ethereum has recently transitioned to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, which uses much less energy. Due to this change, Ethereum has been touted as the next cryptocurrency to explode, as the network now uses over 99% less energy than before. What's more, Ethereum's team now clearly focuses on sustainability, even calling the network a 'green blockchain'. This eco-friendly crypto also offers additional benefits to investors since moving to a greener consensus mechanism, such as the ability to generate a yield through staking. Whats more, Ethereums team plans to implement a sharding approach sometime in 2023. This approach will make the network even more efficient and accessible helping boost its positive environmental impact. Buy ETH with eToro Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 3. Solana (SOL) The Most Environmentally-Friendly Crypto in the Blockchain Sector Solana is one of the few environmentally-friendly cryptocurrencies that looks to improve on the services offered by the Ethereum network. Like Ethereum, Solana is a smart contract-enabled blockchain that provides a foundation for decentralized app (dApp) developers and NFT creators. However, Solana is much more scalable due to its unique consensus algorithm. This algorithm is a hybrid of PoS and 'Proof-of-History', meaning that the Solana network can reportedly handle 65,000 TPS, with each costing less than a fraction of a penny. Solana can also be considered an eco-friendly crypto since one Solana transaction uses just 3,290 Joules of electricity. To put this into perspective, this is less than four Google searches. Many believe that Solana is the crypto with the most upside due to its scalability and sustainability. This latter point is strengthened further through Solanas partnership with Watershed Climate, which sees Solana offset its emissions by funding refrigerant destruction. Through this process, the Solana network has become carbon neutral, with the developers aiming to remain this way over the long term. Buy SOL with eToro Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 4. IOTA (MIOTA) Eco-Friendly Network in the Internet of Things Space IOTA differs from the other environmentally-friendly cryptocurrencies on our list due to its novel approach concerning the 'Internet of Things' (IoT). Put simply, IOTA is a distributed ledger that allows devices to interact and transact with one another. As noted by Forbes, IOTA validates transactions through a new technology called the Tangle. This technology doesn't require mining and completely removes transaction fees, ensuring it is highly scalable. Due to this, IOTA can be considered one of the most environmentally-friendly cryptocurrencies in 2022, as a recent IOTA blog post noted that a transaction on the network only consumes around 0.00678 Joules. For context, this is less energy than it takes to light a Christmas tree light for one second highlighting the networks energy efficiency. Whats more, IOTAs recent software upgrade means the network now consumes just under 205 TWh of electricity per year, which is about 0.000009% of Bitcoins annual energy requirement. Buy MIOTA with eToro Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 5. Hedera (HBAR) Environmentally-Friendly Alternative to Blockchain Technology Hedera is one of the few environmentally-friendly cryptocurrencies that veers away from blockchain technology, instead opting to use a unique hashgraph algorithm. This algorithm was designed by founder Leemon Baird and uses hashes instead of blocks to store data. Through this approach, the Hedera network actually becomes faster as more people use it. This means Hedera is a viable alternative to the best Proof-of-Stake coins since it is highly scalable yet remains eco-friendly. Sustainability is one of the Hederas core values, which has prompted the team to purchase carbon offsets every quarter in conjunction with leading social enterprise, Terrapass. Interestingly, Hedera's team purchases enough carbon offsets to ensure the network is carbon-neutral. For example, the team purchased offsets for 17 tons of CO2 in Q3 2022 the equivalent of 3.7 passenger vehicles being driven for an entire year. Through this approach, Hedera aims to become the most eco-friendly cryptocurrency alternative to the blockchain. Buy HBAR with eToro Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 6. Chia (XCH) Green Blockchain with Unique Consensus Protocol Many analysts believe Chia is one of the cryptos with the most potential due to this blockchain's unique consensus algorithm. Instead of using a PoW or PoS protocol, Chia's team has developed its own approach 'Proof-of-Space-and-Time'. Not only does this approach make Chia more accessible, but it also ensures the network minimizes its energy requirements. Using Proof-of-Space-and-Time, the Chia blockchain can validate transactions using unused space on HDDs and SDDs. Network participants plot 10GBs worth of hashes on these storage devices, which are used to verify blocks. According to the Chia website, this approach means that the network uses just 0.16% of Bitcoins annual energy consumption. Moreover, since Chia's consensus protocol utilizes unused disk space, it removes the need for validators to purchase complex computing equipment. This drastically reduces electronic waste while keeping the network's energy requirements to under 0.20 TWh per year. Buy Crypto with eToro Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 7. SolarCoin (SLR) Innovative Platform Incentivizing Solar Power Generation SolarCoin occupies a unique position in our list of environmentally-friendly cryptocurrencies since this project focuses solely on solar power. According to Statista, global investments in solar energy technology more than doubled between 2009 and 2019, highlighting the popularity of this energy source. The team behind SolarCoin aim to make solar energy free by rewarding users with $SLR when they install solar panels. Once the value of $SLR exceeds the cost of producing solar energy, the Solarity' occurs which is the point when that energy becomes 'free' to create. SolarCoin will provide one $SLR token per 1 MWh of electricity produced, incentivizing users to become sustainable in their daily lives. Finally, since SolarCoin is hosted on the Energy Web Chain (EWC), transactions are verified using a Proof-of-Authority (PoA) protocol which doesnt require any mining and is therefore considered energy-efficient. Buy Crypto with eToro Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 8. Polkadot (DOT) Eco-Friendly Protocol Designed for Interoperability Polkadot has garnered a reputation as one of the most volatile cryptos on the market yet has remained popular with investors due to its low-power approach. For those unaware, Polkadot is an innovative protocol that promotes interoperability between blockchains. The protocol has a central hub, called the relay chain, that can process the transactions on chains surrounding it. These surrounding chains are called parachains, which are essentially blockchains with specific use cases. Since the relay chain handles all verification, developers on these parachains can focus solely on expanding the network rather than its security. According to Bloomberg, Polkadot has the lowest total electricity consumption and carbon emissions of the six leading PoS chains. Whats more, Polkadots innovative Nominated Proof-of-Stake (NPoS) mechanism means that it uses a fraction of the energy that Bitcoin does highlighting how eco-friendly this project is. Buy DOT with eToro Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 9. Flow (FLOW) New Low-Energy Blockchain for NFT Creators Flow has emerged as one of this years top trending cryptos, with this popularity boosted even further in recent weeks due to the network's partnership with Instagram. Through this partnership, Instagram users can post NFTs on their page using the Flow blockchain which has provided massive publicity for the project. Much of the Flow development teams focus is on upcoming NFTs, yet they still ensure the network remains eco-friendly. According to Flows website, the network uses just 0.18 GWh of electricity annually. This data has also been verified by Deloitte, highlighting how serious Flow's team is about sustainability. To put Flow's energy requirements into perspective, minting one million NFTs on the network would use the same energy as driving just one mile in a car. Furthermore, Flow's annual energy consumption is less than that of leading chains like Solana and Polygon, with the team keen to remain in this position over the long term. Buy Crypto with eToro Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 10. Algorand (ALGO) - Carbon-Negative Blockchain with Environmentally-Conscious Founder Rounding off our list of the most environmentally-friendly cryptocurrencies in 2022 is Algorand. Algorand is a smart contract-enabled blockchain founded by MIT professor Silvio Micali. Micali won the Turing Award back in 2012 and has ensured the Algorand network employs eco-friendly technology to remain sustainable. Algorand uses a unique Pure Proof-of-Stake (PPoS) consensus mechanism, meaning that each transaction on the network uses just 0.0000004 kg of CO2. This means Algorands annual energy requirements are roughly the same as just seven average households. In addition, Algorands team actively offset the network's carbon footprint by using smart contracts to buy carbon credits. Through this process, Algorand has become carbon negative on a net basis, making this one of the most eco-friendly cryptocurrencies on our list. Buy ALGO with eToro Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. What Makes a Cryptocurrency Eco-Friendly? Now that weve highlighted which eco-friendly cryptocurrencies are worth checking out, lets take a closer look at what these cryptos actually do. Many new cryptocurrency projects claim to be eco-friendly - yet theres a crucial difference between those that aim to be and those that actually are. Theres no escaping the fact that blockchain networks consume electricity. Since theres no way around this, leading blockchains have continued to innovate over the past few years and develop ways in which they can limit their electricity use. By limiting their electricity requirements, these blockchains can reduce (or eradicate) their carbon footprint. The primary way developers can make their projects eco-friendly is by using an alternative to the Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus protocol popularized by Bitcoin. According to a recent report by The White House, the Bitcoin network accounts for between 60% and 77% of the total global crypto-asset electricity usage. Naturally, Bitcoin's huge energy requirements have created a demand for alternatives, which is where these eco-friendly projects come in. Most use a consensus protocol called 'Proof-of-Stake' (PoS), which removes the need for the energy-intensive computing hardware used during the mining process. In turn, this drastically reduces the electricity requirements for PoS chains. Although many of the best altcoins now employ a PoS protocol, some even take things one step further. For example, Solana uses a hybrid protocol that allows the network to be eco-friendly whilst remaining highly scalable. Solana's team also actively reduces the networks carbon footprint by funding refrigerant destruction one of the best ways to offset CO2 emissions. So, in a nutshell, the main characteristic of eco-friendly cryptos is that they employ technologies designed to reduce electricity consumption. This approach has become more prevalent recently, seeing PoW projects like Bitcoin and Litecoin receive less attention. Given the growing need for positive environmental change, this trend shows no signs of slowing. Why Environmentally-Friendly Cryptocurrency is Important Many of the best future cryptocurrency projects will likely focus heavily on sustainability yet why is this so important? To answer this question, detailed below are four reasons why eco-friendly cryptos will continue to be vital over the long term: Is Appropriate for ESG-focused Investors Eco-friendly cryptos are crucial since they offer a viable alternative for investors interested in sustainable projects. These investors have had their hands tied in recent years, as most projects were energy-intensive compared to today's networks, yet this has begun to change. ESG-focused investors now have an array of investment opportunities since leading cryptos like Tezos, Solana and Ethereum all utilize energy-efficient technology. What's more, as these cryptos grow in popularity, other new projects will likely follow suit and take a sustainable approach thereby boosting the positive environmental impact. Helps Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 65% of global greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industrial processes. This means that electricity generation is a considerable burden on the environment, which is why energy-intensive cryptos like Bitcoin have got such a bad rap. However, environmentally-friendly cryptocurrencies look to reverse these adverse effects by limiting their energy requirements. In addition, many cryptos also remove their carbon footprint by purchasing offsets highlighting how important these projects are in the battle against climate change. Promotes Innovation in the Crypto Market The rise of eco-friendly cryptocurrencies has also helped the market as a whole. Due to the competitive nature of the market, whenever a project leaps ahead of the others in terms of sustainability, it naturally prompts those that have been left behind to look for ways that they can improve. On a macro level, this enables the entire market to become more energy-efficient, leaving energy-intensive projects by the wayside. If this trend continues over the long term, well likely see new and exciting technologies emerge that improve on those of today. Generates Good Publicity for Cryptocurrencies Finally, as more and more cryptos become eco-friendly, it helps to change people's perception of the crypto market. Due to Bitcoin's size and pop culture appeal, most people focus solely on its environmental impact rather than considering the good done by other projects. However, as these eco-friendly cryptocurrencies continue to grow, less attention will be paid to BTC and more will be paid to these sustainable projects. In turn, this should naturally create positive publicity for the crypto market as a whole which benefits all stakeholders. How to Find Eco-Friendly Cryptocurrencies Some of the fastest-growing cryptocurrency projects on the market utilize eco-friendly technologies, making them appealing to environmentally-conscious investors. Those looking to get involved in these projects can identify them using the following approaches: Analyze Industry Reports A great way to find eco-friendly cryptos is to look for industry reports that analyze the energy usage of leading blockchains. A great place to start is with the Crypto Carbon Ratings Institute (CCRI), which regularly authors reports on blockchain networks, tokens, and NFTs. By reviewing the information in reports like those authored by the CCRI, investors can gain verifiable insight into which cryptos are doing the most for the environment and which arent. Research the Underlying Technology Many of the best metaverse coins use cutting-edge technologies, and eco-friendly cryptos are no different. Thus, investors looking to find these cryptos can keep tabs on the latest technological innovations and seek out projects that utilize them. For example, the Chia network's 'Proof-of-Space-and-Time' consensus algorithm is a relatively new innovation that offers an alternative to PoW and PoS mechanisms. Furthermore, some blockchains look to improve already-established technologies an example being Algorands Pure Proof-of-Stake consensus. Review the Projects Website/Whitepaper Like when searching for the best upcoming ICOs, investors looking to identify eco-friendly cryptos can review the project's website and whitepaper. Both of these elements are great resources for learning about the project and the values the development team holds. The whitepaper is especially important since this document will detail the technology underlying the project. Thus, by reviewing the whitepaper thoroughly, investors can clearly see whether the project is sustainable or not. Keep Tabs on Social Media Platforms Finally, investors can also use Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram to keep tabs on various crypto projects and identify which have eco-friendly principles. Due to the importance of these principles, projects that aim to improve the environment will often display their efforts on social media for all to see. Furthermore, some projects may even quote third-party institutions that have reported positive information about them. Thanks to this, its relatively easy for investors to see which projects are actively helping the environment. Most Eco-Friendly Cryptocurrencies Conclusion In summary, this guide has taken an in-depth look at 10 of the most eco-friendly cryptocurrencies on the market, exploring how they reduce their energy requirements and make a positive impact on the global environment. Many of these eco-friendly cryptos can be purchased using eToro one of the world's top online trading platforms. eToro serves more than 28 million clients worldwide and is regulated by tier-one entities like FinCEN, FINRA, CySEC, and the FCA. Moreover, eToro allows clients to open positions from just $10, with full support for credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller deposits. Invest in Eco-Friendly Cryptos with eToro Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. FAQs What is an environmentally-friendly cryptocurrency? Most market participants define environmentally-friendly cryptocurrency projects as those that actively limit their energy requirements, reducing their contribution to global warming. However, many of these projects take things one step further and purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions entirely. What are the most eco-friendly cryptocurrencies? Two of the most eco-friendly cryptocurrencies on the market right now are Tezos and Ethereum. Both of these blockchain networks use a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus protocol, which removes the need for mining and ensures that energy requirements are minimal. Which crypto has the lowest carbon footprint? Through our research and analysis, weve found that Tezos has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the crypto market. The Tezos network consumes just over 113,200 kWh per year, which is around the same amount as just 10 US households. South Korean Taxman Has Seized $186m Worth of Crypto from Tax Dodgers in Past 2 Years, Says Govt South Korean tax authorities have seized over $186 million in crypto from tax-evading individuals since 2021. According to data released by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, the National Tax Service, and 17 cities and provinces nationwide, almost $125 million of the total was seized from individuals who failed to pay national levies such as income tax. Yonhap reported that the remainder was seized from individuals who defaulted on local tax payments or was confiscated in foreclosures instances where, for instance, individuals failed to honor certain loan repayments. The data also showed that the vast majority (30%) of all the cryptoassets seized by tax authorities came from individuals based in Seoul and the surrounding area (Gyeonggi Province). The data was made public after a request for information made by Kim Sang-hoon, an MP representing the incumbent Peoples Power Party. The data also showed that in one instance, an individual based in Seoul saw almost $9 million worth of coins confiscated from their wallets including some $2.3 million worth of bitcoin (BTC) and over $1.3 million worth of XRP. The authorities revealed that in many cases, they had returned the coins to their owners after the individuals in question had paid their tax bills in fiat. In the case of those who failed to pay, however, the tax body liquidated coins at the market rate. Why The Sudden Rise in Tax-related Crypto Confiscations Since 2021? The massive spike in crypto confiscations from tax evaders has come as a result of the governments move in 2020 to effectively ban its citizens from trading crypto anonymously on domestic platforms. All crypto exchanges in South Korea must partner with domestic banks in order to receive operating licenses. The banks must, in turn, provide real name- and social security number-verified trading accounts linked to individual crypto wallets. As such, the government has created a paper trail that turns crypto holdings into low-hanging fruit for tax investigators who, along with the police, have the power to seize, freeze, or liquidate coins in cases where tax evasion or serious crime have been identified. Tax authorities began their preliminary investigations into the seizure of crypto from tax evaders back in 2020, but only began to seize coins in earnest last year. A Mechanicsburg man pleaded guilty Wednesday to assaulting law enforcement officers during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced in a news release. Barton Wade Shively, 55, of Mechanicsburg, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to two counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement officers. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Shively attended a rally at the Ellipse and then walked to the U.S. Capitol, where he unlawfully entered the grounds. He got past broken-down police barriers and went up the steps of the Capitol. While there, Shively assaulted one officer by striking the officers hand, as well as the head and shoulder areas. He also assaulted another officer, grabbing the officers jacket and yelling at the officer. Shively was arrested on Jan. 19, 2021, in Harrisburg. He is to be sentenced on Feb. 3, 2023. He faces a statutory maximum of eight years in prison on each of the two felony charges, as well as potential financial penalties, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The case is being investigated by the FBIs Washington Field Office, which identified Shively as No. 55 on its seeking information photos, and the Capital Area Resident Agency of the FBIs Philadelphia Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police. In the 20 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 870 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 265 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. North Middleton Township Police (717-243-7910) One person was transported to Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center after a one-vehicle crash on West North Street in Carlisle. Police said Anthyione Vazquez-Jumper of Carlisle was traveling west on West North Street at a high rate of speed when the vehicle hit a curb, forcing it to become airborne. The vehicle landed on a sidewalk before becoming airborne again, traveling over a 20-foot embankment, striking the ground and rolling. The vehicle came to rest on its wheels, and the driver was removed by rescue personnel. He was not wearing a seat belt and was transported to the hospital. Middlesex Township Police (717-249-7191) Brittany Querry, 32, of Newville, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault and summary harassment after a domestic incident at a business in the 1200 block of the Harrisburg Pike on Sept. 18. Police said Querry assaulted a person, causing injury. She was arrested and released on $1,000 unsecured bail. Louis Matthew Kott, 28, of Carlisle, was charged with misdemeanor flight to avoid apprehension, resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, as well as summary traffic offenses after a traffic stop on Sept. 20 in the 1000 block of the Harrisburg Pike. Police said Kott exited the vehicle, but then fled on foot. When police tried to take him into custody, he resisted arrest. He was later found to be in possession of a controlled substance and marijuana. He remains in Cumberland County Prison on $1,000 cash bail. Newville Police (717-776-5513) Chase Logan Hartman, 24, of Mercersburg, was charged Sept. 20 with felony burglary and criminal trespass and misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property in connection with a July 11 burglary on West Big Spring Avenue. Police responded to a home at 11:09 p.m. that evening due to a report of a light on in a garage of a neighbor who was away on vacation. Police searched the area but found no intruder. The property owners later reported that a smoker/grill and a swimming pool were stolen. Police received a report on Aug. 23 that Hartman was seen unloading the stolen items at his residence in Fort Loudon, and police with assistance from State Police executed a search warrant at the Franklin County residence. The stolen items were recovered, and the Franklin County Sheriffs department took Hartman into custody on Sept. 19. Hartman was arraigned and remains in Cumberland County Prison on $10,000 cash bail. Lower Allen Township Police (717-975-7575) Police are looking for a middle-aged Black man after a retail theft at Dicks Sporting Goods at the Capital City Mall at about 3:15 p.m. Sept. 9, police reported Sept. 21. Police said the man, who was wearing a sweatshirt on a warm day, entered the store, walked to the shoe section, put on a new pair of sneakers, filled the empty box with socks and walked out of the store. An off-duty officer followed him and yelled at him to stop, but the man ran to a silver Honda Civic, which was later discovered to have been reported stolen on Sept. 5. The officer was able to recover the box with stolen socks, but the man fled in the vehicle. The officer got the license plate (LXP-3953), and another officer located the suspect vehicle and attempted to pull it over, but the man failed to pull over and drove recklessly once off the highway and also appeared to throw a baggie of suspected drugs out of the window. Police ask anyone with information to contact them. Tiffany Vanegas, 22, of Rockville, Maryland, was charged with misdemeanor DUI controlled substances and resisting arrest, as well as summary disorderly conduct and driving without a license after a report of a disabled driver on Route 15 south at about 3:30 p.m. Sept. 19. Police said the caller was not very cooperative and didnt know where she was, but called to request that police bring her a new tire and rim since she had a flat tire. Police arrived at the scene and discovered a large amount of damage around the vehicle and detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Police said the driver, Vanegas, had bloodshot eyes, and she admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day. Police ordered her to give them identification and exit the vehicle, and she refused and was forcibly removed. Once handcuffed and placed in the patrol vehicle, police said Vanegas spit bloody saliva inside the car. Police said they impounded the vehicle and later discovered drug paraphernalia. She was arraigned and released on $100 unsecured bail. East Pennsboro Township Police (717-732-3633) Brian M. Knouse, 46, of Enola, was charged with felony escape and misdemeanor resisting arrest and disorderly conduct after Knouse was about to be transported to Cumberland County Prison from a district judges office at about 11 a.m. Sept. 14. Police said Knouse requested to use the restroom at the judges office, and he was released from his handcuffs. However, he fled out the front door, though he was caught after a brief foot chase. Police said Knouse resisted arrest while being taken into custody. The father of an Iranian woman who died in police custody last week has accused authorities of lying about her death, as protests rage nationwide despite the governments attempt to curb dissent with an internet blackout. Amjad Amini, whose daughter Mahsa died after being arrested in Tehran by morality police, said doctors had refused to let him see his daughter after her death. Iranian officials have claimed she died after suffering a heart attack and falling into a coma, but her family have said she had no pre-existing heart condition, according to Emtedad news, an Iranian pro-reform media outlet. Public skepticism over the officials account of her death has sparked an outpouring of anger that has spilled into deadly protests. Theyre lying. Theyre telling lies. Everything is a lie no matter how much I begged, they wouldnt let me see my daughter, Amjad Amini told BBC Persia on Wednesday. When he viewed his daughters body leading up to her funeral it was entirely wrapped except for her feet and face though he noticed bruising on her feet. I have no idea what they did to her, he said. CNN could not independently verify his account with hospital officials. A protest in Tehran, Iran, over the death of Mahsa Amini, on September 21. - Stringer/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images CCTV footage released by Irans state media showed Mahsa Amini collapsing at a re-education center where she was taken by the morality police to receive guidance on her attire. Her death has sparked an outpouring of anger that has snowballed to include issues ranging from freedoms in the Islamic Republic to the crippling economic impacts of sanctions. Protests and deadly clashes with police have broken out in towns and cities across Iran, despite authorities attempts to curb the spread of demonstrations through internet blackouts. Internet blackouts Mobile networks have been largely shut down and access to Instagram and Whatsapp have been restricted, internet watchdog Netblocks said on Wednesday evening. Story continues There was a near-total disruption to internet access in parts of Irans western Kurdistan province from Monday evening, and regional blackouts in other parts of the country including Sanandaj and Tehran. This comes after Irans Minister of Communications warned that there could be internet disruptions for security purposes and discussions related to recent events, according to the countrys semi-official ISNA news agency. The last time Iran saw such a severe blackout was when authorities tried to contain mass protests in late 2019, after fuel prices increased by as much as 300%. At the time, Iran was taken almost entirely offline which Oracles Internet Intelligence called the largest internet shutdown ever observed in Iran. This week, several Iranian state government websites including the official sites of the President and of Irans Central Bank were also offline, with the hacker collective Anonymous claiming responsibility. Dozens of people stage a demonstration to protest the death of Mahsa Amini in Tehran, Iran, on September 21. - Stringer/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images (Greetings) Citizens of Iran. This is a message from Anonymous to all Iran. We are here and we are with you, a social media account affiliated with the group tweeted on Tuesday. We support your determination for peace against brutality and massacres. We know that your determination stems not from vengeance, but from your longing for justice. All tyrants will fall before your courage. Long live free Iranian women. The hacker collective also took responsibility for temporarily taking down the website of Irans state media news agency Fars early Wednesday morning, according to a tweet from Anonymous. The website has since come back online. Growing fury over deadly clashes At least eight people, including a teenager, have been killed in recent days due to clashes at the protests, according to the human rights group Amnesty International. At least four of those eight died from injuries sustained from security forces firing metal pellets at close range, said Amnesty in a report published Wednesday. Four others were shot by security forces, Amnesty said, citing sources in Iran. It added that eyewitness accounts and video analysis show a pattern of Iranian security forces unlawfully and repeatedly firing metal pellets directly at protesters. Riot police were mobilized to disperse protesters Wednesday night in the capital Tehran, and were seen arresting several people, according to eyewitnesses who did not want to be named for safety reasons. A bin burning in the middle of an intersection during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on September 20. - AFP/Getty Images The riot police deployed tear gas, with a heavy-handed crackdown near Tehran University, said an eyewitness. Another eyewitness in the citys eastern district said protesters were heard shouting Death to the dictator, a reference to Irans Supreme Leader, and I kill anyone who killed my sister, referring to Amini. Videos from protests nationwide show people destroying posters of the Supreme Leader, and women burning their hijabs and cutting off their hair in a symbolic show of defiance. CNN has reached out to the police and Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which joined riot police on Wednesday night in Tehran, for comment. They have not issued any statement on the demonstrations or on law enforcements handling of the protests. International activists and leaders have also expressed concern about the protests and alleged police violence. The Swedish Foreign Minister said on Wednesday that Sweden stands with Iranians mourning Amini, and demanded that authorities respect their right to peaceful protest. Germany also called on Iranian authorities to allow peaceful demonstrations and, above all, not to use any further violence during a news conference on Wednesday. The United Kingdoms Foreign Office Minister Tariq Ahmad said Britain was extremely concerned at reports of serious mistreatment of Ms Amini, and many others, by the security forces. The use of violence in response to the expression of fundamental rights, by women or any other members of Iranian society, is wholly unjustifiable, the statement said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A sign welcomes motorists across the state line from Arizona to Utah where Colorado City and Hildale straddle the state line. The two towns have long been associated with polygamy and figures like Warren Jeffs, the jailed leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but local officials and many residents say the towns have changed dramatically in the past decade. "Short Creek", as residents call the border towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, was for decades steered by the tight control of a select group of polygamous religious leaders. Those leaders pulled the community further and feature into isolation and disengagement from the outside world. Here's a brief history of Short Creek, how it became what it was under Warren Jeffs, the now-imprisoned church leader who was convicted of child sexual assault, and why the community today so desperate to move on. Take a deeper look: Colorado City and Hildale, once dominated by criminal polygamous sect, celebrate recent arrest 1890 An official manifesto issued by church president Wilford Woodruff advises against plural marriage for all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, helping to pave the way for Utahs eventual statehood in 1896. Many church members continue to live out their polygamous marriages but over time the practice is eradicated from the mainstream church. 1935 Led by fundamentalist leader John Barlow, a group called the Council of Friends, a Salt Lake City-based sect that believed polygamy was a central part of their religion, begins sending followers to Short Creek, believing the small, isolated border town could be a place of refuge where polygamy and other fundamentalist church practices could continue. The population of the small community more than doubles in less than a month. 1942 Polygamists living in Short Creek take a dramatic step forward in consolidating the churchs influence, donating their land and homes, often including large buildings and compounds that were built to house plural families, into a single trust called the United Effort Plan. Church leaders establish control of the trust and eventually use it to dole out properties to favorite members and to take properties away from those who leave the church or eschew its teachings. 1953 In a move that Short Creek residents say left the community scarred for decades afterward, Arizona law enforcement officials move on Colorado City in a massive raid, taking nearly 400 church members, including 236 children, into custody. Most of those taken eventually find their way back to Short Creek and the raid, along with numerous smaller operations conducted in the same time period, becomes a central tale in church leaders warnings to members about associating with the outside world. Story continues In this Nov. 15, 2010 file photo, Warren Jeffs sits in the Third District Court in Salt Lake City. 2004 Warren Jeffs, who after his fathers death in 2002 had become the leader of the FLDS and its prophet, creates a large split in the community when he expels a group of 20 men, reassigning their wives, children and property to others. Insiders point to the incident as a turning point that led to a divisive split between many members. 2005 Citing concerns that others could lose their homes to the whims of Jeffs and the church, Utah seizes control of the United Effort Plan trust, which had grown to more than 700 residential properties along with agricultural and commercial land. Court records estimated the value of the properties at the time at more than $100 million. Over time, the UEP transfers most properties to beneficiaries and sells some to outside buyers, although most devout FLDS members refuse to cooperate and are sometimes evicted from their homes. Latest development: Arizona FLDS polygamous sect leader ordered held in jail 2006 Utah issues a warrant for Jeffs on felony charges of accomplice to rape over allegations that he had conducted child bride marriages. Hes placed on the FBIs Top Ten Most Wanted list and is eventually arrested in Clark County, Nevada, during a highway stop in which authorities find Jeffs was traveling with four computers, 16 cell phones, disguises, including wigs and sunglasses, and more than $50,000 in cash. He would spend years transferring between jails as he faced charges in Utah and Arizona before his eventual conviction in 2011 in Texas on two counts of sexual assault of a child and sentenced to life in prison. At trial, prosecutors presented evidence indicating he had fathered a child with one of the girls, who was 15. Jeffs was 50 when he was arrested and alleged to have taken more than 70 wives, including some pre-teens. 2008 An armed raid of the Yearning for Zion Ranch outside of Eldorado, Texas, uncovers evidence of widespread sexual abuse within the church, including Jeffs and other men taking girls as young as 12 for wives. During the raid, police removed 468 children from the ranch and 130 women left voluntarily. At one point, authorities reported that of 53 girls found at the ranch age 14 to 17, 31 either had children or were pregnant. 2015 In the single largest loss of life from any weather-related disaster in Utah history, 13 Short Creek residents are killed when a flash flood pouring out of one of the mountain canyons sweeps away two vehicles carrying three women and 13 children. Search crews from both states work for weeks to find all of the victims, with outside law enforcement working hand-in-hand with FLDS members. The tragedy scars residents of both towns, but many church members also gain more trust of outsiders after seeing the care shown to the flood victims and their families. 2017 The FLDS is dealt a decisive blow in Hildale when former church member Donia Jessop is elected mayor and other non-church members establish a majority on the town council. Jessop and others hail the change as a key sign of progress in the community, ushering in a series of changes that would lead to the creation of a chamber of commerce, contractual relationships with county and state leaders for various services and the openings of many new businesses. Related: Son who spoke out against FLDS leader Warren Jeffs dies at 26 2022 Colorado City residents vote in their first majority-non-FLDS leadership after longtime mayor Joseph Allred announces his resignation. He offers no explanation, although former or non-FLDS members win a majority of seats on the town council. By this time, local authorities say most of the remaining members of the FLDS have scattered or left the church, which is still theoretically controlled by Jeffs from his prison cell. Some 80% of the properties in Colorado City and 90% of the properties in Hildale have been transferred from the United Effort Plan trust into private ownership. This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Timeline of critical points in history of Hildale, Colorado City Superheroes for Hope is ready for its annual event of heroic proportions. The groups annual silent auction and cornhole tournament, with activities, games and prizes for kids, collects money to benefit local families with children who are struggling with cancer and other diseases. Rhonda Hubbard, who started the charity, said this year, the kids not only get to meet superheroes, they get to dress like them, too. We're doing something new this year, I bought a red carpet. So we're gonna do like a red carpet walk and really just make a big deal about our superhero kids that can come, she said. I think I have seven families right now who said, Yes, well be there. And so we're putting superhero capes on them and the Midwest superheroes the real ones are coming all dressed up. So they're going to walk down the red carpet with a fantastic little ceremony for them. We tried to think of a nice way to applaud our families and recognize them. This years fundraising event for Superheroes for Hope is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Hubs Pub in Bonne Terre. Lunches are $5, kids pictures with the assembled superheroes are at noon, when a cornhole tournament also kicks off. A silent auction goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and kids can enjoy a kiddie train, bounce house and other fun activities. Hubbard said her committee includes Jill Wagner, Jessica Trautwein, Colby Heifner, and Keila Files. Hubbard said people can still help with Saturdays fundraiser by donating auction items, volunteering time to help at the event, playing in the cornhole tourney or becoming a superhero sponsor by choosing one of the many levels of giving. September is global Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and according to American Childhood Cancer Organization, an estimated 15,780 children are diagnosed with the disease each year. Six-year-old Jordan Cain of Leadwood is one of those kids fighting to beat it, and he and his family have been helped by Superheroes for Hope. Cain was diagnosed in September 2021 with brain cancer anaplastic ependymoma, stage 3, grade A. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD), anaplastic ependymoma is a type of ependymoma, a tumor that forms when cells in the central nervous system including the brain and spinal cord begin to multiply rapidly. An ependymoma is anaplastic if the cells grow very quickly and are very unusual in shape. When they occur in children, theyre more frequently located in the brain. Jordans been through a number of surgeries, having spent most of his summer at St. Louis Childrens Hospital. Hes back home now, taking kindergarten classes and working on his speech and his walking and hes reconnecting with his three siblings. We have another MRI on November 7 to see how this new spot on his brain is doing, that were watching, his mother, Casey Kendrick, said recently. We are praying for no growth. Jordan is still working to regain his strength through physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, as well as fitting in home-bound school work, its all a lot right now, were trying to handle it, Kendrick said. A St. Louis police officer orders protesters to disperse in November 2014 outside City Hall (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent). A St. Louis ordinance aimed at transforming the way the city investigates allegations of police misconduct went into effect on Sept. 2. A week later, three police organizations successfully got a preliminary injunction, putting a pause on the citys expansion of civilian oversight of police work. In a decision with statewide implications, St. Louis Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser blocked the ordinance citing a state law passed last year establishing a Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, which bolstered protections for officers under investigation for misconduct. The judge ordered the city had to stop implementing its new Division of Civilian Oversight a civilian-led independent agency thats paid for by the city and that was set to build a team of 10 investigators to take over all internal police investigations that have to do with misconduct and use of force. On Tuesday, the city filed a motion stating that the judges order granting the preliminary injunction will have serious consequences that the court didnt intend. And that includes halting a piece of its current police-accountability process that the judge agreed isnt in legal question, the city argued. If the police organizations the St. Louis Police Officers Association, the Ethical Society of Police and the St. Louis Police Leadership Organization are successful in the lawsuit it could block cities across Missouri from enacting police accountability measures, said Rep. Rasheen Aldridge, D-St. Louis. Even in some rural areas, a situation may occur where there needs to be an independent body, just to look outside of the police, Aldridge said. But the bill of rights creates an extra class system for law enforcement, he said. We dont have a homeless bill of rights or a low-wage worker bill of rights, Aldridge said. More transparency in the community would be held up because of this extra class system or protocols that our officers now have. The ordinance and the order The ordinance, approved by the St. Louis Board of Alderman in July and signed soon after by Mayor Tishaura Jones, created a Division of Civilian Oversight the first of its kind in the state and among the first in the country as well. While several Missouri cities have civilian oversight boards that review the internal investigations that police complete themselves, the division would actually conduct and oversee investigations into police misconduct. More and more civilian oversight [boards nationwide] are doing reviews, said Matthew Brummund, who will lead the division when its up and running, but Im not aware of many that are doing the actual investigations. In his Sept. 9 order, Sengheiser pointed to several provisions in the new state law which consists of a list of more than 15 new requirements that includes giving officers 24-hour written notice of the allegation before an investigation begins. The portion of St. Louis ordinance, he said, that could be considered a conflict reads: City employees involved in or witness to police correctional incidents or misconduct shall provide a statement to civilian oversight investigators immediately upon request. The city argues that the ordinance was not intended to apply to an officer who is the subject of an investigation but rather to other city employees, Sengheiser wrote in his order. However, defendants admitted that SLMPD officers are city employees, he states. Sengheiser said he weighed the harm the injunction could cause to both the citys functions and police officers, specifically pointing to how the ordinance could impact officers morale. While the issue of police accountability is critical to public safety, Sengheiser said, the structures currently in place to provide that accountability will remain in place and functioning while the City of St. Louis attempts to create a new accountability structure that it believes will better balance the issues of police accountability and public safety. However, the city argued Tuesday that the injunction would not allow the current structure to function, as the judge intended. In 2015, the city passed a law that established the citys civilian oversight board. Its made up of seven volunteer residents who, for the past six years, have been reviewing the investigations conducted by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department into officers accused of excessive force, abuse of authority and discrimination. The judge stated that the board abides by the state law governing civilian oversight boards, and the new city ordinance wouldnt change that. However, the Board of Aldermen repealed the 2015 law governing the board and folded it into the new ordinance. So now the boards work has been put on pause as well, the city argues. The [Civilian Oversight Board] is an important part of the citys lawfully enacted structures to foster police accountability, the city states in the Tuesday motion and requested that the judge narrow the focus of his order. Officers bill of rights In December, the City of St. Louis filed a lawsuit in an attempt to get the state law establishing the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights struck down. The case is still pending. The bills sponsor Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, touted it as a series of changes that seek to strengthen (officers) due process rights when theyve been accused of misconduct in an internal investigation. Gov. Mike Parson signed the legislation into law last year. The citys lawsuit, filed in Cole County Court, alleges the new law is unconstitutional because it creates an unfunded mandate for the city and creates two classes of public-safety employees the police and every other public-safety employee. It also conflicts with how the city charter outlines discipline and legal representation for police officers, the lawsuit says. The law is an unfunded mandate that subverts equal protection guaranteed under the law, the mayors spokesman Nick Dunne told The Independent in December soon after the lawsuit was filed. Former St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief John Hayden opposed the bill in a Feb. 1, 2021 letter to legislators, stating that giving officers advanced notice could jeopardize an investigation. It also requires that law enforcement agencies give officers notice of who will be conducting the investigation. Some of the requirements could also have a chilling effect for witnesses who want to come forward, Hayden wrote at the time. It also puts a 90-day limit on misconduct investigations. The law significantly interferes with our ability to meet the expectations of Missouri residents with respect to holding officers accountable for sustained allegations of misconduct, Hayden stated. The law also included a provision penalizing cities that cut police budgets, which is a way to counter the call to defund the police, Eigel said during a 2021 Senate floor debate. Defund the police is an umbrella term that includes initiatives like allocating police funds to hire social workers to handle certain 911 calls, which the citys public safety director supports. Numerous times over the years, the Missouri Supreme Court has thrown out wide-ranging bills that violate the state constitutions prohibition against multiple subjects in a bill. The bill of rights was tacked on to a wide-ranging bill. St. Louis argues the entire bill should be deemed unconstitutional because it wouldnt have passed if the circuit attorney payments, lotteries, pesticide regulations and taxation provisions had not been injected. Missouri Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, right, speaks during a news conference Wednesday following passage of tax cut and rural economic incentives bills while Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, left, and Sen. Lincoln Hough look on (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent). Only one thing hasnt gone the way Parson and legislative leaders hoped. While the Missouri House was able to muster just enough votes to pass the $40 million package of tax credits and low-interest loans intended to support agriculture, it fell short of the number needed for the bill to take effect with Parsons signature. The Missouri Constitution requires an absolute majority of the 163-seat House, or 82 votes, to pass a bill and the rural incentives bill got 83. To take effect immediately requires an emergency clause and 109 votes, two-thirds of the chamber. Only 94 members voted for the emergency clause. That is a change from the regular session, when the House provided 111 votes to pass the bill and 120 votes for the emergency clause. Parson vetoed that bill because he disliked the two-year sunset for the programs and asked lawmakers to pass it again with a six-year sunset. The vote came after a debate where some Republicans and Democrats questioned the need for addressing the rural programs in a special session. State Rep. Tony Lovasco, R-OFallon, said the bill will not rescue any farmers or save any struggling agriculture-related business. The reality is that this is not some industry that is going to fall hard if we dont do anything, Lovasco said. And state Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis, said he was worried about what he didnt know about the bill. He said members on the Republican side had whispered to him that the bill is full of grift and corruption and he was uncertain how the new credits would be used. I dont know who this benefits and who it doesnt but when I see it move through the process like it did I wonder if they are right, Meredith said. Defenders of the bill noted that many of the programs are only being renewed, with some small changes. The bill includes tax credits for fuel retailers to increase the sale of biofuels and loans for livestock producers to expand herds and for producers growing specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables and flowers. It would also provide tax credits to support urban farming and meat processing and a sales tax exemption for utility vehicles purchased for farm use. This bill has been an accumulation of everything the farmers, the ranchers and the forest people have asked for, said Rep. Don Rone, R-Portageville. While the House debated the rural incentives bill, the Senate was taking final votes on the income tax cut, which passed 24-4, and its rural incentives bill, which passed 26-4. The tax cut would set the top tax rate for 2023 at 4.95% and, over time, reduce it to 4.5%. When fully implemented, it will reduce annual state revenue by about $950 million, said Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Springfield Republican sponsoring the bill. The state took in $12.9 billion in general revenue from income, sales and other taxes in the fiscal year that ended June 30, and the treasury holds a general revenue surplus of about $4.4 billion. Senate Republican leaders said they anticipate the surplus will be consumed in coming years but defended the tax cut as fiscally responsible. There will be money for priority programs such as education and child protection, they said. I dont anticipate that were going to have this plethora of money weve had right now into the future, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz said. We are not putting a future legislature in danger of not being able to take care of those issues. The tax bill is easy-to-understand and lawmakers are not making wholesale changes in tax policy, Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, said. We did some good things in this bill but we did not upend the way things normally function, Rowden said. But Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, said he was concerned about future budgets. Rizzo said he voted for the bill because it is less onerous than some other ideas discussed during the session but indicated hes not as confident the state can avoid funding shortfalls. We are going to be vigilant in the future and push that $4 billion to places where it should go, Rizzo said of the surplus. If Republicans seek additional tax cuts in the future, he said, Democrats will push for the relief to go to low- and middle-income taxpayers. Democrats are here to fight for working families, not help corporate CEOs with their second mansion, Rizzo said. The special session will wrap up in the coming days. The House will hold committee hearings on the Senate bills next week. The Senate will return after House action on the Senate bills, Rowden said. RTHK: Russia says 10,000 volunteer to fight in 24 hours The Russian military said on Thursday that at least 10,000 people had volunteered to fight in Ukraine, some 24 hours after President Vladimir Putin ordered a mobilisation of reservists. "During the first day of partial mobilisation, about 10,000 citizens arrived at recruitment offices of their own accord without waiting for a summons," Vladimir Tsimlyansky, a military spokesman, told Russia's Interfax news agency. He added the military had established a call centre to answer questions from individuals and organisations about the mobilisation. Amateur footage posted on social media since Putin made the announcement has purported to show hundreds of Russian citizens across the country responding to military summons. In the Siberian city of Yakutia, footage showed men with their faces obscured embracing family members some in tears before boarding a bus. Popular Telegram channel Mash distributed footage showing long lines of people waiting to board a plane in the eastern Khabarovsk region as part of the mobilisation drive. A video purportedly filmed in the southern republic of Chechnya showed dozens of young men at a local recruitment office flanked by police. Putin on Wednesday announced a "partial mobilisation" of reservists and defence minister Sergei Shoigu said the drive would ultimately see 300,000 people called up for service. More than 1,300 people were arrested across Russia on Wednesday during improvised demonstrations against the mobilisation. There have also been reports of an accelerated exodus of military-aged men from the country. Armenia says at least 40,000 Russians have fled there since the beginning of the war, while statistics in June showed nearly 50,000 had fled to Georgia. The Kremlin on Thursday dismissed as "fake" reports that Russians eligible for mobilisation were rushing for the exit. "A great deal of false information has emerged about this," said spokesman Dmitry Peskov. But flights out of Russia were nearly fully booked for the week ahead to cities in the nearby former Soviet countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2022-09-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijan has supplied 16 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe within less than two years, the country's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said addressing the 5th Romanian International Gas Conference, Azernews reports per Trend. "We had a very useful discussion this morning with the participation of the Romanian Prime Minister. It is important not only to think about the upcoming winter but at the same time to be sure what will happen in 5 or 10 years," he said. The minister recalled that Azerbaijan has been already for many years a country which has supplied energy resources to the European market. "So, weve been supplying Europe with oil and oil products. Recently, weve already started to deliver natural gas to the EU. Also, we have great plans for the future," he said. Moreover, Parviz Shahbazov stressed that Azerbaijan wants to double natural gas supplies to Europe within five years. "We talk very seriously now with all our partners, including also the European Commission, on the issue of extension of the Southern Gas Corridor. We can refer to the mid-term target. And we want to double within next five years our natural gas supplies to Europe with the aim to provide more natural gas to those who are already our partners and are receiving our gas, as well as to extend our gas deliveries to the new region; so, from the southern part of Europe also to the Western Balkans and further on. This is our plan," he said. Stressing that that cannot happen overnight, the minister underlined the need for intergovernmental consultations, for making proper investment decisions, for contracts, and for binding commitments from consuming countries. "And on the production side, we need also proper investment decisions. All this package should be implemented as soon as possible," he said. The energy minister also mentioned that Azerbaijan will increase gas supplies to Europe by 40 percent year on year. "If last year it was 8.2 billion cubic meters, this year it is going to be 40 percent more. So, it will be at the level of almost 11.5 billion cubic meters. It means that we do our utmost, we do everything that is possible to provide more natural gas to the European energy market, having in mind all the sensitivity of the energy security in Europe, of course, knowing about all the problems which exist here in terms of energy supply," he said. Additionally, he stated that huge wind energy potential had been discovered in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. "It is about 157 gigawatts with 35 gigawatts in shallow waters. It is a very economically viable project and weve already started talks and also some projects with different energy companies in Azerbaijan," he said. The minister mentioned that negotiations are underway with Romania, Georgia and Hungary on the ways to transport it to the European market. "It will be our long-term contribution to the energy security in Europe," he said. In April, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill requiring the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to develop model policies to ensure parents are notified if students are being taught sexually explicit instructional materials in the classroom. The bill requires local school boards to adopt the policies based on the model policies, which will be minimum requirements. The model policy, which was vetted through a public comment period which ended last month, require that parents are notified at least 30 days in advance of any instructional materials with sexually explicit content being taught in the classroom. Parents will then be able to review the materials and principals will maintain a current list of the materials on the schools website by grade and subject. The policy defines sexually explicit material according to section 2.2-2827 of the Virginia Code which defines sexually explicit content as any description of or any picture, photograph, drawing, motion picture film, digital image or similar visual representation depicting sexual bestiality, a lewd exhibition of nudity, as nudity is defined in Section 18.2-390, sexual excitement, sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse, as also defined in Section 18.2-390, coprophilia, urophilia, or fetishism. A preliminary report by the National Transportation Board indicates that the single-engine plane that crashed and claimed the life of its pilot near Batesville on Sept. 14 had just one quart of oil in the engine instead of the normal 12 quarts. The NTSB report, issued Wednesday, also found that four of the six piston rods were fractured, a condition associated with engine seizure. The crankshaft could not be rotated by hand, said the report, which noted that investigators breaking down the engine of the Piper Saratoga found metal fragments in the oil reservoir. Sounds like it seized completely, said Scott Stone, a pilot commenting in an online aviation forum. And from the reported state of the propeller, the engine was not spinning when it went down. According to the report, one of the two propeller blades remained straight. Blades on propellers that are spinning at time of terrain impact will, by contrast, be bent. The findings accord with radio transmissions made by the ill-fated pilot, Kevin James Esh, 30, of New Holland, Pennsylvania. Ive got a rough engine here, and Im going to need an airport, Esh had radioed an air-traffic controller while he was southwest of Charlottesville on his way home to Pennsylvania. He soon revealed an oil-pressure problem, declared an emergency, and sought a nearby airport. After first choosing Eagles Nest, a general aviation airport near Waynesboro, Esh and the controller concluded that the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport was the better choice. While more distant than Waynesboro, CHO offered longer runways and a control tower. Perhaps most crucially for a craft that had lost power, there was no mountain range rising between the struggling plane and that airport. Esh crashed about 15 miles from CHO near the intersection of Plank Road and Stillhouse Creek Road and died in the crash, according to investigators. The plane, still full of fuel, burst into flames. Four days before the crash, the NTSB report indicates, Esh had intended to fly the Piper Saratoga home from a trip to South Carolina. However, the report said, he wound up in Martinsville due to weather and went home to Pennsylvania that evening on a commercial flight. The report said that Eshs purpose on the day of the fatal flight was to retrieve his airplane. Online logs show that he left Martinsvilles Blue Ridge Airport shortly after 10 p.m. and travelled for about 50 minutes toward his Pennsylvania home base, Smoketown Airport. As the plane fell, the report notes that it carved a 100-foot debris path, with tree damage indicating an approximately 45-degree angle of descent. The report also notes that the sky was clear at the time of the accident. However, the relatively low cruising altitude of 7,500 feet, compounded by the nights darkness, would have limited Eshs options when the engine began failing. The plane crashed just three miles from a private grass airstrip at the Bundoran subdivision, but that facility would have been virtually invisible at night. Unlit country roads would have presented the same problem. In another recent incident, a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza experienced a loss of engine power and made a forced landing on Highway 280 near Phenix City, Alabama on Sept. 19. No injuries were reported. Closer to home and two days earlier, a single-engine Cessna Skyhawk also experienced power loss and came down on Interstate 66 near Front Royal with no injuries. Engine failure in a single at night, the stuff of nightmares, mused pilot Gavin Curtis in an online discussion about Eshs crash. The scenario that sells Cirruses, replied fellow pilot Tony Spatz. He was referring to a line of small planes equipped with a massive parachute designed, in the event of an unrecoverable emergency, to lower the craft safely to the ground. The report doesnt say what led to Eshs low-oil situation, and an NTSB spokesperson declined to speculate. At this point in the investigation, we are in the fact-gathering phase, spokesperson Peter Knudson wrote in an email. Knudson said the NTSB will determine both the probable cause of the accident and any contributing factors. Those findings will come at the conclusion of a comprehensive investigation, wrote Knudson, who added that most investigations can take a year or to two to finalize. The NTSB investigator who oversaw the preliminary investigation of the Batesville-area crash is Robert Gretz. He had the grim task of announcing the investigation into the December 2011 airplane crash that claimed the life of a Charlottesville family shortly after takeoff from Teterboro, New Jersey. In that crash, pilot Jeff Buckalew, his wife Corrine, and their two children, who were students at St. Annes-Belfield School, died along with business colleague Rakesh Chawla. The investigation into that crash found that the plane encountered weather conditions that loaded the planes exterior with ice and interrupted the necessary airflow over the wings. A Covington man charged in the U.S. Capitol riots has withdrawn his request for a jury trial, a move that may render moot the question of what association if any he had with an extremist group accused of helping to plan the uprising. Joshua Dillon Haynes is scheduled for a change of plea hearing on Oct. 28, according to court records. He previously was set to plead not guilty in a trial that would have started Nov. 14. No additional details were contained in a brief order Tuesday from a judge in Washington D.C.s federal court. An eight-count indictment alleges that Haynes damaged the equipment of news media crews who were covering a horde of Donald Trump supporters and later joined the mob as it stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Haynes is not accused of seditious conspiracy, a charge that prosecutors have brought against some members of the Proud Boys, who they say plotted to forcibly oppose the lawful transfer of presidential power. However, defense attorney Steven Kiersh of Washington has said in court filings that prosecutors may try to link Haynes with the group. In June, he filed a motion asking U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to exclude any such evidence. Haynes is not a member of the Proud Boys, Kiersh wrote, and any mention of his clients alleged association with a violent extremist organization would prejudice a jury against him. In a response, federal prosecutors did not rule out the possibility of a connection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Tessman wrote that while the government did not initially plan to present evidence of an association, it could become relevant at trial if the defense opens the door for example, by arguing that Haynes does not support the Proud Boys. Tessman asked the judge in July to either deny the defense motion or delay a ruling until later. There has been no ruling from Chutkan, according to court records. Kiersh and a spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys Office both declined to comment Wednesday. Haynes denied being a member of the Proud Boys when questioned by the FBI during a search of his Covington home last summer. However, he told federal agents that he attended a meeting of the Proud Boys in Fredericksburg in late 2020 and had dinner with several of its members. Haynes said he would have joined the group if it had a chapter closer to his home, according to court records. And he expressed support for the rioters, who he said were being treated unfairly compared to those in other movements, such as Black Lives Matter. A document filed by prosecutors states that when Haynes attended two rallies held in Washington in support of Trumps debunked claims of a stolen election, he stood near members of the Proud Boys because he feared being attacked by members of Antifa and Black Lives Matter. The Proud Boys have been involved in violence at political rallies, the government says, and describe themselves as a pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world; aka Western Chauvinists. Among the charges Haynes faces is damaging the cameras, tripods and other equipment of news media crews by smashing them to the ground at a press staging area on the northeast corner of the Capitol. i Kicked the fake news a, he allegedly wrote in a later text. Other charges include unlawful entry of restricted grounds, disorderly conduct, committing an act of physical violence on restricted grounds and obstruction of an official proceeding. Tuesdays order does not indicate what charges Haynes may admit to, or whether he has reached a plea agreement with the government. More than 870 people from across the United States have been charged with participating in the insurrection, which prosecutors say was fueled by Trumps false claims that voter fraud robbed him of a 2020 election won by President Joe Biden. Six of the defendants are from Western Virginia; so far two have pleaded guilty and a third, an off-duty police officer with the Rocky Mount Police Department, was convicted by a jury in April. An animal rights group submitted a petition with 40,000 signatures to the Eastern Virginia Medical School Board of Visitors on Tuesday demanding the school stop using baboons for experiments aimed at helping women avoid certain complications in pregnancy associated with estrogen deficiency and exposure to microplastics. Lady Freethinker, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, obtained documents through a Freedom of Information Act request that outline EVMS research conducted in summer 2021 involving pregnant baboons. The group called the methods used on the animals cruel, ineffective, and costly. As part of the research, pregnant baboons were given varying combinations of estrogen and an estrogen inhibitor and their fetuses were delivered via cesarean section at different stages of pregnancy, according to documents provided to The Virginian-Pilot. The placenta and fetal tissue were then collected for study, according to the protocol objective for the experiment submitted by EVMS to the schools Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. A total of 156 baboons were requested for the experiment over three years, including mothers, fetuses and the breeding males. Death of the mother, the fetus or both were accepted outcomes of the study as described in the documents. The documents show that one pregnant baboon, named Jemma, began acting abnormally and had a seizure due to low blood sugar on May 21, 2021 after being administered estrogen inhibitors. Jemma was found unresponsive in her cage on June 15, 2021 and two days later her fetus was removed via cesarean section to have its tissue studied. Not only is this tremendously cruel, but its also useless and unproductive, reads a letter sent by Nina Jackel, president of Lady Freethinker, to EVMS President Alfred Abuhamad. Students at EVMS could be conducting research that will actually help humans, but instead, more time and money are wasted, and more animals are needlessly killed in useless experiments that dont benefit anyone, the letter continued. There were no unexpected effects on the baboons and the school does not believe there was any wrongdoing by researchers in the course of the experiment, according to Vincent Rhodes, a spokesperson for EVMS. Rhodes said the experiment, entitled Regulation of Fetal-Placental Development in the Primate, was conducted in compliance with federal guidelines. Women who experience deficiency in making estrogen have children with a higher incidence of disease such as diabetes, Rhodes wrote in an email. Our intent is to learn what kind of deficiencies that occur in pregnancies that lead to health problems later in life. Our experiment is helping to determine this. He added that these experiments cannot be done in a computer simulation or with cells, and it cant be done on humans. The protocol objective explains that using baboons are the most effective model for human pregnancy. Emily Raap, a campaign manager for Lady Freethinker, said the research has not yet resulted in a clinical application for humans, meaning mothers who need effective treatments have been waiting for decades without an end in sight. Two Lady Freethinker volunteers, both Hampton Roads residents, attended the Board of Visitors meeting on Tuesday to deliver a box full of signatures. The organization launched the signature drive in May and promoted it online and through social media. The volunteers calmly took up position behind the rows of chairs holding a large sign reading shut down the baboon lab now! and didnt have a chance to deliver the box to Rector Bruce D. Waldholtz personally, as they planned, before the board went into closed session. When asked whether 40,000 signatures opposing these types of experiments would impact EVMSs decision making, Rhodes said only that the school does not undertake these types of study lightly, and voluntarily submits to Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International accreditation to ensure we are meeting the highest standards and federal requirements. A missing person was found dead after a glider crashed off the North Carolina coast, officials said. The ultra-light glider had two people on board when it experienced a malfunction and hit the ocean on Wednesday, Sept. 21, according to a town on the Outer Banks barrier islands. One individual was rescued and safely brought to shore, the town of Southern Shores wrote in a news release. Crews launched a search for the second passenger, whose body was later found, officials said. The crash was reported at about 10 a.m. near Ocean Boulevard in Southern Shores, roughly 210 miles northeast of Raleigh. The Federal Aviation Administration told McClatchy News in an email that it didnt have a report of the incident. For those who think the Supreme Courts destruction of womens reproductive rights is the most important issue of the 2022 election season, new voter registration data in Virginia could signal a crisis. The number of new female voters registered since June, when the justices killed womens constitutional right to choose to have babies, lags sharply behind the June-July-August time frames of 2021, 2020 and 2019. Young women 18 to 34, who have the most to lose to forced pregnancy policies if Republicans regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in the Nov. 8 election, are registering in shockingly small numbers. In the June-August 2022 timeframe, 9,548 additional Virginia females ages 18 to 34 added their names to voter rolls, the state Department of Elections website shows. More than twice that many19,735signed up from June through August in 2019. In 2020, a presidential election year, the number was almost three times as many, 28,230. And ahead of the 2021 governors election that put Republican Glenn Youngkin in office, the June-August new registration figure for women 18 to 34 was 18,605. The anemic registration numbers puzzled Deb Wake, president of the Virginia Chapter of the League of Women voters. Since the [abortion rights] decision came out June 24, I looked at June, July and August, Wake said. Then I looked at those three months over the last several years. Weve had a lot of change in election law, particularly in 2020, plus a pandemic, so its a little hard to compare historical data equally. But I am surprised that the numbers do not appear higher this summer. It is unclear what, if any impact the new registration figures will have in November. Still, they are worth considering. National Voter Registration Day was Tuesday. The University of Virginia hosts a Democracy Summit Friday as part of the nationwide Campus Vote Project. Friday is also the first day of in-person absentee voting for the November election. Check with your local registrar for locations and hours. Make sure to take an ID. The pace of registration usually picks up as Election Day gets closer. But in this moment in American history, as the country clings to benchmarks of democracy such as the peaceful transfer of power, the ability to cast ballots without interference of political partisans, and trust in election security, any signs of indifference disappoint. Urgency and care must be the orders of the day. Virginians will face unnecessary intimidation in the form of an election security team appointed by Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares. He seeks to sow distrust in the electoral process because it suits his political agenda. Virginias voting system proved accurate and secure in the 2020 presidential election that former President Donald Trump still hopes to discredit with lies. The Virginia voting system remains accurate and secure. A partisan goon squad looking to root out non-existent voter fraud offers nothing more than political theater aimed at scaring people. The most important thing Virginians can do from now until Nov. 8 is listen to candidates and decide if they represent constituent interests. The second most important thing is to visit https://www.elections.virginia.gov/ and carefully read the deadlines for registering to vote. While voter registration for general elections ends 22 days before Election Day, the earlier you register the better. If you miss the deadline, you may register up to Election Day but must cast a provisional ballot. Dont risk it. Read the rules for casting absentee mail-in ballots (Hint, you need a witness to sign or your vote doesnt count). If youre already registered to vote, check your precinct. Or get it all over with by casting an early ballot in-person by checking with your registrar to learn voting locations and hours. Do whatever it takes, but for the sake of representative democracy, find a way to vote. Note to readers: From now until Nov. 8, The Daily Progress will print a selection of letters to the editor endorsing candidates in area political contests. Please cite specific reasons why you support a candidate, not why you do not support her or his opponent. The Oregon Health Authority has identified a second pediatric case of monkeypox in Oregon. Local public health officials confirmed that the case was not linked to school, child care or other community settings, according to a Sept. 21 news release. No cases of monkeypox have been reported in Linn or Benton counties. Pediatric monkeypox cases have happened around the country during the nationwide outbreak, and unfortunately Oregon is no exception, said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA. As we have stated previously, this virus can affect anyone. Because the most common form of transmission is direct contact with the rashes, the risk of monkeypox spreading in school settings is low, Sidelinger emphasized. It is not easily spread unless there is prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. As of Wednesday, the new pediatric case is among a total of 204 presumptive and confirmed cases of monkeypox in Oregon. The cases are in nine counties: 141 in Multnomah; 24 in Washington; 22 in Lane; six each in Clackamas and Marion; two in Columbia; and one each in Coos, Hood River and Union. The Oregon child was tested for monkeypox Sept. 14, and the test results were reported to public health Sept. 19. To protect patient confidentiality, OHA is not disclosing the childs sex, age, county of residence or how the child is believed to have acquired the illness. A pediatric case is defined as someone with the virus in the 0-17 age range. OHA encourages vaccination against monkeypox for anyone who anticipates having, or has had, recent, direct, skin-to-skin contact with someone who has monkeypox. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Lebanon Express. People who suspect they have monkeypox should contact their health care provider to let them know before being seen, as providers may recommend testing, according to OHA. Those who dont have a health care provider can call 211 or their local public health authority to get help finding a clinic or health care provider, the agency suggests. The Lebanon Police Department has arrested a Lebanon woman for allegedly assaulting her 4-month-old child. Officers arrested Miranda Oeder, 21, Wednesday, Sept. 21 after she reportedly admitted to hurting her child, according to an agency news release. At around 4:30 a.m., officers received a report of a child at the Lebanon Community Hospital with a serious physical injury. The details of the injury were not immediately available. Oeder and other family members transported the child to the hospital, and gave a reportedly "suspicious in nature" explanation for the child's injury, according to the news release. Lebanon police detectives responded and investigated. They discovered the injury allegedly occurred while the child was in the care of Oeder. The child was transported to Doernbecher Children's Hospital for further care, the news release said. Oeder allegedly admitted to detectives that she caused the serious physical injury to her child. Policed arrested Oeder and took her to Linn County Jail on charges of second-degree assault and first-degree criminal mistreatment. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective James Glover at 541-258-4326 or Detective Sgt. Jeremy Weber at 541-258-4342. Discussions between Linn County and Oregon State Parks has been in the works for more than 20 years. Linn County has several recreational areas near Cascadia Park, including River Bend County Park almost within rock-throwing distance and manages several U.S. Forest Service campgrounds along the South Santiam River, according to the county. Staff also travel past the park en route to Clear Lake Resort. Oregon State University students milled about campus on a cloudy Wednesday morning, Sept. 21, for the first day of school. Its the first fully in-person school year since 2019 with no COVID-19 restrictions in place, a fact third-year Sarah Baker is excited about. The vibes are super good on campus, she said. Theres a lot of energy, and its easier to learn when there are more people in class. Her only college experience so far has been fully or partly online, which Baker said has made it difficult to connect with peers and learn the material. With only two years left in her undergraduate degree, she said she is glad to have at least some of the true college experience. Baker is entering her junior year in the biohealth sciences major, and while shes excited to begin the school year, she said shes nervous about classes getting harder. Over the summer she utilized the OSU Craft Center to make ceramics projects, and she plans to attend the OSU home game this Saturday against USC. While some students booked it to class, others stopped to catch up with friends and chat with people at tables advertising programs, fraternities and sororities. Beavers shopped for posters, tapestries and records at the Memorial Union to spruce up dorm rooms and apartments. Wednesday was also new President Jayathi Y. Murthys first day of school at OSU. She officially began her role as president Sept. 9 and has been meeting students and faculty since arriving in Corvallis earlier this month. "You guys have some great pizza here," she said in an interview with Mid-Valley Media. "The Indian food is also excellent." Food aside, Murthy said she plans to spend her first few weeks at OSU forming connections with the community and learning the lay of the land. Sewell Hatcher is an enology and viticulture major entering his third year. In layman's terms, hes studying to be a winemaker like his father, who owns Hatcher Winery in California. 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. After a fun summer white water rafting in the Grand Canyon with his family, he said he's glad to return to the comfortable routine school provides. The pressure is back on to do well in school, but that also means Im taking better care of myself, he said. By Azernews By Laman Ismayilova As part of the 14th Uzeyir Hajibayli International Music Festival, Azerbaijan's historical and strategic city of Shusha played host to a splendid open-air concert, Azernews reports, citing Azertac. A minute of silence was observed to honor the memory of the Azerbaijani martyrs, flowers were laid at the statues of Natavan, Bulbul, and Uzeyir Hajibayli. Welcoming the guests, Special Representative of Azerbaijani President for Shusha District Aydin Karimov said that it is a great honor to hold such grand events in the castle city. "Any event here inspires us. As you can see, Shusha, the capital of Azerbaijani culture, has entered a new stage of its development. Today we hear our national music in Shusha and it makes us very proud. From this point of view, we bow our heads to the souls of our soldiers and officers, who died for the freedom of our Shusha and all our lands in general," said Karimov. Next, the Azerbaijani State Folk Instruments Orchestra under the baton of People's Artist Agaverdi Pashayev performed a spectacular concert program. The soloist of the open-air concert was People's Artist Farhad Badalbeyli. The concert program featured Uzeyir Hajibayli's Koroghlu Overture as well as works by students of the genius composer. The birthday of Uzeyir Hajibayli is traditionally celebrated as the National Music Day in Azerbaijan. On the 110th birthday of the genius composer, Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev decreed 18 September as National Music Day (1995). Since 2009, an international music festival dedicated to the founder of the Azerbaijan school of composition is held in September. Every year, the festival brings together world-famous musicians, orchestras, soloists, and conductors. Numerous cultural events, including gala concerts and festivals, are held across the country as part of the celebration. The 14th Uzeyir Hajibayli International Music Festival will run until September 26. Your morning rundown of the latest news from overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Digital business support systems (BSS) specialist Tecnotree is in the news again, this time after it announced a partnership with operator MTN Nigeria on a new initiative called Metamorphose. MTN Metamorphose is described as a transformation programme to enhance the companys digital presence for consumers and enterprises. Its powered by Tecnotrees digital suite. This initiative, says Tecnotree, will transform MTNs business and digital processes with a strategic approach to people and technology. The programmes objective is to adapt to customer needs, improve customer experience, and become the enabler of digital life through tailored customer-centric offerings. Tecnotree's flagship digital stack is described as open, inclusive, dynamic and 5G-ready. It has AI/ML capabilities and cloud extensibility that have transformed applications and services beyond connectivity. It conforms to TM Forum Open API standards with reduced opex, which makes it easy to quickly deploy innovative and personalized multi-experiences in response to market demand. A catalogue-driven approach supports the launch of new bundles in days instead of months, converting ecosystem partners into instant revenue generators across health, education, gaming and esports. MTN Metamorphose powered by Tecnotree is an automation-driven solution that will enable dynamic and improved user experience and enhanced 360-degree customer view. It will also modify existing workflows, improve the productivity of the workforce through personalized dashboards, and provide omnichannel engagement and user journey optimization, with improved order management. As we reported yesterday, Tecnotree is the first non-telco to be certified for real-world Open API implementation on the leader board for TM Forum Open API Conformance. The referendum in Cuba is not about the Family Code, but rather support for the regime If most Cubans, or a significant number of them, say 'No,' it will mean that the members of the Revolutionary Defense Committee, the Union of Young Communists, and the revolutionaries did not heed their leaders' call. Cuba's new Family Code is now law and, as such, duly published in the Official Gazette, after its approval by the National Assembly of Popular Power (ANPP) (unanimously, as usual), as provided for in Article 165 of the Electoral Law. So, why does the regime need to submit it to a popular referendum? A referendum is binding, unlike a popular consultation, as Article 265.1 of the Cuban Electoral Law establishes that "in a Popular Consultation, voters express their opinion on a specific matter of national or local interest, without it having a binding effect." Therefore, despite the 79,192 meetings held, according to the National Electoral Council (CEN), in which there were 336,595 interventions, views opposed to marriage between same-sex couples, adoption and parental responsibility, among others, were not taken into account to make any substantial changes to the law. Rather, the changes made were mainly of a grammatical nature. If a popular consultation is not binding, the repressive acts decried by Cuban clergy who sought to express their opinions at in those meetings were unnecessary. The Cuban regime, however, does not want the people to have their say. Rather, it wants the people to parrot what those in power are saying, and this is what Cubans are expected to do through their vote in the referendum on the Family Code, which will only require 51% of the votes to be validated and take effect, replacing the one in force since 1975. There are no rules for this process, as neither the Constitution nor any Cuban law establish rules for the holding of a referendum. Speaking before the ANPP last July, when the deputies approved the Code, Homero Acosta pointed out that, until now, Cuba had only seen consultation and referendum processes in the constitutional sphere; this is how the constitutions of 1976 and 2019 were approved. The Electoral Law grants the ANPP the power to set down the rules for this type of referendum. Is the regime really prepared for a law that, according to Minister of Justice Oscar Silvera Martinez, reaffirms the humanist nature of the Revolution, and that was already approved by the ANPP, not to go into effect because Cubans reject it? Would the regime actually recognize that a law of the Revolution has not received Cubans' support? The government has deployed a very ambitious propaganda campaign in favor of this norm, with state media giving it extensive coverage. Former spy Gerardo Hernandez, the current national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), has called on members of the organization to vote "Yes," the Union of Young Communists League (UJC) organized a caravan to support the Family Code, and Miguel Diaz-Canel went so far as to say that voting in favor of the Family Code is voting for democracy. The referendum, however, is not really about the Family Code, but rather about support for the Government and the system, because this is what the regime has turned it into. When Diaz-Canel warned last April, at the 4th Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), that the enemy could boycott the referendum, his concern was not with the rights of the elderly and vulnerable people, or the issue of same-sex marriage and the adoption of children, but rather that Cubans? support for his government would be called into question. If their concern had been the rights of the aforementioned groups, which the regime claims to protect through the new law, the Family Code would have been approved without any need for a referendum at all, as has happened with other laws not receiving a fraction of the hype that this law has received in the Cuban state media. The Family Code would have entered into force like the Penal Code will in a couple of months after its publication in the Official Gazette. The Code, which has been criticized for criminalizing dissent even more, sustaining the death penalty, maintaining the age of criminal responsibility at 16, and not classifying femicide as a specific crime, will enter into force in a couple of months anyway, as did the Law for the Protection of Constitutional Rights, which does not protect all Cubans or their rights. The regime wanted to show off how democratic it is through this exercise, to showcase a participatory act of cooperation between the people and their representatives, with a leading role supposedly played by the former. But, in reality, what is at stake is the support of the people not only for the Family Code, but for the regime itself. If the majority of Cubans, or a significant number of them, votes "No," or abstain, it will mean that the cederistas, the UJC, and the revolutionaries did not respond to the call of their leaders; or, that the revolutionaries do not constitute the majority, and that the ANPP representatives, who already endorsed the Code, unanimously, do not represent most Cubans. In fact, not all those who will say "Yes" are revolutionaries, because some people from the LGBT community will vote in favor of a law that gives them some rights (though not the right to express themselves, to associate freely, or to march for their demands without waiting for invitations from the National Sexual Education Center), and not because of their support for the regime. Many people not opposed to the rights of that community will vote "No," or not vote at all, because they see the referendum as a manipulative exercise by the Government and a false democratic practice that they do not wish to legitimize. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to predict that, in a referendum for which there are no rules, and in the absence of independent electoral observation, the Family Code will be ratified, and perhaps even by a large number of Cubans, according to the official results. The only thing the regime needs to uphold the result which cannot be verified by electoral bodies not controlled by the Government as a triumph and a show of support for the Revolution, is for citizens to go to the polls. By Azernews By Vugar Khalilov Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has said that Azerbaijan is committed to the peace agenda with Armenia, despite the latters disruptive acts, Azernews reports, citing the ministry. Bayramov made the remarks at the 39th meeting of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development - GUAM Foreign Ministers' Council held on the margins of the 77th UNGA session on September 20. Bayramov shared his views on GUAM's activities and prospects in trade, transportation, and communications, as well as inter-parliamentary collaboration, underlining the need for cooperation under the aegis of the organization. The minister spoke about the post-war initiatives to alleviate the impacts of the past conflict with Armenia. He briefed the participants on the restoration and rebuilding efforts, the return of internally displaced people to their homes, programs aimed at integrating ethnic Armenians residing in the region, and the current threat of landmines in the area. The diplomat noted that certain steps have been taken to establish communications and transportation lines, and Azerbaijan put up a peace deal proposal within the context of the trilateral declarations and agreements achieved between the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders. Despite this, Armenia delayed the process gravely breaching its commitments under the trilateral declarations, and recently provoked a large-scale military provocation that resulted in casualties. However, despite Armenia's harmful behavior, Azerbaijan is determined to advance the peace agenda and maintain dialogue, Bayramov stressed. Furthermore, he emphasized that the situation in Ukraine is profoundly disturbing, and it is necessary to settle the conflict via diplomacy and on the basis of international law, notably the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized state borders. Azerbaijan was one of the first nations to provide Ukraine with humanitarian aid, and 15 million euros in relief has been delivered so far, the diplomat underlined. Bayramov concluded his address by congratulating Ukraine on assuming the GUAM leadership in 2023. Other participating Foreign Ministers and Secretary-General Altay Afandiyev briefed attendees about the organization's stances and goals throughout the meeting. At the meeting, member states signed the "Protocol on the rules for determining the country of origin of goods to the agreement on the establishment of a free trade zone" and the "Organization for Democracy and Economic Development - GUAM Convention on mutual assistance in the field of consular issues". The meeting was also attended by Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili, Moldovan Foreign Minister, Nicu Popescu, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. MACON, Ga. When Tracie Revis climbs the Great Temple Mound, rising nine stories above the Ocmulgee River in the center of present-day Georgia, she walks in the steps of her Muscogean ancestors who were forcibly removed to Oklahoma 200 years ago. This is lush, gorgeous land. The rivers are gorgeous here, Revis said recently as she gazed over the forest canopy to a distant green horizon, broken only by Macons skyline, just across the water. We believe that those ancestors are still here, their songs are still here, their words are still here, their tears are still here. And so we speak to them. You know, we still honor those that have passed on. If approved by Congress after a three-year federal review wraps up this fall, the mounds in Macon would serve as the gateway to a new Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve, protecting 54 river-miles of floodplain where nearly 900 more sites of cultural or historic significance have been identified. Efforts to expand an existing historical park at the mounds site are in keeping with Interior Secretary Deb Haalands Tribal Homelands Initiative, which supports fundraising to buy land and requires federal managers to seek out indigenous knowledge about resources. This kind of land acquisition represents the best of what our conservation efforts should look like: collaborative, inclusive, locally led, and in support of the priorities of our countrys tribal nations, Haaland said at last weekends 30th Annual Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration. In an era when some culture warriors see government as the enemy, years of coalition-building have eliminated any significant opposition to federal management in the reliably Republican center of a long-red state. Hunting will still be allowed, even encouraged to keep feral hogs from destroying the ecosystem. Georgias congressional delegation is on board, and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation has been welcomed as an essential partner. Our voice, our say has been all over this whole process for a while now, said Revis, a Muscogee and Yuchi lawyer who moved to Georgia this year to join Seth Clark, mayor pro-tem of Macon, in advocating to give the National Park Service primary authority over the heart of her peoples ancestral land, which once stretched across Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama. Unifying a patchwork of state and federally managed lands could help draw a million more visitors each year, spending a collective $187 million while hiking, canoeing, hunting, fishing and learning about Native American history, and generating $30 million in taxes while sustaining 3,000 more jobs, an economic impact study found. Its a game changer for this region, Clark said. Reimagining our economic vitality through a sense of ecotourism is something that I just think is huge for this community. Gliding over the surface of the Ocmulgee, kayakers can see nothing but woodlands and wildlife, interrupted very occasionally by a bridge. Few know that 14 more ceremonial mounds, unexplored and vulnerable, rise from the swamps nearby. Plans call for leaving the wilderness as untouched as possible while also building trails and access ramps. No land would be taken through eminent domain. Instead, park service oversight would facilitate raising money to expand the boundaries and increase public hunting areas by purchasing private wetlands from willing sellers. The tribal government in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, also bought 130 acres (52.6 hectares) of bottomland to be surrounded by the park. Principal Chief David Hill said there are no plans to develop it they want it preserved so that their 97,000 citizens always have a place of their own in the cradle of their culture. Our history is here. Our ancestors are here. Our stories started here. And we are committed to ensuring that this cherished site is protected, Hill said. Muscogean people say that history is fraught with trauma, but also pride at how theyre thriving now after surviving the Road to Misery, their phrase for the Trail of Tears. The forced march ordered by Congress removed 80,000 Native Americans from the eastern United States. Many died of illness, starvation or abuse as the federal government broke its promises to care for them in exchange for their lands. White settlers had made their lives unbearable through relentless campaigns of expulsion or extermination in the 1820s and 1830s. And as soon as the Muscogee, Seminole, Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw and other natives were gone from the Deep South, they were replaced by hundreds of thousands of slaves, sold down rivers by their northern owners to clear the land for cotton. Settlers kept the place names, not knowing what they meant in Native languages. Desecrations swiftly followed at the Ocmulgee Mounds, the spiritual, legislative and economic heart of the Creek Confederacy. Old growth trees were cleared for a slave labor camp. A massive funeral mound was blasted open for a railroad to ship cotton. Civil War battlements later carved up its fields. About 700 acres (283 hectares) surrounding seven mounds were declared a national monument in 1936. But that did not stop archeologists from removing 2.5 million artifacts reflecting 17,000 years of continuous human habitation. Most remain unexamined in Smithsonian, park service and university archives. For decades, the park was promoted with postcards featuring an exposed skeleton. It turned out to be the skull of one person and the bones of another, said Raelynn Butler, the tribal nations manager of historic and cultural preservation. They didnt treat us like people, she said. The facts about genocide and survival began to resurface in the 1970s when Revis aunt Addie and other tribal elders traveled back to Georgia to lead cultural discussions. That was really where the first idea of the celebration came from that we have got to change the narrative, Revis said. Twenty years of painstaking collaboration enabled the tribal nation to reunite and rebury the remains of 114 people at the mounds in 2017. And this February, an adjoining 1,000 acres (404 hectares) of sacred land were protected, purchased by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund at no cost to the taxpayers, Haaland said. Expanding this to a park and preserve could protect another 85,000 acres (34,400 hectares) downriver. We get questioned all the time, this is such a beautiful place, whyd you all leave? We werent asked towe were forced to, Hill said. And thats what we want to prevent in the future the things we do now, its for our future generations. I dont want them to go through that. So Oklahoma is home, but this is still our original home. Michael Warren is a member of the APs Race and Ethnicity Team. A former Elba elementary school principal has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to reduced charges in Geneva County Court Wednesday. Debra Johnson Strickland, 38, of Samson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge and a lesser felony charge in connection with a June 5, 2021, crash caused when Strickland drove her car across the center line of a Geneva County highway and collided head-on with another vehicle. Thirty-Third Judicial Circuit Judge Kimberly Clarke accepted Stricklands plea to the charges. Strickland was arrested approximately one mile from the crash scene after a two-vehicle traffic crash that occurred at approximately 4:35 p.m. June 5, 2021. The accident involved a 2017 Nissan Maxima driven by Strickland and a 2019 Subaru Outback driven by Wendy M. Smith, 43, of Owensboro, Kentucky. The crash occurred approximately 12 miles south of the Enterprise city limits. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Trooper Kendra McKinney said the Maxima driven by Strickland was traveling north on Alabama 87. Strickland crossed the centerline into the southbound lane, McKinney said. The 2019 Subaru Outback swerved over into the northbound lane to avoid colliding with the Maxima. Strickland then swerved back into the northbound lane and struck the Subaru, McKinney added. Strickland fled the crash scene on foot and was later apprehend approximately one mile from the crash scene. The Subaru was occupied with three passengers and all three were transported to an area hospital for medical attention, McKinney said. Clarke dismissed the charge of leaving the scene as part of Stricklands plea agreement with prosecutors. Representations of the Ripple, Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin virtual currencies are seen on a PC motherboard in this illustration picture, February 14, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Dado Ruvic Vietnam is the second biggest cryptocurrency market in ASEAN behind Thailand with a transaction value exceeding $100 million a year, a new report has found. It was followed by Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia, according to a report by cryptocurrency data provider Chainalysis. Vietnam, along with Thailand and the Philippines, also record high web traffic to non-fungible token marketplaces, which could be explained by the large number of blockchain gamers, it added. An estimated 25% of Filipinos and 23% of Vietnamese have played a play-to-earn game, and at one point, players based in the Philippines made up 40% of Vietnam-based Axie Infinitys playerbase. In an earlier report, Chainalysis said that this is the second year that Vietnam ranks highest in its cryptocurrency adoption index. People travel on a flooded road during high tides in HCMC's District 7, September 13, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Tung Tin HCMC is among the fastest sinking cities in the world, subsiding by 16.2 mm annually, with groundwater extraction and high-rise buildings to blame, a study has found. The study, led by Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, noted that with sea levels rising as ice sheets melt, land subsidence would worsen this issue, Singaporean newspaper Straits Times reported. Cheryl Tay, a PhD student at the university and the first author of the study, said as coastal cities in Asia focus on growth and urbanization, demand for groundwater extraction also increases, leading to rapidly sinking land. Satellite images of 48 coastal cities analyzed between 2014 and 2020 reveal that the average sinking speed was 16.2 mm a year, almost four times the rate of Indonesia's Jakarta (4.4 mm). In HCMC, the high density of skyscrapers in regions with weak foundations has contributed to the subsidence. Excessive groundwater extraction was mainly to blame, multiple reports said further. If the current sinking rate continues until 2030, another 20 km2 of the city could be below sea level and inundated, British magazine New Scientist claimed. Tay said governments could ramp up coastal defenses to fight back, for example with sea walls and mangroves. Another study done last month by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in collaboration with local government agencies said land in HCMC sinks by an average of 2-5 cm a year, resulting in frequent flooding. In 2019 Climate Central, a U.S. nonprofit news organization that analyzes and reports on climate science, warned that most of southern Vietnam, including the Mekong Delta and economic hub HCMC, could be submerged by 2050. Sea levels would increase by one meter by 2100 and 18% of HCMC and 39% of the delta could possibly submerge, it said. Despite suffering significant losses of territory, senior leadership and fighters in the three-year fight that culminated in its 2017 defeat in Iraq and Syria, the ISIS terrorist group, also known as Daesh, has regrouped and is attempting to expand its influence. According to a recent United Nations report, the threat is particularly acute in Africa, as Daesh works to entrench itself across the Central, Southern and Western reaches of the continent. The terrorist group is forming regional hubs and creating areas of instability across Africa. Some 20 African countries have already experienced such activity, and more than 20 others are being used for logistics as well as for mobilizing funds and other resources, said Martin Ewi, former head of the African Union Commissions counter-terrorism program and currently Senior Researcher at the Institute for Security Studies. He warned that Africa is not only a center of Daesh activity but could also be the future Daesh caliphate. Whats more, Daesh, or ISIS, is particularly keen to establish itself in countries with plentiful natural resources like the DRC and exploit these resources to finance its nefarious activities. ISIS and others continue to take advantage of conflict, governance failure, political turmoil, socioeconomic inequalities, and grievances to attract followers and resources, as well as to incite and organize terrorist attacks, said Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, U.S. Senior Advisor for Special Political Affairs. We are concerned about the increasing terrorism threat across various areas of Africa, outlined in the Secretary-Generals assessment. ISIS and al-Qaida affiliates continue to exploit Africas long-simmering conflicts to bolster their illicit activities, providing them heightened lethality. ISIS-West Africa merits particular focus as the group that has become the largest, and one of the most lethal, ISIS affiliates outside the core region. It is critical that the international community continues the fight to deny safe haven for [terrorist groups] and [their] affiliates, said Ambassador DeLaurentis. The United States continues to provide our African partners critical counterterrorism assistance to disrupt and degrade ISIS and al-Qaida affiliates, underscoring that capable law enforcement and broader security service responses are essential to prevent and counter terrorism, said Ambassador DeLaurentis. The Secretary-Generals report provides a stark reminder of the evolving ISIS threat and summons all of us to more collaborative, balanced efforts in countering that threat. Speaking after a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels, Belgium, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the war in Ukraine is entering a critical phase. If Russia stops fighting, there will be peace. If Ukraine stops fighting, it will cease to exist as an independent nation. So we must stay the course for Ukraines sake and for ours. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed. Weve come out of the NATO Summit with a new Strategic Concept. Weve faced Russian aggression in Ukraine. Weve done it together, he said. Our unity here at NATO, across our alliances and partnerships at the United Nations and other international institutions, is essential to advancing our objectives shared objectives of supporting Ukraines capacity to defend itself, sustaining pressure on Russia for its aggression, ensuring that Ukraine is in the strongest position when conditions are ripe for negotiations." To that end, Secretary Blinken announced more than $2.8 billion in additional security assistance to Ukraine and also for its neighbors. That support includes $675 million in new military aid to Ukraine. This is part of the twentieth drawdown of military equipment that President Biden has initiated, going back before the Russian aggression," said Blinken. "It includes more guided multiple launch rocket systems, artillery ammunition, high-speed anti-radiation missiles, anti-tank systems. The twentieth drawdown now totals $14.7 billion. Part of this sum will help our European allies and partners to start the process of preparing to deter and, if necessary, defend against further Russian aggression in the years to come. President Putin thought that he would divide and weaken NATO. Today, the Alliance is stronger, more unified, better resourced than ever before. That said, Secretary Blinken insisted that Diplomacy is the only way to definitively end Russias war of aggression. We see in this moment no indication from Russia that it would be prepared to seriously pursue such diplomacy, but if and when that time comes, Ukraine has to be in the strongest possible position, said Secretary Blinken. And thats why its so vital that we stay the course, that we stay united united in support of Ukraine, united with our allies and partners, united for as long as it takes. The multidisciplinary university aims to develop young professionals and future leaders who will not only power growth and development in the state, but also make a mark glob OPJU is India's only university dedicated to Steel Technology with India being the world's second largest producer of steel and is geared towards tripling its production in this decade itself. This huge growth plan has propelled OPJU in aiming to play a crucial role in providing well trained people meet the industry challenges by developing new technologies that can efficiently increase productivity, while building a globally competitive Indian steel industry. The university is determined to continually create resources who can address problems unique to the steel industry, be it in the field of engineering and technology, or the field of management practices. All academic programs of OPJU follows the `Learning by Doing' pedagogy, while focusing diligently on industry based research, promotion of scholarship and knowledge creation, along with short duration skill development programs that can aptly used to meet the human capital needs of the steel industry.OPJU focuses on providing opportunities to meritorious students and has so far provided scholarships worth Rs.4.39 Cr. In 2022 itself, it has provided scholarships to 504 students worth Rs.1.39 Cr. It has the highest placements in the Chhattisgarh area, and is the only university in that location to have provided more than 86 percent guaranteed placements.Committed to excellence, OPJU is persistent on delivering industry aligned academic programs by the virtue of its industry focused research, skill development efforts, scholarship, and advocacy initiatives. OPJU takes pride in its curriculum that is extremely contemporary, industry-linked, and is a result of brainstorming efforts of great think tanks: a large number of faculty members, experts from industries, and research level organisations. OPJU has three verticals of School of Engineering, School of Management and School of Science, all delivering future ready study formats and materials that will enable students to be career ready when the time comes. The School of Engineering offers both undergraduate, post-graduate, PhD programs to students who are aspiring to learn and excel in core and service industries. The Engineering School delves deep into learning by doing and has consequently incorporated experiential interventions across all programs.The faculty of SoE is also engaged in fundamental and applied research, enabling the students to pursue careers in industries, entrepreneurship, startups and research. The School of Management was developed to meet the unique challenges that pose in core industries. All programs have realworld case studies and live projects to prepare the students in the areas of Marketing and Sales, Human Resource Management, Finance, Accountancy, Taxation, Audit, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Operations Management and Family Business Management. The School of Science offers undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programs and aims at imparting basic knowledge in sciences along with its applications in different sectors which will enable students to contribute to the betterment of the society and nation. The curriculum encompasses significant practical components that train students in experimental skills which is essential for the science stream.With such a foundationally strong settings, OPJU is set to soar and further fine tune its offerings based on dynamic shifts in the industries. It believes that to move with the times is the way forward and that will holistically help students further their careers and lives. Being a futuristic educational institution, SRM University-AP aims to produce not just graduates but the icons of tomorrow students. Inter Disciplinary Experiential Active Learning (IDEAL) curriculum; Undergraduate Research Opportunities Project (UROP), Capstone Projects; Industry Internships rigorous training on coding and other skillsets international language training for German, and Japanese, etc. are some of the windows of opportunities at SRM University-AP.The faculty members are best in class with a PhD from premier national and international universities, including IISc, IITs, IIMs, IISERs etc. The multidisciplinary curricula and syllabi are carefully designed in collaboration with MITx, Harvard Business School Online, University of California Berkely, EFREI-Paris, IIT-Chicago and other experts from academia and industry. Students testify that they grow into competent professionals with all necessary skills with the help of the modern and industry oriented teaching methods of SRM AP.The University ensures that no qualified applicant is denied higher education because of their economic background. SRM AP provides scholarships up to 100% tuition fee waiver to meritorious students and economically weaker sections. International students from SAARC/African countries receive an 85% fee waiver, and those from the Middle East are given a 50% fee waiver. Scholarship benefits and other grants are extended from undergraduate to doctoral programmes.The core activities of the Placement department include Domestic and International internships, industrial workshops and webinars, career counselling and personality development classes. Intensive corporate training programmes, soft skill development and placement oriented programmes, interactive sessions with industrial stalwarts and Industry/laboratory/corporate visits are some of the highlights of the Directorate of Corporate Relations and Career Services. The bright and brilliant maiden batch of SRM University-AP secured 100% placement in 2021, and the drive for the Class of 2022 and 2023 is going on with lucrative Marquee, Dream, and Super Dream offers. 44.9 LPA is the highest international offer for the class of 2022 as of July. Among 600+ recruiters, the top companies include Amazon, Microsoft, Bank of America, Standard Chartered Bank, Infosys, Barclays, and TCS, to name a few.The students of SRM AP excel on all fronts. A budding undergraduate researcher from the Department of Biological Sciences earned an international internship at Harvard Medical School. Bennet Benny from the Department of Physics won 100% Erasmus Mundus Scholarship to study at the top universities in Europe. Students have participated and received laurels in various competitions held across India. Tatineni Sreya of Electronics and Com munication Engineering created a Guinness World Record with her lifesize painting using spices. Mallarapu Tanoogna from the Department of Civil Engineering excelled at National Indoor Archery Championship-2021, winning three gold medals and finishing 8th in the National Open Ranking, representing Andhra Pradesh. G Ram Dheeraj from Civil Engineering has been selected to climb Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. Three gold medals in state level rifle shooting championship, E-bike for sustainable development, First Prize at iHack Alpha AI Hackathon with a cash prize of $2300 for developing AI Voice App, $1200 Bounty from Microsoft Bug Bounty Program, which was presented by Mr Jason Pessemier-Microsoft Security Programme Manager are some of the recent highlights.SRM University-AP emphasises socially responsible entrepreneurship. The Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy organised a startup venture cohort to facilitate 36 startup ideas with seed funding, mentorship and guidance from industry experts. OurEye.ai, a startup with intelligence surveillance solution that has generated $120000 angel investment and an additional investment of $500000. Lakshman Thatikonda, a BBA student, has started his own business venture TalentCrew, which was incubated at the Hatchlab Research Centre (The technology and livelihood business incubator of SRM University-AP). His turnover has crossed Rs. 1Cr with an employee base of 12 differently abled individuals. Jithin Peram from BTech has started Amruthik Pvt. Ltd, a company which supplies customised food to various hospitals.Being a futuristic educational institution, SRM University-AP aims to produce not just graduates but the icons of tomorrow. The university tries to bring out the best in the students and make them realise their true potential to come up with a career of their choice be it higher education, research, entrepreneurship, or jobs in reputed companies. ELKO Early voting is only a month away, and candidates are invited to send a final message to voters through the Elko Daily Free Press and elkodaily.com. Contested races this fall include Nevada Board of Regents District 8, Nevada Assembly District 33, Elko Justice of the Peace Department B, Elko Mayor, and five seats on the Elko County School Board. Anyone on the ballot is invited to send up to 400 words to editor@elkodaily.com by Oct. 7. Mail ballots will be sent out to Elko County voters on Sept. 29, according to the Elko County Clerk. Early voting runs from Oct. 22 to Nov. 4 at the Elko Convention Center. Additional early voting locations are the Elko Indian Colony Gym on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2; and the Owyhee Human Development Center on Oct. 28, Oct. 29, and Nov. 4. Election Day is Nov. 8. Voter registration continues into Election Day. After Oct. 11, any registrations or updates must done through the Nevada Secretary of States website at www.registertovote.nv.gov or in-person at early voting or Election Day. By Azernews By Sabina Mammadli Member states of the Arab League should provide full support to Azerbaijan, member of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri tweeted. Commenting on the visit of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Armenia, Altwaijri emphasized that Armenia is the aggressor, and Pelosi is supporting the aggressor. 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 the night of September 12 leading to 13. 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 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, 79 armed forces personnel were killed, the ministry detailed. So far, the Armenian government reported 207 losses among its own military personnel. Moreover, 293 soldiers and three civilians were wounded, and 20 soldiers were taken as prisoners. ELKO A second, larger roundabout in Spring Creek is about three years away, and state officials say it could improve safety for drivers entering and exiting roadways for schools along Lamoille Highway. The project has an anticipated cost of $7.9 to $9.5 million, but has not yet been finalized, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation. Located at Lamoille Highway and Boyd-Kennedy Road, the two-lane traffic roundabout is preliminary scheduled for 2025. The project will enhance traffic safety for as many as 14,000 drivers who travel near the intersection daily, the state agency said. The approximate 100-foot diameter roundabout will be larger than the one at the intersection of Lamoille Highway and Licht parkways that was installed 12 years ago. Changes will also be made at Trescartes Avenue and the entrance to Spring Creek High School to accommodate high traffic with channelized protected turns with acceleration and deceleration lanes, NDOT said. The agency stated the roundabout would be constructed with three exits and the ability to accommodate a fourth if a residential subdivision goes in across from the school in the future. Additionally, pedestrian crosswalks and connections to the multi-use path along the north side of the road will be installed for additional access to the nearby schools, providing pedestrian crossing at all legs of the roundabout. The agency said new LED lighting and advanced roadway signage would also be installed for additional visibility. Sage Elementary, Spring Creek Middle School and Spring Creek High School are all accessible by Boyd-Kennedy Road. NDOT said the roundabout will be similar to one at U.S. Highway 50 and USA Parkway in Lyon County. The second Spring Creek roundabout will be different from the first, which has only one travel lane around the center island. NDOT said multi-lane roundabouts can optimize mobility and functionality of an intersection [and] reduce serious crashes, but motorists should keep four driving tips in mind. These include: Pick your lane while approaching the roundabout; yield to all lanes of traffic from your left when entering; obey signs and lane markings within the roundabout; and stop for bicycles and pedestrians crossing near the roundabout. Additionally, roundabouts are considered safer than traffic signal intersections, NDOT added, pointing to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that concluded converting 23 specific intersections from traffic signals to roundabouts reduced injury crashes by 80 percent. Lower speeds, increased traffic capacity and decreased delays, congestion, fuel consumption and air pollution are other roundabout benefits found in many national roundabout studies, NDOT said. Because traffic enters and exits through right turns only, the occurrence of severe right-angle crashes in roundabouts is substantially less than in many four-way intersections, the department continued. Roundabouts also have the ability to reduce potentially deadly rear-end crashes which can occur at certain traffic lights. NDOT said roundabouts were also considered safer for buses, freight and haul trucks that can slowly travel over the raised concrete median to travel through the roundabout. The second roundabout was proposed to the Elko County Board of Commissioners in January 2020, initiated by a request from then-developer Ken Krater for Ruby Vista Ranches. Commissioners were asked to direct staff to deliver information about the proposed project. At the time, Krater estimated it could cost $1.3 million after a review by NDOT. NDOT clarified this week that the roundabout is not currently a joint project with Vista Ranch, LLC. NDOT coordinates closely with local government partners and developers to ensure traffic safety and mobility of the state highway network. Further, the state agency explained that any decision to approve, deny, or place requirements upon development rests with the applicable local county or city. While we at NDOT do NOT have authority over private developments, we closely review impacts of proposed developments on state road right-of-way, NDOT stated. As part of the local government permit process, the developer submits a traffic study specific to impacts to state highways. We would evaluate and collaborate with the local agency and developer to ensure that state road impacts are mitigated in the most effective and safe way possible. On Sept. 7, County Commissioners approved a request from NDOT to maintain a solar-powered pedestrian signal at Ann Way and Boyd-Kennedy Road that is planned for installation when the roundabout is constructed. Elko County Roads Supervisor Dennis Price explained the request was similar to another agreement for Elko County to maintain the light at the intersection of Lamoille and Jiggs highways and one other traffic light in Jackpot. County Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi reiterated the safety concerns for motorists entering and exiting schools in that area that led to the second roundabout project. Theres a lot of near-misses out there, Andreozzi said. Youve got these young drivers coming out on the highway. Spring Creeks first roundabout was constructed in 2010. The $1.9 million contract for the project was awarded to Eagle Peak Rock & Paving. One of the few things Republicans and Democrats can agree on these days is that our political system is broken. As the sound and fury of politics rises, the effectiveness of our elected officials plummets. Congress is less popular than Ghengis Kahn and root canals. We dont have to accept this. There are concrete steps we can take to change things for the better. Term limits for Congress is the most important among these. To understand the power of term limits we need to go back to the American Revolution. As the rag-tag Continental Army fought the mighty British Empire, they derived inspiration from the example of the Roman hero, Cincinnatus. In the fifth century BC, the Roman Senate called on Cincinnatus to lead Rome against a foreign invasion. The former general left his plough in the middle of his field and ran to answer the call. After his victory, however, Cincinnatus didnt cling to the vast wartime powers hed been given. He promptly resigned his position and returned to his farm. Following this example, Continental Army soldiers left farms and shops to join the fight. They then returned home seeking little more than the back pay they were owed. Their leader General George Washington did likewise. After the war, Washington resigned his commission and returned to his farm at Mount Vernon. When he was called out of retirement to serve as president, he did so for two terms. Then he once again relinquished power and returned to his farm. For generations, Americas leaders followed the example of Cincinnatus and Washington. But such selfless civic virtue didnt last. Today, its increasingly rare for a politician to voluntarily return to private life. The citizen legislator has been replaced by the career politician. And when their primary goal is to stay in office, Congressmen often prioritize two constituencies over their actual constituents back home: donors and the media. These two sources provide the paid advertising and the earned media that are essential to reelection. How do we create more Cincinnati and Washingtons? We cant legislate civic virtue. But through term limits we can remove the corrupting temptation of a career in Congress. Once new Congressmen know they can only serve a brief period in DC, the will cease to prioritize reelection above all. In their final terms, they will cease to prioritize reelection altogether. This will significantly diminish the incentive to serve donors and the media. It will therefore help return the focus to where it should be: on whats best for their constituents and our country. The American people understand this. In our increasingly polarized country, term limits the one idea that still enjoys broad, bipartisan support. A recent poll conducted by pollster Scott Rasmussen showed that 82% of Americans favor term limits for Congress. Broken down by party lines, 87% of Republicans favored congressional terms limits; 83% of Democrats favored term limits; and 78% of Independents favored the idea. But Congress will never vote to term limit themselves. So we need to pursue another path to enact term limits. Luckily, Article V of the Constitution provides such a path. When enough states request a convention to add a term limits amendment to the Constitution, Congress is legally bound to comply. A simple majority vote of a state legislature is sufficient to make such a request. Five states Florida, Alabama, Missouri, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have asked for a national convention to amend the Constitution limited to the subject of Congressional term limits. Nevada should be next. For over a century, U.S. presidents followed Washingtons example and refused to seek a third term. Then President Franklin Roosevelt ran for and won a third and forth term. Shortly thereafter, we ratified the 22nd Amendment limiting presidents to two terms. When presidents were no longer willing to voluntarily follow Washingtons two-term limit, we amended the Constitution to force them to. The time has come to do the same for Congress. Lets make sure that Nevada takes the lead in getting this done. Among the products exhibited at the ongoing 2022 World Manufacturing Convention, a red unmanned helicopter has caught the attention of many visitors. The convention opened on Tuesday in Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province in east China. It highlights the latest products, technologies and applications in the manufacturing sector. Themed "Creating a beautiful world through manufacturing," the four-day convention features nearly 40 events, including exhibitions and seminars. "The unmanned helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 600 kilograms and a cruising speed of 120 kilometers per hour," said Yan Jinliang from the Anhui Yingliu Group, the helicopter's manufacturer. "It is designed to carry out missions such as goods delivery in complex terrain, forest fire control and power line patrols." In addition to manufacturing aircraft engines, the company also produces valves, impellers, drilling diverters and other key components used in high-end equipment for marine engineering, oil and gas drilling, mining and transportation. "Our key component products have been sold to over 100 customers in nearly 40 countries, including the United States, Britain, Germany and the Netherlands, with an export value of about 1.5 billion yuan (215.7 million U.S. dollars) per year," Yan said. Maintaining the stability of global industrial and supply chains is a vital guarantee for promoting the development of the world economy, and it serves the common interests of all. China is taking concrete actions to deepen international cooperation on industrial and supply chains and ensure that people of all countries share the fruits of development. CRRC Puzhen Alstom Transportation Systems Limited has brought its driverless, straddle-type monorail train to the World Manufacturing Convention. Thousands of kilometers away, the same monorail train is being tested on the Pink Line in Thailand's capital Bangkok, and is expected to be operational next year. In 2017, the company signed a contract with Bangkok to provide 288 monorail train carriages for the city's Yellow and Pink lines. The trains have been designed with driverless technology. "Compared with the subway, the monorail is quieter, more adaptable and cheaper to build. The construction cost is only one-third of the subway's," said Xu Haida, president of the company, adding that it can greatly ease the city's traffic pressure in an environmentally friendly way. Established in 2014, the company has an annual production capacity of 200 straddle-type monorails and 100 automated people movers. Its products have been exported to countries such as Thailand, Egypt, Brazil and Singapore. "The world economy is facing greater downside risks and uncertainties. Holding the World Manufacturing Convention at this critical moment provides the world economy with a platform to deepen exchanges and pursue cooperation," Christian Wulff, global chairman of the Global Alliance of SMEs, said via video at the convention's opening ceremony. More than 640 enterprises are exhibiting products at the convention, and 568 projects with a total investment of 367.7 billion yuan are expected to be signed during the event, according to the organizer. At the meeting (Photo: TDO) During the meeting, Mr. Binh said that over the past years, Thai Nguyen Province has been carrying out a cooperative project with Thailand on developing sustainable community in Yen Lac Commune, Phu Luong District. Accordingly, the two sides coordinated to organize a training course for 7 local community officials and farmers to participate in direct training in Thailand from May 12-24, 2019. Thai experts trained local farmers to improve the lives of the poor through the implementation of income-raising activities; built models of rural environmental protection to ensure sustainable development goals; and enhanced the value of local products and specialties in the development of community tourism. According to Mr. Binh, Thai Nguyen has supported and created the most favorable conditions within the legal framework for Central Retail Group, one of the largest retailers in Vietnam, to do business in the food and non-food sectors, in investing in a project to build the 38th GO! trade center and hypermarket on a total area of 36,000 square meters, using VND540 billion. This is the largest and most modern project of the group in Vietnam. He hoped to continue to receive support from the Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association and the Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association to boost cooperation between the province and Thai localities, agencies and organizations, opening up diverse opportunities for the two sides to boost cooperation in culture, social security, education - training, health care, investment - trade, especially digital transformation and application of technology in industrial and agricultural production. He also suggested that the Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association be interested in introducing and connecting Thai businesses and investors to Thai Nguyen to explore cooperation and investment opportunities. Expressing his impression of the development of Thai Nguyen in recent years, Chairman of the Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association Sanan Angubolkul said that Thai Nguyen is the first Vietnamese locality that the new leadership of the Association visited and worked with the desire to strengthen relations with the province. Recently, many pairs of provinces of Thailand and Vietnam have twinned with each other, but there are not many conditions to implement cooperation activities in a practical and effective way. During this visit to Thai Nguyen, the Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association wishes to develop the twinning relationship between Udon Thani and Thai Nguyen Provinces, he said. He also affirmed that the Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association will do its best to promote the people-to-people relations between the two countries, and promote economic, educational and technological cooperation, bringing benefit for Thai Nguyen Province and for the two countries./. A villager harvests millets in Nihe Village of Luozhuangzi Township, Jizhou District, north China's Tianjin, Sept. 21, 2022. Nihe Village has increased residents' incomes by promoting ecological organic millet planting in recent years. Cooperatives are set up to take charge of planting, procurement, packaging and sales of millets. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) A villager carries freshly harvested millets in Nihe Village of Luozhuangzi Township, Jizhou District, north China's Tianjin, Sept. 21, 2022. Nihe Village has increased residents' incomes by promoting ecological organic millet planting in recent years. Cooperatives are set up to take charge of planting, procurement, packaging and sales of millets. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) A villager works in a millet field in Nihe Village of Luozhuangzi Township, Jizhou District, north China's Tianjin, Sept. 21, 2022. Nihe Village has increased residents' incomes by promoting ecological organic millet planting in recent years. Cooperatives are set up to take charge of planting, procurement, packaging and sales of millets. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) A villager demonstrates millet crops in Nihe Village of Luozhuangzi Township, Jizhou District, north China's Tianjin, Sept. 21, 2022. Nihe Village has increased residents' incomes by promoting ecological organic millet planting in recent years. Cooperatives are set up to take charge of planting, procurement, packaging and sales of millets. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Editor: GSY GENEVA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The UN Human Rights Council on Thursday held talks on the right to development, with many speakers reiterating their commitment to protecting it as a fundamental human right. Nada Al-Nashif, Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the panel discussion was an important opportunity to reflect on the centrality of human rights to development, within the context of a range of global challenges. "The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated pre-existing inequalities, setting back development by several years in many parts of the world," she said. The UN official stressed that establishing a new global deal underpinned by solidarity and cooperation would help rebuild trust between people and governments, combat inequality, and create the appropriate environment for realizing the right to development. Martin Chungong, Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, said that the UN Declaration on the Right to Development emphasizes that since humans, both individually and collectively, are at the heart of economic, social, political and cultural activities, "There is no time to lose regarding the right to a safe and clean environment, the right to food or the right to health." Building back better after COVID-19 is the best chance to deliver on commitments under the 2030 Agenda, he added. Saad Alfarargi, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development, told the panel in his keynote speech that the global climate crisis, the increasing number of natural disasters, and new global pandemics all have the potential to undo decades of development. This would hamper human rights for all. "The COVID-19 pandemic triggered an unprecedented global public health emergency, and the largest global economic crisis in more than a century, leading to a dramatic increase in inequality within and across countries," Alfarargi said. Therefore, it is more important than ever to take a hard look at the way economic recovery and development efforts are approached, he added. Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, Vice Chair of the UN Committee for Development Policy, said that addressing extreme inequality and state obligations on cooperative action are key to implementing the right to development. Collective cooperation at the international level is required to address problems that cannot be solved by national action alone, she said. Mihir Kanade, Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development, said that the international community must understand that the right to development remains unrealized, despite being reaffirmed unanimously in almost 25 international instruments and agendas. Unless international cooperation becomes a duty, it is "impossible to achieve international goals: all policies and agendas need to be based on the normative framework that development is a right, not a charity," he said. Ordhukhan Gahramanzande, Designated Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization, said that the right to development encompasses all other human rights. "It incorporates the principles of equality, non-discrimination, participation, transparency, accountability, as well as international cooperation in an integrated manner, and it is the right of every human being to the constant improvement of well-being," Gahramanzande underlined. At Thursday's panel discussion, some speakers also expressed support for the creation of a United Nations convention on the right to development, and for the inclusion of the right to development in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The level of inequality has now become "obscene", said Federico Villegas, President of the UN Human Rights Council. He told the panel that it is striking to see very few developed countries actively participating in this dialogue. "This gap of perception on the right to development changed dramatically with the pandemic, when the world realized that it was in the same boat, and that when everybody was included, nobody lost," he said. Editor: Zhang Zhou Medics from south China's Guangdong Province test nucleic acid samples in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- China has made it clear that it will adhere firmly to its zero-COVID strategy that has proven both pragmatic and effective. The strategy safeguards rather than violates the right to life, the most fundamental human right. Figures speak. The COVID-19 death toll in the United States surpassed 1 million in May. The Chinese mainland number stands at 5,226. For Chinese policymakers, people's lives are invaluable and not tradable options. China has a large elderly population. The right to life for this vulnerable group should in no way be neglected. A Nature Medicine study published in May said that China could see an Omicron wave resulting in approximately 1.55 million deaths and a projected intensive care unit (ICU) peak demand of up to 15.6 times the existing capacity, should its current dynamic zero-COVID strategy be lifted. Some foreign experts are making objective observations. John V. Walsh, until recently a professor at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, said that comparing the COVID death tolls in China and the United States "puts the United States to shame." He said in an Australian public policy journal this month that Western-centric media "tells a different story." From 2019 to 2021, China's average life expectancy, the most basic measure of national well-being, increased from 77.3 years to 78.2 years. The life expectancy in the United States, a self-claimed global human rights defender, declined a shocking 2.7 years in the same period, sinking from 78.8 to 76.1 years, its lowest level since 1996, according to a recently released National Center for Health Statistics report. Without a doubt, the implementation of a strict zero-COVID-19 strategy incurs economic and societal costs each time an outbreak occurs. China, however, has been attempting to juggle its COVID-19 response along with its economic and social development, which has been stressed by the country's leaders since the pandemic began. While some ports and factories were unavoidably affected by temporary restrictions due to painstaking virus containment efforts, industries in the world's second-largest economy have remained largely unscathed through recent outbreaks. Aerial photo taken on Aug. 7, 2022 shows commercial vehicles before their shipment onto a ro-ro cargo vessel to depart for Africa at Qingdao Port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) As soon as local outbreaks waned, manufacturers quickly regained vigor and resumed delivering products such as iPhones and Teslas to consumers worldwide. China's foreign trade sustained growth momentum in the first eight months of the year, a positive indicator of economic recovery, as the government has continued to roll out measures to spur economic growth and stabilize foreign trade. As some China observers have put it, were it not for China's swiftly implemented and constantly fine-tuned anti-COVID approach that has saved both lives and the national economy and safeguarded global supply chains, the world would be in a far worse situation. And Walsh has also noticed China's efforts to tackle the pandemic. China upholds the philosophy that protecting health and wealth during a pandemic is not a zero-sum game. In his article, Walsh wrote that contrary to what was believed in the West at the time, saving lives also turned out to be better for the economy. Chinese leaders have repeatedly stressed that the people are the "supreme and ultimate judge" of the work of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The effectiveness of the CPC's work should ultimately be measured by the real benefits the people have reaped, by the improvements in their lives, and by how well their rights and interests are protected. The taming of the virus -- a universal challenge and a protracted war that involves the whole world -- necessitates customized and responsive solutions that guarantee the best outcomes. The solution to which China has been adhering is one that suits its own national conditions. Editor: Zhang Zhou A child is carried into a COVID-19 vaccination site in Times Square, New York, the United States, on June 22, 2022. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua) By the CDC's own estimate from June, one in five U.S. adults with a known prior case of COVID-19 had symptoms of Long COVID. LOS ANGELES, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government is ignoring "the greatest mass-disabling event in human history," Time magazine reported, quoting Long COVID experts and advocates. In a July Axios-Ipsos poll, 17 percent of people said their biggest fear related to COVID-19 is the possibility of getting Long COVID, a potentially disabling condition in which symptoms linger or emerge well after an acute infection, according to the report published by Time magazine on Monday. "But at a time when the majority of U.S. adults think there's little risk in returning to normal, mask wearers, test takers, and social distancers walk a lonely road," said the report. Throughout 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has rolled back many of its recommended COVID-19 precautions. CDC guidance no longer recommends social distancing, mask-wearing, or screening tests for most people who do not have symptoms, and unvaccinated people do not need to quarantine if they are exposed to the virus, according to the report. "But even with high levels of population immunity, Long COVID cases continue to pile up. By the CDC's own estimate from June, one in five U.S. adults with a known prior case of COVID-19 had symptoms of Long COVID," said the report. Health officials are not doing enough to prevent transmission of the virus and help people understand its risks, said Kristin Urquiza, who founded the advocacy group Marked By COVID after her father died from the virus in 2020. "Leaders have thrown their hands up in the air and basically said, 'You do you,'" she was quoted as saying. Editor: Zhang Zhou People visit the exhibiion area of Huawei at InnoTrans, a railway industry trade fair, in Berlin, Germany on Sept. 20, 2022. The four-day trade fair kicked off here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) People visit InnoTrans, a railway industry trade fair, in Berlin, Germany on Sept. 20, 2022. The four-day trade fair kicked off here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) People board a train on display at InnoTrans, a railway industry trade fair, in Berlin, Germany on Sept. 20, 2022. The four-day trade fair kicked off here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) People visit InnoTrans, a railway industry trade fair, in Berlin, Germany on Sept. 20, 2022. The four-day trade fair kicked off here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) People visit InnoTrans, a railway industry trade fair, in Berlin, Germany on Sept. 20, 2022. The four-day trade fair kicked off here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) People visit InnoTrans, a railway industry trade fair, in Berlin, Germany on Sept. 20, 2022. The four-day trade fair kicked off here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) People board a train on display at InnoTrans, a railway industry trade fair, in Berlin, Germany on Sept. 20, 2022. The four-day trade fair kicked off here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) People visit InnoTrans, a railway industry trade fair, in Berlin, Germany on Sept. 20, 2022. The four-day trade fair kicked off here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) People visit the exhibition area of Chinese train maker CRRC Corporation Limited at InnoTrans, a railway industry trade fair, in Berlin, Germany on Sept. 20, 2022. The four-day trade fair kicked off here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) People visit InnoTrans, a railway industry trade fair, in Berlin, Germany on Sept. 20, 2022. The four-day trade fair kicked off here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) Editor: JYZ The International Finance Corporation (IFC) from the World Bank Group will enter the capital of a new fund managed by Horizon Capital Horizon Capital Growth Fund IV (HCGF IV) with an equity commitment of $30 million, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with an equity commitment of $50 million. According to the information on the corporation's website, the project has been approved and the relevant documents are pending signing, this will be the first IFC investment in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war that began in February 2022. The EBRD said that its board of directors approved entry into HCGF IV on 6 September. The target size of the new fund is $250 million. IFC said that the Fund will invest primarily in fast-growing technology and export-oriented mid-cap companies, primarily active in Ukraine and Moldova, benefiting from cost competitive local platforms with global reach. The Fund will make investments of $10-30 million to acquire minority stakes in 10-15 mid-cap companies with enterprise values of $50-150 million. According to the materials, HCGF IV is the successor fund to Emerging Europe Growth Fund III (2017 vintage) and will follow a similar investment strategy focusing on IT services and products, as well as e-commerce, innovative consumer goods, and fintech. IFC recalled that it invested in EEGF III and EEGF II (2008), while the EBRD was an investor in EEGF III and EEGF II, as well as HCGF II. IFC's commitment through its own-account is critical for the Fund to reach its minimum first close size of $100 million and IFC's continued participation is expected to support the Fund to reach a final close size of $250 million, the IFC said. "This is a landmark event despite the war, IFC decides to provide money for investments in Ukraine. This should be a positive signal for other potential investors: you can and should start investing in the Ukrainian economy now," First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko said, commenting on the IFC decision. According to the Ministry of Economy, the German Investment Corporation (DEG), the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM), the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO), the Western NIS Enterprise Fund, the Rockefeller Foundation are also planning to join the HCGF IV fund and others. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev decreed measures to design, overhaul, and reconstruct secondary school No. 2 in Lachin city. Under the decree, in accordance with paragraph 32 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, it was decided: 1. In order to design, overhaul and reconstruct the secondary school No. 2 building in Lachin city, 800,000 manats ($470,588) are to be allocated to the Ministry of Science of Education of Azerbaijan from the funds provided in the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022 for the reconstruction and restoration of the territories liberated from occupation. 2. The Azerbaijani Finance Ministry is to provide funding in accordance with the distribution provided in part one of this decree. 3. The Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers is to resolve issues arising from this decree. 4. This decree comes into force from the date of signing. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, together with Polish President Andrzej Duda, opened a UN Global Compact meeting in New York devoted to the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. "With the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, we opened the UN Global Compact meeting in New York dedicated to the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. The courage of our people united hundreds of millions of people and dozens of countries and organizations around the world around helping Ukraine. Thank you for this support and loyalty to the principle: "United in defense united in recovery," Shmyhal wrote on his Telegram channel. The prime minister said that the potential of the recovery plan, which is $750 billion, makes it possible to interest international corporations and investors so that they plan to participate in the Ukrainian recovery now. "We see the creation of an informal tripartite platform as an important aspect, which will include the Ukrainian authorities, international partners, as well as Ukrainian civil society and business. It is the private sector that should become one of the main drivers of recovery," Shmyhal said. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has said that on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, work is underway on specific aspects of creating the Nuclear Safety and Security Protection Zone (NSSPZ) around the Zaporizhia NPP. Grossi told reporters during a briefing at UN headquarters that IAEA has begun real negotiations on the parameters of the zone. This is a process that is only being conducted with Ukraine and Russia. It would be wonderful to reach an agreement now, but this is a very complex problem, the solution of which will require, perhaps, more than one meeting, he said. He added that IAEA is already working on specific aspects, without which it is impossible to establish this zone. He said that he has already met with Minister Sergey Lavrov, Minister Dmytro Kuleba, President Emanuel Macron and the foreign ministers of the G7 countries. According to him, despite the existing contradictions, there is a conviction that the creation of this zone is necessary. In addition, the IAEA director general said that he plans to visit Ukraine soon, first, and then, possibly, Russia. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said in a nightly video address that 200 Ukrainian soldiers were exchanged for one "fan of Russia," referring to former head of the Opposition Platform - For Life party Viktor Medvedchuk. "This operation [for exchange] was prepared for quite a long time. And there are several components in the exchange. The first component: we exchanged one fan of Russia for 200 warriors," Zelensky said in the video address. Speaking about the details of the exchange, the head of state noted that at first Russia offered to return 50 Ukrainians in exchange for one of those who were in the SBU pretrial detention center. "We talked. We insisted. The number of 50 increased to 200. They are already in Ukraine. I think this is a good result. Although even more than 200. Because among the released Ukrainian women there are those who are preparing to become mothers. And I am especially happy that it has now become possible to return them to Ukraine. It is not a pity to give Medvedchuk in exchange for real warriors," the president said. According to Zelensky, Medvedchuk went through all the investigative actions provided for by law. Ukraine received from him everything that was necessary to establish the facts in the framework of criminal proceedings. "We remember all our people and try to save every Ukrainian. This is the meaning of Ukraine, our essence, this is what distinguishes us from the enemy. We value every life! And we will definitely do everything to save everyone who is in Russian captivity," the president said. UK to sustain or increase military aid to Ukraine for as long as it takes Truss Britain will sustain or increase military support to Ukraine for as long as it takes, British Prime Minister Liz Truss has said. "And that's why at this crucial moment in the conflict I pledge that we will sustain or increase our military support to Ukraine, for as long as it takes. New UK weapons are arriving in Ukraine as I speak including more MLRS rockets. We will not rest until Ukraine prevails," Truss said, speaking at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. Departure of male students of foreign universities abroad during martial law in Ukraine since September 14 is impossible, speaker of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Andriy Demchenko has said. "Earlier, back in March, a decision of the top military leadership of Ukraine provided an opportunity to continue education to those students who had already studied before February 24, and the border guards complied with this norm. However, lately we have seen a lot of speculation when documents are forged en masse about studying in foreign universities. In July-August alone, we identified about 600 such documents. Because of this, another decision was made by the top military leadership to deprive such a category of the right to cross the border," Demchenko told Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday. The speaker specified that this decision was made on September 14. "The border guards operate within legislation that regulates the crossing of the state border. As you know, Ukrainian men from 18 to 60 years old are generally limited to travel outside of Ukraine. There are exceptions that are spelled out in government resolution No. 57, which provides for the rules for Ukrainian citizens to cross the border, including for the period of martial law. The category of students does not fall under the exception, and they are not allowed to cross the border to leave Ukraine," Demchenko stressed. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the exchange of prisoners of war (POWs) between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, which took place on Wednesday as a result of his negotiations with the heads of both states, is a step towards ending the war. "According to the head of state, the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, achieved through the mediation of Turkey, is an important step towards ending the war. The Turkish leader added that Ankara continues to make efforts to achieve peace between Moscow and Kyiv," the Turkish Anadolu Agency writes. Erdogan expressed gratitude to Zelensky and Putin for agreeing on the exchange of prisoners of war and to everyone who made efforts in this process. The publication also reported that US national security adviser Jacob Sullivan thanked Turkey for mediating the exchange of prisoners of war between Ukraine and Russia. "I express my gratitude to the Turkish government for its decisive contribution to the implementation of the grain deal, as well as for mediating the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia," he said. One person was killed and five people were wounded as a results of an enemy attack mounted on Zaporizhia on Thursday morning, Secretary of Zaporizhia City Council Anatoliy Kurtiev has said. "Houses were damaged as a result of enemy shelling. If your house was also damaged, dial 15-80. Currently we have been informed that five people were wounded. Regrettably, one person was killed," he said on the Telegram channel. Earlier, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Tymoshenko said that the Russian occupation forces fired nine missiles against Zaporizhia. One of them hit a hotel and there are people under the rubble. The invaders also hit a power substation, as a result of which the southern communities of Zaporizky district were blacked out. In addition, a television tower was hit. Following on from the successful exhibition at the Russia House during the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Russian War Crimes The project, organized by Victor Pinchuk Foundation and PinchukArtCentre in partnership with the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ukrainian Institute of America, and Ukrainian Association of Photographers, provides information about the horrific reality of Russias aggression towards Ukraine, the press service of the Foundation told the Interfax-Ukraine agency. The exhibition is part of a world tour which aims to show the full extent of the atrocities, which were committed and are being committed by fascists in Ukraine, to audiences across the globe, the press release says. Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, stated in his opening speech: In the last few weeks, Ukrainian troops liberated most of Kharkiv region and what they found horrified the entire civilized world. During this time the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe have supported the proposal of an international tribunal that will try Russias political leadership. Vladimir Putin once said he would not allow another Srebrenica in Donbas but he kept silent about his plans for Bucha, Borodianka, Izium, Chuhuiv and dozens of other places that Ukrainians have been killed for being born Ukrainian. Victor Pinchuk, businessman and philanthropist said: For many years I have been involved in creation of Babyn Jar, a memorial for the victims of the German atrocities committed at the place. At that point the world said Never again, yet we are seeing such horrendous acts in Ukraine. We have to tell our story loudly so that the international community acts in support. It is very depressing to think that since showing the exhibition in the European Parliament in Brussels only two weeks ago, more horrendous crimes have been committed. We have to present these crimes as they are so that the international community realizes that severe sanctions are needed and to send more weapons. We hope this exhibition will help to show what we are defending against and what we are fighting for and, why we have to win together. Art is a powerful tool, and I know the exhibition will contribute to our victory, Pinchuk added. President of Latvia Egils Levits noted that we need to convince the West of the war crimes committed against Ukraine. This is why this exhibition is so important. He expressed the view that it was necessary to create a special international tribunal to consider this case. We must strengthen the international law to investigate the responsibility of the Russian State, with all its citizens. We must go further and convince more and more countries of this idea, Levits added. Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine said: From the first day of the invasion, Russia has been systematically and deliberately undertaking war crimes in Ukraine. We are dealing with a genocide of the Ukrainian people. Their aim is to destroy the Ukrainian people and their nation. We all remember Bucha and how families, young and old were murdered. Russia continues to attack civilian targets, transportation hubs, schools and infrastructure. Those crimes are not only committed by the soldiers, but also the Russian leadership who give the order to attack and bomb our children, our women and men, and who ignited the hatred against our country and its people. We support the creation of a special tribunal for the prosecution of the Russian war crimes, so justice can be served. This exhibition is painful evidence of the war crimes committed, concluded Shmyhal. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, during a meeting in Kyiv with Italian Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini, said that Ukraine feels constant support from Italy. "For Italy, despite many internal issues, the situation in Ukraine remains very important. We feel the constant support of our sovereignty and territorial integrity, the struggle for our existence on the part of Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the government and the Italian people," Zelensky said. He thanked Guerini for the informative meeting. "Strengthening the armed forces is a vital priority for our state today," the President said. The situation with the infrastructure of deoccupied Izium is close to apocalyptic, said Volodymyr Matsokin, Deputy Mayor of Izium. "The situation ... is close to apocalyptic ... the central part [of the town], high-rise buildings, if we used to tell correspondents that they were destroyed by 80%, then today I would say that they were destroyed by 90% ... Residential sector, private, one-storey ... - a little in better condition, but there is still work to be done on the study of the real situation. People in the central part of the city do not live today, it is impossible to live there, because everything is destroyed there," Matsokin said at an online briefing at the Ukraine - Ukrinform Media Center (Kyiv) on Thursday. He said that there is no electricity in the town, the gas pipeline, gas stations are destroyed, the heat supply system does not work. "There are no electricians in the town today at 100%. The water supply does not work, the sewerage does not work. Gas is supplied to only one district of the city, and this covers 20% of the population. The gas comes in such a mode that it takes about 20 minutes to boil the kettle," Matsokin said. According to him, the evacuation of residents of Izium for the winter period cannot be avoided. "We will look at the real situation, at what we will be able to do in a fairly short time, how to set up electrics, gas, water But evacuation cannot be avoided," the deputy mayor stressed. Matsokin also said that more than 15,000 people are currently living in Izium. "There are from 15,000 to 17,000 people in Izium now and an abnormally large number of children - about 1,5000 remain in the town today," he said, adding that children do not study, since educational services today can only be provided online, and there is no one in the town yet. At the same time, according to him, humanitarian aid, in particular, food is being delivered to all districts of the town. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on measures for the design, overhaul, and reconstruction of the building of the secondary school in Zabux settlement of Lachin District. According to the decree, in accordance with paragraph 32 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, it was decided: 1. For the design, overhaul, and reconstruction of the building of the secondary school in Zabux settlement of Lachin District to allocate 300,000 manats ($176,470) to the Ministry of Science of Education of Azerbaijan from the funds provided in the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022 for the reconstruction and restoration of the territories liberated from occupation. 2. The Ministry of Finance of Azerbaijan is to provide funding in accordance with the distribution provided in part one of this decree. 3. The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan is to resolve issues arising from this decree. 4. This decree comes into force from the date of signing. Head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, speaking about the exchange of prisoners, said that Ukraine will not stop until it returns all Ukrainians from Russian captivity. "The work does not stop there [on the exchange]. And literally from today we continue to work, because there are still many of our people in captivity. We will not stop until we return all our heroes, our citizens who are in captivity today," Yermak said at a briefing in the President's Office. On Monday, September 26, at 12.00, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency's press center will host a discussion entitled "Change in Ukraine's geopolitical position." Participants include Director of the Institute for Global Strategies Vadym Karasiov; political expert Kostiantyn Matviyenko; political scientist and co-founder of the National platform of resilience and cohesion Oleh Saakyan (8/5a Reitarska Street). The broadcast of the press conference will be available on the YouTube channel of the Interfax-Ukraine agency. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot. With the partner's support, the FICT Hub resumes its work in online and offline formats. So it is stated in the video published on the non-governmental organization "Development of IT Education" website. The restart of the Hub resulted from the joint efforts of Ukrainian patrons, IT companies, and the team of the Faculty of Informatics and Computer Technologies of KPI team named after Sikorsky for the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. "During these difficult months that we have experienced, we did not stop with all our efforts to run the Hub and plan its future, the construction of the robotodrome, the development of science and robotics in the country. Together with our partners, we continued to receive all the planned resources: furniture, materials, equipment and much more," said the Deputy Dean of FICT KPI, named after Sikorskyi and coordinator of the FIT Hub Olena Halus. She also added that the work is carried out taking into account the military realities in which our country. Therefore, there is limited safe storage on the territory of the building in case of an air raid. "One of the tasks of the Ministry of Digital Affairs is to turn Ukraine into the largest IT Hub in Europe and become a successful IT nation. We have everything for this, including very talented people. Such projects as the FICT Hub help us continue to develop and prove to the world that Ukrainians are the best," said Diana Rakus, Head of the expert group on investment attraction and Head of education at the Ministry of Digital Transformation. On the premises of the Hub, students, teachers, and representatives of Ukrainian technology companies will start holding various offline and online educational events and lectures in the near future. "As a graduate of FICT KPI, I understand how to ensure that students get practical experience in combination with learning, and as a representative of business - how important it is today to invest in infrastructure for students, for the future of our country," concluded the entrepreneur and philanthropist, co-founder of the NGO "IT Education Development" Anatoly Boyko. The restart of the FICT Hub was supported by numerous top Ukrainian companies, including Netcracker, Genesis, Tolk Group of Companies, DataArt, Infopulse, GlobalLogic, USF, CISCO, EPAM, LeverX and Novikova Agency. Notice: the NGO "IT Education Development" was created in April 2021. The main goal of the organization is the sustainable development of IT education in Ukraine through the creation of the best conditions for the development of high-quality and practical education in Ukraine, an effective model of interaction between teachers, students and business, the implementation of an innovative model for the development of universities and their divisions, as well as reducing the outflow of talented students abroad. General Coordinator of the National Dialogue Diaa Rashwan said Thursday the dialogue is progressing at a steady pace and the sessions of the recently formed political, economic, and social committees and subcommittees are set to kick off officially within a few weeks. Iran is awaiting the release of about $7 billion in funds frozen abroad, state media said Sunday, after it allowed an Iranian-American to leave the country and released his son from detention. 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 Israel's 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 neighbourhoods 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 Israel's 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. Search Keywords: Short link: Israel's prime minister on Monday vowed to begin production at a contested Mediterranean natural gas field "as soon as it is possible,'' threatening to raise tensions with Lebanon's Hezbollah group. Yair Lapid's announcement in a statement from his office came at a sensitive time in long-running efforts by a U.S. mediator to resolve a dispute over the countries' maritime border. U.S. officials have said they are making progress, but need more time to reach a solution. Lapid said it is "both possible and necessary'' to reach an agreement with Lebanon, which he said would benefit both countries and "strengthen regional stability.'' But he said that production from the Karish gas field is not connected to the negotiations and "will commence without delay, as soon as it is possible.'' Israel set up a gas rig at Karish in June, saying the field is part of its U.N.-recognized exclusive economic zone. Lebanon insists Karish is in disputed waters. In July, the Israeli occupation forces shot down three unarmed Hezbollah drones flying over the Karish field. Hezbollah's leader issued a warning to Israel over the maritime dispute, saying that "any arm'' that reaches to steal Lebanon's wealth "will be cut off.'' The heavily armed Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has repeatedly said in the past that it would use its weapons to protect Lebanon's economic rights. Still, Hezbollah officials have said they would endorse a deal reached between Lebanon's government and Israel. The two sides, which have been officially at war since Israel's creation in 1948, both claim some 860 square kilometers (330 square miles) of the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon hopes to unleash offshore oil and gas production as it grapples with the worst economic crisis in its modern history. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: Israeli police said Wednesday they found the body of a Palestinian man suspected of killing an 84-year-old Israeli woman after an overnight manhunt. Police said the body of the man was found in Tel Aviv, hours after he is alleged to have struck and killed the woman in Holon, a suburb just south of the city. Police said earlier they were searching for Musa Sarsour, 28, from the West Bank city of Qalqilya. They were treating the woman's death as an attack with nationalist motives, police said, and hundreds of officers fanned out to comb through the area. District police chief Haim Bublil said Sarsour was found hanged in central Tel Aviv, off a major shopping district, early Wednesday. He said Sarsour had recently been stopped by police but was let go after he showed he had a permit to work legally in Israel, where salaries are much higher than in the occupied West Bank. The 84-year-old woman was found unconscious on the side of a road on Tuesday afternoon and was declared dead. Security camera footage, which captured the attack, showed the woman being struck repeatedly from behind and falling to the ground. Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, who was at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, called the killing a "shocking attack by a despicable and cowardly terrorist". The attack comes as Israel continues nightly arrest raids in the West Bank that were prompted by a spate of deadly violence against Israelis in the spring that killed 19 people. Hundreds of Palestinians have been arrested since and some 90 have been killed, making this year the deadliest for Palestinians since 2016. Many of those killed have been militants, according to Israel, while others have been local youths killed while throwing stones or firebombs at Israeli troops. Some civilians have been killed in the violence, among them a veteran Al Jazeera journalist and a lawyer who inadvertently drove into a battle zone. The raids have driven up tensions between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel says the raids are aimed at dismantling militant networks that threaten its citizens, and that it makes every effort to avoid harming civilians. Palestinians say the incursions are meant to maintain Israel's military rule over territories they want for a future state _ a dream that appears as remote as ever, with no serious peace negotiations held in over a decade. The raids have weakened the rule of the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the West Bank and maintains security ties with Israel, ties which Palestinians say entrenches Israel's military occupation. That animosity against the PA boiled over on Tuesday, when Palestinians in the West Bank city of Nablus clashed with Palestinian security forces after the forces carried out an arrest raid against militants. Israel's occupation of the West Bank is now in its 55th year, with no signs of ending anytime soon. The Palestinians seek all of the West Bank, home to some 500,000 Israeli settlers, as the heartland of a future independent state. Search Keywords: Short link: Iran's president on Wednesday accused the West of hypocrisy in its criticism of Tehran as eight people were reported dead in growing protests over the death of a young woman arrested by morality police. President Ebrahim Raisi struck a defiant tone on a visit to the United Nations, with demonstrators also trailing him on the streets of New York and dissidents filing a human rights lawsuit against the hardline cleric. Public anger has flared in the Islamic republic since authorities on Friday announced the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been held for allegedly wearing a hijab headscarf in an "improper" way. Activists said the woman, whose Kurdish first name is Jhina, had suffered a fatal blow to the head, a claim denied by officials, who have announced an investigation. Some women demonstrators have defiantly taken off their hijabs and burned them in bonfires or symbolically cut their hair before cheering crowds, video footage spread on social media has shown. "No to the headscarf, no to the turban, yes to freedom and equality!" protesters in Tehran were heard chanting in a rally that has been echoed by solidarity protests abroad. Iranian state media reported Wednesday that, in a fifth night of street rallies that had spread to 15 cities, police used tear gas and made arrests to disperse crowds of up to 1,000 people. London-based rights group Article 19 said it was "deeply concerned by reports of the unlawful use of force by Iranian police and security forces," including the use of live ammunition. Demonstrators hurled stones at security forces, set fire to police vehicles and garbage bins and chanted anti-government slogans, the official IRNA news agency said, adding that rallies were held in cities including Mashhad, Tabriz, Isfahan and Shiraz. "Death to the dictator" and "Woman, life, freedom," protesters could be heard shouting in video footage that spread beyond Iran, despite online restrictions reported by internet access monitor Netblocks. At the United Nations, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told AFP that "the Iranian leadership should notice that the people are unhappy with the direction that they have taken." "They could abandon their nuclear weapons aspirations. They could stop the repression of voices within their own country. They could stop their destabilizing activities," he said. "A different path is possible. That is the path that we want Iran to take and that is the path that will see them with a stronger economy, a more happy society and a more active part in the international community." Raisi, addressing the UN General Assembly, pointed to the deaths of Indigenous women in Canada as well as Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories and the Islamic State group's "savagery" against women from religious minority groups. "So long as we have this double standard, where attention is solely focused on one side and not all equally, we will not have true justice and fairness," Raisi said. He also pushed back on Western terms to revive a 2015 nuclear accord, insisting that Iran "is not seeking to build or obtain nuclear weapons and such weapons have no place in our doctrine." But attention has quickly shifted to the protests, which are among the most serious in Iran since November 2019 unrest over fuel price rises. French President Emmanuel Macron said he asked Raisi in a meeting Tuesday to show "respect for women's rights." The wave of protests over Amini's death "is a very significant shock, it is a societal crisis," said Iran expert David Rigoulet-Roze of the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs. "It is difficult to know the outcome but there is a disconnect between the authorities with their DNA of the Islamic revolution of 1979 and an increasingly secularized society," he said. "It is a whole social project that is being called into question. There is a hesitation among the authorities on the way forward with regard to this movement." Protests first erupted Friday in Amini's home province of Kurdistan, where governor Ismail Zarei Koosha said Tuesday three people had been killed in "a plot by the enemy." Kurdistan police commander Ali Azadi on Wednesday announced the death of another person, according to Tasnim news agency. Two more protesters "were killed during the riots" in Kermanshah province, the region's prosecutor Shahram Karami was quoted as saying by Fars news agency, blaming "counter-revolutionary agents." Additionally, Norway-based Kurdish rights group Hengaw said two protesters, aged 16 and 23, had been killed overnight in West Azerbaijan province. An additional 450 people had been wounded and 500 arrested, the group said, figures that could not be independently verified. Video spread online showing security forces opening fire on protesters in the southern city of Shiraz. Search Keywords: Short link: Britain's top diplomat called Wednesday on Iran's leadership to choose "another path" including embrace of a nuclear deal as protests grip the nation after the death of a young woman arrested by "The Iranian leadership should notice that the people are unhappy with the direction that they have taken," Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told AFP at the United Nations. "They could abandon their nuclear weapons aspirations. They could stop the repression of voices within their own country. They could stop their destabilizing activities," he said. "A different path is possible. That is the path that we want Iran to take and that is the path that will see them with a stronger economy, a more happy society and a more active part in the international community." Non-governmental groups say at least eight protesters have been killed in Iran in several days of unrest after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. She died after being arrested by police responsible for enforcing the Islamic republic's strict dress code for women. The unrest comes as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visits New York for the UN General Assembly, where Western leaders are pressing him to accept an EU-brokered revival of a 2015 nuclear deal. But hopes have dimmed as Raisi presses for US President Joe Biden to offer guarantees that a successor will not abandon the pact, as former president Donald Trump did. "Sadly, we have not seen the negotiations progress as quickly as we would have hoped. They have stalled," Cleverly said. "It is in the Iranians' hands now. A very sensible, pragmatic offer is on the table. The Iranians should take the opportunity to move in a better direction," he said. The Biden administration supports a US return to the deal, in which Iran stands to enjoy sanctions relief in return for strict limits on its nuclear program, but says that it cannot guarantee what a future president would do. Search Keywords: Short link: The Regulation on the Central Information System of the Main Department of the State Traffic Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan has been approved. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a relevant decree regarding the matter. According to the British newspaper, The Telegraph, Liz Truss has told her Israeli counterpart she is reviewing moving the British embassy in Tel Aviv to the contested holy city of Jerusalem. The Prime Minister appeared to be following Donald Trump as she discussed the possible move with Yair Lapid during a meeting at the United Nations summit in New York on Wednesday. Britain has long maintained its Israel embassy in Tel Aviv despite Israel designating Jerusalem as its capital. Mr Trump, when US president, sparked controversy by moving the US embassy to Jerusalem in 2017. A Downing Street spokeswoman said Ms Truss informed Mr Lapid "about her review of the current location of the British Embassy in Israel". Lapid tweeted his thanks to the British leader for considering the move. We will continue to strengthen the partnership between the countries, he said. Then the Foreign Secretary, she made the pledge during the Tory leadership contest in a letter to the Conservative Friends of Israel. Ms Truss said she understood the "importance and sensitivity" over its location. Serbia and Kosovo in 2020 opened a rift with the European Union by deciding to set up embassies in Jerusalem. Ms Truss is meeting world leaders for the first time at the summit in the US. On Wednesday, she held talks with Joe Biden, the US President, who told her: "You're our closest ally in the world." A spokesman for the Prime Minister said the pair agreed to end energy dependence on Russia and support Kyiv. "The leaders condemned Putins recent belligerent statements on Ukraine," he said. "They agreed his actions highlight the need for allies to continue their economic and military support to Ukraine. Search Keywords: Short link: "Death to the dictator" and "Woman, life, freedom," protesters could be heard shouting in video footage shared online, during the biggest wave of protests to rock the country in almost three years. Among those killed in clashes have been police and militia officers, state TV reported, while overseas-based human rights groups reported many more deaths, which could not be independently verified. Security forces have fired at crowds with birdshot and metal pellets, and also deployed tear gas and water cannon, according to Amnesty International and other human rights groups. There were fears violence could escalate further after Iranian authorities restricted internet access and blocked messaging apps including WhatsApp and Instagram, as they have done before past crackdowns. Some women have burnt their scarves and symbolically cut their hair in protest at the strict dress code, in defiant actions echoed in solidarity protests abroad from New York to Istanbul. Activists have said that Amini, whose Kurdish first name is Jhina, after her detention in Tehran suffered a fatal blow to the head -- a claim denied by officials, who have announced an investigation. 'I'm frightened' Iranian women on the streets of Tehran told AFP they were now more careful about their dress to avoid run-ins with the morality police. "I'm frightened," said the nurse Nazanin, 23, who asked to be identified by her first name only for safety reasons, adding that she believed the morality police "shouldn't confront people at all". US President Joe Biden in an address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday said that "we stand with the brave citizens and the brave women of Iran who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights". Iran's ultra-conservative President Ebrahim Raisi, speaking later in the same forum, complained of a "double standard" and pointed to Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories and the deaths of indigenous women in Canada. The protests come at a particularly sensitive time for the leadership, as the Iranian economy remains mired in a crisis largely caused by international sanctions over its nuclear programme. Unprecedented images have shown protesters defacing or burning images of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and late Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani. The wave of unrest "is a very significant shock, it is a societal crisis," said Iran expert David Rigoulet-Roze of the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs. Internet curbed The protests are among the most serious in Iran since November 2019 unrest sparked by a sharp rise in petrol prices. The crackdown then killed hundreds, according to Amnesty. Demonstrators have hurled stones at security forces, set fire to police vehicles and garbage bins, and chanted anti-government slogans, the official IRNA news agency said. On Thursday, Iranian media said three militiamen "mobilised to deal with rioters" were stabbed or shot dead in northwestern Tabriz, central Qazvin and northeastern Mashhad. UN human rights experts condemned the "use of physical violence against women" and the "state-mandated internet disruptions" which they said were usually part of larger efforts "to stifle... free expression... and to curtail ongoing protests", Iran's Fars news agency reported that "in accordance with a decision by officials, it has no longer been possible to access Instagram in Iran since (Wednesday) evening and access to WhatsApp is also disrupted". The two apps were the most widely used in Iran after the blocking of other platforms in recent years, including Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, YouTube and Tiktok. President Vladimir Putin's ally Viktor Medvedchuk and 55 servicemen were handed over to Russia in a record-high prisoner swap with Kyiv, a leader of Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine confirmed Thursday. "Fifty-six people were released, 55 of them servicemen... Viktor Medvedchuk was also released from captivity," Denis Pushilin told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency, referring to the former Ukrainian lawmaker, who was accused of high treason. Medvedchuk, 68, is one of Ukraine's richest people and says Putin is the godfather to his youngest daughter. He was captured by Ukraine's special forces in mid-April after escaping from house arrest. Russia's defence ministry said earlier that the released servicemen have been transported to Russia and "are in medical institutions of Russia's defence ministry". It claimed in a statement that the released prisoners were "in mortal danger" while in captivity. It did not mention the whereabouts of Medvedchuk. The defence ministry released a video of what it said were the freed servicemen, showing men in military uniform disembarking a plane during the night. Following the exchange announced on Wednesday, Ukraine received 215 people, including fighters who led the defence of Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks that became an icon of Ukrainian resistance. "We were ready to accept such a price, we gave away 215 people, including some of them... war criminals," Pushilin said, likely referring to fighters of the Azov regiment, a former volunteer battalion that was incorporated into Ukraine's army. Azov fighters are hate figures for Russia's state media and officials, who demonise them as "neo-Nazis" and have called to put them on trial. "But the task was to return our guys as soon as possible," Pushilin added. Also in the statement, the defence ministry's daily briefing, Moscow accused Kyiv of "provocations" at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine "aimed at creating a threat of a man-made disaster". It said that over the past 24 hours, Ukraine repeatedly shelled the nearby city of Energodar and the territory near the plant, Europe's largest nuclear facility, adding that radiation levels were "normal". The plant has been a hot spot for concerns of a nuclear incident after tit-for-tat claims of attacks there. Search Keywords: Short link: Guinea's ruling military junta on Thursday accused the president of the West African regional bloc ECOWAS of "lies" over his call for sanctions on Conakry if it seeks a three-year transition back to civilian rule. "Crude lies and intimidation are backward steps that dishonour (Economic Community of West African States chief Umaro Sissoco Embalo) and at the same time tarnish ECOWAS' image," Colonel Amara Camara, a senior junta figure, told AFP. At the end of July, Embalo said he had convinced Guinea's junta to hasten the return to democracy. Three years in power before a return to civilian rule is "unacceptable for ECOWAS," Embalo, who is also president of Guinea-Bissau, said Wednesday. "Unacceptable and non-negotiable," he added, in an interview with France's RFI and France 24 broadcasters, a day before an ECOWAS summit on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The poor but mineral-rich nation has been ruled by the military since a coup in September 2021 that ousted president Alpha Conde, in power since 2010. Embalo said in the interview that if the junta maintained that timetable, there would be sanctions -- "heavy sanctions, even". The West Africa bloc has been struggling with a string of military coups in the region in the past two years. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts port of Adabiya in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) received a shipment from Italy of 42 turbine blades for the Ras Ghareb wind farm, according to a cabinet statement on Thursday. The delivery is part of the electricity ministrys strategy to boost Egypts use of renewable energy in light of the countrys hosting of the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh this November, the statement said. A number of wind turbines will also arrive over the coming days, the statement added. In July, the US-based Global Energy Monitor (GEM) said that Egypt is first among Arab countries when it comes to combined utility-scale solar and wind generation with 3.5 GW in total, according to the Egyptian Cabinet. The UAE comes second among Arab states with 2.6 GW, followed by Morocco and Jordan with 1.9 GW and 1.7 GW, respectively. Egypt plans to add an extra 3.3 GW of utility-scale wind and solar power projects, raising its national combined capacity to 6.8 GW by 2024, according to the non-governmental organisation. The country is also first among Arab countries in terms of wind power alone, with its wind farms generating 1.6 GW of electricity. Since 2014, the Egyptian government has been working to expand renewable energy sources to ensure energy security, and has partnered with development banks to attract private investments in the renewable energy sector. Under its Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy (ISES), Egypt aims to increase the supply of electricity generated from renewable sources to 42 percent by 2035. Egypt has implemented multiple renewable energy projects over the past decade, including the Benban Solar Park in Upper Egypt's Aswan. Being the largest in Africa and one of the largest worldwide, Benban Solar Park houses more than 32 solar energy projects from photovoltaic cells with a total capacity of about 1,465 megawatts. Egypts New Administrative Capital (NAC) is also set to launch an international tender to install photovoltaic solar cells on the rooftops of some of its residential buildings to generate electricity with an estimated capacity of 130 megawatts. Search Keywords: Short link: On the occasion of celebrating the 77th anniversary of the independence of Indonesia, its ambassador to Egypt pointed out that Egypt was the first Arab country to recognise the independence of his country in 1945. The embassy of Indonesia in Cairo celebrated on Wednesday the 77th anniversary of the countrys independence and the 75th anniversary of Egyptian-Indonesian bilateral relations with religious chants by Indonesian students in Al-Azhar University, and by Egyptian students at the Indonesian Cultural Centre, as well as with fashion and food shows. The celebration was attended by Ambassador Ayman Kamel, assistant foreign minister for Asia and the Pacific Islands, and members of the diplomatic and consular corps. In his inaugural speech, Ambassador of Indonesia to Egypt Lutfi Rauf remarked that Egypt was the first Arab country, that recognised Indonesias independence in 1945. Both countries established their diplomatic relations through the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cordiality in 1947. On behalf of the government and the people of Indonesia, I would like to express our sincere appreciation, to the Egyptian government, media, businessmen, academics, members of parliament, as well as diplomatic corps for their support and contribution on our common endeavor, Ambassador Rauf said. He added throughout 75 years, bilateral relations between Indonesia and Egypt have been developed in many areas of cooperation such as political, economic and socio-cultural. Egypt and Indonesia are blessed with strong cordial relations, historically and culturally, which we also celebrate tonight. Let us continue to work together to further deepen, strengthen and expand our friendship and cooperation in the next 75 years and beyond, he said. The year 2022 is more special to Egypt and Indonesia, not only from a bilateral standpoint, but also within a multilateral context. Amid the unprecedented global uncertainty due to the lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the food, energy and financial crisis, Egypt, as president of COP27, is hosting world leaders' meeting on climate change in Sharm El-Sheikh. Meanwhile, Indonesia is hosting G20 leaders meeting in Bali in which the issue of climate change also become one of the important agenda, Rauf affirmed. Our firm believes that these two events will address the challenges that our world is currently confronting... Let us hope that through these two important summits, all the commitments of the parties concerned on climate changes will contribute to our common endeavours in keeping our world a better place to live, especially for our future generations, he concluded. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt believes the Russia-Ukraine crisis should be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic channels to reach a political settlement, foreign minister Sameh Shoukry told his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov during a meeting on Wednesday. Shoukry highlighted the negative repercussions of the crisis on the international economy, especially the impact of energy and food crises on developing countries, including Egypt, said the spokesman of the foreign ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid. The war that started on 24 February has caused a disruption in supply chains leading to a surge in the prices of commodities and petroleum products worldwide. The meeting with Lavrov was held on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly and tackled the latest developments of the Ukrainian crisis and a number of issues of mutual concern. Shoukry and Lavrov discussed means to boost Egyptian-Russian ties to serve the interests of both countries, Abu Zeid added. They also touched upon regional issues, including the latest developments in Libya, Syria, Iraq, and Palestine, stressing the need to bring about stability in the Middle East. Search Keywords: Short link: The protocol was signed by Ahmed Manaa, secretary-general of Egypt's House of Representatives, and Gyorgy Such, director general of Hungary's General Assembly, according to a statement. "The protocol comes within the framework of the growing political and economic relations between Egypt and Hungary," said the statement, adding that "the protocol aims to reinforce parliamentary relations between Cairo and Budapest in the form of exchanging parliamentary expertise in legislative and supervisory fields and coordinating positions between Egypt's House of Representatives and Hungary's General Assembly on international issues of mutual concern." The statement also indicated that the protocol aims to raise the political, diplomatic and parliamentary capabilities of MPs and the secretariat-generals in both parliaments. The political and economic relations between Egypt and Hungary have largely developed over the last few years. Hungary was among the first countries which welcomed the anti-Muslim Brotherhood revolution in Egypt in 2013 while Hungary's Prime Minister Victor Orban was the among first of world leaders to welcome the election of President El-Sisi in 2014. The statement said the historical relations between Cairo and Budapest take the form of exchanging visits among high-ranking state official in the two countries and reflects the keenness to push these relations to higher horizons. While El-Sisi visited the capital of Hungary Budapest twice in July 2017 and October 2021 to participate in the Visegrad Group summit and address issues of terrorism and illegal migration, Orban visited Egypt in June 2016 to discuss boosting political and economic relations with Cairo. The statement also noted that Speaker of Egypt's House of Representatives Hanafy El-Gebaly visited Budapest in November 2021 where he announced that Egypt and Hungary had decided to set up a parliamentary friendship association as an effective channel for fostering parliamentary cooperation and coordination between the two countries on issues of mutual concern in all regional and international forums and in a way that reflects the growing political and economic relations between them. Search Keywords: Short link: UN-backed investigators said Thursday they have turned up evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity by Ethiopian government forces, Tigray forces and Eritrea's military _ including rape, murder and pillage _ over the nearly two-year war centering on Ethiopia's northern Tigray region. The Commission of Inquiry on Ethiopia, which is working under a mandate from the U.N.'s Human Rights Council, attributed a litany of war crimes on all sides, but said the government forces of Ethiopia had also resorted to "starvation of civilians'' as a tool of war. It also said both Ethiopian and Eritrean forces were found to be responsible for "sexual slavery'' _ while Tigray forces were not. After a cease-fire ended last month "the fighting seems to be escalating, and we have received credible information that there is an escalation in drone attacks which are employing explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas,'' said commission chair Kaari Betty Murungi. "The consequences of this new renewed war has potential to affect not just the stability of Ethiopia, but of the entire Horn of Africa region,'' she told reporters. Murungi was presenting details of an initial report based on interviews with 185 survivors, witnesses and others, as well as other sources. The team was not granted access to Ethiopia. The findings, in a recent report, shed new light on widely-chronicled moves by the federal government to deny access to basic services including telecommunications, banking and access to humanitarian aid to the population of Tigray during the fighting. "We also made findings relating to very - really barbaric - attacks by use of rape and other acts of sexual violence that was committed by parties to the conflict that include (Ethiopia's military forces), but also to the Tigray forces," Murungi said. The report cited "reasonable grounds to believe'' that the Ethiopian government had committed the crimes against humanity of murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, and that both it and allied regional state governments continue to commit crimes against humanity on ethnic grounds and "other inhumane acts'' designed to cause suffering or injury. The Ethiopian government has rejected the report, Murungi said, because it believed the team exceeded its mandate. Eritrean forces fought on the side of Ethiopian federal troops in Tigray when war started in November 2020, and have been implicated in some of the worst atrocities committed in the conflict _ charges they deny. On Wednesday, Tigrayan authorities said Eritrea has launched a full-scale offensive along its border with northern Ethiopia, in an apparent escalation of fighting. Tens of thousands of people are believed to have been killed and millions displaced in Ethiopia's Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions. Search Keywords: Short link: By Trend Some restrictions on the internet may be imposed in Iran by security services due to recent incidents in the country, Iranian Minister of Information and Communications Technology Isa Zarepour told reporters, Trend reports referring to ISNA. According to Zarepour, such decisions may be made by the security services in some cases. So far, no steps have been taken to slow down the Internet speed in Iran. The bandwidth of the country is provided at the appropriate level by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology of Iran, the minister said. As of September 19, a number of protests have been held in several cities of Iran. The protests were prompted by the murder of 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini by Tehran's morality police. As previously reported, the girl was beaten while in custody for allegedly violating strict hijab rules. Hijab was made mandatory for women in Iran shortly after the countrys 1979 revolution. Women who break the strict dress code risk being arrested by Irans morality police. Based on the dress code, women are required to fully cover their hair in public and wear long, loose-fitting clothes. Hamas threatened 'repercussions' over Jewish visits to Jerusalem's super-sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound, in a warning issued Thursday, days before the start of the Jewish high holidays when visitor numbers increase. The mosque compound in the Old City of Israel-annexed east Jerusalem has been the focus of tensions for years, but Palestinians have voiced increasing anger at the rising number of visits by Jews, who revere the compound as their holiest site, the Temple Mount. The Al-Aqsa compound is Islam's third holiest site and is managed by Jordan. Mahmud Zahar, a senior member of Hamas, warned that "the continuation of the Zionist aggression and their brutality against Jerusalem and the holy shrines will be the cause of a major battle." Speaking in a rare press conference in Gaza's Omari mosque, Zahar alluded to Palestinian concerns that a longstanding convention by which Jews may visit but not pray in Al-Aqsa compound, Islam's third holiest site, was being covertly flouted. He said Israel would be held "fully responsible for the repercussions of these violations." Beyadenu, a group that encourages Jews to visit the compound, said it was committed to increasing such visits. "We broke the 50,000 visitor barrier on the Temple Mount" this past year, Beyadenu said ahead of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana. Tom Nissani, the group's chief executive said: "the goal is 100,000 visitors next (Jewish) year", which begins on Sunday night. Israeli far-right lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has led multiple actions in Jerusalem in the past designed to provoke Palestinians, tweeted Thursday that he "went up to the Temple Mount this morning to pray and exercise sovereignty in the holiest place for the people of Israel." Thousands of Jews -- Israelis and tourists -- are expected to visit Jerusalem's Old City during the high holidays, which run into mid-October. Since 2003, the Israeli occupation authorities have allowed settlers into the compound on an almost daily basis, with the exclusion of Friday, the Muslim day of rest and worship. The Islamic Waqf, the Jordanian authority in charge of the holy sites in Jerusalem, has repeatedly described the settlers' presence in Al-Aqsa Mosque as "provocative", saying that Palestinian worshippers and guards at Al-Aqsa feel uncomfortable with the presence of Israeli police and settlers touring the Islamic holy site. Israel annexed East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa Mosque is located, in 1967 in a move that has not been recognised by the international community. Search Keywords: Short link: Women setting their headscarves ablaze and chanting anti-regime slogans. Pictures of the leadership defaced and burned. Vehicles belonging to the security forces set on fire. The images of the protests in Iran are indicative of the taboo-breaking nature of a movement that erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, following her arrest by the notorious morality police. A country where street dissent is tightly controlled, Iran has seen bursts of protest in recent years, notably the 2009 "Green Movement" that followed disputed elections, protests in November 2019 over fuel price rises and rallies this year over the cost of living. But analysts say that these protests present a new challenge to the Islamic system under supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 83, as they are now taking place nationwide, have support across social classes as well as ethnic groups and were instigated by women. Amini, also known by her Kurdish first name of Jhina, was visiting Tehran with her family last week when she was arrested for purportedly violating Iran's strict dress code rules for women, in place since shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. She fell into a coma hours after her arrest and died in hospital on September 16. Activists contend she was ill-treated in detention and could have suffered a blow to the head. While this is not confirmed by the authorities, the anger fuelled the protests that started from her funeral last Saturday. "These are the biggest protests since November 2019," said Ali Fathollah-Nejad, Iran expert at the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut. "While the last two nationwide uprisings were led by the lower classes and were triggered by socio-economic degradation, this time the trigger was socio-cultural and political, comparable to the 2009 Green Movement," he told AFP. 'Outrage shared' The 2009 movement had been driven by demands by the middle class for fair elections and the 2019 protests by the anger of the lower classes, he said. "Current conditions in Iran suggest that there may be a tendency toward unifying both groups. The outrage over Amini's death is shared by both the middle and lower classes," said Fathollah-Nejad. The protests also come at a particularly sensitive time for the leadership, when the Iranian economy remains mired in a crisis largely caused by international sanctions over its nuclear programme. Despite repeated warnings from Europe that time is running out, there is also no indication that the sides are on the verge of agreeing a deal to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear accord (JCPOA) that would see sanctions eased. The protests have featured chants of "death to the dictator" as well as other anti-regime slogans and the emergence of a new rallying cry, "Zan, zendegi, azadi" ("Woman, life, freedom"). Unprecedented images have shown protesters defacing or burning images of Khamenei or, on one occasion, setting fire to a giant image of Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani, who is presented by the authorities as a near mythical figure after his 2020 killing by the United States in Iraq. Protesters have also been seen directly resisting security forces, with women refusing to put their headscarves back on in front of the police and vehicles belonging to the security forces torched. At least 31 civilians have been killed in the protests, according to the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights NGO. Activists fear authorities will resort to the repression that, according Amnesty International, saw at least 321 people killed by the security forces in November 2019. Saeid Golkar, senior fellow at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, described the protests as a "turning point" and predicted that moral policing -- "an ideological cornerstone of the Islamic republic" -- would be weaker in future. "This cannot be solved until the regime implements a series of reforms. Since the Islamic republic is both an ideological regime, inefficient and corrupt, it cannot solve its own created problems," he told AFP. "Even if the regime can successfully suppress these protests by brutal force, the situation will be very different from the past." 'Even higher level of violence' The authorities appear to have resorted to the familiar tactic of restricting access to the internet in a bid to prevent images being shared, activists say. The Netblocks monitor said access to Instagram -- the only major social network which is not blocked in Iran -- was severely restricted from Wednesday. The Iranian authorities' responses "are manifest reflections of the deepening crisis of impunity in the country and the state's policy of resorting to even higher levels of violence to quell criticisms and protests", said Saloua Ghazouani from freedom of expression group Article 19. The protests have extended well beyond the Kurdistan province from where Amini originated to become a nationwide movement -- extending to Tehran, the Caspian provinces in the north, the historic cities of Isfahan and Shiraz and even the tourist hub of Kish island in the Gulf. "I think there will be a hardening of the regime and that it will also push them to show no flexibility on the JCPOA," said a European diplomatic source, asking not to be named. "These demonstrations are likely to put in question the survival of the regime. In November 2019 they did not hesitate to shoot. I do not see why they would hesitate this year," added the source. Search Keywords: Short link: The UK government on Thursday lifted England's moratorium on fracking, a controversial method to dig for fossil fuels, to boost energy output after key supplier Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Prime Minister Liz Truss had flagged the move two weeks ago, shortly after taking office, in a vast energy package tackling fallout from Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. "To bolster the UK's energy security, the UK government has today lifted the moratorium on shale gas production in England," the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said in a statement. And it confirmed support for a new oil and gas licensing round next month for 100 new licences. Britain had in 2019 called a halt to fracking -- or hydraulic fracturing which is used to release hydrocarbons locked deep underground -- due to fears it could trigger earthquakes. "In light of Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine and weaponisation of energy, strengthening our energy security is an absolute priority," added business and energy secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg. "As the Prime Minister said, we are going to ensure the UK is a net energy exporter by 2040. "To get there we will need to explore all avenues available to us through solar, wind, oil and gas production -- so it's right that we've lifted the pause to realise any potential sources of domestic gas." The BEIS added that future fracking applications will be considered "where there is local support". Fracking is carried out by blasting a mixture of water, sand and chemicals underground to release shale oil and gas. However, environmentalists argue that the process contaminates water supplies, hurts wildlife, causes earthquakes and contributes to global climate change. The BEIS added Thursday that developers will need licences, permissions and consents in place, including regulatory approvals, before they can commence operations. And it also published the British Geological Survey's scientific review into shale gas extraction, which was commissioned earlier this year. "The review recognised that we have limited current understanding of UK geology and onshore shale resources, and the challenges of modelling geological activity in relatively complex geology sometimes found in UK shale locations," the statement noted. The government argued that this limited understanding should be a reason to drill more wells to gather more evidence and data. Search Keywords: Short link: Moscow began its mandatory troop call-up Thursday to try to bolster a stumbling war effort in Ukraine, with authorities saying thousands had volunteered even as Russian men fled the country to avoid being forced to fight. Amateur footage posted on social media since President Vladimir Putin ordered the mobilisation of reservists on Wednesday purported to show hundreds of Russian citizens across the country responding to military summons. The call-up came as Moscow-held regions of Ukraine are to vote in coming days on whether to become part of Russia in referendums that have been called an unlawful land grab by Kyiv and its allies. Moscow took these steps after Ukrainian forces seized back most of the northeastern Kharkiv region, which has been seen as a possible turning point in the seven-month war that had fallen into stalemate. The Russian military said Thursday that at least 10,000 people had volunteered to fight in 24 hours since the order, but men also rushed to leave Russia before they were made to join. "I don't want to go to the war," a man named Dmitri, who had flown to Armenia with just one small bag, told AFP. "I don't want to die in this senseless war. This is a fratricidal war." Annexation 'vote' Military-aged men made up the majority of those arriving off the latest flight from Moscow at the Armenian airport and many were reluctant to speak. Yerevan has become a major destination for Russians fleeing since war began on February 24, drawing fierce international opposition that has aimed to isolate Russia. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday demanded Putin be held to account as he faced Russia in a Security Council session in which the United Nations catalogued abuses in Ukraine. "We cannot -- we will not -- let President Putin get away with it," Blinken told the Security Council in a special session as leaders met at the United Nations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov -- whom Blinken has refused to meet individually since the February invasion -- lashed out at Western accusations. "There's an attempt today to impose on us a completely different narrative about Russian aggression as the origin of this tragedy," Lavrov told the Security Council. The confrontation on the diplomatic stage escalated as Kremlin-installed officials in Ukrainian regions controlled by Moscow's forces vowed on Thursday to press ahead with annexation polls this week. Four Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine -- Donetsk and Lugansk in the east and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the south -- announced that they would hold the votes over five days, beginning on Friday. Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-installed head of Kherson, which fell early into the Russian invasion, said the referendum would go ahead in his region regardless of the criticism. "The date has been set. We have the green light. Voting begins tomorrow and nothing can prevent this," he told Russian state-run media. "People have been waiting and they're demanding that this vote is held soon," he added. Western leaders convening in New York this week unanimously condemned the ballots. Speaking at the United Nations, US President Joe Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of "shamelessly" violating the UN Charter with a war aimed at "extinguishing Ukraine's right to exist as a state". 'Anyone would want to leave' The integration of the war-scarred regions into Russia would represent a major escalation of the conflict, as Moscow could then try to say it was defending its own territory from Ukrainian forces. After the votes were announced by his proxy officials in Ukraine, Putin announced that Russia would call up some 300,000 reservists to bolster the war effort and cautioned that Moscow would use "all means" to protect its territory. Former Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev said in a statement on social media that those means included "strategic nuclear weapons". He predicted the voting regions "will integrate into Russia". For most observers, the results of the concurrent votes are already a foregone conclusion and were rushed because Ukrainian forces were making sweeping gains in a counter-offensive to recapture the east. The referendums are reminiscent of a similar ballot in 2014 that saw the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine annexed by Russia. Western capitals said the vote was fraudulent and hit Moscow with sanctions in response. Election officials in the Donetsk region, which has been partially controlled since 2014 by Moscow-backed separatists, said that voting would take place door-to-door for the first days. But it would only be possible in polling stations on the final day, Tuesday. Putin's move this week to call up reservists for Ukraine sparked small protests across Russia, resulting in more than 1,300 people being detained. Flights out of Russia to neighbouring countries, mainly former Soviet republics that allow Russians visa-free entry, are nearly entirely booked and prices have skyrocketed, pointing to an exodus of Russians wanting to avoid going to war. Looking lost and exhausted in the arrivals hall of the airport in the capital of Armenia, 44-year-old Sergei said he had fled Russia to escape being called up. "The situation in Russia would make anyone want to leave," he told AFP on condition of anonymity. Search Keywords: Short link: According to the MoU, the pilot project will begin with about 20 train drivers and five instructors on 1 October, the ministerial statement said. According to the cooperation agreement, the DB will train drivers in Egypt and Germany according to German standards for 18 months. Afterwards, DB will permanently employ the drivers as Germany suffers from a lack of skilled labour. The ENR also intends to provide the German railways company with train drivers who meet the necessary requirements. In addition, DB will train Egyptian train driving instructors for a period of nine months in Egypt and Germany according to German standards and methodologies, including work culture. In August, Egypts Ministry of Transport signed a preliminary agreement with DB and the Egyptian private-sector company El-Sewedi Electric on the management and operation of the country's first high-speed electric train network. The agreement defines the basic terms for the management and operation of the three-line, high-speed electric train network in Egypt that covers 2,000 kilometres, according to a statement from the transport ministry. The step comes in preparation for signing a final contract to hand over the management and operation of the network to the German company for a period of 15 years, extendable for another 15 years, the statement read. The agreement guarantees the transfer of expertise, including training of Egyptian engineers and technicians, according to El-Wazir at the time. Both agreements are part of Egypts plan to cooperate with the private sector and capitalise on international companies' know-how in the field of management and operation of modern transport projects. DB operates 34,000 kilometres of railways in Germany. It also operates railways in the US, the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Canada, Uruguay, India and the UAE. As part of a cultural cooperation agreement signed between Egypt and Albania last year, the Albanian capital is launching Egyptian Cultural Week. The Cultural Week in Tirana will run from 19 to 25 September 2022. A large number of Egyptian artists will showcase their work in a rich week of activities including music, dance, visual art, lectures, workshops, seminars, and film screenings. The opening day (19 September) will present a concert by artists from the Cairo Opera House with an orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui and featuring soprano Amira Selim, on the stage of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tiran. The performance will include a segment by the dancers from the Cairo Opera Ballet Company. The cinema segment of the Culture Week will showcase The Blue Elephant, a 2014 film directed by Marwan Hamed (20 and 22 September), the 2009 romantic drama Cairo Time directed by Ruba Nadda (21 September), and action film Diamond Dust by Marwan Hamed (24 September). The exhibition Description of Egypt will launch on 20 September at the National Library of Albania and continue throughout the Weeks days. The programme includes lectures and seminars. Ahmed Ghobashi will talk about Egyptology on 21 September and the Egyptian representations of Mediterranean culture on 22 and 23 September, while novelist Ahmed Mourad will discuss Egyptian literature on 21 September. Egyptian visual artist Ahmed El Shaer will give a workshop presenting contemporary art on 23 and 24 September with a focus on murals in a discussion held on the Culture Weeks final day (25 September). The closing day will also feature a folk performance by the Egyptian dancers presenting the show at Skenderbej Square, a public square in the centre of Tirana. The events will span across numerous venues in Tirana, targeting a large variety of audiences. The venues include the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet, the Gjirokaster Castle, the National Gallery of Arts, Tirana University, the National Centre for Family Culture (Qendra Kombetare e kultures per familie), the Institute of Education, Heritage and Tourism, the Centre for Openness and Dialogue, the Ardian Klosi School, Skenderbej Square, and local cinemas. Egyptian Culture Week is part of the cultural cooperation between two countries, based on an agreement signed between the Egyptian and Albanian prime ministers in October 2021. The agreement comprised three cultural cooperation documents: an executive programme for cooperation between the Egyptian and the Albanian culture ministries, a protocol for cooperation between the General Egyptian Book Organisation and the Albanian Ministry of Culture, and a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of museums between the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt and the National History Museum in Albania. Search Keywords: Short link: The European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Monday recommended a COVID-19 booster designed to combat the currently circulating Omicron BA.4/5 subvariants, days after endorsing a pair of boosters tailored to target the older BA.1 Omicron variant. The latest recommendation is for a so-called bivalent vaccine developed by Pfizer PFE.N and BioNTech 22UAy.DE, which targets BA.4/5 as well as the strain of the virus that originally emerged in China in December 2019 targeted by earlier COVID vaccines. The EMA recommendation is to authorize the retooled booster shots for people aged 12 and above who have received at least primary vaccination against COVID. The final go-ahead will be subject to European Commission approval, which is expected to come shortly. If authorized, the BA.4/5-tailored booster will be available in days to all 27 EU member states, Pfizer said in a statement on Monday. While existing coronavirus vaccines provide good protection against hospitalization and death, their effectiveness, particularly against infection, was reduced as the virus evolved. Earlier this month, the EMA endorsed both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna's MRNA.O vaccines updated for BA.1. Borrell said the international community cannot accept such a threat, and that leaders at the UN this week must react. As for the European Union, he said the bloc will not be intimidated and will continue its military and economic support to Kyiv. Borrell said the bloc would also consider new sanctions on Russia, especially if it goes ahead with planned referenda in occupied parts of Ukraine. After Putin spoke, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he is calling an urgent meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers Wednesday night in New York, following what he characterized as a "major escalation" by the Russian leader. "By the threat of using nuclear weapons, he is trying to intimidate Ukraine and all countries that support Ukraine," Borrell told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. "But he will fail. He has failed, and he will fail again." Putin said the West is trying to weaken and destroy Russia, and that his country will "use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people." "In its aggressive anti-Russian policy, the West has crossed every line," he said. "This is not a bluff. And those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the weathervane can turn and point towards them." Putin said in a televised address the mobilization is necessary to protect Russia's homeland and sovereignty. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the military would be calling up 300,000 reservists. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday the partial mobilization of his country's military reserves in a move that follows Ukrainian gains in a counteroffensive in northeastern Ukraine. European Council President Charles Michel tweeted that Putin made his announcement about troop mobilization as countries gathered for the UN General Assembly to "work for cooperation, security and prosperity." "In this war, there is only one aggressor, Russia, and one aggressed country, Ukraine," Michel said. "EU's support to Ukraine will remain steadfast." British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in a statement that Putin and Shoigu "have sent tens of thousands of their own citizens to their deaths, ill equipped and badly led." "No amount of threats and propaganda can hide the fact that Ukraine is winning this war. The international community are united, and Russia is becoming a global pariah," Wallace said. Putin also reiterated Russia's goal in its now seven-month-old invasion of Ukraine is to "liberate" Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, saying the people there do not want to be part of Ukraine. The separatist leaders of the Moscow-controlled parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions in the Donbas said Tuesday they are planning to hold votes starting Friday for the territories to declare themselves as part of Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed what he called "Russia's attempts to stage new sham referenda." "The situation on the front line clearly indicates that the initiative belongs to Ukraine," Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Tuesday. "Our positions do not change because of the noise or any announcements somewhere. And we enjoy the full support of our partners in this." Referendum voting in the region, populated by many Russian-speaking people, would most likely go in Moscow's favor. But any declaration that the territory is part of Russia would not be recognized by either Ukraine or by the United States and its Western allies who have supplied the Kyiv government with billions of dollars in armaments to fend off Moscow's seven-month invasion. The White House on Tuesday immediately rejected Russia's plans for the referendums, saying they may be an effort by Moscow to recruit troops in the region in the wake of its recent defeats on the battlefront. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the referendums violate the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, since the lands in question are part of Ukraine. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said, "Sham referendums have no legitimacy and do not change the nature of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine." "This is a further escalation in Putin's war," he added. "The international community must condemn this blatant violation of international law and step up support for Ukraine." If Russia were to claim the Luhansk and Donetsk provinces as its own, it could set the stage for an escalation in the fighting if Ukrainian forces try to take them back. Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed Russia-backed Donetsk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine, said the "long-suffering people of the Donbas have earned the right to be part of the great country that they always considered their motherland." He said the vote will help "restore historic justice that millions of the Russian people were waiting for." Since early September, Kyiv's forces have swiftly recaptured large swaths of land in the Kharkiv region of northeast Ukraine that Russian troops took over in the early weeks of the war. The Russian-occupied Kherson region of southern Ukraine and the partly occupied Zaporizhzhia region are also voting on becoming part of Russia. President Joe Biden sat down with his British counterpart for the first time Wednesday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, calling Britain "our closest ally in the world" and resolving to work together on issues from dealing with the conflict in Ukraine to maintaining peace in Northern Ireland as Britain exits the European Union. Biden and Prime Minister Liz Truss chose to meet in New York, rather than in London, where Biden was just days earlier for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Both began their brief public comments by mentioning the queen, who reigned for 70 years. "She was the rock on which modern Britain was built," Truss said, after thanking Biden and first lady Jill Biden for attending the queen's funeral on Monday. "There's no issues I can think of global consequence where the United States and United Kingdom are not working in cooperation," Biden said ahead of the meeting between top U.S. and British officials. "And I expect that we'll be able to continue to be able to do that. And we have a full agenda today from supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia, and Putin's challenges, as well as China, and as posed by preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as well. There's a lot on the agenda." Truss also said her nation would boost defense spending to meet the challenges posed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "We face huge challenges as autocracies seek to cement and increase their assertiveness around the world," she said. "And that is why we're stepping up in terms of our defense spending, we're going to be moving to 3 percent of GDP on defense spending. And that's why we want to work more closely with the United States, especially on energy security, on our economic security, but also in reaching out to fellow democracies around the world to make sure that democracies prevail, and we protect the freedom and future of our citizens." The high-risk groups are children between six months and 13 years, pregnant women and the over-65s. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Wednesday, free flu shots will be given to groups who are at a high risk of becoming seriously ill or developing health complications if they catch flu. They can go to any designated clinic, hospital or public health center across the country regardless of their home address. Free flu shots to children, pregnant women and the elderly have begun as health authorities issued a flu alert for the first time in three years. They will be vaccinated in batches. Children aged between six months and nine years who are getting the flu vaccine for the first time in their life will get their jabs in September. They are given priority because they should get two doses at a one-month interval. Children aged 9-13 and pregnant women are next between Oct. 5 and April 30 next year, followed by the elderly until Dec. 31, with priority given to the over-75s. Elderly people can get a COVID jab and flu shot the same day. "There's no danger in the simultaneous administration of vaccines according to recommended procedures and the outcome of monitoring adverse vaccine reactions here and abroad," said Kwon Geun-yong of the KDCA. "It's possible to get each vaccine in each arm the same day." The KDCA issued a seasonal flu alert for the entire country on Sept. 16 as suspected cases reached 5.1 per 1,000 population on Sept. 4-10. The government is encouraging people to get flu shots to prevent a COVID-flu "twindemic." By Trend Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday met for the first time in more than a decade with an Israeli prime minister, with Yair Lapid seeking his help on citizens held by Palestinian militants Hamas, Trend reports citing Al Arabiya. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, a month after the countries announced the restoration of diplomatic ties following years of tensions. Turkiye in 1949 became the first Muslim-majority nation to recognize Israel. Samsung plans to join the race to acquire British semiconductor and software design company ARM. Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong, asked by reporters if he had met ARM top management during a recent overseas trip, said no, but Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son "will come to Seoul next month. I think he's going to make a proposal, but I don't know what." Softbank is the parent company of ARM, so Lee's remarks suggest that Samsung is at least interested. Softbank tried to sell ARM to Nvidia in 2020 but failed due to monopoly concerns. The price mentioned at the time was US$40 billion. Samsung's acquisition of ARM could also trigger monopoly concerns, which raises the prospect of joint acquisition with a partner. Meanwhile, there is speculation that Lee will finally assume the official title of Samsung chairman on Nov. 1, which is the conglomerate's founding day. Lee only holds the title of vice chairman while the chairmanship remains vacant since his father Lee Kun-hee's death. But Lee said it is "more important to ensure that the company is operating properly." KYODO NEWS - Sep 22, 2022 - 17:43 | All, Coronavirus, Japan Japan will ask foreign guests attending the state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe next week to wear protective face masks to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, the top government spokesman said Thursday. "We will call for foreign dignitaries and other attendees to wear face masks and take infection prevention measures, such as preparing disinfectant, on the day of the state funeral," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a press conference. The request marks a sharp contrast with Monday's state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II in London, at which attendees, including Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, took part without wearing face masks. While the number of new COVID-19 cases has been declining in Japan, the government has still urged the public to wear face masks inside buildings and other facilities. The government, meanwhile, said Thursday around 4,300 people are expected to attend the service to be held Tuesday in a hall in Tokyo. Of them, roughly 700 people are likely to travel to Japan from 218 countries, regions and international organizations. The figure includes 49 incumbent and former leaders from overseas. Of the 218, 117 will dispatch attendees from abroad, while the remaining 101 will be represented by individuals in Japan such as embassy officials, according to the government. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck Soo and Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc are among those on the list released by the government. From China, Wan Gang, vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, is scheduled to attend the ceremony, Matsuno said at another press conference in the afternoon. Related coverage: Japan man sets self on fire in apparent protest at Abe state funeral Britain bids last farewell to Queen Elizabeth in state funeral Obama to skip Japan ex-PM Abe's state funeral, Hagerty to attend KYODO NEWS - Sep 22, 2022 - 10:20 | All, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida welcomed U.S. President Joe Biden's call for reforming the United Nations during a brief conversation on Wednesday on the sidelines of a U.N. gathering of world leaders, according to the Japanese government. During a speech before the U.N. General Assembly the same day, Biden expressed his support for expanding the membership of the U.N. Security Council, which Japan has long been hoping to become part of. The two leaders agreed to continue to cooperate on U.N. reform. They also reaffirmed the need to beef up the bilateral alliance in the face of an increasingly severe security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, where China has become more militarily assertive. Related coverage: Biden calls for U.N. reform with world body paralyzed over Russia war Japan PM Kishida urges world to reaffirm rules-based order, reform U.N. Biden again says U.S. will defend Taiwan if China invades KYODO NEWS - Sep 22, 2022 - 10:38 | World, All, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday reiterated Japan's support for the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement in his meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, as talks continue to salvage the accord reached between the Middle Eastern country and major powers, the Japanese government said. Meeting Raisi in New York on the fringes of the U.N. General Assembly's annual session, they had a "candid" exchange of opinions with Kishida saying Japan has "consistently supported" the nuclear deal and hopes that Tehran returns to the agreement that restricts Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. They agreed to maintain close communication on the issue, the ministry added. Negotiations on the pact, struck between Iran and Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, have been stalled since Washington withdrew from the pact in 2018 as then President Donald Trump criticized the deal as flawed and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. In return, Iran violated some of the restrictions under the agreement. Japan has shown its support for the agreement in the hope of bringing stability to the Middle East on which it relies for oil imports. During the talks, Kishida and Raisi pledged to work together toward further strengthening the "long-standing friendship" between the two countries, the ministry said. They also exchanged views on other issues including the situation in Yemen and other parts of the Middle East as well as Russia's war in Ukraine, according to the ministry. Raisi conveyed his condolences again to Kishida over the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was fatally shot during a stump speech in July in western Japan, the ministry added. Related coverage: Head of Iran's nuclear deal negotiating team steps down Iran to continue allowing IAEA camera recording at nuclear facilities Japan urges Iran to ensure safe navigation in Persian Gulf KYODO NEWS - Sep 22, 2022 - 07:41 | World, All, Japan The leaders of Japan and the Philippines agreed Wednesday their countries will further strengthen cooperation in sectors such as security, energy and infrastructure, according to the Japanese government. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also discussed regional issues including those related to the East and South China seas in their talks in New York, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said, amid China's growing maritime assertiveness. Kishida and Marcos, who met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly annual gathering, also exchanged views over the issue of "economic coercion," a phrase often used as a veiled criticism of Beijing's extensive use of industrial subsidies to get other countries to make concessions. The talks were the first in-person summit meeting between Japan and the Philippines since the current Philippine leader, the son of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, took office in late June after winning a landslide victory in the presidential election. China has routinely sent ships to the East China Sea to navigate waters near the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands, which Beijing claims and calls Diaoyu. China is also involved in territorial disputes with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries over the South China Sea. Kishida and Marcos confirmed that their governments will continue making arrangements for an early visit to Japan by the new Philippine leader, the ministry said. Related coverage: Philippines' Marcos assures self-rule for predominantly Muslim region Japan consumers asked to accept higher prices for Philippine bananas Japan, Philippines vow to maintain rules-based maritime order People walk down a street, in the center of La Paz, Bolivia, on August 31, 2022. (Xinhua/Mateo Romay) The accumulated tally reached 96 confirmed cases as of Monday night, with 93 active and three recovered since Aug. 1, when the first case was reported in the South American country. LA PAZ, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Monkeypox cases continue to rise in Bolivia, approaching 100 infections in a month and five days, according to the latest report from the Ministry of Health and Sports. The accumulated tally reached 96 confirmed cases as of Monday night, with 93 active and three recovered since Aug. 1, when the first case was reported in the South American country. Head of the ministry's Disease Prevention and Control Unit Lilian Nataly Flores told Xinhua on Tuesday that the situation has forced authorities to intensify the containment strategy, mainly in the eastern city of Santa Cruz, which is the epicenter of the disease. "The monkeypox containment and mitigation plan is working because we currently have the disease under control, with patients identified and treated in a timely manner, without complications or risk to their lives," she said. The departments that have reported cases were Santa Cruz with 83, La Paz with six, Cochabamba with five, and Potosi and Chuquisaca each with one. The official reminded the population to comply with the same health measures as COVID-19, such as the use of masks, frequent hand washing and social distancing. In May, the Bolivian government declared a monkeypox epidemiological alert and introduced a protocol for departmental health services in the nine departments for suspected cases. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 20, 2022. (Photo by Liao Pan/Xinhua) NEW YORK, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met here with Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ambassadorial diplomatic relations between China and Britain, Wang said in the face of complex and grave challenges in today's world, the two countries, both as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should focus on mutually beneficial cooperation, and should avoid conflict and confrontation. A sound China-Britain relationship is based upon mutual respect, with objective understanding as the prerequisite, and proper handling of differences as the key, Wang said. He said he hopes that Britain's new government will view China and China-Britain relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and work together with China in the same direction, adding that he hopes the two sides can treat each other as equals, steer clear of interference, and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to advance the bilateral relationship along the right track. For his part, Cleverly noted that China, a major country with global influence, shoulders important responsibilities and plays an important role in the UN. Britain is committed to establishing mutually beneficial and effective relations with China, helping both sides achieve growth, and promoting peace and security, so as to benefit the people of both countries, he said. Noting that Britain appreciates China's great achievements in poverty alleviation, Cleverly said at a time full of challenges, the two countries should look to the future of mankind, focus on addressing common challenges, and strengthen cooperation in such areas as climate change and poverty alleviation. Britain stands ready to maintain open dialogue and exchanges with China, so as to create conditions for further cooperation between the two sides, he added. Noting that for a long time Britain was developing relations with China ahead of other Western countries, Wang said the two countries should take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to review and summarize the experience and lessons of the past 50 years, and to push forward the sound and stable development of bilateral relations. China unswervingly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, and is dedicated to establishing and developing sound relations with all countries, he said. Wang said China advocates for practicing true multilateralism, upholds an open strategy of mutual benefit and win-win results, and is willing to share market opportunities with other countries and achieve common prosperity. China stands ready to practice mutual respect, engage in candid dialogue, and advance mutual understanding with Britain, Wang said, adding that the two countries should safeguard the political foundation for bilateral relations and push forward the development of bilateral relations. Britain should honour its pledge that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic of China, and unequivocally oppose "Taiwan independence," he stressed. Cleverly said that Britain's position on the Taiwan question remains unchanged. The British foreign secretary also briefed Wang on Britain's view on the Ukraine crisis. Noting that China's position on the crisis has been consistent, Wang said from the very beginning, China has been committed to promoting peace talks, and has supported all efforts conducive to achieving peace. It is imperative to achieve a ceasefire and end the conflict, prevent new rounds of escalation of the situation, and jointly cope with the negative spillover effects of the crisis, he added. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop agreed to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation during their meeting on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Noting that the current international situation is complex and volatile with increasing uncertainties, Wang said China is willing to work with Mali to sustain mutual understanding, support and trust, carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation. Wang said China attaches importance to Mali's rightful national sovereignty, security and development concerns and supports the Malian people in independently choosing a development path tailored to its national conditions. He added that China also supports Mali in combating terrorism and safeguarding national unity and will continue to provide support and assistance for Mali's stable development. Taking the opportunity of implementing the outcomes of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Wang said China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Mali in public health, infrastructure construction and agricultural development, speed up the assistance of COVID-19 vaccine and anti-pandemic supplies, and orderly advance assistance projects such as hydropower stations, solar energy pilot villages and agricultural technology cooperation. Wang said he hopes Mali will continue to take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel and create a more stable and secure environment for bilateral cooperation. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2nd R) meets with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop (2nd L) on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) For his part, Diop noted that China is Mali's good friend and good partner, saying that Mali sincerely thanks China's solidarity and friendship; support for Mali's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, independence, political stability and national unity; and precious help for Mali's economic and social development. He added that Mali is also a reliable partner for China, saying that his country firmly adheres to the one-China policy and supports the Chinese side in defending its core interests. The Malian side is ready to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China and will take all necessary measures and spare no effort to protect the safety of the Chinese friends in Mali, Diop said. Wang stressed that China is willing to work with Mali to sustain the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and uphold international fairness and justice. China is committed to providing public goods for the world, promoting peace, development and cooperation instead of war, interference or subversion, Wang said. The more China develops, the more support it will offer to developing countries; the more powerful China becomes, the better world peace and security can be guaranteed, Wang said, adding that China stands ready to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with all developing countries and safeguard the common interests. NANCHANG, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- A total of 15.46 million mu (about 1 million hectares) of afforestation has been completed across 11 provinces and municipalities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt so far this year, a National Forestry and Grassland Administration official said on Wednesday. Compared to 2016, areas marked by rocky desertification and soil erosion were reduced by 42.33 million mu and 70.95 million mu, respectively, said Li Chunliang, deputy director of the administration. Ninty-one national forest cities have been built in the region as the country has beefed up its ecological protection efforts, Li told the Yangtze Forum on Conservation and Development 2022, which was held in Nanchang, capital of east China's Jiangxi Province. Li said that China has devised new scientific plans to better protect the nature reserves in the Yangtze River basin. The country has also boosted its wildlife protection work along the river, including strengthening daily supervision and cracking down on poaching. Thanks to such protection efforts, biodiversity in the Yangtze River basin has been improved, with the number of rare and endangered species such as the giant panda and crested ibis having increased significantly, Li said. NAIROBI, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Illegal trade in bushmeat, meat from wildlife species that are hunted for human consumption, most often referring to the meat of game in Africa, due to lax policing, poverty, and soaring demand for protein is to blame for the regular outbreak of zoonotic diseases in Africa, experts said Wednesday. Speaking at a virtual forum in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, the conservation experts decried the trafficking of bushmeat in the continent which exposed already vulnerable communities to the risk of fatal pathogens. Kenneth Kimitei, the Landscape Ecologist for the Tsavo-Mkomazi Landscape at Nairobi-based African Wildlife Foundation, noted that criminal syndicates are fueling the illegal trade in bushmeat, which caused the spread of zoonotic diseases like Ebola, Marburg virus, and monkeypox in Africa. According to Kimitei, rampant poverty, demand for proteins in urban centers, cultural beliefs, and weak surveillance were to blame for the illegal trafficking of game meat in a continent grappling with myriad public health and ecological threats. He said some of the iconic wildlife species targeted for meat by poachers across the East African jungles include the Maasai giraffe, zebra, buffalo, gazelle, and a host of reptiles. He added that strengthening anti-poaching measures, awareness raising, and providing alternative livelihoods to communities living near wildlife sanctuaries will be key to curbing the illegal trade in bushmeat. Daniel Ndizihiwe, the Wildlife, and Protected Areas Manager, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Uganda said that the East and Central African region has become the epicenter of the illegal bushmeat trade, creating a security and public health crisis. Ndizihiwe said 5 million tons of bushmeat is being consumed in the East and Central African region annually, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one million tons of bushmeat flows into urban centers every year. He noted that soaring food prices, the pandemic disruptions, civil strife, and lethargic policing have been fueling illegal trade in bushmeat and the spread of zoonotic diseases in the vast East and Central African region. Daniel Mdetele, a Tanzanian epidemiologist, said that limiting interaction between wildlife and communities, enhanced surveillance, public outreach, and improved sanitary standards will be key to containing zoonotic diseases in Africa. By Azernews By News Center Some 25 Turkish companies will join the African Aviation and Defense Fair (AAD) - 2022, to be held in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa, Yeni Shafak reports, citing the Defense Industry Agency (SBB). At the defense and aviation expo, which hosts the largest and the state-of-the-art technologies in Africa, Turkish firms will participate under the coordination of the SSB with the support of the Defense and Aviation Industry Exporters' Association (SSI). Various Turkish unmanned land and air vehicles, armored vehicle platforms, weapons, naval and electronic systems, as well as ammunition, simulators, and logistical support items will be marketed and displayed at the fair. Information on the Turkish defense sector and sophisticated technological capabilities will be offered to all fair participants, particularly African military officials on the Turkish National Pavilion, and partnership potential will be explored. Defense Industry Agency President Ismail Demir along with other senior executives of Turkish defense industry companies are also expected to attend the fair. Turkish companies, such as Aksa Motor Vehicles, ASELSAN, Ayesas, BMC, Derya Arms, Elektroland Defense, Warranty, GM Defense, HAVELSAN, Kale Kalip, Katmerciler, Lentatek, MKE, Nero Industry, Otokar, Oztek Tekstil, SAHA Istanbul, Samsun Yurt Defense, Sarsilmaz, Sasa, STM, TISAS, Transvaro, Turmaks and TUSAS will participate in the fair. The fair will be held on September 21-25, with 450 firms from 30 nations in presence. BEIRUT, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday called for support from brotherly and friendly countries to help Lebanon get out of crisis, a statement by Lebanon's Council of Ministers reported. "We call on brotherly and friendly countries to help Lebanon in addressing the serious repercussions of the crisis on Lebanese people and the structure of the state," Mikati said during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Mikati noted that Lebanon has been facing the worst economic and social crisis in its history, which affected all institutions and plunged most Lebanese into poverty, causing the emigration of young people. He added that Lebanon's crisis was further exacerbated by the presence of a big number of Syrian refugees on its territories. "The only realistic and sustainable solution is to achieve a safe and dignified return to Syria as soon as possible in cooperation with all parties," he said. UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations now has all the funds needed to start an emergency operation to prevent a massive oil spill in the Red Sea from the Safer oil tanker off Yemen. David Gressly, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, said Wednesday that donors have pledged all of the 75 million U.S. dollars required for phase one of the UN plan -- an emergency operation to transfer oil from the decaying tanker to a safe vessel. Gressly said the donation has surpassed the 75 million dollars needed. The UN Development Programme is actively working on the first contracts to initiate the salvage operation, Gressly told reporters. There will be a period of a few weeks of mobilization for that, followed by a four-month operation to stabilize the Safer for the work to transfer oil to a second vessel, and then for completing the work of phase two -- a permanent storage solution, said Gressly. The progress was announced after a high-level event on the Safer tanker, co-chaired by the Netherlands, the United States and Germany, on Wednesday. To begin work on the emergency operation as soon as possible, the United Nations needs donors to convert all of the pledges to cash. As of Sunday, 59 million dollars has been disbursed or was in the process of being disbursed, said the press office of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a note to correspondents. The United Nations also needs a further 38 million dollars for phase two. The original budget for the plan was reduced by 31 million dollars largely because of the adoption of a double-hull vessel tethered to a buoy system as the safe long-term solution. The system is the fastest to implement and most flexible of the three long-term replacement options that were considered, said the press office. The Safer, currently carrying more than 1 million barrels of oil, has been moored off the port of Hodeidah since 1988 as a crude oil storage and offloading platform. It has not been inspected or maintained since 2015. In May 2020, seawater leaked into the engine room. A temporary fix by divers from the Safer corporation succeeded in containing the leak. But the fix was not supposed to hold for long. Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative Wang Yi (front), also Chinese state councilor and foreign minister, attends a high-level meeting on climate change and delivers a speech at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, on Sept. 21, 2022. (Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative Wang Yi, also Chinese state councilor and foreign minister, on Wednesday attended a high-level meeting on climate change at the United Nations (UN) headquarters here and delivered a speech. Wang noted that Xi has clearly pointed out that the Earth is a big family, that the human race belongs to one community, and that as climate change poses a common challenge to all humanity, mankind should cooperate to tackle the issue. China believes that global climate governance goals should be advanced in four aspects, Wang said. The first is to focus on making the UN climate change conference to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh a success, so as to achieve positive and balanced outcomes in such aspects as mitigation, adaptation and finance, Wang said. The second is to attach importance to implementing actions. It is necessary to follow the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, adhere to the consensuses that have been reached, and accelerate the realization of the temperature control goal set in the Paris Agreement, Wang said. China supports the universal early warning system initiative launched by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Wang said, adding developed countries should honor their commitments and provide financial, technological and capacity building support for developing countries. The third is to promote green transformation in a practical manner. Wang called for gradually withdrawing from the mode of traditional energy on the basis of secure and reliable new energy sources. He also appealed for high-quality and just transformation within the framework of sustainable development. The fourth is to create a fine political environment. Unilateralism, geopolitical games and green barriers should be abandoned, said Wang. Developed countries should achieve carbon neutrality well ahead of schedule, make room for developing countries to develop, and restore mutual trust between the North and the South with concrete actions, he said. Wang also introduced a series of positive measures taken by China to unswervingly follow the path of ecological priority, green and low-carbon development. China has announced carbon-peaking and carbon-neutrality goals and will complete the world's most dramatic reduction in carbon emission intensity in the shortest time in global history, Wang said. Noting that China has exceeded the climate action goals of 2020, Wang said China has updated its nationally determined contribution targets, steadily adjusted its energy mix, strictly controlled carbon dioxide emissions, and established a carbon market with the largest coverage of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. China has also carried out extensive South-South cooperation on climate change, implemented the Global Development Initiative and jointly built a green Silk Road with other parties, Wang said. Stressing that China will shoulder its due international responsibilities and create a new miracle of green transformation, Wang said that China is ready to work with other countries to take more concrete actions, support the United Nations in playing a central role, protect the Earth and create a better world for future generations. On the same day, Wang also met respectively with the prime minister of Georgia, French president's diplomatic counselor, the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy and foreign ministers of Russia, Norway, Hungary, Poland and Somalia. Photo taken on Aug. 30, 2021 shows elephants at Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) The World Wide Fund for Nature, a global wildlife conservation body, said Wednesday that Kenya is making progress in protecting its iconic species such as rhinoceros and elephants from poachers. NAIROBI, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), a global wildlife conservation body, said Wednesday that Kenya is making progress in protecting its iconic species such as rhinoceros and elephants from poachers. Jackson Kiplagat, head of conservation programs at WWF Kenya, told a forum in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the country has implemented a number of policy and legal reforms that provide for stiffer penalties for wildlife crimes. "There is also improved coordination in the investigation and prosecution of illicit trade in wildlife products by government agencies," Kiplagat said during the Sustainable Finance Initiative Catalyst Awards convened by the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), the umbrella body of the banking industry. Salome Lemalasia, a ranger aged 30, takes care of a six-year-old black rhino named Loijipu at Sera Community Conservancy in Samburu County, Kenya, May 11, 2022. (Photo by John Okoyo/Xinhua) Kiplagat said that the East African nation is experiencing an increase in the population of rhinoceros and elephants due to the use of an appropriate land policy. "Kenya is also moving fast in the creation of conservancies to expand the land available for its critically endangered wildlife species," he said. He noted that Kenya has also partnered with donors to establish forensic laboratories that facilitate the investigation of wildlife crimes. He revealed that the East African nation has also stepped up surveillance of the illicit trade of wildlife products at its border points. ANKARA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that Russia and Ukraine had exchanged 200 prisoners of war under the mediation of Turkiye. "As a result of diplomatic traffic I conducted with Mr. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and Mr. (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky, the exchange of 200 war prisoners between Russia and Ukraine was accomplished today (Sept. 22)," he told journalists on the presidential plane on his way back to Turkiye after attending the UN General Assembly in New York. "This exchange that took place under Turkiye's mediation is an important step for ending the war," state-run TRT broadcaster quoted the Turkish president as saying. Erdogan noted that he will continue phone diplomacy to make further efforts for peace between Russia and Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine have carried out their largest prisoner exchange since the onset of their conflict on Feb. 24, in which 215 Ukrainians, including 124 officers, were released by Russia, the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Thursday. Two civilians were also released as part of the swap. Besides, Saudi Arabia mediated a release of 10 foreigners by Russia under the exchange, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry. ROME, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The persistent energy crisis in Europe has worsened the business environment of the continent, burdening the catering industry in particular. Laura Ramoni, a bar owner in Rome, has hanged an inflatable mannequin on the window of the bar, with a yellow sign on the mannequin's chest reading: "The bill has arrived." Produced by Xinhua Global Service The Chinese embassy on Wednesday donated a batch of electric wheelchairs to Syrians who were maimed during the prolonged war. #GLOBALink Produced by Xinhua Global Service UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday questioned double standards practiced by certain countries over the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. Non-use of force and the peaceful resolution of disputes are the pillars of world stability. But they must be accompanied by principles such as non-selective observance of the UN Charter, implementation of mandatory UN Security Council resolutions and the basic principles of the applicable international law, he told the General Debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Serbia did not violate the territorial integrity of a single sovereign state. Yet, the fact did not prevent NATO from attacking Serbia without a decision by the UN Security Council, he said. Security Council Resolution 1244, which confirmed and guaranteed partial sovereignty and full territorial integrity of Serbia, did not prevent many Western countries from unilaterally recognizing the independence of Kosovo, and from violating the territorial integrity of Serbia, he said. Regardless of the fact that Serbia still feels the consequences of the gross violation of the basic provisions of international law, Serbia does not give up on the foundational principles of the United Nations, said Vucic. "We shall keep advocating the consistent observance of the principle of inviolability of borders, respect for sovereignty and integrity of all other UN member states." "Despite such a position of ours, many in this room have issues with respecting the territorial integrity of Serbia. You wonder why? Because they have the power in their hands, and in their eyes, we are small and weak. However, as you could hear and you could see, we do have the strength to tell the truth here," said Vucic. Serbia believes that it is imperative that current challenges must not deepen world divisions in any way, and that polarization at the global level should make room for principles of multilateralism, he said. Serbia strongly supports inclusive, networked and efficient multilateralism as the best tool for responding to the most urgent challenges facing mankind, he said. "Multilateralism, collective actions and common responsibility are irreplaceable elements of our discussions so far. But allow me to underline that the starting point for such constructive engagement is solidarity," he added. by Elias Shilangwa LUSAKA, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Zambia and China will hold the first-ever trade and investment forum aimed at unlocking the trade and investment potential between the two countries, the two sides said Wednesday. The Trade and Investment Forum will be held in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, from Sept. 28-29, under the theme "China-Zambia investment in the new era, all-weather, all-diversion, and quality friendship." The forum, which will be co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Zambia and the Zambian Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, has been co-sponsored by Zambia's investment agency, the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), China Non-Ferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and has so far attracted nearly 200 Chinese enterprises to participate. Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Du Xiaohui told journalists during a press briefing to announce the holding of the forum that 10 Chinese Fortune 500 enterprises have been invited to participate in the forum. The forum will be characterized by a high-level opening ceremony, five parallel forum sessions, panel discussions, business-to-government meetings, business-to-business meetings as well as exhibitions by enterprises, said Du, noting that the five parallel forums will be held under different themes and will provide perfect platforms for discussing China-Zambia practical cooperation. The two sides will also sign three memoranda of understanding for great investment cooperation, digital economy investment, as well as investment and economic working group treatment. According to him, the phone conservation between the leaders of the two countries early this year provided political preparation and policy guidelines for the forum. "The core essence of the forum is to implement the outcome of the two presidents' phone conversation and advance China-Zambia relations standing through practical economic cooperation," he said. He said the embassy decided to hold the forum in order to attract more Chinese investment into Zambia and spur economic growth which was vital for development. The forum will help advertise Zambia's good investment policies, said Du, while disclosing that the embassy intends to publish a book on the comprehensive guide to investment in Zambia and another one profiling Chinese enterprises operating in the southern African nation. The Chinese envoy said that China will remain Zambia's important investment and trade partner, with 600 Chinese enterprises currently operating in Zambia with a total investment of 3 billion U.S. dollars which has created 50,000 jobs. He said the bilateral trade in the first half of this year totaled 3.76 billion dollars, a nearly 40 percent increase compared to the same period last year, while Zambia has enjoyed a trade surplus of 2.92 billion dollars. Elias Mubanga, Zambia's acting Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, thanked the Chinese embassy and other organizers for ensuring that the holding of the forum comes to fruition. He said the first-ever forum will bring together corporate institutions, financial institutions and innovators to discuss and explore potential investment opportunities which were in line with the Zambian government's vision. The theme of the forum was in line with the government's focus on ensuring sustainable development through applying modern methods of production. The minister also said the holding of the forum would be a mark of the strong bond that has existed between the two countries over the years, adding that the forum provides an opportunity and serves as a milestone in Zambia's economic relations with China. Zambia considers China as a strategic investment partner that has invested in various sectors of the economy, he said. He mentioned the establishment of the first economic zone in Zambia by China, which was also the first in Africa, as an affirmation of the importance that China attaches to its relationship with Zambia. By Trend US President Joe Biden and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday at a meeting in New York reaffirmed support for Ukraine and discussed issues related to Iran and China, the White House press office said, Trend reports citing TASS. "The two leaders reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine... They also discussed efforts to prevent Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon, as well as our ongoing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and challenges posed by China," the statement said. People dine in a restaurant during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 11, 2022.(Photo by Su Yang/Xinhua) BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's consumer market has logged rapid development in the last decade, with its structure becoming more balanced and new business forms gaining steam, an official report showed on Thursday. Retail sales of consumer goods, a major indicator of the country's consumption strength, hit a record high of 44 trillion yuan (about 6.3 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2021, 2.1 times the figure in 2012, according to the report released by the National Bureau of Statistics. China has kept its economic growth within a reasonable range, which is leading to the steady growth of personal incomes, the report said, noting that the country's consumer market has great potential and resilience. Despite the disruptions brought by COVID-19, China's total retail sales of consumer goods rose 12.5 percent year on year in 2021, and the average annual growth during the 2020-2021 period hit 3.9 percent, the data showed. China's urban consumption logged stable growth over the past decade thanks to rapid urbanization progress. In the 2013-2021 period, retail sales of consumer goods in urban areas climbed 8.1 percent on average each year. During the same period, retail sales of consumer goods in rural towns and villages respectively expanded an average of 10.4 percent and 9.8 percent each year, as rural residents saw their income growth surpass that of urban residents, narrowing the urban-rural income gap. Over the last decade, online shopping has become a bright spot in China's consumer market, and it is a typical example of the country's emerging forms of consumption. From 2015 to 2021, the average annual growth of online retail sales of physical goods topped 20 percent, and online retail sales of physical goods accounted for 24.5 percent of China's total retail sales of consumer goods in 2021. A huge sand table displaying Chinese transportation solutions for the congested city of Algiers has garnered a lot of attention at the ongoing International Public Works Fair in the Algerian capital. #GLOBALink Produced by Xinhua Global Service Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (L) meets with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Vucic asked Wang to convey his cordial greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying Serbia-China relations truly reflect mutual respect and mutual trust, and the practical economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has also developed rapidly. He once again thanked China for its vigorous support for and assistance with Serbia's economic and social development. Serbia, Vucic said, cherishes the friendship with China, firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and recognizes that there is only one China in the world and this position will never change. Wang conveyed Xi's cordial greetings to Vucic, saying China appreciates Serbia's solidarity in safeguarding national sovereignty, national dignity and legitimate rights and interests. Hailing the positive achievements in Serbia's construction, Wang said China and Serbia are each other's trusted and reliable partners. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Serbia relations have entered a new era of vigorous development, and the practical cooperation between the two sides is making leaps and bounds, contributing to Serbia's development and revitalization, said Wang. The China-Serbia friendship has been further strengthened in the joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and solidarity and mutual trust between the two sides have been consolidated, he said. China is willing to continue to provide assistance and support according to Serbia's needs and work with Serbia to build closer bilateral relations, Wang said. The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs). Wang said that since its inception 10 years ago, China-CEEC cooperation has been focused on practical cooperation and has stuck to openness, transparency and complementation of advantages, having yielded fruitful results with potential yet to be tapped. China looks forward to working with Serbia and other CEECs to continue to advance mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides. JERUSALEM, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Israel said on Thursday that it will grant more permits to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in a move to ease some restrictions on the impoverished coastal enclave. Further 1,500 people from overcrowded Gaza would be allowed to cross into Israel for work and commerce purposes, the office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Israel's military liaison to the Palestinians, said in a statement. "The decision will take effect next week on condition that the security situation remains quiet in the area," the statement read. The decision was made by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz following an evaluation of the security situation, according to the statement. The addition would bring the total number of Gazans allowed to work in Israel to 17,000, according to official figures. Israeli Defense Ministry said in a separate statement that it plans to raise the quota of permits to up to 20,000 "provided that stable security is preserved." The Gaza Strip has been under a crippling Israeli blockade since 2007, when Hamas violently took over the Palestinian enclave from the Palestinian Authority. BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), or the "China Sky Eye," an international group filmed, for the first time, the magnetic ebb and flow nearby of a fast radio burst from out of the Milky Way. Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are the brightest, highly-dispersed millisecond-duration astronomical transients in radio bands with yet unknown origins. Chinese and U.S. astronomers led by those from the National Astronomical Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, reported the detection of 1,863 bursts in 82 hours over 54 days from the repeating source FRB 20201124A. Those observations revealed a complicated, dynamically evolving, magnetized immediate environment within about an astronomical unit (or distance between Earth and the Sun) of the radio source, according to the study published in the journal, Nature, on Wednesday. The scientists found for the first time that the Faraday rotation measure, an indicator for the magnetic field strength, jolted irregularly in the first 36 days, followed by an 18-day stability. The findings showed that the vibrant, fast radio burst had quenched within 72 hours, a phenomenon previously undetected. Then, they used the Keck Telescope in Hawaii to observe its Milky-Way-sized, metal-rich host galaxy. The galaxy is a barred spiral with the FRB source residing in a low-stellar-density region between two arms, which is at an intermediate distance from the galactic center, according to the study. Some recent observations of a fast radio burst within the Milky Way suggested that at least some FRBs originate from magnetars. But the results in this study showed that the repeating source FRB 20201124A is unlikely to be a young magnetar engine formed during an extreme explosion of a massive star that resulted in a long gamma-ray burst or superluminous supernova, bringing more complexity to the origin of FRBs. Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in southwest China's Guizhou Province, FAST started formal operation in January 2020 and officially opened to the world on March 31, 2021. It is believed to be the world's most sensitive radio telescope. UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday rejected accusations by the United States, Britain and the European Union that China commits human rights abuses against its ethnic minorities. China's permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun called the accusations unfounded. Speaking at a high-level meeting to mark the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, Zhang said that over the past three decades, progress has been made in implementing the declaration. However, minorities still face challenges like racism, discrimination, xenophobia, violence and hatred, he said, adding that the international community still has a long way to go to translate the commitments set out in the declaration into reality. He said countries must continue their relentless efforts to better protect the rights of minorities and take a multi-pronged approach involving policy, legislative and administrative measures to eliminate racism, discrimination and hatred. There is a need to incorporate equal development for minorities into overall national development, and combine it with achieving Sustainable Development Goals, said Zhang. "We must make targeted efforts to address the practical problems facing minorities, such as poverty, education and health care. And we must stay committed to dialogue and cooperation, and oppose the use of human rights issues to provoke division and confrontation for political self-interests. Together, we must truly create a peaceful and just environment for minorities to survive and thrive," he said. Zhang said China's Xinjiang is home to 56 ethnic groups, including the Han, the Uyghur and the Kazak, adding that with the joint efforts of people from all ethnic groups, Xinjiang has enjoyed sustained economic growth, social harmony and stability, continuous livelihood improvements, cultural prosperity and religious harmony. These facts are there for all to see, he said. Unfortunately, representatives of the United States, Britain and the EU, in total disregard of facts, are abusing the General Debate of the UN General Assembly and the high-level commemorative meeting to make unfounded accusations against China, which China categorically rejects, said Zhang. Ironically, the United States, Britain and the EU have listed all sorts of unfounded charges against other countries but are afraid to face their own problems. The United States ought to face up to the genocide of Native Americans and ensure accountability and compensation, eradicate systematic racial discrimination against Asians and other ethnic minorities, eliminate social injustice, and allow ethnic minorities to breathe freely and develop equally, he said. "We call on the Human Rights Council and the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues to continue to follow the infringement on minorities' rights by countries like the United States. We urge those few countries to stop the politicization of human rights issues, stop their double standards, stop their interference in other countries' internal affairs, and work earnestly to address their own human rights issues," said Zhang. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron, on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the United States, Sept. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a French presidential aide on Wednesday that China appreciates French President Emmanuel Macron's public expression of opposition to a "new Cold War." Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to Macron, in New York on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Bonne briefed Wang on the viewpoints related to the Ukraine crisis that Macron stated while addressing the UNGA the previous day. Bonne said the French side attaches great importance to the security and stability as well as the restoration of peace in Europe, and is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with China, enhancing communication and coordination while jointly striving for an end to the conflict and the promotion of reconciliation. Wang said the Chinese side appreciates Macron for publicly expressing again France's opposition to a "new Cold War," bloc confrontation as well as the division of the world. China supports France's active effort to broker peace. China advocates for safeguarding the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, Wang said. Noting that China and France are both committed to peace, Wang said the two countries share the expectation that a ceasefire and end to war can be achieved as soon as possible through peace talks. In the face of the current crisis, it is necessary that the two countries speak with one voice and shoulder the responsibilities undertaken by permanent members of the UN Security Council, Wang said. WELLINGTON, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The number of properties for sale across New Zealand continued to soar last month, jumping a record 76 percent when compared with August last year, according to the latest Trade Me Property Price Index released on Thursday. Trade Me Property Sales Director Gavin Lloyd said nationwide property supply had now seen a year-on-year jump for nine months straight. "While last month's spike is partly due to the nationwide lockdown in August 2021, these increases have been on an upward trajectory all year and currently supply is well above pre-pandemic levels." "Last month marked the third month in a row where we saw listing numbers spike by more than 50 percent year-on-year," he said. While every region saw supply up by at least a third in August when compared with the same month last year, Lloyd said there were some standouts. "Waikato saw its highest number of properties for sale ever last month, with supply more than doubling in the region when compared with August 2021. "The Hawke's Bay, Nelson/Tasman, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu/Whanganui regions also saw over double the number of properties for sale in August when compared with the same month last year." Lloyd said while demand for property was also on the rise, it was no match for the large supply jumps. "Nationwide there was a 5 percent year-on-year increase in views on properties for sale in August, with the biggest jumps in the Hawke's Bay, Wellington, and Nelson/Tasman regions." Lloyd said prices may continue to fall yet ahead of Summer. "We're only just entering the busiest period for the market now, and with a huge amount of options on the table for buyers, it's going to be an interesting few months ahead. If these supply peaks continue to outperform demand we would expect to see prices fall even further." BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- At a State Council Executive Meeting held on Wednesday, Premier Li Keqiang heard a report on the ninth round of State Council's accountability inspection. He urged greater efforts for policy implementation to bolster the recovery and growth of the economy. The meeting noted the recent ninth round of accountability inspection by the State Council in some localities. The inspection focused on supervising and inspecting local efforts in stabilizing economic performance and meeting people's basic needs, and helped resolve a set of difficulties various localities faced. It was conducted mainly through unannounced visits, which made the inspection more effective and lessened the burdens on primary-level governments. Going forward, the list of identified problems will be sent to related localities and departments to make rectification and forestall similar occurrences. The taskforces that supervise and assist efforts for stabilizing overall economic performance should remain on duty to better align their work with the accountability inspection, and continue to coordinate the settlement of problems. Policy measures to boost investment and consumption will be advanced on a priority basis, such as fiscal, taxation and financial support for key infrastructure projects and equipment upgrading and renovation. Localities are urged to fulfill their due responsibilities for stabilizing the economy and meeting people's basic needs. Economically strong provinces should play a leading role and work together to consolidate the foundation for economic stability and promote recovery and growth. To deepen the reform of government functions and make government services more efficient and effective, a list of high-demand government services that affect a wide range of sectors and are accessed in relatively concentrated timeframes will be set up, covering all key stages in the life circles of businesses and individuals, to meet their real needs. Government departments will merge related items, and work to provide one-stop, cross-agency services for items that used to require multiple visits to multiple departments, so as to save hassle for businesses and the people. For market players, five items of government services, i.e. starting of business, permit for business operation, employee recruitment, real estate registration and simplified enterprise de-registration, can now be accessed on a one-stop basis. This will lower institutional transaction costs and help market entities emerge and grow. It will also help unlock and boost productivity to cope with new downward pressure. For individuals, one-stop services will be provided on eight administrative items, involving newborns, flexible employment, marriage and childbirth, assistance to the disabled and people in hardship, discharge of military personnel, ownership transfer registration of second-hand houses and associated utility services, retirement of enterprise employees and posthumous procedures, to better serve people's needs and provide greater convenience. All localities must fulfill these tasks by the end of the year. Those who fail to deliver will be made known and urged to rectify on a time-bound basis. Noting that transportation and logistics are the lifeline of a market economy, the meeting stressed the need to keep transportation and logistics smooth and enhance policy support. The meeting required all-out efforts to ensure the normal functioning of ports and cargo terminals, as well as smooth logistics in both trunk and branch routes. Unnecessarily stringent measures and a one-size-fits-all approach must be forestalled. In Q4, highway tolls for trucks will be cut by 10 percent. In the meantime, targeted financial policy support will be provided to tolled highway operators, to lower their financing costs as appropriate. Government-priced harbor dues on cargo will be lowered by 20 percent in Q4. The 100-billion-yuan (about 14.33 billion U.S. dollars) special re-lending for transportation and logistics will be put to good use to help freight companies and drivers get through the difficulties. The meeting underlined the need to pursue law-based administration and step up the building of a law-based government. The exercise of power must not be arbitrary. Administrative reconsideration is a supervision mechanism that allows the government to make self-correction, and is conducive to preventing and redressing unlawful or inappropriate administrative conducts. It is a remedy system for settling the administrative disputes under which citizens sue the government, and helps safeguard the lawful rights and interests of citizens and legal persons. The meeting adopted a draft revision of the Administrative Reconsideration Law of the People's Republic of China. In keeping with the principle of serving the people, the draft lays down clearer provisions on expanding the scope of accepted cases, improving the quality of case handling, and strengthening the oversight of administrative reconsideration over administrative law enforcement, to enhance the credibility of administrative reconsideration and build it into the main channel for settling administrative disputes. The meeting decided to submit the draft to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for deliberation. By Trend Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received British Prime Minister Liz Truss at the Turkish House in New York, where the 77th UN General Assembly is being held, Trend reports citing Turkish media. The meeting was held behind closed doors for the press. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends a high-level video dialogue with representatives of the Japanese business community in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday said China is ready to work with Japan to upgrade the all-round, wide-ranging and multi-level cooperation, noting that China welcomes the Japanese business community to continue seizing development opportunities and actively expand its presence in the Chinese market to achieve win-win results. Li made the remarks during a high-level video dialogue with representatives of the Japanese business community. He exchanged views with the representatives on a wide range of topics, including China-Japan relations, economic and trade cooperation, global economic and financial challenges, climate change, and aging populations. Noting that China and Japan will mark the 50th anniversary of their normalization of diplomatic relations in a few days, Li said China and Japan are important neighbors and the world's second and third-largest economies, respectively. Maintaining the sound and steady development of bilateral ties serves the interests of both sides, promotes the well-being of the two peoples, and safeguards the peace, stability and development of the region and the world. Over the past 50 years, China-Japan relations have made great progress overall. The two sides should strive for peaceful and friendly coexistence, abide by the principles set out in the four political documents between the two countries, view each other's development in an objective and rational way, and push for the steady and long-term development of China-Japan relations, Li said. China and Japan have complementary economic advantages, and their cooperation shows great resilience and potential, Li said. China is ready to work with Japan to upgrade the all-round, wide-ranging and multi-level cooperation, and make good use of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to tap regional economic growth potential. "China will increase direct flights between China and Japan in an orderly manner to further facilitate personnel exchanges on the premise of COVID-19 prevention and control," the premier said. He said China is firmly committed to peaceful development, calling on the two countries to respect each other, treat each other as equals, enhance mutual trust, handle differences properly, jointly maintain a peaceful external environment and stable regional environment, and realize the common development of China, Japan and other countries in the region. Li noted that this year, the downward pressure on the Chinese economy has increased due to the impacts of factors that exceeded expectations. China has responded decisively, made timely adjustments, and worked to stabilize employment and prices. The Chinese economy has continued to run within an appropriate range and is showing an overall recovery trend. Li stressed that China will take a realistic approach and do its best to work toward reasonable results in economic development for the whole year. China remains committed to the basic state policy of opening-up and will only open its doors wider to the outside world. China will continue deepening reform to delegate power, streamline administrative procedures and optimize government services, Li said. It will also create a market-oriented and law-based international business environment, and ensure regulations are transparent, stable and predictable, he said. China will also relax market access further and ensure intellectual property rights are protected strictly, Li added. "We hope the Japanese business community will continue seizing China's development opportunities, actively expand its presence in the Chinese market, strengthen cooperation with Chinese partners, and achieve more mutual benefits and win-win results," Li said. Representatives of the Japanese business community said that Japan and China are very important cooperative partners. The Japanese business community is optimistic about the prospects of China's economic development, and said it will actively expand its business in the country and strive to build Japan-China economic relations that meet the requirements of the new era. The representatives also expressed hope that the two countries would take the opportunity of the RCEP's enforcement to expand cooperation on the economy, trade, environmental protection, health and aging populations, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and promote peace and development of the two countries, the region and the world. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends a high-level video dialogue with representatives of the Japanese business community in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends a high-level video dialogue with representatives of the Japanese business community in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has effectively safeguarded peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and advanced the process toward the reunification of the motherland over the past decade, a senior official said Wednesday. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has implemented the national rejuvenation strategy within a wider context of the once-in-a-century changes taking place in the world, accurately understood changes at home and abroad, innovated theories and practice in the work related to Taiwan, and maintained the initiative and ability to steer cross-Strait relations, said Chen Yuanfeng, deputy head of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, at a press conference held in Beijing. POLITICAL EXCHANGES, DIALOGUES Historic breakthroughs have been made in cross-Strait political exchanges over the decade, Chen said. "The decade saw the first meeting and direct dialogue between leaders of the two sides since 1949, raising cross-Strait exchanges and interactions to new heights. This was a new milestone in the development of cross-Strait relations," he said. The departments in charge of cross-Strait affairs on both sides have established regular contact and communication mechanisms on a common political foundation, and the heads of the two departments have exchanged visits and set up hotlines. The meeting between leaders of the two sides fully showed how firmly the CPC Central Committee upheld the principles in work related to Taiwan and how flexible its strategies were, said Qiu Kaiming, another senior official with the office, at the same press conference. "New horizons have been opened for cross-Strait dialogues and consultations over the decade," Chen said. Upholding the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, the mainland has pushed forward exchanges between political parties across the Strait and conducted dialogues and consultations on cross-Strait relations and the future of the Chinese nation with relevant political parties, organizations, and individuals in Taiwan, he said. These efforts have resulted in consensus on multiple issues and joint initiatives, exploring the Two Systems solution to the Taiwan question with all sectors of Taiwan society, Chen added. COOPERATION IN VARIOUS FIELDS "We have expanded exchanges and cooperations in various areas across the Strait, enhancing connections between people of the two sides and lending impetus to the development of cross-Strait relations," said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson of the office, at the same press conference. In 2011, 7.1 million cross-Strait visits were made, of which 5.26 million trips were from Taiwan to the mainland. In 2019, the total number of cross-Strait visits reached 9 million, including over 6 million visits from Taiwan to the mainland. The institutional arrangements, policies, and measures have been refined to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation and advance the well-being of the people of Taiwan. These included electronic travel passes for Taiwan residents to enter or leave the mainland, the delivery of water from the coastal province of Fujian to Kinmen Island, and residence permits for Taiwan residents. Taiwan compatriots have been gradually given equal access to public services so as to facilitate their studying, starting businesses, working, and living on the mainland, while constant efforts were made for Taiwan people to benefit first from the mainland's development opportunities. The cross-Strait trade volume doubled from 160.03 billion U.S. dollars in 2011 to 328.34 billion dollars in 2021. The total number of investment projects from Taiwan enterprises on the mainland increased from 85,722 in 2011 to 124,142 in 2021, up 44.7 percent over the decade. The mainland remains the largest export market of Taiwan, the largest source of trade surplus for the island, and the largest destination for Taiwan's off-island investment. TANGIBLE BENEFITS AFTER REUNIFICATION "Peaceful reunification and 'one country, two systems' are basic principles for solving the Taiwan question and the best way to achieve national reunification," said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the office, at the press conference. Noting that "one country, two systems" is the most inclusive plan proposed to address the differences in social systems and ideologies between both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Ma said it is an approach that is grounded in democratic principles, demonstrates good will, seeks peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question, and delivers mutual benefit. "After the reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan compatriots will embrace greater space for development, have stronger confidence, a greater sense of security and dignity in the international community," said Ma, adding they will share in the glory of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Over the past decade, the general trend of opposing "Taiwan independence" and promoting reunification has been constantly reinforced, said Chen. "We have been firmly safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity and opposing 'Taiwan independence' and external interference, firmly maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation," Chen said. Noting efforts have been made to crack down on "Taiwan independence" diehards according to law, effectively deterring separatist forces seeking "Taiwan independence," Chen said issues related to Taiwan's external exchanges have been handled in a sound manner, and the international community's commitment to the one-China principle has been consolidated. "In the new era, we are stronger in opposing 'Taiwan independence' separatist actions and external interference, and more determined in realizing China's national reunification. The trend toward national reunification can not be altered, regardless of obstruction or sabotage from any force," said Chen. "We will continue to follow the CPC's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, and implement the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans on the work related to Taiwan. We will resolutely thwart any attempt to divide our country and any foreign interference, make concrete efforts to boost the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, integrate the development of the two sides, and promote progress toward national reunification," Chen added. An exhibitor arranges traditional hats of Kazakh ethnic group at the seventh China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 21, 2022. The seventh China-Eurasia Expo, slated for Sept. 19-22, has attracted 3,600 enterprises to attend its online events. Covering an exhibition area of 40,000 square meters, the expo has set up three zones featuring themes including investment cooperation and commodity trade. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Visitors view handicrafts at the seventh China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 21, 2022. The seventh China-Eurasia Expo, slated for Sept. 19-22, has attracted 3,600 enterprises to attend its online events. Covering an exhibition area of 40,000 square meters, the expo has set up three zones featuring themes including investment cooperation and commodity trade. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Visitors learn about traditional Uygur instruments at the seventh China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2022. The seventh China-Eurasia Expo, slated for Sept. 19-22, has attracted 3,600 enterprises to attend its online events. Covering an exhibition area of 40,000 square meters, the expo has set up three zones featuring themes including investment cooperation and commodity trade. (Xinhua/Zhao Ge) Visitors learn about agricultural products at the seventh China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2022. The seventh China-Eurasia Expo, slated for Sept. 19-22, has attracted 3,600 enterprises to attend its online events. Covering an exhibition area of 40,000 square meters, the expo has set up three zones featuring themes including investment cooperation and commodity trade. (Xinhua/Zhao Ge) Visitors learn about food products at the seventh China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 21, 2022. The seventh China-Eurasia Expo, slated for Sept. 19-22, has attracted 3,600 enterprises to attend its online events. Covering an exhibition area of 40,000 square meters, the expo has set up three zones featuring themes including investment cooperation and commodity trade. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei) Visitors view cotton products at the seventh China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 21, 2022. The seventh China-Eurasia Expo, slated for Sept. 19-22, has attracted 3,600 enterprises to attend its online events. Covering an exhibition area of 40,000 square meters, the expo has set up three zones featuring themes including investment cooperation and commodity trade. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) People visit the booth of TBEA Co., Ltd at the seventh China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2022. The seventh China-Eurasia Expo, slated for Sept. 19-22, has attracted 3,600 enterprises to attend its online events. Covering an exhibition area of 40,000 square meters, the expo has set up three zones featuring themes including investment cooperation and commodity trade. (Xinhua/Zhao Ge) PHNOM PENH, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's anti-drug police have arrested a gang of five local men for allegedly possessing and trafficking illicit drugs, confiscating more than 18 kilograms of narcotics, the Anti-Drug Police Department (ADP) said on Thursday. The male suspects, aged between 22 and 42 years old, were apprehended during a raid on five locations in the capital city Phnom Penh and Banteay Meanchey's Poipet city on Sept. 17 after a thorough probe for months. "A total of 18.29 kg of drugs, including crystal meth, ecstasy (MDMA), ketamine, and nimetazepam, as well as a pistol were seized from the suspects during the crackdown," the ADP said in a news release. The Southeast Asian country has no death sentence for a drug trafficker. Under its law, someone found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grams of illicit drugs could be jailed for life. According to the ADP, Cambodia nabbed 10,545 drug suspects, including 154 foreigners, during the January-August period of 2022, seizing a total of 6.11 tons of narcotics. * Over the past decade, central China's Hubei Province has witnessed a tech boom, with rapid development in emerging industries including optoelectronic information, intelligent manufacturing and high-tech services. * The East Lake High-tech Development Zone, also known as the Optics Valley, is an emerging high-tech cluster in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province. It is the epitome of the province's innovation-driven growth over the decade. * With the gathering of talents and innovative breakthroughs, the Optics Valley is emerging as a high-tech hub in central China, leading the optoelectronic information industry, while making advances in the fields of digital economy, 5G, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. WUHAN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Before Yuan Houwang, 26, graduated with his master's degree in electronics and communications engineering in late June, the only jobs he had considered applying for were those in China's Optics Valley. The graduate from South-Central Minzu University eventually landed his job at Chinese tech giant Xiaomi's Wuhan headquarters in the Valley, working as an air-conditioning hardware engineer. "The Optics Valley is a land of youth and vigor," he said. Photo taken on Nov. 20, 2021 shows the venue of China 5G+ Industrial Internet Conference at the China Optics Valley Convention & Exhibition Center in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) The East Lake High-tech Development Zone, also known as the Optics Valley, is an emerging high-tech cluster in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. Over the past decade, Hubei has witnessed a tech boom, with rapid development in emerging industries including optoelectronic information, intelligent manufacturing and high-tech services. The province's GDP rose from 2.26 trillion yuan (about 324 billion U.S. dollars) in 2012 to over 5 trillion yuan in 2021. The number of high-tech enterprises in the province surged from 1,577 in 2012 to 14,560 in 2021, official data shows. INDIGENOUS INNOVATION The Optics Valley is the epitome of the province's innovation-driven growth over the decade. With the gathering of talents and innovative breakthroughs, it is emerging as a high-tech hub in central China, leading the optoelectronic information industry, while making advances in the fields of digital economy, 5G, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Statistics show that Optics Valley boasted 112,000 companies in 2021, of which more than 4,300 were high-tech enterprises. Aerial photo taken on July 11, 2022 shows an external view of Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (YOFC) in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) At a plant of Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (YOFC), optical fiber preforms are softened at 2,000 degrees Celsius and pulled into optical fibers as thin as a hair at a speed of 3,500 meters per minute. More than 10 years ago, China stepped up the construction of new optical fiber communication networks, but the domestic optical fiber and cable products were not aligned with demand. "Back then, our raw materials and equipment were dependent on imported goods, which seriously constrained the industry in China," recalled Zhuang Dan, president of YOFC, adding that it was around that time that the company resolved to tackle the key techniques related to the fiber preform. Over the past decade, YOFC repeatedly overcame technical obstacles to localize the whole production chain from preform to optical fibers and cables. Meanwhile, their products have been sold to more than 90 countries and regions worldwide. The high-tech zone has also become an ideal choice for the new headquarters and research centers of tech firms. One of the bellwethers is laser giant HGLaser Engineering Co., Ltd. A staff member works at a workshop of HGLaser Engineering Co., Ltd. in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, July 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) As advanced industrial tools, lasers play an important role in upgrading the manufacturing industry by replacing traditional processing methods that lack efficiency and cause heavy pollution. Deng Jiake, general manager of HGLaser, noted that it was very costly to purchase a high-power CNC laser cutting machine from overseas a decade ago, but thanks to the localization of nearly all core parts, the price has dropped significantly. "We'll continue to advance the localization of more high-end technologies and benefit more enterprises in China with more affordable equipment," Deng added. FUTURE BACKED BY TALENT Innovation at the Optics Valley has solid backing from the rich education resources and talent pool found locally. Wuhan, with a large number of universities and research institutes, has more than 1.3 million college students. According to Ye Zufu, general manager of HGLaser's welding product line, the development of laser technology involves multidisciplinary knowledge. The company, like many others in the Optics Valley, works closely with experts in local academic institutions. Meanwhile, some universities have also rolled out tailored programs to nurture students that meet the needs of the high-tech zone. Aerial photo taken on July 9, 2022 shows the Wuhan Institute of New Energy building in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) "Over the years, our university has mustered talents in related disciplines to sustain the development of the optoelectronics industry in the Optics Valley, with strong technical and talent support," said Li Yuanyuan, Party secretary of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Meanwhile, with more and more tech giants like Huawei, ByteDance and Xiaomi settling in the Valley, the high-tech zone has retained more university graduates, who used to flock to first-tier cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen. Since 2017, the Optics Valley has attracted more than 560,000 university students to stay for work opportunities or to start businesses. In 2021 alone, more than 110,000 graduates chose to work in the zone. Hubei plans to use the Optics Valley as a pivot to promote the coordinated development of a cluster of cities and build a world-class innovation hub, according to a plan released in 2021. (Video reporters: Yu Guoqing, Fang Yadong; video editors: Liu Yuting, Zhang Yuhong.) Zimbabwean students who participated in the Seeds for the Future program carried out by Chinese tech giant Huawei have applauded the company's efforts in nurturing local information and communication technology (ICT) talents. This year's program, which was held virtually from Sept. 13 to 20, offered courses on ICT technology, 5G technology, cloud computing, leadership, and Chinese culture. Produced by Xinhua Global Service RAMALLAH, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Palestine is counting on mobilizing the support of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the Palestinian cause and saving the two-state solution, which is threatened by Israeli policies, Palestinian media reported on Wednesday. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is currently in New York to participate in the 77th session of the UNGA, has held a series of meetings with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Norway's Foreign Minister Anken Hoetfeldt, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA said. The meetings "are an important opportunity to explain the Palestinian cause and the difficult situation in the Palestinian territories," Ziad Abu Amr, member of the Palestine Liberation Organization and deputy Prime Minister, told "Voice of Palestine," a radio station based in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Abu Amr, who accompanied Abbas, said the meetings discussed the Palestinian people's demand to end the Israeli occupation, recognize a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and preserve the two-state solution. "In his meetings, President Abbas calls on the international community to assume its responsibilities towards the continuation of the Israeli occupation and to provide international protection for the Palestinian people," Abu Amr said. According to Palestinian officials, Abbas is scheduled to address the UNGA on Friday. "President Abbas's speech before the UN General Assembly will be important and decisive and entail serious measures on the ground," Abu Amr said. Abbas had earlier stated that the Palestinian side is ready to work during the year to demarcate borders and end all final status issues under the auspices of the International Quartet under the UN resolutions. Palestine's envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour said in a press statement that President Abbas's speech will include "justified Palestinian anger after prolonging the occupation." Mansour added that the speech would address the Palestinian endeavors at the UN to preserve the two-state solution. The Palestinians want to establish an independent state alongside Israel on the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel in 1967, including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Since 2014, when the direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians had stopped, the Palestinian cause was marginalized amid the refusal of the Israeli government to sit at the negotiating table to revive the stalled peace process. The Palestinians are looking for a different approach from the international community towards finding a serious and quick solution to dealing with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. On Tuesday, Guterres and leaders of many countries delivered speeches during the UNGA, emphasizing the importance of resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called on the international community to take measures to end the Israeli settlements and occupation of Palestinian state territories, including East Jerusalem. Enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination in their homeland "is the key to achieving security, peace, and stability in the region," the ministry said in a statement sent to Xinhua. "The existence and continuation of the occupation is the main reason for all the existing tensions and escalation campaigns in the conflict arena," the statement said. BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- China will release more pork from government reserves to the market this week to maintain supply and price stability, the country's top economic planner said Thursday. The price of hogs has been running at a relatively high level recently, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). This will be the third batch of pork released from government reserves. The first batch was released on Sept. 8, and the second batch on Sept. 18. Last week, the average pork price tracked by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs was 35.87 yuan (about 5.14 U.S. dollars) per kg, up 0.7 percent week on week. The price was 54.3 percent higher than a year ago. The NDRC said it will follow market changes, continue to release pork reserves, and increase pork release if necessary. NANCHANG, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- In 2006, when Brazilian musician and bar-owner Delei Duarte received an invitation to work as a guitarist in China, he did not hesitate to accept. Duarte, then in his 40s, closed his bar in Brazil and traveled to Datong, a city in north China's Shanxi Province. The following year, he moved to Nanchang, capital city of Jiangxi Province, east China, where he met his wife and started a life that far exceeded his expectations. Now every night, the Brazilian man, with his curly hair and often sporting an aloha shirt, presents Bossa Nova, a popular Brazilian genre of music, and Chinese pop music to customers at his newly opened restaurant bar in Honggutan District. Since settling in China, Duarte, now 60, has opened three bars, all named after Bossa Nova. Over the years, he has witnessed the great changes that have taken place across China. From paying in cash to digital payments, from eat-in meals to the fast development of food delivery services, all of which have provided him with further enthusiasm for life. "Things change and can't stay the same forever, and more changes are on the way," said Duarte. "I remember the first time I came to this city, there were only a few buildings in Honggutan District and not many people lived here. Now we have more subways, bridges and parks. The city has become beautiful." Like the city, the businessman is constantly embracing change. Several months ago, Duarte and his wife decided to close their popular bar and open a restaurant instead. "I hope that our business can keep up with the changes in consumer spending habits. In the past, they mostly cared about the taste and portion size of the food, but now they pay more attention to the dining environment. That's why we retained the live performances at the new restaurant," he added. Duarte has gradually integrated into the local life. To him, music, family, friends, local cuisine and traveling have become indispensable aspects of life, and he hopes that his life in China will continue to be rich and fascinating. Duarte jokes that, despite his advanced age, he is essentially just a "big boy" enjoying life with youthful enthusiasm. "I just want to be a big boy happily living this beautiful oriental dream," he said. Members of Israeli security forces and medical staff work at the scene of an attack near the city of Modi'in in central Israel, on Sept. 22, 2022. A Palestinian man was shot dead after slightly injuring eight Israelis by stabbing and spraying pepper gas in central Israel on Thursday night, Israeli police said. (Photo by Muammar Awad/Xinhua) JERUSALEM, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian man was shot dead after slightly injuring eight Israelis by stabbing and spraying pepper gas in central Israel on Thursday night, Israeli police said. The police said in a statement that the incident -- which took place at a major crossroad outside the city of Modi'in, just next to the seamline zone between Israel and the occupied West Bank -- was "a terror attack." Eyewitnesses told the state-owned Kan TV news that the suspect approached cars at the junction and attempted to open their doors and stab the people inside. Two people were stabbed and six were sprayed by the suspect, all in minor injuries, Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said in a statement. An off-duty police officer who was at the scene shot at the suspect and killed him, the police said. The police identified the suspect as a resident of the West Bank Ramallah city. It was the latest incident in rising violence incidents between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank. Also on Thursday, the police said it was boosting its forces in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and the military had sent an additional battalion to the area ahead of the Jewish holidays, a time which often triggers more tensions. Members of Israeli security forces work at the scene of an attack near the city of Modi'in in central Israel, on Sept. 22, 2022. A Palestinian man was shot dead after slightly injuring eight Israelis by stabbing and spraying pepper gas in central Israel on Thursday night, Israeli police said. (Photo by Muammar Awad/Xinhua) Members of Israeli security forces work at the scene of an attack near the city of Modi'in in central Israel, on Sept. 22, 2022. A Palestinian man was shot dead after slightly injuring eight Israelis by stabbing and spraying pepper gas in central Israel on Thursday night, Israeli police said. (Photo by Muammar Awad/Xinhua) Members of Israeli security forces and medical staff work at the scene of an attack near the city of Modi'in in central Israel, on Sept. 22, 2022. A Palestinian man was shot dead after slightly injuring eight Israelis by stabbing and spraying pepper gas in central Israel on Thursday night, Israeli police said. (Photo by Muammar Awad/Xinhua) Members of Israeli security forces work at the scene of an attack near the city of Modi'in in central Israel, on Sept. 22, 2022. A Palestinian man was shot dead after slightly injuring eight Israelis by stabbing and spraying pepper gas in central Israel on Thursday night, Israeli police said. (Photo by Muammar Awad/Xinhua) By Trend Israeli Transport Minister Merav Michaeli announced on Wednesday that her ministry will advance a plan to establish a complementary international airport in the south of the country, Trend reports citing Xinhua. The plan also includes the expansion of Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv, the major airport in the country, and the development of the northern Haifa Airport, which is currently suitable only for short-haul flights of small-sized planes, Michaeli noted in a ministry statement. A government inspection team has proposed two locations for the potential new southern airport, both in the north of Negev desert and near the city of Beer Sheva, according to the statement. In 2022, the number of passengers at Ben Gurion Airport is expected to reach 18 million, nearly double the number of the Israeli population, according to an estimate by the Israel Airports Authority. Israel launched Ramon Airport near the southernmost city of Eilat in January 2021. However, the airport has been mainly used by tourists who visit the Red Sea resort city and the city's residents because of its remote location, thus contributing less to unburdening Ben Gurion Airport. In October 2021, the Israeli government cancelled a plan to build an international airport in the Jezreel Valley in the north of the country over concerns of severe environmental damage. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (at the podium and on the screens) speaks during the opening of the General Debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Leaders reaffirmed their commitments to protect and conserve at least 30 percent of land and ocean by 2030, transform production and consumption to be well within planetary boundaries, and ensure an equitable transition to nature-positive economies. NEW YORK, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- New commitments aimed at catalyzing biodiversity finance and conservation were unveiled in New York at a high-level event convened Tuesday on the sidelines of the general debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, Xinhua learned Thursday. According to a press release issued by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the new initiatives announced include 870 million euros of new funding from the German government, a 10-point plan for financing biodiversity, and the next phase of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People. An accelerator for action on biodiversity was also announced. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that "Germany resolutely supports the idea of an ambitious global framework on biodiversity. Such a framework needs a strong implementation mechanism that sets us on a path to saving and restoring our ecosystems." "Protecting at least 30 percent of our land and oceans plays a crucial role in this," said Scholz. The second phase of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) will be held in Montreal, Canada from Dec. 5 to 17 this year. Countdown to COP15: Landmark Leaders' Event for a Nature-Positive World saw world leaders declare the success of COP15 a priority for their governments and call for all countries to work together to secure an ambitious global biodiversity agreement in Montreal in the face of an escalating nature crisis that is threatening health, food security, and livelihoods, while undermining climate action and sustainable development, according to the release. Marco Lambertini, director-general of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International, delivers a speech via video during the opening ceremony of the Ecological Civilization Forum of the first part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Oct. 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) Attending leaders reaffirmed their commitment to reverse biodiversity loss and secure a nature-positive world by 2030, including through adopting a transformative biodiversity agreement at COP15 in Montreal. Leaders reaffirmed their commitments to protect and conserve at least 30 percent of land and ocean by 2030, transform production and consumption to be well within planetary boundaries, and ensure an equitable transition to nature-positive economies. Commenting on the leaders' statements, Director General of WWF International Marco Lambertini said that "the new biodiversity finance and conservation initiatives announced today provide critical momentum ahead of the COP15 biodiversity conference in December." "These pledges must be fulfilled over the next few months as nature cannot survive on stagnant or forgotten promises - change must be delivered," Lambertini said. BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed Thursday in an explosion that caused a fire at the New American Oil refinery in the Argentine city of Plaza Huincul in the southern province of Neuquen. "The explosion, the shock wave was very strong," the city's mayor Gustavo Suarez explained to local radio, adding that "so far there are three people dead." According to the official, the incident took place when "one of the main crude oil tanks exploded" at the refinery. He added that "six trucks caught fire" and that firefighters worked to "cool down" the area during the day in order to avoid heating nearby tanks "since they are also loaded." Neuquen Undersecretary of Civil Defense and Citizen Protection Martin Giusti told reporters that "it was not possible to specify how many people were missing," but indicated that "there were probably workers inside the plant at the time of the explosion." The refinery, located some 1,250 km southwest of Buenos Aires, processes different products, including diesel oil, solvents, asphalt and naphtha. UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday called on international partners to help the nation avert a looming famine and defeat terrorism. "In Somalia, we are working tirelessly to transition from over two decades of devastating conflict, drought, famine and developmental stagnation to a new age of stability, progress and prosperity. However, despite our continuing efforts, Somalia and its resilient people are facing some of the most complex and interconnected crises in the world," the president told the general debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. The crises, he said, included ongoing regional drought, which directly threatens the lives and livelihoods of Somali's most vulnerable communities. In a new report issued Wednesday, the UN warned that hundreds of thousands in Somalia are already facing starvation with staggering levels of malnutrition expected among children under five. This is the third time in 10 years that Somalia has been threatened with a devastating famine. Mohamud called on Somalia's partners to do everything possible to help avert a looming famine, which also threatens the wider Horn of Africa region. "We urge all our partners to heed our call and work with us to provide immediate support and relief to the most affected communities." "In the long term, we must collectively work together to ensure that we mitigate the acceleration of the dangerous and costly climate crisis by meeting the commitment to invest in and adequately finance climate adaptation in the most affected and vulnerable regions of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa," he added. The president cited key areas of investment, including sustainable water management, biodiversity protection, enhanced food security, climate-smart agriculture, resilient infrastructure and investment in renewable energy. Somalia has for the first time established a new ministry of environment and climate change to lead the process of urgently addressing the devastating impact of environmental degradation. "Somalia is caught between floods and droughts annually, owing to climate change and poor infrastructure. Our people, who have a long tradition of living harmoniously with nature and barely contributing to poisonous emissions warming the Earth, are the ones who are paying with their lives today," said the president. "We know that climate change is real, and we are living with the evidence of its painful and destructive reality today. We also know that Somalia, and the rest of the world, cannot develop sustainably without the global climate crisis being jointly addressed quickly and effectively." At the same time, Somalia is tackling the "persistent and complex challenge" of terrorism, which he said both contributes to and exacerbates all other crises, including food insecurity, the displacement of people from their homes and climate change. "In recent weeks, the unprovoked violence and senseless actions of al-Shabab against innocent civilians across Somalia has highlighted the urgent need for an expedited, common national and international response to defeating them and advancing regional and global security." He noted that in addition to the efforts carried out by the Somali federal government, the Somali people have begun to rise up to defeat the evils of terror, helping to retake villages and towns in recent months. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- South Korea and Brunei will resume direct flights between Bandar Seri Begawan and Incheon soon, said South Korean Ambassador to Brunei Kim Soung-eun. According to the local daily Borneo Bulletin on Thursday, the ambassador said that before the pandemic, South Korea ranked fifth in terms of the number of international tourist arrivals to Brunei. "I expect a lot of Koreans will visit Brunei again," he said during the reception for South Korea's National Foundation Day held in the capital. The ambassador also said the diplomatic relationship between Brunei and South Korea has been friendly since the sultanate's independence in 1984. Brunei served as the coordinating country for South Korea in the ASEAN mechanism for three years until August 2021. "Brunei played its role very well in connecting Korea with ASEAN," Kim said. BRUSSELS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg expressed his commitment to deepening friendly cooperation with China when Hua Ning, the new Chinese Ambassador to Luxembourg, presented his credentials on Wednesday. During their meeting, the Grand Duke recalled his unforgettable experience at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in China's capital Beijing earlier this year. He said relations between China and Luxembourg have improved tremendously since their establishment of diplomatic ties five decades ago, adding that the two countries will make concerted efforts to expand new areas of cooperation and bolster bilateral relations. Ambassador Hua said bilateral relations between China and Luxembourg have stood the test of time and pressure from changes in the international situation. The ambassador said he looks forward to working with Luxembourg to organize a series of activities marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and to implement the important consensus reached by the two Heads of State during their meeting early this year. Enditem. Customers sit at the outdoor area of the Big Mamy bar in Rome, Italy, Sept. 17, 2022. At the Big Mamy bar in Rome, an inflatable dummy hanging at the window bore a yellow sign board that read "The bill has arrived." Laura Ramoni, owner of the bar, told Xinhua that the bar's electricity bill this June and July was about 2,600 euros, which almost tripled compared to the same period last year. "We can't pay the bill," she said. "I have to fire two people who worked here, and I have raised the coffee price by 0.1 euro." "I felt hanged, and I can't take it anymore," Ramoni said. And that's why she put the dummy and wrote the sign to draw people's attention. What happened to Ramoni is not an isolated case. Europe's ongoing energy crisis has led to an overall rise in energy prices, and Italy has taken the brunt. Laura said fewer customers are visiting the bar now. "This is the result of the crisis," she said. "People's expenses have increased, so they give up on coffee at the bar and make breakfasts at home." (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) A waiter serves coffee for customers at the Big Mamy bar in Rome, Italy, Sept. 17, 2022. At the Big Mamy bar in Rome, an inflatable dummy hanging at the window bore a yellow sign board that read "The bill has arrived." Laura Ramoni, owner of the bar, told Xinhua that the bar's electricity bill this June and July was about 2,600 euros, which almost tripled compared to the same period last year. "We can't pay the bill," she said. "I have to fire two people who worked here, and I have raised the coffee price by 0.1 euro." "I felt hanged, and I can't take it anymore," Ramoni said. And that's why she put the dummy and wrote the sign to draw people's attention. What happened to Ramoni is not an isolated case. Europe's ongoing energy crisis has led to an overall rise in energy prices, and Italy has taken the brunt. Laura said fewer customers are visiting the bar now. "This is the result of the crisis," she said. "People's expenses have increased, so they give up on coffee at the bar and make breakfasts at home." (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) Laura Ramoni works at the Big Mamy bar in Rome, Italy, Sept. 17, 2022. At the Big Mamy bar in Rome, an inflatable dummy hanging at the window bore a yellow sign board that read "The bill has arrived." Laura Ramoni, owner of the bar, told Xinhua that the bar's electricity bill this June and July was about 2,600 euros, which almost tripled compared to the same period last year. "We can't pay the bill," she said. "I have to fire two people who worked here, and I have raised the coffee price by 0.1 euro." "I felt hanged, and I can't take it anymore," Ramoni said. And that's why she put the dummy and wrote the sign to draw people's attention. What happened to Ramoni is not an isolated case. Europe's ongoing energy crisis has led to an overall rise in energy prices, and Italy has taken the brunt. Laura said fewer customers are visiting the bar now. "This is the result of the crisis," she said. "People's expenses have increased, so they give up on coffee at the bar and make breakfasts at home." (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) Laura Ramoni arranges the inflatable dummy at the Big Mamy bar in Rome, Italy, Sept. 17, 2022. At the Big Mamy bar in Rome, an inflatable dummy hanging at the window bore a yellow sign board that read "The bill has arrived." Laura Ramoni, owner of the bar, told Xinhua that the bar's electricity bill this June and July was about 2,600 euros, which almost tripled compared to the same period last year. "We can't pay the bill," she said. "I have to fire two people who worked here, and I have raised the coffee price by 0.1 euro." "I felt hanged, and I can't take it anymore," Ramoni said. And that's why she put the dummy and wrote the sign to draw people's attention. What happened to Ramoni is not an isolated case. Europe's ongoing energy crisis has led to an overall rise in energy prices, and Italy has taken the brunt. Laura said fewer customers are visiting the bar now. "This is the result of the crisis," she said. "People's expenses have increased, so they give up on coffee at the bar and make breakfasts at home." (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) Laura Ramoni works at the Big Mamy bar in Rome, Italy, Sept. 17, 2022. At the Big Mamy bar in Rome, an inflatable dummy hanging at the window bore a yellow sign board that read "The bill has arrived." Laura Ramoni, owner of the bar, told Xinhua that the bar's electricity bill this June and July was about 2,600 euros, which almost tripled compared to the same period last year. "We can't pay the bill," she said. "I have to fire two people who worked here, and I have raised the coffee price by 0.1 euro." "I felt hanged, and I can't take it anymore," Ramoni said. And that's why she put the dummy and wrote the sign to draw people's attention. What happened to Ramoni is not an isolated case. Europe's ongoing energy crisis has led to an overall rise in energy prices, and Italy has taken the brunt. Laura said fewer customers are visiting the bar now. "This is the result of the crisis," she said. "People's expenses have increased, so they give up on coffee at the bar and make breakfasts at home." (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) Sara (1st L), daughter of Laura Ramoni, serves food for customers at the Big Mamy bar in Rome, Italy, Sept. 17, 2022. At the Big Mamy bar in Rome, an inflatable dummy hanging at the window bore a yellow sign board that read "The bill has arrived." Laura Ramoni, owner of the bar, told Xinhua that the bar's electricity bill this June and July was about 2,600 euros, which almost tripled compared to the same period last year. "We can't pay the bill," she said. "I have to fire two people who worked here, and I have raised the coffee price by 0.1 euro." "I felt hanged, and I can't take it anymore," Ramoni said. And that's why she put the dummy and wrote the sign to draw people's attention. What happened to Ramoni is not an isolated case. Europe's ongoing energy crisis has led to an overall rise in energy prices, and Italy has taken the brunt. Laura said fewer customers are visiting the bar now. "This is the result of the crisis," she said. "People's expenses have increased, so they give up on coffee at the bar and make breakfasts at home." (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) An inflatable dummy and a yellow sign board reading "The bill has arrived" are seen at the Big Mamy bar in Rome, Italy, Sept. 17, 2022. At the Big Mamy bar in Rome, an inflatable dummy hanging at the window bore a yellow sign board that read "The bill has arrived." Laura Ramoni, owner of the bar, told Xinhua that the bar's electricity bill this June and July was about 2,600 euros, which almost tripled compared to the same period last year. "We can't pay the bill," she said. "I have to fire two people who worked here, and I have raised the coffee price by 0.1 euro." "I felt hanged, and I can't take it anymore," Ramoni said. And that's why she put the dummy and wrote the sign to draw people's attention. What happened to Ramoni is not an isolated case. Europe's ongoing energy crisis has led to an overall rise in energy prices, and Italy has taken the brunt. Laura said fewer customers are visiting the bar now. "This is the result of the crisis," she said. "People's expenses have increased, so they give up on coffee at the bar and make breakfasts at home." (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) An inflatable dummy and a yellow sign board reading "The bill has arrived" are seen at the Big Mamy bar in Rome, Italy, Sept. 17, 2022. At the Big Mamy bar in Rome, an inflatable dummy hanging at the window bore a yellow sign board that read "The bill has arrived." Laura Ramoni, owner of the bar, told Xinhua that the bar's electricity bill this June and July was about 2,600 euros, which almost tripled compared to the same period last year. "We can't pay the bill," she said. "I have to fire two people who worked here, and I have raised the coffee price by 0.1 euro." "I felt hanged, and I can't take it anymore," Ramoni said. And that's why she put the dummy and wrote the sign to draw people's attention. What happened to Ramoni is not an isolated case. Europe's ongoing energy crisis has led to an overall rise in energy prices, and Italy has taken the brunt. Laura said fewer customers are visiting the bar now. "This is the result of the crisis," she said. "People's expenses have increased, so they give up on coffee at the bar and make breakfasts at home." (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) Sara, daughter of Laura Ramoni, serves food for customers at the Big Mamy bar in Rome, Italy, Sept. 17, 2022. At the Big Mamy bar in Rome, an inflatable dummy hanging at the window bore a yellow sign board that read "The bill has arrived." Laura Ramoni, owner of the bar, told Xinhua that the bar's electricity bill this June and July was about 2,600 euros, which almost tripled compared to the same period last year. "We can't pay the bill," she said. "I have to fire two people who worked here, and I have raised the coffee price by 0.1 euro." "I felt hanged, and I can't take it anymore," Ramoni said. And that's why she put the dummy and wrote the sign to draw people's attention. What happened to Ramoni is not an isolated case. Europe's ongoing energy crisis has led to an overall rise in energy prices, and Italy has taken the brunt. Laura said fewer customers are visiting the bar now. "This is the result of the crisis," she said. "People's expenses have increased, so they give up on coffee at the bar and make breakfasts at home." (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) Laura Ramoni sits at the outdoor area of the Big Mamy bar in Rome, Italy, Sept. 17, 2022. At the Big Mamy bar in Rome, an inflatable dummy hanging at the window bore a yellow sign board that read "The bill has arrived." Laura Ramoni, owner of the bar, told Xinhua that the bar's electricity bill this June and July was about 2,600 euros, which almost tripled compared to the same period last year. "We can't pay the bill," she said. "I have to fire two people who worked here, and I have raised the coffee price by 0.1 euro." "I felt hanged, and I can't take it anymore," Ramoni said. And that's why she put the dummy and wrote the sign to draw people's attention. What happened to Ramoni is not an isolated case. Europe's ongoing energy crisis has led to an overall rise in energy prices, and Italy has taken the brunt. Laura said fewer customers are visiting the bar now. "This is the result of the crisis," she said. "People's expenses have increased, so they give up on coffee at the bar and make breakfasts at home." (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) An inflatable dummy and a yellow sign board reading "The bill has arrived" are seen at the Big Mamy bar in Rome, Italy, Sept. 17, 2022. At the Big Mamy bar in Rome, an inflatable dummy hanging at the window bore a yellow sign board that read "The bill has arrived." Laura Ramoni, owner of the bar, told Xinhua that the bar's electricity bill this June and July was about 2,600 euros, which almost tripled compared to the same period last year. "We can't pay the bill," she said. "I have to fire two people who worked here, and I have raised the coffee price by 0.1 euro." "I felt hanged, and I can't take it anymore," Ramoni said. And that's why she put the dummy and wrote the sign to draw people's attention. What happened to Ramoni is not an isolated case. Europe's ongoing energy crisis has led to an overall rise in energy prices, and Italy has taken the brunt. Laura said fewer customers are visiting the bar now. "This is the result of the crisis," she said. "People's expenses have increased, so they give up on coffee at the bar and make breakfasts at home." (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) Laura Ramoni (R) and her daughter Sara pose for a photo at the Big Mamy bar in Rome, Italy, Sept. 17, 2022. At the Big Mamy bar in Rome, an inflatable dummy hanging at the window bore a yellow sign board that read "The bill has arrived." Laura Ramoni, owner of the bar, told Xinhua that the bar's electricity bill this June and July was about 2,600 euros, which almost tripled compared to the same period last year. "We can't pay the bill," she said. "I have to fire two people who worked here, and I have raised the coffee price by 0.1 euro." "I felt hanged, and I can't take it anymore," Ramoni said. And that's why she put the dummy and wrote the sign to draw people's attention. What happened to Ramoni is not an isolated case. Europe's ongoing energy crisis has led to an overall rise in energy prices, and Italy has taken the brunt. Laura said fewer customers are visiting the bar now. "This is the result of the crisis," she said. "People's expenses have increased, so they give up on coffee at the bar and make breakfasts at home." (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) Sara, daughter of Laura Ramoni, serves coffee for customers at the Big Mamy bar in Rome, Italy, Sept. 17, 2022. At the Big Mamy bar in Rome, an inflatable dummy hanging at the window bore a yellow sign board that read "The bill has arrived." Laura Ramoni, owner of the bar, told Xinhua that the bar's electricity bill this June and July was about 2,600 euros, which almost tripled compared to the same period last year. "We can't pay the bill," she said. "I have to fire two people who worked here, and I have raised the coffee price by 0.1 euro." "I felt hanged, and I can't take it anymore," Ramoni said. And that's why she put the dummy and wrote the sign to draw people's attention. What happened to Ramoni is not an isolated case. Europe's ongoing energy crisis has led to an overall rise in energy prices, and Italy has taken the brunt. Laura said fewer customers are visiting the bar now. "This is the result of the crisis," she said. "People's expenses have increased, so they give up on coffee at the bar and make breakfasts at home." (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Joao Gomes Cravinho on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 21, 2022. (Photo by Liao Pan/Xinhua) NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Portuguese counterpart, Joao Gomes Cravinho, on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Noting that the Chinese people have friendly feelings towards the Portuguese people, Wang said the China-Portugal relationship has stood the test of the international landscape changes and achieved sound development on the basis of mutual understanding and mutual trust. The two countries have advanced their practical cooperation while overcoming the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wang said, adding that exports of Portuguese agricultural and food products to China are growing rapidly, and that cooperation between large companies from both sides and tripartite cooperation are progressing smoothly. Both China and Portugal are committed to practicing true multilateralism, he said. In the face of the turbulence and transformations in the international situation, China is willing to work with Portugal to jointly uphold the UN's core role in international affairs, and promote the cause of human peace, development and progress, he said. Wang said Portugal, as an important EU member, has been playing a positive and constructive role in China-EU exchanges. China, he said, expects mutual understanding, mutual appreciation, peaceful coexistence and mutually learning with European countries, including Portugal, as well as respect for each other's development path chosen on the basis of their respective historical and cultural legacy. He also expressed the expectation that the EU side will take an objective, rational and impartial attitude, and hold on to the mainstream of China-EU cooperation, so as to yield win-win results. For his part, Cravinho said friendly exchanges between Portugal and China have lasted for centuries, and bilateral practical cooperation in various fields has developed fast. Portuguese companies have a strong interest in investing in China, he said. China plays a critical role in addressing common challenges such as safeguarding peace and security, and tackling climate change, he said. The Portuguese side appreciates China's positive role in international affairs, and stands ready to maintain high-level exchanges and promote strategic dialogues with the Chinese side, he said. Portugal agrees on the diversity of civilizations, calling for enhancing mutual understanding through open and candid dialogue to create favorable atmosphere for Portugal-China and EU-China cooperation, he added. The two sides spoke highly of the smooth handover of Macao through friendly negotiations between the countries, which created a cooperation highlight, and pledged to jointly increase support for the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries. Calling the practice of "one country, two systems" in Macau effective, Cravinho said he expects Macau to continue to act as a bridge to facilitate Portugal-China cooperation. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine issue. Wang briefed China's basic position of promoting peace talks and the constructive role it has played. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili meets with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met here with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly. Noting that Georgia and China are reliable friends and partners to each other, Garibashvili said Georgia appreciates China for its help in the country's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to adhere to the one-China principle and uphold justice on China-related issues. Georgia admires China for achieving impressive development achievements, which have greatly improved the people's well-being, supports and actively participates in the Belt and Road cooperation, and looks forward to fully utilizing its geographical advantages so as to develop regional cooperation corridors, he said. Noting the smooth implementation of the China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement, the prime minister said Georgia welcomes China's investment in the country, and will facilitate Chinese enterprises' doing business in Georgia. Garibashvili said Georgia pursues practical and constructive policies, is committed to safeguarding the long-term peace and stability of the region, and does not favor the arbitrary imposition of unilateral sanctions. For his part, Wang noted that the two countries celebrated together the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in June. The key to the successful bilateral relationship lies in the unwavering mutual trust and mutual assistance between the two countries, as well as the accommodation of each other's major concerns on multilateral occasions, he said. Wang said he hopes that both sides can work together to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, and bring bilateral relationship to a maturer, stabler, more practical and more efficient level. China supports Georgia's unique and important role in maintaining regional peace, and appreciates Georgia for actively promoting the Belt and Road cooperation, Wang said. China stands ready to strengthen the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the "Middle Corridor" vision in an effort to pool more global consensus, seize new opportunities to build a healthy Silk Road, a green Silk Road and a digital Silk Road, and create new growth drivers for mutually beneficial cooperation based upon the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, he said. Wang said China encourages competent and willing Chinese companies to invest in Georgia and participate in the construction of special economic zones or industrial parks in the country. China is willing to strengthen bilateral cooperation in such areas as ports, energy and 5G, and fully tap the potential of bilateral cooperation in such fields as education, culture, science, technology, and sports, so as to push for continuous new achievements in the development of bilateral relations, he added. BERLIN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Prices for firewood and wood pellets in Germany soared around 86 percent in August from a year ago amid the persisting energy crisis, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said on Thursday. In view of rising gas, oil and electricity prices, more German families are turning to wood for heating. The demand spike for wood, coupled with higher buying prices and transport costs, has driven up the overall prices in the wood industry, Destatis said. In August, overall prices for household energy in Germany rose 46 percent year on year, natural gas prices surged 84 percent, while heating oil was more than twice as expensive as in the same period of last year, according to Destatis. To support Europe's largest economy and its citizens, the German government has launched three relief packages totaling 95 billion euros (94 billion U.S. dollars). These include short-term relief to cover the high heating bills in winter, as well as a general increase in welfare state payments starting from next year. As the Germans turn to wood for heating, imports of wood-burning stoves went up by around 9 percent between March and July, according to Destatis. More than half of the imported stoves came from China. In new residential buildings completed in Germany last year, wood has become the most important secondary source for heating, alongside solar thermal energy. (1 euro = 0.99 U.S. dollars) NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The year 2021 saw a 58-percent hike in the deaths of homeless shelter residents in New York compared to 2019, local news channel Spectrum News NY1 reported on its website on Tuesday. NY1 obtained records of thousands of violent and serious incident reports in the New York City shelter system, showing an increase in the numbers of reported deaths, fights, sex offenses and overdoses. For instance, the number of reported fights climbed by nearly 16 percent to 1,425 between 2019 and 2021, among which 968 were fights with a serious injury or involved the presence or use of a weapon. Reported sex offenses rose from 368 in 2019 to 588 in 2021, while overdose incidents went up from 701 in 2019 to 1,093 in 2021. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeless Services also noted overdoses are climbing nationwide. By Azernews By Sabina Mammadli Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Rostam Ghasemi noted the high level of Azerbaijani-Iranian relations. The remarks were made during the ministers visit to the ceremony of the Aghband highway bridge, which is to be built on the border with Iran in Azerbaijans Eastern Zangazur Economic Region. The parties also stressed that the cooperation between the two countries is developing dynamically in the political, economic, cultural, and other fields. Confidence was expressed that the new bridge will serve to strengthen friendly ties between the two countries, contribute to the further development of transport links and increase the transit potential of the region. During the ceremony, the large-scale restoration and construction work carried out in Azerbaijani territories liberated from Armenian occupation was emphasized. As part of the work, the project of the Horadiz-Aghband highway was completed by 59 percent, and the Horadiz-Aghband railway - by 38 percent. The guests were informed that a memorandum of understanding was signed on the creation of new communication links between the Eastern Zangazur economic region and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan on March 11, 2022. As part of the implementation of this memorandum, its planned to build road and rail bridges across the Araz River between the Eastern Zangazur region and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through the territory of Iran. Besides, it was pointed out that the bridge connecting the Horadiz-Jabrayil-Zangilan-Aghband highway with a length of 112 kilometers with the Iranian highway network across the Araz River was designed with a length of 216 meters and a width of 24.5 meters. The Aghband highway bridge will create additional opportunities for the countries of the region, serving to increase the potential of the East-West transport corridor, as well as to expand transport and economic ties. The bridge has two lanes for vehicles and one for pedestrians in each direction, and its also planned to build a checkpoint across the state border, capable of receiving at least 1,000 cargo vehicles (export, import, and transit goods). The event was attended by the Iranian delegation and representatives of the Azerbaijani ministries of digital development and transport, energy, the State Customs Committee, the State Border Service, the State Highways Agency of Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijani Railways Company. People visit "RE+ 2022" show held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Orange County, California, the United States on Sept. 21, 2022. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) by Xinhua writer Tan Jingjing LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- North America's leading clean energy show is held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Southern California this week, focusing on innovative ways and business opportunities to move the clean energy industry forward. The show, named "RE+ 2022", brings together clean energy industry experts, leaders and professionals across the United States and overseas to expand business prospects and share best practices. The events focus on sustainable solutions in such areas as solar and wind power, energy storage, green hydrogen, electric vehicles, microgrids and more, to promote business opportunities among participants and identify ways to facilitate the clean energy industry. Mission Solar, an American company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, exhibited their solar energy modules at the show. Jae Y. Yang, president and CEO of Mission Solar, told Xinhua that climate change poses increasing challenges to the whole world. Texas has seen severe heat wave and drought this year. Extreme weather has happened more frequently than before. Global warming calls for urgent efforts for promoting renewable energy, which offers significant opportunities for the clean energy industry, he said. The company plans to expand its current capacity and reach out to more distributors in the U.S. residential market at the show, Yang told Xinhua. "The world needs to make a right choice for promoting renewable energy consumption, and needs joint cooperation to meet the goal for emission reduction," Mauricio Ochoa, director of plant operation at Mission Solar, told Xinhua. REPT Energy, headquartered in Wenzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province, is one of the Chinese companies participating in the four-day show. A series of the company's battery pack, battery system and cell are on show, attracting lots of visitors. Jason Hong, overseas sales director of REPT Energy, told Xinhua that during the pandemic, cell production in China had seen great development, while the consumption markets overseas also grew a lot. Face-to-face interactions with overseas markets were caught by the pandemic for nearly three years, he said. "We hope to reach out to more customers at the expo, better understand North American market and explore more opportunities," Hong told Xinhua. A series of workshops were held at the show, addressing topics such as innovative solutions to enable faster, simpler, and fairer interconnection of solar energy, wind energy, and energy storage; the latest emerging technologies in clean energy industry; and preparations for the transition to a carbon-free future. More than 80 exhibitors have participated in the show running from Monday to Thursday. "RE+" held its inaugural show as "Solar Power International" in 2004 to bring together people, products, and professional development opportunities that drive the solar marketplace. The event has since evolved alongside the industry, bringing together an extensive alliance of clean energy professionals to become a leading gathering in the clean energy industry in North America. NEW YORK, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Wednesday announced 1.27 billion U.S. dollars of commitments to meet global goals in the fields of health and development. In particular, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged 912 million U.S. dollars to help end HIV, tuberculosis and malaria by 2030 and build resilient health systems needed to protect against future pandemics, said a release by the foundation. The funding will also be instrumental in reducing the disproportionate impact of these diseases on women and girls, added the release. "We can get back on track toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but it's going to take a new level of collaboration and investment from every sector," said Mark Suzman, CEO of the foundation, noting that the foundation is significantly stepping up its commitment to help confront crises and ensure a long-term impact across critical determinants of health and development. Due to overlapping global crises, nearly every indicator of the SDGs is off track at the halfway point for achieving them by 2030, according to a recent report by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The commitment to combat preventable diseases and save millions more lives through the Global Fund, an international financing organization, is a great step forward in getting back on track to reach the SDGs, according to Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation also committed 100 million dollars to help alleviate the food crisis disproportionately impacting communities in Africa and South Asia and address its underlying causes whereas another commitment of 200 million dollars goes to the expanding of infrastructure such as interoperable payment systems, digital ID, data-sharing systems, and civil registry databases in low-and middle-income countries, according to the release. New Delhi: Senora Begum, a woman from Myanmar filed a petition in the Delhi High Court. In response, the central government on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that it had received data through security agencies that pointed to illegal Rohingya migrants having links with Pakistan-based terrorist organizations. It has been told in the affidavit that this is a matter of serious concern from the point of view of the security of the country. The Central Government said that as per the policy of the Government of India, such illegal foreigners should be deported back to their country of origin subject to verification of their nationality in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs. It is noteworthy that the woman had filed a petition on 20 September. This petition was against the decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The ministry had rejected the exit permit applications of the woman and her three children to leave India. The woman wanted to move to America with her three children. The government said that the main concern is that illegal migrants continue to come through agents from Myanmar. These people are entering India through Benapole-Haridaspur (West Bengal), Hili (West Bengal) and Sonmora (Tripura), Kolkata and Guwahati. The Center further said that this situation is causing serious damage to national security. The Center, in an affidavit filed before Justice Yashwant Verma, said that due to the already existing large influx of illegal migrants from neighbouring countries, there has been a serious change in the demographic situation of some of the bordering states of India which creates complications in various contexts. The central government's affidavit has come in response to a plea by a woman who claims to be a citizen of Myanmar. The woman says that she is not a Rohingya. The woman has challenged the decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Foreigners Regional Registration Office not to allow him to leave India and go to the US. The woman has said in her petition that she and her husband Nurul Amin have been victims of persecution in their home country of Myanmar. They got married in 2004 after settling in a refugee camp in Bangladesh. Amin moved to the US in 2015, acquired citizenship of the country and obtained permanent residency visas for the petitioners. Now he is trying to take his family there too. But when the petitioner and her children came to India from the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh and applied for an exit permit, the authorities asked them to submit a NOC from the Embassy of Myanmar and an affidavit regarding their recent travel. However, the family said that they are 'stateless' people and they cannot get NoC. TRP scam case: ED files chargesheet against Republic TV, know what it said? 4 children crushed to death as wall collapses due to rain These states will receive heavy rains till Sept 25, know the condition of your state BEIJING: Chinese military experts have told state media that they expect an increase in the use of state-of-the-art drones in the PLAAF's border security operations in the near future. The pilots of many of these unmanned drones have experience in flying fighter jets. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with multiple capabilities and a range of about 1,000 km has been unveiled by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The new drone can be seen practicing from a PLAAF base in northwest China in a video released by the Defense Ministry. Additionally, according to state media, the new drone unit practiced "long-endurance" flights of more than a thousand kilometers. CCTV has emphasized that this is the first time the PLAAF drone unit has been made public to the press. According to experts cited by state media, the new drone will play an "important role" in border patrol and counter-terrorist operations. According to military experts, drones can patrol the border more cheaply and effectively than manned fighters. According to experts, drones are likely to be used in "integration exercises" with fighter jets, early warning aircraft, helicopters and other drone types. According to reports, fighter pilots who have flown J-7, J-8 and J-16 jets are now piloting drones. The use of drones has been observed by the PLAAF along the maritime borders in the east as well as along the western and north-western borders. In September, Taiwan reported seeing several different types of drones used by the PLAAF. Beijing is embroiled in a border dispute with India along its western border as new drones have been unveiled. In the Gogra Heights-Hot Springs area, a flashpoint in the Ladakh border standoff that broke out in April-May 2020, Indian and Chinese troops "completed decommissioning" and "destroyed military infrastructure" this month. However, thousands of soldiers from both sides are still engaged in a tense standoff at two other flashpoints. On Tuesday, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the border situation with China is still "not normal". Tensions have also increased in the Taiwan Strait since Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei last month. In response to Pelosi's provocative visit, the PLA conducted its largest ever live-fire and ballistic missile exercises in six areas around Taiwan; Beijing views Taiwan as a separate province that will eventually be reunited with the mainland. Fundamental tenets of the United Nations are in danger Truss and Macron express "no concern" over Biden's pledge to militarily defend Taiwan French and German leaders are reportedly planning trips to Beijing BEIJING: Chinese envoys have begun a diplomatic flurry to set the stage for possible visits from leaders of France and Germany to Beijing later this year. Former Chinese ambassador to Germany Xi Mingde was in Berlin last week to finalize plans for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's first state visit to Beijing in November, during which he would meet with President Xi Jinping, according to a source with knowledge of the matter. according. French and Chinese diplomats have held several online and in-person meetings amid rumors that French President Emmanuel Macron will travel separately to meet with Xi in November. After speaking with Macron's diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his French counterpart Catherine Colonna at the United Nations in New York on Monday. In July, The South China Morning Post reported that Macron, Scholz and the presidents of Italy and Spain were also invited by China. The trips will take place a week apart, according to Noah Barkin, managing editor of Rhodium Group, who first announced it on his Twitter page. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday: "At the moment, I do not have information to share about this." Wang had previously called the invitation "fake news". Both Berlin and Paris declined to confirm the visits, claiming that international travel is usually announced a week in advance. If the visits go ahead, it will be the first visit by Western European leaders to China in three years because of the demands of the Covid. Macron and Scholz will likely be among the first world leaders to visit them after Xi is expected to be elected to a third five-year term as party leader at the Communist Party Congress in October. However, China's relations with Europe have deteriorated significantly over the past three years. including China's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, European sanctions against Chinese officials over the human rights situation in Xinjiang, an informal Chinese trade embargo on goods bound for Lithuania, and growing concerns about cross-strait relations with Taiwan Several issues have given rise to tension. According to analysts, European leaders will be pressured to avoid returning to pre-pandemic behavior, when state visits to China were often used as junk to close business deals. "The symbols used in communication are important. President Macron announced, during his first visit to the Indo-Pacific region, that he would be visiting China annually, according to Antoine Bondaz, a research fellow at the Fondation por la Recherche Strategic, for many Surprised people. A French think tank. At the start of his second term, Bondaz said, "It will be important to send a more balanced message, particularly by highlighting our Indo-Pacific strategy." Scholz is under even greater pressure now that the entire German strategy towards China is up for debate. Their alliance is involved in a messy dispute over COSCO's proposal to acquire a 35% stake in the container port of Hamburg, the third largest in Europe. Robert Habeck, the economy minister and co-leader of the Greens, a junior coalition partner, said he was leaning toward opposing the purchase. According to Scholz's Social Democratic Party member and Hamburg mayor Peter Tschancher, the dispute will harm the port as COSCO has already invested in rival operators in the port cities of Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Antwerp, Belgium. "Shipping companies should also be able to participate in terminals in Hamburg, if it makes business sense," he said. "To keep up with international competition, it must be possible." The dispute jeopardized Germany's reputation as an open economy, according to Port of Hamburg Marketing CEO Axel Matern. Everyone is welcome to invest in our free social market economy. Such a strategy should be politically decided and implemented at the European level, he said, if there are political concerns that some players will be only European. The consortium should be allowed to invest in a limited amount. The controversy comes when the German Foreign Ministry, also led by the Green Party's Annalena Barbock, develops a New China strategy that is likely to depart from previous strategies. According to several reports, export credit and investment guarantees from the government cannot be given to companies doing business in China. According to the United Nations, Volkswagen was denied such guarantees earlier this year for a project in Xinjiang where the Chinese government is suspected of allegedly committing crimes against humanity. China denies the allegations. According to Pascal Ebb, a China researcher at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt, German foreign policy is being "securitized". According to Ebb, "the port issue is the most visible part of the securitization process, where issues that were not previously considered core security issues are moved to that scope." "Because you have these political differences and because there is, in my opinion, an exaggerated fear that Chinese infrastructure investments will undermine national security, you are cutting back on some relations, especially in the economic sphere, that used to be seen as separate from politics - what the Chinese like to call "win-win cooperation." What are the requirements for advancement in Chinese politics? Officials say Beijing will intensify sanctions against Taiwan's pro-independence forces USC is being sued by the family of a Chinese student who died while being filmed Ankara: Turkish President Richep Tayyip Erdogan has once again raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Despite already raising strong objections from India's side, Erdogan has uttered Kashmir issue. On this, India also raised the issue of Cyprus pressing Turkey's sore point. Within hours of Erdogan's statement, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Kavusoglu and raised the issue of Cyprus. Giving information about this meeting, Jaishankar wrote in a tweet that, 'Met the Foreign Minister of Turkey and many issues were discussed with him. Among them is the crisis in Ukraine. Food security, G20 countries and Cyprus.' Let us tell you that the issue of Cyprus has been a sore point for Turkey from the beginning and India has suppressed this weak vein of Turkey in return for speaking on Kashmir. This diplomacy of India is being seen as a befitting reply to Turkey's Kashmir anger. In fact, the Cyprus crisis began in 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern part. The situation in Cyprus had worsened due to the military coup and Turkey took advantage of it. Since then, India has been in favour that the matter should be resolved according to the United Nations (UN). India has always had good relations with Cyprus and has been supportive of India's stand on Kashmir issues for the last 5 decades. Addressing the United Nations (UN), a few hours before the meeting of Jaishankar and the Turkish Foreign Minister, Erdogan said that it has been 75 years since India and Pakistan became independent and sovereign countries, but till now there is no peaceful relationship between the two countries. Huh. it's unfortunate. We hope that the Kashmir issue will be resolved and there will be lasting peace. Let us tell you that in the last few years, the President of Turkey has raised the issue of Kashmir in the United Nations General Assembly several times. Let us inform you that, earlier in 2021, while raising the Kashmir issue, Erdogan said that we hope that both sides will resolve this issue peacefully. At the same time in 2020 also he raised this issue. Both times there was a befitting reply from India. Let us tell you that recently, Turkish President Erdogan had a meeting with PM Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the SCO summit. Turkey is facing a deep economic crisis these days. In such a situation, their meeting was seen as an attempt to improve business relations. Crown Prince mediates prisoner release between Russia and Ukraine French and German leaders are reportedly planning trips to Beijing 'Dictator should...', 'Anti-hijab' women's fierce protest against Islamic country's supreme leader Tehran: Thousands of women are protesting in Iran after a woman detained in police custody for not wearing a hijab lost her life. The women also wished for the death of Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of this Muslim country, calling him a dictator and waving posters related to it. The Iranian government has blocked access to Instagram in the wake of heavy protests. So far, 7 people have lost their lives in these protests. Some men are also on the streets with women. These brave women stormed into the streets on day 2 after #Mahsa_Amini was murdered by hijab police. They chant: Dont be afraid, we are all united. Yesterday the security forces opened fire at protesters and injured some of them. People wont give up. #_ pic.twitter.com/8RtpMlwSN2 Masih Alinejad ???? (@AlinejadMasih) September 18, 2022 At the same time, due to these protests, Iran has blocked Instagram in its country. The protests erupted after the brutal murder of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Iran's Morality Police arrested the woman for wearing "inappropriate clothes". The demand for human rights is now intensifying in this Muslim country struggling with international sanctions. An Iranian minister threatened to shut down the internet, citing "security reasons" and said his statement had been misrepresented as the controversy escalated. At the same time, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei made no mention of these demonstrations while giving a speech at an event organized to mark the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war between 1980-88. Earlier, such protests were seen in Iran in 2019, when the government increased gas prices. Security forces are constantly trying repressive methods. Urmia, 23, and Pirnsahar, 16, were shot dead by police during the protest. However, the Iranian administration is not confirming these deaths. Iranian protesters are now gathering at one place and leave before the police arrive so that they do not have to face cruelty. Several young men were brutally beaten up by police in the western area of Tehran University. 450 people have been injured in these protests due to police action. The Iranian government is talking about a 'clean investigation', but the demand of the protesters is not so much. At the same time, Israeli women have supported Iran's protesters. Mahsa Amini was a 22 year old woman who was killed by the Iranian Regime for not wearing her hijab properly. Women across Israel stand in solidarity with Iranians and promise to remember Mahsa. Mahsa_amini _ pic.twitter.com/tIq4oJMK1G Israel (@Israel) September 21, 2022 Videos are going viral on social media, in which women are burning their hijab with open hair and some are protesting against the incident by cutting their hair. Iranian women are showing their outrage over the murder of Mahsa Amini by cutting off her hair and burning her hijab. Journalist Alinejad says that if girls in Iran do not cover their hair from the age of 7, they are not allowed to go to school and do not get any jobs. Let us know that women in Iran are fed up with this system of gender discrimination. Ukraine claims that 200 war prisoners were exchanged for one man What are the requirements for advancement in Chinese politics? Germany has a huge opportunity" to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup: Bierhoff United States: When Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations General Assembly and Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Union of Arab States, met on Wednesday outside the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the topics they discussed included the Palestinian cause. Their representatives claimed that the two officials discussed a range of issues related to global crises as well as the most recent Middle East developments. According to a representative of Abul Gheit, the head of the Arab League told Guterres that he appreciated the important contribution of the UN chief during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. According to reports, Guterres discussed the current situation in the Middle East as well as the actions of the United Nations in Somalia, Yemen and Syria. Abul Gheit also emphasized the intense despair that Palestinians experience as a result of the many political obstacles that stand in the way of their cause. Both men agreed that efforts to bring stability and prosperity to the region should continue to focus on the Palestinian issue. They pledged to cooperate in an organized effort to find political solutions to the crises that some countries in the region are currently experiencing. "We agreed on the danger of ignoring serious efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue and the importance of continuing our joint work for this purpose," Abul Gheit wrote in a message shared on Twitter. Despite the challenging and complex international situation, Guterres is making great progress on many fronts including politics, the environment, development and more. On Wednesday, Abul Gheit also met Malta's Minister for Foreign, European and Trade Affairs, Ian Borg, and congratulated Malta on his selection as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the years 2023-2024. He added that Malta's support for Arab issues on the council's agenda at the time, particularly those related to the Palestinian cause, is important to the Arab League. Abul Gheit last week urged Spain to support Palestine's application for full membership in the United Nations, as part of plans for a new diplomatic push for recognition. The United Nations currently grants Palestine observer status. On 23 September, the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, is scheduled to address the General Assembly and discuss the campaign for full membership. According to a spokesman, the leader of Abu Ghet met Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albers in Madrid and discussed issues of mutual interest and ways to improve relations between the two countries. Ukraine conflict to be front and centre at UN as West and Russia compete for support Can the ideas of young people be used to improve a failing global education system? There is a push to punish China for its abuses outside of the UN US: Amazonian indigenous leaders have warned that the ecosystem is on the verge of a catastrophic collapse and urged major Western brands and banks to halt the ongoing destruction of essential rainforest through mining, oil drilling and logging. All indigenous peoples of the Amazon region have this week in New York pressurized governments and corporations to stop activities that are polluting and destroying large tracts of rainforest. Groups are in town for the United Nations and climate conferences. According to a recent report by the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), products from companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Tesla may contain gold that was illegally mined in indigenous territories along the Amazon. Two refineries, Chimet and Marsam, which the Brazilian authorities are looking for their connections to illegal mining, supply these businesses. According to the APIB report, the total area used for illegal mining in the Amazon has increased significantly over the past ten years, increasing by 495% to 2,409 hectares in 2021. Since the election of President Jair Bolsonaro, illegal gold mining in Brazil has increased significantly. Now, Bolsonaro's allies are attempting to pass legislation through the country's Congress that would allow mineral extraction on indigenous lands. Deforestation, conflicts with local indigenous populations, and mercury poisoning of the water are all responsible for the mining. People are dying as a result of this deadly industry, said Dinam Tuxa, leader of the Tuxa people of the state of Bahia in the northeast of Brazil and executive coordinator of the APIB. "We are seeing the destruction of ecosystems and entire communities." Our lives are in danger, mainly from miners, loggers and agricultural corporations. Our traditional lifestyle is directly threatened by these activities. All the destruction and violence is the result of the desire of these large corporations to pursue industries such as mining and agribusiness on indigenous lands. Additionally, indigenous activists have accused several major US financial institutions of ongoing logging and mining operations in the Amazon that are degrading the rainforest, including BlackRock, Vanguard and JPMorgan Chase. According to data released in July, the rate of deforestation in Brazil's Amazon region has reached a six-year high. Scientists warn that the enabling ecosystem is at risk of becoming a grass savanna due to global warming and the removal of trees for agricultural purposes. We see huge infrastructure projects in the Amazon, projects that are not designed for people living in the Amazon, said Toya Manchineri, representative of the Manchineri people of the Amazonian state of Acre. who know nothing of our reality and live outside." Manchineri claimed that logging operations, new dam construction, and oil drilling interfere with traditional indigenous ways of life and make it more difficult to find fish or medicinal plants in the forest. These critical infrastructure projects, according to Manchineri, "bring thousands of strange people into our cities, bringing with them diseases, violence, prostitution, alcohol, filth, and overcrowding our hospitals." Indigenous populations are harmed by these large businesses. All that is left for us is poverty, violence and abandonment of the state; This development does not happen to us. The Amazon has long been a top priority for conservationists, and some Indigenous leaders in New York admitted that they were tired of trying to persuade those in influential positions to protect the site, which compared the native population. I was more. and serves as a home for an important ecosystem and carbon store, which, when protected, can help prevent climate breakdown. I sometimes question why I leave. "I'm tired of saying the same thing and things are moving so slowly," said Domingo Paes, of the Achuar tribe in Ecuador's Amazon. However, I have met many people both in government and youth activists who insist that we must act immediately. This gives me hope that things are changing when I hear people say things like this . "Our responsible sourcing standards are among the strongest in the industry and strictly forbid the use of illegally mined minerals," an Apple spokesperson said. "We remove smelters and refiners from our supply chain if they are unable or unwilling to adhere to our strict standards. Since 2009, we have ordered the removal of more than 150 smelters and refiners." When this article was published, none of the companies Tesla, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase or Vanguard had responded to requests for comment. BlackRock chose not to respond. Under the sea, forests twice as large as India, new research revealed Why is the unicorn of wildlife on the verge of Extinction? Lumpy virus total cases 173 nos detected in cattle in Delhi Today, Ola Electric publicly announced its arrival in Nepal. The Chennai-based EV company has now joined the Indian companies that produce electric two-wheelers and export them overseas. Today's announcement was made by Bhavish Aggarwal, founder and CEO of Ola Electric. According to him, Ola Electric will soon introduce its S1 and S1 Pro electric scooters in the neighbouring country. Since the EV manufacturer introduced both models in August of last year, Nepal is the first country to receive Ola scooters. Taking to Twitter, Aggarwal said, India has loved the Ola S1 scooters, ushering in our EV revolution. Now were taking this global! Announcing our entry into Nepal today. By end of 2022, Nepalese consumers will join the revolution." Aggarwal noted that Ola Electric hopes to sell its electric scooters in additional LATAM, ASEAN, and EU nations as well as other countries outside of those three regions (EU). One of the electric two-wheeler companies in India with the fastest growth is Ola Electric, which has spent the majority of its first year in the top five. On August 15 of last year, it introduced the S1 and S1 Pro electric scooters. The S1 scooter was recently modified and released by Ola Electric. The electric vehicle manufacturer just revealed plans to build an indigenous battery cell manufacturing facility in India. Additionally, it has stated that it will soon release its first electric vehicle. Within the following several weeks, Ola Electric is also set to make announcements on its Hyperchager network. Fast charging stations will be used by Ola to build its own EV infrastructure, which it previously announced. Since December of last year, the EV manufacturer has been installing these chargers for its electric scooters. These EV chargers make the bold claim that they can recharge electric scooters up to 50% in just 80 minutes. By the end of this year, Ola has stated that it intended to install about 4,000 hypercharges across India. Since it was founded, Ola Electric has also begun to establish real showrooms. Beyond the online ordering option, the EV manufacturer intends to establish 200 experience centres across the nation by March of the following year. There are already 20 of these experience centres open. In Nepal, TVS Motor releases the Ntorq 125 Race XP New Silver Nexus Blue colour scheme for Hero Splendor Plus now available This six-wheeled armoured Toyota Land Cruiser can take down drones. Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industrial company in the UAE outside oil and gas, welcomed the first Emirati astronaut, Hazzaa AlMansoori, to a virtual discussion with employees about the uses of aluminium in space. Astronaut AlMansoori, currently training in the US for his next mission, shared stories from his historic 2019 spaceflight, as well as his insights on how aluminium plays a key role in making the exploration of space possible. The discussion was moderated by the EGA Youth Council member Amal Al Sayegh. Astronaut AlMansoori encouraged EGA employees to continue exploring the innovative uses of aluminium and highlighted that their research and dedication would help lead the UAE to the next frontiers of space. Hazzaa AlMansoori said: Aluminium is the first material of choice when planning space travel, and it was a pleasure to share the experiences of my journey into space with EGAs people. I hope my talk will go on to inspire EGAs people to research new innovations of aluminium for space, whilst also encouraging fellow Nationals to take part in future UAE Astronaut calls. Our country continues to look beyond the stars, and with determination and belief, this country can achieve anything. Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer, EGA, said: Hazzaa AlMansoori is a national hero and pioneer, and we are honoured that he took the time to meet with EGAs people. This reflects the important role of aluminium in making spaceflight possible. We look forward to working even more closely with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre as the UAE takes its next bold strides into space. Since the first satellite launch in 1957, aluminium has been the leading material in spaceflight due to its lightweight, strength and corrosion resistance. The International Space Station, AlMansooris home during his historic September 2019 spaceflight, is largely made of aluminium. During his time there, AlMansoori conducted 31 scientific experiments, out of which 16 were held in cooperation with international space agencies, including the Russian Roscosmos, NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). 15 of these experiments involved schools in the UAE as part of MBRSCs Science in Space initiative. EGA and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre have conducted respective visits to one anothers facilities and have worked closely together in hosting a series of webinar talks focusing on the role of innovation in space exploration and the aluminium industry. For the decades ahead, EGAs aim is to be a technology pathfinder for the global aluminium industry including in the adoption of Industry 4.0, expand the companys position as technology supplier of choice, and establish a thriving manufacturing innovation ecosystem in the UAE. EGA is one of the UAEs most innovative companies and has developed its own aluminium smelting technology in the UAE for more than 30 years. EGAs latest technology, DX+ Ultra, is amongst the most efficient in the global aluminium industry. The company has used its own technology in all its smelter expansions since the 1990s has retrofitted all its older production lines and was the first UAE industrial company to license its core process technology internationally.--TradeArabia News Service Biden says US wants Russia's war to end on just terms, reaffirms solidarity with Ukraine at UN General Assembly 21 September, 03:07 PM The US President Joe Biden speaks at the UN (Photo:REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst) New York, United Nations As many world leaders gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly High-Level week, more and more of them talk about Ukraine and how Russias invasion has affected everybody, causing a lack of food and a hike in energy prices. While most of the leaders call to solve the Russian war against Ukraine through dialogue, U.S. President Joe Biden has demonstrated he wants justice to be served. Like you, the United States wants this war to end on just terms, on terms we all signed up for: that you cannot seize a nations territory by force. The only country standing in the way of that is Russia, Biden said during his speech before the General Assembly in the United Nations on Sept. 21. Video of day He also called all permanent member states of the security council to refrain from vetoing rights unless very necessary and said Russia must be held accountable for its war crimes in Ukraine. Let us speak plainly. A permanent member of the United Nations Security Council invaded its neighbor, attempted to erase a sovereign state from the map, Biden said. Russia has shamelessly violated the core tenets of the United Nations Charter no more important than the clear prohibition against countries taking the territory of their neighbor by force. Biden also mentioned Putins recent nuclear threats against Europe and his reckless disregard for the responsibilities of the non-proliferation regime. Now Russia is calling calling up more soldiers to join the fight. And the Kremlin is organizing sham referenda to try to annex parts of Ukraine, an extremely significant violation of the U.N. Charter. Biden once again said the world should see these outrageous acts for what they are. Putin claims he had to act because Russia was threatened. But no one threatened Russia, and no one other than Russia sought conflict, Biden said. US President has also underlined that NATO expansion was never a true reason for the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Putins own words make his true purpose unmistakable, Biden said. Just before he invaded, Putin asserted and I quote Ukraine was created by Russia and never had, quote, real statehood, he added. Biden also mentioned recently discovered mass graves in Izyum, the liberated city of Kharkiv Oblast, where more than 400 graves were found, some having several bodies of civilians in one grave. In the past, even more, horrifying evidence of Russias atrocity and war crimes: mass graves uncovered in Izyum; bodies, according to those that excavated those bodies, showing signs of torture, the US president said. POTUS said Russias war is about extinguishing Ukraines right to exist as a state. Therefore, the world must stand with the nation, defending itself from the unprovoked aggression, and keep helping Ukraine to resist. Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever you believe, that should not that should make your blood run cold, Biden claimed. According to him, the United States has marshaled massive levels of security assistance and humanitarian aid, and direct economic support for Ukraine more than $25 billion to date. And the US is not alone. As of today, more than 40 countries represented here have contributed billions of their own money and equipment to help Ukraine defend itself. Ukraine has the same rights that belong to every sovereign nation. We will stand in solidarity with Ukraine. We will stand in solidarity against Russias aggression. Period, Biden said. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Who was swapped and why: Ukraines largest prisoner swap of the war 22 September, 05:49 PM Exclusive Sviatoslav Palamar (Kalyna) - in the center - calls his relatives after being released from captivity (Photo:Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine) On Sept. 21, Ukraine conducted the largest prisoner swap with Russia, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February. The 215 people released from Russian captivity include 188 defenders of the Azovstal Steelworks and Mariupol, including Azov Regiment commanders, as well as 10 foreign fighters. NV collected the most important facts about the landmark exchange of prisoners. 215 for 55 and Medvedchuk: the main figures of the prisoner swap Video of day To return 205 Ukrainians and 10 foreigners, Ukraine handed over 56 people to Russia: Viktor Medvedchuk the former leader of the Opposition Platform For Life Party (banned in June 2022), who has been charged with treason; two senior officers (lieutenant colonel and major); six junior officers; four ensigns; 40 privates and sergeants; two fighters of the so-called peoples militia of the Donetsk Peoples Republic; one fighter of the so-called peoples militia of the Luhansk Peoples Republic. Instead, 215 people were released from Russian captivity, including 188 defenders of Azovstal and Mariupol, in particular: 124 Ukrainian officers; 89 private and sergeant-ranked defenders; two civilians. In total, Ukraine managed to return 108 fighters from the Azov Regiment, as well as military personnel representing: Armed Forces of Ukraine; National Guard of Ukraine; Ground and Naval Forces; State Border Guard Service; territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; National Police; SBU security service of Ukraine; State Customs Service; State Special Transport Service. : NV Those released also included eight people wounded during the Russian false flag attack on a prisoner-of-war camp in the occupied town of Olenivka. At least 40 Ukrainian defenders were killed in the attack, most of whom were defenders of Mariupol. Here is the full list of all 215 people released from Russian captivity. Where are the released defenders now Turkey and Saudi Arabia acted as mediators during the prisoner swap. Under personal guarantees of protection provided by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, five Azov commanders were sent to Turkey. According to the agreements, all of them will stay in Turkey until the end of the war in Ukraine. These are five superheroes, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called them: commander of the Azov Regiment, Hero of Ukraine Denys Prokopenko (Redis); deputy commander of the Azov Regiment Sviatoslav Palamar (Kalyna); acting commander of the 36th separate brigade of marines Serhiy Volynskyi (Volyna); commander of the 12th operational brigade of the National Guard DenysShleha; commandant company commander, who directly headed the defense of Azovstal, Oleh Khomenko. Ten released foreigners were taken to Saudi Arabia, including: five citizens of the United Kingdom; two citizens of the United States; one citizen of Morocco; one citizen of Sweden; one citizen of Croatia. It is known that British citizens Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, as well as Moroccan citizen Brahim Saadoune, who had joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and had been sentenced to death by a sham court in Russian-occupied Donbas in June 2022, were among those released. U.S. citizens Alexander Drueke and Andy Huynh were also released they were considered the first U.S. citizens to be captured by Russia in Ukraine. The United States and Great Britain have already thanked Ukraine for including their citizens in the exchange list. The rest of the defenders are already on the territory of Ukraine. They were met by the Acting Head of the SBU security service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Dmytro Usov, and Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. According to Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne, the prisoner swap took place in Ukraines Chernihiv Oblast. Every story involving these Ukrainian defenders are tales of extraordinary feats, courage, and endurance. Some of the heroes released from Russian captivity include: Dmytro Kozatskyi (Orest) a senior soldier and fighter from the Azov Regiment, whose photos and videos from Azovstal proved the courage of the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol. Military medic Kateryna Polishchuk (Ptashka) a volunteer paramedic from the National Guard of Ukraine, whose singing in the dungeons of Azovstal was filmed and spread by Ukrainian defenders during the most difficult days of the defense of Mariupol. Three pregnant defenders: Yana Shumovetska, Anastasia Chernenka and Maryana Mamonova Mamonova is a 30-year-old military medic and captain of the medical service, who is currently in her final months of pregnancy. Yevheniy Bova a hero of Ukraine, commander of the 1st marine infantry battalion. Lev Pashko a hero of Ukraine, commander of the Azov company. Mykhailo Dianov (Pianist) a marine who was wounded in the arm and whom Ukrainians remembered for his many photos from Azovstal. Mykhailo Vershynin (Kot), head of the Mariupol patrol police. His release was separately commented on by photographer Evgeniy Maloletka, who, together with his colleague Mstyslav Chernov, managed to record numerous war crimes by the Russians in the first days of the defense of Mariupol. I was waiting for this good news, Maloletka wrote on Facebook. We owe a lot to Mykhailo. Step by step, Ukraine is returning its heroes, but many guys are still waiting for this opportunity. Mykola Kushch and Kostiantyn Nikitenko servicemen whom Russian proxy forces sentenced to death. The best land in the world! The first words of Mariupols defenders In an 18-minute live broadcast late on Sept. 21, the Presidents Office broadcast images of the released defenders. The commanders who led the defense of Azovstal and Mariupol, and who are currently in Turkey, made the first statements. Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov and Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi were standing next to them. Immediately after their release, the deputy commander of the Azov Regiment, Sviatoslav Palamar (Kalyna), thanked everyone who is now de-fending Ukraine. I also want to thank all the defenders of Ukraine, who right now, right on this day, right at this hour are performing their combat tasks at combat posts, who are fighting for our Ukraine. Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine)! Mr. President, we are doing well, our health condition is satisfactory. Thank you and the whole team, said commander of the Azov Regiment, Hero of Ukraine Denys Prokopenko (Redis). The video also included footage from convoys carrying the 200 released defenders to Ukrainian territory. One defender was seen bending down to kiss the ground under his feet. Really, the best land in the world! the defender said emotionally. Military medic Mamonova was the first to set foot on the free territory of Ukraine. How exactly the prisoner swap took place, why Medvedchuk was handed over, and why the process was not hindered by mobilization in Russia The news of the large-scale prisoner swap, including the Azov commanders, stunned Ukrainians especially following announcements by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signaling the start of partial mobilization in Russia. However, agreement on the prisoner exchange was reached much earlier than Russias decision on mobilization. Therefore, Putin could not disrupt the agreement, which was guaranteed and already announced by Turkey, Vadym Denysenko, an advisor to Ukraines Interior Minister, said on Ukrainian television on Sept. 22. He reiterated that Turkish President Erdogan had become the guarantor of the agreements and announced the exchange of 200 Ukrainian prisoners on Sept. 20. Disrupting the exchange meant worsening relations with Turkey, a country that is a key partner in providing Russia with sanctioned goods, Denysenko said. Putin was forced to abide by what he had previously agreed to, and this exchange took place. According to Acting Head of the SBU security service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk, Ukraine exchanged 200 of its citizens for Medvedchuk, while another five Ukrainians (probably the Mariupol defense commanders) were released in exchange for 55 Russian prisoners.We exchanged one fan of Russia for 200 soldiers, said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, explaining that Russia had initially offered to hand over only 50 prisoners for him. Later, Ukraines Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin announced the pretrial investigation against Medvedchuk has been completed. We arent release anyone, but transferring them from a Ukrainian prison to another big prison, called Russia, Kostin added. At the same time, Maliuk noted that Medvedchuk is not just Putins close ally, but a state traitor documented by us. His guilt is fully recorded in the relevant materials, Maliuk said. He explained that the former leader of the Opposition Platform For Life Party, which is now banned in Ukraine for its connections to the Russian dictator, provided Ukraine with all the necessary testimony. In addition, during the investigation into Medvedchuks criminal cases, a number of intelligence networks were neutralized, state traitors were detained and a large amount of information was obtained, which is used in counter-intelligence activities. Maliuk added the exchange of Medvedchuk for Ukrainian prisoners of war does not prevent either the consideration of his cases in court, or the imposition of punishment, or the confiscation of his seized property. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War made the decision to exchange Medvedchuk. The latter gave his consent to such a step. Therefore, the court granted the prosecutors motion to extradite Medvedchuk to Russia. Also, appropriate amendments were made to legislation to allow his exchange. In general, the prisoner swap had been in preparation for several months with the participation of the Presidents Office of Ukraine and presidential chief-of-staff Andriy Yermak, the Defense Ministry, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Defense Ministrys Main Intelligence Directorate, the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporary Occupied Territories, the Interior Ministry, the State Emergency Service, and other Ukrainian authorities. Not abandoning our own people is a rule for us, not just words, Zelenskyy said, commenting on the successful swap. We remember all our people and are trying to save every Ukrainian. This is the meaning of Ukraine, our essence, this is what distinguishes us from the enemy. Ukrainian authorities confirm that work is ongoing to secure the release of all Ukrainian POWs in Russian custody. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Ukraine calls for special tribunal for Russia at UN Security Council 22 September, 06:45 PM UN Security Council (Illustrative photo) (Photo:REUTERS/Carlo Allegri) The UN Security Councils first high-level meeting on Ukraine since the start of the war on Feb. 24 in New York was full of emotion. Fewer voices were calling to end the war in Ukraine by imposing a ceasefire and returning to diplomacy, which would now cement the Russian occupation of Ukraines Luhansk, Donetsk, and parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Instead, most of the delegations stood for the end of the war on just terms and to ensure Russias accountability for atrocities its forces have committed in Ukraine during a Sept. 22 meeting in New York, organized by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna. Video of day Security Council members either reiterated their support of Ukraines sovereignty or stated that despite the growing costs of the conflict, they will support Ukraines right to defend itself from an unprovoked invasion. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for the establishment of a special tribunal for Russian crimes of aggression against Ukraine. No other nation craves peace more than Ukraine," Kuleba said. "We have never wanted this war, we simply wanted to have a normal life. But there will be no peace without justice. International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan stated that prosecutors and judges of the ICC guarantee that justice will be served for war criminals. He also shared his findings from Ukraine. The picture Ive seen so far is troublesome," Khan stated. I have been to Ukraine three times, and Ive seen destruction, crime, suffering, When I went to Bucha, the bodies I saw were not fake. When I went to Kharkiv, bombs that landed there were not fake. As an impartial investigator, Khan said justice is not political. It is a vindication of the fundamental rights of all humanity. Echoes of Nuremberg should be heard today, Khan added, referencing the trials of Nazi war criminals following Germany's defeat in World War 2. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov showed up only an hour after the start of the UNSC meeting on Ukraine. Lavrov repeated Russian propaganda narratives about Euromaidan being a coup detat, Nazis in Ukraine, and the supposed repression of the Russian-speaking Ukrainians in Ukraine. He said all the accusations against Russia are racist and at the same time said Russia attacked Ukraine as it has turned into an anti-Russia. Lavrov also claimed evidence of Russian atrocities in Bucha and then Izyum, which Ukrainian investigators have uncovered in the recently liberated city of Kharkiv Oblast, is fake. Why no one is talking about Bucha anymore? Lavrov said minutes after Khan and many others mentioned Bucha atrocities. Ask Kyiv why it hasnt published the list of people supposedly killed in Bucha. Why? Ukraine published the list of victims names back in April. After his rant, Lavrov left the Security Council meeting. Other delegates condemned Vladimir Putins recent decision to start a partial mobilization in Russia and annex occupied parts of Ukraine via sham referendums. They also reaffirmed their support to Ukraine despite the growing costs of the Russian war, such as surging energy prices and the lack of food in developing countries, caused by Russias blockade of the Ukrainian Black Sea Ports, lifted only in July when Russia, UN, Ukraine, and Turkey signed the Black Sea Grain deal. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana, said that every bullet, every shell that hits targets in Ukraine, hits our pockets in Africa. Kuleba noted that the Black Sea Grain initiative has already brought some relief to Africa, as more than 200 cargo vessels with Ukrainian grain have already left the Ukrainian ports to deliver long-awaited relief to the people of Africa, Iran, Libya, and other countries. Ukraine wants both the commercial and humanitarian corridors to keep working, while Russia threatens not to prolong the deal after it expires in November. One of the key demands of the Kremlin is to allow Russians to export ammonia fertilizers through the Ukrainian Tolyatti-Odesa pipeline on the Black Sea coast. Ukraine has so far not commented on this demand. China, Gabon, Mexico, and India called for dialogue with Russia, calling the continuous war a step into the abyss. Mexico offered to create one more platform for negotiations under its mediation. Another topic discussed during the Security Council was the developing institutional crisis in the UNSC itself. The aggression that Russia decided to use against Ukraine, that only wanted to live freely, violates the UN charter. Each one of these principles was violated with the start of the war in February, French Minister for Foreign Affairs Colonna said. While there are ongoing private talks in the UN on whether it is possible to impose veto right limitations for Russia, which controls a permanent seat on the Security Council, publicly the delegates did not specify how exactly Russia could be held accountable for its violations of UN charters. Kuleba pointed out that Russia enjoys impunity while using the status it illegally inherited after the USSR fell in 1991. Russia is shameless," he said. "Armed with a veto right and the feeling of total impunity, Russians are confident that they can get away with anything and they are entitled to do anything they want. They think this seat allows them to violate borders in a nineteenth-century style imperialist conquest. According to him, the UN today is mostly focusing on crimes committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine. But if anyone thinks they are the only ones ready to kill, torture, rape, cut off genitals, they are wrong," he said. "Russian diplomats are directly complicit because their lies incite these crimes and cover them up." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the fact that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin picked this week to announce Russia's partial mobilization, issue nuclear threats, and move forward with plans to annex Ukrainian territories, as most of the world gathers at the United Nations, shows his utter contempt for the UN Charter, for the General Assembly, and the Security Council. The very international order that we have gathered here to uphold is being shredded before our eyes," Blinken noted. "We cannot we will not allow President Putin to get away with it,." Defending Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity is about much more than standing up for one nations right to choose its path, fundamental as that right is, Blinken added. Its also about protecting an international order where no nation can redraw the borders of another by force, the U.S. diplomat added. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Chandra Nahar, Nepals oldest irrigation system, in Saptari of southeastern Nepal Kathmandu, September 22 Japan has committed to helping Nepal rehabilitate its oldest irrigation system with the grant support of Rs two billion. Officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Nepal and the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday signed an agreement in this regard, in Kathmandu on Wednesday. The objective of the project is to achieve appropriate water distribution in Chandra Nahar Irrigation Scheme by rehabilitating irrigation facilities, thereby contributing to increasing agricultural production in the eastern Terai region, JICA Nepal says in a statement, The project will be supporting the rehabilitation of the existing facilities in the target area and keeping the system sustainable through capacity development for management and supervision regarding rehabilitated facilities. Meanwhile, the officials also signed another agreement, according to which Japan will provide Rs 14 billion in a concessional loan to improve the transmission and distribution system in urban areas of Nepal by developing and/or upgrading the existing transmission and /or distribution system, including grid substation and related equipment. Representational image: An electric car Kathmandu, September 22 Nepal is considering the idea of banning all combustion vehicles and importing electric vehicles only, reveals Finance Minister Janardan Sharma. Minister Sharma says the government has commissioned a team to study the possibility of implementing the idea. While submitting the report, the team will also tell the government when such a new policy could be implemented from. Inaugurating an electric vehicle exhibition in Kathmandu on Thursday, the minister said the government, however, would be ready to listen to suggestions of stakeholders in the process. Claiming Nepal spends huge money on petroleum products every year and it is harming the environment, Sharma said a policy change was imperative now. Minister Sharma also urged the NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal, an association of auto traders in the country, to prepare for the shift. Photo: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is now officially launched and is expected to come to Nepal soon. Samsung released its next-gen foldable smartphones in its latest Galaxy Unpacked event. The event also saw the launch of another foldable phone, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and its smartwatch, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the successor of last years Galaxy Z Flip 3, and the company has not brought any major changes to the Galaxy Z Flip 4 this year. But, when you go into the details, you will figure out that Samsung has done a lot of work to make the phone better than it was last year. Samsung has majorly focused on design refinements this time instead of innovation and changes on the phone. The phone also comes with better camera performance, better battery life, faster charging and a faster chipset. Lets get into the details of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Specifications Dimensions Unfolded: 165.2*71.9*6.9mm Folded: 84.9*71.9*15.9mm Weight: 187 grams Display 6.7-inch foldable dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits Cover display: 1.9-inch Super AMOLED Resolution 1,080*2,640 pixels, 426 PPI OS Android 12, One UI 4.1.1 Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) GPU Adreno 730 RAM 8 GB Memory 128/256 GB SD card No Main camera 12MP, f/1.8, 24mm wide, Dual pixel PAF, OIS 12MP, f/2.2, 123 degrees ultrawide Selfie camera 10Mp, f/2.4, 26mm wide Battery 3700mAh, non-removable, li-po 25W fast charging 15W fast wireless charging 4.5W reverse wireless charging Sensors Side-mounted fingerprint sensor Accelerometer Barometer Gyro sensor Geomagnetic sensor Hall sensor Proximity sensor Light sensor Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Colours Bora purple, graphite, pink gold, blue, yellow, white, navy, khaki, red Price Rs 145,000 (expected) Design and display Photo: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 has similar styling and looks like Galaxy Z Flip 3 from last year. Samsung has made several adjustments to the existing design to make it better instead of innovating and presenting a new one. The phone comes with a plastic front, glass back and an aluminium frame build. The camera panel and an extra display on the phone have an identical design to its predecessor. The difference this time is that the phone gets a glossy frame finish and matte glass design instead of a matte frame and glossy glass panel. The glossy panel also gets flatter this time. For protection, the phone also has a tougher Victus+ panel. Photo: Samsung The foldable feature of the phone is what makes it unique. Though the mechanism remains the same this year too, the phone gets a stronger hinge and frame this time. It is marketed that the hinges should last at least 200,000 cycles. Also, the hinges have no fixed position and can be adjusted at any position the user likes. The phone also has IPX8 water-resistant rating. The X-rating on the phone indicates that it has no dust protection. The fingerprint sensor lies on the side of the phone. Photo: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 weighs around 187 grams and is only 6.9mm thick. The thickness increases to 15.9mm when the phone is folded. It is available in bora purple, graphite, pink gold, blue, yellow, white, navy, khaki and red colour options. Photo: Samsung On the front is a 6.7-inch foldable dynamic AMOLED 2X display. The display offers a refresh rate as high as 120Hz and can achieve a brightness of up to 1,200 nits. With a resolution of 1,080*2,640 pixels and 426 PPI density, the display also has an HDR10+ feature which allows for a more dynamic view of the media. When folded, the back panel has another 1.9-inch Super AMOLED display residing just next to the dual camera. The second display can be used for replying to messages, taking calls, or even adding widgets to the cover screen. It can also be used as a selfie viewfinder. Cameras Photo: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 has a dual camera setup on the back and a single selfie camera on the front. These are the same cameras that were on Flip 3. The back houses a 12MP primary with another 12MP ultrawide camera, while on the front is a 10MP selfie shooter. The primary camera has features like dual-pixel PDAF and OIS which makes the photos and videos sharp and stable while the ultrawide camera has a FOV of 123 degrees. Though its predecessor had the same features, Samsung has made an upgrade on the primary camera of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. It now has a large sensor and comes with a different lens. The larger sensor allows for more light to pass through the lens, which then results in better pictures in low light, captures a greater dynamic range of tones, and also allows more background blur. This flagship Samsung phone barely disappoints when it comes to camera performance. All the cameras of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 can capture up to 4K resolution videos. However, only the primary camera is capable of capturing videos at higher frame rates. It is also the only camera lens to have OIS for stabilisation. The HDR10+ feature should also provide better contrast and colours even on the dark parts. Performance and storage Photo: Qualcomm Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 runs on One UI 4.1.1 based on Android 12. The phone is said to receive four years of major OS updates and up to five years of security updates. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is equipped with the best chipset from Qualcomm to date. The phone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) chipset and the graphical duties are handled by Adreno 730. This is a huge improvement in terms of performance compared to the previous generation. The phone is available in a single RAM option with three internal storage options. With 8GB RAM as a standard, the phone is coupled up with either 128GB, 256GB or 512GB of internal storage. There is no option of expanding the storage on the phone. Battery life, connectivity and others Another improvement on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is its battery life and charging system. The phone sees a 12% improvement in battery life and now has a 3,700mAh non-removable li-po battery. With a much-improved chipset, the battery on the phone should provide enough power for the users to go through a day or two under normal use. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 also gets faster charging this time. The phone gets a 25W fast charging and a faster 15W wireless charging system. The phone can also be used as a reverse charger as it supports 4.5W reverse wireless charging. For connectivity, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 supports dual sims with up to 5G network connectivity. The phone also has the support for dual-band wifi and wifi 6. Furthermore, the phone also supports GPS and NFC. The Bluetooth 5.2 on the phone can be used for wireless pairing with other devices while USB Type-C 2.0 can be used for charging and wired pairing. The phone has stereo speakers for audio, but there is no 3.5mm headphone jack. Notable features of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 are: Lightweight and durable build Tougher panels, stronger hinges and frame IPX8 water resistant certification Foldable dynamic AMOLED 2X display 120HZ refresh rate 1,200 nits brightness Secondary 1.9-inch Super AMOLED display Android 12, One UI 4.1.1 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+Gen 1 chipset Improvement in low-light photography 4K video recording 5G network support Stereo speakers Wifi-6 25W fast charging and 15W fast wireless charging Reverse wireless charging support Though some teasers have been released by the official Facebook and Instagram page of Samsung Nepal, the phone may only arrive here if the ban on the import of smartphones over USD 300 is withdrawn. The base variant, 8/128GB is priced at INR 89,999. If the price remains the same in Nepal as well, one can expect a starting price range from Rs 145,000 when the phone is released here. Description Get ready to Taste The World once again as the legendary Famous Food Festival makes its return to the Tanger Outlets in Deer Park, NY this Fall 2022! Featuring Over 55 Food Vendors. Be prepared to taste some of the best food that the New York,-Tri-State Area and Long Island has to offer. This fun-for-the-whole-family event is perfect for all ages to enjoy, with prices at only $8 to attend each day when you purchase online ($12 online after Festival start). Further discounts for multiple day entry purchase! Tickets at the Door (single day) will be available at $14 per person/per day. Children Ages 8-12 Only $6, Free admission for children 7 and under. Guarantee your ticket today! Taking Place at Tanger Outlets. Address: 152 The Arches Circle in Deer Park, NY 11729 Look for Neiman Marcus Department Store Parking Lot. Guarantee your ticket today! *Limited availability Join us on Thursday, September 29, at 7 pm for a special presentation with NASA astronaut and Apollo 13 crew member Fred Haise where he will discuss his book, Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronauts Journey. The presentation will be followed by a book signing by Haise. Mr. Haise will only be signing his book. Books are available for purchase with your ticket in advance and at the event while supplies last. Fred is very much looking forward to his visit to Long Island and hopes to see some of his Grumman/Northrop Grumman friends. Tickets are $20 per person or $50 for a ticket and book. Reserve Your Seat & Book Now! ABOUT THE BOOK The Apollo 13 mission in 1970 had the world on edge. An oxygen tank exploded three days in, turning the Moon landing mission into a heart-stopping rescue mission. In his riveting memoir Never Panic Early, Apollo 13s Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise gives readers a front-row seat to the harrowing event and the remarkable experience of being an astronaut. Haise started his NASA career as a research pilot before serving as a backup lunar module pilot for the Apollo 8 and 11 missions, the lunar module pilot for the notorious Apollo 13 mission, the backup spacecraft commander for the Apollo 16 mission, and was meant to command the Apollo 19 mission until its cancellation. Never Panic Early shares intense and incredible highlights from one of only 24 astronauts to have flown to the moon. From commanding the revolutionary Space Shuttle Enterprise during its approach and landing tests to surviving a nearly fatal accident during an air show, Haise takes readers through the ups, downs, and unexpected turns of his career. The book explores his most thrilling moments and demonstrates his endurance, strength, and calm in the face of many challenges. Never Panic Early is a compelling journey through sky and space. It follows Haise through the Mississippi coast where he grew up, his time as a fighter pilot for the U.S. Marine Corps and a tactical fighter pilot for the U.S. Air Force, his years climbing up the ranks at NASA, and the exceptional experience of looking down at Earth from a rocket. Haise is sincere, reflective, and hopeful in his first-time account of his life. Offering an insiders look at flying for NASA and the successful failure that was Apollo 13, the book is an essential read for space buffs. ENEFIT GREEN AS On 21 September 21 2022, Enefit Green AS signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Raabiste Pollud OU, which owns two early-stage solar development projects in Parnu County (Estonia) with a planned total capacity of up to 165 MW. These projects will become part of Enefit Green's long-term development portfolio with the aim to reach final investment decision in 2024. This transaction is not considered to be a transaction with a related party for the purposes of stock exchange rules, and the supervisory board and management board members of Enefit Green do not have personal interest in this transaction Further information: Sven Kunsing Head of Finance Communications investor@enefitgreen.ee https://enefitgreen.ee/en/investorile/ Enefit Green is one of the leading diversified renewable energy producers in the Baltic Sea area. The Company wind farms in Estonia and Lithuania, cogeneration plants in Estonia and Latvia, solar farms in Estonia and Poland, a pellet plant in Latvia and a hydroelectric plant in Estonia. In addition, the Company is developing several wind and solar farms in the mentioned countries and Finland. As of the end of 2021, the Group had a total installed electricity production capacity of 457 MW and a total installed heat production capacity of 81 MW. During 2021, the Company produced 1,193 GWh of electricity and 618 GWh of heat. Aptima, Inc. Journey from Intern to President WOBURN, Mass., Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aptima, Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of Michael J. Garrity to President, where he will oversee Aptimas continued growth and innovation as a leader in human performance. Since its founding in 1995, Aptima has applied expertise in how humans think, learn, and perform to optimize performance in some of the most challenging mission-critical environments within defense, intelligence, and healthcare. As President, Garrity will oversee Aptimas day-to-day operations and execution of its overall strategy, building on the companys innovative work with the US Department of Defense and DoD research laboratories in the areas of precision learning and training, human-machine teaming, and artificial intelligence. Previously, Garrity was Executive Vice President, where as part of the executive team he helped to diversify and double Aptimas revenues over the last several years, grow successful spin-offs from the companys commercial venture arm, and support Aptimas expansion of operations into Puerto Rico. Garrity began his journey at Aptima 20 years ago, joining as an intern while pursuing a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. He then progressed through a variety of roles, from Principal Investigator and Program Manager, to Technical Team Lead and Vice President of Government Programs. He currently serves as a member of Aptimas Board of Directors. That Mike stepped into my office as an intern with ideas to improve the company back then was clearly prophetic, said Daniel Serfaty, Aptima CEO and Principal Founder. Throughout Mikes tenure, he has demonstrated hallmark leadership skills, from the technical to the customer-facing, but the common thread through his work as scientist, manager, and executive has been his integrity. Garritys expertise includes applying training and assessment capabilities in support of US and NATO organizations. Mike has been instrumental in Aptimas growth, which has included implementing a shift in strategy and leading the initiatives to transition our research and development into more applied and fielded solutions, particularly for the US Air Force, Serfaty continued. Story continues Im honored and excited to be entrusted to drive Aptimas continued success, from the innovative research and engineering solutions we provide to our customers across the Department of Defense, to navigating an ever more challenging environment for organizations, Garrity said. That includes growing our capacity to provide our people with an environment that supports their life and career goals, continuing to be active in our communities, and doubling down on providing opportunities for others. Mike is absolutely the right person to help lead Aptima into the future, said Janet Spruill, Senior Vice President Government Programs at Aptima. He has proven his ability to work across diverse technical disciplines and customer domains to guide our business forward, and I am excited to continue partnering with him in his new role to help take Aptima to our next level of growth. Mikes natural abilities to build trusted customer relationships, and his passion for our business will help Aptima strengthen existing customer and partner alliances, build new ones, and set us up for continued growth and success, added Spruill. Garrity holds a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and an M.S. in Applied Psychology from Clemson University. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Academy of Management, and the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. About Aptima, Inc. For 25 years, Aptimas mission has been to improve and optimize performance in mission-critical, technology-intensive settings. Visit www.Aptima.com. CONTACT: Media Contact: Joel Greenberg DCPR Joel@dcpr.com 202-363-1065 | 202-669-3639 cell Kingston Fury, the gaming division of Kingston Technology Company, a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, has unleashed a new member of the pack, Kingston Fury Beast DDR4 RGB Special Edition. The white heat spreader with striking RGB lighting makes these modules unique amongst the Kingston Fury line. It enhances not just the performance of ones system but keeps it fresh with the library of preset RGB lighting patterns and effects or personalise the settings to create a look that makes the system truly one of a kind with Kingston Fury CTRL software. Along with the patented Infrared Sync Technology, one can trust the tailored RGB effects to stay aligned. Whether one is gaming, video editing, or anything in between one can get the most out the system with Kingston Fury Beast DDR4 RGB Special Edition. It is Intel XMP Certified, offering advanced pre-optimised timings, speeds and voltages to overclock with ease by a single selection of one of the built-in profiles. As well as being ready for AMD Ryzen, Kingston Fury Beast DDR4 RGB Special Edition will effortlessly integrate making it a hassle-free upgrade for any Intel or AMD-based system. Special edition As Kingston sets to enter our 35th year were happy to offer this Special Edition of the Kingston Fury Beast line for those who want to update the performance and style of their system, said Iwona Zalewska, DRAM business manager, Kingston, EMEA. With speeds of 3200 & 3600MT/s and the bright RGB effects illuminating the unique white heat spreader Kingston Fury Beast DDR4 RGB Special Edition will do just that. Kingston Fury Beast DDR4 RGB Special Edition is available in single module capacities of 8GB & 16GB, and kit capacities of 16GB & 32GB. 100% tested at speed and backed by a limited lifetime warranty and legendary Kingston reliability.-- TradeArabia News Service Bastion Insights Led by Joanna Fanuele, the qualitative and quantitative research firm breaks new ground having women in its top three positions LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acclaimed research industry executive and brand strategist, Joanna Fanuele, has been hired to lead the newly rebranded Bastion Insights, as its Chief Executive Officer announced today. The move places three experienced female professionals Fanuele, Neva Shah, and Gasia Kazanian atop a uniquely modeled consumer insights and strategy consultancy specializing in qualitative and quantitative research, brand strategy, innovation, and communications. Formerly Bastion db5, Bastion Insights has taken the name of its Australian counterpart to reflect the increasing globalization under its parent company Bastion Agency, delivering marketing communications across three countries and nine cities. I am very excited to start this new journey with Bastion, a truly integrated mega-independent with deep agency expertise across a full suite of marketing disciplines in the U.S. and throughout Australasia. This organization stands out as a rare type of industry leader from a deep commitment to fostering a healthy workplace, gobs of talent within, and a structure that truly supports delivering outstanding work for clients, Fanuele said. I look forward to leading our talented teams in both Los Angeles and New York to the next level. Fanuele replaces outgoing CEO Chris Hubble, original founder of the agency since 2009. She sees Bastion Insights as the premier consultancy that offers brands quick and reliable data with an actionable assessment of what story the data is telling and, more importantly, what steps to take next to support the long-term value of the brand. The service we provide clients is not cookie-cutter by any means. It is bespoke, collaborative, and consultative, Fanuele said. With the greater global Bastion Agency as a resource, we are in a unique position to serve clients with all the focus and integrated insights they deserve, while bringing the experience, technology and depth of services that can oftentimes be in conflict with one another when serviced by the multinationals. Story continues Fanuele is formerly of Hall & Partners, where she worked for the past eight years, most recently as Managing Partner, East Coast & U.S. Health. There, she made a name for herself as a transformative business leader who turns data-driven market research into stories that move organizations. Working on the forefront of quantitative and qualitative research, Fanuele has spent years designing innovative platforms that blend projectible truth with human insight while building and sustaining teams to deliver world-class insights for clients. We are incredibly happy to welcome Joanna to the Bastion family. In addition to her impressive accomplishments and expertise, she as woman and respected business leader brings an invaluable perspective to the position that will drive the success of Bastion Insights for years to come, said Bastion USA CEO Dax Cornelius, who, in addition to overseeing Bastion Insights, also presides over Bastion Amplify, a rapidly growing integrated communications marketing firm based out of Orange County, Calif. With Joanna on board, Bastion USA is further poised to become the largest full-service independent on the West Coast, unencumbered by friction within the consultancy or an overreliance on third-party outsourcing, mark-ups and misalignment with what is best for the client. Media inquiries: Contact Andrew King, director of public relations, Bastion Amplify, andrewk@bastionagency.com. Local Restaurateurs Bet Big on Recession-Resilience by Investing in Top Battery Retailer LONG ISLAND, N.Y., Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Batteries Plus , the nation's leading franchise retailer for batteries, light bulbs, key fobs and phone repair services, recently welcomed their newest signed agreement for the development of 3 new units in Long Island, New York. This deal will not only expand the presence of the franchise within the region as a whole, but will establish the brand in a territory that's just become active for the company this year. Dominick and Joe Loccisano, brothers and business partners, invested in Batteries Plus after having spent 17-years working alongside one another in the restaurant industry. In that time, they've been able to establish a variety of local namesakes, including Villaggio Bistro, Sangrias Latin Restaurant, Sangaritas Tapas Restaurant, and more. As the pandemic cast a spotlight on the economic fragility of the restaurant sector, the brothers were compelled to rethink the diversity of their investments and long-term viability of the market. In search of business opportunities with a proven track record of recession-resilience and sustained year-over-year growth, they then discovered, researched, met with and signed on the dotted line to become a part of the fastest-growing battery supplies franchise in the country. "The restaurant business has the tendency to consume your entire life. Coupled with the skyrocketing cost of labor and overhead, it's just become a difficult beast to manage and constantly adapt with," said Dominick Loccisano. "That's largely why the blueprint of a franchise business model particularly Batteries Plus - appealed to us so much." As individuals and businesses become increasingly dependent on battery power, it's important to provide communities with ready access to the batteries they rely on. And that's the role the Loccisano's are looking to fill, providing for the energy needs of Long Island residents and businesses. Story continues "We're in the early stages of searching out the best real estate for our first location and are already envisioning what the brand's footprint in the area will look like over the next 5 years," said Joe Loccisano. "There's plenty of work ahead and lessons to be learned, but I feel this most recent deal is just the start of what our involvement with Batteries Plus will entail as we continue to move forward." Batteries Plus was ranked on Franchise Times Top 400 list, coming in at #130. And for the 29th year in a row, the brand made Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 list, climbing 69 spots over last year's rank. To learn more about Batteries Plus, including information on franchise opportunities or to 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: Conner Gossel, Fishman Public Relations, cgossel@fishmanpr.com or 937-545-9812 Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/batteries-plus-finalizes-3-unit-franchise-agreement-for-long-island-expansion-301630997.html SOURCE Batteries Plus RENO, Nev. and TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2022 /CNW/ -- Bendito Resources Inc. ("Bendito", the "Company", or "we") and 1289625 B.C. Ltd. ("ShellCo") are pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a non-binding letter of intent dated August 23, 2022 (the "Letter of Intent") in respect of a proposed business combination (the "Proposed Transaction") that would result in the reverse takeover of ShellCo by Bendito. The completion of the Proposed Transaction will be subject to, among other things, the common shares ("Resulting Issuer Common Shares") of the resulting entity (the "Resulting Issuer") being listed on a recognized Canadian stock exchange and the Resulting Issuer fulfilling all of the applicable regulatory and listing requirements. Following the completion of the Proposed Transaction, Bendito is expected to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of ShellCo or otherwise combine its corporate existence with that of ShellCo to form the Resulting Issuer, which will hold all the assets and projects and continue the business of Bendito. The final structure of Proposed Transaction is subject to receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice. (PRNewsfoto/Bendito Resources Inc.) Mr. John Antwi, President and CEO of Bendito, commented: "The Bendito team is very excited to have an expedited and efficient path to becoming a public company in Canada. One of the objectives of becoming a public company would be to provide us with additional financing options and tools to fund our development strategy and create value for our shareholders. As part of our July 2022 transaction to acquire Azure Minerals Limited, we are required to become a public entity by January 2024. Now, only two months after completing our inaugural transaction to acquire Azure Mineral's Mexican Portfolio of eight projects, I am happy to announce a path to becoming a public entity." Transaction Structure Overview The Letter of Intent provides that Bendito and ShellCo will negotiate and enter into a definitive agreement in respect of the Proposed Transaction (the "Definitive Agreement") on or before [Insert the date that is 75 calendar days after the Letter of Intent date], or such later date as may be mutually agreed upon. Bendito plans to complete a concurrent private placement financing at the time of closing the Proposed Transaction. The Proposed Transaction contemplates that each outstanding security of Bendito will be exchanged on a one-for-one basis for an equivalent security of the Resulting Issuer (for certainty, as constituted following the completion of the proposed consolidation described in the Letter of Intent). ShellCo shareholders are expected to receive an aggregate number of Resulting Issuer Common Shares with the value specified in the Letter of Intent at a deemed per share issue price equal to the share price of the concurrent private placement financing. It is anticipated that all the directors and officers of ShellCo will resign from their respective positions at the closing of the Proposed Transaction and that the members of the board and management of the Resulting Issuer shall consist of existing Bendito directors (or Bendito nominees) and officers. Story continues Entering into of the Definitive Agreement is conditional upon Bendito and ShellCo each being satisfied with the results of full financial, business, legal, environmental, social, and other due diligence investigations with respect to the other party. Additionally, the Proposed Transaction is subject to, among other things, the negotiation and execution of the Definitive Agreement, completion of a concurrent financing by Bendito, the Resulting Issuer Common Shares being listed on a recognized Canadian stock exchange and the Resulting Issuer fulfilling all of the applicable regulatory and listing requirements, and each of the parties obtaining all necessary board, shareholder and regulatory approvals, and other standard closing conditions. The foregoing description and summary of the Proposed Transaction does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text of the Letter of Intent. Further information ShellCo and Bendito will provide further details in respect of the Proposed Transaction in due course by way of press release. ShellCo and Bendito will make available all information as required by applicable regulatory authorities and will provide, in a press release to be disseminated at a later date, the required disclosure. All information contained in this press release with respect to ShellCo and Bendito was supplied by the parties respectively, for inclusion herein, without independent review by the other party, and each party and its directors and officers have relied on the other party for any information concerning the other party. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities to be issued in connection with the Proposed Transaction have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the listing application to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of ShellCo should be considered highly speculative. About Bendito Resources Inc. Bendito Resources Inc. is a private mineral resource company formed and led by experienced mining and exploration executives with headquarters in Reno, Nevada, USA and regional offices in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. The Company fully-owns a portfolio of diversified mineral projects in Mexico, which includes the Alacran and Oposura projects, both of which have previously reported mineral resources. The Mexican property portfolio comprises the Company's sole mineral interests. For additional information please visit the Company's website at www.benditoresources.com or contact the Company at the below: John Antwi Bendito Resources Jeff Stieber President & CEO 6490 S McCarran Blvd Chief Financial Officer jantwi@benditoresources.com Building E, Suite 121 jstieber@benditoresources.com (775) 340-2719 Reno, NV 89509 (775) 250-0300 1289625 B.C. Ltd. For further information: 1289625 B.C. Ltd. James Ward, Director Phone: (416) 897-2359 Email: james@wardfinancial.ca Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes", and or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. This Press Release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of management concerning, among other things, the terms and conditions of the Proposed Transaction, the concurrent financing, the share exchange ratios for Proposed Transaction, the anticipated go-forward directors and management of the Resulting Issuer, the listing of the Resulting Issuer Common Shares, the receipt of director, shareholder and regulatory approvals, the performance and business of the Resulting Issuer, and other potential future events. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates, and forecasts, including but not limited to factors about the business and the industry and markets in which the Company operates and the risks related thereto or the delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law. The terms and conditions of the Proposed Transaction may change based on ShellCo's due diligence (which may be limited as ShellCo intends to rely upon the due diligence that may be conducted by the agents, if any, in connection with the concurrent financing) and the receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice for both ShellCo and the Company. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bendito-resources-announces-non-binding-letter-of-intent-with-1289625-bc-ltd-for-reverse-takeover-301630594.html SOURCE Bendito Resources Inc. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2022/22/c5992.html SkyQuest Technology Consulting Pvt. Ltd. Global Bipolar Disorder Market was valued at USD 5.3 Billion in 2021, and it is expected to reach a value of USD 6.1 Billion by 2028, at a CAGR of more than 2.12% over the forecast period (20222028). Westford, USA, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the past few years, there has been a growing demand for treatment options for Bipolar Disorder Market . Over 41 million are suffering from bipolar disorder across the globe, as per latest report by WHO. This is due in part to the increasing public awareness of this disorder, as well as the mounting evidence that treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication can be very effective. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, bipolar disorder is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. In fact, as of 2021, an estimated 1.2 million Americans were living with bipolar disorder. SkyQuests study suggest that around 4.4% of the adult Americans suffer from bipolar disorder. One reason for the growing demand for drugs in global bipolar disorder market is that the condition can be very debilitating. Symptoms can include extreme mood swings, racing thoughts, and difficulty concentrating. In some cases, people with bipolar disorder also experience episodes of mania or hypomania. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments available for people with bipolar disorder. These treatments can include medications, counseling, therapy, and lifestyle changes. SkyQuest has published a new report on the bipolar disorder market. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the key drivers and trends shaping the market. Get sample copy of this report: https://skyquestt.com/sample-request/bipolar-disorder-market Lithium is Holding Dominant Position in Global Polar Disorder Market To help people living with bipolar disorder manage their symptoms and prevent these complications, there is a growing demand for bipolar disorder drugs. Drugs available to treat bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers (like lithium), antipsychotics (like olanzapine), and antidepressants (like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs). While each drug in the bipolar disorder market has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, they all share one common goal: to help the person living with bipolar disorder live a relatively stable and healthy life. Story continues The number of people seeking treatment for bipolar disorder is on the rise. This has led to an increased demand for psychiatric medications that treat the condition. One such drug is lithium (Eskalith and Lithobid). Lithium is the most prominent drugs used in the control of bipolar disorder symptoms across the globe. It works by restoring balance in the brain's chemistry. Another pharmaceutical drug in the global bipolar disorder market to treating bipolar disorder is risperidone. Risperidone is a medication that can be used to control rage and irritability in individuals with bipolar disorder. It can also help reduce psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations. Side effects of risperidone may include weight gain, tiredness, jaw pain, and headaches. Both lithium and risperidone are considered safe when taken as prescribed by a doctor. However, people who are taking either drug should speak with their doctor about any potential interactions they may have with other medications they are taking. Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://skyquestt.com/report/bipolar-disorder-market Over 275 Clinical Trials are Active in Bipolar Disorder Market As the psychiatric community continues to search for new and improved treatments for bipolar disorder, drug developers are working hard to develop medication options that will help people with this mental illness. According to a recent study published by SkyQuest, drug developers in the global bipolar disorder market intensified their R&D activities for developing medications to treat bipolar disorder between 2015 and 2022. The study found that during this time period, the number of clinical trials sponsored by pharmaceutical companies increased by 57%. Out study suggest that most of the trials are under phase 2 and phase 4. This indicates that companies in the bipolar disorder market are committed to finding better treatments for bipolar disorder and are spending more money on research. Increases in funding may be one reason why were seeing more progress in the development of medications for bipolar disorder. Another contributing factor may be the increasing number of people who have this condition. In 2007, there were only about 12 million people living with bipolar disorder worldwide, but that number has increased to around 41 million in 2021. This suggests that companies in the bipolar disorder market are paying more attention to this problem and are trying to find better treatments. So far, most efforts to develop medications for bipolar disorder have been unsuccessful. However, there is still hope that newer drugs will be developed in the future. Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements: https://skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/bipolar-disorder-market CDB is Gaining Momentum for Treating Bipolar Disorder Currently, there is a growing demand for CBD for treating bipolar disorder. CBD has been shown to be an effective treatment for this mental health condition. There are many reasons why this is the bipolar disorder market is witnessing increased growth, but one of the most important is that CBD does not interact with medications that are used to treat bipolar disorder. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis. CBD has been shown to be effective in treating a number of different conditions, including bipolar disorder. CBD has been shown to be effective in treating symptoms of bipolar disorder such as mania, anxiety, and depression. CBD also has promising potential for treating other conditions such as chronic pain, PTSD, and more. CBD in the bipolar disorder market has been shown to have a multitude of benefits, including reducing anxiety and inflammation, calming the mind and reducing manic symptoms. In addition, it is non-addicting, meaning that people don't get the psychoactive effects of marijuana when using CBD. Therefore, it is likely that CBD will continue to be used increasingly as a treatment option for bipolar disorder. In addition, CBD may also prove to be helpful in other mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. SkyQuest's report provides an overview of the current landscape of bipolar disorder market and offers insights into the potential opportunity for new therapies. The company believes that its analysis will help decision makers better understand the market and make informed decisions about developing new treatments. Key Players in Bipolar Disorder Market Allergan (Ireland) AstraZeneca (UK) Eli Lilly and Company (US) GlaxoSmithKline (UK) Abbott (US) Bristol-Myers Squibb (US) Johnson & Johnson (US) Pfizer Inc. (US) Cephalon Inc. (US) Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc. (US) Gedeon Richter plc (Hungary) Related Reports in SkyQuests Library: Global N-Acetylcysteine Market Global Erectile Dysfunction Market Global Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Market Global Electroceuticals Bioelectric Medicine Market Global Veterinary Immunodiagnostics 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 LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Accepts $2.5 Million Leadership Gift from Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Previews Two Kickoff Initiatives Focusing on Homeownership and Education TRENTON, N.J., Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital Health, one of the area's largest employers and a provider of health care in the Trenton community for over 125 years, today announced an initiative to spearhead significant investment in the community surrounding its flagship hospital on Brunswick Avenue. In addition to announcing the new Trenton Neighborhood Initiative, Capital Health announced it has received a $2.5 million leadership gift from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, dedicated to supporting the initiative's work. Trenton Neighborhood Initiative Recognizing its role as an anchor institution in Trenton, Capital Health decided to embark on a significant project to drive $10 million of investment in the greater well-being of the neighborhood where Capital Health Regional Medical Center is located. Capital Health approached Trenton Health Team, a valued community partner, to work with them on developing and executing this transformative multi-year plan. "Leaders in health care know that our responsibility to the communities we serve extends well beyond the walls of our hospitals and medical offices," said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. "The health of our community is about much more, and I am committed to driving meaningful programs that will have an impact on the broader health and well-being of our neighbors." The Trenton Neighborhood Initiative (TNI) recognizes the importance of helping address the social determinants of health for residents and will deliver solutions that complement the health care services Capital Health provides. Specifically, TNI will focus on programs supporting home ownership and rehabilitation, job training and employment, digital equity, and healthy beginnings to support the needs of new moms and their families. "The commitment of Capital Health to Trenton has endured for over a century and is something we are resolute in," said Samuel J. Plumeri, Jr., Chairman, Board of Trustees, Capital Healthcare Inc. "Having grown up in North Trenton, it is personally very meaningful for me to be a part of such a significant commitment to the neighborhood and those who live here." Story continues "Trenton Health Team has been dedicated to the health and well-being of the greater Trenton community for more than a decade, and we are proud to be Capital Health's implementation partner in this important initiative," said Gregory Paulson, Trenton Health Team's Executive Director. "We are committed to engaging deeply with residents as we work with Trentonians and Capital Health to make healthy, lasting changes in our neighborhoods." A community kickoff will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, at Sprout U located at 27 E Paul Avenue in Trenton. Neighbors are invited to join us for food, activities, and celebration! Also, neighbors will hear more about some of the programs being launched in coming weeks. In addition to providing its own $1 million commitment of financial support for the project, Capital Health has launched an ambitious campaign seeking philanthropic support from valued corporate partners, friends and neighbors. Through TNI, Capital Health and its partners will be investing time and resources in what is planned to be a five-year, $10 million effort. This investment will create new opportunities to engage community residents in improving the well-being and stability of their neighborhood, while making Trenton a safer, more beautiful place to live. The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation pledged the first leadership gift to the campaign in the amount of $2.5 million. "The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation has long made clear its commitment to the local community providing continued support for innovative and transformational projects geared towards improved health in the communities most in need. They were instrumental in supporting the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center at our Brunswick Avenue campus and the launch of the state's first Mobile Stroke Unit," said Maghazehe. "I am deeply grateful for their ongoing support of programs that have such a meaningful impact on our community." "Having a healthy community depends on more than just having a great hospital," said John Damonti, president of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. "Understanding this, Capital Health is taking an innovative and comprehensive approach by addressing fundamental elements of health and wellbeing: education and housing. We are delighted to support the Trenton Neighborhood Initiative, an investment that will help create a healthy community and develop a stable and invested workforce that will enable Trenton to provide the employees that will continue to make Capital Health the great hospital that the community deserves." Key strategies are being developed based on input from community residents, data and recommendations from existing neighborhood plans, and industry best practices. Long-term, with community and partner input and involvement, the program will seek to make significant strides in four key pillars: Live, Work, Grow, and Connect. Programs will begin in phases as program development is complete and partners are brought on board, however, two signature programs supporting homeownership and education will be launching over the next several weeks. The Trenton Neighborhood Initiative Homebuyer Assistance Program is a partnership between Capital Health's Trenton Neighborhood Initiative and New Jersey Community Capital. Trenton Neighborhood Initiative and Address Yourself, an affordable homeownership mortgage program by New Jersey Community Capital, will provide payment assistance grants of up to $20,000 to buyers seeking to become first-time homeowners in Trenton. The program will also provide homeownership and financial counseling to applicants. In partnership with Mercer County Community College, TNI will provide educational scholarships that will enable Trenton residents to benefit from $5,000 grants that will help them obtain an Allied Healthcare professional certification, an Associate Degree, and/or an educational path to obtain career advancement, including participation in the Health Care Careers Plus One program. Among the broader programs being developed and explored: LIVE: Homeownership and Neighborhood Revitalization WORK: Job Training and Small Business Support GROW: Child and family well-being CONNECT: Digital equity TNI builds upon previous community development initiatives, including the BUILD Health Challenge focused on Brunswick Avenue led by Trenton Health Team from 2017-2019, and the development of the North Trenton/Battle Monument Neighborhood Transformation Plan through the Choice Neighborhoods program led by the Trenton Housing Authority. TNI also leverages significant public health efforts focused on addressing maternal and child health and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), both important priorities for Capital Health. TNI intentionally aligns with strategies identified by these foundational initiatives and seeks to evolve and sustain them to enact real change for Trenton residents. TNI Leadership Capital Health Capital Health is the region's health care leader and includes two hospitals (Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton and Capital Health Medical Center Hopewell), an outpatient facility in Hamilton, NJ, and various primary and specialty care practices across the region. Capital Health serves as a Level II regional trauma center, comprehensive stroke center, regional perinatal center (including a Level III NICU), and emergency mental health screening center. Trenton Health Team is one of four Regional Health Hubs in New Jersey, responsible for addressing health and well-being in the Trenton area. THT has led several multi-year initiatives to improve community health in Trenton, and received national recognition for its innovative, collaborative, and data-driven approach. Partners: Trenton Housing Authority, Isles, the City of Trenton, and many other local organizations focused on housing, economic development, education, maternal/fetal health, and social services in Trenton. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/capital-health-launches-trenton-neighborhood-initiative-in-partnership-with-trenton-health-team-leveraging-10-million-of-investment-in-local-community-301630371.html SOURCE Capital Health BEIJING, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is attending the general debate of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly from September 18 to 25. On the margins of the general debate, Wang is hosting meetings with various officials from other countries and leaders of the UN to discuss their relationships with China and the challenges the world is facing. Major-country diplomacy benefits the world-at-large In the second part of the 10-part series "The China Path: A Panoramic Decoding" published by CGTN, the article titled "Major-country diplomacy benefits the world-at-large" articulates how China could contribute to solving global issues. The article argues that multilateralism can help to moderate over the impact of difficult issues and is therefore an important vehicle for a new type of international relations featured by win-win cooperation. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres once said that "China has become the most important pillar of multilateralism and an indispensable, trustworthy force for world peace and development." Since the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), China has hosted a succession of diplomatic events. And China has embraced the outside world with unprecedented openness through programs including the BRI. In 2021, China's cross-border trade with countries among BRI member states has registered growth at 23.6 percent, 2.2 percentage points higher than the overall growth rate of China's foreign trade in the same period. Exports between China and BRI members have risen to an estimated 6.59 trillion yuan, up by 21.5 percent; while imports increased by 26.4 percent to 5.01 trillion yuan. China has signed more than 200 documents on BRI cooperation with 149 countries and 32 international organizations. As humanity faces a growing governance deficit, trust deficit, development deficit, and peace deficit, the world today is witnessing changes on a scale unseen in a century's time. The international community looks to China for more and better global public goods. In his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 21, 2021, President Xi proposed a Global Development Initiative to enhance all people's well-being and realize all-round human development. Story continues Development should be sustainable and shared by all. By renewing commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, revitalizing global partnerships, and reactivating international development cooperation, China has drawn up a roadmap for narrowing the North-South gap and addressing development imbalances in order to fulfill the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-09-21/Major-country-diplomacy-benefits-the-world-at-large-1dv0qVs6kjC/index.html Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgtn-major-country-diplomacy-benefits-the-world-at-large-301630451.html SOURCE CGTN Corum Group SEATTLE, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corum announces today that their client, San Francisco-based Webshare Software Company, has been acquired by Oxylabs. Webshare is a distinguished self-service proxy company whose portfolio includes over 10,000 active customers, including numerous Fortune 500 companies. Webshare will continue to operate as an independent entity while the acquisition provides the opportunity for Webshare to scale more rapidly and efficiently in the proxy market. "Webshare is an incredible, hyper-growth company. Corum conducted a global search for the right partner to appreciate the company and understand the future potential," said Jeffrey Bunting, Corum Group Sr. Vice President and lead of the Corum team advising Webshare. "Oxylabs was and is that partner. I'm delighted for both Webshare and Oxylabs." "Corum worked very closely with Webshare while we were searching for M&A opportunities," said Utku Zihnioglu, CEO of Webshare Software Company. "We were able to continue focusing almost all of our time growing the business while Corum looked for the right partner for us." Corum is the worlds leading educator on tech trends, valuations, growth strategies and Tech M&A. Corum will host a half-day online workshop, Selling Up Selling Out, on October 4th, 1:00 PM-5:00 PM PDT. Tech CEOs and founders will learn to prepare, position, research, value, negotiate and execute due diligence for maximum price and optimal structure in an M&A transaction. To register or see a complete list of events, visit www.corumgroup.com/events . About Corum Group Corum Group is the global leader in merger and acquisition services, specializing in serving sellers of software and related technology companies worldwide. With offices globally, Corum has completed over $10B in software M&A transactions over the last 37 years. Corum's M&A advisors are highly experienced former tech CEOs, supported by industry-leading researchers, writers and valuators. For more information, visit www.corumgroup.com. Story continues About Webshare.io Webshare is the technology leader in high-volume self-service proxy services, enabling deep data collection, aggregation, and analysis for businesses across the globe. Various businesses, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to individual consultants, rely on Webshare for assured data availability for market research, price comparison, data aggregation, malware analysis, and many more use cases. Visit www.webshare.io to learn more. About Oxylabs Established in 2015, Oxylabs is a premium proxy and public web data acquisition solution provider, enabling companies of all sizes to utilize the power of big data. Constant innovation, a large patent portfolio, and a focus on ethics have allowed Oxylabs to become a global leader in the data acquisition industry and forge close ties with dozens of Fortune Global 500 companies. In 2022, Oxylabs was named the fastest-growing public data gathering solutions company in Europe in the Financial Times' FT 1000 list. To learn more about Oxylabs, visit www.oxylabs.io. Contact: Heidi Owen +1 425-526-3107 heidio@corumgroup.com EnerVenue Owned by Nicon Industries A/S ownership group, Green Energy Renewable Solutions will deploy EnerVenue energy storage technology across maritime, large construction, and other heavy industry projects EnerVenue announces Master Supply Agreement with Green Energy Renewable Solutions Green Energy Renewable Solutions will use EnerVenue energy storage technology for on- and off-shore industrial projects. FREMONT, Calif., Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnerVenue, the first company to bring metal-hydrogen batteries capable of 30,000 cycles to the clean energy revolution, today announced a Master Supply Agreement with Green Energy Renewable Solutions. Under the terms of the deal, Green Energy will procure and deploy 250 MWh of EnerVenues storage solution over the next three years. Houston-based Green Energy is a recently launched company owned by Henrik Jensen and Jens Juul, both of whom own and operate Nicon Industries A/S, a leading manufacturer of steel and aluminum constructions in the wind, offshore and maritime industry. Green Energy will leverage EnerVenue battery vessels to support Nicons innovative renewable energy and storage projects. The Master Supply Agreement will deliver 50MWh in 2023, 100MWh in 2024, and 100MWh in 2025. Green Energy will package EnerVenue battery vessels into customized building blocks for projects across Nicons onshore and offshore project portfolio. Through Green Energy, Nicon has the ambitious goal of building 1 GW of storage projects within the three years of the initial EnerVenue agreement. EnerVenues energy storage technology will be a critical asset to Green Energy Renewable Solutions and, by association, to Nicon Industries A/S, said Henrik Jensen, CEO, Nicon Industries A/S. EnerVenues technology features exceptional longevity and durability with minimal maintenance required, and its fire-safe properties are especially critical in our expected applications. EnerVenues transformational technology will help Green Energy Renewable Solutions provide superior value to our global customer base. Initial projects are expected to be onshore but to support Nicons long-term goals, Green Energys energy storage solutions must meet particularly strict DNV certification and CE certification mandates for systems deployed in the offshore and maritime market. EnerVenues unique metal-hydrogen technology gives Green Energy exceptionally long battery life with low maintenance requirements and zero fire propagation riskan especially crucial safety and compliance factor in offshore locations such as oil rigs. By 2024, Nicon's forklifts will be converted from fossil fuel to electric power and will be charged with Green Energy battery containers, said Jens Juul, COO, Green Energy / Nicon Industries A/S. Additionally, the power needed for our sea fastenings jobs on wind installation vessels will be supplied from our own battery containers charged overnight with renewable energy coming from the windfarms. Green Energys maritime and offshore renewable energy applications offer use cases where the safety, flexibility, and maintenance-free durability of our battery vessels deliver compelling business opportunities and competitive differentiators, said Randy Selesky, CRO, EnerVenue. This industry has a particularly outsized and urgent opportunity to benefit from clean energy modernization, and were proud to now work with Green Energy to bring our technology into these applications for the first time. Many of Green Energys planned renewable energy projects are associated with a push by European Union countries to ramp up offshore wind power, decarbonize the maritime industry, move away from volatile gas imports, and more quickly and completely achieve climate goals. The Master Supply Agreement adds to EnerVenues recent supply deals, including agreements with Pine Gate Renewables and Sonnell Power Solutions. About EnerVenue EnerVenue builds simple, safe, and cost-efficient energy storage solutions for the clean energy revolution. Based on technology proven over decades under the most extreme conditions, EnerVenue batteries are refined and scaled for large renewable energy integration applications. The company is headquartered in Fremont, California. Story continues Contact Kyle Peterson kyle@clementpeterson.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2eded3bd-bb00-4b68-b9e2-91b5625dfa49 Ribbon-cutting celebrates $4 million gift from ZT Systems, bringing urgent care, primary care, imaging and laboratory services, specialty care and more to Hudson County ENGLEWOOD, N.J., Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Physicians, local leaders, and members of the community gathered today to celebrate the opening of the Englewood Health ZT Systems Outpatient Center at 2 Journal Square. Left to right: Councilman Richard Boggiano; Mark Shapiro, MD; Councilman Yousef Saleh; Celines Morales-Ribeiro, MD; Michael Gutter, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Englewood Health Foundation; Tina Mousouroulis, Executive Director, ZT Systems; Doug Huang, Vice President, ZT Systems; Warren Geller, President and CEO, Englewood Health; Mayor Steven Fulop; Richard Lerner, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Englewood Health; Councilman James Solomon; Stephen Brunnquell, MD, President of Englewood Health Physician Network; Rini Palathingal, MD; Helene Wolk, Chief Operating Officer, Englewood Health. The outpatient center is a three-floor, 73,000+ square-foot facility that offers urgent care, primary care, imaging and over a dozen specialty care services to the Hudson County community. Conveniently located across from the PATH station, the outpatient center also offers patients free parking and easy access to public transportation. The facility brings all the expertise, resources, and existing infrastructure of the hospital to its patients in Jersey City and beyond. "Travel should never be a barrier to comprehensive, high-quality health care," said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. "That's why we continue to expand our services throughout northern New Jersey. Our outpatient center in Jersey City will increase access to preventive care and diagnostics right where people live and work." For those who already receive care within the Englewood Health Physician Networkwhich provides primary and specialty care services across Hudson Countythe outpatient center offers seamless collaboration with their referring physicians and true continuity of care. Made possible by a historic philanthropic gift The founding of the outpatient center was made possible by a historic philanthropic gift from ZT Systems, an international leader in the IT sector. The $4 million gift from ZT Systems is the largest corporate pledge in Englewood Health's history and has fueled the mission of bringing these important medical services to Hudson County. "ZT Systems is proud to support Englewood Health in giving back to the local community by bringing urgent care, primary care, imaging and laboratory services, specialty care and more to Jersey City," said Frank Zhang, president and CEO of ZT Systems. "The Englewood Health Foundation shares our company's values of partnership and people first , and we are very excited to be a part of this important initiative." Story continues A comprehensive, outpatient medical center Primary and specialty care On the first floor of the outpatient center, orthopedic experts care for patients from diagnosis through rehabilitation for any orthopedic-related condition. Primary care services are located on the second floor, as are specialties including pulmonology, gastroenterology, dermatology, neurology, bariatric and general surgery, colon and rectal surgery, behavioral health, and vascular surgery. A diabetes center on the second floor offers patients access to diabetes education and nutritional counseling, as well as podiatry and endocrinology. Also on the second floor are hematology and oncology offices. "For over 130 years, Englewood Health has provided personalized, compassionate care to the residents of Northern New Jersey and beyond," said Stephen Brunnquell, MD, president of the Englewood Health Physician Network. "While our reach has included Jersey City and the people who live and work there, the addition of this new location at Journal Square will be a game changer. With increased access to expertise, services, and screenings, people will be able to get the care they need, when they need it, right in their own neighborhood." Imaging Born of a need for increased access to high-quality medical imaging, Englewood Hospital Imaging at Jersey City is a full-service imaging center, offering highly sophisticated technology and advanced diagnostic testing opening to patients on October 3, 2022. "Access to imaging services such as CT scans and MRIs enable the early detection of cancer, heart disease, joint and spine injuries, abdominal disease, and problems related to brain function," said Mark Shapiro, MD, chief of radiology at Englewood Health. "As many of these conditions are treatable or curable in their early stages, Englewood Health's continued efforts to expand diagnostic imaging directly improve health outcomes within our community." At the brand-new imaging center, a team of fellowship-trained radiologists provides same-day results, as well as urgent and emergent consultations when necessary. The facility will offer multimodal imaging using state-of-the-art equipment, including: 3T MRI body/musculoskeletal, breast, neuro, MR elastography 128-Slice CT and full-service CT CT angiography, cardiac CTA including FFRct Ultrasound Women's imaging 3D mammography, breast ultrasound, stereotactic biopsy DEXA/Bone Densitometry X-Ray Cardiac Imaging nuclear and non-nuclear stress testing, echocardiography, vascular lab, Holter monitor Maternal Fetal Medicine perinatology, high-risk obstetrical ultrasound, amniocentesis, nuchal translucency screening Breast services A major focus of this new center is to bring Englewood Health's expert breast services into the community. "Getting an annual mammogram in Hudson County just got easier," said Mindy Goldfischer, MD, chief of breast imaging at Englewood Health and medical director of The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center at Englewood Health. "At the imaging center in Jersey City, screening mammography, diagnostic evaluations, and advanced breast procedures are performed by our breast imaging specialists. Having access to these important breast services locally will save lives." Englewood Health is a regional leader in breast imaging and is accredited and nationally recognized by the American College of Radiology as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. In addition, Englewood Health's breast cancer disease management teamwhich includes medical oncologists, breast surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, and geneticistsworks together to create individual care plans for each of their patients. Urgent Care Located on the main level, Englewood Health Urgent Care at Jersey City offers same-day, walk-in services for adults and children with non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, as well as preventive care services, routine vaccinations, and telemedicine. Urgent Care is open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment at Englewood Health ZT Systems Outpatient Center, visit englewoodhealth.org/jerseycity. Media Contact: Office of Communications 201-894-3499 communications@ehmchealth.org Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/englewood-health-zt-systems-outpatient-center-opens-at-2-journal-square-301630342.html SOURCE Englewood Health Crypto banking company Striga is the first firm to be awarded a license under a new Estonian legal regime that was significantly toughened earlier this year. Striga was given the authorization to operate on Sept. 20, the Estonian financial intelligence unit (FIU), an anti-money laundering enforcer, said in a statement dated Wednesday. The company, part of Bitcoin Lightning startup LastBit, is now registered under an anti-money laundering law which seeks to clamp down on a previously liberal regime for regulating crypto firms. The head of the FIU, Matis Maeker, told CoinDesk in May that he wanted to professionalize the sector via the new regime. Many of the hundreds of companies registered in the country had no proper business plan or nexus in the country, Maeker said. Striga Chief Executive Officer Bernardo Magnani said at the time that the approval process had been challenging, to say the least [F]or us it was hard to predict how it was going to look. Existing firms also had to renew their licenses under the new Estonian law, which took effect in March. The challenge of complying with the new hurdles, which include requirements to hold minimum levels of capital and to have dedicated compliance officers, has led the number of registered firms to plummet from 381 in December to 177 as of Wednesday. Regulation in this space is just starting, Magnani said during a Thursday telephone interview, with the European Union just now finalizing its landmark Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA), and more potentially still to come. We believe that being at the front of that will allow us to be very competitive. Read more: In Estonia, the Partys Over for 'Hippie' Crypto Firms The worlds largest cruise trade conference, Seatrade Cruise Global, will host its 2023 conference and exhibition in March. The four-day event, at the newly renovated Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center from March 27-30, is expected to attract more than 10,000 attendees, bringing together cruise professionals, thought leaders and innovators from all facets of the industry. Considering valuable feedback from exhibitors and attendees, the date change for the upcoming year mitigates challenges that may come with the potential of sharing Miami Beach with the Formula One Grand Prix event in 2023, said a statement. The decision was made after close consultation with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), alongside other cruise line and industry partners. Seatrade Cruise Global will return to its customary April time frame in 2024 and onwards, it said. Keeping our mission at the forefront, were confident that hosting the event at an earlier date in Fort Lauderdale will help ensure an optimal event experience for our exhibitors, partners and attendees, says Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand and Event Director for Seatrade Cruise. With the exhibit hall doubling in size, were able to recreate our traditional show floor layout, and hence, can accommodate our State of the Industry Keynote opening session onsite in the expansive Grand Ballroom. Recent updates to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center part of the venues highly anticipated $1 billion renovation and expansion include the extension of the exhibit hall to 350,000 square feet of continuous space, allowing all exhibitors to remain on a single show floor. Additional upgrades such as modern technologies, innovative dining concessions, versatile pre-function space and modern decor reflective of Fort Lauderdales beautiful waterfront, will elevate the conference experience. We look forward to reuniting with our colleagues worldwide at Seatrade Cruise Global in March 2023 where we will continue to collaborate and explore solutions that support sustainable cruising as we sail to a better future, said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association. Serving as a hub for US travel to the Caribbean, were excited to welcome our partners to the home of one of the busiest cruise ports in the world for another dynamic edition of Seatrade Cruise Global, adds Michele Paige, President of FCCA. - TradeArabia News Service ReportLinker Major players in the fuel cell market are Ballard Power Systems, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, AFC Energy Plc, Fuel Cell Energy Inc, SFC Energy, Pragma Industries, Cummins, Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies, Nuvera Fuel Cells LLC, Doosan Fuel Cell America, Solidpower S. New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Fuel Cell Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317648/?utm_source=GNW p.A, and Convion Oy. The global fuel cells market is expected to grow from $3.00 billion in 2021 to $3.92 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.7%. The fuel cells market is expected to grow to $10.32 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.4%. The fuel cell market consists of sales of fuel cell solutions by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that use the chemical energy of hydrogen or any other fuel to produce electricity by electrochemical reactions.The reactants have been continuously supplied to the electrodes from the reservoir. Fuel cells are unique in terms of the variety of their potential applications. They will use a wide range of fuels and feedstocks and will provide power for systems as large as a utility power station and as small as a laptop computer. The main types of fuel cells are polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM), molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC), phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC), solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC), and others.Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are proton exchange membrane fuel cells in which hydrogen is used as the fuel to operate at relatively low temperatures and quickly vary their output to meet shifting power demands. These operate at relatively low temperatures and can quickly vary their output to meet varying power demands.The different applications include portable, stationary, and transport. The various end-users involved are commercial and industrial, data centers, transportation, military and defense, utilities and government, among others. Asia Pacific was the largest region in the fuel cells 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 fuel cell market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides fuel cell market statistics, including fuel cell industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a fuel cell market share, detailed fuel cell market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the fuel cell industry. This fuel cell 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. An increasing focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions is expected to propel the growth of the fuel cell market going forward.Greenhouse gas refers to any gas that has the property of absorbing infrared radiation that is emitted from Earths surface and reradiating it back to Earths surface. Like electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are zero-emission vehicles that will have no smog-related or greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions.For instance, according to the data released by the government of the Netherlands, the Climate Act calls for a 49% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and a 95% reduction by 2050. Therefore, the increasing focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions will drive the growth of the fuel cell market. Strategic partnerships and collaborations have emerged as a key trend gaining popularity in the fuel cell market.Major companies operating in the fuel cell industry are searching for strategic alliances to help them strengthen their position. For instance, in September 2021, Eatons Vehicle Group, an Ireland based power management company, partnered with Ballard Fuel Cell Systems and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for an undisclosed amount.Through this partnership, Eatons Vehicle Group obtained funding from the US Department of Energy to create highly efficient hydrogen fuel cells capable of powering heavy-duty machinery. Ballard Fuel Cell Systems is a Canada- based developer and manufacturer of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell products.Moreover, in September 2019, Hyundai Motor Company, a South Korea based automotive manufacturer, collaborated with Cummins for an undisclosed amount. This partnership allows Hyundai to expand its footprint in the North American commercial vehicle market while also allowing Cummins to expand its electrified power product line by using Hyundais leading fuel cell technologies. Cummins is a US-based company that manufactures engines, filtration, and power generation products. In September 2019, Cummins, a US-based company, acquired Hydrogenic Corporation for an amount of US $290 million.The acquisition would enhance Cummins clean, fuel-efficient, and high-performing products and innovate hydrogen fuel cell technologies across a range of commercial markets. Hydrogenic Corporation is a Canada-based company that designs, develops, and manufactures hydrogen generation, storage, and fuel cell systems. The countries covered in the Fuel Cell market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317648/?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 Vantage Market Research, The North Star for the Working World WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Biopesticides market was valued at USD 5.2 billion in 2021 and is projected to generate revenue of USD 12.2 billion by 2028 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 15.3% during the forecast period, 20222028. Pesticides are among the most widely used substances in the world. In 2020, an estimated 3.5 million tons of pesticides were used globally. This is equivalent to more than two pounds of pesticides used by each person on the planet. Wherein, China is the leading consumer of chemical pesticides, which is followed by the US and Argentina. Pesticides are often used to control insect populations and protect food crops. As per Vantage Market Research, more than 45% of food is lost due to pest infestation in the Biopesticides market. As a result, farmers are increasingly opting for pesticides to get rid of them. In fact, our study suggests that over 35% of agricultural produce is affected by chemical pesticides. However, pesticides have also been linked to health concerns, including cancer and developmental problems in children. Approximately one-fifth of all cancers worldwide are pesticide-related, and these cancers are increasing in prevalence due to the persistent use of these chemicals. Get Sample Copy of This Report: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/biopesticides-market-1854/request-sample To overcome these challenges, the demand for the biopesticide market is growing as farmers become more and more aware of the benefits that these products can have on their crops. Biopesticides are effective tools that help farmers protect their crops from harmful organisms, and there is a wide variety available to choose from. Some of the most popular Biopesticides include neem oil, pyrethrin, and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Today, the Biopesticides market has become a popular way to protect crops. This is due in part to their environmental benefits Biopesticides can reduce the use of chemical pesticides while also preserving biodiversity. But there is also a growing demand for Biopesticides for agricultural purposes specifically, to increase crop yield and improve food security. Story continues What drives the demand for the Biopesticides market? There are several factors contributing to this increase in demand, including the growing number of farmers who are using natural methods to protect their crops, the increasing popularity of organic farming, the increasing cost of chemical pesticides, the negative impact of chemical pesticides on human health, stringent government regulation, higher chances production rejection for exporting the products, among others. In spite of this growth in demand, there is still room for improvement in the Biopesticides market. One challenge is that many Biopesticides are not registered with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This makes it difficult for farmers to know which products are safe and effective, and it can lead to product liability claims in the Biopesticides market. Another challenge is that many biopesticide manufacturers do not have a global footprint meaning that they do not have facilities in multiple countries. This limits their ability to respond quickly to challenges posed by new pests or disease outbreaks. Purchase This Premium Report (Price 4500 USD for a single-user license) at @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/buy-now/biopesticides-market-1854/0 Key Findings in Global Biopesticides Market by Vantage Market Research Since the agricultural industry's switch to petroleum-based seed production and pesticides, the use of Biopesticides has become a more prevalent way to manage crops. A key factor for that increase has been Vantage Market Research's Biopesticide survey, which found that Top three applications for Biopesticides in 2021 were crop protection, animal health, and environmental remediation. Insecticides accounted for the majority of total sales, followed by herbicides and fungicides. 44% of global respondents are using Biopesticides in their operations in the Biopesticides market. It was also found that more companies are incorporating Biopesticides into their overall pest management strategies, with 91% expecting increased use of such products over the next three years. In addition, 74% of survey respondents said they are using or expect to use genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in biopesticide formulations within the next three years. Interestingly, while GMO traits account for only a small share of all pesticide uses today, they could play a much larger role in future developments. While biosafety concerns have limited their commercial adoption thus far, there is great interest among growers in using GMOs as vehicle technologies for delivering efficient and effective Biopesticides. This could be achieved through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from GMO crops to microbial consortia isolated from wild plant resources. China, the US, and Germany are the Top 3 Exporters of Biopesticides The top three countries that exported the most Biopesticides in 2021 were China, the United States, and Germany. China was the largest exporter of Biopesticides, accounting for 34% of the total exports. The United States came in second with 21% of the total exports, while Germany was third with 13% of the total exports. There are many reasons why these three countries are leading exporters in the global Biopesticides market. China is a leading producer of agricultural products, and its farmers often use Biopesticides to control pests and Diseases. The United States has a long history of responsibly using pesticides, and this has enabled it to become a leading exporter of Biopesticides. Additionally, Germany has a strong scientific community that is frequently developing new types of Biopesticides. China is the world's largest producer and consumer in the global biopesticide market, according to a report from Vantage. The country's per-capita consumption rate is five times higher than that of the United States, and it has been estimated that China uses more than half of the world's commercially available Biopesticides. In recent years, however, there have been signs that China is starting to reconsider its reliance on various types of chemical pesticides. In 2013, the government announced a plan to reduce pesticide use by 60% within six years. And in May 2021, China unveiled a new set of Guidelines for Pesticide Management that could steer the country away from using hazardous and potentially harmful chemicals. In line with this, China has started providing biopeptides in huge quantities. In fact, it emerged as the largest exporter of Biopesticides as of September 2022. Over 260 organizations are active in China's Biopesticides market, which accounts for 10% of the total pesticide market. Vantage found that China produces over 14,000 tons of biopesticide each year out of which China exported over 3,000 tons of biopesticide to other countries in 2016, which increased to over 4,500 tons in 2021. Schedule a FREE Consultation Call with Our Analysts to Find Solutions for Your Business at @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/biopesticides-market-1854/contact-analyst Key Challenges in the Biopesticides market 1. Developments in the Biopesticides market are mainly driven by innovative products and services, which is a potential challenge for players in the industry. This is due to the high Research and Development (R&D) expenditure required for the development of these types of products. 2. Lack of awareness about the potential benefits of bioinsecticides and the need for credible data to substantiate efficacy claims 3. Poor crop performance due to weather conditions or resistance development to Biopesticides 4. Regulations relating to safety and environmental issues are also expected to exert a strong influence on the growth of the Biopesticides market. As a result, there is an increased interest from manufacturers in developing products that meet all certification requirements mandated by various regulatory agencies. 5. The price pressure arising from aggressive competition could limit the growth of the Biopesticides market during the forecast period. This is particularly true for product segments such as herbicides, fungicides, and biocontrol agents Top Players in the Global Biopesticides market Certis USA LLC Syngenta International AG Nufarm Ltd Bayer AG Novozymes A/S Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd. FMC Corporation Agri Life Symborg S.L. Biotech International Limited T. Stanes & Company Limited Summit Chemical Inc. BioSafe Systems LLC Browse market data Tables and Figures spread through 141 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Biopesticides Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Crop Type (Cereal & Grains, Oilseeds & Pulses, Fruits & Vegetables, Other Crop Types), by Formulation Type (Liquid Formulation, Dry Formulation), by Source (Microbial Pesticides, Biochemical Pesticides, Plant-Incorporated Protectants), by Mode of Application (Seed Treatment, Soil Treatment, Foliar Spray, Other Modes of Application), by Product (Bio Insecticides, Bio Fungicides, Bio Herbicides, Bionematicides), by Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America) - Global Industry Assessment (2016 - 2021) & Forecast (2022 - 2028)". Customization of the Report: The report can be customized as per client needs or requirements. For any queries, you can contact us on sales@vantagemarketresearch.com or +1 (202) 380-9727. Our sales executives will be happy to understand your needs and provide you with the most suitable reports. Key Questions Answered in The Report: Which region will show the fastest and highest growth in the near future? Which are the top five players and their weakness and strength of the Market? What will be the future innovation in the upcoming six years? Which application and product will lead the largest share of the Market? What are the growth drivers, restraints and challenges of the industry? What will be the CAGR and size of the Biopesticides Market for the base year and forecast period? This market titled Biopesticides Market will cover exclusive information in terms of Regional Analysis, Forecast, and Quantitative Data Units, Key Market Trends, and various others as mentioned below: Parameter Details Market Size Provided for Years 2016-2028 Base Year 2021 Historic Years 2016-2020 Forecast Years 2022-2028 Segments Covered Crop Type Cereal & Grains Oilseeds & Pulses Fruits & Vegetables Other Crop Types Formulation Type Liquid Formulation Dry Formulation Source Microbial Pesticides Biochemical Pesticides Plant-Incorporated Protectants Mode of Application Seed Treatment Soil Treatment Foliar Spray Other Modes of Application Product Bio Insecticides Bio Fungicides Bio Herbicides Bionematicides Others (including Plant Growth Regulators) Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Region & Counties Covered North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe U.K France Germany Italy Spain Rest Of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea South East Asia Rest Of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest Of Latin America Middle East & Africa GCC Countries South Africa Rest Of Middle East & Africa Companies Covered Certis USA LLC Syngenta International AG Nufarm Ltd Bayer AG Novozymes A/S Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd. FMC Corporation Agri Life Symborg S.L. Biotech International Limited T. Stanes & Company Limited Summit Chemical Inc. BioSafe Systems LLC Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porters five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, technology landscape, patent analysis, market attractiveness analysis by segments and North America, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis Browse More Related Report: Biostimulants Market: Biostimulants Market was valued at USD 3.0 Billion in 2021 and is forecast to reach a value of USD 5.8 Billion by 2028. Refrigeration Oil Market: Refrigeration Oil Market was valued USD 1,029.4 Million in 2021 and is anticipated to reach a value of USD 1,295 Million by 2028. Maleic Anhydride Market: Maleic Anhydride Market was valued USD 2.5 Billion in 2021 and is anticipated to reach a value of USD 3.1 Billion by 2028. Heat Meter Market: Heat Meter Market was valued USD 2.3 Million in 2021 and is anticipated to reach a value of USD 2.7 Million by 2028. Top Companies in Biopesticides Market | Industry Major Players In-depth and Comprehensive Research. About Vantage Market Research: We, at Vantage Market Research, provide quantified B2B high quality research on more than 20,000 emerging markets, in turn, helping our clients map out constellation of opportunities for their businesses. We, as a competitive intelligence market research and consulting firm provide end to end solutions to our client enterprises to meet their crucial business objectives. Our clientele base spans across 70% of Global Fortune 500 companies. The company provides high quality data and market research reports. The company serves various enterprises and clients in a wide variety of industries. The company offers detailed reports on multiple industries including Chemical Materials and Energy, Food and Beverages, Healthcare Technology, etc. The companys experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants use proprietary data sources and numerous statistical tools and techniques to gather and analyse information. Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vantage-market-research/ Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/vantagemarketr Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vantagemarketresearch Contact us Eric Kunz 6218 Georgia Avenue NW Ste 1 - 564 Washington DC 20011-5125 United States Tel: +1 202 380 9727 Email: sales@vantagemarketresearch.com Website: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/ Latest Vantage Market Research Press Releases @https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/insight/press-releases Latest Vantage Market Research Blog @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/insight/blogs Blog: NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This report offers detailed insights and analysis of the major cost drivers, volume drivers, top suppliers, most suitable supplier selection criteria, supplier evaluation metrics, SLA that buyers should consider and innovations of the Interior Design procurement and sourcing market, which the global suppliers have been leveraging to gain a competitive edge across regions. Interior Design Market The Interior Design procurement category is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.05% during the forecast period. This Interior Design procurement market report provides detailed analysis of procurement strategies deployed by major category end-users across several industries while sourcing for Interior Design requirements. In addition, most adopted and high potential pricing models considered by buyers have been analyzed in this report, which will help understand business scopes for revenue expansion. These data will assist buyers to realize cost savings and identify business strategies to improve sales. https://spendedge.com/sample-procurement-report/organization-and-change-management-consulting-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report Who are the Top Suppliers in the Interior Design Market? The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several top suppliers. Some of the leading Interior Design suppliers profiled extensively in this report include: Gensler PERKINS and WILL HOK Group Inc These are a few of the key suppliers in Interior Design market. Discover more about these vendors, including the detailed analysis of procurement strategies deployed by major category end-users across several industries while sourcing for Interior Design requirements. https://spendedge.com/sample-procurement-report/organization-and-change-management-consulting-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report What are the Most Adopted Procurement Strategies for the Interior Design Market? The research includes a complete analysis of the most commonly used procurement strategies by buyers across sectors, as well as an insight into these strategies' innovation, regulatory compliance, quality, supply, and cost. Adopting these procurement tactics would enable buyers to minimize category TCO and achieve cost savings while sourcing Interior Design. Story continues What Are the Most Effective Price Strategy That a Vendor Can Adopt and What is The Forecasted Incremental Spend? It is critical to monitor current and future pricing changes in order to maximize the value of the purchase. Price forecasts can assist in purchase planning, especially when combined with constant monitoring of price-influencing factors. The market expects an incremental spend of USD 64.67 billion over the forecast period as a result of several market drivers prevalent across multiple geographies. In addition, the sourcing and procurement report discusses different cost-cutting factors by analyzing the following criteria: Identify favorable opportunities in Interior Design TCO (total cost of ownership) Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities https://spendedge.com/sample-procurement-report/organization-and-change-management-consulting-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report Which are the Key Regions for Interior Design Market? The Interior Design market will register an incremental spend of about USD 64.67 billion during the forecast period. However, only a few regions will drive the majority of this growth. Moreover, on the supply side, North America, Europe, and APAC will have the maximum influence owing to the supplier base. The growth is expected to be primarily driven by increasing demand and adoption of the category across those few regions. Smart Procurement Starts Here: SpendEdge's procurement intelligence platform is the go-to tool for companies looking to access latest procurement research insights and supplier data on an easy-to-use platform: Subscribe now for free, to get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment. Table of Content About SpendEdge: Executive Summary Market Insights Category Pricing Insights Cost-saving Opportunities Best Practices Category Ecosystem Category Management Strategy Category Management Enablers Suppliers Selection Suppliers under Coverage US Market Insights Category scope Appendix SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. Contacts SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us SpendEdge Logo (PRNewsfoto/SpendEdge) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-interior-design-sourcing-and-procurement-report-with-top-suppliers-supplier-evaluation-metrics-and-procurement-strategies--spendedge-301628616.html SOURCE SpendEdge JESSUPS ESTATE, Saint Kitts and Nevis, September 22, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hamilton Reserve Bank (www.hrbank.com), the hometown bank of Americas founding father Alexander Hamilton (born 1755) and the largest global bank in the region, has partnered with Mastercard to allow fast, secure cross-border payments. Through a single, secure point of access, Mastercard Cross-Border Services enables Hamilton Reserve Bank to reach 90 percent of the worlds population via bank accounts, digital wallets and cash payout locations around the world. Mastercards capabilities allow the bank to facilitate transparent, safe, certain, and fast payments between people and businesses in over 100 countries and growing. Hamilton Reserve Bank will have real-time payments capabilities in most of the countries, providing a unique experience for its customers making cross-border payments. "After onboarding with Mastercard, Hamilton Reserve Bank has successfully demonstrated our advanced fintech capabilities, capital strength, and robust compliance," said Sir Tony Baldry the founding Chairman of Hamilton Reserve Bank. "We are proud to have Mastercard as an additional payment channel partner to accelerate customer payments. Hamilton Reserve Bank anticipates processing more than 20,000 transfers per month soon." Hamilton Reserve Bank is one of the leading banking institutions authorized in St. Kitts and Nevis to offer Mastercard Cross-Border Services. "The volume of cross-border payments has significantly increased in recent years with these types of payments playing a crucial role in supporting commerce, people, and economies during the pandemic," said Dalton Fowles, Country Manager for Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Eastern Caribbean markets. "We are pleased to be partnering with Hamilton Reserve Bank to continue our growth in the region and support even more people to pay and get paid securely and quickly, wherever they are in the world." Story continues The partnership with Mastercard allows Hamilton Reserve Bank to augment its existing correspondent banking payment channels. Hamilton Reserve Bank is powered by Straight-Through Processing (STP) from Temenos, one of the worlds largest core banking software. Bank customers benefit from a self-directed, seamless, and secure 24/7 online banking experience. About Hamilton Reserve Bank HAMILTON RESERVE BANK (www.hrbank.com ; SWIFT: NIBTKNNE) is a fully regulated global bank with a deep British heritage as the hometown bank of Americas founding father Alexander Hamilton (born 1755), serving a large and rapidly expanding clientele from more than 150 countries. The Bank offers a broad range of personal banking, business banking, and investment solutions in multiple currencies. Powered by the advanced Temenos core banking solutions and Straight-Through Processing, Hamilton Reserve Bank has highly efficient customer onboarding via biometric verifications, robust compliance through real time Temenos transaction monitoring, and 24/7 e-banking. Headquartered on a sprawling campus at the "Hamilton Reserve Bank Plaza" in St. Kitts & Nevis, Hamilton Reserve Bank is the largest global bank in the region, maintaining worldwide offices and global customer support. About Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220922005190/en/ Contacts Media enquiries: Anthony Gajor, Hamilton Reserve Bank press@hrbank.com Sabrina Alvarez, Mastercard sabrina.alvarez@mastercard.com ReportLinker Major players in the home fragrance market are S. C. Johnson & Son Inc. , Voluspa, Newell Brands, NEST Fragrances LLC, Godrej Aer. , Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc. , The Procter & Gamble Company, Seda France, ScentAir, 3M Company, Bougie Et Senteur, Bath & Body Works LLC, The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Home Fragrance Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06316987/?utm_source=GNW , Faultless Brands, Air Essentials, Esteban Paris, Korona Candles S.A, Illume Inc., Faultless Brands, and Ripple Fragrances Pvt. Ltd. The global home fragrance market is expected to grow from $6.52 billion in 2021 to $6.94 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The home fragrance market is expected to grow to $9.2 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 7.3%. The home fragrance market consists of sales of home fragrances by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refer to fragrances that are manufactured and used in homes.A home fragrance is a mixture of organic compounds that emits a characteristic aroma or smell that is now becoming as important a feature of home design as any piece of furniture or decor. Home fragrances are intended to scent the air or mask odors to create a pleasant interior atmosphere. Home fragrance products are inexpensive, aromatic, aid in the maintenance of air quality, and serve as a source for removing unpleasant odors. The main types of home fragrances are candles, room sprays, reed diffusers, essential oils, and incense sticks.The candle is a cylinder or block of wax or tallow with a central wick that is lit to produce light as it burns. The fragrances in home fragrances are lemon, lavender, jasmine, rose, sandalwood, vanilla, other fragrances that are distributed over supermarkets and hypermarkets, online stores, convenience stores, other distribution channels in liquid, the dry, or solid forms used in-home care, healthcare, hospitality, museums, commercial, other end-users. Western Europe was the largest region in the home fragrance market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the home fragrance market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa. The home fragrance market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides home fragrance market statistics, including home fragrance industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a home fragrance market share, detailed home fragrance market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the home fragrance industry. This home fragrance 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 natural essential oils in home fragrance products is expected to propel the growth of the home fragrance market.The use of natural essential oils is becoming increasingly popular as people place a greater emphasis on their health and well-being, as well as a favorable impression of aromatherapy. It is classified as a supplemental medicine that is used to improve ones health and well-being. According to the European Federation of Essential Oils (E.F.E.O.), an FDA regulated body, world essential oil production accounts for approximately 600,000 hectares of the 1.6 billion hectares of agricultural production. Approximately one million farms produce in the industry, accounting for 0.06 percent of all farms worldwide (1.600 million). In June 2019, according to "The Value of Fragrance," a global report published by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), a representative body of the fragrance industry, the manufacturing of fragrance ingredients alone contributes 7.2 billion to the economy and accounts for between 48 billion and 72 billion in value-added for 25 consumer product categories. Therefore, the increasing usage of essential oils in fragrance products by manufacturers is driving the growth of the home fragrance market. Technological innovations are shaping the home fragrance market.Technological innovations are the discovery of knowledge that advances technology. For instance, in October 2019, NEST Fragrances, a US-based leading luxury lifestyle fragrance company, launched a new smart home fragrance diffuser in partnership with Pura, a smart home fragrance solutions company.The diffuser device, which is powered by Pura, can be operated with a smartphone. Furthermore, the device has clever functions such as altering the smell intensity, switching between two scents with the press of a button, and setting personalized scent schedules. In another instance, in December 2021, Pura, a US-based innovative smart home fragrance technology company, partnered with Kenneth Cole for the development of two new smart home scent diffuser brands, "Aim to Teas" and "Go Fig-ure." Pura utilized scientific tools to relate perfumes with well-being while producing these aromas, giving them a wholly new sensation and deeper significance. In August 2019, ScentAir, a US-based scent marketing company, acquired ScentHD for an undisclosed amount.The acquisition is expected to enhance ScentAirs business by allowing it to grow deeper into the home fragrance sector and directly reach more home fragrance customers. ScentHD is a US-based company, that offers services and products for home and office air diffusers. The countries covered in the Home Fragrance market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06316987/?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 Cryptocurrencies are dangerous Ponzi schemes that put billions of dollars at risk every year, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon declared in a scathing review of the volatile digital assets. In congressional testimony on Wednesday, Dimon referred to himself as a major skeptic on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. They are decentralized Ponzi schemes, and the notion thats good for anybody is unbelievable, he told lawmakers, calling Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies dangerous. Bitcoin, which was hovering just above $19,000 at 6:45 a.m. ET on Thursday, has lost more than half its value in 2022, as cryptocurrencies across the board have suffered a widespread selloff thats become known as the crypto winter. House meeting The U.S. House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing on Wednesday in which representatives from major American banks including Citigroup, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo gave evidence. The committees chairwoman, Maxine Waters, and ranking member Patrick McHenry are currently developing a bill on regulating stablecoinsa digital asset class thats tied to the value of an asset like the U.S. dollar. Under the most recent draft of the bill, seen by Bloomberg, it would be illegal to issue or create new endogenously collateralized stablecoins like TerraUSD, which collapsed earlier this year in one of the largest ever crypto bankruptcies ever. Dimon said in his testimony to the House on Wednesday that billions of dollars had been lost every year to cryptocurrencies, noting their links to money laundering, ransomware, sex trafficking, and theft. However, he argued that stablecoins would not be so problematic if they were properly regulated. Bitcoin 'worthless' The JPMorgan chief has long been a vocal critic of Bitcoin and other decentralized digital assetsand refuses to refer to them as currencies. In October last year, as Bitcoins value was approaching an all-time high, Dimon said the cryptocurrency was worthless. Story continues Back in 2017, he referred to Bitcoin as a fraudan assertion he later said he regretted. Last year, however, he doubled down on his aversion to the asset, saying he was not a Bitcoin supporter and had no interest in it. JPMorgan itself hasnt been quite so critical of Bitcoin, with the bank saying as recently as May that it saw significant upside for crypto investors. However, the lenders payments boss said this week that while cryptocurrency had a niche use case, demand for the tokens as a payment method had drastically declined over the past six months. The firm, and Dimon himself, have also been backers of Blockchain technology, which is the foundation of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. In 2019, JPMorgan became the first American bank to create and successfully test a digital coin representing a fiat currencyin this case, the U.S. dollar. The JPM Coin, enabled by Blockchain, is used by the bank to carry out intraday repurchase agreements. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Iconic footwear company takes big steps into retail expansion with exciting new store locations in Charleston, SC, San Antonio, TX and Las Vegas, NV DENVER, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, FREEBIRD, the leading footwear company known for their handmade leather boots, announced exciting new store locations opening across the U.S. With new brick-and-mortar locations in Charleston, SC, San Antonio, TX, as well as a storefront in Las Vegas, NV, the Denver-based company continues to grow its industry footprint while bringing artistic designs to new and existing fans alike. With a quickly growing customer base, FREEBIRD has built a tight-knit community within its successful retail locations throughout the U.S. To further make meaningful connections through personalized shopping experiences, the company's newly opened store locations in Charleston and San Antonio, which are open to the public now, as well as its most recently opened location in Las Vegas, will be commemorated with grand opening events for each local community. "Here at FREEBIRD, our products and people are the heartbeat of our story and the 'sole' of our brand. We pride ourselves on authenticity, quality, and effortless fashion, which has helped us to cultivate genuine relationships with customers from all walks of life," said Mike Murphy, Owner & CEO of FREEBIRD. "Our boots and those who wear them are at the forefront of everything we do, which is why we're excited to continue our journey and grow our company." Founded in Denver in 2009, FREEBIRD is the leading footwear brand born out of a love for boots. Utilizing superior craftsmanship through original Goodyear welt construction, the brand is widely recognized for its intricate details and metal work, exotic materials, and the finest hand-finished full-grain leathers. The team is comprised of dreamers, trendsetters, and go-getters dedicated to creating unique designs and one-of-a-kind experiences. The brand's highly anticipated new store locations nod to its talented team and inspiring designs that resonate with its community. Story continues "FREEBIRD was founded upon the notions of freedom, individuality, and independence, which has helped us assemble an amazing team that shares our vision of building a one-of-a-kind company. We are not just making boots, we are creating wearable works of art," said Teagan Coym, Vice President of FREEBIRD. "We're thrilled to continue making meaningful connections in our Denver home base while spreading our wings across the U.S. through our new store openings." To celebrate each of the brand's exciting new store locations, fans and shoe lovers alike are invited to grand opening events at the Charleston, and San Antonio storefronts. Each grand opening event will include an evening of fun, fashion, and exclusive giveaways. The brand will be giving away one pair of boots every 15 minutes, concert tickets, as well as, a grand prize of winning free boots for one year. FREEBIRD Charleston, SC FREEBIRD San Antonio, TX For more information, please visit www.freebirdstores.com and follow @FreebirdStores on Instagram and Twitter and Facebook. About FREEBIRD Founded in Denver, CO in 2009, FREEBIRD is a luxury handmade footwear brand born out of a love for boots. Known for its signature boots and statement designs, each pair is made using the time-honored Goodyear welt craftsmanship to combine quality and fashion. Offering a variety of unique boots, booties, sandals, accessories, and more for men, women, and youth, all of FREEBIRD's products are thoughtfully designed and crafted with intricate details, metal work, and the finest hand-finished full-grain leathers. With each pair of FREEBIRD boots, you will feel like you can conquer anything and be ready to stand out from the crowd. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/luxury-footwear-brand-freebird-announces-new-store-openings-301630822.html SOURCE FREEBIRD ReportLinker Major players in the medical tubing market are Saint-Gobain, Freudenberg Medical LLC, WL Gore and Associates Inc, Avient Corporation, Raumedic AG, Lubrizol Corporation, Elkem ASA, Dow Corning Corporation, Nordson Corporation, Teknor Apex, Optinova, Microlumen, Fine Tubes Ltd, Davis Standard, and B Braun. New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Medical Tubing Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317015/?utm_source=GNW The global medical tubing market is expected to grow from $9.61 billion in 2021 to $10.64 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.70%. The medical tubing market is expected to grow to $14.94 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.84%. The medical tubing market consists of sales of medical tubing solutions by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refer to a small intricate, customized tube used to transfer fluids to and from the body as well as to administer devices. Medical tubes are manufactured in a sterile environment with no risk of contamination as they are commonly used in anesthesia and respiratory apparatus, IVs, catheters, peristaltic pumps, biopharmaceutical laboratory equipment, and others for fluid management and drainage. The main types of medical tubing include silicone, polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonates, fluoropolymers, and others.Silicone medical tubes refer to medical tubes made from tear-resistant Silastic biomedical grade platinum-cured elastomer. These medical tubes are widely used in medical implants, catheters drains, feeding tubes, and other medical devices. They are used for bulk disposable tubing, drug delivery systems, catheters, biopharmaceutical laboratory equipment, and other applications in hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical ccentres medical labs, and other end users. North America was the largest region in the medical tubing market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the medical tubing market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The medical tubing market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides medical tubing market statistics, including medical tubing industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a medical tubing market share, detailed medical tubing market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the medical tubing industry. This medical tubing 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 rising cases of respiratory diseases are driving the growth of the medical tubing market.Respiratory diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and others are caused by tobacco smoking, air pollution, allergens, and occupational risks. Increasing respiratory diseases are expected to strengthen the demand for medical tubes as they are an essential component of ventilators that facilitate breathing. For instance, according to the study published in the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, the percentage of COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis, among adults aged above 18 years in the USA increased from 4.6% in 2019 to 5.0% in 2020. Thus, the rising cases of respiratory diseases will propel the growth of the medical tubing market. Product innovation is a key trend gaining popularity in the medical tubing market.Key players are focusing on launching new innovative medical tubes with innovative features to improve the outcome of the usage. The companies are utilizing advanced manufacturing processes and the latest technologies to launch innovative medical tubes, which are unique and designed to be effective and efficient.The braided medical tube is one of the most distinctive innovations now in use. The peculiarity of the braided tubes design ensures and expands the capabilities of catheters and medical tubing.A braided tube is an excellent approach for improving the flexibility and strength of existing medical equipment. Braided tubing is utilized in various medical operations including cardiovascular and neurovascular surgery and endoscopic treatments involving the gastrointestinal digestive system. For instance, In January 2021, Zeus Industrial Products, Inc., a South Carolina-based provider of polymer solutions launched braid and coil reinforced polyamide tubing, which assists design engineers to utilize key properties such as torque ability, flexibility, and strength in development of new catheter designs. In March 2021, Catheter and Medical Design, a US-based provider of extrusion braid/coil reinforced catheter shafts to the global medical device industry, acquired VitalDyne Medical for an undisclosed amount.With this acquisition, Catheter & Medical Design will own VitalDynes laser cutting, welding, micromachining, and final device production capabilities, complementing the companys manufacturing capabilities. VitalDyne Medical is a US-based manufacturer of unique, highly sophisticated catheter solutions including disposable tubing sets. The countries covered in the medical tubing 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/p06317015/?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 QUEBEC, Sept. 22, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - The only company known in the world to capture retinal signals and decipher the specific biosignatures of schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BP) and major depressive disorder (MDD), diaMentis intends to offer its rapid diagnosis supporting technology to general practitioners and psychiatrists in the United States and Canada by the end of 2024. diaMentis Logo (CNW Group/diaMentis) New technology to quickly help patients and doctors in mental health Of all the medical disciplines, psychiatry is the only one with no objective tool to help diagnose and monitor patients undergoing treatment. Once authorized, this new technology could transform the lives of millions of people thanks to an electroretinography (ERG) test of approximately 45 minutes further analyzed by diaMentis' patented SaMD (Software as a Medical Device) platform. It should be noted that in the United States 1, more than 29 million adults suffer from one of these diseases, while in Canada, more than 2.3 million people aged 15 and over are affected 2. The only known company worldwide to have a Breakthrough Designation (major scientific advances) from the American Agency related to biosignatures analysis and diagnosis support for SZ and BP. A final validation step now separates diaMentis from FDA authorization. This step consists of finalizing the conditions for obtaining ERG signals and the selection of the most efficient mathematical and biostatistical analysis models via a clinical validation study with a representative sample of the US population. Diseases with multiple co-factors, late diagnoses, and irreversible damage for many lives Among these diseases, two are irreversible, SZ and BP, while MDD can potentially be long-lasting and even present throughout the patient's life in some cases. As several co-factors co-exist and overlap within these pathologies, diagnosis is often framed and obtained over very long periods of time. Thus, people with SZ or BP usually wait between 5 and 7 years before obtaining a clear and precise diagnosis and being adequately supported for their treatment and medical follow-up. Story continues These long delays, where the disease continues progressing without being diagnosed, lead many people with SZ or BP to lose the ability to have a functional life whereas if they were diagnosed in the early stage of these diseases that is, when the warning symptoms make their appearance - they could be quickly treated and able to maintain a functional life. Health systems would also benefit from its use as the annual medical, social, and economic costs of SZ and BP reach $155 billion and $213 billion in the United States 3,4. These costs are also observed in Canada within proportion. Because the retina is the only visible part of the human brain Since the retina is connected to the central nervous system, retinal signals analysis allows us to highlight the presence of several biosignatures. Thanks to this new medical technology, a conclusive diagnosis by the clinician - general practitioner or psychiatrist - could now be confirmed or invalidated in less than 12 hours following retinal signals examination rather than waiting an average of 5 to 7 years given the absence of diagnostic supporting tools, as is currently the case in mental health. Appropriate treatment can be provided earlier in the course of the disease and the follow-up of each patient's treatment can be monitored by subsequent retinal signal examinations. Quote "Our progress and our dialogue with the FDA motivates us to enrich this portfolio of rapid diagnostic supporting solutions for the benefit of each patient, and their natural caregiver, struggling with mental illness on a daily basis. Being able to contribute in the near future to solving one of the most important problems in mental health, being the lack of rapid diagnosis at the early stage of the disease, will one day allow health systems around the world to benefit from a diagnostic supporting tool accessible to every physician involved with mental health issues. Our innovative technology could, with additional necessary capital and resources, also be used for other psychiatric and non-psychiatric indications." Normand Tremblay, Co-Founder and CEO, diaMentis About diaMentis Resulting from the work of Laval University, diaMentis holds a robust intellectual property on the analysis of retinal signals with patents recognized in 156 countries. The company has been awarded a Breakthrough Designation by the FDA, the world's largest regulatory agency. diaMentis has 118 individual and institutional shareholders in Quebec and Canada. It has raised $32M, primarily from the private sector, for the development of its rapid diagnosis supporting technology for SZ, BP and MDD, since its university spin-off in 2016. With growing scientific literature supporting its initiatives, diaMentis currently has 31 employees from eight different nationalities holding 19 doctorates or master's degrees and conducts its validation study at 15 American and Canadian clinical sites which include Harvard University, the Feinstein Institute, the University of Rochester, the University of Montreal, McGill University and the University of Toronto. https://diamentis.com/ 1. Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2020 https://www.nami.org/mhstats 2. Source: https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/services/maladies-chroniques/maladie-mentale.html 3. Source: Cloutier M, Aigbogun MS, Guerin A, Nitulescu R, Ramanakumar AV, Kamat SA, et al. The Economic Burden of Schizophrenia in the United States in 2013. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2016; 77(6): 764-771. 4. Source: Leona Bessonova, Kristine Ogden, Michael J Doane, Amy K O'Sullivan, Mauricio Tohen. The Economic Burden of Bipolar Disorder in the United States: A Systematic Literature Review, 2020. ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research, 2020; 12: 481-497. SOURCE diaMentis Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2022/22/c9813.html Development Adds 334 Apartment Homes to Vibrant Westchester County Locale NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. , Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mill Creek Residential , a leading developer, owner-operator and investment manager specializing in premier rental housing across the U.S., today announced the grand opening of Modera New Rochelle , a luxury apartment community within a one-minute walk of New Rochelle's Main Street. Mill Creek Logo City leaders and public figures joined Mill Creek on Wednesday, Sept. 21 in celebrating the official opening of the midrise community, which features 334 apartment homes, a superb Walk Score of 96 and puts residents within a vast array of dining, shopping and nightlife options. Situated at 111 Centre Avenue approximately 20 miles northeast of Manhattan, Modera New Rochelle is within a five-minute walk of the New Rochelle Station, which provides 30-minute train commutes to New York City. "This community has certainly been a collaborative effort with the City of New Rochelle, and we're humbled that many prominent local figures joined us for the Grand Opening," said Russell Tepper, senior managing director of development in the Northeast region for Mill Creek Residential. "We've always believed that New Rochelle is one of the most dynamic submarkets in the greater New York City area, and our location near Main Street will put residents alongside a wide variety of attractions. In addition to offering a top-of-market living experience, we will be an active member of the community supporting the continued growth of New Rochelle's downtown." Grand opening attendees included New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, City Manager Charles B. Strome III, Deputy City Manager/Corporation Counsel Kathleen Gill and several commissioners and City Council members, including District 1 Councilmember Martha Lopez-Hanratty. Members of the City's Development staff, including Commissioner Adam Salgado, Deputy Commissioner of Economic Development Carol Samol and Director of Planning and Sustainability Kevin Kain, also were on hand. Story continues "Modera New Rochelle is a welcome addition to our thriving downtown, which now boasts a range of housing types to suit every lifestyle," Bramson said. "Mill Creek has been an excellent partner in implementing New Rochelle's innovative development plan and achieving positive change for our entire community." "Investing in our neighborhoods is one of the most important and impactful ways that we can continue to build up our community," Lopez-Hanratty said. "With the addition of Modera New Rochelle, our City is set to continue growing and developing for visitors and residents." Modera New Rochelle, built to NAHB Green Building Standards, includes Cafetero, a locally owned and operated coffee shop that is the follow-up creation from the local purveyor of R Cafe and Tea Boutique. The ground floor space is also accompanied by an art alley featuring a substantial array of public art murals. "This beautiful new development will help us continue to build and revitalize our downtown neighborhood for all to enjoy," Salgado said. "Modera New Rochelle is a wonderful result of dedication and commitment to the New Rochelle community. This updated, state-of-the-art residence is just one example of the incredible results that come from community engagement and investment." Modera New Rochelle offers studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment homes and a dynamic amenity package in excess of 20,000 square feet, including a spacious indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge and deck with views of Long Island Sound and the New York City skyline, three courtyards, an outdoor resort-style swimming pool with sun shelf, dog park and pet spa, outdoor theater, clubhouse and a club-quality fitness center. Apartment interiors are delivered with a variety of luxe features, including wood-plank flooring, nine- and 10-foot ceilings, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, custom 42-inch cabinetry, in-home full-size washers and dryers, programmable thermostats and soaking tubs. "We are excited to welcome Modera New Rochelle to our ever-expanding skyline," Strome said. "This new development and public art amenity is inviting and invigorating for current residents and potential neighbors alike." About Mill Creek Residential Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC is a national rental housing company focused on the development, acquisition and operation of rental communities in targeted markets nationwide. The national company, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida proactively develops, acquires, constructs and operates communities through its seasoned team of real estate professionals in offices across the United States. Mill Creek is building its portfolio in many of the nation's most desirable markets in Seattle, Portland, the San Francisco Bay area, Southern California, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Houston, South Florida, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, New York, and Boston. As of June 30, 2022, the company's portfolio is comprised of 118 communities representing over 31,000 rental homes that are operating and/or under construction. For more information, please visit www.MillCreekPlaces.com . Media Contact Stephen Ursery LinnellTaylor Marketing stephen@linnelltaylor.com 303.682.3945 Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mill-creek-residential-announces-grand-opening-of-modera-new-rochelle-301630344.html SOURCE Mill Creek Residential Oman Air, the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman, has announced the appointment of Majid Sulaiman Al Qassabi as its new Country Manager - Oman. An aviation veteran with a career spanning 14 years, Al Qassabi has held leadership positions at several top companies in Oman and the wider GCC region, having begun his journey at Oman Air. On his return to the company, his new role will include managing the sales, operations and business development in Oman, the airlines home-base and one of its key markets. Ahmed Ali Al Mahrouqi, Regional Vice President - Oman & GCC, commented, We are delighted to have Majid return to our team, whose wealth of experience is certain to add significant value to the future direction of the airline. As Country Manager, he is anticipated to steer our new strategy to reinforce ourselves as Omans airline of first choice, while continuing to stay true to our brand ethos to provide our guests with an exceptional travel experience. Al Qassabi has built up an impressive track record, having worked a global leading company in autonomous driving in major airlines and travel technology companies across Oman and the GCC. Most recently, he was part of the launch team for Omans first low-cost carrier, where he built an extensive network of B2B partnerships, both with travel agents and corporate clients. He holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Coventry University, UK, and a Bachelors degree in Tourism from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman. TradeArabia News Service Fortune Business Insights Companies covered in the mining equipment market are Caterpillar, Komatsu Ltd., CNH Industrial N.V, AB Volvo, Terex Corporation, Sandvik AB, John Deere & Company, Liebherr-International AG, Hitachi Ltd., Doosan Corporation., Metso Corporation, Atlas Copco AB, Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Development Co. Ltd, Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd., Wirtgen Group Holding GmbH Pune, India, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global mining equipment market size was USD 112.23 billion in 2020. The market is projected to grow from USD 114.61 billion in 2021 to USD 151.25 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 4.0% in the 2021-2028 period. This information is provided by Fortune Business Insights, in its report, titled, Mining Equipment Market, 2021-2028. According to our expert researchers, the rising application of this equipment is to satisfy the augmenting demand from energy, power to infrastructure enhancement. For example, rise in the usage of this equipment in the building and structuring of railway tracks & roads are driving the demand for infrastructure development happenings. Additionally, a surge in coal for heating and electricity production is sufficing energy & power demands. Get a Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/mining-equipment-market-104970 List of Key Players Mentioned in the Mining Equipment Market Report: Caterpillar. (Deerfield, Illinois, U.S.) Komatsu Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) CNH Industrial N.V (Amsterdam, Netherlands) AB Volvo (Gothenburg, Sweden) Terex Corporation (Connecticut, U.S.) Sandvik AB (Stockholm, Sweden) John Deere & Company (Illinois, U.S.) Liebherr-International AG (Bulle, Switzerland) Hitachi Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) Doosan Corporation. (Seoul, South Korea) Metso Corporation (Helsinki, Finland) Atlas Copco AB (Nacka Municipality, Sweden) Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Development Co. Ltd (Changsha, China) Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd. (Xuzhou, China) Wirtgen Group Holding GmbH (Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany) Story continues COVID-19 Pandemic: Supply Chain Break and Raw Material Unobtainability to Obstruct Market Growth The COVID-19 pandemic has had a great influence on numerous industries and the mining equipment industry also had a principal collapse. The demand for these machines observed a substantial drop owing to the supply chain commotions. Moreover, even mining equipment producers observed the absence of raw materials owing to the import-export and travel limitations resulting in terminations or delays in mining assignments. Browse Summary of this Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/mining-equipment-market-104970 Report Scope & Segmentation: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2021-2028 Forecast CAGR 4.0% 2028 Value Projection USD 151.25 Billion Base Year 2020 Mining Equipment Market Size in 2020 USD 112.23 Billion Historical Data 2017-2019 No. of Pages 120 Segments Covered By Type, By Application, By Region Mining Equipment Market Growth Drivers Progressive Mining Technology to Spur Market Growth Key Players Accentuate on Innovation of Products Fortified with Modern Technologies Advanced Mining Technology to Boost Market Growth. Report Coverage We provide our reports which are conducted with an all-inclusive examination approach that majorly emphasizes on delivering precise material. Our scholars have applied a data triangulation method which further assists us to offer trustworthy estimations and test the general market dynamics accurately. Further, our analysts have received admission to numerous international as well as regional funded registers for providing the up-to-date material so that the stakeholders and business professionals invest only in essential zones. Segmentation By type, the market is segmented into excavators, loaders, dozers, motor graders, dump trucks, and others. On the basis of application, the global market is segregated into coal mining, gas & oil extraction, metal ore mining & non-metal mining. Coal mining industry is estimated to have a considerable market size owing to its demand from emerging countries. Geographically, the global market is finally classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. Check Discount: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/check-discount/mining-equipment-market-104970 Drivers and Restraints Progressive Mining Technology to Spur Market Growth. The modern improvements in mining technology and a thrust toward sustainability are projected to produce substantial growth potentials during the mentioned period. These progressions assist to support contemporary, secure, and productive mining procedures. For example, it is projected that spatial data imaging, permits three-dimensional (3D) modeling and creates noticeable and depth insight. It enables mining remodeling that would create enormous development latent. This is estimated to thrust the mining equipment market growth during the mentioned timeframe. Regional Insights Asia Pacific held the maximum mining equipment market shares during the forecast period. Additionally, governments of these regions are surging their backing for mining in order to augment electricity production while also procuring minerals and ores intended for export. North America is likely to display reasonable growth owing to the primary implementation of these machines. Moreover, the mining sector is predicted to grow considerably and preserve the constancy of equipment requirements for mining. Europe is unshakable and industrialized in sense of mining, thus it is anticipated to demonstrate uninterrupted development. The Middle East & Africa and South America are projected to display constant growth during the forecast period. This is accredited to the movements initiated by the government to decline the quantity of carbon footprint. Competitive Landscape Key Players Accentuate on Innovation of Products Fortified with Modern Technologies Prominent manufacturers such as Caterpillar Inc., Liebherr-International AG, CNH Industrial N.V., AB Volvo, John Deere, as well as Sandvik AB have a powerful market share ranging from 58% - 64%. In order to be cost-efficient and get the most out productivity, these corporations are fixated on inaugurating plants and units in growing and emerging economies. Moreover, key players are focusing on offering products that are fortified with radical and ground-breaking technology. Industry Development June 2020: Caterpillar Inc. procured listed possessions and employed workers from Marble Robot, Inc., which is a California-headquartered independent and robot technology solutions company. Quick Buy Mining Equipment Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/queries/mining-equipment-market-104970 Detailed Table of Content Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Methodology/Approach Sources Executive Summary Market Dynamics Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Trends Impact of COVID-19 on Mining Equipment Market Short-term Impact Long-term Impact Competition Landscape Business Strategies Adopted by Key Players Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players Porters Five Forces Analysis Global Mining Equipment Market Share Analysis, 2020 Key Market Insights and Strategic Recommendations Profiles of Key Players ( Would be provided for 10 players only ) 6.1. Overview Key Management Headquarters etc. Offerings/Business Segments Key Details (Key details are subjected to data availability in public domain and/or on paid databases ) Employee Size Key Financials Past and Current Revenue Geographical Share Business Segment Share Recent Developments TOC Continued...! Speak to Our Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/mining-equipment-market-104970 Have a Look at Related Research Insights: Agriculture Equipment Market Size , Share | Report Outlook 2028 Industrial Seals Market Size & Share | Global Report [2029] Zero Turn Mowers Market Size & Share | Global Forecast [2028] About Us: Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 9th Floor, Icon Tower, Baner - Mahalunge Road, Baner, Pune-411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Connect us via Social Media Channels: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Blogs Nexans will deliver subsea export cables for Revolution Wind Farm, the second delivery of Nexans' framework agreement to supply rsted and Eversource in the US. This award follows the cable installation contract announced in March 2022. rsted-Eversource is developing the Revolution Wind Farm that will generate clean energy to power more than 350,000 homes in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Local construction will begin in 2023 and the project is expected to be fully operational in 2025. The contract is signed while Nexans has organized a day of key conversations focused on sustainability for Climate Week in New York and this contract shows its commitment to developing electrification that serves the local community. PARIS, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexans, a global organization and key driver for the world's transition to a more connected and sustainable energy future, today announced the finalization of a second U.S.-based contract with rsted and Eversource to supply the export cable system for the Revolution Wind Farm. Located more than 15 miles south of the Rhode Island coast and 32 miles east of the Connecticut coast, the project will connect the wind farm to the onshore grid. Nexans Logo The 704 MW Revolution Wind Farm will help both states achieve their ongoing commitments to develop offshore wind and address their energy needs, delivering electricity to more than 350,000 homes. By eliminating potential future emissions, the historic project will replace close to one million metric tons of carbon pollution the equivalent of taking more than 200,000 cars off the road annually. Revolution will be the 3rd project to be delivered from our continuously expanding Charleston, South Carolina facility confirming Nexans leadership in the US market. The agreement was signed in December 2019 to accelerate the energy transition in North America by bringing Nexans' industry-leading subsea cable technology to the U.S. Ragnhild Katteland, Nexans' Executive Vice President, Subsea & Land Systems, stated, "Establishing our footprint in the United States and furthering our commitment to the U.S. offshore wind industry is at the core of our business operations. We have made several investments to deliver subsea transmission cables that are manufactured and installed in America, and the partnership with rsted and Eversource is the first step in bolstering supply chains with strong, local partners. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible as innovation is crucial to meet the needs of a territory as large as the United States. Closely aligning with our mission to electrify the future, Nexans is proud to support this important work in the clean energy sector and expedite our journey to net zero." Story continues About NEXANS For more than a century, Nexans has played a crucial role in electrifying the planet and is committed to electrifying the future. With 25,000 staff in 42 countries, the Group is driving the change towards the new world of electrification a safer, more sustainable, renewable, carbon-free world, accessible to all. In 2021, Nexans generated 6.1 billion in standard sales. The Group is a leader in the design and manufacturing of cable systems and services in five main areas of activity: Energy Production & Transmission, Distribution, Uses, Industry & Solutions and Telecom & Data. Nexans was the first player in its industry to create a Corporate Foundation to support actions that promote access to energy for disadvantaged populations worldwide. The Group is committed to helping achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Nexans. Electrify the future. Nexans is listed on the Euronext Paris stock market, compartment A. For more information, visit www.nexans.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nexans-to-supply-orsted--eversource-offshore-wind-project-serving-connecticut-and-rhode-island-states-301630437.html SOURCE Nexans The JSI smart construction application now delivers a superior experience, providing unmatched value for customers in construction, oil and gas, mining and beyond. EDMONTON, AB, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - One year after Latium Technologies, a go-to Internet of Things (IoT) solutions provider, merged with Job Site Insights (JSI) from PCL Construction, we are excited to provide an update on the evolution of this partnership. PCL Construction Logo (CNW Group/PCL Construction) Over the last year, PCL completed the integration of its Job Site Insights smart construction application with Latium's Yonder operating system (yOS), creating a more robust and powerful solution for both construction and industrial clients. Trans Mountain, Enbridge, DPR, Webcor, Consigli and Davis Construction are just a few companies that have taken advantage of JSI and its benefits. By using Latium's advanced IoT and analytics platform, JSI has helped clients adapt to changing conditions, reduce cost, enhance logistics, bolster safety, improve project quality and enhance operational efficiency. JSI allows site supervisors, project managers and executives to enable critical business insights and predictions based on real-time data. Now, JSI is about to deliver a suite of enhancements that will provide clients with even more value. In the coming months, the JSI product roadmap will see an improved Mobile App (iOS, Android) experience, featuring a simplified user interface, wizard-driven functions, voice recognition, and visual media via the mobile device's camera and video capabilities. Additionally, the JSI Web Portal will evolve with software-as-a-service (SaaS) updates that will incorporate feedback from the JSI user community. These improvements are part of a commitment from the JSI software and hardware development team to continue designing, building, and delivering solutions that provide operational value for Latium's clients and the industries it serves, such as oil and gas, construction, and mining. Story continues Now that the enhanced JSI product has been launched, Latium's chief executive officer, Mark Bryant, will hand over the company's day-to-day operations to Tony Pecorilli, Latium's founder and president, as part of a planned transition. This will allow Mark to support PCL's strategic initiatives as chief information officer which includes Latium, a PCL operating entity. "Latium has delivered on its product enhancements and marketing launch goals and the organization is well positioned to continue this strong momentum into 2023 under Tony's leadership," said PCL CIO, Mark Bryant. PCL is excited to continue supporting Latium's ongoing success, which holds a tremendous opportunity to enhance smart construction. About PCL Construction PCL is a group of independent construction companies that carries out work across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and in Australia. These diverse operations in the civil infrastructure, heavy industrial, and buildings markets are supported by a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers. Together, these companies have an annual construction volume of more than $8 billion, making PCL the largest contracting organization in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Watch us build at PCL.com . Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pcl-announces-the-evolution-of-job-site-insights-and-latium-technologies-301631401.html SOURCE PCL Construction ReportLinker North America Potato Protein Market Scope of Report This report on the potato protein market in North America studies the past as well as the current growth trends and opportunities to gain valuable insights of the indicators of the market during the forecast period from 2022 to 2031. New York, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Potato Protein Market - North America Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2022-2032" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317878/?utm_source=GNW The report provides revenue of the potato protein market for the period 20172031, considering 2021 as the base year and 2031 as the forecast year. The report also provides the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) of potato protein market from 2022 to 2031. The report has been prepared after an extensive research.Primary research involved bulk of the research efforts, wherein analysts carried out interviews with key opinion leaders, industry leaders, and opinion makers. Secondary research involved referring to key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents to understand the potato protein market in North America. Secondary research also included Internet sources, statistical data from government agencies, websites, and trade associations. Analysts employed a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches to study various attributes of the potato protein market in North America. The report includes an elaborate executive summary, along with a snapshot of the growth behavior of various segments included in the scope of the study.Moreover, the report throws light on the changing competitive dynamics in the potato protein market in North America. These serve as valuable tools for existing market players as well as for entities interested in participating in the potato protein market in North America. The report delves into the competitive landscape of the potato protein market.Key players operating in the potato protein market in North America have been identified and each one of these has been profiled in terms of various attributes. Company overview, financial standings, recent developments, and SWOT are the attributes of players in the potato protein market profiled in this report. Research Methodology The research methodology is a combination of exhaustive primary and secondary research to analyze the potato protein market. Secondary Research Secondary research included a search of company literature, technical writing, patent data, Internet sources, and statistical data from government websites, trade associations, and agencies. This has proven to be the most reliable, effective, and successful approach for obtaining precise data, capturing industry participants insights, and recognizing business opportunities. Secondary research sources that we referred to include, but are not limited to: Company websites, presentations, annual reports, white papers, technical papers, product brochures Internal and external proprietary databases and relevant patents National government documents, statistical databases, and market reports News articles, press releases, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market Specific Secondary Sources: Industry Sources: Veterinary Council of North America North American Federation of Animal Health Animal Welfare Board of North America Company Information Statista Hoovers Factiva Bloomberg Mergers & Acquisitions Thomson Mergers & Acquisitions MergerStat Profound Primary Research During the course of the research, we conducted in-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key industry participants and opinion leaders. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. We conducted primary interviews with industry participants and commentators to validate data and analysis. A typical research interview fulfills the following functions: Provides first-hand information on market size, market trends, growth trends, competitive landscape, outlook, etc. Helps in validating and strengthening secondary research findings Develops the analysis teams expertise and market understanding Primary research involves e-mail interactions, telephonic interviews, as well as face-to-face interviews for each market, category, segment, and sub-segment across geographies Participants who took part in the process include, but are not limited to: Industry participants: Marketing/product managers, market intelligence managers, and regional sales managers Purchasing/sourcing managers, technical personnel, distributors Outside experts: Investment bankers, valuation experts, and research analysts Key opinion leaders specializing in the market with respect to different industry verticals Primary participants included, but are not limited to: Bayer AG Elanco Products Company Merck & Co., Inc. Ceva Sante Animale Virbac SA Data Triangulation: Information culled from Secondary & Primary Sources is cross-checked with TMR Knowledge Repository, which is updated every quarter Market Estimation: Market size estimations involved an in-depth study of product features, technology updates, geographic presence, product demand, sales data (value or volume), historical year-on-year growth, and others. Other approaches were also utilized to derive market size and forecasts. Where no hard data was available, we used modeling techniques in order to produce comprehensive datasets. A rigorous methodology has been adopted, wherein the available hard data are cross-referenced with the following data types to produce estimates: Demographic Data: Population, inflation rates, and others Industry Indicators: Production data, R&D investment, technology stage, and infrastructure, sector growth, and facilities Market Forecasting: Market forecasts for various segments are derived by taking into account drivers, restraints/challenges, opportunities prevailing in the market, and considering advantages/disadvantages of segments/sub-segments over other segments/sub-segments. Business environment, historical sales pattern, unmet needs, competitive intensity, and country-wise consumption data are the other pivotal factors considered to derive market forecasts. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06317878/?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 Revival Gold Inc. Figure 1 Joss Grade-Thickness Long Section (September 2022) TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Revival Gold Inc. (TSXV: RVG, OTCQX: RVLGF) (Revival Gold or the Company), is pleased to announce further results from the Companys 2022 drilling program at the Beartrack-Arnett Gold Project (Beartrack-Arnett) located in Idaho, USA. Highlights: BT22-242D intersected 3.49 g/t gold over 115.4 meters including 10.12 g/t gold over 11.4 meters at Joss 1 . This hole was drilled approximately 150 meters deeper than BT21-240D, which intersected 4.34 g/t gold over 110.6 meters drilled width, including 12 g/t gold over 13.7 meters, and 8.8 g/t gold over 11.8 meters (see Revival Gold press release dated December 2 nd , 2021), further emphasizing the depth potential and scope of mineralization at Beartrack-Arnett; A total of three core holes targeting the depth extension of mineralization at Beartrack-Arnett have been completed in the 2022 program; two in the Joss high-grade target area (BT22-241D, which was released on September 12 th , 2022, and BT22-242D) and one in the South Pit area (BT22-243D, discussed below); a fourth core hole is underway at Joss; BT22-243D has been completed at the south end of the South Pit. This hole is intended to extend the trend of higher-grade mineralization at Joss north to the South Pit and intersected stockwork mineralization as well as siliceous breccia within the target zone. Assay results are pending; In addition to the drilling at Joss, a second core rig is drilling infill and expansion drill holes in the Haidee oxide target area at Beartrack-Arnett; the first hole, AC22-085D , has been completed with sampling underway; and, About 2,900 meters of this years planned 5,000-meter core drilling program have been completed at Beartrack-Arnett since the start of drilling in June; 1 Drilled width; true widths are estimated to be 30% to 60% of drilled width with some veinlets thought to be subparallel to the core axis. The effect of these veinlets on the representative grade of mineralization is currently unknown. Weve hit another long intercept of high-grade at Joss, said Hugh Agro, President & CEO. Importantly, hole 242D is 150 meters deeper than previous drilling and expands an already impressive body of mineralization. The Joss zone currently extends for more than one kilometer in strike and over an average vertical extent of about 500 meters with the average true width of the mineralized zone estimated to be 10-30 meters thick. Further results from Joss are expected before year end, added Agro. Details: Detailed results for drill hole BT22-242D released today are presented in the table below: Hole Number Area Azimuth (deg.) Dip (deg.) From (m) To (m) Drilled Width1 (m) Fire Assay Gold Grade (g/t) BT22-242D Joss 322 -58 490.4 491.3 0.9 12.65 606.0 612.1 6.1 5.44 Incl. 609.0 610.8 1.8 13.96 648.9 764.3 115.4 3.49 Incl. 682.6 694.0 11.4 10.12 Incl. 682.6 687.1 4.5 16.62 Incl. 708.1 735.0 26.9 3.83 Incl. 721.2 730.1 8.9 5.54 Incl. 745.2 755.4 10.2 5.98 Incl. 753.4 755.4 2.0 11.38 1 True width is estimated to be approximately 30% to 60% of drilled width, with some veinlets subparallel to the core axis. The effect of these veinlets on the representative grade of mineralization is currently unknown. Numbers may not add up due to rounding. 2 The interval 591.0 m to 591.7 m had 0% recovery and was included in the interval calculation as 0.7 m at 0 g/t Au. A grade-thickness longitudinal section showing the approximate locations of 2022 completed and planned drill holes at Joss is presented in Figure 1. Figure 1: Joss Grade-Thickness Long Section (September 2022) https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/69975a1b-3dcc-4369-af9f-9e5590237e4a QA/QC Program Quality Assurance/Quality Control consists of the regular insertion of certified reference materials, duplicate samples, and blanks into the sample stream. Check samples are submitted to an umpire laboratory at the end of the drilling program. Sample results are analyzed immediately upon receipt and all discrepancies are investigated. Samples are submitted to the ALS Geochemistry sample preparation facility in Twin Falls, Idaho. Gold analyses are performed at the ALS Geochemistry laboratory in Reno, Nevada or Vancouver, British Columbia, and multi-element geochemical analyses are completed at the ALS Minerals laboratory in Vancouver, British Columbia. ALS Minerals is an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited lab. Gold assays are determined on samples consisting of half drill core by fire assay and AAS on a 30-gram nominal sample weight (Au-AA23) for Beartrack, and Fire Assay and AAS on a 50-gram nominal sample weight (Au-AA24) for Arnett. For shallow holes, targeting leachable mineralization, gold content is also determined by cyanide leach with an AAS finish on a nominal 30-gram sample weight (Au-AA13). Multi element geochemical analyses are completed on selected drill holes using the ME-MS 61M method. Qualified Person Steven T. Priesmeyer, C.P.G., Vice President Exploration, Revival Gold Inc., is the Companys designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed and approved its scientific and technical content. Revival Gold Inc. is a growth-focused gold exploration and development company. The Company is advancing the Beartrack-Arnett Gold Project located in Idaho, USA. Beartrack-Arnett is the largest past-producing gold mine in Idaho. Engineering work has been initiated on a Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) for the potential restart of heap leach operations. Meanwhile, exploration continues, focused on expanding the 2022 Indicated Mineral Resource of 65.0 million tonnes at 1.01 g/t gold containing 2.11 million ounces of gold and Inferred Mineral Resource of 46.2 million tonnes at 1.31 g/t gold containing 1.94 million ounces of gold (see Revival Gold NI-43-101 Technical Report dated July 13th, 2022, for further details). The mineralized trend at Beartrack extends for over five kilometers and is open on strike and at depth. Mineralization at Arnett is open in all directions. Revival Gold has approximately 86.9 million shares outstanding and an estimated cash balance of C$7.1 million as of June 30th, 2022. All figures in this news release are in metric units and in $US unless stated otherwise. Additional disclosure including the Companys financial statements, technical reports, news releases and other information can be obtained at www.revival-gold.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. For further information, please contact: Hugh Agro, President & CEO or Melisa Armand, Manager, Investor Relations Telephone: (416) 366-4100 or Email: info@revival-gold.com Cautionary Statement 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" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, or plan. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Companys objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital, operating and reclamation costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, and those risks set out in the Companys public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Pioneering Rental Platform Takes Over Leasing of 200+ Units Across 9 Rastegar Developments in Austin, Texas NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- REZI , the pioneer of Occupancy-as-a-Service, has launched in Austin with a partnership with the city's leading developer, Rastegar Property Company . Rastegar is a technology-enabled private real estate investment firm focused on value-add and development in all asset classes throughout Austin and the Southwest US. The partnership between REZI and Rastegar was announced today by Sean Mitchell, Co-Founder and CEO of REZI. This deal contracts over 200 apartments across 9 buildings with floor plans ranging from studios to 3-bedrooms in West Lake Hills, Mueller, Hyde Park, Highland Heights, Clarksville, South Austin. All units will be onboarded to REZI's innovative AI-powered leasing platform, where REZI will take ownership over all marketing and leasing providing Rastegar with a turnkey guaranteed leasing solution delivering higher asset NOIs across their portfolio. "We are thrilled to be partnering with the "King of Austin Real Estate" not only because Austin is a key market for us, but Rastegar and REZI share the mission of using technology and innovation to make finding and acquiring housing fair, transparent, and accessible for everyone," said Mitchell. "We were immediately impressed with REZI and what they have provided the previous markets in which they've launched," said Ari Rastegar, Founder & CEO of Rastegar Property Company, "In just a few years, they have become a highly reputable brand with nationwide outreach and a service that aligns perfectly with our needs and philosophy." The announcement of this partnership coincides with REZI's launch of their Texas Headquarters at 1920 Mckinney Ave in Uptown, Dallas. About REZI Founded in 2016, REZI leverages state-of-the-art leasing and financial technology to improve and optimize renters' leasing experience and improve property owners' leasing performance. REZI is a privately held company based in New York City. Story continues About Rastegar Property Company Rastegar Property Company is a technology-enabled private real estate investment firm focused on value-add and development in all asset classes throughout Austin and the southwest United States. Rastegar and its affiliates have co-invested in or directly own and operate over 13.8 million square feet of real estate across projects in 13 states and 35 cities. The firm specializes in acquiring complex or undervalued assets with opportunities to create value through repositioning, redevelopment, and/or improved operational efficiencies. Media Contact: Loren Pomerantz 917-902-0219 loren@combined-forces.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rezi-launches-in-austin-with-rastegar-partnership-301630336.html SOURCE REZI Allied Market Research Need for enhanced safety while traveling in vehicles and reduction in traffic congestion to drive the growth of the global semi-autonomous & autonomous bus market. In addition, the development of smart city projects and favorable government laws will open new vistas of growth for the global industry. Based on region, the European continent is anticipated to contribute the highest market share in 2025. Portland, OR, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global semi-autonomous and autonomous bus market is set to garner revenue of $791.2 million in 2025, and is expected to hit $2,904.1 million by 2035, registering a CAGR of 14.6% from 2026 to 2035. The market research study provides a detailed analysis of changing industry trends, top-most segments, value chain analysis, key investment business scenarios, regional space, and competitive space. The study is a key information source for giant players, entrepreneurs, shareholders, and owners in generating new strategies for the future and taking steps to enhance their market position. The report displays an in-depth quantitative analysis of the market from 2022 to 2031 and guides investors in allocating funds to the rapidly evolving industry. Download FREE Report Sample (404 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures) at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/7529 Semi and Autonomous Bus Industry Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20262035 Base Year 2025 Market Size in 2025 $791.2 Million Market Size in 2035 $2,904.1 Million CAGR 14.6% No. of Pages in Report 404 Segments Covered Level of Automation, Mode of Operation, Application, Propulsion Type, and Region Drivers Need for enhanced safety while traveling in vehicles and reduction in traffic congestion. Launching of intelligent transportation systems and development of strongly connected vehicle infrastructure. Autonomous driving systems help drivers in reducing errors as it makes use of AI software, LiDAR, RADAR, and sensing cameras for navigating and mapping the 3D environment. Opportunities Development of smart city projects and favorable government laws. Restraints Software failures related to automotive sensors, huge production costs, and data management issues for self-driven vehicles. Covid-19 Scenario The Covid-19 pandemic created an adverse impact on the growth of the global semi-autonomous & autonomous bus market due to the strict execution of lockdowns and ban on the import and export of raw materials for manufacturing vehicle parts. Interruptions in supply chain and production schedules caused as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a reduction in the manufacture and sale of vehicles, thereby negatively impacting the growth of the global market. Story continues The report offers detailed segmentation of the global semi-autonomous & autonomous bus market based on level of automation, mode of operation, application, propulsion type, and region. It provides an in-depth analysis of every segment and sub-segment in tables and figures through which consumers can derive a conclusion about market trends and insights. The market report analysis aids organizations, investors, and entrepreneurs in understanding which sub-segments are to be tapped for achieving huge growth in the years ahead. In terms of mode of operation, the semi-autonomous segment is set to hold the highest share in 2025. Moreover, it is slated to account for more than 90% of the overall share of the global semi-autonomous & autonomous bus market. Moreover, this segment is predicted to retain its dominant position during the forecast timespan. However, the autonomous segment is set to record the highest CAGR of 18.4% from 2026 to 2035. Interested to Procure the Data with Actionable Strategy & Insights? Inquire before buying here at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/7529 On basis of the application, the intracity segment is anticipated to hold the largest share in 2025, and will contribute nearly half of the overall semi-autonomous & autonomous bus market. Moreover, this segment is predicted to account for the highest market share in 2035. However, the shuttle segment is also anticipated to record the fastest CAGR of 15.6% during the forecast timeframe. Based on the propulsion type, the electric segment is predicted to account for the largest market share in 2025. Moreover, it will contribute nearly three-fifths of the global semi-autonomous & autonomous bus market share. Furthermore, the electric segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 16.9% during the forecast period. The report also analyzes segments such as the hybrid segment. Based on region, the European continent is anticipated to contribute the highest market share in 2025. It will account for nearly two-fifths of the global semi-autonomous & autonomous bus market share. The European market is set to dominate the regional market in foreseeable future. The European semi-autonomous & autonomous bus market is predicted to register the fastest CAGR of 15.7% from 2026 to 2035. The report also analyzes regions including the LAMEA, North America, and the Asia-Pacific. Key participants in the global semi-autonomous & autonomous bus market examined in the research include MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG, AB Volvo, PROTERRA, Robert Bosch GmbH, Aptiv, BMW, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., Continental Ag, Denso Corporation, NXP Semiconductors, EASYMILE, Intel Corporation, NAVYA Group, NVIDIA Corporation, Teague, Scania, and ZF Friedrichshafen AG. The report evaluates these major players in the global semi-autonomous & autonomous bus industry. These players have executed a gamut of major business strategies such as the expansion of regional and customer bases, new product launches, strategic alliances, and joint ventures for expanding product lines across global markets. The market research report supports the performance monitoring of each segment, positioning of each product in respective segments, and the impact of new technology and product innovations on the overall market size. Similar Reports We Have on Autonomous Vehicle Industry: Autonomous Train Technology Market Expected to Reach $15,568.6 Million, at 12.9% CAGR During 2020-2026. Semi-Autonomous & Autonomous Truck Market by Feature, Automation Level, Component, Application, Fuel Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212031. Autonomous Forklift Market by Component, by Sales Channel, by Level of Autonomy, by Tonnage, and by Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202031. Autonomous Bike Market Expected to Reach $35.71 Billion, at 34.9% CAGR During 2022-2035. Autonomous Vehicle Market is Expected to Reach $2,161.79 Billion, at 40.1% CAGR During 2022-2030. About Us 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 domain. 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 USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/automotive-and-transportation Follow Our Blog: https://www.theinnovativereport.com/ Frank Pauli steps down as CEO and joins the supervisory board ZALTBOMMEL, the Netherlands , Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After nine years at the helm Frank Pauli (63) is stepping down as CEO of Cyclomedia . The company has appointed Serge Lupas (55) as its new CEO. He will take over the reins from Frank Pauli per 1 October. Serge Lupas brings a wealth of experience to the table, which he acquired as CEO at information service providers all over the world, such as Kantar Media and Tiscali, and at consultancy firms AlixPartners and McKinsey. Serge Lupas Over the course of Frank Pauli's tenure as CEO, Cyclomedia has become a world leader in the field of accurate 360 street-level environment visualization and data insights. In recent years, the company has acquired a strong competitive position and developed a sustainable business model, which is used to service clients across Europe and North America. With unrivalled technology and strong growth, the company is poised to be a key player in the digital reality field virtualizing the outside world into digital data and insights. Applications that enable this range from smart city / smart government to digital network planning, design and management for infrastructure providers in transportation, utilities and telecom. New role for Frank Pauli Frank Pauli will continue to support the organization by joining the supervisory board. "I have spent nine wonderful years at the head of Cyclomedia and the time has now come for someone else to take over. I am therefore pleased to hand over the company's reins to Serge Lupas. I look forward to my new role and hope to be a valuable addition to the board with my knowledge and experience." His successor Serge Lupas not only has extensive leadership experience, but also a great track record when it comes to developing technology products and services and realizing a business' growth potential. "Cyclomedia is a global leader in the fast-developing ecosystem of digital twins and has the potential to shape this emerging industry and its metaverse applications", says Lupas. "I look very much forward to becoming part of Cyclomedia's success story and helping the company realize its growth ambitions." Story continues Cyclomedia's supervisory board is pleased with Serge Lupas' appointment and believes that with his arrival, the company will accelerate its growth and successfully build out its market and technology leadership position. About Cyclomedia As a world leader in the digital visualization of outdoor spaces, Cyclomedia has been providing actionable insights for over thirty years using the most accurate 360 visualizations at street level. We use AI-controlled analyses to provide insights that are used today to build a better world for tomorrow. We design, develop and operate the world's most advanced mobile mapping systems, which are used to deliver high-definition 3D digital imaging of large-scale physical environments such as densely populated urban areas across Europe and North America. The insights we generate based on the wealth of up-to-date and accurate data we collect every year are utilized by professional users to assist governments and businesses with making urban environments greener, more accessible, smarter and safer. www.cyclomedia.com Image: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1903094/Serge_Lupas.jpg Image: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1903095/Frank_Pauli.jpg Frank Pauli Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/serge-lupas-appointed-as-ceo-of-cyclomedia-301629632.html SOURCE CycloMedia Straits Research - Market Research Strategy | Strategy Consulting | Business Research | Business Consulting | Market Research The global smart home security camera market size was valued at USD 6.51 billion in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 30.38 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 18.67% during the forecast period (20222030). North America is the region's most significant global smart home security camera. New York, United States, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Real-time alerts, motion detection, video monitoring, analytics, and fire and life safety protection are just a few of the benefits of smart home security systems over traditional ones. It enables footage to be uploaded to the Cloud for storage, removing the need for a potentially complex on-site storage solution. The client's preference for creative and cutting-edge technologies has increased the market for smart home security cameras . The modern technology of smart home security cameras offers numerous advantages, allowing them to be utilized for various household applications. Get a Free Sample Copy of This Report @ https://straitsresearch.com/report/smart-home-security-camera-market/request-sample Enhanced Real-Time Connectivity and Security and Increasing Number of Smart Homes Drives the Global Market Smart home security cameras' availability and ease of installation influence their demand. Doorbell , indoor, and outdoor cameras are outfitted with purpose-specific functionality by smart home security camera manufacturers. As a result, smart home security cameras are in higher demand. The expansion of smart homes is a crucial factor driving the home security camera industry. All home security systems are compatible with security cameras. In addition, the introduction of IoT is a significant market driver for home security cameras. Recent IoT sensing technology advancements will benefit the smart home security cameras market. Growing Awareness of Safety and Security Creates Tremendous Opportunities The home security camera is a low-cost security solution that can provide the highest level of protection. As people become more aware of security measures against theft and unauthorized access, the market for home security cameras will grow faster. Artificial intelligence and machine learning will affect the home security camera market positively. Security cameras equipped with artificial intelligence can identify the face of the homeowner and any intruder. The industry's revenue for home security cameras will rise due to these market expansion prospects. Story continues Report Scope Report Metric Details Market Size USD 30.38 Billion by 2030 CAGR 18.67% (2022-2030) Historical Data 2019-2020 Base Year 2021 Forecast Period 2022-2030 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Product, Applications, Regions Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, LAME and Rest of the World Key Companies Profiled/Vendors Vivint Smart Home, Inc., ADT LLC, Simplisafe, Inc., Brinks Home Security, iSmart Alarm, Inc., Live Watch Security LLC, Skylinkhome, Protect America, Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., LTD., Frontpoint Security Solutions, LLC, Arlo Technologies, Inc., Nest Labs, Wyze Labs, Inc., Blink, Ring LLC. Key Market Opportunities Growing Awareness of Security and Safety Key Market Drivers Improved Connectivity and Security in Real-Time Growth in Smart Homes Buy Now Full Report @ https://straitsresearch.com/buy-now/smart-home-security-camera-market Regional Analysis North America is the most important region in the global smart home security camera market. Security cameras are the most effective deterrents against break-ins, according to a study conducted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, with 50% of respondents stating they would abandon their attempts if they noticed a camera. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Key Highlights The global smart home security camera market size was valued at USD 6.51 billion in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 30.38 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 18.67% during the forecast period (20222030). Based on product , the market is segmented into wired and wireless. The wired smart home security camera holds the most significant market share during the forecast period. Based on the application , the market is segmented into doorbell, indoor, and outdoor cameras. Indoor cameras hold the highest proportion of the global smart home security camera market. North America is the region's most significant global smart home security camera. The global smart home security camera markets major key players are Vivint Smart Home Inc. ADT LLC Simplisafe Inc. Brinks Home Security iSmart Alarm Inc. Live Watch Security LLC Skylinkhome Protect America Inc. Samsung Electronics Co.LTD. Frontpoint Security Solutions LLC Arlo Technologies Inc. Nest Labs Wyze Labs Inc. Blink Ring LLC. Get a Free Sample Copy of This Report @ https://straitsresearch.com/report/smart-home-security-camera-market/request-sample Global Smart Home Security Camera Market: Segmentation By Product Wired Wireless By Applications Doorbell Camera Indoor Camera Outdoor Camera By Regions North America Europe Asia-Pacific LAMEA TABLE OF CONTENT Introduction Market Definition Market Scope Research Methodology Primary Research Research Methodology Assumptions & Exclusions Secondary Data Sources Market Overview Report Segmentation & Scope Value Chain Analysis: Smart Home Security Camera Market Key Market Trends Drivers Restraints Opportunities Porters Five Forces Analysis Bargaining Power of Suppliers Bargaining Power of Buyers Threat of Substitution Threat of New Entrants Competitive Rivalry Market Share Analysis Product Overview Introduction Market Size & Forecast Wired Market Size & Forecast Wireless Market Size & Forecast Application Overview Introduction Market Size & Forecast Doorbell Camera Market Size & Forecast Indoor Camera Market Size & Forecast Regional Overview Introduction Market Size & Forecast America North America U.S. By Product By Application Canada By Product By Application Mexico By Product By Application Latin America By Product By Application Europe Market Size & Forecast Germany By Product By Application France By Product By Application U.K. By Product By Application Italy By Product By Application Spain By Product By Application Rest of Europe By Product By Application Asia Pacific Market Size & Forecast Japan By Product By Application China By Product By Application Australia By Product By Application India By Product By Application South Korea By Product By Application Rest of Asia-Pacific By Product By Application Middle East & Africa Market Size & Forecast Saudi Arabia By Product By Application South Africa By Product By Application Kuwait By Product By Application Rest of Middle East & Africa By Product By Application Company Profile Vivint Smart Home Inc Company Overview Financial Performance Recent Developments Product Portfolio ADT LLC Company Overview Financial Performance Recent Developments Product Portfolio Simplisafe Inc Company Overview Financial Performance Recent Developments Product Portfolio Conclusion & Recommendation Acronyms & Abbreviations Table of Content and Figure @ https://straitsresearch.com/report/smart-home-security-camera-market/toc Market News June 2022 - Vivint Pool Alerts notifies customers if someone gets close to the pool. June 2022 - Customers are Front of Mind for Mark Reimer, ADT Vice President of Product Engineering. May 2022 - ADT Commercial Acquires DenverBased KeyRite Security. January 2022- Brinks Home Security Announces Long-Term Contract with Largest Dealer, Skyline Security. News Media Top 7 Digital Movie Cameras Global Doorbell Camera Market Share to Bloom at a CAGR of 8.5% by 2030 Have a Look at the Related Research Report Doorbell Camera Market : Information by Product (Wired, Wireless), Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), and Region Forecast till 2030 Outdoor Led Display Market : Information by Type (Surface Mounted and Individually Mounted), Application (Billboard, Mobile LED Display), and Region Forecast till 2030 3D Camera Market : Information by Application (Still Photography, Video Recording), Technology (Stereo Vision, Time of Flight), and Region Forecast till 2030 Action Camera Market : Information by End-User (Professional, Personal), Technology (Standard Definition (SD), High Definition (HD)), Distribution Channel, and Region Forecast till 2030 About Straits Research Pvt. Ltd. StraitsResearch is a market intelligence company providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision-makers. Straits Research Pvt. Ltd. provides actionable market research data, especially designed and presented for decision making and ROI. Whether you are looking at business sectors in the next town or crosswise over continents, we understand the significance of being acquainted with the clients purchase. We overcome our clients issues by recognizing and deciphering the target group and generating leads with utmost precision. We seek to collaborate with our clients to deliver a broad spectrum of results through a blend of market and business research approaches. For more information on your target market, please contact us below: Phone: +1 646 480 7505 (the U.S.) +91 8087085354 (APAC) +44 208 068 9665 (the U.K.) Email: sales@straitsresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter For Fredericksburg City Public Schools, a silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic has been an upwelling of interest from the community in connecting with the schools, superintendent Marci Catlett said. If COVID hadnt happened, we would have been beating the drums on how to get parent engagement, Catlett said. To build on this momentum, the division held two roundtable meetings with community businesses and nonprofits this spring and summer, and a third is scheduled for the fall. FCPS last week launched a mobile outreach vehiclethe SuperCat busand is now debuting a series of Family Academies. The idea is to provide opportunities for families and the community to come together throughout the division and provide not only academic and learning experiences, but just community and family experiences, said Sandy Gillenwater, supervisor of communication and community outreach. The division will host the first free family eventa Safety Forum featuring representatives from Fredericksburg Police, the Sheriffs Office, Fire and Rescue and the schools at 9 a.m. and a Family Academy featuring renowned educational consultant, author and speaker Marcia Tate at 10:15 a.m.on Saturday. Catlett said she has dreamed about bringing Tate to speak to Fredericksburg families for years. Shes come here to work with teachers to improve their engagement and understanding of how the brain works in terms of helping children learn, Catlett said. But Tates work doesnt just apply to young children in a school setting. Her most recent book, Preparing Children for Success in School and Life, is applicable to those of any age. [Tates] statement is that with every educational experience, we build on our dendrites [nerve cells in the brain], Gillenwater said. Every time a child engages in a learning experience, they do this, and as adults were still building our dendrites every time we learn something new and different. This has been [Tates] platform in the sense of what to do to build a healthy mind and life. Catlett felt that families and the wider communitywhich both play a role in helping students succeedcould benefit from Tates presentation. Each school division family that attends the free presentation will receive a copy of Tates book, and the Fredericksburg branch of the NAACP has also contributed $2,500 to give $20 gift cards to each family. The Safety Forum will precede Tates address. We need our families to feel like schools are safe, Catlett said. We want families to know that our law enforcement folks really help us, that we are true partners and that its a positive, progressive and proactive process thats in place. The school division will provide transportation to the event for families that register. Continental breakfast will be served from 8 to 9 a.m. and childcare for kids age 5 to 12 will be provided by members of the James Monroe Ambassadors and Key Club, organized by James Monroe High School English teacher Mackenzie Hard. FCPS has a large population of students whose primary language is not English, and to accommodate these families, the division has partnered with a translation company to provide live translation of Saturdays events into Spanish, Aari and Pashto. Gillenwater said Saturdays event will be another opportunity for the school divisions Family and Community Engagement committeewhich is made up of administrators and teachers from each schoolto talk with families about how the division can support them. The committee has been around for five years but grew stronger during the pandemic, when Gillenwater said as many as 75 people would attend its Zoom meetings to talk about how to support families when schools were closed. The pandemic was difficult for so many, but it was so hopeful in connecting our community and division, Gillenwater said. And now we want to strengthen what we offer our parents. FCPS will hold its second family and community engagement eventa multicultural fairon Oct. 15 at James Monroe High School. Find out more about Saturdays event and other community engagement events at fxbgschools.us. The upcoming Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2022 will host a conference of the Women in Aviation Middle East Chapter, a non-profit association dedicated to providing opportunities to women striving for careers in the aviation industry. Launched in the UAE, the Women in Aviation Middle East Chapter (WAI-ME) brings together women working in all areas of aviation to inspire and encourage others to consider a fulfilling career in aviation. This underscores WAI-MEs mission to encourage and nurture women to consider and seek opportunities in aviation and aerospace by providing them with information, education, scholarship, internship and comprehensive resources. One of our major goals is to engage members in an educational network to showcase the many contributions and achievements of regional women to the industry, said WAI-MEs President, Mervat Sultan. Abu Dhabi Air Expo is a great platform for us to highlight female role models in the region. Were delighted to have Women in Aviation returning to Air Expo. Current and future generations of women can achieve their goals by working in the industry, and the Expo is a great opportunity to introduce them to a wide variety of careers, said SHK Mohammed Al Mualla, Director of the Organizing Committee of Abu Dhabi Air Expo. The Air Expo event, running from November 1 to 3 at Al Bateen Executive Airport will feature the latest innovations in private jet aircraft, helicopters, executive charter services, airport equipment and services, avionics systems, insurance and financing. Over 80 aircraft from ultra-light to heavy jets will be on display for delegates seeking out a variety of aircraft and aviation-related services. This years event will include a new format that divides the exhibition into three main areas: aircraft hangar, chalets and outdoor static display. It will also feature a conference program providing industry thought leaders a forum to share the latest thinking on general aviation and aerospace developments. TradeArabia News Service Journalists can be so good at reporting others, but are seldom good at reporting themselves. That is what my friend Kevin dArcy, a distinguished British journalist, wrote in an article titled Living in Interesting Times, published recently on the website of the United Kingdom Chapter of the Association of European Journalists. DArcy, who has worked for major publications in the U.K. and Canada, including The Economist and the Financial Times, argues, The biggest change is that the job of journalism no longer belongs to journalists alone. To some extent, this has always been true but largely because of social media, the scale is touching the sky. This matters for the simple reason that the public lacks the traditional protection of legal and social rules. There is nobody in control. The common realm is sinking fast. So true. But his argument raises the question: Is journalism itself doing its job these days? I usually eschew any discussion about journalismits present state, imagined biases and its future. Dan Raviv, a former correspondent for CBS News on radio and television, told me in a television interview, My job is simple: I try to find out what is going on, then I tell people. I have never heard the job of a journalist better explained. Of course, the journalist knows other things: the tricks of the trade, like news judgment; how to get the reader reading, the viewer watching, and the listener listening and, it is hoped, keep their attention. Professionals know how to guesstimate how much readers, viewers and listeners might want to know about a particular issue. They know how to avoid libel and keep clear of dubious, manipulative sources. But journalisms skills are fading, along with the newspapers and the broadcast outlets that fostered and treasured them. Publications are dying or surviving on an uncertain drip from a life-support system. Newspapers that once boasted global coverage are now little more than pamphlets. The Baltimore Sun, for example, in its day a great newspaper, once had 12 overseas bureaus. No more. Three newspapers dominate: The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The New York Times. They got out in front and owed their position to successfully pushing their brands on the internet early. Now they have advertising revenue and even more revenue from the introduction of paywalls. Local news coverage may come back as it once was, but this time through local digital sites. I prefer traditional newspapers, but the future of local news appears to be online. A major and critical threat to journalism comes from within: It is a dearth of talent. You get what you pay for; publishers arent paying for talent, and that is corrosive. Newspaper and regional TV and radio salaries have always been abysmally low, and now they are the worst they have been in 50 years. This is discouraging needed talent. For more than 30 years, I owned a newsletter publishing company in Washington, and I hired summer internsand paid them. Some of the early recruits went on to success in journalism, and some to remarkable success. Later, I got the same bright journalism studentsyoung men and women so able that you could send them to a hearing on Capitol Hill or assign them a complex story with confidence. The most gifted, alas, werent headed for newsrooms but for law school. They told me as much as they were interested in reporting, they werent interested in low-wage lives. Most reporters across America earn less than $40,000. Even at the mighty Washington Post, a unionized newspaper, beat reporters make just $62,000 yearly. To tell the story of a turbulent world, you need gifted, creative, well-read people committed to the job. The bold and the bright will not commit to a life of penury. To my friend Kevin, I must say, if we cant offer a viable alternative to the social media cacophony, if we have a second-rate workforce, if the news product is inadequate and untouched by knowledgeable human editors, then the slide will continue. Editing by computer is not editing. I appreciate editing, and I know how much better my work is for it. The journalism that Kevin and I have reveled in over these many decades will perish without new talent. Talent will out and, I hope, provide the answers that our trade needs. Llewellyn King is executive producer and host of White House Chronicle on PBS. His email is llewellynking1@gmail.com and you can follow him on Twitter @LlewellynKing2. He wrote this for InsideSources.com. School boards are sometimes hailed as the purest form of American democracy. Locally controlled, school boards in theory are highly responsive to voters because board members dont just oversee a system, they have to face voterstheir friends and their neighborsevery day. But the coziness of the local School Board is also its greatest weakness. Apart from local elections, there are few significant checks and balances on School Board actions. In Virginia, the state Board of Education is one government entity, outside of law enforcement, that has some tools at its disposal to act as a check on school boards. Specifically, the VBOE approves licenses for prospective superintendents. And there are specific parameters set whereby the VBOE can deny a license to individuals who otherwise meet basic criteria. Last week, the Virginia Board of Education ignored those parameters, citing a naive belief in the virtue of local control. Most members of the VBOE who voted to grant Mark Taylor a superintendents licensea man with no experience working in educationreferenced the local-control mantra before supporting Taylor. Their commitment to this mantra was so extreme that two of the board members, Alan Siebert and Andrew Rotherham, went on to say that if they were on the local school board, they would not have hired Taylor. Were not on a local board, said Rotherham. 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. Rotherham, who has not responded to our request for an interview, has it wrong. The lesson isnt about the sacredness of local control. Its a reminder that when local leaders abandon the principles of a democratic society, state and federal authorities must step in to protect local residents. Thats a lesson that Rotherham, Siebert, and the other board members who voted to grant Taylor a license, should have learned from studying the civil rights movement. In those turbulent years, local control was used as a bludgeon to undemocratically and mercilessly use government power to deny Blacks their basic civil rights. Spotsylvania School Board Chair Kirk Twigg has openly and without apology shut down democracy in Spotsylvanias school system. Hes hired his good buddy Mark Taylor, paid him an exorbitant guaranteed salary that will handcuff the county for years, and hired an extremist Republican operativeJon Russellto whitewash the educational disaster thats coming. This trio now has a death grip on school leadership. Twigg is unwilling, or unable, to speak intelligentlyindeed, at allabout his plans for the school system. He wont respond to many of his constituents, to fellow board members, or to the press. And he has turned School Board meetings into a dysfunctional three-ring circus, where Twigg and his three cohorts shut down opposing voices, insult three of the board members by regularly responding to their requests to speak with hurry up or make it quick, and frequently talk over them. The Old Southand all the corruption associated with itis alive and well in Spotsylvania. Dont take our word that Twigg is acting antidemocratically. Take the word of Sheriff Roger Harris of Spotsylvania. Talking to NBC4 in Washington, Harris said of his decision to no longer provide security at School Board meetings: [T]he morale of the deputies over the past several months has just decreased rapidly, and when were asked to do things that are obviously a violation of the First Amendment Its a depressing job to be there and be treated, to see the public treated the way they are by members of the School Board, primarily the chairman. In cases where School Board leadership is so clearly not acting democratically, state and federal authorities must protect those the board is supposed to answer to: citizens, parents, and their children. Last Thursday, the VBOE ignored the overwhelming evidence before it, ignored the laws in place that allow them to stop egregious abuses of power, and failed Spotsylvania and its 24,000-plus students. The damage to these students future successes is real. Fortunately, democracy will rule again next November, when citizens can vote on School Board members. Lets hope they get it right next time. Because we cant count on the state to serve as a check on those who would abuse their power. You couldnt tell Rita Ryan that Latin was a dead language. During her 42-year career in the classroom, Ryan taught hundreds of Omaha Central High School students the language of Caesar, Nero and Cicero, imparting to them her love for the language and of Roman and Greek culture. Her class was never boring, said Michelle Kiel, a former student of Ryans who later worked with her on the staff at Central. She was always fun and engaging and had a way of connecting with her students. Ryan died Monday at age 73. Mesmerized by the ancient world, the native of Emmetsburg, Iowa, studied Latin and Greek at Creighton University before she was hired in 1971 to fill one of three Latin teaching positions then offered at Central. She spent her entire Omaha Public Schools career teaching at the school. In addition to her teaching, Ryan organized the schools Latin club, an affiliate of the National Junior Classical League. Each year, the officers in the organization were inducted in a before-school ceremony in Ryans classroom that ended with them running the schools halls in togas. Her students also racked up dozens of trophies competing against other schools in certamens, contests testing students knowledge of Latin and Roman history. She had a sign on the wall in her classroom: Latin is not dead. Latin is immortal. Outside of school, Ryan organized 15 summer trips to Europe for students and their parents in which they toured ancient sites in Italy and Greece. She made us read the words on every statue and building, Kiel recalled. During her career, Ryan was awarded the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award, Central teacher of the year and the STAR Award, a state award for world language teachers. Upon her retirement in 2013, she was inducted into Centrals hall of fame. A 21-year-old man shot a teen in the back twice, killing him, after the teen attempted to steal a bag of marijuana in August, an Omaha police detective testified Friday. Jordan Humphrey, of Omaha, will stand trial on charges of second-degree murder, use of a firearm, possession of a defaced firearm and tampering with physical evidence. Prosecutors dismissed a possession with intent to deliver Xanax charge. Two other teens charged with being accessories to a felony had waived their preliminary hearings and will stand trial: Schuyler Buckingham-Yeoman, 18, and Alicia Granneman, 19. Dayton Wenz, 18, a recent graduate of Omaha Central High School, was fatally shot near 35th and Davenport Streets about 11 p.m. Aug. 6. Detective Chad Frodyma testified that Wenz and Humphrey had chatted on Instagram about meeting up so that Wenz could purchase marijuana from Humphrey. Frodyma said Humphrey had shared a photo of the marijuana. The meetup was to be at 35th and Davenport streets, not far from Wenzs family home, Frodyma said. Two of Wenzs friends later told police that Wenz told them that he planned to do a rip, which meant grabbing the drugs and running away without paying. The friends said Wenz had successfully done this to someone else once before, Frodyma said. Despite his friends objections, Wenz told them that he was going to steal the drugs with them or without them, Frodyma said. Wenz went alone to meet up with Humphrey, who was with his girlfriend Granneman and Buckingham-Yeoman. The three were in a red Honda Accord. Wenz went up to Humphrey on the drivers side while holding a glass bottle of clear liquid. Wenzs friends later said that Wenz planned to offer the liquor as a gift in order to distract Humphrey so he could grab the bag of marijuana. Humphrey told police that the exchange of the liquor and Wenz grabbing the bag occurred simultaneously. The marijuana bag ripped, causing it to scatter on the floorboards. Wenz ran away and Buckingham-Yeoman chased after him, while Granneman left the car to provide directions, Frodyma said. Minutes later, Humphrey fired seven shots at Wenz, Frodyma said. One bullet pierced both of Wenzs lungs, his heart and his liver. Humphrey told police that he fired shots at Wenz aiming low to the ground. Detectives tracked down the gun, which had the serial number removed, inside a safe near Buckingham-Yeomans bedroom. Humphrey remains in the Douglas County Jail, where he is being held without bail. Two people have been killed in two separate attacks in northwestern Pakistan, locals and officials say. In the first incident, unidentified armed men gunned down a tribal elder and injured two other people in the Khyber tribal district. Police officials in Bara, a region located a dozen kilometers east of Peshawar, said tribal elder Munsif Ali Afridi was killed by unidentified armed men. The attackers managed to escape, but police officials said a search operation was under way. Separately, a young man was killed in front of his house by unidentified armed men in the town of Mir Ali in the North Waziristan tribal district, which borders Afghanistan. Local police told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal the incident happened on the night of September 20. More than 50 local leaders, philanthropists, politicians, youths, religious scholars, and security personnel have been killed in targeted attacks in North Waziristan this year. The Pakistani Taliban, also known as the Tehrik-e Taliban (TTP), is staging a gradual comeback in the tribal districts following a deadlock with the Pakistani authorities in the peace talks launched last year. The Afghanistan-based TTP three months ago announced a cease-fire with Pakistan. However, the group has launched attacks on police and civilians over the past few weeks. Muhammad Ali Saif, adviser to the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, of which the tribal areas are a part, told RFE/RL on September 20 that the peace talks were stalled but not ended. The TTP militants claimed the killing of a peace committee leader in Swat district last week, after which locals staged several demonstrations demanding the expulsion of militants from their areas. Police and military units have launched a limited search operation in Swat to target the militants. Security officials say army units and police contingents have been moved into areas where locals say militants are present. The Small Business Administration's Colorado district is accepting nominations for 2023 National and District Small Business Week awards. The agency will recognize a Small Business Person of the Year and a Small Business Exporter of the Year within the district. Winners will have the chance to move forward for regional and national recognition. A Wall of Fame awardee will also be recognized within the district. "We welcome nominations from every corner of the state for these coveted SBA recognitions, said Frances Padilla, SBA Colorado District Director. With more than 690,000 small businesses that call Colorado home, were looking forward to dynamic, successful companies spanning numerous industries to be represented. Winners will receive a certificate/plaque and statewide recognition from the federal agency. To nominate a business visit www.sba.gov/nsbw until 1 p.m. MST Dec. 8. Submissions must be an electronic submission to the Districts box account. For more information or to receive a copy of the National/Colorado District Nomination Guidelines, email the district office at ColoradoDO@sba.gov. The National Small Business week is scheduled for April 30 through May 6, 2023. A new Guinness World Record has been set in Colorado, thanks to three hopscotchers jumping along a course that was more than 4 miles long. Hosted by Generation Wild, which is an effort created by Great Outdoors Colorado that's meant to help reconnect kids with nature, a 4.37-mile course was created at Chatfield State Park in Littleton, longer than the previous record-holding hopscotch distance course of 4.2 miles, which was created in Atlanta. According to a representative of the effort, "three dedicated hoppers completed the entire course, followed by a celebration at the park's swim beach, where Guinness World Record adjudicator Mike Marcott declared the new title." The 4.37 miles of hopping was completed in just under three hours, with volunteers working for a week prior to make sure the record-setting course would be created in time. The course will remain open for the public to use, but this is weather permitting. Eventually, the course will fade away. Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has launched its Weekend Special campaign, offering up to 20% off Economy class fares purchased on the weekend. Guests can pick from a range of international destinations, including Muscat, the airlines hub and the perfect base from which to explore the stunning beauty and rich culture of the country, and many destinations beyond. With every journey enhanced by Oman Airs award-winning service and signature Omani hospitality, its the ideal chance to finally take that much-needed vacation time. Meanwhile, travellers can take care of all their trip requirements in one place with Oman Air Holidays. Combining exceptional value, customised service, and the finest hospitality, leisure and tourism experiences on offer, guests can unlock memorable experiences at some of the worlds most renowned destinations. From quick getaways to leisurely holidays, Oman Air guarantees an exceptional travel experience, whether in the air or on the ground, an airline statement said. The campaign is valid on a variety of selected flights from, via, or to Muscat. Tickets can be purchased through omanair.com or the Oman Air app. TradeArabia News Service Joshua Johnson, the man accused of killing 17-year-old Riley Whitelaw at a Colorado Springs Walgreens, is heading toward a trial. Fourth Judicial District Court Judge Eric Bentley on Wednesday determined that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to continue pursuing charges against Johnson. Johnson, 28, allegedly killed Walgreens co-worker Whitelaw in the breakroom of the store at 6820 Centennial Blvd. in June. The decision from Bentley means Johnson will return to court for his arraignment on Nov. 15, when Johnson will be able to enter a plea for the first time. If Johnson pleads not guilty, or not guilty by reason of insanity, a trial date could be set. Johnson is charged with first-degree murder. The end of the preliminary hearing, which began last Friday, saw both the prosecution and defense make brief arguments to Bentley. Prosecutor Anthony Gioia spoke to the overwhelming evidence presented by three witnesses that implicates Johnson as Whitelaw's killer. "Who do you believe was responsible for the death of Riley Whitelaw?" Gioia asked Colorado Springs police detective Stephen Aulino, one of three witnesses called to testify by the prosecution, on Friday. "Joshua Johnson," Aulino responded. Defense attorney Deana O'Reily responded by claiming that the prosecution had not presented any evidence that truly implicates Johnson in the crime, describing the evidence as "circumstantial." Before issuing his decision, Bentley spoke to the points made by Johnson's defense. While Bentley agreed that it was true there was no physical evidence such as DNA or finger prints presented, it would also be "unusual" for such evidence to be presented at a preliminary hearing. Ultimately, Bentley firmly sided with the prosecution. "The evidence presented in this case is sufficient to very easily clear the bar," Bentley said, referring to the burden of proof required to pursue charges past the preliminary hearing. Bentley described Johnson's alleged attempt to clean the crime scene after killing Whitelaw as "clumsy" and described Johnson's story of another man committing the crime as a "wildly implausible story." On Friday, Aulino testified that Johnson told him he hadn't killed Whitelaw, but that he walked into the breakroom and discovered "a mysterious man ... with blue eyes that had a gray tint" stabbing Whitelaw. Johnson claimed to Aulino that this man attacked Johnson after he entered the breakroom, and after suffering scratches to his face and arms he ran. When Aulino asked Johnson why he didn't call the police, he said that he was scared, and that the mysterious attacker "knew his address." On the evening of June 11, Whitelaw was found dead inside the breakroom of the Walgreens, having suffered injuries to her neck. The following day, Johnson was arrested more than 100 miles from Colorado Springs by Colorado State Patrol with scratches on his face and hands, which Johnson said he got from having been attacked at a Walgreens in Colorado Springs, according to an affidavit. According to the same affidavit, Whitelaw had made complaints to her manager at Walgreens about Johnson more than a year before her death, saying he was making advances towards her that made Whitelaw uncomfortable. Several weeks before her death, Whitelaw had requested different hours so she would no longer have to work with Johnson, according to the affidavit. However, when Whitelaw asked for additional hours, she was told it would require her to work with Johnson. Johnson was returned to Colorado Springs after he was found by state troopers. He told police that at one time he had a crush on Whitelaw but didnt anymore, and that he was in the breakroom and fell in the blood. After falling, Johnson said, he went home to change clothes. Johnson continues to be held in El Paso County jail with no possibility of bond. A man who accidentally shot and killed his friend during a party-turned-tragedy in May could face rehabilitation, rather than imprisonment, after pleading guilty to manslaughter, a Class 4 felony, on Thursday. Eric Terrell Lockhart Jr., 19, entered the plea four months after the shooting death of Malaya Marie Leary, 18, on May 21. He also pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a weapon by a previous offender, a Class 5 felony. Prosecutors charged Lockhart with manslaughter because he "unlawfully, feloniously and recklessly," rather than intentionally, killed Leary, Judge Catherine Mitchell Helton said. On the night of Leary's death, Lockhart and several friends were drinking at an apartment in southeast Colorado Springs when he began playing with his friend's pistol, "pretending as if he was shooting a music video," according to an arrest affidavit. Lockhart continued to play with the gun even after his friend warned him to stop, the affidavit said. When speaking with police about the shooting, Lockhart said he accidentally fired the weapon because he believed he was engaging the safety switch. The affidavit states that Lockhart told police "repeatedly" that he didn't intend to shoot Leary, who was pronounced dead on scene. At the time of the shooting, Lockhart should not have been handling the gun because he was on parole for aggravated robbery, according to past Gazette reporting. Under the prosecution's plea agreement, Lockhart will likely spend four years in Colorado's Youthful Offender System in Pueblo, which is designed to keep individuals aged 16-22 convicted of violent crime out of adult prisons, according to Lockhart's defense attorney, Josh Tolini. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the YOS functions to "divert young offenders and replace criminal thinking with pro-social values and accepted norms" on the belief that "youthful offenders can be habilitated, offering a positive and productive future." Tolini said individuals undergo a kind of "boot camp" in the first phase of YOS before entering the vocational phase, when they learn trade skills related to plumbing, carpentry or other occupations, or earn college credits. He said the last phase allows the individual to temporarily pair with an employer and reintegrate into the community. Should Lockhart fail to complete the program, he would face 12 years in prison. While Tolini said he doesn't anticipate "any issues" regarding Lockhart's acceptance to YOS, Lockhart's guilty plea is contingent on that acceptance, which is still pending. Both Helton and the prosecutor agreed that Lockhart would be allowed to change his plea if that acceptance is denied. After the hearing, Tolini told the Gazette that Leary's family, who was present in court Thursday, "believes this is a fair resolution." "I want Eric (Lockhart) to know that I forgive him," April Leary, the victim's mother, said through tears during a previous hearing in June. "As bad as I'm hurting, I forgive him." Lockhart's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 1, but could occur earlier if he is accepted to YOS. Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country Sign Up View all of our newsletters. FILE PHOTO: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks after the primary election for the midterms during the "Keep Florida Free Tour" at Pepin's Hospitality Centre in Tampa, Florida, U.S., August 24, 2022. REUTERS/Octavio Jones/File Photo FILE PHOTO: Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the National Rifle Association (NRA), speaks at the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum during the National Rifle Association (NRA) annual convention in Houston, Texas, U.S. May 27, 2022. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo Nine local elected officials will participate Wednesday night in The Resource Exchange's 16th annual legislative town hall on intellectual, developmental and other disabilities. A slew of local leaders will participate in a moderated question-and-answer discussion that will cover an array of topics that impact people with disabilities, mental health problems or long-term care needs such as transportation, housing, education, accessibility and services, according to a news release from the nonprofit. Panelists include state Sens. Dennis Hisey and Bob Gardner, state Reps. Marc Snyder, Terri Carver and Mary Bradfield, Colorado Springs Councilmen Tom Strand and Randy Helms, Fountain Mayor Sharon Thompson and Colin Laughlin, deputy director of the Office of Community Living in the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. Also attending are Manitou Springs Councilwomen Natalie Johnson and Michelle Whetherhult and Green Mountain Falls Trustee Katharine Guthrie. The event runs Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, in the theater, at 200 S. Sierra Madre St. in downtown Colorado Springs. In-person capacity has been reached, but residents may still attend online. Register at bit.ly/3SRitys. An event link will be provided before the event. Mitch Morrissey is a criminal justice fellow at Common Sense Institute. He is a former district attorney in Denver. Common Sense Institute (CSI) is a non-partisan research organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of Colorados economy. CSIs mission is to examine the fiscal impacts of policies, initiatives, and proposed laws so that Coloradans are educated and informed on issues impacting their lives. The Fourth Judicial District intends to move forward on a felony charge filed against state Sen. Pete Lee, despite District Attorney Michael Allen's office acknowledging it presented incorrect information to a grand jury. Boulder County is appealing a Boulder District Court ruling rejecting its claim of control over oil and gas well leases belonging to Crestone Peak Resources Operating, LLC, saying the leases are voided by the fact that the wells havent actually been pumping oil or gas for long periods. The appeal comes amid the county's effort to prevent new drilling on the leases, many of which are more than 40 years old. The 4th Judicial District intends to move forward on a felony charge filed against state Sen. Pete Lee, despite District Attorney Michael Allen's office acknowledging it presented incorrect information to a grand jury. Allen's office in a tweet Wednesday said despite receiving an update on a key part of information cited by prosecutors, "the evidence continues to support a determination that probable cause exists to reasonably believe the defendant committed the crime charged in the indictment." 2022CR4096 (Mr Lee) Despite this correction from the Colorado Supreme Court Attorney Registration Office, the evidence continues to support a determination that probable cause exists to reasonably believe the defendant committed the crime charged in the indictment. 4th Judicial DA (@4thJudicialDA) September 21, 2022 Lee, D-Colorado Springs, was indicted by a grand jury in August for felony misrepresentation of his residency for voting purposes. Lee's attorney, David Kaplan, on Tuesday filed a motion seeking to have the indictment dismissed. Kaplan sought that dismissal based on incorrect information presented to the grand jury by an investigator in Allen's office. That incorrect information came from the Colorado Supreme Court's Office of Attorney Registration. The office submitted an affidavit in August to Allen's office, stating that Lee had changed his address in December 2019. Lee had filed registration paperwork on that date but had not changed his address, listed as a property on North Sheridan Avenue in Colorado Springs. The information from the Attorney Registration Office was prominently cited at least five times during the grand jury hearing by investigator David Guest, in exhibits and PowerPoint presentations. Kaplan said in his Sept. 20 motion that the information was presented "with great emphasis ... these misstatements and erroneous facts ... are not peripheral to the charges sought," Kaplan said in the motion. "They are a material misrepresentation of the facts used to obtain an indictment." "It irreversibly taints their deliberations and creates a fatal flaw in the indictment," the lawyer added. The Office of Attorney Registration notified the court about the erroneous information on Sept. 15 and corrected it in an affidavit submitted on Sept. 17, according to Allen's spokesman. Lee declined to comment on Allen's statement. The charge approved by the grand jury on Aug. 3 is a Class 5 felony. Conviction on a class 5 felony carries a potential sentence of one to three years in state prison with the further possibility of $1,000 to $100,000 in fines, with a two-year parole period. The indictment sought by Allen said Lee a Colorado Springs Democrat identified by his legal name, Sanford Edmund Lee voted in the state primary on March 3, 2020, and in the general election on Nov. 5, 2019, using "false information" about where he lives. The felony charge applies only to the March 2020 vote; the grand jury, according to Kaplan's motion, did not return an indictment on the November 2019 claim. Lee listed the North Sheridan Avenue home as his mailing address for his last run for office, in 2018 and it is where he is registered to vote. The home is in Senate District 11, which he represents. Another home Lee owns, on West Cheyenne Road, is in Senate District 12, which is represented by Republican state Sen. Bob Gardner. Lee is ineligible to run for a second term in the Senate due to redistricting that put him into Gardner's district. Since Gardner was last reelected in 2020, the most recent election, state law dictates he will finish out his term. Gardner is term-limited in 2024. The next hearing on the case is Oct. 18. DES MOINES More than $2.6 billion of Iowa soybeans and corn will be purchased by Taiwan, according to letters of intent signed during a ceremony at the Iowa Capitol on Tuesday. A trade delegation from Taiwan joined Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa agriculture secretary Mike Naig in signing the informal agreements, which state Taiwan's intent to purchase over the next three years about 100 million bushels of soybeans valued at roughly $2 billion, and 59 million bushels of corn valued at roughly $600 million. During the ceremony, Reynolds said Iowa has spent years cultivating a close trading relationship with Taiwan, and that this new agreement demonstrates the growth of that relationship. "I want to express my appreciation for everyone on both sides of the ocean who made this day possible, especially the organizations that facilitated trade between Taiwan and Iowa," Reynolds said. Johnson Chiang, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office's Director General, also praised the deal. Taiwan's delegation has spent the past two days in Iowa meeting with state officials and university researchers, and visiting Iowa farms, officials said at Tuesday's ceremony. "I have come here and witnessed the great quality of products you offer to Taiwan," Chiang said while expressing hope that the trade relationship will continue. Iowa and Taiwan made a similar agreement in 2018, when the country pledged to purchase up to 144 million bushels of U.S. soybeans, which had an estimated value of $1.56 billion. More than 60 percent of U.S. soybeans are exported globally each year, making trade critical to soybean farmers, Randy Miller, president of the Iowa Soybean Association and a soybean farmer, said in a news release. "Our ability to maintain existing global markets and expand new ones is critical to the continued success of our state's soybean farmers and the industry," Miller said. Larry Buss, president of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and a farmer, also praised the agreement, saying in a news release that it helps open markets for Iowa corn farmers. According to the state economic development department, Taiwan is Iowa's 12th-largest trading partner, with exports estimated at $305 million in manufactured and value-added goods in 2021. Those exports increased 4 percent in the first half of 2022, the department said. In addition to corn and soybeans, Iowa exports meat, animal feed and pharmaceutical products to Taiwan, according to the department. "Iowans are accustomed to (and) we're proud of the fact that we have abundant agricultural production in this state, and that we are connected to consumers all around the world," Naig, the state agriculture secretary, said during the ceremony. "And we celebrate that global connection, global position, and we draw a very close connection with our trading partners. Trade matters to Iowa." CHEROKEE A former Cherokee police officer has been placed on probation for failing to stop his pickup truck after striking a 6-year-old girl at a street intersection. Michael McGee, 53, of Cherokee, pleaded guilty Friday in Cherokee County District Court to failure to stop at the scene of an accident, a serious misdemeanor, and failure to yield, a traffic violation. McGee faced up to a year in jail for the misdemeanor, and in his plea agreement the sentencing decision was left up to the judge. District Associate Judge Andrew Smith deferred judgment on the failure to stop charge and placed McGee on one year probation. McGee also must pay a $430 civil penalty, plus a $135 fine for the traffic ticket. McGee struck the girl on May 20 with his Dodge Ram pickup at the intersection of North Roosevelt and East Indian streets. Off duty at the time, McGee was carrying several children's swimming pools stacked in the back of his pickup and was driving north on North Roosevelt Street when the girl and two other children were either crossing the street in a crosswalk or were entering the street. McGee braked his pickup and later told investigators he did not think he had hit anyone and continued driving north. He went to the city garage and placed the pools and other potentially identifying items into a garbage bin and told investigators that when he heard an ambulance was dispatched to the intersection, he panicked and returned home. McGee and his pickup were identified by witnesses, and he was located and charged. The girl, who is from Cherokee, suffered a concussion and other non life-threatening injuries. McGee is no longer with the police department. Iowa U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson launched new campaign ads portraying the Marion Republican as a champion for working families, while criticizing her Democratic opponent, state Sen. Liz Mathis of Hiawatha, for voting against a bill that lowers the individual income tax rate for all Iowans to a rate of 3.9 percent by 2026. The Gazette reported Democrats expressed concerns about the impact the $1.9 billion reduction in future revenue could have on the state budget, and criticized the new law for favoring higher-income workers. While the highest wage earners will see their tax rate slashed, lower-income workers will see only a modest rate reduction, as The Gazettes Erin Murphy reported of the bills signing in March by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. The ad states Mathis wants higher taxes and more government spending, just like Pelosi. Another add touts Hinsons efforts to support Iowa moms and families by working to expand access to maternal health care, address a nationwide infant formula shortage and increase affordable child care options. Hinson voted for the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in May. The law takes certain actions to address infant formula supply chain disruptions affecting participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC. A separate measure, which Hinson voted against, would provide $28 million in emergency supplemental appropriations to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to address the shortage of infant formula in the United States. Hinsons campaign said the bill, which passed the House and stalled in the Senate, lacked guardrails to ensure the funding was spent appropriately or immediately. Mathis campaign also notes Hinson voted against the American Rescue Plan Act signed into law last year that has brought the nearly $200 million of federal funding to Iowa child care centers. Hinson said the price tag of the American Rescue Plan was far too high and included funding in areas that should not have been included, and has introduced separate legislation to expand the federal child tax credit. Mathis, in a statement, said Hinson is amplifying her lies to Iowa moms and families in TV spots, when her voting record clearly shows the truth. Ive introduced, sponsored and voted for legislation with Republicans to lower Iowans tax burdens, while Hinson has repeatedly voted in Congress against lowering costs for Iowa families, Mathis said. Bohannan pushes back against 'false attacks' in latest ad Iowa City Democratic state Rep. Christina Bohannan, who is running to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, is pushing back against "false attacks that she is anti-law enforcement in a new TV ad. With violent crime increasing in many parts of the country, Republicans have portrayed Democrats as soft on crime ahead of this years elections, using calls from some progressive activists to defund the police as a political attack line. Bohannan donated in 2019 to the Prairielands Freedom Fund, which provides bond and bail to free immigrants from detention. Its leaders support abolishing detention and prison. However, Bohannan said she did not know the organizations mission when she donated in support of a friends birthday, and has made statements on the Iowa House floor in support of law enforcement. The ad features Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel, a Democrat, who defends Bohannans record of supporting law enforcement. Kunkel, in the video, call the attacks against Bohannan flat-out lies. We can trust Christina to make sure Iowas police have the funding we need. Anyone who says different is just plain wrong, he says. Miller-Meeks campaign manager Elliott Husbands said district voters won't be fooled by (Bohannans) desperate attempts at misdirection. Bohannan released another ad Wednesday stating that if elected to Congress she would work to stop politicians from insider trading of stocks. Bohannan will also oppose pay raises for politicians and will fight to ban members of Congress from becoming lobbyists permanently, according to the add. Miller-Meeks touts hard work, perseverance in new ad Miller-Meeks, of Ottumwa, highlighted her perseverance, hard work and military service in a new ad released earlier this week. In the ad, Miller-Meeks states she left home at age 16 and joined the Army at 18 years old. Thats how I worked through college. And to get through medical school, I took the night shift as a nurse, Miller-Meeks says in the ad. Im not afraid of hard work. Congress is full of showoffs that just shout at each other on cable TV. Thats not me. I believe in working hard and getting things done. GREENSBORO The lunch crowd passes all the big fast-food restaurants to get here. "Somebody told my wife, who told me," Rob Bradley said shortly before meeting up with friends. Welcome to "Hot Dog Tuesday" at Hinshaw United Methodist Church. On Tuesdays, think of the church like a culinary "Cheers" a place where everybody knows your name. And usually your order. Look around. This isn't a typical kitchen. The group of volunteers includes three all-important "hot dog dressers," a retired UNCG chef and grill master who applies a secret sauce to every hot dog and you can't forget these guys the baggers, who double-check every order before it leaves the kitchen. Closing time is 1:30 p.m. Already, no less than 300 people have placed orders this day as the clock inches closer to quitting time some carrying out boxes of hot dogs. Try the $6 special, which comes with two hot dogs, chips and a drink. "Everybody eats that's so important to me," Pastor Susan Hoyle said. "That's Jesus to me." The congregation started Hot Dog Tuesday nine years ago the idea of Jim Waynick, the program minister. "We had just remodeled the kitchen and wanted to do something fun," Waynick recalled. Little did they realize what would be set into motion. Around here, "Embrace the Health Department" is akin to that Fifth Commandment of honoring your mother and father. The "A" sanitary rating on the wall is for a "100" score. The congregation isn't the only one locally with a food ministry of some sort. But they're one of the oldest still going. While the kitchen is in constant motion so, too, are the comings and goings in the fellowship hall. Some eat under the trees out back. Or in their cars. Or wait on the porch for their orders. There are those who come for the hot dogs with the coleslaw and chili always made the same day. And then are the people here for something not on the menu: fellowship. Waynick looks around the room and knows that life's circumstances also draw people here to the big tables, where strangers might sit next to each other and end up chatting through a meal. "There are a lot of people who are lonely," Waynick said. "Some have been sick. Some lost a spouse, and they come just for the joy of being in that room." Lots of smiles and laughter permeate the room. Sometimes people join in the fun. Sometimes they quietly take it in. With 23 volunteers, there is a rhythm to how everything is done. A volunteer keeps up with the receipts. Another answers the telephone. And so on. True story: The Hinshaw United crew has needed to fix 60 hotdogs at a moment's notice for company orders. Also true: They love doing it. "What would we do without y'all," a woman says before leaving with a bagged order. She's been coming for years, one of the volunteers said. The menu hasn't changed. The church only uses beef dogs or ones made from turkey. Sales pay for the next week's food delivery, although a run to a nearby grocery store for buns or more beef hot dogs has been necessary when people keep coming. "I even tried it with chili," a volunteer laughs about partaking in the turkey hot dogs, which are nearly selling out this day. "I'll stick to beef." Runners nearby are packing up the food and are known for delivering orders with a smile and a "How are you doing today?" Hinshaw UMC isn't trying to be a full-scale restaurant. That's why it feels right when someone's family comes with a birthday cake and shares it with others in the room. Or someone performs music. "I believe strongly that Jesus taught us not to be judgmental rock throwers," Waynick said. "My experience has been that churches that don't have a lot to do tend to be a rock-throwing church. We stay busy and we don't throw rocks." God's Country The Myrna Loy (R) Grade: B+ Sandras as tough as the cop she once was. Shes as smart as the professor she now is. But the death of her mom has shaken Sandra. Shes angry, lonely and vulnerable. Shes a strong, compassionate black woman living beneath the snowy peaks of white Montana. Sandra chops wood to keep strong, and runs miles on dirt roads to keep fit. A deep grief runs through her and a long fuse is burning inside. Julian Higgins Gods Country is a portrait of grief, racism and sexism set in unidentified rural Montana. On the surface, the story focuses on a showdown between restrained Sandra and trigger-happy hunters in their red pickup. But a deeper question lurks: Is violence ever a justified response by a black woman living in a bigoted white world? When trespassing hunters first park on her land, Sandra writes a direct note, asking them to find another place to park. When her note is crumpled up, she talks politely to them. I prefer you not park here. When that overture is ignored as well, Sandra, again, takes the high road and follows one of the men to his church. She can see the heart in this man. She sees his love for his mom, who plays the organ. But when he returns to his fellow hunters, his eyes harden again and one cold night he lights a match to his festering intolerance. Sandras pacifist tool box is empty. Shes tried to sheathe her weapons, but her hand slides toward the holster. At its best, Gods Country is a chilling portrait of a woman trying to climb out of the dark hole of grief. She wants, with all her soul, to love those who hate her, to resolve conflict with conversation. But there comes a point when disrespect can no longer be tolerated, when doing nothing makes her complicit. Thandiwe Newton turns in an Oscar-worthy performance. Her work is internal as we watch her fuse burn slowly, but inevitably, toward the powder. The ending is predestined, but still shocking. The final close up of Sandra, sitting alone, is haunting. Gods Country has the makings of a great film, but for a few misguided subplots and a brutal ending. We watch Sandra campaign to get her academic department to interview black candidates. We see her befriend a student who is fending off a professorial predator. Those detours are both distracting, unnecessary. When we step outside into Montanas crisp mountain air, the movie breathes again. Unnamed Montana is portrayed as beautiful, but unwelcoming. The locations include the land around Dillon, Livingston, Paradise Valley, Bozeman, and Lennep. Sandras life on campus was filmed at Montana Western in Dillon. Gods Country begins as a postcard to Montana, but by the end the title has become dark, ironic. Not everyone is welcome to share the bounties found in the Treasure State. A group of local rock climbers spent the weekend improving a favorite Helena-area climbing spot in an effort to make use of the site more sustainable as the sport's popularity grows. Helena Climber's Coalition with some assistance from Access Fund, a nationwide nonprofit advocating for access for climbers, built a retaining wall along the base of Winter Wall, a massive limestone face tucked into Hellgate Gulch on the far side of Canyon Ferry Reservoir. An adjustment to the motorized trail recently caused the loose earth at the base of Winter Wall to slough away, making it difficult to hike along the rock face. The coalition was formed in 2017, and Chairman Brad Maddock said this project is its biggest. Access Fund, based in Boulder, Colorado, administers an annual climbing conservation grant program. Only 10 projects across the country were selected to receive a grant. Winter Wall was one of those projects. "It is a really big deal," Maddock said. Access Fund spokesman Garrett Garner-Wells said as the sport becomes increasingly popular, it also becomes more important to advocate for it. "We want to show people that climbing is a legitimate use of public lands," Garner-Wells said. The wall boasts about 35 separate routes across its face that vary in difficulty. The wall is also south facing and can be climbed on sunny winter days, hence the name. "It's one of the most consolidated areas for climbing in Helena and the surrounding area," Maddock said. About 30 volunteers showed up to help out during the three-day project. In addition to providing financial assistance, Access Fund also sent its two-man special projects conservation team. Kyle Leihsing, half of that team, said he and his partner travel about 20,000 miles over the course of 10 months every year assisting with projects across the country. Leihsing said the focus on such projects not only benefits the local user groups but also the management agencies like the U.S. Forest Service. "If we can come in and make these places sustainable, we're taking hours off the Forest Service's docket," he said. The wooden retaining wall the crew installed will prevent the new catwalk-like trail from eroding. Kristen Drumheller and her husband, Bill Dockins, made the trip from Bozeman to participate in the project. The couple has close ties to Winter Wall. They installed some of the first routes in the wall in 1986. "It's just a striking place," Drumheller said when asked what initially drew them to Winter Wall. "It's a pretty amazing feeling to be down at the bottom of the wall, looking upward." For the uninitiated, rock climbing comes in a variety of flavors. The type found at Winter Wall is known as sport climbing, where the climbers rely on already installed fixed bolts in the rock face to clip their ropes into. In 1986, there were no bolts previously sunk into the limestone. Drumheller, Dockins and their friends had to put the bolts in themselves. This is known as traditional climbing and is more dangerous. "It's a lot of work, but it's incredibly exciting," Drumheller said. "There is very much a sense of adventure." From the trail, Winter Wall looks fairly sheer and not exactly conducive to climbing, but Drumheller said rain water trickling down the face of the wall for millions of years has eroded small pockets big enough for "a finger or two." "So a lot of these lines look impossible until you get up there and it all opens up to you," she said. She said it was nice to visit Hellgate Gulch again. "We've been coming here for so many years. It feels so familiar," she said. "We used to spend days and days here. A lot of these climbs feel like old friends." In addition to catching up with old friends, Maddock said projects like this and other coalition-sponsored events have a secondary goal of bolstering the community. "We want to help people meet other climbers and build our climbing community," he said. Hazel Puchalsky is one of those new faces. Puchalsky said she moved to Helena from Philadelphia. Though she only got to town on Sept. 11, she said she wanted to meet people as quickly as she could. Having recently gotten into the sport, she also knew she wanted to try her hand at outdoor climbing once in Montana. She found Helena Climber's Coalition on social media and said it felt like a good fit. "I met a lot of people. Everyone is so welcoming. It's been great," Puchalsky said. After spending more days volunteering at the wall than actually climbing it, Puchalsky said she was looking forward to giving it a go. Though the Helena climbing community may be relatively small for the moment, the fact that 30 individuals volunteered their time speaks to the character of climbers, according to Leihsing. "Climbers mobilize," he said. "There aren't too many user groups who do that." It doesnt escape Krys Holmes that were all walking around on land that was the vast home of Native Americans. Shes keenly aware of this history, which is one reason as executive director of The Myrna Loy, shes created an annual event celebrating Montanas American Indian Heritage Day, which is the fourth Friday in September. Im really trying to establish this as a tradition at The Myrna Loy, she said. One highlight of this years celebration is a night of Big Medicine Comedy, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, featuring Kasey Rezzalicious Nicholson (Aaninin/Gros Ventre and Pikuni/Blackfeet), a Seattle-based standup comic whos also a trainer for the Native Wellness Institute and a motivational speaker. Hes joined by Donovan Beef Archambault, an actor known for his appearances on First Nations Comedy Experience (2018), a television series featuring Native American and World Indigenous comedians. In addition to the comedy show being super entertaining, there are thousands of years of American Indian cultural heritage around humor, said Holmes. Archambault, who is enrolled as a Fort Belknap Assiniboine, lives in Poplar, and will be making his Helena debut at The Myrna. Ive been doing stand-up comedy professionally for 11 years, he said in a phone interview from Billings, where he was in transit to his next booking. He does not just do stand-up comedy, but is also a motivational speaker, who speaks about mental health and wellness. As far as my material, its real-life things. Basically, Im just a kid from the rez talking about the rez. What its like to be married. Me and my wife have been together for 15 years and what its like having three daughters, and were expecting again. Life on the reservationbeing an Indian in the modern world. Humor is part of who we are. Theres humor in just about anythingif you choose to see it. In high school I knew I wanted to do this full time, he said, adding that he used to watch shows with George Carlin, Chris Rock and Robin Williams. He idolized them, but didnt think he could do it. Then in 2011, a friend finally nudged him onto the stage, and he decided it was time to sink or swim. Hes been swimming ever since. Every new experience, every new townis a question mark. I mean that in a good way. Its something new and different and thats the intoxicating part the rush. I still get those butterflies. Its just that rush like Im ready to go bungee jumping or skydivingIts the best feeling in the world. Nicholson (Aaninin/Gros Ventre and Pikuni/Blackfeet) is a Seattle-based standup comic. Ive always been interested in being a comic, said Nicholson in a phone interview from a California hotel where he was making an appearance. The opportunity came when he saw comedian J.R. Redwater at Fort Belknap Reservation and he needed an opener. Nicholson jumped in and he was so successful Redwater urged him to give comedy a try. His next time out, he bombed. But that lit the fire because he knew he could do better. Like Archambault, he finds plenty of comic material in his daily life. I think laughter is just universal, he said, and goes across cultures. I think funny is funny. We all enjoy this medicine of laughter. Humor plays an important role in American Indian cultures, said Mike Jetty, Indian education specialist with Montana Office of Public Instruction. Humor is weaved through tribal culture, he said, pointing out that its a key element of coyote and trickster stories. The stereotype of the stoic Indian is off-base. There is a lot of laughter and joking among American Indians. Hes planning to bring Archambault and Nicholson into the schools to share songs and stories, what Jetty calls edutainment. We encourage people to come check it out, he said of the comedy show. Laughter is the best medicine. Tickets are $20 and available at 15 N. Ewing St., https://themyrnaloy.com/. For more information, call 406-443-0287. Daughter of a Lost Bird Filmmaker Brooke Pepion Swaney grew up in Helena, graduating from Capital High School in 1999, and was very involved with Grandstreet Theatre. Her award-winning film, Daughter of a Lost Bird, is showing 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at The Myrna Loy followed by a Q&A with Swaney. The Blackfeet-Salish filmmaker said the documentary is about helping my friend learn where she came from. The film follows Native American actor Kendra Potter, who was adopted by a loving white family and decides when she is 34 to discover her tribal roots. Potter has played various Native roles, appearing in Winter in the Blood, OK Breathe Auralee and a Hallmark Holiday film, and was growing more uncomfortable playing these roles without knowing her own history. With Swaneys help, she finds her Native family and her birth mother, April Kowalski, and begins exploring her Lummi Nation heritage. It wasnt an easy journey for Potter, said Swaney. Words like hard, difficult and emotional come up when you go through change. Its not going to be an easy process, especially when it has to do with identity and how you view yourself. Potter was a perfect protagonist for the film, said Swaney. Kendra is very articulate and very in tune with her interior state. She has such an artful way of seeing herself. People tell me to tell everybody to bring a box of tissues. The film elicits strong emotions. It brings you along a very personal journey. Tickets are $10 and available at 15 N. Ewing St., https://themyrnaloy.com/. For more information, call 406-443-0287. In Dreams: The Art of Monica Gilles-Brings Yellow, Stella Nall, Salisha Old Bull and Rachel Twoteeth The work of four talented artists: Monica Gilles-Brings Yellow, Stella Nall, Salisha Old Bull and Rachel Twoteeth comes together in this vibrant new show opening in the Jailhouse Gallery, Thursday, Sept. 22, and running through Nov. 8. A reception is 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, prior to the film screening of Daughter of a Lost Bird (see related story). DD Dowden said that she and co-curator Amy Brakeman Livezey wanted to provide an environment to give voices to these women. This will be the first show for emerging young Helena artist Rachel Twoteeth, a member of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe. She is greatly influenced by her grandmother Sharon Twoteeth, and her works are on ledger paper from her grandmothers store. An art student at the University of Montana, she works in a variety of media and intertwines her culture with modern art styles. Monica Gilles-Brings Yellow is a self-taught Indigenous artist raised on the Flathead Reservation. She uses non-traditional methods of painting (layers of resin, inks, gold leaf) to create richly colored abstract backgrounds. Her 3-D collage often incorporates photos of her family as a way to reclaim her culture. Stella Nall, a First Descendant of the Apsaalooke Tribe, incorporates imagery and techniques from traditional Native culture, such as beadwork and elks teeth, in creating contemporary Indigenous art. Salisha Old Bull, a Salish/Crow artist, believes that place provides a person their sense of self, allows them to grow intellectually and enables them to explore their potential in life. For more information on these events, visit 15 N. Ewing St., https://themyrnaloy.com/. For more information, call 406-443-0287. In Jenn Bannas family, she and her husband sing the lullaby You Are My Sunshine to their children when theyre babies. The western Montana couple had the chance to do that with Anna Louise during her short life and worries others in their situation wouldnt have the chance if a referendum put on the November ballot by GOP lawmakers is passed by voters. Legislative Referendum 131 is the so-called Born-Alive Infant Protection Act. Its language says that infants born alive, including infants born alive after an abortion, are legal persons. It would require health care providers to take necessary actions to preserve the life of a born-alive infant and comes with penalties of up to 20 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. While backers of the proposal say it will protect infants, Dr. Tim Mitchell, a Missoula doctor who specializes in maternal-fetal medicine and often treats families making incredibly difficult decisions in tragic situations, says it is something else entirely. LR-131 is a piece of propaganda, part of a false narrative created by those who are against individuals and families who want to make health care decisions without interference from the state, Mitchell said at a press conference at the state Capitol in Helena on Wednesday. The outcomes (that) this initiative claims to exist simply do not happen. This initiative for Montana families are suffering from some of the most tragic outcomes that one can experience during pregnancy. In an interview last week, Mitchell said the referendum, if passed, would force doctors to intervene in citations where no amount of action is going to change the outcome for the family. That would include situations where theres no chance a fetus could survive outside the womb, such as when kidneys or a nervous system does not develop, or labor starting at 16 weeks, when there is not enough development for survival. This is going to force physicians to intervene in those cases instead of the family being able to hold this baby and let this baby know that theyre loved, Mitchell said. The medical team is going to have to be providing chest compressions, put breathing tubes into the airways that are too small to be able to even accept those tubes. Its really cruel to put families who are in such a tragic situation into even more, (to) just make the situation even worse by having to provide these things not because its the best medical care but because were legally obligated to do it under threat of being jailed for up to 20 years or a $10,000 fine. Former state Sen. Al Olszewski, an orthopedic surgeon in Kalispell, said in an interview Wednesday that the intent of the referendum is not aimed at families dealing with fetuses with fatal anomalies. The Republican lawmaker brought a similar bill in 2019, though to enact the policy outright and not put it to voters. That bill was vetoed by former Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock. Republican state Rep. Matt Regier, of Kalispell, carried the referendum bill last year. He did not return a message Wednesday seeking comment. Like many proponents of the 2021 legislation that created the referendum, Olszewski said it was necessary because of comments made by former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam in 2019 on a bill in that state that would have changed laws around abortions performed late in pregnancies. During a radio interview, Northam said in referencing abortions in the third trimester of pregnancy where there may be severe deformities. There may be a fetus thats non-viable If a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if thats what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother. Those comments were taken out of context by some who said Northam was saying he would allow for infanticide. To Olszewski, he said Northams comments introduced to the nation the idea of infanticide can now be considered post-birth abortion, necessitating the legislative referendum. Olszewski acknowledged Montana already has laws that stipulate the protection of an infant that survives an abortion, he said Northam introduced a new legal concept of post-birth abortion. Because now in America and in Montana we have the concept of post-birth abortion, we now have to state in Montana that all children born in Montana automatically receive personhood rights, Olszewski said. But Samantha Berg, the manager of state advocacy for the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, said the language of LR-131 is not about infant health and safety. There are laws and policies to protect infants, to advance infant health, to make sure infants are treated equally and get the care they and their families need, Berg said in an interview last week. Make no mistake about it, this is not about infants. This is about pregnant patients and controlling their ability to make the decisions they would be making with their health care providers. Mitchell said that while supporters of the referendum paint a picture of people having abortions in unwanted pregnancies in the final trimester, in reality the law would affect families who learn that their fetus has unexpected severe anomalies that are not compatible with life or the pregnant person is at risk of dying. Its based off propaganda and a false narrative, Mitchell said. The fact that it even exists is creating an idea that we see pregnancies in a way where the initiative is describing it is just not true. Megan Condra, a spokesperson for Community Medical Center, said while much of the discussion on the referendum is about abortions, the way the ballot language is written it could also include induced labor or Cesarean deliveries. Mitchell said the government should not be inserted into family decisions made at incredibly difficult times. The state has no business directing this kind of complex health care, and I hope the voters of Montana understand the implications of this initiative. The proponents of this bill believe that this is a black and white issue. They have not been in the room when this life-changing news is given, Mitchell said. They don't have the right to tell Montana families how their loved ones will spend their final and only moments on Earth. Banna said her daughter was born with a beating heart but their physician told the family shed only live a few minutes. My husband and I leaned in close to our daughter and we sang our song to her while her heart slowly stopped beating. Her grandmother and her aunt then took turns holding her. The opportunity to snuggle and sing to her would not have been possible if she had been taken away, Banna said. Anna Louise would have died in a different room, without me, robbing me of the opportunity of comforting and holding her during her short life. It was my fondest memory and the only experience I had with her Our family was able to create our own experience because there was no government interference. Lea Bossler, a Missoula woman whose daughter died 115 days after being born prematurely, said during the Wednesday press conference that at one point baby Maesyn pulled out her ventilation tube. I will never shake the shits, sounds or feelings of multiple re-intubation attempts, Bossler said. The day Maesyn died, Bossler and her fiance were able to take her outside, free of medical interventions, and give her the experience of feeling the sun on her face, something Bossler said was the greatest thing she was able to do to honor her daughters spirit. Doctor concerns In a state where its difficult to get specialized care during pregnancies, Mitchell said that the passage of LR-131 could make access even more challenging. How are we going to offer care for these families? Are we going to recommend that we should transfer these families out of state so that they dont have to go through this process of having to have a medical team intervene when everybody in the room knows this is not the right thing to do? Mitchell asked. It is scary to think that me providing the standard of care to families in the state could potentially land me in jail or my colleagues in jail for decades. There are only about nine maternal-fetal physicians in the state, Mitchell said. At the end of the day if we start to see physicians being criminalized and prosecuted for providing standard of care medical treatment, its going to make you think twice about practicing in this state, Mitchell said. Olszewski said he thought there would be a rule-making process to implement the law that he said could clarify legislative intent. He also anticipated that if LR-131 is passed by voters, it would end up in court, where legislative sponsors would have to make their intent clear. He also said he hoped for some form of public comment period for input. Referendum vs. passing a law Following the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision in which justices said the U.S. Constitution does not protect the right to an abortion, states are engaged in their own debates over access. While in Kansas recently voters overwhelming rejected ballot language that would have amended that states Constitution to say it did not guarantee the right to an abortion, LR-131 in Montana is not posing the same question of access. Still, Olszewski said Republicans wanted voters to decide. Back in 2019, Olszewskis own bill to create a born-alive law passed a GOP-majority Legislature, only to get vetoed by a Democratic governor. And though there was another attempt to pass the policy into law in 2021, Republicans decided to go the referendum route and put the question to voters. Hillary-Anne Crosby, the campaign coordinator for Compassion for Montana Families that is advocating against LR-131, said in an interview last week that Republican state lawmakers had every opportunity to pass a born-alive bill last session but instead choose to put the referendum on the ballot to energize the partys base. This lets it drag out and drag Montana families absolutely worst memories of their worst days through the mud to get this pushed just so they could drive (people) to the polls, Crosby said in an interview last week. Olszewski said that Republicans wanted voters to decide. Yes, in 2021 it could go through a Republican-dominated Senate and House and go to a Republican governor. It could have been signed in the first week of the legislative session, but this issue is so important that it was put in front of the people as the highest form of democracy to decide, Olszewski said. For Mitchell, though, hes concerned the language could be confusing to voters, with a disastrous outcome. This law is going to impact Montana families who have very desired pregnancies who have been given some of the most devastating news you can receive, Mitchell said. DELL Our family has raised cattle in southwestern Montana since 1893 , so we have weathered many changes. Over the past several decades, Americans have changed the way they see predators. Once treated as pests, wolves and bears are now conserved as part of the natural landscape. As a result, we have more wolves amid our cattle and are seeing more grizzly bears show up where theyve not been seen for decades. Many people who live in Montana or come to visit enjoy hearing wolves and or seeing a bear. But for cattle producers, having these animals nearby can be very costly. In 2013, we lost 38 calves and eight cows from our herd, in addition to our documented losses. They just disappeared. Thankfully, there are effective tools that farmers and ranchers use to mitigate the impact wildlife have both on their bottom line and their sense of safety. But we need our elected officials in Helena and Washington, D.C., to make sure these tools are funded and put in place. We have seen these tools work. Every summer, we graze our stock on a mix of private ground and leased public range in the Centennial Valley. We have a hired hand who tends to sick animals, mends fences and the like. But one person can only do so much. Since 2014, the Centennial Valley Association has hired range riders to help prevent losses amid the 12,000 head of cattle that graze the Centennial Valley. Range riders spend long days in the saddle, looking for signs of predators. They maintain remote trail cameras to record wildlife movements and keep look out for sick livestock and carcasses. Just having more people in the area can help deter predators. The CVA range riders serve six ranches. We have seen the benefits in terms of reduced losses. One time, the CVA range rider found a calf of ours that was bitten, but not killed, by a bear. That calf could be doctored and salvaged. Range riders also allow us to detect sick or dead livestock earlier. That helps determine if an animal was lost to a wolf or bear, as opposed to another cause such as eating poisonous plants like larkspur. This is good for both wildlife managers and ranchers to be able to accurately pinpoint the problem. Range riders are just one tool in the toolbox that keep stock safe and predators behaving more naturally. Other preventative tools are guardian dogs, electric fencing and systems for securing garbage and removing livestock carcasses. Sometimes, if grizzly bears or wolves kill livestock or threaten human safety, they must be destroyed. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Ranchers often invest their own money in these tools, depending on the needs of their individual operations. However, these tools are expensive and there is need to expand their use. It seems only fair that society at large pitch in for these tools, since society at large wants and benefits from the wolves and bears. Livestock producers and conservationists alike are asking Gov. Gianforte and Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines to work together and develop reliable funding sources for these kinds of tools. Ranchers know that if you degrade the resource, you wont have it very long. We put a lot of time and effort taking care of Montanas natural resources. We provide wildlife habitat, control weeds and conserve water. For example, surface water is a scarce and life-giving resource in the high dry valleys of Montana. Ranchers put a lot of time, money and effort into building and maintaining water tanks. These water sources benefit cattle, of course, but are magnets that benefit all sorts of birds and animals. These kinds of contributions are overlooked by the public at large. If I could ask for one thing for Montanas rangelands it would be more cooperation. We get more done when we work together. Montanans can resolve many problems when we work together. We do this with weed control and water conservation and should cooperate more when it comes to wildlife. Working to put more wildlife conflict prevention tools in place in the working landscapes of Montana would be a great place to start. No fall turkey hunting in Region 4 this season Montana hunters are reminded that all fall turkey hunting is closed in central Montana's Region 4 this year after regulation changes were made during the 2022-23 season setting process. The new regulation closing the fall season is an attempt to eliminate the harvest of hen turkeys, which were legal to hunt in past years. Fish, Wildlife & Parks managers hope that closing the fall season will help turkey populations expand in the region so the fall season can be re-opened in the near future. Beginning in 2022, spring turkey hunting in Region 4 is open to any hunter with a general turkey license, and will allow the harvest of male (gobbler) turkeys. In past years, hunters were required to draw a special permit in order to hunt in portions of Region 4 during the spring season. For more information and turkey hunting regulations, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/turkey. -- Montana FWP Rainbow Trailhead to close at Giant Springs State Park GREAT FALLS -- The Rainbow Trailhead, which provides access to the North Shore Trail in Giant Springs State Park, will be closed from Oct. 3-14. The closure is due to a construction project that will address spring and groundwater issues that impact the trailhead during the spring months. During this time access to the North Shore Trail and service road will be limited as parking will not be allowed at the Rainbow Trailhead or along the Rainbow Dam Road. Trail users who wish to access the North Shore Trail or the service road are asked to please utilize the Ryan Trailhead or the Sulphur Springs Trailhead instead. For more information about the construction project, contact park manager Alex Sholes at alex.sholes@mt.gov or the Giant Springs Ranger Station at 406-727-1212. -- Montana FWP Annual hawk watch event returns to Glacier Glacier National Park will host its annual Mount Brown Hawk Watch Program on Sept. 30 from noon-4 p.m. near Lake McDonald Lodge. This will be the first time in two years that this event has returned to GNP. Park biologists will teach volunteers how to identify and count migrating raptors during the event. Biologists, park staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about the integral role of raptors in our ecosystems, the risks they face, and why Glacier has started the Mount Brown Hawk Watch Program. Educators from Montana Wild Wings Recovery Center will also be on site with live raptors between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to provide close-up looks at some of the raptor species that migrate past Mount Brown. The event will begin at the Golden Eagle interpretive sign near Jammer Joes parking lot; snacks and hot beverages will be provided. Participants should come prepared with their own binoculars. Attendees need not stay for the duration of the program and may also choose to hike to an observation point just below Mount Brown Lookout. People interested in hiking up Mount Brown should call the Glacier Citizen Science Office for hike times and additional details. Each year in the fall, golden eagles migrate from northern breeding grounds to warmer climates. One of the most important North American golden eagle migration routes passes directly through Glacier National Park along the Continental Divide. Large numbers of other raptors also use this migration corridor during the fall and spring months. In the mid-1990s biologists documented nearly 2,000 golden eagles migrating past Mount Brown annually. Recent data from outside Glacier National Park indicate significant declines in golden eagle numbers. Due to this concern, the park initiated a Citizen Science Raptor Migration Project in 2011 to investigate possible locations for a Hawk Watch site. Hawk Watch sites are part of an international effort to track long-term raptor population trends using systematic migrating raptor counts. Observers also record data on sex, age, color and behavior of raptors, as well as weather and environmental conditions. To see a map of Hawk Watch sites around the world go to hawkcount.org/sitesel.php. Glacier National Park Conservancy donors provide support for this program. Contact GLAC_citizen_science@nps.gov or call 406-888-7986 for more information. DECATUR When you are the largest of something made at Caterpillar Inc.'s Decatur plant, you are already the center of attention when you show up on most work sites across the world. On Thursday, it wasn't the size of the 24 Motor Grader that put it in the spotlight. Instead it was its place in history as the 1,000th motor grader of its kind manufactured at the plant. A lot of hard work and dedication and a lot of people to got us to this moment today, said Tina Czerwinksi, the Decatur Caterpillar facility manager. And it looks beautiful. Employees from the Decatur plant were on hand during a ceremony Thursday to celebrate the milestone before the machine is shipped to its new home in Australia. We have been building the 24 Motor Grader model since 1996, Czerwinski said. Twenty-six years, hundreds of employees have contributed. One of those employees is Section Manager Megan Haurberg, who began her career with the company and the celebrated piece of machinery in 2017. I take a lot of pride in this one, she said. This ones kind of my baby. According to the company, the 24 Motor Grader model is often used at mining sites. The process of building the grader can take weeks, which includes fabrication and assembly, before it is shipped. They have exceptional operator comfort, Czerwinski said. Serviceability is really what our customers are looking for. The model has changed and updated since the first one 26 years ago. But thats always with our customer in mind, Czerwinski said. The normal processes of getting customer feedback and incorporating them with the products have evolved. This one definitely has our customers stamp on it, Czerwinski said. Caterpillar has been a major manufacturer in Decatur since 1955. The 24 Motor Grader is different from the others produced on the Decatur assembly lines, according to Haurberg. The 80-ton piece of equipment has a 24-foot long blade. Its really neat to be a part of it, to say that my hands were touching this machinery, Haurberg said. I take a lot of pride in that. Its a huge accomplishment for us. DECATUR In late July, the Macon County Democratic Party touted what it called a "historic" slate of all-female candidates for the countywide offices of clerk, sheriff and treasurer. The party nominated the candidates Kathryn McAlpine, Shannon Gutierrez Seal and Melverta Wilkins, respectively who then filed petitions for spots on the November ballot, which was permitted since no candidates filed to run for the respective offices during the Democratic primary election in late June. At the same time, Democrats nominated two candidates for Macon County Board, Jon Moore in District 3 and Tony Wilkins in District 5. But just two weeks later, it was over. All five appointed Democratic candidates withdrew from their respective races amid challenges from local Republicans to their nominating petitions. This means Republican incumbents are running unopposed in the three countywide races. And voters in District 3 and District 5 will each have three Republicans and just one Democrat to choose from in a system where the top three vote-getters win. VIEW THE OBJECTIONS/WITHDRAWALS The objections to the Democratic candidacies were filed by Macon County Republican Party chairman Bruce Pillsbury and party attorney Jerry Stocks, who alleged that the candidates' petitions were not properly notarized. Under state law, those circulating petitions have to certify with a notary the dates for circulation, that the people who signed did so in the circulator's presence and that all signatures are genuine and of people who are registered voters within the jurisdiction in which a candidate is seeking office. Pillsbury and Stocks' objections allege that several petitions were not dated and did not identify the jurisdiction in which they were notarized. The notary also omitted the names of the circulators, which would also invalidate the petitions. Their objection also raised questions about the petition circulation period. The candidates were nominated by the Macon County Democratic Party on July 24 and petitions were submitted to the Macon County Clerk's office on July 25, the deadline to fill vacant spots on the November ballot. This left less than 24 hours for the five candidates to gather signatures as they cannot be gathered prior to an appointment. Per the objection, about 979 signatures were gathered from hundreds of addresses by nine people for the five candidates. Though circumstantial, the objectors raised the question of whether the appointed candidates could have gathered so many petitions and had them properly notarized in less than a day. "In summation, the totality of circumstance evidence pervasive fraud, directly or by inference," the petition read. Four of the Democratic appointees were scheduled to appear before the Macon County Officers Electoral Board on Aug. 8 but each withdrew their candidacies before their cases could be heard. Macon County November 2022 ballot Gutierrez Seals had previously withdrawn her candidacy because she was deemed ineligible to run as a Democrat this cycle after voting in the Republican primary in June. "When things get rushed, the technicalities become somewhat cumbersome and difficult to adhere to," Stocks said. "So I think I cannot read the minds of the petitioning parties, but they recognized that there were technical issues minimally, if not more substantive matter and withdrew the petitions to moot our objections." Macon County Democratic Party chairman Karl Coleman said the party decided to withdraw the candidacies after consulting with lawyers, concluding that they stood little chance of winning at the board hearing and that it was not worth the expense to take the fight to court. Coleman said that the claims made in the objections were "unsubstantiated" and that "political antics and gamesmanship" on part of the county Republicans is what led to the Democratic withdrawals. "They're afraid of a fair fight," Coleman said. "They're afraid of having all the historic candidates that we filed to get on the ballot." "We're still dealing with that level of disenfranchisement, we're still dealing with that level of predation when it comes to voting right here in Macon County," he added. "So we ultimately made the strategic decision to help individuals that had already gotten on the ballot get their name out and do that instead of challenging in the court system." Democrats have been reeling from years of Republican gains at the county level. This manifested itself last year when Republicans approved a new county board map that reduced the body's size and eliminated the only minority-majority district in a county that's one-fifth Black. Though one of the districts has a 46% African American population, Coleman said the party is still exploring a lawsuit that will allege that the map violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Any legal action would likely come after the November election, Coleman said. But in this case, the Democratic county party chair said the odds were stacked against them given that the three-member board that would have heard the case is all Republican. But Stocks dismissed this interpretation. "It's a cover story for the Democrats' failure to put a candidate on the ballot in a timely manner," Stocks said. "It's what's called a pretext, an excuse and, ultimately, my direct response is that it reflects a pathetic departure from common sense." Stocks added that he makes "no apologies as an attorney for a political party to hold the other side to comply with the requirements of law. "And we still were going to beat every last one of them 60-40 come this fall," Stocks said. "Macon County is a red county and, probably, our objections were more an act of mercy for those candidates than it was a transgression against them." Macon County Clerk Josh Tanner, who serves on the Macon County Officers Electoral Board with State's Attorney Scott Rueter and Circuit Clerk Sherry Doty, pointed out that its makeup "is set in (state) statute and it doesn't ever envision political makeup. It just names officers." He said he could not speak to the merits of the objection because they never examined the evidence since the candidates withdrew before the hearing. "I feel like candidates who follow the rules and who comply, I think they get a fair hearing," Tanner said. One of the candidates, Melverta Wilkins, however, is not giving up. She filed to run as a write-in candidate for county treasurer against Republican incumbent John Jackson. Her intent to be a write-in candidate, a prerequisite, was filed with a notary public's seal dated and with the jurisdiction identified. DECATUR As police continue to hunt his killer, a coroners jury formally concluded Wednesday that 17-year-old Decatur man Damarion W. Wright had been the victim of a homicide. Decatur police officers had found Wright with a fatal gunshot wound to the forehead after responding to a shots-fired call on the evening of Aug. 8 in the 1200 block of East Sedgwick Street. Giving evidence to the Macon County Coroners jury, Det. Scott Marquis said: Witnesses in the area described hearing between seven and 10 gunshots. Witnesses then described cars speeding off after the shots were heard; multiple shell casings were also located near the front door of 1212 East Sedgwick. Responding to a question from Coroner Michael E. Day, Marquis said Wright had been armed with a handgun later found tucked into the waistband of his pants. But the detective said Wright had not fired the weapon and there was no indication he had taken part in any gun battle before he was shot to death. Marquis told the jury that no arrests have been made so far and the murder case remains under investigation. Day told the jury that an autopsy finding said the head wound would have been lethal within minutes and it appeared the fatal shot was fired from some distance away from the victim. A check of Herald & Review archives shows the area where the shooting occurred was involved in more gun violence just a day before Wrights death. A few blocks away at the intersection of North Illinois and East Main streets, two men and a woman were shot but survived their wounds after early morning gunfire. Commenting at the time, Det. Sgt. Steve Carroll said police arriving at the scene had been confronted by a large crowd with several aggressive people and officers had received no help or cooperation. " " Animal lover Kate Ward takes to the streets of London Oct. 15, 1968 collecting money for her retinue of rescued dogs. Ronald Dumont/Express/Getty Images It's 1975 and traffic is backed up on London Road, which runs right through the center of Camberley, England. Motorists are impatient, honking their horns and leaning out windows to see why there is a delay. Somewhere ahead, a spritely woman wearing a beret atop her gray hair is navigating a handmade two-wheel pushcart down the center of the road, taking at least two dozen dogs on an outing. Most of the former strays are tied to the green-painted cart with a bit of string, while the infirm among them are seated in the cart. A couple of the dogs bound unleashed beside the woman. Most of them are barking up a storm and wagging their tails, living their best lives. Meet Kate Ward, later known as "Camberley Kate," who may well have been the U.K.'s first dog rescuer. Near this small town, with a current population of less than 40,000, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southwest of London, Camberley Kate single-handedly took in and cared for at least 600 dogs (and several cats) from 1943 until her death Aug. 4, 1979, at age 84. Advertisement "She would harness all the dogs up to her cart and set off for town to visit the butchers for bones, and quite often this would hold up all the traffic, but she ignored the honks from impatient drivers," says Heather Driscoll-Woodford, curator of the Remembering Camberley Kate Facebook page, in an email interview. "So it was quite a spectacle and became something that people associated with the town: the lady with all the dogs." In some ways, the medieval Nizari Ismaili strategy actually seems like a less brutal way to wage war than their adversaries with conventional armies, who often wreaked destruction upon civilians as well as the enemy. As modern Ismaili scholars have emphasized, the medieval faction acted in self-defense, and attacked only political and military figures, but not the larger population. And as Waterson notes, they turned to targeted killings largely out of necessity not to seize power, but to survive. "The Nizari Ismailis were essentially a very conservative faction, and very limited in terms of their appeals for mass conversion, and essentially wanted to continue their way of life and their way of faith without persecution," Waterson, an alumnus of the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London and a former teacher, explains in a lengthy email. Advertisement Though the Nizari Ismailis had fortified strongholds, they lacked the military might and numbers to withstand sieges by enemy armies. Waterson describes Hassan Sabah, their founder, as a highly educated man with experience in government, who wisely made the calculation that the best way to relieve the pressure from a superior besieging force was to decapitate it. "Hitting at the top of the pyramid when you have limited resources shows a clear understanding of the military society he was facing," Waterson says. A lot of fantastical myths about the Nizari Ismailis' fighters some of them concocted by enemies who sought to demonize them still are floating around. Their adversaries, at a loss to explain their effectiveness, portrayed them as fanatics driven by visions of paradise induced by smoking hashish. (The term assassin comes from a medieval Latin word, assassinus, derived from the Arabic term for hashish user, according to Merriam-Webster.) Venetian merchant, adventurer and memoirist Marco Polo, who came along after the group's defeat by the Mongols, bought into those myths, depicting them as young males "from the age of twelve to twenty years, selected from the inhabitants of the surrounding mountains, who showed a disposition for martial exercises, and appeared to possess the quality of daring courage." And while it's tempting for the modern mind, conditioned by comic books, movie blockbusters and video games, to imagine them as a secretive force of martial arts experts fluent in multiple languages, trained from boyhood to possess extraordinary fighting skill and mastery of the arts of deception, the reality was less exotic. Historians depict the Assassins as ordinary people who were willing to risk their lives and often to be sacrificed out of religious piety and to protect their community. "In this age pretty much every male carried sidearms, and farmers as we know from the chronicles, were just as capable of inflicting damage on military forces as regular soldiers," Waterson says. And though one of the dagger-wielding assassins' classic tactics was to infiltrate enemy leaders' defenses by posing as lowly servants, harmless civilians or religious clerics, they didn't need to be masters of disguise. "What I feel is more likely is that the internal religious fervor of the assassins allowed them to be sleepers for very long periods of time within the entourage and close personal guards of the possible candidates for assassination," Waterson says. "The assassin within your guard could then simply be 'turned on' by messaging from the grandmaster of either Syria or Persia. We see this in a number of anecdotes related to the Sultan Saladin, who at one point felt so little trust in his close personal guard that he took to sleeping in a high wooden mobile tower." CABARRUS COUNTY The Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office has identified the student it says is responsible for handwritten bomb threats that caused Northwest Cabarrus High School to evacuate two days in a row this week. The name of the student has not been released. The Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office received information regarding handwritten notes received by school staff at Northwest Cabarrus High School that detailed bomb threats at the school on Sept. 19 and 20. The school was evacuated on both occasions due to concerns for safety of students and staff. Along with representatives of Cabarrus County Schools, the sheriffs office was able to identify a student who was involved with the creation and distribution of the notes, officials stated. The student was confirmed to be the distributor of the notes following an investigation, authorities said. A search of the students home showed they did not have access to materials for creating bombs. The sheriffs office and the N.C. Department of Juvenile Justice are working together on the incident and charges are currently pending. Northwest Cabarrus High School was not the only school in the area to receive bomb threats. Jay M. Robinson High School, Cox Mill High School and Cox Mill Elementary School were all evacuated Tuesday, Sept. 20. Parents were made aware of the evacuations from a Cabarrus County Schools message. The school district said the students were evacuated out of an abundance of caution. Law enforcement swept all schools with bomb units. Following the threats, there has been an increased police presence at the schools. Cabarrus County Schools Superintendent John Kopicki said situations like these can be disruptive and stressful for everyone. Anytime you have a disruption to the school day, it is a very difficult thing. Its very stressful for our students, for our community, for our parents, Kopicki said. Cox Mill was evacuated for a second day Wednesday, Sept. 21. The threat at the high school also caused Cox Mill Elementary School, which is just across the street, to go into lockdown. Those three schools, Jay M. Robinson High School, Cox Mill High School and Cox Mill Elementary, were evacuated due to bomb threats made through a phone call, officials confirmed. When asked if all the threats in the school district were connected, the sheriffs office declined to comment. The investigation is still very active, and I do not want to comment on connectivity at this time to avoid jeopardizing the investigation, Sheriff Van Shaw stated. Cabarrus County was not the only school district to receive bomb threats this week. Mooresville High School was also evacuated due to threats Sept. 20. Like the threats made to Cabarrus County schools, the threat was made through a phone call. Two Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools also received bomb threats this week. Law enforcement agencies are investigating the source of every bomb threat in each district. The deal is a result of months of back and forth between centrist Democrats and the left flank of the caucus. Some Democrats had urged passage of the package of bills ahead of the midterm elections as a counter to GOP attacks that paint Democrats as anti-police. Moderate and vulnerable swing-district Democrats have argued that "defund the police" language led to the party losing a surprising number of House seats in the 2020 election. Those involved with the negotiations gave credit to the Congressional Black Caucus, particularly Chairwoman Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), for moderating negotiations between centrist and liberal lawmakers over the summer. Liberals joined CBC members in initially objecting to a vote for any police funding bill that did not include accountability provisions when leaders tried to pass the package this summer. "There is no perfect bill and there is no perfect answer," Beatty said of the compromise. "All of my members will not necessarily be celebrating or honoring it, but we will continue to work." Leadership had intended to pass a more robust public safety package in July, tying it to legislation that would ban assault weapons. But members of the Black and Progressive caucuses balked, arguing that any police funding bill should also have language that addresses police accountability. include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/templates/double_ads.asp"; ?> Beatty, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and leaders ultimately reached a deal to add specific details into the moderates' proposals, but Progressive Caucus members and civil rights groups successfully lobbied to separate the assault weapons ban from the public safety package. That episode became the most recent headache for Democratic leaders as they try to appease different factions within their caucus who represent disparate groups of voters. It has remained a struggle that has at times defined the caucus this term as members work to overcome differences at the last minute in an effort to salvage legislative priorities. House Democrats left for their August recess with the promise that they would return to pass the public safety priorities, adding another win into their messaging arsenal ahead of November. But according to multiple members and aides who support funding the police, members were in no rush to pass the package for fear that doing so would expose deep divisions within the caucus at a time when Democrats were finally seeing some voter enthusiasm return after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade during the summer. Party leaders, the Congressional Black Caucus chair, moderate and liberal lawmakers reached a deal Wednesday hours after beginning final negotiations with the goal of voting before the House adjourns next week to campaign ahead of the midterms. The groups were able to strike a deal with Gottheimer to fund police departments with 125 officers or fewer and direct some money to officer training, community safety and police accountability. The money may not be used to make new hires but can be redirected for mental health efforts. The Invest to Protect Act also includes legislation proposed by Reps. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) and Val Demings (D-Fla.) that prioritizes sending unarmed first responders into situations involving people experiencing a mental health crisis; provides federal grants for communities practicing violence intervention and prevention; and offers assistance to law enforcement in solving gun crimes and supporting shooting victims. However, even if the House passes the legislation along party lines, it is not a priority for an evenly split Senate. It is unlikely 10 Republicans would join Democrats to overcome the Senate filibuster. To be sure, it was difficult for House Democrats to reach this moment. Negotiators decided to pull a bipartisan bill proposed by Spanberger and Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) from the package since an agreement was not reached on police accountability after the lawmakers had proposed doubling funding for a Justice Department grant given to local police stations. Spanberger said accountability measures were difficult to include in her proposal because it is a long-standing program and not a new one that can more easily be molded, like the Gottheimer bill for small police departments. Another proposal by Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Mich.) that would give the Justice Department $50 million for marketing campaigns to help recruit more police officers nationwide also was removed. include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/$theme/includes/sidebar.php"; ?> There was a time in the not-so-distant past when the United States and its European allies were seemingly a stone's throw away from clinching a nuclear agreement with Iran after 16 months of arduous talks. Western officials were downright giddy; European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, the man responsible for shepherding the negotiations across the finish line, told reporters last month that he was hopeful a deal could be finalized in a matter of days. U.S. officials joined the chorus of optimism, with White House national security spokesman John Kirby observing "we're closer now than we had been in weeks and months" thanks to Tehran's decision to drop extraneous demands. What a difference a few weeks makes. The Americans and Europeans are no longer using phrases such as "cautiously optimistic" to describe the current state of things. The same European governments that once applauded Iran for at least working with them in a constructive manner are now seriously questioning whether Tehran has the willingness and capacity to take yes for an answer. On Sept. 12, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken put the onus squarely on Iran's shoulders for yet again stalling the process. "What we've seen over the last week or so in Iran's response to the proposal put forward by the European Union is clearly a step backward and makes prospects for an agreement in the near-term unlikely," Blinken assessed. Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here. If this isn't bleak enough, the normally patient Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is getting exceedingly frustrated with Iran's utter lack of cooperation. Even before the Iranians removed some of the IAEA's cameras from several nuclear facilities in June, the agency's experts have been unable to evaluate the full extent of Tehran's nuclear activities. What the international community regards as deliberate nuclear brinkmanship, the Iranian government views as necessary leverage to push Washington into signing an agreement on its terms. And that leverage is only growing according to the latest IAEA report, Iran possesses more than 55 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, enough fuel for a nuclear bomb if enriched to weapons-grade levels. At this point, it's increasingly obvious that the U.S. and Iran are talking past each other. While the Iranians are no longer insisting that Washington delist the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization, they remain strongly opposed to reimplementing the 2015 nuclear deal (officially named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA) until the IAEA drops its ongoing investigation on unexplained uranium traces found in facilities Tehran didn't even bother to declare. The IAEA, as well as the U.S. and its E3 partners (the United Kingdom, France and Germany) have emphatically rejected this demand as the diplomatic version of gaslighting. If the Iranians want the investigation dropped, Western officials say, all they have to do is answer questions to the agency's satisfaction. Another major issue concerns economic relief. Spurned financially after then-President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal and reimposed broad-based sanctions on the Iranian economy, Tehran has no intention of reliving the experience. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has tasked his negotiators with pressing for a U.S. guarantee that any foreign entities conducting business inside Iran will be able to continue their operations in the event another U.S. president leaves the deal. include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/templates/double_ads.asp"; ?> But there's a big problem: President Joe Biden can't bind his predecessor to such an arrangement any more than former President Barack Obama could have prevented Trump from shredding the deal and creating this mess in the first place. Even if Biden had the supermajority on Capitol Hill to formalize a renewed Iran nuclear deal as a treaty, the kind of support Biden could only dream about, a future president who despised the agreement could simply nullify the treaty by withdrawing participation. Practically speaking, the best the Biden administration can offer is a promise that U.S. sanctions relief will continue for as long as Biden or a Biden-esque successor is in office. Such a promise, however, is likely to be insufficient to the Iranians, who despite their apparent ignorance of the U.S. system of checks and balances nonetheless have a decent understanding of how controversial the JCPOA is inside the Beltway. Therefore, after nearly a year and a half of intense negotiations, the diplomatic process may be stuck at a point where the most the U.S. is willing to give still comes short of what Iran is able to accept. If this is indeed the case, then the entire affair is treading on the thinnest of ice. In a situation such as this, when both sides are impervious to more concessions and patience is all but exhausted, the only way the participants can reach the top of the summit is if one of them concludes that the benefits of clinching a good-enough deal are worth the costs of modifying (or dare I say, backing down) from their position. Is there still a faint glimmer of hope the U.S. and Iran can upend the grim expectations of the pessimists, just as they forced the optimists to hold off on the Champagne toasts? Yes, there is. But for a negotiation that has proved to have as many ups and downs as the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Great America, confidently predicting the outcome would be a fool's errand. (COMMENT, BELOW) Daniel DePetris Chicago Tribune/(TNS) Daniel DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities and a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune. Regulars who usually never tipped put money in the pizzeria's tip jar. A few older men winked at Velez, 21, as they dropped in cash. Another man, who Velez guessed was in his 30s, tried to flirt with her for 10 minutes before asking her if she was a high school student. About halfway through her shift, the University of North Florida student began to suspect that it was her pigtails that made her tips double. She typically made $45 to $75 in tips during double shifts, but she earned $140 that day. On a whim, she made a TikTok about what had happened. "It's something that you notice, and then you never unsee it," Velez said. "It drew a lot of attention to the fact that young women are definitely fetishized." The TikTok post was viewed 1.4 million times, and comments streamed in from others who had similar experiences. "i do it because it's such an easy hairstyle when i forgot to put up my hair but i'm always getting hit on by older men and now it makes sense," one commenter wrote. "Wait this makes me nervous I didn't think ab that one time I wore two braid pigtails cuz I was running late and got a 15 dollar tip that night," said another. When Bella Woodard saw Velez's TikTok and others commenting about how "tiptails" brought in extra cash, Woodard decided to try it herself. include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/templates/double_ads.asp"; ?> The 21-year-old usually styled her hair in a low ponytail or braids and earned from $200 to $400 a night from tips at her summer job at Neptunes Kitchen and Dive Bar in North Carolina. "If this works . . . that is so weird and gross," Woodard said in a TikTok that shows her putting her hair into pigtails before her shift. "But I'm down for more tips, so it doesn't matter." That night, one man gave her a $135 tip, and since then, her nightly tips when she wears pigtails have increased to about $400 to $500. The pigtails were such a hit that Woodard vowed to continue sporting her hairstyle. "A lot of older men would tell me they really liked my pigtails and would make little comments about my hair," she said. "It was very odd." Woodard's video garnered 5.6 million views. After watching the video, one viewer said she would never put pigtails in her daughter's hair again. A former Hooters employee commented that servers there don't wear pigtails because "it sexualizes little girls, we stay true to that rule." (Some Hooters of America workers were not happy with the new, more revealing uniform shorts rolled out last year, but the business later said employees could choose which shorts they wanted to wear.) Other servers like Velez and Woodard have been part of a viral TikTok trend showing that wearing pigtails is a moneymaker. However, the phenomenon has also sparked criticism over how women in the service industry are tipped based on their appearance and widely harassed in hospitality roles. Although the servers' pigtail stories are far from scientific, experts aren't surprised. Young women, single mothers and immigrants make up most of the hospitality industry's server, runner and busser workforce, said Sekou Siby, chief executive and president of the worker-led nonprofit Restaurant Opportunities Centers United. Because service workers are heavily reliant on tips, they often have little choice but to accept mistreatment from diners, he said. "It's very discomforting. I have my own daughter in college working in a restaurant," he said. "She switched restaurants four times because of this type of situation." ARTHUR The Illinois Amish Heritage Center is hosting a public horse-drawn slip scraper groundbreaking event at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at its campus located between Arcola and Arthur, on Illinois Route 133. To kick off the process of the Herschberger-Miller barn raising later in October, the Illinois Amish Heritage Center will use a one-of-a-kind way of breaking the ground by horse-drawn plow, which was very common during the era of the original barn usage. Several board members of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center will operate the plow, as well as descendants of the Herschberger-Miller family. The Herschberger-Miller barn, that was originally constructed 3 miles west of Arthur in 1879, was dismantled last spring. During this process, the 143-year structure was tagged, labeled, dismantled piece by piece, and will be relocated, refurbished, and rebuilt at its new home, Illinois Amish Heritage Center. A two-day public Barn Raising is scheduled for from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday and Saturday Oct. 28-29. MATTOON The space at 1614 Broadway Ave. downtown has remained an empty lot since the former Shores Jewelry there was demolished following a fire in 2019. However, community leaders announced Thursday morning that this lot is set to gain new purpose as a pocket park through $50,000 from the T-Mobile Hometown Grants program to the Mattoon in Motion community planning effort. Mattoon in Motion submitted the grant application in late summer with the help of Alex Benishek, a Mattoon-assigned fellow in community development from the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs and Western Illinois University. Benishek said the volunteers with Mattoon in Motion, which relies extensively on grant funding, had been formulating ideas for vacant 1614 Broadway when they decided to apply to T-Mobile. "The T-Mobile Hometown Grants program is really going to make this project a reality," Benishek said following the grant announcement at the planned pocket park. He said during the announcement event, "This is an opportunity for our community to turn this space into something we can all be proud of and show the resiliency of Mattoon." Benishek said the project's grant application received messages of support from community groups such as the adjacent Mattoon Area Family YMCA, which could hold programs in the pocket park, and the Douglas-Hart Nature Center, which plans to provide pollinator plants for this site. He said Mattoon in Motion will continue to pursue other funding sources to help build up the park. He said plans are still being finalized for the park, which could become part of a local nonprofit group. During the announcement event at the planned pocket park, Mayor Rick Hall noted that the city of Mattoon has been continuing to make streetscaping improvements along Broadway Avenue downtown. These improvements include installing decorative street light, plus new sidewalks that incorporate bricks. "(The park) is going to be beautiful. It's going to be a great addition downtown and it will fit in with a lot of other things we have been doing here," Hall said. Harold Shores, whose jewelry store is now located in a newly constructed stand-alone building at 1320 Broadway Ave., attended the announcement event and spoke as part of a video that was presented there. Shores recalled watching in shock as his building burned and being relieved that everyone there safely evacuated. Shores said he is glad to hear the lot will be used for greenspace as a park. "I think that will be a nice space for downtown, something to bring more people downtown," Shores said of this lot, which is located next to Luigi's Italian Restaurant. T-Mobile was represented at the announcement event by Nick Acquaviva, marketing manager; Pete Belmonte, indirect sales manager; and Thomas Wiczek, retail store manager. Acquaviva said T-Mobile plans to award a total of $25 million in funding to community projects across the country through its grant program in the next five years, adding that they were impressed by Mattoon's application. "We are super excited to do this for you guys," Acquaviva said of the $50,000 grant. "I am looking forward to coming down. I am in this market all the time. I want to see this (park) when it's done. I'm sure it's going to be amazing." Let's have a conversation about immigration. An honest one. In sending migrants to liberal states, the Republican governors of Florida, Texas and Arizona engaged in what even The Wall Street Journal slammed as "political stunts" that turn human beings into "political props." Its purpose was to blame Democrats for the current chaos at the border. The truth is that Republicans, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, have stymied serious efforts, even conservative ones, to curb the flow of undocumented immigrants. Florida is every bit as much a "sanctuary state" as New York. DeSantis just doesn't call it that. One can argue that President Joe Biden has made the situation worse with his talk about a kinder, more open approach to immigration. His fine expressions of humanity set off a stampede of people trying their luck at the border. The vast majority of illegal entrants come here for jobs. Many simply claim asylum knowing that the clogged immigration courts won't get them a first hearing for an average 810 days, during which time they can set roots in America. And so how is the Republican Party at fault? Strip away its hollering about illegal immigration, and you have a party that has stopped nearly every effort to get at the root of the problem. The only solution is to remove the job magnet, and there's already a system in place to do that. E-Verify lets employers quickly check a database to determine whether a new hire may legally work in this country. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security runs it. A few states mandate that all employers use E-Verify. Not Florida. DeSantis and his Republican legislature passed a law requiring only companies doing business with the state and some big private employers to use E-Verify. Left out are most restaurants, tourist operations, maintenance services, construction companies -- the very businesses that employ large numbers of undocumented workers. In his campaign, former President Donald Trump made a promise to make E-Verify mandatory nationwide. Once in office, he dropped it. His "plan" for an immigration fix made no mention of E-Verify. As Trump explained to Fox News, "E-Verify is so tough that in some cases, like farmers, they're not -- they're not equipped for E-Verify." In other words, it made hiring illegal labor too hard. In 2013, the Senate passed, in a bipartisan vote, an immigration reform bill that would have required all employers to electronically verify a right to work in the U.S. As a compromise, it would have legalized the status of most undocumented immigrants already in the country. But when the bill got to the House, then-Speaker John Boehner refused to put it up for a vote. Though it would have easily passed, the measure did not have the support of a majority of Republican members. They railed against another amnesty for "lawbreakers," ignoring that E-Verify would have made it the last amnesty. But there was also their hush-hush campaign to keep cheap labor flowing to their business supporters. The Wall Street Journal even called for a constitutional amendment saying, "There shall be open borders." Look where we are almost 10 years later. If America needs more workers -- and it appears it does -- then it should admit more immigrants through the front door. In the meantime, municipalities should stop declaring themselves "sanctuary cities." And Republicans running their mouths about stopping the tide of illegal entrants should own up to their hypocrisy and actually make the hard choices. You want to find illegal workers? Check out the kitchens in Miami, Orlando and West Palm Beach. DeSantis has made sure that opportunity to evade our immigration laws continues to knock, papers not required. And that's the truth. Home flipping in the Winston-Salem metropolitan statistical area remained elevated during the second quarter, though down modestly from the previous report, according to a Thursday release from national real-estate research firm Attom Data Solutions. Flipped homes are those purchased and subsequently sold again within 12 months. The MSA consists of Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes and Yadkin counties. Attom had the five-county metro with 438, which represented 12.4% of all home sales during the second quarter. The total represented a 67.2% jump from a year ago, but also an 8.2% decline from the first quarter. The metro is on pace to set another yearly flipping record after reaching 1,203 in 2021. Those flipping the homes grossed on average $74,500, representing a $165,500 purchase price and a $240,000 flipped price. The gross profit a year ago was $70,000. The average square footage for flipped homes was 1,534. It took an average of 144 days to complete the flipping of a home, compared with 167 days a year ago. About 66% of home flippers used cash with the purchase, while 34% borrowed money. About 43.4% were sold to cash buyers, while 5.9% were bought by buyers utilizing a Federal Housing Administration loan. By comparison, the Greensboro-High Point MSA had 441 flipped homes sold in the second quarter, up 53.8% over the year, but down 4.4% from the first quarter. Those sales made up 11.3% of the home sale market in the first quarter. The three-county metro of Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham also are on a record annual pace. There were 1,262 flipped homes sold in 2021. Those flipping the homes in the Greensboro-High Point MSA grossed on average $62,000, representing a $165,000 purchase price and a $227,000 flipped price. The average square footage for flipped homes was 1,425. The average time it took to flip a home sold during the first quarter was 137 days, down from 148 days a year ago. About 65% of home flippers used cash with the purchase, while 35% borrowed money. About 48% were sold to cash buyers, while 5.4% were bought by buyers utilizing a Federal Housing Administration loan. The second quarter was another strong showing for fix-and-flip investors, said Rick Sharga, executive vice president of market intelligence for Attom. The total number of properties flipped was the second-highest total weve recorded in the past 22 years. Sharga said the big question is whether the fix-and-flip market will begin to lose steam, as overall home sales have declined dramatically over the past few months, and the cost of financing has virtually doubled over the past year. The other North Carolina metro areas had a similar boost in flipped homes sold, typically with a higher average sale price for a larger average home. The Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord MSA had 2,032 flipped homes sold during the second quarter, up 54.3% from a year ago. Those sales made up 13.1% of the market. Those flipping the homes grossed on average $61,000, representing a $280,000 purchase price and a $341,000 flipped price. The average square footage for flipped homes was 1,576. The average time it took to flip a home sold was 143 days during the second quarter, up from 130 days a year ago. The Durham-Chapel Hill MSA had 236 flipped homes sold in the second quarter, up 35.3% from a year ago. Those sales made up 8.5% of the market. Those flipping the homes grossed on average $72,000, representing a $288,000 purchase price and a $360,000 flipped price. The average square footage for flipped homes was 1,470. The average time it took to flip a home sold was 148 days, up from 35 days a year ago. The Raleigh-Cary MSA had 737 flipped homes sold in the second quarter, up 31.8% from a year ago. Those sales made up 9.8% of the market. Those flipping the homes grossed on average $60,000, representing a $120,000 purchase price and an $180,000 flipped price. The average square footage for flipped homes was 1,663. The average time it took to flip a home sold was 144 days, up from 134 days a year ago. Juul Labs Inc. has filed as expected a federal lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration as part of its attempt to keep its controversial electronic-cigarette products available on retail shelves. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in the federal District Court for the District of Columbia. On July 6, the FDA backed off for now on proceeding with a ban of Juul e-cigarettes that it announced June 23. The decision comes after a federal judge issued on June 24 a temporary hold on the marketing denial order. The hold allows Juul to continue selling its e-cigarettes and related products. We took this necessary action as we remain concerned about the inequitable treatment of our applications given the political pressure on the agency to reach a specific result, Juul said in a statement. This action will help us obtain information about the FDA review of our applications relevant to our continued appeal of the agencys decision. In the complaint, Juul is requesting the FDA respond to two Freedom of Information Act requests for the scientific disciplinary reviews underlying its regulatory decision. The agency invoked one of the most widely abused exemptions the deliberative process privilege to withhold the majority of those materials, according to the complaint. But, the withheld materials are central to understanding the basis for FDAs marketing denial order, whether FDA balanced the public health benefits and risks of Juul Labs products as the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act requires, and whether FDAs reasoning is scientifically sound. The manufacturer said that the public deserves a complete picture of the scientific facts behind one of the agencys most controversial and closely scrutinized decisions in recent years, especially where even FDA recognizes its order is suspect. FDA response The FDA said it does not comment on active litigation. In July, the FDA updated its stance on Juul products by posting the agency has determined that there are scientific issues unique to the Juul application that warrant additional review. This administrative stay temporarily suspends the marketing denial order during the additional review, but does not rescind it. The FDA did not indicate how long the additional scientific review would take. The tweets represent a significant change in message and tone from its June 23 announcement. At that time, the FDA said it had rejected Juuls pre-market tobacco product applications, saying they lacked sufficient evidence regarding the toxicological profile of the products to demonstrate that marketing of the products would be appropriate for the protection of the public health. In the pre-market application process, the FDA considers products risks and benefits to the population as a whole, including users and non-users. An FDA authorization is required for products to be legally marketed in the U.S. The FDA previously said Juul must stop selling and distributing these products. In addition, those currently on the U.S. market must be removed, or risk enforcement action. FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf said in a June 23 statement that the step was further progress on the FDAs commitment to ensuring that all e-cigarette and electronic nicotine delivery system products currently being marketed to consumers meet our public health standards. Marketplace effect Tobacco industry analysts have cited the legal and regulatory uncertainty about Juul products for a significant market-share decrease this year. For example, the market-share gap between Vuse and Juul electronic cigarettes has stretched to a double-digit lead for Vuse in the latest Nielsen analysis of convenience-store data. The analysis, released Tuesday, covers the four-week period ending Sept. 10. Vuses market share rose from 39% in the previous report to 39.7%, compared with Juul declining from 29.4% to 28.1%. Vuse also edged ahead of Juul in the year-over-year comparison at 32.9% to 32.7%, respectively. According to Barclays, Nielsen largely covers the big chains. For the smaller chains, the group extrapolates trends, which is why trend changes dont appear immediately in Nielsen. Juul settlements On Sept. 6, Juul reached a settlement agreement with 32 states thats worth up to $438.5 million, according to a joint attorneys general statement Tuesday. The settlement resolves a two-year, bipartisan investigation into the e-cigarette manufacturers marketing and sales practices, particularly toward youths. Juul said terms of the agreement are aligned with our current business practices, which we started to implement after our company-wide reset in the fall of 2019. The multi-state settlement follows a landmark June 2021 agreement between Juul and N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein in which the manufacturer agreed to pay the state $40 million over six years to resolve Steins legal complaint. Stein said North Carolina was the first state to successfully hold Juul accountable for its role in spiking teen use and dependence on e-cigarettes. In November, Juul reached a settlement with Arizonas attorney general in which it agreed to pay $14.5 million. Each settlement requires Juul to make drastic changes to the way it conducts business, particularly marketing campaigns that have proven attractive to youths. The multi-state investigation found that Juul relentlessly marketed to underage users with launch parties, advertisements using young and trendy-looking models, social media posts and free samples. Juul said it has been attempting to reset the FDAs view of its products and its reputation over the past year. As part of that process, the company reduced its product portfolio, halted television, print and digital product advertising, built up its science and evidence-based capabilities, and supported the Trump administrations final flavor policy for ENDS products, while taking a methodical approach to its global presence, the company said. Lets take Deputy Barney Fifes advice and just nip it in the bud right now, shall we? No, President Bidens administration has not been secretly flying untold thousands of illegal immigrants from the Southern border and dropping them off in other states, with no notice and no resources, just like those dastardly Republican governors. Yet judging from the letters weve received recently, claiming such, almost always with the same wording, its obvious that the Republican propaganda machine has been hard at work promoting this talking point. The claim has already been utilized by several candidates for office, like Republican Tyler Kistner, running for a second time for a U.S. House seat in Minnesota, whose ad claims that Biden has been secretly flying illegal immigrants into communities across the country in the middle of the night. Its that in the middle of the night part that really gets us. Lets make it sound as ominous as possible. Heres whats really going on: Thanks to Title 42, implemented by former President Trump and upheld by the courts during the Biden administration, most border detainees are turned back. Those who are allowed to remain in the U.S. are often unaccompanied minors, who are released to a parent or sponsor in the U.S. after requesting asylum. As Tom Kertscher of Politifact reports: If family members or approved sponsors are not able to arrange transportation, the federal government pays for transportation, including flights. The charter flights are not publicized and sometimes are done in the middle of the night to protect the confidentiality of those being transported and to guard against anyone who would interfere with the flights. Which, in these days of unhinged activists, is perfectly reasonable. So no, its nothing like Gov. Ron DeSantis spending millions of taxpayer dollars to lure 50 Venezuelan migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard with false promises of jobs and money. As a result of his stunt, DeSantis is now under criminal investigation and spinning like a top or like a Trump with a new defense for his bad behavior every few hours. Incidentally, the Venezuelan migrants are here legally. Another talking point that was quickly crushed was the pre-emptive claim that this would surely send liberal heads spinning out of control, right? Wrong. Instead, a team of volunteers with Marthas Vineyard Community Services quickly responded with food and make-shift shelter. As CBS Boston reported, A steady stream of locals from Marthas Vineyard dropped off bins of clothes and bags of food at a shelter set up in St. Andrews Episcopal Church Thursday. In addition, local high school students studying Spanish showed up to help translate. Its the result of those liberal values forced on them by Marxist teachers, you know. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker one of the few remaining moderate Republican legislators then deployed the National Guard to help move the migrants to a military base on Cape Cod where theyll receive food and legal aid. So, no, it wasnt like Sen. Ted Cruz hyperventilated in a tweet: The rich, liberal people of Marthas Vineyard DEPORTED THE ILLEGAL ALIENS WITHIN 24 HOURS. They didnt deport the asylum seekers. They assisted the asylum seekers. Its all a bit reminiscent of the Scripture: When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. We sympathize with border state governors who have thrown up their hands while their skimpy social services are strained by the large numbers of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants entering their states. We know it creates problems. We agree with other critics that Congress Republicans and Democrats has dropped the ball when it comes to immigration reform. But thats no excuse to be a terrible human being. Its no excuse to lie to vulnerable, desperate people and use them as political props. The situation can be improved by voting in November for compassionate, competent representatives who vow to solve problems rather than firebrands who promise to tweet a lot and own the libs. UNCSA could do it For me, the jury is still out as to whether I consider the dandelion an appropriate representation of Winston-Salem to be prominently displayed in our city. The runners-up for the prized commission were reported in the Journal recently (What came in second? Sept. 15), and were indeed interesting, but not necessarily noteworthy. Consider that there is a world-renowned arts conservatory, aka the UNC School of the Arts, right here in our town. I find it perplexing that the students and faculty werent consulted or employed to produce public art of this sort, and rarely, if ever, are. Not only would the students and faculty advisers benefit through recognition for the work, I would imagine the commission would be less expensive. Most importantly, it would be a permanent installation that showcases a significant institution in Winston-Salem. I have every confidence that UNCSAs Design and Production Department could come up with something more eye-catching, interesting and meaningful for our town. Mark Biggam Winston-Salem Reverse course Reverse the changes. Bring back the comics that were. And do it now, please! Marvin Scherl Germanton Gray areas We teach our children right from wrong using tools like the Ten Commandments; we use behaviors like kindness, care and love to show whats right; and behaviors like meanness, hitting and bullying to show whats wrong. For the most part, children learn right from wrong with a black-and-white perspective, because of their limited cognitive development. In adulthood the world becomes more complex, as does right from wrong. While its nice to live in a black-and-white world, its not easy, or always appropriate. What comes to mind is abortion. The commandment, Thou Shall Not Kill, is black-and-white. But, the law says if someone kills in self-defense, thats OK. Yet, sometimes it takes a jury to determine self-defense. Black and white has now become very gray. In the case of abortion, questions arise like: When does life begin? Is the fetus viable? Is the mothers life in danger? Is the baby the product of the violent act of rape and how does this affect the mother? Who will raise this child? The state can say the child must be born, but the state has an unacceptable record for raising unwanted children. I cant say in good conscience that I can decide for every pregnant woman what is best under her circumstances. Nor do I believe the state/law can. This seems like a case for personal choice/freedom when under the care and advice of medical and psychological professionals. Ken Burkel Clemmons Focus On Monday, former President Trump commented on how he would have been given a better seat at Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral, had he attended rather than President Biden. Thank God that, after the death of a beloved matriarch with a rich history, admired by people around the world, Trump refocused the attention on where it properly belongs: on himself. Howard Greene Winston-Salem No Say it is not so! Youve deleted Slylock Fox! My family enjoyed solving that puzzle together. We are so sad! The printed paper is the ultimate disappearing act. Jessica Telligman Winston-Salem Humor warranted I applauded the well-written column by Dana Milbank (Putting the Big Lie to bed in comfort, Sept. 18) regarding the MyPillow guy, Mike Lindell, who lost his soul again (previously he lost it to gambling and crack cocaine drug addiction) for his god, former President Trump. I especially loved Milbanks suggestions on pillows that Trumps troops could use while serving prison sentences. We have spent way too many years hearing the BS spewed out of Trump supporters and the man himself that a little humor was warranted. Ridiculous comments like the Sept. 8 letter Worst thing ever are dead wrong the worst thing to ever happen to America was Donald Trump. Glenda Wilkinson Winston-Salem Once, members of the Otoe-Missouria tribe lived and hunted along Salt Creek and its tributaries, harvesting salt from its deposits on the Southeast Nebraska land that now includes Lincoln. On Wednesday, 189 years after the Otoe-Missouria nation signed the first of two treaties ceding land to the U.S. government, members of the tribe gathered at the University of Nebraska-Lincolns Center for Great Plains Studies a formal welcome home to their ancestral lands. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird greeted the roomful of guests, reading a proclamation making Wednesday Otoe-Missouria Day, an act of good faith and acknowledgement that the Capital City sits on their ancestral lands. The large group was drawn there by friendship, a desire to confront and heal from a painful past, to develop relationships and reconnect with the last place their ancestors and relatives chose to live, said Margaret Jacobs, a history professor and director of the Center for Great Plains Studies. You have so much to teach us about how to persist through hard times, how to face up to and honor our histories and our ancestors, she said during the ceremony. How to build and restore one's culture and society, how to become stewards to our precious lands and waters and how to be good relatives. I'm really humbled to be here today among you, and hope that this is only the beginning of a long and fruitful kinship between us. Just being in Nebraska, the place so many of the stories handed down by relatives took place, is powerful, said Christina Faw Faw, a tribal education specialist and member of the Otoe-Missouria tribe who traveled from Oklahoma for Wednesdays ceremony. Theres just something special about coming up there and being on the land, she said in an interview. Just kind of knowing our ancestors once walked those lands. That kind of thing is very powerful. The ceremony Wednesday part of a larger reconciliation movement across the country to reconnect indigenous people with their ancestral lands began with a chance encounter more than a year ago. Jacobs and Kevin Abourezk, a journalist with Indianz.com, began a multimedia project in 2018 called Reconciliation Rising in which they produce podcasts and short films showcasing Natives and non-Natives working together and moving toward reconciliation. As part of that work, they met Cory DeRoin, a member of the Otoe-Missouria tribe who came with his aunt, who was doing an interview for a podcast on a seed preservation project by the Pawnee. He joined her again when Jacobs and Abourezk filmed them harvesting corn. I just felt an immediate connection with him, Jacobs said in an interview. She asked if the Otoe-Missourias would be interested in reclaiming their lands and DeRoin said yes. Jacobs and Abourezk had interviewed people in at least two other communities that had done similar reconciliation work, including one in California that returned some land to the Indigenous people who had once lived there. In May, they invited a group of Otoe-Missourias to come to Lincoln, where they met with city officials, environmental groups, UNL officials and local Native leaders. That trip led to Wednesday's proclamation and ceremony. Its a beginning, Jacobs said, hopefully creating a day where the Otoe-Missourias can come home to celebrate their history, and a way to educate people in Lincoln about that history. After the treaties ceding the land where Lincoln now sits to the U.S. government, the Otoe-Missourians moved to the Big Blue reservation near Beatrice until Congress sold their land and removed them to Indian Territory in what is now Oklahoma in 1880-81. Nebraska gets its name from two Otoe-Missouria words for the Platte River: Ni Brathge, which means water flat. The town of Yutan, where an Otoe village once stood, is the anglicized version of a chiefs name. Jacobs said the work is about building relationships, which is also empowering to non-Natives. As non-Native people we shouldnt be dictating the outcome of restoring relationships, she said. Our role is to be open to restoring relationships, to promote dialogue and respect, and then work really closely to support the aspirations of our partners. Eventually, Faw Faw said, theyd like a place to return to for ceremonies, she said, on land returned to their people. DeRoin said it was important to bring their young people with them for Wednesdays ceremony, so they can continue the work for years to come. That is very important to me, DeRoin said. I would like for the relationship we build with the people of Lincoln and Nebraska as a whole to last for many, many generations, so our people always have a place to go home and we have a friendly relationship with the current residents. This journey home, he said, is important. Its just such a magical feeling when were up there, he said. When we come to Nebraska, it feels like home. LaJuan Jones, who went missing from the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln in December 2021, was arrested Tuesday in Dallas. Jones was sentenced to eight to 10 years for burglary and theft charges in Douglas County. He began serving his sentence on Oct. 31, 2017, with a tentative release date of Feb. 11 of this year. He left the corrections center, a low-security facility, on the morning of Dec. 13, 2021. The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said he removed his electronic monitoring device and didn't report to his work assignment. Texas authorities found him at a family member's residence. The Lincoln Police officer who was removed from service last week after three people including his wife sought civil protection orders against him said at a Wednesday court hearing that his actions were justified when he tried to break into his former residence Sept. 11, but acknowledged he could have handled the situation differently. Wayne "Jarvis" Wallage arrived at the north Lincoln house which he still partially owns and where his wife still lives at around 1 p.m. that afternoon and, according to his own testimony, tried to break through a garage entryway without ever knocking on the front door. At a civil hearing Wednesday morning, making his first public comments on the protection orders, Wallage told Lancaster District Court Judge Robert Otte that he didn't believe anyone to be home, despite a van in the driveway. A 19-year-old man who was one of two people in the house when Wallage began hammering at the door said he would have let the 51-year-old in had he simply knocked. "There would have been no reason for me not to," the teen said. Instead, Wallage, who had arrived in a U-Haul truck to gather his belongings amid a divorce from his wife of nearly six years, tried to force his way in. A shouting match ensued between the police officer and the 19-year-old, according to testimony from each of them. A tenant who lived in the basement heard the commotion and described the incident as "terrifying" in a sworn statement. Wallage's wife, a 39-year-old woman who was not home at the time, called the police. Then, last week, Otte granted civil protection orders against Wallage to all three residents, prohibiting the police officer from carrying a firearm and prompting the Police Department to pull Wallage from service. Tara Gardner-Williams, Wallage's attorney, filed a subsequent motion to vacate the three protection orders, leading all four parties to a Lancaster County courtroom Wednesday morning, where Wallage's wife pleaded with Otte to keep the protection orders in place while his attorney cast doubt on their validity. The series of events that led to last week's incident began July 13, when police first responded to the couple's home on North 16th Street when Wallage's wife called after her husband had broken down the same door. Wallage said Wednesday he had done so because his wife had locked him out of their house amid an argument over how they planned to split their assets in their looming divorce. In her testimony, the 39-year-old said she locked Wallage out "because he was trying to frame me for an assault." Lincoln Police Officer Edward Simpson cited the woman for third-degree domestic assault for allegedly hitting her husband with a bladeless fan, according to the incident report stemming from the call. But prosecutors have since dropped the assault charge against the woman. Deputy County Attorney Bruce Prenda said he could not comment on the dismissal, citing a state statute that prohibits authorities from acknowledging the existence of criminal cases after charges are dismissed. Wallage filed for divorce less than two weeks after the July incident. In her affidavit seeking a protection order, his wife said she had asked Wallage for a divorce July 10 three days before police were first called to their house but that Wallage had refused to grant her one. After the July incident, Wallage moved out of the house, which he and his wife bought together in May, according to county property records. On Wednesday, Wallage told the court he had sporadically retrieved items from the residence, which he was still able to access through its electronic locking system. But when he arrived at the house Sept. 11 to pack the rest of his stuff, Wallage said, he discovered his wife had revoked his access to the locking system. He didn't warn his wife he was coming, he said, because he didn't have to. "I told her in an email that I didn't have to answer to her anymore because I had dealt with enough manipulation and abuse in our relationship that I didn't want to," Wallage said, his voice breaking. Without access to the locks, Wallage began hammering prompting the screaming match with the 19-year-old and striking "debilitating" fear in the downstairs tenant, she said, and providing grounds for the protection orders that have placed an indefinite pause on his policing career. In her questioning, Gardner-Williams, the officer's attorney, seemed to cast doubt on whether the incident, which she acknowledged Wallage could have handled better, provided sufficient grounds for the protection orders. "If Mr. Wallage didn't threaten you or touch you, why are you in fear of your safety?" she asked the 19-year-old man. "Who just comes bashing down the door, right?" he responded. "Especially when you're just no communication. Nothing whatsoever." Wallage and his attorney each said they would accept a civil order though the couple's divorce case that bars him from entering the north Lincoln house a less serious action that would return his right to carry a firearm. His wife, though, asked Otte to keep the formal protection order in place. The judge did not rule on the matter Wednesday. The attorneys will make closing arguments on the motion to vacate the orders in an off-the-record meeting next week. Even if Otte vacates the orders, it's unclear whether Wallage will return to his normal duties at the Police Department, where he remains under internal investigation. Capt. Todd Kocian said that decision will be based on the internal investigation, separate from the court process. A former sergeant at the Chadron Police Department and a 24-year veteran of law enforcement, Wallage joined the Lincoln Police Department in January. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A former Minneapolis police officer who was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison for aiding and abetting manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd became angry when he erroneously thought he might have to register as a predatory offender, saying his role was minimal when compared with Derek Chauvin's. I gotta register as a predatory offender? What the (expletive) is that? Thomas Lane, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter, said after his sentencing hearing. The hearing was held remotely via video, and Lane made the comment after the judge ended the proceeding, but before the video session ended. Lane added: Thats what Chauvin has to do. If I have a minimal role, why the (expletive) do I have to do that? Lane's remarks were in response to the judges instruction for Lane to register as a predatory offender if required by law something legal experts told The Associated Press is fairly standard language in Minnesota criminal cases, but that neither Lane nor Chauvin would be required to do. Lane's attorney, Earl Gray, told his client he would look into the matter. Floyd, 46, died in May 2020 after Chauvin, who is white, pinned him to the ground with a knee on Floyds neck as the Black man repeatedly said he couldnt breathe. Lane, who is white, held down Floyds legs. J. Alexander Kueng, who is Black, knelt on Floyds back, and Tou Thao, who is Hmong American, kept bystanders from intervening during the 9 1/2-minute restraint. The killing, captured on bystander video, sparked protests as part of a worldwide reckoning over racial injustice. Lane is already serving a 2 1/2-year federal sentence after being convicted this year of violating Floyd's civil rights, and he appeared at Wednesday's hearing via video from the low-security federal prison camp in Littleton, Colorado. As part of his plea agreement in the state case, prosecutors dropped a more serious count of aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder. They also said they would seek a sentence of three years and that he could serve it at the same time as the federal one, and in federal custody. That state sentence is below the sentencing guidelines that range between 41 and 57 months. Prosecutor Matt Frank said Wednesday that a lower sentence was appropriate because Lane played a somewhat less culpable role" in Floyd's death, adding, there were moments when Mr. Lane tried to change what was going on that day. Lane had tried to deescalate the situation and had suggested that the restraint of Floyd could be handled differently, Frank said. Evidence from other trials and court documents shows that Lane twice asked if Floyd should be rolled onto his side to ensure he could breathe. Still, Frank said, these steps do not relieve him of all responsibility. When Lane pleaded guilty in May, he admitted that he intentionally helped restrain Floyd in a way that he knew created an unreasonable risk and caused his death. He admitted that he heard Floyd say he couldnt breathe, knew Floyd fell silent, had no pulse and appeared to have lost consciousness. In accepting the plea deal on Wednesday, Judge Peter Cahill told Lane, I think it was a very wise decision for you to accept responsibility and move on with your life. Cahill also acknowledged that the Floyd family has not been able to move on with theirs. Floyd's family said in a statement to the court, which was read by Frank, that the pain of Floyd's death will never go away. Talk about move on? Wow. Really? Me and my family would love to move on, but theres just not a lot of accountability, the statement said, adding: We will always show up for George Floyd, but never move on." Minnesota sentencing guidelines were created to establish consistent sentences that are neutral without considering factors such as race or gender. The guidelines say that even though they are advisory, presumptive sentences are deemed appropriate and judges should depart from them only when substantial and compelling circumstances can be identified and articulated. With the state and federal sentences being served at the same time, Lane is likely to spend a total of roughly two years behind bars. Under Minnesota rules, its presumed that a defendant with good behavior will serve two-thirds of the penalty in prison, which is two years for Lane, minus credit for time served. If he gets credit for good behavior on his federal sentence, hell likely end up serving just over two years in custody for that conviction. He reported to the federal prison in Colorado on Aug. 30. Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter and was given a 22 1/2-year state sentence in 2021 a sentence that went above the state guidelines. He also pleaded guilty to a federal count of violating Floyd's civil rights and was sentenced to 21 years on the federal charge. He is serving the sentences concurrently at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson, Arizona. Kueng and Thao were also convicted on federal civil rights charges and were sentenced to three and 3 1/2 years respectively. They are scheduled to go to trial on state charges of aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter in October. Associated Press writer Steve Karnowski contributed to this report from Minneapolis. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A former Minneapolis police officer who pleaded guilty to a state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd was sentenced Wednesday to three years. Thomas Lane is already serving a 2 1/2-year federal sentence for violating Floyd's civil rights. When it comes to the state's case, prosecutors and Lane's attorneys had agreed to a recommended sentence of three years which is below the sentencing guidelines and prosecutors agreed to allow him to serve that penalty at the same time as his federal sentence, and in a federal prison. Judge Peter Cahill accepted the plea agreement, saying he would sentence lane below the guidelines because he accepted responsibility. "I think it was a very wise decision for you to accept responsibility and move on with your life," Cahill said, while acknowledging that the Floyd family has not been able to move on with theirs. Under Minnesota rules, it's presumed Lane would serve two years of his state sentence in prison, and the rest on supervised release, commonly known as parole. Floyd, 46, died in May 2020 after Officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, pinned him to the ground with a knee on Floyd's neck as the Black man repeatedly said he couldn't breathe. Lane, who is white, held down Floyd's legs. J. Alexander Kueng, who is Black, knelt on Floyd's back, and Tou Thao, who is Hmong American, kept bystanders from intervening during the 9 1/2-minute restraint. The killing, captured on widely viewed bystander video, sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the globe as part of a reckoning over racial injustice. Wednesday's sentencing hearing was held remotely. Lane appeared via video from the Federal Correctional Institution Englewood, the low-security federal prison camp in Littleton, Colorado. He made no statement to the court prior to sentencing. But after the hearing was adjourned, Lane complained to his attorney that the judge had said he would have to register as a predatory offender "if required." "I gotta register as a predatory offender? What the (expletive) is that?" Lane said. And he added: "That's what Chauvin has to do. If I have a minimal role, why the (expletive) do I have to do that?" Gray told him he'd look into it. Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter and was given a 22 1/2-year state sentence in 2021. He also pleaded guilty to a federal count of violating Floyd's civil rights, and his state and federal sentences are being served at the same time. Kueng and Thao were also convicted on federal civil rights charges and were sentenced to three and 3 1/2 years respectively. They have not yet reported to federal prison, and are scheduled to go to trial on state charges of aiding and abetting both murder and manslaughter in October. When Lane pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter earlier this year, he admitted that he intentionally helped restrain Floyd in a way that created an unreasonable risk and caused his death. As part of the plea agreement, a more serious count of aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder was dismissed. In his plea agreement, Lane admitted that he knew from his training that restraining Floyd in that way created a serious risk of death, and that he heard Floyd say he couldn't breathe, knew Floyd fell silent, had no pulse and appeared to have lost consciousness. The plea agreement says Lane knew Floyd should have been rolled onto his side and evidence shows he asked twice if that should be done but he continued to assist in the restraint despite the risk. Lane agreed the restraint was "unreasonable under the circumstances and constituted an unlawful use of force." 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 NEW YORK (AP) Walmart said it will hire 40,000 U.S. workers for the holidays, a majority of them seasonal workers. The move, announced Wednesday, comes as the nation's largest retailer and largest private employer said it's in a stronger staffing position heading into the holidays than last year and is now focusing on hiring only seasonal workers, rather than permanent workers. Just like in past years, the company will first offer current workers the opportunity to pick up additional shifts if they want to earn extra money for the holidays. Keep scrolling to see how the 10 largest retailers pay their workers A year ago, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based chain announced that it was looking to hire roughly 150,000 new U.S. store workers, most of them permanent, full-time positions. Last fall, it also said it was planning to hire 20,000 permanent workers for its distribution and fulfillment centers, as the pandemic created big disruptions at various points in retailers' supply chain network. Companies that typically hire thousands of seasonal workers are again heading into the holidays during one of the tightest job markets in decades, making it challenging for many to find workers they need. The job market has slowed but still strong. Employers added 315,000 jobs in August, about what economists had expected, down from an average 487,000 a month over the past year, according to a government report earlier this month. The jobless rate reached 3.7%, its highest level since February. But it increased for a healthy reason: Hundreds of thousands of people returned to the job market, and some didn't find work right away, which boosted the government's count of unemployed people. Among other companies that have set their holiday plans, UPS plans to hire more than 100,000 workers to help handle the holiday rush this season, in line with the previous two years. Holiday season volumes usually start rising in October and remain high into January. While online shopping has slowed from the height of the pandemic, it's still well above historic norms. Danelle McCusker Rees, the president of human relations at UPS, told The Associated Press that this year's job market remains just as competitive as last year. McCOOK A 27-year-old McCook woman died in a two-vehicle crash early Tuesday that involved an Amtrak train. Courtney D. Steer, the lone occupant of a U-Haul truck, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a McCook Police Department news release. The crash was reported at about 4 a.m. and happened at the railroad access road between the tracks and East A Street near East 11th Street in McCook. The Nebraska State Patrol is assisting with the investigation. VILLAGE OF OREGON -- Normally the groundbreaking for a new Culver's restaurant doesn't generate this kind of attention, but about 150 people turned out Wednesday for this one. "It's been so exciting for me because I love Culver's so much," said Marlene Hughes, 79, of Madison, who brought her own chair to the event. Hughes got swept up in the hoopla after Dana Terrian built a miniature Culver's restaurant replica and put it at the site of the future restaurant in mid-June. He put five toy cars out with it, and the next day when he drove by, there were more. Each day, additional toy vehicles and other items were placed in line. By the time the restaurant broke ground, there were about 1,640 "entities" lined up in waves of rows. Terrian, 65, who was a senior respiratory therapist at the VA hospital before retiring in June after 41 years, said he calls them "entities" because they weren't all vehicles. The assemblage included toy dump trucks, mini monster trucks, plastic airplanes, helicopters, fire trucks, an ark, stuffed animals, kids bikes, tricycles, and a hand-painted turtle with a sign on top that said, Please hurry! Hughes, a retired state worker, said she made three trips to the site, last time bringing a piggy bank and two little piggies she put next to it. "We've been saving our money so that when Culver's opens, we can pig out," she quipped. Before that, she brought a bicycle and a tricycle. "Each time you bring something, you have to look at what everybody else brought. This has just been a hoot. I love it." The whole menagerie was collected after the event and donated to the Goodwill store in nearby Stoughton. Culver's founder, Craig Culver, 72, said he's never seen this kind of anticipation. "There's a lot of enthusiasm here in Oregon," he said before the event. "It makes me a little nervous as a matter of fact, when we open this place, I hope we can handle the business." He said the Culver's chain has 883 restaurants in 26 states. The Oregon restaurant will be the seventh owned and operated by his corporation, Culver Franchising, based in Prairie Du Sac. Culver said the restaurant at 1075 Park St., on the village's southeast side, should be open by March. Jenn Ohlinger, of Oregon, brought her daughter, Eliana, 9, to the groundbreaking. "It's quite the obsession," Ohlinger said. "They've been talking about this for years. Everybody has wanted a Culvers." She and Eliana contributed a toy car, and Ohlinger said they've enjoyed walking the path from end to end, and photographing it. "We just took our time with everything, looking at it, until we finally got to the little Culver's store," she said before the items were removed. "There's just so many things to look at." Documents and 'Truth' On Thursday, Republican state Sen. Julian Bradley, of Franklin, and Van Wanggaard, of Racine, attacked Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and the Parole Commission for allegedly stonewalling their records requests for information related to all paroles since 2014. Wanggaard in a statement Thursday said they requested information from the Parole Commission four months ago and still have not received anything, so now Wanggaard said he plans to invoke Chairman powers to obtain the documents, as Wanggaard is chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. In response to a tweet about Wanggaard's demands by a Journal Times reporter, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels tweeted "Tony Evers has been doing everything he can to talk about anything but the brutal murderers and child rapists being released by his parole commission. Now, we know he's even hiding information from elected officials. This is shameful. Wisconsin needs real leadership now." No new convicts getting out on parole When the Wisconsin Legislature put Truth in Sentencing laws into effect in 2000, it effectively ended the possibility of parole for anyone convicted after 2000. Thus, the only people eligible for parole now are those convicted in the 1990s and prior. As a result, those who are now eligible for parole in Wisconsin are almost all older convicts who are less likely to commit serious crimes if released. Department of Justice data shows that those ages 16-24 are more than twice as likely to commit violent crime as those ages 35-40, and are five times more likely to commit violent crime than those ages 50-64. Adam Rogan of The Journal Times RACINE The Racine City Council voted on Tuesday to move forward with the initial steps toward constructing the health center/community center complex, estimated to be a $65 million investment for the historic Lincoln-King Neighborhood. The council voted to award the $4.1 million contract for architectural and engineering services to SmithGroup of Milwaukee. The proposal passed the council on an almost unanimous vote, with Alderman Jeffrey Peterson as the lone no. Aldermen Marcus West and Melissa Land were excused. Alderman Mollie Jones abstained. The city continues recruiting for a representative for District 15. There were five responses to the citys request for proposals (RFP) but only the one submitted by the Smith Group was complete. There was some confusion because the proposal from the Smith Group was a $1 million more than the other proposals. Isnt the municipality supposed to go with the lowest bid? Alderman Terry McCarthy explained there were seven requirements attached to the RFP, and the four cheaper bidders did not bid on all the elements. If the city had chosen to go with one of the lower bids, it would not actually be a cost savings because those elements would have to be contracted out to an additional firm. Only the SmithGroups proposal covered all seven elements the city was looking for. Health Center The proposed Racine Community Health Center and a new building to house a new MLK Community Center are being planned for the vacant site next to the Julian Thomas Elementary School, 930 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. In a previous meeting, Kathleen Fischer, the citys finance director, called the proposed health/community center complex one of the biggest public projects the city has undertaken. Mayor Cory Mason and city leaders announced plans for the health center in May 2019, noting that Racine is the most-populous city in Wisconsin without a federally qualified health center (FQHC) that would serve low-income people and those who have inadequate or no health insurance. An FQHC provides services regardless of an individuals ability to pay. The federal government provides certain incentives in return, such as cash grants, cost-based reimbursements for Medicaid patients, and malpractice coverage, which can be very expensive. The bulk of the funding to-date has come from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. In addition to some smaller grants, the city has pledged $10 million and the State of Wisconsin $20 million through the Healthcare Infrastructure Capital Investment Grant Program. The council reiterated that no decisions would be made about the current MLK Community Center until a new one was constructed and operational. There has been some consternation in the community due to the rumor the MLK Community Center was slated to be torn down. Opposition The project was not without opposition. Michael Shrader, who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the council during the spring elections, spoke out against the project during public comments. He called it a vanity project and unnecessary because its just minutes away from Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3803 Spring St. The location is not a health care desert as its actually closer to the hospital than I am, he said. Alderman John Tate II, the president of the city council, clapped back during debate on the issue. Theres a reason federally qualified clinics exist, he said. Its because the services offered there are not contingent on the ability to pay, which is what private hospitals often do. Thats why people dont get the care they need. He continued: Were seeking this so people who live in our city who dont have the means to attend an Aurora out on the freeway may have a place to go where they can get the care they need without worrying about whether theyre going to be able to pay their rent as an alternative or buy food as an alternative. Tate went on to say he becomes aggravated when people do not understand there are people who cannot afford to pay for services they desperately need (while others) dont recognize the efforts the city is making to try and provide those services and alleviate barriers. Costs Peterson raised the issue that the city does not actually have all the money to pay for the project right now and asked if the city would have to take out a loan to see it through to completion. City Administrator Paul Vornholt said the project, which has been estimated to cost between $55 million and $65 million, is about two-thirds funded. He said there were more opportunities for the city to pursue in order to get the health care clinic completely funded, including grants and fund-raising through health systems. For example, Ascension Health has pledged $1 million toward the project. Peterson questioned whether the citys health department would be running the center. Vornholt said the center would continue to be overseen by the 501(3) non-profit board that is overseeing it now, the Racine Community Health Care Center Board, which was created to manage, build, and operate this clinic. There are still many decisions to be made, Vornholt continued. For example, there has not been a determination of how the center will be staffed, whether there will be an executive director or if another health care system to manage it. He assured Peterson the construction portion of the project would come before the City Council before bids go out, so the councilmen could see the hard numbers and funding sources before the project moves on. No decision had been made, Vornholt said, about whether the citys health department would move to the new facility. However, Peterson said he had done the research and in 70 of Wisconsins 72 counties health departments were run by the county. The city having its own health department makes it an outlier, along with Milwaukee. Peterson said that is what he would like to see for Racine; that is, allowing the county to run the health department, which he saw as saving the city $3 million. He pointed out the county took over the entirety of the 911 dispatching, and he wanted to see the same for the health department. Alderman McCarthy stepped in to point out the citys health department is run almost entirely on grants. The city might save the money by cutting the directors salary, but not much else. 1. Yes. All council members should get a good idea of whats at stake for Fort Hoods future. 2. Yes. Sending a large delegation shows the citys commitment to the Army post. 3. No. Its a waste of taxpayer money. Sending a smaller group would be more efficient. 4. No. Harker Heights and Copperas Cove arent sending anyone. The trip is unnecessary. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say what the value is, before knowing how the conference turns out. Vote View Results PHNOM PENH, Cambodia The international court that convened in Cambodia to judge the Khmer Rouge for its brutal 1970s rule ended its work Thursday after spending $337 million and 16 years to convict just three men of crimes after the regime caused the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people. In its final session, the U.N.-assisted tribunal rejected an appeal by Khieu Samphan, the last surviving leader of the Khmer Rouge government that ruled Cambodia from 1975-79. It reaffirmed the life sentence he received after being convicted in 2018 of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Busloads of ordinary Cambodians turned up to watch the final proceedings of a tribunal that had sought to bring justice, accountability and explanations for the crimes. Many of those attending Thursday's session lived through the Khmer Rouge terror, including survivors Bou Meng and Chum Mey, who had given evidence at the tribunal over the years. Khieu Samphan, sitting in a wheelchair and wearing a white windbreaker and a face mask, listened to the proceedings on headphones. He was the groups nominal head of state but, in his trial defense, denied having real decision-making powers when the Khmer Rouge carried out a reign of terror to establish a utopian agrarian society, causing Cambodians deaths from execution, starvation and inadequate medical care. It was ousted from power in 1979 by an invasion from neighboring communist state Vietnam. No matter what you decide, I will die in prison, Khieu Samphan said in his final statement of appeal to the court last year. I will die always remembering the suffering of my Cambodian people. I will die seeing that I am alone in front of you. I am judged symbolically rather than by my actual deeds as an individual. His appeal alleged the court made errors in legal procedures and interpretation and acted unfairly, making objections to more than 1,800 points. But the court noted Thursday that his appeal did not directly question the facts of the case as presented in court. It rejected almost all arguments raised by Khieu Samphan, acknowledging an error and reversing its ruling on one minor count. The court said it found the vast majority of Khieu Samphan's arguments unfounded, and that many were alternative interpretations of the evidence. Thursdays ruling makes little practical difference. Khieu Samphan is 91 and already serving another life sentence for his 2014 conviction for crimes against humanity connected with forced transfers and disappearances of masses of people. The court ordered that Khieu Samphan, who was arrested in 2007, be returned to the specially constructed jail where he has been kept. His co-defendant Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouges No. 2 leader and chief ideologist, was convicted twice and received the same life sentence. Nuon Chea died in 2019 at age 93. The tribunals only other conviction was that of Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, who was commandant of Tuol Sleng prison, where roughly 16,000 people were tortured before being taken away to be killed. Duch was convicted in 2010 of crimes against humanity, murder, and torture and died in 2020 at age 77 while serving a life sentence. The Khmer Rouges real chief, Pol Pot, escaped justice. He died in the jungle in 1998 at age 72 while the remnants of his movement were fighting their last battles in the guerrilla war they launched after losing power. The trials of the only other two defendants were not completed. The former foreign minister of the Khmer Rouge, Ieng Sary, died in 2013, and his wife, former Social Affairs Minister Ieng Thirith, was deemed unfit to stand trial due to dementia in 2011 and died in 2015. Four other suspects, middle-ranking Khmer Rouge leaders, escaped prosecution because of a split among the tribunals jurists. In a hybrid arrangement, Cambodian and international jurists were paired at every stage, and a majority had to assent for a case to go forward. Under the French-style procedures the court used, the international investigators recommended the four go to trial, but the Cambodian partners would not agree after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen declared there would be no more prosecutions, claiming they could cause unrest. Hun Sen himself was a middle-ranking commander with the Khmer Rouge before defecting, and several senior members of his ruling Cambodian Peoples Party share similar backgrounds. He helped cement his political control by making alliances with other former Khmer Rouge commanders. With its active work done, the tribunal, formally called the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, now enters a three-year residual period, focusing on getting its archives in order and disseminating information about its work for educational purposes. Experts who took part in the courts work or monitored its proceedings are now pondering its legacy. Heather Ryan, who spent 15 years following the tribunal for the Open Society Justice Initiative, said the court was successful in providing some level of accountability. The amount of time and money and effort thats expended to get to this rather limited goal may be disproportionate to the goal, she said in a video interview from her home in Boulder, Colorado. But she praised having the trials in the country where the atrocities occurred and where people were able to pay a level of attention and gather information about what was happening in the court to a much greater extent than if the court had been in The Hague or some other place. The Hague in the Netherlands hosts the World Court and the International Criminal Court. KEARNEY Informed voters know something about the candidates and issues, but how much do voters know about themselves? Thats a valid question, as voters have options about how and where they can cast their ballots, said Buffalo County Election Commissioner Lisa Poff. First they need to register, then they can decide how and where theyll vote, she said. Although most voters wait until Election Day, others prefer to vote early. We have over 500 early ballot requests already sent to us, Poff said. Poff said registering to vote ensures that information about individual voters is current, including names and addresses. In some elections, party affiliation should be current. Voters can register in person or online. The Nebraska Votercheck website tells where they will vote. New technology taps Buffalo Countys GIS (Global Information System) to tell voters which governing entities are in their precinct, so theyll know which candidates and issues will be on their ballot. For example, with GIS, Buffalo County voters will know which Board of Commissioners district they live in, so they know whether theyll be voting in any of the county board races. Poff said its too early to guess if the 2022 mid-term election will generate as much interest as a presidential election. Theres always interest, but it will be closer to Election Day before we know if theres more interest than in the past. Among the many details the Election Commissioner tends to is recruiting poll workers to staff each of Buffalo Countys 15 city precincts and 14 rural precincts. Election law requires that theres a balance of party affiliation among poll workers. Enough Republicans are signed up to work on Election Day, but Poff said there is a need for more Democrats, Libertarian, non-partisan and Legal Marijuana Now poll workers. City precincts need six or seven poll workers and rural precincts need at least five. People interested in becoming a poll worker can find a form on the election commissioner website. In a couple of weeks on Oct. 11 early voting ballots will be ready to be voted at the Buffalo County Election Commissioner office. The early voting ballots are an opportunity for voters to cast their ballots early and avoid the rush on Election Day. Here are some other dates of importance. These dates and other useful voter information are available at the Buffalo County Election Commissioner website. 6 p.m. Oct. 28: Last day for election office to receive an application for early voting ballots to be mailed to a specific address. Nov. 7: Last day for early voting in person in the election office. 7 p.m. Nov. 8 (Election Day) deadline for a voters agent to pick up early voting ballot. 8 p.m. Nov. 8: Polls close. Deadline for return of early voting ballots to election office, whether ballots are hand delivered or mailed. Registration deadlines Oct. 21: Postmark deadline for mailed-in registrations. 6 p.m. Oct. 21: Last day for deputy registrars to register voters for upcoming election. At close of business, last day for voter registrations to be completed using the following methods: DMV, county treasurers office, state agencies or departments or delivered to election office by someone other than the registered voter (prior to midnight for online voter registrations). Oct. 25: Last day to accept a mailed-in registration with an illegible postmark. 6 p.m. Oct. 28: Last day for in-person voter registration at the election office. Voters can acquire a Nebraska early voting ballot application form at the Buffalo County Election Commissioner website. Early voting options are voting in person at the election office, which starts 30 days before any election date, having the ballot mailed to you or having an agent pick up your ballot from the Election Commissioner Office. Voters can print the early voting ballot application, complete the form and either mail, email (ballots@buffalocounty.ne.gov) or fax (308-236-1868) the form back to the Election Commissioner. However, early voting ballots may not be voted at the Election Commissioners Office on Election Day. Voters must go to their designated polling place on Election Day to vote. An Overseas/Military FPCA request form is also available on the election commissioner website. KEARNEY A Polk man has been convicted of felony unlawful intrusion in a case that originally included an allegation of felony sexual assault. Last week in Buffalo County District Court the sexual assault charge was dismissed against Jacob R. Hogan, 19, and he pleaded no contest to the intrusion charge. The incident happened on Aug. 28, 2021. Records detailing the allegations against Hogan are sealed; however, the charge says he made public an image or video of another person without consent. Judge John Marsh accepted Hogans plea and ordered the Nebraska Probation Office to complete a presentence investigation report, including a substance abuse evaluation. Findings of that report including background information on a defendant, family and criminal history, employment and psychological and chemical dependency will help the judge issue an appropriate sentence. Sentencing will be in November. Building Community continues in Westby. The next meeting will be held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, lower level, Thursday, Sept. 29, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Those who attend will discuss ways in which to better serve the community. A meatball supper will be provided courtesy of Westby Area Schools District Administrator Steve Michaels and Mayor Dan Helgerson. Please RSVP and/or ask questions either by emailing Lori Pedretti at lgpedretti@yahoo.com or calling (or texting) her directly at 608-606-3119. People can also reach out to Steve Michaels at steve.michaels@westby-norse.org, Michele Engh at Wintermoet@gmail.com, Dan Helgerson at westbydan@gmail.com, Christy Tainter at christytainter@gmail.com or Dan Kotek at dan.kotek@couleecap.org For those of you who dont know or dont remember, this Building Community group held its first meeting at Branches Winery in 2017 with motivational speaker, Tom Thibodeau, founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership. Thibodeau led several more meetings afterward in an effort to help build relationships in our community before the group continued independently toward the same effort. The goals derived from the first group are listed below with our outcomes thus far. Goals1. Build and foster healthy relationships. 2. Help students grow as leaders and future stakeholders. 3. Keep area businesses alive and enhance tourism. 4. Support projects already in place and build from their initiatives. 5. Identify additional needs and how we can collaborate to help meet those needs. 6. Build relationships between our school system and neighboring schools. 7. Teach compassion to our children and model it to one another. 8. Improved sense of community. Outcomes Conspiracy of Goodness project to honor our crossing guards and improve Syverson Park. The Westby Rod & Gun Club collaborated to expand the Conspiracy of Goodness and began an annual Christmas fundraiser for WES families. Sarah Boatman with Wisconsin Public Television learned of our work and brought PBS to Westby. Stronger relationships between the City and the School District were established. A School to Work pathway (we hope to expand) was initiated for students using community resources. School walking trail was developed to bring the community into the school. Childcare needs were impacted with the Norse Care after school and summer program. Summer Norse Market. The 17th annual American Cancer Society Sole Burner of Chaseburg event will be held at Chaseburg Village Park, 401 Depot St., Saturday, Sept. 24. The day opens with a Red Cross blood drive at Chaseburg Village Hall, 400 Depot St., from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org. The Best Ever Chicken drive-through chicken-que runs from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Registration for the Sole Burner also starts at 11 a.m. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a wine cork drawing, bake sale and soup kitchen. In addition, Virgil Ostreng will perform; he will also perform from 3 to 4 p.m. At 1 p.m. the silent auction and bucket drawings open (they close at 4 p.m.), and from 1 to 3 p.m. Driftless River Band takes the stage. From 1 to 4 p.m. there will be a welcome table, survivor registration, luminary sales and the opportunity to turn in donations at the registration table. From 2 to 5 p.m. there will be vendor sales and a health fair, kids games, Bloody Marys and apparel sales. The opening ceremony begins at 4 p.m., and includes the national anthem by the Middle Coon Valley Choir, the presentation of colors, survivor recognition, introduction of 2022 Honorary Chairs Monty Foster and Kathy Turben-Foster, and survivors leading the first lap. The live auction begins after the first lap, followed by the tickets drawings and the lighting of luminaries at 5 p.m. The luminary ceremony is at 6 p.m., with the closing ceremony set for 6:30 p.m. Check out the website for event details at acsmove.org/chaseburg and view the online auction at https://ChaseburgSB22.givesmart.com. The virtual auction closes at noon, Sunday, Sept. 25. Contact Eric Ostrem at 608-452-3135 or Linda DeGarmo at 608-452-3367 or grannydegarmo@yahoo.com for more information. To join a team or donate go to acsmove.org/chaseburg. The Viroqua School Board met Monday, Sept. 19, and received an update on the facilities referendum that will be on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. District Administrator Tom Burkhalter said the school districts website has a referendum page where district residents can view the most up-to-date information. Every meeting is public, recorded and available. Were trying to be as transparent as humanly possible. There will be two referendum open houses one on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the elementary school cafetorium and another on Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the high school/middle school commons. The open houses will give school district residents an opportunity to talk to the consultants and get their questions answered. Board members also received an enrollment update. Burkhalter said as of the week of Sept. 12 there were 1,044 students, which is a decrease of about 28 students from last year. (The budgeted projection for the 2022-23 school year is at 1,040 students.) He said the high school gained two students, middle school enrollment dropped by six students and elementary school enrollment went down about 24 students. He said the drop in elementary school enrollment was due to the bubble thats being seen across the state due to the fact that the 4K and kindergarten year during COVID when parents did not have to send their child to school, they didnt. We havent seen the rebound we thought wed see with that thats not only here Burkhalter said in kindergarten there is a 13 student drop from last year and in first grade there is a 12 student drop. Thats where this drop is, he said. That is consistent not only across the area but also the state. When parents were hesitant to send their child to school when they didnt have to for 4K and kindergarten they found other alternatives. We need to be very intentional about how to get them back into the district. Burkhalter said the rest of the grades had minimal drops and additions in enrollment. Those two years are an interesting anomaly. There was also an update on the early learning center. Burkhalter said the buildings and grounds committee met recently to review the bids. Its an exciting time, Burkhalter said. There are more than 30 on the waiting list. Kids who are not born yet are on the list. Its astounding parents have to think of that before (kids) are born. Job descriptions have been formulated, he said, and will be posted soon. As of Mondays meeting, the centers opening is still set for March 2023. Robert Nigh, chairperson of the building and grounds committee, during his report said he is excited about the facility and it will be good for our young people and the early learning center will be a great addition to the community. Burkhalter said anyone who wants their children to be added to the waiting list may contact Sharon Engh, the early learning centers director. Burkhalter also gave an update on the community visioning event scheduled for Nov. 10-12. The event, originally scheduled for November 2021, was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. It was rescheduled for May 12-14 and then moved to this November. Howick Associates, based in Madison, was contracted in May of 2021 to help with the district visioning process. Howick will lead the event. Burkhalter said the event will be held on two nights and one day. The first night will focus on the school districts past, the second night will focus on the present and the third day will focus on what people want the district to look like in five to 10 years. He said 100 to 150 people are expected to attend, and as many invitations as possible will be sent. Board president Angie Lawrence said the community visioning event has nothing to do with the November referendum. She said its highly recommended that participants attend all three sessions if at all possible. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) After an Indiana judge on Thursday blocked the state's abortion ban from being enforced, phones starting ringing across Indiana abortion clinics, which are preparing to resume the procedure a week after the ban had gone into effect. People are getting the word that abortion is now legal again, and people are ready to get their health care that they deserve and that they desire, Dr. Katie McHugh, an abortion provider at Women's Med in Indianapolis, told The Associated Press. Indiana's seven abortion clinics were to lose their state licenses under the ban which only permits abortions within its narrow exceptions to take place in hospitals or outpatient surgical centers. The ban was approved by the states Republican-dominated Legislature on Aug. 5 and signed by GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb. That made Indiana the first state to enact tighter abortion restrictions since the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated federal abortion protections by overturning Roe v. Wade in June. The judge wrote there is reasonable likelihood that this significant restriction of personal autonomy offends the liberty guarantees of the Indiana Constitution and that the clinics will prevail in the lawsuit. The order prevents the state from enforcing the ban pending a trial on the merits of the lawsuit. Republican state Attorney General Todd Rokita said in a statement: We plan to appeal and continue to make the case for life in Indiana, calling the abortion ban law a reasonable way to protect the unborn. Womens Med is expecting to see patients again starting Friday, McHugh said. I had really hoped for this, but honestly, I didnt really expect it, she said. So the fact that this is what happened is such a pleasant surprise and such a validation of what we have been saying this whole time." Whole Womans Health, which operates an abortion clinic in South Bend, said its staff members are making plans to resume abortion care in the near future. Of course, this landscape of legal back-and-forth leads to disruption in patient care and uncertainty for our staff, said Amy Hagstrom Miller, president and CEO of Whole Womans Health. Indianas ban followed the political firestorm over a 10-year-old rape victim who traveled to the state from neighboring Ohio to end her pregnancy. The case gained wide attention when an Indianapolis doctor said the child came to Indiana because of Ohios fetal heartbeat ban. An Ohio judge has temporarily blocked that state law, indicating he will allow abortions to continue up to 20 weeks gestation until after a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 7. With Indiana now on hold, bans on abortion at any point in pregnancy are in place in 12 Republican-led states. In Wisconsin, clinics have stopped providing abortions amid litigation over whether an 1849 ban is in effect. Georgia bans abortions once fetal cardiac activity can be detected and Florida and Utah have bans that kick in after 15 and 18 weeks gestation, respectively. The Indiana ban replaced state laws that generally prohibited abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy and tightly restricted them after the 13th week. The ban includes exceptions allowing abortions in cases of rape and incest, before 10 weeks post-fertilization; to protect the life and physical health of the mother; and if a fetus is diagnosed with a lethal anomaly. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, which is representing the abortion clinics, filed the lawsuit Aug. 31 and argued the ban would prohibit the overwhelming majority of abortions in Indiana and, as such, will have a devastating and irreparable impact on the plaintiffs and, more importantly, their patients and clients. Ken Falk, the ACLU of Indianas legal director, pointed to the state constitutions declaration of rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in arguing before the judge on Monday that it included a right to privacy and to make decisions on whether to have children. The state attorney generals office said the court should uphold the ban, saying arguments against it are based on a novel, unwritten, historically unsupported right to abortion in the state constitution. The constitutional text nowhere mentions abortion, and Indiana has prohibited or heavily regulated abortion by statute since 1835 before, during, and after the time when the 1851 Indiana Constitution was drafted, debated, and ratified, the office said in a court filing. The question of whether the Indiana Constitution protects abortion rights is undecided. A state appeals court decision in 2004 said privacy was a core value under the state constitution that extended to all residents, including women seeking an abortion. But the Indiana Supreme Court later set aside that ruling without addressing whether the state constitution included such a right. Hanlon, a Republican who was first elected in 2014 as a judge in the rural southern Indiana county, wrote that Indiana's constitution is more explicit in its affirmation of individual rights and its limitation of legislative power to intrude into personal affairs than the U.S. Constitution. There is a reasonable likelihood that decisions about family planning, including decisions about whether to carry pregnancy to term, are protected by the state constitution, Hanlon wrote. Planned Parenthood and other abortion clinic operators involved in the lawsuit said in a statement that they were grateful that the court granted much needed relief for patients, clients, and providers but this fight is far from over. 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 at https://twitter.com/arleighrodgers MADDOCK, N.D. (AP) A woman who brought a wild raccoon into a North Dakota bar, which prompted state health officials to issue a warning about potential rabies exposure, is facing criminal charges. Erin Christensen, 38, of Maddock, is charged with misdemeanor counts of providing false information to law enforcement, tampering with physical evidence and unlawful possession of furbearers. Christensen was arrested last week after authorities found her and the raccoon by serving several search warrants in and around Maddock. Christensen said her family found the raccoon on the side of a road about three months ago and named it Rocky. She said they were nursing the animal back to health with plans to release it back into the wild. Its illegal under North Dakota Board of Animal Health laws to keep a wild raccoon. Authorities euthanized the animal, and it tested negative for rabies. Christensen took Rocky to Maddock Bar on Sept. 6 during happy hour and showed the raccoon to customers. Bartender Cindy Smith said the animal never bit anyone at the bar. Nevertheless, North Dakotas Health and Human Services Department issued a warning asking anyone who may have been bitten or had contact with the raccoons saliva to seek medical care. Its unfair and too much was done to detain an innocent raccoon," Christensen said in a Wednesday statement to the Bismarck Tribune. "They were not worried about the health of us if we had rabies or not. They were worried about finding and killing Rocky and putting me behind bars. The charges against Christensen carry a maximum punishment of about two years in jail and $7,500 in fines. Her initial court appearance is set for Monday. Maddock is town of about 500 people located about 85 miles (137 kilometers) from the Canadian border. Through continued efforts to improve survival from sudden cardiac arrest, the city of La Crosse has earned a HEARTSafe Community designation from the Citizen CPR Foundation. La Crosse joins two other cities Richland, Washington, and West Point, New York in achieving the HEARTSafe Community designation. Josh Smith, Citizen CPR Foundation HEARTSafe community program chair, says the work to meet qualifying criteria exemplified collaboration at all levels across the city. To sustain these efforts, it takes engagement at all levels of local government, leadership and community, as well as a focused effort by representatives throughout the entire chain of survival, he says. HEARTSafe Community is a national preparedness program, initiated by Citizen CPR Foundation, that helps communities develop plans to more effectively prepare for and treat those who experience sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is an abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease. It can come on suddenly or in the wake of other symptoms, and is often fatal if appropriate steps arent immediately taken. In order to become HEARTSafe, the community must fulfill 13 criteria: Establish a lead organization to guide and coordinate local efforts; Have a plan for the collection and analysis of cardiac arrest data; Train 15% of the community population on a yearly basis; Recognize rescuers for their lifesaving efforts; Develop and implement strategies to improve public awareness and bystander intervention; Establish or advocate for the provision of CPR instructions to 911 callers by trained dispatchers; Have effective emergency action plans for schools and municipal buildings; Permanently place automated external defibrillators that can be easily and reliably accessed; Participate in an AED registry that has been mapped and integrated with the area 911 system; First responder agencies are defibrillation capable and have supporting protocols, training and medical oversight; EMS providers trained in high-performance CPR and supported by protocols, technology and equipment; Quality improvement processes for cardiac arrest data review and sharing of results with the public; Established secondary public health measures supporting cardiovascular wellness. Jim Hillcoat, captain and EMS coordinator at the La Crosse Fire Department, says that once the La Crosse program committee began reviewing the HEARTSafe criteria, they were energized by the progress they didnt realize they had made. I picked up involvement from Pat Corran, previously our community risk educator, Hillcoat says. ... We realized we were more than halfway there, and thats what piqued Pats interest. We have a good EMS system, pre-hospital system, the Seven Rivers Cardiac Arrest Preparedness Group, and two major medical facilities, Gundersen Health System and Mayo Clinic Health System. La Crosse is a health care-oriented community. Smith says the remaining process required involvement across all interested parties. Adding the City of La Crosse, Wisconsin, to the list of HEARTSafe communities is proof that although the process of designation is difficult, when the organization, city and community come together, the result is a resilient emergency response system that is aware, equipped and ready to not only save lives, but also enhance the quality of life for all who live, play and visit La Crosse, he says. On behalf of the program advisory committee, congratulations to the entire La Crosse community. Citizen CPR Foundation leadership echoed Smiths congratulations. We are proud of the work being done to improve recognition, response, care and outcomes in La Crosse, says Stuart Berger, MD, president of the Citizen CPR Foundation Board and Division Head of Cardiology at the Childrens Hospital of Chicago. This is an excellent example of how communities can leverage resources to save hearts too young to die and we commend all those who have worked to achieve this designation. For Hillcoat, achieving HEARTSafe Community designation signals just how much the community of La Crosse prioritizes the health of residents and visitors. You just dont achieve this designation if there isnt a commitment to health, wellness and safety in your community, he says. As a result of the HEARTSafe Community program, Citizen CPR Foundation has given us the tools to continue to evaluate and also move our cardiac arrest response forward. MIAMI (AP) Executive directors of the Inter-American Development Bank voted unanimously Thursday to recommend firing a former Trump official as president of the Washington-based institution, a person familiar with the vote said. The move came after an investigation conducted at the bank board's request determined that Mauricio Claver-Carone violated ethics rules by favoring a top aide with whom he had a romantic relationship, according to a report obtained by The Associated Press. The recommendation to remove Claver-Carone came in a closed-door meeting of the bank's 14 executive directors, according to the person, who insisted on not being quoted by name. The ultimate decision to fire Claver-Carone now rests with the finance officials who sit on the Board of Governors representing all 48 of the bank's member nations. Among those pushing for Claver-Carone's removal is the Biden administration, which said it was troubled by Claver-Carone's refusal to fully cooperate with an independent probe. His creation of a climate of fear of retaliation among staff and borrowing countries has forfeited the confidence of the Banks staff and shareholders and necessitates a change in leadership, a Treasury Department spokesperson said. Claver-Carone remained defiant in the aftermath of the vote, saying in a statement that replacing him would somehow embolden China, which saw its influence in the bank expand dramatically during the Obama administration. He provided no evidence to back that claim. Its shameful the U.S. commented to the press before notifying me and that it is not defending two Americans against what is clearly fabricated information, he said. The AP obtained the confidential investigative report by a law firm hired by the bank's board to look into an anonymous complaint of misconduct against Claver-Carone. Investigators said it is reasonable to conclude he carried on a relationship with his chief of staff since at least 2019, when both held senior positions on the National Security Council. They said the purported relationship prompted one U.S. official at the time to warn that it posed a counterintelligence risk. Exhibit A in the 21-page report is a contract that the two purportedly drew up on the back of a place mat in the summer of 2019 while they dined at a steakhouse in Medellin, Colombia. Both were there attending the annual meeting of the Organization of American States. In it, they allegedly outline a timeline for divorcing their spouses and getting married. There is also a breach clause stating that any failure to fulfill the terms would bring sadness and heartbreak that could only be mitigated by candlewax and a naughty box from an oceanfront hotel in Claver-Carones native Miami. We deserve absolute happiness. May only God part w/ this covenant, according to the contract, a photo of which was provided to investigators by the womans former husband, who told investigators he found the place mat in her purse when she returned from the trip. The purported contract is one of several details in the report that have Claver-Carone fighting to save his job. They include allegations he had a 1 a.m. hotel room rendezvous with his chief of staff, sent her a poem on a Sunday morning titled My Soul is in a Hurry and perhaps most troubling awarded her 40% pay raises in violation of the banks conflict-of-interest policies. Claver-Carone has disputed the report's accuracy, strongly denouncing the manner in which the review was conducted and offering no hint that he is considering resignation. According to investigators, he has denied ever having now or before a romantic relationship with his longtime right hand. His chief of staff denied the allegations in the anonymous complaint and told investigators she never violated the IDB's code of ethics, the report said. In a written submission to investigators, she also complained that she had been denied due process. The AP isnt naming Claver-Carones aide because the report, which is labeled confidential, hasnt been made public. "Neither I nor any other IDB staff member has been given an opportunity to review the final investigative report, respond to its conclusions, or correct inaccuracies, Claver-Carone said in a statement Tuesday. The findings recall accusations of ethical lapses against another Republican atop a multilateral institution, former Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, who resigned as head of the World Bank in 2007 for arranging a generous pay raise for his girlfriend. The Inter-American Development Bank is the biggest multilateral lender to Latin America, disbursing as much as $23 billion every year in efforts to alleviate poverty in the region. The U.S. is the largest shareholder in the Washington-based bank and some inside the White House have made no secret of their dislike for Claver-Carone, whose election as IDB chief in the final months of the Trump presidency broke with tradition that a Latin American head the bank. Some of the more salacious claims referenced in the report could not be substantiated by New York-based Davis Polk. The law firm also found no evidence that Claver-Carone knowingly broke the bank's travel policies to cover up a romantic relationship, or retaliated against any bank employees, as was alleged in an anonymous complaint sent in March to the bank's board. Still, Davis Polk harshly criticized Claver-Carone and his chief of staff for failing to cooperate fully with their investigation considering it a violation of bank policies and principles. For example, the report said Claver-Carone failed to hand over his bank-issued mobile phone for analysis although he did provide a forensic report conducted by a consultant. Claver-Carone also didn't share messages from his personal phone or Gmail account with his chief of staff, the report said. Particularly in light of their failure to cooperate, it would be reasonable to conclude that the evidence of a prior relationship, and the additional circumstantial evidence of a current relationship while they were both at the Bank, constitute a violation of the applicable Bank policies, the report said. Davis Polk's report said Claver-Carone raised his aide's pay by 40% within a year. It said that one of the raises and a change of title was ordered by Claver-Carone a day after an email exchange in which she complained about not getting sufficient respect from her co-workers. You figure it out. It's your bank," she wrote, according to the report. Davis Polk, which also conducted the investigation that led to Andrew Cuomo's resignation as governor of New York, faulted Claver-Carone for making employment decisions about someone with whom it believes he had been romantically involved. However, it said that other executives received similarly-sized increases and his chief of staff's current salary of $420,000 is in line with her predecessor's compensation. Claver-Carone when confronted with photographs of the purported place mat contract during an interview this month told investigators that he had never seen the document and denied it was his handwriting or signature. He stated that the document was fraudulent and part of a scheme by his aide's ex-husband to harm her. In a letter to the banks general counsel, seen by AP, divorce lawyers for the chief of staff said her former husband had a history of cruelty and revenge that was raised in divorce proceedings. They said any evidence he supplied investigators should not be deemed credible. However, two independent handwriting experts, one who previously worked for the FBI, concluded there was a high probability that the handwriting on the place mat excerpts of which are displayed in the report match Claver-Carone's penmanship in bank documents. Claver-Carone refused to submit a handwriting sample as part of the probe, the report said. AP writer Fatima Hussein contributed to this report from Washington. Joshua Goodman on Twitter: @APJoshGoodman AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A Texas sheriff on Monday opened an investigation into two flights of migrants sent to Martha's Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, but did not say what laws may have been broken in putting 48 Venezuelans on private planes last week from San Antonio. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, an elected Democrat, railed against the flights that took off in his city as political posturing. But he said investigators had so far only spoken to attorneys representing some of the migrants and did not name any potential suspects who might face charges. He also did not mention DeSantis in a news conference that appeared to mark the first time a law enforcement official has said they would look into the flights. "I believe there is some criminal activity involved here," Salazar said. "But at present we are trying to keep an open mind and we are going to investigate to find out what exact laws were broken if that does turn out to be the case." DeSantis' office responded with a statement that said the migrants had been given more options to succeed in Massachusetts. "Immigrants have been more than willing to leave Bexar County after being abandoned, homeless, and 'left to fend for themselves,'" DeSantis spokesperson Taryn Fenske said. "Florida gave them an opportunity to seek greener pastures in a sanctuary jurisdiction that offered greater resources for them, as we expected." The Venezuelan migrants who were flown to the wealthy Massachusetts island from San Antonio on Wednesday said they were told they were going to Boston. Julio Henriquez, an attorney who met with several migrants, said they "had no idea of where they were going or where they were." He said a Latina woman approached migrants at a city-run shelter in San Antonio and put them up at a nearby La Quinta Inn, where she visited daily with food and gift cards. She promised jobs and three months of housing in Washington, New York, Philadelphia and Boston, according to Henriquez. Salazar said the migrants had been "preyed upon" and "hoodwinked." Some Democrats have urged the Justice Department to investigate the flights, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, whose district includes San Antonio. A federal investigation might be complicated, however. It's not clear whether anyone boarded buses or planes unwillingly, or that their civil rights were violated. The rights of asylum seekers arriving to the U.S. are also more limited because they are not citizens. The constitution, though, does protect them from discrimination based on race or national origin and from improper treatment by the government. EYOTA, Minn. The Minnesota Department of Transportation reminds motorists that there could be traffic delays and backups on portions of Highway 42, Highway 14 and Interstate 90 near Eyota as people attend a concert south of town on Saturday afternoon and evening. If attending the sold out Luke Bryan Farm Tour concert, follow traffic signs and directions to available parking areas. The Olmsted County Sheriffs Office has information to help guide concert attendees on parking and traffic flow to ensure a safe visit. You can find their site at: https://www.olmstedcounty.gov/post/luke-bryan-farm-tour-need-know-event-information-and-concert-traffic-flow. Stay safe MnDOT encourages concert goers to use ride-share or other transportation to get to and from the concert entrance. Walking on rural roads after dark without lighting can be risky. No parking is allowed along state highways near the concert venue. Find road updates in Minnesota on 511mn.org or get a free app at Google Play or the App Store. Consult the Olmsted County Sheriffs Office website for concert rules and traffic plans for the event. The case had been the subject of a trial in August. Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth Group runs the nations largest health insurer and operates rapidly growing businesses that process pharmacy claims and deliver care.Stay connected, informed Join the MnDOT Southeast Minnesota Facebook group and follow us on MnDOT Southeast on Twitter. Sign up to receive text message and/or email alerts during significant road closures or winter weather events that affect state highways in southeast Minn. Justice department officials said in February that the deal would give UnitedHealth control of a critical data highway through which about half of all Americans health insurance claims pass each year. A proposed trail extension project in the City of Lake Geneva has been put on hold, at least for now. Members of the Lake Geneva City Council unanimously approved, Sept. 12, to halt any outside spending related to the South Street trail extension project. The city councils public works committee unanimously recommended, Aug. 22, to hold off outside spending on the project. Lake Geneva has received a $835,316 transportation alternatives program grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to help fund the project, with the city paying about 20% of the cost. Plans for the project included extending the South Street bicycle trail, which runs near Badger High School and Lake Geneva Middle School, by about 1.5 miles. The extended trail would lead to the future site of a new Geneva Lakes Family YMCA campus, located near the intersection of Highway H and Highway 120. The trail also is set to be extended west along South Street and at Lake Shore Drive, leading to Big Foot State Park. Several residents who live near South Street have expressed concerns related to the project including tree removal, potential water runoff, possible traffic concerns and the width of the trail, which is set to be about 10 feet. Alderwoman Mary Jo Fesenmaier proposed stopping any outside spending on the project until changes to the plan and grant application are approved to address the residents concerns. The city already has spent about $124,000 on the project, with 80% set to be paid by the state and 20% paid by the city. Fesenmaier said she would like city officials to meet with representatives from the Department of Transportation to determine which types of changes can be made to the project before spending any additional money. For right now when were trying to figure out what we want to do, we have to understand that we want to keep it within budget, Fesenmaier said. So we have capable staff that can work with the DOT and get some estimates. I hope we dont have to give the grant back, but the only way to ensure that at this point is to not spend any money. Alderman Ken Howell said he is not certain whether the city should move forward with the project at all if there are so many residents who have concerns about it. I cant see going forward with a project where everybody in the area is so against it and would cause so much disruption, Howell said. I dont know what we have to do to give the money back, but I cant see going forward. I will vote for it if it means it will be halted and more knowledge will be gained by it, but my inclination right now would be just to stop it period. Alderwoman Cindy Yager, who works as a grant writer, said she is concerned that halting the project altogether would prevent the city from receiving funding from the grant program again in the future. Yager said she would rather the city work with the Department of Transportation to determine what type of changes can be made to the project before stopping it completely. My thought process is go through the change motion, see what they will do, have them work with us to show good intentions, then find out where to go but to not completely stop this grant at this point, Yager said. The city council members also approved to remove the trail on the north side of South Street from the plan and the grant application. The motion was approved by a 7-1 vote with Howell voting no. Fesenmaier said the proposed north side trail has caused the most concern among residents, because it would be about 10-feet wide and encroaching on several of their properties. Members of the park board of commissioners recommended removing the north side trail from the project, Sept. 7. The main objection so far, beyond the cost, has been the impact on the north side of South Street, Fesenmaier said. Howell questioned removing the north side trail from the plan when they had approved to halt outside spending on the project. I think any motions we approve at this point would be premature, Howell said. Fesenmaier said removing the trail from the plan and grant application would alleviate residents concerns and let them know the trail is no longer included in the proposed project. I think we need to take out this section to support the residents at this point, Fesenmaier said. We can make the rest of the decisions later, but we need to reassure them that this part is done. That we wont pursue this. Other projects removed Several other projects were removed from the plan including a proposal to remove and repave an area east of Big Foot Beach State Park to the west driveway of Badger High School. What youre asking us to do is rip out a section of asphalt thats already there, Fesenmaier said. To me, that is not a good idea. I would leave that out. A proposal to remove and repave an asphalt area on South Street in front of Badger High School and a proposal to tear out and repave an asphalt area parallel to the high school auditorium also were removed from the project. Projects kept into the plan Several of the proposed projects were kept in the plan and grant application including improving the four corners of the Wells Street and South Street/Bloomfield Road intersection to include two ramps on each corner to help make the area more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and safer for pedestrians. Another project that was left in the plan includes installing a new 10-foot path to connect the Wells Street and South Street/Bloomfield Road intersection to a sidewalk that leads to the Badger High School commons. A proposal to improve a pedestrian intersection between Lake Geneva Middle School and Badger High School with ADA ramps and modern, lighted signs also was kept in the plan, as well as improving a pedestrian crossing from the Geneva Meadows apartments to Lake Geneva Middle School and conducting a special assessment on whether a sidewalk is needed along Bloomfield Road in front of the Geneva Meadows apartments. After some discussion, the city council members approved, 7-1, to have City Administrator Dave Nord discuss the proposed changes to the project and grant application with the Department of Transportation, with Alderman John Halverson voting no. Nord said he would like the city council to give him a set priority of items they would like him to present to the Department of Transportation. I will tell you from past experiences, with any state agency, if you come in with a napkin and pen, theyre not going to take you seriously. Its, Tell us what you want and we will tell you what we can do, Nord said. Its not something the state is going to want to go through and cherry pick. Youre going in a lot of directions, and I would really like to have something more tangible before I go talking to the state. Fesenmaier said she would like the city to prioritize projects related to Wells Street. I believe anything on Wells Street should be the priority, and anything along South Street, unless we found extra money, isnt a priority, Fesenmaier said. I would focus on the Wells Street items. Halverson said he feels the city council should discuss the project further before presenting any changes to the state. I think we need more detail, Halverson said. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is inviting the public to get outdoors Saturday, Sept. 24, in honor of National Public Lands Day. Established in 1994, National Public Lands Day celebrates the connection between people and the environment while encouraging the use of public spaces for education, recreation and volunteering. Wisconsin is home to more than 6 million acres of public lands that offer a variety of recreation opportunities including state natural areas, wildlife areas, fisheries areas, 49 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails and thousands of miles of freshwater. Wisconsins outdoors are for everyone. From adaptive equipment like kayaks and beach wheelchairs to accessible fishing piers, hiking trails and campsites, the DNR is committed to providing outdoor recreation that allows people of all abilities to experience the states natural resources (https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/OpenOutdoors). In addition to outdoor recreation activities, the DNR offers education and volunteer opportunities to learn more and participate in the hands-on conservation of Wisconsin public lands for present and future generations. Here are just a few ways suggested by the DNR to celebrate National Public Lands Day: Explore Wisconsins state park properties using the DNRs Find A Park online tool that provides state park, forest and trail location information in one place. Visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/findapark to search accessible features and services, activities, campsite type, amenities and rental offerings at a state park, forest or trail. Adopt a fish or wildlife area and provide hands-on assistance to protect wildlife and improve habitat at your local fisheries or wildlife area. Learn more about the program and how to get involved at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/WildlifeAreas/volunteer.html. Travel to a Wisconsin State Park System Hidden Gems Property in all corners of the state, including Governor Thompson State Park, Hartman Creek State Park, Pattison State Park, Point Beach State Forest and Wyalusing State Park. Learn more at https://widnr.widen.net/s/qcrszmxgts/hiddengemsmapwsps. Go on a fishing adventure at one of the many fishing areas in the state including Bird Creek, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lower Wisconsin Riverway, Plum Creek and White River Fisheries Area. Visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/anglereducation/wheretofish for more information. Volunteer at a State Natural Area, State Wildlife Area or State Park to help protect and conserve Wisconsins natural resources. Find opportunities near you by visiting the DNRs volunteer webpage at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/volunteer. Learn about local wildlife, habitats, history and conservation at any Wisconsin state park, forest, recreation or wildlife area. Visit the DNRs education and learning webpage at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/learn for more details. Unable to make it out on National Public Lands Day? Protect rare wildlife and State Natural Areas by ordering an Endangered Resources license plate at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/endangeredresources/plate. When visiting Wisconsin public lands, always read the signs at parking lots, trailheads and boat access sites. Familiarize yourself with state and local laws and ordinances that might affect use of public lands. Hunters and anglers must follow hunting and fishing regulations. For more information on Wisconsin public lands and for ways to connect with nature,visit the DNR website at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/. Members of the 2nd echelon of 26th Chinese peacekeeping force to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) enter the barracks in the mission area in Bukavu city, South Kivu province of the DRC, on Sept. 21, 2022. (Photo by Wang Jin Wei) BEIJING, Sept. 22 -- The second echelon of the 26th Chinese peacekeeping force to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), consisting of 101 members, safely entered the Chinese engineering contingent's barracks in the mission area in Bukavu city, South Kivu province of the DRC, on Sept. 21, local time. Their arrival marks that all members of the 26th Chinese Peacekeeping force to DRC are in position. The 26th Chinese peacekeeping force to the DRC consists of an engineering detachment and a medical detachment selected from a brigade under the PLA Xizang Military Command and the General Hospital of the PLA Xizang Military Command. On September 7, 109 members of the first echelon of the 26th Chinese peacekeeping force to the DRC, consisting of 74 members of the engineering contingent and 35 members of the medical contingent, departed from Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province. The 25th and the 26th Chinese peacekeeping engineering contingents to the DRC conducted mission handover on Sept. 13, local time, and the 26th Chinese peacekeeping engineering contingent officially took over the mission area on Sept. 19, local time. With all members in position, the 26th Chinese peacekeeping engineering contingent will engage in engineering investigation, bridge construction, unexploded ordnance disposal, and humanitarian relief missions in the next 12 months. On September 14, local time, the 25th and 26th Chinese peacekeeping medical contingents completed troop rotation and mission handover at the Chinese Level-II Hospital under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO) in Bukavu ity, South Kivu province of the DRC. So far, China has dispatched more than 3,000 peacekeepers to the UN peacekeeping mission area in the DRC. SpaceX chief Elon Musk says he will seek to bring his Starlink satellite internet service to Iran. The billionaire businessman suggested his plans in a message on Twitter. Earlier this week, Musk announced on the social media service: Starlink is now active on all continents, including Antarctica. After reading Musks tweet, Iranian-born science reporter Erfan Kasraie then posted his own message to the SpaceX chief. I'm sure you won't answer it Mr Musk, but is it technically possible to provide Starlink to Iranian people? Kasraie asked. It could be a game changer for the future. Musk did answer Kasraie. He wrote, Starlink will ask for an exemption to Iranian sanctions in this regard. The sanctions he commented about are linked to Irans nuclear activities. The restrictions bar a wide range of U.S. companies from doing business with Iran. SpaceX owns and operates Starlink, a network of satellites launched into near-Earth orbit. Since the network is satellite-based, it is designed to provide high-speed internet service to rural and under-connected areas of the world. SpaceX says the service aims to produce internet speeds up to 300 megabits per second (Mbps) to all areas of the world. In the United States, the service costs $110 a month, with a one-time cost of $599 for equipment. The service costs less in some other parts of the world. So far, more than 3,000 Starlink satellites have been deployed to space. SpaceX launched the latest set of 54 satellites on Sunday. In a video released on social media in June, the company said the Starlink service had nearly 500,000 users in 32 countries. Several people asked Musk on Twitter to provide the satellite-based internet service in Iran. Musks suggestion that he will seek an exemption to offer the service in Iran came as widespread protests took place in the countrys Kurdistan province. The area is home to Irans Kurdish minority. The demonstrations were held to protest the death earlier this month of a 22-year-old woman who died while in police detention. The woman, Mahsa Amini, was arrested by officers of Irans morality police. The United Nations human rights office condemned Aminis death and called for an investigation. The U.N. body says the countrys morality officers have expanded their activities in recent months. They have targeted women for not correctly wearing the Islamic head covering known as a hijab. Iranian police have denied mistreating Amini and said she died of a heart attack. Iranian officials have said they are investigating the incident. In Iran, access to social media and some media content is severely restricted. In recent days, the internet watch group NetBlocks reported a "near-total" disruption to internet connectivity in the capital of Irans Kurdish area, where the protests took place. Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, Elon Musk announced that the Starlink service had been established in Ukraine. His announcement came after the NetBlocks group said it had confirmed major disruptions to internet service across Ukraine after the start of the invasion. SpaceX said recently it had deployed more than 15,000 Starlink receivers to Ukraine. Musk said earlier this year that Russian forces had not been able to disrupt the Starlink service. In April, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it had helped provide 5,000 Starlink receivers to Ukraine through a public-private partnership with SpaceX. USAID explained the Starlink system deployment in a statement. It said the receivers aimed to permit public officials and critical citizen service providers to continue to communicate within Ukraine and with the outside world when other communication services were disrupted. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse and Twitter. Quiz - Elon Musk Seeks to Bring Starlink Internet Service to Iran Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story exemption n. special permission not to have to do something or pay something sanction n. an action taken to force a country to obey international laws by limiting trade or aid to the country access n. the ability to find or see something disrupt v. to interfere with a normal activity ______________________________________________________________________ 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. A database that follows the worlds fossil fuel production, reserves, and release of carbon launched on Monday. The launch comes out at the same time as two important climate talks happening at the international level. One is the climate talks at the United Nation's General Assembly in New York which began on September 13. The other is COP27 in Sharm El Skeikh which begins in November. The database is called The Global Registry of Fossil Fuels. It includes data from over 50,000 oil, gas, and coal fields in 89 countries. That covers 75 percent of the worlds reserves, production, and release of carbon into the atmosphere. And it is available for public use, a first for a collection of this size. Until now, there has been private data available for purchase, and research of the worlds fossil fuel usage and reserves. The International Energy Agency also keeps public data on oil, gas, and coal. But it centers on the demand for those fossil fuels. This new database, however, looks at what is yet to be burned. The information could help environmental groups to pressure leaders for stronger policies reducing the amount of carbon they release. The database was developed by Carbon Tracker. It is a nonprofit organization that researches changes in energy use and their effects on financial markets. Global Energy Monitor also helped develop the database. It is an organization that follows different energy projects around the world. Mark Campanale is a founder of Carbon Tracker. He said he hopes the database will empower groups to hold governments accountable. Campanale said that civil groups need to have more information on what governments are planning to do in terms of giving permits for coal, oil, and gas. He said they need to, actually begin to challenge this permitting process. He added that it is very important that the world reduces carbon output. Carbon Tracker research In the research, Carbon Tracker found that the United States and Russia still have enough underground and unused fossil fuel to go over the worlds remaining amount of carbon budget. The carbon budget is the point at which the world will go over the set amount of 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming. Campanale said investors and shareholders should be holding the worlds largest fossil fuel companies responsible when they approve new fuel mining projects. Campanale said the hope is the investment community will use the data to begin to challenge the investment plans of companies still planning to expand oil, gas, and coal projects. Rob Jackson is a Stanford University climate scientist who was not involved with the database research. He added, We already have enough extractable fossil fuels to cook the planet. We cant afford to use them all or almost any of them at this point. Im Gregory Stachel. Drew Costley reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. _______________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story reserve n. a supply of something that is stored so that it can be used at a later time accountable adj. required to be responsible for something challenge v. to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal extract v. to remove (something) by pulling it out or cutting it out _______________________________________________________________________ What do you think of fossil fuels? 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 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. About 230 whales beached themselves on the western part of the Australian island of Tasmania. It is the second such incident in recent days. At least half are alive and animal officials are working to rescue them. They are also trying to understand why the whales got stuck. The whales are stuck on Ocean Beach near Macquarie Harbor in the western part of Tasmania. Exactly two years ago, 470 whales became stuck on sand in the same area. That time, about 100 whales were saved but the rest died. The whales are pilot whales, which weigh between 1,000 and 2,000 kilograms and measure over 6 meters. The International Whaling Commission says pilot whales are the species that most often is beached in large numbers. Some scientists believe it is because they travel in large groups and follow a leader. Tasmanias Department of Natural Resources said a team from the Marine Conservation Program was heading to the area to help the whales. The harbor does not have deep water and its entrance is known by locals as Hells Gate. Linton Kringle is a salmon farmer who helped with the rescue in 2020. He told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation this years work would be more difficult. That time, he said, the whales were in the harbor so people could reach them easily on boats. This time, they are outside of the safe area, on a beach, which means it will be harder to get boats near them. Its too shallow, way too rough. My thoughts would be try to get them onto a vehicle if we cant swim them out, Kringle added. Vanessa Pirotta is a wildlife scientist who studies animals like whales and dolphins. She said the fact that the whales have gotten stuck around the same place during the same part of the year suggests there might be something environmental here. There was another incident of whales getting stuck in Tasmania on Monday. In the northern part of the island state, 14 sperm whales were found on King Island. One scientist called that incident even more unusual than the pilot whales getting stuck. Olaf Meynecke is a marine scientist at Griffith University in Australia. He said warmer ocean temperatures could be forcing the whales into different areas to look for food. When they do this, they are not in the best physical condition because they might be starving, so this can lead them to take more risks and maybe go closer to shore, Meynecke said. Im Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on a report by the Associated Press. ________________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story beach v. when a large ocean animal such as a whale comes out of the water and onto land and cannot return to the water species n. a group of animals that are similar and can produce young shallow adj. describing a small distance from the surface of the water to the bottom shore n. the land along an area of water ________________________________________________________________________ We want to hear from you. Do you think the whales will get back in the water? 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 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. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a call-up of military reservists on Wednesday after recent military losses in Ukraine. It is the first mobilization of reservists since the second world war. The move quickly led to a sell-out of plane tickets leaving the country and reportedly brought some demonstrations. Russia has struggled to replace its troops in Ukraine. The military has sought out volunteers and even reportedly brought prisoners to join the war. In his seven-minute televised speech to the nation, Putin claimed, without evidence, that NATO countries had threatened to use nuclear weapons against Russia. And he said Russia also has various means of destruction. Putin added that he would use all available means to protect the Russian people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told a German newspaper that he thought Putin would be unlikely to use nuclear weapons. But he noted that Putins threat showed why it was important to stand up to him. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg denounced Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons as "dangerous and reckless. At a speech to the United Nations Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden called on all nations to speak out against Russia's brutal, needless war. How many reservists The total number of reservists to be called up could be as high as 300,000, Russian officials said. However, the order offered few details, raising suspicions that the number could get larger. Russian political expert Dmitry Oreshkin said Putins announcement felt like an act of desperation. He said the Russian people will find ways to resist Putins decision. People will evade this mobilization in every possible way, bribe their way out of this mobilization, leave the country, Oreshkin told the AP. The Vesna youth democratic opposition movement called for nationwide protests. The group said, Thousands of Russian men -- our fathers, brothers and husbands -- will be thrown into the war. What will they be dying for? What will mothers and children be crying for? Russian activist group Avtozak reported small demonstrations following Putins speech in several cities in Siberia and the Far East, with some arrests. As protest calls spread online, Russian officials warned that organizing or participating in such actions could lead to up to 15 years in prison. The Russian state agency overseeing communication and media, also warned that websites would be blocked for publishing what they called false information about the mobilization. The partial mobilization order came a day after Russian-controlled areas in eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans to hold votes on becoming parts of Russia. The votes will start Friday in the Luhansk, Kherson and partly Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk areas. Russia already considers Luhansk and Donetsk to be independent states. The two areas together make up the Donbas that Russia partially occupied in 2014. Ukraine and the West consider all parts of Ukraine held by Russian forces to be illegally occupied. Russia now holds about 60 percent of Donetsk and had captured nearly all of Luhansk by July after months of fighting. The voting is all but certain to go Russias way. And foreign leaders have described the votes as illegal. The war in Ukraine has killed thousands of people, driven up food prices worldwide and caused energy costs to increase. It has also brought fears of a possible disaster at Europes largest nuclear plant in Ukraines now Russia-occupied southeast. Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu said 5,937 Russian soldiers have died in the conflict. That figure is far lower than Western estimates of tens of thousands. Im Dan Novak. Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by The Associated Press and Reuters. ______________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story reserve n. a supply of something that is stored so that it can be used at a later time mobilize v. to make soldiers, an army, etc. ready for war ticket n. a piece of paper that allows you to see a show, participate in an event, travel on a vehicle, etc. desperation n. a strong feeling of sadness, fear, and loss of hope evade v. to stay away from bribe n. something valuable that is given in order to get someone to do something The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, or GAVI, struggled to buy vaccines for needy countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization said it has now set up plans to draw money immediately if it needs to buy vaccines for future pandemics. GAVI Chief Executive Seth Berkley said that, in 2020 and 2021, GAVI was limited in its ability to buy COVID-19 vaccines. Although donors had promised to give GAVI $2.4 billion, the group only had $400 million in cash on hand. Berkley told Reuters: "We've now put in a series of really interesting instruments. Some here in the U.S., some in Europe, that allow us to front-load donor funding... we can then go ahead and make those commitments and start spending, knowing that those donors' funds will come." "The idea would be to have enough to jumpstart it," Berkley said. In April, GAVI announced a similar funding plan of $4.8 billion as part of its COVID response. GAVI and the World Health Organization (WHO) ran the international COVAX program. That partnership provides COVID-19 vaccines to the world's poorer countries. COVAX has sent more than 1.72 billion vaccine treatments to 146 countries. Still, the group struggled to buy enough vaccines to share with poor countries in the first half of 2021. Berkley said that was because some countries, including the United States, India, South Africa and Britain, wanted to keep a large number of vaccines for themselves. "All across the world, there were countries saying, We're only going to take care of ourselves first," he said. Berkley said that for future pandemics it will be important to make vaccines in more places and develop vaccine manufacturing ability in smaller countries like Singapore and Rwanda. Now, improved production has led to an oversupply of vaccines this year. Since June, COVAX has even been asking vaccine makers to cut or slow deliveries of 400 million to 600 million vaccine treatments. COVAX already has 300 to 400 million COVID-19 vaccine doses available if countries need more supply, Berkley said. Im Jill Robbins. Michael Erman reported on this story for Reuters. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. ______________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story global adj. something that exists in or affects all parts of the world alliance n. a merging of efforts or interests by persons, families, states, or organizations allow - v. to let do, happen, permit or let funding n. a sum of money set aside for some particular purpose commitment - n. a pledge or promise; obligation jumpstart - v. to make a process or system start working quickly or effectively ______________________________________________________________________ What do you think of this story? 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. LEXINGTON Three people were transported to the hospital after an accident at a blind intersection during the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 21. At 4:40 p.m., the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department and Priority Medical Transport were dispatched to the intersection of Roads 754 and 436 for the report of an accident with injuries. On scene, a gray four door car with heavy front end damage had come to rest in 436 Rd. ditch, while a black Chevy SUV had come to rest in a field to the east of the intersection, with front end and passenger side damage. LVFD Fire Chief Bo Berry described the intersection as blind due to the crops on either side. Two occupants from the Chevy and one occupant from the car were transported to Lexington Regional Health Center for undisclosed injuries. The accident is being investigated by the Dawson County Sheriffs Office. Hillary A. Sale (Georgetown University Law Center; Georgetown University - McDonough School of Business) has posted In re The Walt Disney Co. Derivative Litigation Rewritten (in Feminist Judgements: Rewritten Corporate Law, (Kelli Alces Williams, Anne Choike, & Usha R. Rodrigues, eds. (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2022))) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: In re The Walt Disney Co. Derivative Litigation is notable for upholding the broad latitude courts afford to boards through the business judgment rule. The case addressed a $130 million termination package delivered to former Disney CEO, Michael Ovitz, after fourteen months of underperformance at the company. This rewritten opinion, to be published in Feminist Judgements: Rewritten Corporate Law, (Kelli Alces Williams, Anne Choike, & Usha R. Rodrigues, eds.) (Cambridge Univ. Press, forthcoming 2022), follows the style of the Delaware Supreme Court and reaches the same outcome with a different approach. The opinion expounds on the corporate governance practices in use by Disneys board, explaining how a lack of diversity, inclusion, and creative friction led to bad business decision making. Michael Eisner, serving as Disneys CEO, failed to engage with all of the board members, let alone all members of the compensation committee, instead leaning on just a few. His strategy stifled thought and discussion among directors, preventing the innovation that can accompany diversity when it is combined with inclusion. Nevertheless, this opinion affirms the Delaware Supreme Courts 2006 decision because the choices, even if disappointing, did not amount to a violation of fiduciary duties under Delaware law. In the spirit of the Delaware Supreme Court, however, the opinion also provides best practices and suggestions to foster the engagement and communication requisite to a healthy board and strong corporate governance. The opinion looks to research existing at the time of the original decision, including studies on how even if diversity creates some tension, that tension may well be what leads to innovation, and better business results. Of course, inclusion is what makes diversity sticky and allows diverse teams to unlock their potentialand what was missing on the Disney board. Ultimately, a more inclusive decision-making process, executed by a diverse group of decision-makers, has the potential to provide the informed discussion, questioning, and debate necessary to avoid groupthink, improve business results, and enhance board judgment. During a brief storm Tuesday, a driving rain transformed into a throbbing downpour and, for a brief moment, Madisons East Side grew dark as hail crashed from a threatening sky. Inside the gallery at Tandem Press, director Paula Panczenko peered out the window and declared the weather Lynchian. Its an adjective often used these days at UW-Madisons Tandem Press, located at 1743 Commercial Ave. and currently hosting the exhibition Enigma: The Prints of David Lynch through Oct. 28. A free public opening is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday, followed by an outdoor screening of the 2016 documentary David Lynch: The Art Life. Lynch himself, the recipient of a 2019 Academy Honorary Award, is best known as an absurdist, surrealist filmmaker his works include Eraserhead, Elephant Man, Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive and as co-creator of the Twin Peaks TV series, which ran from 1990-91 and was revived for a season on Showtime in 2017. Less known, perhaps, is that Lynch, originally and still a prolific painter, is also a musician, print artist and a longtime collaborator with UW-Madisons Tandem Press. His former wife (film producer Mary Sweeney) lived here, and he would come to Madison every summer starting in the late 1990s, Panczenko recalled. Once we got to know him a little bit, he would come in from time to time and just make prints. The first time he came in, everybody was so scared nobody said a word to him, she recalled. Others at the press were so intimidated, They just kept their heads down and couldnt believe they were working with David Lynch, especially the students. After a few days, he turned around to everyone and said, Doesnt anyone want to show old David their work? So they brought him their work. Hes a very charming, friendly person, Panczenko said. Hes quite different than the work he sees both sides, the dark, and the lighter side of life. Lynchs cinematic aesthetic is described as surrealist horror and darkly comic, but is so distinctive that it has its own unique descriptor: Lynchian. And his works in Tandems Enigma, created between 1998 and 2021, dwell on that darker, moody Lynchian side, built on layers of black and mystery. For his most recent print series, Distorted Nude Photogravures, Lynch used image manipulation software to alter photographs borrowed with permission from the collection 1000 Nudes: A History of Erotic Photography from 1839-1939. The resulting images echo a 19th-century peep show, but the bodies are dim, deformed and seemingly both distant and close. Lynch experimented with the works amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and he and Tandem printmakers sent proofs back and forth through the mail, said Tandem curator J Myszka Lewis. Thats part of the times now, that artists have to work that way, she said. In a series from 1999, Lynch evokes burnt desert shrubs in shades of black. Another group of highly textured collagraphs were created using handmade paper and layered materials some that Lynch bought at a St. Vincent de Paul thrift store, such as a doll or faux-lizard-skin bag, Lewis said that he painted and then placed in a hydraulic press. Left his mark Tandem Press visitors can see the hydraulic press, a favorite of the artist, where he left his mark when he repainted a metal plate on the machine bearing the letters DAKE. Now they read DKL, Lynchs initials. Enigma was designed to pique the curiosity of Lynch fans who might not have previously followed his printmaking career and it seems to be working. One person came in and I didnt even have to ask what they wanted to see: They were wearing a Twin Peaks T-shirt, Panczenko said. We had a couple of people drive up from Illinois to see the show, Lewis said. There was someone from the West Coast who happened to be in the area and wanted to come in and see it. Were definitely getting people from Madison and the area. The prints are for sale, most between $2,000 and $4,000 unframed. So mysterious Born in Missoula, Montana, in 1946, Lynch studied painting at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. In 1970, he moved to Los Angeles to study filmmaking at the AFI Center for Advanced Film Studies. Everything emanates from his paintings. Hes always painted, Panczenko said. In fact, the documentary The Art Life explores how painting led Lynch to film, Lewis said. For the exhibition opening, At first, we thought wed show one of the films hes known for, she said. But The Art Life also discusses where his inspiration comes from something that even Lynch fans might not have quite figured out. His work is so mysterious, and he doesnt like to share his thinking behind his work, or what its supposed to mean, she said. Its very open-ended. Longtime Madison residents who like Middle Eastern food will fondly remember Lulus on Old University Avenue, which Sabi Atteyih said was the citys first Mediterranean restaurant. Taza, the excellent new restaurant in Middleton, is a descendent of Lulus. Atteyih brought Mohammad Hinnawi to Madison from Chicago 30 years ago to work for his mother at Lulus. Hinnawi was a chef and manager there for 20 years until the property was redeveloped. After that, Hinnawi had the Nile restaurant on Odana Road for nine years. Atteyih, meanwhile, owned the former Casbah Restaurant and Lounge off the Capitol Square, from 1999 until 2007. The two men, both of whom are Palestinian, opened Taza on June 6 in what had been Compadres Mexican restaurant before it moved a block away. My daughter and I had a terrific meal there on a recent Saturday night, starting with the vegetarian delight ($13.99), which is listed as a vegetarian dinner, but we treated as an appetizer. Customers choose three items from among five: hummus, baba ghanouj, grape leaves, falafel and tabbouleh. The hummus was fantastic, particularly served with olive oil, chickpeas and parsley on top; the garlicky baba ghanouj was equally good, enhanced by chopped tomato and dried mint; and the three falafel balls were enjoyable, too, especially dipped into the hummus or baba ghanouj, beautifully composed on the plate. The feta cheese and olives ($6.99) had a ton of delicious feta, but the assorted olives promised on the menu were only two types, both common green olives with pits. The shish taouk, or chicken kebob ($18.99), was well-seasoned but somewhat dry. The plate held rice and hummus presented as it was in the vegetarian delight, with olive oil and garbanzos. The blackened tomato and white onion that came with the chicken was a nice touch. Moussaka with bechamel ($13.99), the Greek eggplant casserole, was perfectly prepared with extremely tender eggplant. All three dishes came with pita, plus soup or salad. The basket of pita we were served initially wasnt the freshest, or maybe it had been lightly toasted. We didnt complain, but our waiter happened to arrive with new soft, warm pita, which was greatly appreciated. Both soups, the toasty split yellow pea and the tart spinach lentil, were substantial and filling. The side salad with tomato and red onions was fine, but had too much frisee for my taste. The real standout of the meal was a small square of baklava ($4) with walnuts, made at Taza. It was perfectly crisp and not overly sweet or sticky. Tazas outdoor seating, carved out of its parking lot, was full the night we dined. Instead, we sat inside, where there are front and back sections. Our booth in back was comfortable, but the main wall was crying for some art or decoration. The room was a bit over air-conditioned. One of the servers adjusted the thermostat halfway into our meal, remedying the issue without us asking. The two servers working when we were there were a little green, but our waiter was friendly and helpful. Atteyih, whos a great host, told me that some of Tazas summer staff returned to college out of state and that hes training new employees. Hinnawi said that Taza, which means fresh in Arabic, has the same menu as the Nile, which he sold in June 2020 because of COVID-19. No people wanted to work and I couldnt handle it by myself, said Hinnawi, who also had knee surgery then, which meant he couldnt be on his feet for six months. New owners ran it as the Nile at first and then changed the name to Petra Bakery & Restaurant. Both Petra and Taza are great additions to the Madison area. The restaurant is doing well, and has exceeded our expectations at this stage, Atteyih told me after our meal. Our fans have come out and supported us from day one practically. Its a challenging time to be in business, not just as a nation, but individually. We shouldnt be taking any risk at this point in our lives, but were taking a tremendous amount of risk doing this endeavor, he said. The men are both in their late 50s. Bassam Shakhashiri, the Lebanese UW-Madison chemistry professor who delighted audiences with his elaborate Christmas-season show for 50 years, and retired last year at age 81, is one such fan. He said hes eaten at Taza about two dozen times. He was dining with a few others when we were seated, and I stopped by his table for recommendations. Everything is good, he said. And he wasnt too far off. Diner's scorecard Restaurant: Taza Location: 1900 Cayuga St., Middleton Phone: 608-203-8282 Website: None Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Prices: Appetizers $6.99 to $8.50, soup $3.25 and $5.99, salads $7.99 to $11.50, entrees $13.99 to $31. Noise level: Low Credit cards: Accepted Accessibility: Yes Outdoor dining: Yes, four tables Delivery: No Drinks: Full bar Gluten-free: Most of menu is GF Vegetarian offerings: Many Kids menu: Yes Reservations: Yes Parking: Good-sized lot Service: Somewhat slow and inexperienced, but friendly Bottom line: Fans of the Nile, Casbah and Lulu's will be happy with Taza. Eds: This story was supplied by The Conversation for AP customers. The Associated Press does not guarantee the content. (THE CONVERSATION) The Uighurs, a Muslim minority ethnic group of around 12 million in northwest China, are required by the police to carry their smartphones and IDs listing their ethnicity. As they pass through one of the thousands of newly built digital media and face surveillance checkpoints located at jurisdictional boundaries, entrances to religious spaces and transportation hubs, the image on their ID is matched to their face. If they try to pass without these items, a digital device scanner alerts the police. You can listen to more articles from The Conversation, narrated by Noa, here. But even complying with the rules wont necessarily keep them out of trouble. During random spot-checks the police at times demand that an individual hands over their unlocked phone which the police then examine manually or plug into a scanner. I did ethnographic research with Han and Uighur migrants for more than 24 months between 2011 and 2018 in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, in northwest China. During this period, I was affiliated with the Xinjiang Arts Institute. My position allowed me to interview hundreds of Han and Uighur people. I read and speak both Uighur and Chinese so I was able to communicate with people in their own language. When I first began my research in the region, smartphone use was not that tightly controlled by the police. But by 2018 it had became common knowledge among my Uighur interviewees that if they did not carry their phone with them or failed to produce it they could be detained. The Uighur internet The Uighur majority areas on the border of Central Asia only became a fully integrated part of China in the 2000s. They were effectively colonized when millions of non-Muslim Han settlers moved into their community in the 1990s and 2000s to extract natural resources such as oil and natural gas. Earlier they lived much more autonomously in desert oasis towns and villages much like the Uzbeks in Uzbekistan, a group that shares a similar history and language as the Uighurs. In 2011, the Chinese government built 3-G networks in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Cheap smartphones soon became available in local markets of this region and Uighurs began to use the new social media app WeChat. WeChat, which is owned by the Chinese company Tencent, was put into general use across the whole country in 2012 after Facebook and Twitter were banned in 2009. Smartphones became a common feature of daily life for millions of Uighur villagers. At the time, the way Uighurs used them was unique. In other parts of China, the Chinese language was used in social media communication. Uighur uses Arabic script radically different from the character based Chinese and acted as a form of coded speech that state censors couldnt understand. When I began my research project, I was interested in the way online culture produced forms of Islamic, Chinese and Western identity and the way it brought people of different ethnicities together. I found that Uighurs used smartphones differently than other internet users. On traditional internet sites that required text-based communication, Uighur web users faced tighter forms of censorship since state authorities viewed them as potential terrorists. They were viewed this way since Uighurs had long protested the way their briefly independent nation had been subsumed by China and their religious practices were restricted, lashing out violently at times. Using WeChat on smartphones gave Uighurs the ability to circulate short audio messages, videos and images. Beginning in 2012 this allowed Uighurs to develop semi-autonomous forums in Uighur spoken language. Initially Chinese state authorities did not have the technical capabilities to monitor and control Uighur oral speech or Uighur text embedded in images as memes. They could turn the Uighur internet on and off, but they could not fully regulate what Uighurs said because they spoke in another language. Based on hundreds of interviews and my own observations Uighurs used these forumsto discuss cultural knowledge, political events and economic opportunities outside their local communities. Over the course of only a few years, online Islamic teachers based in the region and elsewhere in the Islamic world, in places like Turkey and Uzbekistan, became influential throughout Uighur social media. Their messages focused primarily on Islamic piety. They described what types of practices were halal, and how people should dress and pray. According to scholars Rachel Harris and Aziz Isa the vast majority of those who began to study Islam by smartphone were simply interested in instruction on what it might mean to be a contemporary Muslim, something they felt was lacking in government-censored state-run mosques. The Uighur internet as a space of surveillance But Chinese state authorities interpreted it differently. They regarded the Islamic appearance and practice of Uighurs, such as young men growing beards and praying five times per day, as signs of what state authorities described as the extremification of the Uighur population. They began to link violent incidents, such as a suicide attack in the city of Kunming in Eastern China, to what government officials told me was the Talibanization of the Uighurs. In response to this Chinese authorities declared what they called a Peoples War On Terror. They began to use techniques of counterinsurgency, a mode of military engagement that stresses mass intelligence gathering, to assess the Uighur population. As part of this process, in 2016, they began to collect biometric data, such as DNA, high-fidelity voice recordings and face scans, from the entire population of the region in order to track the activities of people on WeChat and in their daily lives using their voice signature and faceprint. They also began a process of interviewing millions of Uighurs and other Muslim minorities to determine who could be categorized as trustworthy or normal as stated on official population assessment forms. In order to determine this, state authorities mapped out the persons social network and history of Islamic practice, both in their local community and online. Since the total Muslim population of the region, including other Muslim groups such as the Kazakhs, Hui, Kyrgyz, Tajiks and others, is around 15 million, these assessments and activity checkpoints required the deployment of more than 90,000 police officers and more than 1.1 million civil servants. The majority of the security forces are of Han ethnicity. Han people are settlers in the Uighur region. They are not Muslim, they do not speak Uighur, and many of my Han interviewees described the Uighur culture as backward, primitive, or even dangerous. In order to aid in this assessment process, state authorities also contracted with Chinese private technology firms to develop software programs and hardware that could comb through the images, videos and speech recordings in the WeChat histories of a targeted person in a matter of seconds. The Uighur internet as a trap Through this process around 1.5 million Uighurs and other Muslims were determined untrustworthy and scheduled for detention and reeducation in a massive internment camp system. Government procurement records show that the camp facilities have no blank spots outside the vision of surveillance cameras and that the camp workers are often armed with tasers and other weapons. In the prison-like camps the detainees were held in crowded dormitory cells where they studied Chinese, learned the political thought of Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of Chinas ruling political party and confessed their past crimes. In many cases, these crimes were related to their internet use. Since more than 10% of the adult population has been removed to these camps, hundreds of thousands of children have been separated from one or more of their parents. Many children throughout the region are now held in boarding schools or orphanages which are run by non-Muslim state workers. Erasing identity Today the Uighur internet has begun to merge with the Chinese internet. Uighurs are discouraged from writing or speaking in Uighur or celebrating Uighur culture. Instead Uighurs often post statements written in Chinese attesting to their loyalty to the Chinese state. As my research shows, the Uighur internet has been transformed from a space that fostered a cultural flourishing for Uighurs into a space that controls many aspects of their lives. During my last trip to the region in 2018, my Uighur interlocutors told me that the Uighur internet had become a trap, or a qapqan that they cannot escape. The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. The Conversation is wholly responsible for the content. Wilson's family has for weeks demanded he be returned to the hospital for better treatment after he was shot by two Division of Criminal Investigation agents in early February. A state Department of Justice agent was charged Thursday in the Feb. 3 shooting of Quadren Wilson, an unarmed Black man who was wanted by authorities in a drug investigation. Mark Wagner, a DOJ Division of Criminal Investigation special agent, appeared in Dane County Circuit Court Thursday on a charge of second-degree recklessly endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, shortly after a criminal complaint was filed by Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, according to court records. Wagner, 49, of Milwaukee, was released on a $500 signature bond with his next court appearance set for Oct. 28. Defense attorney Michael J. Steinle sought to have the complaint dismissed, but the motion was rejected by Court Commissioner Brian Asmus. No charges have been filed against Nathan Peskie, the other state agent involved in the shooting. I am happy that theres been an attempt to render justice, theres been an attempt to hold someone responsible and accountable for what occurred: shooting an unarmed Black man in what I can only describe as an unreasonable and crazy method of trying to take him down for a crime that did not in any way, shape or form deserve this, Wilsons attorney, Stephen Eisenberg, told the Wisconsin State Journal. He said he was disappointed Peskie had not been charged, though charges still could be filed. Steinle did not respond to requests for comment. Wagner and Peskie 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 DCI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Madison police, the State Patrol and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Wilsons family has said he was shot five times in the back by the two agents. Wagner is identified in the criminal complaint as white; the family has said Peskie is also white. Investigators have refused to say how many shots Peskie and Wagner fired or how many times Wilson was hit. But the criminal complaint says he was shot once in the lower back by a bullet that broke into five fragments. An investigation later found two rounds missing from Wagners 9mm handgun and five rounds missing from Peskies rifle. Criminal complaint The complaint provided more details of the shooting: After agents pinned Wilsons silver Hyundai SUV from the front and behind with pickup trucks, they approached the rear of the vehicle with guns drawn and ordered Wilson to show his hands. One agent, using a crowbar-type tool, smashed the rear drivers side window in an attempt to let in more light, since the vehicle had darkly tinted windows. Wilson was revving the engine, and smoke was coming from the spinning tires. Wagner stated that, as he approached the vehicle, he saw Wilson fidgeting with something in his right hand and reaching down with his left arm. Wagner said that he could not see what Wilson had in his left hand, but after Wilson quickly moved both of his hands up, he told investigators, I thought, now he has a gun. Wagner said he then heard what sounded like a gunshot and felt something hit him, leading him to believe that he had been shot, and that he fired his weapon almost simultaneously before falling backward. Peskie told investigators he saw an object in Wilsons hand that looked like the muzzle of a gun. At the same time, he said, he saw a hole punched in the drivers side window and glass shatter outward in what he believed to be a gunshot coming from the inside of the vehicle. He saw Wagner fall, assumed he had been fatally shot and fired his rifle into Wilsons vehicle. But another agent told authorities that he did not see Wilson shoot and that he didnt see any damage to the ballistic shield that Wagner was holding as he approached Wilsons car, according to the complaint, which also said that Wilson was unarmed, and no firearm was found in his vehicle during subsequent searches. Asked by investigators why he fired his handgun, Wagner said: I was trying to stop him from shooting me. I was trying to stop him from shooting Nate. Wilson, 38, was hospitalized twice after the shooting, once for surgery and a second time to address an infection. In May, he was sentenced to three years in prison under a plea agreement for delivery of fentanyl and misdemeanor cocaine possession. Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement that his department would not comment on the case in order to avoid having any possible impact on the outcome. Defense response Eisenberg said he was distressed by the whole crazy concocted plan to arrest Wilson that morning. What did they expect to happen? Eisenberg said. These guys are jumping out of the cars all amped up, and they run to the side of the car and they say, Well, Quadren was moving around a little bit. Well, you know what? If I got slammed from the front and the back, and 10 people jumped out of cars and smashed my window out, I would have been a jerky mess. And youre telling me Im supposed to sit there stoically and say, Yes sir, officer, Im fine and dandy. I would have been an hysterical mess. Wilson likely panicked like anybody would have in that situation, Eisenberg said. The sound Wagner thought was a gunshot could have been Wilsons car window being broken out, he said. Eisenberg said Wilson was scheduled to see his probation officer the next morning, and could have been arrested then. Ozanne has had the case since early June, when the Sheriffs Office turned its investigation over to his office. In late July, Ozanne told the Dane County Board he expected a decision in the next couple of weeks. The shooting sparked protests and a rebuke of law enforcement by County Executive Joe Parisi for not providing more information about the shooting. Police were called Wednesday to East High School for an attack on a student and two fights broke out among other students off campus, police and the Madison School District said. Police said they were called to the school at 2222 E. Washington Ave. just before 2 p.m. after a 16-year-old who had been alone in a classroom during lunch was attacked by four others, including two 17-year-olds who arent East students but attend a different district program. The parties appeared to have had some past disagreements that led up to this incident, police spokesperson Hunter Lisko said in a statement. The victim was taken for medical treatment and is expected to make a full recovery, he said. Separately, in an email to parents Wednesday, East Principal Mikki Smith said three separate altercations, which originated outside of school, took place between a small number of students during the lunch hour, with two of these altercations occurring off campus. Staff called police to respond to one of the off-campus fights, district spokesperson Tim LeMonds said, but the other was over more quickly. Smith said students returning from lunch off campus were required to show their school IDs to get back into the building. District staff have said lunchtime is often when fights break out. The Office of School Safety is working with (Madison police) to further investigate these events, Smith said in the email, and East staff will determine disciplinary consequences outlined in the behavior education plan for those students involved. LeMonds said staff were working with the families of the students involved and it was determined there was no need for additional safety measures beyond what is provided on a daily basis at the school. Lisko said the investigation into the attack on the 16-year-old is ongoing and that at least two 17-year-olds are expected to face charges, but that the department was not releasing their names. The incidents Wednesday follow a 2021-22 school year that saw multiple fights or other violence at East that required a police response, including one in November that drew more than 15 police officers and sent five students to the hospital after suffering exposure from police use of pepper spray. Last school year was the first fully in-person school year since buildings were closed in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first fully in-person year since the School Board voted to remove police officers, known as school resource officers, from the districts four main high schools. Police Chief Shon Barnes is asking for money in next years city budget to assign a police officer to the neighborhoods around each of the four main high schools as part of an effort to reinvigorate the citys longtime neighborhood policing program thats been cut in recent years as the department has struggled to meet the need for regular patrol services. LeMonds has declined to say directly whether the district supports Barnes proposal. In response to last years violence at East, the new volunteer group Moms on a Mission has been stationing people at the high school during the lunch hour to provide snacks, form relationships with students and de-escalate conflict. Data on whether the schools and the areas around them have become more dangerous have been muddled or unavailable. Police said in August that from Sept. 1, 2021, to June 15, police had hundreds of calls to the high schools at all hours of the day specifically, 220 to East, 158 to La Follette, 170 to Memorial and 92 to West. Editor's note: This story was corrected on Sept. 23, 2022, to specify that the substance used at East High School in November was pepper spray, not tear gas. A Grand Marsh man was sentenced Wednesday to nearly 5 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possessing a fire arm as a felon. Charles Leofilos, 34 of Grand Marsh, pleaded guilty of possession of a firearm as a felon on June 1. He had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including substantial battery. Officers with the La Crosse Police Department stopped a car driven by Leofilos for a traffic violation on March 15, 2021 and, during the stop, a police canine alerted officers to the presence of controlled substances. Officers searched the car and found a handgun with a loaded magazine hidden behind the steering wheel and heroin hidden in a separate compartment below the steering wheel. Leofilos admitted to borrowing the gun as part of plan to confront one of his passengers over a drug dispute, and to taking the heroin as part of the same plan, United States Attorney Timothy OShea said in a statement. After he was released from local custody in connection to this case, Leofilos committed his fifth offense of operating a vehicle while under the influence and was sentenced to another 2 years in prison. The sentence for his fifth operating under the influence offense will begin after his time served for the gun possession. U.S. District Judge William M. Conley noted that the sentence was justified by the danger implicit in Leofilos offense, his lengthy criminal history, his unchecked substance abuse, and prior acts of violence. Conley noted it was easy to imagine what could have occurred had officers not stopped Leofilos car. Judge Conley also stated that Leofilos posed an ongoing danger to himself, those around him, and the community at large. The University of Wisconsin System has seen its highest new student enrollment since 2018, before the COVID-19 pandemic, at its main campuses this year, but overall enrollment has dropped 1% compared to last year, according to data released Thursday. Preliminary estimates based on the first day of classes show 26,442 first-year students, including freshmen and first-year transfers, enrolled this fall compared to 25,869 in fall 2021 and 25,602 in fall 2018, according to the System. Overall enrollment dropped 1%, or about 1,500 students, from 162,980 in 2021 to 161,430 in 2022, according to the estimates. This result was expected after the pandemic affected two years of enrollment, UW System spokesperson Mark Pitsch said in a statement. Campuses seeing enrollment increases are UW-Madison, UW-Green Bay and UW-Superior. Enrollment at UW-La Crosse has remained even, and the remainder of the campuses have decreased, the estimates show. The UW-Stevens Point Wausau campus saw the largest enrollment decrease of 25% from 531 students in fall 2021 to 397 students in 2022. The UW-Green Bay Manitowoc campus saw the largest enrollment increase of 24% from 341 students in fall 2021 to 422 in 2022. UW-Madison, the Systems largest campus, saw a 5% increase in enrollment, from 47,824 in fall 2021 to 50,001 in 2022. The System attributed the overall enrollment drop to fewer high school graduates in the pipeline and uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic. But System President Jay Rothman said the first-year enrollment figures this fall suggest an improved outlook in enrollment. The System has implemented strategies to increase access to post-secondary education on UW campuses, which include making ACT scores optional, an easier application process to multiple universities, and an application fee waiver. We will continue to demonstrate to students, parents, and the public that theres no better value than the UW System, Rothman said. Wisconsin is counting on us. Rothman said he hopes the Wisconsin Tuition Promise an initiative due to start in fall 2023 to allow students who come from families making less than $62,000 annually to attend a UW university without paying tuition or fees will encourage more low- and middle-income students to enroll in the coming years. Wisconsin is facing ongoing workforce challenges, and it is critical that the UW relentlessly focus on developing talent and graduates to ensure our state is competitive and economically vibrant, Rothman said. Final enrollment figures based on the 10th day of classes the standard measure of enrollment and the figure that will be officially reported to the U.S. Department of Education will differ slightly from the preliminary estimates based on the first day of classes. Some students enroll or discontinue studies after the first day of classes, Pitsch said. In her second State of Education Address, state Superintendent Jill Underly renewed her call for more state funds directed toward education while also condemning efforts by the GOP-led Legislature to limit teaching in Wisconsin schools on the history and effects of racism and sexism. Underlys comments Thursday come weeks after the Department of Public Instruction and Gov. Tony Evers unveiled the agencys 2023-25 budget request, which tops out at about $16.9 billion in state funds, marking a more than $2.4 billion increase from the current budget. Some Republicans in the Legislature, who have been reluctant to increase K-12 funding to the level sought by their Democratic colleagues, have increased pressure for proposals to expand private school vouchers in the state and prohibit the teaching of how American political and social systems can perpetuate racism. The only way to teach the complete story of the United States is to include the history of racism, Underly said. Grappling with difficult concepts, including discrimination, is essential, it is culturally relevant, and it is accurate teaching. Saying otherwise is problematic and racist. The differing viewpoints on the future of Wisconsin schools has set the stage for an education policy battle in the Nov. 8 election between Evers, a former educator and state superintendent, and businessman Tim Michels, a Republican who has pledged to expand school choice offerings across Wisconsin while banning the teaching of critical race theory, a theoretical framework sometimes discussed or explored in graduate-level college classrooms that examines how American institutions may perpetuate racial inequality. Literacy is the foundation of all learning, but instead of making sure that kids can read, Tony Evers and Jill Underly are focused on imposing woke politics and gender ideology in the classroom, Michels said. Evers and Underly earlier this month unveiled the 2023-25 budget proposal, which seeks to spend more than $240 million on mental health aid for students, which the Democratic governor said would allow each school district to hire at least one full-time mental health professional. It would also expand access to subsidized school meals and spend $750 million over the 2023-25 biennium to increase aid for special education. The rate at which special education in Wisconsins public schools is funded has been on a steady decline, from 70% in 1973, according to a 2019 report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum, to the current rate of roughly 30%, as costs increase. Speaking with WisconsinEye Newsmakers host Lisa Pugh on Wednesday, Dan Rossmiller, director of government relations for the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, said inadequate special-education funding forces schools to transfer money from their regular education programs to cover those mandated special-education services. That means that they face choices of either larger class sizes, cutting programs or going to referendum to maintain their programming and staffing, Rossmiller said. The proposed DPI budget would also increase school district revenue limits by $350 per pupil in the 2023-24 school year and another $650 per pupil in the following year. Per-pupil aid would also increase under DPIs plan, by $24 per student in the 2023-24 school year and $45 in the following year. In addition, officials have said directing about $800 million in new state aid to schools would ensure that per-pupil aid increases do not raise property taxes. Such a proposal may face an uphill battle in next years budget deliberations, however, as it will need approval from the GOP-led Legislature. The Republican co-chairs of the Legislatures powerful budget committee have said Evers plan lacks a plan to protect parents rights to have more choices and involvement in their childs education. School choice Jim Bender, Badger Institute consultant and member of the recently created Wisconsin Coalition of Education Freedom, a conservative coalition aimed at giving parents and students more options like expanded school choice, said simply throwing more money at schools is not the answer. That seems to be the questions that were getting, Bender told WisconsinEye. If youre going to invest more money, what are the changes you are going to see for investing more money? Republicans passed a bill last session that would have implemented a Parental Bill of Rights, another measure supported by the coalition. It aims to let parents sue a school district or school official if they dont allow parents to determine the names and pronouns used for their child while at school, review instructional materials and outlines used by the childs school and access any education-related information regarding the child, among other measures. Evers blocked the legislation, stating in an April 15 veto message he opposed it because I object to sowing division in our schools, which only hurts our kids and learning in our classrooms. School vouchers Evers also vetoed a measure that would have vastly expanded private school vouchers by eliminating the income limits in the statewide, Milwaukee County and Racine County private school voucher programs, as well as create a temporary education expense reimbursement program for public school students. A fiscal report estimated the bill could raise property taxes as much as $577 million. While Dr. Underly, Governor Evers and their liberal allies continue to ignore the importance of parental engagement, Republicans have provided historic investments in schools, while working to ensure parents have a seat at the table, said Rep. Mark Born, co-chair of the Legislatures budget committee. While the current state budget increased state funding for schools, district revenue limits are also capped by the Legislature, limiting how much school districts can raise in property taxes. Many districts have asked voters to approve levy increases that exceed the state revenue limits in order to cover costs and maintain staffing levels. Previous budgets Evers requested roughly $14.2 billion in state funding for the Department of Public Instruction in his 2019-21 biennial budget, but that was later pared down to about $13.2 billion by the GOP-controlled Joint Finance Committee. The final budget signed by Evers came in at just over $13.3 billion after the Democratic governor used his partial veto power to boost school funding by about $65 million. For the current 2021-23 budget, Evers requested about $15.3 billion for the agency. Republicans ultimately approved spending about $14.2 billion in the budget that Evers signed last summer. When Evers was state superintendent, DPI requested more than $46.6 billion in state funds for schools over the four budgets that spanned 2011-19. The combined spending in the four budgets ultimately passed and signed by the GOP Legislature and then-Republican Gov. Scott Walker amounted to about $44.6 billion in total state funds, according to data from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Speaking with reporters, Underly said current funding levels represent an abdication of responsibility by the GOP-led Legislature. That is their job to fund our public schools and we need to hold them accountable for that job, Underly said. While world leaders from wealthy countries acknowledge the existential threat of climate change, Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano is racing to save his tiny island nation from drowning by raising it 13 to 16 feet (4 to 5 meters) above sea level through land reclamation. While experts issue warnings about the eventual uninhabitability of the Marshall Islands, President David Kabua must reconcile the inequity of a seawall built to protect one house that is now flooding another one next door. That is the reality of climate change: Some people get to talk about it from afar, while others must live it every day. Natano and Kabua tried to show that reality on Wednesday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. Together they launched the Rising Nations Initiative, a global partnership aimed to preserve the sovereignty, heritage and rights of Pacific atoll island nations whose very existence has been threatened by climate change. Natano described how rising sea levels have impacted everything from the soil that his people rely on to plant crops, to the homes, roads and power lines that get washed away. The cost of eking out a living, he said, eventually becomes too much to bear, causing families to leave and the nation itself to disappear. This is how a Pacific atoll dies, Natano said. This is how our islands will cease to exist. The Rising Nations Initiative seeks a political declaration by the international community to preserve the sovereignty and rights of Pacific atoll island countries; the creation of a comprehensive program to build and finance adaptation and resilience projects to help local communities sustain livelihoods; a living repository of the culture and unique heritage of each Pacific atoll island country; and support to acquire UNESCO World Heritage designation. The initiative has already gained the support of countries like the United States, Germany, South Korea and Canada, all of which have acknowledged the unique burden that island nations like Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands must shoulder. A U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report released in February spelled out the vulnerability of small island developing states and other global hotspots like Africa and South Asia, whose populations are 15 times more likely to die from extreme weather compared to less vulnerable parts of the world. If warming exceeds a few more tenths of a degree, it could lead to some areas including some small islands becoming uninhabitable, said report co-author Adelle Thomas of Climate Analytics and the University of the Bahamas. On Thursday, Robert Abela, the prime minister of the island state of Malta, pointed to the serious threat that climate change poses to everyone, but especially to small islands developing states and coastal communities. It threatens state sovereignty, brings loss of territory, and causes damage to states critical infrastructure as well as their existing rights under maritime zone boundaries, Abela said. Natano noted that Tuvalu and its Pacific neighbors have done nothing to cause climate change, with their carbon emission contribution amounting to less than .03% of the world's total. This is the first time in history that the collective action of many nations will have made several sovereign countries uninhabitable, he said. Representatives from other nations who attended Wednesday's event did not deflect responsibility. But whether they will do enough to turn things around remains to be seen. Several have pledged money to help island nations pay for early warning systems and bring their buildings up to code to better protect them from hurricanes and other weather events. But there was less talk of mitigating the problem of climate change and more about how to adapt to the devastation it has already wrought. We see this train coming, and it's coming down the track, and we need to get out of the way, said Amy Pope, deputy director general of the International Organization for Migration. Germany's climate envoy, Jennifer Morgan, who also attended Wednesday's event, spoke of her country's target to reach carbon neutrality by 2045. But while Germany remains committed to phasing out coal as a power source by 2030, it has had to reactivate coal-fired power plants to get through the coming winter amid energy shortages as a result of Russias war in Ukraine. For the president of the Marshall Islands, wealthy nations could be doing much more. During his speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Kabua urged world leaders to take on sectors that rely on fossil fuels, including aviation and shipping. He pointed to the Marshall Islands carbon levy proposal for international shipping that he says will drive the transition to zero emission shipping, channeling resources from polluters to the most vulnerable. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has likewise encouraged going after the worlds largest polluters. During his opening remarks to the assembly on Tuesday, he pushed for richer countries to tax the profits of energy companies and redirect the funds to both countries suffering loss and damage caused by the climate crisis and those struggling with the rising cost of living. In the meantime, as wealthy countries urge action instead of words in their own U.N. speeches, Kabua, Natano and their fellow island nation leaders will continue to grapple with their daily climate change reality and try to continue to exist. Pia Sarkar, a Philadelphia-based journalist for The Associated Press, is on assignment covering the U.N. General Assembly. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/PiaSarkar_TK and for more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly WASHINGTON (AP) House Democrats on Thursday pushed through a long-sought policing and public safety package after overcoming internal differences on legislation they plan to make central to their election-year pitch. The package of four bills passed in succession all with bipartisan support and headed to the Senate, where their fate is uncertain. The Democrats' success came after party leaders spent hours wrangling with progressives who threatened to block the package over their concerns about increasing money for local police departments. A few lawmakers said the plan lacked the accountability measures that Democrats had once sought after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked protests against racial injustice. The House ended up approving the money, including for departments with fewer than 125 officers, and aid for de-escalation training and mental health services. A chief objective is reducing fatal encounters between police and people with mental illness. Other parts of the package would provide money for enhanced community violence intervention a priority for progressives and technology investments to help local investigators close unsolved cases, especially those involving gun crimes. The bottom line is that you cant cut it or defund your way to safer communities and better police departments, said Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., one of the lead negotiators. Its about investing to protect. We must always have the backs of those who risked their lives every day to protect us. Despite the opposition from some liberals, there was support from top progressives Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Ilhan Omar D-Minn., who had negotiated with Gottheimer, a moderate. Reps. Joyce Beatty of Ohio, who leads the Congressional Black Caucus, and Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the Democratic Caucus chairman, facilitated a number of the conversations after it was clear in recent days that progress could be made. After a deal was announced Wednesday, Democratic leaders quickly moved to bring the bills to a vote. We are proud of the work that we have been able to do here collectively as Democrats with different ideologies, Omar told reporters. And I think that this is the beginning, hopefully, of a process that we can continue to engage in. To get more liberals on board, language was included that would allow the Justice Department to have discretion over which police departments are permitted to receive the grants. It would also allocate departments to use any of the $60 million authorized for the data collection on police practices and community safety. A policing package that passed in the House in March 2021 went much further, including banning police chokeholds and altering so-called qualified immunity for law enforcement, which would make it easier to pursue claims of police misconduct. None of those provisions were included this time. Rep. Cori Bush, who rose to prominence as an activist leader in Ferguson, Missouri, after the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, said the current funding bill does little to address the crisis of police brutality. Even the most bare-bones accountability measures" passed last year failed to make it into the new package, Bush said in a statement. Despite those internal divisions, the bills did attract some Republican support. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., a co-sponsor of Gottheimer's funding bill, spent time on the floor Thursday urging other Republicans to join him in supporting it. This is for our law enforcement men and women. This is for those small agencies, Rutherford, a former sheriff in Jacksonville, said. We need to be able to help them out. And I can tell you the last 2 1/2 years has left law enforcement demoralized like I've never before seen it. More than 140 Republicans ended up voting for that bill. But other Republicans called the Democrats' package a last-ditch effort to win over voters in the November elections. Democrats are bringing out these bills today because we're 46 days from a midterm election, Rep. Pete Stauber R-Minn., said. They want the American people to suddenly and miraculously believe that they care about the crime crisis plaguing our nation. A Lyndon Station bar operator has been charged with starting the fire and explosion at the bar at the beginning of the month. According to a release from Lyndon Station Police Department chief Jeremy Bonikowske, 43-year-old Heath L. Fjorden is facing five felony charges stemming from the incident at Beagle's Bar and Grill, which Fjorden operates and is purchasing through land contract, on Sept. 1. The charges filed in Juneau County Circuit Court are: Arson of building with intent to defraud (Class C) Two counts of property damage by means of explosives (Class C) Two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety (Class F) If convicted on all counts, Fjorden could receive a maximum of 145 years in prison. According to the criminal complaint, based on evidence found at the scene, investigators deemed that the person responsible was seriously injured in starting the fire/explosion. Fjorden was located around 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 1 by authorities at the home of his ex-father-in-law and his wife in the town of Germantown with severe burns to his hands and arms and considerable burns to his face, back, and legs, for which he is still receiving treatment. Investigators found clothing belonging to Fjorden that smelled of gasoline. After being transported to Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston, Fjorden denied being at Beagle's the night before and stated his injuries were from a grill fire at his home in Baraboo. Law enforcement found no evidence to corroborate Fjorden's statement at the Baraboo home. Fjorden had allegedly lost his liquor license at his bar in Portage and he was facing a custody battle with his ex-wife with whom he is going through a divorce battle. A former Beagle's bartender who spoke with Bonikowske expressed concern of Fjorden doing something to the bar. Juneau County Sheriff's Office Det. Jay Greeno and Lt. Zac Board began walking around the scene at 3:00 a.m. on Sept. 1. Board pointed out the bowed out walls on the south end of the main floor of the bar. Greeno smelled smoke and gasoline and noticed scattered debris on the sidewalk outside the bar, as well as fans that Lyndon Station Fire personnel placed at open doors to blow smoke and other vapors out of the facility. Greeno then notified the Wisconsin State Fire Marshal's Office of the situation after he discovered two gasoline cans and possibly combustible fluid on the floor in the basement of the bar. Bonikowske was informed by Greeno and Lyndon Station Fire Chief Troy Madland of concerning information regarding Fjorden, with Madland having heard the possibility of Fjorden burning the building down on Aug. 31. Madland shared contact information of the former Beagle's bartender with Bonikowske. The Lyndon Station Police Chief then called the bartender, who told him that fellow bartenders felt things had "not been right" during the past few weeks, according to the complaint. Two residents in apartments located in the same building as Beagle's reportedly heard a loud bang noise at 1:00 a.m. on Sept. 1, with one of them, named "JMK" in the complaint, also reporting that the building shook. The other, named "JWE", observed smoke by the wall in his bathroom, his living room floor buckled, and a fan knocked over prior to reporting the fire. JWE reported that the basement door had been left open two days prior to the incident. JMK listed several unusual recent happenings at Beagle's. During the morning on Aug. 28, he unlocked the bar door knob for an employee and noticed a gas smell, which turned out to be a kitchen gas leak that closed the bar for the day before the leaking hose, which he took a photo of, was fixed on Aug. 29. The next day, JMK was awakened by a gas smell in his apartment. He then discovered the door knob locked again and stated that he and Fjorden were the last ones to leave the bar that night and knew they did not lock the knob. He opened the door and noticed a much stronger gas smell than that of Aug. 28. The source of the smell, according to the complaint, was a roughly 3-inch wide gap between the inlet pipe from the floor and the grill, where the pipe was dumping gas into the bar. JMK took a photo of the pipe. Juneau County Sheriff's Office deputies, the State Fire Marshal's Office, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Fire or Explosives (ATF) executed a search warrant Greeno was approved for. The agencies located evidence of arson that included the gas cans and gas-soaked rags, along with a red substance consistent with blood in handprints, as well as a wig. Law enforcement and fire personnel unsuccessfully attempted to contact Fjorden immediately following the explosion, both by phone and at his Baraboo residence. A bench warrant for Fjorden has been issued. He was treated for burns while awaiting the charges while being detained by the Juneau County Sheriff's Office. Beagle's Bar and Grill remains closed indefinitely following the explosion. RACINE Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin has been approved for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant. The total amount to be received is $1,527,489 over three years; the organization is to receive $509,163.28 a year, according to a news release from VOW issued Wednesday. With this grant, VOW will focus on increasing the publics knowledge of risk factors for suicide, recognition of warning signs and preparedness to support and respond. VOW operates the nationally renowned tiny home village for veterans at risk of homelessness at 1624 Yout St., Racine. The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program enables VA to provide resources toward community-based suicide prevention efforts to meet the needs of veterans and their families through outreach, suicide prevention services and connection to VA and community resources, according to the VA website. In alignment with VAs National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, this grant program assists in further implementing a public health approach that blends community-based prevention with evidence-based clinical strategies through community efforts. The grant program is part of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, signed into law on Oct. 17, 2020. Partners are Captain John D. Mason Peer Outreach program and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Racine County. The three organizations will combine efforts to utilize a wraparound approach to address concerns in any area of a veterans life, a release said. By collaborating with these incredible programs in Capt. John D. Mason and NAMI of Racine, it allows us to connect with more veterans in the community, stated VOW Executive Director Zach Zdroik. Were going from helping hundreds to helping thousands and we are ready for the challenge. When it comes to immigration, and especially at this moment in our politics, Im a bothsides-er. These days, complaining about both sides Democrats and Republicans invites a lot of scorn and ridicule, usually from people on one side. On some issues that scorn might be deserved. But on immigration, I am happy to seethe with contempt on the sidelines. Consider the brouhaha over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sending 50 migrants to the tiny liberal enclave of Marthas Vineyard. Im against using poor, desperate people as political props. DeSantis apparently misleading some migrants about what they were signing up for is even worse though cries of human trafficking and kidnapping strike me as ridiculous, partisan-fueled nonsense. DeSantis cynical stunt did everything he hoped it would. He upped the ante on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has been sending busloads of (apparently consenting) migrants to liberal cities such as New York and Chicago. Abbotts efforts have a high quotient of owning the libs to them as well, because he has not coordinated with local officials, preferring to drop them off by surprise, most recently at Vice President Kamala Harris residence. Arizonas Gov. Doug Ducey, another Republican, has been more responsible, coordinating with local officials to ensure migrants find support when they get off the bus. But it was DeSantis move that sent Democrats and much of the media into a frenzy of outrage which is exactly what he wanted. No wonder Donald Trump is reportedly furious that DeSantis is stealing the limelight from him. I will be surprised if DeSantis doesnt get a bump in the polls among Republicans. Many Democrats wont be surprised either, because theyve convinced themselves that the cruelty is the point of Republican policies. What neither side will admit is that immigration is a very hard problem. But we have two parties dominated by voices who claim otherwise. On one side are the Republicans who agree its a problem, just not a very hard one. Simply build a wall, close the border and deport those who are here. On the other side are the Democrats who have trouble admitting that immigration is a problem at all. Harris recently insisted the border is secure. You dont have to be a partisan Republican to find that insulting to your intelligence. In the last 11 months, nearly 2 million migrants have been apprehended at the border. Thousands of migrants have died on both sides of the border precisely because they rightly believe its not secure. A majority of Americans including 4 in 10 Democrats believe its at least partly true that America is experiencing an invasion. That sounds like a problem to me. Whether you dislike their tactics or not, DeSantis and the GOP have a legitimate point. For years, Democratic politicians, particularly mayors of sanctuary cities, have pandered to immigration activists by proclaiming no one is illegal and everyone is welcome, and that people who complain about immigration are just bigots who cant handle diversity. Obviously, some bigoted Republicans have made such charges very easy for Democrats. But New York Mayor Eric Adams made it seem like his city was overwhelmed by a humanitarian crisis when some 6,000 migrants were bused up from Texas over the course of weeks. Texas gets almost that many every few days. Moreover, the federal government has been transporting migrants around the country for years under the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations for administrative and security purposes. When DeSantis and Abbot do this, the media calls it an outrage, and its meant to spark outrage. But it also calls attention to a national crisis. If you tuned in to media reports, youd think the crisis is what Republicans are doing with a tiny number of migrants, not the millions of migrants whove been arriving at the border for years. We got to this point because about a decade ago, both parties decided it was in their interest to have the issue to rally around rather than solve the problem via compromise. Both parties benefited from demonizing the other and both shared the same faulty assumption that Latinos were somehow destined to vote for Democrats. Both sides have preferred to exploit the dysfunction they caused. For years, when asked what my preferred immigration policy would be, my standard answer has been to have one. I agree with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., when she says, It is cruel to treat human beings like pawns in a political game. But that is precisely what Republicans and Democrats have been doing for a long time. President Joe Biden finally dared to say, declaring in a recent interview on CBSs 60 Minutes that the pandemic is over. Various public health eminences are saying hes wrong, but his comments recognize the reality of the disease at this stage and the public mood. The trouble is that his administration still hasnt lifted its official finding of a COVID public-health emergency. Eric Topol, the Scripps Research Translational Institute director who is one of Americas leading COVID scolds, tweeted Wish this was true. Whats over is @POTUSs and our governments will to get ahead of it, with magical thinking on the new bivalent boosters. Ignores #LongCovid, inevitability of new variants, and our current incapability for blocking infections and transmission. But global COVID deaths in the first week of September were the lowest since March 2020 when the World Health Organization declared COVID a pandemic, and even Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus last week said the end is in sight. COVID has become significantly less lethal as most people in the U.S. and world have gained some level of immunity from vaccination or infection. About 400 Americans each day have been dying from COVID this summer, but most are elderly or have other medical ailments. Its still important to protect the vulnerable. But for most Americans, COVID is no worse than a bad flu. If you are up-to-date on your vaccines today, and you avail yourself of the treatments, your chances of dying (from) COVID are vanishingly rare and certainly much lower than your risk of getting into trouble with the flu, White House COVID response coordinator Ashish Jha told National Public Radio. If thats right, why hasnt the president also declared an end to the public health and national emergencies? If the pandemic is over, then so is the emergency. Yet the administration continues to extend the public health emergency that was first declared in January 2020. The reason is almost certainly money. A March 2020 COVID law enables the government to hand out billions of dollars in welfare benefits to millions of people as long as the emergency is in effect. This includes more generous food stamps and a restriction on state work requirements. It also limits states from removing from their Medicaid rolls individuals who are otherwise no longer financially eligible. The Foundation for Government Accountability estimates these ineligibles cost nearly $16 billion a month. Most outrageous, only weeks ago the administration used a separate national emergency declaration related to the pandemic to legally justify canceling some $500 billion in student debt. ... Biden seems to want it both ways. He wants to reassure Americans tired of restrictions on their way of life that the pandemic is over and they can get on with their lives. But he wants to retain the official emergency so he can continue to expand the welfare state and force states to comply. COVID cant be an emergency only when its politically useful. Chronic Wasting Disease was detected for the first time in Idaho in 2021 after more than 20 years of proactive surveillance and testing. CWD is a contagious and fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. There is no cure for this fatal disease. As a result of last years detection and as part of Fish and Games annual surveillance program, biologists in the Magic Valley will focus CWD sampling efforts for mule deer and elk across the hunting units that border the State of Utah. Idaho is bordered to the north, east and south by Montana, Wyoming, and Utah, all of which have been CWD positive for several years. Who should have their deer and elk tested Fish and Game does not recommend that all hunters who harvest a deer, elk or moose in Idaho have it tested for CWD. According to the CDC, there has been no reported cases of CWD infecting people. However, the CDC recommends that people do not eat meat from an animal that tests positive for CWD. In the Magic Valley Region, deer and elk hunters who hunt in Units 54, 55, 56, and 57 are encouraged to have their harvested animals tested for CWD. Deer and elk testing Testing for CWD is done after harvest by removing the lymph nodes in the neck of the deer or elk, or by removing the obex, which is the tissue at the base of the brain. It can take up to six weeks to get test results back, and the test results can be found online. Hunters may request a CWD test sampling kit if they want to extract the lymph nodes themselves and have them tested. Fish and Game will provide the kit and testing is free. Allow at least a week for delivery of the sample kit. Hunters can also pick up a sampling kit at a Fish and Game regional office. How to remove lymph node instructions can be found on the Fish and Game website. Testing cannot be done using meat from the harvested animal. Deer heads can also be brought to the Magic Valley Regional Office in Jerome for testing. In addition, heads or lymph node samples can be dropped off in large chest freezers for testing at the Magic Valley office as well as four locations around the Magic Valley. The locations of these freezers are the Rock Creek General Store south of Hansen, Rogerson Service in Rogerson, Farmers Market in Oakley and the Malta Fuel Depot in Malta. Freezers are available for drop-offs 24 hours a day. First CWD detections in Idaho CWD positive deer and elk were detected in Units 14 and 15 in 2021, both of which are located south of Grangeville in northern Idaho. These two units are now grouped into a designated CWD Management Zone, which means all hunters who harvest a deer, elk or moose in this zone are required to have their animals tested for CWD by depositing the head (antlers may be removed) at a designated drop off site. Carcasses or any part of a deer, elk, or moose harvested in Units 14 or 15 may not be transported out of those units except quarters or deboned meat that does not include brain or spinal tissue, and edible organs that do not include brains. To see other exceptions, go to CWD rules webpage. For more information, contact the Magic Valley Regional Office at 208-324-4359. Idaho Republican incumbents refusing to debate their Democratic challengers on statewide public television is not normal. The fact that its happening now is just one more sign that the elected no longer respect, or at least fear, the electorate. Gov. Brad Little will not debate Democratic candidate Stephen Heidt of Marsing and independent Ammon Bundy of Emmett. He says you know all you need to know about him already: We are confident Idahoans know what Gov. Little stands for based on his clear record of delivering results for the people of our great state, said Littles campaign manager, Hayden Rogers That follows the precedent Little set last spring when he refused to get on the debate stage with his GOP primary challengers, notably Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin. First District Congressman Russ Fulchers refusal to debate is a first for him. He debated Democrat Rudy Soto and libertarian Joe Evans in 2020, the full range of hopefuls in the 2018 GOP congressional primary and then famously during the 2014 GOP gubernatorial primary campaign. But Democrat Kaylee Peterson of Eagle isnt worthy of his time. The viability of the challengers campaign, as well as other factors, were discussed, the Fulcher campaign said. During the course of the conversation, the Fulcher campaign respectfully declined a potential debate. Until this year, 2nd District Congressman Mike Simpson was the perpetual happy warrior. Hed debate anybody. It was not uncommon for Simpson to offer a friendly assist to an overwhelmed opponent who was flustered by appearing on live television. Simpson last debated Democrat Aaron Swisher in 2020. Not this year. First, Simpson pulled the plug on a joint appearance with his GOP primary rival, Bryan Smith of Idaho Falls. And now Simpson says he cant be bothered to share the podium with Democratic challenger Wendy Norman of Rigby. Simpsons campaign advisor Sarah Nelson thinks youll understand: Congressman Simpson has a strong record of representing Idaho and his constituents, Whats changed? Not the disproportionate advantages they possess. These are well-funded, familiar and organized incumbents who, after having survived the only election that matters in a red state the GOP primary now face relative novices. As the Idaho Capital Suns Kelcie Moseley-Morris reported, Little has $287,728 cash on hand in his campaign account. Heidt has $1,675 and Bundy has $2,880. According to OpenSecrets.org, Fulcher is sitting on $216,000 in reserves. He probably wont need it. Peterson has only $13,716 in the bank. Simpson has $177,088 left over from his primary campaign; Norman has scrounged together $2,556. Talk about a mismatch. I am a first grade teacher. I am not a debater. This is not something that would hurt him, Norman said of Simpson. What is he afraid of? Not long ago, just asking that kind of question was enough to prod political pros such as Little, Fulcher or Simpson into setting aside time for at least the Idaho Debates on Idaho Public Television. The last thing they wanted voters to think was that they were somehow intimidated by their opponents. Maybe they sincerely believed that voters were entitled to see the candidates at least once stripped of their political messaging teams and forced to defend their ideas and records on their own. (Some candidates still do, much to their credit.) Or these incumbents decided voters might not take kindly to being snubbed. But in the course of a campaign cycle or two, the reverse has taken hold. Republicans have withdrawn from the Commission on Presidential Debates. As Politico noted, the number of high-profile Senate campaign debates is down to two Arizona and Colorado. Two years ago, more than a dozen U.S. Senate campaigns featured debates. None of this is happening in a vacuum. When was the last time you saw a robust congressional town hall meeting in the Gem State? Or even a candidate willing to endure a spirited press conference? On the other hand, its no longer rare to have Idaho politicians willing to vote against the home town economy as the congressional delegation did when they opposed subsidies that helped Micron expand semiconductor manufacturing in Idaho. Theyre starting to act and sound like a political ruling class who are betting you cant or wont do much about it. Who knows? Maybe next election, they wont even bother to ask for your vote. RUPERT The University of Idahos plan to build the nations largest research dairy and experimental farm in Minidoka County cleared a big hurdle on Tuesday. Idaho Gov. Brad Little and two other statewide-elected officials on the Idaho Land Board approved the universitys plan to use $23 million to buy roughly 640 acres of farmland north of Rupert. That would be the main focus of the schools proposed Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, or CAFE. If the project succeeds as envisioned, the operation would include an experimental farm and 2,000-cow research dairy in Minidoka County. Classrooms, labs and faculty offices would be constructed in Jerome County near where Interstate 84 and U.S. Route 93 intersect. A food processing pilot plant with a workforce training and education facility would be located at the College of Southern Idaho campus. Bids for the research center are being sought, said Idaho Dairymans Association CEO Rick Naerebout, who hopes construction can begin before winter. The milking operations are targeted to started in the mid- to late-2024. Naerebout said strict timelines havent been set for the other CAFE components. Right now we are focused on the experimental dairy, he said. Idahos dairy industry is the third-largest dairy producer in the nation, behind California and Wisconsin. But the industry in Idaho and in general faces a range of challenges with greenhouse gas emissions from animals, land and water pollution, and waste systems from dairies that can have thousands of cows that produce tons of manure. University of Idahos president Scott Green, who called the vote a big win for the state, the university and the dairy industry, said the school hasnt been able to do the large-scale research the industry needs to find solutions for those and other complex problems. The research that we do there is going to help us improve the water quality within the state, Green said after the vote. Its going to help us utilize waste products from the dairy industry in a way thats beneficial to the environment and to agriculture. Green said students will get the education needed to work on the cutting edge of agribusiness and dairy sciences. He also said CAFE opens the doors for the school to receive millions in research grant money, potentially leading to new ideas and innovation. The states dairy industry has supported the plan, donating more than $8.5 million to date, according to state officials. Specifically, the board on Tuesday voted to use $23 million from the 2021 sale of 282 acres of endowment land in Caldwell benefitting the University of Idahos College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to buy roughly 640 acres of farmland in Minidoka County north of Rupert owned by the university turning that into endowment land. The school will now use that endowment land and money to build the research dairy. It was a very big step, said Naerebout of the Land Boards decision. He said the Idaho Dairymans Association feels really good about the resources available to complete the project. Endowment land is land Idaho received at statehood and that the Land Board manages to produce the maximum return over the long term for beneficiaries, mainly public education. Land Board members had other options for the money. It could have transferred the $23 million to a fund that would generate money through investments. It also could have kept the money for potential investments in timberland, the most dependable revenue generator for state land. Choosing the university option was unique in that it recognized research as an asset. If this was more affordable research, private industry would be doing it, Little said after the meeting. These are the kinds of things government has to do, these long-term, low-return (investments). If we get research out of this that creates a more sustainable, cleaner way to have a dairy industry in Idaho, thats a win-win for everybody. Immediately after the vote, applause broke out in the meeting room at the Statehouse, an unusual occurrence at a Land Board meeting that typically deals with staid financial management decisions involving the states 3,900 square miles of endowment land. BURLEY A woman charged with second-degree kidnapping after taking her 4-year-old granddaughter out of state without permission has entered an Alford plea in the case. Elizabeth Rose Crofts was scheduled for a jury trial starting Sept. 21 but, instead, took a plea deal offered by the Cassia County Prosecutors Office. An Alford plea means she does not admit to all the elements of the charge but the state may have enough evidence to convict her. According to court records, Crofts entered the North Carolina Alfords plea on Tuesday to the second-degree kidnapping charge in exchange for being released on her recognizance and with the state recommending a 300-day sentence in the Mini-Cassia Criminal Justice Center in return. Under the deal, the state may ask for restitution and statutory fees. The child was found in November 2021 in Elko, Nevada, days after her mother reported her missing. Crofts was arrested at a casino. The childs mother reported that Crofts had picked up the child in the morning to take her to school, but the girl never arrived at the school. The childs mother went to a motel where Crofts was staying and found she had checked out of the room. A sentencing hearing in the case is set at 2:45 p.m. Nov. 28 in Cassia County District Court. Much of the nation's political and commentary class had a near-nervous breakdown when 48 Venezuelans who had crossed illegally into the United States arrived at the Martha's Vineyard Airport, not far from the summer homes of some of the country's wealthiest and best-connected people. When they realized what had happened, many Democrats and allied voices in the media expressed white-hot anger at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who arranged the migrants' trip. Meanwhile, Vineyard residents volunteered to feed and care for the migrants for 24 hours, after which the National Guard whisked them off the exclusive island. Now move 2,200 miles west and south, to Del Rio, Texas. During the 24-hour period from Saturday to Sunday, according to reporting by Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin, Border Patrol officers encountered 1,707 illegal crossers in the Del Rio Sector, which covers 245 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. Officers encountered even more illegal crossers in the El Paso Sector to the west: 1,967 illegal crossings. And in the Yuma Sector still farther west, there were 757 illegal crossings. That is 4,431 illegal crossings in just three of the nine sectors of the U.S.-Mexico border. So what happened when they crossed illegally into the United States? Were they turned back? Allowed to stay? According to Melugin's tweet, which is entirely consistent with statistics on the border, only 335 illegal crossers were expelled from the El Paso Sector on what is called a Title 42 expulsion, referring to the rule used to reduce the spread of COVID. In Del Rio, there were 514 expulsions. And in Yuma, there were 39 expulsions. In total, there were 4,431 illegal crossings in the three sectors in a single 24-hour period, and 888 Title 42 expulsions. That means 3,543 illegal crossers were allowed to stay in the United States. In just three sectors, in just one day. Whatever number you choose, 4,431 total illegal crossings or 3,543 allowed to stay, the number is a lot bigger than the 48 migrants who landed in Martha's Vineyard. And yet, the outrage! Critics lined up to call DeSantis' transfer of illegal crossers to a luxury redoubt in Massachusetts cruel and inhuman and un-American and anti-American and "literally human trafficking" and more. A Boston-based group called Lawyers for Civil Rights demanded that the United States Justice Department and the Massachusetts attorney general investigate and possibly prosecute DeSantis for an alleged "conspiracy to deprive our clients of their liberty and civil rights and interfere with federal immigration proceedings." About the same time, we learned that the city of El Paso, led by a Democratic mayor, has been regularly busing illegal border crossers to New York City. Melugin reported that El Paso has sent at least 51 buses with a total of 2,365 migrants to New York since Aug. 23. More buses are on the way. New York City Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, who has complained that migrants are overwhelming his city's social services capabilities, and who has bitterly denounced Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's buses to New York, has actually made an agreement with El Paso to accept as many as 200 migrants a day. OK, so Adams is partisan. So the lawyers on Martha's Vineyard are hysterical. So much of the press coverage is biased. The problem is that this debate is not about the real problem. Everyone is talking about how to accommodate illegal border crossers once they are in the country, and not about how to prevent people from crossing illegally into the United States. On Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that officials have encountered 2,150,639 migrants on the U.S.-Mexico border so far this fiscal year. There is still one month to go, so the figure will rise. And it does not include the number, somewhere near half a million, of so-called "gotaways," that is, crossers known to border officials but not apprehended. Isn't that the real problem? Isn't the real problem the enormous numbers of people crossing into the United States? And how to reduce that number? And how to deal with those who do manage to sneak across to make sure that only the relatively small number who have legitimate asylum claims are allowed to stay? Isn't that the real problem? Instead of dealing with the real problem, everything the Biden administration has done since Day One has been to increase the incentive for would-be migrants to illegally cross into the United States. Arguing over how best to accommodate illegal crossers, rather than arguing over how best to return the vast majority of them back across the border, increases the incentive for those considering unlawful entry into the United States. They know their arrival might set off a debate over whether they should be allowed to stay in El Paso, or be sent to Martha's Vineyard, but either way, they stay in the United States -- their ultimate goal. The current argument over the DeSantis flight does nothing to address what is happening on the U.S.-Mexico border. A state trooper who shot a woman Tuesday morning on Interstate 40 has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing, authorities said Wednesday afternoon. Sgt. Aaron Johnson with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol was justified in shooting Keisha Michelle Brown on Interstate 40 near Hildebran early Tuesday, said Assistant District Attorney Mitch Walker. Prosecutors made the decision after a debrief meeting Wednesday afternoon, Walker said. Johnson, a 19-year veteran of the Highway Patrol, shot 45-year-old Brown after a dramatic series of hit-and-run collisions that ended in an armed kidnapping, according to information from NCSHP. Emergency dispatchers started getting calls around 6:45 a.m. Tuesday for reports of multiple hit-and-run collisions on I-40 eastbound between McDowell and Burke counties, NCSHP said. Radio traffic available on Broadcastify indicated troopers were trying to get in position to stop the car responsible for the hit-and-run collisions when the situation took a turn for the worst. In a 911 call released Wednesday, listeners can hear a man report to dispatchers hes being held at gunpoint by a woman. This woman has just left her car in the middle of the road, she pulled out what looks to me to be at least a 9 mm pistol, held it on me, shes got a Georgia license plate, and shes insisting that I take her to Gwinnett Medical Center in Georgia, the man tells dispatchers. Shes in the bed of my truck right now. Shes got a machete and her automatic pistol. Her car has been abandoned in the middle of Intestate 40. The man, who The News Herald tracked down Wednesday, told reporters he had stopped to help her push her car out of the interstate when she pulled the gun on him. The call plays out as the man continues down I-40, calmly relaying to dispatchers a description of his vehicle and giving updates on his whereabouts. This woman is not right, the man said. He tells dispatchers the woman told him she had five pregnant women in the car with her when he stopped to help her, but there was no one else in the vehicle. He tells dispatchers he was making the call with his Bluetooth earpiece, and the woman didnt realize he had it. She has yet to injure anyone, the man said. Shes just sitting back there. Every now and then she looks forward, grinning. Well, I dont know if shes grinning or if its just the wind in her face. He continues to give updates on his location, eventually pulling off to the side of the road when Johnson caught up to his pickup truck. The dispatcher reassures him that hes doing great and to do what he needed to do. At one point he falters in talking and tells the dispatcher the woman is pointing at him, but he wasnt sure why. He tells the dispatcher she put the gun behind her. Tell the trooper she is hiding it behind her, the man tells the dispatcher. The call is redacted for a moment after this. When the recording returns, the dispatcher on the phone with the man is telling him to stay low, and dispatchers in the background can be heard confirming shots had been fired. Youre doing great, OK? the dispatcher tells the man. Just stay safe, stay low. Youre doing fantastic, sir. The man tells the dispatcher he can hear the woman screaming. How is the trooper? the man asks. The 911 dispatcher couldnt tell him at that point, but hes told repeatedly to stay where he is until a trooper comes to get him. The call disconnects shortly after. Brown, a Villa Rica, Georgia, native, was airlifted from the scene. She was stable Wednesday afternoon, according to information from the Highway Patrol. Johnson and the man on the phone with dispatchers were not injured during the exchange of gunfire. Brown will be served with warrants for first-degree attempted murder and first-degree kidnapping once shes released from a hospital, the Highway Patrol said. ASHEVILLE SECU Foundation recently provided a $40,000 grant to TimberKnolls Spirit Cove (TSC), an organization that provides animal-assisted activities and therapy to veterans, military families, first responders, health care workers and people battling illness or trauma. The grant will support TSCs expansion in western North Carolina and help develop plans for a new campus. TSC and its therapy teams have helped over 37,000 health care workers, first responders and patients since the start of the pandemic. Animal-assisted therapy is a powerful tool in helping children and adults address physical or mental health wellness, everyday life stresses, and crises, said Kim Hollifield, SECU regional senior vice president. TSC has an incredible program, and we hope that the Foundations grant will create an awareness of their valuable work and encourage others to support their efforts. The heroes of our state are struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety and substance abuse at record-breaking levels. Veterans, first responders and workers have protected our country and kept our communities safe and healthy, yet services to help them are limited. We are grateful to SECU Foundation for awarding us this Mission Development Grant, shared Lisa Schiller, co-founder and president of TimberKnolls Spirit Cove. This grant will support strategic planning, marketing and fundraising to establish a permanent animal-assisted therapy ranch that features giant Newfoundland dogs and Gypsy Vanner horses in the Asheville area, spreading hope and healing to those who need it the most. About SECU 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. HILDEBRAN A woman shot by a state trooper Tuesday morning will be served with warrants for attempted murder and kidnapping once shes released from the hospital. Keisha Michelle Brown, 45, of Villa Rica, Georgia, will be served warrants for first-degree attempted murder and first-degree kidnapping upon her release, according to a press release from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. It was a tumultuous Tuesday morning for drivers along Interstate 40 from McDowell to Burke counties who ended up in the middle of a game of bumper cars, according to information from the Highway Patrol. Emergency dispatchers started receiving 911 calls about a vehicle involved in multiple hit-and-run collisions between the two counties on Interstate 40 eastbound around 6:45 a.m., the Highway Patrol said. At some point, the car involved in the collisions a small red convertible, sources confirmed came to a rest in the road on the interstate near mile marker 114. The News Herald talked to a man who stopped with the vehicle, thinking the driver was having car trouble. The man did not want to be identified. He said he told the driver of the car, who has since been identified as Brown, he would help her push the car to the side of the road if she would put it in neutral. Instead, the woman told him she needed to get to a medical center in Georgia, the man told reporters. He told her they needed to get the car out of the road, and thought she agreed when she went to the drivers side of the car, he said. But when she reached into the car, she didnt put the car into neutral she came back with a handgun, according to the man. Holding the man at gunpoint, she demanded he drive her to the Georgia medical center, the man said. He got into the drivers seat of his pickup truck and the woman climbed into the bed of the truck, holding him at gunpoint through the back glass of his pickup truck, the man said. The mans Bluetooth earpiece still was connected to his cellphone, so without letting the woman see him dial, he called 911 and spoke to dispatchers on the phone while troopers worked to catch up to the vehicle. Dispatchers gave him directions on what to do, and he eventually pulled over when a state trooper neared his pickup truck. Thats when NCSHP Sgt. A.K. Johnson pulled up behind the vehicle. When he approached the vehicle, Brown fired at him, leading Johnson to fire back. Brown was hit by Johnsons shots, and was transported to a medical center. She was stable Tuesday afternoon, information from the Highway Patrol said. Johnson and the man who was kidnapped were not injured in the shooting. Johnson, a 19-year veteran of the Highway Patrol, was placed on administrative duty during the investigation, which is agency protocol during investigations of member-involved shootings. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is overseeing the investigation of the member-involved shooting, while the Highway Patrol handled the investigation into Browns actions. Additional charges against Brown are possible, said 1st Sgt. Chris Knox with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The man who was kidnapped told reporters he thought he would still stop to help others in need, despite Tuesdays events. More information will be published as it becomes available. Will President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, in power since 1979, run for another term or will he let his son Teodorin succeed him? Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday brought forward its presidential election by five months to November 20, at the same time as the legislative elections in this Central African country led for 43 years by Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. The presidential, Chamber of Deputies, Senate and municipal elections are called for November 20, 2022, according to a decree issued by the head of state and read out on the evening news on state television. Obiang holds the world record for longevity in power among living heads of state, excluding monarchies. The only issue at stake will be the nomination of the candidate of the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), which holds 99 of the 100 seats in the outgoing lower house and all 70 seats in the Senate, before the election. Will Mr. Obiang, 80, run for another term or will he let his son Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, nicknamed Teodorin, succeed him? Teodorin, the all-powerful and feared vice-president in charge of defense, a public jet-setter who was sentenced in 2021 to a three-year suspended prison term in France as part of the so-called ill-gotten gains scandal, has long been considered his fathers successor and has been omnipresent on the political scene for the past two years. The 42nd fleet of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy set out from a military port in east Chinas Shandong Province on Wednesday to take over an escort mission from the 41st naval fleet in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. The 42nd fleet is mainly composed of naval troops and equipment from the PLA Northern Theater Command, including the guided-missile destroyer Huainan, the missile frigate Rizhao and a supply vessel, with dozens of special-operations soldiers and two helicopters on board. In preparation for the mission, the fleet conducted counter-terrorism and anti-piracy training, and training on commercial vessel rescue, the use of weapons and other subjects. A court in Japan has condemned the government of the Asian country to pay $11,500 in reparation to the mother of a Cameroonian citizen who died in a detention center for migrants as result of non-medical assistance, RFI reports. The court in the city of Mito in Ibaraki Prefecture ruled in favor of the man who has not been identified but reportedly was held in detention in 2013 after being refused to enter the Asian country. The Cameroonian, according to the media, was found dead in his cell and died after being denied medical assistance though he was suffering diabetes. His mother reportedly demanded $70,000 in compensation. The Japanese government rejected the complaint of the mother of the victim and associations defending the rights of migrants living Japan. The government argued that the staff of the detention center did have necessary medical skills to assist the detainee. Japan is notorious for bad treatment of migrants put on expulsion list. More than 1,500 foreigners mostly from Africa, Middle East and South-East Asia, are currently in detention pending their expulsion according to Human Rights Watch. At least 24 have died there since 1997, sometimes after hunger strikes, RFI said, citing the NGO. Targeted inhibition of the DAPKs (Death-associated protein kinase 1 and 3) reduces the proportion of slow-proliferating/senescent-like HuRLow cells and the adaptive response of the whole melanoma-cell population to BRAF inhibition. Credit: UNIGE / Rastine Merat The advent of small-molecule targeted therapies, a decade ago, revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma, provided that the tumors carry the mutations to respond to these treatments. However, despite a remarkable initial response that can be seen in a majority of patients, most of them will undergo relapse even after spectacular initial responses. These relapses are due to dormant persistent cells, unresponsive to treatment. A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) has shown that these cells under-express a protein called HuR. By deciphering the mechanism of this insufficient expression and by targeting it with an enzyme inhibitor, this team has succeeded in reducing the therapeutic resistance of all melanoma cells. These results, published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, open new therapeutic avenues against metastatic melanoma and other types of solid cancers. Melanoma is one of the most dangerous skin cancers. Potentially very aggressive, it develops from melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation. The initial tumor can be superficial with a good prognosis upon removal, it can also be deeper and become metastatic, migrating to other organs in the body. For the last ten years, thanks to the advent of the so-called small-molecule targeted therapiesdrugs that inhibit a precise mechanism within the tumor to fight ithalf of the metastatic melanomas that carry a genetic signature making them sensitive to these drugs, can be treated effectively, sometimes even be eradicated. "However, despite such spectacular initial responses, 80% of patients will suffer recurrences, and these recurrences will often occur in the same initially affected sites," explains Rastine Merat, researcher in the Department of Medicine at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine and head of the Onco-dermatology Unit at the HUG. A protein regulating cell division is involved This phenomenon is called "adaptive resistance": certain cancer cells adapt to the drugs used to fight them and lead to a resurgence of the disease. This happens even when the metastasesand therefore the cells that make these tumorsseem to have completely disappeared. "This is explained by the persistence, after treatment, of small residues of so-called 'dormant' malignant cells that conventional radiology tools are unable to detect," says Rastine Merat. "The particularity of these cells, in addition to being invisible, is that they proliferate slowly. This characteristic helps the cells to escape therapy, even during the initial treatment." Previously conducted research has shown that in slow-proliferating cells, a protein that among other things regulates the expression of many genes that control cell divisionthe HuR proteinis insufficiently expressed. This is in contrast with rapidly proliferating cells in which this protein is highly expressed. In a research work published in 2019, Rastine Merat and his team had established the link between the insufficient expression of this protein and the melanoma cells' capacity to resist to a targeted therapy. In their recent research, they have uncovered a specific mechanism involved in the insufficient expression of this protein in the "dormant" cells that can be targeted with drugs. Inhibiting enzymes to prevent recurrence "In the cells, messenger RNAs play a central role in protein production. In the minority of cells in which HuR is insufficiently expressed, we found that the messenger RNAs of HuR were trapped by some other proteins. This is at least one of the mechanisms that causes HuR insufficient expression." By using a chemical compound to inhibit two kinasesenzymesinvolved in this mechanism, the UNIGE team managed to prevent HuR insufficient expression, reducing the ability of all melanoma cells to resist to treatment. "The great difficulty in carrying out this work was to work on this type of cells, which are difficult to detect and analyze because of their small number and the fact that the state of insufficient expression of HuR protein is dynamic and reversible at any time for any cells; i.e., at any time the same cells can start to proliferate and flip to a state of high expression of this protein," explains the researcher. To do this, "we paradoxically overexpressed this protein in melanoma cells. This allowed us to make the mechanisms at play more easily detectable." This discovery opens new perspectives in the treatment of melanoma, but not only. "Melanoma is a model cancer: if we understand it, we can understand many other types of solid cancers," explains Rastine Merat. For the researcher and his team, "the next step will be to encourage the pharmaceutical industry to optimize the inhibitors of the identified kinases,to improve their stability and bioavailabilitywhich is something pharmaceutical drug companies know how to do nowadays in a very systematic way, at least for this type of target," concludes Rastine Merat. Explore further Cancer: Information theory to fight resistance to treatments More information: Fanny Noulet et al, Inhibition of the DAPKs-L13a axis prevents a GAIT-like motif-mediated HuR insufficiency in melanoma cells, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (2022). Journal information: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications Fanny Noulet et al, Inhibition of the DAPKs-L13a axis prevents a GAIT-like motif-mediated HuR insufficiency in melanoma cells,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.07.086 Portrait of researcher Dr Manali Mukherjee. Credit: Dr Manali Mukherjee / European Respiratory Society Blood samples drawn from patients with long COVID who are still suffering from fatigue and shortness of breath after a year show signs of autoimmune disease in those patients, according to a study published today in the European Respiratory Journal. Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy parts of the body, instead of defending the body against disease. It causes conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Researchers say this finding offers clues about the nature of long COVID that could ultimately lead to improvements in diagnosing and treating the condition. The research was led by Dr. Manali Mukherjee from McMaster University, Ontario, Canada and Professor Chris Carlsten at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Dr. Mukherjee said, "Although long COVID is now recognized by bodies like the World Health Organization, we still know very little about why it develops or how we can help patients. "I'm a respiratory researcher with a background in studying the immune system and when I experienced the symptoms of long COVID firsthand, I began to wonder about the role of the immune system in this condition." To find out more, Dr. Mukherjee and her colleagues recruited 106 people who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 between August 2020 and September 2021 and were under the care of three hospitals in Canada (St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Vancouver General Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver). Researchers also included a group of 22 healthy volunteers and a group of 34 people who had experienced a non-COVID respiratory infection as a comparison. On three occasions3, 6 and 12 months after they recovered from the infectionpatients were asked if they were suffering any shortness of breath, coughing or fatigue (typical symptoms of long COVID). Most patients were still taking part in the study after 6 months (98 out of 106) while only 57 came back after 12 months. Researchers say this may be due to patients recovering. Participants also gave blood samples. Researchers tested the samples for particular antibodies. Antibodies are normally produced by the immune system to stick to potentially harmful bacteria or viruses, marking them out for attack by other parts of the immune system. In this case, the researchers looked for antibodies that target healthy cells and tissues in the body and that are known to contribute to autoimmune diseases. Nearly 80% of the COVID-19 patients had two or more of these antibodies in their blood three months and six months after the infection. This fell to 41% after a year. Most of the healthy volunteers had no sign of these antibodies in their blood and in those who had experienced a non-COVID respiratory infection, levels of these antibodies were comparatively low. Researchers also found that two specific "autoantibodies" (called U1snRNP and SSb-La autoantibodies), along with other proteins (called cytokines) that cause inflammation, persisted in around 30% of COVID patients a year after infection. This tended to be among those patients who were also still suffering with fatigue and shortness of breath. Dr. Mukherjee explains, "For the majority the patients in our study, even if they had autoantibodies soon after their infection, this resolved after 12 months. However, in some patients, autoantibodies persist, and these patients are more likely to continue suffering with symptoms and to need medical help. "These results point towards the need to test for signs of autoimmune disease in patients with symptoms of long COVID that last for a year or more." Professor Carlsten added, "Our data on autoantibodies in those months following COVID infection buttresses that of other groups and provides strong plausibility for the presentation of long COVID as a systemic disease." Dr. Mukherjee and her colleagues will now study long COVID patients over a period of two years to see how their levels of autoantibodies change in the longer term. Dr. Eva Polverino from Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, is Head of the European Respiratory Society's Respiratory Infections Assembly and was not involved in the research. She said, "Millions of people around the world are suffering with long COVID and that is having an enormous socioeconomic impact. However, there is a lack of evidence on why some people develop the condition and how we can help patients recover. "We know that certain infections can, in some cases, trigger longer-term autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. This study adds to growing evidence that similar processes may be involved in long COVID. Further work in this area could increase our understanding of long COVID and how best to diagnose and treat the condition." Explore further Severe COVID-19 impairs the immune system for longer than 6 months More information: Circulating anti-nuclear autoantibodies in COVID-19 survivors predict long-COVID symptoms, European Respiratory Journal (2022). Journal information: European Respiratory Journal Circulating anti-nuclear autoantibodies in COVID-19 survivors predict long-COVID symptoms,(2022). DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00970-2022 Credit: CC0 Public Domain As the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico begins recovery from destruction brought by Hurricane Fiona this past weekend, a new study led by researchers at the University of Toronto (U of T) finds an irregular increase in deaths of Puerto Ricans in the United States in the six-month period after the devastating Hurricane Maria cyclone passed over the island five years ago this week. With implications for future natural disaster response and reporting, the researchers say the findings suggest an additional 514 deaths should be added to the official estimate of 2,975 deaths caused by Hurricane Maria, due to the displacement of thousands of Puerto Ricans to the U.S. mainland in the aftermath of the disaster. "Overlooking deaths among displaced hurricane survivors provides an incomplete understanding of the magnitude of the health consequences of natural disasters like Hurricane Maria," said Gustavo Bobonis, a professor in the Department of Economics in the Faculty of Arts & Science at U of T and a co-author of a study published in the BMJ Open. "Doing so affects society's ability to remediate and proactively craft a readiness plan for the next disaster, which, unfortunately, is precisely what Puerto Rico is facing again." Bobonis, along with recent U of T Ph.D. graduate Boriana Miloucheva and Mario Marazzi, former executive director of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, examined death register data from the National Vital Statistics System maintained by the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, together with population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. They found that between October 2017 and March 2018, the mortality rate of people of Puerto Rican origin in the U. S. was 3.7% higher than in preceding years. "In absolute terms, this amounts to 514 additional deaths over that six-month period," said Miloucheva, who is currently a postdoctoral research associate at the Center for Health and Wellbeing at Princeton University and an incoming faculty member at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at U of T. "The monthly pattern suggests this effect began just after Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, gradually increased through the end of 2017, and then fluctuated in a downward trajectory in the beginning of 2018." The researchers were prompted by the knowledge that many survivors of the hurricane were displaced to the United States, with some dying while there. As a result, their death certificates were registered in demographic registers on the U.S. mainland and not in Puerto Rico, which has come to be seen as a limitation of the assessment done by researchers at George Washington University that placed the official estimate at 2,975 deaths upon its release in August 2018. "The excess deaths were concentrated among both men and women aged 65 years and older, many of whom left Puerto Rico due to fears of being unable to obtain adequate health care," said Marazzi. "Among this age group, the excess deaths were concentrated among people suffering from heart diseases, cancer and diabetes, who ultimately may not have received the care required after arriving in the United States." The researchers say that although there were excess deaths in all educational groups, they were more evident among the most vulnerable populations with relatively lower levels of education. "This is consistent with previous studiesincluding the official George Washington University study sponsored by the Puerto Rican governmentand supports the hypothesis that many of these additional deaths came from people exposed and displaced by Hurricane Maria," said Miloucheva. The study, which was cited on Twitter by the chief data scientist at the U.S. White House in the wake of Hurricane Fiona as an example of the value of equitable data in fully understanding disaster impacts, is the first to take into account deaths of Puerto Ricans outside of Puerto Rico in the months following Hurricane Maria. The researchers emphasize the importance of being comprehensive when establishing death tolls following such events and cite the inclusion of out of state death certificates in calculating the cost in human lives after Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans in 2005. The researchers say the analysis suggests the need for not only equitable disaster preparedness but also the importance of cross-jurisdiction data sharing. "These already vulnerable populations may face additional hurdles on relocation, such as healthcare disruptions and psychological stressors, which may exacerbate health impacts of the disaster," said Bobonis. "Receiving jurisdictions would, thus, benefit from an improved understanding of the dynamics of post-disaster displacement and would make possible a timelier surveillance of the mortality consequences of natural disasters in the future." Explore further Hurricane Fiona heads toward Bermuda, US advises citizens to defer travel More information: Mario Marazzi et al, Mortality of Puerto Ricans in the USA post Hurricane Maria: an interrupted time series analysis, BMJ Open (2022). Journal information: BMJ Open Mario Marazzi et al, Mortality of Puerto Ricans in the USA post Hurricane Maria: an interrupted time series analysis,(2022). DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058315 Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Whether we're ready or not, artificial intelligence (AI) already plays a role in many health care settings. However, cautiously developing, deploying and even defining further AI advancements will determine its impact and efficacy in the years ahead, according to a new University of Western Ontario study. Interdisciplinary researchers from family medicine, computer science and epidemiology have identified key issues regarding the use of AI tools in primary health care by connecting directly with family physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and digital health stakeholders. Overwhelmingly, the responses show AI could have a positive impact in clinical practice, but many factors must be considered regarding its implementation. "We are ready for AI, but we must be thoughtful about how and when we use it," said Dan Lizotte, an associate professor in computer science and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and senior author on the study. "So let me amend and say, 'I think we're ready to start the process of successful implementation.'" AI and machine learning (a subfield of AI where patterns are learned from data) encompass a variety of techniques loosely focused on computers performing human-like "intelligent" tasks. AI methods are already used in applications ranging from advanced web search engines (Google) and recommendation systems (Netflix, Amazon) to understanding human speech (Siri and Alexa) and self-driving cars (Tesla). In primary health care settings, AI could be used for predicting patient outcomes based on anonymous electronic medical record (EMR) data or forecasting trends and identifying patterns too complex for humans to discern (e.g., infectious disease outbreaks in a community.) For this study, former graduate student Jaky Kueper, Lizotte and co-principal investigator Amanda Terry conducted 14 in-depth interviews with primary health care and digital health stakeholders in Ontario. Kueper, now a TechForward Fellow in AI at The College of Family Physicians of Canada, is the first-ever Western student to complete a combined Ph.D. in epidemiology and computer science. In the interviews, there was general positivity about the introduction of AI in primary health care settings, but there were also several apprehensions, including cost and availability of new technology, privacy concerns, threats to clinical skills and capacity, loss of human control over decision making, and broader ethical, legal and social implications. "There's a readiness in terms of people looking for solutions using technology including AI that can help support primary health care practitioners, but there are a lot of things that need to be in place first, in terms of transparency, assurances of privacy and cost," said Terry, director of the Center for Studies in Family Medicine at Schulich Medicine and Dentistry. When considering the use of AI in primary health care settings, the practitioners need to be comfortable with the implementation and application but so do the patients. Lizotte said the introduction of AI triggers as many questions as answers for doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners but that's an important step to consider as the digitization of health care is here to stay. "Is AI going to enhance the things I care about doing in my practice? Or is it going to supplant them in a way that's not going to be good for me and not going to be good for my patients? These are the questions on everyone's mind," said Lizotte. "I think overall there is cautious optimism about AI implementation, but the key word is cautious." The study appears in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making. More information: Amanda L. Terry et al, Is primary health care ready for artificial intelligence? What do primary health care stakeholders say?, BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making (2022). Journal information: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making Amanda L. Terry et al, Is primary health care ready for artificial intelligence? What do primary health care stakeholders say?,(2022). DOI: 10.1186/s12911-022-01984-6 Predictors of epidemic size of the Delta growth phase across seven Brazilian cities. Convalescent-normalized mean anti-S IgG signal to cut-off was calculated for the month when Delta reached 10% dominance in each of the cities (range 19 June 2021 in Curitiba to 16 August 2021 in Manaus). Percentage coverage with the first and second doses was also calculated up to (and inclusive of) the month of 10% dominance in each city. Total severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARI) cases, within the age range of blood donors (1565 years) were age-standardized using the direct method and the age structure of Sao Paulo as the reference population. A two-month period starting from the date of 10% dominance was used to calculate epidemic size. R-squared terms are from separate simple linear models fit to the seven points shown on the figure. Credit: Vaccines (2022). DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091437 Researchers at the Brazil-UK Center for Arbovirus Discovery, Diagnosis, Genomics and Epidemiology (CADDE) have developed a faster, more affordable method of analyzing serological data to monitor and predict the epidemiological behavior of COVID-19. A study conducted by the scientists showed that the method predicted the arrival in Brazil of the delta variant first detected in India in 2020 and originally named B.1.617.2. They now aim to validate its use in epidemiological surveillance to detect and to assure a faster response to novel variants of SARS-CoV-2 as well as other viruses. Using samples from blood donors in the capitals of seven Brazilian statesSao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Manaus, Recife, Fortaleza, Curitiba and Belo Horizontethe researchers conducted anti-spike protein microparticle assays to measure levels of immunoglobin G (IgG) antibodies, which bind to the virus's S protein and prevent it from infecting cells. The main aim was to assess the protection afforded by vaccination against delta. At the start of the pandemic, seroprevalence studies were important to estimate the proportion of the population that was infected, but their significance declined as more and more people acquired immunity via vaccination or infection. In this context, novel methods of analyzing and predicting the behavior of the virus became increasingly important to track case numbers per region and help formulate public policy. "In this study, instead of calculating the proportion of the population with antibodies, which was close to 100%, we analyzed blood antibody levels and how these correlated with the morbidity caused by delta. In this manner, we demonstrated the value of collecting, analyzing and sharing this kind of data," Lewis Buss, a researcher at Imperial College London (UK), told Agencia FAPESP. A former graduate student at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Tropical (IMT), part of the University of Sao Paulo's Medical School (FM-USP) in Brazil, Buss is the first author of an article on the study published in the journal Vaccines. The results of the study showed that while cases of COVID-19 caused by the delta variant were on the rise in Brazil, low numbers of cases of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) correlated strongly with levels of antibodies measured in donor blood samples. The risk of infection by delta was found to be lower for subjects who had already been infected by SARS-CoV-2 or vaccinated. Hybrid immunity (due to vaccination plus prior infection) produced a higher level of protection. "Vaccines are very important to boost immunity. Infection alone isn't sufficient. We saw from our study that antibody levels rose very quickly after the first dose of the vaccine in cities where case numbers were highest in the first wave of COVID-19, such as Manaus and Fortaleza. The second dose had a stronger effect in cities where case numbers rose at a later stage, such as Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro. Their populations were better protected, and this helps explain why delta's effects in Brazil weren't as bad as in other countries," said Ester Sabino, last author of the article. Sabino is a professor at FM-USP and principal investigator for CADDE in Brazil. Marker The study showed that, boosted by vaccination, which began in Brazil in January 2021, the average number of antibodies rose by a factor of 16 in the period analyzedbetween March and November of that year. Among eligible blood donors aged 15-69, first dose coverage reached 75% in all cities by the end of the period. Second dose coverage was also high. "We looked for a marker that could facilitate the analysis and could be used routinely to infer the degree of protection provided by vaccination," Sabino said. "In epidemics we have to use simple tools that can provide answers quickly. Testing the entire population is costly and hard to do." Previous research showed that levels of neutralizing antibodies are strong predictors of protection against symptomatic infection by SARS-CoV-2. However, complex and expensive tests are required to detect these antibodies, which effectively stop the virus from entering human cells. Not all anti-S antibodies are necessarily neutralizing, but in this study the researchers found that high levels of anti-S antibodies could predict lower incidence of severe cases caused by a novel variant introduced into a seropositive population. They used semi-quantitative tests, which provide an estimate of the levels of antibodies produced in a subject against infection by SARS-CoV-2. The group then conducted different kinds of analysis of samples collected in 2021, when the gamma, delta and omicron variants emerged in rapid succession, estimating the extent to which vaccination and prior infection contributed to levels of anti-S IgG in the population and how far these variables predicted the incidence of severe cases of COVID-19 caused by delta. The tests were performed on 850 samples per month. In the second week of each month, samples were selected from donated blood or from the city neighborhoods analyzed, in order to ensure they were representative. Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays were conducted to detect IgG antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Vaccine dose administration statistics were taken from OpenDataSUS, the database maintained by Brazil's unified health service (SUS). Three sources were consulted to obtain case numbers: records of SARI and deaths from the Ministry of Health's Flu Epidemiological Surveillance System (SIVEP-Gripe); the total number of confirmed cases from the Ministry of Health; and a SARS-CoV-2 test positivity time series from a chain of pharmacies in the city of Sao Paulo. They also used metadata for all genomes of the virus posted to the GISAID platform between March 2020 and March 2022 by the seven Brazilian states. Context The cities analyzed in the study experienced distinct moments of the epidemic. The cumulative attack rate (inferred from seroprevalence) in December 2020, before the second wave caused by the gamma variant and before vaccination began in Brazil, ranged from 20.3% in Curitiba to 76.3% in Manaus. Attack rate is a term used in epidemiology to refer to the number of new cases divided by the total population. While all seven cities saw a sharp gamma-dominated surge in cases and deaths, the ensuing period, dominated by delta, had different characteristics, with low levels of cases and deaths in Manaus, Fortaleza and Recife, and declining levels in Belo Horizonte and Sao Paulo. The analysis of omicron showed varying rises in case numbers in the cities. Deaths rose only 3.7%. There was a modest surge in SARI cases except in Fortaleza, where omicron-associated SARI rose more sharply, although this appears to have been due to inconsistent reporting. In sum, the authors conclude that antibodies acquired via infection and vaccination were sufficiently high in Brazil to prevent a significant public health impact from the emergence of omicron and other novel variants at that time. Access to the data used in the study is open via GitHub. Explore further Mucosal antibodies in the airways protect against omicron infection More information: Lewis Buss et al, Predicting SARS-CoV-2 Variant Spread in a Completely Seropositive Population Using Semi-Quantitative Antibody Measurements in Blood Donors, Vaccines (2022). Lewis Buss et al, Predicting SARS-CoV-2 Variant Spread in a Completely Seropositive Population Using Semi-Quantitative Antibody Measurements in Blood Donors,(2022). DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091437 Github: github.com/CADDE-CENTRE Colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox particles (teal) found within an infected cell (brown), cultured in the laboratory. Image captured and colour-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAD). The current global outbreak of monkeypox is yet another warning for the adoption of a preventative approach to minimize the risk of future emergence of known and unknown zoonotic pathogens, argue Professors Diana Bell and Andrew Cunningham. The scientists, writing a commentary published in the CABI One Health journal, say the world "cannot afford to ignore yet another warning" such as that presented by monkeypox, which has so far seen 62,406 cases in 104 countries and 19 deaths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. With the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus for public health, the WHO states. Monkeypox primarily occurs in central and west Africa, often in proximity to tropical rainforests, and has been increasingly appearing in urban areas. A range of African rodents appear to be the natural animal hosts of the monkeypox virus. Professor Bell, Professor of Conservation Biology at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Professor Cunningham, Deputy Director of Science at ZSL's Institute of Zoology, ZSL (Zoological Society of London), say the unintended consequence of smallpox eradicationand ending the smallpox vaccination campaignhas been to "render the global human population immunologically naive to orthopoxvirus infection for the first time in history." Professors Bell and Cunningham, in their commentary, argue, "This has occurred at a time when the majority of people worldwide live in high population densities in cities and when connectivity across the world has never been higher, both of which facilitate the emergence and spread of infectious diseases." "It is not surprising, therefore, that novel zoonotic orthopoxvirus infections have been increasing in recent years, or that an international outbreak of human monkeypox disease has occurred." "A One Health approach, including consideration of land-use change and the bushmeat and exotic pet trades, is required to prevent opportunities for the emergence of monkeypox, or diseases caused by other orthopoxviruses, and for a rapid and effective response to any outbreaks in order to limit their spread." The researchers highlight three examples where monkeypox has pathways to spread and where a One Health approach to its prevention is particularly neededland use change, the bushmeat trade and the pet trade. With respect to the bushmeat trade, for instance, Professors Cunningham and Bell suggest that the Gambian giant pouched rat, which is a possible carrier of monkeypox virus, is "commonly eaten due to its relatively large size, and is therefore of particular interest as a potential source of zoonotic infection." They add that despite extensive legislation banning the import of threatened taxa, or indeed any wild meat from Africa, significant quantities of bushmeat are smuggled via personal luggage into major European and US cities on passenger flights from West and Central African countries where monkeypox is endemic in wild animals. With regards to the pet trade, the scientists say that a 2003 outbreak of monkeypox in six U.S. states was traced back to a consignment of 800 live small mammals imported from Ghana to Texas. Virological testing of some of these animals found MPV infection in three dormice, two rope squirrels and at least one Gambian giant pouched rat. Professors Bell and Cunningham state, "The demand is global with intercontinental smuggling involving South America and Asia as well as Africa and Europe, fueling the biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services crises and escalating the threat of human exposure to known and unknown pathogens harbored by wildlife along trade routes and within destination countries." They conclude by suggesting that a preventative approach to preventing further zoonotic disease outbreaks could incorporate promoting alternatives to bushmeat, routinely vaccinating people at high risk of exposure and educating people in hygienic procedures such as the wearing of gloves when handling live and dead wild animals. Explore further EU approves smallpox vaccine for use against monkeypox More information: Monkeypox: we cannot afford to ignore yet another warning, CABI One Health (2022). Monkeypox: we cannot afford to ignore yet another warning,(2022). DOI: 10.1079/cabionehealth20220005 Provided by CABI Monkeypox warrants special attention in view of its global spread. Credit: Monstera, Pexels (CC0, creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) Since May 2022, cases of monkeypox have increased globally, stirring fears of a new pandemic. A study published in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens on September 22 by Professor Souha Kanj and colleagues at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon, presents synthesized descriptions of its clinical characteristics, risk factors, infection control and prevention measures, as well as potential treatments. Historically, monkeypox was mostly confined to endemic areas in Western and Central Africa and was mostly transmitted through contact with infected animals. However, human-to-human transmission has recently become the primary mode of transmission, raising concerns for previous undetected community spread. To better understand the epidemiologic landscape of this emerging outbreak, the authors conducted a literature review of the available evidence on monkeypox. They found that during the current outbreak, confirmed, probable, and/or possible monkeypox cases have increased tenfold across more than 76 countries. The data suggest an increase in the disease incidence and possible improved surveillance. Current cases showed a rapid human-to-human transmission, raising concerns for rapid community spread, though not necessarily related to travel to endemic areas in Africa. The literature review has several limitations, including the small sample size of case studies and the absence of randomized controlled trials on monkeypox therapy, both of which limit generalizability. Larger and more robust studies are needed to determine the specific risk factors, transmission modes, and potential therapeutics, as well as the scope of the current outbreak. According to the authors, "Key gap information needs to be further studied to provide better answers such as the exact mode of transmission and the role of animal reservoirs. Sexual modes of transmission, genetic mutations, waning immunity from smallpox and previous undetected cases of monkeypox warrant further investigation. Doctors should also keep in mind the atypical presentations and rely on the WHO and CDC criteria to guide patients and help in containing outbreaks." Kanj and co-authors add, "Monkeypox has been declared as a public health emergency that warrants special attention and early diagnosis in view of its global widespread and atypical presentation." Explore further UK reports 104 more cases of monkeypox, mostly in men More information: Human monkeypox: A review of the literature, PLoS Pathogens (2022). Journal information: PLoS Pathogens Human monkeypox: A review of the literature,(2022). DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010768 A model of a complex protein that may fit into nerve channels and stop the transmission of pain. Credit: Phuong Tran Nguyen, UC Davis During the pandemic, physicians used infusions of monoclonal antibodiesantibodies made in a labto help patients fight off COVID-19 infections. Now, researchers at UC Davis are trying to create monoclonal antibodies that can help fight chronic pain. The goal is to develop a monthly non-addictive pain medication that can replace opioids. Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy and James Trimmer, professors in the Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology at the UC Davis School of Medicine, are leading the project. They have assembled an interdisciplinary team featuring many of the same researchers who are also trying to turn tarantula venom into a pain medication. Earlier this year, Yarov-Yarovoy and Trimmer received a $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health's HEAL Initiative, an aggressive effort to speed scientific solutions to stem the national's opioid crisis. People can become addicted to opioids due to chronic pain. The CDC National Center for Health Statistics showed an estimated 107,622 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2021, an increase of nearly 15% from the 93,655 deaths estimated in 2020. A model of a complex protein that may fit into nerve channels and stop the transmission of pain. Credit: Phuong Tran Nguyen, UC Davis "Recent breakthroughs in structural and computational biologyusing computers to understand and model biological systemshave set the stage for applying new approaches to create antibodies as superior therapeutic candidates to treat chronic pain," said Yarov-Yarovoy, the principal investigator for the award. "Monoclonal antibodies are the fastest growing sector of the pharmaceutical industry and have many advantages over classical small molecule drugs," Trimmer said. Small molecule drugs are drugs that can easily enter cells. They are widely used in medicine. Trimmer's lab has created thousands of different monoclonal antibodies for various purposes over many years, but this is the first attempt to generate antibodies aimed at pain relief. Monoclonal antibodies are already being used for migraine Although it may seem very futuristic, the Food and Drug Administration has already approved monoclonal antibodies to treat and prevent migraine. These new medications act on a migraine-associated protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide. The project at UC Davis has a different targetspecific ion channels in nerve cells known as voltage-gated sodium channels. The channels are like "pores" on the nerve cell. "Nerve cells are responsible for transmitting pain signals in the body. Voltage-gated sodium ion channels in nerve cells are the key transmitters of pain," explained Yarov-Yarovoy. "We aim to create antibodies that will bind to these specific transmission sites at the molecular level, inhibiting their activity and stopping the transmission of pain signals." The researchers are focused on three specific sodium ion channels associated with pain: NaV1.7, NaV1.8 and NaV1.9. Their goal is to create antibodies that can fit into each of these channels like a key into a lock. This targeted approach is intended to stop the channels from sending pain signals but not interfere with other signals sent through the nerve cells. The challenge is that the structures of the three channels they are attempting to block are incredibly complex. Software programs help create virtual models To address this, they are turning to software programs called Rosetta and AlphaFold. With Rosetta, the researchers are designing complex virtual models of proteins and analyzing which ones might best fit the NaV1.7, NaV1.8 and NaV1.9 nerve channels. With AlphaFold, the researchers independently validate proteins designed by Rosetta. Once they identify several promising proteins, they will create antibodies that can then be tested on lab-created neural tissue. Human testing would be years away. But the researchers are excited by the potential of this new approach. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and acetaminophen must be taken several times per day to relieve pain. Opioid pain medications are often taken daily and run the risk of addiction. Monoclonal antibodies, however, can circulate in the bloodstream for more than a month before they are eventually broken down by the body. The researchers anticipate that the patient would self-inject the monoclonal antibody pain medication once a month. "For patients with chronic pain, that's exactly what you need," Yarov-Yarovoy said. "They experience pain, not for days, but weeks and months. The expectation is that the circulating antibodies will be able to provide sustained pain relief for weeks." Additional team members include Bruno Correia at EPFL, Stephen Waxman at Yale University, William Schmidt at EicOsis, and Heike Wulff, Theanne Griffith, Karen Wagner, Jon T. Sack, David J. Copenhaver, Scott Fishman, Daniel J. Tancredi, Hai Nguyen, Phuong Tran Nguyen, Diego Lopez Mateos and Robert Stewart at UC Davis. Explore further Could tarantulas hold the secret to relieving chronic pain? Researchers think so Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Nearly half of all patients who are admitted alive to hospital after traumatic brain injury involving objects penetrating the brain are able to survive. That's one of the most surprising findings of a study by Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences Krems (KL Krems), the first in Austria to assess the nature, causes and recovery prospects of this type of injury. According to the study, it is important for treatment decisions to correctly assess the penetration velocity of the objects. Lower velocities cause injuries with significantly better healing prospects. In Austria, the frequency of injuries caused by bolt guns also stands out. Objects such as bullets, nails and bolts penetrating the skull bone cause numerous different injuries to the brain, with healing prospects dependent on many variables. Nevertheless, few data exist to date on these types of injuries in the civilian sector. In Austria, a team from KL Krems has now collected these data for the first time and published their conclusions internationally. Life and death "In general, it must be said that penetrating brain injuries are fatal in many cases," explains Dr. Franz Marhold, Clinical Department of Neurosurgery at St. Polten University Hospital, one of the teaching and research sites of KL Krems. "Three-quarters of those affected die while still at the scene of the accident; at least that's true in the civilian sector." But even for those who are still admitted alive to a hospital, the chances of survival were previously considered low. But it is precisely for this group that the now-published study provides surprising insights. "Our results show a more differentiated picture of the survival chances of these patients," explains Dr. Marhold. "According to the study, the decisive factor is, among other things, the speed of entry of the object causing the damage. If this is low, then 70% of those affected in our study had a prospect of a good prognosis. For objects with high velocity, however, it was less than 20%." At the same time, Dr. Marhold said, it is still not clearly defined what is considered "low" speed and what is considered "high" speed. But as the results of the study show, the distinction is important in deciding further treatment steps. And that, as he points out, includes extremely time-critical situations in which the lives of those affected hang on knife-edge. Long-term study The data was collected over a period of 13 years at the St. Polten University Hospital. During this time, a total of 24 affected patients were admitted alive and received further neurosurgical treatment. Significantly more than half of the affected patients (58%) self-inflicted their injuries. The method of choice was the use of a firearm. In most cases, this resulted in high-velocity injuries with a poor prognosis. "In these cases, brain damage also occurs beyond the actual entry channel of the projectile," Dr. Marhold explains. "Low-velocity objects, on the other hand, are more likely to cause localized injuries, which explains the much better prognosis of these victims." Injuries with low entry velocity were mostly accidents or suicide attempts. Here, the high proportion (5/13) caused by bolt guns, which are widely used in Austrian slaughterhouses, was striking. It is a number that is very high in international comparison. In addition to the assessment via the speed of entry, the study shows that above all the pupil status of the affected persons provides important information on the possible success of treatment. If the pupils presented themselves as normal as possible, the study team was able to record a favorable course of treatment in more than 60%. However, if the pupils showed pathological reactions, this proportion dropped to below 20%. Assessment of consciousness and brain dysfunction according to the so-called Glasgow Coma Scale was also identified as an important decision criterion. Overall, this study, published in Frontiers in Surgery, provides a first detailed insight of brain injuries with objects penetrating the brain in Austria. It reveals essential features for assessing the potential success of treatment in this acute emergency situation and is thus fully in line with the research focus of KL Krems, which comprises scientific findings with clinical added value for patients. Explore further New CT scores offer increasingly accurate prognosis for patients with penetrating brain injury More information: Franz Marhold et al, Surviving the Scene in Civilian Penetrating Brain Injury: Injury Type, Cause and Outcome in a Consecutive Patient Series in Austria, Frontiers in Surgery (2022). Franz Marhold et al, Surviving the Scene in Civilian Penetrating Brain Injury: Injury Type, Cause and Outcome in a Consecutive Patient Series in Austria,(2022). DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.923949 Provided by Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences COVID-19 antibodies test kits (right) and the digital reader device (left in black), which can detect levels of COVID-19 antibodies from a drop of blood in just ten minutes. Credit: NTU Singapore A team of scientists from the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT's research enterprise in Singapore, and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has developed a quick test kit that can tell if a person has immunity against COVID-19 and its variants, based on the antibodies detected in a blood sample. Different from ART test kitswhich look for the presence of viral proteins produced during a COVID-19 infection to determine if a person is infectedthis rapid point-of-care test kit is a serology test that measures antibodies made by the patient. It requires a drop of blood and takes just 10 minutes to show results, as compared to the 24 to 72 hours required for conventional laboratory testing. The test kit detects the levels of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-COV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, and its variants such as delta and omicron, and can be easily adapted for new variants of concern and other diseases in the future. Using a paper-based assay that is coated with chemicals that bind to antibodies in the blood sample, the test kit is low-cost, fast and has up to 93% accuracy. It paves the way for personalized vaccination strategies, where people are only given vaccinations and booster shots when necessary, depending on their variance in antibody levels and immune response. Credit: NTU Singapore The findings were published in the scientific journal Microbiology Spectrum by the joint team led by SMART's Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) and NTU's School of Biological Sciences, in collaboration with Singapore's National University Hospital (NUH) and National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Fast and accurate tests to overcome challenges Having an accurate and rapid serology test can enable governments and health care organizations to effectively manage limited vaccine resources, and address vaccine hesitancy, particularly concerning multiple booster doses. Vaccination has been an integral component of public health strategies to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, with 12.6 billion doses across 184 countries administered as of Sept. 9, 2022. Vaccines reduced the COVID-19 death toll by 63% within the first year of their rollout, preventing an estimated 19.8 million deaths worldwide, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO). In Singapore, the Ministry of Health (MOH) estimated in February 2022 that COVID-19 vaccines had prevented 8,000 deaths during the wave of the delta variant in 2021, as well as preventing an estimated 33,000 severe cases and 112,000 hospitalizations. However, a clinical study by the joint research team has shown that the protection offered by currently available vaccines steadily declines over three months, with varying degrees of decline across individuals. The study showed that after three months of a booster shot, the neutralizing antibody (NAb) response against wildtype and delta still remained high at medians of 91.8%, while medians against beta and gamma had dropped to 82.7 and for omicron, a large drop to 70.7%, down from 92.9%. The emergence of novel variants with much higher transmissibility than the wild-type virussuch as delta and omicronhas exacerbated the issue of using mRNA vaccines developed based on the wildtype virus to boost immunity, especially when some current vaccines are showing reduced protection against these novel variants of concern (VoC). In addition, vaccine hesitancy remains among limited subsets of the population, where people are wary of taking the vaccine or booster shots due to fear of side effects, further compounding the difficulty in employing a widespread vaccination strategy to build herd immunity. To address vaccine hesitancy and efficacy of vaccination against novel variants, a personalized vaccination approach could be more effective, one which offers booster doses to individuals assessed to be more at risk, such as health care workers and the elderly. For a personalized approach to be effective, health care workers need to be able to quickly evaluate the level of NAb response against variants at the individual level, using an easy-to-use point-of-care test kit in clinics, hospitals or vaccination centers. SMART's Scientific Director of Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group Dr Megan McBee (right) in discussion with former SMART researcher Dr Patthara Kongsuphol (left), who is now working to commercialize the test kit at a biotech start-up, Thrixen. Credit: NTU Singapore Corresponding author of the paper, Professor Peter Preiser, Co-Lead Principal Investigator at SMART AMR and Associate Vice President for Biomedical and Life Sciences at NTU Singapore said, "Our team's work in the development of a rapid test kit has given us valuable insights into vaccine effectiveness and protection longevity. Our study proves that our new test kit can be a powerful tool, allowing health care organizations to screen people and determine their vaccination needs, especially against the current and upcoming variants. This will help allay some people's fears that they will be 'over-vaccinated with a booster,' since the results will inform them accurately if they are well-protected against COVID-19 or not." Dr. Hadley Sikes, SMART AMR Principal Investigator, Associate Professor at MIT and co-corresponding author of the paper added, "Over the course of the pandemic, several large studies have shown that NAb levels against the dominant variant at the time of the study are a reliable indicator of protection from infection. Some segments of the population have low tolerance for risk of infection. The test kit we developed can provide valuable, individualized information about how quickly or how slowly a person's antibodies levels have fallen, allowing them to stay informed of their health and, whenever required, get a necessary booster dose to protect themselves." Proven effectiveness of antibody test kit In their research paper, the team describes a clinical study of their cellulose pulled-down virus neutralization test kit (cpVNT), a neutralizing antibody blood test designed to assess an individual's immunoprotective profile against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. With a drop of finger prick blood, the test kit can evaluate an individual's neutralizing antibody level against a specific COVID-19 variant within 10 minutes, making this an efficient, low-cost, and easy-to-use tool that will enable large-scale testing and can be widely deployed anywhere as part of a personalized vaccination strategy. The test reveals the individual's level of neutralizing antibodies, which can then inform a person when a booster should be taken, and how cautious they should be about potential transmission before it is taken. It can be administered by a layperson without medical training and does not require any specialized laboratory equipment, paving the way for large-scale testing of vulnerable subsets of the population such as the elderly. Co-first author of the paper and former Postdoctoral Associate at SMART AMR Hoi Lok Cheng said, "This is an exciting breakthrough for us, and a continuation of our long-running work to develop efficient, low-cost, and easy-to-use NAb tests to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. As a quantitative test that can detect NAb levels specific to key variants such as delta and omicron, the cpVNT has given us valuable insights into the effectiveness of various vaccines vis-a-vis variants of concern. This test kit will also prove integral to a more personalized vaccination approach that will benefit higher-risk individuals such as the elderly and health care workers. Individuals from these communities can have their immuno-protective profile assessed on a regular basis via the cpVNT, allowing them to know when a booster dose may be appropriate or necessary. Furthermore, this test can be easily adapted to test for novel SARS-CoV-2 variants that may emerge in the future." This research builds on years-long body of work by the SMART team. In a paper published in the medical and public health journal Communications Medicine, the team laid out the foundation for a cellulose-based vertical-flow test to detect neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. A separate paper published in premier chemical engineering journal Bioengineering and Translational Medicine discussed the test's effectiveness against other methods such as the pseudovirus-based virus neutralization test (pVNT) and surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT), with favorable results. Using clinical samples (including both whole blood and plasma) and the World Health Organization International Standard and Reference Panel for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody, the team established that a whole-blood test such as the cpVNT could be as informative as a plasma-only test. As plasma- or serum-based tests require laboratory equipment to process the blood sample as well as higher quantities of blood samples to be taken, the cpVNT is therefore more resource-efficient and less invasive. Furthermore, the cpVNT's viability demonstrates that neutralizing antibody and point-of-care tests can be successfully performed using such a format and protocolpaving the way for further development and innovation of this platform to tackle other diseases. Further development of the test kit is underway to meet the necessary regulatory approvals and manufacturing standards for public use. The team that has developed the tests at SMART has also spun off a biotech startup, Thrixen, which is developing the test into a commercially ready product. Key development of the rapid test was done at SMART AMR together with NTU scientists, who helped in the design of the study, providing specific reagent supplies and clinical sample collections. NUH and NCID had provided clinical sample supplies and consultation on medical use of the test, while MIT supervised the project. Explore further Neutralizing antibodies from single COVID-19 booster steadily decline More information: Hoi Lok Cheng et al, Rapid Evaluation of Vaccine Booster Effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 Variants, Microbiology Spectrum (2022). Journal information: Communications Medicine Hoi Lok Cheng et al, Rapid Evaluation of Vaccine Booster Effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 Variants,(2022). DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02257-22 Provided by Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cell (blue) heavily infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (red), isolated from a patient sample. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID Is SARS-CoV-2 hiding in your fat cells? A study by Stanford Medicine investigators shows that SARS-CoV-2 can infect human fat tissue. This phenomenon was seen in laboratory experiments conducted on fat tissue excised from patients undergoing bariatric and cardiac surgeries, and later infected in a laboratory dish with SARS-CoV-2. It was further confirmed in autopsy samples from deceased COVID-19 patients. Obesity is an established, independent risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as for the patients' progression, once infected, to severe disease and death. Reasons offered for this increased vulnerability range from impaired breathing resulting from the pressure of extra weight, to altered immune responsiveness in obese people. But the new study provides a more direct reason: SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can directly infect adipose tissue (which most of us refer to as just plain "fat"). That, in turn, cooks up a cycle of viral replication within resident fat cells, or adipocytes, and causes pronounced inflammation in immune cells that hang out in fat tissue. The inflammation converts even uninfected "bystander" cells within the tissue into an inflammatory state. "With 2 of every 3 American adults overweight and more than 4 in 10 of them obese, this is a potential cause for concern," said Tracey McLaughlin, MD, professor of endocrinology. The findings are described in a study published online Sept. 22 in Science Translational Medicine. McLaughlin and Catherine Blish, MD, Ph.D., professor of infectious diseases, are the study's senior authors. Lead authorship is shared by former postdoctoral scholar Giovanny Martinez-Colon, Ph.D., and graduate student Kalani Ratnasiri. The fat-COVID-19 connection Obesity is defined medically as having a body mass index (weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) of 30 or greater. Someone with a BMI of 25 or greater is defined as being overweight. Obese individuals are up to 10 times as likely to die from COVID-19, McLaughlin said, but increased risk for poor outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection begins at BMIs as low as 24. "Fat tissue's susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection may be playing a role in making obesity a COVID-19 risk factor," said Blish, who is the George E. and Lucy Becker Professor in Medicine. "Infected fat tissue pumps out precisely the inflammatory chemicals you see in the blood of severe COVID patients. It's reasonable to infer that having a lot of infected fat could contribute to the overall inflammatory profile of severely ill COVID-19 patients." The scientists obtained samples of fat tissue from various locations in the bodies of 22 patients undergoing bariatric or cardiothoracic surgery at the Stanford Medicine Bariatric Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery clinic. Then, in a secure facility, the researchers infected the samples with a solution containing SARS-CoV-2 or, as a control, a SARS-CoV-2-free solution. Rigorous experiments showed that the virus could infect and replicate in fat cells, exit the cells and cause new infections in other cells. Fat tissue contains not only fat cells but also a wide variety of immune cells, including a type called macrophages. These cells (whose name derives from two Greek words meaning "big eaters") carry out a number of actions ranging from tissue repair and general garbage cleanup to fierce attacks on perceived pathogenssometimes producing substantial collateral damage to normal tissue in the process. The researchers identified a subset of macrophages in fat tissue that become infected by SARS-CoV-2, although only fleetingly. SARS-CoV-2 infection of these macrophages is abortive: It produces no viable viral progeny. But it does induce a major mood change in the macrophages. "Once infected, these macrophages not only become inflamed themselves but also secrete substances that call in more inflammatory immune cells, in addition to inducing inflammation in uninfected neighboring 'bystander cells,'" Blish said. Fat tissue surrounds our hearts, guts, kidneys and pancreases, which can be adversely affected by tissue inflammation. Ominously, the scientists found infection capable of driving inflammation in virtually every SARS-CoV-2-infected fat-tissue sample they collected and analyzed. Genetic material encoding SARS-CoV-2 was almost invariably present in fat tissue from various bodily regions of eight patients who had died of COVID-19. Examining tissue from two other deceased COVID-19 patients, the team saw an infiltration of inflammatory immune cells adjacent to infected fat cells in epicardial fat. "This was of great concern to us, as epicardial fat lies right next to the heart muscle, with no physical barrier separating them," McLaughlin said. "So, any inflammation there may directly affect the heart muscle or coronary arteries." Missing ACE2 Oddly, ACE2the cell surface molecule that's been implicated as the cardinal receptor for SARS-CoV-2appeared to play little or no role in the ability of the virus to infect fat cells. The method by which SARS-CoV-2 gains entry to fat cells and macrophages in fat tissue remains mysterious. The established primary mode of entry occurs when the virus ties up with a protein called ACE2 that sits on cell surfaces in numerous bodily tissues. Although ACE2 carries out important, legitimate functions, the virus doesn't care what ACE2 does for a livingit considers this cell-surface protein a mere docking station. This was the height of irony for McLaughlin and Blish, who initiated the study because they'd seen reports suggesting, although not proving, that ACE2 might be present in fat tissue. (Nobody had claimed to have sighted the protein itself, Blish added.) But the researchers found, to their surprise, that ACE2 was virtually nonexistent on cells present in fat tissue. "It's highly unlikely the virus is entering through ACE2, because we couldn't detect the functional protein in adipose tissue," said Blish. That means clearing SARS-CoV-2 from fat tissue could require new drugs. Monoclonal antibody therapies licensed for COVID-19, for instance, generally work by interfering with ACE2/SARS-CoV-2 interaction. Fat tissue's potential to serve as a reservoir where SARS-CoV-2 can hide out also raises the possibility that it could contribute to the enduring post-infection symptoms collectively called long COVID, a hypothesis that McLaughlin and Blish are beginning to explore. Researchers from the University of Tubingen, University of Basel, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and Cantonal Hospital Baselland in Liestal, Switzerland contributed to the work. Explore further Scientists discover a novel mechanism leading to the inflammatory cytokine storm in COVID-19 More information: Giovanny J. Martinez-Colon et al, SARS-CoV-2 infection drives an inflammatory response in human adipose tissue through infection of adipocytes and macrophages, Science Translational Medicine (2022). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abm9151 , Journal information: Science Translational Medicine Giovanny J. Martinez-Colon et al, SARS-CoV-2 infection drives an inflammatory response in human adipose tissue through infection of adipocytes and macrophages,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abm9151 , www.science.org/doi/epdf/10.11 scitranslmed.abm9151 Incidence of post operative outcomes [Emergency Department (ED) visit, complications, 30-day readmission and additional procedure for both telehealth and in-person follow up, as percentage]. ED Emergency department. Credit: Surgical Endoscopy (2022). DOI: 10.1007/s00464-022-09501-6 A new research study by Danielle Abbitt, MD, a resident in the University of Colorado Department of Surgery, shows that a protocol that started as a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into a time-saving step for patients recovering from surgery. Abbitt's paper, published in August in the journal Surgical Endoscopy, shows that a telehealth appointment to follow up after a cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal), is just as effective as an in-clinic visit to detect and address postoperative complications including wound infections and cardiopulmonary complications such as pneumonia and pulmonary embolism. The retrospective review was conducted on patients receiving care at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. "Based on my clinical experience seeing patients, my hunch was that the results would be similar between telehealth and a clinic visit," says Abbitt, who also conducted a similar study on patients who undergo surgery to repair an inguinal hernia. "Patients are very intelligent, and they know when something is wrong with their body. If there's an issue, they'll bring it up and call the clinic. Most of the patients I see for post-op visits are doing well and don't have any complaints, but if they do, we can also address that during telehealth visits." Eliminating barriers Telehealth visits for Rocky Mountain VA patients after cholecystectomy began in spring 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was forcing medical facilities to close and patients were concerned about the risk of exposure during in-person visits. Cholecystectomy can be a planned procedure or an emergency operation, depending on the severity of symptoms, but in either case the follow-up is the same, Abbitt saystypically a clinic visit two weeks after the operation to check incisions and pain levels. When that follow-up appointment turned into a follow-up phone call in early 2020, she saw an opportunity to identify a permanent way to save patients time and stress by eliminating the need to drive to a follow-up appointment. "I've always been interested in access to care, and eliminating barriers to access to care, and I started thinking about interactions I've had with patients when we're in clinic," she says. "They'll apologize to me for being late, saying they had to drive two hours to be here. There's a gentleman at the VA who lives in Wyoming, in a rural area, and he's the primary caregiver for his wife. So he not only has to get himself here, but he has to get care for his elderly wife." Telehealth follow-up eases that burden, Abbitt's study found, and is just as effective at finding and addressing complications. Abbitt looked at patients who underwent cholecystectomy at the Rocky Mountain VA between August 2019 and August 2021, checking rates of post-operative complications, readmissions, emergency department visits, and the need for additional procedures. Patients who experienced a complication prior to discharge, underwent a concomitant procedure, had non-absorbable skin closure, had a new diagnosis of malignancy or were discharged home with a drain were ineligible for telehealth follow-up and excluded. The research found no significant difference in post-operative complications, emergency department utilization, 30-day readmission, or need for additional procedures between telehealth and in-person follow-up. Patients who received telehealth follow-up and did have complications were typically referred to local providers for further care or prescribed medications at a nearby pharmacy. Lessons from the pandemic The research is an important finding in the world of surgery, which hasn't been as quick as other specialties to embrace telehealth, says Abbitt's mentor Edward Jones, MD, associate professor of GI, trauma, and endocrine surgery at the CU School of Medicine. "As surgeons, we want to see those incisions and how they're healing," he says. "The idea of trusting the patient to tell us that something's wrong is a little bit foreign to us. We want to see the incisions ourselves." But the pandemic forced a change in that way of thinking, Abbitt saysand the success of telehealth is one of several lessons medical professionals have learned from the health crisis. "We're at an interesting period now, where we have a chance to look back on 'What measures did we do during the pandemic that we want to keep around?'" she says. "Telehealth was something good that came out of that pandemic that we can continue to utilize, especially for low-risk patients." Explore further Study shows incorporating telemedicine helps surgical practices More information: Danielle Abbitt et al, Telehealth follow-up after cholecystectomy is safe in veterans, Surgical Endoscopy (2022). Danielle Abbitt et al, Telehealth follow-up after cholecystectomy is safe in veterans,(2022). DOI: 10.1007/s00464-022-09501-6 Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today announced Irelands first-ever Computer Science Week taking place from 8-15 October. The weeks events will showcase the exciting benefits and cutting edge opportunities of Computer Science for students while shining a light on the impressive developments in classrooms around Ireland. Organised by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) with the support of the Department of Education, the event will provide students with stimulating, interactive opportunities to taste the subject, and provide information to students, teachers, guidance counsellors and parents. Computer Science became a Senior Cycle subject in schools in 2018 and is growing in popularity, with 1,604 students sitting the Leaving Certificate Computer Science examination in 2022. Minister Foley said: Computer Science is an extremely important part of our offering to students, helping to ensure ensuing that they have the skills they need for the modern world. I would like to thank the school communities pioneering this great work, and the industry partners that investing their energy, expertise and enthusiasm to inspiring, not just the next generation of computer scientists, but all students taking the course, who will progress to many other disciplines where a knowledge of computer science will be of great benefit. I am particularly delighted that this week will see the launch of a new buddy system, connecting teachers and schools with 'buddies' from industry, from other schools and higher and further education. Buddies will be able to use the online system to register the types of support they can offer, and this will be a great resource for our teachers. A national conference to mark Computer Science Week will take place on 13th October in Athlone, with student workshops, exhibitions from industry, as well as project exhibits from primary and post-primary schools. The keynote address at the conference will be delivered by Lorraine Underwood, maker, author and senior teaching associate at Lancaster University. Lorraines passion is making physical computing creations to showcase how creative Computer Science can be. This conference is based on the CSforALL event hosted by Dr Cornelia Connolly at University of Galway in 2019 and will celebrate the fantastic work being done by Computer Science teachers and young people across the education system, sharing some of the many wonderful examples of country-wide industry-education collaborations and featuring a range of experts highlighting opportunities in the area of computer science. The event is open to all (places are limited) and interested parties can register from Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/computer-science-week-2022-national-conference-tickets-422908539827 The inaugural Computer Science Week programme includes live workshops for schools to be delivered by subject experts, and webinars aimed at parents, guidance counsellors, principals, students and anyone interested in finding out more about computer science the opportunities it creates and the supports available to schools that are thinking of introducing this fantastic subject as part of their curriculum. More information and a full timetable of events will be published through the PDST computer science twitter account, @PDSTcs using the #csweek hashtag. As Computer Science week falls at the same time as EU Code Week, event organisers are encouraged to register their events on the EU Code Week website, https://codeweek.eu/. A highlight of the week will be the launch of the buddy system a practical Department of Education initiative designed to support a Computer Science culture in schools building teacher capacity and confidence to introduce the Leaving Certificate Computer Science curriculum. An online system will connect teachers and schools with industry buddies and third level/further educators who will offer a range of supports for teachers and schools. Notes to Editors In November 2020, Minister for Education announced details of a new industry framework to support the implementation of the new subject Leaving Certificate Computer Science. The Framework is being introduced in line with the STEM Education Policy Statement 2017 2026. This support framework aims to sustain the momentum of recent curriculum innovation led by the NCCA and contribute to a strong professional community of Computer Science teachers into the future. It puts in place key actions to promote a broad take-up of the subject with a focus on actions to support greater female participation and greater participation amongst students that would not have traditionally considered the subject and to promote visible career paths such as apprenticeships and Level 5, 6 NFQ programmes in Further Education and Training (FET). The framework has been developed by an industry and Department of Education partnership, including representatives of the Computers in Education Society of Ireland (CESI), Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), Irish University Association (IUA), higher education institutions, Technology Ireland/Ibec, SOLAS, Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) and Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI). Buddy System to be launched during Computer Science Week The buddy system is a practical Department of Education initiative designed so that schools and teachers can be supported to learn more about the subject of computer science by collaborating with business and industry, higher education institutions and further education and training providers. The overarching aim is to build a Computer Science culture in schools building teacher capacity and confidence to introduce the Leaving Certificate Computer Science curriculum. The buddy system will provide a means of connecting teachers and schools with 'buddies' from industry, from schools and from higher/further education. Buddies, who will be required to adhere to each individual schools' policies including those relating to child protection, Garda vetting, GDPR etc., will be able to use the system to register the types of support they can offer. The teachers and schools that are interested in availing of additional support will be able to choose from a menu of supports to meet their own needs. This initiative will also complement and supplement what is already happening in many schools and pivot organisations that are already involved to target schools that are not availing of potential support. Many organisations already have programmes in place to support teachers and schools and it is envisaged that these could dovetail readily into the new buddy system. Over time, the buddy system has the potential to become a focal point for high-quality information and events that are relevant to computer science educators and students at primary and post-primary level in Ireland. ENDS Painting outdoors has something in common with fly-fishing to Kristi Hager. Theres a single point of concentration, and the rest of the world goes away. The Missoula artists new series, Love Letters of Missoula, on view at the Radius Gallery, depicts scenes around the city where she's lived since 1997, most often painted on site, and sometimes completed in the studio. She started it during the pandemic, when working outdoors was natural, and she zeroed in on places that are important to her. Her ambition was to make the paintings local in a good way, and she thought of the writer Henry Millers book, How to Paint is to Love Again. Working on scenes around the city, such as Rattlesnake Creek, the PEAS Farm, or a beach on the Clark Fork River, she said you become more attached through all the concentration you give them. You spend all that time with it, in a way that is very focused," she said. "And so you deepen your connection to that thing. You begin to see a particular place in a more powerful way. Hager is a member of the Pattee Canyon Ladies Salon, a group of artists who met regularly for decades for life-drawing sessions. Their art and history will be the subject of an exhibition at the Montana Museum of Art & Culture, Focus on the Figure: The Pattee Canyon Ladies Salon, 1989-2022, that will be on view Oct. 14-Jan. 9. The show also pays tribute to their founding member, Nancy Erickson, who died in early 2022. Hagers last solo exhibition was at the Missoula Art Museum in 2020-21. (It also traveled the state). For Equal: A Work in Progress, she created large-scale black and white portraits on fabric of women in a photorealist style. She said the work was a celebration of the Equal Rights Amendment and the 100th anniversary of womens suffrage, a way of saying were still out there. It was an important project for her, and after completing the project, and then getting through some serious health issues, she needed to do something more straight-forward. I just said, I want to paint things I love, and I didnt even think about it as this show so much," she recalled. "I just want to celebrate the things I love right here, where I live, and what gives me not only pleasure but just improves my whole quality of life. Early on, Hager told herself that they arent avant-garde paintings, but naturalistic ones and she aimed for the unsentimental. She wasnt trying to think of iconic things, but places that she enjoys: hanging out on Rattlesnake Creek, the beaches and trails on the Clark Fork River, watching the surfers on Brennans Wave. (Theyre seen in one painting, in all the variations: getting ready to drop in, riding atop the whitewater, and battling through it.) A first stop was Splash Montana, where she swims nearly every day during the summer. In one piece, swimmers take a lap, composed in a strong horizontal view of the pool. In another, pennants blow in the wind of an empty pool, its bottom lined with lane markers, and a lifeguard walks along the edge. (Its the last day the pool's open, typically a sad one for her.) During a walk on the Clark Fork during September, every possible kind of flotation device was coming down the river. It was a hot, hot early September day, and I just got taken in by that. The colors, what people wear when theyre recreating on the water. Shes painted a series of empty canoes, in which the color of light on the water was the focus. Now, she decided to take the step and work with the floaters one painting boasts two women on paddleboards, deep in conversation as indicated by their casual gestures (which also signal that its a very lazy river). Hager works in varied mediums. She did a series of paintings of the figure in camouflage; shes a professional photographer whos documented historic buildings and structures that have been archived in the Library of Congress. There were also the regular life-drawing sessions, which went on hold during the pandemic. Plein air, though, is a different endeavor. The wind is blowing, the sun is moving, everything is alive, she said. Alive as in changing. The scene offers about an hour, maybe an hour and a half, before the light and clouds have shifted significantly. Its much more immediate, what I call simultaneous translation of what Im seeing onto this two-dimensional panel," she said. "Its energizing. Theres a different level of concentration. In the studio, you have all the time in the world. Infinite time to deal with whatevers bothering you or you cant figure out. When youre out there, you just gotta keep the brush moving, so it allows you to get out of your head." She said shes noticed that in Impressionist paintings, its often a sunny day the kind of day when youre out painting. At an artist residency in Vermont during November, she saw painters going out to paint plein air, like guerilla painting, and she thought theres something fabulous about being out there when its not nice. So she rendered views of Mount Jumbo and Hellgate Canyon during late falls grayer skies the face of Jumbo is washed in snow, or the top of Sentinel is dotted to match the inversion. On the opposite end of the spectrum is a view of the Orange Street Food Farm at sunset. She walked out one evening and the sky was on fire in every direction, she said. It was after a rainfall, and the parked cars and puddles were lit up and reflective. She thought, this is so over the top, and its the Food Farm. Im gonna do it. Another, of Rattlesnake Creek and the colored rocks seen through the translucent water, was painted in the studio. The modeling of light was challenging. Like, OK, how complicated can I make this? she said. The list of locations as a whole, she noticed, all take place on public open space. It is what makes for me, this place so livable, and this open space and the recreational opportunities they dont happen by accident, she said. A Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical that deals with mental illness and grief will make its Missoula debut this week. Next to Normal, an independent production, is showing at the Westside Theater the next two weeks. The lead actress and co-producer, Petrea Torma, led the effort to bring the show to town after seeing it years ago. She plays a mother who has lived with bipolar disorder for years while raising her children with her husband in what appears to be an idyllic suburban life. Beneath that, you see the struggles that each of these characters face, she said. Andy Meyers, who plays the husband, said Torma is such an advocate for mental health in her life that she really brings just an understanding and delicacy to it, and that's what the role requires. Torma, a fourth grade teacher at Paxson Elementary School, starred as the Witch in Missoula Community Theatres production of Stephen Sondheims Into the Woods last March. She thought the pandemic made "Next to Normal" even more fitting, since society tends to discourage openness about mental health. She said people feel pressure to push through life without the help because they fear that being sad, or having grief, or experiencing a mental illness makes you weak in any way. The full run is Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 22-24, and Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. For tickets, go to thewestsidetheater.com. The seating will hold around 120 people, mostly proscenium-style. *** The show has a book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, which won them three Tony Awards along with a Pultizer in 2010. Its a rarity for a musical to win that award because theyre competing against traditional dramas. While they hope the production can open up a dialogue about mental health through the arts, the message is delivered in an unusual form. Meyers said its so brilliant that its a rock score because its dealing with all these heavy issues but it doesnt wallow or feel like a eulogy. The energy is closer to things youd like to scream in the shower, he said. While the show has serious themes it handles with care, theres humor as well. It has some adult language and deals with real challenges, including those facing the teenage characters, so it roughly translates to a PG-13 rating. Meyers said theyve all been researching and working to make the depiction of mental illness realistic in some cases, he said, that means that its not readily visible, which isnt always the case when actors take on such roles in movies. Torma said her character, Diana, is complex and the script delves into the complications of diagnosis. In the script, she says at one point that bipolar doesnt exactly cover it. The plot includes extenuating circumstances that lead to a crisis. *** While this is an independent production, the show includes many familiar faces and a recently repurposed venue. The Westside Theater is the rebranded name of the studio on Shakespeare Street in the same building as Freestone Climbing. At the start of the year, it became the home of Bare Bait Dance company and has aimed to offer a wide variety of events in a space that can be reconfigured as needed. (Because it was built for high-flying circus acts, it has a very high ceiling.) Much of the cast and crew are regulars in Missoula productions. The directors chair is occupied by Joseph Martinez, the artistic director of MCT Inc. The local cast spans from 20-somethings to professors. David Cody, who teaches at the University of Montana in musical theater, voice and opera; Stephen Jay Clement is a recent UM graduate whos performed with the Montana Repertory Theatre; Renee Ross is an independent actor and musician; Nick Monsos is a UM student. Meyers, whos playing the husband, is the artistic director of the Fort Peck Summer Theatre. Hes directed and acted in shows here, including Missoula Community Theatre productions. Hes co-producing along with Torma and the Westside Theater. The musical raucousness Meyers mentioned will be delivered with the aid of an eight-piece rock band including a cellist and a violinist, led by music director Scott Koljonen. Torma said they want to help ensure that people know resources are available for themselves and others. After each show, audience members can stay for a discussion with experts on subjects ranging from maternal mental health to suicide prevention and substance abuse. They include representatives from the All Nations Indian Health Center, Missoula Therapy mental health clinic and the Center, an LGBTQ community center downtown. Rosie Ayers of the Project Tomorrow suicide prevention effort will lead the discussions. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iranians experienced a near-total internet blackout on Wednesday amid days of mass protests against the government over the death of a woman held by the country's morality police for allegedly violating its strictly-enforced dress code. An Iranian official had earlier hinted that such measures might be taken out of security concerns. The loss of connectivity will make it more difficult for people to organize protests and share information about the government's rolling crackdown on dissent. Iran has seen nationwide protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was detained for allegedly wearing the mandatory Islamic headscarf too loosely. Demonstrators have clashed with police and called for the downfall of the Islamic Republic itself, even as Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi addressed the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday. The protests continued for a fifth day on Wednesday, including in the capital, Tehran. Police there fired tear gas at protesters who chanted death to the dictator, and I will kill the one who killed my sister," according to the semiofficial Fars news agency. London-based rights group Amnesty International said security forces have used batons, birdshot, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse protesters. It reported eight deaths linked to the unrest, including four people killed by security forces. It said hundreds more have been wounded. Iranian officials have reported three deaths, blaming them on unnamed armed groups. Witnesses in Iran, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said late Wednesday they could no longer access the internet using mobile devices. Were seeing internet service, including mobile data, being blocked in Iran in the past couple of hours, Doug Madory, director of internet analysis at Kentik, Inc., a network intelligence company, said late Wednesday. This is likely an action by the government given the current situation in the country," he said. I can confirm a near total collapse of internet connectivity for mobile providers in Iran. NetBlocks, a London-based group that monitors internet access, had earlier reported widespread disruptions to both Instagram and WhatsApp. Facebook parent company Meta, which owns both platforms, said it was aware that Iranians were being denied access to internet services. We hope their right to be online will be reinstated quickly, it said in a statement. Earlier on Wednesday, Iran's Telecommunications Minister Isa Zarepour was quoted by state media as saying that certain restrictions might be imposed due to security issues," without elaborating. Iran already blocks Facebook, Telegram, Twitter and YouTube, even though top Iranian officials use public accounts on such platforms. Many Iranians get around the bans using virtual private networks, known as VPNs, and proxies. In a separate development, several official websites, including those for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the presidency and the Central Bank, were taken down at least briefly as hackers claimed to have launched a cyberattack on state agencies. Hackers linked to the shadowy Anonymous movement said they targeted other Iranian state agencies, including state TV. Central Bank spokesman Mostafa Qamarivafa denied that the bank itself was hacked, saying only that the website was inaccessible because of an attack on a server that hosts it, in remarks carried by the official IRNA news agency. The website was later restored. Iran has been the target of several cyberattacks in recent years, many by hackers expressing criticism of its theocracy. Last year, a cyberattack crippled gas stations across the country, creating long lines of angry motorists unable to get subsidized fuel for days. Messages accompanying the attack appeared to refer to the supreme leader. Amini's death has sparked protests across the country. The police say she died of a heart attack and was not mistreated, but her family has cast doubt on that account, saying she had no previous heart issues and that they were prevented from seeing her body. In a phone interview with BBC Persian on Wednesday her father, Amjad Amini, accused authorities of lying about her death. Each time he was asked how he thinks she died, the line was mysteriously cut. The U.N. human rights office says the morality police have stepped up operations in recent months and resorted to more violent methods, including slapping women, beating them with batons and shoving them into police vehicles. President Joe Biden, who also spoke at the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, voiced support for the protesters, saying "we stand with the brave citizens and the brave women of Iran, who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights. The U.K. also released a statement Wednesday calling for an investigation into Amini's death and for Iran to respect the right to peaceful assembly. Raisi has called for an investigation into Aminis death. Iranian officials have blamed the protests on unnamed foreign countries that they say are trying to foment unrest. Iran has grappled with waves of protests in recent years, mainly over a long-running economic crisis exacerbated by Western sanctions linked to its nuclear program. The Biden administration and European allies have been working to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear accord, in which Iran curbed its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, but the talks have been deadlocked for months. In his speech at the U.N., Raisi said Iran is committed to reviving the nuclear agreement but questioned whether it could trust Americas commitment to any accord. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. It began ramping up its nuclear activities after then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 agreement, and experts say it now likely has enough highly-enriched uranium to make a bomb if it chooses to do so. The city of Missoula released the names of six applicants for a vacancy for City Council Ward 2 after Ward 3 council member Daniel Carlino tweeted a list of applicants Thursday afternoon. Teigan Avery, Rebecca Dawson, Sierra Farmer, John T Rowan, Derek Hitt and Charles Shane applied for the position. Mayor Jordan Hess appointment to serve as mayor created the opening in Ward 2. Ward 2 represents the Mullan Road, Grant Creek and Westside areas. The position currently pays $1,444.60 per month plus city benefits. Interviewees will be selected at the City Councils Sept. 26 meeting. Interviews will take place Sept. 28 and the vote to select a new councilor will take place Oct. 3. Avery, a University of Montana researcher, previously applied to serve as Missoula mayor. Avery was selected as one of the interview subjects in the mayoral appointment process. Rebecca Dawson is a Realtor who previously ran for Ward 2 in 2021. John T Rowan also ran for City Council in 2015. He currently serves as a chaplain at Partners in Home Care Hospice and describes nonprofit experience in his application. Sierra Farmer works for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation as a trust lands program manager, and Charles Shane is an environmental health specialist with Missoula County. Derek Hitt, a carpenter, submitted four minutes past deadline which was noon Thursday but after a phone call with council president Gwen Jones about technical issues, the application was accepted. ALBERTON Bob Summerfield likes bears, but he'd prefer that they didn't make a meal out of the fruit trees in his orchard. That's exactly what happened late last week at the Brovold Community Orchard in Alberton, when a black bear sow and her two cubs feasted on more than a dozen trees and inflicted major damage on many of them. Now, Summerfield and his wife, Jeanne whose father, Norman Brovold, planted the trees plan to make the orchard an example of so-called "Bear Smart" methods of reducing human-bear conflict around Alberton. Bob, 73, is uniquely positioned to manage the hungry bruins: Before he retired from a career as a bear biologist, he worked as the U.S. Forest Service's grizzly bear habitat coordinator for the Lower 48 states. "I like bears," he said on Tuesday at the apple, plum and pear orchard, which gives away thousands of pounds of fresh fruit annually. Seated in a lawn chair next to Jeanne, he stressed that theirs was not a battle between agriculture and bear. "These bears are just doing what bears do. It's our responsibility to secure attractants, and so that's why we're putting up a fence." An electrified fence, that is. And it'll take about $2,000 in materials alone to surround the 3-acre orchard about a half-hour west of Missoula. The Summerfields started a GoFundMe online fundraiser to collect money for the expense (gofund.me/75846b23). Volunteer labor, they presume, will get it installed. They hope to have it up by Aug. 1, 2023, before bears enter their annual pre-hibernation gorging, known as hyperphagia. "If we were rich," Bob mused, "we'd hire somebody to do the job. But we're not rich." "We'll have to figure out how to install it," Jeanne, 68, added. It might take the community to give the orchard a fence, and Bob and Jeanne hope the effort will give the community something, too: A better idea of how to reduce bear conflict in Alberton. Jeanne was raised on the orchard and attended school in Alberton. Bob grew up in Virginia and didn't travel west until 1969, when he visited Yellowstone National Park. That was long before the advent of modern bear management and Bear Smart practices, and he recalled spectating as bears picked through the park's open garbage dump. Accessible garbage and other attractants are a problem in Alberton, Bob said. Bears that raid food sources in Alberton are usually ignored, he said, and they're killed if they become too much of a nuisance. "Our intent is to set the example here with our orchard for our community," he said, explaining that electrified fencing is a "maintenance headache ... but it's the right thing to do, it's the responsible thing to do." And it's something he wants to do before more bears, particularly grizzly bears, show up in Alberton looking for easy meals. Bob had no knowledge of grizzlies in Alberton or immediately around the orchard, but he knows they're in the region and have crossed Interstate 90 nearby. He said he wants to make Alberton and the orchard Bear Smart before they show up, because "it's just a matter of time." Alberton is on the edge of grizzly bears' estimated population distribution around the Northern Continental Divide Recovery Zone, which centers on Glacier National Park. There have been verified sightings in all directions of the town during the past decade. Grizzlies have "more than likely" passed through the area, according to Hilary Cooley, the grizzly bear recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. People generally consider black bears to be harmless, Bob said, but "on those rare occasions when something does go south on you, it can be catastrophic." "It's only prudent to be smart with how you deal with black bears." A bear buffet This summer, a black bear family began its incursions into the orchard in early August, usually arriving around 8:45 p.m., according to a neighbor who watches the property while the Summerfields are at home in Missoula. But it wasn't until last Friday that the couple arrived to find major damage across the roughly 80-tree grove: At least five trees sustained major damage, with multiple limbs broken off and a distinct risk of dying over the winter. Another 10 had at least a couple limbs snapped. "The ones that had fruit got hit pretty hard," Bob said, noting that the silver lining of an already poor growing season was that many trees had no fruit to attract bears. "The bears consumed a lot of what was there." One tree, Bob said, is "on its last leg at this point. There were a couple big limbs ... the bears broke off." Another, he remarked, "wasn't the best tree in the world but they really did a number on it. They took this whole side out." Surveying deep claw marks and broken branches on a particularly brutalized tree near the orchard's parking area, Jeanne remarked: "I'd be surprised if it makes it." Bob said he "knew it'd happen someday, it's inevitable." Now that it has, Jeanne said, "We're worried about the mother and her babies. They know now this is where fruit is and next year they'll come back." Community buy-in "This is a community orchard," Jeanne said of the place that is home to trees named Bob and Stuart dubbed so last year by Alberton's second-grade class, in homage to characters from the "Minions" kids movie franchise. Bob and Stuart bore the best apples. But Jeanne fretted: "All the lower branches that the kids could reach, the bears broke off." As a nonprofit, the Brovold Community Orchard is eligible for grant money and matching funds to pay for electric fencing an avenue the organization is pursuing. But the Summerfields said having the community help pitch in toward fencing keeps in the spirit of a community-centered institution that last year sent more than 3,800 pounds of free, fresh-picked fruit home with more than 300 people from Missoula to Superior. Another 1,000 pounds or more of fruit on the ground was given away to feed livestock. The orchard also hosts educational programs for local schoolchildren, including apple cider-pressing, and offers work for people with developmental disabilities. "If you get funding from a corporate source, that's great but it doesn't involve the community," Bob said, adding that even "them verbally giving us their support means as much as writing a check. We'll get as much as we get in that (GoFundMe) account and that'll be great." Jeanne and Bob turned the orchard into a nonprofit in May 2021. A handful of Alberton locals serve on the board alongside the Summerfields. Bob is the board president. The couple still own their 100 acres, but they lease the 3-acre orchard land to the nonprofit for $1 annually. Jeanne's grandparents bought the property in Alberton, then a railroad town, in 1952. Back then the plot at the far east end of town played host to a motel of sorts, with about a dozen single-room cabins, two small homes and a bathhouse. Jeanne's parents bought the property in 1966, and the cabins got razed sometime in the '70s. Her father planted the orchard in the early '80s. Jeanne's father, Norman Brovold, lived through the Great Depression and was shaped by crushing food scarcity and brutal competition between neighbors over tree fruit in his native Wisconsin. Part of his motivation in planting the orchard, the Summerfields said, was to make sure his neighbors in Alberton would be spared that experience. Brovold, who died in May at 93 years old, particularly loved kids and offered tractor rides through his orchard, where local families were free to come and pick fruit. Making the orchard a nonprofit, they said, was "our way of honoring him and his dream for the orchard." Norman Brovold did not like bears at all. The orchard probably should've been fenced years ago, Bob said, when bears occasionally came through to eat the fruit. Norman "just shrugged it off and went on," Bob recalled. "He used to curse the bears a lot." A woman who started a house fire at a Northside Missoula residence last year was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Erin M. Betts, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of felony arson in June, according to court documents. For the arson charge, Betts was sentenced last Friday to 20 years in the Montana State Womens Prison, with half of that time suspended. She was also ordered by Missoula District Judge Shane Vannatta to pay $500,000 in restitution. Court documents allege Betts started a house fire in May 2021 that caused the whole structure to be lost and killed two dogs. The estimated property damage was $450,000. While traveling to the house, a responding officer saw a woman running south over the Scott Street Bridge and recognized her as Betts from previous contacts law enforcement had with her, Missoula County charging documents said. After speaking with witnesses, officers located Betts at the Poverello Center. They noticed she smelled of gasoline and that her hair had been singed. When questioned, Betts confirmed she had been near the railroad tracks and Scott Street Bridge when she saw the smoke. She stated that she ran from the smoke to avoid getting in trouble because she was the only one in the area at the time of the fire and could be considered a person of interest, charging documents said. Betts had two additional cases pending in district court, both of which she received a 10-year sentence for; they will run simultaneously to Betts sentence for the house fire. She was originally charged with two counts of aggravated animal cruelty in addition to the arson charge, but both were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) A 63-year-old worker died in the public bathroom of a South Carolina department store, but her body was not discovered for four days, authorities said. Bessie Durham, who worked for an outside company that cleans the Belk store at Columbiana Centre, was found dead Monday, investigators said. Her cleaning cart was outside the restroom. Durham was last seen Thursday at work and her body was found shortly after her family filed a missing person report, Columbia Deputy Police Chief Melron Kelly, told WIS-TV. The Lexington County Coroner's Office said there are no signs someone killed Durham or that she was using drugs. An autopsy is planned Thursday to determine her cause of death. Durham was seen on a surveillance camera going in the bathroom at 7 a.m. Thursday and she did not come out. Her body was found around 8 p.m. Monday, the coroner's office said. The store was open regularly over those four days and Kelly said police are investigating to see if anyone was negligent. Were still working with the store to find out what their process is to closing down the store, inspecting the store and things of that nature, Kelly said. Belk is helping authorities figure out what happened and is sending its deepest condolences to Durham's family, the company said in a statement. On a Thursday in early August, Helen Weems and the two nursing assistants at All Families Healthcare in Whitefish had, by their standards, a typical day. They arrived at the clinic early that morning, using a back entrance that routes them away from the anti-abortion protesters who post shifts in front of the building twice a week. Inside, they opened a key-coded door and entered a small waiting area with soft lighting, white walls, and a collage of bright thank-you cards. As they prepared for patients, one of the nursing assistants turned on an oldies radio station. The days first abortion was scheduled for 9 a.m. In an interview later that day, Weems, the clinics founder and sole abortion provider, said the first patient was also fairly typical. The woman had decided to end her pregnancy, Weems said, because she and her partner were super clear they werent interested in having kids at the time. Like many of Weems patients, she was also feeling the emotional fallout of the June U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, upending the precedent that had made abortion legal for nearly 50 years. She felt like this was so important that she be able to have this option, Weems recounted as the refrain of Billy Joels My Life played quietly in the waiting room. And she became really angry and tearful when we talked about how we could lose this right in Montana. All Families Healthcare is one of three organizations that provide abortions in Montana. An advanced practice registered nurse, Weems provides abortions either by prescribing a two-dose medication regime or performing in-clinic procedures for patients who are up to 12 weeks pregnant. She estimates her clinic scheduled 75 abortion appointments between June and August, in addition to other health services including birth control appointments, STI testing and pregnancy counseling. Weems has been providing those services since she first opened the clinic in 2018. During that time, she said, shes considered politics a verboten topic with her patients, but thats changed in the post-Roe era. For the first time, Weems is now warily watching the coalescence of a political movement in Montana that could make her close her doors. With passionate anti-abortion politicians holding the states highest elected positions and Republicans poised to win a supermajority in the Legislature this November, Montanas abortion opponents are more empowered than they have been in decades. For abortion-rights advocates like Weems and for those who want abortion banned the stakes in Montana are especially high: All of the states immediate neighbors have advanced strict abortion limits, bans and penalties since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, making abortions difficult to obtain in Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota and North Dakota. In that context, Montana stands out as both a legal haven and a political target. Weems has had to adjust to the intensified political climate. She designed All Families Healthcare to be a comforting and uplifting space for patients to navigate an intensely private and personal decision, decorating her exam room with colorful posters and twinkling string lights. Increasingly, though, Weems feels like public politics have cast an unavoidable shadow over her conversations with patients. Typically people will say, What can I do to help? Weems said. And Ill say, Are you registered to vote? Voting to support access to abortion is probably the most important thing you can do. HELPING PEOPLE BE THE PEOPLE THEY WANT TO BE Weems first job out of college was at an abortion clinic in Seattle, where she grew up. Seeing the work there inspired her to become a nurse practitioner, and she eventually took a job in Seattle public schools as an adolescent health provider. Years later, her husband wanted to move back to Whitefish, where he had lived for a time in the 1990s. When Weems, now 54, began researching health care in Montana, she realized abortion access was strongly protected and that, at the time, there were no abortion clinics in the Flathead Valley. She started envisioning how she could fill that gap and provide the region with what she sees as an essential service. People choose abortion oftentimes because they dont have the resources, they dont have the energy, they dont have the capacity to raise their children in the way that they would want to, Weems said. Its so positive, its so rewarding. Its like youre helping people be the people they want to be. But Weems also knew that being an abortion provider in the Flathead wouldnt be easy. In 1994, an anti-abortion activist firebombed a Kalispell abortion clinic, among others in the region, operated by the physician James Armstrong and physician assistant Susan Cahill. Two decades later, in 2014, Cahills new clinic in Kalispell, also named All Families Healthcare, was vandalized beyond use by a man whose mother sat on the board of a local anti-abortion ministry. After that incident, Cahill decided not to reopen. While preparing to move to the Flathead, Weems asked Cahill to mentor her. Cahill eventually agreed and the two ultimately reopened All Families in 2018, this time in Whitefish. They worked together for a year before Cahill retired. Today, Weems clinic is the only abortion provider in the Flathead area. The next closest provider offering the same services is Blue Mountain Clinic in Missoula, 133 miles to the south. Planned Parenthood of Montana operates four health clinics around the state. As of September only one, in Helena, is providing in-clinic abortions for pregnancies after 11 weeks in addition to earlier-term medication abortions. Another provider at an independent clinic in Bozeman, who did not publicly advertise her abortion services, shut her doors this summer, citing high costs and the strain of the current political environment. Weems said shes had patients drive to her clinic all the way from Havre, more than four hours to the east, and Glasgow, a seven-hour, 400-mile one-way trip. Were pretty alone in this state, Weems said. Its Blue Mountain. Its All Families. And its Planned Parenthood. Its not very much for a huge state. INCREMENTAL STEPS Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck federal protections for abortion in June, Montanas clinics have continued to operate legally on the basis of the precedent laid out in Armstrong v. State, a 1999 case named after Cahills former partner. In its Armstrong ruling, the Montana Supreme Court unanimously defined abortion as a protected, private medical procedure that may only be restricted if lawmakers identify a compelling state interest distinct from political ideology. Despite the national tumult created by the end of Roe, Montanas abortion providers have been mostly resolute about continuing to provide services. Planned Parenthood of Montana temporarily stopped providing medication abortion to patients from abortion-ban states out of fear of litigation, but reversed that decision in August. Montanas primary abortion access fund, the Susan Wicklund Fund, raised more than $15,000 in July and August of this year, compared to less than $4,500 during the same months in 2021, to help people afford abortions and related costs like travel and childcare. A board member for the fund, Aileen Gleizer, told Montana Free Press the number of funding requests it has received from in-state and out-of-state residents also jumped this summer compared to last year, from 36 to 77. And some Montana abortion providers, including All Families and Blue Mountain Clinic in Missoula, have expanded their telemedicine and medication-abortion-by-mail programs to serve more people in the states rural areas. Nicole Smith, Blue Mountains executive director, credits the clinics current operations to Montanas strong legal protections and lack of restrictive laws intended to discourage abortions. We have access in Montana, and we come to work every day and we dont have barriers, Smith said. Our patients dont have waiting periods or forced ultrasounds or any of that. Yet Montana abortion access advocates are acutely aware of how the states current political dynamics threaten their cause. For 16 years, while many other states steadily whittled away at reproductive choice, Democratic governors in Montana blocked abortion restrictions passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature. Now, Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte and the conservative majority in the state Legislature have made opposing abortion a top priority. Last year, Gianforte signed a handful of abortion restrictions into law, including a bill that would restrict medication abortions and ban the distribution of that medication by mail. After being challenged by Planned Parenthood of Montana, that law and two others were temporarily blocked from taking effect last October with a preliminary injunction issued by a Billings judge who cited the Armstrong precedent. Throughout the legal fight, Gianforte and Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen have urged the state Supreme Court to reconsider the Armstrong case, a decision Knudsens office has called wrong from the day it was decided. In August, the court upheld the district courts injunction but declined to deliberate on Armstrong. The case is now scheduled to continue in Billings. While the new laws are on ice, Weems is tracking other political developments she said could undermine abortion rights, including a potential Republican supermajority in the Legislature that could ask voters to consider a constitutional amendment to ban abortion outright or change the Constitutions privacy provision on which Armstrong is based. In her office, Weems ticked through a mental list of levers Republicans in the Capitol could pull to advance their longtime anti-abortion crusade: Win their legal fight against the Armstrong precedent, enact more abortion restrictions that bypass the Armstrong ruling, or revise the Constitution. Suddenly were like, oh, my God, its not so protected. Were incremental steps away from losing this right, Weems said. In an August radio segment produced by the Montana Family Foundation, a conservative policy group, president and lobbyist Jeff Laszloffy endorsed the rollback of the Armstrong decision. Abortion policy, he said, should be decided by state lawmakers. The executive and legislative branches, along with the U.S. Supreme Court, have put the Montana Supreme Court on notice, Laszsloffy said. Roe was flawed. Armstrong is flawed and the Legislature wants that power returned to its rightful venue, the Peoples House. But advocates on both sides of the issue, including Laszloffy, have acknowledged that bringing Montanas abortion policy in line with the restrictions in neighboring states would require a long fight. Smith, from Blue Mountain Clinic, sees the same possibilities on the horizon but is hesitant to call any of them an imminent threat. Access in Montana could change, but also it could stay exactly the same, she said. Im not spending a whole lot of my time speculating on what could happen, because I think that theres also a lot of reason to be optimistic that we are going to hold the line and that our status here is going to stay the same, Smith said. We have to wait and see. We just dont know. Smith and Weems agree that one hypothetical future risk for abortion access could be a conservative tilt on the Montana Supreme Court leading to rulings that weaken the protections laid out in Armstrong. Theyre closely watching this years Supreme Court races, particularly for the seat held by Ingrid Gustafson, a longtime district court judge in Billings who was appointed to her seat by Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock in 2018. Gustafson is facing a challenge from Republican attorney James Brown, the state GOPs former counsel and current president of the Montana Public Service Commission, where he was elected as a Republican in 2020. The candidates, constrained by judicial ethics requirements, have been careful to avoid commenting directly on how theyd rule on abortion cases. Nonetheless, defenders of abortion access are rallying behind Gustafson, who has pledged to uphold and protect the rights laid out in the Montana Constitution. Brown has been explicitly endorsed by anti-abortion conservatives, including Gianforte and Knudsen. While Brown, Like Gustafson, has promised to protect Montanans constitutional rights, hes also openly criticized the Montana judiciary as having a liberal bent and for blocking democratically passed legislative enactments the Republican-held Legislature passed last year. The outcome of Novembers Supreme Court races could also affect the decision in one particular case that looms large for the Whitefish provider: Weems v. State. As she and Cahill were working to reopen All Families in Whitefish, Weems realized that Montana law codifying the 1999 Armstrong decision did not explicitly allow advanced practice registered nurses like her to provide abortions, instead authorizing only physicians and physician assistants. Represented pro-bono by the Center for Reproductive Rights, a national advocacy group, and the ACLU of Montana, Weems sued the state to clarify that nurses with her license and appropriate training are qualified to provide abortions in line with the Armstrong decision. In 2018, a temporary ruling by a Helena district court judge allowed Weems to open her clinic. After years of litigation, the same judge in February struck down the law entirely, saying the state had not established a compelling interest in restricting the performance of abortions to physicians and physician-assistants. Attorney General Knudsen appealed that decision to the Montana Supreme Court later that month, writing that the district courts ruling made abortion less safe for Montana women and re-exposes abortion patients to back-alley medical standards. The future of All Families hinges on the cases ultimate resolution. Im definitely sitting on pins and needles, Weems said. Its my livelihood, its my business, its my passion, she said. THE TWAIN SHALL NEVER MEET John ONeil, 82, and Bette Schultz, 77, are among the rotating cast of protesters who can often be found waving anti-abortion signs and soliciting honks from drivers outside Weems clinic. On that Thursday in early August, ONeil was wearing a cowboy hat and blue jeans. Hes been protesting long enough to have laminated business cards he distributes without invitation. Are you Pro-Life? one side reads. There is an Abortion Clinic in the Flathead Prayer Vigils conducted every Tues and Thurs 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clinics entrance for patients and staff is on the back side of the building, shielded from the busy street that funnels traffic into downtown Whitefish. ONeil said the protesters choose to stand near the street, in full view of passing cars, so they can spread their message to as many people as possible. We never know if weve turned someones mind, ONeil said. Even if protesters dissuade 10% of patients from going through with their appointments, thats great for us, he said. In the span of five minutes that Thursday, the reactions of passing drivers to the protesters were mixed. Some honked and flashed thumbs-up. Others rolled down their windows to shout profanities. ONeil and Schultz appeared unfazed by the latter, saying the vast majority of responses are positive. Montanas continuing legal access to abortion while nearby states enact restrictions is only more cause for prayer, ONeil said. Beyond that, he said, Montanas abortion laws will change, or not, through the ballot box. He said hes paying particular attention to the states legislative races, the contests that could deliver a GOP supermajority capable of taking abortion policy directly to voters. Its going to wake up a lot of folks, we hope, to pay attention to whos going to get elected this November, he said. Inside All Families, Weems knows some of the regular protesters by name. She and ONeil have spoken several times. We are equally passionate in our positions, Weems said with a wry smile. I think he really believes that he is fighting for what is right. And I, too, with equal passion, believe that I am doing what is right. I just think that hes misguided and Im sure he thinks Im misguided. And the twain shall never meet. What they have in common is an appreciation for what the November election could mean for the future of All Families Healthcare and other Montana abortion providers. Weems said her daily work routine helping patients and soliciting donations for her clinic supports her belief that abortion access matters to Montanans from all walks of life. Thats a big part of the reason, she said, that All Families Healthcare was voted Best Family Practice in the Best of Whitefish competition this year. Were totally supported in this community, she said, gesturing to a copy of the annual Whitefish Pilot award magazine on a nearby table. That was not about me, that was not about All Families. That was about the community Im going to start crying that was about the community being like, We believe in abortion. We believe this is a human right. That was a huge deal. Google reviews for All Families Healthcare also indicate that Weems and her staff have a great deal to do with winning that support in Whitefish. Former patients praise the clinician for creating a welcoming and supportive space. Their customer service feels like family, one patient wrote two years ago. Another client, writing about her abortion at All Families last year, said she had been feeling unsure about the procedure. In the end, she said, going to the clinic was the best choice ever, in part because Weems was caring and patient. I felt okay to cry and talk to her, the patient wrote. She makes you feel comfortable to talk honestly and gives you space when its needed. Weems responds to almost every review, thanking patients for the kind words and saying how happy she is to hear about their positive experiences. Weems used to see politics as incompatible with the calming atmosphere shes tried to create at the clinic. But as anti-abortion advocates keep working to eliminate the procedure in Montana, she said shes reconsidered. Some of her patients have only a general awareness about the laws and court cases and state elections that keep Weems preoccupied. When it comes to abortion access and reproductive health care, Weems said, she wants her patients to feel empowered to advocate for their rights. If and when they cast their ballots, she wants them to feel like they have a choice. There are so many people whove moved here recently. And then theres other people who just arent voters, Weems said. Ill be like, Hey, maybe you havent been active in voting. But if this right is really important to you, we need to protect it. Because were at risk of losing it. Leer en espanol Encounters along the U.S.-Mexico border surpassed 2 million for the first time in one year, according to recently released U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. There have been more than 2.1 million arrests along the border so far in the fiscal year 2022, which ends on Sept. 30, largely exceeding last years number of more than 1.7 million arrests, according to CBP. The number of encounters at the border increased slightly from July to August, with a total of 203,598 encounters recorded last month. Twenty-two percent of the encounters in August involved people who had at least one prior encounter in the prior 12 months, CBP said. Migrant flights: Could Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' migrant tactic backfire politically with key voting bloc? Migrants and asylum seekers are detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in Yuma County, Arizona, near the Cocopah Indian Tribes reservation on July 28, 2022. The Border Patrol's Tucson Sector saw more than a 10% increase in encounters, going from 17,709 encounters in July to 19,574 in August. So far this fiscal year, the sector has recorded 238,820 encounters. The Yuma Sector saw a decrease in encounters of less than 1% from July to August, according to CBP. The sector has seen 284,078 encounters so far this fiscal year. Migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua accounted for more than one-third of unique nationwide encounters in August, which doesnt include people who had a previous encounter in the past 12 months, per CBP. The number of migrants from those countries is up 175% from August 2021. Failing communist regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba are driving a new wave of migration across the Western Hemisphere, including the recent increase in encounters at the southwest U.S. border, CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus said in a written statement. "Our dedicated teams of skilled agents continue to work around the clock to secure our border and safely and humanely process and vet every individual encountered, but those fleeing repressive regimes pose significant challenges for processing and removal," he said. Story continues Closing gaps: Feds to close small gaps in US-Mexico border wall; larger ones will remain Migrants and asylum seekers are detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in Yuma County, Arizona, near the Cocopah tribes reservation on July 28, 2022. Strained relations with those three countries make it more difficult for officials to send people back. In August, the number of migrants encountered along the southern border from Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua was nearly the same as the number of migrants from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, according to CBP. In a staggering change, the number of unique people (not counting repeat encounters) arriving at the border who are from Venezuela, Cuba, or Nicaragua is about to surpass the combined total of unique Mexicans, Guatemalans, Hondurans, and Salvadorans. Totally unprecedented. https://t.co/dCZHpDOljL pic.twitter.com/zLdPXj9wFq Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) September 19, 2022 The number of migrants from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras decreased for the third straight month and is down 43% from August 2021, according to CBP. Contact the reporter at jcastaneda1@arizonarepublic.com or connect with him on Twitter @joseicastaneda This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: US-Mexico border encounters surpass 2M as Tucson Sector sees rise A man found dead on the side of a street in Morganton has been identified. Officers with the Morganton Department of Public Safety were dispatched to the 100-block of Ross Street for an unresponsive male lying on the side of the road around 3:30 p.m. Monday, according to a press release from the department. The man, later identified as Austin Michael Collins, 26, of Ross Street, was pronounced dead by Burke County EMS personnel at the scene, the release said. MDPS investigators responded to the scene, and so far have not found any signs of foul play, the release said. Collins cause of death remains under investigation. LONG VIEW The town of Long View is on the search for a new manager to step in after its current manager retires at the end of the year. David Draughn, a native of Valdese, will retire Dec. 30 after nearly 19 years with the town for a combined 30 years working in local government in the state. Draughn started with the town of Long View in 2003 as the public works director and remained in that role until the council appointed him town manager in early 2016. Before joining the town of Long View, Draughn served as city manager in the towns of Belhaven and Tryon, as well as the assistant county manager of Polk County. Its been a rewarding career overall, Draughn said. He said there have been lots of challenges and a lot of changes in his 30-year career in local government. But the key for me has been working collaboratively with elected officials, and particularly your staff that I work hand in hand with, in particularly here theyve been just fantastic, Draughn said. And I think the towns in good position going forward for things are probably coming. And I guess thats about all you can do. One of the biggest changes to local government has been technology, Draughn said. Technology is something that has affected everybodys job, he said, recalling the first fax machine that came to town hall and having AT&T phone cards and what a big deal that was. He didnt have a computer until 1997, Draughn said. Now the world revolves around computers, emails, cellphones and social media, he said. As for the future, Draughn said he doesnt have any plans yet. I just kind of want to decompress and disconnect from this a little bit, and then well see whats next, Draughn said. I really want to thank the people of Long View, but particularly the elected officials and my staff, for all the support weve had while weve been here, and weve got a lot of good things going, he added. And wish them nothing but the best. The town has contracted with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments to help with the search. Anthony Starr, executive director of WPCOG, said the search process is in the early stages and his organization has been accepting applications. Starr said he anticipates the town council will review the applicants in early October and then schedule the initial interviews for some time in mid-October. He said he anticipates an announcement and appointment of the new town manager by the council to occur in mid to late November, with a new manager starting at the beginning of January. The job ad was posted on the North Carolina League of Municipalities website. The ad said the town is seeking an energetic, results-oriented, forward-thinking candidate for the position. The yearly salary range for the job was listed as between $100,000 to $123,000, depending on qualifications, with a full benefits package. The job ad touts the assets and location of the town and its proximity to larger cities and its quality of life. The ad says the town manager is responsible for the towns day-to-day operations and a total budget of more than $6 million, as well as overseeing its 43 full-time employees, volunteer firefighters and reserve police officers. The town manager must be able to relate well to the community and staff and partner with the council to carry out the strategic priorities of the community, the job ad says. Future initiates include economic development, main street planning, utility extensions and neighborhood redevelopment. The position requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation with a bachelors degree or masters degree (preferred) in public administration or related field and three to five years of local government manager or department head experience. LENOIR A STEM education-focused event for students from Burke and Caldwell counties took place at the Broyhill Civic Center on Thursday, Sept. 15. Hosted by STEM West, an organization that advocates for and supports the alignment of educational and occupational objectives through regional workforce and community partnerships, the event drew more than 300 students from Burke and Caldwell counties. Elaine Larsen of Larsen Motorsports and her crew traveled from Florida to bring the unique event to Western North Carolina. STEM West shared its recent successes bringing STEM education to students, as well as recently obtained grants and plans to use them for maximum student impact. Larsen and her guests from House of Kolor spoke about the advantages of strong partnerships in bringing educational opportunities to students. Following the meeting, the Blazing Trails Tour was held for more than 300 students from Burke and Caldwell counties. Students learned about what went into to creating the jet car and how the business is run. Larsen, one of only four women in the world who race jet cars, showed the students the safety gear and shared her stories from the track. She described what its like to drive over 300 mph and how the flames pluming behind the car can reach up to 2,000 degrees Celsius. Students were also able to ask questions about the engineering, dangers and thrills associated with the sport. Larsen shared about the various career opportunities in the sport from drivers and mechanics to artists who paint the cars and business or marketing professionals. Students also heard from House of Kolor, the company behind the paint job adorning the jet car. The Blazing Trails event was replicated the following day for almost 650 middle and high school students in Polk County with the addition of a presentation by Siemens who demonstrated its Solid Edge software. The event was sponsored by Siemens, House of Kolor, Northrop Grumman and Florida Tech and hosted at CCC&TI.